Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures Japan. © Tite Kubo / SHUEISHA © 2018 Movie Director Shinsuke Sato To Introduce Premiere Event At NYC’s Japan Society Source: Anime NYC press release Official Site: bleach-movie.jp (Japan) Special Thanks to Peter Tatara Anime NYC powered by Crunchyroll and Japan Society have announced that the live-action BLEACH feature film, adapted from the bestselling manga and anime series by Tite Kubo, will have its U.S. Premiere on July 28th at JAPAN CUTS: Festival of New Japanese Film at New York’s Japan Society shortly following its release in Japanese theaters. BLEACH, which tells the story of a supernaturally gifted teenager who trains to battle evil spirits, is one of the year’s most anticipated films in Japan and for manga and anime fans around the world, with the original manga series having sold over 120 million copies worldwide since it was first published in 2001. BLEACH director Shinsuke Sato will make a rare appearance at Japan Society, introducing the film and participating in a post-screening Q&A with attendees.
Theatrical poster, courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures Japan. © Tite Kubo / SHUEISHA © 2018 Movie Now in its 12th year, JAPAN CUTS: Festival of New Japanese Film (July 19-29) is the largest festival of contemporary Japanese cinema in North America. It brings together a wide range of the best and hardest-to-see films coming out of Japan today across a wide range of genres. Other major screenings at this year’s festival include: the North American Premiere of Opening Film RAMEN SHOP by director Eric Khoo, who will attend with star Takumi Saitoh; the North American Premiere of Centerpiece Presentation title MORI, THE ARTIST’S HABITAT by director Shuichi Okita, with an appearance by featured festival guest Kirin Kiki; the U.S. Premiere of HANAGATAMI by director Nobuhiko Obayashi, best known as the director of cult film House (1977), followed by a Q&A with star Shunsuke Kubozuka; and the East Coast Premiere of NIGHT IS SHORT, WALK ON GIRL from animation director Masaaki Yuasa. Anime NYC powered by Crunchyroll is New York’s largest Japanese pop culture convention, bringing over 30,000 passionate fans together with creators, performers, and publishers from both America and Japan. This year’s Anime NYC is November 16-18, and the event proudly co-presents BLEACH this summer as part of its mission to celebrate the best of Japanese pop culture in New York City. The BLEACH U.S. Premiere will take place at 7:45 PM on Saturday, July 28th at JAPAN CUTS at Japan Society (333 East 47th Street). Tickets are now on sale for Japan Society members, and Anime NYC attendees and the general public can buy tickets on June 18. “We’re thrilled to work with our friends at Japan Society to co-present BLEACH to audiences in New York for the first time. BLEACH is one of the most popular manga and anime series of all time, and one that holds a special place in the hearts of fans across America - including ours,” says Anime NYC Show Director Peter Tatara. “And we couldn’t be more honored for this premiere to take place within a high-profile film festival like JAPAN CUTS.” “Japan Society and Anime NYC both share the same goal of sharing and celebrating Japanese culture, and we’re very excited to bring our organizations and audiences together through the U.S. Premiere of BLEACH at JAPAN CUTS this summer,” says Japan Society Senior Film Programmer Aiko Masubuchi. BLEACH will open in Japanese theaters on July 20th and features an all star cast including Sota Fukushi (Ichigo Kurosaki), Hana Sugisaki (Rukia Kuchiki), Ryo Yoshizawa (Uryu Ishida), Taichi Saotome (Renji Abarai), and MIYAVI (Byakuya Kuchiki). Director Shinsuke Sato’s past work includes GANTZ (2010), I AM A HERO (2015), DEATH NOTE: Light Up the NEW World (2016), and INUYASHIKI (2018), all based on popular manga. Sato’s BLEACH is an adaptation of the original BLEACH manga series created by Tite Kubo. It follows the adventures of teenager Ichigo Kurosaki, who’s capable of seeing spirits, and Rukia Kuchiki, a “Soul Reaper” who transfers her powers to him. Published between 2001 and 2016, it sold over 120 million copies worldwide, ranked repeatedly on BookScan and Diamond’s top graphic novel lists, and won Japan’s illustrious Shogakukan Manga Award. Kubo’s original manga also gave birth to an anime series running 366 episodes and four movies, and the upcoming live-action film is a new telling of this beloved adventure. Fans can read Kubo’s original manga in the U.S. via VIZ Media and watch the anime online through Crunchyroll, VIZ Media, Netflix, and Hulu. Fans wanting the latest news on BLEACH at JAPAN CUTS and to learn about chances to win free tickets can follow Anime NYC on Facebook and Twitter. Tickets to this year’s Anime NYC are available now.
Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures Japan. © Tite Kubo / SHUEISHA © 2018 Movie ABOUT ANIME NYC POWERED BY CRUNCHYROLL
Anime NYC powered by Crunchyroll is New York City’s anime convention! A showcase of the best of Japanese pop culture in the biggest city in America, Anime NYC brings anime fans and publishers together for three days of unique exhibits, exclusive screenings, extensive panels, and appearances by some of the biggest creators in Japan. This year’s event takes place November 16-18 in New York’s Javits Center, and we invite you to join over 30,000 fans for a celebration of Japanese animation, manga, cosplay, movies, food, fashion, travel, technology, toys, and games in the heart of NYC! For more, visit animenyc.com.
ABOUT JAPAN SOCIETY
Founded in 1907, Japan Society in New York City presents sophisticated, topical and accessible experiences of Japanese art and culture, and facilitates the exchange of ideas, knowledge and innovation between the U.S. and Japan. More than 200 events annually encompass world-class exhibitions, dynamic classical and cutting-edge contemporary performing arts, film premieres and retrospectives, workshops and demonstrations, tastings, family activities, language classes, and a range of high-profile talks and expert panels that present open, critical dialogue on issues of vital importance to the U.S., Japan and East Asia.
ABOUT JAPAN SOCIETY FILM
Japan Society Film screens a diverse selection of classic and contemporary Japanese cinema throughout the year—including retrospectives of seminal directors, thematic series, and special screenings of international, U.S. and NY premieres—and organizes JAPAN CUTS: Festival of New Japanese Film, the largest festival of its kind in North America. Its aim is to entertain, educate, and support activities in the Society`s arts and culture programs.
ABOUT JAPAN CUTS
Now in its 12th year, JAPAN CUTS: Festival of New Japanese Film continues to grow as the largest festival of contemporary Japanese cinema in North America. Bringing a wide range of the best and hardest-to-see films coming out of Japan today -- from blockbusters, cutting-edge independent films and anime, to documentaries and short films -- JAPAN CUTS is the best place to experience Japan’s dynamic contemporary film culture in New York City. Every year, this thrilling 10-day festival offers exclusive premieres, special guest appearances, fun-filled parties, live music and much more.
For more information on BLEACH (2018), please see the earlier coverage here on SciFi Japan: