In this post, we’ll go over the list of upcoming Asian Cinema releases from various independent distributors in the UK region. These are primarily going to be covering the latest home video releases for Japanese, Chinese, and Korean films via distributors such as 88 Films, Arrow Video, Eureka Entertainment, Radiance Films, Third Window Films and more.
This batch will cover all of the releases scheduled for April, May & June 2023. Any delays will be listed under the release date adjustments section above the line-up. Artwork featured is the finalised version when available.
The schedule below is updated as of Sunday 2nd July 2023.
Disclaimer: Amazon links included in this post are affiliated so if you decide to order them, I’ll earn a small percentage if they dispatch. Other retailer links are not affiliated. International shipping restrictions may apply for select items.
RELEASE DATE ADJUSTMENTS:
- Fight Back to School Trilogy – Moved from 26th June to 31st July
- Magic Cop – Moved from 12th June to 24th July
- Taxi Hunter – Moved from 12th June to 28th August
- Twin Dragons – Moved from 26th June to Summer TBC
- The Untold Story – Moved from 29th May to 3rd July
10th April:
Project Wolf Hunting
늑대사냥
Directed by Kim Hong-seon
South Korea – 2022
| Audio/Presentation: |
|---|
| – Korean audio with English subtitles |
| On-Disc Extras: |
|---|
| None |
17th April:
The Killer (The Killer: A Girl Who Deserves to Die)
더 킬러: 죽어도 되는 아이
Directed by Kim Hong-seon
South Korea – 2022
| Audio/Presentation: |
|---|
| – Korean DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 & 2.0 – English subtitles |
| On-Disc Extras: |
|---|
| Extras TBC |
The Street Fighter Trilogy
ザ • ストリート • ファイター / 殺人拳２/ 逆襲！殺人拳
Directed by Shigehiro Ozawa
Japan – 1974
| Collection includes: |
|---|
| – The Street Fighter – Return of the Street Fighter – The Street Fighter’s Last Revenge |
| Format: | Price (SRP): | Availability: |
|---|---|---|
| First Print Edition Blu-ray | £29.99 | Amazon UK Arrow Video HMV Zavvi |
| Audio/Presentation: |
|---|
| – Brand new 2K restorations of The Street Fighter and Return of the Street Fighter from 2K scans of the original camera negatives by Arrow Films for the original Japanese and American versions – Newly remastered High Definition presentation of The Street Fighter’s Last Revenge by Arrow Films – High Definition Blu-ray™ (1080p) presentations – Original lossless mono Japanese and English versions for all three films – Optional English subtitles for the Japanese soundtracks and optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing for the English soundtracks |
| On-Disc Extras: |
|---|
| The Street Fighter: – Brand new audio commentary by Asian film specialists Andrew Heskins and James Mudge of easternkicks.com – Street Fighting Man, a 30-minute interview with Sonny Chiba – Cutting Moments, interview with director Jack Sholder discussing his role in creating the legend of Sonny Chiba – Original Japanese and U.S. theatrical trailers – Image gallery Return of the Street Fighter: – Brand new audio commentary by Jonathan Clements, author of A Brief History of the Martial Arts – Original Japanese theatrical trailer and U.S. teaser and theatrical trailers – Image gallery The Street Fighter’s Last Revenge: – Original Japanese and U.S. theatrical trailers – Image gallery |
| Physical Extras: |
|---|
| – First Print: Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the films by Mark Schilling and Chris Poggiali – Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Tony Stella |
24th April:
The Bullet Train
新幹線大爆破
Directed by Junya Satō
Japan – 1975
| Format: | Price (SRP): | Availability: |
|---|---|---|
| First Print Edition Blu-ray | £21.99 | Amazon UK Eureka Terracotta |
| Audio/Presentation: |
|---|
| – 1080p presentation on Blu-ray from a 2K restoration of the original film elements – Original Japanese theatrical version and alternate dubbed International version included – Optional English subtitles |
| On-Disc Extras: |
|---|
| – Brand new audio commentary by Jasper Sharp and Tom Mes – Brand new interview with author / critic Kim Newman – Brand new interview with Tony Rayns – Off the Rails: Junya Sato’s biographers on the making of The Bullet Train – Brand new interview with film writer Tatsuya Masuto and film critic Masaaki Nomura – “Big Movie, Big Panic: Junya Sato on The Bullet Train” archival featurette – Trailers |
| Physical Extras: |
|---|
| – First Print: Limited edition collectors booklet featuring a new essay by film writer Barry Forshaw [2000 copies] – First Print: Limited Edition slipcase featuring new artwork by Tony Stella [2000 copies] |
1st May:
God of Gamblers
賭神
Directed by Jing Wong
Hong Kong – 1989
| Format: | Price (SRP): | Availability: |
|---|---|---|
| First Print Edition Blu-ray | £24.99 | Amazon UK 88 Films Terracotta |
| Audio/Presentation: |
|---|
| – High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray™ presentation – Original Cantonese Mono with English Subtitles & SDH – Alternate Cantonese 5.1 DTS-HD MA with English Subtitles & SDH – English Mono Dub |
| On-Disc Extras: |
|---|
| – Audio Commentary with Hong Kong Cinema Expert David West – Audio Commentary with Hong Kong Cinema Experts Frank Djeng and F.J. DeSanto – Archive Interview with Chow Yun Fat, – Archive Interview with Andy Lau – Two Archive Interviews with Wong Jing – English Titles – Hong Kong Trailer – English Trailer – Stills Gallery |
| Physical Extras: |
|---|
| – First Print: Double Walled Slipcase with art by Sean Longmore – First Print: Double-sided foldout poster – First Print: Booklet Notes by Paul Bramhall – Reversible cover with new art by Sean Longmore and original Hong Kong Poster |
15th May:
Yakuza Graveyard
やくざの墓場 くちなしの花
Directed by Kinji Fukasaku
Japan – 1976
| Audio/Presentation: |
|---|
| – High Definition digital transfer of the film – Uncompressed Japanese mono PCM audio – Newly improved English subtitle translation |
| On-Disc Extras: |
|---|
| – Appreciation by filmmaker Kazuya Shiraishi (2022, 15 mins) – The Rage and the Passion – A visual essay by critic Tom Mes on Meiko Kaji and Kinji Fukasaku’s collaborations (2022, 12 mins) – Gallery of promotional imagery – Easter Egg – Trailer |
| Limited Edition Extras: |
|---|
| – Limited edition 32-page booklet featuring new writing on the film by Mika Ko on the representations of Koreans in the yakuza film, and newly translated re-prints of a contemporary review and writing by screenwriter Kazuo Kasahara – Limited edition of 3000 copies, presented in full-height Scanavo packaging with removable OBI strip leaving packaging free of certificates and markings – Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Time Tomorrow |
22nd May:
Go
GO
Directed by Isao Yukisada
Japan – 2001
| Format: | Price (SRP): | Availability: |
|---|---|---|
| First Print Edition Blu-ray | £24.99 | Amazon UK Arrow Video Terracotta |
| Audio/Presentation: |
|---|
| – Japanese audio with English subtitles |
| On-Disc Extras: |
|---|
| – Making Of GO (40 mins) – Portrait of GO (16 mins) – Premiere Stage Greetings (17 mins) – Yosuke Kubozuka and Isao Yukisada press launch (11 mins) – Original Trailers |
| Physical Extras: |
|---|
| – First Print: Slipcase with artwork by Thomas Walker (limited to 1,000 copies) – Reversible Sleeve featuring original Japanese artwork |
Hopping Mad: The Mr Vampire Sequels
殭屍家族 / 靈幻先生 / 殭屍叔叔 / 一眉道人
Directed by Ricky Lau & Lam Ching-Ying
Hong Kong – 1986-1989
| Collection includes: |
|---|
| – Mr Vampire II (aka Vampire Family) – Mr Vampire III – Mr Vampire Saga IV (aka Uncle Vampire) – Vampire vs Vampire |
| Format: | Price (SRP): | Availability: |
|---|---|---|
| First Print Edition Blu-ray | £31.99 | Amazon UK Eureka Terracotta |
| Audio/Presentation: |
|---|
| – Mr Vampire II and Mr Vampire III presented in 1080p HD from brand new 2K restorations – Mr Vampire IV and Vampire vs Vampire presented in 1080p HD from brand new HD restorations – Cantonese audio (original mono presentations) on all films – Alternate English dubbed audio track for Mr Vampire II – Optional English Subtitles for all films, newly translated for this release |
| On-Disc Extras: |
|---|
| – Brand new feature length audio commentaries on Mr Vampire II and Vampire vs Vampire by Asian film expert Frank Djeng (NY Asian Film Festival) – Brand new feature length audio commentaries on Mr Vampire III and Mr Vampire IV by action cinema experts Mike Leeder & Arne Venema – Brand new feature length audio commentary on Mr Vampire III by Asian film expert Frank Djeng and film writer John Charles (The Hong Kong Filmography, 1977–1997) – Brand new video piece on the history and resurgent popularity of the jiangshi genre, featuring an interview with a real Taoist priest – Brand new video piece which examines the rituals portrayed in the Mr Vampire series and how some are still practiced in modern-day Hong Kong – Trailers |
| Physical Extras: |
|---|
| – First Print: A Limited Edition collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the films and the Jiangshi genre by James Oliver [2000 copies] – First Print: Limited Edition O-Card slipcase featuring new artwork by Darren Wheeling [2000 copies] – Reversible sleeve featuring original poster art |
29th May:
Burning Paradise
火燒紅蓮寺
Directed by Ringo Lam
Hong Kong – 1994
| Format: | Price (SRP): | Availability: |
|---|---|---|
| First Print Edition Blu-ray | £21.99 | Amazon UK Eureka Terracotta |
| Audio/Presentation: |
|---|
| – 1080p HD presentation on Blu-ray from a 2K restoration of the films’ original 35mm camera negative – Cantonese and English audio options (both in their original mono presentations) – Optional English Subtitles, newly translated for this release |
| On-Disc Extras: |
|---|
| – Brand new feature length audio commentary by Asian film expert Frank Djeng (NY Asian Film Festival) – Brand new interview with actor Wong Kam Kong – Archival Interview with Tsui Hark – Original theatrical trailer |
| Physical Extras: |
|---|
| – First Print: A Limited Edition collector’s booklet featuring new writing by James Oliver [2000 copies] – First Print: Limited Edition O-Card slipcase featuring new artwork by Darren Wheeling [2000 copies] |
19th June:
The Game Trilogy
最も危険な遊戯 / 殺人遊戯 / 処刑遊戯
Directed by Toru Murakawa
Japan – 1978-1979
| Collection includes: |
|---|
| – The Most Dangerous Game – The Killing Game – The Execution Game |
| Format: | Price (SRP): | Availability: |
|---|---|---|
| First Print Edition Blu-ray | £24.99 | Amazon UK Arrow Video HMV Zavvi |
| Audio/Presentation: |
|---|
| – High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentations of all films – Original lossless mono Japanese soundtracks – Optional newly translated English subtitles |
| On-Disc Extras: |
|---|
| The Most Dangerous Game: – Brand new audio commentary by Chris Poggiali and Marc Walkow – The Action & Adventure Man, a 30-minute interview with director Toru Murakawa – Original Japanese theatrical trailer – Image gallery The Killing Game & Execution Game: – Brand new audio commentary on The Killing Game by Earl Jackson and Jasper Sharp – Brand new audio commentary on The Execution Game by Tom Mes – Remembering Yusaku Matsuda, an interview with Yutaka Oki, film critic and personal friend of Yusaku Matsuda – Game Changer, an interview with The Execution Game screenwriter Shoichi Maruyama – Original Japanese theatrical trailers for both films – Image galleries for both films |
| Physical Extras: |
|---|
| – First Print: Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the films by Hayley Scanlon and Dimitri Ianni – First Print: Double-sided fold-out poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Tony Stella – Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Tony Stella |
Revenge
仇討
Directed by Tadashi Imai
Japan – 1964
| Format: | Price (SRP): | Availability: |
|---|---|---|
| First Print Edition Blu-ray | £21.99 | Amazon UK Eureka Terracotta |
| Audio/Presentation: |
|---|
| – 1080p presentation on Blu-ray from a 2K restoration of the original film elements – Uncompressed original Japanese mono audio – Newly translated English subtitles (optional) |
| On-Disc Extras: |
|---|
| – Brand new interview with Tony Rayns – Brand new video piece by Jasper Sharp |
| Physical Extras: |
|---|
| – First Print: Limited Edition slipcase featuring artwork by Tony Stella [2000 copies] – A collectors booklet featuring new writing on the film |
Samurai Reincarnation
魔界転生
Directed by Kinji Fukasaku
Japan – 1981
| Format: | Price (SRP): | Availability: |
|---|---|---|
| First Print Edition Blu-ray | £21.99 | Amazon UK Eureka Terracotta |
| Audio/Presentation: |
|---|
| – 1080p presentation on Blu-ray from a 2K restoration of the original film elements – Uncompressed original Japanese mono audio – Alternate English dubbed audio – Optional English subtitles |
| On-Disc Extras: |
|---|
| – Brand new audio commentary by Tom Mes – Brand new interview with filmmaker Kenta Fukasaku – Original Japanese trailer |
| Physical Extras: |
|---|
| – First Print: Limited Edition slipcase featuring artwork by Takato Yamamato [2000 copies] – A collectors booklet featuring new writing on the film |
26th June:
Lady Reporter (The Blonde Fury)
師姐大晒
Directed by Mang Hoi
Hong Kong – 1989
| Format: | Price (SRP): | Availability: |
|---|---|---|
| First Print Edition Blu-ray | £21.99 | Amazon UK Eureka Terracotta |
| Audio/Presentation: |
|---|
| – 1080p HD presentation on Blu-ray of the original theatrical cut from a brand new 2K restoration – 1080p HD presentation on Blu-ray of the international export cut from a brand new 2K restoration – Original Cantonese mono audio and optional “classic” English dubbed audio – Optional English Subtitles, newly translated for this release |
| On-Disc Extras: |
|---|
| – Brand new feature length audio commentary by Asian film expert Frank Djeng (NY Asian Film Festival) & actor and martial artist Vincent Lyn – Brand new feature length audio commentary by action cinema experts Mike Leeder & Arne Venema – Brand new select-scene commentary with actress and martial-arts movie icon Cynthia Rothrock – Brand new interview with Cynthia Rothrock – Brand new interview with Mang Hoi – Trailers |
| Physical Extras: |
|---|
| – First Print: A Limited Edition collector’s booklet featuring new writing by James Oliver [2000 copies] – First Print: Limited Edition O-Card slipcase featuring new artwork by Darren Wheeling [2000 copies] – Reversible sleeve design |
For the complete list of unreleased Asian Cinema releases from each distributor, you can view them here!
The Normanic Vault 
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