SciFi Japan

    Natsu and his (strangely under-dressed) allies are back in the FAIRY TAIL: PART 2 Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack, streeting December 27th. Photo courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment. © 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 Jackie Smith and Michelle Lee FUNimation Entertainment will release the Blu-ray/DVD Combo set of the action/adventure anime FAIRY TAIL: PART 2 (????????, Fearii Teiru, 2009) on December 27th. Based on the hit manga by Hiro Mashima (each new manga volume published since 2007 has debuted in the Top 5), the long running series is co-produced by A-1 Pictures and Satelight, and directed by Shinji Ishihira. The second Blu-ray/DVD Combo set contains episodes 13-24. Across the Fiore kingdom, wizards join guilds and make their pay by filling magical needs - but one guild has a reputation as the roughest, rowdiest, most dangerous of all: Fairy Tail! In the midst of a mission to break the curse over Galuna Island, Natsu and the gang face a band of deranged mages trying

    The Criterion Collection`s DVD and Blu-ray cover art for THREE OUTLAW SAMURAI. Photos courtesy of The Criterion Collection. © 1964 Shochiku Co., Ltd.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Hideo Gosha`s Classic Chambara Film Streets in February Source: The Criterion Collection, Image Entertainment Official Site: criterion.com/three-outlaw-samurai Special Thanks to Jonathan Saba On February 14th, 2012, THREE OUTLAW SAMURAI (????, Sanbiki no Samurai, 1964) will be released in digitally restored DVD and Blu-ray editions by The Criterion Collection. This first film by the legendary Hideo Gosha (SWORD OF THE BEAST) is among the most canonized chambara (sword-fighting) films. An origin-story offshoot of a Japanese television series phenomenon of the same name, THREE OUTLAW SAMURAI is a classic in its own right. In it, a wandering, seen-it-all ronin (Tetsuro Tamba) becomes entangled in the dangerous business of two other samurai (Isamu Nagato and Mikijiro Hira), hired to execute a band of peasants who have kidnapped the daughter of a corrupt magistrate. With remarkable storytelling economy and thrilling action scenes, this is an expertly mounted

    Yoshino Ishibashi (Hikari Mitsushima, right) tries to win the affections of the rich but self-centered Keigo Masuo (Masaki Okada). Photo courtesy of Third Window Films. © 2010 Toho Co., Ltd., Amuse Inc.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Third Window Films Official Movie Site: thirdwindowfilms.com/villain (UK) Special Thanks to Adam Torel Lee sang-il`s highly acclaimed adaptation of the award-winning novel by Shuichi Yoshida, VILLAIN (??, Akunin) comes out on DVD in the United Kingdom this Monday, December 5th from distributor Third Window Films. A North American release has not been announced. Nominated for 15 Japanese Academy Awards (winner of 5), winner of the Best Actress Prize at the Montreal Film Festival and picked as the `Best Japanese Film of 2010` by the Kinema Junpo organization, VILLAIN is one of the most highly rated and gripping Japanese films of the year. Yuichi Shimizu (Satoshi Tsumabuki) is a construction worker who has lived his entire life in a dreary fishing village. With no girlfriend or friends, he spends his days working and looking after his grandparents, with no enjoyment in life other

    Combo Pack art for HEAVEN`S LOST PROPERTY. Photo courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment. © 2009

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Complete Series One Streets December 20th Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release Official Site: kadokawa-anime.jp/soraoto (Japan), funimation.com/heavens-lost-property (US) Special Thanks to Jackie Smith and Michelle Lee On December 20th, the complete anime series HEAVEN`S LOST PROPERTY (????????, Sora no Otoshimono, 2009) will be released in a 5-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack by FUNimation Entertainment. Based on the manga series of the same name by Suu Minazuki, the anime was produced by Anime International Company (AIC), directed by Hisashi Saito (INUYASHA, MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM SEED) and features the talents of art director Hiromasa Ogura (FLCL, APPLESEED and GHOST IN THE SHELL). Tomoki`s life was normal until a wish-granting angelic android named Ikaros fell from the sky and started calling him master! Of course, thanks to his raging teenage hormones, most of Tomoki`s wishes have something to do with panties. And that makes things pretty complicated, because one simple wish

    Promotional art for the anime masterpiece GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES. © 1988 Nosaka Akiyuki/Shinchosha Co.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Sentai Filmworks press release Special Thanks to David Williams Sentai Filmworks proudly announces the company’s acquisition of distribution rights for the critically acclaimed animation masterpiece GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES (?????, Hotaru no Haka, 1988). Based on the semi-autobiographical retellings of survivor Nosaka Akiyuki and directed by Iaso Takahata (co-founder, with Hayao Miyazaki, of Japan’s legendary Studio Ghibli, the studio that performed the animation duties for the film,) GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES has been universally hailed as both an artistic and emotional tour de force, with famed critic Roger Ebert calling the feature “An emotional experience so powerful that it forces a rethinking of animation” and stating that “it belongs on any list of the greatest war films ever made.” Sentai Filmworks is extraordinarily honored to have been given the privilege of handling the digitally restored version of one of the art of animation’s true crowning

    Cover art for the DVD and Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack of TRIPLE TAP. Photos courtesy of Well Go USA.© 2010 Emperor Classic Films, Ltd.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Director Derek Yee’s Action Thriller Explodes on Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack and DVD December 6th Source: Well Go USA, MPRM Communications Official Site: wellgousa.com/detail-tripletap (US) Special Thanks to Liza Nedelman and Leif Helland Two-time Best Director Hong Kong Film Award winner Derek Yee’s (ONE NIGHT IN MONGKOK, SHINJUKU INCIDENT) latest action-packed thriller TRIPLE TAP (????, Qiang Wang Zhi Wang, 2010) debuts on Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack and DVD December 6 from Well Go USA. TRIPLE TAP comes packed with explosive extras, including deleted scenes, director and actor interviews, a behind-the-scenes featurette, a photo gallery and an optional English dub. Champion competitive marksman Ken Yao (Louis Koo, TRIAD ELECTION, FLASH POINT) comes across an armored van robbery. He sees a policeman held hostage and shoots and kills four of the armed robbers. One of the robbers escapes and the policeman survives. Ken becomes a hero, but

    Theatrical poster for CONFUCIUS, starring Chow Yun-Fat as the iconic philosopher. © 2010 Dadi Film Media.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    “Wisdom is the mightiest weapon” Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release Official Movie Site: kongzi.sina.com (China), funimation.com/confucius (US) Special Thanks to Scott Lonski FUNimation Entertainment has acquired the U.S. home video rights to CONFUCIUS (??, Kong Zi, 2010). This $23 million dollar budget biopic film financed by the Chinese government, stars Chow Yun-Fat as the iconic philosopher, Confucius, whose teachings and philosophy have deeply influenced life in Asia and beyond. Directed by Hu Mei, best known for her work in the acclaimed historical drama series YONG ZHENG DYNASTY and THE EMPEROR IN HAN DYNASTY and captured on Film by Oscar-winning Director of Photography Peter Pau (CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON) this cinematic masterpiece will be a must have for lovers of history. The film begins with Confucius as an old man, reflecting back on his life. Through flashbacks, we see him in his early 50s being promoted from

    Optimus Prime leads the Autobots in the computer animated film TRANSFORMERS PRIME - DARKNESS RISING, coming to DVD on December 6th. Photo courtesy of Shout! Factory. © 2011 Hasbro, Inc.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Shout! Factory press release Special Thanks to Tom Chen On December 6, 2011, Shout! Factory, in collaboration with Hasbro, Inc, will release the CGI animated film TRANSFORMERS PRIME – DARKNESS RISING on DVD. Celebrate the triumphant return of the Autobots through cutting-edge CGI animation, combining all five action-packed episodes of the TRANSFORMERS PRIME television series currently airing on The Hub television network. Delivering a new level of heavy metal action and family entertainment for all ages, this highly collectible DVD is priced to own with a suggested retail price of $14.97. TRANSFORMERS PRIME – DARKNESS RISING boasts an all-star voice cast, including Peter Cullen, Frank Welker, Steve Blum, Jeffrey Combs, Dwayne Johnson, among other notables. TRANSFORMERS PRIME is produced by Hasbro Studios. Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci and Jeff Kline are executive producers. Kurtzman and Orci served as writers for the feature films

    Saki Morimi enters a world of international intrigue when she meets Akira Takizawa in EDEN OF THE EAST. Photo courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment. © 2009 EDEN OF THE EAST.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release Official Site: juiz.jp (Japan) Special Thanks to Jackie Smith and Michelle Lee On December 27th, the complete anime series EDEN OF THE EAST (?????, Higashi no Eden, 2009) will be released in a 4-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack by FUNimation Entertainment. Produced by anime studio Production I.G. (GHOST IN THE SHELL, KILL BILL VOL. 1), the show was created, written and directed by Kenji Kamiyama (director of MORIBITO: GUARDIAN OF THE SPIRIT and the best-selling GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX), and features character designs by manga artist Chica Umino (Honey and Clover). Akira Takizawa wakes up naked outside the White House with no memories. He`s got a gun in one hand and a cell phone in the other, and he doesn`t know if he`s a good guy or one of the worst. He doesn`t remember that the

    Cover art for the DVD and Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack of 1911. Photos courtesy of Well Go USA.© 2011 Jackie and JJ Productions/Shanghai Film Group

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Jackie Chan`s 100th Movie to be Released in Multiple Formats Source: Well Go USA, MPRM Communications press release Official Movie Site: mediaasia.com/1911, 1911movie.com (US) Special Thanks to Leif Helland and Liza Nedelman Legendary action star Jackie Chan (POLICE STORY, PROJECT A, RUSH HOUR trilogy) marks the milestone of his 100th film with 1911 (????, Xin Hai Ge Ming), debuting on Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack and DVD January 10 from Well Go USA Entertainment. From the walls of the Forbidden City to the battlefields of China, with no expense spared in production and no detail ignored in its quest for historical accuracy, 1911 is a true epic in every sense of the word. The film details a key moment in modern Chinese history — the fall of the Qing Dynasty — and the violent rebellion that brought it down. In addition to Chan

    The Troll Hunter tangles with a gigantic Jotnar. © 2010 Filmkameratene AS

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    You`ll Believe It When You See It Source: Madman Entertainment Official Site: trollhunterfilm.com The Norwegian fantasy film TROLL HUNTER (Trolljegeren, 2010) will be released on DVD (Region 4, PAL) and Blu-ray (Region B) in Australia on December 14, courtesy of distributor Madman Entertainment. The SFX-laden mockumentary was among the top five most popular film at the 2011 Melbourne Film Festival, also played every major festival in Australia throughout 2011. A Hollywood remake is being developed by Chris Columbus (HOME ALONE, HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER`S STONE) for a tentative release in 2014. The government says there`s nothing to worry about - it`s just a problem with bears making trouble in the mountains and forests of Norway. But local hunters don`t believe it and neither do a trio of college students who want to find out the truth. Armed with a video camera, they trail a mysterious poacher,

    A Japanese samurai masters Thai boxing in YAMADA- WAY OF THE SAMURAI. Photo courtesy of Showbox Media Group. © 2010 Epic Pictures Group

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Showbox Media Group press release Special Thanks to Louise Rivers The UK home video label Cine-Asia has announced their release schedule for January 2012. Highlighting the month will be DVD and Blu-ray editions for YAMADA- WAY OF THE SAMURAI. Also on tap are “Hong Kong Legends” Special Edition DVDs for the Bruce Lee classics THE BIG BOSS and GAME OF DEATH plus the sequel GAME OF DEATH 2. YAMADA- WAY OF THE SAMURAI (aka YAMADA: THE SAMURAI OF AYOTHAYA, 2010) Street Date: January 30, 2012 Format: Blu-ray (Region B) Number of discs: 1 Certificate: 18 Run Time: 96 minutes SRP: £17.99 Street Date: January 30, 2012 Format: DVD (Region 2 PAL) Number of discs: 1 Certificate: 18 Run Time: 96 minutes SRP: £13.49 Get ready for hard-hitting, hi-impact fight action from the cinematic tradition that brought you ONG BAK and THE WARRIOR

    Photo courtesy of Section23 Films.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    ROZEN MAIDEN Available on December 6th Source: Section23 Films press release Special Thanks to Mike Bailiff Home video distributor Section23 Films has provided details on its December slate of releases; including ROZEN MAIDEN, a package that includes the original 12 episode series and the 12 episode sequel series TRÄUMEND. Releasing separately will be the two made for video episodes known as ROZEN MAIDEN: OUVERTÜRE, which have never been released in North America. The popular series will be released on DVD by Section23 client, Sentai Filmworks. Product details follow, in order of release... ROZEN MAIDEN COMPLETE COLLECTION Published by: Sentai Filmworks Distributed by: Section23 Films Run Time: 650 min. Street Date: 12/6/2011 Format: DVD Language: English & Japanese with English Subtitles SRP: $49.98 Remember those nightmares you had as a child, where your toys came to life? That`s the reality that Jun Sakurada suddenly finds himself living

    The Criterion Collection`s DVD and Blu-ray cover art for GODZILLA. Photos courtesy of The Criterion Collection. © 1954 Toho Co., Ltd.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Japanese and US Versions of the Original Classic Coming to DVD and Blu-ray in January Author: Keith Aiken Source: The Criterion Collection, Image Entertainment, Classic Media, Westchester Films Official Site: criterion.com/godzilla Special Thanks to Brian Carmody, Jonathan Saba, Mark Balsam, Allen Perkins and David Kalat On January 24, 2012, the Toho classic GODZILLA (???, Gojira, 1954)— along with the Americanized edit GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS (1956)— will be released in both deluxe DVD and Blu-ray editions by The Criterion Collection. Criterion`s upcoming release is something of a minor miracle considering how many companies currently have a stake in the film. For decades, Toho has allowed specific rights to their movies (theatrical, television, home video, streaming, etc.) to be sold separately; while a potential licensee can purchase whatever options are available they are not required to pay for rights they can`t use. This policy has proven effective

    Kung Fu champion Dennis To is the young Ip Man in THE LEGEND IS BORN – IP MAN, coming to Blu-ray and DVD in December. © 2010 Mei Ah Entertainment.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release Official Movie Site: IpManLegendMovie-us.com (US) Special Thanks to Jackie Smith and Michelle Lee On December 13th, THE LEGEND IS BORN – IP MAN (????, Yip Man Chinchyun, 2010) will be released on DVD and in a 2-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack by FUNimation Entertainment. The semi-biographical film is based on the early life events of Wing Chun master Yip Man, famous for mentoring Bruce Lee, and acts as a prequel to the hit films IP MAN and IP MAN 2. THE LEGEND IS BORN – IP MAN is helmed by director Herman Yau and stars Dennis To (the youngest World Kung Fu Champion of Hong Kong) in the title role. It features fight choreography by martial arts legends Sammo Hung, highlighted by a battle between Hung and Yuen Biao. The film includes an appearance by 86-year-old Ip Chun, Ip

    DVD and Blu-ray packaging for BLEACH THE MOVIE: FADE TO BLACK. Photos courtesy of VIZ Media. © Tite Kubo/Shueisha, TV Tokyo, dentsu, Pierrot © BMP 2008

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Ichigo Faces Down a Deadly New Enemy Alone in the Third BLEACH Anime Action Feature Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Official Site: tv-tokyo.co.jp/bleach/2008 (Japan), BLEACH.viz.com (US) Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen VIZ Media, LLC, the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, has announced the release of the latest BLEACH feature film – BLEACH THE MOVIE: FADE TO BLACK (Bleach Fade to Black ??????, Buriichi Fade to Black- Kimi no Na o Yobu, 2008). The movie is now available on DVD and Blu-ray, is rated ’T’ for Teens, and carries an MSRP of $19.98 for DVD (U.S. / CAN) and $24.98 for Blu-ray (U.S / CAN). BLEACH THE MOVIE: FADE TO BLACK offers both English and Japanese dialogue options as well as bonus features including production art and the original theatrical trailers. The film is

    Promotional art for A-CHANNEL. © bb Kuroda ? A-Channel Committee ? MBS

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Sentai Filmworks press release Official Site: a-ch.jp (Japan) Special Thanks to David Williams Sentai Filmworks has acquired A-CHANNEL (A?????, Ee Channeru, 2011), a cutting edge, slice of life comedy series based on the popular four panel comic by bb Kuroda. Helming the task of adapting the four panel strip into a linear story are director Manabu Ono (TRANSFORMERS: CYBERTRON, DRAGONAUT, HORIZON IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE) and lead writer Tatsuhiko Urahata (STRAWBERRY PANIC, MURDER PRINCESS, MONSTER). Animation director and character designer Masakatsu Sasaki (SAKI, EROTIC TORTURE CHAMBER) adapts Kuroda’s designs for the animation medium while music is in the hands of Satoru Kousaki (LUCKY STAR, THE MELANCHOLY OF HARUHI SUZUMIYA). Toru and Run have been best friends forever, so when Toru learns that she’s managed to get into the same high school as Run, she runs to tell her... only to find Run in a

    Jet Jaguar, Godzilla, Gigan and Megalon take a break from battle to pose for a GODZILLA VS MEGALON publicity shot. © 1973 Toho Co., Ltd.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Steve Ryfle and Stuart Galbraith IV Detail their Efforts on the New Media Blasters DVD and Blu-ray Author: Keith Aiken A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE After decades of low quality, unauthorized videos, Toho`s GODZILLA VS MEGALON (???????, Gojira tai Megaro, 1973) will finally receive an official, licensed release on home video in North America this November 29th from Media Blasters. While Media Blasters has yet to reveal all of the details for their upcoming DVD and Blu-ray, MEGALON will feature the original Japanese version with 2.0 and 5.1 audio, the uncut English dub (never commercially available before in the US), plus extras such as a feature length audio commentary by film historians Steve Ryfle and Stuart Galbraith IV. Both are familiar names to Japanese movie fans. Steve Ryfle authored the book Japan’s Favorite Mon-Star (1998) and contributed to the press kit for Rialto

    The DVD of DOCUMENTARY OF AKB48 – TO BE CONTINUED will be available on December 1st. Photo courtesy of NEW PEOPLE Entertainment. © 2011

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    New Music Biopic Traces the Rise to International Fame of Japan’s Most Popular Pop Idol Group Source: NEW PEOPLE Entertainment, MediaLab press release Official Site: 2010-akb48.jp (Japan) Special Thanks to Erik Jansen NEW PEOPLE Entertainment, a film division of NEW PEOPLE, Inc. that focuses on the licensing and distribution of Japanese films and media, has announced the release of DOCUMENTARY OF AKB48 – TO BE CONTINUED (AKB48??????????????, 10 Nengo, Shojo Tachi wa Ima no Jibun ni Nani wo Omounodaro, 2011) on DVD on Thursday, December 1st. The new music biopic follows the unstoppable all-female Japanese pop idol group, AKB48, on their incredible rise to fame, and will be sold exclusively online for $19.99 through the NEW PEOPLE store at store.newpeopleworld.com. DVD pre-orders will begin today. For a limited time, NEW PEOPLE is offering a FREE bonus DVD title from its catalog to all pre-order purchasers. Select

    Australian DVD and Blu-ray cover art for the Japanese live action sci-fi adventure GANTZ. Photo courtesy of Madman Entertainment. © Hiroya Oku/Shueisha © 2011 Gantz Film Partners

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    To Continue Life, Play the Game of Death on December 14th Source: Madman Entertainment Official Movie Site: gantz-movie.com (Japan), gantzmovies.com (US) Following home video releases in North America and the United Kingdom, the sci-fi action film GANTZ (??, Gantsu, 2011) will come to DVD (Region 4, PAL) and Blu-ray (Region B) in Australia on December 14, courtesy of distributor Madman Entertainment. Madman will release the sequel, GANTZ 2: PERFECT ANSWER (?? PERFECT ANSWER, Gantsu Pafekuto Ansaa, 2011) in February 2012. Based on the manga Gantz written by Hiroya Oku, the multi-million dollar live-action adaptation topped Japan`s box office on its opening weekend, raking in over $7.5 million USD. GANTZ was 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

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