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An Interview with Paul Carter Composer of Sakura Nagashi

Date: 2018 December 07 22:19 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

At the end of the most recently released Evangelion movie viewers were treated to a special music video for the song Sakura Nagashi. It marked the end of the movie and Hikaru Utada's return. While the film ended, the music stayed with us. We wanted to know more. So we tracked down the song's composer - Paul Carter and caught up with him in his London Studio to find out about the creative process behind the song and geek out over Yoko Kanno.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Studio Khara's Hibiki Yoshizaki to be MCM London Comic Con October 2018 Anime Guest of Honour

Date: 2018 October 03 20:13 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

It's October already, which means MCM London Comic Con's October 2018 run is almost here. As is tradition they've got a great anime guest lined up. The anime guest of honour will be Studio Khara's Hibiki Yoshizaki (whose notable credits include Evangelion, The Dragon Dentist, Japan Anima(tor) Expo).

Anime Limited have just revealed all the details which include a panel and signing session. They'll also be bringing an exhibition of short film ME! ME! ME! to MCM. The signing and exhibition will be free, but the exhibition is for over 18's only due to the mature nature of the exhibition.
MCM London Comic Con is set to run from Friday 26th to Sunday 28th October 2018 at London's Excel Centre.

Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited

Nozomi Launch Kickstarter to dub Emma A Victorian Romance Anime TV Series Season 1

Date: 2018 September 21 19:21 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks at US anime distributors Nozomi Entertainment have launched a Kickstarter to dub Emma A Victorian Romance Anime TV Series Season 1. The anime series is based of Kaoru Mori's much loved manga by the same name. It follows the Victorian tale of Emma a maid who falls in love with William a well to do gentleman. The original manga is lavish and very well researched, this naturally transitioned into the anime.

An Interview with Gray Haddock of Rooster Teeth About New Show gen:Lock

Date: 2018 September 19 21:15 | Posted By: Lee

Category > Anime

Gray Haddock is the Head of Animation at Rooster Teeth and is the writer and director of the highly anticipated new mecha anime series gen:LOCK due for release in January 2019. While at RTX London 2018 we were lucky enough to catch up with Gray for an exclusive interview and a chance to chat to him about the show!

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

First Ever UK Exhibition to Celebrate an Anime Director

Date: 2018 September 17 21:22 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The good folks at anime distributors Anime Limited have just sent us details of the first ever UK exhibition to celebrate The Works of Mamoru Hosoda. The exhibition will run for one week only from Saturday 13th October until Saturday 20th October 2018 in Central London just off Oxford Street at Noho Studios, 46 Great Titchfield Street, London, W1W 7PZ.

The exhibition will also feature a shop, where visitors can purchase merchandise that is to be made available for the first time in the UK. This'll be a great chance to pick up a great selection of goodies.

It'll be open from 10:00 to 18:00. The event is free to enter. If you can get to London in that time frame we suggest you give this excellent exhibition a look in.

This is a perfect refresher to Mamoru Hosoda's world before catching a screening. Mirai will be screened around the UK on 2nd November 2018 for subtitled screenings and 4th November 2018 for dubbed screenings. You can find a screening near you by visiting the official Mirai UK film website.

The film also features at the BFI Film Festival on Sunday 14th October 2018 (the Saturday 13th October screenings have sold out).

If you can't get to London then Scotland Loves Anime will be showing it on Sunday 14th October in Glasgow and Saturday 20th October 2018 in Edinburgh and the Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival will be showing the film at Aberystwyth on Sunday 21st October 2018.

As always for screenings we advise booking early to avoid disappointment. We also suggest catching this movie on the big screen while you can.

Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited

Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival 2018 Details

Date: 2018 August 24 20:27 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Anime fans in Wales are in for a treat this September and October as the Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival returns for another run of great films. Set to run at Chapter in Cardiff from Friday 28th to Sunday 30th September 2018 and Aberystwyth Arts Centre from Saturday 20th to Sunday 21st October 2018.

Japanese animators Tsuneo Goda and Hirokazu Minegishi from dwarf will be in Cardiff for the festival. They're stop motion animation experts. You may have seen their work on NHK World's charming Domo shorts. They'll be there to present a master class and conduct workshops, plus an autographing signing session.

Of course they'll be showing lots of anime on the big screen. They've got an amazing selection of recent anime including the charming Lu Over the Wall (which we've reviewed here), the emotional Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms (again you can read our review here), Mary And The Witch's Flower, along with Ghibli classics Arrietty and When Marnie Was There.

There's so much good stuff something for everyone regardless of your taste in anime. If you like a bit more action you can't go wrong with Tokyo Ghoul (the live action version) or Attack on Titan: The Roar of Awakening.

An Interview with Shouji Gatou Writer and Creator of Full Metal Panic!

Date: 2018 June 10 13:24 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Features

The MCM London Comic Con always has interesting anime guests of honour. This May 2018 was no exception with Shouji Gatou the creator of Full Metal Panic! visiting London as the anime guest of honour. Mr Gatou wrote the original Full Metal Panic! Light Novels and also works as an anime screen writer having worked on the anime version of Full Metal Panic!, Hyouka, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya and Lucky Star. He also created Amagi Brilliant Park as a light novel, which also became a popular anime series.

We caught up with Shouji Gatou on the Saturday of MCM London Comic Con May 2018 to ask him some questions about his career and his works.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

toco toco interview Yoshitoshi ABe

Date: 2018 June 04 21:00 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Websites

I am falling, I am fading, I have lost it all. Well we haven't really, but we've got that theme song from Serial Experiments Lain in our heads thanks to the folks from the team behind toco toco - a short documentary series showcasing Japanese creators and the places that inspire them. They've just told us that their latest video interviews Yoshitoshi ABe, illustrator, mangaka and character designer of various animation series like Serial Experiments Lain, NieA_7 or Haibane Renmei. While practising photography in Tokyo parks, his latest hobby, he recalls his 25-years drawing career.

You can watch the interview free (and legally) on toco toco's YouTube Channel.

Souce: toco toco

Mamoru Hosoda's Mirai UK Cinema Release Details

Date: 2018 May 24 19:31 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

While the good folks from Anime Limited are getting ready for the MCM London Comic Con this weekend they've still found some time to tell us the UK cinema release date for Mamoru Hosoda's latest movie. Mirai is set to open nationwide around the UK on 2nd November 2018. That date is a while away so details will still be confirmed. They've put all the details up on their new official website www.miraifilm.co.uk.

Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited

Mirai - the first Japanese animation to receive a world premiere at Cannes Film Festival

Date: 2018 April 18 20:11 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks from Anime Distributors Anime Limited have sent us details about Mamoru Hosoda's latest film Mirai which will receive it's World Premiere at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival in May as part of Directors' Fortnight. Significantly this is the first Japanese animation to ever to receive a world premiere on the Croisette.

The film will receive a UK cinema release later in 2018 via Anime Limited and their cinema partners National Amusements.

We've covered Anime Limited's acquisition of Mirai before.

Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited

An Interview with Toshimichi Mori of Arc System Works

Date: 2017 November 13 16:25 | Posted By: Lee

Category > Features

Rooster Teeth recently invited Otaku News to attend London's first ever RTX (Rooster Teeth Expo). While attending their animation panel we were surprised to see our good friend Toshimichi Mori of Arc System Works was also in attendance to announce that Weiss Schnee of RWBY will be appearing in BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle along side Ruby Rose!

We couldn't miss the opportunity to catch up with him again so we rushed to see him after the panel and had the honour of performing an exclusive interview where we talk about BlazBlue, it's collaboration with Rooster Teeth and the future of the series.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Little Witch Academia Creators to Appear at MCM London Comic Con October 2017

Date: 2017 October 15 15:37 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Anime fans heading the MCM London Comic Con will be pleased to hear that they've got the creators of Little Witch Academia as the anime guests. The fan favourite show is available to watch in the UK on Netflix.

Series director Yoh Yoshinari, series producer Naoko Tsutsumi, producer Katsuhiro Takei and video game producer Yosuke Futami will all be at the MCM London Comic on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th of October 2017.

The MCM London Comic Con is set to run from Friday 27th to Sunday 29th October 2017.

An Interview with Masaaki Yuasa

Date: 2017 September 29 16:51 | Posted By: Guest Contributor

Category > Features

Cult anime director Masaaki Yuasa was in the UK recently, being eager to quiz him about his two upcoming films Night is Short, Walk On Girl which hits cinemas on 4th October 2017 (visit the official website to find a screening near you) and Lu Over the Wall on 6th December 2017.

Rather than just send anyone to interview this great director, we wanted to send someone we knew who is one of Masaaki Yuasa biggest fans. So we sent Katy.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

The Red Turtle Review

Date: 2017 May 22 15:49 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Features

In an interesting move from Studio Ghibli, rather than look just in Japan for the talent to direct a new animated movie the fabled studio looked around the world to find someone suitable. They found Michaël Dudok de Wit. The movie they made together was The Red Turtle.

We caught up with the director for an exclusive interview.

The film is set for release at UK cinemas from Friday 26th May 2017.

We know you're wondering Is the movie any good? Well read our review and find out!

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Mamoru Hosoda announces new film project

Date: 2017 May 17 18:25 | Posted By: Eeeper

Category > Anime > Film

The Boy and The Beast director teams back up with Studio Chizu for next project due in 2018.

Anime Director Tatsuma Minamikawa and Anime Producer Yohei Ito will be special guests at MCM London Comic Con

Date: 2017 May 02 16:08 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

It's May, which means we'll be talking about the MCM London Comic Con a lot this month as build up for the colossal event starts. They've just revealed the two special guests that will be of interest to anime fans anime director Tatsuma Minamikawa and anime producer Yohei Ito.

Tatsuma Minamikawa is the director of the new Fairy Tail: Dragon Cry movie, while Yohei Ito has worked associate producer for Attack on Titan Season 1 and 2.

The MCM London Comic Con is set to run at the Excel Centre from Friday 26th to 28th May 2017.

Anime Architecture: Backgrounds of Japan Exhibition in London

Date: 2017 April 12 17:14 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Anime fans who can get to London from the end of May to the start of September will want to head over to House of Illustration who will be hosting an exhibition on Anime Architecture: Backgrounds of Japan.

Visitors will be treated to the background artwork from classic sci-fi anime feature films including Ghost in the Shell (1995), The Patlabor: The Movie (1989) and Metropolis (2001), by Mamoru Oshii and Atsushi Takeuchi.

House of Illustration is the UK’s only public gallery and education space dedicated solely to illustration so is the ideal place to run an event on anime artwork. It's located a short walk from Kings Cross and St Pancras Stations. The exhibition is set to run from 26th May to 10th September 2017. It's closed on Mondays. There is an £8.25 admission charge, this will give you access to all 3 galleries.

STUDIO4

Date: 2017 March 27 15:50 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from anime distributors Anime Limited have just announced they've teamed up with anime studio STUDIO4°C to launch a Kickstarter for animated film Mind Game to help bring about a blu-ray release. The film is directed by Masaaki Yuasa who is best known for anime The Tatami Galaxy, The Tatami Galaxy, plus the series 6 episode of Adventure Time Food Chain.

Masaaki Yuasa also worked with Production I.G to create Kick-Heart, we interviewed Production I.G. asking them what it's like to work with the director.

Anime Limited are no strangers to successful crowd funding campaigns having launched Mai Mai Miracle campaign, then later a Patema Inverted UK Kickstarter which was funded in 5 hours!

The Mind Game Kickstarter launches on Thursday, 30th March at 12pm BST.

Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited

Sony DVD and Blu-ray Sales Down

Date: 2017 February 03 15:50 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

We don't normally post about business news, but it's relevant to otaku. Sony have had to take a writedown on the value of it's movie business (PDF details here). One of the factors is faster than expected decline of DVD and blu-ray disc sales. People are switching to viewing titles via streaming services instead.

The Financial Times and BBC News have more details.

Souce: The Financial Times

A Silent Voice Director Naoko Yamada to Attend Glasgow Film Festival 2017 Screening

Date: 2017 January 31 16:04 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

Anime fans will want to head over to the Glasgow Film Festival 2017 Screening of A Silent Voice. The good folks from All The Anime (aka Anime Limited) tell us that the director Naoko Yamada will make a rare trip abroad to promote the film at the festival.

She'll be attending the screening of the film on Thursday 23rd February 2017, this will be followed by a Q&A session with the director. This session will be hosted by anime expert Jonathan Clements.

This a great and rare opportunity to ask the director about this film. As always, we advise booking tickets early to avoid disappointment.

For those that can't catch it in in Glasgow, or at the ICA London this weekend. A Silent Voice will also be released theatrically across the UK on Wednesday 15th March 2017.

Talking to toco toco tv

Date: 2017 January 25 16:12 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Features

We've interviewed a lot of interesting people in the anime industry over the years and were delighted when we discovered the mini-documentary show toco toco tv. The series available on YouTube has a simple and effective format they talk to various Japanese creators and introduce places they like in Japan while telling the viewer about their work.

The show is aired on the French TV channel Nolife since 2011 and YouTube (with English and French subtitles) since 2015.

Being intrigued about the show we wanted to know more, so decided to interview Anne Ferrero the show's director.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Manga Entertainment UK to Release Saban's Mighty Morphin Power Rangers in the UK

Date: 2017 January 07 15:41 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

The good folks from Manga Entertainment UK have sent us details of their latest acquisition. They now have the UK home video rights for Saban's Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. From April 2017, they'll be releasing the original Saban's Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Power Rangers Dino Charge and Power Rangers Dino Super Charge.

Recently Manga Entertainment UK have released various children's movies, including the original Pokemon movies (along with more recent releases such as Pokemon The Movie: Hoopa And The Clash Of Ages), and the original 1980's Transformers Movie (in a newly remastered edition). We suspect that the nostalgic market for adults wishing to relive their childhood and parents wishing to show their kids what TV used to be like has produced promising sales for these titles.

We also think that the upcoming 2017 live action Hollywood remake/reboot of The Power Rangers will result in good sales for adults wanting to rediscover the show and kids who want to see the original source material.

Kiki's Delivery Service Theatrical Adaptation an Interview at the Southwark Playhouse

Date: 2016 December 14 15:33 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Features

The holiday season is always a good time to relax and catch a performance at the theatre. There's always something for everyone in London. This year the Southwark Playhouse have looked to Japan for some inspiration and produced stage play of Kiki's Delivery Service.

The title is best known as the much loved Studio Ghibli feature film, which is based on the book by Eiko Kadono. Being fans of Japan we were certainly intrigued. We caught up with the Southwark Play House's Artistic Director and CEO Chris Smyrnios for an exclusive interview to find out more about the play.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

An interview with Psycho-Pass Director Naoyoshi Shiotani

Date: 2016 November 29 15:49 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Features

The MCM London Comic Con is always great for anime guests! This time around at the October 2016 event on of the anime guests of honour was Naoyoshi Shiotani. Working for Production I.G, he's directed a few titles including the hugely popular dystopian future anime Psycho-Pass. The good folks at Anime Limited arranged to the director over to the UK just in time to promote the UK home video release of the Psycho-Pass Movie.

Rather than sending our editor to interview him, we wanted to send in a Psycho-Pass super fan. So we sent in Nes who cosplayed as antagonist Makishima while interviewing Mr Shiotani. Not only did it make for an interesting interview, Nes managed to find some interesting insights into the series that many fans may have not been aware of!

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Your Name Breaks Box Office Records

Date: 2016 November 25 17:19 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks from Anime Limited have just sent us details about their Your Name screening. The film has grossed £108,372 at the UK and Irish Box Offices across 104 screens. They tell us it breaks the record for a single day gross and is the widest ever screen release for an anime film.

During the campaign the film received positive praise from the mainstream press including Mark Keromode who gave it a great review on his film show and on his film column

If you've missed the movie you can find a screening of Your Name by going to YourNameTheMovie.co.uk, alternatively you can see if there will be another screening near you via the on-demand cinema platform Our Screen.

You can read our review of the movie and our interview with director Makoto Shinkai.

Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited

Original Ghost in the Shell Manga Re-release Details

Date: 2016 November 19 10:27 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

While everyone's talking about the up coming live action Ghost in the Shell Movie starting Scarlett Johansson, lots of people will want to read Masamune Shirow's original source material. The good folks at manga publisher Kodansha Comics have just announced the release dates for Deluxe editions of the original manga. These editions will be in In the original, right-to-left format with Japanese sound effects for the first time. They also include brand new bonus content.

This is all 3 volumes, The original Ghost In the Shell manga (labelled as The Ghost in the Shell 1 Deluxe Edition), The Ghost in the Shell 2, plus Ghost in the Shell 1.5 which fills the gaps between volume 1 and 2.
All three will be hard cover editions.

They'll also be releasing a movie tie-in edition, the contents of which is a bit vague. Is it just the first volume with a different cover? Or extra content? We're not sure yet.

All 4 volumes are due out on Tuesday 31st January 2017.

You can pre-order them now from Amazon.

The Ghost in the Shell 1 Deluxe Edition - Pre order from: Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

The Ghost in the Shell 2 Deluxe Edition (Ghost in the Shell 2: Man-Machine Interface) - Pre order from: Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

The Ghost in the Shell 1.5 Deluxe Edition (Human-Error Processor) - Pre order from: Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Ghost in the Shell 1 Movie Tie-In Edition - Pre order from: Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

They're definitely worth getting if you haven't already got any Ghost in the Shell manga, especially the first volume as this is one of the most influential manga titles ever written.

Souce: Kodansha Comics

An Interview with Makoto Shinaki Director of Your Name

Date: 2016 November 15 15:52 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Features

Makoto Shinkai's latest movie Your Name is about to hit the UK nationally on Thursday 24th November 2016. Last month we were lucky enough to catch up with Mr Shinkai to talk about Your Name while he was in London for the BFI London Film Festival.

You can catch the box office smash hit by going to YourNameTheMovie.co.uk to find a screening near you.

This isn't Makoto Shinkai's first time in London. We interviewed him in 2008 last time he was at the BFI promoting 5 Centimeters Per Second.

You can read our Your Name review too if you're interested to know more about the film.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

An Interview with Lindsay Jones and Barbara Dunkelman of RWBY

Date: 2016 November 11 17:00 | Posted By: Lee

Category > Features

Lindsay Jones and Barbara Dunkelman voice Ruby Rose and Yang Xiao Long in the popular anime RWBY. The fourth season of the show has just been launched and we were lucky enough to catch up with them at the MCM London Comic Con for an exclusive interview and the chance to chat to them about the show, what we can expect from Volume 4 and the life of a voice actor and all round community figure at Rooster Teeth. RWBY Volume 4 can be seen on Rooster Teeth with new episodes being released every Saturday.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Makoto Shinkai Your Name National UK Screenings Reminder

Date: 2016 October 15 15:36 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

While Makoto Shinkai is in London promoting is latest smash hit move Your Name, it might be a good time to remind UK readers that they can catch it nationwide on a special one day screening on Thursday 24th November 2016. You can check the official Your Name Movie UK Website to find a screening near you. We suggest you book early to avoid disappointment.

We don't say smash hit lightly either, it's grossed more than $100 million USD at the Japanese box office and is on track to be the 5th highest grossing movie in Japanese box office history.

If you're a fan of Makoto Shinkai, you might not be aware of the special artbook, A Sky Longing for Memories: The Art of Makoto Shinkai. It's a lavish full colour artbook which is packed with art from many of the movies he directred, with hundreds of background from 5 Centimeters per Second, The Place Promised in Our Early Days, Voices of a Distant Star, and a TV advertisement for the Mainichi Newspaper. It doesn't feature Your Name, as it was published before the film was released, it does however feature a section on software and techniques behind CoMix Wave’s animation, which. This English also features an interview with Makoto Shinkai and other key members of his studio. You can buy the book from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com.

If you're already a fan, you should already be aware of The Place Promised in Our Early Days / Voices of a Distant Star Twin Pack on Blu-ray and DVD. That's due out on Monday 21st November 2016. It's in full collectors packaging along with another artbook. You can pre-order this from Amazon.co.uk.

Souce: Your Name the Movie UK Website

Manga Entertainment UK at the MCM London Comic Con October 2016

Date: 2016 October 12 16:36 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

In case our UK readers haven't already guessed, it's almost time for the MCM London Comic Con. UK anime company Manga Entertainment have just sent us a press release detailing their antics at the event. As always they have a big presence at the Comic Con. They'll be running an Anime Karaoke, hosting a panel revealing their newest acquisitions and distribution plans. On the Friday at 3.30pm they'll be showing a mini showcase for In This Corner of the World which includes trailers for the film and a clip.

They'll also be supporting charity Polished Man. The press release mentions a way to get stickers from Manga Entertainment too, we're keen to grab some, we bet you might be too!

MCM London Comic Con is set to run from Friday 28th to Sunday 30th October 2016 at Excel London.

MCM London Comic Con to welcome Evangelion animator Takeshi Honda this October 2016

Date: 2016 October 12 15:20 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

We've already mentioned that Psycho-Pass director Naoyoshi Shiotani will be at the MCM London Comic Con this October. We've just heard from the good folks at MCM that Evangelion animator Takeshi Honda will also be at the event. He worked on the original Neon Genesis Evangelion and went back for the reboot acting as mechanical animation director on Evangelion: 1.0, animation director on Evangelion: 2.0 and then chief animation director on the latest in the series, Evangelion: 3.0.

He's got lots of top titles on his CV too, being involved in Millennium Actress, Perfect Blue, Ponyo, The Wind Rises and The Boy and the Beast. Such an industry veteran will have lots of interesting insights to reveal.

MCM London Comic Con is set to run from Friday 28th to Sunday 30th October 2016 at Excel London.

Psycho-Pass director Naoyoshi Shiotani to attend MCM London Comic Con October 2016

Date: 2016 October 06 16:27 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

When it comes to anime guests the MCM London Comic Con never disappoints. For this Comic Con they've just announced the special anime guest of honour Psycho-Pass director Naoyoshi Shiotani. Best known for directing dystopian future anime, he's also directed Tokyo Marble Chocolate and worked on Production I.G’s first 3DCG animated feature, Oblivion Island: Haruka and the Magic Mirror.

He'll be at the comic con to present an on-stage panel as well as signing autographs. So if you fancy getting your Dominator signed, now's your chance!

MCM London Comic Con is set to run from Friday 28th to Sunday 30th October 2016 at Excel London

Makoto Shinkai's Your Name at the BFI and Nationwide in the UK

Date: 2016 September 01 10:52 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

We've got news from the good folks at the BFI, who'll tell us that Makoto Shinkai’s "Your Name" to Screen in Competition at the 60th BFI London Film Festival. This is significant as for for the first time in its history, it will host a Japanese animated film in the competition.

Makoto Shinkai's new film, which blends comedy, drama, heartbreak and wonder, will also open nationwide at 78 UK cinemas on Thursday November 24th 2016.

We caught up with Makoto Shinkai and interviewed him last time he was at the BFI promoting 5 Centimeters Per Second.

Anime Producer Reo Kurosu Guest of Honour at MCM Scotland Comic Con 2016

Date: 2016 August 24 16:02 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Anime fans heading to MCM Scotland Comic Con in Glasgow will be interested in this anime guest of honour. Reo Kurosu is an anime producer with an impressive list of top titles to his name, including Fullmetal Alchemist, The Heroic Legend of Arslan and the new Berserk adaptation. We really want to ask him questions about the the fan favourite Saint Young Men.

He'll be presenting a panel on the Saturday of the Glasgow show, as well as meeting fans on both days of the event.

The event is set to run from Saturday 24th to Sunday 25th September 2016 at the SECC.

Kiki's Delivery Service gets a New Theatrical Adaptation in London Over Christmas 2016

Date: 2016 August 17 15:28 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

Fans of Japanese Culture looking for something to do over Christmas will want to to head to the Southwark Playhouse in London. They'll be hosting the world premiere of a brand new theatrical adaptation of Kiki's Delivery Service. The play is based on the best selling book by Eiko Kadono, and was adapted into a much loved film by Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli.

The play is set to run from Thursday 8th December 2016 until Sunday 8th January 2017.

The Southwark Playhouse have previously hosted a production of Howl's Moving Castle in 2012.

They've yet to announce any casting or creative details. We'll be very curious as to who they cast for Jiji, if it'll be a human or some kind of stage craft puppetry.

This is all we can reveal at this stage, and we're keen to book tickets already! As always when tickets are release, we suggest you book early to avoid any disappointment.

An Interview Hirokatsu Kihara - Horror Writer and Studio Ghibli Production Manager

Date: 2016 July 27 16:53 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Features

One of the fun parts about running Otaku News is that you get to meet interesting people. In July 2016 we went to Japanese Cultural Festival Hyper Japan and met Hirokatsu Kihara. The former Studio Ghibli Production Manager is now a horror story writer and yokai expert. Hirokatsu Kihara sounded just like the kind of person you'd be interested in hearing from. So we caught up with him for an interview.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Nintendo and Uniqlo Team Up for T-shirt Design Competition

Date: 2016 July 03 15:11 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Fans of Nintendo with an artistic streak will be interested to hear about Uniqlo's UTGP'17 T-shirt design competition. The grand prize is £7,000 and will be judged by Nintendo legend Shigeru Miyamoto (along with a special team of judges). The design competition is open world wide. The theme is simply Nintendo. So if you've got an idea for a Nintendo themed t-shirt you've been itching to get made, now is the time to get submitting!

The winning t-shirts will be sold through Uniqlo in Spring 2017.

The competition is due to close on Wednesday 31st August 2016.

Fakku Publishing and Toshio Maeda Running Kickstarter to publish Legend of the Overfiend in English

Date: 2016 June 22 16:02 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Freaky Things

Sitting on a train travelling home, a man wearing a trench coat walked past me, I couldn't see his face, it was covered by the brim of his hat, I could see he had a moustache. I thought this was strange attire for the middle of June. I didn't know who he was, but he clearly knew me. Just as the train pulled into the next station he passed me a plain brown envelope and left the train before I could process what happened.

I waited until I got home until opening the envelope, just in case, as it's not everyday mustachioed stranger delivers a letter on public transport. The letter was from on-line retailer United Publications, they wanted to tell us that they've started stocking books for *ahem* mature readers from publisher Fakku. The letter said Fakku are company driven by fans, something United Publications are keen to support.

Not wanting to stop, the letter carried on.

"We know you've met renowned hentai master Toshio Maeda, but are you aware of the Kickstarter to get his most famous work Legend of the Overfiend published in English?"

We weren't aware of this Kickstarter, but now we are. Thank you, kind trenchcoated stranger.

The Kickstarter is due to end on Wednesday 20th July 2016. As of the time of writing $32,919 has been pledged towards the $47,000 (USD) target.

Souce: Fakku Kickstarter

Animatsu Licenses In This Corner of the World

Date: 2016 June 15 16:09 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

We've just been sent details from Animatsu Entertainment, an affiliate company of Manga Entertainment UK. They've just announced that they've secured global distribution rights animated feature In This Corner of the World. The film is based on the the award-winning manga written by Fumiyo Kouno. It tells the tale of Suzu, who in 1944 moves to the small town of Kure in Hiroshima.

This is an interesting move by Animatsu, until now they've mainly acquired rights to distribute titles in the UK and Ireland. Often partnering with American and Australian anime companies for resources such as the subtitles and English language dub. We asked Animatsu to elaborate on their new acquisition strategy, but they can't divulge anything as yet.

An Interview with Anime Director Michael Arias

Date: 2016 June 06 15:59 | Posted By: Lee

Category > Features

Lots of anime fans aspire to join the anime industry. Very few from the west make it. Even fewer people go on to direct well known titles like Tekkonkinkreet, or produced the Animatrix. Michael Arias was a guest at the MCM London Comic Con this May 2016. We were lucky enough to catch him for an exclusive interview, while he was here to promote Harmony, his latest feature film, it's due for a home video release in the UK sometime in Q4 2016 thanks to Anime Limited.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Tekkonkinkreet director Michael Arias to talk latest film Harmony at MCM London Comic Con May 2016

Date: 2016 May 12 15:03 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

It's not long until it's time again for the MCM London Comic Con. They're always a treat for anime fans having already announced that they'll be hosting hosting the EU premiere of Mobile Suit Gundam The Origin III plus Sunrise Special Guests. Keen to keep anime fans content, they've also got anime director Michael Arias who made Tekkonkinkreet and produced the Animatrix. He'll be at the Comic Con to talk about his latest film Harmony. He's CV is like an otaku's dream which includes working closely with Studio Ghibli on Miyazaki masterpieces Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away.

The MCM London Comic Con is set to run from Friday 27th to Sunday 29th May 2016 at the Excel Centre in London.

Michael Arias will also be at the BFI Southbank London - Anime Weekend 2016.

Ozarin: Anime Japan 2016 - An Adventure in Odaiba!

Date: 2016 April 22 16:11 | Posted By: Bryoz

Category > Features

I was lucky enough to attend Anime Japan, a massive entertainment focused event in Odaiba, to check out some of the latest and upcoming Japanese animation!

MCM London Comic Con to host EU premiere of Mobile Suit Gundam The Origin III plus Sunrise Special Guests

Date: 2016 April 19 14:46 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Mecha fans in the UK will want to head over the MCM London Comic Con this May. The major geek event have just announced mecha designer and producer, Mika Akitaka and Osamu Taniguchi will be guests at the Comic Con. They'll also host the EU premiere of Mobile Suit Gundam The Origin III. They'll both be signing autographs for fans and presenting a panel on the Saturday of the Excel London show.

The MCM London Comic Con is set to run from Friday 27th to Sunday 29th May 2016 at the Excel Centre in London.

Kadokawa Buy Majority Stake in Yen Press

Date: 2016 April 12 16:03 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

Manga publishing imprint Yen Press have just announced that they have entered into an agreement with mega-content publisher Kadokawa. The Yen Press imprint will be span off to form a new company Yen Pres LLC. Kadokawa will own 51% of the new company while the original parent company of Yen Press, Hachette Book Group will own the remaining 49%.

This is interesting news. There are many reasons why a Japanese media giant like Kadokawa would want their own English language manga publisher. Industry watchers are already speculating about what Yen Press will do next.

The news was first announced on Anime News Network.

Sherlock Manga Release Details Update

Date: 2016 March 26 15:21 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

We've already published details about Titan Comic's up-coming release of the Sherlock Manga. As news is spreading we wanted to know more details about the actual release. So we go it touch with Titan Comics editor Andrew James to talk about the release.

Miss Hokusai Screening Review

Date: 2016 February 01 13:43 | Posted By: Voxie

Category > Features

Whether I'm reviewing or not, when I go in to watch a new feature film, I try to read up on it as little as possible. With Miss Hokusai, I had only seen the short Japanese trailer (on purpose, so I wouldn't understand everything), and later skimmed the first few paragraphs of the production notes, handed to me when I walked into the screening. What I was expecting was something of a behind-the-scenes, biographical approach to Katsushika Hokusai's life, through his daughter's eyes. But instead I got something a little different.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Hyper Japan Christmas Market 2015 Details

Date: 2015 November 07 17:13 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Fans of Japanese culture looking for something fun to do near Christmas will be interested in Hyper Japan Christmas Market. It's set to run from Friday 27th to Sunday 29th November 2015 at Tobacco Dock in London.

There's a ton of things to do at this event. They'll be lots of Japanese food, plenty of stalls with things to buy. Along with a whole host of musical performances from the virtual artist IA to the the cute and rather strange Lady Baby.

Cosplayers and fashion fans will be well represented too.

Anime fans will be pleased to hear that anime studio Production I.G will be represented too with anime director Naoyoshi Shiotani (who directed the Psycho-Pass TV series and movie) and producer Rui Kuroki, who will be giving talks throughout the event.

An Interview with Shigeto Koyama - Anime Character Designer

Date: 2015 November 06 18:31 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Features

The May and October MCM London Comic Cons are without doubt the biggest geek events in the UK. With over 130,000 people attending this October. It caters for all geeky tastes. Anime fans are also well looked after, each event regularly has an anime guest of honour. The October Comic con played host to Shigeto Koyama, renowned designer, he designed Baymax from Disney movie Big Hero 6. He was also involved in the character designs for fan favourite anime show Kill La Kill, as well as designing the weapons and lots of gear in the well loved game No More Heroes. We were lucky enough to catch up with him and ask some interesting questions.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

The Osamu Tezuka Story - A Life in Manga and Anime Book Details

Date: 2015 October 19 16:02 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good folks from publishers Stone Bridge Press have just sent us details for a new book out in July 2016. They'll be publishing The Osamu Tezuka Story A Life in Manga and Anime by Toshio Ban & Tezuka Productions. This is going to be a huge book weighing in at over 900 pages, it covers the entire life of Osamu Tezuka, the creator of Astro Boy and man seen as the founding father of modern manga and anime.

This book is translated by Frederik L. Schodt. He's known for many things in including translating the original Ghost In the Shell manga into English (with Toren Smith). He's also written numerous award winning books books on manga. He knows his stuff!

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

Stone Bridge Press publish high quality books on Japanese culture, anime and manga. They're the publishers behind the The Anime Encyclopedia.

Sunrise To Present Special Panel at MCM London Comic Con

Date: 2015 October 17 09:33 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The good folks at MCM London Comic Con have just sent use details about an anime panel running at the Cominc Con on Sunday. It'll be presented by Eri Suziki from Sunrise's international department and it'll focus on the Gundam franchise and the next phase of their partnership with UK anime firm Anime Limited.

Sunrise are best known for being the studio behind Gundam, they've also created the anime versions of Cowboy Bebop, Love Live, Code Geass and Tiger & Bunny to name a few.

Anime Limited are also running the MCM Loves Anime Event on the Saturday.

The MCM London Comic Con is set to run from Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th October 2015.

Shigeto Koyama to be anime guest of honour at London Comic Con October 2015

Date: 2015 October 11 10:16 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

We keep saying that the MCM Comic Con keep having interesting anime guests at their events. The October run of the MCM London Comic Con is no different. This time around Shigeto Koyama will be the anime guest of honour. He's been responsible for the design of Big Hero 6's robot Baymax, and been involved with Kill la Kill and Hideaki Anno's Rebuild of Evangelion movies. He's got a whole host of credits to his name for A-list anime titles including Gurren Lagann, Space Dandy and Ghost in the Shell SAC: Solid State Society.

The MCM London Comic Con is set to run from Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th October 2015. Anime fans will also be interested in the MCM Loves Anime side event.

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