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Gundam Wing Rings in 30th Anniversary With New Key Visual

Heero Yuy & Relena Peacecraft get all gussied up for the occasion ― The Mobile Suit Gundam Wing staff announced the launch of the anime's 30th anniversary project on April 1. A website debuted for news and announcements on the project, and it revealed the anniversary's new visual, featuring the characters Heero Yuy and Relena Peacecraft in formal attire. 『新機動戦記ガンダムW』30周年記念プロジェクト始動ドレスアップした #ヒイロ と #リリ...
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Crunchyroll Anime Awards Reveals 2025 Nominees

DAN DA DAN, Delicious in Dungeon, Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, Kaiju No. 8, Solo Leveling, The Apothecary Diaries nominated for best anime ― It's that time again to vote and make your voice heard for anime! Crunchyroll announced the nominees for its 2025 Anime Awards on Thursday. The awards ceremony will take place in Tokyo on May 25, and there will be a global livestream. Fans can vote everyday un...
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Seattle Mariners to Hold One Piece Night

The Straw Hat Pirates are joining the Mariners?! ― Last Tuesday, Toei Animation announced that the One Piece anime series is partnering with the Seattle Mariners baseball team for a One Piece Night. The event will take place on April 8 at T-Mobile Park and feature the Mariners facing the Houston Astros in the first game in a three-game series. Seattle Mariners' ticket holders will receive a Mariner-...
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The Apothecary Diaries Goes to Universal Studios Japan

The experience is set to open on July 1 ― Universal Studios Japan (USJ) announced on March 21 that the theme park is collaborating with the popular anime series The Apothecary Diaries. The attraction will open this summer, as teased with a new key visual: 🍃∴‥∵‥∴この夏、新たな物語の幕が上がる――    ∴‥∵‥∴🍃TVアニメ『 #薬屋のひとりごと 』× #USJ初コラボビジュアル公開✨本日放送のTVアニメ第二期も見逃すな!🔥詳細はこちらhttps://t.co/JvT3vdEBdu pic.twitter.com/aETpnHSlGx—...
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Spy x Family's 1st VR/XR Coaster Ride to Debut at Universal Studios Japan

The experience is set to open on July 1 ― The Universal Studios Japan (USJ) theme park announced on Thursday it is collaborating with the popular anime series SPY×FAMILY. USJ will add the franchise's first VR/XR roller-coaster featuring a secret mission with the Forger family, a street ride featuring the students of Eden Academy, and “park rally” featuring a voice guide from the Forger family. 次のミッシ...
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One Piece to Appear at March 30 Borussia Dortmund Football Club Game

The Year of One Piece and sports team collaborations continues. ― Voice actor Subaru Kimura announced during the One Piece franchise's AnimeJapan stage event this past weekend that the anime series will be collaborating with German football club Borussia Dortmund on March 30. (Kimura showed off his German language skills in the process.) The franchise revealed the key visual and played a message fro...
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CLAMP, Air Gear & Sidonia Creators, More Draw Art in Tribute to Ghost in the Shell's Masamune Shirow

See the world of Masamune Shirow in a new light ― The Ghost in the Shell franchise announced on Friday that artists including CLAMP, Oh! Great, and Tsutomu Nihei contributed tribute art for "The Exhibition of The World of Masamune Shirow" in Tokyo. The art pieces honor Ghost in the Shell, Appleseed, Black Magic M-66, Dominion, and other titles from Shirow's four-decade career: The exhibition will no...
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Gundam Meets Hatsune Miku on Zaku/Miku Day

The Gundam franchise gets Mikued up for their shared holiday on March 9 ― As it continues celebrating its 45th anniversary, the Gundam franchise expands its partnership with Vocaloid idol Hatsune Miku on March 9. The date is no coincidence, since March 9 is both Miku Day and Zaku Day, in honor of Gundam's enemy mecha Zaku. ("3/9" can be pronounced in Japanese as a wordplay on both "mi-ku" and "za-ku....
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Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Wins 11th Anime Trending Awards

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End wins 5 other awards; DAN DA DAN, The Dangers in My Heart 2nd season win 4 awards each ― The 11th annual Anime Trending Awards announced its winners on Saturday and Frieren: Beyond Journey's End won Anime of the Year, as well as five other awards including Action or Adventure Anime of the Year and Fantasy Anime of the Year. DAN dA DAN and the second season of The Dangers ...
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Demon Slayer Teases Collab with Major League Baseball's Tokyo Series

Will players be using the Baseball Breathing technique? ― The Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba manga/anime franchise and Major League Baseball teased a collaboration for MLB's Tokyo Series on March 3. The teaser indicates more info will come on March 6 at 7:00 a.m. (March 5 at 5:00 p.m. EST): #鬼滅の刃 #MLB #MLBTokyoSeries 2025.3.6 7:00 AM pic.twitter.com/UH7WTF8b1R— 鬼滅の刃公式 (@kimetsu_off) March 3, 2025 ⚾️...
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February 26 Declared City Hunter Day For 40th Anniversary

Tsukasa Hojo: “I never thought that people would be reading it 40 years later, so I was free to draw silly things as if I was throwing away my shame.” ― The official X (formerly Twitter) account for the City Hunter and Cat's Eye series revealed a City Hunter 40th Anniversary illustration on February 26. The post thanked fans for 40 years of support and announced the City Hunter 40th Anniversary websi...
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Dallas Hosts 1st International One Piece Day in March

Celebrate One Piece with singers Hiroshi Kitadani, Maki Otsuka, & more! ― The One Piece franchise announced on Wednesday the One Piece Day Dallas –Card Game Celebration–, the first overseas One Piece Day celebration. The event will take place at the Dallas Fair Park Centennial Hall and Automobile Building on March 8-9. ONE PIECE DAY DALLASLate Entry Pass registration opens in 6hrs!Try it out if you m...
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L.A. Lakers Presents New Animation of Luffy Playing Basketball for One Piece Game Night

New One Piece footage featuring Luffy playing basketball planned for game on February 28 ― The Los Angeles Lakers basketball team revealed that its "One Piece Night" event on February 28 will feature a first look at a new animation of One Piece protagonist Monkey D. Luffy playing basketball, a limited Lakers x One Piece T-shirt, and a One Piece Bounty Rush photo booth on the main concourse inside the...
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Ghibli Park Lets Kids Cook Rice, Heat Up Bath Water at Totoro House

Don't forget to laugh to expel the susuwatari spirits! ― Aichi Prefecture announced the "Satsuki to Mei no Ie de Asobo!" (Let's Play in Satsuki and Mei's House!) event on February 18. The event will allow 60 children to experience Japanese life in the 1950s by cooking rice and heating the bath at My Neighbor Totoro protagonists Satsuki and Mei's house within Ghibli Park. Along with the event, Goro Mi...
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Boston Red Sox Announces 2nd One Piece Day for May 3

Get exclusive Straw Hat Crew Red Sox jersey with special ticket ― The Boston Red Sox baseball team announced another collaboration with the massively popular anime series One Piece on February 19. The baseball team stated, “Back by popular demand: ONE PIECE Theme Day at Fenway Park on Saturday, May 3!” Back by popular demand: ONE PIECE Theme Day at Fenway Park on Saturday, May 3!Tickets: https://t.co...
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Take the Witch Certification Exam with Ojamajo Doremi Characters

Test your luck at Bandai Namco Cross Store Tokyo on February 21-March 23 ― The official X (formerly Twitter) account for Ojamajo Doremi events announced that guests can experience the world of Ojamajo Doremi (Magical DoReMi) at the Bandai Namco Cross Store Tokyo between February 21 to March 23. The event will feature several mini games, a collaboration café, merchandise … and the Ojamajo (Witch) Cert...
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San Francisco Fine Arts Museum to Open 1st Major Manga Exhibit in U.S. in September

Featuring Fujio Akatsuka, Hirohiko Araki, Tetsuya Chiba, Eiichiro Oda, Gengoroh Tagame, Rumiko Takahashi, Keiichi Tanaami, Jiro Taniguchi, Kazumi Yamashita, Mari Yamazaki, and Fumi Yoshinaga ― The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco's de Young Museum announced on January 27 that it will hold "the first major manga exhibition in the United States." The "Art of Manga" exhibit will display works by Fuji...
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One Piece Bodybuilding Contest Asks: Do You Have Luffy's Physique?

And will you show it off to your NAKAMAAAA? ― The official One Piece fitness gym announced on Tuesday that it is accepting entries into the "One Piece Body Make Contest." /#ONEPIECE ボディメイクコンテストエントリー開始💪💪💪\ 6月1日(日)に開催予定の「ONE PIECE ボディメイクコンテスト」のエントリーがついにはじまりました‼️ 詳細はコチラ⬇️https://t.co/fROlXNSQLu 皆様のエントリーお待ちしております🔥#ONEPIECE #BragMen #gym— ONE PIECE FITNESS BragMen【公式】 (@OP_BragMen) February 4, 2025 / ONE...
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Laughing Man Takes Over Ghost in the Shell's Social Media to Reveal 1st Franchise-Wide Exhibition

The Laughing Man Incident 2.0? ― The Ghost in the Shell franchise's Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) accounts began uploading a series of short videos featuring the Laughing Man and a mysterious 96-hour countdown on Saturday. Each video featured images from Ghost in the Shell, Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex, Ghost in the Shell: Arise, Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045, and the Ghost in the Shell...
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Universal Studios Hollywood Start Ticket Sales for One Piece & Jujutsu Kaisen Event

Universal Fan Fest Nights also feature Star Trek, Back to the Future, Dungeons & Dragons this spring ― The Universal Studios Hollywood theme park announced that tickets for its Universal Fan Fest Nights event have gone on sale on Wednesday. The event will run on select nights between April 25 and May 18. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Universal Fan Fest Nights (@unifanfestnights) Ticke...
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My Hero Academia Collaborates With Japan's Tallest Building

Popular anime series takes over Tokyo Skytree ― The official X (formerly Twitter) account for Tokyo Skytree announced a collaboration with the popular anime series My Hero Academia on December 12. The collaboration event is called “Float as the Skytree! Hero Training in the sky! My Hero Academia x Tokyo Skytree.” According to the Tokyo Skytree's website, the collaboration began on January 8 and will ...
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Yoshiki Evacuates Los Angeles as Wildfires Affect Events Citywide

ALA convention will continue while Oscar nominations are delayed, Under Ninja premiere with stars canceled ― Japanese musician Yoshiki reported on Wednesday that he had evacuated his Los Angeles location due to the wildfires that have been raging in the city. The musician further stated, “Another fire broke out in Hollywood, where my recording studio is located and all staff, including myself are be...
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Luffy Joins LA Lakers for 1 Night

Luffy teams up with Lebron “King” James to become the King of Basketball ― The Los Angeles Lakers basketball team announced on Friday that it would be hosting Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates from the massively popular anime and manga series One Piece on February 28. The organization states, “Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates are joining the Lakers for One Piece Night on Feb. 28!” Details about the eve...
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Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Breaks Guinness World Record for Largest Shadow Projection

All puns intended ― The Sonic the Hedgehog Movie X (formerly Twitter) account announced on Thursday that the staff has achieved the Guinness World Record for Largest Shadow Projection. The post notes the feat was made at the American Dream retail and entertainment complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Although no mention of which Sonic the Hedgehog 3 character's shadow was projected for the attemp...
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2025 Sapporo Snow Festival Announces 2 Massive Anime & Game Sculptures

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, Monster Hunter Wilds, Snow Miku, more get the snow sculpture treatment ― The Sapporo Snow Festival website announced on Friday that three properties will appear as large- and medium-sized snow sculptures next February. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime and Monster Hunter Wilds will have large snow sculptures at the STV Square and UHB Family Land respect...
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Monogatari Series Announces 1st DJ Concert Event

Featuring Clammbon's Mito as DJ, anime's composer Satoru Kosaki ― The Monogatari Series anime franchise announced its first ever DJ event on November 22. Studio Mixa in Tokyo's Higashi-Ikebukuro neighborhood will host "Monogatari Twilight" on December 1. The main DJ is Clammbon band member Mito (The Anthem of the Heart, songs in Hanamonogatari, Owarimonogatari , Tsukimonogatari), and guests include t...
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Power Rangers Auction Topped Off by Cosmic Blaster for US$87,500

Transforming Astro Megazord, original Green Ranger costume go for US$47,500, US$30,000 ― Dallas-based Heritage Auctions held an auction for Power Rangers related props that ended on Tuesday. The warehouse-clearing event boasted just under 700 items, from costumes and weapons to studio miniatures and even props from Saban's Masked Rider (Kamen Rider) and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles crossovers. Garner...
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My Hero Academia Character Best Jeanist Wins Real-Life 'Best Jeanist' Award

Voice actor Hikaru Midorikawa accepts award in person for his character ― Fans of Kōhei Horikoshi's My Hero Academia are likely familiar with the pro hero Best Jeanist, a character who wears denim jeans from his pants all the way up to his nose. What fans may not know is that "Best Jeanist" is an actual real-life award given by the Japan Jeans Council every year since 1984. Within the series' canon, ...
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Mexican Archdiocese Asks Brides & Grooms to 'Dress with Diginity' After Saint Seiya-Themed Wedding

Time to break out the formal Saiyan clothes for the next Dragon Ball Z wedding ― On October 5, a bride and groom held a Saint Seiya-themed wedding at the Templo Expiatorio del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús in León, Mexico. While anime-themed weddings aren't uncommon, the Archdiocese of León and the Archbishop Jaime Calderón Calderón were none too happy with the whole affair. Archbishop Jaime Calderón Cald...
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Precure Stage Event Asks Grown-Up Fans Not to Cosplay or Talk With Kids

Parents or guardians can still talk with their children ― One of the big Precure events each year is the stage show tour. Fans of all ages go to see that year's magical girl team in person, in cities all over Japan. But, with the shows open to both adult and children, certain precautions are set in place to ensure kids have a great time. And for the Wonderful Precure! Dream Stage this year, adult fan...
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Newtype Magazine Returns in English — as a Free Giveaway at New York Comic Con

Overlord panel to also offer 1 copy signed by director Naoyuki Ito ― Crunchyroll brings back the Newtype magazine in English for one special edition at this year's New York Comic Con. The special issue features a cover with brand-new art of OVERLORD: The Sacred Kingdom, while the back cover features custom art from The Apothecary Diaries. Inside the covers, the issue includes an exclusive interview w...
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Play Rock-Paper-Scissors With Life-Size Gundam Hands at Museum Exhibit

The life-size moving Gundam from Yokohama lives on ― When the life-sized moving Gundam statue rose above Yokohama's Yamashita Pier in December 2020, one of the attractions was playing rock-paper-scissors with the mobile suit. Unfortunately, March 31 was the final day for Gundam fans to play the game with the RX-78F00 Gundam, or so they thought. The Science Museum in Tokyo's Kitanomaru Park announced ...
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Goku Gets New Float for 98th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

They're Saiyan that Goku's gonna appear at this year's parade ― A staple of the holidays season in the United States, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade treats viewers with several high-profile acts and oversized balloons. In the past quarter century, anime and game characters such as Pikachu, Sonic, One Piece's Luffy and Dragon Ball's Goku have graced the parade route. Toei Animation announced on We...
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Blue Giant Author Shinichi Ishizuka Designs Poster for Montreux Jazz Festival Japan

Jazz manga creator draws art for festival headlined by Herbie Hancock, Yoko Kanno Seatbelts ― In 2013, Shinichi Ishizuka set his pen to making Blue Giant, his manga focusing on the world of jazz. The series garnered wide acclaim and received a film treatment in 2023. It's no surprise that when the Montreux Jazz Festival Japan was seeking someone to design its 2024 visuals, it turned to Ishizuka. The ...
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Sherlock Holmes Museum Promotes 1st Detective Conan Film to Open in UK Theaters

Visit the museum for one of the namesakes of Japan's most famous child detective ― If there's one detective which fans all around the world love, it's Conan Edogawa from the hit manga Detective Conan. The manga has over 100 volumes and has spawned an anime that has aired for nearly 30 years, over 20 feature films, and numerous games. But for the first time in the franchise, the latest film, Detective...
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One Piece, Jujutsu Kaisen Come to Universal Studios Hollywood's Fan Fest Nights

Separately ticketed, after-hours event begins on April 25 until May 18 ― Universal Fan Fest Nights is a new separately ticketed, after-hours event that will kick off at Universal Studios Hollywood next spring. The event nights were first announced to cater to fans of sci-fi, fantasy, gaming and anime. Universal Studios is holding true to its word for that last part as it has announced during L.A. Com...
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Everyone's Favorite Shark Kozame Takes a Trip to Tokyo Tower

Collaboration with Odekake Kozame ran through September ― One of the dark horse anime of 2023 was Odekake Kozame. The cute adventures of the child shark Kozame captured the hearts of many viewers with shorts uploaded to YouTube weekly, and that popularity led to collaboration events all around Japan. The official X (formerly Twitter) account for the Red° Tokyo Tower amusement center announced on Augu...
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Shoko Nakagawa Holds Free Concert Tour for New Single Release

Multi-talent to hit 14 events for Gundam: Silver Phantom single ― Multi-talent Shoko Nakagawa, oft referred to as Shoko-tan, is likely best known for her prolific music career with over 20 singles (many of which have been featured as anime or game theme songs), five albums, and countless collaborations with other artists over the years. Now joining her long repertoire is “Across the World” for the fe...
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Tokyo Government To Project Pac-Man, Godzilla, YOASOBI on Metropolitan Government Office

See the iconic video game character waka waka over the Government Office ― It's not uncommon for famous building to be lit up for special occasions. For instance, the Tokyo Skytree and Tokyo Tower are often illuminated for events such as the Olympics, LGBT+ events, and other special occasions. However, it's rare for a government building to be illuminated with a product or recognizable fictional char...
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Exploring The Tokiwaso Manga Museum x Capcom Exhibition

There are some fun exhibits for you to explore. ― On July 20 the Toshima City Tokiwaso Manga Museum began the "TezuCap Fighting Universe 2" exhibition. A collaboration between Capcom and Tezuka Productions, the exhibition features original works from Capcom and Tezuka Productions, a history of Capcom fighting games, some delightful crossover artwork, and a few fun little gems at the Tokiwaso Manga Mu...
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Mashle: Magic and Muscles Finally Gets a Collaboration with Beard Papa's in the U.S.

Munch like Mash on themed cream puffs in all 42 Beard Papa's stores in December Mashle: Magic and Muscles fans in the U.S., your time has come! Aniplex of America announced at Anime NYC on Saturday that the anime is getting a collaboration with the famed Beard Papa's cream puff chain this December. The collaboration will take place at all 42 stores in the U.S. with Mashle-themed flavors and mercha...
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Fushigi Yûgi Celebrates 35th Anniversary With Exhibition

Over 250 pieces on display ― While there were many great manga series from the 1990s, shōjo manga entered a sort of renaissance. Shōjo manga series found their way into the hearts and minds of readers of all ages and genders. Naoko Takeuchi's Sailor Moon is one of the first that comes to mind, but prior to Sailor Moon was Yuu Watase's Fushigi Yûgi. Fushigi Yûgi is still beloved by fans around the wor...
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Capcom x Tokiwaso Collide For Unique Exhibition

The progenitor for modern manga and modern fighting games come together. ― One of the most iconic locations in manga history is the Tokiwaso apartment. Built in 1952, the apartment was home to the godfather of modern manga, Osamu Tezuka, and some of his contemporaries. Almost like a dormitory, these trailblazers of modern manga pushed the boundaries of what manga could accomplish both narratively and...
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World Cosplay Championship Winners Break 12-Year Dry Spell

The Grand Prix winners went with a modern classic. ― Some of the more intriguing things to see at any anime convention is cosplay. It's a great way to gauge what series are currently popular and what series have maintained their popularity. Plus, it's always fun seeing anime fans' favorite characters come to life. Like any good hobby, though, cosplayers sometimes make a competition of their outfits. ...
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Ring's Sadako Gets a Bishoujo Figure From Kotobukiya

The cute Sadako will always be watching you ― In 1991, the Japanese novel world was graced with the horror story Ring by Koji Suzuki. After spawning films for the Japanese and later U.S. markets, the franchise has garnered fans across the world. One factor in its popularity is likely the enigmatic and tragic villain Sadako. The image of her crawling out of a television to end her victims has been sea...
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Animal Crossing: New Horizons x Seattle Aquarium Collaboration Set to Tour U.S.

Tour began on June 14 at Myrtle Beach, SC ― Nintendo of America recently announced it would be running the Play Nintendo Tour across the United States over summer 2024. But this isn't the only event the company has planned for the back-half of this year. Nintendo revealed on June 11 that it will also be taking its popular Animal Crossing: New Horizons Aquarium Tour collaboration with the Seattle Aqua...
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Blue Archive Has Most Booths at Comic Market 104

Mobile game narrowly beats out VTubers for top spot ― Comiket is the twice yearly doujin flea market where Japanese anime and manga fans sell parody works of their favorite IPs and cosplay as their favorite characters. It's not a wild party, just a time for fans to get together and nerd out. One question that often looms over each Comiket is what the most popular IP is? This changes from event to eve...
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Play Nintendo Tour Travels U.S. This Summer

It's the summer of Nintendo ― Nintendo doesn't normally have a large presence at video game conventions. However, that doesn't mean the company is averse to holding its own in-person events, one of which is the Play Nintendo Tour this summer. Nintendo will be visiting nine cities across the United States for fans and families to enjoy a plethora of Nintendo themed attractions. Nintendo of America ann...
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Game Streamer Kiyo (Aims) to Fill Tokyo Dome Stadium With Solo Show

The Dome isn't just for baseball games and concerts anymore ― The Tokyo Dome is arguably the most famous baseball stadium in Japan right after the Koshien Stadium in Osaka. Home to the Tokyo Giants baseball team, the Dome hosts numerous events throughout the year including concerts, professional wrestling, American football, among others. But in what appears to be a first for the stadium, Japanese vi...
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hololive Takes Over Dodger Stadium During Anime Expo Day 2 (& Ohtani's 30th Birthday)

Take me out to the ball game with VTubers ― Since about the 2010s, some streamers have built huge fanbases and careers without ever showing their faces. Now this success has led three such virtual YouTubers (VTubers) at hololive to perform at Dodgers Stadium for the July 5 baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers. The hololive agency's English X (formerly Twitter) account a...
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Japan Society, Anime NYC Announce 1st American Manga Awards

Event commemorating manga creators/publishers takes place in NYC on August 22 ― Japan Society and Anime NYC announced on Monday that they are launching the first American Manga Awards. The new ceremony will take place at Japan Society's Lila Acheson Wallace Auditorium in Midtown Manhattan on August 22, the night before this year's Anime NYC event begins. The American Manga Awards will commemorate man...
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CLAMP Designs New Cardcaptor Sakura Dress for Hello Kitty's 50th Birthday Bash

Everyone's favorite kitty gets some new dresses ― It's surreal knowing Sanrio's Kitty White — a.k.a. Hello Kitty — is celebrating her 50th anniversary. To mark the occasion, she is partnering with manga creators for some new looks, and the latest one comes from legendary creator quartet CLAMP. ClAMP revealed their design for Kitty on their X (formerly Twitter) account on May 23. In the post, the grou...
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One Piece Captures Las Vegas Sphere for 1 Week

The one piece was at Las Vegas all along ― Very few anime and manga series can say they've ran for over 25 years. In fact, only about a dozen anime have ever reached that milestone. And one of those series is Eiichiro Oda's masterpiece One Piece. While the manga celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2022, the anime is celebrating its 25th this year (not counting the "Defeat The Pirate Ganzak!" event spe...
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Bocchi the Rock's 'Bocchilla' Takes on Godzilla Above Tokyo Theater

The King of Monsters might finally meet its equal ― Having appeared in 30 live-action Japanese films, five Hollywood films, and three anime films, it's no wonder Godzilla has earned the moniker King of Monsters — and countless parodies. One recent parody is "Bocchila," the Shōnin Yokkyū Monster (Attention-Whore Monster) from the 2022 anime series Bocchi the Rock And now Bocchila is taking on Godzilla...
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Live-Size Kaiju No. 8 Statue (Temporarily) Erected at Tokyo's Tachikawa Station

Come for the statue, stay for the event ― Japan famously operates some of the world's most punctual train lines, which stop at some gorgeous train stations. What often goes under the radar are the events at those stations. Most of the time it's a stamp rally where you get a reward upon completion, or a market featuring cuisine and items from a local region of Japan. But on rare occasions we get a col...
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Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Series Gets Escape Room Set in Dream World

Teams have 1 hour to wake up Frieren ― SCRAP's Real Escape Game announced that it is creating an escape room for Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, the hit series that recently dethroned Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood as the top anime on ANN and MAL. The game is titled "Escape from the Millennium Dream." In the game, players enter a dream world and partner with Fern and Stark to wake up Frieren, which ...
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Crunchyroll, Crypton Future Media Criticized After New Hatsune Miku Concerts Forgo Transparent Displays

Change.org petition with 6,200+ signatures asks for refunds ― Crunchyroll and Crypton Future Media have been facing criticism from Hatsune Miku fans after the "HATSUNE MIKU EXPO 2024 North America tour powered by Crunchyroll" concert tour started in Vancouver, Canada on April 4. According to fans who have attended the concerts so far, the concerts seem to be using a LED screen instead of the trademar...
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Taste Naruto's Ichiraku Ramen in Real Life in Silverlake Ramen Campaign (Updated)

Savor a bowl before the team-up ends on July 7 ― Step inside the world of Naruto in the newest collaboration with the Los Angeles-based Silverlake Ramen restaurant franchise. From March 30 to July 7, many locations of the ramen joint across the United States have been decked out in interior and exterior décor straight out of the anime to bring the series' Ichiraku Ramen to real life. The collaboratio...
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Yoasobi, Hatsune Miku, Atarashii Gakkō! to Perform at Coachella

Hatsune Miku finally gets to perform at Coachella after the 2020 festival was canceled ― The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival announced its full lineup of performers on January 17, and three Japanese artists will perform this year in one of the world's most anticipated music festivals. Pop duo YOASOBI is slated to perform on April 12 and 19, renowned vocaloid icon Hatsune Miku will perform on...
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Ghost in the Shell Sites 'Hacked' (Sort of) to Mark Laughing Man Incident's Date

Stand Alone Complex's Laughing Man strikes Production I.G, Kodansha, other companies ― The Laughing Man from Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex (popularly known as S.A.C.) struck the Production I.G and Kodansha homepages just in time for the in-story date of the event, February 3. But don't worry — unlike the apparently real hacking of the franchise's X (formerly Twitter) account, the websites' ...
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Ghost in the Shell X/Twitter Account Apparently Hacked for Real Before Laughing Man Incident's Date

Reportedly hacked before real-life events marking the Laughing Man incident ― The ever-popular franchise Ghost in the Shell reaches a seminal date in its history on February 3. This is when the Laughing Man incident happens in the 2002 series Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex (popularly known as S.A.C.). The franchise's staff is marking the date with a free streaming and a Tokyo screening of Th...
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Re:Zero Characters Rem/Ram Get Snow Sculpture at Sapporo Snow Fest

Celebrate Re:zero -Starting Life in Another World- twins Rem/Ram's birthday with their statue at Sapporo Snow Festival 2024 ― With less than a week until the start of the Sapporo Snow Festival 2024, the final announcements for the smaller statues are coming out. The official Twitter account for the Re:zero -Starting Life in Another World- series revealed on January 24 that a statue of the twins Rem a...
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Sapporo Snow Festival 2024 Announces First Ever Gundam Sculpture

A franchise 1st appears at Sapporo Snow Festival ― On December 15, the Sapporo Snow Festival announced the lineup for the large snow statues at the Sapporo Snow Festival 2024. Since then, there has been a slow trickle of announcements for smaller statues. On January 15, the official Twitter account for the Gundam Seed anime announced the series would be participating in this year's winter festivities...
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Bilibili New Year's Dragon Ball Dance Show Surprises Fans with Special Guest Appearence

Chinese streaming platform Bilibili brought in 2024 with a New Year musical ― The New Year season is a time for TV to air special over-the-top programming. In Japan, there are 4-hour long broadcasts of SASUKE (known as Ninja Warrior abroad), comedy shows, the two-day long Hakone Ekiden, and the NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen, among many others. While streaming services are slowly catching up, the Chinese stre...
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Crunchyroll Anime Awards Reveals 2024 Nominees

Megan Thee Stallion, Iman Vellani, LiSA, more present at ceremony in Tokyo on March 2 ― Roll out the red carpets! Crunchyroll announced the nominees for its 2024 Anime Awards on Wednesday. The awards ceremony will take place in Tokyo on March 2, and there will be a global livestream. Fans can vote everyday starting today until January 27 at 2:59 p.m. EST on the Anime Awards website. Make your voice h...
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A Real-Life (But Fake) Delicious in Dungeon Cafe to Open in Tokyo

See (but don't eat) some dungeon delicacies at the Shibuya shop next week ― In the realm of slice-of-life anime, there is a small subset of foodie series. We're talking your Cooking Papa, Oishinbo, and Wakako-zake, among many more. But, in recent years, foodie anime have slowly entered other genres as well. Take, for instance, Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma. While the series certainly revolves around...
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Sapporo Snow Festival 2024 Reveals Four Massive Anime Sculptures

Japan's biggest winter festival reveals sculptures based on The Idolm@ster Cinderella Girls, Golden Kamuy, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Miku ― Every year in early February, people travel to Sapporo in Hokkaido for the annual Sapporo Snow Festival. Considered by many to be one of the three great winter festivals (along with the Quebec Winter Carnival and the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival), the Sa...
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The Tragic Tale of the Pokémon Van Gogh Saga

Drama unfolds around Pokémon card at Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam ― Vincent van Gogh is arguably one of the greatest Post-Impressionist painters. Having created many notable paintings such as The Starry Night or his Sunflowers series, his works still inspire artists around the world. Thanks to the dedicated work of curators and archivists, people can appreciate his life's work at the Van Gogh Museum ...
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Blue Archive, VTubers, Uma Musume Rule Next Comic Market

Event adds 4,781 more tables from Comiket 102 in August ― The Comic Market (Comiket) organizing committee revealed on November 10 the complete list of circles (collaborative creative groups) participating in the upcoming Comiket 103 event. Once again, VTubers have dominated the doujinshi circles with a whopping 1,592 participating circles, up 492 since Comiket 101. But it's the mobile game Blue Arch...
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Japan Red Cross Gives Medal to Comic Market for Long-Running Blood Drive

Comic Market receives prestigious award for service through Japan Red Cross blood drives ― Since 1997, Comic Market (Comiket) has teamed up with the Japanese Red Cross Society to do blood drives at the biannual event. The commitment by the Comiket planning committee to these drives is wonderful to say the least as many event goers donate their blood for a good cause. The partnership between the organ...
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Pokémon and Nippon Ski Resort Development Collab for Kids Program

Get your ski on with some Pokémon with the Nippon Ski Resort Development Kids Program. ― The winter sports season is upon us and for many that means hitting the slopes for some skiing or snowboarding. But getting those lift passes can be a bit expensive. Thankfully, Nippon Ski Resort Development (NSD) has just the program for children: the NSD Kids Program. And this year kids will want to sign up fo...
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Universal Studios Japan's New My Hero Academia 4D Attraction Features Original Story

Quirks go beyond in attraction from March 1-August 14 ― Universal Studios Japan (USJ) revealed on Thursday that the previously announced collaboration attraction for Kōhei Horikoshi's My Hero Academia series will be a 4D experience titled "My Hero Academia the Real 4D." The 4D attraction will be presented like a theatrical show featuring 3D visuals and special effects such as seat rumbles and splashe...
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Universal Studios Japan's Cool Japan Gets 1st Collab with My Hero Academia

Go Plus Ultra in the upcoming My Hero Academia and Universal Studio Japan collaboration event ― Go Plus Ultra in the upcoming My Hero Academia and Universal Studio Japan collaboration event. With the recent announcement of the return of the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba XR ride to Universal Studio Japan (USJ), the theme park had one more surprise announcement. An event with the popular anime and man...
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Is Gundam 0080 a Christmas Anime? Sunrise Says Yes with Xmas Screening

The Greatest Christmas Gundam debate that never was, also now settled with 1/144 Santa figure ― The greatest Chirstmas Gundam debate that never was ... is now settled by Sunrise and the Emotion label. In a live-stream on November 17 on the EMOTION Label Channel Youtube channel, Haruka Mori, Mukai Tenshin, Mafia Kajida, and Ryusuke Hikawa announced that for Emotion's 40th anniversary the six-part OVA...
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Los Angeles Rams Host a One Piece Game Day

Rams won 36-19 against Cleveland Browns while videos of One Piece played on big screen ― The Los Angeles Rams foobtall team hosted "The Los Angeles Rams and One Piece Game Collaboration Day" at the SoFi Stadium on December 3. The Rams won 36-19 against the Cleveland Browns while videos of the One Piece anime played on the big screen and the stadium's 360° double-sided Infinity Screen. Several fans go...
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NHK Posts Human Rights Guidelines for Kōhaku Song Contest

Another "first" for this year's program ― The streak of odd firsts for NHK's 74th Kōhaku Uta Gassen ("Red and White Song Contest") — Japan's most-watched music television program — continues, as the program posted "guidelines for respecting human rights for performers" on its website for the first time. On November 13, NHK revealed the lineup of artists for this year's program, and the list did not i...
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7-Meter Spear of Longinus Embedded in Evangelion Creator's Hometown

Also, Angel muffin sandwich, Angel noodles, Eva Unit-01 chilled spaghetti salad ― Neon Genesis Evangelion's Third Impact may not be that far off now that a real-life Lance of Longinus has been erected for the Ube City Evangelion Collaboration event. これまで色々な #ロンギヌスの槍 が #エヴァ とのコラボ企画の中で生まれたそうですが、触れる!くぐれる!のは宇部の槍だけ!!是非お越しくださいませ!#まちエヴァ pic.twitter.com/zVEDWZCp9o— 【公式】宇部まちエヴァ (@UBEmachieva) October 7, 2023 ...
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Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba XR Ride Returns to Universal Studio Japan

Relive the excitement of the Mugen Train Arc ― Relive the excitement of the Mugen Train Arc at Universal Studios Japan! In October 2022, the anime film Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train opened to great acclaim. In October 2021 the movie was combined with the Entertainment District Arc for Season 2 of the anime series. Now in February 2024, Universal Studio Japan is gearing up fo...
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Luffy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Debut Meets Disaster

Luffy made his Macy's Thanksgiving Parade debut on Thursday, but the Shonen Jump hero's big moment was felled by a innocuous tree branch. Watch below. One Piece Fans! Luffy's straw hat wasn't able to bounce back after a tree tore a hole in it at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 😱 pic.twitter.com/Ooy0QSRtZI— ANN Events (@ann_events) November 23, 2023 Video (and commentary) by Mr.AJCosplay The gia...
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Luffy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Debut Meets Disaster

Luffy made his Macy's Thanksgiving Parade debut on Thursday, but the straw hat hero's big moment was felled by an unfortunate puncture event. Watch the video of it happening. ― Luffy made his Macy's Thanksgiving Parade debut on Thursday, but the Shonen Jump hero's big moment was felled by a innocuous tree branch. Watch below. One Piece Fans! Luffy's straw hat wasn't able to bounce back after a tree t...
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Free Comic Book Day 2024 Lineup Includes Pokémon Adventures, One Piece, Initial D, Gannibal

Also available: Splatoon 3: Splatlands, Kaina of the Great Snow Sea, Gatchaman ― Diamond Comic Distributors announced last Wednesday the full lineup of titles for Free Comic Book Day 2024. The Gold Sponsor titles include Viz Media's preview of Hidenori Kusaka and Satoshi Yamamoto's Pokémon Adventures: Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire and Sankichi Hinodeya's Splatoon 3: Splatlands manga. Kodansha's Silver...
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From the U.S. to Japan, You Can Control the Life-Size Moving Gundam from the Comfort of Your Own Home

Gundam Fan e-Festival 2023 gives fans a chance to "hack the moving Gundam" ― Can't come to Japan to see the moving life-size RX-78F00 Gundam statue? How about you just stay at home and try to "control" the Gundam statue? The Gundam Fan e-Festival 2023, or GFeF2023, will happen on November 23 until December 10. With the theme "Made for the fans," the event is packed with a variety of content for all t...
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Embark on an Actual Spy x Family Cruise

The Spy x Family characters take over a cruise ship — and you can join them ― The Spy x Family characters take over a cruise ship — and you can experience the thrill of riding with them! The fifth and sixth episode of Spy x Family season 2 found the characters entangled in a plot involving a cruise ship. And like clockwork, fans of the series can enjoy a Spy x Family themed Tokyo Bay cruise. The crui...
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The Marines & FBI Will Be Exhibiting at Anime NYC

And the U.S. Army, too ― “From the hall of artist alley to the shores of Hall 3E. We will watch all the series at Anime NYC.” should be what the U.S. Marine Corps sings during Anime NYC 2023. The annual Anime NYC convention is just around to corner, and all the official exhibitors are set. Lots of anime-related companies and familiar faces like Aniplex of America, Bandai Namco Amusement, Bushiroad U...
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Kōhaku Song Contest Reveals 2023 Lineup With No Former Johnny's Artists for the 1st Time in 44 Years

Ado, singing voice of Uta from One Piece Film Red, debuts on the program as herself ― NHK revealed the lineup for the 74th Kōhaku Uta Gassen ("Red and White Song Contest"), Japan's most-watched music television program, on Monday. This year's show goes for a different first, as no former Johnny's (now Smile Up) artists will perform on the show. A first in 44 years since 1979. NHK previously stated in...
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The Shibuya Ward Mayor All But Banned Halloween This Year, But Did It Work?

Due to events in other areas and the holiday being on a weekday, less people showed up in costume in Shibuya ― The Shibuya Ward mayor tried to keep the Halloween 2023 party out of his ward. But was he successful? All signs point to “maybe?” Halloween time in the greater Tokyo Metropolitan area can get hectic. From the Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Fes, the Yoaki "Ki" Halloween in Asakusa, to the all to...
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Bandai Namco Reveals Concept Art, Visual for 2025 World Expo's 'Gundam Next Future Pavilion'

Bandai Namco's pavilion designed with image of "future space airport" in mind ― Last year Bandai Namco Holdings announced that it will have a Gundam-themed area at the 2025 World Expo in Osaka. On Friday, the company revealed the name of the area and a visual, as well as concept art of what it will look like from the outside. The name of the area will be "Gundam Next Future Pavilion." The tagline on ...
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50-foot Monkey D. Luffy Will Float Through Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Fans can get a sneak peek of the balloon at New York Comic Con. ― Hot off the heels of the live-action Netflix series, One Piece star Monkey D. Luffy will appear in this year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade—as a 50-foot tall balloon. The captain of the Straw Hat pirates will soar down the streets of New York City for the 97th iteration of the parade on November 23. This marks Luffy's first appearanc...
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Government-Organized Studio Ghibli-themed Matchmaking Event Bombarded With Applications

In August, the local government of Japan's Aichi Prefecture announced that it would be holding a Ghibli-themed matchmaking event for singles living, studying, or working within the prefecture. It proved to be unexpectedly popular. ― In August, the local government of Japan's Aichi Prefecture announced that it would be holding a Ghibli-themed matchmaking event for singles living, studying, or working ...
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Anime-Centric Exhibition Space Opens in Ikebukuro this October

As part of the Japanese government's “Future Tokyo” strategy initiative, the new “Anime Tokyo Station” exhibition space will be opening in Tokyo's Ikebukuro area on October 31, 2023. ― As part of the Japanese government's “Future Tokyo” strategy initiative, the new “Anime Tokyo Station” exhibition space will open in Tokyo's Ikebukuro area on October 31. The exhibition space will be spread across thre...
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Fist of the North Star Takes Over Hokkaido's Hokuto City

Collab includes original merch, manga exhibition, digital stamp rally ― Hokkaido's Hokuto city will collaborate with Fist of the North Star (Hokuto no Ken) to celebrate the manga's 40th anniversary. The city will hold multiple events from August 26 to October 31. Visitors can head to the Hokuto City Tourism Exchange Center to view images from Tetsuo Hara and Buronson's manga. The center already feat...
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134 Performers Head to PreCure 20th Anniversary Event

A total of 18 theme song performers, 39 cast members, and 77 Pretty Cures will be in attendance. ― Next year's "All Pretty Cure 20th Anniversary LIVE!" event will boast 134 singers, Pretty Cure voice actors, and character performers over two days. PreCure will take over the Yokohama Arena in Kanagawa for the two-day live event on January 20-21, 2024. A total of 18 theme song performers, 39 cast membe...
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Girls und Panzer Festival Returns After Four-Year Hiatus

The last festival was held in 2019, and drew a record 140,000 attendees. ― The popular Ōarai Angler Fish Festival will return to Ibaraki Prefecture's coastal town of Ōarai on November 19 after a four-year hiatus. The last festival was held in 2019, and drew a record 140,000 attendees. Organizers announced the festival would return during the "Girls & Panzer Virtual Live, Hajimemasu!~ Ōarai de Zen'in...

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