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Metrocon Seek Human Chess Pieces

Date: 2005 February 20 12:46 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Florida anime convention Metrocon are currently seeking Cosplayer volunteers to participate in their Anime Human Chess Match. So if meet all their terms and conditions and can cosplay as one of the characters listed on their site why not give it a shot? It's also interesting to note that they've got ninja and pirate pawns.

The Otaku News Crew are pondering which anime characters are going to be which pieces, we suspect that Gendo Ikari will be a king for one side, while Rosette Christopher will be a bishop!

Souce: Metrocon

Young Americans Revel In Japanese Pop Culture

Date: 2005 February 20 11:19 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Fandom

A syndicated article that appears on Designerz.com covers anime fandom in general and explains that fandom is on the rise with young Americans. It also mentions Katsucon and states how some Japanese exports are edited to local tastes, such as the Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers, which had footage refilmed with American Actors.

Souce: Designerz.com

Global Anime And Manga Market Worth US$100 Billion

Date: 2005 February 20 11:04 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

J-Marketing.net have just published a story reporting that globally the anime and manga market is worth a massive US$100 billion! Yes, you read that right one-hundred billion US dollars. The article also states that products based on characters from anime and manga always prove very popular.

Souce: J-Marketing.net

An Interview With Frederik L. Schodt

Date: 2005 February 17 18:19 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

Animation Insider have published their interview with Frederik L. Schodt and experienced Japanese language interpreter, manga translator, and author, Schodt has written some very excellent books on manga, translated both volumes of the Ghost In The Shell manga as well as many other projects. Schodt is highly respected in the anime and manga community and has even worked the late Osamu Tezuka (who is often regarded as the founder of modern anime and manga). The interview has lots of great bits of information and we really recommend reading it.

Souce: Animation Insider

Naruto Confirmed For US TV Screens!

Date: 2005 February 17 11:34 | Posted By: Azure

Category > Anime > TV

It certainly looks like things have been moving fast behind the scenes. As Cartoon Network confirms Naruto for US screens stating it is to air in the third quarter. Naruto will air in the Toonami slot not adult swim. There's no confirmation yet but that will likely mean some edits.

Also confirmed for the Toonami slot are Pirate series; One piece in May (around the same time it will air in the UK so there is hope for Naruto in the UK too) and comedy Bobobo-bo Bo-Bobo.

Toonami is Cartoon Network's anime programming block which airs Saturday nights from 7-11 p.m. (ET, PT).

Souce: Animation Insider

Naruto Now Licensed

Date: 2005 February 15 16:39 | Posted By: Azure

Category > Anime

The anime series Naruto has finally been licensed in North America and Latin America. Questions about the status of the series have become an almost standard joke at conventions. The series has been licensed by ShoPro, which is set to merge with Viz who currently publish the manga in the US Shonen Jump as well as graphic novels.

London MCM Expo Celebrates Anime - Manga & Cosplay

Date: 2005 February 13 17:18 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The folks over at the London Expo Event have sent us details of their anime and manga lineup. Not only will they have Cosplay events on both days, but they've also arranged sponsorship from MVM and Neo Magazine.

Guest wise, the Expo has Teryleryl Rothery who plays Dr. Janet Frasier in Stargate SG-1 and has been a voice actress in Dragon Ball playing Agent Mai in the 1995 dub and Raven in the first Dragon Ball Movie. She's also played A-ko Magami in Project A-Ko and Kodachi Kuno in various Ranma ½ features.

Jonathan Clements Interview By AnimeOnDVD.com

Date: 2005 February 06 16:10 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Production

Incredibly nice guy Paul Jacques over at AnimeOnDVD.com went out to a pub with Jonathan Clements (writer, translator, anime expert etc...), so as well as drinking many beers (as the photo's show ^_-) Paul decided to interview Mr Clements about anime and it's good to see that as always Jonathan is refreshingly honest with his opinions.

The interview is devided into three parts:

Part 1 - in which they try to determine who buys anime, and why there were only 500 people at 1990s conventions when Overfiend sells in the tens of thousands. Jonathan also mentions a new show "Magical Princess Fluffy Tosspot", we belive this is like Schoolgirl Milky Crisis! ^_-

Part 2 - in which they discuss the values of television and ask whether the quality of anime is not strained.

Part 3 - in which they talk of critics and the media’s strange habit of redefining "anime" to mean whatever they need it to mean on any given day.

Souce: AnimeOnDVD.com

The Sagara Family Out Now

Date: 2005 February 06 15:50 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Gaming > PC

Some of our more avid gamer readers will be pleased to hear the details from PCR Distributing/JAST USA. of The Sagara Family, an interactive anime-style game for adults ported to English by G-Collections, like most games of it's genre, the main player has somehow found themselves surrounded by the beautiful members of the all-female Sagaras. Hmmmm, that sounds like a plot from a million other anime series we could list too! ^_-

Little My Maid Shipped

Date: 2005 February 05 14:53 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Gaming > PC

We've got details in from PCR Distributing Co that JAST USA has shipped dating game Little My Maid. If you're like Piro from MegaTokyo, then no doubt you'll like a dating sim or two.

Toonami UK confirms new anime titles.

Date: 2005 January 08 11:14 | Posted By: Azure

Category > Anime > TV

The UK channel Toonami has confirmed that it has acquired the rights to two new shows: One Piece and Rave master. Rave master will start first in February taking the 17:30 slot. One Piece will begin in April.

Both series are popular action adventure titles based on shonen manga. Rave Master is based on the manga by Hiro Mashima, which is available from Tokyopop, whilst One Piece is based on the pirate manga by Eiichiro Oda available from viz,and has been runing in it's American edition of Shonen Jump.

Toonami also hint that they are looking at a UK adult swim block. Their FAQ mentions a few series, but doesn't mention any of the more adult anime titles it aired as CNX.

Souce: Toonami

Cover Competition - The Anime and Electronics Shopping Guide to Tokyo

Date: 2005 January 06 18:55 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Fandom

David Cotterill (aka Dragon) has dropped us a line about his new book - The Anime and Electronics Shopping Guide to Tokyo, a self published using print-on-demand technology to ensure that each copy ordered is as up to date as possible, it's due for publication in February. Currently Dragon is running a competition for his book to design the front cover and inside icons for the book. The winning entry will get a free copy of the book and DVD of your choice from United Publications. More details can be found on Anime.org.uk's News Section.

The Otaku News Crew suggest the winner selects a nice DVD boxset. ^_-

Souce: David Cotterill

AnimationHQ Hosting Wandaba Style Chat Session

Date: 2005 January 05 02:17 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

AnimationHQ have just sent us details of a chat session they'll be hosting:

"AnimationHQ will be starting off 2005 with a special chat session with the cast from ADV's latest anime series, Wandaba Style. Come join us as we welcome voice actresses Monica Rial, Kira Vincent Davis, Nancy Novotny, Hilary Haag, and voice actor/series director John Swasey on Friday, January
7th at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT. This will be Monica's third chat session with AnimationHQ and the first for Kira, Nancy, Hilary, and John. The chat session will be a moderated event.

For further information about our guests, instructions on how to reach our
chatroom, or to connect directly to the chat itself, visit AnimationHQ's "Current Events" page at http://AnimationHQ.net/v2/features/events.htm.

Mark your calendars and we'll see you all there!"

Otaku News readers should already know Monica Rial, she's a riot ^_-

Souce: AnimationHQ

End of an Era? Anime Industry In Crisis!

Date: 2005 January 02 15:44 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The Otaku News Crew are still in holiday mode, which explains our rather relaxed coverage recently (I am aware that a few of the crew have had far too much eggnog and mulled wine over this holiday season). This doesn't mean that the news stops however.

As if it was timed to coincide with Sky Cinema's UK Screenings of Spirited Away the alert folks over at AnimeUKNews.net have discovered that The Telegraph Arts Section has a very interesting article on the future of anime, Hayao Miyazaki's future retirement (Princess Mononoke was supposed to be his last film, as was Spirited Away) and how little an animator in the Japanese animation industry earns.

It explains that animators start as passionate otaku wanting to be part of the industry of their childhood dreams and by the time they are thirty or so realise that most supermarket clerks earn more than them so as a result decide to leave for a better paid job. It then goes on to mention the danger of foreign influences leading to anime it loosing it's appeal and it's soul.

The article has quotes from anime expert, translator and writer Jonathan Clements.

An another interesting part of the article is the bullet point at the end stating that Howl's Moving Castle will be released in the UK in the autumn. The Otaku News Crew look forward to this and will bring you more news on the subject when avaible. ^_-

Souce: Telegraph Arts Section

Evangelion iPod

Date: 2004 December 28 17:06 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

TechJapan have discovered that Bandai Networks will be releasing a special Neon Genesis Evangelion Edition iPod. Only 2,000 of them are available, it has the NERV logo featuring heavily, it's engraved on the back metal casing, it's also on the screen protector and the special headphones. The included carry case has been made to look like Rei Ayanami's plug suit too! ^_^

The Eva iPod based on is the 20 GB model and is set to retail for 47,250 yen.

Souce: TechJapan

London MCM Expo 2005 Is Interested In Anime/Manga Presence!

Date: 2004 December 15 19:30 | Posted By: Voxie

Category > Events

Following up a post made on the boards at www.anime.org.uk, it seems the organisers are very interested in adding some anime and manga presence to the event, held in mid-May next year.

According to the post, plans are already on the go, with anime/manga distributors MVM due to attend. There are also other plans for cosplay and prizes to be up for grabs.

The post also reads that if you (as in anime/manga fans) have any further ideas in mind, you should email them directly at info@londonexpo.com and it is much appreciated.

The event will be held from 14-15th May 2005, at Royal Victoria, London E16. Advance tickets are now available to buy.

London MCM Expo Website: http://www.londonexpo.com

Souce: Anime.org.uk

AyaCon Five: Launch Announcement

Date: 2004 December 14 18:40 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

I've just received the details for AyaCon 5, the next edition of the successful UK anime and manga convention which always proves popular. AyaCon 5 will be held from 19-21 August 2005. Their venue will be the Warwick Arts Centre (University of Warwick near Coventry).

The convention will have use of the entire Arts Centre and extra faclities including a bar, restaurant and additional conference rooms, along with the full nightclub facilities in the nearby Students' Union for two parties on the Friday and Saturday evenings.

Manga Tour of Japan 2005

Date: 2004 December 13 18:08 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Those alert people over at BritAnime have discovered a manga package holiday from 29 March to April 2005 for our British readers.

The price seems good considering the flights and everything, although personally I prefer to go around Japan without a tour guide, discovering things by yourself is a lot of fun! However it is nice to have the option for the less adventurous, or for those who enjoy the convenience of having everything ready for them, especially since many anime fans have a limited Japanese vocabulary, including words such as baka (idiot), which doesn't really go down well when you're trying to book a hotel room!

The 8 day trip includes a visit to the Tokyo International Animation Fair, the fantastic Ghibli Museum, a visit to Akihabara (for all your electronic needs) and also the wonderful Meiji shrine, with huge Tori gates by it's entrance.

Souce: JapanJourneys.co.uk

US Game Pirates Arrested.

Date: 2004 December 12 18:20 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Current Affairs

Reuters are reporting on arrests of Game pirates in Washington D.C., for selling modified games consoles which are able to play pirated video games, the machines in question already had 15 games copied across. This is an interesting story, because it is not clear in the article if the modifications have been done for "backup purposes", or just for the sake of piracy. It should also be noted that Anime News Network mention that the retailer in question had been boycotted in the past at Otakon 2000 because they were selling bootleg anime.

Souce: Yahoo! News

Move Over, Mickey Mouse-san

Date: 2004 December 12 17:31 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The Associated Press have a good write up on the Success of anime in the US, it features John Ledford of ADV Films, who describes ADV as the "anti-Disney". Since it's syndicated, it appears on quite a few news sites. Well known store Wizzywig Collectibles gets mentioned too. We recommend that you check out The Sun Herald's copy of it, even if you don't live in the South of Mississippi. ^_-

Souce: The Sun Herald

December 2004 London Anime Club Update.

Date: 2004 December 08 18:47 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Fandom

Following on from our previous article, where we guessed that the Christmas London Anime Club attendance would be higher than their last largest recorded attendance in April, when over 206 anime fans visited for the club's 10th anniversary.

This months LAC attendance was high, but not high enough to beat their previous record with around 165 anime fans showing up. As always Christmas treats were available with free entry to the London Anime Club for December, along with a raffle where people won items ranging from an Xbox to Newtype USA and Neo Magazine. Interestingly, there were lots of new faces at this months LAC. There are always new people showing up, but for some reason this month seemed to have a larger amount of new attendees than normal.

Souce: Otaku News

Anime Network Issuse A Call To Arms For All Anime Fans

Date: 2004 December 07 17:08 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > TV

The Otaku News Crew have just received a newsletter from Anime Network the cable and satellite channel that broadcasts nothing but anime (yay).

They've issued a "call to arms for all Anime Fans" with the headline:
"Anime Fans of America: YOUR TIME IS NOW!"
The newsletter states that Anime Network's continued operation and expansion is in jeopardy and to help improve things the channel wants anime fans to either fax or e-mail the cable companies' decision makers directly via www.theanimenetwork.com. The Anime Network also advise you to get everyone you know to do the same. You can even phone Comcast directly on (215) 665-1700 and say that you'll switch for Anime Network.

The Otaku News crew are uncertain how necessary this is, if it's a marketing ploy from the very clever folks at Anime Network, or if they are indeed in trouble and need fan support.

Souce: Anime Network

December 2004 Biggest London Anime Club yet?

Date: 2004 December 04 15:58 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Fandom

The London Anime Club is the largest anime club in the UK, in some ways it's a bit like a mini anime convention, but with fewer a cosplayers. Located in the City of London the LAC's central location means anime fans from around the country make a monthly trip every first Sunday of the month to watch anime and talk to like minded fans.

To date the London Anime Club's largest recorded attendance was 206 people for their 10th anniversary in April 2004. The Otaku News Crew are guessing that tomorrows LAC will be the biggest one yet, since more people are getting into anime and manga all the time and Christmas LACs tend to have high attendances. Fans often like to meet up around Christmas time too, especially since the London Anime Club does not run in January, as the first Sunday of the year is in the Holiday season. The Otaku News Crew will report back with the attendance figures as soon as we get them! Before we do, some of us (as always) will be at the London Anime Club, if you're there too, find us and say hello! We want to know what our readers think! ^_-

Souce: Otaku News

Newtype USA Vol. 3, Issue 12 Out Now

Date: 2004 December 04 12:09 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Newtype USA Vol. 3, Issue 12 Out Now

The folks from Newtype USA have just sent us details for their December issue, which is out now. It has a cover feature on Ah! My Goddess, with details on the OVAs, the movie and the TV series which is currently being produced in Japan.

Other features include details on shows like Chrono Crusade, Samurai 7, Wolf's Rain and Gankutsuou.

The Otaku News Crew recommend that you take a look at the two page feature on Howl's Moving Castle, which has some nice shots of the Ghibli artwork and we also suggest you read their Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide, since that way you'll know what to buy us for Christmas! ^_-

Read More... | Souce: Newtype USA

U.S. High Schools, Libraries and College Anime Clubs Offered Free Preview DVDs from ADV.

Date: 2004 December 03 17:03 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The folks at ADV US have just launched a new campaign ingeniously called Anime ADVocates. This sort of thing is a dream for a US otaku running an official anime club at their high school, library or college. Eligible applicants have the opportunity to get free anime preview DVDs, prizes and other goodies from ADV.

Yamato Announces Late Spring Releases

Date: 2004 December 01 18:29 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Toys

ICv2 have the details for the late spring 2005 releases from Yamato USA. They'll be releasing a Mizuho in Space Suit Resin Statue from Please Teacher. For Capcom fans there's Morrigan & Lilith Collectible Miniature from DarkStalkers.

Love Hina fans can expect Naru, Mutsumi, Motoko, and Shinobu PVC statues from the Love Hina Again OVA. They'll also be be releasing figures from Guilty Gear, Read Or Die (aka ROD) TV, Iron Leaguer, and Cyber Formula.

Souce: ICv2

The Laughing Man - Ghost In The Shell: Standalone Complex's Hacker Logo

Date: 2004 November 29 11:08 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Production

The hit series Ghost In The Shell: Standalone Complex, features a logo for hacker and cyberterrorist "The Laughing Man", in the show he is only identified by his logo which forms a distinct part of the Standalone Complex imagery. I discovered that Paul Nicholson of Terratag designed the logo for Production I.G.

Join us as Otaku News interview Paul about creating an icon in anime!

Auchinawa Glasgow Convention for Otaku

Date: 2004 November 29 08:53 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

One of our contributors Voxie from MAME has just discovered plans in Scotland for Auchinawa which "strives not to be an "Anime Convention" but an "Otaku Convention". Our Mission is to create a Convention/Expo in Scotland, the first of its kind, which caters for your needs and wants as fans."

They plan to screen anime, have DDR machines and will also be catering for J-Music fanatics and furries.

It's not set to run until the summer of 2006 so many of the details aren't finalised yet. However it's always good to plan ahead and conventions in the UK often get booked out quickly, so go take a look and get saving to get to Glasgow, if you're not near there already.

Souce: Auchinawa

Neo Magazine First Issue Out Now

Date: 2004 November 25 19:15 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Just a quick reminder to our UK readers that the first issue of Neo Magazine is out now. The publication covers anime, manga, videogames, gadgets, and all things Japanese. It's available from WH Smith, Borders, HMV, Martins Spar, Virgin Store, Forbidden Planet and some independent newsagents, it should also be available from Diamond Comic stockists.

For more information check out our previous write up on Neo Magazine, Anime UK News also has an interview with the editor as does UK-Anime.net

Souce: Neo Magazine

Hello Kitty Statuette Sold For $100,000

Date: 2004 November 25 17:16 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Fandom

The BBC are reporting that a Hello Kitty statuette made of platinum and studded with diamonds has been sold for 10.5 million Yen (that's about $102,450 USD)! The 4cm (2 inch) figure was made to celebrate Hello Kitty's 30th Birthday and has been on sale since August.

The Osaka branch of department store Mitsukoshi says that a local customer has purchased it. Otaku News have no idea who the buyer is, but we believe that they must be a pretty serious Hello Kitty fan! ^_-

Souce: BBC News

Toshio Suzuki Interview

Date: 2004 November 23 14:47 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Production > Studio Ghibli

The Daily Yomiuri On-line have posted an excellent interview in English with Toshio Suzuki, previously the editor of Animage and has been working with Studio Ghibli since 1984 and produced every Studio Ghibli film after 1989. He has also produced Production I.G's Ghost In the Shell 2: Innocence. Mr Suzuki (an incredibly nice guy) gives insight in to what it's like working at Studio Ghibli and some of Hayao Miyazaki's creative ideas.

Souce: Daily Yomiuri On-Line

Miyazaki Influences in Different Mediums

Date: 2004 November 19 17:06 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Nausicaa.net are reporting on the current Miyazaki Influences in Different Mediums. They have nice screen shots and images, including details of a Miyazaki Look-alike and a Totoro doll in French Animation series Code Lyoko, Cartoon Network's Powerpuff Girls' cameo from Totoro and even Miyazaki influences in the preliminary sketches of the long awaited PC game Half Life 2.

Souce: Nausicaa.net

More Anime In the Press

Date: 2004 November 18 18:11 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

It seems to be the in thing to report about anime fandom at the moment. Otaku News has featured various reports by publications in the past and now the Cincinnati Enquirer has published their write up on anime fandom.

Souce: Cincinnati Enquirer

Neo Magazine UK Editor Interview

Date: 2004 November 12 14:42 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Paul over at AnimeUKNews.net has just interviewed Stu Taylor the editor of Neo Magazine, a new UK magazine dedicated to anime, manga, Cult Asian Cinema J-Pop and other things oriental. The interview covers how the magazine got started, how hard it was getting it stocked in high street shops such as Borders as well as the possibility of future cover-discs. There are also pictures of the magazine's Ghost In the Shell cover (originally it appeared they were going to have a Dead Leaves cover).

Souce: AnimeUKNews.net

NEO Magazine UK

Date: 2004 November 09 17:46 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

Charlie from Crazy Ninja has sent us a the details about NEO Magazine. Neo Mag's publicity states that they are the UK's only newsstand magazine dedicated to Anime, Manga, videogames, gadgets, and all things Japanese.

Their market overview text states "Anime and Manga have been popular in the UK for over 10 years now, and the market has never had a dedicated quality publication which appeals to the core fan, and also provides for the broader mainstream markets". I always thought that this was part of Manga Mania / Max's brief.

Neo Magazine is due out on 25th November, with a Dead Leaves Cover and features articles on the American remake of The Grudge, Tekken, also interviews with Chiaki Kuriyama (of Battle Royal and Kill Bill fame), and voice actress Monica Rial.

Souce: Crazy Ninja

Advertising Industry Discover Anime

Date: 2004 November 05 18:42 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

Recently it seems that anime and manga have become so cool that the American advertising industry have decided to use either real anime or adverts done in an anime style.

Anime News Network have made us aware that Nike are now airing adverts loosely based around Bruce Lee's Game of Death. The advert has NBA Star Lebron James facing Kung Fu Basket Ball challenges in a pagoda. The anime segments produced by Studio 4°C were originally intended only for Japan, but the advertising agency and Nike like them so much that they decided to air them in North America too.

Yesterday the Otaku News Crew also found details on Yahoo News about Asian themed restaurant chain Benihana who have just released an anime inspired commercial. After watching the Benihana commercial we thought it wasn't news worthy alone however it goes well in context with the Nike commercial.

Ghost In The Shell 2 Eligible for Oscar

Date: 2004 November 05 17:50 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced that eleven animated films are eligible for the Best Animated Feature Oscar at the 2004 Academy Awards.

The BBC have published an article about all the features that are running. Anime News Network also have more details.
This year Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence is the only anime eligible, the eleven films will compete for a maximum of three nominations, to be announced in January. One of the three nominations will then win the Oscar.

This is the forth year for the best animated feature Oscar, which was first awarded to Shrek in 2001. Then anime history was made with Studio Ghibli's Spirited Away winning in 2002, making it the first anime title to ever win an Academy award. Finding Nemo won in 2003.

Souce: BBC News

Carol Fox On CLAMP

Date: 2004 November 03 18:10 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

Fans of manga studio CLAMP (Chobits, X, Tokyo Babylon, Card Captor Sakura, Angelic Layer to name a few) will want to check out a recent article on Sequential Tart. They interview Carol Fox the girls' manga editor for TokyoPop. The article focuses on CLAMPs 15th anniversary and has some nice tidbits that every otaku should like, including TokyoPop's intention of releasing CLAMP no Kiseki: The Ultimate Collection from spring 2005, it's a 12 volume collection with interviews highlights photos and so on.

Souce: Sequential Tart

Watching Anime, Reading Manga a Book By Fred Patten

Date: 2004 November 03 17:54 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Although it's old news, I'm sure many of our readers are not yet aware that Stone Bridge Press have published a new book by anime and manga guru Fred Pattern, - Watching Anime, Reading Manga. The book has 63 articles covering all aspects of anime from fandom and the industry, it also has articles on the first ads in America to current day mainstream hits like the anime sequence in Kill Bill and anime inspired live action films like The Matrix. If you want to know more be sure to check OnlyPubjab.com's write up.

Souce: Stone Bridge Press

Hello Kitty Celebrates Her 30th Birthday

Date: 2004 November 01 15:15 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

Sanrio fans don't need reminding, but some other more causal otaku would need know that today, November 1st is Hello Kitty's 30th Birthday! Kitty and her twin sister Mimmy White were born on 1974 November 1st to her happy parents George and Mary White. The jolly Kitty lives with her parents and sister just outside of London.

Hello Kitty is hugely popular all over the world and ADV have published a very good article about it, interviewing some of the ADV crew behind the latest DVD release. They also interview the voice of Hello Kitty - Monica Rial, who we interviewed in August.

Channel 4 Viewers to Vote on 100 Greatest Cartoons.

Date: 2004 November 01 14:59 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

British anime fans will like to know that Channel 4 are currently running votes on the 100 Greatest Cartoons. Akira as always is present along with Pokemon, as is Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke, and (rather worryingly) Legend of the Overfiend. Each person gets to vote for their top 10 favourite shows, so head over there and vote!

This show should be interesting to watch I wonder who they will get in to talk about anime when it's broadcast, and who would admit to enjoying hentai on national TV?

Souce: Channel 4

International Manga and Anime Festival Launches

Date: 2004 October 27 18:20 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

We've just got a press release from a group called IMAF, who will be holding an international competition to find the best manga and anime talent in the world, entrants stand a chance to win big bucks with a total prize fund of $75,000!

The entrants work will be shown at London County Hall from 16th - 19th December. Judges include Koike Kazuo who is best known for writing Lone Wolf and Cub and Crying Freeman.

ADV UK October Newsletter Out Now

Date: 2004 October 26 18:25 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

UK anime fans will want to take a look at ADV UK's October Newsletter. If you read Otaku News regulary you already know pretty much everything there already. Still it's better to read the same information twice than not at all! ^_-

Souce: ADV UK

Newtype USA Readers Vote For Top 25 Anime

Date: 2004 October 26 14:32 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Newtype USA sent us this press release yesterday. Due to being snowed under with e-mails and having to update Frightmoore University, I haven't been able to post it until today! Sorry! ^_^;;

In a nutshell the popular anime and manga magazine Newtype USA have got their readers to vote for the top anime of all time. This was an open ballot, and over 11,700 votes were counted!

Neon Genesis Evangelion was voted number 1, while Cowboy Bebop took 2nd place, InuYasha took 3rd and Kenshin took 4th place (oro). Trigun came in 5th, the Otaku News Crew believe that this is because of the large number of Vash The Stampede Cosplayers! ^_-

Read More... | Souce: Newtype USA

Samurai Champloo Second Season Announced

Date: 2004 October 23 17:29 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

According to the Samurai Champloo website and Animaxis a second series is scheduled for January 2005.

Souce: Offical Samurai Champloo website

More Anime and Manga Write ups in Mainstrem Press

Date: 2004 October 23 17:13 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Some publications have discovered anime and it seems that they want to write lots of details about it. The on-line edition of Australian Newspaper The Age (registration required) have just published a great article covering recent events in Japanese anime, it has quotes from various figureheads in the industry and mentions Mamoru Oshii, Production I.G, Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki too. This one of those articles that is good to show to your friends who think that anime and manga is not taken seriously by the mainstream press.

Souce: The Age

Newtype USA subscription offer - Get a Cosplay Cap and pay $7.50 per issue

Date: 2004 October 22 16:31 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

Newtype USA have just sent us the details of a cool subscription offer. They'll be offering Cosplay Caps along with the 40% off subscription rate for 12 issues brining each issue down to $7.50

Read More... | Souce: Newtype USA

Cosplay Photographic Exhibit in LA

Date: 2004 October 20 17:42 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Art

LA otaku are in for a treat from October 28 to November 26 The Perfect Exposure Gallery will be hosting an exhibit on cosplayers or "Photographic portraits of costumed anime fans" to be more exact. Shot at anime conventions around the US and Canada in 2003 and 2004, it sounds a bit like A Fans View only off-line!

History of Anime - Presentation by Jonathan Clements

Date: 2004 October 19 16:17 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

We've got a tip off from one of our Welsh readers who suggests we take a look at the Swansea Animation Days 2004 Festival. Apart from covering the nuts and bolts of the animation industry, Jonathan Clements will be giving a speech under the SAND Film strand on "A History of Anime". A few otaku will know that Jonathan has given talks on this subject before and that they have gone down very well with attendees.

Souce: Swansea Animation Days 2004

Newtype USA Celebrates Its Second Anniversary

Date: 2004 October 18 18:04 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folk at Newtype USA have sent us a press release regarding their second anniversary. To celebrate the popular anime magazine will bring back it's free DVD insert, which became a subscriber only bonus item. We've heard that Newtype USA stopped the free DVD due to retail issues, original store clerks removed the free DVD to pass on to friends, this in turn meant that the opened issue could not be sold. It seems that the people at Newtype have been listening to their readers. We welcome the return of the DVD since it means more free anime! ^_^

Read More... | Souce: Newtype USA

US Army Troops Get Anime Goodies

Date: 2004 October 18 17:54 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Press Releases

In one of the more unusual press releases we received this week eigoMANGA have announced that they are sending anime and manga care packs to U.S. Army Troops destined for Iraq.

Apparently there is an anime club formed by the Army troops in Colorado Springs base called "A.N.I.M.E. Club". Independent media and publishing company eigoManga are asking for local otaku to donate anime and manga gifts to the anime fans in the US army.

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