SciFi Japan

    Kaiju palys for big stakes in the movie KAIJI: THE ULTIMATE GAMBLER. Photo courtesy of 4Digital Media and Organic Marketing. © 2009

    Asian Cinema

    Japanese media loves its tropes. While some of the worst tropes in Japanese anime shows are parents who`ve disappeared, predictable villain redemption arcs, and characters who become powerful by following secret training methods, there are others that viewers love to see. One of these is gambling. The gambling trope provides lots of potential storylines for characters, from big wins at the casino that translate into whirlwind adventures to gambling losses that mean the protagonist has to scramble to pay back debts, viewers are hugely entertained by gambling themes. What Are the Best Gambling Anime? Gambling is featured in many Japanese animes but some stand out more than others. One of these is TOHAI DENSETSU AKAGI: YAM NI MAIORITA TENSEI, also known as MAHJONG LEGEND AKAGI: THE GENIUS WHO DESCENDED INTO DARKNESS. The title of this anime is a bit of misnomer

    Hello Kitty artwork by Eisner-nominated artist Jacob Chabot. Image courtesy of VIZ Media. © 1976, 2013 SANRIO CO., LTD

    Asian Cinema

    FlynnPictureCo. will produce the pop culture icon’s global feature debut, to be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures Source: Warner Bros. Pictures press release New Line Cinema, Sanrio and FlynnPictureCo. announced that they will be teaming up to develop an English language HELLO KITTY film for a worldwide audience for the first time in her 45-year history. The partnership marks the only time Sanrio has granted film rights to Hello Kitty and other popular characters -- including Gudetama, My Melody, Little Twin Stars and more from its expansive universe -- to a major film studio, giving audiences outside of Japan the opportunity to experience Hello Kitty as a feature film. Hello Kitty’s debut under the partnership will be produced by Beau Flynn and executive produced by Wendy Jacobson for FlynnPictureCo. in the culmination of a passionate, nearly five-year journey to secure the rights to develop Hello Kitty

    Asian Cinema

    12 Months of Exclusive Content Direct From Studios and Distributors! Author: Keith Aiken SciFi Japan is proud to remain 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, 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. This allows us to present our readers with accurate, verified information rather than rumors and speculation, and also run larger and higher quality photos and artwork than can be found elsewhere. Thanks to all our writers, contributors, sources and readers for your support! Be sure to check

    Photo courtesy of Shochiku. © 2018 ”Our Departures” Film Partners

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Site: railwaysmovie.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Shochiku Co. has provided information and photos for OUR DEPARTURES (??????RAILWAYS ?????????, Kazoku Iro -Railways Watashitachi no Shuppatsu-). After a long absence, the RAILWAYS film series returns with its third entry... and the first about a female train engineer. OUR DEPARTURES is directed by Yasuhiro Yoshida (ENOSHIMA PRISM) and stars Kasumi Arimura (ERASED, I AM A HERO) and Jun Kunimura (KILL BILL Vol.1, SHIN GODZILLA). STORY Aki, who at 25 married Shuhei, a man with a son from a previous relationship, visits his hometown of Kagoshima to inform his father, Setsuo, of his sudden passing. Setsuo is dismayed by his son`s sudden death and flustered by his daughter-in-law and grandson Shunya who he meets for the first time. Aki and Shunya have lost their home in Tokyo, and they convince

    A struggling couple (Hidetoshi Nishijima and Ryoko Shinohara) are confronted by a tragedy in THE HOUSE WHERE THE MERMAID SLEEPS. Photo courtesy of Shochiku. ©2018 ”The House Where the Mermaid Sleeps” Film Partners

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Site: ningyo-movie.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Shochiku Co. has provided information and photos for THE HOUSE WHERE THE MERMAID SLEEPS (Ningyo-no Nemuru Ie), based on the 30th anniversary novel by best-selling mystery writer Keigo Higashino (Into the White Night, Suspect X). A couple is confronted by a tragedy involving their beloved child and ultimately must make a difficult choice. THE HOUSE WHERE THE MERMAID SLEEPS is directed by Yukihiko Tsutsumi (SANADA 10 BRAVES, TRICK) and stars Ryoko Shinohara (UNFAIR series, SAKURA GUARDIAN IN THE NORTH, SUNNY – OUR HEARTS BEAT TOGETHER) and Hidetoshi Nishijima (LICENSE TO LIVE, THE WIND RISES, WHILE THE WOMEN ARE SLEEPING, CREEPY). STORY Kazumasa (Hidetoshi Nishijima) and Kaoruko (Ryoko Shinohara) are in a troubled marriage and have agreed to divorce once their daughter`s elementary school entrance exams are over. However, just before they are to

    Professional wrestler Hiroshi Tanahashi stars in MY DAD IS A HEEL WRESTLER. Photo courtesy of Showgate Inc. © 2018 MY DAD IS A HEEL WRESTLER Film Partners

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Showgate Inc. Official Site: funohan.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Distributor Showgate Inc. has provided information and high-res photos from their upcoming release, MY DAD IS A HEEL WRESTLER (?????????????, Papa wa Warumono Chanpion). The live-action adaptation of the popular picture book series written by Masahiro Itabashi and illustrated by Hisanori Yoshida features the real-life professional wrestler Hiroshi Tanahashi, along with his colleagues from the wrestling world. STORY “Daddy’s job is to be a bad guy wrestler. At first, I was shocked...” 9 year-old Shota sneaks into his dad’s car to follow him to find out “What Daddy Does” to write for school. Then Shota sees for the first time that his dad, Takashi, was, in fact, the villain wrestler “Cockroach Mask”. Ashamed, Shota asks Takashi to quit his job, but Takashi says “If there’s no bad guys, the heroes don’t

    Ryo Yoshizawa and Hinako Sakurai star in the manga adaptation MARMALADE BOY. Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures Japan. © Wataru Yoshizumi / SHUEISHA © 2018 “Marmalade Boy” Film Partners

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Warner Bros. Pictures Japan, Nippon Television Official Site: warnerbros.co.jp/marmaladeboy (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Warner Bros. Pictures Japan has provided information and large, high-res photos from MARMALADE BOY (?????????, Mamareedo Boi), the teen romance movie based on Yoshizumi Wataru`s best-selling manga series with 10 million copies in print. The film was directed by Ryuichi Hiroki (WOLF GIRL & BLACK PRINCE, POLICEMAN AND ME) and stars Ryo Yoshizawa (GINTAMA) and Hinako Sakurai. STORY Real love is not always sweet. Out of the blue one day, schoolgirl Miki Koishikawa`s (Hinako Sakurai) parents announce that they are getting a divorce. During their trip to Hawaii, they met another married couple, the Matsuuras, and Miki`s mom fell in love with the other husband, and Miki`s dad with the other wife, and hence the two couples are swapping partners and getting remarried. They also propose that

    Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures Japan. © 2018

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Warner Bros. Pictures Japan Official Site: fuyu-kimi (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Warner Bros. Pictures Japan has provided information and large, high-res photos from LAST WINTER, WE PARTED (??????????, Kyonen no Fuyu Kimito Wakare), the film adaptation of Fuminori Nakamura`s novel of the same name. STORY Kyosuke Yakumo (Takanori Iwata), a young reporter looking for a scoop, is preparing for his upcoming wedding to his beloved Yuriko Matsuda (Mizuki Yamamoto). Intent on publishing a book, he chooses to write about a still unsolved incident involving the death of a beautiful blind woman in a fire. The prime suspect is the talented photographer, Yudai Kiharazaka (Takumi Saito). The closer Yakumo gets to the truth, the deeper he plunges into Kiharazaka`s devilry. CREDITS Japanese Theatrical Release: March 10, 2018 (Nationwide Roadshow) Running Time: 118 Minutes Cast Kyosuke Yakumo: Takanori

    Photo courtesy of Nikkatsu. © 2018

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Nikkatsu Corporation A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE The creative team behind THE DEVIL’S PATH (??, Kyoaku, 2013) -- director Kazuya Shiraishi and screenwriter Izumi Takahashi -- re-team for SUNNY (???/32, Sanii/32), an original story detailing what happens when the perpetrator of a crime that caused a nationwide uproar becomes entangled in a kidnapping. STORY It has been 14 years since the murder of an elementary school student by a classmate. The perpetrator was girl known by the nickname "Sunny" who was deified on the internet as a "the cutest murderer in criminal history". Akari Fujii (Rie Kitahara) is a middle school teacher whose private life and job are not going so well. On her 24th birthday she is kidnapped by two men (played by Pierre Taki and Lily Franky) who are fanatical followers of Sunny. The two men claim that she is

    Photo courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd. © 2018 THE BLOOD OF WOLVES Production Committee

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site: korou.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Toei has provided press notes and high-res photos from THE BLOOD OF WOLVES (????, Korou no Chi). Kazuya Shiraishi (THE DEVIL’S PATH, TWISTED JUSTICE) directs the feature film adaptation of Yuzuki Yuko`s novel by the same title. Cops go up against the yakuza gangs while the gangs engage in violent in-fighting, set in Hiroshima in the days before the anti-organized crime law went into effect. STORY 1988, Hiroshima. Hioka (Tori Matsuzaka) gets assigned to the second investigative unit under Ogami (Koji Yakusho), a detective rumored to have mob ties, and he is put in charge of the missing persons case for an employee at a yakuza-affiliated finance company. Hioka confronts ruthless gang thugs while harboring doubts about the law-breaking Ogami. CREDITS Japanese Theatrical Release: May 12,

    A housewife (Nana Eikura) develops an odd hobby in When I get home, my wife always pretends to be dead. Photo courtesy of Kadokawa Pictures. © 2018

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Kadokawa Pictures Official Site: tsumafuri.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Kadokawa Pictures has provided information and photos for their new movie, When I get home, my wife always pretends to be dead. (?????????????????????, Ie ni kaeru to tsuma ga kanarazu shinda furi o shiteimasu.). The film is a romantic comedy that was inspired by a 2010 question on the Yahoo! Answers online community. A reply posted by user "K.Kajunsky" received 4.1 million views and more than 1700 responses, inspired an original song performed with the Vocaloid digital female singer Hatsune Miku, and was turned into a hit manga. The movie is directed by Toshio Lee (DETROIT METAL CITY, TIME TRIP APP) and stars Nana Eikura (THE FLOATING CASTLE, LIBRARY WARS) and Ken Yasuda (HK / FORBIDDEN SUPER HERO, IMPOSSIBILITY DEFENSE). STORY In his third year of marriage,

    Photo courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd. © 2018 RUN! T HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL CLUB Film Partners

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site: tkoubaske.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Toei has provided press notes and high-res photos from RUN! T HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL CLUB (???T???????, Hashire! T Ko Basuketto Bu), the live-action teen drama based on the same-named novel by Matsuzaki Hiroshi, which has sold more than 1.2 million copies in Japan. Toei describes the film as a "refreshing portrayal of a frustrated high school boy who grows up and nurtures friendships through basketball". RUN! T HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL CLUB stars Jun Shison, who broke out as Right/ToQ No. 1 in the RESSHA SENTAI TOQGER (????????????, Ressha Sentai Tokkyuujaa, 2014-15) television series and spinoff movies. His film credits include SHIPPU RONDO (?????, 2016), SURVIVAL FAMILY (??????????, Sabaibaru Famirii, 2017), TEIICHI – BATTLE OF SUPREME HIGH – (????, Teiichi no Kuni, 2017) and THE LAST SHOT IN THE BAR (???BAR???3,

    Shioriko Shinokawa (Haru Kuroki) and Daisuke Gora (Shuhei Nomura) investigate a mystery involving a signed book in THE ANTIQUE. Photo courtesy of Kadokawa Pictures. © 2018

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Kadokawa Pictures Official Site: biblia-movie.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Kadokawa Pictures has provided information and photos for their new movie, THE ANTIQUE. The film is based on the best-selling novel series by author En Mikami*, about the owner of a used book store who solves various mysteries involving books. THE ANTIQUE was directed by Yukiko Mishima (NIGHT’S TIGHTROPE, DEAR ETRANGER) and stars Haru Kuroki (SOLOMON`S PERJURY, THE BRIDE OF RIP VAN WINKLE), Shuhei Nomura (PUZZLE, CHIHAYAFURU), Ryo Narita (YOUR NAME, It’s Boring Here, Pick Me Up) and Kaho (GAMERA THE BRAVE, THE KODAI FAMILY). STORY Shioriko Shinokawa (Haru Kuroki) is the owner of Biblia Antiquarian Bookshop in Kita-Kamakura. She is beautiful but introverted, an expert on vintage books, and a great storyteller. Shioriko also has amazing powers of logical deduction, and can solve great mysteries from

    Photo courtesy of Shochiku. © 2018 “A Banana? At This Time of Night?” Film Partners

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Site: bananakayo.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Shochiku Co. has provided SciFi Japan with information and photos for A BANANA? AT THIS TIME OF NIGHT? (??????????????????, Konna Yofuke ni Banana Kayo Itoshiki Jitsuwa), the film adaptation of author Kazufumi Watanabe`s non-fiction masterpiece. STORY Thirty-four-year-old Yasuaki Shikano (Yo Oizumi) can only move his neck and hands because of muscular dystrophy. He uses a wheelchair to get around. But he ditches the hospital in search of freedom and mobilizes volunteers so he can live exactly as he pleases. One day, a new volunteer named Misaki (Mitsuki Takahata) flips out at the self-indulgent Shikano. And Shikano`s response is to falls head over heels in love with her, but she has a boyfriend, medical student volunteer Tanaka (Haruma Miura). CREDITS Release Date: Friday, December 28, 2018 (Nationwide Roadshow) Running Time: 120

    Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures Japan. ©Anashin/Kodansha ©2018 Waiting For Spring Film Partners

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Warner Bros. Pictures Japan Official Site: harumatsumovie.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Warner Bros. Pictures Japan has provided information and large, high-res photos from WAITING FOR SPRING (?????, Haru Matsu Bokura), the live-action adaptation of Anashin`s popular comic of the same name. A teen love story, the film stars Tao Tsuchiya (ULTRAMAN ZERO: THE REVENGE OF BELIAL, RUROUNI KENSHIN series, YELL FOR THE BLUE SKY, POLICEMAN AND ME, THE 8-YEAR ENGAGEMENT) and is directed by Yuichiro Hirakawa (UNTIL THE BREAK OF DAWN, ERASED). STORY Lonely Mitsuki (Tao Tsuchiya) makes every effort to try and make friends when she entered high school, but is not successful. Then by chance, she meets the basketball team`s Towa (Takumi Kitamura) at work and they hit it off well. One day, she meets her childhood friend Aya (Yuta Koseki) again. CREDITS Japanese Theatrical Release: Friday, December

    Taishi Nagakawa and Erika Karata star in Toei`s manga adaptation, LOCK-ON LOVE. Photo courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd. © 2018

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site: kakugo-joshi-movie.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Toei has provided press notes and high-res photos from LOCK-ON LOVE (???????????, Kakugo wa Iika Soko no Joshi), the live-action film based on Nana Shiiba’s manga, Are You Ready? Hey You Girl! Taishi Nakagawa (YOUR LIE IN APRIL, CLOSEST LOVE TO HEAVEN, ReLIFE, RAINBOW DAYS) stars as the "ultimate loser boy", high school student Towa Furuya, a role he originated in the ARE YOU READY? HEY YOU GIRL television drama that aired this past June. He is joined by two other returning cast mates... Jiei Wakabayashi (SOLOMON`S PERJURY) as Towa`s friend, Ryusei Kuze, and Teppei Koike (KIDS, SABUIBO MASK, EATING WOMEN) as teacher Ryuji Masaki. Rising star Erika Karata (ASAKO, LOVE X DOC) plays the object of Towa`s affection, the "cool beauty", Misono Miwa. LOCK-ON LOVE is directed by

    Image courtesy of Well Go USA Entertainment. © Warner Bros. Entertainment

    Asian Cinema

    Directed by KIM Yong-wan & Starring Don LEE (MA Dong-seok) Source: Well Go USA, MPRM Communications press release Special Thanks to Leif Helland and Rachel Villegas #Champion @wellgousa A former arm-wrestling champion raised in the U.S. returns to South Korea for a tournament that could return him to glory, but he finds his life complicated by the appearance of the biological family he never knew in the South Korean sports comedy CHAMPION (???, 2018), debuting on digital October 9 from Well Go USA Entertainment. Don LEE (MA Dong-seok), the star of hits TRAIN TO BUSAN and ALONG WITH THE GODS: THE TWO WORLDS, flexes his muscles as the arm-wrestling champion, with KWON Yul (THE ADMIRAL) and HAN Ye-ri (SERA FOG) offering support under the direction of newcomer KIM Yong-wan. Synopsis In this rousing crowd-pleaser, a former arm-wrestling champion raised in the US returns to South Korea

    Image courtesy of Well Go USA Entertainment. © Showbox

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Well Go USA, MPRM Communications press release Special Thanks to Leif Helland and Rachel Villegas #DetectiveKSecretOfTheLivingDead @wellgousa DETECTIVE K: SECRET OF THE LIVING DEAD (?????: ????? ??, Joseon Myeongtamjeong: Heupyeolgoemaui Bimil, 2018), the third film in the popular South Korean action-mystery franchise, debuts on digital September 25 from Well Go USA Entertainment. KIM Myung-min and OH dal-su reprise their roles as bumbling sleuths investigating a string of strange murders that suggest the work of vampires. This hilarious outing follows the hugely popular DETECTIVE K: SECRET OF THE VIRTUOUS WIDOW (?????: ?????? ??, Joseon Myeongtamjeong: Gakshituku Ggotui Bimil, 2011) and DETECTIVE K: SECRET OF THE LOST ISLAND (?????: ??? ?? ?, Joseon Myeongtamjeong: Sarajin Nobeui Ddal, 2015) and also stars Kim Ji-won (HORROR STORIES), Lee Min-ki (TIDAL WAVE) and Kim Bum (YOUNG DETECTIVE DEE: RISE OF THE SEA DRAGON). Synopsis When a series of unusual murders

    Mahiro Takasugi as Tsuyopon, Reo Sano as Natchan, Taishi Nakagawa as Mattsun and Ryusei Yokohama as Keichan in the manga adaptation RAINBOW DAYS. Photo courtesy of Shochiku. © 2018 “Rainbow Days” Film Partners © Minami Mizuno/Shueisha

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Site: nijiiro-days.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Shochiku Co. has provided SciFi Japan with information and photos for RAINBOW DAYS (?????, Nijiiro Deizu), their live action adaptation of the girl`s manga by artist Minami Mizuno. The film is a coming-of-age story about the friendship and love interests of four silly, playful high school boys enjoying their youth that “only comes around once.” RAINBOW DAYS is directed by Ken Iizuka (ARAKAWA UNDER THE BRIDGE, DROPS IN YOUR HAND, LAUGHING LUCKY CATS) and stars Reo Sano (HIGH AND LOW series), Taishi Nakagawa (YOUR LIE IN APRIL, CLOSEST LOVE TO HEAVEN, ReLIFE), Mahiro Takasugi (KAMEN RIDER GAIM, POLICEMAN AND ME, BEFORE WE VANISH), Ryusei Yokohama (RESSHA SENTAI TOQGER, WOLF GIRL & BLACK PRINCE, KISEKI -SOBITO OF THAT DAY-) and Ai Yoshikawa (AKKO-CHAN: THE MOVIE, ROOMMATE). STORY Natchan (Reo Sano), a

    Young Atsuko Kagami (Haruka Ayase) unexpectedly finds love in AKKO-CHAN: THE MOVIE, the new live action adaptation of the popular manga. Photo courtesy of NTV. © 2012 “AKKO-CHAN: The Movie” Film Partners. © Fujio Akatsuka

    Asian Cinema

    Source: NTV (Nippon Television Network) and Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Movie Site: akko-chan-movie.com (Japan) SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details and images from a Japanese movie not yet released in the United States. Last August, SciFi Japan previewed the then-upcoming film, AKKO-CHAN: THE MOVIE (?? ??????????, Eiga Himitsu no Akko-chan, 2012). NTV is now offering AKKO-CHAN: THE MOVIE for international sales and has provided SFJ with English production notes for the film. The accompanying photos are courtesy of NTV and Shochiku, the movie`s domestic distributor... The compact lets her become whatever she wants to be. The magic words are... Introduction A must-see delight! A super adorable romantic entertainment movie! AKKO-CHAN: THE MOVIE is based on Akko-chan’s Got a Secret (??????????, Himitsu no Akko-chan), a classic manga by Fujio Akatsuka that shines in the history of Japanese comics. It was adapted as

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