SciFi Japan

    A pack of unemployed salarymen help housewife Mayumi Okada (Kyoko Koizumi) in “The House Full of ‘Abandoned’ Businessmen”, one of four segments in the new Japanese comedy QUIRKY GUYS AND GALS. Photo courtesy of Third Window Films. © 2011 Sabi Otoko Sabi Onna Production Committee

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Third Window Films press release Official Movie Site: sabisabi.jp (Japan), thirdwindowfilms.com/quirky-guys-and-gals (UK) Special Thanks to Adam Torel Lovers of Japanese film have seen quite a few omnibus efforts over the years, with 2008’s TOKYO! standing out as a particularly bizarre and interesting example. Yet this film, drawing together some of Japan’s best comedic directors, tops even that three-part work. Approaching the surrealism of its predecessor, QUIRKY GUYS AND GALS (??????, Sabi Otoko, Sabi Onna, 2011) ties together four stories of people searching for a spark in their lives. Director Yosuke Fujita (FINE, TOTALLY FINE) leads off with “Cheer Girls,” an entertaining tale of a woman named Chiharu (Nanami Sakuraba) whose passion is to lead cheers—though not for sports teams. Rather, she finds common people and creates anthems to encourage them in everyday life. Tomoko Matsunashi’s “Boy? Meets Girl” is a TOOTSIE remake

    The Zebra Queen (Riisa Naka) will rule the world unless Zebraman (Show Aikawa) can stop her. Photo courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment. © 2010 Zebraman- Attack on Zebra City Partners.

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    Superhero Sequel Arrives November 29th Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release Official Movie Site: zeb2.jp (Japan) Special Thanks to Jackie Smith and Michelle Lee Fan favorite director Takashi Miike (AUDITION, ICHI THE KILLER) reunites with actor Show Aikawa (TOKYO ZOMBIE, GOZU) for ZEBRAMAN 2: ATTACK ON ZEBRA CITY (?????? -?????????-, Zeburaaman -Zeburaa Shiti no Gyakushuu, 2010), the sequel to their cult favorite superhero movie, ZEBRAMAN (??????, 2004). FUNimation Entertainment will release the film in a Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack on November 29th. The year is 2025. Tokyo has fallen and the world cries out for a hero. It cries for Zebraman. This striped crime fighter is the only hope for those who live in fear of the Zebra Queen, a hooved seductress out to conquer the world with the aide of her Miniskirt Zebra Police. The Queen has stolen Zebraman`s powers and instituted Zebra Time:

    DVD and Blu-ray cover art for SEX & ZEN: EXTREME ECSTASY. Photo courtesy of Madman Entertainment. © 2011 One Dollar Production, Ltd.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Madman Entertainment Official Movie Site: 3dsexzen.com On November 30th, the Hong Kong production SEX & ZEN: EXTREME ECSTASY (3D????????, 2011) will be released on DVD (Region 4, PAL) and Blu-ray (Region B) in Australia by distributor Madman Entertainment. A new chapter in the legendary 1990s SEX & ZEN series, EXTREME ECSTASY hit $1 million (USD) at the box office in Aussie cinemas and broke the box office record in Hong Kong, beating the previous record holder, AVATAR. Madman`s DVD and Blu-ray will feature the uncut version of the film, not seen in cinemas, with 15 minutes of extra footage. As a conceited scholar of the Ming Dynasty, Wei Yangsheng (Hiro Hayama) believes in pursuing the ultimate sexual pleasure as life is short. One day, Yangsheng encounters Tie Yuxiang (Leni Lan), the daughter of a Tao priest, and it`s love at first sight. However, it doesn`t take

    Cover art for PROFESSOR LAYTON AND THE ETERNAL DIVA DVD. Photo courtesy of VIZ Media. © LEVEL-5/ Team Layton 2009

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    VIZ Media Releases Anime Feature Film Based on the Popular Nintendo Video Game Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen VIZ Media, LLC, the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, will release a new anime feature-length film, PROFESSOR LAYTON AND THE ETRENAL DIVA (????????????, Reiton-kyooju to Eien no Utahime, 2009), on DVD November 8th. The movie is based on the highly popular PROFESSOR LAYTON series of video games for the Nintendo DS and will be suitable for All Ages. The DVD features both subtitled and dubbed English dialogue options, and will carry an MSRP of $19.97 U.S. / $19.98 CAN. Professor Layton, a true English gentleman, renowned archaeologist, and the world’s greatest amateur super sleuth, embarks on his most daring adventure yet when he receives a letter from his old student, the famous opera

    Ten SFJ readers have won a DVD set of four classic films featuring international star Sonny Chiba. © 1979-1984 Kadokawa Pictures, Inc.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Golden Media Group Official Site: GooHead Internet Channel Special Thanks to Roy McAree A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE It`s time to announce the winners of GooHead Internet Channel and SciFi Japan`s THE SONNY CHIBA COLLECTION giveaway. The following ten entrants were randomly chosen to receive a free DVD set containing the Shinichi "Sonny" Chiba films G.I. SAMURAI, RESURRECTION OF GOLDEN WOLF, NINJA WARS and LEGEND OF THE EIGHT SAMURAI... James Babbo Keith Marsh Benjamin Haines Tyler Collins Lee Merritt Andrew Stengele Jordan Perry Christopher Allen Austin Buell Mark Fitzpatrick Congratulations to the winners! Your prizes have already shipped, so keep an eye on your mailbox. And don`t forget to visit the GooHead Internet Channel to watch free streaming Asian feature films and television series. The selection includes the Gamera movies, IRON KING, SHADOW WARRIORS, RED BARON, SISTER STREET FIGHTER, FIGHT! DRAGON and several Sonny Chiba

    Japanese cover art for HELLSING ULTIMATE OVA 8. © Kouta Hirano • Shonen Gahosha Co, Ltd./ Wild Geese

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release Official Site: geneon-ent.co.jp/hellsing (Japan), funimation.com/hellsing-ultimate (US) Special Thanks to Scott Lonski FUNimation Entertainment has acquired the U.S. home video rights to the long awaited HELLSING ULTIMATE OVA 8 (?????????VIII?, Herushingu OVA VIII), in addition to the previously announced HELLSING ULTIMATE 1-7 OVAs. Production on the HELLSING ULTIMATE OVAs will begin immediately at the original studio, New Generation Pictures, and will include the original cast featuring Crispin Freeman in his return as Arucard. FUNimation Entertainment will release these new OVAs starting in 2012. The new home video releases will feature exclusive extras including panel discussions and one-on-one interviews recorded at the 2011 Anime Vegas Convention taking place this month. Fans will be encouraged to submit questions for the cast via the FUNimation Facebook page to possibly be included as part of the extra features. A bloody battle is about to begin, and

    Yes, it does exist! Cover art for the Blu-ray edition of DESTROY ALL MONSTERS, courtesy of Media Blasters. © 1968 Toho Co., Ltd.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Author: Keith Aiken Source: Media Blasters, Inc. Special Thanks to Carl Morano and Andres A. Perez Over the past week there has been a good deal of confusion regarding Media Blasters` DVD and Blu-ray release of the Godzilla film DESTROY ALL MONSTERS (?????, Kaiju Soshingeki, 1968). Based on our talks with reps from Media Blasters, we`ll try to separate the facts from the secondhand stories and oddball claims to hopefully give Godzilla fans a better idea of where things stand with this title. In June, Media Blasters first mentioned a tentative release date of October 25th for DESTROY ALL MONSTERS. Two months later, the company`s first DAM press release confirmed the Blu-ray and DVD release date and also listed a November 8th release for the Soundtrack CD. Despite rumors that DESTROY ALL MONSTERS would be delayed or that the DVD would not be sold until weeks after

    Saki Morimi in PARADISE LOST, the conclusion to EDEN OF THE EAST. Photo courtesy of The Associates. © 2010 EDEN OF THE EAST.

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    Anime Film Streets in Late November Source: The Associates press release Official Site: juiz.jp (Japan) Writer/director Kenji Kamiyama`s EDEN OF THE EAST: PARADISE LOST (????? ???? Paradise Lost, Higashi no Eden Gekijooban II: Paradise Lost, 2010) is the thrilling feature-length conclusion to the acclaimed anime series EDEN OF THE EAST (?????, Higashi no Eden, 2009). The film (cert. 15) will be released on DVD (Region 2, PAL) and Blu-ray (Region B) in the UK by Manga Entertainment on 21st November 2011. The story of political and subversive intrigue in the series finally reaches endgame. Even as the law enforcement net tightens around Saki and her fellow Eden of the East associates over alleged terrorist activities, the complex web surrounding the mysterious Mr. Outside is finally untangled as the remaining Selecao attempt to outmaneuver one another. Takizawa`s memories and identity are also finally revealed

    The anime feature TRIGUN: BADLANDS RUMBLE will be released on Aussie DVD and Blu-ray in November. Photo courtesy of Madman Entertainment. © 2010 Yasuhiro Naito/ Trigun the Movie Production Committee

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Madman Entertainment Official Movie Site: funimation.com/trigun (US), trigun-movie.com (Japan) Vash The Stampede is back in TRIGUN: BADLANDS RUMBLE (????? The Movie ?????, 2010). The first full length TRIGUN movie is coming to DVD (Region 4, PAL) and Blu-ray (Region B) in Australia on November 16th from distributor Madman Entertainment. Vash the Stampede is a gunslinging, red-trenchcoat-wearing drifter with a giant bounty on his head. His biggest threat, however, may not be law enforcement, but an outlaw by the name of Gasback. Twenty years ago, Vash accidentally interefered with one of Gasback`s robberies, and now the villain`s back with a score to settle. Gasback has come to Macca City in hopes of stealing one of their major installations, and Vash has just coincidentally arrived at the same spot. Also involved in this caper are a beautiful lady with a grudge, a couple of

    Cover art for the HELLDRIVER Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack. Photo courtesy of Well Go USA. © 2010 Sushi Typhoon/ Nikkatsu

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    Japanese Splatter King Yoshihiro Nishimura Delivers a Blood-Soaked Gore Fest on November 22 Source: Well Go USA, MPRM Communications press release Special Thanks to Chrissy Walker, Doris Pfardrescher and Leif Helland From director Yoshihiro Nishimura (TOKYO GORE POLICE, VAMPIRE GIRL VS. FRANKENSTEIN GIRL) comes the epic, apocalyptic Zombie-fighting road movie HELLDRIVER (???? HELL DRIVER, Nihon Bundan: Heru Doraibaa, 2010), featuring non-stop, over-the-top splatter action debuting November 22 from Well Go USA. HELLDRIVER will be available in a Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack for $29.98 SRP and on DVD for $24.98 SRP. The latest cult film from the prolific Japanese production company Sushi Typhoon, HELLDRIVER takes place in a Japan where half the population has become not-so-sexy flesh eaters and the economy has gently withered away... until Kika (Yumiko Hara) arrives. A stunning high school girl armed with an artificial heart-powered chainsaw sword, she leads a motley

    Sawako (Hikari Mitsushima) takes stock of her life when she returns to her hometown to take care of her ailing father Tadao (Kotaro Shiga) in SAWAKO DECIDES. Photo courtesy of Third Window Films. © 2010 PFF Partners

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    Source: Third Window Films, The Associates press release Official Movie Site: kawasoko.com (Japan), thirdwindowfilms.com/sawako-decides (UK) Special Thanks to Adam Torel Yuya Ishii`s award winning comedy SAWAKO DECIDES (??????????, Kawa no Soko Kara Konnichi Wa, 2010) is now available on DVD in the United Kingdom, courtesy of Third Window Films. The film stars Hikari Mitsushima, well known to tokusatsu fans for her roles in REBIRTH OF MOTHRA II (1997), ULTRAMAN MAX (2005) and the DEATH NOTE films (2006). In recent years she has established herself with quirky performances in international cult hits like LOVE EXPOSURE (??????, Ai no Mukidashi, 2009) and KAKERA: A PIECE OF OUR LIFE (???, Kakera, 2010). Sawako (Hikari Mitsushima) has lived in Tokyo for five years, is working her fifth office job, and is dating her fifth boyfriend, who is also her boss at the office. Her life with her

    Key art for THE WORLD GOD ONLY KNOWS. © Tamiki Wakaki, Shogakukan/ TV Tokyo

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    Source: Sentai Filmworks press release Official Site: kaminomi.jp (Japan) Special Thanks to David Williams Sentai Filmworks has acquired the eagerly anticipated anime series THE WORLD GOD ONLY KNOWS (?????????, Kami Nomi zo Shiru Sekai, 2010). The news was first revealed to massive applause at the 2011 Anime Weekend Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia on September 30, 2011. Based on the super-hit manga by Tamiki Wakaki, the 24 episode series is helmed by TRIGUN and FLAME OF RECCA vet Shigehito Takayanagi, who is directing from scripts supervised by Read Or Die creator Hideyuki Kurata (EXCEL SAGA, KAMICHU) and character designs adapted from Wakaki’s originals by Akio Watanabe (SOULTAKER, NURSE WITCH KOMUGI-CHAN). Original music is provided by TRANSFORMERS ARMADA composer Hayato Matsuo (HELLSING ULTIMATE, STREETFIGHTER ALPHA). Keima Katsuragi can score with any girl he wants... provided that she’s not real. A legendary master of Japanese “dating sims,” often referred

    The Criterion Collection`s DVD and Blu-ray cover art for KURONEKO. Photos courtesy of The Criterion Collection. © 1968 Toho Co., Ltd.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: The Criterion Collection, Image Entertainment Official Site: criterion.com/kuroneko Special Thanks to Jonathan Saba The Criterion Collection has issued the rarely-seen Japanese horror classic KURONEKO (?????? Yabu no Naka no Kuroneko, 1968) on DVD and Blu-ray. From director Kaneto Shindo (NAKED ISLAND, ONIBABA), KURONEKO (aka "Black Cat") is a spectacularly eerie twilight tale with a shocking feminist angle, evoked through ghostly special effects and exquisite cinematography. In this poetic and atmospheric horror fable, set in a village in war-torn medieval Japan, a malevolent spirit has been ripping out the throats of itinerant samurai. When a military hero is sent to dispatch the unseen force, he finds that he must struggle with his own personal demons as well. KURONEKO was co-produced by Kindai Eiga Kyokai and Nippon Eiga Shinsa, and released theatrically in Japan by Toho. The film was given a limited release in

    Photo courtesy of Section23 Films.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    LOUPS=GAROUS Available on November 29th Source: Section23 Films press release Special Thanks to Mike Bailiff Home video distributor Section23 Films has provided details on its November slate of releases; including LOUPS=GAROUS. The animated thriller will be released on both DVD and Blu-Ray by Section23 client, Sentai Filmworks. Product details follow, in order of release... AMAGAMI SS COLLECTION 2 Published by: Sentai Filmworks Distributed by: Section23 Films Run Time: 300 min. Street Date: 11/1/2011 Format: DVD Language: Japanese with English Subtitles SRP: $49.98 Junichi Tachibana hasn`t exactly been lucky in love, but was that because there`s something fundamentally wrong with him, or simply because he wasn`t trying hard enough? How many girls could he have struck up a meaningful relationship with if he`d done the right things, said the right words? The answer has yet to be unveiled as new versions of Junichi`s prospective romantic future continue

    Final cover artwork for the DESTROY ALL MONSTERS DVD. Photo courtesy of Media Blasters. © 1968 Toho Co., Ltd.

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    Cover Art and Specs for New Releases from Media Blasters Source: Media Blasters, Inc. Special Thanks to Carl Morano Note: Final Blu-ray and CD cover art will be added as soon as they arrive from Media Blasters. Media Blasters Inc. has revealed the specifications and final cover art for their upcoming Tokyo Shock release of the Godzilla classic DESTROY ALL MONSTERS (?????, Kaiju Soshingeki, 1968). The movie will be sold separately on both DVD (SRP $19.98) and Blu-ray (SRP $29.98). The discs have shipped to retailers and have a street date of October 25th, 2011. Media Blasters will also release a DESTROY ALL MONSTERS soundtrack CD on November 8th. The DESTROY ALL MONSTERS Blu-ray and DVD cover features artwork from the film`s original Japanese theatrical poster. Toho had very firm guidelines regarding the cover art, and the final design was not confirmed

    It`s business as usual for the Busan underworld in A BETTER TOMORROW, the south Korean remake of the classic John Woo film. © 2010 CJ E&M Pictures

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    2010 Remake from Executive Producer John Woo Source: Well Go USA, MPRM Communications press release Special Thanks to Chrissy Walker, Doris Pfardrescher and Leif Helland The accent is on action when Jin-mo Ju (A FROZEN FLOWER, THE WARRIOR) and Seung-heon Song (SO CLOSE, GHOST) star in the remake of John Woo’s 1986 cult classic A BETTER TOMORROW (???, Mujeokja, 2010), debuting on Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack and DVD November 8 from Well Go USA. Double-dealing among rival Thai and Korean mob syndicates provide the fuel for this fast-paced crime thriller that also stars Kang-woo Kim (MARINE BOY) and Han Sun Jo. Bonus materials include deleted scenes, a photo gallery, behind-the-scenes interviews with director Hae-sung Song and the film’s actors, and a 30-minute interview with executive producer John Woo. A BETTER TOMORROW will be available in a Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack for

    The post-apocalyptic world of ICE is coming next month to DVD in the United Kingdom. Photo courtesy of Cine du Monde. © 2008 E.Net Frontier/Eleven Arts.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Cine du Monde Official Site: project-ice.com (Japan), cinedumonde.co.uk/ice-anime (UK) Special Thanks to Andrew Kirkham It is the Apocalypse. A drastic change in the environment causes every male on the face of earth to die out by 2012. Most of the remaining women perish after fighting in a world war over their territories. 20,000 survivors huddle together in the Shinjuku area, which has become an ocean of trees. Within this small, all-female world, humankind divides into two groups: One which accepts its fate to perish and chooses to give their lives to pleasure. Whilst the other group strives to save the future through the power of science. It’s the beginning of an intense battle between these two forces over ‘ICE’, which is said to be the last hope for mankind. The UK home video label Cine du Monde will release the anime feature

    Win a DVD set of four classic films featuring international star Sonny Chiba. © 1979-1984 Kadokawa Pictures, Inc.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    DVD Set of Four Classic Films Featuring the International Action Star Source: Golden Media Group Official Site: GooHead Internet Channel Special Thanks to Roy McAree Earlier this month, the GooHead Internet Channel— a free streaming service for classic Asian feature films and television series— announced they would be adding eight new titles to their lineup of films featuring martial arts legend, Shinichi "Sonny" Chiba (THE STREET FIGHTER, KILL BILL VOL. 1). Now, GooHead is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win a free DVD set of four Sonny Chiba films! THE SONNY CHIBA COLLECTION brings together, for the first time ever, four Chiba classics, uncut and unedited... G.I. SAMURAI (????? Sengoku Jieitai, aka TIME SLIP, 1979): A squadron of Japanese soldiers find themselves transported through time to Japan`s feudal period, 400 years in the past, where rival Samurai clans are battling to make their leader

    The sci-fi anime FREEDOM is now avilable on Australian Blu-ray and DVD. Photo courtesy of Madman Entertainment. © 2006 Freedom Committee

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    A New Vision of the Future from the Creator of AKIRA Source: Madman Entertainment The sci-fi anime series FREEDOM (??, 2006) is now available on DVD (Region 4, PAL) and Blu-ray (Region B) from Australian distributor Madman Entertainment. Animated by Sunrise (COWBOY BEBOP, MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM), FREEDOM features character designs by Katsuhiro Otomo, the creator of AKIRA. The seven-part series uses a hyper anime-realistic cell-shaded 3D look similar to APPLESEED and VEXILLE. In the year 2041, mankind created their first space colony on the moon. But after a freak cataclysm devastated human civilization on Earth, the republic of the moon built a domed megalopolis known as Eden. Now in the year 2267, a boy called Takeru spends his time engaging in hover-craft races against rival street gangs, unaware that he is about to embark in the journey of unearthing Eden`s origin. Format: DVD (Region 4, PAL) SRP:

    Blu-ray and DVD cover art for NARUTO SHIPPUDEN THE MOVIE: BONDS. Photos courtesy of VIZ Media. © Masashi Kishimoto /2007 Shippuden © NMP 2008

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    The World’s Most Popular Ninja Returns in the Second NARUTO SHIPPUDEN Anime Feature Film Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Official Site: naruto.com Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen VIZ Media, LLC, the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, is proud to announce the DVD and Blu-ray release of the latest NARUTO feature film on October 25th. NARUTO SHIPPUDEN THE MOVIE: BONDS (??? NARUTO????? ??? ?, Gekijooban Naruto Shippuuden: Kizuna, 2008) will be the first Blu-ray release from the international anime franchise to hit North American shores, and is rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens and priced at $24.98 (Blu-ray) and $19.98 (DVD) in both the U.S. and Canada. NARUTO SHIPPUDEN THE MOVIE: BONDS is packed with dynamic action and visually stunning fight scenes, giving devoted fans and newcomers alike a chance to experience NARUTO SHIPPUDEN like

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