KAMEN RIDER GAIMU TRADEMARKED BY TOEI
The wait and speculation is finally almost over. Earlier this week, Toei finally filed a copyright for the name of the next installment of their illustrious Kamen Rider franchise. The show will be called Kamen Rider Gaimu, and Gaimu's name is pretty significant for a few reasons. First off, "mu" in Japanese is an alternate reading for the number six so it looks like Toei is planning to continue its run of Riders themed around numbers (Decade unites the worlds into one, W has two men sharing one body, OOO is an amalgamation of three different powers, Fourze uses four switches and celebrates the 40th anniversary, and Wizard's belt has a hand with five fingers). Second, the Rider's name can also be written into kanji that can mean "armored warrior" which heavily implies this Rider is samurai and/or sword-themed. Keep checking in as more news comes in, as the official look for our next Rider should be coming later this month!
A screenshot of the copyright [Photo courtesy of Henshin Justice]
[Courtesy of Henshin Justice]
KOICHI SAKAMOTO TO DIRECT LIVE-ACTION FILM ADAPTATION OF 009-1
Yesterday, the first trailer was released for the new live-action to be directed by the longtime Power Rangers veteran (and current head director of Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger) Koichi Sakamoto. The film will be based on Shotaro Ishinomori's classic adult-themed manga 009-1 and will be called 009-1: The End of the Beginning to help celebrate what would have been Ishinomori's 75th birthday this year. The film stars Mayuko Isawa as Mylene Hoffman aka 009-1, a cyborg spy in a world where the Cold War never ended who fights her own personal war between both factions.
The film also stars numerous tokusatsu veterans and some frequent collaborators with Sakamoto, including Nao Nagasawa (HurricaneBlue, Lily from Kamen Rider W, Haruka Utsugi from Kamen Rider Fourze, etc. etc.), Minehiro Kinemoto (Kamen Rider Accel), Mao Ichimichi (GokaiYellow), Shizuka Midorikawa (Nonko from Kamen Rider W Returns: Kamen Rider Eternal), Naoto Takenaka (voice of Shiki in One Piece: Strong World, Kiyomasa from Azumi), and Aya Sugimoto (Queen Beryl in the Sailor Moon tokusatsu series, Dr. Maria S. Cranberry from Kamen Rider W Forever: A to Z/The Gaia Memories of Destiny).
009-1 has been previously adapted twice. The first time was as a live-action Toei tokusatsu series that aired in 1969 called Flower Action 009-1 that only ran for 13 episodes, and then as an anime series in 2006 that ran for 12 episodes and was licensed in the United States by ADV Films. The film will get a limited theatrical release in Japan starting on September 7th.
[Courtesy of Anime News Network]
FIRST PROMO FOR ULTRAMAN GINGA ARRIVES
Last week, Tsuburaya ran a special Tokyo Hobby Show that showcased their newest hero: Ultraman Ginga. During the showcase, the first promo was shown to a live audience giving them a brief taste of what to expect in the series, which is actually called New Ultraman Retsuden. A promo was also shown that displayed much of the merchandise in the series and also delivered a taste on not only how Hikaru will transform into Ginga but also how he will be able to summon monsters with the Ginga Spark (that can be seen here).
The plot for the series was also revealed earlier this week. Several millenniums ago, every Ultra hero, monster, and ally were turned into dolls by a strange being that used a device called the Darkness Spark. Flash forward to present day and we are introduced to our protagonist Hikaru. When visiting his hometown, his grandfather's shrine is destroyed by a fire. The shrine's idol is rescued and moved to a nearby high school, which Hikaru moves into to keep a close eye on it for his grandfather's sake. Hikaru finds an Ultraman Taro doll that starts to speak with him and tries to convince Hikaru to find the other dolls scattered throughout the village and return them to normal with the Ginga Spark, his shrine's idol, and become the new hero Ultraman Ginga. Meanwhile, the agent of the foe who turned everyone into dolls arrives on Earth and starts handing out the dolls and the ability to use them to those with corrupted minds...
The series will start airing on July 10th and run for 6 episodes before taking a hiatus, and then the last 5 episodes will air starting in November. There will also be two specials: one that premieres in September and the other sometime next spring.
[Courtesy of JEFusion]
ULTRAMAN GETS A BLU-RAY RELEASE AT LAST
During the same Tokyo Hobby Show, Tsuburaya also announced a complete Blu-ray release was planned for their original 1966 classic: Ultraman. The series will get an HD remaster and be released in three box sets with 13 episodes each. The box sets total 10,000 yen each (roughly $100 US). No word on any other details such as English subtitles or special features, but each set will be released on July 10th, October 25th, and January 29th.
[Courtesy of JEFusion]
THE RETURN OF TOKUMEI SENTAI GO-BUSTERS VS. DOBUTSU SENTAI GO-BUSTERS V-CINEMA RELEASED, PRESS CONFERENCE VIDEO STREAMED ONLINE
On June 14th, much of the cast and crew behind Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters returned when the V-cinema special The Return of Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters Vs. Dobutsu Sentai Go-Busters was released on DVD and Blu-ray for rental, while the retail release will be due out on June 21st. The special features a "what-if" scenario when we see what would have happened if the events of 13 years ago, with the Go-Busters becoming an animal-themed Sentai instead. However, the special also serves as an epilogue to the series with the original Go-Busters making a return. Not many plot details are known since Toei has not advertised this special too much, but when it is subbed I will be sure to post a review of it on here for you guys.
TOEI AND BANDAI SCORE WITH JAPAN TOY AWARDS
The sixth annual Japan Toy Awards were given out this week with a special conference, and once again Kamen Rider and Super Sentai came out on top. The "DX WizarDriver" from Kamen Rider Wizard won the "2012 Hit Sales" award. Also, the "Kamitsuki Gattai DX Kyoryuzin" from Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger won for best toy in the Boy's Toy Category. Toei and Bandai also scored with another win in the Girl's Toy Category thanks to Dokidoki! Precure and its "Dokidoki! Precure Henshin Lovely Commune". The winners were all displayed at the International Toy Festival held from June 13th to the 16th.
[Courtesy of Crunchyroll and the Japan Toy Association's official web site]
SUPER HERO WAR Z NET MOVIES GET DVD RELEASE DATE
DVD Cover for the Net Movies release [Photo Courtesy of JEFusion]
The newest batch of net movies that advertised Kamen Rider x Super Sentai x Uchu Keiji: Super Hero War Z will be released on DVD and Blu-ray on August 9th. Called Kamen Rider x Super Sentai x Uchu Keiji: Super Hero War Otsu! ~Heroo Answers!~ Your Suffering Shall End, the new series of Net Movies runs for only 10 episodes and also features characters from Tsuburaya Productions and Marvel Comics in possible cameos. The casts of Kamen Rider Wizard, Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger appear as well as cameos from the original actors for Kamen Rider W and Gavan Type-G.
[Courtesy of JEFusion]
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