Otaku News

Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival 2021 Details

Date: 2021 September 08 20:09 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The good folks from the Kotatsu Festival have just sent us details for their upcoming 2021 event. Set to run in Cardiff - Chapter from Saturday 25th to Sunday 26th September 2021 and Aberystwyth Arts Centre from Friday 1st to Sunday 3rd October 2021. As always the Japanese animation festival has a great selection of films including The Deer King, Ride Your Wave, On-Gaku along with Studio Ghibli's first 3D CGI offering Earwig and the Witch.

Not to be outdone by the big titles, they'll also be showcasing the talents of independent animators including
cut-out animation called In Full Bloom and a hand-drawn fresh depiction of affection between two girls in The Mark of Emi.

They'll also be a few workshops and some free online events are also being planned.

As always with events like this we suggest booking early to avoid disappointment.

Funimation adds 30+ anime series to service for UK/ROI viewers

Date: 2021 August 31 21:00 | Posted By: Eeeper

Category > Anime

Funimation announces UK section of their streaming service will add over thirty series to the platform from 31 August 2021.

Funimation adds four Gundam titles to platform catalogue

Date: 2021 August 31 20:57 | Posted By: Eeeper

Category > Anime

Funimation announces four Mobile Suit Gundam titles to be added to their online streaming service in a number of territories

New blu ray editions for Neon Genesis Evangelion series announced for UK-US-AUS

Date: 2021 August 31 18:16 | Posted By: Eeeper

Category > Anime

UK, US, Australian anime video labels reveal new details for multiple upcoming releases of seminal 90s mecha action TV series and its original films.

My Hero Academia: World Heroes' Mission Movie Release Details

Date: 2021 August 25 16:48 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks from anime distributors Funimation have just sent us some exciting news about the new upcoming My Hero Academia movie. My Hero Academia: World Heroes' Mission will be arriving cinemas in North America, UK and Ireland on 29th October 2021, while fans in Australia and New Zealand will get the film on 28th October 2021.

The third movie in the franchise, this time around Midoriya, Todoroki and Bakugo crisis in My Hero Academia history, with only two hours to save the world! The action takes place while the trio are at their internship with the number one Pro Hero Endeavor Agency. The villains this time around want to eliminate all quirks!

You can catch the official trailer here.

We're currently enjoying the 5th season of the anime, which is available to watch on funimation.com and Crunchyroll.

Scotland Loves Animation 2021 Details

Date: 2021 August 25 15:24 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

Scotland Loves Animation the fan favourite anime film festival is back for 2021. They're set to run at Glasgow from 1st to 3rd October 2021 and Edinburgh 11th to 17th October 2021.

Festival Highlights include Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko from Studio 4°C, Pompo the Cinephile a film about making films, Shirobako: The Movie which is an anime about making anime, along with Sing a Bit of Harmony which we mentioned yesterday, The Deer King, along with the original The End of Evangelion.

There's lots to see and as always there's a host of UK premieres with the odd European premiere too.

Souce: Scotland Loves Animation

Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train UK and Ireland Streaming Details

Date: 2021 August 24 21:45 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks from anime company Funimation have just sent us details about Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train which will be streaming on Funimation in the UK & Ireland from Monday 30th August 2021.

The TV series caused a massive spike in the manga sales and a movie was the natural progression of the franchise. The movie did rather well in Japan, becoming highest-grossing film ever at the Japanese box office.

In this feature film Tanjiro and the other heroes (plus the annoying Zenitsu) go on an adventure to investigate the death and disappearances on a steam train. Action ensues.

Don't forget Viz will be releasing a complete box set of the original manga on Tuesday 5th October 2021.

Funimation Reveals Details For Sing A Bit of Harmony Movie

Date: 2021 August 24 16:51 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from anime distributors Funimation UK have just revealed details of the co-production Sing A Bit of Harmony. The film is set for release in Japan on 29th October 2021, and will be coming soon to the UK and Ireland. The story focuses on a mysterious transfer student Shion who turns out to be an AI. Pandemonium ensues with the new classmate.

The film is written and direct by Yasuhiro Yoshiura, who is also known for the enjoyable Patema Inverted: Beginning of the Day and the excellent Time of EVE.

You can see the official trailer here.

BFI Japan 2021 Comes to Big Screens UK-wide

Date: 2021 August 18 20:47 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks from the BFI have just sent us details of the upcoming Japan 2021 Cinema Season. Celebrating 100 Years of Japanese Cinema, coming to cinemas UK-wide from October to December 2021. The season will show case an amazing selection films from Japan.

The screenings mark a continuation of the Japan 2020 season from last year, which was more of a home screening event due to the UK's COVID-19 lockdown situation.

As well as the often imitated Akira Kurosawa re-release of Seven Samurai cinemas UK Wide, there'll be a major two part season of Japanese cinema at BFI Southbank from 18 October - 30 December 2021. Plus screenings and special events at cinemas UK-wide. Along with BFI Japan collection on BFI Player.

Poster Giveaway for the Heartwarming Anime Josee, The Tiger and The Fish

Date: 2021 August 09 19:42 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

From Wednesday 11th August 2021 Josee, the Tiger and the Fish hits cinemas around the UK and Ireland. To celebrate it's launch we've teamed up with the good people from Anime Limited to give away a limited edition one sheet poster. Want a chance to win it? Then read on.

I Belong To the Baddest Girl at School Volume 1

Date: 2021 August 05 20:40 | Posted By: Joe

The hit Pashiri na Boku to Koi-suru Bancho-san, in English for the first time!

"Be mine." Unoki has always been bullied, and high school is no different. Right away, the top troublemaker, Boss Toramaru, makes him her personal errand boy. The only thing is...she thought she was asking him out?! So Toramaru is sure they're dating, while Unoki is convinced he's under her thumb. The stage is set for a rom-com of misunderstandings!

Sakugan Episode 1 Streaming Review

Date: 2021 August 04 19:45 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

New anime Sakugan is due to hit streaming service Crunchyroll in October 2021. If you want to catch episode 1 early , the world premiere of Sakugan will stream at Virtual Crunchyroll Expo.

The good folks at Crunchyroll gave us access to a screening copy of Sakugan to review. So read on if you want to know about the show!

I Belong to the Baddest Girl at School Manga Release Details

Date: 2021 July 26 19:49 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good folks from manga publishers One Peace Books have just sent us details about their up coming release. I Belong to the Baddest Girl at School is a manga romcom of misunderstanding. It's Japanese title is Pashiri na Boku. Volume 1 is due out for release on 17th August 2021, the manga follows the mishaps of sensitive Unoki and Toramaru, the baddest girl boss in town.

You can pre-order the title from Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk and all good places that sell books.

Mamoru Hosoda's Belle gets a 14-minute Standing Ovation at Cannes

Date: 2021 July 21 20:14 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks from anime distribution company Anime Limited have just sent us the latest update about Mamoru Hosoda's latest movie Belle. The film has just received a 14-minute standing ovation at Cannes. The coveted audience endorsement was the the seventh longest in the festival's history!

We haven't seen the movie yet, but we're excited about it, as Mamoru Hosoda has a track record of delivering great movies. Critics are making the right sounds about it too, with Telegraph film critic Robbie Collin saying "there is usually one film per Cannes that emotionally bulldozes me, and this year Belle was it." While Time Out's Phil de Semlyen described it as one of my favourite things at Cannes.

Josee, the Tiger and the Fish UK and Ireland Cinema Screening Details

Date: 2021 July 20 19:19 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks from anime distributors Anime Limited have just sent us details of their latest cinematic outing. Josee, the Tiger and the Fish is due to hit cinemas around the UK and Ireland from Wednesday 11th August 2021.

Pitched as beautiful, emotional and uplifting (which is the kind of movies Anime Limited love in their catalogue), it follows the love story between Tsuneo who gets a job assisting Josee an artist in a wheelchair. Animated by Studio Bones, who are best known for hits like My Hero Academia, Fullmetal Alchemist and Eureka Seven, this film marks a change in pace and genre for the studio.

You can find a screening near you on the official UK website Joseefilm.co.uk.

Look Back - A One Shot Manga from the Creator of Chainsaw Man

Date: 2021 July 19 19:13 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

Out of nowhere Tatsuki Fujimoto the creator of Chainsaw Man has just released a special one-shot manga. Titled Look Back, the standalone manga tells the story of Fujino, a fourth grader who draws a manga strip for the school newspaper. Her art makes her the star of the class, but one day she's told that Kyomoto, a student who refuses to come to school, would also like to submit a manga for the paper.

The story is free to read legally in English from Viz Media via their Shonen Jump line. You can also read it (again in English) officially at Manga Plus by Shueisha. Or if you want to read the original Japanese version you can catch it on Shonen Jump Plus. If you do look at the Japanese version and compare it against the English translation look at the fantastic lettering work by Snir Aharon alongside Amanda Haley's translation.

It's a story about manga and it's creation, there are nods to Fujimoto's other works and perhaps other aspects of his life. Unlike Chainsaw Man it does not feature huge amounts of intense violence. The story is just over 140 pages, and you'll probably want to enjoy it in a single sitting. We really did enjoy it. It's a gripping story. We really do hope we can buy this in print one day.

Souce: Viz Media

Manga Jiman 2021 Launch Details

Date: 2021 July 18 15:50 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good folks from the Embassy of Japan in the UK have just sent us details of the annual manga competition. The 15th Manga Jiman. The competition closes on 15th November 2021. This year around theme is light.

The Embassy of Japan has searched for the best comic creators in the UK since 2007. The search now continues with two competitions, Manga Jiman and Yonkoma, with the aim of providing a platform for aspiring comic artists.

Apart from being a great challenge and opportunity the competition always has a great selection of prizes from it's various generous sponsors. So if you have time and the urge to be an aspiring manga artist then check out the Manga Jiman website on how to enter.

Mamoru Hosoda and Studio Chizu's latest film Belle Gets World Premiere at Cannes Film Festival 2021

Date: 2021 July 08 19:33 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks from anime distribution company Anime Limited have sent us the latest details about Mamoru Hosoda and Studio Chizu's latest film Belle. We've been told it will get it's world premiere at the 74th Cannes Film Festival.

We've mentioned that Anime Limited have the rights to the movie for the UK and Ireland. We're really excited about this feature and are eager to see it!

ODDTAXI Voice Actor Interview

Date: 2021 July 07 19:39 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Press Releases

One of the surprise hits for the Q2 / Spring 2021 Anime Season has been ODDTAXI. It's a mystery show set in a world where all the characters are animals. The show follows the adventures of Odokawa a taxi driver who is also a walrus. We thoroughly enjoyed the quirky show and wanted to know more about it's production. The good folks at anime streaming service Crunchyroll obliged and gave us an interview to publish with voice actors Iida Riho who plays Shirakawa the alpaca nurse and Kimura Ryohei who plays Goriki the gorilla doctor.

Tezuka's Barbara Blu-ray Release Details

Date: 2021 July 06 19:47 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks from third window films have sent us details of new release of Tezuka's Barbara. It's a film adaptation of Osamu Tezuka's manga Barbara by his son Macoto Tezka. With cinematography by Christopher Doyle, staring Goro Inagaki and Fumi Nikaido. Barbara itself is regarded as the legendary Tezuka's most adult and sexually-charged works. The film adaption appears to keep those elements, giving the film it's 18 rating.

It's just been released on Monday 28th June 2021 and retails for £19.99.
You can buy the all region blu-ray on Amazon.co.uk.

Advanced Search

@otaku_news

Older News

Recent DVD / Blu-ray Reviews

Recent Manga / Book Reviews