Flower Mound, Texas (January 5, 2010) - FUNimation® Entertainment today announced that it has acquired home video, broadcast and digital rights to the live-action splatter comedy “RoboGeisha ” from T.O. Entertainment.
Produced by RoboGeisha Film Partners (T.O Entertainment, Inc., Pony Canyon, Inc., Movie Gate Co., Ltd., Kadokawa Pictures, Inc.), “RoboGeisha” was released in Japanese theatres in October 2009. Written and directed by Noboru Iguchi (“Machine Girl”), “RoboGeisha” stars Aya Kiguchi, Hitomi Hasegawa, Takumi Saito, Naoto Takenaka, Matsuo Suzuki, Etsuko Ikuta and Asami Kumakiri.
About RoboGeisha
Yoshie is the younger sister and attendant of a geisha . One day, the sisters are invited to a dinner party by a customer, the son of the president of Kageno Iron Corporation. They are kidnapped and then trained to be assassins by the company president. Yoshie, who shows promise as an assassin, then begins to doubt the motives of the group.
For more information about the series, please visit http://www.funimation.com/robogeisha
ABOUT T.O. ENTERTAINMENT
Since its inception in 2003, T.O. Entertainment has maintained a very internationally oriented focus, with branch offices located in South Korea, the United Kingdom, and Singapore. The company has introduced multiple anime series (“Straight Jacket”, “Polyphonica”, etc) and full-length films (“King Of Tokyo”, “EggMan”, “RoboGeisha”, etc) with the goal of introducing Japanese entertainment to the rest of the world.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
FUNIMATION ENTERTAINMENT ACQUIRES “KAMUI GAIDEN” FROM SHOCHIKU
Flower Mound, Texas (January 5, 2010) - FUNimation® Entertainment today announced that it has acquired home video, broadcast and theatrical rights to the live-action dramatic epic “Kamui ” from Shochiku Co., Ltd.
Produced by Shochiku Co. Ltd., Japan’s leading studio, “Kamui“ was released as “Kamui Gaiden” in September 2009 in Japan. An adaptation of Sanpei Shirato’s 1965 manga series of the same name, the movie is directed by Japanese Academy Award winner Yoichi Sai (“Chi to Hone”), written by Kankuro Kudo (“Ping Pong”) and stars Kenichi Matsuyama (“Detroit Metal City”, “Death Note”).
About Kamui Gaiden
It is 17th century Japan and Kamui is a Fugitive Ninja on the run. He despises the lethal laws of the Ninja where he must use his skills to kill others, and is in search for true freedom. However, he is now hunted by his fellow ninjas as they must eliminate him for his betrayal. In order to live, he must constantly fight for his life and distrust others. An incident brings him to a fisherman's family, where he finally starts to open up to other people. Meanwhile, those hunting him are setting their trap.
For more information about the series, please visit http://www.funimation.com/kamui.
About Shochiku
Founded in 1895, Shochiku has established itself as a leading entertainment firm. Shochiku produces, distributes, and exhibits motion pictures as well as TV programs and has also become a symbol of enduring tradition as the exclusive promoter of kabuki theater in Japan. Recent movie productions include "Departures", which was awarded for 81st Academy Award as Best Foreign Language Film. Shochiku's animation lineup includes "VEXILLE", "Summer Days with Coo", "Sketchbook", "Le Chevalier D'Eon", "Sengoku Basara" and more.
Produced by Shochiku Co. Ltd., Japan’s leading studio, “Kamui“ was released as “Kamui Gaiden” in September 2009 in Japan. An adaptation of Sanpei Shirato’s 1965 manga series of the same name, the movie is directed by Japanese Academy Award winner Yoichi Sai (“Chi to Hone”), written by Kankuro Kudo (“Ping Pong”) and stars Kenichi Matsuyama (“Detroit Metal City”, “Death Note”).
About Kamui Gaiden
It is 17th century Japan and Kamui is a Fugitive Ninja on the run. He despises the lethal laws of the Ninja where he must use his skills to kill others, and is in search for true freedom. However, he is now hunted by his fellow ninjas as they must eliminate him for his betrayal. In order to live, he must constantly fight for his life and distrust others. An incident brings him to a fisherman's family, where he finally starts to open up to other people. Meanwhile, those hunting him are setting their trap.
For more information about the series, please visit http://www.funimation.com/kamui.
About Shochiku
Founded in 1895, Shochiku has established itself as a leading entertainment firm. Shochiku produces, distributes, and exhibits motion pictures as well as TV programs and has also become a symbol of enduring tradition as the exclusive promoter of kabuki theater in Japan. Recent movie productions include "Departures", which was awarded for 81st Academy Award as Best Foreign Language Film. Shochiku's animation lineup includes "VEXILLE", "Summer Days with Coo", "Sketchbook", "Le Chevalier D'Eon", "Sengoku Basara" and more.
Monday, January 4, 2010
FUNimation Entertainment To Distribute Select Titles From Famed Shaw Brothers Film Library
Flower Mound, TX – January 4, 2010 – FUNimation® Entertainment announced today that it now has U.S. home video distribution rights to 15 live action films from Celestial Filmed Entertainment, Inc.®’s expansive film collection featuring films by those known as “the Kung Fu masters”: the Shaw Brothers
Hong Kong-based Celestial Pictures has the world’s largest Chinese-language film collection including 760 films produced from the 1950s to the 1990s by the Shaw Brothers Studio founded by Sir Run Run Shaw and Runme Shaw in 1958.
Until Celestial Pictures began digitally restoring the films from their original negatives in 2002, few titles from the Shaw Brothers film archive had previously appeared since their original cinema release.
The Shaw films represent all genres, including kung fu, action, social satire, situation comedies, historical epics, horror and suspense, among others.
FUNimation will release “Sword of Swords”, “The Duel”, “The Lady Hermit” , “The 14 Amazons”, “Shaolin Hand Lock”, “Invincible Shaolin”, “Soul of the Sword”, “Life Gamble”, “Shaolin Rescuers”, “Shaolin Prince”, “Bastard Swordsman”, “Opium and The Kung Fu Master”, “The Supreme Swordsman”, “Return of Bastard Swordsman” and “Hong Kong Godfather”.
Watch the trailer to "The Hong Kong Connection" right here:
FUNimation Entertainment is bringing these films to DVD in 2010 and 2011.
About Celestial Pictures
In the year 2000, Celestial Pictures was established to acquire the Shaw Brothers film library. At present, Celestial Pictures is involved in the production of new movies and television programming (primarily in the Chinese, Korean, Indian and Bahasa languages). With its unique film library, distribution capability, and new productions, Celestial Pictures is already one of Asia's leading motion pictures studios. Celestial Pictures also manages the first global Chinese movie channel aimed at Chinese audiences and Chinese movie lovers across the globe. Other TV channels are also being developed.
About FUNimation Entertainment
FUNimation® Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Navarre Corporation, is the leading company for Japanese animation in the United States. FUNimation is known for acquiring top-rated anime series from Japan and for being the market share leader for home video sales of anime in the United States. The company has a proven formula for launching and advancing brands, and manages a full spectrum of rights for most of its brands including broadcasting, licensing, production, internet, and home video sales and distribution.
Hong Kong-based Celestial Pictures has the world’s largest Chinese-language film collection including 760 films produced from the 1950s to the 1990s by the Shaw Brothers Studio founded by Sir Run Run Shaw and Runme Shaw in 1958.
Until Celestial Pictures began digitally restoring the films from their original negatives in 2002, few titles from the Shaw Brothers film archive had previously appeared since their original cinema release.
The Shaw films represent all genres, including kung fu, action, social satire, situation comedies, historical epics, horror and suspense, among others.
FUNimation will release “Sword of Swords”, “The Duel”, “The Lady Hermit” , “The 14 Amazons”, “Shaolin Hand Lock”, “Invincible Shaolin”, “Soul of the Sword”, “Life Gamble”, “Shaolin Rescuers”, “Shaolin Prince”, “Bastard Swordsman”, “Opium and The Kung Fu Master”, “The Supreme Swordsman”, “Return of Bastard Swordsman” and “Hong Kong Godfather”.
Watch the trailer to "The Hong Kong Connection" right here:
FUNimation Entertainment is bringing these films to DVD in 2010 and 2011.
About Celestial Pictures
In the year 2000, Celestial Pictures was established to acquire the Shaw Brothers film library. At present, Celestial Pictures is involved in the production of new movies and television programming (primarily in the Chinese, Korean, Indian and Bahasa languages). With its unique film library, distribution capability, and new productions, Celestial Pictures is already one of Asia's leading motion pictures studios. Celestial Pictures also manages the first global Chinese movie channel aimed at Chinese audiences and Chinese movie lovers across the globe. Other TV channels are also being developed.
About FUNimation Entertainment
FUNimation® Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Navarre Corporation, is the leading company for Japanese animation in the United States. FUNimation is known for acquiring top-rated anime series from Japan and for being the market share leader for home video sales of anime in the United States. The company has a proven formula for launching and advancing brands, and manages a full spectrum of rights for most of its brands including broadcasting, licensing, production, internet, and home video sales and distribution.
APPLIYA ANNOUNCES A PARTNERSHIP WITH FUNIMATION ENTERTAINMENT TO BRING ANIME APPS TO THE iPHONE AND iPOD TOUCH
Tokyo, Japan, January 1, 2009 - Appliya Inc., a leading Japanese iPhone app publisher, is proud to announce a partnership with FUNimation Entertainment to create iPhone and iPod Touch apps for anime fans across North America. The first app in the series is Fullmetal Alchemist: State Alchemy Exam, which is now available exclusively on the iTunes App Store.
The State Alchemy Exam app features 130 questions that quiz your knowledge of physics, chemistry, and the events and characters of the original Fullmetal Alchemist TV series—one of the world’s most popular anime. Being an anime expert won't be enough to master this challenge; you'll need good knowledge of the fundamentals of science to earn the prestigious title of Alchemy Sage.
Fullmetal Alchemist: State Alchemy Exam
Application for: iPhone, iPod Touch
Price: $1.99
App Features:
· Beautiful art taken directly from the series, including rarely seen concept art
· Each exam question has a time limit, so players will have to think fast
· 12 reward wallpapers specially designed for the iPhone and iPod Touch
· Unlock certificates to mark your progress, and earn the title of “State Alchemist”
· Social networking features that let you post your best scores and achievements to compete with other players for bragging rights, or share your progress with friends on Facebook or Twitter
· More questions will be added via updates to give players new challenges
FUNimation and Appliya are planning many more exciting app releases for anime fans, including a Fullmetal Alchemist action game, apps based on the hilarious antics of comedy anime Shin chan, and apps featuring the highly popular Afro Samurai anime series, which aired exclusively on North American cable network Spike TV, featured the voice of Samuel L. Jackson, and was ranked as the best-selling North American anime DVD of 2007.
The State Alchemy Exam app features 130 questions that quiz your knowledge of physics, chemistry, and the events and characters of the original Fullmetal Alchemist TV series—one of the world’s most popular anime. Being an anime expert won't be enough to master this challenge; you'll need good knowledge of the fundamentals of science to earn the prestigious title of Alchemy Sage.
Fullmetal Alchemist: State Alchemy Exam
Application for: iPhone, iPod Touch
Price: $1.99
App Features:
· Beautiful art taken directly from the series, including rarely seen concept art
· Each exam question has a time limit, so players will have to think fast
· 12 reward wallpapers specially designed for the iPhone and iPod Touch
· Unlock certificates to mark your progress, and earn the title of “State Alchemist”
· Social networking features that let you post your best scores and achievements to compete with other players for bragging rights, or share your progress with friends on Facebook or Twitter
· More questions will be added via updates to give players new challenges
FUNimation and Appliya are planning many more exciting app releases for anime fans, including a Fullmetal Alchemist action game, apps based on the hilarious antics of comedy anime Shin chan, and apps featuring the highly popular Afro Samurai anime series, which aired exclusively on North American cable network Spike TV, featured the voice of Samuel L. Jackson, and was ranked as the best-selling North American anime DVD of 2007.
CHU-BRA COMING TO CRUNCHYROLL COURTESY OF STARCHILD
Adaptation of Yumi Nakata's Manga Series Coming to Crunchyroll Starting January 4th
San Francisco, CA and Tokyo, Japan (January 4, 2009) ‹ Crunchyroll and StarChild announced today the addition of CHU-BRA!! to Crunchyroll's Winter 2010 Anime Lineup. Adapted from the oft-talked about manga series created by Yumi Nakata and published in Futabasha's COMIC HIGH! and animated by ZEXCS, CHU-BRA!! features Minako Kotobuki, Minori Chihara, and Sayuri Yahagi in the lead roles of Yako, Nayu, and Haruka. More information can be found at http://www.crunchyroll.com/chubra.
CHU-BRA!! continues our long-lasting relationship with StarChild and looks to fit well into one of Crunchyroll's audience segments, the moe fan, said Rob Pereyda, Crunchyroll's Vice President of Licensing. We anticipate its success.
CHU-BRA!! will be available in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom in standard definition free of charge to all visitors of Crunchyroll's website and across the Crunchyroll network one week after airing in Japan. Crunchyroll's Anime Members and All-Access Members will receive early access to the program in 480P within one hour after its Japanese airing.
CHU-BRA!! joins hundreds of other Japanese anime and Chinese and Korean live-action drama series in one of the largest English-subtitled streaming collections of officially-licensed East Asian content in the world.
San Francisco, CA and Tokyo, Japan (January 4, 2009) ‹ Crunchyroll and StarChild announced today the addition of CHU-BRA!! to Crunchyroll's Winter 2010 Anime Lineup. Adapted from the oft-talked about manga series created by Yumi Nakata and published in Futabasha's COMIC HIGH! and animated by ZEXCS, CHU-BRA!! features Minako Kotobuki, Minori Chihara, and Sayuri Yahagi in the lead roles of Yako, Nayu, and Haruka. More information can be found at http://www.crunchyroll.com/chubra.
CHU-BRA!! continues our long-lasting relationship with StarChild and looks to fit well into one of Crunchyroll's audience segments, the moe fan, said Rob Pereyda, Crunchyroll's Vice President of Licensing. We anticipate its success.
CHU-BRA!! will be available in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom in standard definition free of charge to all visitors of Crunchyroll's website and across the Crunchyroll network one week after airing in Japan. Crunchyroll's Anime Members and All-Access Members will receive early access to the program in 480P within one hour after its Japanese airing.
CHU-BRA!! joins hundreds of other Japanese anime and Chinese and Korean live-action drama series in one of the largest English-subtitled streaming collections of officially-licensed East Asian content in the world.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Sony's Chatmonchy to perform at SXSW 2010
Successfully performing at the "Nippon Budokan" after their smash hit album "Seimeiryoku", Chatmonchy has already became one of the symbol of the Japanese rock scene.
And now, the band had just announced their appearance at the SXSW 2010, one of the biggest US music festival/showcase!
Chatmonchy are three girls from Japan who rock. Playing raw, energy-infused melodic rock music, Eriko (guitar and vocal), Akiko (bass), and Kumiko (drums) have been making a buzz all across Japan since their 2005 major label debut. Now, with their latest Oricon chart-topping album "Kokuhaku" (Confession), they're ready to infect North American fans with their catchy take on girl-rock power.
Chatmonchy-whose name means absolutely nothing!-burst onto the scene without any label backing in 2004, quickly catching the ear of Sony Music Japan. The next year, Sony's Ki/oon Records released their debut EP, "chatmonchy has come," and the band set off on their first nation-wide tour of Japan in 2006.
Inspiring fans with their feistiness and fire, Chatmonchy released their first full-length album, "Miminari" (Ear Ringing), in July of the same year. The album garnered a Top 10 spot on the national Oricon chart, and the girls were invited to perform at Japan's most important summer festivals, including Summer Sonic, Rock In Japan Festival and the Nano-Mugen Festival.
After the success of their summer festival dates, Eriko, Akiko, and Kumiko did a national tour in the Fall of 2006, then headed back to the studio to finish "Seimeiryoku" (Life Force), the album they had started writing the year before. The album, released in late 2007, hit #2 on the Oricon charts, and Chatmonchy played sold-out shows all around Japan -including a two-night solo concert at the Budokan in the Spring of 2008.
Following the first album, the rock-power girl trio released 4 singles that reached the Oricon Top 10, three that hit the Top 20, and 4 DVDs including music videos and passionate live performance footage. In addition, the single, "Dai Dai," was featured as the theme song on the anime series, "Bleach"- their first step toward connecting to a world-wide audience.
The next step, after adding another couple of DVDs to their catalogue on the home-front, is an attendance at the 2010 SXSW Music Conference. This will be Chatmonchy's first North American live performance, and the beginning of the next important chapter for these accomplished musicians-these three girls from Japan who rock.
Eriko Hashimoto: guitar and vocal
Akiko Fukuoka: bass
Kumiko Takahashi: drums
*And also check out their brand new Facebook & MySpace websites!
www.facebook.com/chatmonchy
www.myspace.com/chatmonchy
And now, the band had just announced their appearance at the SXSW 2010, one of the biggest US music festival/showcase!
Chatmonchy are three girls from Japan who rock. Playing raw, energy-infused melodic rock music, Eriko (guitar and vocal), Akiko (bass), and Kumiko (drums) have been making a buzz all across Japan since their 2005 major label debut. Now, with their latest Oricon chart-topping album "Kokuhaku" (Confession), they're ready to infect North American fans with their catchy take on girl-rock power.
Chatmonchy-whose name means absolutely nothing!-burst onto the scene without any label backing in 2004, quickly catching the ear of Sony Music Japan. The next year, Sony's Ki/oon Records released their debut EP, "chatmonchy has come," and the band set off on their first nation-wide tour of Japan in 2006.
Inspiring fans with their feistiness and fire, Chatmonchy released their first full-length album, "Miminari" (Ear Ringing), in July of the same year. The album garnered a Top 10 spot on the national Oricon chart, and the girls were invited to perform at Japan's most important summer festivals, including Summer Sonic, Rock In Japan Festival and the Nano-Mugen Festival.
After the success of their summer festival dates, Eriko, Akiko, and Kumiko did a national tour in the Fall of 2006, then headed back to the studio to finish "Seimeiryoku" (Life Force), the album they had started writing the year before. The album, released in late 2007, hit #2 on the Oricon charts, and Chatmonchy played sold-out shows all around Japan -including a two-night solo concert at the Budokan in the Spring of 2008.
Following the first album, the rock-power girl trio released 4 singles that reached the Oricon Top 10, three that hit the Top 20, and 4 DVDs including music videos and passionate live performance footage. In addition, the single, "Dai Dai," was featured as the theme song on the anime series, "Bleach"- their first step toward connecting to a world-wide audience.
The next step, after adding another couple of DVDs to their catalogue on the home-front, is an attendance at the 2010 SXSW Music Conference. This will be Chatmonchy's first North American live performance, and the beginning of the next important chapter for these accomplished musicians-these three girls from Japan who rock.
Eriko Hashimoto: guitar and vocal
Akiko Fukuoka: bass
Kumiko Takahashi: drums
*And also check out their brand new Facebook & MySpace websites!
www.facebook.com/chatmonchy
www.myspace.com/chatmonchy
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Kinokuniya To Send A Fan To Japan!
Kinokuniya Bookstore (1073 Ave of the Americas) has got one heck of a holiday gift for you. From now until December 19th, Kinokuniya Bookstore and American Airlines are raffling off one trip from anywhere in the continental USA to Tokyo. How do you enter? Just visit Kinokuniya Bookstore in Bryant Park to sign up.
The winner will be revealed at 5 PM on the 19th as part of the Kinokuniya and Samurai Beat Radio "J-Pop Christmas." Beginning at 1 PM on the 19th, Samurai Beat Radio will be playing a selection of the top-rated J-Pop songs as picked by Tokyo FM. Fans will be able to vote for their favorites, with their picks broadcast on samuraibeatradio.com. And, as I just said, the J-Pop Christmas will come to a close with the drawing of the free trip to Tokyo as well as a number of other prizes.
And, when you hit up Kinokuniya, be sure to check out their Domo Christmas Tree. Oh yes, I said Domo Christmas Tree. Curious? Well, now you gotta go to Kinokuniya to get a glimpse for yourself!
The winner will be revealed at 5 PM on the 19th as part of the Kinokuniya and Samurai Beat Radio "J-Pop Christmas." Beginning at 1 PM on the 19th, Samurai Beat Radio will be playing a selection of the top-rated J-Pop songs as picked by Tokyo FM. Fans will be able to vote for their favorites, with their picks broadcast on samuraibeatradio.com. And, as I just said, the J-Pop Christmas will come to a close with the drawing of the free trip to Tokyo as well as a number of other prizes.
And, when you hit up Kinokuniya, be sure to check out their Domo Christmas Tree. Oh yes, I said Domo Christmas Tree. Curious? Well, now you gotta go to Kinokuniya to get a glimpse for yourself!
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