'20th Century Boys 3: Redemption' Has Duel World Premiere in Japan And US

Source: MediaLab

NEW PEOPLE, a dynamic entertainment destination bringing the latest examples of Japanese popular culture to North American shores, presents a very special world premiere the final chapter of the 20th Century Boys trilogy of live-action films – 20th Century Boys 3: Redemption – this Friday, August 28th at the newly opened VIZ Cinema located in the heart of San Francisco’s historic Japantown. The special world premiere will take place simultaneously with the theatrical release of the film in Japan and will continue to play at the venue through September 3rd. For schedule and ticket information, please visit www.vizcinema.com.

The 20th Century Boys film trilogy is based on a critically-acclaimed manga (graphic novel) series created by Naoki Urasawa that was a national phenomenon in Japan, selling over 24 million copies. Excitement and anticipation for the release of the final chapter has built steadily from fans because the ending of the film is markedly different from the original manga series that inspired it.

VIZ Cinema is the nation’s first movie theatre devoted exclusively to Japanese film and anime. The 143-seat subterranean theatre is located in the basement of the NEW PEOPLE building and features plush seating, digital as well as 35mm projection, and a THX®-certified sound system. 20th Century Boys 1: Beginning of the End plays at VIZ Cinema until August 27th (matinee only), while 20th Century Boys 2: The Last Hope runs through August 28th.

Directed by Yukihiko Tsutsumi and presented in partnership with Nippon Television, the 20th Century Boys saga begins in 1969 when a young boy named Kenji and his friends write “The Book of Prophecy.” In the book, they write about a future where they fight against an evil organization trying to take over the world and bring about Doomsday. Years later in 1997, a mysterious cult being led by a man only known as “Friend” has emerged and gained strong influence over society. A series of catastrophic events begin to occur, mirroring the prophecies made up by the young Kenji.

Now in 2019, could the catastrophe written in The New Book of Prophecy be happening for real? What’s the true purpose of Friend’s evil plan? Who’s the real savior to that will stand up against him?

In the final film, the year is Friend Era Year 3 (2017 A.D.) and the World President, Friend, rules humanity. After a deadly virus ravages Tokyo, a wall is built around the city and inhabitants’ lives have been severely restricted. Friend tells everyone that on August 20th, aliens will destroy mankind and only those who believe in him will be saved. But a movement to stop Friend is in motion. Is protagonist Kenji really still alive? What is Friend’s plan for August 20th? Will the mystery behind the true identity of Friend be uncovered? All of the prophecies, schemes and plans will be finally revealed in the saga’s exciting concluding chapter.

See Also: Viz Cinema To Celebrate Grand Opening With 20th Century Boys Premiere / Toho Keeping The Ending To 20th Century Boys A Secret / 20th Century Boys Has A Paris Premiere / A Major PR Event For 20th Century Boys / Viz To Release 20th Century Boys Plus Several Other New Manga Titles In 2009 / 20th Century Boys Teaser Trailer / Filming Begins On 20th Century Boys

Viz Cinema To Celebrate Grand Opening With 20th Century Boys Premiere

Source: MediaLab

VIZ Pictures, a Japanese live-action film distributor and producer of the J-Pop Center Project, will launch the nation’s first movie theatre, VIZ Cinema, devoted exclusively to Japanese films and anime, which will open its doors on August 15th at NEW PEOPLE, located in the heart of San Francisco’s Japantown. The 143-seat subterranean theatre features plush seating, digital as well as 35mm projection, and a THX®-certified sound system.

NEW PEOPLE, a dynamic entertainment destination, brings the latest examples of Japanese popular culture to North American shores expressed through film, art, fashion, a variety of specialty boutiques from Japan and ongoing monthly events. As a grand feature of the building, VIZ Cinema is designed to give audiences a theatrical experience not available at any other venue in the country.

On August 15th, VIZ Cinema will celebrate its grand opening with a very special regional premiere screening of the first chapter of the 20th Century Boys live-action trilogy, directed by Yukihiko Tsutsumi, and presented in partnership with Nippon Television. Advance tickets go on-sale on Friday, July 31st, and more information is available at www.vizcinema.com.

The first 20th Century Boys film will continue playing at the theatre for the next week, followed by a week-long showing of the second chapter of the trilogy. As an unprecedented event in the Japanese film world, VIZ Cinema will host the world premiere of the third and final chapter of 20th Century Boys on August 28th, presented simultaneously with the national release in Japan.

The 20th Century Boys trilogy is based on the critically-acclaimed manga series created by Naoki Urasawa and was a national phenomenon in Japan, selling over 24 million copies.

VIZ Cinema will schedule a dynamic range of programming based on a new theme each month across a variety of genres. Individual films will change weekly to bi-weekly. The theme for August is "MANGA ATTACK!" and will screen live-action and animated (anime) feature movies based on manga (Japanese comics).

The first anime event will be the U.S. premiere of Bleach The Movie: The Diamond Dust Rebellion for two nights only, August 18th and 19th. Tickets and screening information are available at www.vizcinema.com beginning Friday, July 31st.

The September theme will be "LIFE ≈ ART" with feature films focusing on the pain and passion of an artist’s lifestyle as well as documentaries of world-renowned Japanese pop artists. More details of the September program will be announced early August.

The initial VIZ Cinema roster emphasizes fresh and contemporary films from Japan, a classic film series is forthcoming, and individual theatrical events for several films currently licensed by VIZ Pictures are also planned.

Audiences will have a wide selection of concession snacks to choose from including San Francisco's favorite gourmet coffee brand, Blue Bottle Coffee, and an organic Japanese deli-menu by DELICA complemented with Ito En's artisan Japanese tea selection. A Japanese snack line-up with candy and other unique confections will also be available.

“We will have a variety of really fun events at VIZ Cinema, from DVD release parties and raffles and giveaways, to Q&A sessions and discussion panels to complement screenings, and possibly even some personal appearances by various creators, directors and actors,” says Seiji Horibuchi, the founder/CEO of VIZ Pictures and the founder of VIZ Media as well as the J-pop Center Project. “We want VIZ Cinema to foster a community interested in Japanese popular culture in a variety of forms and film plays an essential part in that mission.”

NEW PEOPLE is a 20,000 square foot contemporary building located at 1746 Post Street in San Francisco’s Japantown (one of only three remaining in the country), an area steeped in more than a century of history. The structure features a striking 3-floor transparent glass façade that evokes a fun and exotic new environment to engage the imagination into the 21st Century. NEW PEOPLE will offer the latest films, art, and retail brands from Japan. A dedicated web site is also now available at: www.NewPeopleWorld.com.

Toho Keeping The Ending To 20th Century Boys A Secret

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: Variety

Toho wants to keep the ending to Yukihiko Tsutsumi's "20th Century Boys" trilogy an absolute secret. They aren't even going to let the press see it.

The studio is set to begin press screenings of ""20th Century Boys The Last Chapter: Our Flag" in late July, minus the last ten minutes of the film. The reason for this unprecedented action is to keep the identity of the mysterious cult leader, called only "Friend" (Tomodachi), from getting leaked.

In fact, the cast doesn't even know the character's identity. While the film was in production, scripts were handed out on a need-to-know basis and in total, only 10 people know how the film truly concludes.

"20th Century Boys" Synopsis:

In 1969, young boys Kenji, Otcho, Yoshitsune and Maruo build, in an empty field, a hideout they name their secret base, in which they and their friends can get together to share manga, stolen porn magazines and listen to a radio. To celebrate the event, Otcho draws a symbol for the base, that would represent their friendship. After their friends Yukiji and Donkey join the gang, they imagine a future scenario where villains would try to destroy the world, and in which the boys would stand up and fight; this scenario is transcribed and labeled "Book of Prophecy".

The trilogy opens in the late 1990s, where Kenji is a convenience store owner, finding solace in his childhood adventures as he takes care of his niece Kanna and his mother. After Donkey is reported to have committed suicide, Kenji stumbles upon a large cult led by a man known only as "Friend". The cult has a plan to destroy the world on New Year's Eve of 2000, (referred to in the latter half of the story as the Bloody New Year's Eve,) and the events that are currently unfolding are suspiciously close to the plan documented in the "Book of Prophecy".
Kenji begins to recruit some of his older friends, including Otcho and Yoshitsune, in an attempt to stop "Friend".

See Also: 20th Century Boys Has A Paris Premiere / A Major PR Event For 20th Century Boys / Viz To Release 20th Century Boys Plus Several Other New Manga Titles In 2009 / 20th Century Boys Teaser Trailer / Filming Begins On 20th Century Boys

20th Century Boys Has A Paris Premiere

Source: Japan Today

The Louvre museum in Paris yesterday allowed the first ever PR event in front of the Mona Lisa for the Japanese movie "20-seiki Shonen" (20th Century Boys). The manga adaptation was also the first Japanese movie to have its world premiere in the French capital, screening at the Publicis Cinéma on the Champs Elysées. Star Karasawa Toshiaki (45) and actress Tokiwa Takako (36) had visited the Louvre before but never had the Mona Lisa to themselves. Well, apart from museum personnel and about 80 reporters. Security was tight and cameras were strictly prohibited from shooting any artwork other than the da Vinci masterpiece. Toikiwa was something of a work of art herself, wearing a bright purple kimono. "20th Century Boys" is a three-part adaptation of a hit manga series that sold over 20 million copies. There are already plans to screen the movie, which opens in Japan on August 30, in more than 20 countries.

A Major PR Event For 20th Century Boys

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: Japan Zone

The serious PR has started for the movie adaptation of "20-Seiki Shonen" (20th Century Boys). A post-production event was held last night at the Roppongi Hills complex in central Tokyo for the first of the three movie installments, which opens in theaters on August 30. The movie has a star-studded cast, and they were all called out for yesterday's event. But stealing the show was a 9m high reproduction of the movie's robot. Toei reportedly shelled out about ¥40 million for the PR event, with most of that being the cost of the robot. Star Karasawa Toshiaki (45) described the film this way, "It's intense!" The movies are based on the sci fi manga that ran in the "Big Comic Spirits" magazine from 1999 to 2006. There have been distribution negotiations in more 20 countries worldwide, and the movies are likely to be bigger than the recent "Death Note" series. Servers for the official website (http://www.20thboys.com) have been reportedly overwhelmed in the last couple of days due the intense interest in the film.

See Also: Viz To Release 20th Century Boys Plus Several Other New Manga Titles In 2009 / 20th Century Boys Teaser Trailer / Filming Begins On 20th Century Boys

Viz To Release 20th Century Boys Plus Several Other New Manga Titles In 2009

Source: Media Lab

VIZ Media has provided a preview of a variety of compelling new manga titles set to debut under the VIZ SIGNATURE, VIZ MEDIA and SHOJO BEAT imprints in the first half of 2009.

VIZ SIGNATURE releases will include two new series from manga mastermind Naoki Urasawa, and include Naoki Urasawa's 20th Century Boys and PLUTO: URASAWA X TEZUKA, which offers a unique collaboration between Urasawa and manga titan Osamu Tezuka. New releases from the VIZ MEDIA imprint will include Shirow Miwa’s series DOGS and Mase Motoro’s IKIGAMI. Four new SHOJO BEAT series round out the first quarter releases and will feature Miki Aihara’s HONEY HUNT, Izumi Tsubaki’s THE MAGIC TOUCH, Aya Kanno’s OTOMEN and a new VIZBIG Edition of Miki Aihara’s acclaimed series HOT GIMMICK.

"MONSTER-creator Naoki Urasawa’s two new series, 20th CENTURY BOYS and PLUTO: URASAWA X TEZUKA, which is based on Osamu Tezuka’s classic manga ASTRO BOY, show this master artist at the height of his powers. Those wondering what are the manga equivalents of WATCHMEN and THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS need look no further," said Alvin Lu, Vice President, Publishing, VIZ Media. "In Japan, these two series are considered masterpieces of the form, along the lines of Katsuhiro Otomo’s AKIRA and Takehiko Inoue’s VAGABOND. With our other new releases for 2009, we’re extremely excited this season to be presenting some of the absolute best the manga medium has to offer."

Naoki Urasawa's 20th Century Boys · Rated “T+” for Older Teens ·
MSRP: $12.99 · February 2009
Considered by manga cognoscenti as one of the absolute masterpieces of the medium, NAOKI URASAWA’S 20TH CENTURY BOYS is this critically acclaimed creator’s magnum opus. A sprawling decades-spanning saga about a group of childhood friends who are mankind’s last hope against an apocalyptic religious cult, NAOKI URASAWA’S 20TH CENTURY BOYS combines elements of brain-bending science-fiction, Stephen King novels, Bob Dylan songs, and straight-up rock ‘n’ roll to create one of the most addictive manga reads ever. Find out why this title may be one of the greatest comics of all time.

PLUTO: URASAWA X TEZUKA · Rated “T” for Teens · MSRP: $12.99 ·
February 2009
A darkly-lit science-fiction thriller set in a cybernetic future reminiscent of BLADE RUNNER and I, ROBOT, PLUTO: URASAWA X TEZUKA takes a storyline from Osamu Tezuka’s classic manga ASTRO BOY and radically retrofits Tezuka’s space-age optimism for a more chaotic age. Somebody is out to kill the world’s most powerful robots—including Astro Boy! A cyborg detective must investigate the robot-murders and solve them, before they come after him. Serialized at the same time as NAOKI URASAWA’S 20TH CENTURY BOYS in Japan, PLUTO exhibits Urasawa’s narrative skills at the top of their form, taking the thrilling plot twists of MONSTER to a new level. As a radical reimagining of a classic comic character, PLUTO: URASAWA X TEZUKA is to Astro Boy what THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS was to Batman.

The MAGIC TOUCH · Rated “T” for Teens · MSRP: $8.99 · February 3, 2009
The star of her high school's Massage Research Society club, Chiaki Togu is otherwise a normal, quiet girl until she falls in love at first sight with a gorgeous back – a back that happens to belong to Yosuke, the hottest guy at her school! Unfortunately, Chiaki's attraction to Yosuke is thwarted by her own insecurity and the scheming of other girls – especially her twin sister Saya!

OTOMEN · Rated “T” for Teens · MSRP: $8.99 · Available: February 3, 2009
Asuka Masamune is the coolest, manliest guy in his whole school. He’s a kendo master and even excels in judo and karate...but he has a secret! He loves girly things – sewing, knitting, making cute stuffed animals and reading shojo comics. Unfortunately, in a world where boys are expected to act manly, Asuka must hide his beloved hobbies and play the part of a masculine jock instead. Ryo Miyakozuka, on the other hand, is a girl who can't sew or bake a cake to save her life. Asuka finds himself drawn to Ryo, but she likes only the manliest of men! Can Asuka ever show his true self to anyone, much less to the girl that he's falling for? Find out in this new SHOJO BEAT manga series by Aya Kanno.

DOGS · Rated “M” for Mature Audiences · MSRP: $12.99 · April 14, 2009
Boasting furious action, switchback plotting, magnetic characters and dazzling art, Dogs tells the story of four individuals struggling to survive a dystopian urban future by gun and sword and courage and luck. Haine, the “Stray Dog”: a cipher of a young man with a mysterious metal collar bolted to his neck and a serious taste for mayhem. Badou: a hired gun for petty jobs legal and not, whose reckless façade hides a serious intent. Naoto: a preternaturally skilled swordswoman searching for the assassin who cut down her family and mentor. Mihai: a middle-aged former hitman, now trying live a quiet life but haunted by the deaths of his lover and protégé. Driven by their ghosts—both dead and alive—and a desire for truth, all are inexorably drawn to the “Underground,” the dark and dangerous sector below the city that holds all the secrets—but secrets that can only be had for a price.


IKIGAMI: THE ULTIMATE LIMIT · Rated “M” for Mature Audiences ·
MSRP: $12.99 · May 12, 2009
“Dear Citizen: You’ve no doubt noticed that the world is a troubled place. People are apathetic, lazy, unmotivated. You’ve probably asked yourself: Why isn’t anything being done to stop this systematic decline? Well, you’ll be happy to know measures are being taken. We, your government, have decided society needs a wake-up call. So beginning today, we will randomly select a different citizen who will be killed within 24 hours of notification. We believe this will help remind all people how precious life is, and how important it is to be productive, active members of society…CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE BEEN RANDOMLY SELECTED BY THE GOVERNMENT…TO DIE IN 24 HOURS!”

HONEY HUNT · Rated “T+” for Older Teens · MSRP: $8.99 ·
April 7, 2009
At last, the new series from HOT GIMMICK creator Miki Aihara! Life's not easy when you're living in the shadow of your famous parents. Can shy Yura, the daughter of an award-winning composer and a world-renowned actress, find the courage to step out on her own now that her super-celebrity parents are getting divorced? Find out in this new SHOJO BEAT series.

HOT GIMMICK VIZBIG EDITION · Rated “T+” for Older Teens · MSRP: $17.99 · March 17, 2009
A new omnibus edition bundling the first three volumes of the critically acclaimed manga series by Miki Aihara, HOT GIMMICK introduces readers to a company-owned rabbit-hutch apartment complex filled with tenants who can't afford to live anywhere else. High-school girl Hatsumi Narita resides in this complex, which is ruled over by the rumor mongering, self-righteous Mrs. Tachibana. Get on Tachibana's bad side, and life becomes hell. When Hatsumi has to buy a pregnancy test because her popular sister Akane is late, Mrs. Tachibana's son, Ryoki, who used to bully Hatsumi as a kid, promises not to tell the world about Hatsumi's secret, only if she becomes his slave. Suddenly Azusa, Hatsumi's protector in their youth, reappears to save her again! He's moving back into the neighborhood! Despite the budding romance between Hatsumi and Azusa, Ryoki has control over her through the secret that could ruin the lives of everyone in Hatsumi's family, and he hasn't forgotten who his slave is!