Otaku News

Anime Limited & Plaion Pictures Announces Acquisition of The Last Blossom

Date: 2025 April 29 20:07 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good people from Anime Limited have sent us details of their latest acquisition The Last Blossom. They've acquired the rights for for the UK & Ireland, France, Germany, Australia, and Switzerland.

It's the story of a man's life and love from the creators of ODDTAXI, director/character designer Baku Kinoshita and writer/original creator Kazuya Konomoto with the film produced by Studio CLAP the animation studio behind Pompo the Cinéphile and The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes.

To be honest Anime Limited had us at ODDTAXI. The anime series came out of nowhere and promplty became a fan favourite for it's quirky story and fun engaging characters.
Looking at the teaser trailer for The Last Blossom we can see similarities in the character designs from ODDTAXI.

As for Studio CLAP, we really loved Pompo The Cinephile. So we'll have to keep an eye out for when Anime Limited release The Last Blossom.

BBC Radio 4's Screenshot on Studio Ghibli

Date: 2025 April 26 18:48 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

BBC Radio 4's Screenshot Programme focuses on movies. This week they've got a special episode dedicated to Studio Ghibli. Ellen E Jones and Mark Kermode explore the world of Studio Ghibli to celebrate it's 40th Anniversary. It forms a great little introduction to the uninitiated or those who want to learn more about the much loved and hugely influential studio. They also interview co-founder of Irish animation studio Cartoon Saloon, Nora Twomey who discusses the emotional impact of films like My Neighbour Totoro, and Grave of the Fireflies.

We're then treated to an interview with Emily Mortimer, who plays the voice of Sophie in the English dub of Howl's Moving Castle. Then they interview the excellent Michaël Dudok de Wit about his animated feature film The Red Turtle, which was produced by Studio Ghibli.

You can listen to the episode for free on the BBC Sounds App, on the BBC Website or on other audio services.

Regular readers will remember we interviewed Michaël Dudok de Wit about The Red Turtle when it was released.

Souce: BBC Radio 4's Screenshot

Explore Japan Through Anime - Cultural Tourism Festival at Expo 2025

Date: 2025 April 26 12:53 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

If you can get to the 2025 Expo Osaka-Kansai between Wednesday 30th, April to Friday 2nd May 2025 you'll want to check out the Cool Japan Showcase Anime Manga Tourism Festival. You'll be able to experience the charm of Japan through anime and manga tourism.

We're told "This immersive, first-of-its-kind event invites travelers to explore 26 real-world destinations tied to beloved anime and manga titles, transforming fan-favorite locations into living, breathing cultural touchpoints. It's a unique way for visitors to connect with Japan's regional identity through one of its most globally recognized cultural exports: anime".

For more details visit https://amtf.go.jp/.

Manga Mavericks LLC Launches Manga Publishing Division Manga Mavericks Books

Date: 2025 April 26 10:32 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good folks from Manga Mavericks have sent us details of their latest endeavour. They've established Manga Mavericks Books a new manga publisher that will work directly with Japanese creators to license, localize, and distribute their stories worldwide.

They intend to launch 6 manga titles this July 2025, which include 3 titles directly licensed by Manga Mavericks LLC, as well as 3 titles licensed by our localization partner Red String.

It's always exciting to see new manga publishers spring up and we hope that they start to gain some traction.

The 18th Manga Jiman & Yonkoma Competition Exhibition in London

Date: 2025 April 19 19:18 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The good folks from the Embassy of Japan in the UK have sent us a reminder that you can visit their Embassy to see the winners of the Manga Jiman Competition. The exhibition will run until Friday 16th May 2025. Entrance is free, but booking in advance is required.

They've also sent a reminder that you can ender the 19th Japan International MANGA Award, which is open to creators around the world and you can apply through the Embassy in London.

You Talk Too Much, So Just Shut It Already! Volume 1

Date: 2025 April 19 15:21 | Posted By: Joe

Tsukino Hiiragi was born deaf. When her oblivious classmate Taiyo Enomoto suddenly starts talking to her, she's interested. But, as she carefully reads his lips, she starts to wonder: what nonsense is he talking about anyway?

Detectives These Days Are Crazy! Manga Release Details

Date: 2025 April 09 17:58 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good people from manga publishers One Peace Books have just sent us the details for their latest release - Detectives These Days Are Crazy! (Mattaku Saikin no Tantei to Kitara). It follows the adventures of the unlikely duo of an old school detective Keiichiro Nagumo who is all washed up and hasn't kept up with the times, he teams up with a high school girl called Mashiro who wants to be his assistant. Volume 1 will be released on Monday 28th April 2025.

An anime adaptation is due out later in 2025.

The Rose of Versailles Anime Movie to Stream on Netflix

Date: 2025 April 02 19:58 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

Netflix have just revealed some details of The Rose of Versailles anime movie. It's going to be released on Wednesday 30th April 2025. It's directed by Ai Yoshimura and animated by MAPPA. The official trailer makes it look like a lavish big affair.

Anime studio MAPPA have been known to do extremely high budget action packed anime, including Attack on Titan, Jujutsu Kaisen and Chainsaw Man. We don't expect the same kind of level of violence and explosions, but it does help gauge the kind of level of action they could go to for the more action packed scenes.

The original manga is a classic ground breaking title. It's been hugely influential and we hope this anime adaptation does it justice.

Mushishi Collector's Edition Volume 1 Now Available for Pre-Order

Date: 2025 March 31 20:08 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

Kodansha USA have announced that Volume 1 of Yuki Urushibara's Mushishi manga is now available for pre-order from all good book retailers. The fantasy manga will be released in a hardcover omnibus edition which includes Japanese Volumes 1 and 2. It also features a completely original translation and new cover designs. It'll be released on 4th November 2025. It'll retail at $29.99 (USD). ISBN 9798888776346.

The Mushishi manga was originally published in English by Del Rey between 2007 and 2010. The manga has long been out of print and as a result became desirable for manga collecting fans. This in turn inflated the price, with a complete collection of the manga being listed for over $1,000 for the whole 10 volume set. It often featured in top 10 lists of most expensive out of print manga titles. Although physical copies of the manga were unavailable, you can still purchase digital editions legally from eBook stores such as Amazon's Kindle store.

There's also a truly excellent anime adaptation (which in turn created interest for the manga), which is currently on Crunchyroll.

It's set in old world Japan, some time between the Edo and Meiji periods, in a world where mushi fungal like spirits manifest with supernatural powers. Sometimes they can curse those who encounter them, other times they can benefit them. The story follows the adventures of Ginko, a travelling Mushi master (almost like a medicine man), who will go from village to village and help the locals or investigate issues around mushi. It's a laid back series, with some horror elements in (especially for those who don't take Ginko's advice). It's a thoroughly enjoyable series and worth your time.

You can pre-order the manga from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk or at any other good book seller.

World of Tanks and Girls und Panzer Cross Over

Date: 2025 March 26 20:51 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Gaming

The good folks from World of Tanks have sent us details of a special cross over event with Girls und Panzer. From 25th March to 3rd April 2025 players will have an exclusive opportunity to command new crew members from St. Gloriana Girls' College and enjoy authentic voiceovers performed by the original Japanese cast.

Demon Slayer in Concert at Barbican London

Date: 2025 March 22 11:54 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Fans of Demon Slayer will want to head to London on Tuesday 1st April 2025 as Demon Slayer in Concert will be held at the Barbican at 19:30.

The performance will combine a symphony orchestra and high definition projection to immerse you Tanjiro's battles against demons. Tickets range from £39.50 to £70.50. Age recommendation: 12+, under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.

For more details and to book tickets visit the Barbican website.

Square Enix Manga & Books Team Up With Penguin Random House to Launch Comic Partner Initiative

Date: 2025 March 22 11:25 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good folks from Square Enix Manga and Books have sent us details of their collaboration with Penguin Random House on the Comic Partner Initiative. It's aim is to help comic shops to increase manga awareness.

Enrolled comic shops can receive branded promotional materials, educational Support, advanced copies of select manga and more.

We think it's great to see Square Enix Manga and Books and Penguin Random House take the initiative like this and proactively aim to increase manga sales in comic book shops. We've all encountered a particular kind of comic book shop that stocks manga, it's in that corner, and no one goes there, the staff don't really understand it, but people ask about it, so they feel obligated to stock it, then as a manga fan you look and it's an odd patchwork of titles that aren't really curated. We hope that this initiative fixes the issue of the dusty manga corner and helps manga fans and comic book shops alike.

You Talk Too Much, So Just Shut It Already! Volume 1 Manga Release Details

Date: 2025 March 12 20:58 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good folks from One Peace Books have set us details of a just released title. You Talk Too Much, So Just Shut It Already! Volume 1 was released on March 4th 2025, it tells the story of transfer student Tsukino Hiiragi, she terrified about starting at her new school as she's deaf. The trouble is Hiiragi has the help from the over enthusiastic Enomoto who talks too fast and is a bit over confident with his sign language.

This is light hearted school life comedy is written by Shunpei Morita, illustrated by Aldehyde, and translated by Jordan Taylor. You can order it from Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk and all good bookshops now.

Voice Actor Sarah Wiedenheft to Appear at MCM Comic Con London 2025

Date: 2025 March 08 15:32 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The good folks from MCM Comic Con London have sent us details of their latest voicing acting guest Sarah Wiedenheft who is due to appear all 3 days at the May 2025 run of the event. She'll be available for autographs, photo opportunities and will also be at lead a Saturday live games session.

You may have heard Sarah Wiedenheft as the voice of Tohru in Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid, the glorious and chaotic Power in Chainsaw Man or even as the voice of Suika in Dr. Stone.

MCM Comic Con London will run from Friday 23rd May to Sunday 25th May 2025.

Nasu: Summer in Andelusia US Blu-ray Release Details

Date: 2025 March 05 20:42 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from anime distributors MediaOCD have sent us details for their up coming US home video release of Nasu: Summer in Andelusia. The pro-cycling anime makes it's English language blu-ray debut on Tuesday March 11th 2025.

Interestingly this film is the first anime feature film to ever compete in the prestigious Cannes Film Festival!

Bonus features include a retrospective interview with the film's director Kitaro Kosaka about his career, including his work with Studio Ghibli. The release is in partnership with Synergetic.

You can pre-order the blu-ray from the MediaOCD website now.

How to be a Manga Artist Signing With Fumio Obata and Balthazar Pagani at Gosh! Comics in London

Date: 2025 March 03 21:05 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Gosh! Comics in London have announced that they'll be hosting How to be a Manga Artist Signing With Fumio Obata and Balthazar Pagani on Saturday 8th March 2025, from 1-2pm at their Berwick Street store in Soho.

The book by Balthazar Pagani and Asuka Ozumi features a specially commissioned chapter by manga artist Fumio Obata. You can pre-order a signed copy of the book for mail-order or collection. What better way to spend a Saturday in Central London and enjoy a book signing?If you're unfamiliar with the anime and manga shops around London, then please do check out our London Anime and Manga Shopping Guide, which we frequently update with new and interesting shops.

Detective Conan: The Million-Dollar Pentagram UK and Ireland Digital Release Details

Date: 2025 March 02 17:38 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from Trinity CineAsia have just sent us details about the digital release of Detective Conan: The Million-Dollar Pentagram in the UK and Ireland from Monday 3rd March 2025.

The movie will be available on digital platforms including Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, Microsoft Films, and Sky Store.

Hyper Japan Festival 2025 Details

Date: 2025 February 26 20:34 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The good folks from Japanese Cultural Festival Hyper Japan have just sent us details for their next London event. They'll be running from Friday 18th to Sunday 20th July 2025 at Olympia Events.

Headliners this time around include alternative rock band Hitsujibungaku. You may have heard their song more than words which used in the second season of the anime adaptation of Jujutsu Kaisen, their song Hikaru Toki can also be heard as the opening theme in The Heike Story, plus they've got a great cover of Life's a Treat - Shaun the Sheep opening theme.

They'll also have the usual selection of Japanese culture, including performances, workshops, food and Japanese themed retailers

Tickets are on sale now. You can visit hyperjapan.co.uk/festival for more details and to purchase tickets.

Hirayasumi Volume 1

Date: 2025 February 24 20:37 | Posted By: Joe

After developing an unlikely friendship with the grouchy old woman who lives in his neighborhood, Hiroto suddenly finds himself inheriting not just her house but some rather difficult emotions as well. His 18-year-old cousin, Natsumi, moves in with him, but as a struggling art student, she has her own troubles to deal with and may just put Hiroto's easygoing lifestyle to the test.

Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- UK and Ireland Cinema Release Details

Date: 2025 February 23 16:17 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks from anime publishers Anime Limited have sent us details for the upcoming cinema release of Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning-. The latest offering in the Gundam Franchise is a bit different as this is a collaboration between studio khara, the studio behind the Evangelion rebuild movies and Sunrise, the animation traditionally behind the MS Gundam animated works.

The movie is directed by industry veteran Kazuya Tsurumaki best known for his work with Hideaki Anno on the Evangelion Series as well as the truly trippy FLCL. He teams up with other anime veterans to make this film including Yoji Enokido, screenwriter for anime including as Revolutionary Girl Utena, Bungo Stray Dogs, and FLCL and is billed as as Series Supervisor and Screenwriter.

The movie will hit cinemas around the UK and Ireland from Saturday 15th March 2025.

If you're really into Gundam you'll want to get tickets for the BFI IMAX Screening in London on Thursday 13th March 2025. They'll have a special previewing screening where attendees will also receive an exclusive free sample trading card from the forthcoming Gundam Card Game TCG which is released later in July.

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