Press Release
FINAL KIKAIDA DVD AND
KIKAIDA DVD BOX SET DEBUT IN OCTOBER
HONOLULUﾑJN Productions, the Hawaii-based media company, will release the ninth and final volume of its popular Kikaida DVD series on Tuesday, October 19 and release the complete "Deluxe" Kikaida box set on Wedensday, November 10.
"I thought it couldn't be done, but we're finally here with Volume 9," said Joanne Ninomiya, JN Productions owner and president. "I'd like to thank the folks at The Mountain Apple Company, the JNP staff of writers, human grammar and spell-checkers, artists, translators, follow-uppers, and production geeks without whom the Kikaida DVDs wouldn't have materialized. Kikaida fans of all ages: ENJOY!"
The 43-episode Kikaida series first aired in Japan from 1972-1973 and then debuted in Hawaii in February 1974 on the original KIKU-TV. The show became a hit with kids, transforming Kikaida into a pop culture icon and retail winner. The series proved its enduring appeal with a revival that began when Ninomiya brought it back to Hawaii television in November 2001.
Volume 9 of the Kikaida DVD includes the final three episodes of the classic 1970s Japanese superhero television series, plus the 1973 Kikaida 3D Featurette, Tobidasu Jinzoningen Kikaida ("Super Android Kikaida: Comin' at Ya!"). Two 3D glasses are included with each disc, thanks to sponsorship by Shirokiya, the Hawaii store specializing in Japanese merchandise.
Kikaida fans who have gotten used to the entertaining and informative special features and surprises included in the JNP DVD series wonﾕt be disappointed. Special features include: three new Kikaida karaoke music videos; the final interview with Ban Daisuke (Jiro in the show); behind-the-scenes Kikaida factoids, the conclusion to the "Origins of Kikaida Story"; the original 1973 trailer for the 3D featurette, and a promotional spot hyping a JNP Kamen Rider V3 DVD series set for release in late 2005. Among the hidden bonus "Easter eggs" on the disc are two brief humorous commercials purportedly set along an assembly line staffed by the DARK drones mass-producing Kikaida DVDs.
Other special features on the DVD include cast and crew profiles and DARK Destructoid monster profiles with sound effects.
In addition to boasting digitally remastered picture and sound, the Kikaida DVDs feature bilingual English and Japanese menus. The DVD is fully subtitled in English, and even boasts a family-friendly, "expletives-deleted" subtitle selection option. The total running time of the three Kikaida episodes and the 3D featurette is one hour and 46 minutes.
The Kikaida Deluxe Box Set includes all nine volumes of the Kikaida DVD series, plus a limited edition, one-of-a-kind collectible Kikaida slide. Each slide depicts one frame of actual film footage from the 35-millimeter film reel reproduced from the original Toei Company 3D featurette master reel. JN Productions used this image in the creation of the 3D featurette included in Volume 9 of the Kikaida DVD series. Each collectible slide is unique.
The keepsake box "with collectible slide" is also available separately to fans who have faithfully purchased Volumes 1-9 of the Kikaida DVD series.
The Kikaida Deluxe Box Set is available exclusively at Shirokiya and through the JN Productions "Generation Kikaida" website.
The Kikaida DVD distributed exclusively by The Mountain Apple Company is available wherever DVDs are sold and through the official Generation Kikaida online store (www.generationkikaida.com/store).
The ﾒKikaida 30th Anniversary in Hawaiiﾓﾑscheduled for Oct. 28-30 at various locations on Oahuﾑwill help promote the DVD. Ban and Miyauchi Hiroshi, star of the Kamen Rider V3 superhero series, will be the featured guests at three days of events, which include a "Reunion" party for Kikaida fans, a free autograph session at Shirokiya, a free 30th Anniversary festival at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii, a "Japanese Superheroes" exhibit of new and vintage toys and memorabilia, and a screening of the Kikaida 3D featurette.
For more information, call 808-836-0361 or go to the official Generation Kikaida website at www.generationkikaida.com.
