Episode 1135 of One Piece sets Bonney free in a sequence that is as cathartic as it was welcome.
This week, we get a lot of the silver linings to the dark cloud of the tangled history of Kuma and Bonney. Seeing Kuma try to continue doing good while also writing back to Bonney was endearing and further proof of his good nature. It's easy to call him a big ol' teddy bear because, well, come on, it's almost too easy. This week underscores that Kuma continued to do good for as long as he could, despite the difficult situation he had been placed in.
Bonney being cured was a huge relief as well as a joy to watch. Her escape with the help of the townsfolk and battle with Alpha are exhilarating. They're also well animated, particularly in the latter's case, and well-paced. The way Bonney's powers manifest through the stories of Nika imparted by Kuma is a very poetic moment - and of course, the best poetry culminates in a knockout punch from an inflated super-fist.
Perhaps the most impactful scene took place much earlier. The particular moment in question was Alpha ripping up Kuma's letters, and the framing was excellent. The way it was focused on the trash can as the shredded scraps fell from above while Kuma's voice read over the lines – mwah, heartbreaking stuff. This destructive act of violence against the family bond is the bloody red underline for all the other wanton destruction that the World Government causes. It is the most bitter betrayal because of its needless cruelty. If you didn't think the whole situation with Kuma's medical transformation was deeply upsetting and evil before, then surely this scene brings it home like no other.
We've all got shows that we've outgrown. Coop and Lucas discuss some of theirs.― We've all got shows that we've outgrown. Coop and Lucas discuss some of theirs. 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. Full Disclosure: Coop Bicknell regularly works on titles produced b...
The first season of the story of Oguri Cap stands apart from its previous Uma Musume brethren—and arguably stands above many of them.― Every great hero deserves an origin story, and that even—especially!—includes the funny big-eating horse girl Oguri Cap from Uma Musume. This obviously isn't the only franchise where a comic-relief background character can undergo this kind of drastic promotion to pr...
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The problem with this film is not the story being told but rather how that story is being told― Akaza Returns is not a film without high points—especially to fans invested in every aspect of the story and world. Zenitsu and Shinobu both reach the climax of their arcs, and we finally learn the complete backstories of what drives them. We also get a rematch between Tanjiro and Akaza—now with Giyu work...
Chris and Steve wander through the summer season's tales of love looking for romantic treasures and finding...stuff.― Chris and Steve wander through the summer season's tales of love looking for romantic treasures and finding...stuff. 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 ...
Surely, there are better dungeons to delve somewhere out there.― Did you know that those cute little slime-things from the Puyo Puyo puzzle games originate from a series of dungeon crawlers from the early 90s? If you didn't, I don't think anyone could blame you, since the franchise has only ever had a single western release in its decades-long history. It was called Sorcery Saga: Curse of the Great ...
Teaser trailer streamed for 2027 series― The Pokémon Presents stream on Tuesday announced Pokémon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch'd and Pichu, a stop-motion animated series collaboration with independent studio Aardman (Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep). The stream unveiled a teaser trailer: Peter Lord, Cofounder and Creative Director at Aardman, stated that the animated series will take place...
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Production +h. animates Keigo Shinzō's story with live-action series also coming― Viz Media announced on Monday that it is co-producing an anime adaptation of Keigo Shinzō's Hirayasumi manga with Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions Co., Ltd. Production +h. (The Orbital Children, Dead Dead Demon's Dededede Destruction) is animating the project. Viz describes the story: At 29 years old, carefree Hiroto Ik...
TV anime first announced in 2024― HIDIVE announced on Monday that it will co-produce the television anime adaptation of Mikihisa Konishi's Petals of Reincarnation (Reincarnation no Kaben) manga. The manga's story centers on Tōya Senji, a high school boy who, despite excelling academically, sees himself as average due to constantly comparing himself to his overachieving older brother. He desires to e...
In this, Spider-Man and Ultraman are kindred spirits, and I'm not quite sure what I expected their connection to be but I like this angle as a way to bridge these two very different characters.― Ultraman: Along Came a Spider-Man is a solid start for an Ultraman and Spider-Man that hits most of the notes you would expect. The premise here is simple enough and totally in keeping with crossover tales o...
The Preview Guide is still going, with Kaiju No. 8!― Welcome to Anime News Network's Summer 2025 Anime Preview Guide sponsored by Crunchyroll! 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. This season, our Anime Preview Guide ...
Burnt-out animators, low wages, excruciating deadlines, and toxic working conditions. How is Animator Supporters continuing to push to make a better workplace in anime production?―
Over the past few years, I've had amazing and unique opportunities to speak with some of the anime industry's greatest creatives. However, these luminaries' experiences don't always precisely align with those of animator...