2003 movie Godzilla: Tokyo SOS (ゴジラ×モスラ×メカゴジラ 東京SOS) in Pittsburgh, March 22.

The 2003 movie Godzilla: Tokyo SOS (ゴジラ×モスラ×メカゴジラ 東京SOS) will play in Pittsburgh on March 22. A synopsis, from Toho Kingdom:

A year after the battle between Godzilla and Kiryu, Japan has begun repairs on the damaged mech. Work is focused on the damaged arm and chest areas, with weapon improvements planned. Meanwhile, Mothra's Shobijin meet with an old acquaintance, Doctor Shinichi Chujo. They warn that the dead should not be disturbed and the bones of the original Godzilla, which are inside Kiryu, should be returned. The message comes with a ray of hope: that Mothra will fight Godzilla on Japan's behalf if the request is met. However, if Japan ignores the request, then Mothra will once again become an enemy of humanity. Japan's government agrees that Kiryu's creation raises a moral question. They refuse to decommission it, though, feeling that it is the last hope against Godzilla. Meanwhile, the King of the Monsters first kills Kamoebas and then destroys a nuclear sub out at sea. Japan realizes Godzilla's arrival is imminent, raising into question who will fight who should Kiryu and then Mothra arrive...

Contending with Monsters of Our Own Making with Jade Song, April 1 with City of Asylum.

City of Asylum will present "Contending with Monsters of Our Own Making with Jade Song" on April 1.

In this reading, novelist, writer, and art director Jade Song shares her visceral debut novel, Chlorine. This chilling and addictive work blurs the line between a literary coming-of-age narrative and a dark unsettling horror tale, creating a shrewd commentary on the trials of growing up in a society that puts monstrous pressure on young women and their bodies.

The novel centers on Ren Yu, a zealous swimmer whose daily life starts and ends with the pool. Her teammates are her only friends. Her coach, her guiding light. She aches to be in the water, dreaming of chlorine and imagining the chemicalized liquid will turn her into a mermaid—the creature of her obsessions. Pressure heaps upon Ren from every direction, from the boundary pushing of her overbearing and inappropriate coach, to the insistence of her parents that she get a scholarship and attend an Ivy League school. She finds ways to cope, though they are each as destructive and debaucherous as the last, plummeting her into a world of body dysmorphia and horror. All the while, the dream of a mermaid’s life remains: a life of dragging and drowning, of bringing would-be colonizers to their doom. A life of freedom and control.

Filled to the brim with shudder-inducing and intoxicating prose, Chlorine is a powerful, relevant novel of immigration, sapphic longing, and fierce, defiant becoming.

You can purchase your own copy of Jade’s book, Chlorine, at City of Asylum Bookstore.

The talk runs from 3:00 to 4:30, both in person at Alphabet City on the North Side (map) and online. Registration is required.

Spirited Away: Live on Stage in Pittsburgh, April 23 and 27.

Spirited Away: Live on Stage will play in Pittsburgh-area theaters on April 23 and 27. From the distributor:

Hayao Miyazaki’s Academy Award®-winning animated feature film comes to life in this first-ever stage adaptation, full of dazzling sets, captivating musical numbers, and wondrous puppets of beloved characters. Adapted and directed by Tony Award®-winner John Caird (Les Misérables), two unique casts and performances were filmed during the show’s acclaimed 2022 run at Tokyo’s historic Imperial Theatre, featuring Kanna Hashimoto and Mone Kamishiraishi as Chihiro.

It has been announced so far for the Cinemark theaters in Monaca, Monroeville, and the North Hills, though more are likely to be announced later. Tickets are available online.

Kuniko Yamamoto and "Origami Tales" in Pittsburgh, May 19 - 21.

Kuniko Yamamoto and "Origami Tales" will be in Pittsburgh from May 19 to 21 as part of the EQT Children's Festival.

Welcome to the infinite world of Origami! In Japanese, ori- means "to fold" and -gami means "paper". Using origami, music and audience participation, storyteller Kuniko Yamamoto provides a magical entry into Japanese culture. In her show Origami Tales, mythological character masks and puppets, amazing flowers and a dragon – all made from origami – set the stage while Kuniko shares heartfelt stories from ancient Japan. Expect boundless imagination out of simple paper folding and an uplifting world of storytelling.

The performances will take place at the Trust Arts Education Center in the Cultural District (map). Tickets are available online.

2000 film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (臥虎藏龍) to remain in Pittsburgh through March 1.

The 2000 film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon---starring Michelle Yeoh, Chow Yun-fat, and Zhang Ziyi---which opened in Pittsburgh on February 17, will remain here through at least March 1. A synopsis from the distributor:

Named "Best Picture of the Year" by over 100 critics nationwide! Two master warriors (Chow Yun Fat and Michelle Yeoh) are faced with their greatest challenge when the treasured Green Destiny sword is stolen. A young aristocrat (Zhang Ziyi) prepares for an arranged marriage, but soon reveals her superior fighting talents and her deeply romantic past. As each warrior battles for justice, they come face to face with their worst enemy - and the inescapable, enduring power of love. Set against 19th-century China's breathtaking landscape, CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON is the action-packed, box office smash from acclaimed director Ang Lee (Sense and Sensibility, The Ice Storm) featuring stunning martial arts choreography by Yuen Wo Ping (The Matrix).

It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront, and tickets are available online.

2023 Lunar New Year Parade, February 25 in Squirrel Hill.

Pittsburgh's Lunar New Year Parade will return in 2023 on February 25, from 1:00 to 2:00 pm in Squirrel Hill.

We're back! Come celebrate the Year of the Rabbit @Squirrel Hill with the biggest gathering of Pittsburgh's Pan Asian Community Organizations and Friends!

And "We proudly honor Pittsburgh's Buddhist Tzu Chi Organization as our 2023 Grand Marshal for their invaluable work assisting our Asian immigrant community members!" The parade will start at Teppan BBQ, 2209 Murray Ave., and progress up Murray Hill to the intersection of Murray and Forbes (map).

Many More Asian Market shares news on its upcoming move to a bigger space (and its food court!)

via @manymoreasianmarket

Yesterday Many More Asian Market shared updates on its upcoming move to a larger space this summer, to a building that will include not only larger floor space for inventory but also a food court.

Some of you might have already heard the news from the post we were tagged in…. Yes! We are moving into a bigger, newer, and more spacious location down the street at 2767 Liberty Ave Pittsburgh, Pa 15222.

During the move, our current location will still operate as normal.

The planned move will happen between June-August. The new space will accommodate not only Many More Asian Market that now carries both Asian and Western groceries , it will include a food court as well. The food court will feature an Asian bakery, bubble tea, Chinese BBQ, and Sushi stalls etc…Expect to enjoy delicious cake and drinks, freshly made roast duck and Char Siu, fresh sushi, and MANY MORE FOODS!!!! Yayyyyyy~~

Woooow! It’s crazy how time flies! We remember when the store first opened, we didn't even have a pos system yet…. Literally, did a soft opening with sticky notes everywhere, price tag stickers on items, checking out customer with a calculator and an old fashioned cash register. Back then, we thought to ourself while looking at the still half empty shelves “Wow, how much more stuff will we have to be able to sell in order to fill this store up?” Feeling anxious and nervous…. Then here we are today….Wayyyyyy out grew from where we were. Now our store feels tiny!!!!! Ahhhhhh!!

Thank you everyone, especially those who have been with us from the beginning when everything felt like chaos! You guys helped us grow into what we have become today! As a family owned business, we’ve been lucky to have shared our customers’ stories such as finding their first jobs, just getting married, starting a family etc… Seeing those families grow and come to the market, the feeling of being able to be a tiny part of our customers' lives means so much to us…. We hope you guys also feel great to be a huge part of our stories.

We really appreciate all of you. This will be a huge “next chapter” for our store! We have been through a lot together, especially when the pandemic hit. We’re very glad we made it and you guys are still with us! This new location will be more spacious (no more squeezing through the store! Yay!) and have better air circulation ! With these updates we can better serve our customers for a long long long time ahead!!

via @manymoreasianmarket

2023 Chinese film Hidden Blade (无名), starring Tony Leung Chiu-wai and Wang Yibo, in Pittsburgh, from February 17.

The 2023 Chinese film Hidden Blade (无名) will play in Pittsburgh from February 17.

During World War II, at the height of China’s war of resistance against Japan, a group of courageous citizens develops a top-secret underground espionage network right under the nose of the newly established puppet regime. At increasingly great peril to their own lives, the double-agents masterfully extract classified information from deep behind enemy lines, an effort that gives rise to the united front that will help turn the tide of the conflict.

It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and tickets are available online.

Dr. Patrick Galbraith speaking about otaku culture, erotica manga at Pitt and CMU, February 21 and 22.

Dr. Patrick Galbraith will give two talks next week about otaku culture and erotica manga at the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University, respectively. He will speak on "Anime at War and Peace: On the Otaku Turn" on February 21 at Pitt, from 6:00 to 7:30 pm in 5201 Posvar Hall, as part of this term's Asia Pop Lecture Series. He will then speak at CMU on February 22, from 6:00 to 7:30 pm in Posner Grand Room 340, on "Erotic Comics in Japan: An Introduction to Eromanga."

2000 film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (臥虎藏龍) in Pittsburgh, February 17 through 22.

The 2000 film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, starring Michelle Yeoh, Chow Yun-fat, and Zhang Ziyi, will play in Pittsburgh from February 17 through 22. A synopsis from the distributor:

Named "Best Picture of the Year" by over 100 critics nationwide! Two master warriors (Chow Yun Fat and Michelle Yeoh) are faced with their greatest challenge when the treasured Green Destiny sword is stolen. A young aristocrat (Zhang Ziyi) prepares for an arranged marriage, but soon reveals her superior fighting talents and her deeply romantic past. As each warrior battles for justice, they come face to face with their worst enemy - and the inescapable, enduring power of love. Set against 19th-century China's breathtaking landscape, CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON is the action-packed, box office smash from acclaimed director Ang Lee (Sense and Sensibility, The Ice Storm) featuring stunning martial arts choreography by Yuen Wo Ping (The Matrix).

It plays locally at the AMC theaters at the Waterfront and in Greensburg, and tickets are available online.