The official website of Dead Dead Demon’s De De De De Destruction anime film unveiled a new trailer for its second part on March 28, 2024.
The website also revealed additional cast members that will be appear in the second part of the film.
Newly announced cast includes:
Chiharu Sawashiro as Ojiro-senpai Saori Onishi as Hikari Sumaru Kenichiro Matsuda as Takarada Kengo Kawanishi as Taro Miura Masafumi Kobatake as Ogino
Moreover, Naoto Takenaka will make a special appearance in the film as the head of the invaders. Takenaka, who directed the live-action adaptation of Inio Asano’s work Reiraku last year, expressed his joy at being offered the role, stating that he is happy to be a part of author’s work again.
“I am a big fan of Inio-san. I was drawn to the world that Inio-san depicts and turned ‘Reiraku’ into a movie.. However, after it was completed, I...
The website also revealed additional cast members that will be appear in the second part of the film.
Newly announced cast includes:
Chiharu Sawashiro as Ojiro-senpai Saori Onishi as Hikari Sumaru Kenichiro Matsuda as Takarada Kengo Kawanishi as Taro Miura Masafumi Kobatake as Ogino
Moreover, Naoto Takenaka will make a special appearance in the film as the head of the invaders. Takenaka, who directed the live-action adaptation of Inio Asano’s work Reiraku last year, expressed his joy at being offered the role, stating that he is happy to be a part of author’s work again.
“I am a big fan of Inio-san. I was drawn to the world that Inio-san depicts and turned ‘Reiraku’ into a movie.. However, after it was completed, I...
- 3/28/2024
- by Ami Nazru
- AnimeHunch
The official website for the two-part Dead Dead Demon's Dededede Destruction anime film, based on Inio Asano's manga of the same name, announced five new voice cast members who will join its upcoming second part as follows: Ojiro-senpai voiced by Chiharu Sawashiro (Banri Settsu in A3! ) Hikari Sumaru voiced by Saori Onishi (Miyako Shikimori in Shikimori's Not Just a Cutie ) Takarada voiced by Kenichiro Matsuda (Bond Forger in Spy x Family ) Taro Miura voiced by Kengo Kawanishi (Mikazuki Augus in Mobile Suit Gundam Iron Blooded Orphans ) Ogino voiced by Masafumi Kobatake (Senya in Bucchigiri?! ) Additionally, veteran actor Naoto Takenaka will make a supporting appearance as the "chairman" of the invaders. Among anime fans, he is well-known for his voice appearances in Mamoru Oshii films, such as Shigeki Arakawa in Patlabor 2: The Movie (1993), Kimu in Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence (2004), and Master in The Sky Crawlers (2008). Takenaka is...
- 3/27/2024
- by Mikikazu Komatsu
- Crunchyroll
Director and screenwriter Haruhiko Arai worked as an assistant director for Wakamatsu Productions before making his screenwriting debut with Shinjuku, Messy District: I'll Be There (1977), directed by Chusei Sone. He established his reputation in Japan and worldwide with works such as W's Tragedy (1984), Flakes of Snow (1985), and Someday (2011). For the latter Haruhiko received the Screenplay of the Year Award by the Japan Academy Film Prize. Body and Soul (1997) was his directorial debut. A Spoiling Rain (2023), IFFR 2024 selection, is his fourth feature film.
On the occasion of “A Spoiling Rain” screening at IFFR, we speak with him about the changes he have seen in the industry through the years, love and sex, adapting the particular novel, the casting and the current situation of the Japanese film industry.
translation by Shione Kunimori
My name is Haruhiko Arai. It has been 27 years since I was at the IFFR last time. 27 years ago, I...
On the occasion of “A Spoiling Rain” screening at IFFR, we speak with him about the changes he have seen in the industry through the years, love and sex, adapting the particular novel, the casting and the current situation of the Japanese film industry.
translation by Shione Kunimori
My name is Haruhiko Arai. It has been 27 years since I was at the IFFR last time. 27 years ago, I...
- 2/11/2024
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
The Skip City International D-Cinema Festival 2024 will celebrate its 21st edition from July 13th (Sat) to 21st (Sun), 2024 for 9 days at Skip City, which is an integrated institution for digital cinema production.
(See: https://www.skipcity-dcf.jp/en/)
Submission period: January 31st, 2024 (Wed) – March 1st, 2024 (Fri)
Skip City International D-Cinema Festival remains committed to discovering and nurturing new talent, with the aim of helping these filmmakers seize new business opportunities that have arisen in the changing landscape of the film industry. Now calling for works (60 min. or longer) that have been shot digitally and must be the director's 1st, 2nd, or 3rd feature film from all over the world for the International Competition section.
Call for entries for the International Competition!!
Entry Deadline: Must be received by March 1st, 2024 (Fri)
Submit via FilmFreeway
https://filmfreeway.com/Skipcityinternationald-CinemaFESTIVAL (Online registration / Free)
All nominated films in competition categories are eligible for the Festival Organizers awards.
(See: https://www.skipcity-dcf.jp/en/)
Submission period: January 31st, 2024 (Wed) – March 1st, 2024 (Fri)
Skip City International D-Cinema Festival remains committed to discovering and nurturing new talent, with the aim of helping these filmmakers seize new business opportunities that have arisen in the changing landscape of the film industry. Now calling for works (60 min. or longer) that have been shot digitally and must be the director's 1st, 2nd, or 3rd feature film from all over the world for the International Competition section.
Call for entries for the International Competition!!
Entry Deadline: Must be received by March 1st, 2024 (Fri)
Submit via FilmFreeway
https://filmfreeway.com/Skipcityinternationald-CinemaFESTIVAL (Online registration / Free)
All nominated films in competition categories are eligible for the Festival Organizers awards.
- 2/2/2024
- by Suzie Cho
- AsianMoviePulse
We are happy to announce that the Skip City International D-Cinema Festival 2023 will celebrate its 20th anniversary edition from July 15th (Sat) to 23th (Sun), 2023 for 9 days at Skip City, which is an integrated institution for digital cinema production
(See: https://www.skipcity-dcf.jp/en/)
Submission period: January 25th, 2023 (Wed) – March 1st, 2023 (Wed)
We remain committed to discovering and nurturing new talent, with the aim of helping these filmmakers seize new business opportunities that have arisen in the changing landscape of the film industry. Now we call for works (60 min. or longer) that have been shot digitally and must be the director’s 1st, 2nd, or 3rd feature film from all over the world for the International Competition section.
Call for entries for the International Competition!!
Entry Deadline: Must be received by March 1st, 2023 (Wed)
Submit via FilmFreeway
https://filmfreeway.com/Skipcityinternationald-CinemaFESTIVAL (Online registration / Free)
Our International Competition welcomes you!
(See: https://www.skipcity-dcf.jp/en/)
Submission period: January 25th, 2023 (Wed) – March 1st, 2023 (Wed)
We remain committed to discovering and nurturing new talent, with the aim of helping these filmmakers seize new business opportunities that have arisen in the changing landscape of the film industry. Now we call for works (60 min. or longer) that have been shot digitally and must be the director’s 1st, 2nd, or 3rd feature film from all over the world for the International Competition section.
Call for entries for the International Competition!!
Entry Deadline: Must be received by March 1st, 2023 (Wed)
Submit via FilmFreeway
https://filmfreeway.com/Skipcityinternationald-CinemaFESTIVAL (Online registration / Free)
Our International Competition welcomes you!
- 1/25/2023
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Kaoru Fukasawa (Takumi Saitoh) is a successful manga artist. His acclaimed manga series was published for 8 years, but has now finished. He doesn’t have any ideas for his next work. His situation seems bleak, with his editor seeming to not care about him anymore and he has a troubled relationship with his wife, Nozomi MacHida (Megumi). As he spends his days in despair and darkness, he visits a brothel and meets prostitute Chifuyu (Shuri). He becomes attracted to Chifuyu and they decide to head to her hometown together. (Source: AsianWiki)
Naoto Takenaka (one of the co-directors with Takumi Saitoh of Zokki) directs this live-action adaptation of Inio Asano’s manga. Asano published his manga in March 2017 in Big Comic Superior and the serialisation ended its run after 4 months. A single tankōbon volume was released in November 2017.
Downfall is scheduled to open in Japan on March 17, 2023.
Naoto Takenaka (one of the co-directors with Takumi Saitoh of Zokki) directs this live-action adaptation of Inio Asano’s manga. Asano published his manga in March 2017 in Big Comic Superior and the serialisation ended its run after 4 months. A single tankōbon volume was released in November 2017.
Downfall is scheduled to open in Japan on March 17, 2023.
- 1/4/2023
- by Suzie Cho
- AsianMoviePulse
Based on Inio Asano’s manga, the film stars Takumi Saito from ’Shin Ultraman’.
Japan’s Nikkatsu is launching sales on actor-director Naoto Takenaka’s Downfall, an upcoming live-action feature based on Inio Asano’s manga of the same name, at content market Tiffcom.
The adaptation of the manga, also known as Reiraku, will be a dark drama starring Takumi Saitoh of Shin Ultraman as a formerly successful manga artist. He will be joined in the cast by Shuri (Wandering), who plays a prostitute he becomes interested in, and Megumi, who plays his wife.
The story follows the artist as...
Japan’s Nikkatsu is launching sales on actor-director Naoto Takenaka’s Downfall, an upcoming live-action feature based on Inio Asano’s manga of the same name, at content market Tiffcom.
The adaptation of the manga, also known as Reiraku, will be a dark drama starring Takumi Saitoh of Shin Ultraman as a formerly successful manga artist. He will be joined in the cast by Shuri (Wandering), who plays a prostitute he becomes interested in, and Megumi, who plays his wife.
The story follows the artist as...
- 10/27/2022
- by Jean Noh
- ScreenDaily
Third adaptation of Toson Shimazaki’s classic novel “Hakai”, after the ones by Keisuke Kinoshita in 1948 and Kon Ichikawa in 1962, Kazuo Maeda’s edition marks the centenary of Japan’s first-ever human rights declaration, which argued that Burakumin (aka Eta and untouchables), Zainichi Koreans, Ainu and other “disadvantaged minorities” deserve the same respect and freedoms accorded to others, and is set during the Russo-Japanese War.
Broken Commandment is screening on New York Asian Film Festival
Ushimatsu Segawa is a respected teacher in an elementary school, cherished by both his colleagues and his students. However, he harbors a dark secret, as he is actually a burakumin whose father sent him away when he was a child, insisting he never reveals his origin, in an effort to have him avoid the fate of the lower classes. The initial scene, where an older man is kicked from a hotel upon the discovery that he is an Eta,...
Broken Commandment is screening on New York Asian Film Festival
Ushimatsu Segawa is a respected teacher in an elementary school, cherished by both his colleagues and his students. However, he harbors a dark secret, as he is actually a burakumin whose father sent him away when he was a child, insisting he never reveals his origin, in an effort to have him avoid the fate of the lower classes. The initial scene, where an older man is kicked from a hotel upon the discovery that he is an Eta,...
- 7/29/2022
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Launched in 2004 in Kawaguchi City of Saitama Prefecture as a film festival to discover and nurture new talent, the 18th edition of Skip City International D-Cinema Festival was held virtually from September 25 to October 3. Jury and Audience award winners were announced at the Closing Ceremony on October 3.
Luzzu (Malta), directed by Alex Camilleri, received the Grand Prize in the International Competition. The film is about a man who agonises over his decision to choose the family fishery business or a better life for his family. Naoto Takenaka, the President of the Jury commented, “The director’s perspective is not icky, but cool and hot. I think it is irresistible. Luzzu is a great film.” This is the first film from Malta to be nominated for, and to have received, this award.
In addition Rival, directed by Marcus Lenz, won the Best Director award. The film is about the lonely battle...
Luzzu (Malta), directed by Alex Camilleri, received the Grand Prize in the International Competition. The film is about a man who agonises over his decision to choose the family fishery business or a better life for his family. Naoto Takenaka, the President of the Jury commented, “The director’s perspective is not icky, but cool and hot. I think it is irresistible. Luzzu is a great film.” This is the first film from Malta to be nominated for, and to have received, this award.
In addition Rival, directed by Marcus Lenz, won the Best Director award. The film is about the lonely battle...
- 10/5/2021
- by Suzie Cho
- AsianMoviePulse
The London East Asia Film Festival (Leaff) celebrates its sixth edition in 2021 with a commitment to diverse, culturally impactful cinema entertainment. After a year of shut cinema doors, Leaff is returning home to London’s big screens with an expanded catalogue to help stimulate the renaissance of cinema and promote cultural empathy.
With cinematic offerings from eight regions – China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam – this year’s programme is an ode to the quiet and independent voices from East Asia. Two international premieres, five European premieres and 18 UK premieres will take place at our state-art-of-the-art venues, Odeon Luxe Leicester Square, The Cinema at Selfridges, as well as the newly opened Odeon Luxe West End and The Chiswick Cinema. The festival is divided into five strands: Official Selection, Competition, Hong Kong Focus, Documentary, and Retrospective.
Opening Gala
The festival opens with a memorial to the late Benny Chan...
With cinematic offerings from eight regions – China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam – this year’s programme is an ode to the quiet and independent voices from East Asia. Two international premieres, five European premieres and 18 UK premieres will take place at our state-art-of-the-art venues, Odeon Luxe Leicester Square, The Cinema at Selfridges, as well as the newly opened Odeon Luxe West End and The Chiswick Cinema. The festival is divided into five strands: Official Selection, Competition, Hong Kong Focus, Documentary, and Retrospective.
Opening Gala
The festival opens with a memorial to the late Benny Chan...
- 9/25/2021
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
The festival will run online from September 25-October 3.
World premieres of seven local titles head the line-up of Japan’s Skip City International D-Cinema Festival, which runs fully online from September 25-October 3.
Six of the world premieres are in the Japanese feature competition, and include Battlecry, the first animation to compete in the section, directed by Japanese filmmaker Yanakaya. Set in a fictitious 1980s Japan, the film centres a soldier on furlough who returns to his country, where he finds himself on a mission to investigate the circumstances of a drug called Golden Monkey which is running through society.
Also...
World premieres of seven local titles head the line-up of Japan’s Skip City International D-Cinema Festival, which runs fully online from September 25-October 3.
Six of the world premieres are in the Japanese feature competition, and include Battlecry, the first animation to compete in the section, directed by Japanese filmmaker Yanakaya. Set in a fictitious 1980s Japan, the film centres a soldier on furlough who returns to his country, where he finds himself on a mission to investigate the circumstances of a drug called Golden Monkey which is running through society.
Also...
- 9/1/2021
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Japanese humor is rather unique, occasionally moving towards intelligent, quirky and deadpan paths, occasionally towards absurd, slapstick or even appalling and “blasphemous” ones. “Zokki”, the collective effort of Naoto Takenaka, Takayuki Yamada and Takumi Saitoh, thankfully lingers mostly towards the first two categories, in five intermingling episodes written by Yutaka Kuramochi, based on short stories by manga artist Hiroyuki Ohashi.
“Zokki” is screening at New York Asian Film Festival
The omnibus begins with a story of a kidnapping that ends up with a grandfather talking about secrets with his granddaughter, who eventually throws out of her mouth the milk she was drinking, which sets up the tone, to a point at least, for the rest of the movie. Another story focuses on Fujimura, a loner who decides to go for a road trip with his bike, eventually arriving at a seaside town, where he is taken in by a friendly...
“Zokki” is screening at New York Asian Film Festival
The omnibus begins with a story of a kidnapping that ends up with a grandfather talking about secrets with his granddaughter, who eventually throws out of her mouth the milk she was drinking, which sets up the tone, to a point at least, for the rest of the movie. Another story focuses on Fujimura, a loner who decides to go for a road trip with his bike, eventually arriving at a seaside town, where he is taken in by a friendly...
- 8/25/2021
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Father and daughter relationship, corporate vs rock, fear of aging and near-death experience are only some of the hot topics that TV and commercial director Shinji Hamasaki has chosen to tackle and turn them into a madcap comedy in his first feature film “Not Quite Dead Yet”.
Not Quite Dead Yet is screening at Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme
Nanase Nobata (Suzu Hirose) is a brilliant scientist, fresh from University and with a dad who is president of the Nobata Pharmaceutics, a leading pharmaceutical company well known for their research on a rejuvenation drug called Romeo. It could be an ideal situation for Nanase if a little detail wasn’t in the way; Nanase hates her father and she would like to see him dead. So much so that she has written a song about it for her idol death metal band Soulzz. She despises him at the point that...
Not Quite Dead Yet is screening at Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme
Nanase Nobata (Suzu Hirose) is a brilliant scientist, fresh from University and with a dad who is president of the Nobata Pharmaceutics, a leading pharmaceutical company well known for their research on a rejuvenation drug called Romeo. It could be an ideal situation for Nanase if a little detail wasn’t in the way; Nanase hates her father and she would like to see him dead. So much so that she has written a song about it for her idol death metal band Soulzz. She despises him at the point that...
- 3/1/2021
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
The eyes of the world were pointed at Donnie Yen after the end of the spectacular “Ip Man” saga. His choice of an action comedy as a follow-up might be seen as a bit of a surprise, but “Enter the Fat Dragon” blends the well-known elements, like the breath-taking, laws-of-physics-defying action, humor, references and a bit of covert social commentary into an efficient time-killer about the good cops, bad cops and even worse gangsters in Hong Kong and Tokyo. It premiered in the Chinese New Year slot earlier this year, but its theatrical run was impaired by the Covid-19 pandemic. However, this type of film is equally suitable for video formats, where we also caught it.
The title is taken from the cult Sammo Hung’s 1978 action-comedy about an overweight Bruce Lee fan getting involved in a fight with a gang of thugs that threaten his family,...
The title is taken from the cult Sammo Hung’s 1978 action-comedy about an overweight Bruce Lee fan getting involved in a fight with a gang of thugs that threaten his family,...
- 6/18/2020
- by Marko Stojiljković
- AsianMoviePulse
Masayuki Suo is a director not afraid to touch on cultural taboos in his work, most notably with 1996’s breakthrough “Shall We Dance?”. There, he tackled a foreign influence in ballroom dancing, and its lack of acceptance as a respectable activity for a middle-aged salaryman. His earlier “Sumo Do, Sumo Don’t”, however, looks at a more traditional Japanese activity, but how a younger generation embrace the foreign and see the past as taboo.
“Youth” is screening at Japan Society
Shuhei (Masahiro Motoki) is a slacker student, confident that he has no need to go to class or make any efforts, as his family connections have already landed him a job on graduation. There’s just one problem with this: he actually has to graduate. As such, he feels it’s about time he met with his professor, Anayama (Akira Emoto).
Anayama is something of a sumo wrestling buff; a lean man,...
“Youth” is screening at Japan Society
Shuhei (Masahiro Motoki) is a slacker student, confident that he has no need to go to class or make any efforts, as his family connections have already landed him a job on graduation. There’s just one problem with this: he actually has to graduate. As such, he feels it’s about time he met with his professor, Anayama (Akira Emoto).
Anayama is something of a sumo wrestling buff; a lean man,...
- 4/5/2020
- by Andrew Thayne
- AsianMoviePulse
This Friday 13th of March, don’t miss “Nowhere Man“, the auspicious directorial debut by popular Japanese actor/comedian Naoto Takenaka, screening on imported 35mm film.
Japan Society is co-presenting this screening with New York Review Comics (Nyrc) in celebration of their brand-new publication of The Man Without Talent, the first full-length work by Tsuge translated into English, which will be available for sale on-site for your deep-diving pleasure. Nyrc co-founders Lucas Adams and Gabriel Winslow-Yost will make a special appearance to introduce the screening.
Adapted from legendary cartoonist Yoshiharu Tsuge’s newly translated semi-autobiographical work The Man Without Talent, “Nowhere Man” is a dark comedy that follows a hapless manga artist (played by Takenaka himself) who begins selling rocks.
Buy your ticket here...
Japan Society is co-presenting this screening with New York Review Comics (Nyrc) in celebration of their brand-new publication of The Man Without Talent, the first full-length work by Tsuge translated into English, which will be available for sale on-site for your deep-diving pleasure. Nyrc co-founders Lucas Adams and Gabriel Winslow-Yost will make a special appearance to introduce the screening.
Adapted from legendary cartoonist Yoshiharu Tsuge’s newly translated semi-autobiographical work The Man Without Talent, “Nowhere Man” is a dark comedy that follows a hapless manga artist (played by Takenaka himself) who begins selling rocks.
Buy your ticket here...
- 3/12/2020
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
Ever since their childhood, Kunihiko (Masayo Kato) and Yoichi (Naoto Takenaka) have been friends. As a lieutenant in the Higuchi gang, Kunihiko and his men have secured the gang’s turf always supported by Yoichi, who has become a lieutenant within the ranks of the Yakuza. However, the peace between the former rivaling families is at stake when a seemingly harmless incident sees a thug breaking havoc to a bar controlled by a gang associated with Yoichi and his men. When the other group retaliates in a way disproportionate to the former event, war between the Yakuza is about to begin, with Kunihiko and his crew eager to shoot their way through the ranks of their enemies.
Ultimately, Yoichi, even though he realizes the hidden agenda of his superiors, tries to prevent war between the fractions while also calming down his friend. As he becomes an obstacle for the capos of the organization,...
Ultimately, Yoichi, even though he realizes the hidden agenda of his superiors, tries to prevent war between the fractions while also calming down his friend. As he becomes an obstacle for the capos of the organization,...
- 8/15/2019
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
If there is one thing no one can accuse Miike of, that would be for lack of diversity. In our project regarding his filmography, we have dealt with movies almost of any kind, from indie dramas to violent crime movies and almost anything between. Thus, it was inevitable for him not to deal with a kids’ movie, particularly since his filmography turned almost exclusively towards manga/anime adaptations. “Ninja Kids”, which is based on the anime series “Nintama Rintaro”, in its turn based on the manga “Rakudai Ninja Rantaro”, serves exactly this purpose, although with a distinct Miike flavor.
The film takes place in the Muromachi period in the 16th century, and the protagonist of the story is a bespectacled kid named Rantaro, whose low-class ninja parents send him to the 6-year ninja school, as the movie begins. In theory, the Ninja Academy is a proper college,...
The film takes place in the Muromachi period in the 16th century, and the protagonist of the story is a bespectacled kid named Rantaro, whose low-class ninja parents send him to the 6-year ninja school, as the movie begins. In theory, the Ninja Academy is a proper college,...
- 8/7/2019
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Before it swings into domestic play and hits the bulk of overseas next week, Sony/Marvel’s Spider-Man: Far From Home will begin weaving its international box office web in China, Japan and Hong Kong this weekend. Both China and Japan are leading markets for the character, with the industry seeing a start around $90M across the three debut hubs. There is give on either side depending on how things go down in the Middle Kingdom.
Although pre-sales in China were, somewhat confoundingly, lower compared to Spider-Man: Homecoming, the Far From Home midnights that kicked in tonight local time are promising at $3.2M, the 4th best score for a superhero movie. It is possible Spidey overall in this early session moves into the $100M neighborhood.
In the same group of markets that are going this frame, and at today’s exchange rates, previous entry Homecoming did $76.6M when it launched two years ago.
Although pre-sales in China were, somewhat confoundingly, lower compared to Spider-Man: Homecoming, the Far From Home midnights that kicked in tonight local time are promising at $3.2M, the 4th best score for a superhero movie. It is possible Spidey overall in this early session moves into the $100M neighborhood.
In the same group of markets that are going this frame, and at today’s exchange rates, previous entry Homecoming did $76.6M when it launched two years ago.
- 6/27/2019
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Discouraged by the arrival of U.S. Commodore Perry (Danny Huston), aboard black ships laden with bourbon and gunpowder, feudal lord Itakura Katsuakira (Hiroki Hasegawa) of the Annaka clan views his own forces with little confidence. They have grown slow and idle after decades of peaceful isolation, and as such he challenges all men of fighting age to a marathon to prove their mettle — the prize for first place being the winner’s wish come true. When Edo spy Jinnai Karasawa (Takeru Satoh) mistakes his lord’s agitation for insurrection, however, an order is placed in error and the shogun’s ninjas duly dispatched.
While not as sensitive as Memoirs of a Geisha or Letters from Iwo Jima, Samurai Marathon is surprisingly a congruous and measured entry in the growing genre of internationally produced Japanese period dramas — all the more so given that it was directed by Candyman’s Bernard Rose.
While not as sensitive as Memoirs of a Geisha or Letters from Iwo Jima, Samurai Marathon is surprisingly a congruous and measured entry in the growing genre of internationally produced Japanese period dramas — all the more so given that it was directed by Candyman’s Bernard Rose.
- 6/25/2019
- by Steven Neish
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Akiyoshi Koba’s martial arts dance frenzy “Nunchaku and Soul” aims at the quiet undertones.
Nunchaku and Soul is screening at Osaka Asian Film Festival
Numata is a shy, bespectacled middle-aged restaurant manager. Since his childhood, he has been obsessed with Nunchakus. At a dating event, he meets Reiko who leads him to attend a dance class. Although Numata does not know how to dance, he wants to join in a dance contest to win her heart.
Soma (or Soul) is the lead singer of a funk band that is about to break-up after 10 years. His band members are too busy with their regular lives, while Soma’s a failure. As he is facing leaving the stage forever, one of his friends, who happens to be the cook in Numata’s restaurant, introduces him as his new dancing coach. Numata and Soma both get the chance to reboot their lives...
Nunchaku and Soul is screening at Osaka Asian Film Festival
Numata is a shy, bespectacled middle-aged restaurant manager. Since his childhood, he has been obsessed with Nunchakus. At a dating event, he meets Reiko who leads him to attend a dance class. Although Numata does not know how to dance, he wants to join in a dance contest to win her heart.
Soma (or Soul) is the lead singer of a funk band that is about to break-up after 10 years. His band members are too busy with their regular lives, while Soma’s a failure. As he is facing leaving the stage forever, one of his friends, who happens to be the cook in Numata’s restaurant, introduces him as his new dancing coach. Numata and Soma both get the chance to reboot their lives...
- 3/11/2019
- by Alexander Knoth
- AsianMoviePulse
“Wherever we go…however far we walk…everything will stay the same.”
If we take a body of work as diverse as Takashi Miike, quite naturally one asks the question whether the director has a favorite. As Miike has repeatedly stated in the past, this particular honor goes to his 1998 film “Young Thugs: Nostalgia”, a prequel to “Young Thugs: Innocent Blood” released the year before and also based on the autobiographical novel by Riichi Nakabana. Considering films like “Blues Harp, “Ley Lines” and the “Dead or Alive”-series explored themes like origin, identity and growing up, the choice of this project, along with the finished product being Miike’s favorite film should not come as a surprise.
In general, both films, “Innocent Blood” and “Nostalgia”, define what has become the side of Miike, which is at times forgotten among the wildness of his other films, a tendency...
If we take a body of work as diverse as Takashi Miike, quite naturally one asks the question whether the director has a favorite. As Miike has repeatedly stated in the past, this particular honor goes to his 1998 film “Young Thugs: Nostalgia”, a prequel to “Young Thugs: Innocent Blood” released the year before and also based on the autobiographical novel by Riichi Nakabana. Considering films like “Blues Harp, “Ley Lines” and the “Dead or Alive”-series explored themes like origin, identity and growing up, the choice of this project, along with the finished product being Miike’s favorite film should not come as a surprise.
In general, both films, “Innocent Blood” and “Nostalgia”, define what has become the side of Miike, which is at times forgotten among the wildness of his other films, a tendency...
- 10/20/2018
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
Reon Takanashi (Kang Ji-Young) is dumped by her boyfriend and fired from her job. Reo Asahina (Naoto Takenaka) is a CEO and a playboy. The two get involved in a traffic accident. Reon and Reo discover that they have changed bodies.
‘Reon’ is directed by Renpei Tsukamoto, whose filmography mostly consists of tv dramas, such as ‘Godhand Teru’ (2009) and ‘Omukae Death’ (2016). His latest film, ‘Wig’, was released in 2010.
The film is based on manga series ‘Reon’ by Kaori Ookura (writer & illustrator) and Tomohide Kiyoshi (writer) and marks the first leading role for Jiyoung, ex-member of popular South-Korean girl group Kara.
‘Reon’ is directed by Renpei Tsukamoto, whose filmography mostly consists of tv dramas, such as ‘Godhand Teru’ (2009) and ‘Omukae Death’ (2016). His latest film, ‘Wig’, was released in 2010.
The film is based on manga series ‘Reon’ by Kaori Ookura (writer & illustrator) and Tomohide Kiyoshi (writer) and marks the first leading role for Jiyoung, ex-member of popular South-Korean girl group Kara.
- 2/16/2018
- by Patrick Hofmeister
- AsianMoviePulse
Three American tourists follow a mysterious map deep into the jungles of Japan searching for an ancient temple. When spirits entrap them, their adventure quickly becomes a horrific nightmare. The trailer for "Temple" is out, directed by Michael Barrett, written by Simon Barrett and starring Naoto Takenaka, Asahi Uchida and Logan Huffman...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 9/2/2017
- Screen Anarchy
After a decade-long stint in Hollywood, which includes the likes of a bombastic Mission: Impossible entry and the infinitely rewatchable Face/Off, in the last decade, John Woo has mostly stuck to large-scale Chinese epics which haven’t quite made a splash stateside. However, that could change which is next project, which finds him returning to his action roots.
Set to premiere at Venice Film Festival before heading to Toronto International Film Festival is Manhunt, Wood’s remake of the 1976 Japanese thriller Kimi yo Fundo no Kawa o Watare. Following a man who is framed for a robbery and rape and attempts to get on the right side of justice, the first trailer has now landed. Due to it being an international look, the editing is fairly clunky, but all in all, it’s nice to see Woo getting back to high-octane thrills.
Check out the trailer and images below...
Set to premiere at Venice Film Festival before heading to Toronto International Film Festival is Manhunt, Wood’s remake of the 1976 Japanese thriller Kimi yo Fundo no Kawa o Watare. Following a man who is framed for a robbery and rape and attempts to get on the right side of justice, the first trailer has now landed. Due to it being an international look, the editing is fairly clunky, but all in all, it’s nice to see Woo getting back to high-octane thrills.
Check out the trailer and images below...
- 8/16/2017
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
The 74th Venice International Film Festival (August 30 – September 9) has just announced the world premiere of John Woo’s action thriller Manhunt as part of its Out of Competition roster. The film is hotly anticipated as it marks the return of the Hong Kong director to the police thriller genre 25 years after his classic Hard Boiled, starring Chow Yun-fat, Tony Leung and Anthony Wong.
Set in Japan, Manhunt is the story of a Chinese man wrongly convicted for rape and multiple murders. He becomes the target of a manhunt by the local Japanese police, while he sets out himself to find the real killers.
The film has Chinese star Zhang Hanyu (The Great Wall, Operation Mekong) and Japanese actor-musician Masaharu Fukuyama (Suspect X, Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends) in the lead roles. The predominantly Japanese supporting cast includes Yasuaki Kurata, Jun Kunimura, Hiroyuki Ikeuchi, Nanami Sakuraba, Naoto Takenaka and Tao Okamoto.
Set in Japan, Manhunt is the story of a Chinese man wrongly convicted for rape and multiple murders. He becomes the target of a manhunt by the local Japanese police, while he sets out himself to find the real killers.
The film has Chinese star Zhang Hanyu (The Great Wall, Operation Mekong) and Japanese actor-musician Masaharu Fukuyama (Suspect X, Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends) in the lead roles. The predominantly Japanese supporting cast includes Yasuaki Kurata, Jun Kunimura, Hiroyuki Ikeuchi, Nanami Sakuraba, Naoto Takenaka and Tao Okamoto.
- 8/8/2017
- by Arnav Sinha
- AsianMoviePulse
Stars: Yoshihiro Nishimura, Naoto Takenaka, Asami, Takumi Saito | Written and Directed by Noboru Iguchi
To help them achieve their goal of taking over the world, a megalomaniac Japanese businessman and his son recruit a vicious gang of Geisha assassins. These include two feisty sisters with an amazing range of surgically added weapons. But when one of these Robo-Geishas refuses to kill an innocent group of ex-employees, its butt-blades versus wig napalm and machine breasts against killer-cleaver socks as the assassins take on the Geisha’s in one of the most mind-bending movie battles of all time.
RoboGeisha is the latest in a long line of bizarre, Ott cult movies from Japan, a film whose trailer went down a storm when it debuted online back in the day. Available on DVD courtesy of Cine Asia, can it live up to the hype and the anticipation built by the rumoured craziness within?...
To help them achieve their goal of taking over the world, a megalomaniac Japanese businessman and his son recruit a vicious gang of Geisha assassins. These include two feisty sisters with an amazing range of surgically added weapons. But when one of these Robo-Geishas refuses to kill an innocent group of ex-employees, its butt-blades versus wig napalm and machine breasts against killer-cleaver socks as the assassins take on the Geisha’s in one of the most mind-bending movie battles of all time.
RoboGeisha is the latest in a long line of bizarre, Ott cult movies from Japan, a film whose trailer went down a storm when it debuted online back in the day. Available on DVD courtesy of Cine Asia, can it live up to the hype and the anticipation built by the rumoured craziness within?...
- 2/5/2017
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
To celebrate the release of Takashi Miike’s Black Society Trilogy - out on DVD & Blu-Ray from 16th January – we are giving away a Blu-ray copy courtesy of Arrow Video!
After several years spent working almost exclusively in the direct-to-video world of “V-cinema” in Japan, Takashi Miike announced himself as a world-class filmmaking talent with this trio of thematically-connected, character-centric crime stories about violence, the underworld of Japanese society, families both real and surrogate, and the possibly hopeless task of finding one’s place in the world. His first films made specifically for theatrical release, and his first for a major studio, the Black Society Trilogy was the beginning of Miike’s mature career as a filmmaker and they remain among the prolific director’s finest works.
Set in the bustling Kabuki-cho nightlife neighborhood of Tokyo, Shinjuku Triad Society follows a mixed-race cop (Kippei Shiina, Outrage) struggling with private issues...
After several years spent working almost exclusively in the direct-to-video world of “V-cinema” in Japan, Takashi Miike announced himself as a world-class filmmaking talent with this trio of thematically-connected, character-centric crime stories about violence, the underworld of Japanese society, families both real and surrogate, and the possibly hopeless task of finding one’s place in the world. His first films made specifically for theatrical release, and his first for a major studio, the Black Society Trilogy was the beginning of Miike’s mature career as a filmmaker and they remain among the prolific director’s finest works.
Set in the bustling Kabuki-cho nightlife neighborhood of Tokyo, Shinjuku Triad Society follows a mixed-race cop (Kippei Shiina, Outrage) struggling with private issues...
- 1/13/2017
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Production has started on John Woo’s highly-anticipated action thriller Manhunt, starring Zhang Hanyu and Masaharu Fukuyama, in Osaka, Japan.
Korean actress Ha Ji-won and Chinese actress Qi Wei have also joined the cast of the $40m film, produced by Gordon Chan and Chan Hing-kai and backed by Hong Kong’s Media Asia.
The film’s ensemble cast also includes veteran and upcoming Japanese actors such as Yasuaki Kurata, Jun Kunimura, Hiroyuki Ikeuchi, Nanami Sakuraba, Naoto Takenaka and Tao Okamoto.
Japanese crew have also been tapped for the film, including art director Yohei Taneda and cinematographer Takuro Ishizaka.
The cast and crew held a traditional Japanese kagami biraki ceremony to mark the start of production, also attended by local government officials. Osaka prefecture and the Japanese rail transit corporation are both supporting the shooting of the film.
Based on a novel by Juko Nishimura, about a lawyer wrongly accused of murder, the project...
Korean actress Ha Ji-won and Chinese actress Qi Wei have also joined the cast of the $40m film, produced by Gordon Chan and Chan Hing-kai and backed by Hong Kong’s Media Asia.
The film’s ensemble cast also includes veteran and upcoming Japanese actors such as Yasuaki Kurata, Jun Kunimura, Hiroyuki Ikeuchi, Nanami Sakuraba, Naoto Takenaka and Tao Okamoto.
Japanese crew have also been tapped for the film, including art director Yohei Taneda and cinematographer Takuro Ishizaka.
The cast and crew held a traditional Japanese kagami biraki ceremony to mark the start of production, also attended by local government officials. Osaka prefecture and the Japanese rail transit corporation are both supporting the shooting of the film.
Based on a novel by Juko Nishimura, about a lawyer wrongly accused of murder, the project...
- 6/20/2016
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
First Pond Entertainment has acquired North American distribution rights to "Tenshin," a biopic on the life of Japanese artist Okakura "Tenshin" Kakuzo. Also following the announcement is the release of the first exclusive poster for the film, featuring a painterly vision of the legendary artist. Read More: Meet the 2013 SXSW Filmmakers #15: Junya Sakino Explores Social Issues Through Comedy in Sake-Bomb "Tenshin" follows Kakuzo as he works to establish himself as a revolutionary voice in the Japanese art world. Starring Shido Nakamura and Naoto Takenaka, the film promises a close consideration of the life of a great artist whose modern artistic flourishes continue to inform Japanese art. First Pond Entertainment recently released "Man From Reno," "Sake-Bomb" and "Patang." They will release "Tenshin" this winter. See the elegant poster above. Read More: Laff Review: Pepe Serna is a...
- 10/15/2015
- by Aubrey Page
- Indiewire
Stars: Kenji Sawada, Keiko Matsuzaka, Shinji Takeda, Naomi Nishida, Kiyoshirô Imawano, Tetsurô Tanba, Naoto Takenaka, Tamaki Miyazaki, Takashi Matsuzaki | Written by Ai Kennedy, Kikumi Yamagishi | Directed by Takashi Miike
Being a Takashi Miike fan takes you down some strange roads. Whether it is the extreme Ichi the Killer and Visitor Q, or the fun Crow Zero movies there is always something a little off about all of his movies. One of the strangest to come from him has to be The Happiness of the Katakuris, a musical about happiness, family and death which is out now from Arrow Video…
When the Katakuri family build a bed and breakfast in the country, they do so on the promise of a new road being built close to it to provide them with plenty of customers. When the road doesn’t appear though they start to wonder if they are cursed to fail.
Being a Takashi Miike fan takes you down some strange roads. Whether it is the extreme Ichi the Killer and Visitor Q, or the fun Crow Zero movies there is always something a little off about all of his movies. One of the strangest to come from him has to be The Happiness of the Katakuris, a musical about happiness, family and death which is out now from Arrow Video…
When the Katakuri family build a bed and breakfast in the country, they do so on the promise of a new road being built close to it to provide them with plenty of customers. When the road doesn’t appear though they start to wonder if they are cursed to fail.
- 6/22/2015
- by Paul Metcalf
- Nerdly
Apparently there’s no accounting for taste; The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 is leading the pack in Blu-Ray pre-sales this week, closely followed by Taken 2 and Skyfall. After a lengthy run, The Dark Knight Rises has fallen to number 12 on the bestselling Blu-Ray sales charts and it will be sorely missed (thankfully I already own the film and you should too).
This week, Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña star as two boys in blue in End of Watch, a classic samurai film gets a reboot, and a little-known Sherlock Holmes film finally arrives on Blu-Ray.
Ready for this week’s picks? Then read on.
End of Watch
Release Date: January 22nd, 2013
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Peña, Anna Kendrick, America Ferrera, Frank Grillo, and Natalie Martinez.
Director: David Ayer
An American thriller drama film written and directed by David Ayer ( who also wrote Training Day and The Fast and the Furious...
This week, Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña star as two boys in blue in End of Watch, a classic samurai film gets a reboot, and a little-known Sherlock Holmes film finally arrives on Blu-Ray.
Ready for this week’s picks? Then read on.
End of Watch
Release Date: January 22nd, 2013
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Peña, Anna Kendrick, America Ferrera, Frank Grillo, and Natalie Martinez.
Director: David Ayer
An American thriller drama film written and directed by David Ayer ( who also wrote Training Day and The Fast and the Furious...
- 1/18/2013
- by C.P. Howells
- We Got This Covered
Days before the box office behemoth finally opens in Japan, three prominent leaders of Marvel's The Avengers movie assembled for the island nation's big red carpet premiere today. Marvel Studios head honcho Kevin Feige, writer-director Joss Whedon, and the actor behind S.H.I.E.L.D. Director Nick Fury, Samuel L. Jackson all attended the event. Others that attended, who you may not recognize, include actor Naoto Takenaka and actress Ryoko Yonekura, the Japanese dubbed voices behind Nick Fury and Black Widow. Check out vids and pics! Marvel Studios presents in association with Paramount Pictures “Marvel’s The Avengers”--the super hero team up of a lifetime, featuring iconic Marvel super heroes Iron Man, the Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye and Black Widow. When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, Director of the international peacekeeping agency known...
- 8/14/2012
- ComicBookMovie.com
Hara-Kiri Death of a Samurai Trailer. Takashi Miike‘s Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai (2011) movie trailer stars Kôji Yakusho, Eita, Naoto Takenaka, Hikari Mitsushima, and Ebizô Ichikawa. Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai‘s plot synopsis: “From visionary auteur Takashi Miike (13 Assassins) comes the story of a mysterious samurai who arrives at the doorstep of his [...]
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Continue reading: Hara-kiri: Death Of A Samurai (2011) Movie Trailer: Takashi Miike...
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Continue reading: Hara-kiri: Death Of A Samurai (2011) Movie Trailer: Takashi Miike...
- 6/27/2012
- by Rollo Tomasi
- Film-Book
On Monday it was announced that Sho Sakurai and Keiko Kitagawa will be starring in a movie version of Fuji TV’s Nazotoki wa Dinner no Ato de, a 10-episode TV drama which aired from October-December last year.
Based on a best-selling novel by Tokuya Higashigawa, the drama starred Kitagawa as an ultra rich heiress named Reiko Hosho who hid her status to work as a rookie police officer by day. Sakurai played her perfectionist butler Kageyama who offered helpful advice delivered with his own unique brand of brutal honesty.
The movie version will be largely the same, just on a larger scale. Shooting will take place mostly aboard the “SuperStar Virgo”, the largest luxury liner in Asia.
In the movie, Reiko boards her family’s luxury cruise ship, the “Princess Reiko”, along with Kageyama and embarks on a vacation to Singapore. While on-board, a murder occurs and the two...
Based on a best-selling novel by Tokuya Higashigawa, the drama starred Kitagawa as an ultra rich heiress named Reiko Hosho who hid her status to work as a rookie police officer by day. Sakurai played her perfectionist butler Kageyama who offered helpful advice delivered with his own unique brand of brutal honesty.
The movie version will be largely the same, just on a larger scale. Shooting will take place mostly aboard the “SuperStar Virgo”, the largest luxury liner in Asia.
In the movie, Reiko boards her family’s luxury cruise ship, the “Princess Reiko”, along with Kageyama and embarks on a vacation to Singapore. While on-board, a murder occurs and the two...
- 6/4/2012
- Nippon Cinema
Directed by: Noboru Iguchi, Yoshihiro Nishimura, Tak Sakaguchi
Written by: Jun Tsugita
Starring: Yumi Sugimoto, Naoto Takenaka, Tak Sakaguchi, Yuko Takayama
The delightfully insane Mutant Girls Squad is the latest frenetic experience in the Japanese splatter movement.
It brings together three of the most famous filmmakers in this inexplicable subgenre for the first time. Directors Noboru Iguchi (The Machine Girl), Yoshihiro Nishimura (Vampire Girl vs. Frankenstein Girl) and Tak Sakaguchi (Samurai Zombie) have created a very wet, very funny body horror tale that is being touted as a spoof of the X-Men films. While there are a few similarities to that comic book franchise, Mutant Girls Squad is a decidedly different monster.
Rin (Yumi Sugimoto) is a timid teenager who is savagely bullied at school. Upon her 16th birthday, she discovers that she’s the progeny of a half-human, half-mutant union. This would explain why her right hand can morph...
Written by: Jun Tsugita
Starring: Yumi Sugimoto, Naoto Takenaka, Tak Sakaguchi, Yuko Takayama
The delightfully insane Mutant Girls Squad is the latest frenetic experience in the Japanese splatter movement.
It brings together three of the most famous filmmakers in this inexplicable subgenre for the first time. Directors Noboru Iguchi (The Machine Girl), Yoshihiro Nishimura (Vampire Girl vs. Frankenstein Girl) and Tak Sakaguchi (Samurai Zombie) have created a very wet, very funny body horror tale that is being touted as a spoof of the X-Men films. While there are a few similarities to that comic book franchise, Mutant Girls Squad is a decidedly different monster.
Rin (Yumi Sugimoto) is a timid teenager who is savagely bullied at school. Upon her 16th birthday, she discovers that she’s the progeny of a half-human, half-mutant union. This would explain why her right hand can morph...
- 5/29/2012
- by Bradley Harding
- Planet Fury
We’re back with the latest installment of our Indie Spotlight. Today’s feature includes a write-up and interview from Kristian Hanson’s visit to the Dead Inside premiere:
Mega Shark vs Mecha Shark Announced: The Asylum officially announced the third film in their Mega Shark series:
“The Asylum has officially greenlit production on Mega Shark Vs. Mecha Shark, a much anticipated third installment in the ‘Mega Shark’ franchise, following Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus in 2009 and Mega Shark vs. Crocosaurus in 2010. When Mega Shark returns in this all-new feature film, the government releases the top-secret Mecha Shark to defeat the franchise’s popular monster in a fierce battle that threatens the planet.
‘The fan response to the Mega Shark franchise has been rabid,’ said The Asylum partner Paul Bales. ‘In addition to a very persuasive online petition, we found that Mega Shark has taken on a life of her own.
Mega Shark vs Mecha Shark Announced: The Asylum officially announced the third film in their Mega Shark series:
“The Asylum has officially greenlit production on Mega Shark Vs. Mecha Shark, a much anticipated third installment in the ‘Mega Shark’ franchise, following Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus in 2009 and Mega Shark vs. Crocosaurus in 2010. When Mega Shark returns in this all-new feature film, the government releases the top-secret Mecha Shark to defeat the franchise’s popular monster in a fierce battle that threatens the planet.
‘The fan response to the Mega Shark franchise has been rabid,’ said The Asylum partner Paul Bales. ‘In addition to a very persuasive online petition, we found that Mega Shark has taken on a life of her own.
- 3/25/2012
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
By MoreHorror.com
Hailed by the creators as the splatter-ific, kick-tastic, raunchy riff on the X-Men Movies, Mutant Girls Squad debuts on Blu-ray™ + DVD Combo Pack and DVD May 22nd. Bonus materials include featurettes, interviews with the filmmakers and the short film Yoshi Zero. Check out all the details below as well as the trailer.
Three leaders in the Japanese splatter movement -- Noboru Iguchi (The Machine Girl), Yoshihiro Nishimura (Tokyo Gore Police) and Tak Sakaguchi (Yoroi: Samurai Zombie) -- join forces to bring three times the heart-pounding action, three times the jaw-dropping comedy and three times the head-exploding splatter of your average action/horror/comedy with Mutant Girls Squad, debuting on Blu-ray™ + DVD Combo Pack and DVD May 22nd from Well Go USA Entertainment.
A soon-to-be cult film from the prolific Japanese cult film label Sushi Typhoon, Mutant Girls Squad is touted as a warped version of X-men, adapted into the violent,...
Hailed by the creators as the splatter-ific, kick-tastic, raunchy riff on the X-Men Movies, Mutant Girls Squad debuts on Blu-ray™ + DVD Combo Pack and DVD May 22nd. Bonus materials include featurettes, interviews with the filmmakers and the short film Yoshi Zero. Check out all the details below as well as the trailer.
Three leaders in the Japanese splatter movement -- Noboru Iguchi (The Machine Girl), Yoshihiro Nishimura (Tokyo Gore Police) and Tak Sakaguchi (Yoroi: Samurai Zombie) -- join forces to bring three times the heart-pounding action, three times the jaw-dropping comedy and three times the head-exploding splatter of your average action/horror/comedy with Mutant Girls Squad, debuting on Blu-ray™ + DVD Combo Pack and DVD May 22nd from Well Go USA Entertainment.
A soon-to-be cult film from the prolific Japanese cult film label Sushi Typhoon, Mutant Girls Squad is touted as a warped version of X-men, adapted into the violent,...
- 3/20/2012
- by admin
- MoreHorror
Fans of high flying spurts of arterial spray will be jazzed to learn that thanks to Well Go USA they'll soon be able to enjoy every splattery good drop of red in glorious 1080p!
From the Press Release
Three leaders in the Japanese splatter movement -- Noboru Iguchi (The Machine Girl), Yoshihiro Nishimura (Tokyo Gore Police) and Tak Sakaguchi (Yoroi: Samurai Zombie) -- join forces to bring three times the heart-pounding action, three times the jaw-dropping comedy and three times the head-exploding splatter of your average action/horror/comedy with Mutant Girls Squad, debuting on Blu-ray™ + DVD Combo Pack and DVD May 22nd from Well Go USA Entertainment.
A soon-to-be cult film from the prolific Japanese cult film label Sushi Typhoon, Mutant Girls Squad is touted as a warped version of X-men, adapted into the violent, body-horror-filled universe of the three directors. Mutant Girls Squad focuses on Rin, a beautiful...
From the Press Release
Three leaders in the Japanese splatter movement -- Noboru Iguchi (The Machine Girl), Yoshihiro Nishimura (Tokyo Gore Police) and Tak Sakaguchi (Yoroi: Samurai Zombie) -- join forces to bring three times the heart-pounding action, three times the jaw-dropping comedy and three times the head-exploding splatter of your average action/horror/comedy with Mutant Girls Squad, debuting on Blu-ray™ + DVD Combo Pack and DVD May 22nd from Well Go USA Entertainment.
A soon-to-be cult film from the prolific Japanese cult film label Sushi Typhoon, Mutant Girls Squad is touted as a warped version of X-men, adapted into the violent, body-horror-filled universe of the three directors. Mutant Girls Squad focuses on Rin, a beautiful...
- 3/19/2012
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Directors: Noboru Iguchi, Yoshihiro Nishimura and Tak Sakaguchi.
Writers: Noboru Iguchi (story), and Jun Tsugita (screenplay).
Cast: Naoto Takenaka, Yumi Sugimoto, Yûko Takayama and Suzuka Morita.
The people behind Sushi Typhoon are at "it" again, and this time the directorial team of Noboru Iguchi, Yoshihiro Nishimura and Tak Sakaguchi created a product that's more digestible. Instead of one attractive female lead, there are three, and each director handled a segment of this movie. After a Charlie's Angel style introduction, this movie moves back in time to show how the Mutant Girls Squad formed.
Rin (Yumi Sugimoto) is an unassuming teen who is simply being bullied at school. After she celebrates her 16th birthday, her parents reveal that she is a mutant, a Hiruko that can manifest body armour or extra body parts. Her father is pure stock and mother a human, and that can lead to some interesting results when puberty almost changes her.
Writers: Noboru Iguchi (story), and Jun Tsugita (screenplay).
Cast: Naoto Takenaka, Yumi Sugimoto, Yûko Takayama and Suzuka Morita.
The people behind Sushi Typhoon are at "it" again, and this time the directorial team of Noboru Iguchi, Yoshihiro Nishimura and Tak Sakaguchi created a product that's more digestible. Instead of one attractive female lead, there are three, and each director handled a segment of this movie. After a Charlie's Angel style introduction, this movie moves back in time to show how the Mutant Girls Squad formed.
Rin (Yumi Sugimoto) is an unassuming teen who is simply being bullied at school. After she celebrates her 16th birthday, her parents reveal that she is a mutant, a Hiruko that can manifest body armour or extra body parts. Her father is pure stock and mother a human, and that can lead to some interesting results when puberty almost changes her.
- 2/6/2012
- by noreply@blogger.com (Ed Sum)
- 28 Days Later Analysis
★★☆☆☆ Takashi Miike's Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai (Ichimei, 2011) - starring Kôji Yakusho, Naoto Takenaka and Hikari Mitsushima - can best be described as troublesome; a remake (based on Masaki Kobayashi Harakiri [1962]) that is full of potential, yet ultimately fails to deliver. The plot is your usual fair of revenge and honour that focuses on a struggling samurai who discovers that his son-in-law has committed ritual suicide, leading to him acting out his revenge upon the feudal lord who allowed his death.
The act of seppuku (harakiri) is one that has fascinated Western minds due to its extreme dedication to the concept of retaining honour to the point of death. The problem with Miike's Hara-Kiri is that rather than tackling the concept in a interesting way, Miike puts his audience through an initial, overly-grotesque scene of suicide involving a bamboo sword, that lasts approximately ten minutes. The violence goes beyond...
The act of seppuku (harakiri) is one that has fascinated Western minds due to its extreme dedication to the concept of retaining honour to the point of death. The problem with Miike's Hara-Kiri is that rather than tackling the concept in a interesting way, Miike puts his audience through an initial, overly-grotesque scene of suicide involving a bamboo sword, that lasts approximately ten minutes. The violence goes beyond...
- 10/22/2011
- by Daniel Green
- CineVue
This is the Pure Movies review of Hara Kiri: Death of a Samurai, directed by Takashi Miike and starring Kôji Yakusho, Naoto Takenaka and Hikari Mitsushima screening at the 55th London Film Festival. Reviewed by Richard Parkin for @puremovies. The title of this film is misleading. Yes, there is death. Yes, there are samurai. Well ok, I guess it isn’t that misleading. But surely the title implies a certain amount of fighting – of bloody gory, kick-ass samurai fighting? You may have guessed from the tone that, no, it doesn’t. Instead Takashi Miike’s latest outing is a long, drawn out expedition into the proud world of ritual suicides and the life of destitute, unnecessary samurai in a time of peace. From the director of 13 Assassins and Ichi the Killer this is a considerable shift towards a tenser, more dramatic affair.
- 10/19/2011
- by Richard Parkin
- Pure Movies
Awesome news for fans of these so-called Sushi Typhoon films. Well Go USA has released a press note saying they’ve acquired the distribution rights to release Mutant Girls Squad, Helldriver (review here), Karate-Robo Zaorgar, and more to DVD this Fall.
It looks like fans of crazy, bloody, Japanese films will be plenty excited.
Well Go USA has acquired DVD, Digital, VOD and Television rights for the North American market to Mutant Girls Squad, Helldriver, Yakuza Weapon, Deadball and Karate-Robo Zaborgar from Nikkatsu Corporation’s leading genre film label, The Sushi Typhoon. Launched in 2010, The Sushi Typhoon was created by Producer Yoshinori Chiba and aims to bring the best talent from Japanese cult cinema to worldwide audiences. Well Go plans to make its initial rollout on VOD, DVD and Blu-ray starting in fall 2011.
“We are very excited to have secured rights to these ‘neo action gore’ titles, a genre which...
It looks like fans of crazy, bloody, Japanese films will be plenty excited.
Well Go USA has acquired DVD, Digital, VOD and Television rights for the North American market to Mutant Girls Squad, Helldriver, Yakuza Weapon, Deadball and Karate-Robo Zaborgar from Nikkatsu Corporation’s leading genre film label, The Sushi Typhoon. Launched in 2010, The Sushi Typhoon was created by Producer Yoshinori Chiba and aims to bring the best talent from Japanese cult cinema to worldwide audiences. Well Go plans to make its initial rollout on VOD, DVD and Blu-ray starting in fall 2011.
“We are very excited to have secured rights to these ‘neo action gore’ titles, a genre which...
- 7/19/2011
- by Jon Peters
- Killer Films
Well Go USA are quickly becoming one of my favorite distribution companies, with releases such as Man From Nowehere and Ip Man 2 kicking all kinds of ass. Now they have picked up the rights to five Sushi Typhoon flicks. Helldriver, Deadball, Mutant Girl Squad, Yakuza Weapon and Karate-Robo Zaborgar will be coming to VOD, DVD and Blu-ray starting in the Fall this year.
Well Go USA Acquires North American Distribution Rights
To Five Films From The Sushi Typhoon Label
Mutant Girls Squad, Helldriver, Yakuza Weapon,
Deadball and Karate-Robo Zaborgar
Plano, Texas. (July 18, 2011) — Well Go USA has acquired DVD, Digital, VOD and Television rights for the North American market to Mutant Girls Squad, Helldriver, Yakuza Weapon,
Deadball and Karate-Robo Zaborgar from Nikkatsu Corporation’s leading genre film label, The Sushi Typhoon. Launched in 2010, The Sushi Typhoon was created by Producer Yoshinori Chiba and aims to bring the best talent from Japanese cult cinema to worldwide audiences.
Well Go USA Acquires North American Distribution Rights
To Five Films From The Sushi Typhoon Label
Mutant Girls Squad, Helldriver, Yakuza Weapon,
Deadball and Karate-Robo Zaborgar
Plano, Texas. (July 18, 2011) — Well Go USA has acquired DVD, Digital, VOD and Television rights for the North American market to Mutant Girls Squad, Helldriver, Yakuza Weapon,
Deadball and Karate-Robo Zaborgar from Nikkatsu Corporation’s leading genre film label, The Sushi Typhoon. Launched in 2010, The Sushi Typhoon was created by Producer Yoshinori Chiba and aims to bring the best talent from Japanese cult cinema to worldwide audiences.
- 7/19/2011
- by Jude
- The Liberal Dead
Citing the growth potential and rabid fanbase, Well Go USA has nabbed the rights to five titles from Nikkatsu Corporation's Sushi Typhoon label. Well Go USA is now the proud owner of Mutant Girls Squad, Helldriver, Yakuza Weapon, Deadball and Karate-Robo Zaborgar. A thorough and descriptive list to say the least.
Varying from hilarious comedy to splatterific violence, the one common thread of all these films is going over-the-top for the sake of entertainment. And isn't that what we really want? Explode that head! Let's see some arterial spray! Bring it on! Stay tuned as Well Go will begin rolling out these titles beginning in the fall of 2011. You've been warned.
From the Press Release
Well Go USA has acquired DVD, Digital, VOD and Television rights for the North American market to Mutant Girls Squad, Helldriver, Yakuza Weapon, Deadball and Karate-Robo Zaborgar from Nikkatsu Corporation’s leading genre film label,...
Varying from hilarious comedy to splatterific violence, the one common thread of all these films is going over-the-top for the sake of entertainment. And isn't that what we really want? Explode that head! Let's see some arterial spray! Bring it on! Stay tuned as Well Go will begin rolling out these titles beginning in the fall of 2011. You've been warned.
From the Press Release
Well Go USA has acquired DVD, Digital, VOD and Television rights for the North American market to Mutant Girls Squad, Helldriver, Yakuza Weapon, Deadball and Karate-Robo Zaborgar from Nikkatsu Corporation’s leading genre film label,...
- 7/19/2011
- by Doctor Gash
- DreadCentral.com
Noboru Iguchi's Karate Robo Zaborgar continues to roll out around the world and as it does we've been passed a closer look at three of the film's key characters.To the left you'll find Akira Emoto as evil mastermind Dr Akunomiya. You can tell he's evil because of the strange metal protuberance strapped around his waste. That can't be good.Also included in the updated gallery below are shots of Mami Yamasaki as Miss Borg - also evil - and Naoto Takenaka sported a bushy mustache as Dr Daimon.Karate-robo Zaborgar had its World Premiere at the International Film Festival of Rotterdam on January 28th. It'll have its Japanese premiere at the Okinawa International Movie Festival on March 25th, and then its North American premiere at the...
- 3/10/2011
- Screen Anarchy
Sushi Typhoon, the company behind films such as Alien vs. Ninja and Helldriver, are back with their latest magnum-opus, Karate-Robo Zaborgar – and they’ve unleashed a whopping 14 images, including the one-sheet teaser poster, from the film!
Part Motorcycle, Part Karate Expert, All Robot! When The Safety Of The World Is At Stake, Zaborgar Will Save The Day!
Following the death of his scientist father, secret police officer Yutaka Daimon inherits a mighty robot warrior named “Zaborgar.” Equipped with an array of super weapons, an expertise in karate, and the power to transform into a motorcycle, Zaborgar assists Daimon in his fight against Sigma, the evil organization responsible for his father’s death.
After uncovering a plot by Sigma to steal the DNA of Japanese politicians and use it in a giant robot weapon, Daimon faces off against Miss Borg, a beautiful female robot under the control of Dr. Akunomiya, the twisted leader of Sigma.
Part Motorcycle, Part Karate Expert, All Robot! When The Safety Of The World Is At Stake, Zaborgar Will Save The Day!
Following the death of his scientist father, secret police officer Yutaka Daimon inherits a mighty robot warrior named “Zaborgar.” Equipped with an array of super weapons, an expertise in karate, and the power to transform into a motorcycle, Zaborgar assists Daimon in his fight against Sigma, the evil organization responsible for his father’s death.
After uncovering a plot by Sigma to steal the DNA of Japanese politicians and use it in a giant robot weapon, Daimon faces off against Miss Borg, a beautiful female robot under the control of Dr. Akunomiya, the twisted leader of Sigma.
- 1/7/2011
- by Phil
- Nerdly
Followers of Sushi Typhoon on Twitter have known for a while now that Noboru Iguchi (The Machine Girl, RoboGeisha) has been hard at work on a new film adaptation of the 1970s tokusatsu television series “Denjin Zaborgar”, but the project wasn’t officially/fully announced in Japan until earlier today when more details were revealed.
The original series captured the imaginations of children by featuring a robot which was able to transform into a motorcycle, essentially inspiring all the robot transformation shows that followed—either directly or indirectly. The film version stars popular comedian and actor Itsuji Itao as the robot’s owner, Yutaka Daimon.
Daimon inherits a robot warrior called “Zaborgar” from his deceased father which obeys only his commands and uses it to fight against a secret evil organization called Sigma. He struggles to preserve the peace by utilizing his own hand-to-hand fighting ability along with Zaborgar’s...
The original series captured the imaginations of children by featuring a robot which was able to transform into a motorcycle, essentially inspiring all the robot transformation shows that followed—either directly or indirectly. The film version stars popular comedian and actor Itsuji Itao as the robot’s owner, Yutaka Daimon.
Daimon inherits a robot warrior called “Zaborgar” from his deceased father which obeys only his commands and uses it to fight against a secret evil organization called Sigma. He struggles to preserve the peace by utilizing his own hand-to-hand fighting ability along with Zaborgar’s...
- 6/11/2010
- Nippon Cinema
It’s time for some DVD love so let’s stop talking about nothing and talk about a show that’s about nothing:
Grab ‘Em Right Away
Curb Your Entusiasm: The Seventh Season
Created by: Larry David
Starring: Larry David, Cheryl Hines, Jeff Garlin, Jerry Seinfeld, Jason Alexander, Julia Louis Dreyfus & Michael Richards
Why should you buy this? Because it’s the funniest season of this show since they did The Producers season with Mel Brooks. This is a show that’s always been hit-or-miss for me. But when it’s funny it’s side-splittingly hilarious. With Larry David dealing with bringing NBC a Seinfeld reunion episode (a show he and Jerry Seinfeld created together in real life) it’s insane how referential they can get when they want to be. They even reference Michael Richards’ heckling incident that occurred a couple years ago. If you like this show or...
Grab ‘Em Right Away
Curb Your Entusiasm: The Seventh Season
Created by: Larry David
Starring: Larry David, Cheryl Hines, Jeff Garlin, Jerry Seinfeld, Jason Alexander, Julia Louis Dreyfus & Michael Richards
Why should you buy this? Because it’s the funniest season of this show since they did The Producers season with Mel Brooks. This is a show that’s always been hit-or-miss for me. But when it’s funny it’s side-splittingly hilarious. With Larry David dealing with bringing NBC a Seinfeld reunion episode (a show he and Jerry Seinfeld created together in real life) it’s insane how referential they can get when they want to be. They even reference Michael Richards’ heckling incident that occurred a couple years ago. If you like this show or...
- 6/8/2010
- by Andrew Robinson
- The Film Stage
They work fast in Japan. We've given a lot of time and attention to Japanese multi-director cult flick Mutant Girls Squad in these pages and while that film has just released in Japan and will be receiving its International Premiere later this month at the New York Asian Film Festival, the three directors behind Mgs are already hard at work on other projects.
Tak Sakaguchi is currently shooting Yakuza Weapon with co-director Yudai Yamaguchi. Yoshihiro Nishimura is wrapping up photography on his zombie driving movie Helldriver. And farthest along is Noboru Iguchi, the director of Machine Girl and Robogeisha, who wrapped principal photography on Zaborgar last month and is currently editing the film with the goal of a mid-fall completion.
Iguchi's highest-budgeted film to date, Zaborgar is a live action adaptation of classic television series Denjin Zaborgar which should allow Iguchi to explore some new territory.
Tokyo-based filmmaker (The Idol...
Tak Sakaguchi is currently shooting Yakuza Weapon with co-director Yudai Yamaguchi. Yoshihiro Nishimura is wrapping up photography on his zombie driving movie Helldriver. And farthest along is Noboru Iguchi, the director of Machine Girl and Robogeisha, who wrapped principal photography on Zaborgar last month and is currently editing the film with the goal of a mid-fall completion.
Iguchi's highest-budgeted film to date, Zaborgar is a live action adaptation of classic television series Denjin Zaborgar which should allow Iguchi to explore some new territory.
Tokyo-based filmmaker (The Idol...
- 6/3/2010
- Screen Anarchy
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