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
If you liked (or were confused by) Angel’s Egg, you could do worse than my book on Mamoru Oshii’s films.
The publisher has it for a decent price right now.
link.springer.com/book/10.1057...
The publisher has it for a decent price right now.
link.springer.com/book/10.1057...
Stray Dog of Anime
Upon its US release in the mid 1990s, Ghost in the Shell , directed by Mamoru Oshii, quickly became one of the most popular Japanese animated films in the country. Despite this, Oshii is known as a ma...
link.springer.com
November 22, 2025 at 8:24 PM
If you liked (or were confused by) Angel’s Egg, you could do worse than my book on Mamoru Oshii’s films.
The publisher has it for a decent price right now.
link.springer.com/book/10.1057...
The publisher has it for a decent price right now.
link.springer.com/book/10.1057...
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
Deseando que 'Taroman Expo Explosion', una de las películas más fascinantes que he visto recientemente (en #Sitges2025), tenga un mínimo recorrido y que llegue pronto una edición en formato físico que haga justicia a su enorme valor visual y conceptual.
October 19, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Deseando que 'Taroman Expo Explosion', una de las películas más fascinantes que he visto recientemente (en #Sitges2025), tenga un mínimo recorrido y que llegue pronto una edición en formato físico que haga justicia a su enorme valor visual y conceptual.
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
A new light novel adaptation of the web novel Reincarnated as a Giant-Mech〈LAYDAS〉by Shoji Gatoh, known for Full Metal Panic, has been announced!
The novel will include illustrations by BUNBUN (Sword Art Online).
✨More: atani.me/reincarnated-as-a-giant-mech
The novel will include illustrations by BUNBUN (Sword Art Online).
✨More: atani.me/reincarnated-as-a-giant-mech
November 20, 2025 at 4:00 PM
A new light novel adaptation of the web novel Reincarnated as a Giant-Mech〈LAYDAS〉by Shoji Gatoh, known for Full Metal Panic, has been announced!
The novel will include illustrations by BUNBUN (Sword Art Online).
✨More: atani.me/reincarnated-as-a-giant-mech
The novel will include illustrations by BUNBUN (Sword Art Online).
✨More: atani.me/reincarnated-as-a-giant-mech
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
Netflix is streaming The Summer Hikaru Died now with 10 dub languages aside from Japanese, and a new English-dubbed trailer has been revealed.
The Summer Hikaru Died Anime Releases English-Dubbed Trailer
Netflix releases dubs in English, Spanish (Latam), Thai, Portuguese (Brazil), French, German, Italian, Spanish (Spain), Hindi, Indonesian
www.animenewsnetwork.com
November 22, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Netflix is streaming The Summer Hikaru Died now with 10 dub languages aside from Japanese, and a new English-dubbed trailer has been revealed.
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
Over on Whatever today I confirm that, indeed, all those emails authors and other writers are getting promising access to readers and book clubs and such are 100% scams, share all the scam emails I got just this morning, and note why they are all awful and bad:
whatever.scalzi.com/2025/11/22/y...
whatever.scalzi.com/2025/11/22/y...
Yes, All Those Author Services and Book Club Emails Are Fake, and No, Don’t Send Them Any Money
If you’re an author, or honestly if you just happen to be standing near an author these days, then you have probably seen a flood of emails in the past couple of months promising you that who…
whatever.scalzi.com
November 22, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Over on Whatever today I confirm that, indeed, all those emails authors and other writers are getting promising access to readers and book clubs and such are 100% scams, share all the scam emails I got just this morning, and note why they are all awful and bad:
whatever.scalzi.com/2025/11/22/y...
whatever.scalzi.com/2025/11/22/y...
Now my new website is up and running I'm returning to an old habit: my Advent Calendar of gift ideas. Only not quite. #GiftIdeas2025
helenmccarthy.net/not-quite-an...
helenmccarthy.net/not-quite-an...
Not Quite Another Advent Calendar: Anime and Manga Gift Ideas 2025 - Helen McCarthy
On my old website, I used to feature a different small business, charity, blog, website of book every day from 1 December to Christmas Eve – a kind of Advent calendar to highlight a few of the fabulou...
helenmccarthy.net
November 22, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Now my new website is up and running I'm returning to an old habit: my Advent Calendar of gift ideas. Only not quite. #GiftIdeas2025
helenmccarthy.net/not-quite-an...
helenmccarthy.net/not-quite-an...
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
Good day to readers; Kyiv remains in Ukrainian hands.
Still.
But we are back in a reality where Ukraine is being pushed toward capitulation.
Myroslava wants her son to live in a free world.
She voiced The Counteroffensive's stance: Trump's peace plan is a roadmap to more war.
Still.
But we are back in a reality where Ukraine is being pushed toward capitulation.
Myroslava wants her son to live in a free world.
She voiced The Counteroffensive's stance: Trump's peace plan is a roadmap to more war.
Trump’s 'Peace' Plan Means More War
Myroslava voices Ukraine’s fear that the new US peace plan resembles capitulation. Despite fatigue and losses, the Counteroffensive team believes a just peace is possible only on Ukrainian terms.
www.counteroffensive.news
November 21, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Good day to readers; Kyiv remains in Ukrainian hands.
Still.
But we are back in a reality where Ukraine is being pushed toward capitulation.
Myroslava wants her son to live in a free world.
She voiced The Counteroffensive's stance: Trump's peace plan is a roadmap to more war.
Still.
But we are back in a reality where Ukraine is being pushed toward capitulation.
Myroslava wants her son to live in a free world.
She voiced The Counteroffensive's stance: Trump's peace plan is a roadmap to more war.
angels aliens
dragons elves lightbringers
now is your challenge
burn new hope into our hearts
to save our world from darkness
#tanka #poetry #poweroflegends #powerofhope
dragons elves lightbringers
now is your challenge
burn new hope into our hearts
to save our world from darkness
#tanka #poetry #poweroflegends #powerofhope
November 22, 2025 at 11:03 AM
angels aliens
dragons elves lightbringers
now is your challenge
burn new hope into our hearts
to save our world from darkness
#tanka #poetry #poweroflegends #powerofhope
dragons elves lightbringers
now is your challenge
burn new hope into our hearts
to save our world from darkness
#tanka #poetry #poweroflegends #powerofhope
November 22, 2025 at 11:02 AM
a bright red hoodie
amid the dark overcoats
a sweet reminder
that the year’s deep cold leads us
to the brightest festival
#tanka #poetry #Londoncommuters #wintermorning
amid the dark overcoats
a sweet reminder
that the year’s deep cold leads us
to the brightest festival
#tanka #poetry #Londoncommuters #wintermorning
November 21, 2025 at 11:49 AM
a bright red hoodie
amid the dark overcoats
a sweet reminder
that the year’s deep cold leads us
to the brightest festival
#tanka #poetry #Londoncommuters #wintermorning
amid the dark overcoats
a sweet reminder
that the year’s deep cold leads us
to the brightest festival
#tanka #poetry #Londoncommuters #wintermorning
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
ICYMI: Watch the jaw-droppingly beautiful teaser for "We Are Aliens," an upcoming original anime film about two friends that spans 30 years!
✨More: atani.me/wareware-wa-uchujin-premiere
✨More: atani.me/wareware-wa-uchujin-premiere
November 20, 2025 at 4:15 PM
ICYMI: Watch the jaw-droppingly beautiful teaser for "We Are Aliens," an upcoming original anime film about two friends that spans 30 years!
✨More: atani.me/wareware-wa-uchujin-premiere
✨More: atani.me/wareware-wa-uchujin-premiere
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
To note, folks: This was an accurate and correct use of the term "lost media."
Home video recording tech did not exist until 1976. Broadcast masters were thought to be destroyed. No recording would have existed, period. *THAT* is lost media.
Home video recording tech did not exist until 1976. Broadcast masters were thought to be destroyed. No recording would have existed, period. *THAT* is lost media.
The "Golgo 13" anime (from 1971) will be released on Blu-ray in Japan.
This series was considered lost until the masters were found two years ago.
natalie.mu/comic/news/6...
This series was considered lost until the masters were found two years ago.
natalie.mu/comic/news/6...
November 20, 2025 at 6:14 PM
To note, folks: This was an accurate and correct use of the term "lost media."
Home video recording tech did not exist until 1976. Broadcast masters were thought to be destroyed. No recording would have existed, period. *THAT* is lost media.
Home video recording tech did not exist until 1976. Broadcast masters were thought to be destroyed. No recording would have existed, period. *THAT* is lost media.
Less than a decade after the French Ministry of Culture had to mediate a crisis, the Angoulême comics festival faces cancellation next year. Battles over misogyny, gatekeeping and control occur in every fandom and nobody seems to learn from them.
www.comicsbeat.com/angouleme-cr...
www.comicsbeat.com/angouleme-cr...
ANGOULÊME: Stakeholders call for '26 Festival to be cancelled
Creators, publishers and even the mayor are calling for the 2026 Angoulême comics festival to be cancelled in a dramatic week
www.comicsbeat.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Less than a decade after the French Ministry of Culture had to mediate a crisis, the Angoulême comics festival faces cancellation next year. Battles over misogyny, gatekeeping and control occur in every fandom and nobody seems to learn from them.
www.comicsbeat.com/angouleme-cr...
www.comicsbeat.com/angouleme-cr...
Asking for trouble 101:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Sutton Hoo ship name contest urges no 'Boaty McBoatface' suggestions
Sutton Hoo Ship's Company wants help naming their replica, but urges people not to make joke suggestions.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 9:40 AM
Asking for trouble 101:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
Good morning. Can I appeal to everyone who objects to 🇺🇸 Quisling giftwrapping Ukraine as Christmas gift for his Kremlin boss to give 🖕 to Rusamerica by donating to Come Back Alive?
Saving lives of Ukraine's valiant defenders since 🇷🇺 began its genocide war in 2014. Sadly, their work ain't done yet.
Saving lives of Ukraine's valiant defenders since 🇷🇺 began its genocide war in 2014. Sadly, their work ain't done yet.
Come Back Alive Foundation - Charity Organization
One of the top charity organizations who help the Ukraine Army since 2014. Donate via the website - 100% of proceeds go directly to Ukraine Army.
savelife.in.ua
November 21, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Good morning. Can I appeal to everyone who objects to 🇺🇸 Quisling giftwrapping Ukraine as Christmas gift for his Kremlin boss to give 🖕 to Rusamerica by donating to Come Back Alive?
Saving lives of Ukraine's valiant defenders since 🇷🇺 began its genocide war in 2014. Sadly, their work ain't done yet.
Saving lives of Ukraine's valiant defenders since 🇷🇺 began its genocide war in 2014. Sadly, their work ain't done yet.
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
With the new year coming upon us, I take a look at the animation adaptation of Higashino Keigo‘s beloved #theguardianofthecamphortree #クスノキの番人 which is getting a theatrical release in January: open.substack.com/pub/ashabard...
November 21, 2025 at 8:39 AM
With the new year coming upon us, I take a look at the animation adaptation of Higashino Keigo‘s beloved #theguardianofthecamphortree #クスノキの番人 which is getting a theatrical release in January: open.substack.com/pub/ashabard...
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
#OTD 1918 the Parliament (Qualification of Women) Act, giving women the right to stand for parliament, gained royal assent.
To find out more about early women parliamentary candidates, and the campaigns they ran, read @lisaberrywaite.bsky.social article. historyofparliament.com/2019/06/11/s...
To find out more about early women parliamentary candidates, and the campaigns they ran, read @lisaberrywaite.bsky.social article. historyofparliament.com/2019/06/11/s...
‘She is an Outsider in Public Life’: women parliamentary candidates, 1918-1923 - The History of Parliament
Ahead of tonight’s Parliaments, Politics and People seminar at the Institute of Historical Research, we hear from Lisa Berry-Waite, a Leverhulme-funded PhD
historyofparliament.com
November 21, 2025 at 9:00 AM
#OTD 1918 the Parliament (Qualification of Women) Act, giving women the right to stand for parliament, gained royal assent.
To find out more about early women parliamentary candidates, and the campaigns they ran, read @lisaberrywaite.bsky.social article. historyofparliament.com/2019/06/11/s...
To find out more about early women parliamentary candidates, and the campaigns they ran, read @lisaberrywaite.bsky.social article. historyofparliament.com/2019/06/11/s...
Via @gillj.bsky.social and fairsubmissions.co.uk a #shortstory #prize for Black and African writers located anywhere in the world. This year's theme is 'transitions'. Read the information carefully, follow the guidelines and enter your story by 23 December 2025.
www.afritondo.com/call2026
www.afritondo.com/call2026
fairsubmissions.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Via @gillj.bsky.social and fairsubmissions.co.uk a #shortstory #prize for Black and African writers located anywhere in the world. This year's theme is 'transitions'. Read the information carefully, follow the guidelines and enter your story by 23 December 2025.
www.afritondo.com/call2026
www.afritondo.com/call2026
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
As an extra special treat, we're releasing our Side 6 Soundwaves back catalogue on the free feed! This week: @literalporn.bsky.social and @syzygy-city.bsky.social join us to discuss ep. 7 of GQuuuuuuX! Like, repost, tell a friend. MACHUESDAYS AREN'T OVER!
November 20, 2025 at 9:31 PM
As an extra special treat, we're releasing our Side 6 Soundwaves back catalogue on the free feed! This week: @literalporn.bsky.social and @syzygy-city.bsky.social join us to discuss ep. 7 of GQuuuuuuX! Like, repost, tell a friend. MACHUESDAYS AREN'T OVER!
A new exhibition of #manga art at the Musée Guimet, Paris, features work by Osamu Tezuka, Shigeru Mizuki and Sanpei Shirato alongside newer works. Just in time for my trip to #Paris next week to see exhibits on #IsaoTakahata and #PaulPoiret - jammy or what?
japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/culture/mang...
japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/culture/mang...
Special Exhibition on Japanese Manga Unveiled at Paris Museum
<p>PARIS (Jiji Press) — A special exhibition on Japanese manga was unveiled to the press at the Guimet Museum in Paris on Tuesday, with the venue packed with reporters and photographers engrossed in t...
japannews.yomiuri.co.jp
November 20, 2025 at 2:09 PM
A new exhibition of #manga art at the Musée Guimet, Paris, features work by Osamu Tezuka, Shigeru Mizuki and Sanpei Shirato alongside newer works. Just in time for my trip to #Paris next week to see exhibits on #IsaoTakahata and #PaulPoiret - jammy or what?
japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/culture/mang...
japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/culture/mang...
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
PHOTO OF THE DAY. Sophia Loren trying Whelks in a fish bar, near the River Thames (1960). 📷 Bob Hope and Alisdair MacDonald
November 20, 2025 at 9:39 AM
PHOTO OF THE DAY. Sophia Loren trying Whelks in a fish bar, near the River Thames (1960). 📷 Bob Hope and Alisdair MacDonald
A great trip to York yesterday snaring many birds with one net - advising on story development and promotion with my favourite as-yet-unpublished writer, research at the Castle museum and beautiful old churches, business gift buying (posting done today!) and an excellent time all round.
November 20, 2025 at 1:01 PM
A great trip to York yesterday snaring many birds with one net - advising on story development and promotion with my favourite as-yet-unpublished writer, research at the Castle museum and beautiful old churches, business gift buying (posting done today!) and an excellent time all round.
Sad that you couldn't take pictures, great that you got to see Takeshi Honda's original art!
There was also an exhibit of Takeshi Honda's art in the basement, but photography wasn't allowed there.
There were large displays of his sketches for "Nadia of Blue Water" & "Blue Submarine No. 6". Even some flicker books that I was encouraged to use.
There were large displays of his sketches for "Nadia of Blue Water" & "Blue Submarine No. 6". Even some flicker books that I was encouraged to use.
November 20, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Sad that you couldn't take pictures, great that you got to see Takeshi Honda's original art!
Reposted by Helen McCarthy
There was also an exhibit of Takeshi Honda's art in the basement, but photography wasn't allowed there.
There were large displays of his sketches for "Nadia of Blue Water" & "Blue Submarine No. 6". Even some flicker books that I was encouraged to use.
There were large displays of his sketches for "Nadia of Blue Water" & "Blue Submarine No. 6". Even some flicker books that I was encouraged to use.
November 20, 2025 at 9:46 AM
There was also an exhibit of Takeshi Honda's art in the basement, but photography wasn't allowed there.
There were large displays of his sketches for "Nadia of Blue Water" & "Blue Submarine No. 6". Even some flicker books that I was encouraged to use.
There were large displays of his sketches for "Nadia of Blue Water" & "Blue Submarine No. 6". Even some flicker books that I was encouraged to use.
Thank you so much for this and the rest of this thread of terrific pictures!
I went yesterday.
It was fairly small and obviously targeted at the kidlets.
Plenty of character sheets and storyboard sketches though.
Here's a few pictures:-
It was fairly small and obviously targeted at the kidlets.
Plenty of character sheets and storyboard sketches though.
Here's a few pictures:-
November 20, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Thank you so much for this and the rest of this thread of terrific pictures!