WMU HOME > ABOUT WMU > WMU NEWS Samurai and Anime film series debuts Sept. 8, 2004 KALAMAZOO--"Japanese Samurai and Anime Film Nights," a new film series at Western Michigan University, launches its inaugural season with four Japanese film classics during fall semester. All films in the series are shown on Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. in Room 210 of the Bernhard Center and are free and open to the public. First up, Sept. 23, is Akira Kurosawa's "Yojinbo," which is in Japanese with English subtitles. The remaining three films fall semester are in English. Sept. 23--"Yojinbo," (R; includes violence) Oct. 7--"The Last Samurai" (R; includes violence) Oct. 21--"The Castle of Cagliostro" (PG-13; animation) Nov. 11--"Castle in the Sky" (G; animation) Those attending will receive complimentary LOTTE-brand chewing gums, cookies, or samples of the English versions of the popular Japanese comic book "Shukan Shonen Jump." Complimentary items are provided by the product distributors and will vary from show to show. Japanese Samurai and Anime Film Nights was organized by Dr. Takashi Yoshida, WMU assistant professor of history, and is sponsored by WMU Japanologists and by the Japan Club, a WMU registered student organization. According to Yoshida, five more films are tentatively scheduled for dates during spring semester. "There are many historical and cultural connections between Kalamazoo, WMU and Japan," says Yoshida, who serves as faculty advisor to the Japan Club. "The film series is a fun way to share some aspects of Japanese culture with others and to help raise the visibility of the Japanese community on campus. For more information, contact Takashi Yoshida at <takashi.yoshida@wmich.edu>. Media contact: Thom Myers, 269 387-8400, thom.myers@wmich.edu WMU News Office of University Relations Western Michigan University 1903 W Michigan Ave Kalamazoo MI 49008-5433 USA 269 387-8400 www.wmich.edu/wmu/news