Manga and anime fans should check out what's on in London next month. There's always something going on on London's anime and manga scene, but May 2010 is packed with exceptional screenings and events.
Sci-Fi London: Manga-making Workshop and More
Sci-Fi London is now in its 9th year, and established as one of the capital's most popular events. There's a free 'how to draw manga' workshop on May 1, 2010. Those who want to stay on later can choose from a Manga All-Nighter with five hot titles, and a Japan Alive All-Nighter with four live-action movies packed with drama and SFX. Sunday's fun pub quiz is one of the most popular parts of this annual event. The full programme is online.
Manga Live! Movies From Japan
The Terracotta Far East Film Festival runs from 6-9 May in Central London. It features a number of manga-inspired Japanese and Asian films, including 20th Century Boys 3, Yukihiko Tsutsumi's movie based on Naoki Urusawa's manga. Antique is Korean director Min Kyu-Dong's take on Fumi Yoshinaga's manga Antique Bakery. You can also see K20: The Fiend with 20 Faces, directed by Shimako Sato. Set in an alternative Japan, in a 1949 where the Second World War has not taken place, it's based on a manga that in its turn was inspired by a novel. Mamoru Hosoda's Summer Wars is onscreen on Sunday 8 May. Terracotta also has a terrific social vibe, so it's a weekend not to be missed.
Literary Look at Manga
The third Waltham Forest Literature Festival runs from 14-22 May and features a talk on anime on 15 May. Most events take place in Waltham Forest libraries. The North-east London borough is easily accessible by public transport, with stations on the Victoria Line at Walthamstow Central and Blackhorse Road, several overground railway stations, and frequent buses from Central London, Stratford and the outer boroughs. Check out the programme.
Anime Ancient and Modern
London's Barbican Centre is an international powerhouse of the arts, home to the longrunning Japanimation season, and the first cinema in London to screen and discuss anime regularly. The Barbican animate website has details of all screenings and events, with links for seat selection and booking.
On 22 May there's a chance to see Rintaro's magical masterpiece Yona Yona Penguin, one of the most enchanting films of 2009.On 25 May, the regular Japanimation session is a double bill - Mamoru Hosoda's Summer Wars at 6.15 p.m.,followed at 8.45 p.m. by Japanese/Western anthology feature Dante's Inferno.
On 26 May at 6.30 p.m. there's a rare opportunity to see much older masterpieces. Asian film expert Jasper Sharp presents a programme of early anime, both silents and talkies. The lineup includes two works by pioneering animator Noburo Ofuji and Mitsuyo Seo's 1942 propaganda classic Momotaro's Sea Eagles (Momotaro no umiwashi), all rarely presented on the big screen.
South Bank Anime Weekend
The British Film Institute has a packed programme for the weekend of 21-23 May, starting with the two latest Evangelion movies on Friday evening. Gisaburo Sugii's 2005 Stormy Night, Koji Masunari's rockin' Welcome to the Space Show and Hosoda's Summer Wars are showing on Saturday 22 May.
On Sunday 23 May fans can see Chocolate Underground, Takayuki Hamana's look at what happens to a government that tries to ban chocolate. This is an anime version of British novel Bootleg by Alex Shearer, known as Chocolate Underground in Japan. Masakazu Hashimoto's Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva is also on Sunday. It's inspired by a series of Nintendo DS games which are so popular in Japan that they have spun off their own manga series. There's also another chance to see K20: The Fiend with 20 Faces, directed by Shimako Sato.
Visit the BFI website for times and to book.
Movies for Free
The Japanese Embassy in London offers a chance to see Japanese movies for free. On May 5 the movie on offer is Hachiko, the heartwarming story of a dog's loyalty to his beloved master. Booking is essential.
Helen McCarthy - Helen is a writer, editor, speaker, designer and trainer. She's best known for her ground-breaking research and writing on Japanese ...
