Helen McCarthy
@helenmccarthy51.bsky.social
Writer, speaker, poet, scholar, loving creative life. A dozen books plus presentations/articles on anime, manga, cosplay, history, art, crafts. I've given talks 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.
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
Publisher AlphaPolis will release some of its manga in English in print starting in June 2026. Launch titles include: May I Ask for One Final Thing?, Possibly the Greatest Alchemist of All Time, and A Gatherer's Adventure in Isekai.
AlphaPolis to Release English Manga in Print Beginning in June 2026
1st 3 volumes of May I Ask for One Final Thing?, Possibly the Greatest Alchemist of All Time, A Gatherer's Adventure in Isekai get print releases
www.animenewsnetwork.com
November 14, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Publisher AlphaPolis will release some of its manga in English in print starting in June 2026. Launch titles include: May I Ask for One Final Thing?, Possibly the Greatest Alchemist of All Time, and A Gatherer's Adventure in Isekai.
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
If you don't have this book on #LeijiMatsumoto #anime and #manga - until end-Nov get it and all McFarland books direct from them at 35% off with code HOLIDAY25. Fill yer boots!
mcfarlandbooks.com/product/leij...
mcfarlandbooks.com/product/leij...
Leiji Matsumoto - McFarland
Leiji Matsumoto Essays on the Manga and Anime Legend Helen McCarthy Darren-Jon Ashmore 978-1-4766-7996-9 978-1-4766-4085-3
mcfarlandbooks.com
November 14, 2025 at 10:31 AM
If you don't have this book on #LeijiMatsumoto #anime and #manga - until end-Nov get it and all McFarland books direct from them at 35% off with code HOLIDAY25. Fill yer boots!
mcfarlandbooks.com/product/leij...
mcfarlandbooks.com/product/leij...
The solar flare on 11 Nov reminds me that there's a fabulous free comic book #science #teaching resource masterminded by my old friend Dr. Marc Hairston and his colleague Dr. Mary Urquhart. Downloadable/printable #comicbooks by real live rocket scientists!
cindispace.utdallas.edu/cindi-in-com...
cindispace.utdallas.edu/cindi-in-com...
Cindi in… Comics
Cindi in… Comics The Cindi in… series of comic book resources are targeted at middle and high school students as a way to explain CINDI in an easy to access and understand way. Young a...
cindispace.utdallas.edu
November 14, 2025 at 9:04 AM
The solar flare on 11 Nov reminds me that there's a fabulous free comic book #science #teaching resource masterminded by my old friend Dr. Marc Hairston and his colleague Dr. Mary Urquhart. Downloadable/printable #comicbooks by real live rocket scientists!
cindispace.utdallas.edu/cindi-in-com...
cindispace.utdallas.edu/cindi-in-com...
The massive solar flare that disrupted the planned launch of Blue Origin's rocket launch on 11 Nov. also delivered beautiful red auroras over Hokkaido. #scienceisreal #SomethingBeautiful
#silverlinings
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
#silverlinings
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
Massive solar flare casts northern lights over Hokkaido | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis
Spectacular red auroras appeared over Hokkaido on Nov. 12, triggered by a massive solar flare that erupted on the sun’s surface the previous day.
www.asahi.com
November 14, 2025 at 9:00 AM
The massive solar flare that disrupted the planned launch of Blue Origin's rocket launch on 11 Nov. also delivered beautiful red auroras over Hokkaido. #scienceisreal #SomethingBeautiful
#silverlinings
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
#silverlinings
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
One for the baseball fans: Japan Post honours #Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani with a set of stamps. Pre-order from 20 Nov. in person or online at Japan Post, delivery from 28 Feb. 2026.
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
Japan Post to release stamp set celebrating Ohtani’s MVP | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis
From Shibuya billboards to cardboard cutouts at local drugstores, the fever around Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani will be ramping up even further across Japan.
www.asahi.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:58 AM
One for the baseball fans: Japan Post honours #Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani with a set of stamps. Pre-order from 20 Nov. in person or online at Japan Post, delivery from 28 Feb. 2026.
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
www.asahi.com/ajw/articles...
Some funky 1984 space anime to enjoy. If you're seeing this on my website feed, click through to BlueSky for the Galactic Patrol Lensman OP sequence, which is, as George says, outstanding.
Also, the OP theme to Galactic Patrol Lensman is seriously just outstanding. There's actually two different versions of the OP sequence itself, with the one that's generally known of (which re-uses the CG sequences from the film) only starting at Ep 9.
I think the first version actually is cooler.
I think the first version actually is cooler.
November 14, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Some funky 1984 space anime to enjoy. If you're seeing this on my website feed, click through to BlueSky for the Galactic Patrol Lensman OP sequence, which is, as George says, outstanding.
Japan's top "illumination event" at Ashikaga Flower Park until 15 February. A couple of the setpieces look strongly inspired by Yayoi Kusama IMO. What's Blackpool doing this year?
“The Garden of Illuminated Flowers” at Ashikaga Flower Park has once again been ranked Japan’s No. 1 illumination event! The event runs until February 15. This year, it features scent-based spatial design, creating an even more immersive illumination experience.
November 14, 2025 at 8:50 AM
Japan's top "illumination event" at Ashikaga Flower Park until 15 February. A couple of the setpieces look strongly inspired by Yayoi Kusama IMO. What's Blackpool doing this year?
#SomethingBeautiful - the cheeky little charmer that sings all year round. A robin isn't just for Christmas.
November 14, 2025 at 8:46 AM
#SomethingBeautiful - the cheeky little charmer that sings all year round. A robin isn't just for Christmas.
that candy wrapper
you dropped going into your
mindfulness session
we reveal what we value
without giving it a thought
#tanka #poetry #actionsspeaklouder #recycle
you dropped going into your
mindfulness session
we reveal what we value
without giving it a thought
#tanka #poetry #actionsspeaklouder #recycle
November 14, 2025 at 8:45 AM
that candy wrapper
you dropped going into your
mindfulness session
we reveal what we value
without giving it a thought
#tanka #poetry #actionsspeaklouder #recycle
you dropped going into your
mindfulness session
we reveal what we value
without giving it a thought
#tanka #poetry #actionsspeaklouder #recycle
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
The Beatles leaving Seattle, August 1964. One of my favourite pictures - the coolness levels displayed here are unimaginably high.
November 13, 2025 at 1:24 PM
The Beatles leaving Seattle, August 1964. One of my favourite pictures - the coolness levels displayed here are unimaginably high.
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
On This Day -1970 Whiteley's Department Store, Queensway opened a Movieland Exhibition included models and props from James Bond, Thunderbirds, Joe 90, Captain Scarlet and The Battle Of Britain. Also on show was UFO's Moonbase set. #gerryanderson #sylviaanderson #fanderson
November 13, 2025 at 10:27 AM
On This Day -1970 Whiteley's Department Store, Queensway opened a Movieland Exhibition included models and props from James Bond, Thunderbirds, Joe 90, Captain Scarlet and The Battle Of Britain. Also on show was UFO's Moonbase set. #gerryanderson #sylviaanderson #fanderson
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
The Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution film opened at #1, and the Chainsaw Man film fell to #4 last weekend at the Japanese box office.
Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution Compilation Film Opens at #1, Chainsaw Man Anime Film Drops to #4
Live-action 5 Centimeters per Second stays at #6, 4th Sumikko Gurashi anime flm drops to #7
www.animenewsnetwork.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:15 PM
The Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution film opened at #1, and the Chainsaw Man film fell to #4 last weekend at the Japanese box office.
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
Anime director Tatsuya Nagamine, known for One Piece Film Z, Dragon Ball Super: Broly, and Heartcatch Precure!, has passed away at 53.
Anime Director Tatsuya Nagamine Has Died at 53
Tatsuya Nagamine directed titles like One Piece Film Z, Dragon Ball Super: Broly, and Heartcatch Precure!
anitrendz.net
November 13, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Anime director Tatsuya Nagamine, known for One Piece Film Z, Dragon Ball Super: Broly, and Heartcatch Precure!, has passed away at 53.
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
Mamoru Oshii’s Radical, Ethereal Angel’s Egg is an Anime Like No Other thefilmstage.com/mamoru-oshii...
Mamoru Oshii’s Radical, Ethereal Angel’s Egg is an Anime Like No Other
In order to best explain Mamoru Oshii’s Angel’s Egg––a stoic, ethereal vision quest of a film notorious among anime and cult enthusiasts for resisting explanation, and one which more readily invites c...
thefilmstage.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Mamoru Oshii’s Radical, Ethereal Angel’s Egg is an Anime Like No Other thefilmstage.com/mamoru-oshii...
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
I don't imagine many people are that silly. Plus, Jonathan Clements and I wrote about it at some length in The #Anime Encyclopedia so there's no excuse. The 3rd edition ebook is fully searchable so you don't even have to lift 2.2 kilos of dead tree and turn the pages.
You dare to sit there, biscuit-arsed and butter-bollocked, and tell me that Gerry Anderson didn't have an immeasurable influence on anime and tokusatsu?
November 13, 2025 at 12:13 PM
I don't imagine many people are that silly. Plus, Jonathan Clements and I wrote about it at some length in The #Anime Encyclopedia so there's no excuse. The 3rd edition ebook is fully searchable so you don't even have to lift 2.2 kilos of dead tree and turn the pages.
Moto Hagio's The Poe Clan manga is getting a new stage musical from the all-female Takarazuka Revue next year.
Moto Hagio's The Poe Clan Manga Gets New Stage Musical Adaptation by Takarazuka Revue
New adaptation to run in Hyogo in July-August, in Tokyo in September-October
www.animenewsnetwork.com
November 13, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
We were delighted to welcome SoA Fellow @tracychevalierwriter to our office yesterday for our Winter Coffee and Chat, where Tracy shared 8 top tips for authors. Keep an eye on our website for future in person and online events. buff.ly/d01SSVP
November 13, 2025 at 10:47 AM
We were delighted to welcome SoA Fellow @tracychevalierwriter to our office yesterday for our Winter Coffee and Chat, where Tracy shared 8 top tips for authors. Keep an eye on our website for future in person and online events. buff.ly/d01SSVP
Shogi isn't much followed in the UK, but if you've watched #anime like Ryuuou no Oshigoto or Soredemo Ayumu wa Yosetekuru you'll understand exactly why 23-year-old Sota Fujii's latest victory and his six of the eight possible shogi titles are such a big deal. japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/society/gene...
Fujii Wins Ryuo Title for 5th Consecutive Time, Eligible to Earn Lifetime Ryuo Title
<p>KYOTO — Shogi prodigy Sota Fujii defended his Ryuo title in the fourth match of the best-of-seven title series in Kyoto on Thursday.</p>
japannews.yomiuri.co.jp
November 13, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Shogi isn't much followed in the UK, but if you've watched #anime like Ryuuou no Oshigoto or Soredemo Ayumu wa Yosetekuru you'll understand exactly why 23-year-old Sota Fujii's latest victory and his six of the eight possible shogi titles are such a big deal. japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/society/gene...
Foreigners often miss the internal tourism highlights of #Japan - like the annual chrysanthemum festival in Mishima city's Rakujuen Park. This year's theme is Kyoto's Heian Jingu shrine, featuring 1/3 scale shrine replicas adorned with glorious autumn chrysanthemums.
mainichi.jp/english/arti...
mainichi.jp/english/arti...
8,000 pots of chrysanthemums adorn Kyoto-themed installations at central Japan festival - The Mainichi
MISHIMA, Shizuoka -- An annual chrysanthemum festival is underway at Rakujuen Park in this central Japan city, with this year's theme focused on Kyoto
mainichi.jp
November 13, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Foreigners often miss the internal tourism highlights of #Japan - like the annual chrysanthemum festival in Mishima city's Rakujuen Park. This year's theme is Kyoto's Heian Jingu shrine, featuring 1/3 scale shrine replicas adorned with glorious autumn chrysanthemums.
mainichi.jp/english/arti...
mainichi.jp/english/arti...
You have until 22 March next year to enter the world of Marie Antoinette at the #V&A - since you are probably going to want to see it at leats twice, I recommend going soon. The clothes, the palaces, the intrigue, the isolation, the ignorance, the tragedy - perfect. www.vam.ac.uk/exhibitions/...
Marie Antoinette Style - Exhibition at V&A South Kensington · V&A
Shaped by the most fashionable queen in history
www.vam.ac.uk
November 13, 2025 at 10:23 AM
You have until 22 March next year to enter the world of Marie Antoinette at the #V&A - since you are probably going to want to see it at leats twice, I recommend going soon. The clothes, the palaces, the intrigue, the isolation, the ignorance, the tragedy - perfect. www.vam.ac.uk/exhibitions/...
@historytoday.com - 75 next year, still telling stories of the past that stitch history into the fabric of the present. This one leads with one of my all-time favourite movie scenes (horses, speed, danger and homoerotic stares between two red-hot leading men.) www.historytoday.com/archive/hist...
The Birth of the Sword and Sandals Epic
www.historytoday.com
November 13, 2025 at 10:17 AM
@historytoday.com - 75 next year, still telling stories of the past that stitch history into the fabric of the present. This one leads with one of my all-time favourite movie scenes (horses, speed, danger and homoerotic stares between two red-hot leading men.) www.historytoday.com/archive/hist...
November 13, 2025 at 10:10 AM
LinkedIn just told me 112 people noticed me. Suddenly feeling my age. That's the attention I used to get at a convention room party, although of course I was visibly less dressed in more glitter.
November 13, 2025 at 8:39 AM
LinkedIn just told me 112 people noticed me. Suddenly feeling my age. That's the attention I used to get at a convention room party, although of course I was visibly less dressed in more glitter.