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Scotland Loves Anime Festival 2020 Details and Call to Crowdfunding

Date: 2020 October 17 18:18 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

With the ongoing trend of everything moving online due to the constraints of COVID-19, the Scotland Loves Anime Film Festival have teamed up with Screen Anime to bring the 2020 festival online. The collaboration is an obvious choice as the founder of the Scotland Loves Anime is also the CEO and founder of Anime Limited, which runs Screen Anime.

The online festivities will run from 25th October until 25th November 2020. Additionally to help the ailing cinemas industry. Screen Anime will also be supporting the festival's crowdfunding efforts, donating two-thirds of all proceeds made during the festival to its usual hosts, the Edinburgh Filmhouse and Glasgow Film Theatre cinemas.

You can help support their funding efforts by visiting their Crowdfunder page, you can receive some nice goodies for supporting the festival too.

Highlights for the festival include a lot of the lovely Lupin III (try saying that twice as fast), along with some Love Live!, breaking the letter L convention they'll also be showing some upside Patema Inverted, some Penguin Highway, plus Weathering With You with an exclusive optional commentary track featuring Dr. Jonathan Clements. We haven't heard the commentary track, but if it's anything like his other commentaries it will be well worth listening to in order to gain extra insight into the movie and anime production in general.

Plus they'll have the Production I.G. Short Film Collection, and some work in progress features around The Tiger and the Fish and Inu-oh.

Akira 4K Blu-ray UK Release Details

Date: 2020 October 16 21:36 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks at Manga Entertainment UK have just announced a Akira 4K Limited Blu-ray Release. This release follows on from the recent cinematic outing of the movie in the UK and Ireland.

The luxury set includes the newly remastered 4K version of Akira on 4K UHD Blu-ray, 2 standard blu-rays plus a 40 page booklet.

The release is due out on Monday 30th November 2020. It's set to retail for £59.99.

You can pre-order Akira 4K from Zavvi.com for £49.99 or from Amazon.co.uk for £44.99.

Farming Life in Another World Manga Release Details

Date: 2020 September 27 13:34 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from One Peace Books have sent us details of their latest manga acquisition - Farming Life in Another World. The isekai manga is pitched as guy gets transported to fantasy world, but instead of fighting monsters and villains he sets up a farm and gets involved in agriculture. It forms part of that isekai sub-genre of getting transported to another world and doing normal things (we're thinking of The Hero and His Elf Bride Open a Pizza Parlour in Another World, amongst others). This is the manga adaptation of the popular light novel of the same name by Kinosuke Naito.

Farming Life in Another World comes out on Wednesday October 28th 2020 in print and digital. You can pre-order it from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.

Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival 2020 Details

Date: 2020 September 24 20:36 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

While many events have had to be cancelled this year due to the current COVID-19 crisis a lot of events have been able to shift online. As a result it means there are some great festivals and talks you can go to while staying comfy at home while not having to travel. So the good folks at the Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival will be celebrating their 10th anniversary with short film screenings and events on their YouTube channel and via Zoom.

We've been told there will be 3 Zoom meetings and 4 short film programmes featuring award winning film makers and emerging talents from various universities across Japan.

All films are in Japanese with English subtitles and everything is free to view. Some events do require booking. Content wise the stream is declared safe for children, the equivalent of a U rating in UK cinema. So will be appropriate for all ages.

The Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival has always had a great line-up, so now you just need to keep a weekend free to appropriate some truly lovely animation!

Everything is set to run on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th October 2020.
Check out their festival programme for more details and remember that streaming times are in the UK times.

Screen Anime October 2020 Streaming Line Up

Date: 2020 September 23 19:42 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks at online anime film festival channel Screen Anime have revealed their October 2020 line up.

As always they've got a bit of something for everyone, movie wise they've got the premiere of Birthday Wonderland from Keiichi Hara (Miss Hokusai), Fate/Stay Night Heaven's Feel 1: Presage Flower (a little something for Fate/Stay fans). They've also got the classic Makoto Shinkai film 5 Centimeters Per Second, this is the Your Name director's earlier film and has a good dose of Shinkai melancholy.

For something a bit different they've got the eclectic Genius Party, which contains an anthology of 7 short films from some of the most celebrated directors in anime including Shinichiro Watanabe (Cowboy Bebop, Carole & Tuesday) and Masaaki Yuasa (Ride Your Wave).

Series wise they'll be showing Bartender, an 11 episode TV series, about a hidden bar in Ginza and it's great bartender who knows just the tipple you'll need.

Screen Anime is available in the UK & Ireland for £3.98 a month or £39.98 for a year. Members can take advantage of benefits including discounts at Anime Limited's online store and more. Currently the service can be access via your web browser, with apps promised for for TVos, iOS, Android & Amazon soon.

Read More... | Souce: Screen Anime

Violet Evergarden Collector's Edition Blu-ray UK Release Details

Date: 2020 September 21 19:57 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from anime distribution company Anime Limited have just revealed the details of their Violet Evergarden Collector's Edition Blu-ray. It features the series, the OVA and extend version of the series finale theatrical versions and more. The show is dubbed in English and also in Japanese with English subtitles.

As well as all the content on blu-ray it contains a 156 page artbook, some art cards and stamp books too.

The Kyoto Animation series is renowned for it's high production values. It's a lavish lush show with so much detail. It's set in a post war European-esque world the series follows the aftermath of the war. It focuses on Violet Evergarden, a young girl raised as a deadly weapon and must adapt to becoming an Auto Memory Doll. She must learn how to transcribe people's thought and feelings in words, she has to learn how to capture their own thoughts into writing better than they can themselves. It's a curious mix of writing with a side dash of violence as we look into Violet's past.

The collector's edition is due out on 30th November 2020, with Anime Limited taking pre-orders on Friday 2nd October until Thursday 29th October 2020. The set will retail for an SRP of £69.99 with Anime Limited selling it for £39.99.

The show is currently available to watch on Netflix.

Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited

Animex 2020 - International Festival of Animation, VFX & Games

Date: 2020 September 17 20:48 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

With COVID-19 still limiting peoples movements online virtual events have been proving popular. Animex The International Festival of Animation, VFX & Games has moved on-line and is set to run from Monday 21st September to Friday 2nd October 2020. The event is free to virtually attend this year so book now to grab a place.

The event is packed with workshops, screenings, Portfolio Reviews, Talks, exhibitions and much more.

Founded 20 years ago by Teesside University the festival aimed at creating a world-class inclusive festival that would draw some of the games and animation industries' brightest lights and future stars together to share their knowledge with the next generation.

This is event will be of interest to those who want to get into the animation industry, regardless of if you want to work in VFX, video games, animation or something else! Or for those who are curious to see the inner workings of a creative industry.

Akira 4K Comes to Cinemas in the UK and Ireland

Date: 2020 August 29 13:08 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks from Manga Entertainment UK have just revealed that they'll be bringing the 4K edition of Akira to cinemas around the UK and Ireland soon. The screenings will include select IMAX screens and up to 300 other locations.

At the moment locations are to be confirmed, but you can register your interest on the booking website.

Akira is regarded one of the most seminal anime movies ever made. It's a classic dystopian future has influences on movies, cyberpunk culture and even predicted that the 2020 Olympic games would be held in Tokyo! It's one of those movies you just have to see on the big screen to fully appreciate.

Burn The Witch to Stream on Crunchyroll in October 2020

Date: 2020 August 24 18:49 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from anime streaming service Crunchyroll have sent us details of a new title released in October 2020. Burn the Witch is based on the manga by Tite Kubo, who is best known for Bleach. This anime is set in the same universe, but this time around in London! Not normal London, Reverse London, a special hidden side of city where dragons roam. The story focuses on the adventures of witch duo Noel Niihashi and Ninny Spangcole who are protection agents for Wing Bind (WB) an organisation for dragon conservation and management.

The trailer shows scenes from London, that are all around Westminster. We've got the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Bridge, and other Thames landmarks making prominent appearances, City of London Dragon Crests, a shot that looks like Shad Thames. We really love playing a game of spot the locations with stuff like this! Some artistic liberties seem to have been taken, does that looks like a US style fire hydrant in the trailer (blink and you'll miss it)? But then again Reverse London could indeed have American style fire hydrants as they've also got an Emergency Dragon Blockade System (this is one of the unwritten rules of London, you don't talk about the Emergency Dragon Blockade System, it's just known, like standing on the right and walking on the left on the escalator...).

If you big action and shonen then it looks the Burn The Witch anime will hit the spot. It'll hit Crunchyroll early October 2020.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

Yen Press Announces 13 New License Acquisitions

Date: 2020 August 18 19:41 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good folks at manga publishers Yen Press have just announced a fresh batch of licensing acquisitions. They've got the rights for 13 new titles in print and digital. Release dates are not yet detailed.

The releases include the following:

Cirque Du Freak: The Manga Omnibus Edition
Grim Reaper and Four Girlfriends Omnibus Edition
Interspecies Reviewers Comic Anthology: Darkness
The World's Finest Assasin Reincarnated Into Another World
Adachi and Shimamura
Dear NOMAN, Golden Japanesque - Yokohama Karentan -
Mama Akuma
Mint Chocolate
Sasaki and Miyano
The Dark History of the Reincarnated Villainess
The light novel and comic adaptation of the highly-anticipated, Solo Leveling.

Manga Entertainment UK Winter 2020 Release Schedule

Date: 2020 August 14 20:10 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from UK anime distributor Manga Entertainment UK have just announced their winter 2020 line up.

Headlining the releases they've got the very popular Dr. Stone which includes an hmv exclusive blu-ray release.

They've also got some Golden Kamuy (featuring a very CGI bear), Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest, Cautious Hero: The Hero is Overpowered but Overly Cautious, Kemono Michi: Rise Up and The Quintessential Quintuplets.

Jujutsu Kaisen Exclusively on Crunchyroll this Autumn 2020

Date: 2020 August 12 19:53 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good people from streaming service Crunchyroll have just sent us details of their up coming anime release. Jujutsu Kaisen will stream from October 2020 exclusively on the streaming platform. The show is a dark fantasy horror focusing on a world where Curses can run rampant.

The series is based on the manga by Gege Akutami and is currently being released by Viz in English. You can buy it from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk if you want to get ahead and see what to expect!

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

Screen Anime July and August 2020 Line Up

Date: 2020 July 23 20:35 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from streaming anime film festival Screen Anime have just revealed their July/August 2020 screening line up. This round is set to run from 25th July 2020, it includes two features from the amazing studio Science SARU, including a premiere of Ride Your Wave, keeping on with the watery theme they'll also be showing Lu Over the Wall.

Then to keep it a bit fun and sentimental they'll also be showing the charming Mai Mai Miracle, we discovered the film at it's Barbican Screening in London in 2009 and were immediately fans.

Then they'll be polishing that off with some mecha action with Eureka Seven Hi-Evolution Anemone.

For their TV series offering, they'll be continuing the agricultural adventures of Hachiken with series two of Silver Spoon. Where we're introduced to more farming life and some extra horse riding too. Oh, plus a puppy. Anime is always better with puppies!

You can sign up to Screen Anime for £3.98 a month or £39.98 a year.

It's available in the UK and Ireland via your web browser, with apps for TVos, iOS, Android and Amazon to follow over the coming months.

You can read our review of Lu Over the Wall here.

Read More... | Souce: Screen Anime

Weathering With You UK Blu-ray and DVD Release Details

Date: 2020 July 19 13:31 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks at anime distributors Anime Limited have just revealed more details about their up coming home video release of Weathering With You.

The Collector's Edition, Standard Blu-ray Edition and Standard Edition DVD will all be released on Monday 28th September 2020.

While the Deluxe Edition with UHD Blu-ray/Blu-ray and soundtrack CD will be released as a Zavvi.com exclusive on Monday 2nd November 2020 (with pre-orders open from Monday 20th July 2020 at 11am).

The collectors edition includes steelbook packaging, the film on Blu-ray and DVD, and the original soundtrack on CD.

While the Deluxe edition includes steelbook packaging, the film on Blu-ray, 4K UHD Blu-ray, 104 page book, poster, art cards and a bonus Blu-ray (contents of the bonus Blu-ray to be confirmed).

The Collectors edition is set to retail for £39.99, but you can pre-order it for less, while the Deluxe Edition is set to retail for £69.99.

Anime Limited also revealed that they've now got the whole Makoto Shinkai back catalogue and will release 5 Centimetres per Second and Children Who Chase Lost Voices From Deep Below (aka Journey to Agartha) in due course.

You can pre-order the Collectors Blu-ray, regular Blu-ray or Standard DVD from Amazon.co.uk.

Why not read our review of Weathering With You?

Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited

The Sky is Blue with a Single Cloud Gekiga Manga Release Details

Date: 2020 July 15 20:09 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good people from Drawn & Quarterly have sent us details of their latest release The Sky is Blue with a Single Cloud by Kuniko Tsurita.

Available for the first time in English this book collects the best short stories from gekiga manga artist Kuniko Tsurita.

Tracking bohemian culture, the politics of late 60's and early 70's Tokyo, along with other experimental works and an early exploration of gender fluidity with gender ambiguous protagonists.

The manga is out from July 2020 (so it's out now).

You can order it from Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk or any other bookseller using the ISBN: 978-1-77046-398-1.

New Sci-Fi Manga Japan Sinks 2020 Launches on Mangamo App

Date: 2020 July 09 20:30 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good folks from Manga App Mangamo have just sent us details of their latest manga addition. The subscription service has just added the manga of Japan Sinks 2020. It's a reimagining of the Netflix anime which has just been released today, which in turn is based on the best-selling novel written by Sakyo Komatsu in 1973. The anime is from Science Saru, who did the fantastic Keep Your Hands off Eizouken, Lu Over The Wall, Devil Man Cry Baby, and so much more.

Yen Press Previews 13 New Manga Acquisitions For December 2020

Date: 2020 July 05 12:31 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

It's convention season and traditionally a time of big license announcements, but conventions aren't really running in the physical world, however Anime Expo Lite offered a virtual experience and the chance for companies to announce their up coming releases and acquisitions.

Yen Press have just announced 13 new manga acquisition, which include

A Witch's Love at the End of the World
Strawberry Fields Once Again
The Vampire & His Pleasant Companions
Slasher Maidens
Eniale & Dewiela
Mieruko-chan

Plus some new light novels:

The World's Finest Assassin
Reincarnated in a Different World as an Aristocrat
The Place Promised in Our Early Days
The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten
Unnamed Memory, King of the Labyrinth
Reign of the Seven Spellblades

We're very excited about Eniale & Dewiela from Kamome Shirahama who is also responsible for Witch Hat Atelier.

The Real World Locations from Sing 'Yesterday' For Me

Date: 2020 July 04 12:57 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Anime streaming service Crunchyroll have just sent us details of a great article they've put up exploring the real world locations used in the anime Sing 'Yesterday' For Me. It's always interesting to see how detailed and close to real world locations certain anime titles are.

We must admit we've got a soft spot for title, it's a bit of a slow burner gentle slice of life romance. You can catch it now on Crunchyroll.

We've also run similar articles before, including that time we discovered the actual house used in Kinmoza. Kinmoza is currently available to watch on Crunchyroll too.

Souce: Crunchyroll

Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival 2020 Special Online Screening Event

Date: 2020 June 24 20:09 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

With social distancing still in place across the UK virtual events are proving to be a popular alternative. Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival have just sent us details of their 2020 offerings, which include a free online screening event on Saturday 25th July 2020 at 11am and 6pm (UK time).

They've got a line-up of fun films that range from stop motion to 2D and it's all for free. All people have to do is go to the Kotatsu Festival YouTube channel at either 11am or 6pm to watch the films.

Animators include current names like Miho Yata and Arisa Wakami and veteran animator Fusako Yusaki. So why not tune in on Saturday morning or evening to enjoy some insight into animation?

Anime Limited Acquires Latest Masaaki Yuasa Film INU-OH

Date: 2020 June 19 19:53 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

We're all excited about Anime Limited's latest announcement. They've acquired the rights to the latest Masaaki Yuasa film INU-OH for the UK, Ireland and France.

Anime Limited have previously released Masaaki Yuasa other excellent features including Ride Your Wave, Lu Over the Wall, and The Night is Short, Walk on Girl.

Character design for the film is by manga artist Taiyo Matsumoto, who has worked with Masaaki Yuasa before on Ping Pong. You may also be familiar with Matsumoto's other works Tekkonkinkreet and the slice of life series Sunny.

The movie will be hitting cinemas sometime in 2021.

If you're interested in reading more about his past works we interviewed Masaaki Yuassa a few years ago last time he was in London.

Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited

Screen Anime Bring Weathering With You and Your Name To Their Monthly Online Film Festival

Date: 2020 June 15 20:19 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks at anime company Anime Limited have just sent us details of the latest line up on their online film festival Screen Anime.

The curated anime experience changes it's screenings one a month. This time around from the 25th June to 25th July 2020 they'll be showing Makoto Shinkai's fantastic Weathering With You, along with his super smash hit Your Name. So you can have a double bill of these amazing movies. If you want something a bit different and emotional they'll also be showing Anthem of the Heart. They'll be showing summer romance movie (with a time travelling twist) Fireworks too.

Plus for their TV line up Screen Anime have Silver Spoon. From the manga creator of Fullmetal Alchemist, this story goes in a completely different direction as it takes us to agricultural college with city boy Hachiken. This sweet slice of life show is a gentle comedy. You'll learn about Japanese agricultural practices and farming life in general.

The service is available for £3.98 a month or £39.98 a year.

Read More... | Souce: Screen Anime

Ascendance of a Bookworm Part 2 and Rent-A-Girlfriend on Crunchyroll

Date: 2020 June 13 10:03 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks at anime streaming service Crunchyroll have sent us news about Ascendance of a Bookworm Part 2 along with with OVA dub premiere of Rent-A-Girlfriend.

The OVA for Ascendance of a Bookworm (episodes 14.5 part 1 and part 2) will launch on Crunchyroll on Saturday, 13th June 2020, and episode 15 will launch on Saturday 20th June 2020.

Meanwhile Rent-A-Girlfriend will start on Crunchyroll as part of the summer season.
As we've covered before Crunchyroll are also keen to share that their whole dub cast have been working from home recently.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

Takeshi Kitano Collection UK Blu-ray Release Details

Date: 2020 June 10 18:53 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Press Releases

UK fans of Japanese Cinema will be exited to hear about the BFI's release of the Takeshi Kitano Collection. Containing Violent Cop, Boiling Point and Sonatine these three films will be released on Blu-ray for the first time in the UK.

Due out on as a blu-ray release on 29 June 2020, then 27 July 2020 on iTunes, Amazon Prime and on BFI Player. The collection is packed full of extras, but you should note, only the first pressing contains the 44-page book with new writing on the films and their director by Japanese film experts.

Also known as Beat Takeshi, the director, writer, comedian TV presenter and actor burst into Japanese cinema with his 1989 film Violent Cop. If you've seen the live action Ghost in the Shell Movie, you'll remember him as Aramaki.

You can pre-order the collection now from Amazon.co.uk or from the BFI Shop Online.

Cloud Matsuri Reminder

Date: 2020 May 29 20:49 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

While lock down has impacted events for anime fans around the globe there is a good range of virtual events cropping up. Up this weekend is Cloud Matsuri. Set to run online from Saturday 30th to Sunday 31st May 2020, the event will play host to top Japanese industry figures along with UK based and US anime firms.

You can access all the streams for the event for free with details to do so via Cloud Matsuri's website.

Anime Special of BFI Sight & Sound Magazine Out This Week

Date: 2020 May 27 21:01 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

A quick reminder to our readers as part of the BFI JAPAN 2020 Season the BFI's magazine Sight & Sound has just published an anime special as it it's latest issue. The June 2020 bumper anime issue includes plenty of articles by anime experts, including Jonathan Clements, Helen McCarthy, Jasper Sharp and many more.

The issue is out now you can buy a print issue, get the digital edition or subscribe to the magazine.

To be honest even though it's packed with great content they had us with the Totoro cover!

Multiple MCM Comic Con Events Cancelled for 2020

Date: 2020 May 19 20:34 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

We've just received a press release from the good folks over at ReedPOP, the group behind MCM Comic Con events. They've told us that due to the COVID-19 virus multiple MCM Comic Con Events are cancelled. The upcoming MCM Comic Con events in Birmingham, London, Manchester and Scotland are affected.

At this stage it's uncertain when the next MCM Comic Con event will be. This doesn't just impact ReedPOP itself, but it's exhibitors. We are aware of a many specialist small business that make the majority of their income from events like MCM Comic Con. If there's a stall like that you enjoy buying stuff from that's normally at your favourite geek event, check out their website and maybe buy something from them. Every little helps.

Anime Limited Launches Screen Anime To Bring The Festival Experience Home

Date: 2020 May 18 20:18 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from anime distributors Anime Limited have just announced their latest venture Screen Anime. It's the first online anime film festival! Enjoy curated film & extras, refreshed monthly.

We're impressed with the opening line up which includes PROMARE, Penguin Highway, Patema Inverted and Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honnêamise, along with a to be confirmed TV show. They'll also have bonus content for each feature.

The streaming service will cost £3.98 monthly or £39.98 a year, with yearly subscribers getting a physical membership card that entitles them to further discounts from Anime Limited's shop.

We think they've nailed the pricing options as it'll cost more to rent the films separately or you could save money by paying up front. Screen Anime will be available in the UK and Ireland from Monday 25th May 2020. You can access it from your web browser, with apps for TVos, iOS Android & Amazon following over the coming months.

We're keen for apps so you can watch it directly on your TV with ease. However in our opinion we think the quality of the apps is what will make it and take it to the next level. Ideally you want as many options as possible to watch and enjoy anime. We hope Anime Limited are able to develop high quality apps to support Screen Anime quickly. They already have a excellent track record of acquiring top tier anime titles and always go the extra mile at events, often having something special up their sleeve such as a Japanese guest or exclusive item.

So head over to Screen Anime to register your interest.

Read More... | Souce: Screen Anime

Cloud Matsuri - A Virtual Convention

Date: 2020 May 15 12:31 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

It's the start of convention season, while events are inevitably being postponed or cancelled due to COVID-19 online events are becoming a sensible alternative and Anime Limited are stepping up with their buddies to launch Cloud Matsuri.

The virtual convention is set to run on Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st May 2020. The event is completely free.

The show will feature exclusive interviews and talks with special guest from the world of anime and more.

They're hinting that there will be more guests to announce, but the line up they're showing us at the moment is fantastic with Eunyoung Choi - CEO & Executive Producer, Science SARU (most recently responsible for the fabulous Keep Your Hands off Eizouken). Eiji Inomoto President & Founder, Studio Orange. The CG specialists created Land of the Lustrous and Beastars. Shuzo Shiota president of Polygon Pictures (who are involved in Knights of Sidonia and AJIN: Demi-Human to name a few). They'll also have Yasuhiro Kamimura CEO of GroundWorks Co., Ltd who will talk about his career to date and share stories with managing the Evangelion brand.

BFI Japan 2020 Over 100 Years of Japanese Cinema

Date: 2020 May 05 20:04 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

UK readers will be very interested to hear that the BFI have just announced a fantastic new season called BFI Japan 2020.

Starting with Akira Kurosawa and other classics in May, they'll then run different themes every month until October with some J-Horror (just in time for Halloween). We you know you'll want to watch some anime too, which is why they'll be showing anime in July, this will include films from Hayao Miyazaki, Mamoru Hosoda and the late great Satoshi Kon, plus some other top tier titles too.

There is pretty is much something for everyone during this fantastic season. Currently catering for the audience at lockdown at home they aim to bring cinema to you via their BFI Player and BFI YouTube.

When the cinemas reopen (which the BFI anticipates will be late 2020 or early 2021) the BFI will also re-release the Akira Kurosawa classic Seven Samurai, along with monthly seasons at the BFI Southbank in London.

Additionally the BFI will be releasing some DVDs and Blu-ray features too including Ozu's Tokyo Story, The Flavour of Green Tea Over Rice, Toshio Matsumoto's Funeral Parade of Roses, along with a Takeshi Kitano Blu-ray boxset featuring Sonatine, Violent Cop and Boiling Point.

Mangamo The New Mobile Manga Subscription Service

Date: 2020 April 16 19:47 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

We've just been sent the details of a new mobile manga subscription service. Mangamo promises more titles than any other legal mobile manga service.

It's currently on iOS Devices (iPhone and iPad) with subscriptions costing $4.99 USD a month. The Tokyo based company has partnered with 11 publishers to bring the wide range of titles, including Attack on Titan, Battle Angel Alita, Somali and the Forest Spirit, along with Fire Force and many more titles. A full list of current titles can be found here. They also promise regular updates to the titles available.

Mangamo is available on the Apple App Store globally with the exception of Japan, China and Korea. Currently all titles are in English.

As this is a legal service you can be certain that the money goes back to the original creators helping fund the manga industry itself.

Never-Ending Man: Hayao Miyazaki UK Blu-ray/DVD Combi Release Details

Date: 2020 March 21 22:17 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from Anime Limited have revealed the UK release details for Never-Ending Man: Hayao Miyazaki on Blu-ray and DVD (combi). The documentary shot over two years charts legendary anime directory Hayao Miyazaki creating his first CG animation.

We've seen the broadcast version on NHK World and it's certainly worth watching as it shows the behind the scenes creative processes. There's lots of little gems in this. Subtle moments you might miss too. There's a great moment where Miyazaki draws a storyboard for the CG team to use and they're clearly amazed by the quality and draughtsmanship of something that's supposed to be a very rough piece of work.

Miyazaki is famed for founding Studio Ghibli, where he created many of his movies including Spirited Away, Totoro, Howl's Moving Castle, and many more. They can currently be enjoyed on Netflix.

The feature is due out on Monday 13th April 2020. You can pre-order it directly from Anime Limited or from Amazon.co.uk.

Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited

Yen Press Announces 7 New Manga Series & Light Novel Acquisitions for August 2020

Date: 2020 March 06 20:23 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good folks from Yen Press (the manga publishers who are owned by Kadokawa Corporation and Hachette Book Group) have just announced their August 2020 licensing acquisitions. They've got a mix of manga titles novels. Headlining the new releases is a novel adaption Makoto Shinkai's The Garden of Words (London based readers will be keen to see the up coming stage play too). They'll also be releasing the latest Konosuba light novel, with the very specific title of Konosuba: An Explosion on this Wonderful World! Bonus Story: We are the Megumin Bandits. It's bound to be popular with fans of the Megumin!

Fans of Natsume Ono will want to get hold of ACCA: 13-Territory Inspection Department P.S., the spin off returns to the world of ACCA 13-Territory Inspection Department (which was was 6 volume manga also available from Yen Press).

Fans of dark magical girl stories will want to grab the Omnibus Edition of Puella Magi Madoka Magica. The collects the 3 volume manga into a single omnibus edition.

Meanwhile fans of the Barakamon! manga will be interested in the creator's latest offering Yoshi no Zuikara: The Frog in the Well Does Not Know the Ocean.

Crunchyroll Announces Crunchyroll Originals

Date: 2020 February 27 21:38 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from anime streaming service Crunchyroll have sent us some exciting details about their latest venture - Crunchyroll Originals. We're told the shows, produced with respected publishers including Kodansha, animation studios such as MAPPA, and from Crunchyroll Studios, represent Crunchyroll's continued commitment to delight fans and expand the global anime community through fresh stories and unique perspectives from a global slate of creators.

They've got some original anime content that you can watch now, including In/Spectre, which mixes monsters and mystery.

Interestedly they've also sourced some great content from other parts of the world. UK based fans may already be familiar with with the excellent FreakAngels graphic novels from Warren Ellis & Paul Duffield.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

Manga Jiman Competition 2019 Winners

Date: 2020 February 26 22:20 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

It's that time of year again! Recently the Embassy of Japan in the UK revealed the winners of the prestigious Manga Jiman Competition 2019. The competition often marks rising stars in the UK industry too. Competition prizes range from an amazing two flights to Japan for the 1st place winner, to lovely A3 scanners for second place and so.

This years first place went to Tori Jones for A Heart of Gold or Some Other Metal, while Alexandra Cook took second place with Kiyomi's Prequel. Third place went to Mina Ghosh with The Last Day of Uther Adriss.

Many of the shortlisted artists were first time entrants, showing that the competition has endured for the 13 times it's been run.

Windowology: New Architectural Views from Japan at Japan House London

Date: 2020 February 05 21:46 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Fans of Japanese culture in London will want to head over to Japan House London to experience the Windowology: New Architectural Views from Japan exhibition. It's set to run from Thursday 16th April to Sunday 28th June 2020. Admission is free.

The exhibition explores the architectural side and also the abstract and meaning of windows. Of course they've also got a window into manga, with the classic manga Sazae-san being displayed. They've selected some great strips on the themes of windows too! Sazae-san is one of Japan's most popular manga series. It's presented in the classic yonkoma (4 panel) strip style.

So why not visit Japan House London to get a view on this exhibit!

My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising UK and Ireland Cinema Release Details

Date: 2020 January 29 22:12 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

Not content with releasing just one anime feature film in February 2020 in the form of One Piece Stampede Manga Entertainment UK have gone beyond and went plus ultra to also release the new My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising Movie. The move will hit cinemas around the UK and Ireland on Wednesday 26th and Thursday 27th February 2020. The movie will be shown in both subbed and dubbed formats. Cinemas are yet to confirmed, but you register your interest on the official UK movie website.

For this second My Hero Academia cinematic outing Class 1-A visits Nabu Island where they finally get to do some real hero work. Of course where ever Class 1-A go, villains follow! What will Deku and his classmates do?! We'll have to watch it to find out.

Only just release in Japan on 20th December 2019, this is a speedy turn around to UK cinemas!

The Garden of Words Stage Production To Hit London This Summer 2020

Date: 2020 January 22 21:05 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

While everyone is talking about Makoto Shinkai's latest smash hit Weathering With You, we can't help but wonder what the next Makoto Shinkai offering will be. Whole Hog Theatre have got in touch with to reveal that they'll be performing a stage adaptation of The Garden of Words.

The official stage production is set to run from 16 July - 15 August 2020 at Park Theatre in Finsbury Park, London.

Whole Hog Theatre are not new to adapting anime, having run a mesmerising stage version of Princess Mononoke.

We're excited to see what creative ideas Whole Hog Theatre will bring to life.

Weathering With You To Expand To over 250 Screens Across UK and Ireland

Date: 2020 January 21 21:35 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks at anime distributors Anime Limited have just sent us some more details about the current screenings of Weathering With You. Due to popular demand they'll be expanding massively from the current 40 screens to over 250 on 30th January 2020.

Screening times and venues can be found on the Official Weathering With You UK Cinema Website.

The opening weekend for Weathering With You was a strong one for anime with weekend box office (including previews) of £221,320 - almost 10 times that of Your Name's £22,274 opening according to Screen Daily.

If you want to know more about the movie then why not read our Weathering With You Movie review?

Souce: Anime Limited

Studio Ghibli Movies Hit Netflix

Date: 2020 January 20 20:51 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Streaming service Netflix have just announced that they'll be adding Studio Ghibli films to their list of movies. Fans from Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Latin America will be able to enjoy films. The films will be subtitled in 28 languages, and dubbed in up to 20 languages.

Studio Ghibli are renowned for creating high quality masterpiece movies. Hugely influential Studio Ghibli is the only Japanese anime studio to have won an Oscar with Hayao Miyazaki's Spirited Away.

The movies release to Netflix will be spread across 3 months, on 1st February 2020, 1st March 2020 and 1st April 2020.

Totoro, Kiki and Porco Rosso will all be in the first wave movies. Up until now Studio Ghibli have been reluctant to allow their titles available for streaming.

All these movies are fantastic in their own right and we can't say in stronger words go out and watch them. With the exception of Tales from Earthsea which was a trouble production, skip that one.

The US, Canada and Japan are noticeably absent from the list of countries the films will be available from. We suspect another company has streaming rights to these countries.

Interview with Eunyoung Choi, producer and co-founder at Science SARU about Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!

Date: 2020 January 17 07:03 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

We're currently really enjoying anime studio Science SARU's latest show Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!. It's a delightful series that really captures of the passion, joy and excitement of being anime fan. Not only that, but it enthusiastically explains what makes certain anime titles so great.

Along the for the imaginative ride it takes us on we were keen to find out more. The good folks at anime streaming service Crunchyroll helped us by sending us an interview with Eunyoung Choi who is producer and co-founder of Science SARU. They've even let us publish the interview ahead of their news letter.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

The Japan Foundation - Touring Film Programme 2020 Screening Details

Date: 2019 December 27 19:28 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

UK Fans of Japanese are in for a great treat. The Japan Foundation have just revealed the line up for their Touring Film Programme 2020. The theme for this year is Happiness is A State of Mind: Joy and Despair in Japanese Cinema. Films will be screened all around the UK from 31st January to 29th March 2020.

There's plenty of excellent films to choose from too:

My Love Story!!
Our Meal for Tomorrow
Her Sketchbook
A Banana? At This Time of Night?
Organ
The Actor
Little Nights, Little Love
Jesus
Another World
Bento Harassment
My Dad is a Heel Wrestler
Lying to Mom
Shadowfall
And Your Bird Can Sing
Sea of Revival
The House Where the Mermaid Sleeps
Kakegurui - Compulsive Gambler
Ten Dark Women
I Go Gaga, My Dear
Ride Your Wave

Anime fans will be interested in Ride Your Wave from director Masaaki Yuasa (Lu Over The Wall, Night is Short, Walk on Girl and DEVILMAN crybaby). It's a tale of romance with a twist.

If you've caught the anime of Kakegurui on Netflix you're sure you be interested in the live action version which will be screening at the festival.

If you've seen the anime or read the manga of My Love Story!! You can also catch the live action version. Takeo looks like his jumped directly out of the anime/manga version!

To find a screening near you visit https://www.jpf-film.org.uk for more details.

One Piece Stampede UK Cinema Release Details

Date: 2019 December 19 21:33 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

2019 isn't over yet, but Manga Entertainment UK have started to look forward to 2020 and revealed that they'll be releasing the One Piece Stampede Movie in cinemas around the UK on Sunday 2nd February 2020. The screenings of the latest One Piece cinema outing will be at select cinemas for one day only, both subbed and dubbed.

To find out more and to register your interest on the booking site visit onepiecefilm.co.uk.

Crunchyroll Reveals UK Anime Fans Shun Cosplay in Favour of Books and Boardgames

Date: 2019 December 11 21:01 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Anime streaming service Crunchyroll have sent us an interesting press release. They highlight that most UK anime fans would rather read a good book than cosplay. Surveying their premium UK members (who pay for the service to remove ads and get earlier access to titles) they discovered that less 7% are into cosplaying. In comparison 10% write or read fan fiction!

We could speculate as to why this is. Could it be that cosplayers would rather spend their disposable income on cosplaying? Instead using the free access areas of Crunchyroll? Does it reflect fandom in general, are less than 7% of anime fans involved in creating cosplay?

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

Latest Genki Gear Designs for the End of 2019

Date: 2019 December 01 20:38 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

The good folks from geeky t-shirt company Genki Gear have just sent us details of their newest range of t-shirts. It includes a mix of D&D and horror inspired designs. We're a fan of the Kaijiu Coffee t-shirt! They've also sent us a 10% discount code that's valid until the end of 2019. It's Genkitime10%.

Your Name and Weathering With You - Double Bill Feature UK Cinema Screening Details

Date: 2019 November 29 23:20 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks at Anime Limited have just announced they'll be some special double bill screenings of Your Name and Weathering with You.

Your Name is Makoto Shinkai's smash hit movie is a must to see on the big screen, while his latest film Weathering with You is on the path to prove just as successful.

As a special treat on Wednesday 15th January 2020 you can the double screening around the UK. They'll first show Your Name, then after a short interval you'll get to see Weathering with You. We've seen both films and can confirm you really must see them on the big screen for maximum enjoyment.

They'll be screenings all around the UK. So we suggest you book now to avoid disappointment.

You can also catch Weathering With You by itself from Friday 17th January 2020.

Manga Entertainment UK Additional Q1 2020 DVD and Blu-ray Release Details

Date: 2019 November 22 21:49 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from anime distribution company Manga Entertainment UK have just revealed even more releases for 2020. This includes the fan favourite I Want to Eat Your Pancreas. Which isn't a zombie movie, but a story about terminal illness. We're excited about this title as it's won the coveted audience award at Scotland Loves Anime. It's due out on 27th January 2020.

They'll also be releasing some Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion, One Punch Man (episodes 1-12 + OVAs), along with Black Clover Season Two Part One and JoJo's Bizarre Adventure.

Jonathan Ross on Anime, Manga and Japanese Toys

Date: 2019 November 06 21:54 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Press Releases

The geek event that was MCM Comic Con London October 2019 has ended. One of of the anime highlights was Jonathan Ross introducing two anime shows for Crunchyroll.

During the event, he revealed that he got mistaken for a cosplayer at San Diego Comic-con. He also admitted he enjoyed anime with yokai eating, erm certain parts of people (we'll leave the rest to your imagination).

The good folks from anime streaming service Crunchyroll interviewed Jonathan Ross and he shared his love of anime and Japanese toy lines.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

Kiki's Delivery Service 30th Anniversary Collector's Edition UK Release Details

Date: 2019 November 05 21:43 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

UK fans of Hayao Miyazaki's delightful classic witch movie Kiki's Delivery Service will be very interested to hear news about the special Kiki's Delivery Service 30th Anniversary Collector's Edition. Released by Studio Canal.

It's due out on Monday 16th December 2019.

The collectors edition includes:

The DVD and Blu-ray Doubleplay edition of the film.

The Art of Kiki's Delivery Service book.

Plus tons of extra goodies:

- Exclusive oversized 8.5' x 11.75' art cards.
- Exclusive 23.5' x 32.5' poster featuring original Japanese theatrical artwork from 1989
- Exclusive premium cotton Jiji tea towel. Yes, this isn't a typo, it's a very British extra for the UK edition.
- Exclusive recipe card set (of what recipes? We don't know).
- Exclusive embroidered sew on patch featuring the anniversary logo

The set comes packed in a oversized rigid box, with brand new exclusive artwork.
They'll be limited to 1,000 units and holographically numbered

The double play DVD and blu-ray set have already been released in the past, as has the artbook, but they haven't all been bundled as a set before this way. This set is just out in time for Christmas and is an Amazon UK Exclusive. It's priced at £75.

Alternatively you can get the DVD and Blu-ray double play edition for £14.00 Just the DVD for £11. The Art of Kiki's Delivery Service Hardcover artbook is available by itself for £25. So you could have the core content for £39, but without the lavish extras and tea-towel. It's worth it for the the tea-towel by itself to be honest.

We've also just covered news that the original book of Kiki's Delivery service is going to re-released in 2020.

Manga Entertainment UK DVD and Blu-ray Release Details for Q1 2020

Date: 2019 November 01 21:40 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from anime distributors Manga Entertainment UK have revealed their release schedule for the first quarter of 2020.

Key titles include the epic head banging zombie idol show Zombie Land Saga, which is due out 13th January 2020. SSSS.Gridman which is for release on 3rd February 2020. While on 30th March 2020 The popular isekai anime The Rising of the Shield Hero season 1 part 1 is out.

Kiki's Delivery Service Original Book Release Details

Date: 2019 October 30 21:00 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

The wait is finally over. The original book of Kiki's Delivery Service is getting a new English language release. It's due out in the US on Tuesday 7th July 2020 from Delacorte Books for Young Readers (an imprint of Penguin Random House).

Japanese translator Emily Balistrieri revealed the news on Twitter. She is responsible for the new translation of the book.

The novel by Eiko Kadono was the original source for Hayao Miyazaki's Studio Ghibli Film of the same name. Although Miyazaki's film adaptation has been hugely successful in the west, an English language version of the book has been out of print for some time. It was last released in 2003 and the old editions have gone for £70 and up. Now you'll be able to get a more affordable hardcover instead. The publishers have put a suggest reading age of 10 and up, so it's sure to be enjoyed by fans of the movie keen to read to the original source of inspiration.

As always you can pre-order the book from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.

Channel 4 UK To Stream Over 100 Hours of Anime Online on All4

Date: 2019 October 25 18:58 | Posted By: Eeeper

Category > Anime

UK broadcaster Channel 4 has announced 100 hours of anime content will stream on their UK/ROI catchup service, All 4, from Friday the 25th of October 2019. 10 shows will premiere on launch day with another 4 to join the lineup at a later date.

Titles available now include smash hit anime Cowboy Bebop, kawaii CLAMP classic Cardcaptor Sakura and fantasy Inuyasha. They've also got a nice mix of titles in their line up including Tokyo Ghoul, The Dragon Dentist, Megalo Box, The Vision of Escaflowne and Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin. Plus Charlotte and Durarara!!

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