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
Category > Retail
Otaku photographers who want to tell the world they love Neon Genesis Evangelion will be pleased to hear about the new PENTAX Q10 Evangelion model. Available in 3 colour schemes - Unit 01, Asuka and Rei. They'll be released this April 2013.
The cameras are special limited edition models, with only 1,500 of each colour scheme produced. They all have NERV branding and will only be available in Japan. We suspect they'll be perfect for photographing Evangelion cosplayers! We've covered Evangelion merchandise before and can report that this isn't the craziest product tie in.
Read More... | Souce: Pentax Japan
Category > Anime
Moe anime fans who like the adventures of a certain light music club will be pleased to hear that Sentai Filmworks have the license for K-On the movie. The anime series proved to be hugely popular with fans and even caused an increase in demand for certain electric guitars. The movie will be released in the US on DVD and Blu-ray on May 21st 2013. The DVD retails for $29.98 while the blu-ray retails for $39.98. Both discs will be subbed and dubbed.
Read More... | Souce: Sentai Filmworks
Category > Press Releases
The good folks from Neo Magazine have sent us details of issue 107. It's out now from all good news agents.
Read More... | Souce: NEO Magazine
New UK anime company on the block Anime Limited have just announced on Twitter (and other social media) that their first title will be Cowboy Bebop on DVD and Blu-ray. It'll be released sometime in Q3 of 2013. The TV show has been released in the UK a few times on DVD before but has been out of print for a while and UK copies of the DVD are hard to find.
It has never been released on blu-ray in the UK. A hi-def version of the series has the potential to look amazing as the series was cel animated with some CGI, if done properly the blu-ray release would be worth grabbing!
The series was voted number 2 on the top anime of all time list by 11,700 Newtype USA readers (Neon Genesis Evangelion the TV show was voted number 1).
Cowboy Bebop, like Evangelion is one of those landmark must have titles that all anime fans should see. Additionally, Bebop isn't just about the anime, it's also about the music, The Seatbelts (Yoko Kanno's band) do an amazing job on the Bebop soundtrack.
Souce: Anime Limited Twitter Feed
Category > Press Releases
US-based anime streaming company Crunchyroll announces release of app for Xbox 360 game console.
Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll
Category > Culture
The good folks from NHK World have sent us details of their December 2012 highlights have sent us details of their December Highlights.
The works of surreal comedian Kentaro Kobayashi should be of particular interest to all!
The station broadcasts content in English and is free to access. It's available in many countries.
In the UK if you have Sky you can access NHK World on Channel 507. If you've got FreeSat you can access it on channel 209.
Failing that, you can also watch the show on-line on the NHK Website, JIB TV, or on the NHK World App on iOS Devices (iPhone, iPad, etc) and Android Devices.
Read More... | Souce: NHK World
Category > Press Releases
The good folks from Neo Magazine have sent us details of the latest issue - 105. It's out now from all good news agents.
Read More... | Souce: NEO Magazine
Category > Press Releases
The good folks from Hyper Japan have sent us details of their last event run in November 2012, and are delighted to report the event had the biggest footfall ever.
Read More... | Souce: Hyper Japan Christmas 2012
Category > Manga
The good folks from GEN Manga have just release their latest Issue GEN 16.
This issue continues the instalments of Psycho, Android Angels, Stones of Power, Anomal and Alive.
Read More... | Souce: GEN Manga
Category > Events
Hyper Japan Christmas 2012 is almost here! The premier Japanese Culture event will run from Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th November 2012 in Earl's Court London.
Along with a great line up of music, they've also sent us details that legendary rock guitarist Tomoyasu Hotei will appear at Hyper Japan. Tomoyasu Hotei, will pay a guest visit to the event on Friday 23rd November at 6:00pm.
This will be the first time in over a decade that he has performed in the UK. Vistors at Hyper Japan will be treated to a live rendition of Battle Without Honour or Humanity (also known as the Kill Bill Theme).
He'll also be playing a special one off gig in London in December 2012.
Read More... | Souce: Hyper Japan Christmas 2012
Category > Retail
Every so often we get sent product details we just have to shout about. Something so amazing, so just wow, they need to be documented, the word needs to be spread about them. A while ago we covered some interesting Evangelion products, and what we've just discovered is just as awesome.
Viz Media have sent us details of new mashup - Street Fighter x Sanrio where the characters from Street Fighter and Sanrio combine. We know many fans have been anticipating this combination since the famed Gloomy Bear x Hello Kitty.
The characters are as follows:
Hello Kitty is Chun Li
Badtz-Maru is Ryu
Pochacco is Ken
My Melody is Cammy
Keroppi is Blanka
Purin is Zangief
Tuxedosam is E.Honda
Hangyodon is Guile
Monkichi is Dhalsim,
Kuromi is M.Bison.
To celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Street Fighter they've released two new books Street Fighter x Sanrio: World View and Street Fighter X Sanrio: Sticker Book. Both are available to buy now.
Order Street Fighter X Sanrio: World View from:
Amazon.co.uk
Amazon.com
Order Street Fighter X Sanrio Sticker Book from:
Amazon.co.uk
Amazon.com
Read More... | Souce: Viz Media
Category > Events
It's getting closer to Hyper Japan Christmas 2012, which is set to run from Friday 23rd November to Sunday 26th November 2012.
The international arm of Japanese broadcaster NHK will be there to promote their international channel NHK World.
The station broadcasts content in English and is free to access. If you have Sky you can access NHK World on Channel 507. If you've got FreeSat you can access it on channel 209.
Failing that, you can also watch the show on-line on the NHK Website, JIB TV, or on the NHK World App on iOS Devices (iPhone, iPad, etc) and Android Devices.
Fans of Kawaii will be pleased to hear that the station will be looking for people wearing Kawaii Fashion at Hyper Japan for their Kawaii International show. Some stylish attendees to Hyper Japan might be added to the show's Facebook page, or even featured on the show itself!
At the NHK World booth (C6 at Hyper Japan), they'll also be showing Itadakimasu! Dining with the Chef, so you can learn about Japanese cooking techniques.
So if you're going to Hyper Japan this weekend, swing by the NHK World World booth C6.
Read More... | Souce: NHK World
Category > Events
We've received some exciting news about Tomoyasu Hotei the man behind the Kill Bill Theme Tune - Battle Without Honour or Humanity.
On Tuesday 18th December the guitar guru will be performing a special one off show at the London Roundhouse.
Read More... | Souce: Tomoyasu Hotei
Category > Press Releases
The good folks from the London MCM Expo have sent us the attendance figures details from the October Event. The London MCM Expo which ran from Friday 26th to Sunday 28th October 2012 smashed all previous records with more than 70,000 visitors!
Read More... | Souce: London MCM Expo
UK based anime fans will be pleased to hear that the good folks from Manga Entertainment UK have given us one copy of Puella Magi Madoka Magica: The Complete Series to give away on Blu-ray.
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News
Category > Anime
London based readers who enjoy the violent action anime movie that is Ninja Scroll will want to get to the Hackney Picturehoue on Friday 16th November 2012. They'll be screening a special premiere of Ninja Scroll, the premium ticket includes admission to the movie along with a standard edition copy of the movie on blu-ray and a limited edition world exclusive signed poster by Sam Gilbey.
Only 300 tickets are available to this event. To make things even more awesome Manga Entertainment will give away a bundle of goodies worth £500 including some of their best selling titles.
Read More... | Souce: Hackney Picturehouse
Category > Websites
In the Otaku News labs we are always thinking about the best way to spread the latest news to people who love Japan.
A lot of the news we publish is about things that have a fixed date like events and releases, the sort of things that belong in a calendar. So we decided to build an Otaku Calendar, listing what's on and where to help every fan answer that nagging question:
"I'm new to fandom, what can I do in my area this month?"
Otaku Calendar is designed to be a sister site to Otaku News. We'll still cover all the stuff we normally do here, but the events will be organised differently on the Otaku Calendar.
Our ultimate (and somewhat impossible) goal is to list every event and release date of interest to otaku. In order to so we'll need volunteers to populate the calendar with events from around the world! If you're interested in helping out please get in touch by e-mail webmaster@otakunews.com.
If you've got any feedback or suggestions too, please feel free to let us know.
Souce: Otaku Calendar
Category > Events
As if anime fans in London already needed an excuse to go to Hyper Japan Christmas 2012 at Earls Court on November Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th 2012, the good folks running the event have just told us that Hisamitsu Ishikawa (CEO of Studio IG and the producer of Ghost In The Shell) will be there. He'll be giving a special talk at the event. So if you haven't booked tickets already, you should now!
Souce: Hyper Japan
Category > Events
London based fans of Japanese music will want to go to Japan Underground for their 4 Female Fronted Band night on Friday 19th October 2012 from 7pm. Tickets are £8 on the door or £5 in advance or with a flyer.
Read More... | Souce: Japan Underground
Category > Press Releases
We've received some interesting news from the MCM Expo Group, the company behind the London MCM Expo, who have just announced that they've acquired MyM Magazine. The terms of the acquisition have not been made public.
Read More... | Souce: London MCM Expo
London based anime fans are in for a treat this week with the 56th BFI London Film Festival. Fans will want to catch the screenings of Wolf Children - Ookami Kodomo no Ame to Yuki.
Screening Details as follows:
Thursday 11 October 2012, 12:45, VUE West End
Saturday 13 October 2012, 12:15, VUE West End
Sunday 14 October 2012, 13:00, Rich Mix
Read More... | Souce: 56th BFI London Film Festival
Category > Events
Christmas has come early for UK based fans of Japanese culture! Hyper Japan is set to return to Brompton Hall, Earl's Court in London for Hyper Japan Christmas 2012. The event is set to run from Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th November 2012.
They'll have all sorts of fun including traditional Japanese food, culture and music, along with the modern elements that make Japan cool.
Read More... | Souce: Hyper Japan
Category > Events
Artistic UK based readers in Hertfordshire who can get to St Albans will want to visit to the Museum of St Albans, Hatfield Road on Friday 5th October 2012. There launching a new project to create a manga book inspired by the theme of the Magna Carta, called the Manga Carta.
The fun starts at 5pm and is set to run until 8pm. Entrance is free. All ages welcome, 14s must be accompanied by an adult.
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News
Fans of GLAY in New York will want to head over the to Big Cinemas Manhattan Theatre, located at 239 East 59th Street (between 2nd and 3rd Ave) at 8:30pm on Friday October 12th 2012 for the Premiere of the GLAY Convert Film - Live 2012 The Suite Room in Osaka Nagai Stadium.
Read More... | Souce: Live Viewing Japan
Category > Events
Manga Entertainment at the London MCM Expo October 2012
The good folks at Manga Entertainment have sent us details of what they'll be doing at the London MCM Expo, on Friday 26h October to Sunday 28th October 2012.
Highlights include-
Exclusive signings with Liam O'Brien who is best known as Gaara from Naruto.
Cosplay Area
Viz Media Bookshop
Plus a DVD sale with prices starting from £1.
Read More... | Souce: Manga Entertainment UK
Category > Retail
It's that time of year again! The fun is about to begin for the MCM Expo London Comic Con at the Excel Centre in London on Friday 26th to Sunday 28th October 2012. To celebrate the event popular t-shirt creator Genki Gear will be releasing their traditional exclusive t-shirt for the event.
The theme this time around is very cute!
Read More... | Souce: Genki Gear
Category > Anime
US anime label Sentai Filmworks announces three licence acquisitions for release in US/Canada in late 2012 via Digital Distribution, DVD and Blu Ray.
Read More... | Souce: Sentai Filmworks
UK based anime fans will be pleased to hear that the good folks from Manga Entertainment UK have given us two copies of Fullmetal Alchemist Movie 2: The Sacred Star of Milos to give away on Blu-ray.
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News
Press release as follows:
London based anime fans looking for some Japanese based cinema should already be aware of The Zipangu Fest Film Festival. It runs from Friday 14th September to Sunday 16th September 2012.
They've just announced Somi - The Taekwon-do Woman will on the opening night.
Read More... | Souce: Zipangu Fest
The good folks from the Zipangu Fest Film Festival have sent us the details for their 2012 film line up!
The 3rd Zipangu Fest is set to take place at The Cinema Museum in Kennington, South London from September 14th to 16th 2012.
Anime fans will be interested in their beyond anime strand.
They'll be showing -
The Great Rabbit on Friday 14 September 2012 at 7:00pm
A magical hand-drawn animation that is also a profound conundrum.
Midori-ko on
Sunday 16 September 2012 at 2:30pm
A university researcher protects a human/vegetable hybrid in a dystopic dark fantasy that took ten years to complete.
The Echo of Astro Boy's Footsteps on Sunday 16 September 2012 at 12:30pm
Riveting, unpredictable and moving documentary about the mysterious double life of the pioneering Astro Boy sound designer Matsuo Ohno.
They've also got a great line up of live action films too.
Read More... | Souce: Zipangu Fest
UK based anime fans who are awaiting the highly anticipated blu-ray release of Ninja Scroll will be pleased to hear that it's due out on Monday 26th November 2012. Manga Entertaiment UK will be releasing a special limited edition Blu-ray/DVD Steelbook, along with separate Blu-ray and DVD editions.
You can pre-order the steel book edition now on Amazon.co.uk.
Read More... | Souce: Manga Entertainment UK
Category > Retail
The good folks from Neo Magazine have sent us details of the latest issue - 101. It's out now from all good news agents. It includes a double cover with Blue Exorcist on one side and Graces f on the other (plus articles relating to said covers). That and a four page preview of the highly anticipated Level 5 and Studio Ghibli Game Ni no Kuni.
Read More... | Souce: NEO Magazine
UK anime fans looking for something different, will want to give Gyo: Tokyo Fish Attack a try.
The title is due out on Monday 20th August 2012 and is available for pre-order now. We haven't seen it yet, and we're unsure how to pitch this, perhaps it's the cure for watching too many moe titles?! Forget regular zombies, a fish that sprout legs and attacks the land is not something you hear about everyday!
Read More... | Souce: Terracotta Distribution
Category > Events
UK based gamers keen to head over to the Tokyo Game Show this September 2012, will want to take a look at Japan Journeys Tokyo Game Show Tour Package. The 9 night tour spans from 16th to 24th September 2012 and includes flights, transfers, breakfast hotel accommodation, along with all the entrance fees to places on the tour.
Read More... | Souce: Japan Journeys
Category > Events
We've just been sent some interesting details from the World Cosplay Summit UK Team, who are currently in Japan representing the country for the finals! So cheer them on this Saturday 4th August 2012. You can keep up with their adventures on their blog. They won the UK finals and in turn flights to Japan, and the chance to represent the UK at lots of fun events such as parties and parades along with the World Cosplay Summit Championship. The WCS is broadcast live on TV to an audience of 10 million.
You too can win the chance to represent the UK in the 2013 World Cosplay Summit. To do so, check out Hyper Japan's website.
Read More... | Souce: Cosplay Odyssey: Japan 2012
UK based anime fans will be pleased to hear that the good folks from Manga Entertainment UK have given us a copy of Panty and Stocking With Garter Belt Complete Series Collection on DVD to give away to one lucky reader.
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News
Category > Manga
The good folks from GEN Manga have just release their latest Issue GEN 13.
They continue the titles Android Angels, One Is Enough, Stones Of Power, Anomal, and Alive, plus issue 13 introduces a new title - Psycho.
GEN will be giving away a short preview version of GEN 13 for free this month.
GEN have also just released Wolf as a single tankobon for $4.99 (USD).
Read More... | Souce: GEN Manga
Category > Events
London based Studio Ghibli fans will be pleased and surprised to hear about the world's first staging of Princess Mononoke. Hayao Miyazaki's renowned title is being transferred to the stage by the Whole Hog Theatre Company.
The performance will use be using "giant puppets made from recycled materials, visceral, physical storytelling and original live music".
This project has been in the works for over a year.
Performances are set to take place from Tuesday 2nd to Saturday 6th April 2013 at the New Diorama Theatre in London. Tickets are available now for £12.50 or £10.50 for concessions.
Update: The tickets have sold out for the weekend already, you can still buy tickets for the Wednesday.
Read More... | Souce: New Diorama Theatre
Category > Events
UK based fans of Japanese cinema will be pleased to hear of the return of the Zipganu Fest. The Japanese film festival is set to return from Friday 14th September until Sunday 16th September 2012 at the Cinema Museum in Kennington, South London.
Following the main event the festival will be touring around the UK.
Read More... | Souce: Zipangu Fest