The Old School Otaku Lounge

The short version from Anime-kyo-uk (aka. Carlo R.M. Bernhardi) is,
That I liked Giant Robot model kits in the 80's, then found some imported translated Manga from America in the late 80's that you could write to fan-Clubs (by posting a letter!!), also found some fanzines too. Got a few contacts, and it snowballed, I imported some raw Manga though 'Nippon Books' (in London) and a Japanese courier service.
By 1995 I ran the Biggest Fan run Anime club in Europe (over 350 member world wide) all before the World wide Web even took-off (and I wrote letters to all of them, as well as editing a club magazine).
So I can say I was at the Start of the UK's Anime Fandom, and did my part – still have tons of stuff video companies sent to the club; pre-edited time-coded VHS tapes and promotional stuff, and the like.

1988 to 1994 was a great time for me, and Anime!


“My favourite Anime (aged 24 199?) films are:- Totoro, Five Star Stories, Macross (Do you remember Love), Kiki's Delivery Service, and Akira.
The manga I like includes:- Nausicaa of the valley of the Wind, Outlanders, Appleseed, Grey, and Lost Continent.
My favourite characters form manga are:- Justy and Grey and form Anime are Totoro and Lupin III.

I have started a UK Blog on the Anime Fandom in the late 80's and early 90's The Anime Nostalgia Facility http://anime-nostalgia-facility.blogspot.co.uk/

All input welcome..!

Hi Carlo, I'm really looking forward to reading your posts and blog!

The UK retro anime party wing has started XD

Nice to see another fan from the UK~ Welcome to the forum~

Welcome, welcome! Always great to see more members, especially from other sides of the world!
I think it's interesting to hear about other countries "fandom" hisstory, so I'm looking forward to hearing more from you and seeing more updates to your site! Would you mind if I linked you? I run an American-based site & podcast called "Anime Nostalgia" so your site is definitely relevant to me!

Ey up, big lad.

Welcome.

I believe I wrote to you back in the day. Most of my correspondence was destroyed in the move to my latest house, so I will probably not know. I think though you might have sent me the Italian Star Blazers books I own.

Welcome aboard!

Anyone know what happened to the 2 French or Belgian fans that used to attend all the early conventions back in the 1990s? I think one went on to start his own distribution company but I can't be sure. Have to check some materials from that time. Two wild and crazy guys I think about often. Would be great to hear from them again!

Welcome!

Very cool to have another UK person on board! Welcome!

Hello! I am a big fan of Outlanders. I have a huge collection of Maison Ikkoku. You are going to like it here.