"There is so much writing in English on Japanese cinema that can't be accepted at face value — not because the writers are careless, but because the differences in culture and language are just too intricate. When I see August Ragone's name on a piece of writing, it gives me permission to place my faith in it completely. Among Japanese fantasy film historians, he's the best working in English." —Tim Lucas, Video Watchdog

Thursday, August 18, 2016

TOHO GEARS UP FIRST "GODZILLA" ANIME MOVIE From the Makers of "Gargantia" & "Sidonia"

アニメ映画『ゴジラ』化決定!脚本は虚淵玄氏、2017年公開


Teaser art for the upcoming animated feature with title logo.

After recently registering the domain godzilla-anime.com, Toho has just announced its upcoming animated feature, simply titled (in English, no less), GODZILLA. With the current box office success of Hideaki Anno's SHIN GODZILLA ("Godzilla Resurgence"), many fans were speculating a follow-up live action feature, but Toho Animation is preparing this animated feature for theatrical release next year.

Conceived and written by author Gen Urobuchi, known for his dark and nihilistic stories, whose growing credits include PSYCHO-PASS (2012), GARGANTIA (2013), KAMEN RIDER GAIM (2014), as well as the currently-running THUNDERBOLT FANTASY, while Tokyo-based Daytime Emmy Award-winning Polygon Pictures (Star Wars: The Clone Wars) is animating this first-ever feature-length Godzilla anime adventure.

GODZILLA is to be directed by veterans Kobun Shizuno, who helmed the last five years of DETECTIVE CONAN feature films, and the series KNIGHTS OF SIDONIA (2014), and CG director Hiroyuki Seshita, who cut his teeth on Square Ennix's FINAL FANTASY movies, helmed the recent AJIN: DEMI-HUMAN (2016) series and feature, as well as the upcoming theatrical adaptation of BLAME! (2017).

The preview art features a futuristic aerospace craft and armored travelers standing on a precipice overlooking a primordial forrest... Could this be a time travel story or set on another world? Stay tuned to The Good, The Bad, and Godzilla for more information as more news develops!

Monday, August 1, 2016

"SHIN GODZILLA" FIRST INTERNATIONAL TRAILER
Encore Films' Bi-lingual Southeast Asia Promo

庵野秀明の『シン•ゴジラ』はシンガポールと台湾で8月に上陸。


Singapore release poster for Anno's SHIN GODZILLA (2016).

Yesterday, the first international trailer for SHIN GODZILLA, formerly promoted as GODZILLA RESURGENCE, was uploaded to Southeast Asia distributor, Encore FilmsYouTube Channel. Founded in 2003, and the top distributor for Japanese productions, Encore Films has released the DEATH NOTE trilogy (breaking records in Singapore), and is the exclusive SEA distributor of Studio Ghibli's animated features. They are also distributing titles into Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.


Encore Films' bi-lingual teaser for SHIN GODZILLA (2016).

Encore's Singapore exhibition of Hideaki Anno's controversial entry in the long-running monster movie series is in conjunction with Golden Village, a luxury multiplex chain based in Singapore, a 50/50 joint venture between Hong Kong's Golden Harvest Cinemas and Australia's Village Roadshow Entertainment Group, established in 1992. Anno's SHIN GODZILLA opens in Singapore on August 25th, but will have its Taiwan opening under the Catchplay banner on August 12th.



Catchplay's Taiwanese trailer for Anno's SHIN GODZILLA (2016).

Stay tuned to this blog for further news on GODZILLA RESURGENCE as it develops! Check out the official website (Japanese only).

Here are my previous reports on GODZILLA RESURGENCE:
July 22, 2016: "Shin Godzilla" Coming to the Americas
July 20, 2016: "Godzilla Resurgence" to Hit 100 Countries
July 18, 2016: New Theatrical Trailer for "Shin Godzilla"
April 28, 2016: "Shin Godzilla" Stationary Maquette No. 1
April 16, 2016: Bandai's Quartet of "Shin Godzilla" Sofubi
April 14, 2016: Behold! First "Shin Godzilla" Retail Figure
April 13, 2016: Toho's Upcoming "Shin Godzilla" Revealed
January 3, 2016: Toho's New "Godzilla Resurgence" Exposed
December 11, 2015: Meet the"Godzilla Resurgence" Composer
December 10, 2015: The "Godzilla Resurgence" English Poster!
December 9, 2015: Japanese Press Reveals Shin Godzilla's Size
December 9, 2015: Scoop! Teaser for "Godzilla Resurgence"
December 9, 2015: Here's Your Big G in "Godzilla Resurgence"!
November 12, 2015: "Shin Godzilla" Promo Reel Screens at AFM!"
September 22, 2015: Toho Announces Three Principal Cast Members!
September 6, 2015: Shooting Begins on Toho's "Godzilla 2016"!
August 1, 2015: Did These Men Design Toho's New Big G?
April 1, 2015: The Directors of "Godzilla 2016" Speak!
March 31, 2015: "Evangelion" Creator Helms New "Godzilla"!
December 7, 2014: The "Japanese Godzilla" Will Rise Again!