Otaku News

The Guy She Was Interested In Wasn't a Guy at All Kinokuniya Pop Up Event Details

Date: 2025 November 12 20:33 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

The good folks from Kadokawa Corporation have sent us details for a The Guy She Was Interested In Wasn't a Guy at All pop up event which will be held Kinokuniya Bookstores in Japan, North America, and Asia-Pacific Region. The event will start in February 2026 and run sequentially across all the participating regions.

We're told the pop up will have a wide variety of original merchandise featuring newly drawn illustrations of Mitsuki and Aya, as well as other illustrations from the comics. We really love The Guy She Was Interested In Wasn't a Guy at All and if you want to know more about what we think about it, then why not take a look at our manga review?

Maison Ghibli Launch Studio Ghibli Pop Up Shop In London

Date: 2025 November 10 20:54 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

We've just heard news that Maison Ghibli will be opening an exclusive pop-up shop in London for the next two months. Following on from their hugely successful shop at Hyper Japan this summer, the the official partner of Studio Ghibli in Europe and the United Kingdom will be setting up a pop-up shop in Knightsbridge from Saturday 15th November 2025 until Sunday 11th January 2026.

The shop will have all sorts of official Studio Ghibli merchandise from all the favourite films with Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service, Spirited Away and Howl's Moving Castle all being well represented. They'll have many other bits and bobs for fans of Studio Ghibli to buy too.

You can find the shop at 237 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, London, SW3 2EP.

Cosmic Princess Kaguya! Netflix Release Details

Date: 2025 November 08 09:22 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from Netflix have sent us details about their up coming anime release of Cosmic Princess Kaguya! The reimagining of Japan's classic folktale The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter. It's is due for release on Thursday 22nd January 2026.

This is Shingo Yamashita's debut in feature-length directing. Previously he's worked on the opening sequences for Jujutsu Kaisen Season 1, Chainsaw Man, and Urusei Yatsura. It's produced by Studio Colorido in collaboration with Yamashita's Studio Chromato.

Final Fantasy VII Remake director Naoki Hamaguchi at MCM Comic Con London October 2025

Date: 2025 October 27 09:09 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Press Releases

The good folks from MCM Comic Con London send us details of Final Fantasy VII Remake director Naoki Hamaguchi's appearance on Friday 24th October 2025. The director confirmed that part three of Final Fantasy VII Remake is going ahead, the team are indeed working at away at it. The release date is still unconfirmed.

Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Festival 2025 Details

Date: 2025 October 18 08:32 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The good folks from Dwango the company behind social media video site Niconico have sent us details of their Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Festival. Set to run in Ikebukuro, Tokyo from Friday 24th until Sunday 26th October 2025 it's one of Japan's largest events with over 20,000 cosplayers.

MCM London Comic Con October 2025 Details

Date: 2025 October 15 19:58 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The good folks from MCM London Comic Con have sent us details of their up coming October 2025 event. MCM London will run from Friday 24th until Sunday 26th October 2025. Anime fans have a lot to look forward to at the event including (but not limited to) on Friday Dandadan anime Director Fuga Yamashiro who will tell everyone about what it's like behind scenes of Momo and Okarun's paranormal adventures! On Saturday British Sumo Champions will make an appearance and a demonstration. While on all three days Demon Slayer English dub cast members Zach Aguilar (Tanjiro), Abby Trott (Nezuko) and Griffin Burns (Tokito) will be there for autographs and photo opportunities, along with making a stage appearance on Sunday.

MCM always has lots of other things for anime fans to do, including various stalls selling anime and manga, plus an active cosplay community.

Also don't forget MCM Birmingham is set to run on Friday 28th until Sunday 30th November 2025.

Brutus and Popeye Magazine English Edition Details

Date: 2025 October 08 20:02 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

Japanese Publisher Magazine House will be releasing their iconic magazines Brutus and Popeye in English as special editions. This forms part of Magazine House's 80th anniversary celebrations. The Japanese Fashion and culture magazines are two of the publisher's longest-running magazines. They prove popular with followers of fashion and culture, often they'll be imported by fans modern fashion to learn about the latest trends even if they can't read Japanese.

The English edition of Popeye will be of particular interest to manga fans as it contains some manga about the Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Skytree from panpanya who is best known for their manga An Invitation from a Crab and Guyabano Holiday.

Both Brutus and Popeye are now available at Kinokuniya stores, McNally Jackson SOHO (Prince Street), online at Amazon.co.jp and the Magazine House 80th Anniversary Site, as well as other retailers. Digital editions are also available through iOS and Android apps, as well as on Kindle.

Perfect Blue UK 4K Blu-ray Release Details

Date: 2025 October 04 08:48 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from Anime Limited have revealed the details of the home video release of Perfect Blue on 4K Blu-ray. Due out on Monday 8th December 2025, the set will include the film on 4K UHD SDR along with the film on regular Blu-ray which includes a series of Satoshi Kon lectures, and interviews. There's also Blu-ray featuring the full-length Satoshi Kon lecture (a full 117 minutes). This deluxe edition additionally includes a 132-page book featuring featuring artwork, design and an introductory talk about the film between director Satoshi Kon and Ms Luna Nagai. They've also bundled in a set of art cards and a quad movie poster.

The set will be available for pre-order from Anime Limited from 17:00 on Thursday 9th October 2025 at special price of £49.99, while it regularly retails at £79.99.

Don't forget the movie is also out in cinemas across the UK from Friday 10th October 2025.

Hypland and Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Streetwear Collection

Date: 2025 September 28 14:50 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

The good folks from streetware brand Hypland have sent us details of their upcoming Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Streetwear Collection. The official clothing range will be available from September 29 2025. The line includes t-shirts, gym shorts, hoodies, tote bags and tapestries all adorned with characters from Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. The line up includes not just Tanjiro and his pals, but Hashira and Demons too.

The limited edition range will be available from hypland.com, Hypland Pop-ups, and select partners.

Hyper Japan Manchester 2025 Details

Date: 2025 September 24 19:55 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The good folks from Hyper Japan have sent us details of their next event. Hyper Japan Manchester is set to run from Friday 14th to Sunday 16th November 2025 at Manchester Central.

This the Japanese Cultural event's first time in Manchester. It's been hugely popular in London and is the UK's biggest celebration of Japanese culture.

There will be over 180 independent artists and small businesses selling things of interest to fans of Japan. Performance wise they'll have Aya Hirano best known for roles in Death Note, Lucky Star, Fairy Tail and The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya plus J-pop singer-songwriter Miyuna, along with various other traditional Japanese performing arts.

They'll also have some nice hands on workshops lined up including Kintsugi where you repair broken objects to make them more beautiful, plus other classics such as Origami and Calligraphy.

You can visit https://hyperjapan.co.uk/manchester/ for more details.

Japan House London Announces Hyakkō: 100+ Makers from Japan

Date: 2025 September 20 08:51 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The good folks from Japan House London have sent us details of their upcoming exhibition. Hyakkō: 100+ Makers from Japan, which is set to run from Wednesday 3rd December 2025 until Spring 2026. It will showcase and celebrate Japan's contemporary craft. It be a great chance for fans of craft and design to see ever evolving Japanese crafts and how they tie into the everyday.

For those who also want a souvenir over 30 of the featured makers will have items in the Japan House London Shop.

Yu-Gi-Oh! x Fine Chaos Fashion Colab

Date: 2025 September 14 16:26 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

The good folks from Danish underground fashion brand Fine Chaos have sent us news of their latest collaboration. They've teamed up with Yu-Gi-Oh! to release a range of clothes, the first release is out now and includes a t-shirt with the Dark Magician design, a brighter Dark Magician Girl design, along with various accessories. This is the first phase of the release, with the next wave scheduled for release online on 9th October 2025.

Perfect Blue 4K UK Cinema Release Details

Date: 2025 September 13 11:00 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks from Anime Limited have sent us details of the up coming cinema release of Perfect Blue. The classic anime thriller will return to cinemas with a new 4K restoration from Friday 10th October 2025. A Deluxe Edition 4K UHD Blu-ray release will also follow later this year.

The press release for this describes it as one of the most influential films in anime history and it's well earned. The late Satoshi Kon's mind-bending psychological thriller will have you on the edge of your seat.

Satoshi Kon is well known for messing with his audience's minds in his movie. Perfect Blue is no exception It'll be well worth catching on a cinema screen if you can, it'll also make you concerned about pet fish.

If you want more Satoshi Kon goodness it should be noted that Anime Limited have another one of his great films Millennium Actress on sale for £9.99 on blu-ray.

An Interview with Hidemi Shiraki Editor in Chief of Young Magazine

Date: 2025 September 10 19:50 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Interviews

Following on from the announcement that Kodansha were going to release a special US edition of Young Magazine, we were keen to know more We got in touch with Hidemi Shiraki Editor in Chief of Young Magazine and interviewed him via e-mail. We talk about what seinen means to him and why Young Magazine is getting a US release now.

Detective Conan: One-eyed Flashback UK Cinema Release Details

Date: 2025 September 06 13:27 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks from Trinity CineAsia have sent us details of an up coming cinema release.Detective Conan: One-eyed Flashback is due to hit cinemas around the UK Friday 26th September 2025.

This marks Detective Conan (aka Case Closed) 28th annual feature film and the second UK national cinema release. The hugely popular detective series follows the adventures of a genius teenage detective who now has the body of child. He still solves mysteries despite this and gets into all sorts of adventures.

This movie features all the murder, action and investigation you'd expect from a Detective Conan adventure. Detective Conan: One-Eyed Flashback is currently the second-highest-grossing release of the year at the Japanese box office. It also celebrates the return of three beloved characters from the manga-the Nagano Prefectural Police's childhood friends Inspector Kansuke Yamato, Taka'aki Morofushi, and Yui Uehara.

An Interview with Yuki Wada Producer at Publisher Shogakukan

Date: 2025 September 06 10:37 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Interviews

After joining publishing powerhouse Shogakukan in 2001, Yuki Wada worked in the CoroCoro Comic editorial department and the Weekly Shonen Sunday editorial department before becoming editor-in-chief of manga app Manga One. He is currently a producer in the Universal Media Division and head of the XR Business Promotion Office, where he is involved in promoting new businesses such as NOVELOUS. We caught up with him over e-mail to find out what it's like being a veteran of the manga publishing industry.

Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! UK Blu-ray Release Details

Date: 2025 August 06 17:52 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

The good folks from Anime Limited have announced the UK Blu-ray release details for Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!. The much loved fan favourite tells the story of a group of girls ganging together to produce anime at a school club. The tale features lots of references to other anime and takes you on a voyage pre-production of imagination along the way.

From director Masaaki Yuasa (The Night is short, Walk on Girl, Lu Over The Wall, and so much more) this Science SARU production (the studio that brought you Dan Da Dan), is a love letter to anime and explains how anime is produced along with tricks of the trade. It's also noted for it's extremely catchy opening theme Easy Breezy.

Anime Limited will be releasing two editions of the series a collectors edition with all the goodies you've come to expect, along with a regular edition if you just want the anime. The Collectors Edition, has episodes 1-12 on two Blu-ray discs, with both the sub and dub versions available. It'll be housed in a shoebox style box, just like original Japanese Blu-ray box set release. It'll also include a 132-page storyboard book, a 60-page production book filled with character and episodic artwork design, plus an interview with director Masaaki Yuasa, two double sided A3 posters, and a series of four art cards. Along with, a replica of the milk bottle from the series, milk is not included, so lactose intolerant can enjoy the set. This big collectors edition will retail for £119.99, but if you pre-order it you can save £30 and get it for £89.99 instead.

The regular edition which includes episodes in a blu-ray case will retail for £39.99 and you can buy it for £29.99 if you pre-order it.

Pre-orders will open on Thursday 7th August 2025 with the sets due to ship on Monday 17th November 2025.

This show has been one of our favourites from the last few years, it's fun, it's silly and it really does capture the passion of enjoying anime.

Mobile Suit Gundam San Diego Comic Con 2025 Announcements

Date: 2025 July 29 19:11 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks at Bandai Namco Filmworks Inc revealed some news for Gundam Fans at San Diego Comic-Con 2025.

Highlights included lots celebration for the 30th Anniversary of Gundam Wing, including an illustration inspired by the classic artwork was revealed, plus a special Commemorative video titled Mobile Suit Gundam Wing - Operation 30th - directed by Toru Iwasawa (who also directed Frieren: Beyond Journey's End), which is available on GundamInfo, the official Gundam YouTube channel.

They announced Gundam Wing illustrator Sakura Asagi and screenwriter Katsuyuki Sumisawa will also team up for a new manga series commemorating the 30th anniversary of Gundam Wing. It bridges the gap between Endless Waltz and Frozen Teardrop, with chapter 1 available to read in English online now.

A theatrical re-release of Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz will arrive in Japanese and American theaters.

Fans of Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans can also enjoy the 10th Anniversary project which is set to reunite key staff members from the original series including Director Tatsuyuki Nagai and the main cast of Mobile Suit Gundam Iron‐Blooded Orphans Urdr‐Hunt, more details will be made available nearer the release date.

Hitsujibungaku European Tour 2025 Details

Date: 2025 July 25 19:58 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Popular alternative rock band Hitsujibungaku have announced that they will be running a European Tour this October 2025. The tour will start in Paris on Wednesday, October 15 and end in London on Friday, October 24th with performances in other major European cities booked too.

Anime fans may have heard Hitsujibungaku song More Than Words, which features as the ending theme of
Jujutsu Kaisen season 2.

London based readers will want to head over to the O2 Academy Islington on Friday, October 24th 2025.

Japan Expo Paris 2025 Report

Date: 2025 July 20 15:43 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Features

France is the largest manga market in Europe, accounting for around 50% of all manga sales in Europe. As a result the French anime and manga scene is massive. Many people enjoy France's thriving Bande dessinée culture of comics, but Japanese manga and culture is also very popular in France.

With this in mind, we decided to visit Japan Expo in Paris. It's an event purely focused on Japanese culture, featuring anime and manga, video games, Japanese food and traditional Japanese culture. The July 2025 event attracted 230,000 visitors making it the third largest event in France for visitors per day! Having experienced the London event scene many a time we were keen to explore what the colossal French event looked like.

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