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At Home in Japan - Beyond the minimal house symposium

Date: 2011 April 19 16:28 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

In London on Saturday 14th May 2011 and looking for something educational to do? Well why not head over to the At Home in Japan - Beyond the minimal house symposium at the The Geffrye Museum. It's set to start at 10 am and run to 4:30pm. coffee, light lunch and an exhibition tour is included in the ticket price. This forms part of the At Home in Japan - Beyond the Minimal House special exhibition.

£40 (£30 concessions) in advance.
Bookings - 020 7739 9893 / bookings@geffrye-museum.org.uk.

Terracotta Far East Film Festival - London May 2011

Date: 2011 April 17 10:04 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

London based Cinema fans are in for a treat at start of May as that's when the Terracotta Far East Film Festival is set to start. Scheduled from Thursday 5th to Sunday 8th May 2011, it has a great selection of films at the Prince Charles Cinema.

They'll be showing a mix of Chinese, Japanese and South Korean movies many of which are either the European or UK Premieres.

Thanks to Helen McCarthy for reminding us about this festival.

Souce: Terracotta Far East Film Festival

Zipangu Fest Japanese Tsunami Relief Charity Screening

Date: 2011 March 22 18:45 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

We've been impressed with the UK Zipangu Fest line up so far. But we believe that this latest screening is something special.

Londoners will be treated to Beyond Anime: CALF Animation, at 6pm, Sunday 3rd April 2011 at the ROXY Bar and Screen.

Apart from a rare chance to see an alternative side to anime, what makes the event so special is the ticket pricing. There is no set price for admission, you pay what you want with all proceeds going toward the Japan Society Tohoku Earthquake Relief Fund.

ROXY Bar and Screen
128-132 Borough High Street
London
SE1 1LB

Nearest Tubes Borough and London Bridge.

Japanese Maid Cafes in London Day - Sunday 27th March 2011

Date: 2011 March 22 18:01 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Looking for something to do in London this weekend? Well Sunday 27th March 2011 seems to be London Maids day, with not one, but two separate Maid Cafes running on the same day. Both events will have Japanese Maids.

We have Oh My Lord! set to run from 2.00pm to 7.00pm. We've covered them before. Cosplay is actively encouraged, but not compulsory.

They'll be at Jetlag
125 Cleveland Street
London
W1T 6QB
You can book tickets here.

The nearest Tube is Great Portland Street.

Then at Sofra in Covent Garden we have Japanese Maid's Cafe London. They'll have 4 sittings, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm or 6pm. WOTA London VJ namimo will be there to provide some simulation to the eyes and ears. The new comers claim to be the first of it's kind in London, even though Oh My Lord started 4 months before.

Sofra
36 Tavistock Street
Covent Garden
London
WC2E 7PB

The nearest Tube is Covent Garden.

Both events promise to donate proceeds to Japan's Earthquake and Tsunami relief.

Correction - Since posting this article, the people behind the Japanese Maids Cafe have confirmed the reasoning behind being called the first of it's kind in London. They'd like to emphasise that they are the first Japanese Maid Cafe in London. They highlight that all their maids, VJ namimo and the owner of the event are all Japanese. While in comparison Oh My Lord! has maids of different nationalities.

Hibiki: Resonances from Japan - March 2011

Date: 2011 March 03 17:24 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

For those looking for something to do in London this weekend, otaku are spoilt for choice with the Bunkasai Japanese Festival near Holborn, along with Hibiki: Resonances from Japan at Kings Place near Kings Cross.

Scheduled as a 1000-year journey through the rich heritage of Japanese music, there's 3 events.

Tsugaru-Shamisen: Sheer Wind from the North
Friday, 4 March 2011 - 7:30pm

Talk: Music in Manga
Saturday, 5 March 2011 - 5:00pm

Tradition & Exploration: The Koto of Michiyo Yagi
Saturday, 5 March 2011 - 7:30pm

Manga fans should note that Helen McCarthy will be running the manga talk, so we can expect to see her normal expert insights into the subject.

Souce: Kings Place

At Home in Japan - Beyond the Minimal House

Date: 2011 March 03 16:43 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

If you can get to London between 22nd March 2011 to 29th August 2011 you should try and swing over to the The Geffrye Museum, which has an interesting exhibition At Home in Japan - Beyond the Minimal House. To see a Special Exhibition on what Japanese homes are really like.

Hyper Japan 2011 Details

Date: 2011 February 28 16:33 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

The good folks from Hyper Japan have sent us the details for their 2011 event in London. It's set to run from Friday 22nd July to Sunday 24th July 2011 at Olympia Two.

Japan's kawaii culture in Britain

Date: 2011 February 21 16:21 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

The Mainichi Daily News have an interesting article about Japan's kawaii culture taking hold in Britain.

It seems that cute is everywhere in the UK now.

"Over the last 10 years, the country's youngsters have started to embrace the whole spectrum of kawaii -- from the extremes of costume play down to the purchasing of accessories adorned with cute anime and manga characters."

The article gets commentary from Helen McCarthy the British-based expert on Japanese popular culture, anime, manga, book author (we really need to write up some sort of introduction to Helen as she's done a lot of stuff). Helen reports that over the last 10 years with the growth of the internet the kawaii culture has become more visible.

'"Kawaii has made inroads, but is not embedded yet," she said, adding that its influence can be seen in TV shows and subway posters'

"We (Britain) are still quite a masculine and patriarchal culture and we have never embraced the cute, soft side like France and Japan. We are not ready to go full-on cute yet and whether we ever will be is a mute point."

Souce: Mainichi Daily News

Bunkasai Japanese Festival and the European Cosplay Gathering in London - March 2011

Date: 2011 February 06 13:32 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

UK based Cosplayers looking to be part of the European Cosplay scene will be pleased to hear about the European Cosplay Gathering. Known as ECG for short, this new cosplay competition will have it's finals at the Japan Expo in Paris. What makes the ECG a bit different is that cosplay performance is just as important as the costume.

The UK selection of the Competition will be held at the Bunkasai Japanese Festival on Saturday 5th March 2011 at Conway Hall Red Lion Square, Holborn London. Near Holborn tube station.

Bunkasai has an interesting selection of events, including Martial Arts demonstrations, Taiko Drumming workshops, Japanese Language lessons, a lecture on the Tea Ceremony, Food Tasting, Sake Tasting and much more.

Tickets are £5 on the door (with Children under 10 free). Or you can buy a single ticket for £3.50, or 4 tickets for £10 on their website.

Leeds Tanabata Festival 2011

Date: 2011 January 30 16:05 | Posted By: Azure

Category > Events

Japanese culture fans in Leeds might be interested to know that a Tanabata Festival is being held at Leeds University Student's Union 11-12th February 2011.

Festival Events will include 1000 crane origami challenge, calligraphy and putting on Kimono. Entry is free.

Japanese Cinema Screenings in London's ICA - February 2011

Date: 2011 January 16 12:40 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

London's ICA will be showing a season of Japanese cinema since the Mid 1990's. They've called the season Back to the Future: Japanese Cinema Since the Mid-90s. It's set to run from the 4th to 13th February 2011.

Distant Worlds - Music from Final Fantasy

Date: 2010 December 24 12:35 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Fans of the music from Final Fantasy are in for a treat next year as the venues and dates for The Distant World music from Final Fantasy have been announced.

Returning to Chicago! First Ever Distant Worlds
"Marathon Final Fantasy Concert" June 26, 2011!
Tickets on sale now!

Distant Worlds in London!
November 5, 2011 at Royal Albert Hall!
Tickets on sale Dec 17, 2010!

Distant Worlds in Australia!
April 15 & 16, 2011 at Sydney Opera House!
Concert Tickets on sale now!
Meet and greet tickets on sale Dec. 17, 2010!

Souce: Distant Worlds

Makers of the Modern World from Haus Publishing

Date: 2010 December 23 18:27 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

The good folks at Haus Publishing have sent us the details of their Makers of the Modern World series of 32 volumes on the Paris Peace Conference, which tried to create a new world order after the devastation of the First World War.

Why would that interest an anime fan? I hear you cry. Well we know some of our readers are history buffs, while others would be interested in the Prince Saionji: Japan volume, which is written by Jonathan Clements, who is best known to anime and manga fans as the co-author of the Anime Encyclopedia, along with being an industry expert, translator, anime magazine columnist, he also did the Wellington Koo: China volume.

You can order the books on Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com -

Makers of the Modern World - Prince Saionji: Japan
Order from Amazon.co.uk
Order from Amazon.com

Makers of the Modern World - Wellington Koo: China
Order from Amazon.co.uk
Order from Amazon.com

BBC News on the OS-tans

Date: 2010 December 13 16:54 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Fandom

BBC News have discovered the cute Japanese take on Operating Systems, the OS-tans.
The cute anthropomorphic characters of operating systems which later spread to characters of popular programs being made too.

Originally a fan made effort article points to how in some places anime style characters have been created as official mascots such as Microsoft's Silverlight having it's own character in Taiwan.

Ruth Keattch of Sweatdrop Studios comments on them in the article and introduces the readers to the basics of the OS-tans.

Fans of the OS-tans might also be interested in Ubunchu The Ubuntu Linux Manga.

Souce: BBC News

BBC News on Cosplay

Date: 2010 December 07 17:27 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Fandom

BBC News have an interesting video and article about cosplayers. The cosplayers interviewed are fans of World of Warcraft. It's a basic introduction into cosplay and highlights how much effort goes into creating great costumes.

The article even suggests a suitable qualification for cosplayers an HND in Theatrical Make Up and Costume. We also suggest a degree in fashion or a fashion design related subject as we've met a fair few cosplayers who are currently students at fashion colleges and are keen for a career related to cosplay.

Souce: BBC News

Manga Drawing workshop in London Saturday 20th November 2010

Date: 2010 November 16 16:54 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Every now and again at Otaku News we get e-mails from our readers with questions. Normally we can answer these questions (or at least point them in the right direction). Today we got one that we couldn't answer straight away.

The reader was a 13 year old searching for a manga drawing course in London. We couldn't think of any that were coming up, so we turned to Twitter. Luckily someone out there does know. Anna Fitzpatrick who draws the great comic Between Worlds came to the rescue pointing out that the Victoria and Albert Museum will be holding Get Creative! on Saturday 20th November 2010.

The event is for 13 to 19 year olds and is set to run from 11:30am to 4:30pm. The free workshops include manga drawing, stage make-up music, VJing, talks on the fashion industry and theatre.

Souce: Victoria and Albert Museum

Hyper Japan 2010 Report

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

Category > Events

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

London Barbican Cosplay Extravaganza - November 2010

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

Category > Events

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

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

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

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

Zipangu Fest - Japanese film festival details

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

Category > Events

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

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

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

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

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

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

Category > Events

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

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

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

Category > Culture

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

Souce: British Museum

Japan Matsuri London Festival 2010

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

Category > Events

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

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

Souce: Japan Matsuri London Festival 2010

London Barbican Aspects of Japanese Cinema - October to December 2010

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

Category > Events

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Beckii: Schoolgirl Superstar at 14 - BBC TV documentary

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

Category > Anime > TV

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

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

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

Thursday 12th August 2010
21:00

Thursday 12th August 2010
23:45

Sunday 15th August 2010
23:15

Monday 16th August 2010
03:15

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

British readers can now see the documentary on BBC iPlayer.

Souce: BBC Three

Hyper Japan - London October 2010

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

Category > Events

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Japanese Art Festival in Central London - August 2010

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

Category > Events

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

Study Tour of Japan for European Youth 2010

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

Category > Culture

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

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

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

The deadline for applications is Thursday 29th July 2010.

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

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

Souce: Embassy of Japan

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

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

Category > Anime > Film

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

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

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

Souce: BFI Southbank

Shoes made from kimono fabric

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

Category > Art

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

Souce: Hetty Rose Shoes

Japanese Art Festival in Richmond - February 2010

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

Category > Events

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

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

Tokyo City Promotion in London

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

Category > Events

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

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

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

Souce: Tokyo City Promotion

WOTA London Gig in November 2009

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

Category > Events

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

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

Souce: WOTA London

Animation industry in the UK and Japan Symposium

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

Category > Events

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

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

NHK World TV in the UK

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

Category > Anime > TV

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

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

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

Joanna Lumley Catwoman in Japan

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

Category > Anime > TV

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

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

Souce: ITV

Japan Matsuri Festival in London September 2009

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

Category > Events

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

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

Dogu Ceramic Figures at the British Museum from September 2009

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

Category > Culture

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

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

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

Hiromi Plays Jazz at the London Barbican

Date: 2009 June 12 14:27 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

London based fans of Jazz will want to head over to Barbican on Friday 10th July 7.30pm see Hiromi, Yaron Herman Trio, Tineke Postma Quartet featuring Geri Allen and Terri Lyne Carrington perform some jazz.

Sashiko Quilting in London June 2009

Date: 2009 June 11 16:33 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Fans of traditional Japanese quilting in London should head over to The Japan Foundation on Tuesday 30th June 2009. Michele walker will be exploring the world of Sashiko.

Japanese Art Festival in Richmond July 2009

Date: 2009 May 31 10:51 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

UK readers who are able to get to Richmond in Surrey, should keep the weekend of the11th and 12th July 2009 free. As they'll be a Japanese Art Festival at Richmond Adult Community College. Entry to the event is free. They'll be stuff to do for anime and manga fans, long with people with an interest in Japanese culture.

They're also looking for gophers, so please do get in touch with them if you can help out.

Souce: Japanese Art Festival

Ryuichi Sakamoto:Playing the Piano 2009 Europe

Date: 2009 May 30 07:45 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

We've discovered the details of Ryuichi Sakamoto's European Tour. You may have heard the musician's music in many films.

He'll be in the UK from end of November to the beginning of December 2009. As always with these events we advise in booking early to avoid disappointment.

If you want to keep up to date with Ryuichi Sakamoto, you can also follow him on Twitter.

Ideas from a Japanese Garden

Date: 2009 April 06 17:37 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Fans of Japanese inspired art will want to visit the Barbican in London on Wednesday 22nd April 2009 on 6:45pm to see Ideas from a Japanese Garden. Where Marc Treib, Professor of Architecture Emeritus, University of California, Berkeley and author of A Guide to the Gardens of Kyoto, examines key ideas behind historical garden design in Japan, and considers their potential relevance to art in the West. Admission is free.

Volunteers needed for Japanese Charity Film Festival in London

Date: 2009 March 31 14:44 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

We've got a request from our chums asking for some help with Japanese charity and their Film Festival in the National Gallery, London.

They need help promoting the event and at the event itself. The kind of people they are looking to help appear to be our readership. ^_-

They want volunteers on or before 15th-17th April 2009.

English National Gallery to host Japanese Film Festival

Date: 2009 March 31 13:13 | Posted By: Eeeper

Category > Anime > Film

The National Gallery in London is to host a Japanese Film Festival (including Barefoot Gen) in aid of Japan Care for the Elderly from 15-17 April.

Japan wins top country at Wanderlust awards

Date: 2009 March 23 16:43 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Culture

Travel Magazine Wanderlust have just announced their annual travel awards. Japan won top country.

Wanderlust readers were:
"... mesmerised by its man-made attractions: Tokyo's 'fluorescent skyscapes', its indoor rollercoasters, hi-tech loos and hotels boasting 'unbelievable levels of service and comfort'."

Readers also were moved by the "country’s ancient culture and underlying serenity".

The article reads like everything an otaku already knows about Japan. ^_^

Souce: Wanderlust

BBC Four Japan Season

Date: 2009 March 15 16:16 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > TV

We really should scour the Radio Times more often. UK fans of Japanese culture will be very pleased to see that BBC Four are currently running a Japanese Culture Season.

An interview with Andrew Driver

Date: 2009 February 13 17:19 | Posted By: Eeeper

Category > Anime

In April 2009, Alma Books will publish an English translation of Yasutaka Tsutsui's novel Paprika. The basis of Satoshi Kon's award-winning animated film of the same name, the English translation was handled for Alma by Andrew Driver. Otaku News can now present an interview with Mr. Driver which he graciously agreed to do with Eeeper on behalf of Otaku News in which he talks about his work on the novel.

Snow Monkeys of Japan

Date: 2009 February 13 14:10 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > TV

UK TV viewers may want to tune into BBC 2 on Friday 13th February at 8pm to catch the Natural World Documentary on the Snow Monkeys of Japan. The film focuses on 3 groups of monkeys. The urban scavengers, the mountain dwellers and the famous snow monkeys of Japan. The snow monkeys are known for their love of the local natural hot-springs.

Souce: BBC 2

Japanese Art Festival in Richmond Reminder

Date: 2009 February 10 15:28 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Just a quick reminder to our readers in the UK who can get to Richmond Surrey. They've released more details about the free Japanese Art Festival which starts on midday Saturday 28th February and is set to run until Sunday 1st March 2009.

Guests include anime expert Helen McCarthy, talented artist Sonia Leong and Akemi Solloway who is a lecturer on both traditional and modern Japanese culture.

Tokyo City Promotion 2009 in London

Date: 2009 January 16 09:10 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

London anime fans are a in for a real treat on Saturday 31st January 2009, where a special Tokyo Day will be running. Organised by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Tokyo Day is set to be packed with tons for otaku to see and do.

The event will be held at Lawrence Hall at the Royal Horticultural Halls and Conference Centre.

Admission is free. It's set to run from 10am to 8pm.

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