Helen McCarthy
@helenmccarthy51.bsky.social
Writer, speaker, poet, scholar, booklover. Over a dozen books, two more in 2026; hundreds of presentations/articles on anime, manga, cosplay, history, art and craft across the UK, USA, Europe and Asia. You can contact me via my website helenmccarthy.net
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I'm Helen McCarthy. I tell stories. I've been researching anime, manga and Japan since 1981. My first book was published in 1992. A dozen books since, two more in 2026, cosplay history and talks. Follow me for anime/manga titbits, snippets about Japan, recommendations, daily poems and more.
Gaming or foreseeing? You decide.
February 19, 2026 at 10:50 AM
Gaming or foreseeing? You decide.
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
The Haibara's Teenage New Game+ anime has revealed 2 more cast members.
Ryōta Suzuki, Tomohiro Ōno Join Cast of Haibara's Teenage New Game+ Anime
Anime about man who time travels to 7 years in the past debuts in April
www.animenewsnetwork.com
February 19, 2026 at 9:37 AM
The Haibara's Teenage New Game+ anime has revealed 2 more cast members.
it's good to see that some borough councils still check their facts and give rational answers to racist questions. Besides, all practising Christians know the date when Lent starts each year. Those who don't practice the faith could at least check the calendar before mouthing off.
February 19, 2026 at 10:47 AM
it's good to see that some borough councils still check their facts and give rational answers to racist questions. Besides, all practising Christians know the date when Lent starts each year. Those who don't practice the faith could at least check the calendar before mouthing off.
February 19, 2026 at 10:01 AM
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
TV Asahi plans to double its anime production capacity by 2030 as the commercial broadcaster best known for classic titles like Doraemon and Crayon Shin-chan seeks to transform into a business that focuses on IP creation.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
TV Asahi aims to double anime production
Plus: Anime creators slam ByteDance's AI video generator; Licensing veteran named Aniplex president; TO Books eyes North American expansion; and more
news.animenomics.com
February 18, 2026 at 5:00 PM
TV Asahi plans to double its anime production capacity by 2030 as the commercial broadcaster best known for classic titles like Doraemon and Crayon Shin-chan seeks to transform into a business that focuses on IP creation.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
Read this and more headlines in this week's business briefing.
A and E desktop
a postcard of daffodils
stands in for sunlight
#haiku #poetry #inexpectedjourney #borrowedlight
a postcard of daffodils
stands in for sunlight
#haiku #poetry #inexpectedjourney #borrowedlight
February 18, 2026 at 5:31 PM
A and E desktop
a postcard of daffodils
stands in for sunlight
#haiku #poetry #inexpectedjourney #borrowedlight
a postcard of daffodils
stands in for sunlight
#haiku #poetry #inexpectedjourney #borrowedlight
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
GlobalComix Bolsters Asian Content Library with Landmark Seven Seas Entertainment Launch
GlobalComix has announced a massive expansion of its library through a new partnership with Seven Seas Entertainment. Launching today, the partnership brings an unparalleled volume of world-class manga,…
GlobalComix has announced a massive expansion of its library through a new partnership with Seven Seas Entertainment. Launching today, the partnership brings an unparalleled volume of world-class manga,…
GlobalComix Bolsters Asian Content Library with Landmark Seven Seas Entertainment Launch
GlobalComix has announced a massive expansion of its library through a new partnership with Seven Seas Entertainment. Launching today, the partnership brings an unparalleled volume of world-class manga, manhwa, and manhua to the platform, featuring more than 50 titles available immediately to GlobalComix Gold members and a total of over 1,000 titles available for digital purchase. Massive Scale and Exclusive Member Value…
lesleysanimeandmangacorner.com
February 18, 2026 at 3:45 PM
GlobalComix Bolsters Asian Content Library with Landmark Seven Seas Entertainment Launch
GlobalComix has announced a massive expansion of its library through a new partnership with Seven Seas Entertainment. Launching today, the partnership brings an unparalleled volume of world-class manga,…
GlobalComix has announced a massive expansion of its library through a new partnership with Seven Seas Entertainment. Launching today, the partnership brings an unparalleled volume of world-class manga,…
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
'Volks' holds the “F.S.S. Series Exhibition in Osaka SR 2026 Winter” at Volks Osaka Showroom (Feb 21–Mar 8). About 300 models from "The Five Star Stories" by Mamoru Nagano mark the work’s 40th anniversary. Event webpage: hobby.volks.co.jp/event/fss-ex...
February 18, 2026 at 1:00 PM
'Volks' holds the “F.S.S. Series Exhibition in Osaka SR 2026 Winter” at Volks Osaka Showroom (Feb 21–Mar 8). About 300 models from "The Five Star Stories" by Mamoru Nagano mark the work’s 40th anniversary. Event webpage: hobby.volks.co.jp/event/fss-ex...
FLASH SALE! Until 19 Feb at 11:30pm GMT, get 15% off my History of Manga intro and The Manga Bible book launch in London or online. Use code MANGABIBLE here
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-histor...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-histor...
The History of Manga: History, hearsay & facts
Trace the evolution of the world’s most influential art form from renowned anime and manga expert Helen McCarthy. Followed by Q&A.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
February 18, 2026 at 9:34 AM
FLASH SALE! Until 19 Feb at 11:30pm GMT, get 15% off my History of Manga intro and The Manga Bible book launch in London or online. Use code MANGABIBLE here
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-histor...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-histor...
Hideko Mizuno rocks! Always has, always will. A 100% solid gold original.
February 18, 2026 at 9:07 AM
Hideko Mizuno rocks! Always has, always will. A 100% solid gold original.
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
Spanish manga artist Juan Albarrán's "A Mangaka's Road to Japan" manga ended on Friday. The manga had a simulpub release in English on K MANGA.
Spanish Manga Artist Juan Albarrán's A Mangaka's Road to Japan Manga Ends
Short series launched on October 14
www.animenewsnetwork.com
February 16, 2026 at 5:41 AM
Spanish manga artist Juan Albarrán's "A Mangaka's Road to Japan" manga ended on Friday. The manga had a simulpub release in English on K MANGA.
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
The GitS manga's first depiction of optic camouflage looks really pretty in color.
February 15, 2026 at 8:57 PM
The GitS manga's first depiction of optic camouflage looks really pretty in color.
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
All the discourse about Manga dominance of US/UK comic shelves seems to miss out survivorship bias.
The Manga we get isn't randomly selected.
The success isn't in the Manga formula (altho' much better digital presentation).
It's cos we get the best of western friendly and don't see the worst.
The Manga we get isn't randomly selected.
The success isn't in the Manga formula (altho' much better digital presentation).
It's cos we get the best of western friendly and don't see the worst.
February 16, 2026 at 6:03 PM
All the discourse about Manga dominance of US/UK comic shelves seems to miss out survivorship bias.
The Manga we get isn't randomly selected.
The success isn't in the Manga formula (altho' much better digital presentation).
It's cos we get the best of western friendly and don't see the worst.
The Manga we get isn't randomly selected.
The success isn't in the Manga formula (altho' much better digital presentation).
It's cos we get the best of western friendly and don't see the worst.
Muse on your week like a mangaka and make social media more fun, more real and more surreal.
We should use social media the same way manga authors write about their week
aftermath.site/weekly-shonen-...
aftermath.site/weekly-shonen-...
February 18, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Muse on your week like a mangaka and make social media more fun, more real and more surreal.
There were black people living freely in Tudor England, long before my ancestors left Scotland and Ireland. Read this fascinating article - what a jumping-off point for manga, graphic novels or prose fiction.
Before the British Empire and the Atlantic slave trade, Africans lived freely in Tudor England.
⌛️ Last chance to read this archive article for free
www.historytoday.com/archive/hist...
⌛️ Last chance to read this archive article for free
www.historytoday.com/archive/hist...
Black Tudors: The Air of Freedom
www.historytoday.com
February 18, 2026 at 8:55 AM
There were black people living freely in Tudor England, long before my ancestors left Scotland and Ireland. Read this fascinating article - what a jumping-off point for manga, graphic novels or prose fiction.
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
[Review] As the end draws near, it’s never been less certain where some of Golden Kamuy’s characters stand, and there’s no telling quite how this powder keg will blow!
Golden Kamuy Final Season ‒ Episode 56
www.animenewsnetwork.com
February 17, 2026 at 6:30 PM
[Review] As the end draws near, it’s never been less certain where some of Golden Kamuy’s characters stand, and there’s no telling quite how this powder keg will blow!
There should be a manga about this. Manga about English historic or rural traditions rock.
Hundreds play in ancient Royal Shrovetide Football event – in pictures
Hundreds play in ancient Royal Shrovetide Football event – in pictures
Annual mass game in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, is centuries old and has minimal rules except competitors must come from one side or the other of a brook
www.theguardian.com
February 17, 2026 at 11:29 PM
There should be a manga about this. Manga about English historic or rural traditions rock.
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
New podcast interview up on the Singularity Podcast! Nikola is one of my very favorite interviewers, incredibly rich, in-depth and long conversation to get at big, meaty questions and really zoom both in and out! www.singularityweblog.com/ada-palmer-i...
Inventing the Renaissance: Ada Palmer on Golden & Dark Ages
In Inventing the Renaissance, Ada Palmer reveals how Golden and Dark Ages are constructed — and why those myths still shape civilization.
www.singularityweblog.com
February 17, 2026 at 9:31 PM
New podcast interview up on the Singularity Podcast! Nikola is one of my very favorite interviewers, incredibly rich, in-depth and long conversation to get at big, meaty questions and really zoom both in and out! www.singularityweblog.com/ada-palmer-i...
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
As a Matsumoto Leiji fan, there are things you must accept.
1) All women look alike
2) Stories suddenly end midway and have no conclusion
3) Coincidence rules the universe
and
4) People will always want to talk to you about a music collaboration with Daft Punk he actually had nothing to do with
1) All women look alike
2) Stories suddenly end midway and have no conclusion
3) Coincidence rules the universe
and
4) People will always want to talk to you about a music collaboration with Daft Punk he actually had nothing to do with
a close up of a woman 's face with long blonde hair and blue eyes
ALT: a close up of a woman 's face with long blonde hair and blue eyes
media.tenor.com
February 17, 2026 at 11:18 PM
As a Matsumoto Leiji fan, there are things you must accept.
1) All women look alike
2) Stories suddenly end midway and have no conclusion
3) Coincidence rules the universe
and
4) People will always want to talk to you about a music collaboration with Daft Punk he actually had nothing to do with
1) All women look alike
2) Stories suddenly end midway and have no conclusion
3) Coincidence rules the universe
and
4) People will always want to talk to you about a music collaboration with Daft Punk he actually had nothing to do with
February 17, 2026 at 2:46 PM
I would absolutely sign up to a UK or European-owned credit card system. I would much rather that my money didn't bolster the rabid control freaks running the USA any more than is unavoidable (eg through my Government paying Palantir to fuck with the NHS.)
"UK bank bosses plan to set up Visa and Mastercard alternative amid Trump fears" www.theguardian.com/business/202...
UK bank bosses plan to set up Visa and Mastercard alternative amid Trump fears
Exclusive: First meeting to be held over domestic payments system aimed at reducing reliance on US networks
www.theguardian.com
February 17, 2026 at 2:05 PM
I would absolutely sign up to a UK or European-owned credit card system. I would much rather that my money didn't bolster the rabid control freaks running the USA any more than is unavoidable (eg through my Government paying Palantir to fuck with the NHS.)
Go East, young popular beat combo, by any means possible!
‘It’s a nice surprise to be treated like kings!’ Why are mid-level British indie bands massive in China?
‘It’s a nice surprise to be treated like kings!’ Why are mid-level British indie bands massive in China?
My group, Swim Deep, plays to crowds of hundreds across the UK – but in China, we play to tens of thousands. And we’re not the only ones
www.theguardian.com
February 17, 2026 at 10:06 AM
Go East, young popular beat combo, by any means possible!
Rare Pokémon card fetches $16.4 million at a US auction.
mainichi.jp/english/arti...
mainichi.jp/english/arti...
Pokemon card sold at auction for world-record $16.49 million - The Mainichi
NEW YORK (Kyodo) -- A rare Pokemon card fetched a record $16,492,000 including the buyer's premium on Monday in New Jersey, making it the most expensi
mainichi.jp
February 17, 2026 at 9:43 AM
Rare Pokémon card fetches $16.4 million at a US auction.
mainichi.jp/english/arti...
mainichi.jp/english/arti...
"Studio Ghibli's Ponyo" At the Academy Museum in LA until January 2027.
mainichi.jp/english/arti...
mainichi.jp/english/arti...
Los Angeles museum showcases Studio Ghibli's 'Ponyo' with new exhibit items - The Mainichi
LOS ANGELES (Kyodo) -- A new exhibit opening to the public Saturday at a Los Angeles museum showcases Studio Ghibli's
mainichi.jp
February 17, 2026 at 9:37 AM
"Studio Ghibli's Ponyo" At the Academy Museum in LA until January 2027.
mainichi.jp/english/arti...
mainichi.jp/english/arti...
Today's aaah moment: a monkey abandoned by his mother finds comfort in his plushie.
mainichi.jp/english/arti...
mainichi.jp/english/arti...
Abandoned monkey at zoo near Tokyo finds comfort in stuffed animal, creates buzz - The Mainichi
ICHIKAWA, Chiba -- A Japanese macaque at a zoo here who was abandoned by his mother has found comfort in a stuffed animal, and many people both on- an
mainichi.jp
February 17, 2026 at 9:34 AM
Today's aaah moment: a monkey abandoned by his mother finds comfort in his plushie.
mainichi.jp/english/arti...
mainichi.jp/english/arti...