SciFi Japan 2016: Year in Review

12 Months of Exclusive Content Direct From Japanese Studios and Distributors Author: Keith Aiken SciFi Japan is proud to be the one and ONLY English language website devoted to Japanese fantasy films and TV that is officially press registered with all five major Japanese studios (Toho, Toei, Shochiku, Nikkatsu and Kadokawa), several Japanese production companies (including Tsuburaya Pro, Nippon TV, Tohokushinsha and Showgate), plus their distributors and licensees. While other sites will run information and images taken from Japanese news sources and publications, SciFi Japan regularly posts content provided directly to us by the companies and people making and releasing Japanese movies, programs and merchandise. And this allows us to present our readers with accurate, verified information rather than rumors and speculation and also more, larger and higher quality photos and artwork than can be found elsewhere. Please look over the handy list below to sample some of the studio articles -- many of them exclusives -- SciFi Japan has run in 2016. Check out the movies Toho made and released this past year, including and beyond SHIN GODZILLA and the blockbuster anime YOUR NAME. Sample Toei`s newest dramas, comedies, franchise favorites (Super Sentai, Kamen Rider, ONE PIECE, PRETTY CURE) and more. See the latest Ultraman releases from Tsuburaya and Shochiku, SADAKO VS KAYAKO from Kadokawa, the return of DEATH NOTE from Nippon TV and Warner Bros. Pictures Japan, and much, much more! Thanks to all our writers, contributors, sources and readers for your support! Be sure to check back with SciFi Japan often in the weeks and months ahead... 2017 is going to be big!

? Asmik Ace, Inc.

Asmik Ace produces and distributes theatrical films and home videos in Japan. CREEPY • CREEPY: Press Notes for Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s Latest Thriller • Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s CREEPY at 2016 Fantasia Festival THE LONG EXCUSE • THE LONG EXCUSE Info and Photos from Asmik Ace

? Electro 89

Electro 89 is involved in film production and promotion, with a focus on live publicity events. SWORD ART ONLINE THE MOVIE – ORDINAL SCALE – • SWORD ART ONLINE THE MOVIE – ORDINAL SCALE – Coming Spring 2017 • SWORD ART ONLINE THE MOVIE – ORDINAL SCALE – Update

? IDW Publishing

IDW is an award-winning publisher of American comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks. The company has provided SciFi Japan with exclusive previews of most of their Godzilla releases since the early issues of Godzilla: Rulers of Earth in 2013. Godzilla: Complete Rulers of Earth • First Look: Matt Frank’s Cover for Godzilla: Complete Rulers of Earth Vol. 1 TPB • New IDW Godzilla Trade Paperback Exclusive Previews

? Kadokawa Pictures

Kadokawa Pictures, a subsidiary of the giant Kadokawa Corporation, produces live action pictures and animated films. Kadokawa acquired Daiei (the studio that created the Gamera and Daimajin series) in 2002. SADAKO VS KAYAKO • SADAKO VS KAYAKO Trailer and High-Res Photos • SADAKO VS KAYAKO Additional Trailer and High-Res Photos SAILOR SUIT AND MACHINE GUN -GRADUATION- • SAILOR SUIT AND MACHINE GUN -GRADUATION- Press Notes

? Nikkatsu

Established in 1912, Nikkatsu Corporation is the oldest active major Japanese film studio. HIMEANOLE • HIMEANOLE: Thriller Manga Adaptation Now Playing in Japan TWISTED JUSTICE • TWISTED JUSTICE: Press Notes for New Toei/Nikkatsu Crime Film

? Nippon Television Network

Established in 1952, Nippon Television Network Corporation (Nippon TV) is the first commercial broadcaster to launch in Japan. In recent years, Nippon TV has played a main role in film producing, with titles that include the phenomenal blockbuster DEATH NOTE, GANTZ, the EVANGELION series and acclaimed director Mamoru Hosoda’s WOLF CHILDREN and THE BOY AND THE BEAST.

DEATH NOTE Light up the NEW world • DEATH NOTE Light up the NEW world Press Notes • DEATH NOTE Light up the NEW world Trailers • DEATH NOTE Light up the NEW world: New Trailer and High-Res Photos from Warner Bros. Japan RUDOLF THE BLACK CAT • RUDOLPH AND IPPAIATTENA: New 3DCG Anime Film From Toho • RUDOLPH AND IPPAIATTENA: More Images From Toho Anime Film

? Pony Canyon Inc.

Pony Canyon is a part of Fuji Media Holdings Inc. which is Japan’s largest and most influential media conglomerate. The company co-produces films and also develops digital software, utilizing the latest interactive and multimedia technology. THE KODAI FAMILY • THE KODAI FAMILY Info and High-Res Photos from Toho THE MOLE SONG -HONG KONG CAPRICCIO- • Takashi Miike’s THE MOLE SONG -HONG KONG CAPRICCIO- Press Notes

? Shochiku Co., Ltd.

Shochiku traces its origins to 1895 when Takejiro Otani presented his first stage play. They also produced the first color motion picture in Japan, and have expanded into TV dramas, video contents, Kabuki presentation, theater operations, and real estate. Shochiku handles theatrical distribution in Japan for Tsuburaya Pro`s Ultraman movies. CREEPY • CREEPY: Press Notes for Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s Latest Thriller • Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s CREEPY at 2016 Fantasia Festival HIGANJIMA: VAMPIRE ISLAND • Monsters Unleashed on HIGANJIMA: VAMPIRE ISLAND THE INERASABLE • THE INERASABLE: New J-Horror at 2016 Fantasia Festival KUROKO’S BASKETBALL: WINTER CUP OMNIBUS • KUROKO’S BASKETBALL: WINTER CUP OMNIBUS Info and High-Res Images from Shochiku MY KOREAN TEACHER • MY KOREAN TEACHER: New Romantic Comedy from Shochiku NINJA THE MONSTER • NINJA THE MONSTER: Warriors and Kaiju from Shochiku SAMURAI HUSTLE RETURNS • SAMURAI HUSTLE RETURNS: Photos and Info for High-Speed Comedy Sequel

A SILENT VOICE. Image courtesy of Shochiku Co. © Yoshitoki Oima ? Kodansha/

A SILENT VOICE • A SILENT VOICE: Info and High-Res Images from New Anime Film • A SILENT VOICE: More High-Res Images from Shochiku THE TOP SECRET: MURDER IN MIND • THE TOP SECRET: MURDER IN MIND — New Live-Action Manga Adaptation ULTRAMAN ORB THE MOVIE • ULTRAMAN ORB THE MOVIE Coming March 2017 • ULTRAMAN ORB THE MOVIE Live Event in Kanagawa • ULTRAMAN ORB THE MOVIE Update: New Info and High-Res Photos! • ULTRAMAN ORB THE MOVIE Update: More High-Res Photos! ULTRAMAN X THE MOVIE • ULTRAMAN X THE MOVIE Press Notes and Images

? Showgate Inc.

Established in 1990, Showgate Inc. (aka Hakuhodo DY music & pictures Inc.) develops, produces and distributes a wide range of film and animation titles. They also handle worldwide sales of Japanese features and animation. CHIN-YU-KI: THE JOURNEY TO THE WEST WITH FARTS • Kenichi Matsuyama Stars in CHIN-YU-KI: THE JOURNEY TO THE WEST WITH FARTS HENTAI KAMEN: THE ABNORMAL CRISIS • HENTAI KAMEN: THE ABNORMAL CRISIS Info & High-Res Images from Toei

THE RED TURTLE. Image courtesy of Toho. © 2016 Studio Ghibli - Wild Bunch - Why Not Productions - Arte France Cinéma - CN4 Productions - Belvision - Nippon Television Network - Dentsu - Hakuhodo DYMP - Walt Disney Japan - Mitsubishi – Toho

LUPIN THE IIIRD: GOEMON ISHIKAWA’S SPRAY OF BLOOD • LUPIN THE IIIRD: GOEMON ISHIKAWA’S SPRAY OF BLOOD Info and High-Res Images • LUPIN THE IIIRD: GOEMON ISHIKAWA’S SPRAY OF BLOOD High-Res Images

? Studio Ghibli

Studio Ghibli was founded in 1985 by animation directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata and is one of the most successful and well-respected animation studios in the world. Their films have become a beloved part of Japanese popular culture, and have garnered worldwide acclaim from audiences and critics alike. THE RED TURTLE • Studio Ghibli’s THE RED TURTLE Press Notes • Studio Ghibli’s THE RED TURTLE: Japanese Press Notes from Toho

? Toei Co., Ltd.

Established in 1951, Toei is one of the Japanese majors in cinema, covering production, distribution and exhibition through its own theater chains. The company owns two film studios and has a library of over 20,000 titles including feature films, TV series and animation. • Toei Official English Title List – Late 2016 Update AIKATSU STARS! THE MOVIE • AIKATSU STARS! THE MOVIE Info and High-Res Images ALIBIS FOR HAPPINESS • ALIBIS FOR HAPPINESS Info and Photos from Toei CHIN-YU-KI: THE JOURNEY TO THE WEST WITH FARTS • Kenichi Matsuyama Stars in CHIN-YU-KI: THE JOURNEY TO THE WEST WITH FARTS CUTIE HONEY -TEARS- • CUTIE HONEY -TEARS- Press Notes from Toei • CUTIE HONEY -TEARS- Trailer and High-Res Images from Toei DIAS-POLICE -DIRTY YELLOW BOYS- • DIAS-POLICE -DIRTY YELLOW BOYS- Info and High-Res Images from Toei DIGIMON UNIVERSE: APPLI MONSTERS • Toei Animation Announces DIGIMON UNIVERSE: APPLI MONSTERS DRAGON BALL Z: RESURRECTION ‘F’ • DRAGON BALL Z: RESURRECTION ‘F’ Wins the Japan Academy Prize for Best Animated Film

KAMEN RIDER EX-AID & GHOST WITH LEGEND RIDERS. Image courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd. © “Ex-Ad & Ghost” Production Committee © Ishimori Pro · TV Asahi · ADK · Toei

HENTAI KAMEN: THE ABNORMAL CRISIS • HENTAI KAMEN: THE ABNORMAL CRISIS Info & High-Res Images from Toei KAMEN RIDER EX-AID & GHOST WITH LEGEND RIDERS • KAMEN RIDER EX-AID & GHOST WITH LEGEND RIDERS: Movie Info and High-Res Images from Toei • KAMEN RIDER EX-AID & GHOST WITH LEGEND RIDERS: New High-Res Photos from Toei KAMEN RIDER GHOST THE MOVIE/ZYUOHGER THE MOVIE • KAMEN RIDER GHOST / ZYUOHGER THE MOVIE Press Notes • KAMEN RIDER GHOST THE MOVIE: Exclusive High-Res Photos from Toei • ZYUOHGER THE MOVIE: Exclusive High-Res Photos from Toei MAHO GIRLS PRETTY CURE! THE MOVIE • MAHO GIRLS PRETTY CURE! THE MOVIE Info and High-Res Images from Toei MASKED RIDER 1 • Toei Announces New Kamen Rider Anniversary Movie: MASKED RIDER 1 • MASKED RIDER 1 Info, High-Res Images & Trailer from Toei NIGHT’S TIGHTROPE • NIGHT’S TIGHTROPE Info and Photos from Toei ONE PIECE FILM GOLD • ONE PIECE FILM GOLD Sets Sail in July • ONE PIECE FILM GOLD Info & High-Res Images from Toei • ONE PIECE FILM GOLD: More High-Res Images from Toei POP IN Q • POP IN Q: Info and Images from Toei Animation 60th Anniversary Film • POP IN Q: Trailers and New Images from Toei Animation

POWER RANGERS (2017) • POWER RANGERS (2017) Japanese Release Info and Images from Toei PRETTY CURE ALL STARS: SING TOGETHER ? MIRACLE MAGIC! • PRETTY CURE ALL STARS: SING TOGETHER ? MIRACLE MAGIC! Press Notes NIGHT’S TIGHTROPE • NIGHT’S TIGHTROPE Info and Photos from Toei SABUIBO MASK • SABUIBO MASK from Toei in June SHIPPU RONDO • SHIPPU RONDO Info, Trailer and Photos from Toei TWISTED JUSTICE • TWISTED JUSTICE: Press Notes for New Toei/Nikkatsu Crime Film ZYUOHGER VS NINNINGER • ZYUOHGER VS NINNINGER Info and High-Res Images from Toei • ZYUOHGER VS NINNINGER: New High-Res Images from Toei

? Toho Co., Ltd.

Founded in 1932, Toho Co., Ltd. is one of the leading entertainment conglomerates in Japan. Besides film production, Toho also distributes Japanese films (earning the highest box office receipts for decades in Japan) as well as foreign films through its subsidiary, owns first class movie theaters throughout Japan, produces legitimate plays and musicals, and has more than 100 entertainment-related subsidiaries. CHIHAYAFURU Parts 1 and 2 • Toho’s CHIHAYAFURU at 2016 Fantasia Festival DETECTIVE CONAN: THE DARKEST NIGHTMARE • DETECTIVE CONAN: THE DARKEST NIGHTMARE Press Notes DORAEMON THE MOVIE: NOBITA AND THE BIRTH OF JAPAN 2016 • 36TH DORAEMON THE MOVIE: NOBITA AND THE BIRTH OF JAPAN 2016 Press Notes DORAEMON THE MOVIE 2017: GREAT ADVENTURE IN THE ANTARCTIC KACHI KOCHI • DORAEMON THE MOVIE 2017: GREAT ADVENTURE IN THE ANTARCTIC KACHI KOCHI Info and High-Res Images from Toho

GOOD MORNING SHOW • GOOD MORNING SHOW: Production Notes & High-Res Photos From New Toho Film THE KODAI FAMILY • THE KODAI FAMILY Info and High-Res Photos from Toho THE MOLE SONG -HONG KONG CAPRICCIO- • Takashi Miike’s THE MOLE SONG -HONG KONG CAPRICCIO- Press Notes MY TOMORROW, YOUR YESTERDAY. • MY TOMORROW, YOUR YESTERDAY. Production Notes & High-Res Photos from Toho ORANGE -FUTURE- • ORANGE -FUTURE- New Anime Film Info and Images from Toho POKÉMON THE MOVIE: VOLCANION AND THE MECHANICAL MARVEL • POKÉMON THE MOVIE XY&Z Info and High-Res Images RAGE • RAGE Press Notes and High-Res Images from Toho THE RED TURTLE • Studio Ghibli’s THE RED TURTLE: Japanese Press Notes from Toho RUDOLF THE BLACK CAT • RUDOLPH AND IPPAIATTENA: New 3DCG Anime Film From Toho • RUDOLPH AND IPPAIATTENA: More Images From Toho Anime Film SCOOP! • SCOOP! Press Notes and High-Res Images from Toho

YELL FOR THE BLUE SKY • YELL FOR THE BLUE SKY Info and High-Res Photos from Toho YO-KAI WATCH THE MOVIE 2016 • Toho’s YO-KAI WATCH THE MOVIE 2016 Mixes Anime and Live-Action • More YO-KAI WATCH THE MOVIE 2016 Pics from Toho YOUR LIE IN APRIL • YOUR LIE IN APRIL Press Notes and High-Res Images from Toho YOUR NAME. • your name. — New Anime Film Info and High-Res Images from Toho • your name. — More High-Res Images from Toho Anime Film

? Tsuburaya Productions

Tsuburaya Productions, creator and copyrights owner of the superhero ULTRAMAN series was founded in 1963 by Eiji Tsuburaya, world-renowned special effects wizard also known for his special effects work on the Godzilla series. In addition to production, the company also handles character licensing and program distribution and staging live stage shows both domestically and internationally. • Tsuburaya Productions’ Official English Title List – Update 2016 Ultraman Movie Double Feature • Ultraman Flies into American Theaters in 2017! • Ultraman Movies: Behind the Scenes of the American Dubs • Ultraman Movie Double Feature Tickets Now On Sale! • Ultraman Movie Double Feature Theater List — U.S. and Canada

ULTRAMAN ORB • ULTRAMAN ORB Press Notes ULTRAMAN ORB THE MOVIE • ULTRAMAN ORB THE MOVIE Coming March 2017 • ULTRAMAN ORB THE MOVIE Live Event in Kanagawa • ULTRAMAN ORB THE MOVIE Update: New Info and High-Res Photos! • ULTRAMAN ORB THE MOVIE Update: More High-Res Photos! ULTRAMAN ORB: THE ORIGIN SAGA • ULTRAMAN ORB: THE ORIGIN SAGA Press Notes • ULTRAMAN ORB: THE ORIGIN SAGA Premiere Event ULTRAMAN X THE MOVIE • ULTRAMAN X THE MOVIE Press Notes and Images ULTRAMAN ZERO THE CHRONICLE • ULTRAMAN ZERO THE CHRONICLE • ULTRAMAN ZERO THE CHRONICLE Theme Song CD Now on Sale

? Warner Bros. Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures Japan

Warner Bros. Pictures produces and distributes a wide-ranging slate of some 18-22 films each year, either fully financing or co-financing the films it produces and maintaining worldwide distribution rights. Their subsidiary Warner Bros. Pictures Japan also co-produces and distributes films in Japan. ACCEL WORLD: INFINITE BURST • ACCEL WORLD: INFINITE BURST Info & Images from Warner Bros. Japan BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL • BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL (2017) Trailer DEATH NOTE Light up the NEW world • DEATH NOTE Light up the NEW world Press Notes • DEATH NOTE Light up the NEW world Trailers • DEATH NOTE Light up the NEW world: New Trailer and High-Res Photos from Warner Bros. Japan

ENSHEN AND HER MAGIC TABLET • ENSHEN AND HER MAGIC TABLET (Hirune Hime) Anime Film Trailer & Images from Warner Bros. Japan • ENSHEN AND HER MAGIC TABLET (Hirune Hime) New Trailer & Poster from Warner Bros. Japan ERASED • ERASED: Tatsuya Fujiwara Stars in Manga Adaptation KONG: SKULL ISLAND • KONG: SKULL ISLAND Japanese Trailer and Logo • KONG: SKULL ISLAND – New Trailer and Poster MONSTER STRIKE THE MOVIE • MONSTER STRIKE THE MOVIE Trailer & Images from Warner Bros. Japan MUSEUM • MUSEUM: Info, Trailer and High-Res Images from New Japanese Crime Thriller • MUSEUM: New Trailers and High-Res Images from Japanese Crime Thriller SELECTOR DESTRUCTED WIXOSS • SELECTOR DESTRUCTED WIXOSS Now Playing in Japan TERRAFORMARS • Takashi Miike’s TERRAFORMARS Press Notes WOLF GIRL & BLACK PRINCE • WOLF GIRL & BLACK PRINCE: Live-Action Manga Adaptation Now Playing in Japan

? William Winckler Productions, Inc.

William Winckler Productions, Inc. has produced and distributed English dubbed anime series in America since 1984. The Hollywood company is now working with Tsuburaya Productions to bring the latest Ultraman movies to North America.

Ultraman Movie Double Feature • Ultraman Flies into American Theaters in 2017! • Ultraman Movies: Behind the Scenes of the American Dubs • Ultraman Movie Double Feature Tickets Now On Sale! • Ultraman Movie Double Feature Theater List — U.S. and Canada

? X-Plus