SciFi Japan

    Solitude breeds a new horror in THE COMPLEX. Photo courtesy of Shochiku. © 2013 The Complex Film Partners

    Tokusatsu - FX

    AKB48`s Atsuko Maeda Stars in Tale of Isolation and Terror Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd., Nikkatsu Corporation Official Movie Site: kuroyuri-danchi.jp (Japan) SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details and images from an upcoming Japanese movie. In 1998, director Hideo Nakata stunned audiences with THE RING (???, Ringu), the acclaimed horror hit that spawned multiples sequels and two American films. He delivered another J-Horror classic with DARK WATER (????????, Honogurai Mizu no Soko Kara, 2002) before moving on to direct KAIDAN (??, 2007), DEATH NOTE: L, change the worLd (L??????, L no Hontou no Himitsu, 2008) and THE INCITE MILL ?7 DAY DEATH GAME? (?????????????????, Inshite Miru: 7-Kakan no Desu Gemu, 2010). Nakata now returns to J-Horror with THE COMPLEX (??????, Kuroyuri Danchi). Described as a tale of terror, madness and despair born from solitude and isolation, the film stars Atsuko Maeda, former

    Fa Hai (Jet Li) battles White Snake (Eva Huang) in THE SORCERER AND THE WHITE SNAKE, coming to theaters in America this February. Photo courtesy of Magnet Releasing. © 2011 Juli Entertainment Media Co., Ltd.

    Tokusatsu - FX

    Now On Demand; Theatrical Run Starts February 8th Source: Magnolia Pictures Official Movie Site: magnetreleasing.com/thesorcererandthewhitesnake SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details and images from a new movie. Jet Li stars in the martial arts fantasy THE SORCERER AND THE WHITE SNAKE (???????, 2011), coming to the United States from Magnet Releasing, a division of Magnolia Pictures (THE HOST, LET THE RIGHT ONE IN, MONSTERS, TROLLHUNTER). The film is now available on Video On Demand and starts a limited theatrical run on February 8th. Check the theatrical release schedule for theater locations and dates. The following press notes and images are courtesy of Magnet Releasing/ Magnolia Pictures... SYNOPSIS Action director Ching Siu-Tung helms this fantasy film based on an old Chinese legend about an herbalist who falls in love with a thousand-year-old White Snake disguised as a woman. Jet Li

    Naoto Date (Eiji Wentz) becomes a masked hero and defender of children in TIGER MASK. Photo courtesy of Shochiku. © 2013 'Tiger Mask' Film Partners

    Tokusatsu - FX

    Shochiku Updates Classic Anime/Manga Hero in New Movie Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details and images from an upcoming movie. The fictional masked professional wrestler and timeless hero, Tiger Mask, is back in a new Marvel superhero-inspired costume for a new generation of movie lovers! The movie TIGER MASK focuses on the untold story of young Naoto Date`s early life leading up to his legend as Tiger Mask. This is how it all begins! --Shochiku publicity materials for TIGER MASK Created by manga writer Ikki Kajiwara and artist Naoki Tsuji, the Tiger Mask (???????, Taigaa Masuku) manga told the story of Naoto "Tiger Mask" Date, a former orphan who has become star of the Tiger`s Cave, a league of evil wrestlers. But Tiger Mask renounces his ways and fights for good in order to become

    Izumi (Tomomitsu Yamaguchi), Sakamaki (Hiroki Narimiya), Nagachika Narita (Mansai Nomura) and Tanba (Koichi Sato) defend their castle against 20,000 invaders. Photo courtesy of Asmik Ace Entertainment. © 2011

    Tokusatsu - FX

    A Force of 20,000 VS an Army of Just 500... Fools or Heroes? Source: Asmik Ace Entertainment, TBS (Tokyo Broadcasting System) Official Movie Site: nobou-movie.jp (Japan) Directors Shinji Higuchi (SINKING OF JAPAN, Gamera trilogy) and Isshin Inudo (ZERO FOCUS) team up for THE FLOATING CASTLE (?????, Nobo no Shiro), based on Ryo Wada`s novel of the same name, which has sold more than 1.3 million copies since 2007. Originally scheduled for theatrical release in Japan on September 17, 2011, THE FLOATING CASTLE -- which features a flood as a key story point -- was delayed in aftermath of the March 11th, 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami and finally saw release this past November. The movie is also now playing at international film festivals. Feudal Japan in the year 1590... nearing the end of Japan’s long period of civil war, the all-powerful warlord Hideyoshi

    Three kind-hearted monsters protect humans but are never accepted by them in the movie HUMANOID MONSTER BEM. Sayuri Ueno (Arisa Mizuki). © ADK/ 2012 “HUMANOID MONSTER BEM” Film Partners.

    Tokusatsu - FX

    Cult 60`s Anime Comes to the Silver Screen with a New Live Action Adaptation Source: NTV (Nippon Television Network) Official Movie Site: bem-movie.jp (Japan) The Creatures Return! No one knows when and where these creatures were born. In murky silence, a cell divided and created 3 lives. They are neither human nor beast, but their hideous appearances belied a sense of justice as strong as the most noble man. "Someday we`ll become humans!" They long to be human, a longing never to be fulfilled. HUMANOID MONSTER BEM (??????, Yokai Ningen Bemu) was originally a 26 episode animated series broadcast on Fuji TV from October 7, 1968 - March 31, 1969. Written by Akira Adachi (PRINCE PLANET) and produced by Daichi Doga, the anime followed the adventures of three subhuman creatures -- Bem, Bela and Belo -- who protect people from evil creatures in

    Teaser image for the SADAKO 3D sequel. © 2012

    Tokusatsu - FX

    Source: Kadokawa Pictures On May 12, 2012 Kadokawa relaunched the RING J-Horror franchise with the novel S (??) by author Koji Suzuki and the film SADAKO 3D (????) by director Tsutomu Hanabusa. Now the undying curse of the psychic girl Sadako Yamamura will continue in 2013 with a movie sequel, tentatively titled SADAKO 3D 2 (????2). The saga began with Suzuki`s novel Ring (???, Ringu), first published by Kadokawa Shoten in 1991, and exploded in popularity with director Hideo Nakata`s THE RING (???, Ringu) in 1998. The franchise would quickly expand to include three additional novels, three Japanese movie sequels, a TV movie and two series, a Korean remake and two big budget American films. Shortly before the release of the US remake of THE RING in 2002, the Japanese film series was symbolically laid to rest with a Tokyo funeral service for Sadako. But by

    POWER RANGERS star Johnny Yong Bosch will be a Guest of Honor for AX2013. Photo courtesy of Anime Expo.

    Tokusatsu - FX

    Source: Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation press release Official Site: anime-expo.org Anime Expo, North America`s largest anime and Japanese pop culture convention, announces Johnny Yong Bosch and Eyeshine as Guests of Honor for AX2013! Johnny got his start as Adam Park, the Black Ranger in the original MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS -- a role that he played for three-and-a-half seasons on TV, two motion pictures and two special guest appearances in subsequent seasons. Johnny is also well-known for voice acting work in numerous anime titles, including Vash the Stampede in TRIGUN, Kaneda in AKIRA, Renton in EUREKA SEVEN, Claus in LAST EXILE, Sakaki in WITCH HUNTER ROBIN, Kiba in WOLF`S RAIN, Itsuki in THE MELANCHOLY OF HARUHI SUZUMIYA, Ichigo Kurosaki in BLEACH, Lelouch Lamperouge in CODE GEASS, Izaya in DURARARA, and Yukio in BLUE EXORCIST. Johnny’s voice can also be heard in numerous video

    Kamen Riders Fourze (left) and Wizard (right) charge into battle together in the new film, KAMEN RIDER X KAMEN RIDER WIZARD & FOURZE: MOVIE WARS ULTIMATUM. Photo courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd. © 2012 'Wizard and Fourze Production Committee' Ishimori Pro · TV Asahi · ADK · Toei

    Tokusatsu - FX

    Latest Kamen Rider "Movie Wars" Film Opens in Japan on December 8th Author: Alicia Ashby Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site: movie-taisen.com (Japan) Toei Materials Translated by: Elliot Gay SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details and images from an upcoming movie. Official English Title: KAMEN RIDER X KAMEN RIDER WIZARD & FOURZE: MOVIE WARS ULTIMATUM Japanese Title: ??????×?????? MOVIE?? ???????? (Kamen Raidaa × Kamen Raidaa Uizaado Ando Fooze Muubii Taisen Arutimeitamu) Magic x Space! An invincible collaboration! The curtain rises on Ultimatum! The plot to eliminate humanity begins now! Superheroes unite! KAMEN RIDER FOURZE (??????????, Kamen Raidaa Fooze, 2011) was designed as the 40th anniversary project for the legendary Kamen Rider series. Now, the era of the Space Rider has ended, and the Magic Rider era has begun. Despite having only just begun airing in September, KAMEN RIDER WIZARD (???????????,

    Three new character posters for THE TOWER have been issued as the December release of the Korean disaster movie draws near. Images courtesy of The Tower Pictures / CJ Entertainment. © 2012 The Tower Pictures / CJ Entertainment

    Tokusatsu - FX

    Promotional Images Begin to Appear for the New Korean Disaster Movie Author: Kim Song-ho Source: The Tower Pictures / CJ Entertainment The Tower Pictures and CJ Entertainment released three character posters and several stills from THE TOWER (??), the upcoming Korean disaster movie. The companies also announced that the movie will open in Korea in December. The exact release date has not yet been revealed, but will soon follow suit. THE TOWER is about a massive fire in a 108-story skyscraper in Seoul on Christmas Eve. The movie will depict the struggles for survival of the people trapped inside. It is said to be the second all-out Korean disaster movie after 2009`s HAEUNDAE (???, released on Blu-ray and DVD as TIDAL WAVE in the US market), which showed a great tsunami that struck the coastal city of Busan. The movie was directed by

    Takashi Yamazaki`s FRIENDS: NAKI ON THE MONSTER ISLAND will make it`s Australian premiere at the 16th Japanese Film Festival. Photo courtesy of Japan Foundation. © “FRIENDS: NAKI ON THE MONSTER ISLAND” Production Committee

    Tokusatsu - FX

    Lineup includes RUROUNI KENSHIN, KEY OF LIFE, THERMAE ROMAE and SPACE BROTHERS Source: Japan Foundation, Sydney press releases Official Site: japanesefilmfestival.net Special Thanks to Evon Fung and Amanda Thompson In less than one month, the 16th Japanese Film Festival opens in Sydney from 14 – 25 November at Event Cinemas George Street and MELBOURNE from 29 November – 9 December in two locations, Hoyts Melbourne Central and ACMI Cinemas, Australian Centre for the Moving Image. Tickets go on sale 22 October for the biggest line-up to date. This year’s ‘totally sweet’ program features many titles that are now showing in Japan, with some yet to be released. Within the programming of these two cities, award-winning manga turned live-action SPACE BROTHERS (????, Uchuu Kyodai, 2012) will be featured in this year’s line-up, along with Japanese Academy Award winning Director Takashi Yamazaki’s (ALWAYS 1, 2

    US theatrical poster for TAI CHI ZERO. Image courtesy of Well Go USA. © 2012 Huayi Brothers & Taihe Film Investment Co., Ltd.

    Tokusatsu - FX

    Source: Well Go USA, MPRM Communications press release Official Site: taichi0.com Special Thanks to Nicole Duong On October 19th, director Stephen Fung`s steampunk martial arts film TAI CHI ZERO (??????) begins its US theatrical run, courtesy of Well Go USA and Variance Films. From the creators of DETECTIVE DEE and SHAOLIN SOCCER, featuring martial arts choreography by the legendary Sammo Hung (IP MAN 2: LEGEND OF THE GRANDMASTER), and produced by international megastar Jet Li (HERO, THE EXPENDABLES, FEARLESS), TAI CHI ZERO tells the story of Yang Luchan, an uncommonly gifted child who has a fleshy abnormality that holds tremendous power growing on his forehead. However, being teased as the town fool, Yang’s mother spurs him to practice martial arts, and following her wishes, Yang travels to the distant Chen Village to learn TAI CHI. At this legendary village everyone practices TAI CHI

    Blu-ray and DVD cover art for POWER RANGERS SUPER SAMURAI: THE COMPLETE SEASON, coming December 4th from Lionsgate. Images courtesy of Lions Gate Entertainment. © 2012 SCG Power Rangers LLC.

    Tokusatsu - FX

    Blu-ray and DVD Release on December 4th Source: Lionsgate press release Official Site: powerrangers.com The Power Rangers are SUPER powered with all new weapons and villains in the Lionsgate Home Entertainment release of the newest installment of the epic entertainment franchise, POWER RANGERS SUPER SAMURAI: THE COMPLETE SEASON available for the first time on Blu-ray Disc, DVD and Digital Download December 4. Follow the team as they are supercharged and ready to save the world, and relive all 20 episodes of the current Power Rangers series. In this exciting season, join the Rangers as they discover the power of the Black Box and are faced with their strongest opponents ever. Currently airing on Nickelodeon, POWER RANGERS SUPER SAMURAI: THE COMPLETE SEASON will be available on Blu-ray Disc and DVD, three days after the season finale. For the first time ever, the episodes will

    Tokusatsu - FX

    Featuring Special Appearance by Joel Hodgson, Crow T. Robot and Tom Servo from MST3K Source: Shout! Factory press release Special Thanks to Tom Chen Shout! Factory makes its foray at New York Comic Con 2012 with a stellar lineup, featuring a showcase of highly anticipated home entertainment products, exclusives, special signing, collectible giveaways and interactive fan activities at Shout! Factory booth (# 843) throughout the entire convention at the Javitz Center. Fan favorite icons Joel Hodgson (MST3K and CINEMATIC TITANIC), Crow T. Robot and Tom Servo from MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 will celebrate the excitement of this incredible pop culture gathering with Shout! Factory on Saturday, October 13, 2012 at 3 PM. Loyal fans and convention attendees will have the opportunity to get up-close and personal with Joel and the hilarious robot pals from MST3K’s Satellite of Love! For the first time at New York Comic

    In 2010, the giant idol Majin returned in the late night television series DAIMAJIN KANON. Photo courtesy of Kadokawa Pictures, Inc. © 2009 DAIMAJIN KANON Partners

    Tokusatsu - FX

    An Exclusive Look at the 2010 Series with Photos and Details from Kadokawa Authors: Keith Aiken, Elizabeth Ellis and Alicia Ashby Source: Kadokawa Pictures Translations and Additional Materials: Elizabeth Ellis and Alicia Ashby Official Site: dm-kanon.com Special Thanks to Naoko Sato, Asako Suzuki and Chiyako Tasai A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Characters and Cast Episode Guide Credits SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details for a recent Japanese television series not yet available in English speaking countries. Characters and Cast ? Daimajin Performed by Makoto Itou Voice performed by Tsunehiko Kamijo The great warrior Bujin-sama is an enormous supernatural being standing 20 meters tall. As the stone idol Daimajin— the first and strongest of the Onbake— Bujin long ago came to the aid of people who were attacked

    44 years after his last film, the giant idol Majin returned in the new late night television series DAIMAJIN KANON. Photo courtesy of Kadokawa Pictures, Inc. © 2009 DAIMAJIN KANON Partners

    Tokusatsu - FX

    An Exclusive Look at the 2010 Series with Photos and Details from Kadokawa Authors: Keith Aiken, Elizabeth Ellis and Alicia Ashby Source: Kadokawa Pictures Translations and Additional Materials: Elizabeth Ellis and Alicia Ashby Official Site: dm-kanon.com Special Thanks to Naoko Sato, Asako Suzuki and Chiyako Tasai A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE History of Daimajin Return of Daimajin War Gods and Yokai Daimajin Girl Concepts and Design Works Special Effects SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details for a recent Japanese television series not yet available in English speaking countries. DAIMAJIN KANON is the story of Kanon Misaki, a young woman who forges through a series of dramatic changes in her life while surrounded by a menagerie of fantastic creatures... and all under the imposing presence of Daimajin. MAJIN is a Japanese period

    The original Space Sheriff Gavan (left) and his successor, Gavan Type-G (right), leap into action. Photo courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd. © 'Gavan' Production Committee. © Toei

    Tokusatsu - FX

    A Preview of the Upcoming Metal Hero Film Author: Alicia Ashby, with Additional Text from Toei Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site: gavan.jp (Japan) Translations: Jim Ballard and Elliot Gay SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details and images from an upcoming movie. From "legend" to "immortal". The space sheriff returns... 30 years ago, in the golden age of tokusatsu heroes, a new hero shot down to us like a meteor. His name: "Space Sheriff Gavan". To protect the Earth from the evil hands of the space criminal organization Makuu, Gavan adorned a dazzling combat suit and operated a variety of super machines. He was the ultimate warrior, fighting a life or death battle inside an alternate dimension, "Makuu Space". The show featured non-stop action eclipsing traditional tokusatsu hero shows, plus stylish mechanics, magnificent scale and a heartwarming story. As the pioneer

    Toei will release their latest Kamen Rider/Super Sentai double feature -- this time featuring Fourze and the Go-Busters -- on August 4th. Photo courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd. © 2012 The Movie 'Fourze ? Go-Busters' Production Committee

    Tokusatsu - FX

    Double Feature Opens in Japan on August 4th Author: Alicia Ashby Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site: fourze-gobus.jp (Japan) Additional Translations: Elliot Gay SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details and images from an upcoming movie. Japanese heroes, let’s go super wild! Since 2001, Toei has marked the approach of fall by releasing a feature film that double bills a short subject starring that year`s Super Sentai team with an hour-long feature starring that year`s Kamen Rider. This year`s entry into this long line of Toei henshin hero double features pairs up this year`s astronaut-themed Kamen Rider, Fourze, with the superspy Sentai Go-Busters. Note that the double bill is not a crossover, and that Fourze and the Go-Busters will not appear alongside each other. Generally the Sentai film in the fall double bills is designed as a stand-alone adventure that often feels

    This past weekend Legendary Pictures released details about their upcoming films GODZILLA and Pacific Rim. © 2012 Legendary Pictures.

    Tokusatsu - FX

    Author: Gary Teetzel Source: Legendary Pictures Every year, attendees of San Diego Comic-Con look forward to viewing previews of upcoming genre films presented by the big studios, often with top-name stars and directors present to answer questions. Many fans camp out overnight in the hopes of being one of the lucky 6,500 to get into the fabled "Hall H", where the presentations are held. Media outlets from around the world monitor and analyze audience reactions, hoping to be able to predict the next big hit. This year, much of the focus was on the Legendary Pictures/Warner Bros. panel held on Saturday, July 14. Zack Snyder`s much-hyped Superman "reboot" MAN OF STEEL and Peter Jackson`s THE HOBBIT received the bulk of the attention, but for fans of giant monsters, two other films stole the spotlight. First, there was director Guillermo del Toro`s PACIFIC RIM.

    Rina Takeda as Keiko and Kentaro Shimazu as Tuna-man fight to the death in Noboru Iguchi’s DEAD SUSHI. Photo courtesy of Walker Pictures. © 2012 Walker Pictures

    Tokusatsu - FX

    It Will Take More Than Soy Sauce To Put This Sushi Down! Source: Office Walker Official Movie Site: deadsushi.com Special Thanks to Marc Walkow Noboru Iguchi (THE MACHINE GIRL, KARATE-ROBO ZABORGAR) is back with DEAD SUSHI (?????, Detdo Sushi), the first film from the new Japanese production company, Walker Pictures. The movie reunites the director with actress Rina Takeda, who had a supporting role in in the superhero TV series DOGOON FIVE but now takes center stage. The World Premiere of DEAD SUSHI will be held this coming Sunday, July 22nd, at 7:10pm at the Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal. The Asia premiere will follow soon after in Korea at the Puchon Fantastic Film Festival, on July 26th and 27th. Noboru Iguchi and Rina Takeda will be present for both events. DEAD SUSHI will be released in Japan in late 2012 or

    Hajime Saito (Hiroyuki Ikeuchi) kicks alien ass in SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO, making its North American premiere this month at the Japan Cuts film festival in New York City. Photo courtesy of Japan Society. © 2010 Space Battleship Yamato Production Committee.

    Tokusatsu - FX

    Winners will See a Great Japanese Movie on the Big Screen for Free, Courtesy of Japan Society and SciFi Japan Source: Japan Society Official Site: Japan Cuts 2012 Special Thanks to Shannon Jowett Thank you to everyone who entered Japan Society and SciFi Japan`s contest for free passes to see SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO, CURE or ZOMBIE ASS: TOILET OF THE DEAD at Japan Cuts: Festival of Contemporary Japanese Cinema. All three screenings will take place at Japan Society, located at 333 East 47th Street between First and Second Avenues in New York City. The randomly drawn winning entries are: Vince Averello: ZOMBIE ASS on Tuesday, July 17 at 7:30 pm. Daniel Martinez: SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO on Saturday, July 28 at 9:00 pm. Sigmund Shen: CURE on Saturday, July 21 at 11:00 pm. Congratulations to the winners! Each of you has won two (2) tickets to see your

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