Laputa & Yamadas Blu-Ray Coming to UK!

It seems that the UK will be getting even more Studio Ghibli on Blu-Ray this May!  Online retailer Play.Com have listed Blu-Ray releases from Optimum Asia for both Laputa, Castle in the Sky and My Neighbours the Yamadas, with a provisional release date of 9th May 2011.

The two films came out on Blu-Ray in Japan in December last year.  Optiimum will also be releasing Studio Ghbli's latest film - Arrietty - this summer, although the exact date has yet to be announced.

Free DVDs at Midlands Expo

This Saturday sees the return of the Midlands MCM Expo, and the organisers have announced that the first 2000 attendees will each receive a free copy of the retro giant robot anime Voltron on DVD!  The three disc, steelbook DVD comes courtesy of Manga Entertainment so get there early to snag a copy! 

Manga Announce Sacred Blacksmith

Manga Entertainment have revealed on their Twitter feed that they will be releasing The Sacred Blacksmith on DVD this summer!  The release is likely to mirror the US complete series box set, but no exact release date or details have been revealed as yet.

The Sacred Blacksmith is a twelve episode fantasy comedy/action series in the vein of Slayers, which features a clumsy but enthusiastic knight called Cecily who must overcome her lack of skill to battle an evil foe who is unleashing demons on the land.  Her cause is supported by the titular blacksmith Luke, who can forge superpowered magical blades.

Return of the Midlands MCM Expo

The first major event of the UK anime & manga event calendar returns on Saturday 19th February in the form of the Midlands MCM Expo.  The event is held in Telford International Centre in the Midlands, check out the following press release here for more information, and our round-up of last year's event here.

Bunkasai to host Euro Cosplay Gathering selections

Animetion have been sent a press release regarding the upcoming Japanese event Bunkasai, which will be held on March 5th 2011 at Conway Hall, Holborn, London. 

The event will play host to selections for the Euro Cosplay Gathering (ECG), where one individual and one group will represent the UK at the finals at the Japan Expo Paris, June 30th to July 3rd 2011.  As well representing their country, the winners will also receive a week-long trip to France and 4-day VIP ticket to the Japan Expo! 

For further information view the full press release here. 

Manga Reveal Akira Blu-Ray Release

Manga have revealed on their Twitter feed that they will be releasing the classic sci-fi anime Akira in the UK on Blu-Ray!  The release is pencilled in for 27th June, and Manga have indicated that they will be mastering their own release rather than using Bandai's existing US Blu-Ray release.  More news when we hear it.

New Manga Licenses Listed

Online retailers Amazon and Play.com have listed three - to our knowledge - unannounced licenses from Manga Entertainment.  First up on the 4th of April is The Master of Martial Hearts, a softcore actioner in the vein of Battle Vixens, followed by Gunslinger Girl: Il Teatrino and Rideback on the 16th of May and 6th of June respectively.  Gunslinger Girl: Il Teatrino is the follow up to the acclaimed 'girls with guns' series Gunslinger Girl, and focuses once again on the pre-teen assassins of the Italian Social Welfare Agency.  Rideback is a futuristic actioner in which a former ballet dancer gets involved in a racing circuit for the titular transforming motorbike-style machines, and subsequently a huge government conspiracy.

Also listed are release dates for the first Eden of the East film, Vampire Knight Guilty and Casshern Sins - check out our Release Schedule for further info.

Arrietty Coming This Summer

Optimum Releasing's 2011 cinema schedule has confirmed that Studio Ghibli's latest film Arrietty, an adaptation of Mary Norton's classic children's book The Borrowers, will be hitting UK cinemas this summer.  No further information is given, but we're desperate to see this film so we'll be keeping a close eye on it!

Recent Reviews!

Click on the following links to check out our most recent reviews:

Vampire Knight vol 4 (Anime)
One Piece P.O.P Mini 2 (Merchandise)
Vampire Knight vol 1 (Anime)
Black Lagoon Figure (Merchandise)
Slayers Revolution (Anime)