Category > Events
Christmas has come early for UK based fans of Japanese culture! Hyper Japan is set to return to Brompton Hall, Earl's Court in London for Hyper Japan Christmas 2012. The event is set to run from Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th November 2012.
They'll have all sorts of fun including traditional Japanese food, culture and music, along with the modern elements that make Japan cool.
Read More... | Souce: Hyper Japan
Category > Events
Artistic UK based readers in Hertfordshire who can get to St Albans will want to visit to the Museum of St Albans, Hatfield Road on Friday 5th October 2012. There launching a new project to create a manga book inspired by the theme of the Magna Carta, called the Manga Carta.
The fun starts at 5pm and is set to run until 8pm. Entrance is free. All ages welcome, 14s must be accompanied by an adult.
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News
Category > Events
Manga Entertainment at the London MCM Expo October 2012
The good folks at Manga Entertainment have sent us details of what they'll be doing at the London MCM Expo, on Friday 26h October to Sunday 28th October 2012.
Highlights include-
Exclusive signings with Liam O'Brien who is best known as Gaara from Naruto.
Cosplay Area
Viz Media Bookshop
Plus a DVD sale with prices starting from £1.
Read More... | Souce: Manga Entertainment UK
Category > Fandom
UK based anime fans looking to get involved in fandom and help with the running of a successful convention, will be very interested to hear that UK anime convention AmeCon is looking for new committee members.
This is a great chance to get involved with something you're passionate about. They're particularity interested in hearing from people with skills in event organisation or web development.
Read More... | Souce: AmeCon
Category > Events
London based fans of Japanese culture looking to try out a maid cafe will be interested to hear about the Japanese Maid Cafe London. They've got two sittings on Sunday 2nd September 2012 at:
Hellenic Restaurant,
9a Delancey Street
Camden Town
London
NW1 7NL
Seating Times are 1pm to 3:30pm and 4pm to 6:30pm.
There is a choice of 4 set menus (which consists of 3 courses). Entry is £25 in advance or £35 on the door. Prices exclude drinks.
Read More... | Souce: Japanese Maid Cafe London
Category > Events
UK anime fans who have just recovered from AmeCon 2012 and are looking for their next convention fix next year should sign up for AyaCon 2013.
The convention is set to run from Friday 16th to Sunday 18th August 2013. AyaCon will be hosted at the Warwick Arts Centre, the same venue as the previous few runs. This is will be the last AyaCon, so the theme will be "Apocalypse". This the conventions 8th and final year.
Read More... | Souce: AyaCon 2013
Category > Events
UK based gamers keen to head over to the Tokyo Game Show this September 2012, will want to take a look at Japan Journeys Tokyo Game Show Tour Package. The 9 night tour spans from 16th to 24th September 2012 and includes flights, transfers, breakfast hotel accommodation, along with all the entrance fees to places on the tour.
Read More... | Souce: Japan Journeys
Category > Events
We've just been sent some interesting details from the World Cosplay Summit UK Team, who are currently in Japan representing the country for the finals! So cheer them on this Saturday 4th August 2012. You can keep up with their adventures on their blog. They won the UK finals and in turn flights to Japan, and the chance to represent the UK at lots of fun events such as parties and parades along with the World Cosplay Summit Championship. The WCS is broadcast live on TV to an audience of 10 million.
You too can win the chance to represent the UK in the 2013 World Cosplay Summit. To do so, check out Hyper Japan's website.
Read More... | Souce: Cosplay Odyssey: Japan 2012
Category > Events
UK based anime fans heading off to August Convention AmeCon will be interested to hear about the latest Kitacon projects which will be announced at AmeCon.
Read More... | Souce: Kitacon
Category > Events
London based Studio Ghibli fans will be pleased and surprised to hear about the world's first staging of Princess Mononoke. Hayao Miyazaki's renowned title is being transferred to the stage by the Whole Hog Theatre Company.
The performance will use be using "giant puppets made from recycled materials, visceral, physical storytelling and original live music".
This project has been in the works for over a year.
Performances are set to take place from Tuesday 2nd to Saturday 6th April 2013 at the New Diorama Theatre in London. Tickets are available now for £12.50 or £10.50 for concessions.
Update: The tickets have sold out for the weekend already, you can still buy tickets for the Wednesday.
Read More... | Souce: New Diorama Theatre
Category > Events
UK based fans of Japanese cinema will be pleased to hear of the return of the Zipganu Fest. The Japanese film festival is set to return from Friday 14th September until Sunday 16th September 2012 at the Cinema Museum in Kennington, South London.
Following the main event the festival will be touring around the UK.
Read More... | Souce: Zipangu Fest
London based anime fans who fancy seeing Akira on the big screen should head over the Gate Picture House in Notting Hill. There will be two screenings one on Friday 20 Jul 2012 at 11pm and the other on Saturday 21 Jul 2012 at 11pm.
Read More... | Souce: Gate Picture House
Category > Events
London based fans of J-Pop will want to head over to J-Pop Go on Sunday 15th July 2012. The popular J-Pop event will be at The Vibe Bar, Old Truman Brewery, 91 - 95 Brick Lane E1 6QL. Tickets are £5 in advance or £6 on the door.
Highlights include a performance from the J-Pop inspired Marshmallow Llama Time, along with Perfume Tribute band Fume, plus dance performances from Greentea Bon Bon.
Read More... | Souce: J-Pop Go
Category > Events
Anime inspired t-shirt brand Mayamada have sent us details of an event they're running in London on Friday 20th July from 6pm until 11pm. Those interested in anime inspired t-shirt designs should head over to dessert shop Tutti Frutti near Covent Garden Tube station.
You'll have a first chance to look at the their designs. All ticket holders will also recive 20% frozen yoghurt on the night, plus a chance to win prizes. The event is free, but you'll have to grab tickets as space is limited.
Read More... | Souce: Mayamada
Category > Press Releases
Long ago on 25th November 2004 a new anime and manga magazine launched in the UK. Almost 8 years later, Neo Magazine is still going strong and has hit the 100 issue mark.
To celebrate it's 100th issue they'll be throwing a party in London on Saturday 7th July 2012. Everyone is invited to the free party, which starts at 8pm at the Bloomsbury Lanes. The party is for over 18's only, ID is required.
Read More... | Souce: NEO Magazine
Category > Events
London based fans of Maids and food will want to head to Camden Town on Sunday 15th July 2012 (after being postponed from last month). The Hellenic Restaurant will play host to the Japanese Maid Cafe.
Entry is £25 in advance which includes a 3-course meal and entry to the event. The food will be prepared on site by a qualified Japanese chef.
They'll have 3 sessions:
13:00 to 15:00
15:30 to 17:30
18:00 to 20:00
The maid cafe will also give you the opportunity to play a selection of games with them (for £2 per game per person). Souvenir poloroid photos can also be taken on the day at a cost of £5 per photo.
Read More... | Souce: Japanese Maid Cafe London
Category > Events
London based fans of Maids and food will want to head to Camden Town on Sunday 17th June 2012 (this has now been postponed, please see the updated below). The Hellenic Restaurant will play host to the Japanese Maid Cafe.
Entry is £25 in advance which includes a 3-course meal and entry to the event. The food will be prepared on site by a qualified Japanese chef.
They'll have 3 sessions:
14:00 to 16:00
16:00 to 18:00
18:00 to 20:00
The maid cafe will also give you the opportunity to play a selection of games with them (for £2 per game per person). Souvenir poloroid photos can also be taken on the day at a cost of £5 per photo.
Update: Saturday 16th June 2012
We've just received an e-mail from the organisers of this event.
They've informed us that due to unforeseen circumstances they have to postpone the Japanese Maid Cafe originally due to take place tomorrow (Sunday 17th June 2012).
They also say - "We apologise for the inconvenience and have rearranged a new date for the Maid Cafe which we will announce shortly."
All tickets will be valid when the event is rescheduled, alternatively they will arrange refunds.
Read More... | Souce: Japanese Maid Cafe London
Category > Press Releases
NEO Magazine launches campaign to find their ultimate fan in celebration for their 100th issue.
The winner will have a lifetime subscription to the magazine and have their photo featured in the 100th issue.
Read More... | Souce: NEO Magazine
Category > Press Releases
Namco Bandai Games UK announces an online community for fans of their Tales Of series of computer games.
Read More... | Souce: Namco Bandai Games UK
Category > Events
NEO Magazine are to run treasure hunt and photo competition at the London MCM Expo on Friday 25th to Sunday 27th of May 2012 in association with Genki Gear and Manga UK.
Read More... | Souce: NEO Magazine
Category > Events
Piano rock musician HITT to play at the after party for Japan Underground VS. NEO Magazine After Party on Saturday 26th of May 2012 at Bloomsbury Lane in London.
Read More... | Souce: Japan Underground VS. NEO Magazine Facebook Page
Category > Events
The good folks from Letraset have sent us some details about their upcoming event at the London MCM Expo which runs on Friday 25th 2012 to Sunday 27th May 2012.
On Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th May 2012 Letraset will be running a Manga School at the Expo. The talented Nana Li will be running the workshop. All classes are free to attend.
Read More... | Souce: Letraset Manga School
Category > Events
Fans of Japanese culture will want to head over to Brighton from Friday 22nd June until Sunday 1st July 2012 for the return of the Brighton Japan Festival.
There will be plenty to see and do, including not one, but two matsuri festivals, a film festival, Japanese music and performances, traditional children's games, cosplay and so much more.
Read More... | Souce: Brighton Japan Festival
Category > Events
The successful London based Japanese culture event Hyper Japan have just announced the date for their next event. Hyper Japan 2012 Christmas is set to run from Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th November 2012 at Earls Court in London. So save the date!
Read More... | Souce: Hyper Japan
London based anime fans will be very pleased to hear about the return of anime at the BFI. The biennial event returns on Friday 8th until Sunday 10th June 2012.
They've got a great line up of films. Currently the tickets are open for Priority booking (BFI members only), tickets will go on sale for the public on Tuesday 8th May 2012.
Fans of Full Metal Alchemist will want to book tickets for the Full Metal Alchemist 2 - The Sacred Star of Milos on Friday 8th June 2012 at 20:00 where director Kazuya Murata and producer Masahiko Minami will take part in a Q&A after the screening.
The BFI will be showing:
Friday 8th June 2012:
Preview: From Up on Poppy Hill - 18:00 NFT1
UK Premiere Preview + Q&A: Full Metal Alchemist 2 - The Sacred Star of Milos - 20:00 NFT1
Saturday 9th June 2012:
Oblivion Island - 16:00 NFT2
Children who Chase Lost Voices from Deep Below - 18:30 NFT1
Gintama - The Movie - 21:00 NFT1
Sunday 10th June 2012:
A Letter to Momo - 16:00 NFT1
The Princess and the Pilot - 18:30 NFT1
Akira - 20:40 NFT1
All screenings are expected to be in Japanese with English subtitles.
Souce: BFI
London based fans of classic Japanese cinema will want to head over the to Barbican on 2pm Saturday 2nd of June 2012 to catch a special screening of Akira Kurosawa's Throne of Blood. This will include a screen talk by director Yukio Ninagawa.
Yukio Ninagawa also directed Cymbeline, which will be performed the Ninagawa Company and will run at the Barbican Theatre from at 7:15pm on Tuesday 29th May to Saturday 2nd June 2012.
Read More... | Souce: Barbican
Category > Events
The London MCM Expo is on the horizon for Friday 25th to Sunday 27th May 2012. If you're going and are artistic you will be pleased to hear that Letraset will be running a manga alley art competition. The theme for May's competition is Splish-Splash. The competition is divided into 2 categories, over 16 and under 16.
They'll be a great line up of over £120 worth of prizes for the winners, with plenty of goodies for runners up too.
Read More... | Souce: Letraset
Category > Art
The ICN gallery London opened this month with the first in a series of exhibitions exploring the iconic historic Japanese artist movement, Ukiyo-e. The works explore the tradition and an influential legacy that has shaped the face of modern Japanese artistry.
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News
Category > Events
With the London Comic Con MCM Expo just over a month away things are starting to rev up for it. T-shirt company Genki Gear have just unveiled their exclusive design for the May event, which is set to run from Friday 25th to Sunday 27h May 2012.
The t-shirt is available for pre-order from Genki Gear. You can collect at the Genki Gear stall at the Expo, or have it posted out to you after the event.
Read More... | Souce: Genki Gear
Category > Retail
The good folks from UK anime, manga and Asian pop culture publication NEO magazine have sent us the details of their latest issue. It's out now both on the high street and digital outlets.
Read More... | Souce: NEO Magazine
Category > Anime
Starting Monday 23rd April our friends at J-pop go will be running a K-On Week, focusing on the girls of Ho-Kago Tea Time. The event will also feature the chance to win the K-On box set. We urge all fans of cute and J music to check it out!
Press Release after the jump
Read More... | Souce: J-pop go!
Category > Events
There are few bands that make the list of "must see in my lifetime". The Japanese band L'Arc-en-Ciel have been top of this chart for as long as I have been a fan of their music. Having never had the chance to see them in the UK before, I was thrilled to see London on the line up of performance locations for the band's 20th Anniversary Tour.
The band played in London on Wednesday April 11th 2012.
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News
Category > Events
The London MCM Expo is more than a month away, things have started to rev up for the event already. On Saturday 26th of May 2012 the folks from Japan Underground and Neo Magazine have teamed up to host a night of Japanese and Korean music. The event will be held at Bloomsbury Lanes, a 5 minute walk from London's Euston Station. They'll be supplying a selection of party-rocking tunes from Japan's alternative scenes.
The event is over 18's only and entry is £5 on the door. Valid photographic ID will be required.
Read More... | Souce: Japan Underground
Category > Anime
London based anime fans looking for a night of films will be pleased to hear about Sci-fi London's Anime All-Nighter. The famed late night screenings return with 5 films, a goody bag and a few surprises.
The screenings are due to start on Saturday 5th May 2012 at 11:30pm at the Apollo Piccadilly Circus cinema.
They'll be showing -
Bleach 3 : Fade To Black
(Dir: Noriyuki Abe, 2008)
Freedom (the complete series)
(Dir: Shuhei Morita, 2008)
Mardock Scramble 1st Compression
(Dir: Susumu Kudo, 2010)
Mardock Scramble 2nd Combustion
(Dir: Susumu Kudo, 2011)
Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust
(Dir: Yoshiaki Kawajiri, 2000)
We highly recommend Mardock Scramble 1st Compression and if the second is like the first that alone makes the screenings worth going to.
Souce: Sci-Fi-London
For those cinema buffs in London looking for some Far Eastern cinema should head over to the Prince Charles Cinema in Chinatown to cat the Terracotta Film Festival from Thursday 12th April 2012 until Sunday 15th April 2012.
Ghibli fans will be interested in From up on Poppy Hill the studio's latest offering which will be shown on Friday 13th April 2012. It is from Goro Miyazaki, who also directed Tales From Earthsea.
The Terror Cotta Horror night triple bill does look like great fun!
Read More... | Souce: Terracotta Far East Film Festival
Category > Events
The good folks from UK anime, manga and Asian pop culture publication NEO magazine have sent us the details of their latest issue. It's out now both on the high street and digital outlets.
Read More... | Souce: NEO Magazine
Category > Events
London based readers looking for some art and culture will want to head over to the ICN Gallery 96-98 Leonard Street, London EC2A 4RH to see Part 1 of What is Ukiyo-e? The exhibition covers the popular and well known wood block prints, including Hokusai's famous Great wave Off Kanagawa.
The exhibition is set to run from Thursday 5th April to Saturday 28th April 2012 (please note the gallery is closed Sundays).
Read More... | Souce: ICN Gallery
Category > Events
A quick reminder for those in London tomorrow (Sunday 11th March 2012), please don't forget about the Charity Event - Bunkasai Japanese Festival. We've got all the details here. The event is to raise money for Aid For Japan.
Souce: Bunkasai
Category > Events
Fans of new Japanese guitar acts will want to head over to London on Saturday 24th March 2012 to catch ASIDBLOW at Japan Underground Club night. The popular club event is set to run at a newly established rock venue The Pipeline 94 Middlesex Street, E1 7DA (in Liverpool Street). The event is set to start at 7pm.
Read More... | Souce: Japan Underground
Category > Events
London Based fans of Final Fantasy will want to keep Friday 2nd November 2012 free as that's when the Distant Worlds: Celebrating 25 years of Final Fantasy concert hits the Royal Albert Hall.
The Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra plus choir will be performing. Arnie Roth is the Conductor and Nobuo Uematsu will be in attendance too.
Tickets will start from £25 to £65, plus there's a special VIP meet and greet ticket for £125 which gets you lots of great things.
We know the event is in November, so why are we mentioning it now? Tickets go on Sale on Thursday 15th March 2012 9am London Time. As always with popular events we advise booking early to avoid disappointment, but with this we can't emphasise this enough.
Read More... | Souce: Distant Worlds music from Final Fantasy
Category > Events
UK based readers who can get to the University of Hull on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th March 2012 will want to head over to Platform 2012 East Yorkshire's huge gaming and entertainment expo.
They've got an an interesting line up of experts from the gaming industry plus a few familiar faces from anime and manga fandom too.
They'll be some retro gaming fun, a masquerade on the cosplay stage and plenty of panels from expert speakers.
Award winning cosplayer Natasha Lee Tyler (Missy Tetra) will be there to answer all those cosplay questions at talks and panels. Professional comic artist Sonia Leong will be there to explain all about manga.
They'll be a lot to see and do at this event, so it's certainly worth going!
Read More... | Souce: Platform 2012
Category > Retail
Hyper Japan 2012 Spring is all set to start on Friday 24th February and will run until Sunday 26th February 2012. One of the many things we like about the Japanese culture event is the all the different stalls and the wide variety of things they sell.
Every time you go you're always going to find something new and exciting. Graphic artist Amy Crabtree of Cakes With Faces will be there. You may have seen her stall at other events such as the London MCM Expo. At Hyper Japan she'll be launching an appropriately themed t-shirt called All the best stuff is from Japan. The colourful design is great to show off your otaku side.
The design is launched at Hyper Japan and you'll be able to pre-order at a special price and collect it at the event.
Read More... | Souce: Cakes With Faces
Category > Events
London based readers looking for some Japanese culture should head over to the Bunkasai - Japanese Festival on Sunday 11th March 2012. The event is set to run from 9:30am to 4:30pm at the Park Crescent Conference Centre. The event is to support the charity Aid for Japan, which aids survivors of the March 2011 Earthquake and Tsunami. The Bunkasai will run on the first year anniversary
Cultural highlights at the Bunkasai include the Tea Ceremony, Engeki play, Traditional Japanese dance, martial arts demonstration, Taiko drumming, and cosplay.
Advance tickets are now on sale.
Read More... | Souce: Bunkasai
Category > Events
Cosplayers heading to Hyper Japan 2012 in London will be pleased to hear the latest news they've sent us. The event is only a few weeks away it starts on Friday 24th February 2012 and will run until Sunday 26th February 2012.
The event has announced the cosplay judges for Saturday. Double World Cosplay Summit champions Mauricio and Mônica Somenzari will join professional prop makers John Bekkensten and Adelaïde Filippe from Bekkhans Studio.
Cosplayers should also note that there's just a week left to enter the WCS and ECG competitions.
Read More... | Souce: Hyper Japan
Category > Gaming
London fans of video games will be very interested in two events hosted by the Japan Foundation titled Video Games in Japan: Past, Present and Future.
Event 1 - The Past: Game Over? focuses on how to preserve video game culture and why it's important to do so. Is set to run on Tuesday 22nd February 2012.
Event 2 - The Present and Future: Progress to the Next Level? Covers where the Japanese Video Game Industry is heading and is scheduled for Wednesday 23rd February 2012.
Both events start at 6:30pm at the Japan Foundation in London at Russell Square House, 10-12 Russell Square, London, WC1B 5EH .
Both events are free to attend, but booking via e-mail is required. E-mail event@jpf.org.uk with your name, details and those of any guests. As with all popular events we advise booking early to avoid disappointment.
Read More... | Souce: The Japan Foundation in London
Category > Events
Readers in London wondering thinking - Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? Caught reading this website should head over to The Pipeline in Liverpool Street London on Saturday 4th and Tuesday 7th February 2012 to catch one of Japan's hottest new Queen tribute acts. The band are called Queer (yes, that's actually their name) and will be playing a warm up set as part of Japan Underground, keeping in theme for the night the even will have DJ sets of famous rock hits covered by Japanese artists, plus an 80s themed dress code. The fun and games begin at 7pm and is set to run until midnight.
Tickets can be bought for £5 in advance, or for £7 at the door for each show.
Read More... | Souce: Japan Underground
Category > Events
UK based gamers will want to head over to the MCM Midlands Comic Con in Telford on Saturday 18th February 2012 to see World famous videogame developer, director and producer Hironobu Sakaguchi. Best known as the creator of Final Fantasy Series he will be attending the comic con to talk about his career along with his latest project Nintendo's The Last Story for Wii which is due for launch on Friday 24th February 2012.
Read More... | Souce: MCM Midlands Comic Con
Category > Events
UK anime and manga fans will want to make a trip over to the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts at the University of East Anglia. From Saturday 4th February 2012 until Sunday 24th June 2012, the venue will be hosting Japan: Kindom of Characters, a new manga exhibition that takes you inside the world of Japanese characters and asks you to consider what they represent.
It follows on from a tour of highly successful showings in cities such as Manila, Sydney and Madrid. Human-size 3D models of characters such as Ultraman and Pikachu welcome you into this colourful and substantial show. Over eighty graphics, photographs and films trace the history of cartoon characters by decade from the 1950’s to the 2000’s and provide insight into their fascinating backgrounds.
The event is organised in co-operation with the Japan Foundation. Admission is free. The event is daily and open from 10am to 9pm.
The Sainsbury Centre is the sole UK venue for this exhibition.
Read More... | Souce: Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts
Category > Events
London based fans of Maid Cafes and Anime/gaming/vocaloid/Japanese music and clubbing will want to keep Sunday 22nd January 2012 free when WOTA London returns. From 13.30 to 18.00 the event will be a Maids & Butlers Cafe run by Maid Planet, then at 18.00 until 22.00 it will be an Anison and A-Pop Dance Party. The venue this time around is B1F Royal George, 133 Charing Cross Road, London, WC2H 0EA, near Tottenham Court Road Tube Station.
You can buy tickets on-line for a discount, either paying £4 for a Maid pass or £6 for a day pass. Alternatively you can turn up and pay £6 for a Maid Pass, £3 for a WOTA Pass or £8 for a day pass.
The event is for over 18's only.
Read More... | Souce: WOTA London
Category > Events
Cosplayers looking for some fun and games this Christmas will want to enter London's Hyper Japan's Christmas Cosplay Competition. To enter all you have to do is upload a photo of you cosplaying to the Hyper Japan Cosplay HQ Facebook page between 9th December 2011 an 15th January 2012. The 3 photos with the most likes on Facebook will make it through to the Hyper Japan Cosplay Team. The team will judge the photos and select a winner.
The winner gets a load of goodies from Tofu Cute, worth £50 along with 2 tickets to Hyper Japan Spring 2012 (for all 3 days). The 2 runners up will also get tickets for all 3 days at Hyper Japan Spring 2012.
Read More... | Souce: Hyper Japan
Category > Events
London based fans of Japanese themed clubbing can start of the Christmas season at the Harajuku! Winter Ball on Sunday 4th December 2011. The popular event returns to Proud in Camden. This time around they'll be 9 rooms, projectors and plasma screens for a fun Japanese themed night. The fun is set to start at 7pm and will run until late.
You can book your tickets here. Cosplayers, Lolitas and other fans of Japanese fashion will be pleased to hear that if you go in themed dress your tickets are cheaper!
Read More... | Souce: Criminal Records