UK anime fans in Manchester are in for a real treat on Saturday 20th September 2008, where Urbis will be hosting free back to back screenings of 3 feature films from 11am to 5pm. In a nice twist Urbis are allowing people to vote for the final feature.
Seeing these movies on a big screen is great and a must see for every anime fan at least once!
Read More... | Souce: Urbis
Category > Events
London based fans of Japanese culture will want to head to Orbital Manga in-between Leicester Square and Covent Garden where they'll be having a Japanese Cultural Workshop by Akemi Solloway. The event is scheduled for Saturday 20th September 2008, with two sessions starting at Midday until 2pm, and then 2:30pm until 4:30pm.
Read More... | Souce: Orbital Manga
Category > Events
We don't normally post articles of this nature, as it's got nothing to do with anime, manga, Japanese culture, but this will be of interest to some of our London readers.
Orbital Comics, will be hosting a book signing for Lost Girls the new work of Melinda Gebbie and Alan Moore
Date: 13th September 2008
Time: 2pm - 4pm
Location: Orbital Comics
Address: 148 Charing Cross Road, London. UK
Souce: Orbital Comics
Category > Events
UK fans of Japanese culture should head over to Durham from the 5th to the 7th of September 2008 to enjoy the Festival of Japan, which will have lot of fun events including a cosplay masquerade, traditional taiko drumming, koto playing, martial arts demonstrations, butoh dance, and even some geisha and maiko!
Read More... | Souce: Festival of Japan
Category > Events
We've received some interesting details about a very special Kami-shibai showing in the UK. The paper theatre performances from Japan used to entertain children in an age before television. This is form of story telling had a direct influence on the evolution of manga.
Fans in the UK should keep their September free to attend at least one of these extremely rare events:
Friday 19 September: Chester Beatty Library, Dublin www.cbl.ie
Saturday 20 September: Urbis, Manchester www.urbis.org.uk
Sunday 21 September: Liverpool Biennial 08 at "Atelier Bow Wow" www.biennial.com/content/LiverpoolBiennial2008MADEUP/Artists1.aspx
Monday 22 September: Japan Foundation Language Centre, London workshop for Japanese language teachers
Tuesday 23 September: Barbican Centre, London, as part of "Osamu Tezuka 80th Anniversary Season (18 - 23 Sept 2008)" www.barbican.org.uk/ilm/series.asp?id=600
As always with popular events we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.
Read More... | Souce: Japan UK 150
Category > Fandom
I've just got back from AmeCon. Some of the the other Otaku News Crew are still there, having a great time.
We've got a few juicy bits of information that will make some excellent articles once we type them up.
Spike's just sent us details directly from the closing ceremony. Apparently, there won't be an AmeCon next year (2009), there'll be an AyaCon instead, with AmeCon taking a break for a year, while they plan to return for 2010.
To summarise, it was an enjoyable and successful convention to say the least, with lots of work put in by various members of the anime community. With artists supplying artwork, tons of fans in cosplay, plenty of fans volunteering to run panels and others helping out as gophers. Also don't forget dealers supplying eager otaku with goods (yay for merchandise), and a well organised convention committee putting in a lot of effort in behind the scenes making sure everything runs smoothly.
We'll be interested to hear your convention stories from AmeCon 2008, and will publish the best ones if you e-mail them to us. ^_^
Souce: Otaku News
Category > Culture
We've got some details from an Otaku News reader about Manga and Anime Art Exhibition in London, which will run from August to November 2008. The exhibition will be held at at Westminster Reference Library and St John's Wood Library. It's a great opportunity to exhibit work by new an established artists. Highlights include talks by Akemi Solloway on How Manga and Anime's costume is connected with Japanese traditional Culture, plus traditional Japanese dancing, music, and origami.
Read More... | Souce: Akemi Solloway
Category > Culture
BBC News have an interesting article about this years Fuji Rock Festival, which has a British theme, to celebrate 150 years of diplomatic relations between the UK and Japan.
With Union Flags flying everywhere, the article states that many are wearing British themed outfits.
"British acts including The Courteeners, Hard-Fi, Primal Scream and headliners Underworld shared the main stage with Japanese performers on Saturday."
The article also highlights that the Fuji Rock Festival was inspired by Glastonbury.
"We call it the Fuji experience. It is like Glastonbury, but has been perfected in that Japanese way," says the festival's international organiser, Johnnie Fingers (also known as the founding member of The Boomtown Rats).
Souce: BBC News
Category > Events
With Leicester based UK anime convention AmeCon less than a month a way, they've decided to launch a great competition where you can win two tickets to the convention, plus free accommodation for the length of the convention.
The press release also details the guest for this year will be voice actress Kari Walgren, who has done a large variety of voice work, including the American dubs for a few anime series - Haruko in FLCL, Scarlett in Steamboy, Robin in Witch Hunter Robin and Lavie in Last Exile.
Read More... | Souce: AmeCon 2008 Competition Page
We've received some exciting news from the London Barbican about a special Osamu Tezuka Season they'll be running from Thursday 18th to Wednesday 24th of September 2008.
The season is curated by anime expert Helen McCarthy (who's written tons of good books and articles on anime and manga). The line is up a great showcase of Tezuka's work, with The Film Is Alive: Osamu Tezuka Filmography looking especially interesting, as it we're certain Helen will bring an informative take on the panel with the event.
Osamu Tezuka is the granddaddy of anime and manga, without doubt the most influential and inspiration artist, as always with these events we suggest you book early to avoid disappointment.
Read More... | Souce: Barbican
Following on from our article on the BFI Southbank London Anime Screenings for this weekend (20th to 22nd of July 2008), we're pleased to report that due to popular demand they've increased the capacity of some of the screenings by moving them to larger cinema screens in the venue. So in other words, if you tried to book for a screening or were unaware of the screenings, then try booking now if you fancy a seeing some great anime.
Souce: BFI Southbank
Category > Events
Cosplayers who can get to the Urbis in Manchester will want to visit on Saturday 28th of June for a cosplay competition with a unique prize, a manga portrait of the winner.
Read More... | Souce: Urbis
Category > Events
Fans of the graphic novel version of Heroes who can get to London next week will want to head to Orbital Manga, just in-between Leicester Square and Covent Garden, where they'll be having a signing with graphic artist Jason Badower.
Read More... | Souce: Orbital Manga
The Barbican in London have sent us details for a screening of Metropolis on Tuesday 24th June 2008 at 8:30pm. Anime expert Helen McCarthy will introduce the feature, making it even more worthwhile to see than a standard screening she adds interesting bits of information and insight. As always with these events we advise to book early to avoid disappointment.
Read More... | Souce: London Barbican
We've got some great news for anime fans who can get to London on the weekend of the 20th to 22nd of June 2008. The BFI Southbank will be showing a great line up of anime features. Including a special screening of 5 Centimetres per Second with the director Makoto Shinkai!
The line up is as follows:
Friday 20th June:
Paprika
5 Centimetres per Second
Saturday 21st June:
Death Note (Live action)
Death Note 2 - The Last Name (Live action) - Special double tickets available for both Death Note Movies).
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time
Tekkonkinkreet
Sunday 22nd June:
The Place Promised in Our Early Days
Appleseed: Ex Machina
Vexille
This line up is fantastic, we recommend going to see at least one of these films if you can. As always this screenings are likely to sell out quickly, so book early to avoid disappointment.
Read More... | Souce: BFI Southbank
Category > Events
Readers who can get into London on Friday 16th of May 2008 will want to get to King's College London, from 1pm to 6pm to attend a seminar on Japanese comic book and animation industries.
The line up of speakers looks good, but Yoko Ono is not THAT Yoko Ono. It'll be interesting if they mention the difference between manga and manga style artwork in the talks too.
To go to the talk you will need to register via e-mail.
Read More... | Souce: King\'s College London
Category > Events
The artistic folks at Terratag have sent us details of their artwork which will be displayed at the Urban Art Show in The Old Cinema from the 2nd to 15th May 2008.
Terratag will be showing 4 large hand-painted canvases and 4 silk screen printed A2 art prints.
Other featured artists include:
Ben Allen
Cat James
Colin Brown
Dan McCarthey
Gabriel Moreno
Public
Inkfetish
Superoboturbo
The Old Cinema
160 Chiswick High Road
London W4 1PR
Nearest tube: Turnham Green
Souce: Terratag
Category > Events
We've received details about the latest Japanese Music gigs for around the UK in London, Bournemouth, York and Liverpool.
Read More... | Souce: ICFJ
We've received some details about about an up coming anime weekend planned for 20th-22nd June 2008 at the BFI Southbank in London.
The programme hasn't been published yet, and won't be on sale until the end of the month, but the line up looks so good, it's worth mentioning now so you can keep the weekend free. ^_^
They'll be screening:
- Paprika
- 5 Centimetres Per Second,
- The Girl who Leapt Through Time
- Vexille
- Appleseed Ex Machina,
- The Place Promised in our Early Days
- Tekkonkinkreet
- Death Note/Death Note 2 (live action versions)
Anime fans should also keep the 20th June free, as they'll be hosting a very special guest, Makoto Shinkai, who will be giving an interview to accompany the screening of 5 Centimetres Per Second.
As mentioned before booking isn't open yet, but this even is likely to sell out quickly, so as always we advise to book early to avoid disappointment.
Souce: BFI Southbank
Category > Events
Fans who can get to Brighton on 17th May 2008, will want to go to Brighton's Great Escape Festival, for a Japanese segment of the event which will be hosted by ICFJ or "It Came From Japan".
They'll have a selection of Japanese bands playing, along with free sushi and anime visual provided by the folks at Manga Entertainment.
Read More... | Souce: ICFJ
Category > Events
UK Anime fans who can get to Manchester from 3rd July to 20th September 2008 are in for a treat as Urbis will be showing 31 films over 36 days as part of their new exhibition - How Manga Took Over the World.
Highlights include:
Steamboy
Cowboy Bebop
Kiki's Delivery Service
Jin Roh
Laputa: Castle in the Sky
Princess Mononoke
Howl's Moving Castle
Millennium Actress
They'll be showing plenty of other films worth watching too. As always we advise booking in advance to avoid disappointment.
Read More... | Souce: Urbis
Category > Events
The Guiness book of records is planning to try and break the record for biggest number of people dressed as games characters in London on March the 18th at 11am. To take part you need to e-mail them via the address on their site and tell them who you will be cosplaying as and they will confirm the venue.
The site does mention anime fans, so we're guessing they'll allow you to enter your anime costumes if they've been in a game.
They'll be a lot of ninjas then.
Souce: Kotaku
Category > Events
Our chum Emily has sent us the details for an event at Tokyo Toys store in Trocadero in central London.
It's a romantic maid cafe event, with speed dating for anime fans! You can be served by cosplayers dressed up as maids too, just like in Akihabara.
The event will be held on Saturday 16th February 2008, from 5pm to late. You don't have to take part in the speed dating to go along and participate in the maid cafe either.
Read More... | Souce: Tokyo Toys
Category > Events
The Yamato Drummers of Japan will be performing the UK premiere of their new show Shin-on in London from Wednesday 19th to Sunday 30th of March. Fans of the traditional Taiko drumming will certainly be in for a treat, and if you haven't seen such a performance before, this is a rare chance to see such a special show. Performances will be in the Peacock Theatre, and as always with popular events, we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.
Read More... | Souce: Peacock Theatre
Category > Manga
Those intending to buy the latest volume of The Mammoth Book of Best New Manga, might want to turn up at the Orbital Manga store on 23rd February. Four of the artists featured in the book Karen Rubins, Chie Kutsuwada, Nana Li and John A Short will be present.
There will also be a chance to get signed illustrations from the artists themselves, as well as an art competition!
Read More... | Souce: Digital World Tokyo
Category > Events
The upcoming London Anime Club meeting will be featuring the DDR crew once again, with even more games to play this time, including DDX, with everything on freeplay of course.
A map for the LAC can be found on the London Anime Club website.
Souce: DDR:UK
Category > Events
Starting from March later this year, the Manchester's huge exhibition center will be displaying it's own "How Manga Took over the World" exhibition on Level 1 of the venue.
The event will be running from 13th March to 27th September 2008.
Read More... | Souce: Urbis
Category > Anime
We've received details about Projector animation:stimulation Festival at Dundee Contemporary Arts which has some events of interest to anime fans. The whole festival runs from 30th January to 2nd February 2008.
On Thursday 31st January 2008, they'll be screen Satoshi Kon's excellent anime film Paprika (which comes highly recommend by the Otaku News crew), seeing it on DVD is one thing, but the film has to be enjoyed on a big screen for full effect.
On Friday 1st February 2008, the festival will be running a master class with anime expert Jonathan Clements on Japanese Animation on the Digital Age, which will cover the rise of digital animation in Japan. This should be an excellent talk, and we recommend going if you can.
You can buy a festival pass for £50 (or £40 for students), alternatively single screenings cost £5, with a masterclasses costing £10.
The only thing we wish Projector would have is an HTML version of their website for accessibility and ease of use.
Souce: Projector animation:stimulation Festival
Category > Events
Following on from our earlier story, it seems that the Leicester, UK based anime conventions AmeCon, is now almost full, with over 1,190 registered members, it's getting close to their maximum capacity of 1,300. Fans keen to get to the event from the 8th to 10th of August 2008 should sign up now to avoid disappointment.
Read More... | Souce: AmeCon
Category > Fandom
We mentioned before that AmeCon 2008, the UK anime convention, running for it's forth time is now open for registration. As expected it's filling up quickly with over 950 members registering already, and at this current rate they'll be full soon (their capacity is 1,300 fans). We advise any fans who want to go to a great fan run anime convention in August to 2008 to book soon to avoid disappointment. This year registration has been made easier by using Google Checkout too, so you don't have to mail them a cheque (although you still can if you prefer too).
Souce: AmeCon
Category > Events
A look at the recent London Expo (featuring cosplay photos).
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News
Category > Events
UK anime fans will be pleased to hear that we've received news from the Amecon Crew about the next anime convention set to run at Leicester University from August 8th to 10th 2008. Registrations will open on 18th November 2007. Guests as of yet haven't been confirmed (it's still a bit early for that), voice actress Monica Rial has already expressed an interest. At the moment it looks like they may have more live music, plenty of cosplay and the usual interesting selection of industry and fan run panels.
We look forward to the convention (many of the Otaku News crew have been to the previous three Amecons and had a blast) and we advise to book early to avoid disappointment as popular anime conventions in the UK tend to be fully booked quickly.
Read More... | Souce: Amecon
Category > Events
Anime fans who can get to Swansea Animation Days 2007, will want to see anime expert Jonathan Clements' talk called Five Girls Named Moe, which focuses on "the history and development of erotic animation in Japan: business practises, technology, censorship and market forces". It even promises to explain what fan service is and looking from the talk description it seems like it will have a few examples too. It's good to see Jonathan doing a talk on this subject, as unlike many people jumping on the anime bandwagon claiming to be "experts" Mr Clements is really an expert who knows what he's talking about, having co-written the Anime Encyclopedia and numerous other well researched books on the subject. We wonder how much moe his appropriately named talk will contain. ^_^
Souce: Swansea Animation Days 2007
Category > Events
Those good people from J-Pop Go have sent us the details of their spooky Halloween themed j-pop gathering in London. It'll be on Saturday 20th October at Cafe Manga by County Hall, near Westminster Tube. The fun is set to start at 7pm, tickets will be £5 (with discounts for flyers and cosplayers). As always they've got a good line up, along with some great prizes from ADV. Readers should also note that this event is for over 18's only.
Read More... | Souce: J-Pop Go
Category > Events
Fans of Japanese art and culture that can travel to London from October to December 2007 will want to pay a visit to SOAS (the School of Oriental and African Studies), where they'll be hosting a exhibition of Treasures, which are used as objects of instruction, a suitable tie in for a place of education.
They'll have lots of very interesting things on display, including the late 14th Century Japanese Reisai yawa (Chinese: Lengzhai yehua; Evening Discourses from the Cold Studio). This is the oldest printed book in the SOAS library and one of few known copies of its kind in the West.
Head to the Brunei Gallery at SOAS, it'll be open from 11th October to 15th December 2007, on Tuesday to Saturday 10.30 – 17.00 Admission Free.
Read More... | Souce: SOAS
Fans of Japanese cinema who can get to London from 25th September to 7th October 2007 will want to go to the West End to catch the Raindance Film Festival, where they'll be showing the following films of interest:
- The Amazing Lifes Of The Fast Food Grifters
- Prisoner
- Uncles Paradise
- Its Only Talk
- M
- What The Snow Brings
As always with such advents we advise that you book early to avoid disappointment.
Read More... | Souce: Raindance Film Festival
Anime fans in the UK will be pleased to hear those nice folks at the Barbican in London will be showing some more anime from October 2007 until June 2008. As with the last season each title will be introduced by anime expert Helen McCarthy who really makes the screenings worth seeing with the extra details she brings to light with each title.
They've got a great line up too. Tickets cost £8.50 (£7 members and concessions), £4.50 under 15s and they also have a special offer if you buy 3 or more tickets you'll get them for £6 each.
They'll be showing the following titles:
Romeo X Juliet (15) Tuesday 30 October 2007 - 8.30pm
Speed of 5 Centimeters per Second (Byosoku 5 Centimeters) Tuesday 27 November 2007
Tales from Earthsea (Gedo Senki) (PG) Tuesday 29 January 2008
Yugo the Negotiator (15) Tuesday 26 February 2008
Area 88 (15) Tuesday 25 March 2008
Patlabor II (PG) Tuesday 29 April 2008
Le Portrait De Petite Cossette (15) Tuesday 27 May 2008
Metropolis (PG) Tuesday 24th June 2008
The Barbican screenings have been known to sell out quickly so as always we recommend that you book early to avoid disappointment.
Read More... | Souce: Barbican
Category > Fandom
Attending the London Anime Club on Sunday 2nd of September 2007, we read in their monthly news letter a cause for concern. It seems attendance has been dropping recently and it means that they might not be able to hire out the venue they use, as a result the London Anime Club is considering closing at the end of the year.
"...with the massive surge in anime popularity over the last few years, the thriving online community and the many conventions and events every year I can't help wondering if perhaps the LAC is no longer needed."
Read More... | Souce: London Anime Club
Category > Events
Our chum and cosplay guru Emily has sent us details about two events with cosplay in the UK over the next couple of weeks in Glasgow and London.
Read More... | Souce: London Film and Comic Con
Category > Events
The AmeCon Mailing List have send details about voice acting guest Chris Patton, who is unable to attend the convention this year.
Read More... | Souce: AmeCon Mailing List
Category > Events
Those who have registered will be pleased to hear that we've been sent the final press release from the AmeCon crew for their convention which is set to run next week in Leicester, UK. They've announced some extra guests including Visual Kei group Gothika (formerly Euthanasie). The weekend is going to be packed full of fun events, including an event in the style of an evening chat show - Friday Night Live, with the Claw and Co. We wonder which interesting guests Stuart Claw will be chatting to? What revealing questions will he ask? We look forward to finding out. ^_^
Read More... | Souce: AmeCon 2007
Anime fans in the UK will be pleased to hear that the offical UK Tales from Earthsea movie website now has details and dates for screenings. You can read our Tales from Earthsea review to see if it's your kind of Studio Ghibli movie. Screenings start from August 3rd.
Read More... | Souce: Offical Tales From Earthsea UK Movie Website
Following on from our earlier story about a free Naruto screening in London, fans should keep their calendars free on the following dates, as the British Museum will be offering free or very cheap screenings for some excellent movies. The titles marked as free have no entry fee, however booking is required. The other titles are priced at less than the cost of an average coffee in London, with all movies priced at £3 and concessions £2. This forms part of their Manga to Anime for Families season.
Read More... | Souce: British Museum
This is a quick reminder for those who haven't read our earlier story. Anime fans who can get to the British Museum in London this weekend will want to book for the free screening of Naruto the Movie: Ninja clash in the land of snow on Saturday 28th July 2007 at 2:30pm. Yes, that's right, it's not a typo. It's a free screening, however booking is required, so book now to avoid dissapointment. It forms part of the Manga to Anime for Families season.
Souce: British Museum
Category > Events
For anime fans in the UK who missed their chance to book for the London Anime Club 2007 Japan Trip, you should consider the package Jaltour are offering, being the tour section of Japan Airlines it means that they can have some very competitive prices. The package they're currently promoting at Japan Ex, is for the Tokyo International Anime Fair in March 2008, with prices from £882. Fans should note that they can also arrange package trips to places like the Ghibli Museum.
Read More... | Souce: Jaltour
Category > Events
The organisers for Northern Irish anime convention Tomo-Dachi have sent us more details for their 2007 convention. Set to run at The University Of Ulster's Magee campus from Friday 24th to Sunday 26th August 2007. This year's guest of honour is Mike McFarland English language dub director of Full Metal Alchemist. Other guests include Stuart Claw, Hugh David, Sonia Leong and Emma Vieceli.
The convention is still open for registration, and we suggest you book as soon as possible to avoid any disappointment.
Read More... | Souce: Tomo-Dachi
Category > Art
London based graphic design fans will want to get over to Hooky, 188 Brick Lane, as they'll be hosting the TerraTag Neon Genesis exhibition on the 07/07/07. On show will be new artwork, canvases and T-shirt designs. Nearest Tube stations are Liverpool Street and Aldgate East.
Anime fans should note that the show is not connected to Evangelion, it's just a pun on the title.
Souce: TerraTag
Category > Events
If you're a young, budding creative into all things manga, anime and even music, you might want to hit Cambridge next week. The BBC's Blast on Tour will be swinging by Cambridge with their mobile studio, the "Blast truck", and hosting many different activities to get young people aged 13-19 more hands on with the creative scene...
And there's activities on manga and animation included!
Read More... | Souce: Blast in Cambridge
Category > Events
Free this Sunday (24th June)? Then you might want to head to Blackwell's in Reading. The store will play host to a Tokyopop Re:Con event and then will be followed by tutorials by Sweatdrop Studios.
If like previous events the Re:con event will feature a cosplay competition and and quiz. So get sewing and revising!
If you can make it to the shop before hand then you're encouraged to buy your tickets in advance. Entry to the Re:Con is £1 and the tutorials cost £10.
Read More... | Souce: Sweatdrop Forum
Category > Events
The Japanese Embassy in the UK will be holding an exhibition dedicated to celebrating Japanese inspired manga named MANGA JIMAN.
The exhibiton will run from 11-19 June including a seminar which will investigate "what is manga?"
The contest is for anyone UK resident aged 16 and over, entrants need to create between four and six A4 pages. They can choose their own theme but it must reference Japan in some way. The deadline for that is 14th September 2007. Prizes include a Toshiba laptop and flights to Japan!
Souce: Japanese Embassy UK
Category > Events
Following on from our article on the Naruto Uncut Boxset Volume 2 UK release details, we've received some more news from Manga Entertainment.We've been informed that Dave Wittenberg, the US voice of Kakashi will be making an appearancelaunch event on Monday 21st May 2007, at the Oxford Street, London, Branch of Virgin Megastore, where fans will be able to meet Dave and get their copy of Naruto Unleashed Series 2 Part 1 signed from 4.30pm onwards.
We've also go more details for Cosplayers and the prizes you can win.
Read More... | Souce: Manga Entertainment