Author: Otaku no Culture

Vancouver Horror Show Film Festival Conjures a Killer First Wave for 2026

Celebrating Halloween with the Vancouver Horror Show Film Festival can’t look any better with Michael Dougherty in attendance!

Vancouver Horror Show Film Festival
Runs Oct 14–18 at the Cineplex Cinemas International Village and The Rio. Photographer Credit Emmett Race

The Vancouver Horror Show Film Festival returns for its ninth year, and its first wave has a fine Halloween-season hook: a 19th anniversary screening of Trick ’r Treat with writer-director Michael Dougherty in attendance. The presentation also includes a new 4K restoration of Season’s Greetings, the animated short that first introduced Sam before he became one of modern horror’s best-known little monsters.

Four features have been announced so far. Hammer Films brings Ithaqua to B.C. audiences, with Luke Hemsworth starring in a frozen 19th-century Canadian outpost besieged by hunger, cold and an ancient flesh-eating evil. It marks Hammer’s first original monster in 60 years. You can read our review here, as we got an early look during London’s Fright Fest. An interview with director Casey Walker can be read here.

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At Fan Expo Canada, There’s Gonna Be A Rock And Rule Reunion! Will There Be Surprises?

…. and the book that’s also out to reveal the behind the scenes of the production is there to preserve that special piece of animated Canadiana punk rock history! It’ll only complement what’s said during the Rock and Rule Reunion.

rock and rule reunion behind the scenesThis year, FAN EXPO Canada is hosting a prime time Saturday reunion panel and special screening of Nelvana’s 1983 animated cult classic, and yes this is Rock And Rule reunion that won’t be visiting other events. It’s a one-off special event that also includes a screening of the classic.

And Verne Andru, credited on the film as Verne Andrusiek, will take the stage alongside director Clive Smith and fellow Nelvana co-founders Michael Hirsh and Patrick Loubert to talk about this unique piece of animated history, and for Hirsh, he will have his new memoir, Animation Nation: How We Built a Cartoon Empire, ready, and Loubert’s appearance is being billed as a rare, historic one. Even Andru’s new book, Rock & Rule Behind The Scenes, is ready to dive into the history of, and serve as an archive for those long-time fans.

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Aachi and Ssipak, Now Playing on Darkroom! Don’t Let This Punk Rock Epic Slide Away

In a dystopian city where human waste is the only remaining energy source, Aachi and Ssipak are two street-smart thugs get caught in a chaotic, ultra-violent turf war between the government, mutated addicts, and a girl with a new-found power everyone wants

Aachi and Ssipak Title Card
Also available to stream on Crunchyroll and Apple TV+

Now playing on the streaming platform Darkroom is Aachi and Ssipak, and this action film is sure to cause some waves. Directed by Jo Beom-jin and originally released in 2006, what’s special about it is its cult status and that this release arrives just in time to honour its 20th anniversary! Since it’s highly regarded for its punk rock roots and over-the-top action sequences, yes, it’s on the must see list for the weekend! Just be warned, this work is not made for kids to watch.

And best of all, this service is affordable. Memberships are only $2.99.

Synopsis:

In a dystopian future where all natural resources have been depleted, human waste has become the city’s sole source of energy. To maximize energy production, the government incentivizes defecation by rewarding citizens with “Hard” – which are highly addictive, hallucinogenic popsicles. Before long, a group of mutated outcasts known as the “Bojagi Gang” emerges. Having lost their ability to defecate due to severe “Hard” addiction, they are brutally exiled from the city for being “unproductive.”

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Travelling to Japan? Ultraman’s 60th Anniversary is Ongoing! Here’s Where to Get Your Tokusatsu On!

It’s not too late to enjoy the celebrations! Ultraman’s 60th Anniversary has plenty of attractions being celebrated around South Asia. Here’s an #events listing of what’s happening till the end of the year!

Ultraman's 60th AnniversaryUltraman’s 60th anniversary celebrations are far from over. Although there was a Shōwa-era appearance during G-FEST in Chicago from July 10–12, fans have to travel to Japan to truly get a feel for how beloved this hero is. There are events taking place all over the country, as well as in other parts of East Asia. While Tokyo remains one of the easiest places to find Nebula M78’s greatest hero hiding in the mix, here’s a selection of some of the best shows to attend.

Some focus on the franchise’s history, while others spotlight the newest Ultra Heroes and current television productions.

August 2026

Ultra Heroes EXPO 2026
Summer Festival in Tokyo

Ultra Heroes EXPO 2026 Umeda Summer FestivalThis event continues at Ikebukuro Sunshine City in Tokyo from August 5 to 24 and at each stop, will introduce a different live-stage story. With appearances connected to Ultraman Teo, this show looks big! It also h as historical displays, live performances, Ultra Shot photography sessions and the Ultraman Department Store.

As one of the largest annual Ultraman gatherings in Japan, it remains the most complete option for fans who want stage entertainment, displays and exclusive merchandise in one place.

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Celebrating 40 Years of Adolescent Radioactive Black Belt Hamsters With New Editions!

Dynamite Comics is celebrating 40 years of Adolescent Radioactive Black Belt Hamsters with a Kickstarter campaign collecting Don Chin’s cult comic series in two remastered volumes.

Adolescent Radioactive Black Belt Hamsters Volume SetDynamite Entertainment

Back when Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles exploded onto the comic book scene, interest in anthropomorphic animal heroes took off too! Those were the days, and not everyone caught on to the other titles trying to ride that craze. One such title that slipped past some readers was Adolescent Radioactive Black Belt Hamsters, and it built its own special following. Now, Dynamite Comics is offering a limited-time Kickstarter campaign for the first comprehensive reprint of the series created by Don Chin.

At the time of writing, this celebration and crowdfunding opportunity is live, and fans are encouraged to lock in their pledges to secure their hauls!

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A Director’s Cut of King Arthur’s Night is Headed To The VIFF This July!

John Bolton’s director’s cut of King Arthur’s Night makes its Vancouver theatrical premiere at VIFF Centre, bringing a wildly imaginative and inclusive take on Camelot to the screen.

King Arthur's Night Poster ImageJuly 10, 11, 12, 14, 18, 2026
Please check the VIFF website for advance tickets.

Who would’ve thought Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia, could become Camelot? In real life, some say Bigfoot is nearby. But for John Bolton, who made King Arthur’s Night, this alternate take on the legend is something to behold. The director’s cut will make its Vancouver theatrical premiere at VIFF Centre next month.

The original production was created by award-winning playwrights and performers Niall McNeil and Marcus Youssef, directed by James Long, with original music by Veda Hille. The teasers show the labour of love behind this fairy tale, and how everyone can dream. Marketing says this take is not the version of King Arthur folks learned about in school. Some things have changed, and as for who the Lady of the Lake is, well, you’ll have to see it to find out!

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