SciFi Japan

    Yukio Tonegawa (Teruyuki Kagawa), Kaiji Ito (Tatsuya Fujiwara), Kotaro Sakazaki (Katsuhisa Namase) and Hiromi Ishida gamble with their lives in KAIJI 2. Photo courtesy of NTV. © Nobuyuki Fukumoto, Kodansha / 2011 Kaiji 2 Film Partners

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    The Fatal Game Battles have Begun Again!! Source: NTV (Nippon Television Network) Official Movie Site: kaiji-movie.jp (Japan) Special Thanks to Asuka Kimura and Tzeling Huang SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details and images from a Japanese movie not yet released in the United States. DEATH NOTE`s Tatsuya Fujiwara returns in KAIJI 2 (???2 ???????, Kaiji 2: Jinsei Dakkai Geemu, 2011), the sequel to the 2009 box office hit KAIJI (???????????, Kaiji Jinsei Gyakuten Geemu). Based on Nobuyuki Fukumoto`s best-selling manga series about the ultimate gambler, KAIJI 2 was distributed theatrically in Japan by Toho on November 5, 2011. The movie will makes its US premiere at AM², running June 15-17 at the Anaheim Convention Center. SciFi Japan is pleased to present a look at KAIJI 2 with press notes and images courtesy of the film`s co-producer and international sales agent, NTV...

    ACE ATTORNEY, Takashi Miike`s live action film version of the Capcom game and manga series, will make its US premiere at AM² in June. © 2012 Capcom/ Ace Attorney Production Committee

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    One of Many U.S. Film Premieres Happening this June 15-17, 2012 at the Anaheim Convention Center and Anaheim Hilton! Source: BAM! Marketing, Publicity & Promotions press release Official Site: am2con.org Official Movie Site: gyakutensaiban-movie.com Special Thanks to Chase Wang The ever popular ACE ATTORNEY (????, Gyakuten Saiban-2012/Mystery, Drama/Approx. 130 min) manga and video game comes alive in this live action feature film to be screened EXCLUSIVELY at this summer`s most anticipated Anime, Manga and Music event AM². Two screenings will be available -- one EXCLUSIVELY for Passport holders ONLY and the second for Passport holders preferred (with general attendees as seating permits). More info and attendee registration can be found at am2con.org. First released in 2001 for the Nintendo Game Boy, ACE ATTORNEY was ported for the DS, PC, Wii. With four games in the series, Ace Attorney has sold over 4.2 million copies worldwide. The

    A theatrical retrospective of fifteen animated films from Studio Ghibli will begin a North American tour December 16th in New York. Posters for Studio Ghibli films from 1984-2002 courtesy of GKIDS. HOWL`S MOVING CASTLE and PONYO posters courtesy of Walt Disney Studios. © 1984-2008 Nibariki

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    New 35mm Prints of 15 Titles to Screen at IFC Center from December 16 to January 12 Source: GKIDS Inc. press release Official Site: gkids.tv/intheaters Special Thanks to Sara Groves, Eric Beckman and Dave Jesteadt GKIDS, a distributor of award winning animation for both adults and family audiences, is bringing a complete retrospective of films from Japan’s renowned Studio Ghibli to the IFC Center in New York (323 Sixth Avenue at West Third Street) from Friday, December 16 to Thursday, January 12. The run will include US premiere theatrical engagements for several titles. Newly-struck 35mm prints of all fifteen Studio Ghibli feature films produced between 1984 and 2008 will be screened, including Hayao Miyazaki’s Academy Award winning SPIRITED AWAY, PRINCESS MONONOKE, MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO, NAUSICAA OF THE VALLEY OF THE WIND, CASTLE IN THE SKY, PONYO, HOWL`S MOVING CASTLE, and KIKI`S DELIVERY SERVICE.

    Isuzu Yamada and Toshiro Mifune in THRONE OF BLOOD © 1957 Toho Co., Ltd.

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    Source: Barbican Centre, Sarah Harvey Publicity press release Special Thanks to Liz Parkinson The Barbican in London will be screening Akira Kurosawa`s classic THRONE OF BLOOD in June... THRONE OF BLOOD (????, Kumonosu jo) (12A) (Japan, 1957, Dir. Akira Kurosawa 109 min) + ScreenTalk with Yukio Ninagawa – Saturday 2 June, 2pm THRONE OF BLOOD is Kurosawa`s unforgettable transposition of Macbeth to the ghostly forests and grim castles of medieval Japan in the Age of Warring States. Kurosawa`s samurai Macbeth is not a strong, heroic figure, but a frightened, ambitious man who is fearful of the witches’ spell and kills to save his own blood. Laced with superb performances by Toshiro Mifune in the title role, alongside the wonderful Isuzu Yamada as Lady Macbeth, Kurosawa mixes the Japanese with the Jacobean, drawing upon the imagery of Noh in this indelible dark treasure. Even the sound of

    The evil monsters Megalon and Gigan look to finish off the heroic robot Jet Jaguar in GODZILLA VS MEGALON, screening in 35mm at next Saturday`s Silver Scream Spook Show in Atlanta. © 1973 Toho Co., Ltd.

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    35mm Showing of Toho Favorite at the Plaza Theatre Author: Steve Johnson Official Site: silverscreamspookshow.com For the past five years or so, the Silver Scream Spook Show has been bringing classic horror and sci-fi films to the beautiful and historic Plaza Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia. Headed up by your Ghost Host with the Most, the fanged philanderer Professor Morte, the Silver Scream Spook Show is a 30 minute (or so) stage show featuring a creepy cast of characters, not to mention the gorgeous dancing Go Go Ghouls, followed by a classic film in all its original 35mm glory. Everyone from local artists and actors to school teachers and professional wrestlers are a part of the cast that bring to life to all sorts of rampaging monsters, ghosts and goblins. Several of the members of the show have a fondness for kaiju eiga, and

    Cover art for POKÉMON THE MOVIE: BLACK AND POKÉMON THE MOVIE: WHITE. Photo courtesy of VIZ Media. © 2012 Pokémon. © 1997-2011 PIKACHU PROJECT.

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    Two Full Length POKÉMON Films Packaged as a Special 2-Disc DVD Set! Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Official Site: VIZ.com/Pokemon Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen VIZ Media, LLC, the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, has announced the release of a special POKÉMON movie double feature set, including the latest POKÉMON films, POKÉMON THE MOVIE: BLACK—VICTINI AND RESHIRAM and POKÉMON THE MOVIE: WHITE—VICTINI AND ZEKROM. The 2-Disc DVD set is now available under the company’s VIZ KIDS imprint and carries an MSRP of $19.97 U.S. / $19.98 CAN. Both movies are rated ‘A’ for All Ages. When Ash and his friends enter a battle competition in Eindoak Town, they meet the Mythical Pokémon Victini, who becomes their newest friend. But disaster strikes when the misguided wanderer Damon seizes Victini for his own plans! Can Ash prove himself

    The live action film KAIJI 2 will make its US convention premiere at AM² in June. © Nobuyuki Fukumoto, Kodansha /2011 Kaiji 2 Film Partners

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    The Stakes are High at U.S. Convention Film Premiere this June 15-17 at the Anaheim Convention Center Source: BAM! Marketing, Publicity & Promotions press release Official Site: am2con.org Official Movie Site: kaiji-movie.jp Special Thanks to Chase Wang The extremely popular and highly anticipated sequel KAIJI 2 (???2, 2011) is to be screened EXCLUSIVELY at this summer’s most anticipated Anime, Manga and Music event AM². Two screenings will be available -- one EXCLUSIVELY for Passport holders ONLY and the second for Passport holders preferred (with general attendees as seating permits). Ever since first appearing in 1996 as a serial manga in Kodansha’s Young Magazine, KAIJI has amassed a cult-like following, recording book sales of over 18 million copies and leading to a box office hit film adaptation in 2009 entitled KAIJI (???????????, Kaiji Jinsei Gyakuten Geemu). More info and attendee registration can be found

    The tiny borrower Arrietty lives hidden in a modern world in the Studio Ghibli animated feature ARRIETTY. © 2010 GNDHDDTW

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    Production Details for the Studio Ghibli Animated Feature Source: Madman Entertainment Official Movie Site: karigurashi.jp (Japan), arrietty.com.au (Australia), disney.go.com/arrietty (US) The animated feature ARRIETTY (????????????, Karigurashi no Arrietty, 2010) was another smash hit for Studio Ghibli, topping the Japanese box office for 2010. Based on Mary Norton’s novel The Borrowers, ARRIETTY is now being released theatrically in two major English language markets; Madman Entertainment will open the film in Australian cinemas on January 12, 2012, and Walt Disney Studios will release it in North America as THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY on February 17. The following English language press notes for ARRIETTY are courtesy of Madman Entertainment... ARRIETTY A film by HIROMASA YONEBAYASHI 2010 · JAPAN · RUNNING TIME 94 MINS · 35 MM · 1:1.85 · DOLBY SR-SRD · COLOR SYNOPSIS This is a story of a family of

    A tiny girl befriends a young boy in the Studio Ghibli animated feature THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY. NYICFF will have a preview screening in NYC before the film opens nationwide in the United States. © 2010 GNDHDDTW

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    Source: GKIDS Inc. press release Official Event Site: gkids.tv/intheaters Official Movie Site: karigurashi.jp (Japan), disney.go.com/arrietty (US) SPECIAL NYICFF EVENT - ONE SHOW ONLY! THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY Saturday, January 21, 1:00pm Symphony Space 2537 Broadway New York, NY 10001 In English Recommended for All Ages TICKETS ON SALE NOW NYICFF (New York Int’l Children’s Film Festival) is thrilled to present a special preview screening of Studio Ghibli`s THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY (????????????, Karigurashi no Arrietty, 2010), based on Mary Norton`s classic children`s book The Borrowers. Co-written by Hayao Miyazaki and directed by Miyazaki protégé Hiromasa Yonebayashi, the film is a gorgeous and entertaining treat - a beautiful story, sumptuously animated with all the loving detail, warmth, and humanity we have come to expect from Studio Ghibli`s finest works. THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY is currently certified 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.

    The tiny borrower Arrietty lives beneath the floorboards of mansion in the Studio Ghibli animated feature ARRIETTY. Image courtesy of Madman Entertainment. © 2010 GNDHDDTW

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    Discover a Secret World Within Our Own Source: Madman Entertainment Official Movie Site: karigurashi.jp (Japan), arrietty.com.au (Australia) The Studio Ghibli animated feature ARRIETTY (????????????, Karigurashi no Arrietty, 2010) will open in Australian cinemas on January 12, 2012, courtesy of distributor Madman Entertainment. Based on Mary Norton’s novel The Borrowers, ARRIETTY is a story of a family of little people. Beneath the floorboards of a sprawling mansion set in a magical, overgrown garden in the suburbs of Tokyo, tiny 14-year-old Arrietty lives with her equally tiny parents. The house is occupied by two old ladies, who are absolutely unaware of the existence of their miniature tenants. Arrietty and her family live by borrowing. Everything they have, they borrow or make from the things they have borrowed. Essentials like gas, water and food. Tables, chairs, cooking utensils. And treats - a sugar cube here, a

    A young boy named Shawn (right, voice of David Henrie) is astonished when he visits the garden and discovers Arrietty (voice of Bridgit Mendler), a tiny person who lives hidden with her family under the floorboards of the house where he’s staying, in Disney’s release of the Studio Ghibli animated feature, THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY. Image courtesy of Walt Disney Studios. © 2010 GNDHDDTW

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    Anime Film Opens February 17, 2012 Source: Walt Disney Studios press release Official Movie Site: karigurashi.jp (Japan), disney.go.com/arrietty (US) Residing quietly beneath the floorboards are little people who live undetected in a secret world to be discovered, where the smallest may stand tallest of all. From the legendary Studio Ghibli (SPIRITED AWAY, PONYO) comes THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY (????????????, Karigurashi no Arrietty, 2010), an animated adventure based on Mary Norton’s acclaimed children’s book series The Borrowers. Arrietty (voice of Bridgit Mendler), a tiny, but tenacious 14-year-old, lives with her parents (voices of Will Arnett and Amy Poehler) in the recesses of a suburban garden home, unbeknownst to the homeowner and her housekeeper (voice of Carol Burnett). Like all little people, Arrietty remains hidden from view, except during occasional covert ventures beyond the floorboards to “borrow” scrap supplies like sugar cubes from her

    Haruka, Cotton and Teo explore a land of long-lost childhood treasures in the computer animated film OBLIVION ISLAND, screening the next two weekends in NYC. © 2009 Fuji Television Network/ Production I.G / Dentsu/ Pony Canyon

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    World Premiere this Weekend at New York International Children’s Film Festival Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release Special Thanks to Scott Lonski The English language version of the anime feature film OBLIVION ISLAND (??????? ????????, Hottarake no Shima - Haruka to Maho no Kagami, 2009) will have its world premiere this weekend at the New York International Children’s Film Festival. Production I.G., the creators of GHOST IN THE SHELL, mix exquisitely detailed 2D backgrounds with modern 3D character designs in a dazzling animated adventure that plays like Alice’s fall through the rabbit hole into a world of topsy-turvy, anime dream-logic. When Haruka misplaces a hand-mirror that was a keepsake from her mother, she stumbles upon a portal to the subterranean world of Oblivion Island, a place where strange masked creatures gather up all the childhood trinkets humans abandon as they grow older, and attend Dream Theaters where they

    Teo (Miyuki Sawashiro), Haruka (Haruka Ayase) and Cotton (Tamaki Matsumoto) explore a land of long-lost childhood treasures in the computer animated film OBLIVION ISLAND: HARUKA AND THE MAGIC MIRROR. © 2009 Fuji Television Network/ Production I.G / Dentsu/ Pony Canyon

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    Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release Special Thanks to Jackie Smith and Michelle Lee FUNimation Entertainment has acquired the home entertainment, broadcast, digital, and mobile rights to the Production I.G. full length animated film, OBLIVION ISLAND: HARUKA AND THE MAGIC MIRROR (??????? ????????, Hottarake no Shima - Haruka to Maho no Kagami, 2009). Directed and co-written by Shinsuke Sato (the GANTZ live action films), the film was nominated for the award for Excellent Animation of the Year at the 33rd Japan Academy Prize. OBLIVION ISLAND: HARUKA AND THE MAGIC MIRROR is the first full length film from Production I.G. (GHOST IN THE SHELL, KILL BILL VOL. 1) done completely in 3D computer generated animation. To separate the film from American computer animated productions, the character designs have a unique “anime” style to them while the look and feel of the animation bear a closer

    The opening logo for GODZILLA: THE SERIES. © 1998 Toho Co., Ltd./Adelaide Productions, Inc.

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    A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE GODZILLA`S ANIMATED ADVENTURES The Cast and Characters of GODZILLA: THE SERIES GODZILLA: THE SERIES – THE DEFINITIVE EPISODE GUIDE GODZILLA`S ANIMATED ADVENTURES The Making of GODZILLA: THE SERIESAuthor: Bob JohnsonSource: Sony Pictures Family EntertainmentOfficial Site: sony.com/tv/kids/godzillaSpecial thanks to Keith Aiken, Fil Barlow, Jeff Kline, Audu Paden and John Russel “The fearsome franchise continues this Fall with the debut of GODZILLA: THE SERIES. Just as Manhattan and the rest of America recover from the chaos and havoc the world’s most famous monster wreaked this Summer, a series of new catastrophes appear. Only our hero Nick Tatopoulos and his enormous new ally, Godzilla, can prevent further destruction. Riding the crest of the monstrous success of the feature film, GODZILLA: THE SERIES will build upon the huge following of the world’s favorite monster with ‘A whole

    Striking quad poster design for the upcoming UK theatrical release of the Japanese Academy Award winning thriller VILLAIN. Photo courtesy of Third Window Films. © 2010 Toho Co., Ltd., Amuse Inc.

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    Source: Third Window Films, Rabbit Publicity Official Movie Site: akunin.jp (Japan), thirdwindowfilms.com/villain (UK) Special Thanks to Adam Torel and Davide Previti VILLAIN (??, Akunin) A film by Lee Sang-il (HULA GIRLS) UK RELEASE DATE: 19 August 2011 Certificate: 15 Running time: 140 mins In Japanese with English subtitles Colour/35mm and Digital release NOMINATED for 15 Japanese Academy Awards WINNER of 5 Japanese Academy Awards including: Best Actress, Actor, Supporting Actress, Supporting Actor and Music Score WINNER ‘Best Actress – Eri Fukatsu’ – Montreal Film Festival WINNER ‘Best Actor – Satoshi Tsumabuki’ – 53rd Blue Ribbon Awards WINNER ‘Best Japanese Film of 2010’ – Kinema Junpo Starring: Eri Fukatsu (THE MAGIC HOUR, BAYSIDE SHAKEDOWN) Satoshi Tsumabuki (TOKYO!, VILLON`S WIFE, PANDEMIC) Hikari Mitsushima (LOVE EXPOSURE, DEATH NOTE, SAWAKO DECIDES) Masaki Okada (CONFESSIONS) With over twenty companies bidding for the film adaptation rights, and many of

    Check out SFJ`s breaking news on the GODZILLA VS MEGALON Blu-ray/DVD plus classic Gamera films streaming online for free. GODZILLA VS MEGALON © 1973 Toho Co., Ltd. GAMERA VS GYAOS © 1967 Kadokawa Pictures, Inc.

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    Source: Media Blasters, Inc., Golden Media Group Special Thanks to Carl Morano and Roy McAree SciFi Japan has received some news updates today that should be of interest to daikaiju fans... • Media Blasters informed us that GODZILLA VS. MEGALON is scheduled for DVD and Blu-ray on November 29, 2011. • In response to demand, the GooHead.com Internet Channel will add the original Japanese (with English subtitles) versions of the Gamera films to their lineup, beginning with GAMERA vs GYAOS (English dubbed versions are already available). All of the Gamera movies will be streamed for free. For much more information on these topics, please see the previous coverage here on SciFi Japan: GODZILLA VS MEGALON Region 1 DVD/Blu-ray Rumors False Media Blasters Discusses DVD and Blu-ray Plans for DESTROY ALL MONSTERS and GODZILLA VS MEGALON And: Gamera

    Original Godzilla suit actor Haruo Nakajima holds up autographed Godzilla photo for Anime Jungle`s Tetsuo Shiota. Photo courtesy of Tetsu Shiota.

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    Toho Monster Makers Attend Convention in Burbank, CA Source: Tetsu Shiota and Shinichi Wakasa Filmmakers, fans, collectors, and dealers from around the world flocked to Monsterpalooza 2011, held April 8-10 at the Marriott Burbank Hotel and Convention Center. Among the guests were two key figures from Toho`s Godzilla movie series: Haruo Nakajima and Shinichi Wakasa. Mr Nakajima played the title role in the original GODZILLA (Gojira, 1954) and would go on to portray the King of the Monsters in twelve films. He was also the "man in the monster suit" for such films as RODAN (Sora no Daikaiju Radon, 1956), THE MYSTERIANS (Chikyuu Boeigun, 1957), MOTHRA (Mosura, 1961), and KING KONG ESCAPES (Kingu Kongu no Gyakushu, 1967), as well as episodes of Tsuburaya Productions` ULTRA Q (Urutora Kyuu, 1966) and ULTRAMAN (Urutoraman, 1966). Haruo Nakajima spent much of the weekend signing autographs, with the proceeds going to

    A twisted Garden of Eden is revealed in the production art for MATANGO. © 1963 Toho Co, Ltd.

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    Author: Sean Kotz THE VOICE IN THE NIGHT: The Story that Inspired MATANGO For all the artistic beauty of ONIBABA, the graphic intensity of JIGOKU, and the genre-blending impact of GOKE: BODYSNATCHER FROM HELL (Kyuketsuki Gokemidoro), Ishiro Honda’s MATANGO is probably the most significant, disturbing and influential of Japan’s 60s horror/sci-fi psychodramas. Often cited as an anti-drug film, MATANGO is more significant in its conscious embrace of psychology. In its original language form, MATANGO is a creepy and intelligent film that stands in sharp contrast to Toho’s generally optimistic sci-fi of the decade. With a slow-boiling tension, smart writing, convincing portrayals and some simple but effective special effects, MATANGO deftly explores the limits of human will and the lengths of social restraints. At the same time it directly questions the fabric of reality and the nature of happiness.

    Color guide used during the production of GODZILLA: THE SERIES. Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures Family Entertainment. © 1998 Toho Co., Ltd./Adelaide Productions, Inc.

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    Complete Animated Series Now Available Online Official Site: sony.com/tv/kids/godzilla Special Thanks to Zen Faulkes Netflix subscribers can now watch all forty episodes of Sony Pictures Television`s animated program GODZILLA: THE SERIES. Spun off from the studio`s big budget GODZILLA (1998), the show aired Saturday mornings on the Fox Network from 1998 to 2000. Netflix has also made available two episodes of GODZILLA: THE SERIES, 126- THE BALLAD OF GENS DU MARAIS and 139- TOURIST TRAP, which were not broadcast on US television. To view the GODZILLA: THE SERIES episodes, visit netflix.com/Godzilla-The-Complete-Series. For more on the series check out SciFi Japan`s The Ultimate Guide to GODZILLA: THE SERIES.

    Godzilla returns to the big screen with a brief sequence in the drama ALWAYS- SUNSET ON THIRD STREET- 2. Godzilla is © Toho Co., Ltd. © 2007 Always2 Film Partners

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    Director Takashi Yamazaki Discusses Godzilla’s Cameo Appearance in ALWAYS 2Author: Keith Aiken Source: NTV (Nippon Television Network), ASCII Media Works, Midnight Eye, various Official Site: Always 2Translations by Oki Miyano Special Thanks to James Ballard In November 2005, Japanese moviegoers flocked to see the drama ALWAYS- SUNSET ON THIRD STREET (Always San-Chome no Yuhi). Adapted from the popular manga by Ryohei Saigan, the film told the story of the residents of Third Street— a small Tokyo neighborhood in late 1958. The rosy, nostalgic tale was a tremendous box office success that triggered a national fad for the “Showa Era” of Japan (1926-1989). ALWAYS was also a critical hit, winning 33 awards domestically and internationally, including Picture of the Year, Director of the Year, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Supporting Actress at the 2006 Japan Academy Prize. The cast and crew

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