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convention

MFINDA: A Journey Between Worlds, presented by N LITE

I challenge you to find an anime out there that's channeling the soul of Studio Ghibli as well as N LITE 's upcoming film MFINDA . ― I challenge you to find an anime out there that's channeling the soul of Studio Ghibli as well as N LITE's upcoming film MFINDA. N LITE aims to redefine the boundaries of the anime industry by drawing from authentic cultures and untapped stories of the African diaspora,...
convention

Frieren Panel Lets Fans Journey Through The Anime's Soundscape

Composer Evan Call reveals that he wants the music in Frieren to be "the voice of the world." ― The Frieren: Beyond Journey's End panel at the Peacock Theater proved entertaining to those curious about the sounds that go into the anime's production. With Stark's voice actor Chiaki Kobayashi and composer Evan Call on stage alongside producer Yuichiro Fukushi, the panel took on a very sonic nature to a...
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Crunchyroll's Let's Play Panel Discusses Anime Production's Cultural Exchange

Creator Mongie's inspiration is just part of the reason this series should appeal to viewers around the world. ― The first episode of the anime adaptation of popular webcomic Let's Play made its way into the JW Marriott on the very first day of Anime Expo. I'll admit, it wasn't exactly the most densely populated panel I attended that weekend, but it did boast the most party-hard preshow of 'em all. I...
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Arknights: Endfield Might Give Genshin Impact a Run for its Money

Based on the demo, this game is something to look forward to. ― The Arknights tower-defense game is getting an RPG spin-off called Arknights: Endfield, and it's surprisingly more robust than I thought it would be. During Anime Expo 2025, Anime News Network got the opportunity to play a 30-minute demo. It has a lot of potential with its slick art direction and mixture of action-RPG and tower defense g...
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Peach-Pit Journey's Down Memory Lane In 25th Anniversary Panel

Manga duo Peach-Pit reminisced about their twenty-five years in the field before an enthusiastic crowd. ― At their special Q&A panel, Peach-Pit fondly reminisced on their quarter of a century working together as mangaka. Remaining consistent with keeping their faces a secret to the public, members Banri Sendou and Shibuko Ebara donned long black clothes and starkly-draped masks that dangled in front ...
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FuRyu's Varlet is Taking a More Colorful Direction in Its First Demo

A preview of Varlet shows it to be a colorful, promising game with an intriguing battle system. ― Developers FuRyu and Aquria is an underdog studio creating more digestible RPGs compared to the behemoths of Persona and Final Fantasy. The studio is best known for games like The Caligula Effect, Monark, Trinity Trigger, and Reynatis. This year, FuRyu is launching Varlet, a brand new school life and dun...
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Ninjas, Cats, and Roosters Abound at Viz's Anime Expo Panel

Just imagine those Family Guy bits where Peter has to fight a giant chicken, except now the chicken's the main character of a seinen and he has to fight something more monstrous than some shlubby ex-toy factory worker. ― As far as panels go, there was nothing earth-shattering in the way Viz presented itself and its products at its Anime Expo panel this year. What you expected is exactly what you got...
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Kaiju No. 8 Panel Brings Plenty of Energy to Anime Expo

Masaya Fukunishi is probably one of the most animated people I have ever seen. ― Kaiju No. 8 has established itself as one of the more popular shows to have come out in the past year. That reality hits hard when you sit in the middle of the Peacock Theater in LA and find almost its entire main floor filled with loud and dedicated Kaiju No. 8 fans. Their presence and cheers were rewarded with the appe...
convention

All the News and Reviews from Anime Expo 2025

― Where is Anime News Network at Anime Expo 2025? Thursday, July 3 News Macross Frontier Manga to Be Published by Udon in English Aksys Games to Release Novect's Project Code M, 6 Other Games Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Anime's Blu-ray Disc Set Ships on October 28 GATE Anime Gets Sequel Based on 'Season 2' Novels Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc Anime Reveals Kenshi Yonezu's Theme Song in Trailer J-No...
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WEBTOON Platform Steps Into the Spotlight at Anime Expo – But Can It Break Out of the Corner?

K-Comics platform WEBTOON is stepping up its presence, but first it has to make sure that its brand is associated with its biggest hits. ― For the first time ever, WEBTOON Entertainment set up its booth at Anime Expo, marking a notable step into the mainstream spotlight. Coming off its 2024 debut on the Nasdaq, this year's presence at North America's biggest anime convention felt like the company's f...
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What If the Samurai Era Lasted in Japan Until 2026? – World Premiere of a Scene from the Theatrical Anime KILLTUBE!

With its mix of samurai and modern sensibilities, KILLTUBE looks like nothing else. ― KILLTUBE is an audacious work. It's bold in its confidence. It's pure in its artist-first approach. But when it's finally complete in 2026 – when CHOCOLATE Inc. says it will be done – will it be any good? Anime Expo attendees filed into the Crunchyroll Stage in the Platinum Ballroom for the look behind the scenes to...
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Every Anime Production is Connected: From Land of the Lustrous to Leviathan

Studio Orange continues to refine its technical and artistic skills after each production, acquiring new tools for future projects. ― Returning for Anime Expo 2025, animation studio Orange shares a behind-the-scenes look at how they make anime. Led by speaker Yoshihiro Watanabe, producer at Orange, the panel shared material from their upcoming anime series Leviathan, as well as some fun sequences on ...
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Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun's Cast and Staff Bring Mokke and Candy to AX

“In season one, we only had twelve episodes and there were things that didn't quite make the series. Season two is two cour , so there's a lot that we can do, which is what I'm excited about.“ ― Fans of popular anime series, Toilet-bound Hanako-kun, were in for a treat as the voice of Hanako-kun, Megumi Ogata, made an appearance alongside two producers. Producers Yuki Katayama (TBS) and Shota Komats...
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JUJUTSU KAISEN Special Event Previews Upcoming Excitement

The compilation film is billed as the perfect place for newbies to start ahead of upcoming developments. ― TOHO animation brought two heavy-hitting voice actors to the JUJUTSU KAISEN panel at Anime Expo 2025. Arguably, as one of the most attended panels this year at the convention, the 7,100 capacity venue looked fairly filled out to the brim on the first floor and spotty open seats on the second flo...
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NBCUniversal Japan Debuts A Wild Last Boss Appeared!

Fans were also treated to a sneak peek of the new season of Reincarnated as a Sword. ― Ryo Hino, manager and anime producer from NBCUniversal Japan, presented the company's anime slate to a full house at Anime Expo 2025. The Tokyo-based production and distribution company is a subsidiary of NBCUniversal, previously known as Geneon Entertainment Inc., since 2003, until it adopted its current name in ...
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Demon Slayer Orchestra Concert Brings Down the House

It might not have been anything new, but it was captivating. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba celebrated its sixth anniversary with an orchestra concert in LA's Peacock Theater at this year's Anime Expo. I'll admit that I'm the furthest thing from a hardcore Demon Slayer fan, but I am a rabid fan of music, and when I found out that I was fortunate enough to cover another concert, my interest was piqu...
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Digimon Story: Time Stranger is Looking like a Formidable Pokémon Competitor

Digimon Story: Time Stranger feels exciting with its dynamic animations and approachable, turn-based combat. ― Earlier this year, Bandai Namco announced Digimon Story: Time Stranger, the latest entry in its Digimon Story series, would be coming this October. While Digimon has enjoyed a sizable amount of popularity in the past, it never reached the gargantuan heights of Pokémon's fame. However, that ...
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Maomao and Shisui Perform at The Apothecary Diaries Panel

The two actresses wow the crowd with their live performance. ― Coming off hot from a fiery season finale of The Apothecary Diaries, voice actresses Aoi Yuki and Asami Seto were welcomed onstage to thunderous applause. The ballroom was filled to the brim long before the panel started, with some fans left disappointed as they were turned away. But with the sequel fresh off the press, there will be more...
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The Summer Hikaru Died Premiere Brings the Unsettling

This is a thrill ride, not a walk in the park. ― Mokumokuren's genre-bending title, The Summer Hikaru Died, drew a massive July 4th crowd to JW Platinum Ballroom. Starting on time and jumping immediately into the screening, fans didn't have time to catch their breath before the lights went out. Cygames Pictures dove headfirst into emphasizing the horror, placing those aspects of the story front and c...
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Baku Kinoshita's The Last Blossom Gives Plants a Voice

A talking flower replaces talking animals in Baku Kinoshita's latest work. ODDTAXI creator Baku Kinoshita returns to Anime Expo with his newest creation, The Last Blossom. The story follows an elderly yakuza man and a talking Housenka flower who retells the man's story before he arrived in prison. As a bit of fun, Kinoshita brought a talking flower toy that repeats whatever it's told. Hirofumi Ito...
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Science SARU's SANDA Premiere with Paru Itagaki

Santa gets a makeover in Science SARU's adaptation of Paru Itagaki's manga. ― A packed July 4th room waited eagerly for the arrival of BEASTARS author, Paru Itagaki, for Science SARU's adaptation of her 2021 manga, SANDA. Joined onstage by Director Tomohisa Shimoyama and Producer Kohei Sakita from Science SARU, the trio was happily greeted with thunderous applause. Itagaki and Shimoyama thanked the ...
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Itaru Kinoshita Dives Deep into Dinosaur Sanctuary at Anime Expo 2025

Even a couple of dinosaurs turned up to hear about Kinoshita's manga. Dinosaur Sanctuary author Itaru Kinoshita spoke to a room full of humans and two dinosaurs at Anime Expo 2025. As a graduate of San Francisco State University's School of Cinema, his experience in film studies and Palau led him to start creating a story about dinosaurs. His first work, Giganto o ute (Attack the Gigante), was pub...
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Seasonal Events Return in Persona5: The Phantom X

Singer Lyn also returned to the stage for an explosive performance of "Wake Up, Get Up, Get Out There." ― During Anime Expo 2025, Atlus and Sega hosted a panel for Persona5: The Phantom X, which included P-Studio creator Kazuhisa Wada, producers Yosuke Uda and Jun Matsunaga, and character designer Shigenori Soejima. They explained the design process and the inspiration behind Persona5: The Phantom X'...
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Let This Grieving Soul Retire! Season 2, May I Ask for One Final Thing? Kick Off Premieres at Anime Expo

If you love a lady that can kick your ass, Scarlet is sure to be your new favorite villainess this October. ― The Platinum Ballroom in the JW Marriott hotel, located here at Anime Expo 2025 in Los Angeles, is fully dedicated to anime premieres throughout the entire convention. Crunchyroll hosts it, so the stage is adorned with its signature orange. It's a guaranteed way for attendees to get an exclus...
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HIDIVE and TV Asahi Present The Dangers in My Heart Movie Sneak Peek

The original show was already very high-quality to begin with, so if we're getting something even bigger than that, then we will definitely be in for a treat. ― The Dangers in My Heart became one of my favorite anime of all time, and it was one of the best I've had the pleasure of reviewing in the past couple of years. While I think it ended perfectly, it turns out that there is still more story to t...
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Found Family and Making Jokes Land with the WITCH WATCH Director and Dub Cast

“You can't just slap images on the screen and call it an anime,” notes director Hiroshi Ikehata. ― WITCH WATCH's blend of comedy and magical shenanigans has made it a fan favorite, and at Anime Expo 2025, a special panel featuring the director of the anime, Hiroshi Ikehata as well as some main members of the dub staff like LilyPichu (Nico), Stephen Fu (Morihito), and Caleb Yen (Kanashi), took a look ...
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A Discussion with Mokumokuren—Creator of The Summer Hikaru Died

Mokumokuren discusses inspiration and creating the story they wanted to read at their first con appearance. ― There's much anticipation for the airing of the anime adaptation of Mokumokuren's The Summer Hikaru Died. At Anime Expo 2025, Mokumokuren made their first appearance at an American anime convention. They showed up wearing a black block over their head in order to conceal their identity. Howev...
convention

Final Fantasy XIV's Yoshi-P Reveals the Anime, Movies, and Games That Have Influenced Him the Most

Surprising absolutely no one who has played Final Fantasy XIV, Berserk and Gundam were among them. ― During Anime Expo 2025, Final Fantasy XIV/Final Fantasy XVI producer Naoki Yoshida (known affectionately as Yoshi-P by fans) hosted a panel to reveal what his biggest influences were growing up. These included everything from TV shows and anime to movies and video games. He broke down his panel into 7...
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BL Manga Creator Ogerestu Tanaka Makes First Appearance at Anime Expo 2025

“I’m touched that you’re all here today and I intend to draw BL until I drop!“ ― Famed Boys Love manga creator Ogeretsu Tanaka celebrates more than a decade since her debut in 2014. Brought to Los Angeles by KUMA Books, Tanaka has been booked and busy exploring the city's milkshakes and burgers. As a panel full of fans filled the convention room, Tanaka waved to fans as she wore a pink mask made of c...
convention

NBCUniversal Delivers Laughs with Inexpressive Kashiwada and Expressive Oota World Premiere

Inexpressive Kashiwada and Expressive Oota's first episode put a smile on my face that just wouldn't go away. ― Producer Genta Ozaki took the stage alongside host Kwok-Wai Hanson at NBCUniversal Japan's world premiere of Inexpressive Kashiwada and Expressive Oota at Anime Expo. Having worked at the company for about two years, Ozaki took the time to discuss some of NBCUniversal's anime productions, a...
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Bandai Namco Filmworks Pulls All the Stops for Gundam Rising Panel

Despite a late start, Bandai's GQuuuuuuX panel was full of excitement. ― The highly anticipated panel for Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX opened to a welcoming Anime Expo Day 1 at the Peacock Theater. As an out-of-the-convention-center panel, there were understandable technical troubles. For a three hour panel with a movie screening, a Q&A, freebies, and a concert, the panel felt like a standalone event...
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A Star Brighter Than The Sun First Episode Impressions from Anime Expo 2025

Not only does this anime check off a lot of boxes that I look for in a good solid romance, but it's also just filled with so much heart. ― A good romance can be hard to make sometimes because a lot of them are presented the same way. Often you have a shy girl looking up to a popular boy and them needing to learn to come into their own. I watch so many shows exactly like that yet I was far from bored ...
convention

All the News and Reviews from Anime Expo 2025

Find all the news and reviews from Anime Expo 2025, right here! ― Where is Anime News Network at Anime Expo 2025? Thursday, July 3 News Macross Frontier Manga to Be Published by Udon in English Aksys Games to Release Novect's Project Code M, 6 Other Games Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Anime's Blu-ray Disc Set Ships on October 28 GATE Anime Gets Sequel Based on 'Season 2' Novels Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Re...
convention

Pac-Man's Dark Reimagining in Shadow Labyrinth is Intriguing

After capturing everyone's attention in Secret Level, we gave the dark Pac-Man game a test run. ― During Anime Expo 2025, Bandai Namco invited Anime News Network to check out Shadow Labyrinth, a gritty reimagining of the Pac-Man property. In this iteration, you play as Swordsman No. 8, a figure clouded in mystery. Following you around is an orb named Puck, who conspicuously looks similar to our belov...
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Going All Out with the Cast of DAN DA DAN Panel at Anime Boston

The English cast of DAN DA DAN catered to an enthusiastic crowd with an engaging Q&A at Anime Boston. ― With 4700 square feet, the Sheraton Republic Ballroom in Boston's Sheraton hotel, adjacent to the Hynes Convention Center, can easily hold a few hundreds of people. For the Going All Out with the Cast of DAN DA DAN panel at Anime Boston, it was filled to capacity—and you could probably fill one of...
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Blue Encount & Reol Make Anime Boston Debut

Blue Encount and Reol brought down the house at Anime Boston. ― Blue Encount and Reol completely rocked the halls of this year's Anime Boston. Being that this was their first time in Boston meant that they had to put their best foot forward in making the perfect first impression. And that they did. You could feel the frenetic energy in the room as Blue Encount served up their catchy pop-punk numbers,...
convention

Hololive Rocks Anime Boston with Humor and Music

The Justice gang kicked off their Bean Town debuts via attempts at Boston accents and many references to Dunkin Donuts. ― Hololive made waves at this year's Anime Boston with their hilarious trivia panel on Friday and an enormous karaoke concert held on Saturday. With so many fans lining up to see their favorite VTubers up close, it was hard to ignore these virtual entities' dominating aura. Despite ...
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AnimeJapan 2025

For the most complete English coverage of Japan's biggest anime con, look no further! We've got you covered: ― We came! We saw! We survived. (Mostly intact … Mostly.) AnimeJapan 2025 witnessed some electrifying panels and huge announcements about upcoming titles and returning favorites. Here's the lowdown from two days, five stages, and eight halls at Tokyo Big Sight! Prelude to AnimeJapan Nue's Exor...
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Getting Summoned to the Premiere of Headhunted to Another World: From Salaryman to Big Four!

I just wish this series was willing to embrace its goofiness more. ― There's a place for everyone in the demon lord's army—including, apparently, an ordinary salaryman. Dennosuke Uchimura is living a pretty standard salaryman life until the demon lord summons him to another world, and tells him that he wants Dennosuke to join his army as one of his Heavenly Kings—a member of the titular Big Four. Spe...
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The Cat-astrophic Premiere of Beheneko: The Elf-Girl's Cat is Secretly an S-Ranked Monster!

The catch with this premiere is that the elf girl seems weirdly not-unhorny for the behemoth/cat, and it gives the whole episode an uncomfortable vibe that’s hard to shake. ― There was a moment at the premiere of Beheneko: The Elf-Girl's Cat is Secretly an S-Ranked Monster! (henceforth Beheneko) where a signed script was given away to a member of the audience. The host of the premiere, Star Butler fr...
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From Bureaucrat to Villainess: Dad's Been Reincarnated!'s Premiere Episode is Just as Funny as it Sounds

Through the protagonist’s fatherly filter, the villainess becomes more akin to an older sister, or a helpful senpai. But as far as he’s concerned, the villainess may as well be Regina George. ― Whilst giving the audience a primer on From Bureaucrat to Villainess: Dad's Been Reincarnated! (henceforth FBtV), HIDIVE's own Star Butler couldn't help but profess their immense love for this series, and it's...
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Anyway, I'm Falling in Love with Anyway, I'm Falling in Love with You's Premiere at Anime Frontier

It was really fun to watch this premiere in a group setting like this, because you could tell everyone liked what they were watching and having a good time. ― The first episode of Anyway, I'm Falling in Love with You (henceforth Love) was the chaser to the first two episodes of Honey Lemon Soda, which managed to fill the room to capacity. A few people left before Love began, but there was still a pre...
convention

Drinking up the Honey Lemon Soda Premiere at Anime Frontier

In many ways, this feels like a completely by-the-books wish fulfillment high school romance series. ― I very nearly didn't get to see the premiere of Honey Lemon Soda at Anime Frontier. Both it and Anyway, I'm Falling in Love with You were in the same round of premieres, and the first two episodes of Honey Lemon Soda (henceforth HLS) were the ones playing first. The room would get filled to capacity...
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Checking into the Tasokare Hotel's Premiere at Anime Frontier

Of the premieres that I watched at Anime Frontier Friday, this one was probably my favorite, and I definitely intend on watching more once it starts airing. ― I don't know whether this was a happy coincidence or done on purpose, but the decision to put the Tasokare Hotel premiere during Anime Frontier's Friday night was a good call—it turned out to be a great way to close the convention's first day. ...
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Checking for Style and Substance at the Aquarion: Myth of Emotions Premiere

All in all, this premiere was a mixed bag. ― Of all the anime out there to get such a gorgeous and stylized new series in 2024, I don't want to call Aquarion a totally unpredictable guess—after all, it's been steadily getting new series every few years ever since 2005. Still, I don't think it would've been my first guess. Or my second. Or my third. Or my tenth. All the same, I welcome it. It's remini...
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Finding out if I'm Impervious to the Charms of Medaka Kuroiwa is Impervious to My Charms at its Anime Frontier Premiere

This first episode is more over the top than it looks at first glance, and if this series continues to build on that as it progresses, we could be in for something really funny. ― We've all known a Mona Kawai at one point in our lives—someone who's so effortlessly cute, charming, and charismatic, and loved by all. Mona's aware of it, too—that she's been a queen bee her whole life—and she basks in it....
convention

That Time at Anime Frontier that I Watched an Anime Premiere with an Absurdly Long Name, even by Anime Standards! It's Called Bogus Skill < < Fruitmaster > >?!

I can’t be bothered to remember that behemoth of a full name—let alone type it out. ― I've encountered many anime and light novels with absurdly long names. Remember WorldEnd: What do you do at the end of the world? Are you busy? Will you save us? But even among whatever you want to call that genre of title, nothing I've yet encountered can hold a candle to Bogus Skill < < Fruitmaster > > ~About that...
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The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim Could Pull it Off

The War of the Rohirrim has big shoes to fill, but early looks at the Kenji Kamiyama-directed film show early promise. ― One of the most anticipated and ambitious projects of the year is the upcoming The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim anime, produced by Philippa Boyens, Jason DeMarco, and Joseph Chou, with directing being done by Kenji Kamiyama. At the New York Comic Con, the main stage ...
convention

Hiro Mashima Confesses That Fairy Tail Was Born Out of His 'Loneliness'

Mashima also says the sequel was a “corporate” idea, not his. ― Would you believe that a mangaka's successful tale–or “tail”–of friendship was born out of loneliness? It's an underdog origin story for an artist like Hiro Mashima. The wizards gathered at New York Comic Con for the Spotlight panel on the famed mangaka, who debuted with Rave Master in the Weekly Shonen Magazine from 1999 to 2005. He bec...
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Cowboy Bebop Creator's Next Anime is 'His Masterpiece'

The acclaimed Shinichiro Watanabe is ready to add to his legacy with a new action-packed sci-fi series. ― Shinichirō Watanabe is a legend in the anime community, having directed and been involved in some of the most well-known properties in the entire medium. Watanabe pointed out at New York Comi Con 2024 that this year marks the thirtieth anniversary of his directing career. Whenever he announces a...
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Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League is Still in Production, But it Looks Fantastic

Batman takes on a corrupt Justice League with a fresh aesthetic as two worlds collide. ― One of the most popular superhero characters continues to find himself in unconventional situations. The best example is Batman Ninja, a CG animated film that transported Batman and many of his villains to feudal Japan. Right off the film's success, there's the much-anticipated sequel, Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza Lea...
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The Late Akira Toriyama Planted Mysteries in the New Demon Realm Just For Dragon Ball Daima

NYCC panel showed original Toriyama artwork, new mecha designs. ― While the New York Comic Con Dragon Ball Daima panel launched with whoops and cheers, it must have also packed an emotional gutpunch for the Dragon Ball fans. The passing of mangaka Akira Toriyama on March 1 has left a hole in the hearts of the franchise's acolytes. On Dragon Ball's 40th anniversary, many of them assembled at New York...
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Being Weak is Fun in Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO

Sure, you could play as Goku but why not play as the world's most popular hero, Mr. Satan? ― Like clockwork, another Dragon Ball fighting game is being released with Dragon Ball! Sparking: Zero. For a novice Dragon Ball fighting game player such as myself, it appears on the surface not much has changed. But with a little help from the Tokyo Game Show 2024 staff, I was able to navigate some of the new...
convention

Monster Hunter Wilds TGS 2024 Demo Has Me Excited Thanks to its Story

New systems and a bigger focus on story might just be enough to draw back in this lapsed Monster Hunter player. ― The Monster Hunter game series is fascinating to me. It's a game that's designed around the grind of hunting or capturing monsters so you can use their body parts to make better weapons and armor so you can hunt even tougher monsters. It's as if you grind for the sake of grinding and noth...
convention

Sonic X Shadow Generations is a Return to Form and Left Me Wanting More

This the TGS 2024 demo was fast and fun for even the most casual fan. ― Sonic is back with his edgelord rival Shadow in Sonic X Shadow Generations. I'm a lapsed and casual Sonic fan in that I've played some levels from the older Sonic games, namely Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic 2, and Sonic: Adventure, about once every 3-5 years, and I have a blast every time. But I generally stick with the titular chara...
convention

FAIRY TAIL 2 Brings Fans to Final Story Arc With Revamped Gameplay

This new game takes fans to Alvarez arc and beyond. ― In 2022, Fairy Tail fans were graced with the Koei Tecmo game FAIRY TAIL. Loosely following the story of the anime and manga of the same name, it was met with relative praise. However, with the manga series ending in 2017 and anime in 2019, there was still a bit of story for a video game adaptation of the series to explore. Now, in December 2024 w...
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Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Fuse Pirates and Yakuza in Fun New Romp

It's in the combat where some of the absurdity of Pirate Yakuza starts to shine. ― And here I was always wondering if ninja-pirates or pirate-ninjas were stronger. Turns out the real answer is pirate-yakuza. In 2024, fans of the Like a Dragon franchise once again took on the role of Ichiban Kasuga and were transported to the foreign local of Hawaii in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. So what if the Li...
convention

Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake Converted Me into a Dragon Quest Fan

Dragon Quest III is back—and for a Dragon Quest noob like me it looks super cool and user-friendly. Dragon Quest is one of the most beloved long-running JRPG franchises in Japan. First developed in 1986 by Enix, the franchise has spawned 12 mainline games, several spinoff games, a handful of manga series, and some anime series. For older fans of the franchise, some of their lasting memories come f...
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Phantom Blade 0's Hard Mode Sounds Intriguing

At Tokyo Game Show 2024, I got some hands-on time with the upcoming action game Phantom Blade 0. It was violent, bloody, and difficult enough that it wasn’t a cakewalk. ― At the Tokyo Game Show 2024, I got some hands-on time with the upcoming action game Phantom Blade 0. It was violent, bloody, and difficult enough that it wasn't a cakewalk. But it's the hard mode I'm most excited about. The demo was...
convention

FANTASIAN Neo Dimension's Boss Difficulty is a Surprising Slap in the Face

I have been playing games designed by the father of Final Fantasy for over three decades—and it did not prepare me for the boss I faced in FANTASIAN’s Tokyo Game Show 2024 demo. ― I have been playing games designed by the father of Final Fantasy for over three decades—and it did not prepare me for the boss I faced in FANTASIAN's Tokyo Game Show 2024 demo. FANTASIAN Neo Dimension is the newest game fr...
convention

Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero is the Sequel Fans Will Want to Play

Fans of the original Phantom Brave will be able to jump right into this sequel without any issue. ― Nippon Ichi Software is back with a sequel no one saw coming: Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero. And longtime fans of the original Phantom Brave will be able to jump right back into the sequel without any issue. Way back in Spring 2004 on a trip to Japan, an old Japanese friend of mine showed me Phantom Bra...
convention

Metaphor: ReFantazio Respects Your Time By Turning Dungeon Traversal into a Fun Little Mini-Game

Some marked quality-of-life updates take away a portion of the grind. ― At the Tokyo Game Show 2024, I was able to spend some time playing the demo of the upcoming Atlus RPG, Metaphor: ReFantazio. This title comes from the minds behind the Persona series, including Katsura Hashino, the director, producer, and occasional writer of various games in the series. As such, the game looks and feels like a f...
convention

SWORD ART ONLINE Fractured Daydream's 20-Man Co-op Raids are Pure Chaos

Me and 20-other players were thrown headlong into a boss battle against a giant dragon. It was a chaotic mess… but a fun chaotic mess. ― At Tokyo Game Show 2024, I was able to get some hands-on time with the newest Sword Art Online game SWORD ART ONLINE Fractured Daydream. There, I and 20 other players were thrown headlong into a boss battle against a giant dragon. It was a chaotic mess… but a fun ch...
convention

I Beat The First Berserker: Khazan Demo and Feel Euphoric

Like Sekiro? Then you’ll probably enjoy upcoming Soulslike The First Berserker: Khazan—because just like in Sekiro, parrying is the key to victory. ― At Tokyo Game Show 2024, I was able to get 45-minutes with upcoming Soulslike The First Berserker: Khazan. Going in, even as a veteran player—or at least a person who has beaten almost all the core Soulsborne games and more than a few third-party Soulsl...
convention

Keyboard Macros and World Building: Vocaloid P

While there will always be a commercial appeal to the “characters” popularized by the original Vocaloid voice packs, it's become more of a synth tool, allowing producers to create music easily and find a ready audience, hungry for more music and content. ― In the sixteen years since Hatsune Miku has been around, Vocaloid production has gone through peaks and valleys, through paradigm shifts, and ada...
convention

Macross: Past, Present, Future

Tuck yourself in and get ready to hear the tale of one of the greatest mech franchises ever created. ― Have you ever wanted to learn the history behind Macross, from its early inception to its many iterations? The attendees who packed into the Macross: Past, Present, and Future panel had the chance to do exactly that, straight from the memory of legendary Macross creator and mech designer extraordin...
convention

Artist Acky Bright Previews 1st NYC Exhibition, "Studio Infinity"

Known for his work on the viral WcDonald's campaign, Acky Bright shares his artistic insight ahead of the exhibition's October opening. ― The kawakakkoii (cute and cool) art of manga illustrator Acky Bright has become a recognizable presence in anime convention halls and advertising (his most famous work is probably this year's viral "WcDonalds" promotion). As Acky Bright returned to Anime NYC for h...
convention

Loner Life in Another World Lives and Dies by Its Protagonist

Unless the humor picks up later on, there's not much to recommend with this one. ― After a few technical delays and some brief promotion for HiDive, the panel dived straight into the premiere of the show's first episode. As is evidenced by the title, Loner Life in Another World is an isekai parody starring a loner kid named Haruka who gets isekai'd alongside his classmates but ends up separated from...
convention

Toshio Furukawa Still Can't Believe He's Piccolo

Piccolo is Furukawa's favorite character — he has a collection of over 3,000 figurines of the Namekian in his house! ― Toshio Furukawa has been in voice acting since he graduated college at the suggestion of his boss at a theater company. Starting off performing dubs of American TV shows (his first role was a bit part in the 1965-74 ABC series The F.B.I.), he'd find decades of success voicing anime ...
convention

MF Ghost Is Still for the Car Tech Superfans

There's just less to cheer about this time around, unless you're really, really into cars. ― It's hard to describe the chokehold that Initial D had on some of us '90s kids. It was this… honestly, ugly, goofy show that convinced an entire generation of nerds that street racing was the stuff of legends, that heroes were born in the early-morning hours of tofu delivery, and that drifting old 'Rollas wa...
convention

Yakuza Fiancé Anime Premiere is One of the Strongest Contenders for Fall

Maybe the characters' thick necks, buggy eyes, and alien giraffe-like limbs aren't the most beautiful, but Yoshino should more than make up for it. Am I in love? Maybe. ― In the pantheon of great literary love stories, there are enemies-to-lovers, friends-to-lovers, ex-lovers-to-lovers, and about a dozen other combinations on the route to true but unexpected love. Yakuza Fiancé: Raise wa Tanin ga Ii ...
convention

Voice Actor Chiwa Saito Shares the Importance of a Supporting Role

Many lead roles tend to go towards younger, more junior actors, while seasoned veterans take on mentor positions. ― Legendary voice actor Chiwa Saito stepped out to cheers and applause on Friday afternoon to a crowd eagerly waiting in line to hear her chat about her life and experiences. She's played several notable roles, including the titular Yona from Yona of the Dawn, Hitagi Senjougahara from th...
convention

HAIKYU!! The Dumpster Battle Anime Film Had 1,200 Animation Cuts

Lead animator Hideki Takahashi provided around 300 animation cuts himself. ― The panel began with a celebration of the 10th anniversary of the anime and played a trailer for the film, HAIKYU!! The Dumpster Battle. To talk about the film, they brought in the anime's producer, Keiko Matsushita, TOHO producer Shochiro Taguchi, and Riki Azuma, the current editor of the manga. Following their introductio...
convention

Arming Up with the Mecha-Ude Anime Premiere

I'm 95% certain the creators of Mecha-Ude are trying, at least subconsciously, to make a kid-friendly, less fanservice-y version of Kill la Kill. ― After watching the first two episodes at Anime NYC, I'm 95% certain the creators of Mecha-Ude are trying, at least subconsciously, to make a kid-friendly, less fanservice-y version of Kill la Kill. Instead of alien clothing, it's sentient robot arms draw...
convention

Ranma 1/2 Returns, The Same As It Ever Was

If you've seen or read Ranma 1/2 before, you know exactly what will happen in this premiere, but the comedy's still funny, the action packs a punch, and the characters remain as lovable as ever. ― Excitement was high at Anime NYC on Saturday for the premiere of the new Ranma 1/2 anime from MAPPA. Cosplayers gathered for photos at the front of the panel room. Before the screening, Viz Media's “Commun...
convention

Shangri-La Frontier Season 2 Premiere Dives Right Into the Action

There is a certain satisfaction akin to watching a streamer figure out how to take down a demanding boss. I just hope there's less grinding this time. ― As the original creator Katarina, manga artist Ryosuke Fuji, and the anime producer Hiroyuki Aoi made their way to Anime NYC, we were blessed with another glimpse into the godlike game Shangri-La Frontier. While it is a hit series with many fans and...
convention

Love Live! Superstar!! Idols Prepare for a 'Sparkling' 3rd Season

With the third season of Love Live! Superstar!! on the horizon, three members of Liella! made the long journey to New York to entertain Anime NYC attendees with a talk show on Friday. ― With the third season of Love Live! Superstar!! on the horizon, three members of Liella! made the long journey to New York to entertain Anime NYC attendees with a talk show on Friday. Present was Sayuri Date, who pla...
convention

Good Bye, Dragon Life Anime Premiere is Another Ho-Hum Fantasy Entry

It's hard to talk about this one beyond a general summary because, for the most part, nothing much really happens. ― After a brief greeting to the crowd, the screening of Good Bye, Dragon Life's first episode kicked off immediately. The story here follows a dragon whose long, nearly eternal life ended by human hands and reincarnated into the body of a young man named Dolan. Dolan lives peacefully in...
convention

All The Announcements from Anime NYC 2024

Anime NYC is well underway! Check out all our coverage here, sponsored by Yen Press! ― Friday, August 23 News Aniplex USA Confirms English Dub for Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai, Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dreaming Girl Anime Alterna Vvelt -Blue Exorcist Another Story- Smartphone Game Reveals New Trailer Gundam: Silver Phantom Anime Reveals Trailer, October 3 Release A Wild Last Boss App...
convention

A Salad Bowl of Eccentrics' Connection to Gifu Prefecture

Novelist Yomi Hirasaka is a Gifu native and has some food recommendations for you. ― The staff of A Salad Bowl of Eccentrics stepped up to the stage to host their two Q&A panels during the first and final days of Otakon. Both panels starred light novel author Yomi Hirasaka, who shared the stage with editor Kentaro Iwaasa, character designer Kazuhiro Fukuchi, and TBS Sparkle producer Maiko Higa. Howev...
convention

Building An Anime's Soundtrack with Composer Yuki Hayashi, Producer Hiroya Nakata

The My Hero Academia composer shared when he listens and when he follows his heart to create his iconic songs. ― During Otakon 2024, fans got a rare glimpse into how animation producers and music composers collaborate to create the soundtracks to some of our favorite anime. Producer Hiroya Nakata and composer Yuki Hayashi, both guests at the convention, are frequent collaborators. Most notably, they...
convention

The Art is in Nature's Details: Laid-Back Camp at Otakon

When director Tosaka and crew did on-location research and scouting, they took ten terabytes of cherry blossom photos for the staff to reference. ― For such a relaxing and comforting series like Laid-Back Camp, you'd think that the production would be rather, well, laid back. But in reality, there were a lot of details the team had to make sure to get right to properly bring this fan-favorite back t...
convention

Korean Comics Used to Be Burned; Now It Teaches Children

As the child of a famous manhwa artist, Park was especially aware of how government censorship affected her family's livelihood. ― Growing up in South Korea, Park Seulki Rhea remembers the comic book burnings. Every year on May 5, celebrated as Children's Day, government authorities would make a bonfire of manhwa under the premise of keeping children safe. “In 1967, manhwa was declared one of the six...
convention

Passion Defies Genre: A Spirited Talkback with the Creatives of The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic

Some may see isekai and fantasy series as dime a dozen, but the passion this quartet spoke with made it clear that Healing Magic is one of a kind. ― Only an hour before the announcement that The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic anime series will be receiving a second season, some of its key creatives sat down to speak about the production in the first of two Otakon talkback sessions. Taking to the sta...
convention

Aya Uchida Didn't Want to Be a Voice Actor, She Wanted to Be Sailor Moon

“As a child, I loved Sailor Moon,” she said. "I had a sister, and we played out the roles together. That was a lot of fun. I loved Usagi-chan, but my sister loved Sailor Mercury.” ― Aya Uchida made her Otakon debut with her own Saturday morning Q&A panel. The Love Live seiyū is no stranger to performing in front of large crowds, but even she was amazed by Otakon's huge draws. “I didn't expect to see...
convention

K-pop Panel Reveals Market's Worst Tendencies

When all was said and done, I walked away weary of puppeteers pulling K-Pop's strings—regardless of any good intentions that might have entered the mix. ― Love it or hate it, K-pop has struck a major chord with millions of fans around the globe. When introduced to a new region, the genre faces challenges specific to those bespoke markets. Plum Tree Songs' CEO Jong Hoon Chae took to the Otakon stage t...
convention

Career in Calligraphy from Garo -VANISHING LINE- to Jujutsu Kaisen

Known for his work on anime titles such as Jujutsu Kaisen, Dorohedoro, and Attack on Titan, Setta is an artist who synthesizes traditional and digital techniques to create striking art. ― Known for his work on anime titles such as Jujutsu Kaisen, Dorohedoro, and Attack on Titan, Setta is an artist who synthesizes traditional and digital techniques to create striking art. As I walked into his Otakon ...
convention

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Creators, Voice Actors Share Favorite Game Moments at Otakon

Barrett's voice actor John Eric Bentley shared how his father's death informed his performance. "...that's who became Dyne for me. I didn't want Barrett to be a caricature. I wanted him to be real." Final Fantasy fever was felt throughout this year's Otakon. With Final Fantasy VII being such an evergreen title, the cosplays and photoshoots were naturally aplenty. But it was the two Final Fantasy V...
convention

Trigun Stampede Pays Respect To The Original Anime, Manga

The idea was to create something Yasuhiro Nightow might create today using this technology. ― Studio Orange pulled out all the stops to realize the world of Trigun Stampede in glorious 3D. At Otakon 2024, producers Yoshihiro Watanabe and Kiyotaka Waki and CG director Akihiko Orikasa made it a point to break down how every decision is dedicated to creating something that fully manifests as the world ...
convention

Original Book Artwork is Integral in Orange's Leviathan Anime

Westerfeld attributed much of his book to Keith Thompson's artwork, so it was important to ensure that Thompson was an integral part of the anime's designs. Leviathan should be one of your most anticipated anime of 2025. Studio Orange has proven time and time again that they pull from a variety of different sources to create a distinct world that feels lived in. Based on the book series by acclaime...
convention

How the Like a Dragon: Yakuza Actors Embody the Source Material

Ryōma Takeuchi and Kento Kaku delve into their characters, Kazuma Kiryu and Akira Nishikiyama, and how director Take's experience with real yakuza helped them in their roles. ― Amazon Prime's TV adaptation of SEGA's global hit Yakuza series will be available to stream in just a few months. Their recently released official trailer featured a look into the cast behind Kazuma Kiryu and his childhood fr...
convention

I'll Become a Villainess Who Goes Down in History's Lackluster Visuals Hide Potential

This is probably one of the whitest shows I have ever seen, with incredibly washed-out colors and skin tones. ― I'm a big fan of this recent trend in anime that focuses less on the standard fantasy theatrics of being a hero and more on trying to exist in these worlds uniquely. Not everybody shares the same fantasy about being born or sent to an alternate world. Some people want to gain power in a sp...
convention

LiSA Strikes a Chord at SDCC 2024 Concert

The popular theme song artist performed fan-favorite hits from Demon Slayer's "Gurenge" to My Hero Academia's "Datte Atashi no Hero." ― J-pop singer LiSA returned to the U.S. for the first time since her appearance at Anime Boston in 2015. Crunchyroll hosted two nights of concerts as part of their performance series at the Rady Shell behind the San Diego Convention Center. The show was free for Comic...
convention

Like a Dragon: Yakuza Cast and Crew Explain How to Bring Kamurocho to Life

"Take-san rebuilt an entire city block, and the details of this project matter," said Barmack. "...Their rise to power, and their corruption of power." ― Amazon Prime brought the two leading actors to San Diego Comic Con 2024 to promote their six-episode TV adaptation of the Like a Dragon franchise. Joining Executive Producer Erik Barmack and Head of International Originals James Farrell, Ryoma Take...
convention

Virtual Idols Take the Spotlight at Hatsune Miku Colorful Stage! Event

Hatsune Miku Colorful Stage! returned to Anime Expo bigger, better, and with idol flair. Last year, Colorful Stage hosted panel in Petree Hall featuring the voice actors of Kanade Yoisaki and Mizuki Akiyama of Nightcord at 25:00 (Tomori Kusunoki and Hinata Satou). I attended this panel when I was at AX the previous year, and I thought it was good. There were fun talking points with the voice acto...
convention

Post-Mortem: Anime Expo 2024 Felt Roomier, Programming Access More Complicated

The con was easier to navigate this year, but at least one security concern raised alarms. Volunteers and security kept the press and guests out of high-demand panels. ― Another year, another period where Anime News Network's team spends the July 4 weekend running around the Los Angeles Convention Center for Anime Expo. Speaking from personal experience, the organizational nightmare of preparing and...

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