hideaki anno

Fantasia XXVII Review: In SHIN KAMEN RIDER, Hideaki Anno Reaffirms A Beloved Tokusatsu Classic

Arriving just in time for the 50th anniversary, Shin Kamen Rider marks the latest treatment reviving the beloved Tokusatsu franchise first birthed on the small screen in 1971 from creator Shotaro Ishinomori. It’s a franchise that’s right on par with the cadre of Showa-era hitmakers that still bear relevance to this day, which film duo Shinji Higuchi and Hideaki Anno have been apt to revisit in recent memory via their Shin Japan Heroes Universe. For Shin Kamen Rider, the aforementioned Anno took on writing and directing duties with none other than Sosuke Ikematsu setting the stage in the role that made the classic TV series a hit for the ages. Joined by Ruriko Midorikawa (Midori Hamabe), Takeshi Hongo (Ikematsu) is successfully rescued from the clutches of a mysterious organization that nearly brainwashed him after transforming his body into a cybernetic Grasshopper hybrid. Little does Hongo know that his newly-minted body […]

SHIN KAMEN RIDER Set For Worldwide Release on Amazon Prime!

Edward Orndorff

In a move that almost completely caught this writer off guard, it’s been announced that Hideaki Anno’s absolute gem of a film in SHIN KAMEN RIDER will be coming to the Amazon Prime streaming service. The massively underrated (in my humble opinion) film was a surprise bit of a news, but a pleasant one as plans for the film have been largely under wraps after it’s theatrical run scored over $16 million USD in it’s Japanese domestic run and a seven week stint in the top 10 Japanese films. With the Fathom Events showings still within memory, I’m excited to revisit the film starting July 21st on Amazon Prime. Hongo Takeshi awakens to discover he has been transformed into a grasshopper-hybrid cyborg. Becoming the Masked Rider, he must fight the mysterious evil organization SHOCKER to protect all of mankind. “SHIN KAMEN RIDER” is Anno Hideaki’s ode to the legendary Tokusatsu […]

Hideaki Anno Exhibition Offers First Look at SHIN KAMEN RIDER

SHIN KAMEN RIDER Screening Dates Spotted for US Theatres!

Edward Orndorff

While oddly not yet officially announced by Fathom Events (as of writing), screenings for a one-day only showing of SHIN KAMEN RIDER, the latest in the Shin Japan Heroes Universe by Hideaki Anno, have started to appear! While not all areas have had showings booked yet, fans in the United States should start checking their local cinemas and Fandango for listings for a one day showing for May 31st! An updated re-interpretation of the original, legendary story by mangaka Shotaro Ishinomori, director and writer Anno ( Evangelion series, Shin Godzilla) has apparently succeeded in his creative vision for SHIN KAMEN RIDER, grossing ¥1.5 billion ($11.66 million) as of April 10, and loads of critical praise. It even got a few tweets recently from one of the only film reviewers this writer follows – Hideo Kojima. In the film, a man is kidnapped by a cult, known by the abbreviated name SHOCKER (Sustainable […]

Hideaki Anno’s SHIN KAMEN RIDER Rides Into Action In The First Teaser Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

More than seven years in the making and more than a year since its announcement with a pair of teasers to mark the semicentury festivities last October, director Hideaki Anno is heeding the call with a brand new teaser trailer as of Friday for Shin Kamen Rider ahead of its March 2023 release in Japan from Toei. College student and motorcycle enthusiast Takeshi Hongo is abducted by the evil organization Shocker and converted into a cyborg as part of their plans for world domination. Before they can brainwash him to do their bidding, he escapes and uses his new enhanced abilities as Kamen Rider to wage a one-man war against Shocker. Sosuke Ikamatsu (The Last Samurai, Death Note: Light Up The New World) etches in his take on the classic hero character of Takeshi Hongo, memorably portrayed by actor Hiroshi Fujioka in the original series. Also starring are Minami Hamabe […]

SHIN JAPAN HEROES UNIVERSE Project Announced For The Big Screen

Edward Orndorff

A new collaboration project has been announced with writer and director Hideaki Anno ( Neon Genesis Evangelion, Shin Godzilla) and his Shin films at it’s core. Billed as a “Miracle Project” on it’s official website, the collaboration has been launched in tandem by Toho, Color, Tsuburaya Productions, and Toei as a dream collab of four heroes that represent Japan. Shin Japan Heroes Universe begins with Shin Godzilla and Shin Evangelion films, and will continue with the upcoming Shin Ultraman and Shin Kamen Rider, set to release in 2022 and 2023 respectively. The first piece of crossover media that has been released is this special art piece! The special image was created by Mahiro Maeda (Neon Genesis Evangelion, The Vision of Escaflowne, Director, Blue Submarine No. 6) , and the emblem for the crossover was created by Yutaka Izubuchi (Creator, RahXephon, Design, Patlabor, Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack, Kamen Rider OOO). We’ll be sure to update when news about this once […]

SHIN ULTRAMAN Attacks In A Brand New Teaser Ahead Of May 2022 Release

Lee B. Golden III

It’s taken all of this year for things to finally align for Tsuburaya Productions and Toho as the two companies worked to further mitigate the hampering conditions of the on-going pandemic. Invariably though, Shin Ultraman is finally coming as announced on Monday during the Tsuburaya Convention 2021 special program with two pairs of updated posters and teasers – one of the latter which you can view above showcasing our titular hero. Slated for a May 13, 2022 release from Toho, Shin Ultraman is directed by Shinji Higuchi, in reunion with Shin Godzilla cohort, screenwriter Hideaki Anno who is also producing the pic via his Studio Khara banner following the film’s announcement several years ago. The film stars Takumi Saito (Kiba: The Fangs Of Fiction, Wotakoi: Love Is Hard For Otaku) as the human host for the Ultraman armor in this throwback incarnation to the original. Also starring are Masami Nagasawa, […]

Hideaki Anno Exhibition Offers First Look at SHIN KAMEN RIDER

Edward Orndorff

Hideaki Anno, creator of Neon Genesis Evangelion and director of Shin Godzilla, is currently the subject of an exhibition in Japan. This exhibition displays many pieces involved with his works, and covers his past, present and future works. As part of this exhibition, new information about the upcoming Shin Kamen Rider movie has been shared, including two teaser trailers, and cast reveals. Trailers: Toei has shared two versions of the first teaser trailer for the movie, featuring the updated designs of both Kamen Rider Ichigo and his iconic motorcycle, the Rider Machine, Cyclone! Trailer A Trailer B Cast The first two members of the cast have been announced. On the left is Sosuke Ikamatsu (The Last Samurai, Death Note: Light Up The New World) as Takeshi Hongo. After being kidnapped by Shocker, an evil organization bent on world domination, he was transformed into the cyborg soldier Kamen Rider. Upon his […]

GKIDS Announces NEON GENESIS EVANGELION: ULTIMATE EDITION SET For Blu-Ray Debut This December!

Edward Orndorff

GKIDS, producers of and distributors of animation for adults and kids alike, today announced a brand new box set of legendary anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion. The franchise, which just saw the western release of it’s latest film, will see a physical box set for the first time on bluray, and the first time in several years in the west. Available for pre-order now, the set comes with the original show and lots of extras! Created by Hideki Anno, Neon Genesis Evangelion debuted in 1995, and follows the teenage pilots of strange mecha called Evangelion, whom fight unknown alien life forms called Angels, years after a cataclysmic worldwide event. The show quickly became both a domestic and international hit, with several films and accompanying media. This release comes with the original 26 episode series, NEON GENESIS EVANGELION, as well as the films EVANGELION:DEATH (TRUE)2 and THE END OF EVANGELION. Along with […]

A poster for the film Evangelion 3.0+1.01, featuring the protagonists standing on a beach.

EVANGELION:3.0+1.01 THRICE UPON A TIME Announced as Amazon Prime Video Exclusive

Edward Orndorff

Amazon has announced their acquisition of the streaming rights for the fourth film in the beloved Evangelion film franchise. EVANGELION:3.0+1.01 THRICE UPON A TIME. The film is Chief Director and series creator Hideaki Anno’s (Shin Godzilla) highest grossing film ever, and the most-watched film in Japanese theatres this year. It will be available exclusively on Amazon Prime Video Additionally, the service will also feature previous films EVANGELION:1.11 YOU ARE (NOT) ALONE., EVANGELION:2.22 YOU CAN (NOT) ADVANCE., EVANGELION:3.33 YOU CAN (NOT) REDO. These should release on EVANGELION:3.0+1.01′s release date of August 13th, in more than 240 countries and territories. Neon Genesis Evangelion, which originally debuted in 1995, follows the teenage pilots of strange mecha called Evangelion fight unknown alien life forms called Angels, years after a cataclysmic worldwide event. The show quickly became both a domestic and international hit, with several films and accompanying media The film features the return of […]

SHIN KAMEN RIDER Announced With ‘Shin Godzilla’ And ‘Shin Ultraman’ Writer To Direct

Lee B. Golden III

Fresh from the beltway around the ceremonial Kamen Rider 50th Anniversary Project Unveiling on Saturday, a new feature installment of the Kamen Rider franchise was announced by way of a teaser art reveal for Shin Kamen Rider, from writer/director Hideaki Anno. The project reportedly began developing the project six years ago, in the wake of his recent collaborative success with filmmaker Shinji Higuchi on Shin Godzilla, with the only hitch thusfar being the pandemic. Anno, who is no stranger to tokusatsu and whose roots in animation have seen him behind behind properties like Neon Genesis Evangelion and Cutie Honey, took to the event to say the following: “Five decades ago, almost every grade school boy was enthralled by the life-size hero Kamen Rider. I was no exception. I launched this project out of the desire to give back a little for the great gifts I received from the TV shows five […]

Toho’s SHIN ULTRAMAN Hails The Return Of A Legendary Hero In The First Teaser

Lee B. Golden III

Currently on the heels of its 55th anniversary since birthing the character in the wheelhouse of Tsuburaya Productions, the newest teaser and poster art for Shin Ultraman is here marking the latest update for the franchise. The film hails from Tsuburaya and Toho, and is written by Hideaki Anno who is also producing the pic via his Studio Khara banner following the film’s announcement two years ago, and features none other than actor Takumi Saito (Kiba: The Fangs Of Fiction, Wotakoi: Love Is Hard For Otaku) as the human host for the Ultraman armor in this throwback incarnation to the original. Higuchi and Anno previously paired on Shin Godzilla which, for some, was still hit-or-miss – a hit especially for its adherence to a more practical, stylish presentation akin to its predecessors. Looks like Shin Ultraman aims for similar aspirations and the teaser certainly whets the appetite. Peep the teaser […]