Category > Events
London based fans of Japanese cinema and culture will want to head over to the ICA in from Friday 18th to Thursday 24th November 2011 for the start of Zipangu Fest Japanese Film Festival. We've been sent details of the film line up.
For it's London premiere and the festival's opening night they'll be showing KanZeOn, which looks at religious traditions in locations far from Tokyo. This screening on 6:30pm on Friday 18th November 2011 will be followed by a launch party with musicians from Japan.
Fans of avant-garde and experimental music will want to catch We Don't Care About Music Anyway... which documents the Japanese music scene on 5pm on Sunday 20th November 2011.
As always with popular screenings we advise booking early to avoid disappointment.
Read More... | Souce: Zipangu Fest
Category > Events
Readers in London who are looking to learn more about drawing manga will want to head over to Westminster Reference Library for the Autumn 2011 run of their Manga Workshops.
They've got 3 sessions
Comic brainstorming session - Thursday 22nd September 2011
Landscapes and comic layouts - Thursday 6th October 2011
Character creation and Letraset colouring - Thursday 13th October 2011
The sessions are free, but places are limited so please book in advance to avoid disappointment. To book e-mail rblack1@westminster.gov.uk or phone 020 7641 5250.
Read More... | Souce: Westminster Reference Library
Category > Events
London based fans of Japanese cinema will want to keep Saturday 3rd September 2011 free for the Free Asian Cinema All-Dayer at Bloomsbury Lanes, Bedford Way, Tavistock Square, WC1H 9EU. It's organised by the good folks behind Japan Underground to raise awareness and support for the independent Asian film companies that lost their stock when the Sony DADC centre was burnt down in the England riots on 8 August.
Third Window Films and Terracotta Distribution are confirmed for the screenings.
Japan Underground have also sent us details about Unshin a Japanese pop/rock band based in the UK who'll launch their debut album at Japan Underground. This is event is scheduled to run 7pm-3am Bloomsbury Lanes, Bedford Way, Tavistock Square, WC1H 9EU after the Free Asian Cinema screenings.
Read More... | Souce: Japan Underground
Category > Culture
Fans of Tezuka, the arts and dance will be pleased to hear about London's Sadler's Wells' up coming production TeZukA. The world premiere dance work is set to explore Tezuka's fascinating world with help of cast of 10 performers, two musicians and a calligrapher. They'll cover a wide range of his work, including Astro Boy and Buddha.
So keep Tuesday 6th - Saturday 10th September 2011 free and head over to London.
On Thursday 8th September 2011 at 6:15pm they'll also be a special pre-show director's conversation.
Read More... | Souce: Sadler\'s Wells Theatre
Category > Art
This article features coverage of the Takashi Murakami Exhibition at London's Gagosian Gallery.
Due to the nature of some of the artwork on display in this article, we issue a NSFW content rating.
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News
Category > Events
Following on from our earlier story, we've just been sent the official details about this years Manga Jiman Competition run by the Embassy of Japan in the UK.
This years theme is "New Beginnings". Prizes first prize is a return trip for 2 to Japan courtesy of All Nippon Airways. While other great goodies such as a laptop, or digital camera is also up for grabs for the winners.
Further details terms and conditions can be found on the Manga Jiman Website.
Please note that The closing date for the submission of entries is Tuesday, 1st November 2011.
Souce: Embassy of Japan in the UK
Category > Culture
As an avid follower of Japanese popular culture and a regular anime viewer, I am more than familiar with the style of dance routines that have become inseparable from so many titles and credits sequences. From classics such as Urusei Yatsura and more recently popularised by Kyoto Animation's iconic series Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu, shows have taken to inserting dances at any available opportunity to arrest a fan following with catchy tunes and infectious dance moves. The indigenous para para dance style steps are synonymous with series such as Super Gals! where character Kotobuki Ran regularly regales audiences through her hyper rhythmic routines.
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News
Category > Current Affairs
The Comic Book Alliance have sent us details about their latest project Spirit of Hope. The comic anthology has been created to raise money for the the Japan and New Zealand disaster victims.
Read More... | Souce: Comic Book Alliance
Category > Events
Everyone's getting ready for the London MCM Expo this weekend (Friday 27th to Sunday 29th May 2011) at the ExCel Centre in London.
This includes the good folk at Letraset who make the popular markers that many artists love. They've sent us details of the art competition they'll be running at the Expo. The theme for this year is Running Late for a Very Important Date. The winners will get a lot lovely Letraset goodies.
Souce: Letraset Blog
Category > Events
We've been impressed with the UK Zipangu Fest line up so far. But we believe that this latest screening is something special.
Londoners will be treated to Beyond Anime: CALF Animation, at 6pm, Sunday 3rd April 2011 at the ROXY Bar and Screen.
Apart from a rare chance to see an alternative side to anime, what makes the event so special is the ticket pricing. There is no set price for admission, you pay what you want with all proceeds going toward the Japan Society Tohoku Earthquake Relief Fund.
ROXY Bar and Screen
128-132 Borough High Street
London
SE1 1LB
Nearest Tubes Borough and London Bridge.
Read More... | Souce: Zipangu Fest
Category > Culture
If you can get to London between 22nd March 2011 to 29th August 2011 you should try and swing over to the The Geffrye Museum, which has an interesting exhibition At Home in Japan - Beyond the Minimal House. To see a Special Exhibition on what Japanese homes are really like.
Read More... | Souce: The Geffrye Museum
Category > Events
UK readers looking for something to do in Leeds on Saturday 19th March 2011? Well, head over the Leeds Central Library from 12 Midday to 3pm where the talented Kate Brown will be running the Otaku Attack Manga Art Workshop.
It's free to all, you'll be treated to anime screenings, Japanese food and lots of other treats too.
Read More... | Souce: Leeds Central Library
Category > Production
Last year, the second annual MCM London Expo returned to bring together a myriad of media and popular culture exhibitors and merchants. It is an exciting occasion for anime fans who attend to meet, mingle and fight their way through the melee of merchandisers and organisers.
Expo is an event that I attend on the front line behind the dealers' tables as an assistant for sales. I am predominantly positioned ready and waiting to serve customers who are on the hunt for anime, manga and figures from the store United Publications. It is an intense and demanding event and catering for the volume of visitors is often a challenge that affords little time to explore the wonders of the wider event. This time, however, I had to make the exception for a remarkable appearance amongst October's exhibitors.
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News
Category > Events
Manga fans in Toronto Canada are in for a treat on the first weekend in May, where Natsume Ono will be the featured guest at The Toronto Comic Arts Festival 2011.
The event is set to run on Saturday May 7th 2011 and Sunday May 8th 2011 with free admission. This will be Natsume Ono first ever public appearance in North America.
You may know her from such works as not simple, Ristorante Paradiso, Gente, and House of Five Leaves.
Read More... | Souce: Toronto Comic Arts Festival
Category > Fandom
BBC News have an interesting video and article about cosplayers. The cosplayers interviewed are fans of World of Warcraft. It's a basic introduction into cosplay and highlights how much effort goes into creating great costumes.
The article even suggests a suitable qualification for cosplayers an HND in Theatrical Make Up and Costume. We also suggest a degree in fashion or a fashion design related subject as we've met a fair few cosplayers who are currently students at fashion colleges and are keen for a career related to cosplay.
Souce: BBC News
Category > Events
Every now and again at Otaku News we get e-mails from our readers with questions. Normally we can answer these questions (or at least point them in the right direction). Today we got one that we couldn't answer straight away.
The reader was a 13 year old searching for a manga drawing course in London. We couldn't think of any that were coming up, so we turned to Twitter. Luckily someone out there does know. Anna Fitzpatrick who draws the great comic Between Worlds came to the rescue pointing out that the Victoria and Albert Museum will be holding Get Creative! on Saturday 20th November 2010.
The event is for 13 to 19 year olds and is set to run from 11:30am to 4:30pm. The free workshops include manga drawing, stage make-up music, VJing, talks on the fashion industry and theatre.
Souce: Victoria and Albert Museum
Category > Websites
We've just put up some new wallpaper based on the Purikura post cards we gave out last year. As is tradition the artwork was created by the talented Wing Yun Man.
Souce: Otaku News Wallpaper
Category > Retail
The good folks at Udon Entertainment have sent us details of their 10 year anniversary art anthology - Vent. Due to hit the shelves on September 15th 2010 the art book premiers this summer at the 2010 San Diego Comic-Con, along with an exclusive hardcover edition at the Udon booth.
Vent is available to pre-order from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk. UK readers should note that Amazon.com currently have it cheaper than Amazon.co.uk even after taking shipping into account.
Read More... | Souce: Udon Entertainment
Category > Culture
Fans of Japanese street furniture, retail space and the quirky side of things will want to check out the new book called Idle Idol: The Japanese mascot. The authors have sent details about this book, which collates the plastic mascots found outside shops, restaurants and other places trying to draw the attentions of passers by.
Read More... | Souce: Idle Idol - The Japanese Mascot
Category > Manga
The good folks from Sweatdrop Studios have sent us the details of their new anthology - Telling Tales. The collection of fables, fairy tales and other ripping yarns is bound to be of interest. The book is priced at £6.99 and is due to launch at the May London MCM Expo 2010.
Read More... | Souce: Sweatdrop Studios
Category > Manga
Tokyo based English Language Magazine Metropolis have just published an interview with Helen McCarthy. She talks about her Book The Art of Osamu Tezuka: God of Manga and it's recent Eisner Award Nomination.
Souce: Metropolis
Category > Manga
The Art of Osamu Tezuka: God of Manga by Helen McCarthy has been nominated for the prestigious 210 Eisner Awards. The book is up for Best Comics-Related Book, it competes against the following titles -
- Alan Moore: Comics as Performance, Fiction as Scalpel, by Annalisa Di Liddo (University Press of Mississippi)
- The Art of Harvey Kurtzman: The Mad Genius of Comics, by Denis Kitchen and Paul Buhle (Abrams ComicArts)
- Manga Kamishibai: The Art of Japanese Paper Theater, by Eric P. Nash (Abrams ComicArts)
- Will Eisner and PS Magazine, by Paul E. Fitzgerald (Fitzworld.US)
The Otaku News crew congratulate Helen McCarthy and the team behind the book for the nomination and wish them the best of luck in winning the award.
Souce: Comic-Con International
Category > Art
UK based Hetty Rose designs and makes bespoke shoes using vintage kimono fabric from Japan. Her most popular market is weddings. They're perfect for the bride looking for something unique and colourful. We're wondering if they'll be popular with the fashionable otaku girls out there? It's interesting to see what kind of twists designers are doing with traditional Japanese fabrics, mixing the old and the new.
Souce: Hetty Rose Shoes
Category > Retail
A keen eyed Otaku News reader has sent us details about the latest range of IKEA Textiles. The flat pack furniture store is probably best known to otaku alike as the place to go to get Billy Bookshelves to store manga and stuff.
The website Ikea Fans has details about the new manga inspired IKEA Textiles.
Read More... | Souce: Ikea Fans
Category > Fandom
While most of the world is caked in snow, numerous Otaku News friends and readers have sent us links of Totoros made of snow.
The most common one we got sent was this one on the site Epic Win FTW (from the same people behind I Can Has Cheezburger?) .
One keen eyed Otaku News reader also sent us:
A snow Catbus
dorkiicakes' snow Totoro
Temple of the wrong found a pair of snow Totoro
graout's snow Totoro
A huge selection of Snow Totoros can also be found on photographic sharing website Flickr.
Ghibli fans will know that the first snow Totoro ever made can been seen in the end credits of the original film.
Souce: Otaku News
Category > Anime
Fans of Osamu Tezuka, the founding father of modern anime and manga will be pleased to hear that a new book is due out November 2009. Written by prominent anime and manga expert Helen McCarthy the hardcover book published by Ilex Press reveals what makes Tezuka one of the key figures of 20th century pop culture.
It includes 350 colour illustrations and a 45 minute DVD documentary never aired outside of Japan before.
The publication coincides with the annual Comica Festival.
Buy from Amazon.co.uk
Buy from Amazon.com
Read More... | Souce: Ilex Press
Category > Art
We're in a super cute mood today. Having just posted an article about a cute bunny cafe, we thought we'd post even more.
Thanks to a keen eyed Otaku News reader. we've discovered a great Tokyo Craft Shopping Guide, written by Asking for Trouble. It covers lots of great places in Tokyo to find craft supplies, stationary and other things super cute. Which brings us onto something else you should read - Super Cute Kawaii a blog dedicated to everything cute.
Souce: Otaku News
Category > Culture
London based fans of ancient Japanese art, that has influenced anime, manga and video games should head over to the British Museum.
From 10th September 2009 to 22 November 2009 they'll be hosting an exhibition on The power of dogu: ceramic figures from ancient Japan. The exhibition is free to get into. No tickets are required, you can just walk into the museum and walk over to Room 91 to see this great bit of cultural history.
Read More... | Souce: British Museum
Category > Events
Fans of traditional Japanese quilting in London should head over to The Japan Foundation on Tuesday 30th June 2009. Michele walker will be exploring the world of Sashiko.
Read More... | Souce: The Japan Foundation
Category > Events
Fans of manga and cross stitching in London should head over to The Japan Foundation on Wednesday 1st July 2009, where Helen McCarthy will be present a unique event focusing on cross-stitch designs inspired by Manga and Anime, there will be a fun workshop too!
Read More... | Souce: The Japan Foundation
Category > Events
London based fans of Chinese Manhua should head over to Orbital Manga on Friday 26th June 2009, from 5pm to 7pm. Artist Benjamin, will be demonstrating his excellent technique, and will be signing copies of his books, including limited edition landscape-format hardback of "Orange", his latest lavish art book "Flash", Chinese Youth, Remember, One Day (in French) and Images and Prints on the day of the signing.
Read More... | Souce: Orbital Manga
Category > Art
British readers with artistic talent should considering entering the Manga Jiman Competition. Run by the Japanese Embassy in London, this years theme is 'sun'. The competition is open people to over 14 years old. The closing date for the competition is Friday, 25 September 2009.
Read More... | Souce: Manga Jiman Competition
Category > Events
It Came From Japan is proud to announce our May 2009 UK tour. Four amazing bands from Japan will play together at The Great Escape festival in Brighton and again at The Fly in London, as well as play separate shows around the country. The tour runs 16-30 May.
Read More... | Souce: It Came From Japan (MySpace)
Category > Events
Fans of Japanese inspired art will want to visit the Barbican in London on Wednesday 22nd April 2009 on 6:45pm to see Ideas from a Japanese Garden. Where Marc Treib, Professor of Architecture Emeritus, University of California, Berkeley and author of A Guide to the Gardens of Kyoto, examines key ideas behind historical garden design in Japan, and considers their potential relevance to art in the West. Admission is free.
Read More... | Souce: Barbican
Category > Cuisine
Wired are running and interesting story about AnnaTheRed’s Bento Creations. Wired have published an interview with her and also put a gallery of her work on-line. More can also be seen on her Flickr page.
The food looks divine and is made for her lucky boyfriend. Themes for her bento include Totoro, Katamari, Wall-E, Link (from Zelda), Smash Bros, Spirited Away and Kiki's Delivery Service.
Souce: Wired
Category > Culture
We've got some details from an Otaku News reader about Manga and Anime Art Exhibition in London, which will run from August to November 2008. The exhibition will be held at at Westminster Reference Library and St John's Wood Library. It's a great opportunity to exhibit work by new an established artists. Highlights include talks by Akemi Solloway on How Manga and Anime's costume is connected with Japanese traditional Culture, plus traditional Japanese dancing, music, and origami.
Read More... | Souce: Akemi Solloway
Category > Retail
We've been sent details from London based manga shop Orbital Manga about a book signing and art competition they're running.
The artists from the graphic novel Demon Prince: Children of Gaia will be at Orbital Manga on 26th April 2008, from 1pm to 3pm. Along with limited edition pre-release copies of the graphic novel you'll be able to pick up limited edition A1 size posters too.
Read More... | Souce: Orbital Manga
Category > Art
BBC News are currently running an interesting story about Chinese comics or Manhua and how the publications in the Chinese mainland have to be government approved.
Souce: BBC News
Category > Art
The folks at Don't Panic are currently running a competition to design your own Momiji message doll. Manga style artists are popular with these designs and Joanna Zhou created her own Momiji set last year.
Anyone one can enter this competition, and our artist chum Wing Yun Man has entered too, so please show your support and vote for her.
Souce: Don\'t Panic
Category > Art
This month's dose of Imagine FX will be manga flavoured, featuring articles on anime as well as manga workshops and manga Q & A. With the booming of amateur manga coming from the UK right now, it can only be a good thing!
I would personally recommend Imagine FX magazine to any CG artist or illustrator. It is beautifully presented, with detailed articles and a wide, varied selection of artists. They have featured articles on manga/anime based artwork and software before, so it was inevitable a whole issue would be released. It is a welcome joy!
Souce: Imagine FX
Category > Art
A Hero for Leicester. Metropolis has Superman. Gotham has Batman. New York has Spiderman. Leicester needs a superhero and we want you to
create them!
As part of its season celebrating manga and graphic novels Leicester Libraries is inviting budding comic book artists and writers to create a short comic strip introducing a new superhero for Leicester. What powers would a Leicester superhero have? Do they need the protection of a secret identity? Do they fight crime, or maybe they are a supervillain! Let your imagination run wild!
The deadline has been extended to 15th February 2008.
Read More... | Souce: Leicester Book New
Category > Events
Starting from March later this year, the Manchester's huge exhibition center will be displaying it's own "How Manga Took over the World" exhibition on Level 1 of the venue.
The event will be running from 13th March to 27th September 2008.
Read More... | Souce: Urbis
Category > Events
Fans of Japanese art and culture that can travel to London from October to December 2007 will want to pay a visit to SOAS (the School of Oriental and African Studies), where they'll be hosting a exhibition of Treasures, which are used as objects of instruction, a suitable tie in for a place of education.
They'll have lots of very interesting things on display, including the late 14th Century Japanese Reisai yawa (Chinese: Lengzhai yehua; Evening Discourses from the Cold Studio). This is the oldest printed book in the SOAS library and one of few known copies of its kind in the West.
Head to the Brunei Gallery at SOAS, it'll be open from 11th October to 15th December 2007, on Tuesday to Saturday 10.30 – 17.00 Admission Free.
Read More... | Souce: SOAS
Category > Websites
We like treating our readers every now and again, so please enjoy our newest addition to the Otaku News wallpaper page featuring our mascot Miyuki.
This fantastic artwork is made by the talented Wing Yun-Man, it features Otaku News mascot Miyuki enjoying a matsuri, a traditional Japanese festival. Miyuki is wearing a yukata - a kimono commonly worn in the summer at festivals.
The artwork was first seen at AmeCon 2007 on postcards distributed in all the conpacks.
Souce: Otaku News Wallpaper Page
Category > Freaky Things
BBC News are currently running an interesting story about the quest for geisha in Cumbria. The Lake District is a popular destination with Japanese tourists. So much so that Cumbria Tourism has translated a map of tea-serving places off the beaten track into Japanese and even hosting a Green Tea Day on 19th July 2007. Cafes on the tea trail are advertising for geishas to help with intricacies of the tea ceremony. Experts are also required to help translate the more trickier recipe names like "tarty tarn drizzle" into Japanese.
Fully-trained geisha are rare and apparently would charge up to £7,000 (more than $13,000 USD) to fly across from Japan. So the tourist association is hoping some more local experts can help out. Which is why I'm really posting this story on Otaku News. I know of our readers would be able to help. Any experts when it comes to tea etiquette in Japan should contact Cumbria Tourism. I'm sure a few translators could come in handy too. ^_-
Souce: BBC News
Category > Art
London based graphic design fans will want to get over to Hooky, 188 Brick Lane, as they'll be hosting the TerraTag Neon Genesis exhibition on the 07/07/07. On show will be new artwork, canvases and T-shirt designs. Nearest Tube stations are Liverpool Street and Aldgate East.
Anime fans should note that the show is not connected to Evangelion, it's just a pun on the title.
Souce: TerraTag
Category > Events
Free this Sunday (24th June)? Then you might want to head to Blackwell's in Reading. The store will play host to a Tokyopop Re:Con event and then will be followed by tutorials by Sweatdrop Studios.
If like previous events the Re:con event will feature a cosplay competition and and quiz. So get sewing and revising!
If you can make it to the shop before hand then you're encouraged to buy your tickets in advance. Entry to the Re:Con is £1 and the tutorials cost £10.
Read More... | Souce: Sweatdrop Forum
Category > Manga
UK publisher Titan Books have sent us details about the UK release of the Akira Club artbook. It's one of those nice additions for fans of the movie and manga collection. It's due to hit the shelves on the 27th July 2007 and is priced at £24.99. Hunting around Play.com have it on pre-order for £14.99.
Read More... | Souce: Titan Books
Category > Anime
Our readers who like podcasts or can tune into Resonance 104.4 fm, a radio art station in London will want to listen in Thursday evening at 10.30 PM BST (9th May 2007), to catch an interview with anime expert Helen McCarthy. She'll be talking on Alex Fitch's show "I'm ready for my close-up", where they'll be covering anime in general, Helen's current anime season at the Barbican and hopefully the Anime Encyclopedia too. The podcast will be put on-line on Friday 10th May.
Souce: Resonance 104.4 fm
Category > Art
The nice people at Abrams have sent us details of a new book they're publishing Hokusai, the artist who created one of the most famous bits of Japanese artwork, often called Tsunami by Hokusai or The Under the wave off Kanagawa. The book is printed excellent quality paper. At £15.95 it's superb value for money especially considering it's all in colour. It's due out 30th April 2007. We only wish the book was bigger so that they could print the artwork larger, but I guess we've been spoiled by looking at anime artbooks all these years. The book has some great examples of Japanese culture in the period and come highly recommend by the Otaku News crew.
Read More... | Souce: Abrams Books
Category > Art
The good folks at Abrams have sent us details of a new book they're publishing about the groundbreaking artist Hokusai. The book contains lots of lovely selection artwork from Hokusai and is a great example of the variety of work he did. The book is well worth £10, for curiosity or academic interests. It hits the shops on 30th April 2007.
Read More... | Souce: Abrams Books