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Greenhunt proves to be popular
Date: 2008 May 10th Saturday [13:28] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Anime > TV
The Daily Yomiuri have an interesting article about Greenhunt, an up and coming anime series shown on satellite station Space Shower TV. What draws viewers to the show is that's it's spoken in the Toyama dialect, the same as the shows creator Toyoshi Miyasaka.
The show it's self appears to be a quirky hit, drawn in a web animation style familiar to those used to watching Flash based cartoons.
Free copies of MAMEzine to gogogo
Date: 2008 May 3rd Saturday [14:28] | Posted By: Voxie
Category: > Fandom
In part of stock clearance, and in part of celebration of Free Comic Book Day (today), I'm giving away the rest of our copies of MAMEzine!
MAMEzine is or rather was, a non-profit fanzine I created alongside a wealth of brilliant contributors (some of whom are also resident on this forum). It was on sale via online and a few events over the last five years or so, mainly the London Anime Club.
It used to cost approx. £1.50 a copy, but here on out from today it's totally FREE!!!
King's College London Japan's Manga and Anime Industries seminar
Date: 2008 May 1st Thursday [17:14] | Posted By: Joe
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.
Terratag at the Urban Art Show
Date: 2008 April 29th Tuesday [16:42] | Posted By: Joe
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
Street Fighter Tribute Hardcover Edition art book
Date: 2008 April 29th Tuesday [16:17] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Retail
We've been sent details from UDON Entertainment about the new Street Fighter Tribute Hardcover artbook, which is now available for pre-order and features art from J.Scott Campbell, Adam Hughes, and Penny Arcade's Gabe, lvin Lee, Arnold Tsang, Omar Dogan and others.
It Came From Japan - May 2008 music dates
Date: 2008 April 29th Tuesday [15:03] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Events
We've received details about the latest Japanese Music gigs for around the UK in London, Bournemouth, York and Liverpool.
The art of sword making
Date: 2008 April 28th Monday [15:04] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Culture
The Japan Times On-line have an excellent article about master swordsmith Yoshindo Yoshihara, who has been designated "Mukei Bunkazai (Important Intangible Cultural Property)," by the Japanese government.
The article is packed with interesting facts about sword making, including that all swords sold in Japan have to be to be registered with the Agency For Cultural Affairs, and that they're only allowed to make and sell 4 swords a month - 2 katana (classed as swords 60cm or longer) and 2 wakizashi, (short swords 30 to 60cm long) or tanto (30 cm long or less).
Free Anime Released to Raise Awareness of Abduction
Date: 2008 April 16th Wednesday [15:25] | Posted By: Voxie
Category: > Anime
The Japanese government have produced and have released an anime to raise awareness of Japanese citizens being abduction by North Koreans.
"Story: In 1977, Ms. Megumi Yokota, a 13-year-old girl, disappeared on her way home from school. It was revealed later on that she was abducted by North Korea. This film features the anguish of Megumi’s family and their desperate effort to bring her back home."
An English version is available! Check it out at:
From Maids to Mothers
Date: 2008 April 15th Tuesday [16:35] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Freaky Things
Mainichi Daily News have an interesting news story about the new craze in Otaku Cafe, the Mother Cafe.
Mother Cafe is in the new Mandarake outlet in Osaka (Mandarake are a chain of shops for anime and manga fans, and are evil as they are often packed full of delights to tempt otaku). Apparently the maids take on a maternal air, as they greet guests in motherly tones. Staff's age range from 19 to in their 40's, and they look older than they actually are. The aim is to become a therapeutic cafe, where people can open their hearts to the staff.
Larvae Chocolates are a big hit
Date: 2008 April 14th Monday [17:07] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Freaky Things
With Easter long gone, we still can't stop thinking of chocolate. So we'd like to point out a story about chocolate in Japan a reader sent us (who has strange tastes including custard pizza, but that's another story in itself). The Japan Times On-line have a story about chocolate bugs, sold by an Akita based confectioner. Komatsuya Honten specialises in making chocolate treats that look like beetle larvae and caterpillars. Yum!
Uniqlo launch new manga t-shirt range
Date: 2008 April 14th Monday [16:43] | Posted By: Azure
Category: > Retail
Japanese clothing firm Uniqlo have brought over several batches of their manga inspired t-shirt designs to the U.K. The women's range seems centred around Astro Boy whilst the men's is focused around celebrating fifty years of Shonen Mangazine and Shonen Sunday.
Shirts are £12.99 each or 2 for £20 for a limited time.
BFI Southbank London Anime Weekend in June 2008
Date: 2008 April 13th Sunday [12:02] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Anime > Film
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.
ICFJ at The Great Escape festival in Brighton
Date: 2008 April 13th Sunday [11:29] | Posted By: Joe
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.
NANA live action movie US DVD release details
Date: 2008 April 8th Tuesday [16:20] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Anime > DVD
We've been sent a press release from the nice folks at Viz about the US DVD release of the live action NANA film, based on the popular shojo manga. The manga has a proved very popular with fans, and it's good to see the DVD of the movie hitting shelves on April 8th 2008.
Although we haven't seen this film yet, we must admit the casting for Nana Osaki is excellent.
While Viz seem to be releasing some great live action titles on DVD at the moment. We do wish they would release the live action Train Man TV series.
Japanese Films and Anime at the Barbican
Date: 2008 April 5th Saturday [16:32] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Anime > Film
London's Barbican have a great selection of films over the next couple of months, with Kihachiro Kawamoto, Akira Kurosawa and a little bit of anime, with Helen McCarthy continuing her popular anime talks, focusing on horror followed by a screening of Le Portrait de Petite Cossette.
As always with these events we recommend booking in as soon as possible to avoid disappoint, Helen's talks in particular tend to sell out quickly.
Make your own Mech for only $742 Million
Date: 2008 April 4th Friday [3:47] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Technology > Robotics
Wired have an interesting article about how to make a mech. Takayuki Furuta the director of the Future Robotics Center in Chiba Japan, was worried that kids don't care about robots any more, so he ran computer models to figure out the best way to build a six story tall Gundam. Apparently they have blueprints for the robot, and actually intend to build one, although a 60 foot tall model wouldn't be financially feasible a 13 feet tall version could be produced by 2011.
The article also links to an article with the price breakdown in yen, a must for all those project managers out there. ^_-
Japanese Etiquette Guide for Westerners
Date: 2008 April 3rd Thursday [14:28] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Culture
Although it's an old article, we thought it's worth pointing to. The Telegraph have an interesting article about Japanese etiquette for Westerners. As a foreigner to Japanese culture, it seems that gaijin can get away with a few things, such as talking in the wrong tone to someone superior, or pretending not to understand cold-callers and similar salespeople. However it seems that as soon as you get married to a Japanese person, all these rights are revoked, as the article mentions a western lady who married a Japanese man, and now is given less slack than a normal gaijin would.
GONZO make progressive metal music video
Date: 2008 March 31st Monday [17:13] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Production > Gonzo
We've been sent some interesting details about anime studio GONZO, who have produced a music video for progressive metal band Dream Theater.
Demon Prince: Children of Gaia book signing at Orbital Manga London
Date: 2008 March 31st Monday [17:01] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Retail
We've been sent details from London based manga shop Orbital Manga about a book signing and art competition they're running.
The artists from the graphic novel Demon Prince: Children of Gaia will be at Orbital Manga on 26th April 2008, from 1pm to 3pm. Along with limited edition pre-release copies of the graphic novel you'll be able to pick up limited edition A1 size posters too.
Conan the Buddhist Bowwow
Date: 2008 March 31st Monday [16:50] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Culture
BBC News are currently running a story about Conan, a lovable dog at Jigenin temple on Okinawa island.
The little Chihuahua sits on his hind legs, raises his paws and puts them together as if praying, copying the Buddhist priest at the temple. Apparently it only took him a few days to imitate the motions of praying. The temple now gets 30% more visitors as a result of little Conan joining in the prayers.
Anime Brand Sake
Date: 2008 March 26th Wednesday [20:24] | Posted By: LittleWoodenBoy
Category: > Cuisine
Sake fans may be interested to see that several Japanese brewing companies are releasing sake with an anime theme.
Mysterious Cities of Gold DVD Box set arrives early in the UK
Date: 2008 March 25th Tuesday [17:26] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Anime > DVD
Classic anime fans in the UK who can get to their local HMV are in for a treat. HMV have an exclusive deal on the Mysterious Cities of Gold DVD Box set. It's in stock in their stores, and on the HMV website too. Fans should note that the official release date for this DVD is 23rd June 2008, but the highstreet shop seem to have made some sort exclusive deal with the distributors. As far as we're aware, no other retailer has the DVD yet.
We are certain that this is not an error on their website, as we have visited our local HMV and seen copies on shelves to buy.
Many current anime fans will remember the French Japanese co-production with great nostalgia, and have been screaming for a DVD release for years, every so often a rumour would crop up, but never actually amount to anything, years of waiting many fans just assumed that the series would never get released in the UK, but finally it has. ^_^
Source: HMV
Easter UK Anime DVD Sale
Date: 2008 March 21st Friday [11:12] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Anime > DVD
Amazon UK are currently running a sale on anime DVDs.
Play.com are also have an Anime DVD sale, with many titles cheaper than Amazon (as Play already factor in postage).
Titles include:
- Cowboy Bebop
- Millennium Actress
- Read or Die
- Steamboy
With many titles going for under £5, it's worth looking around for a bargain or three.
Britney goes anime
Date: 2008 March 16th Sunday [10:10] | Posted By: Azure
Category: > Freaky Things
First Courtney love was involved in the Princess Ai project now Britney Spears latest music video "Break the ice" features an anime style music video. ICv2 report that it was animated in South Korea who do a lot of work for anime studios.
After seeing it's very reminiscent of anime such as GiTS and the Animatrix.
Chinese Manhua and the state
Date: 2008 March 14th Friday [18:04] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Art
BBC News are currently running an interesting story about Chinese comics or Manhua and how the publications in the Chinese mainland have to be government approved.
NewType USA's replacement PiQ out now
Date: 2008 March 13th Thursday [18:01] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Press Releases
We've received a press release from PiQ LLC, the magazine which is essentially the replacement for NewType USA. The magazine is due out from March 14th 2008. Issue 1 will feature articles about Appleseed: Ex Machina, Code Geass and xxxHOLiC.
Momiji Competition - (Vote for Wing)
Date: 2008 March 12th Wednesday [18:19] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Art
The folks at Don't Panic are currently running a competition to design your own Momiji message doll. Manga style artists are popular with these designs and Joanna Zhou created her own Momiji set last year.
Anyone one can enter this competition, and our artist chum Wing Yun Man has entered too, so please show your support and vote for her.
LDMS now distrubting ADV titles in the UK.
Date: 2008 March 11th Tuesday [19:08] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Anime > DVD
We've received a press release from LDMS who will be now be distributing ADV DVD titles in the UK, after ADV closed their UK offices. The press release details the release schedule up until May 2008.
After ADV UK closing down it's good to see that their titles will be still be distributed, but it's sad to see that ADV UK had to shut shop, the UK staff there were more than just people doing their jobs, they were actual anime fans with a passion for what they were doing which does make a difference. ADV UK's presence at anime events will be sorely missed. They were more than just another company, they were actually part of the UK anime scene. It was a shame to see these people lose their jobs. We wish them the best of luck in finding a new careers.
It will be interesting to see if LDMS will be active in anime fan circles as ADV UK was.
Manchester anime screenings
Date: 2008 March 9th Sunday [14:09] | Posted By: Joe
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.
TerraTag opens London Store
Date: 2008 March 9th Sunday [13:50] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Retail
It seems that opening anime and manga themed stores in London are all the rage at the moment with Tokyo Toys opening a retail store at the back of Trocadero in Piccadilly Circus, design firm Terratag have now opened a store in Brick Lane.
Gwen Stefani's Death Note Perfume
Date: 2008 March 9th Sunday [13:25] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Freaky Things
While this isn't exactly, new I'm sure not all our readers keep up to date with perfume releases. Pop star Gwen Stefani has released a fragrance called L, under her L.A.M.B. line (Love. Angel. Music. Baby). The amusing thing is the choice of font used for the L line of cosmetics, it's the same as the L that appears in Death Note, when L is on screen.
We're wondering if this is a just a random coincidence, or if it's something else, as Gwen Stefani has sung about Harajuku Girls before, so she (or her PR people), would have at least a basic understanding of Japanese pop culture.
Visit the L.A.M.B Fragrance website to see lots of L's. ^_^
Largest gathering of gaming cosplay - March 18th London
Date: 2008 March 4th Tuesday [13:07] | Posted By: Azure
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.
Neo Nohcon adds Japanese Performing Arts
Date: 2008 February 23rd Saturday [12:13] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Events
Anime fans who can get to Amherst in New York, will want to go to Neo Nohcon on March 7th to 8th 2008. They've got an interesting line up of guests and events including Taisho-Koto and traditional Japanese Dance.
New Live-Action Akira Film Announced
Date: 2008 February 22nd Friday [14:44] | Posted By: Spike
Category: > Anime
Warner Brothers have recently announced the production of two new Akira films based on the original six volume manga by Katsuhiro Otomo. The new films, set to be re-imagined in New Manhattan which is probably nowhere near downtown Tokyo, will chronicle three of the original works each and be helmed by Otomo himself as executive producer.
Dating Classes for Geeks
Date: 2008 February 18th Monday [14:46] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Freaky Things
Wired are running an interesting story about a Japanese Pick Up school for geeks, they don't use the word otaku, but we all know who they're talking about.
Satoshi Fujita's Pickup School for Men Who Can't get Any helps geeky males to get ladies. It sounds like a set up for a quirky sitcom, but the date doctor has all sorts of tricks and techniques up his sleeves after a decade of careful research.
The Tokyo evening classes seem popular with more than a hundred students a month being taught in his classes with interesting subjects such as How to Use Magic to Gain Popularity and How to Seduce Women.
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