Source: Warner Bros. Pictures Official Site: godzillamovie.com Official Twitter: #GodzillaMovie Special Thanks to Melanie Klein Warner Bros. Pictures has provided SciFi Japan with the fourth TV spot for GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS. Entitled "Beautiful", the commercial debuted today. Following the global success of GODZILLA and KONG: SKULL ISLAND comes the next chapter in Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ cinematic Monsterverse: GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS. Directed by Michael Dougherty (KRAMPUS) from a script he wrote with Zach Shields, based on the character “Godzilla” owned and created by TOHO CO., LTD. The new story follows the heroic efforts of the crypto-zoological agency Monarch as its members face off against a battery of god-sized monsters, including the mighty Godzilla, who collides with Mothra, Rodan, and his ultimate nemesis, the
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Source: Avery Guerra Official Site: daibutsukaikoku.com A new promotional teaser trailer has been released for the all-star kaiju film THE GREAT BUDDHA ARRIVAL (????, Daibutsu Kokaiku). This latest spot promotes upcoming screenings in France and Germany, the incredible soundtrack artists, and cast members Akira Kubo, Peggy Neal, Toshi Toda, Akira Takarada, Shelley Sweeney and Ippei Ohsako. Directed by Hiroto Yokokawa, the movie is a remake of the long-lost 1934 film by Yoshiro Edamasa, which was quite possibly the first-ever daikaiju film from Japan. For further information and updates on THE GREAT BUDDHA ARRIVAL, be sure to follow the film on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures Japan. ©Yumi Matsuo/Futabasha ©2019 “Until I Meet September’s Love” Film Partners
Source: Warner Bros. Pictures Japan Official Site: warnerbros.co.jp/kugatsunokoimovie (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Warner Bros. Pictures Japan has provided information, a trailer and large, high-res photos from UNTIL I MEET SEPTEMBER`S LOVE (??????????, Kugatsu no Koi to Deaumade). The sci-fi romance is based on the novel of the same name by Yumi Matsuo. STORY Even if I`m not your destiny, I want to protect you. Shiori moves into a slightly unusual apartment and makes a fateful encounter with her neighbor Hirano, an aspiring novelist. One day, she hears a mysterious voice in her new room-- "I`m talking to you from a year in the future. You`re in danger." The voice travels across time and space to save Shiori from being robbed and murdered. When Shiori seeks advice from Hirano, he realizes that a "time paradox" will be caused by her life
Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures Japan. © 2019 “12 Suicidal Teens” Film Partners
Source: Warner Bros. Pictures Japan Official Site: shinitai12.jp (Japan) #????12 A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Warner Bros. Pictures Japan has provided information, trailers and large, high-res photos for 12 SUICIDAL TEENS (?????????????, Juni-nin no Shinitai Kodomo-tachi). Promoted as a "non-stop game of suspense", the film is based on the novel of the same name by Tow Ubukata, and directed by Yukihiko Tsutsumi (SPEC, INITIATION LOVE). STORY 12 teenagers meet up at an abandoned hospital. As prescribed, they enter the building, open a safe, take one of the numbered tags from 1 to 12, and head to a "designated place". None of them have ever met before, but all of them are in despair with their lives and come with one common goal: to euthanize themselves. Going to their deaths together makes the prospect a little less scary, until they discover the body
Source: Warner Bros. Pictures Official Site: godzillamovie.com Official Twitter: #GodzillaMovie Special Thanks to Melanie Klein Warner Bros. Pictures has provided SciFi Japan with the third TV spot for GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS. Entitled "Intimidation", the commercial debuted this past weekend. Following the global success of GODZILLA and KONG: SKULL ISLAND comes the next chapter in Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ cinematic Monsterverse: GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS. Directed by Michael Dougherty (KRAMPUS) from a script he wrote with Zach Shields, based on the character “Godzilla” owned and created by TOHO CO., LTD. The new story follows the heroic efforts of the crypto-zoological agency Monarch as its members face off against a battery of god-sized monsters, including the mighty Godzilla, who collides with Mothra, Rodan, and his ultimate
MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM image courtesy of Tokyo International Film Festival. © Sotsu, Sunrise
One of the best things about anime and manga is the sheer level of imagination of offer. While fantasy and the supernatural certainly hold an important part in our hearts, today we want to talk about technology. Specifically, we want to cover the age-old question of what fictional technological elements would we like to have in our own lives the most? Mechas Probably the most obvious choice, but that doesn’t mean the idea is any less appealing. Giant fighting mechs like Gundam have been a staple of anime and manga for generations, and we’ve always loved the idea of being to pilot one for ourselves. Flying through space, shooting lasers, and cutting through mountains with energy swords is an easy sell, even though the practical use in our world might not be so great. We’d really have to worry about accidentally
NEON GENESIS EVANGELION © 1996 GAINAX/Project Eva, TV Tokyo
The Twitterverse has been constantly aflame over the past few weeks following the slew of announcements from the streaming giant Netflix regarding their planned re-boots and remakes of Japanese anime classics. Some of the most well-known and critically acclaimed anime classics in history, from the 1998 anime classic COWBOY BEBOP to the action series NEON GENESIS EVANGELION, have all been slated for remakes by Netflix, who have reportedly recruited many of the shows` original producers to help consult on the projects. While many people in the west associate Netflix more with documentaries and the hoarding of classic sitcoms such as FRIENDS, their major push into the anime market is clearly intended to produce big results. The global anime industry is worth an astonishing $17 billion a year, according to the Hollywood Reporter, with the content in question being produced almost exclusively in Japan and consumed by an
Source: Kadokawa Pictures Official Site: sadako-movie.jp (Japan) Kadokawa Pictures has provided SciF Japan with the new trailer for the J-Horror film, SADAKO (??), the latest chapter in THE RING series. The movie is directed by Hideo Nakata, who first brought Japan’s most popular horror franchise to theaters with the smash hit THE RING (???, Ringu, 1998). About Kadokawa Pictures, Inc. Kadokawa Pictures is part of Kadokawa Shoten, which forms the axis of the expansive KADOKAWA CORPORATION. Kadokawa Shoten has maintained the company’s traditions since its founding, while continuously seeking to innovate at the same time. With their core operations based in publishing and film, represented by the Kadokawa Paperback, Kadokawa Pictures, and Kadokawa Anime labels, they continually release a wide range of content targeted to all age groups. For more information on SADAKO, please see the earlier coverage here on
Image courtesy of Fathom Events. © TYPE-MOON, ufotable, FSNPC
Source: Fathom Events press release Official Site: fate-sn.com (Japan), fatestaynightusa.com (US) Special Thanks to Erik Stein In just two weeks, Fathom Events and Aniplex of America will present the nationwide release of Fate/stay night [Heaven`s Feel] THE MOVIE II. lost butterfly (????Fate/stay night[Heaven`s Feel]?, Gekij?-ban Fate/stay night[Heaven`s Feel], 2019), as it hits cinemas on March 14 at 7:30 p.m. local time. Fate/stay night [Heaven`s Feel] THE MOVIE II. lost butterfly is the latest installment of the beloved series from the creators of the wildly popular Fate franchise that gave anime fans Fate/stay night [Unlimited Blade Works], Fate/Zero, Fate/Apocrypha, and the hit mobile game, Fate/Grand Order. This three-part movie follows the third route, known as the “Sakura Route,” of the Fate/stay night visual novel game, with the first chapter of the Heaven’s Feel trilogy, I. presage flower, released in 2017 to much fanfare. Tickets
Games created by Japanese developers, released first in Japan, have a lot of major differences when compared to games made for Western audiences. It`s not just the language difference and the need for localization - Japanese narrative styles mean that developers in the east have a different idea of what a plot needs to include to be entertaining. This was explored in a recent Gamasutra article that compared Japanese and Western narrative styles in video games. Writer Emma Rausch explained that Japanese studios like to use visual clues such as the giant exclamation mark that shows when guards are alerted in Metal Gear Solid, and some incorporate elements from manga (Japanese graphic novels) and Kabuki theatre as well. However, one of the biggest Japanese narrative themes that we see (and one that will stand out to most gamers) is that Japanese games make players feel part
Source: Warner Bros. Pictures Official Site: godzillamovie.com Official Twitter: #GodzillaMovie Special Thanks to Melanie Klein Warner Bros. Pictures has provided SciFi Japan with the second TV spot for GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS. Entitled "Time Has Come", the commercial debuted during the 2019 NBA All-Star Game on February 17th. About Warner Bros. Pictures Warner Bros. Pictures has been at the forefront of the motion picture industry since its inception and continues to be a leading creative force in the industry. Warner Bros. Pictures produces and distributes a wide-ranging slate of some 18-22 films each year, employing a business paradigm that mitigates risk while maximizing productivity and capital. Warner Bros. Pictures either fully finances or co-finances the films it produces and maintains
Mayu Akikawa (Elaiza Ikeda) is the latest to face the curse of 'The Ring' in the sequel, SADAKO. Photo courtesy of courtesy of Kadokawa Pictures. © 2019 'Sadako' Film Partners
Hideo Nakata Returns to Direct Latest Sequel Source: Kadokawa Pictures Official Site: sadako-movie.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE If you film it, you die. This curse began with a YouTuber... - This movie has no mercy. - Kadokawa Pictures has provided SciF Japan with some early information and photos for the J-Horror film, SADAKO (??), the latest chapter in THE RING series. The movie is based on the 2016 novel Tide (???, Taido) by Koji Suzuki, author of the original Ring (???, Ringu) and its many sequels. SADAKO is directed by Hideo Nakata, who first brought Japan`s most popular horror franchise to theaters with the smash hit THE RING (???, Ringu, 1998), and then helmed THE RING 2 (???2, Ringu 2, 1999) and the American sequel THE RING TWO (2005). Another series veteran, Noriaki Sugihara (SADAKO 3D 2), also returns to write
Image courtesy of VIZ Media. © VIZ Media
Award-Winning Narrative-Driven Puzzle Battler Launches for the Nintendo Switch console and PC/Mac Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Official Site: viz.com/the-world-next-door Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen VIZ Media takes gamers on a vivid journey to an alternate realm with the release of THE WORLD NEXT DOOR on March 28th. This debut video game from the multimedia entertainment company is produced as part of an ongoing publishing partnership with indie game innovator Rose City Games, with character designs by Lord Gris. Already award-winning in pre-release and most recently nominated for the upcoming 2019 SXSW Gamer’s Voice Award, THE WORLD NEXT DOOR follows Jun, a rebellious teen, who finds herself trapped in the parallel world inhabited by magical beings. Combining the emotional storytelling and thrilling action of anime and indie gaming, THE WORLD NEXT DOOR delivers a rich narrative and fast-paced, real-time puzzle battles in a
Ultraman Tregear battles Ultraman Groob in ULTRAMAN R/B THE MOVIE ? SELECT! THE CRYSTAL OF BOND. Photo courtesy of Tsuburaya Productions. ©UR/B FILM PARTNERS
Source: Tsuburaya Productions, Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Site: m-78.jp/rb/movie (Japan) Official Twitter:twitter.com/ultraman_series A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE The Minato brothers and sister, the final battle... Tsuburaya Productions Co., Ltd. and distributor Shochiku Co., Ltd. have provided SciFi Japan with an update for ULTRAMAN R/B THE MOVIE ? SELECT! THE CRYSTAL OF BOND (?????????????????????????, Gekij?-ban Urutoraman R/B Serekuto! Kizuna no Kurisutaru) featuring new large photos, info on the theme song, theater exclusive merchandise and gift details, and a trailer. The latest Ultraman theatrical feature film will open in Japanese cinemas on March 8, 2019. THEME SONG: TAKESHI TSURUNO × DAIGO In 2012, actor/musician Takeshi Tsuruno and singer-songwriter DAIGO co-starred in the movie ULTRAMAN SAGA (?????????, Urutoraman S?ga). Tsuruno reprised the role of Shin Asuka/Ultraman Dyna from the ULTRAMAN DYNA (?????????, Urutoraman Daina, 1997-1998) television series, while DAIGO played Nozomu Taiga, the new human
NOSTALGIA. Photo courtesy of Japan Society. © TMC
North American Premiere of 8-Film Shorts Program Showcasing Acclaimed Japanese Stop Motion Animation Artist Source: Japan Society press release Special Thanks to Christian Barclay One of Japan`s most prolific independent animation artists, Tomoyasu Murata (b. 1974, Tokyo) has steadily created breathtaking, boundary-breaking stop motion animated films over the last two decades. Inspired by the expressive power of traditional Japanese bunraku puppet theater, Murata`s films -- at once tender, whimsical and mysterious -- deal with themes of memory, absence and mujo (the Buddhist concept of impermanence) through the cinematic manipulation of his meticulously handcrafted puppets and fantastical miniature sets. Japan Society is proud to introduce Murata’s work to New York City for the first time through the career-spanning program Tomoyasu Murata: Stop Motion Master, featuring the North American premiere of eight short films that range from the artist`s award-winning student work to recent projects
Photo courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox Japan. © 2018 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation.
Source: 20th Century Fox Japan Official Site: foxmovies.com/alita-battle-angel (US), foxmovies-jp.com/alitabattleangel (Japan) 20th Century Fox Japan has provided a trailer, poster art, high-res photos and logo for the Japanese release of ALITA: BATTLE ANGEL (Japanese title — アリータ：バトル・エンジェル, Arīta: Batoru Enjeru). Produced by James Cameron (THE TERMINATOR, ALIENS, TITANIC, AVATAR) and directed by Robert Rodriguez (DESPERADO, SIN CITY), the movie is based on the science fiction manga series Battle Angel Alita (銃夢, Gunnm). Set several centuries in the future, the abandoned cyborg Alita (Rosa Salazar) is found in the scrapyard of Iron City by Ido (Christoph Waltz), a compassionate cyber-doctor. When Alita awakens she has no memory of who she is, but soon discovers she has extraordinary fighting abilities. Determined to uncover the truth behind her origin, Alita sets out on a journey that will lead her to take on the injustices
GODZILLA: THE PLANET EATER Netflix trailer. Video courtesy of Netflix. © 2018 TOHO CO., LTD. © 2018 “GODZILLA” Film Partners. All Rights Reserved. Source: Netflix Official Site: godzilla-anime.com (Japan), netflix.com/godzilla-anime-3 (US) Twitter: @GODZILLA_ANIME Special Thanks to Ami Yamaguchi Netflix has provided SciFi Japan with a new English subtitled version of the trailer for GODZILLA: THE PLANET EATER (GODZILLA ?????, Gojira Hoshi wo Kuu Mono, 2018). The final chapter in the three-part animated movie series is now streaming worldwide on Netflix with Japanese, English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian audio tracks and optional English, Spanish, French, Traditional Chinese and Simplified Chinese subtitles. About Netflix Netflix is the world’s leading Internet television network with over 93 million members in over 190 countries enjoying more than 125 million hours
North American theatrical poster. Image courtesy of Funimation. © Bird Studio/ Shueisha. © 2018 DRAGON BALL SUPER THE MOVIE Production Committee
Source: Funimation Entertainment press release Official Site: dbmovie-20th.com (Japan), dragonballsuperofficial.com (US) Special Thanks to Scott Barretto Starting tomorrow, moviegoers throughout North America can enjoy the eagerly awaited new movie DRAGON BALL SUPER: BROLY (???????? ????, Doragon B?ru-Ch? Buror?, 2018), the 20th film from the DRAGON BALL anime franchise and the first from the DRAGON BALL SUPER series. Based on the original story, screenplay and character designs of creator Akira Toriyama, DRAGON BALL SUPER: BROLY will screen in English dub in 1,260 theaters locations across the U.S. and Canada. As part of the movie release, Funimation Films, the theatrical division of Sony Picture Television’s Funimation, is giving fans an opportunity to be a part of history and experience the first-ever anime film to screen in IMAX in North America. Together with select screenings offered in Cinemark XD, DRAGON BALL SUPER: BROLY will be available
Ultraman Rosso, Ultraman Blu, Ultrawoman Grigio and Ultraman Geed in ULTRAMAN R/B THE MOVIE ? SELECT! THE CRYSTAL OF BOND. Photo courtesy of Tsuburaya Productions. ©UR/B FILM PARTNERS
Source: Tsuburaya Productions Official Site: m-78.jp/rb/movie (Japan) Official Twitter:twitter.com/ultraman_series A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Tsuburaya Productions Co., Ltd. has provided SciFi Japan with an update for ULTRAMAN R/B THE MOVIE ? SELECT! THE CRYSTAL OF BOND (?????????????????????????, Gekij?-ban Urutoraman R/B Serekuto! Kizuna no Kurisutaru) with new information, poster art, large photos and a trailer. The latest Ultraman theatrical feature film will open in Japanese cinemas on March 8, 2019. ULTRAMAN R/B THE MOVIE continues from the ULTRAMAN R/B (RUEBE) [?????????(???), Urutoraman R/B (R?bu)] television series that ends its broadcast run this Saturday, December 22. ULTRAMAN R/B was the first Ultraman series to feature, from the start, two brothers who transform into Ultramen... Katsumi Minato/Ultraman Rosso (Yuya Hirata) and Isami Minato/Ultraman Blu (Ryosuke Koike). In the movie, Asahi Minato (played by Arisa Sonohara), the younger sister of the Minato Brothers, will transform into a
The movie KAMEN RIDER HEISEI GENERATIONS FOREVER brings together the Kamen Riders (Foreground Group) Kuuga, Den-O, Zi-O, Build and Double. (Second Row) Kiva, Agito, Blade and Ex-Aid. (Back Row) Drive, Wizard, Fourze, Hibiki, Kabuto, Decade, Gaim, Faiz, Ghost, OOO and Ryuki. Photo courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd. © “Zi-O & Build” Production Committee © Ishimori Pro · TV Asahi · ADK · Toei © TOEI COMPANY, LTD. All Rights Reserved.
Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site: movie-taisen.com (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Toei Co., Ltd. has provided SciFi Japan information and high-res promotional images for KAMEN RIDER HEISEI GENERATIONS FOREVER (????????20?????????????????????? FOREVER, Heisei Kamen Raidaa 20 Sakuhin Kinen Kamen Raidaa Heisei Jenereeshonzu Foebaa). Opening in Japan on December 22, 2018, the film features the heroes of the two most recent television series -- KAMEN RIDER BUILD (?????????, Kamen Raidaa Birudo, 2017-18) and KAMEN RIDER ZI-O (?????????, Kamen Raidaa Jio, 2018) -- along with all of the major Riders introduced during the Heisei Period (1989-2019). STORY To you who loved Kamen Rider... An accident occurs in the world of Sougo Tokiwa (Kamen Rider Zi-O) and Sento Kiryu (Kamen Rider Build). One after another, their allies lose their memories and behaving like other people. Then, the Super Time Jacker Tid suddenly appears. He is