US anime licenser Sentai Filmworks has announced they have licensed the Makoto Shinkai movie Children Who Chase Lost Voices, for release later this year. The company has stated that the film will get a DVD and Blu-Ray release.
Read More... | Souce: Sentai Filmworks
Category > Press Releases
US publisher VIZ Manga announces plans to simultaneously publish the 13th volume of the popular manga in English on November 2nd 2012.
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News
Category > Events
Japanese J-pop girl Berryz Kobo to perform at US convention AnimeNEXT on 6-8th of June 2012. The band wants fans to pick one of their songs to headline their concert at the convention.
Read More... | Souce: Otaku News
Category > Events
Fans of J-Rock Band Stereopony will be pleased to hear about their upcoming US tour.
They'll be at the following venues -
Tuesday April 10th 2012 Slim's San - Francisco
Wednesday April 11th Key Club - Hollywood Los Angeles
Thursday April 12th 2012 YOST Theater - Santa Ana
Read More... | Souce: Stereopony Offical Facebook Page
Category > Press Releases
US anime licenser Sentai Filmworks has announced they have licensed the second season of popular anime TV series, K-ON!, for release later this year. The anime outfit has stated that the 26 episode series will get a DVD and Blu-Ray release.
Read More... | Souce: Sentai Filmworks
We've received news from US Anime Distributor Sentai Filmworks that they've licensed Grave of the Fireflies. The Ghibli classic is emotional story of the cold realities of war, and often forgotten victims, the children.
Sentai Filmworks will begin digital distribution of the title this winter and a digital restored DVD will be released next year.
Read More... | Souce: Sentai Filmworks
Category > Anime
Just a quick reminder for those in the US (or those who can buy DVDs and Blu-rays from the USA). Section 23 films have sent us details of the Blu-ray release of Clannad. The complete collection is out now.
Buy Clannad now from Amazon.com.
Read More... | Souce: Section23 Films
Category > Manga
We've received details of a new manga title just out. Breath Deeply is a controversial medical thriller with a dash of romance. It's written by the husband and wife team known as Doton Yamaaki. Published in English by One Peace Books the company suggest readers forget what they know about manga when approaching this title. It's out now from your favourite book sellers.
Buy from Amazon.com
Buy from Amazon.co.uk
Update: We've now have a reviewed Breathe Deeply.
Read More... | Souce: One Peace Books
The good folks at Viz have sent us details of the up coming US release of Naruto Shippuden The Movie: Bonds which is due out on DVD and Blu-ray on Tuesday October 25th 2011.
To celebrate US based readers can watch on-line for a limited time a marathon of all five Naruto movies! The stream is avaiable this weekend until Sunday October 23rd 2011.
Read More... | Souce: VizAnime.com
Category > Events
The AM2 Convention in Anaheim in California is set to return in 2012 with more guests.
Read More... | Souce: AM2 Convention
Category > Events
San Francisco based readers looking for something to do this weekend (Saturday August 27th and Sunday August 28th 2011) will want to head over to J-Pop Summit Festival 2011. They'll also debut of the Hatsune Miku Arcade Game which has been shipped in from Japan especially.
Read More... | Souce: New People
Category > Manga
The good folks at Viz Media have sent us details of their latest title to appear on VIZManga. They've just launched Neon Genesis Evangelion with weekly digital chapters for $0.99. It's available on PC and Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and Android phones and tablets.
Read More... | Souce: VizManga.com
US based readers who can receive Mnet will want to tune in July 5th 2011 at 9:30pm ET/PT to catch Culture Japan which stars expert otaku Danny Choo. Each week Danny will explore different aspects of Japanese pop culture.
You can also catch the show on Crunchy Roll.
Read More... | Souce: Mnet
The good folks from Sentai Filmworks have sent us details about their latest license. They've got the US rights to Mardock Scramble The First Compression. We've seen it, it's good.
It's due out on DVD in the US this September 2011, both English dubbed and subbed. They're also planning a Blu-ray release sometime in 2012.
Read More... | Souce: Sentai Filmworks
Category > Events
New York fans of fans of singing cosplay maids will be pleased to hear that Reni will be performing on Sunday June 26th , 12pm Amber Village NY, 432 6th Avenue (9th & 10 St). There's a $15 at Door charge, $10 in Cosplay.
They've also got a special guest this time around, geek stand up comedian Uncle Yo.
Read More... | Souce: Reni\'s Blog
Category > Events
US readers who can make it to Anaheim, California should head over to AM2 on July 1 to 3 2011 get a chance to view a special Passport holders only screening of Mai Mai Miracle.
We've seen Mai Mai Miracle, and must say it is worth seeing, especially on the big screen. It's everything you'd expect from a high budget Madhouse production. It's one of those films screaming out for a Blu-ray release. It's a title making the effort to get out and watch. It's in instant classic.
Read More... | Souce: AM2
Category > Events
US fans of singing maids in cosplay are in for a treat, as Reni will be touring select venues in New York, along with dates in June for MA and VA. It seems that she's getting busy due to popular demand!
Read More... | Souce: Reni\'s Blog
Category > Manga
Manga publisher Tokyopop are to close in the US as of May 31st 2011 . The company's film, TV, and European operations, including its Hamburg, Germany-based publishing and international rights sales will continue. ICv2 have more details along with Bleeding Cool News and The Beat which broke the news. As always Anime News Network has coverage of the story too.
Tokyopop's Founder Stu Levy has posted a personal statement.
As the details were announced today we have no idea what impact this will have on their release details, as well as what will happen to the rights of existing Japanese manga and original English language comics also published. Any artists who have worked with Tokyopop should read the small print of their contracts now.
Souce: Tokyopop
Category > Events
Fans of singing cosplay maids in Boston MA, will be pleased to hear that Reni will be performing on Sunday May 1st 2011. From 12 Midday to 3:30pm. She returns due to popular demand to All Asia Bar - 334 Mass. Ave. Cambridge, MA 02139.
There's a $10 door charge, ($8 for cosplayers).
Read More... | Souce: Reni\'s Blog
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
Category > Events
Manga fans in Toronto Canada are in for a treat on the first weekend in May, where Natsume Ono will be the featured guest at The Toronto Comic Arts Festival 2011.
The event is set to run on Saturday May 7th 2011 and Sunday May 8th 2011 with free admission. This will be Natsume Ono first ever public appearance in North America.
You may know her from such works as not simple, Ristorante Paradiso, Gente, and House of Five Leaves.
Read More... | Souce: Toronto Comic Arts Festival
Category > Events
New York based fans of singing cosplay maids will be pleased to hear that Reni will be performing on Sunday January 23rd 2011. The venue will be Amber Village 432 6th Avenue New York, NY 10011.
There's a $12 door charge, ($10 for cosplayers).
Read More... | Souce: Reni\'s Blog
San Francisco anime fans are in for a treat this month, as VIZ Cinema will be screening the Evangelion movies, Evangelion 1.0: You Are (Not) Alone and Evangelion 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance. The January 2011 screenings are well worth going to if you can.
Evangelion 1.0 will be shown from Monday January 17th through to Thursday January 20th, while Evangelion 2.0 will be shown from Friday January 21st through to Thursday January 27th.
Read More... | Souce: VIZ Cinema
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
The folks from Sentai Filmworks have sent us the details of the US DVD release of Nyan Koi! Complete Collection an anime title with plenty of cats and girls. The 12 episode set is subbed only. It's out today.
Can Junpei beat the curse and do 100 great favors for cats or will he be cursed and turned into a cat himself?! You'll have to watch it to find out.
You can order it from Amazon.com.
Read More... | Souce: Sentai Filmworks
The good folks from New People, Dark Horse Comics and NCM Fathom have sent us details about the world premiere of the live action version of GANTZ, which includes 325 US movie theaters. It's due to hit the big screen on Thursday, January 20th, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. CT / 6:00 p.m. MT / 8:30 p.m. PT.
For a complete list of movie theaters visit the Fathom Events Website.
Read More... | Souce: Fathom Events
Category > Events
NYC fans of Cosplay maid singing are in for a treat on November 20th 2010, as NHK World will be filming Reni's Maid Cafe show for their program Tokyo Fashion Express.
Reni's Maid Show and The Maid Cafe will be on Saturday November 20th on the 2nd Floor of Amber Asian Cuisine. 432 6th Avenue (9th & 10th Street) . There's a $12 door charge, or $10 if you're in cosplay (this does not include lunch).
We recently interviewed Reni at NYAF.
Read More... | Souce: Reni\'s Blog
Category > Anime
The good folks at Beez have sent us details of a a free preview of the first 14 minutes of episode 2 of Mobile Suit Gundam UC (Unicorn): The Second Coming of Char.
Gundam UC episode 2 is currently planned to be released November 12, 2010 on Blu-ray disc simultaneously in the US, Canada, and Taiwan.
It'll also get a PSN release too.
You can watch the first 14 minutes of Gundam Unicorn Episode 2 on the Bandai Channel.
Read More... | Souce: Bandai Channel
Category > Press Releases
Bandai Entertainment have sent us details fresh from NYAF including that Lucky Star Manga Volume 6 is out today. You can order it from Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk.
The original Mobile Suit Gundam will be released as a two part DVD under the Anime Legend range.
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time is going to get a US blu-ray release, details and dates still to be confirmed.
Ghost in the Shell: Solid State Society is coming to blu-ray.
K-ON! Season 1 will be released on DVD and blu-ray, and will be released over 4 parts. Additionally they'll be releasing a standard and special addition which features a CD (with tracks to be confirmed).
Gundam 00 movie: A wakening of the Trailblazer has also got a North AMerican release, again details and release dates to be confirmed.
Read More... | Souce: Bandai Entertainment
Category > Events
New York City based fans of maids, moe and cosplay will want to keep Sunday September 19th 2010 free for Reni's Maid Show and Cosplay Cafe. From 12 Midday to 3pm.
2nd Floor of Amber Asian Cuisine on 432 6th Avenue (9th & 10th Street) .
Please note that there's a $12 door charge, which does not include the cost of lunch.
Read More... | Souce: Reni\'s Blog
Category > Press Releases
The good folks at Phaidon have sent us the details of their up coming book Manga Impact.
The book has 500 colour illustrations, 300 illustrated entries, and contributions from anime and manga experts such as Jonathan Clements and Tsugata Nobuyuki.
The book is due out November 2010.
Pre Order From Amazon.co.uk
Pre Order From Amazon.com
Read More... | Souce: Phaidon
Category > Retail
The good folks at Udon Entertainment have sent us details of their 10 year anniversary art anthology - Vent. Due to hit the shelves on September 15th 2010 the art book premiers this summer at the 2010 San Diego Comic-Con, along with an exclusive hardcover edition at the Udon booth.
Vent is available to pre-order from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk. UK readers should note that Amazon.com currently have it cheaper than Amazon.co.uk even after taking shipping into account.
Read More... | Souce: Udon Entertainment
Want zombies with your anime? The good folks at Sentai Filmworks and Anime Network are willing to provide you with infected flesh eating monsters! Sentai Filmworks have the license for High School of the Dead. and will be releasing it subbed and dubbed throughout North America.
The Anime Network will also be showing the first and second episode from Monday July 5th to subscribers in North America.
Read More... | Souce: Sentai Filmworks
Category > Manga
Multi-National Manga Anti-Piracy Coalition Formed
We've received some very interesting details from VIZ Media about the formation of a Multi-National Manga Anti-Piracy Coalition.It seems that the industry has grown tired of Scanlations - manga scanned into a digital format and distributed without the copyright holders consent. The coalition include the 36 members of Japan's Digital Comic Association, Square Enix, VIZ Media, TOKYOPOP and Yen Press.
Originally scanlations were manga translated by fans into their native language from Japanese. This can be seen as the manga equivalent of anime fansubs. Some scanlation sites branched out to scans of manga that was already official translated and licensed outside of Japan.
This has cost the manga publishing industry significant amounts of money, not just in lost book sales, but lost opportunities in the relatively new market of eBooks and mobile devices.
The coalition intend to target scanlation sites and aggregators of scanlation sites. They've drawn up a list of 30 sites to targeted for action. First they will ask the sites to cease distributing scanlations. If the sites fail to cease distributing further action will be taken depending on the jurisdiction of each site. Actions include legal injunctions against the sites, reporting the sites to governmental anti-piracy units of law enforcement, including the US Justice Department, local law enforcement agencies and the FBI.
Fans curious about piracy in the anime and manga industry should read the Pirate Anime FAQ.
This is not the first time the anime and manga industry has attempted to stop piracy in the industry, but this is the biggest and most coordinated international effort so far. With many companies in the industry forced to make cut backs, closing down offices, laying off staff, we wonder if this is the start of a new approach? Will more companies pursue legal options? Are fansubbers next?
Read More... | Souce: VIZ Media
Category > Events
Baltimore based fans of Japanese Cosplay singers will be pleased to hear that Reni Mimura will be performing in Club Orpheus on Saturday June 26th 2010 at 9pm. This is part of the Pop Show Japan.
Read More... | Souce: Reni\'s Blog
Category > Anime
US Anime fans can now watch Vampire Knight on-line as it premiers on VizAnime.com. This streamed anime title is only available to people inside the US.
Read More... | Souce: Viz Anime
The good folks at Bandai Entertainment have sent details of the up coming US screenings of the new Haruhi Movie - The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya.
An English subtitled version of the film will be shown at the Viz Cinema in San Francisco from May 21st. The film will then be shown in Hawaii by Consolidated Theaters in mid-June.
Bandai also intend to release the film on DVD in the near future.
Read More... | Souce: Bandai Entertainment
Category > Anime
The good folks at Crunchyroll have sent us details of their latest streaming deal. They've started to show The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. Fans looking for aliens, time travelers, and ESPers will be most pleased to hear that they intend to stream the second series later this year too. Crunchyroll's licence covers the Americas, the British Isles, Scandinavia, the Middle East and Africa.
Read More... | Souce: Crunchyroll
Category > Anime
Watching anime on-line is all the rage these days, with services like Crunchyroll leading the way. Viz Media have launched their own anime streaming service on VizAnime.com. Currently the site uses Hulu.com as a backend (which means that readers outside the US can't watch it).
They've got some great titles on there divided into 3 brands - Shonen Jump, Shojo Beat and Shonen Sunday. Highlights include Bleach, Death Note and Naruto, Honey and Clover and Nana. They've got something for everyone on there.
Read More... | Souce: Viz Anime
We've been sent the details about the Clannad English Dub from Sentai Filmworks. Up until now they've only been producing subtitle only titles. We don't have a release date yet. They also plan an upgrade offer for those who purchased the original subtitle only DVD. Sentai Filmworks intend to release Blue Drop, Ghost Hound, Legends of the Dark King - A Fist of the North Star Story and Tears to Tiara.
Read More... | Souce: Sentai Filmworks
Category > Events
Fans of Akiba culture in NY should head over to Top Tunes Karaoke Bar on January 24th 2010 where Japanese Copsplay Singer Reni will perform anime songs and J-Pop.
Read More... | Souce: Reni\'s Blog
Category > Events
Fans of Akiba culture in NY should head over to Top Tunes Karaoke Bar on December 6th 2009 where Japanese Copsplay Singer Reni will perform anime songs and J-Pop.
Read More... | Souce: Reni\'s Blog
Category > Retail
The good folks from YesAnime.com have sent us some details about a new range of Cospa t-shirts made in collaboration with renowned otaku Danny Choo.
The t-shirt designs can be seen on Danny's website, and US readers can get them along with other great cospa t-shirts from YesAnime.com.
We only wish that Cospa had a UK stockist. Still you can always get TerraTag or Genki Gear t-shirts if you want to support UK anime inspired designs.
We must admit we're a bit jealous of Danny, we wish Cospa would make t-shirts with our mascot Miyuki. Still you can always download wallpaper of her instead.
Read More... | Souce: YesAnime.com
Category > Fandom
Otaku Dating sites seem to be all the rage at the moment. So we've discovered another dating site for anime fans MaiOtaku. They're pitching themselves as the OKCupid for anime lovers.
Read More... | Souce: MaiOtaku
Category > Fandom
There are tons of dating sites on the internet. Lots are even specialist dating sites by interest. So it should come as no surprise that the clever folks at Fan Crush have set up a dating site for otaku - Otaku Crush.
Read More... | Souce: Otaku Crush
Category > Anime
US based Anime company ADV have closed. A detailed write up can be found on Anime News Network.
Apart from the asset transfers to other companies registered in Texas (where ADV was based), the details are still coming to light.
Below we've included the press release from ADV along with the press release from Section23 Films.
Read More... | Souce: ADV Films
Category > Events
Fans of Akiba culture in NY should head over to Top Tunes Karaoke Bar on September 6th 2009 where Japanese Copsplay Singer Reni will perform anime songs and J-Pop.
Read More... | Souce: Reni
Category > Cuisine
Fans of Japanese cooking at home should note that Harumi's new book is due for released in September 2009.
It hits the UK on 7th September 2009, while US readers will have to wait a few more days until September 22nd.
Pre Order from Amazon UK
Pre Order from Amazon US
The book covers a wide variety of basic typically Japanese recipes. Harumi thinks you'll be able to create fantastic meals using the simple flavours. The best selling author has sold over 20 million of her books and magazine world wide.
Update: Harumi will be signing books in London at Selfridges Oxford Street on Friday 18th September 2009 from 1.30pm (she will be in the basement book store).
Read More... | Souce: Conran Octopus
Category > Events
US fans of J-Rock will be pleased to hear about VAMPS upcoming US tour this July and August 2009.
VAMPS is a group formed by HYDE from L'Arc-en-Ciel and K.A.Z from Oblivion Dust.
Don't forget to check out the official VAMPS website for more details.
Read More... | Souce: VAMPS
An episode of One Piece (Episode #403) intended for simulcast in America and Japan is leaked online. Funimation Entertainment announces that, for the foreseeable future, no episodes of One Piece will be available on their website for streaming.
Read More... | Souce: Anime News Network
A live action version of Blood the Last Vampire is due to hit the cinemas soon! Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Group, have acquired the rights for screenings in the US. For more details check out the official website. There's no release date yet, but it'll be hitting the screens this summer!