11 March 2021 • Mark Westall
The Japanese word “hikikomori” translates to “pulling inwards”. The term was coined in 1998 by Japanese psychiatrist Professor Tamaki Saito to describe a burgeoning social phenomenon among young people who, feeling the extreme pressures to succeed in their school, work and social lives and fearing failure, decided to withdraw from society.
16 November 2020 • Tabish Khan
5 art books to get you through lockdown
16 May 2019 • Mark Westall
This summer Japan House London will present a two-month exhibition on the popular Japanese art form, manga, through the work of internationally acclaimed manga artist, URASAWA Naoki.
23 April 2019 • Staff
Three years and a change of production company later, anime sensation One Punch Man returns for a brand new second season now accessible to all UK viewers on Crunchyroll, the world’s largest anime destination with over 900 anime shows available for streaming and binge watching*.
12 February 2019 • Staff
Mirai, or from its original title Mirai no Mirai (Mirai of the Future), is writer and director Mamoru Hosoda’s seventh major film project and the first non-Ghibli Japanese animation feature to be nominated for an Oscar.
4 February 2019 • Staff
Rise of the Shield Hero currently has four aired episodes and is one of the top must-watch series of the winter
28 January 2019 • Staff
Newly released earlier this month of January, Yakusoku no Neverland (The Promised Neverland) already secures top spot for my season favourite
14 December 2018 • Staff
This autumn season has undoubtedly been one of the best for anime releases this year with aesthetic masterpieces on the one hand and controversial storytelling on the other.
10 September 2018 • Staff
Leading anime streaming platform Crunchyroll brings Bungo Stray Dogs’ latest full-length anime film to feature at Glasgow Youth Film Festival for its first ever screening in the United Kingdom.
3 September 2018 • Staff
With sales towering over contesting genres and anime adaptations making up 90% of Western exports, shônen manga are the most popular form of Japanese comics, avidly enjoyed by most even though, as its name indicates (shônen: boy/youth), its key demographic are typically teenage boys between the age of 12-18.
20 August 2018 • Staff
Co-founder of Science Saru Animation Studio and visionary director Maasaki Yuasa brings one of his most eccentric works to Western screens for a nationwide run on August 21-22 through US distributor GKids. Highly praised upon its initial release back in 2017, Yoru Wa Mijikashi Aruke Yo Otome (literally translated to The Night is Short, Walk on Girl) is sure to dizzy up spectators and paint towns red wherever it goes.
17 August 2018 • Staff
Of all the anime released so far this year, Wotaku Ni Koi Wa Muzukashii (Love is Hard for an Otaku) or Wotakoi for short, is still one of the most highly praised new series of 2018
6 August 2018 • Staff
With summertime now in full swing, the second wave anime releases of the summer is upon us! Which ones are worth staying indoors for though? Here’s a run through of the newest most promising releases of the season.
18 July 2018 • Staff
With heavily anticipated Season 3 of Attack on Titan (Shingeki no Kyojin) coming out this month, it might be time for a refresher on events..
10 July 2018 • Staff
2018 has so far been plentiful when it comes to anime with new titles rapidly becoming season favourites and convincing adaptations swaying the most stubborn of fans. This summer promises to be just as exciting with a few new releases already under the spotlight. With first episodes freshly aired, are they really as appealing as they’ve been made out to be?
19 June 2018 • Staff
With Koi Wa Ameagari No You Ni (After the Rain), Wit Animation Studios has taken Jun Maryuki’s sweet little romance manga to a whole new level, filling it to the brim with vibrant colours, poetic imagery and skilfully animated choreography leaving it bursting with life and something resembling magic.
15 June 2018 • Staff
From loud bratty children to soft squishy cheeks; snotty snub noses versus wet puppy dog eyes; tragic circumstance made inspirational; growing others to growing up yourself. Anywhere from mild irritation to cheerful happy smiles, slice of life anime adaptation Gakuen Babysitters (School Babysitters) knows how to push our buttons.
27 May 2018 • Staff
What do ramen, cross-dressing and organised crime have to do with one another?
18 May 2018 • Staff
Talking animals, friendly bugs and tiny peeps living together in harmony in nature… The animated version of Hakumei and Mikochi brings us even deeper into the woods for a fill of magic, friendship and laughter
13 May 2018 • Staff
It might look, walk and talk like an anime but: A Day Before Us, has labelled itself as an animated Korean drama. You could also try calling it a webtoon series.
