SciFi Japan

    Bigger than big! A full scale statue of the classic manga/anime robot Tetsujin 28 (aka Gigantor) has been built in Kobe, Japan. Photo by Daisuke Ishizuka. © 2009 Kobe Tetsujin Project.

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    "Life Size" Statue of Giant Robot in Creator`s Hometown Author: Daisuke Ishizuka Official Site: Kobe Tetsujin Project (Japan) TETSUJIN 28-GO (Tetsujin Nijyu-Hachi-Go) is a popular robot comic (launched 1956) and animation TV series (1963) created by Mr. Mitsuteru Yokoyama. The animated series was aired in America as the English dubbed GIGANTOR (1966). Mr. Yokoyama was born in Kobe in 1934, and died at the of age of 69 in 1995. His works include Giant Robo (adapted as the live action series JOHNNY SOKKO AND HIS FLYING ROBOT), Babel II, Princess Comet (Comet-san) and Kamen no Ninjya Akakage (adapted several times, including the 2001 movie RED SHADOW). Tetsujin is considered to be his masterpiece. The character has become a beloved figure in Japan, starring in several animated series as well as a 2005 live action film. Imagi Studios, the animation house behind the CG

    Space Station Gamma III is menaced by THE GREEN SLIME. The Los Angeles Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention is hosting a 40th anniversary screening with stars Robert Horton and Luciana Paluzzi. © 1969 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc.

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    Stars Robert Horton and Luciana Paluzzi to Attend Screening at the Los Angeles Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention Official Site: Los Angeles Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention Celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Japanese/US/Italian co-production THE GREEN SLIME with a special screening and appearance by two stars of the sci-fi cult classic at the Los Angeles Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention. The convention will show a rare film print of THE GREEN SLIME at 12:00pm on Sunday, November 8th. Actors Robert Horton and Luciana Paluzzi will attend from 11:00am-4:00pm to sign autographs and take part in post-screening interview about the making of the movie. THE GREEN SLIME has a rather interesting pedigree. In the mid-1960s, American producers Walter Manley (Shintoho`s "Starman" series) and Ivan Reiner made a handful of low budget sci-fi films overseas, including the Japanese co-production TERROR BENEATH

    The 13th annual Japanese Film Festival begins November 24 in Sydney, Australia. © 2009 The Japan Foundation, Sydney

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    Twenty-one Films, Six Cities Source: Japan Foundation, Sydney Official Site: japanesefilmfestival.net Special Thanks to Evon Fung This year, the 13th annual Japanese Film Festival will be delivering another fantastic line-up of Japanese cinema to fans in Australia. The event begins November 24th at Event Cinemas George Street, Sydney, and December 3rd at ACMI Cinemas, Melbourne, and will include screenings in six major cities. The following text is courtesy of the Japan Foundation, Sydney... The Japanese Film Festival Returns The annual Japanese Film Festival (JFF) is full speed ahead for another exciting year of the latest Japanese cinema. On November 24, the Festival hits Event Cinemas George Street, Sydney for one short week before it heads to Melbourne on December 3 at ACMI Cinemas, Federation Square for another flurry of film festivity. 2008 ended with the Yojiro Takita’s Oscar-winning DEPARTURES, a sold-out success pre-Oscar win.

    New York-Tokyo presents the North American premiere of Kazuaki Kiriya`s new movie GOEMON next month in NYC. © 2009 “Goemon” Film Partners.

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    Screening at the ImaginAsian Theater on November 4th Source: New York-Tokyo press release Official Movie Site: Goemon (Japan) The media company New York-Tokyo continues their "Nippon Eiga Series" with the North American premiere of GOEMON at the ImaginAsian Theater in New York City on November 4th. GOEMON is about the "Japanese Robin Hood" who tangles himself in a brutal warfare amongst the warlords, honor and love. This highly stylized film is directed by visionary director, Kazuaki Kiriya (CASSHERN). GOEMON Japan | 2009 | 128 min. | 35mm film | Japanese with English Subtitles Wednesday, November 4th Doors open 6:15pm - Film starts 7:00pm The ImaginAsian 239 East 59th Street (Bet. 2nd & 3rd Ave.), NYC RSVP to newyork-tokyo.com/wp/goemon Synopsis In 1582, the mighty warlord Nobunaga was betrayed by his retainer, Mitsuhide. The cruel Hideyoshi subjugated Mitsuhide’s warriors and took

    Celebrate Halloween early with the Asian Film Festival of Dallas` Asian Horror Double Header. Photo courtesy of AFFD.

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    Source: Asian Film Festival of Dallas Special Thanks to Mike Keller In conjunction with Texas Frightmare Weekend, the Asian Film Festival of Dallas is holding a membership drive on October 24 at the Studio Movie Grill-Addison (5405 Beltline Rd. Dallas, TX, 75248). Scary movie fans are invited to celebrate Halloween early with a double feature of two excellent, spectacular, gory, fun Asian horror flicks, and participate in AFFD`s Costume Contest. Come dressed as your favorite Asian horror character. There will be a Prize for Best Costume plus lots of other door prizes. Ticket prices are $12.50 per screening or both films for $20. For more details, visit AFFD`s Asian Horror Double Header page. Theater info is available on the Studio Movie Grill-Addison website or by calling (972) 991-6684. The Films: 9:30PM - MACABRE (Rumah Dara, 2009) Written and Directed by The Mo Brothers. Starring Shareefa Daanish,

    The Tengu Police prepare to administer a little rough justice to Daddy Eyeball in KITARO, the live action adaptation of Shigeru Mizuki`s beloved yokai manga. Photo courtesy of The Associates. © 2007 KITARO Film Partners.

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    Source: The Associates press release Official Movie Site: GeGeGe (Japan) Shochiku`s 2007 box office hit KITARO (Gegege no Kitaro) has been released on DVD in the UK by Manga Entertainment. The live action adaptation of the phenomenally popular manga series created in the late 1950s by Shigeru Mizuki, KITARO is a colourful, fun and highly inventive fantasy adventure about the Japanese folklore creatures known as yokai, or spirit monsters, and their interaction with the human world. Previously adapted several times as various animated TV series, movies and video games, this latest version brings vivid new life to Mizuki`s bizarre characters and creations. Written by Daisuke Habara (HULA GIRLS; THE PRINCE OF TENNIS) and directed by Katsuhide Motoki (DRUGSTORE GIRL), the film stars Eiji Wentz (CAPTAIN TOKIO; LOVE COM), Mao Inoue (KAIDAN), Lena Tanaka (DRUGSTORE GIRL) and Yo Oizumi (GAMERA 2, SPIRITED AWAY). When

    Advertisement for VIZ Cinema`s theatrical run of K-20: THE FIEND WITH 20 FACES. Photo courtesy of VIZ Pictures. © 2008 'K-20' Film Partners

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    Now Playing at VIZ Cinema in Japantown Author: Dan Ross Source: VIZ Pictures Official Movie Site: k20themovie (US), K-20 (Japanese) In the 1920s eminent horror and detective fiction author Edogawa Rampo began writing a series of short stories that would go on to become a household name in Japan. Though inspired by Arthur Conan Doyle`s Sherlock Holmes, the case files of Kogoro Akechi followed the Tokyo detective down paths of a more fantastic and even occult nature. The exploits of Rampo`s most famous character have been adapted in comics, movies, television and has made guest appearances in other famous series such as LUPIN III. And like Holmes, Akechi had his own "Moriarty", an arch nemesis known only as Kaijin Niju Menso "The Fiend with 20 Faces". But in truth the character of Kaijin Niju Menso was more in the style of Maurice LeBlanc`s

    The halfling Saya (Gianna) battles the armies of the undead in BLOOD: THE LAST VAMPIRE. © 2009 East Wing Holdings Corp. and SAJ.

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    Hit Horror Action Film to be Screened for Free at the Monterey Park Harmony Festival Source: Japan Film Society press release Official Movie Site: Blood The Last Vampire Special Thanks to Andrea Prieto The Japan Film Society, in conjunction with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and the City of Monterey Park, is proud to showcase the all-new action film, BLOOD: THE LAST VAMPIRE at this year’s Monterey Park Harmony Festival! Based on the hit animation of the same name, and brought to audiences by a producer of CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON, this martial arts action thriller will be shown for FREE, at a one-night-only screening in the city of Monterey Park, City Council Chambers* on October 17th, 2009, at 5:00pm, just in time for Halloween. Demons have infested Earth. And only one warrior stands between the dark and the light: Saya, a half-human, half-vampire

    The

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    Now Available in the United States Source: Freestyle Photographic Supplies Special Thanks to Michael Tullberg Last year, the Tokyo-based camera design, production, and distribution company PowerShovel, Ltd. introduced the Blackbird Fly, a new Twin-Reflex 35mm Plastic Camera made in several different colors. The highly anticipated Blackbird Fly has received glowing reviews from camera and photography aficionados worldwide, and the model has been a strong seller for PowerShovel. In 2009, the Blackbird Fly received some unexpected and highly visible publicity from MASKED RIDER DECADE (Kamen Raidaa Dikeido), the 19th television series is the popular "Kamen Rider" franchise. Premiering this past January 25 on TV Asahi, the show stars Masahiro Inoue as Kamen Rider Decade`s alter ego, Tsukasa Kadoya. Tsukasa suffers from amnesia and tries to hold onto the world around him by photographing it with his camera of choice... a Blackbird Fly. One amusing

    Catch the rarely seen GOKE, BODYSNATCHER FROM HELL and HOUSE on the big screen this month in Hollywood! GOKE, BODYSNATCHER FROM HELL © 1968 Shochiku Co., Ltd. HOUSE © 1977 Toho Co., Ltd.

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    Horror Double Feature in Hollywood on September 23 Source: American Cinematheque Special Thanks to Chris D and Kevin Pyrtle On September 23, the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, CA presents two rarely seen Japanese horror cult classics; Toho`s 1977 fantasy masterpiece HOUSE and Shochiku`s 1968 sci-fi terror GOKE, BODYSNATCHER FROM HELL. Neither film is available on R1 DVD, and both will be shown in their original Japanese language with English subtitles. The screenings are preceded by a booksigning at 6:30 PM with author Chris Desjardins and his re-released book Outlaw Masters of Japanese Film, a detailed look at Japanese cult, action and exploitation cinema from the early 1950s to the present day. The Egyptian Theatre is located at 6712 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood CA 90028. Ticket prices to the theater are $10.00 general, $8.00 students and seniors, and $7.00 for American Cinematheque members. Tickets can

    All Masked Riders join forces against the world`s ultimate adversary, Great Shocker! ©2009 DECADE/SHINKENGER Production Consortium

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    All Masked Riders Return For Heisei Series 10th Anniversary Movie Author: James M. Ballard Official Movie Site: www.dcd-shin.jp With the successful revivial of the Masked Rider franchise with 2000`s MASKED RIDER KUUGA (Kamen Raidaa Kuuga), Toei Company has continued to produce new Masked Rider TV series every year. The current series MASKED RIDER DECADE (Kamen Raidaa Dikeido), which began airing in January this year, celebrates 10 years of the new era of Masked Rider productions, with the titular hero traveling between alternate Masked Rider worlds. Now, the new movie MASKED RIDER DECADE: ALL RIDERS VS. GREAT SHOCKER (Kamen Raidaa Dikeido Ooru Raidaa tai Daishokkaa) brings together all the leading Riders since the original MASKED RIDER (Kamen Raidaa, 1971) through to the upcoming series MASKED RIDER DOUBLE (Kamen Raidaa Daburu, 2009), due to air in September. The film opens as Tsukasa, Natsumi and Yusuke

    Horror and comedy crash head-on in CHAW, the new South Korean monster movie about a massive, man-eating mutant wild boar. © 2009 Polygon Entertainment LLC/Soo Jack Films

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    Updates and Review of the Korean Killer Wild Boar Movie Author: Kim Song-ho Source: Various official press materials Official Movie Site: CHAW Korean box office figures courtesy of the Korean Film Council SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details and images from a new movie. One day in Sammae-ri, a small and peaceful village in Jirisan National Park that has not experienced a serious crime for 10 years, a terrible incident happens. Parts of a cruelly mutilated dead body are discovered by ecologists who are staying in the mountains to study the local wildlife. Policeman Kim Kang-su (Eom Tae-woong), newly transferred to Sammae-ri from Seoul, joins the case. The victim turns out to be a granddaughter of Cheon Il-man (Jang Hang-seon), who was once a legendary hunter. He is convinced that the girl was not killed by human hands but instead by the

    Kyoto University freshman Akira Abe (Takayuki Yamada) is distracted from his studies. Photo courtesy of VIZ Pictures. © 2009 Kamogawa Horumo Film Partners

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    Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. press release Official Movie Site: horumo.jp (Japan), horumo.com (US) Special Thanks to Junko Kawaguchi The combat action comedy BATTLE LEAGUE HORUMO (Kamogawa Horumo) will have its international premiere this week at the 2009 Fantasia Festival in Montreal, Canada. The movie, called "the strangest film ever made", won the competition "Grand Prix" at the 1st Okinawa International Film Festival in Japan earlier this year. Fantasia`s BATTLE LEAGUE HORUMO screening will take place at 5:00pm on July 24th at the Concordia Hall Theatre, 1455 de Maisonneuve O. Based on the best-selling fantasy novel Kamogawa Horumo written by Manabu Makime, BATTLE LEAGUE HORUMO is a story about a group of university students who get involved in playing a game of "Horumo" - a combat match where each team manipulates 100 spirits (referred to as Oni) to fight their opponents. Akira Abe (Takayuki Yamada), a freshman

    KAMEN RIDER DRAGON KNIGHT— the American adaptation of KAMEN RIDER RYUKI— airs every Satruday morning on The CW4Kids. © 2008 Ishimori Production, Inc.; Toei Company Ltd.; Adness Entertainment Co., Ltd.

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    KAMEN RIDER TV Producer to Make Major Announcement at Special Panel Presentation and Screening on July 26 Source: Kamen Rider Productions press release Official Site: kamenridertv.com The hit live action series KAMEN RIDER DRAGON KNIGHT will hold a special panel presentation and screening at San Diego Comic-Con International set for Sunday, July 26 from 2:45 to 3:45pm at Room 6DE. There will also be an autograph session on the same day from 1-2pm in the autograph area of the convention center. Airing Saturdays at 11:00am on The CW4Kids, KAMEN RIDER DRAGON KNIGHT quickly moved to the top tier of new kids’ series, attracting solid audiences as well as positive reviews from leading online and traditional media. Produced by leading Japanese entertainment studio Adness Entertainment, KAMEN RIDER DRAGON KNIGHT follows the heroic adventures of teenager Kit Taylor, who discovers a mysterious deck of Advent

    Chiaki Kuriyama, Takayuki Yamada, and Sei Ashina star in the new action comedy BATTLE LEAGUE HORUMO. Photo courtesy of VIZ Pictures. © 2009 Kamogawa Horumo Film Partners

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    Zany Action Film Based on Best-Selling Novel Will Screen at Several North American Film Festivals this Summer Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Official Movie Site: horumo.jp (Japan), horumo.com (US) Special Thanks to Evelyn Dubocq and Erik Jansen VIZ Pictures, an affiliate of VIZ Media, LLC that focuses on Japanese live-action film distribution, has been extremely busy of late. They recently acquired the North American theatrical and DVD rights to the NTV/Toho films K-20: THE FIEND WITH TWENTY FACES and 20TH CENTURY BOYS trilogy. Today VIZ announced they have licensed Shochiku`s combat action-comedy KAMOGAWA HORUMO ? BATTLE LEAGUE IN KYOTO (Kamogawa Horumo) and will be releasing it in North America as BATTLE LEAGUE HORUMO. Based on the best-selling fantasy novel Kamogawa Horumo written by Manabu Makime, the live-action BATTLE LEAGUE HORUMO takes audiences on a wild adventure that blends the breathtaking backdrop of

    Logo for MW, the new live action adaption of the manga by Osamu Tezuka. Photo courtesy of NTV. © 2009 MW Production Committee

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    Osamu Tezuka`s Controversial Manga Becomes a Live Action Film Source: NTV (Nippon Television Network) Official Site: mw.gyao.jp SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details and images from a new movie. Last December, SciFi Japan ran a report on MW, a new live action film based on a manga by the late Osamu Tezuka, Japan`s legendary "god of manga" and "father of anime". While Tezuka is known worldwide for his children`s favorites such as Astro Boy and Kimba the White Lion, his MW manga was a dark and downbeat thriller that tackled many controversial subjects including government cover-ups, religion, the nature of good and evil, homoeroticism, the effects of excessive technology on nature, and the US military presence in Japan. While drastically different from his typical fare, Tezuka still received great acclaim for his work on MW. The movie version of MW was developed

    Cast members from several POWER RANGERS series will take part in a special reunion event at Anime Expo 2009. ©1993 BVS Entertainment, Inc. and BVS International N.V.

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    Nation`s Largest Anime and Manga Convention to Host One of the Largest Power Ranger Gatherings to Date Source: BAM! Marketing, Publicity & Promotions press release Official Site: anime-expo.org Special Thanks to Chase Wang Last month, Anime Expo announced that this year`s convention (July 2-5 in Los Angeles) would feature a reunion of MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS cast members. The lineup will include Karan Ashley (Yellow Power Ranger Aisha Campbell), Robert Axelrod (Lord Zedd), Steve Cardenas (Red Power Ranger Rocky DeSantos), Walter Jones (Black Power Ranger Zack Taylor), Johnny Yong Bosch (Black Power Ranger Adam Park), and Catherine Sutherland (Pink Power Ranger Kat Hillard). AX has now revealed that many more stars from the long-running franchise have been added to the POWER RANGERS reunion. The event will be one of the largest POWER RANGERS gatherings ever held in the United States. The latest additions are: · Barbara

    Artwork for MAIL, one of nearly a dozen Kadokawa Pictures titles newly added to the online video service Crunchyroll. Photo courtesy of Crunchyroll and Kadokawa Pictures. ©2004 MAIL Film Partners

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    Top Anime and Asian Entertainment Online Service Provides Bone Chilling New Titles from Kadokawa Pictures USA Source: BAM! Marketing, Publicity & Promotions press releases Special Thanks to Chase Wang "Kadokawa Tuesdays" continue on Crunchyroll with tales of horror, suspense and the supernatural. New titles launching in May are MAIL, STORY OF THE DETECTIVE, TRAGEDY OF W, ONMYOJI, THE BEAST TO DIE, SAILOR SUIT AND MACHINE GUN, KEKKON ANNAI MYSTERY, EARLY SPRING STORY, GIRL OF TIME, and KADOKAWA MYSTERY & HORROR TALES. These Kadokawa Pictures titles are available for FREE to all fans and members in the U.S., Canada, American Samoa, United States Minor Outlying Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam and Virgin Island regions. More information can be found at Crunchyroll`s Kadokawa Pictures Collection page. Title Synopsis: MAIL (2004) Based on the Shigemizu Takasaki`s comic book series, MAIL is the latest cinematic adaptation from

    Ad for this week`s US theatrical screenings of L, change the WorLd. Photo courtesy of VIZ Pictures. © 2008 L Film Partners. © 2008 L Plot Produce

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    Early Celebration for DEATH NOTE: L, change the WorLd on April 28 at New York City`s Kinokuniya Bookstore Source: Roger Bilheimer Associates, VIZ Pictures press release Official Movie Site: Death Note Films: L The New York Anime Festival (NYAF) is partnering with VIZ Pictures to hold a special DEATH NOTE Day at the largest Japanese bookstore in North America -- New York City`s Kinokuniya Bookstore. Taking place Tuesday, April 28, Kinokuniya Bookstore (located at 1073 Avenue of the Americas in Manhattan ) will present an evening of DEATH NOTE events in celebration of the theatrical release of the third DEATH NOTE film – DEATH NOTE: L, change the WorLd coming to select theaters nationwide for two nights only on April 29 and 30. DEATH NOTE Day Event Schedule 6:30 PM: DEATH NOTE Anime Screening. Get a glimpse of the series that spawned the movies

    An example of the bizarre imagery in takashi Miike`s horror series MPD PSYCHO. Photo courtesy of Crunchyroll and Kadokawa Pictures. ©2000 Eiji Ohtsuka Office /MPD Psycho Project

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    J-Horror Movies and Shows Each Week on Anime and Asian Entertainment Site Source: BAM! Marketing, Publicity & Promotions press release Special Thanks to Chase Wang As previously announced on SciFi Japan, the online Anime and Asian entertainment media distributor Crunchyroll and the US branch of Japanese studio Kadokawa Pictures have teamed up to present selected J-Horror titles from the Kadokawa Pictures film and television library. Now Crunchyroll has revealed that fans and members can catch fresh thrills, chills, hauntings and psychos every week with "Kadokawa Tuesdays" starting this month. Titles launching Crunchyroll`s "Kadokawa Tuesdays" include Takashi Miike`s psychopathic trilogy MPD PSYCHO I-III and the continued saga of a mysterious girl who appears again and again in various people`s lives and haunts them until their eventual end in TOMIE 4: REBIRTH and TOMIE 5: FORBIDDEN FRUIT. More information can be found at crunchyroll.com/publisher/kadokawapicturesusa. Title Synopsis:

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