revival – SoraNews24 —Japan News— https://soranews24.com Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today. Mon, 25 Mar 2024 17:30:47 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.4 https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/05/en_rocket_1024.png?w=32 revival – SoraNews24 —Japan News— https://soranews24.com 32 32 176746664 We investigate the newly released film revival of Hayao Miyazaki’s Sherlock Hound https://soranews24.com/2024/03/26/we-investigate-the-newly-released-film-revival-of-hayao-miyazakis-sherlock-hound/ https://soranews24.com/2024/03/26/we-investigate-the-newly-released-film-revival-of-hayao-miyazakis-sherlock-hound/#comments Mon, 25 Mar 2024 17:30:38 +0000 https://soranews24.com/?p=656019 
The remastered and re-released theatrical feature is back in Japanese theaters for a limited time to celebrate its 40th anniversary.
As announced earlier this year, select episodes of the 1984-1985 TV animated series Sherlock Hound that were directed by the two-time Oscar-winning Hayao Miyazaki and compiled into two theatrical films are now enjoying a limited run from March 22 through April 18 at select theaters in Japan.
The TV series was originally an Italian-Japanese collaboration involving Hayao Miyazaki and other key staff in their pre-Studio Ghibli days. It featured anthropomorphized canine characters as the world-famous detective Sherlock Holmes and his trusty sidekick Watson as they continuously thwarted the crimes of Professor Moriarty and his underlings in new stories created for this project. Miyazaki stepped away to focus on other projects when the production encountered temporary legal issues with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s estate, but his indelible directorial mark is present for the first half dozen episodes of the 26-episode series.
▼ A trailer for Sherlock Hound‘s Blu-ray release
The current theatrical release is a remastered version of two compilation films of the series composed of episodes directed by Miyazaki. Specifically, the film includes Sherlock Hound: Blue Ruby Chapter and Treasure at the Bottom of the Ocean Chapter (originally released theatrically in 1984 alongside Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind) as well as Sherlock Hound: Mrs. Hudson the Hostage Chapter and Aerial Battle at the Strait of Dover Chapter (originally released theatrically in 1986 alongside Laputa: Castle in the Sky–Studio Ghibli’s first animated film).
Sherlock Hound is particularly meaningful to our now 36-year-old Japanese-language reporter K. Masami, who hated school as a child but managed to motivate herself to go because she could watch Sherlock Hound once she got home. She recalls the series being largely an adventure drama with a dash of mystery thrown in and a story that generally wrapped up neatly at the conclusion of each episode. She watched the show every time while on the edge of her seat, thrilled by the exploits of the characters in a curious world that was ostensibly set in the past but featured steam punk-like technology.
▼ Poster for the current theatrical release
Therefore, Masami counted down the days until the 22nd arrived and she could finally re-experience this part of her childhood. She had initially thought that only people from her generation would go to see the film, but when she arrived at the theater, she was pleasantly surprised to see plenty of children there as well. As she watched the story unfold on the big screen, she found herself remembering particular scenes that she hadn’t seen for 40 years with a tinge of nostalgia. She was also amazed that she could actually remember most of the major plot points with no trouble at all.
Something that Masami hadn’t been aware of when viewing it as a child was Miyazaki’s directorial touch on everything. But now, so many years and so many Studio Ghibli animated classics later, nods to his familiar style were crystal clear to her. For instance, the rendering of food and the way the characters ate it, the scenery rushing past various fast-moving vehicles, and all of the minute details inside of a room were quite obviously screaming “Miyazaki was here.” It made her realize that Miyazaki’s style must be ingrained in her and other members of her generation’s very cells, and moved her in a way that most other movies don’t.
Also, she realized there’s something so comforting about hand-drawn animation. The brush lines and paint radiated a warmth that’s rare to see on TV or inside of a movie theater these days. That point also stirred up more feelings of nostalgia and wistfulness for a bygone era in Masami. Her final verdict on Sherlock Hound? It was perfect for those familiar with it as well as first-time viewers.
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]]> https://soranews24.com/2024/03/26/we-investigate-the-newly-released-film-revival-of-hayao-miyazakis-sherlock-hound/feed/ 0 656019 1_97ba9d Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba VR roller coaster ride and more return to USJ early next year https://soranews24.com/2023/12/05/demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-vr-roller-coaster-ride-and-more-return-to-usj-early-next-year/ https://soranews24.com/2023/12/05/demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-vr-roller-coaster-ride-and-more-return-to-usj-early-next-year/#comments Mon, 04 Dec 2023 17:30:48 +0000 https://soranews24.com/?p=643809 
Missed the AR attraction the first time around? Now you’ll have another chance to “Set your heart ablaze”!
The mega-popular attraction Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba XR Ride Mugen Train Chasing Dreams is set to return to Universal Studios Japan from February 1 through June 9, 2024 largely due to fan demand. The original attraction, which was available at the park from September 17, 2021 through February 13, 2022, scored a 99-percent satisfaction rating on a survey for park-goers at the time. We were also blown away by the ride and shared our candid thoughts on it shortly after it opened.
The attraction consists of a VR-enhanced coaster ride with a 360-degree field of vision thanks to VR headsets. Ride-goers are immersed in a 10-minute storyline based on October 2020’s Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train, which remains the highest-grossing film in Japanese box office history. You’ll follow protagonist Tanjiro and Flame Hashira Rengoku as they engage with the demon Akaza, while experiencing breathing techniques, blood demon arts, and sword clashes firsthand as if you were actually in the midst of the scene.
▼ Promotional image for Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba XR Ride Mugen Train Chasing Dreams
That’s not all, because USJ’s unique “story coaster” Hollywood Dream – The Ride is also partnering back up with Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba for two original stories. The first story will be available between February 1 and April 7 and focuses on a comical conversation between Tanjiro and Rengoku, who are also taking a ride on an “iron cart” at USJ.
The second story will be available between April 25 and June 9. In this follow-up, Tanjiro returns for another thrilling ride on the “iron cart” at USJ, this time together with Nezuko, Zenitsu, and Inosuke.
Finally, the returning attractions will also revive two collaboration restaurant menus at the Wisteria Dining Hall and Studio Stars Restaurant. Further details about menu items and goods will be announced in the future, but what is currently known is that the former will focus on themed dishes for eight of the Hashira, while the latter will focus on dishes for the Flame Hashira Rengoku specifically.
▼ Also making its return: the super popular previously sold-out Nezuko popcorn bucket!
Don’t miss this limited-time opportunity to (re)experience the thrill of one of the hottest anime around. Once you’ve had your fill of the rides, perhaps you can also pick up some Osaka souvenirs by visiting the new and stylishly unique Uniqlo location in Osaka’s downtown Shinsaibashi area as well.
Source: Livedoor News via Otakomu
Images: PR Times
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