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Anime Limited Announce Future Boy Conan UK Release on Blu-ray and 4K UHD Blu-ray

Date: 2021 September 28 21:02 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Anime distributors Anime Limited have just announced that they have the UK rights to Future Boy Conan. The hugely significant and influential show has not had an official English language until now. GKIDS have the US distribution rights and will release it sometime late this year. While Anime Limited intend to release the series early 2022.

The series is significant as it marks Hayao Miyazaki's directorial debut, the legendary director went to co-found Studio Ghibli and make ground breaking titles such as My Neighbour Totoro and Spirited Away.

Anime Limited also mention Keep Your Hands Off, Eizouken's tribute to the show, with characters watching it and it inspiring their love of anime.

Anime Limited will release the title together on Blu-ray and 4K UHD Blu-ray, split across two collectors edition releases. They'll include a 132-page book written by Jonathan Clements (co-author of the Anime Encyclopedia and tons of other stuff) and Andrew Osmond (who wrote the BFI Film Classics: Spirited Away book, along with lots of other stuff).

The 4K Release will be the first anywhere in the world, but we think it's worth it just for the book and a chance to finally get Future Boy Conan officially in the UK is something we've been eagerly waiting for. This title is a must watch for any Ghibli fan.

Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited

I Belong to the Baddest Girl at School Manga Release Details

Date: 2021 July 26 19:49 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good folks from manga publishers One Peace Books have just sent us details about their up coming release. I Belong to the Baddest Girl at School is a manga romcom of misunderstanding. It's Japanese title is Pashiri na Boku. Volume 1 is due out for release on 17th August 2021, the manga follows the mishaps of sensitive Unoki and Toramaru, the baddest girl boss in town.

You can pre-order the title from Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk and all good places that sell books.

Read More... | Souce: One Peace Books

Tezuka's Barbara Blu-ray Release Details

Date: 2021 July 06 19:47 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks from third window films have sent us details of new release of Tezuka's Barbara. It's a film adaptation of Osamu Tezuka's manga Barbara by his son Macoto Tezka. With cinematography by Christopher Doyle, staring Goro Inagaki and Fumi Nikaido. Barbara itself is regarded as the legendary Tezuka's most adult and sexually-charged works. The film adaption appears to keep those elements, giving the film it's 18 rating.

It's just been released on Monday 28th June 2021 and retails for £19.99.
You can buy the all region blu-ray on Amazon.co.uk.

The Rising of the Shield Hero Audio Book

Date: 2021 July 06 19:01 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

The good folks from One Peace Books have sent us details of their latest publication. The Rising of the Shield Hero has now been adapted to an audio book. Narrated by Kurt Kanazawa, the book is available on sites Audiobooks.com and will soon be live on Amazon, Apple Books, Audible, NOOK Audiobooks, Spotify, and everywhere the audiobooks are sold. Volume 1 of the the book lasts for 6 hours 52 minutes.

Read More... | Souce: One Peace Books

Azuki The New Digital Manga Service

Date: 2021 June 18 20:28 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

It's just been announced that from Monday 28th June 2021, a new legal digital manga service will be launched. Azuki, named after the red bean often used in sweet treats promises to be a new digital manga cafe. It'll be launched on Web, iOS, and Android.

The service will deliver hundreds of manga after they hit stores in Japan It will offer content for both free and subscription users. With free users able to access select chapters with ads, while pay monthly subscribers can pay $4.99 (USD) to read the catalogue without any ads.

The service will be available worldwide in English (excluding Japan). They've currently got a publishing partnership with Kodansha USA Publishing. Titles currently include Attack on Titan, Tokyo Revengers, Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card, Chi's Sweet Home, Fairy Tail, Flying Witch, Gleipnir and many more.

At 5 dollars a month, the service pays for itself after reading the first volume. It promises high quality content and it's great to be able to officially support manga publishers this way. We're looking forward to trying out the service in a few weeks.

It's interesting how official manga subscription services are getting more competition. Viz Media has it's own Shonen Jump Manga & Comics app for $1.99 (USD) a month, which is a must if you want some Chainsaw Man or My Hero Academia. While similar competitor Mangamo has a similar partnership with Kodansha and also charges $4.99 (USD) a month.

While anime streaming service Crunchyroll also has it's own official manga service.

Small Totoro Honnori Lamp Review

Date: 2021 June 01 18:13 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

At Otaku News HQ, we don't often buy that much merchandise any more, mainly due to space limitations. With so many great items out there, it's easy to get carried away and we've become very selective.

Just by luck when browsing Twitter something caught our eye. It was this brilliant little lamp.

One Cut of the Dead: Hollywood Edition Blu-ray Release Details

Date: 2021 May 18 19:59 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks from Japanese movie distributor third window films have just sent us the release details for One Cut of the Dead: Hollywood Edition

This special limited edition pressing is limited to 2,000 units. It includes One Cut of the Dead featuring 4 hours of content, including the spin-off film One Cut of the Dead in Hollywood.

We have seen the original One Cut of the Dead. All we'll say is watch it. Don't read any reviews, avoid any spoilers or plot synopsis. Just go in and watch it. You'll have the most rewarding experience if you do. It's a clever movie and also has plenty of rewatch value. We're curious to see what the spin off movie in Hollywood is like.

The all region blu-ray is available from Monday 31st May 2021 and will retail for £21.99.

You can pre-order it from Amazon.co.uk.

Hatsune Miku Home Ramen Kit

Date: 2021 March 14 11:29 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Cuisine

We've covered plenty about food for fans of Japan in the past before. With lockdown still underway in the UK people are always looking for something a bit different to eat at home. So some companies have been innovative and created DIY at home cooking kits. This elevates it from a regular takeaway it's an activity you can do at home. Ramen chain Shoryu Ramen with branches in London, Manchester and Oxford have just teamed up with Hatsune Miku to create Miku x Shoryu DIY kit. This limited edition ramen kit is dedicated to fans of everyone's favourite vocaloid.

You can order now for delivery between 16th March - 4th April 2021. Each pack is £44 and serves 2 people. There's a meat eater (which contains pork) or vegan option. Each pack also contains Matcha Detox mocktail for 2, along with 2 white chocolate turquoise cookies a plus Hatsune Miku x Shoryu tote bag.

I Hear the Sunspot: Limit Volume 3 Manga Release Details

Date: 2021 March 11 20:59 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good people from One Peace Books have just sent us the release details I Hear the Sunspot: Limit Volume 3. The final volume of the manga is due out on 13th April 2021. The publishers promise us that "The moving love story between two young men, the hard-of-hearing Kohei and the eternally-optimistic Taichi, reaches a tear-jerking finale".

They also tell us it's "Praised for its nuanced representation of disability, and named a best graphic novel for teens in 2019 and 2020 by the American Library Association's YALSA division, I Hear the Sunspot: Limit showcases the protagonists' immense emotional growth while continuing its thoughtful exploration of disability representation and issues."

One Peace Book always publish an interesting range of manga, and this one is certainly worth adding to your reading list.

You can pre-order the book from all the usual places including Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, US Bookshop.org, UK Bookshop.org.

Read More... | Souce: One Peace Books

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.

Read More... | Souce: One Peace Books

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

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.

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.

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.

Neon Genesis Evangelion UK Blu-ray Release Details

Date: 2020 June 01 20:08 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

During the online convention Cloud Matsuri, on their panel Anime Limited revealed that they have the rights for the original Neon Genesis Evangelion TV Series and the original Evangelion movies Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death and Rebirth and The End of Evangelion.

Anime Limited will be releasing the super hit anime as a blu-ray boxset in the UK some time in 2021. They intend to release it as an Ultimate Edition. Generally Anime Limited grade their releases into three tiers, standard (which is a normal release with the disc and maybe a few postcards etc), collectors editions which often have lavish packaging, artbooks and all sorts of extra content. Then their top tier is the Ultimate Edition, which is an over the top collectors edition with as much content as they can gather. Ultimate Editions in the past from Anime Limited have been very special, they've had a Cowboy Bebop Boxset shipped in a special Cowboy Bebop branded vinyl flight case along with tons of soundtrack content and art books. Their Fullmetal Alchemist Ultimate Boxset included a 5kg (yes, five kilogram) of The Gate from the series.

At the moment all Anime Limited are able to say is that it'll be released sometime in 2021. They have not been able to say which dub will be on the discs, if it's the original ADV dub or the new Netflix version or even if it'll include both. It's not even clear which regions the discs will be. They could be Region B only (which will work in the UK and Australia) or also Region A (US and Japan). As of yet It's not certain who will be releasing Evangelion in other English speaking countries.

Normally what the company includes in their editions depends on how much official content they can acquire from the original licence holder. Evangelion has tons of content available, so there can be plenty of speculation as to what they'll release.

The series has been out of print for a long time on DVD, leaving fans to either buy expensive old DVD editions or resort to bootleg copies of the show.

Last year the show was released on Netflix remastered in high definition with a new English dub.

Evangelion is regarded as one of the greatest anime series of all time. It's been hugely influential and cause an anime boom in the mid to late nineteen-nineties. The franchise has caused an endless stream of merchandise. We'll wonder if they'll include any of this merchandise in the the boxset?!

Souce: Anime Limited

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!

Evangelion, Gunpla and other Anime and Manga T-Shirts at Uniqlo

Date: 2020 April 21 19:39 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

Fans of anime franchise based t-shirts will want to head over to the Uniqlo website to grab the latest Evangelion and Gunpla 40th Anniversary designs.

The Japanese clothes company always has some great t-shirts in their UT Graphic Print range. They intend to release some designs that appeal to all kinds of manga and anime fans including their Manga UT line, which includes Osomatsu-kun, GeGeGe no Kitaro and The Genius Bakabo.

They'll also have Manga UT Ribon 65th Anniversary which includes Chibi Maruko Chan, Tokimeki Tonight, Tenshi Nanka Ja Nai, Gokinjo Monogatari and Marmalade Boy.

If you like something from Young Jump then Uniqlo have you covered with Manga UT Weekly Young Jump 40TH Anniversary. They'll have tees from Golden Kamuy, Tokyo Ghoul and Kingdom.

While if you want something more tokusatsu to wear then you'll be excited about the upcoming Ultraman t-shirt range.

Genki Gear April 2020 Sale

Date: 2020 April 17 19:58 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from geek t-shirt company Genki Gear have just sent us a reminder that they've got a sale on. They've got t-shirts from £4 on offer along with their usual geeky designs. You maybe familiar with their designs as they often have a popular stall at events like MCM Comic Con and Hyper Japan.

Genki Gear also have Tokidoki and BT21 Official Merch too! We're particularly partial to their £10 t-shirt range too.

The geeky clothes company are also reassuring us that they're being extra diligent with all deliveries being made with safety in mind

Souce: Genki Gear

Manga Entertainment UK Summer 2020 Release Schedule

Date: 2020 April 12 19:57 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from Manga Entertainment UK have just revealed their Summer 2020 release line up.

Highlights include Is it Wrong to Try to Pick up Girls in a Dungeon? Arrow of the Orion, High School DxD HERO, and the very silly (and equally enjoyable) Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid, along with Bungo Stray Dogs.

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.

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%.

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.

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.

gen:LOCK Season 1 UK DVD and Blu-ray Release Details

Date: 2019 October 10 20:06 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from Rooster Teeth have sent us a reminder that their latest show gen:LOCK Season 1 will be released on DVD and Blu-ray in the UK on Monday 28th October 2019.

The anime style show from the company behind RWBY. This is another action packed CGI animated series with ROBOTS! Yes, Robots, and famous actors such as Michael B. Jordan, Dakota Fanning, Maisie Williams and David Tennant lending their voices to characters.

Last year we interviewed Gray Haddock the writer and director of the series about the show.

gen:LOCK Season 1 is available to pre-order now on DVD and Blu-ray from Amazon.co.uk.

Viz Media 2020 Release Announcements from New York Comic Con

Date: 2019 October 07 20:13 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

We've just been sent details of the release announcements from anime and manga publisher Viz Media. At New York Comic Con Viz revealed that they have the publishing rights for Star Wars: The Legends of Luke Skywalker: The Manga.

It's scheduled for release sometime in early 2020. The anthology will feature a collection of stories by renowned manga artists that include Akira Himekawa, Haruichi, Akira Fukaya, Takashi Kisaki and Subaru. Akira Himekawa is the Japanese duo best known for their work on the official The Legend of Zelda manga based on the smash hit Nintendo game series.

Viz have also got a ton of titles manga due out in the summer of 2020. Including Rumiko Takahashi's Maison Ikkoku. The much loved fan favourite has been eagerly anticipated for rerelease.

Mujirushi: The Sign of Dreams by another legendary manga artist Naoki Urasawa has also been highly anticipated. We were lucky enough to interview Naoki Urasawa when he was in London earlier this year.

We're also excited about action packed comedy Spy x Family by Tatsuya Endo. Along with Ping Pong by Taiyo Matsumoto, the mind behind Tekkonkinkreet and Sunny.

Japan Matsuri in London - Sunday 29th September 2019

Date: 2019 September 25 20:46 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Fans of Japanese culture in London this weekend will want to head to the Japan Matsuri in Trafalgar Square. Now in it's 11th year the free event is set to run from 10am to 8pm on Sunday 29th September 2019. As always there'll be lots to see and do. Including a watching expert martial arts demonstrations, Japanese music and dance performances.

One of the main draws is always Japanese street food. We've also been told that Japanese fast food favourite MOS burger will be making their UK debut. There's always so much good Japanese food there it can be hard to choose what to eat! Yakisoba! Sushi! Hmmm. It's hard not to drool thinking about food while typing this!

There's also a great family activity tent will teach parents and kids alike manga, calligraphy, origami
and more.

This year's Matsuri marks the official opening of the Japan-UK Season of Culture - an exciting and varied programme of events taking place until the end of 2020.

Seven Seas Licenses 5 New Yuri Titles for 2020

Date: 2019 September 21 19:59 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good folks at manga publishers Seven Seas Entertainment have just sent us details of their 5 new yuri license acquisitions. They've got 4 new manga titles and one light novel.

Goodbye, My Rose Garden is a period romance between a British noblewoman and her maid. Volume 1 of the manga is due out April 14, 2020.

Syrup is a yuri anthology collecting short manga about adult women in love. It's due out June 9, 2020.

Failed Princesses is a unlikely high school romance manga. Volume 1 will be released on May 12 2020.

Fragtime is a time-freezing yuri love story. The manga will be released on April 14, 2020.

Adachi and Shimamura is a fan-favorite yuri romance that will soon be adapted into an anime series Volume 1 of the light novel series will be released in print on June 2, 2020

Manga Entertainment UK Autumn and Winter 2019 Blu-ray and DVD Release Details

Date: 2019 August 04 22:06 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

The good folks from anime distributors Manga Entertainment UK have just sent us their latest UK DVD and blu-ray release line up for autumn and winter 2019.

They've got a good selection of shonen titles available including more Black Clover, Naruto Shippuden, Boruto, along with Dragon Ball Super.

They'll also be releasing the first parts of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime and Goblin Slayer Season One. The former is a story about an average salaryman who dies and gets reincarnated as a blob of slime (as one does). While Goblin slayer is set in your regular D&D type world about a hero called Goblin slayer, who takes on the task of killing goblin infestations before they become more troublesome, fan service and violence ensue.

Interestingly enough they've also branched out into some Cartoon Network titles, they'll be releasing Adventure Time as Individual Complete First to Fifth Seasons, along with a 1 to 5 collection on DVD an blu-ray. Steven Universe Seasons 1 & 2 will also be released. Samurai Jack The Complete Series (Seasons 1-5) is due to hit shelves on 2nd December and includes the long awaited 5 season. We must admit we've got a soft spot for these titles. Sure they're not anime, but they're very well done and a pleasure to watch.

What's Michael? Fatcat Collection Volume 1 Cat Manga Release Details

Date: 2019 June 25 20:47 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

Fans of cat manga can rejoice as publisher Dark Horse are re-releasing the classic What's Michael? as a special fat cat collection.

The manga was originally released in English by Dark Horse in 1997 and has been out of print for a long time, with many fans thought a reprint of Makoto Kobayashi's manga in English unlikely. We're massive fans of the comic antics of this cat manga as it blends slice of life tales (or should that be tails?!) along with amusing fantasy incorporating cats. The light hearted title is due out in the US on January 29, 2020.

You can pre-order it from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.

We've also been told that translator Zack Davisson is involved in this project and will write introductions for each volume. Zack is not only a manga translator, but a cat fan so it an appropriate choice for this series.

Why is the cat called Michael? Well Michael is used in Japanese as causal slang for cat, kind of like moggy.

Manga Entertainment UK Summer Release Schedule 2019

Date: 2019 June 09 19:42 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from Manga Entertainment UK (which is now a subsidiary of Funimation) have just sent us their summer line up.

They've got the enjoyable Steins;Gate 0 Part 1 combi set due out on Monday 29th July. While Steins;Gate 0 Part 2 is due out on Monday 2nd September 2019.

For shonen fans they've got Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Set One (Episodes 1-13) due out Monday 5th August 2019.

If you fancy something a darker and grisly they've also got Attack on Titan Season 3 Part 1 due out on Monday 12th August 2019. The limited edition Blu-ray set 2-panel digibook with 24 pages of art, plus space in the box for part 2. You can also get it on regular edition DVD.

We've also posted about Manga's June / July line up in the past.

Souce: Manga Entertainment UK

Funimation Acquires UK Anime Distributor Manga Entertainment Limited

Date: 2019 May 29 21:00 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Press Releases

The good folks from anime distributors Manga Entertainment UK have just sent us some interesting news. They've been acquired by anime distributor Funimation. The details of the acquisition have not been revealed.

It's not exactly clear at this stage what will happen to Manga Entertainment UK in the long term. They're strong anime brand in the UK releasing popular shonen titles including Dragon Ball Z, Bleach and Naruto. They frequently have a big presence at events like MCM Comic Con London. They've always been around in one form or another on the UK anime scene. Clearly the executives at Funimation have a plan for Manga Entertainment UK, but at this stage it's not clear what it'll be. Will they slowly be rebranded and absorbed into Funimation? Or will they remain a subsidiary? Only time will tell.

Legend of Zelda Manga Duo Akira Himekawa to Visit London this Weekend for MCM Comic Con London and Forbidden Planet Signing

Date: 2019 May 22 19:23 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

London based fans of Zelda are in for a treat this weekend as Legend of Zelda manga duo Akira Himekawa will be in town for MCM Comic Con London and a special signing at Forbidden Planet (which is handy if you can't make it to MCM over the weekend).

The London branch of the Sci-Fi super store Forbidden Planet will be playing host to the manga duo for a special signing event. The signing event is on Friday 24th May from 6pm to 7:30pm. It's free, but you do need to get a wrist band from Forbidden Planet first in order to attend. No wrist band, no entry. To find out how to get a wrist band visit Forbidden Planet's website for details.

Akira Himekawa will also be at the MCM Comic Con London and attending the event throughout the weekend for signings and panels with manga publisher VIZ. Akira Himekawa's featured spotlight panel will take place on Saturday on the Main Stage at 14:15 and includes a special announcement of new titles, a live drawing session and awesome trivia questions for prize giveaways.

Manga Entertainment UK June and July 2019 DVD and Blu-ray UK Release Details

Date: 2019 May 10 19:49 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks over at anime distributor Manga Entertainment UK have just revealed their DVD and Blu-ray UK release schedule for June and July 2019.

We've also got My Hero Academia Season 1 out on Monday 27th May 2019.

Monday 1st of July 2019:

Monday 15th July 2019:

Naruto Shippuden Box 37

Monday 22nd July 2019:

There's a little something for everyone. If you're after some classic shonen super hero action, then of course it's got to be My Hero Academia. If you're after something Isekai why not escape into the other world that is Overlord II?
You want a secret British organisation fighting civilians with the help of overpowered vampire with a handgun?! Why Hellsing Ultimate is for you.

Manga UK's MCM London Fundraiser

Date: 2019 May 08 20:20 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from Manga Entertainment UK are getting ready for the May run on MCM Comic Con London. So to get things moving they've set up a fundraiser for the event. This time around they'll be supporting Mermaids the charity that supports gender variant and transgender children, young people and their families.

If you'd like to help you can buy a raffle ticket for a chance to win a nice selection of Dragon Ball Super / Dragon Ball Z goodies.

Seven Seas Entertainment April 2019 Release Announcements

Date: 2019 April 21 19:52 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good folks from manga publisher Seven Seas Entertainment have just sent us a load of details about their recent license acquisitions. They've got pretty much something for everyone, including Haruka Takachiho and Hisao Tamaki's Dirty Pair Manga Omnibus which is a manga retelling of the first Dirty Pair Light Novel.

We're very curious about the very interesting sounding My Father Is a Unicorn which tells the tale of Issei who's Mum has remarried to a shape shifting unicorn (as one does), so now Issei's step dad is a unicorn and hilarity ensues. We've not been as excited about a title like this since Seven Seas licensed My Girlfriend is a T-Rex (which you can also buy on Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com.

The Ancient Magus' Bride - Season 1 Part 2 UK Blu-ray and DVD Release Details

Date: 2019 April 19 13:00 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

UK anime fans eager to see the second part of The Ancient Magus Bride will be pleased to hear that Manga Entertainment UK have announced a release date of 3rd June 2019 for the UK and Ireland.

You can read our review of part 1 (we really enjoyed it). You can also pre-order The Ancient Magus Bride Season 1 Part 2 on DVD and Blu-ray from Amazon.co.uk.

Part two continues the adventures of Chise and Elias with more dark fairy tail / folklore magic along with a revelation about about Joseph / Cartaphilus. If you enjoyed part one, you will enjoy part two as well!

Seven Seas Entertainment March 2019 Release Announcements

Date: 2019 March 19 21:45 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Manga Publisher Seven Seas Entertainment have just announced 3 new license acquisitions that'll arrive in shops in the final months of 2019. They've got Dance in the Vampire Bund: A.S.O. Volume 1 which will hit shelves on October 8th 2019. ASO stands for Age of Scarlet Order and continues the adventures of Mina and Akira. They'll also be re-releasing the original Dance in the Vampire Bund manga volumes in digital format in 2019.

If you fancy some fashionable cooking manga with a twist then Gal Gohan could be the title for you. Volume 1 will be out on December 10th 2019 on print and digital.

Finally they'll also be releasing the Kickstater hit ROADQUEEN: Eternal Roadtrip. The manga-style Girls' Love/yuri graphic novel about motorcycles and romance will be released in print and digital on October 8th 2019.

Perfect Blue Ultimate Edition UK Blu-ray Release Details

Date: 2019 March 14 20:29 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from anime distributors Anime Limited have announced that they'll be releasing an Ultimate Edition of Satoshi Kon's psychological thriller Perfect Blue. Anime Limited normally have different grades of releases, for them a collectors edition generally has a nice artbook and maybe a soundtrack, all nicely packaged in a special box of some kind. While to earn the badge of ultimate edition, they generally go a lot further. This release includes a 48 page companion book, the complete storyboard book (which is a huge 384 pages), plus a CD soundtrack. Both books are A4 size which means the box will also be A4 size.

They've also included a new remaster of Perfect Blue on blu-ray. Anime Limited say "this Blu-ray is different as it's a brand new remaster of the film! This remaster - which you won't have seen in any cinema or other home video release before - improves on the overall visual quality of the film, giving you a new viewing experience that really show off its direction and composition as is befitting of such an important film."

The release is due out on Monday 29th April 2019.

The set retails for £99.99, but is exclusive to Anime Limited and Zavvi who both have it pre-order for £89.99.

Pre-order from Zavvi.com
Pre-order from Anime Limited

If you're curious about this amazing classic you can read our review of the 2017 cinema screening too.

Souce: Anime Limited

Mamoru Hosoda's Mirai UK Blu-ray and DVD Release Details

Date: 2019 February 26 21:00 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

UK based fans of Mamoru Hosoda's latest hit movie Mirai will be pleased to hear that Anime Limited have made the title available for pre-order on Amazon.co.uk. The Oscar nominated movie will be available from Monday May 27th 2019. The film follows the domestic life of 4 year old Kun and the upheaval that occurs when his little sister Mirai arrives, as a new born baby and then as a time traveller from the future!

It'll be released as a special Collectors Edition Combi, Standard Edition Blu-ray and Standard Edition DVD.

If did get a chance to catch the movie when it was in the cinemas last year, then now's your chance get it on DVD or Blu-ray. We really enjoyed Mirai and think it's an excellent family film. It's a rare joyful movie that has plenty of rewatch value. We've said it's an instant classic, and we'll say it again. If you want to know more then why not read our review of Mirai?

Souce: Anime Limited

The Ring Returns to Cinemas and Home Video in the UK for it's 20th Anniversary

Date: 2019 February 11 22:51 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

Arrow Films are keen to tell us about some classic nightmare fuel they're releasing. To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Ring a special restoration of the film will be showing across the UK from Friday 1st March 2019. They've also got a showing at London's Prince Charles Cinema 21st February 2019.

The iconic horror movie has so many classic elements, urban myths and a more modern take on the chain letter. The iconic image of Sadako crawling out of a TV is burnt into Japanese pop culture on it's release.

You can find a screening near you by visiting the official UK Ring website.

If you want to watch it at home Ring will also be released on Monday 18th March 2019 on Digital, DVD, Blu-ray, Limited Edition Steelbook, and Limited Edition Collection featuring Ring, Ring 2, Ring 0 and Spiral.

You can pre-order the Limited Edition Collection Blu-ray now from Amazon.co.uk, which features a ton of content featuring Ring, Ring 2, Ring 0 and Spiral, plus a limited edition 60-page booklet containing new writing by Violet Lucca, Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, Jasper Sharp, Kieran Fisher and Kat Ellinger. They're also got Limited Edition Blu-ray Steel Book of Ring.

If you don't like Blu-rays in Steelbooks they've also got the regular blu-ray (that's currently priced the same as the steel book) or the film on DVD.

Dragon Ball Super The Movie: Broly SteelBook Blu-Ray UK Release Details

Date: 2019 February 08 21:41 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

While the latest Dragon Ball Super Movie - Dragon Ball Super: Broly movie is doing well at cinemas around the UK, it's distributor Manga Entertainment UK have just dropped us a message to tell us about the UK blu-ray release. The movie will be released as a special Limited Edition Blu-ray in the UK on 27th May 2019.

You can pre-order the title from Zavvi.

I Want to Eat Your Pancreas Light Novel and Manga Release Reminder

Date: 2019 February 07 21:46 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Manga publisher Seven Seas Entertainment have just sent a reminder about I Want to Eat Your Pancreas. The movie hits cinemas around the US soon. They're keen to remind us that they've recently released the original light novel and it's manga adaptation in print and digital platforms. The weepy romantic story has a legion of fans and we're eager to see it too.

As always you can buy the original light novel from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com. The manga is also available from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com.

If you want to keep track of other release dates we suggest you check our out sister site the Otaku Calendar, which lists events and release dates of interest to anime and manga fans.

Seven Seas Entertainment New Year 2019 Release Details

Date: 2019 January 15 21:46 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

A new year marks a new load of releases from manga publisher Seven Seas Entertainment. They've sent us a ton of press releases telling us all about them. Rather than spread them across a dozen pages, here's the full list:

There's pretty much something for everyone on this list. We're most excited about The Wize Wize Beasts of the Wizarding Wizdoms by Nagabe as we're really enjoying reading The Girl From the Other Side: Siúil, a Rún. Plus Neon Genesis Evangelion: ANIMA light novel, as it's always interesting to see other takes on the huge franchise.

Overlord II Collectors' Edition UK Release Details

Date: 2019 January 11 22:49 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from Manga Entertainment UK have sent us the release details for Overlord II. The title will be avaiable as a special collectors edition exclusively from Zavvi. It's out from 25th February 2019. It includes content on DVD and Blu-ray along with a 40 page artbook, some art cards and a fabric poster.

Overlord forms part of the whole reincarnated/transported in another world (isekai) genre. Momonga is a player for a MMORPG soon to be shutdown, staying on-line as the game servers are shut down he finds himself reborn as the skeletal lich character he used to play. Trapped in this new world the comedy adventure begins and season 2 continues the adventures. If you like D&D or a good RPG and want something like that with anime, comedy and adventure Overloard is a good start.

My Hero Academia: Two Heroes Movie UK DVD and Blu-ray Release Details

Date: 2018 December 29 20:42 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Manga Entertainment UK have just sent us the home video release details for My Hero Academia: Two Heroes. The movie is due out on DVD, Blu-ray and Limited Edition Blu-ray Steelbook from Monday 8th April 2019.

The movie follows Deku and his classmates as they're invited to hero expo on a special research island fortress city called I-Island. Of course being My Hero Academia and such an important event, villains show up and All Might's protégé has to save the day.

As always you can pre-order it from Amazon.co.uk now.

You can also read our review of the movie from the recently cinema screenings.

We're very amused with Manga's genius tag line for this "Go Plus Ultra from your sofa!".

Cowboy Bebop Ultimate Edition UK Release Details

Date: 2018 November 07 21:55 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Anime Limited have been figuring out what to get the anime fan who has everything. So to answer this question they've been busy bunnies (or should we say corgis?) releasing the Cowboy Bebop Ultimate Edition. Intended to celebrate 20 years of the franchise, they've bundled together the whole show on blu-ray, including the full TV series and movie, along with 3 of the CD soundtracks (Cowboy Bebop, Cowboy Bebop NO DISC and Cowboy Bebop BLUE), along with a 120 page artbook featuring all sorts of lovely images. Of course to make it the ultimate edition they've taken it a step further and put it in a massive vinyl storage box with Cowboy Bebop branding, with the CDs and blu-rays in special sleeves that fit in the box.

It's available for pre-order exclusively on Zavvi.com and AllTheAnime.com.

The set will be limited to 1,000 copies and when it's sold out Anime Limited have made very clear that that's it for this edition. The set has a suggested retail price of £299.99, but both Anime Limited and Zavvi have it for £224.99. They intend to release it early December 2018, most likely around 10th December 2018, but the release date isn't set in stone as it's the Christmas period.

The Blu-rays are Region B, so fans in the UK, Ireland, the rest of Europe and Australia can enjoy the blu-rays with their normal players.

Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited

Genki Gear - Latest 2018 T-shirt Line Up

Date: 2018 November 06 20:53 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

The good folks from geeky t-shirt company Genki Gear have sent us details of their new range. It includes their regular mix of cats, geeky stuff and of course a bit of D&D. We like the look of science cat, as of course cats would indeed to science to take over the world.

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