Otaku News : US Edition Elfie - The Otaku News Mascot
||
Search
 
Advanced Search
\ -
-

\

Edition
World Edition
UK Edition
US Edition
PSP Edition

Site Nav
Main Page
News Categories
DVD Reviews
Manga Reviews
Links We Like
Otaku News Shop

 
Site Info
About Otaku News
FAQ
Wallpaper
Link To Us
Contact Us

US RSS Feed
RSS Feed Details
 
\

\

Advert Space


 
\
/ \
Sponsored Link: Manga Studio 4.0 Debut
Manga Studio 4.0 Debut Full Version
\ /

/ \

GEN Manga Issue 11 out now

Date: Tuesday May 15th 2012 [16:03] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Manga

The good folks from GEN Manga have just release their latest Issue GEN 11.

It features Six previously unpublished stories straight from the Tokyo underground. Android Angels, One is Enough, Stones of Power, Anomal, Alive and GB Geist. They've been running for a year now and are still going strong, which shows that there's a viable market in seinen manga, espically when it's not region locked or encumbered with DRM.

GEN will be giving away a short preview version of the GEN 11 for free this month. So any visitor to genmanga.com can download something for free, too.

Read More... | Source: GEN Manga

Cherry Tree High Comedy Club Release Details

Date: Wednesday April 25th 2012 [16:02] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Gaming

The good folks from Nyu Media have sent us details of their latest gaming release Cherry Tree High Comedy Club (CTHCC).

The light-hearted anime-style adventure game features localization by Tezuka Productions. The game is due for launch on Friday 27th April 2012 directly from it's homepage.

It will then be released on Steam, GamersGate, GameTap and Impulse over the coming weeks.

Read More... | Source: Nyu Media

GEN Manga Issue 10 out now

Date: Thursday April 19th 2012 [17:03] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Manga

The good folks from GEN Manga have just release their latest Issue GEN 10.

It features Six previously unpublished stories straight from the Tokyo underground. Wolf, Kamen, Sorako, Alive and GB Geist.

The on-line manga publisher distribute their monthly collection of doujinshi using a subscription model. You get to download and keep the PDF file for each issue too.

Source: GEN Manga

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

Date: Friday April 13th 2012 [17:55] | Posted By: Priss
Category: > Events

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

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

Read More... | Source: Otaku News

Stereopony 2012 US Tour Details

Date: Monday April 2nd 2012 [15:38] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Events

Fans of J-Rock Band Stereopony will be pleased to hear about their upcoming US tour.

They'll be at the following venues -

Tuesday April 10th 2012 Slim's San - Francisco
Wednesday April 11th Key Club - Hollywood Los Angeles
Thursday April 12th 2012 YOST Theater - Santa Ana

Read More... | Source: Stereopony Offical Facebook Page

JManga.com Extends Access Worldwide

Date: Thursday March 1st 2012 [16:32] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Manga

Readers outside the US who have been longing to legally get their hands on some digital manga will be extremely pleased to hear that JManga.com have extended their access world wide.

The site allows you to get manga using a points based system. If you sign up by Sunday 4th March 2012, you'll get double the amount of points as a welcome. The subscription costs either $10 or $25 a month. They also have a free subscription.

Read More... | Source: JManga.com

Sentai Filmworks licences K-ON! Season 2

Date: Monday February 20th 2012 [19:15] | Posted By: Eeeper
Category: > Press Releases

US anime licenser Sentai Filmworks has announced they have licensed the second season of popular anime TV series, K-ON!, for release later this year. The anime outfit has stated that the 26 episode series will get a DVD and Blu-Ray release.

Read More... | Source: Sentai Filmworks

Madman Entertainment set price, details and release date for Puella Magi Madoka Magica

Date: Friday February 10th 2012 [20:14] | Posted By: Eeeper
Category: > Anime

Madman Entertainment in Australia have announced the details of the first volume for their release of the 12 episode series Madoka Magica on Blu Ray and DVD.

Read More... | Source: Otaku News

France is the biggest manga market in Europe

Date: Thursday February 2nd 2012 [17:36] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Manga

Facts and figures for the the manga industry always make an interesting read. CNN's Geekout Blog has a good article about the European Manga Industry.

Did you know that France accounts for 50% of VIZ Media Europe's manga sales? The article also highlights that combined Europe and the Middle East generates more manga sales than America -

"'In Europe, manga is most popular in France, then Italy and Spain,' said Hyoe Narita, president of VIZ Media Europe, which is headquartered in Paris. Annual manga sales in Japan are about $5 billion, he said, whereas American manga sales are $120 million and Europe and the Middle East combined make $250 million. This combined number given out is probably because VIZ Media Europe distributes to the Middle East as well. Japan is still the huge maker, but these numbers show that manga is moving well outside of Asia."

"The popularity does vary by country, but France is by far the leader in European otaku interest, as it brings in 50% of European manga sales. Narita said it’s the same size or a bit bigger than the market in the United States."

Source: CNN's Geekout Blog

An Interview with Vic Mignogna

Date: Wednesday January 18th 2012 [14:00] | Posted By: Azure
Category: > Features

We got a chance to chat to well known voice actor Vic Mignogna at the last MCM London Expo. We discuss a range of topics from getting into voice acting, dubbing anime songs, voice acting inspirations, and of course Full Metal Alchemist.

Read More... | Source: Otaku News / Voiceacting.co.uk

S'more Entertainment licences Galaxy Express 999 TV series

Date: Monday January 16th 2012 [22:10] | Posted By: Eeeper
Category: > Anime

S'more Entertainment, an speciality video label in the US, licences the TV series Galaxy Express 999 for release in 2012 along with Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo TV series.

Read More... | Source: Anime News Network

Shipping $36,000 worth of Japanese candy

Date: Saturday January 14th 2012 [18:58] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Websites

Every otaku loves Japanese snacks and confectionery, what makes it more interesting is finding out how much some people like it. The owners of Candy Japan have posted an interesting article about how they're selling $36,000 worth of Japanese candy over 6 months. The site has been up and running for a year and has a very simple business model. You subscribe to them for $24 a month and they send you two envelopes with sugary treats each month. Currently they have just under 300 subscribers.

This makes us wonder, is it a viable long term business? Can you get more candy for $24 a month from J-List's Candy section instead? Or is the random element of Candy Japan part of the fun?

Update: J-List have confirmed that they sell more candy than that, around $50,000 worth a month. So it goes to show there is good money in sweet Japanese things.

Source: Bemmu's Blog - I make stuff

GEN Manga Issue 8 out now

Date: Saturday January 14th 2012 [15:41] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Manga

The good folks from GEN Manga have sent us details of their latest Issue GEN 8.

It features a new story Let's Eat Ramen by Nagumo, the author of the seriesRadio de Go!

The on-line manga publisher distribute their monthly collection of doujinshi using a subscription model. You get to download and keep the PDF file for each issue too.

Read More... | Source: GEN Manga

Funimation sues former ADV company, Section23, Sentai Filmworks

Date: Friday January 13th 2012 [18:01] | Posted By: Eeeper
Category: > Current Affairs

Funimation sues ADV, Sentai and others for alleged debt arising from ARM/Sojitz deal.

Read More... | Source: Anime News Network

Bandai US and UK shuts down DVD/BD/Manga production

Date: Thursday January 5th 2012 [13:34] | Posted By: Eeeper
Category: > Retail

The US anime releasing division of Bandai has announced that from February they will cease publication of both new anime titles and manga titles. The company’s UK and French sister divisions have also released similar statements.

Read More... | Source: Otaku News

GEN Manga Issue 7 out now

Date: Tuesday December 20th 2011 [13:56] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Manga

Fans of seinen manga will be pleased to hear that GEN Manga have just released GEN 7.

The on-line manga publisher distribute their monthly collection of doujinshi using a subscription model. You get to download and keep the PDF file for each issue too.

Read More... | Source: GEN Manga

BBC News on Bento Boxes

Date: Sunday December 11th 2011 [14:58] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Cuisine

We've covered Bento Boxes and the fun designs you can make with the food called kyaraben before on Otaku News. BBC News have a video on bento boxes in Japan. It includes a bento making class eager parents go to in order to learn about the art of making kyaraben.

Source: BBC News

Sentai Filmworks Licenses Grave of the Fireflies

Date: Thursday December 1st 2011 [16:54] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Anime > DVD

We've received news from US Anime Distributor Sentai Filmworks that they've licensed Grave of the Fireflies. The Ghibli classic is emotional story of the cold realities of war, and often forgotten victims, the children.

Sentai Filmworks will begin digital distribution of the title this winter and a digital restored DVD will be released next year.

Read More... | Source: Sentai Filmworks

Cowboy Bebop Movie Script Charity Auction

Date: Wednesday November 30th 2011 [14:50] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Current Affairs

The folks at FrontTowardsGamer.com have got in touch with us to spread the word about their charity auction. They've got a copy of the Cowboy Bebop Movie Script, which has been autographed by the US voice actors.

The charity auction aims to raise money to build video game stuffed care packages for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Source: FrontTowardsGamer.com

Beckii Cruel in the Music Charts

Date: Wednesday November 30th 2011 [2:48] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Press Releases

We've received news from Beckii Cruel's team about her current chart success with the single You Can't Kiss Me.

This week the single is number 2 in the Music Week Club Chart Breakers, with Chase and Status coming in number 1. The chart tracks the up and coming music which is getting played in the clubs. The DJ's pick up on it and feed in the amount of play it is getting.

Read More... | Source: Beckii Cruel

An Interview with Helen McCarthy

Date: Sunday November 27th 2011 [16:11] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Nostalgia

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

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

Before Otaku News, we used to run Anime Digital, a website hosted by the London Anime Club. In October 1999, we were lucky enough to interview Helen McCarthy, who is an anime expert, author, speaker and so much more. Although the interview is over 10 years old, it's interesting to see how many things are still the same in the industry and fandom. We've reprinted this article with Helen's permission. Readers familiar with Helen's work will note that she did write an award winning book about Tezuka in the end!

Update: Helen has also blogged about this article.

Read More... | Source: Otaku News

Digital Manga Inc Launch Anime Cel Art Shop

Date: Friday November 25th 2011 [14:27] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Retail

We've received some rather interesting news from Digital Manga Inc. They've just opened a new site Anime Cel Art, which like the name implies is dedicated to selling anime cel art. They've currently got Naruto, Bleach and One Piece cels for sale.

Collectors should note, that these are not production cels used to make the anime as production now is digital. These are officially licensed reproductions. They are hand painted, and made exactly the same as production cels, but these images have never been used to make anime. As a result you get more for your money. You get a high quality image along with a background for a reasonable price.

Read More... | Source: Anime Cel Art

GEN Manga on Graphicly.com

Date: Wednesday November 16th 2011 [6:45] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Manga

Independent Manga publisher GEN Manga have sent us news that they're now on Graphicly.com.

Graphicly.com distribute comics on Apple, Android, PCs and Macs, along with the Barnes & Noble Nook.

We caught up with GEN Manga in their New York offices earlier this year. One of the things they mentioned was their intention to expand from the main monthly volume. They've just done this releasing the first 6 volumes as a single anthology with over 900 pages of content in one file for $2.99.

They've also release the whole of the moe title VS Aliens as a complete standalone collection for $0.99.

Read More... | Source: GEN Manga

L'Arc-en-Ciel 20th L'Anniversary Live Details and World Tour

Date: Tuesday November 8th 2011 [15:51] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Events

Fans of the hugely popular band L'Arc-en-Ciel will probably already know all the details of their 2012 world tour.

To warm up they'll be screening a special performance (recorded live from May 28th and 29th 2011) around the world.

London based readers will want head over the Apollo Piccadilly to catch the screenings on the following dates:
5th December 2011 - 6:30pm
Tuesday 6th December 2011 - 8:30pm

Details of screenings at other countries can be found on this official site.

Full details of the world tour is are still to be announced, but we have been sent details of the following locations and dates -

Hong Kong, Hong Kong - Asia World-Expo Arena - March 3rd, 2012 (Saturday)
Bangkok, Thailand - Impact Arena - March 7th, 2012 (Wednesday)
Shanghai, China - Mercedes-Benz Areana - March 10th 2012 (Saturday)
Taipei, Taiwan - TWTC Nangang Exhibition Hall - March 17th 2012 (Saturday)
New York, USA - The Theater at Madison Square Garden - March 23rd, 2012 (Friday)
London, UK - indigO2 - April 11th, 2012 (Wednesday)
Paris, France - Le Zenith de Paris - April 14th 2012 (Saturday)

As always with popular events, we suggest booking early to avoid disappointment.

Read More... | Source: L'Arc~en~Ciel

Clannad Complete Collection US Blu-ray out now

Date: Tuesday November 8th 2011 [14:40] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Anime

Just a quick reminder for those in the US (or those who can buy DVDs and Blu-rays from the USA). Section 23 films have sent us details of the Blu-ray release of Clannad. The complete collection is out now.

Buy Clannad now from Amazon.com.

Read More... | Source: Section23 Films

Letraset Screentone Review

Date: Sunday October 30th 2011 [5:08] | Posted By: Voxie
Category: > Art

All my life I've been drawing, and I've appreciated the manga style for most of my life. But I've always been adamant to delve into the world of screentone. I've never really figured out why this is, however perhaps I'll find out today. I've been handed two kinds to look at, a Letraset Screentone MT23 pack, and a pack of Letraset Safmat Self-Adhesive Printing Film. I've only worked with digital screentone before, so this is a bold adventure for me!

Read More... | Source: Letraset

Breathe Deeply - a new graphic novel from One Peace Books

Date: Wednesday October 26th 2011 [16:11] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Manga

We've received details of a new manga title just out. Breath Deeply is a controversial medical thriller with a dash of romance. It's written by the husband and wife team known as Doton Yamaaki. Published in English by One Peace Books the company suggest readers forget what they know about manga when approaching this title. It's out now from your favourite book sellers.

Buy from Amazon.com
Buy from Amazon.co.uk

Update: We've now have a reviewed Breathe Deeply.

Read More... | Source: One Peace Books

Naruto Shippuden The Movie: Bonds US DVD and Blu-ray release details, plus on-line movie marathon details

Date: Friday October 21st 2011 [15:37] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Anime > DVD

The good folks at Viz have sent us details of the up coming US release of Naruto Shippuden The Movie: Bonds which is due out on DVD and Blu-ray on Tuesday October 25th 2011.

To celebrate US based readers can watch on-line for a limited time a marathon of all five Naruto movies! The stream is avaiable this weekend until Sunday October 23rd 2011.

Read More... | Source: VizAnime.com

GEN Manga Issue 6 out now

Date: Wednesday October 12th 2011 [2:00] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Manga

Fans of alternative manga will be pleased to hear that publisher GEN Manga Entertainment's latest release GEN 6 is out now priced $2.99 for the digital copy.

If you're heading to New York Comic Con you can visit the GEN Manga at booth 2030.

We interviewed GEN Manga recently and asked them about their take on the manga publishing industry.

Read More... | Source: GEN Manga

An Interview with GEN Manga

Date: Sunday September 25th 2011 [14:04] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Manga

eBooks and eBook readers have taken off, with Amazon's Kindle, the Nook and iPad all popular must have gadgets for reading. Currently there's a lot of attention on digital manga. Several companies have sprouted up offering legitimate manga to download and read. The two big boys are JManga and VizManga. They have been criticised for many reasons, including DRM, complex pricing models and region locking. JManga is run by a consortium of 39 manga publishers, so you can easily say they're the biggest digital manga distributor out there. A lot of people are complaining about these manga companies getting it wrong, but has anyone got it right?

Read More... | Source: Otaku News

GEN Manga Issue 5 out now

Date: Sunday September 18th 2011 [16:01] | Posted By: Joe
Category: > Manga

Fans of alternative manga will be pleased to hear about publisher GEN Manga Entertainment's latest release. GEN 5 is out now, priced $2.99, and available to download on PDF. Issue 3 is now free to download.

Read More... | Source: GEN Manga

AM2 Convention coming back to Anaheim

Date: Wednesday September 14th 2011 [12:58] | Posted By: Eeeper
Category: > Events

The AM2 Convention in Anaheim in California is set to return in 2012 with more guests.

Read More... | Source: AM2 Convention

Cosplay Ireland Roundtable

Date: Friday September 2nd 2011 [9:51] | Posted By: Eeeper
Category: > Events

Organisers and performers for the Cosplay Ireland event in Dublin talk about the event.

Read More... | Source: Otaku News

Otakon Roundtable Podcast Part 1

Date: Sunday August 28th 2011 [19:11] | Posted By: Eeeper
Category: > Features

Otaku News and Eeeper's Choice Podcast present part 1 of our Otakon Roundtable talk with our staff member Eeeper plus Elliot Page from UK-Anime.net and Gerry from Anientity.co.uk

Read More... | Source: Otaku News

Interview with manga translator William Flanagan

Date: Thursday August 25th 2011 [10:05] | Posted By: Eeeper
Category: > Features

Otaku News is happy to present our interview with manga translator William Flanagan in conjunction with the Fumi Yoshinaga month at the Moveable Manga Feast.

Read More... | Source: Otaku News

\ /

/

Older News
Hatsune Miku Arcade Game Debuts at 2011 J-Pop Summit
American Comic Companies battle for readers
New Manga Portal Website JManga.com has Launched in North America
Cosplay Ireland announce first event
Digital Manga version of Neon Genesis Evangelion launches on VizManga.com
GEN Manga Issue 4 out now, plus download free indie manga
Hoshi o Ou Kodomo Japanese blu ray to have English subtitles
Emma: Victorian Romance streams on-line for free
Children who Chase Lost Voices from Deep Below (Hoshi o Ou Kodomo)
An Interview with Voice Actors Ben Diskin and Brian Beacock

Recent DVD Reviews

Hetalia Axis Powers: Paint It, White!
Hetalia Axis Powers: Paint It, White!
Poyopoyo / Recorder and Ransel (1-13) Streaming
Polar Bear Café (1-4) Streaming
OZMA (1-6) Streaming
You're Under Arrest: Fast and Furious (Season Two)
Squid Girl: Season 1 Blu Ray
Sengoku Basara: Samurai Kings
Kiddy Grade Collection
Naruto Shippuden The Movie 2: Bonds
Mardock Scramble – The First Compression (Director's Cut)

DVD Review Archive

Recent Manga Reviews

Breathe Deeply
Breathe Deeply
Bloody Monday - Volume 1
Not Love But Delicious Foods
All My Darling Daughters
House Of Five Leaves - Volume 1
Toriko - Volume 1
Cross Game - Volume 1
Spice and Wolf - Volume 1
Cardcaptor Sakura - Volume 1
One Piece

Manga Review Archive

Links We Like
Ulysses 31 Lo-fi Live Action
Tokyo Fashion
JIB TV
Maliki
Helen McCarthy's Blog
Lego Howl's Moving Castle
DannyChoo.com
Emma Vieceli's Workblog

Link Archive

Links
Essential Reading
Nausicaa.net
Anime News Network
ICv2
Pirate Anime FAQ

WebComics
AppleGeeks
Johnny Wander
MegaTokyo
Nemu-nemu
Three Panel Soul

Dead Tree Magazines
Giant Robot
Neo Magazine UK
Otaku USA
Shonen Jump
Protoculture Addicts

Anime Companies
Bandai Entertainment
FUNimation
Madman
Manga Entertainment
Media Blasters
TokyoPop
Urban Vision
Viz

Manga Publishers
Aurora Publishing
Dark Horse Comics
Deux Press
Del Ray
GEN Manga
Luv Luv Press
Tanoshimi
TokyoPop
Viz
Yen Press

US DVD Retailers
Akadot Retail
AnimeNation
Amazon.com
DVD Empire
DVD Pacific
DVD Planet
Right Stuf
Tower Records

Import Retailers
Animaxis
CD Japan
J-List
Play-Asia
Otaku.com

 
\
/ \
All trademarks and copyrights on this page are owned by their respective owners.
Everything Else ©2002-2011 Otaku News