Category > Anime
UK based distributor Manga UK announces Dragonball Z on DVD and hints at other titles waiting in the wings.
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News
Category > Events
The good folks from UK anime, manga and Asian pop culture publication NEO magazine have sent us the details of their latest issue. It's out now both on the high street and digital outlets.
Read More... | Souce: NEO Magazine
The good folks at Manga UK have sent us details an eagerly expected title Mardock Scramble: The First Compression. The 18 Rated title is use out on Blu-ray and DVD on Monday 16th April 2012.
We've reviewed a cinema screening of Mardock Scramble: The First Compression.
Read More... | Souce: Manga Entertainment UK
Category > Press Releases
The good folks from UK anime, manga and Asian pop culture publication NEO magazine have sent us the details of their latest issue. It's due to hit the shelves on Thursday 23rd February 2012 (available from WH Smith, Tesco and all good newsagents). It features their round up of the greatest anime movies of all time, with their own top 10 list, along with reader contributions.
Plus previews of anime, along with all the usual features and articles you'd expect. K-Pop fans will want to read the article on Korea's Japanese pop invasion with an analysis of the Oricon charts. We're interested in reading the report on the continuing aid efforts in Japan following the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami of 2011.
Read More... | Souce: NEO Magazine
Category > Press Releases
US anime licenser Sentai Filmworks has announced they have licensed the second season of popular anime TV series, K-ON!, for release later this year. The anime outfit has stated that the 26 episode series will get a DVD and Blu-Ray release.
Read More... | Souce: Sentai Filmworks
Category > Anime
Audio interview with Manga UK representative Jerome Mazandarani where we talk about Manga UK's upcoming releases, their plans for blu-ray anime releases, streaming rights (yes, I ask a K-On! question) and more.
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News
Category > Anime
S'more Entertainment, an speciality video label in the US, licences the TV series Galaxy Express 999 for release in 2012 along with Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo TV series.
Read More... | Souce: Anime News Network
Category > Anime
Manga UK representative gives new titles announcement, including Clannad and Angel Beats, in interivew.
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News
Category > Anime
Audio interview with Kazé UK representative Andrew Partridge where we talk about Kazé UK's origins, their plans for blu ray anime releases, Anime On Demand and more.
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News
Kazé UK representative confirms via Twitter that the UK based division of Kazé will release Black Lagoon on Blu ray in May of 2012.
Read More... | Souce: Twitter via Uk-Anime.Net
Category > Retail
The US anime releasing division of Bandai has announced that from February they will cease publication of both new anime titles and manga titles. The company’s UK and French sister divisions have also released similar statements.
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News
Christmas is coming, but already many UK anime companies are looking ahead to January. There are two key releases UK anime fans should be waiting for.
First up is Cowboy Bebop Remix due for release on Monday January 2nd 2012. The lovely folks from Beez have re-released Cowboy Bebop Remix under their Anime Legends range. The Remix edition has Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS Surround Sound, along with remastered video. The 6 DVD set contains all 26 episodes from the series.
If you haven't seen Cowboy Bebop yet, then you should. This is one of those truly rare must see titles. Plenty of anime fans agree as it was rated number 2 on the Newtype USA Top 25 Anime Titles of All Time. Number 1 was Neon Genesis Evangelion. You can pre-order the DVD from Amazon.co.uk for £16.99.
2011's big Studio Ghibli cinema release Arrietty is due out on Monday 9th January 2012. On DVD, Blu-ray, and a Collectors Edition Combi Pack, which contains both the DVD and Blu-ray and costs £2 more than the regular blu-ray only edition.
Souce: Otaku News
We've received news from US Anime Distributor Sentai Filmworks that they've licensed Grave of the Fireflies. The Ghibli classic is emotional story of the cold realities of war, and often forgotten victims, the children.
Sentai Filmworks will begin digital distribution of the title this winter and a digital restored DVD will be released next year.
Read More... | Souce: Sentai Filmworks
Category > Anime
Just a quick reminder for those in the US (or those who can buy DVDs and Blu-rays from the USA). Section 23 films have sent us details of the Blu-ray release of Clannad. The complete collection is out now.
Buy Clannad now from Amazon.com.
Read More... | Souce: Section23 Films
The good folks at Viz have sent us details of the up coming US release of Naruto Shippuden The Movie: Bonds which is due out on DVD and Blu-ray on Tuesday October 25th 2011.
To celebrate US based readers can watch on-line for a limited time a marathon of all five Naruto movies! The stream is avaiable this weekend until Sunday October 23rd 2011.
Read More... | Souce: VizAnime.com
Category > Retail
Popular UK on-line DVD retailer Play.com have been bought by Japanese group Rakuten. Play.com is the UK's biggest seller of DVDs online with estimated annual sales of about £500m. It has 14 million registered users and a staff of 500.
It was sold to Rakuten for £25m. Play.com have been successful due to a tax loop-hole that allows purchases under £18 to be VAT free when shipped from the Channel Islands to the UK mainland thanks to EU rules drafted almost 30 years ago. In November 2011, the government will reduce the amount for VAT free purchases to £15 and intend close this loop-hole totally by March 2012. The sales tax issues along with declining DVD sales is why Play.com was sold for £25m and not considerably more. The Guardian article states that DVD UK sales dipped 6% last year, while downloading and streaming rose 18%.
Play.com is popular with the UK anime fans and is often the first port of call along with Amazon.co.uk when buying DVDs and Blu-rays.
Rakuten are keen to increase their global presence, which is why they've purchases Play.com along with the French site PriceMinister and German site Tradoria.de.
Souce: The Guardian
Nostalgic mecha fans in the UK will be pleased to hear that the Robotech the complete series is set for release on DVD on Monday 14th November 2011.
The 18 disc boxset features all 85 episodes of the series, plus over 10 hours of bonus material including a brand new documentary on creator Carl Macek.
For many the show was an introduction into anime and mecha shows. Lots of anime fans look back to Robotech as the series that helped them discover anime. Robotech itself is interesting, as it started life as three separate shows that were edited together for the American market.
The DVD's RRP is £69.99, we've found it for a pre-order price of £51.70 on Amazon.co.uk.
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News
Upcoming Japanese blu ray release of Makoto Shinkai's latest film to include English subtitles.
Read More... | Souce: Asian Blu Ray Guide
The story centres on Asuna, a girl who spends her solitary days listening to the mysterious music emanating from the crystal radio she received from her father as a memento. However, she embarks on a journey of adventure to meet a boy again, and thus comes to know the cruelty and beauty of the world, as well as loss.
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News
Just a quick reminder for those of you looking for treats this August. The Manga Entertainment UK August 2011 DVD and Blu-ray release schedule looks good as always. They've got a lot of anticipated titles.
Releases as follows -
Monday 1st August 2011
Shikabane Hime: Corpse Princess Part 2 (read our review of part 1)
Pre-order on DVD
Monday 15th August 2011
Black Butler - Series 1 Part 1 (read our review)
Pre-order on DVD
Sekirei - The Complete Series
Pre-order on DVD
Monday 29th August 2011
K-ON! Volume 1
Pre-order on DVD
High School of the Dead
Pre-order on DVD
Pre-order on Blu-ray
Normally, when we're presented with a list of titles, we like to pick out a few favourites. The trouble is there are a fair few fan favourites in this months release line up. K-ON is popular with those who like moe, while we know a High School of the Dead is renowned for it's zombies and fan service. Also don't forget Black Butler. It really depends on what kind of anime you like.
Souce: Manga Entertainment UK
Category > Anime
We're going all nostalgic here at Otaku News and have decided to dig up some old articles from our archive that are not published on-line, either because they were originally for print or from websites that are now off-line.
Just because they're old doesn't mean they're not relevant to today's otaku.
We start with an article originally published in the AmeCon 2007 Conbook about why UK anime fans owe a debt of gratitude to their Australian counterparts. Please note that it was written for a UK anime audience in mind, Australian readers might find it interesting to know how important they are to the UK industry and how the UK industry helps Madman out.
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News
Category > Anime
Australian media company Siren Visual has licensed three series for streaming and DVD releases for this year.
Dennou Coil, Usagi Drop and Angel Beats will all get a DVD release either in September or further down the line.
Read More... | Souce: Siren Visual
The good folks from Sentai Filmworks have sent us details about their latest license. They've got the US rights to Mardock Scramble The First Compression. We've seen it, it's good.
It's due out on DVD in the US this September 2011, both English dubbed and subbed. They're also planning a Blu-ray release sometime in 2012.
Read More... | Souce: Sentai Filmworks
Category > Events
Everyone's getting ready for the London MCM Expo this weekend (Friday 27th to Sunday 29th May 2011) at the ExCel Centre in London.
The good folks at Manga Entertainment UK have sent us details of their plans at the London Expo. They've got two stands, a treasure hunt, plenty of bargain priced DVDs and Blu-rays.
Voice actors Ben Diskin (voice of Sai in Naruto Shippuden and Syzal in Bleach) and Brian Beacock (voice of Walter Yumasaki in Durarara!!) will both be at a panel and QA at the London MCM Expo too.
Read More... | Souce: Manga Entertainment UK
Red Line is about the biggest racing game of the universe and it's only held once every 5 years. And naturally everyone wants to take part. Follow the racing skills of men and women alike.
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News
Fans of Eden of the East the excellent anime series from Kenji Kamiyama and Production I.G. will be pleased to hear that the first movie Eden Of The East: The King of Eden is out soon. The highly anticipated release follows on from the series.
It's due out on Blu-ray and DVD on Tuesday April 26th 2011 in the USA from Funimation. While the Blu-ray and DVD is scheduled Monday 6th June 2011 in the UK from Manga Entertainment UK.
As always you can pre-order the DVD or Blu-ray from Amazon and take advantage of their pre-order price guarantee.
Pre-order the Blu-ray from Amazon.com in the USA.
Pre-order the DVD from Amazon.com in the USA.
Pre-order the Blu-ray from Amazon.co.uk in the UK.
Pre-order the DVD from Amazon.co.uk in the UK.
Souce: Funimation
The good folks at Sentai Filmworks have sent us details of the new US DVD release of You're Under Arrest: Fast & Furious Complete Collection, which goes on sale today (February 1st 2011). The 26 episode set is subtitled only, and is available from Amazon.com.
Read More... | Souce: Sentai Filmworks
Category > Retail
Evangelion Fans can rejoice! Manga Entertainment UK have announced that the second new movie is now available for pre-order. The DVD and Blu-ray of Evangelion 2.22 You Can (Not) Advance will hit UK shelves on 30th May 2011.
American readers can get the DVD or Blu-ray from March 29th 2011 from the good folks at Funimation.
UK readers can pre-order the title from Amazon.co.uk -
Pre-order the Blu-ray from Amazon.co.uk for £16.09
Pre-order the DVD from Amazon.co.uk for £13.99
Alternatively you can pre-order from HMV.com, which is apparently the cheapest.
Pre-order the Blu-ray from HMV.com for £14.99
Pre-order DVD from HMV.com for £10.99
US readers can pre-order from Amazon.com
Pre-order the Blu-ray from Amazon.com for $22.99
Pre-order the DVD from Amazon.com for $12.99
Souce: Manga Entertainment UK
Category > Retail
UK readers might be disappointed or unsurprised to hear that HMV will be closing 60 of their stores across the country as their sales and shares slump as reported by BBC News, The Guardian and other news sources. HMV have been scaling back recently closing their flagship Shibuya store in Tokyo in 2010.
Early estimates suggest that they will close 40 HMV stores, and 20 Waterstones stores across the country.
Anime fans may be interested to know that HMV account for 30% of Manga Entertainment UK's business.
Souce: BBC News
Christmas hasn't even arrived yet and the folks at Manga Entertainment UK have sent us the details of the Summer Wars release due out on 28th March 2011 in the UK and February 15th 2011 in the US.
The Summer Wars Trailer is up on Apple's Website.
The UK release is available on DVD and Blu-ray along with a double pack with The Girl Who Leapt Through Time as it's by the same director Mamoru Hosoda.
Having seen Summer Wars at the BFI Southbank earlier this year, we can confirm that it's an excellent title, and well worth adding to your collection.
UK Release - 28th March 2011
Pre-order Summer Wars / The Girl Who Leapt Through Time Blu-Ray Double Pack from Amazon.co.uk
Pre-order Summer Wars DVD from Amazon.co.uk
Pre-order Summer Wars Blu-Ray from Amazon.co.uk
US Release - February 15th 2011
Pre-order Summer Wars Blu-Ray from Amazon.com
Pre-order Summer Wars DVD from Amazon.com
Souce: Manga Entertainment UK
The folks from Sentai Filmworks have sent us the details of the US DVD release of Nyan Koi! Complete Collection an anime title with plenty of cats and girls. The 12 episode set is subbed only. It's out today.
Can Junpei beat the curse and do 100 great favors for cats or will he be cursed and turned into a cat himself?! You'll have to watch it to find out.
You can order it from Amazon.com.
Read More... | Souce: Sentai Filmworks
Manga Entertainment UK have sent us some sad news about the release of Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood on Blu-ray. Due to the poor sales of Part 1 and 2 on Blu-ray they will discontinue the series on the format. Part 3 onwards will still be released on DVD.
This due to the high cost of producing Blu-rays and the low sales they've had of the format.
At least Manga Entertainment have sent a press release, other companies just silently pull titles.
Read More... | Souce: Manga Entertainment UK
Just a quick reminder to UK anime fans that the highly anticipated Eden of the East is due out next week on Monday 29th November 2010, appropriately only a week after Careless Monday event in the series.
It's available to pre-order on DVD and Blu-ray from Amazon.co.uk.
Souce: Amazon.co.uk
Category > Press Releases
Bandai Entertainment have sent us details fresh from NYAF including that Lucky Star Manga Volume 6 is out today. You can order it from Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk.
The original Mobile Suit Gundam will be released as a two part DVD under the Anime Legend range.
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time is going to get a US blu-ray release, details and dates still to be confirmed.
Ghost in the Shell: Solid State Society is coming to blu-ray.
K-ON! Season 1 will be released on DVD and blu-ray, and will be released over 4 parts. Additionally they'll be releasing a standard and special addition which features a CD (with tracks to be confirmed).
Gundam 00 movie: A wakening of the Trailblazer has also got a North AMerican release, again details and release dates to be confirmed.
Read More... | Souce: Bandai Entertainment
Studio Ghibli fans will be very excited to to hear about the Japanese Blu-ray release of Laputa, the Castle in the Sky. The high definition 1080p release is due out on 22nd December 2010. Like the Japanese blu-ray release of Nausicaa, it should be region free, meaning it'll play on any blu-ray player, including the PS3. It will have English subtitles, but it does not appear to have an English dub track.
Details as follows:
English Japanese French Cantonese Mandarin Korean
Audio -
Japanese: DTS HD 2.0 Surround
Cantonese: Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround
French: Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround
German: Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround
Korean: Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround
Mandarin: Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround
It retails for 6800 Japanese Yen, which is about 82 US Dollars or 52 Pounds (GBP / UK).
JBox/JList,Otaku.com and CDJapan are currently taking pre-orders for Castle in the Sky on Blu-ray.
Souce: Disney Japan
Category > Gaming
We've been sent the details about the UK release of Sengoku Basara: Samurai Heroes, the popular action fighting game featuring historical figures kicking the backsides of whole armies. We've covered cosplayers who like to dress in Sengoku period clothes before.
The Capcom game is due out on Wii and PS3 on 15th October 2010, with Manga Entertainment due to release the anime version on DVD on 8th November 2010. As the in game Date Masamune would say "Let's party"!
Read More... | Souce: Capcom
Want zombies with your anime? The good folks at Sentai Filmworks and Anime Network are willing to provide you with infected flesh eating monsters! Sentai Filmworks have the license for High School of the Dead. and will be releasing it subbed and dubbed throughout North America.
The Anime Network will also be showing the first and second episode from Monday July 5th to subscribers in North America.
Read More... | Souce: Sentai Filmworks
The good folks from Manga Entertainment UK have sent us details about the up coming DVD release of Naruto Shippuden Box Set 1. The box set contains the first 13 episodes of the adventures of a more mature Naruto.
It's due out on Monday 14th June 2010. You can pre-order it from Amazon.co.uk.
Read More... | Souce: Manga Entertainment UK
The good folks from Manga Entertainment UK have sent us details about the up coming DVD release of Soul Eater. Part one contains the first 13 episodes of the series. It's due out on Monday 28th June 2010.
You can pre-order Soul Eater Part One from Amazon.co.uk.
Read More... | Souce: Manga Entertainment UK
Category > Retail
We've received details from Manga Entertainment UK about the great bargains they'll be offering over the weekend of 29th and 30th of May 2010 at the London MCM Expo. They'll have 50% off most DVDs including boxsets and Blu-ray titles, along with a £1 manga shop.
You'll also be able to pick up Sky Crawlers on DVD and Blu-ray a bit earlier too.
Read More... | Souce: Manga Entertainment UK
UK based anime fans should take note that Ponyo is out in 3 weeks on Monday 7th June 2010. Amazon.co.uk already has pre-orders. There are several editions available. Prices range from about £18 for the deluxe edition down to £11 for the regular edition.
Ponyo DVD – 2 Disc Edition
Ponyo Blu-ray + DVD Combi Pack
Ponyo Deluxe Edition Blu-ray + DVD Combi Pack
Ponyo DVD 1 Disc Edition
The deluxe edition comes with postcards and a sticker sheet.
Play.com also have each edition £1 cheaper than Amazon.co.uk. However, Amazon.co.uk have a pre-order price promise. Meaning that they should match Play's price.
Souce: Otaku News
We've been sent the details about the Clannad English Dub from Sentai Filmworks. Up until now they've only been producing subtitle only titles. We don't have a release date yet. They also plan an upgrade offer for those who purchased the original subtitle only DVD. Sentai Filmworks intend to release Blue Drop, Ghost Hound, Legends of the Dark King - A Fist of the North Star Story and Tears to Tiara.
Read More... | Souce: Sentai Filmworks
The good folks from Beez have sent us details about the upcoming release of Gundam Unicorn on Friday 12th 2010 on Blu-ray disc. The release will be worldwide simultaneously in the 7 territorial areas of Japan, US, Canada, UK, France, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.
You can view the first 7 minutes of the OAV on the Beez Website.
Read More... | Souce: Beez
This months SFX has a nice cover mounted taster DVD with the following full episodes from MVM:
- Romeo X Juliet Episode1
- Fate Stay Night Episode 2
- Rozen Maiden Episode 1
The UK magazine dedicated to all things Sci-Fi and Fantasy can commonly be found in WH Smiths and your friendly news agents, plus the odd supermarket that stocks magazines too.
You want issue number 193 which is dated April 2010.
Souce: SFX
For a change, here's a little horror story that will make some anime fans cringe and check their collection, and others not even blink.
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News
Currently all UK anime firms are revving up for the London MCM Expo on 24th-25th October 2009. Beez are no exception. Their stall will be in a different place than usual, they'll be teaming up with their corporate cousins Namco Bandai Partners.
They'll be holing a survey too, along with a give away as an incentive to fill it in. Plus they'll be selling some great titles on DVD too.
Read More... | Souce: Beez Entertainment
UK anime fans who love the adventures of an ace student out to build a new world, will be pleased to hear that the Death Note Complete Boxset is released on Monday 28th September 2009.
The 9 Disc DVD set retails for £60, however both Amazon.co.uk and Play.com have it on a pre-order offer for £43.
Souce: Otaku News
Category > Anime
US based Anime company ADV have closed. A detailed write up can be found on Anime News Network.
Apart from the asset transfers to other companies registered in Texas (where ADV was based), the details are still coming to light.
Below we've included the press release from ADV along with the press release from Section23 Films.
Read More... | Souce: ADV Films
We've finally put up our DVD review of Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea.
Ponyo hits Cinemas in the US on Friday August 14th 2009
Ponyo hits Cinemas in Australia on Thursday 27th August 2009.
Ponyo is due for UK release on late 2009 / early 2010.
This review is of the Japanese Region 2 DVD. You can purchase it from Amazon.co.jp, CDJapan and all good Japanese DVD importers.
Souce: Otaku News
Category > Events
The Japanese Art Festival returns in July and will also be screening the UK premiere of the Studio Ghibli anime Ocean Waves.
Read More... | Souce: Japanese Art Festival
Optimum Home Entertainment UK schedule Studio Ghibli's Ocean Waves for August 09.
Read More... | Souce: Nausicaa.net