Advanced Search

Browsing Articles

Yamato Drummers new show UK premiere

Date: 2008 February 07 05:37 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The Yamato Drummers of Japan will be performing the UK premiere of their new show Shin-on in London from Wednesday 19th to Sunday 30th of March. Fans of the traditional Taiko drumming will certainly be in for a treat, and if you haven't seen such a performance before, this is a rare chance to see such a special show. Performances will be in the Peacock Theatre, and as always with popular events, we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.

Imagine FX magazine goes manga style

Date: 2008 January 21 23:07 | Posted By: Voxie

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

Virtual Idol Proves to be big in Japan

Date: 2007 December 11 16:27 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Gaming

The Mainichi Daily News have published an interesting story about some new software that allows users to create their own songs and have them performed by a virtual idol singer. This sounds a bit like a real world example of Sharon Apple to us!

The software Vocaloid 2 Hatsune Miku uses computer-generated vocals mixed with an actual human voice (supplied by voice actress Saki Fujita). It can be configured to perform any song and has proved to be a big hit with people wanting to create their own virtual idol generated songs.

The article states that the software is especially popular with the middle aged, even though it's priced at 16,000 yen (145 USD / 72 GBP) to appeal to the teen market.

Souce: Mainichi Daily News

Inemuri a Japanese word to add to your vocabulary

Date: 2007 November 29 17:48 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

BBC News are running a story about sleep deprivation and different strategies for coping with it. The article covers the Japanese concept of inemuri, which translates as "to be asleep while present", the idea is you can fall asleep in without getting into trouble, such as at meetings. Apparently it's viewed as a positive thing, and suggests to those around you that the tiredness is from exhaustion from working too hard and sacrificing sleep at night. Naturally some people fake this to give the impression that they're working really hard.

Souce: BBC News

Tokyo Top city for good food

Date: 2007 November 20 13:34 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Cuisine

BBC News have just published a story which states that Tokyo has the finest cuisine in the world. The Michelin guide, famous for awarding the coveted Michelin stars has devoted it's first ever edition to an Asian city. Tokyo was awarded a total of 191 stars, which is nearly twice as many as Paris and more than 3 times New York's total.

The article ironically states that 3 of the top 8 restaurants in Tokyo serve French food.

Souce: BBC News

Cosplay pubs all the rage in Japan

Date: 2007 November 12 17:57 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Freaky Things

The Mainichi Daily News has an interesting article about the latest trend in Japan, Cosplay pubs, where staff dress up in cosplay (and sometimes customers too). The costumes vary from venue to venue and don't seem to be anime themed. The article concludes that it's a great way for office workers to unwind and isn't "as geekish as the maidcafes the otaku like to go to".

Souce: Mainichi Daily News

London Expo October 2007

Date: 2007 October 26 13:19 | Posted By: LittleWoodenBoy

Category > Events

A look at the recent London Expo (featuring cosplay photos).

London School of Oriental and African Studies Launches Rare Exhibition

Date: 2007 October 03 18:11 | Posted By: Joe

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.

London Barbican Anime Screening Details for October 2007 until June 2008

Date: 2007 September 25 17:20 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

Anime fans in the UK will be pleased to hear those nice folks at the Barbican in London will be showing some more anime from October 2007 until June 2008. As with the last season each title will be introduced by anime expert Helen McCarthy who really makes the screenings worth seeing with the extra details she brings to light with each title.

They've got a great line up too. Tickets cost £8.50 (£7 members and concessions), £4.50 under 15s and they also have a special offer if you buy 3 or more tickets you'll get them for £6 each.
They'll be showing the following titles:

Romeo X Juliet (15) Tuesday 30 October 2007 - 8.30pm
Speed of 5 Centimeters per Second (Byosoku 5 Centimeters) Tuesday 27 November 2007
Tales from Earthsea (Gedo Senki) (PG) Tuesday 29 January 2008
Yugo the Negotiator (15) Tuesday 26 February 2008
Area 88 (15) Tuesday 25 March 2008
Patlabor II (PG) Tuesday 29 April 2008
Le Portrait De Petite Cossette (15) Tuesday 27 May 2008
Metropolis (PG) Tuesday 24th June 2008

The Barbican screenings have been known to sell out quickly so as always we recommend that you book early to avoid disappointment.

Anime film screenings at the British Museum in London

Date: 2007 July 24 16:50 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

Following on from our earlier story about a free Naruto screening in London, fans should keep their calendars free on the following dates, as the British Museum will be offering free or very cheap screenings for some excellent movies. The titles marked as free have no entry fee, however booking is required. The other titles are priced at less than the cost of an average coffee in London, with all movies priced at £3 and concessions £2. This forms part of their Manga to Anime for Families season.

British rural tea-rooms seek geisha girls

Date: 2007 July 12 17:03 | Posted By: Joe

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

Anime at the British Museum

Date: 2007 July 06 16:22 | Posted By: Azure

Category > Anime > Film

The British Museum is an amazing place. It's home to the Rosetta stone, the Portland vase, the Elgin marbles and a pretty nice collection of Asian art too.

It's also going to be showing a bunch of anime films for free. All you have to do is book in advance. The thing that suprises us is the so-so angsty tweenage Ninja film Naruto: Clash in the land of Snow is being shown.

I love Naruto but even I'm a bit suprised to see it keep company with Nausicaa, Porco Rosso and Barefoot Gen.

Cambridge Film Festival this weekend

Date: 2007 July 06 16:09 | Posted By: Azure

Category > Anime > Film

The Cambridge Film Festival has started and includes some anime. Highlights include:

Earthsea - 10th and 12th July
Paprika - 10th and 11th July
Ghost in the Shell S.A.C- 9th July
Highlander (anime)- 7th July

Souce: Cambridge film festival

Mikio Naruse Season at BFI Southbank in London

Date: 2007 July 04 17:49 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

Japanese cinema fans who can get to London this month (July 2007), to catch the classic films of Mikio Naruse, which will be screened for a season at the BFI Southbank.

Fans flock to Japan

Date: 2007 June 20 17:52 | Posted By: Azure

Category > Culture

Kotaku have spotted a a rather interesting article on fans of Japanese culture making the trek to visit and study in Japan. Whilst not the first article of it's kind by anime means it is positive.

Souce: France24

Father of Sodoku

Date: 2007 June 16 04:06 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

BBC News have an interesting feature on the father of Sodoku - Maki Kaji who runs a successful puzzle magazine Nikoli.

The article reports on Kaji's discovery of sodoku and also the refinement of puzzles by the magazines readers, who generate 80% of the content for the magazine.

Souce: BBC News

Izumi Sakai aka Zard dies

Date: 2007 May 30 10:36 | Posted By: Azure

Category > Culture

Izumi Sakai aka Zard has died after falling off the landing off a staircase at Keio University hospital. She was only 40 and had been weakened by a battle with cervical cancer.

She was invovled with the music of numerous anime including Case Closed, Slam Dunk and Dragon Ball GT.

Souce: Anime News Network

Japanese Embassy in the UK to hold a manga contest and exhibition

Date: 2007 May 24 14:43 | Posted By: Azure

Category > Events

The Japanese Embassy in the UK will be holding an exhibition dedicated to celebrating Japanese inspired manga named MANGA JIMAN.

The exhibiton will run from 11-19 June including a seminar which will investigate "what is manga?"
The contest is for anyone UK resident aged 16 and over, entrants need to create between four and six A4 pages. They can choose their own theme but it must reference Japan in some way. The deadline for that is 14th September 2007. Prizes include a Toshiba laptop and flights to Japan!

Souce: Japanese Embassy UK

Hikonyan the cat helps Hikone Castle

Date: 2007 April 27 15:38 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

Everyone knows that cute stuff is popular in Japan. To celebrate the 400th anniversary of Hikone Castle in Shiga Prefecture they created a mascot cat called Hikonyan, a fat white cat wearing a samurai helmet sporting big yellow horns. According to The Mainichi Daily News, Hikonyan toured major cities and generated massive merchandise sales. Apparently people travel to Hikone Castle now just to see Hikonyan, who comes out four times a day to greet visitors, people are willing to wait for hours, lining up for the greeting sessions. The article states that part of Hikonyan's popularity is down to his vulnerability making him appealing to otaku.

Souce: Mainichi Daily News

Island hopping in Japan

Date: 2007 April 26 16:12 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

The Times On-line have a great travel article about the side of Japan many people would not consider, the tropical islands. It's a great read even if you are never going to go island hopping in Japan. They travel through Okinawa, Ishigaki, Taketomi (which is famed for it's star shaped sand), and the remote Iriomote.

Souce: The Times On-line

Manga Workshop at Daiwa House

Date: 2007 April 21 16:14 | Posted By: Azure

Category > Events

Continuing on with it's Rising Stars of manga season Daiwa house is playing host to a manga workshop day on the 14th of May. The wokshops will be held by three previous rising stars of manga winners. Booking in advance is required.

Souce: Daiwa House

2-Chan the voice of a nation

Date: 2007 April 19 15:57 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

Wired have a very good article about the popular Japanese bulletin board 2-chan. The article focuses on the impact 2-channel has had in Japan, from cancelling advertising campaigns, to producing 830,000 replacement folded paper cranes, mass suicides, solving crime and even helping Train Man become a national phenomenon.

Souce: Wired

Hokusai's Mount Fuji

Date: 2007 April 02 16:11 | Posted By: Joe

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.

Hokusai: First Manga Master

Date: 2007 April 02 15:38 | Posted By: Joe

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.

Tokyopop at Daiwa House

Date: 2007 March 31 13:16 | Posted By: Azure

Category > Culture

Tokyopop are holding a rising stars of manga exhibition at Daiwa House which runs until 17th of May. They are also holding a seminar on the 19th of April entitled "Bringing Manga to the UK" this requires advanced booking from the website.

Souce: The Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation

Extreme Origami

Date: 2007 March 24 18:47 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

The Times On-line have published an interesting article about Extreme Origami, the article focuses on computer geeks coding programs to create some incredibly complex folding problems. The article mentions super geek Robert Lang, a former NASA scientist who is a professional folder, consulting with car companies on the best way to fold their airbags and space telescopes!

Souce: Times On-line

UK MP fears reduction of British children's TV

Date: 2007 March 19 15:30 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > TV

The Guardian are reporting on British Conservative MP John Whittingdale's recent speech at the Incorporated Society of British Advertisers conference. Mr Whittingdale is the chairman of the Commons culture, media and sport select committee. He's rather worried about a children's TV and the impact of pulling food advertising from children's TV - "[It will] have a damaging effect on children's broadcasting that will lead to money going out of it, the effect will be fewer children's programmes produced in this country except for the BBC," the main concern he stresses is increase in imported Children's TV - "There will be a growth of the likes of Japanese anime cartoons and American animated content which is something we are concerned about and may need to be addressed as part of challenge of maintaining public service plurality."

So in a nut shell he's worried that there won't be enough British produced children's TV, as ITV has been reducing it's children's output. The Otaku News crew want more TV greats like Danger Mouse. ^_^

Souce: The Guardian

Japanorama is back!

Date: 2007 March 15 14:37 | Posted By: Azure

Category > Anime > TV

The folks at AnimeUKNews.net have spotted Johnathon Ross is back with Japanorama season 3! Episode one promises a sneak peak of Afro Samurai.

The Manga Bible release details

Date: 2007 February 26 09:21 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

We've received a details from publishing house Hodder and Stoughton regarding the Manga Bible. We're not talking about some sort of ultimate must have guide to manga, but the New Testament produced in a manga style. Using the TNIV (Today's New International Version) as the basis, London based artist Siku, who is best know for his work on 2000AD.

Manga Shakespeare

Date: 2007 January 16 16:17 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

We've been sent an interesting press release from SelfMadeHero about their Manga Shakespeare series. The bard's classic tales have been reinterpreted into a manga style. With Romeo and Juliet the action has relocated to Shibuya in Tokyo, with yakuza talking the place of the more traditional families in the original. Hamlet is still set in Denmark, but in the future cyber world of 2017. SelfMadeHero inform us that the series keeps true to the text of Shakespeare, but is specially abridged for use in the manga. Sweatdrop Studio's very own Sonia Leong illustrated Romeo and Juliet, while Emma Vicieli illustrated Hamlet.

Both Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet are due for release on 1st March 2007, priced at £6.99. The Tempest and Richard III are due to be published in Autumn 2007. Othello, Much Ado About Nothing and A Midsummer Night’s Dream are planned, but no release date is mentioned.

Our readers still in education might want to show this to their English and drama teachers, while our other readers might just enjoy reading a new interpretation of Shakespeare's works.

This is not the first time Hamlet has been made into a manga in English, our good friend Amethyst Angel has done a fan version using characters from Slayers, entitled Hamlet: The Manga.

Japanese Artists display work at London gallery

Date: 2007 January 06 15:16 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Our art connoisseur readers near London will want to check out Sea Change Group Show at the Mark Jason Gallery from 1st to 23rd February 2007. The group show features work by a group of emerging print makers. Japanese artists include Chie Kutsuwada, Akiko Takizawa and Katsu Yuasa.

The Mark Jason Gallery can be found near Edgeware Road Tube Station on Bell Street.

Akutai Matsuri, the Japanese swear by it

Date: 2007 January 02 15:59 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Freaky Things

The Japanese are famed for being polite, however everyone needs to vent now and again. The Mainichi Daily News are currently running a story about the Akutai Matsuri, held in late November in the city of Kasama. The festival has a chief priest and 13 tengu goblins dressed in white parading along a steep path, chanting and making offerings at small shrines along the way.

Apparently on-lookers scream out obscenities and try to snatch the offerings. The priest and goblins are prepared and parry away anyone with green bamboo staffs. Eventually the religious parade are overwhelmed and the onlookers snatch away their offerings. Snatching one of the offerings is said to grant the bearer the power of the tengu's spirit, which is why they are so desirable.

Oddly enough in recent years more English speakers have been taking part in the festival, with popular English obscenities creeping into the traditional Japanese taunts.

Souce: Mainichi Daily News

Rick Stein cooks for the Japanese ambassador

Date: 2006 December 15 16:20 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Cuisine

BBC TV chef and seafood expert Rick Stein has made a new one off special on his travels to Japan to cook seafood for the Japanese ambassador.

The BBC are currently airing trailers for this show and it looks like a promising, with lots of interesting sushi facts.

The show will be aired in the UK on Tuesday 19 December at 8pm on BBC Two and is repeated on Thursday 21 December at 7pm. It looks like viewers will be in for a culinary treat.

Souce: BBC Food

More single grain sushi fun

Date: 2006 November 10 15:28 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

Following on from our eariler article about single grain sushi Otaku News reader totsubo over at Ege-Sushi sent us some photos of his single grain sushi creations.

Souce: Ege-Sushi

Chinglish bad Engrish begone!

Date: 2006 October 15 13:22 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Freaky Things

Those familiar with Engrish the nonsense English found in Far Eastern countries where English can be written in unpredictable and impossible to understand ways, will no doubt feel a bit of sympathy towards Beijing who are trying to clamp down on what BBC News have dubbed Chinglish in time for the 2008 Olympics. People can report the mistranslations and a panel of English professors and expatriates will review the signs and hopefully provide a more meaningful translation.

Souce: BBC News

Jesus Went To Japan To Become a Rice Farmer

Date: 2006 September 11 17:23 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Freaky Things

BBC News has an interesting, if not bizarre story about a Japanese legend that claims Jesus escaped Jerusalem and went to Japan to become a rice farmer. Tourists can even visit the remote Kristo no Hakka, or Grave of Christ. The article focuses on it's origins which seem to date back as far as 1930, when it is claimed ancient Hebrew documents were discovered detailing Jesus' life and death in Japan. Conveniently these documents have been lost, however there are some alleged descendants of Jesus in the village near his grave, but they're Buddhists and not Christians!

Souce: BBC News

Japanorama Returns

Date: 2006 September 04 03:57 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > TV

Keen readers of TV guides may have spotted the return of Japanorama, Jonathan Ross' TV show focusing on the more cool and bizarre side of Japanese culture. The previous season was well worth watching, and this latest instalment promises to be just as entertaining and informative.

UK Viewers (with freeview/cable/satellite) can catch Japanorama on BBC Three starting Thursday 7th September at 11pm, this weeks episode Ross explores the meaning of kakoii, Japanese for cool.

Souce: BBC Three

Japanese Animation and the World of Koji Yamaura. Free Event

Date: 2006 September 01 16:45 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

London based anime fans will want to head over to the Japan Foundation for their free event Bringing Pictures to Life - Japanese Animation and the World of Koji Yamamura. It's set to run on October 16th at 6:30pm, although it's free, booking is essential (if you do book don't forget to mention you found this through Otaku News). Anime expert Helen McCarthy will also be giving a talk about Japanese animation.

It's good to see that the Japan Foundation will be doing this, and hopefully they'll be having other events like this in the future.

The Japan Foundation is near Russell Square Tube station, a short walk from The British Museum and Gosh comics, which is known to stock a nice selection of manga.

Geisha Advertise On-line

Date: 2006 August 21 17:22 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

In a really good of example of the traditional world colliding with the high-tech world, the Mainichi Daily News are running an interesting article about adverts for apprentice geisha Kyoto. Recently the number of applicants had steadily started to drop, until an enterprising teahouse started blogging about the experience of being an apprentice geisha and started posting adverts for applications.

Souce: Mainichi Daily News

IMAF 2006 Launches

Date: 2006 July 20 15:48 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Art

The good folks from IMAF have got in touch with us to tell everyone about their third International Manga and Anime Festival, which will run on Friday 10th to Tuesday 14th November 2006, at the usual venue of County Hall, Westminster, London.

If you're like me and can't draw you can go and look at all the lovely artwork submitted. On the other hand if you are artistically talented you can enter for a chance to win part of the $85,000 overall prize fund! Entrants take note, the deadline is 30th September, 2006, no later than 5:30pm. This is a real chance to show how skilled you are and can lead to even things. So get scribbling!

Japanese Prime Minister To Visit Graceland

Date: 2006 June 29 03:18 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Current Affairs

While attending talks between US President George W Bush and Japan's Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, the two leaders will pay a special visit to a very American home. They will be visiting Graceland the famous house of rock and roll legend Elvis Presley.

According to BBC News this is widely seen as a thank you gesture from Mr Bush to Mr Koizumi, who is known to be a huge Elvis fan. Mr Koizumi has even released a CD with a selection of his favourite Elvis songs. The Japanese PM is such a dedicated fan he helped fund a statue of the King which now stands in Harajuku.

Souce: BBC News

Beatrix Potter Home Clone

Date: 2006 June 13 15:14 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

Many Japanese people love Beatrix Potter's stories especially the tales of Peter Rabbit. According to BBC News, although her characters are very well known, it seems that the author isn't. Tokyo Zoo hope to readdress this balance and have built an almost exact replica of her home. Since Japanese buildings have to be earthquake proof a few adjustments had to be made, but apparently it's almost a brick by brick exact copy!

Souce: BBC News

After School Pressures in Japan

Date: 2006 June 10 09:38 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

BBC News has an interesting article about the hectic life of the average Japanese school child. It seems little Yataro spends a lot of his time when out of school in evening and weekend extra curricular activities. In an average week he would go to swimming, abacus, piano, judo, football and English classes, along with keeping up with his homework. It's not clear from the article how old Yataro is, only stating that he's a Tokyo journalists young son. What is clear from the article is that putting huge amounts of work on children like this is common in Japan. We were well aware of cram school, but never knew it went this far!

Souce: BBC News

Neon Genesis Evangelion Features

Date: 2006 May 09 17:41 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The Mainichi Daily News are currently running an interesting set of features about Neon Genesis Evangelion, they contain all sorts of great bits of information. Be warned there a lot of spoilers in each article!

Evangelion Special: From phenomenon to legacy - Forms an overview of the series and how it differs from previous anime titles, along with the impact Eva had on the Japanese media and public.

Evangelion Special: For producer Otsuki, success not always a bed of roses - Interviews producer Toshimichi Otsuki who talks about some of the history of Evangelion and the difficulties in being a producer, along with how influential Eva is.

Evangelion Special: Genesis of a major manga - Focuses on the history of Gainax and the origins of Evangelion, fans of Gunbuster will already know that this is referred to as it's original Japanese title Top wo Nerae!" (Aim for the Top).

Then they have the episode synopsis which form a brief outline of each episode.

Evangelion Episode Synopsis - Episodes 1 to 5
Evangelion Episode Synopsis - Episodes 6 to 10
Evangelion Episode Synopsis - Episodes 11 to 15
Evangelion Episode Synopsis - Episodes 16 to 20
Evangelion Episode Synopsis - Episodes 21 to 26

Souce: Mainichi Daily News

Foreign Minister Proposes Awards For Anime

Date: 2006 May 09 10:32 | Posted By: Jeremy

Category > Current Affairs

Japan's Foreign Minister proposes Nobel Prize-like awards for anime and manga artists.

Learning Japanese with Manga

Date: 2006 May 04 17:11 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

Fed up of reading ill informed badly researched articles by people who think their anime and manga experts we're please to have discovered this article by manga guru Frederik L. Schodt, he's written several excellent books on manga and even translated both Ghost in The Shell manga with Toren Smith (in otherwords, unlike the many bandwagon jumpers out there, he knows his stuff). The article on the Japan Times Online website focuses on American students using manga to learn Japanese.

Schodt highlights that since they're highly addictive and a lot better than forcing adults to repeat infantile passages in textbooks they make a great learning tool. The article has a lot more information, so go and read it! ^_^

Souce: Japan Times Online

Earwax Removal Japanese Style

Date: 2006 April 18 14:31 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Freaky Things

BBC News have posted an amusing article written by Christopher Hogg, detailing his visit to a Tokyo beauty salon and his experience with their latest treatment, ear canal cleaning while you watch! Japanese people have traditionally cleaned the inside of their ears out with a mimikaki (also known as a bamboo ear pick, which is similar to a surgical curette). This high tech service however has a difference from the traditional bamboo one, as the ear scoop has a minature camera at the end, allowing the customer to see the inside of their ear canal and all the ear wax being scooped out!

Apparently Japanese men use this service more, as women do a better job of cleaning their ears out.

Souce: BBC News

New Japanese Animation Centre in Toyko

Date: 2006 March 16 10:38 | Posted By: Azure

Category > Anime

A new centre has opened in Japan designed to promote anime to both domestic and overseas investors. It will offer previews and information about projects currently underway. A new animation-training unit is also being launched.

Souce: BBC News

Happy Giri Choco Day!

Date: 2006 February 14 12:18 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

Romance is in the air! It's Valentines day! With most card shops selling all sorts of Valentines day cards, including ones from your cat, you can't help wondering if things have got a bit too commercial. Well it's the same in Japan according to BBC News, since Valentines day is a day where women traditionally give chocolate to their significant others, and also to their bosses, as obligation demands. This isn't an ancient tradition, Giri choco was only started 40 years ago by the Japanese confectionary companies (who would have guessed?). Unsurprisingly 70% of Japanese women want this tradition to end, while Japanese men are happy to keep things the same. The confectionary companies are fair though as White Day a month later is when Japanese men have to buy white sweets for their loved ones.

Souce: BBC News

The Nature of Monkey Was Irrepressible

Date: 2006 February 13 16:47 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

British, Australian and New Zealand readers of Otaku News especially may remember a TV show called Monkey based on Journey to the West a classic tale by Xi You Ji, known as Saiyuki in Japan. Yes, we're talking about the same Monkey famed for his Monkey Magic (Born from an egg on a mountain top, The punkiest Monkey that ever popped), according to the Daily Yomiuri On-line Fuji TV have started to air a new version of Monkey. Ratings are already high and Fuji TV have stated that they've received enquires for this new version of the cult TV show from the UK and Australia. We're pondering how long it will take for a TV studio to rollout a great cheesy dub.

Our UK readers who can view ITV 4 can catch the original Monkey TV show on Thursdays and Fridays at 6pm.

In the mean time we suggest our Brisbane based readers head over to Roma Street Parklands to see Monkey at the theatre! ^_-

Souce: Daily Yomiuri On-line

South Bank Show Anime Special

Date: 2006 January 26 18:30 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > TV

The Folks at Manga Entertainment UK have sent us a press release about an anime special South Bank Show, which is due to air on Sunday 19th of February. Some researchers for the South Bank Show even made the steps of visiting the London Anime Club to get the low down from British anime fans. Interestingly enough the press release also has some details about Jonathan Ross' recent Asian Invasion, stating that it got over 310,000 viewers, a BBC4 record (it's now clear however if this figure is for just the first screening of the show, or if the repeat screened later in the week is included too).

ITV4 will also be screening the original Ghost In The Shell movie on Saturday 4th March (we belive it's the dub version), so if you haven't seen it yet catch it!

Advanced Search

@otaku_news

Browsing Articles

Recent News

Recent DVD / Blu-ray Reviews

Recent Manga Reviews