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Manga Exhibition at The British Museum in 2019

Date: 2018 December 05 21:05 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks at the British Museum have just announced a major manga exhibition set to run during 2019. Called Manga マンガ it will explore the phenomenon of manga, and will be the largest exhibition of the art form ever to take place outside of Japan.

Why is the British Museum hosting a manga event? Well, it's not a secret, they've hosted events related to manga before such as Hokusai beyond the Great Wave, plus even had manga set at the Museum in the form of Professor Munakata's British Museum adventure. Speaking to some staff there we know they're massive manga fans too.

Many of the objects at the exhibition are loans coming to the UK for the first time. At the moment they're tight lipped about what exactly will be there as they want to keep it a surprise, but the official graphics used with the announcement includes Golden Kamuy's Asirpa. So we're guessing they will have some of Noda Satoru's work. We know very little else about the exhibit yet, but they do tease other things on a blog post accompanying the event. Pikachu himself was also present at Museum for the announcement.

The British Museum normally deliver something special, so we know we'll be in for a cultural treat when the exhibition runs next year.

The event is set to run from 23rd May - 26th August 2019 at Room 30 in the British Museum. The event is ticketed and costs £19.50 for adults, while free for under 16s, plus a 2 for 1 ticket deal for students on Fridays. Members of the British Museum can get in for free. So head to London!

Win a Signed Mirai Poster

Date: 2018 November 02 12:17 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The latest movie from Mamoru Hosoda Mirai hits cinemas the UK & Ireland from Friday 2nd November 2018. To celebrate the launch we've teamed up with Anime Limited to give away a fantastic Mirai poster signed by the director Mamoru Hosoda! To enter all you have to do is e-mail usmirai@otakunews.com and tell us the name of the little boy in the movie.

A winner will be selected at random on Friday 9th November 2018. Entrants must be in the UK and Ireland to be eligible.

To find a screening near you please visit miraifilm.co.uk. You can also read our review of this lovely film.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Studio Khara's Hibiki Yoshizaki to be MCM London Comic Con October 2018 Anime Guest of Honour

Date: 2018 October 03 20:13 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

It's October already, which means MCM London Comic Con's October 2018 run is almost here. As is tradition they've got a great anime guest lined up. The anime guest of honour will be Studio Khara's Hibiki Yoshizaki (whose notable credits include Evangelion, The Dragon Dentist, Japan Anima(tor) Expo).

Anime Limited have just revealed all the details which include a panel and signing session. They'll also be bringing an exhibition of short film ME! ME! ME! to MCM. The signing and exhibition will be free, but the exhibition is for over 18's only due to the mature nature of the exhibition.
MCM London Comic Con is set to run from Friday 26th to Sunday 28th October 2018 at London's Excel Centre.

Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited

Japan Matsuri 2018 - London Event Details

Date: 2018 September 28 20:37 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Fans of Japanese Culture who can get to London on Sunday 30th September 2018 will want to head over to the Japan Matsuri in Trafalgar Square. The Japanese Culture festival is free to enter and is set to run from 10 am to 8pm. The Central London location will play host to two stages highlighting Japanese Culture. They'll be plenty of stalls selling Japanese goodies, plus a variety of Japanese Street food.

As always, we've had the event listed on the Otaku Calendar to help you keep track of what's going on.

Souce: Japan Matsuri

First Ever UK Exhibition to Celebrate an Anime Director

Date: 2018 September 17 21:22 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The good folks at anime distributors Anime Limited have just sent us details of the first ever UK exhibition to celebrate The Works of Mamoru Hosoda. The exhibition will run for one week only from Saturday 13th October until Saturday 20th October 2018 in Central London just off Oxford Street at Noho Studios, 46 Great Titchfield Street, London, W1W 7PZ.

The exhibition will also feature a shop, where visitors can purchase merchandise that is to be made available for the first time in the UK. This'll be a great chance to pick up a great selection of goodies.

It'll be open from 10:00 to 18:00. The event is free to enter. If you can get to London in that time frame we suggest you give this excellent exhibition a look in.

This is a perfect refresher to Mamoru Hosoda's world before catching a screening. Mirai will be screened around the UK on 2nd November 2018 for subtitled screenings and 4th November 2018 for dubbed screenings. You can find a screening near you by visiting the official Mirai UK film website.

The film also features at the BFI Film Festival on Sunday 14th October 2018 (the Saturday 13th October screenings have sold out).

If you can't get to London then Scotland Loves Anime will be showing it on Sunday 14th October in Glasgow and Saturday 20th October 2018 in Edinburgh and the Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival will be showing the film at Aberystwyth on Sunday 21st October 2018.

As always for screenings we advise booking early to avoid disappointment. We also suggest catching this movie on the big screen while you can.

Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited

Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival in Aberystwyth Details 2018

Date: 2018 September 06 19:57 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Anime fans in Aberystwyth will be pleased to hear about the local leg of the Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival. It's been running since 2010 and is set to return to the Aberystwyth Arts Centre on Saturday October 20th 2018. Attendees are in for a treat, they've got screenings of some truly delightful films, including Fireworks, Lu Over the Wall and Mirai.

We highly recommend Lu Over the Wall a quirky tail from Masaaki Yuasa (you can read our review here), along with Mirai from popular anime director Mamoru Hosoda, the screening is a week after it's run at the BFI London Film Festival, but also before it get a national screening. So you'll be able to see it before most people!

They'll also be showing Studio Ghibli's When Marnie Was There, something that you should really catch on a big screen. Other titles include Psychic School Wars and Attack on Titan: Roar of Awakening.

As always with events like this we suggest booking early to avoid disappointment, tickets aren't on sale yet for Aberystwyth, but will be soon, so please keep a look out!

Also don't forget you can catch some other great films at the Cardiff leg of the festival too.

Scotland Loves Anime 2018 Film Festival Details

Date: 2018 August 31 22:30 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Anime fans in Scotland hoping to get their anime fix this October are in for a treat as Scotland Loves Anime 2018 Film is set to return in Glasgow from Friday 12th to Sunday 14th October and Edinburgh from Monday 15th to Sunday 21st October 2018.

The successful film festival has got a selection of treats for all tastes, a lot of them are either UK premieres some are EU Premieres. If you like some shonen action you can't go wrong with the latest My Hero Academia: The Two Heroes movie. If you want something fun for the family Mamouru Hosoda's latest film Mirai fits the bill (they've got other Hosoda screenings planned, but details TBC). Are you after something a bit different and quirky? Then go for Penguin Highway (EU Premiere), which is based on the novel by Tomihiko Morimi, who also wrote The Eccentric Family and Night is Short, Walk on Girl.

We're also very interested in I Want to Eat Your Pancreas, a story of a boy who discovers that his classmate is terminally ill with pancreatic disease. This is another UK Premiere.

They've got so much good stuff, looking for something old school and cyber punk? Then they've also got a special screening of Cyber City Oedo 808. The cult classic introduced many people to anime due to a screening on Channel 4 in the 90s. The cinema website states that this version will be the original Japanese dubbed with English subtitles, however Scotland Loves Animation have confirmed on Twitter it will be the dubbed version with extra profanity.

Oh also don't forget that they've got a special screening of B: The Beginning with a special Q+A the series director Kazuto Nakazawa too.

Mirai - UK Premiere confirmed as Gala Film for Family at BFI London Film Festival

Date: 2018 August 30 19:56 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from anime distributors Anime Limited have sent us the latest details about their upcoming cinema release of Mirai. Mamoru Hosoda's newest film will receive it's UK premiere at the BFI London Film Festival 2018.

Gala screenings will take place on Saturday 13th October 2018 at 15:30 and Sunday 14th October 2018 at 17:45.

Mamouru Hosoda's movies are always excellent and enjoyed by fans. If you can't make it to the BFI in October you can always wait until the national screenings around the UK from 2nd November 2018.

Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited

Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival 2018 Details

Date: 2018 August 24 20:27 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Anime fans in Wales are in for a treat this September and October as the Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival returns for another run of great films. Set to run at Chapter in Cardiff from Friday 28th to Sunday 30th September 2018 and Aberystwyth Arts Centre from Saturday 20th to Sunday 21st October 2018.

Japanese animators Tsuneo Goda and Hirokazu Minegishi from dwarf will be in Cardiff for the festival. They're stop motion animation experts. You may have seen their work on NHK World's charming Domo shorts. They'll be there to present a master class and conduct workshops, plus an autographing signing session.

Of course they'll be showing lots of anime on the big screen. They've got an amazing selection of recent anime including the charming Lu Over the Wall (which we've reviewed here), the emotional Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms (again you can read our review here), Mary And The Witch's Flower, along with Ghibli classics Arrietty and When Marnie Was There.

There's so much good stuff something for everyone regardless of your taste in anime. If you like a bit more action you can't go wrong with Tokyo Ghoul (the live action version) or Attack on Titan: The Roar of Awakening.

Photography in Japan Course in London

Date: 2018 August 19 10:47 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

If you're London based and want to know about photography in Japan then you'll be very interested in The Photographers' Gallery's upcoming course on Photography in Japan. Back by popular demand the 6 session course is set to run from Wednesday 12th September until Wednesday 17th October 2018.

Jelena Stojković will introduce the key moments and issues of concern relevant to the history and contemporary photography in Japan.

The course costs £200 (or £180 Members and Concessions).

Yuri!!! on Ice UK DVD and Blu-ray Release Details

Date: 2018 August 17 20:03 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

UK based anime fans eagerly awaiting the release of Yuri!!! on Ice will be pleased to hear that Funimation Entertainment have announced that the popular figure skating anime will be released in the UK on Monday 24th September 2018. The fan favourite will be released as a DVD and Blu-ray Combo pack. You can pre-order it from Zavvi.com.

The show charts the trials and tribulations of Japanese figure skater Yuri Katsuki and his Russian coach Victor Nikiforov (himself a champion skater) who aims to get Yuri back in top form. There's a lot more to it of course with rivalry and choreography thrown in for very good measure.

In a case of life imitating art real figure skaters at the 2018 Winter Olympics have even used the music from the show in their performances.

This show is a fan favourite if you don't know about it already watch an episode on Crunchyroll.com to see if it's to your liking.

Mirai UK Cinema Screening Details - Tickets are now on sale

Date: 2018 July 25 19:28 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks from UK anime distributors Anime Limited have just sent us details of the UK and Ireland Cinema release details of Mamoru Hosoda's latest movie Mirai. Tickets are now on sale!

Mamoru Hosoda's Mirai will open on 100 screens across the UK & Ireland from November 2nd 2018.

-Subtitled screenings on 2nd November 2018.
-Dubbed screenings on 4th November 2018.

Please visit miraifilm.co.uk for more information on subtitled and dubbed screenings. Don't forget to use the hashtag #miraifilm when mentioning the movie too!

Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited

Summer Explorers! 2018 London Japanese Film Screenings

Date: 2018 July 22 21:08 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

After announcing a first wave of free film screenings, The Japan Foundation in London have just revealed more for August 2018 in in London.

They've got some great films showing, including an often overlooked aspect of Japanese history in Giovanni's Island, a film featuring a samurai projecting a cat Cat Samurai, plus many more.

Booking in advance is required. As always we advise booking early to avoid disappointment.

Pre-Summer Explorers! 2018 London Japanese Film Screenings

Date: 2018 July 17 19:41 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks from the Japan Foundation in London have sent us details of their up coming film season. As is tradition they have a series of screenings called Summer Explorers, but this year it's been so successful they've decided to have a Pre-Summer Explorers! cinema season too. Set to run on Saturday 4th, Sunday 5th and Saturday 11th August 2018 around Central London.

They've got some really good movies including Ghibli classic Only Yesterday, fan favourite Summer Wars by Mamoru Hosoda. Along with other classics such as Beat Takeshi's Kikujiro.

The screenings are free to attend, but booking in advance is required. As always we advise booking early to avoid disappointment.

Manga Jiman 2018 UK Competition

Date: 2018 June 14 19:32 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

The Embassy of Japan in the UK have have just announced the theme for their manga competition. Theme for this year is "home". The competition has been running each year for more than 10 years now. Just by entering you can learn a lot, but this is certainly a competition worth investing time in. This years first place winner will get a flight to Japan, while second prize will get a laptop and third place will a digital camera from Ricoh UK (like Daido Moriyama we're fans of their GR Series cameras).

The competition has 2 distinct categories the Yonkoma Manga for 11 to 13 year olds where they can submit a 4 panel manga. While the main Manga Jiman is open for anyone 14 and over expects a short story told across 6 to 8 pages.

To check out previous winning entries go here.

toco toco interview Yoshitoshi ABe

Date: 2018 June 04 21:00 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Websites

I am falling, I am fading, I have lost it all. Well we haven't really, but we've got that theme song from Serial Experiments Lain in our heads thanks to the folks from the team behind toco toco - a short documentary series showcasing Japanese creators and the places that inspire them. They've just told us that their latest video interviews Yoshitoshi ABe, illustrator, mangaka and character designer of various animation series like Serial Experiments Lain, NieA_7 or Haibane Renmei. While practising photography in Tokyo parks, his latest hobby, he recalls his 25-years drawing career.

You can watch the interview free (and legally) on toco toco's YouTube Channel.

Souce: toco toco

BBC Wiltshire Covers Fosse Farmhouse The UK Location Used for anime Kinmoza

Date: 2018 May 17 20:17 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

BBC Wiltshire isn't the first place you'd think of going to for anime coverage, but now and again it does pay off to check regional news. They've just published a video of a visit to Fosse Farmhouse, the B&B used as the location for anime Kinmoza.

We've covered details of Fosse Farmhouse winning Best B&B Story of the Year for it's Anime Connection and the original story of the location being used for Kinmoza.

Souce: BBC Wiltshire Facebook Page

Animerama: A Thousand and One Nights / Cleopatra UK Blu-ray and DVD Release Details

Date: 2018 May 12 20:15 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

UK fans of Osamu Tezuka's less mainstream work will be interested to hear about Third Window Film's upcoming release of Animerama: A Thousand and One Nights / Cleopatra. This forms the world's first blu-ray and remastered release of Tezuka's more erotic movies from the late 60's and early 70's. The double disc set is due out on Monday 18th June 2018 and is rated BBFC 15.

The extras bundled with the film make it even more temping including Audio commentaries for both films by Helen McCarthy (anime expert and author of The Art of Osamu Tezuka: God of Manga), plus a new hour long interview with director Eiichi Yamamoto.

You can pre-order the collectors edition on blu-ray and DVD from Amazon.co.uk

Fosse Farmhouse wins Best B&B Story of the Year for it's Anime Connection

Date: 2018 May 01 21:36 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Anime is always a way of escaping reality, but it's always fun discovering when anime meets reality. We revealed Fosse Farmhouse was used as the real world location for anime Kinmoza. The Cotswold Bed and Breakfast featured as main character Alice's house.

The story behind Fosse Farm was found to be so interesting by the Bed and Breakfast industry it was awarded AA B&B Story of the Year 2018-19 as part of the Bed and Breakfast Awards.

The panel were impressed by B&B owner Caron's cross cultural adventures promoting British Culture in Japan.

Of course you can buy Kinmoza! Season 1 on Blu-ray from Amazon.co.uk in the UK or Amazon.com for the US.

Season Two - titled Hello! Kinmoza! is available to pre-order from Amazon.co.uk in the UK or buy now from Amazon.com in the US.

You can also get the original manga from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com.

Don't forget to read our feature about Fosse Farm and Kinmoza.

Mary and the Witch's Flower UK Cinema Screening Details

Date: 2018 April 30 20:06 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

Anime fans in the UK looking for something to watch on the cinema on Friday 4th May 2018 (yes, Star Wars day), will want to head to a cinema near them to catch a screening of Mary and the Witch's Flower. Produced by Studio Ponoc, founded by Studio Ghibli veterans Yonebayashi and Yoshiaki Nishimura the film is clearly made in the Ghibli mould. The film is adapted from The Little Broomstick by Mary Stewart.

As always we've highlighted this on The Otaku Calendar, so you can keep up to date with screenings and release dates. It even shows in your Google / iOS Calendars if you like too via iCal Feed.

Japan Matsuri 2018 - London Event Details

Date: 2018 April 19 19:53 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Fans of Japanese Culture in London looking for something to do at the end of September will be very excited to hear about the Japan Matsuri 2018. The regular festival held at Trafalgar Square brings Japanese Culture in the form of performances, stalls, street food and other entertainment to anyone who get to Central London on Sunday 30th September 2018. The event lasts from 10am to 8pm and is free to attend.

Of course September is a while away, so you might not remember, which is why we've added it to the Otaku Calendar which forms an easy to to keep track of all your otaku events.

Souce: Japan Matsuri

Mirai - the first Japanese animation to receive a world premiere at Cannes Film Festival

Date: 2018 April 18 20:11 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks from Anime Distributors Anime Limited have sent us details about Mamoru Hosoda's latest film Mirai which will receive it's World Premiere at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival in May as part of Directors' Fortnight. Significantly this is the first Japanese animation to ever to receive a world premiere on the Croisette.

The film will receive a UK cinema release later in 2018 via Anime Limited and their cinema partners National Amusements.

We've covered Anime Limited's acquisition of Mirai before.

Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited

Japan House will be opening on Kensington High Street in 2018

Date: 2018 April 14 13:34 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Press Releases

Readers heading to London will be interested to hear about Japan House. The new venue is set to open on Kensington High Street in 2018. It forms the London hub of an international project to spread the word about how awesome Japan is.

"JAPAN HOUSE is a project which aims to nurture a deeper understanding and appreciation of Japan in the international community, by creating a number of hubs from which to showcase and communicate Japan as a country of countless charms, able to enrich the rest of the world."

"Each hub features an exhibition space, a multi-purpose space with theater facilities, a retail space, food and drink, books, online connectivity, and a cafe space".

To find out more visit their website and sign up to their mailing list, follow them on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram to find out more.

Studio Ghibli co-founder and animation director Isao Takahata passes away in Tokyo

Date: 2018 April 07 11:31 | Posted By: Eeeper

Category > Anime

Isao Takahata, the co-founder of the legendary Studio Ghibli, has passed away in Tokyo at the age of 82. The animation director who worked alongside fellow director and studio founder Hayao Miyazaki was an integral part of the studio as well as being one of the major directors throughout its history. Among his many personal accomplishments were the animated films My Neighbours the Yamadas, Pom Poko, Grave of the Fireflies, Only Yesterday and the Oscar-nominated The Tale of the Princess Kaguya.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Ghibli Movies to Air on Film4 in the UK this Easter 2018

Date: 2018 March 29 19:58 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

UK based Studio Ghibli fans can catch 4 Miyazaki classics over Easter 2018. Film4 will be showing:

My Neighbour Totoro - Monday 2nd April (1.05pm) & 8th Sunday April (11am)
Kiki's Delivery Service - Tuesday 3rd April (12.50pm) Monday 9th April (11am)
Howl's Moving Castle - Wednesday 11th April (12.40pm)
Spirited Away - Thursday 12th April (12.35pm)

All screenings on the free to air channel will be dubbed in English, with a screenings of Howl's Moving Castle and Spirited Away shown on later slots on Monday 16th and Tuesday 17th April in Japanese with English subtitles.

Film4 have a lovely habit so showing Ghibli Films during school holidays and such screenings of these amazing movies often get many people into anime. We suggest you catch these delightful films.

If you fancy watching some Ghibli on the big screen in London this year, the BFI will be screening some classic Ghibli titles this May.

Souce: Film4

BFI May 2018 Anime Screening Details

Date: 2018 March 27 20:08 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

London based anime fans will want to get over to the BFI in May 2018 to catch an Anime Weekender.

They'll be screening a range of titles including the soon to be released Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms, along with the box office giant Your Name. One Your Name screening will be on IMAX, we caught it on the colossal screen last year and suggest you can catch it if you can.

There's so much good stuff in this season, including the charming Lu Over the Wall. We saw it last year and loved it.

Tucked away on the listings (and easily missed) is a complete run down of the BFI Animation 2018 Season. This includes a delightful screening of Ghibli Classics My Neighbour Totoro and two screenings of Spirited Away, plus a screening of Princess Mononoke.

Satoshi Kon's masterpiece Paprika will also be shown.

Fans keen to see Akira can also catch two screenings of 30th anniversary screening: Akira, including one on IMAX.

History buffs and historic anime fans alike will be interested in Momotaro's Divine Sea Warriors a World War II propaganda film thought to be destroyed after the war.

Basically we suggest you catch one of these fantastic films on the big screen. Nothing beats watching a great anime film on a huge cinema screen. We also suggest you book early to avoid disappointment.

Pluto: The Stage Play London Showing Details

Date: 2018 February 06 16:23 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

London based readers looking to get some theatrical culture into themselves will want to head to the Barbican from Thursday 8th to Sunday 11th February 2018 to catch Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui / Bunkamura Theatre Cocoon: Pluto.

The play is based on Naoki Urasawa's manga Pluto, which itself is based on Tezuka's Astroboy. The play combines elements of manga, traditional Japanese Bunraku puppetry, elaborate design and media projection.

It's only running at the Barbican for a few days, so if you're interested we suggest you book now to avoid disappointment.

Ichibuns - Japanese Burgers and more in London

Date: 2018 January 29 15:58 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Features

The restaurant scene in London is vibrant. No matter what you like to eat, there's a restaurant that caters for you. Japanese cuisine is no different. There are all kinds of Japanese places to eat, from cheap and cheerful Japanese home-style cooking to the decadent, creative and experimental nuvo cuisine.

Recently we discovered Ichibuns, a Japanese inspired restaurant like no other. Influenced by Hokkaido cuisine, it's a Japanese Rock and Roll American diner from the creative minds of Robin Leigh (who is best known for the legendary Nobu and Busaba Eathai) and Endo Kazutoshi (of Zuma).

On hearing about this we didn't really know what to expect. On visiting it was clear that Ichibuns is something a bit special.

The first thing that hits you is the design, which is a love letter to Japanese popular culture. When you walk in, the faces of popular shonen manga character stare down at you from the entrance. There are pages of manga all over the ceiling and Pachinko machines on the wall. You start looking and there's all sorts of interesting Japanese memorabilia like Oni (demon) masks on the walls, and adverts from old times. The staircase wall is made of whole telephone book sized weekly editions of manga. The eclectic style works because it isn't a restaurant designed by someone trying to copy Japanese concepts, it was designed by Noriyoshi Muramatsu of Tokyo’s Studio Glitt.

After eating there we wanted to know more about this place. It's like a portal into Japan. We don't normally do articles on restaurants, but were intrigued and eager to know more about this place. So we got in touch with Brendan Fong, Executive Chef at Ichibuns to find out more.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Maquia: When The Promised Flower Blooms UK and International Premiere Details

Date: 2018 January 25 17:03 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

Glasgow based anime fans looking for a premiere film screening will want to go to the Glasgow Film Festival on Sunday 4th March 2018 to catch Maquia: When The Promised Flower Blooms. This is the International Premiere. It'll be coming to cinemas nationwide in March 2018 thanks to the good folks at Anime Limited.

The fantasy anime marks Mari Okada’s directorial debut you may be familiar with her other work she wrote The Anthem of the Heart and the screenplay for Nagi-Asu: A Lull in the Sea. The Anime is produced by P.A. Works who created one of the Otaku News Team's favourite anime series The Eccentric Family.

Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited

The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme UK Details 2018

Date: 2017 December 20 07:09 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

UK based fans of Japanese cinema looking for something to watch next year will be interested in The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme. It's set to run from 2nd February to 28th March 2018 around the UK. The theme for this season is (Un)true Colours - Secrets and Lies in Japanese Cinema.

The film programme also includes the anime Sword of the Stranger, which is really worth catching on a nice big cinema screen. If not you can always get it on blu-ray.

There's a great selection of films likely to suit anyone's tastes including Sing My Life a fantasy tale about a 73 year-old grandmother who is magically transformed back to her 20 year old self, so she can pursue her dreams of becoming a singer and make up for her regrets.

While if you fancy something a bit more violent there's also The Mole Song: Undercover Agent Reiji a Yakuza story from director Takashi Miike.

Film screenings like this frequently sell out, so we advise booking early to avoid disappointment.

Lu Over The Wall Review

Date: 2017 November 29 16:42 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks from Anime Limited are releasing Masaaki Yuasa's latest film Lu Over The Wall in cinemas across the UK on Wednesday 6th December 2017. You can find a screening near you by visiting LuOverTheWallMovie.co.uk.

We recently interviewed the director asking him about the film and his other feature Night Is Short, Walk On Girl.

If you're curious about the Lu Over The Wall then read on to enjoy our spoiler free review.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Blade of the Immortal UK Cinema Screening Details

Date: 2017 November 22 16:10 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

UK readers looking for some violent samurai action based on a great manga will want to look around cinemas near them on 8th December 2017 as that's when Blade of the Immortal hits screens around the UK. The film is directed by Takashi Miike, you may have heard of many of his other films like Ichi the Killer and The Happiness of the Katakuris.

The Blade of the Immortal movie is based on the manga with same name, it follows the adventures of Manji who is cursed with immortality until he can kill 1,000 evil men. The film covers the first 2 story arcs of the manga.

To find a screening near you visit BladeOfTheImmortal.co.uk.

An Interview with Katsura Sunshine

Date: 2017 November 12 09:43 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Features

Japan is a place with many traditions and art forms. It even has its own traditional form of comedy rakugo. The performer sits down on stage and tells an amusing story using only two props a fan and hand towel. Katsura Sunshine is one such performer, a Canadian who discovered the art form while in Japan. You may have caught his show Dive into Ukiyo-e on NHK World.

We caught up with Sunshine over a coffee in London on a warm day in May to discover more about rakugo and his performances.

He's just recently completed a set of shows at the Leicester Square Theatre. He'll be performing at Hyper Japan in November 2017, and then have an off Broadway show at the Soho Playhouse in New York for a year.

This article interview is one of those relaxing long reads, we could have split it into many parts, but felt it's best to keep it as one whole article, so you too can imagine you're having coffee with Sunshine. Apart from those interested in Japanese culture, we think this article will also be interesting to people following stage performances, improv or stand-up comedy.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Perfect Blue UK Halloween Cinema Screening Review

Date: 2017 October 24 16:40 | Posted By: Guest Contributor

Category > Features

UK Anime fans can catch the Satoshi Kon Classic Perfect Blue at UK Cinemas Nationally on 31st October 2017. Visit perfectbluemovie.co.uk to find a screening near you.

We sent James and Lee to review the movie. Our editor found them after the screening rocking back and forth in the corner of the room, muttering about perception of reality and something about an unreliable narrator, he didn't care that this movie freaked them both out, he just wanted his 500 word review. So after some special counselling involving a unicorn chaser of both seasons of K-On (plus the movie) we managed to get a coherent review. Although they are still on edge a bit when they see J-Pop Idols for some reason...

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Perfect Blue UK Halloween Cinema Screening Details

Date: 2017 October 09 16:01 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

UK anime fans will be pleased to hear that the clever folks at Anime Limited have realised that Perfect Blue would make the perfect Halloween night screening. The psychological thriller doesn't just mess with the protagonist, it also messes with your mind in the late great Satoshi Kon's debut film.

The film will screen (and make you scream) for one night only, the night of Halloween on Tuesday 31st October 2017. To find a screening near you visit perfectbluemovie.co.uk.

Traditionally at Christmas time at Otaku News we watch another Satoshi Kon film Tokyo Godfathers to get into the Christmas Spirit. We hope this becomes some kind of Halloween tradition from Anime Limited.

An Interview with Masaaki Yuasa

Date: 2017 September 29 16:51 | Posted By: Guest Contributor

Category > Features

Cult anime director Masaaki Yuasa was in the UK recently, being eager to quiz him about his two upcoming films Night is Short, Walk On Girl which hits cinemas on 4th October 2017 (visit the official website to find a screening near you) and Lu Over the Wall on 6th December 2017.

Rather than just send anyone to interview this great director, we wanted to send someone we knew who is one of Masaaki Yuasa biggest fans. So we sent Katy.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Japan Matsuri in London September 2017

Date: 2017 September 21 15:48 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

London based fans of Japanese culture looking for something to do on Sunday 24th September 2017 will want to head to the Japan Matsuri. The festival is set to run from 10am until 8pm at Trafalgar Square.

The event has a central stage with performances all day long, plenty of Japanese food stalls selling hot street food to eat while you're there, plus lots of other stalls selling Japanese goodies. The event is free to attend, no booking is required. Just turn up and enjoy the celebration of Japanese Culture.

Souce: Japan Matsuri

Lu over the Wall UK Cinema Release Details

Date: 2017 August 31 16:47 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

We've just been sent details about Lu over the Wall from the good folks at Anime Limited. The new movie from director Masaaki Yuasa features a heartwarming and magical mermaid tale.

The film will be at the BFI London Film Festival Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th October 2017. You can read more about it on the BFI LFF Website. Tickets will be on sale from Monday 14th September 2017. We advise booking early to avoid disappointment.

The film will be shown nationwide around the UK on Wednesday 6th December 2017.

Masaaki Yuasa's trade mark style includes quick fire dialogue, eccentric and eclectic mix of style story and animation. You may have seen his work before on the cult The Tatami Galaxy.

Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited

My Experience of seeing Your Name at the IMAX

Date: 2017 August 17 13:38 | Posted By: Voxie

Category > Features

As I leave Cineworld Leicester Square, trying to pull together the memories of what I had just watched, I smile and sense a melancholic joy well up inside of me. Watching Your Name reminded me of all the subconscious thoughts, moments and dreams we might have all forgotten through the motions of everyday life, an inevitable cycle of the human mind... and yet there I was, trying not to let go of what I had just seen, trying to fathom the beauty of the film’s meaning and put it into words. Makoto Shinkai had done it again!

But I'm not here to review the film today (you can read our earlier, spoiler-free review here). Instead, I'm here to talk about the experience of watching the world’s first anime to be released in IMAX format!

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

An Interview with Danny Choo

Date: 2017 July 26 15:27 | Posted By: Lee

Category > Features

One of the great things about writing for Otaku News is that you get to meet interesting people. At Hyper Japan we caught up with Danny Choo a professional otaku, entrepreneur, Japanese Cultural ambassador and inventor of the Smart Doll Fashion Doll.

Danny was born and raised in the UK and has been living in Tokyo since 1999. We managed to get an exclusive with interview him at his Smart Doll Booth and he revealed some interesting up products. Read on to find out more.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Takashi Fukutani Exhibition at London's Orbital Comics

Date: 2017 July 15 16:17 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Fans of 1980's manga in London will want to head over to Orbital Comics from Tuesday 1st to Monday 14th August 2017 to catch an exhibit of original 80's Manga artwork. They'll be showing selected manga originals from the 1980’s slice of life manga series Dokudami Tenement for the first time in the UK.

This is to celebrate the release of the first volume of Dokudami Tenement in English from Black Hook Press. They'll also have a special limited edition Aizoban print for sale during the length of the exhibition.

Shin Godzilla Stomps into UK Cinemas this August 2017

Date: 2017 July 13 09:21 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Fans of cult Japanese Cinema and anime in general will be very pleased to hear the news from Manga Entertainment UK that they'll be releasing the new Godzilla Movie - Shin Godzilla across the UK on Thursday 10th August 2017. It's co-directed by Hideaki Anno who is most famous for creating Neon Genesis Evangelion, (but is also know as being a massive tokusatsu fan) and Shinji Higuchi (director of Toho’s 2015 Attack on Titan live action movies). The film was a box office smash in Japan in 2016.

Hideaki Anno's involvement in the film is a perfect choice, as someone who has had giant monsters smash cities before in previous work (even his student films have this element) to join forces with Shinji Higuchi who used traditional tokusatsu speical effects combined with CGI to create the Attack on Titan Live Action movies.

Shin Godzilla literally translates as New Godzilla and will be screened nationally across the UK. To find a screening near you and book tickets, visit shingodzillamovie.co.uk.

Summer Explorers 3 - Free Japanese Movies in London July 2017

Date: 2017 July 01 16:10 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

Fans of Japanese Cinema in London are in luck, for the Japan Foundation will be hosting a special summer film programme all about food. Over two Saturdays in London, they'll be filling the cinema screens with Japanese movies to get your mouth watering.

This is the third year in a row the Japan foundation have hosting free movies for all, so they've called it Summer Explorers 3. The movies are all free to attend, but booking is required. To book visit www.jpf.org.uk.

Part One is on Saturday 15th July 2017 at the Prince Charles Cinema which will be showing Oyster Factory and Akanezora.

While Part Two is on Saturday 22nd July 2017 at 195 Piccadilly and features Silver Spoon, There Is No Lid on the Sea and A Drop of the Grapevine.

As always we suggest booking early to avoid disappointment.

Okinawa Day 2017 in London

Date: 2017 June 20 16:46 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

London based fans of Japanese Culture looking for something to do on Saturday 24th June 2017 will want to head over to Spitalfields to celebrate Okinawa Day 2017. The free event is set to run from 10am to 6pm with a mixture of traditional Okinawan culture including folk music, karate performances and Eisa dancing.

Souce: Okinawa Day 2017

An interview with Tim Clark the Curator of Hokusai: beyond the Great wave at the British Museum

Date: 2017 May 23 15:08 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Features

The British Museum will be hosting a Hokusai Exhibition from Thursday 25th May until Sunday 13th August 2017.

Dedicated to the Japanese master the exhibition entitled Hokusai: beyond the Great wave will feature two magnificent painted ceiling panels of wave subjects loaned by Hokusaikan, Obuse, done in 1845 for a festival cart, along with many other fabulous bits of artwork.

Naturally being fans of Japan we know you're eager to find out more about this. So we go in touch with Tim Clark the exhibition's curator.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

The Red Turtle Review

Date: 2017 May 22 15:49 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Features

In an interesting move from Studio Ghibli, rather than look just in Japan for the talent to direct a new animated movie the fabled studio looked around the world to find someone suitable. They found Michaël Dudok de Wit. The movie they made together was The Red Turtle.

We caught up with the director for an exclusive interview.

The film is set for release at UK cinemas from Friday 26th May 2017.

We know you're wondering Is the movie any good? Well read our review and find out!

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Hyper Japan Festival London 2017 Details

Date: 2017 May 04 16:17 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

If you're in London and looking for some Japanese Culture on from Friday 14th to Sunday 16th July 2017 you should head over to Hyper Japan to indulge yourself in the festival. It's got something for everyone, street food, cosplay, chiptunes and traditional Japanese crafts. The event will be at The Tobacco Dock,

In This Corner Of The World to Appear in Competition at Annecy 2017

Date: 2017 April 27 16:04 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

In This Corner Of The World UK and Ireland Cinema Release Details

The good folks from Manga Entertainment UK have just sent us details about their feature film In This Corner Of The World, which is set to appear in competition at the prestigious Annecy Festival in June.

UK readers will be also keen to hear Manga Entertainment will be releasing the film in cinemas around the UK and Ireland from Wednesday 28th June 2017. You can find a screening near you by visiting www.inthiscornerfilm.co.uk.

We're massive fans of the directors other feature film Mai Mai Miracle so are very excited about this release.

Kiki's Delivery Service Stage Play Returns to London for a Second Run

Date: 2017 April 14 16:16 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Cultured anime fans who'll be in London this summer will want to head over to Southwark Playhouse to catch the return of their stage adaptation of Kiki's Delivery Service. The run will last from Thursday 10th August 2017 to Sunday 3rd September 2017.

The play is based on the book that was also turned into the much loved Studio Ghibli feature film. Last year we caught up with the Southwark Play House's Artistic Director and CEO Chris Smyrnios for an exclusive interview to find out more about the play during it's first run.

Anime Architecture: Backgrounds of Japan Exhibition in London

Date: 2017 April 12 17:14 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Anime fans who can get to London from the end of May to the start of September will want to head over to House of Illustration who will be hosting an exhibition on Anime Architecture: Backgrounds of Japan.

Visitors will be treated to the background artwork from classic sci-fi anime feature films including Ghost in the Shell (1995), The Patlabor: The Movie (1989) and Metropolis (2001), by Mamoru Oshii and Atsushi Takeuchi.

House of Illustration is the UK’s only public gallery and education space dedicated solely to illustration so is the ideal place to run an event on anime artwork. It's located a short walk from Kings Cross and St Pancras Stations. The exhibition is set to run from 26th May to 10th September 2017. It's closed on Mondays. There is an £8.25 admission charge, this will give you access to all 3 galleries.

Japan struggles to find enough English Speakers for Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2020

Date: 2017 March 30 16:08 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Current Affairs

BBC News has an interesting article about Japan's preparation for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympic Games. As hosts they're keen to make sure they have enough English speakers. The article mentions that "...the government needs to ensure a supply of English speakers to be Olympic volunteers and work in the accommodation, tourism, and retail industries."

Interestingly the article reveals that "Japan is 40th out of 48 countries on the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC), and last year it fell from 'moderate proficiency' to 'low proficiency' on EF's English Proficiency Index."

The trouble it seem is with Japanese culture, in their quest for perfection, many students will only speak if they know they're saying it the right way. If they think they're going to make a mistake, they'll rather remain silent.

The article also highlights that generally written English is better than spoken English in Japan. So teachers in Fukuoka Prefecture have been using Fawlty Towers and Red Dwarf to get students accustomed to hearing spoken English. We wonder if these students will assume Smeg-head is common parlance?!

Souce: BBC News

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