VIZ Cinema is a 143-seat underground cinema inside NEW PEOPLE in San Francisco, owned and operated by VIZ Pictures. Equipped with a cutting-edge HD digital projection and THX®-certified sound system, VIZ Cinema’s programming focuses on the latest and hottest films from Japan, as well as an incredible legacy of classics, favorites, documentaries and anime – making it the only venue of its kind in the United States.
Where did our heroes go? Our October cinema program will unfold variety of inspiring films starring new types of heroes we love: spiritual warriors, tragic saviors, and even comedic jokesters. The modern day hero is not always the problem solver… Featuring the US exclusive premiere of Naruto Shippuden The Movie, VIZ Cinema invites you to a month of fun and ruckus!
Fri, 10/2 – Thu, 10/15
K-20: The Fiend With Twenty Faces [ Regional Premiere ]
(2009, 137min., With English Subtitles, Directed by Shimako Sato)
Cast: Takeshi Kaneshiro, Takako Matsu, Toru Nakamura
Heikichi Endo (Takeshi Kaneshiro) is a circus acrobat who is deceived by K-20 and is set up to take the fall for the phantom thief. Using his incredible physical dexterity, Heikichi wages war against K-20 in order to clear his name, fighting alongside K-20’s next wealthy target, Duchess Yoko Hashiba (Takako Matsu), and her fiancée, brilliant detective Kogoro Akechi (Toru Nakamura). But what is the ultimate decision Heikichi has to make?
10/2 (Fri) 6:00pm, 8:50pm
10/3 (Sat) & 10/4 (Sun) (12:20pm), 3:10pm, 6:00pm, 8:50pm
10/5 (Mon) (3:10pm), 6:00pm, 8:50pm
10/6 (Tue) & 10/7 (Wed) (2:10pm) only!
10/8 (Thu) & 10/9 (Fri) (3:10pm), 6:00pm, 8:50pm
10/10 (Sat) & 10/11 (Sun) (12:20pm), 3:10pm, 6:00pm, 8:50pm
10/12(Mon) – 10/15 (Thu) (3:10pm), 6:00pm, 8:50pm
Tue, 10/6 & Wed, 10/7 (5:00pm / 8:00pm) – 2 nights only!
Naruto: Shippuden The Movie [ U.S. Premiere ] 
(2008, 90min., English overdubbed. Directed by Hajime Kamegaki)
Features US Exclusive Premiere in association with VIZ Media. The Fourth film adaptation of the popular anime and manga series Naruto. This time Naruto’s mission is to guard the shrine maiden Shion who came from the country of demon, who is the only one to seal the revived demon that once destroyed the world and was sealed by someone. Shion, however, predicts Naruto’s death. Naruto decides to challenge this “prediction of death.”
Fri, 10/16 – Wed, 10/21
Maiko Haaaan!!!
(2007 120min, With English Subtitles, Directed by Nobuo Mizuta
Cast: Sadao Abe, Kou Shibasaki, ShinichiTsutsumi)
Geisha Full Throttle! From the acclaimed screenwriter Kankuro Kudo of Ping Pong, and Takashi Miike’s Zebraman, comes Maikohaaaan!!!, a slapstick comedy with an energetic twist of Kyoto humor and a colorful introduction to the undisclosed Maiko (apprentice Geisha) world! The film centers on a Japanese office guy who pursue his dream of courting a real Maiko in Kyoto. The private Maiko Houses become a social barrier added to his rival who is a millionaire baseball player (Shinichi Tsutsumi), standing in his way.
10/16 (Fri) 6:00pm, 8:30pm
10/17 (Sat) & 10/18 (Sun) (1:00pm), 3:30pm, 6:00pm, 8:30pm
10/19 (Mon), 10/20 (Tue) & 10/21(Wed) (3:30pm), 6:00pm, 8:30pm
Fri, 10/23 – Thu, 11/5
Battle League HORUMO [ Regional Premiere ]
(2009, 113min., With English Subtitles, Directed by Katsuhide Motoki)
Cast: Takayuki, Chiaki Kuriyama
Based on a novel by Manabu Makime, this film is a combat action comedy that will take you into a world with the breathtaking backdrop of Kyoto and bizarre legend of “Horumo.” Directed by Katsuhide Motoki (Kitaro and the Millennium Curse, 10 Promises to My Dog), and starring Takayuki Yamada (Train Man, Crows Episode 0) and Chiaki Kuriyama (Battle Royale, Kill Bill Vol. 1).
10/23 (Fri) 6:00pm, 8:30pm
10/24 (Sat) & 10/25 (Sun) (1:00pm), 3:30pm, 6:00pm, 8:30pm
10/26 (Mon) (3:30pm), 6:00pm, 8:30pm
10/27 (Tue) (3:30pm) only!
10/28 (Wed) -10/30 (Fri) (3:30pm), 6:00pm, 8:30pm
10/31 (Sat) 3:30pm, 6:00pm, 8:30pm
11/1 (Sun) (1:00pm), 3:30pm, 6:00pm, 8:30pm
11/2 (Mon) – 11/5 (Thu) (3:30pm), 6:00pm, 8:30pm
Tue, 10/27 – 1 night only! 6:30 p.m.
Traveling with Yoshitomo Nara
(2009, 93min., With English Subtitles, Directed Koji Sakabe)
Cast: Yoshitomo Nara, Aoi Miyazaki (Narration)
6:30pm
Tickets – $25: Event ticket price includes a pass to the screening, a brand new DVD of the film($25 Value), a postcard, and NEW PEOPLE buttons!
Watch “solo” artist Yoshitomo Nara open up to the idea of a team effort to create a whole new project. The documentary closely follows him making collaborative work, meeting and making new friends around the world, and finally, overcoming this great challenge.
Tue, 10/27 – 1 night only! 8:30 p.m.
Yayoi Kusama: I Love Me
(2008, 104min., With English Subtitles, Directed by Takako Matsumoto)
Cast: Yayoi Kusama
8:30pm
Tickets – $25: Event ticket price includes a pass to the screening, a brand new DVD of the film ($25 value), a postcard, and NEW PEOPLE buttons!
Become a witness to the avant-garde artist Yayoi Kusama (born in 1929) at work, who is also known as the queen of polka dots! The highly anticipated documentary successfully captures the genius’ creation and personal conflict between life, death and love. Without a dull moment, she will touch a soft place in your heart.
* All programming is subject to change. * Showtimes in ( ) indicates matinee price.
