Budo Grape announces new USA tour dates! (MUSIC)

Japanese pop quintet Budo Grape, nominated for Best Japanese Pop Band in 2008 by Shojo Beat magazine, has added two more dates to their upcoming U.S tour. Starting with their American debut at A-Kon 19 in Dallas, on May 30th, they will travel to San Antonio, on June 3rd, and to New York City, on June 5th. Budo Grape has just released their 4th album in Japan, "AIMORE," and is putting the finishing touches on a compilation album entitled "JUICE" available exclusively on their USA tour.

USA Performance Dates and Locations:
May 30- Dallas, TX - A-Kon 19
June 3 - San Antonio, TX - Sam's Burger Joint
June 5 - New York, NY - Knitting Factory (presented by Karaterice)

For more information, go to:
MP3s and videos - www.japanfiles.com/budogrape
USA MySpace - www.myspace.com/budogrape
Official Site (in Japanese) - www.budo-grape.net

Founder of Madhouse Studios @ OTAKON© 2008 (ANIME)

Masao Maruyama, the founder and Creative Director of award-winning MADHOUSE, will make his sixth appearance at Otakon© 2008. Maruyama has been in the animation industry for forty years. He has produced numerous successful anime projects, such as “Chobits”, “Cardcaptor Sakura”, "Urusei Yatsura”, “Death Note” and much much more. Otakon will once again be held in Baltimore, Maryland on August 8th to the 10th.

For more information, go to: www.otakon.com

AI in L.A. (MUSIC)

Popular Japanese R&B singer, Ai, will be returning to her hometown, Los Angeles, to stage a benefit concert to honor her grandfather and all those who serve as inspiration to young people.. The 26-year old top recording artist in Japan has sold over 300,000 copies of her first major release, “Story”, in 2005, and continues to succeed. The concert will be held on June 22nd at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center. Ticket information is available by calling Go For Broke at (310) 222-5713.

For more information, go to: Go For Broke

Japanese Films Screening at L.A. Film Festival (FILM)

Film Independents’ Los Angeles Film Festival presented by Los Angeles Times will be held from June 19th to 29th in Westwood Village. The festival screens more than 250 narrative, documentary, short film, and international features to a diverse audience of 83,000. L From VIP galas to celebrity-studded premieres, the Los Angeles Film Festival highlights film from every corner of the globe.

L.A. Film Festival 2008 is proud to introduce two Japanese films this year that will be screening at the event.

The Makioka Sisters (Sasame-yuki)
Director: Kon Ichikawa
CAST: Keiko Kishi, Yoshiko Sakuma, Sayuri Yoshinaga, Yuko Kotegawa
Tuesday, June 24, 4:30 PM
Billy Wilder Theater/Hammer Museum

In a career spanning more than 70 years, Kon Ichikawa created many acclaimed literary adaptations, and this is one of his finest from the '80s, a visually stunning film about fading traditions in the modern world.

X-Cross (Ekusu-Kurosu)
Director: Kenta Fukasaku
CAST: Mizuno Shiyori, Hiuke Aiko, Asamiya Keiichi

From the screenwriter of Death Note and the director of Battle Royale II and Yo-Yo Girl Cop comes this fabulously fractured film about two friends running for their lives — just not from the same things.

For tickets or more information, please call 1.866.FILMFEST or visit www.LAFilmFest.com.

Hannari-Geisha Modern Summer Extravaganza (FILM)

A documentary film that captures the true Geisha on camera, “Hannari-Geisha Modern”, will be screening several times in the summer. The screening schedule is posted below .Please join the director at a sake tasting event in Santa Monica on May 25th.

Screening Schedule:
June 26 thru July 2 - Laemmle Santa Monica (CA) 1:00PM, 3:20PM, 5:40PM, 8:00PM & 10:15PM
For details, go to: Geisha Modern

U.S. Theatrical Release of “Death Note”

A Japanese live-action film distributor, VIZ Pictures, has teamed up with NCM FATHOM, to theatrically release “Death Note” for two nights in over 300 theaters across the U.S. “Death Note”, which made over $27 million in Japan’s box office sales in 2006, will be shown in the U.S. on May 20th and the 21st. They will also be showing a 20 minute feature on how the original manga transformed itself to live-action and an interview with the director, Shusuke Kaneko.

For more information and tickets, go to: www.FathomEvents.com, www.viz.com

Live Action Manga-Based Movie, AZUMI 2 Stateside Release (FILM)

Urban Vision Entertainment, a DVD distributor of Japanese Animation and live action film in the states, releases the manga-based movie, AZUMI 2 on May 6th. AZUMI was originally released theatrically in N.Y. in 2006. The story continues as a young female assassin, during the feudal era of Japan, seeks out the remaining corrupt Japanese lords to eliminate. An amazing combination of director Shunsuke Kaneko, director of the two DEATH NOTE movies, and screenplay writer Yoshiaki Kawajiri, also known for working on “Ninja Scroll” and “Vampire Hunter: D”, came together to bring this fast-paced action-packed series to life.

Reference: Urban Vision Entertainment official website

Japan Film Festival 2008 (April 11th -20th) (Film)

The annual event, The Chanoma Film Festival, has transformed itself to The Japan Film Festival (JFF), and was held on April 11th to April 20th. The JFF is the only film festival for Japanese films held in Los Angeles and this year, it was held at The Imaginasian Center in Los Angeles, and at Starplex Cinemas in Irvine. The event successfully attracted 2500 visitors and many of them left comments to encourage this event to continue next year. The JFF gala, held on April 10th, welcomed Shin Koyamada from “The Last Samurai” and they have screened a total of 22 feature films.

For more information, go to: http://www.jffla.org/

Aurora Publishing, Inc. Introduces Ladies Comics with LUV LUV Imprint (Manga)

Aurora Publishing, Inc., a Japanese Manga publishing company, launched their Luv Luv imprint for women readers. Manga from Luv Luv feature more mature storylines for adult female readers. The first title launched under this imprint was “Voices of Love” by Kanae Hazuki, which was released in January 2008. “Real Love” by Mitsuki Oda was released in March, and “ Love for Dessert” will be released on May 2008.

For more information, go to: www.aurora-publishing.com

Shoko Nakagawa at Anime Expo (Entertainment)

The all so popular Shoko Nakagawa, also known as Shokotan, is a television celebrity, blogger, voice actress and illustrator will join the hottest line up of Anime Expo 2008 Guests of Honors for the 2008 convention July 3-6, 2008 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

For more information, go to: www.anime-expo.org

Anime Industry Award Finalists Announced by the SPJA (Anime)

The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA), organizers of the largest Japanese Animation and Manga convention in the U.S. (ANIME EXPO), released the SPJA Industry Award 2008 finalists for 21 different categories. The announcement was made during the SPJA Symposium at the Tokyo International Anime Fair in April 2008. The top five companies holding the most nominations include: Bandai Entertainment, Viz Media, Geneon Entertainment, Bandai Visual, and FUNimation.

For more information, go to: http://www.spja.org

Square Enix Japan Release RPG via Wii Ware (Game)

Square Enix Japan has released their RPG game, “Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The World of The Little King,” through WiiWare on March 25th. Consumers are able to purchase the game for 1500 Wii points by accessing the Wii shopping channel.

For more information, go to: http://www.square-enix.co.jp/littleking

New Doraemon Movie Goes Green-Themed (ANIME)

The latest animated feature installment of the Doraemon series, “Nobita and the Green Giant Legend”, features a greener environmental awareness-theme. The Doraemon series (manga and anime) has been running in Japan for decades and is well known to all ages. “Nobita and the Green Giant Legend” is about Nobita and his friends, along with Doraemon, trying to save the world from the “Green Planet Plan” which intends to annihilate human beings by covering the earth with greenery. This time, Nobita will solve these problems without relying on Doraemon’s magical tools. “Doraemon: Nobita and the Green Giant Legend” has already grossed over $24.9M (Y3 billion) since its release in Japan on March 8th 2008 with 300 screens nationwide.

Reference: 3/29/2008 The Asahi.com

Doraemon Awarded Title of Japanese National Anime Cultural Ambassador (ANIME)

On March 19th, “Doraemon” was inaugurated as the Japanese National Anime Cultural Ambassador. The purpose of the Japanese National Anime Cultural Ambassador is to promote and introduce Japanese culture to the world through anime. Doraemon was chosen due to the high amount of cultural scenes in the series.

Reference: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan official website

SEGA Begins Releasing New Golf Simulation Game in Arcades Around Japan (GAMES)

SEGA has released a golf simulation game, on April 8th, titled “GO GO GOLF!” for game arcade and amusement park use in late March. The new game enables players to use two simulation modes: to practice how to approach the pin, ways to increase shot distance, or to increase levels of preciseness and speed of shots on the actual golf course. In addition, there is an option to use tennis balls for beginners who feel conventional size golf balls are too difficult to strike. Much larger than traditional interactive simulation games, players stand in a large tent area facing a screen. Balls are hit toward the screen, and the rest is taken care of by the simulation game. “GO GO GOLF!” can be played at the cost of 200-500 Yen (About $2-5 US Dollars) per game (price varies by location).

Reference: 4/8/2008 Famitsu.com

Atlus goes Portable again with “Trauma Center: Under the Knife 2” (GAME)

On April 7th, Atlus U.S.A., Inc. announced the release date of “Trauma Center: Under the Knife 2”, sequel to the 2005 smash hit, for Nintendo DS. This unique medical simulation game allows players to surgically operate by cutting, sewing, draining, disinfecting among many other options. Part two contains the original characters, Derek and Angie and is updated with new difficulty modes and operations. “Trauma Center: Under the Knife 2” is currently scheduled to be released on July 1st. You can preorder on amazon.com for $29.99 each.

For more information, go to: http://www.atlus.com/tcutk2/

3-D Ghost in the Shell with Spielberg (FILM)

DreamWorks and Steven Spielberg are recreating the classic police action manga, “Ghost in the Shell”, in 3-D. Sony and Universal were also fighting for the rights of the content, but Spielberg’s personal interest led Dreamworks to buy the rights. The graphic novel, originally created in 1989 by Shirow Masamune, has been the basis of a TV series and movies. The animated Japanese feature, “ Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence” was released theatrically in the U.S. by DreamWorks in 2004.

Furthermore, Mamoru Oshii, the director of animated feature “Ghost In The Shell” and “ Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence” is returning on the big screen with his latest animated feature, “The Sky Crawlers” this summer. Distributed by Warner Brothers Japan, the film is scheduled to be released in Japan on August 2nd 2008.

Written by Hiroshi Mori, “The Sky Crawlers” is a bestseller novel about young fighter jet pilots. Set in the near future, “The Sky Crawlers” deals with a question of death where the war and the killing become a part of the daily routine of young fighters.

Reference: 4/14/2008 Variety Magazine

Famous Soft Rock Duo @ Anime Expo 2008 (MUSIC)

Anime Expo 2008 announced on April 15th that Jyukai, a Japanese soft rock duo, would be joining the event, which will be held on July 3-6, 2008 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Jyukai - Manami (vocal) and Dewa Yoshiaki (composition) - formed in 2004 when they began performing in Osaka, Japan. They had their TV anime debut in 2006 when they sang the closing theme for “Fate/Stay Night”, titled “Anata ga Iru Mori” which ranked 16th on the Oricon Chart in its first week of release. Following their successful debut, they continued to sing opening and closing songs for other anime shows, such as “Ah! My Goddess: Flights of Fancy”, “Buso Renkin” and "Shin - Onna Tachigui Retsuden", which was directed by Mamoru Oshii (Ghost in the Shell: Innocence).

For more information, go to: www.anime-expo.org

Viz and Stan Lee Manga Collaboration (MANGA)

During the NY Comic Con press conference, VIZ announced that they will publish “Ultimo”, created by the ever so mighty tandem of Stan Lee and Hiroyuki Takei, widely known for his work “Sharman King”. The first installment of Ultimo appeared on Japan’s “Jump SQ.II”, a spinoff manga magazine of Shueisha’s newly launched “Jump SQ”, in April 2008. Although the U.S. release date has not yet been announced, Stan Lee hopes this content will eventually become as big as “Spider-Man” and expand to TV shows and movies. “Sherman King” appeared in Japan’s “Weekly Shonen Jump” from 1998 to 2004 and was also created into a TV animation series released on TV Tokyo from 2001 to 2002.

Reference: 4/21/2008 ICV2

Kamikaze Girls’ Nakajima Oversees Anime TV Shorts (ANIME/FILM)

The director of “Kamikaze Girls”, Tetsuya Nakajima, released his new flash-animated series, “Itsumo Wagamama Gama Oji”. It premiered in Japan on April 21st. The anime series is a spin-off from the director’s upcoming feature film “Paco and the Magical Book”. The film itself will be released on September 13th in Japan.

The five-minute-short animation series will show on TV Tokyo every Monday for six months, until the film’s release in September (total 20 episodes). Releasing the spin-off before the actual feature film release is unprecedented. However, if this succeeds, this style of film promotion may soon become wildly popular in Japan. “Paco and the Magical Book” is a fantasy comedy of a young girl Paco, and her amazing friendships with her peculiar fellow patients in a mental hospital. With his third feature film “Memories of Matsuko (Kiraware Matsuko No Issho)”, released in Japan in 2006, Nakajima scooped major film awards. The musical style comedy grossed just over $13 million at the Japanese box office and Nakajima quickly became one of the most demanded directors in Japan.

Reference: 4/22/2008 Anime News Network
For more information, go to: http://www.paco-magic.com/

Bleach The Movie on Big Screen! (ANIME/FILM)

Viz Media and NCM Fathom will team up to screen the best-selling animated series feature, “Bleach the Movie: Memories of Nobody”, in over 300 movie theatres across the country on June 11th and 12th. Advance purchase tickets will go on sale from May 2-8 to all subscriber of “Shonen Jump” e-mail newsletter. General tickets will go on sale May 9th.

For more information, go to: www.fathomevents.com, www.vizmedia.com

Young Tsugaru-Shamisen Virtuosos Is Coming to L.A.

The well-known Shamisen duos, Ryoichiro and Kenichi Yoshida, also known as the Yoshida brothers, will be performing at El Rey Theatre, Los Angeles, on May 14th. Shamisen is a traditional Japanese three-stringed instrument and their passionate performance is close to that of a rock ‘n roll concert. Their CD will also be available through Domo Music Group on June 3rd, 2008. They are also performing at other locations throughout the U.S. so go the site for detailed schedules.

For more information, go to: http://www.domo.com/YoshidaBrothers/

Laugh all Night Long with Rakugo

Recently awarded the Ministry of Culture Award for Cultural Exchange, Kaishi Katsura is a well-known Rakugo, also known as the Japanese stand up comedy, performer. He will be prepared to make you laugh your heart out by performing his Rakugo in English. He began his performance on April 1st, 2008 in New York and he is still continuing his tour in more than 30 states. See the official website for detailed schedules.

For more information, go to: http://eigo-rakugo.com/english/index.html