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Tokyo City Promotion in London
Date: 2010 January 29th Friday [8:49] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Events
In London this weekend? Looking for something interesting to do? On Saturday 30th January to Sunday 31st January there will be a Tokyo Day. Aimed at promoting the Japanese city as a tourist destination the free event is divided into 3 zones. Traditional Culture, Experience Tokyo and Modern Culture.
The event will be held at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre near Westminster Tube station.
Opening hours are 10am to 6pm on Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sunday.
Original Laughing Man Creator Dies
Date: 2010 January 28th Thursday [17:14] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Culture
Author JD Salinger dies, aged 91. Anime fans who have seen Ghost in the Shell : Stand Alone Complex, will be aware of the Laughing Man. The Japanese producers of the series created the antagonist after being inspired by a short story by JD Salinger, which was called The Laughing Man.
The logo used in Ghost In the Shell : Stand Alone Complex also references Catcher in the Rye, his best known work.
Cosplay Valentine's Day Party in Central London
Date: 2010 January 28th Thursday [16:48] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Events
Romantic cosplayers in London should head over to Peter Parker's Rock 'n' Roll Club, just three minutes away from Tottenham Court Road. The Grand Cosplay Ball will be hosting a special Valentine's Day Prom on February 14th.
The venue will be decorated for the romantic day. Tickets are £4 online or £6 at the door.
AmeCon 2010 Website Launches
Date: 2010 January 25th Monday [17:09] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Events
UK anime fans should mark the dates Friday 13th to Sunday 15th August 2010 in their diaries. As this is when AmeCon will return. The successful UK anime convention will open for registration on Monday 15th February 2010. They'll be at a new location this year - Keele University in Staffordshire.
Registration will cost £45 for the full 3 days. The registration fee does not include accommodation, food and drink. They'll take payment through Credit and Debit Card using Google Checkout, alternatively you can also post a cheque to them.
As always with popular conventions we advise you book early to avoid disappointment.
DVD Horror Stories
Date: 2010 January 24th Sunday [15:51] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Anime > DVD
For a change, here's a little horror story that will make some anime fans cringe and check their collection, and others not even blink.
Japanese Maid Show January 24th 2010 in NYC
Date: 2010 January 24th Sunday [9:34] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Events
Fans of Akiba culture in NY should head over to Top Tunes Karaoke Bar on January 24th 2010 where Japanese Copsplay Singer Reni will perform anime songs and J-Pop.
Eat the Samurai way, this May
Date: 2010 January 21st Thursday [21:23] | Posted By: Voxie
Category: > Freaky Things
If you're feeling both feisty and hungry at the same time, why not satisfy those needs over your favourite bowl of udon? With samurai chopsticks!
Kotobukiya should be releasing them this coming May, and will no doubt be stocked up by many otaku shopping sites.
Dogs as fashion accessories
Date: 2010 January 18th Monday [17:21] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Culture
It's well know that cute things are popular in Japan. BBC News have an interesting article about dogs in Japan that are used as fashion accessories.
It highlights the lucrative business of doggy fashion and how papered the pups get well groomed in special beauty parlours (which isn't that uncommon in the UK and US).
The article has lots of pictures of dogs dressed up in clothes apparently dungarees are fashionable for dogs in Tokyo this year. It also points out that due to the declining birth rate in Japan dogs are said to outnumber children under the age of 10. As a result dogs are pushed around the cities in buggies instead.
It also briefly covers the trend of cat cafes where you can rent cats to pet by the hour.
Bento Boxes a big hit in the US
Date: 2010 January 13th Wednesday [17:00] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Cuisine
The New York Times has an interesting article about bento boxes becoming popular in the US.
The meals in a box have become popular in the US for a variety of reasons, apart from the novelty, it's also a great way for a balanced diet, getting all the right food groups in a box. Along with that, it's idea for portion control. The article also highlights how it helps small children who can be fussy eaters eat something healthy.
Manga Inspired Textiles from Ikea
Date: 2010 January 11th Monday [17:37] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Retail
A keen eyed Otaku News reader has sent us details about the latest range of IKEA Textiles. The flat pack furniture store is probably best known to otaku alike as the place to go to get Billy Bookshelves to store manga and stuff.
The website Ikea Fans has details about the new manga inspired IKEA Textiles.
Japanese Maid Show January 11th in NYC
Date: 2010 January 11th Monday [17:01] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Events
Fans of Akiba culture in NY should head over to Drom on January 11th 2010 where Japanese Copsplay Singer Reni will perform anime songs and J-Pop.
Snow Totoros all round!
Date: 2010 January 9th Saturday [10:21] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Fandom
While most of the world is caked in snow, numerous Otaku News friends and readers have sent us links of Totoros made of snow.
The most common one we got sent was this one on the site Epic Win FTW (from the same people behind I Can Has Cheezburger?) .
One keen eyed Otaku News reader also sent us:
A snow Catbus
dorkiicakes' snow Totoro
Temple of the wrong found a pair of snow Totoro
graout's snow Totoro
A huge selection of Snow Totoros can also be found on photographic sharing website Flickr.
Ghibli fans will know that the first snow Totoro ever made can been seen in the end credits of the original film.
Source: Otaku News
Jonathan Ross to leave the BBC
Date: 2010 January 7th Thursday [21:57] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Current Affairs
Jonathan Ross has announced he's going to leave the BBC. It's all over the entertainment section of the news, celebrity gossip news so why is it on Otaku News too? Well we're curious as to what he's going to do next.
Caitlin Moran TV Critic for The Times has made an interesting speculation -
"What most people don't seem to realise is that the documentaries he did on Japanese films, anime and cultish subjects were absolutely fantastic and I imagine he might want to go and do more of that."
Ghibli Films on UK TV on Saturday 2nd January 2010
Date: 2010 January 2nd Saturday [8:21] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Anime > TV
UK anime fans will want to sit in-front of the telly today (Saturday 2nd January 2010). BBC 2 will be showing Hayao Miyazaki's Oscar winning Spirited Away at 2pm. While Film 4 will be showing The Cat Returns at 3.25pm.
Film 4 can be see on:
Freeview Channel 14
Freesat Channel 300
Sky Channel 315
Virgin Channel 444
Source: TV Listings
Comiket 77
Date: 2009 December 30th Wednesday [7:30] | Posted By: Franki
Category: > Events
A man sits in the corner of the busy square caressing his gun then pointing it at a bunch of schoolgirls who shriek in excitement and begin flashing the cameras, while another man beside him dressed elaborately in leather swishes his cape to an amused crowd of photographers. Welcome to Comiket!
History Girls
Date: 2009 December 29th Tuesday [10:04] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Fandom
BBC News have an interesting video about History Girls in Japan. The video shows girls who like to cosplay has historical Japanese characters including shinsengumi the samurai police with distinctive blue and white uniforms. The girls with an interest in history are known as rekijo, or History Girls. Making it one of the buzz words for 2009
The article mentions it's more about fantasy than historical accuracy and highlights that many girls get into the historical side of things through games like Dynasty Warriors. They point out that historical men were more rugged than today's modern wimpy men too.
Japanese Christmas Show at shopping Mall in NJ
Date: 2009 December 16th Wednesday [16:50] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Events
Fans of Akiba culture in NJ should head over to Harmon Cove Outlet Center in Secaucus, NJ on December 20th 2009 where Japanese Copsplay Singer Reni will perform anime songs, J-Pop and her original songs.
It's free and cosplayers are more than welcome!
WOTA London Christmas 2009 Party
Date: 2009 December 11th Friday [18:11] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Events
London based fans of J-Pop, game and anime music mixes will want to head over to WOTA London on Friday 18th December 2009. The otaku party is all set for a Christmas special. They're at a different venue this time, Juno Shoreditch which is a 5 minute walk away from Liverpool Street Station.
It's set to run from 9pm until 3am, with a great line up of DJs.
Price is £4 (advance online) or £6 on the door.
Dress code is casual (cosplay optional).
Over 18's only (ID may be required).
UK Cosplay on NHK Tuesday 8th December
Date: 2009 December 8th Tuesday [17:03] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Anime > TV
UK Anime fans who can view NHK World will want to tune in or record imagine-nation on 11:30pm on Tuesday 8th December. The show has a special feature on anime fans in Britain. It focuses on the London Expo and a group of UK cosplayers.
Seven Bank to Discontinue ATM Services for Overseas-issued MasterCard Brand Cards
Date: 2009 December 8th Tuesday [16:40] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Current Affairs
A keen eyed Otaku News reader has sent us details about ATM services in Japan that will impact MasterCard users visiting the country.
Carrying cash is often very useful in Japan. Getting money out from an ATM can be difficult as not all banks accept western credit cards for cash withdrawal. The best place to withdraw money is often 7-Eleven using their Seven Bank ATM machines.
Due to changes in the terms and conditions from MasterCard, Seven Bank will no longer accept overseas-issued MasterCard brand cards as of December 14th. The bank is still accepting Visa, American Express, JCB, China UnionPay, Discover and Diners Club.
Santa Penguins of Matsue City
Date: 2009 December 8th Tuesday [4:17] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Freaky Things
BBC News have an amusing article about the Santa Penguins of Matsue City. The article includes a video of the 5 African penguins who parade around a local park in Santa costumes. The handmade costumes consist of a red cape, with small bell along with a white trim. The parade is due to take place everyday until Christmas. It's not every day you see cosplaying penguins! We wonder if they dress as Pen Pen for the rest of the year?
Looking for Anne wins Asian First Films Festival Awards
Date: 2009 December 7th Monday [17:13] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Anime > Film
Looking for Anne a Japanese feature film inspired by Anne of Green Gables has won the prestigious Asian First Films Festival Award in Singapore.
It's the first feature for Director Takako Miyahira. The film won best film and best director.
According to an Associated Press article -"The feature film 'Looking for Anne,' directed by 30-year-old Japanese film director Takako Miyahira, wowed the juries at the festival."
It's the first time a Japanese film has won an award at the festival which as been running for 5 years.
The film tells the tale of a 17-year-old Japanese girl's visit to a rural Canadian island to look for a Canadian World War II veteran who was her late grandmother's first love and had given her grandmother a book, Anne of Green Gables.
Kitacon Launches Christmas Gift Registration Packs
Date: 2009 December 1st Tuesday [0:01] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Events
UK anime convention Kitacon, have come up with a clever idea for a Christmas present - limited edition tickets to the event. Kitacon is set to run from the 26th to the 28th of March 2010 in Northampton UK. The gift of an anime convention sounds like a good idea to us! Although we do question their taste in bad presents. What's wrong with Tom and Jerry boxer shorts?!
Japanese Maid Show December 6th in NYC
Date: 2009 November 30th Monday [16:30] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Events
Fans of Akiba culture in NY should head over to Top Tunes Karaoke Bar on December 6th 2009 where Japanese Copsplay Singer Reni will perform anime songs and J-Pop.
Long hours and low pay the reality of being an animator in Japan
Date: 2009 November 23rd Monday [7:46] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Anime
An interesting article in the Wall Street Journal points out how much trouble the Japanese animation industry is in. The article mentions that anime is one of Japan's great cultural exports. However due to the shrinking population of Japan, there are fewer children, resulting in toy makers and sponsors being less willing to fund new shows.
It highlights that many leave the animation industry within the first 3 years, in order to get better jobs in the video games industry. 13 to 14 hour days appear to be common too, along with working weekends. It seems that 1 day off a month was common in the case of one employee at an anime studio.
"A survey conducted this year for industry executives showed that animators in their 20s made just 1.1 million yen ($11,000) a year on average, while those in their 30s earned 2.1 million yen."
There is light at the end of the tunnel, with companies actively recruiting staff instead of keeping them on as freelancers. The Japanese government too are supporting the industry by planning to increase spending on education and training young animators as well as allocating more funds toward film marketing.
There is a worry though that with competition from outsourcing overseas Japan's ability to cultivate creative talent will be reduced.
Barbican Ponyo Screening Reminder and 2010 anime lineup.
Date: 2009 November 20th Friday [17:40] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Anime > Film
We've been sent a reminder by nice the people at the Barbican in London about their Ponyo screenings. We've mentioned it before, however due to demand they've added another subtitled screening to the Saturday 28th of November at 5:30pm to the London Children's Film Festival 2009. The other two screenings sold out quickly, so we suggest you book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Please note that as it's a children's film festival, all adults must by accompanied by a child.
Those who can't take children to watch Ponyo with them will want to consider the screening on Thursday 26th November 2009 at 6pm. It sold out initially, but it seems that a few seats are now available again.
Excitingly the Barbican have also revealed their up coming 2010 anime screenings, which aren't yet on their website. The biggest highlight is Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone, which is scheduled for Tuesday 26th January 2010 at 8:30pm. Again we advise booking as soon as the tickets are available.
We're also keen on seeing The Sky Crawler, but that's not going to show in the Barbican until February. ^_^
Danny Choo to Collaborate with Cospa on T-shirt
Date: 2009 November 20th Friday [16:52] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Retail
The good folks from YesAnime.com have sent us some details about a new range of Cospa t-shirts made in collaboration with renowned otaku Danny Choo.
The t-shirt designs can be seen on Danny's website, and US readers can get them along with other great cospa t-shirts from YesAnime.com.
We only wish that Cospa had a UK stockist. Still you can always get TerraTag or Genki Gear t-shirts if you want to support UK anime inspired designs.
We must admit we're a bit jealous of Danny, we wish Cospa would make t-shirts with our mascot Miyuki. Still you can always download wallpaper of her instead.
Grand Cosplay Ball 2009 Details
Date: 2009 November 9th Monday [16:23] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Events
The good folks at the Grand Cosplay Ball have sent us the details for their 2009 event. It's set in the Clapham Grand in London. The special one evening event is set to run on Sunday 29th November 2009 from 7pm until 1am.
They've got a great line up of guests including cosplayer and Eurobeat singer Giorgia Vecchini, along with renowned cosplayer Yaya Han.
It's over 18's only, Tickets are £18. As always with these events we advise on booking early to avoid disappointment.
QC Anime-zing new Iowa based anime convention
Date: 2009 November 9th Monday [15:29] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Events
US based anime fans who can get to Iowa should add a new convention to their diary. Set for June 18th to 20th 210 at Bettendorf QC Anime-zing!, it's run by the Mindbridge Foundation a not for profit corporation dedicated to fans of fiction, fantasy and so on.
Professor Munakata at the British Museum
Date: 2009 November 6th Friday [16:33] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Events
Manga fans who can get to London will want to visit the British Museum from 5th November 2009 to 3rd January 2010 where in Room 3 they'll be a free exhibit of an exclusive manga title - Professor Munakata's British Museum adventure. It's great that the museum are doing this and it's an appropriate title as it's set in the venue that's showing it.
There's even a nice reading area where you can enjoy some manga.
The rise of Japan's girlie man generation
Date: 2009 November 6th Friday [11:48] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Culture
The Times has a fascinating article about the rise of Japan's 'girlie man' generation. Known as the herbivore generation these fashionable men turn away from the traditional life of the corporate salaryman. Not keen on drinking or expensive cars.
The article highlights that rather than grinding away at the work place they'd rather have a much more fulfilling life.
"They are thrifty and abhor consumerism."
"In every Japanese convenience store are special sections devoted to men's cosmetics, eyebrow shapers, packets of disposable wipes for dealing with sweat and body odor, skin whitener. The herbivores may not buy beer and cars but they spend on keeping themselves odourless, hairless and pale. Their clothes come from cheap, fashionable chains such as Uniqlo. This week, Shinya Yamaguchi, 23, a fashion designer, launches his latest collection of skirts and lacy tops - all aimed at men. Many of Japan's younger male celebrities, bands such as Arashi and actors like Eita, Teppei Koike and Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, project an effeminate, herbivorous look."
So is the herbivore the next stage of evolution for the bishie?
The world's best bike shed
Date: 2009 November 6th Friday [3:43] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Technology
Japan is often seen as the nation of innovation. The latest invention from Japan, the Bike Tree solves a common problem around the world. The Guardian reports about the world's best bike shed. Illegal parking of bicycles is a problem in Japan. Other countries have problems with bike theft. Steel company JFE Engineering have solved this problem. This invention works on a subscription basis you pay 1800 yen a month (about £12 GBP or $20 USD), your bike gets an electronic tag so the machine can read it. The machine then takes the bike and places it in it's stacking system. It works in a similar way to automated tape backup systems (think of a large robotic arm fetching an item).
This bike shed looks great and we hope it gets picked up around the rest of the world, it would solve the long term problem of bike theft!
MaiOtaku - Dating for Anime Fans
Date: 2009 November 5th Thursday [17:02] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Fandom
Otaku Dating sites seem to be all the rage at the moment. So we've discovered another dating site for anime fans MaiOtaku. They're pitching themselves as the OKCupid for anime lovers.
London Gets Shibuya Style Crossing
Date: 2009 November 2nd Monday [5:33] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Current Affairs
BBC News have an interesting article about a new crossing on Oxford Street in London.
The London shopping district now has a crossing inspired by the X style walk way. The most famous of which can be seen at Shibuya in Tokyo and is frequently filmed in documentaries that feature Japan.
The opening ceremony sounds like a lot of fun -
"In homage to its Far Eastern inspiration, the mayor will strike a two-metre high cymbal as Japanese musicians play taiko drums."
They even got cosplayers involved too -
"A giant X, in the form of 60m (196ft) of red ribbon will then be unfurled by devotees of cult Japanese Manga characters dressed in colourful costumes."
The London Mayor said the crossing was "a triumph for British engineering, Japanese innovation and good old fashioned common sense".
Oxford Street is frequently very busy with more than 200 million visitors a year and ideas like this help ease congestion at the bottle neck area of the tube station.
The BBC News Website has photos of the event you can even see a few cosplayers there too. ^_^
Update We've been sent some great photos of the opening ceremony.
WOTA London Gig in November 2009
Date: 2009 November 1st Sunday [16:13] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Events
London Fans of J-Pop, Vocaloid Songs, moe and anime music should head over to WOTA London on Saturday 21st November 2009, from 5pm to 10p, at the Freedom Bar in Soho, Central London.
This event is billed to support those otaku that loves otaku culture. Great for those who want to dance the night away.
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