Category: News

WIT Studio’s Great Pretender is Ready to Crash, Boom, Bang onto Home Video Early 2024!

Oh-oh, yes, I’m the Great Pretender, adrift in a world of my own and the anime of the same name may well explore this and more in this deluxe release!

Great Pretender Complete Series Box ArtShout! Studios
Release Date: March 12, 2024

Freddie Mercury isn’t the only person who claims to be “The Great Pretender.” In Japan, there’s an anime simply titled Great Pretender, to which his estate approved the use of his song, and as for how both relate, perhaps fans of this Netflix series can find out when it is released to home video in North America! The series isn’t presented in its entirety on Netflix as far as I can tell.

And for those screaming, “I Want It All” (like a certain Queen song, than just Freddie), it’s here courtesy of Shout! Studios.

Each episode grouping follows a team in Los Angeles (episodes 1 to 5), Singapore (6 to 10), London (11 to 14), and Far East (15 to 23). And there’s even more adventures coming soon! Great Pretender: Razbliuto is scheduled for a 2024 release, and to get newcomers up to speed, this set could not be any more timelier!

From the Press Release:

Get ready to experience the ultimate con! From the renowned animation powerhouse WIT Studio (Attack on Titan, Vinland Saga, Spy x Family) and director Hiro Kaburagi (91 Days, Kimi ni Todoke – From Me to You) comes the hit anime series, Great Pretender. Following the rule that people are willing to believe any convenient truth, the unlikely crew of con men will amaze viewers with their intricate and relentless con games aimed at all sorts of predators populating our society–from movie industry tycoons to shady art dealers and even organised crime honchos–who are only apparently unrelated.

Directed by Hiroshi Kaburagi, written by Ryota Kosawa (live-action Parasyte) and featuring the designs of anime legend Yoshiyuki Sadamoto (Neon Genesis Evangelion, FLCL 2000), this character-driven comedic heist series blends the visual marvel of anime with suspenseful and smart narratives. Moreover, the anime series features the rousing theme song “The Great Pretender,” performed by the late legendary frontman (Mercury), and words and music by Buck Ram.

Hailed by anime enthusiasts for its highly entertaining storylines and nominated for Best Direction at the 48th annual Annie Awards, this Deluxe Edition arrives in select North American e-commerce stores on March 12, 2024 in limited quantities from Anime Limited, distributed by Shout! Studios. This highly anticipated 5-Disc Blu-ray collection comes housed in a visually striking slipcase and collects all 23 thrilling episodes, insightful bonus features, 10 stunning art cards, a double-sided poster, and a 192-page art book! This Deluxe Edition is available for pre-order now at Shoutfactory.com and select participating outlets (this article will update as soon as a listing on Amazon if it becomes available there).

Great Pretender Content Spread

GREAT PRETENDER | Series Overview

Self-styled “Japan’s greatest swindler” Makoto Edamura is mainly targeting elder people and occasional foreign travellers. But when he tries to scam an apparently clueless French tourist in Tokyo, he can’t possibly imagine that what looked like just another ordinary job is going to take him all the way to Los Angeles, tied upside-down on the famous Hollywood sign… And he is yet to find out what fate awaits him!

Bonus Content includes:

  • Series presentation in the original Japanese audio with English subtitles and English dub.
  • Ad Spoiler-filled Exposition Contest with SD Characters (approx 26’)
  • Textless Opening Sequence
  • Textless Ending Sequence
  • Teaser (15’’, 30’’, 76’’)
  • Trailer Collection
  • “Someday ft. Emarie” Music Video
  • Freddie Mercury “The Great Pretender” Special Music Video
  • 192-page art book
  • A series of 10 art cards
  • Double-sided mini-poster

Not the Same Ol’ Song. Ghostbusters: Back in Town Instead of Cleanin’ Up….

Dark Horse Comics loves their supernatural, and it’s only natural they’re continuing the story based the film. Ghostbusters: Back in Town is sure to appease fans looking for that bridge for next year’s sequel!

Ghostbusters: Back in Town Dark Horse Comics

If you haven’t heard about this news yet, then now is the time to prepare for another publisher to provide some equally fun and exciting action, Ghostbusters style! Usually, IDW Publishing offers up these mini-series, but in March 2024, all of that is going to change! I’m excited to read Ghostbusters: Back in Town. It looks like they’re taking a cue from Stranger Things and as that franchise winds down, this publisher is looking ahead and will focus on all new adventures for the team– and that’s terrific!

The other publisher is better known for its more cartoon style presentation and to have a work that’s entirely different is very welcomed!

Continue reading “Not the Same Ol’ Song. Ghostbusters: Back in Town Instead of Cleanin’ Up….”

When Going Green is Environmentally Friendly for Scott Duvall’s Latest Comic Book Crowdfunding Project….

What’s offered in Going Green looks very Stranger Things-ish, and and it’s a work I’m sure even Steven Speilberg would love.

Going Green Comic Book CoverScott Duvall and his team are “Going Green” with their latest comic book idea. They describe it as Locke & Key meets the biological horror of Annihilation in a modern-day monster comic with a heart. It’s being crowdfunded so that it can be delivered directly to fans of their work, and this listing can be found on Zoop.

In this story, Cliff and Molly are your usual teens, enjoying life out in what appears to be somewhere in the Pacific Northwest. However, one day, their dad gets injured and recovery isn’t possible. The boy has a difficult task of identifying the body, and afterwards, instead of the traditional burial, the individual they talk to suggests the family should inter the remains another way and help restore the forests nearby. But as for what kind of strange magic exists deep within the woods, something is causing the dead to come alive!

The kids are curious as to why it’s happening, and while they go searching for answers, more recently deceased individuals are rising! It’s as though Halloween isn’t over. There’s a teaser promo video made to showcase the work that’s been done so far. What’s presented has a Stephen Spielberg type vibe to it, and that’s enough for me to say let’s help these creators! Continue reading “When Going Green is Environmentally Friendly for Scott Duvall’s Latest Comic Book Crowdfunding Project….”

Back at Cinemas for its Anniversary, Fans Can Experience Tokyo Godfathers in 4K!

As part of AX’s ongoing Cinema Nights schedule, Tokyo Godfathers makes its return to cinema, and we got some terrific news about this release.

Tokyo Godfathers AX Cinema Nights Promo PosterTokyo Godfathers is returning to cinemas across North America from December 11 to13, and it’s sure to please. This holiday classic from master director Satoshi Kon (Paprika, Perfect Blue) celebrates its 20th anniversary with a 4K restoration under the supervision of the original art director and producers.

It’s part of Anime Expo Cinema Nights, a year-round movie event series celebrating the best new and classic anime films, and it is managed by Iconic Events Releasing, a company that specialises in bringing critically acclaimed films to the big screen.

Tickets, participating theatres, and more information are available at:

https://www.ax-cinemanights.com/

Plot Summary:

On Christmas Eve, three homeless companions stumble upon a baby girl in a garbage heap. They name her Kiyoko, and vow to care for her as they track down her family.

Haunted by memories of their own broken pasts and pursued by a cast of shadowy characters from Tokyo’s nightlife, Hana, Gin and Miyuki overcome their differences and learn to trust one another as a new, makeshift family. With the New Year fast approaching, the mystery behind baby Kiyoko deepens, and these unlikely heroes discover the surprising–and sometimes miraculous–connections that have brought them all together.

Tokyo Godfathers 20th Anniversary (English Dub)

Denver Jackson’s Esluna Continues with The Worlds Divide! World Premiere and an Interview!

The race is on to finish mixing Esluna, The Worlds Divide in time for the world premiere this coming weekend in Vancouver, BC by this local talent!

Denver Jackson Promotional Image

Denver Jackson is a very talented filmmaker whom I’ve had the pleasure of following ever since I first met him at Camosun College. Back then, he was part of a team of media artists of whom I interviewed (for Nexus Newspaper) and recognised would go far after graduating. Two of them would become frequent collaborators now that this individual is making films! The world of Esluna is no doubt influenced by other works (all the deets can be found on the Kickstarter page), and The Worlds Divide is ready to distinguish it from others!

And its ready to make its world debut at Spark Animation Festival and Conference in Vancouver, BC (Runs Nov 9 to 12th, playing Sat 6:15pm). At the time of writing, they’re hard at work putting in the final touches at Skywalker Sound, and he’s taken the time to answer some questions for those wondering about how he got to finally telling the story he first wanted since coming up with this world–sort of like how George Lucas got his start and telling that “Episode One.” And I’m sure Jackson can tell his version much, much better.

Humour aside, to interview him once again is always a pleasure, and fans can get an idea in how to prepare for part three of his saga. But first, an introduction for newcomers:

Denver Jackson: I’m a filmmaker that started out making films when I was 14, and slowly transitioned to working in VFX, then finally animation. I’ve always had an interest in the latter since I started as a visual storyteller, but it wasn’t until 10 years ago that I finally tried making a short film, Cloudrise, which is what I named my production company after.

Continue reading “Denver Jackson’s Esluna Continues with The Worlds Divide! World Premiere and an Interview!”

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