With the pre-production for the upcoming live-action Naruto film currently ongoing, Lionsgate and the film's writer and director Destin Daniel Cretton (Spider-Man: Brand New Day) launches the global casting call for the film's three leads!

​These three leads are of course, the young shinobi of Team 7, namely: Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura. Casting for the other characters will happen in a later date. 

In his Instagram post, Cretton stated, "Kishimoto-sensei's stories have inspired generations of fans around the globe, and it’s an honor to bring his world and characters to the big screen in live action for the very first time. I'm thrilled to kick off this worldwide casting search for our Team 7 and to bring the incredible universe of NARUTO to life."

Naruto series creator Masashi Kishimoto comments about this development, stating, "Right now, miracles are happening to me, one after another. My work, Naruto, is truly, truly becoming a Hollywood movie! And an even greater miracle is that the film will be directed by the one and only Destin Daniel Cretton. I still cannot believe it! If so many miracles have already come together, then let us hope for even more. I am eagerly looking forward to the miraculous encounters that will bring us extraordinary and passionate actors! I cannot wait to meet my characters in the film!"

The manga's film adaptation has been in the works with Lionsgate (The Hunger Games franchise) since late 2015 with it being officially unveiled to the public during the Jump Festa 2016 event. Cretton's involvement in the film as writer, director, and producer was revealed in February 2024.

Toho posted the official teaser trailer for the upcoming Godzilla Minus Zero film.

Taking place in 1949, two years after the events of Godzilla Minus One, the film continues the story of the Shikishima family as they face an all-new calamity. 

Ryunosuke Kamiki and Minami Hamabe returns to reprise their roles as Koichi Shikishima and Noriko Oishi respectively. In addition, this is also the first Japanese film to be "Filmed For IMAX®" as the film was shot with HD digital cameras certified by IMAX, and optimized in sound and imagery unique to IMAX screens. Look forward to seeing Godzilla presented to all new terrifying heights, making this film a true cinematic event not to be missed.

Lastly, Takashi Yamazaki will once again direct, write, and serve as its VFX director. ROBOT (Alice in Borderland) will once again work on the film's production and Shirogumi (Godzilla Minus One) will work on its VFX. Godzilla Minus Zero is set for a November 3rd release in Japan, and on November 6th in North America.

Bandai Tamashii Nations posted the official images and trailer for the S.H. Figuarts (Shinkocchou Seihou) Ultraman (A Type) -The Birth of Ultraman- figure.

​60 years ago, on July 10, 1966, Ultraman made his television debut in The Birth of Ultraman special, which aired a week prior to the airing of the first episode of the series. This special aired in black and white, and this is what the figure is based on. Multiple prototypes and verifications of "black and white" coloring patterns were created and verified before they arrived to the current high contrast coloring, which gives a sense of the original Ultraman coloring. 

That said, the figure uses the body scan date of Ultraman's original suit actor, Bin Furuya with the prototype being sculpted by Minoru Narita, who worked on the S.H. Figuarts (Shinkocchou Seihou) Ultraman Tiga series, with the cooperation of Tsuburaya Productions' modeling department, LSS. The exquisite balance of the entire body and the distinctive mask sculpting of the A Type mask have been thoroughly reproduced.

The item stands 150mm tall and comes with the Specium Ray effect part, a set of interchangeable hands, and a special monochrome Ultraman Series 60th anniversary commemorative base. This Premium Bandai web exclusive item cost 11,000 yen, and is set for a March 2027 release.

The official Kamen Rider Kabuto 20th: The One Who Inherits the Heavens film website has unveiled the latest trailer and new details for the upcoming film.

Twenty years have passed since that battle. What happened to Souji Tendou? Humanity and Worms are walking towards the path of coexistence. However, for some reason, ZECT is secretly developing a new Masked Rider System. Arata Kagami's son, Yui is qualified to use the new system. Masato Mishima of ZECT attempts to contact Yui, but standing in his way is Yui's classmate, Hikaru Tendou.

Meanwhile, Arata Kagami obtained new information from Syuichi Tadokoro about a ZECT conspiracy. To confront it, he visits his former comrades, Daisuke Kazama and Sou Yaguruma, who refused to cooperate with Kagami. Kagami resolved to fight the enemy all by himself. Then, the shadow of an unexpected person appears before him...!

It was also confirmed that Kamen Rider Kabuto's suit actor, Seiji Takaiwa is part of the film's cast in an unknown role. In addition, Kuniaki Haishima returns to compose the film's music, and Takeshi Miyazaki will once again serve as the action director. Lastly, Yuki Sato, Hidenori Tokuyama, and Kazuki Kato will perform the film's theme song, "NEXT LEVEL pass the tofu version". 

​Featuring the tagline, "Never give up on the future, even if you're alone", the film is written by Kamen Rider Kabuto head writer Shoji Yonemura and directed by Kamen Rider Kabuto main director Hidenori Ishida. The film is set for a limited theatrical release on November 6th, and will have a Blu-ray and DVD release on February 10, 2027.

The official Sword Art Online franchise website announced a new original film for the franchise titled Sword Art Online -Integral Domain-.

Taking place after the events of the Sword Art Online: Alicization anime, the film will feature an original story written by series creator Reki Kawahara. In addition, Yoshitsugu Matsuoka and Haruka Tomatsu will once again reprise their roles as Kirito and Asuna respectively.

A-1 Pictures will once again animated the project with Sword Art Online II director Shingo Adachi directing it. Yumiko Yamamoto (Sword Art Online: Alicization - War of Underworld) is in-charge of character design. Sword Art Online -Integral Domain- is set for a 2028 release.

[Source: Anime News Network]

Toei Video announced the 2026 edition of the Toei Tokusatsu Blu-ray Project, in which Toei asks us tokusatsu fans on what Toei Tokusatsu you wish receive an HD remaster!

The reason for the 2026 edition is due to the success of last year's project and this year, 10 titles are being considered to receive new 4K negative scan HD remastered edition, in which fans can purchase the Blu-ray at the Toei Video Online Shop.

The nominated works for this project are: Captain Ultra, Choujin Barom-1, Inazuman, Robot Detective, The Kagestar, Daitetsujin 17, Message from Space: Galactic Wars, Kyodai Ken Byclosser, Choujinki Metalder, and B-Robo Kabutack.

To select the titles you wish receive an HD remaster and a Blu-ray release, fans need to visit the official Toei Tokusatsu Blu-ray Project website and first fill up the Google Form to submit your preferred titles first. The application period is from July 8th to July 16th at 11:59pm JST. The top five titles will then by revealed on July 23rd, in which a special voting page will launch at the same time. The voting period for the final selection will be on July 23rd to August 6th at 11:59pm JST.

​The winning title/s will be announced on August 20th and pre-orders for it will be available exclusively at the Toei Video Online Shop.

Premium Bandai posted the official images of the Complete Selection Modification 15 Heroes Ghost Eyecon Set from the Kamen Rider Ghost series.

This luxurious Ghost Eyecon set includes the 15 heroic Ghost Eyecons that were seen and used in the series, namely: Musashi, Edison, Robin, Newton, Billy the Kid, Beethoven, Benkei, Goemon, Ryoma, Himiko, Tutankhamen, Nobunaga, Houdini, Grimm, and Sanzo. Each of these Eyecons contain the souls of 15 heroes that the protagonist, Takeru Tenkuji, must collect to be revived.

The sculpting, decorations, and some molded colors have been updated from the DX version, resulting in an appearance that is closer to appearance the one seen in the series. By operating the sound effect button on the CSM Ghost Driver (sold separately with a Ghost Eyecon inserted, the sound effect corresponding to each Ghost Eyecon will play. Lastly, with some of the Ghost Eyecons, after transforming, you can hear special lines unique to that form by playing the dialogue button.

This Premium Bandai web exclusive set cost 16,500 yen, and is set for a December release. Pre-orders will end on August 25th.

More details and a new trailer for the upcoming Magic Knight Rayearth anime reboot was revealed at their Anime Expo panel.

Other cast members that were announced are: Saori Hayami (SPY×FAMILY) as Emeraude, Yuki Ono (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable) as Zagato, and Mika Kikuchi (Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger) as Mokona. The panel also announced more cast members, namely:

• Yuki Kaji (Attack on Titan) as Clef
• Emiri Kato (Puella Magi Madoka Magica) as Presea
• Yoshitsugu Matsuoka (Sword Art Online) as Ferio

Yui Miura (Ninja Kamui) will make her series directorial debut with the anime, and E&H Production (Ninja Kamui) will animate it. Shigeru Murakoshi (Zombie Land Saga) will write the show's scripts, Satomi Watabe (Aikatsu Friends!) is in-charge with the character design, and Yuki Kajiura (Sword Art Online), Takumi Ozawa (Magia Record), and Shiho Terada (Healin' Good PreCure) are composing the show's music. UNLIMITED PRODUCE by TMS is producing the project. 

Magic Knight Rayearth is set to premiere this October 7th in the IMAnimation W block on TV Asahi and its affiliate channels every Wednesday at 11:45pm JST.

[Source: Anime News Network]