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An Interview With Anime Director Shinichiro Watanabe

Date: 2014 November 02 12:22 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Features

The MCM London Comic Con is always a treat for top notch anime guests. The October 2014 weekend was no exception. Renowned anime director Shinichiro Watanabe returned to London as a guest of the event to promote the up and coming home video release of Space Dandy as well as the newly launched show Terror In Resonance.

He attended the Anime Limited stand on Saturday and Sunday of the show as well as appearing on stage to answer questions for fans.

We've been lucky enough to interview Shinichiro Watanabe in May 2013 at his previous appearance at the MCM London Comic Con. It's was then he first revealed Space Dandy.

We caught up with the Mr Watanabe to talk about music from a cold country, Terror In Resonance and a bit of Space Dandy. As we knew a lot of people would be asking about Space Dandy, we were keen to focus more on Terror In Resonance, as it had just finished it's run.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

An interview with Blue Exorcist Movie Staff Takamitsu Inoue and Atsushi Takahashi

Date: 2014 June 04 16:59 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Features

A few weeks ago two of the production staff behind the Blue Exorcist Movie were visiting the May 2014 MCM London Comic Con. They were there to promote Manga Entertainment's UK release and catch up with fans. We were lucky enough to meet and interview Takamitsu Inoue the film's Producer and Atsushi Takahashi the director.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

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

Introduction to Weekly Shonen Jump (Int'l Edition)

Date: 2013 October 10 21:30 | Posted By: Eeeper

Category > Manga

Phillip looks at the Android version of VIZ' popular Weekly Shonen Jump magazine. But it isn't all plain sailing.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

REZtron - Otaku News Event Review - Wednesday 18th September 2013

Date: 2013 September 23 16:37 | Posted By: Guest Contributor

Category > Events

Written by Voxie and Franki Webb.

What does a gamer look like? Today this is an impossible question to answer. It's 7:45 pm, and as we walk into REZtron, we see a crowd ranging from 20s to 40s, male and female, from a range of backgrounds. It's clear that a gamer as no specific look.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Inamo Celebrates 5th Anniversary

Date: 2013 September 07 16:14 | Posted By: Franki Webb

Category > Features

Standing amongst glamorous bars and restaurant in Soho is Inamo on Wardour Street, the restaurant had a special day on 3 September. Renowned for its oriental fusion cuisine, the restaurant celebrated its 5th anniversary. The occasion was marked with delicious appetisers, champagne and a tour of the premises.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Hyper Japan 2013 Report

Date: 2013 August 08 15:30 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

London based Japanese culture event Hyper Japan has become a regular feature the calendar for fans of all things from Japan. Since it first started in 2010, it's organically grown bigger and bigger each year. Last year due to the London Olympics booking out all the large London venues in the summer Hyper Japan decided to run two events, the first in February 2012, and the second in November 2012.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

On location at Fosse Farm - Alice Cartalet's house from Kinmoza

Date: 2013 July 07 08:19 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Features

For most otaku it would be a dream come true to be contacted by an anime studio wanting to use their home as a location in a new anime series. For Caron Cooper, it is just the latest unlikely chapter in her incredible life story.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

ICN Gallery Part 1 What is Ukiyo-e? Event report

Date: 2012 April 21 13:46 | Posted By: Priss

Category > Art

The ICN gallery London opened this month with the first in a series of exhibitions exploring the iconic historic Japanese artist movement, Ukiyo-e. The works explore the tradition and an influential legacy that has shaped the face of modern Japanese artistry.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

L'Arc-en-Ciel World Tour - London Report

Date: 2012 April 13 17:55 | Posted By: Priss

Category > Events

There are few bands that make the list of "must see in my lifetime". The Japanese band L'Arc-en-Ciel have been top of this chart for as long as I have been a fan of their music. Having never had the chance to see them in the UK before, I was thrilled to see London on the line up of performance locations for the band's 20th Anniversary Tour.

The band played in London on Wednesday April 11th 2012.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Interview with MyM publisher Tarik Alozdi

Date: 2012 March 25 12:40 | Posted By: Eeeper

Category > Culture

Publisher for new UK/Ireland magazine MyM gives an interview to Otaku News and discusses the magazine, it's upcoming launch and it's content and direction.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Interview with Manga UK representative Jerome Mazandarani

Date: 2012 January 16 23:58 | Posted By: Eeeper

Category > Anime

Audio interview with Manga UK representative Jerome Mazandarani where we talk about Manga UK's upcoming releases, their plans for blu-ray anime releases, streaming rights (yes, I ask a K-On! question) and more.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Interview with Kaz

Date: 2012 January 10 22:57 | Posted By: Eeeper

Category > Anime

Audio interview with Kazé UK representative Andrew Partridge where we talk about Kazé UK's origins, their plans for blu ray anime releases, Anime On Demand and more.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

An Interview with Voice Actors Ben Diskin and Brian Beacock

Date: 2011 July 25 16:37 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Production

Every now and again at Otaku News, we like to interview voice actors, the very people who provide the voices for anime. At the May 2011 MCM London Expo we were lucky to catch up with Ben Diskin and Brian Beacock.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Murakami makes his mark at the Gagosian

Date: 2011 July 14 15:42 | Posted By: Priss

Category > Art

This article features coverage of the Takashi Murakami Exhibition at London's Gagosian Gallery.

Due to the nature of some of the artwork on display in this article, we issue a NSFW content rating.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Arrietty London Screenings - Review

Date: 2011 July 10 13:07 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

On Wednesday 6th July 2011 we went to the London Barbican sell out screenings of the latest Ghibli movie to make it over to the UK.

Arrietty is due for a wider cinema release in the UK on 29th July 2011.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Why every UK anime fan should say thanks to Australian otaku

Date: 2011 June 22 17:42 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

We're going all nostalgic here at Otaku News and have decided to dig up some old articles from our archive that are not published on-line, either because they were originally for print or from websites that are now off-line.

Just because they're old doesn't mean they're not relevant to today's otaku.

We start with an article originally published in the AmeCon 2007 Conbook about why UK anime fans owe a debt of gratitude to their Australian counterparts. Please note that it was written for a UK anime audience in mind, Australian readers might find it interesting to know how important they are to the UK industry and how the UK industry helps Madman out.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

After school tea time with Beckii Cruel

Date: 2011 June 08 16:35 | Posted By: Priss

Category > Culture

As an avid follower of Japanese popular culture and a regular anime viewer, I am more than familiar with the style of dance routines that have become inseparable from so many titles and credits sequences. From classics such as Urusei Yatsura and more recently popularised by Kyoto Animation's iconic series Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu, shows have taken to inserting dances at any available opportunity to arrest a fan following with catchy tunes and infectious dance moves. The indigenous para para dance style steps are synonymous with series such as Super Gals! where character Kotobuki Ran regularly regales audiences through her hyper rhythmic routines.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Redline (2010)

Date: 2011 May 19 00:12 | Posted By: Eeeper

Category > Anime > Film

Red Line is about the biggest racing game of the universe and it's only held once every 5 years. And naturally everyone wants to take part. Follow the racing skills of men and women alike.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Hyper Japan 2010 Report

Date: 2010 October 31 17:04 | Posted By: Priss

Category > Events

For Japanese culture fans, October began with a bang at Hyper Japan, a new and highly anticipated event on the UK otaku calendar for 2010. Hosted by Eat-Japan (the number one site for Japanese food, sushi and sake), the show was a sensational success, drawing in excess of 15,000 visitors over the 3 days, a remarkable feat for what was the debut of this cultural festival. The event was located in the heart of London's Shoreditch at Brick Lane, an area well known for its offbeat character and for the eclectic, hip and chic. Standing in the line with the eager attendees, the atmosphere was alive with the building excitement as cosplayers, anime fans and the culturally curious all assembled to enjoy a different class of convention. The preshow campaign, organised and delivered by a Japanese enterprise was loaded with ample incentive for any fan of Japan to take a look at what the exhibitors had to offer. I, in my cosplay guise as Queen's Blade's spectral maid Airi, lined up with the happy crowds all eager to meet and greet, eat and shop! After conquering the queue and ascending the staircase in my heels, a veritable treasure trove was to be found, serving the many delights of Japanese culture and cuisine.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Hyper Japan 2010 Mini report

Date: 2010 October 03 13:23 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The London J-Culture scene is an interesting one, with new events popping up every year. October 2010 marked the first run of a 3 day Japanese cultural event called Hyper Japan.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

London Anime and Manga Shopping Guide

Date: 2009 May 11 17:01 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

London has a some great places for otaku to visit. The trouble is finding them. Using our London Otaku News Correspondents we've assembled a list of good places for anime and manga fans to visit while in London.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Is Mikado Pocky? A Taste Comparison

Date: 2009 April 26 16:27 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Cuisine

UK readers might have noticed adverts on TV, for a product called Mikado, which looks strikingly like the favourite otaku snack Pocky.

In this article we'll do a taste comparison and reveal the differences, and answer the question, is Mikado Pocky?

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

An interview with Andrew Driver

Date: 2009 February 13 17:19 | Posted By: Eeeper

Category > Anime

In April 2009, Alma Books will publish an English translation of Yasutaka Tsutsui's novel Paprika. The basis of Satoshi Kon's award-winning animated film of the same name, the English translation was handled for Alma by Andrew Driver. Otaku News can now present an interview with Mr. Driver which he graciously agreed to do with Eeeper on behalf of Otaku News in which he talks about his work on the novel.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

How to be a Cosplayer

Date: 2008 December 16 15:48 | Posted By: Franki Webb

Category > Fandom

A large runway divides the room. People sit patiently waiting for the stars to strut their stuff. The lights flicker on and the crew members speak with words of comfort to the jittery stars taking centre stage. This is a long way from Paris Fashion Week and the get-ups are far from Milano. As soon as you see a replica Lara Croft swagger down the platform with screaming cheers, your gut instinct is to head for the nearest exit. The outfits that follow only get more absurd; with capes trailing behind and swords that make an audience roar with excitement.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Advanced Preview: Sword of the Stranger

Date: 2008 October 13 11:24 | Posted By: Spike

Category > Anime > Film

Set during the Senkoku period in Japan, Sword of the Stranger follows a young boy Kotarou as he is cruelly separated from his father and goes on the run from the army of the Ming dynasty. While living in an abandoned shrine and stealing food Kotarou chances upon a nameless and masterless samurai, and while initially mistrustful of him, Kotarou is forced to hire him as a bodyguard and guide when his dog, Tobimaru, is injured during a fight with Ming soldiers. Now the two must fight their way through the mysterious Ming and find the reason for Kotarou's importance to them, as the samurai battles his own inner demons.

Read More... | Souce: Beez Entertainment

London Expo October 2007

Date: 2007 October 26 13:19 | Posted By: LittleWoodenBoy

Category > Events

A look at the recent London Expo (featuring cosplay photos).

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Otakunews Special: Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria Review

Date: 2007 October 10 17:58 | Posted By: Azure

Category > Gaming

It's been a while since our last games review, though we urge you to remember the anime and manga reviews in the column on the right. If you've read all those you'll want to know we're also back with a games review.
This time it's the turn of platformy RPG Valkyrie Profile 2 for the venerable PS2. Does this odd mix of RPG and side scrolling work? Find out on Otakunews.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Otaku News Special: Tales from Earthsea Review

Date: 2007 July 24 17:53 | Posted By: Azure

Category > Anime > Film

Optimum are releasing the latest Ghibli Feature Tales from Earthsea in the UK on a limited number on cinema screens on August the 3rd this will be followed by a DVD release. We take a look at the dubbed version of Goro Miyazaki's debut film.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Otaku News Special: Chocobo Tales Review

Date: 2007 June 29 17:42 | Posted By: Azure

Category > Gaming

Hot on the heels of my Spectrobes review (well not so hot but work with me here) comes this review of another DS title, this time by Square Enix. The charming mini game RPG Chocobo Tales. Which stars Final Fantasy's bird mascots.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

An Interview with Stuart Claw

Date: 2007 June 04 17:50 | Posted By: Azure

Category > Anime > TV

From this Sunday anime fans with Sky in the UK will be be able to tune into Anime Network on Propeller TV (Channel 195). The slot runs from 8pm to 10pm, and currently consists of Coyote Ragtime Show, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Guyver and Elfen Lied. We sat down with one half of Anime Network UK's dynamic presenting duo Stuart Claw at the official launch, gazed rather too hard at the candles (and indeed Joe's camera flash) and took a look at the past, present and future of anime both in Stuart's life as a fan and the general future for wider anime community.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Otaku News special: FFXII Review

Date: 2007 April 29 17:17 | Posted By: Azure

Category > Gaming

We suspect if you haven't got this already those of you with Playstation 2 or even dare we say it PS3s will probably be thinking about buying FFXII. So we decided someone (i.e. me) ought to review it, I know it was released in the UK a while ago now, but this being Final Fantasy hours of levelling up and Chocobo riding were required before I felt confident giving a proper review.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

FFXII London launch report

Date: 2007 February 25 14:36 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Friday 23rd of February 2007 was the official launch day of Final Fantasy XII in the UK (and the rest of Europe). The PS2 game has generated a lot of buzz in fandom. To celebrate Square Enix had teamed up with HMV to hold a launch event at their flagship HMV store on Oxford Street, central London. The first people to buy the game at 9am were able to collect special wrists bands which would in turn let them queue to meet makers of Final Fantasy XII, Akitoshi Kawazu (executive producer) and Hiroshi Minagawa (director).

The event was attended by at least 500 fans, all eager to get their games autographed. It was hosted by an MC and various questions were asked, the most important of which was regarding the PS3 technical demo, based around Final Fantasy VII, both guests mentioned that they were considering producing a full version of the game for the PS3, however it's still early days yet, so we can't really confirm anything solid.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

London Expo Report

Date: 2006 June 05 09:39 | Posted By: Azure

Category > Events

The anime & manga events calendar is becoming increasingly full, last week saw the third London Expo to feature a dedicated 'anime village' we were of course there to report back. I attended the expo which included a large amount of Konoha ninjas, a handful of prize wining manga artists and several Oban Star racers.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Preview - Initial D: Driftracer

Date: 2006 May 09 20:19 | Posted By: Spike

Category > Anime > Film

The slopes and turns of Mount Akina have long been the haunts of local illegal racing teams, using a technique called 'drifting' to slide round corners at top speed and jousting with opposing teams for the honour of being the top team. The teams enjoy a status of being the envy of young wannabe drivers everywhere until one day during a race an unknown driver storms the course leaving the pros in his wake, just who is this 'Akina Racing God' and where did he come from? The driver is in fact local boy Takumi 'Tak' Fujiwara making a tofu delivery run for his father who would rather spend time with his love interest Natsuki than worry over cars or races, but how will he react when his new secret identity is revealed...

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Magna Carta Review

Date: 2006 April 22 06:03 | Posted By: Azure

Category > Gaming

We take a look at the manhwa styled fantasy RPG Magna Carta. Is it worth your hard earned cash with so many other anime and games out? RPG fans find out.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Convention Report: Ayacon 2005

Date: 2005 August 27 19:33 | Posted By: Spike

Category > Events

Ayacon, one of the longest running UK Anime conventions, has repeated itself after a one year absence due to Amecon last year, and has certainly come back with one hell of a bang. Spanning three days from the 19th to the 22nd of August at Warwick Arts Centre just south of Coventry, this convention provided not only a bountiful selection of Anime, a masquerade and of course karaoke but also panels from a large variety of different sources, a pub quiz, two parties and even a concert from gothic j-rock group Blood. Boredom was never going to be an option...

Read More... | Souce: Ayacon

A&I Exhibition Report

Date: 2005 July 28 05:52 | Posted By: Azure

Category > Events

Last weekend saw this years Artists and Illustrators exhibition. The A&I is a regular event, but this year was the first in which anime and manga style art was highlighted. There were stands from art retailers Copic and Letraset, as well as UK manga style art studio Sweatdrop.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Review: Shadow Hearts 2 - Covenant on PS2

Date: 2005 March 10 18:12 | Posted By: Azure

Category > Gaming > Consoles

We’ve got something a little bit special here at Otaku News, a review of the PS2 RPG Shadow Hearts 2: Covenant. The question is; is the game worth your hard earned cash (pounds, dollars, zenii or otherwise)? Read on to find out.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

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!

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

An Interview With The Reading Agency

Date: 2004 December 07 18:15 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

Following our previous news items about the educational value of manga in the UK, that appear in both the Times Education Supplement and the Daily Mail, we've managed to get an interview with the organisation that created the campaign designed to get kids reading using manga - The Reading Agency.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

The Laughing Man - Ghost In The Shell: Standalone Complex's Hacker Logo

Date: 2004 November 29 11:08 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Production

The hit series Ghost In The Shell: Standalone Complex, features a logo for hacker and cyberterrorist "The Laughing Man", in the show he is only identified by his logo which forms a distinct part of the Standalone Complex imagery. I discovered that Paul Nicholson of Terratag designed the logo for Production I.G.

Join us as Otaku News interview Paul about creating an icon in anime!

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

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