Advanced Search

Browsing Articles

Junko Mizuno at the London Comica Festival 2014

Date: 2014 October 08 15:50 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Art

London based manga fans will be very excited to hear about a talk hosted manga artist Junko Mizuno. She'll be in London giving an exclusive talk for Comica Festival at popular bookshop Foyles at Charing Cross Road on Wednesday 22nd October 2014. Arrive at 6.30pm for 7.00-8.30pm. Tickets cost £8. As always we suggest booking as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

There will also be the first ever selling exhibition of her originals, prints and other items in London. Which will run at Atomica Gallery, 29 Shorts Gardens, London WC2H 9AP from October 20th to 28th as part of Comica Festival. With thanks to GB Sasakawa Foundation, Brewery Arts Centre Kendal, and Lakes International Comic Art Festival from Friday 17th to Sunday 19th October 2014.

Japan Matsuri in London Saturday 27th September 2014

Date: 2014 September 21 05:57 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

In London on Saturday? Looking for something Japanese Culture related to do? Well don't forget about the Japan Matsuri in London. The Traditional Japanese festival returns to Trafalgar Square. It's set to run on Saturday 27th September 2014 from 11am until 9pm. As expected, they'll be lots of food stalls, along with stalls selling all sorts of Japanese related goodies plus shows on the main stage. There is no entry fee, it's open to all.

Regular readers would have first heard about this years event on the Otaku Calendar as it's the best way to organise your otaku lifestyle! ^_^

Souce: Japan Matsuri

Gekiga: Alternative Manga Exhibition in London

Date: 2014 September 16 16:27 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

London based readers looking to discover a different side of manga will be very interested to hear about the Gekiga: Alternative Manga From Japan. This will run at Cartoon Museum on Little Russell Street (which is near the British Museum). It's set to run from Tuesday 23rd September to Saturday 29th November 2014.

It's not every day you get a chance to see manga like this on exhibition, so go and visit it while it's on!

The Japan Foundation will also be hosting a talk on Gekiga in London on Thursday 25th September 2014 (we've had this on the Otaku Calendar for a while).

Thanks to the good folks at The Japanese Gallery for telling us about the exhibition.

Hyper Japan Christmas Market 2014 Details

Date: 2014 September 03 15:23 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

UK fans of Japanese culture will be pleased to hear about Hyper Japan's next event. The Christmas Market is set to run from Friday 14th to Sunday 16th November 2014 at National Hall, Kensington Olympia in London. We visited their last event in July and had lots of fun. So it's worth setting a date in your calendar or even your Otaku Calendar, as it's a great place to get some Christmas shopping done in advance.

Read More... | Souce: Hyper Japan

Haruki Murakami Book Signing Report

Date: 2014 August 31 11:23 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Fandom

Yesterday cult best selling author Haruki Murakami was in London for a book signing. Being fans of his work the Otaku News Team decided to go along and see if we could get a signed copy of his book. It turns out, we're not hardcore Murakami fans.

Waterstones were running the book signing and advised fans that they would be giving out wrist bands for the event at 8:30am. The first 200 people would be able to buy a copy of the book and get it signed by the man himself. The next 200 would get a pre-signed copy. We got to the Piccadilly branch of Waterstones at 7:30am, already the queue had hit the 400 people capacity. The security guard for the event was politely turning people away. It was inevitable if you cap the number of people at an event, that there will be some people disappointed.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Haruki Murakami London Book Signings - August 2014

Date: 2014 August 29 16:58 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

UK based fans of cult writer Haruki Murakami will want to head to Waterstone's Piccadilly Circus Branch on Saturday 30th August 2014 at 11:00am where the author will be signing his latest book Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage.

Sensibly due to the authors huge popularity Waterstone's are advising people to turn up early to avoid disappointment. They will be operating a wristband scheme. Customers will receive their wristband for this event when they purchase Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage on Saturday 30th August at 8.30am, or when they bring a valid Waterstones receipt/Waterstones.com despatch note with their copy on the day of the signing. They'll be limiting the wristbands to the first 200 people, and they are non transferable. Those who are not lucky enough to meet Haruki Murakami on the day, will be guaranteed the opportunity to buy a rare pre-signed edition. These will be limited to 200 copies only, one per person.

Souce: Waterstones

Hello Kitty Is Not A Cat

Date: 2014 August 28 17:36 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Freaky Things

Every so often in the news you hear something that takes you by surprise. This week The LA Times found out that Hello Kitty is not a cat.

While researching Sanrio's super star character for a museum retrospective at the Japanese American National Museum in LA Christine R. Yano an anthropologist from the University of Hawaii (and currently a visiting professor at Harvard, as well as a Hello Kitty expert) discovered that Hello Kitty is not a cat.

Hyper Japan 2014 Report

Date: 2014 August 07 15:04 | Posted By: Lucy

Category > Features

So Japanese Culture event Hyper Japan was the 25th -27th July 2014 this year, a few of us went & this is a run down of the goings on at this awesome event!

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

The Daiwa Scholarship - Spend 19 Months in Japan

Date: 2014 July 28 15:45 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

UK readers will be very interested in a scholarship offered by the Daiwa Anglo Japanese Foundation.

"The Daiwa Scholarship is a unique 19-month programme of language study, work placement and homestay in Japan. Daiwa Scholarships offer young and talented UK citizens with strong leadership potential the opportunity to acquire Japanese language skills and to access expertise and knowledge relevant to their career goals. No previous experience of Japan or Japanese is necessary."

So if you're a British Citizen about to graduate, or have graduated and are aged between 21 and 35 years of age as of 1 September 2015 you should investigate further!

Souce: The Daiwa Scholarship

Hyper Japan Event Reminder - July 2014

Date: 2014 July 24 17:04 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Fans of Japan looking for something to do this weekend will want to head over to Earl's Court for Hyper Japan. The Japanese Culture event is set to run in London from Friday 25th to Sunday 27th July 2014. As we've mentioned before, there's lots to see and do this weekend.

Souce: Hyper Japan

New Directors From Japan - third windows Films Kickstarter Campaign

Date: 2014 July 21 15:25 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks from UK based Eastern movie distributor Third Window Films have got in touch with us to tell us about their Kickstarter Crowd-Funding Campaign. They plan to fund a Dual Format 3-disc Limited Edition release of New Directors from Japan. Basically this release will cover up and coming talent from Japan, with a unique and entertaining edge.

Update At the time of writing the goal has been met, and the campaign has been closed. We want stretch goals!

Manga Jiman 2014 Competition Details

Date: 2014 July 12 15:06 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Art

UK based artists should get drawing as the Embassy of Japan in the UK have just announced details of the 2014 Manga Jiman competition. The manga competition is now in it's 8th year. The theme this time around is "ichi-go ichi-e", which can be translated as "once-in-a-lifetime meeting" or "a chance encounter".

We've covered previous Manga Jiman competitions before. The top prize this year is 2 return tickets to Japan, second prize is a laptop, and third a rather nifty digital camera.

They've also got an interesting category for 11 to 13 year olds, Yonkoma Manga covering 4 panels.

An interview with Japan Camera Hunter

Date: 2014 July 09 14:15 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Features

Normally on Otaku News, when we talk about otaku we mean fans of anime and manga. There are plenty of other areas worth exploring. Today, we'll introduce you to someone who loves cameras.

With the world going increasingly more digital, the photography scene around the world is seeing a resurgence of film and there is a demand among amateur and professional photographers alike for good film cameras. Film photographers enjoy the tangible nature of the photos and the fact that film slows the whole process down. Developing the picture is something to look forward to, it doesn't give instant gratification like a digital camera.

Certain cameras are now regarded as classics of their era. Japan is the natural place to go if you want a nice film camera because the country is ubiquitous for photography and cameras with so many camera brands being Japanese. While in other countries things are going on-line, physical camera shops both for new and second hand goods are a thriving business.

Bellamy Hunt lives in Tokyo. He runs a website called Japan Camera Hunter. He's passionate about photography and film. If you want a decent camera sourced from Japan, he's your man.

Our editor Joe caught up with him over a coffee in Shinjuku.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Ambassadors of Cute

Date: 2014 July 06 04:43 | Posted By: Lucy

Category > Culture

What are these strange cute mascots, who are they, and what do they do?

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Hyper Japan Event Details - July 2014

Date: 2014 July 03 15:28 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

UK based fans of Japanese culture including anime, manga, food, J-Pop, cosplay and more traditional things will want to head to London on Friday 25th to Sunday 27th July 2014 for Hyper Japan.

The annual J-culture event returns promising to be it's biggest Hyper Japan yet.

It'll have all sorts of fun things to see and do. Including a game and anime park, fringe market, a section of pure kawaii, plus much more!

Read More... | Souce: Hyper Japan

Artist talk: Seiichi Hayashi in conversation with Ryan Holmberg in London July 2014

Date: 2014 June 15 13:30 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The good folks from The Japan Foundation in London have got in touch to tell us about an up coming event that'll be of interest to manga fans. They'll be hosting Artist talk: Seiichi Hayashi in conversation with Ryan Holmberg on Tuesday 1st July 2014 from 6:30pm at their London Office.

Seiichi Hayashi is know for his highly regarded alternative manga. If you think manga is all shonen and want to expand your horizons. There is so much to manga and different forms of sequential art.

The talk is free to attend but booking is essential. To book e-mail event@jpf.org.uk

ShootTokyo Kickstarter Photo Book Campaign

Date: 2014 May 18 14:04 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Art

Tokyo is an iconic city, and many amazing photos of have been taken there. Tokyo based photographer and blogger Dave Powell runs the website ShootTokyo. He captures moments in the city and does lots of street photography. He's well known in the photographic blog scene and his site regularly attracts thousands of visitors daily. A photo speaks a thousand words and his photos speak for themselves.

Create your own Kaburimono headgear at the Japan Foundation in London

Date: 2014 May 06 16:05 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The good folks from the Japan Foundation in London have sent us details of an upcoming event set to run at the end of May 2014.

Details as follows:

At the end of this month, The Japan Foundation will be hosting three workshops with Japanese artist Norio Nishihara, renowned for making bizarre and outlandish headgear known as "kaburimono". In the workshops, participants can make their very own Kaburimono similar to Nishihara's creations, using newspaper and coloured tape. They can also take their inspiration from almost anything - even their favourite anime or manga characters. The workshops will be held at the Japan Foundation in Russell Square, on the 30th May (3:00pm) and the 31st May (11:00am and 3:00pm).

This event is free, but booking in advance is essential to avoid disappointment as there are a limited number of places.

Explore the East at MCM London Comic Con - JapanEx expands and rebrands as PopAsia

Date: 2014 April 25 14:19 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The big London event the MCM London Comic Con is a month away. It'll run at the Excel Centre from Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th May 2014. The good folks running the Comic Con have just got in touch to tell us that their JapanEx section is expanding to include Korean Pop hits and Indonesian films such as The Raid. As a result they're going to rebrand it to PopAsia.

They'll also have extra sections to temp people including the cute sounding Kawaii Alley. As always they'll have tasty food from the Far East on sale in PopAsia.

Hyper Japan 2014 Event Details

Date: 2014 April 17 17:07 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

UK based fans of Japanese culture will be excited to hear about the return of Hyper Japan. The popular event which celebrates everything J-Culture related, including Japanese street fashion, cosplay, anime, manga, Japanese cuisine and of course the more traditional side of Japanese culture is back at London's Earl's Court One.

The event is set to run from Friday 25th July to Sunday 27th July 2014.

Read More... | Souce: Hyper Japan

Japanese Theatre at artsdepot in North London

Date: 2014 April 14 16:53 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

Cultured readers in North London will be interested in hearing about the latest performances at the artsdepot in North Finchley. On Sunday 18th May 2014 at 11am and 2pm, there will be performances of Tales from Old Japan. The family performance has been created for children aged 5+ and their families. It focuses on 3 traditional Japanese tales.

While on Tuesday 10th & Wednesday 11th June 2014 the artsdepot will host the UK premiere of Super Premium Soft Double Vanilla Rich, a darkly humorous look at Japanese consumerism.

Babymetal make UK debut at Sonisphere

Date: 2014 April 08 14:43 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

UK based fans of kawaii metal group Babymetal will be pleased to hear that they'll be making their UK debut at Sonisphere. The metal festival is set to run from Friday 4th to Sunday 6th July 2014 at Knebworth Park. Headline acts at Sonisphere include The Prodigy, Iron Maiden and Metallica. Babymetal will be playing at the Bohemia tent on the Sunday.

UK's First Cat Caf

Date: 2014 April 05 10:58 | Posted By: Voxie

Category > Culture

You may have already heard in the Metro or Guardian about London's first "cat café", elegantly named Lady Dinah's Cat Emporium. This otaku dream was originally crowdfunded through IndieGogo.

Cat cafés are a known trend in Japan, and it being brought over to the UK was such huge news, it needn't be put here on Otaku News. But here's a reminder just in case you did miss it: You'd want to book a table soon if you want to see it before Summer is over!

Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium is open now. Book a table through their website.

Souce: Lady Dinah\'s Cat Emporium

The Embassy of Japan Announce Manga Jiman 2013 Winners

Date: 2014 April 02 16:03 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Art

The Embassy of Japan in London announced on Friday 21st March 2014 the winners of the prestigious Manga Jiman Art Competition. 10 winners were selected for the main category, winning prizes ranging from gift vouchers to a return flight to Japan.

1st place winner is Katja Hammond with Oh Crumbs! This was her third time entering the competition. Having read her submission, it's clear that this was something special, it could have been easily published and enjoyed as a children's book. She joined with other artists to form the Cross#atch Manga and Comics collective.

2nd place winner is Rachel Dunn with her story The Apocalypse and Key, an imaginative sci-fi tale of a pub that forms a hub to other dimensions.

3rd place winner was Selina Dean with her story A Beautiful World, a tale of travel water and romance. Readers familiar to the UK fan scene will know her from her work at Sweatdrop Studios.

Megan Brennan-Dent deserves a special mention, she won the prize for the most impressive Manga by an entrant aged between fourteen and sixteen. She also won 6th place overall, competing against everyone! This has not happened before at the Manga Jiman. Megan is indeed an up and coming talent and one to watch.

The Wind Rises Review

Date: 2014 March 05 03:03 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

While Hayao Miyazaki's latest offering The Wind Rises awaits it's special UK preview on Wednesday 23rd April 2014, it is currently being shown in the US and Australia. We were lucky enough to catch a screening in English recently.

Here's our review of the film.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

BFI Southbank launch complete Studio Ghibli feature film retrospective, including a preview of The Wind Rises.

Date: 2014 February 20 15:34 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

UK fans of Studio Ghibli will be very pleased to hear the news we've been sent from the good folks at the BFI. From April to May 2014 the BFI Southbank will launch complete Studio Ghibli feature film retrospective, including a preview of The Wind Rises. They'll be celebrating the Studio's 30th Anniversary.

They'll also be showing a preview of Hayao Miyazaki's The Wind Rises. The latest film he's directed and likely to be his last as he says he's retired from film making. The Wind Rises will be screened on a special preview on Wednesday 23rd April 2013.

If you haven't seen a Studio Ghibli feature on the big screen before, we strongly suggest you do. It's a special treat to see these films as they're intend on the big screen!

Looking back over 2013 with Otaku News

Date: 2013 December 31 11:39 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Current Affairs

We don't normally do retrospective articles like this, but we thought it would be interesting to look back over the year that was 2013. February 2014 will mark 10 years of Otaku News. The last 12 months we've managed to cover a lot of interesting things and it'll be fun to go over all the events we were able to bring you in 2013.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Otaku News Podcast Episode 12

Date: 2013 November 05 16:48 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Podcast

The Podcast crew is back for a bumper episode covering recent news, licenses and cake. Being reviewed we have Gatchaman Crowds, Beyond The Boundary (Kyoukai no Kanata) and the so far rather awesome Kill la Kill. Rebecca has just returned from a trip to Japan, so we get to hear her take on Toyko. The podcast wraps up with a new feature called Stream Run where Colin tries to talk about all the new shows he's been watching on Crunchyroll as fast as he can.

MP3 File:
77.9 MB
1 Hour 25 minutes 02 seconds

[Direct Download] [Torrent]

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

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

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

An interview with WIT Studio the company behind the Attack on Titan Anime

Date: 2013 November 02 14:25 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

One of the biggest anime titles of the year has been without doubt Attack on Titan (Shingeki no Kyojin). The title is due for a UK DVD release soon by Manga Entertainment UK. To prepare everyone for the advancing giants WIT Studio the producers of Attack on Titan were guests at the October 2013 MCM London Comic Con.

We caught up with 3 of the main staff behind the company at the MCM London Comic Con - producer George Wada, Katsuhiko Kitada (character designer on Hal, animation director for Attack On Titan) and Ryotaro Makihara director of feature length anime HAL.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Otaku News Podcast Episode 11

Date: 2013 October 31 17:29 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Podcast

It's live podcast time! Here is most of our live episode from Ayacon 2013. Sadly technical problems cut off the beginning of the show but to make up for it we made a video version including the slides that the audience saw during the show. We cover our usual topics such as news and licenses. The feature is spread throughout the show and are our Top 3 "What the!?" shows. We review that swimming Free as well as C3-Bu and take some questions from the audience (who were rather awesome).

I don't believe its stated in the show itself but Spike and myself are playing a drinking game. Any time someone mentions Persona or Bakemonogatari we have to drink. That explains some of the random pauses and laughter.

If you like the video format and want more of it, let us know at podcast@otakunews.com or tweet us @otakunewscast. Also, look out for episode 12 which is coming soon and features highlights of Rebecca's recent trip to Japan!

Souce: Otaku News Podcast Episode 11

Edo era anime - live Nishiki Kage-E animated lantern shows in London

Date: 2013 October 09 05:37 | Posted By: Priss

Category > Events

Anyone with an interest in Japanese art and culture should consider taking the rare chance to see one of the Nishiki Kage-E performances at the Japan Foundation on October 30.

Providing insight into the origins or anime, the spooks and sprites in this phantasmagorical performance will be perfect for the lead up to Halloween!

Japan Matsuri in London - Saturday 5th October 2013

Date: 2013 September 29 08:17 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Every keen fan of Japanese culture will already know about the Japan Matsuri, which is set to run in London's Trafalgar Square on Saturday 5th October 2013. The Japanese festival returns with all sorts of street food, Japanese stalls and performances. There are no tickets required, just turn up. You will however need money if you want to buy things from the lovely stalls there.

To keep up to date with events like this, we suggest you always check the Otaku Calendar, your guide to upcoming events, release dates and general things for fans of Japan.

Also if you don't frequently visit London, don't forget to check our London Anime and Manga Shopping Guide.

Souce: Japan Matsuri

London's Japan Centre to close it's doors this September

Date: 2013 September 12 15:57 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

London's well known Japanese shop Japan Centre has just announced that they'll be closing their doors on Sunday 22nd September 2013. Currently their store is just around the corner from Piccadilly Circus. The new location and opening details will be announced soon.

The shop has been popular with fans of everything Japanese for years, as it stocks Japanese food, books and current magazines. In the meantime they'll still sell everything via their website until the new location is revealed.

Update: The Japan Centre will reopen at 19 Shaftesbury Avenue in October 2013.

Inamo Celebrates 5th Anniversary

Date: 2013 September 07 16:14 | Posted By: Franki Webb

Category > Features

Standing amongst glamorous bars and restaurant in Soho is Inamo on Wardour Street, the restaurant had a special day on 3 September. Renowned for its oriental fusion cuisine, the restaurant celebrated its 5th anniversary. The occasion was marked with delicious appetisers, champagne and a tour of the premises.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Hyper Japan on NHK World's Imagine-nation

Date: 2013 August 26 08:38 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > TV

The good folks from NHK World have sent us details of the next episode of Imagine-nation. The special episode focuses on Hyper Japan 2013 in London.

It includes NHK World's Cosplay Portrait Studio, plus the European Cosplay Gathering at the main stage and Vocaloid boom in the UK.

We've covered Hyper Japan 2013 previously.

It's due to air from Tuesday 27th August to Wednesday 28th August 2013, depending on your timezone.
UK based viewers can catch the show on the following times -
Tuesday 27th August - 16:30 and 20:30
Wednesday 28th August - 0:30/4:30/8:30/12:30

You can check the schedule here.

UK viewers can watch NHK World on :
Sky Channel 507
Freesat - Channel 209
Virgin Media Channel 625

Souce: NHK World

Hyper Japan 2013 Report

Date: 2013 August 08 15:30 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

London based Japanese culture event Hyper Japan has become a regular feature the calendar for fans of all things from Japan. Since it first started in 2010, it's organically grown bigger and bigger each year. Last year due to the London Olympics booking out all the large London venues in the summer Hyper Japan decided to run two events, the first in February 2012, and the second in November 2012.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

The latest craze in Japan - eyeball licking?

Date: 2013 August 02 14:46 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Freaky Things

We know readers of Otaku News are up to date with all the latest crazes in Japan, but have you heard about eyeball licking? If you read some news websites they state that it's the latest craze in Japan. They all give the impression that it's sweeping the country. They also interview various doctors who confirm that eyeball licking isn't a healthy thing to do. What they don't do is actually double check with anyone in Japan about this strange craze, because if they did, they'd find out that it isn't really happening. It's another one of those weird Japan stories that people just assume is true.

The Number 1 Shimbun has an excellent article by Mark Schreiber who analyses the origin of the story and how lack of any fact checking caused the article to be picked up by more prestigious news outlets.

Thanks to Matt Alt for making us aware of this story.

Souce: Number 1 Shimbun

Hyper Japan 2013 is in full swing

Date: 2013 July 27 14:09 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The good folks from Hyper Japan have sent us details from the first day of their event. The 3 day event's third and final day is Sunday 28th July 2013. There's still lots of fun to be had! Including cosplay, culture and plenty of food.

Read More... | Souce: Hyper Japan

Hyper Japan 2013 seeks volunteers

Date: 2013 July 18 15:48 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The good folks from London based Japanese Culture Festival Hyper Japan have got in touch to say that they're still looking for volunteers for the event. It's set to run from Friday 26th to Sunday 28th July 2013.

They are looking for people to help out at the Reception area. This includes queue control, ticket scan, workshop area and so on. You won't be able to choose what you do in this area, so just e-mail volunteer@hyperjapan.co.uk and mention that you'd like to help out at the reception area.

They're also looking for people to help out at the Sushi Awards as Serving staff. If you're interested contact eri@hyperjapan.co.uk.

Souce: Hyper Japan

Win a night at Alice Cartalet's house from Kinmoza

Date: 2013 July 07 10:16 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

To celebrate the launch of Kinmoza we've teamed up with Fosse Farm who were a key location in the show. You can win a chance to spend a night in Alice's Bedroom in the show!

On location at Fosse Farm - Alice Cartalet's house from Kinmoza

Date: 2013 July 07 08:19 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Features

For most otaku it would be a dream come true to be contacted by an anime studio wanting to use their home as a location in a new anime series. For Caron Cooper, it is just the latest unlikely chapter in her incredible life story.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

NHK World at the Japan Expo 2013 Paris

Date: 2013 July 02 17:13 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The good folks from NHK World have sent us details of their latest European adventures.

They'll be at the Japan Expo 2013 in Paris from 4th to 7th July 2013. NHK world will have a host of events at the Expo, highlights include a Shironuri Makeup Session with leading shironuri artist Minori.

We've been told that they'll also be at Hyper Japan 2013 in London on Friday 26th to Sunday 28th July 2013.

For the latest event schedule, please visit their Japan Expo 2013 Website.

UK based readers will be pleased to hear that you can now watch NHK World on Virgin Media Channel 625, along with FreeSat Channel 209 or on Sky Channel 507.

Hyper Japan 2013 Details

Date: 2013 June 26 15:57 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The good folks from London based Japanese culture event Hyper Japan have sent us details of their 2013 event. It's set to run at Earl's Court Two from Friday 26th to Sunday 28th July 2013.

They've got something for every fan of Japan, from Food and drink to anime and cosplay. Fashion, J-Music and lots of lovely Japanese technology.

Read More... | Souce: Hyper Japan

San Francisco 2013 J-POP Summit Festival Details

Date: 2013 June 17 15:12 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

US based readers who can get to San Francisco should get ready for the 2013 J-POP Summit Festival. It's set to run in Japan Town in San Francisco on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th July 2013.

Get ready for weekend of Japanese Harajuku Fashion Culture, street styles and kawaii!

An Interview With Anime Director Kenji Kamiyama

Date: 2013 June 03 15:20 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Features

April 2013, it's spring time in London, it should be warm and sunny, but instead it's snowing sideways. We're off to meet renowned anime direction Kenji Kamiyama, writer and director of hit titles like Ghost in The Shell: Stand Alone Complex, Eden of the East and Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

009 RE:Cyborg Cinema Review 2

Date: 2013 June 03 14:58 | Posted By: Eeeper

Category > Anime > Film

We're not going to give you one, but two different takes on the latest anime cinema screening of 009 RE:Cyborg. We also have an interview with the film's director Kenji Kamiyama. Here's Eeeper's take on the title.

Working off the notion that all good remakes don't try and make sense of their origins, RE: Cyborg 009 is a fresh and funky look at a classic manga and anime. If you've ever read or watched Shotaro Ishinomori's original tale then you are missing out on a great thing. Despite having a cute exterior with cartoonish designs, Ishinomori's ideas in the background tackle things like racism, war, poverty and the brutal nature of the, then, growing military industrial complex that arose after the Second World War. Kenji Kamiyama's version takes all of these aspects and posits an interesting question? If after we stop fighting nations, ideologies and groups who is left to fight? Ourselves would be the main answer but what if it's not another person but our own values, beliefs and morals? While there is a definable enemy that the main heroes fight, the best way to describe them are antagonists who are created by the situation not by themselves.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

009 RE:Cyborg Cinema Review 1

Date: 2013 June 03 14:54 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

We're not going to give you one, but two different takes on the latest anime cinema screening of 009 RE:Cyborg. We also have an interview with the film's director Kenji Kamiyama. Here's Joe's take on the title.

Production IG's Latest movie is a big budget action adventure based on the manga Cyborg 009 that started in the 1960's. Since then it's had several incarnations with different twists. The film was released in Japan in October 2012 and has already made its way to the UK at the BFI as part of a special screening with a Q&A from director Kenji Kamiyama. It'll also show in Scotland soon before hitting UK cinemas in June 2013 thanks to the good people from Anime Ltd. We like such a speedy turn around and hope it becomes such a regular thing for top notch titles.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Manga Jiman Competition 2013

Date: 2013 May 30 15:02 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Art

Artistic readers in the UK will be pleased to hear about the annual Embassy of Japan Competition Manga Jiman. The theme for 2013 is voyages of discovery.

The competition is open to all legal UK residents who are over the age of 14 by 1st January 2014.

There's a great selection of prizes to be won, including the top prize of return air tickets to Japan!

You can see previous winners on Myebook.

Cosplay at Comica MangAsia in London 18th May 2013

Date: 2013 May 09 14:58 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

We've covered the Comica MangAsia details earlier. The event is set to run in London at Asia House on Saturday 18th May 2013. We've been sent more details of the cosplay workshop that'll be running there. It's an event in it's own right and is run by veteran cosplayers Emily Bastian and Adelaide Filippe as part of the fun.

Comica MangAsia - May 2013

Date: 2013 April 27 14:37 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The good folks from the Comica Festival have sent us details of their latest event aimed at anime and manga fans in London. The Comica MangAsia is set to run on Saturday 18th May 2013 at Asia House in London. The fun starts at 11am and ends at 4:30pm.

The event includes talks and panels with anime and manga expert and writer Helen McCarthy. Sarah Rundle introduces Kamishibai, a form of traditional Japanese paper based storytelling.

Cosplay experts Emily Bastian and Adelaide Filippe will be there running a cosplay workshop. Plus Japanese manga artist Inko will be running a manga masterclass for those aged 16+.

Throughout the day there will be a free comic fair along with a tea room.

As always with these events, we advise booking in advance to avoid disappointment.

Manga Industry Pioneer Toren Smith Passes Away

Date: 2013 March 08 16:00 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Current Affairs

Readers will be sad to hear that manga industry pioneer Toren Smith passed away on Tuesday March 5th 2013.

We could write an obituary about the man who brought manga to the English speaking world, but we don't have the words. We suggest you read the one written by Jonathan Clements.

We've never had the privilege of meeting Toren. For many of us, ourselves included, his work were fundamental in discovering the world of anime and manga.

The news was first broken on Twitter and Anime News Network.

Souce: James Hudnall\'s Blog

Advanced Search

@otaku_news

@otakunews.com

Browsing Articles

Recent News

Recent DVD / Blu-ray Reviews

Recent Manga Reviews