| The 1st Annual L.A. Anime
Festival Sponsored by the Japan
Foundation
Imagine a world where aliens regularly invade the pleasant suburbs
of Tokyo, where teenagers worry as much about their hair-dos as saving the universe. A
world where punk kitties rub elbows with the Dark God of Death, sexy female assassins
trade barbs and bullets, and nearly everyone has a protective demon/ robot/
super-powered best friend to help them out in a pinch. This is a just a fraction of the
phantasmagorical landscape of Japanese anime (literally,
"animation") that produces hundreds of television series, features and
straight-to-video releases each year. The recent success in the U.S. of television series
like "Cowboy Bebop," "Pokemon" and "Dragonball Z" and
features like SPIRITED AWAY, Osamu Tezuka’s METROPOLIS and VAMPIRE HUNTER D –
BLOODLUST, plus an explosion of interest through fan conventions, websites, magazines,
DVD’s and more, has finally pushed anime into the mainstream of American pop
culture, and believe us, it’s here to stay.
For our 1st Annual Anime Festival, we’re thrilled to
present an astounding cross-section of the newest and most challenging work from Japan,
including the U.S. Premieres of the latest Studio Ghibli feature THE CAT RETURNS,
the mondo-insane TAMALA2010 A PUNK CAT IN SPACE, the lovely fable PRINCESS ARETE,
the long-awaited 3-part anthology film MEMORIES, and Miramax Films’ POKEMON
5, plus Sneak Previews of as-yet-unreleased episodes from cult-hit series including "CRUSH
GEAR TURBO," "AURA BATTLER DUNBINE," "BRIGADOON,"
"SCRYED," "PLEASE, TEACHER," "YOU’RE UNDER ARREST,"
"DNA˛," "READ OR DIE," "RAHXEPHON," "PARASITE
DOLLS" -- and a very special Sneak Peak at "The Matrix"-inspired THE
ANIMATRIX, with all 9 episodes shown for the first time anywhere! The Festival will
also feature special one-night tributes to legendary manga artist Rumiko Takahashi
("RANMA ˝," "INU YASHA"), erotic fantasy master Toshio Maeda (LEGEND
OF THE OVERFIEND, DEMON WARRIOR KOJI), lost anime gems like JACK & THE
BEANSTALK and special late-night programs of hentai adult animation! Giveaways, posters, model displays and more!
Friday, May 2 – 7:00 PM
U.S. Premiere – Director Hiroyuki Morita and
Producer Nozomu Takahashi In Person!!
THE CAT RETURNS (NEKO NO ONGAESHI),
2002, Studio Ghibli, 75 min. Dir. Hiroyuki Morita. A major hit in Japan last
year, THE CAT RETURNS is the latest from Studio Ghibli, the legendary team behind
SPIRITED AWAY, PRINCESS MONONOKE and MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO. 17-year-old Haru is not finding
life as a teenager in modern Japan to her liking – the rush of the busy schooldays is
overwhelming, her classes boring and sports exhausting. One day Haru spots a cat carrying
a small box trying to cross a busy street against the red light. She impulsively dashes
out and saves the cat just as it is about to be hit by a truck. That night an unusual
thing happens: the Cat King accompanied by his servants pays Haru a visit, and invites her
to visit with them in the Kingdom of the Cats … (In Japanese with English subtitles.)
Discussion following with director Hiroyuki Morita and producer
Nozomu Takahashi (schedules permitting).
Friday, May 2 – 9:30 PM
Special Sneak Preview – New from Bandai!!
"SCRYED" Episodes 1 – 2, 2001,
Bandai (Sunrise), 50 min. total. Series Director Goro Taniguchi. "SCRYED" is an
instantly addictive series about a quarantined area of Japan called The Lost Ground, where
outcast "alter-users" employ telekinetic power to deconstruct and reconsruct
reality with explosive force. In the first episodes, rebellious gun-for-hire Kazuma finds
himself hunted by the shadowy government organization HOLY, which pits mercenary
alter-users against their mutant brothers.
"PLEASE, TEACHER"
Episodes 1 – 3, 2002, Bandai, 75 min. total. Dir. Yasunori Ide. "Nothing
ever changes," sighs frail, introverted high school student Kei – until the
night that a gorgeous, redheaded alien drops from the sky into his lap, then turns up the
next day as his new teacher! This terrifically sexy and very funny new series piles one
compromising situation on top of another as Kei frantically tries to protect Ms.
Kazumi’s true identity from his classmates and foster parents. Favorite buzzwords:
"This is a Priority One!!" (All episodes in Japanese with English subtitles.)
Saturday, May 3 – 3:00 PM
Children’s Matinee:
"SPEED RACER" – Uncut
and Subtitled!, 1967, Speedracer.com, 100 min. total. Dirs. Ippei Kuri, Hiroshi
Sasagawa, Seitaro Hara. Episodes 3 – 4: "Challenge Of The Masked Racer"
and Episodes 7 – 8: "The Mammoth Car." One of the most beloved
television series in animation history, "SPEED RACER" has thrilled audiences
worldwide since its debut in 1967. When it was released in the U.S., the Japanese names of
the original were Americanized ("Go Mifune" became the famous
"Speed"), minor cuts were made – and of course all of the episodes were
dubbed. Until now, that is – please join us for four episodes of the classic
"SPEED RACER," in their original, uncut, Japanese language versions (with
English subtitles) - !!
Saturday, May 3 – 5:15 PM
Special Sneak Preview – New from AD Vision!!
Join us for a special program of brand-new and classic,
unseen anime television episodes – all soon to be released in the U.S. by AD Vision:
"AURA BATTLER DUNBINE"
Episodes 1 - 2, 1983, AD Vision (Sunrise), 25 min. Series Dir. Yoshiyuki Tomino. The
legendary "AURA BATTLER DUNBINE" finally makes its U.S. appearance here! A young
motorcyclist is magically transported into a combination medieval/mechanized world ala
ARMY OF DARKNESS, where knights ride unicorns and mermaid princesses are locked in
water-filled cells. To survive, he must learn to control an enormous suit of flying armor.
"RAHXEPHON" Episode 6, 2002,
AD Vision (Studio Bones), 25 min. Series Dir. Yutaka Izubuchi. This excellent, enigmatic
new series revolves around an artistic teenaged boy who suffers from strange visions that
connect him to a mysterious giant robot built by the Japanese military.
"NOIR" Episode 10, 2001, AD
Vision, 25 min. Dir. Kouichi Mashimo. "I am Noir. Beyond that, I know nothing,"
murmurs amnesiac school girl Kirika to fellow assassin Mireille – together the two
women form an uneasy partnership as killers-for-hire, until they can learn Kirika’s
true identity. (All episodes in Japanese with English subtitles, except SAILOR MOON Uncut,
which is the English dubbed version.)
Saturday, May 3 – 7:30 PM
U.S. Premiere!!
TAMALA2010 A PUNK CAT IN SPACE, 2002,
Kinetique Co., 92 min. Imagine a mutant hybrid of Hello Kitty and Philip K. Dick, animated
in the classic 1950’s TV style of Osamu Tezuka, and you have some idea of the
incredible strangeness of TAMALA2010 A PUNK CAT IN SPACE, the amazing new feature from the
two-man music and visual artist unit called "t.o.L". Super-cute space
kitty Tamala goes head-to-head with the Dark God of Death, killer dogs, a robotic Colonel
Sanders with an axe in his head and more, using her trademark karate kick and heart-shaped
sunglasses. A sample of some of the dialogue? "Later you anaconda bitch!,"
"Moimoi, me very tasty. Wanna eat me?," and "Beware, Martial Law has been
enforced in the Eastern Hate District!" Trust us – it’s like nothing
you’ve ever seen before. (In Japanese with English subtitles.) Discussion following with the two-person directing team "t.o.L",
Producer Seiichi Tsukada and Larry McCaffery.
Saturday, May 3 – 10:00 PM
New from Manga Entertainment!
KAIDOHMARU, 2001, Manga Ent., 46 min.
Dir. Kanji Wakabayashi. From Production I.G. and I.G. Plus, the animators behind BLOOD:
THE LAST VAMPIRE, KAIDOHMARU is a fully-digital, epic historical fantasy set in 8th
century Japan. Kaidohmaru is the only woman among four legendary knights who protect the
peace of the kingdom – but when her childhood friend, Princess Ouni-Hime, becomes
jealous of her friendship with fellow warrior Raikoh, Kaidohmaru is forced into a violent
and tragic confrontation with her own past.
"READ OR DIE," 2001,
Manga Ent. (Studio Orphee/Aniplex), 90 min. Dir. Kouji Masunari. READ OR DIE is based on
the novels and manga by Kurata Hideyuki, and follows the story of Yomiko Readman, a
substitute teacher who has a consuming passion for collecting books. However, when the
occasion arises, she has an altogether different occupation: she’s an operative for
the Special Operations Force of the British Library! Yomiko becomes entrenched in a plot
for world domination revealed through the writing in the margins of certain rare books.
(Note: we will be screening the entire 3-part OVA of READ OR DIE.) (All in Japanese with
English subtitles.)
Sunday, May 4 – 12:00 Noon
Children’s Matinee – Special Sneak Preview
from Bandai!!
JUNKERS COME HERE, 1995,
Bandai (Triangle Staff), 100 min. Dir. Junichi Sato. JUNKERS COME HERE is a refreshing,
realistic and beautifully told story of a teenaged girl, Hiromi, who faces problems small
(bratty boys at school) and large (her mother works too late, her parents don’t get
along) with the help of a talking Scottish terrier named Junkers. The wistful tone and
attention to everyday details bring to mind Studio Ghibli’s lovely WHISPER OF THE
HEART. (In Japanese with English subtitles.)
Sunday, May 4 – 5:00 PM
Sneak Preview – New from Tokyo Pop and
Sunrise!!
"BRIGADOON" Episodes 1 –
2, 2000, Tokyo Pop (Sunrise), 50 min. total. Dir. Yoshitomo Yometani. Irresistible
sci-fi/comedy about a relentlessly chirpy 13-year-old orphan, Mari, and her armored
protector, a "monomakia" (living weapon) named Melan Blue who hails from the
flying city in the sky, Brigadoon. Terrific, high-energy storytelling and animation that
mixes a young girl’s curiosity about growing up with some serious butt-kicking giant
robot action. A winner all the way. (In Japanese with English subtitles.)
"CRUSH GEAR TURBO"
Episodes 1 – 3, 2001, Sunrise, 75 min. total. Series Dir. Hideharu Iuchi.
Super-entertaining, Saturday morning style show about kids obsessed with the sport of
Crush Gear Fighting, using mini "gogetsu" mechanical cars in high-speed
gladiatorial matches. Our spunky hero Kuya has to contend with his late brother’s
legacy, along with his own hot temper, to recruit new members for the Tobida Crush Gear
Club, including feisty girl Karu, hefty, bun-loving Giro, tech-wiz Kiyosuki and zen-like
fighter Karudo. Plus it’s got our favorite anime theme song: "Crush allright!
Crush on hippy! Crush gear fight!!" (just don’t ask us what it means!) (English
dubbed version.)
Sunday, May 4 – 7:45 PM
U.S. Premiere!!
"PARASITE DOLLS", 2002,
Urban Vision (A.I.C.), 180 min. Dir. Nakazawa Kazuto. Robot hookers going schizo, sinister
young girls in red, energy-sucking metallic scorpions … welcome to Tokyo, 2034. This
latest installment in the "BUBBLEGUM CRISIS" prequel series "AD
POLICE" revolves around a special squad of Tokyo cops who are trying to discover the
cause of mysterious homicidal breakdowns by synthetic humanoids in the city. (Note: We
will be screening the entire 3-part OVA of "PARASITE DOLLS".) (In Japanese with
English subtitles.)
Wednesday, May 7 – 7:00 PM
Sneak Preview -- New from Animeigo and Central Park
Media!
"YOU’RE UNDER ARREST"
Episodes 39 and 49, 1997, Animeigo (Studio Deen/Toei), 50 min. total. Dir. Junji
Nishimura. One of our favorite anime TV series, "YOU’RE UNDER ARREST"
doesn’t involve robots, demons, alternate dimensions or anything with
swords/spikes/multiple heads – instead, it follows the trials and tribulations of two
female cops in Tokyo’s Traffic Division, level-headed Miyuki and her impulsive
partner Natsumi. Whether it’s competing in a beach volleyball tournament or dealing
with the possible break-up of their partnership, these girls do it with charm and style.
Based on the manga by "OH MY GODDESS" creator Kosuke Fujishima.
"DNA˛" Episodes 7 - 8, 1994,
Central Park Media (Powhouse), 50 min. total. Dir. Junichi Sakata. Teenaged loser Junta
literally loses his lunch every time he gets near an attractive girl – until
blue-haired genetic cop from the future Karin accidentally re-arranges his DNA, turning
him into an irresistible babe magnet, the Mega Playboy - ! But his charms don’t last
for very long, in this sexy high school comedy in the vein of Rumiko Takahashi’s
URUSEI YATSURA. (All episodes in Japanese with English subtitles.)
Wednesday, May 7 – 9:30 PM
JUNGLE EMPEROR LEO (JANGURU
TAITEI), 1997, Media Blasters/Shochiku (Tezuka Prod.), 98 min. Dir. Takao Takeuchi.
Inspired by anime master Osamu Tezuka’s classic 1960’s series "JUNGLE
TAITEI" (released here as "KIMBA THE WHITE LION"), JUNGLE EMPEROR LEO is a
sweeping family adventure about the noble King of the Jungle and his inexperienced young
cub, who must face fire, flood and corrupt human intruders in their struggle to save their
fellow animals. (In Japanese with English subtitles.)
Friday, May 9 – 7:00 PM
A TREE OF PALME (PALUMU NO KI), 2002,
Genco/Synch-Point/Digital Manga, 130 min. Dir. Takashi Nakamura. Superbly animated,
incredibly imaginative fantasy about the quest of a Pinocchio-like wooden puppet, Palme,
to return a mystic egg to the World Below and the all-powerful deity Soma. To do so,
he’s forced to navigate an epic landscape of warring tribes, labyrnthine cities and
caverns, luminous jellyfish and giant worms, with the aid of a ragtag band including an
enigmatic girl Popo, a young warrior Shatta, and two donkey-eared friends, Pu and Mu.
Features some of the most haunting images of nature this side of PRINCESS MONONOKE, with
echoes of everything from Rene Laloux’s FANTASTIC PLANET to Andrei Tarkovsky’s
SOLARIS. Absolutely breathtaking. (In Japanese with English subtitles.)
Friday, May 9 – 9:45 PM
Hayao Miyazaki Double-Feature:
CASTLE IN THE SKY (TENKU NO SHIRO
LAPUTA), 1986, Walt Disney (Studio Ghibli), 124 min. Inspired by the floating island
in Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels, Hayao Miyazaki’s
breathtaking masterpiece of fantasy and adventure follows two orphans, a 14-year-old boy
named Pazu and 13-year-old girl named Sheeta, as they make an incredible journey to a
long-lost city in the sky. (English dubbed version.)
KIKI’S DELIVERY
SERVICE (MAJO NO TAKKYUBIN), 1989, Walt Disney (Studio Ghibli), 102 min. Dir.
Hayao Miyazaki. A plucky but inexperienced young witch named Kiki is forced to leave her
family home on her thirteenth birthday and travel into the great, wide world, so she can
learn about life and the true purpose of her magical powers. Based on the novel by Eido
Kadono, KIKI’S DELIVERY SERVICE is a pure marvel of charm and innocence. (English
dubbed version.)
Saturday, May 10 – 12:00 Noon
Children’s Matinee!
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK, 1974,
Columbia (Group TAC), 92 min. Dir. Gisaburo Sugii. This sumptuous version of the classic
children’s story features some of the most spectacularly beautiful Japanese animation
of the 1970’s. Hailed by The Anime Encyclopedia as "an excellent
musical anime that could easily have given Disney’s films of the day a run for their
money," JACK & THE BEANSTALK makes an incredibly rare revival appearance here
– don’t miss it! (English dubbed version.)
Saturday, May 10 – 5:00 PM
U.S. Premiere!!
PRINCESS ARETE (ARETE HIME), 2001,
Studio 4°C, 105 min. From director Sunao Katabuchi, a protégé of Hayao Miyazaki’s
who worked on KIKI’S DELIVERY SERVICE, PRINCESS ARETE is a poetic, melancholy fable
for adults about an unhappy Princess who’s treated as a precious object by everyone
in her life, from her mercenary father to the heartless wizard Boax who kidnaps her as his
prize. As she whiles away her days in Boax’s remote castle, the Princess slowly
starts to believe that only she can ever truly free herself from those who claim to
"love" her … Based on the acclaimed children’s novel The Clever
Princess by Diana Coles. (In Japanese with English subtitles.)
Saturday, May 10 – 7:30 PM
U.S. Premiere!!
MEMORIES, 1996, Columbia, 113 min. This
long-awaited 3-part anthology film features the talents of some of the finest directors in
Japanese anime: Katsuhiro Otomo (AKIRA), Koji Morimoto (THE ANIMATRIX, ROBOT
CARNIVAL), and Tensai Okamuro. In Episode 1, the truly astounding "Magnetic
Rose," an interstellar salvage crew finds itself trapped on an abandoned space
station filled with the living memories of a long-gone opera diva. In Episode 2,
"Stink Bomb," a chemical researcher mistakes an experimental government drug for
common flu medication – with surreal and disastrous results. And in Episode 3,
"Cannon Fodder," Katsuhiro Otomo offers a vision of a nightmarish alternate
world, where giant factories spew out pure destruction. (In Japanese with English
subtitles.)
Saturday, May 10 – 10:00 PM
Adult Anime Madness!
"SEX DEMON QUEEN," 2000,
Kitty Media (Green Bunny), 30 min. Dir. Takeshi Aoki. Strap yourself in (in more ways than
one) for this wildly demented, Sex and Sorcery comedy about two female ring-warriors named
Cooley and Rima who team up to stop the sinister Amabire and her dog-demons from reviving
the ancient God of Sex – if they can all keep a cutey-pie named Sour from driving
them crazy with the lesbian love techniques she learned in the convent!! Rated XXX. (In
Japanese with English subtitles.)
"KOIHIME," 2000, NuTech
Digital (Pink Pineapple), 60 min. total. Dir. Masaki Shinichi. Ponytailed college student
Musashi returns on summer holiday to the peaceful mountain village where he grew up –
and immediately gets reacquainted with former childhood sweethearts Nami, Anzu, Suzaku and
Muyaki, who are overjoyed (and then some) to see him back, even though he can’t seem
to remember any of them. His strange memory lapse begins to make sense, though, when the
true nature of the village and its lovely inhabitants is revealed. Rated
XXX. (English dubbed version.)
Special Sneak Preview!!
"F FORCE," 2001, Central Park
Media, 90 min. Dir. Yousaku Aoi. The gorgeous, supernaturally powered Alicia has been
kidnapped by demons, enslaved for their unspeakably perverted pleasures. Her only hope for
survival: a team of busty barbarians known as the F Force! Each fabulous fighting female
has her own style and deadly weapons of choice, but all share a love of danger and
excitement. And there will be plenty of both as they fight to rescue their comrade from
the ravages of evil! Rated XXX. (In Japanese with English
subtitles.) (Note: These programs
contain graphic sexual content meant for adults only. No one under 18 will be admitted to
this program!)
Sunday, May 11 – 5:00 PM
Special Sneak Preview!! Children's Matinee
POKEMON 5, 2002, Miramax Films (Toei
Animation Co.), 80 min. Dir. Kunihiko Yuyama. The latest installment of the Japanese
animation phenomenon sends Ash and Pikachu off to Altomare, a beautiful and mysterious
city on water, where they find the treasured Soul Dew. Two new Pokémon, Latias and
Latios, are the protectors of the Soul Dew, and they join with Ash and Pikachu to keep it
safe from Annie and Oakley. But when a flood threatens Altomare’s very existence, who
will come to the rescue? A Miramax Films release. (English dubbed version.)
Sunday, May 11 – 7:00 PM
Special Sneak Preview!
SAKURA WARS THE MOVIE, 2001,
Pioneer (Prodn. IG), 85 min. Dir. Mitsuru Hongo. It is 1926, the 15th year of
the reign of Japan’s Taisho Emperor. In Tokyo, behind a world of brilliance and
beauty, there exists a dark realm inhabited by mutating monsters, the Kouma. The battle
against them is entrusted to the Teikoku Kagekidan, the Imperial Fighting Troupe, a secret
organization formed to battle the forces of darkness. Surprisingly, except for its
commander, the Troupe is comprised solely of lovely young maidens. By day, they lead the
glittering lives of stage actresses as part of the Imperial Operetta Troupe. From
Production I.G., the studio behind GHOST IN THE SHELL and NEON GENESIS EVANGELION. (In
Japanese with English subtitles.)
Wednesday, May 14 – 7:00 PM
Rumiko Takahashi Tribute:
One of the most phenomenally popular and beloved manga
artists in Japan, Rumiko Takahashi has created a wildly colorful universe where the
impossible and the everyday collide head-on, with hilarous results, in works like
"Urusei Yatsura," "Ranma ˝" and many others. Join us for a program of
episodes from three different television series based on Ms. Takahashi’s creations!
"INU YASHA" Episodes 1 and 4, 2000,
Viz (Sunrise), 50 min. total. Dir. Masashi Ikeda. Kagome Higurashi is a 15-year-old
schoolgirl living at a history-filled Japanese shrine. After a chance fall into an
abandoned well, Kagome meets the well-named "dog demon" Inu Yasha, a half-human
hybrid who longs to become all-demon. Can Kagome bring him to heel before he starts
sharpening his claws – on her??
"RANMA ˝" Episode 2, 1989,
Viz (Kitty Films), 25 min. Series Dir. Tomomitsu Mochizuki. At the time, martial arts
teacher Soun Tendo thought engaging one of his three daughters to Ranma – the son of
longtime friend and training partner Genma Saotome – was a good idea, but that was
before "he" turned out to be a "she"!! Youngest Tendo daughter Akane
(who’s always claimed to "hate boys" anyway) is quickly nominated for
bridal duty by her older sisters, while an unruly Ranma must come to grips with the mixed
blessing of his/her own appeal … to both boys and girls!
"MAISON IKKOKU" Episode 5, 1986,
Viz (Kitty Films), 25 min. Series Dir. Kazuo Yamazaki. Yusaku Godai has more than his
share of problems – he’s young, he’s broke, and he lives in a rickety old
boarding house filled with the most nosy (and noisy!) neighbors in Japan. But even these
extremely eccentric housemates aren’t enough to drive young Godai away from the
boarding house -–because the building’s manager is a lovely young woman who
always seems so close … and yet so far away. How can he ever find a way to tell her
what he feels? (All episodes in Japanese with English subtitles.)
Wednesday, May 14 – 9:15 PM
SOLD OUT (available tickets will
be released at the door)
Special Sneak Preview – All 9 Episodes
for the 1st Time Anywhere!!
THE ANIMATRIX, 2003, Warner Home
Video, 90 min. An unprecedented fusion of CG-animation and Japanese anime, THE ANIMATRIX
is a groundbreaking collection of nine original short films from the creators of THE
MATRIX trilogy, Andy and Larry Wachowski. Inspired by the visionary action and
innovative storytelling that powered the trilogy, this spectacularly visual short film
series delves deeper into the mind-bending world of THE MATRIX. Featuring shorts directed
by Yoshiaki Kawajiri (NINJA SCROLL, VAMPIRE HUNTER D), Shinchiro Watanabe (COWBOY
BEBOP), Koji Morimoto (MEMORIES), Mahiro Maeda, Takeshi Koike (lead animator
on WICKED CITY), Peter Chung (MTV’s "AEON FLUX") and Andy Jones
(FINAL FANTASY: THE SPIRITS WITHIN). While several of THE ANIMATRIX episodes have been
available over the internet, this is the first time all nine episodes will be
screened theatrically in public!! (Original English-language version.)
Thursday, May 15 – 7:00 PM
Sneak Preview – New from Bandai!
"SPIRIT OF WONDER –
SCIENTIFIC BOYS CLUB," 2001, Bandai, 90 min. Dir. Takashi Annou. Unusually poetic
and wistful adventure story based on Kenji Tsuruta’s acclaimed manga comics (which
were themselves inspired by the work of H.G. Wells and Jules Verne), about a brilliant
planetary scientist named Wendy who reluctantly helps her inexperienced husband and their
mad professor friend build a dirigible capable of riding the ethereal currents to Mars.
And watch out for the wild prologue and epilogue, featuring a sexy, karate-kicking
waitress named China, in her own other-worldly adventures! (Note: This is a sequel to the
1992 anime adapation of SPIRIT OF WONDER.) (In Japanese with English subtitles.)
Thursday, May 15 – 9:00 PM
Toshio Maeda Tribute:
Please join us for a special tribute devoted to the work of
one of the most subversive and controversial manga artists in Japan, Toshio
Maeda, featuring two shocking anime features based on his artwork and stories:
LEGEND OF THE OVERFIEND
(CHOJIN DENSETSU UROTSUKIDOJI), 1989, Central Park Media, 108 min. Dir. Hideki
Takayama. Otherworldly The Wandering Kid tries to stop the Overfiend from uniting the
worlds of man-beasts, demons and humans in this controversial hentai groundbreaker.
Rated XXX.
DEMON WARRIOR KOJI (GOKURAKU
SATSUJIN CHOKEN KAN), 1999, Central Park Media, 120 min. Dir. Yasunori Urata. Sex
crime investigator Koji is really a benevolent demon attempting to halt the influx of
supernatural and alien monsters hungry for human sex. Rated XXX (Both
in Japanese with English subtitles.) (Note: these programs
contain graphic sexual content meant for adults only. No one under 18 will be admitted to
this program!) |
