Category > Anime
While lock down has impacted events for anime fans around the globe there is a good range of virtual events cropping up. Up this weekend is Cloud Matsuri. Set to run online from Saturday 30th to Sunday 31st May 2020, the event will play host to top Japanese industry figures along with UK based and US anime firms.
You can access all the streams for the event for free with details to do so via Cloud Matsuri's website.
Read More... | Souce: Cloud Matsuri
Category > Anime
It's the start of convention season, while events are inevitably being postponed or cancelled due to COVID-19 online events are becoming a sensible alternative and Anime Limited are stepping up with their buddies to launch Cloud Matsuri.
The virtual convention is set to run on Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st May 2020. The event is completely free.
The show will feature exclusive interviews and talks with special guest from the world of anime and more.
They're hinting that there will be more guests to announce, but the line up they're showing us at the moment is fantastic with Eunyoung Choi - CEO & Executive Producer, Science SARU (most recently responsible for the fabulous Keep Your Hands off Eizouken). Eiji Inomoto President & Founder, Studio Orange. The CG specialists created Land of the Lustrous and Beastars. Shuzo Shiota president of Polygon Pictures (who are involved in Knights of Sidonia and AJIN: Demi-Human to name a few). They'll also have Yasuhiro Kamimura CEO of GroundWorks Co., Ltd who will talk about his career to date and share stories with managing the Evangelion brand.
Read More... | Souce: Cloud Matsuri
Fans of Chinese Cinema based off Japanese Manga will be interested to hear about Animal World.
The high-profile Chinese live-action cinema feature produced based on Nobuyuki Fukumoto's manga Tobaku mokushiroku Kaiji ("Gambling apocalypse Kaiji") about no-good lowlife Kaiji Ito, whose involvement with gambling and loan sharks land him in seemingly hopeless situations but who, under pressure, displays a remarkable insight into how to manipulate his way out of them - only for his gambling to inevitably lead him to fall into yet another one.
This latest, rather loose adaptation stars Li Yifeng as the protagonist, renamed Zheng Kaisi, with Zhou Dongyu and a special appearance by Michael Douglas, is written for the screen and directed by Han Yan Animal World (动物世界 Dòngwù Shìjiè). Trailers and other promotional videos, some with English subtitles, are available at UK-based distributor Cine Asia's YouTube channel.
Special thanks goes to Jordan Scott for bringing this to our attention and send us all the details
Read More... | Souce: Animal World Website
Category > Press Releases
It's almost time for the MCM London Comic Con! It hits this weekend from Friday 27th October to Sunday 29th October 2017 at London's Excel Centre. Traditionally we post news about what's happening at the event, but this time we're going to post something about the MCM Comic Con itself. MCM Comic Con have been acquired by ReedPOP, the world’s largest producer of pop culture events.
ReedPop are boutique group within Reed Exhibitions, part of RELX Group who are behind events such as New York Comic Con. The press release states that its impact will begin to be seen and felt on all 2018 events. What this impact means exactly remains to be seen.
Forbes have an interesting analysis of the acquisition and the article quotes "Right now we are still in the discovery stage of really getting to know the MCM team and their shows so I don't want to make any assumptions [about operational changes]," said Lance Fensterman, Global Head of ReedPOP.
From a business perspective, if you're looking to gain new markets internationally it makes sense to buy an existing established business. If you're looking to set up a Comic Con in the UK why compete with the biggest when you can become the biggest by buying it? It also means you'll get an established team of event runners. You can observe what they do well and fold it into your other operations too.
Having attended MCM events for years now, we've noticed how they will refine and tweak things to make them better for attendees. Last London Comic Con in May 2017 they had to change the whole entry process and include bag and security checks following the tragic attack in Manchester. They did this at very short notice, we believe they made it work well and whoever was working behind the scenes to make this happen did a stunning job.
MCM London Comic had a over 130,000 people attending the event in May 2017 alone. We must admit we're curious what ReedPop will do to the event.
Read More... | Souce: ReedPOP
Category > Events
Readers in LA who are fans of renowned creepy-kawaii manga artist Junko Mizuno will want to head over to Gallery Nucleus on Saturday December 17th, 2016 for the opening reception of her new exhibition. Junko Mizuno's second Japan-themed art show will run from December 17th, 2016 to January 8, 2017.
Admission to the opening reception is free, booking is required. As always with popular events, we advise booking early to avoid disappointment.
For those looking to find out more we interviewed Junko Mizuno last time she was in London.
Read More... | Souce: Junko Mizuno
Category > Features
It's not often you get to see behind the scenes of the anime industry and find out what it's really like. This week the Japan Foundation in London hosted a talk called Inside The Industry: Anime.
The event brought together:
Hirokatsu Kihara who worked at Studio Ghibli before becoming a best selling author.
Michihiko Suwa who works as Chief Producer at the Animation Department of Yomiuri TV and credits include Detective Conan (aka Case Closed) anime.
Aya Suzuki a British/Japanese Layout artist, 2D Character/FX animator and occasional animation lecturer. Projects worked on include (but are not limited to) Hayao Miyazaki's The Wind Rises at Studio Ghibli, plus Mamoru Hosoda's Wolf Children.
Stephen Cavalier acted as chair, bringing his two decades experience in the animation and games industries along with authoring a book on The World History of Animation
The event ran on Monday 13th July 2015. It was free to attend and it was so popular there was waiting list. The audience was a mix of anime/manga fans along with animation students and animation industry professionals.
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News
Category > Cuisine
We've covered maid cafes before in both New York and London, but until now they've all been pop-up cafes set to run for a single day or weekend at time. We've been sent some interesting details about New York's first dedicated Maid Cafe, called Maid Cafe NY. It opens on Sunday August 18th 2013 at 150 Centre Street, Downtown, NY. The grand opening is set to run from 11am to 3:30pm.
Read More... | Souce: Maid Cafe NY
Category > Production
The good folks from Bang Zoom Entertainment have sent us details of an open audition they'll be holding for an up coming anime title. The auditions will be held at Anime Expo 2013 from July 4th-7th 2013. The anime title up for audition is yet to be revealed. They will be in search for talent with a variety of voices.
It's not every day you get a chance to audition for an anime voice acting role and be a part of the anime industry! It should be noted that Bang Zoom have been involved with a lot of major anime titles. Recent credits include Sword Art Online and Blue Exorcist.
Read More... | Souce: Bang Zoom Entertainment
Category > Events
US based readers who can get to San Francisco should get ready for the 2013 J-POP Summit Festival. It's set to run in Japan Town in San Francisco on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th July 2013.
Get ready for weekend of Japanese Harajuku Fashion Culture, street styles and kawaii!
Read More... | Souce: J-POP Summit Festival
Category > Events
Fans of hentai at New York Comic Con have a rare opportunity to meet one of the most influential and controversial manga artists Toshio Maeda. Creator of the the renowned Urotsukidoji and La Blue Girl has his own stall at the hugely popular event. He'll be selling uncensored original artwork. We've been told by those who have seen this artwork that it is beautiful and photos / screen shots just don't do it justice. That and well, if you're going to buy hentai artwork, buy it from the most influential creators!
Even if you don't buy anything, if you go along to his table and say that you are "Otaku News Fans", Tosho Maeda will give you a small free present!
New York Comic Con runs from October 11th to 14th 2012.
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News
Category > Events
Japanese J-pop girl Berryz Kobo to perform at US convention AnimeNEXT on 6-8th of June 2012. The band wants fans to pick one of their songs to headline their concert at the convention.
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News
Category > Events
Toshio Suzuki, on Studio Ghibli's behalf, will accept an honorary degree from the Rhode Island School of Design in June 2012 with a Q & A session, along with Ghibli film screenings.
Read More... | Souce: Nausicaa.net Mailing List
Category > Events
Fans of J-Rock Band Stereopony will be pleased to hear about their upcoming US tour.
They'll be at the following venues -
Tuesday April 10th 2012 Slim's San - Francisco
Wednesday April 11th Key Club - Hollywood Los Angeles
Thursday April 12th 2012 YOST Theater - Santa Ana
Read More... | Souce: Stereopony Offical Facebook Page
Category > Events
The AM2 Convention in Anaheim in California is set to return in 2012 with more guests.
Read More... | Souce: AM2 Convention
Category > Events
San Francisco based readers looking for something to do this weekend (Saturday August 27th and Sunday August 28th 2011) will want to head over to J-Pop Summit Festival 2011. They'll also debut of the Hatsune Miku Arcade Game which has been shipped in from Japan especially.
Read More... | Souce: New People
Category > Events
New York fans of fans of singing cosplay maids will be pleased to hear that Reni will be performing on Sunday June 26th , 12pm Amber Village NY, 432 6th Avenue (9th & 10 St). There's a $15 at Door charge, $10 in Cosplay.
They've also got a special guest this time around, geek stand up comedian Uncle Yo.
Read More... | Souce: Reni\'s Blog
Category > Events
US readers who can make it to Anaheim, California should head over to AM2 on July 1 to 3 2011 get a chance to view a special Passport holders only screening of Mai Mai Miracle.
We've seen Mai Mai Miracle, and must say it is worth seeing, especially on the big screen. It's everything you'd expect from a high budget Madhouse production. It's one of those films screaming out for a Blu-ray release. It's a title making the effort to get out and watch. It's in instant classic.
Read More... | Souce: AM2
Category > Events
US fans of singing maids in cosplay are in for a treat, as Reni will be touring select venues in New York, along with dates in June for MA and VA. It seems that she's getting busy due to popular demand!
Read More... | Souce: Reni\'s Blog
Category > Events
Fans of singing cosplay maids in Boston MA, will be pleased to hear that Reni will be performing on Sunday May 1st 2011. From 12 Midday to 3:30pm. She returns due to popular demand to All Asia Bar - 334 Mass. Ave. Cambridge, MA 02139.
There's a $10 door charge, ($8 for cosplayers).
Read More... | Souce: Reni\'s Blog
Category > Events
Manga fans in Toronto Canada are in for a treat on the first weekend in May, where Natsume Ono will be the featured guest at The Toronto Comic Arts Festival 2011.
The event is set to run on Saturday May 7th 2011 and Sunday May 8th 2011 with free admission. This will be Natsume Ono first ever public appearance in North America.
You may know her from such works as not simple, Ristorante Paradiso, Gente, and House of Five Leaves.
Read More... | Souce: Toronto Comic Arts Festival
Category > Events
New York based fans of singing cosplay maids will be pleased to hear that Reni will be performing on Sunday January 23rd 2011. The venue will be Amber Village 432 6th Avenue New York, NY 10011.
There's a $12 door charge, ($10 for cosplayers).
Read More... | Souce: Reni\'s Blog
San Francisco anime fans are in for a treat this month, as VIZ Cinema will be screening the Evangelion movies, Evangelion 1.0: You Are (Not) Alone and Evangelion 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance. The January 2011 screenings are well worth going to if you can.
Evangelion 1.0 will be shown from Monday January 17th through to Thursday January 20th, while Evangelion 2.0 will be shown from Friday January 21st through to Thursday January 27th.
Read More... | Souce: VIZ Cinema
Category > Events
Fans of the music from Final Fantasy are in for a treat next year as the venues and dates for The Distant World music from Final Fantasy have been announced.
Returning to Chicago! First Ever Distant Worlds
"Marathon Final Fantasy Concert" June 26, 2011!
Tickets on sale now!
Distant Worlds in London!
November 5, 2011 at Royal Albert Hall!
Tickets on sale Dec 17, 2010!
Distant Worlds in Australia!
April 15 & 16, 2011 at Sydney Opera House!
Concert Tickets on sale now!
Meet and greet tickets on sale Dec. 17, 2010!
Souce: Distant Worlds
Category > Events
Fans of singing cosplay maids in Boston MA, will be pleased to hear that Reni will be performing on Sunday January 9th 2011. From 12 Midday to 3:30pm at the All Asia Bar - 334 Mass. Ave. Cambridge, MA 02139.
There's a $10 door charge, ($8 for cosplayers).
Read More... | Souce: Reni\'s Blog
The good folks from New People, Dark Horse Comics and NCM Fathom have sent us details about the world premiere of the live action version of GANTZ, which includes 325 US movie theaters. It's due to hit the big screen on Thursday, January 20th, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. CT / 6:00 p.m. MT / 8:30 p.m. PT.
For a complete list of movie theaters visit the Fathom Events Website.
Read More... | Souce: Fathom Events
Category > Events
NYC fans of Cosplay maid singing are in for a treat on November 20th 2010, as NHK World will be filming Reni's Maid Cafe show for their program Tokyo Fashion Express.
Reni's Maid Show and The Maid Cafe will be on Saturday November 20th on the 2nd Floor of Amber Asian Cuisine. 432 6th Avenue (9th & 10th Street) . There's a $12 door charge, or $10 if you're in cosplay (this does not include lunch).
We recently interviewed Reni at NYAF.
Read More... | Souce: Reni\'s Blog
Category > Events
New York fans of cosplaying maids, will want to head over to the NY Anime Festival which runs Friday October 8th to Sunday October 10th 2010. Singing cosplayer maid Reni Mimura will be performing on Saturday October 9th at Variant Stage from 5:30 – 6:00 pm
Read More... | Souce: Reni\'s Blog
Category > Events
New York City based fans of maids, moe and cosplay will want to keep Sunday September 19th 2010 free for Reni's Maid Show and Cosplay Cafe. From 12 Midday to 3pm.
2nd Floor of Amber Asian Cuisine on 432 6th Avenue (9th & 10th Street) .
Please note that there's a $12 door charge, which does not include the cost of lunch.
Read More... | Souce: Reni\'s Blog
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.
Read More... | Souce: Video Games Live
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.
Read More... | Souce: Reni\'s Blog
Category > Events
NY based fans of Japanese Cosplay Singing Maids will want to head over to the anime and Japanese Cultural event PJ "mini" Pop to see Reni Mimura . The event is set to run on Sunday May 23rd 2010 from 12:00 until 6:00pm at the The Dwyer Cultural Center in South Harlem.
Read More... | Souce: Reni\'s Blog
Fans of Japanese cuisine and film in San Francisco will want to head over to the U.S. Premiere of Eatrip on Saturday April 10th 2010.
"Eatrip explores the interpersonal relationships that food nurtures. This documentary includes interviews with actor Tadanobu Asano, singer UA, tea master Sen Souoku, and many others. It takes you on a journey throughout Japan to look at how life can be led optimally through the daily ritual of eating. To eat is indeed to live. Life is just an "eating trip" (eatrip)."
Read More... | Souce: VIZ Cinema
Category > Events
Fans of Japanese culture in Washington DC will want to head over to the Washington Sakura Matsuri on Saturday April 10th 2010. If you didn't need a reason to go already, everyone's favorite New York based Japanese Maid Reni will be there to give two performances.
Read More... | Souce: Reni Reni
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.
Read More... | Souce: Reni\'s Blog
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.
Read More... | Souce: Reni\'s Blog
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!
Read More... | Souce: Reni\'s Blog
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.
Read More... | Souce: Reni\'s Blog
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.
Read More... | Souce: QC Anime-zing!
Category > Events
Fans of Fans of Akiba culture in Pennsylvania will want to head over to Zenkaikon on November 7th to 8th 2009 to see Japanese Copsplay Singer Reni will perform anime songs and J-Pop.
Read More... | Souce: Reni\'s Blog
Currently all UK anime firms are revving up for the London MCM Expo on 24th-25th October 2009. Beez are no exception. Their stall will be in a different place than usual, they'll be teaming up with their corporate cousins Namco Bandai Partners.
They'll be holing a survey too, along with a give away as an incentive to fill it in. Plus they'll be selling some great titles on DVD too.
Read More... | Souce: Beez Entertainment
Category > Events
Fans of Akiba culture in NY should head over to Top Tunes Karaoke Bar on October 4th 2009 where Japanese Copsplay Singer Reni will perform anime songs and J-Pop.
Read More... | Souce: Reni
Category > Events
Fans of Akiba culture in NY should head over to Top Tunes Karaoke Bar on September 6th 2009 where Japanese Copsplay Singer Reni will perform anime songs and J-Pop.
Read More... | Souce: Reni
Category > Events
Here at Otaku News every now and then we're able to offer some great competitions. Today is no exception.
US based fans of J-Rock, who can get to a few choice venues in California, will be pleased to hear that we've got some tickets to give away to some great upcoming GLAY gigs.
Read More... | Souce: GLAY
Category > Events
Our New York City based readers who enjoy anime and maids should note that
Reni the Harajuku Akiba style cosplayer maid singer will be performing at the New York Anime Festival on Saturday September 26th 2009.
Souce: New York Anime Festival
Category > Events
US fans of J-Rock will be pleased to hear about VAMPS upcoming US tour this July and August 2009.
VAMPS is a group formed by HYDE from L'Arc-en-Ciel and K.A.Z from Oblivion Dust.
Don't forget to check out the official VAMPS website for more details.
Read More... | Souce: VAMPS
Category > Events
Los Angeles, California anime fans who haven't already marked July 2nd to 5th 2009 on their calendars may really want to do so now. Anime Expo have anime director Seiji Mizushima as their official guest of honor.
Read More... | Souce: Anime Expo
Category > Events
Our New York readers who like Maids, Akihabara style performance and J-Pop Music and will want to head over to Top Tunes on Sunday May 3rd 2009, to see Reni perform Anime songs and J-Pop in karaoke cosplay.
Read More... | Souce: Reni
Category > Events
Our New York readers who like J-Pop Music and Maids will want to head over to Top Tunes on April 5th 2009, to see Reni perform Anime songs and J-Pop in karaoke cosplay.
Read More... | Souce: Reni\'s Blog
Category > Events
We've received a press release that'll interest our readers in New York City, or who can get to the big apple on March 1st 2009. Top Tunes will be hosting a Japanese Maid Show.
Read More... | Souce: Reni\'s Blog
Category > Events
Fans of Studio Ghibli and those concerned with conservation will be interested to hear about the project to save Sayama Forest, which is also known as Totoro Forest. The project aims to auction off original artwork and sell a book with the collected art, in order to raise money to protect Sayama Forest.
"A fund-raising exhibition / auction to benefit the Totoro No Furusato National Fund, the Japanese non-profit foundation established by Oscar-winning filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki, which is leading efforts to preserve and protect the Sayama Forest. The auction will feature original art created by internationally-acclaimed artists in the fields of animation, comic books, and illustration."
Fans will have to travel to Pixar Animation Studio in Emeryville, California.
Souce: Totoro Forest Project
Category > Events
We've got some exciting news for American anime fans who can get to the 2008 San Diego Comic-Con International, where Tite Kubo the creator of Bleach will be making an appearance from July 25th.
Read More... | Souce: Viz