Category > Art
Readers with an artistic streak will be pleased to hear that the Embassy of Japan in the UK has announced the Manga Jiman Competition 2015.
There are 2 categories Manga Jiman for people aged 14 and over (there is no upper age limit), and Yonkoma Manga for 11 to 13 year olds.
Each year has a theme, this years theme is bright young things.
The competition is only open to UK residents, if you are artistic we strongly advise you to enter as the first prize is a return flight for 2 people to Japan.
You can see previous entries here.
Last year's winner was Cogs by Lorenzo Fruzza.
Read More... | Souce: Embassy of Japan in the UK
Category > Features
It's not often you get to see behind the scenes of the anime industry and find out what it's really like. This week the Japan Foundation in London hosted a talk called Inside The Industry: Anime.
The event brought together:
Hirokatsu Kihara who worked at Studio Ghibli before becoming a best selling author.
Michihiko Suwa who works as Chief Producer at the Animation Department of Yomiuri TV and credits include Detective Conan (aka Case Closed) anime.
Aya Suzuki a British/Japanese Layout artist, 2D Character/FX animator and occasional animation lecturer. Projects worked on include (but are not limited to) Hayao Miyazaki's The Wind Rises at Studio Ghibli, plus Mamoru Hosoda's Wolf Children.
Stephen Cavalier acted as chair, bringing his two decades experience in the animation and games industries along with authoring a book on The World History of Animation
The event ran on Monday 13th July 2015. It was free to attend and it was so popular there was waiting list. The audience was a mix of anime/manga fans along with animation students and animation industry professionals.
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News
Category > Retail
Fans of anime and manga who like to declare their fandom on t-shirts will be pleased to hear about Uniqlo UK's latest range of Manga T-shirt Collections.
The global Japanese fashion retailer have designs from Ghost In the Shell Arise, Taiyou Matsumoto + Nicolas de Crécy and Osamu Tezuka.
Read More... | Souce: Uniqlo UK
Category > Events
UK based fans of Japanese culture will be interested in Hyper Japan. The regular Japanese Culture event is set to return to London, this time at The O2.
The event is set to run from Friday 10th to Sunday 12 July 2015. As always it's listed on the Otaku Calendar.
There'll be lots to see and do there, highlights include as always all the food, plus anime music singer Eir Aoi, best known for her work on Sword Art Online and Kill La Kill. Anime is also well represented with anime director Kobun Shizuno. They'll be lots of gaming goodness too, plus things like Japanese clothes, and music.
Read More... | Souce: Hyper Japan
Category > Features
Toyota UK have decided to do something a bit interesting with their Japanese roots. At the October 2014 MCM London Comic Toyota revealed a new manga styled adventure to launch their new Aygo.
Specially commissioned by UK based artist Sonia Leong to create the manga. Toyota also commissioned an animated version of the comic too.
We caught up with Nik Pearson (Manager, Press Relations) at Toyota to talk about the campaign. We were lucky enough to get an exclusive interview about the project.
Thanks again for your time Nik. It's always interesting to see how production of manga based marketing campaigns work.
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News
Category > Press Releases
Ten years ago a new UK anime and manga magazine appeared on the scene. Ten years later that magazine is still going strong. Neo Magazine are celebrating this with the launch of issue 130 which is on sale now. They've got a lot of prizes to give away this month too.
10 years ago we posted about NEO Magazine's launch, and more recently their 100th issue.
Read More... | Souce: NEO Magazine
Category > Events
Are you looking for Christmas Japanese Culture fun in London? Well Hyper Japan have got something for you! on Friday 14th to Sunday 16th November 2014 they'll be running the Hyper Japan Christmas Market at National Hall, Olympia, London.
Read More... | Souce: Hyper Japan
Category > Manga
Incoming reports that VIZ Manga digital editions now available to purchase in AUS/NZ/ROI/UK NOTE: No official word from VIZ
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News
Category > Events
Manga fans wanting to know more about the history of sequential art will be pleased to hear about Helen McCarthy's A Brief History of Manga Talk. Helen McCarthy has written and co-written many books on anime and manga. She's London's resident anime and manga expert. She also edited the first UK Anime Magazine - Anime UK.
The talk is set to run in London at the Cartoon Museum from 6:30pm to 7:30pm on Tuesday 4th November 2014. The event is free, but as always we advise booking to avoid disappointment.
Please e-mail shop@cartoonmuseum.org or call 0207 580 8155 to book a ticket.
Ticket holders can also visit the Gekiga Exhibition for a special price of £2. We've covered the exhibition before here. It's a rare chance to see a great range of alternative manga. It's not every day you get to see such great artwork.
Read More... | Souce: Cartoon Museum
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.
Read More... | Souce: Comica Festival
Category > Manga
London based readers looking to discover a different side of manga will be very interested to hear about the Gekiga: Alternative Manga From Japan. This will run at Cartoon Museum on Little Russell Street (which is near the British Museum). It's set to run from Tuesday 23rd September to Saturday 29th November 2014.
It's not every day you get a chance to see manga like this on exhibition, so go and visit it while it's on!
The Japan Foundation will also be hosting a talk on Gekiga in London on Thursday 25th September 2014 (we've had this on the Otaku Calendar for a while).
Thanks to the good folks at The Japanese Gallery for telling us about the exhibition.
Read More... | Souce: Cartoon Museum
Category > Events
UK based fans of Scott Pilgrim will be very pleased to hear about Bryan Lee O'Malley's new book Seconds. To celebrate it's launch Bryan will be in the UK for some book signings at Gosh! Comics in London on Thursday 14th August 2014, The British Library in London on Friday 15th 2014, plus Forbidden Planet in Edinburgh on Sunday 17th August 2014.
We've already updated the Otaku Calendar with these details.
Update: More details the signings have been announced including, Leeds, Manchester and Dublin.
If you can't make it to the signings, you can always pre-order Seconds from Amazon.co.uk.
Souce: Raidomaru.com - Bryan Lee O\'Malley\'s Website
Category > Art
UK based artists should get drawing as the Embassy of Japan in the UK have just announced details of the 2014 Manga Jiman competition. The manga competition is now in it's 8th year. The theme this time around is "ichi-go ichi-e", which can be translated as "once-in-a-lifetime meeting" or "a chance encounter".
We've covered previous Manga Jiman competitions before. The top prize this year is 2 return tickets to Japan, second prize is a laptop, and third a rather nifty digital camera.
They've also got an interesting category for 11 to 13 year olds, Yonkoma Manga covering 4 panels.
Read More... | Souce: The Embassy of Japan in the UK
Category > Events
UK based fans of Japanese culture including anime, manga, food, J-Pop, cosplay and more traditional things will want to head to London on Friday 25th to Sunday 27th July 2014 for Hyper Japan.
The annual J-culture event returns promising to be it's biggest Hyper Japan yet.
It'll have all sorts of fun things to see and do. Including a game and anime park, fringe market, a section of pure kawaii, plus much more!
Read More... | Souce: Hyper Japan
Category > Events
The good folks from The Japan Foundation in London have got in touch to tell us about an up coming event that'll be of interest to manga fans. They'll be hosting Artist talk: Seiichi Hayashi in conversation with Ryan Holmberg on Tuesday 1st July 2014 from 6:30pm at their London Office.
Seiichi Hayashi is know for his highly regarded alternative manga. If you think manga is all shonen and want to expand your horizons. There is so much to manga and different forms of sequential art.
The talk is free to attend but booking is essential. To book e-mail event@jpf.org.uk
Read More... | Souce: The Japan Foundation, London
Category > Events
UK based fans of Japanese culture will be excited to hear about the return of Hyper Japan. The popular event which celebrates everything J-Culture related, including Japanese street fashion, cosplay, anime, manga, Japanese cuisine and of course the more traditional side of Japanese culture is back at London's Earl's Court One.
The event is set to run from Friday 25th July to Sunday 27th July 2014.
Read More... | Souce: Hyper Japan
Category > Art
The Embassy of Japan in London announced on Friday 21st March 2014 the winners of the prestigious Manga Jiman Art Competition. 10 winners were selected for the main category, winning prizes ranging from gift vouchers to a return flight to Japan.
1st place winner is Katja Hammond with Oh Crumbs! This was her third time entering the competition. Having read her submission, it's clear that this was something special, it could have been easily published and enjoyed as a children's book. She joined with other artists to form the Cross#atch Manga and Comics collective.
2nd place winner is Rachel Dunn with her story The Apocalypse and Key, an imaginative sci-fi tale of a pub that forms a hub to other dimensions.
3rd place winner was Selina Dean with her story A Beautiful World, a tale of travel water and romance. Readers familiar to the UK fan scene will know her from her work at Sweatdrop Studios.
Megan Brennan-Dent deserves a special mention, she won the prize for the most impressive Manga by an entrant aged between fourteen and sixteen. She also won 6th place overall, competing against everyone! This has not happened before at the Manga Jiman. Megan is indeed an up and coming talent and one to watch.
Read More... | Souce: Embassy of Japan
Category > Retail
From the feedback we've been getting a fair few of our readers are planning on heading into London over Christmas. With this in mind we've just updated the London Anime and Manga Shopping Guide with details of updated shops. We hope this will you help you get a bit of real world otaku retail therapy!
Regardless of where you do go shopping, we always suggest some caution. There are some retailers around that are less than honest and will sell pirate goods. To help you avoid getting ripped off we suggest you read the Pirate Anime FAQ.
Souce: Otaku News
Category > Manga
Crunchyroll and Kodansha Comics plan digital manga platform with simulcast publishing of chapters in same day release with Japanese versions.
Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll
Category > Anime
UK anime labels announce 2014 lineup acquisitions at London MCM Expo.
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News
Category > Manga
Phillip looks at the Android version of VIZ' popular Weekly Shonen Jump magazine. But it isn't all plain sailing.
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News
Category > Events
The good folks from NHK World have sent us details of their latest European adventures.
They'll be at the Japan Expo 2013 in Paris from 4th to 7th July 2013. NHK world will have a host of events at the Expo, highlights include a Shironuri Makeup Session with leading shironuri artist Minori.
We've been told that they'll also be at Hyper Japan 2013 in London on Friday 26th to Sunday 28th July 2013.
For the latest event schedule, please visit their Japan Expo 2013 Website.
UK based readers will be pleased to hear that you can now watch NHK World on Virgin Media Channel 625, along with FreeSat Channel 209 or on Sky Channel 507.
Read More... | Souce: NHK World
Category > Events
The good folks from the MCM London Comic Con have sent us news of the next London event. We're still recovering from this May's London Comic con which saw over 76,000 visitors.
The next MCM London Comic Con is set to run from Friday 25th to Sunday 27th October 2013. To accomdate the huge number of visitors the event will for the first time be using both sides of the huge Excel centre, increasing their capacity from 25,000 to 34,000 square metres. That's a lot more space for cosplayers with big wings!
Read More... | Souce: MCM London Comic Con
Category > Art
Artistic readers in the UK will be pleased to hear about the annual Embassy of Japan Competition Manga Jiman. The theme for 2013 is voyages of discovery.
The competition is open to all legal UK residents who are over the age of 14 by 1st January 2014.
There's a great selection of prizes to be won, including the top prize of return air tickets to Japan!
You can see previous winners on Myebook.
Read More... | Souce: Manga Jiman Competition 2013
Category > Manga
The good folks from the Kansai Club have sent us details of their Kickstarter to get Osamu Tezuka's The Crater published in English. They intend to publish it as a limited edition run of 2,000 high quality copies.
This is not the first of Tezuka's works to be crowd funded for an English release. Last year DMP ran a successful Kickstarter to get Unico funded.
Read More... | Souce: Kansai Club\'s Kickstarter page
Category > Press Releases
It's almost that time again! The MCM London Comic Con weekend is set to run from Friday 24th to Sunday 26th May 2013. As you'd expect the great folks from Manga Entertainment UK will be there and they'll have lots of lovely things at their booth (number 510).
Cosplayers can have their photo taken for free, plus the best cosplayers can win hundreds of pounds worth of goodies! They'll also have exclusive prizes and offers. They've got DVDs starting at £2 and blu-rays starting at £5. So when you get to the Expo, head over to booth 510.
They've got a ton of prizes to give away too, including a hamper full of anime collectibles worth over £1,000.
Read More... | Souce: Manga Entertainment UK
Category > Events
The good folks from the Comica Festival have sent us details of their latest event aimed at anime and manga fans in London. The Comica MangAsia is set to run on Saturday 18th May 2013 at Asia House in London. The fun starts at 11am and ends at 4:30pm.
The event includes talks and panels with anime and manga expert and writer Helen McCarthy. Sarah Rundle introduces Kamishibai, a form of traditional Japanese paper based storytelling.
Cosplay experts Emily Bastian and Adelaide Filippe will be there running a cosplay workshop. Plus Japanese manga artist Inko will be running a manga masterclass for those aged 16+.
Throughout the day there will be a free comic fair along with a tea room.
As always with these events, we advise booking in advance to avoid disappointment.
Read More... | Souce: Comica Festival
Category > Press Releases
The good folks from Neo Magazine have sent us details of issue 107. It's out now from all good news agents.
Read More... | Souce: NEO Magazine
Category > Retail
We've just heard that popular on-line retailer Play.com will stop "first party retail sales" by the end of March 2013. They intend to focus on it's Marketplace business. Play.com were sold to the Rakuten Group in 2011 for £25m. With the price reflecting the close of the tax loophole that allowed them to sell their DVDs from the Channel Islands, without paying VAT.
This basically means they will not directly distribute goods, but instead act as a market place to allow third party companies to sell stuff.
Read More... | Souce: Play.com
Category > Manga
The good folks from GEN Manga have just release their latest Issue GEN 16.
This issue continues the instalments of Psycho, Android Angels, Stones of Power, Anomal and Alive.
Read More... | Souce: GEN Manga
Category > Events
London based fans of Bleach looking to improve their Japanese Language proficiency will want to head over to The Japan Foundation in London on Sunday 9th December 2012. The Japan Foundation will be running a special workshop where you can get to grips with Japanese using Bleach.
The workshop costs £7 to attend and includes a copy of the original Japanese language edition of the manga Bleach. Booking deadline is Tuesday 27th November 2012.
Recommended language level is upper beginner (around JLPT N4) or above.
Read More... | Souce: The Japan Foundation
Category > Events
Fans of hentai at the London MCM Expo have a rare opportunity to meet one of the most influential and controversial manga artists Toshio Maeda. Creator of the the renowned Urotsukidoji and La Blue Girl has his own stall at the hugely popular event. He'll be selling uncensored original artwork, including some London exclusives. We've been told by those who have seen this artwork that it is beautiful and photos / screen shots just don't do it justice. That and well, if you're going to buy hentai artwork, buy it from the most influential creators!
Visit the Tentacle Master shop at the expo to pick up your own signed and numbered limited edition digital lithographic print. Each AQ2 sized print is on sale exclusively at the London MCM Comic Con and limited to 200 prints.
Even if you don't buy anything, if you go along to his table and say that you are "Otaku News Fans", Tosho Maeda will give you a small free present!
The London MCM Expo runs from Friday 26th to Sunday 28th October 2012 at ExCel.
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News
Category > Events
Christmas has come early for UK based fans of Japanese culture! Hyper Japan is set to return to Brompton Hall, Earl's Court in London for Hyper Japan Christmas 2012. The event is set to run from Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th November 2012.
They'll have all sorts of fun including traditional Japanese food, culture and music, along with the modern elements that make Japan cool.
Read More... | Souce: Hyper Japan
Category > Events
Artistic UK based readers in Hertfordshire who can get to St Albans will want to visit to the Museum of St Albans, Hatfield Road on Friday 5th October 2012. There launching a new project to create a manga book inspired by the theme of the Magna Carta, called the Manga Carta.
The fun starts at 5pm and is set to run until 8pm. Entrance is free. All ages welcome, 14s must be accompanied by an adult.
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News
Category > Culture
Readers who are in London or Edinburgh and are keen to learn Japanese will be interested in the Japan Foundation's new initiative. They've just launched a new website using Anime and Manga in Japanese to help you get to grips with the language.
They'll be running special workshops on the subject -
"This workshop, hosted by Ms Nanae Kumano (Developer of the Japanese in Anime & Manga website and Language Education Specialist at Japan Foundation Madrid), will introduce learners to the Japanese in Anime & Manga website, and explore how the site can be used to enhance your own Japanese language studies and enjoyment of Japanese culture."
On Thursday 4th October 2012 from 4pm to 6pm at the University of Edinburgh.
Levels: Basic – Advanced (JLPT N5 – N1/Level 1); English explanations will be given. This event is supported by the University of Edinburgh and is free for all participants. The event is free, but you do have to register in advance in order to attend.
On Friday 5th October 2012 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at The Japan Foundation - Russell Square London.
Levels: Intermediate to Advanced (JLPT N3/Level 3 – N1/Level 1); The workshop will be in Japanese.
Fee: £3.00 (to paid on arrival on the day, cash only accepted)
Limited to 40 participants – First come, first served. Click here to register.
Souce: The Japan Foundation
Category > Manga
The good folks from GEN Manga have just release their latest Issue GEN 14.
This issue continues the instalments of Psycho, Android Angels, One is Enough, Stones of Power, Anomal and Alive.
GEN will be giving away a short preview version of GEN 14 for free this month.
Read More... | Souce: GEN Manga
Category > Retail
The good folks from Neo Magazine have sent us details of the latest issue - 101. It's out now from all good news agents. It includes a double cover with Blue Exorcist on one side and Graces f on the other (plus articles relating to said covers). That and a four page preview of the highly anticipated Level 5 and Studio Ghibli Game Ni no Kuni.
Read More... | Souce: NEO Magazine
Category > Retail
The good folks from SFX Magazine have sent us the details of an anime special that hits the streets today (Friday 20th July 2012) in the UK. It's intended for everyone from seasoned otaku to those who haven't seen anime before.
It includes features on -
Dragon Ball Z
Toei
Nausicaa
Cosplay
Along with Tiger And Bunny, Welcome To The Space Show, Full Metal Alchemist, Blood-C, Berserk, Angel Beats, Ghost In The Shell and Neon Genesis Evangelion.
It comes with a double sized Full Metal Alchemist poster, a DVD with two episodes of Baka & Test, plus some Welcome To The Space Show Art cards.
Read More... | Souce: SFX Magazine
Category > Retail
Following on from the Neo 100th Issue Party, we've been sent the details of the 100th Issue of Neo Magazine, the UK's longest anime and manga magazine. Issue 100 is out now from all good magazine retailers.
Read More... | Souce: NEO Magazine
Category > Press Releases
Long ago on 25th November 2004 a new anime and manga magazine launched in the UK. Almost 8 years later, Neo Magazine is still going strong and has hit the 100 issue mark.
To celebrate it's 100th issue they'll be throwing a party in London on Saturday 7th July 2012. Everyone is invited to the free party, which starts at 8pm at the Bloomsbury Lanes. The party is for over 18's only, ID is required.
Read More... | Souce: NEO Magazine
Category > Press Releases
US publisher VIZ Manga announces plans to simultaneously publish the 13th volume of the popular manga in English on November 2nd 2012.
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News
Category > Culture
TES - The Times Education Supplement, a popular magazine for teachers and those in education have an interesting article about getting pupils into art through manga. It was published in the 11th May 2012 edition.
A manga scheme of work has been drawn up by Jono Carney. A 12 lesson scheme of work introduces "the manga style", and helps pupils creating their own characters. The article then mentions that members of the TES forums can get access to cross-meduim project plans and teaching resources for anime and storyboarding too. So if you're in school, why not encourage your teacher to foster the otaku in you?
Souce: Times Education Supplement
Category > Retail
The good folks at NEO have just sent us the details about their latest issue. NEO 98 is due out on Thursday 17th May 2012 from all good newsagents, Tesco and WH Smith. It features plenty of Dragon Ball Z, along with other articles on titles such as Ozma.
Read More... | Souce: NEO Magazine
Category > Events
Fans of Japanese culture will want to head over to Brighton from Friday 22nd June until Sunday 1st July 2012 for the return of the Brighton Japan Festival.
There will be plenty to see and do, including not one, but two matsuri festivals, a film festival, Japanese music and performances, traditional children's games, cosplay and so much more.
Read More... | Souce: Brighton Japan Festival
Category > Retail
The good folks from UK anime, manga and Asian pop culture publication NEO magazine have sent us the details of their latest issue. It's out now both on the high street and digital outlets.
Read More... | Souce: NEO Magazine
Category > Events
The good folks from UK anime, manga and Asian pop culture publication NEO magazine have sent us the details of their latest issue. It's out now both on the high street and digital outlets.
Read More... | Souce: NEO Magazine
Category > Manga
We've just been sent details from the good folk at GEN Manga about their latest release - Kamen Volume 1. The title will be available across the US through all good Diamond Comic Distributors and on Graphicly. You can also download the title from the GEN Manga Website.
Fans of comic books will be interested to hear that Marvel artist Harvey Tolibao did the cover for Kamen.
Read More... | Souce: GEN Manga
Category > Manga
The good people from JManga.com have just gone international. To celebrate the on-line manga service have launched a sign up promotion for new members.
From the Thursday 8th March 2012 to Wednesday 14th March 2012 if you sign up for a paid subscription you'll receive 5 books worth of bonus points with a $25 monthly subscription and 2 books worth of points a $10 subscription.
Read More... | Souce: JManga.com
Category > Press Releases
The good folks from UK anime, manga and Asian pop culture publication NEO magazine have sent us the details of their latest issue. It's due to hit the shelves on Thursday 23rd February 2012 (available from WH Smith, Tesco and all good newsagents). It features their round up of the greatest anime movies of all time, with their own top 10 list, along with reader contributions.
Plus previews of anime, along with all the usual features and articles you'd expect. K-Pop fans will want to read the article on Korea's Japanese pop invasion with an analysis of the Oricon charts. We're interested in reading the report on the continuing aid efforts in Japan following the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami of 2011.
Read More... | Souce: NEO Magazine
Category > Manga
The Embassy of Japan in London has chosen the winning entries in their annual manga writing competition.
Read More... | Souce: Embassy of Japan, London
Category > Retail
The US anime releasing division of Bandai has announced that from February they will cease publication of both new anime titles and manga titles. The company’s UK and French sister divisions have also released similar statements.
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News