London anime fans will want to head over to the Barbican for their upcoming season Japanimation: After Tezuka. It's considers Tezuka's legacy and the works he inspired.
It starts on Wednesday 28th January 2009 and is set to run to Sunday 1st February. Curated by anime expert Helen McCarthy, she always manages to arrange a selection of animated treats. Her introductions are worth attending too, as she manages to cram plenty of facts about each screening.
The line up is as follows:
Dororo 18:00 Wednesday 28th January 2009
Black Jack: Episode 15:00 Saturday 31st January 2009
Phoenix: Immutable Conclusion 13:45 Sunday 1st February 2009
Akira 15:45 Sunday 1st February 2009
(also later on in February)
Tekkonkinkreet 20:30 Tuesday 24th February 2009
With the Tokyo City Promotion 2009 in London at the same weekend it looks like the end of January is a great time for anime fans to visit London! As always with popular screenings we advise that you book early to avoid any disappoint.
Read More... | Souce: Barbican
Category > Events
London anime fans are a in for a real treat on Saturday 31st January 2009, where a special Tokyo Day will be running. Organised by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Tokyo Day is set to be packed with tons for otaku to see and do.
The event will be held at Lawrence Hall at the Royal Horticultural Halls and Conference Centre.
Admission is free. It's set to run from 10am to 8pm.
Read More... | Souce: Tokyo City Promotion 2009
Category > Production
Anime expert Jonathan Clements has just launched a blog to promote his new book Schoolgirl Milky Crisis: Adventures in the Anime and Manga Trade, which is due for publication in early 2009.
The blog has some interesting insights that will no doubt also appear in the book, even an article about writing the index for the book proves to be amusing.
Souce: Schoolgirl Milky Crisis Blog
Category > Events
UK based anime fans who can get to Lincolnshire will want to visit the Hub National Centre for Craft & Design in Sleaford, as they'll be showing the How Manga Took over the World Exhibition, from 7th February 2009 to 19th April 2009. The exhibition is touring after a successfully run at Urbis.
Souce: Hub National Centre for Craft & Design
Category > Events
Anime fans who can get to London on Sunday 7th December 2008 should do so for the last meeting of the London Anime Club. The LAC has been running for 15 years now, but attendance has been dropping for various reasons, so they've decided to halt it's regular meetings. The Christmas meetings always have lots of people going, along with extras such as a prize draw, DDR:UK will be there with games and the bring and buy, along with all the usual things like the video room, and dealers selling anime and manga merchandise.
Souce: London Anime Club
Category > Events
UK anime fans who can get to Leeds will want to keep the 13th to the 16th November 2008 free for the Thought Bubble Festival. The Festival will have a great selection of anime and manga stuff, including film screenings too.
The Convention on Saturday 15th November 2008 (10am - 5pm) will have free entry to cosplayers!
They'll be screening the following films:
Sword of the Stranger
Mind Game
20th Century Boys
Detroit Metal City
We've already seen Sword of the Stranger, and watching it on a big screen is recommend.
Read More... | Souce: Thought Bubble Festival
Category > Events
We've just been sent news from the good folks at Kitacon (the UK anime Convention in Northampton 17th-19th April 2009), informing us that they've got two more guests. Voice actors Laura Bailey and Travis Willingham will be attending the convention.
Read More... | Souce: Kitacon
Category > Anime
Sky News are running an article about the possibility that manga could inspire murder, and how it frustrates anime fans. It cites the current case of Meredith Kercher, a 21 year old student who was stabbed to death in Italy in a house she shared with other students. It mentions that the prosecution of the case are highlighting that Raffaele Sollecito (one of the accused) was acting out a "dark fantasy", inspired by his manga collection. BBC News have more coverage of the same story.
Read More... | Souce: Sky News
The nice folks at Revelation Films have sent us details of their 2009 Q1 line up. For the first three months of 2009 promises to see the UK release of:
Fullmetal Alchemist Season One Part One - January.
Spiral The Complete Series Box - February
Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle (the final instalment) - March
Tsubasa The Complete Series Box Set - March
What's interesting in the press release is that it actually states sales figures, something you rarely see for the anime industry. It'll be nice if all anime companies releases sales figures for their titles. However this is valuable information for sales and marketing teams, which is why most companies like to keep this these details secret.
Read More... | Souce: Revelation Films
Category > Events
We've got some exciting news about the Grand International Cosplay Ball, which is set for Sunday 30th November at the Clapham Grand, London, England.
This is the first event to our knowledge that is aimed at cosplayers, and not an event like an anime convention with cosplayers as a feature.
The event looks to be a sure fire hit, with live bands, DJs, ballroom dancing, a kimono fashion show, fire and burlesque performances and even an Alice-In-Wonderland themed photography area.
As always with such events we advise that you book soon to avoid disappointment.
Read More... | Souce: Grand International Cosplay Ball
Category > Fandom
UK anime fans looking for convention fun in April 2009 will be pleased to hear that Kitacon will be holding a Fan Choice Awards, where fans get to vote for their favourites, anime, manga, characters and more. They'll even be able to collect them on behalf of the nominees. This does sound like an interesting concept.
Read More... | Souce: Kitacon
Category > Events
Anime fans in London who can get to the Barbican on Saturday 20th September 2008 will want to drop in between 3pm and 6pm where expert writers Helen McCarthy and Jonathan Clements will be signing their books.
While in the Barbican don't forget to enjoy the great Tezuka Movie Season that Helen's curating.
Souce: Barbican
Category > Anime
With the upcoming Tezuka Season at London's Barbican, the folks at Eye On Anime have interviewed anime expert and season curator Helen McCarthy.
Souce: Eye On Anime
A demo of the new Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm PS3 game is now available to download
Read More... | Souce: PlayStation Network
Category > Events
With Leicester based UK anime convention AmeCon less than a month a way, they've decided to launch a great competition where you can win two tickets to the convention, plus free accommodation for the length of the convention.
The press release also details the guest for this year will be voice actress Kari Walgren, who has done a large variety of voice work, including the American dubs for a few anime series - Haruko in FLCL, Scarlett in Steamboy, Robin in Witch Hunter Robin and Lavie in Last Exile.
Read More... | Souce: AmeCon 2008 Competition Page
We've received some exciting news from the London Barbican about a special Osamu Tezuka Season they'll be running from Thursday 18th to Wednesday 24th of September 2008.
The season is curated by anime expert Helen McCarthy (who's written tons of good books and articles on anime and manga). The line is up a great showcase of Tezuka's work, with The Film Is Alive: Osamu Tezuka Filmography looking especially interesting, as it we're certain Helen will bring an informative take on the panel with the event.
Osamu Tezuka is the granddaddy of anime and manga, without doubt the most influential and inspiration artist, as always with these events we suggest you book early to avoid disappointment.
Read More... | Souce: Barbican
Category > Anime
The Institute is nicely located, just around the corner from Trafalgar Square, London. Throughout July 2008, there will be a run of the following manga-inspired shows, both animated and otherwise:
Origin: Spirits of the Past (12th-14th July)
Ping Pong (19th July)
Hellboy Animated: Sword of Storm (26th July)
Hellboy Animated: blood and Iron (27th July)
Vexille (20th July)
Tickets: £8 / £7 Concessions / £6 ICA Members.
Souce: Institute of Contemporary Arts
Category > Events
Cosplayers who can get to the Urbis in Manchester will want to visit on Saturday 28th of June for a cosplay competition with a unique prize, a manga portrait of the winner.
Read More... | Souce: Urbis
Category > Current Affairs
Some anime and manga fans in the UK might have heard about the new proposals which would ban obscene images of children. The proposals mainly cover drawings and computer-generated images, however due to certain parts of the proposals being a bit vague, it's not exactly certain what images are classed as obscene. The mainstream press are keen to wrongly cite manga as one such example.
Read More... | Souce: BBC News
We've got some great news for anime fans who can get to London on the weekend of the 20th to 22nd of June 2008. The BFI Southbank will be showing a great line up of anime features. Including a special screening of 5 Centimetres per Second with the director Makoto Shinkai!
The line up is as follows:
Friday 20th June:
Paprika
5 Centimetres per Second
Saturday 21st June:
Death Note (Live action)
Death Note 2 - The Last Name (Live action) - Special double tickets available for both Death Note Movies).
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time
Tekkonkinkreet
Sunday 22nd June:
The Place Promised in Our Early Days
Appleseed: Ex Machina
Vexille
This line up is fantastic, we recommend going to see at least one of these films if you can. As always this screenings are likely to sell out quickly, so book early to avoid disappointment.
Read More... | Souce: BFI Southbank
Category > Events
Readers who can get into London on Friday 16th of May 2008 will want to get to King's College London, from 1pm to 6pm to attend a seminar on Japanese comic book and animation industries.
The line up of speakers looks good, but Yoko Ono is not THAT Yoko Ono. It'll be interesting if they mention the difference between manga and manga style artwork in the talks too.
To go to the talk you will need to register via e-mail.
Read More... | Souce: King\'s College London
We've received some details about about an up coming anime weekend planned for 20th-22nd June 2008 at the BFI Southbank in London.
The programme hasn't been published yet, and won't be on sale until the end of the month, but the line up looks so good, it's worth mentioning now so you can keep the weekend free. ^_^
They'll be screening:
- Paprika
- 5 Centimetres Per Second,
- The Girl who Leapt Through Time
- Vexille
- Appleseed Ex Machina,
- The Place Promised in our Early Days
- Tekkonkinkreet
- Death Note/Death Note 2 (live action versions)
Anime fans should also keep the 20th June free, as they'll be hosting a very special guest, Makoto Shinkai, who will be giving an interview to accompany the screening of 5 Centimetres Per Second.
As mentioned before booking isn't open yet, but this even is likely to sell out quickly, so as always we advise to book early to avoid disappointment.
Souce: BFI Southbank
Category > Events
Our chum Emily has sent us the details for an event at Tokyo Toys store in Trocadero in central London.
It's a romantic maid cafe event, with speed dating for anime fans! You can be served by cosplayers dressed up as maids too, just like in Akihabara.
The event will be held on Saturday 16th February 2008, from 5pm to late. You don't have to take part in the speed dating to go along and participate in the maid cafe either.
Read More... | Souce: Tokyo Toys
Category > Anime
Fabulous films have sent an e-mail confirming the impending release of the first of their Mysterious cities of gold box sets. The e-mail went on to link the HMV online shop which lists the release date as 24th March 2008. The HMV release will have some added extras not found elsewhere including postcards and a poster.
The RRP is £54.99 with HMV listing it at £37.99 along with the chance to win an MCOG cell if you pre-order. Hit read more for highlights of the suggestions Fabulous films received for extras
Read More... | Souce: Fabulousfilms.co.uk
Category > Events
The upcoming London Anime Club meeting will be featuring the DDR crew once again, with even more games to play this time, including DDX, with everything on freeplay of course.
A map for the LAC can be found on the London Anime Club website.
Souce: DDR:UK
Category > Anime
We've received details about Projector animation:stimulation Festival at Dundee Contemporary Arts which has some events of interest to anime fans. The whole festival runs from 30th January to 2nd February 2008.
On Thursday 31st January 2008, they'll be screen Satoshi Kon's excellent anime film Paprika (which comes highly recommend by the Otaku News crew), seeing it on DVD is one thing, but the film has to be enjoyed on a big screen for full effect.
On Friday 1st February 2008, the festival will be running a master class with anime expert Jonathan Clements on Japanese Animation on the Digital Age, which will cover the rise of digital animation in Japan. This should be an excellent talk, and we recommend going if you can.
You can buy a festival pass for £50 (or £40 for students), alternatively single screenings cost £5, with a masterclasses costing £10.
The only thing we wish Projector would have is an HTML version of their website for accessibility and ease of use.
Souce: Projector animation:stimulation Festival
Category > Events
Following on from our earlier story, it seems that the Leicester, UK based anime conventions AmeCon, is now almost full, with over 1,190 registered members, it's getting close to their maximum capacity of 1,300. Fans keen to get to the event from the 8th to 10th of August 2008 should sign up now to avoid disappointment.
Read More... | Souce: AmeCon
Category > Anime
New distributor BOST has launched offering several series streaming online in the US, Australia, New Guinea and the UK. There are several series up which cost 100 points (approx $1.99) per episode. For a limited time they are offering dating sim anime Keitai Shoujo for free ( Until February) and are ruining a poll to determine which ending they show.
Read More... | Souce: Animenewsnetwork.com
Category > Fandom
We mentioned before that AmeCon 2008, the UK anime convention, running for it's forth time is now open for registration. As expected it's filling up quickly with over 950 members registering already, and at this current rate they'll be full soon (their capacity is 1,300 fans). We advise any fans who want to go to a great fan run anime convention in August to 2008 to book soon to avoid disappointment. This year registration has been made easier by using Google Checkout too, so you don't have to mail them a cheque (although you still can if you prefer too).
Souce: AmeCon
Category > Anime
The folks at UK Satellite anime channel Anime Central are currently looking for cosplayers to participate in an advertising campaign to be broadcast in the New Year. To apply you have to be 18 or over and able to get to London at the end of November for filming. From the details, it's not clear if the adverts will go just on Anime Central or if they'll be broadcast on other channels too, or even if photos for a press campaign could be used. Check out their article for the full details, you just really need to e-mail them a photo of you in cosplay and write a paragraph about yourself.
Souce: Anime Central
Category > Events
UK anime fans will be pleased to hear that we've received news from the Amecon Crew about the next anime convention set to run at Leicester University from August 8th to 10th 2008. Registrations will open on 18th November 2007. Guests as of yet haven't been confirmed (it's still a bit early for that), voice actress Monica Rial has already expressed an interest. At the moment it looks like they may have more live music, plenty of cosplay and the usual interesting selection of industry and fan run panels.
We look forward to the convention (many of the Otaku News crew have been to the previous three Amecons and had a blast) and we advise to book early to avoid disappointment as popular anime conventions in the UK tend to be fully booked quickly.
Read More... | Souce: Amecon
Category > Events
Anime fans who can get to Swansea Animation Days 2007, will want to see anime expert Jonathan Clements' talk called Five Girls Named Moe, which focuses on "the history and development of erotic animation in Japan: business practises, technology, censorship and market forces". It even promises to explain what fan service is and looking from the talk description it seems like it will have a few examples too. It's good to see Jonathan doing a talk on this subject, as unlike many people jumping on the anime bandwagon claiming to be "experts" Mr Clements is really an expert who knows what he's talking about, having co-written the Anime Encyclopedia and numerous other well researched books on the subject. We wonder how much moe his appropriately named talk will contain. ^_^
Souce: Swansea Animation Days 2007
Category > Events
Those good people from J-Pop Go have sent us the details of their spooky Halloween themed j-pop gathering in London. It'll be on Saturday 20th October at Cafe Manga by County Hall, near Westminster Tube. The fun is set to start at 7pm, tickets will be £5 (with discounts for flyers and cosplayers). As always they've got a good line up, along with some great prizes from ADV. Readers should also note that this event is for over 18's only.
Read More... | Souce: J-Pop Go
Category > Anime
Animated classic Mysterious Cities of Gold will be released on DVD in the UK in February 2008 by Fabulous Films. Many of our readers will no doubt remember this series airing on TV as children on CBBC in the UK, ABC in Australia, Nickelodeon the US or even NHK in Japan.
Fans have been calling for an English DVD release for some time. Fabulous films previously released the first twelve episodes on Inu Yasha in the UK in one of of the ugliest box sets we've seen for years. Lets hope the MCOG set is nicer. Fabulous Films do have a form up on their splash page asking about features, so get suggesting. We said decent packaging and the good old CBBC MCOG sing-along.
Souce: Anime News Network
Category > Fandom
Attending the London Anime Club on Sunday 2nd of September 2007, we read in their monthly news letter a cause for concern. It seems attendance has been dropping recently and it means that they might not be able to hire out the venue they use, as a result the London Anime Club is considering closing at the end of the year.
"...with the massive surge in anime popularity over the last few years, the thriving online community and the many conventions and events every year I can't help wondering if perhaps the LAC is no longer needed."
Read More... | Souce: London Anime Club
Category > Events
The AmeCon Mailing List have send details about voice acting guest Chris Patton, who is unable to attend the convention this year.
Read More... | Souce: AmeCon Mailing List
Category > Events
Those who have registered will be pleased to hear that we've been sent the final press release from the AmeCon crew for their convention which is set to run next week in Leicester, UK. They've announced some extra guests including Visual Kei group Gothika (formerly Euthanasie). The weekend is going to be packed full of fun events, including an event in the style of an evening chat show - Friday Night Live, with the Claw and Co. We wonder which interesting guests Stuart Claw will be chatting to? What revealing questions will he ask? We look forward to finding out. ^_^
Read More... | Souce: AmeCon 2007
Category > Anime
We've teamed up with Optimum Releasing for a chance for you to win some great prizes to celebrate the UK launch of Tales from Earthsea, we're giving away: Three Studio Ghibli DVDs of some of their finest work Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle and My Neighbour Totoro as well as a Tales From Earthsea poster.
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News
Category > Anime
It probably wasn't that much of a suprise but Manga Entertainment announced that they have the rights to the first 52 episodes of Bleach. Lets hope this time they proof their subtitles a little better than they did Naruto.
Souce: Eye on Anime
Category > Events
The organisers for Northern Irish anime convention Tomo-Dachi have sent us more details for their 2007 convention. Set to run at The University Of Ulster's Magee campus from Friday 24th to Sunday 26th August 2007. This year's guest of honour is Mike McFarland English language dub director of Full Metal Alchemist. Other guests include Stuart Claw, Hugh David, Sonia Leong and Emma Vieceli.
The convention is still open for registration, and we suggest you book as soon as possible to avoid any disappointment.
Read More... | Souce: Tomo-Dachi
Category > Events
If you're a young, budding creative into all things manga, anime and even music, you might want to hit Cambridge next week. The BBC's Blast on Tour will be swinging by Cambridge with their mobile studio, the "Blast truck", and hosting many different activities to get young people aged 13-19 more hands on with the creative scene...
And there's activities on manga and animation included!
Read More... | Souce: Blast in Cambridge
Trailers ruining on Jetix UK reveal game based anime Viewtiful Joe will air on the channel from July 2nd. The story follows Joe who is dragged through the cinema screen, into a Captain Blue action film. Once there he gains the power to become Viewtiful Joe.
Souce: Jetix UK
Category > Anime
SFX has released its second anime special magazine. Featuring articles on GitS:SAC Solid State, how anime is incorrectly perceived, Guyver, CGI in anime and more. Plus a cover bonus of a set of GitS:SAC fridge magnets.
Read More... | Souce: SFX UK
Category > Anime
For anime fans with the animator in them, the online community site Bebo are inviting users to invent the ending to a volume of Guyver, the clip can be seen on thewir website.
Souce: Bebo \'U DIRECT\' Guyver Competition
Category > Anime
Our readers who like podcasts or can tune into Resonance 104.4 fm, a radio art station in London will want to listen in Thursday evening at 10.30 PM BST (9th May 2007), to catch an interview with anime expert Helen McCarthy. She'll be talking on Alex Fitch's show "I'm ready for my close-up", where they'll be covering anime in general, Helen's current anime season at the Barbican and hopefully the Anime Encyclopedia too. The podcast will be put on-line on Friday 10th May.
Souce: Resonance 104.4 fm
Category > Anime
We've received details regarding a book signing in London. Jonathan Clements and Helen McCarthy will be signing copies of the new updated version of the Anime Encyclopedia next week on Tuesday 24th April 2007 at Farringdons book store in the Barbican from 19:00-19:45. Then from 20:30, Helen will be giving a talk, on "Urban Mythmaking Tokyo Style", followed by a screening of Karas: The Prophecy.
So if you want to get a signed copy of the Anime Encyclopedia and meet the authors then swing by.
Souce: Barbican
Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo just started this weekend on Jetix. It follows the adventures of Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo a hero who can talk to hair. It' s odd, very odd.
There are new episodes every day at 11:30am and 19:00.
Souce: Jetix
We've got the details from the Sci-Fi-London regarding their anime all-nighter. The line up looks to be the best yet. The anime all nighter is set to run on Saturday 5th May from 11pm. The line up is as follows:
Ghost in the Shell: Solid State Society
Paprika
Le Chevalier D'Eon
Highlander: Search for vengence
Full Metal Alchemist: Conqueror of Shamballa
We're excited to see the new follow up to Ghost In the Shell: Stand alone complex - Solid State Society, and it's worth going for that alone. However Paprika by Satoshi Kon (the director behind Tokyo Godfathers, Perfect Blue, Millennium Actress and Paranoia Agent) is another must see title. We're really impressed that they'll be showing them both on the same screening. The other titles are worth watching too. We suggest you make it a weekend of anime, go along to the anime all nighter, and then go to the London Anime Club the following day.
We also advise you book soon to avoid disappointment they sold out within 10 days last year.
Friday 4th May 2007, will show the UK Premiere of Ghost In the Shell: Solid State Society.
Read More... | Souce: Sci-Fi-London
Category > Events
Our chum Dragon's sent us details about the London Anime Club's 2007 trip to Japan. Let's face it, if you are a huge anime fan what better way to go to Japan than with a group of like minded fans! ^_^
Details as follows:
Registrations for the LAC Japan 2007 Trip now open
Registration for the London Anime Club's annual trip to Japan is now open. This trip is timed to coincide with the first Japanese World Scince Fiction Convention. The trip is from Friday 24th of August until Friday the 7th of September and includes all flights, hotel, and transfers to/from the airport. There are side trips and special events planned for the more discerning Otaku. Further details about the WorldCon can be found at Nippon 2007.
Souce: London Anime Club - Japan 2007
Category > Events
We've been sent the details of the Bristol International Comic Expo Film Night on May 11th at 10pm at the Ramada Plaza Hotel, Bristol. Anime fans will want to catch Highlander: Search For Vengeance along with the fan produced title with cult appeal AMV Hell: 3.
Read More... | Souce: Bristol International Comic Expo
Category > Anime
We've been sent a press release from the folks at Titan Books. They'll be releasing a new updated edition of the Anime Encyclopedia for the UK on 27th April 2007. This edition has a black cover, along with over 40% new material. The Anime Encyclopedia is a must for otaku, as it's a accurate and well researched guide to the subject unlike a few other books which are nowhere near as good. Jonathan Clements and Helen McCarthy know their stuff and we highly recomend this guide. Hunting around on Amazon.co.uk will produce a bargain price below the suggested retail price. You'll save money by reading about the type of anime you'd want to avoid, but the only trouble is you'd want to watch more of the titles you've discovered by reading it.
Read More... | Souce: Titan Book