Japanese Arts Festival this weekend!

Free event the Japanese Arts Festival is being held in Richmond Adult Community College, London this weekend.  This event offers a wide range to see and do, including cosplay events, artists, guests, retailers and several Japanese cultural stage performances.  There will also be photography sessions, cosplay workshops and chances to win prizes!

To find out more view the press release here. 

MCM Midlands Expo this weekend!

This is a quick reminder to say that the MCM Midlands Expo is this Saturday (20th), a huge event held at the Telford International Centre.  The Expo will contains a large amount of anime merchandise and events such as the cosplay masquerade.  You can also turn up on the day and pay on the door - no need to pre-book.  Prices range from £5 - £8, making it one of the cheaper anime events. 

For further information click here to view the full press release and click here to view our feature on a previous MCM Midlands Expo.  

D.Gray-Man Clips!

It's Manga's turn to send us clips for their forthcoming titles!  This time it's the supernatural actioner D.Gray-Man, one of the most anticipated releases of 2010.  The first volume is out on 22nd February, click here to read our review and click the links below for the clips:

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Manga License Announcements!

God bless Twitter!  Manga have been pretty talkative on the micro-blogging site over recent months, and they've now announced a trio of release dates through it!  First up is the film Kamui Gaiden which is due out on 2nd August, with a possible cinema run in late June, and this is swiftly followed by Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood, with volume 1 due on the 23rd August.  The big news though is the release of the first volume of the previously unannounced samurai actioner Sengoku Basara (aka Samurai Kings) on 2nd October!  Both series are set to be streamed for free on Manga's website prior to their physical release, with Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood due to stream soon so keep an eye on the site.  Also confirmed today are release dates for the second series of Ah! My Goddess, which is due to be released in three 2-disc sets in May, July and September.  Phew!

Live Action Gantz Pics

It may have been an entry in the 'anime we never thought would be turned into a live-action film' category, but it looks like a Gantz movie is on the way!  The manga and anime were both well known for their frequent nudity and gore, but considering Japan managed to produce a live-action series based on the notorious La Blue Girl we suppose anything is possible.  Some promotional images have been released showing Natsuna Watanabe as the sexy Kei Kishimoto (by god does she look good in leather), along with a comparison chart showing the entire cast.  Check them out here (page is in Spanish), looks like Kei's nude first appearance is in, but it remains to be seen if the infamous licking dog scene will be included...

Romeo X Juliet Clips!

Those good folks at MVM have sent through a selection of clips from the forthcoming Romeo X Juliet for your enjoyment!  Romeo X Juliet is loosely based on the Shakespeare play Romeo & Juliet, and is set in a fantastical 'Neo Verona' where the timeless story of star-crossed lovers plays out again...but not necessarily as you remember it.  The first volume is out on 15th February, but to whet your appetite check out these clips:

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Eva Film Still On its Way

Producer Joseph Chou has confirmed that the live action adaptation of Neon Genesis Evangelion is still set to be made.  The film was originally proposed as a joint project between anime studio Gainax, US distributor ADV Films and special effects maestros Weta Workshops, but news about it dried up and many thought it had been shelved following ADV's collapse.  However, Chou, who also produced Appleseed: Ex Machina and Halo Legends, has said that the project is still 'very active' and that they are working with a studio and producer that really understands the human elements of the story.  He believes that things should start moving next year.

Japanese Release Date for Ghibli's Latest

Studio Ghibli have announced that their forthcoming film The Borrower Arrietty will be released in Japan on 17th July 2010.  The film is based on Mary Norton's classic children's novel The Borrowers, but shifts the action from 1950's England to modern Japan.  Hayao Miyazaki has planned the film but directorial duties fall to newcomer Hiromasa Yonebayashi.  No news of a Western release as yet, but Optimum Asia are likely candidates for the UK license.  We wouldn't expect to see the film here until at least 2011.

Sailor Moon Aiming for World Domination!

Sailor Moon, probably the best known 'shojo' anime franchises, is on its way back to Europe!  The series returned to Japanese TV last autumn and Toei Animation has announced plans to revive it globally, starting with a relaunch in Italy.  The series will start screening on Italian TV this autumn.  There's no word yet on whether the series will return to UK TV or DVD, but UK distributors are likely to be cautious after the series flopped here in the past.  A heavily edited version of Sailor Moon was shown briefly on ITV's GMTV morning show before being dropped, and MVM's DVD release of the same version was largely snubbed by anime fans disappointed at the cuts and lack of a Japanese dub.

FUNimation Pick Up Dragon Ball Kai

US anime distributor FUNimation have picked up the rights to the hit remake of the Dragon Ball Z saga, Dragon Ball Z Kai!  For those not familiar with it Dragon Ball Z Kai is a streamlined version of the original Dragon Ball Z anime series, complete with re-recorded sound and full HD visuals.  The new series condenses the 291 episode series to around 100 episodes, with filler arcs removed and much re-editing to bring the story flow closer to the original manga.  Interestingly the license could open the door for a long-awaited UK release for the hugely popular franchise, the original series was beset by European licensing issues and was only released in mainland Europe but as this is a new series it is free of these problems.  Manga Entertainment have been sublicensing several major series from FUNimation and we're sure they'd be falling over themselves to get hold of this one.   We'll certainly be keeping a close eye on developments, so watch this space!

Ponyo Sunk

Chances of a second Oscar for Hayao Miyazaki were extinguished after his latest film Ponyo was not selected for nomination in the 82nd Academy Awards.  The film, which is set for release in the UK this month, was on the 'long list' of eligible films for the Best Animated Feature award but has been edged out of the final list of five nominees.  Instead Pixar's latest hit Up!, Disney's The Princess and the Frog, the CGI films Coraline and Fantastic Mr Fox and the relatively unknown Secret of Kells will vie for the award on 7th March.

Alcon 2010 registrations open

UK anime convention Alcon returns once again this September!  The Leicester-based convention will see capacity increase to 700 this year, but will still maintain its status as the cheapest of the UK convention.  There will also be events happening the day before the convention, essentially turning it from a three-day event to a four-day event. 

To register for Alcon, and for further information on the event, click here. 

Free Gundam!

Great news for UK Gundam fans!  Anime streaming site Crunchyroll will today make episode of Mobile Suit Gundam and Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam (the sequel series) available to UK internet users!

Catch some free Gundam on Crunchyroll now by clicking here! 

Tatsunoko Vs. Capcom Released!

A game that most commentators never expected to see the light of day in the West hits our shelves today!  Tatsunoko Vs. Capcom: Ultimate All Stars is the latest in Capcom's legendary 'Vs' series and pits the likes of Ryu and Chun-Li against anime studio Tatsunoko Productions' stable of characters.  A complicated tangle of licensing agreements for the various Tatsunoko characters led many to believe that the game would never leave Japan, but it has, and it is now available for the Nintendo Wii!  To whet your appetite check out the press release here, and have a look at the following clip!

Tatsunoko vs Capcom Clip

Grand International Cosplay Ball to host Valentine's Prom

The Grand International Cosplay Ball, a formal cosplay event held at the Clapham Grand, London which runs annually in November, have announced that they will be holding a Valentine's Day Prom. 

Held on Sunday February 14th at Peter's Parker's Rock 'n' Roll Club near Tottenham Court Road station in London, the event will see live music, DJ sets and a venue romantically decorated with roses, chandeliers and heart-shaped balloons. 

Ladies can receive free chocolates upon arrival which they can give to someone they like.  This is based on the Japanese Valentine's tradition of girls giving chocolates to boys on the day of love.  There will also be a match the pairs game. 

The event runs from 7pm to midnight and tickets are just £4 online or £6 on the door. 

To purchase tickets and for more information, visit the official website here.   You can also view the press release here.