Christopher Vourlias At a time when he was both his country’s most celebrated novelist and a journalist struggling to make ends meet, “Zorba the Greek” author Nikos Kazantzakis set sail for Japan on a formative journey that would shape the latter half of his career – and ultimately lead to his untimely death.Based on the written account of his travels in the Far East, “Last Voyage,” by journalist and documentary filmmaker Aris Chatzistefanou, examines that journey while using it as a framework to explore how the period between the two World Wars shaped what would come to be known as the “Japanese Miracle.” Produced by Kyriakos Chatzistefanou for Moviementa Productions, the film premieres this week at the Thessaloniki Documentary Festival. Greece’s greatest modern writer occupies a singular place in the country’s literary canon.
Made-in-Japan manga goes global with Webtoon, Deadpool
28.02.2022 - 05:19 / abcnews.go.com
Marvel’s Deadpool gets help in his battle against evil from All Might, the muscular hero in “My Hero Academia,” a hit Japanese manga that’s sold 65 million copies worldwide.“Deadpool: Samurai,” published in Japanese last year, came out in English translation this month. The Japanese “Deadpool: Samurai” was the best-selling Marvel comic last year, surpassing more than 1 million views online.
It marks the first partnership between Marvel and Japanese comics publisher Shonen Jump.Sanshiro Kasama, the author of “Deadpool: Samurai,” said he was thrilled to take on the job because he has always loved Marvel heroes and wanted more Japanese people to love Deadpool.“I said, yes, yes, yes, yes! I really want to do it. It’s unbelievable the guy who always wanted to create a manga like Deadpool really gets to do Deadpool.
I was so excited,” he told The Associated Press.One challenge was that Marvel was protective of its characters and would often insist what he had Deadpool doing was out of character. In one scene, where he had Deadpool shooting someone, a gun had to be changed to a paint gun, said Kasama.“Deadpool: Samurai” features drawings by Hikaru Uesugi, Kasama’s collaborator, but the scenes with All Might had drawings by its original manga artist Kohei Horikoshi.
“Deadpool: Samurai” is the first collaboration between Marvel and U.S. manga publisher and anime distributor VIZ Media.Manga has quickly become the top adult fiction category in the U.S.
Japan earthquake as tsunami alert triggered after powerful 7.3 magnitude tremors
A tsunami alert has been triggered in Japan after a huge earthquake rocked the country today.
‘Ed-0: Zombie Uprising’ trailer pits 19th-century Japan against zombies
Ed-0: Zombie Uprising has been revealed with a brand new trailer, showcasing a “rogue-like action survival title” set in a zombie-ridden 19th-century Japan.Edo-0: Zombie Uprising will launch in Early Access for PC on April 4, 2022.The trailer’s description says the game will be a “rogue-like action survival title”, and a press release from D3 Publisher has shared that it will include “over 10 hours of core gameplay content” at launch.This will include two playable characters, three main quests and main bosses, five sub-quests, and randomly generated dungeons in each playthrough. A third playable character will be added later in the game’s Early Access phase.You can watch the trailer for Ed-0: Zombie Uprising below:As to what the game entails, the press release reveals that Ed-0: Zombie Uprising will include “brutal strategic battles in a rogue-like format” set in a world where Japan has been overrun by zombies.The game’s gory combat seems to revolve around melee battles, with the three classes showcased – Ninja, Sumo Wrestler and Samurai – all kitted to get up-close and personal with the undead hordes.On the roguelike nature of the game, D3 Publisher states that “no dungeon run will be the same, so players’ judgement will be of the utmost importance”.Ed-0: Zombie Uprising will also include a hub base where players can upgrade their characters, with different skills and various items available to pick up from the safe location.
Japan’s Free Stone Unveils Quartet of Indie Films at Hong Kong Market
Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefFree Stone Productions has added a quartet of new Japanese film titles to its sales slate for this week’s virtual edition of Hong Kong FilMart. The female-led company is selling romance “Leave in Summer” and drama film “Yes, I Can’t Swim” both of which will release later this year.Directed by Igashi Aya, “Leave in Summer” is a tale of a lost soul and his spiritual guide. It depicts a man washing up in a seaside town at the end of the season and seeking to stay so that he can reconnect with his recently deceased wife.
Stray Kids go wild in new ‘Maniac’ music video teaser
Stray Kids have unveiled an energetic teaser for the music video of ‘Maniac’, the lead single off their upcoming mini-album ‘ODDINARY’.In the new visual, member Felix breaks through a layer of glass with a drill. The boyband explore various locations in a deserted ghost town, which seemingly sits on the edge of the world, by an open cliff face.“Maniac, going crazy, like I have a loose screw, maniac / Spinning, going crazy, maniac / Laugh like I have a loose screw, maniac,” they chant, stomping and shaking their heads in the accompanying choreography.‘Maniac’ is the lead single of the boyband’s upcoming mini-album ‘ODDINARY’, which arrives this Friday (March 18) at 1PM KST.
‘The Batman’ Nears $500M Global; ‘Sing’ Franchise Tops $1B WW & ‘Uncharted’ Crosses $300M – International Box Office
In its sophomore outing, Warner Bros/DC’s The Batman kept a firm grip on the international box office, dropping just 42% to add $66.6M from 76 offshore markets. That brings the overseas cume through Sunday to $224.7M for $463.2M global. As the Robert Pattinson-starrer heads to $500M worldwide this week, in like-for-like markets and using today’s exchange rates, it’s currently tracking 132% ahead of pandemic comp Godzilla Vs Kong and is 44% above Wonder Woman, 36% ahead of The Dark Knight and 24% over Justice League.
Ukraine Films Play Fund-Raising Screenings in Japan
Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefTwo feature films from Ukraine will this month be given special screenings in Tokyo, Japan, as part of a fund- and awareness-raising initiative about Russia’s war in Europe.Both films “Atlantis” and “Reflection” were made by director Valentyn Vasyarovych. They played at the Venice film festival but have not been licensed to Japan or released commercially there.However, under the banner of the Ukrainian Filmmaker Support Screening Association, former Tokyo International Film Festival programmer Yatabe Yoshi, has arranged special permission for the benefit screenings to go ahead.
‘The Batman’ Sets Sights on $500 Million at Global Box Office
Rebecca Rubin Film and Media Reporter“The Batman” is nearing a significant box office milestone.The newest superhero adventure, starring Robert Pattinson as the Caped Crusader, has generated $463 million globally, putting the Warner Bros. film within striking distance of $500 million, an important benchmark given its $200 million price tag. In non-COVID times, half-a-billion dollars would be an expected and relatively insignificant threshold for a big-budget comic book adventure.
Oscar-Contender ‘Drive My Car’ Wins Eight Japan Academy Prizes
Mark Schilling Japan CorrespondentHamaguchi Ryusuke’s Oscar-nominated “Drive My Car” took eight prizes at the 45th Japan Academy Film Prize ceremony, held on Friday at the Grand Prince Hotel New Takawana in Tokyo.In addition to the best picture award, the film won best director (Hamaguchi), best screenplay (Hamaguchi and co-writer Oe Takamasa) and best actor (Nishijima Hidetoshi). The film also scooped prizes for cinematography, lighting, editing and sound recording.Meanwhile, best actress went to Arimura Kasumi for her work in the hit romantic drama “We Made a Beautiful Bouquet.”Best animation honors were awarded to Watanabe Ayumu’s “Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko,” a heart-warming coming-of-age film set in Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido.
Made-in-Japan manga goes global with Webtoon, Deadpool
Marvel’s Deadpool gets help in his battle against evil from All Might, the muscular hero in “My Hero Academia,” a hit Japanese manga that’s sold 65 million copies worldwide.“Deadpool: Samurai,” published in Japanese last year, came out in English translation this month. The Japanese “Deadpool: Samurai” was the best-selling Marvel comic last year, surpassing more than 1 million views online.
Japan Launches Anti-Trust Investigation Into Toho Cinemas
Mark Schilling Japan CorrespondentToho Cinemas, Japan’s largest cinema chain, is under investigation by the Japan Fair Trade Commission for possible violations of Japan’s anti-trust law. According to reports in the Japanese media, the company, a subsidiary of local industry giant Toho, has pressured local film companies to allow only Toho Cinemas to screen their films.
Stray Kids announce second world tour ‘Maniac’
Stray Kids have announced their second world tour, ‘Maniac’, which will kick off in South Korea this spring.The JYP Entertainment boy band will hit the road in support of their upcoming EP ‘ODDINARY’, which will be released later this month.Although venues for the tour have yet to be revealed, Stray Kids unveiled the first dates and cities they will perform in on the ‘Maniac’ tour earlier today (March 6). Following an opening performance in Seoul, the group will then visit Japan and the US, before returning to Tokyo at the end of the run.An official tour poster shared on the band’s social media accounts hinted that other cities would be added to the itinerary soon, with “and more” written at the bottom of the flyer.Stray Kids(스트레이 키즈) 2nd World Tour "MANIAC" ✅ Pre-Save and Pre-Order <ODDINARY> now! https://t.co/hVvEkDsyoZ #StrayKids #스트레이키즈#StrayKids_2ndWorldTour#ODDINARY#MANIAC #MANIAC_SKZ#StrayKidsComeback#YouMakeStrayKidsStay pic.twitter.com/VHnpISmy7U— Stray Kids (@Stray_Kids) March 6, 2022Stray Kids will play: April 2022 30 – SeoulMay 2022 1 – Seoul 11 – Kobe 12 – Kobe 18 – Tokyo 19 – TokyoJune 2022 29 – Newark, NJJuly 2022 1 – Chicago, IL 3 – Atlanta, GA 6 – Fort Worth, TX 9 – Los Angeles, CA 12 – Oakland, CA 14 – Seattle, WA 26 – Tokyo 27 – TokyoFurther information about ticket sales and venues is expected to be announced soon.Last month, Stray Kids shared a thrilling trailer for ‘ODDINARY’, which featured member Felix entering a building called ‘Ordinary’ before being transported to a different dimension.
Why ‘Drive My Car’s Director Hitched A Ride In The Trunk For Key Scenes Of Japan’s History-Making Movie – Contenders Film: The Nominees
At Contenders Film: The Nominees, Deadline presented a panel with the director and star of perhaps the most historic nominated film at this year’s Oscars, Drive My Car, which represents Japan’s first-ever Best Picture nomination. It’s an astounding feat for a three-hour Japanese-language film, about a stage director’s personal crisis interweaved with his trip to Hiroshima to direct a production of Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya.
Netflix Sets Japan, Australia, Taiwan Series
Naman Ramachandran Netflix has greenlit a trio of series across Japan, Australia and Taiwan, featuring top talent.Japanese sitcom “Let’s Get Divorced” follows a rookie politician and his actor wife who struggle with their marriage life and they decide to split up. However, their parents and agents don’t allow them to do it.
