Otaku News

Solo Leveling London Cinema Screening Details

Date: 2023 November 29 20:34 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from streaming giant Crunchyroll have sent us details about a special screening of Solo Leveling. Ahead of the series hitting the streaming service in January, you can catch a premiere screening of the first two episodes at Cineworld Leicester Square in London on Wednesday 13th December 2023.

Solo Leveling is a Korean manhwa and is adapted into an anime series by A-1 Pictures (who are responsible for Sword Art Online, Black Butler and Fairy Tail to name a few of their titles).

Tickets are on sale now on Eventbrite.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

Reminder: City String Ensemble Anime Music Performance in London

Date: 2023 November 27 20:25 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Update: Due to unforeseen circumstances circumstances the Best of Anime Concert has been rescheduled to Saturday 3rd February 2024. All tickets for the December event will be valid for the February 2024 one automatically.

They intend to prepare a new set including music from Ghibli's latest movie The Boy And The Heron.

Just a quick reminder to our readers who can get to London this weekend. On Sunday 3rd December 2023 City String Ensemble will be performing their City String Ensemble: Best of Anime which is set to run at EartH (Evolutionary Arts Hackney).

We've announced the event before and interviewed Sophie Poteratchi, the founder and violinist of City String Ensemble about the up coming event.

We've heard anime music played by live string quartets before and it is something special. If you're a fan of anime music or classical music, there's plenty to enjoy.

It's also worth noting just across the road from the venue on the same day the Yokimono Japanese Christmas Market will be running, which promises all sorts of food, crafts and performances, so you can make a day of Japanese culture!

Souce: City String Ensemble

Godzilla Minus One UK and Ireland Cinema Release Details

Date: 2023 November 22 20:56 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks from Anime Limited have just got in touch to tell us about their upcoming cinema release. Godzilla Minus One will burst into cinemas, IMAX, 4DX, Screen X and Dolby Cinema across the UK and Ireland from Friday 15th December 2023.

Toho's latest incarnation of the worlds most well known giant reptile sees mass destruction across a post-war setting. It's being pitched as one of those films best enjoyed on the big screen.

To find a cinema near you showing the movie visit godzillafilm.co.uk.

Makoto Shinkai's Suzume Hits Crunchyroll from 16th November 2023

Date: 2023 November 13 20:49 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from streaming giant Crunchyroll have sent us news that Makoto Shinkai's latest movie Suzume will be available on the streaming platform from Thursday 16th November 2023.

The director is best known for anime box office smash hits Your Name and Weathering With You. Suzume is his latest offering in with the titular character must travel around various ruins across Japan closing doors that are the cause of devastation. The film went on to gross over $300 million worldwide during its initial theatrical run, making it the fourth highest-grossing anime film of all time.

If you want to know more about the movie you can read our spoiler free Suzume movie review or our interview with Makoto Shinkai about the film.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

A Night at the Kabuki Streaming Details

Date: 2023 November 09 20:55 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Fans of Kabuki, Shakespeare and Queen are in for a real treat as Sadler's Wells, A Night at the Kabuki is to be streamed live on Friday 17 November 2023 and available to watch until Thursday 30 November 2023.

A Night at the Kabuki, the acclaimed Japanese stage production inspired by Romeo & Juliet set to the songs of Queen, Transported from the original setting of 14th century Verona, Italy, this production takes place in late 12th century Japan at the start of the Samurai era where the rivalry between the Minamoto and Taira clans intensifies after their young heirs Romeo and Juliet fatefully fall in love.

The stream will be available globally as is priced at JPY ¥4,000/£21.64/€24.90. Visit Stagecrowd for the livestream on Friday 17th November at 03.00 GMT (12:00 JST) - the recording will be available until Thursday 30th November 14.59 GMT (23.59 JST). You'll be able to watch the stream live and then as many times as you like while it's available until the Thursday deadline.

Attack on Titan Concludes on Crunchyroll

Date: 2023 November 03 17:23 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Remember remember the 5th of November as that's when Attack on Titan Final Season The Final Chapters Special 2 will be arriving on Crunchyroll. The epic conclusion to the colossal series will be available on the streaming service from 5th November 2023 in the UK and over 200 countries and territories around the world.

This will conclude the anime series, which has been running for 10 years now! Based on the hit manga (with over 100 million volumes sold worldwide) it tells the tale of Eren Jaeger and his friends who live inside the towering walls of a fortified city. The last of humanity survive behind the safety of the walls as outside roam man eating titans. Eren's life goes downhill when titans bust into his part of the city and chaos ensues.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

Crunchyroll and Bershka launch a Junji Ito Clothing Collection for Halloween

Date: 2023 October 26 20:04 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

The good folks from anime streaming giants Crunchyroll have just got in touch to tell us about their latest collaboration with Bershka to launch a Junji Ito Collection Capsule just in time for Halloween. The renowned manga artist is famed for his monochrome horror, especially around spirals, seemingly beautiful ladies and odd balls school boys who are obsessed with metal nails.

The macabre range is available online and in select Bershka stores from 28th October 2023. They've got an horrific range of shirts, jumpers, a hoody and other street fashion. There's some fun accessories too including a great crossbody bag, and a beanie hat. However the press release doesn't state the greatest bit of official merchandise yet. Junji Ito branded socks. You heard it. This isn't a typo, licensed socks from the master of manga horror. So you can wear them to work and go unnoticed or even better, gift them to someone as socks are always an excellent gift.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

An Interview with Sophie Poteratchi of City String Ensemble

Date: 2023 October 25 19:53 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Features

With the City String Ensemble due to play a special 2 hour Best of Anime performance this December, we thought it would be a good idea to find out some more details. We got in touch with Sophie Poteratchi, the founder and violinist of City String Ensemble to find out more. Sophie tells us she loves performing music from numerous genres despite her classical training. "It is my vision to find more immersive and innovative ways to perform music from modern culture and in turn inspire audiences to come and watch a "classical concert" which is usually associated with instruments like the violin etc."

It's not every day you get string quartet performing anime tunes in London, why not read our interview with Sophie to find out more!

Machine as a Hero? Unfolding Japanese Mecha-Anime Talk by Fujitsu Ryota

Date: 2023 October 21 11:51 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The good folks at the Japan Foundation London and Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival have got in touch to tell us about a online talk they'll be hosting. Machine as a Hero? Unfolding Japanese Mecha-Anime by Fujitsu Ryota is set to run on Friday 10th November 2023 at 18:30 GMT. The online talk hosted on Zoom, is free to attend, but registration is required.

It Takes Two Tomorrow, Too Volume 1

Date: 2023 October 13 22:09 | Posted By: Joe

It Takes Two Tomorrow, Too is getting its English-language release on October 17th by One Peace Books, and it's a slice of life as warm and crumbly as a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie. Office employees Yuya and Rio decided to move in together after a year of dating. Thus opens the curtain on their new life: a web of work and social obligations, weathering major and minor storms both serious and silly, always together.

Created by Suzuyuki, this adorable manga went viral on Twitter for its subtle humor and realistic yet heart-squeezing scenarios. The manga is brought to life in English by veteran translator Emily Balistrieri (Tatami Galaxy, I Belong to the Baddest Girl at School).

Crunchyroll Reveal UK DVD and Blu-ray Release Line-up for October to December 2023

Date: 2023 October 05 20:08 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from streaming giants Crunchyroll just sent us the line up for their UK Q4 2023 home video release schedule. They headline with Chainsaw Man, My Dress Up Darling, Classroom of the Elite, Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, which all get released on Monday 4th December 2023, along with Overlord IV which gets a release on Monday 20th November 2023.

For the end of year blu-ray and DVD line up, they've got pretty something for everyone, including some perfect holiday gifts. We're most excited about getting Chainsaw Man on Blu-ray as we enjoyed extremely violent anime, while we're also looking forward to My Dress Up Darling, which is almost the polar opposite of Chainsaw Man, as it follows the (fan service heavy) story of a cosplayer and a costume maker for dolls teaming up to make the perfect cosplay, it's saccharine, with a bit of slice of life along with amusing moments as they dance around the fan service, this is one of the many reasons it proved and instant hit.

Don't forget about The Girl from the Other Side, the anime version is a bit different from the manga, but still follows the dark fairy tale themes of a girl and her goat skull like headed carer. It's out from Monday 2nd October 2023 (so out now).

If you're looking for some comic relief you can get it in bucket loads from the Konosuba Legend of Crimson - Movie which is out Monday 4th December 2023.
You'll be able to buy the titles from the usual places, Amazon, Zavvi and HMV stores.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

Evangelion:3.0+1.01 Thrice Upon a Time UK and Ireland Cinema Release Details

Date: 2023 October 04 19:30 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from Anime Limited have just sent us a reminder that Evangelion:3.0+1.01 Thrice Upon a Time will hit select cinemas across the UK and Ireland from Friday 6th October 2023.

It's the epic conclusion of the Rebuild of EVANGELION. It's also out on home video at the end of the month.

If you're familiar with Evangelion, but haven't seen it, you should take the chance to see it on the big screen! To find a screening near you and book tickets visit https://evangelion.alltheanime.com.

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Streaming Review

Date: 2023 September 29 14:07 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Features

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End is now available on streaming giant Crunchyroll. We were lucky enough to get access to an official preview screening to review ahead of time. Is the show any good? Is it worth watching? Well read our review and find out.

Japan Matsuri London October 2023 Reminder

Date: 2023 September 26 16:45 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

London based fans of Japanese culture looking for something to do this Sunday 1st October 2023 will want to head over to Trafalgar Square for the Japan Matsuri.

The event opens at 10:00 and is set to run into the evening with the last event billed at 18:55. Along with Japanese culture events on the main stage, the area in Trafalgar Square is surrounded by various Japanese food stalls and stalls selling Japanese merchandise along with a few organisations promoting various aspects of Japanese culture.

This is the 13th run of the event. It returns for the first time in 4 years after having to take a break due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

The event is free to attend, no tickets or advance booking is required.

Souce: Japan Matsuri London

Crunchyroll Autumn 2023 Streaming Line Up

Date: 2023 September 25 19:55 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from anime streaming giants Crunchyroll have sent us details of their upcoming Autumn 2023 anime season. Content wise they'll be bringing everyone over 50 new, returning, and continuing series.

We're most excited about Frieren: Beyond Journey's End which gets released on Friday 29th September 2023. It tells the story of an elf mage at the end of her adventure and has to come to terms with her human comrades settling down after their heroic quest, while she has a significantly longer lifespan. Along with more Dr. Stone. Other fan favourites including One Piece return, plus Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2.

One that might go under your radar is Under Ninja (based on the manga by the same name), in a world where ninja still exist in Japan.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

City String Ensemble Anime Music Performance in London

Date: 2023 September 21 17:22 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The good folks from City String Ensemble have sent us details about an up coming performance. City String Ensemble: Best of Anime which is set to run at EartH (Evolutionary Arts Hackney) in London on Sunday 3rd December 2023.

They promise an evening of iconic melodies from Studio Ghibli to the adrenaline-pumping beats of Attack on Titan. To get a feel for their performances take a look at their Eventbrite listing which includes links to their Spotify Anime EP along with some other samples on their YouTube Channel.

We've heard anime music played by live string quartets before and it is something special. If you're a fan of anime music or classical music, there's plenty to enjoy.

World Premiere Screening of My Hero Academia Season 6 at NYCC 2023

Date: 2023 September 20 19:59 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Streaming giant Crunchyroll have sent us details of the World Premiere Screening of My Hero Academia Season 6. The original episode UA Heroes Battle will be shown at New York Comic Con 2023 on Friday 13th of October 2023.

This early, exclusive world preview will feature the English dub and will be available to NYCC attendees before it is screened in Japan.

In this special episode the cast play a card game U.A. Heroes Battle that the support course made. In a useful tie in e, Crunchyroll will be giving away limited edition character cards at the screening provided by UVS Games that are based on the new original episode and playable with the My Hero Academia Collectible Card Game. In our mind this is a plus ultra promotion.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

Sputnik Sweetheart Stage Play Details

Date: 2023 September 12 16:59 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

We've just received news from Arcola Theatre and the Japan Foundation who are presenting Sputnik Sweetheart. Based on Murakami's novel it tells the story of love and loneliness, with a detective story thrown in. Sputnik Sweetheart is about Sumire, a young Japanese writer who can't find the words to write, and her friend K's search for her when she goes missing on a Greek Island.

It's been adapted for the stage by Tony Award nominee Bryony Lavery and Tony and Olivier Award nominee Melly Still, running at Arcola Theatre in London from Thursday 26th October until Saturday 25th November 2023.

Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival 2023 Details

Date: 2023 September 09 17:31 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival will return this autumn 2023. Wale's premier event for Japanese anime is set to run 30th September - 1 October 2023 Chapter Cardiff, 20th - 22nd October 2023 Aberystwyth Arts Centre and 10th - 16th November 2023 Pontio Bangor.

You can see the details for each venue on the programme page. Highlights this year are the truly fantastic The First Slam Dunk, the Liz and the Blue Bird, Miss Hokusai and many more.

It Takes Two Tomorrow, Too Manga Release Details

Date: 2023 September 09 12:39 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good folks from One Peace Books have just sent us details for an up coming manga It Takes Two Tomorrow, Too. Created by Suzuyuki the slice of life manga is due out on October 17th 2023. It's being pitched as a as warm and crumbly as a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie. After a year of dating office employees Yuya and Rio move in together. The manga chronicles their new life together.

The manga originally went viral on Twitter. It's being translated by Emily Balistrieri (Tatami Galaxy, I Belong to the Baddest Girl at School).

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