Japtannia magazine ruth edmundson pdf by Ruth Edmundson

i Japtannia Issue

May. 2014

THE FEMALE JAPANESE

POP CULTURE MAGAZINE

J –FASHION: THE TRUTH ABOUT LOLITA . . .

Discover how this misunderstood Japanese subculture fashion is more about bows & bonnets rather than the odd western views associated with the word lolita

STAR INTERVIEW: WITH STACEY REBECCA She reveals all about her rise to cosplay stardom & her alt modelling career Only £4

MANGA: PHANTOM THIEF JEANNE Exclusive preview of the new must-read magical girl series

ANIME: WIZARD BARRISTERS / LOG HORIZON Reviews of the latest anime available online this month

JAPANE SE FAS HION

A NI ME

MA NG A

COSP LAY Japtannia 1

[ Welcome ]

Japtannia www.Japtannia.co.uk May ‘14 Issue 1 J-Culture Publishing Ltd, PO Box 1188 Newcastle, NE1 5BR, Telephone: 0191 551 0809 Email: mail@Jculture.com Web: www.J-Culturepublishing.co.uk

The Japtannia Bunch Editor Ruth Edmundson Email: editor@japtannia.co.uk Anime & Cosplay Editor Katie Stevens Email: Ruth@japtannia.co.uk News Editor Rachel Williamson Email: News@japtannia.co.uk Features Writer Ruth Edmundson Email: Features@japtannia.co.uk Review Section Editor Sophie Chalk Email: Reviews@japtannia.co.uk Contributors Ruth Edmundson Paine Bell Iasha Masood Heather Lawrence Erin Bower

Editorial Welcome to the first issue of Japtannia! With it being our launch issue we’ve packed in as much Japanese pop culture goodness as we could possibly fit in, for you to enjoy. To start with we have our girl in Japan, Paine Bell, talking about what it’s like to live and study in Japan as a student from the UK. If you’re interested in doing this yourself it’s a must read on page 18. Our anime coverage features Wizard Barristers (page 24), Log on Horizon (Page 26) and for those who love manga we have the UK exclusive of the latest magical girl series from Japan Phantom Thief Jeanne (page 70). If Japanese fashion is more your thing, find out the truth about lolita fashion in our main fashion feature on page 40. Discover the wonder of Shironuri fashion in our interview with Minori Asai, a Japanese fashion designer who is championing this unique style (page 36). Plus, you can also read about the launch of the UK’s very first Japanese inspired online fashion wig brand, Pastel Doll, on page 34. And, because we know many of you enjoy going to conventions we’ve got the highlights from last months London Anime and Gaming Convention (page 66) and on page 12 you can find out about the latest Japanese pop culture events taking place across the UK. For those who love to cosplay at events check out our cosplay section (page 77) full of how to features, helpful tips and readers’ cosplay pictures. Until next month . . . Ruth Edmundson - Editor

Meet The Team . . . Paine Bell

Iasha Masood

Heather Lawrence

Erin Bower

J-blog

J-fashion

Cosplay

“Hi I’m Paine and this month I wanted to share with you my journey to Japan and my experiences so far while studying in Kyoto !”

“I’m super excited to share my passion for J-fashion with you guys. Check out my fashion collum on page 51 about cosplay & cats”

“If you’re new to cosplay or have been doing it for a while, I hope my how to’s will help you when making your own cosplay projects .”

“When it comes to cosplay there’s a lot to learn and so I’m here to answer your cosplay queries - from finding fabric to cosplay contests.”

Photographers Ruth Edmundson Saoirse Clohessy Paranoid Android Photography Sonesh Joshi Photography James Goh Lemon Tea Photography Andy Draper Advertising adsales@Jculture.co.uk Design by Ruth Edmundson Distributed by Comag

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CONTENTS

FEATURES Page 8 J-blog Our girl in Kyoto talks about what it’s like living and studying in Japan.

Page 21 Top Anime Series For Newbies Our top five-anime series to watch if you’re new to anime or want to rewatch some classic series.

FRONT COVER Page 58 Manga: Phantom Thief Jeanne The UK exclusive of the latest magical girl series to come out of Japan.

This month’s front cover art work, is courtesy of Type-Moon the Japanese anime publishers of the new Fate / Zero anime series, which you can read our review of on page 72.

Page 60 Top Manga Series For Newbies Discover our top five-manga series to check out if you’re new to manga.

Page 23 Traditional Japan

Page 62 Featured Artist

This month we look at the origins of Japanese green tea and Japan’s tea ceremonies, a must for all tea lovers!

A celebration of UK artists inspired by Japanese pop culture.

Page 66 Convention Focus Page 24 Your Anime Guide Find out about the anime series worth watching this month.

We cover the highlights of April’s London Anime and Gaming Convention.

Page 68 Stacey Rebecca Page 52 YouTuber of The Month We talk to Kelsey Ellison about her Japanese inspired YouTube channel.

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We chat to the Internet famous cospalyer all about her fame online, and her love for alternative modelling.

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CONTENTS

Page 66 London Anime & Gaming Con

Page 62

Page 24

Featured Artist

Your Anime Guide J-Blog

Cosplay Q&A

Page 86

Page 8

J-FASHION

REGULARS

Page 32 Kawaii Fashion

Page 8 News

Page 56 J-Food

Page 34 Become a Pastel Doll !

All the latest releases, music and events.

Learn how to make Ramen into a sweet treat.

Page 36 Shironuri: A Paler shade of white

Page 14 UK Release Schedule

Page 65 Subscriptions

Page 38 Hara juku Street Style

All the upcoming UK anime, games and manga release dates.

Save money with Japtannia today.

Page 40 The truth about lolita fashion

Page 28 Geeky Goods

Page 49 Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your lolita style?

The latest anime merchandise available in the UK.

Page 51 My J-fashion dairy

Page 55 Your Letters

COSPAY FOCUS

Your say on the launch of the magazine.

Page 89 Kawaiiscope Read what this month has in store for you in our cute horoscope.

Page 90 Band Interview We catch-up with Of Fire And Fate, a Japanese inspired, rock band to talk about their debut album.

Page 78 Convention Snaps Page 80 How to make bows with Exelia Page 82 Make-up your way into character Page 84 Wig 101 Page 86 Cosplay Q&A 6 Japtannia

REVIEWS START ON PAGE 71 Japtannia 7

[ News ]

The Wind Rises Hayao Miyazaki’s final flight of imagination

New Summer Anime Sports, alchemy, robots and much more . . . IT’S ALWAYS EXCITING when the first bits of news start to come out about what is in store for the next season of anime, and the titles lined up for this summer don’t disappoint. They all look to be just as good as the epics we were treated to in spring, which included; the fabulously quirky action thriller Kill la Kill, the heart warming slice of life, Sil ver Spoon and the deadly Attack On Titan. Over the next few months anime fans can expect a new titles to be popping up on UK streaming websites such as Crunchyroll and Animaxtv, as they are simulcast online, direct from Japan. As always there are a vast number of new series set for release in one go. We’ve taken the liberty to choose what we think you’re definitely going to want to tune into come when the summer season of anime officially kicks off, at the end of the month. So without further ado, our picks for this summer are . . .

THE MUCH-LOVED animator at Studio Ghibli, Hayao Miyazaki, has become very much a part of the cultural fabric of Japan – thanks to his ability to create animated classics such as Howls Moving Castel, Kiki’s Delivery Service and My Neighbour Totoro. However, his new release, The Wind Rises, marks the end of his outstanding career as he looks to retire in the next few years. His final feature film is a bio-pic of Jiro Horikoshi, an engineer who designed the warplanes that helped to cause carnage in Asia and at Pearl Harbour. It explores Horikoshi’s pure dreams of flight set against the real nightmares they fuelled. So far the film has split opinions and upset some in both Japan and America. However, Miyazaki within the animation doesn’t choose to touch upon the politics. Instead, he portrays Jiro as a simple inventor and dreamer, horrified at what his work is used for. While Miyazaki has tackled controversial topics in the past through his animation. It is thought he choose this topic of flight because of his father, Katsuji, who was the owner of the Miyazaki Airplanes factory. Whatever his reasoning you can expect another exciting and enthralling film from this world-class director. The Wind Rises opens in cinemas, across the UK, on 9 May.

Captain Earth This robot series – not the R2-D2 type, think more along the lines of Transformers – sees the hero, Daichi Manatsu, a high school student, thrown into intergalactic combat in his very own mecha. As he soon disovers, he plays an important role in defending the Earth alongside a team of robots and their pilots.

Haikyuu!! Sports series are hugely popular in Japan and this new addition to the genre is all about Volleyball. After falling in love with the sport Shouyou, a high school student, creates his own Volleyball team only to be thrashed in his first match against an opposing school. Now he is out for vengeance on the court.

Soul Eater Not! This is a spin off series from the Soul Eater anime. It follows the school life of girls with magical powers who must learn how to control them to have a normal life, whereas the Soul Eater focuses on the development of these powers for combat. It’s a fun slice of life twist on the original action driven series.

Alchemists of the Dusk Based on the popular RPG game, this series follows the journey of Atelier Escha & Logy, two alchemists who combine their talents to halt the the advance of twilight, which threatens to end of their world.

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[ News ] Hatsune Miku & Gaga The virtual pop star joins the ARTPOP tour

Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium The purrfect way to unwind

LADY GAGA HAS announced, via Twitter, that her favourite digital popstar, Hatsune Miku, will be the opening act for her ArtRave: ARTPOP concerts. The worldwide ARTPOP Ball tour kicks off on May 4th in Florida and the Japanese virtual popstar is set to open the first month of dates from 6 May to 3 June, in select US and Canadian cities. To many this news has caused some confusion, as it’s not everyday you expect to see a Japanese vocaloid performing at a western mainstream concert. For those who aren’t familiar with Hatsune Miku she is a bubbly, blue haired, manga styled 16-year-old vocaloid – created by Crypton Future Media and their voice synthesizer program. Miku’s voice is made from clips of the Japanese voice actress Saki Fujita singing various tones, which are put into a program that allows users to program Miku to sing and dance. In Japan she is considered to be a superstar having released 29 albums and holds regular concerts – many of which are avaible to watch on YouTube. It will be interesting to see how Lady Gaga fans will react to this virtual diva, but it sure is exciting seeing western and Japanese pop culture come together like this. You can find all of Lady Gaga’s tour dates at www. piapro.net/ladygaga_tourdates.html

FINALLY, LONDON HAS its very own cat café, which has now opened its doors for all to enjoy the company of their lovely cats. After thirteen months of planning and crowd funding online Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium finally reached their financial target, of £109,000, and is already fully booked for two months, with an increasing number of cat lovers on their waiting list. Cat cafes first took off in Japan 10 years ago, and have since popped up across the UK, but this is the first one to open in the capital city. Their popularity lies in the cats providing relaxing companionship and oodles of cuteness as they lounge around the café. Named after Alice’s cat in Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, Lady Dina’s Cat Emporium has been designed to be a typical English tearoom, serving afternoon tea, sandwiches, cakes and scones. While customers sip on their tea the cats are allowed to roam free around the café, which is full of toys and climbing frames for the cats to play with. Those interested in attending the café will have to book and pay £5 for two hours of company with some of the café’s in-house-cats, which goes towards their care. But, if you can’t wait to see what it’s like, check out Lady Dinah’s instagram where they post daily pictures of their cute cats. Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium is located on Bethnal Green Road, London, and you can book an afternoon tea through www.ladydinahs.com

Osaka Cool Japan Awards Photo submissions open for cosplay competition OSAKA, WHICH IS Japan’s third largest city, is considered to be the country’s food capital. However, it wants to expand beyond its love for food by hosting the Osaka Pop Festival and the first official International Cool Japan Awards, both of which will take place between 21 – 20 August. The events are hoped to help make Osaka the go-to place for Japanese pop culture. Those hoping to win the Best Cosplayer Award should also know that photo submissions can now be sent in, with the general public selecting the winner by voting for their favourites online. The final date for entries is 28 July and you can apply through the official website www.Osaka-pop. com. That’s not the only way to get involved. Artists around the world have the chance to scoop ¥200,000 (£1,272) by designing the mascots for the events. Know as Mio & Tsukushi, these two female characters can be anything artists can imagine, as long as they fit the image of Osaka. Again entry is through www.Osaka–pop.com

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[ News ]

Dates for your dairy

MCM LONDON COMIC CON

Whether they’re regional or national events there’s always something going on within the UK Japanese pop culture community to get involved with & enjoy! Photos by MCM Comic Con

PACKED FULL OF GEEKY GOODNESS

EVENTS TO CHECK OUT

KAWAII MEET–UP Date: 24 May Location: Birmingham – The Bullring Often various meet-ups are organised the by girls who all share an interest in a particular type of Japanese fashion. Kawaii, is one such event but is open to all J-fashion fans, who’d like to enjoy a day of shopping, sushi & bubble tea. If you’re interested in taking part check out the events Facebook page https://www. facebook.com/events/287934334704984/

MCM London Comic Con The Japanese pop culture bonanza returns this June NEXT MONTH MCM Comic Con are set to launch their biggest convention of the year, MCM London Comic Con. This annual anime and manga event sees visitors in their tens of thousands flock to the EXCEL centre in London’s docklands; to socialise with friends, show off their cosplay and buy some geeky goods and attend guest panels (Q&A sessions). At this years event expect to see plenty of gaming with Warner Bros Games, Nintendo, and Namco Bandai all in attendance. Plus, the UK’s main anime and manga distributors, Manga, MVM, VIZ Media and Anime Ltd, will be selling their latest releases. June’s event will also play host to the largest eSports area ever at MCM Comic Con with Riot Games’ League of legends tournaments taking place throughout the entire weekend. As well as being able to pick up a variety of exciting merchandise, the convnention will also feature J-pop culture stalls such as: Tofu Cute, TokyoToys, Dreamy Bows and Genki Gear. Then there the guests, which MCM are keeping under wraps until next month, but we can reveal Atsushi Takahash, the director of Blue Exorcist: The Movie will meet fans and take part in panels. MCM Comic Con takes place between 23 – 15 June, at EXCEL London at Royal Victoria Dock. Tickets are £15 - £31 and available now to from www.mcmcomiccon.com.

Photos by MCM Comic Con

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ENCHANTED Date: 5 – 6 June Location: London Street Fashion Europe presents Enchanted a lolita fashion event, in partnership with Tea Party Club, the UK’s resident lolita fashion community, at Gibson Hall. The event features special Japanese fashion guests including: Ashizawa Yuko, designer from Atelier Pierrot; Hitomi, designer at Grimoire lolita boutque and Minori a shironuri (white face) model and artist. As well as the main event there will also be a teaparty held at the Rubens Hotel in Victoria. Tickets are £40–£55 & available from www.streetfashioneurope.doomby.com

Sweet Vanilla Maid Cafe Date: 14 June Location: Manchester For the first time, maid cafe organisers Sweet Cupckaes and Japanese tea rooms Sweet Octopus are joinning forces to create Sweet Vanilla, a maid cafe event that will take place in Manchester’s Nexus Art Cafe on Saturday 14 June, from 11 – 7pm. Fans of otaku (geeky) culture can expected to be treated like royalty by the staff, who are also professionally trainned performers, who sing and dance to J-pop songs. Tickets cost £10 & includes two free cakes and photo with with the maids. Head to www.sweetcupcake.co.uk for more information. To send Japtannia a tip about an upcoming event, big or small, please email events@japtannia.com & include a link to events website or Facebook event page. Japtannia 13

[ News ]

UK Release Schedule

Anime

Btooom!

(Anime/Manga & Games)

DATE

TITLE

DISTRIBUTOR

24/05

Naruto 65

VIZ Media

24/05

Nura: Rise of the Yokai clan

VIZ Media

29/05

Animal Land 9

29/05

Attack on Titan 12

Kondansha

29/05

Sankarea 6

Kondansha

29/05

Say I Love You !

Kondansha

29/05

Vinland Saga 3

Kondansha

29/05

Did You Eat Yesterday? 1

Kodansha

Vertical

01/06

xxxHOLIC Rei 1

DISTRIBUTOR

08/06

Battle Royale Slam Book

VIZ Media

Manga

08/06

Case Closed 50

VIZ Media

MVM

08/06

Battle Royale: Remastered

VIZ Media

Manga

08/06

Crimson Spell 3

VIZ Media

IkIk Tousen Collection

MVM

08/06

Deadman Wounderland 2

VIZ Media

15/05

Hakuouki Collection 1

MVM

08/06

All You Need Is Kill

VIZ Media

19/05

One Piece Collection 6

Manga

08/06

Happy Marriage?! 5

VIZ Media

19/05

Chrome Shelled Rgios 1

MVM

08/06

Pokemon Red & Blue

VIZ Media

26/05

Durarara!!! Complete Series

Anime Ltd

08/06

Pokemon Diamond & Pearl

VIZ Media

26/05

Btooom!

MVM

08/06

Starting Point 1979-1996

VIZ Media

28/05

Fate/Zero Collection 1

MVM

08/06

The Wind Rises (Art Book)

VIZ Media

28/05

Magic: Series 1 part 2

Manga

08/06

Turning Point: 1997-2008

VIZ Media

05/06

Kenichi Complete Series

Manga

08/06

Uglydoll 04

VIZ Media

05/06

Girls Under Panzer Collection

Anime Ltd

17/06

Fairy Tail 38

Kondansha

19/06

Fairy Tail Collection 7

Manga

17/06

Wolfsmund 5

Vertical

21/06

Chrome Shelled Regios 2

MVM

17/06

Flowers of Evil 10

31/06

Evangelion 3.33 You Can (Not) Redo

DATE

TITLE

05/05

K Collection

05/05

Sankarea Collection

05/05

Dragon Ball Z Season 1

12/05

One Piece: Strong World

Kondansha

Free! Second Season

Btooom! Explosive new anime SAKAMOTO RYOTA IS unemployed, lives with his mother, and spends all day palying his favourite video game, Btooom! In which players battle with bombs, and Ryota is currently ranked tenth in the world, although his mother insists that he’ s wasting his life away. Then one day Ryota wakes up to find he is trapped inside a real life version of the game. Can he apply his virtual skills to survive, or will he fail and be blown to smithereens? If you’re intrigued by the concept of becoming trapped within virtual reality then Btooom! is for you. The director, Kotonon Watanab, who also worked on the anime remake of Supernatural. He is a pro at handling dark themes, so expect plenty of slick story telling and ofcourse explosive action. Btooom! Will be released on DVD by MVM Entertainment on 17 May.

A NEW PROMOTIONAL video released online earlier this month confirmed the rumours, that Free! Will be returning for a second season. Originally premiered last July in Japan and streamed online through Crunchyroll, this swimming anime series was an instant hit. There is no release date as of yet but, fans can expect more news later this year.

Evangelion 3.33 MANGA ENTERTAINMENT HAS stated that the third instalment of Hideaki Anno’s angst-ridden robot epic, which will be featured in next months issue, Evangelion 3.33 You Can (Not) Redo, the collectors edition will arrive on DVD and Blu-ray on 31 June. This exclusive pack will include an extra disc packed full of extras and a booklet containing excusive art work from the origonal series.

New Manga Set For UK Release MANGA ENTERTAINMENT RECENTLY announced a selection of new titles they have gained the rights to publish. Top of the bill was One Piece Strong World, the tenth feature film in the One Piece franchise, which will come out on DVD and Blu-ray on 30 June. As for the other nine films Manga Entertainment have also snapped them up, however, there are not dates for their release yet. Manga Entertainment have also acquired of Ghost In The Shell: Arise, but there is no release date, meanwhile the original Ghost in The Shell movie will be receiving the VIP treatment with a new Blu-ray limited edition steelbook expected later this year. Finally, Attack On Titan: Part 1 will be available for fans on DVD and Blu-ray, and a collector’s edition Blu-ray containing a extra DVD featuring 100 minutes of bonus features and an exclusive 24 page booklet.

BFI Anime Weekend

Blue Exorcist: The Movie

Kondansha

Manga

Robots, Superheroes, love, loss and a whole lot more !

Games

Manga

Tiger & Bunny: The Rising

DATE

TITLE

FORMAT

DISTRIBUTOR

02/05

The Millannium Girl

3DS

Kodansha

15/05

Bravely Default

3DS

DATE

TITLE

17/05

Fairy Tail 27

17/05

Missions of Love

Kondansha

18/05

Short Peace: Longest Day

PS3

17/05

No. 6v6

Kondansha

25/05

20/05

Phanton Thief Jeanne

Jojo’s Bizare Adventures: All Star Battle

PS3

24/05

Flowers of Evil 9

Vertical

28/05

Fire Emblem: Awakening

24/05

Bleech 60

VIZ Media

30/05

Child Of Light

24/05

Dragonball Full Colour 02

VIZ Media

06/06

Hakuoki

3DS

24/05

All You Need Is Kill

VIZ Media

15/06

Drakengard 3

PS3

24/05

Magi 5

VIZ Media

20/06

Mugen Souls Z

PS3

24/05

Max Steel3: Offline

VIZ Media

20/06

Mario Kart 8

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VIZ Media

3DS PC/PS4

Wii U

THE BRITISH FILM Institute’s celebration of anime, held every two years, returns this month on 16 to 18 May with a mega line-up for the big screen at the Southbank, in London. The schedule for this anime bonanza includes Ghost Pain and the European premiere of Ghost Whispers, the first of two of the much anticipated Ghost In The Shell: Arise films. These films will form a series of prequel stories to the original Ghost In The Shell movie. Another classic series also joins the bill in the form of Evangelion 3.0 You Can (Not) the third installment in the Evangelion franchise, packed full of plenty of mecha (robots) and teen angst. Squabbling superheroes fight it out in Tiger and Bunny: The Rising, also due to make its European debut. Aside to the new releases there are feature outings for two best-selling franchises including One Piece: Strong World and Blue Exorcist: The Movie. The Garden of Words, Makoto Shinkai’s ode to first love will be shown together with Ryotraro Makihara’s Hal about a robot exploring human emotions and his own while helping a grief stricken women. To top it off Yasuhiro Yoshiura’s extraordinary upside down adventure Patema Inverted will be shown on screen for only the second time in the UK. For tickets, times and full listings visit www.bfi.org.uk/southbank. Enjoy it if you go! Japtannia 15

[ News ] 01

A Colourful Array Of Pop Music

Japanese Album Chart NO.

ARTIST

E-girls

COLOURFUL POP

Bump Of Chicken

RAY

EXILE ATSUSHI

Music

Yusuke

Tabi no Tochuu

Various Artists

Ana to Yuki no Joou (Frozen)

TITLE

Gurutamin

Sonna Fuinki de Utatte Mita

Chris Hart

Songs For You

Man With A Mission

Tales of Purefly

B1A4

JUJU

DOOR

DISTANT WORLDS LIVE Date: 1 June Location: London – Royal Albert Hall Next month sees the return of Distant Worlds, which is the live performance of classical music from over 25 years of the Final Fantasy game series. This dazzling meld of classical music & gaming is a must for any fan of video game music. This year the concert, featuring the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, will include a guest apprance by the legendary Final Fantasy composer Nobuo Uematsu. It will also be conducted by the Grammy-winning composer, Arnie Roth. Tickets are on sale now at www.ticketmaster.co.uk.

Ruth Edmundson reports on the latest music releases popular in Japan right now . . . THE CHART AS it currently stands is a fine example of how varied popular music can be in Japan. Holding the top spot are E-girls, signed to the Japanese record label Rhythm Zone, this band is an all female collective following the female-pop formula Japan is famous for. While in Britain we’ve had our fair share of girl bands, from the Spice Girls to The Saturdays, Japan takes this formula one step further by doubling if not tripling the number of members and complex dance routines. E-girls interestingly stand’s for Exile Girls Unit as the members are all former members of other female pop groups. Hot on their heels is one of the countries best loved pop rock acts, Bump Of Chicken – aside to their odd name they sound quite similar to Coldplay, with a twist. Their new album RAY sees them return to the chart after their 2010 album COSMONAUT. To celebrate the release of RAY (which is available here on iTunes), the band have released a limited edition single featuring Miku Hatsune, a Japanese vocaloid (computer generated) pop star. >>

DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL

This months chart not only features one but two virtual pop stars. With the addition of vocaloid cover-star Gurutamin, with his latest collection of popular high-tempo otaku (geeky) tunes. He first made a name for himself on Nico Nico Douga (Japanese video sharing website), and he continues to be a prominent character online in Japan. If you thought synthetic pop songs were strange, then prepare yourself for one of the rising stars of Japan’s punk scene; Man With A Mission. As well as creating huge party rock anthems, this band’s other claim to fame is their unusual stage attire – they all wear pretty realistic looking wolf masks. Tales of Purefly is their sixth album, since forming the band in 2010, and their highest charting so far – it is expected to rise in coming months with their home tour about to kick off. So that’s it, everything from J-pop girl groups, to rock, vocaloids and punk wolf enthusiasts; the charts in Japan have it all, always diverse and never going stale – unlike our own album and even Top 40 charts. That been said, Japan hasn’t been able to escape the grasps of Disney’s Frozen, as the film’s soundtrack (or Aba ri Yuki no Joou), continues to rise week-onweek. It’s just so hard to Let It Go. . . If you’re interested in finding out more about Japanese music chect out Japtannia.co.uk for the latest release & live dates. Plus, MTV 81 & J-Pop Go! on Facebook for rock & J-pop music.

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MARK YOUR CALENDERS !

Date: 13 – 15 June Location: Donington This year’s Download Festival will play host to two of the hottest bands out of Japan’s up & coming metalcore scene; Crossfaith and Coldrain. For those not acquainted with these Japanese metal/rock bands; Crossfaith, from Osaka, are an electro metalcore outfit known for their intense live performances. Coldrain, from Nagoya, are known for their mix of melodic vocals and screamo; and are set to play the main stage along side Avenged Sevenfold and Rob Zombie. Tickets are now available to buy at www.downloadfestival.co.uk

SONISPHERE FESTIVAL Date: 4 – 6 July Location: Knebworth The Japanese viral phenomenon that is Babymetal will make their UK debut at Sonisphere. Dubbed the kawaii apocalypse, they are a pop metal trio who’s video for their latest single, Gimme Chocolate, received more than 5 million views in under 2 months. Now they’re set to play the Bohemia tent at Sonisphere, on the Sunday night. Babymetal have promised fans it will be an allsinging & dancing show like never of before. Tickets for are available now from www.sonisphere.co.uk & we’re telling you early as tickets will go quick! Japtannia 17

! g o l B J [ J-blog]

[ J-blog ]

Ruth Edmundson what it is like living and studying in Japan as a university student . . .

Fact File: Age: 25

Favourite Anime: Full Metal

From: Newcastle upon Tyne

Alchemist

Location: Kobe in the Kansai region

Favourite Japanese snack: Calbee

Studying: Japanese Langauage at

-Jagariko (Chip sticks)

Konan University

Hobbies: Video games & making

Arrived in Japan: 11 / 09/ 2013

YouTube videos

PACKING ESSENTIALS

Konnichiwa - hello from Japan !

t’s always been my dream to get here. To be in Japan. At 11-years-old my friends introduced me to Anime and that led me to falling in love with Japanese music, games and later with the Japanese language. Now I am in Japan I’ve found it doesn’t fit the stereotypes in the media. It’s not all cosplay and robots. I didn’t come with big expectations but I found sometimes you can foget you’re in Japan until you see a shop sign or turn around and find a shrine. However, that’s not to say Japan isn’t an interesting country it’s just not as abnormal some peoplemake it out to be. Currently I live and study Japanese language in Kobe, which is in the Kansai region of Japan -15 minutes away from Osaka. It’s a beautiful coastal city with plenty of fun things to do, like visit shrines and festivals and the Kansai people are really nice, always willing to help you out.

GETTING TO JAPAN First of all, because of my degree I was given the chance to go to Japan through my university. If you are at university it may be worth seeing if you can apply through programmes such as Erasmus to study abroad. Other people come to Japan to teach English through various programmes as well. For my course I had to first put down my preferences (did I want to go to a big or small city, what budget I had for accommodation etc) and then I was placed in Kobe in private accommodation. Afterwards I had a full medical and then I applied for my visa. This is the tricky bit as there are a lot of forms and it’s a complicated process so you need to be patient. If you’re applying for a multiple entry Visa

ip ! Top t

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instead you can apply for a single entry and simply sign another form before you leave Japan, which will allow you re-entry saving you a bit of money.

It was a challenge to pack. I had clothes all over my room and I was thinking, “I don’t know how to do this!” But because I was coming to Japan to study I started by packing the essentials, books, pens etc. Clothes wise I was advised to bring winter wear as it is a lot easier to buy summer outfits in Japan. However, when I first got here it was ridiculously hot, roughly 28°C. I had to shower three times a day it was so hot. So I’d say bring a mix of both. Especially if you’re a bigger girl like me as it’s quite difficult to get clothes to fit out here.

JAPANESE UNIVERSITY Before I could start studying at Konan University I had to do some Japanese Proficiency Level Tests (JPLTS). This is a nationwide standard for determining your level of fluency so you can be placed into a class where you won’t be overwhelmed, but still pushed forward. In the morning I have language classes and I’m currently taking performing arts and Japanese cinema studies in the afternoon. What’s striking is the odd atmosphere. During the day the international and Japanese students don’t mix because of the timetable differences so you can feel as if you’re in a bubble separated from the rest of the university. Also, the lecturer’s attitude to work is very different. If you are stuck and need help they’ll simply say, “just try your best” which although they are being nice is not very helpful at times. There isn’t the same kind of support offered as you would find in the UK. You’re expected to be much more independent. It’s tough but you learn just how adaptable you are.

Until next month. . . love from Paine x You can follow Paine’s time in Japan by checking out her weekly V-logs on her YouTube channel TheGeordieBelle. Coming soon to her channel will be recommendations for places to visit in Japan and more information about Kobe including reviews of its best attractions and restaurants. Follow her at www. youtube.com/TheGeordieBelle.

Out & about in Kobe; 1. I fed the deer at a shrine in Nara where they wander the grounds. 2. Here I am just with friends from university at Sannomiya in Kobe 3.Food at aYakiniku all you can eat style restaurant where you grill your meat & vegatbles at your table!

Photos by Paine Bell

Paine Bell is our girl in Japan, and this month she tells

With the friends I’ve made so far we spend lots of our free time at Sannomiya in Kobe, which is where everything is; arcades, karaoke, restaurants and it’s near to the harbor with the typical tourist attractions. I’ve been to the arcade quite a lot as we’ve found a cheap one with all the games we like to play and it’s right next to the main shrine where a lot of festivals take place. We’ve also been on a few adventures including going to an Onsen, a type of hot spring, which was very weird as it was strangely comfortable to be naked with other strangers. I’ve also been to Nara and fed the deer. My highlight so far has been the traditional fire festival, in Kobe, where they set half the mountain on fire, but no one can remember why! If coming to study in Japan is an opportunity that comes your way for all the experiences you can have it’s definitely worth taking the leap and coming over to experience it for yourself.

Here I’m with my fellow internatioal students studying in Japan in a Izakaya, which are Japan’s answer to pubs, although they are basically restaurants.

In a Izakaya, you can get ‘tabehoudai’ & ‘nomihoudai’ (all-you-can-eat & all-you-can-drink) for around £18. They are typically booked for 2-3 hour periods.

At midnight on December 31st, buddhist monks across Japan ring these huge bells 108 times to symbolize the 108 sins in the buddhist teachings. I was at a small temple where lots of people were able to ring it too.

Photos by Paine Bell

IT’S NOT ALL WORK

It is supposed to cleanse you of your sin from the previous year & is followed by having rice wine and rice cake.

Helpful tips for when in Japan : Essentials packing >Painkillers as they don’t have them in tablet form in Japan and by law you are allowed to bring in 2 months supply of prescription drugs (http://mhlw.go.jp), >Anti-perspirant deodorant - they don’t know what it is! >Tampons as they don’t have those either – I know I asked & so save yourself the embarrassment Shopping >Uni-qlo are Japan’s answer to Primark & they sell heat tech clothes >Drug stores are really good as they have pretty much everything you’ll need from food to toiletries >Hyaku-en stores are basically Japanese pound stores but with much better quality goods.

Social do’s & don’ts >When eating out you always split the bill-regardless of what you’ve bought - if you try and pay for what you had you will offend people. > You can’t walk while you’re smoking or eating you’re expected to stand still University >Clubs & circles are very different; Clubs you have to commit to whether it be cooking or sport & they get very annoyed if you miss a meeting. However, circles are more flexible and for fun. >Some Japanese girls are known as Gaijin Hunters (foreigner hunters) who are out for foreign men and may see you as a threat and won’t be your friend.

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Denying Death is a high stakes game!

[ Anime ]

The Top five series for anime newbies

It can be pretty intimidating and difficult to navigate through the multitude of pre-existing and range of new anime series being released. Therefore, Ruth Edmundson, our anime writer, lists her top series to start off with, to help you find what anime genres you prefer. Plus, many are classic series regular anime fans may enjoy re-discovering.

Cowboy Bebop

Genre: Magical Girl First aired: 1992 Number of episodes: 46 Available to: stream online

Cowboy Bebop is a much loved anime packed full of sci-fi adventure with lashings of comedy. Set in the distance future where bounty hunters roam the solar system; it follows Spike and jet, bounty hunter partners, as they struggle to survive. Along the way they meet a host of interesting characters with mysterious pasts, who join them in gallivanting around space being up to no good, but having a whole lot of fun.

Sailor Moon is the pinnacle magical girl series (where the protagonist possess great magical powers to fight evil). The story follows a junior high school girl who is granted the power to transform into a Sailor Moon, a fighter to protect the world against the Dark Kingdom and its evil ruler. Later this year Sailor Moon Crystal will be aired in Japan, which is a retelling of the original series you should also look out for.

Baccano

mvm-films.com

MVM_UK

MVMEntertainment

Soul Eater

Genre: Supernatural First aired: 2008 Number of episodes: 51 Available on: DVD & Blu-ray

This is a fast paced series set in a fictional United States, during the prohibition era. Told through multiple points of view the story revolves around several events that initially seem unrelated but are part of a much bigger story - one of alchemy, survival and immortality. Two main characters pull the storyline together as they encouter various chcaracters looking an illusive immortality elixir.

Soul Eater is set in a world where death runs a school for weapon mesisters students with the ability to wield powerful weapons able to destroy evil souls. It follows three pairs of students, Maka & Soul Eater, Black Star & Tsubki and Death the Kid with Patty and Liz Thompson, as they defend Death city from some of the most powerful drak creatures - to protect and become even stronger to defeat greater evil.

Ouran High

Genre: Shoujo (romance) First aired: 2006 Number of episodes: 26 Available on: DVD & Blu-ray

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Genre: Action/ comedy First aired: 2007 Number of episodes: 13 Available on: DVD & Blu-ray

OUT ON DVD 25TH NOVEMBER

Sailor Moon

Genre: Space western First aired: 1998 Number of episodes: 26 Available on: DVD & Blu-ray

This is one of the cheesiest romance series, but it’s so much fun and may anime fans secret favourite show. It follows the fortunes of Fujioka Haruhi a headstrong girl who wins a scholarship to attend the private Ouran Academy. When she accidentally breaks an 8-million yen vase belonging to the school’s Host club, with no money to repay them, she has no choice but to work for the club as a host, leading to plently of comdey.

Where to buy your anime from . . . There are a host of different websites online where you can pruchase anime as well as stores on the highstreet. A few good recommendations of where to look include; Online 1. anime-on-line.com > Often have very good discounts 2. amazon.co.uk > Always check the DVD is for the UK and not region 1, which is for America and Japan. 3. Crunchyroll.com > Have a wide selection of anime series Highstreet 1. Forbidden Planet > Have the latest releases & anime films 2. HMV > They now often have a dedicated anime section 3. Cex > Great place to pick-up some bargins & older series Japtannia 21

[ Traditional Japan]

Traditional Japan

Japanese Tea Ceremony

Japanese Green Tea & the Tea Ceremony

f you know a bit about Japan then you will know of its green tea and ornate tea ceremonies. Both go back in Japanese history for more than 1,000 years and reflect the tastes and attitudes of traditional Japan. Today Japanese green tea is more popular than ever. It is sold worldwide and can be found in a range of products, such as green tea cakes and ice cream. The tea ceremony is falling out of popularity with the younger generations in Japan, however, many still regard it as a sacred tradition.

Japanese Green Tea Japanese green tea actually originates from China. It was introduced in Japan in the early nineteenth Century, when a Buddhist monk called Kukai returned from a cultural delegation to China with the seeds in his luggage. He was

Below are six different kinds of green tea that you will come across when in Japan;

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one of the first people to bring tea into Japan in the year 806. From there it took root in Japanese culture and was enjoyed by the upper classes (shoguns & samurais) and Buddhist priests. Only with the introduction of a green tea called Sencha did it become popular outside of the higher classes and the rest of Japan started to drink green tea. Now Sencha is the most popualr and commonly drunk green tea in Japan and is one of twenty different types of Japanese green tea. The difference in flavour of green teas doesn’t come from the plant instead depends on how the plant is treated while growing. Then further developed by the methods used to preserve the tea. These different processes have led to the development of two main types of tea popular in Japan: roasted & steamed.

Top To stop your teas from tasting bitter use water of the right temperature. Most green teas are made with water at 80oC and it is important not to leave the tea standing for too long, only 2 /3 minutes.

tip !

Sencha – This is a steamed tea

Gyokuro – This is a very sought

(once picked the leaves are steamed to stop them from oxidising), and there are lots of kinds and grades of Sencha tea because of the different times the leaves are harvested and where tea is grown. It is distinguished by its delicate sweetness and refreshing fragrance.

after tea and its name translates to mean ‘jade dew’. Three weeks before the leaves are picked the plants are coverd to block the sunlight, stopping caffeine forming in the leaves. This process gives the tea its particular sweetness, unlike other Japanese green teas that can be quite bitter.

Bancha – This tea is picked

Hojicha – This is a roasted tea (a

from the second harvest of teas and therefore is generally a bit cheaper and so is quite popular. Bancha is more bitter and less fragrant than Sencha, making it just the right tea to sip after a large meal. You can also get high quality Bancha, which is less bitter and has a pleasant fragrance.

technique developed to preserve tea when it was first brought over from China) and because it is roasted over charcoal, in a clay pot, it has a very distinctive nutty flavour. It is also a great evening tea because it contains little caffeine and can be served cold to enjoy in the summer.

Matcha – This tea is used in

Genmaicha - This tea is unique,

Japanese tea ceremonies and is slightly different to all the rest because of how it is drunk. Matcha leaves are ground into a powder and water is added to form a soupy consistency. You are drinking the whole leaf and because of this it is a very has a very acquired, potent taste.

it is mixed with rice before it is roasted because it makes the tea cheaper. However, its unique, sweet, nutty, roasted flavour, because of the rice, became widely popular across Japanese society – leading it to go from being known as ‘the people’s tea’ to a highly regarded green tea.

Just like Japanese green tea the tea ceremony has a rich history of its own. Brought over from China to Japan in the 15th Century, it became popular among the Japanese upper classes, including rich merchants and samurai, thanks to a man called Sen Rikyu, from the samurai classes. Rikyu had profound influence on Chanoyu or ‘Way of Tea’ as he developed the original Chanoyu ceremony that still exists today. During his time tea took on a more spiritual meaning that Rikyu reflected in his ceremonies - to him a tea ceremony was about rustic simplicity and directness

of approach and honesty of self. It was much more than drinking tea because the way you served the tea can communicate very positive values such as honesty and simplicity, key values in Buddhist teachings. His ceremonies sprung up throughout Japan and were used to cement social relations at the time, as it became the norm for samurais to negotiate deals and peace settlements in the austere surroundings of a tea ceremony. Today the tea ceremony is still practiced in Japan, however, now there are two main types of ceremonies the formal Chanoyu ceremony and the more relaxed Sencha ceremony.

Below are the two different kinds of tea ceremonies that are practiced in Japan;

The Chanoyu Ceremony This ceremony takes place in a teahouse called a Chashitsu often surrounded by a tea garden. Four people or less usually partake in the ceremony and when you are invited you have to follow certain rules. First you must wait at the entrance of the garden until you are calm and ready to enter. The Teishu (tea master) would then welcome you in the garden and bring fresh water for you to drink and wash your hands. Once inside the tea house the Teishu

prepares the matcha tea by grinding the tea leaves into a fine powder and then mixing it with boiling water using a bamboo whisk, finally serving it in small decorative bowls. As a guest you sit on the floor around a low table. As well as being presented with the your tea, the Teishu will also offer you a sweet cake or a mochi (rice cake) to eat because the tea can be very bitter. You must drink all the tea and turn your bowl towards the Teishu to show respect.

Matcha Tea ceremony equipment

The Sencha Ceremony This is a more social and relaxed experience compared to the Chanoyu ceremony. The rules for serving the tea are traditional but the occasion is more easy-going for the tea drinkers as it encourages people to drink together. It became popular during Japan’s Edo period (1600 – 1867) when poets, critical thinkers and artists wanted to meetup and discuss things in the surroundings of A Kyusu teapot

Where to enjoy Japanese Green Tea in the UK Unfortunately there are not many places across the UK where you can experience first-hand a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. However, the Japanese Embassy in London and Edinburgh hold regular events during the year, some of which include taster sessions for those interested in the tea ceremony. You can find all the details about their events on their websites; www.uk.emb-japan.go.jp & www.edinburgh. uk.emb-japan.go.jp.

the teahouse but in a less formal manner. Unlike in a Chanoyu ceremony Matcha tea isn’t served, instead Sencha tea is brewed in a small clay Kyusu teapot, with a single handle sticking straight out from the side, which makes it easier to hold and pour. As a guest you would sit on the floor in a circle or in a line along a low table. The tea would be prepared and served by the tea master and once served you would be able to enjoy the tea while talking to your companions.

As for Japanese green tea, you can find that in nearly every supermarket today. However, if you would like to try out the different variations of Japanese green tea (listed on the opposite page) there are a selection of teahouses in the UK that offer a wide range of Japanese teas to try out. 1. Tea Sutra located in Newcastle; www.teasutra.co.uk 2. Café OTO located in London; www.cafeoto.co.uk/cafe. shtm 3. Parched Tea Bar located in Manchester; www. parchedteabar.co.uk 4. Little Tokyo located in Leeds; www.littletokyo-leeds.co.uk 5. The Ch’a Tea House located in Bristol; www.chateahouse. co.uk 6. Leaf on Bold Street Café located in Liverpool; www. thisisleaf.co.uk

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e m i n A Putting a spotlight on the anime r ) ! 1 u series worth watching right now ( o e Y e d i d i u GGu Wizard Barristers [ Anime Guide ]

One of Japan’s most controversial anime directors, Yasuomi Umetsu, brings you a unique mash-up of sorcery and courtroom drama. . .

In 2018, Tokyo is home to both humans and wizards who live and work alongside each other. However, this co-existence is far from harmonious – for those with the ability to use magic are subject to the Magical Prohibition Law, and the use of their abilities is heavily restricted. Any magical transgressions are judged in the ominous Court of Magic, ran independently to human courts of law. In these lawsuits regarding magic, when wizards need unique legal representation, firms such as the Butterfly Law offices step in. Cecil Sudo is one of Butterfly’s latest recruits who is the youngest to graduate from law school in her year. She is strongly defined by her sense of justice and belives wizards should not be persecuted because of their powers. At first she shows herself to be your typical female anime protagonist – a little ditzy, prone to being late and at times absent minded. This is a stark contrast to Natsuna Hotaru, a fellow new recruit who’s stern, no nonsense nature leads to an instant personality clash. However, there is more to Cecil than first impressions, as it’s revealed she’s driven by a dark past and possesses mystical powers greater than even she knows.

While episodes fall into a pattern of following members of the Butterfly Law office as they defend clients in various cases.,Wizard Barristers proves itself to be more than just a courtroom drama with mages thrown in. There is a bigger plot bubbling underneath connected to the underlying friction between Quinn 24 Japtannia

1. Cecil - The youngest, toughest and cutested barrister. 2. The Butterfly Law office who fight on behave of Wizards in the Court of Magic 3. These police have a grude against wizards are are wrapped up in their own secrets. 4. Cecil and her familar, Nana Genie, a great cook but quite a crude frog. He’s certainly a strange yet fun mascot.

Magic, mayhem and magistrates

In-between the lines

[ Anime Guide ]

2. and Shizumu, a pair of savvy police officers with their own secrets. Then there are the increasingly elaborate and destructive crimes committed by a discontented group of wizards who create frequent, colourful robot battles showcasing Cecil’s ability to summon a towering robots, or ‘Diaboloids’, made out of any metal within her surroundings. But, underneath all the fast paced action, dramatic robot fights and courtroom theatre, Wizard Barristers displays an undercurrent of social commentary. As it explores the themes of segregation and prejudice through showing the social restraints imposed on wizards – demonstrating humans fear and mistrust in Wizard kind. For example wizards are not allowed to work in the police or government, are derogatorily referred to as ‘wuds’, and often face bias within their separate legal system designed to rule on magical cases. This being because a select group of judges and high-powered lawyers, who control the courts, seem more preoccupied in maintaining a power structure that benefits themselves rather than promoting justice. Aside from this, another side of the series explore Cecil’s battel to prove her incarcerated mothers innocence, by brining her case back to court. Despite the system being repeatedly shown to be inherently corrupt, Cecil places an unusual amount of faith in the court, which leads to some intriguing story avenues.

Unlikely origins Some of the most fascinating aspects about Wizard Barristers is the director and studio who produced it. This is because of Yasuomi Umetsu and ARMS studios’ controversial work in the past. Wizard Barristers in comparison to ARMS studios’ back catalogue of work signifies a change of pace; considering they have previously >>

Kite is still seen as a cult classic today, despite its unsettling content. This is partly becasue of the bizarre allure of censorship; a work being banned or edited makes people want to see it even more - Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange experienced similar notoriety during the years it was unavailbe in the UK.

“The result is a highly enjoyable magical coutroom action driven series, which offers an examination of humanity” produced risqué and violent series such as Elfen Lied, Girls’ High and Queen’s Blade. The same goes for Yasuomi Umetsu who interestingly took it upon himself to serve as the director, head writer, and character designer, for Wizard Barristers.

Kite Umetsu is best known for his divisive anime series Kite; a 1998 series centered on a young female assassin, called Sawa. There have been several versions released, some including explicit violence and underage sex scenes. However, Wizard Barristers is not in any way similar to Kite signifying his change in direction. Yet his work on Kite is still being developed as Samuel Jackson is currently working on a live action adaptation of the anime; after Anchor Bay Entertainment bought the rights, with India Eisely from Underworld: Awakening playing the lethal Sawa. With Umetsu taking complete creative control of Wizard Barristers provides a rare and pleasantly surprising cohesiveness throughout – as most anime series more often than not fall foul of a great start and lose their way with the second half of the series as storylines grow thin or character developmens suffers because of the introduction of more characters. However, Umetsu, despite constantly juggling an assortment of strange ideas and influences, is able to create a clear single idea throughout the series.

Action Packed The series also bears some resemblance of his other work such as the stylish and vibrant Mezzo DSA, which is also packed full of fast paced action with more shootouts than magic. This nack for beign able to combine electrifying action set pieces with a high octane storyline is demonstrated from the start in Wizard Barristers. Take for example the opening scene of the series, which features a showdown between Quinn, Shizumu, and a rogue wizard while on top of a speeding train, tearing through the centre of Tokyo. While such fight scenes are entertaining, there is no happy medium in each episode. Instead they shift from vivid confrontations to calmer, but no less immersive. poignant moments, which keeps you hooked. Considering both the studios’ and director’s past work they make for an unusual pair to create such a vibrant and enigmatic series. Yet the result is a highly enjoyable magical courtroom, action driven anime series, which offers a examination of humanity, through the perspective of the prejudiced wizards with magical robots. With its explosive action, well rounded colourful characters and mysterious overarching storyline it makes for compelling viewing. Thanks to the enticiting storylines there is much more magical mayhem to unfold. By Ruth Edmundson Wizard Barristers is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.com. Check it out for the latest anime fresh from Japan. Japtannia 25

[ Anime Guide ]

e m i n A r ) u 2 ( Yo ide Gu Log 1.

[ Anime Guide ] 1. Log Horizon’s trio of main characters; Shiroe, Nostsugu and Akatsuki. 2. The chibi versions of-all the essential characters in the series, cute aren’t they! 3. Akiba Japanese players main bustling city with items and food to buy and a place to mingel and make plans. 4. Ever so serious and mysterios Shiroe, always thinking up the next big plan to defeat Elder Tale’s monsters.

Putting a spotlight on the anime series worth watching right now.

Horizon

From Candy Crush on our phones, to action thrillers on our game consoles, loads of us play games. But would any of us ever swap our real life for a virtual one? From the director Takeo Takahashi – Log Horizon explores the implications of becoming your own in game avatar.

When gaming becomes reality Log Horizon is far from the first anime to focus on the idea of becoming trapped in a MMORPG (Massively multiplayer online role-playing game). There are various series with similar set-ups: Hack//Sign and Sword Art Online. However, as these previous series use some sort of VR (virtual reality) system where gamers are unable to log out, Log Horizon adds an almost magical element and more social perspective to the genre. By it’s eleventh expansion pack the massively multiplayer online role-playing game Elder Tale has become a global success. However, during the release of its twelfth expansion pack 30,000 Japanese gamers who are logged in during the update, suddenly find themselves transported inside the game. Once inside the game they face the prospect of living within this familiar yet hostile virtual reality full of monsters and enemies to defeat; with the added challenge of discovering why this has happened and how they can get back to reality.

Life within the game The trapped players in a state of confusion flee Akiba, the largest city in the Japanese section of the game, where they are thrown into chaos. Within all of this commotion we meet Shiroe, a socially awkward eight-year veteran gamer, and his friends Nostsugu (a Guardian) and Akatsuki, (an assassin within the game), who team-up to face the games challenges and enemies together. Although they are trapped in Elder Tale inhabiting their respective characters, with all their magic, weapon and items, it slowly becomes apparent that this isn’t exactly the case. Monsters are in new locations, things are for sale that weren’t before, and the portals that connect the world are broken. Therefore, many of the episodes charter how Shiroe and his companions learn more about the world of Elder Tale they knew and how it is now. This may sound like it makes for tenuous viewing but it offers up some of this series’ most interesting aspects, including how it explores the greater implications of these changes in the game on its new inhabitants; be that the taste of food or the ability to buy pieces of property and items they want. Moreover, it offers some examination of the social effect such as gamers’ response to not being able to die in this new world and how some run amok without the enforcement of laws – allowing clichéd power mad villains to appear. >>

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Takeo Takahashi last year made an impact on the anime industry with the popularity of his adventure/ romance series Maoyu Maou Yuusha. An adaptation of the original manga, it follows the story of Yuusha on his and treacherous journey to the demon queen’s castle, only to find himself being asked for help on arrival.

“Log Horizon tackles the popular premise of gamers becoming trapped within virtual reality with conviction” Virtual storytelling The series is a slow burner to begin with. Before it starts to explore the rules of the world, the sociological impact of being trapped in a game, or the affect of the players on the gaming world itself, it starts with a short rescue mission story arc. It’s your general fantasy adventure story line but does serve the purpose of introducing secondary characters from the host of guilds (groups of gamers who work together) in Akiba. As soon as the narrative breaks into two the series picks up pace. Two younger game characters, twins Minori and Tohya, who are complete gaming novices, enter the series and make for an endearing story line following their personal strifes and progression within the game – It’s hard not to become attached to them. Their narrative counteracts the increasingly political side of the series, which can become a bit tenuous at times. As Shireo transforms from a very reserved player to the “Villain in glasses” as it becomes apparent he possess the natural ability to lead. His development pushes the story forward as he engineers bigger plans and tactics to overcome the ever-growing threats gamers face within Elder Tale – from social turmoil amongst themselves, as well as the game’s growing number of enemies and monsters. What’s key to this series are its endearing and down

to earth characters, who make you laugh especially when Akatsuki is beating up Nostsugu for his perverse ways. Then there is Shiroe, who despite his personality transplant within a few episodes, has his friends and fellow gamers backs and works hard to conjure up plans to help with their survival. Although it can feel a bit cluttered at times, with each guild consisting of numerous members, it’s a case of the more the merrier, which makes for intruding and often comedic viewing. The anime has an iconic gamer feel complete with pop-up game menus, a wide variety of monsters and colourful array of spells plus, vast wondrous forests and lands. The animation is slick and well polished with great attention to detail when concerning the world of Elder Tale itself. Although when it comes to combat there are quick and decisive colourful bouts, usually within game dungeons, rather than epic battles with a boss from the game or even between players. Log Horizon tackles the popular premise of gamers becoming trapped within virtual reality with conviction. Using down to earth characters that courageously work as a team to overcome the challenges they face. Overall it’s a pleasantly entertaining series to watch and offers something new to this genre of anime. By Ruth Edmundson Log Horizon is currently available to watch on Crunchyroll.com - which you can now watch on your phone, tablet, TV or through your games console. Japtannia 27

[ Goodies ]

Geeky Goods !

Check out Japtannia’s pick of this month’s coolest merchandise

PANTY AND STOCKINGS FIGURE SETS

e - Lov るす愛それを

it !

MY MIMI COLLECTABLE CHARACTER CUSHIONS

While the Panty & Stocking and Gurren Lagann anime series don’t have much in common, however they do share the same character designer in Atsushi Nishigori. Along with Phat!Company, he has designed these adorable 10cm-high figures for both series. The Panty & Stocking set features both girls in their angel attire ready to do battle: Panty with her pistols and Stocking with her Katanas, as well as a precious heaven coin. Meanwhile, the Gurren Lagann figures are two the anime’s leading ladies Yoko & Nia, but in a Panty & Stocking style. There’s an added Boota, too – Team Dai-Gurren’s very own pig-mole mascot. Created in a bold and colourful style, you’ll be powerless to resist them. RRP: Panty & Stocking figure set £17.99; Gurren Lagann figure set £19.99 Available at: http://sushinoms.com

DARLING ARMY COSPLAY APRONS AND PINAFORES Darling Army Cosplay is leading the crusade in making cosplay cute and easy to do. The online store specialises in creating custom anime and gaming cosplay aprons, pinafores and kimono dresses. With more than 200 designs to choose from it’s hard to pick your favourite. Just some of the anime and game series featured include; Full Metal Alchemist, Zelda, Pokémon and Assassins Creed. What’s great about the pinafores and kimono dresses is they are not just for cosplay but can also be worn in several different ways such as; casually with just jeans, formally as a dress and even as part of a Lolita outfit, with an underskirt and accessories. RRP: £110 - £30 Available at: http://darling-army.goodsie.com

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Feast your eyes on this selection of adorable character cushions - all original creations by mymimi. Each cushion has its own cute characteristics thanks to their kawaii designs. There are a host of cushions to collect including cute food that looks good enough to eat, but these fries and cupcakes are simply for hugging! There are Retro bespectacled floppy discs and cassette tapes as well as a selection of animals you can choose from, making it easy to add some charm to your home or office. RRP: £8.63 - £17. 25 かわ Available at: Esty.Com/uk/shop/mymimi い

wa い ii < 3

KAMISAMA KISS ANIME BOXSET

Kamisama Kiss is a romantic series created by the director of the highly popular anime Fruits Basket. This month the complete series of Kamisama Kiss is being re-released as a special Goddess edition.The new premium box set has great-added extras fans will love including; Tomoe’s fan, Nanami’s beautiful flower hairpin – as seen in the anime, and exclusive artwork from the series. RRP: Blu-ray & DVD £59 Available at: http://www.funimation.com/shows/kamisama-kiss Pictured: Assassin’s Creed pinafore

Pictured: Fullmetal alchemist pinafore

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J-Fashion Focus Bringing you up to speed with the latest and most iconic Japanese sub-culture fashion trends ! Page 32 > Kawaii Fashion The cutest fashions from Japan. Page 34 > Become a Pastel Doll ! New UK online J-fashion store. Page 36 > Shironuri: A Paler shade of white New J-fashion hitting the UK. Page 38 > Hara juku Street Style The latest subculture fashion trends direct from Japan Page 40 > The truth about lolita fashion An exploration into the world of lolita fashion and the UK community Page 49 > Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your lolita style? Discover what lolita style suits you. Page 51 > My J-fashion dairy Iasha Masood talks about her month in J-fashion design.

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[ J-Fashion Focus ]

(CU

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Kawaii Fashion Creepy Cute . . .

Fairy Kei . . . This light, soft & cute style is very distinctive thanks to its combination of pastel colours & lashings of pink. Layer up on pastel coloured clothing, cute accessories & big bows to create this sugary sweet look.

Star Hair Piece £9.95 CuteParade On Etsy.com

. . . the cutest looks direct from Japan that you can receate with a mix of high-street and online boutique pieces . . .

Fairy Kei Nail Sets £11-14.50 Aya1gou On Etsy.com

Created by J-pop artist Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, the Creepy Cute look is a mixture of the obscure & gothic with cuteness. Pair gothic statement pieces with gothic yet cute accessories and top it off with cute hair bows & clips.

Plain Headscarf £5.00 Asos

Eyeball Velvet Choker £5.50 The Kawaii Machine On Etsy.com

Anime Eyes T-shirt £13.46 The Kawaii Machine On Etsy.com

Bunny Sweater £32.00 La Petite Fille.com

Monster Melting Heart Necklace £10.40 CuteParade On Etsy.com

Creepy Nail Set £11.62 Aya1gou On Etsy.com

Soul of Pumpkaboo £15.29 The Kawaii Machine On Etsy.com

Glittery Star Brooch £6.00 Little Mizz Kitty On Etsy.com

Candy Skirt (black) £36.90 La Petite Fille.com

Red Bat Mini Dress £21.49 Sohos.co.uk Black & White striped jeans £28.99 Kate’s Clothing.com

Fairy Kei on the streets of Japan

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu J-pop Idol Blue Check Notch Mini Skirt £17.99 New Look

Heart Balloon Necklace £5.50 Kawaiiblaby On Etsy.com Rabbit Print Tights £8.00 Asos.com

Pink Victorian Flower boots £90.00 Drmartens.com

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ROCK THE NIGHT

Star Earrings £4.95 Blacktulip On Etsy.com Frill Ankle Socks £4.00 River Isalnd

Unicorn Wish hoodie £27.52 The Kawaii Machine On Etsy.com

Skeleton Leggings £25.00 Topshop

Pistola Rose Heels £30.00 Tukshoes

Glittery Pastel Ring £6.12 CuteParade On Etsy.com

EVERYDAY LOOK

Bat Rucksack £15.29 The Kawaii Machine On Etsy.com

Starry Night Bat Clips £6.12 CuteParade On Etsy.com

Tartan Gothic Dress £44.95 Doc Balck.com Glittery Satin Bows £9.17 CuteParade On Etsy.com

Tulle Skeleton & Bat Hair Bow £4.89 The Kawaii Machine On Etsy.com

Pastel Kitty Heels £30.00 PastelDreamShoes On Etsy.com

Melting Bat Necklace £12.23 CuteParade On Etsy.com Japtannia 33

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Photos by lemon tea photography

Become a Pastel Doll !

Ruth Edmundson talks to the girls behind a new UK online store set to launch its own Japanese inspired pastel coloured fashion wigs . . .

igs are an important part of Japanese sub gether with Kyra Hills and Jennifer Brich, middle and the left, culture fashion. They are versatile and can who all together make up the team behind Pastel Doll. All help you to express yourself, without worrying three girls work at Ubisoft Reflections, the game developer about dying your hair or what your boss will based in Newcastle, and it was when they were all working make of your new candy coloured up-do. Often girls in Japan on Just Dance, a damd game for the Wii, they got to know buy a selection of wigs to co-ordinate with specific patterns one another and bond over their shared passion for on dresses or looks. It’s very much like getting a matching Japanese fashion. pair of socks when you find the right wig for your outfit. Now on the verge of launching their website after In the UK it’s hard to find wigs for Japanese fashion from discussing the possibility of creating their own brand for so boutiques on the high street, plus many online long they feel that, Pastel Doll has just been a stores cater more towards to the cosplay natural progression from their love for Japanese Pastel Doll is community (People who dress up as their fashion. After returning from a trip in Japan favourite characters from anime, films and just a combination inspired by the stores they had visited, including games). British online fashion stores, for their biggest inspiration 6% DOKI DOKI, the girls of all the things that took the jump to make their dream brand real. example, Pixie Bunny, team up with American brands, such as Gothic Lolita Wigs, to sell “It was weird – there was no set moment in we really love about fashion wigs to fans of Japanese fashion, but time where we stated we were going to do this. Japanese fashion It was just organic, as one day in November last there is no dedicated UK fashion wig store. However, that’s about to change with the launch year while at Kyra’s house we’d suddenly regisand are passionate tered as a limited company. It was then we were of a new Japanese inspired brand, Pastel Doll. “For me Pastel Doll is just a combination of all like ‘oh now we have to start actually getting about the things that we really love about Japanese stuff together’,” Jennifer explains. And less than fashion and are passionate about,” explains Sally a year on, the girls have designed two of their Blake, on the right, one of the three girls behind this exciting original wig collections, found a supplier and had their wigs new UK brand, “While heavily influenced by Japan, we also made, set up the business and are now ready to share their draw inspiration from the UK, especially from the fashion products with the UK Japanese fashion community. scenes in Camden, Manchester and Liverpool. Different styles But why wigs? “Wigs are something we all own a lot of such as Fairy Kei and Lolita fashion have begun to introduce and we understand them. There are many different styles pastel coloured hair to the West and it got us thinking, ‘hey and we each know what we want,” Sally says. They all go on we can sell these kind of wigs in England too’.” to explain that they know other girls feel the same way and It was this love of Japanese fashion, that brought Sally toenjoy collecting wigs. “Especially today,” Jennifer states. >>

“

.”

34 Japtannia

“There are so many more chances to meet people who like the same things today and chances to express yourself. “When I was younger I would have been too shy but now there are different communities popping up, giving people more confidence and opportunities to experiment with fashions.” With that in mind the girls haven’t held back when designing their collections for the website. Each one is full of bright, bold and infectiously colourful wigs in a variation of styles, from split wigs to blended wigs. Their first collection is ‘The Dark Fruits’ and consists of their signature wigs. These are of the highest quality and are based on what each Pastel Doll would love their actual hair to be like. With vivid pinks, pastel blues and hues of purple, their carefully selected colour palette makes them great for mixing with a range of styles from Creepy Cute to Sweet lolita. Their second collection is made up of a selection of split wigs in a range of colour combinations including: white and blue, pink and blonde as well as blue and pink. They are again very versatile for different looks and have a lovely feminine feel to them with their loose ringlets. Along with each collection the girls have also designed detachable hair buns and pigtails so you can accessorize your look further. Each collection is reasonably priced (Dark Fruits £25 & split wigs £22) and the cost is always something in the back of the girls’ minds, as Jennifer states. “We know ourselves how expensive Japanese fashion can be, especially if you want to import goods. It can be so expensive with import tax on top of the your goods so we wanted to be more affordable, but just as good quality for people, so they don’t feel as if they can’t afford to be apart of the fashion.” It’s that kind of thought going into their brand that is making it such a hit, even before the website has launched. Through social media, the brand has gone down well with Japanese fashion fans, as girls have been posting pictures of themselves wearing Pastel Doll wigs they’ve bought at conventions. “The social networking side of things has been overwhelming positive. Everyone has been so friendly and so willing to help us,” says Sally. Kyra adds, “At our first convention, Newcastle con, in March, we has a lot of interest and a few girls buying more than one wig but many wanted to know if we were online so I’m looking forward to launching the website to get more feedback from our customers.” However, once their store is launched, the girls don’t want to stop there as they already have plans for more products to add to their pastel range. “At the moment we do wigs but we’d like to branch out to accessories to match the wigs and eventually we’ll have a full collection based on pastel colours,” says Kyra. But right now the girls are looking forward to finally sharing their creations with their fans. As Sally says, “We’re just really excited to launch the website and excited to continue building the brand, meeting more new people and excited to see how it goes!”.

Photos by lemon tea photography

[ J-Fashion Focus ]

www.pasteldoll.com will launch on May 26, at midday. For more information checkout Pastle Doll on Facebook or subscribe to their fashion blog: pasteldoll666.blogspot.

Pastel Doll Conventions: Catch the girls at their pastel stall at one of their upcoming cons: Yorkshire Cosply Con on June 14th SunnyCon on June 19th - 21st HyperJapan on July 25-27th

Photos by lemon tea photography

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SHIRONURI

b Photos by Kira from Tokyo Fashion

PRETTY IN WHITE While the summer is associated with long days of sunshine and topping up your tan, for followers of Japan’s ‘Shironuri’ fashion the golden look is most definitely off the cards.

to try it and ever since she has been working on developing her unique Mon Shiro Jo style that is based on her: “petite cabbage white butterfly girl, of cloth and make-up”. Through her artwork and photoshoots Minori brings this cabbage white girl alive. Unlike others who look to horror for inspiration Minori finds it in the nature all around her. Having grown up on a farm when she was younger and now living in Tokyo she appreciates the small and beautiful details nature possesses. “Everything from the veins in leaves, the shapes of the flowers and colours in water and light captures my imagination. “I have always felt so humble in front of nature and being surrounded by it motivates me and makes me want to better myself.” Her love for nature is also reflected within her photoshoots as she explains when she models she wishes not only to reflect nature but to become a part of it:“I pick a theme first either water, rock or flower. Then I create my costume, hair and make-up and base it on becoming a piece of the theme. It is a great feeling when I feel I have become one with the theme and It beings me great happiness.” What is great about this shironuri is that anyone can try it which is one of the many reasons why Minori loves it as states “It’s about expressing your individuality and is a chance for you to explore what you love. Whether you are sad or happy everyone can channel their thoughts, feelings and personality creatively to find their own look.” Minori will be attending Enchanted on Saturday June 5th and the follow-up afternoon tea party on Sunday June 6th. She will be bringing along two of her origional costumes to show off on the catwalk and to be auctioned over the weekend. By Ruth Edmundson For more inspiration, check out Minori’s website www. minori.co and all the details about Enchanted and tickets can be found at www.streetfashioneurope.doomby.com

i Minori Her Memories Of A Dream

Photos by Kira from Tokyo Fashion

“I have always felt so humble in front of nature and being surrounded by it motivates me and makes me want to better myself.”

Japtannia’s style guru Ruth Edmundson chats to Japanese Shironuri fashion desinger Minori Asai to find out more about this unique pale look

36 Japtannia

Photos by Kira from Tokyo Fashion

hironuri in Japanese simply means ‘painted white’ and the painted white face has been a constant throughout Japanese culture, whether it’s the slightly terrifying masks of Kabuki theatre or the sombre yet elegant make-up of a geisha. It’s a tradition that has always been favoured by artists and has captured the imagination of many, including Minori Asai, a 22-year-old Japanese fashion designer, who has created her own fantastical forest mori-girl Shironuri style. The Shironuri look has slowly seeped into Japanese fashion over the years and is often worn by girls who look to horror for inspiration. It can also be combined with other looks to give them a more ethereal look, such as Gothic and Guro Lolita. It is arguably one of the most inventive Japanese street fashions with the only main rule being a painted white face, other than that the wearer is only limited by their own imagination. Minori who is due to attend this years Enchanted Japanese fashion event in London, held by Street Fashion Europe (Europes lolita fashion community), is the person who has done the most to make this fashion an eye-catching popular trend over recent years with her naturalistic take on the painted white face. She first started wearing Shironuri after a friend recommended her v

Photos by Kira from Tokyo Fashion

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Harajuku Street Style In associattion with

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Nalumi, a friendly 19-year-old college student, showing off her oversized polka dot sweater, layered over a smiley face top. She also has some funky trolls leggings, colourful accessories and Panda sneakers.

Photos by Tokyo Fashion

LOVE GOODS

Kota, a 22-year-old boy, was spotted on the street in Harakjuku rocking a resale camouflage jacket, with a Feu top, beige pants and white converse sneakers. He has accessoried with vinatge jewellery from Qosmos.

Recreate some of the looks featured with a range of accessories & items from the highstreet & online . . .

Suede Creeper Platforms TUKshoes.com £95.00

Photos by Tokyo Fashion

U-kun, who works in Hara juku, is making the maxi skirt look manly by paring it with a Zac Vargas biker jacket and a brightly patterend fauxfur coat on top, and accessorised with several rings and layered necklaces.

Mepura, is wearing a fairy kei inspired outfit with tulle skirts and accessories from 6% DOKIDOKI. She is also holding a plushie of Akashi from the basket ball anime series Kuroko no Basuke!

Kyosuke, a 19-year-old college student, looks great with his bleach blonde hair and black layered look that includes a leather biker jacket and Comme de Garcons platform shoes with blue soles.

We love Nanaho’s look. She is wearing a polka dot swing dress and a vivid red cardigan with white tights and Meirire flats. Plus she’s topped off the look with funky purple hair and red head band. Photos by Tokyo Fashion

Swan, an 18-year-old fashioneaster, is wearing a mixed brand outfit featuring names such as; Junya Watanabe, Comme des Garcons, H&M and Studious. Then topping off his look with black and blue Nike tabi shoes.

Yuu, is a friendly gyaru snapped near Shibuya station. Gyaru is Japanese for girl & the girls are known for their big eyes, big colourful hair and creative fashion sense. Also, Yuu’s face-down pose is currently popular with gyaru.

Photos by Tokyo Fashion

Akane, a 17-year-old Japanese student, was snapped in Hara juku wearing a York University jumper. She has paired it with garter stockings, black velvet platforms and an oversized backpack.

Murakami, a 23-year-old student, look features an amazing yellow bob paired with blue lipstick, an oversized acid wash jacket, metallic clutch (from Nadia), ripped tights, Jeremy Scott x Swatch watch and YRU platforms.

Photos by Tokyo Fashion

w FAV LOOK!

Photos by Tokyo Fashion

Bringing you the latest trends direct from the streets of Harajuku Japan’s captial of Sub-culture fashion & thee place to be for J-fashion-easters to strut their stuff.

Alumi, is a gothic lolita, which is a style associated with darker make-up and clothing than other lolita sub-cultures. Alumi is wearing a dress from h.NAOTO FRILL with a Artherapie bag and Yosuke platform heel.s

Roar Rucksack Iregular Choice £59.99

Mariam Dress Hell Bunny Dresses £51.49

Sparkle Bindi Set TopShop £7.50

Yurika & Mizuho, are two Japanese sisters who love colorful fashion and everything Disney. Here they are sporting matching tiger backpacks and accessories from brands such as Romantic Standard & Daiso.

Assoreted Hair Bows Black Tulip Shop £4.33 each

For moreRoar street style direct from Japan check out rucksack Tokyofashion.com! Irregular Choice £59.99 Tokyo Fashion is a Hara juku-based online magazine dedicated to Tokyo’s street fashion. For daily snaps, news, videos & much more you can follow the magazine on Facebook, YouTube & Twitter @TokyoFashion

Japtannia 39

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Ruth Edmundson, explores the world of lolita fashion, it’s origons and meaning to those who wear it, as well as learn about the growing UK lolita community . . . A Femme Jolie Gothic lolita dress

apanese lolita fashion is becoming increasingly popular in the UK every year, due to the greater interest and knowledge about the fashion online and in the media, as well as the prevalence of fans of the fashion wearing the outfits at conventions and Japanese cultural events. While lolita is a street fashion from Japan, which has a magical allure to it that attracts an increasing number of girls (and boys known as brolitas) to follow it passionately. In the UK the word lolita is not popularly associated with the fashion, as of yet, and instead is linked to the novel of the same name. Creating a lot of confusion over what lolita fashion is really all about.

What is lolita

40 Japtannia

In 1955, the Russian Author Vladimir Nabokov wrote a novel in English about a man obsessed with a twelve-yearold girl. The subject split readers’ opinions and the book, entitled Lolita, became part of popular terminology. Thanks to Nabokov the word ‘Lolita’ is used to describe any sexually desirable or promiscuous young girl. This is why lolita fashion sometimes is perceived to be a fetish, but, this is not the case. This fashion from Japan has no links to the English novel in anyway. In fact lolita fashion, despite being entirely new to some of you, has a long history stretching back much further than 1955.

The lolita style of dress is heavily inspired by the romantic images of the Victorian and Edwardian eras. With further influences stretching back as far as the 18th Century when the Rococo Movement took place in France. While lolita fashion is inspired by this wealth of grand history when it first became popular in Japan its form differed greatly from its historic influences. During the 1990s lolita fashion gained a foothold in Japan with the rise in popularity of Visual Kei – visual style rock. Visual Kei musicians, known for their flamboyant style, began to incorporate elements of lolita into their clothing, such as: lace and high-collared shirts, creating what is known today as Gothic lolita. As soon as rock idols wore this style on stage it emerged on the streets of Japan. Today, Gothic lolita is just one of the many different styles of lolita, as other main types of dress include: Classic, Casual, Sweet and Punk. Then there are several sub styles, that have been developed in recent years, ranging from Pirate to Princess lolita. All of which are very conservative as a lolita’s outfit consists A Gothic lolita of cute shoes, tights and/or knee length socks, under skirts, long ornate dress or skirt and a high collared lace shirt. Then of course a multitude of accessories from lace cuffs to statement hairpieces. Creating a cute, feminine and elegant look that fans of lolita love to wear.

The passion for the fashion For many girls it is the sophisticated style and how the fashion is very detail driven that makes it so captivating. As Kyra Brown, the founder of the Tea Party Club, the UK’s main lolita community with over 1,150 members, explains: “Contemporary fashion is completely focused on comfort and practicality - it’s such a refreshing change to wear something that takes time to change into and favours details, shape and layers over comfort and practicality.” For this fashion is world away from wearing just jeans and t-shirt as girls will spend hours constructing a coordinated outfit; ensuring everything from their dress to their jewellery matches with a running theme from sweets to a floral to tie in with their particular style, be it Sweet or Casual. “Plus seeing lolitas walk down the street is such a contrast to the rest of the world that you can’t help but smile when you see them. It’s amazing, ludicrous, harmless and lovely,” says Kyra, who has been a lolita for nine years. From starting out as a support group for those in London who like the fashion the Tea Party Club v

set up in 2007, has grown big enough Japanese lolitas for these gatherings to hold its own national lolita events are usually attended by a number of such as Frock On, held in girls and revolve around the certain September 2013, and to set up an aesthetic associated with lolita fashion, international lolita group called Street including: visiting museums, baking Fashion Europe, & sewing, rather than being a casual composed of lolita affair of shopping communities from or grabbing coffee across Europe. with friends. It is the passion As Kyra, from others have for the the Tea Party Club, fashion as well as explains, “We’ll go her own to museums or we’ll fascination with it Photos by Street Fash have picnics and ion Euro that has driven Kyra to help create this pe some people will bake extensive lolita community. Although cookies. It can all be culturally even for her, despite having been apart enriching and you can learn skills such of the fashion for so long, it is hard to as sewing, (for some girls make their put her finger on what exactly makes own accessories), to even economics lolita so intriguing, “I don’t by working out the exchange “ It’s amazing rates and shipping prices with know what it is about lolita but people get so wrapped when the only other girls when planning to up in it, they become so thing we have order clothing from Japan.” passionate, and it turns into These meet-ups also in common is a ma jor part of their life. illustrate the growing strange clothes popularity of lolita in the UK. “I “There is just something quite magical about it,” she and it’s strange organised a meet-up through says and it’s not hard to see how quickly you the Tea Party Club to visit an why when inspired by the exhibition about lolita at the can make fashion of royalty and Victorian Albert Museum,” says friends ” grandeur of the past. It’s kyra.“I expected around 20 almost like becoming a people to come along and 115 princess for a day. girls showed up, and that’s just lolitas in London alone. You couldn’t have The UK lolita community anything like that a few years ago.” While the community has grown In Japan lolita fashion is just like any since the early 2000s it has never other style available on the high street. changed from being a welcoming place Girls can buy dresses from various for anyone who is or wants to become lolita brands such as: Moi-meme-Motitie a lolita. Anyone can join their local and Baby, the Stars Shine Bright – and group and benefit from social side wear them with their friends who also of the fashion. For at face value the enjoy the fashion. There is no sense of community and its events are simply community amongst Japanese lolitas, different ways to make friends and it’s whereas, in the UK this community incredibly easy to do so because of aspect has become an integral part the fashion. “It’s amazing when the of the fashion, because it is so niche only thing we have in here. common is strange Across the clothes and it’s UK there are strange how quickly numerous lolita you can make communities friends with people acting as and how much you support groups have in common for those who and it can be like want to wear and a really nice ice breaker,” Kyra, 2013 ondon learn more about explains from experience. On in L Frock the fashion. These small pockets of “If you’re with a group of girls you lolitas can be easily found online don’t know at your first meet-up you through social media where you’re can just go up to them and say more than likely to find a regional somthing like, ‘oh I really like your dress group near you. While these groups is it that the new such and such’ and online act as a forum for girls to talk to then that starts the conversation off. each other they are more actively used Then you can start talking about to plan meet-ups - events when lolitas completely unrelated things and it just can enjoy a day out together. This is goes from there, so it’s easy to make where the UK differs greatly again to friends and just enjoy yourselves.” v

UK LOLITAS Name: Catherine Foster Age: 25 Lives In: South Shields Lolita style: Gothic lolita Favourite brand: Moi Meme Moitie Catherine says, “Being a lolita in the UK is challenging but fun. It is very expensive fashion to follow but it is worthwhile when you look in the mirror after getting ready and feeling elegant and beautiful.”

Name: Lilly Cromwell Age: 20 Location: Birmingham Lolita style: Sweet lolita Favourite brand: Angelic Pretty Lilly said, “Being a UK lolita means that it’s easy to make friends with people who share the same love of Japan and fashion you do. I’ve made some lovely new friends in my community and we always go out and have fun when we meet up. I think that’s pretty special.”

Name: Fezzy Davoudi Age: 24 Lives In: Brighton Lolita style: Sweet lolita Fezzy said, “To me Lolita isn’t just a fashion its a artform, a lifestyle, its not about just putting the clothes on, its about really feeling and enjoying the creative aspect and wonder that you have created. Its a journey from searching for the items to achieving the look itself.”

Name: Jackie Bradbury Age: 18 Lives In: London Lolita style: Gothic lolita Favourite brand: Innocent World Jackie says,“The thing I love about the fashion the most is the community. The people I’ve met whilst wearing lolita have honestly changed my life. Through going to regular meet ups I’ve meet by of my very two best friends and we are always planning when we can meet up next.”

Japtannia 41

[ J-Fashion Focus ]

There are a host of lolita groups you can join across the UK through Facebook & so we’ve listed a few to help you get started . . . Simply search for the following groups online and you will be able to find them. *Some will be marked as closed groups – this simply the admin of that group has to approve your request to join it. This is just ensures only those interested in lolita are in part of the group.

Online lolita groups: Name: Tea Party Club No. Of Members: 1,150 Name: London lolitas No. Of Members: 196 Name: South UK Lolitas No. Of Members: 285 Name: South West Lolitas No. Of Members: 115 Name: lolitas of Leeds No. Of Members: 98 Name: Midlands lolitas No. Of Members: 62 Name: Oxfordshire lolitas No. Of Members: 43 Name: York lolitas No. Of Members: 50 Name: Sheffield lolitas No. Of Members: 73 Name: Newcastle Upon Tyne lolita community No. Of Members: 64 Name: Lolitas - Wales and England No. Of Members: 51 These are just some of a number of groups out there for new ones are made all the time. If you can’t find one near you don’t worry – you can join a large group, such as the Tea Party Club, and ask if there is anyone local to you. Or set-up your own group –! For there are lolitas out there to connect with.

42 Japtannia

While the lolita community is very helpful in advising girls where they can order clothing direct from Japan online, a popular store being Bodyline, and informing them about the different brands, which make the clothing and accessories they want to wear, it’s still difficult to obtain them in the UK.

own dress designs for numerous lolita styles, from Classic to Gothic. The key to this family ran brand is providing lolita fans with clothing that is right for them. As Nadia Sultan, one of the three dressmakers behind Femme Jolie, explains, “After spending time with many other lolita fashion enthusiasts it became apparent to me that many girls UK lolita fashion were struggling to find clothing that suited them. However, with the growth of the This can be a problem with community has come an increase in importing clothing from Japan where UK-based lolita brands making it easier, the girls have bodytypes different and cheaper, to buy and try out this from those here in the UK. That is why style of dress. Femme Jolie takes custom orders One such brand is online, including your ShinkuRose ran by exact measurements, Emily Braz, a lolita to create dresses that herself, who set up will fit a lolita no matter her online store her shape or size. in 2012 – after “The aim of our studying costume brand is to make ShinkuR design at university and affordable and flattering ose being heavily inspired by the Fruits dresses for women so Japanese fashion picture books. “I that everyone can feel comfortable and want to help make the fashion more beautiful in their clothes,” says Nadia. readily available for those struggling They also have a range of to find cute clothes,” Emily accessories including a says:“And what I love about model ship hat inspired by the fashion is that it’s not Marie Antoinette, another casual. Everyone makes an inspiration for lolita fashion. effort to look good. Lolita fashion is based on a “Lolita also has a lot of time when women design aesthetics from 18th frequently adorned their Century and Victorian era, outfits with accessories; and which my two favorite eras, modern day lolita fashion and I enjoy incorporating takes this trend and simply them within my designs expands upon it. So, “The while also making the more lace, flowers, frills dresses modern and and bows the better,” says wearable for today.” Nadia. While she makes dresses As well as the twoinspired by both the new featured UK brands there and old she retains in all are others such as such as her designs the classic Dreamy Bows and Tea Time lolita silhouette that is very Femme Jolie lolita dress Treasures, who stock a wide important. For when wearing a dress or range of Japanese street style a skirt it is the bell shape to the outfit fashions. These stores also sell lolita that gives lolita it’s distinctive look. brands including: Angelic Pretty and And this is why they wear petticoats Chocomint. Thanks to their range of to create the shape. However, this rule J-fashion goods they allow girls to isn’t set in stone as create cute, authentic Emily explains: “There outfits that would look are different degrees at home in Hara juku, of ‘poof’ to a dress so Japan’s fashion capital. although there are For those want to be ‘rules’ to lolita fashion apart of this you can still fashion movement experiment to some Emily Braz, from extent. That’s what I ShinkuRose, summed up enjoy doing; lolita fashion the best, experimenting with “It’s a beautiful and fun Photos by Street Fashion Europe the look in my fashion to be involved in, its not just designs.” about the clothes but the people too, Femme Jolie is another UK online be confident and you will make some brand to look out for, which makes their amazing new friends.”

yesfz Dress ab Antique Angel by Haenuli

Tights ab Royal Jewel by Haenuli

yesfz

UK LOLITA COMMUNITIES

Photographs by

Saoirse Clohessy Photography Japtannia 43

yesfz Dress ab Enchanted Fawn by Haenuli

Blouse ab Gothic Chiffon Blouse by Lady Sloth

Tights ab Enchanted Fawn by Haenuli

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yesfz Dress ab Kingdom of Lolita by Baroque

Tights ab Floral Cockatiel Tights by Fairy Wish

yesfz 46 Japtannia

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[ J-Fashion Focus ]

By Ruth Edmundson

If you’re new to Lolita, the many styles to choose from can be overwhelming. If you’re not sure what style would suit you best, take our quiz to discover which of the three most popular styles – Sweet, Gothic or Casual – suits your personality best. However, remember: fashion is whatever you make it, so whatever the result, have fun experimenting with your look.

yesfz Dress ab Royal Kitten by Haenuli

Dressing Bonnet ab Royal Kitten by Haenuli

Tights ab Royal Jewel by Haenuli

1. The colour and pattern combination that best represents me is: a) pink, white, light blue, and polka dots b) red, navy, purple and plaid c) black, grey and stripes 2. When I go to a party, my outfit isn’t finished until I put on: a) comfortable boots or creepers b) high heels c) Mary Janes 3. My hair colour is most often: a) black or dark brown b) light brown, blonde or pink c) changing with my mood

Add up your scores!

4. I love the look and feel of material that: a) looks deconstructed b) is lacy and has cute patterns c) is dark, rich and velvety 5. The hair accessories I love are: a) hair pins b) lace and ribbons c) large bows or candy shaped pins

1. a) 3 b) 2 c) 1

3. a) 1 b) 3 c) 2

2. a) 2 b) 1 c) 3

4. a) 2 b) 3 c) 1

5. a) 3 b) 2 c) 1 Your total . .

If you scored 5 – 11 points, you’re . . . a Gothic Lolita

yesfz

Black and other dark shades are key to your look – to keep you looking beyond elegant yet gothic. There are few things you’d rather do than hang out with your friends and show off your passion for fashion. The brands that you might enjoy are: Moi-Meme-Moitie, Atelier Boz and Miho Matsuda. When you’re feeling more casual you may rock the Punk Lolita styles.

If you scored 12 – 16 points, you’re . . . a Punk or Casual Lolita You like mixing styles with chains, multicoloured hair and patterns galore. Your scene is wherever something is happening – from events outside to concerts. Brands you’ll like include: Algonquins, Sexy Dynamite London, Heart E and Superlovers. If you feel like going ‘dressy’ you may experiment with Gothic or Sweet Lolita – but always with a twist.

If you scored 17 - 21 points, you’re . . . a Sweet Lolita You’re the embodiment of cute. You love nothing more than shopping with your friends and chilling out at adorable cafes. The brands you’ll love are: The Stars Shine Bright, Metamorphose and Angelic Pretty. When you want to mix it up you may indulge in the darker accents to add edge to your Sweet Lolita look.

48 Japtannia

Japtannia 49

[ J-Fashion Focus ]

My J-fashion dairy

shion – I love lolita fa eet lolita, especially sw it’s so cute

This month, Japtannia’s fashion columnist, Iasha Masood talks to Ruth Edmundson about everything from cosplay to cat cafes as, she’s has had a busy month . . .

Spring

inspire schoo d J apanese lgirl lo ok

Earthy Shironuri (White face) make-up

ello, I’m Iasha Masood I’m a 22-year-old crazy cat lady, from London, who works in fashion design. My job is basically to conduct research and find out what will be ‘in’ next season and predicate what trends and colours will become popular. At the moment I work as a freelance designer while also developing my own personal collections, which are heavily influenced by my love for Japanese subculture fashion and Sci-fi. An odd mix I know but the two do make for some interesting design concepts trust me. As well as researching, sketching and creating fashion I love to wear it. As you can see from my pictures on this page – I don’t limit myself to one style and enjoy experimenting with many different looks. I first discovered Japanese fashion through anime and it became a defining point in my life, for I knew then I wanted to work in fashion. I love that both Japanese fashion and anime are whimsical, artistic and magical. You can express stories, ideas and feelings through them so easily and they both feed my vivid imagination, inspiring me to keep pushing the boundaries. As for my love of Sci-fi, when I was 12-years-old I became smitten with various RPG games, and in particular a series called Final Fantasy. It’s a classic series you should definitely check out if you enjoy gaming and Sci-fi. Recenty I have been able to indulge in another love of mine cosplay. Cosplay simply means to dress-up as your favourite character from an anime, manga or game series. You may not think this would count as fashion but to me it does. The process of making a cosplay project from scratch is the same process as designing any other garment; you must research patterns, materials, sow it together and get all of the details exactly right. I am currently creating a modest version of Dejah Thoris, from the War Lord Of Mars movie, for Kitacon convention, whick tas place in Birmingham on 28 – 30 June. However, it hasn’t been easy. One tip for you if you’re making cosplay, always follow the pattern. It’s essential. Even If it is a paper version you draw round onto the fabric, if you don’t you’ll have to start all over again. While busy sewing I managed to fit some time in to visit Paris for some design inspiration. It’s a beautiful city, with plenty of historic architecture & of course art, which were greatly inspiring. I also visited the original Channel shop and the assistant was kind enough to show me the staircase leading up to Channel’s apartment above the store, I was awestruck. Channel has shaped fashion across the globe so it is every designers dream to go there. Something I’d definitely recommend, if you’re ever in Paris, is to visit the Paris cat Café! These types of cafes are popular in Japan and are very slowly being adopted by other countries – in fact one recently opened in London called Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium. While you’re there you can play with the cats and watch them as they wander around the café, and sometimes they even hug each other, which is adorable. This month has a bit of a mish mash so far, however, I am looking forward to talking about Kitacon next month and share with you a sneak peak of my very own Japanese fashion design projects. So until then, stay kawaii (cute) ! For more fashion tips and a further insight into the world of fashion design check out Iasha’s YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/user/Gothiclolitaadvice, where she uploads a host of make-up tutorials, fashion advice & how to videos. Or browse through her main website www.iashamasood.com, which includes her daily fashion blog, personal Japanese fashion projects.

My favoruite gothic lolita look !

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Japtannia 51

[ YouTuber]

YouTuber of The Month ! Kelsey Ellison aka KimonoTime

Photos by Kimono Time

[ YouTuber]

“ I have so much fun creating my videos, I feel music and dance can give me so many ideas and it’s the best way I love to express myself ”

Ruth Edmundson chats to online dance & singing senseation Kelsey Ellison about her channel, life off-line & her future plans. . .

About

Kelsey

Singer

Dancer

Vlogger

Blogger

Kelsey also has a passion for J-fashion!

Lily Allen- Air Balloon (Japanese Version) By Kelsey Ellison 17,534 views 1 week ago Hello you, I hope you’re good! So here’s another UK song in Japanese! I had a lot of help from my friend cherry this time so thank you so much cherry! http://www.youtube.com/user/xCherryPa... Original song: http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=vo9Fja... You can also download my cover from soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/kimonotime/ lily-allen-air-balloon

ur very first ‘YouTuber of The Month’ is Kelsey Ellison, from Barnsley, who you may also know as KimononTime on YouTube. Having started her channel in 2010, four years later, it has had over 5 million views in total, and features Jpop and Kpop dance and song covers as well as fashion and beauty vlogs (video blogs). Thanks to the popularity of her dance and song cover videos, Kelsey is a well-known figure online and a regular performer at Japanese culture conventions across the UK. She is known for her fun and energetic performances as well as her Kawaii sense of style - inspired by her love for Gwen Stefani and her Hara juku girls. Despite what you may think, the first video Kelsey uploaded onto her channel wasn’t of a dance cover but an anime music video. “I never actually intended to upload any performing video when I started my channel,” she says. However, that all changed when one day she was looking for the ‘Hare Hare Yukai’ song on YouTube. For those who don’t know, the song is the end theme song to the first season of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya anime series, where the characters perform a dance routine. As she was searching, she found other girls had uploaded their own dance covers and she became interested in doing her own cover. “I was so excited that I’d found a whole new part of the Internet,” Says Kelsey. “I love J-pop and dancing, so I was really tempted to give it a go. So after some persuasion from others, and from pure boredom over the summer, I

52 Japtannia

finally decide to join in.” Since then, she hasn’t looked back and has built a name for herself as a performer both on and offline. Her channels popularity has led to several different opportunities Kelsey wouldn’t have dreamed of when she first started uploading her videos. “I’ve had some really cool opportunities and I still think it’s crazy they’ve come about just because I’ve done a few silly YouTube videos,” she says. “In the past I have been asked to be in music videos because of my style. One video I’ve been in recently was for a new electronic pop band Parralox – whos single isn’t out just yet but will be soon.” She’s also been lucky enough to have her videos picked up by numerous news channels across the world such as ABC, Channel 5 and KBS World because of her covers of popular Japanese acts including Babymetal and Kyary Pamyu Pamyu. “Some of my videos have even been on Japanese TV, which was amazing, including my Kyary Pamyu Pamyu that she actually watched and commented on!” All of this attention led to her becoming a regular performer at a range of UK Japanese culture conventions including; MCM London and London Anime Con and where she is often recognised and gets to meet the fans of her channel. “It feels so lovely meeting people in real life. I would have never thought that people would want to see me live just doing covers on YouTube. “Although I have a huge passion for making video, I love performing live so much and I feel at home onstage. I also love being able to thank people for supporting me.” >>

However, back at home there’s a lot of hard work that goes into making her videos. As she explains, being a YouTuber she has had to learn everything an artist would, plus what the management, make-up artists, stylists and directors would have to do as well. While her videos last up to 5 to 6 minutes it can take up to a week or more for her to complete a cover video. “I plan my video, make a storyboard for it and then record the song if I’m covering that too – which can take a whole day. After that I’ll learn the dance and, depending on the difficulty, it can take from one day to a week to memorise. Then I’ll spend a day recording it, a day or evening editing and uploading it. Finally I have to promote it too, so it takes a lot of work!” For inspiration she carries with her a notebook so she can jot down any thoughts and ideas that come to mind while she’s out and about. As well as that, she watches other YouTubers such as Mike Song “his dancing is incredibly inspiring” and other Jpop/Kpop dancers “because they have the courage to show their passion for this music, there are so many talented people too.” Although with every video she makes there is a challenge Kelsey states that, “Yes I’ve found it hard sometimes, but if I didn’t, it would be boring! “I have so much fun creating my videos. I feel music and dance can give me so many ideas and it’s the best way I love to express myself.” As well as dancing, Kelsey also has a number of videos of her covering Japanese songs, and English songs such as Lilly Allen’s Air Balloon and Babymetal’s Headbanger. “I love and want to sing as much as I do dance! It’s always been a dream to be my own artist, I just didn’t think it would be through this way!” In the near future we may well be hearing more of Kelsey singing as she recently revealed in an interview with MTV district that she is to bring out a single soon. But she was very elusive about the details and still is when I asked her about it. “I danced in a music video for Maya Von Doll, and the producer saw my videos and wanted to work with me on my own things. I can’t give too much away, but I will be releasing a single soon in English . . . and it may have some Japanese in it or it may not.” Either way it is exciting to hear that from uploading her very own ‘Hare Hare Yukai’ dance cover, now, a few years later, Kelsey could be entering the Top 40 with her very own

Photos by Kimono Time

single. It just goes to show the possibilities that being a part of the YouTube community can bring - from something as simple as gaining a new group of new friends to new opportunities you never thought possible. Now Kelsey’s plans are just to keep doing what she loves, “I’ll keep taking every day with a fresh new look. This kind of hobby/career is very unpredictable. You can’t really plan it, so I just want to keep having fun and try my best”. Check out Kelsey’s channel at www.youtube.com/KimonoTime & for updates on about her channel and upcoming single follow Kelsey on Facebook /KimonoTimeOfficial.

Kelsey’s tips for fellow YouTubers ! Remember what it’s all about: Just have fun! That is the main thing, if you are just doing it to get YouTube popular or something, people will be able to tell, so choose something you are passionate about.

What you need to get started: I’d suggest having the basic equipment to start off with. You don’t need a fancy camera, that isn’t going to make you magically better, but make sure you have a camera where people can see you. Also, you’ll need a video editor. I started off with Windows Movie Maker, which is free, but now I use Sony Vegas Pro 11. Plus, you need a username. It is key as it is how people will remember you. Think carfully about it and pick somthing that sums up your channel. How to get the best out of your videas: Plan your videos, if it’s a dance, make sure that you know it well, so you can look the best that you can be and that you are proud of it! Also watch other YoutTubers to get inspiration! But don’t just keep planning and planning and never do it, have a little preparation and then dive in and have fun! You will learn a lot along the way.

Japtannia Wants You! Do you uplodad videos to YouTube inspired by Japanese culture? And would you like to be our ‘YouTuber of The Month’ next month? If so please email mail@ Japtannia.co.uk with ‘YouTuber’as the subject header & include a link to your YouTube channel & associated social media pages. Japtannia 53

[ Your Letters]

FACEBOOK Your messages on the launch of the magazine ! Lauren Thorpe This is an awesome idea please keep going & don’t give up!

Your Letters

In celebration of the launch of Japtannia we’ve picked a selection of letters of support we recvied from you . . .

Emily Braz Hi I have just liked your page and the concept sounds amazing I look forward to seeing the way it grows..

Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie: Rebellion: This complex magical girl anime series has caught the hearts and minds of many anime fans. The announcement of a new film later this year for the franchise has got us very excited as well as many of you !

Pokemon: This series is often many people’s first & favourite anime series . . .

Yik-yan Chan Wong Sending love from YY Kawaii ! Nice to have met you at London Anime Con. Excited to read the feature about the convention in the magazine! June’s Q: What J-fashion style?

STAR PRIZE Our star letter writer this month will win a Alpacasso Alpaca - the latest adorable and collectable cute plushies from TofuCute.com.

GET IN TOUCH . . . Send us a letter ! Japtannia, J-Culture Publishing Ltd, PO Box 1188 Newcastle, NE1 5BR Drop us an email: mail@japtannia.co.uk Reach out via Facebook: Facebook.com/Japtannia Or send us a tweet: @Japtanniamag *Please include your full name and and location in your letter.

54 Japtannia

Pokemon & Beyblade

Great idea

We’re counting on you

Dear Japtannia, I’m writing to say how happy I am that there’s finally a magazine for girls who love all things Japanese. I’m not much of a fan of Japanese fashion or cosplay, but I like anime and gaming so I’m glad that there is a magazine that talks about these things from female perspective. I first discovered Japanese culture when I was little and would watch anime series such as Beyblade and Pokemon and play the games that came with them. I hope the magazine will introducedme to some new anime that I can enjoy as I find it hard to pick what to watch as there’s so much. I hope it can also tell me about some more games for my 3DS, specifically JRPGS, as there is a lack of JRPG reviews in the gaming magazines, despite there being quite a few Japanese games available in the UK – such as the new Jojo Bizarre Adventures fighting game. I hope the mag keeps on growing because I’d like to learn more about Japan as well as it’s pop culture. It’s fun to play the games and watch the anime but also to take in the culture as well as its so different to anything else, just like this magazine. Brogan Fannen – Leeds

Dear Japtannia, I have to say this magazine appeals to me as I am very much into anime. I’m always looking for new anime to get into and so I am looking forward to reading the review section to discover some new upcoming anime that I might not have found otherwise. I have been enticed by the Japanese culture for as long as I can remember. Their culture and history is very unique and really catches my interest. What I like about this magazine is how it’s going to cover a range of things from anime, events in the UK, to the fashion, which I’d like to start trying myself and traditional Japanese culture. Plus, the magazine I think is a great idea as the UK at the moment doesn’t really have a magazine of this nature, aimed at girls, that comes mind. Hannah Catchpole – Newcastle upon Tyne

Dear Japtannia, As a long-time fan of Japanese culture and animation I am thrilled that girls like me are getting a magazine dedicated to our too-long neglected fan base. I think it is important that girls media on specific hobbies like Japanese culture exist because girls often feel left out of cult communities as they become catered to men very quickly. In my eyes girls are equal consumers of Japanese culture and deserve a publishing spot just for us. Like many other young teens I collected typical girls magazines but always felt like my interests weren’t being catered to. Because of this I felt isolated in my hobby and would pursue my interest on the internet. This magazine could be a safe haven for girls to indulge in the culture and introduce them to exciting manga and stunning animation they would not otherwise see. It could also be a gateway for girls to start talking about Japanese culture with each other and spark new friendships and inspire career paths. Other magazines currently just scratch the surface, only reviewing popular games and mainstream anime. We want a magazine that digs deeper to give us the content we want. I am super excited to see upcoming articles, reviews, interviews and more. I would personally love to see some coverage of Madoka Magica, which is my favourite anime series of all time. In the west it’s not covered as much as more popular series such as Dragonball Z - but it would be great for this magazine as it’s very cute yet unusual. I would also like to see more on J-fashion, not just lolita but new trends such as cult party and fairy kei. Thanks and good luck for the future Japtannia, we’re counting on you! Mai Donovan - Birmingham

Japtannia: Thanks for your kind words Brogan. Make sure you check out our Anime guide features as you may enjoy Log Horizon, a new anime about gaming. Plus, we’ve reviewed a few RPGs this month in our review section!

Japtannia: We hope the magazine has met your expecations – please, get back in touch as we’d like to hear what you made of the magazine’s first issue. Plus, beacuse you said that traditional Japanese culture interests you, as well as the pop culture, make sure you read our traditional Japan feature. This month it’s all about green tea. Green Tea on page 22

Japtannia: Hi Mai, we hope we’ve achived all the things you wanted from the mag - especially the fashion as we have a whole section of it. Although we haven’t heard of Cult Party before so will look into that - possibly for the next issue.We also love Madoka Magica - news of a new Madoka film is out, therefore, you may see Madoka and her freinds in the magazine soon. Please write back and let us know what you make of the magazine.

Star Lette r Love for Japan

Dear Japtannia, When I think of Japan, many things come to mind; from its rich past involving Geishas, tea ceremonies and samurai’s to the modern world of anime, fashion and food. The beauty and depth of Japanese culture is both broad and diverse and is having an ever increasing influence on the western world today. There are many online forums and blogs as well as print magazines that provide a glimpse into all things Japanese, but I’ve always felt that there was still something missing. However, Japtannia appears to be able to address and provide a thoughtful insight into Japanese life, from a new and fresh feminine point of view. This excites me as I may finally have a magazine that I can relate to and enjoy as it covers everything I want to read, from traditional Japan to Japanese sub-culture fashion, in one place. Plus, although Japtannia appears to be mainly aimed at those who love all things Japanese, I would recommend it to those who are also curious about the culture and country and would like to know more. For what I have seen from its Facebook page it is written for anyone to pick it up and find out more and because of the range of topics it covers there is bound to be something people find they’re interested in. I hope the magazine nurtures people’s interest In this incredible world of Japanese culture and I look forward to reading the first issue - can’t wait to see if my letter makes it in the magazine too ! Yeshentha Naidoo- London

Japtannia: Thanks Yeshentha for being so nice. We hope you have enjoyed reading the first issue and that, if you’re happy with how the magazine has turned out, you’ll recommend it to a friend. Not only has your letter made the magazine but we’ve also picked it to be our star letter of the month. We will be in touch to send your very own Alpaca to cuddel at home ! To be in with the chance of wining next months prize just send us a letter of your own, which can be anything rom just a quick hello, a review or even some fan art . . .

Japtannia 55

[ J-food ]

o t w o H

. . . ke

n e m

e k a C 4.

Put some kawaii (cute) into you kitchen and try out our monthly recipes for a range of tasty, sweet and savoury Japanese treats Yes, there is such a thing as Ramen Cake and it tastes as good as its savoury counterpart. Plus, it’s great fun to make. For those who may not know Ramen is a traditonal Japanese noodle soup dish. The desert version of Ramen only started to appear in Japanese supermarkets earlier this year and still isn’t mainstream, meaning you wouldn’t able to find it in your typical Japanese cake shop.

Ramen Cake from Japan

Third Step: Ramen Soup Jelly

Place a thin layer of sponge cake in a Ramen bowl.

Fourth Step: Toppings 11.

Heat the tea until hot, add the gelatin powder, and continue stirring until it completely dissolves.

Brush the cake with syrup, place some whipped cream and fruits, then place a layer of sponge cake and brush with Leave to cool until just before the jelly beigns to firm up. syrup again. 5. 9.

12.

Naruto: Once the jelly has set you can use white & pink icing to draw a Naruto onto the Ramen. Then place in the freezer for 5 mintues to help set.

Sea Food & Chopped Green Onions: You can use a range of sweets to create a seafood dish and sprinkle chopped pumpkin seeds over the Ramen to look like chopped green onions.

*Icing pens are best for putting on the Naruto accurately.

However, it is slowly gaining popularity in Japan and online there are a range of different recipes cropping up. Some are pudding and cream based whereas others are more cake-like, just like the recipe we have drawn up for our very own Ramen Cake. So why not give it a go & try it out for yourself . . .

Time to cook: 1 day (Incl. cooling time) Serves: Two Equipment: 1. Scales 2. Knife, fork & spoon 3. Ramen bowl 4. Sieve 5. Large bowl 6. Clingfilm

7. Brush 8. Piping bag or syringe 9. Whisk 10. Measuring jug 11. Measuring spoons 12. Vegetable peeler

Let’s get started!

Photos by Ruth Edmundson

First Step: Sweet Potato Ramen Noodles 1.

Ingredients: Sweet Potato Ramen Noodles 1. 300g sweet potato 2. 100ml milk 3. 60g sugar 4. 2tbsp. butter 5. Cinnamon powder* 6. 2 tsp of rum flavouring* *If you like Fillings 1. Sponge cake 2. Whipped cream 3. Canned fruit (any of your choice) 4. Syrup (from the fruit)

Ramen Soup Jelly 1. 300ml sweetened tea 2. 5g gelatin powder Toppings Naruto (sliced fish cake): Pink and white icing Pork: marble chocolate cookie or for seafood (shown) soft prawn sweets Chopped Green Onions: chopped pumpkin seeds

fo The ingredients for the cake

y in Ke

come to approx £15-20 & all available from your local supermarket Second Step: The filling On the next page >

Spread enough sweet potato to cover the cake and the cream, then smooth over the top.

Pour it into the Ramen bowl, place the bowl immediately into the freezer, and leave it in there until the jelly has set.

Make sure you cover it all because the fruit can easily float up when adding the jelly. 6.

When the jelly has set, transfer the bowl into the fridge and defrost the cake. 10.

おい de しいlici ou s The fi ni cake w shed ith top ping

ide >

ak ins

k pe Snea Transfer the mashed sweet potato to a pastry bag and snip off the end. Or use a syringe (as pictured) with a small to medium round nozzel.

e t’s tim i w o N ! orate c e d to

Now just enjoy !

Then squeeze out like Ramen noodles.  7. By Ruth Edmundson

Peel and slice the sweet potato into rounds. Soak in water for 10 minutes to soften them and then drain well. *For this recpie we used english sweet potato as Japanese sweet potato is hard to find. Therefore your noodles will be a red colour rather than light brown. 56 Japtannia

Place the sweet potato rounds in a microwavable dish, cover with plastic wrap, & microwave at high (500w) for approx 8 minutes. The temprature and length of time will differ depending on the wattage of your microwave.

Leave to steam for 1 minute & then transfer them into a large For the fillings you can bowl and mash with a fork. change the recipe to suit your taste (use chocolate Mix in the the other sponge and include your ingredients while the sweet favourite fruits), however, potato is hot. please use whipped cream & not spray as the cake works Then strain it through a sieve better with whipped cream. into a large bowl.

Just before you eat, you can garnish the ramen with the toppings of your choice.

Cover with clingfilm and put in the freezer until frozen hard. If you don’t, the noodles will melt Be as creative as you like by using icing, chocolate and when you pour in the jelly. sweets to make a range of It will take a good 3 to 4 hours toppings such as; egg, chashu pork or kakuni, cabbage, Nori for the noodles to freeze. Seaweed & Enoki mushrooms.

Next month: We look forward to showing you how to make you very own cute Bento Box - to brighten up your lunch. The possabilties for Bento Box designs are endless therefore we’ll show you the basics so you can experiement at home.

Japtannia 57

EX CL US

IV E

[ Manga ]

U B E

! T

To save humanity Maron Kusakabe, the reincarnation of Joan of Arc, must seal demons into beautiful works of art. Simple right? Not really, when you’re also a sixteen-year-old high school student trying to balance normal life while secretly being the mysterious Phantom Thief Jeanne, as Ruth Edmundson discovers. Publisher: Viz Media Genre: Magical girl (girl with magic powers) Story & art: Arina Tanemura Release date: May 20 Price: £4.82 (per volume)

eincarnation is the philosophical concept of the rebirth of a soul in another body. For Maron it is not just a concept but also her reality, as she discovers after being visited by an angel, Finn Fish, she is the reincarnation of Joan of Arc – the patron saint of soldiers and France. From now on she is duty bound to God to help protect the pure hearts of humans, which are God’s source of power. This is a huge task that she relishes as she often decides to keep the artwork she purifies. However, it’s not an easy life – not only is Maron’s best friend Miyako determined to capture Jeanne, but there is also a new Phantom Thief in town, a boy named Sinbad. Plus, Maron’s bitter family life thrown in the mix it’s suddenly life as a magical girl is alot more complex. JOAN OF ARC Although life as a infamous thief Jeanne, with the added powers of being able to transform into Joanne of Arc, is an exciting second life, Maron’s home life is much different. She lives by herself after her parents having found themselves in marital difficulties, abandoned her to go live separately abroad. Therefore, Maron’s endearing cherry exterior hides some very real pain beneath the surface. It is this pain that drives her to relish her duties as she strives for a place to belong and most of all someone to love her. However, when a new boy named Chiaki moves in next door and immediately falls for her, Maron is reluctant to trust him. It’s hard for her to relate to other people after what her parents went through and the only person she really trusts is her best friend Miyako as she has proven to stick around, yet their relationship is also not completely perfect. With so much going on, it’s hard not to blame her for being guarded about her heart and it is the emotional core of the story that makes this Maron more than just another magical girl. She is deeply wounded and relies on those powers from God to feel worthwhile, her parents may not need her but God and humanity does. LOVE HURTS Although life as a famous thief, with the added power of being able to transform into Joanne of Arc, is an exciting

one, Maron’s home life is much different. She lives by herself after her parents found themselves in marital difficulties, & abandoned her to go live separately abroad. Therefore, Maron’s endearing cherry exterior hides some very real pain beneath the surface. It is this pain that drives her to relish her duties as she strives for a place to belong and most of all someone to love her. Yet, when a new boy named Chiaki moves in next door and immediately falls for her, Maron is reluctant to trust him. It’s hard for her to relate to other people after what her parents went through and the only person she really trusts is her best friend Miyako as she has proven to stick around, yet their relationship is also not completely perfect. With so much going on it’s hard not to blame her for being guarded about her heart and it is the emotional core of the story that makes this Maron more than just another magical girl. She is deeply wounded and relies on those powers from God to feel worthwhile, her parents may not need her but God and humanity does. FRIENDLY RIVALRY It’s not all doom and gloom. Maron may have a complex life to say the least but she has fun and a great friend in Miyako. That is aside to the fact that Miyako, the daughter of a police detective, is Miyako is determined to capture Maron’s alter ego. The pair are very much alike so much so it can cause some healthily rivalry. Both are part of the rhythmic gymnast club at school and Maron often tries to distract Miyako’s attentions away from the phantom thief by challenging her to beat her score at the next competition. As well as enjoying the same sport their taste in boys is also the same so when the new boy Chiaki at Maron’s apartment block enrols at their school; Miyako makes clear her feelings yet despite Maron’s reserved approach to him she can not deny she also may like him to.

Verdict: Phantom Thief Jeanne is a series worth reading if you enjoy the magical girl genre. Maron is a highly likeable and sympathetic heroine you can become attached to; as the story entwines both her personal journey and her life as a magical girl, giving this series great emotional depth.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE Cardcaptor Sakura Sakura is a magical girl with the task to capture magical glow cards. Sailor Moon The classic magical girl series following sailor fighters saving the world. 58 Japtannia

Top tip !

D.N Angel Both series have a phantom thief who, with some added romance along the way.

When buying manga series, look out for omnibus books (or large boxsets). These books include several volumes of a series & often come with added exclusive art work. They are easier to collect & cheaper than buying indiviudal volumes of a manga series.

Japtannia 59

[ Manga ]

The Top five series for manga newbies

Mystery

Much like anime the range and volume of manga series available is huge. However, there are several core genres of manga which are great to use as a tool to learn more about the types of manga you’ll enjoy reading again and again. Ruth Edmundson, our manga reviewer, lists her choices for the best manga titles to read for each genre from sport to romance.

Case Closed

School life

Kimi Ni Todoke

Publisher: Viz Media First published in: 1994 Number of volumes: 26 -ongoing

Publisher: Viz Media First published in: 2005 Number of volumes: 21 -ongoing

Case Closed, is a long running mystery manga series that was highly popular in Japan. The story follows 16-year-old Kudo Shinichi, a famous high school detective, who while on the tail of some mysterious men in black is attacked by one of them and given a poison to kill him. However, this untested poison gives Kudo a different fate and instead turns him into an eight-year-old boy. Now under the new name Edohawa Conan he continues his investigations.

Kimi Ni Todoke is an endearing manga following the trials and tribulations of high school student Sawako Kuronurma. Unfortunately because of her resemblance to the female character from The Ring she is a social outcast. Yet, underneath her long limp black hair is a sweet, timid teenage girl who longs to be accepted by her classmates. When her idol and crush Kazehaya the popular boy begins to talk to her, then for her everything begins to change.

Sports

Slam Dunk

Adventure

Fairy Tail

Publisher: Viz Media First published in: 1990 Number of volumes: 31 -finished

Publisher: Kodansha Comics First published in: 2006 Number of volumes: 43 -ongoing

When it comes to sport series you don’t necessarily need to like the sport it’s about – just give them ago as they often have some of the most poignant stories. Slam Dunk is held-up to be one of the greatest sport mangas. Base around Hanmichi Sa juragi a delinquent who is reluctantly roped into the schools basketball team. The series is packed full of humor, buthas a more serieous side - as Hanmichi falls in love with the game and his high school crush, but which will he choose?

You may have already come across Fairy Tail because of the anime, which it is pretty popular in the west. Originally published in Japans Weekly Shonen Magazine, it tells the tale of Lucy, a teenage witch, who joins a wizard’s guild. This sound fine until you meet the outrageous characters who are part of the guild which are both comical and terrifying in equal measures. Along with fellow guild member Natsu and his talking cat Happy they go on a range of magical quests.

Romance

Chobits

Publisher: Dark Horse First published in: 2001 Number of volumes: 8 - finished Chobits is a popular romance series because of it’s creators Clamp. Clamp are renowned for creating beautiful artwork and heartwarming stories of love, entwined with many themes from the supernatural to futuristic settings. Chobits takes place in the future where personal computers or ‘persocoms’ take human form. Through blomossing love between a persocom and a human it explores the relationship between humans and computers.

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Where to buy your manga from . . . In the UK manga isn’t hugely popualr but you can pruchase it from select stores on the highstreet, as well as a host of websites online. A few recommendations include; Online 1. United Publications > Has a wide range of genres 2. amazon.co.uk > It has alot but not always complete series 3. Viz.com > Buying straight from the publisher means you should never miss an issue when it’s released Highstreet 1. Forbidden Planet > As well as comics they stock manga to 2. Travelling Man > Again they have manga as well as comics 3. Waterstones > They now stock manga but can be pricey Japtannia 61

[ Featured Artist ]

[ Featured Artist ] 1. Pastella: “She was inspired by the pastel colour palette and gives off an Alice in Wonderland vibe.” I like to think of her like a female version of Howl from “Howl’s Moving Castle”.”

Japtannia’s Featured Artist Ruth Edmundson talks to our artist of the month who’s artwork is inspired by anime, manga & Japanese fashion. . . Name: Brittany Lorick

Age: 24-years-old Profession: Freelance illustrator Based: Norfolk & originally from North Carolina, USA Favorite game: Legend of Zelda

I have been drawing for as long as I can remember and first discoverd Japanese culture when I became immersed in the world of Toonami, a Japanese anime TV channel in the late 1990’s/ early 2000’s. It showed classic anime shows with English dubs such as Sailor Moon, Tenchi Muyo! and Cardcaptors. I remember being excited knowing that once school was over my favorite anime would be on TV when I got home. Those are my fondest memories and because of those shows I drew quite a lot of fan art. It wasn’t until my late teens that I attended my first convention, London MCM Expo, and it was a life changing experience. It introduced me to so many new things I never thought I’d try, such as cosplay – which I now love. Since then my artwork has developed as my passion for Japanese culture has grown. At one point in my life my art was very cliched - manga drawings I thought were amazing at the time. Then when I decided I wanted to become involved in the creative industry on a professional level I began to study different art styles and techniques to give my manga drawings a realistic twist. It is still a huge ongoing learning process for me but the great thing is that my hobbies, such as cosplay and games, are entwined with my art, which makes it even more fun. I would describe my art now as, pretty. I enjoy painting portraits of beautiful young women, It was only something I started to do a few years ago, I went from drawing fully sketched character designs to just waist up portraits of elegance that are very detailed, which working on can take hours upon hours, days and weeks to complete. I really do love focusing on the faces of my characters, particularly the eyes. It can be quite therapeutic. At the moment I am working on building up my online shop to sell handmade crafts, accessories and prints of my work-maybe even some originals to. I would also love to draw more cutesy art and fan art; particularly of Studio Ghibli characters as I adore so many of their films and Avatar: The Last Airbender & The Legend of Korra; which I hugely fangirl over.

Inspirations: Rozen Maiden

Japanese lolitas

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Rozen Maiden is one of my favourite anime shows and triggered the new direction for my work, to paint detailed female portraits. Also, during the past year or so I’ve been heavily influenced by Lolita fashion, old storybook illustrations, pencil sketches & Victorian/Edwardian art work.

2. Super Saiior Moon - This piece of work brought back my memories of how much I loved the show. 3. Shinku - Is my first piece of Rozen Maiden fan art and one of my favourite dolls in the series.

Japtannia Wants You! If you want you to be our ‘Featured Artist’ next month - please email mail@Japtannia.co.uk with ‘Featured Artist’as the subject header & include a link to examples of your work.

Japtannia 63

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Kyary Pamyu Pamyu -Q&AThe Japanese Creepy Cute pop idol not only wants to talk to us but Kyary Pamyu Pamyu also wants to talk to you! Next month she will be holding a live Q &A via skype for us and the video will be streamed on the Japtannia website. You can be one of the lucky few to be picked to come to the Japtannia office and ask Kyary Pamy Pamy your questions face - to - face!

How to apply to be part of the Q&A You can apply online at Japtannia. co.uk by filling out an online form. You’ll be asked for the questions you’d like to ask KPP, details about yourself and for any photos (cosplays or photos from her concerts) or fan art you’d like to share with KPP. *You must pay for your own travel to Newcastle and overnight accommodation, however, we can advise on the most cost effectve transport & hotels .

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[ Convention Focus ]

There was a huge selection of cute clothes, plushies and accessories on sale. All day people browsed through exclusive goods from Japan and beyond. On the day our favorite products were one-off phones cases by YY Kawai plus cute accessories and homeware sold by Kekiko and Crafty Fox.

YY Kawaii

London Anime and Gaming convention had not one, but, two floors of stalls selling a multitude of goods. Upstairs stalls sold everything from Manga and Anime products such as bags and plushies to collectable figures and Gundams at Estatic Items. Meanwhile downstairs boasted the artists’ alley where you could get your very own anime style portrait, unique pieces of art and adorable handmade hair accessories and jewellery.

GUESTS

Photos by Ruth Edmundson

GOODIES TO BUY

Himezaw

The star guest was USA Voice actor Colleen Clinkenbeard (who has voiced 100+ characters e.g. Luffy from One Piece). Plus, there were performaces from Himezaw and Ai My Maid, live music from Of Fire and Fate and J-Pop Go! Then the colourful Otaku Fashion Show & Alt modelling Q&A with uber cute Sarah Kawaii.

GAME ON ! Photos by Ruth Edmundson

There were three rooms packed full of classic & next gen consoles to play. Plus tournaments run by GAME and our favourite the gaming lounge with a dance & Rockband area.

SWEET TOOTHED

April’s event hailed the beginning of the UK convention calendar in style, with a record breaking 2,000 attendees. Here are Japtannia’s highlights!

It can be hungry work having fun all day, but not to worry, there were plenty of treats & snacks to try! We really enjoyed the Ai My Maid Cafe that provided cute food and drinks. As well as Kawaii Hunnies who has a huge array of tantalising Japanese sweets to try from Pocky, chocoalate panda biscusts, DIY candy kits and popping candy floss.

Destiny Blue

This was the first year of the newly expanded London Anime & Gaming Con and it didn’t disappoint. We loved the new gaming lounge where you could play the latest games from GAME, Namco-Bandai & Capcom with other con-goers. Plus the Anime & Maid cafe with Ai My maid & Anime screenings.

Masubi Photos by Ruth Edmundson

Photos by Ruth Edmundson

THINGS TO DO!

COSPLAY-TASTIC

Kawaii Hunnies

Attack On Titan cosplys were everywhere but thankfully no actual Titans. However, there was an impressive selection of UK & European cosplay guests including Stacey Rebecca (see our interview overleaf), Kelly Jean & Masubi (pictured above). Japtannia 67

Photos by Ruth Edmundson

London Anime and Gaming Con

Photos by Ruth Edmundson

Ai My Maid

Photos by Ruth Edmundson

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Photos by Ruth Edmundson

KAWAII HAVEN

[ Convention Focus ]

Star Interview with . . .

Photo by Sonesh Joshi Photography

Stacey Rebecca

Stacey Rebecca as Mary Jane from Amazing Spider-Man

Japtannia caught-up with Stacey Rebecca, a 25 year old UK alternative model and cosplayer, who’s passion for cosplay has led to her being asked to guest at numerous conventions in both the UK and USA as well as this year’s London Anime and Gaming Convention.

How have you enjoyed LA&GC? It’s very different to other London based conventions because it’s a much more social con with a greater focus on the attendees rather than the guests. I always love watching the cosplay masquerade and participating in cosplay panels and Q&As.

cosplay so I was excited to do more cosplay photoshoots! As time went on I became more and more involved with SCG, interviewing other cosplayers on shoots and helping admin the Facebook page etc. SCG is great for the cosplay community because they constantly share great cosplay photos from all around the world, and they credit everybody involved - which is a rare sight these days on Facebook!

What came first; Cosplay or Alt modeling? I fell into alternative modeling through friends of mine who were budding photographers or studying photography Do you have anyone that inspires your modeling or copslay? at university. It was always something I admire the work of many cosplayers I wanted to try but I was very shy and around the world, particularly that of My advice to first Kamui, It’s Raining Neon, Yaya Han, Riddle, nervous, so starting out with friends helped me because I felt more comfortable and Vampy Bit Me, Nicole Marie Jean, Kristen time at ease. Cosplay came a lot later, when I Hughey, the list is endless! I’ve been super started to bring costumes that I had made lucky to have met so many of my cosplay cosplayers is to just inspirations this past year, and they have along to photoshoots. And it went from there really! all been lovely. On the modelling side of give it a go ! things, I look up to alt models like Ulorin How did your cosplay career take off? And Vex, Mosh and my homegirl Masubi!

“

. . . you’ve got

where has it taken you? The recreation to my Amazing Spider-Man What would your advice be for those nothing to be #601 cover photoshoot as Mary Jane (seen wanting to get into cosplay? on the right) went viral back in 2012 and My advice to first time cosplayers worried about ! everything got a bit crazy! I had put the is to just give it a go! Google and costume together as a bit of fun really, and we had no idea Youtube are incredible sources for information, and the when we did the photoshoot that anything would come of it. cosplay community is generally super welcoming and I didn’t really know what cosplay was until I was suddenly helpful - you’ve nothing to be worried about! being called a ‘cosplayer’! I’m very lucky to now have a solid base of followers from all over the world, some of What does the rest of 2014 have in store for you? whom I’ve been able to meet at conventions in the UK and I’ve got heaps of cosplays planned this year that I think will in the US. You work with Super Cosplay Girls – How did that come about and what are they all about? SCG approached me back in 2012 about doing a couple of photoshoots for their website. I was still very new to

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surprise people... So keep your eyes peeled!

Keep updated with all of Stacey Rebcca’s convention news, cosplays & photoshoots on Facebook and Twitter @StaceyofGotham.

Photos by Paranoid Android Photography

”

Japtannia 69

Denying Death is a high stakes game!

Japtannia >>

REVIEWS INDEPENDENT, FAIR AND HONEST

The Garden of Words

REVIEW INDEX

Fire Emblem: Awakening

Anime Series Page 72 Page 73

Fate / Zero collection 1 Hakuouki Collection 1

Films Page 73 Page 74

Wolf Childern The Garden of Words

Games Page 75 Bravely Default Page 75 Fire Emblem: *All our reviews are out of 5 Awakening

OUT ON DVD 25TH NOVEMBER 70 Japtannia

mvm-films.com

MVM_UK

MVMEntertainment

Hakuouki

Bravely Default

Fate / Zero Japtannia 71

[ Reviews ]

ANIME

Fate / Zero Collection 1

ANIME

FILM

Hakuouki Collection 1

Wolf Children

Samurai duels with a side of romance

Hauntingly romantic fairytale

The untold story of the fourth Holy War is revealed

Available: 15 May

Available: 28 May

Label: MVM

Director: Mamoru Hosoda

Available: 28 May

Format: DVD / Blu-ray

Label: Madhouse

Label: MVM

Age Rating: 15

Format: DVD / Blu-ray

Price: £29.99

Age Rating: PG Price: £19.99 DVD / £21.99 Blu-ray

Age Rating: TBC Price: £29.99 DVD / £39.99 DVD Collector’s Edition / £34.99 Blu-ray / £39.99 Blu-ray Collectors edition PACKED FULL OF epic battles, adult themes, graphic scenes, and complex characters Zero/Fate is for those who enjoy the darker side of Anime. Zero/Fate franchise is the full-length prequel for the Fate/ Stay Night Franchise. Set ten years before the events of Fate/Stay Night, seven mages from across the world are chosen by the Holy Grail to compete in the Fourth Holy Grail War. Each mage forms a contract with a servant – a mighty hero from the past who goes into battle to secure possession of the Grail. To begin with the series is a slow burner with a lot of information all dumped into the first few episodes. Leaving the impression that the viewer is expected to have watched the original series – making it hard to follow for newbies. However, it becomes clear these episodes are important for the character’s development and the series detailed storyline. Then, when the action kicks off it is everything you’d expect from a war: with some serious destruction, loss of innocent lives, spectacular fight scenes (with cool effects to show the use of magic) and some nasty horror moments. These darker themes in the storyline are side effects from

Saber one the many deadly servants

the prequel avoiding the shortcomings of Fate/Stay Night; which mainly focused on the mushy relationship between Saber, the main servant, and her hapless young mage Shiro Emiya (who has a habit of throwing himself into harm’s way during battles). Fate/Zero is more mature with adult themes, which explore the violence of the war and complex relationships between the characters as they fight each other for the Holy Grail. This combination of villainy and horror would appeal very much to fans of Game Of Thrones. The servant battles show Fate/Zero in the best and worst light. While they’re great fun when blows are being exchanged thick and fast there’s a tendency for the battles to end inconclusively. This is perplexing when the whole point of these battles is to eliminate their opponents. Instead servants stop fighting to vow they’ll settle their score at a later date. While getting off to a rough start the series manages to put it’s own dark spin on the original series. And thanks to its mature storyline and large doses of action – Fate/Zero surpasses its anime predecessor, making it a must see for fans of the franchise.

Extras: English or Japanese dialogue with optional subtitles, other than that there are no added extras. However, the Collector’s Editions does come in a special rigid art boxes with space for the second volume of the series to sit in along side the first.

Verdict

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DASHING SAMURAI WARRIORS, mysterious magical enemies, and a storyline full of intrigue, Hakuoki has it all. Based on the Japanese dating simulator this new anime series is a historic romantic drama, which will make girls with a thing for samurais swoon. It follows the fate of Chizuru Yukimura, who in the year 1864, travels to Kyoto in search of her missing father. While searching through the streets she witnesses a fight between a group of samurai and some demonic creatures. The samurai she comes across are all members of the Shinsegumi – who in this period of history are the peacekeepers of the city. Wishing to keep their fight with evil a secret they take charge of Chizuru and promise to help find her father. What really makes this anime enjoyable to watch are its characters who are a clan of misfits including: the aloof and intimidating Vice-Commander Hijikata, young and spritely Hisuke, and the always feisty Okita. One moment they can be outrageously flirtatious and the next deadly swordsmen as they battle against supernatural forces. Aside to the characters the storyline is strongly historically and action led and the series earns its 15 certificate because, it does not shy away from depicting the darker side of this blood-soaked period of history. This makes the series one to watch for fans of action thrillers and Japanese history. Hakuouki, despite its paranormal twist, has an authentic feel of an historic samurai epic. The stakes are high, with plenty of divided loyalties, betrayals and dramatic sword fighting – as well as the tensions within the clan itself as to who will win Chizuru’s affections. Making it a captivating watch because of its romance and historical context. Extras: Extras include full-length versions of the ending and opening songs, the Japanese trailers and English or Japanese dialogue with optional dub in English.

FALLING IN LOVE with a wolf sounds like something that only happens in fairytales. However, for Hana, a young college student, this is her reality after she falls for a mysterious dark haired boy, who can turn into a wolf at will. However, there are no silver bullets or howling at the moon here; instead simply a tale of love, loss and destiny, as the film follows the fate of their two werewolf children. Wolf Children is the latest film to come from the Japanese director Mamoru Hosodas. Who has previously created anime classics such as The Girl Who Leapt Through Time and Summer Wars. This new movie see’s him explore the choice between a wolf or human destiny, a metaphor for growing up and choosing your own path in life. What makes the film incredibly poignant is how the story is told through the eyes of the harried, bereaved yet resilient Hana. Her never-ending love and perseverance towards her wolf children is truly heart warming. It is choices such as the vet or the children’s clinic, the countryside or the city and school or isolation that drives home the immense pressure and complexities this half-breed family faces. This slice of life film is grounded in reality, even with the use of werewolves, it doesn’t fail to draw you in as Hana struggles to give her cubs the room to grow, and, ultimately, to let them go. Ultimately it is a warm, funny and heartbreaking film that is so captivating because its characters are so real who teach you the importance of family and enduring love. Extras: English or Japanese dialogue with optional dub in English. There is an additional disc packed full of extras including: trailers and interviews with Mamoru Hosada and the films Japanese and English voice actors.

Verdict

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[ Reviews ]

FILM

Strangers in the rain

The Garden Of Words

GAME

Bravely Default

Fire Emblem: Awakening

Nostalgic game with an original twist

A highly engrossing tactical RPG

A beautiful love story set in amidst the rain

Available: 15 May

Available: 28 May

Console: 3DS

Available: 10 June

Publisher: Nintendo

Director: Makoto Shinkai

Price: £39.99

Price: £29.99

Label: Anime Ltd Format: DVD / Blu-ray Age Rating: 12 Price: £19.99 DVD / £24.99 Blu-ray JAPANESE LITERATURE HAS many phrases and teachings that are culturally specific yet have a universal meaning for us all. The Japanese phrase ‘mono no aware’ is one such idiom that is hard to translate but can apply to everyone at one stage of their life. Roughly it means a sense of awareness and (to an extent) acceptance of the limitations and briefness of life. Makoto Shinkai’s latest film explores ‘momo no aware’ through the perspective of two strangers whose lives become entangled and have to learn how to live their lives facing their unique challenges. The story revolves around a 15-year-old student called Takeo who yearns to be a shoemaker. On rainy days he skips school and instead walks to a park where he sits near the riverside and works on his ideas in his sketchbook, in peace and quite. One fateful rainy day, he meets a woman in her twenties who he assumes is slacking off work to drink beer and eat chocolate in the park. This tale of love, chasing your dreams and how in life you have to adapt is told beautifully through Shinkai’s understated and forlorn style, similar to his earlier film 5 Centimetres Per Second. No shot is wasted in the 47 minutes of running time or any word, as there is minimal dialogue.

An example of Makoto Shinkai’s stunning animation

Instead it is through the character’s mannerisms and expressions the real dialogue lies. The film is beautiful to watch with breathtaking attention to detail, from the dancing water droplets on the path to the clutter of cables around the rail track. The soundtrack is also stunning. It is full of somber love songs that reflect perfectly the films’ story line and expresses fully the emotions and atmosphere within each scene. Makoto also includes his classic theme of travel within the film, as within his films her likes to play around with the concept of the journey of life as portrayed in his earlier films such as 5 Centimetres Per Second, creating parallels between the emotional and physical journeys the characters undertake in this tale of first love. The Garden of Words is a rather simple love story that takes place during Japan’s rainy season. Despite its simplicity and briefness it is packed full of rich in depth story telling, all framed by exquisitely detailed animation and a beautiful soundtrack. Shinkai has returned with an intriguing and beautiful film that explores his philosophical musings on love and life.

Extras: English or Japanese dialogue with optional dubs. There’s a host of extras including, commentary tracks from both the English and Japanese casts; 52 minutes of interviews with Shinkai and the Japanese actors, storyboards, stills and Japanese trailers.

Verdict

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FIGHT OR FLIGHT, it’s an instinctive feature of human nature and a decision central to your survival in the world of Bravely Default. Although this is a seemingly simple concept don’t let this inventive game fool you. Fight too bravely and you’ll burn out. Shy away from battle and fail. Ultimately this game is a test of strategy and holding your nerve, making for an utterly thrilling challenge. For fans of the Final Fantasy franchise Bravely Default has a comfortable familiarly about it. However, Bravely Default despite paying homage to this classic RPG, does have its own moments of originality. It’s all in the title of the game. The battle system turns the RPG model on its head and offers a new alternative where the player chooses between Brave or Default positions. This makes for a unique and challenging gaming experience with a lot of strategy involved. Essentially, it is a trade-off between offensive and defensive. Default is a safe choice and allows you to store-up brave points while reducing damage from enemies’ attacks. With the use of Brave, a daring choice, you can take extra turns to defeat an opponent early on, however, for every move made one less can be taken later on. Where imagination is lacking sorely is in the storyline. For despite their best efforts Bravely Default falls into tired clichés. The main character is a teenage loner survivor after his village is wiped out, followed by other characters with similar tales of woes. Here it is the games rustic and whimsical design that makes-up for what the story is lacking. With beautiful landscapes and intricate detailing of the characters, it is just a pleasure to look at. The fun aspect of this game is its mix of combat with the job skill system – for if you liked traditional RPG games, you’ll defiantly enjoy playing Bravely Default as it pulls together all the classic elements but adds it’s own fresh take on the battle system. Along with the attractive game design that looks great in 3D on the Nintendo 3DS, you’ll definitely get a thrill, or at least a nostalgic kick, out of playing it.

FIRE EMBLEM: AWAKENING is a great game if you hate your characters dying on you. Unlike previous titles in the franchise this latest release allows you to turn off its unforgiving quirk of permanent death, for any characters killed in action. Making it a lot more fun, less stressful – but in no way any less challenging or entertaining. The games combat system is deceptively simple. It makes use of a tactical map structure, which sees you move your characters around by using a grid, very much like a complex game of chess. Characters in the game are called units when in combat and not only is the game about good positing of your units but there’s also an element of social tactics. For by improving unit’s relationships it increases the likelihood of dual attacks and generally gives your units a boost. The game is further broken down into chapters each with its own battlefield to navigate through, often with environmental effects, for example sand can hamper your speed, and increasingly bigger and more skilled enemies to defeat. Aside to this Awakening’s world map is dotted with extra side stories where new characters can be found, travelling merchant, and additional battles against an omnipresent darker force at play. Where Awakening shines, and highlights the harsh reality of permadeath if you choose to play the classic mode, is in its character development. For not only can you form relationships between characters to benefit you in battle, but you can see characters get married, have children and watch as generations of units fight alongside each other. This emotional development that can take place between your characters and you with them makes the game extremely poignant if you play without the safe guards of the ‘newcomer’ mode. Overall Fire Emblem: Awakening has a lot of things to say about friendship, loyalty and love in its own way, making for an engrossing and absorbing gaming experience. It plays like an instant classic and is highly recommended for any RPG fan or newcomer to the gaming genre.

Verdict

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COSPLAY FOCUS Whether you’re a newbie or longtime cosplayer this section will help inspire and inform you - so you can create your very own cosplay project. Page 78 > Convention Snaps Cosplay snaps from London Anime & Gaming Convention. Page 80 > How to. . . with Exelia Exelia from WCS Team UK 2013 shows you how to make bows. Page 82 > Make-up your way into character Step by step guide for general cosplay make-up. Page 84 > Wig 101 Everything you need to know about wigs & how to style them.

COSPLAY For those of you who are cosplay newbies the term ‘cosplay’ simply means costume play. Those who cosplay are simply people who choose to dress up as their favourite characters from an animated series & film, manga series or videogame.

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Cosplayer: Mella aka Lace Adventures Cosplay Character: Mario from Super Mario Bros Japtannia 77

Photo by James Goh

Page 86 > Cosplay Q&A We put your cosplay questions to our very own cosplay expert.

[ Cosplay Focus ] 1.

CONVENTION SNAPS ! Cosplay Fans Strut Their Stuff 1. Sophie & Alex as Glaceon and Eevee from Pokemon 2. Rebecca as Nine Tails from Naruto 3. Andrew & Lucy as Zero Kiryu & Yuuki Cross from Vampire Knight 4. Kirstie as Hogwarts student from the final battle in Harry Potter 5. Jane as Kiki from Kiki’s Delivery Service. All the photos were taken at London Anime and Gaming Con by Japtannia’s Ruth Edmundson

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[ Cosplay Focus ]

how to make A . . bow for cosplay Heather Lawrence shows ruth edmundson how it is done Heather Lawrence aka Exelia is a cosplayer based in Newcastle upon-Tyne who has been copslaying for 9 years. In 2013 she was part of the UK’s World Cosplay Sumit team & represented the UK at the contest in Japan. This month she has collaborated with us to teach you how to make a bow for costumes, but can also be used as an accessory as well. For more cosplay projects by Heather check out her website: www.exeliax.co.uk

Step 1

Why are cosplay bows different? Heather: Normal bows for everyday wear and from basic patterns are very flat, whereas anime bows always look 3D. Therefore for your costumes, you need a bow that sits well and puffs out to look three dimensional just like your characters. Once you know how to make one it’s really easy to do . . . so let’s start! This project is quite simple and should only take roughly an hour to complete. Even if you only have basic sewing skills you can do this project.

Step 2

Equipment 1. Measuring tape 2. Pencil 3. Pins 4. Thread (to match your material) 5. Scissors 6. Fabric (half a metre by half a metre/ can be anything but low stretch fabric) 7. Wadding (we used two ounces – generally the thinner the better) 8. Iron & ironing board 9. Sewing machine optional* *I used a sewing machine & needle for the small parts but all the sewing can be easily done by hand.

Step 3

Step 4

Step 9

Next sow the bow tails edges together, making sure you securely stitch over the start and end of where you sew. Again the same for the two edges of the gap in the middle and do not sew over the gap. Then use a zig-zag stitch or pinking shears and turn them inside out.

Step 13

Sew a straight running stitch up the middle of the bow tail material and gather the material as you go so each side of the fabric falls down into two bow tails. Then wrap any spare thread around the middle of the fabric & sew to secure in the middle.

Step 10

Now, sew up the 2-inch gap on the bow piece to close it. This part doesn’t have to be particularly tidy, as the seam will not be seen, so just do the best you can. Then repeat for the bow tails and you can use a pin to pull the corners of your bow and any lose threads.

Step 14

Pull down the bow tail material so they have a better shape to them. Then pop the bow tails inside of the bow material, that is now a circle, and sew them into the middle of the bow circle, best to sew them to the bow pieces inner seam to make them more secure.

Step 11

Next you need to iron the pieces to make them look neat and flatten out the wadding so you get a nice 3D shape. Iron both the bow and the bow tails, ensuring you iron them both so the seams are as flat as possible, for this will make the bow look tidier.

Step 15

Then to gather the bow into a bow shape from the bottom of the bow, with the bow tails inside, sew straight up with a running stitch to the top of the bow. Pull the thread through to the top of the bow and pull to make the material gather in the middle.

Step 12

Take the bow piece and wrap it round to make a circle and sew the two edges together to keep that shape. You can use any kind of stitch as long as you’re confident it will be secure. Then turn inside out so the stitching is on the inside of the circle and can’t be seen.

Step 16

Finally, take the material for the bow, & wrap it round the bow middle. Pin it in to hold it in place and hand sew the seam at the back, try to make it neat and tidy. You can tidy up the edges with pinking shears or before sewing fold the edges of the fabric in on themselves.

Now you’re finished The bow is broken down into three sections; the bow, the bow tails and the bow wrap. First, You need to measure out a rectangle 17 inches across to allow for the seam, as the material will wrap round to make the bow, and it will be 9 inches tall. Then carefully cut out.

Photos by Ruth Edmundson

Step 5

Pin the wadding onto the inside of the bow fabric, while keeping it folded in half. Leave a gap in the centre with pins roughly 2 inches across from each other to make a hole you can use to turn the bow the right way round once it is sewn.

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Measure out a rectangle 11 inches across, allowing for the seam, and 7 inches tall – when folded the bow tails should be 3 inches thick. Then cut out the bow tails. The material is one piece because you will fold it in half and then feed it though the bottom of the bow.

Step 6

Likewise for the bow tails, pin these right side together in half. Leave a gap in the centre again roughly 2 inches across so you can again turn them the right way after sewing them. For the bow centre, fold in half and pin the side leaving the top & bottom open.

Then measure out the material for the bow wrap by measuring square 4 inches wide and 4 inches tall and drawing it onto the material, and cut out with care. Later on this piece of material will be used to wrap round the middle of the bow as a neat final touch.

Step 7

Now sew the wadding onto the bow piece with half a centimetre gap from the edge to make sure you catch the wadding. Ensure you securely stitch over start and end of where you sew and when you come to the gap in the middle, again securely stitch either side.

Fold bow piece in half and pin it onto the wadding. Offset the material on the wadding by approx 1 cm and carefully cut round the material. *Make sure you fold the material, otherwise you’ll cut out too much wadding and your bow will be huge.

Step 8

Afterwards to can use a zig-zag stitch to prevent the fabric from fraying or cut the edges with pinking shears. Then turn your bow inside out, pushing the wadding inside the patterned fabric to the oustside. Take your time and be careful not to rip the material.

Now you can use this bow for a multitude of things in your cosplay projects. For example, you can sew it onto the front of tops to make magical girl t-shirts or sew onto a ribbon for the bow collar on Japanese schoolgirl uniforms. You can also sew a bow onto a dress or skirt and even add them to hair clips or a hairband to wear as an accessory. Plus, you can further customise these bows by adding sequins, buttons, glitter or lace fringe to create various looks for different kinds of cosplay projects. Your own creativity is the limit so just have fun and practice making a bow a few times before making them for your costume. Hope you enjoyed this tutorial and please get in touch and have your say on what the project should be next month. Email: Cosplay@Japtannia.com

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[ Cosplay Focus ]

craft

Make-up your way into character Straightforward advice and tips for going from everyday to cosplay ready So you’ve bought your costume, or made it from scratch, wig check, plus accessories and you’re ready to show off your cosplay to the world. However, what about your make-up? Doing your regular look just isn’t going to cut it. You may need to compensate for the brighter colours that might be on your costume and the colour of your wig – as even natural coloured ones differ hugely from real hair. After going through all that effort with your costume taking the time to do your make-up can really add the finishing touch to your

Start

You will need: For your face: -Moisture -Skin primer Concealer (best to use two shades) -Liquid foundation -Powder foundation -Blusher

character’s look. Plus, if you’re one for photos at conventions the camera doesn’t lie and make-up is a great way to cover anything you’d rather the camera didn’t pick up on. For every cosplay there is a different look you could do but a good start is how to do a basic feminine look great for female characters you’re trying to resemble. Many anime characters, often schoolgirls, don’t wear a lot of make-up so the trick is putting more on to achieve a look that looks less, yet still photogenic and will help you achieve the look of your chosen character.

Finish

For your Eyes -Eye shadow (champagne & nutty brown colour) -Eyeliner pen & pencil -Mascara *False eyelashes *White eye pencil *Optional Eyes

Step 1 - Clean your face and apply moisturiser.

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Step 2 – Apply primer across the whole of the face, starting with the forehead, working down into your cheeks, nose and chin.

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Step 3 – Apply concealer on any noticeable spots and blemishes as well as under the eyes, beside the nose and across the chin.

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Step 4 – Tinted moisturiser – If you have allergies or sensitive skin it is worth adding an extra layer in case your makeup starts to rub off. Apply all over the face again, starting with the forehead, cheeks, nose and chin in a light layer. Step 5 – Liquid foundation – this stuff is important! Apply across the forehead, cheeks, nose and chin with generous amounts and cover the whole face, leading down to the neck and into the hairline. When applying foundation, use brushes for an even, clean application. Using your hands is good for a quick option but for accuracy brushes are much easier and give you a much cleaner finish. You can get very reasonably priced brushes and if you look after them they will last. Step 6 – Next apply powder foundation all over the face and around the nose to add an extra layer and seal the liquid foundation. Step 7 – For blusher, choose a shade that is complimentary to your skintone, your wig and your costume e.g. don’t use bright red against a pink costume. Apply across the side of the cheeks and across the top of the eyes and edge of the forehead to add a soft pinky glow. This also helps your make-up blend nicely against a wig. 82 Japtannia

11.

Photos by Ruth Edmundson

Face

Step 8 – Apply a light eyeshadow to the inside corner of your eye and sweep it outwards towards the middle of your eye. Then add a very small amount of a brown to the outside of that, blending out into the pink blusher. Don’t put the darker brown elsewhere too much or it will make your eyes look smokey, and you want more of a natural shadow. Step 9 – Draw a line across the top of your eyelid with your eyeliner. A thin line is best for this look but do whatever you’re comfortable with and finish the line just past your eye. Step 10 – Put mascara on both the top and bottom lashes. Apply less mascara to the bottom for a more natural look. Step 11 – If you wish to, apply false eyelashes to make your eyes pop. Smaller eyelashes are best to use with this look, but you can add longer eyelashes if you want a more mature look. Step 12 – Add a thin line of black eyeliner to the waterline of your eye (or underneath if you’re squeamish) and a small bit of white eyeliner to the inside corner of your eye. Step 13 – To finish the look, add a nice natural lipstick. . . . And you’re done ! Japtannia 83

g i W101 [ Cosplay Focus ]

[ Cosplay Focus ]

All you need to know about how to care for and style your wigs !

Helpful wig info

By Ruth Edmundson A wig is the key component of any cosplay. Without one it’s virtually impossible to capture your character’s look, as most anime hairstyles cannot be recreated using your own hair. Therefore it is important to learn how to take good care of your wigs and some basics on how to style them, so you can experiment at home to achieve the right hairstyle for your character.

What you will need:

- Trimming your wig Once you have your wig, more often than not, it will not be styled and you will need to take some time to trim and shape the wig to how you want it to look. But don’t panic, trimming a wig isn’t rocket science and simply all it takes is practice. Therefore below is a quick guide on how to tidy up a wig’s fringe and these same steps can be applied to cutting any part of the wig.

Step 1

>Wig cap – This can be bought from anywhere that do extensions or online but most wig sellers will give you one for free with the wig. >Comb >Sectioning clips >Hair dressing scissors – wigs are made from plastic, therefore you have to use finer scissors to cut them. >Thinning scissors,

Step 2

Step 3

*Where to buy wigs from The best place to buy your wigs from is usually online because there is a selection of websites dedicated to cosplay, such as UK Coscraft and Lockshop. Another option is to use a Taboo website (agent through which you can order things from Japan and they will send you the goods you’re looking for) or specialist eBay sellers, such as Moemall and Ayanamisatoru. Cosplay wigs can be expensive but it is worth investing in a high quality wig (£30+) because if you buy a cheap one from your local fancy dress shop the quality won’t be as good and it will not look as nice. And good quality wigs, if you look after them, will last you a long time.

- Wig Care The better care you take of your wig the longer it will last. And by following some simple steps you can avoid getting your wig into a tangled mess. For example: 1. Taking time to comb it through so it looks nice and tidy before putting it away neatly will prevent the fibres getting into knots and ruinning your wig. 2. Always comb your wig from the bottom and work your way up, otherwise you will create more knots and you don’t want to pull the fibres out. 3. If you have your wig in a particular style keep it on a wig head 4. If it becomes dirty rinse with water using your hands and don’t be too rough – don’t use shampoo as depending on what it is made from it may damage the wig fibres.

Try on the wig first so you know roughly how much length you need to take off. Measure how much you want to cut it by and start cutting from the middle– take small bits & cut making sure you follow the shape of the wig.

Step 4

If your wig is thick with fibres use the sectioning clips to put the hair into sections to make it easier to cut. Your cutting is always going to be uneven so always cut it slightly longer than you intended it to be so you can feather it afterwards.

Step 5

To even out your edges, the easiest way is to feather the wig ends. To do this cut into the wig along where you have trimmed. This gives it a more natural looking, soft edge. *This is a technique you may want to practice to get the hang of it.

Step 6

– Unpacking your wig –

*Different fibre types For cosplay it is useful to know about the fibres in your wig so you know what you can and can’t do with them. There are three types of fibres:

Photos by Ruth Edmundson

Kanaekalon: These are the most common fibres and are heat resistant up to 150 degrees. Toyokalon: These fibres are harder to style but are good for holding their shape and also heat resistant. Hiperlon: These are high quality fibres and are heat resistant as well as very easy to handle. *If you look online at the wig’s description the type of fibre should be listed.

1. Carefully take the wig out of bag and remove the hair net, which stops hair from getting static or becoming tangled.

2. Give the wig a shake to let the fibres settle into place and comb through with your finger to tidy it up.

3. Put your wig cap on by pulling it over your head like a hair band ensuring you catch all your hair and secure with hair pins.

4. Put on your wig by pulling it forward from the nape of your neck and make sure it sits comfortably on your head.

5. Finally comb your wig to make sure there are no knots in the fibres and make sure it looks nice and tidy.

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Because the wig can be quite thick in parts, the fringe especially, you can thin it out by pulling up a small section of the fibres and cutting it diagonally trim the wig, about 3cm towards the end of the fibres. Or you can also use thinning scissors for the same effect.

Then keep combing through the wig, checking through which bits need to be tidied up further. Pull the hair down to double check that all of it is the same length. If some parts are odd use a comb as a guide while cutting and feather the edges.

Now you’re finished. Rember you can use these techniques for tidying any wig. *A word of warning – do not cut the wig while you’re wearing it. Please ask a friend to cut it for you or use a wig stand, to achieve a clean cut.

Spray the part of the wig you want to style with hairspray. Comb it into place and heat with the hairdryer. When the hairspray is heated it sticks and acts like a glue. Then continue teasing the wig into the style you want and repeating the process to set it in place.

It’s very simple yet effective!

- Styling your wig No wig comes pre-styled so if you want to take some time to make it look more like your character these are some quick tips you can use for styling your wig. For this you will need: a hairdryer, brush/combs and some hairspray. *Again we are using the fringe of a wig to demonstrate the process but you can use these steps for any part of the wig.

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Yuka as Lalafell from Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn

Q y la

p s Co

A &

[ Cosplay Focus ] Ruth Edmundson puts your cosplay queries to our resident cosplay expert Erin Bower aka Yuka Cosplay

rin is a cosplayer based in Scotland (and originally from Canada) who has been cosplaying for 9 years. In this time she has made over 60 costumes, represented the UK at the European Cosplay Gathering in 2012 and the World Cosplay Summit in 2013, and set-up Cosplay Scotland, in 2006 - a community group through which people can make friends with other cosplayers and just have fun.

Q3. I travel to a lot to conventions across the UK and

how best to portray one. Do you have any tips? The main thing you want to do when portraying a male character is to try to mimic the body shape of a guy. First you should invest in a binder sports bra that will help flatten your chest. Generally the male figure consists of broad shoulders and narrow hips. To replicate this make sure your cosplay is a little baggy to disguise your figure and make your waistline blend into your hips. You’ll also need to apply make-up so your face doesn’t look washed out if you’re wearing a brightly coloured wig. Use coloured eyeshadow to get your eyebrows to match your wig and look thicker like a guys. Finally you should look into contouring – this is where you use a darker shade of concealer than your skin tone and use it to make your features more prominent. By doing this it can help make your face appear more angular, which is common with guys, where women usually have rounder and fuller features. There are loads of videos online and by watching them you can learn this technique.

always struggle packing my cosplay, especially my wig. Do you have any cosplay packing tips? The first thing you want to do is to leave yourself plenty of time to pack - so you’ve got time to reorganise and find alternative ways to pack things. The best way to pack a wig, especially if it’s styled, is to put it inside of a shoebox and stuff your tights or sock inside the wig so it doesn’t get crushed. Then, pad around it with lightweight clothing or some bubble wrap, if it’s fragile, and it will get to the convention ready to go. As for your costume, make sure you iron it before you pack it – as that will help it to look its best when you take it out of its bag. Plus, quite often your hotel won’t have an iron, or you won’t have the time to iron before the con. Also, try to fold your costume carefully to prevent extra creases. But if worst comes to worst and you need to iron your costume but have no iron make sure you pack a coat hanger. Then you can hang your costume on the back of the bathroom door and turn the shower up to a high temperature until till it steams up the room and then close the door. Overnight your costume will soak the steam up, which as your costume drys will help get out some of the wrinkles, ready for you to put it on in the morning.

wanted to ask how do you prepare for one? For those who maybe unsure what a skit contest is - this is where cosplayers act out a scene onstage from or inspired by the series their cosplay is from. First, try to think of an original gimmick, for example a popular one people often use is a costume change, to get people interested. When you’re rehearsing keep in mind which angle the audience is going to be looking at you from and try to make sure your facing the audience as much as possible to show off you’re costume. This is because you’re also showcasing your costume so you can get those extra points. Also when rehearsing get someone who doesn’t know the series to watch your performance, as it’s really important that it’s accessible for everyone, especially the judges – as you could loose points for a confusing performance. So try make the series and its story you’re portraying as clear as possible. Finally, a really good place for extra advice is a local theatre group. They can give you a lot of advice on acting skills and how your performance will look from the audience’s perspective. They can also help you with timing, as you should keep your performance to about 2 minutes to keep peoples attention. Then just practice as much as you can, and then some more, to nail it onstage.

Photo by Andy Draper

You can check out Erin’s cosplays projects on her official website www.yukacosplay.com.

Q1. I want to cosplay male characters but I’ve got no idea

Q2. Over summer I’d like to enter a skit contest – and

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Now Erin currently works within the game industry, helping to promote new games at conventions and cosplaying game characters. Recently she became a member of Team Dignitas, a British professional gaming team, as a streamer and co-host.

Q4. Before making a project how do you work out the materials you need? Try to stop and think in the shop about where your character comes from and try to find fabrics that character would realistically wear. Then, while looking for fabric try to find something that is less likely to crease because we’re constantly traveling with our costumes and you want to find something that isn’t going to need to be ironed as much. Finally, you want to find something as close to the colour of your character but don’t get too caught up on finding the exact perfect shade. This is because the fabric in the shop, if it’s under artificial lighting, might look slightly different from the lighting you’re going to be in at your convention or outside. So the best thing to do is to find something that is similar and by carrying the roll of fabric around the shop looking at what other colours look good with it. That way you’ll find colours that compliment each other rather than looking like a mish mash. Remember you want to make something that works in real life as well as trying to portary your character. Send in your cosplay questions for Erin by emailing them to over to her at Cosplayq@Japtannia.co.uk Japtannia 87

Kawaiiscope

Guest Designer

For your guide to everything this month has instore for you it's over to Japtannia's astrologer Ruth Edmundson Taurus

Aries

Gemini

April 21 - May 21

March 21-April 20

May 22 -June 22

A lover’s feelings might be hard to read, but don’t get wound up; tension is contagious and could actually fuel their silence. Elsewhere, The Lunar Eclipse will also spotlight events where you need to take urgent action to work towards some protentially brighter months ahead.

Cancer June 23 - July 23 You may find yourself busier than ever but remember to take more time out for yourself. But, if all this work is becasue you’re too quick to yes, when the odd no would suffice. Reconsider your priorities before saying yes.

Tension in your relationships with friends or a lover may appear this month as your rulers Mars, and the Sun move into sync. But don’t fret, simply avoid confronation and the issue will resolve itself.

Your sharp wit will be a useful tool if you’re tackling a challenge this month. People will take notice of your presence because of your increased confidence and so stay positive and you’ll get the results.

Leo

Virgo

July 24 - August 23

August 24 - Sep 23

If a decision is weighing you down don’t put it off. Make your decision swiftly. If you already know deep down what the right thing to do is is trust your own judgement and be true to yourself. You’ll feel better for it.

This month may not be the best for financial risks. You may really love that Hello Kitty purse on eBay but if you spend too much, tensions may arise. So be cost savvy and stay clear from trouble.

Libra

Scorpio

Sagittarius

Sep 24 - October 23

October 24 - Nov 22

Nov 23 - Dec 22

A Lunar Eclipse in your sign this month may change your plans. Maybe you’ve had one idea in mind and now you’ll find yourself switching plans. Don’t feel as if you have to make an instant decision. Sleep on it & then decide.

This month something you’ve been keeping to yourself will come to surface in a unexpected way. What prompts this may be criticisms or sharp words. Just be aware your feelings and take each day as it comes, you’ll be just fine.

A tense conversation with family or friends could upset an upcoming fun event. If this situation has been ongoing, the Lunar Eclipse could bring things to a head. Just remember what is said will affect that relationship so be careful.

Capricorn

Aquarius

Pisces

Dec 23 - January 19

January 20 - Feb 19

Feb 20 - March 20

You may have a desire for bigger things lately, which are possible if you widen your horizons. This month push yourself to plan how you will achieve this and continue to explore and experience new things.

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Katie White is the designer behind our adorable Zodiac signs. Katie is a North East illustrator whose work is influneced by her love for animation, fantasy and mythology. www.katiewhiteart.com

An urge for adventue could leave you feeling impatient. So focus on your goals that have an element of fun about them. The more you enjoy them the more you’ll learn and be motivated to reach your goals.

As Venus links with Jupiter, if you’re involved with a budding romance explore its potential. On the other hand, if it’s a friendship you may find mutal willingness to help one another out leading to a stronger sportive bond.

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[ Band Interview ]

OF FIRE AND FATE Photos by Sonesh Joshi

Of Fire and Fate infuse the best of western and Japanese rock to create their unique sound popular among fans of Japanese culture and Pop Punk.

Japtannia: Could you please introduce yourselves to our readers? Ben: Hey, I’m Ben and I drum for Of Fire And Fate, an upcoming band from South East England. Mark: I’m Mark, the singer and rhythm guitarist. I enjoy J-Rock and watching Anime.

Drummer Ben Brooker and lead vocalist Mark Turner took time out from recording the band’s debut album to sit down for a chat with Ruth Edmundson.

How would you describe your style of music? Ben: That’s a tough one. We try and mix our favourite genres in to one, some would call us Metalcore, some would call us Pop Punk. We try and mix both Western Rock and Japanese Rock. Mark: There’s something for everyone, but it’s not for everyone… It can be rather schizophrenic at times. But that’s all part of the fun!

Looking deadly: An exclisve preview of their debut album artwork . . .

What are your musical influences and how did you discover them? Mark: I only liked classical music and anime theme tunes up to the point I discovered punkmusic (probably around 12). Then as I got older I got into heavier stuff but I’ve always had a huge love for J-rock. Ben: I grew up listening to the old PostPunk era of music with my Dad, stuff like Blondie, Madness & Squeeze. But I’ve also had a big influence listening to music from my second home country, Thailand. When I started Drumming as 90 Japtannia

a kid, I started to listen to more punk music like Mark, bands like Green Day and Blink-182. From then it’s developed to me being influenced by Metalcore, Ska, you name it! What’s your favourite song you’ve recorded for the new album and why? Mark: Probably Negai… It is the oldest track on there but it’s so much fun to play. Ben: I’d have to say ‘Victims’. It’s one of those songs that when we play live, I really get to show off. What can fans expect from your debut album? Ben: Something different to your average small band. And a bit of everything you love really. Mark: A whole load of crazy stuff! Also with a bit of music here and there. What can you tell us about your future plans? Ben: For now we’re focusing on the album, it’s taken almost a year now so we need to get it out there finally! Other than that, we’re trying to tap in to the Japanese Cultural Events in the UK, playing any show we can. Of Fire And Fate will release their debut album The Collective at the end of this month and It will be available from Facebook.com/OfFireAndFate Japtannia1 91

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