BIGONE Inc Launches Kickstarter To Raise Funds For 'Getter Robo' Movie Trailer

 The Japanese production company BIGONE Inc has just launched a Kickstarter campaign in both Japan and the United States to raise funds to produce a special effects heavy trailer for their proposed 'Getter Robo' live action movie to be released in 2025 to celebrate the classic anime's 50th anniversary. BIGONE is a newly founded production company by Japanese producer Junya Okabe (Godzilla vs Biollante & Gundam - Mission to the Rise) and Getter Robo would be it's first production.

From Kickstarter:

Getter Robo was first published as manga and anime in Japan in 1974.
Since then, there have been many sequels and adaptations in manga and anime.

To celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2025, Getter Robo will finally make its debut in theatres in Japan as a live-action feature film.

Junya Okabe will write, produce, and direct the live-action Getter Robo feature film.

Getter Robo was originally a manga series by Go Nagai & Ken Ishikawa published in Weekly Shonen Sunday (a magazine in Japan) between 1974 and 1975, which was also made into a TV anime series.

Among numerous works in the 70s featuring giant robots patterned after the mainstream hit show "Mazinger Z," Getter Robo established the gold standard by incorporating robot combination and transformation elements.

Three pilots respectively controlling "Eagle-Gou," "Jaguar-Gou," and "Bear-Gou," merge their ships to form "Get Machines". They transform into three variations of a giant robot named "Getter-1," "Getter-2," and "Getter-3," each optimized for different combat situations when confronting the Dinosaur Empire, which vows to annihilate humankind.

While the anime series on TV was simplified as a moral story of good guys versus bad guys to fit younger viewers’ taste, the original manga adaptation by Ken Ishikawa was violent and hardcore, which still attracts cult fans today.

In 2025, the series will celebrate its 50th anniversary, beloved by countless fans of anime and manga.

Since obtaining the rights to produce a live-action film of Getter Robo by Go Nagai ＆ Ken Ishikawa, we have been aiming for a theatrical release of the film in 2025 - in celebration of its 50th anniversary.

The Getter Robo live-action film will be full of amazing but technically challenging visual effects.

Ordinarily, visual tests and techniques take place during the preproduction of a feature film. However, unlike Hollywood productions with abundant budgets, most Japanese films must produce and budget these works, separately - on a smaller scale and within a short timeframe.

After countless discussions, we concluded that it would be best to produce a 3 – 5 minute trailer focused on realizing the most challenging visuals necessary for the feature.

Read More & Make Donations at - Go Nagai / Live-Action Getter Robo Short Film Kickstarter

 Just in case you don't remember Getter Robo:

Here are some concept designs:

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It's Giant Robots 70s Style - Johnny Sokko And His Flying Robot

The series, called "Giant Robo" in Japan was produced by Toei Company Ltd., and aired on NET (now TV Asahi) from October 11, 1967 to April 1, 1968, with a total of 26 episodes. The English dubbed version of the series was produced by American International Television as "Johnny Sokko and his Flying Robot".

The entire series was first broadcast in the United States in 1969 by American International Television, and became quite popular in syndication over the next several years, particularly from 1971-74 when it reached its peak in distribution. The series was still in active syndication through the early 1980s. In 1970, several episodes were edited together to create the movie Voyage Into Space, which has now reached cult film status.

The series was astonishingly violent by American standards of children's programming in the 1960s (in its home country of Japan, though, it was no more violent than any other tokusatsu airing at the time). Gunplay are staples of every episode of the series, and the series' two child leads - Johnny Sokko and Mari Hanson (Mari Hanamura in the Japanese version; a 9-year-old girl introduced in the seventh episode who speaks 39 languages and is a crack shot with a firearm) were frequently seen shooting along with the rest of the Unicorn agents. In one episode, Johnny and Mari are captured and tied to trees by Gargoyle, and are within seconds of being executed by firing squad, when Unicorn agents rescue them. Oddly enough, though practically every Japanese anime exported to the United States during that period was edited due to violent content, Johnny Sokko and His Flying Robot seemed to have escaped close scrutiny in that regard, and what editing was done on the show seemed to have been more for the purposes of squeezing in another commercial or two rather than in the interest of curbing the show's violence.

Plot: 

 The Earth is under invasion by a terrorist group called Big Fire (Gargoyle in the US version), an Illuminati style organization led by the alien Emperor Guillotine, who spends almost the entire series in a multicolored space ship hidden at the bottom of one of the Earth's oceans (presumably the Pacific) whence he issues his orders to the members of Gargoyle (frequently referred to in the series as "The Gargoyle Gang").

The members of Gargoyle, as it turns out, are an ambitious but somewhat incompetent bunch who appear to have a fairly high mortality rate due either to Unicorn actions or Guillotine's own fits of anger. Their wardrobe is an interesting collection of what appears to be an assortment of castoffs from Soviet officers, wartime Wehrmacht personnel, Central American guerrillas, and the designers of Italian sunglasses. In addition, at least one Gargoyle member is always seen with a beatnik beard. Most of Gargoyle's members wear berets adorned with a skull on the front. All members of Gargoyle have an explosive device implanted within their bodies that can be detonated in the event they are captured, though this seems to be used only rarely.

 Guillotine himself has a large blue head with tentacles extending from the bottom of the head; not unlike Cthulhu. He wears a long robe, and carries a staff with a white orb at its furthest end. Like his head, the rest of his body is blue. He is capable of growing to an enormous height, though this is only seen once in the series; specifically, it is only seen in the last installment, where he himself actually fights, and loses to, the Flying Robot. 

 Guillotine leaves day-to-day matters in the hands of various commanders; principally Spider (a human who is eventually killed by a spray of acid), Doctor Botanus (Doctor Over in the Japanese series; a silver-skinned alien capable of teleportation), Fangar (Red Cobra in the Japanese series, and also alternatively referred to as Dangor the Executioner in the US series - a bizarre alien with a peg-leg and crutch, a greatly enlarged forehead, protruding upper teeth, and a costume that looks like a traditional striped prison outfit in front and a red velvet jumpsuit in back), Harlequin (Black Dia in the Japanese version, who has a fascination with the suits of playing cards), and The Golden Knight (Mr Gold in the Japanese series; a gold colored armored knight).

The group captures scientists to create an army of giant monsters to rampage the Earth. But fate stumbles on a little boy named Daisaku Kusama (Johnny Sokko in the US) and a young man named Jūrō Minami (Jerry Mano in the US), the latter is secretly Member U3 of the top-secret peacekeeping organization, Unicorn. Daisaku and Jūrō are shipwrecked on an island after the ocean liner they were on was attacked by a giant sea monster called Dracolon, and are captured by members of Big Fire. When trying to escape, they end up in an elevator that leads down to a huge construction complex where a giant robot is being built. Pharaoh-like in appearance in that the design of his head resembles the headdresses worn by the Pharaohs of ancient Egypt, this nearly indestructible humanoid robot is being built by captive scientist Dr. Lucius Guardian, who decides to give the two escapees its control device, a miniature transmitter built into a wristwatch. The robot can only be controlled by the first voice recorded in his electronic brain; however, he first needs to be charged up by atomic energy. Dr. Guardian helps Daisaku and Jūrō escape, only to be shot to death, but not before he set an atomic bomb that destroyed the base, the resulting explosion activates the giant robot, which moves to Daisaku's every command. As the controller of the robot (heretofore known as "Giant Robo," or just "Giant Robot" in the US), Daisaku is invited by Jūrō and his chief Azuma to join Unicorn as its 7th member, U7. As U7, Daisaku fights the evil forces of Big Fire with the help of U3/Jūrō and Giant Robo.

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Robotech Macross Saga: Retro Transformable Collection VF-1J Rick Hunter Valkyrie 1:100 Scale Action Figure

Robotech Macross Saga: Retro Transformable Collection VF-1J Rick Hunter Valkyrie 1:100 Scale Action Figure

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A gigantic spaceship crash lands on Earth, foreshadowing the arrival of an alien armada bent on war and destruction. The world unites to unlock the secrets of its miraculous alien technology knows as Robotech to defend the world against impending invasion. The challenges they would face would be greater than anyone could have imagined…

Macross is a Japanese science fiction anime series that takes place ten years after an alien space ship the size of a city crashed onto South Atalia Island. The space ship was found and reconstructed by humans who turned it into the SDF-1 Macross. It's up to Earth Defense Pilots Roy Focker and Rick Hunter (aka Hikaru Ichijo) to defend and save our world!

Toynami is proud to offer the Macross Saga: Retro Transformable Collection 1:100 Scale VF-1J Rick Hunter Valkyrie Action Figure! Transformable to three modes: Battroid, Gerwalk and Fighter, this highly poseable figure has over 30 points of articulation. Standing over 5-inches tall in Battroid Mode and 6-inches long in Fighter Mode, it comes with interchangeable hands, missiles, and Micronian Rick Hunter pilot. Includes adjustable display stand for maximum versatility and poseability, as well as classic 1980's retro packaging. Don't miss out on the ultimate in Macross Saga collectibles!
 

Gundam Breaker Battlogue Wing Gundam Sky Zero High Grade 1:144 Scale Model Kit

Gundam Breaker Battlogue Wing Gundam Sky Zero High Grade 1:144 Scale Model Kit

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From Gundam Breaker Battlogue comes a uniquely customized take on mobile suits that have appeared throughout the Gundam franchise. Each model kit in the line has been structurally redesigned to allow builders to combine and customize their own distinctive Gunpla. This Gundam Breaker Battlogue Wing Gundam Sky Zero High Grade 1:144 Scale Model Kit features a light blue color scheme and can transform into bird mode. The model kit includes 2x beam sabers, 2x buster cannons, 1x shield, and 1x connector part.

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From Gundam Breaker Battlogue comes a uniquely customized take on mobile suits that have appeared throughout the Gundam franchise. Each model kit in the line has been structurally redesigned to allow builders to combine and customize their own distinctive Gunpla. This Gundam Breaker Battlogue Blazing Gundam High Grade 1:144 Scale Model Kit features a red color scheme and has a martial art inspired design. The model kit includes 2x beam sabers, 2x tonfas, and 1x beam kick effect part.

Mobile Suit Gundam RX-78-2 Gundam Full Combat Set Entry Grade 1:144 Scale Model Kit - $12.99

The Mobile Suit Gundam RX-78-2 Gundam Full Combat Set Entry Grade 1:144 Scale Model Kit features a complete introduction to Gunpla and one of the most iconic mobile suits. The plastic is color molded requiring no paint, snaps together requiring no glue, uses easy twist off parts, requiring no tools, and does not require stickers for tiny details! This fully armed RX-78-2 Gundam includes 1x beam rifle, 1x shield, 2x beam sabers, 1x bazooka, and 1x Gundam hammer. Measures approximately 4 1/10-inches tall.

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Mazinger Mazinkaiser Riobot Action Figure - Free Shipping

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Mazinger Mazinkaiser Riobot Action Figure - Free Shipping

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Return of the emperor! A forever classic design! Now with strengthened joints! And more die-cast! For the first time feel the power of the design recreated in your hand with super articulation! Mazinkaiser joins the Riobot series from Sentinel! Designed by the famous design team Chemical Attack and supervised by Dynamic Productions this product will come built to look massive and powerful in any pose. Designed to keep this look in any pose, the whole body will be filled with gimmicks to enhance range of motion that will shock you when you pose it. Will come in a metallic finish and uses numerous transparent parts but it will come heavy and steady thanks to the die-cast parts used. The Mazinger Mazinkaiser Riobot Action Figure includes option and effect parts that will allow you to recreate many of the famous scenes of the series! Measures about 8-inches tall.

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Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #0 - $6.99

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Mazinger Z (マジンガーZ) is a Japanese super robot manga and anime written and illustrated by Go Nagai. The original manga version debuted in Weekly Shonen Jump October 1972 until it ended was continued in a different format in TV Magazine from October 1973 to September 1974, with an anime adaptation airing on Fuji TV.

The manga and anime tell the story of the protagonist, Koji Kabuto and the titular mecha Mazinger Z. The Mazinger was created by Koji's grandfather Professor Juzo Kabuto from the discovery of the fictional Japanium and using it to create the powerful and durable Super Alloy Z. It's main purpose was to combat the Mechanical Beasts of Dr. Hell, a former colleague of Professor Kabuto who killed the research team he and Prof. Kabuto were a part of during an expedition in the Greek island Bardos. Prof. Kabuto managed to escape and began his work on the Mazinger and other robots to combat Dr. Hell. Managing to finish it, the professor was killed by a bomb planted by one of Dr. Hell's henchmen, Baron Ashura. Koji noticing the explosion rushes to his grandfather's side. With his dying breath, the professor informs his grandson of the impending danger and gives the Mazinger to him. Koji swearing vegeance on Dr. Hell, becomes the pilot of Mazinger Z and with help from his girlfriend Sayaka Yumi, his younger brother Shiro Kabuto, and some sort of help from Boss, Koji fights against Dr. Hell and his minions.

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An Awesome New Anime Short - The Mighty Grand Piton

The Line

Looks like an updated version of Gigantor or Johnny Sokko...

The Mighty Grand Piton is a short film about a young British girl, Connie, who travels to the Caribbean Island of Saint Lucia for her school holidays with her family. There, she accidentally awakens a giant robot buried under the Twin Piton mountains on the south of the Island. This robot seems compelled to protect Saint Lucia but his origins are mysterious. No one knows where he came from or how long he’s been there. During the many years he’s lain dormant, The Mighty Grand Piton, became nothing more than the stuff of legend.

READ MORE: Epoxy #1 - Limited Series - Giant Robot Manga - Epoxy Press - Grade NM



The Mighty Grand Piton is the brainchild of Wesley Louis, whose parents were born in Saint Lucia before moving to the UK. Connie, whose character is based on an amalgamation of Wes’s nieces and nephews, is also an embodiment of his own experience of visiting the Caribbean. Specifically, the story references his memories of engaging with a culture and community that he grew up just hearing about. We also get a sense in this film what it was like seeing for the first time a landscape that could not be more different from where he was born in London.

I wonder how long until Disney steals this one? lol

Things You Didn't Know About "The Mysterians"

Beware! Multi-colored aliens have come to Earth with a giant drill-nosed robot to mate with our women and buy up all of our real estate.

The Mysterians  is a 1957 Japanese science fiction film directed by Ishirō Honda and stars Kenji Sahara, Yumi Shirakawa and Takashi Shimura. The film begins with a giant fissure destroying an entire village. This leads to an investigation whereby the source is discovered to be Moguera, a giant robot, who is then destroyed by the military. The remains are analyzed and discovered to be of alien origin. Shortly after, an alien race known as the Mysterians arrive, declaring they have taken some Earth women captive and that they demand both land and the right to marry women of Earth.

For The Mysterians, producer Tomoyuki Tanaka recruited Jojiro Okami, a science fiction writer, to develop the story. Honda later elaborated that he wanted the film to differ from both Godzilla and Rodan and to make it more of a "true science fiction film," one to promote peace and understanding between cultures. The film was popular upon its release in Japan, where it was among the top ten grossing domestic productions of the year. Contemporary reviews from Western critics in the Monthly Film Bulletin and Variety praised the special effect work but criticized the plot as confusing and juvenile, respectively. - Wiki

Who's Afraid Of Godzilla? Illustrated Book By DI Kaiju & Bob Eggleton Godzilla Movie Monsters! Mothra Rodan and More! Grade VF

At the end of the English-language US version, the last Mysterian saucer is seen ascending into the upper atmosphere. In the original Japanese-language version, this is revealed, through dialog, to actually be an Earth satellite that is launched to monitor the Mysterians and prevent a future attack.

This was one of the first Japanese productions to be shot in anamorphic widescreen. Tôhô Kabushiki Kaisha, which called its anamorphic process TôhôScope, specifically made this film to show off the new process. Part of Akira Ifukube's battle score was used on the TôhôScope logo, which appeared at the beginning of the Japanese-language prints.

The USA premiere of the Mysterians, Aka Chikyû Bôeigun (tôhô, 1957) was on October 30, 1958, at the United Artists Theater in downtown Inglewood, California. A giant 6-foot-tall cardboard standee poster of Mogera was placed outside of the theater, facing the street. It was released by RKO and Warner Bros. for that release, then MGM re-released it again in May 1959. It is available on VHS, Laserdisc from Tôhô, and on DVD from Tokyo Shock, 2005. The reissue DVD has a re-recorded English-language soundtrack with new voice actors and is not the original 1958 USA release soundtrack that had Paul Frees as the voice of actor Takashi Shimura, who played the veteran scientist Dr. Tanjiro Adachi, as he also did for this actor in voiceover work in Godzilla: King of the Monsters (1956) and Mosura (mothra) (1961).



The Mogera suit, originally worn by Haruo Nakajima, was, after filming, kept in storage in one of Tôhô's visual effects sound stages until 1974, when it was destroyed in a fire on the lot, caused by a pyrotechnical accident during the filming of Nosutoradamusu no daiyogen (1974).

In the original Japanese-language version, the aliens are called Mysterians (rendered in katakana as Misuterian). When he visited the United States, special-effects director Eiji Tsuburaya was surprised to discover that the term Mysterians was well-known. It had also been used in the English-language dubbing, and the film had even been released in the United States under the title "The Mysterians."

Mogera, the giant robot that was added to the film, was created to be a Godzilla-like mechanical monster, including spines along the back and a large tail. In the final edit of the film, most of the selected shots hide the fact that the robot does have a tail.

An early concept of Mogera was of a four-footed mecha, more along the lines of a mole. The name Mogera was based on the Japanese word for mole ("mogura"), which was not in the original script, but was added at the insistence of producer Tomoyuki Tanaka, who felt the movie needed a giant monster.

Japan's Self-Defense Forces gave assistance to this production and allowed the filming of military equipment and personnel. Through them, the production was also allowed to shoot TôhôScope-wide footage, especially of military aircraft, at United States Military installations in Japan. - IMDB

In the late 1980s long time Godzilla movie fan and music video producer Mick Anger developed a sequel to The Mysterians. The film featured Godzilla (Of Course) taking on the horny aliens and their giant Mogera robot. According to sources the film actually went through eighteen months of development before producer Tomoyuki Tanaka pulled the plug. Apparently Toho wasn't ready for an American to helm a Godzilla movie.

Here is a outline for the story:

"The story of GODZILLA Vs. THE MYSTERIANS involved a rogue faction of the aliens from the original 1957 flick, setting up shop under the Nevada Desert. Over the years the Mysterians conducted experiments on the local flora and fauna in their labs to try ,and combat the conundrum of their race's sterility. The results were a menagerie of genetic, and cybernetic abominations that brought them no closer to their goals of correcting their sterility. The mightiest of which, Hira-Jin, part-man, part-Gila Monster, part human.

The Mysterians hit upon the idea that Godzilla's unique biology might be the key to the answers they seek. So a ship is dispatched to Monster Island to capture the King of the Monsters. The mission is successful, Godzilla is captured ,and brought back to the base. Unfortunately, drawn into the affair are Anguirus and Rodan who track Godzilla to the Mysterians' base in the Nevada desert, which takes them through Las Vegas. The Mysterians unleash Hira-Jin against the kaiju, and large tracks of Vegas end up devastated in the resulting battle." - Toho Kingdom

Wow there is a lot to process there. I think that if you took out the half-human-half-gila monster thing you may have had something ... maybe.

A First Look At SABAN’S GO GO POWER RANGERS: BACK TO SCHOOL #1

From BOOM! Studios

BOOM! Studios and Hasbro unveiled today a first look at SABAN’S GO GO POWER RANGERS: BACK TO SCHOOL #1, a new oversized one-shot special on-sale in September 2018. Award-nominated writer Marguerite Bennett (Batwoman, Animosity) and fan-favorite artists Jim Towe (Youngblood), Derek Charm (Star Wars: Adventures, Powerpuff Girls), Jordan Gibson (The Amazing Spider-Man), Xiao Tong Kong (Adventure Time Comics) and Ilaria Catalani (Rugrats: R is for Reptar) present a new look at the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.

It’s Spring Break for the Rangers, and the first time since they received their Power Coins that the Rangers will be apart. As they each embark on their own week-long vacation, these teenagers with attitude discover that being a hero doesn’t always mean having to morph!

SABAN’S GO GO POWER RANGERS: BACK TO SCHOOL #1 features a main cover by Dan Mora (Klaus), along with variant covers by Gurihiru (Marvel Rising) and Jonboy Meyers (Teen Titans).

“This is your first chance to see the heart, joy and surprises that Marguerite Bennett will bring to the world of Power Rangers in September before she takes the reins of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers,” said Dafna Pleban, Senior Editor, BOOM! Studios. “Along with an incredible team of artists, we’re going to get to see the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers dealing with one of their greatest challenges yet – taking a break from saving the world.”

Print copies of SABAN’S GO GO POWER RANGERS: BACK TO SCHOOL #1 will be available on September 19th, 2018 at local comic book shops (use comicshoplocator.com to find the one nearest you), or at the BOOM! Studios webstore. Digital copies can be purchased from content providers like comiXology, iBooks, Google Play, and the BOOM! Studios app.

Currently, Power Rangers is celebrating 25 continuous years on the air, making it one of the longest running kids’ live-action series in television history with nearly 900 episodes aired to date. Created by Haim Saban and launched in 1993 with Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, the franchise celebrates its milestone anniversary year with the 25th season, “Power Rangers Super Ninja Steel” currently airing on Saturdays at 12 p.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon in the U.S.

For continuing news on POWER RANGERS and more from BOOM! Studios, stay tuned to boom-studios.com and follow @boomstudios on Twitter.

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Red Baron

It is the year 2020 and the entire world is obsessed with the sporting event of the future known as “metal fight,” in which one robot is pitted against another in a fight of machine precision and power. An evil underground organization called Iron Mask is secretly plotting to transform the metal fighters into deadly weapons of mass destruction. They are also in pursuit of Red Baron, a super-robot and its programmer, Sally, with the aim of destroying both. In a classic tale of good versus evil, Red Baron succeeds in beating back the evil forces to preserve peace and justice.

At the present time Nippon TV has distributed this series in Southeast Asia only.



Cast:

Kappei Yamaguchi: Ken Kurenai/Fake Ken (episodes 41-49)
Rie Iwatsubo: Shoko Saeba
Rin Mizuhara/Yoshiko Kamei: Robby
Naoki Tatsuta: Isao Kumano
Kaneto Shiozawa: Kômei Yanagi
Ikuya Sawaki: Kaizer/Tetsuo Saeba
Yuko Kobayashi: Marilyn-hakase (Doctoress Marilyn)
Ginzo Matsuo: Asimov-hakase (Doctor Asimov)
Chafurin: Freud-hakase (Doctor Freud)
Daiki Nakamura: Shadow
Wataru Takagi: Chatatsu Momonari
Urara Takano: Lady Marcelle
Masashi Sugawara: Hashmikov
Kakegawa Hirohiko:Odin/Orjin, Metal Fight Association Chairman
Masaki Aizawa: Norman
Run Sasaki: Sigma Computer (female)
Masaharu Satō: Sigma Computer (male)
Wakana Yamazaki: Female Officer

Episodes:

3 “Kimeru! Hissatsu Punch” (Decisive! The Deadly Punch)
4 “Kessen! Magma Jikoku” (Showdown! Magma Hell)
5 “Yabure! Kuchu Setsuho” (Defeated! The Air Assault Strategy)
6 “Kyofu! Ningyo Hime No Yuwaku” (Beware! The Mermaid’s Temptation)
7 “Shukuteki! ShinRon To No Taiketsu” (Rival! Showdown with ShinRon)
10 “Unare! Shin Hissatsu Waza” (Beckon! The New Special Attack)
14 “Kimeru! Sekai Saikyo Robo” (Decision! The World’s Strongest Robot)
15 “Koi Ga Kita! ShinRon vs. Tiger (Love! ShinRon vs. Tiger)
16 “Shutsugen! Nisse Baron” (Arrival! The Fake Baron)
17 “Gekitotsu! Baron vs. Kaizer (Clash! Baron vs. Kaizer)
19 “Dragon Shima! Saigo No Kessen” (Dragon Island! The Final Showdown)
23 “Densetsu! Tsuki To Taiyō No Megami” (Legend! The Goddess of the Moon and Sun)
24 “Mamore! Kodomo Tachi No Yume” (Defend! The Dreams of the Children)
25 “Taosu! Hollywood No Shikaku” (Take Down! The Hollywood Assassin)
26 “Shitou! Battle Royale” (Elimination! Battle Royale)
27 “Marilyn! Saigo No Chousen” (Marilyn! The Final Battle)
28 “Himitsu! Asimov No Kiributa” (Secret! Asimov’s Trump Card)
29 “Floyd! Baron Massatsu Shirei” (Floyd! Baron’s Destruction Orders)
30 “Shutsugen! Gold Baron” (Arrival! Gold Baron)
31 “Gekitou! Saikyo No Rival” (War! The Ultimate Rival)
32 “Hakai! Baron No Shi” (Destroyed! Baron’s Death)
33 “Igai! Kaizer No Shotai” (Surprise! Kaizer’s Identity)
34 “Kyoe! Jijousaidai No Sakusen” (Menace! The Greatest Champion Strategy)
35 “Shukumei! Kaizer vs. Baron (Destiny! Kaizer vs. Baron)
36 “Shurai! Aratana Teki” (Attack! The New Enemy)
37 “Toutsugeki! Sigma Tower” (Assault! Sigma Tower)
38 “Gisei! Viking Kyodai” (Sacrifice! The Viking Brothers)
39 “Shuaku! Baron Modoki” (Offensive! Baron’s Imitator)
40 “Senkou! Kiyukoku Chosetsuryu” (Dazzling! The Ultimate Chosetsuryu)
41 “Kyogaku! Mother Baron” (Shocking! Mother Baron)
42 “Dashitsu! Sigma Tower” (Escape! Sigma Tower)
43 “Dengeki! FujinRaijin” (Shock! Fujin Raijin)
44 “Nani! Mou Hittori No Ken” (What! The Other Ken)
45 “Yomigaere! Psycho Power” (Return! Psychokinetic Power)
46 “Dai Funkan! Fuji San Fumoto No Kettou” (Eruption! Duel at the base of Mt. Fuji)
47 “Kogun! Death Baron Ou Taosuu” (Impulse! To Defeat Death Baron)

Voltron Bandai Super Mini-Pla Model Kit

Voltron Bandai Super Mini-Pla Model Kit

Price: $59.99 - Order Here

Fans of the hit Voltron series will love this Voltron Bandai Super Mini-Pla Model Kit! This Voltron model kit from Bandai Shokugan will look great on display in your home or office. The kit includes the Black Lion, Red Lion, Green Lion, Blue Lion, and Yellow Lion. Measures about 7 1/10-inches tall.

Right Off The Rack: Robotech #7 Titan Comics

(W) Brian Wood, Simon Furman (A) Marco Turini (CA) Martin Simmonds

Legendary Transformers scribe Simon Furman joins writer Brian Wood to chronicle the ongoing adventures of the SDF-1!

The second arc of the sell-out, fan favorite series!

The creators of Amadeus Cho bring you an action-packed story about a boy and his robot

From Boom! Studios

Mech Cadet Yu is the story of Stanford Yu, a young janitor who is unexpectedly chosen to join the sacred ranks of the mech cadets at Sky Corps Academy. Once a year, giant robots from outer space come to Earth to bond with the cadets to defend the world from terrifying aliens known as the Sharg. After he unintentionally bonds with his robot, Yu is thrown into training, hoping to prove he is worthy of being there at all.

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This will be a new monthly series launching in August from longtime collaborators Greg Pak (The Incredible Hulk, War Machine) and Takeshi Miyazawa (Ms. Marvel, Runaways). The pair has worked together in the past on projects like Code Monkey Save World and ABC Disgusting, and are widely known for the creation of Amadeus Cho, who would eventually star in Marvel’s Totally Awesome Hulk.

“I love giant robots. And I love quirky, personal stories about lonely kids trying to find their crew and mission in the world,” says Pak. “So many of the stories I’ve written over the years are rooted in things I loved the most when I was 10 years old—like giant robots, natch. It’s a thrill to finally be writing that kind of story from the point of view of a character who’s an actual kid. And I’m excited to be writing multi-dimensional Asian American lead characters in a genre that’s so beloved by so many Asian Americans, but seldom features them.”

“To me, working with Greg Pak is a chance to work on something special,” adds Miyazawa. “Mech Cadet Yu is one of those special projects, an underdog story about beating the odds, making friends, and kicking alien butt in giant robots. When he came to me with the idea, it was something I couldn’t turn down.”

“Tak’s got an incredible ability to bring out all the emotional nuance and humor that makes the friendships and rivalries of young characters feel utterly real and relatable,” praises Pak. “And he draws giant robots like nobody’s business. He’s delivering fun and wonder in every page and every panel.”

Mech Cadet Yu #1 features covers by Miyazawa, Marcus To (Joyride), and Juan Doe (Uncanny X-Men).

Negadon The Monster From Mars (2005)

Directed by Jun Awazu from his original script and rendered in staggeringly realistic computer graphics, Negadon: The Monster From Mars pays homage to a wide variety of 1950's and 60's Japanese monster movies such as Godzilla, Mothra, and other classics which first brought global attention to Japan's then-emerging post-war feature film industry.Negadon is the world's first completely computer-generated monster movie. The film was in production for over three years and required the invention of special rendering algorithms to reproduce a 1950's style look.Unleashed in Japan in October 2005, Negadon won the Outstanding Production Award at the 20th Digital Contents Grand Prix and was named a Jury Recommended Work at the 9th Japan Media Arts Festival.

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About “Negadon: The Monster from Mars” (Wakusei Daikaiju Negadon)

Original story written and directed by Jun Awazu (Daikaichou Magara Shurai, Magara Gekimetsu Daikessen), with music by Shingo Terasawa and animation modeling by Makoto Miyahara. Kenjiro Kato served as SFX Supervisor. Worldwide distribution is by CoMix Wave.

Story Synopsis

In the year 2025, the world population explodes to over 10 billion. In search for a new place to live, mankind initiates the space exploration project entitled “The Mars Terraforming Project.” Step by step, mankind successfully transforms Mars into a habitable planet.But when a Japanese freight spaceship returning from Mars crashes on the streets of Tokyo unleashing a giant and vicious monster from underneath the surface of Mars, only Dr. Narasaki and his long-abandoned robot Miroku can save Earth and mankind.

About Jun Awazu

Jun Awazu was born in 1974 in the Aichi Prefecture of Japan. After completing his Master’s Degree in Japanese-style painting at the Aichi Prefecture Art University, Awazu studied 3D CG designing at the Department of Digital Creations at the Trident School of Computing. He worked for two years at a production company as a CG designer and VFX artist, which he left in March 2003, to start his own company and the production of “Negadon.”

Mr. Awazu’s previous works include:

“Daikaichou Magara Shurai” (Magara: The Giant Monster): Winner at the Arts Student CG Contest 2000

“Magara Gekimetsu Daikessen” (Magara: The Final Showdown): Second prize winner in the original story category of the CG and Animation Film Festival 2001.



Negadon The Monster From Mars (2005)

Director/Original Story/CGI - Jun Awazu
Music/SE - Shingo Terasawa
VFX Supervisor - Kenjiro KatoYoshizawa
(Modeling/Animation) - Shin Miyahara
Cast:
Ryuichi Narasaki - Dai Shimizu
Seiji Yoshizawa - Takuma Sasahara
Emi Narasaki - Akane Yumoto
TV Announcer/Narration - Masafumi Kishi

Negadon: The Monster From Mars - DVD Review

Normally when anything monster related from Japan gets a US DVD release the fans normally get the short end of the stick. Sony has been gracious enough to give us all the Godzilla films in both their American and original Japanese forms, but that has been about it. Vary rarely has any of those releases contained any bonus material. No trailers, no interviews, no photos, no nothing. Just a bare bones release.

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This is however not true with the upcoming release of the fully computer generated Japanese monster tribute “Negadon: The Monster From Mars.” Central Park Media pulls out all the stops and gives us a cornucopia of bonus material to go through. Included is a interview with the films director Jun Awazu, a making-of featurette, an art gallery, a fan art feature, both US and Japanese trailers and two extra shorts “Magara: The Giant Monster” and “Magara: The Final Showdown.” Magara being one of the better kaiju designs I have seen in some time. Indeed CPM gives the kaiju fan a complete overall package more in line with the ADV “Gamera: Guardian of the Universe” DVD. Which to this point has been the best kaiju related release. It is very apparent that CPM had the fans in mind when compiling content for this DVD.

Okay, so the thing comes with all the bells and whistles, but how good is the picture and sound quality? CPM scores high marks for presenting “Negadon” in its original 2.35:1 aspect ratio. The picture quality is next to perfect. The quality of some of the shots is grainy, but it is supposed to be to give the film that 1960s’ retro feel. The sound is presented in both Japanese and English Dolby 5.1 surround that again is very clear and almost perfect. My wife complained that the windows upstairs were shaking while I was watching the movie so you know that’s a good sign. Fans should have no complaints about the look and feel of this DVD.

Already many fans have gotten wind of this features short run time. At a little under one half hour one could understand why many fans will have reservations about this feature. Let me put those to rest, without giving too much away hopefully.” Negadon The Monster From Mars” is an amazing piece of computer-generated animation. The film may be “short but sweet” but you get bang for your buck. This is a well thought out tribute to the Japanese monster films we all grew up on. Negadon captures the vibe of the old-school kaiju films like “The Mysterians” and “Monster Zero” to perfection. I guarantee that you will pull those old films out of your collection for another viewing after watching this one. I know I did. The back-story may seem a little too “A typical” for some but as a tribute piece you really wouldn’t expect anything else. What you get is a giant robot fighting an alien monster both on the streets of Tokyo and in outer space and that’s what everyone wants to see in the end anyway. The one drawback is that you may be left wanting for more. The two “Magera” shorts will help fill that need. Both are great additions to the main feature.

“Negadon The Monster From Mars” is great release from Central Park Media. I believe that all Japanese monster fans will appreciate it on a very personal level as a tribute to the great films that have come out of Japan over the past few decades.

See Also:

Dominion: Tank Police (1988)(Agent 21, Manga Entertainment)
Mazinkaiser (1999)(2001) OVA