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Something for Fans of Howl's Moving Castle - The Chrestomanci Series By The Folio Society

Date: 2024 October 24 17:44 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

Fans of Howl's Moving Castle looking to explore more of Diana Wynne Jones' original works will be pleased to hear that The Folio Society will be publishing more of the authors books.

The Chrestomanci Series will be released over the course of 2024 to 2027. With Charmed Life, The Magicians of Caprona and Witch Week available now. The Lives of Christopher Chant is due in 2025, while Conrad's Fate is due in 2026 and Pinhoe Egg in 2027. The books all include Endpapers and slipcase printed in silver ink again adding to the luxury feel. The books are accompanied by illustrations by Alison Bryant.

The books can be read in any order, as enough is explained in them individually, but there is some benefit in reading them in order, or at least reading Charmed Life first. They don't feature Howl, but as they're written by the same author they have the same magical elements along with characters who feel familiar.

What sets The Folio Society publications apart is that they're luxury books. The print quality, paper, blinding and illustrations are normally exceptional. Each book will retail directly from The Folio Society for £49.95 (GBP) if ordering in the UK or $70 (USD) if ordering from their US website. These books are expensive, but owning some of their books and seeing other books they've published, you do get what you pay for. They're something you'd get a as special gift for someone or indeed as big treat to yourself.

They also have Howl's Moving Castle again for £49.95 (GBP) or $70 (USD)

Souce: The Folio Society

My Neighbour Totoro UK and Ireland Cinema Release Details

Date: 2024 July 07 21:01 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks from the Elysian Film Group have revealed that My Neighbour Totoro will be re-released in cinemas across the UK and Ireland from 2nd August 2024. The Studio Ghibli masterpiece by 2 time Oscar winning director Hayao Miyazaki is much loved and hugely influential. It's available to stream on Netflix, but seeing in on a big screen is another experience and we strongly advise you to catch it if you can. The film will be released just in time for the summer holidays when schools out. So children and adults alike can enjoy Satsuki and Mei's encounter with woodland spirits. The film itself is perfection. So much so the Royal Shakespeare Company adapted it for the stage and it has hugely successful run at the Barbican.

So check your local cinema listing from Friday 2nd August 2024 to find a screening near you.

Souce: Elysian Film Group

Hayao Miyazaki's The Boy and the Heron Wins An Oscar

Date: 2024 March 12 17:41 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

Hayao Miyazaki's The Boy and the Heron has won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film 2024.

The highly coveted gold statue is considered the biggest award in Hollywood circles. Miyazaki is not only the first and only Japanese director to have won in this category, but he has also won it twice! Spirited Away won the Oscar in 2002.

Miyazaki's other movies Howl's Moving Castle and The Wind Rises have been nominated in the past, but did not win. While other Ghibli movies The Tale of the Princess Kaguya, When Marnie Was There and The Red Turtle have all been nominated previously too.

This is an exceptional achievement and marks another award on the shelf for The Boy and the Heron, which also won a Golden Globe Award and a BAFTA.

Souce: The Oscars 2024

Hayao Miyazaki's The Boy and the Heron Wins BAFTA Award

Date: 2024 February 19 20:27 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

Hayao Miyazaki's The Boy and the Heron has won the BAFTA for Animated Film 2024. It was running against Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget, Elemental and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.

The Ghibli film was the only anime film running this year, and also the first to win a BAFTA. Interestingly this is the first anime movie to be nominated for this category. Generally only three or four films are nominated each year for the BAFTA Award for Best Animated Film.

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts are the most coveted awards in the UK entertainment industry.

As we've reported previously The Boy And the Heron won a Golden Globe Award.

Souce: 2024 EE BAFTA Film Awards: The Winners and Nominations

Hayao Miyazaki's The Boy and the Heron Wins Golden Globe Award

Date: 2024 January 09 21:24 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Hayao Miyazaki's The Boy and the Heron has won the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture - Animated 2024. The coveted award forms part of Hollywood's Award season. Miyazaki is the first Japanese director to have won this category (which was established in 2007).

Anime has been nominated in the past (such as Mamoru Hosoda's Mirai and Masaaki Yuasa Inu-Oh), but has until now failed to win. This year the film went up against Makoto Shinkai's Suzume, Wish , The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and Elemental.

The Boy and the Heron was also nominated for Best Original Score - Motion Picture for Joe Hisaishi's work, however he Ludwig Göransson won this category for the Oppenheimer score.

The Boy and the Heron has been shown in the US and UK will probably get a wider release due to award win.

Hayao Miyazaki was also the first Japanese Animation director to win an Oscar for Spirited Away.

Souce: The Golden Globes

Spirited Away Stage Play Adaptation London Performance Details

Date: 2023 December 01 20:43 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

We've just heard news that the stage adaptation of Spirited Away has been extended by 5 weeks due to huge demand. It's set to run in London from Tuesday 30th April 2024 until Saturday 24th August 2024. They've made an extra 90,000 (yes ninety thousand) extra tickets on sale!

You can catch this performance at the London Coliseum. The stage adaptation of Hayao Miyazaki's much loved Spirited Away closely follows the original movie and does feature singing and dancing, but is not a musical. It will be performed in Japanese with English subtitles visible from each seat.

You can visit the London Coliseum website book tickets

If you want to catch more Miyazaki on the London stage, don't forget about the Royal Shakespeare Company adaptation of My Neighbour Totoro at the Barbican. This second run of the truly fantastic stage play is set to run from Tuesday 21st November 2023 until Saturday 23rd March 2024. We saw the run last year and you can read our review if you're curious to know more about the 2022 run.

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!

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

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.

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.

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!

Miyazaki's Shuna's Journey get's an English Language Release

Date: 2022 February 22 20:36 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

It's just been announced that Hayao Miyazaki's Shuna's Journey will be getting an English language release. Alex Dudok de Wit revealed on Twitter that he is translating it. The 1983 graphic novel will be released by First Second Books on 1st November 2022.

Oscar winning anime director Hayao Miyazaki is best know for his feature films including Spirited Away, My Neighbour Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service and Howl's Moving Castle.

An Anime Steeped in History: Princess Mononoke

Date: 2021 November 27 13:40 | Posted By: Franki Webb

Category > Anime

In a change to our regular scheduled news, we bring you an academic article titled Steeped in History: Princess Mononoke. It delves into historical context of the much loved Studio Ghibli film focusing on how social class, race and religion are depicted. It also looks into the archaeological record, and written sources to understand how the film conveys these aspects while maintaining its fantasy element and pro-environmental message.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

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

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

Category > Anime

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

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

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

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

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

Small Totoro Honnori Lamp Review

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

Category > Anime

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

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

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Never-Ending Man: Hayao Miyazaki UK Blu-ray/DVD Combi Release Details

Date: 2020 March 21 22:17 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from Anime Limited have revealed the UK release details for Never-Ending Man: Hayao Miyazaki on Blu-ray and DVD (combi). The documentary shot over two years charts legendary anime directory Hayao Miyazaki creating his first CG animation.

We've seen the broadcast version on NHK World and it's certainly worth watching as it shows the behind the scenes creative processes. There's lots of little gems in this. Subtle moments you might miss too. There's a great moment where Miyazaki draws a storyboard for the CG team to use and they're clearly amazed by the quality and draughtsmanship of something that's supposed to be a very rough piece of work.

Miyazaki is famed for founding Studio Ghibli, where he created many of his movies including Spirited Away, Totoro, Howl's Moving Castle, and many more. They can currently be enjoyed on Netflix.

The feature is due out on Monday 13th April 2020. You can pre-order it directly from Anime Limited or from Amazon.co.uk.

Studio Ghibli Movies Hit Netflix

Date: 2020 January 20 20:51 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Streaming service Netflix have just announced that they'll be adding Studio Ghibli films to their list of movies. Fans from Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Latin America will be able to enjoy films. The films will be subtitled in 28 languages, and dubbed in up to 20 languages.

Studio Ghibli are renowned for creating high quality masterpiece movies. Hugely influential Studio Ghibli is the only Japanese anime studio to have won an Oscar with Hayao Miyazaki's Spirited Away.

The movies release to Netflix will be spread across 3 months, on 1st February 2020, 1st March 2020 and 1st April 2020.

Totoro, Kiki and Porco Rosso will all be in the first wave movies. Up until now Studio Ghibli have been reluctant to allow their titles available for streaming.

All these movies are fantastic in their own right and we can't say in stronger words go out and watch them. With the exception of Tales from Earthsea which was a trouble production, skip that one.

The US, Canada and Japan are noticeably absent from the list of countries the films will be available from. We suspect another company has streaming rights to these countries.

Kiki's Delivery Service 30th Anniversary Collector's Edition UK Release Details

Date: 2019 November 05 21:43 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

UK fans of Hayao Miyazaki's delightful classic witch movie Kiki's Delivery Service will be very interested to hear news about the special Kiki's Delivery Service 30th Anniversary Collector's Edition. Released by Studio Canal.

It's due out on Monday 16th December 2019.

The collectors edition includes:

The DVD and Blu-ray Doubleplay edition of the film.

The Art of Kiki's Delivery Service book.

Plus tons of extra goodies:

- Exclusive oversized 8.5' x 11.75' art cards.
- Exclusive 23.5' x 32.5' poster featuring original Japanese theatrical artwork from 1989
- Exclusive premium cotton Jiji tea towel. Yes, this isn't a typo, it's a very British extra for the UK edition.
- Exclusive recipe card set (of what recipes? We don't know).
- Exclusive embroidered sew on patch featuring the anniversary logo

The set comes packed in a oversized rigid box, with brand new exclusive artwork.
They'll be limited to 1,000 units and holographically numbered

The double play DVD and blu-ray set have already been released in the past, as has the artbook, but they haven't all been bundled as a set before this way. This set is just out in time for Christmas and is an Amazon UK Exclusive. It's priced at £75.

Alternatively you can get the DVD and Blu-ray double play edition for £14.00 Just the DVD for £11. The Art of Kiki's Delivery Service Hardcover artbook is available by itself for £25. So you could have the core content for £39, but without the lavish extras and tea-towel. It's worth it for the the tea-towel by itself to be honest.

We've also just covered news that the original book of Kiki's Delivery service is going to re-released in 2020.

Kiki's Delivery Service Original Book Release Details

Date: 2019 October 30 21:00 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

The wait is finally over. The original book of Kiki's Delivery Service is getting a new English language release. It's due out in the US on Tuesday 7th July 2020 from Delacorte Books for Young Readers (an imprint of Penguin Random House).

Japanese translator Emily Balistrieri revealed the news on Twitter. She is responsible for the new translation of the book.

The novel by Eiko Kadono was the original source for Hayao Miyazaki's Studio Ghibli Film of the same name. Although Miyazaki's film adaptation has been hugely successful in the west, an English language version of the book has been out of print for some time. It was last released in 2003 and the old editions have gone for £70 and up. Now you'll be able to get a more affordable hardcover instead. The publishers have put a suggest reading age of 10 and up, so it's sure to be enjoyed by fans of the movie keen to read to the original source of inspiration.

As always you can pre-order the book from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.

Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival in Aberystwyth Details 2018

Date: 2018 September 06 19:57 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Anime fans in Aberystwyth will be pleased to hear about the local leg of the Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival. It's been running since 2010 and is set to return to the Aberystwyth Arts Centre on Saturday October 20th 2018. Attendees are in for a treat, they've got screenings of some truly delightful films, including Fireworks, Lu Over the Wall and Mirai.

We highly recommend Lu Over the Wall a quirky tail from Masaaki Yuasa (you can read our review here), along with Mirai from popular anime director Mamoru Hosoda, the screening is a week after it's run at the BFI London Film Festival, but also before it get a national screening. So you'll be able to see it before most people!

They'll also be showing Studio Ghibli's When Marnie Was There, something that you should really catch on a big screen. Other titles include Psychic School Wars and Attack on Titan: Roar of Awakening.

As always with events like this we suggest booking early to avoid disappointment, tickets aren't on sale yet for Aberystwyth, but will be soon, so please keep a look out!

Also don't forget you can catch some other great films at the Cardiff leg of the festival too.

Studio Ghibli co-founder and animation director Isao Takahata passes away in Tokyo

Date: 2018 April 07 11:31 | Posted By: Eeeper

Category > Anime

Isao Takahata, the co-founder of the legendary Studio Ghibli, has passed away in Tokyo at the age of 82. The animation director who worked alongside fellow director and studio founder Hayao Miyazaki was an integral part of the studio as well as being one of the major directors throughout its history. Among his many personal accomplishments were the animated films My Neighbours the Yamadas, Pom Poko, Grave of the Fireflies, Only Yesterday and the Oscar-nominated The Tale of the Princess Kaguya.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Ghibli Movies to Air on Film4 in the UK this Easter 2018

Date: 2018 March 29 19:58 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

UK based Studio Ghibli fans can catch 4 Miyazaki classics over Easter 2018. Film4 will be showing:

My Neighbour Totoro - Monday 2nd April (1.05pm) & 8th Sunday April (11am)
Kiki's Delivery Service - Tuesday 3rd April (12.50pm) Monday 9th April (11am)
Howl's Moving Castle - Wednesday 11th April (12.40pm)
Spirited Away - Thursday 12th April (12.35pm)

All screenings on the free to air channel will be dubbed in English, with a screenings of Howl's Moving Castle and Spirited Away shown on later slots on Monday 16th and Tuesday 17th April in Japanese with English subtitles.

Film4 have a lovely habit so showing Ghibli Films during school holidays and such screenings of these amazing movies often get many people into anime. We suggest you catch these delightful films.

If you fancy watching some Ghibli on the big screen in London this year, the BFI will be screening some classic Ghibli titles this May.

Souce: Film4

BFI May 2018 Anime Screening Details

Date: 2018 March 27 20:08 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

London based anime fans will want to get over to the BFI in May 2018 to catch an Anime Weekender.

They'll be screening a range of titles including the soon to be released Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms, along with the box office giant Your Name. One Your Name screening will be on IMAX, we caught it on the colossal screen last year and suggest you can catch it if you can.

There's so much good stuff in this season, including the charming Lu Over the Wall. We saw it last year and loved it.

Tucked away on the listings (and easily missed) is a complete run down of the BFI Animation 2018 Season. This includes a delightful screening of Ghibli Classics My Neighbour Totoro and two screenings of Spirited Away, plus a screening of Princess Mononoke.

Satoshi Kon's masterpiece Paprika will also be shown.

Fans keen to see Akira can also catch two screenings of 30th anniversary screening: Akira, including one on IMAX.

History buffs and historic anime fans alike will be interested in Momotaro's Divine Sea Warriors a World War II propaganda film thought to be destroyed after the war.

Basically we suggest you catch one of these fantastic films on the big screen. Nothing beats watching a great anime film on a huge cinema screen. We also suggest you book early to avoid disappointment.

Ronja The Robber's Daughter UK Blu-ray and DVD Release Details

Date: 2017 November 08 16:53 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

UK anime fans eager to own Studio Ghibli's TV show Ronja The Robber's Daughter, will be pleased to hear that it's getting a home video release on Monday 4th December 2017. It's available for pre-order on Blu-ray and DVD from the good folks at Studio Canal.

London based fans with children can also visit the BFI on Sunday 19th November 2017 for a special screening event showing the first 4 episodes of the series. Tickets for this event are selling out quickly, so book while you can if you want to go.

Read More... | Souce: Studio Canal

When Marnie Was There on Film4

Date: 2017 August 20 07:55 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > TV

UK based fans of Studio Ghibli will want to tune into Film4 at 11 am on Wednesday 23rd August 2017 to catch the network premiere of When Marnie Was There.

While on Tuesday 22nd August 2017 also at 11 am Film4 will be screening Ghibli movie The Tale of the Princess Kaguya.

UK Viewers can catch Film4 on the following channel on the following services:

15 Freeview
315 Sky
342 Sky HD
428 Virgin
300 Freesat
15 YouView
15 BT TV
15 TalkTalk

Souce: Film4

The Red Turtle UK DVD and Blu-ray Release Details

Date: 2017 July 20 12:26 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

The good folks from Studio Canal have just sent us details the UK DVD and Blu-ray release of The Red Turtle. It's due out in the UK on Monday 25th September 2017.

The movie is produced by Studio Ghibli and directed by Michaël Dudok de Wit who was head hunted especially for the film with Isao Takahata acting as artistic director.

You can read our review of The Red Turtle and our interview with the director.

To be honest this movie is amazing. There's no dialogue, so you won't need to watch it subbed or dubbed. It's very intelligent, it's well animated, it doesn't talk down to you. Given the choice you can watch a few episodes of a long running shonen series or you can spend the time watching something that'll get you thinking.

There subtle things in this film, although there's no real dialogue apart from the occasional grunt, moan or the main character going "heeeeeeeeeeeeey", the attention to detail is stunning. They decided to record the sound of the characters breathing to make it feel more real. Repeat viewings will make you notice details you didn't spot first time around.

As always you can pre-order the DVD and Blu-ray from Amazon.co.uk.

Read More... | Souce: Studio Canal

The Red Turtle Review

Date: 2017 May 22 15:49 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Features

In an interesting move from Studio Ghibli, rather than look just in Japan for the talent to direct a new animated movie the fabled studio looked around the world to find someone suitable. They found Michaël Dudok de Wit. The movie they made together was The Red Turtle.

We caught up with the director for an exclusive interview.

The film is set for release at UK cinemas from Friday 26th May 2017.

We know you're wondering Is the movie any good? Well read our review and find out!

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

The Red Turtle UK Release Details

Date: 2017 January 26 15:43 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

Ghibli fans in the UK will want to set a date in their diaries (or use the Otaku Calendar) for Friday 26th May 2017 as that's when The Red Turtle gets a UK cinema release. The Michael Dudok De Wit film is co-produced by Studio Ghibli. The film contains no dialogue and follows "the milestones in the life of a human being".

As you'd expect it's beautifully animated, heart-warming and emotional. This is one of those movies we suggest you catch on the big screen while you. We know May is far away now, but this is the first we've heard about the UK release from Studio Canal.

Read More... | Souce: Studio Canal

An Interview with Animation Director Takeshi Honda

Date: 2016 December 29 15:55 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Features

UK anime company Anime Limited are great for getting guests over to the UK, this year alone they had Makoto Shinkai the director of hit anime Your Name, Psycho-Pass director Naoyoshi Shiotani, plus anime director Michael Arias.

Most of these guests appeared at either the May or October 2016 MCM London Comic Con. Our last interview of the year is no means the least. Here's our interview with animation director Takeshi Honda. He's probably best known for his work on the rebuild of Evangelion movies. He's an industry veteran having worked on the original Evangelion TV series and the original movies as well. He's also recently directed his own short anime.

We caught up with Mr Honda at the MCM London Comic Con in October 2016 for an exclusive interview.

What makes him interesting to interview was that he's worked with so many top notch directors, Hayao Miyazaki, Hideaki Anno, Satoshi Kon, Mamoru Hosoda and many more. From an interviewer's stand point we could easily talk to him for a few hours about any of these individual directors to gain insight. We know academics who would have a million questions for Mr Honda and picking a limited set of questions was a great challenge. For this interview we carefully selected a range of questions to cover his career and we hope that you find these insights interesting.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Kiki's Delivery Service gets a New Theatrical Adaptation in London Over Christmas 2016

Date: 2016 August 17 15:28 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

Fans of Japanese Culture looking for something to do over Christmas will want to to head to the Southwark Playhouse in London. They'll be hosting the world premiere of a brand new theatrical adaptation of Kiki's Delivery Service. The play is based on the best selling book by Eiko Kadono, and was adapted into a much loved film by Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli.

The play is set to run from Thursday 8th December 2016 until Sunday 8th January 2017.

The Southwark Playhouse have previously hosted a production of Howl's Moving Castle in 2012.

They've yet to announce any casting or creative details. We'll be very curious as to who they cast for Jiji, if it'll be a human or some kind of stage craft puppetry.

This is all we can reveal at this stage, and we're keen to book tickets already! As always when tickets are release, we suggest you book early to avoid any disappointment.

When Marnie Was There UK DVD and Blu-ray Release Details

Date: 2016 June 18 14:06 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Studio Ghibli's final movie When Marnie Was There has just hit UK cinema screens. Pre-orders for the home video release of the film have just appeared on Amazon.co.uk.

It's due for release on Monday 3rd October 2016. There are currently 3 editions available for pre-order. You can get it on DVD, blu-ray and DVD double play edition or Blu-ray Special Edition. It's not yet clear what the special edition has over the double play edition, we assume based on previous Studio Canal releases it'll be the same as the double play edition, but perhaps with some postcards or some kind of extra like that.

Souce: Amazon.co.uk

When Marnie Was There UK Screening Details

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

Category > Anime > Film

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

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

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

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

Souce: Studio Ghibli Forever

Ghibli Singer Azumi Inoue to Appear at Hyper Japan this July 2016

Date: 2016 May 09 16:10 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The good folks from Hyper Japan have just sent us news that they're as happy as be to announce that Azumi Inoue will be at the event in London. The singer is best known for singing for Ghibli Movies, including the Totoro theme and Laputa, Castle in the Sky.

So hey let's go to Hyper Japan from Friday 15th to Sunday 17th July 2016 at Olympia London.

DJ Itsuka and MC Gonchi of Charisma.com will also be there.

BFI Southbank London - Anime Weekend 2016 Details

Date: 2016 April 25 15:53 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

London anime fans will want to head to the BFI Southbank for the return of their Anime Weekend. The screenings are held every other year. This screenings are set to run from Friday 3rd to Sunday 5th June 2016 at the BFI Southbank.

This time around they're showing the original Ghost in the Shell Movie, the new Ghost In the Shell Movie called Ghost in the Shell: The New Movie (you can read more about the naming here), Empire of the Corpses, Psycho-Pass: The Movie, The Boy and the Beast. There'll also be a special screening and QA of anime Harmony, the QA features it's director Michael Arias (who also directed Tekkonkinkreet and produced The Animatrix).

The BFI also suggest you catch their screening of the latest (and currently last) Studio Ghibli Film When Marnie Was There.

The BFI anime screenings have proved to be very popular in the past. As always we advise booking early to avoid disappointment.

Studio Ghibli Forever Season UK Screening Details

Date: 2016 April 19 16:10 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

UK based fans of Studio Ghibli will want to find their nearest Picture House Cinema as from Friday 29th April 2016 they'll be running a Studio Ghibli Forever Season.

To celebrate the launch of the final Studio Ghibli Film When Marnie Was There (which hits cinemas on Friday 10th June 2016), the Picture House will be running a massive Studio Ghibli retrospective.

Ghibli films really do have to viewed on a cinema screen at least once to enjoy the full experience. There's something amazing about a Ghibli feature on a big screen. As always we suggest you book early to avoid disappointment.

When Marnie Was There London Screening Details

Date: 2015 September 01 15:28 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

UK Ghibli fans will want to head to London in October to catch screenings of When Marnie Was There at the BFI London Film Festival.

The Film will be screened at the Haymarket Cineworld at 14:30 on Saturday 10th October 2015 and 18:15 on Wednesday 14th October 2015 at the BFI Southbank.

This is Studio Ghibli's final film.

The BFI London Film Festival 2015 also has other films of interest, including Mamoru Hosoda's The Boy and the Beast. If you like Summer Wars, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time and Wolf Children, you'll want to catch this feature.

The Tail Of The Princess Kaguya UK Cinema Release Details

Date: 2015 March 08 12:42 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

UK based anime fans of Studio Ghibli will be very pleased to hear about the up coming cinema release of the The Tale of The Princess Kaguya. Studio Canal the company with the UK distribution rights to the film have started to put posters up in London's West End tube stations. The posters confirm that the Oscar nominated film will be released in selected cinemas on Friday 20th March 2015.

Read More... | Souce: Studio Canal

The Wind Rises on Film4 Friday 13th February 2015

Date: 2015 February 09 15:28 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > TV

UK anime fans who tuned into The Wind Rises last Saturday, may have been surprised to find that they were showing the Japanese version, with English subtitles. Originally Film4 intended to show the dubbed version, but due to an error their they, they showed the subtitled version instead. Anime fans hoping to catch the dubbed version will want to tune into Film 4 on Friday 13th February 2015 at 6:25pm.

As always, we've updated the details of the screening on the Otaku Calendar.

Souce: Film4

The Wind Rises on Film4 Saturday 7th February 2015

Date: 2015 February 03 15:39 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > TV

UK based fans of Studio Ghibli will want to tune into Film4 on Saturday 7th February 2015, as they'll be showing The Wind Rises at 3:25pm. This will be the first UK TV screening of the film. It's Hayao Miyazaki's latest (and most likely last) feature film since the famed Oscar winning director announced his retirement.

The Wind Rises was the highest grossing film in Japan for 2013. It tells the story of a fictionalised biography of Jiro Horikoshi, real life designer of the notorious Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter aircraft. In the film, Jiro is forced to abandon his dream of being a pilot and becomes an engineer, spurred on by vivid dreams and the love of a woman.

Film4 have confirmed that it will be the English dubbed version which features the voice talent of Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

Film4 can be viewed on:
Freeview: Channel 15
Free Sat: Channel 300
Sky: Channel 315
Virgin: Channel 428
Virgin HD: Channel 429

Also don't forget Film4 +1, to watch it an hour later.
Film4+1 can be viewed on:
Freeview: Channel 45
Free Sat: Channel 301
Sky: Channel 316
Virgin: Channel 430

If you're interested you can read our review of The Wind Rises.

You also can buy the film on DVD, Blu-ray and DVD or Collector's Edition Blu-ray and DVD.

Regular readers will be aware of our review of The Kingdom of Dreams & Madness a documentary that follows the production of The Wind Rises.

Souce: Film4

The Kingdom Of Dreams And Madness UK DVD Release Details

Date: 2014 November 10 14:58 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

UK Studio Ghibli fans looking for something interesting to buy on DVD will be pleased to hear about the UK DVD release of The Kingdom Of Dreams And Madness. The documentary goes behind the scenes of Studio Ghibli focusing on Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata at work at the studio as they prepare for their latest films The Wind Rises (Miyazaki) and The Tale of Princess Kaguya (Takahata).

The DVD is released on Monday 1st December 2014. You can pre-order it now from Amazon.co.uk.

The movie is also showing at London's ICA until Thursday 20th November 2014.

Ghibli Fans looking for something else to get this Christmas would probably want to consider the soon to be released Hayao Miyazaki Box Set Blu-ray.

Read More... | Souce: Studio Canal

Hayao Miyazaki Box Set Blu-ray UK Release Details

Date: 2014 November 04 15:10 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

UK based fans of Oscar winning anime director Hayao Miyazaki will be very pleased to hear about Studio Canal's latest boxset. The Hayao Miyazaki Box Set is due out Monday 8th December 2014, just in time Christmas. The blu-ray collection features 11 of his films from Castle of Cagliostro to The Wind Rises.

The limited edition set comes with an exclusive bonus disc, a booklet plus a box featuring a self portrait of the epic director in his classic pig style. Each disc is also presented in a special art sleeve.

The set is available for pre-order on Amazon.co.uk. It retails at £180.

Read More... | Souce: Studio Canal

Howl's Moving Castle Today's Google Doodle

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

Category > Anime

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

Souce: Google UK

Studio Ghibli Forever screenings throughout the UK in August

Date: 2014 August 05 13:32 | Posted By: Voxie

Category > Events

In conjunction with film distributor Studio Canal, there will be a selection of Studio Ghibli features playing at cinemas throughout the UK in August. Including Spirited Away, My Neighbour Totoro, Arrietty, Ponyo, Earthsea, Cat Returns, Porco Rosso and Princess Mononoke. There will even be a 'Draw Your Own Studio Ghibli Character' workshop!

Screenings will be all over the UK, including Glasgow, Sheffield, London, Manchester, Bristol, Nottingham.

Not only that, but tickets are at great value starting from £4 for children and £7.50 for Adults.

Studio Ghibli to close down (or is it?)

Date: 2014 August 03 17:16 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Production > Studio Ghibli

The internet has lit up with the news that Studio Ghibli is to close down. Being the internet it's also full of misinformation. According to sources, Studio Ghibli producer Toshio Suzuki said on the MBS Channel that they're restructuring Studio Ghibli. They are considering closing animation department. Many speculators in the industry are not surprised by this.

Kotaku have a good analysis of the story and it's details. As they correctly point out, an event like Studio Ghibli closing down would be all over Japanese News sources. Currently it is not.

Update: We've changed the source of this article to Kotaku, as they have a great analysis of what's going on.

The Wind Rises Review

Date: 2014 March 05 03:03 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

While Hayao Miyazaki's latest offering The Wind Rises awaits it's special UK preview on Wednesday 23rd April 2014, it is currently being shown in the US and Australia. We were lucky enough to catch a screening in English recently.

Here's our review of the film.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

BFI Southbank launch complete Studio Ghibli feature film retrospective, including a preview of The Wind Rises.

Date: 2014 February 20 15:34 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

UK fans of Studio Ghibli will be very pleased to hear the news we've been sent from the good folks at the BFI. From April to May 2014 the BFI Southbank will launch complete Studio Ghibli feature film retrospective, including a preview of The Wind Rises. They'll be celebrating the Studio's 30th Anniversary.

They'll also be showing a preview of Hayao Miyazaki's The Wind Rises. The latest film he's directed and likely to be his last as he says he's retired from film making. The Wind Rises will be screened on a special preview on Wednesday 23rd April 2013.

If you haven't seen a Studio Ghibli feature on the big screen before, we strongly suggest you do. It's a special treat to see these films as they're intend on the big screen!

Porco Rosso Blu-ray release details and Studio Ghibli UK Steel Book details

Date: 2013 November 18 15:06 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Christmas as come early for many Ghibli Fans in the UK. Porco Rosso has just got a Blu-ray release in the UK. The adventures of the Crimson Pig over the Adriatic Sea is a classic Miyazaki movie. it's got all the hallmarks you'd expect, aviation, air fights, sea plane pirates and a touch of magic. It's a must see movie.

Keen readers of the Otaku Calendar will already know that Monday 25th November marks the release date of 4 Ghibli Steel Book Sets in the UK. Each set contains the movie on DVD and Blu-ray and comes in a shiny steel case featuring artwork from each film. They'll be releasing My Neighbour Totoro, Howl's Moving Castle, Ponyo and Nausicaa.

We're already drooling over these sets and different members of the Otaku News crew have expressed interested in different copies of these steel books. I'm dropping subtle hints to santa that I would like a copy of *cough* Totoro *cough* on Steel book, even though I've got the original Japanese DVD and UK Blu-ray releases. Yes! I am that much of a Ghibli fan. ^_^;;

Souce: Otaku Calendar

Studio Ghibli Season on Film4 UK

Date: 2013 March 19 15:45 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

UK anime fans will be pleased to hear that Film4 will be showing a season of wonderful Studio Ghibli Films. The season is timed for the Easter break and includes plenty of screenings on the free to air channel. The movies are set to run from Tuesday 26th March - Saturday 13th April 2013.

We updated the Otaku Calendar with all the details over the weekend.

The Oscar winning Spirited Away is the first film showing on Tuesday 26th March at 6.30pm.

You can view Film4 on:

Film 4 is on:
Free View: Channel 15
Freesat: Channel 300
Sky: Channel 315
Virgin: Channel 428
Virgin HD: Channel 429

Don't forget Film 4 +1 as well.

Freesat: Channel 301
Sky: Channel 316
Virgin: Channel 430

Souce: Film4

Kiki's Delivery Service UK and Australian Blu-ray details

Date: 2013 February 28 14:22 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

UK Studio Ghibli Fans will be pleased to hear that Studio Canal will be releasing the classic Miyazaki movie Kiki's Delivery Service on Blu-ray on Monday 27th May 2013. Details are not yet up on the Studio Canal website. You can pre-order the title from Amazon.co.uk.

The title will also be released in Australia by Madman on Wednesday 22nd May 2013.

Souce: Otaku Calendar

Arrietty on Film 4 - December 2012

Date: 2012 December 13 16:36 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > TV

UK anime fans wanting to get some Studio Ghibli goodness over Christmas will be pleased to hear that Film4 will be showing Studio Ghibli's Arrietty on Sunday 30th December 2012. It's on at 4:55pm until 6:50pm.

Film 4 is on:
Free View: Channel 15
Freesat: Channel 300
Sky: Channel 315
Virgin: Channel 428
Virgin HD: Channel 429

Don't forget Film 4 +1 as well.

Freesat: Channel 301
Sky: Channel 316
Virgin: Channel 430

Read our review of Arrietty

Souce: Otaku Calendar

UK Anime DVD and Blu-ray release details for November and December 2012

Date: 2012 November 11 16:58 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

Using our sister site Otaku Calendar we are able to present a list of up coming anime DVD and Blu-ray tiles for the rest of 2012.

Release dates as follows:

Monday 12th November 2012
Castle Of Cagliostro (Blu-ray)
My Neighbour Totoro (Blu-ray)
Towanoquon Complete Series Collection (DVD)
Trigun Movie: Bandlands Rumble (DVD)
Trigun Movie: Bandlands Rumble (Blu-ray)

Monday 19th November 2012
Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood OVA Collection (Blu-ray)
Sekirei Pure Engagement (Season 2) (DVD)

Monday 26th November 2012
Naruto Shippuden Box Set 11 (DVD)
Ninja Scroll (Blu-ray)

Monday 3rd December 2012
Clannad After Story Part 2 (DVD)
Phantom: Requiem Complete Series (DVD)
Tales Of Vesperia: The First Strike (DVD)
Tales Of Vesperia: The First Strike (Blu-ray)

Monday 10th December 2012
Hetalia Axis Powers Season 4 Collection (DVD)

Monday 17th December 2012
Freezing Complete Series Collection (DVD)

Monday 24th December 2012
Berserk - Film 1: Egg Of The King (DVD)
Berserk - Film 1: Egg Of The King (Blu-ray)
Gintama The Movie (DVD)
Persona 4 The Animation - Box 1 (Blu-ray)

Monday 31th December 2012
Shiki Part 2 (DVD)

Being Studio Ghibli fans we're most excited about the blu-ray releases of My Neighbour Totoro and Castle of Cagliostro. The blu-ray of Ninja Scroll has also been long awaited, you can read our review of it here.

Souce: Otaku Calendar

Princess Mononoke London Stage Performance - Auditions

Date: 2012 October 20 17:29 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

A few months ago, we posted some exciting news about Princess Mononoke being adapted for the stage. The Whole Hog Theatre are about to start auditions for the stage adaptation!

Auditions will be open to all, but the number of people they can see will be limited. The roles will be unpaid and voluntary (as are all roles within Whole Hog Theatre), but this is a great chance to get involved with an amazing theatrical event. People wishing to audition will need to sign up on-line from 8am on Thursday 25th October 2012.

Audition dates as follows:

Thursday 22nd November 2012 - New Diorama Theatre, London
Friday 23rd November 2012 - The Band Factory, Leamington Spa
Saturday 24th November 2012 - Warwick University Campus, Coventry

They'll also be looking for technical people too, such a Set Designer, Costume Designer, Technical Manager / Lighting Designer, Stage Manager, plus Hair and Makeup Design.

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