Category > Culture
Those interested in Japanese culture in London will want to head over to the British Museum on Friday 17th September 2010 to enjoy The Way of Tea Special Event. The free event starts at 1:30pm in the East Foyer with Matcha tasting, (powdered green tea). Then at 2:30pm there will be a presentation and talk on Chado the Japanese tea ceremony. This talk will be given by one of the most famous tea schools in Japan.
Souce: British Museum
Category > Events
Looking for something fun to do in London? On Saturday 18th September 2010 from 10am until 8pm The Japan Matsuri will return to London, at Old Spitalfields market. Last years event was a huge success. This years will have all sort of lovely Japanese food to munch on, with plenty of other stalls to enjoy too. You can even get authentic vintage kimonos! They'll also have a cosplay competition. Along with an art competition to design a Japanese video game character.
Although the event is free to attend, last year it proved very popular, so we advise going early if you like avoiding crowds.
Souce: Japan Matsuri London Festival 2010
Category > Events
Are you a UK cosplayer and fancy a chance to win an expenses-paid trip for two to London? Or even the chance to win a luxury trip to Tokyo, including five nights in a 4-star hotel! Well Hyper Japan are offering those things.
(Terms and conditions apply).
Read More... | Souce: Hyper Japan
Category > Events
London's Barbican has always been a great place to visit for fans of Japanese cinema with their monthly Japanimation screenings, but some fans may want to move into the arts centre from October to December as they'll be shown a whole host of Japanese films, anime and even a cosplay event! There's so much good stuff to see!
Movie buffs will be delighted to with the great range of movies.
There's so much to recommend here, we suggest you take a look at the full listing.
Shojo fans will be interested see the live action version of Nana on Thursday 21st October 2010 at 6pm.
Cosplayers will want to keep Saturday 6th November on 11.00pm – Kamikaze Girls screening and cosplay event.
Fans of cheesy movies will want to keep an eye on the 18 rated RoboGeisha showing at 7:30pm as part of the Halloween Shlockfest on Friday 29th October.
Beat Takeshi fans have a lot to look forward to on Sunday 14th and Monday 15th November 2010. They'll be showing Hana bi, Brother, Dolls and Zatoichi.
Those who enjoy classic Japanese cinema will enjoy the Akira Kurosawa season too.
Anime fans aren't left out either with a CLAMP themed screening of XxxHOLiC The Movie: A Midsummer Night's Dream and Tsubasa The Movie: The Princess in the Birdcage Kingdom – Tuesday 19th October 2010. As always resident expert and author Helen McCarthy will be on hand to introduce the movies.
As always with popular events we suggest booking early to avoid disappointment.
Read More... | Souce: Barbican
Scottish anime fans will have a great selection of anime screenings to look forward to with the Scotland Loves Anime October 2010 Festival. Set to run in Glasgow on Friday, October 8th to Sunday, October 10th and Edinburgh Friday, October 15th to Sunday, October 17th as well as part of the DCA Discovery Film Festival in Dundee October 22nd-26th.
They've got a great line up films some classics and some new
GLASGOW - Glasgow Film Theatre:
Trigun: Badlands Rumble (UK premiere, HDCAM)
One Piece Strong World (UK premiere, HDCAM)
Summer Wars (Scottish premiere, Digital Cinema Print)
Redline (Scottish premiere, HDCAM)
Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva (Scottish premiere, Digital Cinema Print)
Cowboy Bebop the Movie (Special screening, 35mm)
EDINBURGH - Filmhouse Cinema:
The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya (UK premiere, 35mm)
Evangelion 2.0 (Special screening, Digital Betacam)
Summer Wars (Digital Cinema Print)
Trigun: Badlands Rumble (HDCAM)
One Piece Strong World (HDCAM)
Redline (HDCAM)
Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva (Digital Cinema Print)
Dundee - DCA:
Summer Wars (Digital Cinema Print)
They're all worth watching, but if you haven't seen them already we highly recommend Summer Wars, the Cowboy Bebop Movie and Evangelion 2.0. As always with popular events, we suggest booking as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Read More... | Souce: Scotland Loves Anime
Category > Events
Are you in London and like Japanese themed clubbing? Then head over to Proud in Camden on Tuesday 24th August 2010 from 7pm until 2am for the Harajuku! Autumn Ball 2010.
The popular event returns with a selection of live performances. As always with these events we suggest you book early to avoid disappointment.
Read More... | Souce: Criminal Records
Category > Events
October is shaping up to be the month for otaku in London. With the London MCM Expo at the end of the month. While at the beginning of the month a new event called Hyper Japan is set to run from Friday 1st to Sunday 3rd October 2010.
The event has a lot to offer with an Otaku Village set to cater to all your retail needs.
Cosplayers will be well represented too (they'll even get a chance to win a trip to Japan). There's also a cosplay talent search, competitions and other fun to be had if you like dressing up.
Japanese fashion magazine KERA will be there with fashion shows and style tutorials (the event is looking for models to take part).
Fans of angel fighting giant robots won't be disappointed either as they have a special Evangelion Store which will be selling some exclusive and hard to find merchandise.
Figure collectors might want to note that Good Smile will be there too! ^__^
As the people behind EAT-JAPAN are organising the event you can be certain that Japanese cuisine will be well represented too. with the EAT-JAPAN food court.
They'll also have lots of culture on stage too. You can book early to get a discount from the standard £8 entry fee. Children under 5 go free. As always we advise to book early to avoid disappointment.
Read More... | Souce: Hyper Japan
Category > Events
Fans of Japanese culture in Central London will want to head over to the Japanese Art Festival at Conway Hall, Red Lion Square in Holborn. Set to run on Saturday 21st August and Sunday 22nd 2010. They've got kimono designer Yumi Yamamoto, Harajuku kawaii store 6% Doki Doki, along with a party on Saturday night with J-Pop Go!.
Read More... | Souce: Japanese Art Festival
Anime fans in London will want to head over to the Barbican on Friday 24th of September 2010 to see their screening of Eureka Seven: The Movie. Resident anime expert Helen McCarthy will be at hand to introduce the feature.
As always with popular features, we suggest you book early to avoid disappointment.
Read More... | Souce: Barbican
Category > Culture
Are you European and interested in Japan? The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan is interested in hearing from young Europeans who are willing to participate in a 10 day group study tour of the country. The sponsored tour has some terms and conditions and is limited to up to 37 people. The tours will happen in November and December 2010. As it's not every day you can get a government sponsored trip to Japan, there are a few requirements.
Applicants should meet the following requirements:
1. European national
2. Aged between 25-35 (as of June 1st 2010)
3. Able to communicate effectively in English
4. Never previously visited Japan
5. Must not be a student
Apart from these conditions, you'll also have to send your CV, a cover letter, and a short essay on the subject of - "What would you do to strengthen the relationship between Japan and your country (Europe or EU)?"
The deadline for applications is Thursday 29th July 2010.
If you meet the entry requirements we strongly advise you to enter, this is an excellent opportunity to experience Japan.
More details can be found on the Embassy of Japan Website.
Souce: Embassy of Japan
Fans of futuristic technology and anime who can get to London will want to head over to the BFI Southbank on Sunday 11th July 2010 for their special lecture on the world saturated with technology. Called The Anime Machine: An Illustrated Lecture by Thomas Lamarre it's set to start at 6pm. You can also get a joint ticket for a screening of Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence.
Fans of more tradional Japanese cinema will want to consider the BFI Southbank season of Akira Kurosawa and His Influence.
As always we advise booking in advance for such events to avoid disappointment.
Souce: BFI Southbank
Category > Events
We've just been sent the attendance details from this weekends London MCM Expo. The 2 day event has surpassed it's previous attendance record, with over 41,000 visitors.
Read More... | Souce: London MCM Expo
Category > Gaming
We've got some news hot of the press from this weekend's London MCM Expo. As of today 29th May 2010, they've gained the world record for largest handheld game console party.
Damian Field - Official Adjudicator Guinness World Records said -
"It's a tremendous achievement for the MCM Expo to reach a number of 586 smashing the existing world record of 381. It's rare for a UK mass participation to reach over 500"
Congratulations everyone involved!
Souce: London MCM Expo
Category > Retail
We've received details from Manga Entertainment UK about the great bargains they'll be offering over the weekend of 29th and 30th of May 2010 at the London MCM Expo. They'll have 50% off most DVDs including boxsets and Blu-ray titles, along with a £1 manga shop.
You'll also be able to pick up Sky Crawlers on DVD and Blu-ray a bit earlier too.
Read More... | Souce: Manga Entertainment UK
Category > Events
London based anime fans will want to head over to the Barbican on Tuesday 20th July 2010 at 8:30pm for their screening of Mobile Suit Z Gundam: A New Translation - Heirs to the Stars. Resident anime expert Helen McCarthy will be introducing the film. As always, we advise that you book early to avoid disappointment.
Read More... | Souce: Barbican
Category > Gaming
Bath based gamers or those who are interested in the game design process will want to head over to the the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution to see the BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger Exhibition. The exhibition will open on Wednesday 12th of May 2010. It's a great chance to see all the hard work and little details that goes into making a game.
Read More... | Souce: BlazBlue
Category > Gaming
The count down to the London MCM Expo continues continues. Fans of Yu-Gi-Oh! Will want to keep 29th to 30th May free for the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG National Championship and the Yu-Gi-Oh! DS National Championship. The national champisionship is the gateway to the European Championship, which in turn lead on to the World Championship.
Read More... | Souce: London MCM Expo
Category > Events
UK based Cosplayers should already have the London MCM Expo on 29th and 30th of May marked on their calendar just for the shear number of cosplayers. As if you need another reason, Euro Cosplay 2010 qualifiers will be held at the London MCM Expo on Saturday 29 May, with the Grand final set for the London MCM Expo in October.
Read More... | Souce: London MCM Expo Euro Cosplay 2010
Category > Events
Anime fans who can get to Brighton from 30th April to 2nd May 2010 will want to go the Asahi Anime Festival. Highlights at the free event include food, drink, Japanese bands and fun activities for all ages.
Other fun and games include a manga drawing competition, a Gothic Lolita fashion show and even a chance to win tickets to Japan (we assume after volcanic activity has ended).
Read More... | Souce: Asahi Anime Festival Brighton
The good folks at the London Barbican have sent us details for their anime line up in May and June 2010. On Tuesday 25th of May anime expert Helen McCarthy will introduce an action packed double bill of Summer Wars at 6:15pm and Dante's Inferno at 8:45pm.
Then on Tuesday 15th June at 8:30pm the Barbican will screen King of Thorn (which is also introduced by Helen McCarthy). As always with popular events we suggest you book early to avoid disappointment.
Read More... | Souce: Barbican
Category > Events
The people behind Sci-Fi London and London Girl Geek Dinners have teamed up to run a special panel British women of Manga. It's set to run Thursday 29th April 2010 at 7pm.
The panel consists of artists Kate Brown, Emma Vieceli and Karen Rubins. Anime and manga expert Helen McCarthy will be chairing the panel.
This is a free event for women only. Men are allowed as guests of a London Girl Geek Dinner member. To get your tickets register at http://scifi-london.eventbrite.com/.
Souce: Sci-Fi London / London Girl Geek Dinners
Category > Events
UK based readers will want to head to London next Month for the London MCM Expo on 29th and 30th May 2010. The event has become regular addition to the anime fans calendar. This time around they're going to need your help breaking a world record for largest handheld game console party. Nintendo DS owners will want to be part of the world record!
Read More... | Souce: London MCM Expo
The good folks at the BFI Southbank in London have sent us the exclusive details of their up coming anime season. They've got a special selection of screenings in May along with some speical guests. To get warmed up for the event they'll be having a preview screening of The Sky Crawlers at 8:40pm on Friday 16th April 2010.
The anime season in May is going to be a real treat, it'll have the first and second new Evangelion movies, Summer Wars (a must for fans of the Girl Who Leapt Through Time) along with a whole host of other great films.
They'll also have a special screening of Welcome to the Space Show along with on-stage guests Koji Masanuri (Director) and Tomonori Ochikoshi (Chief Producer of the studio) for a Questions and Answers session!
Booking for the May anime season opens in a few weeks and we really can't stress enough the importance of booking early to avoid disappoint. These screenings are likely to sell out quickly.
Read More... | Souce: BFI Southbank
Category > Events
Fans of Japanese music, clubbing and good times will want to want head over to WOTA London on Friday 12th March 2010 from 8pm until 2am. The venue this is Lati Ri in Shorditch near Old Street and Liverpool Street Tube stations.
Dress code is casual, and cosplay is optional. It's over 18's only. Tickets are £4 in advance or £6 on the door. There's a £1 discount from the door fee if you're on the Facebook group or mailing list.
Guest DJ's this time around are DJ Snap (best known from Kitacon) and DJ Genki Boi of J-Pop Go.
Souce: WOTA London
Category > Events
UK based anime fans will want to head over to Richmond next weekend (Saturday 27th February and Sunday 28th February 2010) where the Japanese Arts Festival will return to the Richmond Adult Community College.
The free event is set to start at 11am and end at 5pm. It includes a great line up of expert guests and speakers - Akemi Solloway, Helen McCarthy and Sonia Leong.
Read More... | Souce: Japanese Art Festival
Category > Events
Staffordshire based UK anime convention AmeCon 2010 has just opened for registration. The convention is set to return on Friday 13th August until Sunday 15th August 2010.
As always with such events we suggest you book early to avoid disappointment.
Souce: AmeCon 2010
Category > Events
London anime fans who like killer notebooks will want to keep Wednesday 28th April 2010 free, as that's when the Barbican will be showing a special screening of Death Note Relight.
Resident anime expert Helen McCarthy will be there to introduce the feature. As always with such events, we suggest you book early to avoid disappointment. The screening is not yet available for bookings, but keep checking just in case.
Read More... | Souce: Barbican
Category > Events
In London this weekend? Looking for something interesting to do? On Saturday 30th January to Sunday 31st January there will be a Tokyo Day. Aimed at promoting the Japanese city as a tourist destination the free event is divided into 3 zones. Traditional Culture, Experience Tokyo and Modern Culture.
The event will be held at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre near Westminster Tube station.
Opening hours are 10am to 6pm on Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sunday.
Souce: Tokyo City Promotion
Category > Events
Romantic cosplayers in London should head over to Peter Parker's Rock 'n' Roll Club, just three minutes away from Tottenham Court Road. The Grand Cosplay Ball will be hosting a special Valentine's Day Prom on February 14th.
The venue will be decorated for the romantic day. Tickets are £4 online or £6 at the door.
Read More... | Souce: Grand Cosplay Ball
Category > Events
UK anime fans should mark the dates Friday 13th to Sunday 15th August 2010 in their diaries. As this is when AmeCon will return. The successful UK anime convention will open for registration on Monday 15th February 2010. They'll be at a new location this year - Keele University in Staffordshire.
Registration will cost £45 for the full 3 days. The registration fee does not include accommodation, food and drink. They'll take payment through Credit and Debit Card using Google Checkout, alternatively you can also post a cheque to them.
As always with popular conventions we advise you book early to avoid disappointment.
Souce: AmeCon 2010
Category > Events
London based fans of J-Pop, game and anime music mixes will want to head over to WOTA London on Friday 18th December 2009. The otaku party is all set for a Christmas special. They're at a different venue this time, Juno Shoreditch which is a 5 minute walk away from Liverpool Street Station.
It's set to run from 9pm until 3am, with a great line up of DJs.
Price is £4 (advance online) or £6 on the door.
Dress code is casual (cosplay optional).
Over 18's only (ID may be required).
Read More... | Souce: WOTA London
Category > Events
UK anime convention Kitacon, have come up with a clever idea for a Christmas present - limited edition tickets to the event. Kitacon is set to run from the 26th to the 28th of March 2010 in Northampton UK. The gift of an anime convention sounds like a good idea to us! Although we do question their taste in bad presents. What's wrong with Tom and Jerry boxer shorts?!
Read More... | Souce: Kitacon
Category > Events
The good folks at the Grand Cosplay Ball have sent us the details for their 2009 event. It's set in the Clapham Grand in London. The special one evening event is set to run on Sunday 29th November 2009 from 7pm until 1am.
They've got a great line up of guests including cosplayer and Eurobeat singer Giorgia Vecchini, along with renowned cosplayer Yaya Han.
It's over 18's only, Tickets are £18. As always with these events we advise on booking early to avoid disappointment.
Read More... | Souce: Grand International Cosplay Ball
Category > Events
Manga fans who can get to London will want to visit the British Museum from 5th November 2009 to 3rd January 2010 where in Room 3 they'll be a free exhibit of an exclusive manga title - Professor Munakata's British Museum adventure. It's great that the museum are doing this and it's an appropriate title as it's set in the venue that's showing it.
There's even a nice reading area where you can enjoy some manga.
Read More... | Souce: British Museum
Category > Events
London Fans of J-Pop, Vocaloid Songs, moe and anime music should head over to WOTA London on Saturday 21st November 2009, from 5pm to 10p, at the Freedom Bar in Soho, Central London.
This event is billed to support those otaku that loves otaku culture. Great for those who want to dance the night away.
Souce: WOTA London
Category > Events
Academic anime fans will want to get London on Friday 30th October 2009 for the Animation industry in the UK and Japan: Creativity, identity and the global marketplace. It's going to run in Council Room, Strand Campus, King’s College London.
It's free to attend but booking in advance is required. We suggest you book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Read More... | Souce: King\'s College London
Category > Events
London based fans of comics will be pleased to hear about Comica Festival 2009. Being an international comics festival manga is represented too. With anime and manga expert Helen McCarthy launching her new book about the manga god Osamu Tezuka on Sunday 8th November 8, 2009 from 4.30pm at the ICA. Tickets: £6 / £5 Concessions / £4 ICA Members
Paul Gravett will be giving a talk about Manga In The Museum: Solving Myths & Mysteries as he introduces the work of Hoshino Yukinobu on Tuesday 10th November 2009 from 1.15pm to 2pm. This is free, but booking in advance is required.
Plus Helen will also be giving a talk on the works of works of manga master Hoshino Yukinobu on Saturday 21st November 2009 at the British Museum from 1.15pm to 2pm. This is free, but booking in advance is required.
Souce: Comica Festival 2009
Category > Retail
As we've mentioned before, all lots of anime companies are revving up for the London MCM Expo on the weekend of 24th-25th October 2009. T-shirt company Genki Gear will be launching a new Autumn range at the Expo, along with some Christmas cards.
The new range features designs by Wing Yun Man (who draws our lovely Otaku News wallpaper and postcards), Jess Bradley and our very own Phil English.
Read More... | Souce: Genki Gear
Category > Events
Japanese restaurant Moshi Moshi are seeking 100 cosplayers to help out with a promotion. Everyone helping out will be rewarded with a ticket to a cosplay party held at the restaurant, which includes free buffet style food and drink.
Read More... | Souce: Moshi Moshi
Category > Events
Tokyo electro artist Sputniko! to guest at the next J-Pop Go music event in London on Saturday 10th October 2009.
Read More... | Souce: J-Pop Go
Category > Events
As mentioned before London based readers looking for a fun night out should head over to WOTA London on Saturday 26th September 2009. It's at the Freedom Bar, in Soho Central London. (66 Wardour Street, Soho. London W1F 0TA).
The event is set to run from 5pm until 10pm. Over 18's only. With DJs playing the latest anime and J-Pop Music.
Billed as London's newest and hottest otaku music cosplay club night, they intend to play a line up of anime video game songs, BL, I'VE (kotoko etc), Touhou Porject Vocaloid and more.
Check out the PV section of their website, to get an idea of the music they'll be playing. ^_^
Souce: WOTA London
Category > Events
Yesterday on Saturday 20th September 2009, the Otaku News Crew went to the Japan Matsuri at Spitalfields in London.
The atmosphere was great. Lots of people were there, young and old. The event had over 80 stalls there, mostly food stalls selling yummy Japanese food, such as yakitori, sweets, and other lovely snacks.
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News
Category > Events
The Weekend of 23rd - 24th October 2009 is great for anime fans to visit London, with the London MCM Expo. There's also the traditional Anime All-Nigther at Sci-Fi-London.
The film festival has run for many years now and always proves popular. They've got an extra special line up for this all night long anime screening, starting Saturday night 23rd October 2009. They'll be showing:
Evangelion 1.0
Time of Eve
The Sky Crawlers
We're most excited about the Evangelion 1.0 screening. Spike's already seen it and posted an Evangelion 1.0 review up when it first came out in Japan.
The Sky Crawlers also sounds promising as it's directed by Mamoru Oshii (who is best known as directing the Ghost in the Shell Movies).
Tickets will be available soon. We advise you book early to avoid disappointment as it's a great chance to seem some excellent features.
Souce: Sci-Fi London
Category > Events
The good folks at the London MCM Expo have sent us the latest details for the event. Highlights from an anime perspective include - Studio BONES studio president Minami Masahiko and director Ando Masahiro, whose works include Fullmetal Alchemist, Cowboy Bebop, Gundam Seed Destiny and Neon Genesis Evangelion. Along with Trinity Blood voice actors Mike McFarland and Troy Baker.
The press release also has a shout out to cosplayers, who helped with the world record!
Read More... | Souce: London MCM Expo
Category > Events
We've been sent the details from Video Games Live, who have just added 30 more shows to their 2009 tour. Video Games Live is a great cross over event, which is great fun for fans of video games and fans of top orchestras.
Read More... | Souce: Video Games Live
Category > Events
London based readers should head over to Spitalfields on Saturday September 19th 2009 for the Japan Matsuri. A Matsuri is a festival with lots of stalls, food, fun and games along with plenty to see and do. It's set to run from 10am to 8pm.
A few readers might remember that this is not the first Matsuri in London. The last major one was at Hyde Park on 19th and 20th May 2001! As they don't happen as often as we like we strongly suggest you get to this one for all the festivities.
Read More... | Souce: Japan Matsuri
Category > Cuisine
London based fans of Japanese cooking should keep Friday 18th of September free, as Harumi Kurihara will be signing copies of her new book Everyday Harumi.
The exclusive book signing will be in Selfridges Oxford Street on 18th September 2009 from 1.30pm (she will be in the basement book store).
Souce: Conran Octopus
Category > Gaming
We've just been send the details from the folks behind the MCM Expo. They currently hold the Video Games Cosplay World Record with 376 cosplayers at the 23rd May 2009 London MCM Expo. They expected the record to beaten at Gamescom in Cologne, Germany. However they managed to get 311 video games cosplayers. As a result they intend to raise the bar even higher at the next London MCM Expo this October 2009.
Read More... | Souce: London MCM Expo
Category > Culture
London based fans of ancient Japanese art, that has influenced anime, manga and video games should head over to the British Museum.
From 10th September 2009 to 22 November 2009 they'll be hosting an exhibition on The power of dogu: ceramic figures from ancient Japan. The exhibition is free to get into. No tickets are required, you can just walk into the museum and walk over to Room 91 to see this great bit of cultural history.
Read More... | Souce: British Museum
Category > Events
London Fans of J-Pop, Vocaloid Songs and anime music should head over to WOTA London on Saturday 26th September 2009, from 17:00 to 22:00 at the Freedom Bar in Soho, Central London.
Billed as London's newest and hottest otaku music cosplay club night, they intend to play a line up of anime video game songs, BL, I'VE (kotoko etc), Touhou Porject Vocaloid and more.
Souce: WOTA London
Category > Events
Readers who can get to London this October will be interested in the London MCM Expo on the 24th to 25th October 2009. Tickets are now on sale.
As attendance to this even it well over 30,000 people we doubt they will sell out. However we do strongly advise in spending a little bit extra for their Early Entry Tickets to save time queuing, you'll be grateful on the day!
Souce: London MCM Expo