SciFi Japan

    Photo courtesy of Well Go USA. ©Pineapple Movie Limited

    Asian Cinema

    Photo courtesy of Well Go USA. ©Pineapple Movie Limited   Source: Well Go USA, ddPR Special Thanks to Leif Helland Photo courtesy of Well Go USA. ©Pineapple Movie Limited Well Go USA Entertainment is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win a Blu-ray of the action-packed MMA thriller UNDERCOVER PUNCH & GUN (潛龍狙擊, Qián lóng jūjī, 2019). An undercover cop’s daring plan to infiltrate a notorious drug ring is severely compromised when a rival agency attacks mid-trade and kills the gang’s leader. Their cover blown, both teams are forced to unite and take to the high seas in an attempt to overthrow the ruthless smuggler behind it all.  First-time co-directors Lui Koon Nam and Frankie Tam assembled an exciting cast – including Philip Ng (ENTER THE FAT DRAGON, CHASING THE DRAGON), Van Ness Wu (IP MAN 4, DRAGON BLADE), and Andy On (SPECIAL

    Photo courtesy of Arrow Films. © KADOKAWA

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Arrow Films, MVD Entertainment Special Thanks to Clint Weiler Photo courtesy of Arrow Films. © KADOKAWA WHEN A SEDUCTIVE WOMAN GETS A SPIDER TATTOO... SHE WANTS VENGEANCE ON THOSE WHO MISTREAT HER! Drawn from the pen of one of Japan's foremost writers of the 20th century, Junichiro Tanizaki (A Fool's Love, The Makioka Sisters), IREZUMI (刺青, 1966) is a stylish tale of lust, betrayal and revenge directed by Yasuzo Masumura (GIANTS AND TOYS, BLIND BEAST). Masumura's muse Ayako Wakao (THE BLUE SKY MAIDEN, RED ANGEL) stars as Otsuya, the daughter of a rich merchant, who is tempted by her lover, Shinsuke, a lowly employee of her father's, to elope. During their flight, Otsuya's beauty attracts the gaze of Seikichi, a mysterious master tattooist who sees her pristine white skin as the perfect canvas for his art. The image of the large demonic spider

    Photo courtesy of Well Go USA. ©CJ ENM Corp., Hive Media Corp.

    Asian Cinema

    Photo courtesy of Well Go USA. ©CJ ENM Corp., Hive Media Corp. Source: Well Go USA, ddPR Special Thanks to Leif Helland Photo courtesy of Well Go USA. ©CJ ENM Corp., Hive Media Corp. Well Go USA Entertainment is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win a Blu-ray of DELIVER US FROM EVIL (다만 악에서 구하소서, Daman Akeseo Goohasoseo, 2020), an action-packed thriller about a government-agent-turned-mercenary forced to re-emerge when he learns a little girl closely connected to him is kidnapped. However, when an infamous gangster learns who has entered the country and is finally within his grasp, he goes on a bloody rampage to thwart the ex-agent’s rescue mission.  Directed by Hong Won Chan (OFFICE), who infused the film with “impressively spectacular shootouts in the streets and a Bourne-level rooftop chase” (The Guardian), DELIVER US FROM EVIL stars Hwang Jung-min (THE WAILING, THE

    © 2021 Planet Prince 2021 Production Committee

    Asian Cinema

      Official Site: https://yousayouji2021.pal-ep.com/ (Japan) Special Thanks to Avery Guerra The makers of PLANET PRINCE 2021 (遊星王子2021, Yūsei Oji 2021) have launched the official website for the film and released the first poster and trailer. PLANET PRINCE 2021 is a reboot of the tokusatsu classic PLANET PRINCE (known in America as PRINCE OF SPACE). The film is director by Minoru Kawasaki, the filmmaker behind special effects comedies such as EVERYTHING SINKS EXCEPT JAPAN, EARTH DEFENSE WIDOW and MONSTER SEAFOOD WARS. © 2021 Planet Prince 2021 Production Committee        

    Theatrical poster with new release date. Image courtesy of Shochiku. ©2020 “Damashie no Kiba” Film Partners

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Site: shochiku.co.jp/ichidoshindemita (Japan) Originally scheduled for June 19, 2020, the drama KIBA: THE FANGS OF FICTION (騙し絵の牙, Damashie no Kiba) will now open in Japanese cinemas on March 26, 2021. Distributor Shochiku Co., Ltd. delayed the theatrical release due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The movie is adapted from the 2016 best-selling novel by Takeshi Shiota, and the main character in the story was based on actor Yo Oizumi (I AM A HERO, TOKYO GHOUL), who ended up playing the role in the film. Oizumi plays Teruya Hayami, the chief editor for a magazine that is on the brink of cancellation. With the support of his assistant Megumi Takano (Mayu Matsuoka), he goes to extreme lengths to save the magazine. For more information and high-res images, please see the KIBA: THE FANGS OF FICTION Info and Pics From

    Yuriko Ishida, Koichi Sato and Hidetoshi Nishijima star in SILENT TOKYO, a suspenseful tale of a bomber threatening the city at Christmas. Photo courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd. ©2020 Silent Tokyo Film Partners

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site: silent-tokyo.com (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Toei has provided information and high-res photos from their upcoming thriller, SILENT TOKYO (サイレント・トーキョー, Sairento Tōkyō), about a terrorist bomber that strikes Tokyo at Christmas. The movie is based on the novel Silent Tokyo And so this is Xmas by Takehiko Hata which was, in turn, inspired by the John Lennon/Yoko Ono song “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” that has been covered by artists all over the world. SILENT TOKYO is directed by Takafumi Hatano of the SP television and film series. The cast includes Koichi Sato (THE PROMISED LAND, FUKUSHIMA 50), Yuriko Ishida (HIT ME ANYONE ONE MORE TIME, AFTER THE MATINEE), Hidetoshi Nishijima (CAUTION, HAZARDOUS WIFE: THE MOVIE, SHIN ULTRAMAN), Tomoya Nakamura (MURDER AT SHIJINSO, KIBA: THE FANGS OF FICTION), Alice Hirose (HYOUKA: FORBIDDEN SECRETS, DDORAEMON THE MOVIE:

    Tao Tsuchiya and EXILE NAOTO star in the new drama FOOD LUCK. Photo courtesy of Shochiku. ©2020 Shochiku Co., Ltd.

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Site: movies.shochiku.co.jp/foodluck (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Feast your eyes on the ultimate yakiniku movie! An unprecedented first “eat-ertainment” film! Shochiku has provided information and large, high-res photos from FOOD LUCK (フード・ラック！食運, Fūdo Rakku! Shokuun). The movie is the directorial debut of Jimon Terakado from the comedy trio Dachou Club. Terakado is well known as a top TV celebrity foodie, with a particular love for beef, who has experience eating cuisine throughout Japan. With not only an eye for the food, but respect for the masters who make it, FOOD LUCK depicts both the love between mother and son and the comedy of life through yakiniku (grilled meat) and delicious food. EXILE NAOTO from the pop group EXILE and actress Tao Tsuchiya (ULTRAMAN ZERO: THE REVENGE OF BELIAL,

    Photo courtesy of Kadokawa Pictures. ©2020 “Runway” Film Partners

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Kadokawa Pictures Official Site: kassouro-movie.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Cries from the soul left by the “non-regular poet” who took his own life at 32.The poignant and extraordinary best-selling book of poems is now a film! Kadokawa Pictures has provided information and photos for their new film RUNWAY (滑走路, Kassoro). Tanka Poetry Collection (歌集　滑走路, Kashu Kassoro), by the poet Shinichiro Haghihara who died at the age of 32, serves as the basis for this drama. The movie is directed by Norichika Oba, who was an assistant director on SHIN GODZILLA (シン・ゴジラ, Shin Gojira, 2016) before helming the award-winning film CYCLOPS (キュクロプス, Kyukuropusu, 2019). STORY Midori (Asami Mizukawa), an illustrator in her late 30s, is anxious about her future. Meanwhile, Takano (Kodai Asaka), a young bureaucrat working for the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare,

    Photo courtesy of Shochiku. ©Kanako Nishi/ ”SAKURA” Film Partners

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Site: sakura-movie.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Shochiku has provided information and large, high-res photos from their upcoming drama SAKURA (さくら), the story of an ordinary family that faces what seem to be devastating trials sent from God. But the family stays hopeful and mantains their sense of humor to overcome their troubles. SAKURA is based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Naoki Prize winner Kanako Nishi. This will be the fourth big screen adaptation of Nishi’s work, following YELLOW ELEPHANT (きいろいゾウ, Kiiroi Zou, 2013), THE ROUND TABLE (円卓　こっこ、ひと夏のイマジン, Entaku Kokko, Hito Natsu no Imajin, 2014) and MAKUKO (まく子, 2019). The movie is directed by Hitoshi Yazaki, the filmmaker behind the critically acclaimed MARCH COMES IN LIKE A LION (三月のライオン, Sangatsu no Raion, 1992) — Prix de l’Âge d’or, Royal Belgian

    Theatrical poster. Image courtesy of Warner Bros.Pictures Japan. ©2020 “The Legacy of Dr. Death -BLACK FILE-” Film Partners

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Warner Bros. Pictures Japan Official Site: doctordeathmovie.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Warner Bros. Pictures Japan has provided information and photos from the new thriller THE LEGACY OF DR DEATH: BLACK FILE (ドクター・デスの遺産−BLACK FILE−, Dokutā Desu no Isan −BLACK FILE−). PUNK SAMURAI SLASH DOWN (パンク侍、斬られて候, Panku Samurai Kirarete Soro, 2018) co-stars Go Ayano (RAGE, THE PROMISED LAND) and Keiko Kitagawa (ROOMMATE, STOLEN IDENTITY) reunite to portray two detectives hunting a bizarre serial killer engaging in euthanasia. Based on the novel The Legacy of Dr. Death by Shichiri Nakayama, the movie is directed by Yoshihiro Fukagawa (IN HIS CHART, TWILIGHT: SAYA IN SASARA, SAGRADA RESET Parts 1 and 2). THE LEGACY OF DR DEATH: BLACK FILE will open in Japn on November 13. STORY “I will kill you without suffering.” Dr. Death is

    Source: Pixabay

    Asian Cinema

    Once upon a time, you could ask anyone if they’d seen the film The Ring in the western world and they’d normally respond: “The American one of the Japanese one?” The original Japanese film, 1998’s Ringu was cited by many as the scariest film to ever exist. As such, the film gained an American remake with 2002’s The Ring and catapulted the trend of J-horror. But just how influential is Japan when it comes to entertainment across the Pacific Ocean? Japanese Horror J-horror gained popularity due to the differences ingrained in the genre itself. Western horror, since the 1960s, was characterized by the teenagers in the films and the voyeuristic viewpoint we were given as they were stalked by Michael Myers, Jason Voorhees, Freddy Krueger, or Ghostface. The films were an analysis of society and youth culture, aimed to terrify the young people

    Source: Pexels

    Asian Cinema

    Sci-fi and horror are influential themes throughout entertainment. In the world of film, there are countless blockbuster franchises dating backing decades, with future-gazing science fiction even being able to trace its roots back more than a century. The genres have also made the switch to the smaller screen, with Netflix, Amazon Prime and many other leading streaming services getting a slice of the action. Platforms know that the shows will attract a ready-made audience of fans. So, it’s perhaps no surprise that sci-fi and horror have started to transcend into other industries. In this article, we will examine an industry that has grown incredibly quickly during the last 20 years — online casino gaming — and understand the impact that the two genres have had on its development. The growth of the online casino The world of online casino gaming has

    SPIRITED AWAY © 2001 NIBARIKI • GNDDTM

    Asian Cinema

    Compared to most other countries, Japanese culture is constantly added to with each generation. That’s not to say that nations like the USA and the UK don’t have a culture – it’s that the ingenious way that Japanese artistic heritage from the Middle Ages and before has been adapted to become iconic applications such as the modern manga and anime we know today. Most other countries can’t claim that their cultural offerings are grounded in as much history and tradition. As such, we can begin to see that anime – and its very specific style – is proliferating into western culture. Just how much does Japanese sci-fi and anime culture influence western TV and movies? Humble Beginnings: How Did Anime Begin? Sources aren’t set on when anime was developed. Some suggest the first anime was drawn around 1916-1917 by Shimokawa Oten, but

    Photo courtesy of Film Movement. © 2019 YOKOGAO FILM PARTNERS & COMME DES CINEMAS

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Film Movement, Foundry Communications press release Official Site: yokogao-movie.jp (Japan), filmmovement.com/a-girl-missing (US) Special Thanks to Michael Krause One of the finest Japanese directors to emerge in the last decade, Kôji Fukada has earned renown for crafting suspenseful dramas. Following 2016's HARMONIUM (淵に立つ, Fuchi ni Tatsu), which captured Cannes' prestigious Un Certain Regard Jury Prize, he returns with A GIRL MISSING (よこがお, Yokogao, 2019), a tense portrait of a woman caught up in a spiral of defamation. In this slow-burning thriller, also scripted by Fukada, Ichiko (HARMONIUM's Mariko Tsutsui) works as a home-care nurse to the elderly matriarch of the Oisho family -- long enough to feel like part of the family. She's closest to the eldest sister, Motoko (Mikako Ichikawa), who's studying to follow in Ichiko's footsteps. However, their happy routine is disrupted when Motoko's sister, Saki (Miyu Ogawa), is abducted. The

    Photo courtesy of Shochiku. ©2020

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Site: shochiku.co.jp/ichidoshindemita (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Shochiku has provided information and large, high-res photos from their upcoming drama KIBA: THE FANGS OF FICTION (?????, Damashie no Kiba). The movie is adapted from the 2016 best-selling novel by Takeshi Shiota. The main character in the story was based on actor Yo Oizumi (I AM A HERO, TOKYO GHOUL), who ended up playing the role in the film. The story is about Teruya Hayami (Yo Oizumi), the chief editor for a magazine that is on the brink of cancellation. Wuth the support of his assistant Megumi Takano (Mayu Matsuoka), he goes to extreme lengths to save the magazine. KIBA: THE FANGS OF FICTION was scheduled for nationwide release in Japan on June 19th, but is now listed as “coming soon” due to the COVID-19 pandemic. CREDITS Japanese Theatrical

    Asian Cinema

    Movies are the ultimate form of escapism. They transport viewers to mystical realms, allow them to feel the exhilaration experienced by a superhero and permit them a glimpse into the complex and captivating lives of others. Movies though, rely on drama, ultimately there has to be something to hook the viewers’ attention. A naturally dramatic activity such as gambling is therefore a great topic to help ambitious directors weave a beguiling storyline. Poker films are without doubt the most common in the gambling genre, but is the game ever really portrayed accurately? Or is it overly dramatized to get viewers pulses racing? Read on to find out. How Is Poker Portrayed In Japanese Film? Unlike in other modern countries around the world, gambling is almost completely illegal in Japan, including poker in both its online and offline forms. That isn’t to say that poker is not played

    Photo courtesy of Well Go USA Entertainment. ©SAMURAI MARATHON 1855 Film Partners

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Well Go USA, ddPR Special Thanks to Leif Helland From award-winning director Bernard Rose comes SAMURAI MARATHON (????????, 2019), the action-adventure flick with a samurai twist debuting on Digital May 12 from Well Go USA Entertainment. Rose -- whose wildly diverse career has spanned horror classics (CANDYMAN), historical romances (ANNA KARENINA) and indie dramas (IVANS xtc) -- co-wrote the screenplay with Japan’s Hiroshi Saito and Kikumi Yamagishi based on the novel The Marathon Samurai: Five Tales of Japan’s First Marathon. Inspired by a race still held yearly, the film follows an aging lord who challenges his samurai to a grueling marathon -- joined covertly by his daughter -- and the group must overcome deadly odds to survive. SAMURAI MARATHON stars Takeru Satoh (RUROUNI KENSHIN: FINAL CHAPTER), Nana Komatsu (THE WORLD OF KANAKO, SILENCE), Mirai Moriyama (RAGE, VISION), Shota Sometani (FIRST LOVE) and

    U.S. screenings of CHILDREN OF THE SEA are among the Fathom Events postponed by the Coronavirus outbreak. Image courtesy of Fathom Events. ©?2019 Daisuke Igarashi, Shogakukan/”Children of the Sea” Committee

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Fathom Events press release Special Thanks to Jessica Nelson and Katherine Schwappach As movie theaters close across the nation due to COVID-19, Fathom Events is in the process of cancelling or postponing many of their planned events. During this unprecedented time, Fathom Events is actively maintaining contact with partners and monitoring health organizations’ guidance to determine when future events may take place. They will ensure the events are safe and follow the recommendations set by all experts, including exhibitor and content partners, the National Association of Theatre Owners, the CDC, the World Health Organization, and other relevant organizations. Moviegoing is a unifying community experience that is at the heart of our popular culture and they look forward to bringing audiences together again when it is safe to do so. Below is Fathom Events` current list of upcoming cancelled and postponed events. Up-to-date event status can

    A masked criminal stalks a doctor (Kentaro Sakaguchi) and a patient (Mei Nagano) in MASKED WARD. Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures Japan. ©2020

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Warner Bros. Pictures Japan Official Site: amen-byoto.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Warner Bros. Pictures Japan has provided information and photos from the thriller MASKED WARD (????, Kamen Byoto). The feature film adaptation of the graphically realistic -- and best selling -- medical mystery novel by real-life doctor Mikito Chinen, the movie depicts the heart-stopping battles of a doctor confronting a vicious criminal in a barred-off former psychiatric hospital. MASKED WARD opens in Japanese cinemas this weekend. STORY On-call substitute doctor Hayami (Kentaro Sakaguchi) suddenly finds himself faced with a terrifying criminal in a clown mask. The assailant demands that Hayami treat injured high school student Hitomi (Mei Nagano). The perpetrator sets siege to the building and Hayami finds himself confined with 64 unknown patients. CREDITS Japanese Theatrical Release: Friday, March 6, 2020 (Nationwide Roadshow) Cast Shugo Hayami: Kentaro Sakaguchi Hitomi

    Photo courtesy of Kadokawa Pictures. ©2020

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Kadokawa Pictures Official Site: fukushima50.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Kadokawa Pictures has provided information and photos for their new movie, FUKUSHIMA 50 ??????????, Fukushima Fifuti). Based on the non-fiction novel by Ryusho Kadota, the drama follows 50 workers at the Fukushima No.1 Nuclear Power Plant as they face a critical situation due to the Great East Japan Earthquake. FUKUSHIMA 50 is directed by Setsuro Wakamatsu (WHITEOUT, THE UNBROKEN). Koichi Sato (UNFORGIVEN, TIME TRIP APP, HIT ME ANYONE ONE MORE TIME) and Ken Watanabe (INCEPTION, RAGE, GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS) head an all-star cast. STORY At 2:46 pm on March 11, 2011, the Great East Japan Earthquake occurred. It caused the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident. What happened at the plant? What is the truth? This is the story of the workers who continued fighting at the forefront as the

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