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Browsing Categories
Nausicaa and The Cat Returns UK DVD Release Details
Date: Tuesday 30th August 2005 [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
Appleseed UK DVD Details
Date: Wednesday 17th August 2005 [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.
The New Anime Companion
Date: Monday 8th August 2005 [17:50] | Posted By: Jeremy
Category: > Fandom
Anime fans wanting to know more about all the various cultural references that pop up in their favorite anime can now rejoice. Anime News Network has announced that Stone Bridge Press, publisher of books about Japan, is releasing The Anime Companion 2: More... What's Japanese in Japanese Animation?, the follow-up to the popular book written by Gilles Poitras, who also writes the new volume.
Like its predecessor, The Anime Companion 2 contains glossary-style entries to help readers decipher anime's distinctive content, images and cultural motifs. Everything from city landmarks to food to clothing to historical figures is covered in fascinating detail, using illustrations anime images, film citations and numerous references to the related art of manga. With entries in both kanji (Japanese characters) and English, the book also contains maps of old provinces and current prefectures (and the 23 wards of Tokyo), making it an absolute must-have for those wanting to learn about Japan, whether they're otaku or not.
Barefoot Gen UK DVD Release Details
Date: Friday 29th July 2005 [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.
ADV UK DVD Releases for September 2005
Date: Wednesday 27th July 2005 [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.
UK PSP Anime Movies
Date: Tuesday 19th July 2005 [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: Thursday 14th July 2005 [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.
Read More... | Source: Gollancz Manga
ICE Kunion Brings Manhwa to the US
Date: Tuesday 12th July 2005 [15:58] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Manga
We've just got a press release from ICE Kunion, a joint enterprise between Korean publishing companies Sigongsa, Seoul Cultural and others. They mention their October line up, which includes Angel Diary, Chocolat, The 11th Cat and Bring It On, which have sold a combined total of almost a million copies in Korea alone.
The Otaku News crew note that this press release is interesting, since Korean comic books are normally incorrectly marketed as manga to people who automatically assume it is from Japan. ICE Kunion are marketing their titles are Korean and are taking pride in it claiming that "Korean Manhwa has taken over Japanese Manga to be the hottest books in the market".
How to Draw Book From UK Artist
Date: Sunday 3rd July 2005 [13:47] | Posted By: Azure
Category: > Art
Sweatdrop's Hayden Scott-Baren has announced a new how to draw book entitled 'Digital Manga Techniques', the UK edition will be out August 1st and the US edition October 1st –the only difference is the cover illustration. The title also features art from several other Sweatdrop artists.
VIZ Media Makes Licensing Deals for "Naruto"
Date: Friday 1st July 2005 [21:29] | Posted By: Jeremy
Category: > Anime
VIZ Media, LLC has announced on its website that it has made licensing deals with Bandai America and Hot Topic, Inc. for one of its most popular titles, "Naruto", the action-comedy about a young ninja, infused with the spirit of a powerful fox-demon, who strives to be the greatest ninja of all and learns life lessons along the way. This comes following the announcement of the "Naruto" anime, currently one of the highest rated shows in Japan, debuting on Cartoon Network this fall. VIZ Media currently publishes the "Naruto" manga in the monthly anthology "Shonen Jump", as well as in graphic novel format.
Looking For a Japanese Girlfriend? Then Get The T-shirt!
Date: Friday 1st July 2005 [19:51] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Fandom
At any anime convention apart from cosplayers, you'll notice another popular fashion with otaku, t-shirts. The most common seem to be standard series specific t-shirts with large prints of characters on them, over the last couple of years at anime conventions the more fashionable anime fans has been wearing t-shirts a bit different.
One had kanji and hiragana characters and took me a second to figure out what it said "Looking for a Japanese Girlfriend", I wondered if the guy wearing it actually knew what it meant, since I've seen many Japanese people wearing Engrish t-shirts, it makes sense that gaijin would also make similar mistakes! But apparently he did know what it said, and I've even heard cases were the t-shirts in question work. ^_^
I first noticed these t-shirts a few years ago, when I saw them at a UK anime convention, since them I've seen them at US and even Japanese anime conventions too. Where ever there is fandom, these t-shirts appear. We've been able to track down the makers of these t-shirts - Japan and US based J-List. Not wanting to miss out on a chance to get more information about this current trend the Otaku News Crew too the opportunity to interview J-List's founder Peter Payne to discover what other t-shirts they sold and why!
Planet Tokyo Talks Anime Business Blues
Date: Friday 1st July 2005 [18:24] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Anime > DVD
Planet Tokyo have posted an interesting article called Talking Anime Business Blues, it covers the current concern about the boom on anime in the USA, and the double edge sword that is fansubbing, which both creates a hype for a series and also takes away DVD sales since fans would already have it on fansub (this is a long running debate in anime fandom and most fans operate on the policy that if they have the fansub and like it, they'll buy the DVD, otherwise they'll delete it).
ADV UK DVD Releases for August 2005
Date: Sunday 19th June 2005 [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.
Change in Plans for "Patlabor" Release
Date: Friday 10th June 2005 [18:43] | Posted By: Jeremy
Category: > Anime
Central Park Media just announced on their website that will be slightly altering its plans for the upcoming release of the final DVD volume of "Patlabor: The Mobile Police-The TV Series". The DVD collection for volumes 9-11, set for release on August 9, will be reduced in price from $49.95 SRP (suggested retail price) to $29.95 SRP.
TokyoPop to Launch New Children's Line
Date: Tuesday 24th May 2005 [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.
Nintendo Revolution New pictures
Date: Tuesday 17th May 2005 [12:00] | Posted By: Azure
Category: > Gaming > Consoles
There’s been a flood of new console news in the run up to this years E3, which starts Wednesday. According to USA today the Revolution is about the size of three DVD cases piled up and is set to have online features, including a free player match up service. Especially exciting is the news players will have access to Nintendo’s back catalogue online, from Donkey Kong to Mario Sunshine. The Revolution will also be backwards compatible with Game cube and play DVDs.
ADV Films Launches New Titles Exclusively At London Expo
Date: Thursday 12th May 2005 [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.
ADV UK DVD Releases For June 2005
Date: Thursday 12th May 2005 [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. ^_-
Arthouse Manga?
Date: Saturday 7th May 2005 [16:40] | Posted By: Ash
Category: > Manga
One subsection of the Manga industry that is often ignored is that of ‘real-life’ manga, which in Japan is enjoyed by a wide range of people who are not necessarily what you would call otaku. In France a writer called Frédéric Boilet has made strong strides in trying to correct this fact as well as create a whole new manga subgenre.
More Details Of Dragon Ball Z and Yu-Gi-Oh manga releases in the UK
Date: Thursday 5th May 2005 [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: Tuesday 26th April 2005 [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: Friday 8th April 2005 [7:39] | 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: Wednesday 6th April 2005 [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. ^_-
Anime Sales Up In The US
Date: Tuesday 29th March 2005 [17:16] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Anime > DVD
ICv2 have posted an article about anime sales figures, which have gone up 7.6% using a year over year comparison with Videoscan's figures. This is interesting, mainly because of the saturated anime market and also because Videoscan tracks sales of participating retailers (which is a considerable percentage), these figures are a lot better to go on that individual retailers top ten charts, which never really present data that can be used in metrics.
Sony PSP Released In US
Date: Thursday 24th March 2005 [18:48] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Gaming > Consoles
US gamers can finally stop waiting, Sony's handheld games console the PSP (PlayStation Portable) is out now! Reviews so far seem very postive. The Register has a good overview of the system from a techincal standpoint. Gamespot has a wide coverage of the US launch too.
European gamers will have to wait at least a few months before the offical launch. BBC News have more details on this.
UK Anime DVD Release Dates Until April 2005
Date: Sunday 20th March 2005 [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: Saturday 19th March 2005 [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: Sunday 27th February 2005 [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.
Newtype USA March 2005 Issue
Date: Saturday 26th February 2005 [11:41] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Press Releases
The folks at Newtype USA have sent us the details about the March 2005 Issue of their magazine.
They've got some Madlax artwork on the cover that has been exclusively drawn for the Newtype USA, they've also got more coverage of Fullmetal Alchemist and Samurai Champloo, along with Maburaho and Scrapped Princess. The cover DVD has both dub and sub versions of Cromartie High School and Divergence Eve.
Newtype USA Vol. 4, Issue 3 will be available March 1, 2005.
Neon Genesis Evangelion Platinum 01 Out On 21st February
Date: Sunday 20th February 2005 [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.
Global Anime And Manga Market Worth US$100 Billion
Date: Sunday 20th February 2005 [11:04] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Anime
J-Marketing.net have just published a story reporting that globally the anime and manga market is worth a massive US$100 billion! Yes, you read that right one-hundred billion US dollars. The article also states that products based on characters from anime and manga always prove very popular.
Shadow Hearts 2 UK PS2 Release Details
Date: Saturday 19th February 2005 [8:55] | 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: Thursday 10th February 2005 [8:42] | 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: Friday 4th February 2005 [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.
Dinkybox Cool Japanese Toys
Date: Monday 24th January 2005 [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. ^_-
Galerians: Rion DVD To Hit The UK
Date: Wednesday 12th January 2005 [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: Friday 7th January 2005 [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!
Japonisme - Cultural Crossings between Japan and the West
Date: Friday 7th January 2005 [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: Thursday 6th January 2005 [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. ^_-
Kirin Ichiban Now Prime Marketing Focus For Kirin Brand
Date: Wednesday 5th January 2005 [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: Monday 3rd January 2005 [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: Friday 31st December 2004 [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!
ADV UK DVD Releases For January 2005
Date: Sunday 19th December 2004 [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: Monday 29th November 2004 [8:32] | 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! ^_^
ADV UK DVD Releases for December 2004
Date: Sunday 28th November 2004 [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! ^_-
Neo Magazine First Issue Out Now
Date: Thursday 25th November 2004 [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
Hello Kitty Statuette Sold For $100,000
Date: Thursday 25th November 2004 [17:16] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Fandom
The BBC are reporting that a Hello Kitty statuette made of platinum and studded with diamonds has been sold for 10.5 million Yen (that's about $102,450 USD)! The 4cm (2 inch) figure was made to celebrate Hello Kitty's 30th Birthday and has been on sale since August.
The Osaka branch of department store Mitsukoshi says that a local customer has purchased it. Otaku News have no idea who the buyer is, but we believe that they must be a pretty serious Hello Kitty fan! ^_-
Educational Value of Manga In The UK
Date: Tuesday 16th November 2004 [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! ^_-
Source: TES
Bandai UK DVD Delays
Date: Monday 15th November 2004 [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
Strong Yaoi Sales on Amazon.com
Date: Sunday 14th November 2004 [8:34] | 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.
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