The Hawaii International Film Festival has had some pretty nice treats for anime and manga fans over the years, and this year's edition is no exception.

The biggest news is that ”;Evangelion 2.0: You Can (Not) Advance”; will be making its English-subtitled U.S. debut almost four months after its Japanese premiere. The film, the second in the four-film “;Rebuild of Evangelion”; re-imagining of the original TV series, follows the events of “;Evangelion 1.0: You Are (Not) Alone,”; which had a limited run locally a few weeks ago.

The story of Evangelion pilots Shinji Ikari and Rei Ayanami and their roles in humanity's battle against the invading Angels continues with an old friend rejoining the fray (albeit with a new last name): Asuka Langley Shikinami.

Screenings will be at 9:45 p.m. Oct. 24 and 8:45 p.m. Oct. 25.

Some other films with anime and manga ties:

“;20th Century Boys”;: Three live-action films make up this adaptation of Naoki Urasawa's manga about a game among several boys in 1969 becoming terrifying apocalyptic reality at the turn of the century. The first two films were part of HIFF's Spring Showcase; the third film will be making its local debut.

Catch Part 3 at 6 p.m. Oct. 24 or, if you really want a movie mega-marathon — each one is more than two hours long! — watch them back to back to back Oct. 25, with Part 1 screening at 1:15 p.m., Part 2 at 4:15 p.m. and Part 3 at 7 p.m.

“;First Squad: The Moment of Truth”;: Get a Japanese anime studio (Studio 4C) to collaborate with Russian authors, and what you'd get is this, a tale of Russian and German armies hoping to harness supernatural powers to turn the tide of World War II. Screens at 10 p.m. Oct. 21 and 3:45 p.m. Oct. 23.

”;Gokusen the Movie”;: Kumiko “;Yankumi”; Yamaguchi is a nondescript math teacher who still manages to hold her own in a classroom full of delinquents ... mostly because she's the heir to a feared yakuza clan. The story, based on a manga series, was adapted into a live-action TV series as well as a 13-episode anime (the latter of which was released stateside by Media Blasters under its AnimeWorks imprint). Screens at 6 p.m. Oct. 16 and 2 p.m. Oct. 17.

”;Mai Mai Miracle”;: This story of third-grader Shinko, transfer student Kiiko and their magical journey into the Japan of 1,000 years ago is perhaps the most child-friendly of the bunch, and for good reason: Director Sunao Katabuchi also served as assistant director on Studio Ghibli's “;Kiki's Delivery Service.”; Screens at 3 p.m. Oct. 24.

All films will be screening at the Regal Dole Cannery Stadium 18 theaters. For more information or to buy tickets, visit http://www.hiff.org.

COSTUME PARTY

Halloween may be more than three weeks away, but Liliha Public Library's getting a head start on the fun with a special “;Teen Cosplay and Anime Movie”; event. Anyone age 12 and older is invited to come to the library from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Saturday for some anime and refreshments. Dress as a favorite anime or manga character for a chance to win a prize for the best male and female costumes. The library is at 1515 Liliha St.; for more information, call 587-7577.

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