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New Manga Collector's Club + Manga Events with Ottaker's

Date: 2006 February 26 08:28 | Posted By: Voxie

Category > Manga

After getting a heads up from Anime Artists UK on bookshop Ottaker's new Manga Collector's Club, I searched around and found that Ottaker's Coventry branch will also be holding a small manga evening on April 6th in association with Tokyo Pop.

Howl and Totoro Get a UK DVD Release This March

Date: 2006 February 21 15:06 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

March marks an important month for UK Ghibli fans. Howl's Moving Castle, Hayao Miyazaki's latest film gets a very swift UK DVD release, we're really impressed at how quickly it took for Optimum to bring this title to market, especially since it was only released on DVD in Japan in November 2005, previously there has been a great gap between Ghibli DVD releases outside of Japan. Optimum will be releasing a two disc set packed with extras.

Many more anime fans will be excited to hear that My Neighbour Totoro finally gets an official UK DVD release, after many years of waiting. The film was a great success in Japan and as a result became Studio Ghibli's mascot and was incorporated into their logo. It's an excellent film and one of my all time favourite anime titles. It's a charming feature of children and adult alike, one of those real rare gems of a movie and a must have for any anime fan.

Read More... | Souce: Optimum Releasing

Sweatdrop Shop

Date: 2006 February 12 14:45 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Fandom

Those artistic people from Sweatdrop Studios have dropped us a line to tell us about their new on-line shopping system. They take Paypal too, which is useful for those who don't have or want credit cards. We recommend you grab a copy of Sugardrops if you haven't already, since it contains artwork from a selection of the Sweatdrop Crew. The press release they sent us also has a discount coupon. ^_-

2005: Words From the UK Anime Industry

Date: 2006 January 03 15:08 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Paul over at Anime UK News.net has sent us the low down on a very interesting article they've just put on-line. Getting the views from the major players in the UK anime industry, the article recaps 2005 and gets various companies views on 2006. It's interesting to see all their separate takes on the achievements of the last 12 months.

The Otaku News Crew consider 2005 a very important year for the UK anime industry since it's the year that anime really went in the public eye, with more stores willing to stock it, more news papers writing positive and factually correct articles. Even Howl's Moving Castle got good fair write coverage too, while manga continues to be more easy to obtain in the UK. Taking into account where the UK anime scene was 3 or 4 years ago things have really progressed.

Souce: Anime UK News.net

MVC Calls in Administrators

Date: 2005 December 28 07:40 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

Troubled UK CD / Video Shop MVC have gone into administration, meaning that many stores will be closing down. This is a bad day for UK anime fans as they had a very good stock of anime titles compared to other highstreet retailers and as a result MVC gift vouchers were always a welcome addition to any otaku's Christmas stocking, espically from relatives who thought that anime was only pokemon. At least MVC will be having a closing sale, with huge discounts on their existing stock. We advise our readers to get down to their local MVC while stocks last to get some anime titles and spend their gift vouchers while they still can!

Souce: MVC

Play.com Anime Sale

Date: 2005 December 26 17:36 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

Our British based readers who have been given some money to spend for the holiday season might want to take a look at the Play.com Anime DVD sale. They've got plenty of anime titles to choose from!

Including Spirited Away or Grave Of The Fireflies for for £8.99 and the Cowboy Bebop Movie or Memories for £5.99. There are many good deals to be found, so go take a look!

Souce: Play.com

ADV UK DVD Give Away!

Date: 2005 December 17 07:54 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

Otaku News have teamed up with the generous folks from ADV Films UK who are giving our readers the chance to win the complete series of Last Exile or the complete series of Divergence Eve on DVD.

Read More... | Souce: ADV Films UK

ADV UK DVD Releases for January 2006

Date: 2005 December 02 16:28 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

The good people from ADV Films UK have sent out the details for their January DVD releases. They really do want to start the new year with a bang quite literally by releasing the latest incarnation of Full Metal Panic!, entitled Full Metal Panic? FUMOFFU, this 12 episode spin off series focuses more on Sousuke's and Kaname's adventures at high school and is based around the FMP "light novels".

In January 2006 ADV Films UK will be releasing the following:

- Full Metal Panic? FUMOFFU: Full Metal Pandemonium! (1 of 4)
- Peacemaker: Gunning For Trouble (3 of 7)
- Chrono Crusade: Devil's Advocate (6 of 7)

Read More... | Souce: ADV Films UK

ADV UK DVD Releases for December 2005

Date: 2005 November 22 16:57 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

Those nice folk from ADV Films UK have sent us the details of the December DVD releases.
They'll be releasing the following:

- Divergence Eve Volume 3 (Final)
- DNAngel Volume 3
- Neon Genesis Evangelion - Platinum Edition 0:6
- Last Exile Volume 7 (Final)

Read More... | Souce: ADV Films UK

Atari Europe's Bandai Christmas Line Up

Date: 2005 October 30 15:02 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Gaming > Consoles

Fans of anime games should be pleased to hear about Atari and Bandai's Christmas game line up. They've got the following for PS2:

- Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi
- One Piece: Grand Battle
- Digimon World 4

Along with Dragon Ball Z: Supersonic Warriors 2 for Nintendo DS and Ghost in the Shell®: Stand Alone Complex for PSP.

PSP Ghost In the Shell:SAC Game Details

Date: 2005 October 20 15:40 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Gaming > Consoles

UK fans of the Ghost In The Shell Standalone Complex Series should be pleased to hear that a game based on the anime will be released on PSP this Friday. Atari have sent us the details. The game sounds really good, not only do you get to play as the main cast members, each with different abilities, but you also get to command Tachikoma, that is surely worth the price of the game alone! You even get to train and customize them (*hums Tachikoma themetune* ^_-).

Nausicaa and The Cat Returns UK DVD Release Details

Date: 2005 August 30 15:55 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

Those nice people at Optimum Releasing have sent us the details for the UK DVD release of Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind and The Cat Returns, both of which are due out on 26th September just in time to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the ground breaking Studio Ghibli and just after the 23rd September release of their brilliant cinema release of Howl's Moving Castle.

Both DVDs have their fair share of extras include storyboards, original Japanese Theatrical trailers, Studio Ghibli trailer reel, the Cat Returns DVD has a making of featurette, while Nausicaa has a birth of Studio Ghibli Featurette. Since both titles are Studio Ghibli titles, they're a must see, but if you're strapped for cash and can only get hold of one, go for Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, since it's truly epic Sci-Fi. Both movies have profiles on fansite Nausicaa.net

Read More... | Souce: Optimum Releasing

Appleseed UK DVD Details

Date: 2005 August 17 16:29 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

Those nice people from Optimum Releasing have sent us the press release for the UK release of Appleseed the movie, the recent CGI version of Masamune Shirow's popular manga title. The DVD version will be available in a limited edition steel tin as well as conventional DVD from 19th September and also on UMD for the Sony PSP from 31st October.

The press release also mentions a cinema release from 19th of August, we suggest that our readers who can get to the UGC Shaftesbury Avenue and UGC Glasgow check the film out while they can.

Read More... | Souce: Optimum Releasing

Barefoot Gen UK DVD Release Details

Date: 2005 July 29 18:39 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

Those nice people at Optimum Releasing have sent us the press release for Barefoot Gen, which gets a UK DVD release on Monday 1st August. We delayed the publication of this press release so we could write a Barefoot Gen DVD Review for you to enjoy. Please note that since the details were sent out the BBFC gave Barefoot Gen a 12 rating.

Read More... | Souce: Optimum Releasing

ADV UK DVD Releases for September 2005

Date: 2005 July 27 11:47 | Posted By: Azure

Category > Anime

ADV Films UK has sent us their press release concerning their September UK releases. This includes a special edition of Spriggan, which will include a soundtrack CD and new commentaries. September also sees the start of the UK release of Peacemaker. The September releases are as follows:

- Spriggan Special Edition
- Peacemaker Volume 1
- Mezzo Volume 2
- Aquarian Age Volume 2
- Chrono Crusade Volume 4
- Gad Guard Volume 5
- Get Backers Volume 5

The Otaku News Crew recommend Peacemaker if you like samurai anime (with pigs in) and Chrono Crusade since we're finding it enjoyable.

Read More... | Souce: ADV Films UK

UK PSP Anime Movies

Date: 2005 July 19 17:44 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Gaming > Consoles

UK gamers looking forward to the September release of the Sony PSP can also expect a blitz of UMD Movies for the handheld games console, anime titles that are going to be available so far include:

- Akira
- Ghost In The Shell
- Ghost In The Shell: On The Trail Of The Laughing Man
- Ghost In The Shell: Trouble At Home & Abroad
- La Blue Girl Returns
- Transformers The Movie

All of the above should be out on (or by) 5th September 2005 and will be priced around £10 - £15 depending on the title and the retailer.

Optimum Releasing will also be releasing Appleseed on DVD and UMD on 19th September.

It should be noted that PSP UMD Movies are region locked, so a UK PSP will only play Region 2 European and Japanese UMDs and not Region 1 US UMDs. Like DVDs UMDs can support multiple audio tracks and subtitles, so a single disc can ideally come with both the subbed and dubbed version of title.

Gollancz Manga Launch Details

Date: 2005 July 14 15:07 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

Gollancz Manga have sent us the details for their UK Manga releases. Starting August they'll be releasing manga on the first Monday of every month. Gollancz entered into an exclusive arrangement with VIZ to publish their titles in the UK. The titles available will include Yu-Gi-Oh!, Fushigi Yugi, Dragon Ball and Case Closed.

Many UK manga fans would have already got these titles from certain retailers offering the American import versions, but since these are the official UK versions it means that they'll be more easily available. Libraries for example will be able to order manga if they so wish through their distributors. The Otaku News Crew are excited to hear about this and look forward to seeing even more manga in the UK.

ADV UK DVD Releases for August 2005

Date: 2005 June 19 15:49 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

Those nice folks over at ADV UK have sent us the release details for their August titles. The following should be hitting the shelves:

- D.N.Angel 1
- Divergence Eve 1
- New Fist of the North Star 3
- Gravion 2
- Neon Genesis Evangelion Platinum Edition 4
- Last Exile 5

Hopefully we'll have reviews of the above titles soon. In the meantime, the Otaku News crew recommend Volume 4 of the Eva Platinum Series (because it is Eva after all) and also DN Angel 1.

Read More... | Souce: ADV Films UK

TokyoPop to Launch New Children's Line

Date: 2005 May 24 18:41 | Posted By: Jeremy

Category > Manga

TokyoPop has announced that they will launch a new branch of their successful Cine-Manga line. This July, they will release the first of the new Jr. Cine-Manga books that will, they predict, revolutionize the children’s book market by bringing beloved characters and storylines from the screen to an original exciting visual format.

ADV Films Launches New Titles Exclusively At London Expo

Date: 2005 May 12 17:49 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

With the London Expo this weekend, the anime village is beginning to sound more exciting the more we hear about it. Sweatdrop will be there, and ADV Films UK have just revealed that they will screening some of their titles in exclusive first showings! This includes Gravion, DNAngel and Mezzo.

Read More... | Souce: ADV Films UK

ADV UK DVD Releases For June 2005

Date: 2005 May 12 17:31 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

ADV UK DVD Releases For June 2005

Those nice people at ADV Films UK have sent us the details for their June DVD releases.
They've got a good selection this month with:

- Gravion: Divine Steel (1 of 3)
- New Fist Of The North Star Volume 2: The Forbidden Fist (2 of 3)
- Neon Genesis Evangelion - Platinum Edition: 03 (3 of 7)
- Last Exile: Breakthrough (4 of 7)
- Azumanga Daioh: Graduation! (6 of 6)
- Puni Puni Poemy

The Otaku News suggest you get your hands on Last Exile and the concluding volume of Azumanga Daioh. If you really liked Excel Saga, then you'll want to see Puni Puni Poemy, however we cannot be held accountable for what it does to your brain. ^_-

Read More... | Souce: ADV Films UK

More Details Of Dragon Ball Z and Yu-Gi-Oh manga releases in the UK

Date: 2005 May 05 15:03 | Posted By: Ash

Category > Manga

Following on this story, Gollancz have confirmed more details of the release of the Dragon Ball Z and the Yu-Gi-Oh series in mainstream book shops. The cartoon series of both have caught the attention of the UK audience by their showing on Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon and now it will be possible from August to buy the manga titles from all good book shops, with Ottakars especially making a push with these titles.

Garnier Release Manga Hair Styling Product In UK

Date: 2005 April 26 18:03 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Freaky Things

Anime and manga fans in the UK have always dreamed of their favourite hobby becoming more mainstream, without doubt over the last year or so this has happened. What key indicators are we using for this? Sales figures in highstreet retailers? Availability of manga in bookshops? No, we're using hair products. Anime and manga characters have always been noted for having very distinct hairstyles and beauty products company Garnier have just released Fructis Style Manga Head styling putty in the UK. It seems that either their marketing department are cool and hip or Garnier have found a niche market of otaku who want to emulate their favourite characters.

Gollancz Announces Manga Deal

Date: 2005 April 08 07:39 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

Following on from our story about Viz being distributed in the UK, we now have the offical press release from Gollancz.

ADV UK DVD Releases For May 2005

Date: 2005 April 06 12:22 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

Those nice people over at ADV Films UK have sent us the details for their May DVD releases. They plan to release the following:

- Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040 Collection
- Chrono Crusade Volume 2
- Gad Guard Volume 3
- Get Backers Volume 3
- Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi Volume 4
- Rune Soldier Volume 6

The Otaku News Crew recommend the Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040 Collection, since it's it's good to watch, plus it's the whole series at a reasonable price along with Chrono Crusade Volume 2, since some of us just can't get enough of Nuns and Guns. ^_-

Read More... | Souce: ADV Films UK

UK Anime DVD Release Dates Until April 2005

Date: 2005 March 20 19:34 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

For our UK readers, we've got a selection of DVD release dates up until the end of April from different companies. As always release dates are liable to change for various reasons, so here's the latest details:

21-Mar-05 Chrono Crusade Volume 01
21-Mar-05 Chobits Volume 1
21-Mar-05 Gad Guard Volume 02
21-Mar-05 Get Backers Volume 02
21-Mar-05 Final Fantasy: Unlimited Volume 07
21-Mar-05 Lady Death
21-Mar-05 Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi Volume 03
21-Mar-05 Neon Genesis Evangelion (3 Disc Collection)
21-Mar-05 Rune Soldier Volume 05

With so many titles out this week alone, it seems the UK fans are spoilt for choice! Only a couple of years ago British anime fans hardly had any new titles release regularly and were lucky to get one release a month, let alone nine on the same week!

DS Breaks UK Sales Records With No PSP In Sight

Date: 2005 March 19 16:26 | Posted By: Azure

Category > Gaming > Consoles

Nintendo's new handheld has broken console sales records in the UK selling almost 87,000 units with over 3 million being sold worldwide. Super Mario 64 DS, Wario Ware: Touched! and Rayman DS were the top three selling launch titles.

Ghost In The Shell SAC - Volume 3 UK DVD Details

Date: 2005 February 27 19:02 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

Manga Entertainment have sent us the details for the UK release of Ghost In The Shell Standalone Complex - Volume 3. It's due out on 25th April 2005 and features more fun and games from the Laughing Man.

Neon Genesis Evangelion Platinum 01 Out On 21st February

Date: 2005 February 20 17:18 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

Our UK readers should be interested to know that the Platinum Edition of Neon Genesis Evangenlion is out on the 21st February. This is more of a friendly reminder really since we've already posted the press release for it. We don't normally post reminder stories however considering how popular Eva is it's bound to generate a lot of interest.

The Platinum edition has remastered video, with sharper colours that really do look more vibrant, a new 5.1 surround sound audio remix which to put it simply sounds great even when down sampled to standard stereo. ADV have also gone to town with the packaging, the DVD case comes in a shiny card sleeve cover features some nice artwork and also a 12 page booklet with sleeve notes on the series. If you haven't already got Evangelion this is the edition you should buy, if you've already got it on DVD and are a big fan you still might want to consider getting this remastered edition.

Souce: ADV Films UK

Shadow Hearts 2 UK PS2 Release Details

Date: 2005 February 19 08:55 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Gaming > Consoles

Midway have sent us the details for the UK PS2 release of Shadow Hearts 2. It's due out on 11th March and RPG fans will know that it's been developed by former SquareSoft employees.

Ghost In The Shell UK Manga Release Details

Date: 2005 February 10 08:42 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

We've got details from Titan Books regarding the UK release of the new edition of the groundbreaking manga Ghost In The Shell. This is Masamune Shirow's best known work and has been reprinted in a smaller format now uncensored. Titan will also be releasing the new manga Ghost In The Shell 2: Man Machine Interface. The sequel to the original manga has lots more CG art that Shirow has become known for in his popular Intron Depot artbooks.

Both books have been translated by Frederik L. Schodt and Toren Smith, which otaku know are famed for the quality of their translation work. Both books hit the shelves on 25th February and retail for £19.99, which is reasonable considering the page count and the amount of colour artwork in both books.

ADV UK DVD Releases For March 2005

Date: 2005 February 04 14:06 | Posted By: Spike

Category > Anime > DVD

ADV Films UK have just sent us details of upcoming UK releases for Febuary. A fantastic month of anime including:

- Lady Death: The Motion Picture
- Chrono Crusade volume 1
- Gad Guard volume 2
- Get Backers volume 2
- Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi volume 3
- Rune Soldier volume 5
- Final Fantasy: Unlimited - Phase Seven

The Otaku News Crew like the look of the next installments of the hilarious Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi and Get Backers.

Read More... | Souce: ADV Films UK

Dinkybox Cool Japanese Toys

Date: 2005 January 24 15:42 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

Wil Overton who many of our readers will know was the artist for popular Super Nintendo Magazine SuperPlay published many moons ago (and also influenced a large amount of UK fan artists with his style), has sent us details of his latest enterprise.

Dinkybox is a shop selling you the very best in cool toys and goodies from around the world, it mainly focuses on the new wave of smaller designer group/artist toys. Why are Otaku News plugging it I hear you cry? Well Dinkybox stock anime related stuff like Dr Slump Kubrick figures, the parody show Panda-Z and also some nice Deleter Manga supplies like pads, pens and ink and also screentone.

We don't normally shamelessly plug companies here, but Wil's a nice guy and agreed to an interview when my first website Anime Digital was getting off the ground, so we owe him a favour or two. ^_-

Souce: Dinkybox

Galerians: Rion DVD To Hit The UK

Date: 2005 January 12 18:12 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

The folks over at Revolver Entertainment have sent us the details for Galerians: Rion, a CG film based on a PlayStation horror game Galerians, I've also wondered, would 3D CGI be classed as anime? Even if it is Japanese? Or is it one of those blurrily borderline questions? Anyway, it's out on the 24 of January, the same week as Cowboy Bebop Volume 1 and 2 are due to hit the stores in the UK.

ADV UK DVD Releases For February 2005

Date: 2005 January 07 20:03 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

Those nice people at ADV Films UK have sent us the details for their February releases. The selection looks very promising as always with:

- Neon Genesis Evangelion: Platinum Edition vol.1
- Last Exile Volume 2
- Mahoromatic - Automatic Maiden Volume 3 (Final)
- Kino's Journey Volume 3
- Azumanga Daioh Volume 4
- Angelic Layer Volume 6
- RahXephon-The Motion Picture: Pluralitas Concentio

The Otaku News Crew feel like their spoilt for choice this month, we recommend Eva Platinum Edition Volume 1, if you haven't already got Evangelion on DVD, Last Exile Volume 2, Azumanga Daioh Volume 4 and RahXephon The Motion Picture. Normally we tend to suggest two titles a month, but it's too hard to pick this time around!

Read More... | Souce: ADV Films UK

Japonisme - Cultural Crossings between Japan and the West

Date: 2005 January 07 15:02 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

Phaidon Press have sent us details of a new book they are publishing - Japonisme: Cultural Crossings between Japan and the West, by Lionel Lambourne. It focuses on the history of Japanese of the West's extraordinary love affair with Japan. It's due out in May and sounds like an interesting read.

Cover Competition - The Anime and Electronics Shopping Guide to Tokyo

Date: 2005 January 06 18:55 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Fandom

David Cotterill (aka Dragon) has dropped us a line about his new book - The Anime and Electronics Shopping Guide to Tokyo, a self published using print-on-demand technology to ensure that each copy ordered is as up to date as possible, it's due for publication in February. Currently Dragon is running a competition for his book to design the front cover and inside icons for the book. The winning entry will get a free copy of the book and DVD of your choice from United Publications. More details can be found on Anime.org.uk's News Section.

The Otaku News Crew suggest the winner selects a nice DVD boxset. ^_-

Souce: David Cotterill

Kirin Ichiban Now Prime Marketing Focus For Kirin Brand

Date: 2005 January 05 19:09 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Cuisine

Since all Otaku News readers are sophisticated and as a result eat and drink Japanese food and drink at every opportunity, we're certain that they'll be interested in some Japanese beer news for this year.

Kirin Ichiban is to become the prime focus of marketing, promotional and sales activity for the Kirin brand in the UK. In other words, the company in charge of Kirin in the UK would like you to make Kirin Ichiban your beverage of choice.

UK DVD - Cowboy Bebop Volume 1 First Impressions

Date: 2005 January 03 11:58 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

The Otaku News Crew have been sent a review copy of the UK edition of Cowboy Bebop Volume 1. Content wise it's mainly the same as the US Edition, featuring the first five episodes on disc one, English and Japanese Stereo tracks, and English subtitles. This hit series has been in the US since the year 2000, so some UK anime fans have had to wait almost five years to get hold of this show (or of course they imported the US edition, or a bootleg three disc edition commonly found from bad on-line retailers).

UK fans who haven't already got the US edition or taped it off cable TV when it first broadcast will probably want to know is the UK edition worth buying or should they go for the US edition instead? Read On to find out!

United Publications Price Cuts

Date: 2004 December 31 12:52 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

We've just heard from Dragon, the webmaster for United Publications (a popular UK import anime and manga retailer) that they've slashed their prices by up to 20% on most US DVDs due to the strength of the Pound, our UK readers with multiregion set-ups should check it out!

Souce: United Publications

ADV UK DVD Releases For January 2005

Date: 2004 December 19 16:52 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

Those nice people at ADV UK have sent us details for their January releases.
The list is as follows:

- Get Backers Volume 1
- Gad Guard Volume 1
- Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi Volume 2
- Rune Soldier Volume 4
- Final Fantasy: Unlimited - Phase 6
- Slayers Premium

Interestingly Get Backers has been rumoured for UK release since AmeCon, when the dub was given an official preview screening. So for the January ADV list the Otaku News Crew recommend Get Backers and Slayers Premium since the Slayers range is always popular with fans.

Bandai UK DVD Delays

Date: 2004 November 29 08:32 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

We've just heard from Bandai Europe that again some of their UK DVDs are going to be delayed.

Escaflowne Collection Box Volume 2 and Gundam Wing Box Set Volume 4 have both been put back to 13th December 2004.

Cowboy Bebop Volume 1 is now due out on 17th January 2005. Cowboy Bebop Volume 2 is set for 24th January 2005.

So if you get any money over Christmas you might want to save it for Cowboy Bebop Volumes 1 and 2! ^_^

Souce: Bandai Europe

ADV UK DVD Releases for December 2004

Date: 2004 November 28 16:45 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

On Friday the good folks at ADV UK sent us their press release for their December releases.

Anime wise they have the following:

- Last Exile Volume 1
- Kino's Journey Volume 2
- Mahoromatic Volume 2
- Azumanga Daioh Volume 3
- Angelic Layer Volume 5
- Generator Gawl: The Collection

They're also releasing Gun Crazy 2: Beyond The Law for fans of live action stuff. The Otaku News Crew highly recommend Last Exile, the UK edition's packaging will be similar to the Madman Entertainment's Australian release, and not the shiny US Edition from Geneon/Pioneer, which means you can clearly see the lovely artwork on the UK edition. We also recommend Azumanga Daioh since everyone needs to see the mishaps of Chiyo-chan and Osaka! ^_-

Read More... | Souce: ADV Films UK

Neo Magazine First Issue Out Now

Date: 2004 November 25 19:15 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Just a quick reminder to our UK readers that the first issue of Neo Magazine is out now. The publication covers anime, manga, videogames, gadgets, and all things Japanese. It's available from WH Smith, Borders, HMV, Martins Spar, Virgin Store, Forbidden Planet and some independent newsagents, it should also be available from Diamond Comic stockists.

For more information check out our previous write up on Neo Magazine, Anime UK News also has an interview with the editor as does UK-Anime.net

Souce: Neo Magazine

Educational Value of Manga In The UK

Date: 2004 November 16 18:33 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The Times Education Supplement (a Times newspaper for teachers and people working in the education sector) are running a story about the educational value of manga, interestingly enough they make the same common misconceptions about manga - "Mangas depict wide-eyed heroes, often in varying states of undress". The Reading Agency, an organisation that promotes literacy, is encouraging schools to buy Manga comics, it seems they want to get as many children to get into reading by introducing them to manga. They've compiled a list of 150 recommended Manga titles, deemed suitable for teenagers and are sending them to all libraries and schools. The Otaku News crew imagine that this will help TokyoPop UK's already very healthy sales figures! ^_-

Souce: TES

Bandai UK DVD Delays

Date: 2004 November 15 16:10 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

UK Anime fans better hold on to their cash just a bit longer. I've just heard that a few DVDs from Bandai are going to be delayed by a couple of weeks. This includes the first volume of Cowboy Bebop, which is well worth waiting for. I'm sure that those of you who already have the first Escaflowne DVD box set, can't wait to get hold of the second one. ^_^

The following titles have all be slipped back to Monday 6th December 2004

- Gundam Wing Box Set Vol. 4
- Gundam Wing Box Set Vol. 5
- Cowboy Bebop Vol 1
- Escaflowne Collection Box Vol. 2

Souce: Bandai Europe

Strong Yaoi Sales on Amazon.com

Date: 2004 November 14 08:34 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

ICv2 are reporting an interesting trend with Amazon.com's manga best seller list. Apparently Yaoi is three of the top five, four of the top ten and six of the top fifteen manga titles. ICv2 point out that these sales are only on Amazon.com as the American Bookscan list doesn't not match with these sales figures, with only Del Rey's Tsubasa Volume 3 appearing at the top of both lists.

ICv2 speculate that people purchasing Yaoi prefer the privacy and relative anonymity that on-line reatilers offer and that the two main Yaoi publishers Digital Manga and CPM Manga don't have the marketing clout or number of titles compared to other publishers with titles at the top of the graphic novel lists.

Souce: ICv2

Neo Magazine UK Editor Interview

Date: 2004 November 12 14:42 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Paul over at AnimeUKNews.net has just interviewed Stu Taylor the editor of Neo Magazine, a new UK magazine dedicated to anime, manga, Cult Asian Cinema J-Pop and other things oriental. The interview covers how the magazine got started, how hard it was getting it stocked in high street shops such as Borders as well as the possibility of future cover-discs. There are also pictures of the magazine's Ghost In the Shell cover (originally it appeared they were going to have a Dead Leaves cover).

Souce: AnimeUKNews.net

NEO Magazine UK

Date: 2004 November 09 17:46 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

Charlie from Crazy Ninja has sent us a the details about NEO Magazine. Neo Mag's publicity states that they are the UK's only newsstand magazine dedicated to Anime, Manga, videogames, gadgets, and all things Japanese.

Their market overview text states "Anime and Manga have been popular in the UK for over 10 years now, and the market has never had a dedicated quality publication which appeals to the core fan, and also provides for the broader mainstream markets". I always thought that this was part of Manga Mania / Max's brief.

Neo Magazine is due out on 25th November, with a Dead Leaves Cover and features articles on the American remake of The Grudge, Tekken, also interviews with Chiaki Kuriyama (of Battle Royal and Kill Bill fame), and voice actress Monica Rial.

Souce: Crazy Ninja

Otaku News UK DVD Reader Survey

Date: 2004 November 07 19:32 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Fandom

With your support Otaku News are keen to compile a definitive survey for 2004 about what anime titles our readers would like to see released onto DVD in the UK. This can include TV series, film, OAV old and new. We are not going to do a web based poll, since that would limit the options, we are going to do an open survey to hear what you really want to be released in the UK. To take part please email your suggestions to AnimeSurvey@otakunews.com

Your e-mail address will only be used for this survey and once the results have been collated your details will be deleted. They will not be passed on to a third party for any reason. This survey will run until the 24th of December.

Souce: Otaku News

Bandai and Atari Announce Release for GITS:SAC

Date: 2004 November 01 12:39 | Posted By: Spike

Category > Gaming > Consoles

For all you Playstation 2 owners out there, Bandai and Atari have announced the EU release of Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex. The game follows a similar format to the television series of the same name allowing the player to play as Motoko Kusanagi, Bateau, or the Tachikoma combat robot working for the mysterious 'Section 9' anti-terrorist division.

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