Neo News

Natccu at Orbital Manga	9/8/2025
Natccu will be also adding Orbital Manga to her list of venues to play this October. She'll be playing an accoustic version (as the shop isn't big enough to house the whole band) on Saturday 4th October at 2pm. She’ll be backed by Wataru from Mika Bomb and they'll both be playing acoustically as a duo for about half an hour and then she's open to a question session. Her CD will also be available to buy on the day from Orbital Manga and we'll also be holding a competition - the winner will win her cd and the winner and a friend will be able to go to the gig of their choice!! www.orbitalcomics.com Reported By: Emily Man
X Japan launches UK website	11/7/2008
Japanese rock legends X Japan has launched a UK website; www.xjapan.co.uk (link). So far the only news is a performance in Paris at the end of the year, but we have a sneaky suspicion that the emergence of a UK site could suggest activity closer to home. The website promises more information soon. Related links: X Japan's Official Japanese Homepage X Japan's Myspace Extasy Records Reported By: Tom Smith
Kagrra Announces European Tour	10/7/2008
Visual band Kagrra will be bringing their blend of traditional and modern Japanese rock to London's Scala venue (link) (opposite Kings Cross station) on the 19th of August. The rest of Europe can expect to see the band on the following dates: 17/08 - SWEDEN/Stockholm [Klubben] 18/08 - FINLAND/HelsinkI [Tavastia] 20/08 - NETHERLANDS/Utrecht [Tivili de Helling] 23/08 - GERMANY/Cologne [Kantine] 24/08 - FRANCE/Paris [La Loco] 25/08 - SPAIN/Barcelona [Sala Salamandra 1] Tickets for the London show are set at £23 and are available via Ticket Master (link). More information about the tour, as well as tickets, is available on the Rock Identity website (link), however, a German dictionary is advised. The event is for over 16s only. Related links: Kagrra's Homepage (Japanese) Kagrra's Myspace CLJ Records UPDATE: The London date has been cancelled. Reported By: Tom Smith
Tezuka Festival	6/8/2008
OSAMU TEZUKA: MOVIES INTO MANGA Thursday 18 to Wednesday 24 September Fresh from the Barbican press release, here's the list of all the screenings to take place at the Barbican's Tezuka festival, in full. Ticket prices and details are at the bottom. Thursday 18 September 7.30pm - Short Film Showcase (PG*) A remarkable showcase of shorts made between 1962 and 1987, revealing Tezuka’s energy, originality and clarity of vision as he employs music and imagery to render dialogue unnecessary. These films show Tezuka the art house animator at his inventive best. Tales of the Street Corner (Aru Machikado no Monogatari) (1962 38 min) The first film from Tezuka’s Mushi Productions. Drawing apparently unrelated elements towards a single tragic climax, Tales of the Street Corner is profoundly anti-war. + Mermaid (NIngyo) (1964 9 min) Troubled by increasing conformity imposed by Japanese society, Tezuka examines the power of dreams and the consequences of betraying them. + Drop (Shizizu) (1965 4 min) In this highly personal film, even the simple backgrounds are drawn by Tezuka. A thirsty man on a raft tries desperately (and fruitlessly) to get a precious drop of water. + Pictures at an Exhibition (Tenrankei no E) (1966 39 min) Opening with a literal, live-action walk into a gallery, Mussorgsky’s music becomes a jumping-off point for a series of ten visually distinct and stylish segments. + Jumping (1984 6 min) One of the most technically dazzling achievements of its day, shot in a single cut with 4,000 images showing a skipping boy gradually striding higher and higher until he leaps across war torn countries, looking down on human activity like a god. + Broken Down Film (Onboro Film) (1985 6 min) A heroic cowboy fights not only a conventional villain but also a film so old that it breaks down. Tezuka’s affection for the conventions of silent film fills every frame. + Push (1987 4 min) In a world where every necessity can be had from vending machines, a man goes to see his creator and demands to be shown where to buy a brand new Earth. + Muramasa (1987 9 min) A magic sword is found stuck into a straw figure. The samurai who finds it keeps cutting at more straw figures to test its sharpness; but every time he slashes one apart, it turns into a human being. Friday 19 September 5.45pm - Tezuka on the Telly 1 (PG*) A programme featuring the first episodes in each series of Tezuka’s television works: Astro Boy (Tetsuwan Atom) Tezuka’s first black and white TV series, later remade in colour as Astro Boy: The New Adventures (Shin Tetsuwan Atom), along with Kimba, the story of a white lion cub claiming his heritage. Astro Boy (Tetsuwan Atom) (1963 24 min) Tezuka’s first TV series, designed for fast, low-cost production, enjoyed success in Japan and America. The tale of a childlike robot whose good heart far exceeds his super-powered armaments supported stories so dark that some had to be modified for American release. + Astro Boy: The New Adventures (Shin Tetsuwan Atom) (1980 25 min) Almost 20 years on, Tezuka remade Atom in colour. Despite more expensive animation, some critics feel this version has less powerful pacing than the original, but Tezuka felt able to include some of the manga’s more philosophical elements, originally left out in favour of superheroics. + Kimba the White Lion (Jungle Taitei/Jungle Emperor) (1965 23 min) The story of a white lion cub claiming his heritage, Kimba was the first animated colour TV series made in Japan, and proved so powerful that twenty years later Americans seeing Disney’s hit movie The Lion King recalled the white lion from their childhood viewing. Friday 19 September 7.30pm - Marine Express (Kaitei Chotokkyuu Marine Express/Undersea Supertrain Marine Express) (12A*) (1979 Dir. Dezaki Tetsu 91 min) plus introduction by Mr Yoshihiro Shimizu Set in the near future of 2002, the tale of skullduggery and smuggling on an undersea train is set against a backdrop of environmental degradation and destruction of indigenous cultures, and interwoven with a time-travel fantasy. Barbican Film is delighted that Mr Yoshihiro Shimizu, General Manager of Tezuka Productions, will speak about the relation between Story Manga and TV animation in the works of Osamu Tezuka before the screening. Saturday 20 September 11.00am - Family Film Club: Jungle Emperor Leo (Jungle Taitei/Jungle Emperor) (PG*) (1997 Dir. Takeo Takeuchi 99 min Dubbed) The most recent movie based on Tezuka’s 1950 manga returns to his original ending, darker and more reflective than the version for American TV. Leo is king of the jungle, and a father, but he is still striving to live in harmony with the world. Humans driven only by profit invade his fragile kingdom, bringing infection, destruction and death. Can Leo’s nobility and heroism transcend their greed and save the jungle? Saturday 20 September 1.15pm - Childrens’ Programme: Astro Boy: The Brave In Space (Tetsuwan Atom: Uchuu no Yuusha) (PG*) (1964 Dir. Atsushi Takagi, Eiichi Yamamoto & Shigeyuki Hayashi 87 min) ^ Three episodes of the original black and white Astro Boy TV series were re-edited into this colour movie, packed with action and quirky design. It’s easy to see why Walt Disney expressed admiration for Astro Boy when he met Tezuka at the 1964 World Fair. + Osamu and Musashi (PG*) (2005 Dir. Rintaro 18 min) ^ A charming fantasy based on Tezuka’s accounts of his childhood, showing him learning how to deal with life through his fascination with and respect for the natural world, especially the insects from which he took his pen name. Saturday 20 September 3.45pm - The Film Is Alive: Osamu Tezuka Filmography 1962-1989 (PG*) (1990 42 min) A documentary made for the Tezuka Osamu Exhibition at the Tokyo National Museum the year after Tezuka’s death, this film boasts probably the most over specified title card in the world. Each of the ten letters has been handwritten by one of his friends, all superstars of the manga and anime community. It provides a thumbnail introduction to his work and records its diversity and energy, as well as featuring live footage of Tezuka himself. + Panel discussion: Being Osamu Tezuka Season curator Helen McCarthy discusses Tezuka’s work with a panel of experts. + Legend of the Forest (Mori no Densetsu) (PG*) (1988 Dir. Osamu Tezuka & Kouji Ui 30 min) Set to Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony, Tezuka planned to review the history of animation in four episodes, though only two segments were completed. Animals and fantasy creatures warn humans about the danger of destroying natural habitats, while Tezuka warns of cheap, limited TV animation decimating the art’s rich heritage. Saturday 20 September 6.00pm - Phoenix 2772/Space Firebird (Hi no Tori 2772: Ai no Cosmozone) (PG) (1980 Dir. Suguru Sugiyama 122 min) Tezuka’s tale of the transformations required to be truly free and truly human, set against a panoramic science fiction backdrop. Also featuring robot heroine Olga, one of the most enchanting and covetable boys’ toys ever created. With input from friends including SF writer Sakyo Komatsu and translator Frederik L. Schodt, Tezuka created a blend of action, Disneyesque whimsy and Buddhist philosophy that won two US awards on release and remains thoroughly enjoyable. Saturday 20 September 8.30pm - The Phoenix: Chapter of Dawn (Hi no Tori: Reimei Hen) (PG) 1978 Dir. Kon Ichikawa 138 min) Tezuka’s original re-imagining of Japan’s legendary prehistory is the basis for Kon Ichikawa’s film. One of Japan’s most respected directors, Ichikawa aims to bring narrative coherence to Tezuka’s mythos at the same time as satirising samurai movies. Animated inserts enrich live-action in this diverse and intriguing film. Look out for Astro Boy’s cameo. Sunday 21 September 12.00pm - Jungle Emperor Leo (PG*) (1966 Dir. Eiichi Yamamoto 75min) ^ Tezuka felt this film was a more accurate expression of the themes of his manga than the TV series that preceded it. Only two minutes of TV footage was used in this version, which won the Silver Lion award at the 1967 Venice International Film festival. Sunday 21 September 1.45pm - Fantastic Adventures of Unico 1 (Unico) (PG) (1981 Dir. Toshio Hirata 90 min Dubbed) Based on a manga Tezuka created for Sanrio’s Ririka magazine, this is the story of a little unicorn who is born with the power to make anyone he meets happy. The jealous gods condemn him to wander endlessly, with no home and no memories, but Unico’s cheerfulness and kindness provide lessons in living in the moment in this heartrending but uplifting fable. Sunday 21 September 3.45pm - The Lion Books (12A) The Lion Books contain Tezuka’s short sci-fi and suspense manga, providing scope to develop themes that would not fit his longer works as well as acting as a kind of notebook to mine for other ideas. In 1983 he decided to try animating them as 26 stand-alone episodes, from which comes this selection: Akuemon (1993 Dir. Macoto Tezuka 25 min) The otherworldly beauty who marries a human is a mythic staple, so Tezuka gave it a poignant twist by marrying the fox spirit to a foxhunter, and watching love grow between them as he kills her people. + Adachigahara (1991 Dir. Hisashi Sakaguchi 25 min) A freedom fighter is captured by the dictator he seeks to bring down and sent to a prison planet where a strange old woman teaches him the true meaning of love. + The Green Cat (Midori na Neko) (1983 Dir. Osamu Tezuka 24 min) The first Lion Books story to be animated, in which an alien plots to conquer mankind through its vices and invade by stealth. + Lunn Flies Into The Wind (Lun wa Kaze no Naka) (1985 Dir. Osamu Tezuka 24 min) Teenager Akira sees a girl on a poster and falls in love. With the confidence of adolescence, he sets out to track her down. + Rain Boy (1983 Dir. Osamu Tezuka 24 min) A young boy makes a promise to a ghost in exchange for three wishes, but grows up to forget his promise until one day he happens to remember the Rain Boy. Sunday 21 September 6.30pm - Tezuka On The Telly 2 More first episodes from Tezuka’s later work for television. Princess Knight (Ribon no Kishi/Knight of the Ribbon) (PG*) (1967 Osamu Tezuka & Sadao Tsukioka 23 min) Tezuka’s previous success fuelled a TV anime boom, so he created a pioneering manga for girls. Sapphire, with a boy’s courage and daring in a gentle female heart, was hugely popular and the first in a long line of anime heroines who can easily beat the boys, but still want to join them. + Vampire (PG*) (1968 Dir. Ken Yamada & Kikuchi 22 min) Toppei passes for human well enough to get work at Tezuka’s studio, but is really one of a tribe of shapeshifters facing discrimination and hardship. Mixing animation, live action and Shakespearean plot elements, featuring the author as himself. + Marvellous Melmo (Fushigina Melmo) (PG*) (1971 Dir. Osamu Tezuka 23min) Melmo and her two little brothers lose their mother in a road accident. Determined to help her children grow up in a harsh world, the spirit of her mother returns to give Melmo a gift – candies that make the eater older or younger. + The Three-Eyed One (Mitsumi ga Toru) (PG*) (1990 Dir. Hideki Hiroshima 25 min) The first work based on Tezuka’s manga to be planned after his death, this was bound to attract intense scrutiny. Tezuka’s original story is diluted but nevertheless the mystical elements are well used and the on-off romance has its own charm. Sunday 21 September 8.30pm - 1001 Nights (Senya Ichiya Monogatari) (18*) (1969 Dir. Eiichi Yamamoto 128 min) Animal transformations, confused relationships and sheer rapacious sexuality merge with a heady eroticism in Mushi Productions’ first specifically adult-oriented feature. Tezuka’s story keeps faith with the mood and themes of the original legends, Yamamoto mixes styles like a DJ drunk on the sheer fun of it. Monday 22 September 11.00am – Schools Screening: Tezuka on the Telly 1 (PG*) (See Friday 19 September) Monday 22 September 6.00pm - Prime Rose (Time Slip 10000-nen Prime Rose) (12A) (Japan 1983 Dir. Tetsu Dezaki 90 min) A Japanese city and an American city are thrown into conflict by demonic intervention. Prime Rose is one of the warriors, but she has a personal motive. Time Patrol member Gai is trying to reverse the timeslip and defeat the demon. Aired before the manga of the same title was completed, this story is allegedly closer to Tezuka’s original idea. Monday 22 September 8.00pm - Baggy (aka Bagi, The Monster of Mighty Nature) (12A) (1984 Dir. Osamu Tezuka 90 min) In 1984 the Japanese government approved gene recombination experiments. Baggy (after Bagheera, the panther in the Jungle Book) is Tezuka’s response. A cute kitten escapes a lab, and is befriended by lonely child Ryosuke. Years later, he joins her in a quest that’s part spaghetti Western, part contemporary adventure. Tuesday 23 September 11.00am - Schools Screening: Baggy (aka Bagi, The Monster of Mighty Nature) (12A) (See above) Tuesday 23 September 6.00pm - Kamishibai theatre: Tezuka Osamu (Two stories introduced by Helen McCarthy and Paul Gravett. With soft titles. Location: Garden Room). A live performance from artist Mr Yasuno of two stories including a Kamishibai based on episodes from Tezuka’s life. Kamishibai (paper-theatre) evolved in Japan in the late 1920s from a long tradition of picture storytelling, performed on street corners. The form became so popular that television was initially referred to in Japan as denki kamishibai, or “electric kamishiba”. As its popularity declined, Kamishibai artists turned to manga and Mr Yasuno’s recreation offers audiences a rare opportunity to witness this street performance whose influence lives on in modern anime. Wednesday 24 September 8.30pm - Cleopatra (aka Cleopatra Queen of Sex) (18*) (1970 Dir. Osamu Tezuka & Eiichi Yamamoto 112 min) Mushi’s second adult film is a summary of the visual, satirical and political tropes of the 50s and 60s, with hallucinogenic colour schemes and highly stylised animation. Tezuka can never resist comic asides at dramatic moments, and he emphasises the absurdity of sex alongside its risks and rewards in this experiment in time travel. Ticket Prices: Standard: £8.50 / £6.00 members and concessions / £4.50 Children (Under 15) Special offer: Book for 3 or more programmes and each ticket is just £6. Unlimited Pass: see as many films as you can for just £30 - see web for details. Family Film Club screening: FFC Members: £3.50 in advance / £4.00 on the door / Non Members: £5.50 www.barbican.org.uk/film Cinema Hotline: 0845 120 7527 Reported By: NEO Magazine
ADV Cosplay Comp	11/29/2006
We've been informed by ADV Films that they've been having problems with the email address for the cosplay corner. If you or anyone you know has attempted to contact ADV through this address, please use the contact form on NEO's website and we'll forward your correspondence to them. ADV apologies for this and is currently working to rectify the problem. Reported By: NEO Magazine
J-Pop Go presents a Halloween-themed night	10/11/2006
J-Pop Go returns on Saturday 28th October to present their Halloween-themed KOWAIATHON night. They'll also have a night of fantastic J-Pop and J-Rock from old school to underground through to anime and game tunes courtesy of their Djs including Jimmy Messerschmitt, Chococat, Voxie, Take Off and GenkiBoi. Expect a range of sounds from the likes of Puffy, Tommy February6, Polysics, Guitar Vader, Mika Bomb, YMO, Asian Kung Fu Generation, Sandii and The Sunsetz, Halcali, Utada Hikaru, Rip Slyme and much more. A free raffle will also be available with superb anime prizes from ADV Films. The venue of choice will again be Cafe Manga (which is at the Westminster Bridge end of County Hall). Kick off is 7pm on Saturday October 28th and tickets will be £5. Discounts for cosplayers will be available at J-Pop Go's discretion. There will also be the introduction of discounts for subscribers to the J-Pop Go magazine. You can order tickets online via the J-Pop Go website or you can buy tickets directly on the door on the night. More info via www.jpopgo.co.uk Meanwhile, here's how the next events are shaping up: Christmas J-Pop Go - Saturday 2nd December Valentine's Day J-Pop Go - Saturday 10th February 2007 Our thanks to Paul from J-Pop Go for this item! Reported By: NEO Magazine
Mika Bomb	4/11/2006
Mika Bomb are playing in London on May 15th in order to raise money for Ergi, their drummer. Tickets are £10 each, and if you're interested in purchasing some, here's the place to go: Mika Bomb tickets Reported By: Gemma Cox
Howl Nominated for Oscar	1/31/2006
According to the website of the 78th Annual Academy Awards, Howl's Moving Castle has been nominated for the Oscar for 'Best Animated Feature Film'. Other nominations include Tim Burton's The Corpse Bride and Wallace & Gromit In The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, both stop frame animations. The nominations can be viewed at http://www.oscar.com/nominees/bestanimatedfeaturefilmcategory.html Reported By: Gemma Cox
New Viz Media Licenes	1/30/2006
AnimeOnDVD (link) have reported on the latest license snapped up by Viz Media. Full Moon Wo Sagashite (link) and MÄR (link) have now been officially confirmed by the company, but have also announced their acquisition of Prince of Tennis (link) and Zoids Genesis (link). Reported By: Kevin Leathers
South Bank Show Anime Special?	1/28/2006
You heard right. Otaku News (link) is reporting on a press release sent to them from Manga Entertainment UK (link). The press release says that the very respectable documentary show on ITV, the South Bank Show, will be airing an anime special, as they interview some of the key people in the industry and take a look at some of the classics that we have come to know and love. Seeing as Manga have released the press release, you can expect to see some stuff on Ghost in the Shell in there as well. The anime special of the South Bank Show will air on ITV1 on Sunday 19th February. However, that is not all the good news. As the press release also mentions that ITV4 will be airing the original Ghost in the Shell (dubbed) on Saturday 4th March. Also quite randomly, the press release also gives us some viewing figures on Jonathan Ross's Asian Invasion that has been airing on BBC4 which has seen 310,000 people watching it. Not bad. Reported By: Kevin Leathers
Beez get IGPX UK rights	1/24/2006
The UK arm of Bandai, Beez (link) have announced in their February press release that they have acquired the UK rights to mecha series IGPX IGPX, which was co-created between Cartoon Network and Production I.G. At the time of writing, no release date has been set for the series in the UK. Reported By: Kevin Leathers
Blood+ Licensed	1/24/2006
Anime News Network (Link) reports that Sony Pictures Television International have managed to acquire the home video and DVD rights to Production I.G.'s latest anime Bolod+(Link). However, this deal covers only North America, Asia (outside of Japan), Latin America, Australia and New Zealand. There is no sign of the UK rights or even the rest of Europe currently, so they still seem up for grabs. No date has been announced for the North American release of Blood+ as of yet. Reported By: Kevin Leathers
Duel Deathnote Live-Action Coming	1/23/2006
The good old Anime News Network(Link) has word that two live-action versions of the Shonen Jump(Link) manga Deathnote are in production and will both be seeing a release very soon. This will be officially announced though the next issue of the Japanese manga magazine Weekly Shonen Jump. In fact the first film is due this June with the second film following on in October. For those not in the know. Deathnote is a supernatural, psychological mystery horror as readers watch both sides of the investigation as two super intelligent students (ace student Light Yagami and the enigmatic L) try to out wit each other. Light (under the alas of Kira) has the powerful Deathnote which allows him to kill anyone whos name is written into the it, while L is hot on his case trying to solve the Kira case and stop the senseless killings. Check out Neo 15 for the review of volume one of Deathnote. Reported By: Kevin Leathers
London Expo Anime Village Expanding	1/11/2006
The London MCM Expo, famous for having the hugely sucessful Anime Village at the last two London MCM Expo's has announced their plans to have a completely anime, manga and Japanese culture exclusive event. The event will be called Anime London and is currently penciled in for July 2007. Currently no other plans, such as location or exact dates or pricing have be given. Though it is still too early for that. For those fearing that Anime London may take away the hugely popular Anime Village, London Expo have said: The ever growing London MCM Expo which takes place at Excel in London twice a year will still heavily feature ‘Anime Village’ bringing fans the best of Anime & Manga along with the many movie and TV related areas that it covers. London MCM Expo are currently in the process of setting up a website with more information within the next few weeks. Until then, check out the London MCM Expo forum to voice you ideas and thoughts on the new Anime London event. Reported By: Kevin Leathers
Top Grossing Films	12/16/2005
Website Anime News Service has published a list of Japan's top grossing films in 2005. The top two spaces go to anime movies, and the site also claims that most of the films, if not animated, can claim anime or manga influence. 1. Howl's Moving Castle (Toho) 19.6 billion yen 2. Pokemon Advance Generation: Myuu to Hadou no Yuusha (Toho) 4.3 billion yen 3. Koushou Nin Mashita Seigi (Toho) 4.2 billion yen 4. NANA (Toho) 4.03 billion yen 5. Yougisha Muroi Shin Tsugi (Toho) 3.83 billion yen 6. Densha Otoko (Toho) 3.7 billion yen 7. Kita No Rei Nen (Toei) 2.7 billion yen 8. Always -Sunset on Third Street- (Toho) 2.5 billion yen 9. Lorelei (Toho) 2.4 billion yen 10. Hoshi Ninatta Shounen (Toho) 2.3 billion yen Reported By: Gemma Cox
Manga Sale	12/16/2005
As reported on www.animeuknews.net, Manga Entertainment are having a VHS clearance sale for some of their older titles, including Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death and Rebirth, Bubblegum Crash 1, New Gall Force, Street Fighter Alpha: The Movie, and many more. Prices start from £1.50, but the majority of titles are going for £1.99. All purchases entitle you for entry into Manga's Xmas draw. See www.manga.co.uk for more details. Reported By: Gemma Cox
Miyazaki's new movie	12/14/2005
The new Miyazaki movie is coming next year - and it's not quite the Miyazaki everyone was expecting. In NEO 13 we reported on rumours that suggested Studio Ghibli was to work on an adaptation of Ursula K. Le Guin's Earthsea novels and in issue 14 we reported on yet more rumours that the new Studio Ghibli film was set to be directed by Goro Miyazaki. Sure enough, an official announcement by the studio confirms this to be true. The film is be an adaptation of Ursula K. Le Guin's novel A Wizard of Earthsea - so if you want to get ahead of the crowd, be sure to read it first so you can complain about how unfaithful the adaptation was afterwards. A fantasy tale for children, the film should sit well alongside titles like Narnia and The Lord of the Rings, all of which are great fodder for the box office, considering how fashionable fantasy epics have become in recent years. The one question hovering over this project will of course be 'how well can Goro Miyazaki direct?' With rumours that Hayao Miyazaki (Goro's famous father who just happens to have won an Oscar for his efforts) is 'still firmly against the idea', one has to wonder how poor Goro will do with the weight of expectation surrounding this release. Production on the film has already started, and it will be titled Gedo Senki, Tales from Earthsea. Reported By: Gemma Cox
Howl's Moving Castle up for Three Awards	12/6/2005
Howl’s Moving Castle has been nominated for “best animated feature” in the 2005 Annie Awards. Director, Hayao Miyazaki has also been nominated an annie award for “directing in an animated feature production” as well as an award for “writing in an animated feature production,” this all for his work on Howl’s Moving Castle. Donald H. Hewitt and Cindy Davis Hewitt are co-nominated with Miyazaki for the “writing in an animated feature production” award as well. Howl’s Moving Castle will be going up against some serious competition in the “best animated feature” category with films like Chicken Little, Corpse Bride, Madagascar and Wallace & Gromit – The Curse of the Were-Rabbit. The awards ceremony is set to take place on Saturday, February 4th 2006. Reported By: Kevin Leathers
Film Four goes Studio Ghibli Crazy	12/2/2005
Nausicaa.net (link) reports that UK Digital Channel Film Four (link) is to kick start a season of Studio Ghibli films to air on the channel throughout January. Viewers will be treated to such classics as Princess Mononoke, Nausicaä of the Valley of Wind and My Neighbor Totoro. The full listing of showings throughout January are below: Jan 01 - Princess Mononoke Jan 05 - Princess Mononoke Jan 07 - The Little Norse Prince Jan 08 - Lupin III: Castle of Cagliostro Jan 11 - The Little Norse Prince Jan 12 - Lupin III: Castle of Cagliostro Jan 14 - Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind Jan 15 - My Neighbor Totoro Jan 18 - Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind Jan 19 - My Neighbor Totoro Jan 21 - Laputa: The Castle in the Sky Jan 22 - Kiki's Delivery Service Jan 25 - Laputa: The Castle in the Sky Jan 26 - Kiki's Delivery Service Jan 28 - Only Yesterday Jan 29 - Porco Rosso Nausicaa.net (link) also reports that the most of these will be shown in with the English Dub. Reported By: Kevin Leathers
Steamboy gets Limited UK Theatrical Release	11/29/2005
It seems that Steamboy is to get a UK theatrical release, even if it is somewhat limited. Neo Forum users (link) have noticed on Cineworlds (formally UGC Cinemas) website (link) there is a listing for the film on their Coming Soon page and even has the date down for 2nd December. Good news for anime fans looking for more anime in out cinemas. The credits have down the English dub cast, so it could be that Cineworld shall only be showing the dub of the film. The bad news though comes from the film’s limited release. Looking through Cineworlds website, it seems that only the Shaftsbury Avenue Cineworld in London (link) will actually be showing the film. But at least attendees get to see the film the way it should be shown. Neo will keep you posted on new cinemas that may start showing Steamboy within the UK. Reported By: Kevin Leathers
Europe on Bandai’s plan for Expansion	11/29/2005
Bandai’s President, Kazunori Ueno, has expressed interest in a recent translated interview (link), to expand and further establish itself in Europe. “Looking at the overall sales, the European market has finally surpassed the US market. Currently, our European business is centered around France. We have yet to cover all countries. This means we have room to grow.” Says Ueno in the interview. “Another problem is whether each country's TV stations will air [anime]. …We are thinking about DVD releases or net-streaming in order to get them out.” Reported By: Kevin Leathers
TV channel 4kids	11/28/2005
4Kids Entertainment has been granted a broadcast license by Ofcon for a new channel called "4 Kids TV." Ofcon is the independent regulator and competition authority for the telecommunications industries in the UK. The Ofcom Website shows the new listing on their Television Broadcast Licensing Update October 2005, along with a few other scary ones like MTV Idol and MTV Pulse. While this new channel seems to be in the works, we will have to wait and see what this channel will feature when 4Kids officially announce the new channel. Seeing as many of 4Kids shows are currently spread across channels like Sky One and Toonami we shall have to see what 4Kids bring across to fill in the channel with. Neo will keep you posted when this happens. Reported By: Kevin Leathers
Take a History Lesson with Production I.G.	11/28/2005
Production I.G. are running a history lesson of sorts by placing a series of articles on the company’s history on their website under the name Studio Insider. The articles take a look at the studios of Production I.G. as well as how they were formed. Three articles are currently on the site looking at the formation of ‘Studio 1’ and ‘Studio 2’. Go on, take a look at the history the powerhouse that is Production I.G. Reported By: Kevin Leathers
Fullmetal Alchemist Announced for TV	10/31/2005
As announced by Wouter Van Ruth from Rapture TV at NEO's Anime Industry panel on Saturday at the London Expo, Fullmetal Alchemist will be the latest TV acquisition for the brand new digital channel. For more details about this story, see NEO 13, which is due out on November 10th. Reported By: Gemma Cox
Beez new titles	10/26/2005
Not only will the NEO Anime Industry Panel be the first place to find out which title will be airing on Rapture TV alongside Wolf's Rain next month, but it's also the place to find out which four new titles Beez have picked up for next year. Andrew Partridge, of Beez, will be announcing the titles at our panel on Saturday at the Expo. Reported By: Gemma Cox
Rapture TV's 2nd title	10/14/2005
Rapture TV will be making the announcement about their second title at NEO's industry panel at the London Expo on Saturday the 29th of October. If you want to be the first one to find out which anime series you'll be watching along with Wolf's Rain, the NEO industry panel is the place to be! Reported By: Gemma Cox
NEO's Expo panel	10/10/2005
NEO are pleased to announce their Industry Panel on Saturday 29th of October at 13.00 at the London Expo (www.londonexpo.com). It will be hosted by Ross Liversidge, previous editor of Anime Connect and webmaster for www.uk-anime.net, as well as the creator of NEO magazine's new website. The panel will an hour, and will give anime fans and those who are totally new to the genre alike a chance to interact with key industry figures from MVM, Beez, Optimum, ADV, Manga Entertainment and Rapture TV, who can answer questions and generate some interesting discussion about the state of the industry. We look forward to seeing you there! Watch out for more exciting announcements about NEO's presence at the Anime Village! Reported By: Gemma Cox
Rapture announces Wolf's Rain	9/22/2005
Rapture TV have announced that they'll be showing Wolf's Rain on their new TV channel, which is due for launch on the 14th of November. The first episode will be screened on Thursday the 17th of November at 8.30pm, and repeated Sunday the 20th of November at the same time. Rapture will be announcing their second anime series at the London Expo. (www.londonexpo.com). Watch this space for more details nearer the time! Reported By: Gemma Cox
Millenium Actress site open	8/23/2005
Manga Entertainment's UK arm has opened up a Millenium Actress website that includes information on the upcoming UK release (which contains a dub as opposed to the sub-only US release), as well as clips, trailers and a competition with PSPs, games and UMDs up for grabs. Runners-up will get a Paranoia Agent "prize pack" which includes Paranoia Agent DVDs and a limited edition Terratag T-shirt. Reported By: RPL
MVM release dates for Chobits and Yu Yu Hakusho	12/18/2004
AyaCon 2005 does indeed live. AyaCon 5 has been announced and it is coming for you. Following on from Aya Returns 2003, AyaCon 2005 will be at the Warwick Arts Centre at Warwick University between the dates of August 19-21 2005. Registrations have not opend yet, but keep your eyes peeled on the website for when registrations open. Rooms for the con will be costing £50 per night, while additional rooms will be available offsite and varying prices. For more information about AyaCon 2005 head over to the official website Reported By: Gemma Cox
ILC Prime Anime Label	10/12/2004
UK based DVD distributors ILC Prime have announced the name of their new anime label - 'Animazing' and the first anime DVD release lined up for this new label is The Humanoid. Created in 1986, little is known about this anime except that it is 45 minutes long and will be released by Animazing on the 31st of January. Their other scheduled DVD releases are Masamune Shirow's (the original creator of Ghost in the Shell) Dominion Tank Police Vol #1 & #2 and La Blue Girl Returns Vol #1 & #2 (hentai)- all of which are expected to hit the UK on 21st March. DVD releases for Project AKO and MD Geist are also expected, but are currently unscheduled. Source: UKAnime.com Reported By: Stu Taylor
Budokai 2 Press Release	8/12/2004
London, UK – 06 December 2004 – Bandai and Atari have announced the launch of Bandai's Dragon Ball Z®: BudokaiTM 2 for the Nintendo GameCube® in March 2005. The top-selling franchise returns to the GameCube after the magnificent, chart busting performance of the game on the PlayStation® 2 since its launch in November 2003. The GameCube version has incredible new features, more characters, improved fighting action, the original Japanese voiceovers and an open-ended way to relive the DBZ® story, making it an essential purchase both for fighting game fans and fans of the DBZ series. "The DBZ: Budokai series has become one of the world's best-selling fighting game franchises of all time through its ability to constantly improve upon its previous incarnations and challenge its competitors head on", said Martin Spiess, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Atari Europe. "Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 2 was extremely successful on the Playstation2 and we have upped the ante by producing an even better version for the GameCube with additional character costumes, unlockable stages, two extra levels of difficulty and even more skills added, making this a thrilling and challenging fighting game." Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 2 offers a sophisticated fighting engine set in a highly detailed, cel-shaded environment true to the DBZ series. The addition of the original Japanese voiceovers, extra character costumes and unlockable secret stages, including islands, city streets, the Great Kai planet and the World Tournament, coupled with new skills such as "Sparkling", "World's Mightiest Warrior Certificate" and "World Tournament Cell Game Rule", results in a more faithful recreation of the high octane Dragon Ball universe than any previous game has achieved. In addition, there is a variety of multi-player modes: Versus, Tournament and Training, giving a massive range of Dragon Ball Z playing experiences that players can enjoy time and again. Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 2 for the Nintendo GameCube will be available across Europe in March 2005. Reported By: Ross Liversidge