Category > Culture
What are these strange cute mascots, who are they, and what do they do?
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News
Category > Press Releases
UK Anime fans of the Fairy Tail series will be pleased to hear the news from Manga Entertainment UK. They've sent us details of the upcoming movie release on DVD and blu-ray. Fairy Tail The Movie: Phoenix Priestess will be released on Monday 28th July 2014.
You can pre-order the blu-ray or DVD from Amazon.co.uk.
Read More... | Souce: Manga Entertainment UK
Category > Retail
Fans of giant robots will be pleased to hear the news from the Big Bad Toy Store. Takara Tomy Toys the folks behind Transformers in Japan have teamed up with Gainax to produce an Evangelion Unit-01 coloured Optimus Prime. This forms part of the Transformers x Evangelion project.
Optimus' trailer comes with NERV branding too. Optimus himself sports the distinct purple and green colour scheme. While the Autobot Matrix of Leadership has been made to look like an S2 Engine.
Only 1,000 will be sold in Japan.
Fans of transformers merchandise will know that this is essentially a repaint of the MP-10 Masterpiece Optimus Prime figure. Big Bad Toy Store are taking pre-orders at $314.99 (USD).
Read More... | Souce: Takara Tomy
Category > Events
The MCM London Comic Con for May 2014 has just finished. We're still recovering from the huge event. So much always happen at them! The good folks from the Comic Con have sent us details of the attendance figures. The May 2014 event attracted 101,600 addendies, up from 88,000 in October 2013, and just over 70,000 people in May 2013.
To cope with this huge growth the people running the event booked more floor space at the London Excel Centre and even arranged for extra cash machines to be brought in to cope with all the demand.
At this current growth rate it'll interesting to see how big the October 2014 MCM London Comic Con is!
Read More... | Souce: MCM London Comic Con
Category > Art
Tokyo is an iconic city, and many amazing photos of have been taken there. Tokyo based photographer and blogger Dave Powell runs the website ShootTokyo. He captures moments in the city and does lots of street photography. He's well known in the photographic blog scene and his site regularly attracts thousands of visitors daily. A photo speaks a thousand words and his photos speak for themselves.
Read More... | Souce: ShootTokyo Kickstarter Campaign
Category > Anime
Patema Inverted is out now in selected cinemas across the UK. To celebrate, we've got a very nice quad poster of the anime film to give away. What's a quad poster? Well film buff would already know, it's the standard size poster used in UK cinemas to promote films. They are 40 inches by 30 inches in landscape format.
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News
UK anime fans keen to get their hands on the hi-def release of the original Ghost in the Shell Movie, will be pleased to hear that Amazon.co.uk are now taking pre-orders for the title on blu-ray. The limited edition steelbook is due out on Monday 29th September 2014.
Souce: Amazon.co.uk
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
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
Category > Anime
The good people from Manga Entertainment UK have just sent us some more news about the up coming release of Ghost In the Shell on Blu-ray. They'll be releasing the original film in hi-def (not the 2.0 version), on a worldwide exclusive limited edition steel book. Manga Entertainment UK have proved very popular with fans with their previous releases of Akira and Ninja Scroll on Blu-ray.
Read More... | Souce: Manga Entertainment UK
UK based anime fans will be pleased to hear that the good folks from Manga Entertainment UK have given us one copy of Dragon Ball Season 1 on DVD to give away.
Read More... | Souce: Manga Entertainment UK
Category > Manga
The good people from Project 6060 have sent us news of their Kickstarter Campaign for Stories of Modern Manga (1952-2012). The title of the book is self explanatory, with each double page spread tackling a year in the history of manga.
They aim to make the book as accessible as possible, it sounds like a great coffee table book, something you can just pick up and dip into.
The campaign aims to to raise $18K (USD) to publish the book. At the time of writing they've currently raised $3,693. However it's still early days and we know it's the last few hours that really count for a Kickstarter campaign.
Read More... | Souce: 1952-2012 : Stories of Modern Manga Kickstarter Campaign
Category > Anime
It's almost time for the big MCM London Comic Con in May. The event is set to run from Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th May 2014. As is tradition super t-shirt company Genki Gear have produced a special exclusive design for the event. The theme this time around is a Teeny Tiny Ninja!
It's available as a limited edition pre-order only from the 7th April until the 16th May at Genkigear.com for £16.99. There is also a subtle design change with the MCM logo on the arm this time around.
Read More... | Souce: Genki Gear
Category > Websites
The Pirate Anime FAQ is regarded as essential reading. We've just done a minor update adding a section about Anime Conventions and similar events to it. Geeky events like this are a great place to buy stuff from, but we urge caution as some will have excellent policies in place to stop dealers from selling pirate goods. Other events we are aware of however will not have any policy or if they do not enforce it. Often their concern is if they've sold enough tables to make a good profit. This does not just apply to small events. Bigger events also have this problem too.
Souce: Pirate Anime FAQ
Category > Anime
Anime fans after a true classic will be very pleased to hear about the new high definition release of Ranma 1/2 on blu-ray and DVD. The good folks from Viz Media have sent us details about the up coming release. The title is due to hit the shelves on March 25th 2014.
Volume 1 will feature everyone's favourite cursed gender bending boy, in original Japanese broadcast order.
You can see footage of the original release vs. this current High Def release and Blu-ray set Debut.
Pre-order Blu-ray from Amazon.com
Pre-order DVD from Amazon.com
Read More... | Souce: Viz Media
Category > Anime
We've highlighted before to our UK readers how they're connected to the Australian anime market. So today we'd thought we should share you with you an example of how established the market is down under.
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News
The good folks from Manga Entertainment UK have sent us some details about a HMV exclusive version of Blood C: The Last Dark. The title is due out on DVD and Blu-ray on Monday 24th March 2014.
The HMV Exclusive version of Blood C: The Last Dark will be a double play, containing the film both on DVD and Blu-ray, come with a slip cover, a poster and 4 art cards containing visuals from the film.
Read More... | Souce: Manga Entertainment UK
For UK anime fans who have been watching Space Dandy on Wakanim you'll already know that it's due out on DVD and blu-ray on 24th November 2014. Amazon.co.uk have just started to take pre-orders for the DVD and blu-ray.
Souce: Amazon.co.uk
UK Fans of the anime series Rurouni Kenshin (also known as Samurai X for some releases), will be pleased to hear that Warner UK will be releasing the live action movie on Monday 17th February 2014. The film features events from the first story arc of the anime/manga, but is not a direct retelling as some concepts and events from the original series have been changed. You can pre-order the title on DVD and Collectors Edition Steelbook Blu-ray
Souce: Warner Bros UK
Category > Manga
Indie Manga publishers GEN Manga have sent us details of their newest releases. Plus an all new season of their manga collection has just launched. All their titles are available to download from their website and are DRM free.
Read More... | Souce: GEN Manga
Category > Anime
After spending a few days teasing followers to guess, Anime Limited have announced the details of their Kick Starter Campaign to bring Mai Mai Miracle to the UK and US.
The film has yet to get any English speaking territory home video release, only being shown occasionally at anime film festivals. We first discovered the film at a Barbican Screening in 2009 and were immediately fans. It's made by Mad House, the studio well know for hight quality releases. The film itself has that nostalgic Ghibli like feel to it, with it's own touch of whimsy. We've been wondering why it hasn't had an English language blu-ray or DVD release yet, and we always recommend people see it if they can. It's one of those rare must see family movies.
Anime Limited are aiming to bring it on blu-ray to both the UK and US! For us this is a no brainer. This is a case of shut up and take my money.
Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited
Category > Retail
We've just seen an interesting advert on TV for a new brand of mega volume mascara Miss Manga. It's designed to give you the manga look. L'Oreal want people to embrace the Japanese Kawaii attitude.
Beckkii Cruel has reviewed the product.
Read More... | Souce: L\'Oreal Paris
Category > Anime
The good folks from UK anime company Anime Limited have just unvealed their 2014 release line up.
Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited
Category > Manga
The good folks from GEN Manga have sent us details of their latest release. They're back with volume 3 of Let's Eat Ramen. Their GEN Manga monthly indie manga has also returned.
We caught up with GEN Manga a few years ago to hear their thoughts on seinen and indie manga.
Read More... | Souce: GEN Manga
Category > Anime
UK based anime fans will be pleased to hear that the good folks from Manga Entertainment UK have given us two copies of Wolf Children to give away. The film is directed by Mamoru Hosoda, who also directed Summer Wars and The Girl Who Leapt Through Time.
Read More... | Souce: Manga Entertainment UK
Category > Press Releases
Without doubt one of our most popular articles this year was our on location coverage of Fosse Farm - Alice Cartalet's house from Kinmoza. Key scenes in the anime set in England used Fosse Farmhouse as Alice's house.
Caron Cooper who owns and runs the B&B has just got in touch with us to let us know about a special Christmas offer for Otaku news readers -
Double or twin bedrooms in The Stables Cottage (Alice and Shino's Hanafuda house) £99.00 per room per night B&B.
Available from 20/12/2013 - 26/12/2013 inclusive.
Plus a few spaces remaining for our delicious 4 course Christmas Day lunch at £48.00 per person.
Please email caron@fossefarmhouse.com for further details/booking.
Of course if you can't make it to Fosse Farm over Christmas, they do take bookings around the year too!
Souce: Fosse Farm
Category > Retail
From the feedback we've been getting a fair few of our readers are planning on heading into London over Christmas. With this in mind we've just updated the London Anime and Manga Shopping Guide with details of updated shops. We hope this will you help you get a bit of real world otaku retail therapy!
Regardless of where you do go shopping, we always suggest some caution. There are some retailers around that are less than honest and will sell pirate goods. To help you avoid getting ripped off we suggest you read the Pirate Anime FAQ.
Souce: Otaku News
Category > Art
The good folks at the Japanese Gallery in London have sent us details of the cel sale, or as they call it cel sell! The event runs from Friday 6th to Sunday 8th December 2013. They'll be offering people who visit the gallery 20% off all anime products as long as you bring this voucher along. You may have seen the Japanese Gallery's anime cels being sold at events like Hyper Japan and the MCM London Comic Con. They actively welcome and encourage cosplayers at this sale.
Read More... | Souce: Japanese Gallery
Category > Anime
Christmas as come early for many Ghibli Fans in the UK. Porco Rosso has just got a Blu-ray release in the UK. The adventures of the Crimson Pig over the Adriatic Sea is a classic Miyazaki movie. it's got all the hallmarks you'd expect, aviation, air fights, sea plane pirates and a touch of magic. It's a must see movie.
Keen readers of the Otaku Calendar will already know that Monday 25th November marks the release date of 4 Ghibli Steel Book Sets in the UK. Each set contains the movie on DVD and Blu-ray and comes in a shiny steel case featuring artwork from each film. They'll be releasing My Neighbour Totoro, Howl's Moving Castle, Ponyo and Nausicaa.
We're already drooling over these sets and different members of the Otaku News crew have expressed interested in different copies of these steel books. I'm dropping subtle hints to santa that I would like a copy of *cough* Totoro *cough* on Steel book, even though I've got the original Japanese DVD and UK Blu-ray releases. Yes! I am that much of a Ghibli fan. ^_^;;
Souce: Otaku Calendar
Category > Retail
It's that time of year again the MCM London Comic Con returns to the Excel Centre from Friday 25th to Sunday 27th October 2013. As is tradition, t-shirt brand Genki Gear have an official and exclusive design for the event.
Read More... | Souce: Genki Gear
Category > Retail
London's well known Japanese shop Japan Centre has just announced that they'll be closing their doors on Sunday 22nd September 2013. Currently their store is just around the corner from Piccadilly Circus. The new location and opening details will be announced soon.
The shop has been popular with fans of everything Japanese for years, as it stocks Japanese food, books and current magazines. In the meantime they'll still sell everything via their website until the new location is revealed.
Update: The Japan Centre will reopen at 19 Shaftesbury Avenue in October 2013.
Read More... | Souce: Japan Centre
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
Category > Websites
We've just updated our London Anime and Manga Shopping Guide. Japanese department store Mitsukoshi has now closed, so it's been removed from our listing. We've heard rumours that they might open elsewhere in one form or another. All is not lost though as the bookshop in Mitsukoshi's basement JP Books now has it's own dedicated shop on Denman Street, just North of Piccadilly Circus.
We've also had to remove the much loved retro gaming shop Gaming Focus, along with the Muji on Oxford Street. There are still other Muji shops around London.
Also, we like to remind people when shopping for anime goods anywhere to watch out for pirate goods. We suggest you stay informed and read The Pirate Anime FAQ. There are still plenty of places out there that do stock pirate goods.
Souce: Otaku News - London Anime and Manga Shopping Guide
Category > Fandom
Cosplay photography circle SCG have launched a gutsy project Cosplayers Unite on crowd funding web platform Kickstarter. The project seeks to immortalise some of the world’s finest female cosplayers in a series of portraits to provide a unique "multi-media cosplay experience" for backers.
Read More... | Souce: Cosplayers Unite Kickstarter Page
Over the weekend of AyaCon on Sunday 18th August 2013 Manga Entertainment UK announced the release details of the of the highly anticipated Sword Art Online. Like the US release the UK edition will be released over 4 parts.
Release details are still to be confirmed, but they're aiming to release the first volume in December 2013 and the last volume by March 2014.
Read More... | Souce: Manga Entertainment UK
Category > Retail
The good folks from Genki Gear have got in touch with us to tell everyone about their summer sale. Otaku News readers can use the discount code SUMMERSALE (all one word), to get an extra 10% off the sale price of anything in our summer sale sections. This offer end 31st August 2013.
Souce: Genki Gear
Category > Features
It's not every day you meet an anime director, yet alone one from one of the most highly regarded anime series of all time. Thanks to good folks at Anime Limited we were able to catch up with Shinichiro Watanabe, who is best known as the director of Cowboy Bebop. He has also directed the hip-hop samurai mash-up Samurai Champloo and more recently the jazz anime Kids on the Slope.
We caught up with Shinichiro Watanabe at the May 2013 London MCM Comic Con. He was in town to promote the new release of Cowboy Bebop on Blu-ray along with the DVD and Blu-ray release of Kids on the Slope.
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News
Category > Events
The good folks from Hyper Japan have sent us details from the first day of their event. The 3 day event's third and final day is Sunday 28th July 2013. There's still lots of fun to be had! Including cosplay, culture and plenty of food.
Read More... | Souce: Hyper Japan
The good folks from Manga Entertainment UK have got in touch with us about a unique opportunity in relation to Steins;Gate Part 2. They are giving people the chance to vote on what cover design they would like to see used on their DVD and Blu-ray release.
With Steins;Gate Part 1 out now on DVD and Blu-ray Manga Entertainment have used unique artwork. This is actually the original Japanese design that the licensor has given special permission to use, making this artwork a UK exclusive in English speaking territories.
For Steins;Gate Part 2, Manga Entertainment have been given that same chance, but they would like the Manga UK community to vote for which design they want on their shelf.
There are 3 designs to choose from and the cover that receives the most votes will be the one submitted for approval. The closing date to vote by is 11:59pm on Thursday 25th July. Only one vote per person.
Head over to http://www.mangauk.com/SteinsGateVote to cast your vote today!
Steins;Gate Part 2 comes to DVD and Blu-ray on 30th September.
Souce: Manga Entertainment UK
Category > Features
In the April of 2013, I made my first visit to Japan. On my many travels, the second excursion to Harajuku was not for the stores featuring Japan's most iconic and eccentric fashion trends. It was not even to torture myself with the price tags in Lolita fashion wonderland. I passed the stores and sparklingly sweet crepe stands by. I was on a reconnaissance mission to visit The Evangelion Store - Tokyo One.
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News
UK based anime fans will be pleased to hear that the good folks from Manga Entertainment UK have given us one copy of Steins Gate: Part 1 to give away.
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News
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.
Read More... | Souce: Archaia Entertainment
Category > Events
The good folks from London based Japanese culture event Hyper Japan have sent us details of their 2013 event. It's set to run at Earl's Court Two from Friday 26th to Sunday 28th July 2013.
They've got something for every fan of Japan, from Food and drink to anime and cosplay. Fashion, J-Music and lots of lovely Japanese technology.
Read More... | Souce: Hyper Japan
Category > Anime
The good folks from new anime streaming site Daisuki.net have sent us details about their latest upcoming streams. They'll be simulcasting Monogatari Series Second Season and offering streams of the previous series - Bakemonogatari, Nisemonogatari and Nekomonogatari (Black).
Monogatari Series Second Season and Nekomonogatari (Black) will be avaiable for simulcast in the US, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. While Bakemonogatari and Nisemonogatari will be available in the US, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa.
They've also got 1,000 prizes to give away to anyone who registers on the site and applies for their give away.
Read More... | Souce: Daisuki.net
US Anime fans (and those who can watch Region 1 US DVDs) longing for a bit of nostalgia will be interested to hear about the US release of Samurai Pizza Cats The Complete Series from Discotek Media. This is a the dubbed edition with all the original crazy US dubbed dialogue and edits. It's available to pre-order on Amazon.com and direct from Discotek. It's due for release on July 30th 2013. The 8 disc set contains all 52 episodes. The Saturday morning show was a cult classic, but had a very limited release on DVD and VHS in the past. Where do you go when you want some pepperoni?! ^_^
If you want the original version in Japanese, with the original script, Discotek have already released it under the original title of Kyatto-Ninden Teyandee: Complete Uncut Japanese Language Collection. The subbed only version is available to buy on Amazon.com.
Souce: Discotek Media
Category > Retail
The good folks from UK based anime and manga mail order firm United Publications have sent us news that they've got the exclusive stock of High School of the Dead: Drifters Of The Dead Edition (OVA Only). So if you've already got High School of The Dead and just want the OVA only, they're the ones to turn to.
Souce: United Publications
Category > Retail
The good folks at the Japanese Gallery have sent us news that they'll be at the MCM London Comic Con from Friday 24th to Sunday 26th May 2013. They'll be there with cels from anime for sale. They've got cels from Hunter x Hunter, Dragon Ball Z, Transformers, Pokemon, and 2 from Studio Ghibli films!
They've also got some free Otaku News Postcards to give away at their stall. We normally only give these out at anime conventions so they're rare and hard to get. Just head over to their stall and ask for one! If you can't get to the comic con, you can always download our wallpaper which features designs from our postcards.
Update: The details in the Comic Con book aren't exactly clear. The Japanese Gallery can be found at booth 302.
Read More... | Souce: Japanese Gallery
Category > Retail
It's almost time for the MCM London Comic Con which will run from Friday 24th to Sunday 26th May 2013. The good folks from t-shirt company Genki Gear have sent us a reminder about their MCM line up.
Read More... | Souce: Genki Gear
Category > Manga
The good folks from the Kansai Club have sent us details of their Kickstarter to get Osamu Tezuka's The Crater published in English. They intend to publish it as a limited edition run of 2,000 high quality copies.
This is not the first of Tezuka's works to be crowd funded for an English release. Last year DMP ran a successful Kickstarter to get Unico funded.
Read More... | Souce: Kansai Club\'s Kickstarter page
Category > Press Releases
It's almost that time again! The MCM London Comic Con weekend is set to run from Friday 24th to Sunday 26th May 2013. As you'd expect the great folks from Manga Entertainment UK will be there and they'll have lots of lovely things at their booth (number 510).
Cosplayers can have their photo taken for free, plus the best cosplayers can win hundreds of pounds worth of goodies! They'll also have exclusive prizes and offers. They've got DVDs starting at £2 and blu-rays starting at £5. So when you get to the Expo, head over to booth 510.
They've got a ton of prizes to give away too, including a hamper full of anime collectibles worth over £1,000.
Read More... | Souce: Manga Entertainment UK
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