Category > Anime
The big news in anime circles this week has been from Anime Limited and their Kickstarter campaign to bring Mai Mai Miracle to home video.
Within the first 18 hours the Kickstarter hit it's $30K (USD) funding goal. So now they're going for a stretch goal. If they hit the goal of $60K, they'll be able to fund a dub. At the time of writing (with 26 days left on the Kickstarter), they have reached just over $54K. You can keep up to date with news about the Kickstarter here or check out Anime Limited's own website.
Souce: Mai Mai Miracle Kickstarter
Category > Manga
Indie Manga publishers GEN Manga have sent us details of their newest releases. Plus an all new season of their manga collection has just launched. All their titles are available to download from their website and are DRM free.
Read More... | Souce: GEN Manga
Category > Anime
After spending a few days teasing followers to guess, Anime Limited have announced the details of their Kick Starter Campaign to bring Mai Mai Miracle to the UK and US.
The film has yet to get any English speaking territory home video release, only being shown occasionally at anime film festivals. We first discovered the film at a Barbican Screening in 2009 and were immediately fans. It's made by Mad House, the studio well know for hight quality releases. The film itself has that nostalgic Ghibli like feel to it, with it's own touch of whimsy. We've been wondering why it hasn't had an English language blu-ray or DVD release yet, and we always recommend people see it if they can. It's one of those rare must see family movies.
Anime Limited are aiming to bring it on blu-ray to both the UK and US! For us this is a no brainer. This is a case of shut up and take my money.
Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited
Category > Manga
The good folks from GEN Manga have sent us details of their latest release. They're back with volume 3 of Let's Eat Ramen. Their GEN Manga monthly indie manga has also returned.
We caught up with GEN Manga a few years ago to hear their thoughts on seinen and indie manga.
Read More... | Souce: GEN Manga
Category > Press Releases
Without doubt one of our most popular articles this year was our on location coverage of Fosse Farm - Alice Cartalet's house from Kinmoza. Key scenes in the anime set in England used Fosse Farmhouse as Alice's house.
Caron Cooper who owns and runs the B&B has just got in touch with us to let us know about a special Christmas offer for Otaku news readers -
Double or twin bedrooms in The Stables Cottage (Alice and Shino's Hanafuda house) £99.00 per room per night B&B.
Available from 20/12/2013 - 26/12/2013 inclusive.
Plus a few spaces remaining for our delicious 4 course Christmas Day lunch at £48.00 per person.
Please email caron@fossefarmhouse.com for further details/booking.
Of course if you can't make it to Fosse Farm over Christmas, they do take bookings around the year too!
Souce: Fosse Farm
Category > Anime
Anime Limited announces licence for new TV series from the creator of Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo.
Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited
Category > Art
The good folks at the Japanese Gallery in London have sent us details of the cel sale, or as they call it cel sell! The event runs from Friday 6th to Sunday 8th December 2013. They'll be offering people who visit the gallery 20% off all anime products as long as you bring this voucher along. You may have seen the Japanese Gallery's anime cels being sold at events like Hyper Japan and the MCM London Comic Con. They actively welcome and encourage cosplayers at this sale.
Read More... | Souce: Japanese Gallery
Category > Anime
Christmas as come early for many Ghibli Fans in the UK. Porco Rosso has just got a Blu-ray release in the UK. The adventures of the Crimson Pig over the Adriatic Sea is a classic Miyazaki movie. it's got all the hallmarks you'd expect, aviation, air fights, sea plane pirates and a touch of magic. It's a must see movie.
Keen readers of the Otaku Calendar will already know that Monday 25th November marks the release date of 4 Ghibli Steel Book Sets in the UK. Each set contains the movie on DVD and Blu-ray and comes in a shiny steel case featuring artwork from each film. They'll be releasing My Neighbour Totoro, Howl's Moving Castle, Ponyo and Nausicaa.
We're already drooling over these sets and different members of the Otaku News crew have expressed interested in different copies of these steel books. I'm dropping subtle hints to santa that I would like a copy of *cough* Totoro *cough* on Steel book, even though I've got the original Japanese DVD and UK Blu-ray releases. Yes! I am that much of a Ghibli fan. ^_^;;
Souce: Otaku Calendar
Category > Anime
The first day of the MCM London Comic Con has just ended, we know people are partying into the night, but we're stopping to tell you the latest news from the event.
A new UK streaming / video on demand service has just launched Animax UK. The division of Sony are showing anime on a model similar to BBC iPlayer. The shows are simulcast for everyone to watch for free for 2 weeks. After that they go into the archive where paid subscribers can access the shows. Subscriptions cost £5.99 a month, and will also remove ads from any shows.
Depending on how much anime you watch a month, this could be a good way of catching up with titles without paying for a boxset.
What makes them a bit different, is apart from offering simulcasts they also have movies for paid subscribers, and also offer viewers the choice to watch shows dubbed in English where available, or in Japanese with English subtitles.
If you're going to the MCM London Comic Con this weekend (Friday 25th to Sunday 27th October 2013), you should pop over to their stall for a chance to win a big Sony TV.
It seems along with other legal streaming services Wakanim.co.uk and Crunchyroll, there are lots of ways to watch anime on-line now.
Read More... | Souce: Animax
Category > Events
The good folks from Konami UK and the MCM London Comic Con have got in touch to tell us about a cosplay competition they'll be running at the Konami UK stall. UK Cosplayers cosplaying as Konami characters have a chance of winning a Dracula statue from CLOS2.
The MCM London Comic Con is set to run from Friday 25th to Sunday 27th October 2013.
Read More... | Souce: Konami UK
Category > Events
It's that time of year again when the MCM London Comic Con announce their guests. Anime fans are in for a treat as they've got Studio WIT, the studio behind the anime version of Attack on Titan.
Present at the event will be producer George Wada, Katsuhiko Kitada (character designer on Hal, animation director for Attack On Titan), Tetsuya Nakatake (animation producer for Attack On Titan) and one of the studio's rising stars, Ryotaro Makihara. They'll be their to show off their latest movie Hal.
The MCM London Comic Con is set to run from Friday 25th to Sunday 27th October 2013. We don't yet know if the London ExCel centre is a suitable venue for using 3D maneuver gear or defending from hoards of man eating giants, I'm sure we'll find out in October though!
Read More... | Souce: MCM London Comic Con
Category > Press Releases
28th-30th March 2014 will see the 5th running of the obviously very popular Kitacon, the only anime convention in Birmingham.
Guests attending include Ellen McLain (voice actress in Pacific Rim, GLaDOS in Portal), her husband John Patrick Lowrie (voice actor in Halo: Reach, Team Fortress 2), award-winning hip hop artist Professor Elemental and cosplay sensation Leon Chiro will be flying over from Italy.
Kitacon's organisers just tweeted their surprise at selling over half of their tickets within an hour and a half of the following announcement! Our advice: Get yours quick!
Read More... | Souce: Kitacon
Category > Retail
It's that time of year again the MCM London Comic Con returns to the Excel Centre from Friday 25th to Sunday 27th October 2013. As is tradition, t-shirt brand Genki Gear have an official and exclusive design for the event.
Read More... | Souce: Genki Gear
Category > Events
The good folks from MCM have sent us details of a their newest event to the MCM Comic Con line-up. The MCM Belfast Comic Con, which is due to run from 7th to 8th June 2014 at Kings Hall in Belfast. This is the very first time the event will run in Northern Ireland.
Read More... | Souce: MCM Comic Con
Category > Fandom
Any filmmaker will tell you that producing a movie is- hard work. The time, effort and sometimes budget issues can get in the way of making a vision a reality. That challenge is only intensified when it's a fan-based film, reaping no financial rewards at the end and with only the love of the story to keep them going. But that's exactly what filmmakers, Nate Drake and Georgie Donovan are doing, currently in the works is Wolf Girl, a movie about a modern teenage girl struggling to save the forest she calls home from humans, who are cutting down the trees for their own needs. She then joins forces with wolves in a bid to defend her home.
Read More... | Souce: Wolf Girl Movie
UK based anime fans will be pleased to hear that the good folks from Manga Entertainment UK have given us one copy of Deadman Wonderland The Complete Series to give away.
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News
Over the weekend of AyaCon on Sunday 18th August 2013 Manga Entertainment UK announced the release details of the of the highly anticipated Sword Art Online. Like the US release the UK edition will be released over 4 parts.
Release details are still to be confirmed, but they're aiming to release the first volume in December 2013 and the last volume by March 2014.
Read More... | Souce: Manga Entertainment UK
Category > Retail
The good folks from Genki Gear have got in touch with us to tell everyone about their summer sale. Otaku News readers can use the discount code SUMMERSALE (all one word), to get an extra 10% off the sale price of anything in our summer sale sections. This offer end 31st August 2013.
Souce: Genki Gear
Category > Cuisine
We've covered maid cafes before in both New York and London, but until now they've all been pop-up cafes set to run for a single day or weekend at time. We've been sent some interesting details about New York's first dedicated Maid Cafe, called Maid Cafe NY. It opens on Sunday August 18th 2013 at 150 Centre Street, Downtown, NY. The grand opening is set to run from 11am to 3:30pm.
Read More... | Souce: Maid Cafe NY
The good folks from the PBS Idea Channel have brought to our attention a rapid fire video, asking the question Does it Matter What Evangelion's Creator Says?
Read More... | Souce: PBS Idea Channel
Category > Events
The good folks from Hyper Japan have sent us details from the first day of their event. The 3 day event's third and final day is Sunday 28th July 2013. There's still lots of fun to be had! Including cosplay, culture and plenty of food.
Read More... | Souce: Hyper Japan
Category > Events
The good folks from London based Japanese Culture Festival Hyper Japan have got in touch to say that they're still looking for volunteers for the event. It's set to run from Friday 26th to Sunday 28th July 2013.
They are looking for people to help out at the Reception area. This includes queue control, ticket scan, workshop area and so on. You won't be able to choose what you do in this area, so just e-mail volunteer@hyperjapan.co.uk and mention that you'd like to help out at the reception area.
They're also looking for people to help out at the Sushi Awards as Serving staff. If you're interested contact eri@hyperjapan.co.uk.
Souce: Hyper Japan
The good folks from Manga Entertainment UK have got in touch with us about a unique opportunity in relation to Steins;Gate Part 2. They are giving people the chance to vote on what cover design they would like to see used on their DVD and Blu-ray release.
With Steins;Gate Part 1 out now on DVD and Blu-ray Manga Entertainment have used unique artwork. This is actually the original Japanese design that the licensor has given special permission to use, making this artwork a UK exclusive in English speaking territories.
For Steins;Gate Part 2, Manga Entertainment have been given that same chance, but they would like the Manga UK community to vote for which design they want on their shelf.
There are 3 designs to choose from and the cover that receives the most votes will be the one submitted for approval. The closing date to vote by is 11:59pm on Thursday 25th July. Only one vote per person.
Head over to http://www.mangauk.com/SteinsGateVote to cast your vote today!
Steins;Gate Part 2 comes to DVD and Blu-ray on 30th September.
Souce: Manga Entertainment UK
UK based anime fans will be pleased to hear that the good folks from Manga Entertainment UK have given us one copy of Steins Gate: Part 1 to give away.
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News
Category > Manga
The good people from Archaia Entertainment have sent us details of their new upcoming release an original hardcover graphic novel based on the manga classic Cyborg 009.
Produced directly in conjunction with Ishimori Production Inc. in Japan, this is version has clearly been produced with a more US Comic book feel that the original. The art has clearly been influenced by anime and manga, but it has a very western feel still.
Advance copies will debut at San Diego Comic-Con on July 19th, also known in Japan as Cyborg 009 Day, commemorating the date Ishinomori's original manga was published in Japan in 1964. For those not able to be at Comic-Con, the book goes on sale Sept. 11 2013.
Read More... | Souce: Archaia Entertainment
Category > Anime
To celebrate the launch of Kinmoza we've teamed up with Fosse Farm who were a key location in the show. You can win a chance to spend a night in Alice's Bedroom in the show!
Read More... | Souce: Fosse Farm
Category > Events
The good folks from NHK World have sent us details of their latest European adventures.
They'll be at the Japan Expo 2013 in Paris from 4th to 7th July 2013. NHK world will have a host of events at the Expo, highlights include a Shironuri Makeup Session with leading shironuri artist Minori.
We've been told that they'll also be at Hyper Japan 2013 in London on Friday 26th to Sunday 28th July 2013.
For the latest event schedule, please visit their Japan Expo 2013 Website.
UK based readers will be pleased to hear that you can now watch NHK World on Virgin Media Channel 625, along with FreeSat Channel 209 or on Sky Channel 507.
Read More... | Souce: NHK World
Category > Production
The good folks from Bang Zoom Entertainment have sent us details of an open audition they'll be holding for an up coming anime title. The auditions will be held at Anime Expo 2013 from July 4th-7th 2013. The anime title up for audition is yet to be revealed. They will be in search for talent with a variety of voices.
It's not every day you get a chance to audition for an anime voice acting role and be a part of the anime industry! It should be noted that Bang Zoom have been involved with a lot of major anime titles. Recent credits include Sword Art Online and Blue Exorcist.
Read More... | Souce: Bang Zoom Entertainment
Category > Events
The good folks from London based Japanese culture event Hyper Japan have sent us details of their 2013 event. It's set to run at Earl's Court Two from Friday 26th to Sunday 28th July 2013.
They've got something for every fan of Japan, from Food and drink to anime and cosplay. Fashion, J-Music and lots of lovely Japanese technology.
Read More... | Souce: Hyper Japan
Category > Anime
The good folks from new anime streaming site Daisuki.net have sent us details about their latest upcoming streams. They'll be simulcasting Monogatari Series Second Season and offering streams of the previous series - Bakemonogatari, Nisemonogatari and Nekomonogatari (Black).
Monogatari Series Second Season and Nekomonogatari (Black) will be avaiable for simulcast in the US, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. While Bakemonogatari and Nisemonogatari will be available in the US, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa.
They've also got 1,000 prizes to give away to anyone who registers on the site and applies for their give away.
Read More... | Souce: Daisuki.net
Category > Events
US based readers who can get to San Francisco should get ready for the 2013 J-POP Summit Festival. It's set to run in Japan Town in San Francisco on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th July 2013.
Get ready for weekend of Japanese Harajuku Fashion Culture, street styles and kawaii!
Read More... | Souce: J-POP Summit Festival
US Anime fans (and those who can watch Region 1 US DVDs) longing for a bit of nostalgia will be interested to hear about the US release of Samurai Pizza Cats The Complete Series from Discotek Media. This is a the dubbed edition with all the original crazy US dubbed dialogue and edits. It's available to pre-order on Amazon.com and direct from Discotek. It's due for release on July 30th 2013. The 8 disc set contains all 52 episodes. The Saturday morning show was a cult classic, but had a very limited release on DVD and VHS in the past. Where do you go when you want some pepperoni?! ^_^
If you want the original version in Japanese, with the original script, Discotek have already released it under the original title of Kyatto-Ninden Teyandee: Complete Uncut Japanese Language Collection. The subbed only version is available to buy on Amazon.com.
Souce: Discotek Media
Category > Events
The good folks from the MCM London Comic Con have sent us news of the next London event. We're still recovering from this May's London Comic con which saw over 76,000 visitors.
The next MCM London Comic Con is set to run from Friday 25th to Sunday 27th October 2013. To accomdate the huge number of visitors the event will for the first time be using both sides of the huge Excel centre, increasing their capacity from 25,000 to 34,000 square metres. That's a lot more space for cosplayers with big wings!
Read More... | Souce: MCM London Comic Con
This week is a good week for UK based anime company Anime Limited. They've just released 009 RE:Cyborg in UK cinemas and they're following up this with news of their next UK cinema release. In Winter 2013 they'll be releasing A Letter to Momo. The movie is directed by Hiroyuki Okiura, who is best known as the director behind Jin-Roh: Wolf Brigade. They're currently waiting for the dub to be completed in the USA before releasing it in UK cinemas.
Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited
Category > Art
Artistic readers in the UK will be pleased to hear about the annual Embassy of Japan Competition Manga Jiman. The theme for 2013 is voyages of discovery.
The competition is open to all legal UK residents who are over the age of 14 by 1st January 2014.
There's a great selection of prizes to be won, including the top prize of return air tickets to Japan!
You can see previous winners on Myebook.
Read More... | Souce: Manga Jiman Competition 2013
Category > Retail
The good folks from UK based anime and manga mail order firm United Publications have sent us news that they've got the exclusive stock of High School of the Dead: Drifters Of The Dead Edition (OVA Only). So if you've already got High School of The Dead and just want the OVA only, they're the ones to turn to.
Souce: United Publications
Category > Retail
It's almost time for the MCM London Comic Con which will run from Friday 24th to Sunday 26th May 2013. The good folks from t-shirt company Genki Gear have sent us a reminder about their MCM line up.
Read More... | Souce: Genki Gear
Category > Manga
The good folks from the Kansai Club have sent us details of their Kickstarter to get Osamu Tezuka's The Crater published in English. They intend to publish it as a limited edition run of 2,000 high quality copies.
This is not the first of Tezuka's works to be crowd funded for an English release. Last year DMP ran a successful Kickstarter to get Unico funded.
Read More... | Souce: Kansai Club\'s Kickstarter page
Category > Press Releases
It's almost that time again! The MCM London Comic Con weekend is set to run from Friday 24th to Sunday 26th May 2013. As you'd expect the great folks from Manga Entertainment UK will be there and they'll have lots of lovely things at their booth (number 510).
Cosplayers can have their photo taken for free, plus the best cosplayers can win hundreds of pounds worth of goodies! They'll also have exclusive prizes and offers. They've got DVDs starting at £2 and blu-rays starting at £5. So when you get to the Expo, head over to booth 510.
They've got a ton of prizes to give away too, including a hamper full of anime collectibles worth over £1,000.
Read More... | Souce: Manga Entertainment UK
Category > Manga
The good folks from GEN Manga have sent us details of their latest publication. They've just released their seinen title Alive into a single Tankobon - Alive - The Complete Series. Priced at $2.99 (USD) for a DRM free PDF download.
Read More... | Souce: GEN Manga
Category > Events
The good folks from the Comica Festival have sent us details of their latest event aimed at anime and manga fans in London. The Comica MangAsia is set to run on Saturday 18th May 2013 at Asia House in London. The fun starts at 11am and ends at 4:30pm.
The event includes talks and panels with anime and manga expert and writer Helen McCarthy. Sarah Rundle introduces Kamishibai, a form of traditional Japanese paper based storytelling.
Cosplay experts Emily Bastian and Adelaide Filippe will be there running a cosplay workshop. Plus Japanese manga artist Inko will be running a manga masterclass for those aged 16+.
Throughout the day there will be a free comic fair along with a tea room.
As always with these events, we advise booking in advance to avoid disappointment.
Read More... | Souce: Comica Festival
Category > Events
As May gets closer, so does the build up for the MCM London Comic Con, which is set to run from Friday 24th to Sunday 26th May 2013. As is tradition for the event the good folks at Genki Gear have prepared an exclusive T-shirt for the event. The theme this time around is the true meaning of emoticons!
Read More... | Souce: Genki Gear
Category > Events
London based fans of Japanese Metal music are in for a treat on Saturday 27th April 2013. Japan Underground returns for a Night of Mind Melting Japanese Metal. Brain Death Zombie will be there, so will Taigen Kawabe from Bo Ningen, along with London-based Japanese rock outfit Colors.
The fun is set to start at 7pm. Tickets are £5 in advance for £7 on the door.
As always details can be found on the Otaku Calendar.
Read More... | Souce: Japan Underground
Category > Events
Anime fans who can get to the MCM London Comic Con on Friday 24th to Sunday 26th May will be in for a real treat. Anime director Shinichiro Watanabe will be at the event as Anime Guest of Honour. The director is the man behind Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo and Kids On The Slope. He also directed two shorts on the Animatrix - Kid's Story and A Detective Story.
Attending all three days of the show, Shinichiro Watanabe will be taking part in on-stage panels and promoting both Anime Limited's upcoming HD release of Cowboy Bebop and the UK debut of his latest series, Kids On The Slope, released by MVM Entertainment.
Kids On The Slope is currently streaming on crunchyroll and is available to pre-order from Amazon.co.uk on DVD and Blu-rayand other retailers.
Cowboy Bebop Collectors Edition Part 1 is available to pre-order on Blu-ray.
Additionally, if you pre-order Cowboy Bebop from Amazon.co.uk or HMV and bring proof of the pre-order to the show you can receive an exclusive A4 Bebop print to get signed (while stocks last).
Read More... | Souce: MCM London Comic Con
Category > Anime
UK anime fans will want to head over to the BFI Southbank in London on Thursday 4th April 2013 for a very special screening of 009 Re:Cyborg. The director Kenji Kamiyama will be there for a QA session, he also directed the hugely popular Ghost in the Shell: SAC, along with Eden of the East.
If you're in the UK and can't get to London, fear not 009 Re:Cyborg will be hitting UK cinemas in June 2013. It'll be released by new anime company on the block Anime.Ltd.
Read More... | Souce: BFI Southbank
Category > Anime
UK anime fans will be pleased to hear that Film4 will be showing a season of wonderful Studio Ghibli Films. The season is timed for the Easter break and includes plenty of screenings on the free to air channel. The movies are set to run from Tuesday 26th March - Saturday 13th April 2013.
We updated the Otaku Calendar with all the details over the weekend.
The Oscar winning Spirited Away is the first film showing on Tuesday 26th March at 6.30pm.
You can view Film4 on:
Film 4 is on:
Free View: Channel 15
Freesat: Channel 300
Sky: Channel 315
Virgin: Channel 428
Virgin HD: Channel 429
Don't forget Film 4 +1 as well.
Freesat: Channel 301
Sky: Channel 316
Virgin: Channel 430
Souce: Film4
Category > Manga
On-line and legitimate manga streaming service JManga will be shutting down it's retail and viewing services on May 30th 2013. In other words it's shutting down in it's current form. The site started offering manga to view on-line from 27th December 2010. It was formed by an industry group of 39 Japanese publishers.
They launched in North America on August 17th 2011, and later expanded out globally in February 2012.
They worked on a subscription model, allowing readers to buy points in order to redeem manga.
All JManga Members will be issued Amazon Gift Cards for use on Amazon.com as a substitute the amount of unused JManga Paid Points (terms and conditions apply).
Read More... | Souce: JManga
Category > Anime
UK Studio Ghibli Fans will be pleased to hear that Studio Canal will be releasing the classic Miyazaki movie Kiki's Delivery Service on Blu-ray on Monday 27th May 2013. Details are not yet up on the Studio Canal website. You can pre-order the title from Amazon.co.uk.
The title will also be released in Australia by Madman on Wednesday 22nd May 2013.
Souce: Otaku Calendar
Category > Manga
The good folks Gen Manga have sent us details of their latest publication. The publisher bringing us Indie Manga from the Tokyo Underground has branched out to Korean Manhwa, releasing Gen Manhwa featuring a title called Stone Collector.
Gen also tell us they intend to branch out to monthly one shot tankobon type titles. That and they've just released Sorako as a complete digital collection and intend to publish it as a printed edition with some help from a Kick Starter campaign.
Read More... | Souce: GEN Manga
Anime fans in the UK will be pleased to hear that MVM Entertainment will be releasing Kids On The Slope Complete Collection on DVD and blu-ray on 24th June 2013. The show is currently available to watch on Crunchyroll. The series is directed by Shinichiro Watanabe (who is best known for Cowboy Bebop and Macross Plus) with music by Yoko Kanno (who is best know for the music behind Cowboy Bebop and Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex).
You can pre-order the DVD and blu-ray from MVM's mail order website Anime-on-line. However due to security issues with the site last year, we suggest using a more secure retailer.
Souce: Otaku Calendar
Fans of pirate adventures will be pleased to hear that Manga Entertainment UK will be releasing One Piece! The first DVD release will be One Piece Collection 1 Episodes 1-26 Uncut, it's due out 27th May 2013. As it's the uncut edition they won't have any weird digital editing with Sanji's cigarettes replaced with lollipops.
You can pre-order the collections off Amazon.co.uk:
One Piece Collection 1 Episodes 1-26 Uncut - Release date 27th May 2013
One Piece Collection 2 Episodes 27-53 Uncut - Release date 1st July 2013
One Piece Collection 3 Episodes 54-78 Uncut - Release date 23rd September 2013
One Piece Collection 4 Episodes 79-103 Uncut - Release date 11th November 2013
Souce: Manga Entertainment UK