Fate/Stay Night Game Coming to the UK

Capcom have announced that Fate/unlimited codes is to be released on the Sony PSP in the UK in September!  The game is a one-on-one beat-em-up based on the popular Fate/Stay Night anime and manga franchise, but it is notable as it is set to be released solely though the PlayStation Store download service.  This is intriguing as it suggests that companies could use the download service to distribute niche interest titles that they would not consider for a full release.  Hopefully we'll get to see some more anime games come to the UK through the PlayStation Store, XBox Live or the Wii Virtual Console.

Gunparade March Clips

MVM have released a series of clips from their forthcoming sci-fi actioner Gunparade March for your viewing pleasure.  Webmaster Rich wasn't overly enamoured with the series (see our review, here) but check out the clips and make up your own mind:

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Release Updates!

We've done some major updates to our release schedules!  We have added several new titles to the Anime Release Schedule, and also updated it to reflect a number of reshuffled titles from Manga Entertainment and MVM.  Shigurui Death Frenzy and Guyver The Bioboosted Armour have both slipped back to later dates, whilst Ghost in the Shell 2.0 appears to have been brought forward.  Also added are release dates for Devil May Cry on both DVD and Blu-Ray and Code Geass on DVD - check out the schedule for more info!

We have also relaunched our Manga Release Schedule, which had been in dire need of an update for some time.  Check it out here!

Studio Bones President to Attend October Expo

 Manga Entertainment and Beez have teamed up to bring Studio BONES president Masahiko Minami and Sword of the Stranger director Masahiro Ando to the MCM London Expo in October!  This is a major coup for UK anime fans considering the pair have previously worked on such major anime titles as Escaflowne, Evangelion, Serial Experiments Lain, Gundam Seed and Ouran High School Host Club.  It is very rare for Japanese anime staff to make an appearance in the UK, so the Expo really cannot be missed!

Dark Horse Announce Movie Plans

 Manga publisher Dark Horse has revealed that two of its series are set to be turned into live-action films, with another possibly in the pipeline.  Films based on The Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service and MPD-Psycho are currently in development at Universal Studios, and the two companies are currently negotiating a deal that could see CLAMP's series Clover brought to cinema screens too.

Anime on PlayStation Home

Manga Entertainment continue their digital assault by bringing anime to the UK PlayStation Home social network.  PlayStation Home is a free Sims-style social hub application on the PlayStation 3 that allows users to create avatars and interact in a 3D environment.  As well as interacting with other users there are mini games, exclusive videos and even a built-in RPG to keep Home users occupied.  Currently though the application's Home Theatre area gives you the opportunity to watch the first seven minutes or so of the Blood The Last Vampire anime as part of the promotion for the recent live action film!  Shame there are no tie-in costumes or items within the program, but it's still good to see anime making it onto the PS3!

Grand International Cosplay Ball Returns!

Last years hottest new anime event, The Grand International Cosplay Ball, is back for a second year this November! 

The UK's first international cosplay event will again be taking place at the Clapham Grand, London on November 29th. The theme this time is "An Enchanted Forest" so get out that sewing kit and start creating a masterpiece!

The Grand Cosplay Ball will be welcoming back famous cosplayer Yaya Han, who is preparing an extra-special performance for this year's event. Compere Johnny Lazer will also be returning, with lots more guests and performers to be announced in the coming weeks.  UK artists Sonia Leong and Emma Vieceli will also be amongst the special guests. 

As well as the usual set dances, DJs and bands, new additions to the show include circus performers, a "Hime" style lolita fashion show and a Hansel and Gretel themed photography area!

Tickets cost £18 and will go on sale on the website on August 3rd. A limited number of private boxes will also be on sale at this time.

 However, those of you who can't wait until 3rd August should head over to their launch event at the J-Pop Go! Live Party on Saturday, August 1st at the Fly on New Oxford Street, where tickets for the Ball will be available two days before they are on the website.   

As well as being first in the queue for tickets to the ball, you can sample some of London's hottest Japanese acts - The Tenorions, Natcuu and Sonic Dragolo will all be performing live sets! DJ Piloru and DJ Genki Boi, resident DJs of J-Pop Go! and the Grand Cosplay Ball, will also be spinning the decks.  Dress code at this event is informal. Cosplay is encouraged but not compulsory.

 For more information, check out the websites for The Grand International Cosplay Ball here and J-Pop Go! here.  Also check out our feature on last year's Ball here to see what Animetion thought of the first event.  You can also view images from the previous event here. 

Rave Master on iTunes

Manga Entertainment have added several series over the last few weeks to the iTunes store, including Gurren Lagann, Robotech, Afro Samurai and Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex.  However, they are also offering the fantasy action series Rave Master, which is notable as it has never been released on DVD in the UK.  The series is based on Tokyopop's popular manga of the same name, and is available on iTunes for £26.99 per series, or £1.49 an episode!

Metropolis on Film4!

AnimeUKNews have reported that the anime film Metropolis is due to be shown twice on Film4 this month.  Rintaro and Katsuhiro Otomo's adaptation of Osamu Tezuka's classic manga will be shown on Saturday 18th July at 2.50pm and Thursday 23rd July at 11am.  Make sure you check it out - higher viewing figures is the only way to get more anime on telly!

New Takahashi Manga Out in October!

The new manga by Inu-Yasha author Rumiko Takahashi is to be flagship title under VIZ Media's new manga imprint, Shonen Sunday.  VIZ are launching the imprint to feature manga originally serialised in Shonen Sunday magazine in Japan, with Takahashi's RIN-NE leading the line when volume 1 is released on the 20th October.  Several existing VIZ titles, including Inu-Yasha, Case Closed, Hayate the Combat Butler, Kekkaishi and Yakitate!! Japan, will also be moved to the new imprint.  VIZ intend to announce further new Shonen Sunday titles at the Chicago Comic Con this August.

Tatsunoko vs Capcom to be Wii Exclusive

Capcom have confirmed that their forthcoming console release of the anime-inspired beat-em-up Tatsunoko vs Capcom: Cross Generation of Heroes will only be for the Nintendo Wii.  Capcom producer Ryota Niitsuma said that the game had been designed specifically for the Wii, and ruled out releasing it on either the XBox 360 or PlayStation 3 due to the additional development involved.  He did however hint that if sales of the Wii version were good then the company may reconsider, or alternatively consider a cross-platform sequel.

Trigun: The Movie Trailer!

Recently unveiled at Anime Expo 2009 was the trailer for the long-awaited movie of the classic series Trigun.  The film promises to be a completely new story and will retain the mix of action, drama & comedy the original did. 

You can view the trailer here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCcEv0gFnpM

Know Your Roots!

US distributor Kino International have announced the release of a compilation of early anime shorts from the legendary animator Osamu Tezuka.  Thirteen rarely seen shorts from the anime pioneer's career are included on the Astonishing Work of Tezuka Osamu DVD, which is due for release on the 28th July.  There are no plans for a UK release at present.

Live Action Jin-Roh on the Way?

The vice-president of Japanese anime studio Production IG has revealed that a live action adaptation of Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade could be on the cards.  In a panel at Anime Expo in Los Angeles Maki Terashima-Furuta admitted that someone had the rights to make a live action Jin-Roh film, but declined to comment further!  Gah!

Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya Streamed

Japanese anime distributor Kadokawa has started to stream the popular Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya on their YouTube Channel.  However, this isn't just the series available in the UK from Beez, this is the original series interspersed with some brand new episodes!  Despite being streamed by the Japanese distributor the episodes are available to UK viewers and with English subtitles.  Check them out here.

One Piece Barrage on the Way!

US manga publisher VIZ Media have announced that they will be releasing no less than thirty volumes of the One Piece manga in the first six months of 2010, that's five volumes per month!  The move aims to bring the US release up to date with the Japanese, with VIZ supporting the books by uploading the very latest One Piece chapters to read online within days of their Japanese publication.  The company applied a similar strategy to their release of the Naruto manga, with the rapid release schedule widely seen as an attempt to combat online piracy of popular manga titles.

Bleach & Panda Go Panda Clips

Manga Entertainment have released clips of their forthcoming releases of the Bleach: Memories of Nobody movie and the bizarre Panda! Go Panda!, an early work from Studio Ghibli's co-founders Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata.  Click the links below to view:

Bleach the Movie: Memories of Nobody

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Panda! Go Panda!

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Samurai Deeper Kyo Clip

Those good folks at MVM have released a clip of their forthcoming fantasy actioner Samurai Deeper Kyo, check it out here:

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Animeleague to Launch Animeleague Club London

We have received a press release from Animeleague stating they are to launch Animeleague Club London, which is essentially a mini-convention looking to run three to four times a year. 

Launching Saturday 14th November 2009 at The Slug & Lettuce American Square, Tower Gateway, London, it will cost £5 for a whole day which promises anime dealers, screening, gaming, quizzes and a lot more.  The total capacity will be 400 people, so it is advisable to register beforehand.  You can still pay on the door, but priority will be given to those who have registered. 

For more information visit the site here http://www.animeleague.com/london and read the full press release here.