Category > Manga
The good folks at Viz Media have sent us details of their latest title to appear on VIZManga. They've just launched Neon Genesis Evangelion with weekly digital chapters for $0.99. It's available on PC and Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and Android phones and tablets.
Read More... | Souce: VizManga.com
Category > Manga
GEN Manga the company bringing us indie manga from the Tokyo underground have sent us reminder that issue 4 is out today.
They've also released issue 2 for free. They're even extending their subscribers discount. What makes GEN Manga interesting is that each issue is published on PDF, so you can download it and read it on any device that'll handle PDF documents. There's no nasty DRM to worry about, or installing extra naggy software, just one file per issue.
Read More... | Souce: GEN Manga
Category > Culture
Fans of Tezuka, the arts and dance will be pleased to hear about London's Sadler's Wells' up coming production TeZukA. The world premiere dance work is set to explore Tezuka's fascinating world with help of cast of 10 performers, two musicians and a calligrapher. They'll cover a wide range of his work, including Astro Boy and Buddha.
So keep Tuesday 6th - Saturday 10th September 2011 free and head over to London.
On Thursday 8th September 2011 at 6:15pm they'll also be a special pre-show director's conversation.
Read More... | Souce: Sadler\'s Wells Theatre
Category > Retail
London based manga fans will be well aware of Gosh!, the great comic shop near the British Museum. It's been in it's current location for 25 years. On Saturday 6th August 2011, it will be moving to bigger premises at No. 1 Berwick Street, Soho, W1F 0DR. So remember to update your maps if you plan some retail therapy in London soon.
Souce: Gosh!
Category > Manga
San Diego Comic Con is well under way. This is the event that lots of companies have been waiting for to announce their news.
The Digital Comic Association have just announced a promising new digital manga service JManga. It's set for launch on August 17th 2011.
We've been sent the press release, and others are tweeting live from SDCC.
JManga.com will launch as website first in August, then for mobile devices later.
Sam Yoshiba (Kodansha) "JManga.com will have well-known titles & also the not-so-well-known titles that aren't always available scanlated."
We've been told that the titles will be limited to North America, but they should roll it out to other countries in coming months.
Additional thanks goes to Deb Aoki for Tweeting at SDCC.
Read More... | Souce: JManga.com
Category > Events
Following on from our earlier story, we've just been sent the official details about this years Manga Jiman Competition run by the Embassy of Japan in the UK.
This years theme is "New Beginnings". Prizes first prize is a return trip for 2 to Japan courtesy of All Nippon Airways. While other great goodies such as a laptop, or digital camera is also up for grabs for the winners.
Further details terms and conditions can be found on the Manga Jiman Website.
Please note that The closing date for the submission of entries is Tuesday, 1st November 2011.
Souce: Embassy of Japan in the UK
Category > Events
UK based artists will be pleased to hear that the Embassy of Japan in the UK will holding another Manga Jiman competition this year. Details are yet to be formally announced, but they're keen to get the word out. The theme for this year is 'new beginnings', the deadline for receiving entries is 1 November 2011.
Entries should be 6 to 8 pages, A4 portrait size and read from left to right. Apparently the judges are getting strict on this last point.
Details on the prizes are to follow.
Souce: Embassy of Japan in the UK
Category > Current Affairs
Have you ever wondered what the ultimate otaku degree would be? Kyoto Seika University are offering it's first doctoral program in manga studies next year. They have a whole Faculty of Manga (I wonder if I could work there, it'll be my dream job).
The university plans to enrol four doctoral students starting next year.
Thanks to My San Antonio for the tip off.
Souce: Kyoto Seika University Faculty of Manga
Category > Manga
A new magazine, Gen Manga, for seinen and doujinshi works, launches with free first online issue with a monthly schedule to follow.
Read More... | Souce: Gen Manga
Category > Current Affairs
The Comic Book Alliance have sent us details about their latest project Spirit of Hope. The comic anthology has been created to raise money for the the Japan and New Zealand disaster victims.
Read More... | Souce: Comic Book Alliance
Category > Manga
Manga publisher Tokyopop are to close in the US as of May 31st 2011 . The company's film, TV, and European operations, including its Hamburg, Germany-based publishing and international rights sales will continue. ICv2 have more details along with Bleeding Cool News and The Beat which broke the news. As always Anime News Network has coverage of the story too.
Tokyopop's Founder Stu Levy has posted a personal statement.
As the details were announced today we have no idea what impact this will have on their release details, as well as what will happen to the rights of existing Japanese manga and original English language comics also published. Any artists who have worked with Tokyopop should read the small print of their contracts now.
Souce: Tokyopop
Category > Events
For those looking for something to do in London this weekend, otaku are spoilt for choice with the Bunkasai Japanese Festival near Holborn, along with Hibiki: Resonances from Japan at Kings Place near Kings Cross.
Scheduled as a 1000-year journey through the rich heritage of Japanese music, there's 3 events.
Tsugaru-Shamisen: Sheer Wind from the North
Friday, 4 March 2011 - 7:30pm
Talk: Music in Manga
Saturday, 5 March 2011 - 5:00pm
Tradition & Exploration: The Koto of Michiyo Yagi
Saturday, 5 March 2011 - 7:30pm
Manga fans should note that Helen McCarthy will be running the manga talk, so we can expect to see her normal expert insights into the subject.
Souce: Kings Place
Category > Production
Last year, the second annual MCM London Expo returned to bring together a myriad of media and popular culture exhibitors and merchants. It is an exciting occasion for anime fans who attend to meet, mingle and fight their way through the melee of merchandisers and organisers.
Expo is an event that I attend on the front line behind the dealers' tables as an assistant for sales. I am predominantly positioned ready and waiting to serve customers who are on the hunt for anime, manga and figures from the store United Publications. It is an intense and demanding event and catering for the volume of visitors is often a challenge that affords little time to explore the wonders of the wider event. This time, however, I had to make the exception for a remarkable appearance amongst October's exhibitors.
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News
Category > Events
Manga fans in Toronto Canada are in for a treat on the first weekend in May, where Natsume Ono will be the featured guest at The Toronto Comic Arts Festival 2011.
The event is set to run on Saturday May 7th 2011 and Sunday May 8th 2011 with free admission. This will be Natsume Ono first ever public appearance in North America.
You may know her from such works as not simple, Ristorante Paradiso, Gente, and House of Five Leaves.
Read More... | Souce: Toronto Comic Arts Festival
Category > Manga
eReaders have started to move from that realm of expensive gadget, to a more affordable and practical solution to lugging books around. The benefit of such a tiny device able to hold thousands of books versus having to actually carry many books around is clear. They're great for printed text, but what about manga? Are eReaders suitable for reading manga on?
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News
Category > Manga
Vertical Inc. announces new titles for Autumn/Fall 2010 and Spring 2011.
Read More... | Souce: Vertical Publishing
Category > Press Releases
Bandai Entertainment have sent us details fresh from NYAF including that Lucky Star Manga Volume 6 is out today. You can order it from Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk.
The original Mobile Suit Gundam will be released as a two part DVD under the Anime Legend range.
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time is going to get a US blu-ray release, details and dates still to be confirmed.
Ghost in the Shell: Solid State Society is coming to blu-ray.
K-ON! Season 1 will be released on DVD and blu-ray, and will be released over 4 parts. Additionally they'll be releasing a standard and special addition which features a CD (with tracks to be confirmed).
Gundam 00 movie: A wakening of the Trailblazer has also got a North AMerican release, again details and release dates to be confirmed.
Read More... | Souce: Bandai Entertainment
Category > Retail
Anime expert and industry insider Jonathan Clements has just posted details on his blog about Schoolgirl Milky Crisis being released on Kindle.
It's available to buy from Amazon.com in the US and Amazon.co.uk in the UK.
Souce: Schoolgirl Milky Crisis Blog
Category > Manga
Last moth the results of the Morning International Comic Competition were announced.
Curiously enough they've discovered what the difference a name makes. The previous 3 competitions were called the Morning International Manga Competition. They discovered an issue with calling their competition a manga competition.
Read More... | Souce: Morning International Comic Competition
Category > Press Releases
The good folks at Phaidon have sent us the details of their up coming book Manga Impact.
The book has 500 colour illustrations, 300 illustrated entries, and contributions from anime and manga experts such as Jonathan Clements and Tsugata Nobuyuki.
The book is due out November 2010.
Pre Order From Amazon.co.uk
Pre Order From Amazon.com
Read More... | Souce: Phaidon
Category > Manga
Multi-National Manga Anti-Piracy Coalition Formed
We've received some very interesting details from VIZ Media about the formation of a Multi-National Manga Anti-Piracy Coalition.It seems that the industry has grown tired of Scanlations - manga scanned into a digital format and distributed without the copyright holders consent. The coalition include the 36 members of Japan's Digital Comic Association, Square Enix, VIZ Media, TOKYOPOP and Yen Press.
Originally scanlations were manga translated by fans into their native language from Japanese. This can be seen as the manga equivalent of anime fansubs. Some scanlation sites branched out to scans of manga that was already official translated and licensed outside of Japan.
This has cost the manga publishing industry significant amounts of money, not just in lost book sales, but lost opportunities in the relatively new market of eBooks and mobile devices.
The coalition intend to target scanlation sites and aggregators of scanlation sites. They've drawn up a list of 30 sites to targeted for action. First they will ask the sites to cease distributing scanlations. If the sites fail to cease distributing further action will be taken depending on the jurisdiction of each site. Actions include legal injunctions against the sites, reporting the sites to governmental anti-piracy units of law enforcement, including the US Justice Department, local law enforcement agencies and the FBI.
Fans curious about piracy in the anime and manga industry should read the Pirate Anime FAQ.
This is not the first time the anime and manga industry has attempted to stop piracy in the industry, but this is the biggest and most coordinated international effort so far. With many companies in the industry forced to make cut backs, closing down offices, laying off staff, we wonder if this is the start of a new approach? Will more companies pursue legal options? Are fansubbers next?
Read More... | Souce: VIZ Media
Category > Manga
The good folks from Sweatdrop Studios have sent us the details of their new anthology - Telling Tales. The collection of fables, fairy tales and other ripping yarns is bound to be of interest. The book is priced at £6.99 and is due to launch at the May London MCM Expo 2010.
Read More... | Souce: Sweatdrop Studios
Category > Manga
Tokyo based English Language Magazine Metropolis have just published an interview with Helen McCarthy. She talks about her Book The Art of Osamu Tezuka: God of Manga and it's recent Eisner Award Nomination.
Souce: Metropolis
Category > Manga
The Art of Osamu Tezuka: God of Manga by Helen McCarthy has been nominated for the prestigious 210 Eisner Awards. The book is up for Best Comics-Related Book, it competes against the following titles -
- Alan Moore: Comics as Performance, Fiction as Scalpel, by Annalisa Di Liddo (University Press of Mississippi)
- The Art of Harvey Kurtzman: The Mad Genius of Comics, by Denis Kitchen and Paul Buhle (Abrams ComicArts)
- Manga Kamishibai: The Art of Japanese Paper Theater, by Eric P. Nash (Abrams ComicArts)
- Will Eisner and PS Magazine, by Paul E. Fitzgerald (Fitzworld.US)
The Otaku News crew congratulate Helen McCarthy and the team behind the book for the nomination and wish them the best of luck in winning the award.
Souce: Comic-Con International
Category > Events
The people behind Sci-Fi London and London Girl Geek Dinners have teamed up to run a special panel British women of Manga. It's set to run Thursday 29th April 2010 at 7pm.
The panel consists of artists Kate Brown, Emma Vieceli and Karen Rubins. Anime and manga expert Helen McCarthy will be chairing the panel.
This is a free event for women only. Men are allowed as guests of a London Girl Geek Dinner member. To get your tickets register at http://scifi-london.eventbrite.com/.
Souce: Sci-Fi London / London Girl Geek Dinners
Category > Manga
The good folks at Bandai Entertainment have sent us details about their new manga website.
Read More... | Souce: Bandai Entertainment Manga
Category > Events
Manga fans who can get to London will want to visit the British Museum from 5th November 2009 to 3rd January 2010 where in Room 3 they'll be a free exhibit of an exclusive manga title - Professor Munakata's British Museum adventure. It's great that the museum are doing this and it's an appropriate title as it's set in the venue that's showing it.
There's even a nice reading area where you can enjoy some manga.
Read More... | Souce: British Museum
Category > Current Affairs
BBC News have an interesting article about a new crossing on Oxford Street in London.
The London shopping district now has a crossing inspired by the X style walk way. The most famous of which can be seen at Shibuya in Tokyo and is frequently filmed in documentaries that feature Japan.
The opening ceremony sounds like a lot of fun -
"In homage to its Far Eastern inspiration, the mayor will strike a two-metre high cymbal as Japanese musicians play taiko drums."
They even got cosplayers involved too -
"A giant X, in the form of 60m (196ft) of red ribbon will then be unfurled by devotees of cult Japanese Manga characters dressed in colourful costumes."
The London Mayor said the crossing was "a triumph for British engineering, Japanese innovation and good old fashioned common sense".
Oxford Street is frequently very busy with more than 200 million visitors a year and ideas like this help ease congestion at the bottle neck area of the tube station.
The BBC News Website has photos of the event you can even see a few cosplayers there too. ^_^
Update We've been sent some great photos of the opening ceremony.
Read More... | Souce: BBC News
Category > Events
London based fans of comics will be pleased to hear about Comica Festival 2009. Being an international comics festival manga is represented too. With anime and manga expert Helen McCarthy launching her new book about the manga god Osamu Tezuka on Sunday 8th November 8, 2009 from 4.30pm at the ICA. Tickets: £6 / £5 Concessions / £4 ICA Members
Paul Gravett will be giving a talk about Manga In The Museum: Solving Myths & Mysteries as he introduces the work of Hoshino Yukinobu on Tuesday 10th November 2009 from 1.15pm to 2pm. This is free, but booking in advance is required.
Plus Helen will also be giving a talk on the works of works of manga master Hoshino Yukinobu on Saturday 21st November 2009 at the British Museum from 1.15pm to 2pm. This is free, but booking in advance is required.
Souce: Comica Festival 2009
Category > Anime
Fans of Osamu Tezuka, the founding father of modern anime and manga will be pleased to hear that a new book is due out November 2009. Written by prominent anime and manga expert Helen McCarthy the hardcover book published by Ilex Press reveals what makes Tezuka one of the key figures of 20th century pop culture.
It includes 350 colour illustrations and a 45 minute DVD documentary never aired outside of Japan before.
The publication coincides with the annual Comica Festival.
Buy from Amazon.co.uk
Buy from Amazon.com
Read More... | Souce: Ilex Press
Category > Retail
London based readers should be aware of Orbital Manga is closing down. The shop was located in-between Leicester Square and Covent Garden. It first opened at the beginning of 2007 and stocked manga and other anime and manga related merchandise.
Luckily all is not lost as it will be merging back with it's sister shop Orbital Comics, which is just around the corner from the old Orbital Manga store.
Souce: Otaku News
Category > Events
The good folks at the London MCM Expo have sent us the latest details for the event. Highlights from an anime perspective include - Studio BONES studio president Minami Masahiko and director Ando Masahiro, whose works include Fullmetal Alchemist, Cowboy Bebop, Gundam Seed Destiny and Neon Genesis Evangelion. Along with Trinity Blood voice actors Mike McFarland and Troy Baker.
The press release also has a shout out to cosplayers, who helped with the world record!
Read More... | Souce: London MCM Expo
Category > Events
Readers who can get to London this October will be interested in the London MCM Expo on the 24th to 25th October 2009. Tickets are now on sale.
As attendance to this even it well over 30,000 people we doubt they will sell out. However we do strongly advise in spending a little bit extra for their Early Entry Tickets to save time queuing, you'll be grateful on the day!
Souce: London MCM Expo
Category > Events
The good folks at UK convention AyaCon 2009 have sent us more details about their guest line up. They've added Matthew Mercer voice actor, script writer, and independent film maker along with JoEllen Elam costume designer and makeup artist. This makes for a great variety of guests.
Read More... | Souce: Aya Revolution 09
Category > Culture
BBC News have just published an interesting article about their stroll in Akihabara the otaku heartland.
The article introduces readers to the area, then they go on a tour around the district. They cover the hardware hacking scene in the area, focusing on the component shops. This is then followed by a mention of the surveillance equipment available. It then concludes with the homemade software culture, the article calls it unlicensed software, but we think they mean doujin software.
"This underground amateur culture has always been a big part of Akihabara and 'otaku' culture, back from home made comic books, now moving into homemade hardware and software."
Souce: BBC News
Category > Manga
The next Neon Genesis Evangelion spinoff will be light on the giant robots and heavy on the romantic comedy.
Read More... | Souce: Publishers Weekly
Category > Events
Fans of manga and cross stitching in London should head over to The Japan Foundation on Wednesday 1st July 2009, where Helen McCarthy will be present a unique event focusing on cross-stitch designs inspired by Manga and Anime, there will be a fun workshop too!
Read More... | Souce: The Japan Foundation
Category > Manga
A keen eyed Otaku News reader has sent us details of the up coming book Manga Kamishibai: The Art of Japanese Paper Theater it's due to be released in September. It traces the history of the art form which forms part of the origins of modern manga.
It's available to pre order on Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com.
Read More... | Souce: Abrams
Category > Events
London based fans of Chinese Manhua should head over to Orbital Manga on Friday 26th June 2009, from 5pm to 7pm. Artist Benjamin, will be demonstrating his excellent technique, and will be signing copies of his books, including limited edition landscape-format hardback of "Orange", his latest lavish art book "Flash", Chinese Youth, Remember, One Day (in French) and Images and Prints on the day of the signing.
Read More... | Souce: Orbital Manga
Category > Art
British readers with artistic talent should considering entering the Manga Jiman Competition. Run by the Japanese Embassy in London, this years theme is 'sun'. The competition is open people to over 14 years old. The closing date for the competition is Friday, 25 September 2009.
Read More... | Souce: Manga Jiman Competition
Category > Anime
London has a some great places for otaku to visit. The trouble is finding them. Using our London Otaku News Correspondents we've assembled a list of good places for anime and manga fans to visit while in London.
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News
Category > Technology
Wired have discovered Ubunchu, a manga series featuring the Linux Distribution Ubuntu. The manga was originally authored by Hiroshi Seo and has been translated in English and a few other languages too.
Operating Systems have been covered by manga before with the OS-tans, Ubunchu sets out to be more informative. The manga is billed as romantic school comedy and is a great introduction to Ubuntu for new users.
Souce: DoctorMO\'s Blag
Category > Manga
Rin-Ne, the latest offering from manga superstar Rumiko Takahashi, will be published simultaneously in Japan and North America beginning April 22, 2009.
Read More... | Souce: Publishers Weekly
Category > Retail
Anime and merchandise naturally go hand in hand, with some titles just a thin excuse to create merchandise. Generally the more popular the series, wider and crazier the variety of merchandise available. With Neon Genesis Evangelion, regarded one of the most popular titles of all time, I thought it would be worth looking into the more unusual merchandise available from the franchise. When researching this article I expected to find some oddities, after all you can even get an Eva Unit-01 mountain bike. However I was really surprised by what's out there!
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News
Category > Anime
We've teamed up with the good folks at Titan Books to give away copies of the new book Schoolgirl Milky Crisis: Adventures in The Anime And Manga Trade. The book written by Jonathan Clements reveals in inner workings of the anime and manga business.
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News
Category > Manga
The good folks at Deux Press have sent us some details about Cigarette Kisses by Nase Yamato. I'm sure our readers who are yaoi fans will be interested.
Read More... | Souce: Deux Press
Category > Production
Anime expert Jonathan Clements has just launched a blog to promote his new book Schoolgirl Milky Crisis: Adventures in the Anime and Manga Trade, which is due for publication in early 2009.
The blog has some interesting insights that will no doubt also appear in the book, even an article about writing the index for the book proves to be amusing.
Souce: Schoolgirl Milky Crisis Blog
Category > Manga
The Independent are running a great article about the global reach of manga and how it has influenced British artists.
Helen McCarthy, Sweatdrop Studios, Emma Vieceli, Sonia Leong, the Manga Bible and Manga Shakespeare all get a mention in the article.
Souce: The Independent
Category > Events
UK anime fans who can get to Leeds will want to keep the 13th to the 16th November 2008 free for the Thought Bubble Festival. The Festival will have a great selection of anime and manga stuff, including film screenings too.
The Convention on Saturday 15th November 2008 (10am - 5pm) will have free entry to cosplayers!
They'll be screening the following films:
Sword of the Stranger
Mind Game
20th Century Boys
Detroit Metal City
We've already seen Sword of the Stranger, and watching it on a big screen is recommend.
Read More... | Souce: Thought Bubble Festival
Category > Press Releases
We've been sent a press release for a new book that sounds perfect for otaku paying a trip to Tokyo. The Akiba: A Manga Guide to the Akihabara (published by Japan Publications Trading), is an interesting blend of manga and travel guide.
Update: We've reviewed The Akiba: A Manga Guide to the Akihabara
Read More... | Souce: Japan Publications Trading
Category > Manga
Boing Boing have posted an article about the discovery of a manga version of Batman from 1966. Apparently these comics have been lost for ages and have recently been found and compiled into a new book Bat-Manga!: The Secret History of Batman in Japan.
The book features the authentic manga by Jiro Kuwata, who was commissioned to do a regular Japanese version of Batman. It's aimed at a Japanese audience with different expectations than those in the west.
"The result was stunning: a weird blend of genius suspense and gonzo weirdness, as villains turn into dinosaurs, commit strange crimes, rise from the dead, and rampage through a mangified Gotham City that has the streamlined wonderfulness of space-age Japanese pop culture."
Souce: Boing Boing