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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...
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Comic Market Extended Back to 3 Days After 5 Years as 2-Day Event

Event returns to Tokyo Big Sight on December 29-31 ― The Comic Market Committee announced on Tuesday that the Comic Market (Comiket) 109 convention will return as a three-day event on December 29-31.   The convention will continue to take place at the Tokyo Big Sight venue, but East 4-6 Halls are unavailable due to renovations. Comiket 108 will take place on August 15-16, but East 4-6 Halls will also...
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AnimeJapan Reports Record Attendance in 2026

156,000 attendees counted over 2 public days this past weekend ― The staff for the AnimeJapan 2026 convention announced on Sunday that 156,000 attendees came to the event across its two public days on March 28-29. This year's number is the highest the event has reported, higher than last year's number of 152,400.The event hosted more than 130 exhibitor booths, another record high for the event. Just ...
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Anime Central Hosts 765PRO, Cinderella Girls Idols from The Idolm@ster

Asami Imai, Akiko Hasegawa, Yumi Hara, Ayaka Fukuhara, Ayaka Ohashi, Minami Tsuda to perform in concert ― The Anime Central convention and Bandai Namco Entertainment announced on March 25 that the convention will host six idols from The Idolm@ster franchise, including: Asami Imai (Chihaya Kisaragi), Akiko Hasegawa (Miki Hoshii), and Yumi Hara (Takane Shijou) from 765PRO ALL STARS; and Ayaka Fukuhara ...
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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...
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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...
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AnimeJapan 2027, 2028 to be Held in Osaka (Updated)

Event to be held March 27-28, 2027 at Intex Osaka convention center ― Advertisements at the AnimeJapan 2026 event on Saturday revealed that the 2027 and 2028 events will be held in Osaka. The event next year will be held at the Intex Osaka convention center on March 27-28, 2027. The notice did not state why the event is moving, but mentioned the Osaka World Expo event that was held last year. The not...
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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...
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Japan Airlines Cancels Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club Event Due to Threat

Email threatened to disrupt event featuring 2 cast members at Kyoto Station on Saturday ― Japan Airlines (JAL) announced on Tuesday that it has canceled its March 28 special event at Kyoto Station, after receiving an email message threatening to disrupt the event. The event would have promoted its campaign tied to the Love Live! Nijigasaki Gakuen School Idol Dōkōkai Kanketsu-hen Dai-2-Shō film. As a...
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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 ...
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This Week in Anime - Conventional Gatherings

Chris and Lucas talk anime conventions, and why a smaller one focused on one IP can be a very different (and delightful) experience. ― Chris and Lucas talk anime conventions, and why a smaller one focused on one IP can be a very different (and delightful) experience. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the participants in this chatlog are not the views of Anime News Network. @RiderStrike...
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Anime Boston 2026 Hosts Voice Actors Atsushi Abe, Wakana Maruoka; Producers Hiromi Sueta, Takanori Matsuoka

HiDive sponsors appearance of all 4 guests from Farming Life in Another World 2, Petals of Reincarnation ― The staff of Anime Boston 2026 announced on Saturday that the convention will host the following people as guests of honor:Voice actor Atsushi Abe (A Certain Magical Index, IDOLiSH7) will be attending as a guest of honor to promote his upcoming role as Hiraku Machio, the protagonist of Farming L...
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Korean Cartoonist Association Hosts Webtoon Forum on AI, Copyright, Creative Tools

Creator Jin-kyu Choi introduces webtoon-focused AI production tool he developed using Google's "Vibe Coding" ― The Korean Cartoonist Association (KCA) held its first Webtoon Forum of 2026 on March 13 in Seoul, focusing on the impact of generative AI on creative workflows, copyright, and legal rights. The event, held at a cultural venue in Mapo District, brought together creators, legal experts, and ...
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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...
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Sailor Moon Exports Original CG Short to Universal Studios Hollywood

In the name of the Moon, she will punish you if you don't go! ― The Universal Studios Hollywood theme park and the Sailor Moon franchise announced on Thursday that they are uniting for the park's Fan Fest Nights this spring. The event will play "Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon the Miracle: Moon Place Chapter Deluxe," an original manga and CG anime short, with subtitles at the DreamWorks Theatre. Universa...
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New York City's Japan Parade to Host Acky Bright, Jujutsu Kaisen The Stage Show's Cast

Event takes place on May 9 in New York City ― The 5th Annual Japan Parade & Street Fair announced on Monday manga illustrator that the cast for the 2.5D stage play Jujutsu Kaisen The Stage will be perform during the parade. Acky Bright will be grand marshal at this year's event. Jujutsu Kaisen The Stage cast members Ryosuke Miura (Satoru Gojo), Ray Fujita (Suguru Geto), Fuminori Morisada (Curse User)...
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Animazement Anime Convention to Host Cowboy Bebop, Lazarus Director Shinichirō Watanabe

Event to be held at Raleigh Convention Center from May 22-24 ― The staff of Animazement anime convention announced on Sunday that it will host anime director Shinichirō Watanabe during its event on May 22-24. Watanabe directed such notable anime productions as Cowboy BebopMacross PlusSamurai ChamplooSpace DandyCarole & Tuesday, and Terror in Resonance. He also directed the "Blade Runner: Blac...
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Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Film Wins Japan Academy Film Prize

Nominees included Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc, Detective Conan: One-eyed Flashback, more ― The Japan Academy Film Prize Association announced the winners of the 49th annual Japan Academy Film Prizes in a ceremony at the Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa in Tokyo on Friday. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle - Akaza Sairai, the first film in the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity...
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World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto Meets Super Mario's Yoshi

Fans at March 31 Dodgers game can receive Yoshi bobblehead as Yamamoto ― The Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team released on Saturday a video of World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto meeting Super Mario Bros. character Yoshi. The post shows Yamamoto doing a handstand while being bothered by Yoshi. The video's caption reads "Yoshinobu meets Yoshi" and announces that the Dodgers will collaborate with The S...
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The Pokémon Company Issues Statement on White House Use of Pokémon-Inspired Images

Also: Yu-Gi-Oh! voice actor Dan Green criticizes White House's videos using clips to promote war with Iran ― The Pokémon Company issued a statement last Friday regarding the White House's X (formerly Twitter) account using a modified version of the Pokémon Pokepia game's box art to read the current administration's slogan "Make America Great Again." According to American news outlets The Hill and Ti...
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Art and Tech Meet in Evangelion 30th Anniversary Exhibition Area

The massive Evangelion exhibition featured a huge Unit-01, 26 CRT TVs, and a new VR experience. ― Renowned anime franchise Evangelion has entered its pearl anniversary year. And to kick off the 30th anniversary of the franchise, the Yokohama Arena in Yokohama, Japan hosted the Evangelion:30+; 30th Anniversary of Evangelion fan festival from February 21 to 23. Celebrating all things Evangelion, the ev...
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Evangelion Fashion Looks to the Future

Gendo VA Fumihiko Tachiki takes a surprising career turn as runway model ― The first day festivities of the Evangelion:30+; 30th Anniversary of Evangelion fan festival started strong with an Evangelion fashion show and dance performance during the “DAY 1 UNION PART.” While one would think the fashion show centered on fans and their Evangelion-coordinated outfits, it was, in fact, a show of official E...
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Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Film Wins Saturn Award for Best International Film

Nominees included Attack on Titan: The Last Attack, Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc, The Colors Within Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle - Akaza Sairai, the first film in the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle trilogy, won the Best International Film award at the 2026 Saturn awards. The ceremony for the awards, which honor the best science fiction, horror, and fantasy movies and te...
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Anime Boston 2026 Hosts Japanese Singer Coda, Voice Actress Kujira

Anime Boston takes place at Hynes Convention Center in Boston, MA from April 3-5 ― The staff of Anime Boston 2026 announced on Saturday that the event will host Japanese singer Coda and Japanese voice actress Kujira as guests of honor. Coda is the musical guest for the event's Saturday (April 4) concert.Coda, whose real name is Kazusou Oda, performed "Bloody Stream," the opening theme song for the "B...
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Happy Hina Matsuri 2026 From Around the Anime World, Part III

Featuring Dan Da Dan, My Dress-up Darling, Animal Crossing, Capcom, Charisma, & more! ― It's time to break out the dolls of the Emperor and Empress for Girls' Day in Japan! Animal Crossing みなさ~ん!今日は、ひなまつりですね♪みなさんの島では、どのようなひなまつりが行われているでしょうか?思い思いに、桃の節句をお過ごしくださいね! pic.twitter.com/uBZBJmNBzZ— どうぶつの森 (@doubutsuno_mori) March 3, 2026 Everyone~! Today is Hina Matsuri♪ How do you celebrate Hina Matsuri on y...
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Anime Ottawa Hosts KIHOW of MYTH&ROID

KIHOW to perform concert on April 4 ― The staff for Anime Ottawa announced on Wednesday that this year's event will host KIHOW of MYTH&ROID. KIHOW will perform a concert on April 4 at 8:00 p.m. at the EY Centre. Concert tickets are sold separately from the convention, and they go on sale this Saturday. MYTH&ROID consist of vocalist KIHOW and producer Tom-H@ck. The group debuted in 2015, and vocalist ...
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Happy Hina Matsuri 2026 From Around the Anime World, Part II

Featuring Sqare Enix, Doraemon, Chibi Maruko-chan, Chibi Godzilla Raids Again, Jun Inoue, & more! ― It's Hina Matsuri, or Girls' Day, in Japan. However, the holiday also goes by the name "Momo no Sekku" (Peach Festival) — a name used when Japan was on a lunar calender system, since March 3 used to land just after peach trees blossomed. The anime and manga industries are showing off their flowers for ...
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Happy Hina Matsuri 2026 From Around the Anime World, Part I

Featuring Girls Band Cry, MAPPA, Tezuka Productions, Final Fantasy VII Remake, Dragon Quest, more! ― March 3 marks the Japanese cultural holiday of Hina Matsuri, or Girls' Day. Families celebrate by displaying dolls representing the Emperor, Empress, attendants, and musicians. They enjoy the displays while eating snacks and singing the traditional song “Ureshi Hina Matsuri." The anime and manga world...
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Ultraman: Rising Film Wins at Children's & Family Emmys

Film wins Outstanding Animated Special, Sound Mixing/Sound Editing, Character Animation Individual Achievement ― The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences announced the winners for the 2025 Children's & Family Emmys on Monday. Netflix and Tsuburaya Productions' Ultraman: Rising, the latest Ultraman CG animated feature film, won in the "Outstanding Animated Special" category. The film also ...
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Live-Action One Piece Cast to Help Toss 1st Pitch at World Baseball Classic

Main cast to appear at March 6 Japan vs. Chinese Taipei matchup ― The live-action One Piece series announced on February 24 that the members of the Straw Hat Pirates will appear during the World Baseball Classic's Japan vs. Chinese Taipei game on March 6. Iñaki Godoy (Monkey D. Luffy), Emily Rudd (Nami), Mackenyu (Roronoa Zoro), Jacob Gibson (Usopp), and Taz Skylar (Sanji) will take part in the game'...
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Gundam Franchise Teases Collaboration with Hololive Productions

Will the VTuber's become mobile suits or Gundam pilots? ― The Mobile Suit Gundam franchise teased on Monday that a "Special Collaboration Project" is launching with Hololive Productions. The franchise will appear at the hololive SUPER EXPO 2026 event with a booth, where it will distribute "logo stickers." The account shared a five-second teaser. ◤◢◤◢◤◢特報◤◢◤◢◤◢  《ガンダムシリーズ》       ✖ 《ホロライブプロダクション》スペシャルコ...
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The Apothecary Diaries' Author Hyuganatsu to Attend Anime Boston

Anime Boston takes place at Hynes Convention Center in Boston, MA from April 3-5 ― The staff of Anime Boston 2026 announced on February 22 that the event will host the author of the The Apothecary Diaries light novel series Hyuganatsu as a guest of honor. She will appear with mascot Uririn, "a boar who is responsible for her public relations." While announcing the English release of The Apothecary Di...
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Demon Slayer Wins Special Award at Japan Academy Awards

Creative Contribution Award honors technical achievements from production members on 2025 films ― The Japan Academy Film Prize Association announced the recipients of the Creative Contribution Award category for the 49th annual Japan Academy Film Prizes on Tuesday. The award honors technical achievements and other contributions by supporting production members for films produced in 2025. The recipie...
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Play Tetris on Kyoto Station's 9-Story-High LED Grand Staircase

Thankfully, clearing lines won't remove floors from the station ― JR West announced on Wednesday that Kyoto Station will let travelers play Tetris — using the station's Daikaidan grand staircase as a giant, nine-story LED screen. Dubbed "Kyoto Daikaidan Tetris," up to two people can play Tetris per session. Players can select between Easy, Normal, or Hard difficulty levels. Player ranking and scores ...
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Watch All Evangelion Episodes in Just 25 Minutes on Period-Correct CRT TVs

But only at the "Evangelion:30+; 30th Anniversary of Evangelion" festival Eva fans were greeted with a surprise during the "Evangelion:30+; 30th Anniversary of Evangelion" festival this past weekend: all 26 episodes of Neon Genesis Evangelion playing nonstop, simultaneously on 26 TVs — each of them blocky and cathode ray tube, as ('90s) Sony intended. The display was part of the festival's retrospe...

Tokyo Skytree Tower Closes for 2 Days During Madoka Magica Event After Elevator Mishap

Malfunction left 20 trapped in elevator & around 1,200 stranded on observation decks for hours ― An elevator malfunction occurred in the Tokyo SkyTree tower on Sunday, leaving 20 trapped in an elevator for almost six hours, and around 1,200 stranded above on the observation decks for almost three hours. The elevator made an emergency stop around 30 meters (about 100 feet) from the ground floor. Emerg...
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WEBTOON to Make Emerald City Comic Con Debut

Creators Jjolee, Kris Nguyen, Chiogiri to appear at event ― WEBTOON will make its first-ever appearance at Emerald City Comic Con from March 5–8, 2026, marking a major push to connect directly with creators and fans in North America. At the Seattle-based convention, WEBTOON will host a dedicated Artist Alley section, creator-led panels, and portfolio review sessions with editors, offering hands-on g...

Saudi Arabia's RTS Acquires EVO Fighting Game Tournaments

EVO 2026 will be held at Las Vegas Convention Center West Hall on June 26 to 28 ― The Evolution Championship Series (EVO) fighting game tournament's website announced on Tuesday Saudi-owned RTS acquired EVO from Nodwin Gaming. Nodwin Gaming will "continue to work with Evo with a focus on leveraging its expertise in emerging markets."RTS was founded in 2021, and Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC) acquir...
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No Anime Win at Annie Awards; KPop Demon Hunters Wins 10 Awards

The Red Turtle director Michaël Dudok de Wit wins prestigious Winsor McCay award ― The International Animated Film Society, ASIFA-Hollywood, revealed the winners for its 53rd Annual Annie Awards on Saturday. No anime won awards at the event. However, Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans' animated film KPop Demon Hunters won all 10 awards for which it was nominated, including for "Best Feature." The film a...
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Spacewalking With You, Half is More, 'Draw This, Then Die,' More Manga Nominated Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize

10 total manga nominated including Sukima, Solaris, more ― The Asahi Shimbun paper announced the 10 nominees for the 30th Annual Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize on Saturday. The awards commemorate the contributions of the manga pioneer Osamu Tezuka (Astroboy/Mighty Atom, Kimba the White Lion/Jungle Emperor, Phoenix, Black Jack) by recognizing the manga that best follow his tradition. Iemori Kitan Kaho Na...
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20th Seiyū Awards Announces Special Award Winners

The IDOLM@STER series, Aruno Tahara, Keiko Yokozawa, Shinichirō Kamio, Rei Sakuma, Nami Mizuno honored ― The organizers of the 20th Annual Seiyū Awards announced in advance the winners of the special awards on Tuesday. Merit Awards Award for the seiyū who have contributed to many genres, including foreign works, over the years Aruno Tahara (left in image below) Keiko Yokozawa 【第二十回声優アワード先行発表!】 功労賞 長...
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Anime Central 2026 Hosts Yuki Kajiura, FictionJunction

ACen runs from May 15-17 in Illinois ― Illinois-based convention Anime Central (ACen) announced on Monday it will host Yuki Kajiura and FictionJunction as Guests of Honor at this year's event. The musicians will also host a live concert on May 16 for all con attendees. Kajiura is a prolific composer known for scoring multiple anime series including Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Fate/Zero, Puella Ma...
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Death Stranding 2, Persona 5: The Phantom X, Mario Kart World Win at D.I.C.E. Awards

Death Stranding 2 wins 2 awards for audio design, technical achievement ― The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS) announced the winners of the 29th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards on Thursday. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach won the awards for "Outstanding Achievement in Audio Design" and "Outstanding Technical Achievement." Persona 5: The Phantom X won "Mobile Game of the Year," and Mario Kart Worl...
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Celebrating Girls-Love at the Yen Press Yuri Café in New York City

In a brutally cold New York February, there’s a warm home for yuri fandom at the Yen Press Yuri Café ― In 2025, The Guy She Was Interested In Wasn't A Guy At All by Sumiko Arai, often referred to as the “Green Yuri” among fans, saw incredible success. Named Best Manga of the Year at the American Manga Awards, it has opened doors for other yuri manga, including inee's Love Bullet, to get full merchand...
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Boston Red Sox Celebrate 3rd Annual One Piece Event on May 12

Get an exclusive Straw Hat Crew Red Sox bomber jacket ― Toei Animation announced on Friday that legendary anime series One Piece is returning to Fenway Park in collaboration with the Boston Red Sox baseball team for the third annual One Piece Theme Night on May 12. Fans who attend the event will receive a commemorative One Piece Boston Red Sox bomber jacket. The bomber jacket features the Straw Hat P...
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Seattle Mariners Baseball Team Holds 2nd One Piece Night on March 31

This time, fans get One Piece/Mariners jerseys ― Toei Animation announced on Wednesday that the legendary anime series One Piece is returning to T-Mobile Park in collaboration with the Seattle Mariners baseball team for One Piece Night on March 31. Attendees will receive a commemorative One Piece Seattle Mariners baseball jersey. Along with the jersey, ticket holders can also participate in a One Pie...
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Princess Mononoke/Spirited Away Art Director Yōji Takeshige to Teach Drawing at Ghibli Park

Park to also host classes on traditional pottery, broom-making, tie-dying, more ― Ghibli Park announced on Tuesday that Yōji Takeshige (the art director of Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle, and many other Ghibli films) and watercolor painter Shigeari Nomura will hold lessons on drawing for the first time in the theme park's annual “Haru no Dondoko Matsuri” (Spring Dondoko Festiv...
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Happy Setsubun 2026 From Around the Anime World, Part II

Featuring Pokémon, Doraemon, Haruhi Suzumiya, SNK, Chiikawa, & more! ― The Japanese cultural holiday Setsubun is punctuated with driving oni (demons) out of homes and welcoming good fortune into them by tossing roasted soybeans or mamemaki. The tradition is marked with shouts of "Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!" or "Cast demons out! Bring fortune in!" While the practice is slowly disappearing, it lives on...
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Happy Setsubun 2026 From Around the Anime World, Part I

Featuring Demon Slayer, Square Enix, Chibi Maruko-chan, Miffy, Sega, Hiromi Morishita, & more! ― Early February in Japan marks the cultural holiday of Setsubun, or the transition from winter to spring. For prosperity and happiness, people eat ehōmaki (unsliced sushi rolls with seven lucky ingredients) while facing the latest direction of auspicious fortune (ehō). (This year, it's south-southeast.) Th...
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KPop Demon Hunters Adds a Grammy to Its Awards Collection

KPop Demon Hunters came up “Golden” for Best Song Written for Visual Media ― Massively popular 2025 animated film KPop Demon Hunters took home the Grammy for Best Song Written for Visual Media for its hit song "Golden" at the 68th Grammy Awards on Sunday. "Golden" beat out "As Alive as You Need Me to Be" from Tron: Ares, "Never Too Late" from Elton John: Never Too Late, and "I Lied to You," "Pale, Pa...
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Power Morphicon Hosts Koichi Sakamoto, Motoko Sakamoto, Kane Kosugi

Event runs from August 28-30 in Pasadena, CA ― Pasadena's Power Morphicon event announced on Monday that this year's event will host director and producer Koichi Sakamoto, actress Motoko Sakamoto, and actor Kane Kosugi. Koichi worked as the director and producer for tokusatsu (special effects) series such as Power Rangers, Super Sentai, Kamen Rider, Ultraman, and Garo.Motoko is known for playing A-Sq...
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1st Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Film, Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX Series Win TAAF's Top Awards

100M, Orb: On the Movements of the Earth manga creator Uoto, director Yōhei Kameyama, artist Kenshi Yonezu, more win individual awards ― The Tokyo Anime Award Festival (TAAF) announced the winners of its Animation of the Year awards for works and individuals on Monday. Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX won the television category and Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle - Akaza Sairai, the first...
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Anime Central 2026 Hosts Directors Keisuke Shinohara, Ayumi Moriyama, Yusuke Yamamoto, Takushi Koide

Directors take part in "Global Anime Challenge 2.0" at event taking place in Rosemont, IL on May 15-17 ― Illinois-based convention Anime Central (ACen) announced on Friday that it will host the following directors as Guests of Honor: Keisuke Shinohara (My Dress-Up Darling, Black Fox, A3! Season Spring & Summer) Ayumi Moriyama (episode director for Pokemon Journeys, Pokémon Horizons, Let's Play) Yusu...
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Saturn Awards Nominates Attack on Titan: The Last Attack, Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc, Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, More Films

Also: The Colors Within, Solo Leveling Season 2, Kpop Demon Hunters ― The Saturn Awards — the awards that honor the best science fiction, horror, and fantasy movies and television programs of the year — announced the nominations for the 53rd annual awards on Tuesday. The nominees for Best International Animated Film include Attack on Titan the Movie: The Last Attack, Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Ar...
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Evangelion Festival to Present Voice Drama Reuniting 17 Cast Members

Exclusive voice drama performed at 30th anniversary festival's day 2 on February 22 ― The staff for the "Evangelion:30+; 30th Anniversary of Evangelion" festival, the first festival event for the Neon Genesis Evangelion franchise, announced on Tuesday that the event's stage area will present an exclusive voice drama on its second day, February 22. The tentatively titled "Cast Performance Spinoff Voic...
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Anime Expo Hosts iIllustrator Yoshitaka Amano

Anime Expo runs from July 2-5 ― Anime Expo announced on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday illustrator Yoshitaka Amano will attend this year's event as a guest. The event previously hosted the artist in 2023.Amano is most well known for his contributions to Vampire Hunter D and the Final Fantasy series, as well as his collaboration with English graphic novelist Neil Gaiman on Sandman: The Dream Hunters...

Otakon Bans Sale of Fan Art in Dealers Room

Otakon 2026 runs from July 21-August 2 in Washington, D.C. ― Otakon announced on Bluesky on Thursday the event is no longer allowing the sale of fan art in its dealers room beginning with the 2026 event. Dealers who wish to sell fan art will be allowed to apply instead for the artist alley without penalty.The event staff outlined the rules for applying for its dealers room or artist alley in a google...
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Manga Creator Go Nagai to be Inducted into Eisner 2026 Hall of Fame

Mazinger Z, Cutie Honey, Devilman creator among 19 Judges Choice honorees ― The Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards announced on Thursday the 19 Judges Choice honorees who be inducted into the 2026 Hall of Fame, including manga creator Go Nagai. The committee who chose the inductees includes: Michael T. Gilbert, Karen Green, Alonso Nuñez, Diana Schutz, Jim Thompson, and Maggie Thompson. The other 18 in...
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Light Novel Exhibit 2025: Viewing and Tasting the Experience

The event featured massive displays for Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World-, Konosuba - God's Blessing on This Wonderful World!, Date A Live, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, and Sword Art Online. ― Light novels are an integral part of the otaku fandom both in Japan and abroad. With several popular anime series such as Slayers, Full Metal Panic!, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, The Familiar...
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Universal Studios Japan Launches Pokémon Experience, Before Global Rollout

Company plans rollout for Universal Destinations & Experiences theme parks after Japan debut ― Universal Studios Japan announced on Thursday that the theme park is developing an interactive "Pokémon Experience" attraction project that it plans to implement first in the Universal Studios Japan theme park, before rolling it out to the rest of Universal Destinations & Experiences' theme parks worldwide....
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Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions Opens With 'Anime' Category

How many "answers" can you "question"? ― The massively popular American game show Jeopardy! opened its annual Tournament of Champions on Monday with the category “Anime” during its first round. The unique reverse format of Jeopardy! gives contestants clues in the form of "answers," and the contestants must give a correct response in the form of a question. The “answers” for the Anime category featur...

San Diego Comic-Con Bans AI-Generated Material in Art Show

Previous policy allowed art with AI-generated elements to be displayed but not sold ― San Diego Comic-Con International modified its list of rules for its annual art show, forbidding the use of generative AI. The new rule states: Material created by Artificial Intelligence (AI) either partially or wholly, is not allowed in the art show. If there are questions, the Art Show Coordinator will be the sol...
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Gundam Hathaway to Rise at Sapporo Snow Festival

Xi Gundam will appear as a medium-sized snow sculpture ― The staff behind the Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway anime announced on Wednesday that a sculpture will appear at the 2026 Sapporo Snow Festival between February 4 and 11. A medium-sized snow sculpture of the Xi Gundam mobile suit will be erected at the Odori Site 7-chome HBC Plaza. The announcement's key art features the anime's characters Hathawa...
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Universal Studios Hollywood to Launch One Piece's Live Water Stunt Show

Universal Fan Fest Nights will also feature Super Mario World & more this spring ― The Universal Studios Hollywood theme park confirmed on Thursday that One Piece is back for the park's Universal Fan Fest Nights — only this time with a "live show extravaganza" inspired by the one at Universal Studios Japan. The event will run on select nights between April 25 and May 16. According to the park, the ev...
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Universal Studios Japan Offers New Jujutsu Kaisen Rides, Food, & Merch

Jujutsu Kaisen marks return to theme park with new Real 4D, Story Rides ― Universal Studios Japan (USJ) revealed details on its new Jujutsu Kaisen collaboration on Wednesday. The collaboration will feature two new attractions, new food options, and more merchandise. The new attractions are the immersive Real 4D ride “Mawaru Tokeidai” (Clock Tower of Recurrence) and the Story Ride “Jurei Ressha” (The...
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Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Film Wins Honorary Award at Astra Film Awards

KPop Demon Hunters wins Best Animated Feature, Best VO Performance, Best Original Song ― The first Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle anime film won the "Animation is Cinema" honorary award at the Hollywood Creative Alliance's (formerly the Hollywood Critics Association) 9th Annual Astra Film Awards on Friday. The film was also nominated for Best Animated Feature, but lost to Kpop Demon H...
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1st Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Film, Kpop Demon Hunters Receive Nominations at Producers Guild Awards

Both films nominated for Outstanding Producer of Animated Theatrical Motion Pictures ― The Producers Guild of America has nominated the producers of the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle anime film and producer Michelle L.M. Wong for the KPop Demon Hunters animated film for Outstanding Producer of Animated Theatrical Motion Pictures at the 37th Producers Guild Awards. Other films that ea...
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Anime Boston Hosts Yoko Kanno

Kanno to perform concert at event on April 3 ― The staff of the Anime Boston convention announced on Tuesday that musician Yoko Kanno will attend the event this year as a guest of honor. She will perform a concert in the Hynes Memorial Auditorium on April 3. Attendees will need a concert ticket in addition to their badge. They can either purchase a seat or enter a lottery for a free seat. Kanno will ...
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Comic Market 107 Draws 300,000 Across 2 Days on 50th Anniversary

Attendance roughly unchanged from last winter, despite 3 halls being unavailable ― The Comic Market (Comiket) 107 event in Tokyo drew about 300,000 people across Tuesday and Wednesday — an increase of about 50,000 attendees from Comiket 106 in August, and roughly the same as Comiket 105 last December. The event drew about 150,000 people on each of its two days. Comiket 107 had about 23,700 exhibiting...
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Kadokawa Announces Snow Sculptures for 2026 Sapporo Snow Festival

Featuring Oshi no Ko, Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World-, Medalist, Pan Dorobō, Odekake Kozame, Nights with a Cat, The Saga of Tanya the Evil ― Japanese publisher Kadokawa announced on December 26 seven anime properties that will appear at the 2026 Sapporo Snow Festival as snow sculptures: Oshi no Ko, Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World-, Medalist, Pan Dorobō, Odekake Kozame & Nights with a...
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Japan-China Int'l Animation Film Festival to be Held in Japan in May 2026, Will Have AI Animation Category

Festival is accepting entries from February 2 to March 8, held from May 28 to May 31 ― The staff of the Japan-China International Animation Film Festival (JCIAFF) announced on Friday that they will host its inaugural festival from May 28 through May 31 at Tokorozawa Sakura Town, Kadokawa Musashino Museum, and T-Joy Emi Terrace Tokorozawa, as well as in other locations in Saitama. The festival will be...
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Detective Conan Anime Gets 1st 2-Hour Special in 10 Years, Streams Trailer for 'Episode Zero' Special

Anime gets episode collabs with J-League, Birdman Rally; gets new ending theme on January 10; concert in April-May ― The staff of the Detective Conan anime announced on Saturday several projects to commemorate the anime's 30th anniversary. The anime is getting its first new two-hour special in 10 years, since the Detective Conan - Episode One: The Great Detective Turned Small special in 2016. The new...
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Ringing in the Holidays with NePoLaBo Live re:VISION Holoearth Live

Come spend the holidays with NePoLaBo of hololive! ― It really is impressive seeing how Vtuber groups and companies will find new ways to innovate. Live concerts have always felt like impressive major events, and they've been popping up more frequently around the world. However, hololive has created a means for us to experience their concerts firsthand from the comfort of our own homes, no expensive ...
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Exploring the Psalms of Planets Eureka Seven 20th Anniversary Exhibition

The exhibition celebrating the fan-favorite franchise is running in the Yurakucho Marui from December 12, 2025, to January 4, 2026 ― 20 years ago, everyone's favorite air surfin' mech series, Eureka Seven, first aired. The series follows Renton Thurston, Eureka, the crew of the Gekkostate, and several other colorful characters as they explore romance, family, a world-government conspiracy, and coexi...
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Blue Box Creator Koji Miura Made Rare Public Appearance at Jump Festa (Sort of)

… In a plush Chinatsu Kano costume ― Blue Box manga creator Koji Miura confirmed on Sunday that she made an appearance at Jump Festa 2026 earlier that day. Miura stated that she appeared on stage during a 1:40 p.m. greeting segment — only she was dressed in a kigurumi (plush costume) of Blue Box character Chinatsu Kano. Miura added that the Blue Box cast who attended the event were just as surprised ...
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Moriarty the Patriot Gets New Stage Musical in June-July 2026

Anime to have 5th anniversary event on February 15 ― The Jump Festa '26 event on Saturday confirmed a new stage musical of Ryōsuke Takeuchi and Hikaru Miyoshi's Moriarty the Patriot (Yūkoku no Moriarty) manga. The new musical is a reprise of the first "A Study in Scarlet," musical, and will run from June 27 through July 19 at The Galaxy Theatre in Tokyo. The event revealed a new commercial for the mu...
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Manga Is An Art Of Its Own! at The National Museum of Asian Art – Guimet

The manga exhibit, which runs from November 19th through March 9th, takes pieces of the permanent collections and tells the story of manga’s origins in from comic strips and scrolls to kamishibai and commercial books in Japan. ― While in Paris for (the amazing! wonderful!) Y/CON 11, my wife encountered a poster in the subway for a manga exhibit that had just opened. At the same time, manga journalist...

Evangelion Franchise Gets New 13-Minute 30th Anniversary Anime

Short to screen at "Evangelion:30+; 30th Anniversary of Evangelion" event on February 21-23 ― The "Evangelion:30+; 30th Anniversary of Evangelion" festival, the first festival event for the Neon Genesis Evangelion franchise, will screen the world premiere of a new anime short for the franchise titled "Evangelion Hōsō 30 Shūnen Kinen Tokubetsu Kōgyō" ("Evangelion Broadcast 30th Anniversary Special Scr...
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Celebrate 40 Years of Mamoru Oshii and Yoshitaka Amano's Angel's Egg at the Limited Time Exhibition

The Angel's Egg 40th Anniversary Exhibition may be on the smaller side of anime related exhibitions, however, it's rare seeing an original Yoshitaka Amano piece, let alone a recently drawn one. ― 40 years ago, in 1985, two visionary artists in the anime and video game industries, director Mamoru Oshii and artist Yoshitaka Amano, partnered for the experimental post-apocalyptic science-fantasy origina...

Male Staffer for HKT48 Idol Group Treated After Being Stabbed

Members at group's office near incident took shelter safely ― The official website for HKT48, a Fukuoka-based idol group tied to the AKB48 group, reported on Sunday that a male staff member for the group is being treated at a hospital for a non-life-threatening injury after being stabbed. The incident occurred earlier in the day at the Boss E•zo Fukuoka complex, which houses the idol group's 17Live H...
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EVO, EVO Japan Fighting Game Tournaments Reveal Dates, Game Lineup for 2026

EVO 2026 takes place in Las Vegas on June 26-28, EVO Japan in Tokyo on May 1-3 ― The Evolution Championship Series (EVO) fighting game tournament revealed the tournament dates and game lineups for both its Las Vegas and Japan tournaments during a live stream on Tuesday.Introducing the complete tournament lineup for #Evo2026. pic.twitter.com/j6QuyoXJFq— Evo (@Evo) December 10, 2025 The Las Vegas-based...
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One Piece Creator, Sanji Voice Actor Present Jack Sparrow Curtain Mural to Johnny Depp

Depp: “I just want to cover myself in it” ― American actor Johnny Depp received the unlikeliest of gifts during his appearance at Tokyo Comic Con 2025 on Sunday. While onstage for his celebrity panel, the actor was given a noren (short split curtain for entrances) featuring his Pirates of the Caribbean character Jack Sparrow — as drawn by One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda. Voice actor Hiroaki Hirata pre...

1st Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Film, Kpop Demon Hunters Receive Golden Globes Nominations

Both nominated for Best Motion Picture - Animated ― The Hollywood Foreign Press Association announced the nominees for the 83rd Golden Globe Awards on Monday. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle - Akaza Sairai, the first film in the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle trilogy, received a nomination in the Best Motion Picture - Animated category. Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans' ...

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