"TITANS" SET TO ATTACK NORTH AMERICA Hollywood World Premiere on July 14th!

実写版『進撃の巨人』7月15日にアメリカ上陸！


July's World Premiere in Hollywood will supersede Japanese debut.

The first of director Shinji Higuchi's two-part ATTACK ON TITAN live action feature films will be released theatrically throughout North, Central and South America this fall by US-based label, Funimation Entertainment, who is also partnering with Toho to host the World Premiere at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood on July 14th (before its Tokyo premiere on July 21st and general public Japanese release on August 1st).


Leading man, Haruma Miura, will attend the Hollywood premiere.

Director Higuchi (SINKING OF JAPAN), the man who's gearing up to shoot Toho's next Godzilla film, will be joined on the red-carpet by the film's stars, Haruma Miura and Kiko Mizuhara. Before the big premiere in Hollywood, Mr. Higuchi will be promoting the film this year's San Diego Comic-Con International by signing autographs at the Funimation Entertainment booth (#4135) on July 12th.


Co-star Kiko Mizuhara will also walk the red carpet on July 14th.

ATTACK ON TITAN will also be hitting Australian cinemas in August via Madman Entertainment, while the second film, END OF THE WORLD, will have its Japanese bow on September 19th. At this time, there has been no word of a release for the second film on this side of the Pacific (although it's a safe bet to say its in the hands of Funimation). Stay tuned for more information and news as it develops!

(Source: Funimation Entertainment)

WANTED! MORE READERS LIKE... GWAR'S ODERUS URUNGUS ATE UP "MAT"!

This image of Oderus was captured by MAT founder Edward Holland.

During Comic-Con 2013, this is what the great Oderus of the noxious and infamous monstrous musical unit known as GWAR, had to say about the all-new issue produced by the "Famous Monsters" Grue Crew: "Pick up MONSTER ATTACK TEAM #10 before it's vapor — if you don't I'll huff and puff and GWAR B-Q your house down!"

Sporting a Bob Eggleton cover and boasting 128 jam-packed, full-color pages, "Monster Attack Team" #10 is the only English-language magazine to cover the spectrum of Japanese Superheroes, Monsters, Pop Culture, and Rock 'n Roll, and copies of the debut issue under the FM banner are burning up fast — so, order yours today (before it's too late) from our friends at the Captain Company!

IT'S COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL OR BUST And... Oh My God... It's Full of Nerds!

~COME & VISIT ME AT THE "FAMOUS MONSTERS" BOOTH: #1509!~


"Excuse me, Stewardess... Do you serve Gamilon Ale on this flight?"

THE GREAT "COMIC-CON" KAIJU INVASION: 2013!This Year's Kaiju & Tokusatsu-Related Shindigs

WED-SUN: PLEASE VISIT THE "FAMOUS MONSTERS" BOOTH #1509!


Ben von Strawn's crazy, low-brown Shock Monster eyeball logo!

There's probably not a single human being invading San Diego and its environs this weekend, for Comic-Con International, that doesn't know Godzilla is leading the pack — via the mega-media push by Legendary Pictures for the highly-touted and much-hyped Gareth Edwards creature features set to open worldwide next May. This includes the wildly-anticipated "Godzilla Encounter" exhibit in the Gaslamp District, in which fans will become immersed in a Kaiju-riffic experience covering the entire history, including displays of original monster suits and props. But, there are other Japanese-related events over the weekend at the show.

Here's a list of my picks for Japanese Fantasy Film events at this weekend's convention:

WEDNESDAY — SUNDAY



GODZILLA ENCOUNTER
Legendary Pictures' amazing kaiju experience is located at the corner of 7th & J Streets in the Gaslamp Quarter — but you'll need a pass to get inside. Pick up your ticket from the Legendary booth in the Exhibitor's Hall @ #3920

THURSDAY



ROBOTECH INDUSTRY PANEL
Tommy Yune, director of "Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles" and Steve Yun, screenwriter of "Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles" showcase all the latest live-action and animated "Robotech" projects in production. Thursday July 18, 2013 8:15pm - 9:15pm  Room 6DE

FRIDAY



CYBORG 009 AND THE LEGACY OF SHOTARO ISHINOMORI
Did you know that in 2008 the late Shotaro Ishinomori was named by Guinness World Records as the world record holder for the most comics published by one author? It's true! He created 770 individual stories that were collected into 500 volumes of manga, including "Kikaider," "Kamen Rider," and "Cyborg 009." In a celebration of his legacy, Archaia Entertainment and Ishimori Production Inc. have teamed up to produce a groundbreaking new graphic novel that re-imagines "Cyborg 009" for a new generation! Moderator Stephen Christy (Archaia's editor-in-chief) talks with writers F. J. DeSanto and Bradley Cramp and artist Marcus To (Red Robin, Adventures of Superman) about the process of bringing this graphic novel to life while also diving into Ishinomori's incredible legacy with manga/anime expert Deb Aoki (manga.about.com). Every attendee will receive a free copy of the "Cyborg 009: Chapter 000" preview issue. Friday July 19, 2013 2:00pm - 3:00pm Room 9



BEYOND THE VALLEY OF TEZUKA:
MANGA LEGENDS YOU DON'T KNOW, BUT SHOULD KNOW
Just as Jack Kirby, Moebius, and Robert Crumb influenced Western comics, many great Japanese manga artists have influenced many who have followed them. Yes, there's Osamu Tezuka, but there are many more worth discovering, such as Shigeru Mizuki, Shotaro Ishinomori, Go Nagai, Gengoroh Tagame, Taiyo Matsumoto, Moto Hagio, Takehiko Inoue, and much more. Christopher Butcher (director, Toronto Comic Arts Festival and manager, The Beguiling), F. J. DeSanto (Cyborg 009 from Archaia Entertainment), Giorgio Tsoukalos (Ancient Aliens), Graham Kolbeins (editor, The Passion of Gengoroh Tagame from Picturebox), Deb Aoki (MangaComicsManga), and possibly a surprise guest or two introduce you to some manga legends you may not know, including many that have recently released or soon-to-be-released works in English, and some that are long overdue to be recognized by Western comics fans. Friday July 19, 2013 7:30pm - 8:30pm Room 28DE



FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND: STAKE OF THE UNION 2013
Join Famous Monsters publisher Philip Kim and executive EDitor Ed Blair in celebrating the world's oldest monster fan magazine. This year will feature some of FMF's most monstrous announcements to date, including special panelists Frank Frazetta Jr. (son of the legendary artist), Jeff Moore (VP of ESP Guitars), August Ragone (author and kaiju expert), Giorgio Tsoukalos (Ancient Aliens), actors Kathryn Leigh Scott and Lara Parker (Dark Shadows) and much, much more. Friday July 19, 2013 7:45pm - 8:45pm Room 5AB

SATURDAY



LEGENDARY PICTURES: GODZILLA
An epic rebirth to Toho's iconic Godzilla, this spectacular adventure pits the world's most famous monster against malevolent creatures who, bolstered by humanity's scientific arrogance, threaten our very existence. Gareth Edwards directs "Godzilla," which stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ken Watanabe, Elizabeth Olsen, and Juliette Binoche, with David Strathairn and Bryan Cranston. The screenplay is by Max Borenstein, Frank Darabont, and Dave Callaham. Thomas Tull and Jon Jashni are producing with Mary Parent and Brian Rogers. Alex Garcia and Patricia Whitcher are the executive producers, alongside Yoshimitsu Banno and Kenji Okuhira. The film is from Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures. Saturday July 20, 2013 10:45am Hall H



STAR BLAZERS 2199: CREW & FAN MEETING AND SCREENING
The legendary "Star Blazers" TV series is coming back! Join the crew to learn more about "Star Blazers 2199" at this exciting and riveting panel! You'll have a chance to witness the screening of the first episode of the new show as well as be able to ask questions. Panel guests include producer Hiroaki Ikegami and a guest Cosplayer from Japan playing Yuki Mori. Saturday July 20, 2013 2:00pm - 3:00pm Room 25ABC

To be sure, there are a lot of other panels and presentations on manga and anime during the convention, but these are just my best picks for this year's show — for further information, please visit the official Comic-Con International website — and have a great con! I know that I will!

"YAMATO: 2199" TO BOW DURING COMIC-CON! English-Dubbed Episode Screening on Saturday

英語版『宇宙戦艦ヤマト2199』コミコン上映！


Voyager Entertainment USA's Comic-Con announcement.

Back in April, during the online hosting for the television broadcast of SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO: 2199, the Yamato Crew cosplayers held up a sheet announcing that the overseas promotion for the series, under the title "Starblazers 2199" (sic) would be commencing. The following week, they held up another sheet apologizing for speaking too soon. Then, a few weeks ago, they held up another sheet heralding the world-wide promotion for "Star Blazers 2199" at four conventions across the globe in July: Japan Expo (Paris), Anime-Expo (Los Angeles), Anime Friends (São Paulo), and Comic-Con Int'l (San Diego).


The lovely Cosplaying hosts of the Nico Nico Douga simulcast.

Needless to say, while I didn't make it to three of the aforementioned events, I will be attending Comic-Con, and will most definitely will be attending this screening and presentation. Early reports from Anime-Expo, thanks to Andrew Nguyen, revealed that the English Dub was executed by Bang Zoom! Entertainment. He stated, "I recognized the voices from their previous projects. Okita and Dr. Sakezo Sado were the strongest of the cast. Yuki Mori still needs a bit of work (her briefing of the kids felt very stiff) as well as Susumu Kodai, although his scenes where he shows anger, particularly when he confronts Okita, is good enough."


Reportedly, Kodai is dubbed by Johnny Yong Bosch of PR-fame.

On the negative side, he reported, "There are instances where the voice acting made me cringe, especially when the crew of Mamoru Kodai’s ship started singing as they flew to their deaths, which made the audience laugh out loud." This was something I was afraid of: my favorite scene ruined by the director and his cast's lack of experience with such a Japanese scene, a very naniwabushi moment, thereby undermining the most emotional scene of the episode. For more on this sequence, go here: Galactic Passage.


The Yukikaze gallantly flies into the proverbial jaws of death...

The new SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO: 2199 series is now being prepped for overseas sales as STAR BLAZERS 2199. During this panel and presentation, there will be a screening of the first episode, dubbed by Bang Zoom Entertainment, which will include highlights from upcoming episodes, and a Q&A session. Guests include producer Hiroaki Ikegami and a special Cosplayer from Japan playing Yuki Mori. You're not going to want to miss this presentation! Saturday, July 20th • 2:00 - 3:00pm • Room 25ABC

Go here for more details on this screening, and stay tuned to this blog and the Cosmo DNA website for more news and information on SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO: 2199 as they develop!

KAIJU RAGONE INVADES COMIC-CON 2010! Kill Them All, Let Godzilla Sort Them Out!

It's that time of the year... The fandom miasma that is the San Diego Comic-Con International! I've returned to one of my favorite towns to sign the last remaining copies Chronicle Books has of my first book, EIJI TSUBURAYA: MASTER OF MONSTERS, which is almost entirely sold out — which is amazing, considering that the original print run was 15,000, bumped up from 10,000 when it became the most coveted book previewed at Comic-Con 2007 (at least, that's what my editors told me). This doesn't include copies that are on the shelves of bookstores around the world — from Tokyo to Paris — or those remaining with distributors. But, if you're at Comic-Con this weekend, I'll be happy to sign your copy, and destroy any resale value it could have had! But, that's up to you!

Aside from EIJI TSUBURAYA, I'm also hosting a presentation celebrating Shout! Factory's acquisition and release of the eight original Gamera films, produced between 1965 and 1980, spearheaded by the late director Noriaki Yuasa. I was hired as a Special Features Producer for this series of releases, and the first two have already been unleashed on an unsuspecting populace: Yuasa's GAMERA, THE GIANT MONSTER (1965) and Shigeo Tanaka's GAMERA VS. BARUGON (1966), the later of which featured visual effects helmed by Mr. Yuasa. These first two releases will also be available during Comic-Con at the Shout! Factory booth (#3749), and those who pick up either title will receive a free set of eight postcards, reproductions of the original Japanese hand-tinted lobby cards, representing scenes from each of films.

Here's the rundown of what's going down with me at Comic-Con 2010 (besides the usual off-duty chaos):

Thursday, July 22nd

12:00-1:00pm GAMERA, THE INVINCIBLE! — Author August Ragone (Chronicle Books' Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters) presents a visual tribute to Godzilla's No. 1 rival, the original Mutant Flying Turtle himself: Gamera! This program celebrates the first official DVD release of the original 1960s–1970s film series from Shout! Factory, with commentary on how Gamera was created and how the films were made, as well as rare, behind-the-scenes photographs and clips. Find out if Gamera is really full of turtle meat in the Q&A and win copies of Shout!'s latest release Gamera vs. Barugon — all in one colossal presentation guaranteed to knock you right out of your shell! Room 32AB

Friday, July 23rd

2:00-3:00pm EIJI TSUBURAYA: MASTER OF MONSTERS Book Signing — Author August Ragone will be on-hand once again to sign copies of his life and career biography of the man who brought Godzilla to life and created Ultraman, visual effects pioneer Eiji Tsuburaya! This session will be taking place at the Chronicle Books booth (#1506-1508), one day only!

Through this event that feels like one is riding on a tidal wave of terror, I hope to see some old faces and meet some new ones at this year's overwhelming psychotic cavalcade of electrifying horror known as the San Diego Comic-Con International! SEE! Dynamic Violence! SEE! Savage Action! SEE! Spectacular Thrills! It is seriously more fantastic than any written by Jules Verne! Seriously.

For more information on Comic-Con 2010 and to see this year's full schedule of events, click here!

IT'S COMIC-CON TIME AGAIN! Godzilla & Eiji Tsuburaya Represented!

JULY 23rd-26th @ SAN DIEGO CONVENTION CENTER

For that last two days, I have been immersed in the biggest gathering of its kind in the world: Comic Con International. Despite being sold out in advance for the first time in its history, the crowds have seemed tame on Thursday and Friday... It's the calm before the storm, as today, Saturday, promises to be a proverbial madhouse.

That's good and bad; I'm signing copies of my book today, Saturday, July 25th at the Chronicle Books booth (#1506), and hope that I don't get lost in the fan feeding frenzy in the Exhibitors Hall today... For those attending and interested, my signing will take place between 2:00 pm and 3:00 pm -- come on down!

Tomorrow, Sunday, July 26th in Room 8, I will be hosting a tribute to the kaiju eiga of Eiji Tsuburaya, entitled "Eiji Tsuburaya & The Master of Monsters" (listed in the program guide simply as "Masters of Monsters"). Running from 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm, show features over 200 behind-the-scenes photographs and production designs from Tsuburaya's major monster movies, from GODZILLA (1954) through LATITUDE ZERO (1969).

So far, Comic Con has been another blast... details to follow after recovery... hope to see you here!