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
London based anime fans who fancy seeing Akira on the big screen should head over the Gate Picture House in Notting Hill. There will be two screenings one on Friday 20 Jul 2012 at 11pm and the other on Saturday 21 Jul 2012 at 11pm.
Read More... | Souce: Gate Picture House
Category > Retail
Following on from the Neo 100th Issue Party, we've been sent the details of the 100th Issue of Neo Magazine, the UK's longest anime and manga magazine. Issue 100 is out now from all good magazine retailers.
Read More... | Souce: NEO Magazine
Category > Press Releases
The lovely people from Third Window Films have sent us the details of their new DVD and blu-ray release of the live action movie Love Exposure, which is due out in the UK on Monday 6th August 2012.
This is to coincide with the DVD and blu-ray of Sion Sono's newest film Himizu.
Readers may remember this film was shown on Film 4 a while back.
Read More... | Souce: Third Window Films
The good folks from Third Window Films have sent us the details of their new DVD and blu-ray release of the live action movie Himizu, which is due out in the UK on Monday 6th August 2012.
Read More... | Souce: Third Window Films
Category > Events
Anime inspired t-shirt brand Mayamada have sent us details of an event they're running in London on Friday 20th July from 6pm until 11pm. Those interested in anime inspired t-shirt designs should head over to dessert shop Tutti Frutti near Covent Garden Tube station.
You'll have a first chance to look at the their designs. All ticket holders will also recive 20% frozen yoghurt on the night, plus a chance to win prizes. The event is free, but you'll have to grab tickets as space is limited.
Read More... | Souce: Mayamada
Category > Press Releases
Long ago on 25th November 2004 a new anime and manga magazine launched in the UK. Almost 8 years later, Neo Magazine is still going strong and has hit the 100 issue mark.
To celebrate it's 100th issue they'll be throwing a party in London on Saturday 7th July 2012. Everyone is invited to the free party, which starts at 8pm at the Bloomsbury Lanes. The party is for over 18's only, ID is required.
Read More... | Souce: NEO Magazine
UK based anime fans will be pleased to hear that the good folks from Manga Entertainment UK have given us a copy of a copy of Dragon Ball Z-Complete Season One on DVD and Welcome to the Space Show on Blu-Ray to give away to one lucky reader.
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News
Category > Events
London based fans of Maids and food will want to head to Camden Town on Sunday 15th July 2012 (after being postponed from last month). The Hellenic Restaurant will play host to the Japanese Maid Cafe.
Entry is £25 in advance which includes a 3-course meal and entry to the event. The food will be prepared on site by a qualified Japanese chef.
They'll have 3 sessions:
13:00 to 15:00
15:30 to 17:30
18:00 to 20:00
The maid cafe will also give you the opportunity to play a selection of games with them (for £2 per game per person). Souvenir poloroid photos can also be taken on the day at a cost of £5 per photo.
Read More... | Souce: Japanese Maid Cafe London
US anime licenser Sentai Filmworks has announced they have licensed the Makoto Shinkai movie Children Who Chase Lost Voices, for release later this year. The company has stated that the film will get a DVD and Blu-Ray release.
Read More... | Souce: Sentai Filmworks
Category > Press Releases
The good folks at Neo Magazine have sent us the details of their 99th Issue. Out now this issue is spicy to say the least, as it features Spice and Wolf, along with the usual selection of exclusive features.
The numerate among you will also notice that the next issue due out in 4 weeks is issue 100, so no doubt Neo will have something special lined up.
Read More... | Souce: NEO Magazine
Category > Press Releases
US publisher VIZ Manga announces plans to simultaneously publish the 13th volume of the popular manga in English on November 2nd 2012.
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News
Category > Press Releases
NEO Magazine launches campaign to find their ultimate fan in celebration for their 100th issue.
The winner will have a lifetime subscription to the magazine and have their photo featured in the 100th issue.
Read More... | Souce: NEO Magazine
Category > Press Releases
Namco Bandai Games UK announces an online community for fans of their Tales Of series of computer games.
Read More... | Souce: Namco Bandai Games UK
Category > Events
Japanese J-pop girl Berryz Kobo to perform at US convention AnimeNEXT on 6-8th of June 2012. The band wants fans to pick one of their songs to headline their concert at the convention.
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News
Category > Events
Piano rock musician HITT to play at the after party for Japan Underground VS. NEO Magazine After Party on Saturday 26th of May 2012 at Bloomsbury Lane in London.
Read More... | Souce: Japan Underground VS. NEO Magazine Facebook Page
Category > Retail
UK based anime fans will be pleased to hear that the good folks from Manga Entertainment UK have given us a copy of a copy of Ghost In The Shell on Blu-Ray (Double Play edition) to give away to one lucky reader.
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News
Category > Gaming
The good folks from Namco Bandai have sent us details of the Tales of Graces f, which is due out in Europe (that includes the UK), the Middle East and Australia on Friday 31st August 2012.
If you can't wait until then to play it, you should head over to the London MCM Expo from Friday 25th May to Sunday 27th May 2012. Tales of Graces F will be demoed from 5pm to 5:30pm on the Saturday. Namco Bandai will also be demoing the highly anticipated game made in conjunction with Studio Ghibli and Level 5 - Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch from 6pm to 6:30pm. Fans looking for some kinect action should go to the Sunday 10:30 to 11am demo of Dragon Ball Z Kinect.
Read More... | Souce: Namco Bandai
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... | Souce: GEN Manga
Category > Retail
The good folks at NEO have just sent us the details about their latest issue. NEO 98 is due out on Thursday 17th May 2012 from all good newsagents, Tesco and WH Smith. It features plenty of Dragon Ball Z, along with other articles on titles such as Ozma.
Read More... | Souce: NEO Magazine
Category > Events
Fans of Japanese culture will want to head over to Brighton from Friday 22nd June until Sunday 1st July 2012 for the return of the Brighton Japan Festival.
There will be plenty to see and do, including not one, but two matsuri festivals, a film festival, Japanese music and performances, traditional children's games, cosplay and so much more.
Read More... | Souce: Brighton Japan Festival
Category > Events
The successful London based Japanese culture event Hyper Japan have just announced the date for their next event. Hyper Japan 2012 Christmas is set to run from Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th November 2012 at Earls Court in London. So save the date!
Read More... | Souce: Hyper Japan
London based fans of classic Japanese cinema will want to head over the to Barbican on 2pm Saturday 2nd of June 2012 to catch a special screening of Akira Kurosawa's Throne of Blood. This will include a screen talk by director Yukio Ninagawa.
Yukio Ninagawa also directed Cymbeline, which will be performed the Ninagawa Company and will run at the Barbican Theatre from at 7:15pm on Tuesday 29th May to Saturday 2nd June 2012.
Read More... | Souce: Barbican
Category > Events
The London MCM Expo is on the horizon for Friday 25th to Sunday 27th May 2012. If you're going and are artistic you will be pleased to hear that Letraset will be running a manga alley art competition. The theme for May's competition is Splish-Splash. The competition is divided into 2 categories, over 16 and under 16.
They'll be a great line up of over £120 worth of prizes for the winners, with plenty of goodies for runners up too.
Read More... | Souce: Letraset
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... | Souce: Nyu Media
Category > Events
With the London Comic Con MCM Expo just over a month away things are starting to rev up for it. T-shirt company Genki Gear have just unveiled their exclusive design for the May event, which is set to run from Friday 25th to Sunday 27h May 2012.
The t-shirt is available for pre-order from Genki Gear. You can collect at the Genki Gear stall at the Expo, or have it posted out to you after the event.
Read More... | Souce: Genki Gear
Category > Retail
The good folks from UK anime, manga and Asian pop culture publication NEO magazine have sent us the details of their latest issue. It's out now both on the high street and digital outlets.
Read More... | Souce: NEO Magazine
Category > Events
The London MCM Expo is more than a month away, things have started to rev up for the event already. On Saturday 26th of May 2012 the folks from Japan Underground and Neo Magazine have teamed up to host a night of Japanese and Korean music. The event will be held at Bloomsbury Lanes, a 5 minute walk from London's Euston Station. They'll be supplying a selection of party-rocking tunes from Japan's alternative scenes.
The event is over 18's only and entry is £5 on the door. Valid photographic ID will be required.
Read More... | Souce: Japan Underground
Fans of Japanese cinema in the UK will be pleased to hear about Third Window films latest cinema release. Mitsuko Delivers which has a due date of Friday 11th May 2012.
It'll open at the ICA in London and selected regional sites.
Read More... | Souce: Third Window films
For those cinema buffs in London looking for some Far Eastern cinema should head over to the Prince Charles Cinema in Chinatown to cat the Terracotta Film Festival from Thursday 12th April 2012 until Sunday 15th April 2012.
Ghibli fans will be interested in From up on Poppy Hill the studio's latest offering which will be shown on Friday 13th April 2012. It is from Goro Miyazaki, who also directed Tales From Earthsea.
The Terror Cotta Horror night triple bill does look like great fun!
Read More... | Souce: Terracotta Far East Film Festival
Category > Anime
The good folks from Manga Entertainment UK have sent us the details from their big licensing announcements at the Birmingham MCM Expo.
The big title in the line up is without doubt the highly anticipated Puella Magi Madoka Magica. Cosplay favourites Panty And Stocking With Garter Belt is dude for 2012 too. Along with Squid Girl which you may have caught on Crunchy Roll.
Read More... | Souce: Manga Entertainment UK
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... | Souce: Stereopony Offical Facebook Page
Category > Events
The good folks from UK anime, manga and Asian pop culture publication NEO magazine have sent us the details of their latest issue. It's out now both on the high street and digital outlets.
Read More... | Souce: NEO Magazine
Category > Events
London based readers looking for some art and culture will want to head over to the ICN Gallery 96-98 Leonard Street, London EC2A 4RH to see Part 1 of What is Ukiyo-e? The exhibition covers the popular and well known wood block prints, including Hokusai's famous Great wave Off Kanagawa.
The exhibition is set to run from Thursday 5th April to Saturday 28th April 2012 (please note the gallery is closed Sundays).
Read More... | Souce: ICN Gallery
Category > Manga
We've just been sent details from the good folk at GEN Manga about their latest release - Kamen Volume 1. The title will be available across the US through all good Diamond Comic Distributors and on Graphicly. You can also download the title from the GEN Manga Website.
Fans of comic books will be interested to hear that Marvel artist Harvey Tolibao did the cover for Kamen.
Read More... | Souce: GEN Manga
The good folks at Manga UK have sent us details an eagerly expected title Mardock Scramble: The First Compression. The 18 Rated title is use out on Blu-ray and DVD on Monday 16th April 2012.
We've reviewed a cinema screening of Mardock Scramble: The First Compression.
Read More... | Souce: Manga Entertainment UK
Category > Manga
The good people from JManga.com have just gone international. To celebrate the on-line manga service have launched a sign up promotion for new members.
From the Thursday 8th March 2012 to Wednesday 14th March 2012 if you sign up for a paid subscription you'll receive 5 books worth of bonus points with a $25 monthly subscription and 2 books worth of points a $10 subscription.
Read More... | Souce: JManga.com
Category > Events
Fans of new Japanese guitar acts will want to head over to London on Saturday 24th March 2012 to catch ASIDBLOW at Japan Underground Club night. The popular club event is set to run at a newly established rock venue The Pipeline 94 Middlesex Street, E1 7DA (in Liverpool Street). The event is set to start at 7pm.
Read More... | Souce: Japan Underground
Category > Events
London Based fans of Final Fantasy will want to keep Friday 2nd November 2012 free as that's when the Distant Worlds: Celebrating 25 years of Final Fantasy concert hits the Royal Albert Hall.
The Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra plus choir will be performing. Arnie Roth is the Conductor and Nobuo Uematsu will be in attendance too.
Tickets will start from £25 to £65, plus there's a special VIP meet and greet ticket for £125 which gets you lots of great things.
We know the event is in November, so why are we mentioning it now? Tickets go on Sale on Thursday 15th March 2012 9am London Time. As always with popular events we advise booking early to avoid disappointment, but with this we can't emphasise this enough.
Read More... | Souce: Distant Worlds music from Final Fantasy
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... | Souce: JManga.com
Category > Press Releases
The good folks from UK anime, manga and Asian pop culture publication NEO magazine have sent us the details of their latest issue. It's due to hit the shelves on Thursday 23rd February 2012 (available from WH Smith, Tesco and all good newsagents). It features their round up of the greatest anime movies of all time, with their own top 10 list, along with reader contributions.
Plus previews of anime, along with all the usual features and articles you'd expect. K-Pop fans will want to read the article on Korea's Japanese pop invasion with an analysis of the Oricon charts. We're interested in reading the report on the continuing aid efforts in Japan following the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami of 2011.
Read More... | Souce: NEO Magazine
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... | Souce: Sentai Filmworks