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ep. review

Sword of the Demon Hunter ‒ Episode 17

This episode centers on a schematically poised duel, with a postscript that feels like a grave misjudgment.
ep. review

Sakamoto Days ‒ Episode 15

Apart may not be that weird of a name by anime standards, but it feels like his dad set him up for failure even before he became a serial killer.
ep. review

CITY The Animation ‒ Episode 5

I know it's reductive to call a creative work perfect, but even that adjective feels unsatisfactory in describing the joyous and masterful animation packed into this episode.
ep. review

My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 ‒ Episode 17

This episode rejuvenated a significant part of my soul.
ep. review

The Summer Hikaru Died ‒ Episode 5

This was a great episode to watch on the day after I cleared out my shower drain.
ep. review

Bad Girl ‒ Episode 5

While this episode didn’t inspire too many laughs, I still see the potential in the series even as it shifts away from its initial appeal.
ep. review

Witch Watch ‒ Episode 18

This episode is a strong example of how well this show can stretch some otherwise simple premises.
ep. review

Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus ‒ Episode 5

Ikumi is, quite literally, looking for trouble. She doesn’t simply help those she comes across, she seeks out those in pain or danger and helps them—regardless of the consequences.
ep. review

Ruri Rocks ‒ Episode 5

Nagi, reserved and knowledgeable as she is, knows that the only way to go about confirming any of this is to test, test, and test some more.
ep. review

Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun Season 2 ‒ Episode 17

Toilet-bound Hanako-kun is a great guide for getting yourself out of a time loop, but perhaps not for wooing the person of your dreams.
ep. review

Gachiakuta ‒ Episode 4

This is Gachiakuta's chance to demonstrate what our weekly adventures with the Cleaner Crew will be after all of the setup and infodumping is (mostly) out of the way.
ep. review

Secrets of the Silent Witch ‒ Episode 5

Monica's found acceptance for the first time in her life and now is finally in a position to grow beyond the box she's made for herself.
ep. review

Kaiju No. 8 Season 2 ‒ Episode 15

Kafka gets past his henshintile dysfunction and manages to transform into Kaiju No. 8 by the end of the episode.
ep. review

To Be Hero X ‒ Episode 18

With this episode, we just see Ghostblade's second episode from the perspective of Little Johnny—and gain little-to-no insight from it.
ep. review

Call of the Night Season 2 ‒ Episode 5

Kabura leaves many details shrouded and unsaid in her backstory, which feels appropriately melancholy. Time ravages memory.
ep. review

With You and the Rain ‒ Episode 5

Shedding season isn't a season. It's for life.
ep. review

Anne Shirley ‒ Episode 18

Oh, step off, Charlie Sloane, you miserable little twit.
ep. review

The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 4 ‒ Episode 4

It's a shame the series couldn't deliver on more action or engaging choreography during this anticipated conflict.
ep. review

DAN DA DAN Season 2 ‒ Episode 17

I never thought that such an otherwise respectable, artistic program would have the gall to spring something so brazen and lewd on its audience without warning.
ep. review

Reborn as a Vending Machine, I Now Wander the Dungeon Season 2 ‒ Episode 5

Unsurprisingly, for a woman in love with a literal vending machine, Lamis doesn’t have an ounce of prejudice in her whole body.
column

This Week in Games - One More Path Ahead

Jean-Karlo looks at the exciting new game announcements from this week's Nintendo Partner Showcase, breaks down Sony's lawsuit against Tencent, and payment processors are in the spotlight again as adult games get delisted. ― Welcome back, folks! I've spoken before about my regrets over not having played any of the Daemon X Machina games. The good news is, I was given a chance to do so—and I'm current...
game review

Shadow Labyrinth Game Review

Has PAC-MAN come a long way since Symphony of the Night? I’m not sure. ― As 2024 came to a close, Prime Video's Secret Level threw viewers for a loop with Circle—a strangely dark reimagining of video game forefather, PAC-MAN. Not long after, Bandai Namco Entertainment revealed that the animated short was a stealth teaser for an upcoming Search Action title, Shadow Labyrinth. Since the announcement, ...
interview

The Silent Hill f Staff on Moving the Horror to Japan

Amidst the screams of onlookers, I had the opportunity to discuss Silent Hill f's new setting in Ebisugaoka, and try our best to avoid major story spoilers. ― In Anime Expo's Entertainment Hall, there was a plethora of booths dedicated to gaming and merchandise, but one of the largest was Konami's Silent Hill presentation. Enveloped by black walls covered in red spider lilies, a huge line of fear-s...
your score

Your Anime Rankings - Best of Summer 2025, Jul 22-28

Since coming back from its half-year hiatus, One Piece has been hitting in the top 5 nearly every week! Find out where your favorites rank this week! ― Let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the season, based on the polls you can find in our Daily Streaming Reviews and on the Your Score page with the latest simulcasts. Keep in mind that these rankings are based on how...
ep. review

Dr. STONE SCIENCE FUTURE ‒ Episode 16

There’s no way she can fill out those curves with such a low BMI… unless she’s part balloon animal?
ep. review

Clevatess ‒ Episode 5

I like that Clevatess was able to begin its tale with an adventure that felt self-contained and satisfying in its own right while still sowing the seeds for a larger narrative.
game review

Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles 2 Game Review

This game drags its feet so hard you would think it had 2 ton weights strapped to them. ― Man, I was so excited when this game started up because it really just throws you right into the swing of things. There's no extended prologue or even much of a summary. One of the first screens you see once you boot up this game for the first time is you're thrown into a fight with a simple command list in the ...
column

Intern Annika - The ANN 25th Anniversary Special - A Pair of Familiar Elves

Surprise, it's a special comic celebrating Anime News Network's 25th anniversary. Enjoy a new comic each Thursday for the next five weeks! ― Surprise, it's a special comic celebrating Anime News Network's 25th anniversary. Artist Robin Sevakis returned to draw a short series of comics focusing on Anime News Network's mascots of the past and present and what would happen if they all met. Enjoy a new c...
column

This Week in Anime - When Anime Takes on Sex Education

Lucas and Steve compare and contrast SHIMONETA and Nukitashi to see which show does it better. ― Lucas and Steve compare and contrast Shimoneta and Nukitashi to see which show does it better. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the participants in this chatlog are not the views of Anime News Network.Spoiler Warning for discussion of the series ahead. Shimoneta and World End Harem are str...
interview

How No Sleep for Kaname Date Developers Gave the Game Its Name

Director Kazuya Yamada and localization producer Alex Flagg answered our questions about certain game mechanics and how they came up with the game's name. ― During Anime Expo 2025, we got to sit down with Spike Chunsoft and talk about No Sleep For Kaname Date from AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES. It's the latest entry in the visual novel series. Director Kazuya Yamada and localization producer Alex Flagg answe...
review

Maebashi Witches Anime Series Review

The real secret sauce of Maebashi Witches is that it fearlessly tackles thorny topics with an uncommon degree of sensitivity. ― Maebashi Witches is a “just trust me” anime. The premiere is much clumsier than I would like, and to be frank with you, I bounced off it when I first watched it. Among the chaotic mélange of a motormouth heroine, wisecracking mascot, local Maebashi landmarks, bizarre aesthet...
ep. review

New PANTY & STOCKING with GARTERBELT ‒ Episode 4

We have here probably the first part of New Panty & Stocking since its giant-sized premiere to really feel like it made this riotous return as worth it as humanly possible.
feature

Best New K-Comics to Read in July

This month we're checking out murim time-travel action comic The Frostbound Warrior, plus idol antics, dark romance, and Solo Leveling with a twist! ― July is always a packed month, and I'm just talking about the new season of anime without factoring in the various holidays that fill the month around the world. But busy or not, there's still plenty of new manhwa to read across a variety of platforms....
ep. review

There's No Freaking Way I'll Be Your Lover! Unless... ‒ Episode 4

Despite my complaints, this is probably the best episode of the show thus far.
feature

Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar Revitalizes a DS Classic

A remake of the 2008 Nintendo DS title of the same name, Grand Bazaar completely revitalizes the game for a brand new generation of fans and newcomers alike. ― Thanks to Marvelous, Anime News Network was given a chance to preview Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar on the Nintendo Switch 2. A remake of the 2008 Nintendo DS title of the same name, Grand Bazaar completely revitalizes the game for a brand ne...
game review

Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound Game Review

Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound brings the gory franchise back to its 2D roots in a fun way. Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound feels like a game straight out from the 1980s and 90s, especially with its story and higher difficulty threshold. The game's plot is rather one-note, with Kenji vowing to take revenge on the demons and Kumori attempting to double-cross the Demon Lord. Eventually, both Kenji and Kumori develo...
ep. review

Turkey!-Time to Strike- ‒ Episode 4

In contrast to how last week we saw the girls panicking over potentially causing butterfly effects, this week Mai has taken them to the Kagome Higurashi School of Haha Who Cares.
interview

A New Supernatural Human Drama: An Interview with This Monster Wants to Eat Me Director Yusuke Suzuki

We spoke with director Yusuke Suzuki about adapting Sai Naekawa's manga to the screen, casting the perfect voice actors for the main character trio, and how he set the stage for this supernatural human drama. ― Hinako Yaotose's life hasn't been easy. After surviving an accident that killed her family, she goes through her school days in her quiet seaside town under a cloud of survivor's guilt. It's t...
ep. review

Apocalypse Bringer Mynoghra ‒ Episode 4

Some visual flare could’ve been just what this episode needed to feel more substantial.
ep. review

My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 ‒ Episode 16

This episode was a pretty firm reality check for Gojo, and I like that his classmates playfully told him off for his borderline self-destructive tendencies.
ep. review

Sakamoto Days ‒ Episode 14

Nothing screams body positivity like watching Sakamoto pummel a guy off a building.
game review

Tamagotchi Plaza Game Review

It's a little ridiculous that a game meant for such a young audience wouldn't be a lot more clear and direct with its instructions. ― When I first got ahold of Tamagotchi Plaza for my Nintendo Switch 2, I was shocked to see the little doodads I used to carry around in those plastic egg toys as full-blown video game characters. My surprise made more sense when I realized that I wasn't just utterly out...
ep. review

CITY The Animation ‒ Episode 4

CITY the Animation is rapidly approaching a level of joyousness where, if you like life, you will love this show.
ep. review

Sword of the Demon Hunter ‒ Episode 16

This episode starts off feeling like a formulaic interlude, but it turns out to be something much better.
column

This Week in Anime - Tubi or Not Tubi

Are the best things in life really free? Chris and Coop head over to the Tubi streaming service to find out. ― Are the best things in life really free? Chris and Coop head over to the Tubi streaming service to find out. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the participants in this chatlog are not the views of Anime News Network.Spoiler Warning for discussion of the series ahead. @RiderStr...
ep. review

The Summer Hikaru Died ‒ Episode 4

Rituals are at the forefront of this week's episode, and it's a subject that gels well with the narrative's focus on small town secrets.
ep. review

Bad Girl ‒ Episode 4

While the middle stretch was a total miss for me, the beginning and end segments saved it and brought this episode back to above average.
ep. review

Secrets of the Silent Witch ‒ Episode 4

Among mages, if there is one to be feared, it is the Silent Witch.
ep. review

Witch Watch ‒ Episode 17

This episode isn't totally without its charms, but it's probably the weakest one we've gotten to date.
ep. review

Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus ‒ Episode 4

The various heroines have noticed the pattern in Sakuta’s life—that he’s basically “the great detective who somehow always runs into a murder case no matter where he goes.
ep. review

One Piece ‒ Episode 1137

The Toei team leaves it all on the field for 1137.
ep. review

Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun Season 2 ‒ Episode 16

This episode didn’t provide many answers, but its romantic and fantasy visuals were works of art.
ep. review

Ruri Rocks ‒ Episode 4

Ruri doesn't like sand. It's coarse, rough, irritating, and it gets everywhere.
ep. review

Gachiakuta ‒ SEASON PREMIERE

Gachiakuta may not be perfect, but it is hitting all of the right notes for a fun and quirky action anime without breaking a sweat.
ep. review

With You and the Rain ‒ Episode 4

With You and the Rain continues to prove that it understands the pet/person bond while it pokes gentle fun at what it would be like to have a literate animal in your life.
ep. review

To Be Hero X ‒ Episode 17

Sheng became X not because he cared about being the world's greatest hero but because being the top hero gave him access to the world's best medical staff and technology.
review

Who Made Me a Princess Volumes 7-9 K-Comics Review

The storybook-style epilogue confirms what readers have hoped for since the beginning: that here, living her own life, Athanasia truly becomes the Lovely Princess. ― The fact that Who Made Me a Princess is a double-isekai story has largely been left by the wayside for several volumes. It's easy to forget that this is Athanasia's third try at life: her second as the princess, following one in modern S...
ep. review

Anne Shirley ‒ Episode 17

Jo March may not be the only famous children’s book heroine to fling away perfectly good marriage proposals.
ep. review

Kaiju No. 8 Season 2 ‒ Episode 14

They’re showing what they are capable of and being tested to see if they have what it takes to keep up with the big boys.
ep. review

Call of the Night Season 2 ‒ Episode 4

Call of the Night flexes its craft with this short and sophisticated story about Kabura's self-discovery. It develops her from a minor character into a person I deeply resonate with.
interview

Gundam GQuuuuuux Band NOMELON NOLEMON Strives to Make Their Music Universal

With hits like “Midnight Reflection,” “afterimage,” and “HALO,” we spoke with NOMELON NOLEMON about crafting songs for one of anime's most iconic franchises. ― Japanese music duo, NOMELON NOLEMON, made an explosive U.S. debut on the Anime Expo stage during the Gundam GQuuuuuuX panel. While 2025 also marks their fourth anniversary, they're only just getting started on their launch into stardom. Their ...
ep. review

The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 4 ‒ Episode 3

Naofumi! Are you leaving your mission and your party's fate in the hands of children?
review

Kowloon Generic Romance Film Review

If you thought the anime of Kowloon Generic Romance was rushed, that's nothing compared to the movie. ― I came to Chihiro Ikeda's live-action movie adaptation of Kowloon Generic Romance having watched the anime but without having read Jun Mayuzuki's still-ongoing manga. I'm aware that the number one criticism of the anime from manga fans is that it rushes through the material, and I could figure as m...
review

Yaiba Omnibus 1 Manga Review

While the anime is great looking enough that I imagine it'll be most people's preference for experiencing this series, the manga has just enough of its own strengths to be worth checking out on its own. ― With the new Yaiba anime currently on air, and quickly proving to be one of the most impressive looking action shows of the year, the folks at Viz Media have also seen fit to release the original ma...
your score

Your Anime Rankings - Best of Summer 2025, Jul 1-21

As we start the season, popular sequels My Dress-Up Darling and DAN DA DAN dominate as one might expect, but The Summer Hikaru Died might be our little surprise hit of the summer! ― Let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the season, based on the polls you can find in our Daily Streaming Reviews and on the Your Score page with the latest simulcasts. Keep in mind that t...
ep. review

Turkey!-Time to Strike- ‒ SEASON PREMIERE

Maybe it’s because I grew up loving InuYasha, but personally, I think every anime should experiment with suddenly thrusting their protagonist(s) back to the Sengoku period.
review

I Was Reincarnated as the 7th Prince Season 1 Anime Review

7th Prince has some cool ideas that I desperately wish it pursued to any meaningful extent. But instead, we got a royal snooze fest. I Was Reincarnated as the 7th Prince so I Can Take My Time Perfecting My Magical Ability (henceforth 7th Prince) is an anime that, on paper, sounds cool and, dare I say, relatable enough. I mean, if we were all fortunate enough to be reincarnated into wealth and power...
column

This Week in Games - Pokémon Presents 2025

It's a nearly-all Pokemon edition of This Week in Games, bursting with announcements. But don't worry - there's some news for Atelier fans, too! ― Welcome back, folks! I was feeling punchy last week, and I noticed I had omitted my closer after last week's column was published. Imagine I spent all weekend in a corner of your room, occasionally repeating vocal stims under my breath. Being a vtuber fan:...
ep. review

Dr. STONE SCIENCE FUTURE ‒ Episode 15

I do love these real material science inclusions, even though they tend to lead me down hours-long Wikipedia death spirals afterwards.
interview

Returning to My Dress-Up Darling After 3 Years: Hina Suguta and Shoya Ishige

The lead voice actors for Marin Kitamura and Wakana Gojo share their favorite costumes, their favorite moments from the series, and more. ― My Dress-Up Darling is an anime that holds a special place in the hearts of many, including the actors who portray two of the main leads. Shoya Ishige and Hina Suguta, who played Wakana Gojo and Marin Kitagawa, respectively, attended Anime Expo 2025 to share with...
ep. review

DAN DA DAN Season 2 ‒ Episode 16

If DAN DA DAN ended its run right here, just sixteen episodes in, it would already be standing tall as one of the best Shonen Jump adaptations ever made.
column

This Week in Anime - Anti-Nostalgia

We've all got shows that we've outgrown. Coop and Lucas discuss some of theirs. ― We've all got shows that we've outgrown. Coop and Lucas discuss some of theirs. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the participants in this chatlog are not the views of Anime News Network.Spoiler Warning for discussion of the series ahead. Full Disclosure: Coop Bicknell regularly works on titles produced b...
review

Uma Musume: Cinderella Gray Season 1 Anime Review

The first season of the story of Oguri Cap stands apart from its previous Uma Musume brethren—and arguably stands above many of them. ― Every great hero deserves an origin story, and that even—especially!—includes the funny big-eating horse girl Oguri Cap from Uma Musume. This obviously isn't the only franchise where a comic-relief background character can undergo this kind of drastic promotion to pr...
ep. review

New PANTY & STOCKING with GARTERBELT ‒ Episode 3

The issue then is that this episode of New Panty & Stocking works better when it's falling back on older, simpler habits than when it's trying to innovate.
ep. review

Clevatess ‒ Episode 4

If a story can deliver a predictable narrative that still manages to keep you engaged and entertained from beginning to end, then it's a good story, no questions asked.
ep. review

Reborn as a Vending Machine, I Now Wander the Dungeon Season 2 ‒ Episode 4

Hevee simply loves the journey told by shoes—and experiencing that journey through touch, smell, and… drinking out of said shoe.
ep. review

Hell Teacher: Jigoku Sensei Nube ‒ Episode 5

This is the closest Hell Teacher: Jigoku Sensei Nube has come to a standard horror movie format so far.
ep. review

Apocalypse Bringer Mynoghra ‒ SEASON PREMIERE

We’re only three episodes into Mynoghra so far, but it’s already pretty clear where its strengths and weaknesses are.
review

Senpai no Kohai Manga Review

Hanakage Alt’s Senpai no Kohai is, in its slender volume, a beautifully sweet love story. ― Sayuri knows that it's hopeless to fall in love with a straight woman. That's an academic consideration, of course, when in her final year of college, she fell head over heels for Risa. The adorable first year consumed all of Sayuri's thoughts, no matter how hard she tried to avoid them, and when she graduated...
interview

BAND-MAID's MIKU Kobato Talks About the Future and How the Band Decides on Album Names

BAND-MAID is hot off a successful tour and following the recent release of their latest song "What is justice?," we spoke to MIKU about what's next. ― With BAND-MAID taking a break from the middle of a nearly sold-out tour in Japan, Anime News Network had the opportunity to speak with its frontwoman, MIKU Kobato, at Anime Expo 2025. Formed in 2013, BAND-MAID recently celebrated its 10th anniversary a...
ep. review

My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 ‒ SEASON PREMIERE

I am ready to inject this well-animated wholesomeness directly into my veins.
review

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle – Part 1: Akaza Returns Anime Film Review

The problem with this film is not the story being told but rather how that story is being told Akaza Returns is not a film without high points—especially to fans invested in every aspect of the story and world. Zenitsu and Shinobu both reach the climax of their arcs, and we finally learn the complete backstories of what drives them. We also get a rematch between Tanjiro and Akaza—now with Giyu work...
ep. review

The Summer Hikaru Died ‒ SEASON PREMIERE

Nestled among the warm and writhing innards of its titular doppelganger, the complexities of queer identity lie at the heart of the horror in The Summer Hikaru Died.
ep. review

CITY The Animation ‒ SEASON PREMIERE

CITY the Animation is so utterly charming and so completely itself that I now have a hard time remembering a world where it never existed.
ep. review

Sakamoto Days ‒ Episode 13

The biggest goal of this episode is moving one fight to the next.
column

This Week in Anime - The Least Cute Meet-Cute and Other Summer Love Stories

Chris and Steve wander through the summer season's tales of love looking for romantic treasures and finding...stuff. ― Chris and Steve wander through the summer season's tales of love looking for romantic treasures and finding...stuff. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the participants in this chatlog are not the views of Anime News Network.Spoiler Warning for discussion of the series ...
game review

Mado Monogatari: Fia and the Wondrous Academy Game Review

Surely, there are better dungeons to delve somewhere out there. ― Did you know that those cute little slime-things from the Puyo Puyo puzzle games originate from a series of dungeon crawlers from the early 90s? If you didn't, I don't think anyone could blame you, since the franchise has only ever had a single western release in its decades-long history. It was called Sorcery Saga: Curse of the Great ...
ep. review

Sword of the Demon Hunter ‒ Episode 15

After last week's bizarrely pointless episode, this week's is decent enough, assuming you're happy with talk-heavy period drama.
ep. review

Ruri Rocks ‒ SEASON PREMIERE

You have to be some kind of weird pervert to create strong art, and I'm inclined to welcome the animators getting their rocks off in service of something as overall lovingly crafted as Ruri Rocks.
review

Ultraman: Along Came a Spider-Man Volume 1 Review

In this, Spider-Man and Ultraman are kindred spirits, and I'm not quite sure what I expected their connection to be but I like this angle as a way to bridge these two very different characters. Ultraman: Along Came a Spider-Man is a solid start for an Ultraman and Spider-Man that hits most of the notes you would expect. The premise here is simple enough and totally in keeping with crossover tales o...
ep. review

Witch Watch ‒ Episode 16

While this episode does well at establishing how well Miharu fits in with our band of misfits, its most exciting development has nothing to do with him.
feature

The Summer Anime 2025 Preview Guide sponsored by Crunchyroll

The Preview Guide is still going, with Kaiju No. 8! ― Welcome to Anime News Network's Summer 2025 Anime Preview Guide sponsored by Crunchyroll! Here's how it goes: our team of critics writes up their impressions instantly, to be posted here as they go along. Each critic will cover as many shows as they can handle, giving you alternate takes on almost every show. This season, our Anime Preview Guide ...
ep. review

Kaiju No. 8 Season 2 ‒ SEASON PREMIERE

The opening gambit creates something of an emotional retelling of prior events but not a literal one, and I think it works exceptionally well.

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