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

Photo: Megaera Amis

Introduction

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.

LATEST NEWS

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My last Seed Talk of 2025 is in Newcastle upon Tyne on 15 December 2025. You can get tickets here. [...]

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What do you give the person with everything? Problem solved: original manga art – a page of a published comic, [...]

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As promised yesterday, I’m posting a geek gift idea every couple of days between now and Christmas. First up on [...]

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It’s official – The Manga Bible launches on 5th March 2026! You can help me to supercharge the launch by [...]

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I really enjoyed looking round MCM ComicCon on Friday afternoon – big thanks to Chris Whittle of Experience12 for inviting [...]

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Sheeta from Castle in the Sky, trapped at gunpoint and with her braids literally shot off by her long lost cousin. A half length portrait against a background of thick, greenish-black tree roots. Sheeta weara a high-necked lilac coloured blouse with elbow-length puffed sleeves, a red belt and a red hairband in her dark brown hair.
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