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Studio Khara Toasts Its 20th Birthday with Original Rei Art
Founder Hideaki Anno: Studio began “with just the president, one employee, & one advisor in a small office in a multi-tenant building”
― Studio Khara posted an original illustration by board director (and anime director) Kazuya Tsurumaki for the anime studio's 20th anniversary on Sunday. The illustration features Evangelion character Rei Ayanami with a well-deserved drink and the caption “20th Annive...
Final Fantasy XI MMORPG Celebrates 24th Anniversary with Animated Short
Relive the 1st MMO Final Fantasy game in animated form!
― The Final Fantasy franchise celebrated the 24th anniversary of the series' first MMORPG, Final Fantasy XI with a new animated short. The game's official X (formerly Twitter) account previewed the animated short on Friday with the caption, “Celebrating 24 years of FFXI!” Animation filmmaker Wakaboku created the short, titled "Our Adventure Neve...
Anime/Manga World Offers Condolences for Voice Actor Wakana Yamazaki's Death, Part III
Anime, manga, & game creators honor her contributions
― May 15 marked a sad day for anime fans around the world with the news of prolific voice actor Wakana Yamazaki's death. Her works are beloved around the world, and professionals and fans alike have taken to social media to express their tributes: Another Eden 『アナザーエデン』シリーズにて「アシュティア」を演じていただいた声優・山崎和佳奈さんがご逝去されました。アシュティアに命を吹き込んでくださった多大なる貢献に深く感謝し、謹んで...
Anime/Manga World Offers Condolences for Voice Actor Wakana Yamazaki, Part II
Fellow cast members pay respects to one of their own
― The world lost a veteran anime voice actor with the May 15 announcement of Wakana Yamazaki's death. She is best known for his roles as Ran Mōri in the Detective Conan franchise, Meiko Akizuki in Marmalade Boy, Ruri-Hume in Mononoke, Koan in Sailor Moon R, and Nene in Samurai Warriors, among others. Her work as a voice actor has touched the lives...
Detective Conan Cast/Staff Offer Condolences After Ran Mōri Voice Actress Wakana Yamazaki's Death
Renowned voice actress died on April 18 at 61
― On May 15, the anime world was shocked with the announcement of voice actress Wakana Yamazaki's death. Known as the voice of one of the main characters Ran Mōri from the long-running anime series Detective Conan, the voice actress appeared in many anime series integral to the medium. The staff and cast of Detective Conan paid their respects to the late...
Voice Actor Aoi Nagatsuki's Agency Addresses Photos Taken, Posted Without Her Permission
Amuleto agency: "We have confirmed the images were taken and released without permission"
― Japanese talent agency Amuleto released a statement on Wednesday regarding photos of voice actor Aoi Nagatsuki that were released online without her permission. Amuleto confirmed that the photos were of Nagatsuki and her friends. The agency further stated that the photos are a “violation of [Nagatsuki's] priva...
3 Generations of Japanese Fans Welcome Star Wars' Return in Animated Short
Actor Hideaki Itō narrates short that spans 48 years
― The Star Wars franchise released a new animated "Okaeri, Star Wars" (Welcome Back, Star Wars) short on Friday, one week before the saga returns to theaters with The Mandalorian and Grogu film. Japanese actor Hideaki Itō (live-action Umizaru, Sukiyaki Western Django, Terraformars) narrates this story of passing Star Wars from parent to child. The...
McDonald's Japan Rolls Out Saint Seiya Burgers
Burn your Cosmos at McDonald's
― McDonald's Japan teased a new collaboration with the Saint Seiya franchise on Wednesday by posting an image of the iconic circlet worn by Saint Seiya protagonist Pegasus Seiya with the caption, “This light… it's Pegasus ___?!” An image of Japan with four silhouetted McDonald's menu items followed the caption, “The chosen gourmet, assemble!” A handful of replies to the...
Spy x Family's Anya Joins Hinatazaka46 Idol Group
Hinatazaka46 idols mark Shueisha's 100th anniversary by sharing their favorite manga
― The idol group Hinatazaka46 released a collaboration illustration featuring the group's mascot character Poka and Spy x Family character Anya Forger on Tuesday. The illustration promotes the “Hinata Oshi Manga Campaign” (Hinatazaka46's Favorite Manga Campaign), a celebration of Shueisha's 100th anniversary headline...
King of Prism, Last Sharknado Hold Double-Feature With Audience Call Backs Encouraged
What does an idol anime movie & Sharknado 6 have in common? Time travel.
― The King of Prism franchise announced the unlikeliest of double-features at the Ikebukuro Humax Cinemas: King of Prism -Your Endless Call- Miinna Kirameki! Prism☆Tours and The Last Sharknado: It's About Time. The Eiga Natalie website is sponsoring the double-feature, which encourages audience members to cheer and shout call-ba...
Happy Maid Day From Around the Anime World, Part II
Featuring Too Many Losing Heroines!, The Classroom of a Black Cat and a Witch, Black Butler, Mahoromatic, Honō no Tōkyūjo: Dodge Danko, Tsumiki Ogami's Not-So-Ordinary Life, Trapped in a Dating Sim, & more!
― A happy accident occurred on May 10, 2026, in Japan: it was both Mother's Day and Maid Day. While most people in the anime and manga world sent Mother's Day messages, some celebrated all things ...
Happy Maid Day From Around the Anime World, Part I
Featuring Frieren, Sound! Euphonium, Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian, Masami Obari, The Food Diary of Miss Maid, Puniru is a Kawaii Slime, & more!
― Japan marks May 10 as an unofficial holiday, Maid Day. A wordplay on “May” and the number 10 being pronounced as “do” in Japanese, Maid Day has gained some traction among Japanese people in recent years. Here's to all our favorite maids in t...
Happy Mother's Day 2026 From Around the Anime World, Part IV
Featuring Naruto, Sanrio, Monster Hunter, Yowayowa Sensei, The Beginning After The End, Sega, Sylvanian Families, & more!
― Mother's Day, the day people reportedly make the most long-distance calls. And why wouldn't we? For many of us, our mothers birthed us, raised us, and generally loved us. Even in the anime and manga world, mothers are important characters. So, what sorts of messages were there t...
Happy Mother's Day 2026 From Around the Anime World, Part III
Featuring Ghibli, Dragon Quest, Resident Evil, Minky Momo, I Made Friends with the Second Prettiest Girl in My Class, Princess Connect! Re:Dive, & more!
― Mothers come in all sorts of forms. From the women who raised us in the home to those who nurtured us outside of the home, we have more mothers that we may think. So, let's honor all our mothers this Mother's Day with some special messages from the...
Happy Mother's Day 2026 From Around the Anime World, Part II
Featuring My Hero Academia, Bleach, Tama & Friends, From Overshadowed to Overpowered, Liar Game, Mappa, Square Enix, & more!
― Right after Japan celebrated the healthy growth of children with Children's Day on May 5, Japan and other countries are taking May 10 to celebrate our mothers: From Overshadowed to Overpowered 本日、5月10日は #母の日「私の一番はエフタルですよ？」イリヤさんの溺愛っぷりに目が離せない!!!TVアニメ『#落第賢者 の学院無双 ～二度目の転生、Sランクチート...
Happy Mother's Day 2026 From Around the Anime World, Part I
Featuring Fullmetal Alchemist, My Hero Academia, Final Fantasy, Frieren, Doraemon, Sonic the Hedgehog, Yuki Kaji, & more!
― May 10, 2026 marks Mother's Day, and people in Japan generally celebrate the holiday by giving their mothers a carnation. And all the children in the anime and manga worlds are sending their mothers a carnation and message of thanks: Agents of the Four Seasons: Dance of Spring ◤...
Otaku Anti-War Protest Organizer Reacts to Singer Masayoshi Oishi's Comments on Protest
Hiroyuki Takahashi responds to Oishi's on-air comments about March 28 protest
― Hiroyuki Takahashi, a former teacher and organizer of the March 28 “otaku anti-war protest," reacted on Friday to Japanese singer Masayoshi Oishi's comments on the protest. Takahashi said, “What stood out to me the most, was his comment that most otaku probably don't participate in such events, so as to not cause trouble...
NTE: Neverness to Everness Game's Staff Confirms Use of Generative AI
Team is reworking assets for in-game "Clear Skies in Summer" film reminiscent of Weathering With You
― The staff behind the new open world, action role-playing, hack-and-slash video game NTE: Neverness to Everness released a statement on Thursday about generative AI use within the game. According to the statement, "the characters, stories, and world you experience are the work of artists, writers, a...
Detective Conan Creator Gōshō Aoyama Celebrates New Film with Sketch
Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway has earned 10.8 billion yen (about US$69.03 million)
― Detective Conan creator Gosho Aoyama released an original illustration congratulating the latest Detective Conan film, Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway (Detective Conan: Highway no Datenshi), on earning 10.8 billion yen (about US$69 million) since opening on April 10. The illustration featu...
Sailor Moon's English Voice Actor Terri Hawkes Runs for Toronto City Council
Hawkes announced her candidacy on Saturday
― Terri Hawkes, one of the lead voice actors for Sailor Moon's first English dub, announced on Saturday that she is running for the Toronto City Council. Hawkes wrote, “This morning at City Hall I registered to run in this fall's election for the job of Toronto City Councillor, representing University-Rosedale (Ward 11).” View this post on Instagram A post s...
Happy Children's Day 2026 From Around the Anime World, Part IV
Featuring Pokémon, Naruto, Super Mario, Sega, I Made Friends with the Second Prettiest Girl in My Class, Agents of the Four Seasons, Dandelion, & more!
― It's Children's Day in Japan, and while not all of us are children, it's important to keep that spirit of a child inside us. And the anime and manga industries are full of those fully grown children celebrating the holiday. Here's a small sample of ...
Happy Children's Day 2026 From Around the Anime World, Part III
Featuring My Hero Academia, Frieren, Final Fantasy, Pragmata, Sanrio, Chibi Maruko-chan, & more!
― Tango no Sekku is not a day where people tango in Japan, but rather celebrate the healthy growth of children. The anime, manga, and game worlds are full of messages for parents and children: Chibi Maruko-chan 今日は #こどもの日😆おおきな鯉のぼりをいっぱい見たよ🎏#ちびまる子ちゃん #5月5日 pic.twitter.com/qrTvXghWyq— ちびまる子ちゃん【公式】 (@tweet_ma...
Happy Children's Day 2026 From Around the Anime World, Part II
Featuring Golden Kamuy, Yoasobi, Animal Crossing, Yowayowa Sensei, Though I Am an Inept Villainess, Too Many Losing Heroines!, more!
― Children's Day falls at the end of the long Japanese holiday season known as Golden Week. The week starts with Showa Day on April 29, then continues with Constitution Memorial Day on May 3, Greenery Day on May 4, and ends on Children's Day on May 5. However, because C...
Happy Children's Day 2026 From Around the Anime World, Part I
Featuring Doraemon, Precure, Kingdom, Tsuburaya Productions, Wuthering Waves, more!
― On May 5, people in Japan celebrate Children's Day (also known as Tango no Sekku) by hoisting koi nobori carp windsocks, displaying samurai dolls or miniature samurai armor sets, eating kashiwa mochi sweets, and celebrating the health and growth of children. The anime and manga world is full of well wishes for child...
Voice Actor Satomi Akesaka Announces Marriage
Voice of Reborn's Chrome pens handwritten letter to her fans & colleagues
― Satomi Akesaka, the voice of Reborn's Chrome Dokuro and many other roles, announced on Monday (coincidentally, Greenery Day in Japan, and also Star Wars Day) that she had gotten married. Akesaka said, “This is not an April Fool's joke," and added that her husband is not a voice actor or involved in the entertainment industry...
2nd Global One Piece Character Poll Announces Interim Results
Straw Hat Pirates all made the top 30. But who made the top 10?
― The One Piece franchise announced the interim results for the "One Piece World Top 100 2nd" ranking poll on Monday. Taking the top three spots are series protagonist Monkey D. Luffy, Roronoa Zoro, and Sanji. The rest of the Straw Hat Pirates made the top 30 with Nami ranking fourth, Nico Robin sixth, Tony Tony Chopper 10th, Usopp 16th,...
Doraemon, Crayon Shin-chan, Initial D Home Lookalikes Spotted in NTE: Neverness to Everness Game
Also, reported ads for Weathering With You lookalike raise concerns
― Hours after the open-world, action role-playing, hack-and-slash video game NTE: Neverness to Everness launched on April 29, players reported spotting some familiar-looking homes and locations within the game. Players found homes and locations strikingly similar to the central Nobi home and frequently used open lot from Doraemon, th...
Pragmata's Diana 'Hacks' Monster Hunter's Social Media
Diana: “Hunters fight all these huge monsters and they can't hack them? Maybe bots aren't that bad after all!”
― Monster Hunter fans woke up to shocking news on Wednesday. The Monster Hunter games' social media had been “hacked” by hit video game Pragmata's Diana. The renamed “Diana Monster Hunter” account made a mysterious post in binary code with a video of Diana reciting the digits. According to t...
Voice Actor Tomoyo Kurosawa Announces Birth of 1st Child
Gundam GquuuuuuX, Sound! Euphonium cast member made announcement on May 1
― Voice actor Tomoyo Kurosawa announced on Friday that she had given birth to her first child. Kurosawa stated she is “cherishing every moment of motherhood and will continue to dedicate myself to my work as a voice actor.” As of press time, Kurosawa's announcement has received 111,000 likes and 2,100 replies, most of which ar...
1st-Ever 'One Piece Fest' to Open in Los Angeles on August 25-26
Event will feature immersive "Elbaph Experience" at Inglewood's Cosm Los Angeles
― Toei Animation announced on Thursday that it will host the "first-ever One Piece Fest" for the One Piece franchise at the Cosm Los Angeles in Hollywood Park in Inglewood, California on August 25 and 26, coinciding with this year's One Piece Day celebration. The event will also have a VIP Preview for guests and media on...
MAPPA Animates New Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo Promotional Video
Hopefully, MAPPA's video leads to a full anime series someday
― MAPPA animated a promotional video for the Friday release of the third and final volume in the Jujutsu Kaisen ≡ (read as Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo) spinoff manga from Jujutsu Kaisen creator Gege Akutami and Cipher Academy illustrator Yuji Iwasaki. The Jujutsu Kaisen franchise teased the video with the tagline, "End the cycle of curses." The ...
Pokémon Celebrates 30th Anniversary with Boss Coffee Collaboration
Complete your Pokédex with coffee cans?!
― The Pokémon franchise announced it has partnered with Japanese beverage maker Suntory's Boss Coffee line for a set of Pokémon 30th Anniversary coffee cans on Tuesday. Select Boss Coffee cans will feature Pokédex entries for such Pokémon as Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Totodile, Chikorita, and Pikachu, beginning on June 1. Cans of Boss Coffee Muto Black, ...
Pragmata Game's Staff Thanks Fans for 1 Million Copies Sold
Diana: “Hugh! I heard more than a MILLION people got our game! Hey…do you think we're famous on Earth now?”
― Following Pragmata's successful launch, the game's development team released an image thanking fans for purchasing the game on April 21. The image features characters Hugh, Diana, and Eight with the caption “1,000,000 units!” and Diana holding a sign that reads “Thank you." The team captioned...
GE – Good Ending, Domestic Girlfriend Manga Creator Kei Sasuga Gets Married
Sasuga hopes to make May I Live With You? manga "even richer and more interesting"
― GE - Good Ending, Domestic Girlfriend, and May I Live With You? (Ishho ni Kurashite Ii Desu ka?) manga creator Kei Sasuga announced on Tuesday she had gotten married. Sasuga said that although she entered a new chapter in her life, she will continue working on May I Live With You? and hopes to “make it even richer a...
Attack on Titan's Hajime Isayama Draws The Mandalorian and Grogu Art
Titan of science fiction meets titan of manga for latest Star Wars film
― The Star Wars franchise released an original illustration of the title characters from the Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu film by Attack on Titan creator Hajime Isayama on Tuesday. The illustration celebrates the film's upcoming release and features the Mandalorian holding Grogu while igniting his jetpack and firing his w...
Japan's Government Panel Moves to Protect Voices From Unauthorized Generative AI Use
Ministry of Justice expert panel: Voices fall in same category as portrait rights, publicity rights
― An expert panel for the Ministry of Justice of Japan held its first meeting on Friday to discuss how to protect voices from unauthorized generative AI use. State Minister of Justice Hidehiro Mitani stated near the beginning of the meeting, “While losses related to unauthorized use of a voice is sign...
Final Fantasy's Sephiroth Enjoys Liquor With Twist of Lemon
Asahi Beer presents new video, real-life Seventh Heaven bar in Tokyo during Golden Week holidays
― Japanese brewer Asahi Beer debuted a collaboration video with popular video game Final Fantasy VII Rebirth on Monday. The video features the game's antagonist Sephiroth enjoying Asahi Beer's new alcoholic beverage Mirai no Lemon Sour (Lemon Sour of the Future). What makes Mirai no Lemon Sour unique is t...
Mom Discovers Evangelion's Lance of Longinus Is Perfect to Hang Clothes
Hang your clothes, Shinji.
― Evangelion's Lance of Longinus isn't just for putting down Angels and traumatizing Shinji Ikari. It's now the perfect rod to hang clothes on … or that's how one mother used the holy spear. A fan posted a photo of a homemade Lance of Longinus replica being used as a clothes hanging rod on April 15. The poster captioned the image, “Mom…?” お母さん…？ pic.twitter.com/mxbNqeIaEA— ...
Gundam Creator Yoshiyuki Tomino Offers Thoughts on Ongoing Wars
Director discusses Russo-Ukrainian war, 2026 Iran war, authoritarianism in Japan
― Mobile Suit Gundam creator and director Yoshiyuki Tomino touched on current world affairs, particularly war, in the May issue of Tokuma Shoten's Animage magazine published on April 10. In the monthly column “Tomino ni Kike” (Ask Tomino), a 41-year-old Tokyo resident under the name "Ray Ray" asked the director about hi...
Logan Paul Buys Graded Copies of One Piece, Dragon Ball's 1st Jump Appearances
Paul: Dragon Ball's 1st appearance bought for US$550,000
― Internet personality and WWE wrestler Logan Paul reported on Wednesday that he had purchased two graded Weekly Shonen Jump magazine issues featuring the first appearances of Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball manga and Eiichiro Oda's One Piece manga. Paul said the issue featuring the first chapter of Dragon Ball is graded at 9.2, and the issue fea...
'Go For it, Nakamura-kun!!' Creator Comments on Latest Anime Episode
Syundei: "This is intended solely as a stylistic expression of BL & carries no deeper meaning”
― Go For it, Nakamura-kun!! manga creator Syundei posted a statement about the fifth episode of the Go For it, Nakamura-kun!! anime series through their publisher Hero's Web on Wednesday. Syundei noted a scene in which the character Aiki Hirose and his high school teacher Sō Otogiri exchange contact inform...
Gachiakuta Creator Kei Urana Addresses Manga Piracy
Urana: “To help people, who cannot afford to buy it or who do not have access to it, enjoy these works, Ando and I have been discussing this for a long time. I cannot share details yet, but [we are exploring many ideas]."
― Gachiakuta manga creator Kei Urana posted on social media an English statement, made via a "translation app" from her original Japanese statement, regarding manga piracy on Tuesd...
Final Fantasy XIV Chocobo Racing Comes to Life in New VR Experience
No Golden Saucer needed
― Virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reailty (MR) entertainment company Tyffon announced in collaboration with Kansai TV on Monday that they have partnered with Square Enix for the Final Fantasy XIV Chocobo Racing VR experience. The attraction will debut at Tyffon's Tyffonium extended reality (XR) theme parks. As of press time, Tyffon and Square-Enix have ...
Kadokawa's Game Magazine Subsidiary Partly Pays for Employees' Games
Program expands upon Kadokawa Game Linkage's subscription allowance service
― Kadokawa subsidiary Kadokawa Game Linkage announced on April 1 it is implementing a game payment support system for its employees. Full-time employees, contract employees, those under continuing contracts, and outsourced employees who purchase games will receive partial compensation for the purchases. The yearly compensati...
My Dress-Up Darling's Marin Kitagawa Is Now a Racing Queen
Marin appears on TK Racing Initiative car during Suzuka 5-Hour Race
― The My Dress-Up Darling franchise announced on April 10 that Marin Kitagawa has become the 2026 TK Racing Initiative (TKRI) Limited Time Ambassador, complete with an original collaboration illustration of Marin dressed as a TKRI race queen. A TKRI collaboration car debuted on April 18 at the Suzuka 5-Hour Race. The car features Kit...
Wit Studio Animates 2nd Orangestar Song for Music Video
Both Agents of the Four Seasons: Dance of Spring themes have received the Wit Studio treatment
― The Agents of the Four Seasons: Dance of Spring anime series presented a music video animated by Wit Studio for the series' ending theme song, “Hana Ikada,” on Sunday. Vocaloid producer Orangestar composed the song and wrote the song's lyrics, while his wife, Kase, provided the vocals. GOKINJYO's Hiro Na...
Make Your Own Apothecary Diaries Dishes With New Cookbook
But no poisons in this recipe book
― The Apothecary Diaries franchise unveiled the cover for the Maomao no Recipe (Maomao's Recipes) cookbook on Friday with the caption, “What is Maomao making on the cover…?” The cookbook will ship on May 13. The franchise has announced the cookbook on March 12. It will come with 23 recipes for dishes that have appeared in the story, five newly written short stories ...
Dragon Ball's Lead Voice Masako Nozawa Finds Love in McDonald's Baki Dating Sim Spoof
Can Nozawa choose between Baki, Kaiō Retsu — and a chicken burger?
― Renowned voice actor Masako Nozawa (Dragon Ball) is starring in her own dating sim game… sort of. McDonald's Japan spoofed the Baki martial arts manga as a dating sim game, starring Nozawa, as part of its Spring Chicken Tatsuta burger campaign on Friday. The fast food chain teased the "Baki de Koi Suru Tatsuta na Nozawa” (A Tatsuta ...
Gintama & Pui Pui Molcar Open a Pop-Up Store Together
Gintoki is driving your favorite Molcar, Potato
― The Gintama and Pui Pui Molcar franchises announced on April 8 that they are partnering for pop-up stores in Tokyo and Osaka with acrylic stands, pins, and other merchandise. The Tokyo store will be on the sixth floor of the Magnet by Shibuya 109 venue between April 24 and May 5, and the Osaka store will be on the fourth floor of Abeno Lucbus between ...
VANDY THE PINK, Complex Shop Offer KPop Demon Hunters x McDonald's Apparel
10 months ago, who would've put VANDY THE PINK, KPop, and McDonald's in the same sentence?
― American streetwear label VANDY THE PINK and youth media and entertainment company Complex Networks announced a collaboration with Oscar-winning film KPop Demon Hunters and McDonald's on April 7. VANDY THE PINK declares in a social post, “It's a battle for the fans!” and “Rep your side.” The Complex Shop show...
Nintendo Celebrates Animal Crossing's 25th Anniversary
Nintendo: “Check your mailbox on your island – there's something waiting for you!”
― Nintendo released an illustration to celebrate the 25th anniversary of its popular social simulator game series Animal Crossing on Tuesday. Nintendo of America captioned the illustration, “Today marks 25 years since the Animal Crossing series began! Check your mailbox on your island – there's something waiting for yo...
Popeyes, KitKat India Serve Up One Piece Collaborations
Universal Studios Hollywood also teases its Fan Fest Nights dishes & merch for One Piece
― American fast-food chain Popeyes confirmed its collaboration with the massively popular anime One Piece on Monday. The new Luffy Bento Box Bundle set includes two pieces of Popeyes Signature Chicken, Mac & Cheese, Chopper's Cupcake, … and a Gum-Gum Fruit Lemonade. Popeyes muses on social media, "Will it turn yo...
Detective Conan Voice Actor Kappei Yamaguchi Draws His Character Shinichi Kudō
Yamaguchi congratulates latest film on 1.1 billion yen opening
― Voice actor Kappei Yamaguchi posted an original illustration he drew of his Detective Conan character Shinichi Kudō on Sunday. The illustration congratulates the latest Detective Conan film, Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway (Detective Conan: Highway no Datenshi), on earning over 1.13 billion yen (about US$7.1 million) on its...
Creators Speak Out After Go For it, Nakamura-kun!! Creator Syundei's X Exodus
Syundei deleted X/Twitter account on Sunday after dealing with alleged harassment
―
When Go For it, Nakamura-kun!! manga creator Syundei left X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday after dealing with alleged harassment, manga artistts, novelists, and other creators expressed their thoughts on the matter. While some did not explicitly mention Syundei by name, there were references to the matter in their resp...
Go For it, Nakamura-kun!! Creator Leaves X After Dealing With Alleged Harassment
Syundei: “I only get complaints asking why I drew something like this”
―
Go For it, Nakamura-kun!! manga creator Syundei deleted their X (formerly Twitter) account after describing dealing with alleged online harassment. In a final post, Syundei asked, “Is it OK if I delete my account?” The manga creator continued: I only get complaints asking why I drew something like this, and since I don't have t...
Ring's Sadako to Haunt Nightmares as Bunny Girl
New figure slated for September
― Japanese entertainment company Furyu announced on Friday that Japanese horror icon Sadako will emerge as a bunny girl figure in September. Furyu posted images of the bunny girl Sadako and noted the figure will be released under its BiCute Bunnies series. The BiCute Bunnies figure series figures are available through Furyu Prize crane games throughout Japan. Update: S...
Wit Studio Animates Music Video for Vocaloid Producer Orangestar
Musician performs Agents of the Four Seasons: Dance of Spring's opening song with Kase
― Vocaloid music producer Orangestar released a music video that Wit Studio animated for the "Petals" song on Sunday. The song is also the opening theme for the ongoing television anime of Kana Akatsuki's Agents of the Four Seasons: Dance of Spring novel series. Yūtarō Kubo and Satomi Maiya, who are in charge of ...
Lego Announces 2nd Wave of One Piece Sets
The Straw Hats have doubled up on the Lego Lego Fruit
― The One Piece franchise announced on Friday that it will receive a second Lego wave, and pre-orders have already begun. Lego notes that these sets are for the second season of the live-action One Piece series. The set include Tony Tony Chopper, Dr. Hiriluk's Hideout, Dorry vs. Brogy – Giants of Little Garden, Battle at Drum Castle, Garp's Marin...
Manga Creators Commemorate Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Season 2
Featuring creators of Detective Conan, Ranma, Touch, Fly Me to the Moon & more! Also: Go glamping with Frieren
― Over the course of this past winter's broadcast of Frieren: Beyond Journey's End season 2, the anime's social media posted congratulatory drawings by manga creators and illustrators on a weekly basis. The season ended on March 27 with a final sketch by Rumiko Takahashi. Here are those draw...
Gundam Designer Aims to Put Haro Robot on International Space Station
The 1st space robot capable of chatting
― Space development company Space Entry announced on Tuesday that it plans to put the Mobile Suit Gundam mascot character Haro aboard Kibō, the Japanese Experiment Module of the International Space Station (ISS),. Under its “Hello, Haro” mission, the company aims to send the “Minna no Haro” (Everyone's Haro) to the ISS to collect long-term data on the “feasibi...
Sunrise Animates McDonald's New Gundam Ads
And introduces the new RX-78-2 Gundam Chicken Tatsuta Custom
― A new Gundam anime is out! Kind of. McDonald's Japan debuted a pair of commercials for its collaboration with the popular Mobile Suit Gundam franchise on Thursday. According to Comic Natalie and other Japanese sources, Gundam's original studio Sunrise produced brand-new animation footage to recreate scenes from the first Gundam anime with...
Cover Corp. Announces Restructuring of Holostars Japan Operations
Branch discontinues new merchandise, original music, event performances, company studio use, more
― Cover Corp. announced on Friday major changes to the operations of its male-focused VTuber branch Holostars in Japan. The company will cease group-wide activities across its multiple generations of talent and will instead focus on individual-focused activities. This will include the discontinuation of...
Sailor Moon Creator Cheers on Husband (& Hunter X Hunter Creator) With Crossover Art
Hunter x Hunter's Kurapika, Sailor Moon's Artemis & Sailor Mars featured
― Hunter x Hunter creator Yoshihiro Togashi announced on Wednesday that he completed inking the characters for chapter 430 of his manga series. While Togashi normally makes such announcements with character sketches on a dry-erase calendar whiteboard, this time Togashi surprised his fans (and Sailor Moon fans) with a crossover i...
Exit 8 Star Recreates Anomaly in New York Subways on Wednesday
Can you escape the real-life Exit 8?
― Popular indie game-based film Exit 8 makes its way to the New York City Subway on Wednesday. American independent film production and distribution company Neon Rated stated on social media, “There's an anomaly loose in New York!” Those who spot the film's iconic Walking Man actor Yamato Kochi at a subway station and say the pass phrase “TURN BACK” may receive a...
Heads of Japan, France Trade Dragon Ball's Kamehameha
French embassy also joins the fun
― April Fool's Day 2026 was full of all sorts of jokes on social media. But if someone told you Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and France's President Emmanuel Macron performed Dragon Ball's Kamehameha move on April 1, would you believe it? Well, it's no joke. At Takaichi's prompting, the two heads of state performed the maneuver during a joint news conference...
Live-Action One Piece Series Gets Animated LEGO Special
2-part special streams on Netflix on September 29
― One Piece is no stranger to LEGO, with multiple official LEGO sets available for fans to recreate Eiichiro Oda's long-running pirate saga. But the series is about to land on new shores with Netflix's latest announcement of a two-part "Lego One Piece" animated special that will stream on the service on September 29. Netflix and the official YouTube c...
That Time xAI's Grok AI Mistranslated Witch on the Holy Night as Madoka Magica
Generative AI chatbot on X was confused about Fate/Grand Order's latest collaboration
― Mistranslation strikes Grok, the generative AI chatbot that xAI has deployed on the X (formerly Twitter) service. The Fate/Grand Order game announced a collaboration with the Witch on the Holy Night visual novel on its X account for the United States on Saturday. However, Japanese followers of the account were qui...
McDonald's Japan Teases Gundam's Return to Menu
This is no Happy Meal, boy! No Happy Meal!
― McDonald's Japan teased a new collaboration with the Mobile Suit Gundam franchise on Sunday. The fast food chain posted a short video with Gundam characters Lalah Sune (voiced by Saori Hayami), Amuro Ray (Tōru Furuya), and Char Aznable (Shuichi Ikeda) saying “What is it? It's coming!”, “Is that…a new burger”, and “I can see it. I can see it, too” respectiv...
Oshi no Ko's April Fool's Day Joke Becomes Reality
Kana Arima is now a pirate captain
― It's real! The Oshi no Ko franchise announced on Thursday that a collaboration between character Kana Arima and the Hakone Pirate Ship tourist attraction has come to fruition. Kana Arima is now the captain of the ship in Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture. (There are actually three floating, seafaring — or rather, lakefaring — "pirate" ships in Lake Ashi.) The area aroun...
Japan's Iconic Licca-chan Doll Makes American Debut
With crossovers with Frieren, Detective Conan, Sanrio characters
― Japanese toy company Takara Tomy confirmed this week that its iconic doll brand Licca-chan is making her American debut. Takara Tomy unveiled the U.S. lineup, which includes Sanrio's Kuromi, My Melody, and Hello Kitty collaboration dolls; the Frieren: Beyond Journey's End and Detective Conan anime's collaboration dolls; and the Kimono...
Sailor Moon's Artemis Watches Over NASA's Artemis II Mission
There's no better guide! (Except maybe Luna?)
― America's National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) took hold of the world's attention on Wednesday when it launched its Artemis II mission, on course to be the first manned mission to fly by the Moon in five decades. And who was there to oversee the launch? None other than Sailor Moon's white feline partner to Sailor Venus, Artemis. During t...
Bandai Announces Macross F x Top Gun: Maverick Crossover Toy
Alto Saotome is hitting the highway to the danger zone
― Bandai's premium toy brand Tamashii Nations announced a collaboration between the Macross Frontier anime and the popular 2022 American film Top Gun: Maverick on Tuesday. Preorders for the DX Chogokin VF-25 Messiah Valkyrie Top Gun: Maverick ver. will begin on April 3, and the toy will then ship in September. The toy is similar to the three-mod...
Animate Apologizes for 'Inappropriate' April Fool's Joke for Unlimited Mates Dating 'Game'
"Game" lets you woo 1,000+ mates such as angel or monster in isekai, BL, more settings
― Japan makes countless April Fool's jokes, but how many have led to a corporate apology? Anime and manga store chain Animate issued an apology for the joke it posted on April Fool's Day at midnight … and then deleted hours later due to "inappropriate and insensitive" content. Animate had posted on April 1 about Un...
Crunchyroll Anime Awards Reveals 2026 Nominees
DAN DA DAN, Gachiakuta, My Hero Academia, Takopi's Original Sin, The Apothecary Diaries, The Summer Hikaru Died nominated for Anime of the Year
― It's that time again to vote and make your voice heard for anime! Crunchyroll announced the nominees for its 2026 Anime Awards on Thursday. Crunchyroll's 10th annual awards ceremony will take place in Tokyo on May 23, and there will be a global livestream. ...
Happy April Fool's Day 2026 From Around the Anime World, Part V
Featuring Dr. Stone, Mr. Osomatsu, Shangri-La Frontier, Legend of the Galactic Heroes, Kamen Rider, Level 5, & more!
― While it's just April Fool's Day in much of the world, it's also the first workday for many recent college grads in Japan. The anime and manga worlds have mixed in some congratulations for these new hires among their jokes: The Battle Cats 【🎉祝！TVアニメ化決定！🎉】ﾋﾞｯｸﾞ(ﾟ∀ﾟ)ﾆｭｰｽ!「にゃんこ大戦争」がリッチな...
Happy April Fool's Day 2026 From Around the Anime World, Part IV
Featuring Medalist, BanG Dream!, Ensemble Stars, Like a Dragon, Apex Legends, Okami, Super Psychic Policeman Chojo, PlayStation, & more!
― As if April Fool's Day wasn't chaotic enough, April 1 is also the official start of the fiscal year in Japan. Between all the executive shuffling and dry stock transactions reports, workers let off steam with jokes like these: Apex Legends ／📢『Apex Legends ときめき学園ライ...
Happy April Fool's Day 2026 From Around the Anime World, Part III
Featuring Final Fantasy VII, Apothecary Diaries, Fate/Grand Order, Gundam 00, NieR, Made in Abyss, Doraemon, & more!
― Besides April Fool's Day, April 1 marks the start of the Japanese school year — hence the school-themed pranks mixed in with the rest: The Apothecary Diaries Pop Your Heart！《𝐛𝐮𝐛𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐬》MaomaoXiaolanShisui20XX.4.1 Debut#bubbles🫧#薬屋のひとりごと #エイプリルフール pic.twitter.com/aU7IJy2MZi— 『薬屋のひとりごと』アニ...
Happy April Fool's Day 2026 From Around the Anime World, Part II
Featuring One Piece, Hana-Kimi, Re:ZERO, Saiki K., Hikaru Midorikawa, Sega, Studio Pierrot, & more!
― The best April Fool's Day "jokes" are the ones that make us laugh on April 1 — then make us gasp on April 2 when we realize they're actually, legitimately real. Do you think of any this year's pranks are for real? Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian 🤜初の格闘ゲーム登場!?🤛『時々バグった挙動をする格ゲーのアーリャさん達』スペシャル...
Happy April Fool's Day 2026 From Around the Anime World, Part I
Featuring Dragon Ball, Oshi no Ko, Uma Musume, Code Geass, Samurai Troopers, Sakamoto Days, Dragon Quest, & more!
― It's April Fool's Day! Which means people making announcements which you're not quite sure if they're real or not — like these from the anime and manga world: Code Geass (2/2)設立に合わせて、企業HP・企業紹介映像を公開いたしました。 ▼「株式会社コードギアス」企業HPhttps://t.co/LJ0xT61NLl▼「株式会社コードギアス」企業紹介PV https://t.co/nloGt7rmG...
Gundam's 1st Global Ranking Poll Winners Are …
Hint: The ones with funnels, wings, & transformation
― The Mobile Suit Gundam franchise announced the winners of its Global Gundam Poll on Tuesday. Fans cast more than 1,330,000 votes, and the staff reported not just the global rankings, but also rankings from 10 different language regions. Taking the global top spot is the Nu Gundam from Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack. The Wing Gundam Zer...
Jack Black Wants to Star in Yakuza, Series Director Masayoshi Yokoyama Responds
Yokoyama: I've no idea what role he'd play, and I don't even know how to reach him, but I might try to contact him. lol"
― Actor Jack Black told the American entertainment news outlet ScreenRant that he would love to have a role in a live-action adaptation of popular game series Like a Dragon (also known as Yakuza). “So I'm going to throw my hat in that ring," Black said to ScreenRant's Ash Crossan d...
Urban Myth Dissolution Center Tops AnimeJapan's 'Indie Games We Want to See Animated' Poll
Izon, Azure Striker Gunvolt were close behind
― The AnimeJapan event announced the results for this year's “Indie Games We Want to See Animated” poll. Shueisha Games' Urban Myth Dissolution Center took the top spot, and Creek & River's Izon and Inti Creates' Azure Striker Gunvolt placed second and third, respectively. The top 10 finalists in the “Indie Games We Want to See Animated” 2026 Poll are: U...
Yui Hara's "Police Men" Short Wins AnimeJapan's Emerging Creator Awards
Kyoto Seika University student's short took home Grand Prix, Special Award
― The AnimeJapan 2026 convention announced the winners of its Emerging Creator Awards 2026 in a ceremony on Saturday. "Police Men" by Kyoto Seika University's Yui Hara took the Grand Prix award, which includes a 1 million yen (about US$6,000) prize. "One with the City" ("Kono Machi to, Tomo ni") by HAL Nagoya's Raiki Murao ea...
Full Metal Panic, Bayonetta Artists Host Live Drawing Sessions at AnimeJapan
Characters come to life at AnimeJapan 2026
― Full Metal Panic! illustrator Shikidouji and Bayonetta illustrator Ai Yokoyama appeared at AnimeJapan 2026 for live drawing sessions in front of fans this past weekend. Shikidouji drew Full Metal Panic! characters Sōsuke Sagara, Kaname Chidori, Teletha "Tessa" Testarossa, Melissa Mao, Kurz Weber, and Bonta-kun. Yokoyama in turn drew Bayonetta characters Ba...
Train Your Sharpshooter Skills With Saga of Tanya the Evil at AnimeJapan
Can you meet Tanya's expectations & shoot down Being X?
― The Saga of Tanya the Evil anime makes its appearance at AnimeJapan 2026 with an interactive sharpshooting game for prizes. Kadokawa's booth features a shooting gallery with cork guns, which players fire at targets labeled as “Being X.” Those who play the game without success will receive a literal participation trophy — or rather, a "particip...
Yuki Kajiura, LiSA, Fiction Junction Perform Tiny Desk Concert
Set to stream globally with Demon Slayer, Gundam Seed, SAO, Garden of Sinners songs
― Japanese musician Yuki Kajiura announced on Wednesday that she is making her debut on tiny desk concerts JAPAN, NHK's Japanese version of National Public Radio's hit program where musicians perform intimate sets at the broadcaster's cramped offices. The half-hour concert will premiere on the NHK World-Japan service ...
Assemble Your Final Fantasy Party to Explore the Wonders of Fukushima
Japan Railways East airs new ad to bring travelers to northeastern Japan
― JR East released a new commercial for its Final Fantasy and Fukushima Prefecture collaboration, Fukushima Fantasy, last week. The commercial features a four-person party dressed as a Black Mage, Red Mage, White Mage, and Thief from the Final Fantasy franchise exploring the weeping cherry blossoms in Kitakat City, Hanamiyama P...
KPop Demon Hunters Makes McDonald's Debut
Also: Kpop Demon Hunters creators reportedly sign US$10 million deal with Netflix
― The KPop Demon Hunters franchise and fast-food chain McDonald's announced on Tuesday that they are collaborating for a set of “dueling adult meals” based on the Oscar-winning film. Fans can choose between the HUNTR/X Meal or Saja Boys Breakfast Meal starting on March 31. McDonald's streamed a 30-second commercial for ...
AnimeJapan 2026 Announces Emerging Creator Award Finalists
13 works chosen from 50 different schools across Japan
― AnimeJapan announced the finalists for this year's Emerging Creator Award for anime shorts on Monday. The event will announce the winners from among the 13 works nominated on March 28. The 13 finalists (including their creators and schools) are: "Ao ga Kieta Umi ni" (Ayano Sawada, Kyoto Saga University of Arts) "Ura Kissa" (Ryusei Dozono, HAL ...
Stroll Down Memory Lane With Frieren at Universal Studios Japan
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End marks its USJ debut with immersive, interactive attractions & restaurant
― The Universal Studios Japan (USJ) theme park confirmed on Monday that it is collaborating with the Frieren: Beyond Journey's End series for the first time. The collaboration will feature new "Story Walk" and "Story Ride" attractions plus themed dishes between May 1, 2026 and January 11, 2027. The ...
Voice Actor Yoshiki Nakajima Announces Marriage
Voice of Idolm@ster SideM's Jiro Yamashita, Ensemble Stars' Tetora Nagumo
― Voice actor Yoshiki Nakajima announced on Sunday that he had gotten married. In his statement, Nakajima added that his partner is a non-celebrity. As of press time, Kamiki's announcement has received 117,000 likes and 1,200 replies, most of which are congratulations from his fans and colleagues. Nakajima has appeared in The ...
Universal Studios' Fan Fest Nights Offer Details on 'One Piece Grand Pirate Show'
Straw Hats battle Marines, Buggy in pyrotechnic-filled, live stunt show in April/May
― On Thursday, Universal Studios Hollywood offered details about its upcoming "One Piece Grand Pirate Show" for its Fan Fest Nights event. The performance will see Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates battle Buggy in a "pyrotechnic-filled, live stunt show." The show will take place at the existing WaterWorld show venue, n...
Uma Musume: Cinderella Gray Wins 12th Anime Trending Awards' Top Prize
Uma Musume: Cinderella Gray wins 7 other awards; The Apothecary Diaries season 2 wins 6 awards
― The 12th annual Anime Trending Awards announced its winners on Saturday, and Uma Musume: Cinderella Gray won Anime of the Year, as well as seven other awards, including Best in Animation, Sports Anime of the Year, and Girl of the Year for Oguri Cap. The second season of The Apothecary Diaries won six awar...
Hayao Miyazaki Personally Draws New Art of Nausicäa, Kiki, Totoro, Spirited Away
Panoramas go on display at Ghibli Park from July 8
― Renowned animation studio Ghibli announced on Tuesday that Hayao Miyazaki personally drew new art pieces that will go on display at the Ghibli Park's Grand Warehouse. The art pieces are the centerpieces of 31 “panorama boxes” highlighting titles from across Studio Ghibli's library (and Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, which strictly speaking, p...
One Piece's Chopper Supports Doctors Without Borders
“A small doctor with a big heart embarks on a humanitarian journey”
― The One Piece franchise and humanitarian medical care charity Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières or MSF) announced on Friday that One Piece character Tony Tony Chopper is joining the organization as an official supporter. One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda personally drew an original illustration of Chopper sporting the ...
Ado, Yoasobi Perform at Lollapalooza 2026
Ado makes debut at Chicago's annual music festival
― Japanese singer Ado and musical duo Yoasobi announced on Wednesday that they will be performing at Lollapalooza 2026. The music festival will take place in Chicago's Grant Park between July 30 and August 2, but neither have revealed on which day they will perform. Yoasobi state this is their second appearance at the annual event. The duo made their...
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