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The 16th Manga Jiman Competition Results

Date: 2023 April 01 10:36 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The Embassy of Japan in the UK revealed the winners of The 16th Manga Jiman Competition. The awards ceremony for the prestigious competition was held at the Japanese Embassy in London on Friday 24th March 2023.

This years first place went to C M Kevin Li for Jonathan in Agony!, while Ewan Gallagher took second place withAUX. Third place went to Alex Brennan-Dent with Signal.

Kodansha Announces New US Digital Manga Service

Date: 2023 March 21 19:56 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good folks from publishing giant Kodansha have sent us details of their new US digital manga service. Called K Manga the service promises to deliver about 400 titles including 70 on going titles.

Kodansha are known for publish manga mega hits Attack on Titan, Ghost in The Shell, Tokyo Revengers and Fairy Tail, amongst other titles including Blue Lock and Rent-A-Girlfriend.

The service has a teaser version up now. The official is app scheduled for launch on Wednesday 10th May 2023. The service will be US only. Full website launch is to be announced.

Details of the pricing and exact model their using is yet to be revealed. So it's not clear if they'll go for a set monthly / yearly subscription charge or if you'll have to pay per title or buy some kind of token, or even how much K Manga will cost.

We're excited about this service even though it is US only, as it's always good to have more official digital manga options.
However the first thing we're drawn to is the name. K Manga. We know they've called it called K Manga for Kodansha Manga. Nevertheless in English speaking circles, when you prefix something with K you think of Korean things. We have K Pop, K Drama, K Rock, K Horror all parts of the K Wave. K Manga inspires thoughts of Korean Manga which is frequently called Manhwa. So already the brand is fighting an up hill battle to explain to consumers that no, this isn't a Korean service, it's all about Japanese Manga! We feel that they've not got any branding consultant involved or considered the impact this could have on the service. We've causally spoken to a few people about this and they all think K Manga sounds like a great Korean manga brand rather that a new digital manga platform.

Check out teaser.kmanga.kodansha.com to see what K Manga will have to offer!

Azuki to Publish Manga Titles as eBooks

Date: 2023 March 11 12:00 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good folks from digital manga subscription service Azuki have sent news that two of their exclusive manga series will be published as eBooks on BookWalker, Amazon, Apple Books, and Google Play Books. They're going to start with My Dear Detective: Mitsuko's Case Files and Turning the Tables on the Seatmate Killer!. Both titles will are available for pre-order and will be released on March 23, 2023.

It's great to see Azuki branch out to digital publishing like this.

Read More... | Souce: Azuki

What's on NHK World?

Date: 2023 January 29 13:05 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > TV

Being a fan of anime, manga and Japanese stuff in general it's always good to find a great source of content. Most fans will hunt on DVDs and blu-rays for those extra features, read magazines and articles and various bonus features included in books and so on. They'll even read websites like this one, but one resource that we find that is frequently overlooked is NHK World.

NHK is the national state broadcaster for Japan. NHK World is it's international arm. It's content is available in a selection of languages including either dubbed into English or in Japanese with English Subtitles. The service is free to access and is available on a wide range of satellite and cable providers in the US, UK and further afield. You can also watch it free and legally on the website or app that's offered on many platforms including iOS (iPhone and iPad), Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android, Roku and more. You can watch the live broadcast or the video on demand service.

A lot of the content there is excellent for anime and manga fans.

Azuki to Release New Shojo Comedy Manga I Fell for a Fujoshi

Date: 2023 January 21 13:20 | Posted By: Guest Contributor

Category > Anime

For those of you who read Shojo manga, a new title is on the horizon. Digital manga subscription service Azuki announced today that the romantic comedy manga I Fell For A Fujoshi by Toako has been exclusively licensed for worldwide release in English.

The first two chapters will be available on the Azuki app on Feb 7th 2023 but a free preview is now available.

The manga was originally published in Comic Elmo, which previously published The Yakuza's Guide to Babysitting and Natsume & Natsume. The series is about a high school boy who confesses to his childhood crush. But after a misunderstanding foils his plan, he must pretend to be a fan of Boys Love manga in order to win her over.

The series will be available to read for free with advertisements but a $4.99 per month premium subscription that unlocks Azuki's entire catalog of more than 200 series is also available. If you're unsure of the price or content, readers the the option of trying out Azuki with a 14-day free trial.

If you're a fan of romance shenanigans, then it will be hard to pass on I Fell For A Fujoshi.

Reported by zanderlex

Read More... | Souce: Azuki

Jump Festa 2023 Live Stream Details

Date: 2022 December 12 20:15 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from Japanese publishing giants Shueisha Inc. have just sent us details of an on-line event. The yearly mega event Jump Festa 2023 will live stream for international fans. Set to run from 17th to 18th December 2022 the streaming weekend will cover content around Jump titles. The various events will have either available with English subtitles and simultaneous interpretation or just English subtitles. This is the first time the content of the Jump Festa will be streamed in English, so you'll get to see everything just like a fan in Japan too!

You can visit https://www.youtube.com/c/jumpchannel during that time to catch the content.

Captain Corinth: The Galactic Navy Officer Becomes an Adventure Manga Release Details and Translator Interview

Date: 2022 December 02 19:34 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

Manga publisher One Peace Books have sent us the details about an up coming release Captain Corinth: The Galactic Navy Officer Becomes an Adventurer. It's an isekai manga with a twist, the space captain Alan Corinth crashes into a world of swords and magic. The manga is based on the popular light novel series. The art for this manga by Tomomasa Takuma while translation is from Laura Egan.

Captain Corinth will be available on December 13th 2022. You can pre-order from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk and all good booksellers.

Read More... | Souce: One Peace Books

Yen Press Announces Two Dozen New Licenses

Date: 2022 November 21 20:02 | Posted By: Eeeper

Category > Anime

Manga publisher Yen Press announces at AnimeNYC their manga, light novels, manhwa line up, and more at industry panel.

Usotoki Rhetoric Manga Release Details and Translator Interview

Date: 2022 October 09 14:11 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good people from manga publishers One Peace Books have sent us details of their up coming manga Usotoki Rhetoric by Ritsu Miyako. This shojo manga stars the downtrodden 16-year-old Kanoko, exiled from her village for possessing a curious power - the ability to hear lies. She runs into handsome but down-on-his-luck detective Iwai Soma and together form an unexpected but dynamic duo, capable of solving the towns local mysteries. Set in the 1920's it's something a bit different and fun.

Along with the press release we were lucky enough to interview translator of the manga Molly Rabbitt.

Usotoki Rhetoric is out from October 13th 2022. You can pre-order it from Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk and all good booksellers.

Volume 2 is expected on the romantic February 14th 2023.

Read More... | Souce: One Peace Books

The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic Volume 1 Light Novel Release Details

Date: 2022 September 03 11:18 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good people from publishers One Peace Books have just sent us details of their latest isekai light novel The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic Volume 1. The story tells the tale of Usato an ordinary high schooler who happens to get summoned into another world when he's with two fellow students who are actually the target of the isekai summoning. Of course just by luck it turns out Usato is capable of using healing magic in this world which is ultra rare.

The book is available to buy as an eBook from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.

Read More... | Souce: One Peace Books

Square Enix Manga & Books Reveals New Books Coming Spring 2023

Date: 2022 July 24 14:13 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good folks from Square Enix Manga & Books have sent us their upcoming release slate for spring 2023. Headlining their releases is the Chocobo and the Airship: A Final Fantasy Picture Book. The English translation has lots for fans of the series. Along with some nice looking NieR: stuff.

Square Enix will also be releasing My Clueless First Friend a slice of life comedy series with a chalk and cheese element of a gloomy friend and a cheerful friend having a fun and memorable summer together. It's due out March 7, 2023.

While from Hiromu Arakawa, the creator of Fullmetal Alchemis, we have Daemons of the Shadow Realm a fantasy adventure about n a world where certain humans command mighty supernatural duos called Daemons we follow young Yuru as he is unexpectedly whisked away from his village and becomes aware of his supernatural birthright. This is due out on April 25, 2023.

Murasaki Yamada's Talk to My Back Manga Release Details

Date: 2022 July 12 19:57 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good folks from publisher Drawn & Quarterly have sent us details about their latest release. Yamada Murasaki's Talk to My Back is pitched as a celebrated masterwork shimmering with vulnerability from one of alt-manga's most important female artists. We're looking forward to reading this one as Drawn & Quarterly always publish interesting manga titles.

The book is out now from all good booksellers. ISBN : 9781770465633

You can also order it from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Azuki to Release Idol Manga Hikaru in the Light!

Date: 2022 May 30 19:53 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good folks from on-line manga service Azuki have sent us news of their latest manga acquisition Hikaru in the Light! by Mai Matsuda. The exclusive license is a story about pop idols and chasing your dreams. If you're curious about the title you can read a preview on Azuki.

The service costs $4.99 (USD) per month, along with a 30-day free trial and a discounted annual plan are also available. All titles on the service are available worldwide (expect for Japan) in English.

Read More... | Souce: Azuki

MangaPlaza - Online Digital US Manga Service

Date: 2022 March 01 20:18 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

We've got news from new online digital manga service MangaPlaza. The service offers nearly 50,000 manga Chapters from 2,000 titles including Attack on Titan, That Time I got Reincarnated as a Slime, Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku and Obey Me! The Comic!

The web based service is currently US only. It's yet to offer an offline reading mode.

The service costs $6.99 (USD) per month for $0.45 to $3.99 you can purchase chapters individually without a subscription. Most titles also have a free chapter.

MangaPlaza is created by NTT Solmare Corp., a subsidiary Nippon Telegraph and Telephone West Corporation.

Cagaster and Crueler Than Dead Now Available on Azuki Manga

Date: 2022 February 26 19:13 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

We've received a press release from digital manga subscription service Azuki . They've just told us that they've added two new titles to their service. Cagaster is a story about a disease transforms its victims into cannibalistic insects and decimates human society. It follows bug hunter Kidow and his newfound friend Ilie who struggle to survive in this brutal new world. While Crueler Than Dead is about another virus which results in fast-paced and violent zombie action.

With Azuki it should be noted that their titles are available in English worldwide (apart from Japan). The first few chapters of most series are available for free with ads, and for $4.99 (USD) per month users can sign up for a Premium account and read the entire catalogue without ads. A 30-day free trial and a discounted annual plan are also available.

Read More... | Souce: Azuki

Miyazaki's Shuna's Journey get's an English Language Release

Date: 2022 February 22 20:36 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

It's just been announced that Hayao Miyazaki's Shuna's Journey will be getting an English language release. Alex Dudok de Wit revealed on Twitter that he is translating it. The 1983 graphic novel will be released by First Second Books on 1st November 2022.

Oscar winning anime director Hayao Miyazaki is best know for his feature films including Spirited Away, My Neighbour Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service and Howl's Moving Castle.

Seven Seas licences Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou manga in omnibus form

Date: 2022 February 18 22:42 | Posted By: Eeeper

Category > Anime

Los Angeles-based publisher Seven Seas announces licensing of long sought-after manga, Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou, in multiple omnibus volumes.

E-mail Based Manga Service from Mangasplaining

Date: 2022 January 31 21:19 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good folks at popular manga podcast Mangasplaining have just sent us details of their latest endeavour, titled MSX: Mangasplaining Extra its an e-mail based manga subscription. The substack news letter will be delivered to your inbox.

The first projects to be announced are Okinawa by Susumu Higa and These Days by Taiyo Matsumoto. Interestingly the press release credits everyone involved in each manga project, this isn't the standard (but we wish it was). Keen eyed readers will also notice that These Days is translated Michael Arias the director behind the anime version of Tekkonkinkreet (which is based of the manga by Taiyo Matsumoto), so it's clear that the translator is very familiar with the artists work!

Mangasplaining have partnered with Fantagraphics Books and UDON Entertainment as publishing partners, so it's going to be interesting to see what else they've got in the pipeline.

Subscription to the service costs $5(USD) a month or $50 (USD) a year on Substack . Pricing has been set to be sustainable so they can pay the licensors, creators, publishers, translators, and letterers who do this work. There's been a lot of discussion in manga fandom about fair wages for staff involved in production and the Mangasplaining people are making sure everyone involved in the process gets paid fairly.

We're excited about this project as the people behind Mangasplaining are more than just manga and anime fans, they're manga and anime fans who work in the industry. They've got a track record of successfully delivering various projects. We're wondering what this will grow into!

Kotatsu Festival Online Events for January 2022

Date: 2022 January 06 20:35 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The good folks at Kotatsu Festival have sent us some details of two upcoming events. The two online workshops aimed at beginners cover Japanese Calligraphy and a Japanese Manga Introductory Workshop.

Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival are hosting these workshops for free via Microsoft Teams. Although it is free prior registration is essential. So book early to avoid disappointment.

Japanese Calligraphy - Introductory Workshop for Beginners is run by Yukiko Ayres. It's set for Saturday 29th January 2022 from 11:00 to 12:00 GMT.

Japanese Manga Introductory Workshop for Beginners is run by Shangomola Edunjobi It's set for Sunday 30th January 2022 from 12:00 to 13:00 GMT.

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.

Read More... | Souce: One Peace Books

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.

VIZ Media Announces Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Complete Manga Box Set

Date: 2021 June 20 14:27 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

Manga publishing giants VIZ Media have just announced The Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Complete Manga Box Set.
The set includes all 23 of the manga as well as an exclusive booklet and a double-sided poster. It's due out on Tuesday 5th October 2021. The list price is $199 USD, but it's available for pre-order on Amazon.com for $119, while Amazon.co.uk have it for £132.

This is the original manga that spawned the global hit anime and movie. It follows the adventures of Tanjiro who becomes a demon slayer in order to free his sister from the curse of being a demon. Action, adventure, violence ensue.

Japanese Culture expert Matt Alt has also written a great article on the success of Demon Slayer and covers the phenomenon in more detail along with the history of Shonen Jump.

Souce: VIZ Media Twitter

Azuki The New Digital Manga Service

Date: 2021 June 18 20:28 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

It's just been announced that from Monday 28th June 2021, a new legal digital manga service will be launched. Azuki, named after the red bean often used in sweet treats promises to be a new digital manga cafe. It'll be launched on Web, iOS, and Android.

The service will deliver hundreds of manga after they hit stores in Japan It will offer content for both free and subscription users. With free users able to access select chapters with ads, while pay monthly subscribers can pay $4.99 (USD) to read the catalogue without any ads.

The service will be available worldwide in English (excluding Japan). They've currently got a publishing partnership with Kodansha USA Publishing. Titles currently include Attack on Titan, Tokyo Revengers, Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card, Chi's Sweet Home, Fairy Tail, Flying Witch, Gleipnir and many more.

At 5 dollars a month, the service pays for itself after reading the first volume. It promises high quality content and it's great to be able to officially support manga publishers this way. We're looking forward to trying out the service in a few weeks.

It's interesting how official manga subscription services are getting more competition. Viz Media has it's own Shonen Jump Manga & Comics app for $1.99 (USD) a month, which is a must if you want some Chainsaw Man or My Hero Academia. While similar competitor Mangamo has a similar partnership with Kodansha and also charges $4.99 (USD) a month.

While anime streaming service Crunchyroll also has it's own official manga service.

Read More... | Souce: Azuki

Culture Gate to Japan Art Exhibition Opens Online and at Airports Across Japan

Date: 2021 March 27 11:11 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

We've just been sent some interesting details about the Culture Gate to Japan Art Exhibition. Set around the airports of Japan each exhibition focuses on a different aspect of Japanese art, history and culture relevant to each location. Kansai International Airport will be hosting a manga themed exhibition, which includes new works by artists including Yuki Urushibara (Mushishi), Machiko Satonaka, Yoshihiro Yamada, Yuichi Yokoyama and more.

But you can't get to Japan right now to enjoy this I hear you cry! Well the reason we're publishing this is the official Culture Gate website has lot of interactive content for you to enjoy from each exhibition online. So you don't have to go hopping around each airport of Japan to get exhibition experience.

We've been told "There are high-tech, contemporary artworks by 29 artists installed at eight locations across Japan. Each location's exhibition is inspired by the culture and history of the region of Japan it is located. From the mysterious soundscapes of Hokkaido's indigenous Ainu people to the vibrant history of Okinawa's ancient Ryukyu Kingdom, diverse cultures can be found throughout Japan. Through this project, artists and creators seek to reinterpret and convey the appeal of these rich cultural resources, each molded by the particular regional climate in which they developed. As the gateways to these unique regions, airports are the ideal location at which to exhibit these works, inviting visitors to discover new aspects of Japanese culture."

I Hear the Sunspot: Limit Volume 3 Manga Release Details

Date: 2021 March 11 20:59 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good people from One Peace Books have just sent us the release details I Hear the Sunspot: Limit Volume 3. The final volume of the manga is due out on 13th April 2021. The publishers promise us that "The moving love story between two young men, the hard-of-hearing Kohei and the eternally-optimistic Taichi, reaches a tear-jerking finale".

They also tell us it's "Praised for its nuanced representation of disability, and named a best graphic novel for teens in 2019 and 2020 by the American Library Association's YALSA division, I Hear the Sunspot: Limit showcases the protagonists' immense emotional growth while continuing its thoughtful exploration of disability representation and issues."

One Peace Book always publish an interesting range of manga, and this one is certainly worth adding to your reading list.

You can pre-order the book from all the usual places including Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, US Bookshop.org, UK Bookshop.org.

Read More... | Souce: One Peace Books

An Interview with Sara Linsley Manga Letterer

Date: 2020 December 14 20:51 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Localising manga is more than just buying the rights and getting it translated, there's also sorts of factors to consider to bring it to market. While people often consider the translation there's another part of the localisation process to consider, the letterer! All the words you read on the page aren't just magically put into place, there's actually a lot of art and craft to lettering a manga page. So we thought we'd catch up with a manga letterer to find out more about the process.

Sara Linsley is a software developer and comic book letterer living in NYC, she has done lettering for manga including Sweat and Soap, Spoof on Titan, LDK and Yamada-kun and the Seven Witches. Recently she's also just released a font of her own intended for manga use! We thought we'd catch up with Sara over e-mail to find out how letterer can make or break a good localisation.

Mangamo Releases Android App

Date: 2020 November 26 20:58 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from manga subscription service Mangamo. They've just released their app on Android, so you can grab it from the Google Play Store. The app is already available iOS (iPhone and iPad) on the Apple App Store.

The app itself has a great collection of top tier manga titles including Attack On Titan, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
Fire Force, In/Spectre and Fairy Tail. A subscription costs $4.99 USD a month and is a great way to read manga officially. The service is offering a 30-day free trial for new Android users and is also available globally for iOS and offering a 30-day free trial for new iOS users. So you can try before you buy.

Sony have also just invested in Mangamo via the Sony Innovation Fund. Sony have a large interest in the anime industry already owning 95% of Funimation, in turn also own Manga Entertainment in the UK and Madman Anime Group via Aniplex. So it looks like Sony is also expanding into manga distribution!

Read More... | Souce: Mangamo

AmeCon Postponed from April 2021

Date: 2020 November 09 20:32 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

With COVID-19 still limiting what you can do across the UK, the fan favourite anime convention AmeCon rescheduled their AmeChibi to April 2021. They've now revealed that the April 2021 event has been postponed. The committee are being transparent and clear that it's unfeasible to run the event as it stands in April 2021. They're currently figuring out all the details with the venue about their options and will let everyone know what will happen next in due time.

It should be noted that AmeChibi hasn't been cancelled (as incorrectly reported elsewhere), but postponed until a future date. At the moment there is too much uncertainty so they cannot commit to a date.

Souce: AmeCon

Manga Jiman 2020 Competition Reminder

Date: 2020 October 22 20:50 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

UK based artists will be very interested to hear about the Manga Jiman competition. The theme this time around is technology. The long running competition lets you submit a short manga entry for the chance to win some amazing prizes, in the past they've included laptops and flights to Japan. The competition is organised by the Embassy for Japan in the UK.

The competition closes on 16th November 2020. So get drawing!

Spirits of Action: Japanese Manga and Sports Online Talk

Date: 2020 October 14 19:41 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

With COVID-19 still placing restriction on events the good people at Japan Foundation London have got a great range of talks and workshops appearing online soon.

One talk we're excited about is the Spirits of Action: Japanese Manga and Sports . Yoshimura Kazuma will discuss the position of 'sports manga' in Japanese culture and how its contents have evolved to reflect the time. After the presentation anime and manga expert Rayna Denison will join in the conversation.

The online event is set to run at 12:00pm (BST) on Wednesday 28th October 2020. The event is free to attend virtually but places are limited and registration is essential.

Farming Life in Another World Manga Release Details

Date: 2020 September 27 13:34 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from One Peace Books have sent us details of their latest manga acquisition - Farming Life in Another World. The isekai manga is pitched as guy gets transported to fantasy world, but instead of fighting monsters and villains he sets up a farm and gets involved in agriculture. It forms part of that isekai sub-genre of getting transported to another world and doing normal things (we're thinking of The Hero and His Elf Bride Open a Pizza Parlour in Another World, amongst others). This is the manga adaptation of the popular light novel of the same name by Kinosuke Naito.

Farming Life in Another World comes out on Wednesday October 28th 2020 in print and digital. You can pre-order it from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.

Read More... | Souce: One Peace Books

Mangamo Announce New Titles at Virtual Crunchyroll Expo 2020

Date: 2020 September 05 21:17 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

As part of the Virtual Crunchyroll Expo this weekend online manga App Mangamo have just announced some interesting titles on their service. Deathdeus: Hero of the Dead and My Evil Stepbrother Make their English Debuts, along with Erementar Gerade and it's sequel.

The concept for Deathdeus sounds interesting and the busty main character has clearly been targeted towards a certain demographic!

Read More... | Souce: Mangamo

Yen Press Announces 13 New License Acquisitions

Date: 2020 August 18 19:41 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good folks at manga publishers Yen Press have just announced a fresh batch of licensing acquisitions. They've got the rights for 13 new titles in print and digital. Release dates are not yet detailed.

The releases include the following:

Cirque Du Freak: The Manga Omnibus Edition
Grim Reaper and Four Girlfriends Omnibus Edition
Interspecies Reviewers Comic Anthology: Darkness
The World's Finest Assasin Reincarnated Into Another World
Adachi and Shimamura
Dear NOMAN, Golden Japanesque - Yokohama Karentan -
Mama Akuma
Mint Chocolate
Sasaki and Miyano
The Dark History of the Reincarnated Villainess
The light novel and comic adaptation of the highly-anticipated, Solo Leveling.

The Sky is Blue with a Single Cloud Gekiga Manga Release Details

Date: 2020 July 15 20:09 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good people from Drawn & Quarterly have sent us details of their latest release The Sky is Blue with a Single Cloud by Kuniko Tsurita.

Available for the first time in English this book collects the best short stories from gekiga manga artist Kuniko Tsurita.

Tracking bohemian culture, the politics of late 60's and early 70's Tokyo, along with other experimental works and an early exploration of gender fluidity with gender ambiguous protagonists.

The manga is out from July 2020 (so it's out now).

You can order it from Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk or any other bookseller using the ISBN: 978-1-77046-398-1.

New Sci-Fi Manga Japan Sinks 2020 Launches on Mangamo App

Date: 2020 July 09 20:30 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good folks from Manga App Mangamo have just sent us details of their latest manga addition. The subscription service has just added the manga of Japan Sinks 2020. It's a reimagining of the Netflix anime which has just been released today, which in turn is based on the best-selling novel written by Sakyo Komatsu in 1973. The anime is from Science Saru, who did the fantastic Keep Your Hands off Eizouken, Lu Over The Wall, Devil Man Cry Baby, and so much more.

Read More... | Souce: Mangamo

Yen Press Previews 13 New Manga Acquisitions For December 2020

Date: 2020 July 05 12:31 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

It's convention season and traditionally a time of big license announcements, but conventions aren't really running in the physical world, however Anime Expo Lite offered a virtual experience and the chance for companies to announce their up coming releases and acquisitions.

Yen Press have just announced 13 new manga acquisition, which include

A Witch's Love at the End of the World
Strawberry Fields Once Again
The Vampire & His Pleasant Companions
Slasher Maidens
Eniale & Dewiela
Mieruko-chan

Plus some new light novels:

The World's Finest Assassin
Reincarnated in a Different World as an Aristocrat
The Place Promised in Our Early Days
The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten
Unnamed Memory, King of the Labyrinth
Reign of the Seven Spellblades

We're very excited about Eniale & Dewiela from Kamome Shirahama who is also responsible for Witch Hat Atelier.

Drawing Kimono: Online Session with Kutsuwada Chie

Date: 2020 May 12 21:20 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

While events in the UK have had to be postponed or cancelled due to COVID-19, some event runners have switched to online sessions as an alternative. Japan House London will be running a Drawing Kimono: Online Session with Kutsuwada Chie. It's set to run on Friday 15th May 2020 at 14:00 to 15:00 UK time. Booking is required, but the event is free.

Kutsuwada Chie is a Brighton based Japanese artist who will show people attending the online session how to draw a male figure wearing a kimono.

Evangelion, Gunpla and other Anime and Manga T-Shirts at Uniqlo

Date: 2020 April 21 19:39 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

Fans of anime franchise based t-shirts will want to head over to the Uniqlo website to grab the latest Evangelion and Gunpla 40th Anniversary designs.

The Japanese clothes company always has some great t-shirts in their UT Graphic Print range. They intend to release some designs that appeal to all kinds of manga and anime fans including their Manga UT line, which includes Osomatsu-kun, GeGeGe no Kitaro and The Genius Bakabo.

They'll also have Manga UT Ribon 65th Anniversary which includes Chibi Maruko Chan, Tokimeki Tonight, Tenshi Nanka Ja Nai, Gokinjo Monogatari and Marmalade Boy.

If you like something from Young Jump then Uniqlo have you covered with Manga UT Weekly Young Jump 40TH Anniversary. They'll have tees from Golden Kamuy, Tokyo Ghoul and Kingdom.

While if you want something more tokusatsu to wear then you'll be excited about the upcoming Ultraman t-shirt range.

Mangamo The New Mobile Manga Subscription Service

Date: 2020 April 16 19:47 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

We've just been sent the details of a new mobile manga subscription service. Mangamo promises more titles than any other legal mobile manga service.

It's currently on iOS Devices (iPhone and iPad) with subscriptions costing $4.99 USD a month. The Tokyo based company has partnered with 11 publishers to bring the wide range of titles, including Attack on Titan, Battle Angel Alita, Somali and the Forest Spirit, along with Fire Force and many more titles. A full list of current titles can be found here. They also promise regular updates to the titles available.

Mangamo is available on the Apple App Store globally with the exception of Japan, China and Korea. Currently all titles are in English.

As this is a legal service you can be certain that the money goes back to the original creators helping fund the manga industry itself.

Read More... | Souce: Mangamo

International Manga Competition - 14th Japan International Manga Award

Date: 2020 April 04 13:13 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

Are you artistic? Well, with so many people at home right now, it is the perfect time for another manga competition. The application for the 14th Japan International Manga Award. The competition is organised by the Japanese Foreign Ministry.

The deadline is 19th June 2020. Entries can be posted to us at the Embassy in London. If you're outside the UK you can submit entries to your local Embassy of Japan. Entrants to the Manga Jiman Competition are encouraged to enter.

Souce: 14th Japan International MANGA Award

Yen Press Announces 7 New Manga Series & Light Novel Acquisitions for August 2020

Date: 2020 March 06 20:23 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good folks from Yen Press (the manga publishers who are owned by Kadokawa Corporation and Hachette Book Group) have just announced their August 2020 licensing acquisitions. They've got a mix of manga titles novels. Headlining the new releases is a novel adaption Makoto Shinkai's The Garden of Words (London based readers will be keen to see the up coming stage play too). They'll also be releasing the latest Konosuba light novel, with the very specific title of Konosuba: An Explosion on this Wonderful World! Bonus Story: We are the Megumin Bandits. It's bound to be popular with fans of the Megumin!

Fans of Natsume Ono will want to get hold of ACCA: 13-Territory Inspection Department P.S., the spin off returns to the world of ACCA 13-Territory Inspection Department (which was was 6 volume manga also available from Yen Press).

Fans of dark magical girl stories will want to grab the Omnibus Edition of Puella Magi Madoka Magica. The collects the 3 volume manga into a single omnibus edition.

Meanwhile fans of the Barakamon! manga will be interested in the creator's latest offering Yoshi no Zuikara: The Frog in the Well Does Not Know the Ocean.

Manga Jiman Competition 2019 Winners

Date: 2020 February 26 22:20 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

It's that time of year again! Recently the Embassy of Japan in the UK revealed the winners of the prestigious Manga Jiman Competition 2019. The competition often marks rising stars in the UK industry too. Competition prizes range from an amazing two flights to Japan for the 1st place winner, to lovely A3 scanners for second place and so.

This years first place went to Tori Jones for A Heart of Gold or Some Other Metal, while Alexandra Cook took second place with Kiyomi's Prequel. Third place went to Mina Ghosh with The Last Day of Uther Adriss.

Many of the shortlisted artists were first time entrants, showing that the competition has endured for the 13 times it's been run.

Call For Papers - Anime and Manga Fandom Before the Year 2000

Date: 2020 February 09 11:09 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

Readers in academic circles may be interested to hear about this call for chapter proposals. It's for a book devoted to archival research in anime and manga fandom before the year 2000. Co-edited by anime and manga expert Helen McCarthy and Dr. Darren-Jon Ashmore, Professor of Anthropology, Yamanashi Gakuin University.

Helen McCarthy tells us "Independent scholars are welcome to submit, you don't have to be attached to an institution, anime and manga don't have to be your primary areas of study if you are. We're really keen to get new thinking and rigorous archival research"

Details can be found on https://cfplist.com/CFP/25594.

Souce: CFP List

Windowology: New Architectural Views from Japan at Japan House London

Date: 2020 February 05 21:46 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Fans of Japanese culture in London will want to head over to Japan House London to experience the Windowology: New Architectural Views from Japan exhibition. It's set to run from Thursday 16th April to Sunday 28th June 2020. Admission is free.

The exhibition explores the architectural side and also the abstract and meaning of windows. Of course they've also got a window into manga, with the classic manga Sazae-san being displayed. They've selected some great strips on the themes of windows too! Sazae-san is one of Japan's most popular manga series. It's presented in the classic yonkoma (4 panel) strip style.

So why not visit Japan House London to get a view on this exhibit!

Viz Media 2020 Release Announcements from New York Comic Con

Date: 2019 October 07 20:13 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

We've just been sent details of the release announcements from anime and manga publisher Viz Media. At New York Comic Con Viz revealed that they have the publishing rights for Star Wars: The Legends of Luke Skywalker: The Manga.

It's scheduled for release sometime in early 2020. The anthology will feature a collection of stories by renowned manga artists that include Akira Himekawa, Haruichi, Akira Fukaya, Takashi Kisaki and Subaru. Akira Himekawa is the Japanese duo best known for their work on the official The Legend of Zelda manga based on the smash hit Nintendo game series.

Viz have also got a ton of titles manga due out in the summer of 2020. Including Rumiko Takahashi's Maison Ikkoku. The much loved fan favourite has been eagerly anticipated for rerelease.

Mujirushi: The Sign of Dreams by another legendary manga artist Naoki Urasawa has also been highly anticipated. We were lucky enough to interview Naoki Urasawa when he was in London earlier this year.

We're also excited about action packed comedy Spy x Family by Tatsuya Endo. Along with Ping Pong by Taiyo Matsumoto, the mind behind Tekkonkinkreet and Sunny.

Japan Matsuri in London - Sunday 29th September 2019

Date: 2019 September 25 20:46 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Fans of Japanese culture in London this weekend will want to head to the Japan Matsuri in Trafalgar Square. Now in it's 11th year the free event is set to run from 10am to 8pm on Sunday 29th September 2019. As always there'll be lots to see and do. Including a watching expert martial arts demonstrations, Japanese music and dance performances.

One of the main draws is always Japanese street food. We've also been told that Japanese fast food favourite MOS burger will be making their UK debut. There's always so much good Japanese food there it can be hard to choose what to eat! Yakisoba! Sushi! Hmmm. It's hard not to drool thinking about food while typing this!

There's also a great family activity tent will teach parents and kids alike manga, calligraphy, origami
and more.

This year's Matsuri marks the official opening of the Japan-UK Season of Culture - an exciting and varied programme of events taking place until the end of 2020.

Seven Seas Licenses 5 New Yuri Titles for 2020

Date: 2019 September 21 19:59 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good folks at manga publishers Seven Seas Entertainment have just sent us details of their 5 new yuri license acquisitions. They've got 4 new manga titles and one light novel.

Goodbye, My Rose Garden is a period romance between a British noblewoman and her maid. Volume 1 of the manga is due out April 14, 2020.

Syrup is a yuri anthology collecting short manga about adult women in love. It's due out June 9, 2020.

Failed Princesses is a unlikely high school romance manga. Volume 1 will be released on May 12 2020.

Fragtime is a time-freezing yuri love story. The manga will be released on April 14, 2020.

Adachi and Shimamura is a fan-favorite yuri romance that will soon be adapted into an anime series Volume 1 of the light novel series will be released in print on June 2, 2020

Manga Artist Talk with Keiko Takemiya in London

Date: 2019 August 09 20:17 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Manga fans in London are truly being spoilt with all the guests and events currently available over the last couple of months. This trend is continuing with a Special talk event with legendary manga artist - Keiko Takemiya. Known for her shojo manga, pioneer of the Boys' Love genre and author of the iconic manga including To Terra... and The Poem of Wind and Trees. Comic book expert Paul Gravett will be talking to Keiko Takemiya from 2:30pm to 4:30pm on Sunday 25th August 2019 at Foyles Charing Cross Road.

The talk will be followed by a Q&A and an opportunity for books to be signed bring them along with you!

This exclusive UK event is in partnership with Japan Foundation London.

The event costs £8 per person or £5 for students and Foyalty members.

Manga Symposium in London August 2019

Date: 2019 August 02 20:06 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Manga fans in London looking for an academic taste into the world of manga will be very pleased to hear about the Manga Symposium: What is Manga? Exploring Japanese Manga and Visual Narratives. The day long event gathers a range of manga academics at The British Library, Knowledge Centre Theatre. It's set to run on Friday 23rd August 2019 from 10:00 to 17:30.

Tickets cost £15 for adults or £8 for students under 18s and other concessions. We can think of nothing better than spending a learning about manga. Visit https://www.bl.uk/events/manga-symposium to book tickets.

What's Michael? Fatcat Collection Volume 1 Cat Manga Release Details

Date: 2019 June 25 20:47 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

Fans of cat manga can rejoice as publisher Dark Horse are re-releasing the classic What's Michael? as a special fat cat collection.

The manga was originally released in English by Dark Horse in 1997 and has been out of print for a long time, with many fans thought a reprint of Makoto Kobayashi's manga in English unlikely. We're massive fans of the comic antics of this cat manga as it blends slice of life tales (or should that be tails?!) along with amusing fantasy incorporating cats. The light hearted title is due out in the US on January 29, 2020.

You can pre-order it from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.

We've also been told that translator Zack Davisson is involved in this project and will write introductions for each volume. Zack is not only a manga translator, but a cat fan so it an appropriate choice for this series.

Why is the cat called Michael? Well Michael is used in Japanese as causal slang for cat, kind of like moggy.

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