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Calling All Cosplayers - The Hyper Japan Cosplay Award Needs You
Date: 2010 September 2nd Thursday [16:34] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Events
Are you a UK cosplayer and fancy a chance to win an expenses-paid trip for two to London? Or even the chance to win a luxury trip to Tokyo, including five nights in a 4-star hotel! Well Hyper Japan are offering those things.
(Terms and conditions apply).
The Art of Osamu Tezuka wins a Harvey Award
Date: 2010 September 1st Wednesday [16:46] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Culture
Helen McCarthy's book The Art of Osamu Tezuka: God of Manga has won a prestigious Harvey Award for Best American Edition of Foreign Material. Congratulations Helen!
Manga Impact Book Details
Date: 2010 August 30th Monday [11:16] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Press Releases
The good folks at Phaidon have sent us the details of their up coming book Manga Impact.
The book has 500 colour illustrations, 300 illustrated entries, and contributions from anime and manga experts such as Jonathan Clements and Tsugata Nobuyuki.
The book is due out November 2010.
Pre Order From Amazon.co.uk
Pre Order From Amazon.com
Fandom + Creativity + Recycling = Rannagandamu
Date: 2010 August 29th Sunday [9:01] | Posted By: Voxie
Category: > Fandom
What better icon for recycling than a Gundam model made from the plastic runners left out of Gundam model kits?
Japanese blogger hirotyun1000 has posted up a day-to-day diary on building his "Rannagandamu" (Runnergundam). Some of the runners were even donated by generous readers.
The recycling icon is currently on show at the Hobby Japan 2010 event happening this weekend
Anime director Satoshi Kon passes away
Date: 2010 August 26th Thursday [12:53] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Anime > Film
Acclaimed anime director Satoshi Kon passed away 2 days ago on 24th August 2010. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on 18th May 2010.
Satoshi Kon has directed several popular films which generally have a cerebral dream like element to them, where the imagination, dreams and reality all mix together. He directed the films Perfect Blue, Millennium Actress, Tokyo Godfathers, Paprika and the TV series Paranoia Agent. Satoshi Kon was working on a feature film called Yume-Miru Kikai, which is unofficially known as Dream Machine in English.
News of death spread like wild fire on the internet, with many anime fans expressing their sadness of his death.
Prominent food and bento blogger Makiko Itoh has translated Satoshi Kon's last words.
The New York Times also have a detailed obituary.
Anime expert Helen McCarthy points out that "at that age Miyazaki hadn't finished Totoro, Tezuka hadn't created Black Jack, Kurosawa hadn't made Yojimbo."
The Anime News Network have details from his wife.
The Guardian also has a good write up.
London Barbican Aspects of Japanese Cinema - October to December 2010
Date: 2010 August 20th Friday [14:44] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Events
London's Barbican has always been a great place to visit for fans of Japanese cinema with their monthly Japanimation screenings, but some fans may want to move into the arts centre from October to December as they'll be shown a whole host of Japanese films, anime and even a cosplay event! There's so much good stuff to see!
Movie buffs will be delighted to with the great range of movies.
There's so much to recommend here, we suggest you take a look at the full listing.
Shojo fans will be interested see the live action version of Nana on Thursday 21st October 2010 at 6pm.
Cosplayers will want to keep Saturday 6th November on 11.00pm – Kamikaze Girls screening and cosplay event.
Fans of cheesy movies will want to keep an eye on the 18 rated RoboGeisha showing at 7:30pm as part of the Halloween Shlockfest on Friday 29th October.
Beat Takeshi fans have a lot to look forward to on Sunday 14th and Monday 15th November 2010. They'll be showing Hana bi, Brother, Dolls and Zatoichi.
Those who enjoy classic Japanese cinema will enjoy the Akira Kurosawa season too.
Anime fans aren't left out either with a CLAMP themed screening of XxxHOLiC The Movie: A Midsummer Night's Dream and Tsubasa The Movie: The Princess in the Birdcage Kingdom – Tuesday 19th October 2010. As always resident expert and author Helen McCarthy will be on hand to introduce the movies.
As always with popular events we suggest booking early to avoid disappointment.
Scotland Loves Anime October 2010 - Film Festival
Date: 2010 August 10th Tuesday [16:55] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Anime > Film
Scottish anime fans will have a great selection of anime screenings to look forward to with the Scotland Loves Anime October 2010 Festival. Set to run in Glasgow on Friday, October 8th to Sunday, October 10th and Edinburgh Friday, October 15th to Sunday, October 17th as well as part of the DCA Discovery Film Festival in Dundee October 22nd-26th.
They've got a great line up films some classics and some new
GLASGOW - Glasgow Film Theatre:
Trigun: Badlands Rumble (UK premiere, HDCAM)
One Piece Strong World (UK premiere, HDCAM)
Summer Wars (Scottish premiere, Digital Cinema Print)
Redline (Scottish premiere, HDCAM)
Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva (Scottish premiere, Digital Cinema Print)
Cowboy Bebop the Movie (Special screening, 35mm)
EDINBURGH - Filmhouse Cinema:
The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya (UK premiere, 35mm)
Evangelion 2.0 (Special screening, Digital Betacam)
Summer Wars (Digital Cinema Print)
Trigun: Badlands Rumble (HDCAM)
One Piece Strong World (HDCAM)
Redline (HDCAM)
Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva (Digital Cinema Print)
Dundee - DCA:
Summer Wars (Digital Cinema Print)
They're all worth watching, but if you haven't seen them already we highly recommend Summer Wars, the Cowboy Bebop Movie and Evangelion 2.0. As always with popular events, we suggest booking as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Beckii: Schoolgirl Superstar at 14 - BBC TV documentary
Date: 2010 August 8th Sunday [12:34] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Anime > TV
We've mentioned the BBC covering Beckii Cruel before and BBC Three are set to cover the teen idol this week. Beckii: Schoolgirl Superstar at 14 focuses on the 14 year old school girl from the Isle of Man who is also known as Beckii Cruel a teen icon and internet sensation. It all started when she uploaded films of herself dancing to YouTube.
The hour long documentary forms part of the BBC Three Adult Season which explores the pressure of young people to grow up quickly and what it means to be an adult.
The documentary is set to broadcast this week on BBC Three at the following times:
Thursday 12th August 2010
21:00
Thursday 12th August 2010
23:45
Sunday 15th August 2010
23:15
Monday 16th August 2010
03:15
Update:
The BBC TV blog also has some background details on the making of the documentary.
British readers can now see the documentary on BBC iPlayer.
Harajuku Night in London August 2010
Date: 2010 August 6th Friday [16:57] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Events
Are you in London and like Japanese themed clubbing? Then head over to Proud in Camden on Tuesday 24th August 2010 from 7pm until 2am for the Harajuku! Autumn Ball 2010.
The popular event returns with a selection of live performances. As always with these events we suggest you book early to avoid disappointment.
Hyper Japan - London October 2010
Date: 2010 July 29th Thursday [14:30] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Events
October is shaping up to be the month for otaku in London. With the London MCM Expo at the end of the month. While at the beginning of the month a new event called Hyper Japan is set to run from Friday 1st to Sunday 3rd October 2010.
The event has a lot to offer with an Otaku Village set to cater to all your retail needs.
Cosplayers will be well represented too (they'll even get a chance to win a trip to Japan). There's also a cosplay talent search, competitions and other fun to be had if you like dressing up.
Japanese fashion magazine KERA will be there with fashion shows and style tutorials (the event is looking for models to take part).
Fans of angel fighting giant robots won't be disappointed either as they have a special Evangelion Store which will be selling some exclusive and hard to find merchandise.
Figure collectors might want to note that Good Smile will be there too! ^__^
As the people behind EAT-JAPAN are organising the event you can be certain that Japanese cuisine will be well represented too. with the EAT-JAPAN food court.
They'll also have lots of culture on stage too. You can book early to get a discount from the standard £8 entry fee. Children under 5 go free. As always we advise to book early to avoid disappointment.
New Purikura Wallpaper
Date: 2010 July 28th Wednesday [16:23] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Websites
We've just put up some new wallpaper based on the Purikura post cards we gave out last year. As is tradition the artwork was created by the talented Wing Yun Man.
Japanese Art Festival in Central London - August 2010
Date: 2010 July 27th Tuesday [15:05] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Events
Fans of Japanese culture in Central London will want to head over to the Japanese Art Festival at Conway Hall, Red Lion Square in Holborn. Set to run on Saturday 21st August and Sunday 22nd 2010. They've got kimono designer Yumi Yamamoto, Harajuku kawaii store 6% Doki Doki, along with a party on Saturday night with J-Pop Go!.
Eureka Seven: The Movie London Screening Details
Date: 2010 July 20th Tuesday [14:10] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Anime > Film
Anime fans in London will want to head over to the Barbican on Friday 24th of September 2010 to see their screening of Eureka Seven: The Movie. Resident anime expert Helen McCarthy will be at hand to introduce the feature.
As always with popular features, we suggest you book early to avoid disappointment.
Study Tour of Japan for European Youth 2010
Date: 2010 July 15th Thursday [14:13] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Culture
Are you European and interested in Japan? The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan is interested in hearing from young Europeans who are willing to participate in a 10 day group study tour of the country. The sponsored tour has some terms and conditions and is limited to up to 37 people. The tours will happen in November and December 2010. As it's not every day you can get a government sponsored trip to Japan, there are a few requirements.
Applicants should meet the following requirements:
1. European national
2. Aged between 25-35 (as of June 1st 2010)
3. Able to communicate effectively in English
4. Never previously visited Japan
5. Must not be a student
Apart from these conditions, you'll also have to send your CV, a cover letter, and a short essay on the subject of - "What would you do to strengthen the relationship between Japan and your country (Europe or EU)?"
The deadline for applications is Thursday 29th July 2010.
If you meet the entry requirements we strongly advise you to enter, this is an excellent opportunity to experience Japan.
More details can be found on the Embassy of Japan Website.
Low-tech Japan
Date: 2010 July 13th Tuesday [8:24] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Current Affairs
BBC News have an interesting article about the often unnoticed low-tech side of Japan. The article highlights some interesting points such as ATMs that close when the bank does and how lots of processes are still paper based.
Ni no Kuni to get western release.
Date: 2010 July 12th Monday [17:13] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Gaming
Fans of video games and Studio Ghibli will be pleased to hear that Ni no Kuni the RPG made by Level-5 and Studio Ghibli will be getting a western release. The lovely people at Kotaku have more details. They cite Joystiq.
Vent, celebrating 10 years of UDON
Date: 2010 July 6th Tuesday [13:56] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Retail
The good folks at Udon Entertainment have sent us details of their 10 year anniversary art anthology - Vent. Due to hit the shelves on September 15th 2010 the art book premiers this summer at the 2010 San Diego Comic-Con, along with an exclusive hardcover edition at the Udon booth.
Vent is available to pre-order from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk. UK readers should note that Amazon.com currently have it cheaper than Amazon.co.uk even after taking shipping into account.
High School of the Dead hits North America
Date: 2010 July 2nd Friday [19:41] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Anime > DVD
Want zombies with your anime? The good folks at Sentai Filmworks and Anime Network are willing to provide you with infected flesh eating monsters! Sentai Filmworks have the license for High School of the Dead. and will be releasing it subbed and dubbed throughout North America.
The Anime Network will also be showing the first and second episode from Monday July 5th to subscribers in North America.
The Anime Machine: An Illustrated Lecture at London's BFI Southbank
Date: 2010 June 23rd Wednesday [15:35] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Anime > Film
Fans of futuristic technology and anime who can get to London will want to head over to the BFI Southbank on Sunday 11th July 2010 for their special lecture on the world saturated with technology. Called The Anime Machine: An Illustrated Lecture by Thomas Lamarre it's set to start at 6pm. You can also get a joint ticket for a screening of Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence.
Fans of more tradional Japanese cinema will want to consider the BFI Southbank season of Akira Kurosawa and His Influence.
As always we advise booking in advance for such events to avoid disappointment.
Idle Idol - The Japanese Mascot
Date: 2010 June 23rd Wednesday [15:11] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Culture
Fans of Japanese street furniture, retail space and the quirky side of things will want to check out the new book called Idle Idol: The Japanese mascot. The authors have sent details about this book, which collates the plastic mascots found outside shops, restaurants and other places trying to draw the attentions of passers by.
Crunchyroll to stream Bleach an hour after Japanese Broadcast
Date: 2010 June 16th Wednesday [16:40] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Anime
The good people of Crunchyroll have sent us details about their new Bleach Simulcasts. Starting today (Wednesday June 15th 2010), premium members will be able to watch Bleach one hour after it's been shown in Japan on TV TOKYO. Regular non-paying members of Crunchyroll will be able to watch it a week later.
Bleach will be available on Crunchyroll in following countries areas - United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and South America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
Interview with Daisuke Ishiwatari and Toshimichi Mori the creators of the Guilty Gear and BlazBlue series
Date: 2010 June 13th Sunday [13:46] | Posted By: Dallas Marshall
Category: > Gaming
On the memorial day weekend at Fanimecon, a bay area anime convention in San Jose California, I had the privilege of sitting down with both Daisuke Ishiwatari and Toshimichi Mori of ARC System Works. The studio that brought you the Guilty Gear series and BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger and the soon to be released BlazBlue:Continuum Shift.
News in manga format
Date: 2010 June 11th Friday [8:58] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Current Affairs
Wired have an interesting article about news in manga format. The website newsmanga.com has current affairs explained in manga. The site employs more than 100 manga artists to cover breaking stories, updating 10 or 15 times a day. The site is in Japanese, but the Wired article has some translated and mirrored examples when you wave the mouse over the image.
Multi-National Manga Anti-Piracy Coalition Formed
Date: 2010 June 8th Tuesday [16:47] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Manga
Multi-National Manga Anti-Piracy Coalition Formed
We've received some very interesting details from VIZ Media about the formation of a Multi-National Manga Anti-Piracy Coalition.It seems that the industry has grown tired of Scanlations - manga scanned into a digital format and distributed without the copyright holders consent. The coalition include the 36 members of Japan's Digital Comic Association, Square Enix, VIZ Media, TOKYOPOP and Yen Press.
Originally scanlations were manga translated by fans into their native language from Japanese. This can be seen as the manga equivalent of anime fansubs. Some scanlation sites branched out to scans of manga that was already official translated and licensed outside of Japan.
This has cost the manga publishing industry significant amounts of money, not just in lost book sales, but lost opportunities in the relatively new market of eBooks and mobile devices.
The coalition intend to target scanlation sites and aggregators of scanlation sites. They've drawn up a list of 30 sites to targeted for action. First they will ask the sites to cease distributing scanlations. If the sites fail to cease distributing further action will be taken depending on the jurisdiction of each site. Actions include legal injunctions against the sites, reporting the sites to governmental anti-piracy units of law enforcement, including the US Justice Department, local law enforcement agencies and the FBI.
Fans curious about piracy in the anime and manga industry should read the Pirate Anime FAQ.
This is not the first time the anime and manga industry has attempted to stop piracy in the industry, but this is the biggest and most coordinated international effort so far. With many companies in the industry forced to make cut backs, closing down offices, laying off staff, we wonder if this is the start of a new approach? Will more companies pursue legal options? Are fansubbers next?
Video Games Live 2010 PBS Special Broadcast, DVD/Blu-ray and CD Details
Date: 2010 June 4th Friday [17:19] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Gaming
US fans of video games and the great music behind it rejoice. The nice folks at Videos Games Live have sent us details about the PBS Special DVD/Blu-ray and CD. The Bay Area will also receive a sneak peak on June 7th. The 90 minute Video Games Live special will be broadcast nationally across the USA. It premieres on July 31 and will air throughout August 2010 on PBS stations, so check your local listings.
Japanese Cosplay Singer Reni to perform in Baltimore
Date: 2010 June 2nd Wednesday [16:29] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Events
Baltimore based fans of Japanese Cosplay singers will be pleased to hear that Reni Mimura will be performing in Club Orpheus on Saturday June 26th 2010 at 9pm. This is part of the Pop Show Japan.
May 2010 London MCM Expo sees record attendance
Date: 2010 May 31st Monday [15:57] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Events
We've just been sent the attendance details from this weekends London MCM Expo. The 2 day event has surpassed it's previous attendance record, with over 41,000 visitors.
London MCM Expo win new world record for largest handheld game console party
Date: 2010 May 29th Saturday [13:21] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Gaming
We've got some news hot of the press from this weekend's London MCM Expo. As of today 29th May 2010, they've gained the world record for largest handheld game console party.
Damian Field - Official Adjudicator Guinness World Records said -
"It's a tremendous achievement for the MCM Expo to reach a number of 586 smashing the existing world record of 381. It's rare for a UK mass participation to reach over 500"
Congratulations everyone involved!
Naruto Shippuden Boxset 1 UK DVD release details
Date: 2010 May 26th Wednesday [16:56] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Anime > DVD
The good folks from Manga Entertainment UK have sent us details about the up coming DVD release of Naruto Shippuden Box Set 1. The box set contains the first 13 episodes of the adventures of a more mature Naruto.
It's due out on Monday 14th June 2010. You can pre-order it from Amazon.co.uk.
Soul Eater Part One UK DVD Release details
Date: 2010 May 26th Wednesday [16:35] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Anime > DVD
The good folks from Manga Entertainment UK have sent us details about the up coming DVD release of Soul Eater. Part one contains the first 13 episodes of the series. It's due out on Monday 28th June 2010.
You can pre-order Soul Eater Part One from Amazon.co.uk.
Manga Entertainment at the London MCM Expo
Date: 2010 May 26th Wednesday [16:03] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Retail
We've received details from Manga Entertainment UK about the great bargains they'll be offering over the weekend of 29th and 30th of May 2010 at the London MCM Expo. They'll have 50% off most DVDs including boxsets and Blu-ray titles, along with a £1 manga shop.
You'll also be able to pick up Sky Crawlers on DVD and Blu-ray a bit earlier too.
London Mobile Suit Z Gundam Movie Screening details
Date: 2010 May 25th Tuesday [16:14] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Events
London based anime fans will want to head over to the Barbican on Tuesday 20th July 2010 at 8:30pm for their screening of Mobile Suit Z Gundam: A New Translation - Heirs to the Stars. Resident anime expert Helen McCarthy will be introducing the film. As always, we advise that you book early to avoid disappointment.
Where not to mug someone - Outside ninja school
Date: 2010 May 23rd Sunday [11:49] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Freaky Things
BBC News have an amusing story about some muggers in Sydney, Australia who picked a victim outside of a ninja school. Three thieves were assaulting a German medical exchange student down an alley, when they were spotted by a pupil at the school. Instructed by their ninja master to take action the ninjas in training ran outside clad in black ninja gear and frightened the muggers. Two of the criminals were caught by the police, a third one got away.
The article doesn't mention what kind of ninjas they were and if they were wailing on their guitars, training for a fight with the local pirates, or doing chakra training.
Telling Tales - Sweatdrop Studios Anthology
Date: 2010 May 21st Friday [17:19] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Manga
The good folks from Sweatdrop Studios have sent us the details of their new anthology - Telling Tales. The collection of fables, fairy tales and other ripping yarns is bound to be of interest. The book is priced at £6.99 and is due to launch at the May London MCM Expo 2010.
Ponyo UK Pre-orders
Date: 2010 May 17th Monday [4:12] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Anime > DVD
UK based anime fans should take note that Ponyo is out in 3 weeks on Monday 7th June 2010. Amazon.co.uk already has pre-orders. There are several editions available. Prices range from about £18 for the deluxe edition down to £11 for the regular edition.
Ponyo DVD – 2 Disc Edition
Ponyo Blu-ray + DVD Combi Pack
Ponyo Deluxe Edition Blu-ray + DVD Combi Pack
Ponyo DVD 1 Disc Edition
The deluxe edition comes with postcards and a sticker sheet.
Play.com also have each edition £1 cheaper than Amazon.co.uk. However, Amazon.co.uk have a pre-order price promise. Meaning that they should match Play's price.
Source: Otaku News
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