Source: Arrow Video US, MVD Entertainment Group Special Thanks to Clint Weiler Photo courtesy of Arrow Films. © KADOKAWA Arrow Video US and MVD Entertainment are offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win their new Blu-ray of Daiei's GIANTS AND TOYS (巨人と玩具, Kyojin to Gangu, 1958), a sharp and snappy corporate satire revolving around the ruthless machinations of a group of admen working in the confectionary industry. As a new recruit to the marketing department of World Caramel, fresh-faced graduate Nishi (Hiroshi Kawaguchi) is eager to impress his ambitious and hard-nosed boss Goda (Black Test Car’s Hideo Takamatsu), even if it strains his relationships with his college friend Yokoyama (Koichi Fujiyama) and budding love interest Masami (Michiko Ono), who work at the rival companies of Giant and Apollo. With World’s lead over its competitors slipping badly, the two spot a chance to get back

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Photo courtesy of Arrow Films. © KADOKAWA Source: Arrow Films, MVD Entertainment Special Thanks to Jasper Sharp and Clint Weiler Behind a Mask of Stone, the Fires of Vengeance Burn! Following their incredible GAMERA: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION release last fall, Arrow has announced another deluxe Blu-ray set... THE DAIMAJIN TRILOGY! The box set will be released in the United States and United Kingdom in late July. Photo courtesy of Arrow Films. © KADOKAWA   The Daimajin Trilogy saw Daiei’s Kyoto studios bringing its own iconic movie monster to life in a unique but short-lived series that transplants the Golem legend to Japan’s Warring States period of the late-16th century. In DAIMAJIN (大魔神), directed by Kimiyoshi Yasuda (YOKAI MONSTERS, ZATOICHI ON THE ROAD), the young son and daughter of the benevolent feudal lord Hanabusa flee to the mountains when their parents

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Source: Sentai press release Official Site: https://pripri-anime.jp/ (Japan) © Princess Principal Film Project Sentai announced today that it acquired distribution rights to the PRINCESS PRINCIPAL: CROWN HANDLER (プリンセス・プリンシパル クラウンハンドラー, Purinsesu Purinshiparu Kuraun Handorā, 2021), a new film series based on the hit franchise of the same name. Sentai will distribute the films to audiences in the Unites States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, Nordics, Scandinavia, the Netherlands, Spain and Portugal. Following the attempted assassination of the Queen, manhunts for spies become a frequent occurrence within the Kingdom. In response, Control — the Commonwealth’s covert operations group — begins to suspect the presence of a double agent within the Kingdom’s royal family. In order to reveal the truth, Control dispatches spy ring “Team White Pigeon.” But danger lurks around every corner, and when you don’t know who you can trust, being a

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 Source: MVD Entertainment Group Special Thanks to Clint Weiler   Photo courtesy of MVD Entertainment. © Shinpei Hayashiya   SRS Cinema and distributor MVD Entertainment are offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win the new DVD edition of the independent daikaiju movie GOD RAIGA VS KING OHGA (深海獣雷牙 対 溶岩獣王牙, Shinkaijū Raiga tai Yōganjū Ōga, 2019) from director Shinpei Hayashiya (REIGO; KING OF THE SEA MONSTERS, RAIGA: GOD OF THE MONSTERS). The giant monster Raiga returns, rising in Atami Harbor and attacking the city. A second kaiju, Ohga, soon joins the chaos, and the two monsters clash, destroying large sections of the city. Defense forces launch two new weapons, the giant tank Kamikaze and the drill tank Gokumei, to meet the monster invasion head on. But as the beasts work their way to Tokyo, will they be enough to stop the monsters from

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Source: SRS Cinema LLC,  Official Site: sagirinokuni.com (Japan) Special Thanks to Clint Weiler   Photo courtesy of MVD Entertainment. ©LosGatos Works This July, SRS Cinema and distributor MVD Entertainment present the independent daikaiju film HOWL FROM BEYOND THE FOG (狭霧の国 Sagiri no Kuni, 2019) on DVD.The movie was written and directed by Daisuke Sato (GODZILLA MOTHRA KING GHIDORAH: GIANT MONSTERS ALL OUT ATTACK, GODZILLA: FINAL WARS, GAMERA THE BRAVE, ULTRAMAN MEBIUS & ULTRAMAN BROTHERS) and features work by legendary Toho monster maker Keizō Murase (MOTHRA, KING KONG VS GODZILLA, FRANKENSTEIN CONQUERS THE WORLD, GAMERA).   Set in Kyushu during the Meiji era, a blind girl, named Takiri, and the blind monster from a nearby lake, named Nebula, fight against greedy developers who threaten to take over her family's land. Using an all puppet human cast and a fantastic monster suit, it offers a new

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Photo courtesy of Arrow Films. © KADOKAWA Source: Arrow Video US, MVD Entertainment Group press release Special Thanks to Clint Weiler Arrow Video US and MVD Entertainment are offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win their GAMERA: THE HEISEI TRILOGY Limited Edition Steelbook. The three disc Blu-ray collection includes the acclaimed 1990s trilogy of GAMERA THE GUARDIAN OF THE UNIVERSE (ガメラ 大怪獣空中決戦, Gamera: Daikaijū Kūchū Kessen, 1995), GAMERA 2: ATTACK OF LEGION (ガメラ2 レギオン襲来, Gamera Tsū: Region Shūrai, 1996) and GAMERA 3: REVENGE OF IRIS (ガメラ3 邪神〈イリス〉覚醒, Gamera Surī: Irisu Kakusei, 1999). The GAMERA: THE HEISEI TRILOGY SteelBook includes High Definition (1080p) transfers of all three movies, Japanese and English audio tracks, newly recorded audio commentaries, Japanese and American trailers, image galleries, featurettes and much more. The GAMERA: THE HEISEI TRILOGY SteelBook is now available from Arrow Video US. The suggested retail price

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Photo courtesy of Well Go USA. ©2019 THE GREAT WAR OF ARCHIMEDES FILM PARTNERS   Sinking of the World's Largest Battleship Source: Well Go USA, ddPR press release Special Thanks to Leif Helland  Based on the acclaimed 2015 manga series Archimedes no Taisen, THE GREAT WAR OF ARCHIMEDES (アルキメデスの大戦, 2019) debuts on Digital, Blu-ray and DVD June 15 (just in time for Father’s Day) with an all-new English dub from Well Go USA Entertainment. Directed by award-winning filmmaker Takashi Yamazaki (THE ETERNAL ZERO), the film is a fictionalized depiction of the behind-the-scenes struggles of building the Yamato, the largest battleship in the world, during WWII. From renowned producer/distributor Toho (GODZILLA; MY HERO ACADEMIA, YOUR NAME), THE GREAT WAR OF ARCHIMEDES stars Suda Masaki (DROWNING LOVE), Emoto Tasuku (AND YOUR BIRD CAN SING), Hamabe Minami (THE PROMISED NEVERLAND), Shofukutei Tsurube (FAMILY OF STRANGERS), and Kobayashi Katsuya (THE

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CHIHAYAFURU SEASON 3 Available July 27th Source: Section23 Films press release Special Thanks to Mike Bailiff Home video distributor Section23 Films today announced its July slate of releases which includes Sentai Filmworks’ third season of the CHIHAYAFURU franchise, available on English dubbed Blu-ray July 27th with a Limited Edition Premium Box Set to be released soon. Product details follow, in order of release…   KNIGHTS OF SIDONIA Published by:    Sentai Filmworks Distributed by:  Section23 Films Run Time:         742 min. Street Date:      7/6/2021 Format:             BD Language:         English, Spanish & Japanese with English Subtitles SRP:                $89.98 The alien Gauna may have destroyed Mankind's original home, but aboard the asteroid-based spaceship Sidonia, the human race has found ways to adapt, change and survive in the endless depths of space.  Now the former people of Earth can photosynthesize

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Source: Sentai press release Sentai announced today that it acquired exclusive rights to SCHOOL LIVE! ~THE MOVIE (がっこうぐらし!, Gakkō Gurashi!, 2019), the live-action adaptation of the popular horror anime School-Live! that captivated audiences with its unique premise and chilling visuals. Sentai will distribute the film in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, Nordic countries, the Netherlands, Spain and Portugal. On any normal day, high school can be a terrifying place. But in an apocalyptic world overrun by murderous undead, this school is salvation. In it, Yuki and her friends take shelter and do their best to live and to keep their sanity as strong as their friendship. Sentai has also licensed GAKKO*** SCHOOL-LIVE! ANOTHER STORY, a four-episode prequel series to the live-action film that stars Hinako Sakurai as Yukari Sawatari, a character original to the miniseries. SCHOOL LIVE!

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  Photo courtesy of Aniplex of America. © Magica Quartet／Aniplex, Madoka Partners, MBS The renowned Magical Girl series celebrates its 10th anniversary with a special movie trilogy Blu-ray release! Source: Aniplex of America press release Official Site: anime.magireco.com (Japan), 10th.madokamagicausa.com (US) Special Thanks to Aiko Makino Photo courtesy of Aniplex of America. © Magica Quartet／Aniplex, Madoka Partners, MBS  Aniplex of America is thrilled to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the popular series PUELLA MAGI MADOKA MAGICA with the Blu-ray release of PUELLA MAGI MADOKA MAGICA: THE MOVIE TRILOGY on July 20, 2021! This special release includes the two theatrical adaptations of the hit TV series, PUELLA MAGI MADOKA MAGICA THE MOVIE PART 1: BEGINNINGS (劇場版 魔法少女まどか☆マギカ 始まりの物語, Gekijōban Mahō Shōjo Madoka Magika Hajimari no Monogatari, 2012) and PART 2: ETERNAL (劇場版 魔法少女まどか☆マギカ 永遠の物語, Gekijōban Mahō Shōjo Madoka Magika Eien no Monogatari, 2012), as well

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    Source: Sentai press release   Sentai announced that it acquired distribution rights to MY LITTLE MONSTER (となりの怪物くん, Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun, 2012), a romcom anime series based on the manga of the same name, for audiences in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Latin America, Spain, Portugal, Turkey plus all Nordic and Scandinavian countries. Standoffish, reclusive Shizuku Mizutani cares far more about earning stellar grades than cultivating friendships. But her opinions on friendship and relationships begin to change when she meets habitual truant Haru Yoshida, who happens to have a rather fearsome reputation. Like Shizuku, Haru’s reputation has made it difficult to make friends. And yet through their budding friendship and stirrings of attraction the unlikely pair learns to understand one another, the world around them, and the tenor of their own emotions. MY

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Source: Sentai press release Sentai announced today that it acquired distribution rights to EARL & FAIRY (伯爵と妖精, Hakushaku to Yōsei, 2008), based upon the light novel series of the same name by Mizue Tani, for audiences in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Latin America, Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Nordic, Scandinavia. Lydia Carlton possesses the rare ability to interact and communicate with fairies, supernatural creatures invisible to most humans. Few believe her stories about her occupation as a doctor to these strange beings, but the mysterious and handsome Edgar is in need of her particular expertise. Edgar seeks to become the Blue Knight Earl, or the human ruler of the fairy realm, and he will need Lydia’s help to navigate the deceptively complex world of the fairies and claim the crown he craves. EARL & FAIRY

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Source: Sentai press release Official Site: mv.avex.jp/gargoyle (Japan) Sentai announced today that it acquired distribution rights to GARGOYLE OF YOSHINAGA HOUSE (吉永さん家のガーゴイル, Yoshinaga-san-ka no Gāgoiru, 2006), the zany, family friendly series based upon the light novel of the same name by Sennendou Taguchi. Yoshinaga just won the local lottery! Instead of a fabulous getaway or a lifetime supply of her favorite food, she is awarded a stone gargoyle. But things get interesting when she discovers the ‘Gargoyle’ lives! Not only that, he can speak, fly and fire potentially lethal energy beams. Naturally, like any good gargoyle, he is bound to protect the Yoshinaga home from any and all threats. The once mundane, ordinary Yoshinaga household just became a place of magic, excitement and plenty of laughs! GARGOYLE OF YOSHINAGA HOUSE is directed by Iku Suzuki (YUMEIRO PATISSIERE, HAPPY LESSON, DEARS), with

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Source: SRS Cinema LLC Special Thanks to Avery Guerra A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Distributor SRS Cinema has licensed North American home media rights to THE LEGEND OF THE STARDUST BROTHERS (星くず兄弟の伝説, Hoshikuzukyodai no Densetsu) from Macoto Tezuka (son of the great manga artist Osamu Tezuka) and musician/TV personality Haruo Chicada. In 1985, Macoto was just 22 years old, a film student with many short experimental films under his belt, but yet to make a feature debut and — of course — had the pressure of the TEZUKA name. Then he met Chicada, who had made a soundtrack to a movie which didn’t actually exist: “The Legend of the Stardust Brothers”. With Chicada as producer, Tezka then adapted this “fake sountrack” into a real musical story. With inspiration from PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE and ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW, Tezuka assembled a cast

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Source: Shout! Factory press release Special Thanks to Shannon Meehan In celebration of the landmark series’ 50th anniversary, Shout! Factory, a multi-platform media company, and Toei Company, Ltd. today announced an exclusive deal to distribute the Kamen Rider series ZERO-ONE and RYUKI in North America. The multi-year alliance provides Shout! Factory and its streaming service, Shout! Factory TV, with exclusive TVOD, EST, SVOD, AVOD, and FAST rights in the U.S. and Canada to both series, and physical home entertainment rights to ZERO-ONE. The announcement was made today by Shout! Factory’s Senior Vice President of Digital Enterprises and Shout! Factory TV, Gene Pao; Melissa Boag, Shout! Factory’s Senior Vice President of Kids & Family Entertainment; Jordan Fields, Shout! Factory’s Vice President of Acquisitions and Naoki Shinozaki, Manager of International Sales for Toei Company, Ltd. Shout! Factory TV plans an aggressive rollout of both

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DORORO Available June 29th Source: Section23 Films press release Special Thanks to Mike Bailiff Home video distributor Section23 Films today announced its June slate of releases which includes Sentai Filmworks supernatural action series, DORORO, available on English dubbed Blu-ray June 29th. Product details follow, in order of release… MYSTERIOUS GIRLFRIEND X Published by: Sentai Filmworks Distributed by: Section23 Films Run Time: 375 min. Street Date: 6/1/2021 Format: BD Language: English & Japanese with English Subtitles SRP: $59.98 Mikoto Urabe

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Source: Sentai press release Official Site: dororo-anime.com (Japan) Sentai announced today that it acquired distribution rights to the critically acclaimed supernatural action series DORORO (どろろ, 2019), based on the manga of the same name by legendary mangaka Osamu Tezuka (Astro Boy, Black Jack). Sentai’s deal includes distribution rights for the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Latin America, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, and Nordic and Scandinavian countries. Sentai will release the series with an all-new English dub. During the Warring States period, the young thief Dororo encounters the enigmatic “Hyakkimaru,” a strange, sightless boy who wields fearsome prosthetics in place of his missing limbs. Parts of Hyakkimaru’s body, skin and organs were traded to a group of 12 demons by Hyakkimaru’s father in exchange for power and prosperity, but thanks to a kindly medicine man, Hyakkimaru survived his horrifying

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Source: Error_4444 press release Special Thanks to Logan H The new home video company Error_4444 presents their first Collector’s Edition Blu-ray… ANATOMIA EXTINCTION (限界人口係数, Genkai Jinkō Keisū, 1995), the first movie by splatter movie director Yoshihiro Nishimura (TOKYO GORE POLICE, VAMPIRE GIRL VS. FRANKENSTEIN GIRL). Pre-orders went live today at error4444.bigcartel.com/product/anatomia-extinction. A man stands out from the crowd with his bleached blonde hair and disdain for the overflow of humans in Tokyo. Physically sick and tired of being surrounded, the man’s only respite is the warm embrace of a sex worker. However, when the man is targeted by a serial killer known as “the engineer,” he’s given a choice — die by his hand or join him in murdering every last one of the humans he can’t stand. Both a pointed protest to Japan’s raging overpopulation problem and

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Source: Aniplex of America press release Official Site: sao-alicization.net (Japan), sao-alicization.com (US) Special Thanks to Aiko Makino Aniplex of America is delighted to announce the next home video release of the SWORD ART ONLINE ALICIZATION series, with the SWORD ART ONLINE ALICIZATION WAR OF UNDERWORLD Complete Blu-ray Set coming June 22, 2021! The complete Blu-ray set comes with six Blu-ray discs and includes all 23 episodes plus 2 recap episodes in both English and Japanese audio, housed in a stunning box featuring art by abec (Original Illustrator/ Character Design Concept). The set also includes bonus content such as trailers, commercials, textless openings and endings, as well as audio commentary by Japanese cast and staff members, along with a special booklet and an original soundtrack CD by the acclaimed composer, Yuki Kajiura. SWORD ART ONLINE ALICIZATION WAR OF UNDERWORLD Complete Blu-ray Set is

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Source: Sentai press release Official Site: swordgai-anime.com (Japan), netflix.com/SWORDGAI The Animation (US) Sentai announced today that it acquired distribution rights to brutal action series SWORDGAI THE ANIMATION (ソードガイ The Animation, Sōdo Gai The Animation, 2018) for audiences in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Scandinavia, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, and Latin America. In this world, sentient, powerful swords rain death on a powerless populace. Gai Ogata’s parents are murdered by Shiryu, a cursed blade with an endless thirst for blood. From childhood, Gai is transfixed on Shiryu, training as a blacksmith in hopes of someday surpassing the sword’s deadly guile with a creation of his own. But when another tragic turn of events costs Gai his arm, his master repurposes Shiryu into an unconventional prosthetic, binding Gai to the bloodthirsty weapon permanently. Now Gai must learn

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