MVM License Nightwalker

MVM have followed up their surprise re-issue of Vampire Princess Miyu with an even more surprising license in the form of Nightwalker, a relatively obscure series about a vampire who works as a private eye.  The 12 episode series dates from the late '90's and is pretty much unknown in the UK, but with so much anime from this period never making it to our shores we're really glad to see a distributor taking a bit of a punt on something unusual!

New Ghost in the Shell Anime Coming

The forthcoming issue of the Japanese manga publication Monthly Young Magazine is set to reveal Ghost in the Shell Arise, a new anime series set to launch this year.  It will be the first Ghost in the Shell anime project since the Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex Solid State Society film back in 2006.

Details are scarce at present, but it is notable that a new director and writer are taking the franchise reins from Stand Alone Complex writer/director Kenji Kamiyama.  New writer Tow Ubukata is best known as the creator of Mardock Scramble, Le Chevalier d'Eon and Fafner whilst new director Kazuchika Kise is a veteran animator, director and character designer who has worked on everything from Neon Genesis Evangelion to Tales From Earthsea, as well as all three Ghost in the Shell films.  The acclaimed Yoko Kanno will also be stepping aside as composer for the new series in favour of electronic artist Cornelius.  Odds on this will come to the UK at some point, but we'll keep you updated!

CANAAN Available Early

Anyone looking to get ahead of the game on MVM's forthcoming action series CANAAN has the perfect opportunity as they have put it on sale early on their retail site AnimeOnLine!  Although not officially due for release for another two weeks MVM have received their stock and are selling the complete series box set for just £22.49.  You can order it here!

Valentines Maid Café Event in London

UK maid café group Maids of England have announced a Valentines Maid Café event to be held at the MADD café in London's Rupert Street.  The group, who host various pop-up events bringing the authentic Japanese Maid Café experience to the UK, will be holding two maid café sessions on the 9th February at 12pm-2.30pm and 3.30pm-6pm.  Tickets cost £7 each, or £10 for a chocolate ticket that includes a handmade Valentines chocolate, and are available online here.

For more information about the event, check out their Facebook event page.

Studio Canal List From Up on Poppy Hill

StudioCanal, formerly known as Optimum Releasing, have listed Studio Ghibli's latest film From Up on Poppy Hill on their 2013 release schedule.  The film, which follows a group of school students attempting to save their school clubhouse building from demolition, is directed by Goro Miyazaki and scripted by his illustrious father Hayao Miyazaki.  So far no release date or further details have been announced, beyond the confirmation that it will have the US-produced English language dub featuring Gillian Anderson, Jamie Lee Curtis, Beau Bridges, Christina Hendricks and Ron Howard.  More news when we get it.

Antique Bakery Trailer

Terracotta Films have released a trailer for Antique Bakery, the Korean live-action film based on the manga of the same name which is set for release on the 11th February.  The manga, written by Fumi Yoshinaga, is a light-hearted boys-love series which follows a group of men who run a small bakery and café.  Check out the trailer below.

MVM to Reissue Vampire Princess Miyu

MVM have announced that they will re-release the anime series Vampire Princess Miyu as a complete series box set in the second quarter of 2013.  The 26-episode series, which follows the titular vampire princess as she hunts down rogue demons, was one of MVM's earliest DVD releases - originally being released in 2003 - and has been out of print for several years.  The new release will be the first time the series has been available as a box set in the UK, and continues MVM's trend of re-issuing their classic titles following similar box set releases for Fruits Basket, Kiddy Grade and Samurai Champloo.

No Anime Nominated for Oscars

Despite two anime films being submitted for Oscar nomination in the Best Animated Feature category - Studio Ghibli's From Up on Poppy Hill and religious film The Mystical Laws - neither have made the shortlist.  Boo.