Win a 20TH CENTURY BOYS DVD Gift Pack!

Get the 20TH CENTURY BOYS 1: BEGINNING OF THE END DVD and More for Free, Courtesy of VIZ Pictures and SciFi Japan Source: VIZ Pictures Official Movie Site: 20thboysfilms.com (US), 20th Boys (Japanese) Special Thanks to Rieko Fuji

A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

The popular 20TH CENTURY BOYS (20-Seki Shonen) live-action movie trilogy is coming to Region 1 DVD from VIZ Pictures and VIZ Media, starting this month with 20TH CENTURY BOYS 1: BEGINNING OF THE END. The films are based on the critically acclaimed 20th Century Boys manga series created by Naoki Urasawa, which is a national phenomenon in Japan, selling over 20 million copies to date. The first 20TH CENTURY BOYS movie was released in Japan by Toho on August 30, 2008 and quickly shot to the top of the box office. The film premiered at the VIZ Cinema in San Francisco on August 15, 2009. To celebrate this release, VIZ Pictures is giving SciFi Japan readers in the United States and Canada a chance to win one of three "20TH CENTURY BOYS DVD Otoshi-dama Gift Packs" [`Otoshi-dama` refers to a Japanese gift of good fortune for a new year]. Each Gift Pack includes the 20TH CENTURY BOYS 1: BEGINNING OF THE END DVD, the US theatrical poster, and a 20TH CENTURY BOYS button. The 20TH CENTURY BOYS 1: BEGINNING OF THE END DVD will be available for purchase on December 15. The suggested retail price is $24.92. VIZ Media DVD titles are distributed (in English) in the U.S and Mexico by Warner Home Video and in Canada by Allegro.

20TH CENTURY BOYS 1: BEGINNING OF THE END Synopsis

It all begins in 1969 when a young boy named Kenji Endo and his friends get together in their secret fort in a vacant lot and write The Book of Prophecy. In their book, they write about a future where they fight against an evil organization trying to takeover the world and bring about doomsday. Years later in 1997, Kenji is the manager of a convenience store who has given up his dream of becoming a rock star and leads a simple life as he raises his sister’s baby girl Kanna after his sister suddenly disappears. Then one day, his boring life is turned upside down when his old classmate, Donkey dies mysteriously and then an entire family in his neighborhood disappears.

At the same time, a mysterious cult being lead by a man only known as “Friend” emerges and begins to gain strong influence over society. A series of catastrophic events begin to occur mirroring the prophecies made up by the young Kenji and the greatest fear is the climax of The Book becoming a reality; December 31st, 2000, a terrifying giant virus-spreading robot will attack the entire city of Tokyo leading to the end of mankind. The only people who know about The Book are Kenji and his childhood friends. So who is Friend? One of their childhood friends or classmate? But who could it be? Will Kenji and his friends be able to stop Friend, save mankind, and live to see the 21st Century?

OFFICIAL CONTEST RULES and INFORMATION

Prize: A. There are three (3) prizes in total. Each prize consists of one (1) Otoshi-dama Gift Pack containing the VIZ Pictures 20TH CENTURY BOYS 1: BEGINNING OF THE END theatrical poster, a 20CB button, and the DVD. B. VIZ Pictures will mail the prize to contest winners so entrants must include a valid mailing address. This contest is only open to entrants in the United States and Canada. C. In the event that a winner chooses not to (or cannot) accept a prize, he or she forfeits all claim to that prize. D. One entry per person. Prizes are non-transferable. No substitution of prizes allowed.

Duration of contests: A.The "20TH CENTURY BOYS DVD Otoshi-dama Gift Pack" contest runs from December 10 until 12:00am on December 31, 2009. How to enter: A. Complete and submit the online questionnaire (see below). B. All entries must be complete, including entrant`s name, email address, completed questionnaire, and mailing address. Determination of winners: A. Only contestants who have submitted the requested information and questionnaire will be entered in the final drawing. The first three randomly drawn eligible entries will be judged the winners for this contest. B. SciFi Japan is not responsible for typographical, electronic or other errors in Internet operation affecting the offering, outcome, administration of the contest or the announcement of prizes. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. C. The decision of VIZ Pictures and SciFi Japan is final. Entrants agree to be bound by these Official Rules and by the decisions of the SciFi Japan judges, which are final and binding in all respects.

THE "20TH CENTURY BOYS DVD GIFT PACK" CONTEST

Just fill out the following questionnaire and email it to "VIZ 20TH CENTURY BOYS DVD Gift Pack" at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Good luck! Name: Email address: Mailing Address: Questionnaire: 1. What is the name of Kenji`s niece who plays a major part in the 20TH CENTURY BOYS trilogy? 2. The 20th Century Boys manga was created by Naoki Urasawa. Name one of Urasawa`s other manga series also available from VIZ Media. 3. What actor played the adult Otcho in 20TH CENTURY BOYS 1: BEGINNING OF THE END?

About VIZ Pictures, Inc.

Based in San Francisco, CA, VIZ Pictures, Inc. distributes Japanese live-action films and DVDs, with particular focus on Japanese "kawaii (cute) and cool" pop culture. VIZ Pictures approaches each release from a J-pop fan`s point of view to serve manga and anime generation in North America . VIZ Pictures titles include DEATH NOTE, KAMIKAZE GIRLS, LINDA LINDA LINDA, PING PONG, THE TASTE OF TEA, TRAIN MAN: DENSHA OTOKO and others. The company will continue to offer the hottest visual entertainment straight from the "Kingdom of Pop" for audiences of all ages in North America . VIZ Pictures, Inc. is an affiliate of VIZ Media, LLC, the San Francisco-based leading U.S. publisher of Japanese mangaand merchandise licensor of Japanese animation such as the popular NARUTO animated TV series. For more information please visit VIZ Pictures or www.viz.com.

For more information on 20TH CENTURY BOYS please see the earlier coverage here on SciFi Japan: