PRESS RELEASE:
NEW PEOPLE Entertainment, a film division of NEW PEOPLE, Inc. that focuses on the licensing and distribution of Japanese films and media, will delight sci-fi, action and anime/manga fans across North America with the release of GANTZ on DVD (SRP $24.92) and Blu-ray/DVD combo-pack(SRP $29.99) on August 30th. The film, which is unrated, features both English and Japanese dialogue options and a bonus disc with an exclusive director’s interview and film trailers.
To celebrate the film’s release, a special screening of GANTZ is scheduled for Friday, August 26th at 7:00pm in San Francisco at NEW PEOPLE’s Cinema as part of the 2011 J-Pop Summit Festival. The film will be shown in Japanese with English subtitles. Get a great deal by purchasing a ticket bundle that also includes the brand-new DVD or Blu-ray plus a poster. Tickets and more information are available at http://www.newpeopleworld.com/films.
In addition, the San Francisco theatrical premiere of GANTZ II: Perfect Answer will also take place during the J-Pop Summit Festival on both Saturday, August 27th and Sunday August 28th. The film will also be shown in Japanese with English subtitles. Complete details on the J-Pop Summit are available at: www.J-Pop.com.
GANTZ is based on a hit manga series created by Hiroya Oku and stars leading Japanese actors Kazunari Ninomiya (Letters from Iwo Jima) and Kenichi Matsuyama (Death Note, Detroit Metal City). The film tells the story of two childhood friends that are accidentally killed while trying to save another man’s life. Rather than find themselves in the hereafter, however, they awaken in a strange apartment in which they find a mysterious black orb they come to know as “GANTZ.” Along with similar abductees, they are provided with equipment and weaponry and manipulated into playing a kind of game in which they are sent back out to the greater world to do battle with alien beings, all while never quite knowing whether this game is an illusion or their new reality.
“GANTZ first thrilled domestic audiences when we presented the film theatrically in a special one-night-only premiere at over 300 movie theatres nationally earlier this year that was attended by thousands of people across North America,” says Seiji Horibuchi, President and CEO of NEW PEOPLE, Inc. “Anticipation has risen steadily since then and fans now have the exclusive opportunity to own the film on DVD and Blu-ray with our release on August 30th. GANTZ features two of the biggest stars in Japanese cinema and remains true to the innovative storyline from the original manga series. Fans won’t want to miss this exciting release and stay tuned for news coming soon on the upcoming release of the film’s action-packed sequel, GANTZ II: Perfect Answer!”
Tag: manga
Stars to Appear at Premiere of 'GANTZ'
VIZ Media tells us that two of the stars of GANTZ will appear at the US premeire of the SF film next week in Hollywood.
Japanese actors Kazunari Ninomiya (Letters from Iwo Jima) and Kenichi Matsuyama (Death Note, Detroit Metal City), for the opening of the stars’ latest feature film – GANTZ. The pair will appear in-person for the premiere of the film in Hollywood, CA on Thursday, January 20th at 5:00pm at the Mann’s Chinese 6, located in the Hollywood & Highland Mall in Hollywood, CA.
Immediately following the GANTZ screening, Otaku USA Editor-in-Chief Patrick Macias will conduct a live interview session with Kazunari Ninomiya and Kenichi Matsuyama that will be telecast to the 333 theatres across the U.S. also screening GANTZ for the January 20th premiere. Fans are invited to submit interview questions via Facebook and Twitter at http://www.facebook.com/newpeople and http://twitter.com/#!/new_people, and also through the official GANTZ movie website at www.gantzmovies.com.
Seating for the Mann’s Chinese 6 is limited to 400 seats, so the opportunity to purchase tickets to the screening and interview event will be awarded through a drawing. Enter sooner for a better chance to win at www.gantzmovies.com. Winners will be notified promptly via email and will have the opportunity to purchase tickets for $15.00 each. All movie attendees will also receive a special GANTZ t-shirt that can only be found at this event.
Kazunari Ninomiya, best known in America for his role in Clint Eastwood’s 2006 blockbuster, Letters from Iwo Jima, is both an actor and a singer. He is also world-renowned as a member of the Japanese boy band “Arashi,” which topped Japan’s music charts in 2009 with the three best-selling singles. Kenichi Matsuyama is currently one of the most sought-after actors in Japanese film and he has won several awards including Japanese Academy Awards Best New Actor (2007) and Most Popular Actor (2009). Matsuyama is widely recognized for his part as L in Death Note (2006), Death Note II: the Last Name (2006) and Death Note: L, change the WorLd (2008) and also for his portrayal of Johannes Krauser II in the outlandish rock and roll comedy, Detroit Metal City (2009).
GANTZ makes its U.S. premiere in 333 movie theaters in an exclusive one-night-only event presented by NCM Fathom, Dark Horse Comics, and NEW PEOPLE on Thursday, January 20th, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. CT / 6:00 p.m. MT / 8:30 p.m. PT (tape delayed). Tickets (for all locations except Hollywood, CA) are available at participating theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com. For a complete list of theater locations and prices, please visit the web site (theaters and participants are subject to change).
GANTZ (English dubbed) is based on a hit manga series created by Hiroya Oku and tells the story of childhood friends Kei Kurono and Masaru Kato, who are accidentally killed while trying to save another man’s life. Rather than find themselves in the hereafter, however, they awaken in a strange apartment in which they find a mysterious black orb they come to know as “GANTZ.” Along with similar abductees, they are provided with equipment and weaponry and manipulated into playing a kind of game in which they are sent back out to the greater world to do battle with alien beings, all while never quite knowing whether this game is an illusion or their new reality.
Viz Free Manga iPad App Launchs
Since this is Anime related, we’ll pass along the news that VIZ Media has announced its digital Manga (graphic novel) application for the Apple® iPad™ mobile device, which launched yesterday for FREE download through the iTunes Store.
Additionally: “DEATH NOTE Vol. 1 will be available as a FREE download for a limited time only. Readers are encouraged to check the app regularly, as new additions to the store and free Chapter 1 previews of other forthcoming manga series for the iPad will also be featured and added on a frequent and regular basis.
BLEACH Vols. 1-2, DEATH NOTE Vols. 1-2, DRAGON BALL Vol. 1, NARUTO Vols. 1-2, and ONE PIECE Vols. 1-2, as well as the recently launched BAKUMAN Vol. 1.
In Week 2, the shojo fan favorite OURAN HIGH SCHOOL HOST CLUB Vol. 1 joins the lineup. All volumes will be available for purchase and download directly within the application for $4.99 per volume.”
Aja to do COBRA Space Pirate – Clip
According to Deadline.com, Alexandre Aja (PIRANHA 3D) has obtained the rights to the manga and anime space opera Cobra—The Space Pirate.
Not all that well known in the U.S., the Japanese manga was created in 1978 by Buichi Terasawa for the Shonen Jump magazine.
The successful comic book was turned into a an animated movie, and a cartoon series that’s been popular in Europe, where Alexandre Aja watched it growing up.
Long a dream project for him, he’s finaled been able to get the live action film rights, which he belives can be turned into a major space adventure film in 3-D. He is writing the screenplay with Gregory Levasseur and plans produce the film with Levasseur, Marc Sessego and Alexandra Milchan.
The 3-D idea is not just a band-wagon impluse, as the 1982 animated feature SPACE ADVENTURE COBRA was shot using a multi-plane technique, to give the film a feeling of 3-D.
Cobra is a young. blond, cigar-chomping Space Pirate, considered a rogue as he’s refused to ally himself with either the Space Pirates Guild or the United Galaxies. This makes Cobra, who has a weapon built into (or in lieu of ) one of his arms arm, his cbyernetic assistant Lady Armaroid, and his ship the Tortuga the targets of bounty hunters working for either side.
One of them, the sexy and mysterious Jane Royal, becomes something of a love intertest and potential partner in a quest for hidden treasure.
Juding from the cartoon opening, Cobra comes off as a kind of blend of Han Solo and James Bond. There is another level, because at one point, he changed his face and created a new, safe identity—taking the dramatic step of having his original memories supressed. As his adventures progress, he remembers more amd more of his past, and his abilities.
'Bleach': Free Online
VIZ Media announced that English-subtitled episodes from the most current story arc of BLEACH will begin streaming for free in the U.S. via the company’s premier website for anime, VIZAnime.com.
Starting today with Episode 275, VIZAnime.com will stream a new BLEACH episode one week after it has aired in Japan.
BLEACH is one of the most popular Japanese anime and manga properties in the world and this near simulcast schedule is part of VIZ Anime’s ongoing strategy to bring hit animated properties to a national audience via the web.
BLEACH is a popular manga and animated series (both rated ‘T’ for Teens), that follows the adventures of Ichigo, a 15-year old student with the ability to see ghosts. When his family is attacked by a Hollow — a malevolent lost soul – Ichigo encounters Rukia, a Soul Reaper, and inadvertently absorbs her powers. Now, he’s dedicating his life to protecting the innocent and helping tortured souls find peace.