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Bocchi The Rock Recap Part 1&2 Recap Film UK Cinema Release Details

Date: 2024 September 16 19:55 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks from streaming giants Crunchyroll have sent us details about the up coming cinema outing for everyone's favourite socially anxious rock guitar playing girl. Bocchi The Rock Recap Part 1&2 Recap Film will hit cinemas around the UK on Monday 7th October 2024.

Originally announced as two separate films the recap film condenses the whole of season one into a double feature. A new lyric video, "Tsukinami ni Kagayake" ("Shine as usual"), was created for the opening sequence of the compilation film, as well as a new ending theme song, "Ima, Boku, Underground Kara" ("Now, I'm Going From Underground") by Kessoku Band.

It's always good to watch more Bocchi and it's great we can catch her guitar journey on the big screen. We're hoping the movie hasn't edited out everyone's favourite drunk rocker Kikuri.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

Nukozuke! by Yugi Iro Manga Release Details

Date: 2024 September 07 10:40 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good folks from One Peace Books have just sent us details for an up coming manga Nukozuke! by Yugi Iro. It's pitched as slow-life comedy manga with a twist. Set in a world where nuko exist, they are pocket sized cat humans. Part-timer Yuya adopts two of them and it turns out that Yuya is more cat like than the nukos and they have to also look after Yuya.

It's marketed a sweet pick me up set to appeal to cat and manga lovers everywhere.

Read More... | Souce: One Peace Books

Spy x Family Code: White Movie Crunchyroll Streaming Details

Date: 2024 September 05 13:44 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from streaming giant Crunchyroll sent us a coded message. Using the S cipher we able to decode it. It was a secret message just for our eyes, it told us that Spy x Family Code: White will be hitting the streaming service from Friday 6th September 2024.

The movie had a cinema release in April earlier this year. We'd describe the movie as exactly what'd you expect for a Spy x Family cinema outing, it felt very much like a movie length version of the TV episode with high stakes, high action and lots of laughs. You can read our review here, but to be honest now it's on Crunchyroll, you should just watch it.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

Crunchyroll x Bershka: Frieren and Chainsaw Man Clothing Details

Date: 2024 September 02 10:06 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

The good folks from anime streaming giants Crunchyroll have sent us some details about their collaboration with clothing brand Bershka to bring us some Frieren: Beyond Journey's End and Chainsaw Man clothing and accessories.

We've got Frieren t-shirts, hoodies and crop tops, a bag, a mobile phone case, plus socks! You too can finally own some Fern socks. Chainsaw Man wise we've got t-shirts, a baseball cap, jeans and a bag, all with a mix of either Chainsaw Man or Pochita. Sadly no Chainsaw Man socks.

In the past Crunchyroll have teamed up with Bershka to sell other anime inspired merchanidse, our favourite recent tie in was the Junji Ito Clothing Collection.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

Crunchyroll Bring Their Anime Playlists to Spotify

Date: 2024 August 21 16:54 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from anime streaming giants Crunchyroll have just sent us details about their anime playlists on Spotify. They've got a dedicated shelf of animated related music for your listening pleasure.

Personally at the Otaku News HQ, we listen to some Bump of Chicken, Hitsujibungaku, Yaosobi, Yoko Kanno, Radwimps and many more.

You can always visit Spotify's global Anime Hub to find some more tunes too!

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

Crunchyroll Announce Free Streaming of Olympic Sport Anime

Date: 2024 July 23 18:20 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

In preparation of the sporting summer, the good folks from streaming giant Crunchyroll have just announced free streaming of Olympic sport anime. The sporting anime in question will stream for free with adverts, until 15th August 2024. Highlights include football anime Blue Lock and Free! - Iwatobi Swim Club. We highly recommend the gloriously ridiculous golf anime Birdie Wing (read our review) along with table tennis anime Ping Pong the animation.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

Hyper Japan 2024 Event Details

Date: 2024 July 14 13:24 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The good folks from Hyper Japan have just sent us the latest details for their 2024 London festival. Set to run from Friday 19th to Sunday 21st July 2024 at Olympia Events. Hyper Japan will bring you all the fun and games you'd expect including, food and drink, performers, workshops, various exhibitors and of course lots of good stalls selling stuff for fans of Japan.

Read More... | Souce: Hyper Japan 2024

All Kaiju Attack! Movie Season at London's Barbican Centre

Date: 2024 July 11 17:54 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The good folks from the Barbican Centre and the Japan Foundation have teamed up to bring the people of London a season of Japanese monster movies. All Kaiju Attack! : 70 years of Japanese monster movies is set to run from Wednesday 7th to Wednesday August 2024 at the Barbican Centre in London.

They've got many a good monster movie from classic Godzilla flicks to the more recent Shin Godzilla (which is introduced by anime expert Helen McCarthy).

Read More... | Souce: Barbican Centre

My Neighbour Totoro UK and Ireland Cinema Release Details

Date: 2024 July 07 21:01 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks from the Elysian Film Group have revealed that My Neighbour Totoro will be re-released in cinemas across the UK and Ireland from 2nd August 2024. The Studio Ghibli masterpiece by 2 time Oscar winning director Hayao Miyazaki is much loved and hugely influential. It's available to stream on Netflix, but seeing in on a big screen is another experience and we strongly advise you to catch it if you can. The film will be released just in time for the summer holidays when schools out. So children and adults alike can enjoy Satsuki and Mei's encounter with woodland spirits. The film itself is perfection. So much so the Royal Shakespeare Company adapted it for the stage and it has hugely successful run at the Barbican.

So check your local cinema listing from Friday 2nd August 2024 to find a screening near you.

Souce: Elysian Film Group

One Piece Music Symphony 25th Anniversary Concert 2024

Date: 2024 June 18 20:50 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

We've just received news about the upcoming One Piece Music Symphony 25th Anniversary Concert. The live show contains the most memorable moments of the TV series projected on a giant screen to the sound of a 50-musician orchestra. It's set to tour around the US from July 6th 2024, then will tour other key locations around the world including Australia , Europe and elsewhere.

UK based readers can catch the show on 16th November 2024 at the Appolo Eventim.

Read More... | Souce: One Piece Music Symphony 25th Anniversary Concert Website

Crunchyroll June to September 2024 DVD and Blu-ray UK Release Schedule

Date: 2024 June 09 17:35 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks from streaming giants Crunchyroll have sent us details for their June to September 2024 DVD and Blu-ray release schedule.

Highlights include Mob Psycho 100, Blue Lock and Vinland Saga. We're keen to get our hands on the mellow slice of life anime with a twist A Galaxy Next Door (which arrives on Blu-ray on 17th June 2024). The majority of titles are blu-ray only, with a few being DVD and blu-ray available options.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

Dead Dead Demon's Dededede Destruction Streaming Details

Date: 2024 May 22 18:11 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from streaming giants Crunchyroll have sent us details about Dead Dead Demon's Dededede Destruction. The new series is due to land on the streaming service from Friday 24th May 2024. Expect a story with high-school best friends and dystopian sci-fi antics with a lingering space ship.

The series is animated by studio Production +h. who are best know for the Netflix series The Orbital Children. Dead Dead Demon's Dededede Destruction was originally a manga by Inio Asano, who is best known for Goodnight Punpun.

Watch the official trailer

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle UK and Ireland Cinema Release Details

Date: 2024 May 16 20:18 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks at anime giants Crunchyroll have sent us the details for the UK and Ireland cinema release of Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle.

To celebrate the 10th anniversary Haikyu!! anime fans will be treated to a cinematic outing. It's set to hit cinemas around the UK from Friday 31st May 2024. It'll be released in both dubbed and subbed formats.

The Haikyu!! volleyball franchise is hugely popular with the manga selling 60 million copies in circulation. If you haven't seen it yet, you can also catch the series on Crunchyroll.

Plot synopsis as follows: Shoyo Hinata must join forces with his old nemesis Tobio Kageyama during the thrilling showdown between Karasuno and Nekoma high school in the highly anticipated "Dumpster Battle". Which team will remain standing when the two underdogs duke it out?

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

Manga Tech Startup Orange, Inc. Raises JPY 2.9B (USD 19.5M) in Pre-Series A Financing

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

Category > Manga

The people from manga tech start up Orange, Inc have sent us details about their latest fundraising. They've managed to get JPY 2.92 billion (approximately USD 19.5 million* ) fundraising in pre-series A financing.

The company pitches itself as a a manga localization technology company that uses deep learning models to translate manga. In a web comic they explain how it's not cost effective to get humans to translate the bulk of manga published in Japanese. As a result they claim less than 2% of Japanese manga has been translated.

The pitch also says they'll have skilled translators polish the output, while in reality, for a translator it's actually easier to translate directly than to tidy up machine translated text.

Machine translation does have it's place. It's frequently (and successfully) used to translate text with a consistent context, such as instruction manuals and technical documents. This text is often very dry, but also very limited in scope with fixed and repeated text. Once a human has corrected it the machine model can then use the preferred translation for that expression again and again, which makes sense in an instruction manual.

Manga however is a creative endeavour and as a result the translations have a very wide scope. Translators have to be creative, who is speaking? What's their background? What mood are they in? What's the context of what they're saying? Is it a pun? Are they speaking formally? Do they have a regional accent? This and many other factors have to be taken into account words don't always have a one to one mapping, as context and intent makes manga translation an art form unto itself.

We're reminded In an industry where companies are trying to lower translation costs at the expense of translators wages, it can make it difficult to earn money as a freelance translator when companies are trying to race to the bottom.

We're thinking if you gave the Otaku News Team 2.92 billion JPY, we wouldn't publish as much manga as Orange Inc are intending to, but we'd pay our translators, letters and other production staff a decent wage. So if any companies looking to send us almost 19.5M USD to publish, then please do get in touch. We've got a list of manga we'd like to license and translate!

On a more serious note, we reached out to a few professional translators to ask their opinion on the Orange Inc News and machine translation in general. We also got them to do a translation mini battle.

Read More... | Souce: Orange Inc

Crunchyroll Announce 3 More Titles for 2024

Date: 2024 May 08 19:40 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from streaming giants Crunchyroll have sent us details from CCXP Mexico, where they announced some new and returning titles to the service.

Coming some time in 2024 is Tying the Knot with an Amagami Sister, while set for October 2024 we have Nina the Starry Bride along with the return of Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- Season 3. Re:ZERO has been hugely popular with anime fans and it's return is highly anticipated.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

Crunchyroll Ani-May 2024 Promotion

Date: 2024 April 29 19:48 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from anime streaming giants Crunchyroll have sent us details about their Ani-May promotion.

For starters some of their top 20 shows will be available to watch for free with ads. This includes the utterly fantastic Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, Vinland Saga and Chainsaw Man.

Across the UK 120 HMV stores will be rebranded for the month and will play host to the exclusive early release of shows on DVD and Blu-ray including Mob Psycho Season 3, KONOSUBA - An Explosion on This Wonderful World!, Uzaki-chan Wants to Hang Out! At HMV they've also got a competition running with a chance to win a VIP trip to Paris for Japan Expo, with Crunchyroll!

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

Crunchyroll UK DVD and Blu-ray Release Schedule for May to August 2024

Date: 2024 April 27 11:02 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from streaming giant Crunchyroll have sent us details for their UK home video release schedule for May to August 2024. Titles include Blue Lock, Mob Psycho, One Piece, The Quintessential Quintuplets, Bofuri, Dr. STONE - Season 3 Part 1 and Vinland Saga - Season 2 Part 1. Guility pleasure anime includes Uzaki-chan Wants to Hang Out! Season 1 and 2, plus Tomo-chan Is a Girl! - The Complete Season.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

The 17th Manga Jiman Competition Results

Date: 2024 March 30 11:25 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The Embassy of Japan in the UK revealed the winners of The 17th Manga Jiman Competition. The awards ceremony for the prestigious competition was held at the Japanese Embassy in London on Friday 22th March 2024.

This years first place went to Edward Taylor for St. Jerome 2.0, while Louis Hey won second place for My Mom. Third place went to Rachel Yelding with Stay Forward.

If you're in London, you can also book a free visit to the Embassy to see the winners exhibition until the end of April 2024.

Read More... | Souce: Embassy of Japan in the UK

Hatsune Miku Expo 2024 Europe Tour Details

Date: 2024 March 27 21:09 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The good folks at anime streaming giants Crunchyroll have sent us details of the upcoming Hatsune Miku Expo 2024 Europe Tour. The idol will be appearing at to 6 cities across Europe: London, Brussels, Paris, Amsterdam, Düsseldorf and Berlin. General tickets will be on sale from Friday 5th April 2024 at 10 AM GMT.

2024 marks the 10th anniversary of the Miku Expo tour!

Read More... | Souce: Hatsune Miku Expo 2024 Europe Tour

SPY x FAMILY CODE: White Movie UK and Ireland Release Details

Date: 2024 March 17 11:20 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks from anime distributors Anime Limited have sent us details of the upcoming release of the Spy x Family Code White Movie. The film is due to hit the UK and Ireland in selected cinemas from Friday 26th April 2024 in Japanese with English subtitles, and an English-language dub.

For the uninitiated Spy x Family is a hugely popular series, which started as manga and had a truly excellent TV anime adaptation. The series is set in a 1960's like world where rival nations Westalis and Ostania are in a state of cold war. Westalis spy codenamed Twilight takes on the identity of Loid Forger in order to get closer to the inner circle of Donovan Desmond leader of the National Unity Party. With all access to Desmond effectively closed off, the only route to meeting him is pretending to be a parent at Ostania's exclusive private school. So Twilight has to build a false family in order to so. He adopts Anya as his daughter, who unknown to him is a telepath and Yor, an assassin. While each is oblivious to each others secret, only telepathic child Anya is aware about the rest of her family's true identities.

We'd describe Spy x Family as an action comedy. We're really excited about this movie and if you love the TV show you're bound to encounter more of the same with this new movie. They've also made the effort for people new to the franchise so if you're not familiar with Operation Strix it looks like it'll form a great introduction into the world of Ostania.

Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited

Crunchyroll Announces Spring 2024 Anime Streaming Line Up

Date: 2024 March 14 21:02 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from streaming giants Crunchyroll have just revealed their Spring 2024 anime line up.

The streaming service will be releasing some hotly anticipated titles. We're most looking forward to Kaiju No. 8. Based on the popular manga, the anime adaptation by Production I.G. is due out on Saturday 13th April 2024. Set in a world where giant monsters ravage Japan our hero wants to enlist in The Defence Force to help save humanity, action and a twist ensues.

Laid Back Camp returns for Season 3, we're looking forward to seeing more of this comfy camping slice of life show. We've got more of Rin, Nadeshiko and friends riding around Japanese country side. What's not to like.

While also interestingly we've got an old favourite returning. Spice and Wolf returns. The fan favourite is an interesting franchise about trading economics and a wolf girl.

There's so much to pick from this season, but one you shouldn't overlook is a new adaptation of Bartender, this version is called Bartender Glass of God. It's about bar hidden away in Tokyo, where only those truly in need seem to find it. While there the bartender just happens to make the perfect drink to sooth your worries. Each episode a different drama unfolds and we're treated to a new drink recipe.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

Dan Da Dan To Stream on Crunchyroll October 2024

Date: 2024 March 10 21:47 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from streaming giant Crunchyroll have sent us details about Dandadan arriving on Crunchyroll. The anime version will be adapted by Science SARU, who also recently made Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! and Tatami Time Machine Blues.

The quirky nature of the manga makes it an excellent fit for the type of show Science SARU normally create, it feels like a natural pairing.

The show is due to hit the streaming service this October 2024. Interestingly, Crunchyroll are calling it Dan Da Dan, while manga publishers Viz have localised it as Dandadan (without the spaces).

You can watch the the official subtitled trailer on YouTube.

We're really looking forward to this series as Science SARU always produce such amazing anime.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

Crunchyroll Announces the Winners of The Anime Awards 2024

Date: 2024 March 04 21:14 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from anime giants Crunchyroll have announced the winners of The Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2024.

Winners of the coveted award include Jujutsu Kaisen for Anime of the Year, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Swordsmith Village Arc for Best Animation, and SPY x FAMILY Season 1 Cour 2 for Best Comedy.

The awards have been running 2017, this annual event has recognized and celebrated anime's finest series, films, and the talented people who make them. Fans from around the world, along with a global panel of judges, cast their votes in a variety of categories, and the results are revealed at our live awards show.

Our editor Joe Curzon (that's me), was on the judging panel this year.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll Anime Awards

Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Freedom UK and Ireland Cinema Release Details

Date: 2024 February 29 20:24 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks from Anime Limited have just sent us details about the up coming cinema release of Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Freedom. It lands exclusively in selected cinemas across the UK and Ireland from 23rd March 2024.

This continues the story of the Mobile Suit Gundam Seed and Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Destiny TV series.

It'll be available in Japanese with English subtitles for one weekend only. For more information visit gundamfreedomfilm.co.uk.

Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited

Tales of the Tendo Family Manga Release Details

Date: 2024 February 27 20:57 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good folks from One Peace Books have just sent us details for an up coming manga Tales of the Tendo Family. Created by Ken Saito the historical-romance shojo is due out on April 9th 2024.

Set in the Meiji Period it tells the story of a girl who poses as the beautiful young noble Hojo Ran, who in turn is seeking to escape a marriage into the notoriously bloody Tendo family. Our hero gets pulled into the twisted world of the Tendo family.

Ken Saito is a mangaka best known for the heartwarming series The Name of the Flower. Tales of the Tendo Family will be translated by Matt Schley (Multi-Mind Mayhem, NHK, Netflix). The series will be released every 3-4 months.

Read More... | Souce: One Peace Books

Studio BONES Turns 25! Crunchyroll Produces Documentary to Celebrate

Date: 2024 February 12 19:45 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from streaming giant Crunchyroll have sent us details of a new Studio BONES Documentary. The celebrate the anniversary Crunchyroll have produced a new 4 part documentary to capture the history behind such hits including Cowboy Bebop: Knockin' on Heaven's Door (the Cowboy Bebop Movie), My Hero Academia, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, and much more.

BONES 25: Dreaming Forward will be available from Tuesday 13th February 2024 and will coincide with the launch of Studio BONES new anime, Metallic Rouge.

You can check out a trailer of the documentary on YouTube.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme 2024 Japanese Guests Appearances

Date: 2024 February 01 20:52 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The good folks from the The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme have sent us details of special Japanese guest appearances around the UK.

Visiting the festival we have Maeda Tetsu, director of Do Unto Others, Chihara Tetsuya director of Ice Cream Fever, plus Serena Motola, featured in Ice Cream Fever and Voices in the Wind. The 3 Japanese guests will be at various screenings around the touring film programme and available for a Q&A about their films.

Read More... | Souce: The Japan Foundation UK Touring Film Programme 2024

Crunchyroll February to May 2024 UK DVD and Blu-ray Release Schedule

Date: 2024 January 29 21:19 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

The good folks from Crunchyroll have sent us the DVD and Blu-ray UK line up for February to May 2024.

Highlights to the home video releases include Makoto Shinkai's Suzume (review here) , SPY x FAMILY Part 2, One Piece: Collection 33 and RWBY: Ice Queendom.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba -To the Hashira Training- Movie UK and Ireland Release Details

Date: 2024 January 21 16:19 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks from streaming giant Crunchyroll have sent us details about the special world tour of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba -To the Hashira Training-.

The film combines episode 11 of the Swordsmith Village Arc which concludes the story arc and then follows on with Episode 1 of the Hashira Training Arc.

It'll hit the UK and Ireland from Friday 23rd February 2024. A special screening will be held on Sunday 25th February 2024 at BFI IMAX in London featuring guests Natsuki Hanae (Tanjiro Kamado's voice actor) and producer Yuma Takahashi. Tickets will be available soon.

The movie will be released across various countries / territories this February 2024. Read on to find out more...

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

Delicious in Dungeon Social Media Giveaway

Date: 2024 January 10 21:11 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from Kadokawa have sent us details about a great little social media campaign they're running to promote the new Delicious in Dungeon anime that's now streaming on Netflix.

The anime follows the story of a group of adventures who have failed on their quest. With Laios the hero down on his luck and against the clock as his sister is slowly getting digested by a red dragon. He has to return to the dungeon to rescue his sister, but is flat of our money and resources to buy food, so resorts to eating dungeon monsters!

The comedy series is animated by Studio Trigger, who have also down the fantastic Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, BNA, Kill La Kill and Little Witch Academia to name a few of their titles.

The manga is availble in English from Yen Press.

Anyway, the competition in question is a follow the X (formally known as Twitter) accounts and repost the giveaway post in order for your chance to win some signed goodies.

Read More... | Souce: Delicious in Dungeon Social Media Giveaway Post

Suzume UK DVD and Blu-ray Release Details

Date: 2024 January 10 20:33 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from anime giants Crunchyroll have sent us details for the UK home video release of Suzume. Makoto Shinkai's latest cinematic outing tells the story of Suzume, a girl pulled into an adventure to close magical disaster causing doors around Japan. The road trip movie will be released on DVD and blu-ray on Monday 1st April 2024.

Initially 4 editions will be available a DVD Regular Edition, a Blu-ray Regular Edition, a DVD & Blu-ray Steelbook Edition and a DVD & Blu-ray Limited Edition. The DVDs and blu-rays are available now for pre-order from your favourite home video retailers. A Blu-ray 4K edition is also scheduled for release later in the year.

You can watch the movie on Cruchyroll now.
You can also read our review of the movie, or our interview with film's creator Makoto Shinkai where we catch up with him and talk about the film.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

Voidol3 Anime Style Voice Changing Software Release Details

Date: 2024 January 06 12:47 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

The good folks from Japanese software firm Crimson Technology have sent us details about their English language launch of Voidol3. 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.

We reviewed Voidol2 when it came out a few years ago.

This new version is available for Windows and macOS. You can purchase the standard version for $270 (USD) or upgrade from Voidol2 for $170 (USD).

Read More... | Souce: Crimson Technology Voidol3

City String Ensemble Anime Music Performance in London February 2024

Date: 2024 January 05 21:25 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The good folks from City String Ensemble have sent us details about an up coming performance. City String Ensemble: Best of Anime which is set to run at EartH (Evolutionary Arts Hackney) in London on Saturday 3rd February 2024.

They promise an evening of iconic melodies from Studio Ghibli to the adrenaline-pumping beats of Attack on Titan. To get a feel for their performances take a look at their Eventbrite listing which includes links to their Spotify Anime EP along with some other samples on their YouTube Channel.

We've interviewed Sophie Poteratchi, the founder and violinist of City String Ensemble about the up coming event.

Originally the event was scheduled to run in December 2023, however due to rail strikes and venue audience number restrictions for December, they've rescheduled to Saturday 3rd February 2024 instead.

We've heard anime music played by live string quartets before and it is something special. If you're a fan of anime music or classical music, there's plenty to enjoy.

Read More... | Souce: City String Ensemble

The Japan Foundation UK Touring Film Programme 2024

Date: 2023 December 27 11:59 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks from The Japan Foundation, London have sent us details of the The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme. The UK's largest Japanese cinema festival, is set to start from Friday February 2nd 2024 and will run until Sunday 31st March 2024.

This will be the biggest showcase ever with 24 titles from human drama, horror, LGBTQ films, comedy, and sci-fi and so on. Most of them are UK premieres too!

The programme is set to run across 30 cities in the UK including Oxford, Lancaster, Chichester, Liverpool, and as far as Orkney!

There's plenty to choose from whatever your taste in films. There's also lots of interesting movies to try if you're curious and looking for something new!

Read More... | Souce: The Japan Foundation UK Touring Film Programme 2024

Blue Giant Hits UK and Ireland Cinemas January 2024

Date: 2023 December 21 20:28 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks from anime distributors Anime Limited have just announced the UK and Ireland cinema release details for Blue Giant. The jazz themed anime movie is based on the award winning manga of the same name. It follows the adventures of aspiring jazz saxophonist Dai Miyamoto.

The film is due to hit selected cinemas in the UK and Ireland from Wednesday 31st January 2024 and as you'd expect it features a stunning jazz soundtrack. So it's a film for anime and jazz fans!

Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited

Crunchyroll Unveils Winter Season of Anime for the Start of 2024

Date: 2023 December 14 20:22 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from streaming giants Crunchyroll have just sent us details for their Winter 2024 line up. As 2023 winds down, they've got some great titles to lined up to start the new year.

Headlining on 29th December 2023, Burn The Witch returns and we'll get more adventures in Reverse London.

While 6th January 2024 sees the continuation of One Piece, and we're introduced to new series Solo Leveling and A Sign of Affection. We've covered Solo Leveling before when it had a special London screening. We're also very curious about A Sign of Affection as the romantic series looks promising.

We're most excited about the confirmation that Frieren: Beyond Journey's End will be continuing too. We've really been enjoying this story of Elf Mage Frieren who's quest has finished and has started to figure out what to do next.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

Godzilla Minus One Expands to Over 400 Cinemas in the UK and Ireland

Date: 2023 December 13 20:53 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks from Anime Limited have just sent us details of the up coming UK cinema release of Godzilla Minus One. It's due out on Friday 15th December 2023 and screenings have now expanded to over 400 screens across the UK and Ireland.

The movie has already proved to be a smash in the US becoming the all-time highest grossing Japanese live-action film in North America.

To find a cinema near you showing the movie visit godzillafilm.co.uk.

Read More... | Souce: Godzilla Minus One Film Website

Spirited Away Stage Play Adaptation London Performance Details

Date: 2023 December 01 20:43 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

We've just heard news that the stage adaptation of Spirited Away has been extended by 5 weeks due to huge demand. It's set to run in London from Tuesday 30th April 2024 until Saturday 24th August 2024. They've made an extra 90,000 (yes ninety thousand) extra tickets on sale!

You can catch this performance at the London Coliseum. The stage adaptation of Hayao Miyazaki's much loved Spirited Away closely follows the original movie and does feature singing and dancing, but is not a musical. It will be performed in Japanese with English subtitles visible from each seat.

You can visit the London Coliseum website book tickets

If you want to catch more Miyazaki on the London stage, don't forget about the Royal Shakespeare Company adaptation of My Neighbour Totoro at the Barbican. This second run of the truly fantastic stage play is set to run from Tuesday 21st November 2023 until Saturday 23rd March 2024. We saw the run last year and you can read our review if you're curious to know more about the 2022 run.

Read More... | Souce: Spirited Away Stage Play Adaptation London Coliseum Official Website

Solo Leveling London Cinema Screening Details

Date: 2023 November 29 20:34 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from streaming giant Crunchyroll have sent us details about a special screening of Solo Leveling. Ahead of the series hitting the streaming service in January, you can catch a premiere screening of the first two episodes at Cineworld Leicester Square in London on Wednesday 13th December 2023.

Solo Leveling is a Korean manhwa and is adapted into an anime series by A-1 Pictures (who are responsible for Sword Art Online, Black Butler and Fairy Tail to name a few of their titles).

Tickets are on sale now on Eventbrite.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

Reminder: City String Ensemble Anime Music Performance in London

Date: 2023 November 27 20:25 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Update: Due to unforeseen circumstances the Best of Anime Concert has been rescheduled to Saturday 3rd February 2024. All tickets for the December event will be valid for the February 2024 one automatically.

They intend to prepare a new set including music from Ghibli's latest movie The Boy And The Heron.

Just a quick reminder to our readers who can get to London this weekend. On Sunday 3rd December 2023 City String Ensemble will be performing their City String Ensemble: Best of Anime which is set to run at EartH (Evolutionary Arts Hackney).

We've announced the event before and interviewed Sophie Poteratchi, the founder and violinist of City String Ensemble about the up coming event.

We've heard anime music played by live string quartets before and it is something special. If you're a fan of anime music or classical music, there's plenty to enjoy.

It's also worth noting just across the road from the venue on the same day the Yokimono Japanese Christmas Market will be running, which promises all sorts of food, crafts and performances, so you can make a day of Japanese culture!

Souce: City String Ensemble

Godzilla Minus One UK and Ireland Cinema Release Details

Date: 2023 November 22 20:56 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks from Anime Limited have just got in touch to tell us about their upcoming cinema release. Godzilla Minus One will burst into cinemas, IMAX, 4DX, Screen X and Dolby Cinema across the UK and Ireland from Friday 15th December 2023.

Toho's latest incarnation of the worlds most well known giant reptile sees mass destruction across a post-war setting. It's being pitched as one of those films best enjoyed on the big screen.

To find a cinema near you showing the movie visit godzillafilm.co.uk.

Read More... | Souce: Godzilla Minus One Film Website

Makoto Shinkai's Suzume Hits Crunchyroll from 16th November 2023

Date: 2023 November 13 20:49 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from streaming giant Crunchyroll have sent us news that Makoto Shinkai's latest movie Suzume will be available on the streaming platform from Thursday 16th November 2023.

The director is best known for anime box office smash hits Your Name and Weathering With You. Suzume is his latest offering in with the titular character must travel around various ruins across Japan closing doors that are the cause of devastation. The film went on to gross over $300 million worldwide during its initial theatrical run, making it the fourth highest-grossing anime film of all time.

If you want to know more about the movie you can read our spoiler free Suzume movie review or our interview with Makoto Shinkai about the film.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

A Night at the Kabuki Streaming Details

Date: 2023 November 09 20:55 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Fans of Kabuki, Shakespeare and Queen are in for a real treat as Sadler's Wells, A Night at the Kabuki is to be streamed live on Friday 17 November 2023 and available to watch until Thursday 30 November 2023.

A Night at the Kabuki, the acclaimed Japanese stage production inspired by Romeo & Juliet set to the songs of Queen, Transported from the original setting of 14th century Verona, Italy, this production takes place in late 12th century Japan at the start of the Samurai era where the rivalry between the Minamoto and Taira clans intensifies after their young heirs Romeo and Juliet fatefully fall in love.

The stream will be available globally as is priced at JPY ¥4,000/£21.64/€24.90. Visit Stagecrowd for the livestream on Friday 17th November at 03.00 GMT (12:00 JST) - the recording will be available until Thursday 30th November 14.59 GMT (23.59 JST). You'll be able to watch the stream live and then as many times as you like while it's available until the Thursday deadline.

Read More... | Souce: A Night At the Kabuki

Attack on Titan Concludes on Crunchyroll

Date: 2023 November 03 17:23 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Remember remember the 5th of November as that's when Attack on Titan Final Season The Final Chapters Special 2 will be arriving on Crunchyroll. The epic conclusion to the colossal series will be available on the streaming service from 5th November 2023 in the UK and over 200 countries and territories around the world.

This will conclude the anime series, which has been running for 10 years now! Based on the hit manga (with over 100 million volumes sold worldwide) it tells the tale of Eren Jaeger and his friends who live inside the towering walls of a fortified city. The last of humanity survive behind the safety of the walls as outside roam man eating titans. Eren's life goes downhill when titans bust into his part of the city and chaos ensues.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

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.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

Machine as a Hero? Unfolding Japanese Mecha-Anime Talk by Fujitsu Ryota

Date: 2023 October 21 11:51 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The good folks at the Japan Foundation London and Kotatsu Japanese Animation Festival have got in touch to tell us about a online talk they'll be hosting. Machine as a Hero? Unfolding Japanese Mecha-Anime by Fujitsu Ryota is set to run on Friday 10th November 2023 at 18:30 GMT. The online talk hosted on Zoom, is free to attend, but registration is required.

Read More... | Souce: Japan Foundation London

Crunchyroll Reveal UK DVD and Blu-ray Release Line-up for October to December 2023

Date: 2023 October 05 20:08 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from streaming giants Crunchyroll just sent us the line up for their UK Q4 2023 home video release schedule. They headline with Chainsaw Man, My Dress Up Darling, Classroom of the Elite, Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, which all get released on Monday 4th December 2023, along with Overlord IV which gets a release on Monday 20th November 2023.

For the end of year blu-ray and DVD line up, they've got pretty something for everyone, including some perfect holiday gifts. We're most excited about getting Chainsaw Man on Blu-ray as we enjoyed extremely violent anime, while we're also looking forward to My Dress Up Darling, which is almost the polar opposite of Chainsaw Man, as it follows the (fan service heavy) story of a cosplayer and a costume maker for dolls teaming up to make the perfect cosplay, it's saccharine, with a bit of slice of life along with amusing moments as they dance around the fan service, this is one of the many reasons it proved and instant hit.

Don't forget about The Girl from the Other Side, the anime version is a bit different from the manga, but still follows the dark fairy tale themes of a girl and her goat skull like headed carer. It's out from Monday 2nd October 2023 (so out now).

If you're looking for some comic relief you can get it in bucket loads from the Konosuba Legend of Crimson - Movie which is out Monday 4th December 2023.
You'll be able to buy the titles from the usual places, Amazon, Zavvi and HMV stores.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

Evangelion:3.0+1.01 Thrice Upon a Time UK and Ireland Cinema Release Details

Date: 2023 October 04 19:30 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from Anime Limited have just sent us a reminder that Evangelion:3.0+1.01 Thrice Upon a Time will hit select cinemas across the UK and Ireland from Friday 6th October 2023.

It's the epic conclusion of the Rebuild of EVANGELION. It's also out on home video at the end of the month.

If you're familiar with Evangelion, but haven't seen it, you should take the chance to see it on the big screen! To find a screening near you and book tickets visit https://evangelion.alltheanime.com.

Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited

Crunchyroll Autumn 2023 Streaming Line Up

Date: 2023 September 25 19:55 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from anime streaming giants Crunchyroll have sent us details of their upcoming Autumn 2023 anime season. Content wise they'll be bringing everyone over 50 new, returning, and continuing series.

We're most excited about Frieren: Beyond Journey's End which gets released on Friday 29th September 2023. It tells the story of an elf mage at the end of her adventure and has to come to terms with her human comrades settling down after their heroic quest, while she has a significantly longer lifespan. Along with more Dr. Stone. Other fan favourites including One Piece return, plus Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2.

One that might go under your radar is Under Ninja (based on the manga by the same name), in a world where ninja still exist in Japan.

Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll

City String Ensemble Anime Music Performance in London

Date: 2023 September 21 17:22 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The good folks from City String Ensemble have sent us details about an up coming performance. City String Ensemble: Best of Anime which is set to run at EartH (Evolutionary Arts Hackney) in London on Sunday 3rd December 2023.

They promise an evening of iconic melodies from Studio Ghibli to the adrenaline-pumping beats of Attack on Titan. To get a feel for their performances take a look at their Eventbrite listing which includes links to their Spotify Anime EP along with some other samples on their YouTube Channel.

We've heard anime music played by live string quartets before and it is something special. If you're a fan of anime music or classical music, there's plenty to enjoy.

Read More... | Souce: City String Ensemble

Sputnik Sweetheart Stage Play Details

Date: 2023 September 12 16:59 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

We've just received news from Arcola Theatre and the Japan Foundation who are presenting Sputnik Sweetheart. Based on Murakami's novel it tells the story of love and loneliness, with a detective story thrown in. Sputnik Sweetheart is about Sumire, a young Japanese writer who can't find the words to write, and her friend K's search for her when she goes missing on a Greek Island.

It's been adapted for the stage by Tony Award nominee Bryony Lavery and Tony and Olivier Award nominee Melly Still, running at Arcola Theatre in London from Thursday 26th October until Saturday 25th November 2023.

Read More... | Souce: Arcola Theatre

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