Shabake may have flown under a few radars as it was airing, but it's a solid show that deserves more attention. ― If you've been watching anime and reading manga for a while, you're probably familiar with the basic ayakashi, or spirits and supernatural beings, that crop up frequently. The kappa, the kitsune, the tanuki, the nopperabo…it'd be easy to assume that these and a few others make up the bulk...

news

6 comments

Wandering Witch - The Journey of Elaina Light Novels Get New Anime Film

Jan 4, 08:32

6 comments

anime

Kaede Hondo returns to voice new dialogue for teaser ― The GA Fes 2026 event announced on Sunday that Jougi Shiraishi's Wandering Witch - The Journey of Elaina (Majo no Tabitabi) light novel series is inspiring a new anime film. The teaser below features Kaede Hondo recording new dialogue as the title character Elaina, as she had done in the previous television anime: Original character designer Azur...

news

4 comments

The Brilliant Healer's New Life in the Shadows Anime Gets 2nd Season

Jan 4, 07:41

4 comments

anime

1st season debuted in April 2025 ― The GA FES 2026 livestream on Sunday announced the second season for the television anime of author Sakaku Hishikawa and illustrator Daburyu's The Brilliant Healer's New Life in the Shadows (Isshun de Chiryō Shiteita no ni Yakutatazu to Tsuihō Sareta Tensai Chiyushi, Yami Healer to Shite Tanoshiku Ikiru) light novel series The announcement feature a promotional vide...

news

I Lost My Adventurer's License Light Novels Get TV Anime

Jan 4, 07:15 anime

Manimani Ononata launched story in 2017 ― The GA FES 2026 livestream on Sunday announced that Manimani Ononata's Bōkensha License o Hakudatsusareta Ossan Dakedo, Manamusume ga Dekita node Nonbiri Jinsei o Ōkasuru (I Lost My Adventurer's License, but It's Fine Because I Have an Adorable Daughter Now) light novel series is receiving a television anime adaptation. The announcement also revealed the anim...

review

2 comments

Yano-kun's Ordinary Days Anime Series Review

Jan 3, 12:00

2 comments

anime

Every episode is a gift for anxious anime girl reaction face screenshot lovers. ― This delightfully wholesome high school romcom flew under the radar for most anime viewers during the Fall 2025 anime season, and that's a huge shame, as Yano-kun's Ordinary Days is one of the sweetest examples of its genre. Central to the show's charm is the leading lady and audience viewpoint character, Kiyoko Yoshida...

your score

Your Anime Rankings - Best of Fall 2025

Jan 3, 11:15 anime

The results are in, and the unflaggingly high ratings for My Hero Academia, Uma Musume and The Fragrant Flower made this quite a showdown. Who do you think got the top spot of the Fall 2025 season? ― Let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the season, based on the polls you can find in our Daily Streaming Reviews and on the Your Score page with the latest simulcasts. K...

column

13 comments

This Week in Games - Start Your Year on the Right Foot with... Rance?

Jan 3, 11:14

13 comments

games

What is coming to Steam? ― Welcome back, folks! And welcome to 2026! It's still 2025 while I'm writing this (the topic of temporal displacement relative to readers is not something I'm ready to discuss—this column will forever be in 2025, no matter when you read it). While the holidays may officially be over for most, we Puerto Ricans have one more to look forward to: Three King's Day, this upcoming ...

feature

54 comments

The Best Anime of 2025

Jan 2, 18:41

54 comments

anime

It's time to count down the very best anime of the year, from the characters we couldn't help rooting for to the songs at the top of our playlists! ― Welcome to our editorial team's countdown of the very best anime that aired this year! Below you'll find Anime News Network's top 10 anime of the year, the characters that inspired us, the moments that we couldn't stop talking about, the songs that are...

game review

Utawarerumono: ZAN Game Review

Jan 2, 12:00 games

Utawarerumono Zan trades out the series trademark strategy with visceral action—does it stick the landing, though? ― While the Utawarerumono series is best known for its strategic leanings, Utawarerumono Zan took the series into a more action-oriented angle when it released in 2018. After six years, Shiravune has brought it back to PC in America. While it has a few flaws in its formula, it's a nevert...

review

3 comments

Rooster Fighter Volume 1-8 Manga Review

Jan 1, 12:00

3 comments

manga

For a series that could be boiled down to super chickens taking down demons that threatened humanity, the artwork goes so much harder than expected. ― It took me a while to really figure out how I could articulate what makes Rooster Fighter so appealing. At first, I thought it was just the absurdity of its premise because it's a simple yet effective setup for what I thought was going to be a more com...

column

2 comments

This Week in Anime - Ringing in the New Year

Jan 1, 10:00

2 comments

anime

Chris and Coop look ahead to their most anticipated anime series of 2026. ― Chris and Coop look ahead to their most anticipated anime series of 2026. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the participants in this chatlog are not the views of Anime News Network. @RiderStrike @BWProwl @LucasDeRuyter @vestenet Coop Welcome to 2026, Chris! I hope you had a restful holiday season, because it lo...

feature

73 comments

The Winter 2026 Anime Preview Guide

Jan 1, 09:00

73 comments

anime

It's the Winter 2026 Anime Preview Guide! Day Three continues with Hana-Kimi! Also, The Daily Life of a Part-Time Torturer, Journal with Witch, Fate/Strange Fake, Kunon the Sorcerer Can See, and Noble Reincarnation: Born Blessed, So I'll Obtain Ultimate Power! ― Welcome to Anime News Network's Winter 2026 Anime Preview Guide! Here's how it goes: our team of critics writes up their impressions instan...

interest

11 comments

Happy New Year From Around the Anime World: Hold Your Horses Part I

Jan 1, 00:00

11 comments

just for fun

Featuring Ghibli, One Piece, Frieren, Ranma 1/2, Jojo's, Re:ZERO, Capcom, Assassination Classroom, Super Sentai, Yu-Gi-Oh!, & more! ― The Year of the Snake has come to a close, and it's off to the races with the Year of the Horse. With the new year comes greetings from across the anime and manga world: Assassination Classroom Capcom Captain Tsubasa Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis 【謹賀新年！】／　🎍Happy ...

news

7 comments

In Memoriam

Dec 31, 23:50

7 comments

people

To those who left us in 2025 ― William Bassett Voice actor Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes James Carter Cathcart Voice actor, script adaptor Pokémon, Revolutionary Girl Utena Juli Erickson Voice actress Fullmetal Alchemist, One Piece, Ouran High School Host Club Bill Flynn (also known as William Flynn) Voice actor Case Closed, One Piece Ron Friedman Writer ...