UK Anime FAQ ============ Maintained by Jonathan Weeks (jon@animejin.org.uk) This document is a informational resource for anime (Japanese animation) in the UK. The contents are specific to the UK and are not intended to provide information about anime in general. Although effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, no guarantee can be given. Comments, additions and corrections are welcome. Last revised 7th January 2003 Changes since 8th November: Deleted some section 1 entries. Delete th laserdisc entry Updated section 2 Updated TV list and events list --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright Notice ================ This entire document is copyright Jonathan Weeks. You are granted the following rights: To make copies of this work in original form, so long as 1. the copies are exact and complete; 2. the copies include the copyright notice and these paragraphs in their entirety; 3. the copies give obvious credit to the author; 4. the copies are in electronic form. To distribute this work, or copies made under the provisions above, so long as 1. this is the original work and not a derivative form; 2. you do not charge a fee for copying or for distribution; 3. you ensure that the distributed form includes the copyright notice, this paragraph, and credit to the author; 4. the distributed form is not in an electronic magazine or within computer software; 5. the distributed form is the newest version of the article to the best of the knowledge of the distributor; 6. the distributed form is electronic. You may not distribute this work by any non-electronic media, including but not limited to books, newsletters, magazines, manuals, catalogues, and speech. You may not distribute this work in electronic magazines or within computer software without prior written explicit permission. These rights are temporary and revocable upon written, oral, or other notice by Jonathan Weeks. If you would like additional rights beyond those granted above, please contact Jonathan Weeks. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Contents ======== Section 1: Who is/are... 1.1 ...Manga Video? 1.2 ...ADV Films? 1.3 ...MVM? 1.4 ...Kiseki Films? 1.5 ...Pioneer Anime? 1.6 ...Anime Projects? 1.7 ...Western Connection? 1.8 ...Helen McCarthy? 1.9 ...Jonathan Clements? Section 2: UK anime releases 2.1 Complete UK release list 2.2 Which UK releases are incomplete? 2.3 Which UK releases use a different translation to the US version? 2.4 Which 'movie' releases are not really movies? 2.5 What soundtracks have been released in the UK? 2.6 Which UK releases have different music to the Japanese versions? Section 3: Censorship 3.1 Censorship? What on earth are you talking about? This is a free country isn't it? 3.2 So which UK anime releases have been censored? Section 4: Internet Resources 4.1 Usenet newsgroups 4.2 Websites Section 5: Miscellaneous 5.1 Where can I buy anime stuff in the UK? 5.2 Is there an anime club in my area? 5.3 What anime is show on TV in the UK? 5.4 What forthcoming anime related events are there in the UK? 5.5 What are 'NTSC' and 'PAL'? 5.6 What is DVD? Is it of interest to anime fans? 5.8 What is VCD? 5.9 What is the legal position of imported videos? 5.10 How do you send money abroad? Acknowledgements --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Section 1 : Who is/are..? ========================= 1.1 Manga Video Manga Video is the video label of Manga Entertainment, originally owned by Island World, and now part of Palm Pictures. They introduced anime to the UK mainstream in 1991 with the release of Akira, and then went on to become the most well known anime distributor in the UK. Notable releases : Akira, Fist of the North Star, Legend of the Overfiend, Ninja Scroll, Ghost in the Shell, Perfect Blue Address : 8 Kensington Park Road, London W11 3BU Website : http://www.manga.co.uk 1.2 ADV Films (Formally AD Vision). A US video label that has a UK branch releasing some of its titles in the UK since 1996. Currently the most active UK anime company. Notable releases : Neon Genesis Evangelion, Tekken, Slayers, Dirty Pair, Bubblegum Crisis 2040, Street Fighter II V Address : PO Box 9, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 1ZA Website : http://www.advfilms.co.uk 1.3 MVM Originally a retail and mail order supplier of a wide range of videos and other merchandise (not just anime). In 1999 they created their own video label through which they have mostly released UK editions of titles produced by the US company Animeigo (some of which were previously available through Anime Projects), and Funimation. Notable releases : Bubblegum Crisis, Kimagure Orange Road, Urusei Yatsura, Sailor Moon, Blue Gender Website : http://www.mvm-uk.co.uk 1.4 Kiseki Films Kiseki Films (it means 'Miracle Films') is part of the Revelation group of companies, a major video distributor. They released various anime on the back of the interest generated by Manga Video. They are not currently producing any new releases, but they are keeping their most popular releases in print, and have re-released some titles on DVD. Notable releases : Gunbuster, Urotsukidoji III, Urotsukidoji IV Address : 5 & 6 Parkside, Ravenscourt Park, London, W6 0UU 1.5 Pioneer Anime Full name: Pioneer Entertainment Europe Limited. Pioneer is primarily known as a hi-fi manufacturer, but also has an animation division in Japan that has produced various anime series. In 1995 they set up a UK office to release their productions directly in the UK, and in 1998 they started including anime from other producers in their releases. The office was closed on 31st March 2000, and their releases are no longer available. Notable releases : Tenchi Muyo, Armitage III, Record of Lodoss War 1.6 Anime Projects A small video label that released fan-orientated subtitled anime on a small scale basis between 1992 and 1995. All their videos were UK editions of titles produced by the US company Animeigo. Their rights to release material eventually all expired, and most of it is now available through MVM. Notable releases : Bubblegum Crisis, Urusei Yatsura 1.7 Western Connection A small video label originally devoted to releasing obscure foreign films in the UK. This changed in 1994 when one of their films happened to be The Sensualist, which was successful enough that they then specialised in subtitled anime. The label was eventually sold to Anime Projects, who kept their most popular releases in print until the rights expired. Notable releases : Devil Hunter Yoko, Ushio and Tora, Karma Sutra 1.8 Helen McCarthy "The mother of all UK anime fans". She has been highly visible on the UK anime scene since its beginnings. She ran the UK's first dedicated anime fanzine 'Anime UK' for three years before turning it into a professional magazine, which was eventually renamed 'Anime FX' before folding in early 1996. She later became editor of 'Manga Mania' for Titan Books from December 1996 until June 1998. She has written four books on anime that have been published in the UK: 'Anime: A Beginners Guide to Japanese Animation', 'The Anime Movie Guide' and 'The Erotic Anime Movie Guide', co-written with Jonathan Clements, and 'Hayao Miyazaki - Master of Japanese Animation'. Her fifth book, 'The Anime Encyclopedia', also co-written with Jonathan Clements, has only been published in the US. As the author of 'The Anime Movie Guide', she was included in the Japan Festival Awards for 1997 in recognition of her contribution to furthering the understanding of Japanese culture in the UK. 1.9 Jonathan Clements A writer and translator who has worked at one time or another for all the major anime companies in the UK. Has collaborated with Helen McCarthy on many of her projects, including Anime UK/FX, The Anime Movie Guide and Manga Mania, and co-wrote 'The Erotic Anime Movie Guide' and 'The Anime Encyclopedia' with her. His experience has also included two years as editor of Manga Max Magazine, working as a presenter for 'Saiko-Exciting' on The Scifi Channel and contributions to both the Japanese and American editions of Newtype. As the editor of Manga Max, he was included in the Japan Festival Awards for 1999 in recognition of his contribution to furthering the understanding of Japanese culture in the UK. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Section 2: UK anime releases ============================ 2.1 Complete UK release list The following should be a complete list of all the titles released by companies in the list below. Releases from other companies aimed at the children's market have not been included. Note that many of these releases are now 'out of print' and may be very difficult to find. The first column is the company and formats released. Company: M = Manga Video, A = AD Vision, P = Pioneer Anime, R = Anime Projects/MVM/Funimation, K = Kiseki Films, E = East2West, W = Western Connection, U = Anime UK, C = Crusader Video, N = Animania, V = Buena Vista, B = Bandai UK, T = Columbia Tristar Format : D = English dub, S = Japanese dub with English subtitles, B = Both The second column is the original number of volumes in the series C - a compilation or box-set version has been released M - a compilation movie has been released that included new material D - a DVD version has been released + - further volumes have been scheduled for future release * - see notes at end MD 5 3x3 Eyes AB * 801 T.T.S. Airbats ED 2 8 Man After MD 3C AD Police KS 3CD Adventure Duo MB 1D Akira KD 5 Ambassador Magma MB 1 Amon Saga MD 6C Angel Cop MB 1D Appleseed MD 1 Armageddon PB 4M Armitage III ED 1* Babel II MD 1 Battle Angel Alita KD 3 Battle Skipper KD 1 Big Wars MD 1 Blackjack KB 1D Black Magic M-66 M* 1D Blood: The Last Vampire RD 3D+ Blue Gender MD 2 Blue Sonnet MD 1 Bounty Dog MD 3 Bubblegum Crash RB 8D* Bubblegum Crisis AD 12 Bubblegum Crisis 2040 AB 4* Burn Up W CD 1 Cat Girl Nuku Nuku AD 5 City Hunter KS 1D The Cockpit MD 5C Crying Freeman MD 3 Cyber City Oedo WS 1 Dancougar MD 1 Dangaioh MD 2 The Dark Myth AS 1 Debutante Detective Corps MD 1 Detonator Orgun WS 2 Devil Hunter Yoko MD 2C Devilman KS 1D Digital Devil AD 6 Dirty Pair Flash MD 2 Dominion MD 4 Doomed Megalopolis AB 1 Dragon Half PD 3 El Hazard PD 2 El Hazard 2 AD 4 Elicia B 2D+* Escaflowne MB 1 Evangelion: Death and Rebirth MD 1 Fire Tripper MD 1 Fist of the North Star MD 7 Fist of the North Star TV KS 1 Fly Peek - Peek the Baby Whale WD 3 Galactic Pirates AD 4D+ Gasaraki AD 4D+ Generator Gawl RS 3C Genesis Surviver Gairth MD 3 Genocyber MB 1D Ghost in the Shell MD 7 Giant Robo KD 1D The Gigalo MD 2 Goku - Midnight Eye MD 1D Golgo 13 - The Professional MD 1 Goshogun - The Time Etranger MD 1 Grappler Baki PD 3 Green Legend Ran WS 1 Grey KS 3CD Gunbuster BD 5D+* Gundam Wing AB 3D Gunsmith Cats ND 1 Guy - Awakening of the Devil MD 12C The Guyver PD 5 The Hakkenden AD 1 Hanappe Bazooka MD 3 The Heroic Legend of Arislan/Arslan KS 1 The Humanoid WS 1 Hummingbirds RS 2 Hurricane Live PD 2 Hyperdolls PD 3 Iria MD 1 Judge MD 1 Junk Boy MD 1 Kabuto WS 1 Karma Sutra ED 2 Kekko Kamen RS 5 Kimagure Orange Road PD 4 Kishin Heidan UD 1 KO Century Beast Warriors WS 1 Ladius MD 1 Landlock MD 1 The Laughing Target WS 1 Love City AD 4 Legend of Crystania MD 6 Legend of the 4 Kings MD 1 Lensman MD 1D Lupin III - The Castle of Cagliostro MD 1 Lupin III - Goodbye Lady Liberty WS 1 Lupin III - Legend of the Gold of Babylon MD 1 Lupin III - Secret of Mamo RD 1D Lupin III - Secret of Twilight Gemini WS 1 Lupin III - The Fuma Conspiracy KB 1 Macross - Do You Remember Love? KD 3D Macross II MB 4DM* Macross Plus MD 1 Maris the Wondergirl MD 4 Mad Bull MD 1 Maddox-01 MD 1 Makyu Senjo AD 12 Martian Successor Nadesico KD 2 M.D. Geist MD 1 Megazone 23 MD 1 Mermaid Forest AD 1 Metal Angel Marie TD 1D Metropolis PD 3 Moldiver MD 1 Monster City AD 13 Neon Genesis Evangelion MD 1D Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death and Rebirth MD 6 New Dominion MD 3 New Gall Force: Earth MD 2 New Gall Force: New Era PD 4 Night Warriors AD 1 Ninja Resurrection MB 1D Ninja Scroll MD 1 Odin RB 5D* Oh My Goddess RS 1 Otaku no Video MD 3 Orguss 02 AD 5 Original Dirty Pair AD 1 Panzer Dragoon MB 2 Patlabor MD 1D Perfect Blue PD 2 Phantom Quest Corp KS 1D Plastic Little AD 1 Powerdolls PD 3 Pretty Sammy AS 1 Princess Minerva VD 1D Princess Mononoke MD 6 Project A-ko MD 1 Psychic Wars AD 1 Queen Emeraldas AD 1 Rail of the Star MD 3 Rayearth PD 6 Record of Lodoss Wars MD 1 Red Hawk KS 1D Rei Rei MD 1 RG Veda R* 1D Riding Bean MD 1 Roujin Z KD 7 Robotech VD 1D Robotech II: The Sentinals KS 1 Roots Search VD 5D Sailor Moon AD 2 Sakura Wars WS 3 Salamander WS 1 Samurai Gold AD 2D Samurai X AD 1 Samurai X Movie WS 1 The Sensualist MB 1D Shadow Skill MD 1D Shadow Skill: The Movie AS 4 Shuten Doji AD 3 Slayers WS 3 Slow Step KS 2D Sol Bianca AD 1D Sonic the Hedgehog: The Movie MD 1 Space Adventure Cobra WS 1 Space Firebird KD 6D Starblazers MD 1D Street Fighter II AD 9 Street Fighter II V MD 1D Street Fighter Alpha AD 1 Suikoden: Demon Century AB 2* Sukeban Deka AD 2 Super Atragon RS 1 Super Deformed Double Feature MD 1 Sword for Truth AS 3 Takegami PD 7 Tenchi Muyo PD 2 Tenchi: The Movie AD 1D Tekken: The Movie MD 2 Tokyo Babylon MD 1 Tokyo Revelation PD 1 Toshinden MD 1 Ultimate Teacher MD 1D Urotsukidoji: Legend of the Overfiend MD 1D Urotsukidoji: Legend of the Demon Womb KB 4D Urotsukidoji III: Return of the Overfiend KD 1D* Urotsukidoji IV: Inferno Road RS 8 Urusei Yatsura TV series RS 5D* Urusei Yatsura Movies RS 6 Urusei Yatsura OAVs WS 7 Ushio & Tora MD 1 Vampire Hunter D MD 2 Vampire Princess Miyu MD 1 Vampire Wars MD 1 Venus Wars MD 3 Violence Jack MD 1 Wicked City MD 1 The Wind of Amnesia MB 1 The Wings of Honneamise MD 1D X AD 3 Yotoden RD 4 You're Under Arrest RD 2D+ Yu Yu Hakusho MD 1 Zeguy MD 1 Zeoraima: Project Hades Notes: 801 T.T.S. Airbats - The first 3 episodes were individually released subtitled, then a dubbed compilation of all 8 episodes was released in three volumes. Babel II - The retail release contains 2 episodes, but the publisher sold a version containing all 4 episodes directly by mail-order. Blood: The Last Vampire - The soundtrack is a mixture of Japanese and English dialogue, with subtitles for the Japanese dialogue. Bubblegum Crisis - The Anime Projects dubbed release only got as far as episode 6. The MVM release contains all 8 episodes on 3 tapes. Burn Up W - Only volume 1 was released subtitled. Escaflowne - There is no VHS release, only DVDs. Gundam Wing - The VHS release is the 'edited for TV' version, the DVDs are uncut. Macross Plus - The movie is only available subtitled. Oh My Goddess - The Anime Projects release was subtitled, the MVM release was dubbed. The DVD release has both. Riding Bean - The Anime Projects release was subtitled, the MVM release was dubbed. The DVD release is dub only. Sukeban Deka - Only volume 1 was released subtitled. Urusei Yatsura Movies - Only movies 1,3,4,5 and 6 have been released. Only movies 1 and 3 have been released on DVD Urotsukidoji IV - Only episode 3 was released. 2.2 Which UK releases are incomplete? The following series were only partially released in the UK: Cat-girl Nuku-Nuku - 3 out of 6 episodes released Devil Hunter Yoko - 3 out of 5 episodes released Fist of the North Star TV - 21 out of 152 episodes released Genocyber - 3 out of 5 episodes released The Heroic Legend of Arislan/Arslan - 4 out of 6 episodes released Robotech - 20 out of 85 episodes released Urusei Yatsura TV - 32 out of 196 episodes released 2.3 Which UK releases use a different translation to the US version? Most of the anime available in the UK is also available in the US, usually using the same translation for both versions. In a few cases, the two versions are different. (This list is not definitive, there may be others that I am unaware of): Subtitled releases: The Cockpit, Devil Hunter Yoko, Grey, Karma Sutra, Plastic Little, Rei Rei, Ushio & Tora Dubbed releases: Crying Freeman, Wicked City, Street Fighter II V 2.4 Which 'movie' releases are not really movies? Some videos have the words '...The Movie' in the title, but they are not really movies. They are short video series that have been edited together onto a single tape and then called a movie because it sounds better. The guilty parties are Sonic the Hedgehog: The Movie, Tekken: The Movie and Shadow Skill: The Movie. 2.5 What soundtracks have been released in the UK? This is a list of all the official UK anime soundtrack releases I have been able to identify: Catalogue Release List Title Label number date price --------------------- --------------- --------- -------- ------ Akira Demon Records DSCD6 31/12/93 £13.99 Akira (Japanese OST) Demon Records DSCD7 1/7/94 £13.99 Bubblegum Crisis 2040 Demon Records DSCD16 1999 £13.99 Cyber City Oedo Demon Records DSCD808 27/1/95 £13.99 El hazard, Best of Pioneer 10022 12/2/97 £12.99 Macross Plus Demon Records DSCD12 26/5/95 £13.99 Macross Plus 2 Demon Records DSCD13 24/11/96 £13.99 Megazone 23 Demon Records DSCD9 26/5/95 £13.99 Moldiver, Best of Pioneer 10012 ???? £11.99 Patlabor 2 Demon Records DSCD15 14/10/96 £13.99 Pokemon 1st Movie Atlantic 33362-2 2000 ???? Pokemon TV Atlantic 83261-2 ???? ???? Tenchi Muyo, Best of Pioneer 10032 12/2/97 £12.99 Tenchi The Movie Pioneer Artists PICD1001A 27/8/97 ???? Tenchi The Movie 2 Pioneer Artists PICD1013A 22/2/99 ???? The Cyber City Oedo soundtrack CD is of the UK version, not the original (even though it says 'original soundtrack' on the cover). 2.6 Which UK releases have different music to the Japanese versions? Dominion Acts 1-4, Space Adventure Cobra, Cyber City Oedo, Street Fighter II and Fist of the North Star TV all have completely different music to the original Japanese versions. Ghost in the Shell has one track changed for the English version - the music under the end credits was replaced with a U2/Brian Eno instrumental. The Guyver has different opening theme music. All of Pioneer's own productions used the original music, but the song lyrics were translated and recorded in English. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Section 3 : Censorship ====================== 3.1 Censorship? What on earth are you talking about? This is a free country isn't it? Under UK law, all video recordings must be censored by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) before they can be legally sold or rented. Further information regarding film and video censorship in the UK can be found on the BBFC website at http://www.bbfc.co.uk. 3.2 So which UK anime releases have been censored? This list covers every instance of censorship that I could find; it is not necessarily complete. Where known, the approximate length of the cuts is given in brackets. Adventure Duo - Sex scenes cut. (episode 1: 20 minutes, episode 2: 7 1/2 minutes, episode 3: 9 1/2 minutes) Angel Cop - Two episode were cut for violence. An exploding head in episode 1 (2 seconds) and part of a torture scene in episode 4 (7 seconds). Big Wars - Unknown cuts (3 seconds). Cat-girl Nuku-Nuku - A shot of one character scratching his crotch was removed by the distributor before submitting it to ensure a PG certificate. Crying Freeman - Unknown cuts (episode 4: 3 seconds, episode 5: 17 seconds, episode 6: 58 seconds) Fist of the North Star TV - Unknown cuts (volume 2: 63 seconds) Gunbuster - Nudity cut to obtain PG certificate (episode 2: 36 seconds) Guy:Awakening of the Devil - Sex scenes cut The Guyver - Violence cut in one episode to obtain 15 certificate (20 seconds) Hanappe Bazooka - Unknown cuts (14 seconds) Kekko Kamen - Kekko Kamen was designed as an exercise in political incorrectness, and was therefore doomed from the start (episode 1: 4 minutes, episode 2: 19 seconds) Legend of the Demon Womb - Sex scenes cut (3 minutes) Legend of the Overfiend - Sex scenes cut (6 minutes) Mad Bull - Unknown cuts (episode 1: 43 seconds, episode 2: 79 seconds) Makyu Senjo - Unknown cuts (episode 1: 23 seconds, episode 2: 12 seconds) Ninja Scroll - Various 'imitatable weaponry' cut (53 seconds) Rei Rei - Naughty tentacles removed (8 seconds) Return of the Overfiend - Sex scenes cut (episode 1: 3 1/2 minutes, episode 2: 7 1/2 minutes, episode 3: 6 1/2 minutes, episode 4: 8 minutes) Shuten Doji - Unknown cuts (episode 1: 40 seconds) Street Fighter II V - Violence cut to obtain 12 certificate (volume 2: 5 minutes) Urotsukidoji IV - "Tenticular rape and breast groping" cut (episode 3: 2 1/2 minutes) Urusei Yatsura TV Vol. 4 - Nunchuks removed (5 seconds) Violence Jack - Sex, violence, bondage and cannibalism cut. (episode 1: 4 1/2 mins, episode 2: 6 3/4 mins, episode 3: 25 seconds) Wicked City - Unknown cuts (108 seconds) The Wings of Honneamise - Attempted rape scene removed Two anime have officially banned outright: La Blue Girl from Manga Video, and the first two episodes of Urotsukidoji IV from Kiseki Films, which were submitted to the BBFC but refused certificates. There have also been a number of titles that have been considered for release but never got past the planning stage due to anticipated difficulties in obtaining certificates. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Section 4 : Internet resources ============================== 4.1 Newsgroups The UK's one and only anime related newsgroup is uk.media.animation.anime. Details of how to access it are beyond the scope of this FAQ. 4.2 Websites Here is a list of some useful anime related websites in the UK not mentioned elsewhere: Britanime - http://www.ryouko.demon.co.uk Links to just about everything on the net related to anime in the UK anime.org.uk - http://www.anime.org.uk Fan community UK Anime Net - http://www.uk-anime.net Another fan community. Anime Digital - http://www.digital.anime.org.uk Anime 'E-zine' Shoujo and General - http://users.powernet.co.uk/shoujo Massive library of anime related articles covering all topics Animejin - http://www.animejin.org.uk News and reviews UK Japanese Embassy - http://www.embjapan.org.uk Contains links to lots of Japanese cultural resources in the UK Mount Fuji - http://www.mountfuji.co.uk For those of you feeling peckish --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Section 5 : Miscellaneous ========================= 5.1 Where can I buy anime stuff in the UK? Please be aware that piracy of anime goods is relatively common, and a certain amount of caution is reccomended when buying. If you are unfamiliar with the issues, I recommend reading the Anime Digital Pirate Anime FAQ, which can be found at http://www.digital.anime.org.uk/piratefaq.html Here is a list of specialist anime retailers that are based in the UK: MVM : http://www.mvm-uk.co.uk Natsuki Anime : http://www.natsukianime.com Otaku UK : http://www.otaku.co.uk The Sheffield Space Centre : http://www.space-centre.co.uk United Publications : http://www.up1.co.uk Other shopping resources: The UK anime shopping guide : http://www.ryouko.demon.co.uk/ukshop.htm The London Anime Shopping Guide : http://www.animejin.org.uk/lnshop.htm Many comics shops also sell anime merchandise. Comics International maintains a directory of UK comic shops at: http://www.comics-international.com/Directory/comics_shops_uk.html 5.2 Is there an anime club in my area? A list of UK anime clubs is maintained on the Britanime website at http://www.ryouko.demon.co.uk/ukclubs.htm 5.3 Is any anime shown on TV in the UK? There are lots of anime currently being broadcast on UK TV if you know where to look (check listings for full details): Beyblade is on Cartoon Network Cardcaptors is on Nickelodeon Cowboy Bebop is on CNX Digimon is on Fox Kids Dragonball Z is on CNX Escaflowne is on Fox Kids Flint the Time Detective is on Fox Kids Hamtaro is on Fox Kids Gundam Wing is on CNX Medabots is on Fox Kids Outlaw Star is on CNX Pokemon is on Sky One Mix Sailor Moon is on Fox Kids Shinzo is on Fox Kids Shin Chan is on Fox Kids Yu-Gi-Oh is on Sky One and Sky One Mix The Sci-Fi channel also has a regular anime movie slot on Saturday nights. Details are on their website at http://www.uk.scifi.com. 5.4 What forthcoming anime related events are there in the UK? There are three forthcoming anime conventions in the UK: Nomicon II is being held on 28th February to 2nd March 2003 at the Rutland Hotel, Sheffield. Details can be found on their website at http://www.nomicon.org.uk. Minamicon 9 is being held on 7th-9th March 2003 at the Southampton Novotel Hotel. Details can be found on their website at http://www.minamicon9.anime.org.uk. Aya Again is being held sometime in late 2003 at the Northampton Moat House hotel. Details will be available on their website at http://www.ayacon.org.uk. 5.5 What are 'NTSC' and 'PAL'? NTSC and PAL are the names of two systems for encoding video signals. NTSC is the system used in the US and Japan, PAL is the system used in most of Europe, including the UK. Unfortunately, they are not compatible. The practical upshot of this is that US and Japanese videos can not necessarily be played on UK equipment, creating problems for anyone who wishes to view imported videos. The commonest solution to this problem is to obtain some form of multi- standard equipment. Players are available for all formats that can play NTSC videos through most PAL TVs, with reasonable results. Purists can get themselves true multi-standard equipment for accurate reproduction. 5.6 Is DVD of interest to anime fans? DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) is a new format using CD sized discs that can be used to store high quality digital video. Its advantages over VHS are better image quality, longer durability, and the ability to store multiple soundtracks and subtitle tracks on one video. All major Japanese and American releases now include a DVD version. All of the UK anime companies are supporting the format in the UK. 5.7 What is VCD? VCD is short for Video CD and was the first attempt at a digital video format. There were several anime releases in the UK from Manga Video and Kiseki Films on VCD, but the format never took off due to the poor picture quality and lack of support. It is not to be confused with CD Video, which is another format entirely. 5.8 What is the legal position of imported videos? It is a criminal offence in the UK to supply any video recording that has not been registered with the official censor (the BBFC), certified by them, and labeled accordingly. This includes all foreign videos, even if a legal version of exactly the same material exists. Also, copyright holders license the supply of videos by territory, so the supply of any video outside it's intended area of distribution is a breach of copyright. For these reasons, it can be difficult to find companies in the UK willing to supply American or Japanese videos. 5.9 How do you send money abroad? If you want to buy anime stuff from abroad, there are several ways to send the money, none of which are perfect: Credit card - this is the best option where it is available, as it is cheap, reliable, and quick. The supplier charges your card in the local currency and the credit card company converts the amount to sterling. The exchange rates used are reasonable, but check with your credit card company that there are no extra charges. Many cards include an insurance scheme that covers anything bought with them, and you can get your money back if the seller fails to supply the goods. Western Union - fast but expensive. Look up Western Union in the phone book for your nearest office. You put cash in one end and it comes out at the WU office of your choice 10 minutes later. Very expensive. American Express International Money Order - safe but expensive. The current charge is four pounds per IMO on top of a poor exchange rate. Cash - If all else fails, or for small amounts, go to your nearest travel agent or bureau de change, change pounds into whatever currency you need, and put them in an envelope. You cannot insure cash in the post, so if it does get lost, there is no compensation available. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Acknowledgements ================ This FAQ wouldn't be what it is without the assistance of: All the UK anime video companies for release information over the years (section 2). The Melon Farmers (http://www.davetaylor.demon.co.uk) and the BBFC (http://www.bbfc.co.uk) for censorship details (section 3). Fox (fox@archea.demon.co.uk) for section 5.9. And various denizens of uk.media.animation.anime on Usenet for their feedback and support over the years. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------