Memories of Britian's Anime Boom

 

June 2023 KINO NO ANIME: Memories of Britian's Anime Boom | Documentary (Mins 45.55)

From the mid 1980's to the early to mid 1990's.

[NOTES: Back at the dawn of the 1990's, anime had only just started to make a major breakthrough into the UK - a time of tape-traders, pen-pals and conventions barely big enough to fill a single room - but it was the start of something bigger.   With voice over provided by one of the original UK fans and president of what was once the biggest anime fanclub in the UK: Carlo Bernhardi tells his stories about what it was like during the fandom's early years and the challenges that came with pursuing such a super-niche hobby.]

[NOTES:  Featuring images from Carlo's own archives as well as clips from shows back in the day, "Kino no Anime: Memories of Britian's Anime Boom" will hopefully give foreign and younger fans a bit of insight into what the UK anime boom of the early 90's was really like.   VOICE OVER PROVIDED BY: Carlo Bernhardi   (Founder of Anime Kyo UK and the Anime Nostalgia Facility blog...).   FULL CREDITS ARE PROVIDED AT THE END OF THE VIDEO.]

[NOTES:   Description (and Objectives), This video channel exists to archive various forms of anime video and image media collected since the early 90's by dedicated UK fan and the original founder of the "Anime Nostalgia Facility UK" blog, Carlo Bernhardi.   Here you will find examples of media many anime fans had access to before the days of the internet, where networking with pen-pals and tape-trading was the only real way to access the latest animated shows from Japan. Many clips and samples are showcased the way they were back in the days of VHS - generational wear and all!   -   This channel would like to dedicate itself to two pioneers that heavily influenced Carlo's fascination with Japanese popular culture: Toren Smith and Carl Macek. Your choices inspired a whole generation (even outside of the U.S.) to fall in love with the pictorial image and animated visuals from Japan.   -   ARCHIVE RESOURCES FROM THE COLLECTION OF: Carlo Ruben Miguel Bernhardi   -   CHANNEL RUN BY: Martin Brown   -   注: 日本のユーザーは、より多くのコンテンツを取得するために VPN を使用してください.]

[NOTES: In committing my words, and memories to the Web (the Internet), in the hope that my own legacy, elevates the pioneers that influenced the Anime Fandom in the UK, in a fact based record, that educates and entertains, as I battle terminal cancer. That will spark a conversation, of wonder, or nostalgia!]

Post 134 Blog hiatus

 Dear readers, apologies for the hiatus of more than 13 months...

This UK Manga and Anime Fandom Blog that is charting my time from the mid to late 80's to the early 90's when the few catered a whole bunch more. Thus a network of Pen-Pals, newsletters, fanzines, and Fan clubs, and magazines came into being.

If you life long enough sooner or later bad things happen! After I had begun to meet people face to face, who knew of Anime, and Manga Comic books, or were just being introduced to these mediums and how they differ from Western Animation and Comic books, I was diagnosed with Cancer of the tongue in May of 1990, having survived weeks Radiotherapy treatment to then have some of my tongue cut out, I threw myself into Promoting Anime and Manga, and Japanese culture, and putting like minded people in touch with each other, all from the ground up, would come a Fan Club and its Club-zine (Anime Kyo UK; AKN Anime Kyo News), all the while keeping my love of the hobby.

Leap forward to 2013 when I started this blog, and then the year 2020 where again I was Diagnosed with Cancer, this time of the Larynx, treatment was started in January of 2021 With Chemotherapy, and Radiotherapy combined (all within the Changed World of COVID19's Global pandemic), this did not shrink the Cancer enough when the Hospital next was able to look at the treatment's effect, and now it is inoperable!

I am taking a drug therapy every six weeks for as long as it can hold the Cancer at bay, but it is still terminal.

The Time I have left, has been pulled to publish and upload what I, and friends can archive in print, and online, as a record of those early days.

A BIG THANK YOU

I would like to THANK; Andrew Osmond, and Gemma Cox for their support in bringing to life the Record of the UK's very first Anime Convention that took place in Sheffield (Yorkshire, England) on March of 1991 “ANIME DAY”, a one day convention.

[see issue 206 of NEO Magazine (February\March 2021)]

Our tribute to 30 years of Fan Celebrations.

I would like to THANK Martin Brown, for not only giving a home to my Anime on VHS tapes, but his labour and time in creating and maintaining a YouTube channel that is growing, and forever has my likeness from when I was in my early 20's promoting Anime in the UK.

[ Anime Nostalgia Archive UK ]

from July 2021 you can now see 

"Anime Kyo UK Introduction Video"

Now we approach March 2022, and once again there is a 30^th. Anniversary of “ANIME DAY 2”, the UK's first weekend Anime Convention.

And let's see what the future brings....

October 1990 Pt.7 AnimeUK Newsletter

AnimeUK Newsletter.

AnimeUK Newsletter, Consisting of 16 pages, #2 October 1990. Editor: Helen McCarthy.  And was available by subscription only, photocopied and mailed to subscribers on a bi-monthly basis (6 per 12 months). Subscription rates were to be: UK £6, Europe £8, USA £10, Australasia £12, Asia £12. This is the start of print run October Volume 1 Issue 2 of 1990, and over a year later the issue published was Volume 2 Issue 6 October 1992 (the last issue I have).

What next arrived in October by post was “AnimeUK” the Newsletter of the UK's fledgling Anime Fandom, with its welcoming greeting of “Konnichiwa!” 

This newsletter was in response to the Questionnaire that went out with the proto “AnimeUK” Newsletter\Post Easter Con anime report, that was sent to 27 recipients, it was Helen's thought to ensure a wider circulation of Anime and easier contact between fans, would be to do a newsletter and fanzine which would at least provide a point of contact to start with.

There maybe surviving questionnaires in someone's attic?

Looking for News, Views and Reviews.

Contributors to this issue;

AnimeUK Logo and Footer by Graham Bleathman

[NOTE: “I did the logo for both the b/w newsletter and the colour magazine that followed.” says Graham.]

Art contributions by;

Peter Evans (page 4, & page 9)

Dean Heathcote (page 1, 12, & page 15)

Steve Kyte (page 6, & page 16)

News, Views and Reviews by;

Helen McCarthy (page 2, page 3 & half of page 4)

David Row (page 5)

Helen McCarthy (pages 6 & 7)

Richard Poffley (page 8 & 9)

Carlo Bernhardi (page 10 & 11)

Dean Heathcote (page 12)

Jim Swallow (page 13)

Jay Felton (page 14 & 15)

Peter Milligan (page 16)

ConFiction – THE WORLDCON REPORT. By Helen McCarthy (pages 2-4)

Helen's convention report covered the location and costs, and information on the number of attendees, including how her short Anime programme was received, and the Anime panel that Steve Kyte, and the honored guest Mr. Osaku attended, as well as the now obligatory account of the 'Dealer's room'.

“ ConFiction, The 48^th World Science Fiction Convention, was held in the Nederlandse Congresgebouw, Den Haag, The Netherlands from 23^rd -27^th August 1990.” “With less then 3,000 attending members it was one of the most thinly attended Worldcons of recent years and, in Particular, many of the registered American attending members didn't show.”

[NOTE: That the exchange rate for domestic currency (the American dollar, and the English pound) for many convention goers may have played a high contributing factor for them not being able to attend a convention in the Netherlands. Cost for attending members was about £65 for the 5 days, as well accommodation cost of £16 per night upwards.  Adding to this, the US's concerns about the War in the Middle East!!]

The short anime programme that Helen ran, was only about fifty yards away from the main building, located in one of the smaller meeting rooms in the 'Bel Air' Hotel, and ran for 4 hours per day, it was well attended, and with a noticeable “hard core”of 20 regulars per session. Some of the Anime that was showcased was as follows; Cyber City Oedo 808, Back Magic marionette M-66, Project A-KO, Megazone 23 Part II, Patlabor, Bubblegum Crisis.

There was an Anime panel, and apparently “Fred Patten” was due to be on that panel, but was a no-show, leaving Steve Kyte to became its moderator and, Mr. Osaku and his translator as the attendees. The room that the panel was in, was attended by about 200 people. Later Mr. Osaku was able to show “DORAEMON THE ATOMIC CAT” (translated for American TV).

[NOTE: in regards to the Dealer's Room, out of all of the SF dealers that were present, only two examples could be found that had any Anime merchandise at all.]

  

BITS & PIECES

Page 5. Was split-up into a few sections of different announcements; 

David Row's plans for a “Tapelist database”; 

Anime screenings (at Helen's home in London, 1 in November and 1 in December); 

Peter Evans tells us about JSTV – the satellite channel for expats, is soon to show an Anime series (a cookery show); 

DEPARTMENT OF ABSOLUTE ENVY (Patrick Collins is in Tokyo and in 1991 so will Peter Evans); 

ITALIAN ANIME CLUB (Japanime Fans Club, Pietro Da Lissone M 13, 20035); 

KITS – Available from Sheffield Space Centre (Bandai GUNDAM kits in stock, and Rick Cowling writes article that's in “Model and Accessories Mart”, and plugs Paul Davison's anime Group); 

BSB showed “Power of the Lens” (again).

REVIEWS:

Pages 6 & 7 had Anime reviews of NEW Devilman OVA, and CYBER CITY OEDO 808 OVA by Helen McCarthy.

Pages 8 & 9 consisted of the article, 'Anime Clubs in the USA' by Richard Poffley

(EDC Animation Society – Dallas, Texas, AND Anime Hasshin – Warren, Rhode Island, and The C/FO – Culver city California, as well as a BBS run by Animag)

Pages 10 & 11 also had a Review; The story of GUNHED - the live action movie explained by Carlo Bernhardi, Anime Kyo UK

[NOTE: a short review of the video game GUNHED for the PC Engine, and the EDITOR'S NOTE : “Carlo kindly sent me 2 pieces of artwork copied from a GUNHED article, but they were too dark to reprint”.]

On Page 12 we can see an article entitled FIRST SIGHT – Video reviews by Dean Heathcote

reviews covered UK VHS releases; 'Warriors of the wind' and 'The World of the Talisman'.

Page 13 had OVERVIEW - a look at some recent publications by JIM SWALLOW

The overviews covered were; Mangajin Volume 1 No 1. (magazine), AND GUNDAM MOBILE SUIT VOLUME 1 : Awakening (novel by Yoshiyuki Tomino \ Translated by F. L. SCHODT).

Pages 14, 15 & 16 were given over to the Letters sent to the Editor.Jay Felton and Peter Milligan Wrote in to gives their views.

[NOTE: from the Editor “OK, OK, it's not a great title for a letter column – if you have a better suggestion let's hear it.]

Jay Felton Writes:

Jay Felton wrote on such topics as APAs (Amateur Press Association – Fan fiction self publishing); plans to create a guide for new fans to be able to find local groups in UK. Jay was also toying with the idea of a fun topic to have in the Newsletter themed around 'Desert Island Disks' just this time it would be what Anime film or OVA would you take with you?! The subject of dealing with those that Bootleg VHS anime tapes also came up.

Peter Milligan Writes:

"Mark (one of the owners) at “Fantasy Inn” has a Anime Fanzine in the works, and was due to be out in September" Peter lets the readers know that most video dealers (retail) you could order videos of the following;

WARRIORS OF THE WIND, Vestron, £7.99

CRUSHERS, MY-TV, £5.99   [Running Time Approx 89 minutes/Colour] 

ONCE UPON A TIME , MY-TV, £5.99  [92 minutes of Cartoon Fun] 

ROBOTECH episodes, £5.99  [Running Time Approx. 48 mins.]

ROBOTECH: THE SENTINELS, £7.99

Helen McCarthy in reply to Peter Milligan mentioned that the cost of converting 1 two hour NTSC VHS Tape to a Pal VHS tape - was £20 plus VAT!  

[NOTE: I have not found any other news on this front of a Fanzine! 'Fantasy Inn' was at 17 Charing Cross Road (under 'The Book Inn') London, England, the only other scrap of news on the Web I can find is that "This shop burnt down in 1991", but I have no other confirmation on this at this time.]

[NOTE: these retail VHS tapes were sold as kids cartoons, in English, as they have been Americanized, and edited for the children's market – the cover Art was just awful!]

I would like to say that the momentum of this London based nexus spread out across the country, not just a Pen-Pals contact list, but an inviting community that you could if you so wished, contribute to with your news, views and reviews in regards to all things Anime and Manga and letters to the Editor about this new Fandom in the UK.  All were welcome.

In the days of scissors, paper, and glue (the real CUT & PASTE), and typewriters and their like, all to be photocopied and stapled by hand, you can see the dedication in individually drawing the page numbers freehand.

AnimeUK Newsletter.

AnimeUK Newsletter.

AnimeUK Newsletter.

[NOTE: Helen McCarthy was kind enough to let me know, that “Anything not credited in the newsletter is usually by me”. (July 2020)]

[NOTE: 2020 was to see a 30^th anniversary celebration of the 1990 World Convention Confiction, but sadly it was cancelled due to COVID19. (For more details click the link)]  

Just a reminder that this was the face of poor marketing... aimed at children and their parents who has the cash to buy cartoons! 

[Side NOTE: using an Inflation calculator to look at those costs from the year 1990 (VAT was at 15%) to today's money in 2020. £5.99 = £15.04 & £7.99 = £20.06 & (£20.00 + 15% VAT) £23.00 = £57.74. and this was for animation from the early to mid 80's]

I have done my best in finding a balance between the holders of the intellectual property, and those in scholarly pursuit of Anime Fandom history in the UK (the 90's) for educational purposes No copyright infringement is intended.

September 1990 Pt.5 Console Ma'zine

Console Ma'zine issue 16. SEPTEMBER 1990  - Edited and photocopied by Onn Lee, (Monthly).

What I have uploaded is a small percentage of the issue, focusing on news and any tie-ins with Anime.

[NOTE: The issue had 12 single-sided\photocopied pages, not double-sided printing - that may have been the technology of the day.]

 The COVER

[Sorry Onn Lee, this issue has not survived that well 29 + years on!].

 Editorial 

Ads. RAVEN GAMES LONDON.

 More Ads. PC Engine Supplies.

Techie Bit in the Middle,
Swap-line,
Tech-Tips.

City hunter

[

30th Anniversary for UK Anime Fans

Please join me in celebrating the 30th. Anniversary of the first organised meeting of the UK's Anime Fans. 

Held at the UK's Easter Science Fiction convention EastCon'90 in Liverpool, England. 

Friday 13th  to Sunday 15th  of April.

My thanks go to; Ashley from MEKTEK for sending me flyers for EastCon 90; Steve Kyte for telling us "So get ready for UK Anime Fandom - EASTCON 90 is just the beginning!"; And to Helen McCarthy for her herculean skills in organizing the Video Rooms screening of Anime, and encouragement to the group of Anime Pen-Pals.

My recollection of the UK's Anime Fandom.

Taken from the very first AnimeUK Newsletter, one statement rang out true!

"You're getting this because you were at EASTERCON 90 bar meeting or else have written to me to express an interest in anime fandom in the UK, and since it didn't really exist before EASTERCON you're part of the setup crew!"

"you're part of the setup crew!"

To this day it can still invoke memories of how it felt, like a time of wonderment to so many of us. More new friendships were made, and the Fandom grew.

It would be less than a year later, that the UK would have its very first Anime convention;

'Anime Day' 

held in Sheffield on Saturday 9th of March 1991, but that is another story.

NOTE: As of this posting the UK is in its 3rd week of 'Lockdown' due to the outbreak the Covid-19 Virus  (the Coronavirus World pandemic of 2020). Stay safe, and stay sane.

NOTE: Right, back to 1990 and the months that lay ahead.

NOTE: Con booklet, and paperwork provided by P. Davison (Feb 2021).

August 1990 Pt.5 Protoculture Addicts No. 8

 Protoculture Addicts No. 8 August 1990 - The Dangaio & Gunbuster issue (Summer 1990)

Protoculture Addicts – The Official Robotech (TM). Fan Magazine (36 pages) Published quarterly by, Ianus Publications, based in Montreal, Québec province, Canada - ISSN 0835-9563 $2.95 CAN $2.50 US

[NOTE: at the time of publishing Back issues: Issues #2 and #3 were  OUT OF PRINT.]

[NOTE: the years have not been kind to the paper, darkening to a brown colour.]

This is only a snapshot of this little magazine with a big heart!

This Issue focuses on Dangaio & Gunbuster, Dirty Pair Designs, Mekton RPG, Short story.
The regular features such  as “The voice of the Freedom Fighters” (the Fan letters page);
Editorial, By JC & AD (Jean Carrieres & Alain Dubreull);

The Shaping of Protoculture; Our Subscription service; Clubs: fan clubs addresses, and “It's dead Jim's Clubs  [deceased fan clubs] 

Pen Pals [out of the 6 pen-pals printed, yours truly Carlo Bernhardi form England was one!]; 

FANIMANGA (had articles on Mekton II RPG: Macross to Mekton Mecha conversion)

Dirty Pair Designs - “A Plague of Angels” Artwork by Adam Warren,

Special Dangaio & Gunbuster U.S Renditions' Robert Napton & David Riddick Interview.

[NOTE: I may review this or summarize the interview if there is demand for it.]

The Art of Dangaio & The Art of Gunbuster

NEWS AND REVIEWS: Animation, Anime for sale, Conventions, Translated Manga,

[Protoculture Addicts had moved to a bigger Office, and hoped to be Bi-monthly in February of 1991]; 

Mangactuality (the expected manga and manga-like [English] publications for July, August, and September)

Front cover - Noriko Takaya & Gunbuster

Back issues.

ROBOTECH Novels .

Contents Page

Editorial Page.

Mangactuality
and 
Fan Art

'Black magic (1-4) Spring 1990

Back cover Ad.

Dangaio & Gunbuster (VHS NTSC tapes 1 episode each) published by U.S Renditions.

[NOTE: I can not do justice of how important 'Protoculture Addicts' was in informing fans and creating a sense of community in the era before the Internet's World Wide Web, and its modern Social media!]

July 1990 Pt.5 Anime Hasshin

Anime Hasshin's 'The Rose' Volume 4 No.22 Published Bimonthly by Anime Hasshin. 20 pages $2.50 (6 for $12) Editor Lorraine Savage.

SPECIAL FEATURES

Interview with Toren Smith (Studio Proteus),

Boah,

Horobi,

Orange Road,

Megazone 23 & Mellowlink songs,

anime in Britain

Published Bimonthly, so that is roughly 8 weeks between one issue falling from our post-box at home to the next exciting issue (being overseas, you could add a few days to the arrival).

Submissions had to arrive before the 2^nd. Friday of the month (being the odd numbered month) before the next issue, Friday the 8^th. June was this issue's deadline, and September 14^th for the next. In addition to this the post could take 7 Business days, but more likely 2 to 3 weeks for overseas.

[NOTE: That's 80,640 minutes or 1,344 hours or about 56 days = 2 Months. How's that for an Internet speed!]

Front cover art by John Lam

Editor's Notes by Lorraine Savage

Editor's Notes by Lorraine Savage

Anime Hasshin's 'The Rose' was always eagerly awaited, and much loved whenever it arrived through the letterbox. It was a hub of information, and a big part of the Anime & Manga Pen-Pals that corresponded though it, more like a family than just a paper-based network.

 NEWS OVAs and Translated Manga and Anime releases and Anime clubs.

 NEWS OVAs and Translated Manga and Anime releases and Anime clubs.

 Part one of the Toren Smith interview by Lorraine Savage.

Amine in Britain & UK fans meet at Eastcon '90 in Liverpool by
 Carlo Bernhardi 

(One of the very few times that I am in print. 

It truly was exciting times.)

[NOTE:APA stands for Amateur Press Association a compilation of fiction, and at times help guides on art and writing by fans that is put together and printed (Before the World Wide Web, before bulletin boards, and affordable self-publishing, before Blogs) then mailed (posted) out to all those that contributed pages.]

[NOTE: “Endless Road Apa” the new APA for all things animated was started this July (1990), and looked after by Dan Kellaway being the central mailer.]  

[NOTE: Page 20's Personals Ads. featured the UK's Helen McCarthy asking “American anime fans who want British pen pals should write.” She will print your name and address in a British anime zine.]

[NOTE: contents; page 1, Front cover art by John Lam; pages 2-3, Editor's Notes by Lorraine Savage; page 4, Article on BAOH by Dan Durkin; pages 5-6, NEWS OVAs and Translated Manga and Anime releases and Anime clubs; page 7, Part one of the Toren Smith interview by Lorraine Savage; page 8, Comic review on HOROBI by Lester Swint; page 9, Manga review Alien Crash & Lucky Route Runaway by John Ott; page 10, Amine in Britain & UK fans meet at Eastcon '90 in Liverpool by Carlo Bernhardi; page 11, Review of the Orange Road Movie by Tsao Sheng-Te;

page 14, Song Lyrics – translated by Steve Chaney & Maria Mutsuko-Warner; page 15, BOOK Review – Inside the Robot Kingdom by Lorraine Savage; page 16, Mini Synopses – from the Laser Disc Trading Organisation ( ) ; page 17, Game Review – Anime: The Arcade Game by David Moisan; page 18, New Member (10) List & Membership Update (2) list; page 19, List of Fanzines & member's Birthdays; page 20, Classifieds & Personals Ads. And Clubs.]

April 1990 Pt.1e UK Anime Fandom.

 Post Con thoughts...

To get a feel of emotions that poured out from people with this newly discovered sleeping giant called Anime that many of us had grown-up with and had no idea of it's true origins! What follows are snippets from letters from my fellow UK Anime fans that I met at the Convention and corresponded with prier to the Convention.

To this day they can still invoke memories of how it felt, like a time wonderment to so many of us.

Paul Davison wrote on the 19^th. of April -

“had a great time without getting drunk, but days later still had a headache from lack of sleep”

“It was worth it!”, “And I'd do it again next week!”

“I'm going to take your advice and write to everyone and everything and hope I get replies.”

“more than ever I'm going to try and promote Anime and Anime based games in our area. I'm going to make a poster asking for Anime and Manga fans to contact me (if only for a chat, it's a start.).”

“seeing 'Macross: Do you remember Love' just blew my mind, and brought home to me what is my favourite Anime”

“Its been good to find someone else who likes the same thing and I hope some kind of Organisation can be set-up in Britain soon for the likes of you and me”

R. Poffley wrote in April 1990.

“looking back at EastCon there were quite a few people at EastCon who were interested in Anime there but, as you say most had been fans for a while and not many “new” fans at all.”

“Helen had been approached to do an Anime Programme for the WorldCon in the Netherlands in August.”

“I think that the Anime programme was one of the better attended events over the convention and that bodes well for Anime in this Country.”

[Note: The get together on the Sunday was all about making friends and exchanging bits of information, I was even able to introduced Paul to Ashley, even though Paul had read Mektek.]

[Note: Jim Swallow wrote to Jay Felton telling her that EastCon'90 had about 700 attendees. - This was the big national Science Fiction for the UK]


[Amendment\update  "there were about 700 attendees, although the official convention membership count is on record, though without supporting sources, as 1,100 (Anon. n.d. “Eastercon”). The largest audience for the video screening room was considerably in excess of the fire limit of 450; it was usually about a third to half full, but some audiences were in single figures. As I recall, three screenings packed the room: Akira (Katsuhiro Ōtomo, 1988), Urotsukidōji (Wandering Kid, Hideki Takayama, 1989) and Robot Carnival (Katsuhiro Ōtomo et al., 1987). 
The majority of attendees were probably novelty-seekers, who made no further attempt to engage with Japanese animation after the event." ( McCarthy - Re-creating Anime History: The Development of British Anime Fandom and the Developing Comprehension of Anime History as a Transnational Phenomenon. posted on July 2019)  wrote about the "Distortion of the historical record". Facebook re-post 5^th March 2020 ]   

[NOTE: “that many of us had grown-up with and had no idea of it's true origins!” I was lucky enough to live in Australia from the late 60's to the late 70's and as a kid I loved cartoons, and I remembered seeing 'Kimba the White Lion', 'Speed Racer', 'Marine Boy' , and 'The Amazing 3', so from this early age Japanese animation styles were imprinted on me. Later I lived in Spain for a whole year and was introduced to such cartoons like 'Mazinger Z', 'Battle of the Planets' more imprints.]

[NOTE: I will endeavour to contact as many attendees for their recollections of that day as I can.]

Helen McCarthy – Re-creating Anime History: The Development of British Anime Fandom and the Developing Comprehension of Anime History as a Transnational Phenomenon.

https://journal.animationstudies.org/helen-mccarthy-re-creating-anime-history-the-development-of-british-anime-fandom-and-the-developing-comprehension-of-anime-history-as-a-transnational-phenomenon/?fbclid=IwAR1lJMfxPbHVaU6qd8E2kDmGdG00nmuZIH_bkq_KbkjVxcmL4v8TfxfeYpo

To be continued.......... When more comes to light!

Con booklet, and paperwork provided by P. Davison (Feb 2021)

April 1990 Pt.1d UK Anime Fandom.

For the first time, new fans and Pen-Pals alike gathered, even the 'Zentraedi' spies (Ian, Keith & Paul Davison) where in attendance. People so infused with a passion for Japanese Animation to get the recognition that Anime was a new frontier worth exploring!

I can not after all this time (24 years have passed by) remember all those who where there at the meeting, only a few stick in my mind, luckily some of my letters from fellow UK Anime fans that have survived to this day to fill the gaps in my memory.

EASTCON '90 meeting attendees:-

Ashley (editor of Mektek), Carlo Bernhardi (Myself), Paul Davison, Ian (friend of Paul Davison), Keith (friend of Paul Davison), Helen McCarthy, Richard Poffley, and Jim Swallow (James Swallow).

Helen McCarthy would like to add; Peter J. Evans, Peter Evans, Harry Payne, Wil Overton, David Rowe, and Jonathan Weeks, to the list of attendees.

[NOTE: I will endeavour to contact as many attendees for their recollections of that day as I can.]

Jonathan Weeks Wrote "I never attended any Eastercons. My first contact with fandom was Animeday (1991)" (Posted on FB messenger march 2020).

DATE to be confirmed June\July 1990 (as Helen's first house meeting is Saturday 21st. July)

[ Post EasterCon'90 Contact news-sheet, the Proto-AnimeUK Newsletter. added in honor of the up and coming 30th Anniversary of the first Gathering of UK Anime Fans in April  of 1990 ]

What follows is passages from the Post EasterCon'90 Contact news-sheet (from Helen McCarthy & Steve Kyte), I hope these last few Blog pages have given you all an insight into what it was like and how it all started.

“KONNICHIWA!

Japanese for "hello, how are you," it seems a good way to start.

You're getting this because you were at the EASTCON 90 bar meeting or else have written to me to express an interest in Anime Fandom in the UK, and since it didn't really exist before EASTCON you're part of the setup crew!

It was nice to meet so many Anime enthusiasts at the con and I'm sorry I didn't have a chance to talk more to everyone running most of a programme stream plus the Art Show is a silly thing to do and doesn't leave you time for much else but hope to remedy this in the next few months. As I said at the con.

I think the 'best way we can ensure the wider circulation of Anime tapes and easier contact between fans is to do a newsletter and fanzine which will at least provide a point of contact to start with, and to try and set up viewing sessions in as many areas as possible.

Please get in touch with. others on the attached list and please set up local showings if you can.

Let us have any Information for future issues of the news-sheet - addresses~. contacts, anything you think would be of interest to other fans.

And now for the news from ANIME UK.....

“Don't forget to ask the organisers of any convention you are Interested in if they would run an Anime showing, and put them :n touch with me if they're interested."

[NOTE: Helen & Steve included an open house for viewings, as many of us did in those days. People all huddled around a small TV in a front-room or Bed-room.]

SATURDAY 21ST JULY - 2 p.m. NIGHT ON THE GALACTIC RAILROAD; PATLABOR; other items. Mostly in Japanese.

SUNDAY 5TH AUGUST - 2 p.m. BUBBLEGUM CRISIS: THE FIVE STAR STORIES, other items. Mostly in Japanese.

SATURDAY 29TH SEPTEMBER - 2 p.m. Programme TBA depending what we get in the interim.

We have only a certain amount of oxygen in the living-room so we CAN'T take more than ten people per showing. If you want to come please phone or write right away and book your airspace!

ANYONE ELSE WHO CAN HOLD SHOWINGS PLEASE LET ME KNOW SO I CAN PUBLISH DETAILS.

PLEASE WRITE on anything anime related - this newsletter needs your input!!!!!!!

[There was a contact List including 27 UK individuals...]

These 27 individuals are by no means the only Anime Fans known in the UK as of June 1990, just those that were in contact with Helen McCarthy, nor is it a complete list of  Anime Fan attendees at Easter Con '90, as far as I know.
[NOTE: I will endeavour to contact as many attendees for their recollections of that day as I can.]

To be continued..........Post Con thoughts...