How much of a role does nostalgia play in conventions? Answerman sorts it out. ― A Reader asks: Q: "I have been a long-time fan of attending anime conventions in the USA and enjoy going to panels, both professional as well as fan-driven. As I have gotten older, I have noticed an unusual trend with fan panels, which make up a good portion of the content, especially at small and mid-sized events. That...

interview

Solo Leveling Composer Hiroyuki Sawano Prepares for LA Concert

Nov 10, 08:00 music

Ahead of his solo concert in Los Angeles, the prolific composer shares “THE ANSWER” to our burning questions. ― If you've ever found yourself tapping your toes to the tunes of Solo Leveling, Gundam Unicorn, or Attack on Titan, it's all because of one man—Hiroyuki Sawano. Over the past twenty years, Mr. Sawano has established himself as the go-to composer for adrenaline-pumping anime scores—beats that...

review

100 Meters Anime Film Review

Nov 9, 12:00 anime

There’s a profound sense of weight, of sheer muscle-shredding, teeth-grinding effort during the running scenes. ― “Wow, the main character sure looks like Rafal from Orb: On the Movement of the Earth,” I thought during 100 Meters' opening few minutes, where young protagonist Togashi tutors his classmate Komiya in sprinting. Turns out that the movie, directed by On-Gaku: Our Sound's Kenji Iwaisawa, is...

game review

3 comments

Once Upon a Katamari Game Review

Nov 8, 12:00

3 comments

games

The beloved series’ grand return is a raucous roll-er coaster! ― Roughly twenty-one years ago, I was simultaneously bamboozled and bemused by a strange little game I'd plopped into my PlayStation 2. A fifth grader at the time, I'd been tasked with putting all the stars back in the sky alongside a tiny fellow simply known as the Prince...and we were going to do it with something called a “Katamari.” ...

news

27 comments

Square Enix Confirms Layoffs, Restructuring in N. American, European Publishing Operations

Nov 8, 11:15

27 comments

games industry

Reports state more than 100 workers in U.S., UK could be impacted ― In a presentation on Thursday on its earnings for the six-month period ending on September 30, 2025, Square Enix disclosed to investors that the company will be laying off employees in its North American and European publishing operations as part of restructuring of its overseas organizations. The restructuring will involve closing o...

your score

7 comments

Your Anime Rankings - Best of Fall 2025, Oct 29-Nov 4

Nov 8, 01:00

7 comments

anime

Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider comes out #1 just ahead of SANDA — two standout shows brimming with originality. Find out where your favorites rank this week! ― 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 the latest simulcasts. Keep in mind that these rankings are ba...

review

15 comments

Dealing with Mikadono Sisters Is a Breeze Anime Series Review

Nov 7, 12:00

15 comments

anime

This isn't just a love story, it's also one about family, insecurity, imposter syndrome, and the overall pressures of living up to the expectations forced on you by others. ― Are you looking for an anime about sisterhood to fill the empty hole in your heart that The Quintessential Quintuplets left? Then I might have an anime for you! I'm kidding…mostly, but the idea of a harem show specifically revol...

column

4 comments

This Week in Games - Interview with Nobuyuki Okajima, Producer on Full Metal Schoolgirl Action Game

Nov 7, 11:00

4 comments

games

We spoke with the producer about the sci-fi schoolgirl action game, as well as a condensed history of Dragon Quest, and Love and Deepspace its dark-skinned character rendering. ― Welcome back, folks! This past weekend was Kumoricon—and my first time covering it professionally! I have a few interviews from the convention that'll go up shortly; it was a fun experience and a delight to speak to the figu...

feature

5 comments

The Fall 2025 Manga Guide After Dark (18+)

Nov 7, 11:00

5 comments

manga

Welcome to the steamy side of ANN's Fall Manga Guide. ― Welcome to the steamy side of ANN's Fall Manga Guide. All of these titles are intended for readers 18 and older, ranging from spicy to something a bit more, and featuring a variety of tropes, groupings, and fetishes. Come find your next adult read - there's plenty to choose from. SEPTEMBER Let Me See the Real You, Senpai! Lauren Orsini, Rebecca...

feature

84 comments

Does the Light Novel Translation Process Need AI?

Nov 7, 09:00

84 comments

novels industry

As machine translation tools under the banner of AI become increasingly accessible and easy to use, the light novel landscape is at a crossroads. Do light novel publishers compromise their product for more speed, and if so, by how much? ― Tristan “Arkada” Gallant was hooked on Ascendance of a Bookworm, an isekai light novel series that is currently being translated by J-Novel Club. But when Part 5 Vo...

feature

6 comments

WEBTOON Disputes Union's Unpaid Labor Allegations

Nov 6, 18:25

6 comments

korean

Naver WEBTOON: "Although extremely rare, even if serialization does not proceed, we compensate the creators for the work produced. Claims of unpaid labor are, therefore, inappropriate and untrue." ― Following Anime News Network's November 5 article on allegations of unfair labor practices at Naver WEBTOON, Kiel Hume, VP and Head of Global Communications at WEBTOON Entertainment, reached out to provid...

review

4 comments

Labyrinth Anime Film Review

Nov 6, 12:00

4 comments

anime

At the end of the screening of Macross' Shoji Kawamori's latest film, with my head in my hands, I sighed to myself, “How in hell’s name am I supposed to review this?" ― Within the first few minutes of director Shoji Kawamori's Labyrinth, protagonist Shiori laments that “without smartphones, humanity would be doomed”. From the events that later transpire, I suspect Kawamori's opinion is quite the oppo...

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