The con was easier to navigate this year, but at least one security concern raised alarms. Volunteers and security kept the press and guests out of high-demand panels.― Another year, another period where Anime News Network's team spends the July 4 weekend running around the Los Angeles Convention Center for Anime Expo. Speaking from personal experience, the organizational nightmare of preparing and...
Creators were given near 'total freedom' to bring anime's story to life in NEN×IMPACT.― Hunter × Hunter is a massively popular series, with passionate – and patient – fans. The series has continued in fits and starts, as its creator Yoshihiro Togashi has been plagued with health issues. But the quality has proven to be worth the wait for millions in Japan and internationally. When Bushiroad announc...
Still trying to figure out what to watch? Check out our review for the summer 2024 anime season, now with bonus KINNIKUMAN!― Welcome to Anime News Network's Summer 2024 Anime Preview Guide! 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 ev...
Amidst the expectant, and excited chatter of the packed Main Events Hall at Anime Expo, threezero's SPYxFAMILY FigZero action figures took center stage and ANN is giving away three to lucky readers!― Amidst the expectant, and excited chatter of the packed Main Events Hall at Anime Expo, threezero's SPYxFAMILY FigZero action figures took center stage. The SPYxFAMILY panel that was about to happen fe...
Now streaming on Netflix, it's never too late to appreciate the underdog classic anime, Hajime no Ippo.― Hajime no Ippo is a classic in the sports anime world. I cannot think of a show that perfectly embodies what we now consider the iconic underdog story more than Hajime no Ippo. Years ago, I watched this show on a whim as I was interested in learning about boxing at the time, and it quickly rose t...
Oshi no Ko, New Game! studio was founded in 1973― Kadokawa announced on Thursday that it has acquired anime studio Doga Kobo and will make it a subsidiary of the conglomerate. Doga Kobo was founded in July 1973, and the company has 62 employees as of June. The company produced the Jellyfish Can't Swim in the Night anime to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The anime debuted on April 6. Doga Kobo has a...
Arthurian legend fans, prepare to find some fun references in this set of episodes. That's always true of Nakaba Suzuki's works; the man is nothing if not consistent with his fondness for Arthurian lore― Arthurian legend fans, prepare to find some fun references in this set of episodes. That's always true of Nakaba Suzuki's works; the man is nothing if not consistent with his fondness for Arthurian ...
How does a relatively small studio continue to create deeply satisfying story-led games? President Kondo shares Nihon Falcom's secrets to success.― Nihon Falcom president Toshihiro Kondo kicked off a busy July 4 weekend at Anime Expo. He and the other Nihon Falcom staff spoke to fans at the various panels and at the NIS America booth as they eagerly playtested the company's signature JRPGs. Origina...
Lynzee dusts off an old DVD and discovers an OAV full of gory action sequences and 12-year-old girls frequently crying for their mommies.― Thank you everyone for patiently tuning in to another edition of The Anime Backlog. As you can guess, last week (and three weeks leading up to it) was one the busiest for me while I coordinated Anime Expo coverage. You can expect two editions of The Anime Backlo...
While Ishura seems to take itself incredibly seriously with such silly names, it's best enjoyed as a supremely daft, flashy action show.― Ishura is about the closest thing I've seen to a good old Fate-style Grail War in a while. We've got a huge cast of overpowered individuals with godlike abilities duking it out with one another over a vast canvas of multi-factional war. Everyone has their own agen...
Jean-Karlo deep-dives into Pokémon's Ultraman origins, the big update to Palworld, and classic games making a comeback!― Welcome back, folks! I've been playing the much-anticipated summer event in Goddess of Victory: NIKKE. It's what you expect: the bathing suits are scandalous, and the Live2D animations are Live2D, but the story is surprisingly good. It's not Shakespeare, but the NIKKE events do a ...
Director Keiichirō Saitō and voice actor Yoshino Aoyama from Bocchi the Rock! sat down with Anime News Network to discuss the behind-the-scenes details of adapting the show-stopping anime.― The anime adaptation of Aki Hamaji's four-panel manga was a sleeper hit in late 2022. Viewers related to Bocchi's awkwardness and social anxiety, while entertained by the off-the-cuff animation. In addition, Kes...