Advanced Search

Browsing Articles

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.

WIT Studio's Kotomi Deai and Hiroshi Shimizu heading to MCM Scotland Comic Con

Date: 2015 September 07 16:15 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Anime fans in Glasgow are in for a treat, we've already mentioned Scotland Loves Anime 2015, however just before that the MCM Scotland Comic Con is set to run on Saturday 26th to Sunday 27th September 2015. The anime guests this time around are are WIT Studio's Kotomi Deai and Hiroshi Shimizu. WIT Studio are best known for the megahit anime Attack on Titan.

Both are experienced in the anime industry, and have been involved in titles such as The Rolling Girls, Silver Spoon, Kids on the Slope, Sword Art Online, Samurai Champloo and Space Dandy.

They'll be presenting panels, meeting fans and signing autographs at the Comic Con.

This is not first time WIT Studio staff have appeared at an MCM Event, we caught up with WIT Studio at the October 2013 MCM London Comic Con. The next MCM London Comic Con set set to run from Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th October 2015.

Scotland Loves Anime 2015 Announced

Date: 2015 August 29 12:37 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Anime fans in Scotland are in for a treat this October as popular anime film festival Scotland Loves Anime returns to Edinburgh and Glasgow for it's 6th consecutive year. They'll also have some screenings in Aberdeen too.

Scotland Loves Anime have just announced the event is set to run in Glasgow from Friday 9th to Sunday 11th October 2015 and Edinburgh from Monday 12th to Sunday 18th October 2015. The line up as always is awesome. They've got all sorts of anime, plus the new live action Attack on Titan movies. Guest wise anime director Keiichi Hara who recently directed Sarusuberi: Miss Hokusai, will be at Glasgow, along with renowned anime expert Jonathan Clements (saying he's an expert is a bit of an understament, as) he's written tons about anime in books and magazines, plus is the co-author of the The Anime Encyclopedia.

Scotland Loves Anime 2015: Edinburgh Line-Up
Monday 12th to Sunday 18th October 2015

Sarusuberi: Miss Hokusai
Empire Of Corpses
Expelled From Paradise
The Case Of Alice & Hana
Dragonball Z: Resurrection ‘F’
Attack On Titan – Live Action Film 1
The Last: Naruto The Movie
Boruto: Naruto The Movie
Love Live! The Movie
Madoka Magica – Film 3: Rebellion
Attack On Titan – Part 1
Attack On Titan Part 2 – Jiyuu No Tsubasa
Ghost In The Shell: The New Movie (2015)

Scotland Loves Anime 2015: Glasgow Line-Up
Friday 9th to Sunday 11th October 2015

Sarusuberi: Miss Hokusai
Empire Of Corpses
The Case Of Alice & Hana
Dragonball Z: Resurrection ‘F’
Attack On Titan – Live Action Film 1
Attack On Titan – Live Action Film 2
Boruto: Naruto The Movie

Anime Pioneer Osamu Tezuka Documentary on NHK World This Weekend

Date: 2015 August 27 11:50 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Anime fans keen to know about the origins of their hobby will be very interested to tune into NHK World this weekend to catch Artist in Motion: Anime Pioneer Osamu Tezuka. The documentary looks at the famed manga and anime creator who often considered the founding father of modern anime. It focuses on the triumphs and tribulations of an artist driven to new forms of expression.

It will be broadcast on NHK World on
Saturday 29th August
23:10
Sunday 30th August
5:10, 10:10 and 17:10
All times are in UTC (as NHK world is a global channel).

NHK World is free to access, and is broadcast on most satellite providers. It broadcasts it's content in English, either dubbed into English, or in Japanese with English subtitles. Details on how to watch it can be found here.

UK based readers can find NHK World on:
Sky Channel 507
Freesat Channel 209
Virgin Media (with certain packages) Channel 625

Australian based readers can catch it on Foxtel Channel 656

American readers can get it with different cable or satellite providers.

You can also watch a live stream on the NHK World Website or download their live streaming app for your tablet or smartphone.

An Interview with Space Dandy writer Kimiko Ueno

Date: 2015 August 04 02:31 | Posted By: Eeeper

Category > Anime > TV

As fans of anime, we often wonder how some of our favourite shows get put together by the staff. While it's true that directors, actors and character designers shape the look of the show, it's anime writers who tell the characters what to say.

One writer who is getting more exposure these days is Kimiko Ueno. Having written for long running shows such as Shin Chan, she's currently writing episodes for Space Dandy, the hit show from Cowboy Bebop creator Shinichiro Watanabe (released by Anime Limited) While in the UK for MCM Manchester Comic Con 2015, Miss Ueno was kind enough to sit down and have a chat with us about Space Dandy, Shin Chan and what she looks forward to when travelling abroad.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Inside The Industry: Anime Talk - Report

Date: 2015 July 14 16:27 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Features

It's not often you get to see behind the scenes of the anime industry and find out what it's really like. This week the Japan Foundation in London hosted a talk called Inside The Industry: Anime.

The event brought together:
Hirokatsu Kihara who worked at Studio Ghibli before becoming a best selling author.

Michihiko Suwa who works as Chief Producer at the Animation Department of Yomiuri TV and credits include Detective Conan (aka Case Closed) anime.

Aya Suzuki a British/Japanese Layout artist, 2D Character/FX animator and occasional animation lecturer. Projects worked on include (but are not limited to) Hayao Miyazaki's The Wind Rises at Studio Ghibli, plus Mamoru Hosoda's Wolf Children.

Stephen Cavalier acted as chair, bringing his two decades experience in the animation and games industries along with authoring a book on The World History of Animation

The event ran on Monday 13th July 2015. It was free to attend and it was so popular there was waiting list. The audience was a mix of anime/manga fans along with animation students and animation industry professionals.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Space Dandy's Kimiko Ueno to be Anime Guest of Honour at Manchester Comic Con 2015

Date: 2015 July 08 15:47 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The MCM London Comic Con frequently has top notch anime guests of honour. It seems now that the good people at MCM are expanding and bringing an anime guest of honour to their MCM Manchester Comic Con event. Space Dandy's Kimiko Ueno will be the guest of honour at the event which is set to run from Saturday 25th to Sunday 26th July at Manchester Central.

She's a script writer for anime Space Dandy and also written scripts for favourites such as Crayon Shin-chan.She'll be their signing autographs and presenting an on-stage panel on how anime screenplays are developed. This is an interesting part of anime production that will be good to gain insights on!

Space Dandy Season 2 will be available in the UK on DVD and Blu-ray from Monday 3rd August 2015.

Viewster Opens Los Angeles Office to Drive Revenue Initiatives

Date: 2015 June 19 17:13 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

It's always interesting to keep up to date with industry news. The good folks from streaming service Viewster have sent us details of their new office. It seems that they'll be setting up in Los Angeles. This means they'll be expanding and perhaps getting some additional interesting licenses too.

Viewster also intend to start a premium service soon. This makes sense, as they currently have a free to view option that is add supported. Services like Crunchyroll have proven that some anime fans are willing to pay for an ad free offering.

An Interview with Hidetaka Tenjin Mechanical Illustrator and Mecha Designer

Date: 2015 June 01 15:36 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Features

As children we've often spent our time drawing giant robots and fighter jets. Many of our readers would still do this for fun now and again. But what if you want to do it professionally? We were lucky enough to meet one such man - Mecha Designer Hidetaka Tenjin. He's does technical illustrations and designs cool mechanical things. He's done technical illustration for Macross Zero, Macross Frontier, Macross Frontier: The False Diva and Macross Frontier: The Wings of Goodbye.

He's got a few art books to his name too. Plus he also does lots of box art for model kits.

We were lucky enough to catch up with Hidetaka Tenjin at the May 2015 MCM London Comic Con where he was invited by streaming service Viewster to be the anime guest of honour.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Channel 5 Documentary Seeks Single Male Anime Fans

Date: 2015 May 26 12:54 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Fandom

It's unusual to ask our readers this! Are you a UK based single male anime fan, looking for romance? A production company making a documentary for Channel 5 are looking for eligible bachelors who are interested on going out on a date for the documentary with another anime fan. The lady in question is an anime fan and loves attending conventions.

So if you're looking to find a like minded individual, a bit of romance, while on TV, now's your chance!

Convention Season - A Quick Reminder About Pirate Goods

Date: 2015 May 16 10:34 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

With convention season kicking off it's time for us to issue our regular reminder to everyone to keep an eye out for pirate goods. Do you know if the event you are going to has a pirate goods policy? Do you know how to spot and avoid pirate goods? We find that pirate goods are still present at some events. If you haven't already, please read the Pirate Anime FAQ and learn how to avoid dodgy merchandise.

Souce: The Pirate Anime FAQ

Mecha Designer Hidetaka Tenjin invited by Viewster to MCM London Comic Con May 2015

Date: 2015 May 14 15:47 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The MCM London Comic Con is almost here for it's May run. They always have top notch Japanese guests, and this time around it's no exception. For the May 2015 London Comic their Anime Guest of Honour is Hidetaka Tenjin the mecha illustrator, sci-fi artist and mechanical designer. He's worked as a mechanical artist on titles such as Macross Zero, Macross Frontier, Macross Frontier: The False Diva and Macross Frontier: The Wings of Goodbye. Other anime credits include Hellsing Ultimate, Gundam Evolve, Genesis of Aquarion and its sequel series Aquarion Evol.

He's been invited by Viewster the on-line streaming service that has a great selection of anime which we've covered before.

Hidetaka Tenjin will be meeting fans on Friday and Saturday at the event. The MCM London Comic Con is due to run from Friday 22nd to Sunday 24th May 2015.

Coluboccoro Kickstarter Details

Date: 2015 March 31 16:40 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Crowd soucing is all the rage now, so it makes sense that more and more anime could be supported by backers paying up front. Kenji Itoso the director behind Santa Company will launch a new Kickstarter to fund his latest production Coluboccoro. The Kickstater will go live on Wednesday 1st April 2015.

Miss Hokusai Set for UK Release from Anime Limited

Date: 2015 February 27 17:04 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks from UK based anime company Anime Limited have sent us the details of their newest acquisition. Miss Hokusai, a film from anime studio Production I.G (best known for all the Ghost In the Shell titles, plus so much top notch anime). The movie is based on the manga Sarusuberi by Hinako Sugiura.

It's yet to be released in cinemas in Japan! It opens in Japan on 9th May 2015, with a UK and Irish cinematic release following in October to November of this year, with a home video release to follow.

Production I.G are well known for their high quality animation, so it'll be interesting to see what this feature is actually like.

Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited

New Distributor Animatsu Entertainment Launches in the UK

Date: 2015 January 13 16:04 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Things are getting interesting in the UK anime industry. We've just received details about a new UK anime distributor animatsu. The company has been set up by former Manga Entertainment UK employees Jerome Mazandarani and Andrew Hewson.

They've partnered with Manga Entertainment UK who will provide Animatsu with key backend services including sales and distribution.

Animatsu have also closed a UK license deal with Sentai Filmworks for 8 brand new titles including Blade And Soul, Comic artist and His Assitants and Coffin Princess. They also state they're negotiating for more titles too. The company will reveal more titles in the up coming issues of Neo and MyM magazines.

Evangelion 3.33 UK DVD and Blu-ray Release Delayed

Date: 2015 January 12 16:18 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

The good folks from Manga Entertainment UK have sent us details about the delayed blu-ray and DVD release of Evangelion 3.33. They confirm that the release has been pushed back indefinitely, but they will still be releasing the title. There is currently no set date for the anime features release.

An Interview with Mizuho Nishikubo director of Giovanni's Island

Date: 2015 January 10 18:06 | Posted By: Eeeper

Category > Anime

Recently, we got a chance to interview Mr. Mizuho Nishikubo, director of Giovanni's Island, and ask him about the film and some of his other works.

The film is going to be released on DVD and Blu-ray by Anime Limited.

You can enter our competition to win a copy of the film.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Anime Limited Welcomes Jeremy Graves to Team AL

Date: 2015 January 05 11:42 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

We've just received a press release from the good folks at Anime Limited. They've just told us about their newest recruit Jeremy Graves. Although new to the company roster he's not new to the anime industry. Regular anime fans will be familiar with his role as Manga Entertainment UK's Community Liaison and regularly replied to anime fans on Twitter, as well regular appearances on the Manga UK Podcast,

Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited

Giovanni's Island Blu-ray Competition

Date: 2014 December 29 14:36 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

UK based anime fans will be pleased to hear about a competition we're currently running. The good folks from Anime Limited have given us one copy of Giovanni's Island to give away on Blu-ray.

Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited

Fascinating Tokusatsu Museum on NHK World

Date: 2014 December 19 15:04 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Fans of all things Tokusatsu will want to tune into NHK World on Saturday 20th December 2014. They'll be broadcasting a special show about the Fascinating Tokusatsu Museum. It's set to feature Hideaki Anno the famed anime director behind Neon Genesis Evangelion.

It'll be broadcast the following times - 4:10, 10:10, 16:10 and 22:10 (all UTC). The NHK World schedule page will allow you to figure out how this converts to your local time.

You can watch NHK in many regions around the world.

UK viewers can catch it on Sky Channel 507, Freesat Channel 209 and Virgin Medial 625. NHK

World generally broadcast in either English or in Japanese with English subtitles depending on the programme and context. They'll also have some great Viewers Choice content during the end of December.

Souce: NHK World

The Story Behind Toyota UK's Manga Inspired Adventure

Date: 2014 November 25 17:01 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Features

Toyota UK have decided to do something a bit interesting with their Japanese roots. At the October 2014 MCM London Comic Toyota revealed a new manga styled adventure to launch their new Aygo.

Specially commissioned by UK based artist Sonia Leong to create the manga. Toyota also commissioned an animated version of the comic too.

We caught up with Nik Pearson (Manager, Press Relations) at Toyota to talk about the campaign. We were lucky enough to get an exclusive interview about the project.

Thanks again for your time Nik. It's always interesting to see how production of manga based marketing campaigns work.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

An Interview With Anime Director Shinichiro Watanabe

Date: 2014 November 02 12:22 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Features

The MCM London Comic Con is always a treat for top notch anime guests. The October 2014 weekend was no exception. Renowned anime director Shinichiro Watanabe returned to London as a guest of the event to promote the up and coming home video release of Space Dandy as well as the newly launched show Terror In Resonance.

He attended the Anime Limited stand on Saturday and Sunday of the show as well as appearing on stage to answer questions for fans.

We've been lucky enough to interview Shinichiro Watanabe in May 2013 at his previous appearance at the MCM London Comic Con. It's was then he first revealed Space Dandy.

We caught up with the Mr Watanabe to talk about music from a cold country, Terror In Resonance and a bit of Space Dandy. As we knew a lot of people would be asking about Space Dandy, we were keen to focus more on Terror In Resonance, as it had just finished it's run.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness Australian release details

Date: 2014 October 02 17:09 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

We don't normally post Australian anime news (but we do want to change that and post more). Australian Fan of Studio Ghibli are in for a treat the December. Anime company Madman Entertainment will be releasing The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness. It's a behind the scenes documentary at Studio Ghibli, you can see the masters of animation at work and get some inside details of Miyazaki making his last feature film The Wind Rises. It's due out in Australia on Wednesday 10th December 2014 and is set to retail for $29.95 (AUD).

If you've enjoyed any kind of DVD extra on behind the scenes at Studio Ghibli, you'll want to see this insightful film focusing on the creative process behind the scenes.

The film will also be showing as part of Madman's The Tale of Studio Ghibli Showcase theatrical event

Souce: Madman Entertainment

Studio Ghibli to close down (or is it?)

Date: 2014 August 03 17:16 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Production > Studio Ghibli

The internet has lit up with the news that Studio Ghibli is to close down. Being the internet it's also full of misinformation. According to sources, Studio Ghibli producer Toshio Suzuki said on the MBS Channel that they're restructuring Studio Ghibli. They are considering closing animation department. Many speculators in the industry are not surprised by this.

Kotaku have a good analysis of the story and it's details. As they correctly point out, an event like Studio Ghibli closing down would be all over Japanese News sources. Currently it is not.

Update: We've changed the source of this article to Kotaku, as they have a great analysis of what's going on.

An interview with Blue Exorcist Movie Staff Takamitsu Inoue and Atsushi Takahashi

Date: 2014 June 04 16:59 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Features

A few weeks ago two of the production staff behind the Blue Exorcist Movie were visiting the May 2014 MCM London Comic Con. They were there to promote Manga Entertainment's UK release and catch up with fans. We were lucky enough to meet and interview Takamitsu Inoue the film's Producer and Atsushi Takahashi the director.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Patema Inverted UK Kickstarter funded in 5 hours

Date: 2014 May 07 16:08 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Once again Anime Limited have proved to be masters of the Kickstarter Campaign, by meeting their crowdfunding target for the definitive edition of Patema Inverted in 5 hours! Not 5 weeks, or even 5 days, but 5 hours! As a result, they've had to add extra rewards too.

The movie is also now out at select UK cinemas. So check out www.patema.co.uk for a screening near you.

Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited

The Anime Encyclopedia, 3rd Revised Edition release details

Date: 2014 May 07 15:01 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

Anime expert Jonathan Clements has just updated his website revealing that The Anime Encylopedia will have a third edition and is schedule for publication in December 2014.

The popular book written by Jonathan Clements and Helen McCarthy has been expanded with over 1,000 new entries, over 4,000 updates and corrections. This book is one of those amazing multiple purpose references. If you're an anime fan you should own a copy. If you're an academic it's essential. If you're running a website dedicated to news for fans of Japan (just like this one), you'll already have the first and second editions and regularly use them to fact check and research, so you'll be keen to get your hands on the third edition.

You can pre-order the book from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com. Remember that Amazon's pre-order price promise means you'll also pay the lowest price offered by Amazon, so if the price dips between now and when it's released, you'll only pay the lowest price.

Souce: Jonathan Clements Website - Schoolgirl Milky Crisis

Anime Limited launch Kickstarter campaign for Patema Inverted UK Definitive Edition

Date: 2014 April 28 14:44 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from Anime Limited have sent us details of their soon to run Kickstarter. This is to enable the company to produce a definitive edition of the movie for UK home release.

The film will be hitting select UK cinemas from Friday 2nd May 2014.

Producing an ultimate edition like this with so many awesome extras can be risky, as it can be hard to gauge the demand for this kind of release. Launching a Kickstarter is a sensible way to figure out the demand. Anime Limited are not new to Kickstarter. They recently ran a hugely successful campaign for Mai Mai Miracle, that smashed stretch goal after stretch goal.

Mai Mai Miracle UK and US Release Kickstarter Update

Date: 2014 February 08 15:24 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The big news in anime circles this week has been from Anime Limited and their Kickstarter campaign to bring Mai Mai Miracle to home video.

Within the first 18 hours the Kickstarter hit it's $30K (USD) funding goal. So now they're going for a stretch goal. If they hit the goal of $60K, they'll be able to fund a dub. At the time of writing (with 26 days left on the Kickstarter), they have reached just over $54K. You can keep up to date with news about the Kickstarter here or check out Anime Limited's own website.

Souce: Mai Mai Miracle Kickstarter

An interview with WIT Studio the company behind the Attack on Titan Anime

Date: 2013 November 02 14:25 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

One of the biggest anime titles of the year has been without doubt Attack on Titan (Shingeki no Kyojin). The title is due for a UK DVD release soon by Manga Entertainment UK. To prepare everyone for the advancing giants WIT Studio the producers of Attack on Titan were guests at the October 2013 MCM London Comic Con.

We caught up with 3 of the main staff behind the company at the MCM London Comic Con - producer George Wada, Katsuhiko Kitada (character designer on Hal, animation director for Attack On Titan) and Ryotaro Makihara director of feature length anime HAL.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Studio Behind Attack On Titan to be Anime Guests of Honour at London Comic Con October 2013

Date: 2013 September 26 14:14 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

It's that time of year again when the MCM London Comic Con announce their guests. Anime fans are in for a treat as they've got Studio WIT, the studio behind the anime version of Attack on Titan.

Present at the event will be producer George Wada, Katsuhiko Kitada (character designer on Hal, animation director for Attack On Titan), Tetsuya Nakatake (animation producer for Attack On Titan) and one of the studio's rising stars, Ryotaro Makihara. They'll be their to show off their latest movie Hal.

The MCM London Comic Con is set to run from Friday 25th to Sunday 27th October 2013. We don't yet know if the London ExCel centre is a suitable venue for using 3D maneuver gear or defending from hoards of man eating giants, I'm sure we'll find out in October though!

Wolf Girl - The Princess Mononoke fan film

Date: 2013 September 14 11:05 | Posted By: Franki Webb

Category > Fandom

Any filmmaker will tell you that producing a movie is- hard work. The time, effort and sometimes budget issues can get in the way of making a vision a reality. That challenge is only intensified when it's a fan-based film, reaping no financial rewards at the end and with only the love of the story to keep them going. But that's exactly what filmmakers, Nate Drake and Georgie Donovan are doing, currently in the works is Wolf Girl, a movie about a modern teenage girl struggling to save the forest she calls home from humans, who are cutting down the trees for their own needs. She then joins forces with wolves in a bid to defend her home.

Deadman Wonderland UK Blu-ray Competition

Date: 2013 September 06 15:51 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

UK based anime fans will be pleased to hear that the good folks from Manga Entertainment UK have given us one copy of Deadman Wonderland The Complete Series to give away.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

New Cyborg 009 Graphic Novel Coming from Archaia

Date: 2013 July 12 16:45 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good people from Archaia Entertainment have sent us details of their new upcoming release an original hardcover graphic novel based on the manga classic Cyborg 009.

Produced directly in conjunction with Ishimori Production Inc. in Japan, this is version has clearly been produced with a more US Comic book feel that the original. The art has clearly been influenced by anime and manga, but it has a very western feel still.

Advance copies will debut at San Diego Comic-Con on July 19th, also known in Japan as Cyborg 009 Day, commemorating the date Ishinomori's original manga was published in Japan in 1964. For those not able to be at Comic-Con, the book goes on sale Sept. 11 2013.

On location at Fosse Farm - Alice Cartalet's house from Kinmoza

Date: 2013 July 07 08:19 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Features

For most otaku it would be a dream come true to be contacted by an anime studio wanting to use their home as a location in a new anime series. For Caron Cooper, it is just the latest unlikely chapter in her incredible life story.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

NHK World at the Japan Expo 2013 Paris

Date: 2013 July 02 17:13 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The good folks from NHK World have sent us details of their latest European adventures.

They'll be at the Japan Expo 2013 in Paris from 4th to 7th July 2013. NHK world will have a host of events at the Expo, highlights include a Shironuri Makeup Session with leading shironuri artist Minori.

We've been told that they'll also be at Hyper Japan 2013 in London on Friday 26th to Sunday 28th July 2013.

For the latest event schedule, please visit their Japan Expo 2013 Website.

UK based readers will be pleased to hear that you can now watch NHK World on Virgin Media Channel 625, along with FreeSat Channel 209 or on Sky Channel 507.

Voice Acting Open Auditions at Anime Expo 2013

Date: 2013 June 28 17:47 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Production

The good folks from Bang Zoom Entertainment have sent us details of an open audition they'll be holding for an up coming anime title. The auditions will be held at Anime Expo 2013 from July 4th-7th 2013. The anime title up for audition is yet to be revealed. They will be in search for talent with a variety of voices.

It's not every day you get a chance to audition for an anime voice acting role and be a part of the anime industry! It should be noted that Bang Zoom have been involved with a lot of major anime titles. Recent credits include Sword Art Online and Blue Exorcist.

An Interview With Anime Director Kenji Kamiyama

Date: 2013 June 03 15:20 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Features

April 2013, it's spring time in London, it should be warm and sunny, but instead it's snowing sideways. We're off to meet renowned anime direction Kenji Kamiyama, writer and director of hit titles like Ghost in The Shell: Stand Alone Complex, Eden of the East and Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

009 RE:Cyborg Cinema Review 2

Date: 2013 June 03 14:58 | Posted By: Eeeper

Category > Anime > Film

We're not going to give you one, but two different takes on the latest anime cinema screening of 009 RE:Cyborg. We also have an interview with the film's director Kenji Kamiyama. Here's Eeeper's take on the title.

Working off the notion that all good remakes don't try and make sense of their origins, RE: Cyborg 009 is a fresh and funky look at a classic manga and anime. If you've ever read or watched Shotaro Ishinomori's original tale then you are missing out on a great thing. Despite having a cute exterior with cartoonish designs, Ishinomori's ideas in the background tackle things like racism, war, poverty and the brutal nature of the, then, growing military industrial complex that arose after the Second World War. Kenji Kamiyama's version takes all of these aspects and posits an interesting question? If after we stop fighting nations, ideologies and groups who is left to fight? Ourselves would be the main answer but what if it's not another person but our own values, beliefs and morals? While there is a definable enemy that the main heroes fight, the best way to describe them are antagonists who are created by the situation not by themselves.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

009 RE:Cyborg Cinema Review 1

Date: 2013 June 03 14:54 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

We're not going to give you one, but two different takes on the latest anime cinema screening of 009 RE:Cyborg. We also have an interview with the film's director Kenji Kamiyama. Here's Joe's take on the title.

Production IG's Latest movie is a big budget action adventure based on the manga Cyborg 009 that started in the 1960's. Since then it's had several incarnations with different twists. The film was released in Japan in October 2012 and has already made its way to the UK at the BFI as part of a special screening with a Q&A from director Kenji Kamiyama. It'll also show in Scotland soon before hitting UK cinemas in June 2013 thanks to the good people from Anime Ltd. We like such a speedy turn around and hope it becomes such a regular thing for top notch titles.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

A Quick Reminder About Pirate Goods

Date: 2013 May 12 09:40 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

With convention season kicking off it's time to remind everyone to keep an eye out for pirate goods. Do you know if the event you are going to has a pirate goods policy? Do you know how to spot and avoid pirate goods? We find that pirate goods are still present at some events. If you haven't already, please read the Pirate Anime FAQ and learn how to avoid dodgy merchandise.

Souce: The Pirate Anime FAQ

Shinichiro Watanabe at MCM London Comic Con May 2013

Date: 2013 April 17 14:33 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Anime fans who can get to the MCM London Comic Con on Friday 24th to Sunday 26th May will be in for a real treat. Anime director Shinichiro Watanabe will be at the event as Anime Guest of Honour. The director is the man behind Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo and Kids On The Slope. He also directed two shorts on the Animatrix - Kid's Story and A Detective Story.

Attending all three days of the show, Shinichiro Watanabe will be taking part in on-stage panels and promoting both Anime Limited's upcoming HD release of Cowboy Bebop and the UK debut of his latest series, Kids On The Slope, released by MVM Entertainment.

Kids On The Slope is currently streaming on crunchyroll and is available to pre-order from Amazon.co.uk on DVD and Blu-rayand other retailers.

Cowboy Bebop Collectors Edition Part 1 is available to pre-order on Blu-ray.

Additionally, if you pre-order Cowboy Bebop from Amazon.co.uk or HMV and bring proof of the pre-order to the show you can receive an exclusive A4 Bebop print to get signed (while stocks last).

Photos from the Tokyo International Anime Fair 2013

Date: 2013 March 23 15:59 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Everything awesome happens in Tokyo. This weekend was no different, with the Tokyo International Anime Fair getting well under way (21st to 24th March 2013) - . With the new rival Anime Contents Expo the following weekend (30th and 31 March 2013), this is the time of year anime companies start to explore the idea of acquiring new licenses.

We're lucky enough to have a man in Japan for the festival and he sent us some photos of the event on Industry Day.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

009 Re:Cyborg with Kenji Kamiyama at the BFI Southbank in London April 2013

Date: 2013 March 19 16:25 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

UK anime fans will want to head over to the BFI Southbank in London on Thursday 4th April 2013 for a very special screening of 009 Re:Cyborg. The director Kenji Kamiyama will be there for a QA session, he also directed the hugely popular Ghost in the Shell: SAC, along with Eden of the East.

If you're in the UK and can't get to London, fear not 009 Re:Cyborg will be hitting UK cinemas in June 2013. It'll be released by new anime company on the block Anime.Ltd.

Manga Industry Pioneer Toren Smith Passes Away

Date: 2013 March 08 16:00 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Current Affairs

Readers will be sad to hear that manga industry pioneer Toren Smith passed away on Tuesday March 5th 2013.

We could write an obituary about the man who brought manga to the English speaking world, but we don't have the words. We suggest you read the one written by Jonathan Clements.

We've never had the privilege of meeting Toren. For many of us, ourselves included, his work were fundamental in discovering the world of anime and manga.

The news was first broken on Twitter and Anime News Network.

Souce: James Hudnall\'s Blog

An interview with Production I.G.

Date: 2013 January 12 15:28 | Posted By: Priss

Category > Anime

Returning for the second time in 2012, the fourth Hyper Japan festival in November welcomed thousands of visitors to Earls Court for a three day extravaganza of entertainment. The event flourishes every time with an array of Japanese cultural experiences, encompassing fashion, film, games, cuisine and of course anime and manga for people to see.

For anime fans, this Hyper Japan was host to an astounding public event - a panel chaired by Helen McCarthy in which Production I.G. President & CEO Ishikawa Mitsuhisa was joined by esteemed anime critic Hikawa Ryusuke. It was an exciting opportunity to gain unique insight into the Japanese animation industry from one of today's greatest studios and a major modern figure in Japanese cultural criticism.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Princess Mononoke London Stage Performance - Auditions

Date: 2012 October 20 17:29 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

A few months ago, we posted some exciting news about Princess Mononoke being adapted for the stage. The Whole Hog Theatre are about to start auditions for the stage adaptation!

Auditions will be open to all, but the number of people they can see will be limited. The roles will be unpaid and voluntary (as are all roles within Whole Hog Theatre), but this is a great chance to get involved with an amazing theatrical event. People wishing to audition will need to sign up on-line from 8am on Thursday 25th October 2012.

Audition dates as follows:

Thursday 22nd November 2012 - New Diorama Theatre, London
Friday 23rd November 2012 - The Band Factory, Leamington Spa
Saturday 24th November 2012 - Warwick University Campus, Coventry

They'll also be looking for technical people too, such a Set Designer, Costume Designer, Technical Manager / Lighting Designer, Stage Manager, plus Hair and Makeup Design.

Princess Mononoke London Stage Performance - April 2013

Date: 2012 July 19 16:38 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

London based Studio Ghibli fans will be pleased and surprised to hear about the world's first staging of Princess Mononoke. Hayao Miyazaki's renowned title is being transferred to the stage by the Whole Hog Theatre Company.

The performance will use be using "giant puppets made from recycled materials, visceral, physical storytelling and original live music".

This project has been in the works for over a year.

Performances are set to take place from Tuesday 2nd to Saturday 6th April 2013 at the New Diorama Theatre in London. Tickets are available now for £12.50 or £10.50 for concessions.

Update: The tickets have sold out for the weekend already, you can still buy tickets for the Wednesday.

An interview with director Kazuya Murata and producer Masahiko Minami of Fullmetal Alchemist - The Sacred Star of Milos

Date: 2012 June 26 16:08 | Posted By: Priss

Category > Anime

Fullmetal Alchemist (Hagane no Renkinjutsushi or Hagaren for short) is a series that has made a significant mark on anime fans across the world. With the conclusion of the manga and the anime adaptation Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood over the past year, it is with great excitement that we are once again given the chance to join the Elric brothers on their second cinematic adventure - Hagaren the Movie 2011 - The Sacred Star of Milos.

For fans of the series they will enjoy return to the world of their favourite characters. Mystery, intrigue and all converge in this epic that calls into question the bonds of blood and national loyalty. The film was made to slot into the timeline of the Brotherhood series narrative. This new adventure, however, has a very different look and feel to the Hagaren previously produced by Studio Bones (株式会社ボンズ Kabushiki Kaisha Bonzu).

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Diverse Japan interview actress and idol Nao Nagasawa

Date: 2012 February 19 10:03 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Production

The good folks from Diverse Japan have dropped us a line telling us about an interesting interview they've just done with actress and idol Nao Nagasawa (best known for her various roles in Super Sentai and Kamen Rider TV shows).

The interview gives insights to her past roles including Ninpuu Sentai Hurricaneger and also covers her more recent roles such as Hotel Chelsea.

Souce: Diverse Japan

France is the biggest manga market in Europe

Date: 2012 February 02 17:36 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

Facts and figures for the the manga industry always make an interesting read. CNN's Geekout Blog has a good article about the European Manga Industry.

Did you know that France accounts for 50% of VIZ Media Europe's manga sales? The article also highlights that combined Europe and the Middle East generates more manga sales than America -

"'In Europe, manga is most popular in France, then Italy and Spain,' said Hyoe Narita, president of VIZ Media Europe, which is headquartered in Paris. Annual manga sales in Japan are about $5 billion, he said, whereas American manga sales are $120 million and Europe and the Middle East combined make $250 million. This combined number given out is probably because VIZ Media Europe distributes to the Middle East as well. Japan is still the huge maker, but these numbers show that manga is moving well outside of Asia."

"The popularity does vary by country, but France is by far the leader in European otaku interest, as it brings in 50% of European manga sales. Narita said it’s the same size or a bit bigger than the market in the United States."

Souce: CNN\'s Geekout Blog

Advanced Search

@otaku_news

Browsing Articles

Recent News

Recent DVD / Blu-ray Reviews

Recent Manga Reviews