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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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Carole & Tuesday Now on Netflix

Date: 2019 August 31 14:01 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

If you like your anime with a musical twist, you can't go wrong to catch Carole & Tuesday on Netflix. From Bones and Shinichiro Watanabe it charts the story of two girls brought together by chance to make music. Watanabe is the supervising director for this show, while Motonobu Hori is also directing.

Music is a constant recurring theme for Watanabe, with the sound track dominating he shows such as Cowboy Bebop, while he's also been responsible for Kids on the Slope anime about two boys coming of age and exploring jazz together.

The 12 episode Carole & Tuesday is out now on Netflix dubbed into English, French, German, Italian, Brazilian Portuguese, Spanish, Castilian Spanish. It's available subbed in many languages too, including English. So yes, you can watch it in the original Japanese and one of 28 different languages.

Catch it now!

The studio are also lunching a fanart contest. First prize is 100,000 Japanese Yen Prize money!

The Benza - A Comedy about a Quest for a Toilet Seat

Date: 2019 August 15 19:06 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Not all quests are epic. Which is why we've been sent details about Chris and Kyle, two Americans who share an apartment in Tokyo. One day their toilet seat broke, which leads onto their adventures to find a suitable replacement. The trouble starts when they realise they don't know the Japanese word for toilet seat! Want to know more? Then you can find out by watching The Benza a 6 series comedy on Amazon Prime currently streaming in the US, UK, Germany and Japan.

Made on a budget of 2,000,000 yen (about 18,840 USD) the show explores what it's like to go hunting for a toilet seat in Japan.

AmeCon returns in August 2020 with AmeChibi

Date: 2019 August 06 20:36 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

UK anime fans looking for a nice little convention to attend in the summer of 2020 are in luck. The good folks at AmeCon have announced that they'll be running AmeChibi at Northampton Park Inn on Friday 7th to Sunday 9th August 2020. It's called AmeChibi as it's smaller than their usual university campus events, running in a hotel instead. This means it'll have a different more cosy atmosphere than the larger events.

Registration for AmeChibi 2020 will open on Tuesday 1st October 2019. Pricing details have yet to be revealed.

The last smaller format AmeChibli was held in 2015 and registration sold out in 6 hours. So we advise you to book early on Tuesday 1st October 2019 if you're keen to go.

Souce: AmeCon

AmeCon - Live Stream for Next AmeCon Event Details

Date: 2019 August 01 18:47 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

UK based anime fans looking for a convention to go to will be pleased to hear that AmeCon will be announcing details of their next event. On Saturday 3rd August 2019 they'll have a livestream at 8:30pm along with a Q&A.

From what we can gather, they'll be announcing when and where the next AmeCon will be, along with when it opens for registration.

To be the first to find out tune in on either Facebook or YouTube.

You can also submit questions to them in advance via Facebook or @AmeCon on Twitter.

AmeCon is one of the UK's largest Japanese animation, comics and culture conventions. It's run by fans for fans.

Souce: AmeCon

Jojo's Bizarre Adventure Give-Away with Crunchyroll

Date: 2019 June 04 21:29 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

We've teamed up with the good folks from on-line streaming service Crunchyroll to offer some Jojo's Bizarre Adventure goodies and 1 month premium subscription to the streaming service for our UK readers. Read on if you're interested.

One-Punch Man Season 2 Now Streaming on Crunchyroll

Date: 2019 April 10 20:19 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from anime streaming service Crunchyroll have just sent us a reminder that One-Punch Man Season 2 is now out for streaming for viewers in the UK. Helpfully they've also got a A Super Serious Look Back! episode helping you recap season 1 so you can then jump straight into season 2.

The anime based on the successful manga follows the adventures of Saitama a guy who became a hero for fun. His intense training regime made him bald, but also made him ridiculously strong! So much so he can defeat any opponent in one punch. As a result Saitama is incredibly bored. The whole series parodies the super hero genre so well, with heroes and villains that seem a bit familiar but also hilarious.

Neon Genesis Evangelion to stream on Netflix Worldwide from Spring 2019

Date: 2018 November 27 21:58 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Streaming Service Netflix have just revealed that they will be showing anime Neon Genesis Evangelion worldwide starting from Spring 2019. Announced on their NXOnNetflix Twitter feed as a teaser trailer of the show.

The original Neon Genesis Evangelion TV Series is generally regarded as one of the greatest anime TV shows of it's era. In the mid 1990's it lit the flames for a new wave of anime that still carries on to this day. Without the anime boom it caused the anime industry itself would be very different. Australian Anime Distributors Madman Entertainment owed their early success to Neon Genesis Evangelion. For many it was the watershed title that helped them discover anime.

Written and directed by the otaku's otaku Hideaki Anno the multi-layered story blends a bleak future mixed with giant robots, nostalgia for 1960's adventure, along with Christian symbolism and nods to Tokusatsu, Thunderbirds, along with a special blend of whiny teenage angst and reasons to hate your father. You'll never listen to Ode to Joy the same way again.

The hugely influential show, spawned some movies, plus the rebuild series of new movies retelling the story with a different take, various manga spin offs, plus an endless stream of merchandise.

Souce: Offical NXOnNetflix Twitter

BBC Wiltshire Covers Fosse Farmhouse The UK Location Used for anime Kinmoza

Date: 2018 May 17 20:17 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

BBC Wiltshire isn't the first place you'd think of going to for anime coverage, but now and again it does pay off to check regional news. They've just published a video of a visit to Fosse Farmhouse, the B&B used as the location for anime Kinmoza.

We've covered details of Fosse Farmhouse winning Best B&B Story of the Year for it's Anime Connection and the original story of the location being used for Kinmoza.

Souce: BBC Wiltshire Facebook Page

Anime Ltd Acquires Full Metal Panic! Invisible Victory rights for Streaming and Home Video in the UK and Ireland

Date: 2018 April 13 19:49 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks at Anime Limited have just revealed that they have the rights to Full Metal Panic! Invisible Victory for the UK and Ireland. It's not secret that the company are all massive fans of the mecha show having already released the first three seasons (Full Metal Panic, Full Metal Panic: Fumoffu? and Full Metal Panic: The Second Raid).

Anime Limited have the streaming and home video rights so will release in the future (they hint it'll be 2019 as it's still early days yet).

The show is out now on streaming service Crunchyroll.

Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited

United Publications Spring Clearance Sale 2018

Date: 2018 April 09 18:38 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from anime and manga retailer United Publications have sent us details of their spring clearance sale for 2018.

Managing Director Martin Dudman tells us - "Chance to try new series or help fill gaps in your collection.
Spring Clearance Books, DVD & Figures, limited quantity first come first served.
All orders will be posted ASAP and can not be held waiting on other items"

United Publications are a retailer you may have met before on the UK convention scene, as they regularly have stalls at London Comic Con and fan run conventions around the country.

Souce: United Publications

Sword Art Online the Movie: Ordinal Scale Now on Netflix

Date: 2018 February 15 17:09 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

UK based anime fans with streaming service Netflix will want to check out Sword Art Online the Movie: Ordinal Scale. It follows on from the TV series where Kirito and Asuna get involved with the latest augmented reality game Ordinal Scale. Mild peril ensues. We posted a review when hit the cinemas last year.

Souce: Netflix UK

Violet Evergarden on Netflix UK from 11th January 2018

Date: 2018 January 03 16:41 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > TV

UK Anime fans looking to get into the latest anime from Kyo Ani, the studio behind A Silent Voice and K-On will want to get onto Netflix from Thursday 11th January 2018 as the streaming service will be showing a new series Violet Evergarden. The fantasy series follows the story of Violet Evergarden, known as "the weapon" she's recovering from the recent war and has to find her place in the new post war world. It's based on a series of light novels written by Kana Akatsuki.

We were lucky enough to see the first episode at the MCM London Comic Con in October 2017 thanks to an official screening run by Anime Limited.

The production values are lavish. The first episode was like watching a feature film. We've also heard it described as opulent and wouldn't disagree with this description. It's like someone has just given Kyo Ani a truck full of money and said "Take this huge truck full of money and use it to make anime". Although this is the first episode, we'll be very curious to see if the production values remain throughout.

Your Name DVD Competition

Date: 2017 October 18 16:13 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

UK anime fans keen to get their own copy of the smash hit anime Your Name will want to set the date of Monday 6th November 2017 for the DVD, Blu-ray and Blu-ray Steelbook and Thursday 23rd November 2017 for the Deluxe Edition exclusively to Anime Ltd and Zavvi.

We've teamed up with the good folks from Anime Limited to give one lucky reader a copy of the film on DVD.

Netflix Announce New Death Note Live Action Series

Date: 2017 March 22 17:32 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > TV

Fans of killer note books will want to write down the date Friday 25th August 2017, as that's when Netflix will release their live action adaptation of the cult manga title Death Note.

Light Yagami becomes Light Turner (Nat Wolff), L is still L (Lakeith Stanfield), Misa Amane "Misa-Misa" becomes Mia Sutton (Margaret Qualley), Ryuk is still called Ryuk and will be voiced by Willem Dafoe. We want to know, will Mia Sutton dress like Misa Misa? Will this version's L walk around barefoot and drink tea? The teaser trailer hints that it's big budget and the action has moved from Tokyo to Seattle in this adaptation. We also get a tease of Ryuk only seeing his eyes shortly after spying a bright red apple. It ends with the tag line - Shall we begin?

The show is a Netflix Original, so we expect it'll be made available to all Netflix subscribers in any territory.

Some fans are quick to point out that it's not Japanese! Why isn't it Japanese? Well there is already a Japanese Drama Series along with 3 live action Death Note Movies, you can buy them all at bargain prices from Amazon.co.uk (less than £20 for all 3 on DVD) -

- Death Note Live Action Movie
- Death Note 2: The Last Name
- Death Note: L Change The World

Netflix subscribers can watch the whole anime series on the service.

You can also get the complete original manga in a jumbo box set from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com. Alternately they're available to buy separately, or the even more gothic Black Edition from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com.

Crunchyroll and Anime Limited Team Up to Stream Dragon Dentist

Date: 2017 February 18 15:04 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from Anime Limited have just announced that they're partnering with anime streaming service Crunchyroll to bring Studio Khara’s new title Dragon Dentist to the UK, Ireland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark.

The first part of the two part Dragon Dentist will be available on Crunchyroll on Saturday 18th February at 21:45 UTC / GMT.

It was originally part of the Japan Animator Expo.

The title is by Hideaki Anno's Studio Khara, it's best know for doing Rebuild of Evangelion movies. Just so you know, this story focuses on a dentist for dragons, rather than a dragon that is a dentist.

Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited

When Marnie Was There UK Screening Details

Date: 2016 June 07 17:11 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

UK anime fans will want to check cinema listings for the latest (and sadly last) Studio Ghibli Film to hit the big screen. When Marnie Was There is due for a cinema release from Friday 10th June 2016. Some cinemas will show it on a day early on Thursday 9th June 2016. Cinemas have already declared that they'll be showing both the subtitled version and the English dubbed version, so check the screening, to make sure it's the one you want.

The anime is based on Joan G. Robinson's novel, but the location has been changed from Norfolk (in the UK), to Sapporo. It's directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi, who also directed Arrietty.

For details of a screening near you, check out the Studio Ghibli Forever Website.

As always with events like this, we can't stress enough, book early to avoid disappointment.

Souce: Studio Ghibli Forever

Tezuka and Toriyama Artwork Auction Sale Results

Date: 2016 June 01 17:03 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

We've already mentioned the Sotheby's auction that contained artwork from Osamu Tezuka and Akira Toriyama. What we haven't covered is how much each item went for.

The prices listed below are the hammer price with the buyer's premium.

The Tezuka artwork went mostly within the estimated prices.

Lot 231 was estimated to sell for 8,000 to 10,000 EUR. It went for 8,750.

Lot 232 was estimated to sell for 3,000 to 4,000 EUR. It went for 3,625.

Lot 233 was estimated to sell for 2,000 to 3,000 EUR. It went for 1,750.

Lot 234 was estimated to sell for 2,500 to 3,000 EUR. It went for 2,750.1

Akira Toriyama's drawing was Lot 235 with an estimated sale price of 2,000 to 3,000 EUR. It sold for 15,000. That's 5 times the original estimated price.

Souce: Sotheby\'s

Sotheby's to Auction Tezuka and Toriyama Artwork

Date: 2016 May 05 15:37 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

Manga fans with cash to splash will want to head over to famous auctioneers Sotheby's for their bandes dessinées auction (drawn strips). The collection of sequential art is mainly European and American artists. However manga fans are in for a treat with manga master Osamu Tezuka artwork for sale with prices ranging from 2,000 to 10,000 EUR. They've also got an original Akira Toriyama drawing too, which is estimated to sell from 2,000 to 3,000 EUR.

The auction will take place on Saturday 14th May 2016 at 2pm in Paris. You can bid on-line, but note that first-time bidders must pre-register 24 hours in advance of the sale in order to be approved by Sotheby's.

Thanks to Deb Aoki for the tip off on this story.

United Publications May Madness Sale

Date: 2016 May 02 10:43 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

The good folks at United Publications have just sent us details of their latest special sale.

Their May madness sale has up to 60% off on selected books, DVD and figures, so it's the perfect chance for you to fill in the gaps in your collection. The sale will end on Tuesday 31st May 2016, while stocks last.

Souce: United Publications

FUNimation Now announces new launch date, adds countries

Date: 2016 February 22 14:52 | Posted By: Eeeper

Category > Anime

US anime label FUNimation announces delay to UK launch date and adds Republic of Ireland to its territories list.

Omakase Announces Limited Edition Hatsune Miku Subscription Box

Date: 2016 February 03 15:35 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

We've just got news from the good folks at Viewster about their latest Omakase goody box. The concept is simple, every two months they release a new themed box with merchandise from that series / theme. Along with a box of stuff, you also get access to Viewster's high definition ad-free streaming service. They'll ship to the United States, Canada and the UK.

The next box which is due out in March will feature Vocaloid Hatsune Miku and include exclusive Piapro Character Items. The box will retail for $29 USD (plus shipping and handling, which does vary where it's sent).

Previous themes have included Naruto and Kill La Kill.

MCM Event List for 2016

Date: 2016 January 30 14:25 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

As 2016 has just started it's time to plan ahead for those geek events. We've got a list of the MCM Comic Cons for 2016.

The MCM Event Calendar kicks off on 13th February with the MCM Midlands Comic Con. There's plenty more to follow throughout the year. The events always have something good to offer for anime fans too and often feature a guest or two from the anime and manga industry. The schedule is as follows:

13 February: MCM Midlands Comic Con
12-13 March: MCM Liverpool Comic Con
19-20 March: MCM Birmingham Comic Con
27-29 May: MCM London Comic Con
25-26 June: MCM Belfast Comic Con
2-3 July: MCM Ireland Comic Con (Dublin)
30-31 July: MCM Manchester Comic Con
23-24 September: MCM Scotland Comic Con (Glasgow)
28-30 October: MCM London Comic Con
19-20 November: MCM Birmingham Comic Con

The folks at MCM have also sent us details of two new events in Germany and Brussels. MCM Hannover Comic Con coming to Hannover Messe on 4-5 June 2016 and MCM Belgium Comic Con taking place at Brussels Expo on 11-12 June.

Also don't forget Comic Con Copenhagen 24-25 September 2016 and Comic Con Stockholm on 4-6 November 2016,

As always we've also updated the Otaku Calendar with details of these events.

Naruto Storm 4 and EDF Deals at Rice Digital

Date: 2016 January 18 16:56 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Gaming

The nice people over at Rice Digital have sent details of a 10% discount they're offering on Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 and Earth Defense Force 4.1 – The Shadow of New Despair.

Use the discount code STORM10 for Naruto and EDF10 for Earth Defense Force. The offer ends Monday 25th January 2016.

The company offer free UK shipping and will also ship worldwide. Personally, we're interested in the Steins;Gate stuff they've got on sale.

Viewster Launch Omakase Streaming and Merchandise Service

Date: 2015 October 17 08:48 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Streaming Service Viewster have just launched a new package aimed at anime fans. Omakase includes a subscription to their HD Ad-free service, plus a bimonthly box of goodies, including merchandise, music and comics. The boxes will feature limited edition and exclusive stuff. Their launch box will feature exclusive Kill la Kill merchandise.

The Omakase service will be available in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

A subscription currently costs $29 (USD) for 2 months, plus shipping and handling.

Animax Weekly Highlights for 14th September 2015

Date: 2015 September 14 15:43 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from UK Anime streaming service Animax have sent us details of their weekly highlights.

The company have just launched iOS and Android Apps too.

Every Friday evening of the month the site will also launch a new movie, this Friday HAL will join the Animax site.

Other highlights include Tiger & Bunny The Movie: The Beginning, Tiger & Bunny The Movie: The Rising. Bleach: Memories of Nobody, Mardock Scramble: The First Compression. Plus Simulcasts Rampo Kitan and Overlord.

AmeCon 2016 Registration Filled in Under an Hour

Date: 2015 August 31 17:04 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Fandom

We've already mentioned earlier that AmeCon registration went live today. The fan run anime convention's registration was filled in under 40 minutes, with all 1,000 spaces booked by 19:38.

Anyone wanting to attend the 2016 event now will have to be added to the wait list and hope that someone else gives up their space for the ever popular event.

Souce: AmeCon

AmeCon 2016 Registration Reminder

Date: 2015 August 26 16:56 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

UK Anime fans planning ahead for the big fan run summer convention in 2016 will already be aware of AmeCon. The event is set to return from Friday 29th to Sunday 31st July 2016. AmeCon will be running for the first time at the Warwick Arts Centre, the venue favoured by AyaCon.

Registrations for Amecon 2016 will be opening on Bank Holiday Monday 31st August at 7pm. This year the convention are introducing two tiers of membership. Standard that costs £48, and premium that costs £85, this gives you many bonus items in your conpack, plus earlier access to the dealers, plus reserved seating at keynote events (along with other privileges).

Generally with fan run events like this, once they're booked out, that's it. They don't sell tickets on the door. So make some time on Monday evening to register.

Uniqlo Launch Manga T-shirt Collections

Date: 2015 June 01 14:38 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

Fans of anime and manga who like to declare their fandom on t-shirts will be pleased to hear about Uniqlo UK's latest range of Manga T-shirt Collections.

The global Japanese fashion retailer have designs from Ghost In the Shell Arise, Taiyou Matsumoto + Nicolas de Crécy and Osamu Tezuka.

Win a Trip to Tokyo with Viewster

Date: 2015 May 27 17:42 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Streaming Service Viewster are currently running a competition for users to win a trip to Tokyo. They're offering the chance for the ultimate fan (and one of their friends) an all expenses paid trip to Tokyo. For a chance to win you have to show them you're the ultimate fan of Japan. The competition closes on Sunday 31st May 2015, so get thinking and get posting on social media!

Souce: Viewster

Hello Kinmoza Simulcast and License Details

Date: 2015 April 07 15:19 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The Second Season of Kinmoza is now airing. No sooner than the first episode of season 2 was simulcast on Crunchyroll, US anime firm Sentai Filmworks announced that they have the US rights to the second season.

The second season is called Hello!! Kinmoza, and appears to more of the same moe anime as the first season. The show follows the gentle everyday adventures of Alice a British schoolgirl living in Japan with her best friend Shino. They go to school and talk about how blonde Alice's hair is. The show is based of a 4 panel manga.

We must admit that the Otaku News Team have a soft spot for the show. While it's light and fluffy content wise, the animation studio did it's research in the UK and found a location suitable for Alice's house. Otaku News had the world exclusive revealing the British location for Kinmoza as B&B Fosse Farm.

Kinmoza Season 1 is available to buy from Amazon.com on DVD and Blu-ray.

Readers (include those in the UK) can watch Kinmoza season 1 and 2 on Crunchyroll.

More Anime on Viewster

Date: 2015 April 03 15:50 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks at Anime Limited have sent us details of their latest streaming partnership. They've teamed up with Viewster to simulcast 3 anime titles - The Heroic Legend of Arslan, Plastic Memories and Seraph of the End.

All 3 titles will be available in the UK and Ireland, while The Heroic Legend of Arslan and Seraph of the End will be Viewster exclusives and have a wider reach simulcasting in United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Liechtenstein, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg

Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited

Seraph of the End UK Simulcasting Coming April 2015

Date: 2015 March 18 16:40 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from UK Anime company Anime Limited have sent us details of their latest acquisition. They'll be simulcasting Seraph of the End. They have the rights for the UK, Republic of Ireland, Isle of Man, France, Benelux, Monaco, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland and Norway.

The show is from WIT Studio, the studio behind Attack on Titan and HAL. The show will be directed by Daisuke Toku (who also directed Attack on Titan).

It'll be available for simulcast from April 2015. More details will be revealed by Anime Limited Next week. You can find the English subtitled trailer here.

Otaku News caught up with WIT Studio at the MCM London Comic Con a few years ago.

Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited

More Anime on Netflix UK

Date: 2015 February 01 13:00 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

UK anime fans wanting to catch some decent anime will be pleased to hear about Anime Limited's latest tweet that reveals Space Dandy Season 2, Tokyo Ghoul and Terror In Resonance are now on Netflix UK.

We interviewed Shinichiro Watanabe the director of Space Dandy and Terror In Resonance at the MCM London Comic Con in October 2014. We were able to ask him about both shows.

Souce: Anime Limited

Genki Gear January 2015 Clearance Sale

Date: 2015 January 10 12:05 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

The good folks from Genki Gear have got in touch with us to tell us about their January clearance sale. The UK based t-shirt company will also be selling their 2014 MCM Tour t-shirt. You can get a further 15% off the price of this MCM t-shirt by using discount code MCMTOUR14 on the Genki Gear Website.

Prices start at just £3.99 and the sale covers a whole range of Men's, Women's and Kid's t-shirts plus Women's vest tops and hoodies.

Souce: Genki Gear

AmeChibi Sells Out In 6 Hours

Date: 2014 August 25 14:51 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

UK anime fans will not be surprised to hear that Mini Anime Convention AmeChibi 2015 has hit it's registration limit of 500 people in 6 hours of opening their website for registration. The website enabled registration at midday on 25th August 2014, and by 6pm on the same day the limit had been reached.

We did say to book early to avoid disappointment. Those who have not yet registered can be added to the wait list, and put in the queue for any cancelled registrations.

The convention is going to be a smaller less crowded affair, with the event highlighting "the smaller size means a cosier venue, with less of that pesky walking around".

Souce: AmeCon Website

Howl's Moving Castle Today's Google Doodle

Date: 2014 August 16 07:55 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Fans of Ghibli will be pleased to note that today's Google Doodle in the UK is Diana Wynne Jones, the author of Howl's Moving Castle. The doodle celebrates what would be her 80th birthday. The doodle features Micheal, Calcifer and Sophie sitting around the fireplace. As square on the door rotates, and the door opens and closes changing location.

Souce: Google UK

AmeChibi 2015 Registration Details

Date: 2014 August 16 07:21 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

UK based anime fans will be pleased to hear the news sent to us from the good folks from AmeCon. They've already announced that AmeChibi will be running from Friday 10th to Sunday 12th April 2015 in Nottingham. Now they've just revealed when registration will be open/

On Monday 25th of August 2014 at midday, they'll accept registrations. So get ready, as with events like this once they've sold out, that's it. We advise on booking early to avoid disappointment.

Update: AmeCon have confirmed the mini con will be limited to 500 places. So do book early.

The Daiwa Scholarship - Spend 19 Months in Japan

Date: 2014 July 28 15:45 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

UK readers will be very interested in a scholarship offered by the Daiwa Anglo Japanese Foundation.

"The Daiwa Scholarship is a unique 19-month programme of language study, work placement and homestay in Japan. Daiwa Scholarships offer young and talented UK citizens with strong leadership potential the opportunity to acquire Japanese language skills and to access expertise and knowledge relevant to their career goals. No previous experience of Japan or Japanese is necessary."

So if you're a British Citizen about to graduate, or have graduated and are aged between 21 and 35 years of age as of 1 September 2015 you should investigate further!

Souce: The Daiwa Scholarship

Hyper Japan Event Reminder - July 2014

Date: 2014 July 24 17:04 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Fans of Japan looking for something to do this weekend will want to head over to Earl's Court for Hyper Japan. The Japanese Culture event is set to run in London from Friday 25th to Sunday 27th July 2014. As we've mentioned before, there's lots to see and do this weekend.

Souce: Hyper Japan

Anime Limited launch Kickstarter campaign for Patema Inverted UK Definitive Edition

Date: 2014 April 28 14:44 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from Anime Limited have sent us details of their soon to run Kickstarter. This is to enable the company to produce a definitive edition of the movie for UK home release.

The film will be hitting select UK cinemas from Friday 2nd May 2014.

Producing an ultimate edition like this with so many awesome extras can be risky, as it can be hard to gauge the demand for this kind of release. Launching a Kickstarter is a sensible way to figure out the demand. Anime Limited are not new to Kickstarter. They recently ran a hugely successful campaign for Mai Mai Miracle, that smashed stretch goal after stretch goal.

Anime Limited Announce Space Dandy Season 2 for July 2014

Date: 2014 March 24 17:59 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from anime company Anime Limited have just announced that the second season of Space Dandy will be broadcast from July 2014. Details of the series including episode count are yet to be confirmed. What is confirmed that it will be streamed, dubbed and subbed in in July via Wakanim.co.uk.

Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited

Mai Mai Miracle UK and US Release Kickstarter Update

Date: 2014 February 08 15:24 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The big news in anime circles this week has been from Anime Limited and their Kickstarter campaign to bring Mai Mai Miracle to home video.

Within the first 18 hours the Kickstarter hit it's $30K (USD) funding goal. So now they're going for a stretch goal. If they hit the goal of $60K, they'll be able to fund a dub. At the time of writing (with 26 days left on the Kickstarter), they have reached just over $54K. You can keep up to date with news about the Kickstarter here or check out Anime Limited's own website.

Souce: Mai Mai Miracle Kickstarter

Space Dandy streams for free on Wakanim

Date: 2014 January 07 15:43 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

UK based anime fans wanting to see the new sci-fi space comedy Space Dandy should head over to Wakanim now to enjoy it. The show has just started to stream with both the sub and dubbed versions available on-line. The show is directed by Shinichiro Watanabe who also directed Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo and Kids on the Slope. We caught up with him at the May MCM London Comic Con where he mentioned the show.

Souce: WakAnim

London Anime and Manga Shopping Guide Updated

Date: 2013 December 03 17:17 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

From the feedback we've been getting a fair few of our readers are planning on heading into London over Christmas. With this in mind we've just updated the London Anime and Manga Shopping Guide with details of updated shops. We hope this will you help you get a bit of real world otaku retail therapy!

Regardless of where you do go shopping, we always suggest some caution. There are some retailers around that are less than honest and will sell pirate goods. To help you avoid getting ripped off we suggest you read the Pirate Anime FAQ.

Souce: Otaku News

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