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Henshin!Online Henshin!Headlines for 2004: 12/14/04: DVD REVIEW: SON OF GODZILLA and GODZILLA: TOKYO SOS Sony Scores with Latest Godzilla Releases for America Author: Keith Aiken Source: Sony Pictures, Toho Pictures Photos Courtesy of Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment Special Thanks to August Ragone (from the Godzillafest program book) Sony's textless art for the TOKYO SOS DVD. © 2003 Toho Co., Ltd. In celebration of Godzilla's 50th Anniversary, Sony Pictures' Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment has released multiple waves of Godzilla DVDs over the past year. Both GODZILLA VS MEGAGURUS (2000) and GODZILLA, MOTHRA, AND KING GHIDORAH: GIANT MONSTERS ALL-OUT ATTACK (2001) went on sale in January 2004, followed by GODZILLA AGAINST MECHAGODZILLA (2002) in March, GODZILLA VS HEDORAH (1971), GODZILLA VS GIGAN (1972), GODZILLA VS MECHAGODZILLA (1974), and three Godzilla boxed sets in October. For the first time in the US, each of these new releases featured both the original Japanese and English dubbed versions of the films. Today two more titles will be added to that list; the 1967 film SON OF GODZILLA and last year's GODZILLA: TOKYO SOS.

SON OF GODZILLA For many Godzilla fans SON OF GODZILLA is considered one of the weakest films in the series, mostly due to the title character Minya (aka Minilla, known as Minira in the Japanese version) and the rather poor design of the Godzilla suit. In truth, the film is an underrated gem that deserves a second look. While SON OF GODZILLA is not to be taken seriously, it was never intended to be. The film is supposed to be an entertaining popcorn flick and, thanks to a solid story, a strong cast, and quality visual effects, it definitely succeeds on that level. Released in Japan as BATTLE ON MONSTER ISLAND: SON OF GODZILLA (Kaijuto-no Kessen: Gojira-no Musuko), this film was the second of two consecutive 'jungle island adventures' by director Jun Fukuda. According to Fukuda, SON OF GODZILLA was 'an attempt to go in a new direction because all the variations of monster movies had been used up.' The idea for a movie about a baby Godzilla came from producer Tomoyuki Tanaka, who assigned Shinichi Sekizawa (MOTHRA, GODZILLA VS THE THING, GHIDRAH THE THREE-HEADED MONSTER) to write the screenplay.

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Sekizawa's script was later polished by writer Kazue Shiba. The cover art to Sony's new SON OF GODZILLA DVD. © 1967 Toho Co., Ltd.

Fukuda assembled an excellent ensemble of veteran Toho actors, including lead actor Akira Kubo (THRONE OF BLOOD, GORATH, MATANGO, DESTROY ALL MONSTERS), Tadao Takashima (KING KONG VS GODZILLA, CHUSHINGURA, ATRAGON, FRANKENSTEIN CONQUERS THE WORLD), Akihito Hirata (GODZILLA, RODAN, KING KONG VS GODZILLA, SANJURO,), Yoshio Tsuchiya (THE MYSTERIANS, THE HUMAN VAPOR, RED BEARD, MONSTER ZERO), and Kenji Sahara (RODAN, CHUSHINGURA, GODZILLA VS THE THING). The sole feminine touch is provided by the statuesque 19 year-old Bibari 'Beverly' Maeda.

While SON OF GODZILLA was her only genre role, the Japanese-American Maeda was a very familiar face to Japanese audiences because of her renown as a singer, dancer, and stage entertainer for productions such as 'Gone With the Wind'. She also starred in LET'S GO YOUNG GUY, the ninth film in the long- running Toho series.

In order to show a greater contrast in size between Godzilla and his son, the towering baseball legend Seiji Onaka was tapped for the role of Godzilla while seasoned 'little person' Ma-chan played Minya. Regular Godzilla suit actor Haruo Nakajima was relegated to Godzilla's water scenes (using the suit from GODZILLA VS THE SEA MONSTER) since the new Godzilla suit was fitted specifically for the much taller Onaka, who later stated 'The suit was so heavy I thought I would die.' When Onaka broke his fingers after completing only a few scenes another tall performer, Hiroshi Sekita (Sanda in WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS), stepped into the Godzilla suit.

Another early classic, GODZILLA VS THE SEA MONSTER, will soon be released on Sony DVD. © 1966 Toho Co., Ltd. The special effects, directed by Sadamasa Arikawa under the supervision of Eiji Tsuburaya, are a marked improvement over the previous year's GODZILLA VS THE SEA MONSTER, especially in regards to matte paintings and optical photography by Hiroshi Mukoyama, Sadao Iizuka, and Yoshiyuki Tokumasa. What is most astonishing about SON OF GODZILLA is the incredible wire-operated marionettes in the film.just in a scene with the three Kamakiri there were approximately 30 wires (10 per mantis), fifteen wire operators (5 per mantis), and 3 radio control operators (each manipulating the mandibles of one giant insect), all working in unison to make the monsters come to life onscreen. The massive spider Kumonga was even more difficult to move, needing more than 20 wires. Assistant effects director Teruyoshi Nakano remembered, 'Kumonga was several times harder to control than the usual suit.

We built six different puppets, all different sizes. One was very huge and by far the most difficult to control.'

That the marionettes come off so well onscreen is a credit to wire-operations master Fumio Nakadai, who certainly had his work cut out for him and came through with flying colors. The beautiful cinematography by Akira Kurosawa's regular camera Kazuo Yamada was filmed primarily on location in Guam, with additional shots at Lake Yamana, Oshima, Gotemba, and the soundstages at Toho Studios. Rounding out the production is a marvelous score by Masaru Sato (GODZILLA VS THE SEA MONSTER, GODZILLA VS MECHAGODZILLA, YOJIMBO). Minya's first movie comes to DVD as his latest adventure plays in Japanese theaters.

© 1967 Toho Co., Ltd. THE DVD: Sony's DVD release comes packaged in a colorful sleeve featuring photos from the film and a mildly misleading plot synopsis that claims 'the original Godzilla® and his son want revenge.' The insert is advertising for Sony's line of Godzilla DVDs and X-Plus' new 'Godzilla Classic Series 1' PVC figures.

The disc automatically loads to the Previews Menu which features the Japanese teaser trailer for GODZILLA: TOKYO SOS and promos for GODZILLA: THE SERIES - THE MONSTER WARS TRILOGY, the poor-looking CGI feature KAENA: THE PROPHECY, and a new trailer for STEAMBOY, the latest anime film from acclaimed director Katsuhiro Otomo (AKIRA). There is also a lengthy 'Godzilla Compilation Trailer' for Sony's recent and upcoming Godzilla DVDs made up of scenes from TOKYO SOS.

The Main Menu accesses the usual selection of features; 'Play Movie', 'Languages', 'Scene Selections' (there are 12 chapter stops), and 'Previews'. The movie itself is presented in 2:35:1 anamorphic widescreen.

Those who have only seen the old, faded pan & scan US prints of SON OF GODZILLA are in for a treat; the Tohoscope cinematography and vivid colors look absolutely stunning here. The print on display is the 'Toho International' version; the credit sequences are in English, but the film is otherwise (with the exception of new TriStar and Toho logos) identical to the original Japanese release. The pre-title sequence of a plane encountering Godzilla a sea during a storm (featuring ULTRAMAN star Susumu Kurobe) and the opening credits are now available form the first time in America.

Akira Kubo and Beverly Maeda star in SON OF GODZILLA. © 1967 Toho Co., Ltd.

As with the other recent Sony Godzilla DVDs, SON OF GODZILLA features both the English-dubbed and original Japanese audio tracks. The English soundtrack is Toho's 1968 international dub from Tokyo-based Frontier Enterprises, and not the familiar American dub created by Titra Studios for the 1969 television release from the Walter Reade Organization, Inc. While some American fans will definitely miss the superior voicework of Peter Fernandez (SPEED RACER) and the Titra crew, the international dub works fine and allows an uncut print of the film to be used here. For the foreign release Toho discarded the Japanese names for some of the monsters; Kamakiras was renamed `Gimantis' and Kumonga became `Spiga' (spider-giant). The English subtitles fit the Japanese dialogue and are not 'dubtitles' based on the English dubbing.

One big complaint is the cost of this DVD (and all the recent Godzilla discs). When multi-disc special editions of many films sell for under $20.00, Sony's suggested retail price of $24.96 is too high for a single disc release with no real extras. The 27th Godzilla film is now available in America! © 2003 Toho Co., Ltd. GODZILLA: TOKYO SOS In early 2003, director Masaaki Tezuka (GODZILLA VS MEGAGUIRUS) wrote a proposal for a film that would be a direct sequel to both the classic movie MOTHRA (1961) and his own GODZILLA AGAINST MECHAGODZILLA (2002).

Feeling that he had focused too much on Mechagodzilla and its pilot Akane Yashiro (played by model-turned- actress Yumiko Shaku) in the previous film, Tezuka resolved to shift the attention back on Godzilla by showcasing the monster's powerful and animalistic nature. He also found a powerful hook to tie the popular Mothra into the story by reviving the character Shinichi Chujo (played by veteran actor Hiroshi Koizumi in both MOTHRA and TOKYO SOS). Toho quickly approved Tezuka's idea, and producer Shogo Tomiyama assigned him to write the screenplay with Masahiro Yokotani (PYROKINESIS, GMK). To helm the movies special effects, Tezuka and Tomiyama chose supervisor Eiichi Asada (GODZILLA FINAL WARS).

Asada had joined Toho in 1973 and worked as an assistant to effects directors Teruyoshi Nakano and Koichi Kawakita on such films as GODZILLA VS MEGALON, SUBMERSION OF JAPAN, SAYONARA JUPITER, and GODZILLA 1985. A proponent of the traditional effects methods of Eiji Tsuburaya, Asada worked to create exciting visuals with minimal use of CGI by working closely with designer Shinji Nishikawa (GODZILLA VS BIOLLANTE- GODZILLA FINAL WARS) and monster maker Shinichi Wakasa (GODZILLA VS MECHAGODZILLA II- GODZILLA FINAL WARS) on the most effective ways to bring the monsters to cinematic life.

Godzilla and Mechagodzilla return with only slight modifications from the previous film; the most obvious change to the King of the Monsters is a large chest scar from a wound received at the end of GODZILLA AGAINST MECHAGODZILLA. The big difference this time out is in the performance of Godzilla suit actor Tsutomu Kitagawa. Aided by Wakasa's animatronic props, Kitagawa truly makes Godzilla come to life and delivers the brutal and animalist beast Tezuka had envisioned. Mechagodzilla sports new weaponry and a more weathered appearance. In addition, suit actor Motokuni Nakagawa's take on the character creates a much stronger sense of mass and weight than in the previous movie.

Godzilla's latest releases are presented uncut and in widescreen. © 2003 Toho Co., Ltd. Shinichi Wakasa had originally considered reusing the Rainbow Mothra prop from the REBIRTH OF MOTHRA series (1996-1998), but Tezuka requested a design closer to the original version to better fit with a flashback sequence in GODZILLA AGAINST MECHAGODZILLA.

Wakasa and Nishikawa then decided to combine the best attributes of two of the most popular designs, the size and coloring were based on the Mothra from the classic GODZILLA VS THE THING (1964) while the longer insect legs were taken from the recent GMK (2001) version. Complimented by realistic flight and body movement, this new Mothra quickly became the most popular incarnation in nearly 40 years. Also on hand are two Mothra larvae based on the 1964 version, and a brief cameo by the giant turtle Kamoebas (from the 1970 Toho film YOG: MONSTER FROM SPACE) who turns up as an early victim of Godzilla. Tezuka had hoped to use the more popular monster Angilas for this role, but the idea was nixed by Tomiyama. The cast is made up of Toho veterans and newcomers, with first-timer Noboru Kaneko (HUNDRED BEAST TASK FORCE: GAORANGER) in the lead role as Mechagodzilla mechanic Yoshito Chujo, and former model Miho Yoshiko playing pilot Azusa Kisaragi.

The popular Akira Nakao returns in his supporting role as the Japanese Prime Minister, while Yumiko Shaku appears in a cameo to bridge the events of GODZILLA AGAINST MECHAGODZILLA. The real standout performance comes from Hiroshi Koizumi who reprises his role from MOTHRA after 43 years and adds a needed element of history to the proceedings. Opening in Japan on December 13, 2003 as GODZILLA X MOTHRA X MECHAGODZILLA: TOKYO SOS (Gojira x Mosura x Mekagojira: Tokyo SOS), the film was the top-grossing domestic release of the holiday season, but was seriously hurt at the box office by the American imports FINDING NEMO and THE LAST SAMURAI. Toho retitled the movie GODZILLA: TOKYO SOS for international sales and the film had its US premiere as part of the 'Godzilla 50th Anniversary Celebration' at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood on June 25, 2004. Since then, the movie has screened at a handful of US festivals, the most recent being Bay Area Film Events' 'Godzillafest' in San Francisco.

The Sony DVD marks the first time GODZILLA: TOKYO SOS will be officially available to most American fans. Coming to DVD in early 2005.the long-awaited GODZILLA VS MECHAGODZILLA II! © 1993 Toho Co., Ltd. THE DVD: Sony's GODZILLA: TOKYO SOS may rank as the best American Godzilla DVD release to date, marred only by a wildly inaccurate plot synopsis on the DVD cover ('As the great robot nears completion, a series of mysterious incidents rock the world and awaken Godzilla, who unleashes a reign of terror against Tokyo. Mothra joins him and Japan's desperate Prime Minister has no choice but to launch the unfinished Mechagodzilla against Mothra and Godzilla.' The sound and picture quality are superb and, for the first time ever, there is also some decent extra features.

The DVD loads to a series of previews for Sony titles, all of which are also accessible from the Previews Menu. The selection includes all the previews available on the SON OF GODZILLA DVD plus another for ANACONDAS: THE HUNT FOR THE BLOOD ORCHID. The Main Menu features the usual assortment of features (including 28 chapter stops for the movie) plus a 'Behind the Scenes Featurette'. GODZILLA: TOKYO SOS is in 2:35:1 anamorphic widescreen, and the picture quality is excellent with strong colors and minimal artifacting.

This is Toho's international version of the film; while the edit is the exact same as the Japanese release, the opening title is obscured by an English overlay, all Japanese text has been translated into English, and the closing credits are also in English. Since the film is not cut at all, Sony was once again able to include both the original Japanese audio and a new English dub, both of which are in 5.1 Dolby Digital. The English dubbing was not done by Sony; it was created for Toho to use in foreign sales. All the dialogue has been dubbed, even those lines already spoken in English in the Japanese version. The end result is adequate.

The quality of the dub is equal to the one done for GODZILLA AGAINST MECHAGODZILLA. While a far cry from the glory days of Titra Sound Studios, the English dub is a vast improvement of the atrocity inflicted on GMK. The English subtitles are similar to those featured on Toho's theatrical print screened at the Tokyo International Film Festival in November, 2003 and across America this past year.

While they convey the story well, they are not an exact translation of the Japanese dialogue.the most obvious example is that Mechagodzilla's real name Kiryu (meaning 'Mechanical Dragon') is never used although that name, not Mechagodzilla, is heard repeatedly in the Japanese audio. Despite this, they should not be labeled 'dubtitles' since the subs were done long before the dubbing was recorded. The back cover to the new GODZILLA VS.

MECHAGODZILLA II DVD. © 1993 Toho Co., Ltd. The 'Behind the Scenes Featurette' is actually a surprisingly lengthy account of the filming of GODZILLA: TOKYO. Focusing entirely on Eiichi Asada's special effects crew (there's not a single shot of Masaaki Tezuka or the lead actors), the 21:47 minute-long 'Making of TOKYO SOS' shows several effects sequences being filmed, followed by the finished scene as it appeared in the movie. There are no interviews or dialogue, but all the Japanese text explaining dates and filming locations has been subtitled in English. Fans who have met Asada, Shinichi Wakasa, or monster performers Tsutomu Kitagawa and Motokuni Nakagawa (both in costume here) on their visits to America should especially enjoy seeing these men at work creating the movies we know and love.

THE FUTURE Sony will next release DVDs of GODZILLA VS THE SEA MONSTER (1966) and GODZILLA VS MECHAGODZILLA II (1993) on February 8, 2005. This will bring the number of Godzilla movies available on Sony DVD to 15, with 10 of those films released in little more than a year. While details are still sketchy at this point, Sony has announced that SEA MONSTER and MECHAGODZILLA II will be in widescreen, with both Japanese and English audio, and feature 'Bonus Trailers'.

They have also provided art and the plot synopsis for both films: GODZILLA VS THE SEA MONSTER: 'A young man gathers two friends together and sails into the South Pacific in search of his brother. En route, they encounter a fugitive who takes them on his escape. Caught in a severe storm, they arrive at Letchi Island where natives of Infant Island have been enslaved by the terrorist organization Red Bamboo. Red Bamboo runs a heavy water factory to process a juice which holds off the monster Ebirah. The young men meet a beautiful but tough Daiyo, who has escaped her captors, and they wake up Godzilla to put an end to the Red Bamboo.' A sneak peek at the new Root menu for GODZILLA VS. MECHAGODZILLA II!

© 1993 Toho Co., Ltd. GODZILLA VS MECHAGODZILLA II: 'Built with the utmost in 20th-Century technology, Mechagodzilla is the ultimate in Godzilla-busting weaponry. Fueled by a nuclear reactor and sheathed in a synthetic diamond shield, the mammoth metal robot is Japan's greatest hope for ending Godzilla's reign of terror. Meanwhile, on a remote island polluted by nuclear waste, a team of scientists discover a gigantic egg in a pteranodon nest and bring it home for study. When a Baby Godzilla hatches, both Rodan and Godzilla return to claim the cuddly infant as their own. Will their monstrous maternal instincts cause a custody battle capable of destroying Mother Earth? Or will Mechagodzilla prove an effective eradicator, leaving Baby Godzilla an orphan for life?'

11/18/04: THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLICITY MATERIAL FOR GODZILLA FINAL WARS Source: Toho Co., Ltd The following text is taken directly from Toho’s international sales flyer for GODZILLA FINAL WARS. GODZILLA--- its repeated attacks have racked the world as a bizarre nightmare!

Toho's International Sales Flyer for GODZILLA FINAL WARS. Courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd.

© 2004 Toho Co., Ltd. INTRODUCTION Godzilla first appeared in 1954 and caused a sensation. The enormous reptile trampled familiar Tokyo streets causing widespread panic. The film underscored the limitless possibilities of the motion picture medium and techniques that make imaginary monsters take on terrifying reality. Godzilla gave Japan’s confused postwar population a new source of entertainment. Listing Program At89s51 Isp.

At the same time, it warned the world about the murderous potential of the international nuclear race and disrupted peace. After a half century of making Godzilla hits - 27 in all - Toho now brings to the screen the most spectacular Godzilla yet as a climax celebrating the end of this highly popular series. Godzilla fought 25 times, won 18 of the bouts, and came out even three times. GODZILLA FINAL WARS will mark the last great battle and promise to long remain in every moviegoer’s memory. Filmed on location in New York, Paris, Shanghai, Sydney, and Tokyo, four camera crews worked simultaneously for an amazing first of this exciting series. To create a new style of action scenes, Toho chose a fresh, highly talented director- Ryuhei Kitamura- one of Japan’s best, whose works have won many awards.

When offered the job, he was already negotiating to make a Hollywood movie, but postponed the opportunity to join Toho for the final Godzilla spectacle. Godzilla stands as the all-time entertainment triumph of Japan. But all good things must come to an end and Toho has spared nothing to make it the greatest ever. THE STORY Incessant wars and nuclear explosions have steadily eroded the global environment, and overdeveloped science has awakened a large number of monsters from hibernation.

Having forgone generations of fighting one another, men find themselves in a new era of joining forces to combat the threat of giant monsters. Legal Practice Management Software Australia Flag. To accomplish this, they assembled an international military organization, the Earth-Defense Force consisting of talented mutants called Organization M. In Hokkaido, Japan’s northern most island prefecture, the mummy of a mysterious monster is found. Shinichi Ozaki, one of Organization M’s mutants, investigates the discovery with Miyuki Otonashi, a biologist sent from the United Nations. Meanwhile, monsters simultaneously attack cities around the world- New York, Paris, Shanghai, Sydney. The Earth-Defense Force promptly mobilizes its’ combatants, but they find themselves outnumbered by the monsters. The world is plunged into panic.

In the confusion, a military aircraft becomes missing with U.N. Secretary-General, Daigo, aboard. Earth-Defense Force headquarters does its’ utmost to defeat the monsters. Nothing seems to work. Ozaki tries to purge the monsters using supernatural power in cooperation with Kazama, another mutant combatant. While the battle rages, UFOs appear in the sky and radiate beams, which quickly disperse the monsters.

Instead, they gather in Japan, where Earth-Defense Force headquarters is located. From one of the UFOs alights Secretary-General Daigo, who has been missing, and he proposes an affiliation with the aliens from Planet X. The heads of nations around the world agree to shake hands with the aliens. Harboring doubts about the aliens’ intentions, however, Ozaki and Miyuki start investigating them, teaming with Anna, Miyuki’s sister, who works as a newscaster. They ask the captain of a giant submarine, 'Goten', for help. With them aboard the huge vessel, the final war begins. Meanwhile, deep under the ice of Antarctica, the king of the monsters sleeps- Godzilla.

Godzilla's awake-- and he's not happy about it! Photo courtesy of Toho Pictures. © 2004 Toho Co., Ltd. Must it be Godzilla who saves mankind? ABOUT THE DIRECTOR - RYUHEI KITAMURA Ryuhei Kitamura was born May 30, 1969, in Osaka. At 17, he went to Australia to study cinematography at the School of Visual Arts. He made his first film, EXIT before graduation and won acclaim when awarded the year’s best director prize.

After returning to Japan, he made an action/horror movie, DOWN TO HELL (1997), which earned him the first Indies Movie Festival grand prix. Later, he made his initial feature film VERSUS (2000), which won prizes at various international film festivals. His recent work AZUMI (2003) is a new type action-packed period play replete with his original ideas. He was five when a movie gripped his heart for the first time in his life. It was GODZILLA VS MECHAGODZILLA (1974), fourteenth in the series. This may have affected his style of film making.

One might say that he was destined to make a brilliant finale for the Godzilla series. 'I consider it my greatest honor to direct the last Godzilla film with the best possible staff, cast, and monsters,' said Kitamura. 'I am ready to present a superb example of fast, exciting monster battles using Japan’s excellent special effects to the fullest. I hope it will be able to wrest the throne of entertainment from Hollywood.'

His works include: FILMOGRAPHY (1997), HEAT AFTER DARK (1999), ALIVE (2002), THE MESSENGER (2002), ARAGAMI (2002). GODZILLA FINAL WARS Toho Co., Ltd presents a Toho Pictures production Directed by: Ryuhei Kitamura Producer: Shogo Tomiyama Screenplay: Wataru Mimura and Isao Kiriyama Music: Keith Emerson Special Effects: Eiichi Asada Title Designer: Kyle Cooper Starring: Masahito Matsuoka, Rei Kikukawa, Don Frye, Maki Mizuno, Kazuki Kitamura, Kane Kosugi, Kumi Mizuno, Kenji Sahara, Masami Nagasawa, Chihiro Otsuka, Shigeru Izumiya, Masakatsu Funaki, Masatou Ibu, Jun Kunimura, and Akira Takarada Color- 7 reels- Approximately 124 minutes This film has not been rated. Some materials (monster violence and certain language) may not be suitable for children. 11/18/04: THE DEVIL GETS HIS DUE Go Nagai's classic anime DEVILMAN goes live-action! Writers: Keith Aiken and John Cassidy Translations and research: John Cassidy with Oki Miyano, August Ragone, and Aaron Cooper Source: Source: Official DEVILMAN Site, Publicity Materials Promotional art for DEVILMAN. © 2004 Go Nagai/Dynamic Planning/Toei Co.

'Even if I am transformed into a demon, I will protect you.' - Akira Fudo in DEVILMAN DEVILMAN (Debiruman), the popular anime and manga character created by Go Nagai (CUTIE HONEY, MAZINGER Z), has made the leap to the big screen as a live-action theatrical feature from Toei. Budgeted at $9.4 million (US), the film combines live-action footage shot by Toei Tokyo Film Studio and CGI footage from sister division and anime pioneer Toei Animation to create 'living anime' - realistic depictions of extraordinary characters and events. This special effects process has been dubbed T-Visual (Toei Visual).

Filming was originally intended to wrap in May for a June 5th release in Japan, but post-production (including the completion of more than 100 shots by T-Visual) held up the movie until October 9th. DEVILMAN was first produced as an animated series for Toei Animation (then known as Toei Doga) by Nagai, his Dynamic Productions, Toei Animation, and NET (Nippon Educational Television, now TV Asahi). Part of a one-hour Hero/Monster series lead-in to KIKAIDA, DEVILMAN aired for 39 episodes from July 8th, 1972 to April 7th, 1973.

While many fans believe the animated television series was adapted from the manga, in truth the comic book version was created to promote the show while it was on the air (this was also done for other shows, including MASKED RIDER and MAZINGER Z). There was a monthly manga aimed at young adult readers while other manga versions appeared in additional children's magazines from the same publishers. Go Nagai's original anime DEVILMAN from 1972. © 1972 Go Nagai/Dynamic Planning/Toei Animation The comics and animated series were a success.

More than 5 million copies of the manga were sold in Japan, and they were translated into other languages and reprinted all over the world (including America). Scores of Devilman toys, figures, books, and other merchandise have been produced over the past 32 years. Two OAVs (original animated videos) were created and released in 1987 and 1990.

They faithfully adapted the manga origin of Devilman and his first battle with the winged demon Siren. A third OAV, AMON- THE APOCALYPSE OF DEVILMAN (Amon- Debiruman Mokushiroku) was produced in 2000. Each subsequent incarnation of Devilman set new standards for violence. The original 1972 series was hardcore for its time but has nothing on the 2000 OAV, which had no qualms about depicting child murder and streets filled with blood. And now, a new version of the legend has been created to attract fans both old and new with a tale of friendship, love, courage, betrayal, and anger. Satan reincarnated - Ryo Asuka becomes the Prince of Lies.

© 2004 Go Nagai/Dynamic Planning/Toei Co. The movie tells the story of Akira Fudo, a high school student who is adopted into the Makimura family following the death of his parents. One day he secretly summoned by his best friend Ryo Asuka, whose own father disappeared during an expedition to the South Pole. The elder Asuka was a professor who had tracked a new type of energy to an underground lake, only to discover that energy source was actually a host of demonic lifeforms that evolve by possessing the bodies of other beings. The demons have escaped from their prison and launched a worldwide assault on mankind. Following a series of brutal killings by these creatures, human 'demon hunters' attempt to save humanity by exterminating the beasts. In the midst of this chaos, Ryo asks Akira to unite with the demon Amon; if successful Akira will possess the demon's power and be able to use it for good.

Once merged with Amon, Akira's heart and strong will prevail and he is now able to transform into the 'demonic human' named Devilman. Akira now must fight alongside and against Ryo (who is revealed to be the reincarnation of Satan) and carry the heavy burden of protecting not only his beloved Miki Makimura, but the rest of the world as well. In the abyss of despair that may spell mankind's demise, Devilman alone must fight this sad battle to assure a future for humanity...

The beautiful but deadly Silene strikes! © 2004 Go Nagai/Dynamic Planning/Toei Co.

The newest incarnation of DEVILMAN is directed by Hiroyuki Nasu. After starting off in 1980 as an assistant director at Nikkatsu Studios on the roman porno film USELESS MORNING, Nasu made his directorial debut with the two-part SAILOR SUIT: CLAN OF 100 (Seirafuku Yurizoku) in 1983. In 1985 he moved to Toei to make the hit manga adaptation BEBOP HIGH SCHOOL (Bi Bappu Haisukuru) and its five sequels (1986-1988). In 1996, he helmed his first fantasy film, the children's horror story HELL HALL COMMUNICATIONS (Jigoku-do Reikai Tsushin)and his most recent project was the semi-documentary PINCH RUNNER, starring the J-Pop group Morning Musume.

In an early 2004 interview for NEWTYPE magazine, Nasu explained that he intended for the movie to maintain the edge of Go Nagai's original stories: 'It's a very complex work. Devilman isn't a simple hero. The story questions the very origins of time and space. In this world there is no order, only ever-expanding chaos. Can a hero really exist in a place like that? I think we can succeed in providing such sharp-edged entertainment.' Cast members (l-r) Ai Tominaga, Yusuke Izaki, Hisato Izaki, Ayana Sakai, Yoko Aki, and Ryudo Uzaki at a press conference at the Takanawa Prince Hotel in Tokyo last year.

An international team of effects artists joined forces to combine traditional and digital effects in order to create a whole new visual style for DEVILMAN. The man in charge of bringing it all together is special effects director Hiroshi Butsuda, whose credits include MASKED RIDER BLACK (Kamen Raidaa Burakku, 1987), DINOSAUR TASK FORCE ZYURANGER (Kyoryu Sentai Jurenja, 1992), NAGASAKI LOAFING SONG (Nagasaki Burabura Bushi, 2000), and NINJA RESURRECTION (Makai Tensho, 2003). His team included CG producer Takeshi Himi (DIGIMON THE MOVIE, 2000) and CG supervisor Koichi Noguchi, a talented computer animator who has worked on such big-budget American films as WATERWORLD (1995), MULTIPLICITY (1996) and AIR FORCE ONE (1997). The T-Visual team has promised 'spectacular imagery that will make the world take notice' including a shocking final scene.

The cast features an eclectic mix of actors, musicians, models, and professional athletes, led by twin brothers Hisato and Yusuke Izaki as, respectively, Akira Fudo and Ryo Asuka. Hisato won a Judges' Special Award after placing 13th in the 2000 Junon Superboy Contest, and has been active in TV, commercials, radio, and other media ever since.

Hisato described his character as a man of peace torn by what he has become; 'Akira has very firm principles. No matter how much he's hit, he'll never hit back. But when he becomes Devilman, he does things he wouldn't do normally. That conflict is interesting.'

Yusuke has starred in TV shows such as ShinD's ROPPONGI WILD BEAST PARTY and movies including SEVENTEEN (2002). The two 20 year-olds (born May 17th, 1984 in Osaka) are members of the Japanese boy band who released their debut album, 'Beat Of My Heart', on October 3, 2001. Plays Akira's love interest Miki Makimura. Born May 16th, 1985 in Chiba, Sakai was the star of TV's AIM FOR THE ACE!, and appeared in such movies as Takashi Miike's N-GIRLS VS VAMPIRE (Tennen Shojo Man Next: Yokohama Hyaku-ya Hen, 1999), BOOGIEPOP PHANTOM: BOOGIEPOP AND OTHERS (Boogiepop wa Warawanai, 2000), and BATTLE ROYALE II: REQUIEM (2003, directed by the late Kinji Fukasaku and his son Kenta).

She has also been featured in fashion magazines like 'Ray.' J-Pop star Hiro performs the themesong to DEVILMAN. © 2004 Avex Network, Inc. This is the first film for 16 year-old idol, who was born on Born July 13th, 1988 in Niigata, and is the leader of Beautiful Girl Club 21 (Bishoujou Club 21). The Grand Prix winner at the 2002 All Days Japanese Citizen Beautiful Girls Contest, she has starred in the Television series GIRLS A GOGO!

BEAUTIFUL GIRL CLUB 21, IS YESTERDAY'S FRIEND TODAY'S ENEMY?, and the radio show BEAUTIFUL RADIO BEAUTIFUL GIRL CLUB 21. Shibuya plays Miiko in DEVILMAN. Another newcomer to cinema is the popular fashion model who plays the villainous 'devil bird' Silene, Amon's lover and Devilman's mortal enemy.

Born in 1982 in Kanagawa, she has appeared in commercials for Otsuka Pharmaceutical's Oronamin C, Cadbury Japan's Chlorets, Kanabou's ProStyle, and the 'Fish McDipper' for McDonald's Japan. Tominaga has also taken part in a FTBC campaign against breast cancer, and is currently developing her own brand-name products, Sardynx and Deep Sweet Easy (with a name like that, it has to be good!). Veteran pop musician has the role of Keisuke Makimura. He was born in Kyoto on February 23rd, 1946. In collaboration with his wife Yoko Aki, Uzaki has had a successful performing career in music, live concerts, films, theater, and drama.

He composed the music score for and appeared in the 1978 film FLAMENCO­ DOUBLE SUICIDE OF SONEZAKI (Sonezaki Shinju directed by Yasuzo Masumura) and also produced the music for the 2003 stage adaptation of that story. Other recent credits performances include the movies G@ME (2003, directed by Satoshi Isaka), CHOICE OF HERCULES (Totsunyuseyo! Asama Sanso Jiken, 2002, directed by Masato Harada), and BIG MAMA (Kah- Chan, 2001, directed by Kon Ichikawa). Uzaki is well known to Japanese fantasy fans for his theme songs for shows like MASKED RIDER BLACK and HEAVY SHELL B-FIGHTER as well as his performance as the heroic Admiral Taizo Tachibana in GODZILLA, MOTHRA, AND KING GHIDORAH: GIANT MONSTERS ALL-OUT ATTACK(Gojira, Mosura, Kingu Ghidora: Daikaiju Soshingeki, 2001, directed by Shusuke Kaneko). Devilman struggles to prevent hell on earth. © 2004 Go Nagai/Dynamic Planning/Toei Co.

In DEVILMAN, Ryudo Uzaki's wife also plays his cinematic wife: Emi Makimura is played by Yoko Aki. A songwriter born in Yokohama, Aki (along with her husband) has written music for the 'Golden Age' superstar musician Momoe Yamaguchi. In recent years, she has written novels and essays such as 'Orchid - Chaos - Orchid' and cookbooks like HOPPETA PROROIN RECIPE, plus managed the live bistro NOVEMBER ELEVENS 1111 with Akasaka. She also co-produced the music for FLAMENCO DOUBLE SUICIDE OF SONEZAKI.

Rounding out the cast is American, a 350 lb kickboxer who is a popular K-1 fighter in Japan. Born September 22nd, 1974 in Colorado, Sapp played in the NFL for the Chicago Bears and the Minnesota Vikings until an injury forced him to retire. He then enrolled in the World Championship Wrestling program. After the WCW went bankrupt, Sapp found his true calling in the K-1 Mixed Martial Arts program in Japan. His K-1 success has lead to countless performances for TV shows and commercials. Sapp appears as World Newscaster Morrison in DEVILMAN.

Pop star provides the film's theme song 'In the Light'. She was one of the lead vocalists in the girl group Speed, and went solo with the album 'As Time Goes By'. A CD single of 'In the Light' was released on September 23rd, and the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack went on sale on October 6th. The theatrical poster for Toei's new DEVILMAN. © 2004 Go Nagai/Dynamic Planning/Toei Co.