Source: Anime Jungle This past February, Bandai released Godzilla: Yuji Sakai's Concept Works "Ka-Ma-E", a collection of Godzilla figures sculpted by the popular Yuji Sakai (Godzilla Complete Works). The series has four separate pieces (plus variant color versions), each depicting a fan favorite Godzilla design. Each figure stands approximately 88mm (3.5 inches) tall and comes with a base featuring the logo for the film depicted... 1. Godzilla 1954 from GODZILLA 2. Godzilla 1962 from KING KONG VS GODZILLA 3. Godzilla 1964 from MOTHRA VS GODZILLA/GODZILLA VS THE THING 4. Burning Godzilla 1995 from GODZILLA VS DESTOROYAH The standard four piece set is now in stock and can be ordered from Anime Jungle in Los Angeles, CA. Tell them SciFi Japan sent you!

Source: Yahoo! Movies Official Site: Speed Racer The Movie Check out the opening sequence of the SPEED RACER motion picture, courtesy of Yahoo! Movies. SPEED RACER is ©2008 Warner Bros. Entertainment.

The Korean Superstar Discusses His Role in the New SPEED RACER Film Author: Keith Aiken Source: Warner Bros. Official Site: Speed Racer The Movie Special Thanks to Gemma Cacho, Warner Bros. As Warner Bros’ SPEED RACER movie opens in theaters today, audiences will be reintroduced to the wonderful cast of characters from the classic anime series. The film brings back a slew of familiar faces, from Speed, Trixie, Racer X and Chim-Chim to supporting players such as Inspector Detector and recurring villains like Snake Oiler. SPEED RACER’s writing/directing team of Andy and Larry Wachowski have also introduced several new characters created specifically for the movie. One of the most important of these new creations is Taejo Togokahn, the lead driver and heir apparent of Togokahn Motors. In an attempt to prevent a hostile takeover of his family’s business, Teijo brings together Speed Racer and Racer X for the Casa Cristo 5000, a race so dangerous that it has been nicknamed “The Crucible”. The three racers form a team against some of the most violent and deadly drivers the World Racing League has ever seen. Playing the part of Taejo Togokahn is the Korean R&B/pop singer Rain (aka Jung Ji-hoon), who has been a sensation across Asia and is now breaking into the American spotlight. As part of the publicity tour for SPEED RACER, Rain took part in a round table interview to talk about the film and his upcoming project NINJA ASSASSIN. Continued...

A Detailed Look at the New Live Action Film! Source: Warner Bros. Official Site: Speed Racer The Movie Photos courtesy of Gemma Cacho, Warner Bros. SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details for a new film. Hurtling down the track, careening around, over and through the competition, Speed Racer (Emile Hirsch) is a natural behind the wheel. Born to race cars, Speed is aggressive, instinctive and, most of all, fearless. His only real competition is the memory of the brother he idolized—the legendary Rex Racer, whose death in a race has left behind a legacy that Speed is driven to fulfill. Based on the classic series created by anime pioneer Tatsuo Yoshida, the live-action SPEED RACER marks the Wachowski brothers’ first writing/directing collaboration since THE MATRIX movies. SciFi Japan takes a look behind the scenes of the much-anticipated movie with production notes and more than three dozen photographs, courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. SPEED RACER opens nationwide this Friday, May 9. Continued...

MACH GO GO GO Comes to the U.S. Author: James Long One problem that Tatsunoko Productions faced during the production of MACH GO GO GO was the budget. By switching to color, the cost of each episode nearly doubled from that of an episode of SPACE ACE. A single episode of SPACE ACE cost roughly 1,800,000 yen, while an episode of MACH GO GO GO would run about 3,500,000 yen (Approximately $4,970 per episode compared to $9,660 per episode, at 1967 exchange rates). The money from sponsors helped to cover much of the deficit, but not all of it. For additional financial support, the Yoshidas turned to an idea that had been in the back of their minds when developing the series. They looked to sell the series to foreign countries -- America in particular. Join SciFi Japan and James Long for Part 3 of our look back at the classic SPEED RACER series! Continued...

A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Upcoming Marvel Superhero Movie Source: Paramount Pictures Official Website: Iron Man Movie Paramount Pictures and Marvel Entertainment Present Marvel Studios’ soaring action-adventure IRON MAN, the story of billionaire industrialist and genius inventor Tony Stark (ROBERT DOWNEY JR.). As CEO of Stark Industries, the U.S. Government’s top weapons contractor, Tony has achieved celebrity status by protecting American interests around the globe for decades. Tony’s carefree lifestyle is forever changed when his convoy is attacked following a weapons test he oversees and he is held hostage by a group of insurgents. Injured by life-threatening shrapnel embedded near his already weakened heart, Tony is ordered to build a devastating weapon for Raza (FARAN TAHIR), the mysterious leader of the insurgents. Ignoring his captors’ requests, Tony uses his intellect and ingenuity to build a suit of armor that keeps him alive and enables him to escape captivity. Upon his return to America, Tony must come to terms with his past and vows to take Stark Industries in a new direction. Despite the resistance from Obadiah Stane (JEFF BRIDGES), his right-hand man and top executive, who has taken over the reigns of the company in his absence, Tony spends his days and nights in his workshop developing and refining an advanced suit of armor that gives him superhuman strength and physical protection. With the help of his longtime assistant Pepper Potts (GWYNETH PALTROW) and his trusted military liaison Rhodey (TERRENCE HOWARD), Tony uncovers a nefarious plot with global implications. Donning his powerful new red and gold armor, Tony vows to protect the world and right its injustices as his new alter-ego, Iron Man. IRON MAN opens in the United States on Friday, May 2. Continued...

Source: Classic Media, Inc. Official site: Godzilla on DVD A quick reminder that Classic Media’s last two Godzilla DVDs— ALL MONSTERS ATTACK (aka GODZILLA’S REVENGE) and TERROR OF MECHAGODZILLA— went on sale today. The discs were originally released last November as part of THE GODZILLA COLLECTION DVD box set but are now available separately for the first time from stores and online retailers. ALL MONSTERS ATTACK and TERROR OF MECHAGODZILLA have a suggested retail price of $16.93 each. Continued...

The Highly Popular CLOVERFIELD End Credits Music to Be Released on iTunes Author: John “Dutch” DeSentis Source: Soundtrack Net, Film Score Monthly Online, CLOVERFIELD DVD On April 29th, iTunes will make available for download “ROAR!” the CLOVERFIELD overture. Written by frequent J.J. Abrams composer Michael Giacchino, “ROAR!” is a tribute to the classic style of monster movie scoring and has become a much sought after track among fans who enjoyed it during the closing credits of the 2008 film. Continued...

Source: Warner Home Video Official website: One Missed Call Movie For those who missed the American remake of ONE MISSED CALL during it's theatrical release— and we're guessing that would be most of you— the film is now available on Region 1 DVD from Warner Home Video. ONE MISSED CALL quickly disappeared from theaters in January, but was released on DVD and Blu-Ray this past Tuesday, April 22. The HD DVD is scheduled to street on May 13. Continued...

Site Launched for New Kaiju-Themed Collectible Miniatures Game and Comic Book Series Source: Privateer Press Official Site: Monsterpocalypse.com Introduction: Kevin de'Antonio The MONSTERPOCALYPSE Collectible Miniatures Game (CMG) brings the giant monster genre – a pop culture favorite – to the tabletop in the form of a fast-paced, action-packed game for two players ages 10 and up. Designed by Matt Wilson, the award-winning creator of WARMACHINE and HORDES, MONSTERPOCALYPSE leverages the critically acclaimed abilities of Privateer Press as a leading miniatures manufacturer to enter a new category of product with a property that appeals to a worldwide fan base of all ages. Privateer Press has launched a special preview site for MONSTERPOCALYPSE, which will feature updates, artwork, coverage of playtesting sessions, and preview images of figures and game components. The site, Monsterpocalypse.com, will also issue news regarding events and organized play, as well as product release information. The coverage will be an ongoing countdown to the launch of the MONSTERPOCALYPSE CMG, set to release this fall, along with a comic book miniseries. MONSTERPOCALYPSE features high-quality pre-painted plastic monsters, vehicles, and interactive city structures that impact and shape game play. The CMG will launch with over 60 figures in the initial set, sold in randomized starter sets and booster boxes. Special figures will be available at events and through other promotions throughout 2008. Continued...

How it All Began! Author: James Long Most SPEED RACER fans know that the series was originally released in Japan as MACH GO GO GO and was the creation of Tatsuo Yoshida and his animation studio, Tatsunoko Productions. Beyond that, many fans know very little about Yoshida himself, his studio, and the efforts that went into creating MACH GO GO GO. Join James Long and SciFi Japan for the second part of our SPEED RACER coverage… how it all began! Continued...

Reiko Yamada Plays Ifukube's "Ritmica Ostinata" Author: Ed Godziszewski Japanese Giants On the evening of March 28, 2008, a rare performance of one of Akira Ifukube's classical works, "Ritmica Ostinata", was held in the city of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Seldom performed stateside, on this night Ifukube’s "Ritmica Ostinata" was tackled by the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, featuring former Ifukube pupil Reiko Yamada as the orchestra's principal pianist, as part of a program titled 'Japanese Garden'. Continued...

An Introduction to SPEED RACER Author: James Long "Here he comes, here comes Speed Racer. He’s a demon on wheels." We’ve all heard that theme song, and more than likely have it indelibly etched into our brains. As memorable as the song is, how often have you thought about the series that it represents, and the long history that led it to being one of the best remembered animated series of the 1960s? Our goal here is to lead you through that history, from the origins of the series up to and including the upcoming live action SPEED RACER feature film! So sit back and buckle in, cuz’ "Adventure’s waiting just ahead..." Before we get too deeply into the history of this anime classic, we should remember that there are those out there who aren’t familiar with the world of Speed Racer. So, for both of those people, let’s take this opportunity to remind everyone just what it was all about. Continued...

SPEED RACER Coverage Starts Here. Author: Bob Johnson Source: Warner Brothers' Press Release With a number of anticipated films being released in 2008, from Batman to Bond and beyond, Warner Brothers is banking on one of Japan's most recognizable cartoon characters to grab their portion of the box office. In the weeks that lead up to the release of SPEED RACER, SciFi Japan will be taking a look back at the original series, as well as some of its other incarnations, courtesy of Tatsunoko historian James Long. So relive the most dangerous races, the mammoth cars, the car acrobatic teams, the desert races and much much more with SciFi Japan as we gear up to celebrate all things SPEED! In the meantime, here is an initial peek at the new movie, with much more coverage to come! Continued...

Hobby Japan Brings Back Classic Japanese Magazine. Author: Bob Johnson In January of 1980, a new magazine was published in Japan covering Science Fiction films, television, books and other media. Called “Space Magazine Uchusen”, this publication grew over 25 years to become a leading source of information on the latest Japanese films and television series, as well as an authoritative resource on classic movies and TV from not only Japan, but all over the world. First released as a quarterly magazine, Uchusen would switch between quarterly and bi-monthly over the years, finally settling on bi-monthly status shortly before its demise in July of 2005 after 119 issues. Now, three years later, Hobby Japan brings Uchusen back to life! Continued...

HEROES TWO Details Source: Richard York, Media Blasters Media Blasters has provided some information about their upcoming release of the Shaw Brothers/Chang Cheh classic, HEROES TWO, due out April 8th. Continued...

A Look Back at a Lost Classic. Author: CreatureScape More than 50 years after his cinematic birth, Godzilla is essentially a global household name. Like Elvis, James Bond, and Marilyn Monroe, he occupies a space in pop culture that is so large; one need never have seen a Godzilla film to recognize him. In his shadow are still towering figures. Rodan and King Ghidorah (a. k. a. Monster Zero) have both had rock bands named after them and Mothra garnered her own four film franchise . . . not including appearances in several Godzilla films. In contrast, even kaiju fans know very little about Varan, despite the fact that he is one of only a handful of Toho terrors to have his own film. Continued...