Introduction

Helen McCarthy, writer, author, journalist, speaker, scholar, Manga, Anime, Japanese animation, Studio Ghibli, Hayao Miyazaki, Osamu Tezuka, Leiji Matsumoto, haiku, cosplay, UK

Photo: Megaera Amis

Helen McCarthy is a writer, speaker, scholar and poet who has published over a dozen books across eight languages on anime, manga, history, art and craft.

Helen’s publications include: A Brief History Of Manga, Manga Cross-Stitch, 500 Essential Anime Movies, 500 Manga Heroes & Villains, The Anime Encyclopedia: A Guide to Japanese Animation since 1917, Hayao Miyazaki: Master of Japanese Animation, The Erotic Anime Movie Guide, The Anime Movie Guide – Japanese Animation since 1983 and Anime! A Beginner’s Guide To Japanese Animation.

Her main interests currently include Studio Ghibli, Hayao Miyazaki, Osamu Tezuka, Leiji Matsumoto, haiku and cosplay.

She has given talks and lectures across the UK, USA, Europe and Asia. You can contact her here.

Learn more about Helen here.

Japanuary

January 9, 2026

Over on BlueSky I’m posting about #Japanuary throughout the month. There’s a daily post under that hashtag highlighting resources and [...]

Front cover of La Bibbia dei Manga, published in Italian by Gribaudo. The cover is deep pink, overprinted with a page of manga art by Baron Yoshimoto in black ink. The title is in large, bold, bright yellow block capitals, with the author's and publisher's names in smaller white capitals.

Christmas in January: Italian Edition of The Manga Bible!

January 9, 2026

I was absolutely thrilled to receive an advance copy of La Bibbia dei Manga – Gribaudo’s Italian edition of The [...]

animeinsider.insta made this birthday image of a younger MIyazaki surrounded by some of the characters from his films. The text congratulates him on his 85th birthday, 5 January 2026.

New Year, New Energy

January 5, 2026

I hope everyone’s having a really good start to 2026 in spite of the political horrors around us. Even in [...]

Studio Ghibli talk in Northampton

December 31, 2025

My third Studio Ghibli Seed Talk in February 2026 is in Northampton, in the Rodber Suite. You can get tickets [...]

A ruined castle in a dramatic forested mountain ravine, shrouded by mist as pale rays of sunlight filter through from above. Artwork by Minh Thien

Journey to the West continues: Studio Ghibli talk in Taunton

December 30, 2025

On 10 February I’m in Taunton, talking about the art history of Studio Ghibli at Somerset County Cricket Club. This [...]

Poster for the talk The Art History of Studio Ghibli, with an image of NoFace from Spirited Away on a pale gold ground surrounded by black text with details of the event

Journey to the West: Studio Ghibli talks in the West Country

December 29, 2025

The New Year’s approaching fast and my calendar is already picking up the pace. In February I’m in the West [...]

Cover of the French edition of the catalogue to the Isao Takahata exhibition held in Japan and Paris.

A Present from Paris

December 23, 2025

Look what came in the post from Paris – the perfect Christmas gift to myself. Now I can relive the [...]

Time Travel: The Stone Bridge Podcast August 2023

December 22, 2025

Before I sign off for the holidays, here’s an interview I really enjoyed doing, from the excellent Stone Bridge Podcast. [...]

New year, new talk venue: Hastings

December 19, 2025

On 26 January I’m doing my first Seed Talk of 2026, taking my successful and widely praised Art History of [...]

Helen is pictured seated in front of a cream coloured wall. She has cropped red hair and wears a teal blue cowl neck sweater, large green malachite stud earrings, and a round pendant with a stone that looks like a beautiful alien planet.

The Anime Business new episode – all about me!

December 18, 2025

The latest episode of The Anime Business is an interview Justin Sevakis filmed with me about a year ago: “The [...]

From left to right, the German, English and French editions of The Manga Bible by Helen McCarthy. The book covers are identical, a purple background overlaid with manga art, with the book title in bold yellow capitals and other text in white. In the background, enlarged copies of the ENglish cover on advertising boards, one with the launch date, 5 March 2026.

TikTok!

December 18, 2025

That’s where I’m going – thanks to the brilliant PR team at Octopus. I spent an afternoon with them yesterday [...]

Screenshot from The Anime Business, by AnimEigo, producer Justin Sevakis. John O'Donnell talks about early controversies. He's seating in a room with Japanese-style paper and wooden screen walls. Inset it the poster for the US release of 'Dominion Tank Police' from Central Park Media.

The Anime Business: Next Up, Yours Truly!

December 11, 2025

Justin Sevakis’ groundbreaking video interview series The Anime Business is a must watch. Pulling together businessmen, scholars, critics and fans, [...]