Legendary Is Teaming With Netflix To Finally Move Forward With A Live-Action Gundam Movie!

 Written By: Ken Hulsey

Legendary Pictures is finally moving forward with the long-awaited Gundam movie project, which was first announced at the Anime Expo in Los Angeles back in 2018. Since then, the project has gone through multiple script revisions and changes in directors. Despite these challenges, the studio remained committed to producing a live-action Gundam film. Recently, it was announced that Legendary has secured a release platform through Netflix, a company known for adapting Japanese anime into live-action, with "Cowboy Bebop" being a notable example. Indie director Jim Mickle, who directed the acclaimed TV series "Sweet Tooth," is set to helm the project, which will feature actors Sydney Sweeney and Noah Centineo. It is still unclear whether the Gundam movie will be given a theatrical release or will premiere directly on streaming.

Bandai Hobby Gunpla Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Freedom Movie Force Impulse Gundam Spec II Real Grade 1:144 Scale Model Kit

Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Freedom Movie Force Impulse Gundam Spec II Real Grade 1:144 Scale Model Kit:

$32.99 @ Entertainment Earth - Order Here

Build, pose, and display this Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Freedom Movie Black Knight Squad Shi-ve.A High Grade 1:144 Scale Model Kit. Add it to your Gunpla collection!

Specifications
Company: Bandai Hobby Gunpla
Theme: Gundam
Product Type: Model Kits
Material: Plastic
Scale (Ratio): 1:144

Gundam Build Fighters #17 Wing Gundam Fenice Rinascita HGBF Model Kit

 Gundam Build Fighters #17 Wing Gundam Fenice Rinascita HGBF Model Kit:

$22.99 - Shop Now

One of the most popular Gundam Build Fighters designs gets an extreme make over! The Gundam Fenice Rinscita features a number of new parts and can transform from robot to a flying bird form. Buster rifle with detachable second gun, beam sword, beam saber, 2x beam mantles that can be positioned under the shoulders as well as joint parts to allow customization with other kits are included. The Gundam Build Fighters #17 Wing Gundam Fenice Rinascita HGBF Model Kit includes 10x runners, foil sticker, and instruction manual.

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Gundam The Origin GN #2-1ST (2002-2004 Viz) July 2003 Viz Grade Fine - $20.99

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Ultraman #2 (2nd Series 1994) May 1994 Nemesis Comics Grade VF - $10.99

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

$22.99 - Shop Here

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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Gundam Breaker Battlogue Blazing Gundam High Grade 1:144 Scale Model Kit - $25.99

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

Legendary Pictures Set To Produce A Live Action Gundam Movie!

This Year’s Special Animation Program: Mobile Suit Gundam. The First-Ever Major Screening Occasion to Showcase the Monumental Works!

Legendary Pictures Set To Produce A Live Action Gundam Movie!

Holy Smokes! This could be really cool if it's more Godzilla (2014) than Pacific Rim (2018). Is there any chance that they could produce a Macross movie?

From Legendary Pictures:

Multi-platform Animated Juggernaut to be Translated into

Live-Action Film for the First Time

Legendary and Sunrise announced today at Anime Expo 2018, plans to co-produce the first-ever live-action feature film version of GUNDAM, based on Sunrise’s massively popular Mecha anime and science fiction media franchise. The billion dollar property was created in 1979 and has spawned a multi-platform universe encompassing televised anime, manga, animated films, video games, plastic models, toys, and novels among other media. Gundam continues to dominate master toy licensee Bandai Namco’s earnings almost forty years after its inception.

The original Gundam series is set in the Universal Century, an era in which humanity’s growing population has led people to emigrate to space colonies. Eventually, the people living in the colonies seek their autonomy, and launch a war of independence against the people living on Earth. Through the tragedies and discord arising from this human conflict, not only the maturation of the main character, but also the intentions of enemies and the surrounding people are sensitively depicted. The battles in the story, in which the characters pilot robots known as mobile suits, are wildly popular.

The story for the live-action version of Gundam is being kept under wraps.

The project will be overseen by Cale Boyter on behalf of Legendary with the Sunrise creative team.

Legendary currently has three films in various phases of production including SKYSCRAPER, coming to theaters on July 13; and both GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS, and the live-action, DETECTIVE PIKACHU films both in post-production, with GODZILLA VS. KONG in prep.

Related:

Vintage Bandai Gundam L.O. Booster Kit 1/144 Scale model **MIB*

This Year’s Special Animation Program: Mobile Suit Gundam. The First-Ever Major Screening Occasion to Showcase the Monumental Works!

From The Tokyo International Film Festival

Following the last year’s special screenings of “The World of Hideaki Anno” which gained huge popularity, this year, the 28th Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) will continue to focus on Japanese animation, presenting a special program of “Mobile Suit Gundam”, a monumental work of robot animation.

This will be the first-ever major screening occasion to showcase the Gundam franchise as well as the first time in TIFF history that the festival will present special screening of animated works specific to a single series.

It is nearly 35 years since the theatrical version of Mobile Suit Gundam was released. Numerous works, whose creators have publicly stated they were influenced by Gundam, have been worldwide big hits. One such work, the Guillermo del Toro-directed Pacific Rim, remains fresh in audiences’ minds, and thus the influence of Gundam continues to reverberate throughout the world.

In addition to screening the memorable first theatrical–released film and the legend, Mobile Suit Gundam directed by Yoshiyuki TOMINO, the festival plans to screen a few dozen works of TV series episodes, other films released in theaters, and shorts that have very rarely appeared on the big screen. Befitting the first–ever major screening of Gundam, the franchise’s creators–ranging from those in its early days to those of its latest installments–will appear on stage. Several other special events that would only be possible at this festival will be held.

Recently, creative works that are uniquely Japanese–as well as Japanese culture overall–have been the subject of much attention. Gundam is the grandfather of the animated robot genre that Japan is proud to have offered to the world. Through the presentation of this special animation program–which continues to have a profound effect on the way people in Japan perceive the future and outer space–the Tokyo International Film Festival will show the world the diversity that exists within Japanese culture and help to popularize the rich and complex charm of the country worldwide.

The festival has arranged a variety of events to allow as many visitors as possible to attend. These events will transform Tokyo into a place for celebrating film and culture!

About: Gundam

The first work in the Gundam franchise, Mobile Suit Gundam, is set in the “Universal Century,” when overpopulation has forced part of humanity to immigrate from Earth to Space. During a war for independence declared against the Earth Federation by the nation of space migrants, the “Principality of Zeon,” a young boy, Amuro Ray, pilots the Federation’s new weapon–the Gundam—and grows up in the heat of battle. The series features numerous characters with unique personalities, including Char of the Zeon army, who goes by the nom de guerre “The Red Comet.” The famous lines said by these characters sparked conversations throughout Japan.

This animated TV series began broadcasting in April 1979. The show created a minor sensation, which transformed into a social phenomenon with the 1980 release of “Gunpla”–plastic models based on the franchise–and a trilogy of theatrical films from 1981. The appeal of Mobile Suit Gundam–the realistic near-future SF setting; the scenes of the human–piloted, humanoid-shaped “Mobile Suits” fighting; and a layered wartime human drama–enraptured countless fans, turning existing perceptions of animated works about robots on their head.

Get A Gundam Hotel Room!

by Armand Vaquer

Above, Armand on the Gundam Lift at the Bandai Museum.

Fans of Gundam characters can now get a hotel room decorated in a Gundam motif. The Japan Times reported:

Grand Pacific Le Daiba, a hotel in Minato Ward, Tokyo, will be offering three guest rooms starting Friday with interior decorations featuring characters from the popular "Mobile Suit Gundam" animated series. Gundam Front Tokyo, which features a huge, life-size Gundam statue and a museum, opened April 19 in the neighborhood and has turned out to be a popular attraction. The hotel's campaign is part of an effort in the area to take advantage of Gundam's popularity.

For more, go here.

Gundam Front Tokyo Opening April 19

by Armand Vaquer


There's a new theme park opening in Tokyo. It's called Gundam Front Tokyo.

According to the Japan Times:

A theme park featuring popular "anime" series "Mobile Suit Gundam" will open on April 19 in Tokyo's Odaiba district.

According to Bandai Co., the new theme park, named Gundam Front Tokyo, will have a huge dome-shaped screen showing images of Gundam, the venerated fighting robot in the popular series, and rare documents related to the series' production will be on display.

The most "Gundam" I've ever done was to pose in a Gundam uniform on the Gundam Lift at the old Bandai Museum (below).



To read the full article, go here.

New Toy Wednesday! - 11 Doctors, Limited Edition Spock Kit, Gundam, Vampirella And Some Killer Anime Cleavage!

Doctor Who Eleven Doctors Action Figure TARDIS Box Set

Source: Entertainment Earth

Get all 11 Doctor Who action figures in this Doctor Who collectors set!
The Doctor Who Eleven Doctors Action Figures Set is packaged in a TARDIS display box.
This Doctor Who box set is perfect for any fan of any generation!
Which Doctor is your favorite?

Get all 11 Doctor Who action figures in this Doctor Who collectors set! The Doctor Who Eleven Doctors Action Figure TARDIS Box Set is the ultimate Doctor Who collectors set! It features all 11 incarnations of the Doctor, presented in an impressive TARDIS display box, and each action figure stands approximately 5-inches tall. Which Doctor is your favorite?

Coming in August 2010! Order Your Set Today For $99.99!


Star Trek Mr. Spock Limited Edition Model Kit in Tin Box

Spock, the serpent slayer!
Star Trek's most popular character.
Classic AMT model kit has been out of release for over 30 years!
Collector's Edition comes in an embossed tin box.
Bonus collectible art print!

Arguably Star Trek's most popular character, Mr. Spock made his debut in Star Trek: The Original Series in 1966, and this classic model kit that features him has been out of release for over 30 years! Tooling was restored to its original configuration to bring this kit back in all its vintage glory. The Collector's Edition features a full-color embossed tin with retro-style artwork, plus a bonus collectible art print! It's a skill level 2 model kit that requires glue assembly and paint, and stands over 6-inches tall when completed.

Age:
10+
Size:
6-inches tall

In Stock Now! Order Yours Today For $35.99!

Creators Labo Tsukasa Bullet Compact Hog Statue

That don't look like no pig to me!
Unique mixture of cute girl, art deco, and mechanical details.
Sculpture from the original illustrations of Tsukasa Jun.
This beauty packs quite a punch!
Your friends will go hog wild when they see this!

Cute girl + art deco = HOT! From its Creators' Labo, Yamato introduces its latest master creation: #024 Tsukasa Bullet's Compact Hog. The second in a series of PVC statues based on the original illustrations of Tsukasa Jun (a.k.a. Tsukasa Bullet), this gorgeous 7 1/4-inch tall (kneeling) figure is magically sculpted by G.O. (Cerberus Project TM) with such exquisite detail from her helmet, shoulder armor, and leather outfit to her soft, supple flesh that she nearly jumps to life! This is an outstanding piece of art with a unique mixture of cute girl, art deco, and mechanical details. Your friends will go hog wild when they see her!

The piece is named after the gun in the girl's hand, an imaginary weapon designed by Tsukasa Jun himself. The compensator of the piece reminds the artist of a hog; hence the name Compact Hog. Imaginary gun specs: Caliber: 45ACP; Capacity: 6 + 1; Barrel Length: 3-inches; Weight: 31 oz.

Coming In August 2010! Order Yours Today For Only $149.99!

Blassreiter Amanda Werner Creators Labo Statue

Weapons of mass distraction!
The killer curves of pistol-packing Amanda Werner!
Exciting statue from the popular Blassreiter anime series.
Limited edition of only 204 pieces in the U.S.!

Weapons of mass distraction! Yamato unveils its latest master creation from the Creators' Labo series... Amanda Werner from Blassreiter. Based on an illustration by Ni? (original character and mechanical designs) and sculpted by Toy Fujiura (Toy's Brand), this playful plastic piece features the pistol-packing Amanda in her XAT uniform, what little there is of it. But who are we to complain? Standing about 11-inches tall, Amanda comes with guns, killer curves, and a display base, all packaged in a Japanese-style window box. She's an exciting limited edition of only 204 pieces in the U.S.!

Coming Soon! Order Yours Today For Only $159.99!


Mobile Suit Gundam F91 Robot Spirits Action Figure

From Mobile Suit Gundam F91 movie!
Plenty of articulation and accessories!
Detailed leg thrusters!

A perfect match for the unsurpassed articulation, detail and balance of the Robot Spirits series, the Gundam F91 is portrayed will open and closing leg thrusters as well as interchangeable shoulder fins. Figure also includes antenna parts, open face part, interchangeable hands, beam rifile, beam saber, beam launcher and beam shield. Figure stands slightly under 5-inches tall and is made of plastic.

Produced by Gundam creator Yoshiyuki Tomino, Mobile Suit Gundam F91 was the first animated film set after the war between the Earth Federation and the Pricipality of Zeon. This movie was well received by a new generation of Gundam fans who quickly took to the progressive, sharp form of the main mobile suit, the Gundam F91.

Size:
5-inches tall

In Stock Now! Order Yours Today For Only $33.99!


Vampirella Title Crawl T-Shirt

Vampirella Title Crawl T-Shirt. You'll definitely want to watch your neck around Vampirella…she's got quite the appetite! The sultry comic vixen is featured on this 100% cotton, high-quality, pre-shrunk black t-shirt. Machine washable. Order yours today!

Coming Soon! Order Yours Today For Only $18.99!


See Also: New Toy Tuesday! - Retro Frankenstein And Wolfman, The Fly, Classic Voltron, A Sexy Anime Girl And The Scent Of Captain Kirk / New Toy Tuesday! A Zentraedi Battlepod And A Kick-Ass Godzilla T-Shirt! / New Toy Tuesday! A Sexy Princess, Ash, Bigfoot, The Mummy And The Starship Enterprise / New Toy Tuesday! Classic Star Trek vs Classic Doctor Who, A Slave Girl & The Creature! / New Toy Tuesday! Gremlins, Marvel Meets Anime, Death Never Looked So Good! & More / New Toy Tuesday! - The Creature, The Wolfman, Lovecraft Dragons And More!

Super Gigantic Robot Anime Invades San Francisco This Weekend!

Source: MediaLab

TOKYOSCOPE TALK VOL. 2: MECHA MANIA –FOUR DECADES OF ROBOT ANIME

VIZ CINEMA HOSTS A UNIQUE PRESENTATION ON THE HISTORY OF SCI-FI ROBOT ANIME AND PRESENTS GUNDAM TRIPLE FEATURE IN SPECIAL ALL-DAY MOVIE MARATHON

VIZ Cinema is pleased to offer a fun-packed weekend of anime as it welcomes Patrick Macias, Editor-in-Chief of OTAKU USA, on Friday April 9th for the latest in his ongoing series of TokyoScope Talks on Japanese cinema and pop media. On Saturday, April 10th, VIZ Cinema offers a special Gundam Movie Marathon. Three feature films featuring the iconic robot will be screened in the theatre, which features 35mm and digital projection and a THX®-certified sound system.

TokyoScope Talk Vol. 2: MECHA MANIA: Four Decades of Slam-Bang Sci-Fi Robot Anime comes to VIZ Cinema on Friday, April 9th at 7:00pm. Tickets are $8.00. Also co-hosting the event will be author and critic Tomohiro Machiyama, who together with Macias wrote Cruising Anime City, (published by Stone Bridge Press) a highly detailed travel guide about Tokyo otaku culture and the anime phenomenon.

“From Astro Boy and Tetsujin 28 to Gundam and Voltron to Transformers and Gurren Lagann, giant robots and other fantastic machines and technology, or mecha, are instantly recognizable mainstays of anime,” says Macias. “There’s also a lot of cultural iconography intertwined with these machines and their operators, often presented as heroic warriors in the samurai warrior tradition. I look forward to tracing the nearly 50 year history and evolution of mecha along with some often humorous stories and latest examples. And don’t miss an awesome raffle giveaway featuring some tear-jerking treasures for super mecha fans!”

VIZ Cinema’s Weeknight Anime People makes a special weekend stop with an day-long triple feature of Gundam! General ticket price: $10:00; Combo tickets are $25:00. No further discounts will apply.

Gundam Movie Marathon, Saturday, April 10th – One Day Only!

Mobile Suit Gundam Movie I, 11:00am
Mobile Suit Gundam Movie II: Soldiers of Sorrow, 1:35pm
Mobile Suit Gundam Movie III: Encounters in Space, 4:05pm

VIZ Cinema’s Weeknight Anime People makes a special weekend stop with an afternoon of Gundam! In the year 0079 of the Universal Century, the Earth Federation and its space colonies are engaged in an apocalyptic war. The rebellious Duchy of Zeon, using humanoid fighting machines called Mobile Suits, has all but vanquished the Federation. Now the Federation’s last hope is the prototype Mobile Suit, Gundam. When a twist of fate makes young civilian Amuro Ray the sole-pilot of Gundam, Amuro’s own battle begins – a struggle not only for the Federation’s survival, but for his own. General ticket price: $10:00; Combo tickets are $25:00. No further discounts will apply.

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.

NEW PEOPLE offers the latest films, art, fashion and retail brands from Japan and is the creative vision of the J-Pop Center Project and VIZ Pictures, a distributor and producer of Japanese live action film. Located at 1746 Post Street, the 20,000 square foot structure features a striking 3-floor transparent glass façade that frames a fun and exotic new environment to engage the imagination into the 21st Century. A dedicated web site is also now available at: http://www.newpeopleworld.com/.

Japanese Uber Geekdome - Godzilla Related Cosplay & The Return Of The Life-Sized Gundam

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Sources: Technabob / Kotaku

If you are anywhere near the big Japanese sci fi buff that I am, these two stories from 'the land of the rising sun' will have you all geeked up.

Now, I imagine that just about everyone knows what Cosplay is by now....you know, a bunch of Anime fans running around dressed like their favorite characters.

Well, have you ever heard of a Godzilla related Cosplay costume before? Neither had I, until now.




At the Wonder Festival, which was recently held in Japan, one young lady did just that, dressing as Miki Fujimiya from "Godzilla vs Hedorah" (aka Godzilla vs The Smog Monster).

If you recall, Miki was the psychedelic singer from that bar where everyone was trying to forget that their country was being destroyed by a monster that feeds on pollution.

You may also remember that the scene resembled a bizarre acid trip, and in the end, everyone wound up with fish heads.

Unfortunately, I don't know the name of the young lady who designed this costume, but props are in order anyway.


Many of you may also remember last summer, when a life-sized Gundam statue was erected on Tokyo’s artificial Odaiba island, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the show.

Now, this amazing giant robot is set to make a come back, this time in Shizuoka, and with a new glowing, "beam laser", attached.

I don't know about you, but, um, that 'beam laser' looks a lot like a lightsaber....doesn't it?

I think that George Lucas is gonna sue somebody.......

Anyway, the life-sized Gundam is going back up to celebrate the exact date that the long-running animated series made it's debut. This time, however, the statue will stay up for a good six months or more, unlike last years brief stint in Tokyo.

An estimated 4 million visitors came out to see the giant robot last year.

Here is another photo of the Miki Fujimiya Cosplay from the Wonder Festival in Japan:

Viz Brings 'Mobile Suit Gundam UC' And Other Japanese Movies To New People In San Francisco

Source: MediaLab

VIZ Cinema, the nation’s only movie theatre dedicated to Japanese film, has announced a variety of notable film screenings, festivals, lectures and other special events to be held throughout the month of March.

Tokyo Scope: The Wild and Crazy World of Japanese Cult Films:

Vol.1 YAKUZA NIGHT FEVER!

New activities kick off on March 5th with Tokyo Scope: The Wild and Crazy World of Japanese Cult Films. Come celebrate the launch of Japanese pop culture critic and Otaku USA Editor-in-Chief Patrick Macias’s new film/lecture series. Also sponsored by SEGA of America, the evening’s events begin at 6:00pm and will include a lecture on the history of Japanese yakuza (gangster) cinema and the debut of SEGA’s highly anticipated new video game, Yakuza 3, for the PlayStation 3. Tickets are only $10.00.

NEW PEOPLE Artist Series Festival

VIZ Cinema will present the NEW PEOPLE Artist Series Festival, a special collection of six insightful documentaries each profiling a unique Japanese contemporary artist. The 4-day festival runs March 6th – 9th and features the U.S. theatrical premieres of several films featuring the Neo-Japanese “Hip-Hop-Samurai” painter Hisashi Tenmyouya, the cynical artistic genius of Makoto Aida, and the life and work of master sculptor Katsura Funakoshi. By popular demand, the festival has announced encore showings of three documentaries on artists Yoshitomo Nara, Yayoi Kusama, and photographer Daido Moriyama. Summaries of each film and a list of screening times are available at: www.vizcinema.com. Special festival passes are available for $30.00 offer access to ANY screening at ANY time during the festival! General admission tickets for individual films are available for $10.00 each, Senior (+62) and Children (under 12) are $8.

NEW PEOPLE Artist Series Festival Films Include:

Hisashi Tenmyouya : Samurai Nouveau: 3/6 Sat, 1:00pm & 3/7 Sun, 3:00pm
Makoto Aida : Cynic in the Playground: 3/6 Sat, 3:00pm & 3/7 Sun, 5:00pm
Katsura Funakoshi: Whispering Gaze: 3/6 Sat, 5:00pm & 3/8 Mon, 7:00pm
Traveling with Yoshitomo Nara: 3/7 Sun, 7:00pm & 3/9 Tue, 5:00pm
Yayoi Kusama: I Love ME: 3/7 Sun, 1:00pm & 3/9 Tue, 7:00pm
Daido Moriyama: Stray Dog of Tokyo: 3/6 Sat, 7:00pm & 3/8 Mon, 5:00pm

The Allure of Hayao Miyazaki

Don’t miss a rare chance to attend a lecture given Fred Schodt and Beth Cary, the translators of Starting Point: 1979-1996, an autobiography written by Academy Award winning film director and anime visionary, Hayao Miyazaki! Hear some interesting stories of these two recognized experts on anime and manga who spent time with Miyazaki and glean deeper insights into his world of incredible imagination. The Allure of Hayao Miyazaki will be held on March 10th at 7:00pm; tickets are $8.00.

San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival

VIZ Cinema also partners with the 28th San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival to present Dear Doctor, by award-winning director Miwa Nishikawa (Sway and Wild Berries). Dear Doctor is a drama centering on a physician that goes missing after moving to his post in a remote village with no other doctors. Notable for exposing the complicated human psyche, this touching film plays for one night only on Wednesday, March 17th at 9:15pm. Information and advance tickets ($12.00) are available at the festival website http://festival.asianamericanmedia.org/2010/.

U.S. Premiere Of Mobile Suit Gundam UC

Anime fans won’t want to miss VIZ Cinema’s just-added week long screening of the Mobile Suit Gundam UC feature film (58 min) running March 19th – 25th. Gundam has been popular for more than 30 years and this brand new story is based on a bestseller written by acclaimed science fiction author Harutoshi Fukui. The film makes a special U.S. debut only one month after its original premiere in Japan and was made possible via a special arrangement with Studio Sunrise.

In the year U.C. 0096, a colony called Industrial 7 is the stage for a young boy named Banagher's encounter with destiny: the white Mobile Suit called the Unicorn Gundam. A mysterious Laplace's Box becomes the basis for a galactic scale battle. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to catch the U.S. theatrical of the latest Gundam movie! Tickets are $8.00; no discounts apply.

VIZ Cinema is the nation’s only 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.

NEW PEOPLE offers the latest films, art, fashion and retail brands from Japan and is the creative vision of the J-Pop Center Project and VIZ Pictures, a distributor and producer of Japanese live action film. Located at 1746 Post Street, the 20,000 square foot structure features a striking 3-floor transparent glass façade that frames a fun and exotic new environment to engage the imagination into the 21st Century. A dedicated web site is also now available at: www.NewPeopleWorld.com

See Also: It's Namie Amuro vs Gundam In The Music Video For 'Defend Love' / Yoshiyuki Tomino Celebrates 30 Years Of Gundam With 'Ring Of Gundam' / Gundam 00 GN-X 1:144 Scale Model Kit / Gundam SDCC 2008 Exclusive Clear Gundam RX-78 2 Figure / Life Size Gundam Statue Set To Be Erected In Tokyo Park / Japanese Teen Model Akina Minami Appears In A Gundam Costume At Premiere / Could The Japanese Anime Series Gundam Shape Our Future? / Nothing Perks Up A Train Station Like A 3 Meter Tall Gundam Statue / Masamitsu Hidaka To Appear At Anime Expo / Bandai To Replace Defective Gundam DVDs / Gackt To Release A Mobile Suit Gundam Tribute CD

It's Namie Amuro vs Gundam In The Music Video For 'Defend Love'

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: Japan Today

This years 30th anniversary of the animated series "Gundam" is quite a 'big deal' in Japan. and from all the happenings in the 'land of the rising sun' it is easy to see how the show has impacted that countries pop culture.

When "Gundam" first aired, way back in 1979, there was one little girl who was mesmerised by what she saw. That little girl is all grown up now, and has fans of her own. I am, of course, talking about 32-year-old, Japanese pop star, Namie Amuro, who has chosen a special way to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the show she loved so much as a child.

For the first music video from Amuro's latest album, entitled 'Past Future', the vocalist took a look back at the original "Gundam" series. In the video, for the song 'Defend Love', pop star Namie Amuro goes toe-to-toe with the classic hero Amuro Ray.

Yes, it's Amuro vs Amuro music video style.

This past summer, Sunrise, who produces the "Gundam" series, agreed on the collaboration which features both characters and mecha from the shows early days, along with an animated Namie Amuro, who now has the distinction of being the only living person to enter the "Gundam" universe.

"Past Future" went on sale this past Wednesday in Japan.

Here is the video:

[MV] Namie Amuro - Defend Love
Uploaded by Rinoa_Selphie. - Music videos, artist interviews, concerts and more.

See Also: Yoshiyuki Tomino Celebrates 30 Years Of Gundam With 'Ring Of Gundam' / Gundam 00 GN-X 1:144 Scale Model Kit / Gundam SDCC 2008 Exclusive Clear Gundam RX-78 2 Figure / Life Size Gundam Statue Set To Be Erected In Tokyo Park / Japanese Teen Model Akina Minami Appears In A Gundam Costume At Premiere / Could The Japanese Anime Series Gundam Shape Our Future? / Nothing Perks Up A Train Station Like A 3 Meter Tall Gundam Statue / Masamitsu Hidaka To Appear At Anime Expo / Bandai To Replace Defective Gundam DVDs / Gackt To Release A Mobile Suit Gundam Tribute CD

Yoshiyuki Tomino Celebrates 30 Years Of Gundam With 'Ring Of Gundam'

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: TVkon / Anime News Network

I first off, want to apologize for taking almost two weeks to get this clip online. Sometimes life comes at ya pretty fast, and a person can get behind on things. As you probably already know, I do that a lot.

Well, I want to finally showcase a very special bit of Japanese anime here on Monster Island News today. As many of you probably already know, this year marks the 30th anniversary of the giant robot series, "Gundam".

To honour this prestigious event, the creator of "Gundam", Yoshiyuki Tomino, teamed up with the Robot anime studio to produce "Ring of Gundam", a five minute mix of traditional animation and computer animation.

According to sources in Japan, Yoshiuki played a trick on fans of the series at the Gundam Big Expo in Tokyo, telling them that they were seeing a sneak preview of the short, when in fact, they were seeing the entire finished product.

No one was the wiser, until the short film was released earlier this month.

Here is the plot:

The story of "Ring of Gundam" takes place in a new era long after the events of the first Mobile Suit Gundam series' One-Year War. In this world setting, a giant 600-kilometer-wide ring now floats in lunar orbit. An Earth Federation Forces member named Eiji discovers an object called "Beauty Memory" buried in a high-altitude, massive rockbed on Earth. Actor Daijirō Kawaoka plays Eiji, while Yuka Hirata (Cross Game, Hajime no Ippo: New Challenger) plays the heroine Yuria. The keywords of the story are "Amuro's memories." (Amuro Ray is the main protagonist of the first Gundam story.)

"Ring of Gundam" was written and directed by Yoshiyuki Tomino, with mech designs by Kunio Okawara and music by Yoko Kanno .

Lucky for you, I have the entire clip here for you to savor. Only bad thing is, it is entirely in Japanese.

See Also: Gundam 00 GN-X 1:144 Scale Model Kit / Gundam SDCC 2008 Exclusive Clear Gundam RX-78 2 Figure / Life Size Gundam Statue Set To Be Erected In Tokyo Park / Japanese Teen Model Akina Minami Appears In A Gundam Costume At Premiere / Could The Japanese Anime Series Gundam Shape Our Future? / Nothing Perks Up A Train Station Like A 3 Meter Tall Gundam Statue / Masamitsu Hidaka To Appear At Anime Expo / Bandai To Replace Defective Gundam DVDs / Gackt To Release A Mobile Suit Gundam Tribute CD

Gundam 00 GN-X 1:144 Scale Model Kit

Sources: Entertainment Earth / Wikipedia

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Gundam 00 GN-X 1:144 Scale Model Kit Description:

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Customize!This GN-X high grade (HG) model kit is 1:144 scale and made of plastic. Head sensor and chest lens are molded in translucent plastic. Includes GN beam rifle, shield, and two GN beam sabers. GN beam rifle can be reassembled in two variations.



Mobile Suit Gundam 00 (機動戦士ガンダム00 （ダブルオー）, Kidō Senshi Gandamu Daburu Ō?) is the seventh incarnation of Sunrise's long-running Gundam franchise. It is directed by Seiji Mizushima and written by Yōsuke Kuroda, and features character designs by Yun Kōga. The twenty-five episode series was officially announced by Sunrise during a 15-second trailer on June 2, 2007. The series aired on the Mainichi Broadcasting System and Tokyo Broadcasting System from October 5, 2007 to March 29, 2008. On July 13, 2008, a trailer announcing a second twenty-five episode series was aired.[4] The second series began on October 5, 2008 and concluded on March 29, 2009. A movie sequel is planned for the year 2010.

Mobile Suit Gundam 00 is the first Gundam series to be animated in widescreen and in high-definition, as well as the first to be set in the non-fictional Anno Domini era. The series is set in a futuristic Earth and centered around Celestial Being, a private paramilitary force and their efforts to rid the world of war and conflict with a series of unique and highly effective mobile suits known as "Gundams".

Licensing for a North American release of Mobile Suit Gundam 00 was announced by Bandai Entertainment at New York Comic Con 2008 on April 18, 2008. Mobile Suit Gundam 00 is the first Gundam series to air on national television in the United States since Mobile Suit Gundam SEED and began airing on November 24, 2008 on SCI FI (now known as SyFy). The first season concluded its first run on SCI FI on February 9, 2009. The second season is set to air on the same network and time slot starting June 29, 2009.

See Also: Gundam SDCC 2008 Exclusive Clear Gundam RX-78 2 Figure / Life Size Gundam Statue Set To Be Erected In Tokyo Park / Japanese Teen Model Akina Minami Appears In A Gundam Costume At Premiere / Could The Japanese Anime Series Gundam Shape Our Future? / Nothing Perks Up A Train Station Like A 3 Meter Tall Gundam Statue / Masamitsu Hidaka To Appear At Anime Expo / Bandai To Replace Defective Gundam DVDs / Gackt To Release A Mobile Suit Gundam Tribute CD

Gundam SDCC 2008 Exclusive Clear Gundam RX-78 2 Figure

Source: Entertainment Earth

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Gundam SDCC 2008 Exclusive Clear Gundam RX-78 2 Figure Description:

This high-quality figure in the GUNDAM FIX FIGURATION series features an enhanced range of poseability, in the exclusive Comic-Con clear "invisible" deco! Packed in stylish collector's box!

The RX-78-2 Gundam is the titular Mobile Suit from the series Mobile Suit Gundam. Part of the RX-78 Gundam series and built in secret on Side 7, the Gundam would come to be the secret weapon which helped turn the tide of war in favor of the Earth Federation during the One Year War.

The RX-78-2 was the second of three Gundam prototype units constructed on Side 7 in UC 0079, as part of the Earth Federation's V Project. Built to complement the long-range unit Guntank and mid-range support unit Guncannon, the Gundam was designed to be a highly mobile, close range machine with advanced weaponry beyond that used by Zeon's machines.

A raid by Zeon forces on Side 7 in September of UC 0079 resulted in heavy damage to the other two RX-78 units built on the colony. However, thanks to the unexpected interference of V Project head Tem Ray's son Amuro inside the RX-78-2, the Zeon intruders were repelled. Though they had caused significant damage to the colony, the Gundam and its brother machines were spared. The three machines acted as the defense force for the Pegasus-class battleship White Base and protected the ship in its push to Earth and travels over North America and Asia.

The RX-78-2 would see use in the defense of the Federation's headquarters in Jaburo and the pivotal raids on Zeon's asteroid bases Solomon and A Baoa Qu. In that final battle of the One Year War, the Gundam engaged an unfinished Zeon prototype, the MSN-02 Zeong in battle. The two machines were destroyed in battle within the corridors of the Zeon stronghold. The Gundam's pilot escaped in the Core Fighter after the Zeong's escape-pod head severely damaged Gundam (the Gundam also destoyed the Zeong's head at the same time) ; the Zeong's pilot Char Aznable, however, was presumed missing in action...

Life Size Gundam Statue Set To Be Erected In Tokyo Park

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Sources: Akademifantasia / Avery Guerra

Here in America we like to erect statues that honor our fallen heroes and political leaders, in Japan they like to do things a little differently. Over on the other side of the Pacific they like to erect statues that pay tribute to their pop culture icons. In Tokyo alone there are two statues of Godzilla and now there will be two that honor the popular giant robot anime "Gundam". The new "Gundam" statue, however, will be something quite unique.

This coming July in Tokyo’s artificial Odaiba island a 18-meter-tall (59-foot-tall), “life-size” statue of a Gundam robot, made of fiberglass-reinforced plastic over a steel frame, will be constructed as part of the “Mobile Suit Gundam 30th Anniversary Project.”

As if building a giant life-size "Gundam" wasn't enough, "The head unit will move and the body will have 50 points that will emit light. Mist can shoot forth from 14 locations on the body."

The statue will be free for the public to visit, but it will only be located in the park for two months. After that time the Bandai Namco Group is not certain where it will be re-located to.

There is already a three-meter-tall Gundam statue located at the Kami-Igusa Station, on the Seibu Shinjuku Line in Tokyo's Suginami-ku. That statue was built after some 2400 fans signed a petition. The local of the monument is significant due to its close proximity to Sunrise Studios and the area know as "Anime Town" in Suginami.

Now, if they would only build a life-size Godzilla statue.....that would be something!

See Also: Japanese Teen Model Akina Minami Appears In A Gundam Costume At Premiere / Could The Japanese Anime Series Gundam Shape Our Future? / Nothing Perks Up A Train Station Like A 3 Meter Tall Gundam Statue / Masamitsu Hidaka To Appear At Anime Expo / Bandai To Replace Defective Gundam DVDs / Gackt To Release A Mobile Suit Gundam Tribute CD

Could The Japanese Anime Series Gundam Shape Our Future?

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: Japan Today

It appears that when a lot of people in Japan try to envision what the future will look like, they see a world....or maybe a universe, that resembles the popular animated series "Gundam". Hiroshima Animation Biennale has even gone as far as to form an academic society in Hiroshima to study "Gundam" to see if any ideas or concepts from the show can be used to shape our future.

‘‘The Gundam series presented the model of a futuristic society through insightful perspectives, which could become numerous academic research themes, such as futurology,’’ said Shinya Hashizume, professor at Osaka Prefecture University, who will chair the academic group. "Set in a future world where people emigrate to space because of overpopulation on Earth, Gundam, the popular televised animation series started in 1979, portrays struggles and growth among young people."

You know, I can really envision a future that looks a lot like Anime. Giant robots everywhere, girls with zero gravity breasts in either tight jumpsuits or wearing next to nothing, teenagers with magic card games fighting demons, little pet pocket monsters, aliens invading earth every few weeks, gosh...to an idiot like me that sounds like utopia!

Oh, and before I forget. I plan on forming the "Ministry of Macross" to study just how the animated series can help the human race fight off aliens who come to Earth to retrieve their lost battle fortress.

Hey, it could happen........?

Bandai To Replace Defective Gundam DVDs

Bandai Entertainment Inc. announced today that a number of its January titles were defective as a result of a duplicator’s error which created playability issues on some DVD consoles and personal computers. The titles in question are: Gundam Seed Destiny Vol. 12 regular and special editions, Eureka Seven Vol. 11, Flag Vol. 2, and My Otome Vol. 4.

Bandai Entertainment Inc. would like to apologize to its customer base – despite the approval of perfect check discs, the error was made at the manufacturing level and product shipped to stores before the error was discovered.

As a result, the titles are being recalled from stores to be replenished with newly replicated DVDs and an exchange program has been instituted for customers who are experiencing difficulties with items already purchased.

A special link on the www.bandai-ent.com site will be active beginning 1/17/08. Customers who purchased the above mentioned titles and are experiencing difficulties should click on the link and follow instructions for the replacement program. This link is only for replacement discs of the above listed titles.