Nikkatsu Corporation, Japan’s oldest film studio, and FUNimation® Entertainment, the leading distributor of Japanese animation in North America, announced today an agreement that gives FUNimation Entertainment an exclusive first look option on the home entertainment distribution of titles premiering from Nikkatsu Corporation’s new genre film label, The Sushi Typhoon. The first two films slated for release on DVD and Blu-ray through the partnership are the action gore comedy film ALIEN VS. NINJA and the splatter action comedy MUTANT GIRLS SQUAD in early 2011.
“The Nikkatsu Corporation is delighted to bring The Sushi Typhoon brand to this side of the Pacific,” said Akifumi Sugihara, Executive Producer of The Sushi Typhoon. “We believe FUNimation Entertainment’s experience with the Japanese entertainment industry is a great asset to helping our films succeed in the North American market.”
“It is a privilege to work with The Nikkatsu Corporation on The Sushi Typhoon label,” said Gen Fukunaga, President and CEO of FUNimation Entertainment. “We can’t wait to scare and thrill audiences with our upcoming slate of films.”
Created by Producer Yoshinori Chiba, The Sushi Typhoon aims to bring the best talent from Japanese cult cinema to world-wide audiences. MUTANT GIRLS SQUAD is presented by three of Japan’s premier genre directors: Yoshihiro Nishimura (VAMPIRE GIRL VS. FRANKENSTEIN GIRL, TOKYO GORE POLICE), Noboru Iguchi (ROBOGEISHA, THE MACHINE GIRL), and Tak Sakaguchi (SAMURAI ZOMBIE).
To celebrate the launch of The Sushi Typhoon in North America, The New York Asian Film Festival will present the world premiere of ALIEN VS. NINJA and the international premiere of MUTANT GIRLS SQUAD, followed by launch party for The Sushi Typhoon on July 3rd at New York’s Japan Society. Following the New York dates, the films will screen at film festivals around the world including The Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal, Canada, and the Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival in Switzerland. The Sushi Typhoon will also have a presence at this year’s San Diego Comic Con. Fans will have a chance to meet Nishimura and the stars of ALIEN VS. NINJA, attend The Sushi Typhoon panel previewing upcoming films from the label, and see Friday night screenings of both films.
Keep up with The Sushi Typhoon on its official Twitter, www.twitter.com/sushi_typhoon, and Facebook, www.facebook.com/SushiTyphoon.
