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Human Versus Machine Japanese Translation Mini Battle

Date: 2024 May 09 20:06 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The manga tech start up Orange Inc recently raised over 19 million USD in funding for machine translated manga. We were quite intrigued because machine translation hasn't always worked out in the past for manga titles. One recent example was the Ranking of Kings Manga that had to be pulled because the quality of the translations were so poor. What's worse was the lack of quality control from everyone involved in the publishing of the title.

As we were curious, we reached out to some professional translators to ask their opinions on the current state of translation.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Crunchyroll and Bershka launch a Junji Ito Clothing Collection for Halloween

Date: 2023 October 26 20:04 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

The good folks from anime streaming giants Crunchyroll have just got in touch to tell us about their latest collaboration with Bershka to launch a Junji Ito Collection Capsule just in time for Halloween. The renowned manga artist is famed for his monochrome horror, especially around spirals, seemingly beautiful ladies and odd balls school boys who are obsessed with metal nails.

The macabre range is available online and in select Bershka stores from 28th October 2023. They've got an horrific range of shirts, jumpers, a hoody and other street fashion. There's some fun accessories too including a great crossbody bag, and a beanie hat. However the press release doesn't state the greatest bit of official merchandise yet. Junji Ito branded socks. You heard it. This isn't a typo, licensed socks from the master of manga horror. So you can wear them to work and go unnoticed or even better, gift them to someone as socks are always an excellent gift.

Voidol2 Anime Style Voice Changing Software Review

Date: 2022 February 08 21:06 | Posted By: Voxie

Category > Features

After we heard about Crimson Technology's voice changing Voidol2 software we were curious to know more about it. It's aimed at those who want to change their voices to that of a Japanese school girl, robot or something else for whatever reason. It's mainly aimed at streamers, VTubers and other content creators.

Thanks to the good folks at Crimson Technology we were able to get our hands on a review copy to give it a go.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Voidol2 Anime Style Voice Changing Software Release Details

Date: 2021 November 25 21:59 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from Japanese software firm Crimson Technology have sent us details about their English language launch of Voidol2. This is real time voice conversion software primarily aimed at streamers, v-tubers and people who have the need to change their voice in real time.

The software has many voice modes and can make you sound like an anime character or even a robot and everything else in between. It retails for 13,200 JPY (about $114 USD / £86 GBP), but is currently on offer for 8,800 JPY (about $76 USD / £57 GBP). It's available to download on Windows or Mac via Sendowl.

McDonalds UK are selling Katsu Curry Chicken McNuggets

Date: 2020 December 31 19:44 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Cuisine

We've just discovered as of 30th December 2020, McDonalds UK are selling Katsu Curry Chicken McNuggets.

The fast food outlet describes them as "100% chicken breast meat in a bold Katsu Curry crispy breadcrumb coating served with a sweet curry dip, ready to dive in!"

The Japanese inspired nuggets are being marketed on social media with the hashtag #KatsuAtMcDonalds.

They're available in packs of 6, 9 or 20 and prices seem to vary depending on location and delivery app used. We've seen them priced around £3.89 for 6, £4.39 for 9 and £5.89 for 20.

Souce: McDonalds UK

Crunchyroll Reveals UK Anime Fans Shun Cosplay in Favour of Books and Boardgames

Date: 2019 December 11 21:01 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Anime streaming service Crunchyroll have sent us an interesting press release. They highlight that most UK anime fans would rather read a good book than cosplay. Surveying their premium UK members (who pay for the service to remove ads and get earlier access to titles) they discovered that less 7% are into cosplaying. In comparison 10% write or read fan fiction!

We could speculate as to why this is. Could it be that cosplayers would rather spend their disposable income on cosplaying? Instead using the free access areas of Crunchyroll? Does it reflect fandom in general, are less than 7% of anime fans involved in creating cosplay?

Imaginary Solutions - Performance in London This November

Date: 2019 September 15 19:03 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

London based culture vultures will be interested to hear about Imaginary Solutions. It's an upcoming collaboration between the Tokyo-based Butoh dancer/martial artist Takahiro Tomatsu, and the acclaimed London-based experimental music ensemble ARCO, led by composer performer Neil Luck. The performance is set to run on Friday 15th November 2019 at The Horse Hospital in Bloomsbury. Tickets are £8 or 6 for concessions.

The performance is an official event of the Japan-UK Season of Culture 2019-2020.

The Benza - A Comedy about a Quest for a Toilet Seat

Date: 2019 August 15 19:06 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Not all quests are epic. Which is why we've been sent details about Chris and Kyle, two Americans who share an apartment in Tokyo. One day their toilet seat broke, which leads onto their adventures to find a suitable replacement. The trouble starts when they realise they don't know the Japanese word for toilet seat! Want to know more? Then you can find out by watching The Benza a 6 series comedy on Amazon Prime currently streaming in the US, UK, Germany and Japan.

Made on a budget of 2,000,000 yen (about 18,840 USD) the show explores what it's like to go hunting for a toilet seat in Japan.

Manga Exhibition at The British Museum a Review

Date: 2019 June 03 21:27 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The British Museum have just opened the largest Manga Exhibition outside of Japan. Naturally being keen manga fans we were curious. What was it all about? Was it any good? We were invited by The British Museum to check out the new exhibition and find out for ourselves.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

The Ring Returns to Cinemas and Home Video in the UK for it's 20th Anniversary

Date: 2019 February 11 22:51 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

Arrow Films are keen to tell us about some classic nightmare fuel they're releasing. To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Ring a special restoration of the film will be showing across the UK from Friday 1st March 2019. They've also got a showing at London's Prince Charles Cinema 21st February 2019.

The iconic horror movie has so many classic elements, urban myths and a more modern take on the chain letter. The iconic image of Sadako crawling out of a TV is burnt into Japanese pop culture on it's release.

You can find a screening near you by visiting the official UK Ring website.

If you want to watch it at home Ring will also be released on Monday 18th March 2019 on Digital, DVD, Blu-ray, Limited Edition Steelbook, and Limited Edition Collection featuring Ring, Ring 2, Ring 0 and Spiral.

You can pre-order the Limited Edition Collection Blu-ray now from Amazon.co.uk, which features a ton of content featuring Ring, Ring 2, Ring 0 and Spiral, plus a limited edition 60-page booklet containing new writing by Violet Lucca, Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, Jasper Sharp, Kieran Fisher and Kat Ellinger. They're also got Limited Edition Blu-ray Steel Book of Ring.

If you don't like Blu-rays in Steelbooks they've also got the regular blu-ray (that's currently priced the same as the steel book) or the film on DVD.

One Cut of the Dead UK Cinema, DVD and Blu-ray Release Details

Date: 2018 December 11 21:40 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks from Third Window Films have something special lined up for UK fans of clever Japanese horror movies. For those wanting to start the new year with a scream they'll be showing One Cut of the Dead in select cinemas around the UK from 4th January 2019.

The live action comedy horror movie tells the ghoulish story of a film crew who happen to encounter some zombies while filming, blood ensues. The film starts off with a non-stop one-take 37 minute shot, making it a bit clever to say the least.

The movie also hits Limited Edition Blu-ray and DVD on Monday 28th January 2019.

Neon Genesis Evangelion to stream on Netflix Worldwide from Spring 2019

Date: 2018 November 27 21:58 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Streaming Service Netflix have just revealed that they will be showing anime Neon Genesis Evangelion worldwide starting from Spring 2019. Announced on their NXOnNetflix Twitter feed as a teaser trailer of the show.

The original Neon Genesis Evangelion TV Series is generally regarded as one of the greatest anime TV shows of it's era. In the mid 1990's it lit the flames for a new wave of anime that still carries on to this day. Without the anime boom it caused the anime industry itself would be very different. Australian Anime Distributors Madman Entertainment owed their early success to Neon Genesis Evangelion. For many it was the watershed title that helped them discover anime.

Written and directed by the otaku's otaku Hideaki Anno the multi-layered story blends a bleak future mixed with giant robots, nostalgia for 1960's adventure, along with Christian symbolism and nods to Tokusatsu, Thunderbirds, along with a special blend of whiny teenage angst and reasons to hate your father. You'll never listen to Ode to Joy the same way again.

The hugely influential show, spawned some movies, plus the rebuild series of new movies retelling the story with a different take, various manga spin offs, plus an endless stream of merchandise.

Souce: Offical NXOnNetflix Twitter

Cyber City Oedo 808 UK Blu-ray Release Announcement

Date: 2018 October 13 16:05 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

UK based anime distributor Anime Limited have just teased on Twitter that they will be releasing Cyber City Oedo 808 on remastered Blu-ray sometime in 2019. The anime series from renowned studio Madhouse was shown in the mid 90's on Channel 4 in the UK on a very late slot but for many it the screening that lead them discovering anime. It was directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri (Ninja Scroll, Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust and the Program segment in The Animatrix to name a few).

Kaiji Live Action Movie - Animal World

Date: 2018 July 05 20:11 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

Fans of Chinese Cinema based off Japanese Manga will be interested to hear about Animal World.

The high-profile Chinese live-action cinema feature produced based on Nobuyuki Fukumoto's manga Tobaku mokushiroku Kaiji ("Gambling apocalypse Kaiji") about no-good lowlife Kaiji Ito, whose involvement with gambling and loan sharks land him in seemingly hopeless situations but who, under pressure, displays a remarkable insight into how to manipulate his way out of them - only for his gambling to inevitably lead him to fall into yet another one.

This latest, rather loose adaptation stars Li Yifeng as the protagonist, renamed Zheng Kaisi, with Zhou Dongyu and a special appearance by Michael Douglas, is written for the screen and directed by Han Yan Animal World (动物世界 Dòngwù Shìjiè). Trailers and other promotional videos, some with English subtitles, are available at UK-based distributor Cine Asia's YouTube channel.

Special thanks goes to Jordan Scott for bringing this to our attention and send us all the details

Animerama: A Thousand and One Nights / Cleopatra UK Blu-ray and DVD Release Details

Date: 2018 May 12 20:15 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

UK fans of Osamu Tezuka's less mainstream work will be interested to hear about Third Window Film's upcoming release of Animerama: A Thousand and One Nights / Cleopatra. This forms the world's first blu-ray and remastered release of Tezuka's more erotic movies from the late 60's and early 70's. The double disc set is due out on Monday 18th June 2018 and is rated BBFC 15.

The extras bundled with the film make it even more temping including Audio commentaries for both films by Helen McCarthy (anime expert and author of The Art of Osamu Tezuka: God of Manga), plus a new hour long interview with director Eiichi Yamamoto.

You can pre-order the collectors edition on blu-ray and DVD from Amazon.co.uk

Perfect Blue UK Halloween Cinema Screening Review

Date: 2017 October 24 16:40 | Posted By: Guest Contributor

Category > Features

UK Anime fans can catch the Satoshi Kon Classic Perfect Blue at UK Cinemas Nationally on 31st October 2017. Visit perfectbluemovie.co.uk to find a screening near you.

We sent James and Lee to review the movie. Our editor found them after the screening rocking back and forth in the corner of the room, muttering about perception of reality and something about an unreliable narrator, he didn't care that this movie freaked them both out, he just wanted his 500 word review. So after some special counselling involving a unicorn chaser of both seasons of K-On (plus the movie) we managed to get a coherent review. Although they are still on edge a bit when they see J-Pop Idols for some reason...

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

An Interview with Masaaki Yuasa

Date: 2017 September 29 16:51 | Posted By: Guest Contributor

Category > Features

Cult anime director Masaaki Yuasa was in the UK recently, being eager to quiz him about his two upcoming films Night is Short, Walk On Girl which hits cinemas on 4th October 2017 (visit the official website to find a screening near you) and Lu Over the Wall on 6th December 2017.

Rather than just send anyone to interview this great director, we wanted to send someone we knew who is one of Masaaki Yuasa biggest fans. So we sent Katy.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Kanpai London Craft Sake Brewery Crowd Sourcing

Date: 2017 June 21 15:53 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Cuisine

We've just discovered a crowd sourcing attempt to get a London Sake Brewery going! The catchy named Kanapi London aim to raise £12,500 by Thursday 29th June 2017. They've already hit their original target of £10,000 with 129 supporters.

The sake microbrewery in Peckham intend to make clear and cloudy sake in 330ml bottles.

They're crowd funding to get the first batch to market, scale up and produce more varieties of sake in the future. Pledge tiers include more than booze, you can t-shirts and hot sauce made with the sake.

For the £1,000 top pledge the brewery will visit your house (if it's in London) and host a sake-paired 3-course sake themed meal for 8 people including an award winning sake bomb dessert! If you break it down to a luxury top notch meal for £125 a head that they'll make at your house, that's good value for money. Plus you get to to start up a London sake brewery.

Souce: Kanpai London Craft Sake Brewery Crowdfunder

Full Metal Alchemist Ultimate Boxset UK Release Details

Date: 2016 October 31 16:50 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

We've survived the madness that was MCM London Comic Con October 2016. There's lots of anime news for us to go through and share with you. Lots of release details and so on. One thing that really caught our eye was Anime Limited's release of Full Metal Alchemist. They've bundled the original series in an ultimate box set. Now they've been drumming up interest in this release for a while and having actually seen in at the Anime Limited Booth we can confirm it really is the Ultimate Edition.

The real insane part of the set is "The Gate" made of resign it weighs in at 5kg (that's not a typo, it's five kilograms). The set in total weighs 8 Kg!

It'll ship mid November 2016. Anime Limited's shop has it for £209. That's a £90 saving. Anime Limited are also very clear that once this is out of print that's it.

Kitacon 2017 Details

Date: 2016 August 05 15:24 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

UK based anime fans looking ahead for the 2017 anime convention season will be pleased to hear that Kitacon have announced their 2017 event. During the closing ceremony of AmeCon 2016 the KitaCon Team revealed that their next event is called Kita Quest and will be at the Warwick Arts Centre from Friday 18th to Sunday 20th August 2017.

The Warwick Arts Centre was used this year for AmeCon 2016, and has been used many times before by AyaCon. It's a favoured location for anime conventions.

Registration for the anime/geek convention opens on Tuesday 3rd January 2017 at 19:00.

Souce: Kitacon

Band-Maid Announce First European Tour

Date: 2016 July 27 15:20 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Fans of hard core rock music played by Japanese Maids will be pleased to hear the news from JPU Records, who have sent us details of Band-Maid's first European tour.

Tour dates are as follows:
12 October 2016: The Underworld – London, UK
13 October 2016: MTC – Cologne, Germany
15 October 2016: Headcrash – Hamburg, Germany
16 October 2016: La Boule Noire – Paris, France
19 October 2016: Hydrozagadka – Warsaw, Poland

Ticket sales begin on Friday 29 July 2016.

Seven Seas Entertainment Licenses My Girlfriend is a T-Rex

Date: 2015 December 04 17:59 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

We've just heard from the good folks at Seven Seas Entertainment about a new manga they've licensed. It's called My Girlfriend is a T-Rex. No, it's not a typo. It's an actual manga. According to the press release:

"My Girlfriend is a T-Rex-like Monster Musume but with a very prehistoric twist!". So that explains the influence and the target audience.

If you like your anime girls carnivorous and cold blooded then this title is clearly for you. You might have to wait a while to get your hands on it as Seven Seas have states that it will be released on 1st November 2016.

We're thinking this is a must to add to your manga / graphic novel collection.

Hyper Japan Christmas Market 2015 Details

Date: 2015 November 07 17:13 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Fans of Japanese culture looking for something fun to do near Christmas will be interested in Hyper Japan Christmas Market. It's set to run from Friday 27th to Sunday 29th November 2015 at Tobacco Dock in London.

There's a ton of things to do at this event. They'll be lots of Japanese food, plenty of stalls with things to buy. Along with a whole host of musical performances from the virtual artist IA to the the cute and rather strange Lady Baby.

Cosplayers and fashion fans will be well represented too.

Anime fans will be pleased to hear that anime studio Production I.G will be represented too with anime director Naoyoshi Shiotani (who directed the Psycho-Pass TV series and movie) and producer Rui Kuroki, who will be giving talks throughout the event.

Gundam Zeonic Toyota Auris

Date: 2015 October 02 17:00 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Freaky Things

Gundam fans who have got it all will be interested in this latest cross over. Bandai Namco have teamed up with Toyota to produce a special Zeonic Toyota Auris. The car is available in forms the racy red MS-185H-CA02, which matches Char Aznable's own mech paint scheme, they also have a "PROCUCTION MODEL" that matches the classic Zaku green colour scheme.

This is a simple colour and transfer release, the cars actually have custom detailing including mech like fins on the rear, special front and rear bumpers, new mech-like wheel arches and air intakes too. It even includes red alloy wheels, along with Zeonic Toyota branded sport seats, gear stick. There's a ton of extras included too, such as the sat-nav using the Gundam voice actors Shuuichi Ikeda and Keiko Han.

The car retails around 2,900,000 to 3,700,000 JPY (which is about 15,900 to 20,300 GBP or 24,150 to 30,800 USD), depending on which options you get for it. You can read more details about this Auris on the Toyota Japan website.

You can also watch various promotional videos on YouTube.

As cars sold in Japan are right hand drive, we're wondering if any British Gundam fans would import this car?

Shinya Tsukamoto: Filmmaker Talk in London

Date: 2015 September 04 16:20 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

Fans of Japanese cinema in London will be keen to go to the Shinya Tsukamoto: Filmmaker Talk on Saturday 26th September 2015 at 2:30pm at the Impact Hub Westminster. The talk is hosted by the Japan Foundation London and is free to attend, but booking is essential to avoid disappointment.

Hatsune Miku at the Photographers' Gallery in London

Date: 2015 August 22 14:24 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

London based fans of everyone's favourite Vocaloid will want to head down to The Photographers' Gallery in Central London. Their media wall is currently showing Hatsune Miku as part of the d(^_^)b Exhibit, which runs up until Tuesday 15th September 2015.

Fans will also want to attend the Vocaloids and Alternative Universes talk which is set to run at the gallery at 6pm on Tuesday 8th September 2015. It's set to explore the theme of "How are new forums are being created online through fan and user generated music and images?" It should be an interesting discussion, but we wonder why no-one who is a Japanese Culture expert is on the panel? The talk costs £8 to attend or £5 for TPG members and concessions. It certainly does look interesting and worth attending.

Love Hotel Documentary on BBC 4 - Monday 16th February 2015

Date: 2015 February 15 12:34 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > TV

UK readers looking for something a bit different will be interested to hear about BBC 4's Storyville Documentary on Love Hotels. This documentary explores daily life inside a Japanese 'love hotel' and the people that frequent . The feature will be broadcast at 10pm on Monday 16th February 2015. It'll also be available on BBC iPlayer shortly after broadcast.

BBC 4 can be viewed on:
Freeview Channel 9
Freeview HD 106
Freesat Channel 107
Sky Channel 116
Virgin Channel 107
Virgin HD 164

Toyota to launch Manga Inspired Adventures at the MCM London Comic Con

Date: 2014 October 14 16:12 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

The MCM London Comic Con is almost here! We've just been sent details of an interesting product launch. Toyota will be revealing a manga styled adventure story to promote their new Aygo.

They've commissioned British based professional comic artist and illustrator Sonia Leong to create the artwork along with an original story. Sonia is no stranger to the UK anime and manga scene she is a member of popular UK artist collective and publishers Sweatdrop.

More details about the Aygo and it's manga inspired story will be revealed at the MCM London Comic on on Friday 24th October 2014 at the Toyota booth.

The MCM Expo is set to run from Friday 24th to Sunday 26th October 2014 at the ExCel Centre in London.

Junko Mizuno at the London Comica Festival 2014

Date: 2014 October 08 15:50 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Art

London based manga fans will be very excited to hear about a talk hosted manga artist Junko Mizuno. She'll be in London giving an exclusive talk for Comica Festival at popular bookshop Foyles at Charing Cross Road on Wednesday 22nd October 2014. Arrive at 6.30pm for 7.00-8.30pm. Tickets cost £8. As always we suggest booking as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

There will also be the first ever selling exhibition of her originals, prints and other items in London. Which will run at Atomica Gallery, 29 Shorts Gardens, London WC2H 9AP from October 20th to 28th as part of Comica Festival. With thanks to GB Sasakawa Foundation, Brewery Arts Centre Kendal, and Lakes International Comic Art Festival from Friday 17th to Sunday 19th October 2014.

Create your own Kaburimono headgear at the Japan Foundation in London

Date: 2014 May 06 16:05 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The good folks from the Japan Foundation in London have sent us details of an upcoming event set to run at the end of May 2014.

Details as follows:

At the end of this month, The Japan Foundation will be hosting three workshops with Japanese artist Norio Nishihara, renowned for making bizarre and outlandish headgear known as "kaburimono". In the workshops, participants can make their very own Kaburimono similar to Nishihara's creations, using newspaper and coloured tape. They can also take their inspiration from almost anything - even their favourite anime or manga characters. The workshops will be held at the Japan Foundation in Russell Square, on the 30th May (3:00pm) and the 31st May (11:00am and 3:00pm).

This event is free, but booking in advance is essential to avoid disappointment as there are a limited number of places.

Miss Manga Mascara a new manga style mascara from L'Oreal Paris.

Date: 2014 January 22 15:16 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

We've just seen an interesting advert on TV for a new brand of mega volume mascara Miss Manga. It's designed to give you the manga look. L'Oreal want people to embrace the Japanese Kawaii attitude.

Beckkii Cruel has reviewed the product.

Manga wallpaper is now available at B&Q

Date: 2014 January 13 19:16 | Posted By: Voxie

Category > Freaky Things

On the off-chance of a friend sending me a photo of her shiny new computer, I notice her room is emblazoned in manga comic art. I find out she bought it from B&Q a while a go.

The art in question is not an excerpt from an existing manga publication, but seems to be a one-off by artist and fashion designer Jean-Charles De Castelbajac

The wallpaper can be purchased online. It's available for £19.98 for a roll that spans 53cm in width and 10 metres.

Souce: B&Q

Gyo: Tokyo Fish Attack UK Release Details

Date: 2012 August 08 15:46 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

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!

Necomimi Brainwave Cat Ears are now available to buy in the UK

Date: 2012 June 27 15:46 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

Following on from our story on Brainwave Controlled Robotic Cat Ears, they've finally hit retailers in the UK! United Publications is now listing them for a very reasonable £73 a set. This will make an ideal gift for cosplayers, furries or those who just like wearing cat ears.

Souce: United Publications

Video Games Music reaches the Classic FM Hall of Fame 2012

Date: 2012 May 13 08:26 | Posted By: Voxie

Category > Gaming

After voting from fans, two video game entries have made the Classic FM Hall of Fame.

At number 16 is Aerith's theme from Final Fantasy VII, composed by Nobuo Uematsu. And at number 238 is Skyrim, composed by Jeremy Soule.

As a person who began liking classical music through video games in the first place, this is absolutely amazing news! Video games have come a long way!

Japanese Queen Tribute act at London's Japan Underground

Date: 2012 January 21 08:47 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Readers in London wondering thinking - Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? Caught reading this website should head over to The Pipeline in Liverpool Street London on Saturday 4th and Tuesday 7th February 2012 to catch one of Japan's hottest new Queen tribute acts. The band are called Queer (yes, that's actually their name) and will be playing a warm up set as part of Japan Underground, keeping in theme for the night the even will have DJ sets of famous rock hits covered by Japanese artists, plus an 80s themed dress code. The fun and games begin at 7pm and is set to run until midnight.

Tickets can be bought for £5 in advance, or for £7 at the door for each show.

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

London Gets Shibuya Style Crossing

Date: 2009 November 02 05:33 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Current Affairs

BBC News have an interesting article about a new crossing on Oxford Street in London.

The London shopping district now has a crossing inspired by the X style walk way. The most famous of which can be seen at Shibuya in Tokyo and is frequently filmed in documentaries that feature Japan.

The opening ceremony sounds like a lot of fun -
"In homage to its Far Eastern inspiration, the mayor will strike a two-metre high cymbal as Japanese musicians play taiko drums."

They even got cosplayers involved too -

"A giant X, in the form of 60m (196ft) of red ribbon will then be unfurled by devotees of cult Japanese Manga characters dressed in colourful costumes."

The London Mayor said the crossing was "a triumph for British engineering, Japanese innovation and good old fashioned common sense".

Oxford Street is frequently very busy with more than 200 million visitors a year and ideas like this help ease congestion at the bottle neck area of the tube station.

The BBC News Website has photos of the event you can even see a few cosplayers there too. ^_^

Update We've been sent some great photos of the opening ceremony.

MCM Expo Retain Video Games Cosplay World Record

Date: 2009 August 24 14:16 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Gaming

We've just been send the details from the folks behind the MCM Expo. They currently hold the Video Games Cosplay World Record with 376 cosplayers at the 23rd May 2009 London MCM Expo. They expected the record to beaten at Gamescom in Cologne, Germany. However they managed to get 311 video games cosplayers. As a result they intend to raise the bar even higher at the next London MCM Expo this October 2009.

British fans of Manba

Date: 2009 July 04 07:59 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

BBC News have discovered the Manba scene in the UK. The article titled Japan's fashion rebellion goes West, features two fans of the Japanese fashion, along with a video of them Para-para dancing and a separate video interview.

"British teenagers like 18-year-olds Eilish and Declan got caught up in manba after an interest in Japanese culture led them to start researching on the internet, where they came across the style."

They've discovered how to apply the make-up by watching videos on YouTube, and use Japanese social networking site Mixi to keep up with Japanese people who are also into manba fashion. The article also mentions they meet up with other mamba fans in London's Chinatown.

Souce: BBC News

Cosplayers Wanted - Storm Trooper Escort Provided

Date: 2009 May 06 17:23 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Are you a cosplayer? Are you free on Saturday 16th May 2009 and able to get to London? The people behind the London MCM Expo are looking for 10 cosplayers. They want you to help with publicity for the Expo, you'll be protected by a group of Storm Troopers (yes Storm Troopers ^_^).

The mission is a daring raid on Oxford Street. Where you'll be handing out flyers. The cosplayers will be given free passes to the Expo as a way of saying thank you.

Is Mikado Pocky? A Taste Comparison

Date: 2009 April 26 16:27 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Cuisine

UK readers might have noticed adverts on TV, for a product called Mikado, which looks strikingly like the favourite otaku snack Pocky.

In this article we'll do a taste comparison and reveal the differences, and answer the question, is Mikado Pocky?

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

Gaming Cosplay World Record set in London

Date: 2008 October 28 17:59 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Gaming

Following on from our earlier article about the Gaming Cosplay World Record we can confirm that they did break the record on Saturday 25th October 2008, for the largest gathering of people dressed up as video games characters. A total of 342 people were dressed as characters from games, narrowly beating the record set only last week in Germany with 337 people. These figures were verified by Guinness World Records.

Disappointingly the number for the London record could have been bigger, but some people were disqualified for dressing as characters that weren't primarily video games characters (we did warn about this), such as Lego Batman, or Indiana Jones. The question is how long will this record be held?

Souce: BBC News

Anime Central Vanishes from Sky

Date: 2008 September 06 21:08 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > TV

UK readers with satellite TV may not have noticed the disappearance of UK based anime channel Anime Central from channel 199. For the last few months at least all the channel broadcast was Ghost In the Shell:SAC and Cowboy Bebop in a constant loop, although they are both excellent shows, they're not really something a TV station can exist on alone.

Read More... | Souce: Otaku News

New Non Photographic Law is a bit vague

Date: 2008 May 29 18:12 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Current Affairs

Some anime and manga fans in the UK might have heard about the new proposals which would ban obscene images of children. The proposals mainly cover drawings and computer-generated images, however due to certain parts of the proposals being a bit vague, it's not exactly certain what images are classed as obscene. The mainstream press are keen to wrongly cite manga as one such example.

Akira gets bad press

Date: 2008 January 21 22:06 | Posted By: Voxie

Category > Current Affairs

A Sun article on the case regarding Meredith Kercher's death last November points out that suspect Raffaele Sollecito has the words "AKIRAFUGA" as his computer's password.

"The court was told the password for his computer is AKIRAFUGA. Akira is a character in violent sado-masochistic Manga comics.

Fuga is Italian for flee. One Akira story relates how the 'hero' ran after trying to rape students.

Sollecito was remanded in custody. "

I think some further analagy is needed on the term "akira" here...

Dance Dance: Revolution keeps you fit

Date: 2007 September 17 18:20 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Gaming

It seems that physical education teachers in the UK have discovered what gamers have known for ages, that Dance Dance: Revolution keeps you fit. Schools in the UK have taken up DD:R classes to keep children fit in school. Apparently you can burn about 400 to 600 calories an hour in these classes, so it can be fun to keep fit and exercise. The classes are being used as a platform to get children fit, help them exercise regularly and encourage them to go to the gym.

Souce: BBC News

British rural tea-rooms seek geisha girls

Date: 2007 July 12 17:03 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Freaky Things

BBC News are currently running an interesting story about the quest for geisha in Cumbria. The Lake District is a popular destination with Japanese tourists. So much so that Cumbria Tourism has translated a map of tea-serving places off the beaten track into Japanese and even hosting a Green Tea Day on 19th July 2007. Cafes on the tea trail are advertising for geishas to help with intricacies of the tea ceremony. Experts are also required to help translate the more trickier recipe names like "tarty tarn drizzle" into Japanese.

Fully-trained geisha are rare and apparently would charge up to £7,000 (more than $13,000 USD) to fly across from Japan. So the tourist association is hoping some more local experts can help out. Which is why I'm really posting this story on Otaku News. I know of our readers would be able to help. Any experts when it comes to tea etiquette in Japan should contact Cumbria Tourism. I'm sure a few translators could come in handy too. ^_-

Souce: BBC News

UK MP fears reduction of British children's TV

Date: 2007 March 19 15:30 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > TV

The Guardian are reporting on British Conservative MP John Whittingdale's recent speech at the Incorporated Society of British Advertisers conference. Mr Whittingdale is the chairman of the Commons culture, media and sport select committee. He's rather worried about a children's TV and the impact of pulling food advertising from children's TV - "[It will] have a damaging effect on children's broadcasting that will lead to money going out of it, the effect will be fewer children's programmes produced in this country except for the BBC," the main concern he stresses is increase in imported Children's TV - "There will be a growth of the likes of Japanese anime cartoons and American animated content which is something we are concerned about and may need to be addressed as part of challenge of maintaining public service plurality."

So in a nut shell he's worried that there won't be enough British produced children's TV, as ITV has been reducing it's children's output. The Otaku News crew want more TV greats like Danger Mouse. ^_^

Souce: The Guardian

Kelly Osbourne: Turning Japanese

Date: 2007 February 01 05:34 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > TV

UK readers who can view ITV2 may want to tune in tonight (Thursday 1st February) to catch Kelly Osbourne:Turning Japanese, it starts at 9pm and is repeated on Sunday 4th February at 10pm. Kelly Osbourne embarks on a working holiday exploring aspects of Japanese culture.

The first episode alone has her managing a Love Hotel in Tokyo, training with Samurai and working in what appears to be an otaku Maid Cafe. The second episode has her going to a manga convention in cosplay!

Japanorama Episode 2 - Otaku

Date: 2006 September 13 12:18 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > TV

UK viewers able to access BBC Three, will want to tune into Japanorama on Thursday 14th September 2006 at 11pm. The show will be reporting on otaku the Japanese nerds (if you're reading Otaku News, you should already know what an otaku is ^_^).

It looks like the show will be focusing on the rise of otaku and why so many of them can only feel love for manga, anime and model collecting. Host Jonathan Ross will also be reporting on Cosplay, as well as Maid Cafes. We're guessing Japanorma will also cover Akihabara, Train Man (Densha Otoko) and if we're lucky a convention like Winter WonderFest.

Souce: BBC Three

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