We've just been sent some interesting news from Viz Pictures in the US, who will be screening a Taste of Tea across New York, Chicago, Seattle and Portland. It's a live action flick, from the writer/director Katsuhito Ishii, who directed Shark Skin Man & Peach Hip Girl, Party Seven and the animated section of Kill Bill Volume 1.
US readers can catch the screenings at the following venues:
New York
General opening: February 16-22, 2007
The ImaginAsian
239 East 59th St., New York 10022
http://www.theimaginasian.com
Chicago
General opening: March 2-8, 2007
FACETS CINEMATHEQUE
1517 West Fullerton Avenue, Chicago, IL 60614
http://www.facets.org/asticat
Seattle
March 16-22, 2007
GRAND ILLUSION CINEMA
1403 NE 50th St., Seattle, WA 98105
http://www.grandillusioncinema.org
Portland
April 6-12, 2007
The Hollywood Theatre
4122 N.E. Sandy Blvd., Portland, OR 97212
http://www.hollywoodtheatre.org
Read More... | Souce: Viz Pictures
London anime fans will want to get the Barbican over the next three months, as they've a great little season of films showing. Anime expert Helen McCarthy is involved, introducing each film and exploring certain aspects behind them. The Barbican will be screening:
- Perfect Blue - 19:00 on 30th January 2007
- My Neighbour Totoro - 20:00 on 20th February 2007
- Samurai 7 - 20:00 on 27th March 2007
Tickets are £8.50 full price, or £7.00 if you book on-line, with concessions £6.00. We highly recommend all these films.
Souce: Barbican
Category > Events
We've received an e-mail from an "anonymous tip". As such we can't say how true this is, it could be a hoax, it could be a genuine anonymous tip, or on the other hand someone could be trying to do a spot of astroturfing for their anime convention, we don't really know.
It's about an anime convention called Kanacon. The e-mail mentions the MCM Expo and JapanEX, so which may imply that they are running it, on the other hand they may not be. It then states that London "has yet to have a full blown Anime & Manga convention", which is wrong, as London has had Shin nen kai before.
The release concludes suggesting that it might be intended to get some hype going. Is this hoax, or real? Who knows, I guess we'll have to find out in 2008, one thing for sure, running an UK anime convention anywhere is tricky and a logistical nightmare, with venue bookings to worry about, insurance, events, support from fandom and millions of other factors, choosing London to run a convention is a bold move because of cost implications. So lets wait and see. We've already spoken to representatives from two major anime companies who have not heard about this convention, we're wondering who in the industry has been contacted.
We hope the people who tried to launch the disastrous KyuuCON are not involved.
Read More... | Souce: Strange \"Anonymous Tip\"
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.
Read More... | Souce: Mark Jason Gallery
Category > Events
The good folks from J-Pop Go have sent us the details of their latest event. It's scheduled for Saturday 2nd December at their usual venue of Cafe Manga near Westminster Bridge in London. The regular selection of talented DJs will be there, along with a prize draw from MVM, ADV and Tanoshimi.
Read More... | Souce: J-Pop Go
Category > Anime
The first ever American Awards will be held at the New York Comic Con in February.
Read More... | Souce: ICv2
Category > Events
For our London readers you might want to visit IMAF, the International Manga and Anime Festival, which opened today at County Hall near the London Eye in Westminster. It's set to run from Friday 10th - Tuesday 14th November 2006.
Opening times vary each day, so be sure to check to avoid dissapointment before going. The event schedule can be found in a 132KB MS Word document (web usability experts scream as it should be in HTML for everyone to read). It includes panels and workshops by author Paul Gravett, artists Sweatdrop Studios, international comic book
creator Ilya and expert on traditonal culture Akemi.
The winners have been announced and the overall award winner is the talented Paul Duffield who also won the Tokyopop UK Rising Stars of Manga Competiton in 2005. Anime expert, author, writer, and Ghibli fan Helen McCarthy also won a much deserved "Outstanding Contribution to Anime and Manga" award. Congratulations to all the winners!
We suggest you get to County Hall to enjoy all the lovely artwork while it's on display.
Souce: IMAF
Category > Art
Newcastle upon Tyne's Opus Gallery will have an exhibition of urban, street and graffiti artists including Japanese artists Takashi Murakami and Chiho Aoshima from the 16th of November.
Read More... | Souce: Opus Gallery
Category > Events
Our chum Emily has sent us details of the Cosplay Event at this years IMAF at County Hall, Westminster, London 10-14th November 2006. Cos-mania, will have a stage competition on the Saturday afternoon and a cosplay panel on Sunday, they'll also have a photographer and full cloakroom and changing facilities for those cosplayers who don't want to wear their creations on the tube (or who will be wearing more than one costume on the day).
Read More... | Souce: IMAF
The BFI is hosting a season called wild Japan which runs from the 3rd to 30th of November. With films such as Female Convict Scorpion, Yakuza Graveyard and Funeral Parade of Roses the season is definatly adults only!
Souce: BFI
Category > Events
The vampires from J-Pop Go have sent us the details for their next event, set for Saturday 28th October with a Halloween theme - Kowaiathon night. J-Pop Go will be held at thier regular venue of Cafe Manga, near the Westminster Bridge end of County Hall in London. Tickets will be £5 with discount for cosplayers at their discretion. We suggest Ring and Grudge based costumes for a frightning night!
Read More... | Souce: J-Pop Go
Anime fans who can get to Leeds in November are in for a treat. They'll be holding the 20th Leeds International Film Festival. Highlights include the UK Premiere of Paprika by Satoshi Kon (responsible for Paranoia Agent, which they'll be screening the complete series in the Festival). Other features include the rather strange selection from Kawasaki Minoru - Executive Koala, Calamari Wrestler and The World Sinks Except Japan.
All tickets cost £6.00 or £4.50 for conessions, they also do tickets for the whole festival. It's well worth going for the Satoshi Kon features alone!
Souce: 20th Leeds Film Festival
Category > Events
Japanese music fans in the UK will be keen to hear that visual kei band D'espairs Ray will be playing at the Carling Academy Islington on Saturday 11th of November, tickets cost £20.
Souce: Carling Academy Islington
Category > Gaming
The Tokyo game show has just concluded in Japan, while the major announcements were already made at E3 there are a few gems hidden about. A Bleach game on the Wii? Yes please!
Read More... | Souce: Gamespot
Category > Events
Fujisankei Communications International (FCI) and Sharp Electronics Corporation join forces to present you the New York-Tokyo Music Festival 2006 on Saturday, September 30, 2006 at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park a free, all-day, good old-fashioned outdoor concert that will have some inspired artistic talents from the East and the West. The festival’s focal point this year is on artists that are just beginning to make a name for themselves in several different musical subgenres, ranging from Turntablism to Dancehall, Hip-hop to Progressive Jazz.
Read More... | Souce: Anime News Service
Category > Anime
Thanks to those lovely people at Amecon as well as the voice actors themselves donating their time, I was able to interview voice actors Chris Patton and Monica Rial.
Chris Patton has played roles such as Sousuke Sagara in Full Metal Panic and Sasame in Pretear; Monica has played many characters including Towa in DNAngel and Hyatt in Excel saga she also writes ADR scripts for anime such as DNAngel and Madlax.
Read More... | Souce: Voice Acting Alliance/Otaku News
Category > Production > Studio Ghibli
The National Museum of Photography, Film and Television is hosting a three film Ghibli screening on the 28th of October as part of it's British animation festival. The following films will be shown My Neighbour Totoro , Spirited Away, and Princess Mononoke.
If you're in the area and haven't seen any Ghibli films big screen we suggest you go!
Souce: Bradford Aniamtion Festival 2006
Category > Gaming
Keen gamers out there will want to get to London's Science Museum as they'll be running a computer games exhibition called Game On. It's set to run from 21st October 2006 until 25th February 2007 and will feature games from the 1960's to the current day. It seems they’ll have a good mixture of console and arcade games on display and up for play, with over 100 playable games available. Interestingly enough, this exhibition will also feature the design processes involved with game production. Nintendo fans will also be pleased to hear that drawings by Shigeru Miyamoto will be only display. So for fans and wannabe games developers, it's well worth a look!
Tickets cost £8.50 for adults, with children and concessions costing £6.50. Family discounts also apply. Advanced bookings are highly recommend to avoid disappointment.
Souce: Science Museum
Category > Events
We've been sent some details from the Tomo-dachi Crew about their next convention, set for Friday, August 31st - Sunday to September 2nd, 2007 at the UU Magee Campus in Londonderry, Northern Ireland. Bookings before March 31st are £25 and £30 after. As of yet, they've not released a guest list, however if the last Tomo-dachi is anything to go for they'll have some good industry guests.
Read More... | Souce: Tomo-dachi
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.
Read More... | Souce: Japan Foundation
Category > Events
Those nice partying folk at J-Pop Go will be having the final ultimate showdown (of ultimate destiny) to decide who really does rule, ninjas or pirates. The popular London J-Pop event is set to run on Saturday September 23rd at their regular venue of Cafe Manga.
Who will win on pirates versus ninja night? Otaku News will be betting on the ninjas to win, being favourites by far as they have real ultimate power! Although we wouldn't put it past the underdog pirates of having some chance of beating the sneaky ninjas, however ninjas would only lose to trick the pirates into a false sense of security before flipping out and killing all the scurvy sea dogs! ^_-
Souce: J-Pop Go
Category > Fandom
We've been passed a press release from DDR:uk, a group of hardcore Dance Dance Revolution fanatics, on the 18th of August their equipment was stolen (with the exception of their custom build DDR machine, as it too big to easily move), their £25,000 collection includes a wide variety of rare and sought after games, most of which are no longer in production, along with specialist hardware and games controllers.
Since the items in question are rather unique, we would like to ask community minded otaku to be aware of the items stolen and keep a look out for them on places like popular auction sites, specialist games dealers and other places second hand goods are traded. The DDR:uk crew are offering a reward for any information.
The DDR:uk crew also help run events at anime conventions such as the games room, which was a huge success at AmeCon 2006, with the DDR machine being a huge attraction, along with the more unusual classic games. DDR:uk also put a plea out for hardware and games donation to help replace what was stolen.
On a side note the AmeCon manga library (which is made up of generous donations from Tokyopop and Tanoshimi and is stored with the DDR:uk hardware), was also vanadilised by the same criminals, with boxes of manga thrown out onto the street into the rain, and is now spoiled as a result.
We've deliberatly posted this to all editions of Otaku News, as although the items in question were stolen in the UK, many of the items stolen are rare they're desirable internationally, so all our readers should be made aware.
Read More... | Souce: DDR:uk
Category > Anime
Tarantino announces two possible Kill Bill anime projects.
Read More... | Souce: Anime News Network
Category > Anime
The Mainichi Daily News are currently running an article about the success of anime and manga in the US. Reporting from Anime Expo, the article focuses on how anime and manga is becoming more mainstream and also more popular with girls. This trend has been seen in the US for a number of years now, with female convention attendance growing strongly each year. Interestingly this trend is also being mirrored in other fan events across the world too, four or five years ago UK anime fandom used to be the sole domain of rather geeky males, now the UK anime scene also has growing female attendance, along with more mainstream acceptance.
Souce: Mainichi Daily News
Category > Events
Nana Kitade, Japans very own Goth princess debuted with her first album 18-eighteen- in Japan last year in September. As of July 11th this album can be found in US stores featuring a special English version of the song KISS or KISS as a bonus track. To promote her release, she will be doing several in-store events in San Francisco, New York, Boston, as well as a live performance at Baltimore's Otakon.
Nana Kitade is known best for her contribution to the anime series Full Metal Alchemist, with the ending theme Indelible Sin. She wants to be a leader figure in the growth of Gothic Lolita or Gothic Kawaii (or otherwise known as Goth-Kawa) fashion, which is just beginning to hit the United States.
Souce: Akadot
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!
Read More... | Souce: IMAF
Category > Events
We sometimes worry when art and video games mix, but it seems at least this time there's an interesting result.The Gameplay exhibition is spread over two London galleries HTTP and QARTS.
It features among other things a giant Atari Joystick that you can actually use to play a number of games, as well as a furry virtual pet (that poops blue turds) and the social screen saver game Endless forest in which you play as deer interacting with other users.
Read More... | Souce: Rhizome.org
Category > Events
The BFI have sent us some great news about an August Anime Season kicking off at the NFT in London. Following the success of last years anime season, they've decided to hold another one, which is always a great sign for London based fans. Highlights include director of Negadon: The Monster from Mars making an appearance on stage for a conversation session on Friday 18th August. They'll also be screening:
The Place Promised in Our Early Days
Negadon: The Monster from Mars + Yonna in the Solitary Fortress
Tetsujin 28: The Movie
Patlabor: The Movie
Mind Game
Area 88: Episodes 1-4
Karas: The Prophecy
Otakus in Love (Koi no Mon)
The following two Ghibli titles also get special extended runs:
Pom Poko
Spirited Away
They've got a great selection of titles and we highly recommend attending some of these screenings.
Read More... | Souce: BFI
Category > Manga
Tokyopop teams up with the Los Angeles Public Library to launch manga summer reading program.
Read More... | Souce: Tokyopop
ANN are reporting that the US premiere of the Full Metal Alchemist film will be at Anime Expo. Fans will be pleased to note that guests from both the Japanese and English versions will be present. Seiji Mizushima and Romi Paku will be attending from Japan, whilst Mike McFarland and Vic Mignogna will be representing FUNimation.
Souce: Anime News Network
Category > Events
The good people from the East Midlands Anime Group have arranged a convention for Friday 19th October to Sunday 21st October 2007. FuyuCon has capacity for 500 members and will be based at the Britannia Hotel Nottingham. Full weekend membership costs £40.
Anime expert Helen McCarthy will be the guest for FuyuCon, it will be her first UK anime convention appearance in a while. Helen regularly attends US conventions such as A-Kon.
FuyuCon is a welcome addition to the UK anime convention calendar. Since the capacity is 500, we suggest you book as soon as possible to avoid any disappointment.
Read More... | Souce: FuyuCon
Following on from our report of the Barbican screening anime, ADV Films UK have sent us a press release detailing on of the screenings Makoto Shinkai's features. Along with the Barbican the NFT will be screening The Place Promised In Our Early Days from the 18th to the 20th of August.
Read More... | Souce: ADV Films UK
Following on from our news about Children's anime screenings, it seems that the London Barbican have gone Japanese cinema crazy! Not only will they be showing some great bits of anime, they'll also holding a Toru Takemitsu season featuring films the composer has scored.
Selected shows will be introduced by anime expert Helen McCarthy, I've been to past events at other venues, and often they get so called anime experts to introduce shows, or give talks, and it's clear they don't know what they're talking about, Helen however is a real anime expert, having written numerous high quality books on the subject and many magazine articles.
Anime wise they'll be showing:
Saturday, 8 July at 1.45pm: Akira
If you haven't seen this film on a big screen yet, then get over to London and see the anime classic.
Saturday, 8 July 4.15pm: Tokyo Godfathers
Satoshi Kon's superb film about three homeless people's adventures at Christmas. This charming feature is an all time favourite of the Otaku News crew.
Sunday 9 July, 1.45pm: Paranoia Agent: Episodes 1 To 4
Satoshi Kon's TV series, which proves to be very thought provoking, as a special bonus the series will be introduced by Helen McCarthy. We've got a review of Paranoia Agent here.
Sunday 9th July, 3.45pm: Makoto Shinkai Triple Bill
Shinkai became famous for producing anime from home using his computer! They'll be showing the cute She and Her Cat, along with Voices of a Distant Star (influenced by shows like Gunbuster), with a special UK Premiere of The Place Promised In Our Early Days. The triple bill will also be introduced by Helen McCarthy and is worth attending to hear what insight she has throw on director and his work.
In all cases we suggest you book now to avoid disappointment.
Read More... | Souce: Barbican
Category > Current Affairs
Every week, a planetarium in the Aichi prefecture in Japan screens a show made for children and their parents. Word of mouth has made the show popular and is beginning to prove even more successful at pulling people in.
The show features questions about space asked by ordinary people of the Aichi region. The questions are then answered by the shows very own original characters Chris and her robot dog Beebo. In addition to the shows educational qualities, Yui Harue, a respected voice actress who has given her talents to the characters Tohru Honda (Fruits Basket) and Naru Narusegawa (Love Hina), also provides the voice for Chris. As a result Yui Harue has attracted many men in their 20s and 30s to see this exhibit.
Souce: Akadot
Ghibli fans with children will be pleased to hear about the Barbican screening's of three Ghibli films for an anime season. For three weeks, their Saturday specials will be:
Saturday 1 July - My Neighbour Totoro U, 11.00am
Saturday 8 July - Kiki's Delivery Service U, 11.00am
Saturday 15 July - Spirited Away PG, 11.00am
Please note that adults will have to be accompanied by children, so otaku parents this is an event to take your children to!
Studio Ghibli films always look fantastic on the big screen, and are worth watching and are enjoyable for Children and adults alike.
It's not clear from the release if the movies will be screened in English, or in Japanese with subtitles. We believe since the target audience for these screenings are 5 to 11 year olds, then chances are it will be dubbed in English.
Read More... | Souce: Barbican Family Film Club
Category > Events
The anime & manga events calendar is becoming increasingly full, last week saw the third London Expo to feature a dedicated 'anime village' we were of course there to report back. I attended the expo which included a large amount of Konoha ninjas, a handful of prize wining manga artists and several Oban Star racers.
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News
Category > Events
Those nice people from ADV Films UK have sent us some details about the London Expo, which runs on the 27th and 28th of May. ADV highlights include discounted DVDs at £15 each, along with the Anime Cosplay Competition that they are sponsoring. They'll also be having a free prize draw each day. So why not go along and say hello to the nice folks over at ADV Films UK?! ^_^
Read More... | Souce: ADV Films UK
Category > Anime
Treat your young and upcoming anime fan of a baby brother or sister to the Animate! event at the Barbican in London this year, with noteably Steamboy and the classic Pom Pomo both playing on the 27th this Saturday.
For the hands-on, there's also a few workshops going on subjective to character design, animation, as well as an anime-based workshop all about Ghibli! There are also the non-anime treats aswell, and a costume workshop.
Spread the fan-love, help turn your kiddies into future otaku this week!
Runs until the 29th May, this Sunday.
Souce: Barbican Website
Category > Events
After lots of rumours and the tell tale booking of Naruto's dub Va Maile Flanagan, Eyeonanime have spotted confirmation of the companies involved with the series UK release via a London Expo download. It appears Jetix and Manga Entertainment will make the presentation together at 1pm, which will feature a Q & A with Flanagan and the premiere of the first episode.
We'll have to wait for the Expo to be sure but we imagine Manga will distribute DVDs and Jetix will air the show. We can only hope this will include uncut versions like the US release.
Souce: Eye on Anime
Category > Anime
Manga Entertainment announces a bunch of new titles for release at Anime Central.
Read More... | Souce: Anime News Network
Category > Events
Those good people at Tomo-Dachi have just sent us there latest press release, it contains more details about the Northern Irish convention set for 7th July to 9th July. Highlight's include US guests Tiffany Grant and Matt Greenfield, they'll both provide an interesting insight into the anime industry. Unfortunately, due to personal reasons anime and manga expert Jonathan Clements had to pull out, but has promised to attend the 2007 Tomo-Dachi.
The convention also promises a great selection of panels, workshops and other cool anime events. They'll also be playing a selection of traditional Japanese games such as Go and Shogi . Booking closes on May 30th, so get moving if you're interested! ^_^
Read More... | Souce: Tomo Dachi
Category > Gaming
Even before even the main doors open the main players were fighting to get news out first. There's a lot to go through as the next gen battle finaly heats up.
Read More... | Souce: IGN
The nice folk from the UCL Bloomsbury Theatre in London have sent us details of a screening of Grave of the Fireflies they will be running on 10th June, at 3pm. The Ghibli feature will be in Japanese with English subtitles and we recommend you watch it on the big screen, although be warned, it is a powerful film that shows the harsh reality of war.
Read More... | Souce: UCLU Anime Society
Category > Events
It's a busy time for J-music fans in the UK! Not only is J-Pop Go a regular event but there are also numerous other things happening. This includes a benefit performance for Mika Bomb's drummer Ergi on the 15th of May and the It came from Japan, Japanese music showcase which is running across England from the 16th-20th May.
Read More... | Souce: J-Pop Go Forums
Category > Events
Emily has sent us a friendly reminder about Cosplay Cafe at Cafe Manga in London this Sunday from 2pm-5.30pm, and the first 10 cosplayers who arrive will receive some goodies from a lucky dip. It sounds like great fun, so get your costumes ready and head to Westminster!
Read More... | Souce: Cafe Manga
Category > Events
The nice folks from J-Pop Go, have sent us their latest news, the last event raised over £200 for Ergi. They've also go a nice selection of events lined up in the future, J-Pop July is set to have a Magical Girls and Boy's theme (here's hoping for naked transformation sequences). We're really looking forward to Ninja's vs Pirates Night, since the battle has been going on for ever, although we all know that Ninja's have real ultimate power. October is set to be Halloween themed, and as you can imagine December is set to be J-Pop Ho-Ho-Ho with a Christmas theme.
Read More... | Souce: J-Pop Go
Category > Events
CLAMP makes their first US appearance at Anime Expo.
Read More... | Souce: FUNimation Entertainment
Dragon from the London Anime Club has sent us the following message -
"I know it's short notice but there is a Japanese film crew in town over the weekend filming for JTV. Although they are concentrating on Japanese Games in the West (the programme is sponsored by the creators of Naruto) they want as many fans as possible. So if you happen to be in the vicinity of Cafe Manga on 11am on Sunday morning then you are very welcome. And if you could also pass this info along to anybody else who you think might be interested."
So if you can get to London on Sunday 9th April (and head to Cafe Manga which is near the London Eye), you'll get a chance to be on Japanese TV. Naruto cosplayers get extra bonus points!
Souce: London Anime Club
Category > Events
Our chum Sonia has just sent us details of Sweatdrop's appearance at the Bristol Comics Expo on May 13th - 14th.
Read More... | Souce: Sweatdrop Studios
Category > Events
Emily has just sent us some details about an event she's organising in London next month, Cosplay Cafe at Cafe Manga. Aimed at Cosplayers kameko (photographers) and their chums. It's set for Sunday 23rd April, 2pm-5.30pm, and includes fun activities like a photoshoot, a talk/workshop, a quiz, anime and live action screenings, along with a swap table. They'll even have goodies to give away too! ^_^
Read More... | Souce: Cafe Manga
Category > Events
London J-Pop fans should get out their Sailor Suits and Gakuran and head over to J-Pop Go this Saturday, where they'll be having a Japanese School Disco theme at the Cafe Manga Venue. The nice folk at ADV Films UK are sponsoring the events and as an appropriate tie in will be promoting Cromartie High School. The venue opens at 7pm and the party goes on to 1am. It sounds like fun and will certainly make a great anime weekend, with the London Anime Club the next day.
Read More... | Souce: J-Pop Go