The real Achilles' heel of this title is the lack of a true party dynamic. ― Disgaea Mayhem manages to bring the Disgaea formula into the action RPG format successfully, but by the slimmest margin and missing many of the key features that make Disgaea soar. For background's sake, I'm a long-time Disgaea enjoyer. Not to age myself too much, but I bought a physical copy of the first Disgaea on PS2 from...

convention

7 comments

CyberConnect2 VP Discusses Self-Publishing, the .hack series, and the Status of Upcoming Games

Jul 25, 09:00

7 comments

games

― CyberConnect2 has mainly been known for creating licensed anime games such as Demon Slayer: The Hinokami Chronicles, the Naruto Ultimate Ninja series, and several Dragon Ball games, including Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot. However, the studio has been branching out to create new original IP, as well as dipping its toes into self-publishing. CyberConnect2 recently wrapped up the Fuga: Melodies of Steel tr...

feature

341 comments

The Summer 2026 Anime Preview Guide

Jul 25, 07:57

341 comments

anime

The Preview Guide's not done yet - check out the second episode of The Elusive Samurai! ― 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 many shows as they can handle, giving you alternate takes on almost every show. The guide is ongoing, orga...

review

You're Way Too Cheeky, Chigaya-kun! Volume 1 Manga Review

Jul 24, 12:00 manga

It may not be an innovative shoujo romance, but it is a very nice one, comfortable like a peanut butter sandwich. ― Romance, particularly YA romance, which encompasses shoujo manga, has a reputation for being formulaic. We all know the basics: ordinary girl, extraordinary boy, he's awful to her, she eventually falls for him. Sometimes there's an element of one of them “saving” the other, often becaus...

column

16 comments

This Week in Games - Into the Fading Dusk

Jul 24, 10:00

16 comments

games

Can you believe it's been twenty years since Final Fantasy X and X-2 were released? If you've got an urge to replay them, you're in luck! Plus an interview with the creator of Duskfade. ― Welcome back, folks! The heat is well and truly on; while it's already been sweltering in most parts of the country, my city also had its own little two-day heat wave. I can only hope that our spot of rain cools thi...

1 comment

How BanG Dream! YUME∞MITA Uses Anime and Manga Culture To Shape Its Identity

Jul 24, 10:00

1 comment

anime music otaku

The musical adventures of the girls bands in BanG Dream! have always been integrated with anime. But as a new entry BanG Dream! YUME∞MITA is even more marinated in said culture. The characters of YUME∞MITA live adjacent to Akihabara, long seen as a mecca of otaku culture in Japan. So, of course these girls are going to be steeped in anime and manga material, and it shapes both their identities and the vibe of YUME∞MITA.

feature

14 comments

Summer 2026 Manga Guide

Jul 24, 09:05

14 comments

manga

What better way to finish out the June releases than with Aoashi? ― Welcome to Anime News Network's Summer 2026 Manga Guide! You may have seen one of our seasonal Anime Preview Guides, where a team of critics writes up each new anime television premiere as it airs at the beginning of a season. Now, doing something like that for manga is tricky - there's no equivalent "seasonal" release schedule for ...

feature

1 comment

Summer 2026 Light Novel Guide

Jul 24, 09:00

1 comment

novels korean danmei

Looking for a new book to read? We've got you covered! Check out our reviewers' thoughts on a Lovecraftian Korean novel, two separate books about space orcs, and the much-anticipated print release of sci fi danmei classic Little Mushroom! ― Welcome to Anime News Network's Summer 2026 Light Novel Guide, the companion to our manga guide! Every included novel was published in June or July or is an upco...

interview

Interview: Looking Back on Dr. STONE with the Anime's Director and Scriptwriters

Jul 24, 09:00 anime

Director Shuhei Matsushita, series composition/scriptwriter Kurasumi Sunayama, and scriptwriter Aki Kindaichi delve into the triumphs and challenges behind bringing the acclaimed manga to the screen. ― After nearly seven years and 97 episodes (not to mention an additional TV special), the animated adventures of Dr. STONE have finally reached their end. In light of this accomplishment, Anime News Netw...

review

3 comments

Beat & Motion Volumes 1-6 Manga Review

Jul 23, 12:00

3 comments

manga

This charming romantic comedy strikes at the heart of being a working creative and dating one too! ― I initially stumbled upon Naoki Fujita's Beat & Motion in the first few days of January '25—not long before the series came to an end. Despite the less-than-opportune timing, I saw Beat & Motion as a solid little comic about rediscovering your creative passions and the doldrums that come with pursuing...

column

6 comments

This Week in Anime - Let's Get Together

Jul 23, 10:00

6 comments

events

Third spaces may be harder to find these days, but as Coop and Chris discuss, they're more important than ever in the anime fandom. ― Third spaces may be harder to find these days, but as Coop and Chris discuss, they're more important than ever in the anime fandom. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the participants in this chatlog are not the views of Anime News Network. @RiderStrike @...

news

1 comment

Shikiso Utsuzawa's 'Because I, the True Saint, was Banished, that Country is Done For!' Novels Get TV Anime in 2027

Jul 23, 07:54

1 comment

novels anime

Masumi Tazawa, Taku Yashiro star in Tsumugi Akita Anime Lab series ― A website opened on Thursday to announce the television anime adaptation of Shikiso Utsuzawa's Because I, the True Saint, was Banished, that Country is Done For! (Shin no Seijo de Aru Watashi wa Tsuihō Saremashita) light novel series, slated for debut in 2027. The website also revealed the anime's teaser visual, and main cast and st...

news

1 comment

Kusunoki's Flunking Her High School Glow-Up Manga Gets TV Anime

Jul 23, 06:48

1 comment

manga anime

Yūto Uemura, Tomori Kusunoki star in anime at Passione, Hayabusa Film ― DMM Pictures announced on Thursday that Mitsuki Mii's Kusunoki's Flunking Her High School Glow-Up (Kusunoki-san wa Kōkō Debut ni Shippai Shite Iru) manga is getting a television anime adaptation. The manga will star Yūto Uemura as Keisuke Shizuki and Tomori Kusunoki as Shizuka Kusunoki. Midori Yui (episode director for Carole & T...

game review

4 comments

Dead or Alive 6: Last Round Game Review

Jul 22, 12:00

4 comments

games

Dead or Alive 6 Last Round is a solid game, but a fundamentally mishandled product. ― Dead or Alive 6 Last Round is a solid game, but a fundamentally mishandled product. This is a game that has multiple layers worth discussing. I mean, all games are more than merely gameplay. There are the aesthetics, the soundtrack, monetization, all sorts of caveats and considerations that have to be taken into acc...

convention

'A New Era' for Kyoto Animation: An Interview with Sparks of Tomorrow Director and Producer

Jul 22, 09:00 anime

The acclaimed studio's current work takes place in gritty, steam-covered Kyoto. We talked to Minoru Ōta and Satori Senami about KyoAni's new, original work. ― Kyoto Animation's newest anime title, Sparks of Tomorrow, has been making waves after its July 5 premiere. The animation project was originally announced in 2018, but no updates followed until 2025. Now, as global viewers have caught up with th...

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