The 28th Tokyo International Film Festival Unveil "THE WORLD OF GUNDAM" Lineup

We are pleased to announce that following on the heels of the acclaimed special program of the last year, “The World of Hideaki Anno”, this year’s Tokyo International Film Festival will continue to feature the revolutionary Japanese anime series, Mobile Suit Gundam as a special program “The World of Gundam”. With this special screening of Gundam, a monumental work of robot animation that ran for 36 years and has been shown in more than 25 countries and region, the secrets of one of Japan’s most successful anime franchises will be unveiled.

Mobile Suit Gundam was first released in 1979. The Japanese animation studio Nippon Sunrise (currently SUNRISE Inc.) and director Yoshiyuki Tomino created an epic tale of a universe in which an era of cosmic battles is expanding and a group of young people joins in the terrific mobile suit robot war.

At the time, there were no other robot animation works in which the artists and creators drew on hard science. This work has amazed TV viewers and industry professionals alike with its dynamic realism. After the first episode, Gundam, the story passed through the hands of a variety of creators to produce a many series that have spanned generations and truly resonated with fans. It is popular in both Japan and abroad, and has greatly influenced many Hollywood directors, including Guillermo del Toro.

What sets Mobile Suite Gundam apart from other robot animation works is that it has produced a number of hits and movements in the animation world through multi-genre collaboration. The total volume of sales of GUNPLA (Gundam Plastic Model) products released since the beginning of the franchise is approximately 445 million units.

The entire Gundam series, starting with the memorable first theatrical-released film, Mobile Suit Gundam, will be shown during this year’s festival all at once. This presents a unique opportunity for audience to take in the full glory of the Gundam universe. In addition, the full CG animation film created by director Yoshiyuki Tomino, Ring of Gundam—produced in 2009 to celebrate the Gundam thirtieth anniversary— will also be presented. Fans both old and new of the Gundam universe can expect a must-see lineup. Related talk events will be announced sequentially on the TIFF website.

The 28th Tokyo International Film Festival will be held from October 22 to 31, 2015 at Roppongi Hills, Shinjuku WALD9, Shinjuku Piccadilly, TOHO CINEMAS SHINJUKU and other venues in Tokyo.

FILMS: 26 films will be screened in the program of “THE WORLD OF GUNDAM”, including TV, theatrical animation and short films. Screening schedules will be announced sequentially on the TIFF website. 

・MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM (1981)

・MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM II SOLDIERS OF SORROW (1981) ・MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM III ENCOUNTERS IN SPACE (1982) ・MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM CHAR'S COUNTERATTACK (1988) ・MOBILE SUIT SD GUNDAM (1988) ・MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM F91 (1991) ・MUSHA KNIGHT COMMANDO: SD GUNDAM SCRAMBLE (1991) ・MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM: THE 08TH MS TEAM MILLER'S REPORT (1998) ・NEW MOBILE REPORT GUNDAM WING ENDLESS WALTZ SPECIAL EDITION (1998) ・TURN A GUNDAM I EARTH LIGHT (2002) ・TURN A GUNDAM II MOON BUTTERFLY (2002) ・GUNDAM EVOLVE../7 XXXG-00W0 WING GUNDAM ZERO (2004) ・MOBILE SUIT Z GUNDAM A NEW TRANSLATION – HEIRS TO THE STARS (2005) ・MOBILE SUIT Z GUNDAM A NEW TRANSLATION – LOVERS (2005)

・MOBILE SUIT Z GUNDAM A NEW TRANSLATION – LOVE IS THE PULSE OF THE STARS (2006) ・RING OF GUNDAM (2009)

・MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM 00 THE MOVIE -A WAKENING OF THE TRAILBLAZER- (2010) ・MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM UNICORN episode1 DAY OF THE UNICORN (2010) ・MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM UNICORN episode 2 THE SECOND COMING OF CHAR (2010) ・MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM UNICORN episode 3 THE GHOST OF LAPLACE (2011) ・MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM UNICORN episode 4 AT THE BOTTOM OF THE GRAVITY WELL (2011) ・MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM UNICORN episode 5 BLACK UNICORN (2012)

・MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM UNICORN episode 6 TWO WORLDS, TWO TOMORROWS (2013) ・MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM UNICORN episode 7 OVER THE RAINBOW (2014) ・GUNDAM RECONGUISTA IN G (2014)

・MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM: THE ORIGIN I BLUE-EYED CASVAL (2015)

28th Tokyo International Film Festival

DATE: October 22 (Thu) – 31 (Sat), 2015 http://tiff-jp.net/en/

FINAL RANMA 1/2 HOME MEDIA INSTALLMENT

The final home media installment of the celebrated gender-bending martial arts action comedy based on the popular manga series created by Rumiko Takahashi as it announces the release of RANMA ½ Set 7.

VIZ Media has released the entire gender-bending martial arts action comedy in its original Japanese series order across seven Limited Edition Blu-ray and Standard Edition DVD Box Sets. RANMA ½ is rated TV-14 and is based on the popular manga series originally created by Rumiko Takahashi.

The RANMA ½ Limited Edition Blu-ray Box Set 7 carries an MSRP of $54.97 U.S. / $63.99 CAN. The final set of the series contains Episodes 139-161 on 3 discs, presented in full 1080p high-definition resolution with the series’ original, uncropped 4:3 aspect ratio. Subtitled and English dubbed dialogue options are available. The Blu-ray edition also contains a full color art card and a 32-page booklet with individual episode summaries.

Blu-ray bonus features include clean openings and endings as well as series trailers and the concluding installment of “We Love Ranma Part 8 - We Love Rumiko Takahasi.” The set comes in a gorgeously illustrated chipboard box with embossed foil stamping.

The RANMA ½ Standard Edition DVD Set 7 also features the final 23 episodes with the original, uncropped 4:3 aspect ratio, with bonus features that include clean openings and endings and trailers. Subtitled and English dubbed dialogue options are available. The Standard Edition DVD set is available with an MSRP of $44.82 U.S. / $51.99 CAN.

The madcap days of martial arts mayhem comes to a thrilling conclusion in the final set of RANMA ½! Ranma is challenged by Ryoga to fight yet again, but this time he is completely defeated by Ryoga's new technique, the "Lion's-Roar Blast." It is said that the more miserable the user, the stronger the technique becomes - does Ranma have a chance against the tragic Ryoga?! Then, Ranma must master martial arts cheerleading, but in order to win, he is going to have to cheer up Upperclassman Kuno! Finally, Ranma's mother at last comes to the Tendo Dojo, but why is Genma doing everything he can to stop Ranma from meeting her? Akane feels sorry for Ranma, who barely remembers his own mother, and forms a plan to bring them together. 

Aniplex of America Release Persona3 THE MOVIE 3 Falling Down (IMPORT)

Fans of the cult classic JRPG, Shin Megami Tensei: Persona3 can get ready to fire up their Evokers again! Aniplex of America made an announcement today at their industry panel at Nan Desu Kan (Denver, CO) regarding their plans to distribute the import Blu-rays of Shin Megami Tensei: Persona3 THE MOVIE #3 Falling Down starting January 20th of next year. Pre-orders will begin on their official site (AniplexUSA.com/p3m) on Tuesday September 8 In the third film of this movie franchise, the protagonist, Makoto Yuki, and his teammates of the Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad (SEES) are nearing their final battle against the vicious Shadows and finally bringing an end to the Dark Hour. As they engage in countless battles, each SEES member must face what it is that they all are fighting for. The Shin Megami Tensei: Persona3 THE MOVIE #3 Falling Down (IMPORT) will be distributed in limited quantities and both the collector’s and standard editions will be sold only while supplies last.

VIZ MEDIA & Eleven Arts Announce Canadian Theatrical Dates For BORUTO: NARUTO THE MOVIE

VIZ Media announces the expansion of its partnership with Los Angeles-based film distribution company ELEVEN ARTS to premiere BORUTO: NARUTO THE MOVIE in a series of exclusive theatrical engagements. In addition to a big-screen debut in over 80 U.S. cities, Canadian fans also will have a very special opportunity to catch the premiere in 9 major cities, including Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and more beginning on October 10th!

Featuring the son of the world’s most popular ninja, BORUTO: NARUTO THE MOVIE is executive produced by Masashi Kishimoto, the famed creator of the epic bestselling manga series (also published by VIZ Media) on which the film’s characters are based. BORUTO: NARUTO THE MOVIE also features screenplay and character design by Kishimoto, and was directed by Hiroyuki Yamashita, with screenplay cooperation by Ukyou Kodachi; Chief Character Designers and Chief Animation Directors are Tetsuya Nishio and Hirofumi Suzuki.

BORUTO: NARUTO THE MOVIE will be presented with original Japanese dialogue with English subtitles. For additional information and to purchase advance tickets, please visit: www.elevenarts.net.

In BORUTO: NARUTO THE MOVIE, famed ninja, Naruto Uzumaki protects the Hidden Leaf Village as the Seventh Hokage, while Boruto, his troublesome son, resents his father's responsibilities that take his time away from him. Seeing this, Sasuke takes Boruto under his wing, while Sasuke's only daughter, Sarada, dreams of being Hokage one day. 

With Naruto as the Seventh Hokage, the Hidden Leaf Village plans to host the Chunin Exams to train new shinobi from the village and from their allied villages. Among the entrants are Sasuke's daughter, Sarada, Mitsuki, an exceptionally talented yet mysterious shinobi… and Boruto, Naruto's talented but impetuous son. Meanwhile, Sasuke who’s been on a mission in another dimension appears before Naruto to warn of a strange impending danger. Shrouded with an evil aura, Momoshiki and Kinshiki appear and attempt to assassinate Naruto. Petrified, Boruto is shielded by Naruto, only to disappear in front of Boruto's own eyes!

Justice League: Gods and Monsters Review

Hey O&G fans, Justice League: Gods and Monsters is the latest DC animated film. This marks the return of Bruce Timm to the series of films he helped to begin back in 2007. Written by Bruce Timm and Alan Burnett– both veterans of the DC animated TV universe– and directed by Sam Liu, this movie has the great story and action you expect from DC animated films.

As always here is a synopsis of the film:

In an alternate universe, the Justice League uses brutal force to maintain order on Earth. When scientists begin dying, the world's governments challenge the League's dominance.

REVIEW

The Movie was AWESOME!! The film opens (stop me if you've heard this story) on Kypton with a familiar scene we all know, in Jor-El’s lab with Lara as the planet nears its end. But wait True Comic Fans, this story has a dark twist. General Zod come busting in as Jor El is about to imprint his DNA into his son's pod. Zod shoots Jor El and uses his DNA for the pod and Lar Zod is sent to earth as the last son of Kypton instead. The baby is discovered by a Mexican couple, both poor workers, who decide to raise baby Zod as their own, and name him Hernan Guerra. (DC comics readers might recognize baby Zod as the same one from the Geoff Johns story Last Son, where he was raised by Clark Kent and Lois Lane as Chris Kent.)

Batman and Wonder Women have similar flash backs to how their lives began. Batman afflicted by a disease desperately searching for a cure, turns himself into a vampire. Wonder Women was the promised bride to Darkseids son to bring the waring kingdoms together. After her father planned an assassination and succeeded, she turned on her family and fled to earth.

The voice acting is one of the best I've heard from a DC Movie. Michael C. Hall giving Batman an eerie, undead monotone, Benjamin Bratt capturing the boldness of Superman with a hard Zod edge. Tamara Taylor was absolutely great as Wonder Women, switching from powerful to vulnerable to outraged on a dime. The animation is solid reminds me of Batman and Superman TAS. Bruce Timm and Alan Burnett have successfully delivered a fresh and exciting take on the Justice League by turning them into dark mirrors of the heroic icons we know so well. If you want to know the full and deeper story about all three Justice League members, you can check out the 3 issue series released by DC Comics.

Justice League: Gods and Monsters  will be released on DVD and Blu Ray on July 28th 2015.