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Nukozuke! by Yugi Iro Manga Release Details

Date: 2024 September 07 10:40 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good folks from One Peace Books have just sent us details for an up coming manga Nukozuke! by Yugi Iro. It's pitched as slow-life comedy manga with a twist. Set in a world where nuko exist, they are pocket sized cat humans. Part-timer Yuya adopts two of them and it turns out that Yuya is more cat like than the nukos and they have to also look after Yuya.

It's marketed a sweet pick me up set to appeal to cat and manga lovers everywhere.

Read More... | Souce: One Peace Books

Crunchyroll x Bershka: Frieren and Chainsaw Man Clothing Details

Date: 2024 September 02 10:06 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

The good folks from anime streaming giants Crunchyroll have sent us some details about their collaboration with clothing brand Bershka to bring us some Frieren: Beyond Journey's End and Chainsaw Man clothing and accessories.

We've got Frieren t-shirts, hoodies and crop tops, a bag, a mobile phone case, plus socks! You too can finally own some Fern socks. Chainsaw Man wise we've got t-shirts, a baseball cap, jeans and a bag, all with a mix of either Chainsaw Man or Pochita. Sadly no Chainsaw Man socks.

In the past Crunchyroll have teamed up with Bershka to sell other anime inspired merchanidse, our favourite recent tie in was the Junji Ito Clothing Collection.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

Hero Without a Class: Who Even Needs Skills?! Manga Release Details

Date: 2024 August 21 18:58 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good folks from One Peace Books have just sent us details for an up coming manga Hero Without a Class: Who Even Needs Skills?!. Manga by Akio Nanae, with the original story by Shicio Kuzu & Yumehito Ueda. This fantasy story tells the tale of a world where everyone gets a class at the age of 10, our hero Arel doesn't get one, so he has to become a new type of hero.

The manga is due out on Sept. 17th 2024.

Read More... | Souce: One Peace Books

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Isekai Chronicles Release Details

Date: 2024 August 09 19:43 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from Bandai Namco Europe have sent us details of the new action RPG That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Isekai Chronicles was released on Thursday 8th August 2024 on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch and PC. It allows you to relive iconic moments of the original story as well as an entirely new one, featuring new characters created under the supervision of the original author, Fuse.

Crunchyroll Store US Launches Summer of Anime Sales Event

Date: 2024 August 03 11:24 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

The good folks from streaming giants Crunchyroll have sent us a reminder about their Summer of Anime sales events for US anime fans. The Crunchyroll Store to will have 50% off some of the store's most popular items from July 31 to August 28 2024.

Highlights for us are the Code Geass - Collector's Edition - Blu-ray, a Crunchyroll Exclusive where someone has clearly had a lot of fun with the packaging design.

Fans based in Europe should note that the Crunchyroll store has opened in the EU and UK too.

Hyper Japan 2024 Event Details

Date: 2024 July 14 13:24 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The good folks from Hyper Japan have just sent us the latest details for their 2024 London festival. Set to run from Friday 19th to Sunday 21st July 2024 at Olympia Events. Hyper Japan will bring you all the fun and games you'd expect including, food and drink, performers, workshops, various exhibitors and of course lots of good stalls selling stuff for fans of Japan.

Crunchyroll June to September 2024 DVD and Blu-ray UK Release Schedule

Date: 2024 June 09 17:35 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks from streaming giants Crunchyroll have sent us details for their June to September 2024 DVD and Blu-ray release schedule.

Highlights include Mob Psycho 100, Blue Lock and Vinland Saga. We're keen to get our hands on the mellow slice of life anime with a twist A Galaxy Next Door (which arrives on Blu-ray on 17th June 2024). The majority of titles are blu-ray only, with a few being DVD and blu-ray available options.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

Manga Tech Startup Orange, Inc. Raises JPY 2.9B (USD 19.5M) in Pre-Series A Financing

Date: 2024 May 09 20:06 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The people from manga tech start up Orange, Inc have sent us details about their latest fundraising. They've managed to get JPY 2.92 billion (approximately USD 19.5 million* ) fundraising in pre-series A financing.

The company pitches itself as a a manga localization technology company that uses deep learning models to translate manga. In a web comic they explain how it's not cost effective to get humans to translate the bulk of manga published in Japanese. As a result they claim less than 2% of Japanese manga has been translated.

The pitch also says they'll have skilled translators polish the output, while in reality, for a translator it's actually easier to translate directly than to tidy up machine translated text.

Machine translation does have it's place. It's frequently (and successfully) used to translate text with a consistent context, such as instruction manuals and technical documents. This text is often very dry, but also very limited in scope with fixed and repeated text. Once a human has corrected it the machine model can then use the preferred translation for that expression again and again, which makes sense in an instruction manual.

Manga however is a creative endeavour and as a result the translations have a very wide scope. Translators have to be creative, who is speaking? What's their background? What mood are they in? What's the context of what they're saying? Is it a pun? Are they speaking formally? Do they have a regional accent? This and many other factors have to be taken into account words don't always have a one to one mapping, as context and intent makes manga translation an art form unto itself.

We're reminded In an industry where companies are trying to lower translation costs at the expense of translators wages, it can make it difficult to earn money as a freelance translator when companies are trying to race to the bottom.

We're thinking if you gave the Otaku News Team 2.92 billion JPY, we wouldn't publish as much manga as Orange Inc are intending to, but we'd pay our translators, letters and other production staff a decent wage. So if any companies looking to send us almost 19.5M USD to publish, then please do get in touch. We've got a list of manga we'd like to license and translate!

On a more serious note, we reached out to a few professional translators to ask their opinion on the Orange Inc News and machine translation in general. We also got them to do a translation mini battle.

Crunchyroll Ani-May 2024 Promotion

Date: 2024 April 29 19:48 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from anime streaming giants Crunchyroll have sent us details about their Ani-May promotion.

For starters some of their top 20 shows will be available to watch for free with ads. This includes the utterly fantastic Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, Vinland Saga and Chainsaw Man.

Across the UK 120 HMV stores will be rebranded for the month and will play host to the exclusive early release of shows on DVD and Blu-ray including Mob Psycho Season 3, KONOSUBA - An Explosion on This Wonderful World!, Uzaki-chan Wants to Hang Out! At HMV they've also got a competition running with a chance to win a VIP trip to Paris for Japan Expo, with Crunchyroll!

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

Crunchyroll UK DVD and Blu-ray Release Schedule for May to August 2024

Date: 2024 April 27 11:02 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from streaming giant Crunchyroll have sent us details for their UK home video release schedule for May to August 2024. Titles include Blue Lock, Mob Psycho, One Piece, The Quintessential Quintuplets, Bofuri, Dr. STONE - Season 3 Part 1 and Vinland Saga - Season 2 Part 1. Guility pleasure anime includes Uzaki-chan Wants to Hang Out! Season 1 and 2, plus Tomo-chan Is a Girl! - The Complete Season.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

Tales of the Tendo Family Manga Release Details

Date: 2024 February 27 20:57 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good folks from One Peace Books have just sent us details for an up coming manga Tales of the Tendo Family. Created by Ken Saito the historical-romance shojo is due out on April 9th 2024.

Set in the Meiji Period it tells the story of a girl who poses as the beautiful young noble Hojo Ran, who in turn is seeking to escape a marriage into the notoriously bloody Tendo family. Our hero gets pulled into the twisted world of the Tendo family.

Ken Saito is a mangaka best known for the heartwarming series The Name of the Flower. Tales of the Tendo Family will be translated by Matt Schley (Multi-Mind Mayhem, NHK, Netflix). The series will be released every 3-4 months.

Read More... | Souce: One Peace Books

Attack on Titan x Game Beauty Makeup Collection Volume 1

Date: 2024 February 11 15:06 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

We do like a fun collaboration. The good folks at US firm Game Beauty have teamed up with Kodansha to create a limited-edition Attack on Titan makeup collection.

"Embrace the strength of the heroes with four natural-toned lip glosses, each capturing the essence of a beloved character: Eren's unwavering courage in a brick red, Mikasa's fierce loyalty in a fiery red, Levi's icy precision in an almond pink with silver shimmers, and Armin's strategic brilliance in a peachy nude with golden shimmers..."

Game Beauty is female-owned business that aims to bridge the two worlds of makeup and virtual-reality by offering high-quality beauty products inspired by your favourite video game and anime concepts.

The make up collection is available to pre-order now from Game Beauty until 7th March 2024.

Suzume UK DVD and Blu-ray Release Details

Date: 2024 January 10 20:33 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from anime giants Crunchyroll have sent us details for the UK home video release of Suzume. Makoto Shinkai's latest cinematic outing tells the story of Suzume, a girl pulled into an adventure to close magical disaster causing doors around Japan. The road trip movie will be released on DVD and blu-ray on Monday 1st April 2024.

Initially 4 editions will be available a DVD Regular Edition, a Blu-ray Regular Edition, a DVD & Blu-ray Steelbook Edition and a DVD & Blu-ray Limited Edition. The DVDs and blu-rays are available now for pre-order from your favourite home video retailers. A Blu-ray 4K edition is also scheduled for release later in the year.

You can watch the movie on Cruchyroll now.
You can also read our review of the movie, or our interview with film's creator Makoto Shinkai where we catch up with him and talk about the film.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

Voidol3 Anime Style Voice Changing Software Release Details

Date: 2024 January 06 12:47 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

The good folks from Japanese software firm Crimson Technology have sent us details about their English language launch of Voidol3. This is real time voice conversion software primarily aimed at streamers, v-tubers and people who have the need to change their voice in real time.

We reviewed Voidol2 when it came out a few years ago.

This new version is available for Windows and macOS. You can purchase the standard version for $270 (USD) or upgrade from Voidol2 for $170 (USD).

Square Enix Manga Release Their First Humble Bundle

Date: 2023 December 18 20:38 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good folks from Square Enix Manga and Books have just released their first Humble Bundle Package.

The bundle is available to readers worldwide until Saturday 6th January 2024. The pay what you want bundle is divided into tiers of 4 items, 12 items or all 28 titles depending on how much you're willing to spend.

Titles include e books 1-3 of the popular A Man and His Cat and My Dress-Up Darling, along with guilty pleasures such as The Great Jahy Will Not Be Defeated. This a great way to sample a load of manga at a heavy discount as it would normally cost $271 USD to buy these separately. Square Enix Manga and Books have also partnered with Binc Foundation a nonprofit helping the employees and owners of bookstores and comic shops with unforeseen emergency financial, medical and mental health service need. Each purchase from the bundle will go towards the foundation. At the time of writing they've already raised over $2,200 USD for the cause.

UK readers should note that Humble Bundle is available in the UK in GBP too, so you won't get any pesky foreign currency charges if you purchase ebooks from there.

You can visit the Humble Bundle page to find out more.

United Publications to Exit Anime and Manga Retail Market

Date: 2023 December 06 19:29 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

The goods folks from retailers United Publications have sent us news that they're to retire from the anime and manga retail market.

The UK based retailers and publishers were a regular fixture at UK anime conventions, they also had a presence at the MCM London Comic Con. You may remember them for their bold yellow banners with black text similar to a warning sign. They were a popular source of import anime DVDs and later blu-rays, but also had a big selection of manga and figures.

Anime fans of a certain generation will remember them fondly from the London Anime Club (which ran until 2008) as one of the main two retailers there. Fans would places orders to collect at the club and discover new titles over the dealers table and enthusiastically trade recommendations.

However change and reconciliation in the market has made anime and manga retail impractical for them and they've slowly started to wind down that side of the business.

We're told you should check their website for bargains, as MVM has given them some nice discounts on all titles as they reduce stock for the new year.

Crunchyroll and Bershka launch a Junji Ito Clothing Collection for Halloween

Date: 2023 October 26 20:04 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

The good folks from anime streaming giants Crunchyroll have just got in touch to tell us about their latest collaboration with Bershka to launch a Junji Ito Collection Capsule just in time for Halloween. The renowned manga artist is famed for his monochrome horror, especially around spirals, seemingly beautiful ladies and odd balls school boys who are obsessed with metal nails.

The macabre range is available online and in select Bershka stores from 28th October 2023. They've got an horrific range of shirts, jumpers, a hoody and other street fashion. There's some fun accessories too including a great crossbody bag, and a beanie hat. However the press release doesn't state the greatest bit of official merchandise yet. Junji Ito branded socks. You heard it. This isn't a typo, licensed socks from the master of manga horror. So you can wear them to work and go unnoticed or even better, gift them to someone as socks are always an excellent gift.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

It Takes Two Tomorrow, Too Manga Release Details

Date: 2023 September 09 12:39 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good folks from One Peace Books have just sent us details for an up coming manga It Takes Two Tomorrow, Too. Created by Suzuyuki the slice of life manga is due out on October 17th 2023. It's being pitched as a as warm and crumbly as a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie. After a year of dating office employees Yuya and Rio move in together. The manga chronicles their new life together.

The manga originally went viral on Twitter. It's being translated by Emily Balistrieri (Tatami Galaxy, I Belong to the Baddest Girl at School).

Read More... | Souce: One Peace Books

Evangelion:3.0+1.11 Thrice Upon A Time UK Blu-ray, 4K UHD and DVD Release Details

Date: 2023 August 05 10:48 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

The good folks from anime publishers Anime Limited have just announced they'll be releasing Evangelion:3.0+1.11 Thrice Upon A Time on Blu-ray and 4K UHD this Autumn. It'll be available from Monday 30th October 2023. They'll be several editions:

Standard DVD currently on offer at £12.99

Blu-ray and DVD in Steel Bookcurrently on offer at £24.99 (SRP: £29.99)

Blu-ray + 4K UHD Deluxe Edition which includes a rigid slipcase along with the steelbook case, 28-page book, art cards, and a poster. This is currently on offer at £49.99 (SRP: £79.99)

The movie marks the conclusion of the rebuild of Evangelion reboot movie series. If you haven't seen it but are familiar with the groundbreaking Evangelion franchise you know what you're going to get, but if you haven't seen any Evangelion this might not be the best place to start as there are 3 other movies in the rebuild to watch before this one. The animation is stunning and story is as the press release puts it "emotionally resonant".

Evangelion:3.0+1.11 Thrice Upon A Time is available to pre-order now.

Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited

Crunchyroll Partners with HMV UK This May 2023

Date: 2023 May 02 19:27 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from anime streaming giants Crunchyroll have just sent us news that they'll be partnering with UK retailer HMV this May for an Ani-May promotion.

HMV will be selling a selection of merchandise from series including Attack on Titan, JUJUTSU KAISEN, My Hero Academia, and Toilet Bound Hanako-kun and many more. Fans can expect clothing, accessories, footwear, homeware, and toys in over 100 retail locations and online.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

Parallel World Pharmacy: The Manga Release Details

Date: 2023 April 30 18:32 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good folks from One Peace Books have just sent us details for an up coming title manga Parallel World Pharmacy. Due out on May 30th 2023 this manga title also has an anime adaptation, along with the original light novel version.

This isekai story tells the story of an overworked pharmaceuticals researcher, who literally works himself to death and then awakens in a mediaeval type world. Our hero then uses his modern pharmaceutical knowledge to make his found home a better place. The manga features art by Sei Takano and translation by Kristi Iwashiro.

Read More... | Souce: One Peace Books

BlackMilk Clothing to Release Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Collection

Date: 2023 March 19 16:41 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from Aussie based clothing company BlackMilk Clothing have just sent us details of their up coming Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Collection. This official collaboration with Toei Animation has a range of various different designs from bright and bold to darker designs.

We really like the Ribbon Transformation Longline Evil Tee Dress with it's bright bold pink ribbons over the blue transformation background. While if you fancy something a bit darker the Sailor Guardians Stars Sheer Midaxi Dress is likely to appeal.

Fans can preview the collection in full and wishlist items ahead of the release. The collection is due to go live on 7am (AEST) 21 March / 2pm (PT) 20th March 2023.

BlackMilk Clothing have a great range of other collections including The Legend of Zelda, Pokemon and Sanrio.

Crunchyroll UK Blu-ray and DVD Releases for April 2023

Date: 2023 January 23 21:01 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

The good folks from anime giant Crunchyroll have just sent us their UK DVD and Blu-ray release line up for April 2023.

Attack on Titan: The Final Season Part 2 gets a limited edition box set release, which includes a 24-page Digibook, 3 acrylic pins, 4 art cards, and 4 discs retailing for £99.99. With the regular editions retailing for £29.99 for the Blu-ray or DVD.

Also scheduled for release is Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest - Season 2 on Blu-ray for £34.99 or DVD for £24.99.

All these titles are due for UK release on Monday 24th April 2023.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

Azuki to Release New Shojo Comedy Manga I Fell for a Fujoshi

Date: 2023 January 21 13:20 | Posted By: Guest Contributor

Category > Anime

For those of you who read Shojo manga, a new title is on the horizon. Digital manga subscription service Azuki announced today that the romantic comedy manga I Fell For A Fujoshi by Toako has been exclusively licensed for worldwide release in English.

The first two chapters will be available on the Azuki app on Feb 7th 2023 but a free preview is now available.

The manga was originally published in Comic Elmo, which previously published The Yakuza's Guide to Babysitting and Natsume & Natsume. The series is about a high school boy who confesses to his childhood crush. But after a misunderstanding foils his plan, he must pretend to be a fan of Boys Love manga in order to win her over.

The series will be available to read for free with advertisements but a $4.99 per month premium subscription that unlocks Azuki's entire catalog of more than 200 series is also available. If you're unsure of the price or content, readers the the option of trying out Azuki with a 14-day free trial.

If you're a fan of romance shenanigans, then it will be hard to pass on I Fell For A Fujoshi.

Reported by zanderlex

Captain Corinth: The Galactic Navy Officer Becomes an Adventure Manga Release Details and Translator Interview

Date: 2022 December 02 19:34 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

Manga publisher One Peace Books have sent us the details about an up coming release Captain Corinth: The Galactic Navy Officer Becomes an Adventurer. It's an isekai manga with a twist, the space captain Alan Corinth crashes into a world of swords and magic. The manga is based on the popular light novel series. The art for this manga by Tomomasa Takuma while translation is from Laura Egan.

Captain Corinth will be available on December 13th 2022. You can pre-order from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk and all good booksellers.

Read More... | Souce: One Peace Books

Yen Press Announces Two Dozen New Licenses

Date: 2022 November 21 20:02 | Posted By: Eeeper

Category > Anime

Manga publisher Yen Press announces at AnimeNYC their manga, light novels, manhwa line up, and more at industry panel.

Usotoki Rhetoric Manga Release Details and Translator Interview

Date: 2022 October 09 14:11 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good people from manga publishers One Peace Books have sent us details of their up coming manga Usotoki Rhetoric by Ritsu Miyako. This shojo manga stars the downtrodden 16-year-old Kanoko, exiled from her village for possessing a curious power - the ability to hear lies. She runs into handsome but down-on-his-luck detective Iwai Soma and together form an unexpected but dynamic duo, capable of solving the towns local mysteries. Set in the 1920's it's something a bit different and fun.

Along with the press release we were lucky enough to interview translator of the manga Molly Rabbitt.

Usotoki Rhetoric is out from October 13th 2022. You can pre-order it from Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk and all good booksellers.

Volume 2 is expected on the romantic February 14th 2023.

Read More... | Souce: One Peace Books

Pantopia - Figure and Animation Project

Date: 2022 September 04 14:15 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

We've just been sent some details about Plantopia a collaboration between Japan's anime figurine makers - Good Smile Company, Max Factory - and anime producers Twin Engine (with credits that include Vinland Saga).

Plantopia is set to be a figure driven anime series, with lots to offer fans who like collecting detailed figures.
They've set up a Kickstarter so you can read more and make a contribution if you like.

The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic Volume 1 Light Novel Release Details

Date: 2022 September 03 11:18 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good people from publishers One Peace Books have just sent us details of their latest isekai light novel The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic Volume 1. The story tells the tale of Usato an ordinary high schooler who happens to get summoned into another world when he's with two fellow students who are actually the target of the isekai summoning. Of course just by luck it turns out Usato is capable of using healing magic in this world which is ultra rare.

The book is available to buy as an eBook from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.

Read More... | Souce: One Peace Books

Square Enix Manga & Books Reveals New Books Coming Spring 2023

Date: 2022 July 24 14:13 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good folks from Square Enix Manga & Books have sent us their upcoming release slate for spring 2023. Headlining their releases is the Chocobo and the Airship: A Final Fantasy Picture Book. The English translation has lots for fans of the series. Along with some nice looking NieR: stuff.

Square Enix will also be releasing My Clueless First Friend a slice of life comedy series with a chalk and cheese element of a gloomy friend and a cheerful friend having a fun and memorable summer together. It's due out March 7, 2023.

While from Hiromu Arakawa, the creator of Fullmetal Alchemis, we have Daemons of the Shadow Realm a fantasy adventure about n a world where certain humans command mighty supernatural duos called Daemons we follow young Yuru as he is unexpectedly whisked away from his village and becomes aware of his supernatural birthright. This is due out on April 25, 2023.

Crunchyroll Reduces Monthly Subscription Price in Nearly 100 Countries including UK and Ireland

Date: 2022 July 18 19:32 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from anime streaming mega service Crunchyroll have just announced they're reducing their monthly subscription price for almost 100 countries and territories including the UK and Ireland.

In the UK, Mega Fan will change from £7.99 to £5.99 GBP and in Ireland, Mega Fan will change from €9.99 to €6.49 EUR.

All subscription tiers allow you to watch ad free content, while the basic fan tier allows you to watch Crunchyroll on one device at a time, the Mega Fan tier allows off-line viewing and for 4 devices simultaneously.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

Murasaki Yamada's Talk to My Back Manga Release Details

Date: 2022 July 12 19:57 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good folks from publisher Drawn & Quarterly have sent us details about their latest release. Yamada Murasaki's Talk to My Back is pitched as a celebrated masterwork shimmering with vulnerability from one of alt-manga's most important female artists. We're looking forward to reading this one as Drawn & Quarterly always publish interesting manga titles.

The book is out now from all good booksellers. ISBN : 9781770465633

You can also order it from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Hyper Japan Festival London 2022 Details

Date: 2022 June 14 20:21 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The good folks from Hyper Japan have sent us details of their festival for this year. Set to run from Friday 22nd to Sunday 24th July 2022, the UK's biggest festival of Japanese culture, returns to London at Evolution Battersea Park.

The long running Japanese culture festival has been popular with fans of Japanese food from street food to fine dining, along with fans of pop culture where you'll get a great chance to see many performers. Pretty much every aspect of Japanese culture is represented, including of course anime and manga.

To get an idea of what to expect why not take a look at all their exhibitors Be warned as Otafuku Sauce will be there (we have a strong addiction to their okonomi sauce)! Also don't forget to check out their list of performers.

We're looking forward to the fun that will be had at the 2022 festival! It's always fun to go Hyper Japan.

The Rising of the Shield Hero Audio Book Volume 2

Date: 2022 April 21 19:51 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Press Releases

With The Rising of Shield Hero returning to Crunchyroll fans might want even more isekai adventures. The good folks from One Peace Books will be releasing Volume 2 of the audio book version the series on May 3rd 2022. It'll be available wherever audiobooks are sold: Amazon, Apple Books, Audible, NOOK Audiobooks, Spotify, Audiobooks.com, and more.

Read More... | Souce: One Peace Books

Mamoru Hosoda's Belle UK Blu-ray and DVD Release Details

Date: 2022 April 12 12:51 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

The good folks at anime company Anime Limited have just revealed the UK DVD and Blu-ray release details for Mamoru Hosoda and Studio Chizu's masterpiece Belle. The film is due out on home video formats on Monday 27th June 2022. They'll also be releasing a special feature-packed 4K UHD Blu-ray Collector's Edition that includes the awesome soundtrack to the film, along with a nice book, art cards and an A3 poster.

Pre-orders open on Friday 28th April 2022 at 5PM.

We really enjoyed this movie and if you've already seen it we know you'll be ordering the home video release! If you want to know more about the movie then read our review.

Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited

MangaPlaza - Online Digital US Manga Service

Date: 2022 March 01 20:18 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

We've got news from new online digital manga service MangaPlaza. The service offers nearly 50,000 manga Chapters from 2,000 titles including Attack on Titan, That Time I got Reincarnated as a Slime, Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku and Obey Me! The Comic!

The web based service is currently US only. It's yet to offer an offline reading mode.

The service costs $6.99 (USD) per month for $0.45 to $3.99 you can purchase chapters individually without a subscription. Most titles also have a free chapter.

MangaPlaza is created by NTT Solmare Corp., a subsidiary Nippon Telegraph and Telephone West Corporation.

Miyazaki's Shuna's Journey get's an English Language Release

Date: 2022 February 22 20:36 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

It's just been announced that Hayao Miyazaki's Shuna's Journey will be getting an English language release. Alex Dudok de Wit revealed on Twitter that he is translating it. The 1983 graphic novel will be released by First Second Books on 1st November 2022.

Oscar winning anime director Hayao Miyazaki is best know for his feature films including Spirited Away, My Neighbour Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service and Howl's Moving Castle.

Voidol2 Anime Style Voice Changing Software Review

Date: 2022 February 08 21:06 | Posted By: Voxie

Category > Features

After we heard about Crimson Technology's voice changing Voidol2 software we were curious to know more about it. It's aimed at those who want to change their voices to that of a Japanese school girl, robot or something else for whatever reason. It's mainly aimed at streamers, VTubers and other content creators.

Thanks to the good folks at Crimson Technology we were able to get our hands on a review copy to give it a go.

Voidol2 Anime Style Voice Changing Software Release Details

Date: 2021 November 25 21:59 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from Japanese software firm Crimson Technology have sent us details about their English language launch of Voidol2. This is real time voice conversion software primarily aimed at streamers, v-tubers and people who have the need to change their voice in real time.

The software has many voice modes and can make you sound like an anime character or even a robot and everything else in between. It retails for 13,200 JPY (about $114 USD / £86 GBP), but is currently on offer for 8,800 JPY (about $76 USD / £57 GBP). It's available to download on Windows or Mac via Sendowl.

Neon Genesis Evangelion UK Blu-ray Release Details

Date: 2021 November 16 22:07 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from anime distribution powerhouse Anime Limited have just sent us a reminder that Neon Genesis Evangelion will be available on blu-ray in the UK from Monday 6th December 2021. The groundbreaking landmark series caused an anime boom when it was first released and has been hugely influential ever since. The complete blu-ray set includes the complete original series along with the original two movies.

Anime Limited are releasing the complete set in various different editions to cater for all types of fans, from a standard edition for those who just want the content, a collectors edition for those who want some nice extra stuff and finally an Ultimate Edition that has tons of extra content. You can read about the different editions here.

Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited

Funimation UK Announces December 2021 Home Video Releases

Date: 2021 October 09 20:15 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

The good folks from anime mega company Funimation UK have just sent us details about their December 2021 release line up. They've got a lot good stuff there, but we're most excited about Nichijou - My Ordinary Life as it's such a fun, silly and under rated series. They'll be releasing it on Limited Edition blu-ray with an artbook and some art cards, along with a separate standard edition blu-ray.

Other limited edition releases include Code Geass: Akito The Exiled - OVA Series and Death Parade - The Complete Series. For those looking for standard edition blu-ray releases they'll be releasing Assassination Classroom: The Complete Series, Code Geass: Akito The Exiled - OVA Series, Fire Force Season 1 (the complete first series), Death Parade - The Complete Series, RoboTech - Part 2 (The Masters), along with some The Rising of the Shield Hero - Season 1 (The complete 1st series), Akudama Drive The Complete Series.

Plus the standard edition of the new 4K Blu-ray release of Akira.

Anime Limited Announce Future Boy Conan UK Release on Blu-ray and 4K UHD Blu-ray

Date: 2021 September 28 21:02 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Anime distributors Anime Limited have just announced that they have the UK rights to Future Boy Conan. The hugely significant and influential show has not had an official English language until now. GKIDS have the US distribution rights and will release it sometime late this year. While Anime Limited intend to release the series early 2022.

The series is significant as it marks Hayao Miyazaki's directorial debut, the legendary director went to co-found Studio Ghibli and make ground breaking titles such as My Neighbour Totoro and Spirited Away.

Anime Limited also mention Keep Your Hands Off, Eizouken's tribute to the show, with characters watching it and it inspiring their love of anime.

Anime Limited will release the title together on Blu-ray and 4K UHD Blu-ray, split across two collectors edition releases. They'll include a 132-page book written by Jonathan Clements (co-author of the Anime Encyclopedia and tons of other stuff) and Andrew Osmond (who wrote the BFI Film Classics: Spirited Away book, along with lots of other stuff).

The 4K Release will be the first anywhere in the world, but we think it's worth it just for the book and a chance to finally get Future Boy Conan officially in the UK is something we've been eagerly waiting for. This title is a must watch for any Ghibli fan.

Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited

I Belong to the Baddest Girl at School Manga Release Details

Date: 2021 July 26 19:49 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good folks from manga publishers One Peace Books have just sent us details about their up coming release. I Belong to the Baddest Girl at School is a manga romcom of misunderstanding. It's Japanese title is Pashiri na Boku. Volume 1 is due out for release on 17th August 2021, the manga follows the mishaps of sensitive Unoki and Toramaru, the baddest girl boss in town.

You can pre-order the title from Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk and all good places that sell books.

Read More... | Souce: One Peace Books

Tezuka's Barbara Blu-ray Release Details

Date: 2021 July 06 19:47 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks from third window films have sent us details of new release of Tezuka's Barbara. It's a film adaptation of Osamu Tezuka's manga Barbara by his son Macoto Tezka. With cinematography by Christopher Doyle, staring Goro Inagaki and Fumi Nikaido. Barbara itself is regarded as the legendary Tezuka's most adult and sexually-charged works. The film adaption appears to keep those elements, giving the film it's 18 rating.

It's just been released on Monday 28th June 2021 and retails for £19.99.
You can buy the all region blu-ray on Amazon.co.uk.

The Rising of the Shield Hero Audio Book

Date: 2021 July 06 19:01 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

The good folks from One Peace Books have sent us details of their latest publication. The Rising of the Shield Hero has now been adapted to an audio book. Narrated by Kurt Kanazawa, the book is available on sites Audiobooks.com and will soon be live on Amazon, Apple Books, Audible, NOOK Audiobooks, Spotify, and everywhere the audiobooks are sold. Volume 1 of the the book lasts for 6 hours 52 minutes.

Read More... | Souce: One Peace Books

VIZ Media Announces Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Complete Manga Box Set

Date: 2021 June 20 14:27 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

Manga publishing giants VIZ Media have just announced The Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Complete Manga Box Set.
The set includes all 23 of the manga as well as an exclusive booklet and a double-sided poster. It's due out on Tuesday 5th October 2021. The list price is $199 USD, but it's available for pre-order on Amazon.com for $119, while Amazon.co.uk have it for £132.

This is the original manga that spawned the global hit anime and movie. It follows the adventures of Tanjiro who becomes a demon slayer in order to free his sister from the curse of being a demon. Action, adventure, violence ensue.

Japanese Culture expert Matt Alt has also written a great article on the success of Demon Slayer and covers the phenomenon in more detail along with the history of Shonen Jump.

Souce: VIZ Media Twitter

Azuki The New Digital Manga Service

Date: 2021 June 18 20:28 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

It's just been announced that from Monday 28th June 2021, a new legal digital manga service will be launched. Azuki, named after the red bean often used in sweet treats promises to be a new digital manga cafe. It'll be launched on Web, iOS, and Android.

The service will deliver hundreds of manga after they hit stores in Japan It will offer content for both free and subscription users. With free users able to access select chapters with ads, while pay monthly subscribers can pay $4.99 (USD) to read the catalogue without any ads.

The service will be available worldwide in English (excluding Japan). They've currently got a publishing partnership with Kodansha USA Publishing. Titles currently include Attack on Titan, Tokyo Revengers, Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card, Chi's Sweet Home, Fairy Tail, Flying Witch, Gleipnir and many more.

At 5 dollars a month, the service pays for itself after reading the first volume. It promises high quality content and it's great to be able to officially support manga publishers this way. We're looking forward to trying out the service in a few weeks.

It's interesting how official manga subscription services are getting more competition. Viz Media has it's own Shonen Jump Manga & Comics app for $1.99 (USD) a month, which is a must if you want some Chainsaw Man or My Hero Academia. While similar competitor Mangamo has a similar partnership with Kodansha and also charges $4.99 (USD) a month.

While anime streaming service Crunchyroll also has it's own official manga service.

Small Totoro Honnori Lamp Review

Date: 2021 June 01 18:13 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

At Otaku News HQ, we don't often buy that much merchandise any more, mainly due to space limitations. With so many great items out there, it's easy to get carried away and we've become very selective.

Just by luck when browsing Twitter something caught our eye. It was this brilliant little lamp.

One Cut of the Dead: Hollywood Edition Blu-ray Release Details

Date: 2021 May 18 19:59 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks from Japanese movie distributor third window films have just sent us the release details for One Cut of the Dead: Hollywood Edition

This special limited edition pressing is limited to 2,000 units. It includes One Cut of the Dead featuring 4 hours of content, including the spin-off film One Cut of the Dead in Hollywood.

We have seen the original One Cut of the Dead. All we'll say is watch it. Don't read any reviews, avoid any spoilers or plot synopsis. Just go in and watch it. You'll have the most rewarding experience if you do. It's a clever movie and also has plenty of rewatch value. We're curious to see what the spin off movie in Hollywood is like.

The all region blu-ray is available from Monday 31st May 2021 and will retail for £21.99.

You can pre-order it from Amazon.co.uk.

Hatsune Miku Home Ramen Kit

Date: 2021 March 14 11:29 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Cuisine

We've covered plenty about food for fans of Japan in the past before. With lockdown still underway in the UK people are always looking for something a bit different to eat at home. So some companies have been innovative and created DIY at home cooking kits. This elevates it from a regular takeaway it's an activity you can do at home. Ramen chain Shoryu Ramen with branches in London, Manchester and Oxford have just teamed up with Hatsune Miku to create Miku x Shoryu DIY kit. This limited edition ramen kit is dedicated to fans of everyone's favourite vocaloid.

You can order now for delivery between 16th March - 4th April 2021. Each pack is £44 and serves 2 people. There's a meat eater (which contains pork) or vegan option. Each pack also contains Matcha Detox mocktail for 2, along with 2 white chocolate turquoise cookies a plus Hatsune Miku x Shoryu tote bag.

I Hear the Sunspot: Limit Volume 3 Manga Release Details

Date: 2021 March 11 20:59 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good people from One Peace Books have just sent us the release details I Hear the Sunspot: Limit Volume 3. The final volume of the manga is due out on 13th April 2021. The publishers promise us that "The moving love story between two young men, the hard-of-hearing Kohei and the eternally-optimistic Taichi, reaches a tear-jerking finale".

They also tell us it's "Praised for its nuanced representation of disability, and named a best graphic novel for teens in 2019 and 2020 by the American Library Association's YALSA division, I Hear the Sunspot: Limit showcases the protagonists' immense emotional growth while continuing its thoughtful exploration of disability representation and issues."

One Peace Book always publish an interesting range of manga, and this one is certainly worth adding to your reading list.

You can pre-order the book from all the usual places including Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, US Bookshop.org, UK Bookshop.org.

Read More... | Souce: One Peace Books

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