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Otaku News Podcast Episode 2

Date: 2012 July 20 16:48 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Podcast

Episode 2 of the Otaku News Podcast is now live! Rebecca, Spike and Colin cast their eyes over some recent news, there are reviews of Steins;Gate, Haiyore Nyaruko-san and the Rampage/Wavering of Haruhi Suzumiya. Also Hare & Guu gets inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Please do download it and let us know what you think!

Download Otaku News Podcast Episode 2

MP3 File:
32.9 MB
35 minutes 57 seconds

[Direct Download] [Torrent]

Contact the Podcast crew at:
podcast@otakunews.com
or reach us via Twitter at @OtakuNewsCast
Disagree with us? Suggestions? Ideas? Contact us!

Note general site enquiries should go as usual to Joe at webmaster@otakunews.com

You can get episode 1 here.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

SFX Collection: The Ultimate Guide to Anime

Date: 2012 July 20 16:29 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

The good folks from SFX Magazine have sent us the details of an anime special that hits the streets today (Friday 20th July 2012) in the UK. It's intended for everyone from seasoned otaku to those who haven't seen anime before.

It includes features on -
Dragon Ball Z
Toei
Nausicaa
Cosplay

Along with Tiger And Bunny, Welcome To The Space Show, Full Metal Alchemist, Blood-C, Berserk, Angel Beats, Ghost In The Shell and Neon Genesis Evangelion.

It comes with a double sized Full Metal Alchemist poster, a DVD with two episodes of Baka & Test, plus some Welcome To The Space Show Art cards.

NEO Magazine Issue 100 out now

Date: 2012 July 12 17:25 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

Following on from the Neo 100th Issue Party, we've been sent the details of the 100th Issue of Neo Magazine, the UK's longest anime and manga magazine. Issue 100 is out now from all good magazine retailers.

Read More... | Souce: NEO Magazine

Love Exposure UK DVD and blu-ray release details

Date: 2012 July 12 17:18 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Press Releases

The lovely people from Third Window Films have sent us the details of their new DVD and blu-ray release of the live action movie Love Exposure, which is due out in the UK on Monday 6th August 2012.

This is to coincide with the DVD and blu-ray of Sion Sono's newest film Himizu.

Readers may remember this film was shown on Film 4 a while back.

Himizu UK DVD and blu-ray release details

Date: 2012 July 12 16:57 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

The good folks from Third Window Films have sent us the details of their new DVD and blu-ray release of the live action movie Himizu, which is due out in the UK on Monday 6th August 2012.

Puella Magi Madoka Magica Complete Series Collection Blu-ray now available for pre-order in the UK

Date: 2012 July 04 16:51 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks at Manga Entertainment UK have announced on Twitter that Puella Magi Madoka Magica is now available to pre-order on Play.com. The complete Blu-ray collection is listed at a pre-order price of £29.99. This set contains the the whole series of the highly anticipated magical girl show. It's due for release on Monday 29th October 2012. Note that the Play.com listing does not show the final box art.

Mayamada Anime Inspired T-shirt launch in London on Friday 20th July

Date: 2012 July 04 16:10 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Anime inspired t-shirt brand Mayamada have sent us details of an event they're running in London on Friday 20th July from 6pm until 11pm. Those interested in anime inspired t-shirt designs should head over to dessert shop Tutti Frutti near Covent Garden Tube station.

You'll have a first chance to look at the their designs. All ticket holders will also recive 20% frozen yoghurt on the night, plus a chance to win prizes. The event is free, but you'll have to grab tickets as space is limited.

NEO Magazine Issue 100 details plus free London Party on Saturday 7th July 2012

Date: 2012 June 27 17:11 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Press Releases

Long ago on 25th November 2004 a new anime and manga magazine launched in the UK. Almost 8 years later, Neo Magazine is still going strong and has hit the 100 issue mark.

To celebrate it's 100th issue they'll be throwing a party in London on Saturday 7th July 2012. Everyone is invited to the free party, which starts at 8pm at the Bloomsbury Lanes. The party is for over 18's only, ID is required.

Read More... | Souce: NEO Magazine

Necomimi Brainwave Cat Ears are now available to buy in the UK

Date: 2012 June 27 15:46 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

Following on from our story on Brainwave Controlled Robotic Cat Ears, they've finally hit retailers in the UK! United Publications is now listing them for a very reasonable £73 a set. This will make an ideal gift for cosplayers, furries or those who just like wearing cat ears.

Souce: United Publications

Dragon Ball Z-Complete Season One DVD and Welcome to the Space Show Blu-ray competition

Date: 2012 June 26 15:18 | 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 a copy of a copy of Dragon Ball Z-Complete Season One on DVD and Welcome to the Space Show on Blu-Ray to give away to one lucky reader.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Sentai Filmworks licences Children Who Chase Lost Voices

Date: 2012 June 17 19:23 | Posted By: Eeeper

Category > Anime > Film

US anime licenser Sentai Filmworks has announced they have licensed the Makoto Shinkai movie Children Who Chase Lost Voices, for release later this year. The company has stated that the film will get a DVD and Blu-Ray release.

NEO Magazine Issue 99 details

Date: 2012 June 15 17:22 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Press Releases

The good folks at Neo Magazine have sent us the details of their 99th Issue. Out now this issue is spicy to say the least, as it features Spice and Wolf, along with the usual selection of exclusive features.

The numerate among you will also notice that the next issue due out in 4 weeks is issue 100, so no doubt Neo will have something special lined up.

Read More... | Souce: NEO Magazine

VIZ Media to debut 13th volume of Evangelion manga same day/date as Japanese release

Date: 2012 June 08 12:10 | Posted By: Eeeper

Category > Press Releases

US publisher VIZ Manga announces plans to simultaneously publish the 13th volume of the popular manga in English on November 2nd 2012.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex-Solid State Society Blu-ray competition

Date: 2012 May 17 16:42 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

UK based anime fans will be pleased to hear that the good folks from Manga Entertainment UK have given us a copy of a copy of Ghost In The Shell on Blu-Ray (Double Play edition) to give away to one lucky reader.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Tales Of Graces f release details and MCM London Expo game demo details

Date: 2012 May 16 16:21 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Gaming

The good folks from Namco Bandai have sent us details of the Tales of Graces f, which is due out in Europe (that includes the UK), the Middle East and Australia on Friday 31st August 2012.

If you can't wait until then to play it, you should head over to the London MCM Expo from Friday 25th May to Sunday 27th May 2012. Tales of Graces F will be demoed from 5pm to 5:30pm on the Saturday. Namco Bandai will also be demoing the highly anticipated game made in conjunction with Studio Ghibli and Level 5 - Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch from 6pm to 6:30pm. Fans looking for some kinect action should go to the Sunday 10:30 to 11am demo of Dragon Ball Z Kinect.

GEN Manga Issue 11 out now

Date: 2012 May 15 16:03 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good folks from GEN Manga have just release their latest Issue GEN 11.

It features Six previously unpublished stories straight from the Tokyo underground. Android Angels, One is Enough, Stones of Power, Anomal, Alive and GB Geist. They've been running for a year now and are still going strong, which shows that there's a viable market in seinen manga, espically when it's not region locked or encumbered with DRM.

GEN will be giving away a short preview version of the GEN 11 for free this month. So any visitor to genmanga.com can download something for free, too.

Read More... | Souce: GEN Manga

NEO Magazine Issue 98 details

Date: 2012 May 15 15:15 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

The good folks at NEO have just sent us the details about their latest issue. NEO 98 is due out on Thursday 17th May 2012 from all good newsagents, Tesco and WH Smith. It features plenty of Dragon Ball Z, along with other articles on titles such as Ozma.

Read More... | Souce: NEO Magazine

Cherry Tree High Comedy Club Release Details

Date: 2012 April 25 16:02 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Gaming

The good folks from Nyu Media have sent us details of their latest gaming release Cherry Tree High Comedy Club (CTHCC).

The light-hearted anime-style adventure game features localization by Tezuka Productions. The game is due for launch on Friday 27th April 2012 directly from it's homepage.

It will then be released on Steam, GamersGate, GameTap and Impulse over the coming weeks.

Genki Gear London Expo Official May 2012 Exclusive T-shirt

Date: 2012 April 21 12:20 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

With the London Comic Con MCM Expo just over a month away things are starting to rev up for it. T-shirt company Genki Gear have just unveiled their exclusive design for the May event, which is set to run from Friday 25th to Sunday 27h May 2012.

The t-shirt is available for pre-order from Genki Gear. You can collect at the Genki Gear stall at the Expo, or have it posted out to you after the event.

NEO Magazine Issue 97 out now

Date: 2012 April 19 17:27 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

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

GEN Manga Issue 10 out now

Date: 2012 April 19 17:03 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good folks from GEN Manga have just release their latest Issue GEN 10.

It features Six previously unpublished stories straight from the Tokyo underground. Wolf, Kamen, Sorako, Alive and GB Geist.

The on-line manga publisher distribute their monthly collection of doujinshi using a subscription model. You get to download and keep the PDF file for each issue too.

Souce: GEN Manga

Manga UK DVD License Details for April 2012

Date: 2012 April 02 15:55 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from Manga Entertainment UK have sent us the details from their big licensing announcements at the Birmingham MCM Expo.

The big title in the line up is without doubt the highly anticipated Puella Magi Madoka Magica. Cosplay favourites Panty And Stocking With Garter Belt is dude for 2012 too. Along with Squid Girl which you may have caught on Crunchy Roll.

NEO Magazine Issue 96 out now

Date: 2012 March 24 17:31 | Posted By: Joe

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

GEN Manga releases Kamen Volume 1

Date: 2012 March 14 16:58 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

We've just been sent details from the good folk at GEN Manga about their latest release - Kamen Volume 1. The title will be available across the US through all good Diamond Comic Distributors and on Graphicly. You can also download the title from the GEN Manga Website.

Fans of comic books will be interested to hear that Marvel artist Harvey Tolibao did the cover for Kamen.

Read More... | Souce: GEN Manga

JManga.com celebrates going global with a second sign-up promotion

Date: 2012 March 09 16:20 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good people from JManga.com have just gone international. To celebrate the on-line manga service have launched a sign up promotion for new members.

From the Thursday 8th March 2012 to Wednesday 14th March 2012 if you sign up for a paid subscription you'll receive 5 books worth of bonus points with a $25 monthly subscription and 2 books worth of points a $10 subscription.

Distant Worlds: Celebrating 25 years of Final Fantasy - London November 2012

Date: 2012 March 06 16:18 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

London Based fans of Final Fantasy will want to keep Friday 2nd November 2012 free as that's when the Distant Worlds: Celebrating 25 years of Final Fantasy concert hits the Royal Albert Hall.

The Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra plus choir will be performing. Arnie Roth is the Conductor and Nobuo Uematsu will be in attendance too.

Tickets will start from £25 to £65, plus there's a special VIP meet and greet ticket for £125 which gets you lots of great things.

We know the event is in November, so why are we mentioning it now? Tickets go on Sale on Thursday 15th March 2012 9am London Time. As always with popular events we advise booking early to avoid disappointment, but with this we can't emphasise this enough.

JManga.com Extends Access Worldwide

Date: 2012 March 01 16:32 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

Readers outside the US who have been longing to legally get their hands on some digital manga will be extremely pleased to hear that JManga.com have extended their access world wide.

The site allows you to get manga using a points based system. If you sign up by Sunday 4th March 2012, you'll get double the amount of points as a welcome. The subscription costs either $10 or $25 a month. They also have a free subscription.

NEO Magazine Issue 95

Date: 2012 February 22 15:14 | Posted By: Joe

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

Cakes with Faces - New T-Shirt for Hyper Japan

Date: 2012 February 16 16:22 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

Hyper Japan 2012 Spring is all set to start on Friday 24th February and will run until Sunday 26th February 2012. One of the many things we like about the Japanese culture event is the all the different stalls and the wide variety of things they sell.

Every time you go you're always going to find something new and exciting. Graphic artist Amy Crabtree of Cakes With Faces will be there. You may have seen her stall at other events such as the London MCM Expo. At Hyper Japan she'll be launching an appropriately themed t-shirt called All the best stuff is from Japan. The colourful design is great to show off your otaku side.

The design is launched at Hyper Japan and you'll be able to pre-order at a special price and collect it at the event.

Made Better in Japan

Date: 2012 February 11 14:02 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

The Wall Street Journal have a great article about how things are Made Better in Japan. The article focuses on the Japanese ideal of perfection and continual improvement, in areas including fashion, food, coffee, cocktails and hotels. Found via BoingBoing.

Souce: The Wall Street Journal

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

Shipping $36,000 worth of Japanese candy

Date: 2012 January 14 18:58 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Websites

Every otaku loves Japanese snacks and confectionery, what makes it more interesting is finding out how much some people like it. The owners of Candy Japan have posted an interesting article about how they're selling $36,000 worth of Japanese candy over 6 months. The site has been up and running for a year and has a very simple business model. You subscribe to them for $24 a month and they send you two envelopes with sugary treats each month. Currently they have just under 300 subscribers.

This makes us wonder, is it a viable long term business? Can you get more candy for $24 a month from J-List's Candy section instead? Or is the random element of Candy Japan part of the fun?

Update: J-List have confirmed that they sell more candy than that, around $50,000 worth a month. So it goes to show there is good money in sweet Japanese things.

Souce: Bemmu\'s Blog - I make stuff

GEN Manga Issue 8 out now

Date: 2012 January 14 15:41 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good folks from GEN Manga have sent us details of their latest Issue GEN 8.

It features a new story Let's Eat Ramen by Nagumo, the author of the seriesRadio de Go!

The on-line manga publisher distribute their monthly collection of doujinshi using a subscription model. You get to download and keep the PDF file for each issue too.

Read More... | Souce: GEN Manga

Kaz

Date: 2012 January 07 13:08 | Posted By: Eeeper

Category > Anime > DVD

Kazé UK representative confirms via Twitter that the UK based division of Kazé will release Black Lagoon on Blu ray in May of 2012.

Bandai US and UK shuts down DVD/BD/Manga production

Date: 2012 January 05 13:34 | Posted By: Eeeper

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

GEN Manga Issue 7 out now

Date: 2011 December 20 13:56 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

Fans of seinen manga will be pleased to hear that GEN Manga have just released GEN 7.

The on-line manga publisher distribute their monthly collection of doujinshi using a subscription model. You get to download and keep the PDF file for each issue too.

Read More... | Souce: GEN Manga

Cowboy Bebop Remix and Arrietty due for January 2012 release

Date: 2011 December 19 13:20 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

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

Sentai Filmworks Licenses Grave of the Fireflies

Date: 2011 December 01 16:54 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

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.

Genki Gear 2011 Christmas Cards

Date: 2011 November 30 13:51 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

Genki Gear the company best known for their t-shirt range have released a selection of Christmas Cards. A pack of five costs £3.50.

Digital Manga Inc Launch Anime Cel Art Shop

Date: 2011 November 25 14:27 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

We've received some rather interesting news from Digital Manga Inc. They've just opened a new site Anime Cel Art, which like the name implies is dedicated to selling anime cel art. They've currently got Naruto, Bleach and One Piece cels for sale.

Collectors should note, that these are not production cels used to make the anime as production now is digital. These are officially licensed reproductions. They are hand painted, and made exactly the same as production cels, but these images have never been used to make anime. As a result you get more for your money. You get a high quality image along with a background for a reasonable price.

Clannad Complete Collection US Blu-ray out now

Date: 2011 November 08 14:40 | Posted By: Joe

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.

United Publications November 2011 Sale

Date: 2011 November 04 16:41 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

Popular anime, manga and related merchandise retailer United Publications have sent us details of their explosive 5th of November clearance sale. There are many bargains to be had, with up to 80% off some Manga/Anime books, DVD and figures! We've asked and they've confirmed they're not going mad. It's to clear out their inventory to make room for new stock for the new year. They've got some hard to find items up on the listing too.

Also if you're looking for something exclusive, remember a while ago we interviewed Japanese figure sculptor Momiji? Well the good folks at United Publications are now selling his exclusive Ms Fan Stand figure.

Breathe Deeply - a new graphic novel from One Peace Books

Date: 2011 October 26 16:11 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

We've received details of a new manga title just out. Breath Deeply is a controversial medical thriller with a dash of romance. It's written by the husband and wife team known as Doton Yamaaki. Published in English by One Peace Books the company suggest readers forget what they know about manga when approaching this title. It's out now from your favourite book sellers.

Buy from Amazon.com
Buy from Amazon.co.uk

Update: We've now have a reviewed Breathe Deeply.

London Comic Con MCM Expo Details - Games and Dolls

Date: 2011 October 21 18:52 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

In London this time next week (Friday 28th to Sunday 30th October 2011) the London Comic Con MCM Expo will be well under way. As it builds up it seems like every other press release we get sent is about the Expo.

We've just received two press releases from them.

Square Enix will be showcasing the new Final Fantasy XIII-2 game, along with Hitman Absolution.

Screaming Matriarch will be showcasing a new limited edition Little Apple Doll.

GEN Manga Issue 6 out now

Date: 2011 October 12 02:00 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

Fans of alternative manga will be pleased to hear that publisher GEN Manga Entertainment's latest release GEN 6 is out now priced $2.99 for the digital copy.

If you're heading to New York Comic Con you can visit the GEN Manga at booth 2030.

We interviewed GEN Manga recently and asked them about their take on the manga publishing industry.

Read More... | Souce: GEN Manga

An Interview with GEN Manga

Date: 2011 September 25 14:04 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

eBooks and eBook readers have taken off, with Amazon's Kindle, the Nook and iPad all popular must have gadgets for reading. Currently there's a lot of attention on digital manga. Several companies have sprouted up offering legitimate manga to download and read. The two big boys are JManga and VizManga. They have been criticised for many reasons, including DRM, complex pricing models and region locking. JManga is run by a consortium of 39 manga publishers, so you can easily say they're the biggest digital manga distributor out there. A lot of people are complaining about these manga companies getting it wrong, but has anyone got it right?

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Genki Gear London Expo Official October 2011 Exclusive T-shirt

Date: 2011 September 23 14:12 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

With the London Comic Con MCM Expo just over a month away things are starting to rev up for it. T-shirt company Genki Gear have just unveiled their exclusive design for the October event, which is set to run from Friday 28th to Sunday 30th October 2011.

This is the exclusive t-shirt for the London Comic Con MCM Expo. The theme this time around is Ninja vs Kittens! The t-shirt is available for pre-order only, with a closing date of Thursday 20th October 2011. The design will retail for £16.99 for both men's and women's style.

With the classic debate of ninjas vs pirates, we know where we stand (we also reserve the right to change our mind depending on what we're reading or watching when asked, if you ask us when we're indulging in One Piece you'll get a different answer than if we're watching Naruto). However Ninja vs Kittens that's a whole different ball game. What kind of ninja is this? What kind of kittens? Are they related to Maru? These are all important questions that we need answering!

Play.com sold to Japanese group Rakuten

Date: 2011 September 21 16:55 | Posted By: Joe

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

Robotech: The Complete Series on DVD UK Release Details

Date: 2011 September 19 16:40 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

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

American Comic Companies battle for readers

Date: 2011 August 22 04:47 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

BBC News are running an interesting story about Marvel and DC's current strategy of expansion into Asia.

"With sales in decline at home, US comic-book giants Marvel and its old rival DC Comics have been looking towards foreign markets to grow their businesses."

CB Cebulski at Marvel declares that "Sales are down and we've been losing market share to things like video games, social media, to film, to piracy."

The article highlights the difficulties DC and Marvel will have with manga and it's culture strong established in the Asian market. It also mentions that sales of manga are falling in Japan as well. The Japanese government are trying to fix this.
"The Japanese government has recently announced a new plan to aggressively further promote its pop culture and content, including manga, to international markets"

We've already seen this at events like the JETRO talk at Hyper Japan.

The article concludes with Marvel's current strategy of hiring local talent in Asia to draw comics and that they are given more creative control. It ends with an table of percentages of market share of Japanese manga versus American comics in Asia.

Souce: BBC News

Digital Manga version of Neon Genesis Evangelion launches on VizManga.com

Date: 2011 August 16 17:03 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good folks at Viz Media have sent us details of their latest title to appear on VIZManga. They've just launched Neon Genesis Evangelion with weekly digital chapters for $0.99. It's available on PC and Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and Android phones and tablets.

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