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BFI Anime Season 2022

Date: 2022 March 15 20:35 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

London based anime fans are in for a real treat. The BFI have just sent us some amazing news about their upcoming major two month Anime season. Set to run from 28th March until 31st May 2022.

We feel calling it a major anime season is a bit of an understatement. They're pretty much showing every category of anime feature film you can think of. There's something there for everyone regardless of your taste.

They've got a great mix of classics, from old fan favourites such as Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honneamise, Patlabor: The Movie (both 1 and 2), Akira and many more.

They've got Makoto Shinkai movies, including Your Name, Weathering With You, The Place Promised in Our Early Days, 5 Centimeters Per Second and The Garden of Words.

They'll also be showing the delightful Mamoru Hosoda from The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Summer Wars, Wolf Children and of course his most recent hit Belle.

You can't have a full anime season without some of the late great Satoshi Kon, so they'll be screening Perfect Blue (that'll mess with your mind), Millennium Actress, Tokyo Godfathers (an excellent Christmas movie) and the dreamlike Paprika.

Of course as well as looking back they'll be looking forward with some previews of some new releases including Summer Ghost. We're very excited about the preview of Masaaki Yuasa's INU-OH.

Now any of this by itself makes for an amazing anime season, but not wanting to be outdone, the BFI have also thrown in some Studio Ghibli films, including Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, Grave of the Fireflies, My Neighbour Totoro, Castle in the Sky and so much more!

There's so much more, you should read on to find out all the other amazing films they've got lined up!

Ghost In The Shell Stand Alone Complex Standard Edition UK DVD and Blu-ray Release Details

Date: 2018 June 21 20:12 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

Following on from the Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex Limited Edition Delux UK Blu-ray the good folks from Manga Entertainment UK have just announced that they're going to release the the title as a standard edition on DVD and Blu-ray.

It's due out on Monday 6th August 2018. We've noticed that the running time for every edition is 1337 minutes long. The elite number favoured by hackers. We're certain this is deliberate!

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex Limited Edition UK Blu-ray Release Details

Date: 2018 March 28 20:16 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks at Manga Entertainment UK have sent us details of the up coming release of Ghost In the Shell: Stand Alone Complex on Blu-ray. The limited edition set comes with the whole of the Stand Alone Complex Series, that's Season 1, 2nd Gig (that's season 2), The Laughing Man OVA, Individual Eleven OVA and Solid State Society (the TV movie).

The blu-ray set is limited to 1,000 copies and is out on Monday 4th June 2018.

It also comes with a ton of extras Interviews with Kenji Kamiyama (director), Yoko Kanno (composer), voice actors, writers, mecha designers, animation directors and more. Bundled in is an 140 page in depth book.

Ghost In the Shell: Stand Alone Complex is in our opinion the definitive version of the franchise, while the movie is amazing and ground breaking, SAC feels closer to the original manga, capturing the humour and spirit. You've got Tachikoma's too, you can never get enough robot spider tanks running around. That and well, Yoko Kanno's amazing score for the series. The show also gave anime fandom the iconic Laughing Man Logo. We interviewed the graphic designer behind this logo a while ago.

The set is available for pre-order from Zavvi, currently it's £99 for the whole thing on blu-ray.

Anime Architecture: Backgrounds of Japan Exhibition in London

Date: 2017 April 12 17:14 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Anime fans who can get to London from the end of May to the start of September will want to head over to House of Illustration who will be hosting an exhibition on Anime Architecture: Backgrounds of Japan.

Visitors will be treated to the background artwork from classic sci-fi anime feature films including Ghost in the Shell (1995), The Patlabor: The Movie (1989) and Metropolis (2001), by Mamoru Oshii and Atsushi Takeuchi.

House of Illustration is the UK’s only public gallery and education space dedicated solely to illustration so is the ideal place to run an event on anime artwork. It's located a short walk from Kings Cross and St Pancras Stations. The exhibition is set to run from 26th May to 10th September 2017. It's closed on Mondays. There is an £8.25 admission charge, this will give you access to all 3 galleries.

An interview with Psycho-Pass Director Naoyoshi Shiotani

Date: 2016 November 29 15:49 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Features

The MCM London Comic Con is always great for anime guests! This time around at the October 2016 event on of the anime guests of honour was Naoyoshi Shiotani. Working for Production I.G, he's directed a few titles including the hugely popular dystopian future anime Psycho-Pass. The good folks at Anime Limited arranged to the director over to the UK just in time to promote the UK home video release of the Psycho-Pass Movie.

Rather than sending our editor to interview him, we wanted to send in a Psycho-Pass super fan. So we sent in Nes who cosplayed as antagonist Makishima while interviewing Mr Shiotani. Not only did it make for an interesting interview, Nes managed to find some interesting insights into the series that many fans may have not been aware of!

Psycho-Pass director Naoyoshi Shiotani to attend MCM London Comic Con October 2016

Date: 2016 October 06 16:27 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

When it comes to anime guests the MCM London Comic Con never disappoints. For this Comic Con they've just announced the special anime guest of honour Psycho-Pass director Naoyoshi Shiotani. Best known for directing dystopian future anime, he's also directed Tokyo Marble Chocolate and worked on Production I.G’s first 3DCG animated feature, Oblivion Island: Haruka and the Magic Mirror.

He'll be at the comic con to present an on-stage panel as well as signing autographs. So if you fancy getting your Dominator signed, now's your chance!

MCM London Comic Con is set to run from Friday 28th to Sunday 30th October 2016 at Excel London

BFI Southbank London - Anime Weekend 2016 Details

Date: 2016 April 25 15:53 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

London anime fans will want to head to the BFI Southbank for the return of their Anime Weekend. The screenings are held every other year. This screenings are set to run from Friday 3rd to Sunday 5th June 2016 at the BFI Southbank.

This time around they're showing the original Ghost in the Shell Movie, the new Ghost In the Shell Movie called Ghost in the Shell: The New Movie (you can read more about the naming here), Empire of the Corpses, Psycho-Pass: The Movie, The Boy and the Beast. There'll also be a special screening and QA of anime Harmony, the QA features it's director Michael Arias (who also directed Tekkonkinkreet and produced The Animatrix).

The BFI also suggest you catch their screening of the latest (and currently last) Studio Ghibli Film When Marnie Was There.

The BFI anime screenings have proved to be very popular in the past. As always we advise booking early to avoid disappointment.

Hyper Japan Christmas Market 2015 Details

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

Category > Events

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

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

Cosplayers and fashion fans will be well represented too.

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

An Interview with Shigeto Koyama - Anime Character Designer

Date: 2015 November 06 18:31 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Features

The May and October MCM London Comic Cons are without doubt the biggest geek events in the UK. With over 130,000 people attending this October. It caters for all geeky tastes. Anime fans are also well looked after, each event regularly has an anime guest of honour. The October Comic con played host to Shigeto Koyama, renowned designer, he designed Baymax from Disney movie Big Hero 6. He was also involved in the character designs for fan favourite anime show Kill La Kill, as well as designing the weapons and lots of gear in the well loved game No More Heroes. We were lucky enough to catch up with him and ask some interesting questions.

International Trailer for Miss Hokusai - Coming to UK Cinemas Autumn 2015

Date: 2015 April 29 16:06 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

We've already covered that UK anime company Anime Limited will release Miss Hokusai some time this year. Already it's shaping up to be a good movie as Anime Limited have just sent us details that a Miss Hokusai has been selected for the Annecy International Animation Film Festival Official Feature Film Competition.

"To celebrate the announcement of Miss Hokusai having been selected for the Official Feature Film Competition at the 39th Annecy International Film Festival we have shared the international trailer for our forthcoming film release, Miss Hokusai on our YouTube channel."

The film opens in Japan in May 2015 and Anime Limited tell us that it will hit UK cinemas in Autumn 2015. They will release more news in the coming months.

Souce: Anime Limited

009 Re:Cyborg English Dub Cast Announced - Plus UK DVD and Blu-ray Release Details

Date: 2015 April 21 14:08 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

UK Anime fans will be pleased to hear that Anime Limited have just announced the dub cast for 009 Re:Cyborg. The feature is directed by Kenji Kamiyama the driving force behind Ghost in the Shell Standalone Complex.

The film will be released on DVD and blu-ray in June 2015. There is also a 3D edition of the film on blu-ray. We've seen the film in 3D on the cinema screen and can confirm that it's worth watching in 3D to get the full enjoyment of the feature. It's been sometime subtle with 3D glass effects, plus there's something fun about reading subtitles in 3D too!

009 Re:Cyborg is available to pre-order on Amazon.co.uk on DVD and Collectors Edition Blu-ray/DVD combi-pack (which also includes the 3D edition of the film). The release date has yet to be updated on Amazon.

Thanks to the good folk at Anime Limited we were able to interview Kenji Kamiyama about 009 Re:Cyborg.

You can read our review of film here.

Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited

Miss Hokusai Set for UK Release from Anime Limited

Date: 2015 February 27 17:04 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

The good folks from UK based anime company Anime Limited have sent us the details of their newest acquisition. Miss Hokusai, a film from anime studio Production I.G (best known for all the Ghost In the Shell titles, plus so much top notch anime). The movie is based on the manga Sarusuberi by Hinako Sugiura.

It's yet to be released in cinemas in Japan! It opens in Japan on 9th May 2015, with a UK and Irish cinematic release following in October to November of this year, with a home video release to follow.

Production I.G are well known for their high quality animation, so it'll be interesting to see what this feature is actually like.

Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited

Giovanni's Island Blu-ray Competition

Date: 2014 December 29 14:36 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

UK based anime fans will be pleased to hear about a competition we're currently running. The good folks from Anime Limited have given us one copy of Giovanni's Island to give away on Blu-ray.

Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited

Giovanni's Island UK DVD and Blu-ray Release Details

Date: 2014 December 26 17:53 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from Anime Limited have just sent us details of their UK release of anime film Giovanni's Island. It's due out on Monday 12th January 2015.

Giovanni's Island is from Production I.G known for it's high quality anime. The film follows a part of Japanese history that will be unknown to many in the west and we're sure will be interesting to anime fans.

The film is available for pre-order from Amazon.co.uk on DVD, blu-ray and Ultimate Edition blu-ray.

It should also be noted that recently Anime Limited have been releasing a lot of top notch anime, and as result hurting the Otaku News Team's wallets.

Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited

Ghost in the Shell UK Cinema and Limited Edition Blu-Ray Steelbook Release Details

Date: 2014 July 28 15:09 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

UK Anime fans will be pleased to hear the news that Manga Entertainment UK have sent us. We've been told as it's the 25th anniversary since the original Masamune Shirow manga was released, the film will receive a limited theatrical run at select Picturehouse Cinemas from 27th September 2014. Following on from that on Monday 29th September the movie will get a HD Blu-ray release with a bonus 22-page booklet, in a limited edition steel book. Fans will note that this the first time the original movie has had a high-def release in the UK.

The limited edition Steelbook is available to pre-order now from the Amazon.co.uk now.

Anime Weekend at the BFI Southbank in London - May 2014

Date: 2014 March 25 17:12 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Anime fans are already in for a treat at the BFI Southbank as we've covered before the news on their complete Studio Ghibli retrospective, which includes the latest Ghibli Movie The Wind Rises. Wanting to show even more anime, the BFI Southbank run biennial Anime Weekend, and it's running this year on from Friday 16th to Sunday 18th May 2014. They've got an amazing line up and a bit of something for everyone.

They'll be showing Ghost in the Shell Arise Part 1: Ghost Pain, and the UK Premiere of Part 2: Ghost Whispers (on Friday 16th May).

They'll also be showing Patema Inverted, Evangelion 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo, the European Premiere of Tiger and Bunny: The Rising, One Piece: Strong World, plus Blue Exorcist: The Movie.

We haven't seen all these films, but we really do want to see them all. Especially Ghost in the Shell Arise and the latest Evangelion Movie.

Anime Limited announce the theatrical release of A Letter to Momo in the UK

Date: 2013 June 06 16:39 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

This week is a good week for UK based anime company Anime Limited. They've just released 009 RE:Cyborg in UK cinemas and they're following up this with news of their next UK cinema release. In Winter 2013 they'll be releasing A Letter to Momo. The movie is directed by Hiroyuki Okiura, who is best known as the director behind Jin-Roh: Wolf Brigade. They're currently waiting for the dub to be completed in the USA before releasing it in UK cinemas.

Read More... | Souce: Anime Limited

009 Re:Cyborg with Kenji Kamiyama at the BFI Southbank in London April 2013

Date: 2013 March 19 16:25 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

UK anime fans will want to head over to the BFI Southbank in London on Thursday 4th April 2013 for a very special screening of 009 Re:Cyborg. The director Kenji Kamiyama will be there for a QA session, he also directed the hugely popular Ghost in the Shell: SAC, along with Eden of the East.

If you're in the UK and can't get to London, fear not 009 Re:Cyborg will be hitting UK cinemas in June 2013. It'll be released by new anime company on the block Anime.Ltd.

Eden Of The East: King Of Eden Blu-ray and DVD release details

Date: 2011 April 09 18:35 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

Fans of Eden of the East the excellent anime series from Kenji Kamiyama and Production I.G. will be pleased to hear that the first movie Eden Of The East: The King of Eden is out soon. The highly anticipated release follows on from the series.

It's due out on Blu-ray and DVD on Tuesday April 26th 2011 in the USA from Funimation. While the Blu-ray and DVD is scheduled Monday 6th June 2011 in the UK from Manga Entertainment UK.

As always you can pre-order the DVD or Blu-ray from Amazon and take advantage of their pre-order price guarantee.

Pre-order the Blu-ray from Amazon.com in the USA.
Pre-order the DVD from Amazon.com in the USA.

Pre-order the Blu-ray from Amazon.co.uk in the UK.
Pre-order the DVD from Amazon.co.uk in the UK.

Souce: Funimation

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

London Ghost in the Shell 2.0 Screening

Date: 2009 June 16 14:17 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

London based anime fans should keep Tuesday 21st July 2009 free, as the Barbican will be holding a special screening of Ghost in the Shell 2.0. The remastered version of the original Ghost in the Shell features new CGI, animation and a remixed orchestral score. The feature will be introduced by anime expert Helen McCarthy.

As always with these events we advise that you book early to avoid disappointment.

Barbican UK Anime Season Continues

Date: 2007 May 29 18:18 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

We've just got back from the Barbican in London and seen the fantastic Satoshi Kon movie, Paprika, introduced by anime expert Helen McCarthy. We highly recommend the next two events just to hear Helen's insight on the subjects. On 26 June 2007 they'll be showing plenty of Guyver, while on 31 July 2007 they'll be showing a Production I.G. double bill of Le Chevalier D'Eon and Ghost in the Shell: Solid State Society.

Sci-Fi-London 2007 anime all-nighter

Date: 2007 April 05 18:12 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

We've got the details from the Sci-Fi-London regarding their anime all-nighter. The line up looks to be the best yet. The anime all nighter is set to run on Saturday 5th May from 11pm. The line up is as follows:

Ghost in the Shell: Solid State Society
Paprika
Le Chevalier D'Eon
Highlander: Search for vengence
Full Metal Alchemist: Conqueror of Shamballa

We're excited to see the new follow up to Ghost In the Shell: Stand alone complex - Solid State Society, and it's worth going for that alone. However Paprika by Satoshi Kon (the director behind Tokyo Godfathers, Perfect Blue, Millennium Actress and Paranoia Agent) is another must see title. We're really impressed that they'll be showing them both on the same screening. The other titles are worth watching too. We suggest you make it a weekend of anime, go along to the anime all nighter, and then go to the London Anime Club the following day.

We also advise you book soon to avoid disappointment they sold out within 10 days last year.

Friday 4th May 2007, will show the UK Premiere of Ghost In the Shell: Solid State Society.

ADV acquires Le Chevalier D'Eon for the UK

Date: 2006 November 02 16:58 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Press Releases

The friendly guys over at ADV Films UK have sent us details of their latest acquistion from Production IG, Le Chevalier D'Eon. Currently they haven't set a release date which is a bit of a pain, not even a rough time frame is mentioned, however it does say that they have UK Video, TV and Video on Demand rights.

South Bank Show Anime Special

Date: 2006 January 26 18:30 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > TV

The Folks at Manga Entertainment UK have sent us a press release about an anime special South Bank Show, which is due to air on Sunday 19th of February. Some researchers for the South Bank Show even made the steps of visiting the London Anime Club to get the low down from British anime fans. Interestingly enough the press release also has some details about Jonathan Ross' recent Asian Invasion, stating that it got over 310,000 viewers, a BBC4 record (it's now clear however if this figure is for just the first screening of the show, or if the repeat screened later in the week is included too).

ITV4 will also be screening the original Ghost In The Shell movie on Saturday 4th March (we belive it's the dub version), so if you haven't seen it yet catch it!

Ghost In The Shell SAC - Volume 3 UK DVD Details

Date: 2005 February 27 19:02 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > DVD

Manga Entertainment have sent us the details for the UK release of Ghost In The Shell Standalone Complex - Volume 3. It's due out on 25th April 2005 and features more fun and games from the Laughing Man.

The Laughing Man - Ghost In The Shell: Standalone Complex's Hacker Logo

Date: 2004 November 29 11:08 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Production

The hit series Ghost In The Shell: Standalone Complex, features a logo for hacker and cyberterrorist "The Laughing Man", in the show he is only identified by his logo which forms a distinct part of the Standalone Complex imagery. I discovered that Paul Nicholson of Terratag designed the logo for Production I.G.

Join us as Otaku News interview Paul about creating an icon in anime!

Bandai and Atari Announce Release for GITS:SAC

Date: 2004 November 01 12:39 | Posted By: Spike

Category > Gaming > Consoles

For all you Playstation 2 owners out there, Bandai and Atari have announced the EU release of Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex. The game follows a similar format to the television series of the same name allowing the player to play as Motoko Kusanagi, Bateau, or the Tachikoma combat robot working for the mysterious 'Section 9' anti-terrorist division.

Leeds International Film Festival Has Anime and Live Action Treats

Date: 2004 October 09 13:21 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Events

Anime-Europe has brought to our attention the Leeds International Film Festival. They mention the official UK premier of Ghost In the Shell 2: Innocence (Sat 6th Nov - 8.30pm, Sun 7th Nov - 6.15pm) and Steamboy (Sat 6th Nov - 6.15pm, Sun 7th Nov - 8.15pm), both of these films are hotly anticipated by anime fans, myself included.

Also recomended is the Fanomenon Film Strand, with some other top notch cult live action Japanese cinema.

The Otaku News crew suggest you check out:
- Electric Dragon 80,000V
- The Live Action version of Cutie Honey (directed by Hideaki Anno of Evangelion fame).
- Doppleganger
- Izo
- Ju-on: The Grudge 2

Then there's Otakus In Love the film title explains what it's about, I'll have to put that on my to watch list for the title alone! ^_-

Also if you liked Hero, you will really want to see House of Flying Daggers.

Souce: Leeds International Film Festival

Mamoru Oshii to Answer Fan's Questions On-line

Date: 2004 September 03 13:57 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

We've just had details in from the folks at Dreamworks.
Mamoru Oshii the director of Ghost In the Shell 2: Innocence will be answering questions posted to the offical Ghost In the Shell 2 Site's forum. Sign up and Join this thread - http://www.ghost2.com/board/showthread.php?t=62.

Fans will already know that Oshii was behind the original Ghost in the Shell Movie, and the first two Mobile Police Patlabor Movies.

Ghost in the Shell: Standalone Complex on TV and DVD in 2004

Date: 2004 February 11 23:28 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Bandai have just announced that they have joined forces with Manga Entertainment to release Ghost in the Shell Standalone Complex on DVD and TV.

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