KRAKEN RELEASING "THE RETURN OF GODZILLA" First Time On US Home Video September 13th!

『ゴジラ』(1984)は米国のDVD＆BLU-RAYに上陸！


The original, uncut Japanese original finally coming to US video!

Today, Houston-based Kraken Releasing (a label of Section23 Films, formerly ADV Films), having previously issued GODZILLA VS. THE SEA MONSTER (1966), GODZILLA VS. HEDORAH (1971) and GODZILLA VS. GIGAN (1972), announced their forthcoming release of THE RETURN OF GODZILLA (1984) for the first time ever on home video in North America this coming September 13th — and will be available in both DVD and Blu-ray editions!

While Koji Hashimoto's film was "Americanized" as GODZILLA 1985 by New World Pictures, featuring Raymond Burr reprising his role from GODZILLA, KING OF THE MONSTERS (1956), opening in the summer of 1985 at theaters nationwide (followed by record home video sales), the original, uncut Japanese version of Hashimoto's 1984 version has never been issued on home video in the US.

Kraken's press release mentions, but does not name GODZILLA 1985, which has been embroiled in an on-going dispute between Michigan-based home video label, Anchor Bay, who grandfathered the rights to the localization, and Toho International, which disputes those rights. Previously, Anchor Bay released that version on VHS, but subsequent plans for DVD and Blu-ray have been stymied by Toho.

In Kraken's press release, GODZILLA 1985 is downplayed as a "highly edited version that cut over twenty minutes of original footage and effects, changed key plot points and altered the dark dramatic tone and narrative by inserting additional scenes and humor in an attempt to 'Americanize' the film." And without addressing it directly, intimate that this version will not be included in their release.

Conversely, Kraken also trumpets their release will feature "both the original Japanese version with English subtitles, as well as an English dubbed version", which might lead one to believe that there are two, separate versions of the film in this release; one being the original Japanese theatrical release, simply titled GODZILLA, while the other being the export version, titled THE RETURN OF GODZILLA.

So, this is a case of six of one, a half dozen of the other. On the one hand, we finally have an official release of Hashimoto's uncut 1984 revival, including Toho's English dub commissioned for overseas sales; while on the other, we lose the R.J. Kizer Americanization, which was completely a product of the self-effacing, self-referential low-budget exploitation sensibilities of the '80s, which hasn't aged well.

And while both versions have been illusive on the home video front over the years, perhaps its best that Hashimoto's uncut original will finally have its time to shine and be evaluated outside of the shadow of it's American counterpart — for better or worse — and be allowed to stand on its own. It's time for THE RETURN OF GODZILLA.

CRITERION #90: KOBAYASHI'S UNCUT "KWAIDAN" Coming to DVD & Blu-ray on October 20, 2015!

小林正樹のノカット版『怪談』はBlu-ray とDVDに米国に来ます！


New cover art for KWAIDAN designed by Sean Freeman.

For the first time, the uncut, original three-hour version of Masaki Kobayashi's haunting anthology, KWAIDAN (1964), will be released on DVD and Blu-ray in the United States this October 20, 2015 by Janus Films and the Criterion Collection!

From the Criterion press release: After more than a decade of sober political dramas and social-minded period pieces, the great Japanese director Masaki Kobayashi shifted gears dramatically for this rapturously stylized quartet of ghost stories. Featuring colorfully surreal sets and luminous cinematography, these haunting tales of demonic comeuppance and spiritual trials, adapted from writer Lafcadio Hearn’s collections of Japanese folklore, are existentially frightening and meticulously crafted.

This all-new home video release of KWAIDAN will include:

• New 2K digital restoration of director Kobayashi’s original cut
• Uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray
• Audio commentary by film historian Stephen Prince
• 1993 Kobayashi interview by director Masahiro Shinoda
• New interview with assistant director Kiyoshi Ogasawara
• New piece about author Lafcadio Hearn
• Trailers
• New English subtitle translation
• An essay by critic Geoffrey O’Brien

Japan
1964
181 minutes
Color
2.35:1
Japanese

The Criterion Collection's page for KWAIDAN

MAZIN-GO! "MAZINGER Z" COMES TO U.S. DVD Volume 1 from Discotek Drops April 29, 2014!

マジンゴー！『マジンガーZ』は米国DVD BOX-1発売 2014年4月！

Discotek's package art for the US release of MAZINGER Z!

Created by mangaka Go Nagai, MAZINGER Z (1972-74) was the first anime series to feature a "super robot" — a giant automaton piloted by a human being and not run by remote control — and the dynamic series captured the imagination of an entire generation of Japanese children (as well as children around the world), spawning an entire genre of robot culture in Japan beyond ASTRO-BOY and GIGANTOR — it was not only the most influential robot series of the 1970s, but the most important of the 20th Century. If it weren't for MAZINGER Z, the TRANSFORMERS would simply not exist. It was also highly influential to a young Guillermo del Toro as a foundation in creating PACIFIC RIM, and it's about time to came to the US in its original form!


Panel from Go Nagai's original manga for MAZINGER Z!

Back in October of 2012, I reported that the original MAZINGER Z series had been licensed by Discotek Media for release in the US for a late 2013 drop — which Discotek decided to push back to the first quarter of 2014 and just announced today for a street date of April 29, 2014! Discotek has also announced that another classic Go Nagai series from 1972, DEVILMAN, will also be released under their label before the year is out! The only details we have so far are that Box Set 1 will contain Episodes 1-49 (out of 98) and will feature the original Japanese Audio with English Subtitles. Currently, Discotek has not released any further information on how many discs the first box set will have, how many episodes will be contained on each disc, or the estimated MSRP, so please stay tuned!

"NEO-RIODER CASSHAN" (1973) DVD & BLU-RAY 35 Episode Box Set from Sentai Filmworks!

出た！『新造人間キャシャーン』米国DVD&BD発売 2014年3月！


Final package art for the long-awaited release of Tatsunoko's classic!

Hallelujah! It's a great time to be an American fan of classic Anime — after years of hoping for various titles would be picked up as they only went from a few years old to decades old, and the only resort seemed to be sticking with the Japanese releases, that weakening hope suddenly became a beacon over the last couple of years. Some labels, such as Discotek Media, and Japanese companies such as Toei Animation, have been looking back to find a different demographic. The younger American fan seems to exclusively want the latest productions out of Japan, but don't want to pay for it. But, there are older fans who aren't satisfied with the current output, but some younger fans are also curious about the roots of the genre. And they should be.


Dynamic 1973 promotional art designed by the great Tatsuo Yoshida.

Recently, we've had long-awaited premiere releases of PRINCESS KNIGHT (1967), the original LUPIN III (1971), GATCHAMAN (1972), CUTIE HONEY(1973), CAPTAIN HARLOCK: SPACE PIRATE (1978), THE ROSE OF VERSAILLES (1979), as well as English Dubbed, compilation films of GAIKING (1976), STARZINGER (1979), and DANGUARD ACE (1978), with complete series editions of MAZINGER Z (1972) and DEVILMAN (1972) waiting in the wings. And now, the original CASSHAN (1973)! As a diehard fan of '70s Anime, it's about time, and I'm loving every release that has been announced — all of them being must-buys in my book (although I'd prefer the complete series with Japanese language tracks).


1973 45rpm Single (music Shunsuke Kikuchi/vocals Isao Sasaki).

One of the biggest points I like to impart is that the during the '70s, the creators and producers were opening up new frontiers, so the originality was thriving, before the toy companies began to dictate content and style. The plotting and writing, while less complex than some today, was also less convoluted and contrived, and the writers were all veteran, professional scribes of feature films and television shows of numerous genres (while today's writers became such largely because they were Anime fans). And least we forget the music — such memorable, beloved music from the batons of such legends as Hiroshi Miyagawa, Takeo Watanabe, Shunsuke Kikuchi, Michiaki "Chumei" Watanabe, and featuring goosebump-inducing vocals by Isao Sasaki, Ichiro Mizuki, Mitsuko Horie, and Hide Yuki!


Preliminary package art from Tatsunoko's promotional portfolio.

Tatsunoko Productions' CASSHAN is one of those standout series of the '70s — spawning remakes and sequels, which made it to our shores, while the original 1973 series was left to flounder. Until now! Produced during the second year of GATCHAMAN (which was just going into overdrive), CASSHAN features a dark story story — set in their retro-future European-esque world typical of the time — with several concurrent subplots and a generally downbeat atmosphere, but with plenty of exciting superhero action! Like GATCHAMAN, the character designs bare some inspiration from the American comic books that creator Tatsuo Yoshida grew up on, with stylized art direction by Mitsuki Nakamura (SPEED RACER) and impressive character designs by Yoshida and Yoshitaka Amano (VAMPIRE HUNTER D).


Facing the legions of Buraiking: If Casshan won't do it, who will?

From the Sentai Filmworks press release: When lightning strikes the prototype android BK-1, a new horror is unleashed on the world as the resulting monster Buraiking begins taking over all other robots on Earth, setting them against their creators in a massive orgy of planet-wide destruction! With humanity helpless in the face of the new Neoroiders and their mechanical armies, mankind's only hope may lie in the hands of Tetsuya Azuma, son of the creator of BK1, who transfers his consciousness into an android body to become a Neoroider himself. the ultimate robot fighter: Casshan!


Back cover for the DVD of the upcoming Sentai Filmworks release.

At this past year's Anime Expo in Los Angeles, Sentai Filmworks announced that it had signed a deal with Tatsunoko Productions for the original GATCHAMAN, CASSHAN, and nine other titles — could we hope for GATCHAMAN II (1978), GATCHAMAN FIGHTER (1979), TEKKAMAN: THE SPACE KNIGHT (1975), HURRICANE POLIMAR (1974), TIME BOKAN (1975), and GORDIAN (1979) to be among them? In any case, their Blu-ray release of CASSHAN will feature all 35 episodes (approximately 875 mins.), 1080p HD (4x6), Japanese lossless audio (DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0) with English Subtitles on three discs for $59.98. The NTSC DVD release will come with six discs with 2.0 Dolby Digital audio with an MSRP of $49.98. Special features and bonus materials have not been listed. Street date was originally January, but has been pushed back to March 4, 2014.

"Abandoning his mortal life, he gained an immortal body. Allowing him to combat the iron fiends and crush them into the earth. If Casshan won't do it, who will?"

"YAMATO: 2199 CHAPTER 6" BOWS JUNE 15th! Blu-ray & DVD Release Follows On July 26th

「宇宙戦艦ヤマト2199」第六章、6月15日上映！


Promo heralding the final two chapters and the television broadcast.

Opening in sixteen Japanese cinemas this weekend (up four from the previous theatrical release), is the highly-anticpated 6th Chapter of the SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO: 2199 feature films, REACHED! THE LARGE MAGELLANIC CLOUD (Totatsu! Dai Mageran) — featuring the decisive confrontation at the Rainbow Star Cluster in order for the Yamato to complete her mission. The release of the Blu-ray and DVD will follow on July 26th, while the 7th and final chapter, AND THE SHIP SAILS ON (Soshite Fune-wa Yuku), will follow on August 24th.


The amazing 120-second Chapter 6 trailer with English Subtitles!

Conceived as a remake of the classic 1974 series, known in the US as STAR BLAZERS, the story follows the "Quest for Iscandar" story arc, with a number of changes and additional characters, but entirely grounded in the original look and sound, to great dramatic effect. Where other remakes fail, YAMATO: 2199 soars — going above and beyond the term "remake" — exceeding all expectations and pulling the viewer, both old fan and those discovering Yamato for the first time, right into the drama, action, and top-shelf animation.


Juzo Okita, Captain of the Space Battleship Yamato.

While the story may be familiar to Old Skoolers, Supervising Director Yutaka Izubuchi (RahXephon) has not only gained their respect in keeping the basic designs of the original intact, from characters to ships, but also adding to that universe, making it larger in scope and far richer in depth. All the while retaining key elements and incidents, as a first-generation fan, Izubuchi has made it surprisingly fresh without sullying our memories, and manages to strike all the proper cords — in a truly sincere and non-manipulative way.


General Domel of the Great Gamilas Empire, the Wolf of Space.

Izubuchi truly loves what he calls "First Yamato" and that shines through in every facet of the production, and makes YAMATO: 2199 brilliant — pulling elements from not only the wealth of movies and teleseries, but also from various abandoned story ideas, manga adaptations, novels, and other official Yamato ephemera of the first wave. This allows YAMATO: 2199 to stand on its own foundations — and if I dare say, it's the best science fiction anime in decades. But, as another first-generation fan (before Star Blazers), I'm prejudiced.


What is the mysterious past of Operations Officer Yuki Mori?

Using a business model made popular by GUNDAM UNICORN, YAMATO: 2199 was planned as a 26-episode series, which would be cut into a series of seven feature films, screened for two weeks in select theaters every two months, with respective home video releases following six weeks later (as individual episodes). The series began weekly broadcast this past April on MBS television network affiliates to cultivate a third tier of viewers. This success has helped to fuel the production, giving fans a sense of involvement.


Bandai's new 2199 SOC of the famous space battleship due in winter.

Other platforms promoting the new series has included special online previews and VOD sales. Not only has this contributed to the success, but so has the careful and calculated planning and release of a wide variety of merchandise, including items sold exclusively in theaters — including limited edition Blu-rays and DVDs. Hobby monolith, Bandai, has also followed suit with a series of high-quality model kits, with more on the way, including Bandai's third large-scale diecast and plastic Soul of Chogokin edition of the Yamato coming this winter.


Vol. 6 jacket art by Nobuteru Yuuki featuring Dessler and Celestra.

The home video release of Volume 6 will contain a total of four half-hour episodes (19-22), plus a selection of special features, clocking in at 126 minutes of content for ¥8,190 for the Blu-ray (BCXA-0490, Region-free) and ¥7,140 for the DVD (BCBA-4321, Region 2). The DVD will be presented in 16:9 Anamorphic, Dual Layer, and Dolby Digital Stereo. Conversely, the Blu-ray will be presented in AVCHD, BD50G, 1080p, 16:9 Anamorphic, and Linear PCM Stereo.

Veteran illustrator Naoyuki Kato's exciting first pressing slip cover.

Special Features will include an Audio Commentary with voice actors Akio Otsuka (General Domel), Shinpachi Tsuji (Bem Haidern) and director Izubuchi, a Chapter 4 Digest, Commercial and Promotional Video Collection 2, Theatrical Feature Previews Part 2, and a special insert booklet. Both releases will feature the same jacket art by character designer Nobuteru Yuuki, and a slipcase by legendary Yamato illustrator, Naoyuki Kato. While the DVD contains all of the same extras, only the region-free Blu-ray boasts the most special feature of all: English Subtitles.

Here are the episodes included in Chapter 6/Volume 6:

HERE BE SPOILERS: WARING! WARING! WARING!

Episode 19. THEY'VE COME (彼らは来た): Finally. the Yamato reaches the Large Magellanic Cloud, therein lies their destination: Iscandar. Meanwhile, Lord Dessler of the Great Gamilas Empire plans to block their way, and orders the infamous General Domel to intercept them. But, what secret orders has Dessler bestowed upon Domel?



Episode 20. UNDER THE RAINBOW SUN (七色の陽のもとに): In a treacherous area of the cosmos, known as the Rainbow Star Cluster, the Yamato faces Domel's carrier fleet. In an all-out battle, the Yamato knuckles under the mercy of Domel's clever strategy. In a dire situation, Captain Okita takes a desperate measure...



Episode 21. PLANETARY CONCENTRATION CAMP #17 (第十七収容所惑星): Planet Reputapoda is where the Great Gamilas Empire imprisons its dissidents and prisoners of war. Far away from the homeworld, the institutionalized abuse of prisoners is routine, until the ship of the Inspector General of Gamilas arrives...



Episode 22. HEADING TOWARDS A DISTANT STAR (向かうべき星): The Yamato heads for Iscandar, the Star of Hope. But, it is revealed that it is a binary planet — with Gamilas! So, their destination has taken them right into the center of enemy territory. Calling all hands to battle stations, Captain Okita orders a direct warp to Iscandar...

You can pre-order your copy of YAMATO: 2199 Volume 6, here to visit Amazon Japan (with English language support)! Stay tuned to this blog and the Cosmo DNA website for more news and information on SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO: 2199 as they develop — and soon, we'll be off to outer space, on shiny discs of blue!

2013 IS 1973: "ULTRAMAN TARO" April 6, 1973 - April 5, 1974

ウルトラの父、ウルトラの母もみまもる！


Promotional poster for Panasonic's original DVD release from 2005.

ULTRAMAN TARO was not only the fourth sequel to the original ULTRAMAN (1966), but also was the third of three visual effects series produced in celebration of the 10th Anniversary of Tsuburaya Productions in 1973, and features the 6th member of what was to become the "Ultra Brothers." An elite membership of the Galactic Guard, the Ultra Brothers are each assigned different planets to watch over and protect throughout the cosmos — and our planet is no exception.

In this series, the Mother of Ultra creates Ultraman Taro, from the combined power of the Ultra Brothers and the lifeforce of Kotaro Higashi (Saburo Shinoda) — creating a hybrid being to defend the Earth against the strongest monsters ever seen. The most radical departure in the second wave of Ultra Series, starting with RETURN OF ULTRAMAN (1971), ULTRAMAN TARO was not only the most fantastical and outrageous in writing and execution (almost to the level of parody), but was also the most shockingly violent.

Underlining this were the outlandish monster designs and an off-kilter music score by Masanobu Higarashi (Silver Mask). TARO also flipped the Ultra Series on its ear with revealing the up-to-then-mysertious "Land of Light," their homeworld in the M78 Nebula, giving viewers a peek into a rather disappointing civilization (elevated in the manga by Mamoru Uchiyama). For all of it's eccentricities, TARO was the highest-rated series of the '70s, and remains one of the most popular characters in the "Ultra Family."

SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO: 2199: CHAPTER 5 Theaters April 14 & BD/DVD May 28!

『宇宙戦艦ヤマト2199』Vol. 5 BD/DVD 5月28日発売！


General and Mrs. Domel are featured on Nobuteru Yuuki's jacket!

With the fourth installment of the SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO: 2199 saga, "Defense of the Galactic March", opening in twelve select cinemas across Japan this weekend (two additional from the previous releases), the official YAMATO: 2199 website has announced the release of the fifth theatrical feature, "The Sorrow of Intergalactic Space", featuring Episodes 15-18, opening April 14, 2013. The Blu-ray and DVD release will follow on May 28th.

Dynamic torpedoes away slipcase art by veteran Naoyuki Kato!

The home video release of Volume 5 will contain a total of four half-hour episodes (15-18), plus a selection of special features, clocking in at 130 minutes of content for ¥8,190 for the Blu-ray (BCXA-0489, Region-free) and ¥7,140 for the DVD (BCBA-4320, Region 2). The DVD will be presented in 16:9 Anamorphic, Dual Layer, and Dolby Digital Stereo. Conversely, the Blu-ray will be presented in AVCHD, BD50G, 1080p, 16:9 Anamorphic, and Linear PCM Stereo.



Special Features will include a conversation between director Yutaka Izubuchi and original Sound Effects Designer Mitsuru Kashiwabara, an Audio Commentary with voice actors TBA and director Izubuchi, Chapter 3 Digest, Theatrical Trailers 1, and a special insert booklet. Both releases will feature the same jacket art by character designer Nobuteru Yuuki, and a slipcase by legendary Yamato illustrator, Naoyuki Kato. While the DVD contains all of the same extras, only the Blu-ray boasts the most special feature of all: English Subtitles.



The Yamato continues on it's voyage to Iscandar as it makes it's way deeper into Gamilas territory, towards the mid-way point, planet Balun. General Domel regroups his forces to meet the Yamato head-on — while members of the crew begin to plot against Captain Okita. Will all be lost? These new episodes will be expanding beyond the original 1974 story, so we can all look forward to this fresh and fully-realized remake of SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO!



The episodes on Volume 5 will include:

HERE BE SPOILERS: WARING! WARING! WARING!

Episode 15. THE POINT OF NO RETURN (帰還限界点): General Domel continues his relentless attacks against the embattled Yamato, while crew begins to voice their unrest over the feasibility of the "Yamato Plan". The Yamato quickly warps in order to dodge a Gamilas recon squadron, but warps out into the middle of a large Gamilas fleet — all an elaborate trap sprung by Domel himself.

Episode 16. ALTERNATIVE FUTURES (未来への選択): Bloodied but unbowed, the Yamato stops to resupply at Beemera, a planet with an environment closely matching that of the Earth — suitable for human migration. While Kodai leads a survey mission, the growing and restless anti-"Yamato Plan" faction aboard the ship breaks out in revolt. What will be the fate of Captain Okita and XO Sanada, whose very lives are threatened by the mutineers?

Episode 17. FROM THE FOREST OF MEMORIES (記憶の森から): Kodai returns from the ruins on Beemera with valuable data. By leveraging a Subspace Gate left by the planet's lost civilization, the possibility that a vast span of tens of thousands of light years may be achieved in a single leap. Kodai, Sanada, and Yuki go into the Satellite System in order to restart the gate, but...

Episode 18. TRANSCEND THE DWINDLING LIGHT (昏き光を越えて): Successfully engaging the Subspace Gate from Beemera, the Yamato arrives at planet Balun. A massive flotilla of Gamilas warships, numbering more than 10,000, has also gathered there. But, to reach the Large Magellanic Cloud, they must pass through Balun's Gate. Okita decides to flirt with death by making a break for it — by plunging straight through the Gamilas flotilla.

You can pre-order your copy of SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO: 2199 Volume 5, by clicking here to visit Amazon Japan (with English language support)! Stay tuned to this blog and the Cosmo DNA website for more news and information on SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO: 2199 as they develop — and soon, we'll be off to outer space, on shiny discs of blue!

ADDENDUM: In April 2013, the titles for Episodes 17 and 18 were officially announced as changed from those previously released and published on my blog. Those changes have been reflected, above, and the previous titles are noted, below: Episode 17: ENGRAVED WORDS, SLEEPING PAST (眠れる過去 刻まれた言葉) and Episode 18: OPERATION: BALUN BREAKTHROUGH (バラン星突破作戦).

"MAZINGER Z" & "CUTEY HONEY" ON U.S. DVD! Go Nagai's Classic Anime Series from Discotek

『マジンガーZ』と『キューティーハニー』は米国DVDがもうすぐ！

Japanese DVD release package art for MAZINGER Z! ©Toei Video

Hell has officially frozen over. I thought this would never happen...

Discotek Media, which had specialized in a number of Asian film releases on DVD for the US market, including several significant releases of Japanese live action and anime titles, such as Jun Fukuda's THE WAR IN SPACE (1977) and Rin Taro's GALAXY EXPRESS 999 (1979), recently announced that they had signed a deal with Toei Animation to issue the original 1978 anime series, SPACE PIRATE CAPTAIN HARLOCK. And before we knew it, they actually released a complete box set for the Hayao Miyazaki/Yasuo Otsuka-helmed LUPIN THE 3RD series from 1971 (my personal favorite of the long-running franchise). Then, their balls got a whole lot bigger.

Japanese DVD release package art for CUTEY HONEY! ©Toei Video

This past Saturday, Discotek dropped a proverbial Photon Bomb when it was announced that they had secured the rights to not one, but two, classic anime titles created by the manga bad boy himself, Go Nagai: MAZINGER Z and CUTEY HONEY! The epoch-making series that launched the Super Robot genre, MAZINGER Z (1972-74), became a legend around the world (localized for the US market as "Tranzor Z" in the 1980s), and now all 92 episodes are to be issued in two box sets! Meanwhile, all 25 episodes of the original CUTEY HONEY (1973-74) will be issued in a single complete series box set. Both titles, in Japanese with English Subtitles, will drop in 2013.

With all of the other upcoming DVD/Blu-rays of Japanese genre titles which have recently hit the North American market, and those still to come in 2013, it looks like a banner year for U.S. fans, and Discotek isn't pulling any Rocket Punches, either. What's next? GETTER ROBO? GREAT MAZINGER? JEEG OF STEEL? UFO ROBO: GRENDIZER? As a hardcore Old Skool and Go Nagai fan, I can't wait — bring it on, Discotek Media, you magnificent bastards!

MORE ON THE MEGALON DVD DEBACLE And Thus Spoke Media Blasters...

The following was taken from the official Media Blasters Facebook page on April 5, 2011 at 11:56 AM, PST:



Curiouser and curiouser...

(Please note that the poster of the initial inquiry to Media Blasters, makes an erroneous statement which asserts that MEGALON is slated for release "this year", and attributes that statement to me — and I never posted such a thing! To paraphrase Art Linkletter, "People say the darndest things!")

UPDATE: We've heard back from Media Blasters — now that the channels are open — and I'm asking for an official statement from them to clear the air once and for all. Stay tuned...

"GODZILLA VS. MEGALON" DVD A HOAX? Pie In My Eye? Or Much To Do About Nothing?

This is a story that truly stretches the Borders of Reality! @ Toho

Apparently, there is a contradictory report posted by another website about the previously entry concerning an upcoming GODZILLA VS. MEGALON DVD, alleging that was never happening in the first place. This is curious, because my source claims there were active inquiries asking for their participating in providing materials for a proposed set of special features, and that an audio commentary was mentioned. While I was asked to keep the identity of my source secret, I do have several e-mails which are contrary to these dismissals. I could have attempted to save face by saying, "I know I said that this wasn't an April's Fool joke, but it was — gotcha!", but that's not me.

Sure, I could have contacted Media Blasters or Toho for some kind of confirmation, but as is usually the case with private business dealings — before official announcements are made — if you're not involved on either the Licensor's or the Licensee's side, they will either blow you off or tell you to mind your own business. Or deny it altogether. So, was my source mistaken? Did those who were seeking my source's participation, lie? Was this an "elaborate hoax"? Or was this done to make me look silly? Or to "discredit" me? (Can you feel my eyes rolling into the back of my head?)

I certainly don't feel silly, nor angry, embarrassed, or remotely upset. Rather, I find this pretty insidiously funny, actually. "Sh*t happens", as they say. Now, whatever the case may be, I'm sure that it will "all come out in the wash". Surprisingly, this turgid soap opera actually has become far more interesting that the original subject of the story. Or is it? Again, I do have those e-mails from my source, which would open about a dozen can of worms... But, would that really be worth it? I leave that to the individual to decide. As for me, it looks like I picked the wrong week to quit amphetamines!

"Holy shit, Jet Jaguar! What will we do!?"

"GAMERA" IS BOWLING OVER THE CRITICS! Unanimous Praise For Shout!'s New Release

米国版『大怪獣ガメラ』のDVDは、批評家から賞賛です!


©Kadokawa Pictures

With the impending May 18th release of Shout! Factory's Special Edition DVD of GAMERA, THE GIANT MONSTER (1965), the first of the original eight films to be released by the Santa Monica-based label, the reviews are coming in — and the early reports are stellar! While I have already received advance copies of the DVD, it would not be fair for me to review this disc myself (obviously). So, l will let the objective (and unapologetic) critics speak in their own words:

Kevin Pyrtle of WTF-Film.com: "First things first – the packaging on this release is exceptional all around... Opening the package one finds well designed disc art as well as a 12-page booklet, featuring a 2001 essay by director Noriaki Yuasa, character bios, [and] a neat anatomical rendering of Gamera himself... New in the supplemental department is a feature commentary by August Ragone... this is a fine track, offering insight into the Cold War setting of the film and a wealth of back info for the production and biographical information on the cast and crew... the well-translated subtitles [are the most literate] I’ve seen for a Japanese genre release... the work [Ragone] put into [the subtitles] shows. [Gamera] is a winner all around, and it’s wonderful to see another fan favorite getting its long-due respect... a must buy!"

Joe Cascio of DVD Drive-In: "Shout! Factory must be commended for such an excellent DVD presentation, giving this film the dignity and respect it deserves... The 2.35:1 black and white image is impeccably clean and transferred from an all new High Definition master created by vault elements... an excellent and very informative commentary by August Ragone... sheds new light on all of the film's key players like the late Noriaki Yuasa... as well as thorough biographies on all the leading actors and the genesis of what would eventually become Gamera... [his] playful comments about his distaste for the child character of Toshio Sakurai are also amusing... the dedicated fans at Shout! Factory... have obviously poured their heart and love into giving the genre fans the original GAMERA the way Noriaki Yuasa intended it to be seen."

Ian Jane of DVD Maniacs: "The best of the extra features on this disc is a commentary track from August Ragone... who quite obviously knows his stuff... [he] provides a lot of context... discussing how the Cuban Missile Crisis and other nuclear incidents set the stage for the film... If you've ever wanted to know more about the politics behind a film like Gamera, this is a pretty interesting way to learn about them, but we're also given a wealth of information about who worked on this picture, what else they may have done, how Japanese mythology is reflected in Kaiju films, and how the visual effects were done... Ragone keeps the facts coming quickly in this track, barely taking time to breath, and is never at a loss for words... The transfer is great and the extras are great. Shout! Factory has done an excellent job all around on this release and should be commended for their efforts..."

Stay tuned for more reviews as they come in...

TOHO VISUAL EFFECTS DVD COLLECTION New Bargain-Priced Magazine & DVD series!

「東宝特撮映画DVDコレクション」新発売!


GODZILLA (1954) is the subject of the first issue. ©Toho/DeAgostini

A couple of years back, Tokyo-based imprint, DeAgostini, launched a successful series of magazines on Tatsunoko Productions' seminal anime series SCIENCE NINJA TEAM: GATCHAMAN (1972). All three GATCHMAN series are being released in 68 issues, and is currently in the 40s. What really made this a hit, was that each biweekly issue contained a DVD of the corresponding episodes, which were merely the same (and expensive) pressings released a few years earlier, at a substantially lower price. While this must've been harsh for those who bought the original DVD releases, those who held out can pick them up for much less, and get a cool magazine, too.


The premiere issue of GATCHAMAN. ©Tatsunoko/DeAgostini

Each issue of the DeAgostini's magazines are slickly produced, with great, eye-catching layouts, are stuffed with excellent images, and are simply must-haves for fans. Publishing scores of pop and culture series, they have also published similar DVD series with "The STAR TREK Best Episode Selection" (featuring NEXT GENERATION, DEEP SPACE NINE and VOYAGER), "The X FILES DVD Collection", "The STARGATE DVD Collection" and "The Toei Jidaigeki DVD Collection", among many others in their line-up. Now, DeAgostini is about to do the same for Toho's Visual Effects Catalogue.


Issue Two: MOTHRA VS. GODZILLA (1964). ©Toho/DeAgostini

Launching on September 29th, the premiere issue of the "Toho Special Visual Effects Movie DVD Collection" will feature the original GODZILLA (1954). Each glossy, biweekly issue will focus on a particular film, jam-packed with photographs, with minimal text, and featuring sections on Production Backgrounds, Actor Biographies, Staff Profiles, Monster Guides, Weapons Encyclopedias, Advertising Museums, and a special column on each film by Visual Effects Director Koichi Kawakita. The DVDs also come in their own protective amaray cases, featuring the original Japanese movie posters emblazoned on their jackets.


Issue Three: GHIDRAH (1964). ©Toho/DeAgostini

Sounds good? It gets even better — the premiere issue will sell for the special introductory price of ¥990 ($10.65), with the succeeding issues retailing for only ¥1,990 ($21.40). This is an absolute steal compared to Toho Video's DVDs for the films, which retail for around ¥5,000 ($55.00) — and these are the same DVDs — plus, you get the fully-illustrated magazine to boot! DeAgostini has officially announced that there will be an astounding 55 issues of the "Toho Special Visual Effects Movie DVD Collection" in all, and that the subject of each issue will not be released in any particular chronological, or categorical, order.


Issue Four: ATRAGON (1963). ©Toho/DeAgostini

While the premiere issue will tally in at 22 pages, the following installments will feature 14 pages. The second issue, released on October 13th, is devoted to MOTHRA VS. GODZILLA (1964). On October 27th, issue three will feature GHIDRAH, THE THREE-HEADED MONSTER (1964), with issue four spotlighting ATRAGON (1963) on November 10th. MOTHRA (1961) takes center stage in issue five on November 24th. Additionally, DeAgostini is offering special binders, which will hold 14 issues each, and will go on sale in October at the special introductory price of ¥690 ($7.60). Additional binders will retail for ¥1,290 ($14.22) each. The publisher is also offering special coupon-redeemable wooden DVD racks (in black lacquer) in each volume, starting with issue three.


Issue Five: MOTHRA (1961). ©Toho/DeAgostini

This is going to be a great series, and I've already reserved the premiere issue. Those who have held out on picking up the Toho Video DVDs because of their relatively high MSRPs (between $50-$60), and are also holding off on Toho's Blu-rays, will do well by getting their hands on DeAgostini's latest series — the magazines are worth the ¥1,290 without the DVDs. While you can't order them directly from DeAgostini outside of Japan, you can get them through Japanese booksellers in the U.S. And if you've got a region-free DVD player, what the hell are you waiting for?

UPDATE (09.16.09): Here's the official "Toho Visual Effects Collection DVD" Commercial now airing on Japanese television.