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Jump Festa 2023 Live Stream Details

Date: 2022 December 12 20:15 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from Japanese publishing giants Shueisha Inc. have just sent us details of an on-line event. The yearly mega event Jump Festa 2023 will live stream for international fans. Set to run from 17th to 18th December 2022 the streaming weekend will cover content around Jump titles. The various events will have either available with English subtitles and simultaneous interpretation or just English subtitles. This is the first time the content of the Jump Festa will be streamed in English, so you'll get to see everything just like a fan in Japan too!

You can visit https://www.youtube.com/c/jumpchannel during that time to catch the content.

Akira Kurosawa Retrospective at the BFI 2023

Date: 2022 December 01 20:28 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks at the BFI have sent us details for an up coming Akira Kurosawa Retrospective. Set to run from Sunday 1st January 2023 until Tuesday 28th February 2023. The hugely influential cinematic legend is well covered here, with the two-month complete retrospective of 30 feature films! Divided into 6 themes there's so much to enjoy.

One Piece Film: Red London Landmark Takeover

Date: 2022 November 23 20:44 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks from Anime Limited have just sent us details of a One Piece Film: Red London Landmark takeover. On Saturday 26th November 2022 between 18:00 - 23:00 video projections of the iconic anime pirates will appear opposite the London Eye and other key locations.

This follows a similar bit publicity at London's Kings Cross and a recent take over of New York's Times Square.

Visit onepiece.red to find screening near you in the UK and Ireland or go to https://ado.lnk.to/UtasSongsSO to enjoy the soundtrack.

You can also read our One Piece Film: Red movie review.

Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited

My Neighbour Totoro Stage Play Review

Date: 2022 November 13 14:07 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Features

When The Royal Shakespeare Company announced that they were doing a live action stage play of My Neighbour Totoro, we got very excited. It had all the hallmarks of something great! It was done in collaboration with The Royal Shakespeare Company, Improbable and Nippon TV. Joe Hisaishi, composer and long term Studio Ghibli collaborator, is the executive producer tasked by Totoro director Hayao Miyazaki to bring his much loved and highly influential film to the stage. If this wasn't enough, Jim Henson's Creature Shop was brought in to create all the puppets for this production!

One Piece Film: Red Expands to Over 270 Screens Across UK and Ireland

Date: 2022 October 24 20:18 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks at Anime Limited have sent us a reminder about the upcoming new One Piece Film: Red which has now expanded it's screenings to over 270 cinemas and IMAX screens across the United Kingdom and Ireland from 4 November 2022.

Visit onepiecefilm.red to find a screening near you

Goodbye, DonGlees UK and Ireland Screening Details

Date: 2022 October 19 18:53 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

We've just been sent the details from the good folks at Anime Limited about the cinema release of Goodbye, DonGlees!. It's due to hit cinema screens around the UK and Ireland from 30th November 2022. Tickets on sale now.

The movie is from Atsuko Ishizuka who was responsible for the truly fantastic A Place Further Than The Universe.

Goodbye, DonGlees! is a about a group of friends who have little local adventures they call themselves Don Glees. One day the trio get blamed for a nearby forest fire, so they set off into the woods to prove their innocence. A coming-of-age adventure ensues.

You can find a screening near you and book tickets at dongleesfilm.co.uk.

Art of Dragon Ball Showcase Auction at Heritage Auctions

Date: 2022 October 12 18:49 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from Heritage Auctions have sent us details of an upcoming Art of Dragon Ball Showcase Auction. Set to run from October 20 - November 17.

The auction line up contains plenty of production cels from Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, and Dragon Ball GT along with various other items.

Kotatsu Festival 2022 Details

Date: 2022 October 11 21:10 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The good folks from The Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival have revealed their film line up for this autumn 2022. The long running Welsh Anime film festival always proves popular!

The festival will be hosted at the following venues:

Chapter Arts, Cardiff 1st - 2nd Oct 2022
Aberystwyth Arts Centre 28th Oct - 1st Nov 2022
Pontio, Bangor 31st Oct - 5th Nov 2022.

Each venue has pretty much something for everyone.
If you haven't caught them yet, we strongly recommend Inu-Oh, Pompo the Cinephile and Fortune Favours Lady Nikuko.

There's plenty of other titles to discover and explore!

One Piece Film: Red UK and Ireland Cinema Release Details

Date: 2022 September 21 20:20 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folk from anime distributors Anime Limited have revealed the release date for the new One Piece Film: Red. Due out in cinemas around the UK and Ireland from Friday 4th November 2022. The long awaited movie features an original story from series creator Eiichiro Oda.

The music filled film proved a huge success when released in Japan earlier this year making it the number 1 film in the box office for over 6 weeks!

Visit onepiecefilm.red to find a screening near you.

Inu-Oh UK and Ireland Cinema Screening Details

Date: 2022 August 16 19:51 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

Anime has returned to the cinemas and Anime Limited have gone on a spree of screenings recently. They've just sent us details for Inu-Oh the latest cinematic offering from Masaaki Yuasa, whose other works include the eccentric Night is Short, Walk on Girl, Lu over the Wall, Ride Your Wave and Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! (along with many more other fantastic work).

Inu-oh tells the story of a young man who aspires to be a performer, but is shunned because of his unique physical appearance, he then encounters blind biwa priest Tomona. The two join forces and rise to stardom...

To be honest they had us at Masaaki Yuasa. His works are just excellent and have a kind of special eclectic energy to them.

Inu-oh hits cinemas in the UK and Ireland from Wednesday 28th September 2022.

Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko UK and Ireland Cinema Screening Details

Date: 2022 July 27 16:16 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks from Anime Limited have just sent details for their next cinematic outing. Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko is to to arrive at cinemas across the UK and Ireland on Wednesday 10th August 2022. The quirky slice of life movie follows the local adventures of Nikuko a brash single mother who lives with her daughter on a moored house boat. Nikuko makes a living at the local grill house, while her daughter Kikuo just wants to fit in and lead a (relatively normal life).

The story is kind of a mix of slice of life, with a bits of coming of age and just it's own heart warming eccentricity. We've seen this film and can confirm it's worth watching. Catch it on the big screen while you can by visiting nikukofilm.co.uk to find a screening near you.

Goodbye, DonGlees! UK Premiere at the 75th Edinburgh International Film Festival

Date: 2022 July 20 19:57 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks from Anime Limited have sent us details about Goodbye, DonGlees!. The film is a coming of age story about a group of teens and their little adventures which they've called Don Glees.

This film sounds very promising, not least as it's from Atsuko Ishizuka who directed the truly wonderful A Place Further Than the Universe anime series. We can't overstate how much we enjoyed the teenage antics and quest to get to Antarctica of this heartfelt series. To be honest the press release had as at that. If Goodbye, DonGlees! is half as good a A Place Further Than the Universe we're going to be in for a real treat. We're considering booking some train tickets to shoot up to Edinburgh just to see it.

The film's UK Premiere is due to hit the 75th Edinburgh International Film Festival on Tuesday 16th August 2022 and will be shown again on Friday 19th August 2022. It will also receive a wider theatrical release in the UK and Ireland later this year.

Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited

Hyper Japan Festival London 2022 Details

Date: 2022 June 14 20:21 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The good folks from Hyper Japan have sent us details of their festival for this year. Set to run from Friday 22nd to Sunday 24th July 2022, the UK's biggest festival of Japanese culture, returns to London at Evolution Battersea Park.

The long running Japanese culture festival has been popular with fans of Japanese food from street food to fine dining, along with fans of pop culture where you'll get a great chance to see many performers. Pretty much every aspect of Japanese culture is represented, including of course anime and manga.

To get an idea of what to expect why not take a look at all their exhibitors Be warned as Otafuku Sauce will be there (we have a strong addiction to their okonomi sauce)! Also don't forget to check out their list of performers.

We're looking forward to the fun that will be had at the 2022 festival! It's always fun to go Hyper Japan.

The Deer King UK Cinema Screening Details

Date: 2022 June 06 20:11 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from Anime Limited have sent us the details of their latest cinematic outing. The Deer King is set to hit cinemas around the UK from Wednesday 27th July 2022.

Based on the Japanese fantasy novels by award-winning writer Nahoko Uehashi, the original author of the celebrated Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit series. The movie is directed by Masashi Ando who has worked as Chief Animation Director on Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away, and also an animation director on Your Name.

Along with Pompo the Cinephile in June, Princess Mononoke in the Barbican in August it looks like anime fans are set to enjoy a summer of cinema!

Early Japanese Animation at London's Barbican this June 2022

Date: 2022 May 17 19:30 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks from the Barbican in London have just sent us details of a very special cinema screening of Early Japanese Animation with live and electronic accompaniment by the Guildhall' School with Benshi narration. The screening and performance is will run on Sunday 5th June 2022 at 15:00 at Barbican Cinema 1.

It's not everyday you get a selection of rarely screened early Japanese animation, showing some of the very first anime films, accompanied by electro-acoustic music with Benshi narration! Tomoko Komura will be performing the benshi narration. The films span from 1925 to 1935.

Outdoor Cinema Screenings at the Barbican include Princess Mononoke and Mothra this August 2022

Date: 2022 May 13 22:43 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks from the Barbican in London have sent us details of their up coming Outdoor Cinema. It's set to run from Tuesday 23rd August until Sunday 28th August 2022. The theme is our connection to the natural world, which ties in nicely with with films our readers will like.

The classic kaiju Mothra film from 1961 will be shown on Wednesday 24th August 2002 at 20:00.

While fans of Studio Ghibli can enjoy Hayao Miyazaki's Princess Mononoke on Saturday 27th August 2022 at 20:30. Miyazaki's action adventure movie is always a joy to catch on the big screen!

It's not everyday you get to see such great movies fantastic location outdoors. As always with events like these we advise booking early to avoid disappointment.

Crunchyroll Announces Release of Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero

Date: 2022 May 10 19:39 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks from anime media giant Crunchyroll have just announced that Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero the movie will be released globally this summer 2022. The movie will debut in Japan on 11th June 2022, and then be released in cinemas across the globe in Summer 2022.

The latest offering from the hugely popular franchise sees the return of the Red Ribbon army with new foes for our fighters. This is the second film in the Dragon Ball Super franchise. Dragon Ball Super: Broly was released in 2018 to fans around the globe. It grossed over $120 million at the box office globally and is the 5th highest-grossing anime movie at the box office in the US. We imagine this movie will perform similarly!

My Neighbour Totoro The Stage Play

Date: 2022 April 27 20:37 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Production > Studio Ghibli

The good folks from the Royal Shakespeare Company have just revealed they will be performing a live production of My Neighbour Totoro.

The production will come to London's Barbican stage this autumn 2022. Based on the iconic and highly influential animated feature film by Hayao Miyazaki, the performance is being brought to the by Joe Hisaishi who composed the original music for Totoro and is a long term Studio Ghibli collaborator. The RSC adaption is written by playwright Tom Morton-Smith. The show will also feature various puppetry. It's not clear yet how the furry forest king Totoro will be portrayed, or how they'll handle the catbus!

My Neighbour Totoro will play a strictly limited 15-week season from 8th October 2022 - 21nd January 2023.

Ticket prices range from £20 to £85, with up to two half-price tickets with every full price paying adult. Valid for all performances excluding Saturday evenings. Various discounts are also offered for class bookings, UK schools, colleges and Universities, groups of 10+. There are also special TikTok £10 tickets for 14-25 year olds.

Tickets are available from the 9th May 2022 for top tier RSC Patrons, with tickets being available to the various RSC patron tiers until they're released to the general public on Thursday 19 May 2022. Tickets bookable online from 10am.

We have only seen the preview material, but we have every reason to believe this will be a very special production.

This is not the first time the works of Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki have hit the stage in the UK. In 2016 the Southwark Playhouse created a version of Kiki's Delivery Service, based on the original book. It was so successful it returned for a second run in 2017. While in 2013 the Whole Hog Theatre Company created a stage adaptation of Hayao Miyazaki's Princess Mononoke.

While more recently a stage adaption of Spirited Away is proving to be a huge it in Japan.

Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival Presents Free Animation Workshops this April 2022

Date: 2022 April 08 11:49 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Anime fans looking for something to do virtually will be pleased to hear that the Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival will be hosting free Animation workshop in April 2022.

First up on Saturday 9 April 2022 at 11am - 12:30pm (UK time) they'll be hosting an on-line Anime Education Workshop with Anime critic Ryota Fujitsu. The theme will be Ghibli classic Spirited Away, so watch it beforehand. It's free to sign up, but booking is essential for Microsoft Teams Meeting.

For those who can get to Cardiff Central Library, they'll be a 5-Day Animation Workshop from Monday 25th to 29th April 2022. It's set to run from 10am until 4pm each day and is suitable for those aged 8 and above. As always please book in advance.

BFI Anime Season 2022

Date: 2022 March 15 20:35 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

London based anime fans are in for a real treat. The BFI have just sent us some amazing news about their upcoming major two month Anime season. Set to run from 28th March until 31st May 2022.

We feel calling it a major anime season is a bit of an understatement. They're pretty much showing every category of anime feature film you can think of. There's something there for everyone regardless of your taste.

They've got a great mix of classics, from old fan favourites such as Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honneamise, Patlabor: The Movie (both 1 and 2), Akira and many more.

They've got Makoto Shinkai movies, including Your Name, Weathering With You, The Place Promised in Our Early Days, 5 Centimeters Per Second and The Garden of Words.

They'll also be showing the delightful Mamoru Hosoda from The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Summer Wars, Wolf Children and of course his most recent hit Belle.

You can't have a full anime season without some of the late great Satoshi Kon, so they'll be screening Perfect Blue (that'll mess with your mind), Millennium Actress, Tokyo Godfathers (an excellent Christmas movie) and the dreamlike Paprika.

Of course as well as looking back they'll be looking forward with some previews of some new releases including Summer Ghost. We're very excited about the preview of Masaaki Yuasa's INU-OH.

Now any of this by itself makes for an amazing anime season, but not wanting to be outdone, the BFI have also thrown in some Studio Ghibli films, including Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, Grave of the Fireflies, My Neighbour Totoro, Castle in the Sky and so much more!

There's so much more, you should read on to find out all the other amazing films they've got lined up!

Digimon Adventure Last Evolution Kizuna UK Cinema Release Details

Date: 2022 February 27 20:07 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks from anime distributors Anime Limited have sent us news that they'll be releasing Digimon Adventure Last Evolution Kizuna in UK cinemas. Due to hit the big screen on Wednesday 9th March 2022 at cinemas around the UK.

The movie is set 10 years after the events of the original TV show and follows what could DigiDestined's final adventure, becoming adults.

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

Mamoru Hosoda's Belle Cinema Reminder Plus a Big London Mural

Date: 2022 February 01 20:43 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

A reminder to anime fans based in the UK and Ireland that Mamoru Hosoda's latest movie Belle will hit cinemas on Friday 4th February 2022. You can find tickets and book a screening via www.bellefilm.co.uk.

The good folks at the film's distributors Anime Limited naturally want to tell as many people about the film as possible. They're placing nice prominent posters on the London Underground at Oxford Circus and elsewhere around the tube network.

Plus they've also painted a huge mural at Camden Lock which is bound to grab some attention!

We've already seen the movie and can confirm it's worth hiring an artist collective to paint huge murals for in London a prime North London location.You can read our review of Belle to find out more! It's one of those rare delights of an anime film. Just go out and watch it.

Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited

Bonhams Auctions Classic Anime Cels

Date: 2022 January 30 20:53 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from international auctioneers and valuers Bonhams have sent us details of their latest online sale The World Of Anime is set to run from 24th January until 2nd February 2022. The auction features various anime classics included Sailor Moon, Urusei Yatsura, Ranma 1/2, Cardcaptor Sakura, Cardcaptor Sakura, One Piece, Evangelion and many more. The sale is being headlines by Studio Ghibli cels including some key scenes from Kiki's Delivery Service and Totoro.

Anime cel auctions are uncommon with traditional auctioneers, but unlike other online avenues you know that they've taken the time to verify the items on sale are authentic.

Highlighting the auction is a Kiki's Delivery service production cel featuring Kiki flying with Jiji. Bonhams estimates this cel will sell for anything between $15,000 - $25,000 (USD). In the same price bracket they've got a cel of Totoro asleep!

We'll be very interested to see what happens with all the cels up for auction. Some have already got some bids in place between the asking prices, while others have yet to gain any attention. As with any auction it's always the last 60 seconds where things get really interesting!

Sing a Bit of Harmony UK and Ireland Cinema Screening Details

Date: 2022 January 15 18:37 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks from anime company Funimation have announced the UK and Ireland screening dates for their latest movie. Sing a Bit of Harmony will be out in UK and Ireland cinemas from Friday 28th January 2022.

The movie follows Japanese school girl Satomi who encounters mysterious transfer student Shion. It turns out that
Shion is actually an AI with a mission to bring Satomi happiness. Chaos and hilarity ensue in equal measure as the AI's grasp on human interaction isn't conventional.

We've seen this film and will have review up soon. We can describe it as highly enjoyable and it's worth catching if you can. It's a anime comedy with an AI twist.

You can buy tickets now online.

The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme 2022 Details

Date: 2022 January 14 19:02 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

It's that time of year again The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme is back for 2022. They've got 20 Japanese films and 25 UK cities with more venues being confirmed soon. The theme this time around is What Lies Beneath. Which aims to explore the dark mind in Japanese cinema.

They've got a wide range of new and old movies, so you're bound to find something that'll grab your interest!

Anime wise the film programme will be showing the UK premiere of The House of the Lost on the Cape.

Visit jpf-film.org.uk to find out more.

Mamoru Hosoda's Belle UK and Ireland Cinema Release Details

Date: 2022 January 13 20:47 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks at anime company Anime Limited have just revealed the UK cinema release date of Mamoru Hosoda's latest movie Belle. Audiences across the United Kingdom and Ireland will be able to enjoy the movie in cinemas nationwide from Friday 4th February 2022.

We've been waiting for this news since Belle was first announced and we've been tracking it's progress as it hit various film festivals where everyone has been rightly impressed with it. Hosoda's latest cinematic offering can be interpreted as a reimagining of Beauty and the Beast, but brought into a slightly futuristic setting. It tells the tale of Suzu your average rural Japanese school girl in the virtual world of "U" where she becomes a singing sensation Belle.

The movie will be available both subbed and dubbed. Interestingly for the dub they're rerecorded all the songs in English, with the supervision of the original Japanese musical team.

You can find a screening near you and book tickets via www.bellefilm.co.uk.

To be honest, there are lots of reviews of this movie*. Don't read any of them, you don't need to. Just go out and enjoy this film. It's absolute perfection. If you like any of Mamoru Hosoda's previous films you'll really love this one. If you haven't seen any of his other works, this is a great introduction.

*That being said our review will be up soon too, so please do read that.

Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited

Kotatsu Festival Online Events for January 2022

Date: 2022 January 06 20:35 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The good folks at Kotatsu Festival have sent us some details of two upcoming events. The two online workshops aimed at beginners cover Japanese Calligraphy and a Japanese Manga Introductory Workshop.

Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival are hosting these workshops for free via Microsoft Teams. Although it is free prior registration is essential. So book early to avoid disappointment.

Japanese Calligraphy - Introductory Workshop for Beginners is run by Yukiko Ayres. It's set for Saturday 29th January 2022 from 11:00 to 12:00 GMT.

Japanese Manga Introductory Workshop for Beginners is run by Shangomola Edunjobi It's set for Sunday 30th January 2022 from 12:00 to 13:00 GMT.

The Dragon Ball Symphonic Adventure in London 2022

Date: 2021 December 07 21:17 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

UK based fans of Dragon Ball Z are in for a treat! The Dragon Ball Symphonic Adventure is coming to The SSE Arena, Wembley in London on Sunday 7th August 2022.

This one-of-a-kind concert experience combines scenes and sounds of Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z together with live vocals and a live orchestra to create an immersive multimedia event for fans. With special guests the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

Tickets are due to go on sale on at 10am on Friday 10th December 2021 on www.gigsandtours.com and www.ticketmaster.co.uk.

We Love Anime Touring Festival 2021

Date: 2021 November 18 20:54 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Anime fans across the UK are in for a cinematic treat with the We Love Anime 2021 Touring Festival.

Set to run at the Showroom Cinema, Sheffield between Friday 19th November - Sunday 21st November 2021, then We Love Anime will be at selected Picturehouse and Showcase Cinemas between Saturday 4th - Sunday 5th December 2021.

The spin of from the celebrated Scotland Loves Anime festival, has many great titles for all different tastes. You're bound to find something you like!

For fans in Sheffield Showroom Cinema has joined together with other local independents to host free Japanese-themed events to run alongside the film programme. On Saturday 20th November 2021, Treehouse Board Game Café will be joining the venue to host an afternoon of Japan-themed games from 12pm until 3pm. On Sunday 21 November, internationally renowned graffiti artist Trik 09 will teach the fundamentals of drawing anime characters between 11am to 12pm.

Belle Cinema Screening + Director Q&A in Central London

Date: 2021 November 05 21:16 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

For anime fans wanting to catch Mamoru Hosoda's latest cinematic masterpiece Belle, you might want to head over to Central London. As on Saturday 27th November 2021 at 3pm they'll be a special screening of the film, where afterwards the director himself will be there for a 30 minute Q&A session! This is a rare and exciting chance to ask the director about the movie.

The screening will take at place at the Picture House Central in Piccadilly Circus (you can't get more Central in London than that).

Recently the movie received a 14-minute standing ovation at Cannes.

The screening was made possible by the good people at anime company Anime Limited and The Japan Foundation.

Souce: Picturehouse Central

Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival 2021 Details

Date: 2021 September 08 20:09 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The good folks from the Kotatsu Festival have just sent us details for their upcoming 2021 event. Set to run in Cardiff - Chapter from Saturday 25th to Sunday 26th September 2021 and Aberystwyth Arts Centre from Friday 1st to Sunday 3rd October 2021. As always the Japanese animation festival has a great selection of films including The Deer King, Ride Your Wave, On-Gaku along with Studio Ghibli's first 3D CGI offering Earwig and the Witch.

Not to be outdone by the big titles, they'll also be showcasing the talents of independent animators including
cut-out animation called In Full Bloom and a hand-drawn fresh depiction of affection between two girls in The Mark of Emi.

They'll also be a few workshops and some free online events are also being planned.

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

Scotland Loves Animation 2021 Details

Date: 2021 August 25 15:24 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

Scotland Loves Animation the fan favourite anime film festival is back for 2021. They're set to run at Glasgow from 1st to 3rd October 2021 and Edinburgh 11th to 17th October 2021.

Festival Highlights include Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko from Studio 4°C, Pompo the Cinephile a film about making films, Shirobako: The Movie which is an anime about making anime, along with Sing a Bit of Harmony which we mentioned yesterday, The Deer King, along with the original The End of Evangelion.

There's lots to see and as always there's a host of UK premieres with the odd European premiere too.

Souce: Scotland Loves Animation

Josee, the Tiger and the Fish UK and Ireland Cinema Screening Details

Date: 2021 July 20 19:19 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks from anime distributors Anime Limited have just sent us details of their latest cinematic outing. Josee, the Tiger and the Fish is due to hit cinemas around the UK and Ireland from Wednesday 11th August 2021.

Pitched as beautiful, emotional and uplifting (which is the kind of movies Anime Limited love in their catalogue), it follows the love story between Tsuneo who gets a job assisting Josee an artist in a wheelchair. Animated by Studio Bones, who are best known for hits like My Hero Academia, Fullmetal Alchemist and Eureka Seven, this film marks a change in pace and genre for the studio.

You can find a screening near you on the official UK website Joseefilm.co.uk.

Violet Evergarden: The Movie UK and Ireland Cinema Screening Details

Date: 2021 June 15 19:38 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks from anime distribution company Anime Limited have just announced a special one day screening of Violet Evergarden: The Movie across the UK and Ireland. The feature film is due to hit cinemas on Thursday 1st July 2021 for a one day only screening. The film will be available in Japanese with English subtitles.

The movie follows on from the hugely successful series about Violet, a former child soldier turned "Auto Memory Doll" scribe, who travels around the Europeanesque world helping her clients write letters from their heart. During the her adventures Violet's clients learn about themselves and in turn so does Violet.

The series available on Netflix and blu-ray has extraordinarily lavish animation. The movie continues that tradition.

Anime Limited will also be releasing the film on blu-ray and are taking pre-orders now.

We're hugely excited about this film and can't wait to see it.

Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited

Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train UK Cinema Release Details

Date: 2021 May 19 16:59 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

As things start to open up in the UK cinemas are warming back up too. Funimation UK are getting off to a good start this year by releasing Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train on 26th May 2021 across the UK and soon in Ireland too.

You can find a screening near you on the official UK website.

The TV series caused a massive spike in the manga sales and a movie was the natural progression of the franchise. The movie did rather well in Japan, becoming highest-grossing film ever at the Japanese box office.

In this feature film Tanjiro and the other heroes (plus the annoying Zenitsu) go on an adventure to investigate the death and disappearances on a steam train. Action ensues.

To be honest, we found the TV series incredibility enjoyable (despite the annoying Zenitsu). If you haven't already you can watch the series legally on Crunchyroll. We suggest you watch it before going to a screening (although chances are you've already seen the show so don't need to hear what we think about it). The show itself is a great mix of action, adventure, along with the importance of family and freeing your sister from being cursed to live as a demon.

Women Make Animation Online Event

Date: 2021 March 06 14:07 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The good folks from the Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival have teamed up with Wales One World Festival to Celebrate International Women's Day. Together they'll be hosting free family friendly online event on 13th March 2021. The event will show case works by up and coming female directors. They'll be showing various family friendly short films on the Zoom Stream. The event is free to attend, but registration is required.

They'll also be running a free drawing workshop with the Japanese animator and illustrator Chie Arai.

Talk Series Announced - The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme 2021

Date: 2021 February 17 21:02 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from the Japan Foundation in the UK have sent us a reminder about their Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme 2021. As we've mentioned before in addition to the eighteen finest and most talked about recently released Japanese films, the programme will host 7 online talks where 8 Japanese directors in total will talk about their work and explore issues existing in Japanese society.

They've curated 18 Japanese titles under the theme of This is My Place - Carving out a sense of existence and belonging in Japanese Cinema.

You can sign up to watch the films and talks at home check out https://onlinecinema.jpf-film.org.uk.

As always we've they some really good titles.
The live action adaptation of Little Miss Period stands out. If you enjoyed the manga or are curious about personifications of that time of the month, then it's well worth catching!

For anime fans they'll be showing HELLO WORLD, a romantic story with a sci-fi twist.

AmeChibi Rescheduled to October 2022

Date: 2021 January 23 13:55 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

As we've mentioned before popular fan run anime convention AmeCon's mini con AmeChibi was postponed from April 2021. The AmeCon committee have now announced AmeChibi will be running Friday 14th to Sunday 16th of October 2022.

All bookings for AmeChibi with the venue will be automatically transferred over (as long as it was made by the link sent in AmeChibi registrations email) and your membership for the event will automatically be transferred over too.

We think October 2022 is a realistic date to run, being more than a year in the future hopefully the COVID-19 situation in the UK would be under control and normality would have returned. The AmeCon committee are also being very clear about refunds and other logistics.

We do notice that that weekend is likely to be before MCM Comic Con London based on their previous runs, which means some fans will be able to have two full geek weekends!

Souce: AmeCon

The Japan Foundation UK Touring Film Programme 2021 Line-up Announcement

Date: 2021 January 16 20:10 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

We've just received details from the good folks at The Japan Foundation in the UK. They've just revealed the line up for The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme 2021. The yearly film festival has always been a great way of seeing a wide range of Japanese films. This year around for the first time ever the festival is going online. It's set to run from 19th February to 10th March 2021.

Screening dates will be announced on Friday January 22nd 2021.

They've curated 18 Japanese titles under the theme of This is My Place - Carving out a sense of existence and belonging in Japanese Cinema.

Anime wise they'll be showing HELLO WORLD, a romantic story with a sci-fi twist.

They've also got the live action adaptation of Little Miss Period. The movie is based on the manga about personified visitations of that time of the month.

As always they've got a lot of good stuff showing and we're spoilt for choice. This time around you'll be able to watch it from the comfort of your own home.

MCM Comic Con Set to Return to London and Birmingham with Physical Events in 2021

Date: 2021 January 09 19:43 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The good folks from geeky event MCM Comic Con have sent us details for their plans for 2021. They intend to continue with some virtual Metaverse events in the spring and summer and then MCM Comic Con London is set to return on Friday 24th to Sunday 24th October2021. MCM Comic Con Birmingham is set for Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th November 2021. We're told that due to COVID-19, these will be the only physical MCM events taking place in 2021.

They'll release the show format and health and safety measures in the coming months.

At it's peak pre-COVID-19 MCM Comic Con London attracted over 136,000 attendees over the 3 days and a combined total of over 489,600 attendees spread across all their events in a single year. In COVID-19 time the 10 months to October 2021 is a long way away, it's not certain when normal events can resume. Other events by other organisers in London have started advertising various events in London for September 2021. So it seems there is some consensus with other organisers in other industries.

We're reassured that in the past MCM Events have always considered safety a priority. On the MCM Comic Con after the Manchester Arena attack in May 2017, MCM had to drastically increase security of the event at short notice and this required a lot logistics in order to keep attendees safe. In 2020 MCM cancelled it's events due to COVID-19. At this stage we're uncertain how safe it will be to run an event in October 2021 or what kind of restrictions and limitations any events will have. We are certain though that MCM will make the event safe or postpone it depending on the situation in October and November 2021.

AmeCon Postponed from April 2021

Date: 2020 November 09 20:32 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

With COVID-19 still limiting what you can do across the UK, the fan favourite anime convention AmeCon rescheduled their AmeChibi to April 2021. They've now revealed that the April 2021 event has been postponed. The committee are being transparent and clear that it's unfeasible to run the event as it stands in April 2021. They're currently figuring out all the details with the venue about their options and will let everyone know what will happen next in due time.

It should be noted that AmeChibi hasn't been cancelled (as incorrectly reported elsewhere), but postponed until a future date. At the moment there is too much uncertainty so they cannot commit to a date.

Souce: AmeCon

Liz and the Blue Bird at The Leeds International Film Festival 2020

Date: 2020 October 25 18:52 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Update: Due to COVID restrictions The Leeds International Film Festival 2020 have had to move online for the whole event.

The Leeds International Film Festival always offers some interesting movies. In 2006 they ran the UK Premiere of Paprika by the late great Satoshi Kon. They've just launched the LIFF 2020 programme.

Anime fans will be interested in Liz and the Blue Bird from Naoko Yamada (A Silent Voice) and Kyoto Animation. It is set to play at City Varieties Music Hall on at 10:00 am on Saturday 7th November and 1:45pm on Sunday 8th November 2020. At this stage it's not clear if it'll be a subbed or dubbed screening. The film is a must for fans of the Sound! Euphonium Series (which you can pre-order from Anime Limited).

We're also waiting for the festival to reveal more details around it's screening of The Message - Onoe Caponoe as part of it's music video competition. The music video is from creative duo TOCHKA. You can catch the part animated video here.

Some of the festival will be taking place in the real world, while other bits will be online via the Leeds Film Player.

Thanks to Jordan Scott for sending us details of the festival.

Souce: The Leeds International Film Festival 2020

Manga Jiman 2020 Competition Reminder

Date: 2020 October 22 20:50 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

UK based artists will be very interested to hear about the Manga Jiman competition. The theme this time around is technology. The long running competition lets you submit a short manga entry for the chance to win some amazing prizes, in the past they've included laptops and flights to Japan. The competition is organised by the Embassy for Japan in the UK.

The competition closes on 16th November 2020. So get drawing!

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.

Spirits of Action: Japanese Manga and Sports Online Talk

Date: 2020 October 14 19:41 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

With COVID-19 still placing restriction on events the good people at Japan Foundation London have got a great range of talks and workshops appearing online soon.

One talk we're excited about is the Spirits of Action: Japanese Manga and Sports . Yoshimura Kazuma will discuss the position of 'sports manga' in Japanese culture and how its contents have evolved to reflect the time. After the presentation anime and manga expert Rayna Denison will join in the conversation.

The online event is set to run at 12:00pm (BST) on Wednesday 28th October 2020. The event is free to attend virtually but places are limited and registration is essential.

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.

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.

Manga Jiman 2020 Online Launch Event

Date: 2020 June 30 19:58 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

UK based aspiring artists will want to watch the online launch event for the latest Manga Jiman Competition.
The details for the competition will be streamed at 7pm on Wednesday 1st July 2020. Previous winners Katja Hammond, Shangomola Edunjobi and Tori Jones will join the stream for a chat as well.

The manga competition is run by the Embassy of Japan in the UK. The competition often marks rising stars in the UK industry and is a great place to showcase talent.

The live stream is free and you can register here.

You can see more details about the previous 2019 Competition here.

The Embassy have also just posted some fun quizzes on Japan, so give it a go if you want to test your Japanese knowledge!

Souce: Embassy of Japan in the UK

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?

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.

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