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Tokyo City Promotion in London
Date: Friday 29th January 2010 [8:49] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Events
In London this weekend? Looking for something interesting to do? On Saturday 30th January to Sunday 31st January there will be a Tokyo Day. Aimed at promoting the Japanese city as a tourist destination the free event is divided into 3 zones. Traditional Culture, Experience Tokyo and Modern Culture.
The event will be held at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre near Westminster Tube station.
Opening hours are 10am to 6pm on Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sunday.
Original Laughing Man Creator Dies
Date: Thursday 28th January 2010 [17:14] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Culture
Author JD Salinger dies, aged 91. Anime fans who have seen Ghost in the Shell : Stand Alone Complex, will be aware of the Laughing Man. The Japanese producers of the series created the antagonist after being inspired by a short story by JD Salinger, which was called The Laughing Man.
The logo used in Ghost In the Shell : Stand Alone Complex also references Catcher in the Rye, his best known work.
Cosplay Valentine's Day Party in Central London
Date: Thursday 28th January 2010 [16:48] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Events
Romantic cosplayers in London should head over to Peter Parker's Rock 'n' Roll Club, just three minutes away from Tottenham Court Road. The Grand Cosplay Ball will be hosting a special Valentine's Day Prom on February 14th.
The venue will be decorated for the romantic day. Tickets are £4 online or £6 at the door.
AmeCon 2010 Website Launches
Date: Monday 25th January 2010 [17:09] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Events
UK anime fans should mark the dates Friday 13th to Sunday 15th August 2010 in their diaries. As this is when AmeCon will return. The successful UK anime convention will open for registration on Monday 15th February 2010. They'll be at a new location this year - Keele University in Staffordshire.
Registration will cost £45 for the full 3 days. The registration fee does not include accommodation, food and drink. They'll take payment through Credit and Debit Card using Google Checkout, alternatively you can also post a cheque to them.
As always with popular conventions we advise you book early to avoid disappointment.
DVD Horror Stories
Date: Sunday 24th January 2010 [15:51] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Anime > DVD
For a change, here's a little horror story that will make some anime fans cringe and check their collection, and others not even blink.
Bento Boxes a big hit in the US
Date: Wednesday 13th January 2010 [17:00] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Cuisine
The New York Times has an interesting article about bento boxes becoming popular in the US.
The meals in a box have become popular in the US for a variety of reasons, apart from the novelty, it's also a great way for a balanced diet, getting all the right food groups in a box. Along with that, it's idea for portion control. The article also highlights how it helps small children who can be fussy eaters eat something healthy.
Manga Inspired Textiles from Ikea
Date: Monday 11th January 2010 [17:37] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Retail
A keen eyed Otaku News reader has sent us details about the latest range of IKEA Textiles. The flat pack furniture store is probably best known to otaku alike as the place to go to get Billy Bookshelves to store manga and stuff.
The website Ikea Fans has details about the new manga inspired IKEA Textiles.
Snow Totoros all round!
Date: Saturday 9th January 2010 [10:21] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Fandom
While most of the world is caked in snow, numerous Otaku News friends and readers have sent us links of Totoros made of snow.
The most common one we got sent was this one on the site Epic Win FTW (from the same people behind I Can Has Cheezburger?) .
One keen eyed Otaku News reader also sent us:
A snow Catbus
dorkiicakes' snow Totoro
Temple of the wrong found a pair of snow Totoro
graout's snow Totoro
A huge selection of Snow Totoros can also be found on photographic sharing website Flickr.
Ghibli fans will know that the first snow Totoro ever made can been seen in the end credits of the original film.
Source: Otaku News
Jonathan Ross to leave the BBC
Date: Thursday 7th January 2010 [21:57] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Current Affairs
Jonathan Ross has announced he's going to leave the BBC. It's all over the entertainment section of the news, celebrity gossip news so why is it on Otaku News too? Well we're curious as to what he's going to do next.
Caitlin Moran TV Critic for The Times has made an interesting speculation -
"What most people don't seem to realise is that the documentaries he did on Japanese films, anime and cultish subjects were absolutely fantastic and I imagine he might want to go and do more of that."
Ghibli Films on UK TV on Saturday 2nd January 2010
Date: Saturday 2nd January 2010 [8:21] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Anime > TV
UK anime fans will want to sit in-front of the telly today (Saturday 2nd January 2010). BBC 2 will be showing Hayao Miyazaki's Oscar winning Spirited Away at 2pm. While Film 4 will be showing The Cat Returns at 3.25pm.
Film 4 can be see on:
Freeview Channel 14
Freesat Channel 300
Sky Channel 315
Virgin Channel 444
Source: TV Listings
Comiket 77
Date: Wednesday 30th December 2009 [7:30] | Posted By: Franki
Category: > Events
A man sits in the corner of the busy square caressing his gun then pointing it at a bunch of schoolgirls who shriek in excitement and begin flashing the cameras, while another man beside him dressed elaborately in leather swishes his cape to an amused crowd of photographers. Welcome to Comiket!
WOTA London Christmas 2009 Party
Date: Friday 11th December 2009 [18:11] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Events
London based fans of J-Pop, game and anime music mixes will want to head over to WOTA London on Friday 18th December 2009. The otaku party is all set for a Christmas special. They're at a different venue this time, Juno Shoreditch which is a 5 minute walk away from Liverpool Street Station.
It's set to run from 9pm until 3am, with a great line up of DJs.
Price is £4 (advance online) or £6 on the door.
Dress code is casual (cosplay optional).
Over 18's only (ID may be required).
UK Cosplay on NHK Tuesday 8th December
Date: Tuesday 8th December 2009 [17:03] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Anime > TV
UK Anime fans who can view NHK World will want to tune in or record imagine-nation on 11:30pm on Tuesday 8th December. The show has a special feature on anime fans in Britain. It focuses on the London Expo and a group of UK cosplayers.
Seven Bank to Discontinue ATM Services for Overseas-issued MasterCard Brand Cards
Date: Tuesday 8th December 2009 [16:40] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Current Affairs
A keen eyed Otaku News reader has sent us details about ATM services in Japan that will impact MasterCard users visiting the country.
Carrying cash is often very useful in Japan. Getting money out from an ATM can be difficult as not all banks accept western credit cards for cash withdrawal. The best place to withdraw money is often 7-Eleven using their Seven Bank ATM machines.
Due to changes in the terms and conditions from MasterCard, Seven Bank will no longer accept overseas-issued MasterCard brand cards as of December 14th. The bank is still accepting Visa, American Express, JCB, China UnionPay, Discover and Diners Club.
Santa Penguins of Matsue City
Date: Tuesday 8th December 2009 [4:17] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Freaky Things
BBC News have an amusing article about the Santa Penguins of Matsue City. The article includes a video of the 5 African penguins who parade around a local park in Santa costumes. The handmade costumes consist of a red cape, with small bell along with a white trim. The parade is due to take place everyday until Christmas. It's not every day you see cosplaying penguins! We wonder if they dress as Pen Pen for the rest of the year?
Kitacon Launches Christmas Gift Registration Packs
Date: Tuesday 1st December 2009 [0:01] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Events
UK anime convention Kitacon, have come up with a clever idea for a Christmas present - limited edition tickets to the event. Kitacon is set to run from the 26th to the 28th of March 2010 in Northampton UK. The gift of an anime convention sounds like a good idea to us! Although we do question their taste in bad presents. What's wrong with Tom and Jerry boxer shorts?!
Barbican Ponyo Screening Reminder and 2010 anime lineup.
Date: Friday 20th November 2009 [17:40] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Anime > Film
We've been sent a reminder by nice the people at the Barbican in London about their Ponyo screenings. We've mentioned it before, however due to demand they've added another subtitled screening to the Saturday 28th of November at 5:30pm to the London Children's Film Festival 2009. The other two screenings sold out quickly, so we suggest you book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Please note that as it's a children's film festival, all adults must by accompanied by a child.
Those who can't take children to watch Ponyo with them will want to consider the screening on Thursday 26th November 2009 at 6pm. It sold out initially, but it seems that a few seats are now available again.
Excitingly the Barbican have also revealed their up coming 2010 anime screenings, which aren't yet on their website. The biggest highlight is Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone, which is scheduled for Tuesday 26th January 2010 at 8:30pm. Again we advise booking as soon as the tickets are available.
We're also keen on seeing The Sky Crawler, but that's not going to show in the Barbican until February. ^_^
Danny Choo to Collaborate with Cospa on T-shirt
Date: Friday 20th November 2009 [16:52] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Retail
The good folks from YesAnime.com have sent us some details about a new range of Cospa t-shirts made in collaboration with renowned otaku Danny Choo.
The t-shirt designs can be seen on Danny's website, and US readers can get them along with other great cospa t-shirts from YesAnime.com.
We only wish that Cospa had a UK stockist. Still you can always get TerraTag or Genki Gear t-shirts if you want to support UK anime inspired designs.
We must admit we're a bit jealous of Danny, we wish Cospa would make t-shirts with our mascot Miyuki. Still you can always download wallpaper of her instead.
Grand Cosplay Ball 2009 Details
Date: Monday 9th November 2009 [16:23] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Events
The good folks at the Grand Cosplay Ball have sent us the details for their 2009 event. It's set in the Clapham Grand in London. The special one evening event is set to run on Sunday 29th November 2009 from 7pm until 1am.
They've got a great line up of guests including cosplayer and Eurobeat singer Giorgia Vecchini, along with renowned cosplayer Yaya Han.
It's over 18's only, Tickets are £18. As always with these events we advise on booking early to avoid disappointment.
Professor Munakata at the British Museum
Date: Friday 6th November 2009 [16:33] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Events
Manga fans who can get to London will want to visit the British Museum from 5th November 2009 to 3rd January 2010 where in Room 3 they'll be a free exhibit of an exclusive manga title - Professor Munakata's British Museum adventure. It's great that the museum are doing this and it's an appropriate title as it's set in the venue that's showing it.
There's even a nice reading area where you can enjoy some manga.
London Gets Shibuya Style Crossing
Date: Monday 2nd November 2009 [5:33] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Current Affairs
BBC News have an interesting article about a new crossing on Oxford Street in London.
The London shopping district now has a crossing inspired by the X style walk way. The most famous of which can be seen at Shibuya in Tokyo and is frequently filmed in documentaries that feature Japan.
The opening ceremony sounds like a lot of fun -
"In homage to its Far Eastern inspiration, the mayor will strike a two-metre high cymbal as Japanese musicians play taiko drums."
They even got cosplayers involved too -
"A giant X, in the form of 60m (196ft) of red ribbon will then be unfurled by devotees of cult Japanese Manga characters dressed in colourful costumes."
The London Mayor said the crossing was "a triumph for British engineering, Japanese innovation and good old fashioned common sense".
Oxford Street is frequently very busy with more than 200 million visitors a year and ideas like this help ease congestion at the bottle neck area of the tube station.
The BBC News Website has photos of the event you can even see a few cosplayers there too. ^_^
Update We've been sent some great photos of the opening ceremony.
WOTA London Gig in November 2009
Date: Sunday 1st November 2009 [16:13] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Events
London Fans of J-Pop, Vocaloid Songs, moe and anime music should head over to WOTA London on Saturday 21st November 2009, from 5pm to 10p, at the Freedom Bar in Soho, Central London.
This event is billed to support those otaku that loves otaku culture. Great for those who want to dance the night away.
Animation industry in the UK and Japan Symposium
Date: Friday 23rd October 2009 [15:05] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Events
Academic anime fans will want to get London on Friday 30th October 2009 for the Animation industry in the UK and Japan: Creativity, identity and the global marketplace. It's going to run in Council Room, Strand Campus, King’s College London.
It's free to attend but booking in advance is required. We suggest you book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Comica 2009: London Is Bubbling Over With Comics!
Date: Tuesday 20th October 2009 [16:16] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Events
London based fans of comics will be pleased to hear about Comica Festival 2009. Being an international comics festival manga is represented too. With anime and manga expert Helen McCarthy launching her new book about the manga god Osamu Tezuka on Sunday 8th November 8, 2009 from 4.30pm at the ICA. Tickets: £6 / £5 Concessions / £4 ICA Members
Paul Gravett will be giving a talk about Manga In The Museum: Solving Myths & Mysteries as he introduces the work of Hoshino Yukinobu on Tuesday 10th November 2009 from 1.15pm to 2pm. This is free, but booking in advance is required.
Plus Helen will also be giving a talk on the works of works of manga master Hoshino Yukinobu on Saturday 21st November 2009 at the British Museum from 1.15pm to 2pm. This is free, but booking in advance is required.
Genki Gear Launch new range at October 2009 London MCM Expo
Date: Saturday 17th October 2009 [15:07] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Retail
As we've mentioned before, all lots of anime companies are revving up for the London MCM Expo on the weekend of 24th-25th October 2009. T-shirt company Genki Gear will be launching a new Autumn range at the Expo, along with some Christmas cards.
The new range features designs by Wing Yun Man (who draws our lovely Otaku News wallpaper and postcards), Jess Bradley and our very own Phil English.
Japanese Restaurant in London seeks cosplayers
Date: Wednesday 14th October 2009 [14:39] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Events
Japanese restaurant Moshi Moshi are seeking 100 cosplayers to help out with a promotion. Everyone helping out will be rewarded with a ticket to a cosplay party held at the restaurant, which includes free buffet style food and drink.
The Art of Osamu Tezuka God of Manga out November 2009
Date: Tuesday 13th October 2009 [15:40] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Anime
Fans of Osamu Tezuka, the founding father of modern anime and manga will be pleased to hear that a new book is due out November 2009. Written by prominent anime and manga expert Helen McCarthy the hardcover book published by Ilex Press reveals what makes Tezuka one of the key figures of 20th century pop culture.
It includes 350 colour illustrations and a 45 minute DVD documentary never aired outside of Japan before.
The publication coincides with the annual Comica Festival.
Buy from Amazon.co.uk
Buy from Amazon.com
Reni's new songs and CD on sale now.
Date: Sunday 11th October 2009 [16:53] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Culture
Fans of Akiba culture, especially singing maids based in New York will be pleased to hear that Reni Mimura’s new songs and CD are on sale at http://www.renireni.com/.
J-Pop Go presents Sputniko!
Date: Sunday 4th October 2009 [16:29] | Posted By: PaulB
Category: > Events
Tokyo electro artist Sputniko! to guest at the next J-Pop Go music event in London on Saturday 10th October 2009.
Wired at the Tokyo Game Show
Date: Tuesday 29th September 2009 [16:34] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Fandom
Wired have an interesting article about the Tokyo Game Show, it includes some good cosplay photos too.
London Japan Centre moves to bigger store
Date: Tuesday 29th September 2009 [16:03] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Retail
We've got news from the Japan Centre in London. They'll be moving the food shop from their Piccadilly Circus store to a brand new larger shop on Regent Street from Saturday 3rd October 2009.
The food hall will be greatly expanded with a Japanese Bakery, along with the launch of the umai brand.
The bookshop and home section will remain at their current Piccadilly location. The new shop will be at 14-16 Regent Street (SW1Y 4PH), near Mitsukoshi.
Orbital Manga closes
Date: Friday 25th September 2009 [16:33] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Retail
London based readers should be aware of Orbital Manga is closing down. The shop was located in-between Leicester Square and Covent Garden. It first opened at the beginning of 2007 and stocked manga and other anime and manga related merchandise.
Luckily all is not lost as it will be merging back with it's sister shop Orbital Comics, which is just around the corner from the old Orbital Manga store.
Source: Otaku News
Death Note Complete DVD Boxset out on Monday
Date: Friday 25th September 2009 [15:43] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Anime > DVD
UK anime fans who love the adventures of an ace student out to build a new world, will be pleased to hear that the Death Note Complete Boxset is released on Monday 28th September 2009.
The 9 Disc DVD set retails for £60, however both Amazon.co.uk and Play.com have it on a pre-order offer for £43.
Source: Otaku News
Reminder: WOTA London Gig in September 2009
Date: Tuesday 22nd September 2009 [16:22] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Events
As mentioned before London based readers looking for a fun night out should head over to WOTA London on Saturday 26th September 2009. It's at the Freedom Bar, in Soho Central London. (66 Wardour Street, Soho. London W1F 0TA).
The event is set to run from 5pm until 10pm. Over 18's only. With DJs playing the latest anime and J-Pop Music.
Billed as London's newest and hottest otaku music cosplay club night, they intend to play a line up of anime video game songs, BL, I'VE (kotoko etc), Touhou Porject Vocaloid and more.
Check out the PV section of their website, to get an idea of the music they'll be playing. ^_^
NHK World TV in the UK
Date: Sunday 20th September 2009 [16:11] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Anime > TV
UK based readers who are keen to watch Japanese TV in English, will be pleased to hear that NHK World broadcasts on Satellite. Viewers should tune into Sky Channel 516 or Freesat Channel 209. The channel is included in all Sky Packages.
The channel includes Japanese News, TV shows about Japanese Culture, Business Shows, Tokyo Fashion and lots of other arts.
The full schedule can be found on the NHK World TV Website.
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