A 30 second clip of commercial animation produced for Nissin Cup Noodle by AKIRA and Steamboy director Katsuhiro Otomo can be streamed online by clicking here.

Warner Bros. have released a new trailer for the upcoming Death Note movie. This is a big budget live-action adaptation of Tsugumi Ooba's ultra popular manga series (of same name).

Nickelodeon have recently announced that they intend to co-produce a 26 episode (each episode being 2 minutes in length) series based on a strange-looking 10 year old Japanese TV mascot called Domo-kun.

In addition to this, Nickelodeon are also going to be funding an animated series based a Japanese graphical novel series called Akihabara@Deep; a "cyber" detective story that is said to combine strong elements comedy, action and drama.

"We're excited to be announcing these critical developments and will continue to work with local producers, both as creative and syndication partners, to establish Nickelodeon as a global platform for Japanese animation," commented Steve Grieder, the senior VP of Nickelodeon International. "We have a long-term commitment to invest in new creative content from Japan like Domo-kun and Akihabara, two stunningly original projects, and we look forward to helping expand the influence Japan has in the kids' entertainment arena even further around the world."

More Information
Full press release

Issue 3 of MAME is out now; this is only UK based anime and manga fanzine we know of. Costing just £2 (including postage and packaging), this hefty new edition contains:

"FAN SCENE HIGHLIGHTS, the anime and manga revolution is upon us, here we list some of the major UK events that have been happening during our hiatus. COMICS by Claire Sears, Andy Marc & Rebecca McCarthy, and Sonia Leong! ARTICLES on Shojo Beat by Laura Watton, the London Expo by Rebecca McCarthy, and Ayacon 5 by Scott Johnson. PLUS Reviews on anime, fanzines and a short interview with Kat Herning from the IMAF team!"

If this sounds worth reading, head on over to the MAME website for a free preview and to order yourself a copy via PayPal.

For the time being, UK internet users can stream RaptureTV over the internet for free, meaning that on Tuedays and Thursdays (at 8.30pm) and from 8pm on Sunday, UK anime fans can watch full episodes of Full Metal Alchemist and Wolf's Rain.

From what we can tell, RaptureTV eventually intends to make this a subscription-based service but for now at least, UK fans can tune in and watch.

Ghibli World have posted an interview with world famous Studio Ghibli director Isao Takahata, discussing his most popular movies including Grave of the Fireflies and Pom Poko as well as looking at a few of his future anime projects.

Manga UK have let us know that they are taking the unique visual aesthetic of anime straight to the streets of Britain by bringing together some of the UK's top graffiti talent to produce a series of anime inspired graffiti murals.

In association with the Old Truman Brewery and Sunday Market in London's East End on Brick Lane, their first "wall painting" features several characters from cult classic action anime Ninja Scroll, and we are told that many tourists have already been seen posing and snapping pictures of the mural.

You can see the four pictures by clicking the following links: [1] [2] [3] [4].

DVD Times have posted an official press release from Sony Pictures confirming that Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children will be released on UK DVD on 24th April 2006 (priced at £19.99). Take a look at DVD Times for a full DVD specification and list of extras.

Production I.G have announced that their new Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex anime will be subtitled "Solid State Society". No information is available with regards to whether or not this is another TV series, movie or OVA but more news is promised to be announced at the Tokyo Anime Fair.

In a press release circulated last night, US anime distributor Viz Media confirmed that they have indeed licensed popular Shounen Jump action series Bleach. Interestingly for UK fans is that this news isn't exclusive to North America; rather, Viz (through their Amsterdam-based company "VIZ Media B.V.") also intends to represent Bleach in Europe and Oceania too.

“It is a great privilege to be bringing such an outstanding property to so many parts of the world,” said John Easum, executive vice president, VIZ Media. “BLEACH is one of the most powerful and successful new series coming out of Japan, and it has already established a very large fan base in the U.S. due to the enormously successful manga, published by VIZ Media under our SHONEN JUMP imprint. Working together with VIZ Media B.V. in Europe, we look forward to making BLEACH a global success.”

Of course, VIZ Media B.V. may just focus on the larger anime industries in Germany and France, but since Europe obviously covers the UK too, there may well be a good chance that Bleach makes it onto our shores too.

Future Publishing is launching a new digital arts magazine that focuses on science fiction and fantasy art called Imagine FX. The magazine will feature tutorials as well as a cover mounted DVD. Manga artist Joanna Zhou will be contributing manga art tutorials.

The Folks at Manga Entertainment UK have sent us a press release about an anime special South Bank Show, which is due to air on Sunday 19th of February. Some researchers for the South Bank Show even made the steps of visiting the London Anime Club to get the low down from British anime fans. Interestingly enough the press release also has some details about Jonathan Ross' recent Asian Invasion, stating that it got over 310,000 viewers, a BBC4 record (it's now clear however if this figure is for just the first screening of the show, or if the repeat screened later in the week is included too).

ITV4 will also be screening the original Ghost In The Shell movie on Saturday 4th March (we belive it's the dub version), so if you haven't seen it yet catch it!

The Japanese Embassy in Piccadilly, London is hosting a free to enter exhibition focusing on the production of manga from the rough through to the finished work. The exhibition focuses on the work of manga artist Kiriko Kubo.

It runs from 30 January - 24 February 2006 and is open Monday - Friday 9.30 am - 5.30 pm.

According to CrissCross.com, it has been announced that SoftBank Corp plans to open a "cyber" college. This College would be giving all lectures through the internet for undergraduates that wish to get a degree.
SoftBank which is the parent of Yahoo Japan Corp aims to launch the college, the first of its kind in Japan, in April next year in the city of Fukuoka after gaining the approval of the education ministry, it said.

According to Akadot there is an update as regards the popular comic series Nana. In fact it has been announced that Nihon TV will air the first episode of the Nana anime on 4/5 at 11:25pm. It was also announced that Madhouse will be responsible for the production, the same production team that took care of Paradise Kiss which is another Yazawa Manga. Right now auditions of over 400 people are taking place to determine the cast.

Here at Otaku News we keep our eyes peeled on your behalf, we've noticed many of the branches of cinema chain Cineworld are now advertising Howl's Moving castle for only £1 as part of its Saturday movies for juniors promotion. Please note that over 12's need to be accompanied by a child to qualify for the offer!

Ghibli movies are always a treat especially at the cinema - so if you haven't seen Howl big screen yet go now!