There are some major franchise returns to report this week, from .hack to God of War and beyond! ― Welcome back, folks! I normally try to have something witty prepared for the column intros, but I've been caught on the back foot this week. I will say, I've been catching up on my reading lately; I recently wrapped up the first volume of Heaven Official's Blessing, and I'm looking forward to starting T...

feature

1 comment

Is it Really Impossible to Make a Living as an Animator in Japan?

Feb 20, 09:00

1 comment

industry

There have been numerous horror stories about working as a newbie animator in Japan—namely, the inability to earn a living wage. To find out if this was still the case, ANN met freelance and studio-employed animators, studio heads, and animator-rights advocates. ― From reports of monthly salaries as low as 160,000 yen (US$1,034) in 2015 to the examples of scant wages seen with 2020's #AnimationPaidMe...

news

3 comments

From Overshadowed to Overpowered Manga Gets TV Anime in July

Feb 19, 22:43

3 comments

anime

Shūichirō Umeda, Reo Osanai, Haruka Shiraishi star in anime ― Square Enix announced on Friday that Kentarou's From Overshadowed to Overpowered (Rakudai Kenja no Gakuin Musō: Nidome no Tensei, S-Rank Cheat Majutsushi Bōkenroku) manga based on Arata Shiraishi's Rakudai Kenja no Gakuin Musō: Nido Tensei Shita Saikyō Kenja, 400-nen-go no Sekai o Maken de Musō light novel series is inspiring a television ...

review

3 comments

I Want Your Mother to be With Me! Volumes 1-2 Manga Review

Feb 19, 12:00

3 comments

manga

This is ultimately a story about recognizing that you don't have to stubbornly tackle everything on your own. ― Being a single parent is never easy. Raising a child demands a lot of time, expenses, and responsibilities that most couples would find difficult to manage. But being a single parent means that you're trying to fill all of those responsibilities by yourself, which naturally comes with sacri...

column

7 comments

This Week in Anime - Industry Insight

Feb 19, 10:00

7 comments

anime

Chris and Lucas explore the anime marketing machine in the age of Crunchyroll. ― Chris and Lucas explore the anime marketing machine in the age of Crunchyroll. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the participants in this chatlog are not the views of Anime News Network. Crunchyroll streams Frieren, My Awkward Senpai, Miss Kuroitsu From the Monster Development Department, Gridman Universe,...

review

April Showers Bring May Flowers Anime Series Review

Feb 18, 12:00 anime

With the deliberate pacing of the romance plot, there's plenty of room for character introspection. ― No one in April Showers Bring May Flowers is perfect. That might not sound important, but it truly is, particularly as the series goes on. There's a tendency in this style of high school romance to make a few people seem larger than life, as if their outer beauty reflects an inner saintliness that ma...

feature

18 comments

Okay, So What's VOTOMS?

Feb 18, 09:00

18 comments

anime

VOTOMS is always waiting to be discovered, as a story that has been continually added to for decades, with a style and vibe that speak to anyone who likes their robots just a little more real. ― Last month, a surprise trailer dropped for an unexpected project: a new anime in the Armored Trooper VOTOMS franchise, from owner studio Sunrise, with collaboration from Production I.G, and helmed by storied ...

game review

PARANORMASIGHT: The Mermaid's Curse Game Review

Feb 17, 18:07 games

While its story elements come together in a snug, fantastical narrative, the first entry's gameplay shortcomings remain, and this new game's shift away from spookier, creepier plot beats left me wanting. ― Anime News Network was provided an advanced review copy of this game. Nearly three years since the release of PARANORMASIGHT: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo, Square Enix and developer Xeen are back w...

review

Holy Boy Novel Review

Feb 17, 12:00 novels korean

I can already tell Holy Boy is one of those titles that is going to stay with me for a long time. When I first began reading it, I realized I’d need to close the covers or else I’d be up all night following its characters into the most unsettling recesses of their distorted minds. ― You don't need to look very far into real life events to see how idol singers bring out the worst in a select few of th...

column

17 comments

This Week in Anime - Gatchaman Standing Out in CROWDS Waving their Insights

Feb 17, 10:00

17 comments

anime

This week, Coop and Sylvia take a look at 2013 anime Gatchaman Crowds, and its sequel—which predicted the future we're now living in. ― This week, Coop and Sylvia take a look at 2013 anime Gatchaman CROWDS, and its sequel—which predicted the future we're now living in. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the participants in this chatlog are not the views of Anime News Network.Spoiler War...

feature

7 comments

I Played the Never-to-be-Released Danganronpa 2x2 Special Trial Version

Feb 16, 20:00

7 comments

games

Made specifically for the Danganronpa 15th Anniversary Event, this short, 15-minute vertical slice was designed to give the most hardcore Danagaronpa fans an original mystery never to be seen again. ― Earlier this month, I was able to visit Spike Chunsoft headquarters in Tokyo to try out the Danganronpa 2x2 Special Trial Version on the Nintendo Switch 2. Made specifically for the November 2025 Dangan...

review

5 comments

There's No Freaking Way I'll Be Your Lover! Unless… ~Next Shine~ Episodes 13-17 Anime Review

Feb 16, 12:00

5 comments

anime

Originally, the series was a bit unclear about why Renako was in denial or always quick to run away from the romantic advances of others. This arc makes it explicitly clear that she does not think she is a good person who is deserving of any of that love. ― There's No Freaking Way I'll Be Your Lover! Unless… was an interesting series that mixed funny comedic hijinx with solid character writing. While...

your score

4 comments

Your Anime Rankings - Best of Winter 2026, Feb 5-11

Feb 16, 11:55

4 comments

anime

Despite starting second from the bottom with middling reviews, The Villainess Is Adored by the Prince of the Neighbor Kingdom has surged to #5 this week. Consider my curiosity well and truly piqued by this week’s rankings. ― 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...

Elden Ring: Distant Tales Between (manga)

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