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.
If anyone still believes that the News of the World under Piers Morgan had any sense of ethical or moral probity, or even humanity, they must surely now question that belief.
Sharing from a friend, a passage from the Leveson Inquiry regarding the British actor Denholm Elliott, who died of AIDS in 1992. Three years after her death, the News of the World journalist Paul McMullan did the following to his daughter—neither a celebrity nor even someone of public interest.
February 20, 2026 at 12:53 PM
If anyone still believes that the News of the World under Piers Morgan had any sense of ethical or moral probity, or even humanity, they must surely now question that belief.
falling I
shattered part of me
and millions
healed me though only
a few touched my skin
I broke and was healed
by millions of strangers
thank you NHS
#tanka #haiku #poetry #NHSForAll #StandTogether
shattered part of me
and millions
healed me though only
a few touched my skin
I broke and was healed
by millions of strangers
thank you NHS
#tanka #haiku #poetry #NHSForAll #StandTogether
February 20, 2026 at 12:20 PM
falling I
shattered part of me
and millions
healed me though only
a few touched my skin
I broke and was healed
by millions of strangers
thank you NHS
#tanka #haiku #poetry #NHSForAll #StandTogether
shattered part of me
and millions
healed me though only
a few touched my skin
I broke and was healed
by millions of strangers
thank you NHS
#tanka #haiku #poetry #NHSForAll #StandTogether
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
The 3rd Girls und Panzer: Motto Love Love Sakusen Desu! spinoff anime film, opening on March 6, will feature a new accompanying mini-anime.
3rd Girls und Panzer Spinoff Film Gets Accompanying Mini-Anime
Mini-anime centers on search for new tank; 3rd film opens on March 6
www.animenewsnetwork.com
February 20, 2026 at 9:00 AM
The 3rd Girls und Panzer: Motto Love Love Sakusen Desu! spinoff anime film, opening on March 6, will feature a new accompanying mini-anime.
Sounds like an Epstein fan club meet - who says old films aren't still relevant?
February 20, 2026 at 11:45 AM
Sounds like an Epstein fan club meet - who says old films aren't still relevant?
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
"Night on the Galactic Railroad" animated movie (1985, Gisaburo Sugii) will be rebroadcast on March 7 (NHK, Japan).
Based on the book written in 1934 by Kenji Miyazawa.
www.nhk.jp/g/blog/l6m2s...
Based on the book written in 1934 by Kenji Miyazawa.
www.nhk.jp/g/blog/l6m2s...
February 20, 2026 at 10:14 AM
"Night on the Galactic Railroad" animated movie (1985, Gisaburo Sugii) will be rebroadcast on March 7 (NHK, Japan).
Based on the book written in 1934 by Kenji Miyazawa.
www.nhk.jp/g/blog/l6m2s...
Based on the book written in 1934 by Kenji Miyazawa.
www.nhk.jp/g/blog/l6m2s...
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
"THE DALEKS by TERRY NATION as featured in the BBC TV series "DR. WHO"" ("TV21" issue 57 (dated 19/02/66)). #DoctorWho
February 19, 2026 at 5:06 PM
"THE DALEKS by TERRY NATION as featured in the BBC TV series "DR. WHO"" ("TV21" issue 57 (dated 19/02/66)). #DoctorWho
#SomethingBeautiful - the new crescent Moon cradling Mercury
A MEETING IN THE TWILIGHT SKY: Last night, the whisker-thin crescent Moon had a rare close encounter with Mercury. Dr. Gilbert Plumer photographed the conjunction from Rockledge, Florida spaceweathergallery2.com/indiv_upload... spaceweather.com
February 19, 2026 at 10:08 PM
#SomethingBeautiful - the new crescent Moon cradling Mercury
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
Orion's Cradle apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap26021...
Cradled in red-glowing hydrogen gas, stars are being born in Orion. These stellar nurseries lie at the edge of the giant Orion molecular cloud complex, some 1,500 light-years away.
Cradled in red-glowing hydrogen gas, stars are being born in Orion. These stellar nurseries lie at the edge of the giant Orion molecular cloud complex, some 1,500 light-years away.
February 18, 2026 at 3:53 PM
Orion's Cradle apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap26021...
Cradled in red-glowing hydrogen gas, stars are being born in Orion. These stellar nurseries lie at the edge of the giant Orion molecular cloud complex, some 1,500 light-years away.
Cradled in red-glowing hydrogen gas, stars are being born in Orion. These stellar nurseries lie at the edge of the giant Orion molecular cloud complex, some 1,500 light-years away.
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
Its okay to mention Kamen Rider when you are talking Shotaro Ishinomori's other work but don't mention it like it is surprising that he did different genres and other art styles cause Sarutobi Ecchan was one of his longest running and favorite characters of all time
February 19, 2026 at 8:50 PM
Its okay to mention Kamen Rider when you are talking Shotaro Ishinomori's other work but don't mention it like it is surprising that he did different genres and other art styles cause Sarutobi Ecchan was one of his longest running and favorite characters of all time
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
Jaku Amano's A-DO manga resumed serialization on Thursday, after going on hiatus due to the author's health in October.
A-DO Manga Resumes Serialization
Series entered hiatus in October
www.animenewsnetwork.com
February 19, 2026 at 9:15 PM
Jaku Amano's A-DO manga resumed serialization on Thursday, after going on hiatus due to the author's health in October.
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
Two people are currently in a bidding war over a copy of the first issue of Weekly Boys' Magazine, which just surpassed 100k yen:
auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/d...
auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/d...
【超希少 創刊号】 週刊少年マガジン 1959年 3月... - Yahoo!オークション
【メーカー/ブランド】 講談社【商品名】 週刊少年マガジン 創刊号（1959年3月26日号）【型番/年式/巻数】 昭和34年3月26日発行 / 第一巻第一号【状態】 中古品・当時物（現状優先）【商品概要】 日本を代表する少年漫画誌『週刊少年マガジン』の記念すべき創刊号で
auctions.yahoo.co.jp
February 19, 2026 at 12:10 PM
Two people are currently in a bidding war over a copy of the first issue of Weekly Boys' Magazine, which just surpassed 100k yen:
auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/d...
auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/d...
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.
