Advanced Search

Browsing Articles

Hyper Japan 2010 Report

Date: 2010 October 31 17:04 | Posted By: Priss

Category > Events

For Japanese culture fans, October began with a bang at Hyper Japan, a new and highly anticipated event on the UK otaku calendar for 2010. Hosted by Eat-Japan (the number one site for Japanese food, sushi and sake), the show was a sensational success, drawing in excess of 15,000 visitors over the 3 days, a remarkable feat for what was the debut of this cultural festival. The event was located in the heart of London's Shoreditch at Brick Lane, an area well known for its offbeat character and for the eclectic, hip and chic. Standing in the line with the eager attendees, the atmosphere was alive with the building excitement as cosplayers, anime fans and the culturally curious all assembled to enjoy a different class of convention. The preshow campaign, organised and delivered by a Japanese enterprise was loaded with ample incentive for any fan of Japan to take a look at what the exhibitors had to offer. I, in my cosplay guise as Queen's Blade's spectral maid Airi, lined up with the happy crowds all eager to meet and greet, eat and shop! After conquering the queue and ascending the staircase in my heels, a veritable treasure trove was to be found, serving the many delights of Japanese culture and cuisine.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

London Barbican Cosplay Extravaganza - November 2010

Date: 2010 October 27 16:16 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

While cosplays in London will be busy gearing up for the London MCM Expo this weekend, you shouldn't forget that there's more fun to be had in London the weekend after. On Saturday 6th November 2010 The Barbican will be having a special late night event - the Cosplay Extravaganza.

They'll be a Cosplay Parade, workshops, a Goth Loli Fashion Show, Video Game Tournaments, some live J-Pop and Japanese Punk. Resident anime expert Helen McCarthy will be there to give a talk on Cosplay: A Short History (as well as being an anime expert Helen's also the author of Manga Cross-Stitch and is knowledgeable about cosplay to say the least).

The event is set to run from 6pm until 1am.

Entry to all the Foyer Events is free. This does not cover entry to exhibition, theatre or Kamikaze Girls screening.

Zipangu Fest - Japanese film festival details

Date: 2010 October 18 16:48 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

UK fans of Japanese cinema will be pleased to hear about Zipangu Fest. A UK-wide festival devoted to Japanese Cinema. It's set to start from Tuesday 23rd to Thursday 28th November 2010 in London's East End, before touring the country.

Highlights include some spooky horror movies as part of the Barbican's Japanese Halloween Schlockfest.

There's also a tie in with the 24th Leeds International Film Festival with a rare screening of Children of the Beehive (1948).

There'll be lots more exciting things for UK readers to enjoy at Zipangu Fest.

Reni Mimura NYAF interview

Date: 2010 October 15 16:51 | Posted By: Eeeper

Category > Anime

Reni Mimura, a cosplayer and singer living in New York, was performing at this years New York Anime Festival. Despite her busy schedule, she found the time to sit down and chat with us for a brief time about her reasons for taking her work to New York, what she thinks of her fans and which she prefers: cosplay or singing!

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Square Enix, Cosplay, Sushi and More! HYPER JAPAN London 2010

Date: 2010 September 15 15:41 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The good folks at Hyper Japan have sent us more details about their London based event on Friday 1st October until Sunday 3rd October 2010. Square Enix will be there selling goodies. They've got a cosplay competition too, with a chance to win a trip to Japan. Plus lots of lovely food! Soy sauce experts Kikkoman will be there too, issuing a sushi challenge.

Jonathan Clements' obituary on Satoshi Kon

Date: 2010 September 05 11:48 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Anime Expert Jonathan Clements has written an obituary on Satoshi Kon for Sci-Fi and fantasy magazine Salon Futura along with one for British Film Institute's Sight and Sound Magazine.

Souce: Jonathan Clements\' Blog

The Way of Tea Special Event at the British Museum in London

Date: 2010 September 04 13:26 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

Those interested in Japanese culture in London will want to head over to the British Museum on Friday 17th September 2010 to enjoy The Way of Tea Special Event. The free event starts at 1:30pm in the East Foyer with Matcha tasting, (powdered green tea). Then at 2:30pm there will be a presentation and talk on Chado the Japanese tea ceremony. This talk will be given by one of the most famous tea schools in Japan.

Souce: British Museum

Japan Matsuri London Festival 2010

Date: 2010 September 04 11:03 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Looking for something fun to do in London? On Saturday 18th September 2010 from 10am until 8pm The Japan Matsuri will return to London, at Old Spitalfields market. Last years event was a huge success. This years will have all sort of lovely Japanese food to munch on, with plenty of other stalls to enjoy too. You can even get authentic vintage kimonos! They'll also have a cosplay competition. Along with an art competition to design a Japanese video game character.

Although the event is free to attend, last year it proved very popular, so we advise going early if you like avoiding crowds.

Souce: Japan Matsuri London Festival 2010

The Art of Osamu Tezuka wins a Harvey Award

Date: 2010 September 01 16:46 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

Helen McCarthy's book The Art of Osamu Tezuka: God of Manga has won a prestigious Harvey Award for Best American Edition of Foreign Material. Congratulations Helen!

Souce: Helen McCarthy\'s Blog

Anime director Satoshi Kon passes away

Date: 2010 August 26 12:53 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

Acclaimed anime director Satoshi Kon passed away 2 days ago on 24th August 2010. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on 18th May 2010.

Satoshi Kon has directed several popular films which generally have a cerebral dream like element to them, where the imagination, dreams and reality all mix together. He directed the films Perfect Blue, Millennium Actress, Tokyo Godfathers, Paprika and the TV series Paranoia Agent. Satoshi Kon was working on a feature film called Yume-Miru Kikai, which is unofficially known as Dream Machine in English.

News of death spread like wild fire on the internet, with many anime fans expressing their sadness of his death.

Prominent food and bento blogger Makiko Itoh has translated Satoshi Kon's last words.

The New York Times also have a detailed obituary.

Anime expert Helen McCarthy points out that "at that age Miyazaki hadn't finished Totoro, Tezuka hadn't created Black Jack, Kurosawa hadn't made Yojimbo."

The Anime News Network have details from his wife.

The Guardian also has a good write up.

Souce: Anime News Network

London Barbican Aspects of Japanese Cinema - October to December 2010

Date: 2010 August 20 14:44 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

London's Barbican has always been a great place to visit for fans of Japanese cinema with their monthly Japanimation screenings, but some fans may want to move into the arts centre from October to December as they'll be shown a whole host of Japanese films, anime and even a cosplay event! There's so much good stuff to see!

Movie buffs will be delighted to with the great range of movies.
There's so much to recommend here, we suggest you take a look at the full listing.

Shojo fans will be interested see the live action version of Nana on Thursday 21st October 2010 at 6pm.

Cosplayers will want to keep Saturday 6th November on 11.00pm – Kamikaze Girls screening and cosplay event.

Fans of cheesy movies will want to keep an eye on the 18 rated RoboGeisha showing at 7:30pm as part of the Halloween Shlockfest on Friday 29th October.

Beat Takeshi fans have a lot to look forward to on Sunday 14th and Monday 15th November 2010. They'll be showing Hana bi, Brother, Dolls and Zatoichi.

Those who enjoy classic Japanese cinema will enjoy the Akira Kurosawa season too.

Anime fans aren't left out either with a CLAMP themed screening of XxxHOLiC The Movie: A Midsummer Night's Dream and Tsubasa The Movie: The Princess in the Birdcage Kingdom – Tuesday 19th October 2010. As always resident expert and author Helen McCarthy will be on hand to introduce the movies.

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

Beckii: Schoolgirl Superstar at 14 - BBC TV documentary

Date: 2010 August 08 12:34 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > TV

We've mentioned the BBC covering Beckii Cruel before and BBC Three are set to cover the teen idol this week. Beckii: Schoolgirl Superstar at 14 focuses on the 14 year old school girl from the Isle of Man who is also known as Beckii Cruel a teen icon and internet sensation. It all started when she uploaded films of herself dancing to YouTube.

The hour long documentary forms part of the BBC Three Adult Season which explores the pressure of young people to grow up quickly and what it means to be an adult.

The documentary is set to broadcast this week on BBC Three at the following times:

Thursday 12th August 2010
21:00

Thursday 12th August 2010
23:45

Sunday 15th August 2010
23:15

Monday 16th August 2010
03:15

Update:
The BBC TV blog also has some background details on the making of the documentary.

British readers can now see the documentary on BBC iPlayer.

Souce: BBC Three

Hyper Japan - London October 2010

Date: 2010 July 29 14:30 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

October is shaping up to be the month for otaku in London. With the London MCM Expo at the end of the month. While at the beginning of the month a new event called Hyper Japan is set to run from Friday 1st to Sunday 3rd October 2010.

The event has a lot to offer with an Otaku Village set to cater to all your retail needs.

Cosplayers will be well represented too (they'll even get a chance to win a trip to Japan). There's also a cosplay talent search, competitions and other fun to be had if you like dressing up.

Japanese fashion magazine KERA will be there with fashion shows and style tutorials (the event is looking for models to take part).

Fans of angel fighting giant robots won't be disappointed either as they have a special Evangelion Store which will be selling some exclusive and hard to find merchandise.

Figure collectors might want to note that Good Smile will be there too! ^__^

As the people behind EAT-JAPAN are organising the event you can be certain that Japanese cuisine will be well represented too. with the EAT-JAPAN food court.

They'll also have lots of culture on stage too. You can book early to get a discount from the standard £8 entry fee. Children under 5 go free. As always we advise to book early to avoid disappointment.

Japanese Art Festival in Central London - August 2010

Date: 2010 July 27 15:05 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Fans of Japanese culture in Central London will want to head over to the Japanese Art Festival at Conway Hall, Red Lion Square in Holborn. Set to run on Saturday 21st August and Sunday 22nd 2010. They've got kimono designer Yumi Yamamoto, Harajuku kawaii store 6% Doki Doki, along with a party on Saturday night with J-Pop Go!.

Study Tour of Japan for European Youth 2010

Date: 2010 July 15 14:13 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

Are you European and interested in Japan? The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan is interested in hearing from young Europeans who are willing to participate in a 10 day group study tour of the country. The sponsored tour has some terms and conditions and is limited to up to 37 people. The tours will happen in November and December 2010. As it's not every day you can get a government sponsored trip to Japan, there are a few requirements.

Applicants should meet the following requirements:
1. European national
2. Aged between 25-35 (as of June 1st 2010)
3. Able to communicate effectively in English
4. Never previously visited Japan
5. Must not be a student

Apart from these conditions, you'll also have to send your CV, a cover letter, and a short essay on the subject of - "What would you do to strengthen the relationship between Japan and your country (Europe or EU)?"

The deadline for applications is Thursday 29th July 2010.

If you meet the entry requirements we strongly advise you to enter, this is an excellent opportunity to experience Japan.

More details can be found on the Embassy of Japan Website.

Souce: Embassy of Japan

The Anime Machine: An Illustrated Lecture at London's BFI Southbank

Date: 2010 June 23 15:35 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

Fans of futuristic technology and anime who can get to London will want to head over to the BFI Southbank on Sunday 11th July 2010 for their special lecture on the world saturated with technology. Called The Anime Machine: An Illustrated Lecture by Thomas Lamarre it's set to start at 6pm. You can also get a joint ticket for a screening of Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence.

Fans of more tradional Japanese cinema will want to consider the BFI Southbank season of Akira Kurosawa and His Influence.

As always we advise booking in advance for such events to avoid disappointment.

Souce: BFI Southbank

Idle Idol - The Japanese Mascot

Date: 2010 June 23 15:11 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

Fans of Japanese street furniture, retail space and the quirky side of things will want to check out the new book called Idle Idol: The Japanese mascot. The authors have sent details about this book, which collates the plastic mascots found outside shops, restaurants and other places trying to draw the attentions of passers by.

Tokyo's First Robot Wedding

Date: 2010 May 16 10:47 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Technology > Robotics

BBC News have a fascinating article about a wedding with a difference in Tokyo. It was the worlds first wedding to be conducted by a robot. Appropriately both bride and groom are connected to Japan's robotics industry. The robot is called the I-Fairy, has flashing eyes and a flowery headdress, it speaks in Japanese and can be seen on the BBC video instructing the groom to to lift the brides veil for the traditional first kiss. The article does not state if the robot has any legal power to marry anyone.

Souce: BBC News

Metropolis Interviews Helen McCarthy

Date: 2010 May 14 14:34 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

Tokyo based English Language Magazine Metropolis have just published an interview with Helen McCarthy. She talks about her Book The Art of Osamu Tezuka: God of Manga and it's recent Eisner Award Nomination.

Souce: Metropolis

Japanese Maid Reni to perform at PJ mini Pop in NYC

Date: 2010 May 07 18:31 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

NY based fans of Japanese Cosplay Singing Maids will want to head over to the anime and Japanese Cultural event PJ "mini" Pop to see Reni Mimura . The event is set to run on Sunday May 23rd 2010 from 12:00 until 6:00pm at the The Dwyer Cultural Center in South Harlem.

Tokyo Bento Shopping Guide

Date: 2010 May 02 14:59 | Posted By: Helephant

Category > Retail

Bento, beautiful and healthy lunchboxes, is an otaku passion that keeps niggling at the edges of mainstream consciousness. The New York Times ran an article on it recently, some of the most amazing photos made the Flickr blog last week and there has been an explosion of books (US, UK) about the topic.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Dating by blood type in Japan

Date: 2010 April 28 02:11 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

BBC News are running an interesting story about blood types in Japan. Similar to horoscopes, profiling people by A, B, O or AB is common, with it even being a popular question in speed dating. Blood group B get sounded out for people having bad experiences with them being "flamboyant free-thinkers, but selfish". You may have also noticed blood groups as part of the character profile in some games too.

Souce: BBC News

The Art of Osamu Tezuka nominated for 2010 Eisner Awards

Date: 2010 April 18 14:13 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The Art of Osamu Tezuka: God of Manga by Helen McCarthy has been nominated for the prestigious 210 Eisner Awards. The book is up for Best Comics-Related Book, it competes against the following titles -

- Alan Moore: Comics as Performance, Fiction as Scalpel, by Annalisa Di Liddo (University Press of Mississippi)
- The Art of Harvey Kurtzman: The Mad Genius of Comics, by Denis Kitchen and Paul Buhle (Abrams ComicArts)
- Manga Kamishibai: The Art of Japanese Paper Theater, by Eric P. Nash (Abrams ComicArts)
- Will Eisner and PS Magazine, by Paul E. Fitzgerald (Fitzworld.US)

The Otaku News crew congratulate Helen McCarthy and the team behind the book for the nomination and wish them the best of luck in winning the award.

Souce: Comic-Con International

Shoes made from kimono fabric

Date: 2010 April 09 03:40 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Art

UK based Hetty Rose designs and makes bespoke shoes using vintage kimono fabric from Japan. Her most popular market is weddings. They're perfect for the bride looking for something unique and colourful. We're wondering if they'll be popular with the fashionable otaku girls out there? It's interesting to see what kind of twists designers are doing with traditional Japanese fabrics, mixing the old and the new.

Souce: Hetty Rose Shoes

Japanese Art Festival in Richmond - February 2010

Date: 2010 February 20 22:49 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

UK based anime fans will want to head over to Richmond next weekend (Saturday 27th February and Sunday 28th February 2010) where the Japanese Arts Festival will return to the Richmond Adult Community College.

The free event is set to start at 11am and end at 5pm. It includes a great line up of expert guests and speakers - Akemi Solloway, Helen McCarthy and Sonia Leong.

BBC News on Beckii Cruel

Date: 2010 February 10 07:24 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Fandom

BBC News have an interesting article about Beckii Cruel a girl who dances to anime theme music and J-Pop on YouTube. Internet sensation then followed and she even got to fly out to Akihabara to perform. She releases her debut album on Wednesday. DVDs are also available.

Her father said:
"So far it's been a tremendous adventure, not many teenage girls get to travel across the globe and have this sort of exposure".

What's also nice to note is responsible parenting (instead of paranoia about the internet):
"We've brought our children up with the internet, they've always had access to it."

"Rebecca is well aware of the online dangers, she's been well advised and has told us when there have been problems."

Rebecca got into anime fandom when she picked up a copy of Fruits Basket.

Souce: BBC News

Tokyo City Promotion in London

Date: 2010 January 29 08:49 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

In London this weekend? Looking for something interesting to do? On Saturday 30th January to Sunday 31st January there will be a Tokyo Day. Aimed at promoting the Japanese city as a tourist destination the free event is divided into 3 zones. Traditional Culture, Experience Tokyo and Modern Culture.

The event will be held at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre near Westminster Tube station.

Opening hours are 10am to 6pm on Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sunday.

Souce: Tokyo City Promotion

Original Laughing Man Creator Dies

Date: 2010 January 28 17:14 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

Author JD Salinger dies, aged 91. Anime fans who have seen Ghost in the Shell : Stand Alone Complex, will be aware of the Laughing Man. The Japanese producers of the series created the antagonist after being inspired by a short story by JD Salinger, which was called The Laughing Man.

The logo used in Ghost In the Shell : Stand Alone Complex also references Catcher in the Rye, his best known work.

Souce: BBC News

Dogs as fashion accessories

Date: 2010 January 18 17:21 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

It's well know that cute things are popular in Japan. BBC News have an interesting article about dogs in Japan that are used as fashion accessories.

It highlights the lucrative business of doggy fashion and how papered the pups get well groomed in special beauty parlours (which isn't that uncommon in the UK and US).

The article has lots of pictures of dogs dressed up in clothes apparently dungarees are fashionable for dogs in Tokyo this year. It also points out that due to the declining birth rate in Japan dogs are said to outnumber children under the age of 10. As a result dogs are pushed around the cities in buggies instead.

It also briefly covers the trend of cat cafes where you can rent cats to pet by the hour.

Souce: BBC News

Manga Inspired Textiles from Ikea

Date: 2010 January 11 17:37 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

A keen eyed Otaku News reader has sent us details about the latest range of IKEA Textiles. The flat pack furniture store is probably best known to otaku alike as the place to go to get Billy Bookshelves to store manga and stuff.

The website Ikea Fans has details about the new manga inspired IKEA Textiles.

Comiket 77

Date: 2009 December 30 07:30 | Posted By: Franki Webb

Category > Events

A man sits in the corner of the busy square caressing his gun then pointing it at a bunch of schoolgirls who shriek in excitement and begin flashing the cameras, while another man beside him dressed elaborately in leather swishes his cape to an amused crowd of photographers. Welcome to Comiket!

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

History Girls

Date: 2009 December 29 10:04 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Fandom

BBC News have an interesting video about History Girls in Japan. The video shows girls who like to cosplay has historical Japanese characters including shinsengumi the samurai police with distinctive blue and white uniforms. The girls with an interest in history are known as rekijo, or History Girls. Making it one of the buzz words for 2009

The article mentions it's more about fantasy than historical accuracy and highlights that many girls get into the historical side of things through games like Dynasty Warriors. They point out that historical men were more rugged than today's modern wimpy men too.

Souce: BBC News

Santa Penguins of Matsue City

Date: 2009 December 08 04:17 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Freaky Things

BBC News have an amusing article about the Santa Penguins of Matsue City. The article includes a video of the 5 African penguins who parade around a local park in Santa costumes. The handmade costumes consist of a red cape, with small bell along with a white trim. The parade is due to take place everyday until Christmas. It's not every day you see cosplaying penguins! We wonder if they dress as Pen Pen for the rest of the year?

Souce: BBC News

Looking for Anne wins Asian First Films Festival Awards

Date: 2009 December 07 17:13 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

Looking for Anne a Japanese feature film inspired by Anne of Green Gables has won the prestigious Asian First Films Festival Award in Singapore.

It's the first feature for Director Takako Miyahira. The film won best film and best director.

According to an Associated Press article -"The feature film 'Looking for Anne,' directed by 30-year-old Japanese film director Takako Miyahira, wowed the juries at the festival."

It's the first time a Japanese film has won an award at the festival which as been running for 5 years.

The film tells the tale of a 17-year-old Japanese girl's visit to a rural Canadian island to look for a Canadian World War II veteran who was her late grandmother's first love and had given her grandmother a book, Anne of Green Gables.

Souce: Breitbart.com

The rise of Japan's girlie man generation

Date: 2009 November 06 11:48 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

The Times has a fascinating article about the rise of Japan's 'girlie man' generation. Known as the herbivore generation these fashionable men turn away from the traditional life of the corporate salaryman. Not keen on drinking or expensive cars.

The article highlights that rather than grinding away at the work place they'd rather have a much more fulfilling life.

"They are thrifty and abhor consumerism."

"In every Japanese convenience store are special sections devoted to men's cosmetics, eyebrow shapers, packets of disposable wipes for dealing with sweat and body odor, skin whitener. The herbivores may not buy beer and cars but they spend on keeping themselves odourless, hairless and pale. Their clothes come from cheap, fashionable chains such as Uniqlo. This week, Shinya Yamaguchi, 23, a fashion designer, launches his latest collection of skirts and lacy tops - all aimed at men. Many of Japan's younger male celebrities, bands such as Arashi and actors like Eita, Teppei Koike and Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, project an effeminate, herbivorous look."

So is the herbivore the next stage of evolution for the bishie?

Souce: The Times

WOTA London Gig in November 2009

Date: 2009 November 01 16:13 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

London Fans of J-Pop, Vocaloid Songs, moe and anime music should head over to WOTA London on Saturday 21st November 2009, from 5pm to 10p, at the Freedom Bar in Soho, Central London.

This event is billed to support those otaku that loves otaku culture. Great for those who want to dance the night away.

Souce: WOTA London

Animation industry in the UK and Japan Symposium

Date: 2009 October 23 15:05 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Academic anime fans will want to get London on Friday 30th October 2009 for the Animation industry in the UK and Japan: Creativity, identity and the global marketplace. It's going to run in Council Room, Strand Campus, King’s College London.

It's free to attend but booking in advance is required. We suggest you book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan

Date: 2009 October 19 15:18 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Fandom

Contributing writer for G-FAN magazine Armand Vaquer has sent us details about a new travel guide he's written called The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.

The travel guide is due out next month and will retail for $15 a copy.

Plastic Food in Japan

Date: 2009 October 18 16:40 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Cuisine

BBC News have an interesting video feature on the Plastic Food common in Japan. The title of the article states that the food is common in Tokyo, when in fact plastic food used for window displays is pretty common all over Japan.

It shows the workshop where they make the plastic food. Firstly they take silicon casts of the real food, then use that as mould to make plastic copies. They are then painted. Pretty much anything you can imagine is made at the workshop, from bowls of rice, noodles, soup, Pork Katsu, Ice Cream Sundae, even beer.

Souce: BBC News

Former Japanese Prime Minster Koizumi to star in new Ultraman movie

Date: 2009 October 17 14:38 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

Former Japanese Prime Minster Junichiro Koizumi will helping Japanese superhero Ultraman out in his new movie. The popular former leader will be voicing the roll of Ultraman King. The film is currently in production is titled Mega Monster Battle Ultra Galaxy: The Movie. It's due for release in Japan on 12th December 2009.

Souce: Reuters

The Art of Osamu Tezuka God of Manga out November 2009

Date: 2009 October 13 15:40 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Fans of Osamu Tezuka, the founding father of modern anime and manga will be pleased to hear that a new book is due out November 2009. Written by prominent anime and manga expert Helen McCarthy the hardcover book published by Ilex Press reveals what makes Tezuka one of the key figures of 20th century pop culture.

It includes 350 colour illustrations and a 45 minute DVD documentary never aired outside of Japan before.

The publication coincides with the annual Comica Festival.

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

Reni's new songs and CD on sale now.

Date: 2009 October 11 16:53 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

Fans of Akiba culture, especially singing maids based in New York will be pleased to hear that Reni Mimura’s new songs and CD are on sale at http://www.renireni.com/.

UNESCO lists Japan's intangible cultural heritage treasures

Date: 2009 October 05 17:34 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

AFP have posted details about UNESCO's latest additions to the list of intangible cultural heritage.

The Tango has been given most of the headlines, but Japan has 13 additions. Mostly folk dances and processions, including the float-ceremony in Kyoto to a seventh century rice harvest ritual from Akiu. Sekishu-Banshi paper making techniques were also added as well as the Ojiya-chijimi and Echigo-jofu art of making hand-woven, tie-dyed fabrics from the ramie plant.

Souce: AFP / Yahoo! News

Kashiwa Mystery Cafe

Date: 2009 October 01 03:41 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

Not knowing what to order at a cafe? Or fancy a surprise? Mac software developer Cabel Maxfield Sasser has discovered the solution. At the Kashiwa Mystery Cafe. Essentially it's a bit of performance art. You order and pay for something, and then you get what the previous person ordered. For example if you ordered a lemonade, you'd get an orange juice, and the person who orders after you gets a lemonade and so on...

Officially called the Ogori Cafe, the idea is to treat someone.

It's an interesting experiment. Of course if you can't read Japanese this can be very confusing!

Souce: Cabel\'s Blog

Japanese Maid Show October 4th in NYC

Date: 2009 September 29 14:30 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Fans of Akiba culture in NY should head over to Top Tunes Karaoke Bar on October 4th 2009 where Japanese Copsplay Singer Reni will perform anime songs and J-Pop.

NHK World TV in the UK

Date: 2009 September 20 16:11 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > TV

UK based readers who are keen to watch Japanese TV in English, will be pleased to hear that NHK World broadcasts on Satellite. Viewers should tune into Sky Channel 516 or Freesat Channel 209. The channel is included in all Sky Packages.

The channel includes Japanese News, TV shows about Japanese Culture, Business Shows, Tokyo Fashion and lots of other arts.

The full schedule can be found on the NHK World TV Website.

MTV Iggy on Otaku Culture

Date: 2009 September 10 14:36 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Fandom

The good folks at MTV Iggy (which is focused on breakthrough music and pop-culture from around the globe) have sent us details of their new feature - Otaku Culture.

They've got a couple of videos up from Otakon 2009 in Baltimore. It includes some otaku steampunk culture along with a video on ball jointed dolls. They've also got details of J-Rockers VAMPS, and plenty more to explore too.

Souce: MTV Iggy

Joanna Lumley Catwoman in Japan

Date: 2009 September 06 08:47 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > TV

UK based fans of felines of should tune into ITV 1 on Sunday 6th and 13th of September 2009 at 7pm to catch Joanna Lumley Catwoman. The actress turns "cat detective" and travels around the world, one of her stops is Japan, where she'll meet a Japanese cat fashion designer (we also suspect a mention of Hello Kitty).

The world's largest cat festival in Belgium, should also prove interesting, as we've heard rumours in the past about Jiji from Kiki's Delivery Service making the odd appearance there.

Souce: ITV

Bunny Cafes in Japan

Date: 2009 August 30 11:42 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

BBC News have an interesting article about the current trend in Japan of Bunny Cafes. The article focuses on one in Nagoya, which allows visitors to pet cute rabbits, eat rabbit themed food (nothing with carrots in, just cute pictures of bunnies on). Guests can even bring their own pet bunnies to socialise.

Souce: BBC News

Japan Matsuri Festival in London September 2009

Date: 2009 August 27 14:35 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

London based readers should head over to Spitalfields on Saturday September 19th 2009 for the Japan Matsuri. A Matsuri is a festival with lots of stalls, food, fun and games along with plenty to see and do. It's set to run from 10am to 8pm.

A few readers might remember that this is not the first Matsuri in London. The last major one was at Hyde Park on 19th and 20th May 2001! As they don't happen as often as we like we strongly suggest you get to this one for all the festivities.

Dogu Ceramic Figures at the British Museum from September 2009

Date: 2009 August 23 11:15 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

London based fans of ancient Japanese art, that has influenced anime, manga and video games should head over to the British Museum.

From 10th September 2009 to 22 November 2009 they'll be hosting an exhibition on The power of dogu: ceramic figures from ancient Japan. The exhibition is free to get into. No tickets are required, you can just walk into the museum and walk over to Room 91 to see this great bit of cultural history.

Browsing Articles

Recent News

Recent DVD / Blu-ray Reviews

Recent Manga Reviews