Old Column - March 2021

Strike Witches Director Kazuhiro Takamura Unveils Original TV Anime Vertex Force in 2026

Mar 20, 06:17

anime

Takamura teases anime with "cute girls," "cool mecha" ― Strike Witches and Vividred Operation director Kazuhiro Takamura is helming Vertex Force, an original television anime that will premiere this year. The tagline on the teaser visual is, "Engine, start!": Takamura gave a message about the anime in which he said that he likes cute girls, cool mecha, and anime, and this original anime crams in ever...

news

Magical Buffs: The Support Caster is Stronger Than He Realized! Novels Get TV Anime

Mar 20, 05:30 anime

Reiji Kawashima, Hana Hishikawa star in J.C Staff anime next January ― A website opened on Friday to announce that a television anime of Haka Tokura's Magical Buffs: The Support Caster is Stronger Than He Realized! light novel series will air next January. The main cast members are: Reiji Kawashima as Wim Strauss Hana Hishikawa as Heidemarie Hideki Okamoto (2.5 Dimensional Seduction, D.C. II: Da Capo...

review

6 comments

STEEL BALL RUN JoJo's Bizarre Adventure 1st STAGE Review

Mar 19, 14:54

6 comments

anime

There were a wealth of reasons to go into Steel Ball Run with mitigated expectations, which is why I'm so thrilled to say that this extra-long premiere is incredible by any measure. ― After years of speculation and anticipation, David Production is finally animating STEEL BALL RUN JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, the seventh part of Hirohiko Araki's long-running manga series and what's generally considered ...

review

Food Diary of Miss Maid Volumes 1-4 Manga Review

Mar 19, 12:00 manga

Despite it being about food, whether or not this manga will have you eating well is something up for debate. ― Oftentimes, my dinner is the biggest highlight of my day. I get so hungry that my appetite becomes insatiable, resulting in that moment mid-afternoon where I inevitably scroll through whatever food porn comes across my YouTube home feed (we're up to taking up a good third of the page). There...

column

20 comments

This Week in Anime - Porn From Before We Were Born

Mar 19, 10:00

20 comments

anime

What was anime porn like back in ye olde dayes? Sylvia and Chris check out Cream Lemon to find out! ― What was anime porn like back in ye olde dayes? Sylvia and Chris check out Cream Lemon to find out! Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the participants in this chatlog are not the views of Anime News Network.Spoiler Warning for discussion of the series ahead. Content Warning: Sexual Ima...

game review

Étrange Overlord Game Review

Mar 19, 09:00 games

A charming musical RPG the likes of which we haven't had in too long, but is there enough substance to go with the sweetness? ― Shohei Niikawa is best known for the Disgaea games, and longtime fans can rest assured that his newest game, Étrange Overlord, continues his penchant for madcap humor, stunning dramatic twists, and charming characters. But while the charm and humor of the Marl Kingdom games ...

feature

Read it First: Manga, Light Novel Sources for Spring 2026 Anime

Mar 18, 12:28

manga novels

Not sure what to watch in the coming anime season? Read our reviews of the manga and light novels that inspired the shows from Witch Hat Atelier to Daemons of the Shadow Realm! ― It's hardly a rule that you have to read the source material before you watch the adaptation, but what if you want to? A decade ago, anime fans who wanted to read the manga or light novel before the show debuted were out of...

review

Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? On the Side: Sword Oratoria Volume 13 Novel Review

Mar 18, 12:00

novels

It feels like this is the moment author Fujino Omori has been striving for: when Lefiya and Bell are fully running parallel to each other. ― Although this side story started out being about Aiz, it's really about Lefiya. That has been increasingly apparent as the books progress. Still, volume thirteen really cements the idea, and it feels like this is the moment author Fujino Omori has been striving ...

news

Shio Taiō no Satō-san ga Ore ni Dake Amai Light Novels Get TV Anime (Updated)

Mar 18, 08:25

anime

Hiiro Ishibashi, Miku Itō star as classmates with unrequited love — for each other ― A website opened on Wednesday to announce the television anime adaptation of Kazami Sawatari and illustrator Aitiki's Shiotaiō no Satō-san ga Ore ni Dake Amai (The Salty Koharu Has a Soft Spot for Me) light novel series, which will premiere this year. The website also revealed the anime's teaser promotional video, te...

news

The Forsaken Saintess and Her Foodie Roadtrip in Another World Novels Get Anime

Mar 18, 05:01

anime

Sora Tokui, Yūki Ono star in EMT Squared anime ― Happinet announced on Wednesday that Yoneori's The Forsaken Saintess and Her Foodie Roadtrip in Another World (Suterare Seijo no Isekai Gohan Tabi: Kakure Skill de Camping Car o Shōkan Shimashita) light novel series will receive an anime adaptation this year, and presented the anime's teaser visual, main cast, and main staff members. The light novels' ...

news

12 comments

Kyouko Hikawa's From Far Away Shōjo Manga Gets TV Anime This Year

Mar 18, 04:53

12 comments

anime

Bleach's Noriyuki Abe directs anime ― A website opened on Wednesday to announce the television anime adaptation of Kyouko Hikawa's From Far Away (Kanata Kara) shōjo manga, slated for release this year. The website is also streaming the anime announcement video, and reveals the anime's director Noriyuki Abe (Bleach, Flame of Recca, GTO: Great Teacher Onizuka). The anime news commemorates the manga's 3...

news

5 comments

Voice Actor Yonehiko Kitagawa Dies at 94

Mar 18, 01:42

5 comments

people

Yonehiko died on March 5 due to pneumonia ― Talent management agency Aoni Production announced on Wednesday that voice actor Yonehiko Kitagawa died on March 5 due to pneumonia. He was 94. A private funeral attended by close family members was held, in accordance to his family's wishes.Kitagawa voiced several characters in the 1983 Kinnikuman series including Akuma Shōgun, Big The Budō, and Chairman H...

news

Chinese Mythological Manhua Shang Shan Gets Japanese TV Anime

Mar 17, 20:03

anime

Dangan Pictures, Cannon Code animate Shōzen series for 2027 ― Fuji TV announced on Tuesday that Jiang Jia Meizi's Chinese manhua Shang Shan will receive a television anime adaptation titled Shōzen in 2027. Rina Kawaguchi plays Shōzen. Hiroshi Kamiya plays Dōzen. Daisuke Sakuma (Snow Man) plays Ryojin. Aoi Yūki plays Kensei. Ayumu Murase plays Chiro. Itsurō Kawasaki (True Cooking Master Boy, Lady Je...

review

3 comments

Oshi no Ko Volumes 3-8 Manga Review

Mar 17, 12:00

3 comments

manga

This is a dark, haunting revenge tale with a side order of unsettling insights into the murkier side of the Japanese entertainment industry. ― Oshi no Ko is what Kaguya-sama: Love is War's author Aka Akasaka did next, this time delegating artistic duties to Scum's Wish creator Mengo Yokoyari. Those expecting another light-hearted romcom are likely to be surprised: this is a dark, haunting revenge tal...

column

24 comments

This Week in Anime - Disc World

Mar 17, 10:00

24 comments

merch

Coop and Lucas discuss the importance of physical media. Bonus: libraries may soon be able to stock Kpop Demon Hunters on disc! ― Coop and Lucas discuss the importance of physical media. Bonus: libraries may soon be able to stock Kpop Demon Hunters on disc! Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the participants in this chatlog are not the views of Anime News Network. Full Disclosure: Coop ...

news

Manga Creator Majuro Kaname Dies

Mar 17, 05:01

manga

Kaname died in February while drafting 14th chapter of new manga ― The editorial staff of Kodansha's Weekly Shōnen Magazine announced on Tuesday that manga creator Majuro Kaname died in February. Kaname had been in the middle of working on the draft for the 14th chapter of their Doku o Kurawaba Sakura Made manga when they died. Their family held a private funeral.The staff of Weekly Shōnen Magazine a...

news

Doraemon, Chibi Maruko-chan Director Tsutomu Shibayama Dies at 84

Mar 17, 02:35