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    The cast and director of ULTRAMAN ORB: THE ORIGIN SAGA attend a premiere day commemorative event at Sunshine City. Front row, left to right: Saki Fukuda (Amate), Takaya Aoyagi (Juggrus Juggler), Hideo Ishiguro (Gai Kurenai), Takeshi Tsuruno (Shin Asuka), Taiyo Sugiura (Musashi Haruno) and Ultraman Orb Origin · The First. Back row: Yasuyuki Maekawa (Shinra), Takaaki Enoki (Raigo), Motoya Izumi (Psychi) and Kazuya Konaka. Photo courtesy of Tsuburaya Productions. © Tsuburaya Productions

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    Source: Tsuburaya Productions Official Site: m-78.jp/orb/saga (Japan) In celebration of the premiere of ULTRAMAN ORB: THE ORIGIN SAGA (????????? THE ORIGIN SAGA, Urutoraman Oobu THE ORIGIN SAGA) on Amazon Prime Video (Japan), Tsuburaya Productions held a special commemorative event from 1:00-2:00 PM today at Sunshine City Specialty Store Area, Alpa Basement, 1st Floor Fountain Plaza (3-1-1, Higashi-ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo). The cast and lead director were on hand to discuss the new series. As a tie-in promotion, Amazon.co.jp today launched the "Ultraman Corner" online store. Fans will now have easier access than ever before to a wide variety of Ultraman goods. ULTRAMAN ORB: THE ORIGIN SAGA is a spin off and prequel to the ULTRAMAN ORB (?????????, Urutoraman Oobu, 2016) television series, detailing the early days of hero Gai Kurenai (Hideo Ishiguro) and his arch-enemy, Juggrus Juggler (Takaya Aoyagi), when they were friends and allies fighting together in

    Logo for ULTRAMAN ORB: THE ORIGIN SAGA. Image courtesy of Tsuburaya Productions. © Tsuburaya Productions

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    Source: Tsuburaya Productions Official Site: m-78.jp/orb/saga (Japan) Tsuburaya Productions has provided press notes and images from ULTRAMAN ORB: THE ORIGIN SAGA (????????? THE ORIGIN SAGA, Urutoraman Oobu THE ORIGIN SAGA), streaming exclusively on Amazon Prime Video (Japan) starting Monday, December 26th. The new show is a spin off of the ULTRAMAN ORB (?????????, Urutoraman Oobu, 2016) television series -- currently broadcast on six TV Tokyo stations in Japan and simulcast by Crunchyroll in America -- and part of a multi-platform cross-promotion that also includes the feature film, ULTRAMAN ORB THE MOVIE (??? ?????????????????????, Gekijoo-ban Urutoraman Oobu Kizuna no Chikara, Okari Shimasu!), coming March 2017. ULTRAMAN ORB: THE ORIGIN SAGA is a prequel to the ULTRAMAN ORB series, detailing the early days of hero Gai Kurenai (Hideo Ishiguro) and his arch-enemy, Juggrus Juggler (Takaya Aoyagi), when they were friends and allies fighting together in

    Studio Ghibli`s OCEAN WAVES will finally be released in North America, more than 23 years after its Japanese debut. Image courtesy of GKIDS. © 1993 Saeko Himuro – Studio Ghibli – N

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    Source: GKIDS Inc. press release Official Site: gkids.com/ocean-waves GKIDS is excited to announce they are finally bringing Studio Ghibli`s OCEAN WAVES (??????, Umi ga Kikoeru, 1993) to North America. The film will play starting on December 28th at IFC Center in New York, and one night only in Los Angeles at the Egyptian Theatre, in a new 4K restoration. Rarely seen outside of Japan, OCEAN WAVES is a subtle, poignant and wonderfully detailed story of adolescence and teenage isolation. Taku and his best friend Yutaka are headed back to school for what looks like another uneventful year. But they soon find their friendship tested by the arrival of Rikako, a beautiful new transfer student from Tokyo whose attitude vacillates wildly from flirty and flippant to melancholic. When Taku joins Rikako on a trip to Tokyo, the school erupts with rumors, and the three

    GODZILLA VS. BIOLLANTE © 1989 Toho Co., Ltd.

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    ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS GODZILLA!!! Source: El Rey Network press release Special Thanks to Katie Lanegran EL REY NETWORK INVADES THE HOLIDAYS WITH THIRD ANNUAL "KAIJU CHRISTMAS" MARATHON FEATURING96 HOURS OF CLASSIC GODZILLA FILMS BEGINNING FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23RD AT 6AM ET/PT Join El Rey Network for the third annual "Kaiju Christmas" marathon bringing you over 96 hours of roaring action featuring the one and only Godzilla. The marathon crashes into your home with the original film that started it all, GOJIRA on Friday, December 23rd at 6AM ET/PT and culminates with GODZILLA RAIDS AGAIN on Monday, December 26th at 6AM ET/PT. To find El Rey Network in your area please check out the channel finder at ElReyChannelfinder. El Rey Network’s “Kaiju Christmas” Godzilla Marathon Film Schedule FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23RD 6:00 AM ET/PT “GOJIRA” 8:00 AM ET/PT “GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS”

    English poster for ULTRAMAN X THE MOVIE. © 2016 UX FILM PARTNERS

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    Source: William Winckler Productions, Inc., Tsuburaya Productions Special Thanks to William Winckler A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE SciFi Japan is pleased to present our second Ultraman exclusive in as many days! Earlier this week, SFJ reported that Tsuburaya Productions and their U.S. distributor, William Winckler Productions, Inc., were bringing their two most recent Ultraman films -- ULTRAMAN X THE MOVIE (??? ??????? ??????????????, Gekijoo-ban Urutoraman X Kita Zo! Ware-ra no Urutoraman, 2016) and ULTRAMAN GINGA S THE MOVIE (??? ?????????? ??! ????10??!!, Gekijoo-ban Urutoraman Ginga S Kessen! Urutora 10 Yuushi!!, 2015) -- to American theaters beginning January 8, 2017. The two films will be shown as a special “Double Feature” featuring all-new English language dubs. William Winckler Productions has now provided a behind the scenes look at the dubbing process, and English voice cast/crew lists for three Ultraman movies... including the TV film ULTRA FIGHT VICTORY

    Ultraman Orb (center) teams up with Ultraman Ginga, Ultraman Victory, Ultraman X and Ultra Seven in ULTRAMAN ORB THE MOVIE. Photo courtesy of Tsuburaya Productions and Shochiku. © 2017 “Ultraman Orb The Movie” Film Partners

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    Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd., Tsuburaya Productions Official Site: m-78.jp/orb/movie (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Tsuburaya Productions and distributor Shochiku have provided SciFi Japan with a big update for their upcoming film, ULTRAMAN ORB THE MOVIE. We`ve got the latest voice cast and theme song news, a trailer, high-res poster art (2 designs) and so many new photos we`ve decided to split them into two articles... so be sure to check back with SFJ soon for more pics! On the casting front, top voice actor Koichi Yamadera (GHOST IN THE SHELL, NEON GENESIS EVANGELION, COWBOY BEBOP, DRAGON BALL Z: BATTLE OF GODS) will lend his vocal talents to a new villain, Alien Gapiya Sadeath. Also providing their voices (in as-yet unnamed roles) are the self-professed "otaku" Hirohisa Ota, Otake and Shinji Saito of the popular comedy trio Jungle Pocket. Recent Ultra Series

    Hayao Miyazaki`s PRINCESS MONONOKE returns to US cinemas for a special 20th anniversary event. Image courtesy of GKIDS. © 1997 Studio Ghibli - ND

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    Special Event Includes Never Before Seen Miyazaki Music Video! Source: GKIDS Inc. press release Official Site: princessmononoke20.com PRINCESS MONONOKE (?????, Mononoke Hime, 1997), the classic animated film from groundbreaking writer/director Hayao Miyazaki and the legendary Studio Ghibli, returns to movie theaters for TWO NIGHTS ONLY in celebration of the beloved historical fantasy’s 20th anniversary and director Hayao Miyazaki’s birthday (January 5). PRINCESS MONONOKE comes to U.S. cinemas, subtitled on Thursday, January 5, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. and English dubbed on Monday, January 9 at 7:00 p.m. The celebration will include the exclusive addition of the 1995 Miyazaki-directed music video by the Japanese rock duo Chage & Aska for their song “On Your Mark," never before released in North America. PRINCESS MONONOKE unfolds as Ashitaka, a young warrior inflicted with a deadly curse, heads into the forest in search of a cure. There, he meets the enigmatic Princess

    Image courtesy of Funimation Entertainment. © Bird Studio, Shueisha, Toei Animation

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    Episodes from New Storyline by Creator Akira Toriyama Source: Funimation Entertainment press release Official Site: toei-anim.co.jp/dragon_s (Japan), DragonBallSuperOfficial.com (US) Special Thanks to Scott Lonski DRAGON BALL fans everywhere just received the biggest gift of the holiday season. Toei Animation Inc., Funimation Entertainment and Adult Swim are pleased to announce their partnership to bring DRAGON BALL SUPER (???????? (????), Doragon Booru-Choo (Suupaa), 2015-) to TV audiences starting next January. DRAGON BALL SUPER is the first new storyline in more than 18 years from original creator Akira Toriyama and the DRAGON BALL franchise, which was first introduced to the U.S. more than 20 years ago. Adult Swim will begin airing the U.S. English dub of DRAGON BALL SUPER Season 1 during the Toonami block starting on January 7, 2017 at 8 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. ET. Season 1, which totals 26 episodes, encompasses the BATTLE OF GODS and RESURRECTION

    Toei has provided another batch of pics from their upcoming anime feature film. POP IN Q. Image courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd. © Toei Animation/'Pop in Q' Partners 2016

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    Source: Toei Co., hLtd. Official Site: popin-q.com (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Toei has provided two trailers and additional images from POP IN Q (????Q, PoppinQ), the 60th anniversary film from Toei Animation. The movie opens in Japan on December 23rd. About Toei Company, Ltd. Established in 1951, Toei Company is not only producing and distributing films, but it is also one of the major exhibitors in Japan. The company owns two film studios located in Tokyo and Kyoto. The films produced cover wide range of genres, exceeding 20,000 titles. ? About Toei Animation Company, Ltd. With headquarters in Tokyo and sales offices in Los Angeles, Hong Kong and

    English poster for ULTRAMAN GINGA S THE MOVIE. ©2015 UGS FILM PARTNERS

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    New Ultraman Movie Double Feature to Have Theatrical Screenings at Select Theaters Across the U.S. Source: William Winckler Productions, Inc., Tsuburaya Productions Special Thanks to William Winckler A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE HOLLYWOOD, CA – December 5, 2016 – Japanese studio Tsuburaya Productions Company Ltd., and their U.S. distributor William Winckler Productions, Inc., have secured select U.S. theatrical play dates for their new, English dubbed, 50th Anniversary feature film of Ultraman, titled ULTRAMAN X THE MOVIE (??? ??????? ??????????????, Gekijoo-ban Urutoraman X Kita Zo! Ware-ra no Urutoraman, 2016), along with their new English dubbed film ULTRAMAN GINGA S THE MOVIE (??? ?????????? ??! ????10??!!, Gekijoo-ban Urutoraman Ginga S Kessen! Urutora 10 Yuushi!!, 2015), as a special “Double Feature” presentation starting January 8th, 2017. The Chicago Music Box Theatre, Cleveland Cinemas, the Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas, Northwest Diversified Entertainment Theaters, Keystone Cinemas, and other U.S.

    Image courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures Japan. © 2mixi, lnc. All rights reserved.

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    Source: Warner Bros. Pictures Japan Official Site: anime-movie.monster-strike.com (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Distributor Warner Bros. Pictures Japan has provided a trailer and images from their new anime film, MONSTER STRIKE THE MOVIE. The picture opens at the Shinjuku Piccadilly and other theaters across Japan on December 10. The film is based on the hit MONSTER STRIKE (??????????, Monsutaa Sutoraiku) mobile game designed by Yoshiki Okamoto, which is played by more than 35 million people worldwide. It is also a prequel to the streaming series MONSTER STRIKE THE ANIMATION (??? ??????????, Anime Monsutaa Sutoraiku) that premiered on October 13, 2015 on YouTube. MONSTER STRIKE THE MOVIE is directed by Shinpei Ezaki (GUNSLINGER STRATOS: THGE ANIMATION) and written by Taku Kishimoto (HAIKYU!!!, ERASED). STORY It is a journey following memories of friendship in Kaminohara. It is not long after the Monster Strike mobile

    Ultraman Tiga, Ultraman Orb, Hideo Ishiguro and Ultraman at a promotional event for ULTRAMAN ORB THE MOVIE. Photo courtesy of Tsuburaya Productions and Shochiku. © 2017 “Ultraman Orb The Movie” Film Partners

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    Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Site: m-78.jp/orb/movie (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Distributor Shochiku has provided information and high-res photos of the live event that officially announced Tsuburaya Productions` 2017 feature film ULTRAMAN ORB THE MOVIE (??? ?????????????????????, Gekijoo-ban Urutoraman Oobu Kizuna no Chikara, Okari Shimasu!). Co-hosted by Hideo Ishiguro (who stars as Gai Kurenai in the ULTRAMAN ORB television series and movie), the "Ario Hashimoto Future Star Light" show took place at 5:00pm Wednesday, November 23rd during the lighting ceremony at Ario Hashimoto, a shopping complex in Oyamacho, Midori Ward, Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture. Ishiguro was joined onstage by Ultraman and Ultraman Tiga, and the three heroes unveiled a 4.5 meter (14.76 foot) tall statue of Ultraman Orb`s "Origin" form. They were then joined by Ultraman Orb himself, who debuted his new "Orb Trinity" form from the upcoming film. 2,700 fans

    Kazuyuki Kuribayashi (Hiroshi Abe) and Chiaki Seri (Yuko Oshima) ski into adventure in Toei`s new film, SHIPPU RONDO. Photo courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd. © 2016

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    Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site: shippu-rondo-movie.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Toei has provided information, high-res photos and a trailer from their new action-comedy, SHIPPU RONDO (?????), which opens in Japanese cinemas on November 26th. SHIPPU RONDO is based on the 2013 best-seller of the same name by mystery novelist Keisuke Higashino. The film stars Hiroshi Abe (GODZILLA 2000, TRICK: THE MOVIE, HAPPILY EVER AFTER), who won awards for his performance in THERMAE ROMAE (????????, Terumae Romae, 2012). STORY A top-secret, biological weapon, K-55, is stolen from a university lab. The lab director receives an anonymous email stating: “I hold the entire nation hostage. My ransom is 300,000,000 yen.” The police are not an option, and the time limit is 4 days. Out of the blue, Kazuyuki Kuribayashi (Hiroshi Abe), a lackluster lab researcher finds himself front and center of the

    Click the above to see a huge, high-res image of the KONG: SKULL ISLAND poster. Image courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. © 2016 WARNER BROS.ENTERTAINMENT INC., LEGENDARY PICTURES PRODUCTIONS, LLC AND PATPAC-DUNE ENTERTAINMENT LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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    Source: Warner Bros. Pictures Official Site: kongskullislandmovie.com (US), kingkong-dokuro.jp (Japan) Warner Bros. Pictures has released a new trailer and poster for KONG: SKULL ISLAND, a reimagining of the origin of the mythic Kong in a compelling, original adventure from director Jordan Vogt-Roberts (THE KINGS OF SUMMER). In the film, a diverse team of explorers is brought together to venture deep into an uncharted island in the Pacific -- as beautiful as it is treacherous -- unaware that they’re crossing into the domain of the mythic Kong. KONG: SKULL ISLAND stars Tom Hiddleston (THE AVENGERS, THOR series), Samuel L. Jackson (THE HATEFUL EIGHT, Marvel Cinematic Universe), Oscar winner Brie Larson (ROOM, TRAINWRECK), John Goodman (10 CLOVERFIELD LANE, ARGO) and John C. Reilly (GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, STEP BROTHERS). The international ensemble cast also includes Tian Jing (POLICE STORY: LOCKDOWN), Corey Hawkins (STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON),

    Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures Japan. © Hiroaki Samura / Kodansha © 2017

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    Source: Warner Bros. Pictures Japan Official Site: warnerbros.co.jp/mugen (Japan) Warner Bros. Pictures Japan has provided a trailer and information for BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL (?????, Mugen no Junin), the upcoming live action feature film based on the samurai manga by Hiroaki Samura. Directed by Takashi Miike and starring Takuya Kimura from the idol group SMAP, BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL is the story of Manji, a warrior cursed with immortality after his actions caused the death of 100 samurai... a curse that will hold until he kills 100 evil men. Manji is recruited by Rin Asano (Hana Sugisaki), to take vengeance against the men who killed her parents. The movie will open in Japanese cinemas during the 2017 Golden Week holiday. CREDITS Japanese Theatrical Release: Saturday, April 29, 2017 (Nationwide Roadshow) Cast Manji: Takuya Kimura Rin Asano: Hana Sugisaki Shira: Hayato Ichihara Makie Otonotachibana: Erika Toda Sabato Kuroi:

    Japanese logo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures Japan. © 2016 WARNER BROS.ENTERTAINMENT INC., LEGENDARY PICTURES PRODUCTIONS, LLC AND PATPAC-DUNE ENTERTAINMENT LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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    Source: Warner Bros. Pictures Japan Official Site: kongskullislandmovie.com (US), kingkong-dokuro.jp (Japan) Warner Bros. Pictures Japan has provided a trailer and logo for the Japanese release of KONG: SKULL ISLAND, a reimagining of the mythic King Kong by Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures. The film`s Japanese title -- ????????????? (Kingukongu: Dokurotou no Kyoshin) -- translates to "King Kong: Giant God of Skull Island". Directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts (THE KINGS OF SUMMER), KONG: SKULL ISLAND stars Tom Hiddleston (THE AVENGERS, THOR series), Samuel L. Jackson (THE HATEFUL EIGHT, Marvel Cinematic Universe), Oscar winner Brie Larson (ROOM, TRAINWRECK), John Goodman (10 CLOVERFIELD LANE, ARGO) and John C. Reilly (GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, STEP BROTHERS). Vogt-Roberts is directing the film from a screenplay by Max Borenstein (Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures` GODZILLA ), John Gatins, Dan Gilroy and Derek Connolly. KONG: SKULL ISLAND is produced by Legendary’s Thomas Tull

    Theatrical poster. Photo courtesy of Strand Releasing. © 2016 MIFUNE: THE LAST SAMURAI Film Partners

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    Source: Strand Releasing, Celluloid Dreams Official Site: strandreleasing.com/films/mifune Special Thanks to Emma Griffiths MIFUNE: THE LAST SAMURAI, a new film by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Steven Okazaki, explores the accidental movie career of Toshiro Mifune, one of the true giants of world cinema. Mifune made 16 remarkable films with director Akira Kurosawa during the Golden Age of Japanese Cinema, including RASHOMON, SEVEN SAMURAI and YOJIMBO. Together they thrilled audiences and influenced filmmaking around the world, providing direct inspiration for not only THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN and Sergio Leone and Clint Eastwood’s breakthrough, A FISTFUL OF DOLLARS, but also George Lucas’ STAR WARS. A FILM BY STEVEN OKAZAKI Narrated by Keanu Reeves Includes Interviews with: Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Teruyo Nogami (Kurosawa`s longtime script supervisor), Kyoko Kagawa (RED BEARD), Yoshio Tsuchiya (SEVEN SAMURAI), Takeshi Kato (THRONE OF BLOOD), Yoko Tsukasa (YOJIMBO), and many more. Official Selection:

    Detective Hisashi Sawamura (Shun Oguri) hunts a costumed serial killer in MUSEUM, a live-action adaptation of the thriller manga. Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures Japan. © Ryosuke Tomoe / Kodansha © 2016

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    The Devil Artist Frogman Creates a Murder Museum Source: Warner Bros. Pictures Japan Official Site: warnerbros.co.jp/museum (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Warner Bros. Pictures Japan has provided two trailers and additional high-res photos from their upcoming suspense thriller, MUSEUM (??????, Myuujiamu). Based on the Japanese cult manga of the same name by Ryousuke Tomoe, MUSEUM will open in Japanese theaters on November 12, 2016. For more information on MUSEUM, please see the earlier coverage here on SciFi Japan: MUSEUM: Info, Trailer and High-Res Images from New Japanese Crime Thriller

    Image courtesy of Well Go USA. © 2016 Next Entertainment World & RedPeter Film

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    Source: Well Go USA, MPRM Communications press release Official Site: traintobusan.co.kr (South Korea), wellgousa.com/theatrical/train-to-busan (US) Special Thanks to Alex Drapac TRAIN TO BUSAN (???, Busanhaeng, 2016) is a harrowing zombie horror-thriller from South Korea that follows a group of terrified passengers fighting their way through a countrywide viral outbreak while trapped on a suspicion-filled, blood-drenched bullet train ride to Busan, a southern resort city that has managed to hold off the zombie hordes... or so everyone hopes. TRAIN TO BUSAN will open November 4th. Visit wellgousa.com/theatrical/train-to-busan for theater locations. Director: Yeon Sang-ho Cast: Gong Yoo, Jung Yu-mi, Ma Dong-seok, Kim Eui-sung Genre: Action & Adventure, Foreign, Horror, Mystery & Thriller, Sci-Fi & Fantasy Run Time: 118 min Theatrical Date: November 4, 2016 Original Language: Korean Subtitles: English About Well Go USA Well Go USA, Inc. is a theatrical and

    Police investigator Tsukuru Mishima (Masahiro Higashide) and Private investigator Ryuzaki (Sosuke Ikematsu) have a disagreement. Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures Japan. © 2016 'DEATH NOTE' FILM PARTNERS

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    Source: Warner Bros. Pictures Japan Official Site: warnerbros.co.jp/deathnote2016 (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Warner Bros. Pictures Japan has provided a new trailer and high-res photos for DEATH NOTE Light up the NEW world (????? Light up the NEW world, Desu Noto Light up the NEW world, 2016), the new sequel to the international hits DEATH NOTE (?????, Desu Noto, 2006) and DEATH NOTE II: THE LAST NAME (??????the Last name, Desu Noto the Last name, 2006). DEATH NOTE Light up the NEW world opens in Japan on October 29th. For more information on DEATH NOTE Light up the NEW world please see the earlier coverage here on SciFi Japan: DEATH NOTE Light up the NEW world Press Notes DEATH NOTE Light up the

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