![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |

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.
Declare your obsession! This month VIZ Cinema unfolds the craziest lineup ever featuring a variety of obsessions from sci-fi to surfing, including the exclusive U.S. Premiere of The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya!
| Friday, 4/30 – Thursday, 5/6 | Battle League Horumo |
| Tuesday, 5/4 – 1 night only! | DVD Release: Makoto Aida: Cynic in the Playground |
| Friday, 5/7 – 1 night only! | TokyoScope Talk Vol.3: War of the Giant Monsters |
| Saturday, 5/8 – Thursday, 5/13 | Kaiju Shakedown! Godzilla Films! |
| Friday, 5/14 – Saturday, 5/15 | BIG SURF Weekend |
| Saturday, 5/15 – Thursday, 5/20 | Scifi-Anime Madness |
| Thursday, 5/20 – 1 night only! | DVD Release: 20th Century Boys 3: Redemption |
| Friday, 5/21 – Saturday, 6/5 | The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya |
Friday, 4/30 – Thursday, 5/6, 2010
Battle League HORUMO [Encore by popular demand!]
(Directed by Katsuhide Motoki, 2009, 113min, 35mm, with English Subtitles)
Cast: Takayuki Yamada, Chiaki Kuriyama
This combat action comedy is based on the best-selling fantasy novel by Manabu Makime. As a college freshman, Akira Abe joins the club “Azure Dragon” to get closer to his dream girl. At first, the club appears to be an ordinary social club but the new members soon find out about the 1000 year-old tradition upheld by the four universities of Kyoto and the “Horumo” battle. Members must go through rigorous training and learn to manipulate an army of Oni spirits. Starring Takayuki Yamada (Train Man) and Chiaki Kuriyama (Kill Bill Vol. 1).
Tuesday, 5/4 – 1 night only! 7:00 p.m. DVD Release Special!
Makoto Aida: Cynic in the Playground
(Directed by Yusuke Tamari, 2003, 98min, Digital, with English Subtitles)
Cast: Makoto Aida
Ticket price: $25 including movie ticket, DVD, postcard & more!
Regular Admission: $10. No discounts apply.
Makoto Aida: Cynic in the Playground captures Makoto Aida at work as he creates his “Human Project” and “Shinjuku Castle” as well as various moments in his personal life. Known for his diverse and controversial works in various media such as painting, installation and Japanese manga, the artist’s unique character surfaces through his creative process.
Friday, 5/14 – Saturday, 5/15
The BIG SURF Weekend
Coinciding with our new art exhibit THE SURF SHOP at our SUPERFROG gallery, VIZ Cinema is taken over by wave ridin’ surf movies for the exhibition opening weekend! Come join the carefree and thrilling surf life and feel the breeze rushing over the rolling waves.
Friday, 5/14
★David Brown Special: a Double Feature
**With appearance of Director and Co-Producer!
Surfing for Life 7:00pm
(Directed by David L. Brown, 1999, 68min, Digital, English Language)
A vibrant and award-winning documentary about inspiring well-spent lives, offers a totally fresh look at successful aging. Narrated by Beau Bridges, it profiles ten legendary surfers who model healthy aging by staying active and engaged into their 7th, 8th and 9th decades. http://www.surfingforlife.com/
Of Wind and Waves: The Life of Woody Brown 8:30pm
(Directed by David L. Brown, 2006, 63min, Digital, English Language)
Nominated for an Emmy Award for Best Documentary, Of Wind and Waves: The Life of Woody Brown is a new documentary by the Director of Surfing for Life profiling a legend in the worlds of surfing, sailing and soaring. The film won the “Inspiration Award” at Mountain film in Telluride, “Best Surfing Film” at the Byron Bay Film Festival in Australia, and over 20 other awards.
Saturday, 5/15
★THE SURF SHOP Short Films (3 in a row) 12:00pm
3 short films in conjunction with THE SURF SHOP exhibition of SUPERFROG Gallery!
MONSTER WAVE IN CAPE ASHIZURI
(2009, 25min, Digital, English Subtitles)
A monster lives off the shore of Cape Ashizuri of Kochi, Japan. This short documentary film captures career surfers challenging the legendary monster waves.
KOKORO
(Directed by Keiichiro Mukai, 2010, 30min, Digital, English Subtitles)
Through the stunning sound and visuals of this short film, Director Keiichiro Mukai sends his wish to the next generation: co-existence with nature. A heart-felt piece.
GLACIER DIARY
(Directed by Takatoshi Okura, 2010, 30min, Digital, English Subtitles)
Although not quite a surfing film, GLACIER DIARY uses similar filming techniques used to capture waves. As part of THE SURF SHOP exhibition, filmmaker Takatoshi Okura tells a story of a worldly glacier photographers’ challenge and triumph in Patagonia.
★Bruce Brown’s The Endless Summer 1 & 2
The Endless Summer 2:00pm
(Directed by Bruce Brown, 1966, 95min, Digital, English Language)
Surfing documentary filmmaker Bruce Brown’s most acclaimed and cherished piece follows two young surfers in search of the perfect wave, as they meet interesting characters around the world. The ultimate surfing classic!
The Endless Summer 2 4:10pm
(Directed by Bruce Brown, 1994, 109min, Digital, English Language)
The journey continues…Bruce Brown, king of surfing documentaries, returns after nearly thirty years to trace the steps of the same two surfers to top surfing spots around the world. A precious film that also documents surfing becoming an influencial fashionable subculture through time.
Friday, 5/7 7:00pm
TokyoScope Talk Vol.3: War of the Giant Monsters
Hosted by Patrick Macias
Presented by OTAKU USA
BEFORE YOU PLUNDGE INTO THE GODZILLA MOVIES~
Don’t miss the Editor in Chief of Otaku USA, Patrick Macias’ 3rd volume of his film talk series. This time it’s about “monster” films. At the event, you can enter the giveaway raffle for DVD Gamera: The Giant Monster (1965)’s new release! Donated by The Shout! Factory DVD company.
( Get more info about this DVD>> )
*Ticket price is $10 General. No further discounts apply.
![]() |
TOXIC GRAVEYARD PODCAST: This episode we have Patrick Macias, Editor-in-chief of Otaku USA magazine as well as the host for the Tokyoscope…Go to site >>> [podcast]http://www.newpeopleworld.com/wp-content/uploads/mp3/Toxic_Graveyard_episode_4.mp3[/podcast] |
|---|
Saturday, 5/8 – Thursday, 5/13
Kaiju Shakedown! Godzilla!
(Directed by Yoshimitsu Banno, 1971, 87min, 35mm, OVERDUBBED)
GODZILLA VS. GIGAN $10
(Directed by Jun Fukuda, 1972, 89min, 35mm, OVERDUBBED)
GODZILLA VS. MEGALON $10
(Directed by Jun Fukuda, 1973, 80min, 35mm, OVERDUBBED)
GODZILLA VS. MECHAGODZILLA $10
(Directed by Jun Fukuda, 1974, 84min, 35mm, OVERDUBBED)
The biggest celebrity from Japan Godzilla is crossing the Pacific towards San Francisco. Brace yourselves, for the ground is about to shake! Armed with the lazer-vision insights from Patrick’s popular talk series TokyoScope Vol.3, gear up for the long battle with giant monsters on the big screen! Don’t miss this rare chance to witness the beauty and enormity of Gozilla on 35mm prints English-OVERDUBBED!
Ticket price: General $10 per film, Senior & Child $8.
WANNA KNOW MORE ABOUT GODZILLA and FRIENDS?
Prep yourself at TokyoScope Talk!
Saturday, 5/15 – Wednesday, 5/19
Sci-fi Anime Madness
(Directed by Hiroyuki Yamaga, 1987, 120min., English Subtitles)
Monday, 5/17 & Tuesday, 5/18
Evangelion 1.11 You Are (Not) Alone
(Directed by Hideaki Anno (chief) Masayuki、Kazuya Tsurumaki, 2009, 98min., Digital, English Subtitles)
Saturday, 5/15 & Monday, 5/17 & Tuesday, 5/18
Gundam Madness
Sunday, 5/16 COMBO TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR ZETA GUNDAM
★Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam: Heirs to the Stars 1:00pm
(Directed by Yoshiyuki Tomino, 2005, 94min, Digital, English Subtitles)
★Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam II: Lovers 3:00pm
(Directed by Yoshiyuki Tomino, 2005, 90min, Digital, English Subtitles)
★Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam III: Love is the Pulse of the Stars 5:00pm
(Directed by Yoshiyuki Tomino, 2006, 99min, Digital, English Subtitles)
Ghost in the Shell Special
(Directed by Mamoru Oshii, 1996, 85min, Digital, English Subtitles)
Wednesday, 5/19: You can experience Ghost in the Shell in the original version and/or in CGI enhanced!
★Ghost in the Shell (Original version) 5:00pm
★Ghost in the Shell 2.0 (3D-CGI version) 7:00pm
(***The 3D CGI version is not in 3D. Also, 2.0 is the visually enhanced version. Not the second movie)
Thursday, 5/20 – For 1 night only! 7:00pm
20th Century Boys 3: Redemption
(2009, 150min., With English Subtitles, Directed by Yukihiko Tsutsumi)
Cast: Toshiaki Karasawa, Etsushi Toyokawa, Takako Tokiwa, Teruyuki Kagawa, Airi Taira
Don’t worry if you missed the first two chapters, there’s a thorough recap at the beginning!
Ticket price: $25 including movie ticket, DVD, poster & more!
Regular Admission: $10. No discounts apply.
Based on the manga by Naoki Urasawa. The final chapter of the smash hit sci-fi action trilogy has arrived. As World President, Friend tells everyone that mankind will soon be destroyed and only those who believe in him will be saved. As a familiar song plays from the radio, is it proof that Kenji is still alive? Everyone is ready to make their final stand as all mysteries are soon revealed.
Friday, 5/21 – Saturday, 6/5 
The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya [ U.S. Premiere!!! ]
(Directed by Jun-ichi Mori, 2010, 163min, 35mm, with English Subtitles)
CRISTINA VEE (voice actor) will appear at the U.S. Premiere screening on May 21st at VIZ Cinema! Read more! >>
MAY 21ST TICKETS SOLD OUT! Thank you all!
Don’t miss the exclusive U.S. Premiere of mega hit anime movie “The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya” in association with Bandai Entertainment! Ten days before Christmas, Haruhi came up with another one of her crazy ideas to hold a Christmas party in the club room. The next day, however, Kyon woke up to a world in which Haruhi didn’t exist and no one besides him had any memory of her. How can someone like Haruhi Suzumiya who’s supposed to be the center of the universe just vanish?
* All programming is subject to change. * Showtimes in ( ) indicates matinee price.
Back to Top























