Heath Dies: X Japan’s Longtime Bassist Was 55

Christopher Nolan‘s Oppenheimer is set to be released in Japanese cinemas, despite public criticism surrounding the senstive subject matter of the film.The Cillian Murphy-led biopic is controversial in Japan, where two atomic bombs were detonated in 1945, killing hundreds of thousands of Japanese citizens.The film was released in most territories in July by Universal and went on to gross $950 at the global box office. But Toho-Towa, which handles most Universal titles in Japan, did not release the film.However, Variety reports that indie film distributor Bitters End will now give the movie a theatrical release in the country.“Bitters End will release Christopher Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer’ in Japan in 2024.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Indie distributor Bitters End is to give a theatrical release in Japan to Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer.” The film is controversial in Japan where the two atomic bombs were detonated in 1945, killing hundreds of thousands of Japanese citizens. The film was released in most territories in July by Universal and went on to gross $950 million worldwide. But Toho-Towa, which handles most universal titles in Japan, did not go ahead with the release.Variety understands that giant ad agency and rights broker Dentsu was involved in finding an alternative outlet in Japan. “Bitters End, will release Christopher Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer’ in Japan in 2024.

Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer has been confirmed for a theatrical release in Japan. Although it did not specify an exact date, local distributor Bitters End said today that the biographical epic will be in Japanese cinemas in 2024. The decision was made “following months of thoughtful dialogue associated with the subject matter and acknowledging the particular sensitivity for us Japanese,” Bitters End said in a statement (read it in full below.)

Godzilla Minus One, now at $14.36 million at the box office, has stomped into a record — it’s now the highest grossing live-action Japanese film in North America. This follows an opening weekend that marked the biggest Stateside debut of a foreign film this year.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Leading Japanese publishing house Kodansha has struck a deal with new production company Majestic Limited for a feature film adaptation of its “Origin” comic. Created by Boichi (“Dr. Stone,” “Sun-Ken Rock”), a renown Korean manga artist (real name Park Mu-jik) who is based in Japan, “Origin” is set in a near-future where humanity has achieved incredible advancements in technology and robotics. It tells a story of self-discovery, morality, and what it means to be human. Winning the grand prize for manga at the 22nd Japan Media Arts Festival and currently only printed abroad, the English translation of “Origin” hit U.S.

Naman Ramachandran Shaun Neo’s feature debut “My Endless Numbered Days,” a study of urban alienation, has its world premiere at the Singapore International Film Festival. Neo’s directorial short debut “Happily Ever After” (2015) screened at the 26th SGIFF and was nominated for best screenplay at the National Youth Film Awards 2016. “My Endless Numbered Days” follows Mitsue who returns to Japan after the disillusionment of a work opportunity in Singapore.

After countless variations and sequels, plus major studio Hollywood versions, Toho is back in the drivers seat for the first time since 2016 with a new take on the venerable 70 year old Godzilla franchise, a consistent run far longer than Bond and just about anything else. The very good news here is that just when you thought there was nothing new to do with the giant lizard who enjoys stomping on cities and all their inhabitants, along comes what might be called the first Godzilla art film, or at least one where the humans are actually three dimensional and recognizable.

EXCLUSIVE: The Walking Dead maker Skybound Entertainment is expanding to Japan.

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media Reporter Hulu has acquired rights to “The Contestant,” a documentary about an aspiring comedian who unknowingly becomes the most famous TV star in Japan. Clair Titley directed the movie, which premiered at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival to positive reviews. “The Contestant” will launch on Hulu in 2024.

The Japanese House has shared a cover of ABBA‘s ‘Super Trouper’ as part of the newly released ‘ITEIAD Sessions’ EP – check it out below.The singer-songwriter – real name Amber Bain – shared the stripped-back cover of the hit song today (November 22) on the six track project, which is an acronym of the artist’s latest album ‘In The End It Always Does’.The EP also features a never-before-heard live version of ‘Boyhood‘ along with previously shared live versions of other tracks from the LP.‘In The End It Always Does’ came out back in June, which NME said in four-star review explores the “cyclical nature of life with a brighter, more organic sound”.It added: “If Bain’s lyrics are poised to pull you one way on ‘In The End It Always Does’, her voice and instrumentals yank you back in the other direction – it’s disorientating, dizzying and utterly intoxicating. If there’s one thing that the second Japanese House album reaffirms – it’s that the artist never surrenders any less than her whole self to the process.”The album also featured MUNA’s Katie Gavin on the track ‘Morning Pages’ along with backing vocals from The 1975’s Matty Healy on ‘Sunshine Baby’.1. ‘Sad to Breathe’2. ‘Touching Yourself’ 3. ‘Sunshine Baby’ 4. ‘Boyhood’5. ‘One for sorrow, two for Joni Jones’6. ‘Super Trouper’Back in June, Bain spoke to NME about her new album and longstanding collaborative relationship with labelmate Healy.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Leading Korean star Jung Woo-sung (“A Moment to Remember”) will star opposite Shin Hyun-been (“Hospital Playlist”) in “Tell Me That You Love Me,” an original series for Genie TV. The show is a remake of the hit Japanese series of the same name that first aired at Tokyo Broadcasting Systems linear channel in Japan some 28 years ago in 1995. The new show will upload to Genie’s own streaming service on Nov. 27 and the same day in Japan on Disney+.

Japanese gaming firm Genda Inc is acquiring a 78.05% stake in leading Tokyo-based buyer and producer Gaga Corp. 

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Leading Japanese indie film company Gaga Corporation has seen a controlling share stake sold to Genda Inc., a fast-moving entertainment conglomerate with its roots in arcade gaming. Genda is buying the 78% share holding owned by Gaga chairman Tom Yoda’s T.Y. Limited company.

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Japanese manga series “Tiger Mask” is being adapted into a live-action feature for the international market by Italy’s Fabula Pictures and Brandon Box and Japan’s Kodansha. The popular manga, which follows a ruthless professional Japanese wrestler named Naoto Date who after making it big in the U.S.

their own individual tributes to Heath, which are written in Japanese. Frontman Yoshiki wrote, “He was such a wonderful bass player, a band member, and a wonderful human being.”“Heath and I got closer than ever over this past year,” he continued. “On my birthday last year, he appeared as a guest on my program, and we talked endlessly afterwards in my dressing room.

A man who was a member of an association for sexual abuse victims of Johnny Kitagawa, the late founder of Japanese boyband agency Johnny & Associates, has died in what local media is reporting as a possible suicide.

Naman Ramachandran “Sherlock” Seasons 1-4, “Death in Paradise” Seasons 1-11, “Unforgotten” Seasons 1-4 and “Life Below Zero” Seasons 1-9 are among the series that will be available as part of BBC Studios‘ new content agreement with Lemino, a Japanese video-on-demand streaming service operated by NTT DoCoMo. The deal, which comes into effect Nov.

Late Friends actor Matthew Perry reportedly stayed in a Beverly Hills rental with his live-in assistant until a couple of weeks before his untimely death. The actor, most famous for portraying Chandler Bing in the hit US sitcom Friends, tragically passed away on 28 October at his home in LA at the age of 54. Kenny Iwamasa, his 59-year-old personal assistant, is suspected to be the person who discovered the late actor unresponsive in the hot tub.

JRock News, Morie died in late October after being diagnosed with cancer earlier this year. Morie reportedly faced medical complications earlier in the year that ultimately led to him being diagnosed with cancer, though it hasn’t been revealed what kind of cancer he suffered from.He also reportedly did not share the news of his cancer diagnosis with his fellow X Japan bandmates, per JRock News.After hearing of Morie’s death, X Japan drummer and pianist Yoshiki reportedly cancelled a November 1 appearance at a gala in San Francisco to fly back to Shinjuku, Tokyo to pay his respects to the late bassist.

The Marrakech International Film Festival has unveiled the 10 cinema figures who will participate in its In Conversation With program at its 20th edition running from November 24 to December 2.