SciFi Japan

    The King of the Monsters makes his debut in GODZILLA, now available on Blu-ray and DVD from The Criterion Collection. © 1954 Toho Co., Ltd.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Author: Allen Perkins Source: The Criterion Collection Official Site: criterion.com/godzilla Special Thanks to Curtis Tsui On January 24th, the prestigious Criterion Collection released GODZILLA (???, Gojira, 1954) and its companion film GODZILLA KING OF THE MONSTERS (1956) on DVD and Blu-ray in a fantastic special edition. For Criterion to release GODZILLA represents one of the highest honors the film has ever received and truly solidifies its status as not just a classic monster movie, but also an important cinematic achievement. Few films can lay claim to such an honor. Godzilla fans all over should be proud that this film joins a series that includes most of Akira Kurosawa’s output. VIDEO GODZILLA is presented in a pillarboxed 1080p transfer in its original 1.37:1 aspect ratio and is sourced from a 35mm fine grain print struck from the original camera negative. The image is much

    There`s some crazy magic fighting in store for the FAIRY TAIL: PART 4 Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack, streeting March 20th. © 2009 Fairy Tail Guild Production Committee: Hiro Mashima/ Kodansha/ TV Tokyo

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release Official Site: tv-tokyo.co.jp/fairytail (Japan), funimation.com/fairy-tail (US) Special Thanks to Scott Lonski, Tim Baxter and Michelle Lee FUNimation Entertainment will release the Blu-ray/DVD Combo set of the action/adventure anime FAIRY TAIL: PART 4 (????????, Fearii Teiru, 2009) on March 20th. Based on the hit manga by Hiro Mashima, the long running series is co-produced by A-1 Pictures and Satelight, and directed by Shinji Ishihira. The fourth Blu-ray/DVD Combo set contains episodes 37-48. Forced to face her demons at the Tower of Heaven, Erza is in real danger of becoming a live sacrifice in Jellal’s demented plan -- which spells disaster for Fairy Tail’s strongest team! As the Council prepares to wipe out the island with the Etherion beam, Erza’s allies endure a heart wrenching battle to get her back! Big surprises await the comrades as they return for Magnolia’s

    Promotional art for GINTAMA – THE MOVIE. © Hideaki Sorachi/ Gintama The Movie Production Committee

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Sentai Filmworks press release Official Site: warnerbros.co.jp/gintama (Japan) Special Thanks to David Williams Sentai Filmworks once again returns to the world of the strangest samurai odd jobs ever with the company’s announcement of their licensing of GINTAMA – THE MOVIE (???????????, Gekijouban Gintama: Shinyaku Benizakura-Hen, 2010), the latest installment in the hugely successful GINTAMA animated series based on the Gin Tama manga series by Hideaki Sorachi. Following the wise, ancient and possibly Japanese adage of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” the 95 minute feature film reunites most of the key staff of the TV series. Director, Shinji Takamatsu (SCHOOL RUMBLE) and writer Akatsuki Yamatoya (To LOVE RU, SOUL EATER) handle the story components of the film, while animation director Shinji Takeuchi (SAMURAI CHAMPLOO) once again takes up the task of adapting Sorachi’s original character designs for film. Odd Jobs Gin has taken on

    Image courtesy of The Associates. © 2010 Sengoku Bancho Production Committee

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Official Site: tekken-bloodvengeance.com (Japan) Source: The Associates press release A former assistant director to prolific and controversial filmmaker Takashi Miike and now an equally maverick director in his own right, Kenichiro Nishiumi is the man behind SAMURAI WARRIOR (???????????, Sengoku Bancho Gachi-Zamurai, 2010), a period-set martial arts action saga starring Yuma Ishigaki (13 ASSASSINS) and Suzunosuke (CROWS ZERO 1 and II; CYBORG GIRL). During Japan’s Warring States Period many powerful feudal lords took it upon themselves to pillage neighboring lands whenever the opportunity arose. As steps towards unifying the whole country began, battles unfolded and many men left the smaller villages to fight in the larger territories. Among those left behind to tend to the farmlands were groups of hoodlum youths, referred to as “Evil Little Devils”, who -- dreaming of supplanting their superiors -- spent much of their time brawling and “stealing”

    Win a GANTZ II: PERFECT ANSWER Prize Pack containing a poster and the 2-Disc DVD. Photo courtesy of NEW PEOPLE Entertainment. © Hiroya Oku/Shueisha © 2011 Gantz Film Partners

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: NEW PEOPLE Entertainment Official Movie Site: gantz-movie.com (Japan), gantzmovies.com (US) Special Thanks to Shio Toyoda A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Last month, NEW PEOPLE Entertainment released GANTZ II: PERFECT ANSWER (?? PERFECT ANSWER, Gantsu Pafekuto Ansaa, 2011) -- the live-action film sequel to GANTZ (??, 2011) -- on Region 1 DVD (SRP $24.92) and Blu-ray/DVD combo-pack (SRP $29.99). The GANTZ films are based on the hit manga series created by Hiroya Oku, which has sold over 15 million copies worldwide and was previously adapted in a 26 episode anime series. Directed by Shinsuke Sato (THE PRINCESS BLADE) and starring Kazunari Ninomiya (LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA) and Kenichi Matsuyama (DEATH NOTE, DETROIT METAL CITY), both GANTZ movies debuted at the top the Japanese box office. To celebrate the new film`s North American release, NEW PEOPLE Entertainment is giving SciFi Japan readers a chance to win a

    Earth forces attempt to repel alien invaders in PLANZET, the computer animated science fiction film from NEGADON director Jun Awazu. © 2010 Jun Awazu/Media Factory/CoMix Wave Films

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Sentai Filmworks press release Official Movie Site: planzet.jp (Japan) Special Thanks to David Williams Sentai Filmworks is pleased to announce its license of PLANZET (??????, Puranzetto, 2010), a science fiction tale of invasion and human struggle and survival. The creation of writer, director and character designer Jun Awazu (NEGADON: THE MONSTER FROM MARS), the movie is presented by industry innovator CoMix Wave (5 CENTIMETERS PER SECOND, Hoshizora Kiseki) and has been featured at festivals such as the 14th Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival and SIGGRAPH Asia 2010. CGI is directed by Shin Miyahara (KARAS: THE PROPHECY) and music is by Shingo Terasawa with the main theme being sung by Chitose Hajime (BLOOD+). In 2047, an unknown, alien life-form descends upon the Earth, destroying all the major cities in one fell swoop. The survivors unite and build a Diffusor to stop the Februus

    Rin (Mika Hijii, foreground right) is one of the many ninja who must stop a killer alien in Sushi Typhoon`s ALIEN VS NINJA. Photo courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment. © 2010 Sushi Typhoon & “Alien vs. Ninja” Production Committee

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release Official Site: funimation.com/avn, Sushi Typhoon (US), Sushi Typhoon (Japan) Special Thanks to Scott Lonski, Tim Baxter and Michelle Lee On February 21st, FUNimation Entertainment will reissue ALIEN VS NINJA (AVN, 2010), this time in a 2 disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack. The filmmakers behind TOKYO GORE POLICE and THE MACHINE GIRL joined studio Sushi Typhoon for their first creation in a line of pure and entertaining cult cinema... a new hybrid of science fiction, horror, comedy and period action film brought to fans by legendary action directors and fight choregraphers Yuji Shimomura (VERSUS, SHINOBI, DEATH TRANCE) and Kensuke Sonomura (MACHINE GIRL, HARD REVENGE MILLY: BLOODY BATTLE), and directed by Seiji Chiba (DEATH TRANCE, EVIL NINJA)! Centuries ago, the fiercest ninjas of the Iga clan face their toughest enemies -- and they aren’t from this planet! A fiery mass crashes

    Shikanotoride Junior High Class 3-B is sent on a suicide mission in the director`s cut of BATTLE ROYALE II: REQUIEM. © 2003 The “Battle Royale” Production Committee

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    This Time It`s War Source: Madman Entertainment press release BATTLE ROYALE II: REQUIEM (????????? II????????????, Batoru Rowaiaru II: Chinkonka, 2003), the follow-up to the cult classic BATTLE ROYALE (?????????, Batoru Rouaiaru, 2000), will be released on Region 4 DVD in March by Madman Entertainment. The new release will be a "director`s cut" (also known as BATTLE ROYALE II: REVENGE) with 25 minutes of extra footage. Never before seen in Australia, the extended version ups the stakes in every way. It`s three years after the events of the original BATTLE ROYALE, and Shuya Nanahara (DEATH NOTE`s Tatsuya Fujiwara) is now an internationally-known terrorist determined to bring down the government. His terrorist group, Wild Seven, stages an attack that levels several buildings in Tokyo on Christmas Day, killing 8000 people. Exactly one year afterward, the government enacts the "New Century Terrorist Counter-Measure Alternative" program, a.k.a.

    Promotional art for THE BOOK OF BANTORRA. © Ishio Yamagata • Shigeki Maeshima • Shueisha/ Library of Bantorra

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Sentai Filmworks press release Official Site: bantorra.com, tsutaya.co.jp/shisho (Japan) Special Thanks to David Williams Sentai Filmworks is glad to announce its licensing of THE BOOK OF BANTORRA (???? The Book of Bantorra, Tatakau Shisho - The Book of Bantorra, 2009), the action-packed anime where the story of your life is a book - literally! Based on the light novels written by Ishio Yamagata and illustrated by Shigeki Maeshima, the 27 episode series is directed by Toshiya Shinohara (BLACK BUTLER, INUYASHA movies) with character designs by Masaki Yamada (TIGER & BUNNY, APPLESEED: EX MACHINA) and music by Yoshihisa Hirano (DEATH NOTE, BROKEN BLADE). In another time and place, on a world of pain and sorrow, when someone dies, their soul doesn’t go to Heaven or Hell -- it becomes a book. A book that reveals the deceased’s innermost secrets... and can be read by anyone. Protecting

    Promotional art for GET BACKERS. © Yuya Aoki • Rando Ayamine • Kodansha/ Team Get Backers

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Sentai Filmworks press release Official Site: tbs.co.jp/getbackers (Japan) Special Thanks to David Williams Sentai Filmworks proudly announces the licensing of the fan-favorite GET BACKERS (???????? -???-, Gettobakkaazu Dakkan`ya, 2002), the anime where anything that’s been taken can be returned to its rightful owner by the Get Backers – Ban & Ginji. The 49 episode series was produced by Studio Deen (HELL GIRL, RUROUNI KENSHIN) with series composition by Akemi Omode (RUROUNI KENSHIN, KYO KARA MAOH!) and character designs by Atsuko Nkajima (HAKOUKI, YOU`RE UNDER ARREST). Whether it’s a favorite stuffed animal, a priceless painting or even your last shred of hope, if someone’s taken it from you, Ban and Ginji will get it back. They’re the Get Backers, an expert “recovery” service. And they’ll retrieve what’s been stolen, no matter what it is or who took it. Of course, with Ban’s special “Evil Eye” and

    The young warlord Sanada Yukimura must join forces with his rivals to combat an even greater threat in SENGOKU BASARA: SAMURAI KINGS, coming to Region 1 DVD and Blu-ray on February 7th. Image courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment. © Capcom/Team Basara

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: FUNimation Entertainment Official Site: funimation.com/sengoku-basara-samurai-kings (US) Special Thanks to Scott Lonski, Tim Baxter and Michelle Lee FUNimation Entertainment will release two SENGOKU BASARA: SAMURAI KINGS (??BASARA, 2009-2010) Complete Series Blu-ray/DVD Combo packs on February 7th. Based on the brutal video game world created by Capcom, the animated series was produced by the famed studio Production I.G. (GHOST IN THE SHELL, KILL BILL VOL. 1, EDEN OF THE EAST). SENGOKU BASARA: SAMURAI KINGS -- Complete Series Blu-ray/DVD Combo SENGOKU BASARA drops you directly into the burning battlefields of feudal Japan, where rival warlords hack and slash their way to total domination. Each conqueror wields a special attack that boosts their powers of devastation, and each commands a horde of relentless warriors. But when a supreme evil -- the Demon Lord -- threatens the land, these fierce generals launch a co-op campaign of annihilation

    Send Mill Creek your GAMERA 3 Blu-ray cover sleeve to receive a free replacement disc with corrected subtitles. Photo courtesy of Mill Creek Entertainment. © 1999 Kadokawa Pictures, Inc.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Mill Creek Entertainment Special Thanks to Chris Smith and Barrett Evans Last September, Mill Creek Entertainment released the acclaimed daikaiju film GAMERA 3: REVENGE OF IRIS (???3 ?????????, Gamera 3: Jyashin Iris Kakusei, 1999) on Blu-ray, both as a single disc and as part of a GAMERA TRILOGY Collector`s Edition set. The bargain priced (SRP: $9.98) release -- packed with nearly 3 hours of Gamera bonus features -- was unfortunately marred by subtitling problems, including subtitles which were out of sync with onscreen dialogue and text. Mill Creek is now offering free replacement copies of GAMERA 3 for people who are having issues with the subtitles. They`ve asked SciFi Japan to run the following message... GAMERA 3 Replacements now available! If you are having problems with the subtitles on GAMERA 3, please send your artwork wrap (as proof of purchase) with your contact and mailing

    Japanese promotional art for PSYCHIC SQUAD. © 2008 Takashi Shiina/ Zettai Karin Children Partners

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Sentai Filmworks press release Official Site: z-child.com (Japan) Special Thanks to David Williams Sentai Filmworks is glad to announce its license of PSYCHIC SQUAD (?????????, Zettai Karin Children, 2008) where, once upon a time, there were three little girls -- who were all considered national security risks and a danger to the human race! The 52 episode series is based on a manga by Takashi Shiina (Ghost Sweeper Mikami) with direction by Keiichiro Kawaguchi (HAYATE THE COMBAT BUTLER, NYANKOI) and music by Kotaro Nakagawa (CODE GEASS, INU x BOKU SS). They’re cute, adorable and three of the most powerful Espers the world has ever seen: Kaoru, the brash psychokinetic who can move objects with her mind; Shiho, the sarcastic and dark natured psychometric able to pick thoughts from people’s minds and read the pasts of inanimate objects like a book; and Aoi, the most collected

    Meet the English voice cast of the anime series PUELLA MAGI MADOKA MAGICA at Anime Jungle on February 17th. © Magica Quartet?Aniplex, Madoka Partners, MBS

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Special Event at Anime Jungle on February 17th Source: Anime Jungle, AniplexUSA Official Site: madoka-magica.com (Japan), MadokaMagicaUSA.com (US) Special Thanks to Tetsu Shiota Celebrating the release of PUELLA MAGI MADOKA MAGICA (???????????, Maho Shojo Madoka Magika) Vol. 1 in North America, Aniplex of America is having a special Meet and Greet Event with the English voice cast of the series. Fans will get to share the excitement of MADOKA MAGICA with the English cast just days after the release of the First Volume (February 14th). This Meet and Greet Event will be held on Friday February 17th at 8:30 PM at Anime Jungle #1 in Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo. The MADOKA MAGICA Meet and Greet event is open to the public and is a great opportunity for fans to meet the English cast in person and show their love for the series. Fans

    Loan shark Aiichiro Fukuhara (Tomokazu Miura) and slacker law school student Fumiya Takemura (Joe Odagiri) walk across Tokyo in director Miki Satoshi`s award-winning comedy ADRIFT IN TOKYO. Photo courtesy of Third Window Films. © 2007 Adrift in Tokyo Film Partners

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Acclaimed Comedy Streets February 27th Source: Third Window Films Official Movie Site: tokyosanpo.jp (Japan), thirdwindowfilms.com/adrift-in-tokyo (UK) Special Thanks to Adam Torel Joe Odagiri (MASKED RIDER KUUGA, BRIGHT FUTURE, AIR DOLL) stars in director Miki Satoshi`s (TURTLES ARE SURPRISINGLY FAST SWIMMERS, INSTANT SWAMP) comedy ADRIFT IN TOKYO (??, TenTen, 2007), coming to DVD in the United Kingdom on February 27th from distributor Third Window Films. The film has not been released on DVD or Blu-ray in the United States. Leading a lazy life, Fumiya Takemura (Odagiri) has been a university student for 8 years and owes money to loan sharks. One day, a man named Aiichiro Fukuhara (Tomokazu Miura - ALWAYS -SUNSET ON THIRD STREET) comes to collect the loan, which Fumiya cannot pay. So Fukuhara makes a proposition: He will cancel the debt as long as Fumiya agrees to walk with him across

    Key art for HAGANAI. © 2011 Yomi Hirasaka ? Media Factory/ Hanagai Production Committee

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release Official Site: tbs.co.jp/anime/haganai/ (Japan), funimation.com/haganai (US) Special Thanks to Scott Lonski FUNimation Entertainment announced yesterday at Ohayocon that it has acquired the broadcast, home entertainment, merchandising, mobile and streaming rights to the anime series, HAGANAI (????????, Boku wa Tomodachi Ga Sukunai, 2011). Based on the novels by Yomi Hirasaka, HANAGAI was directed by Hisashi Saito (BAMBOO BLADE, HEAVEN`S LOST PROPERTY) and produced by the animation studio AIC Build (Anime International Company Inc.). Kodaka Hasegawa has just transferred to St. Chronica`s Academy and he`s having a hard time making friends. With his naturally blond hair and fierce looking eyes, people constantly mistake him for a delinquent. One day, he runs into his bad-tempered loner of a classmate, Yozora, while she`s talking to her imaginary friend, Tomo. Since neither of them have any friends, they decide to form a club and start recruiting

    .hack fans will return to The World R:X in the three part series .hack//QUANTUM, coming Region 1 DVD and Blu-ray. © 2011 .hack Conglomerate?© Quantum Project

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: FUNimation Entertainment Official Sites: hack.channel.or.jp/quantum (Japan), FUNimation.com/hackquantum (US) Special Thanks to Scott Lonski, Tim Baxter and Michelle Lee Distributor FUNimation Entertainment will release the complete OVA (original video animation) series .hack//QUANTUM (?????? ?????, Dotto Hakku Kuwantamu, 2010) in a Blu-ray/DVD Combo pack on February 14th. .hack//QUANTUM is the latest installment in the .hack franchise from Showgate, adapted from the .hack role-playing games created by Bandai Namco Games. This three episode OVA is animated by Kinema Citrus Studio and directed by Masaki Tachibana (TOKYO MAGNITUDE 8.0). Tobias, Mary, and Sakuya are way into the world’s largest online fantasy role-playing game known as The World R:X. Together, they form an inseparable group, grinding toward the break of day and running dungeons in search of the artifacts of adventure. But when the trio becomes lost in this virtual labyrinth, a chance encounter with the mysterious

    Australian DVD and Blu-ray cover art for GANTZ: PERFECT ANSWER. Photos courtesy of Madman Entertainment. © Hiroya Oku/Shueisha © 2011 Gantz Film Partners

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Second Installment of the Popular GANTZ Franchise Streets February 15th Source: Madman Entertainment Official Movie Site: gantz-movie.com (Japan), gantzmovies.com (US) The Australian label Madman Entertainment will release the box office hit GANTZ: PERFECT ANSWER (?? PERFECT ANSWER, Gantsu Pafekuto Ansaa, 2011) on DVD (Region 4, PAL) and Blu-ray (Region B) in February 2012. The discs will feature a never-before seen extended version of the film with new scenes added. Based on the manga Gantz written by Hiroya Oku, the GANTZ movies were directed by Shinsuke Sato (THE PRINCESS BLADE) and produced by Takahiro Sato. Sato had previously produced the DEATH NOTE trilogy, which have sold over 10,000 units in Australia. In GANTZ, two students, Kei Kurono (Kazunari Ninomiya) and Masaru Kato (Kenichi Matsuyama), are hit by a train in an attempt to save a homeless man`s life. The pair awaken in a mysterious

    © 2009 Takeshobo Inc.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Asian Crush, Media Blasters, Inc. The home video label Asian Crush, a division of Asian Media Rights, has announced the Region 1 DVD release of the Japanese horror films END CALL (??????, Endokoru, 2008) and LUST IN HELL – EDGE OF THE WORLD (???? ?? ???? ? ??????, Bi Denki Shinsetsu Botandourou Ichi Kono Yono Hate, 2009). Asian Crush titles are distributed by Media Blasters. LUST IN HELL – EDGE OF THE WORLD Director: Tadashi Shimizu Cast: Mari Sakurai, Ryo Ishii After losing her parents in a tragic traffic accident, Koto (Mari Sakurai, BIG TITS ZOMBIE) develops the ability to communicate with the souls of the dead. Hospitalized for extreme trauma, Koto escapes to return to the place where her parents died. There she meets Shinji, whose lover also died in a car accident, and they begin a torrid and tempestuous affair. The pair embark

    FUNimation`s plans to release DRAGON BALL Z on Blu-ray are now on hold. © 1989 Toei Animation Co., Ltd.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release Official Site: toei-anim.co.jp/dragonz (Japan), funimation.com/dragon-ball-z (US) Special Thanks to Michelle Lee and Scott Lonski FUNimation Entertainment has officially confirmed they have suspended production of all future planned Blu-ray releases of DRAGON BALL Z including Level 2.1 scheduled to be released on March 27, 2012. Blu-ray editions of DRAGON BALL Z went into production based on fan demand, however due to technical challenges of restoring from the original film frame by frame, we are unable to continue these releases by way of this process. FUNimation will be re-evaluating the current process and researching more efficient methods of restoration. Specific questions may be directed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. About FUNimation Entertainment FUNimation Entertainment is the leading anime company in North America. FUNimation has a proven formula

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