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Kotatsu Japanese Animation Film Festival 2017 Details

Date: 2017 August 27 02:36 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Anime fans in Wales looking for some fun at the end of September in Cardiff or the end of October in Aberystwyth will want to head over to the Kotatsu Japanese Animation Film Festival 2017. Set to run at Chapter in Cardiff from Friday 29th September until Sunday 1st October 2017 and at the Aberystwyth Arts Centre on Saturday 28th October 2017.

The festival is in partnership with The Japan Foundation.

As always, we've added the details of this event to The Otaku Calendar to help you keep up to date with all the latest events and release dates.

AmeCon 2018 Announced

Date: 2017 August 20 13:02 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Anime fans looking for a fan run convention in the UK for the summer of 2018 will be excited to hear that AmeCon have announced that they will return on Friday 27th until Sunday 29th July 2018 at the Warwick Arts Centre. The venue has proved a popular location for AyaCon, AmeCon and KitaCon. Registration will be £50 or £95 for premium for the whole weekend. Registration will open on Monday 16 October 2017. Special guest is American Voice Actor Jerry Jewell.

The event has just been announced as the closing ceremony of KitaCon 2017.

Souce: AmeCon

Esprit D'Air 2018 UK Tour Dates

Date: 2017 August 18 17:32 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

London based J-Electronic rock and metal band Esprit D'Air have just sent us details of their 2018 tour. They'll be travelling around the UK for 7 dates in February 2018.

They have just released their new single Ignition from their new debut album Constellations.
It's released under their own label Starstorm Records and peaked at #3 on Amazon UK's Hard Rock & Metal albums upon its release.

Genki Gear Launches Exclusive T-shirt for London Comic Con October 2017

Date: 2017 August 16 15:44 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

It's August, but the good folks at geeky t-shirt company Genki Gear are already getting excited about the MCM London Comic Con. So much so they've just unveiled an exclusive design with a horror theme.

The design is available to pre-order until the 20th October and can be collected directly from the Genki Gear stand at hte MCM London Comic Con or posted to your home address so you can wear it at the event.

The MCM London Comic Con is set to run on Friday 27th to Sunday 29th October 2017.

Takashi Fukutani Exhibition at London's Orbital Comics

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

Category > Events

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

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

Shin Godzilla Stomps into UK Cinemas this August 2017

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

Category > Events

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

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

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

Genocidal Organ Review

Date: 2017 July 09 15:34 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Anime has now started to get a regular monthly screening at select cinemas national wide around the UK! This month on Wednesday 12th July 2017, Genocidal Organ will hit screens across the UK.

You can find a screening near you by visiting genocidalorganmovie.co.uk, but before you do are you wondering if the movie is any good? Read our review and find out!

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Summer Explorers 3 - Free Japanese Movies in London July 2017

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

Category > Anime > Film

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

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

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

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

As always we suggest booking early to avoid disappointment.

Okinawa Day 2017 in London

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

Category > Events

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

Souce: Okinawa Day 2017

In This Corner of the World wins the Feature Film Jury Award at the 41st Annecy

Date: 2017 June 20 15:32 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

In This Corner of the World wins the Feature Film Jury Award at the 41st Annecy

The good folks from Manga Entertainment UK have sent us details about one of their latest titles. The feature film In This Corner of the World has won the Feature Film Jury Award at the 41st Annecy International Animation Film Festival.

Recently Manga Entertainment UK sent us details announcing that the film was going to compete at the Annecy. Now they're please to announce that it's won one of the coveted awards. The film first caught our interested when we heard it was directed by Sunao Katabuchi who also directed the excellent Mai Mai Miracle.

The film opens in the UK on Wednesday 28th June 2017. If you want watch to catch the movie yourself, you can visit www.inthiscornerfilm.co.uk to find a screening near you.

Anime Smash Hit Your Name returns to UK Cinemas this August

Date: 2017 June 12 15:06 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

UK based anime fans who missed the super smash hit movie Your Name will want to set a date of Wednesday 23rd August 2017 to catch the movie on the big screen. This time we mean really BIG screen, as they'll be IMAX Screenings of the feature film too.

The Makoto Shinkai movie won critics praise around the world and become a surprise box office smash in Japan and beyond. The IMAX screenings will be in Japanese with subtitles, as currently that's the only version that exists in the colossal IMAX format, while regular sized cinemas will be showing a mix of screenings dubbed into English and in Japanese with English subtitles. We urge you to watch this movie on a cinema screen while you can. It was the anime movie of 2016 and should be seen on a cinema screen to do it justice. An IMAX screening is incredibility rare for an anime title, so if you can catch it there, it's an insanely rare treat. As always we advise you book early for these screenings to avoid disappointment. We also suspect those who have caught it before at the cinema will want to catch it again while they can.

If you want to know more about the film you can read our review of Your Name and our interview with the film's director Makoto Shinkai.

The movie is not out on DVD or blu-ray in the UK yet. As we've mentioned before distributors Anime Limited have set the provisional release date for Monday 30th October 2017. They do however state that this date is likely to change and hopefully they'll be able to release it earlier.

You can pre-order one of 3 editions via Amazon.co.uk.
Your Name on DVD from Amazon.co.uk
Your Name on Blu-ray from Amazon.co.uk
Your Name Collectors Edition on Blu-ray and DVD Combi-pack from Amazon.co.uk

Anime Limited have confirmed at this time they are uncertain if there will be an Ultimate Edition. All editions will contain the movie dubbed in English and in Japanese with subtitles. They've yet to clarify the contents of each edition as it's still early days yet.

Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited

MCM London Comic Con May 2017 Attendee Figures

Date: 2017 June 05 17:06 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The huge event known as MCM London Comic Con has just finished and they've sent us the attendee numbers. The May 2017 event attracted 130,212 people over the 3 days.

These numbers are slightly down (1,096 people) from the 131,308 attendees at the October 2016 event and down by 2,938 people from 133,150 from the May 2016 MCM London Comic Con.

Considering it was just after the tragic attack in Manchester, this could have impacted the number of attendees with some people not being keen to go to a large event so soon after an attack. From our observations, the MCM group did everything within their powers to increase security at the event and also minimise disruption for attendees.

Additionally, you can't really expect the huge growth the MCM Events have had to always continue. While the London Comic Con is their flagship event. They've experienced consider considerable popularity with their regional events. It makes us wonder, have we hit peak geek? Can these numbers continue to grow, or has the market for geek events hit it's logical limit? After all, there are only so many geeks in the UK and only so many events they can attend each year.

An Interview with Stefan Riekeles curator of Anime Architecture at House of Illustration

Date: 2017 June 01 12:55 | Posted By: Voxie

Category > Events

Opening just last Friday 26th May, London’s House of Illustration is holding Anime Architecture, the UK’s very first anime backgrounds exhibition.

Yes, you read that right, it’s a gallery dedicated to looking behind the scenes at the silent art within the anime world. This is no doubt a progression for the anime genre in the West, where anime and manga are still known for their big eyes, big boobs and science fiction. If there's anything that can justify the artistic finesse within anime, it's the background art. We quizzed Stefan Riekeles, curator of the exhibition.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Hibanacon 2017 UK Convention Details

Date: 2017 May 31 15:33 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Are you looking for an anime convention to go to in the UK in November? The folks behind Hibanacon 2017 have got in touch to tell us about their up-coming convention in Milton Keynes. The new convention is set to run from Friday 10th to Sunday 12th November 2017 at Jury's Inn Milton Keynes.

This new convention is intended for up to 350 people and includes everything you'd expect at a fan run anime convention, including panels, workshops, screenings, a dealers room, a games room and of course, cosplay!

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

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

Category > Features

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

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

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

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

A Silent Voice Hard of Hearing Screenings at Showcase Cinemas

Date: 2017 May 12 13:41 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The good folks from Anime Limited have sent us details of a special screening of A Silent Voice which will be for heard of hearing at select Showcase Cinemas. We're told that this is one of the first anime films to do so in cinema.

As the film is about a deaf girl it's appropriate that the title gets a hard of hearing screening.

The film has a tentative Blu-ray and DVD release date of 18th December 2017 in the UK.

This anime film was so good, we had to give it two reviews.

Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited

Hyper Japan Festival London 2017 Details

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

Category > Events

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

Anime Director Tatsuma Minamikawa and Anime Producer Yohei Ito will be special guests at MCM London Comic Con

Date: 2017 May 02 16:08 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

It's May, which means we'll be talking about the MCM London Comic Con a lot this month as build up for the colossal event starts. They've just revealed the two special guests that will be of interest to anime fans anime director Tatsuma Minamikawa and anime producer Yohei Ito.

Tatsuma Minamikawa is the director of the new Fairy Tail: Dragon Cry movie, while Yohei Ito has worked associate producer for Attack on Titan Season 1 and 2.

The MCM London Comic Con is set to run at the Excel Centre from Friday 26th to 28th May 2017.

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

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

Category > Anime

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

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

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

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

Sword Art Online The Movie: Ordinal Scale UK Screening Reminder

Date: 2017 April 18 15:17 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

UK based readers will want to head to a cinema near from tomorrow (Wednesday 19th April 2017) to catch the Sword Art Online The Movie: Ordinal Scale. The new movie follows the adventures of Kirito and Asuna as they face a challenge from a new augmented reality device the Augma. You can find a screening near you by visiting http://saothemovie.co.uk/. You can also read our review of the SAO Movie.

The series has proved very popular with fans (and rightly so), it's one of those titles that we like to file under guilty pleasures. It's well executed and enjoyable to watch.

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

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

Category > Events

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

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

Genki Gear Launches Exclusive T-shirt for London Comic Con May 2017

Date: 2017 April 13 16:05 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

It's mid-April, which means it's getting closer to May and the mega event that is MCM London Comic Con. As is tradition geeky t-shirt company Genki Gear will be releasing an exclusive official t-shirt for the event. The theme this time around is monster hoardes.

The design can be either collected at the Genki Gear stall at the London event or posted to you beforehand so you can declare your geeky pride comic con opens it doors.

Pre-orders are available now for £16.99 from the MCM Store at www.mcmexpostore.com or Genki Gear themselves. MCM London Comic Con is set to run from Friday 26th May to Sunday 28th May 2017.

Anime Architecture: Backgrounds of Japan Exhibition in London

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

Category > Anime

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

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

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

Takashimaya British Fair in Nagoya

Date: 2017 March 29 15:23 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

Normally we post news about being fans of Japan, but lets try something the other way around. If you're in Nagoya from 29th March to April 3rd 2017 you should pop into the JR Takashimaya Department Store for British Weeks - Life with British Quality. The British Fair in Nagoya will highlight some great British goods and culture. Waving the flag for the UK will be Caron Cooper who will be servering the classic British tea and scones.

Caron Cooper owns and runs Fosse Farmhouse a bed and breakfast in the Cotswolds. Anime fans will know it as Alice Cartalet's House from Kinmoza.

Souce: JR Takashimaya Department Store

In This Corner of the World UK and Ireland Cinema Screening Details

Date: 2017 March 16 16:17 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

Anime fans in UK and Ireland looking for a dose of anime at a cinema near them will be excited to hear that Manga Entertainment UK will be releasing In This Corner of the World on 28th June 2017.

We haven't seen the film yet, but we admit we're very interested in it. They got our attention when they said it's directed by Sunao Katabuchi who also directed the outstanding Mai Mai Miracle, which was launched as a Kickstarter by Anime Limited. Manga Entertainment UK revealed that they had secured global distribution rights for In This Corner of the World in June last year.

They'll be exclusive preview screenings on Wednesday 28th June 2017 with further select cinemas from Friday 30th June 2017.

Sword Art Online Movie UK Cinema Details

Date: 2017 March 10 16:04 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

Fans of the adventures of Kirito and Asuna will be pleased to hear about the upcoming UK release of the new Sword Art Online Movie. Anime Limited will be distributing the movie and it'll get a cinematic preview nationwide on Wednesday 19th April 2017 and then in selected cinemas from Friday 21st April 2017.

The two hour feature marks the cinematic debut of the SAO franchise. Naturally the movie will focus on the next gen release of a games machine, (no not a Nintendo Switch - that's so 2017, SAO is set in 2026 after all) the Augma a wearable device that lets you experience augmented reality.

We must admit we've got a bit of a soft spot for Sword Art Online and find watching it a guilty pleasure.

Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited

A Silent Voice Cinema Review 1

Date: 2017 March 06 15:25 | Posted By: Lee

Category > Anime

As we've said before anime film A Silent Voice will hit UK cinemas on Wednesday 15th March 2017. Fresh from the success of Your Name, the folks at Anime Limited are distributing this title in the UK and Ireland. We could have written one review, but after heated discussion our editor and I interpreted the movie differently, so we're going to publish both reviews.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

A Silent Voice UK Cinema Screening Details

Date: 2017 February 22 15:44 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks from Anime Limited (aka All The Anime) have just revealed the details for the UK and Ireland wide screenings of A Silent Voice. They've already said that the film will be screened around the UK and Ireland on Wednesday 15th March 2017 and select cinemas on Friday 17th March 2017.

They've now launched ASilentVoice.co.uk for you to find a screening near you. This include Showcase Cinemas, PictureHouse, ODEON, VUE, Cineworld and other independent locations.

Depending on demand there is a chance that their could be more screenings, but Anime Limited "... strongly encourage you to watch this the first chance you have as it might be your only opportunity to do so." We definitely agree with them. This is not a film you'd want to miss and it's best experienced on a big cinema screen. As always we strongly advise booking tickets for this film early to avoid disappointment.

We've seen this film and can confirm it's an emotional roller coaster. It'll play with your emotions. It's got everything good anime should have, an engaging story, it's well animated and it doesn't pull the heart strings, it yanks at them, then it makes you laugh with just the right amount of comic relief at the right time. You should watch this gem of a title on the big screen while you have the chance.

The showings will be in Japanese with English subtitles only, as no English dub exists yet.

Genki Gear MCM Comic Con 2017 Tour T-Shirt

Date: 2017 February 03 15:22 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

Geeky t-shirt maker Genki Gear have got in touch with to tell us about their official MCM Comic Con 2017 Tour T-shirt. Genki Gear have a clever innovation this time around. The t-shirt is a parody board game you can play! So you two things for the price of one. We see what you did there Genki Gear.

The T-shirt / board game will set you back £16.99 and is available from the MCM Expo Store or directly from Genki Gear.

A Silent Voice Director Naoko Yamada to Attend Glasgow Film Festival 2017 Screening

Date: 2017 January 31 16:04 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

Anime fans will want to head over to the Glasgow Film Festival 2017 Screening of A Silent Voice. The good folks from All The Anime (aka Anime Limited) tell us that the director Naoko Yamada will make a rare trip abroad to promote the film at the festival.

She'll be attending the screening of the film on Thursday 23rd February 2017, this will be followed by a Q&A session with the director. This session will be hosted by anime expert Jonathan Clements.

This a great and rare opportunity to ask the director about this film. As always, we advise booking tickets early to avoid disappointment.

For those that can't catch it in in Glasgow, or at the ICA London this weekend. A Silent Voice will also be released theatrically across the UK on Wednesday 15th March 2017.

The Red Turtle UK Release Details

Date: 2017 January 26 15:43 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

Ghibli fans in the UK will want to set a date in their diaries (or use the Otaku Calendar) for Friday 26th May 2017 as that's when The Red Turtle gets a UK cinema release. The Michael Dudok De Wit film is co-produced by Studio Ghibli. The film contains no dialogue and follows "the milestones in the life of a human being".

As you'd expect it's beautifully animated, heart-warming and emotional. This is one of those movies we suggest you catch on the big screen while you. We know May is far away now, but this is the first we've heard about the UK release from Studio Canal.

Hokusai beyond the Great Wave Exhibition Details

Date: 2017 January 20 16:10 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The image of Hokusai's Under the wave off Kanagawa (The Great Wave), is undoubtedly one of the most famous images to come from Japan. We know our readers love Japanese culture, so it makes sense you'll want to see more of the great Hokusai's work. The British Museum will be running an exhibition called Hokusai beyond the Great Wave. It's set to run from Thursday 25th May to Sunday 13th August 2017.

The exhibition supported by Mitsubishi Corporation will showcase outstanding examples of Hokusai's work, including landscapes (including Mount Fuji of course), flora and fauna, along with demons, ghouls and other monstrous yokai.

The British Museum tell us "The exhibition will include prints, paintings and illustrated books, many of which are on loan from Japan, Europe and the USA. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see these extraordinary works together."

This is indeed a rare chance to catch a glimpse of some amazing artwork. Entrance for British Museum Members is free, while tickets for adults cost £12, with under 16s getting in free. With an event like this we strongly advise booking in advance to avoid disappointment.

The Japan Foundation Touring Film UK Programme 2017 Details

Date: 2017 January 09 16:53 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks from the Japan Foundation in London have sent us details of their up coming Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme. The film programme will tour 15 cities around the UK. It starts at the ICA in London on Friday 3rd February 2017.

Anime fans will want to catch A Silent Voice at the ICA on Sunday 5th February 2017. If you haven't seen it already, it's one of those films you should try to enjoy in a cinema!

The tour will be showcasing a selection of films old and new! As always with screenings like this, we advise booking early to avoid disappointment.

Anisong - The Musical World of Anime - London January 2017

Date: 2016 December 21 15:54 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Anime fans in London looking for something fun to do in the new year will be interested to hear about the Japan Foundation's Latest Talk on Anisong - The Musical World of Anime.

The talk is set to run on Wednesday 18th January 2017 from 6:45pm at Foyles Bookshop on Charing Cross Road. Featuring a talk by Dr Rayna Denison, lecturer at the University of East Anglia, the event will trace anime music’s brief historical journey while examining the impact it has had upon the anime industry and its viewers.

Following on from the talk, there will be a special performance by Aya Ikeda, the songstress behind the themes of the very famous anime series Pretty Cure (aka PreCure) a "magical girl" anime, as well as the opportunity to sing along too!

The talk is free to attend, but booking is required. We suggest booking early to avoid disappointment.

Kiki's Delivery Service Theatrical Adaptation an Interview at the Southwark Playhouse

Date: 2016 December 14 15:33 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Features

The holiday season is always a good time to relax and catch a performance at the theatre. There's always something for everyone in London. This year the Southwark Playhouse have looked to Japan for some inspiration and produced stage play of Kiki's Delivery Service.

The title is best known as the much loved Studio Ghibli feature film, which is based on the book by Eiko Kadono. Being fans of Japan we were certainly intrigued. We caught up with the Southwark Play House's Artistic Director and CEO Chris Smyrnios for an exclusive interview to find out more about the play.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Takarabune Art Show by Junko Mizuno December 2016

Date: 2016 December 08 15:45 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Readers in LA who are fans of renowned creepy-kawaii manga artist Junko Mizuno will want to head over to Gallery Nucleus on Saturday December 17th, 2016 for the opening reception of her new exhibition. Junko Mizuno's second Japan-themed art show will run from December 17th, 2016 to January 8, 2017.

Admission to the opening reception is free, booking is required. As always with popular events, we advise booking early to avoid disappointment.

For those looking to find out more we interviewed Junko Mizuno last time she was in London.

MCM Expo Group 2016 Visitor and Exhibitor Numbers

Date: 2016 December 02 15:38 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Press Releases

The good folks at the MCM Expo Group have sent us details of their visitor numbers for 2016. This year they saw a record total number of total attendance of 489,600 visitors up on last year’s total of 431,700. That's 57,900 more than last year.

Exhibitor numbers are up too with 787 exhibitors in 2016, compared to 596 in 2015, so they've managed to attract 191 more exhibitors.

The press release highlights that with these numbers, their main event (the twice yearly in May and October) MCM London Comic Con is now the third largest event of its kind in the world behind San Diego and New York Comic Cons!

Your Name Breaks Box Office Records

Date: 2016 November 25 17:19 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks from Anime Limited have just sent us details about their Your Name screening. The film has grossed £108,372 at the UK and Irish Box Offices across 104 screens. They tell us it breaks the record for a single day gross and is the widest ever screen release for an anime film.

During the campaign the film received positive praise from the mainstream press including Mark Keromode who gave it a great review on his film show and on his film column

If you've missed the movie you can find a screening of Your Name by going to YourNameTheMovie.co.uk, alternatively you can see if there will be another screening near you via the on-demand cinema platform Our Screen.

You can read our review of the movie and our interview with director Makoto Shinkai.

Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited

Makoto Shinkai's Your Name Review

Date: 2016 November 17 15:41 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Features

Makoto Shinkai's latest movie Your Name is due for a UK wide cinema release on Thursday 24th November 2016. You can find a screening near you by visiting YouNameTheMovie.co.uk.

We saw the the movie before it started to climb at the Japanese box office and become one of the highest grossing movies of all time in Japan.

We also interviewed the director Makoto Shinkai asking him lots of interesting questions about the movie.

Now the question you're asking, is the movie actually any good? Well wonder no more. We wrote this review before the hype picked up. So read on to get thoughts on the film!

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Over 130,000 visitors attend MCM London Comic Con

Date: 2016 November 04 17:06 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The good folks from the massive geek fest that is MCM London Comic Con have just sent us details about the number of visitors at the event and when the next London event is.

In total 131,308 visitors went to the event on Friday 28th to Sunday 30th October 2016. That's 748 more people than the huge number of 130,560 from the October 2015 event.

The next MCM London Comic Con will be on Friday 26th to Sunday 28th May 2017.

Genki Gear Reveals Their October 2016 T-shirt Line-up

Date: 2016 October 24 15:26 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

In case UK based readers haven't guessed yet, it's almost time for the October run of the MCM London Comic Con. The good folks from geeky t-shirt firm Genki Gear have sent us details of their October line-up for the event.

The MCM London Comic Con is set to run from Friday 28th to Sunday 30th October 2016.

Kinmoza Classes in Japan with Caron Cooper of Fosse Farmhouse

Date: 2016 October 19 15:01 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Fans of the anime Kinmoza in Japan are in for a treat this November. Fosse Farmhouse owner Caron Cooper will be in Japan to give cooking classes and introduce people to British culture.
Fosse Farmhouse was chosen as the location for Alice's house in the anime Kinmoza.

The classes are primarily aimed at fans of the show. Caron will detail her experience of working with the production company during filming, meeting the voice actors and the location areas used in the filming near here Kemble, Bibury, Cirencester, and Bathampton. She'll also bake scones and make tea during the class, plus there will also be a question and answer session. It's perfect for the Anglophile fans of Kinmoza.

There will be a classes in Fukuoka on 3rd November 2016, at 11:30 to 13:00 and 15:00 to 16:00 at Navel Green.

While in Tokyo there will be classes on 10th and 11th November 2016 at 19:30 to 21:00 at the Koishikawa Y Club.

Along with on 13th November 2016 a class at 14:30 to 16:00 at Meidai Academy.

Each class has limited numbers, so we advise you too book early to avoid disappointment.

Souce: The Offical Kinmoza Website

Makoto Shinkai Your Name National UK Screenings Reminder

Date: 2016 October 15 15:36 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

While Makoto Shinkai is in London promoting is latest smash hit move Your Name, it might be a good time to remind UK readers that they can catch it nationwide on a special one day screening on Thursday 24th November 2016. You can check the official Your Name Movie UK Website to find a screening near you. We suggest you book early to avoid disappointment.

We don't say smash hit lightly either, it's grossed more than $100 million USD at the Japanese box office and is on track to be the 5th highest grossing movie in Japanese box office history.

If you're a fan of Makoto Shinkai, you might not be aware of the special artbook, A Sky Longing for Memories: The Art of Makoto Shinkai. It's a lavish full colour artbook which is packed with art from many of the movies he directred, with hundreds of background from 5 Centimeters per Second, The Place Promised in Our Early Days, Voices of a Distant Star, and a TV advertisement for the Mainichi Newspaper. It doesn't feature Your Name, as it was published before the film was released, it does however feature a section on software and techniques behind CoMix Wave’s animation, which. This English also features an interview with Makoto Shinkai and other key members of his studio. You can buy the book from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com.

If you're already a fan, you should already be aware of The Place Promised in Our Early Days / Voices of a Distant Star Twin Pack on Blu-ray and DVD. That's due out on Monday 21st November 2016. It's in full collectors packaging along with another artbook. You can pre-order this from Amazon.co.uk.

Souce: Your Name the Movie UK Website

Manga Entertainment UK at the MCM London Comic Con October 2016

Date: 2016 October 12 16:36 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

In case our UK readers haven't already guessed, it's almost time for the MCM London Comic Con. UK anime company Manga Entertainment have just sent us a press release detailing their antics at the event. As always they have a big presence at the Comic Con. They'll be running an Anime Karaoke, hosting a panel revealing their newest acquisitions and distribution plans. On the Friday at 3.30pm they'll be showing a mini showcase for In This Corner of the World which includes trailers for the film and a clip.

They'll also be supporting charity Polished Man. The press release mentions a way to get stickers from Manga Entertainment too, we're keen to grab some, we bet you might be too!

MCM London Comic Con is set to run from Friday 28th to Sunday 30th October 2016 at Excel London.

MCM London Comic Con to welcome Evangelion animator Takeshi Honda this October 2016

Date: 2016 October 12 15:20 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

We've already mentioned that Psycho-Pass director Naoyoshi Shiotani will be at the MCM London Comic Con this October. We've just heard from the good folks at MCM that Evangelion animator Takeshi Honda will also be at the event. He worked on the original Neon Genesis Evangelion and went back for the reboot acting as mechanical animation director on Evangelion: 1.0, animation director on Evangelion: 2.0 and then chief animation director on the latest in the series, Evangelion: 3.0.

He's got lots of top titles on his CV too, being involved in Millennium Actress, Perfect Blue, Ponyo, The Wind Rises and The Boy and the Beast. Such an industry veteran will have lots of interesting insights to reveal.

MCM London Comic Con is set to run from Friday 28th to Sunday 30th October 2016 at Excel London.

Psycho-Pass director Naoyoshi Shiotani to attend MCM London Comic Con October 2016

Date: 2016 October 06 16:27 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

When it comes to anime guests the MCM London Comic Con never disappoints. For this Comic Con they've just announced the special anime guest of honour Psycho-Pass director Naoyoshi Shiotani. Best known for directing dystopian future anime, he's also directed Tokyo Marble Chocolate and worked on Production I.G’s first 3DCG animated feature, Oblivion Island: Haruka and the Magic Mirror.

He'll be at the comic con to present an on-stage panel as well as signing autographs. So if you fancy getting your Dominator signed, now's your chance!

MCM London Comic Con is set to run from Friday 28th to Sunday 30th October 2016 at Excel London

Drawing a New Generation of Manga - London Talk October 2016

Date: 2016 October 03 14:53 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Fans of manga looking for something interesting to will want to head over to Foyles Book shop on Charign Cross Road for the Manga: The New Generation talk. Ken Niimura and Miki Yamamoto will be joined by curator and comics writer Paul Gravett to discuss the new wave of manga artists.

The event is set to take place on Monday 17tth October 2016 from 6:30pm.

The event is free to attend but booking is essential.

As always with events like this, we advise booking early to avoid disappointment.

Genki Gear Reveal Exclusive Design for MCM London Comic Con October 2016

Date: 2016 September 27 16:18 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

It's almost October, which means it's almost time for the October run of the MCM London Comic Con! As is tradition geeky t-shirt maker Genki Gear have revealed their exclusive T-shirt design for the event. This time around it features Barry the cosplaying horse.

The design is only available on pre-order from 20 September to 23 October 2016. The t-shirts can either either be collected directly from the Genki Gear stand at London Comic Con or posted to your home so it's ready to wear at the event.

MCM London Comic Con is set to run from Friday 28th until Sunday 30th October 2016.

Japan Matsuri in London September 2016 Details

Date: 2016 September 22 15:42 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Fans of Japanese culture looking for something to do this weekend in London will want to head over to the Japan Matsuri in Trafalgar Square. The Japanese festival is set to run from 10am to 8pm on Sunday 25th September 2016. There are no entry charges.

There'll be a big stage with lots of traditional and modern Japanese performances, along with plenty of stalls selling Japanese Street food, plus other goodies such as arts and crafts. A few travel agents will be there too, so it's good to go if you're planning a trip to Japan.

Souce: Japan Matsuri

Makoto Shinkai's Your Name UK Cinema Screening Details

Date: 2016 September 17 14:09 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

We've already revealed that the good folks for anime distributor Anime Limited will be distributing Makoto Shinkai's latest film Your Name.

They've now revealed the full details of the nation wide cinema screenings on Thursday 24th November and have set up site for you to visit to find a screening near you - yournamethemovie.co.uk.

It's been confirmed that the movie has been rated 12A.

Souce: Anime Limited

Scotland Loves Anime 2016 Details

Date: 2016 September 01 14:40 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The good folks from Scotland Loves Anime have just announced their 2016 line-up. The anime film festival frequently hosts the UK (and often the European) premiere of many anime films. It's mission is to promote animation as art. This year they tell us "We’ve got 4 EU premieres, 5 UK Premieres and 1 Scottish premiere again this year."

This year the festival is set to run in Glasgow from Friday 14th to Sunday 16th October 2016, while the Edinburgh Programme will run Monday 17th to Sunday 23rd October 2016.

There's so many highlights, So many, including Makoto Shinkai’s Your Name, fan favourite Kizumonogatari - Part 1 and 2. Often you'll have to wait ages after the festival to get another chance (if any) to catch these movies on the big screen. Interestingly, they'll also be screening Momotaro, Sacred Sailors, Japanese Propaganda film from World War 2 was thought lost until rediscovered in 1983.

They've got Harmony (we interviewed it's director Michael Arias in May this year). The Mamoru Hosoda classic The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (which will be introduced by anime expert Jonathan Clements in Edinburgh).

They'll also be showing Makoto Shinkai’s The Place Promised in Our Early Days, Garden of Words and Voices of a Distant Star.

Guest wise Yoshimi Itazu, the anime industry veteran and director of Pigtails will be at the Glasgow Film Theatre. Jonathan Clements the anime industry expert, writer and author will also be there as a guest to offer his insight. You may know him as the co-author of all 3 editions of The Anime Encyclopedia: A Century of Japanese Animation.

As always with festivals like this. We advise booking early to avoid disappointment.

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