Kore-eda's MABOROSI screens at Japan Society NY on March 10th

Japan Society NY

presents

Maborosi © 1995 TV Man Union, Inc.

Maborosi / Maboroshi no Hikari

Directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda

With Makiko Esumi, Takashi Naito, Tadanobu Asano

Japan, 1995, 110 minutes

35mm, color, in Japanese with English subtitles

When: Friday, March 10th, 7:00 PM

Where: Japan Society NY

333 East 47th Street, NYC

Map

The first narrative feature by Hirokazu Kore-eda is a contemplative and poetic film about loss and the everpresent specter of death. Yumiko and Ikuo lead a happy life together in Osaka that is suddenly disrupted when Ikuo is killed by a train in an apparent suicide. Although she eventually remarries and relocates to a quiet seaside village, Yumiko is continually haunted by the experience, struggling to understand why it happened. Beautifully shot with an emphasis on silhouettes, shadows and natural light, Maborosi remains one of Kore-eda's most visually striking f ilms and an early testament to his exceptional talents.

Tickets: $13/$10 seniors & students/$5 Japan Society members

Part of Monthly Classics
Year-round screenings of beloved classics, hidden gems and recent discoveries of Japanese cinema. Only $5 for Japan society members

ZATOICHI THE FUGITIVE coming to Japan Society NY on April 7th

Japan Society NY

presents

Zatoichi the Fugitive © 1966 Kadokawa Pictures, Inc.

Zatoichi the Fugitive / Zatoichi Kyojo Tabi

Directed by Tokuzo Tanaka

With Shintaro Katsu, Miwa Takada, and Masayo Banri

Japan, 1963, 86 minutes

35mm, color, in Japanese with English subtitles

When: Friday, April 7th, 7:00 PM

Where: Japan Society NY

333 East 47th Street, NYC

Map

The fourth episode in the immensely popular 25-film action series features iconic blind swordsman Zatoichi (Shintaro Katsu) going up against a legion of local yakuza henchmen who target him after he defeats them in a wrestling tournament and then kills one of their own in self-defense. To complicate things, a former romantic interest reenters Zatoichi's life and a hot-tempered ronin, to whom she is married, seeks to end it for a reward. Composer Akira Ifukube, most famous for his work on the Godzilla film series, provides a characteristically spare and artful score.

Tickets: $13/$10 seniors & students/$5 Japan Society members

Part of Monthly Classics
Year-round screenings of beloved classics, hidden gems and recent discoveries of Japanese cinema. Only $5 for Japan society members

Sentai Filmworks licenses TIME JAM: VALERIAN & LAURELINE

Sentai Filmworks has announced its acquisition of the French-Japanese animated series Time Jam: Valerian & Laureline. This 2007 production is based on the 1967 French comic series that is lauded as a cornerstone for the science-fiction genre, influencing intergalactic masterpieces such as Star Wars and The Fifth Element.

In the year 2417, a dashing space cadet named Valerian travels to the year 912 where he breaks the rules and rescues a beautiful, and highly intelligent, peasant girl named Laureline. When his actions make the Earth disappear from the solar system, as the only humans left in the galaxy, Valerian and Laureline begin a new life as adventurers through time and space in hopes of restoring the Earth. Meanwhile, the two must also work together in a galaxy threatened by the sinister Vlagosian armada!

Action, adventure, romantic rivalry, and mystery abound in Time Jam: Valerian & Laureline! The complete 40-episode series will soon be available through select digital outlets with a home video release to follow.

BEYOND GODZILLA, seven film series + one lecture, coming to Japan Society NY starting March 24th

Japan Society NY

presents

The H-Man © 1959 Sony Pictures; Blue Christmas © 1978 Toho Co. Ltd.; Invisible Man © 1954 Toho Co. Ltd.

Globus Film Series

Beyond Godzilla: Alternative Futures & Fantasies in Japanese Cinema

When: March 24—April 8, 2017

Where: Japan Society NY

333 East 47th Street, NYC

Map

While Godzilla undoubtedly ranks among Japanese cinema's most well-known and beloved exports, the series of films in which he stars is only one of the many remarkable entries within the rich and varied universe of Japanese tokusatsu ("special effects") films. This seven-film series, a modified version of the program organized for the 2016 Far East Film Festival in Udine, Italy by film critic and writer Mark Schilling, goes beyond Toho's superstar monster to introduce a selection of titles that display the wide-ranging imagination of the Japanese sci-fi/fantasy genre, including innovative B-movies, kaiju eiga ("monster movies") and non-Godzilla classics involving director Ishiro Honda and effects maestro Eiji Tsuburaya.

The films to be shown are: The H-Man, Latitude Zero, School in the Cross Hairs, Invisible Man, The Secret of the Telegian, Blue Christmas, and Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris. Beyond Godzilla, a lecture by series curator Mark Schilling, will take place on Saturday, March 25th at 5:00 PM.

Further information, including the full schedule, is available here.

Tickets:
$13/$10 seniors & students/$9 Japan Society members

EXCEPT screening of The H-Man + Opening Night Party: $16/$13 seniors & students/$12 Japan Society members

Special Offer: Buy tickets to at least 3 different films in the same transaction and receive $2 off each ticket.

SWORD MASTER coming to Digital on March 7th; Blu-ray & DVD debut on April 11th from Well Go USA

Well Go USA

Entertainment

presents

Sword Master / San shao ye de jian

Directed by Derek Yee

Hong Kong/China. 2016, 105 minutes

Hong Kong cinema giants Derek Yee (Triple Tap) and Tsui Hark (Flying Swords of Dragon Gate) join forces for an epic remake of 1977’s Death Duel, when the wuxia martial arts extravaganza Sword Master debuts on digital March 7th and on Blu-ray™ and DVD April 11th from Well Go USA Entertainment.

Visually opulent, the film follows a master swordsman who must once again wield his weapon against those who threaten his desire to live in peace. Sword Master stars Kenny Lin (The Taking of Tiger Mountain), Peter Ho (The Monkey King), Yiyan Jiang (Reign of Assassins) and Mengjie Jiangin (Kung Fu Hero). Bonus materials include the featurette “Mastering the Sword.”

Synopsis:
A powerful swordsman is haunted by the destructive impact his deadly talents have on others. Weary of the bloodshed and violence from the martial arts world, he banishes himself to the humble life of a vagrant, wandering the fringes of society. But his violent past refuses to let him go quietly. The master swordsman must regain the ability to wield his sword and fight those disrupting the peace he so desperately craves.

Bonus Materials Include:
-- “Mastering the Sword” featurette

Johnnie To's THREE debuts on Digital March 7; on Blu-ray & DVD on April 4

Well Go USA

Entertainment

presents

Three / San ren xing

Directed by Johnnie To

With  Louis Koo, Wei Zhao, and Wallace Chung

Hong Kong/China, 2016, 89 minutes

Tensions mounts and bullets fly in master filmmaker Johnnie To’s (Drug War, Exiled, Election) Three, his latest showdown between cops, robbers and everyone else caught in the crossfire. The action-packed thriller explodes onto digital March 7 and on Blu-ray™ and DVD April 4 from Well Go USA Entertainment.

When a police sting goes bad, a cornered criminal (Wallace Chung, Drug War) makes a desperate choice: he shoots himself, forcing the officers to cease fire and rush him to the hospital. Once there, he refuses treatment, waiting for his cohorts to break him out. Caught between an obsessed cop (Louis Koo, Triad Election) and the dedicated surgeon assigned to save his life (Zhao Wei, Red Cliff), the hospital is now a battleground of deception, double-crosses and a coming onslaught of violence.

Synopsis:
When three disparate souls—a doctor desperate to redeem her reputation (Vicki Zhao), a policeman who will go to any length to seek out justice (Louis Koo), and a criminal with a gunshot wound to the head (Wallace Chung)—are thrown together in the hustle and bustle of an emergency room, a hospital descends from a pristine sanctuary to an explosive battleground.

Bonus Materials Include:
-- “Master Director Johnnie To” featurette
-- “Three Complex Characters” featurette

Meiko Kaji mini-retrospective concludes tonight with screening of FEMALE PRISONER SCORPION: BEAST STABLE

Japan Society NY

presents

Female Prisoner Scorpion: Beast Stable  © 1973 Toei Co., Ltd.

 Female Prisoner Scorpion: Beast Stable

(Joshu Sasori Kemono Beya)

Directed by Shunya Ito

With Meiko Kaji, Mikio Narita, Reisen Lee

Japan, 1973, 87 minutes

Blu-ray, color, in Japanese with English subtitles

When: Sunday, February 12, 7:00 PM 

Where: Japan Society NY

333 East 47th Street, NYC

Map

Japan Society NY's five film Meiko Kaji mini-retrospective will conclude this evening with the a screening of Female Prisoner Scorpion: Beast Stable at 7:00 PM. (At 4:30 Sunday afternoon there will be a separate screening of Blind Woman's Curse.)

Perhaps Meiko Kaji's most iconic role, Nami "Scorpion" Matsushima was created by Toru Shinohara for an adult manga, and has been the subject of many remakes, but Kaji will always remain the original and the best. The third film in the series, and last by original director Shunya Ito, Beast Stable is the most horror-tinged entry, and arguably the most violent. Nami, having escaped from prison in episode #2, befriends a lonely sex worker and incurs the wrath of a yakuza gang led by a former nemesis, the sadistic and power-mad Katsu—a grand guignol creation clad in black feathers who has sworn vengeance on Scorpion.

18+
This film is unrated, but may only be viewed by persons 18 years of age or older.

Part of Cruel Beauty: A Romantic Weekend with Meiko Kaji

Tickets: $13/$10 seniors & students/$9 Japan Society members

Special Offers:
All Access Pass: (1 ticket for each film in the series, 5 tickets total) Save $3 per ticket. $50/$35 seniors & students/$30 Japan Society members

Double Feature Pass: (2 different films in the same transaction) Save $2 per ticket. $22/$16 seniors & students/$14 Japan Society members

BLIND WOMAN'S CURSE at Japan Society this Sunday afternoon

Japan Society NY

presents

Blind Woman's Curse © 1970 Nikkatsu Corporation

Blind Woman's Curse

(Kaidan Nobori Ryu)

Directed by Teruo Ishii

With Meiko Kaji, Hoki Tokuda, Makoto Sato

Japan, 1970, 85 minutes

Blu-ray, color, in Japanese with English subtitles

When: Sunday, February 12, 4:30 PM 

Where: Japan Society NY

333 East 47th Street, NYC

Map

Japan Society NY's five film Meiko Kaji mini-retrospective will continue with separate screenings of two films on Sunday, the first of which will be Blind Woman's Curse, which will be shown at 7:00 PM.

Although she began her acting career at Nikkatsu under her real name, Masako Ota became Meiko Kaji on the advice of her mentor Masahiro Makino, and this phantasmagoric female swordplay saga—the best period film Kaji made at Nikkatsu—was her first starring role under her new, tougher name. The third and final entry in the Rising Dragon series of female gambler films that starred Hiroko Ogi, Blind Woman’s Curse dispenses not only with the original character but also Ogi herself, instead casting Kaji as the benevolent, tattooed leader of a band of yakuza. Kaji and her gang become targets of supernatural vengeance after she blinds another swordswoman in a duel, and genre master Teruo Ishii adds his signature erotic-grotesque elements to the story, which may be the best female swordplay-cum-ghost cat horror film Japan ever produced!

18+
This film is unrated, but may only be viewed by persons 18 years of age or older.

Part of Cruel Beauty: A Romantic Weekend with Meiko Kaji

Tickets: $13/$10 seniors & students/$9 Japan Society members

Special Offers:
All Access Pass: (1 ticket for each film in the series, 5 tickets total) Save $3 per ticket. $50/$35 seniors & students/$30 Japan Society members

Double Feature Pass: (2 different films in the same transaction) Save $2 per ticket. $22/$16 seniors & students/$14 Japan Society members

STRAY CAT ROCK: SEX HUNTER at Japan Society this Saturday evening

Japan Society NY

presents

Stray Cat Rock: Sex Hunter © 1970 Nikkatsu Corporation

Stray Cat Rock: Sex Hunter

(Nora-neko Rokku Sekkusu Hanta)

Directed by Yasuharu Hasebe

With Meiko Kaji, Rikiya Yasuoka, Tatsuya Fuji

Japan, 1970, 85 minutes

Blu-ray, color, in Japanese with English subtitles

When: Saturday, February 11, 7:00 PM 

Where: Japan Society NY

333 East 47th Street, NYC

Map

Japan Society NY's five film Meiko Kaji mini-retrospective, which begins tonight with New Battles Without Honor and Humanity: The Boss's Head, will continue with separate screenings of two films on Saturday, the second of which will be Stray Cat Rock: Sex Hunter, which will be shown at 7:00 PM. (Lady Snowblood: Love Song of Vengeance will be shown earlier, at 4:30 in the afternoon.)

Meiko Kaji headlined her first ongoing series with this group of five girl-gang biker films, made during Nikkatsu Studio's heyday of "New Action" films, which amped up the sex and violence while addressing contemporary social issues from a distinctly left-wing point of view. Sex Hunter is the third (and best) entry in the series, and stars Kaji as the leader of the Alleycats and girlfriend to the morose, possibly impotent Baron (Tatsuya Fuji), who leads a biker gang of his own in attacks on mixed-race kids around the US military base in Yokosuka. Co-starring burly, half-Italian actor Rikiya Yasuoka (Tampopo) as tough outsider Azuma, his not-quite-consummated romance with Kaji burns up the screen as their increasingly violent brawls with Baron's gang, as well as the local yakuza, pile up the casualties on both sides.

18+
This film is unrated, but may only be viewed by persons 18 years of age or older.

Part of Cruel Beauty: A Romantic Weekend with Meiko Kaji

Tickets: $13/$10 seniors & students/$9 Japan Society members

Special Offers:
All Access Pass: (1 ticket for each film in the series, 5 tickets total) Save $3 per ticket. $50/$35 seniors & students/$30 Japan Society members

Double Feature Pass: (2 different films in the same transaction) Save $2 per ticket. $22/$16 seniors & students/$14 Japan Society members

LADY SNOWBLOOD: LOVE SONG OF VENGEANCE at Japan Society NY this Saturday afternoon

Japan Society NY

presents

Lady Snowblood: Love Song of Vengeance © 1974 Toho Co., Ltd.

Lady Snowblood: Love Song of Vengeance

(Shurayukihime Urami Renka)

Directed by Toshiya Fujita

With Meiko Kaji, Juzo Itami, Yoshio Harada

Japan, 1974, 89 minutes

DCP, color, in Japanese with English subtitles

When: Saturday, February 11, 4:30 PM 

Where: Japan Society NY

333 East 47th Street, NYC

Map

Japan Society NY's five film Meiko Kaji mini-retrospective, which begins tomorrow night with New Battles Without Honor and Humanity: The Boss's Head, will continue with two films on Saturday, the first of which will be Lady Snowblood: Love Song of Vengeance.

Meiko Kaji took a break from her work on the Scorpion series at Toei to make a pair of bloody period swordplay films at Toho Studios, based on a manga by Kazuo Koike, the creator of Lone Wolf and Cub. The Lady Snowblood films, both of them directed by former Nikkatsu collaborator Toshiya Fujita, cast Kaji as the swordswoman Yuki, born in prison, and raised to seek vengeance on the group who raped her mother and murdered her father. Love Song of Vengeance, the sequel, sets Yuki on a different path, helping a left-wing dissident (Juzo Itami) who seeks to reform the government and expose a conspiracy between military and industrial forces which threaten the future of the nation.

18+
This film is unrated, but may only be viewed by persons 18 years of age or older.

Part of Cruel Beauty: A Romantic Weekend with Meiko Kaji

Tickets: $13/$10 seniors & students/$9 Japan Society members

Special Offers:
All Access Pass: (1 ticket for each film in the series, 5 tickets total) Save $3 per ticket. $50/$35 seniors & students/$30 Japan Society members

Double Feature Pass: (2 different films in the same transaction) Save $2 per ticket. $22/$16 seniors & students/$14 Japan Society members

Lady Snowblood: Love Song of Vengeance © 1974 Toho Co., Ltd.

5 film Meiko Kaji mini-retrospective begins this Friday, February 10th

Japan Society NY

presents

New Battles Without Honor and Humanity: The Boss's Head © 1975 Toei Co., Ltd.

New Battles Without Honor and Humanity: The Boss's Head

(Shin Jingi Naki Tatakai Kumicho no Kubi)

Directed by Kinji Fukasaku
With Bunta Sugawara, Tsutomu Yamazaki, Meiko Kaji
Japan, 1975, 94 minutes

Blu-ray, color, in Japanese with English subtitles

When: Friday, February 10th at 7:00 PM

Where: Japan Society NY
3333 East 47th Street, NYC
Map

International Premiere

Japan Society NY's five film Meiko Kaji mini-retrospective begins this Friday evening with Kinji Fukasaku's New Battles Without Honor and Humanity: The Boss's Head.

Never before released outside Japan, Kinji Fukasaku's follow-up trilogy to his successful Battles Without Honor and Humanity series tells three unrelated stories about yakuza intrigue and betrayal, and this middle film co-stars Meiko Kaji as the dutiful wife of a heroin-addicted hitman (Tsutomu Yamazaki) who befriends, then betrays, series star Bunta Sugawara. An essential link within Fukasaku's cinematic world, The Boss’s Head found him expanding his action vocabulary to include car stunts, as well as creating not one, but two meaty female roles (the other played by Yuriko Hishimi). Composer Toshiaki Tsushima contributes another memorable score, and the ensemble casting is among the best of the entire series. A yet-to-be-discovered classic.

18+ This film is unrated, but may only be viewed by persons 18 years of age or older.

Part of Cruel Beauty: A Romantic Weekend with Meiko Kaji

Tickets: $13/$10 seniors & students/$9 Japan Society members

Special Offers:
All Access Pass: (1 ticket for each film in the series, 5 tickets total) Save $3 per ticket. $50/$35 seniors & students/$30 Japan Society members

Double Feature Pass: (2 different films in the same transaction) Save $2 per ticket. $22/$16 seniors & students/$14 Japan Society members

BEYOND REDEMPTION reviewed; debuts on Blu-ray and DVD today

Well Go USA

Entertainment

Presents

Beyond Redemption

Directed by Bruce Fontaine

Canada, 2015, 89 minutes

Beyond Redemption marks the feature film directorial debut of stuntman and actor (Once Upon a Time in China) Bruce Fontaine. It becomes available on Blu-ray™ and DVD today, Tuesday, February 7th, 2017 from Well Go USA Entertainment. (It's been available on digital since January 3rd.) This review is based on the Blu-ray release.

The film takes place in two Canadian cities. Most of the action is set in Vancouver, with some scenes in Toronto. Billy Tong (Brian Ho, X-Men: Days of Future Past) is a recent recruit in the Ching Tau Gang, which is led by Yuan Chung (Don Lew), a.k.a. Big Brother Yuan. Billy becomes involved in Yuan's plot to kidnap Tiffany Long (Linna Huynh), the daughter of Xi Long (Anthony Towe), a businessman suspected of having ties to Triad organizations. Things get complicated because this operation turns out to be part of a gang rivalry involving arms trafficking.

The situation is particularly difficult for Billy because he is actually an undercover cop working for the Asian Crimes Task Force of the Serious Crimes Division! He has to not only bring down Yuan's gang, but also protect Tiffany from harm.

Not surprisingly there are some weaknesses in the story. The reason for Billy being recruited as an undercover cop is pretty incredulous. And his lack of preparedness in having an exit strategy from where he is "holding" Tiffany is surprising to say the least.

Still the action scenes are decent and make the film worth watching.

Disc Specs:
-- Audio
   -- English DTS-HD Mastere Audio 5.1
   -- Eglish Dolby Digital 2.0
-- Subtitles
   -- English SDH
   -- Off
-- Bonus
   -- Behind the Scenes (of two of the exciting action sequences of the film)
      -- Yuan vs. Billy (2:20)
      -- Mauler Opening Fight (3:42)
  -- Trailer
-- Previews
   -- Sky on Fire
   -- Cold War 2
   -- Kill Zone 2

AsianCineFest Rating: 2.5 out of 4 stars; fairly good, especially for a feature film debut

Reminder: TOKYO DRIFTER will be shown at Japan Society tonight

Japan Society NY

Presents

Tokyo Drifter © 1966 Nikkatsu Corporation

Tokyo Drifter / Tokyo Nagaremono
Directed by Seijun Suzuki

With Tetsuya Watari, Chieko Matsubara, Tamio Kawaji,

Ryuji Kita, and Hideaki Nitani

Japan, 1966, 82 minutes

DCP, color, in Japanese with English subtitles

When: Friday, February 3rd at 7:00 PM

Where: Japan Society NY

333 East 47th Street, NYC

Map

Tickets

In this deliriously unhinged yakuza film by visionary director Seijun Suzuki, a recently paroled ex-con attempts to go straight but is immediately hounded by former cohorts and rivals who want him dead. A highlight of 1960s avant-pop Japanese cinema replete with over-the-top set design and swinging enka ballads (performed by actor-singer Tetsuya Watari), Tokyo Drifter displays the full breadth of Suzuki’s unique visual style and surreal sensibilities.

Part of Monthly Classics
Year-round screenings of beloved classics, hidden gems and recent discoveries of Japanese cinema.

BEYOND REDEMPTION debuts on Blu-ray & DVD on February 7th

Well Go USA

Entertainment

Presents

Beyond Redemption

Directed by Bruce Fontaine

Canada, 2015, 89 minutes

Martial arts expert and actor (Once Upon a Time in China) Bruce Fontaine makes his feature film directorial debut with the action-packed thriller Beyond Redemption, which will become available on Blu-ray™ and DVD next Tuesday, February 7th, 2017 from Well Go USA Entertainment. (It's been available on digital since January 3rd.)

In this fast-paced drama featuring high-impact fight sequences, a weary undercover cop (Brian Ho, X-Men: Days of Future Past) must maintain his cover while trying to save the daughter of a notorious Triad boss (Don Lew, Godzilla) from becoming collateral damage in a sting operation gone wrong. Beyond Redemption also stars Osric Chau (Killing Poe), Hong Kong cinema legend, Eddy Ko (Heroes Shed No Tears), newcomer Linna Huynh, Tony Towe, Paul Wu (Blade: Trinity), Johnson Phan (Shadow of the Lotus), Vicky Huang (Shadow of the Lotus), Darren E. Scott (Game of Assassins) and Patrick Sabongui (“Homeland,” “The Flash”).

Synopsis:
After successfully passing an initiation test to join the upper ranks of the Ching Tau Gang, undercover cop Billy Tong (Brian Ho) is brought in on a plan for a home invasion against a wealthy Chinese businessman that will give Billy the evidence he needs to bring down the gang. As plans are proceeding, Billy learns that his ex-wife is pregnant and begins questioning his career choices. Although Billy realizes the need to put things right and prepare for his new family, his checkered past as a police officer complicates his decision to simply be reassigned. Things become complicated when he is forced to protect the daughter of a rival gang leader’s daughter when he learns both sides are planning to strike an important deal.

Bonus Materials go behind-the-scenes on two of the exciting action sequences of the film:
-- “Hallway Fight”
-- “Mauler Opening Fight”

Section23 Films has announced its April 2017 slate of releases

 
Home video distributor Section23 Films today announced its April slate of releases; including Sentai Filmworks’ highly anticipated Collector’s Edition Premium Box Set of MY LOVE STORY.

Product details in order of release:

Title: GIRLS BEYOND THE WASTELAND COMPLETE COLLECTION
Published by: Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by: Section23 Films
Run Time: 300 min.
Street Date: 4/4/2017
Format: BD, DVD
Language: Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP: $59.98, $49.98

SYNOPSIS: Buntarou Hojo has a gift for envisioning plots and scenarios in his head, but when it comes to imagining a story for his own life, he has a bad case of writer's block. Writing scripts for his high school's drama department has given him a temporary outlet, but when school ends, what's next? Just when Buntarou's future seems its bleakest, classmate Sayuki Kuroda asks him to write for her bishoujo video game development group. Suddenly, all the pieces start to fall together, but as Buntarou and Sayuki recruit more girls (and one romantically challenged guy), they'll find that the path through the wasteland of life is filled with more twists than any game. Expect the unexpected as making a computer-simulated romance becomes a real-world drama in GIRLS BEYOND THE WASTELAND!


Title: IS THE ORDER A RABBIT? SEASON 2 COMPLETE COLLECTION
Published by: Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by: Section23 Films
Run Time: 300 min.
Street Date: 4/11/2017
Format: BD, DVD
Language: Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP: $59.98, $49.98

SYNOPSIS: It’s time to re-open the doors to Rabbit House, where good friends are ready to take on the next exciting adventure, and there’s always something unusual going on. After all, how many cafés have waitresses who collect firearms and a rabbit that actually talks? However, trouble may be burrowing into the Kafu residence when a magazine runs an article on places to eat and neglects to mention Rabbit House! Will an investigation into what’s been “haunting” Syaro’s house be a wild goose chase, or will someone get a lot of grey hare as a result? Is the sudden appearance of Cocoa’s big sister a blessing or a disaster waiting happen? Still, nothing is as scary as the prospect of graduating school! Will everyone make the grade, or will some friends be left behind? The tail will be told as Chino, Cocoa, Rize, and the gang all return in IS THE ORDER A RABBIT? SEASON 2!


Title: GATCHAMAN ll COMPLETE COLLECTION
Published by: Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by: Section23 Films
Run Time: 1300 min.
Street Date: 4/18/2017
Format: DVD
Language: Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP: $79.98

SYNOPSIS: It's been two years since the International Science Organization and their elite Science Ninja Team strike force defeated the threat of GALACTOR at the cost of Joe the Condor's life. However, there's no time limit on evil, and when Leader X stages a horrific attack on a cruise ship, there's only one force in the universe with a chance of stopping them! Can the Gatchaman team adapt to working with Joe's replacement in time to stop Leader X from mutating one of the victims into GALACTOR's new leader? Or does the ISO have a secret weapon lurking in the wings, ready to help save the day? For the first time, the uncut, uncensored second season of the series that set the standard for Japanese science fiction storms American shores in GATCHAMAN II!


Title: UNDEFEATED BAHAMUT CHRONICLES COMPLETE COLLECTION
Published by: Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by: Section23 Films
Run Time: 300 min.
Street Date: 4/18/2017
Format: BD, DVD
Language: Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP: $59.98, $49.98

SYNOPSIS: From the charred pieces of the corrupt Arcadia Empire, a new kingdom arose. To protect itself from future foes, the Kingdom of Atismata established the Royal Knight Academy to train warriors in the art of fighting with Drag-Rides, ancient mechanical dragons. The Academy has a catch though: it’s strictly a no-male school, and when the former prince of the ruined Empire, Lux, stumbles into the baths, he lands himself in a compromising situation with Lisesharte, the new kingdom’s princess. Understandably upset, she challenges him to a Drag-Ride duel, launching their lives into an explosive chain reaction that will expose the dark secrets of both royal families. Whether Lux is fighting off monsters, corruption, or his female classmates, things are sure to take flight into the unpredictable skies in UNDFEATED BAHAMUT CHRONICLE.


Title: MY LOVE STORY PREMIUM BOX SET
Published by: Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by: Section23 Films
Run Time: 600 min.
Street Date: 4/25/2017
Format: COMBO
Language: English & Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP: $199.98

SYNOPSIS: Takeo Goda's hulking physique and affinity for sports make him popular with other guys, but girls just find him intimidating. Unaware of his gentle nature, the girls that Takeo likes always seem to fall for his handsome best friend, Suna, instead. Takeo is resigned to being Suna's wingman, with no hard feelings between them, until Takeo rescues Rinko Yamato from a molester on the train. Unfortunately, while Rinko might see past Takeo's brutish appearance, Takeo's become so conditioned to girls preferring Suna that he assumes Rinko is the same! Being the good, genuine guy he is, he's going to do everything he can to help the two of them be happy. Will Takeo let himself believe someone likes him? Love isn't blind: it's just a little dense in MY LOVE STORY!


Title: UTAWARERUMONO: THE FALSE FACES COMPLETE COLLECTION
Published by: Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by: Section23 Films
Run Time: 600 min.
Street Date: 4/25/2017
Format: BD, DVD
Language: English & Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP: $99.98, $79.98

SYNOPSIS: Where is he? More importantly, who is he? Awakening in a frozen wasteland, his first memories are of danger as he is instantly attacked by a giant creature. Kuon, the cat-like girl who rescues him, doesn't know who he is either, but she gives him the name Haku in honor of another mysterious stranger who came to this world. Now, Haku must quickly learn how to survive in a land where monstrous beasts prowl, and where half-human beings rule in a city riddled with intrigue and secrets. With armies to aid, Princesses to guard, and a whole new future to explore, Haku and Kuon will face truth after shocking truth in UTAWARERUMONO: THE FALSE FACES!