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Netflix to Release Sakamoto Days Anime in January 2025

Date: 2024 December 04 19:38 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Netflix have just announced the release details for Sakamoto Days anime adaptation. Based off the popular manga of the same name by Yuto Suzuki. It follows the story of legendary ex-hitman Taro Sakamoto, who has settled down to run his own convenience store. Now with a wife and daughter, he's looking for a simple domestic life, but his past keeps catching up with him and there's a hit out on his name. The comedy action manga then deals with an chain of determined assassins out to get Sakamoto for his past deeds.

Season 1 part 1 will hit Netflix on Saturday 11th January 2025 and consist of 11 episodes with one episode released each week. While season 1 part 2 is scheduled to arrive in July 2025.

The manga is published in English by VIZ Media.

Read More... | Souce: Netflix

Square Enix Launches Web Version of Manga UP!

Date: 2024 December 02 20:39 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good folks from Square Enix have just sent us details about their Manga UP! Platform. It''s available world wide (excluding Japan) and now it has expanded to include a web version at https://global.manga-up.com/.

Originally Square Enix's digital manga was only available via iOS App or Android App, now it's also a website it means you can access the content on your computer or other web enabled device.

Read More... | Souce: Square Enix - Manga UP! Website

Kodansha Launches Official App K Manga in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore

Date: 2024 October 21 17:11 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good folks from publishing giants Kodansha have just sent us details about the expansion of their digital manga app K Manga. The service is going to expand to in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. To celebrate they'll be offering 50% of select manga titles including Attack on Titan, Fairy Tail, Wistoria: Wand and Sword, Wind Breaker and Rent-a-Girlfriend.

The service is not yet available in the UK or Ireland. As of yet we haven't heard any official word from Kodansha about if or when it will be available for the UK and Ireland but we can always hope it gets rolled out.

Read More... | Souce: Kodansha

Manga Jiman 2024 Competition Details

Date: 2024 September 27 17:09 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The good folks from the Embassy of Japan in the UK have just revealed the details for the Manga Jiman & Yonkoma Competition 2024. Running for the 18th time this highly anticipated annual competition is a chance for UK based artists to demonstrate their manga making skills. Not only that, but there's a great selection of prizes to be won from the competitions sponsors.

Here's a tip. If you do really want to win. Consider entering in the Yonkoma category (Yonoma Youth - 11 to 13 or Yonkoma 14+). There are normally very few entrants for the often overlooked four panel manga section. Even the judges in the past were strongly suggesting more people enter in yonkoma.

Not only do you have a chance to flex your manga making skills, show an active community of UK based artists your talents, but there are also a great selection of prizes to be won by the competitions generous sponsors.

So visit mangajiman.co.uk to find out more details.

Read More... | Souce: Manga Jiman 2024 Website

Spy x Family Code: White Movie Crunchyroll Streaming Details

Date: 2024 September 05 13:44 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from streaming giant Crunchyroll sent us a coded message. Using the S cipher we able to decode it. It was a secret message just for our eyes, it told us that Spy x Family Code: White will be hitting the streaming service from Friday 6th September 2024.

The movie had a cinema release in April earlier this year. We'd describe the movie as exactly what'd you expect for a Spy x Family cinema outing, it felt very much like a movie length version of the TV episode with high stakes, high action and lots of laughs. You can read our review here, but to be honest now it's on Crunchyroll, you should just watch it.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

Crunchyroll Bring Their Anime Playlists to Spotify

Date: 2024 August 21 16:54 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from anime streaming giants Crunchyroll have just sent us details about their anime playlists on Spotify. They've got a dedicated shelf of animated related music for your listening pleasure.

Personally at the Otaku News HQ, we listen to some Bump of Chicken, Hitsujibungaku, Yaosobi, Yoko Kanno, Radwimps and many more.

You can always visit Spotify's global Anime Hub to find some more tunes too!

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

Dan Da Dan: First Encounter UK and Ireland Cinema Release Details

Date: 2024 August 07 19:36 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks from boutique anime firm Anime Limited have revealed that Dan Da Dan will have a cinema outing across the UK and Ireland in a special preview event for one night only. The first 3 episode preview hits big screens on Friday 13th September 2024. It's been titled as Dan Da Dan: First Encounter.

The anime version is adapted by Science SARU, who also recently made Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! and Tatami Time Machine Blues. We think the quirky nature of the manga makes it an excellent fit for the type of show Science SARU normally create, it feels like a natural pairing.

The show will stream on both Netflix and Crunchyroll from October 2024.

Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited

My Hero Academia - World Best Hero - Global Character Popularity Poll

Date: 2024 August 06 19:57 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The good folks from Japanese publishing giants Shueisha Inc have sent us details about My Hero Academia - World Best Hero - Global Character Popularity Poll. It's been set up to celebrate author Kohei Horikoshi's internationally acclaimed manga series, My Hero Academia reaching its grand finale after 10 years.

To also celebrate they'll be running a fan art contest on Twitter (the site currently called X). Shueisha Inc have also placed an advert in the New York Times to highlight the end of My Hero Academia and the poll with a message from Kohei Horikoshi.

Read More... | Souce: Official Weekly Shonen Jump website My Hero Academia page

Crunchyroll Announce Free Streaming of Olympic Sport Anime

Date: 2024 July 23 18:20 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

In preparation of the sporting summer, the good folks from streaming giant Crunchyroll have just announced free streaming of Olympic sport anime. The sporting anime in question will stream for free with adverts, until 15th August 2024. Highlights include football anime Blue Lock and Free! - Iwatobi Swim Club. We highly recommend the gloriously ridiculous golf anime Birdie Wing (read our review) along with table tennis anime Ping Pong the animation.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

Dead Dead Demon's Dededede Destruction Streaming Details

Date: 2024 May 22 18:11 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from streaming giants Crunchyroll have sent us details about Dead Dead Demon's Dededede Destruction. The new series is due to land on the streaming service from Friday 24th May 2024. Expect a story with high-school best friends and dystopian sci-fi antics with a lingering space ship.

The series is animated by studio Production +h. who are best know for the Netflix series The Orbital Children. Dead Dead Demon's Dededede Destruction was originally a manga by Inio Asano, who is best known for Goodnight Punpun.

Watch the official trailer

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

Human Versus Machine Japanese Translation Mini Battle

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

Category > Manga

The manga tech start up Orange Inc recently raised over 19 million USD in funding for machine translated manga. We were quite intrigued because machine translation hasn't always worked out in the past for manga titles. One recent example was the Ranking of Kings Manga that had to be pulled because the quality of the translations were so poor. What's worse was the lack of quality control from everyone involved in the publishing of the title.

As we were curious, we reached out to some professional translators to ask their opinions on the current state of translation.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

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.

Read More... | Souce: Orange Inc

Crunchyroll Announce 3 More Titles for 2024

Date: 2024 May 08 19:40 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from streaming giants Crunchyroll have sent us details from CCXP Mexico, where they announced some new and returning titles to the service.

Coming some time in 2024 is Tying the Knot with an Amagami Sister, while set for October 2024 we have Nina the Starry Bride along with the return of Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- Season 3. Re:ZERO has been hugely popular with anime fans and it's return is highly anticipated.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

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

Hatsune Miku Expo 2024 Europe Tour Details

Date: 2024 March 27 21:09 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The good folks at anime streaming giants Crunchyroll have sent us details of the upcoming Hatsune Miku Expo 2024 Europe Tour. The idol will be appearing at to 6 cities across Europe: London, Brussels, Paris, Amsterdam, Düsseldorf and Berlin. General tickets will be on sale from Friday 5th April 2024 at 10 AM GMT.

2024 marks the 10th anniversary of the Miku Expo tour!

Read More... | Souce: Hatsune Miku Expo 2024 Europe Tour

Crunchyroll Announces Spring 2024 Anime Streaming Line Up

Date: 2024 March 14 21:02 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from streaming giants Crunchyroll have just revealed their Spring 2024 anime line up.

The streaming service will be releasing some hotly anticipated titles. We're most looking forward to Kaiju No. 8. Based on the popular manga, the anime adaptation by Production I.G. is due out on Saturday 13th April 2024. Set in a world where giant monsters ravage Japan our hero wants to enlist in The Defence Force to help save humanity, action and a twist ensues.

Laid Back Camp returns for Season 3, we're looking forward to seeing more of this comfy camping slice of life show. We've got more of Rin, Nadeshiko and friends riding around Japanese country side. What's not to like.

While also interestingly we've got an old favourite returning. Spice and Wolf returns. The fan favourite is an interesting franchise about trading economics and a wolf girl.

There's so much to pick from this season, but one you shouldn't overlook is a new adaptation of Bartender, this version is called Bartender Glass of God. It's about bar hidden away in Tokyo, where only those truly in need seem to find it. While there the bartender just happens to make the perfect drink to sooth your worries. Each episode a different drama unfolds and we're treated to a new drink recipe.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

Dan Da Dan To Stream on Crunchyroll October 2024

Date: 2024 March 10 21:47 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from streaming giant Crunchyroll have sent us details about Dandadan arriving on Crunchyroll. The anime version will be adapted by Science SARU, who also recently made Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! and Tatami Time Machine Blues.

The quirky nature of the manga makes it an excellent fit for the type of show Science SARU normally create, it feels like a natural pairing.

The show is due to hit the streaming service this October 2024. Interestingly, Crunchyroll are calling it Dan Da Dan, while manga publishers Viz have localised it as Dandadan (without the spaces).

You can watch the the official subtitled trailer on YouTube.

We're really looking forward to this series as Science SARU always produce such amazing anime.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

Crunchyroll Announces the Winners of The Anime Awards 2024

Date: 2024 March 04 21:14 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from anime giants Crunchyroll have announced the winners of The Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2024.

Winners of the coveted award include Jujutsu Kaisen for Anime of the Year, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Swordsmith Village Arc for Best Animation, and SPY x FAMILY Season 1 Cour 2 for Best Comedy.

The awards have been running 2017, this annual event has recognized and celebrated anime's finest series, films, and the talented people who make them. Fans from around the world, along with a global panel of judges, cast their votes in a variety of categories, and the results are revealed at our live awards show.

Our editor Joe Curzon (that's me), was on the judging panel this year.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll Anime Awards

Studio BONES Turns 25! Crunchyroll Produces Documentary to Celebrate

Date: 2024 February 12 19:45 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from streaming giant Crunchyroll have sent us details of a new Studio BONES Documentary. The celebrate the anniversary Crunchyroll have produced a new 4 part documentary to capture the history behind such hits including Cowboy Bebop: Knockin' on Heaven's Door (the Cowboy Bebop Movie), My Hero Academia, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, and much more.

BONES 25: Dreaming Forward will be available from Tuesday 13th February 2024 and will coincide with the launch of Studio BONES new anime, Metallic Rouge.

You can check out a trailer of the documentary on YouTube.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

Follow Otaku News on Bluesky

Date: 2024 February 07 21:01 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Websites

Social media is everywhere, we're not that big on on it. We have an active presence on Twitter, but now we're also on Bluesky. We've had a account there for a while with an invite code. Now that Bluesky is open to everyone we thought it's time to share our details, so if you want to follow us find us under @otakunews.bsky.social.

If you're new to the service and want to follow some other interesting people in anime and manga circles then why not follow:

@debaoki.bsky.social
Deb Aoki is a manga and anime journalist and expert who writes for Comics Beat & Publishers Weekly.

@mattalt.bsky.social
Matt Alt. Translator, author and NHK World Host.

@tristiger.bsky.social
Tristan Felix B. / Emily Balistrieri, Japanese translator. Translations include Kiki's Delivery Service, Tatami Galaxy and much more.

@glider.bsky.social
Helen McCarthy the author of many anime and manga books and a key driving force in kick starting UK anime fandom.

@benapplegate.com
Ben Applegate isdirector of publishing for the Kodansha print manga program

@zackdavisson.com
Zack Davisson is an Eisner-winning Translator/Writer/Lecturer.

There's so many more accounts we'd like to mention but sometimes if fun to discover others by exploring social media itself. It also feels very reductive just writing a single sentence summary about all these great accounts!

Souce: Otaku News Bluesky Account

Delicious in Dungeon Social Media Giveaway

Date: 2024 January 10 21:11 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from Kadokawa have sent us details about a great little social media campaign they're running to promote the new Delicious in Dungeon anime that's now streaming on Netflix.

The anime follows the story of a group of adventures who have failed on their quest. With Laios the hero down on his luck and against the clock as his sister is slowly getting digested by a red dragon. He has to return to the dungeon to rescue his sister, but is flat of our money and resources to buy food, so resorts to eating dungeon monsters!

The comedy series is animated by Studio Trigger, who have also down the fantastic Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, BNA, Kill La Kill and Little Witch Academia to name a few of their titles.

The manga is availble in English from Yen Press.

Anyway, the competition in question is a follow the X (formally known as Twitter) accounts and repost the giveaway post in order for your chance to win some signed goodies.

Read More... | Souce: Delicious in Dungeon Social Media Giveaway Post

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).

Read More... | Souce: Crimson Technology Voidol3

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.

Read More... | Souce: Square Enix Manga and Books Humble Bundle Page

Crunchyroll Unveils Winter Season of Anime for the Start of 2024

Date: 2023 December 14 20:22 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from streaming giants Crunchyroll have just sent us details for their Winter 2024 line up. As 2023 winds down, they've got some great titles to lined up to start the new year.

Headlining on 29th December 2023, Burn The Witch returns and we'll get more adventures in Reverse London.

While 6th January 2024 sees the continuation of One Piece, and we're introduced to new series Solo Leveling and A Sign of Affection. We've covered Solo Leveling before when it had a special London screening. We're also very curious about A Sign of Affection as the romantic series looks promising.

We're most excited about the confirmation that Frieren: Beyond Journey's End will be continuing too. We've really been enjoying this story of Elf Mage Frieren who's quest has finished and has started to figure out what to do next.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

Makoto Shinkai's Suzume Hits Crunchyroll from 16th November 2023

Date: 2023 November 13 20:49 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from streaming giant Crunchyroll have sent us news that Makoto Shinkai's latest movie Suzume will be available on the streaming platform from Thursday 16th November 2023.

The director is best known for anime box office smash hits Your Name and Weathering With You. Suzume is his latest offering in with the titular character must travel around various ruins across Japan closing doors that are the cause of devastation. The film went on to gross over $300 million worldwide during its initial theatrical run, making it the fourth highest-grossing anime film of all time.

If you want to know more about the movie you can read our spoiler free Suzume movie review or our interview with Makoto Shinkai about the film.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

A Night at the Kabuki Streaming Details

Date: 2023 November 09 20:55 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Fans of Kabuki, Shakespeare and Queen are in for a real treat as Sadler's Wells, A Night at the Kabuki is to be streamed live on Friday 17 November 2023 and available to watch until Thursday 30 November 2023.

A Night at the Kabuki, the acclaimed Japanese stage production inspired by Romeo & Juliet set to the songs of Queen, Transported from the original setting of 14th century Verona, Italy, this production takes place in late 12th century Japan at the start of the Samurai era where the rivalry between the Minamoto and Taira clans intensifies after their young heirs Romeo and Juliet fatefully fall in love.

The stream will be available globally as is priced at JPY ¥4,000/£21.64/€24.90. Visit Stagecrowd for the livestream on Friday 17th November at 03.00 GMT (12:00 JST) - the recording will be available until Thursday 30th November 14.59 GMT (23.59 JST). You'll be able to watch the stream live and then as many times as you like while it's available until the Thursday deadline.

Read More... | Souce: A Night At the Kabuki

Attack on Titan Concludes on Crunchyroll

Date: 2023 November 03 17:23 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Remember remember the 5th of November as that's when Attack on Titan Final Season The Final Chapters Special 2 will be arriving on Crunchyroll. The epic conclusion to the colossal series will be available on the streaming service from 5th November 2023 in the UK and over 200 countries and territories around the world.

This will conclude the anime series, which has been running for 10 years now! Based on the hit manga (with over 100 million volumes sold worldwide) it tells the tale of Eren Jaeger and his friends who live inside the towering walls of a fortified city. The last of humanity survive behind the safety of the walls as outside roam man eating titans. Eren's life goes downhill when titans bust into his part of the city and chaos ensues.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Streaming Review

Date: 2023 September 29 14:07 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Features

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End is now available on streaming giant Crunchyroll. We were lucky enough to get access to an official preview screening to review ahead of time. Is the show any good? Is it worth watching? Well read our review and find out.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Crunchyroll Autumn 2023 Streaming Line Up

Date: 2023 September 25 19:55 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from anime streaming giants Crunchyroll have sent us details of their upcoming Autumn 2023 anime season. Content wise they'll be bringing everyone over 50 new, returning, and continuing series.

We're most excited about Frieren: Beyond Journey's End which gets released on Friday 29th September 2023. It tells the story of an elf mage at the end of her adventure and has to come to terms with her human comrades settling down after their heroic quest, while she has a significantly longer lifespan. Along with more Dr. Stone. Other fan favourites including One Piece return, plus Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2.

One that might go under your radar is Under Ninja (based on the manga by the same name), in a world where ninja still exist in Japan.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

World Premiere Screening of My Hero Academia Season 6 at NYCC 2023

Date: 2023 September 20 19:59 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Streaming giant Crunchyroll have sent us details of the World Premiere Screening of My Hero Academia Season 6. The original episode UA Heroes Battle will be shown at New York Comic Con 2023 on Friday 13th of October 2023.

This early, exclusive world preview will feature the English dub and will be available to NYCC attendees before it is screened in Japan.

In this special episode the cast play a card game U.A. Heroes Battle that the support course made. In a useful tie in e, Crunchyroll will be giving away limited edition character cards at the screening provided by UVS Games that are based on the new original episode and playable with the My Hero Academia Collectible Card Game. In our mind this is a plus ultra promotion.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

Digital Manga Subscription Service Azuki adds One Peace Books Titles to Service

Date: 2023 August 10 19:34 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good folks from digital manga subscription service Azuki have sent news that they've partnered up with manga publishers One Peace Books to offer a range of their titles to Azuki subscribers.

Titles include Tenken, Breathe Deeply , Ms. Itsuya, King's Game, Suzuki Just Wants a Quiet Life and many more.
We reviewed Breathe Deeply when it was first published in English over 10 years ago, it's an interesting title as you don't often get semi-futuristic medical drama manga!

Azuki offers a free with advertisements service or premium and access the full catalogue for $4.99 (USD) a month.

Read More... | Souce: Azuki

Yakuza Graveyard Now Streaming on Arrow

Date: 2023 July 16 13:55 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good people from alternative streaming service Arrow have sent us details about a film just released this July. Yakuza Graveyard tells the story of detective Kuroiwa who falls for the beautiful wife of a jailed yakuza boss. It stars Meiko Kaji (Lady Snowblood) and featuring Nagisa Oshima the film is directed by Kinji Fukasaku.

Arrow also has some other interesting collections for fans of Japan including the Takashi Miike Collection and Third Window Films to name a few.

Subscriptions to Arrow cost £4.99 a month or £49.99 a year.

Read More... | Souce: Arrow

Parallel World Pharmacy Competition

Date: 2023 June 22 19:50 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Websites

The good folks from manga publishers One Peace Books have just sent us details of a little competition they're running. If you can write a mini review of their new title Parallel World Pharmacy, and post it on Twitter of Facebook tagged with #ParallelWorldPharmacy, you'll have the chance to win a signed illustration by the manga artist Sei Takano featuring the manga's star characters.

Competition closes June 26 2023 11:59 EST. Note that the competition is open to the US only. It's not everyday you get a chance to win original manga artwork! So we suggest you enter if you can!

Read More... | Souce: One Peace Books Twitter

Crunchyroll Announces New Movies to the Platform for April 2023

Date: 2023 April 24 20:06 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks from streaming giant Crunchyroll have sent us details of their upcoming film slate available for home streaming. Normally when you think of the service series come to mind, but don't forget they've also got a great line up of movies to watch on the streaming service too.

They headline with That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime The Movie: Scarlet Bond (which is out now), The Quintessential Quintuplets movie (which it out 28th April 2023).

Also out is the promising To Every You I've Loved Before and To Me, The One Who Loved You.

Plus for Gundam fans on 28th April 2023, they'll be releasing Mobile Suit Gundam Cucuruz Doan's Island.

The press release mentions various movies available, but it does vary by region, with the Mamoru Hosoda back catalogue not currently available in the UK.

If you are looking for something light, fluffy futuristic and enjoyable then give the Sing a Bit of Harmony film a try, we really enjoyed it.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

Crunchyroll Announces Spring Anime Streaming Season 2023

Date: 2023 March 23 17:30 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from anime streaming giants Crunchyroll have sent us details of their Spring 2023 streaming line up. This season has so much good stuff available this spring.

We're excited about the Skip and Loafer anime due for release on 4th April 2023, based on the popular and much loved manga it follows the of a rural girl getting used to life in the big city of Tokyo, amongst other things.

Ranking of Kings returns with Ranks of King : The Treasure Chest of Courage. This is due for release on 13th April 2023.

We're really looking forward to The Ancient Magus' Bride Season 2, as the first season and specials were so good. That and it's great to see some anime set in the English countryside. After all not much anime is set in the Cotswalds.

Mobile Suit Gundam The Witch from Mercury returns for a second season. We're also curious about A Galaxy Next Door as we've read the first volume of the manga and it shows promise.

We've already covered Doctor Stone, which returns for a third season and are looking forward to more silly science adventures.

There's also more Vinland Saga Season 2 and One Piece.

There's something for everyone and we're sure you'll find something to enjoy this Spring 2023 anime season.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

Kodansha Announces New US Digital Manga Service

Date: 2023 March 21 19:56 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good folks from publishing giant Kodansha have sent us details of their new US digital manga service. Called K Manga the service promises to deliver about 400 titles including 70 on going titles.

Kodansha are known for publish manga mega hits Attack on Titan, Ghost in The Shell, Tokyo Revengers and Fairy Tail, amongst other titles including Blue Lock and Rent-A-Girlfriend.

The service has a teaser version up now. The official is app scheduled for launch on Wednesday 10th May 2023. The service will be US only. Full website launch is to be announced.

Details of the pricing and exact model their using is yet to be revealed. So it's not clear if they'll go for a set monthly / yearly subscription charge or if you'll have to pay per title or buy some kind of token, or even how much K Manga will cost.

We're excited about this service even though it is US only, as it's always good to have more official digital manga options.
However the first thing we're drawn to is the name. K Manga. We know they've called it called K Manga for Kodansha Manga. Nevertheless in English speaking circles, when you prefix something with K you think of Korean things. We have K Pop, K Drama, K Rock, K Horror all parts of the K Wave. K Manga inspires thoughts of Korean Manga which is frequently called Manhwa. So already the brand is fighting an up hill battle to explain to consumers that no, this isn't a Korean service, it's all about Japanese Manga! We feel that they've not got any branding consultant involved or considered the impact this could have on the service. We've causally spoken to a few people about this and they all think K Manga sounds like a great Korean manga brand rather that a new digital manga platform.

Check out teaser.kmanga.kodansha.com to see what K Manga will have to offer!

Read More... | Souce: K Manga Teaser Page

The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme 2023 Online Talk Series

Date: 2023 March 15 19:40 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks from the Japan Foundation London have sent us details of some up coming online events they'll be hosting. As part of their touring film programme, they'll be hosting a series of online talks with various directors from the movies shown.

Talks include in conversation with director Nishikawa Miwa, who directed Under the Open Sky. This is set to run on Thursday 23rd March 2023 at 13:00 (GMT).

There's also talks with Tanada Yuki who directed My Broken Mariko. This talk is set to run on Monday 27th March 2023 at 13:00 (BST).

They have plenty of interesting talks lined up, The events are free to attend online and registration is required.

Read More... | Souce: The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme 2023

Dr. Stone Returns to Crunchyroll for a Third Season

Date: 2023 March 13 21:02 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from streaming giant Crunchyroll have just sent us details that Dr. Stone will return from 6th April 2023 with Dr. Stone New World. The hilarious action show rocks back for a 3rd season with Senku getting up to more science as he brings more advances to the stone world. This series our team of science users build a ship to go off on a naval voyage to find the mystery of the global petrification event.

It's based on the manga by the same written by Riichiro Inagaki and illustrated by Boichi. We've really enjoyed the first two season and the special episode which leads up to this season. The show is silly, fun and action packed, while watching it you'll feel like a science genius as you'll watch Senku use science to extract various raw materials to build components and then use them to make modern technology in post apocalyptic stone age.

You can catch previous season of Dr. Stone now on Crunchyroll or if you're already up to date, wait until Thursday 6th April 2023 for the new season.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

Azuki to Publish Manga Titles as eBooks

Date: 2023 March 11 12:00 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good folks from digital manga subscription service Azuki have sent news that two of their exclusive manga series will be published as eBooks on BookWalker, Amazon, Apple Books, and Google Play Books. They're going to start with My Dear Detective: Mitsuko's Case Files and Turning the Tables on the Seatmate Killer!. Both titles will are available for pre-order and will be released on March 23, 2023.

It's great to see Azuki branch out to digital publishing like this.

Read More... | Souce: Azuki

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba- To The Swordsmith Village- UK and Ireland Cinema Details

Date: 2023 February 13 20:45 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

Fancy watching some Demon Slayer in the cinema? Well the good folks from Crunchyroll have sent us details of the upcoming Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba- To The Swordsmith Village- movie. It's due to hit cinemas in the UK and Ireland from Wednesday 1st March 2023. Tickets will go on sale from Friday 17th February 2023.

The movie consists of episodes 10 and 11 of the series' Entertainment District Arc as well as the extended Episode 1 of the Swordsmith Village Arc all remastered into a feature length adventure in 4K.

If you haven't seen Demon Slayer yet, you can catch it on Crunchyroll. You can also get the whole manga in a nice boxset.

Read More... | Souce: Demon Slayer Movie Website

What's on NHK World?

Date: 2023 January 29 13:05 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > TV

Being a fan of anime, manga and Japanese stuff in general it's always good to find a great source of content. Most fans will hunt on DVDs and blu-rays for those extra features, read magazines and articles and various bonus features included in books and so on. They'll even read websites like this one, but one resource that we find that is frequently overlooked is NHK World.

NHK is the national state broadcaster for Japan. NHK World is it's international arm. It's content is available in a selection of languages including either dubbed into English or in Japanese with English Subtitles. The service is free to access and is available on a wide range of satellite and cable providers in the US, UK and further afield. You can also watch it free and legally on the website or app that's offered on many platforms including iOS (iPhone and iPad), Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android, Roku and more. You can watch the live broadcast or the video on demand service.

A lot of the content there is excellent for anime and manga fans.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Jump Festa 2023 Live Stream Details

Date: 2022 December 12 20:15 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from Japanese publishing giants Shueisha Inc. have just sent us details of an on-line event. The yearly mega event Jump Festa 2023 will live stream for international fans. Set to run from 17th to 18th December 2022 the streaming weekend will cover content around Jump titles. The various events will have either available with English subtitles and simultaneous interpretation or just English subtitles. This is the first time the content of the Jump Festa will be streamed in English, so you'll get to see everything just like a fan in Japan too!

You can visit https://www.youtube.com/c/jumpchannel during that time to catch the content.

Read More... | Souce: Jump YouTube Channel

Vinland Saga Season 2 to Stream on Crunchyroll

Date: 2022 October 26 19:56 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from anime streaming service Crunchyroll have sent us details of their latest streaming acquisition. Vinland Saga Season 2 will stream on the service simulcast from January 2023.

It follows the story of Thorfinn a young Viking with a passion for revenge (well that was season 1). Season 2 follows the further adventures of Thorfinn! The historical action anime series feels like tale Vikings would tell around a campfire at night. It's violent in a way you'd expect medieval Europe to be, and it's amusing to hear it all in Japanese. It's also great to see certain places in the UK get a mention as they off to Gainsborough and Bath in season 1!

We really enjoyed Season 1 (which is currently showing on Netflix and Amazon Prime).

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

Art of Dragon Ball Showcase Auction at Heritage Auctions

Date: 2022 October 12 18:49 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from Heritage Auctions have sent us details of an upcoming Art of Dragon Ball Showcase Auction. Set to run from October 20 - November 17.

The auction line up contains plenty of production cels from Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, and Dragon Ball GT along with various other items.

Read More... | Souce: Heritage Auctions

Mobile VTuber Creation App CUSTOMCAST Now Available in Europe

Date: 2022 August 10 19:21 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Gaming

We've just received an interest press release from the good folks at CUSTOMCAST. Their V-Tuber Creation App is now available in Europe on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. The app allows you to create and act out as a V-Tuber. It's to download and use, with payment required for unlocking extra items and gestures etc. Members of the CUSTOMCAST official channel (which costs 500 JPY a month) will also receive perks such as customizable poses and exclusive outfits.

There's also a Nekopara Collaboration where you can buy costumes for various characters from the franchise.

Read More... | Souce: CUSTOMCAST

My Hero Academia Season 6 comes to Crunchyroll this October 2022

Date: 2022 August 09 18:36 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from anime streaming giant Crunchyroll have sent us details about the streaming release of My Hero Academia Season 6. The latest series will arrive on the streaming service from October 2022. Lots of action is promised as Tomura is now in charge of even more villains and is set for some good up coming conflict!

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

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

Learning Platform CLASS101 Provides Anime Style Digital Art Classes

Date: 2022 June 30 19:19 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Websites

We've just been sent details from South Korean learning platform CLASS101. It allows users to enroll and take classes from some of the top industry professionals, including music, animation, photography, dance, fitness, and many more. In the realm of digital art, learners interested in Anime can sign up for classes led by Kamochiruu and Chaesu, as well as learn to draw in the style of Marvel and DC from InHyuk Lee.

Read More... | Souce: Class101

Azuki to Release Idol Manga Hikaru in the Light!

Date: 2022 May 30 19:53 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good folks from on-line manga service Azuki have sent us news of their latest manga acquisition Hikaru in the Light! by Mai Matsuda. The exclusive license is a story about pop idols and chasing your dreams. If you're curious about the title you can read a preview on Azuki.

The service costs $4.99 (USD) per month, along with a 30-day free trial and a discounted annual plan are also available. All titles on the service are available worldwide (expect for Japan) in English.

Read More... | Souce: Azuki

Crunchyrolll Announces Chainsaw Man Streaming Rights

Date: 2022 May 16 19:01 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from anime mega company Crunchyroll have just revealed that they have the streaming rights for the upcoming Chainsaw Man anime series. Crunchyroll state that it'll be shown sometime in 2022 in one of the upcoming seasons simulcast. They've yet to confirm a release date. It'll be released subbed and with dubs in English, Latin American Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, French and German.

The Chainsaw Man anime series will be animated by MAPPA who are best known for Attack on Titan Final Season; Jujutsu Kaisen, Yuri!!! on Ice and many more. The Chainsaw man manga is created by Tatsuki Fujimoto who blends action, horror and violence with the occasional comedic twist. Part of the joy of the series is you can't predict where it's going next. Fujimoto has also created some amazing stand alone one shot manga titles, which suggest you read Look Back and Goodbye, Eri, which can be read on Viz.com.

You can buy the manga from all good booksellers, including Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival Presents Free Animation Workshops this April 2022

Date: 2022 April 08 11:49 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Anime fans looking for something to do virtually will be pleased to hear that the Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival will be hosting free Animation workshop in April 2022.

First up on Saturday 9 April 2022 at 11am - 12:30pm (UK time) they'll be hosting an on-line Anime Education Workshop with Anime critic Ryota Fujitsu. The theme will be Ghibli classic Spirited Away, so watch it beforehand. It's free to sign up, but booking is essential for Microsoft Teams Meeting.

For those who can get to Cardiff Central Library, they'll be a 5-Day Animation Workshop from Monday 25th to 29th April 2022. It's set to run from 10am until 4pm each day and is suitable for those aged 8 and above. As always please book in advance.

Read More... | Souce: Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival

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