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Eden: It's An Endless World - UK release details

Date: 2007 March 14 16:27 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

We've been sent a press release from the good folks at Titan Books. They've aquired the rights for the Dark Horse version of Eden. It's due to hit the bookshelves on 27th April 2007.

We all want a Perfect Piece Tachikoma

Date: 2007 March 09 17:53 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Toys

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex fans will be pleased to hear about the new toy from MegaHouse, it's a 1/20 scale Tachikoma model, with lots of articulation and even an opening pod that can fit the included Makoto figure inside! Known as the Perfect Piece Tachikoma the set is about 13cm tall, comes with a book, a wrench and other fun accessories. As expected the main eye can move around even it's oil intake tray opens for you to put in a can of oil to keep everyone's favourite jumping spider like robot well fed. Complete with both gatling gun and grenade launcher front gun, it's a real must have for the hardcore fan.

The Manga Bible release details

Date: 2007 February 26 09:21 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

We've received a details from publishing house Hodder and Stoughton regarding the Manga Bible. We're not talking about some sort of ultimate must have guide to manga, but the New Testament produced in a manga style. Using the TNIV (Today's New International Version) as the basis, London based artist Siku, who is best know for his work on 2000AD.

FFXII London launch report

Date: 2007 February 25 14:36 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Friday 23rd of February 2007 was the official launch day of Final Fantasy XII in the UK (and the rest of Europe). The PS2 game has generated a lot of buzz in fandom. To celebrate Square Enix had teamed up with HMV to hold a launch event at their flagship HMV store on Oxford Street, central London. The first people to buy the game at 9am were able to collect special wrists bands which would in turn let them queue to meet makers of Final Fantasy XII, Akitoshi Kawazu (executive producer) and Hiroshi Minagawa (director).

The event was attended by at least 500 fans, all eager to get their games autographed. It was hosted by an MC and various questions were asked, the most important of which was regarding the PS3 technical demo, based around Final Fantasy VII, both guests mentioned that they were considering producing a full version of the game for the PS3, however it's still early days yet, so we can't really confirm anything solid.

New manga shop opens in London

Date: 2007 February 20 13:39 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

Hidden away just around the corner from Leicester Square and short walk from Covent Garden, on Upper Saint Martin's Lane is Orbital Manga, a new little manga shop from the same people behind Orbital Comics on Charing Cross Road. Although Orbital Manga is small, it's worth looking around and is a refreshing change from comic shops that stock some manga. They've got a good range of manga and the usual selection of merchandise and trinkets.

Udon release Megaman and Street Fighter artbooks

Date: 2007 February 20 12:41 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

Capcom fans will pleased to hear about Udon Entertainment's new artbooks, one for Megaman Zero and another on Street Fighter.

Afro Samurai Figures From DC in 2007

Date: 2007 February 14 22:42 | Posted By: Jeremy

Category > Toys

Waiting for merchandise related to the hit recent anime series Afro Samurai? Well, you won't have to wait for much longer as DC Unlimited, DC Comics' new 3D brand which licenses pop culture products from outside the DC comic book universe and distributes them to all channels, has acquired the license to produce action figures, busts and statues related to Gonzo-produced series starring Samuel L. Jackson that aired on Spike TV last January. These will be the first line of collectibles based on the series outside of Japan, where a limited number of action figures based on the lead character were produced by toy company Cube back when series' creator Takashi "Bob" Okazaki first produced his original self-published manga.

The first series of collectibles were unveiled last weekend at the New York International Toy Fair. These include fully articulated action figures of two sizes, a regular 6.75 and a deluxe 14 , that spotlight the characters from the anime. The first wave of figures will include main character Afro Samurai, his sidekick Ninja Ninja, and deadly adversaries Kuma and Justice. A possible second wave of figures will no doubt include the Empty Seven, a group of monks determined to get the headbands worn by Afro and Justice, as well as possibly a young Afro. Busts and statues will also be available, though no details as to who they will be of, outside of Afro of course, have been given. The first series of collectibles will be shipped to retailers in the fall of 2007.

Souce: ICv2

Music Zone go into administration massive sales follow

Date: 2007 February 12 17:01 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

UK music and DVD retailer Music Zone have gone into administration, the store bought out failed retailer MVC just over a year ago, but it seems that Music Zone has met the same fate. They went into administration on 3 January 2007, but only as recently closed their doors to trading. Interestingly this week select stores have opened up to sell off existing stock, with items on sale for up to 80% off! Keen eyed bargain hunters can get volumes of Monkey and The Water Margin for less than £5, and some anime titles have also had their prices slashed too. So it's worth a visit to your local store before it disappears.

Souce: Music Zone

Tanoshimi let fans vote for manga

Date: 2007 January 31 09:19 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

Random House UK imprint Tanoshimi have sent us some details about a nice fan oriented campaign. From February 7th Fans and vote on their website and select which title they want Tanoshimi to publish next, the people behind Tanoshimi have confirmed that it is likely they will only publish the winning title.

Fans can vote for the following:

Genshiken
Kagetora
Othello
Wallflower

All voters will go into a draw for a chance to win a Nintendo DS Lite.

MaMoo, Letraset and NEO magazine T-shirt design competition

Date: 2007 January 31 05:50 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Press Releases

Folks from the UK T-shirt company MaMoo have sent us some details about a competition they’re running with Letraset and NEO magazine. The competition gives you the chance to submit your design for a t-shirt and the winners design will be sold on the MaMoo site, along with a nice set of Letraset markers. So creative people get to work if you want your t-shirt design on MaMoo.

Final Fantasy XII cosplay contest

Date: 2007 January 24 09:17 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Gaming > Consoles

We've just been sent a very interesting press release from Square Enix, who are running a cosplay competition to celebrate the release of Final Fantasy XII in Europe and other PAL regions. Three lucky winners will each get a two night trip to London to show off their costumes on stage at the official launch event and they'll also get a Final Fantasy goodie bag.

This is a great chance for cosplayers to demonstrate their creative skills making Final Fantasy XII costumes and also meet some interesting people in the games industry.

Tanoshimi UK February 2007 releases

Date: 2007 January 24 05:01 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

We've just been sent a press release from Random House imprint Tanoshimi detailing their releases in the UK for this February 2007. They'll be releasing the following titles:

Free Collars Kingdom Volume 1
Airgear Volume 3
School Rumble Volume 3 and 4
Guru Guru Pon Chan Volume 7

All are due to hit the shelves on 1st February 2007.

Free Collars Kingdom is a new title to Tanoshimi that should interest the furry fan readers with lots of catboy antics.

Manga Shakespeare

Date: 2007 January 16 16:17 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

We've been sent an interesting press release from SelfMadeHero about their Manga Shakespeare series. The bard's classic tales have been reinterpreted into a manga style. With Romeo and Juliet the action has relocated to Shibuya in Tokyo, with yakuza talking the place of the more traditional families in the original. Hamlet is still set in Denmark, but in the future cyber world of 2017. SelfMadeHero inform us that the series keeps true to the text of Shakespeare, but is specially abridged for use in the manga. Sweatdrop Studio's very own Sonia Leong illustrated Romeo and Juliet, while Emma Vicieli illustrated Hamlet.

Both Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet are due for release on 1st March 2007, priced at £6.99. The Tempest and Richard III are due to be published in Autumn 2007. Othello, Much Ado About Nothing and A Midsummer Night’s Dream are planned, but no release date is mentioned.

Our readers still in education might want to show this to their English and drama teachers, while our other readers might just enjoy reading a new interpretation of Shakespeare's works.

This is not the first time Hamlet has been made into a manga in English, our good friend Amethyst Angel has done a fan version using characters from Slayers, entitled Hamlet: The Manga.

Manga Force a new UK DVD magazine

Date: 2006 December 28 14:49 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

We've just discovered some interesting TV adverts in the UK for a new magazine publication called Manga Force. The magazine will be published fortnightly, with an anime DVD and the magazine will focus on that title. Manga Force is a joint effort between Manga Entertainment UK and Hachette Partworks. As usual for a publication from Manga Entertainment they insist on calling anime "manga", which has often led to confusion when people discover Japanese animation. The magazine states it's the perfect partner to your DVD collection, and will give you everything you need to build your manga knowledge (check our FAQ for recommend books which will really help you do that), each issue will have synopses, filmographies, writer bibliographies and behind the scenes footage. Issues will cover the following Manga Entertainment titles:

Evangelion (It's not clear which Evangelion movies will be released with the issue)
Blood The Last Vampire
Akira
Ghost in the Shell
Macross Plus

The first issue is priced at £2.99 with all subsequent issues priced at £8.99, which is reasonable considering that the average Manga Entertainment title sells for £12.99 without a magazine.

Their website has some introductory subscription deals, although we're curious to see what they could fill a full 50 issues with. No start date is published on-line.

Watch Coyote Ragtime Show on-line

Date: 2006 December 13 17:28 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

The kind folks from ADV Films US have sent us details about the Coyote Ragtime Show. US readers can watch the full first episode officially here, while UK readers can watch it here. It's released in the US on January 16th 2007, while ADV Films UK inform us that they're planning a 16th April 2007 release.

Souce: ADV Films

Hellsing Ultimate website launches

Date: 2006 December 05 15:18 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Websites

The nice folks at Geneon Entertainment have sent us news that they've launched a website for Hellsing Ultimate, the OAV incarnation of the fan favourite anime series. The website contains some details about the series, it's creator, DVD release dates, along with a host of downloads like desktop wallpaper and chat icons.

Wii Launches in Japan

Date: 2006 December 04 04:35 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Gaming > Consoles

BBC News are reporting on the Japanese Wii launch, unusually Nintendo released the console in America first, so Japanese gamers had to wait a few weeks. 400,000 consoles were available in Japan for launch, however some customers were reported to have left empty handed as demand was greater than supply. The article also mentions how enthusiastic some people are about the Wii, with a student Cosplaying as the Wii Remote.

Souce: BBC News

Nintendo proud of their Wii

Date: 2006 November 28 09:50 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Gaming > Consoles

Nintendo have announced that is has sold more than 600,000 Wii consoles in North America just 8 days after it's launch on November 19th. Sony have sold 400,000 PlayStation 3 consoles in North America, but are having trouble meeting demand due to component issues with the Blu-ray Drive. Nintendo intend to ship 4 million units in North America, while Sony intend to ship 1 million units.

The Wii is due for release in Europe (including the UK) on 8th December, while our Australian readers can expect a 7th December launch, conveniently in time for Christmas.

Souce: BBC News

PS3 Disasters Already

Date: 2006 November 18 09:44 | Posted By: Jeremy

Category > Freaky Things

A dislocated jaw and gunshot customers already reported at releases for the new PS3.

Panty Explosion the game

Date: 2006 November 10 13:54 | Posted By: Azure

Category > Gaming

Every so often we get stories which I'm sure will generate some interesting key word stats next time Joe checks them, this is one. Panty Explosion is a good ol' fashioned RPG available in book and PDF form here's what the website says:

"Panty Explosion is a psychic schoolgirl adventure game. Each player takes the role of a normal Japanese student. One of you, perhaps more then one of you, is a psychic with devastating and terrifying powers."

I'm currently wondering if a rat flail +5 could beat a a psychic schoolgirl...

Farewell Ranma

Date: 2006 November 07 14:58 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The nice people from Viz Media have sent us a press release detailing the conclusion of the long running fan favourite manga Ranma 1/2. Volume 36 of the manga ends the series with a letter to North American fans from Rumiko Takahashi, the author of Ranma 1/2 and another huge favourite Inu Yasha. The final volume is due out in North American on November 14th. So now's your chance to say goodbye to everyone's favourite gender changing comedy martial arts manga!

London Graphic Centre Manga Day

Date: 2006 November 03 18:58 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Art

We've received some very last minute details from Letraset about an event they'll be running on Saturday 4th November at London Graphics a huge art supply retailer. We've been told that their Covent Garden store in London will be hosting a manga day with activities and workshops 11.00am to 6pm. The following will be there:

- Letraset
- London Graphics
- TokyoPop
- Tokyo Toys
- Sweatdrop Studios
- Blusheep

Apparently it's also being supported by Neo Magazine and Manga Entertainment.

So if you can get to London in time and are feeling artistic it's well worth a look.

Souce: London Graphic Centre

Seven Seas Goes Yuri

Date: 2006 October 27 08:18 | Posted By: Jeremy

Category > Manga

Seven Seas Entertainment will be launching a new publishing imprint for its library of manga titles. Called Strawberry, this new imprint will focus on yuri, or girl-on-girl, flavored romantic titles. The first titles of the new line are expected to be released sometime in 2007.

Naruto Wins Quill Award

Date: 2006 October 15 13:04 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The folks from VIZ Media have sent us details about Naruto winning the 2006 Quill Award for best graphic novel, apparently this is the first time a manga title has one the category. The Quill awards are unlike normal awards as they are more consumer orientated, so in other words it looks at sales figures rather than panellists decisions.

Maid lamps on sale now!

Date: 2006 October 12 12:45 | Posted By: Dallas Marshall

Category > Freaky Things

A brand new line of sexy maid lamps have appeared at the Onoden Electrical Appliances store in Akihabara. The lamp shade is a maid skirt and the stand is made to look like a cute pair of legs striking a MOE pose. With a flip of the switch and somewhere in the vicinity of the pretty skirt will bring have light.

Sexy Leg Lamp is the name of this product if you ever want such a thing, and it will cost you about 12,600 yen (which is $106 US dollars).

It looks as though anything can be turned into maids nowadays. What will they show up next?

Souce: Akakdot

ADV Launches Download Site

Date: 2006 September 29 12:18 | Posted By: Jeremy

Category > Anime

ADV Films has joined the anime downloading craze with the opening of their new digital download store, ADV Universe. Anime fans can now, after signing at the official website, browse and shop for episodes of their favorite ADV releases, including Gilgamesh, Godannar, and Comic Party to watch on their computer through Windows Media Player.

While the price for episode downloading has not been disclosed, signing up for service at ADV Universe is free! And as an added incentive, fans will receive the first episode of Guyver: The Bio-Booster Armor, soon to be released by ADV, for free after signing up. It’s just one more way at how much anime fandom is progressing in this high-tech, digital age.

Souce: ADV Films

ADV UK Release New DVD Sampler - Bento Box

Date: 2006 September 20 15:25 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

The nice folks from ADV Films UK have sent us the details of their lastest DVD release. Unlike the usual monthly release, they'll be releasing a DVD with selected episodes to sample. They're marketing it as a taster DVD, or to give it a more Japanese theme a Bento Box. The disc will have 4 episodes on a single DVD, retailing at a very reasonable £5.99, considering a normal anime DVD with 4 episodes on would retail for more than twice the price. It's due for release on 16th October 2006.

The DVD will contain:

- Area 88 - Episode 1
- Gilgamesh - Episode 6
- Get Backers - Episode 9
- Cromartie High School - Episode 9

This should prove a great way of sampling episodes, after all, splashing out £6 to find out if you like a selection of different series is a lot better than paying for a whole disc with the same series on and finding it's not your thing.

Read More... | Souce: ADV Films UK

Otaku - Japan's Consumer Cult

Date: 2006 September 13 16:48 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Fandom

Otaku - Japan's Consumer Cult.

A syndicated article that appears MSNBC and Business Week focuses on the Otaku, who are Japan's Consumer Fanatics.

It mentions their geeky tendencies to build their own computers, along with their spending large amounts of money on collectable manga and associated merchandise. Interestingly enough the article also states their raw spending power, around $3.5 Billion dollars (USD), a year on anime DVDs, manga, IT gadgets and other toys. Namco Bandai's Idol Manager idolm@ster gets a mention too.

The article then goes on to explain the Densha Otoko and maid cafes, along with English language websites that track the news. They single out two websites Otaku World and this website Otaku News. ^_^

The article also mentions kakure-otaku (hidden otaku), and the Secret Otaku Support Commission.

It then finishes with Kondo Kagaku, a company that noticed a lot of it's servomotors were being bought buy keen otaku who wanted to produce their own robots, so the company met demand and produced their own robot kit.

Souce: Business Week

ADV UK DVD Releases for Winter 2006

Date: 2006 September 12 15:17 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

Those nice folk from ADV UK have sent us the details for their winter release schedule. It seems that they've targeted the anime fan's Christmas list with the majority of titles being released on 20th November 2006.

- Samurai Gun Volume 1 (16/10/06)
- Neon Genesis Evangelion Platinum Complete Collection (20/11/06)
- Yugo The Negotiator Volume 1 (20/11/06)
- Area 88 Volume 2 (20/11/06)
- Gilgamesh Volume 4 (20/11/06)
- MADLAX Volume 5 (20/11/06)
- Samurai Gun Volume 2 (04/12/06)
- Get Backers Volume 10 (04/12/06)

ADV UK will be releasing a superb looking Evangelion Platinum boxset in a nice shiney box with tons of extras which are exclusive to the European release! The 7 disc release includes all the episodes with remastered video and audio, along with 4 directors cuts episodes, 4 documentaries a nice 60 page booklet and many more bits. The box set is retailing for £99.99, but the more price senstive otaku can get it from Play.com for £72.99 or Sendit.com for £69.89, other retailers might have similar deals too. This is a limited edition set, so if you want it, you better put it at the top of your Christmas list. This was also the highlight of ADV UK's Industry panel at AmeCon this year.

Read More... | Souce: ADV Films UK

FLCL: The Ultimate Edition

Date: 2006 September 05 10:07 | Posted By: Jeremy

Category > Anime

Like FLCL, the wacky six-part OAV series from Gainax about a young boy, an alien girl, and the robots that come from his head? Well, get ready to enjoy it all over again when Synch Point releases FLCL: The Ultimate Edition box set on November 21. This new set, going for a SRP of $69.95, will not only include the full series with a director's commentary, but lots of cool free swag. This includes a sticker sheet, postcards, a book (what kind is currently not known, though an art book of some type is likely), and best of all, a coupon for a free T-shirt. Definitely for many to add to their Christmas wish lists.

Souce: Anime News Network

Miuro The iPod Robot

Date: 2006 September 01 08:33 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Technology > Robotics

For the otaku that has everything Japanese firm ZMP have developed a robot that rolls around playing music. The egg shaped robot is called Miuro which stands for - music innovation based on utility robot technology. Miuro has all sorts of interesting features such as an iPod dock, a remote control and can even use wireless signals from a PC to play music from iTunes or similar software (the article isn't clear which wireless technology is used). The robot uses a Kenwood speaker system. Camera and sensors are available as an optional extra to allow Miuro to map out it's on position and remember routes.

Miuro is available to buy on-line in Japan, with overseas availability expected in the second half of 2007. Retailing at $930 (USD), it isn't exactly at the cheap end of iPod accessories.

Souce: Yahoo! News

ADV UK DVD Releases for October 2006

Date: 2006 August 25 12:39 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

September isn't here yet, and already those nice people from ADV have sent us their October DVD line-up.

They'll be releasing:

- The Place Promised In Our Early Days
- Cromartie High School volume 4
- Get Backers volume 9

The Place Promised in Our Early Days, is a full length feature from up and coming director Makoto Shinkai, Voices of a Distant Star, which caused a stir for being an anime title directed and produced completely on his Mac. We recommend it to see how Mr Shinkai is progressing and some fans may have already seen this feature at the NFT earlier this month. We've been enjoying Cromartie High School as well. Get Backers is always worth watching too.

Read More... | Souce: ADV Films UK

Rare Games Collection Stolen

Date: 2006 August 20 15:36 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Fandom

We've been passed a press release from DDR:uk, a group of hardcore Dance Dance Revolution fanatics, on the 18th of August their equipment was stolen (with the exception of their custom build DDR machine, as it too big to easily move), their £25,000 collection includes a wide variety of rare and sought after games, most of which are no longer in production, along with specialist hardware and games controllers.

Since the items in question are rather unique, we would like to ask community minded otaku to be aware of the items stolen and keep a look out for them on places like popular auction sites, specialist games dealers and other places second hand goods are traded. The DDR:uk crew are offering a reward for any information.

The DDR:uk crew also help run events at anime conventions such as the games room, which was a huge success at AmeCon 2006, with the DDR machine being a huge attraction, along with the more unusual classic games. DDR:uk also put a plea out for hardware and games donation to help replace what was stolen.

On a side note the AmeCon manga library (which is made up of generous donations from Tokyopop and Tanoshimi and is stored with the DDR:uk hardware), was also vanadilised by the same criminals, with boxes of manga thrown out onto the street into the rain, and is now spoiled as a result.

We've deliberatly posted this to all editions of Otaku News, as although the items in question were stolen in the UK, many of the items stolen are rare they're desirable internationally, so all our readers should be made aware.

Bandai UK and Eire Online Shop: Now Testing

Date: 2006 July 25 11:24 | Posted By: Voxie

Category > Websites

Looks like Bandai have acknowledged the online fanscene and are having a go at running an online shop.

The shop features your usual host of DVDs, manga and toys under the Bandai/Beez licence. The popular titles include My-Hime, classic Gundam, SCRYed, Witch Hunter Robin, Wolf's Rain and Cowboy Bebop. There's pretty much a category for everything under the Bandai licence, including Tamagotchi and of course, the immortal Power Rangers brand.

Our source says the website is on trial for now, and if it goes well, Bandai will surely be adding more. Check out the trial website and tell your friends!

Souce: AnimeBoredom

Tokyopop Music

Date: 2006 July 14 10:42 | Posted By: Jeremy

Category > Anime

Tokyopop announces their own music line to release tunes based on hit anime.

An Otaku in Paradise

Date: 2006 July 11 22:56 | Posted By: Queen Of Swords

Category > Fandom

For this middle American otaku finding good anime to rent was like finding an ounce of fat on Paris Hilton. Then along came the brilliant Netflix commercials to lead her to the Horn O' Pleanty.

Samurai 7 Action Figures to be sold at Comic-con

Date: 2006 July 08 02:40 | Posted By: Davie

Category > Anime

According to Figures.com, Southern Island announced that has acquired the rights to distribute Samurai 7 Action Figures, statues and busts. At Comic-Con there will be an exclusive set of 5 " scale Samurai 7 action figures produced by Organic. The set of 7 pieces will be limited to only 50 pieces at the show and will be sold at $45. For a closer look at the figures click here.

Souce: Figures.com

ADV UK DVD Releases for August 2006

Date: 2006 June 12 14:42 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

No sooner than we had recived details for July's DVD releases, our chums at ADV Films UK had sent us the details for their August DVD line up:

- Saiyuki: Requiem
- Cromartie High School Volume 3
- Elfen Lied Volume 4 (Final)
- DNAngel Volume 7 (Final)
- Get Backers 8

There's something for everyone this month! So check out the DVD Review Section for more details about Cromartie High School, Elfen Lied, DNAngel and Get Backers.

Read More... | Souce: ADV Films UK

New Books From VIZ

Date: 2006 June 03 10:39 | Posted By: Jeremy

Category > Manga

VIZ Media announces their new releases for the rest of 2006 at BookExpo.

ADV Films at the London Expo this Bank Holiday Weekend

Date: 2006 May 26 02:00 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Those nice people from ADV Films UK have sent us some details about the London Expo, which runs on the 27th and 28th of May. ADV highlights include discounted DVDs at £15 each, along with the Anime Cosplay Competition that they are sponsoring. They'll also be having a free prize draw each day. So why not go along and say hello to the nice folks over at ADV Films UK?! ^_^

Read More... | Souce: ADV Films UK

FUNimation and Tokyopop Anime DVD Team-Up

Date: 2006 May 25 11:21 | Posted By: Jeremy

Category > Anime

FUNimation teams up with Tokyopop to re-release DVD titles.

Manga News at Anime Central

Date: 2006 May 16 11:29 | Posted By: Jeremy

Category > Anime

Manga Entertainment announces a bunch of new titles for release at Anime Central.

ADV UK DVD Releases for June 2006

Date: 2006 May 15 17:57 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

Those nice people at ADV Films UK have sent us the details of their June releases which include the following:

- Cromartie High School Volume 2
- Elfen Lied Volume 3
- DNAngel Volume 6
- Get Backers Volume 7

Normally we'd recomend a single title, but ADV have got something for everyone this month. If you like ultra violence (that is sugary cute and gratuitous), go for Elfen Lied. If Comedy is more your thing, go for Cromartie High School.

Read More... | Souce: ADV Films UK

Tokyopop to Launch New Pop Fiction Line

Date: 2006 May 09 10:28 | Posted By: Jeremy

Category > Retail

Tokyopop planning to add new line of novels geared towards young adults.

Japan's Toys for the Elderly

Date: 2006 May 02 18:23 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Toys

In a rather interesting story, following on from their earlier story about declining birth rates in Japan, BBC News have posted an interesting story about Japan's toys for the elderly. It covers Tomy's new product, a doll for the over sixties designed to be similar to a small child, the doll will welcome the owner back home and even weights the same as a small infant.

The article states that due to the falling birthrate Japans population could decrease by as much as 28 million people by 2050. As a result Tomy is keen on developing toys not just for children.

'"We go for teenagers, we go for people in their twenties and thirties, we go for housewives, families and for older people too. It's a strange culture but we are very lucky," Mr Tomiyama says'

The article goes to mention Nintendo's success with it's Brain Training Game. It ends with a the suggestion that games for adults are nothing new in Japan highlighting pachinko as an example, although it doesn't mention that games for adults are played in other countries too, such as pool, snooker, darts, lawn bowls etc..., it just seems odd that they highlight the Japanese adults love of games when almost every country in the world has games enjoyed by grown-ups. ^_^

Souce: BBC News

Dark Horse Teams up with Adidas

Date: 2006 April 30 14:09 | Posted By: Azure

Category > Retail

Dark Horse is teaming up with Adidas to support the Comic Book Legal Defence fund by issuing a limited number of jackets and hoes with Dark Horse characters. The jackets include characters from several well known Japanese artists whose work is published with the company including Katsuhiro Otomo and Katsuya Terada.

Souce: ICv2.com

Anime Forest.com Closing Down

Date: 2006 April 18 11:31 | Posted By: Jeremy

Category > Anime

Bad news for American anime fans. Anime News Network has reported that Anime Forest.com, the popular on-line rental site, will be shutting down after three years of service. An e-mail was sent out to customers of the site informing them of the closing, though reasons as to why were not given. Per-rental services ceased on April 7th, while subscription services will end on April 30. Anime Forest thanks their customers for their support in the e-mail. They will be missed.

Souce: Anime News Network

Mobile Manga on the Rise

Date: 2006 April 14 10:27 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The Mainichi Daily News is currently running an interesting article on the rise of Mobile Manga - manga displayed on users mobile phones.

The subscription service is seen by many as good value for money and more convenient than paper based manga. Comic Site, a service set up by telephone company NTT, has had over 10 million downloads since starting in August 2004. Mobile manga also adds effects not found on it's paper equivalent, with pages that can make the readers phone vibrate when they are a reading a shooting scene. The future looks promising for mobile manga in Japan, and it seems from the article it is DRM free, as it mentions that school girls share their favourite manga files.

Souce: Mainichi Daily News

Paranoia Agent Volume 3 Cut in UK

Date: 2006 April 09 16:14 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

As many anime fans may have heard, the BBFC have made a cut from the UK DVD edition of Paranoia Agent Volume 3, the scene in question involves a girl attempting to hang herself, which goes against the BBFC policy, as a result compulsory cut of 1 minute and 20 seconds was made. An interview with Sue Clark from the BBFC can be found on aNIme, which goes into more details about the cut.

Souce: aNIme

Lucky Eureka SeveN

Date: 2006 April 07 15:15 | Posted By: Jeremy

Category > Anime

Bandai Entertainment announces major plans for TV and online release of Eureka SeveN in America.

Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children DVD Details

Date: 2006 April 06 16:49 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

Otaku rejoice! The popular RPG game series Final Fantasy has stolen many hours of our lives, especially Final Fantasy VII, which is why a CGI movie was made. It's set two years after the events of the game, and features everyone favourite Cloud and Sephiroth. It's due for UK release on DVD and UMD on April 24th and April 25th in the USA, it looks like it's going to be good.

Update: We now have a review of Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children.

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