SciFi Japan

Official Tie-In to Smash Hit Superhero Anime Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Official Site: tigerandbunny.net (Japan), VIZAnime.com/tiger-and-bunny (US) Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen What would a future look like where corporate-sponsored superheroes battle evil -- and often each other -- for reality TV ratings? Find out in the Tiger & Bunny manga, now available from VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America. The new series, published under the VIZ Media imprint, is rated ‘T’ for Teens and carries an MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN. Volume 1 also features 4 pages of additional full-color character art. The Tiger & Bunny manga features artwork by Mizuki Sakakibara and is based on the smash hit animated series, created by the famed Tokyo-based anime studio Sunrise, that has thrilled legions of fans across North America on VIZ Media’s Neon Alley, VIZAnime, and Hulu. The 26-episode anime sci-fi/action adventure notably features character and hero designs conceived by Masakazu Katsura (VIDEO GIRL AI and I"S; both available from VIZ Media) that are also carried over to the new manga property. Continued...

Source: Terracotta Distribution Special Thanks to Claire Marty On May 13th, Terracotta Distribution will release the acclaimed South Korean animated film THE KING OF PIGS (돼지의 왕; RR: Dae gi eui wang, 2011) on DVD in the United Kingdom. THE KING OF PIGS is an ultra-violent Korean animation set in a high-school world in which rich "dogs" rule over the "pigs". The film is directed by Yeun Sang-ho and stars the voices of familiar Korean actors, Yang Ik-june and Kim Kkobbi from the internationally acclaimed BREATHLESS. A festival favorite, this feature animation (aka Manwha) premiered at the 2011 Busan International Film Festival and has since played in various international festivals including the Director’s Fortnight 2012 making it the first animated Korean film to screen at the Festival de Cannes. THE KING OF PIGS was released theatrically in UK on January 2013. Continued...

Authors: Jim Ballard with Keith Aiken Source: Tsuburaya Productions Special Thanks to Daisuke Ishizuka On April 12th, Tsuburaya Productions revealed that their latest hero, Ultraman Ginga* (ウルトラマンギンガ), is set to appear in a new television series, THE NEW ULTRAMAN BIOGRAPHIES (新ウルトラマン列伝, Shin Urutoraman Restuden). The new show will premiere at 17:30 (5:30pm) on July 10th from TV Tokyo. July 10 is known as "Ultraman Day"; the anniversary of Ultraman's debut on TV in 1966. THE NEW ULTRAMAN BIOGRAPHIES breaks with Ultraman tradition as there will be no anti-monster defense teams or military/defense squads featured in the series. This will also be the first Ultraman show to focus on high school students in the leading roles. This cast of young actors are supported by an experienced production staff deeply involved in the earlier Ultraman shows. Continued...

Top Anime Creators Team Up for New Film Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Site: shortpeace-movie.com (Japan) Publicity Materials Translated by: Elliot Gay Nine years following STEAMBOY (スチームボーイ, Suchiimubooi, 2004)... twenty-five years after AKIRA (アキラ, 1988)... Katsuhiro Otomo is back at the forefront of Japanese animation with SHORT PEACE (ショート・ピース, Shooto Piisu), a new omnibus film of four short stories depicting Japan's unique culture, history and future. The film takes its title from Otomo's 1976-79 manga series, Short Peace. In addition to Otomo, the SHORT PEACE brings together a mix of top creators and up-and-coming talents in the anime field, including Koji Morimoto ( THE ANIMATRIX ), Shuhei Morita (FREEDOM), Katsuhito Ishii (FUNKY FOREST: THE FIRST CONTACT), Yoshiyuki Sadamoto ( SUMMER WARS), Hiroaki Ando (FIVE NUMBERS! ), Hajime Katoki (MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM) and Tatsuyuki Tanaka (TOJIN KIT). SHORT PEACE opens theatrically in Japan on July 20, 2013. Continued...

Samurai Masterpiece at the Prince Charles Cinema in London Source: Terracotta Distribution press release Special Thanks to Claire Marty 'Terracotta Film Club' will present LADY SNOWBLOOD (修羅雪姫, Shurayukihime, 1973), a Japanese classic from legendary director Toshiya Fujita, for its 4th edition. This blood-splattered Samurai masterpiece from the golden age of Japanese cult cinema is credited as the main inspiration for Quentin Tarantino’s KILL BILL series. 'Terracotta Film Club' will take place every last Wednesday of the month at the Prince Charles Cinema, London. Continued...

Articulated Bandai Figures to be Sold in Japan and America Source: Bluefin Corp. S.H.Figuarts Official Site: tamashii.jp/shfiguarts (Japan) Special Thanks to Xavier Lim Distributor Bluefin Corp. has provided product specs and high-res photos for figures and collectibles coming from Bandai's Tamashii Nations in August. All items will be released both in Japan and North America. Fans and collectors can purchase Bandai Tamashii Nations products from authorized Bluefin dealers, including SciFi Japan's sponsors Anime Jungle and Toy Freakz. Continued...

Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release Special Thanks to Tim Baxter FUNimation Entertainment has provided information for their Blu-ray and DVD releases for June 2013. Continued...

Source: Sentai Filmworks press release Official Site: mjp-anime.jp (Japan) Special Thanks to David Williams Sentai Filmworks is proud to announce its newest acquisition: MAJESTIC PRINCE (銀河機攻隊 マジェスティックプリンス, Ginga Kikootai Majesutikku Purinsu, 2012). This 24 episode sci-fi action series is directed by Keitaro Motonaga (Akane Iro ni Somaru Saka, Getbackers) and features series composition by Reiko Yoshida (K-ON!, Girls und Panzer) with character designs by Hisashi Hirai (Mobile Suit Gundam Seed series, S-CRY-ed), and mecha designs by Yuji Tani, Koji Watanabe (Blue Gender) and Yasuhiro Moriki (Martian Successor Nadesico). It’s GC 88 in the New Space calendar. Mankind has settled the solar system as far as Jupiter, when an unknown force suddenly attacks and humanity is plunged into war on an epic scale never before seen. Forced to retreat in the face of the enemy’s overwhelming onslaught, humanity finds itself push to the brink of destruction. Continued...

Source: Well Go USA, MPRM Communications Special Thanks to Leif Helland A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Our thanks to everyone who entered Well Go USA and SciFi Japan's contest for a free Blu-ray of BANGKOK REVENGE. The randomly chosen winners are: Gabe Lucas Ryan Chen David Moore Sarah Wright Dana Kraft Congratulations to the winners! Your prizes will ship soon. Directed by Jean-Marc Mineo, BANGKOK REVENGE stars Jon Foo (TEKKEN, STREET FIGHTER LEGACY), Caroline Ducey (ROMANCE, THE SOUL KEEPER) and Michael Cohen (THEM, LITTLE JERUSALEM). Continued...

Debuts on 3D/2D Blu-ray, DVD and Digital June 18th from Well Go USA Entertainment Source: Well Go USA, MPRM Communications Official Movie Site: blog.naver.com/jumbagi2012 (South Korea) Special Thanks to Leif Helland Experience what it was like to walk with nature’s greatest prehistoric predators when DINO KING 3D (점박이: 한반도의 공룡 3D, Jumbagi: Hanbandoui gongryong 3D, 2012) debuts on 3D/2D Blu-ray, DVD and digital June 18th from Well Go USA Entertainment. Painstakingly recreated in breathtaking CGI animation, the film takes viewers to a time before man, when dinosaurs ruled the earth. The Korean production by Dream Search C&C, EBS and Olive Studio has been marketed internationally as SPECKLES THE TARBOSAURUS. Continued...

Source: Madman Entertainment Special Thanks to Ben Pollock On May 8th, the Australian label Madman Entertainment will release a two DVD set of LADY SNOWBLOOD (修羅雪姫, Shurayukihime, 1973) and LADY SNOWBLOOD: LOVE SONG OF VENGEANCE (修羅雪姫 怨み恋歌, Shurayukihime - Urami Renga, 1974). The two films are highly influential classics of the Asian cinema genre, widely recognized as major inspirations for Quentin Tarantino's KILL BILL. LADY SNOWBLOOD's theme song, "Flower of Carnage", is sung by star Meiko Kaji and was also featured in KILL BILL. Continued...

Source: X-Plus Co., Ltd. Special Thanks to Sachiko Ikenouchi A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Last week, SciFi Japan posted information and photos of the giant monster figures scheduled for release by X-Plus Co., Ltd. in late May 2013. X-Plus was still waiting on final approvals for several of the figures so SFJ ran photos of the unpainted prototypes. Tsuburaya Productions has just approved the Ultraman Dyna figure, so X-Plus has provided photos of the fully painted item. Continued...

4 Feature Films Based on Classic Fantasy Adventure Series, Now in High Definition for the First Time Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Official Site: sunrise-inc.co.jp/yasya (Japan), viz.com/inuyasha (US) Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen VIZ Media brings the classic anime feature film action of INUYASHA home to fans across North America with the brand new release of the INUYASHA THE MOVIE: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION. The new 2-disc set is available now on Blu-ray, and contains 4 complete feature films from the venerable fantasy action adventure franchise, each rated TV-14, including INUYASHA THE MOVIE 1: AFFECTIONS TOUCHING ACROSS TIME (映画犬夜叉 時代を越える想い, Eiga Inuyasha: Toki o Koeru Omoi, 2001), INUYASHA THE MOVIE 2: THE CASTLE BEYOND THE LOOKING GLASS (映画犬夜叉 鏡の中の夢幻城, Eiga Inuyasha: Kagami no Naka no Mugenjoo, 2002), INUYASHA THE MOVIE 3: SWORDS OF AN HONORABLE RULER (映画犬夜叉 天下覇道の剣, Eiga Inuyasha: Tenka Hadoo no Ken, 2003) and INUYASHA THE MOVIE 4: FIRE ON THE MYSTIC ISLAND (映画犬夜叉 紅蓮の蓬莱島, Eiga Inuyasha: Guren no Hooraijima, 2004). The INUYASHA MOVIE COLLECTION carries an MSRP of $29.99 U.S. / $37.48 CAN, and features bilingual language options including English dubbed as well as original Japanese audio with English subtitles. Bonus features include a production art gallery and the original theatrical trailers for each film. Continued...

From the Writer of The Ring Comes the Latest Terrifying Installment to the Haunting Franchise Source: Well Go USA, MPRM Communications Official Movie Site: sadako3d.jp (Japan) Special Thanks to Leif Helland The most iconic figure in Asian horror returns for the latest installment in the frightening RING franchise with SADAKO 3D (貞子３Ｄ, 2012), debuting on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital June 4th from Well Go USA Entertainment. Director Tsutomu Hanabusa (HIGH SCHOOL REVIEW) brings back the long haired girl in the white nightgown and her reign of terror has extended from television screens to all forms of technology: PC screens, mobile phones, jumbotrons and more. Continued...

Director of WOLF CHILDREN, SUMMER WARS and THE GIRL WHO LEAPT THROUGH TIME Source: Madman Entertainment Special Thanks to Ben Pollock Madman Entertainment, in conjunction with NTV Films are pleased to announce multiple award-winning filmmaker, Mamoru Hosoda (WOLF CHILDREN, SUMMER WARS, THE GIRL WHO LEAPT THROUGH TIME) will tour Australia this month. Joined by his long-time collaborator, Yuchiro Saito, animation producer and co-founder of Studio Chizu with Mamoru Hosoda -- the studio responsible for WOLF CHILDREN -- Hosoda-san will be coming to Australia in mid-April, appearing at very special event screening and Q&A sessions for WOLF CHILDREN in Sydney (Dendy Newtown, April 15) and Melbourne (Cinema Nova, April 17). Tickets are on sale now and strictly limited. Hosoda-san will also be appearing at Supanova Pop Culture Expo on the Gold Coast on April 20th, a one-off screening of WOLF CHILDREN will follow in the evening at BCC Pacific Fair as a part of the Gold Coast Film Festival program. Continued...

Leader in Digital Manga Distribution Expands Access to North America’s Popular Weekly Digital Manga Anthology Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Official Site: shonenjump.viz.com Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen VIZ Media, LLC, the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, unveils the latest milestone with Weekly Shonen Jump, the weekly digital serial anthology that features the synchronized latest chapters of a variety of popular manga series debuting on the same day as the Japanese Weekly Shonen Jump magazine counterpart. Readers can now take advantage of the new Weekly Shonen Jump Newsstand App available for the Apple iPad and iPad Mini. New issues debut each Monday, and subscriptions are available through the Newsstand App for only $2.99 (U.S. / CAN) a month, with automatic monthly renewals. Apple Newsstand is a built-in application on Apple iOS devices that provides access to digital versions of hundreds of nationally and internationally syndicated newspapers and magazines. Weekly Shonen Jump Newsstand subscribers may also access their issues through the VIZ Manga digital platform. Continued...

Articulated Bandai Figures to be Sold in Japan and America Source: Bluefin Corp. S.H.Figuarts Official Site: tamashii.jp/shfiguarts (Japan) Special Thanks to Xavier Lim Distributor Bluefin Corp. has provided product specs and high-res photos for three S.H.Figuarts figures coming from Bandai's Tamashii Nations in August. Fans of Toei's Kamen Rider franchise will soon be able to purchase new Masked Rider No. 1 and Shocker Combatman figures, while Masked Rider V3 will be reissued. All three items will be released both in Japan and North America. Fans and collectors can purchase S.H.Figuarts figures from authorized Bluefin dealers, including SciFi Japan's sponsors Anime Jungle and Toy Freakz. Continued...

VIZ Media Brings a Double Dose of Medieval Action on May 11th Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Official Site: berserkfilm.com (Japan) Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen VIZ Media, LLC, the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, brings a very special anime theatrical presentation with a double-feature premiere of BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC I – THE EGG OF THE KING (ベルセルク 黄金時代篇Ⅰ 覇王の卵, Berserk Oogon Jidai-Hen I: Haoo no Tamago, 2012) and the North American theatrical premiere of BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC II - THE BATTLE FOR DOLDREY (ベルセルク 黄金時代篇Ⅱ ドルドレイ攻略, Berserk Oogon Jidai-Hen II: Doldrey Kooryaku, 2012). The double feature event will be held on Saturday, May 11th at the NEW PEOPLE Cinema, located inside the dynamic Japanese pop culture entertainment venue in San Francisco’s Japantown at 1746 Post St. A special galley exhibit featuring original BERSERK production art from Studio 4℃ will also be showcased in the theatre lobby. The double feature will simultaneously air on VIZ Media’s own Neon Alley channel, accessible by fans in North America. Continued...

Source: Discotek Media Official Site: biglobe.ne.jp/greenvsred (Japan) On May 21st, the OVA LUPIN THE 3RD: GREEN VS RED (ルパン三世 Green vs Red, Rupan Sansei: Guriin tai Reddo, 2008) will be released on Region 1 DVD by Discotek Media. Just when you thought the man was one of a kind, Lupin the Third lookalikes start appearing all over the world, each with their own style and flair! Even the expert Inspector Zenigata can't seem to track down his rival. From among the rabble rises one ambitious, green-jacketed Lupin imitator named Yasuo. He challenges the man himself to swipe the mysterious treasure Ice Cube and earn the title of "the real Lupin the Third!" Continued...

Source: Sentai Filmworks press release Official Site: shining-world.jp/heartsTV (Japan) Special Thanks to David Williams Sentai Filmworks’ is proud to announce its newest acquisition: SHINING HEARTS (シャイニング・ハーツ ～幸せのパン～, Shainingu Haatsu Shiawase no Pan, 2012). Based on the best selling Sega game, this 12 episode series is directed and written by Itsuro Kawasaki (LISTEN TO ME, GIRLS. I AM YOUR FATHER!, ARC THE LAD) and features character designs by Keita Matsumoto (BUNGAKU SHOJO, SANDS OF DESTRUCTION), sound direction by Yukio Nagasaki (TSURITAMA, DRAGON BALL Z KAI) and music by Hiroki Kikuta. Over the years, many strange things have washed up on the shores of Windaria, a mysterious island where humans, elves and other beings all live in harmony. Rick, a former swordsman who runs the Le Couer Bakery with his three beautiful coworkers Neris, Amil and Airy, knows this all too well, having been found on the beach with a profound case of amnesia himself. Perhaps that’s why Rick takes a quick interest in Kaguya, a girl who arrives in Windaria in a similar waterlogged and memory-less condition. Whatever the reason, it soon becomes apparent that his skills with a sword may be required to protect the lovely piece of former flotsam. Continued...