SciFi Japan

    The traveling salesman Tora-san (Kiyoshi Atsumi) back on the road and telling fortunes in TORA-SAN`S GRAND SCHEME, one of four early TORA-SAN movies featured in AnimEigo`s new DVD box set. Photo courtesy of AnimEigo, Inc. © 1970 Shochiku Co., Ltd.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    DVD Box Set of First Four Films Arrives November 10 Source: AnimEigo, Inc., Shochiku Co., Ltd. Special Thanks to Stuart Galbraith IV, Aaron Cavazos, and Steve Ryfle The hugely popular TORA-SAN (Otoko wa Tsuraiyo, lit. “It’s Tough Being a Man”) series is finally coming to North America in a special 4-film DVD box set from AnimEigo. Featuring Kiyoshi Atsumi as the beloved loser Torajiro Kuruma, the 48-movie TORA-SAN is Japan`s longest running motion picture series and holds the Guinness Book World Record as the longest film series starring the same acator. In a typical storyline of the series, Tora-san— a suitcase carrying, a checked jacket and tummy-warmer wearing, traveling salesman— who in almost every film falls in love with a beautiful woman (played by Japan’s most popular and respected actresses), while selling his wares across the Japanese countryside, or while at home visiting

    DVD cover art for GENESIS II. Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. © 1973/Renewed 2001. Package Design © 2009 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Warner Archive Collection Special Thanks to Gabriel Vicuna Two 1970’s TV pilots from STAR TREK creator Gene Roddenberry — GENESIS II and the follow-up PLANET EARTH— arrive on DVD for the first time ever on October 6, exclusively from the Warner Archive Collection. GENESIS II (1973) Director: John Llewellyn Moxey Cast: Alex Cord, Harvey Jason, Mariette Hartley, Percy Rodrigues, Ted Cassidy Genre: Fantasy Adventure, Sci-Fi/Fantasy Screen Aspect: 4 X 3 Full Frame Run Time: 74 minutes Price: $19.95 “My name is Dylan Hunt. My story begins the day on which I died.” Gene Roddenberry brings fans another enthralling tale of the future. Set in a time between now and the era of the starship Enterprise, GENESIS II follows Hunt (Alex Cord), who awakes after 154 years of suspended animation into a post-apocalyptic world that’s torn between the peace-loving citizens of Pax and

    Cover art for DEATH NOTE 1 AND 2: COMPLETE 4 DISC SET and DEATH NOTE – THE COMPLETE SERIES. Photos courtesy of The Associates. DEATH NOTE movies © 2006 [Death Note] Film Partners. DEATH NOTE anime © 2003 by Tsugumi Ohba, Takeshi Obata, Shueisha, DNP, VAP, Madhouse

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: 4Digital Media, The Associates press releases Special Thanks to Farhana Shaikh DEATH NOTE fans in Britain having something new to live for as both the animated series and the live-action films have been packaged in two deluxe box sets. Manga Entertainment released the anime DEATH NOTE – THE COMPLETE SERIES on September 28, while this week sees the movie collection DEATH NOTE 1 AND 2: COMPLETE 4 DISC SET from 4Digital Asia. DEATH NOTE 1 AND 2: COMPLETE 4 DISC SET Having already established themselves as huge hits on their respective individual theatrical and DVD releases, DEATH NOTE and DEATH NOTE 2: THE LAST NAME, the two live-action movies based on the best-selling manga by writer Tsugumi Ohba and illustrator Takeshi Obata (Hikaru no Go), are now available together as one complete, four-disc package allowing viewers to experience this phenomenal supernatural

    Poster art created by George Chastain will also grace the cover of the DVD. Photo courtesy of Horse Archer Productions. © 2009 Horse Archer Productions, LLC.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    DVD Now Available; Debut Screening at Monster Fest on October 10 Source: Horse Archer Productions press release Official Site: virginiacreepersmovie.com Special Thanks to Sean Kotz After 18 months of production, Horse Archer Productions will release its much anticipated documentary, VIRGINIA CREEPERS: THE HORROR HOST TRADITION OF THE OLD DOMINION, with a debut at Monster Fest 6 in Chesapeake, VA on October 10. The film, which looks at more than 50 years of hosting horror movies on the Virginia and DC airwaves features extensive interviews with all known living hosts, previously unheard audio and video footage from shows not seen by the public for nearly four decades. Horror hosting, as it is commonly known, was a very popular form of local entertainment in many markets for decades and survives to this day, largely on cable access television and the internet. “We have put a lot of research

    DVD cover art for NARUTO SHIPPUDEN THE MOVIE. Photo courtesy of VIZ Media. © Masashi Kishimoto /2007 Shippuden, NMP

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Theatrical Premiere at VIZ Cinema on October 6th Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Official Site: naruto.com Special Thanks to Evelyn Dubocq and Erik Jansen VIZ Media, LLC has announced the DVD release of NARUTO SHIPPUDEN THE MOVIE on November 10th. The new film is the fourth in the NARUTO movie series, is rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens, and will have an MSRP of $24.92 U.S. / $35.99 CAN. San Francisco area residents can also attend the U.S. theatrical premiere of NARUTO SHIPPUDEN THE MOVIE at the New People/VIZ Cinema in Japantown for two nights only October 6th and 7th. Two showings are scheduled each day, at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., and will be presented as part of the theater’s "Weeknight Anime People" programming. In the newest animated feature film adventure, a powerful spirit that once threatened to destroy the world is back! Naruto`s mission

    © 1999 Toei Animation Co., Ltd., Japan. © 2001 Eichiro Oda /Shueisha

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release Special Thanks to Jackie Smith The following Region 1 DVD titles will be released over the next two weeks... ONE PIECE: SEASON TWO- THIRD VOYAGE September 29 SRP $49.98 Official Site: onepieceofficial.com With Nami on the verge of death, Luffy`s crew abandons its voyage to Alabasta and goes looking for help. Their search leads them to frosty Drum Island, where the locals don`t roll out the red carpet for pirates, and the only doctor in town lives atop a treacherous, snow-covered mountain. In order to save their friend, Luffy and Sanji must survive an avalanche, duke it out with a man-eating herd of abominable rabbits, and defeat a foe who devours anything he can get his mouth on. Danger lurks around every corner on this treacherous mission, but the Straw Hats have more at stake than ever before. Uncut Episodes 79-91

    Cover art for Manga Entertainment`s UK DVD of GHOST IN THE SHELL 2.0. Photo courtesy of The Associates. © 1995 /2008 Shirow Masamune/Kodansha · Bandai Visual · Manga Entertainment

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: The Associates press release Official Site: ghostintheshellredux.co.uk Special Thanks to Farhana Shaikh Manga Entertainment UK will release the 2008 anime film GHOST IN THE SHELL 2.0 (Kokaku Kidotai 2.0) to selected cinemas in England beginning October 2nd. The theatrical run will be followed by a 2 disc DVD set and Blu-ray release on October 26th. HMV stores are offering a GHOST IN THE SHELL 2.0 Exclusive Redux Edition DVD that comes with a slipcase and four art cards. The film will also be released on DVD and Blu-ray in a "Double Pack" set with the sequel GHOST IN THE SHELL: INNOCENCE (2004). The following information comes from the press release provided by the British publicity firm, The Associates... "A stunning work of speculative fiction, the first truly adult animation to reach a level of literary and visual excellence." – James Cameron In

    Cover art for the upcoming German Blu-ray disc of CHAW. © 2009 Polygon Entertainment LLC/Soo Jack Films

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Korean Killer Wild Boar Movie Takes a Bite out of European and Asian Territories Author: Kim Song-ho and Keith Aiken Source: Finecut Co., Ltd., Ascot Elite Home Entertainment Official Movie Site: CHAW Special Thanks to Lim Ji-yoon On September 11, the South Korean international film sales company Finecut Co., Ltd. announced that their new monster movie CHAW had been picked up for release in the UK. Finecut had signed the agreement with British distributor Optimum Releasing during the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival. Finecut also held a private screening of CHAW at the event. Released in Korea on July 15, CHAW is the tale of various oddball characters who have gathered to hunt down a giant, man-eating wild boar. The film mixes both horror and comedy, and was written and directed by Shin Jeong-won, a former music video producer and art director who

    Ed Godziszewski and Steve Ryfle have provided DVD audio commentaries and other supplemental features for several Toho science fiction films. Top row: Credits for the 2006 DVDs of GODZILLA from the British Film Institute and MOTHRA VS GODZILLA from Classic Media. Bottom row: BATTLE IN OUTER SPACE from Sony`s new DVD set ICONS OF SCI-FI: TOHO COLLECTION (2009), and the writing/producing credit for Classic Media`s documentary BRINGING GODZILLA DOWN TO SIZE (2008). © 1954, 1959, 1964, 2008 Toho Co., Ltd.

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    Interview by: Richard Pusateri Sharp-eyed fans of Japanese monster and science fiction films may have noticed the decidedly non-Japanese names Ed Godziszewski and Steve Ryfle repeatedly popping up in the credits of Toho DVDs, materials for theatrical screenings and releases, and various Godzilla-themed events over the past few years. Ed Godziszewski has been writing about Japanese FX productions for more than 30 years. Since 1977, he has been the editor and publisher of Japanese Giants, considered— along with Greg Shoemaker`s Japanese Fantasy Film Journal— among the best English language fanzines devoted to Japanese fantasy cinema. Issues of Japanese Giants can be purchased directly from the official website. Ed wrote the cover story (an overview of the Godzilla series) for the very first issue of Fangoria in 1979, and has contributed articles to Japanese Fantasy Film Journal, Retrovision, and G-Fan. G-Fan publisher Daikaiju Enterprises

    DVD cover art for the new Sentai Filmworks and Switchblade Pictures release ZOMBIE HUNTER RIKA. Photo courtesy of Section23 Films. © 2008 GP Museum Soft

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Section23 Films press release Special Thanks to Chris Oarr Distributor Section23 Films has released two new DVD titles; Switchblade Pictures` live action splatter film ZOMBIE HUNTER RIKA (Saikyo Heiki Joshikousei Rika, 2008) and Sentai Filmworks` anime series collection LEGENDS OF THE DARK KING: A FIST OF THE NORTH STAR STORY (Ten no Hao Hokuto no Ken Rao Gaiden, 2008). ZOMBIE HUNTER RIKA Written and directed by Kenichi Fujiwara, ZOMBIE HUNTER RIKA is the third installment of the "Nihombie" series which includes ATTACK GIRLS’ SWIM TEAM (available now from Switchblade Pictures) and ZOMBIE SELF-DEFENSE FORCE (coming October 13). The action sequences were by cult favorite stuntman, director, and action choreographer Tak Sakaguchi (VERSUS, AZUMI, GODZILLA: FINAL WARS, BE A MAN! SAMURAI SCHOOL). Synopsis: When typical Japanese high school student Rika (Risa Kudo) skips school to visit her grandfather, she fails to take into account the fact

    DVD cover art for HONEY AND CLOVER Box 1. Photo courtesy of VIZ Media. ©2009 Chica Umino/Shueisha- Honey and Clover Committee

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    3-Disc Set Features 13 Episodes of the Animated Shojo Series Source: VIZ Media press release Official Site: honeyandclover Special Thanks to Evelyn Dubocq and Erik Jansen VIZ Media, LLC will release the first Uncut DVD Box Set for the animated Shojo title, HONEY AND CLOVER, on September 22, 2009. The 3-disc set featuring 13 episodes will be rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens and will carry an MSRP of $59.90 U.S. / $85.99 CAN. Based on the popular manga series created by Chica Umino, HONEY AND CLOVER is a romantic comedy about a group of art school students who try to find their way through college. But when an innocent and talented 19-year-old girl enters their lives, things get a lot more complicated as love triangles result. What do you get when you cross creativity with self-discovery and unrequited love? Art school! Yuta Takemoto has no idea

    Slipcase art for NABARI: THE COMPLETE SERIES PART 1. © 2008 Yuhki Kamatani/Square Enix, Nabari Project.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release Special Thanks to Jackie Smith FUNimation has four new DVD collections of popular anime series scheduled for the last two weeks of September... NABARI: THE COMPLETE SERIES PART 1 September 22 SRP $59.98 In the shadows of this modern world, ninjas fight for control of an ancient technique which holds untold strength. This coveted power dwells within apathetic Miharu, a fact the guy really couldn`t care less about - until the clashing rival clans bring their battle to him. Now Miharu struggles to understand the mystery buried in his soul, and must choose a side if he hopes to survive. But when conflict is waged in secret, and lethal ninjas hide in plain sight, friend and foe prove difficult to tell apart. Episodes 1-13 Japanese Audio, English Audio, English Subtitles Episode 2 Commentary Textless Songs Trailers

    The American GODZILLA roars back in November with a new Blu-ray release from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. © 1998 Toho Co., Ltd./TriStar Pictures, Inc.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    1998 American Remake Coming to Blu-ray High Def in US and UK Source: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, Hollywood in Hi-Def Special Thanks to Scott Hettrick On November 10, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment brings their 1998 remake of GODZILLA from TriStar Pictures to Blu-ray Disc for the SRP of $24.95. Co-written and directed by Roland Emmerich (INDEPENDENCE DAY, DAY AFTER TOMORROW, 2012), this big budget take on the Toho Co. film series starred Mathew Broderick (FERRIS BUELLER`S DAY OFF, LECTION, THE PRODUCERS), Jean Reno (THE PROFESSIONAL, THE PINK PANTHER 1 and 2), Hank Azaria (THE SIMPSONS, NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: BATTLE OF THE SMITHSONIAN), Michael Lerner (BARTON FINK, LOVE AND OTHER DISASTERS), Harry Shearer (THIS IS SPINAL TAP, THE SIMPSONS), as well as Maria Pitillo (PROVIDENCE), Kevin Dunn (TRANSFORMERS, SAMANTHA WHO) and Arabella Field (PAPER MAN). The GODZILLA Blu-ray disc includes some new, exclusive

    DVD cover art for the new Sentai Filmworks/Section23 Films release DAPHNE IN THE BRILLIANT BLUE COLLECTION 2. Photo courtesy of Section23 Films. © 2004 NeSKes /

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    New DVDs on Sale Today Source: Section23 Films press release, Zen Pictures, Inc. Special Thanks to Chris Oarr Home video distributor Section23 Films has released their first DVDs since the closing of ADV Films. Going on sale today is the Sentai Filmworks anime DAPHNE IN THE BRILLIANT BLUE COLLECTION 2, plus the live-action Japanese horror double feature SLIT MOUTH WOMAN / ZOMBIE DEAD from Switchblade Pictures. Both titles were originally announced for the same date from ADV. DAPHNE IN THE BRILLIANT BLUE (Hikari to Mizu no Daphne, 2004) is a “fun, funny, and fast-paced piece of nonsense” (DVD Verdict) featuring sexy super-agents and plenty of action. Now, with the second 13 episode collection, fans can follow this madcap thrill ride to the bitter end – and beyond! Synopsis: Maia is having a very bad day. Her life-long dreams to join the elite Ocean Agency wither and

    UK DVD art for CHANBARA BEAUTY. Photo courtesy of The Associates. © 2008

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Babes, Bikinis, Blades, Guns and Zombies on Region 2 PAL Disc Source: The Associates press release Official Movie Site: Onechanbara: The Movie (Japan) Special Thanks to Farhana Shaikh The 2008 Japanese "babes vs zombies" flick CHANBARA BEAUTY (Onechanbara: The Movie) goes on sale today in the UK from Manga Entertainment. The British publicity firm The Associates has provided a press release, DVD cover art, stills, and video clips from the film. Please note: the video clips do include violence and some brief nudity. From the press release... A bikini clad babe in a cowboy hat, armed with a samurai sword slashing her way through hordes of zombies as she seeks revenge on her patricidal kid sister who`s now playing sidekick to an evil scientist… What`s not to like? Based on the hit Japanese video game series THE ONECHANBARA, the directorial debut feature from

    KAZE NO STIGMA © 2007 Takahiro Yamato, Hanamaru Nanto/ FUJIMI SHOBO, Stigma of the Wind Partners

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    Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release Special Thanks to Jackie Smith North American anime distributor FUNimation Entertainment will release no less than eleven DVDs in the first three weeks of September. KAZE NO STIGMA: SEASON 1, VOL. 2 September 1 SRP $59.98 The only person with a chance to melt Kazuma’s chilly exterior is the same red hot firebrand who incinerated his chances of a happy home life. Ayano is the smoldering redhead that issued a royal beat down to her cousin and staked her claim to the Kannagi Clan’s sacred sword. This stubborn flamethrower is a prodigy when it comes to making things explode, but she fights with a reckless abandon that could get her burned. Put her in the same as Kazuma, and there’s bound to be fireworks. Trouble looms on the horizon, and a pairing of Wind and Fire is Tokyo’s best bet to

    Former ADV titles will now be distributed by Section23 Films. © 2009 SXION 23, LLC.

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    Company Transfers Assets, Shuts Down Source: ADV Films press release Special Thanks to Chris Oarr Anime distributor A.D. Vision, Inc. (ADV Films) has closed following the transfer of its licenses and properties to a number of companies based in its hometown of Houston, Texas. Founded in 1992, ADV developed an extensive catalog of popular anime titles such as NEON GENESIS EVANGELION, RAHXEPHON, CHRONO CRUSADE, ROBOTECH, DNANGEL, FULL METAL PANIC, ELFEN LIED, HELLO KITTY, AZUMANGA DAIOH, and GANTZ; live-action science fiction programs including FARSCAPE, ANDROMEDA, and MUTANT X; plus a number of feature films like the 1990s Gamera trilogy and the classic Godzilla movie DESTROY ALL MONSTERS. The company launched the cable channel and VOD service Anime Network in 2002. ADV also published the US edition of the Japanese animation magazine Newtype from 2002-2008. In 2005, ADV Films was named “Best Anime Company” at the SPJA award ceremony

    Slipcase cover art for the NANA Uncut DVD Box Set. Photo courtesy of VIZ Media. Based on the comic NANA by Ai Yazawa originally serialized in Cookie published by Shueisha Inc. © Yazawa Manga Seisakusho / Shueisha © NTV / VAP / Shueisha / Madhouse

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Animated Romantic Rock and Roll Melodrama Goes on Sale September 8th Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Official Site: nana.viz.com Special Thanks to Evelyn Dubocq and Erik Jansen VIZ Media, LLC will release the Uncut DVD Box Set for the animated romantic rock and roll melodrama, NANA, on September 8th. The 3-disc set featuring 12 episodes will be rated ‘M’ for Mature Audiences and carry an MSRP of $59.90 U.S. / $85.99 CAN. The first box set will also include an exclusive NANA guitar pick. The NANA anime is based on the popular manga by Ai Yazawa, which has sold over 43 million copies in Japan and is published in North America by VIZ Media under its SHOJO BEAT imprint. NANA follows the adventures of two girls both named Nana. While they share the same name, they couldn`t be more different. Nana "Hachi" Komatsu follows her

    UK DVD art for DORORO. Photo courtesy of The Associates. © 2007

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Japanese Theatrical Smash to be Released in Britain September 7th Source: The Associates press release Official Movie Site: Dororo (Japan) Special Thanks to Louise Rivers Based on the enduring 1960s manga series by the legendary Osamu Tezuka (creator of ASTRO BOY) and its subsequent anime television series adaptation, DORORO finally gets a big-budget, big-screen treatment as a live-action feature starring Japanese singing and acting superstar Kou Shibasaki (MEMORIES OF MATSUKO; ONE MISSED CALL; BATTLE ROYALE; SINKING OF JAPAN) in the title role. Directed by Akihiko Shiota (CANARY; HARMFUL INSECT), co-starring Satoshi Tsumabuki (THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS: TOKYO DRIFT), Eita (MEMORIES OF MATSUKO) and Anna Tsuchiya (SAKURAN; KAMIKAZE GIRLS), and featuring action choreography by Hong Kong action maestro Siu-Tung Ching (CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER; HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS; HERO), this epic, supernatural fantasy proved to be a major box office smash in

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Special Thanks to Kai Saari Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has provided a half dozen clips from their new DVD release ICONS OF SCI-FI: TOHO COLLECTION. About Toho Headquartered in Tokyo, Toho Company Ltd. is an independent film studio as well as one of Japan’s biggest entertainment conglomerates. The company is best known for producing many kaiju (monster) and tokusatsu (special effects) movies, as well as acclaimed films by Akira Kurosawa. The studio’s most famous international export is GODZILLA (1954), a film that created a worldwide sensation and is known as “King of the Monsters”. Toho has also been involved in the production of numerous anime titles and other films, and is currently the biggest motion picture distributor in Japan. Godzilla, Mothra, King Ghidorah,

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