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Star Detective Precure! Anime Announces Detective Conan Collaboration Merchandise
Detectives gear up following their on-air collaborations
― Just before the first Star Detective Precure! and Detective Conan collaboration episodes aired on May 31 and June 6, the Precure franchise revealed a set of Star Detective Precure! x Detective Conan merchandise. The collaboration merchandise will go on sale on June 23 at the Precure Pretty Store locations in Tokyo, Osaka, Yokohama, Koshigaya ...
Happy Rock Day (& Lock Day) From Around the Anime World
Featuring Girls Band Cry, My Hero Academia, Sound! Euphonium, Precure, Rock is a Lady's Modesty, Square-Enix, Sega, Haibara's Teenage New Game+, Minori Chihara, & more!
― June 9 marks Rock Day (and Lock Day) in Japan, as a Japanese wordplay on the numbers 6 (roku) and 9 (ku). The anime and manga worlds today are full of tributes to rock music and, well, locks: Barbapapa 6/9は #ロックの日 🎸✨なんとバーバパパがギターに変身し...
Gundam Crosses Over With Sgt. Frog in Latest Film & New Art
Sgt. Frog creator Mine Yoshizaki & Gundam character designer Yoshikazu Yasuhiko draw 1st "official" collaboration
― The Sgt. Frog franchise released four Mobile Suit Gundam collaboration illustrations on Tuesday, before the latest Sgt. Frog film opens on June 26. Sgt. Frog creator Mine Yoshizaki and Mobile Suit Gundam character designer Yoshikazu Yasuhiko personally drew these art pieces: Even though...
Manga Creator Masaki Ando, Voice Actor Honoka Kuroki Announce Their Marriage
Yatogame-chan Kansatsu Nikki creator & cast member celebrate with self-portrait art
― Yatogame-chan Kansatsu Nikki creator Masaki Ando and voice actor Honoka Kuroki announced on their respective social media accounts on Sunday that they have married each other. Andō wrote in his statement, “As professionals in the entertainment industry, we respect each other's work and are committed to giving it ou...
Yuki Kaji Voices Ikemen Cockroaches in New Dating Sim
Can you resist the advances of four handsome cockroaches?
― Japanese insecticide company Earth Corporation made the unlikeliest of announcements on Wednesday: it has released a dating simulator starring voice actor Yuki Kaji. The game goes by the name Gokigen Lovely Days — literally, Happy Lovely Days, but written to emphasize "goki" and "vely" (buri) as a wordplay on the Japanese word for cockroach,...
Game Director Hideo Kojima Turned into Nendoroid Figure
All of Kojima's genius concentrated into one cute figure
― Japanese figure producer Good Smile Company revealed a Hideo Kojima figure for its Nendoroid line on Saturday. The figure of the celebrated designer of the Metal Gear and Death Stranding games is on display at the Good Smile Fest 2026 this weekend. (As usual for figures previewed while still in development, the Kojima figure is subject to cha...
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time Film's Ticket Art Imagines What If She Did Go on That Date
Revisit the anime on its 20th anniversary in Japanese theaters in 4K
― Filmarks, Japan's (self-described) largest film, television, and anime review site, announced on Thursday that it is offering limited advance MoviTicke Cards with exclusive art for The Girl Who Leapt Through Time 4K revival screenings. The cards feature the anime film's lead characters Makoto Konno (voiced by Riisa Naka) and Chiak...
Medalist Creator Tsurumaikada Marks Afternoon Magazine's 40th Anniversary
Original illustration features Medalist characters Inori Yuitsuka & Tsukasa Akeuraji
― Medalist creator Tsurumaikada presented an original illustration to celebrate the 40th year of Kodansha's Monthly Afternoon magazine on Sunday. The illustration features series protagonist Inori Yuitsuka and Tsukasa Akeuraji with a card that reads “40th Anniversary." Kodansha will offer original merchandise featuri...
Japan Mint to Release Detective Conan Commemorative Coin Sets
See Conan Edogawa in coin form
― The Japan Mint announced on Wednesday that pre-orders for two Detective Conan 30th anniversary coin sets have begun. The first set is a Detective Conan 30th Anniversary coin set and includes six uncirculated coins (in denominations ranging from 1 to 500 yen), a copper alloy commemorative medallion featuring protagonist Conan Edogawa (real identity Shinichi Kudo), and ...
Shin-Ei Makes Net Anime for Lotte's Chocolate Pie no Mi Snacks
Crayon Shin-chan's Yumiko Kobayashi & Hugtto! Precure's Rie Hikisaka star
― Japanese chocolate and snack maker Lotte Chocolate announced on Monday it has partnered with animation studio Shin-Ei for a new Pie no Mi web anime series, Pie no Mi: Oshi no Mori he Yōkoso (Pie no Mi: Welcome to Oshi Forest). The series will debut on the Lotte Chocolate YouTube channel on June 4 at 12:00 a.m. Japan Time (Ju...
JoJo's Hirohiko Araki Designs Curtains for Kyūshū's Biggest Kabuki Theater
Hakataza theater commemorate legendary name succession for 2 Kabuki actors
― Jojo's Bizarre Adventure manga creator Hirohiko Araki designed the art emblazoned on special stage curtains for the Hakataza, the largest kabuki theater on the Japanese island of Kyūshū, this month. The curtains feature Kabuki actors Onoe Kikugorō VIII and Onoe Kikunosuke VI. The theater is using these curtains during the Gr...
Aki Sora Manga's Masahiro Itosugi Reports Being Banned by Google After Uploading Old Works
Itosugi: “It's not an issue for good people, but be careful if you ponder, “Am I… a good person?”
― Aki Sora manga creator Masahiro Itosugi lamented in a May 16 post about being banned by Google. While uploading older works to Google Drive, Itosugi reported receiving a warning from the service. The creator reported appealing the warning only to receive the ban. Itosugi added that the ban is an issue...
Magical Girls Meets Wild Sextuplets in Magical Sisters Lulutto Lilly x Mr. Osomatsu Collaboration
Featuring Magical Sisters Lulutto Lilly's Uguisu & Azuki, Mr. Osomatsu's Ichimatsu
― The Magical Sisters Lulutto Lilly and Mr. Osomatsu series revealed a collaboration illustration on Sunday. The image features Magical Sisters Lulutto Lilly characters Uguisu and Azuki sitting on Mr. Osomatsu character Ichimatsu's lap. The Magical Sisters Lulutto Lilly series' account jokes that the illustration featu...
One Piece Cheers Japan's Samurai Blue Ahead of FIFA World Cup
One Piece & the Samurai Blue live up to camaraderie, grit, & victory with their NAKAMAAAAA!
― At midnight on Monday, the One Piece franchise posted a collaboration video with the Japan national football team, popularly known as Samurai Blue. The video features several memorable scenes from the One Piece manga series with images of the Samurai Blue across the years. The video ends with an illustratio...
Death Stranding's Norman Reedus Watches Chainsaw Man on Hideo Kojima's Recommendation
Reedus also names whose super power he would like wield
― American actor Norman Reedus (Sam Porter Bridges in Hideo Kojima's Death Stranding games, Daryl Dixon in Walking Dead) has been taking in Hong Kong Comic Con this weekend, and GQ Hong Kong magazine asked him if he was personally into anime. Reedus responded, “There's Chainsaw Man, which Hideo Kojima told me about. He said it was his favorite....
Dragon Quest Fan Is Literally Counting Down to XII's Release
Just one more game to complete a Dragon Quest wall clock
― A Dragon Quest fan who simply goes by the name "Pu" is patiently waiting for the 12th installment of the game franchise, and unlike most of us, is doing something about it. On April 20, Pu posted a photo of a wall clock, with the hour marks replaced with the mainline Dragon Quest game boxes. 今日エアコンの清掃業者さんが来てくれたんだけど、玄関入ってから『ドラクエ好きなんですねー』リビング入っ...
San Francisco Giants Host Pokémon Worlds Night on August 27
Pokémon opens World Championship weekend by going out to the ballpark
― The Pokémon franchise and San Francisco Giants baseball team announced on Thursday that Pokémon is taking over Oracle Park for Pokémon Worlds Night on August 27, on the eve of this year's Pokémon World Championships in the City by the Bay. Fans who purchased the Special Event Tickets will receive Pokémon Worlds-themed Giants jers...
Frieren Transforms into Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring
Crossover art celebrates Osaka exhibition of 17th Century Dutch masterpieces
― The Frieren: Beyond Journey's End franchise and the "Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring: Dutch Masterpieces of the 17th Century" exhibition revealed a collaboration illustration on Wednesday. The illustration features the manga and anime's title character Frieren as Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer's masterpiece Girl with a...
Macross F Designer Risa Ebata Draws Skating Gold Medalist Alysa Liu
Alysa Liu is ready to be crowned the next Miss Macross
― Crunchyroll released an illustration of Olympic gold medal figure skater Alysa Liu by Macross Frontier character designer Risa Ebata on Thursday. Crunchyroll captioned the art piece, “[Alysa Liu] is a main character no matter where she goes. To celebrate Alysa's passion for anime, MACROSS character designer and illustrator Risa Ebata created th...
Holostars Announces Departure of Several VTubers
Hanasaki Miyabi, Kishido Temma, Arurandeisu, Minase Rio host their final streams in June 8-25
― Popular VTuber talent agency Cover Corp. announced on Tuesday that several of its members will end their streaming activities under the Holostars brand. Hanasaki Miyabi, Kishido Temma, Rikka, Arurandeisu, Minase Rio, and Kageyama Shien will host their final streams on June 8, June 8, June 9, June 10, June...
Happy Dragon Quest 40th Anniversary From Around the Anime World
Featuring Yuji Horii, Kazuhiko Torishima, PlayStation, Yuki Kaji, Shoko Nakagawa, Hikaru Midorikawa, Ami Shibata, Kazutoshi Soyama, & more!
― May 27 marks the 40th anniversary of popular role-playing video game series Dragon Quest. Created by Yuji Horii with art from legendary manga creator Akira Toriyama, the franchise has seen 11 mainline games (with the 12th on the way), several spin-off games, nu...
Happy Kiss Day From Around the Anime World
Featuring Naruto, Final Fantasy, Like a Dragon, Rooster Fighter, Red River, Warner Bros. Japan, & more
― May 23 marks an interesting unofficial holiday in Japan, Kiss Day. Dating back to May 23, 1946, Kiss Day marks the first time a Japanese film, Hatachi no Seishun (Twenty-Year-Old Youth), featured a kiss between two characters. While not as popular as other unofficial holidays such as February 22's...
One Piece's Luffy Dons Samurai Blue Uniform Ahead of FIFA World Cup
Luffy shows his support for Japan National Soccer Team
― Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine revealed on Monday a special cover for this year's 26th issue featuring a collaboration between One Piece and the Japanese National Soccer Team, popularly known as Samurai Blue. The illustration shows main character Monkey D. Luffy sporting the Samurai Blue uniform and carrying a soccer ball ahead of the F...
Celebrate 45th Birthday of Macross With Biggest Transforming SDF-1 Macross Toy
Deculture.
― Japanese high-end toy manufacturer Bandai Spirits confirmed on Monday that it is releasing a new DX Chogokin toy for the SDF-1 Macross space fortress to mark 45th anniversary of the Macross science-fiction romance franchise. A nearly two-minute-long video showcases the fully transformable toy in both fortress and "storm attacker" modes. The English-subtitled video also highlights severa...
The Anime World Offers Condolences After Voice Actor Takahiro Fujiwara's Passing Part II
Colleagues honor one of their own.
― May 21 marked a sad day for anime fans around the world with the news of prolific voice actor Takahiro Fujiwara's death. His works are beloved around the world, and professionals and fans alike have taken to social media to express their tributes to the late Fujiwara. Misa Ishii 信じたくないAPEXで一緒に収録したことはなかったけれど新人時代からいろんな作品でご一緒してましたレヴナント…もっと絡みたかった。軽口悪口言い合いたかった。寂しい htt...
The Anime World Offers Condolences After Voice Actor Takahiro Fujiwara's Passing Part I
Fellow actors around the anime industry pay their respects
― The world lost a veteran anime voice actor with Thursday's announcement of Takahiro Fujiwara's death at 43. He is best known for his roles as Kurogiri in the My Hero Academia franchise, Zenzō Inukai in the Laughing Under the Clouds television anime and film series, Jerome Guizbatt in Bleach:Thousand-Year Blood War, Bol Gil Bol in Bastard!!...
One-Punch Man Artist Yūsuke Murata Comments on Contentious Post on Pakistani Britons
Artist reacts to post with unverified images, video clip of UK far-right activist
― Warning: This article contains offensive language. On Sunday, One-Punch Man manga artist Yūsuke Murata responded to an English-language X (formerly Twitter) post that included unverified images of faces and a video clip of British far-right activist Tommy Robinson claiming, “Pakistanis make up 3% […] of the UK populat...
McDonald's Japan Reveals Mega Man Collaboration
Will Mega Man finally defeat Air Man after 19 years?
― McDonald's restaurants in Japan teased a new collaboration with the Mega Man game franchise on Thursday. The teaser post features an image of the iconic Mega Man parody song “Air Man ga Taosenai” (I Can't Beat Air Man) by Team Nekokan with the caption, “Danger. Debuting tomorrow, May 22, at 9:30! Will I finally be able to beat him…?!” The next da...
Winners of The Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2026
My Hero Academia anime's final season wins Anime of the Year
―
The 10th annual Crunchyroll Anime Awards ceremony streamed worldwide on Saturday at 6:00 p.m. JST (5:00 a.m. EST) on the company's YouTube and Twitch channels. The eighth and final season of the My Hero Academia anime won Anime of the Year. Fans voted on their favorites until April 15 on the Anime Awards website. Sally Amaki and Jon Kabi...
Yokō Tarō, Yōsuke Saitō Explain "NieR: Automata to be continued …" Message
Saitō: “I was the one who asked for that to be included”
― The May 14 issue of the Japanese game magazine Famitsu celebrated the popular game NieR: Automata with an interview with the game's production staff. The interviewer asked the game's director Yoko Taro and producer Yosuke Saito about the cryptic message “NieR: Automata to be continued…” at the end of the February 20 video that commemorated 1...
Artist Ken Ogino: Jump Wouldn't Run My Manga With Female Hero 11 Years Ago Without Eroticism
Lady Justice/The Ossan Newbie Adventurer artist: “The editors told me, 'If the protagonist is female, we won't publish it unless it focuses on eroticism,' so I reluctantly drew it …”
― Ken Ogino, artist for The Ossan Newbie Adventurer manga, recalled on Wednesday his time working for Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine. Ogino said on social media that when developing his manga series Lady Justice...
Singer aiko Hugs Concert Goer, Who Collapsed Mid-Performance, for a Surprising Reason
Singer thanks fan who helped elderly concert goer
― Japanese singer-songwriter aiko responded to a fan on social media on Monday about an incident that occurred during her concert at Hakodate City, Hokkaido last Saturday. The fan said that an elderly gentleman collapsed in front of the fan during the concert, so the fan helped the gentleman up, and the staff checked on him many times during the conce...
Watch NHK Symphony Orchestra Play Pokémon Winds/Waves Games' Theme
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves main theme!
― The Pokémon franchise announced last Wednesday that it has partnered with the NHK Symphony Orchestra to record the main theme song for the upcoming Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves games. The franchise also streamed a four-minute video of the NHK Symphony Orchestra performing the games' opening theme song, interspersed w...
Studio Khara Toasts Its 20th Birthday with Original Rei Art
Founder Hideaki Anno: Studio began “with just the president, one employee, & one advisor in a small office in a multi-tenant building”
― Studio Khara posted an original illustration by board director (and anime director) Kazuya Tsurumaki for the anime studio's 20th anniversary on Sunday. The illustration features Evangelion character Rei Ayanami with a well-deserved drink and the caption “20th Annive...
Final Fantasy XI MMORPG Celebrates 24th Anniversary with Animated Short
Relive the 1st MMO Final Fantasy game in animated form!
― The Final Fantasy franchise celebrated the 24th anniversary of the series' first MMORPG, Final Fantasy XI with a new animated short. The game's official X (formerly Twitter) account previewed the animated short on Friday with the caption, “Celebrating 24 years of FFXI!” Animation filmmaker Wakaboku created the short, titled "Our Adventure Neve...
Anime/Manga World Offers Condolences for Voice Actor Wakana Yamazaki's Death, Part III
Anime, manga, & game creators honor her contributions
― May 15 marked a sad day for anime fans around the world with the news of prolific voice actor Wakana Yamazaki's death. Her works are beloved around the world, and professionals and fans alike have taken to social media to express their tributes: Another Eden 『アナザーエデン』シリーズにて「アシュティア」を演じていただいた声優・山崎和佳奈さんがご逝去されました。アシュティアに命を吹き込んでくださった多大なる貢献に深く感謝し、謹んで...
Anime/Manga World Offers Condolences for Voice Actor Wakana Yamazaki, Part II
Fellow cast members pay respects to one of their own
― The world lost a veteran anime voice actor with the May 15 announcement of Wakana Yamazaki's death. She is best known for his roles as Ran Mōri in the Detective Conan franchise, Meiko Akizuki in Marmalade Boy, Ruri-Hume in Mononoke, Koan in Sailor Moon R, and Nene in Samurai Warriors, among others. Her work as a voice actor has touched the lives...
Detective Conan Cast/Staff Offer Condolences After Ran Mōri Voice Actress Wakana Yamazaki's Death
Renowned voice actress died on April 18 at 61
― On May 15, the anime world was shocked with the announcement of voice actress Wakana Yamazaki's death. Known as the voice of one of the main characters Ran Mōri from the long-running anime series Detective Conan, the voice actress appeared in many anime series integral to the medium. The staff and cast of Detective Conan paid their respects to the late...
Voice Actor Aoi Nagatsuki's Agency Addresses Photos Taken, Posted Without Her Permission
Amuleto agency: "We have confirmed the images were taken and released without permission"
― Japanese talent agency Amuleto released a statement on Wednesday regarding photos of voice actor Aoi Nagatsuki that were released online without her permission. Amuleto confirmed that the photos were of Nagatsuki and her friends. The agency further stated that the photos are a “violation of [Nagatsuki's] priva...
3 Generations of Japanese Fans Welcome Star Wars' Return in Animated Short
Actor Hideaki Itō narrates short that spans 48 years
― The Star Wars franchise released a new animated "Okaeri, Star Wars" (Welcome Back, Star Wars) short on Friday, one week before the saga returns to theaters with The Mandalorian and Grogu film. Japanese actor Hideaki Itō (live-action Umizaru, Sukiyaki Western Django, Terraformars) narrates this story of passing Star Wars from parent to child. The...
McDonald's Japan Rolls Out Saint Seiya Burgers
Burn your Cosmos at McDonald's
― McDonald's Japan teased a new collaboration with the Saint Seiya franchise on Wednesday by posting an image of the iconic circlet worn by Saint Seiya protagonist Pegasus Seiya with the caption, “This light… it's Pegasus ___?!” An image of Japan with four silhouetted McDonald's menu items followed the caption, “The chosen gourmet, assemble!” A handful of replies to the...
Spy x Family's Anya Joins Hinatazaka46 Idol Group
Hinatazaka46 idols mark Shueisha's 100th anniversary by sharing their favorite manga
― The idol group Hinatazaka46 released a collaboration illustration featuring the group's mascot character Poka and Spy x Family character Anya Forger on Tuesday. The illustration promotes the “Hinata Oshi Manga Campaign” (Hinatazaka46's Favorite Manga Campaign), a celebration of Shueisha's 100th anniversary headline...
King of Prism, Last Sharknado Hold Double-Feature With Audience Call Backs Encouraged
What does an idol anime movie & Sharknado 6 have in common? Time travel.
― The King of Prism franchise announced the unlikeliest of double-features at the Ikebukuro Humax Cinemas: King of Prism -Your Endless Call- Miinna Kirameki! Prism☆Tours and The Last Sharknado: It's About Time. The Eiga Natalie website is sponsoring the double-feature, which encourages audience members to cheer and shout call-ba...
Happy Maid Day From Around the Anime World, Part II
Featuring Too Many Losing Heroines!, The Classroom of a Black Cat and a Witch, Black Butler, Mahoromatic, Honō no Tōkyūjo: Dodge Danko, Tsumiki Ogami's Not-So-Ordinary Life, Trapped in a Dating Sim, & more!
― A happy accident occurred on May 10, 2026, in Japan: it was both Mother's Day and Maid Day. While most people in the anime and manga world sent Mother's Day messages, some celebrated all things ...
Happy Maid Day From Around the Anime World, Part I
Featuring Frieren, Sound! Euphonium, Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian, Masami Obari, The Food Diary of Miss Maid, Puniru is a Kawaii Slime, & more!
― Japan marks May 10 as an unofficial holiday, Maid Day. A wordplay on “May” and the number 10 being pronounced as “do” in Japanese, Maid Day has gained some traction among Japanese people in recent years. Here's to all our favorite maids in t...
Happy Mother's Day 2026 From Around the Anime World, Part IV
Featuring Naruto, Sanrio, Monster Hunter, Yowayowa Sensei, The Beginning After The End, Sega, Sylvanian Families, & more!
― Mother's Day, the day people reportedly make the most long-distance calls. And why wouldn't we? For many of us, our mothers birthed us, raised us, and generally loved us. Even in the anime and manga world, mothers are important characters. So, what sorts of messages were there t...
Happy Mother's Day 2026 From Around the Anime World, Part III
Featuring Ghibli, Dragon Quest, Resident Evil, Minky Momo, I Made Friends with the Second Prettiest Girl in My Class, Princess Connect! Re:Dive, & more!
― Mothers come in all sorts of forms. From the women who raised us in the home to those who nurtured us outside of the home, we have more mothers that we may think. So, let's honor all our mothers this Mother's Day with some special messages from the...
Happy Mother's Day 2026 From Around the Anime World, Part II
Featuring My Hero Academia, Bleach, Tama & Friends, From Overshadowed to Overpowered, Liar Game, Mappa, Square Enix, & more!
― Right after Japan celebrated the healthy growth of children with Children's Day on May 5, Japan and other countries are taking May 10 to celebrate our mothers: From Overshadowed to Overpowered 本日、5月10日は #母の日「私の一番はエフタルですよ？」イリヤさんの溺愛っぷりに目が離せない!!!TVアニメ『#落第賢者 の学院無双 ～二度目の転生、Sランクチート...
Happy Mother's Day 2026 From Around the Anime World, Part I
Featuring Fullmetal Alchemist, My Hero Academia, Final Fantasy, Frieren, Doraemon, Sonic the Hedgehog, Yuki Kaji, & more!
― May 10, 2026 marks Mother's Day, and people in Japan generally celebrate the holiday by giving their mothers a carnation. And all the children in the anime and manga worlds are sending their mothers a carnation and message of thanks: Agents of the Four Seasons: Dance of Spring ◤...
Otaku Anti-War Protest Organizer Reacts to Singer Masayoshi Oishi's Comments on Protest
Hiroyuki Takahashi responds to Oishi's on-air comments about March 28 protest
― Hiroyuki Takahashi, a former teacher and organizer of the March 28 “otaku anti-war protest," reacted on Friday to Japanese singer Masayoshi Oishi's comments on the protest. Takahashi said, “What stood out to me the most, was his comment that most otaku probably don't participate in such events, so as to not cause trouble...
NTE: Neverness to Everness Game's Staff Confirms Use of Generative AI
Team is reworking assets for in-game "Clear Skies in Summer" film reminiscent of Weathering With You
― The staff behind the new open world, action role-playing, hack-and-slash video game NTE: Neverness to Everness released a statement on Thursday about generative AI use within the game. According to the statement, "the characters, stories, and world you experience are the work of artists, writers, a...
Detective Conan Creator Gōshō Aoyama Celebrates New Film with Sketch
Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway has earned 10.8 billion yen (about US$69.03 million)
― Detective Conan creator Gosho Aoyama released an original illustration congratulating the latest Detective Conan film, Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway (Detective Conan: Highway no Datenshi), on earning 10.8 billion yen (about US$69 million) since opening on April 10. The illustration featu...
Sailor Moon's English Voice Actor Terri Hawkes Runs for Toronto City Council
Hawkes announced her candidacy on Saturday
― Terri Hawkes, one of the lead voice actors for Sailor Moon's first English dub, announced on Saturday that she is running for the Toronto City Council. Hawkes wrote, “This morning at City Hall I registered to run in this fall's election for the job of Toronto City Councillor, representing University-Rosedale (Ward 11).” View this post on Instagram A post s...
Happy Children's Day 2026 From Around the Anime World, Part IV
Featuring Pokémon, Naruto, Super Mario, Sega, I Made Friends with the Second Prettiest Girl in My Class, Agents of the Four Seasons, Dandelion, & more!
― It's Children's Day in Japan, and while not all of us are children, it's important to keep that spirit of a child inside us. And the anime and manga industries are full of those fully grown children celebrating the holiday. Here's a small sample of ...
Happy Children's Day 2026 From Around the Anime World, Part III
Featuring My Hero Academia, Frieren, Final Fantasy, Pragmata, Sanrio, Chibi Maruko-chan, & more!
― Tango no Sekku is not a day where people tango in Japan, but rather celebrate the healthy growth of children. The anime, manga, and game worlds are full of messages for parents and children: Chibi Maruko-chan 今日は #こどもの日😆おおきな鯉のぼりをいっぱい見たよ🎏#ちびまる子ちゃん #5月5日 pic.twitter.com/qrTvXghWyq— ちびまる子ちゃん【公式】 (@tweet_ma...
Happy Children's Day 2026 From Around the Anime World, Part II
Featuring Golden Kamuy, Yoasobi, Animal Crossing, Yowayowa Sensei, Though I Am an Inept Villainess, Too Many Losing Heroines!, more!
― Children's Day falls at the end of the long Japanese holiday season known as Golden Week. The week starts with Showa Day on April 29, then continues with Constitution Memorial Day on May 3, Greenery Day on May 4, and ends on Children's Day on May 5. However, because C...
Happy Children's Day 2026 From Around the Anime World, Part I
Featuring Doraemon, Precure, Kingdom, Tsuburaya Productions, Wuthering Waves, more!
― On May 5, people in Japan celebrate Children's Day (also known as Tango no Sekku) by hoisting koi nobori carp windsocks, displaying samurai dolls or miniature samurai armor sets, eating kashiwa mochi sweets, and celebrating the health and growth of children. The anime and manga world is full of well wishes for child...
Voice Actor Satomi Akesaka Announces Marriage
Voice of Reborn's Chrome pens handwritten letter to her fans & colleagues
― Satomi Akesaka, the voice of Reborn's Chrome Dokuro and many other roles, announced on Monday (coincidentally, Greenery Day in Japan, and also Star Wars Day) that she had gotten married. Akesaka said, “This is not an April Fool's joke," and added that her husband is not a voice actor or involved in the entertainment industry...
2nd Global One Piece Character Poll Announces Interim Results
Straw Hat Pirates all made the top 30. But who made the top 10?
― The One Piece franchise announced the interim results for the "One Piece World Top 100 2nd" ranking poll on Monday. Taking the top three spots are series protagonist Monkey D. Luffy, Roronoa Zoro, and Sanji. The rest of the Straw Hat Pirates made the top 30 with Nami ranking fourth, Nico Robin sixth, Tony Tony Chopper 10th, Usopp 16th,...
Doraemon, Crayon Shin-chan, Initial D Home Lookalikes Spotted in NTE: Neverness to Everness Game
Also, reported ads for Weathering With You lookalike raise concerns
― Hours after the open-world, action role-playing, hack-and-slash video game NTE: Neverness to Everness launched on April 29, players reported spotting some familiar-looking homes and locations within the game. Players found homes and locations strikingly similar to the central Nobi home and frequently used open lot from Doraemon, th...
Pragmata's Diana 'Hacks' Monster Hunter's Social Media
Diana: “Hunters fight all these huge monsters and they can't hack them? Maybe bots aren't that bad after all!”
― Monster Hunter fans woke up to shocking news on Wednesday. The Monster Hunter games' social media had been “hacked” by hit video game Pragmata's Diana. The renamed “Diana Monster Hunter” account made a mysterious post in binary code with a video of Diana reciting the digits. According to t...
Voice Actor Tomoyo Kurosawa Announces Birth of 1st Child
Gundam GquuuuuuX, Sound! Euphonium cast member made announcement on May 1
― Voice actor Tomoyo Kurosawa announced on Friday that she had given birth to her first child. Kurosawa stated she is “cherishing every moment of motherhood and will continue to dedicate myself to my work as a voice actor.” As of press time, Kurosawa's announcement has received 111,000 likes and 2,100 replies, most of which ar...
1st-Ever 'One Piece Fest' to Open in Los Angeles on August 25-26
Event will feature immersive "Elbaph Experience" at Inglewood's Cosm Los Angeles
― Toei Animation announced on Thursday that it will host the "first-ever One Piece Fest" for the One Piece franchise at the Cosm Los Angeles in Hollywood Park in Inglewood, California on August 25 and 26, coinciding with this year's One Piece Day celebration. The event will also have a VIP Preview for guests and media on...
MAPPA Animates New Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo Promotional Video
Hopefully, MAPPA's video leads to a full anime series someday
― MAPPA animated a promotional video for the Friday release of the third and final volume in the Jujutsu Kaisen ≡ (read as Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo) spinoff manga from Jujutsu Kaisen creator Gege Akutami and Cipher Academy illustrator Yuji Iwasaki. The Jujutsu Kaisen franchise teased the video with the tagline, "End the cycle of curses." The ...
Pokémon Celebrates 30th Anniversary with Boss Coffee Collaboration
Complete your Pokédex with coffee cans?!
― The Pokémon franchise announced it has partnered with Japanese beverage maker Suntory's Boss Coffee line for a set of Pokémon 30th Anniversary coffee cans on Tuesday. Select Boss Coffee cans will feature Pokédex entries for such Pokémon as Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Totodile, Chikorita, and Pikachu, beginning on June 1. Cans of Boss Coffee Muto Black, ...
Pragmata Game's Staff Thanks Fans for 1 Million Copies Sold
Diana: “Hugh! I heard more than a MILLION people got our game! Hey…do you think we're famous on Earth now?”
― Following Pragmata's successful launch, the game's development team released an image thanking fans for purchasing the game on April 21. The image features characters Hugh, Diana, and Eight with the caption “1,000,000 units!” and Diana holding a sign that reads “Thank you." The team captioned...
GE – Good Ending, Domestic Girlfriend Manga Creator Kei Sasuga Gets Married
Sasuga hopes to make May I Live With You? manga "even richer and more interesting"
― GE - Good Ending, Domestic Girlfriend, and May I Live With You? (Ishho ni Kurashite Ii Desu ka?) manga creator Kei Sasuga announced on Tuesday she had gotten married. Sasuga said that although she entered a new chapter in her life, she will continue working on May I Live With You? and hopes to “make it even richer a...
Attack on Titan's Hajime Isayama Draws The Mandalorian and Grogu Art
Titan of science fiction meets titan of manga for latest Star Wars film
― The Star Wars franchise released an original illustration of the title characters from the Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu film by Attack on Titan creator Hajime Isayama on Tuesday. The illustration celebrates the film's upcoming release and features the Mandalorian holding Grogu while igniting his jetpack and firing his w...
Japan's Government Panel Moves to Protect Voices From Unauthorized Generative AI Use
Ministry of Justice expert panel: Voices fall in same category as portrait rights, publicity rights
― An expert panel for the Ministry of Justice of Japan held its first meeting on Friday to discuss how to protect voices from unauthorized generative AI use. State Minister of Justice Hidehiro Mitani stated near the beginning of the meeting, “While losses related to unauthorized use of a voice is sign...
Final Fantasy's Sephiroth Enjoys Liquor With Twist of Lemon
Asahi Beer presents new video, real-life Seventh Heaven bar in Tokyo during Golden Week holidays
― Japanese brewer Asahi Beer debuted a collaboration video with popular video game Final Fantasy VII Rebirth on Monday. The video features the game's antagonist Sephiroth enjoying Asahi Beer's new alcoholic beverage Mirai no Lemon Sour (Lemon Sour of the Future). What makes Mirai no Lemon Sour unique is t...
Mom Discovers Evangelion's Lance of Longinus Is Perfect to Hang Clothes
Hang your clothes, Shinji.
― Evangelion's Lance of Longinus isn't just for putting down Angels and traumatizing Shinji Ikari. It's now the perfect rod to hang clothes on … or that's how one mother used the holy spear. A fan posted a photo of a homemade Lance of Longinus replica being used as a clothes hanging rod on April 15. The poster captioned the image, “Mom…?” お母さん…？ pic.twitter.com/mxbNqeIaEA— ...
Gundam Creator Yoshiyuki Tomino Offers Thoughts on Ongoing Wars
Director discusses Russo-Ukrainian war, 2026 Iran war, authoritarianism in Japan
― Mobile Suit Gundam creator and director Yoshiyuki Tomino touched on current world affairs, particularly war, in the May issue of Tokuma Shoten's Animage magazine published on April 10. In the monthly column “Tomino ni Kike” (Ask Tomino), a 41-year-old Tokyo resident under the name "Ray Ray" asked the director about hi...
Logan Paul Buys Graded Copies of One Piece, Dragon Ball's 1st Jump Appearances
Paul: Dragon Ball's 1st appearance bought for US$550,000
― Internet personality and WWE wrestler Logan Paul reported on Wednesday that he had purchased two graded Weekly Shonen Jump magazine issues featuring the first appearances of Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball manga and Eiichiro Oda's One Piece manga. Paul said the issue featuring the first chapter of Dragon Ball is graded at 9.2, and the issue fea...
'Go For it, Nakamura-kun!!' Creator Comments on Latest Anime Episode
Syundei: "This is intended solely as a stylistic expression of BL & carries no deeper meaning”
― Go For it, Nakamura-kun!! manga creator Syundei posted a statement about the fifth episode of the Go For it, Nakamura-kun!! anime series through their publisher Hero's Web on Wednesday. Syundei noted a scene in which the character Aiki Hirose and his high school teacher Sō Otogiri exchange contact inform...
Gachiakuta Creator Kei Urana Addresses Manga Piracy
Urana: “To help people, who cannot afford to buy it or who do not have access to it, enjoy these works, Ando and I have been discussing this for a long time. I cannot share details yet, but [we are exploring many ideas]."
― Gachiakuta manga creator Kei Urana posted on social media an English statement, made via a "translation app" from her original Japanese statement, regarding manga piracy on Tuesd...
Final Fantasy XIV Chocobo Racing Comes to Life in New VR Experience
No Golden Saucer needed
― Virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reailty (MR) entertainment company Tyffon announced in collaboration with Kansai TV on Monday that they have partnered with Square Enix for the Final Fantasy XIV Chocobo Racing VR experience. The attraction will debut at Tyffon's Tyffonium extended reality (XR) theme parks. As of press time, Tyffon and Square-Enix have ...
Kadokawa's Game Magazine Subsidiary Partly Pays for Employees' Games
Program expands upon Kadokawa Game Linkage's subscription allowance service
― Kadokawa subsidiary Kadokawa Game Linkage announced on April 1 it is implementing a game payment support system for its employees. Full-time employees, contract employees, those under continuing contracts, and outsourced employees who purchase games will receive partial compensation for the purchases. The yearly compensati...
My Dress-Up Darling's Marin Kitagawa Is Now a Racing Queen
Marin appears on TK Racing Initiative car during Suzuka 5-Hour Race
― The My Dress-Up Darling franchise announced on April 10 that Marin Kitagawa has become the 2026 TK Racing Initiative (TKRI) Limited Time Ambassador, complete with an original collaboration illustration of Marin dressed as a TKRI race queen. A TKRI collaboration car debuted on April 18 at the Suzuka 5-Hour Race. The car features Kit...
Wit Studio Animates 2nd Orangestar Song for Music Video
Both Agents of the Four Seasons: Dance of Spring themes have received the Wit Studio treatment
― The Agents of the Four Seasons: Dance of Spring anime series presented a music video animated by Wit Studio for the series' ending theme song, “Hana Ikada,” on Sunday. Vocaloid producer Orangestar composed the song and wrote the song's lyrics, while his wife, Kase, provided the vocals. GOKINJYO's Hiro Na...
Make Your Own Apothecary Diaries Dishes With New Cookbook
But no poisons in this recipe book
― The Apothecary Diaries franchise unveiled the cover for the Maomao no Recipe (Maomao's Recipes) cookbook on Friday with the caption, “What is Maomao making on the cover…?” The cookbook will ship on May 13. The franchise has announced the cookbook on March 12. It will come with 23 recipes for dishes that have appeared in the story, five newly written short stories ...
Dragon Ball's Lead Voice Masako Nozawa Finds Love in McDonald's Baki Dating Sim Spoof
Can Nozawa choose between Baki, Kaiō Retsu — and a chicken burger?
― Renowned voice actor Masako Nozawa (Dragon Ball) is starring in her own dating sim game… sort of. McDonald's Japan spoofed the Baki martial arts manga as a dating sim game, starring Nozawa, as part of its Spring Chicken Tatsuta burger campaign on Friday. The fast food chain teased the "Baki de Koi Suru Tatsuta na Nozawa” (A Tatsuta ...
Gintama & Pui Pui Molcar Open a Pop-Up Store Together
Gintoki is driving your favorite Molcar, Potato
― The Gintama and Pui Pui Molcar franchises announced on April 8 that they are partnering for pop-up stores in Tokyo and Osaka with acrylic stands, pins, and other merchandise. The Tokyo store will be on the sixth floor of the Magnet by Shibuya 109 venue between April 24 and May 5, and the Osaka store will be on the fourth floor of Abeno Lucbus between ...
VANDY THE PINK, Complex Shop Offer KPop Demon Hunters x McDonald's Apparel
10 months ago, who would've put VANDY THE PINK, KPop, and McDonald's in the same sentence?
― American streetwear label VANDY THE PINK and youth media and entertainment company Complex Networks announced a collaboration with Oscar-winning film KPop Demon Hunters and McDonald's on April 7. VANDY THE PINK declares in a social post, “It's a battle for the fans!” and “Rep your side.” The Complex Shop show...
Nintendo Celebrates Animal Crossing's 25th Anniversary
Nintendo: “Check your mailbox on your island – there's something waiting for you!”
― Nintendo released an illustration to celebrate the 25th anniversary of its popular social simulator game series Animal Crossing on Tuesday. Nintendo of America captioned the illustration, “Today marks 25 years since the Animal Crossing series began! Check your mailbox on your island – there's something waiting for yo...
Popeyes, KitKat India Serve Up One Piece Collaborations
Universal Studios Hollywood also teases its Fan Fest Nights dishes & merch for One Piece
― American fast-food chain Popeyes confirmed its collaboration with the massively popular anime One Piece on Monday. The new Luffy Bento Box Bundle set includes two pieces of Popeyes Signature Chicken, Mac & Cheese, Chopper's Cupcake, … and a Gum-Gum Fruit Lemonade. Popeyes muses on social media, "Will it turn yo...
Detective Conan Voice Actor Kappei Yamaguchi Draws His Character Shinichi Kudō
Yamaguchi congratulates latest film on 1.1 billion yen opening
― Voice actor Kappei Yamaguchi posted an original illustration he drew of his Detective Conan character Shinichi Kudō on Sunday. The illustration congratulates the latest Detective Conan film, Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway (Detective Conan: Highway no Datenshi), on earning over 1.13 billion yen (about US$7.1 million) on its...
Creators Speak Out After Go For it, Nakamura-kun!! Creator Syundei's X Exodus
Syundei deleted X/Twitter account on Sunday after dealing with alleged harassment
―
When Go For it, Nakamura-kun!! manga creator Syundei left X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday after dealing with alleged harassment, manga artistts, novelists, and other creators expressed their thoughts on the matter. While some did not explicitly mention Syundei by name, there were references to the matter in their resp...
Go For it, Nakamura-kun!! Creator Leaves X After Dealing With Alleged Harassment
Syundei: “I only get complaints asking why I drew something like this”
―
Go For it, Nakamura-kun!! manga creator Syundei deleted their X (formerly Twitter) account after describing dealing with alleged online harassment. In a final post, Syundei asked, “Is it OK if I delete my account?” The manga creator continued: I only get complaints asking why I drew something like this, and since I don't have t...
Ring's Sadako to Haunt Nightmares as Bunny Girl
New figure slated for September
― Japanese entertainment company Furyu announced on Friday that Japanese horror icon Sadako will emerge as a bunny girl figure in September. Furyu posted images of the bunny girl Sadako and noted the figure will be released under its BiCute Bunnies series. The BiCute Bunnies figure series figures are available through Furyu Prize crane games throughout Japan. Update: S...
Wit Studio Animates Music Video for Vocaloid Producer Orangestar
Musician performs Agents of the Four Seasons: Dance of Spring's opening song with Kase
― Vocaloid music producer Orangestar released a music video that Wit Studio animated for the "Petals" song on Sunday. The song is also the opening theme for the ongoing television anime of Kana Akatsuki's Agents of the Four Seasons: Dance of Spring novel series. Yūtarō Kubo and Satomi Maiya, who are in charge of ...
Lego Announces 2nd Wave of One Piece Sets
The Straw Hats have doubled up on the Lego Lego Fruit
― The One Piece franchise announced on Friday that it will receive a second Lego wave, and pre-orders have already begun. Lego notes that these sets are for the second season of the live-action One Piece series. The set include Tony Tony Chopper, Dr. Hiriluk's Hideout, Dorry vs. Brogy – Giants of Little Garden, Battle at Drum Castle, Garp's Marin...
Manga Creators Commemorate Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Season 2
Featuring creators of Detective Conan, Ranma, Touch, Fly Me to the Moon & more! Also: Go glamping with Frieren
― Over the course of this past winter's broadcast of Frieren: Beyond Journey's End season 2, the anime's social media posted congratulatory drawings by manga creators and illustrators on a weekly basis. The season ended on March 27 with a final sketch by Rumiko Takahashi. Here are those draw...
Gundam Designer Aims to Put Haro Robot on International Space Station
The 1st space robot capable of chatting
― Space development company Space Entry announced on Tuesday that it plans to put the Mobile Suit Gundam mascot character Haro aboard Kibō, the Japanese Experiment Module of the International Space Station (ISS),. Under its “Hello, Haro” mission, the company aims to send the “Minna no Haro” (Everyone's Haro) to the ISS to collect long-term data on the “feasibi...
Sunrise Animates McDonald's New Gundam Ads
And introduces the new RX-78-2 Gundam Chicken Tatsuta Custom
― A new Gundam anime is out! Kind of. McDonald's Japan debuted a pair of commercials for its collaboration with the popular Mobile Suit Gundam franchise on Thursday. According to Comic Natalie and other Japanese sources, Gundam's original studio Sunrise produced brand-new animation footage to recreate scenes from the first Gundam anime with...
Cover Corp. Announces Restructuring of Holostars Japan Operations
Branch discontinues new merchandise, original music, event performances, company studio use, more
― Cover Corp. announced on Friday major changes to the operations of its male-focused VTuber branch Holostars in Japan. The company will cease group-wide activities across its multiple generations of talent and will instead focus on individual-focused activities. This will include the discontinuation of...
Sailor Moon Creator Cheers on Husband (& Hunter X Hunter Creator) With Crossover Art
Hunter x Hunter's Kurapika, Sailor Moon's Artemis & Sailor Mars featured
― Hunter x Hunter creator Yoshihiro Togashi announced on Wednesday that he completed inking the characters for chapter 430 of his manga series. While Togashi normally makes such announcements with character sketches on a dry-erase calendar whiteboard, this time Togashi surprised his fans (and Sailor Moon fans) with a crossover i...
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