Anime Fandom in the UK

Events

Third London Film Festival

1959-10-19 - 1959-11-01

First screening in the UK of The White Snake Enchantress (Hakuja Den)

Panda and the Flying Serpent

1961-09-01

Reviewed in Monthly Film Bulletin, Volume 28, Issue 332, September 1961

Marine Boy airs in the UK

1969-02-05 - 1971-07-30

Dates taken from BBC Genome

Battle of the Planets airs in the UK

1979-09-03 - 1985-07-20

Dates taken from battleoftheplanets.info

Kids Cartoon Collection releases anime on VHS

1985-01-01 - 1986-12-31

Playtime releases anime on VHS

1985-01-01 - 1985-12-31

Ulysses 31 airs in the UK

1985-11-07 - 1986-05-08

BBC1. Dates taken from BBC Genome.Repeated on BBC1 from 8 May - 22 July 1987

Robotech UK launched

1986-01-01

UK's first anime fanzine, edited by Tony Luke

Mysterious Cities of Gold airs in the UK

1986-09-01 - 1987-06-22

BBC1. Dates taken from BBC Genome.

Kimba the White Lion released on VHS

1986-09-18

Released by Entertainment in Video.
Date shown is BBFC classification date.

MY-TV releases anime on VHS

1987-01-01 - 1990-12-31

Titles included Arabian Nights: The Adventures of Sinbad (Arabian Naito: Shindobaddo no Bôken, 1962), Robby the Rascal (Cybot Robotchi), Ultraman, Ninja the Wonderboy (Manga Sarutobi Sasuke), Crushers (Crusher Joe), Once Upon a Time (Windaria)

Speed Racer: The Demon Acrobats released on VHS

1987-04-16

Released by Xtasy Video.
Date is BBFC classification date.

Speed Racer: The Secret Car released on VHS

1987-07-08

Released by Xtasy Video.
Date given is BBFC classification date.

rec.arts.anime created

1988-01-01

Founded by New Jersey-based fan Steve Pearl

MekTek #2

1988-07-01

Annual BattleTech fanzine edited by Ashley WatkinsArt contributions by Steve KyteAnime and manga reviews by Helen McCarthy

MekTek #3

1989-07-01

Annual BattleTech fanzine edited by Ashley WatkinsArt contributions by Steve KyteAnime and manga reviews by Helen McCarthyPromoted the 1990 Eastercon

Eastercon

1990-04-13 - 1990-04-16

Also called "EastCon"Anime programme run by Helen McCarthy including a 36.5 hr anime marathonPublication of first peer-reviewed papers about animePoint of origin for Anime UK Newsletter

Anime UK Newsletter launched

1990-05-28 - 1991-11-30

MVM established

1990-11-01

Initially established as a mail order company named "Mailed Music and Video"

Akira screened at ICA London

1991-01-25 - 1991-03-15

Latest listing for cinema release found so far is in The Guardian cinema listings for Friday 8 March 1991

Anime Day

1991-03-09

The Japan Festival

1991-08-01 - 1992-01-31

UK-wide festival aimed at increasing British understanding of Japan.Marked the centenary of the Japan Society in the UK.16 September 1991 - Opening ceremony at V&A Museum, hosted by Prince Charles and the Crown Prince of Japan.Bodleian Library hosts "Japan Encountered," an exhibition of manuscripts and printed books illustrating Japanese-European encountersMuseum of Modern Art in Oxford plans to host "The Exploding World: The Image of Contemporary Japan in Comics" but cancels
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/N13647483https://www.londonsscreenarchives.org.uk/public/details.php?id=3286

"Manga, Comic Strip Books from Japan" exhibition

1991-10-11 - 1991-12-21

Organised by Adam Lowe following the cancellation of "The Exploding World: The Image of Contemporary Japan in Comics"at the Museum of Modern Art.Held in the Pomeroy Purdy Gallery in London, 11 October - 9 November 1991.Toured to the Northern Centre for Contemporary Art in Sunderland, 19 November - 21 December 1991.Accompanying guide book featured essays by Paul Gravett and Helen McCarthy.

Akira released on VHS

1991-10-14

Released by Island World Video, the precursor to Manga Entertainment

Anime UK Magazine launched

1991-12-01 - 1995-06-30

Bimonthly initiallyRelaunched as a monthly magazine in February 1995

Manga Video releases first title

1992-03-30

Fist of the North Star on VHS

Manga! Manga! Manga! opens at ICA

1992-10-23 - 1992-11-05

Super Play launched

1992-11-01 - 1996-09-30

"Blood and Guts and Bambi Eyes" published

1993-02-01

Published in The Guardian, written by Marya Burgess

Manga Entertainment Ltd established

1993-03-17

Renamed from Island World Communications Ltd; record on Companies House

Manga Mania launched

1993-07-01 - 1998-11-30

Initially published by Dark Horse InternationalPicked up by Manga Entertainment in 1994Sold to Titan Publishing in 1997

ContAnimeTed

1993-10-22 - 1993-10-23

Manga! airs on BBC2

1994-01-07

Documentary hosted by Jonathan Ross, included interviews from Helen McCarthy, Steve Kyte, Tony Luke, Hayao Miyazaki, Katsuhiro Otomo, and Buichi Terasawa

Akira screened on BBC2

1994-01-08

"Snuff Out These Sick Cartoons" published

1994-01-25

Published in the Daily Star, page 8, written by Kim Sengupta

AUK Con

1994-02-19

Crusader Video releases UK dubbed title

1994-03-21

Catgirl Nuku Nuku.

London Anime Club opens

1994-04-12 - 2008-12-07

Anime UK releases first video title

1994-07-25

KO Century Beast Warriors.Intended as a launch for more UK dubbed anime but never picked up further.

Speed Racer airs on TV

1995-04-06 - 1995-06-25

Aired on BBC One, apart from on 18 and 25 June, where it aired on BBC Two.
Source: BBC Genome

Anime UK rebranded to Anime FX

1995-07-01 - 1996-02-29

Minamicon 1

1995-07-23

Held in Portsmouth Hilton

Anime Babes launched

1995-11-01 - 1997-08-31

Anime fan club for girlsAlso released a quarterly fanzineHeaded by Lisa Munns, Laura Watton, and Lisa Tse

RecontanimeTed

1995-11-03 - 1995-11-05

J-Fan magazine launched

1995-12-01 - 1996-01-31

Short-lived anime magazine, intended as a more irreverent counterpoint to Anime UK. Created by Steven and Paul Weller. Each issue came with some exclusive Urusei Yatsura and Aa Megamisama trading cards.

uk-anime.net established

1996-01-01

Originally uk-anime.nu, changed domain between March and June 2000

Ghost in the Shell UK cinema release

1996-04-01

AD Vision opens UK office

1996-07-01 - 2003-02-26

Minamicon 2

1996-07-19 - 1996-07-21

Held in Portsmouth Hilton

uk.media.animation.anime set up

1996-08-23

Founded by Duncan Law-Green

Tenji: The Manga Exhibition

1996-09-27 - 1996-10-14

Anime and Manga festival that ran at the Ritzy Cinema in Brixton. Screenings facilitated by Manga Entertainment.

Shinnenkai

1997-01-03 - 1997-01-05

Anime! airs on Sci-Fi Channel

1997-04-07

Sci-fi channel documentary about anime, including Shinnenkai 1997 coverage.

Minamicon 3

1997-07-18 - 1997-07-20

First Minamicon held in Southampton

Shinnenkai 2

1998-01-02 - 1998-01-04

Minamicon 4

1998-05-22 - 1998-05-24

Ayacon

1998-10-23 - 1998-10-25

Held in the Grand Moat House, Birmingham

Manga Mania rebranded as Manga Max

1998-12-01 - 2000-08-31

Declared "on hiatus" on 13 June 2000, in advance of issues 19 and 20 being released

MVM releases first licensed title

1999-02-23

Bubblegum Crisis on VHS.Date reflects date of classification by BBFC.

Minamicon 5

1999-03-19 - 1999-03-21

First Minamicon held in March

Pokemon airs in the UK

1999-03-29

Ghost in the Shell released on VHS

1999-10-01

AyaNext

1999-11-05 - 1999-11-07

Minamicon 6

2000-03-17 - 2000-03-19

Sweatdrop Studios founded

2001-01-01

Incorporated and registered by Companies House on 25 June 2009

The Anime Encyclopedia published

2001-01-01

By Jonathan Clements and Helen McCarthy.Revised and Expanded edition published on 1 Nov 2006 (27 Apr 2007 in the UK).3rd Edition published on 19 Mar 2015.

Minamicon 7

2001-03-16 - 2001-03-18

AnimeCon UK

2001-10-05 - 2001-10-07

Held in the Britannia Adelphi hotel, Liverpool

The Art of Japanese Animation at the Barbican

2001-10-19 - 2001-11-11

UK cinema premiere of Princess Mononoke (possibly only cinema screening until 2005)

Minamicon 8

2002-03-01 - 2002-03-03

MCM London Comic Con launches

2002-05-25

Aya Returns

2002-11-01 - 2002-11-03

Held in Moathouse Hotel, Northampton

ADV Films operates in the UK

2003-02-27 - 2008-02-29

Minamicon 9

2003-03-07 - 2003-03-09

Wildercon

2003-08-08 - 2003-08-10

Spirited Away UK cinema release

2003-09-12

Aya Again

2003-10-31 - 2003-11-02

Minamicon 10

2004-03-12 - 2004-03-14

Wildercon 2

2004-08-06 - 2004-08-08

Amecon

2004-08-20 - 2004-08-22

Held at University of Leicester

NEO magazine launched

2004-12-01

International Manga and Anime Festival

2004-12-16 - 2004-12-19

Launched by County Hall Animation Studios Enterprise (CHASE)Hosted in County Hall, London

Minamicon 11

2005-03-11 - 2005-03-13

MVM Entertainment incorporated

2005-03-19

Date of incorporation and registration with Companies House.

Rising Stars of Manga UK launched

2005-05-01 - 2008-06-15

Tokonatsu

2005-07-22 - 2005-07-24

Rebranded from Wildercon

Ayacon 5

2005-08-19 - 2005-08-21

First Ayacon held at Warwick Arts Centre

Minamicon 12

2006-03-17 - 2006-03-19

Amecon 2

2006-08-11 - 2006-08-13

Auchinawa

2006-11-30 - 2006-12-03

SFX Collection: Anime released

2006-12-06

SelfMadeHero established

2007-01-15

Publisher of Manga Shakespeare

Minamicon 13

2007-03-16 - 2007-03-18

SFX Total Anime 1 released

2007-06-06

Second SFX Collection on anime, intended as a soft launch for a new anime magazine

Manga Jiman launched

2007-06-12

Cosplay Island launched

2007-07-01

Amecon 3

2007-08-10 - 2007-08-12

Alcon

2007-09-07 - 2007-09-09

SFX Total Anime 2 released

2007-10-03

Fuyucon

2007-10-19 - 2007-10-21

Minamicon 14

2008-02-29 - 2008-03-02

Amecon 4

2008-08-08 - 2008-08-10

Alcon 2

2008-09-05 - 2008-09-07

Minamicon 15

2009-03-27 - 2009-03-29

Kitacon

2009-04-17 - 2009-04-19

Aya Revolution

2009-08-14 - 2009-08-16

Alcon 3

2009-09-04 - 2009-09-06

Fuyucon 2

2009-10-23 - 2009-10-25

Anime League Club London

2009-11-14

Japanese Art Festival

2010-02-27 - 2010-02-28

Organised by Akemi Solloway

Kitacon 2

2010-03-26 - 2010-03-28

Coscraft established

2010-04-13

Minamicon 16

2010-04-16 - 2010-04-18

Eurocosplay launched

2010-04-27

"Toon Army" published

2010-05-27

Published in The Telegraph, written by Tanya GoldReproduced online as "Cosplay: Meet the Toon Army"

London Anime Con

2010-06-26

Organised by Anime LeagueLater became London Anime and Gaming Convention

Amecon 5

2010-08-13 - 2010-08-15

Alcon 4

2010-09-09 - 2010-09-12

Hyper Japan

2010-10-01 - 2010-10-03

Minamicon 17

2011-03-18 - 2011-03-20

Kitacon 3

2011-04-01 - 2011-04-03

Ayacon 2011

2011-08-19 - 2011-08-21

Anime Limited founded

2011-08-24

Alcon 5

2011-09-08 - 2011-09-11

Minamicon 18

2012-03-16 - 2012-03-18

Kitacon 4

2012-04-13 - 2012-04-15

MyM magazine launched

2012-05-01

UK's first WCS contestants selected

2012-05-26

Amecon 6

2012-08-10 - 2012-08-12

Alcon 6

2012-09-06 - 2012-09-09

Minamicon 19

2013-03-01 - 2013-03-03

Aya Apocalypse

2013-08-16 - 2013-08-18

Alcon 7

2013-09-05 - 2013-09-08

Minamicon 20

2014-03-07 - 2014-03-09

Kitacon Invasion

2014-03-28 - 2014-03-30

Alcon 8

2014-09-04 - 2014-09-07

Minamicon 21

2015-03-06 - 2015-03-08

AmeChibi

2015-04-10 - 2015-04-12

Back to the Kitacon

2015-07-31 - 2015-08-02

Alcon 9

2015-09-03 - 2015-09-06

WTF Is Cosplay? aired on Channel 4

2015-10-20 - 2015-10-23

Six-part series of short documentaries about different aspects of cosplay

Minamicon 22

2016-03-04 - 2016-03-06

Kitacon Karnival

2016-04-01 - 2016-04-03

Amecon 7

2016-07-29 - 2016-07-31

Alcon 10

2016-09-01 - 2016-09-04

Minamicon 23

2017-03-03 - 2017-03-05

Kitacon Quest

2017-08-18 - 2017-08-20

Alcon 11

2017-08-31 - 2017-09-03

Hibanacon

2017-11-10 - 2017-11-12

Minamicon 24

2018-03-09 - 2018-03-11

Amecon 8

2018-07-27 - 2018-07-29

Alcon 11

2018-08-30 - 2018-09-02

Hibanacon 2

2018-11-02 - 2018-11-04

Minamicon 25

2019-03-08 - 2019-03-10