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    Cover art for Boys Over Flowers: Jewelry Box. Photo courtesy of VIZ Media. © 1992 Yoko Kamio/Shueisha, Inc.

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    Boys Over Flowers: Jewelry Box Concludes Acclaimed Shojo Manga Series with Two Short Stories Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Special Thanks to Evelyn Dubocq and Erik Jansen Fans of shojo (girls) manga can look forward to VIZ Media`s release of Boys Over Flowers: Jewelry Box on October 13th. The new volume is rated ‘T’ for Teens and will carry a MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN. Boys Over Flowers: Jewelry Box is a collection of two new short stories by Yoko Kamio, the creator of the acclaimed Boys Over Flowers (Hana Yori Dango) series. The new epilogue takes place one year after the end of the original Boys Over Flowers story, which concluded with Volume 36. It also contains a section with some of the important events in the series that show the characters maturing, plus a special bonus strip. “Yoko Kamio, one of

    Cover art for the first POKÉMON Poster Collection. Photo courtesy of VIZ Media. ©2009 Pokémon. ©1997-2009 Nintendo, Creatures, GAME FREAK, TV Tokyo, Shopro, JR Kikaku

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    Source: VIZ Media press release Special Thanks to Evelyn Dubocq and Erik Jansen VIZ Media, LLC will delight young as well as adult fans with the release of the company’s first POKÉMON Poster Collection today! The POKÉMON “posterzine” is rated ‘A’ for All Ages and carries an MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $9.99 CAN. Packed with 11 full color fold-out posters, this large (16” x 22”) edition is a must-have for any fan of Pikachu and his friends. A variety of favorite characters from the POKÉMON DIAMOND AND PEARL animation seasons, from Pikachu and Piplup to Chimchar and Turtwig, are all featured. “POKÉMON is a timeless favorite that continues to delight multiple generations of fans with its mix of adventure, unique and loveable characters, and a positive storyline,” says Gonzalo Ferreyra, Vice President Sales & Marketing, VIZ Media “Our POKÉMON Poster Collection will be available exclusively

    The Rotofugi Gallery in Chicago is hosting TOY KARMA 2, an exhibit of art inspired by Japanese toys. Alex Wald`s 'Tura Satana in Violent Planet' is © Alex Wald. 'Untitled (Zone Fighter with Bear and Bird)' is © Steve Seeley. Zone Fighter © Toho Co., Ltd.

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    Exhibit of Art Inspired by Japanese Toys at the Rotofugi Gallery Official Site: Toy Karma Special Thanks to Alex Wald TOY KARMA is an art exhibit featuring artists expressing their love for classic Japanese toys. But it’s so much more than that. As Mark Nagata, founder of Max Toy Company and curator of this exhibit explains on his blog, it’s the idea that if you’re honest in your dealings that one toy that you’ve always dreamed of getting will eventually come to you. For many serious toy collectors it’s a guideline, a mantra and yes, even a lifestyle. This exhibit pays homage to the mysterious force and power that toys have over us. TOY KARMA, the exhibit, is held every other year at Rotofugi Gallery, Chicago. The first TOY KARMA exhibit was held in September 2007. TOY KARMA 2 (aka TKII) will be

    Cover for VIZ`s Ponyo Picture Book, one of several new releases based on Hayao Miyazaki`s film PONYO. Photo courtesy of VIZ Media. © 2008 Nibariki - GNDHDDT

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    New VIZ Media Titles Include 4-Volume Official Film Comic, Picture Book And Art Book Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Official Movie Site: disneypictures/ponyo Special Thanks to Evelyn Dubocq and Erik Jansen VIZ Media, LLC will publish a series of new releases based on PONYO, the new animated film from Studio Ghibli and Academy Award-winning director and world-renowned Japanese animation legend Hayao Miyazaki. To support the release, VIZ Media will offer the official 4-volume full-color Ponyo Film Comic, a Ponyo Picture Book, and The Art of Ponyo, which presents a comprehensive collection of original art, sketches, character designs and storyboards from the film. Walt Disney Studios will release PONYO throughout North America on August 14, 2009. PONYO is a wondrously imaginative retelling of the timeless Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale “The Little Mermaid,” and offers the adventures of little fish-girl whose father happens to be a

    Cover for VIZ`s English release of the Hayao Miyazaki collection Starting Point: 1979-1996. Photo courtesy of VIZ Media. © 1996 Nibariki

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    Comprehensive Edition Debuts as Famed Director`s Latest Animated Film PONYO Hits North American Theatres this Summer Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Special Thanks to Evelyn Dubocq and Erik Jansen VIZ Media, LLC has announced the publication of the first of a new collection of essays, interviews, memoirs and manga from legendary animation director, Hayao Miyazaki, titled Starting Point: 1979-1996. The book has an estimated street date of August 4th and will carry an MSRP of $29.99 US and $34.99 Canada. At over 450 pages, Starting Point: 1979-1996 is a comprehensive and insightful look at the first-half of Miyazaki’s legendary career, during which he rose from humble beginnings to create some of the most seminal animated features ever made, including NAUSICAÄ OF THE VALLEY OF THE WIND, CASTLE IN THE SKY, MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO, KIKI`S DELIVERY SERVICE, and PORCO ROSSO, as well as his launch of

    Godzilla is ready for battle with the new Charactics x Jungle Japan Godzilla Tank Soft Vinyl Figure. Photo courtesy of Jungle Special Collectors Shop. © 1969, 2009 Toho Co., Ltd.

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    Source: Jungle Special Collectors Shop Special Thanks to Tetsu Shiota Our goods friends (and sponsor) Jungle Special Collectors Shop have asked SciFi Japan to spread the word about a new exclusive Godzilla vinyl figure. The Japanese toy company Charactics has been releasing licensed figures of Toho movie monsters, including a series featuring characters like Mechagodzilla driving tanks. Charactics has now partnered with Jungle Japan on an extremely limited edition Godzilla Tank figure. The toy stands about 6 inches tall and is molded in soft vinyl. Only 30 of the Godzilla Tank Charactics x Jungle Japan Exclusive Soft Vinyl Figures are being produced, and they are available exclusively through Jungle. 10 of the pieces will be sold at the Jungle store in Los Angeles and the Jungle booth at this year`s Comic Con International (July 23-26 in San Diego). The LA store is taking preorders now until July

    Cover art for the first manga volume of Detroit Metal City. Photo courtesy of VIZ Media. © Kiminori Wakasugi © 2006 / HAKUSENSHA, Inc.

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    Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Special Thanks to Evelyn Dubocq and Erik Jansen Johannes Krauser II Is The Outrageous Demonic Front Man Of The Heaviest Death Metal Band In Japan But Off Stage He’s A Pop Music-Listening Wimp – Can He Ever Reconcile His Two Personas? VIZ Media, LLC will delight rock and roll and manga fans nationwide with the debut of Detroit Metal City on June 9th. The new manga series is rated ‘M’ for Mature Audiences and carries an MSRP of $12.99 U.S. / $15.00 CAN. The first print run of volume one also contains limited edition tattoos. Prepare to have your mortal soul devoured by the demonic Johannes Krauser II, front man for Detroit Metal City, the most outrageous death metal band on the Japanese indie rock scene! Soichi Negishi dreamed of moving to Tokyo and starting a bubblegum pop band, but

    A look at homepage artwork for the new IKKI website. Photo courtesy of VIZ Media.

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    Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Official Site: sigikki.com Special Thanks to Evelyn Dubocq and Erik Jansen VIZ Media invites SciFi Japan readers to visit sigikki.com and test out the beta launch of a brand new collaboration to bring comics the likes of which American audiences have never seen to these shores. IKKI is a monthly magazine published in Japan that has established itself as the home of some of the most innovative, bold, and compelling series in the world of contemporary manga. Since its launch in 2003 IKKI has built a catalog of titles notable for its diversity. From action to comedy to drama, from slice-of-life stories to surrealist fantasies, the one common thing these works share is an uncommon emphasis on creative quality and on pushing the boundaries of the norm. In partnership with VIZ Media and its “VIZ Signature” line of graphic novels,

    Cover art for the first manga volume of Ikigami: The Ultimate Limit. Photo courtesy of VIZ Media. © Motoro MASE/Shogakukan Inc.

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    New Release Addresses Questions of Justice, Society, and the Appreciation of Life Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Special Thanks to Evelyn Dubocq and Erik Jansen “Depending on how a person lives their last day, the ikigami can be a death sentence, or an invitation to really live.” VIZ Media, LLC sends a chill down the spines of readers this month with the North American debut of Motoro Mase’s harrowing and suspenseful manga series – Ikigami: The Ultimate Limit – available now! Ikigami: The Ultimate Limit is rated ‘M’ for Mature Audiences and carries an MSRP of $12.99 US / $15.00 CAN. In a futuristic dystopian Japan there is new slant on crime deterrence with a sinister policy with an ironic twist. Each day a randomly-selected person is put to death to remind the population of the very value of life. Those who are condemned to

    Guilala, the X from Outer Space, stars on the cover of Pranke issue #34. © 2009 Pranke

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    Source: Kongula`s Pranke Editorial Team Official Site: Pranke The German monster magazine Pranke: Das Filmmagazin für Monsterfreaks is back with another fun-filled issue featuring the space kaiju Guilala. The Japanese beast is the focus of two articles; the first a retrospective (written by GUALAGON co-creator Ralf Lorenz) of the films THE X FROM OUTER SPACE and MONSTER X STRIKES BACK/ ATTACK THE G8 SUMMIT!, and the second an interview with recent Guilala suit actor Hariken Ryu conducted by indie filmmaker Jörg Buttgereit. Also on tap are a look at the 1931 Spanish version of DRACULA, sword and sorcery adventures with an emphasis on CONAN creator Robert E Howard, a review of GODZILLA KING OF THE MONSTERS, fantastic cinema from Bollywood, the making of the no budget fan film TROMAGGOT, Univeral Studios` “Classic Sci Fi Ultimate Collection” DVD set, a review of the GODZILLA UNLEASHED video game,

    Cover for VIZ`s English release of the Japanese anthology novel The Stationmaster. Photo courtesy of VIZ Media. © 2000 Jiro Asada

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    Author Jiro Asada’s Collection Of 8 Short Stories Explores Themes Of Loss, Love And Redemption Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Special Thanks to Evelyn Dubocq and Erik Jansen The publishing, animation and licensing company VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media) continues to introduce English-language readers to some of the best authors of contemporary Japanese fiction with the North American release of The Stationmaster, a collection of eight short stories by award-winning author Jiro Asada. The Stationmaster is available now with a SRP of $22.99 U.S. / $26.99 CAN. In the book’s eponymous opening story, railway man Otomatsu waits each day, as he has for most of his life, at the end of the line to greet the incoming trains. But where the cars once brimmed with passengers, they now carry only one or two or sometimes none at all. Facing the imminent closure of his station,

    The online video service Crunchyroll is now streaming the entire 25 episode anime series MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM 00. Photo courtesy of Crunchyroll. ©2007-2009 Sotsu, Sunrise, MBS.

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    Legendary Anime Studio`s Historic Franchise to Appear on World Anime Channel Source: BAM! Marketing, Publicity & Promotions press release Special Thanks to Chase Wang Crunchyroll announced that it is partnering with Bandai Channel to bring the latest series in the historic GUNDAM franchise to Crunchyroll. MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM 00 from legendary anime studio Sunrise will begin streaming on Crunchyroll starting today. More information can be found at crunchyroll.com/gundam00. Vice President and COO of Bandai Channel, Takeshi Shimizu, states, "We are looking to create a synergy effect between the world-class contents of one group company, Sunrise, and the retail distribution strength of another group, Bandai Entertainment, culminating digitally on Crunchyroll." "This relationship is very important for us," states Vince Shortino, Representative Director of Crunchyroll`s Japan office."GUNDAM is one of the most well known anime franchises of all time. We look forward to bringing the

    Three contestants have won copies of Schoolgirl Milky Crisis: Adventures in the Anime and Manga Trade from Titan Books! ©2008 Muramasa Industries Ltd.

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    Source: Titan Books Official Site: schoolgirlmilkycrisis.com Special Thanks to Tom Green Thank you to everyone who entered SciFi Japan`s Schoolgirl Milky Crisis: Adventures in the Anime and Manga Trade contest, and to Tom Green and Titan Books for making this giveaway possible. The following randomly drawn entrants will receive a free copy of the book Schoolgirl Milky Crisis by Jonathan Clements: Chase Chenier Alex Rushdy Joseph W. Whalen Congratulations to the winners! Your names and contact info have been given to Titan Books and they will be mailing the book to you soon. Questionnaire Responses: There were no single correct answers for this contest. Here are the questions and some sample replies that we received... 1. Name three Japanese animated films that have been theatrically released in the United States. A: Studio Ghibli`s PRINCESS MONONOKE, SPIRITED AWAY, and HOWL`S MOVING CASTLE were the most-repeated

    MONSTERPOCALYPSE players will soon be able to add characters from the classic anime VOLTRON: DEFENDER OF THE UNIVERSE to their game lineup. Photo courtesy of Privateer Press, Inc. Voltron is © 2009 World Events Productions, Ltd.

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    VOLTRON: DEFENDER OF THE UNIVERSE EDITION of MONSTERPOCALYPSE Collectible Miniatures Game Coming in 2010 Source: Privateer Press press release Official Site: Monsterpocalypse.com Privateer Press, Inc. and World Events Productions, Ltd. are proud to announce an agreement giving Privateer Press rights to license the widely popular Voltron: Defender of the Universe for Privateer’s hit collectible miniatures game MONSTERPOCALYPSE. The new set is expected to release in early 2010 and will feature iconic characters from the classic VOLTRON animated series. Matt Wilson, Privateer Press’ Chief Creative Officer and MONSTERPOCALYPSE creator, said about the agreement, “MONSTERPOCALYPSE was created with the goal of being able to feature guest stars from our favorite films and TV shows that have done so much to inspire the creation of the game. Along with millions of other fans since VOLTRON hit our airwaves in the 80s, we at Privateer have all been in love

    Win a copy of Schoolgirl Milky Crisis: Adventures in the Anime and Manga Trade from Titan Books! ©2008 Muramasa Industries Ltd.

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    Get a Copy for Free, Courtesy of Titan Books and SciFi Japan Source: Titan Books Official Site: schoolgirlmilkycrisis.com Special Thanks to Tom Green Titan Books is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win a copy of their new book Schoolgirl Milky Crisis: Adventures in the Anime and Manga Trade. For anyone wondering "What the heck is Schoolgirl Milky Crisis?", the answer is that the book is a collection of articles and essays on manga, anime, and Japanese movies written by British author and scriptwriter Jonathan Clements. Clements is a highly respected authority on the subject, having co-authored The Anime Encyclopedia, written The Dorama Encyclopedia: A Guide to Japanese TV Drama, and provided liner notes for anime and Japanese movie DVDs. He has been a writer and columnist for the UK Sci-Fi Channel website, the BBC, Newtype USA, Judge Dredd Megazine, NEO, 2000 AD, and SFX

    The new issue of Shonen Jump includes a password for readers to unlock a free 120 page online preview of Naruto manga Volume 45. © Masashi Kishimoto/SHUEISHA Inc.

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    Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press release Special Thanks to Evelyn Dubocq and Erik Jansen VIZ Media announced today that Shonen Jump magazine has a special treat for readers—an invitation to read a free preview of the upcoming Naruto manga Volume 45 (rated ‘T’ For Teens)— online at shonenjump.com, for a limited time only. These chapters will not run in the magazine and will not be available in graphic novel form until July 2009. The 120-page preview will be available online beginning today through May 5th exclusively at shonenjump.com. A preview link appears on the homepage. Visitors must type in the password that appears on page 20 of the May issue of Shonen Jump to access the chapters. Naruto is one of the hottest series from Japan and continues to be one of VIZ Media’s most successful manga and animated properties. Back in February, VIZ Media unveiled

    Crunchyroll will simulcast next week`s brand-new NARUTO SHIPPUDEN episode. © 2002 Masashi Kishimoto/2007 Shippuden

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    Online Media Distribution Leader to Release Anime and Live Action Titles from TV Tokyo, Tezuka Productions, CoMix Wave, Gonzo, Munhwa Broadcasting and More Source: BAM! Marketing, Publicity & Promotions press releases Special Thanks to Chase Wang The online media distribution giant Crunchyroll has announced a stunning number of new acquisitions and business partnerships over the past month. More information on each of these announcements can be found at crunchyroll.com. Crunchyroll and Gonzo Forge the "Urban Jungle" of SHANGRI-LA with Dream Team Members Bessho, Ohnogi, Mori and Murata Crunchyroll and Gonzo team up again to bring SHANGRI-LA, the animated 3D-CGI sci-fi property from NewType based on the original novel by Eiichi Ikegami, for a worldwide debut starting on April 06, 2009. SHANGRI-LA is a must-see anime series put together by a dream team of acclaimed talents including director Makoto Bessho, writer Hiroshi Ohnogi, creative producer Takeshi

    Cover for the DRAGONBALL: EVOLUTION Sticker Book. Photo courtesy of VIZ Media. DRAGONBALL © 2009 Fox, Based on Dragon Ball series by Akira Toriyama. Dragon Ball TM & © Bird Studio/Shueisha, Inc.

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    Three-Part Chapter Book Series, Junior Novel, Collectible Sticker Book and Posterzine Based On The New Feature Film Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press release Special Thanks to Evelyn Dubocq and Erik Jansen VIZ Media, LLC is releasing an array of DRAGONBALL: EVOLUTION publications based on the upcoming live-action film from 20th Century Fox starring Justin Chatwin as Goku, Emmy Rossum as Bulma, Jamie Chung as Chi Chi, and Chow Yun-Fat as Master Roshi. Rated PG, the movie centers on a team of warriors, each of whom possess special abilities. Together, they protect Earth from a force bent on dominating the universe by controlling the mystical objects from which the film takes its name. DRAGONBALL: EVOLUTION opens nationwide on April 8th and is inspired by Akira Toriyama’s smash hit Dragon Ball manga series, also published domestically by VIZ Media and featured in Shonen Jump magazine. DRAGON BALL has

    Cover of the April 2009 Annual Art Issue of Shojo Beat. Photo courtesy of VIZ Media. © VIZ Media, LLC

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    April 2009 Issue Covers Visual Arts And Techniques Taught By Leading Manga Creators Well As Fashion, Crafts And More Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press release Special Thanks to Evelyn Dubocq and Erik Jansen VIZ Media, LLC`s annual Art Issue of Shojo Beat magazine is expected to hit newsstands nationwide on March 17th. In addition to the next installments of the currently serialized shojo manga series HONEY AND CLOVER, HONEY HUNT, CRIMSON HERO, SAND CHRONICLES, HARUKA: BEYOND THE STREAM OF TIME and VAMPIRE KNIGHT, this special issue will allow readers to explore the latest trends in Japanese kawaii artwork, evaluate the approaches of top shojo manga creators and more! The special April 2009 Art Issue of Shojo Beat, a continual favorite with readers, takes a broad approach to art, focusing not only on visual arts but also fashion, crafts, and cooking. “The Fine Art of Kawaii” spotlights

    Linda Haynes as Dr. Anne Barton and Masumi Okada as Dr. Jules Masson in LATITUDE ZERO. Photo courtesy of Linda Haynes. ©1969 Toho Co., Ltd.

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    Actress Recounts Working on Toho Fantasy Epic in Latest Shock Cinema Magazine Source: Shock Cinema magazine Official site: shockcinemamagazine.com Shock Cinema #36 recently rolled off the presses, featuring a lengthy interview by Steve Ryfle with actress Linda Haynes, one of the stars of Toho’s LATITUDE ZERO (1969). Haynes was a neophyte actress when producer Don Sharpe whisked her away from Hollywood to Japan, where she spent several months filming alongside big-screen legend Joseph Cotten and co-stars Patricia Medina, Richard Jaeckel, Cesar Romero, Akira Takarada, and others in the troubled U.S.-Japanese co-production about a war between undersea kingdoms. The interview covers the breadth of Haynes’ career—which also included the blaxploitation classic COFFY (1973) with Pam Grier, the Paul Newman neo-noir THE DROWNING POOL (1975), and the revenge exploitationer ROLLING THUNDER (1977), in which she co-starred as William Devane’s girlfriend—but much of it is devoted

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