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Japanese Animation and the World of Koji Yamaura. Free Event

Date: 2006 September 01 16:45 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

London based anime fans will want to head over to the Japan Foundation for their free event Bringing Pictures to Life - Japanese Animation and the World of Koji Yamamura. It's set to run on October 16th at 6:30pm, although it's free, booking is essential (if you do book don't forget to mention you found this through Otaku News). Anime expert Helen McCarthy will also be giving a talk about Japanese animation.

It's good to see that the Japan Foundation will be doing this, and hopefully they'll be having other events like this in the future.

The Japan Foundation is near Russell Square Tube station, a short walk from The British Museum and Gosh comics, which is known to stock a nice selection of manga.

Geisha Advertise On-line

Date: 2006 August 21 17:22 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

In a really good of example of the traditional world colliding with the high-tech world, the Mainichi Daily News are running an interesting article about adverts for apprentice geisha Kyoto. Recently the number of applicants had steadily started to drop, until an enterprising teahouse started blogging about the experience of being an apprentice geisha and started posting adverts for applications.

Souce: Mainichi Daily News

IMAF 2006 Launches

Date: 2006 July 20 15:48 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Art

The good folks from IMAF have got in touch with us to tell everyone about their third International Manga and Anime Festival, which will run on Friday 10th to Tuesday 14th November 2006, at the usual venue of County Hall, Westminster, London.

If you're like me and can't draw you can go and look at all the lovely artwork submitted. On the other hand if you are artistically talented you can enter for a chance to win part of the $85,000 overall prize fund! Entrants take note, the deadline is 30th September, 2006, no later than 5:30pm. This is a real chance to show how skilled you are and can lead to even things. So get scribbling!

Japanese Prime Minister To Visit Graceland

Date: 2006 June 29 03:18 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Current Affairs

While attending talks between US President George W Bush and Japan's Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, the two leaders will pay a special visit to a very American home. They will be visiting Graceland the famous house of rock and roll legend Elvis Presley.

According to BBC News this is widely seen as a thank you gesture from Mr Bush to Mr Koizumi, who is known to be a huge Elvis fan. Mr Koizumi has even released a CD with a selection of his favourite Elvis songs. The Japanese PM is such a dedicated fan he helped fund a statue of the King which now stands in Harajuku.

Souce: BBC News

Beatrix Potter Home Clone

Date: 2006 June 13 15:14 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

Many Japanese people love Beatrix Potter's stories especially the tales of Peter Rabbit. According to BBC News, although her characters are very well known, it seems that the author isn't. Tokyo Zoo hope to readdress this balance and have built an almost exact replica of her home. Since Japanese buildings have to be earthquake proof a few adjustments had to be made, but apparently it's almost a brick by brick exact copy!

Souce: BBC News

After School Pressures in Japan

Date: 2006 June 10 09:38 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

BBC News has an interesting article about the hectic life of the average Japanese school child. It seems little Yataro spends a lot of his time when out of school in evening and weekend extra curricular activities. In an average week he would go to swimming, abacus, piano, judo, football and English classes, along with keeping up with his homework. It's not clear from the article how old Yataro is, only stating that he's a Tokyo journalists young son. What is clear from the article is that putting huge amounts of work on children like this is common in Japan. We were well aware of cram school, but never knew it went this far!

Souce: BBC News

Neon Genesis Evangelion Features

Date: 2006 May 09 17:41 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The Mainichi Daily News are currently running an interesting set of features about Neon Genesis Evangelion, they contain all sorts of great bits of information. Be warned there a lot of spoilers in each article!

Evangelion Special: From phenomenon to legacy - Forms an overview of the series and how it differs from previous anime titles, along with the impact Eva had on the Japanese media and public.

Evangelion Special: For producer Otsuki, success not always a bed of roses - Interviews producer Toshimichi Otsuki who talks about some of the history of Evangelion and the difficulties in being a producer, along with how influential Eva is.

Evangelion Special: Genesis of a major manga - Focuses on the history of Gainax and the origins of Evangelion, fans of Gunbuster will already know that this is referred to as it's original Japanese title Top wo Nerae!" (Aim for the Top).

Then they have the episode synopsis which form a brief outline of each episode.

Evangelion Episode Synopsis - Episodes 1 to 5
Evangelion Episode Synopsis - Episodes 6 to 10
Evangelion Episode Synopsis - Episodes 11 to 15
Evangelion Episode Synopsis - Episodes 16 to 20
Evangelion Episode Synopsis - Episodes 21 to 26

Souce: Mainichi Daily News

Foreign Minister Proposes Awards For Anime

Date: 2006 May 09 10:32 | Posted By: Jeremy

Category > Current Affairs

Japan's Foreign Minister proposes Nobel Prize-like awards for anime and manga artists.

Learning Japanese with Manga

Date: 2006 May 04 17:11 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

Fed up of reading ill informed badly researched articles by people who think their anime and manga experts we're please to have discovered this article by manga guru Frederik L. Schodt, he's written several excellent books on manga and even translated both Ghost in The Shell manga with Toren Smith (in otherwords, unlike the many bandwagon jumpers out there, he knows his stuff). The article on the Japan Times Online website focuses on American students using manga to learn Japanese.

Schodt highlights that since they're highly addictive and a lot better than forcing adults to repeat infantile passages in textbooks they make a great learning tool. The article has a lot more information, so go and read it! ^_^

Souce: Japan Times Online

Earwax Removal Japanese Style

Date: 2006 April 18 14:31 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Freaky Things

BBC News have posted an amusing article written by Christopher Hogg, detailing his visit to a Tokyo beauty salon and his experience with their latest treatment, ear canal cleaning while you watch! Japanese people have traditionally cleaned the inside of their ears out with a mimikaki (also known as a bamboo ear pick, which is similar to a surgical curette). This high tech service however has a difference from the traditional bamboo one, as the ear scoop has a minature camera at the end, allowing the customer to see the inside of their ear canal and all the ear wax being scooped out!

Apparently Japanese men use this service more, as women do a better job of cleaning their ears out.

Souce: BBC News

New Japanese Animation Centre in Toyko

Date: 2006 March 16 10:38 | Posted By: Azure

Category > Anime

A new centre has opened in Japan designed to promote anime to both domestic and overseas investors. It will offer previews and information about projects currently underway. A new animation-training unit is also being launched.

Souce: BBC News

Happy Giri Choco Day!

Date: 2006 February 14 12:18 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

Romance is in the air! It's Valentines day! With most card shops selling all sorts of Valentines day cards, including ones from your cat, you can't help wondering if things have got a bit too commercial. Well it's the same in Japan according to BBC News, since Valentines day is a day where women traditionally give chocolate to their significant others, and also to their bosses, as obligation demands. This isn't an ancient tradition, Giri choco was only started 40 years ago by the Japanese confectionary companies (who would have guessed?). Unsurprisingly 70% of Japanese women want this tradition to end, while Japanese men are happy to keep things the same. The confectionary companies are fair though as White Day a month later is when Japanese men have to buy white sweets for their loved ones.

Souce: BBC News

The Nature of Monkey Was Irrepressible

Date: 2006 February 13 16:47 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

British, Australian and New Zealand readers of Otaku News especially may remember a TV show called Monkey based on Journey to the West a classic tale by Xi You Ji, known as Saiyuki in Japan. Yes, we're talking about the same Monkey famed for his Monkey Magic (Born from an egg on a mountain top, The punkiest Monkey that ever popped), according to the Daily Yomiuri On-line Fuji TV have started to air a new version of Monkey. Ratings are already high and Fuji TV have stated that they've received enquires for this new version of the cult TV show from the UK and Australia. We're pondering how long it will take for a TV studio to rollout a great cheesy dub.

Our UK readers who can view ITV 4 can catch the original Monkey TV show on Thursdays and Fridays at 6pm.

In the mean time we suggest our Brisbane based readers head over to Roma Street Parklands to see Monkey at the theatre! ^_-

Souce: Daily Yomiuri On-line

South Bank Show Anime Special

Date: 2006 January 26 18:30 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > TV

The Folks at Manga Entertainment UK have sent us a press release about an anime special South Bank Show, which is due to air on Sunday 19th of February. Some researchers for the South Bank Show even made the steps of visiting the London Anime Club to get the low down from British anime fans. Interestingly enough the press release also has some details about Jonathan Ross' recent Asian Invasion, stating that it got over 310,000 viewers, a BBC4 record (it's now clear however if this figure is for just the first screening of the show, or if the repeat screened later in the week is included too).

ITV4 will also be screening the original Ghost In The Shell movie on Saturday 4th March (we belive it's the dub version), so if you haven't seen it yet catch it!

Ugly Japan

Date: 2006 January 07 16:17 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Current Affairs

While many people see Japan as a land of beauty with it's historical buildings, accent shrines and woodlands. However there are some parts of Japan that are ugly, which is why The Times, have published an article about Professor Shigeru Itou report which slates ugly landmarks that are in drastic need of an overhaul. Itou is Japan's most senior urban planning expert and has spent the last two years researching the worst eyesores. Anime fans will be interested to know that the 8 lane motorway over the ornate Nihombashi bridge is considered the worst offender. The bridge has been a feature of many scenes in historical titles like Kenshin.

Souce: The Times Online

Geisha Confidential

Date: 2006 January 05 17:14 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

With Memoirs of a Geisha hitting the cinema screen soon lots of articles about Japan and Geisha. The Telegraph have put a great article about geisha life in Japan which aims to dispel the common myths about them being nothing more than courtesans, when in fact they are more entertainers and performers.

Souce: The Telegraph

Ninja Tourist Tour

Date: 2005 December 18 15:36 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Current Affairs

The Mainichi Daily News are currently running a story about a ninja skills roadshow taking place in Taiwan next month. Experts are from Iga in Mie, an area famed for the ninja art. The event is planned by the Iga tourist association aims to give demonstrations at hotels and department stores with blowgun darts and ninja starts. Apparently the ninjas will then use their skills to infiltrate further afield including South Korea, America and Europe. We have yet to hear if these ninjas will be wailing on their guitars, as this would be totally cool and by that we mean totally sweet. ^_-

Souce: Mainichi Daily News

VIZ and TokyoPop Team Up For German Manga Launch

Date: 2005 December 01 11:05 | Posted By: Jeremy

Category > Manga

VIZ Media B.V. announces team-up with TokyoPop Germany to publish hit manga for the German market.

Asashoryu The Sumo Champion

Date: 2005 November 30 19:01 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

Japan Today are currently running an interesting story about the current dilemma in Sumo Wrestling. The traditional Japanese sport, is being dominated by a Mongolian wrestler named Asashoryu, who is currently the only active Yokozuna in the sport (this is the highest rank in sumo). As a result many wrestling spectators are frustrated by the lack of Japanese competition and blame Japanese wrestlers for not being as athletic or as motivated as their foreign counterparts.

Souce: Japan Today

Mr Miyagi Actor Pat Morita Dies

Date: 2005 November 26 11:24 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

BBC News have posted a story on actor Pat Morita, who died aged 73, at his home in Las Vegas on Thursday from natural causes. Noriyuki "Pat" Morita will be known to many as Matsumoto "Arnold" Takahashi from Happy Days, but best known as Mr Miyagi, the mentor to "Daniel-san" in The Karate Kid movies. Mr Miyagi can easily be regarded as a pop culture icon and Pat Morita received an Oscar nomination for his acting.

Souce: BBC News

Social Changes in Japan Create New Consumer Demands

Date: 2005 November 01 18:45 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Current Affairs

In one of those articles where the headline says it all, the Mainichi Daily News are reporting on the current Japanese Consumer trends. Apparently demographic changes and large amounts of deposable income in Japan are shifting the consumer markets and demand, as the Japanese desire for luxurious goods and lifestyles increases - "global luxury brands such as Baccarat, Gucci, Tiffany, Ritz Carlton and Coach Japan are taking advantage of Japan's challenging demographics". The article also mentions Silver aristocrats - Japanese over 65 years old (predominately female) many of whom are outliving their spouses by an average of 10 years.

Souce: Mainichi Daily News

Photo Blogging For Otaku

Date: 2005 October 17 16:01 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Websites

Blogging is all the rage at the moment, with everyone and their dog putting up content about this that and everything. Many blogs are just angst fests. However hunting around can be interesting and rewarding with many different takes on anime fandom and Japanese Culture in general. Photo Blog site Flickr offers a wealth of photos for otaku, featuring Gundam, some nice Catbus, the cast of Naruto and Evangelion! One enterprising otaku even has his own Calcifer to keep his car warm. There are tons of cool images for you too look at on Flickr, so why not add your own! ^_^

Souce: Flickr

Japanese Teen Slang

Date: 2005 October 16 10:56 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

The Mainichi Daily News have published a peki-peki article on Japanese teen slang. Apparently police guidance counsellors are having so much trouble with understanding what hip teenagers are saying that they're recording what is said word for word and have compiled a manual to help them translate what is said.

Not only is this article an interesting read because of Japanese youth (yuusu) speak, but also because it explains some fascinating information about the way Japanese language can be used. If you're reading this and you still don't know what peki-peki means, then you should be reading the article! ^_-

Souce: Mainichi Daily News

Japanese Design Showcase

Date: 2005 October 01 10:11 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

The Japan Times have just published a rather interesting article about good product design in Japan. It's almost an advert for the stylish products mentioned, but worth reading to hear about popular names in Japanese design.

Souce: Japan Times

Manga Sales Decreasing in Japan

Date: 2005 September 30 22:12 | Posted By: Jeremy

Category > Manga

Manga sales decreasing in Japan due to rental shops and used sales.

Japanese Manga and Cultural Politics Lecture

Date: 2005 September 29 16:15 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Author and anime expert Jonathan Clements has sent us details of the SOAS Japanese Manga and Cultural Politics Lecture and Discussion in London. This is due to take place at 7pm Tuesday 11th October, with free admission at the The Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre, SOAS. Since it's hosted by The School of Oriental and African Studies, you know it should be good.

Maid Hair Salon in Akihabara

Date: 2005 September 15 06:49 | Posted By: Davie

Category > Freaky Things

Those Japanese folks keep surprising us with the opening of a new business venture that keeps expanding the Otaku Empire. In fact they are not satisfied with the usual Maid Café business and so they welcomed a new Maid Hair Salon in their community.

Anime/Manga Exposure Wanted for Geisha Event in 2006

Date: 2005 September 11 15:15 | Posted By: Voxie

Category > Culture

Following a post made at the Anime Cafe organisers have mentioned plans saying that they will be "the first people to bring real geisha to England"! Geisha being a standard unique to Japanese culture, curious otaku will now have access to this experience without paying the plane fare!

The event is not until May next year. Apart from the chance to view the beautiful kimono, there are also other Japanese-related events to be be held, including calligraphy and martial arts. More information, including prices and availability, are now on the organisers' website.

And finally, at present the organisers are welcoming venture from others, including maybe a mini manga/anime expo! If you're interested in having a workshop, table to sell your works, or even cosplaying, contact the organisers via the website link above, or email them directly: katie_c@tiscali.co.uk

Souce: Anime.org.uk

Scattering Water Cools Down Japan

Date: 2005 August 14 15:15 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

A campaign to drench water on concrete in urban areas has started across Japan to help cool down big areas and prevent global warming. Scattering water on streets and gardens is a traditional Japanese way of cooling down in summer and according to the Mainichi Daily News was started in the Edo Period. Apparently when the scattered water evaporates it reduces the temperature.

Souce: Mainichi Daily News

The New Anime Companion

Date: 2005 August 08 17:50 | Posted By: Jeremy

Category > Fandom

Anime fans wanting to know more about all the various cultural references that pop up in their favorite anime can now rejoice. Anime News Network has announced that Stone Bridge Press, publisher of books about Japan, is releasing The Anime Companion 2: More... What's Japanese in Japanese Animation?, the follow-up to the popular book written by Gilles Poitras, who also writes the new volume.

Like its predecessor, The Anime Companion 2 contains glossary-style entries to help readers decipher anime's distinctive content, images and cultural motifs. Everything from city landmarks to food to clothing to historical figures is covered in fascinating detail, using illustrations anime images, film citations and numerous references to the related art of manga. With entries in both kanji (Japanese characters) and English, the book also contains maps of old provinces and current prefectures (and the 23 wards of Tokyo), making it an absolute must-have for those wanting to learn about Japan, whether they're otaku or not.

Souce: Anime News Network

Japan Manga Tour

Date: 2005 August 04 16:44 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Press Releases

UK Travel company Japan Journeys have sent us details of their package holiday Japan Manga Tour a package departing from London to Tokyo. The highlights include a visit to the fantastic Ghibli Museum, the historical Meiji Shrine, the fashionable Harajuku and the Aladdin's cave of an anime store that is Mandarake.

All of the above places are worth visiting for one reason or another from the cultural value, to the outright wacky. The Otaku News Crew suggest you add the locations to your list of places to visit, for when you're in Tokyo next! ^_-

Harajuku Styles Go International

Date: 2005 August 02 16:51 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Fandom

Otaku News has watched the Gothic Lolita crazy gain popularity in western otaku fandom and it seems that Japan Today have discovered a group of international girls all based in Japan who love the "Harajuku styles". The article profiles the group and their interest in the fashion crazes. For those wondering purikura is basically photo stickers taken in special photo booths.

Souce: Japan Today

AOL Radio Launches Japanese Pop Station

Date: 2005 July 22 18:00 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Websites

The people over at AOL have just sent details of their new Japanese Pop Station. It seems that AOL Radio listeners enjoyed the Video Game Scores station so much that AOL have added a Japanese Pop station due to popular demand!

Spirited Away Makes BFI Must See List

Date: 2005 July 20 07:01 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

According to BBC News, the British Film Institute have complied a list of films that every child should have watched by the age of 14.

The list was put together with help from the public and is intended to spark debate about what children should watch.

Unsurprisingly, The Wizard of Oz, ET and Toy Story are listed, but it also seems that BFI (or perhaps the public in general) know what they're talking about by suggesting Spirited Away, Hayao Miyazaki's tale of a girl drawn into a world of magic after her parents pig out on forbidden food.

The BFI selected 50 films and eventually whittled them down to 10.

Souce: BBC News

Popular Japanese Talent (or Tarento)

Date: 2005 July 17 13:35 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

The Japan Times have just published a story on "Talent," or tarento, which explains the current status of Japanese TV.

Souce: The Japan Times

Oxford University Students To Peform In Tokyo

Date: 2005 July 09 14:29 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

According to the Mainichi Daily News, students from Oxford University will be performing Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors in Tokyo this August.

The students are from Oxford University Dramatic Society, the oldest theatre group in the UK, which has produced stars like Hugh Grant, Judi Dench and John Gielgud. So with out doubt the quality of their performance is going to be high.

Japan University Forms New Manga Department

Date: 2005 July 05 17:54 | Posted By: Jeremy

Category > Manga

Going to school to learn about art just got a whole lot cooler. At least in Japan it has. Anime News Network has announced that the first ever Manga Department will begin next spring in 2006 at Kyoto Seika University in Japan. The school's already existing manga art courses will be merged together to form the new department. 200 students will have the option to take classes that not only include how to produce manga, but also animation courses as well. No details have yet been provided on exactly what classes will be available.

Souce: Anime News Network

VIZ Media Makes Licensing Deals for "Naruto"

Date: 2005 July 01 21:29 | Posted By: Jeremy

Category > Anime

VIZ Media, LLC has announced on its website that it has made licensing deals with Bandai America and Hot Topic, Inc. for one of its most popular titles, "Naruto", the action-comedy about a young ninja, infused with the spirit of a powerful fox-demon, who strives to be the greatest ninja of all and learns life lessons along the way. This comes following the announcement of the "Naruto" anime, currently one of the highest rated shows in Japan, debuting on Cartoon Network this fall. VIZ Media currently publishes the "Naruto" manga in the monthly anthology "Shonen Jump", as well as in graphic novel format.

Old Japanese Garden Reopens in the UK.

Date: 2005 June 27 14:57 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

According to the Japan Times On-line Britain's largest Japanese garden which was neglected after World War II has been restored to it's former glory and has opened to the public earlier this month for the first time in the postwar period.

The garden can be found on the 17th century mansion Kingston Lacy in Wimborne. The original garden was inspired when Henrietta Bankes, a former owner visited the Japan exhibition in London in 1910.

The National Trust took over the mansion in 1982 and have slowly been able to discover parts of the gardens fencing and plants. Recently it has been restored using £86,000 grant money and volunteer labour.

The Japan Times article goes into much more depth and is worth the read for the more green fingered otaku. ^_-

Souce: Japan Times On-line

Unseen Japan Photo Competition

Date: 2005 June 27 14:24 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

The Mainichi Daily News have just announced the winners of their Unseen Japan photograph competition. Readers were asked to "Submit a photo that visualizes a rarely seen side of Japan", the result is a selection of photos that give a great insight into a Japan that you would not normally see in anime. ^_-

The winning photo - A waiting taxi reflects the brilliant neon lights of Shinsaibashi, Osaka, looks a lot like a shot from the film Lost in Translation. You can the see the rest of the winning photos on-line, the Mainichi Daily News have also posted every other entrant too.

Souce: Mainichi Daily News

Aichi To Keep Satsuki's and Mei's House

Date: 2005 June 27 14:10 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Following on from several stories about Satsuki's and Mei's House, Anime News Network cite Yahoo! News Japan, stating that the popular attraction at the World Expo 2005 In Aichi, Japan will stay in Aichi. Previously several other groups and cities all took a keen interest in hosting the replica house from My Neighbor Totoro.

Apparently the house will be transferred to the Aichi prefecture in September, they will not have to pay to buy the house, however they have been concerned about it's high cost to maintain. The Otaku News Crew believe that the building must attract a lot of soot sprites!

Souce: Anime News Network

J-Pop Go July!

Date: 2005 June 23 17:12 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The funky people over at J-Pop Go have just told that that their tickets are now available for their next event. It'll be on Wednesday 13th July at Fluid in London. This time around you can buy their magazine separately from the tickets, so even if you can't go you can read up about all the latest J-Pop events.

Our very own resident club bunny Voxie has written a report on the first J-Pop Go too. ^_^

Washington post brands Akihabara Geek Ghetto

Date: 2005 June 10 09:47 | Posted By: Azure

Category > Culture

The Washington post has an article about Akihabara, which brands it a Geek Ghetto and describes the maid café’s outfits as ‘French maid-meets-Pokemon outfits of adult manga’ another paragraphs states ‘That, along with the child pornography aspect of some adult manga, has led to allegations that some nerds are pedophiles.’ It also goes on to link Japans Geek culture with social problems in Japan.

Souce: Washington Post

Typhoon 4 - International East Asian Playreading Festival

Date: 2005 May 10 17:46 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

We know Otaku News readers are a very cultured group, which is why we've just been sent details about the Yellow Earth Theatre, who will be performing Typhoon 4 - International East Asian Playreading Festival. Billed from Tuesday 17th to Saturday 21st May 2005 at the Soho Theatre in London, it looks like an entertaining showcase for fans of the Far East.

Arthouse Manga?

Date: 2005 May 07 16:40 | Posted By: Ash

Category > Manga

One subsection of the Manga industry that is often ignored is that of ‘real-life’ manga, which in Japan is enjoyed by a wide range of people who are not necessarily what you would call otaku. In France a writer called Frédéric Boilet has made strong strides in trying to correct this fact as well as create a whole new manga subgenre.

Scissors, Paper, Stone Wins $20 Million Contract

Date: 2005 May 07 07:49 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Freaky Things

Picture this, you're the director of Japanese electronics corporation Maspro Denkoh, you've got a $20 million collection of Picassos and Van Goghs that you want to sell, but can't decide if the contract should go to Sotheby's or Christie's to auction them. So what do you do? Get a represtentive from each prestigious auction house to visit and explain the benefits of using their auction service? Why no! You get them to play scissors, paper, stone! BBC News has the details of this hilarious incident and also the result.

The winner actually planned ahead by asking staff's two 11 year old daughters for tips! ^_-

Souce: BBC News

J-Pop Go Report - A Successful Night!

Date: 2005 May 05 07:13 | Posted By: Voxie

Category > Culture

J-Pop Go, possibly the first night of its kind in London town – a club night dedicated to pleasing its crowd with Japanese pop and rock sounds! And that it was, with popular classics from the likes of J-rockstars L’Arc En Ciel, to some of the latest from J-pop groups HALCALI and Puffy.

The night was held at the Japanese-themed social spot Fluid, and the best of its kind I’ve seen so far! Coloured in striking red shades, two floors/bars, with artwork, katakana and anime clips playing across the walls, it proved a perfect venue for the night! The catering was in check, there was Asahi beer and sushi on the menus, as well as some interesting cocktails, including a ‘wasabi martini’! You could only get away with it in a bar like this one!

The Recent Phenomenon Of 'Sexy' Japanese Otaku

Date: 2005 April 29 14:40 | Posted By: Ash

Category > Culture

The UK Times newspaper this week carried a two page article of at Bridget-Jones style blogger Artesia, who has written a document of her relationship with an Otaku man which has fascinated the Japanese and has asked serious questions about the conflict between old-world Japanese beliefs and the massive Otaku culture.

Everyone Wants The Totoro House

Date: 2005 April 12 15:29 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Production > Studio Ghibli

According to the Daily Yomiuri On-Line the Totoro House at the Aichi World Expo 2005 has many local Japanese governments staking their claim to the property.

Many local authorities are keen to get Satsuki's and Mei's 1950's style house from the anime classic Tonari no Totoro (My Neighbor Totoro) moved to their prefecture, not only will it prove a big hit with locals, but it will surely make a major tourist attraction too. The house is already one of the most popular features at the Expo and has been covered on Otaku News before. The Youmiuri article has more details such as "The wooden house was built using joints, not nails, and the glass used in the windows is not new, as the panes were all salvaged from old buildings."

The Otaku News Crew are currently considering collecting signatures so they'll let us live in it! ^_^

Souce: Daily Yomiuri On-Line

Early Bloomers Distress Japan's Cherry Blossom Fans

Date: 2005 March 31 18:37 | Posted By: Wing

Category > Culture

ABC News Online have reported that cherry blossoms in Japan blooming earlier than predicted by The Japan Meteorological Agency which has lead to people making phone calls to ask when the season will actually begin. Cherry blossoms are an important part of Japanese culture which people take very seriously and millions enjoy cherry blossom viewing parties each year.

Souce: ABC News Online

Travels For The Otaku

Date: 2005 March 26 19:00 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Fandom

Asahi.com have a very interesting article about the Japanese tourist industry and western otaku who are willing to go to all sorts of lengths to go to the home of anime and manga. Tour companies are now featuring things to please hardcore fans with their primary packages and even local governments in Tokyo are keen to promote anime attractions. Studio’s Pierrot and Ghibli are mentioned in the article.

Souce: Asahi.com

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