RIP Ichiro Mizuki

 

One of the greatest singers of Japanese pop culture has sadly gone on to the next world, as Ichirou Mizuki -  better known to Tokusatsu and Super Robot fans as “Aniki”, has passed away at the age of 74 after battling lung cancer.

His official Twitter account confirmed the sad news, and those who remember his songs for the likes of Mazinger Z and Voltes V are left mourning the loss of a legend

Kamen Rider Black Sun announced as 50 Years of Kamen Rider is celebrated today!

 

One of the most popular iterations of Kamen Rider who hails from the Showa era is getting the reboot treatment he deserves, as the official Kamen Rider Web website has announced "Kamen Rider Black Sun" - the reincarnation of Kamen Rider Black and a new series that will debut in 2022! This is to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Kamen Rider - which began with the original Kamen Rider in 1976 as played by the legendary Hiroshi Fujioka!

Here's the press release from Kamen Rider Web.

Kamen Rider (original work by Shotaro Ishinomori) was first broadcast on TV Asahi affiliates in 1971. For half a century, from the original Showa Era series through Kamen Rider Saber, the second series of the Reiwa Era, successive incarnations of the Masked Rider superhero have entertained viewers of all ages. 

Now, in 2021, the Kamen Rider series marks its 50th anniversary. Commemorating this 50th Anniversary milestone, a remake of the highly popular Kamen Rider Black series has been announced. A new interpretation of a story steeped in the pathos of the hero’s harsh fate, Kamen Rider Black returns to the screen after a hiatus of more than 30 years, reincarnated as Kamen Rider Black Sun. 

Commissioned for the logo, calligrapher Souun Takeda has created a powerful image that embodies the heroic worldview of the new series. 

Named as director for this project is master filmmaker Kazuya Shiraishi, known for hit films including Kyoaku and The Blood of Wolves. Inspired by the Kamen Rider Black series released in 1987, Shiraishi will adopt an innovative perspective for his all-new interpretation of the legendary hero, Kamen Rider BLACK SUN.

Also, the official TOEI Tokusatsu YouTube channel has uploaded the first episode of Kamen Rider Black in full! Watch it for Nostalgia and see the original Kamen Rider Black/ Minami Kotaro as played by Tetsuo Kurata!

Kamen Rider Black Sun will debut some time in Spring 2022! Happy 50th Anniversary, Kamen Rider! HENSHIN!!!

Shin Ultraman First Teaser and Posters Revealed

One of the greatest Tokusatsu heroes of Japan and of all time is getting the “Shin” treatment and a new live-action film that reboots him for a new generation, as Tsuburaya Productions, Toho, and khara, Inc. team up to present the very first look at “Shin Ultraman” - the new modern reimagining of the giant hero of light called “Ultraman” who fights to defend Earth and the universe from giant kaiju and evil threats!

Check out this first teaser released, which reunites the “Shin Godzilla team of Shinji Higuchi and Hideaki Anno of Evangelion fame!

Also released were these posters promoting the film.

 

 Commemorating the 55th Anniversary of the Ultraman franchise, Shin Ultraman will be released some time in 2021!

Netflix unleashes a brand new trailer for Ultraman

Set to premiere next month on the popular streaming service, Netflix has released a brand new trailer for "Ultraman" that sees parts of the story teased - as the son of the original alien hero takes up the mantle and battles evil forces invading Earth in a series based from the popular manga series by Eichii Shimizu and Tomohiro Shimoguchi!

Ultraman | Official Trailer
Ultraman will premiere on Netflix on April 1st!

Netflix reveals a brand new poster for "Ultraman"

Set to debut worldwide on April and giving fans a first glimpse at the new generation of heroes following their predecessor fathers and mentors, Tsuburaya Productions and Netflix have revealed a brand new poster for "Ultraman" - which features Ultraman, Ultraseven, and Ultraman Ace together and combating the forces of evil. The anime is adapted from the recently released manga sequel series that features Shin Hayata's son as the protagonist.

Ultraman is scheduled to hit Netflix on April 1st.

ICYMI: Netflix releases the first official poster and trailer for "Ultraman"

Hitting the streaming service mid next year and bringing to life a classic Japanese hero in a brand new way, Netflix has officially released the first trailer and poster for "Ultraman" - based on the 2011 manga series that acts as a sequel to the 1966 live-action Tokusatsu series and a reimagining of the warrior of light's legacy by shifting the spotlight to Shinjiro - the son of Ultraman's original human host, Shin Hayata.

Check out the trailer below:


Ultraman | Official Trailer [HD] | Netflix
Ultraman debuts on Netflix on April 1, 2019.

Space Sheriff Gavan Trailer!

Via Cinema Today and Anime News Network, the trailer for the live action movie adaptation of Toei's Space Sheriff Gavan! Commemorating the 30th anniversary of the legendary metal hero and tokusatsu series from the 1980's, the film follows a new Gavan named Genki Jumonji (played by Yuma Ishagaki) , as he fights alongside other legendary metal heroes to protect the earth against an alien threat. The original Gavan, Retsu Ichijouji (played by the original actor Kenji Ohba), joins the adventure to help the new generation, alongside other legendary Space Sheriffs, Sharivan and Shaider!

Space Sheriff Gavan The Movie Trailer
Space Sheriff Gavan opens on Japanese theaters on October 20!

Kamen Rider X Super Sentai Poster and 2nd Trailer!

Via updates from JEFusion, the first poster and second teaser trailer for Kamen Rider X Super Sentai: Super Hero Taisen has been released! Exploding into Japanese theaters this April, the whole assemble of Kamen Riders and Super Sentai will gather together for the first time, in one explosive movie that will decide the fate of the universe! As seen in the new 42 second teaser trailer, things are going to get hyped up between Riders and Sentai!



Kamen Rider X Super Sentai 2nd Trailer

Here's the plot synopsis for the movie:

"For a long time, the Kamen Riders and Super Sentai have defended the peace on Earth. But something has happened to change all of that. 


Tsukasa Kadoya / Kamen Rider Decade gathers the past evil organizations fought by Kamen Riders and becomes the Great Leader of "Dai-Shocker" and has begun to attack all of the Super Sentai. 


Meanwhile, Captain Marvelous / GokaiRed takes control of "Dai-Zangyack", becoming its Great Emperor, has begun to attack all of the Kamen Riders. What is this "Big Machine Project" that the leaders of Dai-Shocker and Dai-Zangyack speak of?

To solve the mystery of the battle, the Denliner goes into the past. Fourze is.. The Go-busters are... Kamen Rider #1 is... The Gorangers are... ?! The greatest hero battle in history! Which is the strongest?"


For more info and details, visit the source post at JEFusion!

Kamen Rider X Super Sentai: Super Hero Taisen sees release on April 21st in Japan!

First teaser to Super Hero Taisen debuts!

Via JEFusion, here's the very first 24-second teaser to the much awaited and anticipated crossover movie of the year, Super Hero Taisen (also "officially" titled as Super Hero Taisen: All Kamen Riders vs All Super Sentai)! Next to featuring a gathering of every imaginable Rider and Sentai hero out there, the short clip features GokaiRed, as he declares his intent in defeating ALL of the Kamen Riders! Check it out below!



Super Hero Taisen 1st Teaser Trailer

40 Kamen Riders meet 200 Super Sentai in the ultimate crossover battle this year! For more info, check out the source post at JEFusion! 

Super Hero Taisen raises Tokusatsu and Sentai hell on theaters this May!

Concept Art: The Justice League of Japanese Anime...

Considering the immense popularity of western comics, it comes as no surprise that characters from the rich history of DC Comics would some form or way get considered for a Japanese styled anime/ tokusatsu treatment. Back in the 70's, Marvel's own webslinging hero Spider-Man got turned into a Tokusatsu TV series, and the House of Ideas even released some miniseries some years back using Manga styled drawings. DC almost gave the greenlight to that approach, but sadly it did not come to pass. Thankfully, io9 has put up some concept art of the proposals via Project Rooftop, as illustrated by one Cliff Chiang. You can take a look at them via i09, and check out how heroes like Batman, Superman, Aquaman, and The Flash are drawn very much similar to Gatchaman, Mazinger Z, Ultraman, and Racer X!