While this film is certainly worth watching to anyone who loves Sword Art Online, the fact that the bar to entry is $110 feels ludicrous. ― Unanswered//Butterfly is far from the first anime to be released as a video game extra—in this case the Echoes of Aincrad Ultimate Edition. However, rather than an extra episode or OVA, Unanswered//Butterfly is a full on feature film that clocks in at just under ...

convention

1 comment

WITCH X WITCH: Kamome Shirahama and Dana Terrace Share Their Love of Fantasy at Kodansha House

Jul 10, 12:30

1 comment

manga events

Witch Hat Atelier and The Owl House creators sit down for a one-of-a-kind discussion ― Sixty fans of The Owl House and Witch Hat Atelier joined under one roof for a special Q&A session with creators Dana Terrace and Kamome Shirahama. After many years of mutual admiration, the two fantasy writers had a public discussion about each other's work. Shirahama wore her usual Iguin cosplay while Terrace donn...

review

2 comments

Hide and Seek Manga Review

Jul 10, 12:00

2 comments

manga

Naono Yoshiko’s line of '70s shoujo horror stories is as grisly, harrowing, and all-around entertaining a read as they come. ― My introduction to Hide and Seek went thusly: 70's shoujo manga focusing on children who meet horrible ends. I heard “70's” and “children who meet horrible ends” and immediately thought of Ringing Bell, which (cold take, I know, but) to this day is still my gold standard of o...

column

20 comments

This Week in Games - The Boat Came Back

Jul 10, 10:00

20 comments

games

Jean-Karlo has lots of exciting retro game news for you this week. Are you ready to set out in your nice boat? ― Welcome back, folks! Lots of photos floated around from this past weekend's Anime Expo. Apparently, they really messed up Artist Alley (sad to hear). On the other hand, Shift-Up had a Goddess of Victory: Nikke stall, complete with a Doro mascot. All the love to whoever was in that thing; t...

interview

3 comments

Holding Nothing Back and Giving it Absolutely Everything: A Chat with Wistoria: Wand and Sword Season 2 Director, Hideaki Nakano

Jul 10, 09:00

3 comments

anime

Hideaki Nakano talks about moving into the director's chair for Wistoria's second season and what he loves about the show. ― With its gorgeous visuals, rich world building, and absolutely electrifying direction, Wistoria: Wand and Sword is an obvious standout in the realm of magical school anime. While season one was directed by Tatsuya Yoshihara, who would later go on to direct Chainsaw Man: Reze A...

news

35 comments

Live-Action Naruto Hollywood Film Launches Global Casting Call for 3 Main Leads

Jul 9, 21:15

35 comments

live-action

Casting for other characters to come later ― The official website for the Naruto franchise announced on Friday that Lionsgate's live-action film adaptation of Masashi Kishimoto's Naruto manga has begun a global casting search for the main characters Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura, with casting for other characters to come at a later date. Kishimoto commented on the announcement: Right now, miracles are h...

4 comments

How BanG Dream! YUME∞MITA Uses Shoujo Tropes to Tell a New Kind of Girls' Band Story

Jul 9, 20:43

4 comments

anime

How BanG Dream! YUME∞MITA references a ton of foundational Shoujo themes, but in a completely new way. From the harrowed heroine to the new girl, find out how YUME∞MITA delivers a uniquely emotional experience. ― The BanG Dream! franchise is one that has regularly referenced a variety of genres. Obviously this largely refers to the musical acts, where the catchy rock of Poppin'Party will play alongsi...

convention

Firefly Wedding Anime Premiere Draws A Crowd With Its Bloody Adaptation

Jul 9, 14:30 anime

The anime turns up Shinpei's yandere tendencies, which Uchiyama delivers with thrilling precision. His final scene, where he promises to make her happy—excitedly smiling while doused in blood—is sure to be as memorable as Future Diary's Yuno Gasai viral yandere face. ― The animated adaptation of Oreco Tachibana's Meiji-era historical romance, Firefly Wedding, brought together an excited group of fan...

feature

3 comments

The Fire Emblem Influence Is Strong In Brigandine Abyss

Jul 9, 13:00

3 comments

games

Here’s an upcoming title that doesn’t just remember Path of Radiance, it really, really, REALLY remembers it. ― Masayuki Horikawa and Rei Kondoh. That was all I needed to know when I first heard about this game. You mean to tell me the director of Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance is working alongside the guy who helped compose the Okami soundtrack (as well as other Fire Emblem games)? Teenage me from ci...

review

5 comments

Klutzy Class Monitor and the Girl with the Short Skirt Anime Series Review

Jul 9, 12:00

5 comments

anime

It’s cute seeing a couple that’s too honest about how they feel, even if they reach the finish line a bit early. ― When is it too soon to let your feelings be heard? In this series, seemingly never. Ponsuka (aka The Klutzy Class Monitor and the Girl with the Short Skirt) might be one of the loudest romcoms about its feelings. How could it possibly be a quiet pairing of the uptight Hall Monitor and th...

feature

268 comments

The Summer 2026 Anime Preview Guide

Jul 9, 09:49

268 comments

anime

The episode 2s are starting to roll in - does Dara-san of Reiwa still hold up? Also check out our reviewers' thoughts on The Ghost in the Shell, Chainsmoker Cat, KAIJU GIRL CARAMELISE, and more! ― Welcome to Anime News Network's Summer 2026 Anime Preview Guide! Here's how it goes: our team of critics writes up their impressions instantly, to be posted here as they go along. Each critic will cover as...

review

7 comments

An Observation Log of My Fiancée Who Calls Herself a Villainess Anime Series Review

Jul 8, 12:00

7 comments

anime

It’s the really fun dynamic between the central trio that keeps the show bounding along so entertainingly. ― I know, I know, it's yet another “reincarnated as an otome game villainess” anime. It seems we get at least one or two every season, so shouldn't the formula be getting stale by now? So went my thought process anyway, and I almost skipped out on this wonderful show as a result of my fatigue re...

convention

New Director of Black Clover Season 2 Delivers on Tabata's Wish for 'Extra Cool' Battles

Jul 7, 18:30 anime

Director Tanemura himself commented, “I'm very happy with what I saw, and it's hard to believe I made that. That was me.” ― After five years, Black Clover Season 2 returns as a new anime series and continues from the destructive, destitute end of the first series. Originally premiering in 2017, Black Clover's first season covers up to the Spade Kingdom Raid arc. Despite the four-year run with over 17...

Chitose Is in the Ramune Bottle (TV 2)

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