Helen McCarthy
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helenmccarthy51.bsky.social
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
The Kings College London Manga and Anime Society has a special event devoted to Manga Jiman on 27 Nov - non-members of the Society who want to find out more about Manga Jiman can check their Insta post to find out how to attend.
November 16, 2025 at 11:25 AM
It's Friday and I'm in the mood for a huge hit of nostalgia. Show me your favourite old anime fanzine covers. This is Steve Kyte's stunning art, design and lettering for the first ever #British #anime #fanzine, ROBOTECH UK, edited by the late Tony Luke, released 1986.
November 14, 2025 at 9:25 AM
As Ouke no Monshou has 70 published volumes and counting, the usual manga-to-TV adaption problem - running out of story before the next volume appears - won't be a problem for quite some time. Read more about this and other manga in my next book #TheMangaBible out 5th March 2026. Pre-oder now!
November 4, 2025 at 11:35 AM
#KodanshaStudios and #ChloeZhao should consider adapting Chieko Hosokawa's gorgeous epic Ouke no Monshou - Crest of the Royal Family - into a series for streaming. #Bridgerton meets #AncientEgypt and more: girl genius, hot princes, rivalry, passion, dark magic, blood. Been saying this for years.
November 4, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Michael Leader and Jake Cunningham, of #Ghibliotheque fame, signing their new book The Animation Atlas at #PicturehouseCentral last night. Big thanks to publishers Welbeck for the launch party and to the authors for my signed copy of this fab book! Get yours now!

uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
October 30, 2025 at 10:12 AM
At #MCMComicCon and met these three amazing #cosplayers on arrival. (Shared with permission.) Thomas - a true Superman - made both Supercostumes except for Supergirl's boots. The standard of #hallcostume here is amazing.
October 24, 2025 at 12:41 PM
I love that Christine El Mahdy's book on Tutankhamen unravels the conventions of Amarna art by a close reading of the costume in surviving sculpture and painting. Great info for historic Egyptian #cosplay and a masterclass in using the behaviour of fabrics to interpret underlying forms.
October 22, 2025 at 10:16 AM
I'm back in Norwich on 27 November, talking about #StudioGhibli for #SeedTalks at the gorgeous Maddermarket Theatre. So lucky to work in such beautiful spaces!

Tickets: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-art-hi...
October 21, 2025 at 10:18 AM
I remember the dim and distant past when The Sun was a real campaigning newspaper - but it still has a way with a nudge, a wink and a killer headline.
October 18, 2025 at 1:10 PM
This is going to be a terrific day of talks revelling in Gothic and horror literature. It's for everyone but the focus is on women in, and making, and impacted by those works.
Tickets: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-gothic...
October 14, 2025 at 9:58 AM
The Manga Bible is part of Waterstones’ new UK promotion on selected 2026 titles. Pre-order selected books online at Waterstones between Tuesday 14 and Friday 17 October 2025, and quote code OCTOBER25 for 25% off RRP. More info: helenmccarthy.net/25-off-the-m... Please share!
October 13, 2025 at 4:42 PM
There's a sad and beautiful memorial in #NewportMinster, erected by Queen Victoria in honour of Princess Elizabeth, daughter of Charles I, who died in Carisbrooke Castle aged just fourteen and is buried under the Minster chancel. So many children taken too soon, now as then.
October 11, 2025 at 9:29 AM
#Japanese #novelist Mizuki Tsujimura is in London, Sheffield and Cheltenham this weekend promoting her new novel 'Lost Souls Meet Under A Full Moon', translated by Yuki Tejima. More info and ticketing links: jpf.org.uk/whatson.php?...
October 7, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Absolutely fabulous lecture, 16 Oct, 6 pm BST: Prof. Nicole Coolidge Rousmaniere on The Art of Manga, currently at the de Young Museum, San Francisco. Online, free, booking essential. I'm Ghibli-ing in Gillingham that night or I'd sign up for it! us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
October 6, 2025 at 8:27 PM
the changing leaves
embroidering the season
on walls and fences

#haiku #poetry #autumn #leafcolour #changingseasons
October 5, 2025 at 1:38 PM
that curve of rocks
holds the water still as an
unspoken question

#haiku #senryu #poetry #Zen
October 1, 2025 at 7:14 AM
We had a perfectly lovely time with OH's oldest friend Ron in Northern Ireland, walking for miles in glorious countryside every day and eating in great pubs and restaurants every night. But it's nice to be back in our own bed tonight. Sleep well, butterflies.
September 30, 2025 at 6:20 PM
this golden sunset
like a postcard from summer
saying miss you all

#haiku #unku #dontmentiontheseason #poetry #autumnal
September 29, 2025 at 8:52 AM
by sun and sand and tide
is innocence renewed and
paradise regained

#haiku #poetry #incantation #renewal
September 28, 2025 at 7:44 AM
this is where
the North Sea comes to
yawn and doze

#haiku #poetry #Crawfordburn #BelfastLough
September 27, 2025 at 12:31 PM
like water skippers
distant planes bugging the sky
ripples that vanish

#haiku #poetry #senseofwonder
September 26, 2025 at 9:32 AM
the curve of the bay
and a sunset like a kiss
welcoming me back

#haiku #poetry #sunset #seaside
September 25, 2025 at 7:38 AM
tiny far below
miniature landscape of
my river childhood
that sunlit tinsel ribbon
tying up my universe

#tanka #poetry #Mersey #Wirral
September 24, 2025 at 12:04 PM
My birthday rose is ending the season in grand style with a late flush of perfect blooms. Peace is lining up its own fabulous flourish of flowers for next weekend.
September 23, 2025 at 8:42 AM
There's still time for writers new to television drama to apply for a TV screenwriting course that delivers. Only 12 places, and applications close next week, but you never know what you can do until you commit to it. Check it out at unsolicitedscripts.com/opportunities
September 22, 2025 at 10:46 AM