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watch

The Anime Trailer Watch Party with NIJISANJI EN VTuber Doppio Dropscythe Starts Soon!

Tune in live in one hour to join Doppio Dropscythe, Lynzee Loveridge, and Jacki Jing as they watch all the trailers for the latest anime season! ― The Anime Trailer Watch Party crew is excited to welcome NIJISANJI EN VTuber Doppio Dropscythe to this season's stream! Doppio will join us live from the arcade on Friday, December 20 at 5pm PT/8pm ET. You can join us and chat live on YouTube and X while d...
feature

Best New K-Comics to Read: December 2024

Winter is the perfect time to snuggle in and do some reading. So, let's take a look at what Webtoon, Manta, Tapas, and Lezhin have to offer. ― It's the holiday season, that inescapable time of year when you can't avoid their mention even if you don't participate in the major festivals! For some of us, that means it's the perfect time to snuggle in and do some reading. Luckily for everyone, the major ...
watch

NIJISANJI EN VTuber Doppio Dropscythe Joins the Anime Trailer Watch Party!

Tune in live on Friday at 5:00pm PT/8:00 ET to join Doppio Dropscythe, Lynzee Loveridge, and Jacki Jing as they watch all the trailers for the latest anime season! ― The Anime Trailer Watch Party crew is excited to welcome NIJISANJI EN VTuber Doppio Dropscythe to this season's stream! Doppio will join us live from the arcade on Friday, December 20 at 5pm PT/8pm ET. You can join us and chat live on Yo...
feature

Fate Anime—Where to Start and What's Worth Watching

If you're interested in the Fate franchise but don't know where to start, Kevin Cormack has a handy guide to Nasuverse's many anime iterations. ― Ask a hundred fans of TYPE-MOON's intimidatingly huge Fate universe about the best place to start with the franchise, and get a hundred different answers. Founding writer Kinoko Nasu's even more expansive “Nasuverse” (of which the various Fate iterations a...
feature

K-Comic Creator Spotlight: Moscareto

From fluffy to fraught, the office to the palace, and everything in between, there's a lot to enjoy from this prolific author. ― With the increase in official translations of Korean comics, we have the opportunity to discover new-to-us creators, many of whom have several works, if not an entire body of them, available in English. While the sadly defunct Netcomics did a remarkable job of bringing mult...
feature

The Anime News Network Holiday Gift Guide

Stuck on what to get your friends this holiday season? There's still time to find the perfect present in our anime gift guide! ― Anime News Network's 2024 Holiday Gift Guide Welcome to ANN's Holiday Gift Guide! Unlike boring catalogs, our gift guide is designed to help you find what the otaku in your life might be missing, from fancy Blu-ray sets to a Demon Slayer computer mouse to a solid gold Godz...
your score

Your Anime Rankings - Best of Fall 2024, Dec 3-9

In the weekly ranking Danmachi grabs the first spot, and in the cumulative we see the first change in 5 weeks as Bleach climbs above Blue Box and Ranma ½. Discover what else is moving in the rankings. ― 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...
watch

The Winter 2025 Anime Trailer Watch Party Has a New Guest...

The Anime Trailer Watch Party returns on Friday, December 20, for another season, but what's this? A new player is joining the party... ― The Anime Trailer Watch Party returns on Friday, December 20, for another season, but what's this? A new player is joining the party... Find your next must-watch anime with Anime News Network executive editor Lynzee Loveridge, ANN video producer Jacki Jing, and our...
interview

Director Kenji Kamiyama Calls The War of the Rohirrim an 'Unprecedented Opportunity' for Anime

Kamiyama shares how The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim anime film is important to him as a unique chance to feature animators' work on a global scale. ― Director Kenji Kamiyama has been in the business of making anime for over 30 years and has since garnered acclaim for his work on Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex and Eden of the East. His latest project offers an unprecedented opp...
feature

Not Your Average Anime about Cute Girls Doing Cute Things

Of all the tropes and genres to repeat themselves over the years in anime, perhaps none have garnered as controversial a reputation yet passionate a following as Cute Girls Doing Cute Things. ― Of all the tropes and genres to repeat themselves over the years in anime, perhaps none have garnered as controversial a reputation yet passionate a following as Cute Girls Doing Cute Things (CGDCT). Well, bes...
newtype

Newtype Exclusive: Delicious in Dungeon Director Yoshihiro Miyajima Reflects on Season 1

Miyajima lets us go behind the scenes about casting the Canaries, bringing Izutsumi's cat-like qualities to life, and more! ― Delicious in Dungeon's first adventure has come to an end However, the second season is already underway, meaning many more future opportunities to meet Laios's party and the rest of the Delicious in Dungeon characters! First of all, we must give thanks to Laios, his companion...
feature

Brian Cox and Gaia Wise Share Their Voice-Acting Stories from LotR: The War of the Rohirrim Anime Film

The War of the Rohirrim film's leads, Wise and Cox, share their personal connections with the franchise, the difference between voice acting and live-action, and their characters' interiority. ― Actors Brian Cox and Gaia Wise lead the cast as Helm Hammerhand and Hera in the upcoming The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim anime film. The War of the Rohirrim expands on a scant few pages from J....
your score

Your Anime Rankings - Best of Fall 2024, Nov 26-Dec 2

Dragon Ball Daima scores a #2 spot this week, bringing it near the top of the pack currently competing over the middle of the cumulative. Check out our weekly user rankings! ― 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 r...
interview

Interview: BE:FIRST Vocal Group Returns to the High Seas of One Piece

We spoke with the seven-member dance and vocal group recently to learn more about the project, their creative process, their experience with One Piece, and more. ― The band BE:FIRST is collaborating with Toei Studios to perform the new ending song for the new version of the One Piece Log: Fish-Man Island Saga anime arc. First formed via the reality program The First, Sota, Shunto, Manato, Ryuhei, Ju...
feature

Creators Discuss Reinventing the Dark Knight for Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League and Aztec Batman

We spoke with Batman Ninja's Jumpei Mizusaki and Kazuki Nakashima and Aztec Batman's José C. García de Letona and Juan Meza-León about adapting the iconic superhero for their unique projects. ― Batman is one of the most influential superheroes of all time. He's a malleable character, capable of fitting into different stories, and he has been adapted into many different mediums, from cartoons, comics...
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The Coolest Upcoming Figures Shown at Tamashii Nation 2024

From Gundam to Dragon Ball, One Piece to Dan Da Dan, the Tamashii Nation 2024 event was one of the best places to see anime figures coming out in the near (and not-so-near) future. ― From Gundam to Dragon Ball, One Piece to Dan Da Dan, the Tamashii Nation 2024 event was one of the best places to see anime figures coming out in the near (and not-so-near) future. So, of course, we dropped by to take a ...
feature

The Awesome Anime Replicas of Tamashii Nation 2024

While the majority of what was shown off at Tamashii Nation 2024 consisted of figures, there were also some items for cosplayers and other anime merch collectors—the Proplica series. ― While the majority of what was shown off at Tamashii Nation 2024 came in the form of figures, there were also some items for cosplayers and other anime merch collectors—namely the anime replicas of the Proplica series....
your score

Your Anime Rankings - Best of Fall 2024, Nov 19-25

Ranks 9 to 18 of the cumulative are in a heated and chaotic race, with Fairy Tail currently in the lead. Find out how your favorite shows stacked up according to viewer votes. ― 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...
feature

The Anime News Network Holiday Gift Guide

Black Friday is here! Have you checked out some of the best deals for the anime-lovers on your list? ― Anime News Network's 2024 Holiday Gift Guide Welcome to ANN's Holiday Gift Guide! Unlike boring catalogs, our gift guide is designed to help you find what the otaku in your life might be missing, from fancy Blu-ray sets to a Demon Slayer computer mouse to a solid gold Godzilla figurine. It's organi...
interview

WEBTOON and A New Era of Digital Comics

Anime News Network spoke with David Lee, Head of U.S. WEBTOON, and Aron Levitz, president of Wattpad WEBTOON Studios, to discuss the platform's creative process, what makes webtoons distinct as a medium, and the company's upcoming projects. ― WEBTOON is a global storytelling platform that features the work of creators from all over the world. Whether it's through their mobile app or through physical...
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LeSean Thomas Schools New York on 'Consumer' Fans and Uplifting Animators

When someone says they wish Yasuke was more like Samurai Champloo or Vinland Saga, he responds, “Why do you want the same shit?” ― Last week, the Japan Society in New York City hosted the film series "Foreign Exchange: Anime Inspirations & Visionaries with LeSean Thomas.” Thomas, the first Black American to work as an anime director in Japan, participated in three talks hosted by Coach Mike of The I...
newtype

Newtype exclusive interview: My Deer Friend Nokotan Megumi Han as Noko Shikanoko × Saki Fujita as Torako Koshi

Voice actors Saki Fujita and Megumi Han share the importance of a "straight man" in a comedy like Nokotan! ― Follow Your Heart, Not Your Horns! My Deer Friend Nokotan charges into chaos! The much-talked-about comedic anime My Deer Friend Nokotan first blew up a storm when its opening theme loop video dropped prior to the show's broadcast, and continues to be a topic even now well into its run. This “...
feature

A New Saber Debuts at Fate/strange Fake Episode Los Angeles Premiere

Series directors Shun Enokido and Takahito Sakazume joined character designer Yūkei Yamada and Saber VA Yūki Ono to bring the America-set series to Los Angeles. ― After nearly a year and a half since the Fate/strange Fake: Whispers of Dawn special, the upcoming TV anime series premiered for fans at the Fate 20th Anniversary event in Los Angeles. Shortly after the showcase, the full English dubbed ep...
feature

The Anime News Network Holiday Gift Guide

Unlike boring catalogs, our gift guide is designed to help you find what the otaku in your life might be missing, from fancy Blu-ray sets to a Demon Slayer computer mouse to a solid gold Godzilla figurine. ― Anime News Network's 2024 Holiday Gift Guide Welcome to ANN's Holiday Gift Guide! Unlike boring catalogs, our gift guide is designed to help you find what the otaku in your life might be missing...
interview

Shinichiro Watanabe on How the John Wick Director Joined the Lazarus Anime Team

― Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, Space Dandy, Carole & Tuesday – the legendary director behind all those blockbuster anime – Shinichiro Watanabe – is dropping a new anime, Lazarus, premiering on Adult Swim's Toonami in 2025. Watanabe did a ton of promotion at New York Comic-Con, and Anime News Network was able to speak with him about Lazarus, past projects, music, and more. WATANABE MULTIVERSE How ...
interview

From Music Videos to Feature Film: An Interview with A Few Moments of Cheers Director POPREQ

Why don't I try [the art path] just once and see what I can do? And, if in the end, I find out that I don't have any talent, I will just give up. That's how I got started." ― Recently at the Tokyo International Film Festival, I sat down with POPREQ, the director of the recent film A Few Moments of Cheers. Throughout our conversation, we talked about the film's production and how much of its story com...
interview

Directors Takahito Sakazume and Shun Enokido on Adapting Fate/strange Fake to the Small Screen

Learn more about their philosophy when it comes to adapting the novels into animation and the involvement of the original author, Ryohgo Narita. ― As the Fate series celebrates its 20th anniversary, Anime News Network was able to speak with Shun Enokido and Takahito Sakazume, the directors of the upcoming anime Fate/strange Fake. Together we talked about their history with the series, their philosoph...
your score

Your Anime Rankings - Best of Fall 2024, Nov 12-18

The Do-Over Damsel has been pulling herself up for the last two weeks; we'll have to see if she can keep it up from here. 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 ranking...
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Who is DAN DA DAN Heartthrob Ken Takakura?

The '60s-'70s era action film star stole Momo Ayase's heart. Here's why he should steal yours, too. ― “I am an awkward fellow, after all.” These are the words that make Momo Ayase's heart swoon in Yukinobu Tatsu's romantic paranormal phenomenon Dan Da Dan. Originally uttered by the man of her dreams, classic film actor Ken Takakura, these words eventually catch her off-guard when repeated by her UFO-...
interview

Interview: Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 REMAKE Producer Kazuhiro Echigoya

We spoke with producer Kazuhiro Echigoya for more insights into how the strategy video game remake promises to bring a beloved classic into the modern era. ― Koei Tecmo's Romance of the Three Kingdoms – known in Japan as Records of the Three Kingdoms - is a long-running and beloved strategy game series. It is set during the Three Kingdoms era, much like Koei Tecmo's famous Dynasty Warriors franchise....
feature

Tokyo Ghoul Celebrates 10th Anniversary With Gory Interactive Exhibition

The exhibition recreates iconic areas from the series, from Kaneki's favorite cafe to the gory site of his torture. ― It's been a decade since the original Tokyo Ghoul anime aired and became a major hit. In celebration of this milestone, the "Tokyo Ghoul Exposition TV Anime 10th Anniversary" exhibition has opened for a limited time in Tokyo. Inside, fans can immerse themselves in the world of the ani...
newtype

Inside DAN DA DAN Episode 7: Rising Talent Shuto Enomoto Discusses Storyboarding and Animation with Newtype

Did this episode tear your heart out? Int his interview, Shuto Enomoto discusses the hard work that brought this episode to life. ― *This article contains spoilers for Episode 7 of the anime DAN DA DAN. In the latest episode of DAN DA DAN, episode 7, viewers learn the reason for Acrobatic Silky's, or Acro-Silky for short, obsession with Aira. Fans of the original manga had high expectations for this ...
interview

The Importance of 'Blue' in Blue Period: Interview with Tsubasa Yamaguchi

At the Kodansha House pop-up venue in New York City, Tsubasa Yamaguchi made her U.S. fan event debut and revealed her own experience in fine art. ― Regardless of when you start or how much talent you have, there are always hurdles to creating art that can truly speak to people. The Blue Period manga has managed to speak to many readers, myself included, as a story that lays bare all of the trials and...
your score

Your Anime Rankings - Best of Fall 2024, Nov 5-11

Natsume grabs the top spot this week, just one step ahead of Orb and Blue Box. See how all your favorites fared in our weekly user rankings. ― 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 based on how people r...
feature

The Complete Sword Art Online Anime Timeline

Sword Art Online is a massive anime juggernaut. With so much going on across the various story arcs, it can be hard to picture when exactly events occurred about one another. Don't worry, we've got you covered. ― Sword Art Online is a massive anime juggernaut. Since it first aired in 2012, it has expanded into a franchise with nearly a hundred episodes across four TV series, a feature film, and an O...
interview

The Complicated Process of Color Design in Anime - An Interview with Nokotan's Arisa Komatsu

Many unsung heroes have a vital part in getting your favorite anime made. Let's take a look at the art of color design with Wit Studio's Arisa Komatsu. ― When you think of anime production, you probably think of the directors, animators, and writers. But of course, there are many unsung heroes who have a vital part in getting your favorite anime made. Once such overlooked position is that of color d...
feature

The Fall 2024 K-Comics Guide

It's the final update of our K-Comics Guide! Be sure to come and find your next series; whether you're into social justice, historical romance, or isekai, there's something for everyone! ― Welcome to Anime News Network's Fall 2024 K-Comics Guide, the companion to our manga guide! Every included manhwa was published in September or October or is an upcoming November release, although some are ongoing...
interview

Onward to the Alvarez Empire: Hiroshi Kataoka Discusses FAIRY TAIL 2

The longtime action RPG producer acknowledges the criticism levied against the original FAIRY TAIL game and how this sequel will offer a fundamentally different experience. ― Can you name a popular anime that doesn't have a tie-in video game? Sure, there are some rare exceptions, but just about every anime series that's even moderately popular will get the video game treatment sooner or later. Some ...
newtype

Newtype exclusive interview: Jellyfish Can't Swim in the Night Ryōhei Takeshita and Composition Writer/Screenwriter Yūki Yaku

The series' director and composition writer discuss the difficult aspects of working on an original anime and their feelings on social media. ― Where are these drifting jellyfish headed? A jellyfish dives into the big unknown blue and begins to swim! Illustrator Mahiru Kōzuki quit drawing after having her artwork ridiculed. Idol Kano Yamanouchi left her group Sunflower Dolls after causing a scandal....
your score

Your Anime Rankings - Best of Fall 2024, Oct 29-Nov 4

dandadan dandadan dandadan DANdadan♫ dandadan♫ dandadan dandadan dandadan DANdadan♫ dandadan♫ dandadan dandadan dandadan danDADAN♫ dandadan♫ DANDADAN DANDADAN DANDADAN! ― 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 rankin...
interview

What Exactly Does an Animation Director Do? - An Interview with Nokotan's Karin Omura

To shine a spotlight on this job and what it entails, Richard Eisenbeis recently sat down with My Deer Friend Nokotan's animation director Karin Ōmura at Wit Studio's main office in Tokyo. ― While most people have an idea what directors, animators, or scenario writers do, these are only a few of the jobs involved in the creation of anime. Many jobs in the industry are relatively obscure at best to ou...
interview

How Witch Hat Atelier's Manga Creator Made Magic for Everyone

We spoke with Kamome Shirahama at Kodansha House in NYC to discuss disability representation in her work, her art studies, and, of course, Qifrey. ― A packed room of enthusiastic fans gathered in the hall at the Kodansha House pop-up in NYC for the chance to have a live Q&A session with the mangaka of Witch Hat Atelier, Kamome Shirahama. The session began by introducing the moderator and local librar...
interview

Miki Yamamoto, Creator of A Smart and Courageous Child Manga

Her single-volume book explores a couple's first pregnancy and their emotional trajectories as they go from thrilled to fearful, examining the role of news and how the written word impacts people. ― Miki Yamamoto's work isn't what most people think of when they hear the word "manga." Eschewing a typical manga style, the creator and picture book scholar has a deft hand with telling stories that rely e...
feature

The Fall 2024 Light Novel Guide

It's time to crack open your next book! Our guide includes light novels, deep-dives into anime series, and a retrospective from horror manga master, Junji Ito! ― Welcome to Anime News Network's Fall 2024 Light Novel Guide, the companion to our manga guide! Every included novel was published in September or October or is an upcoming November release. This guide focuses exclusively on series premieres...
your score

Your Anime Rankings - Best of Fall 2024, Oct 22-28

It looks like the Ranma ½ remake is living up to the legacy of its predecessor. Find out how your favorite shows performed in our weekly user rankings. ― 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 based on h...
interview

Making The Colors Within: An Interview With Director Naoko Yamada and Composer Kensuke Ushio

Yamada and Ushio discuss their latest film, that Trainspotting music reference, and designing different character body types. ― Naoko Yamada's newest feature film The Colors Within is due to open in the U.S. on January 24 next year, but some viewers will be able to see it sooner. The film is screening in Glasgow on November 2 (including a live Q&A with Yamada and composer kensuke ushio), Edinburgh on...
interview

New Director Kazuaki Kuribayashi is Risking it Big on KILLTUBE Anime Film

The team raised US$6.68 million for the first-ever film, described as an "experiment" that will blend 2D and 3D elements and audience participation. ― On April 8, a one-minute clip circulating on social media caught anime fans' attention worldwide. It's actually the pilot film of the newly-announced anime film titled KILLTUBE. The film is scheduled to be released sometime in 2026, but it's safe to s...
newtype

Newtype exclusive interview:Suicide Squad ISEKAI Director Eri Osada × Producer Sho Ohtani

Director Eri Osada and Producer Sho Ohtani discuss Harley Quinn's turn as an independent woman and the DC character that almost made it into the anime. ― A team of Super-Villains on a rampage in another world! The Suicide Squad, also known as Task Force X, is a special task force of Super-Villains forced to undertake top-secret government missions in exchange for lesser sentences. The nano-bombs imp...
your score

Your Anime Rankings - Best of Fall 2024, Oct 1-21

We all knew Dan Da Dan was going to be a hit this season, but did you expect Orb: On the Movements of the Earth to start so strong? Discover the first user rankings of the Fall 2024 season! ― 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 m...
feature

The Fall 2024 Manga Guide

Come get your fill of October releases, featuring fan-favorite yuri, horror for Halloween, and plenty of [pumpkin] spice! ― Welcome to Anime News Network's Spring 2024 Manga Guide! You may have seen one of our seasonal Anime Preview Guides, where a team of critics writes up each new anime television premiere as it airs at the beginning of a season. Now, doing something like that for manga is tricky ...
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Voice Actors Masakazu Morita and Noriaki Sugiyama Celebrate 20 Years of BLEACH

The voices of Ichigo and Uryu reminisce about their decades of memories among a cast that "improves together while supporting one another." ― JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles with VIZ Media hosted a panel with Masakazu Morita (Ichigo Kurosaki) and Noriaki Sugiyama (Uryu Ishida) of BLEACH. In promoting the third season of Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Part 3 - The Conflict, the two were invited for a Q&A and...
feature

Which Summer 2024 Anime are Popular in the U.S. Compared to Japan?

We have a new deep-dive from Miles Atherton to find out which anime captured the most fans last season! ― Anime has never been bigger in the United States of America. It's a big statement to make but relatively easy to qualify. According to research from Polygon from 2023, “56% of Gen Z respondents and 41% of Millennial respondents say they watch anime at least once a month” with the supermajority o...
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The Fall 2024 Manga Guide

The manga guide continues with a fan-favorite yuri series, a recent anime adaptation, and plenty of horror! ― Welcome to Anime News Network's Spring 2024 Manga Guide! You may have seen one of our seasonal Anime Preview Guides, where a team of critics writes up each new anime television premiere as it airs at the beginning of a season. Now, doing something like that for manga is tricky - there's no e...
interview

Interview: Danganronpa Creator Kazutaka Kodaka is Gambling His Studio's Future on His New Game

Previously stuck in development hell, Kodaka and Uchikoshi are betting the very existence of their studio, Too Kyo Games, on the success of The Hundred Line. The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy is an upcoming visual novel/TRPG from the creative minds of Danganronpa's Kazutaka Kodaka and Zero Escape's Kotaro Uchikoshi. At Tokyo Game Show 2024, Anime News Network was able to see a bit of the new ...
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Korea's WEBTOON Entertainment In Midst of Labor Dispute

WEBTOON Entertainment's labor union is requesting fair compensation after its CEO was awarded an eye-popping $30 million in cash and stock options. ― Since going public on the U.S. stock market, WEBTOON Entertainment, the world's leading platform for Korean webcomics, has been battling a series of escalating crises. The company's stock price has plummeted by 50%, and disgruntled stockholders have fil...
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The Fall 2024 Manga Guide

Check out the latest additions to the Manga Guide with gyaru, fantasy adventures, and more spicy series! ― Welcome to Anime News Network's Spring 2024 Manga Guide! You may have seen one of our seasonal Anime Preview Guides, where a team of critics writes up each new anime television premiere as it airs at the beginning of a season. Now, doing something like that for manga is tricky - there's no equi...
feature

From Vertical Scroll to Screen: Anime Adaptations of K-Comics

It's becoming hard to miss: anime is increasingly mining Korean comics for inspiration. Let's take a look at some of the popular adaptations so far. ― It's becoming hard to miss: anime is increasingly mining Korean comics for inspiration. It's hardly a new thing, though – back in 2004, Ragnarok started the ball rolling, followed by Black God in 2009. The former series was based on a game, while the ...
interview

Interview: Bridging Dungeon Fighter Online and Dark Souls with The First Berserker: Khazan

We got hands-on with the the big upcoming Souls-like games: The First Berserker: Khazan. ― One of the big upcoming souls-like games is The First Berserker: Khazan. I got some hands-on time with the title at the Tokyo Game Show 2024. I also got to sit down with the game's creative director, Junho Lee, and art director, Kyuchul Lee, to discuss the game's connection to the nearly 20-year-running Dungeon...
interview

Look Back: Director Oshiyama's Inherent Need to Draw

Oshiyama spent the last week of the film's production drawing “1,000 key animations.” ― Studio Durian's movie adaptation of Tatsuki Fujimoto's one-shot, Look Back, has been the talk of the town. Following critical acclaim from some of the most influential Japanese moviegoers, US fans had the chance to see the movie with Director Oshiyama. GKIDS hosted three public screenings, which included a live Q&...
newtype

Newtype exclusive interview: Tower of God Season 2 Series Composition/Scriptwriter Erika Yoshida

Scriptwriter Erika Yoshida shares the most important theme of season two and how the series' characters have changed. ― Everyone climbs the tower with something different in their hearts… Tower of God Season 2 is here at last! The view from the top is… Series Composition/Script: Erika Yoshida A depiction of real-life problems in our world today ーSeason 2 is finally here after four years. How do you ...
feature

The Real Yokai of DAN DA DAN

We asked yokai expert Zack Davisson to give us a lesson in the real origins of Turbo Granny, Serpos aliens, and more from the hit series DAN DA DAN! ― I was just at AnimeNYC, and as usual, after my yokai panel I had people curious about their favorite series, asking “Is this a real yokai?” I get that question all the time and the answer is always “Yes.” Because all yokai are real to the same extent ...
interview

Blood on the Tracks Manga Creator Shūzō Oshimi Can't Help But Get Personal

We met with Oshimi at the Kodansha House pop-up in NYC to look back at Flowers of Evil, gender themes in his work, and what might come next. ― “Have you ever read a comic that crept up on you? A story that lingers long after you put the book down? You turn off the lights and get ready to sleep, and then, from the darkness, this story reaches out and grabs your ankle? Congratulations, you've just read...
feature

The Giants Dance in Attack on Titan: The Musical's U.S. Premiere

Titan ballads, giant balloons and puppets, and aerial artistry brought Hajime Isayama's iconic manga to life. ― “Are you a cult? Is this musical based on a cult manga or anime?” I was half-surprised when an English-speaking, middle-aged press attendee asked this at the Attack on Titan: The Musical press conference. The answer would have been a Google away. Still, perhaps the woman's confusion was to ...
interview

A Bright and Colorful Adventure: An Interview with BAKERU Director Tadanori Tsukawaki

We spoke with BAKERU's director—Tadanori Tsukawaki of Good-Feel about a wide range of topics—from the game's anime inspirations, its educational elements, and even giant robots for good measure. ― While playing through BAKERU, I couldn't help but reminisce about the 3D platformers that defined a large part of my childhood—Ape Escape, Sly Cooper, the list goes on. But as mentioned in my review, my fo...
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The Fall 2024 Anime Preview Guide

The Preview Guide is back for one last hurrah with Blue Miburo! ― Welcome to Anime News Network's Fall 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 every show. The guide is ongoing, organized by series, and updat...
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Palworld Will "March On" Amid Nintendo Lawsuit

Pocketpair's Global Community Manager John “Bucky” Buckley said, “[Refuses] for any plans to be changed. We march on,” when asked about any changes to the company's plans moving forward. ― In January 2024 the video game world was abuzz with an early access game. That game was none other than Pocketpair's Palworld. A survival and monster-taming game, it saw over one million players on its early access...
interview

Managing the Stress System: REYNATIS Creative Producer TAKUMI

With its combination of style, fashion, and high-flying action, REYNATIS was one of the bigger action RPG surprises of the summer. We sat down with creative producer TAKUMI, to speak more about the game. ― With its combination of style, fashion, and high-flying action, REYNATIS was one of the bigger action-RPG surprises of the summer. We sat down with TAKUMI, REYNATIS's creative producer, to speak mo...
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The Top 5 Games from Nintendo's Holiday Line-Up

We tested some of Nintendo's most highly-anticipated games of the year and found five to add to your Christmas list! ― Usually, I don't want to see any Christmas promotions before Halloween, but I make an exception for the Nintendo Holiday Tour, which came to NYC in September to showcase games and merchandise Nintendo is selling this holiday season. Many games were on display, including games from ea...
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Mario & Luigi: Brothership Game Preview

We checked out the demo in New York City and this seabound Mario & Luigi entry is shaping up to be one of the more exciting titles of Nintendo's 2024 holiday line-up. Mario & Luigi: Brothership had its own preview event in New York City the week after the Nintendo Holiday Tour. This is the first full new game in the Mario & Luigi RPG series since Paper Jam in 2015, the first for the Switch, and th...
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The Cast of My Hero Academia: You're Next Go Beyond Plus Ultra on Red Carpet

We spoke to dynamic duo Daiki Yamashita and Kenta Miyake on the red carpet to learn more about the villainous Dark Might in the new MHA film. ― Dynamic duo Daiki Yamashita and Kenta Miyake return to LA for the U.S. premiere of My Hero Academia: You're Next. Previously, the pair came together alongside the voice actors of the movie's two central characters, Mamoru Miyano and Meru Nukumi, at Anime Expo...
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The Fall 2024 Anime Preview Guide

Things are spooky in the Anime Preview Guide! The season has almost wrapped up, so be sure to check out all the latest reviews of the season right here. ― Welcome to Anime News Network's Fall 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 a...
interview

Fresh and New Everytime: The Music of Creepy Nuts

Hip-hop duo Creepy Nuts delivers a high-energy show filled with multi-genre hits. We had the privilege of sitting down with them for a quick conversation about their writing process and inspirations. ― Hip-hop duo Creepy Nuts performed earlier this year at Anime NYC, delivering a high-energy show filled with multi-genre hits. Made up of DJ Matsunaga and rapper R-Shitei, the setlist included many of ...
newtype

Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines! Interview with Director Shotaro Kitamura

Director Kitamura shares his impressions of Makeine's heroines, creating the anime's summer atmosphere, and more. ― Illustrated by Yuuko Hariba Background by Shingo Kanai (Kusanagi) Finished by Ayaka Murakami Composite by Yuko Shigeie Which girl captured your heart this summer? Let's take a look back at the heroines who colored the summer with their unique “kawaii” style!  We asked the director what...
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The Fall 2024 Anime Preview Guide

Romance takes a dark turn in Yakuza Fiance! Also check our reviews for Tower of God: Workshop Battle, Puniru is a Kawaii Slime, MF Ghost, TsumaSho, Ranma ½, Bleach, BLUE LOCK, DAN DA DAN, and more! ― Welcome to Anime News Network's Fall 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 a...
interview

Creating a Multi-Volume Rom-Com Manga from a One-Shot

According to series creator Yūki Kanamaru, More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers was originally only supposed to be three chapters long! More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers certainly caught me by surprise when it aired back in 2022. Within its unique premise is a story about love and looking past our preconceptions about each other. At Anime Expo 2024, Anime News Network sat down and s...
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The Fall 2024 Anime Preview Guide

The Everything Goes School of Martial Arts is now in session with the RANMA 1/2 reboot! Also: You are Ms. servant, Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, Blue Exorcist: Beyond the Snow Saga, Orb: On the Movements of the Earth, BLUE LOCK 2nd Season and more! ― Welcome to Anime News Network's Fall 2024 Anime Preview Guide! Here's how it goes: our team of critics writes up their impressions instantly, to be ...
interview

Performing in the 2.5 Dimension: Producer Shimpei Yamashita on Oshi no Ko Season 2

Ahead of its final episode, Shimpei Yamashita discusses the challenges of following up Oshi no Ko's first season with one equally as good. ― Oshi no Ko, based on the manga by Aka Akasaka and Mengo Yokoyari, may not have surprised readers of the series by being a hit. The story is by turns intense and humorous, balancing detailed examinations of what it means to project a perky, lighthearted image to ...
interview

Bringing Hololive to the U.S.: An Interview With Motoaki Tanigo, CEO of COVER Corp

With major collaborations and sold-out concert halls slowly starting to crop up here in the U.S., hololive has been one of the spearheads of this rise in popularity. ― In the past couple of years, VTubing has continued to grow as an inventive and influential form of entertainment. With major collaborations and sold-out concert halls slowly starting to crop up here in the U.S., hololive has been one ...
your score

Your Anime Rankings - Best of Summer 2024

NieR recovers from its mid-season drop while The Elusive Samurai pays the price of slacking off in its last few episodes. Discover all the other last-minute surprises in the final ranking of the Summer 2024 season! ― 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 lat...
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The Fall 2024 Anime Preview Guide

It's been six long years, but SAO: GUN GALE ONLINE is back! Also read our reviews for How I Attended an All-Guy's Mixer, Magilumiere Magical Girls Inc., Mecha-Ude, Blue Box, DAN DA DAN, and more! ― Welcome to Anime News Network's Fall 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 ...
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The Fall 2024 Anime Preview Guide

Watch out for Turbo Granny, because DAN DA DAN is here! Check back for new anime previews right here. ― Welcome to Anime News Network's Fall 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 every show. The guide is o...
newtype

Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian: Interview with Sumire Uesaka as Alya

As part of ANN's exciting new partnership with Newtype magazine, we present an interview with Alya voice actor Sumire Uesaka! ― We're excited to share some great news! Anime News Network and the Newtype magazine are teaming up to bring selected Newtype articles to anime fans around the world! These articles, along with exclusive content and images from the magazine, will now be available globally. F...
interview

Guilty Gear's Artistic Identity, Upcoming Anime with Ken Miyauchi, Shoichi Kitazono, and Genki Mamada

ANN sat down with GUILTY GEAR -STRIVE- staff to discuss how important art is to not just Guilty Gear’s gameplay, but also its identity. GUILTY GEAR -STRIVE-, which recently surpassed 3 million players and has an anime adaptation in the works, is arguably the most stylish fighting game currently on the market. Moreover, it leans very heavily into this stylishness by allowing its visuals to play a r...
your score

Your Anime Rankings - Best of Summer 2024, Sep 16-22

Yatagarasu is dueling with Monogatari, and Spice & Wolf with Makeine. Please look forward to the final results coming up next 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 based on how people rated indi...
interview

The Staff of My Deer Friend Nokotan Were Shocked by Its Worldwide Popularity

With its horned protagonist, disturbingly realistic deer, and off-the-wall absurdist humor, My Deer Friend Nokotan has been one of the most popular shows—inside of Japan and out. ― With its horned protagonist, disturbingly realistic deer, and off-the-wall absurdist humor, My Deer Friend Nokotan has been one of the most popular shows of the Summer 2024 anime season—both inside of Japan and out. To fin...
watch

The Fall 2024 Anime Trailer Watch Party is Live with Mother's Basement!

The Anime Trailer Watch Party starts in just 30 minutes! Tune in on YouTube, X, or on our home page to watch! ― The Anime Trailer Watch Party returns next week for another huge anime season! Find your next must-watch anime with Anime News Network executive editor Lynzee Loveridge, ANN video producer Jacki Jing, ANN reviewer James Beckett, and Mother's Basement's Geoff Thew as they watch over sixty tr...
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The Most Anticipated Anime of Fall 2024

The fall anime season is upon us! We have new seasons of big names like Re:Zero and DanMachi and new shows like Uzumaki and DAN DA DAN. Which are the ANN editorial team most excited about? Let's find out. ― Fall is upon us! And with the changing of the leaves comes a new season of anime to enjoy. On the one hand, we have new seasons of big names like Re:Zero and Danmachi. On the other, we have new s...
convention

Director Hiroshi Nagahama, From Wicked City to Uzumaki

We sat down with the Uzumaki anime director to see what hints he could give us about the horror series before it premieres this weekend. ― On the screen in front of a crowded Otakon panel room, Director Hiroshi Nagahama shows a slide featuring the cover art for the 1987 film Wicked City, directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri of Studio Madhouse on the screen in front of a crowded Otakon panel room. Several a...
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The Worst Anime of Summer 2024

While there were many great anime this season, there were also some... not so great ones. From the boring to the outright painful, here are the editorial team's picks for the worst anime of the summer 2024 season. ― While there were many great anime this season, there were also some... not so great ones. From the boring to the outright painful, here are the editorial team's picks for the worst anime...
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The Best Anime of Summer 2024

With summer at an end, the ANN editorial staff is back to break down our picks for the season's best anime. So, if you're looking for some new, recently completed anime to watch, this is the perfect place to start. ― With summer at an end, the ANN editorial staff is back to break down our picks for the season's best anime. So, if you're looking for some new, recently completed anime to watch, this i...
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From Indie to Pro: Make A Girl Anime Film Director Gensho Yasuda

Gensho Yasuda started creating quick animation clips on YouTube; now he's helming his own team to create his first feature film. ― Creator, director, scriptwriter—Gensho Yasuda started his creator journey online. He focused on what he could do on his own and shared his short animations with his growing audience on social media. He garnered attention on his YouTube channel with solo efforts featuring...
watch

The Fall 2024 Anime Trailer Watch Party Returns with Mother's Basement!

The Anime Trailer Watch Party returns next week for another huge anime season! The stream will be live on Wednesday, September 25 at 6pm Pacific/9pm Eastern. ― The Anime Trailer Watch Party returns next week for another huge anime season! Find your next must-watch anime with Anime News Network executive editor Lynzee Loveridge, ANN video producer Jacki Jing, ANN reviewer James Beckett, and Mother's B...
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This Life-Size Ainz Ooal Gown Statue is Only One of the Cool Things at the Overlord Exhibition in Tokyo

There's also original animation materials, photo spots, and tons of figures! ― To coincide with the release of the new movie, Overlord: The Sacred Kingdom, a limited-time Overlord gallery is now open to the public in Tokyo. Aptly named “Overlord Exhibition,” this art exhibition is filled with everything from animation keyframes and original light novel artwork to photo spots and life-size recreations...
interview

Shangri-La Frontier Cheat Codes: How Its Creators Built Its Video Game World

Before Sunraku returns in season two, ANN spoke with light novel author Katarina and manga creator Ryōsuke Fuji on fleshing out its VR world. ― Shangri-La Frontier is an exciting action anime showcasing the fun exploits of our main character Sunraku. With a shoebill bird mask and an assortment of daggers by his side, Sunraku seeks to overcome challenges and learn more about the god-tier game Shangri...
your score

Your Anime Rankings - Best of Summer 2024, Sep 9-15

This week Ossan Newbie climbs to spectacular heights while The Magical Girl and The Evil Lieutenant takes quite a nosedive. See how your favorite shows stack up 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 ran...
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Creating a Game Space Where Anyone Can Gather: Hidetaka 'Swery' Suehiro on VR

Swery is best known to gamers for his off-the-wall characterization and unconventional genre mixes. For a great example, look no further than his new VR multiplayer: Death Game Hotel. ― Hidetaka Suehiro, best known to gamers as "Swery," has long been appreciated for his off-the-wall characterization, unconventional genre mixes, and unique settings in games. For a great example, look no further than S...

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