VIZ Media Announces “Inuyasha: The Final Act” Scheduled to Stream in the U.S. Simultaneous to Airing in Japan

from VIZ Media:

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, delighted anime fans at New York Anime Festival yesterday with an announcement of the near simultaneous Japanese/American simulcast of the action-packed conclusion to the Inuyasha animated series — Inuyasha: The Final Act.

Beginning on October 3rd, Inuyasha: The Final Act (subtitled) will stream on ShonenSunday.com/anime and Hulu.com mere hours after it airs in Japan. A new episode will air every Saturday thereafter. Inuyasha: The Final Act anime is rated “T” for teens.

Inuyasha is a hit TV anime series based on the manga by famed creator Rumiko Takahashi, who won the prestigious Shogakukan Manga Award for Inuyasha in 2002. Many of the Takahashi titles have been adapted into other media such as anime, live-action TV series, and film. Takahashi’s manga, as well as the other formats her work has been adapted into, have continued to delight generations of fans around the world. Distinguished by her wonderfully endearing characters, Takahashi’s work adeptly incorporates a wide variety of elements such as comedy, romance, fantasy, and martial arts. Rumiko Takahashi is an artist who truly represents the very best from the world of manga. Please visit the new official North American web site for all Rumiko Takahashi-related news and information located at TheRumicWorld.com.

When an enchanted well draws her into the past, Kagome, an ordinary modern schoolgirl, finds her destiny tied to the doglike half-demon Inuyasha and a mythical gem called the Shikon Jewel, or “Jewel of Four Souls,” of which the smallest shard can grant the user unimaginable power.

Throughout their quest to restore the shattered Shikon Jewel, Inuyasha and Kagome have never faced an enemy more deadly or more cunning than the demon mastermind Naraku. With the Shikon Jewel nearly whole and in Naraku’s hands, the race to collect the remaining shards intensifies and a battle of epic proportions is brewing on the horizon…

Featuring the works of some of the top shonen manga creators in the world today, Shonen Sunday magazine in Japan provides the content for some of VIZ Media’s most impressive new titles. The magazine recently celebrated its 50th anniversary since its first issue arrived on newsstands in March of 1959. Rin-ne is the brand new Shonen Sunday manga series by Rumiko Takahashi and the first series ever to be published simultaneously in Japan and North America.

Inuyasha is one of the longest running anime series in North America and we’re very proud to present the final episodes of this epic adventure to fans in the U.S. mere hours after episodes air in Japan,” says Ken Sasaki, Vice President Strategy & Business Development, VIZ Media. “Rumiko Takahashi created a classic with Inuyasha, and ShonenSunday.com/anime will be THE online destination where Inuyasha fans can watch all 167 previously available episodes, as well as follow the newest episodes from Inuyasha: The Final Act!”

VIZ Media publishes multiple series by Rumiko Takahashi, including her brand new manga series Rin-ne, the Inuyasha manga, Inuyasha ani-manga and The Art of Inuyasha. For more information on the Inuyasha anime please visit ShonenSunday.com.

More Weta News: September 2009

from Weta:

Hey Weta fans,
New products, new book signings, a flourishing forum, special offers and more exciting news than you can shake a stick at. We’re manifesting our return to Middle-earth by releasing our first new polystone collectible from The Lord of the Rings, The Argonath flanking the river Anduin. This is total Deja Vu for us and extra exciting because that’s how Weta started its foray into collectibles back in the heady days of 2001. Enjoy!

Pre-order The Argonath!
Weta’s return to Middle-earth and specifically to polystone collectibles from The Lord of the Rings is celebrated with a truly iconic piece. It continues on from previous environments that have been popular with collectors the world over. The big difference this time is that the edition size is a mere 500. They will not last long, so get your pre-order in now. The Argonath will be shipped world wide!

Book signings galore at the Weta Cave:
2 October — Ian Brodie signs The Lord of the Rings guidebooks
3 October — Alan Lee signs advance copies of his new book
1 November — New Champ the Chopper book to be launched

In the News:
Weta will be attending the Armageddon Pulp Expo in Auckland on New Zealand’s Labour Day weekend, 24-26 October. This will be the first opportunity for many to see some of our new ranges. We will also be attending the Trinity of Terrors in Las Vegas at Halloween, after an invitation from our friends at Fangoria. This will be totally insane.

And don’t forget:
Vote for the best Voice of Gollum
A Yeti? In Queenstown?

WotWots DVD, books and toys available to buy online!
Every pre-schooler’s favourite alien twins, Spotty Wot and Dotty Wot have their own line of DVDs, toys and books and we have made a selection available to buy on our site. Check it out now!

Hot Tip:
If you’re seeing the wrong currency on our site, you can change it to one that makes more sense to you. We display our prices in US Dollars, Great Britain Pounds or New Zealand Dollars and we show you the one we think you’d prefer. But if you don’t agree — feel free to change it.

Have you pre-ordered your VICTORY yet?
As you are no doubt aware, we’re now taking pre-orders for: Victory! Scientific Adventure Violence for Young Men and Literate Women. It follows the style of Dr. Grordbort’s Contrapulatronic Dingus Directory that was released last year. This is what Guillermo del Toro thinks about the book:

Wild, bizarre adventures told by the fireplace in a smokey, wood-panelled Gentleman’s club… but not in Victorian England but in a dazzling “Uchronism” that works both as a satire of our times and as a convex mirror for a future that never was. A violent, vibrant Neverland, witty and brilliantly realized. This book is your passport into a fully-formed habitat populated by dangerous, unstoppable predators — both human and inhuman…

Weta’s NEW FAN FORUMS are more popular than ever!
A few of the Weta artists (as well as a couple of us here in the office) have been completely hooked and are participating actively in the boards on the Shadow and Flame. Come and join us!

Weta Dollars Reminder:
Don’t forget — if you hold Weta Dollars that were earned on our OLD website, these expire 31 December 2009, so make sure you spend them before then!

This is how you find us online!
http://fans.wetaNZ.com/Magnus/ | Twitter: @wetaworkshop | Facebook: Weta Workshop

Mystery Science Theater 3000: XVI

from Shout! Factory:

Some of you might remember that when we first unleashed a Mystery Science Theater 3000 collection, the original run included a Crow T. Robot figurine. Well, it’s been a year, and we’ve heard over and over again just how lonely that little guy is. He’s in need of a friend, a partner in crime, one might say. We’re pleased to inform him that his long wait is almost over. MST3K Vol. XVI is on the horizon and will indeed include a limited-edition Tom Servo figurine. Here’s a picture of how we imagine this will work out on your shelves. Heart not included. Oh, and the set will contain four DVD debuts as well: The Corpse Vanishes, Warrior of the Lost World, Santa Claus and Night of the Blood Beast. Available 12/15.

So much happens at Shout! on a daily basis that we feel compelled to live up to our name and SHOUT it out. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for regular updates about things you just might be interested in.

New Year’s Eve with the Titans!

from Cinematic Titanic:

Hey Everyone,

Well, we know what we’re doing for New Year’s Eve this year, do you? We’ll be performing a 3 MOVIE MARATHON live at the Keswick Theatre in Philadelphia (more specifically, Glenside, Pennsylvania). Tickets go on sale this Saturday!

Those of you who attended our sold-out shows at the Trocadero earlier this year needn’t worry about repeats, we’re coming back with 3 different movies than last time:

War of the Insects
Samson and the Seven Miracles
Then we’ll ring in the New Year and after midnight,
Frankenstein’s Castle of Freaks

Is that some marquee or what? You can make elaborate New Year’s Eve plans that will undoubtedly turn out to be a letdown, or you can come plant your butt in one place and proceed to laugh it off with us.

And Don’t Forget:

10/25-10/29 — L.A., California — Five Nights/Five Movies live at Largo at the Coronet — See Largo Calendar for movie schedule.

11/21 – CT Live at the Family ArenaWar of the Insects

Best,
Los Titans

Expanding the ‘Verse: “Browncoats: Redemption” Teaser Trailer

Browncoats Flag

Joss Whedon‘s Firefly only ran for 11 episodes in 2002 (14 were filmed) but it sparked a cultural movement in sci-fi fandom that hadn’t been seen since Gene Roddenberry‘s Star Trek was cancelled. The DVD sales of the series and fan campaigns were so successful that in 2005 Whedon was able to convince Universal Pictures to produce a film to continue the story of Firefly. The film spent two weeks in the top ten and earned over $38 million in domestic and foreign box office sales (though, according to Universal, it didn’t earn back its filming budget until it was released on DVD).

Fans of Firefly, called Browncoats after the losing faction in the battle between the Alliance and the Independents, have never quit clamoring for more and the fanbase continues to grow and become involved in community activities. Regional Browncoats organizations have made charities a central focus of their energies and the actors from the show have thrown in their support for those charities by offering their time, talent and sometimes keepsakes to help raise money for a good cause. Fresh content has been introduced in the way of comic books and role-playing games to help feed the fanbase, and the hunger just keeps growing.

Everyone keeps begging for more Firefly but nothing seems to be coming down the pipeline. Deciding to “put their money where their mouth is”, Michael C. Dougherty and Steven Fisher finally did something: they created a fan film.

The fan-funded film is set shortly after the events of Serenity, where the Alliance’s power and standing in the ‘verse has been shaken by the announcement of the events that took place on Miranda. Browncoats: Redemption expands the lore of the ‘verse by following the crew of the ship Redemption, all self-professed Browncoats who’ve “kept their noses clean” — until now.

Planned for a 2010 release, with its unveiling at next years’s DragonCon in Atlanta, the Browncoats: Redemption team hopes to not only fuel interest in the Firefly ‘verse but raise funds for charities. 100% of the film’s proceeds (after production costs) will be split between the charities Equality Now, Kids Need to Read, The Dyslexia Foundation, The Al Wooten Jr. Heritage Center and Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation. Early projections based on previous Firefly/Serenity related DVD sales have the filmmakers hoping to donate upwards of $80,000 to each charity (based on a $15 DVD price tag).

The team has been posting behind-the-scenes videos on their YouTube Channel and now you can get a first look at the Redemption crew in the newly released Browncoats: Redemption teaser trailer.

Be sure to check out their other Browncoats: Redemption links and throw in your support for their cause.

Browncoats: Redemption Movie Website
Browncoats: Redemption on YouTube
Browncoats: Redemption on Twitter
Browncoats: Redemption on Facebook

Want to help shape future RiffTrax Live shows? Take our quick survey!

from RiffTrax:

Thank you for making the RiffTrax Live Plan 9 from Outer Space show such a huge success! We’re excited to announce RiffTrax and Fathom will be bringing more RiffTrax Live events like it to a theater near you in the future! But we need your help.

Please click on the link below to take our short survey (less than five minutes to complete!). This survey will provide us with valuable information to make future live shows even better!

To take the survey, go here.

Thanks!

Profiles in History to Offer Early Production Macintosh 128 Computer Given to Gene Roddenberry by Apple Computer

Macintosh 128

from Profiles in History:

Profiles in History, the world’s leading auctioneer of Hollywood memorabilia, will be offering an early production Macintosh 128 computer, given to Gene Roddenberry by Apple Computer, Inc. This computer was subsequently upgraded to a Macintosh Plus by Apple for Mr. Roddenberry and signifies the wonderful association between the visionary computer designer/manufacturer and legendary Star Trek creator, and is a stellar example of the powerful synergy between technology and entertainment. This amazing artifact, which is accompanied by a signed letter of provenance from Gene Roddenberry’s son, Rod, will be a special addition to Profiles in History’s October 8-9, 2009 auction of Hollywood memorabilia. It has an estimated sale price of $800-$1200. Worldwide bidding begins at 12:00 PM (noon) both days and can be placed either in person, via mail, phone, fax or live on the Internet at Hollywood Auction 37.

“This is the personification of life imitating art. Gene Roddenberry’s vision inspired countless people to pursue careers in science and aerospace. This milestone computer, given to Gene by Apple’s innovators, is a symbol of this synergy,” said Joe Maddalena, president of Profiles in History.

Already announced as part of the same auction are Michael Jackson’s iconic illuminating white glove that he wore on the Victory tour as well as the original cover art from The Jacksons’ Victory album.

For more information about Profiles in History and to download a complete catalog of items that will be available, please visit profilesinhistory.com.

About Profiles in History:

Founded in 1985 by Joseph Maddalena, Profiles in History is the world’s leading auctioneer of Hollywood memorabilia. Profiles in History has held some of the most prestigious and successful auctions of Hollywood memorabilia. Their auctions include costumes, props and set pieces from both vintage and contemporary film, television, and rock ‘n roll. Profiles in History’s location in Calabasas Hills, CA — virtually a stone’s throw away from every major Hollywood studio — ensures a constant flow of fantastic and rare artifacts. With an extensive network of dealers, collectors, and public & private institutions, they are proud to play an important role in the preservation of motion picture history.

Prior Profiles in History Hollywood auctions highlights include the “Cowardly Lion” costume from The Wizard of Oz ($805,000); a full-scale model T-800 Endoskeleton from Terminator 2: Judgment Day ($488,750); a T.I.E. Fighter filming miniature from Star Wars ($402,500); a King Kong six-sheet movie poster ($345,000); the Command Chair from the “U.S.S. Enterprise” ($304,750); Harrison Ford’s hero blaster from Blade Runner ($258,750); the original “Robot” from Lost in Space ($264,500); Luke Skywalker’s lightsaber ($240,000); a Frankenstein one-sheet movie poster ($212,400); the Black Beauty car from The Green Hornet ($192,000); George Reeves’ Superman costume from The Adventures of Superman ($126,500); the H.R. Giger designed Alien creature suit from Alien ($126,500); a full-scale T-Rex head from Jurassic Park ($126,500), the Leaping Alien Warrior figure from Aliens ($126,500), Christopher Reeve’s Superman costume from Superman: The Movie ($115,000), C-3PO’s helmet ($120,000), The Wizard of Oz “Winkie” Guard Costume ($115,000); a “Ming the Merciless” cape from Flash Gordon ($115,000) and the Hydraulic screen-used Velociraptor from The Lost World: Jurassic Park II ($115,000).

Hong Kong’s “DevaShard” Graphic Novel Set for the Big Screen

Vanouish

from Vanouish Motion Pictures:

The highly anticipated fantasy/epic graphic novel series DevaShard is slicing its way to the silver screen.

Vanquish Motion Pictures and its toppers Jay Douglas and Nav Gupta won out a long and fierce bidding war that ignited after Hong Kong-based Fluid Comics debuted the novel at San Diego’s Comic-Con.

Moving quickly on the property, Douglas and Gupta will produce and co-write the script with pen pal Heather Kenealy, from a screen treatment by Kevin Grevioux, co-creator of the Underworld franchise, who has just been tapped to adapt the 25 issue book, as well as executive produce.

The epic tale of DevaShard, inspired by Asian mythology and crafted by Fluid Comic’s Zen, Keith Burns and Johnny Tam, centers on two forsaken sons, one born of darkness, the other of light, struggling to find their place in a grim world riddled with corrupt kingdoms, cursed demons and terrifying magic. The DevaShard series is published by Fluid Comics seniors Simon Squibb and Helen Griffiths and has been met with rave reviews since its Asia release.

“The densely diverse world and characters which DevaShard possesses is just too damn cool not to be seen on screen,” said Douglas.

“Not only is the cover art by Frank Cho and Simon Bisley amazing, but the book’s stylized visuals and east-meets-west flare are seriously insane,” Gupta added.

Currently, Douglas and Gupta are also producing the globe-trotting video game adventure franchise Broken Sword with Radar Pictures while Grevioux is hot off setting up his own comic book creations, The Pale Horseman and I, Frankenstein.

Factory Entertainment: The Princess Bride, Website Launch & More

from Factory Entertainment:

Introducing: The Line
Welcome to “The Line.” Your direct source for the latest news, inside information and more. We have some very exciting news in this issue and more announcements that will surface shortly. In the meantime, we’d like to remind everyone that we’re currently accepting new memberships and now is the perfect time to remind friends and family to join the cause! Be sure to show them the secret handshake, membership has its benefits…

The Princess Bride
Inconceivable!!! We are delighted to be able to announce that we have secured the rights to produce prop replicas and collectibles from The Princess Bride, a fantastic movie, rightly deserving the term “classic” and a firm favourite here at Factory. We were recently lucky enough to visit the Princess Bride prop archive and examine the original props which have been beautifully cared for and looked after by their custodians for the last 20+ years. You know who you are folks and credit where credit is due. It’s Factory policy not to announce any products until they are fully developed and in production, so stay tuned for more detailed specific product updates. We have some amazing source material to work with and everybody can look forward to high quality, highly detailed and authentic products that you will be able to enjoy, no matter how many fingers you have. Here are a few photos from the archive to whet your appetite, now please excuse us we’re off to build up our resistance to iocaine powder. Click here for images…

Development: New Website
The new Factory Entertainment website launched this week, it’s still very much a work in progress and will be constantly developing as products become available and we obtain new licenses. We hope you like it! Next up is the new Factory Replicas website which we hope to launch very soon.

Follow us on Twitter, we proudly add to the mostly inane babble but we also throw in more than the occasional gem!

RiffTrax Live: Plan 9 from Outer Space Returns to Meet Demand in Sold-Out Theater Locations with Encore Presentation on October 8th

from National CineMedia:

RiffTrax Live: Plan 9 from Outer Space in-theater event presented by NCM Fathom and Something Awful returns to 285 select movie theaters on Thursday, October 8th at 7:30 p.m. local time in an encore rebroadcast event. The original live simulcast, performed in Nashville, Tennessee at The Belcourt Theatre featuring the stars from Mystery Science Theater 3000, was presented in more than 430 movie theaters on August 20th, with many locations selling-out across the country. The special encore presentation has been scheduled to meet the exceptionally high demand from fans to see the event.

Tickets for RiffTrax Live: Plan 9 from Outer Space ENCORE are available at participating theater box offices and online at FathomEvents.com. For a complete list of theater locations and prices, please visit the web site (theaters are subject to change).

“I’m glad this RiffTrax Encore gives people another chance to have a lot of laughs, see some great music and get some free stuff,” said Michael J. Nelson, RiffTrax creator and former host and writer of the Emmy-nominated, Peabody Award-winning Mystery Science Theater 3000. “And if nothing else, they’ll be awed by the majestic sight of Tor Johnson’s neck folds.”

The encore event showcases the talents of former Mystery Science Theater 3000 members Nelson, Kevin Murphy (Tom Servo) and Bill Corbett (Crow T. Robot) as they unleash their off-kilter zingers on the “worst movie ever made” — a color version of Plan 9 from Outer Space. Hosted by Veronica Belmont, co-host of Revisions3’s tech-centric show, Tekzilla and host of Qore on the PlayStation Network, the event also includes a guest segment from Something Awful’s Rich “Lowtax” Kyanka. Singer-songwriter and internet superstar Jonathan Coulton is the special musical guest.

A URL and code will be revealed following the event to encore audiences to download free exclusive digital extras including the Flying Stewardess downloadable short; an autographed digital photo of Nelson, Murphy and Corbett; three songs by the RiffTones; and an animated short of the failed Plans 1 through 8.

RiffTrax Live: Plan 9 from Outer Space ENCORE appears on the big screen in high definition with Cinema Surround Sound in select AMC Entertainment Inc., Celebration! Cinema, Cinemark USA Inc., Goodrich Quality Theaters, Hollywood Theaters, Kerasotes Showplace Theatres, Marcus Theatres and Regal Entertainment Group movie theaters, as well as Palace Cinema 9 (South Burlington, VT) through NCM’s exclusive Digital Broadcast Network.

VIZ Media Releases the Teenage Ninja Action Adventure of “Naruto: Shippuden: the Movie” on DVD This Fall

from VIZ Media:

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced the DVD release of Naruto: Shippuden: the Movie on November 10th. The new film is the fourth in the Naruto movie series, is rated “‘T+” for Older Teens, and will have an MSRP of $24.92 U.S. / $35.99 CAN.

In the newest animated feature film adventure, a powerful spirit that once threatened to destroy the world is back! Naruto’s mission is to protect a priestess named Shion, who is the only one with the power to seal away the monster. She also has the uncanny ability to predict someone’s fate. Her latest prediction: Naruto will soon die. Naruto’s only hope is to abandon Shion, but that’s not Naruto’s style. He decides to face her fatal prediction head-on — and die!

“The Naruto: Shippuden story arc is largely about growing up and as the world’s most popular ninja grows into adolescence, so have millions of his fans,” says Brian Ige, VIZ Media Director of Sales, Home Entertainment. “Naruto’s missions have become even more dangerous, and even fate will test Naruto’s skills and self confidence in this latest adventure as a mysterious princess foretells his death. We invite fans to check out all the action in this new feature film this fall!”

The Naruto: Shippuden manga and animated series pick up two years after Naruto left to train with his teacher and mentor Jiraiya. Now a teenager, the stories in the new series take a more mature and sometimes darker approach as Naruto returns to the Hidden Leaf Village to reunite with his old friends and discovers they are stronger than before — and maybe even stronger than he is! For Naruto, the spirit of a nine-tailed fox spirit trapped inside him is a metaphor for adolescence. There is a powerful force in this spunky teenager and he must learn to conquer it and overcome his own uncontrollable spirit and emotions while battling an array of villains and completing near-impossible missions.

Created by Masashi Kishimoto, Naruto was first introduced in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine in Japan in 1999 and quickly became that country’s most popular ninja manga targeting tweens and teens and has sold more than 92 million copies to-date. The manga series (rated “T” for Teens) and animated counterpart (Naruto rated “T” for teens, and Naruto: Shippuden rated “T+” for older teens) are some of VIZ Media’s most successful properties and have captivated millions of fans across North America, Europe and South America. Naruto is a co-production of TV TOKYO, VIZ Media parent company Shueisha Inc., and Pierrot Co., Ltd.

For more information on Naruto: Shippuden, and to view Naruto: Shippuden episodes (subtitled) please visit the official Naruto website at naruto.com. In addition, DTO (dubbed) is also available on iTunes. Classic Naruto episodes can be viewed on hulu.com, Playstation Network, Xbox Live, Amazon VOD and iTunes.