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The List - 7 Best Anime Duos of 2017
From adorable couples to ride-or-die BFFs, these pairs make quite a team. Do you ship any of these duos?
― You've got about 48 hours to cram in all the 2017 anime left in your queue before the new year's clock strikes to usher in a new wave of 30-odd shows. The winter season looks pretty promising with a bunch of popular sequels premiering and equally exciting original projects. I'm personally ready...
Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? Novel 10
The series delivers some of its biggest dramatic twists and high-stakes battles in this start to a two-part story arc. Theron Martin has the details.
― The DanMachi franchise has had no shortage of dramatic scenes and epic battles throughout its run, but this volume may contain its most potent effort to date. As the back end of the series' first true two-part story arc, it delivers a crisis beyond an...
The Water Dragon's Bride GNs 3-4
Asahi's world begins to open up in these two volumes of Rei Toma's slow-paced fantasy series.
― For the first two books of Rei Toma's fantasy series about a modern girl whisked away to another world where she becomes the sacrifice, and later priestess of, the Water God, there was a suspicion that ultimately the story would boil down to a question of whether Asahi would end up being romanced by the ep...
The Best and Worst of the Season So Far: Week of Dec 17-23
Konohana Kitan leaps EIGHT PLACES on the charts just before the climax of the fall 2017 season! Find out how your favorite shows fared in our weekly user rankings.
― Our team of reviewers are following 31 anime series of the Fall 2017 season and readers are rating each episode as the reviews go up. So let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the season. Keep in mind tha...
A Sister's All You Need—Episodes 1-12 Streaming
This slice-of-life comedy about the daily trials of light novel authors can be hit-or-miss beyond its infamously off-putting opening scene. Theron Martin has the details.
― I've long pointed to Elfen Lied as having the most explicit and polarizing opening scene of any anime series I've seen, but it may have found a worthy challenger in this light novel adaptation from the fall 2017 season. A Sister's...
Sunday, December 31
Live-Action Solitary Gourmet New Year's Eve Special Airs Finale Scene Live
The live-action adaptation of Masayuki Kusumi and author Jiro Taniguchi's Kodoku no Gourmet (The Solitary Gourmet) manga is getting a new special this evening, and viewers in Japan will have a special treat: the final scene in the special will be broadcast live. The special airs tonight from 10:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Eiko Segawa will guest star in the show's final scene. In the new special, Kodoku ...
Comic Market 93 Attracts 550,000 Attendees Across 3 Days
The Comic Market 93 (Comiket 93) event in Tokyo drew approximately 210,000 attendees on its third day on Sunday, for a total across all three days of 550,000 attendees. Comiket does not have unique passes for visitors, so a person who attends all three days would be counted three times. Total attendance was up from this summer's Comiket 92 event, which drew 500,000 attendees, and was the same as l...
Saturday, December 30
All of Tatsunoko Pro's Greatest Hits on 2 Double CD Sets
Tatsunoko Productions marked its 55th anniversary with the graphically impressive Infini-T Force anime series, bringing together the main members of its 1970s superhero roster. Fans of the studio's classics can check out the new show and get excited for two new double CD releases gathering some of the studio's very best theme songs since 1962. The Tatsunoko Pro 55th Anniversary Best Song Collectio...
Fate/Grand Order's Assassin Guards Your Money as Coin Bank
Fate/Grand Order's Assassin, also known as "the Old Man of the Mountain," is taking up a new occupation as protector of fans' pocket change. Good Smile Company's online shop unveiled an Assassin figure that functions as a coin bank on Tuesday. Riyo, who was in charge of the FGOGO April Fools app, provided the illustration that inspired the item. Max Factory is producing the soft plastic figure th...
BBC Declares Hatsune Miku Music is the (Not So Distant) Future
A new listicle from the BBC is taking a stab and the future of music, and not the distant future but as soon as 2018. The piece "Five visions for the future of music" by writer Paul Glenn looks at current music trends and supposes which will become mainstays in the coming year. At the top of the list is virtual idol Hatsune Miku. The singer is practically old news in otaku fandom circles, having b...
VR Sense Arcade Machines Launch With Tokimeki Restaurant☆☆☆, Dynasty Warriors, More Games
Koei Tecmo's VR Sense virtual reality game machines launched in Japan on December 21, and reportedly surpassed 5,000 plays in their first five days. The machines come in "Sparkling Silver" and "Sparkling Blue" varieties, and three games are currently available for both types. The arcade machines' official website began streaming promotional videos to introduce the six games last week. VR Sense mac...
18-Year-Old Idol Asuka Kiraboshi Announces Pregnancy with Manager's Child
Idol and manager began relationship two years ago
― An 18-year-old high school idol broke the news on Twitter last week that she is pregnant with her 22-year-old manager's baby and the two have been in a relationship for the last two years. The idol, known as Asuka Kiraboshi, was met with fan backlash after she announced the news, with some dubbing the development as "the worst betrayal." Kiraboshi m...
Hozuki's Coolheadedness TV Anime Season 2 Returns in April
"Part II's" broadcast announced in episode 13 on Sunday
― The 13th episode of the second anime season based on Natsumi Eguchi's Hozuki's Coolheadedness (Hozuki no Reitetsu) manga announced on Sunday that the season will resume next April. The second season's second cour (quarter-year), listed as "Hozuki's Coolheadedness Season 2 Part II," will begin airing that month. Eguchi drew an illustration to c...
The List - 7 Best Anime Duos of 2017
From adorable couples to ride-or-die BFFs, these pairs make quite a team. Do you ship any of these duos?
― You've got about 48 hours to cram in all the 2017 anime left in your queue before the new year's clock strikes to usher in a new wave of 30-odd shows. The winter season looks pretty promising with a bunch of popular sequels premiering and equally exciting original projects. I'm personally ready...
Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? Novel 10
The series delivers some of its biggest dramatic twists and high-stakes battles in this start to a two-part story arc. Theron Martin has the details.
― The DanMachi franchise has had no shortage of dramatic scenes and epic battles throughout its run, but this volume may contain its most potent effort to date. As the back end of the series' first true two-part story arc, it delivers a crisis beyond an...
Love Live! Sunshine!! Anime Gets Film Project
Final episode of show's 2nd season aired on Saturday
― The official Twitter account for the Love Live! franchise announced on Saturday that a film project for the Love Live! Sunshine!! anime series has been green-lit. The second season of Love Live! Sunshine!! premiered on October 7, and the 13th and final episode aired on Saturday. Crunchyroll is streaming the series as it airs in Japan, and Funimat...
Doraemon Anime Gets 1-Hour Special on New Year's Eve
Doraemon, Crayon Shin-chan collaboration special to also air on January 7
― The Doraemon television anime series will air a one-hour special on New Year's Eve. The special will feature the a story centered on Chinese astrology titled "Jūnishi Henshin Saikoro" (12 Signs of the Chinese Zodiac Transformation Dice), as well as the "first dream of the year"-themed "Yume no Channel" (Dream Channel) story. ...
Comic Market 93 Attracts 160,000 on 2nd Day
The Comic Market (Comiket) 93 event in Tokyo drew about 160,000 attendees on its second day on Saturday, December 30. Attendance was down compared to Comiket 91's second-day count last December of 170,000. The second day of Comiket 89 in December 2015, and the second day of Comiket 87 in December 2015 both also drew 170,000 attendees. This summer's Comiket 92 second-day count was at roughly 150,00...
5th Touken Ranbu Stage Play Revealed for June-July 2018
Hiroki Suzuki to play Mikazuki Munechika
― The final showing of the fourth Touken Ranbu stage play revealed on Friday that a fifth stage play will run in June to July 2018. The new stage play will run in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Fukuoka before going back to Tokyo again. Hiroki Suzuki will play Mikazuki Munechika. Kenichi Suemitsu is again directing the play and writing the script. The fourth play, Tōken Ran...
Dame×Prince Anime's Opening Video Streamed Featuring Breakerz Theme Song
English summary for show's 1st episode also posted
― The official website for Dame×Prince Anime Caravan, the television anime adaptation of NHN PlayArt Corp.'s Dame×Prince (aka "DamePri") smartphone app, began streaming the show's opening sequence on Friday, featuring Breakerz' opening theme song "D×D×D." The site is also streaming a preview video featuring the first ending theme song "Light & Shade"...
Cherry Boys Live-Action Film's Trailer Previews Theme Song
Film opens in Japan on February 17
― The staff of the live-action film adaptation of Tomohiro Koizumi's Cherry Boys manga began streaming a new trailer on Monday. The video previews the theme song "GO! GO! Cherry Boy!" by The MANNISH BOYS group (Kazuyoshi Saitō and Tatsuya Nakamura). Ken'ichirō Nishiumi is directing the film and Daigo Matsui is writing the script. The film opens in Japan on February ...
Friday, December 29
A Place Further Than the Universe Anime Episode 1 Previewed in Video
Cast introduces high school girls who go to the South Pole
― Publisher Kadokawa began streaming a web-exclusive preview video for "Seishun Shakumanen," the first episode of A Place Further Than the Universe (Sora Yorimo Tōi Basho) television anime, on Saturday. In the video, the voice cast members (starting with Inori Minase as the main lead Mari Tamaki) introduce their characters. The video also pre...
Konosuba - God's Blessing on This Wonderful World! Gets 3 New Spinoff Manga
Spinoffs about Megumin, Vanir, Dust launch in January
― The February issue of Kadokawa's Monthly Comic Alive announced on Wednesday that it will launch "pre-serializations" for two manga based on Natsume Akatsuki's KONOSUBA (Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku o! or KonoSuba – God's blessing on this wonderful world!!) light novel series in its next issue on January 27. Similarly, the February issue of...
Hugtto! Precure Manga Launches on February 2
New anime launches on February 4
― The February 2018 issue of Kodansha's Nakayoshi magazine revealed on Friday that Futago Kamikita is launching a Hugtto! Precure manga in the next issue on February 2. Izumi Todo is credited with the original work. Kamikita ended the manga tie-in for the currently-airing Precure series, Kirakira ☆ Precure a la Mode, in the same issue on Friday. Toei Animation's Hugtt...
Naruto, Yowamushi Pedal Voice Actor Showtaro Morikubo Welcomes Baby
Voice actor Showtaro Morikubo announced his status as "Papa Kubo" on the "The BAY LINE" radio program on Friday. The Yowamushi Pedal and Naruto actor followed up the announcement on Twitter, and although he didn't specify what month his child was born, he reaffirmed that he's a dad now. The 43-year-old voice actor married a "regular woman" in 2014 but otherwise kept the details about his wife priv...
Season Finale: Girls' Last Tour ‒ Episode 12
After a long delay, Amazon finally released the final episode of Girls' Last Tour. Was this finale to an apocalyptic story worth the wait?
Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card Promo Video Showcases New Character Akiho
Crunchyroll to stream series starting in January; Funimation to stream dub
― The official website for the television anime of CLAMP's Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card manga began streaming a new promotional video focusing on new character Akiho Shinomoto on Friday. In the video, Akiho introduces herself and Sakura says she and Akiho are somehow similar. To this, Akiho responds that she hopes she and Sak...
Eight Clouds Rising Manga Gets Sequel
Natsumi Itsuki's sequel manga launches in February
― The February issue of Hakuensha's Melody magazine revealed on Thursday that Natsumi Itsuki is launching Yakumo Tatsu Arata, a serialized sequel to her Yakumo Tatsu (Eight Clouds Rising) manga, in the next issue on February 28, 2018. The story takes place years after the original manga and follows Akimi, an elementary school student who has inherite...
Attack on Titan Voice Actress Yu Kobayashi Ties the Knot
Sasha Blouse got hitched! Well, her voice actress did. 35-year-old Yu Kobayashi announced on Twitter that she married an "ordinary man" and will continue to devote herself to voice acting. Kobayashi has a reoccurring role as Ayame "Sacchan" Sarutobi in the hit comedy anime Gintama. She's also the voice of Chain Sumeragi in Blood Blockade Battlefront, Konatsu in Descending Stories: Showa Genroku Ra...
Compile Heart Streams Opening, Promotional Video for Death end re;Quest Game
Game launches in Japan on March 1
― Compile Heart began streaming the opening movie for its Death end re;Quest role-playing game for the PlayStation 4 on Tuesday. The company also began streaming a promotional video on Monday showing the game's battle system, characters, and systems, including "install genre" and "bug actions." The game will launch in Japan on March 1. Those who pre-order the game wi...
Overlord II Anime's 1st Episode Previewed in Video
4-panel spinoff manga debuts on anime's website
― The official website for the television anime of Kugane Maruyama's Overlord novel series began streaming two preview videos for the first episode of Overlord II, the anime's second season, on Tuesday. There is a "normal version" and a "special version," the latter of which will only be available for a limited time. Normal Version Special Version The w...
Overnight Crowds, Early Morning Stampedes Ring in Comiket 93
Comic Market, also known as Comiket or Comike, is the world's biggest dōjinshi event held twice per year in Tokyo. As one might expect, an event of this magnitude draws huge crowds, and eager fans line up early. Because the early bird gets the dōjinshi, many fans lined up on Thursday to brave the cold overnight and be the first in line on Friday for Comiket 93. One Twitter user reported that they ...
Tōken Ranbu Gets New Stage Play, Gekiga Anthology
Shinzo Tomi draws 1st installment in anthology manga series
― The official website for the Tōken Ranbu stage plays announced with a video and visual on Friday that a new stage play will run in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Fukuoka from June to July 2017. Hiroki Suzuki will return as Mikazuki Munechika. The first stage play, Touken Ranbu Kyoden - Moeyuru Honnōji, ran in May 2016. The second stage play, Touken Ran...
Nintendo Switch Update Recons Hidden Iwata Tribute
Firmware update 4.0.0 removes previously hidden NES Golf game
― Nintendo has quietly removed the hidden Satoru Iwata game tribute from Switch consoles. The emulator "flog" found within the system was dissected by fans endlessly until it was revealed as a copy of the NES game Golf that would only run on July 11, the day of President Iwata's passing. Furthermore, it would only run when the motion contr...
Kaiju Girls Anime's 2nd Season Promo Reveals January 9 Premiere
Series to air on television, stream online in Japan
― Tsuburaya Productions began streaming a promotional video for the second season of its Kaijū Girls ~Ultra Kaijū Gijinka Keikaku~ anime shorts Tuesday. The second season will premiere on television in Japan and stream on the dAnime Store (docomo Anime Store) service. The second season will feature new character Guts Seijin (Alien Guts), who appeare...
Answerman - How Are Official Names For Anime And Manga Developed?
"Official" names for anime and manga in other languages can be confusing - how does "Delicious in Dungeon" in English become "Dungeon Food" in Italy?
― Morgan asked: Why is it that some manga series are sold under an English name in non-English speaking countries? My Hero Academia, for example, is called that in both the English and French releases. Other times, a manga gets an English title that is...
Series Finale: Just Because! ‒ Episode 12
"Though Just Because! has lingered often on the ambiguity of leaving high school, for this moment at least, everything felt like it had a purpose and a place."
Fukuoka Hot Spring Offers Spirited Away-Style Bath Experience
We've all daydreamed about cleansing away our cares at the bathhouse in Spirited Away.
― There's a good chance all Studio Ghibli fans have daydreamed about cleansing away their cares at the bathhouse in Spirited Away. One Twitter user was able to experience the next-best thing last week. @RiLze04 posted a video on Saturday of a hot spring resort that uses wooden tokens similar to the Bath Tokens in t...
Gran Turismo 6 PS3 Game Ends Online Service on March 28
Polyphony Digital's racing game debuted in 2013
― The official website for the Gran Turismo racing video game series announced on Thursday that online service for the Gran Turismo 6 PlayStation 3 game will end on March 28. Distribution of downloadable content for use in the game will end on January 31. Online services such as the Community, Open Lobby, Quick Match, and Seasonal Events features will n...
Hakuōki Gets New Stage Musical in April
Masanari Wada stars as Hijikata Toshizō
― The official website for Marvelous Inc.'s series of Hakuōki stage musicals revealed on Thursday that the series will receive a new stage musical focusing on the character Hijikata Toshizō. Masanari Wada (Touken Ranbu stage play's Heshikiri Hasebe, Yowamushi Pedal stage plays' Shunsuke Imaizumi) will replace Gaku Matsuda to star as Hijikata Toshizō. The musica...
Ramen Kuitee! Manga Gets Live-Action Film Opening on March 3
Yurika Nakamura stars in story of 3 people restarting life through ramen
― Akiteru Hayashi's Ramen Kuitee! (Eat Ramen!) manga is inspiring a live-action film adaptation that will open in Japan on March 3. The film's official website began streaming a trailer for the film on Tuesday. The manga's story centers on a ramen shop owner who decides to close his shop after his wife passes away; a food critic...
Hitori no Shita The Outcast 2 Series' TV Ad Streamed
2nd season has Japanese premiere on January 9 with 1st season recap
― Emon began streaming a commercial on Friday for Hitori No Shita The Outcast 2 (Raten Taisho Chapter), the second season of the Hitori no Shita the outcast show. The series will premiere in Japan on January 9 with a recap episode of the first season. The show's new cast members include Kazuyuki Okitsu as Ō Ya, Daisuke Hirakawa as Sh...
YU-NO TV Anime's Announcement Video Streamed
Anime based on visual novel to air for 2 cours in 2018
― 5pb Games began streaming an announcement video on Friday for the television anime adaptation of Hiroyuki Kanno's Kono Yo no Hate de Koi o Utau Shōjo YU-NO (YU-NO: A girl who chants love at the bound of this world.) visual novel. The anime will run for two cours (quarters of a year) in 2018. Game developer MAGES., production company GENCO, and ...
Basilisk: The Ouka Ninja Scrolls Anime's 2nd Promo Video Previews Ending Theme
Nana Mizuki performs ending theme for series premiering on January 8
― The official website for the Basilisk: The Ouka Ninja Scrolls (Basilisk: Ōka Ninpōchō) anime began streaming the show's second promotional video on Friday. The video previews the show's ending theme song "Hot Blood" by Nana Mizuki. Crunchyroll will stream the series with English subtitles as it airs in Japan and Funimation will st...
The World Ends With You, Dissidia Composer Takeharu Ishimoto Leaves Square Enix
Also composed music for Last Order Final Fantasy VII OVA
― Video game composer Takeharu Ishimoto announced on Twitter on Thursday that he is resigning from Square Enix by the end of the year. Ishimoto stressed that the resignation was an amicable one with the company, and starting next year he will work as a freelance composer. 長年在籍したSQUARE ENIXを年内で退職する事になりました。円満退社です。来年からはフリーランスで仕事する予定です。来年1/11発売のDIS...
Live-Action Saki Achiga-hen episode of side-A Project Reveals New Poster Visual
The official website for the live-action film and television series adaptations of Ritz Kobayashi and Aguri Igarashi's Saki Achiga-hen episode of side-A spinoff manga revealed a new poster for the film on Friday. The poster features the characters from the Achiga Girls' Academy, Senriyama Girls' High School, Shindōji Girls' High School, and Shiraitodai High School, and also features the catchphras...
One Piece Gets 6 1-Shots by Different Manga Creators
The combined fourth and fifth 2018 issue of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine published six one-shot spinoff manga for Eiichiro Oda's One Piece manga drawn by different manga creators on Monday. The spinoff manga include: "Coby Ni no Kohiyama" (Kohiyama, Who Looks Like Coby) by Nakamaru "Ghost Princess Perona-chan" by Masahiro Hirakata "Nico Robin no Raku ni Igitai" (Nico Robin Wants to Live ...
Comic Market 93 Attracts 180,000 on 1st Day
The Comic Market (Comiket) 93 event in Tokyo drew about 180,000 attendees on its first day on Friday, December 29. Attendance was up from Comiket 91's first-day count of 170,000 attendees last December. Attendance was also up from this summer's Comiket 92 first-day count, which numbered 160,000. Summer 2013's Comiket 84 holds the record for the most attendees on the first day with about 210,000. S...
citrus TV Anime's 2nd Promo Video Streamed with English Subtitles
Yuri anime premieres on January 6
― Ichijinsha began streaming an English-subtitled version of the second promotional video on Friday for the television anime adaptation of Saburouta's citrus yuri manga. The show's official website had streamed the video without subtitles on December 22. The video previews nano.RIPE's opening theme song "Azalea" and Mia REGINA's ending theme song "Dear Teardrop." Ich...
Girl's High, Destroy All Monsters, Godzilla vs. Megalon Expire on Crunchyroll on January 9
Crunchyroll announced on Thursday that its streams of the Girl's High anime, the Destroy All Monsters live-action film, and the Godzilla vs. Megalon live-action film will all expire on January 9 at 3:00 a.m. EST. The 12-episode Girl's High television anime series premiered in 2006. The series is based on Towa Oshima's High School Girls manga. Media Blasters released the series on DVD in 2007, then...
Cardcaptor Sakura App Lets Users Text, Call Sakura
The official website for the Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card anime announced on Friday that it has released a Cardcaptor Sakura Call smartphone app on Friday. The app allows users to send messages to Sakura through a "Talk Room" section of the app, and Sakura will respond. The app will also let users "call" and chat with Sakura on the phone. Sakura will give a special New Year's seasonal message. Sa...
Konami Teases Revival of Busou Shinki Franchise
Konami began streaming a video on Friday for its Busou Shinki franchise. The video features the words "Re Arm, Re Boot, Re Construct!!!" and shows various characters by different artists. However, it does not announce a specific new project. The franchise's website credits Hiroyuki Owaku as chief producer, Toriwo Toriyama as character supervisor, and Maki Asai as the model designer. The illustrati...
Live-Action Princess Jellyfish Series Reveals New Visual, Café Latte Funsui Kōen Opening Theme
Series premieres on January 15
― The official website for the live-action television series based on Akiko Higashimura's Princess Jellyfish manga announced on Thursday that the musical group Café Latte Funsui Kōen (Café Latte Fountain Park) will perform the opening theme song "Go Sign wa 1 Coin." This is the group's debut song, which marks the first time in 20 years that a musical group's debut song ...
Thunderbolt Fantasy Gets Takarazuka Revue Stage Play
All-female troupe to perform in Japan, Taiwan
― The official website for the Thunderbolt Fantasy puppet-show project announced on Tuesday that the all-female Takarazuka Revue troupe's Star Group will perform a stage play based on Thunderbolt Fantasy beginning in August 2018 in Japan and Taiwan. The performance will star Yuzuru Kurenai and Airi Kisaki. Naoko Koyanagi is directing and writing the scrip...
Comic Girls TV Anime to Premiere in April
The official website for the television anime of Kaori Hanzawa's Comic Girls four-panel manga revealed on Friday that the series will premiere in April on Tokyo MX and other stations. i0plus' booth at Comic Market 93 debuted a new promotional video for the anime on Friday, and the video will stream at the booth until Sunday. The first promotional video for the anime streamed in August. Yoshinobu T...
Macross Delta Film's Teaser Trailer Previews Walküre's New Song
Compilation film to open February 9 in Japan
― The official Macross website posted a one-minute trailer for the Gekijō-ban Macross Delta: Gekijō no Walkūre (Macross Delta the Movie: Passionate Walkūre) compilation film on Friday. The video previews Walküre's new song "Walküre wa Uragiranai" (Walküre Does not Betray). The film will open on February 9, 2018. The terms for "theater" and "passion" in the...
Thursday, December 28
Crunchyroll to Sumulcast The Ryuo's Work is Never Done!, School Babysitters, Mitchiri Neko Anime
Also: subtitled trailers for The Ryuo's Work is Never Done!, Record of Grancrest War
― Crunchyroll announced on Thursday that it will stream the The Ryuo's Work is Never Done!, School Babysitters (Gakuen Babysitters), and Mitchiri Neko anime as part of its winter 2018 simulcast season. Crunchyroll will premiere The Ryuo's Work is Never Done! starting on January 8 at 10:00 a.m. EST in North America, U...
Kemono Friends Director Tatsuki Announces New Anime
Project teased in flier
― Kemono Friends director Tatsuki and his three-person independent animation group irodori — which also includes Kemono Friends art director Yūko Shiromizu and Kemono Friends animation director Yoshihisa Isa — announced a new anime project with a flier at Comic Market on Friday. The flier, pictured below, does not contain the title or format of the project. The bottom right co...
Otaku ni Koi wa Muzukashii Anime Casts Aoi Yūki
Character visuals to debut starting January 4
― The staff of the television anime adaptation Fujita's Otaku ni Koi wa Muzukashii (Love is Hard for an Otaku) manga announced on Friday that Aoi Yūki will join the cast as Naoya's game otaku friend Kō Sakuragi. The staff will begin revealing character teaser visuals on January 4. The anime will premiere on Fuji TV's Noitamina programming block in April 2...
Iya na Kao Sare Nagara Opantsu Misete Moraitai Doujin Series Inspires Anime
Shizuka Ishigami, Chinatsu Akasaki more star
― Shimahara's doujin project Iya na Kao Sare Nagara Opantsu Misete Moraitai (I Want You To Make a Disgusted Face and Show Me Your Underwear) will get an anime in 2018. (Note: the visual at the bottom may be not safe for work.) The cast, from left to right Shizuka Ishigami as Chitose Itō Chinatsu Akasaki as Iori Izumo Haruka Yoshimura as Airi Sega Sawako Ha...
Toji no Miko Anime's 3rd Promo Video Shows Main Cast
Story of shrine maidens who wield swords debuts in January
― The official website for Studio Gokumi's original anime project Toji no Miko (The Shrine Maiden Swordwielders) began streaming the third promotional video for the series on Friday. The video shows the main cast and previews the opening theme song "Save You Save Me" performed by Kaede Hondo, Saori Ōnishi, Azumi Waki, Hina Kino, Risae Matsuda...
YU-NO Anime Project to be 2-Cour TV Series
Visual revealed for 2018 anime
― The staff of the new anime project of Hiroyuki Kanno's Kono Yo no Hate de Koi o Utau Shōjo YU-NO (YU-NO: A girl who chants love at the bound of this world.) visual novel announced on Friday that the project will be a television anime that will run for two cours (quarters of a year) in 2018. Game developer MAGES., production company GENCO, and anime studio feel. are pa...
Original Tada-kun wa Koi o Shinai Anime Reveals New Visual
The staff of the original television anime Tada-kun wa Koi o Shinai (Tada-kun Does Not Fall in Love) revealed a new visual at Comic Market on Friday. The website describes the anime as a "slapstick romantic comedy that will make you laugh and cry." In the story, Mitsuyoshi Tada, a boy who has never known love, is taking pictures of the cherry blossoms in full bloom when he meets Teresa Wagner, a t...
Hugtto! Precure Anime's Cast, Staff Briefly Listed
The official website for Toei Animation's Hugtto! Precure, the next installment in its Precure franchise, briefly listed a cast and staff for the series on Thursday. The listing has since been removed. The cast includes: Rie Hikisaka as Hana Nono /Cure Yell Rina Hon'izumi as Saaya Yakushiji/Cure Ange Yui Ogura as Homare Kagayaki/Cure Étoile Junko Noda as Hariham Harii Konomi Tada as Hug-tan Junich...
Tasty Pocky Boys Expand Their Brand with Takuya Eguchi, Takahiro Sakurai, Yūma Uchida
Glico devises a way for customers to spend real time with their snack sweetie
― Pocky lovers, were you enticed by the new handsome characters representing the brand's popular flavors? The iconic snack is unveiling three more tasty boyfriends as part of its "Koibito wa Pocky" (Your Sweetheart is Pocky) anthropomorphization project. The initial announcement introduced Yuuki Kaji (My Hero Academia's Shō...
Magical Girl Ore Anime's Trailer, Visual Shows Gender-Swapped Magical Girls
Ayaka Ohashi, Sachika Misawa join cast of spring 2018 anime
― The official website for the television anime adaptation of Icchokusen Mōkon's Mahō Shōjo Ore (Magical Girl Ore or lit: I Am a Magical Girl) manga posted a teaser video and second visual on Friday. The website also announced the lead female voices. The video features the song "Hachimitsu Flash -Kawaru wa ne-" by Magical Twin. The anime sta...
Tokyo Otaku Mode Considers 'Otaku Coin' Cryptocurrency
Proposed system seeks collaboration, feedback
― Tokyo Otaku Mode (TOM) announced on Wednesday that it is considering launching initial coin offering (ICO) for a cryptocurrency called Otaku Coin, which is designed for use in the market for anime, manga, and games from Japan. The Otaku Coin Preparation Committee is currently seeking collaboration and feedback from "industry members, experts, and specia...
CG World Magazine Crowns This Year's Best in CG Anime & Games
The computer graphics magazine CG World declared the victors in its third annual "CG World Awards." Studios Orange, Visualman Tokyo, Oxybot, and O.L.M. had a tough summit to face if any were going to overcome Yaoyorozu, the studio behind the smash-hit Kemono Friends. Each studio's accomplishments this year were impressive, but ultimately the juggernaut anime series could not be defeated. CG World ...
Cutie Honey Universe Anime's Teaser Video Streamed
Akitoshi Yokoyama is directing 2018 anime based on Go Nagai's classic manga
― The official website for Cutie Honey Universe, the upcoming anime project based on Go Nagai's Cutie Honey manga, began streaming a 40-second teaser video for the anime on Friday. Akitoshi Yokoyama (Photo Kano) is directing the anime at Production Reed. Natsuko Takahashi (Urahara, Yuyushiki) is handling series composition an...
Gossip Site: Kemono Friends Anime's 2nd Season Offered to Sunrise
Kemono Friends Garden restaurant's future is also uncertain
― With Yaoyorozu producer Yoshitada Fukuhara's confirmation on Wednesday, it appears the final nail is in the coffin for fans who hoped director Tatsuki might return for the planned second season of the Kemono Friends anime. Fans are speculating about what studio might animate the new anime now that Yaoyorozu is out of the picture. The gossi...
Tanaka-kun is Always Listless English Dub Stars Blake Shepard, Andrew Love
Dubbed clip also previews Monica Rial, Luci Christian
― Sentai Filmworks announced its full English dub cast for Tanaka-kun is Always Listless on Thursday. The company also began streaming a preview clip featuring Tanaka, Ohta, Miyano, and Echizen. The cast, under director John Swasey and writer Marta Bechtol, is as follows: Blake Shepard as Tanaka Andrew Love as Ohta Stephanie Wittels as Shiraishi M...
Japan's Animation TV Ranking, December 18-24
Live-action Kounodori season 2 ends
― The final episode of the second season of the live-action series adaptation of Yū Suzunoki's Kounodori: Dr. Stork manga aired on TBS on Friday, December 22 at 10:00 p.m. and earned an 10.8% rating. Title Station Date Time Length Average Household Rating Sazae-san Fuji TV December 24 (Sun) 18:30 30 min. 12.4 Chibi Maruko-chan Fuji TV December 24 (Sun) 18:00 30 min...
Junji Ito's Tomie Haunts an Elementary School in Odaiba
The immortal beauty will appear in haunted attraction next month
― A haunted house attraction in Odaiba is welcoming a sinister new resident. The "Daiba Madokeri School" haunted house will add Junji Ito's Tomie and the mangaka's other deadly characters starting on January 11. The attraction is collaborating with the Junji Ito "Collection" anime that will premiere on January 5. The Daiba Madokeri Scho...
J-Novel Club Licenses Arifureta Zero Prequel Novel
Prequel spinoff to receive partial simultaneous publication with Japan
― Digital publishing company J-Novel Club announced on Thursday that it has licensed Ryo Shirakome's Arifureta Zero, the prequel spinoff novel to the Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest (Arifureta Shokugyō de Sekai Saikyō Zero) light novel series. The title will be J-Novel Club's first simultaneous publication, as the...
AnimeNEXT to Host Directors Kenji Kamiyama, Shinji Aramaki
Duo to co-direct new Ultraman, Ghost in the Shell anime
― The official Twitter account for New Jersey-based anime convention AnimeNext announced on Thursday that it will host directors Kenji Kamiyama (Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex) and Shinji Aramaki (Appleseed) at its 2018 convention. Kamiyama and Aramaki are co-directing the 2019 anime of Eiichi Shimizu and Tomohiro Shimoguchi's Ultraman ...
Tochigi Prefecture's Anime Idol Group Comes Face to Face with History
"Marronni ☆ Yell" idols meet Shimotsuke no Komaro in promotional anime PV
― A fictional idol group created to promote the town of Shimotsukeshi in Tochigi prefecture meet a historical hero in the newest local tourism anime short. Sakura no Chikai ~Marronni ☆ Yell Higashi no Asuka Shimotsuke-shi o Yell!~ stars the trio of idols Nonoka (red, voiced by Iori Nomizu), Manami (yellow, voiced by Mami Shitar...
Kemono Friends Director Tatsuki Posts Full 'Keifuku-san' Short
5-minute video completes story previously told in 2 shorts
― Kemono Friends director Tatsuki posted the full version of his new anime short on Thursday. The anime is listed with the title "Keifuku-san." Tatsuki previously posted the beginning of the anime in two shorts, and the new video completes the anime with new footage. Tatsuki created the short with Irodori, the three-person independent animati...
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations ‒ Episode 39
"Since Boruto and Sarada have received a fair amount of focus over the show's short life, it seems only fitting that the remaining third of the new Team 7 finally get his due."
Shin Godzilla Director, Staff Play Themselves in Fussa City Promo Anime Short
The city of Fussa, which stands in the western part of the Tokyo Metropolis, is using a new animated video to promote itself as a filming location. The video, which debuted on December 4, features staff of the live-action Shin Godzilla film. The film's co-director Shinji Higuchi, associate director Katsuro Onoue, and special effects makeup artist Tomoo Haraguchi play themselves in the short as the...
The Water Dragon's Bride GNs 3-4
Asahi's world begins to open up in these two volumes of Rei Toma's slow-paced fantasy series.
― For the first two books of Rei Toma's fantasy series about a modern girl whisked away to another world where she becomes the sacrifice, and later priestess of, the Water God, there was a suspicion that ultimately the story would boil down to a question of whether Asahi would end up being romanced by the ep...
The Best and Worst of the Season So Far: Week of Dec 17-23
Konohana Kitan leaps EIGHT PLACES on the charts just before the climax of the fall 2017 season! Find out how your favorite shows fared in our weekly user rankings.
― Our team of reviewers are following 31 anime series of the Fall 2017 season and readers are rating each episode as the reviews go up. So let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the season. Keep in mind tha...
Black Clover ‒ Episode 13
"I think if a lot of the earlier filler had been left out, episodes like the past two would feel more welcome."
Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha Detonation Film's Promo Video, Visual Revealed
2nd film in 2-part project opens in 2018
― The official website for the Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha anime film project revealed a Comic Market 93 promotional video and key visual for the Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha Detonation film on Friday. The video features the theme song "Invisible Heat" performed by Nana Mizuki. The film will open in Japan in 2018. The website also began streaming a promotional ...
Sword Gai: The Animation Reveals Main Cast, New Visual
Yūto Uemura, Yuichiro Umehara, Yuka Aisaka star in spring anime
― The official website for Sword Gai: The Animation, the anime adaptation of Toshiki Inoue, Osamu Kine, and Keita Amamiya's Sword Gai manga, revealed on Friday that Yuichiro Umehara, Yūto Uemura, Yuka Aisaka will star in the series. The roles are (from left to right in image below) Umehara as Seiya Ichijō, the strongest man in a mysterio...
Layton Games Get Spring TV Anime Starring Professor's Daughter
Kana Hanazawa stars as Katrielle in anime of Level 5 series' latest game
― The February issue of Shogakukan's Ciao magazine is revealing on Friday the Layton Mystery Tanteisha Katori no Nazotoki File (Layton Mystery Detective Agency: Kat's Mystery-Solving Files) television anime inspired by the Professor Layton game franchise for a spring 2018 premiere. The anime will be based on Level 5's Layton's M...
Sentai Filmworks Licenses The Seven Heavenly Virtues Anime
Series based on Hobby Japan's multimedia project premieres in Japan on January 26
― Sentai Filmworks announced on Thursday that it has licensed the television anime adaptation of Hobby Japan's The Seven Heavenly Virtues (Nanatsu no Bitoku) multimedia project. Sentai Filmworks will stream the series "on select digital outlets" starting in January, and the company plans to release the series on home vi...
Teekyū Manga Ends in 2 Chapters on January 25
Piyo, Roots' manga launched in 2012, has inspired 9 anime seasons
― The official Twitter account for Comic Earth Star announced on Thursday that Piyo and Roots' Teekyū manga will end in two chapters. The company will publish the manga's 133rd chapter on January 11 and the 134th and final chapter on January 25. Roots also posted on Twitter on Thursday that the manga's 15th and final volume will ship o...
Full Metal Panic! Anime's 2nd Director's Cut Film Previewed in Video
2nd film opens on January 13, 3rd film opens on January 20
― The official website for the three-film director's cut anime project for the first season of the Full Metal Panic! television anime series began streaming a teaser video for the second film in the project on Thursday. The films are screening in Tokyo at the Kadokawa Cinema Shinjuku and the Tachikawa Cinema City theaters, and in Osaka at the...
Shinkalion Anime's 1st 3 Minutes of 1st Episode Streamed
Hatsune Miku to appear in new series; Boys and Men, Keisuke Murakami perform theme songs
― The official YouTube channel for Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkalion the Animation, the television anime adaptation of Takara Tomy's Shinkalion toy line, began streaming the first three minutes of the show's first episode on Thursday. The show's official website also revealed on Wednesday that Hatsune Miku will a...
A Place Further Than the Universe Anime's Ad Previews Ending Theme
Inori Minase, Kana Hanazawa, Yuka Iguchi, Saori Hayami perform theme for anime premiering online on Thursday
― Kadokawa began streaming a new commercial on Thursday for the A Place Further Than the Universe (Sora Yorimo Tōi Basho) television anime. The video previews the show's ending theme song "Koko kara, Koko kara" (From Here, From Here) by voice actresses Inori Minase, Kana Hanazawa, Yuka Iguchi,...
Kakuriyo no Yadomeshi TV Anime's 1st Promo Video Reveals Cast, Gonzo Animation
Series premieres in spring 2018
― The official website for the television anime adaptation of writer Midori Yūma and illustrator Laruha's Kakuriyo Yadomeshi (Afterlife Inn Cooking) light novel series began streaming the show's first promotional video on Thursday. The video reveals the show's main cast and staff. The show will star: Nao Tōyama as Aoi Tsubaki Katsuyuki Konishi as Ōdanna Shun'ichi Toki ...
Tokimeki Restaurant Anime Film's Full Trailer Streamed
Film with normal, special screenings opens in Japan on February 10
― The official website for Tokimeki Restaurant☆☆☆ Miracle6, the anime film adaptation of Konami and Koei Tecmo Games' Tokimeki Restaurant☆☆☆ smartphone game, revealed a full trailer for the film on Thursday. The video reveals the film will have both normal and special screenings, the latter of which will allow moviegoers to cheer and ...
Season Finale: Himōto! Umaru-chan R ‒ Episode 12
"This final episode uses the spirit of the holidays to show how Umaru has grown and changed from the insufferable little gremlin she started as two years ago."
Shonen Jump's Sumo Club Manga Hinomaru Zumō Gets Anime
Kawada's story centers on boy in high school sumo club
― The cover of the sixth 2018 issue of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine is announcing on January 4 that an anime adaptation of Kawada's Hinomaru Zumō manga has been green-lit. The combined fourth and fifth issues of Shonen Jump had teased on Monday that the manga would have a "super important announcement" in the sixth issue. Shonen Jump de...
Season Finale: A Sister's All You Need ‒ Episode 12
"A lack of growth or tantalizing material by the end has resulted in an empty experience, seemingly disinterested in its own strengths for this final stretch."
Season Finale: Anime-Gataris ‒ Episode 12
"Our heroes went from talking about anime to making anime to becoming anime and back again."
Juni Taisen Novel Gets Stage Play Next May
Cast unveiled for play showing in Kobe, Tokyo
― Nisioisin and Hikaru Nakamura's Juni Taisen - Zodiac War novel will get a stage play adaptation that will run at Kobe's Shin Kobe Oriental Theater from May 5-6 and Tokyo's Theater 1010 from May 9-13. Naohiro Ise is directing the play and writing the script and Gō Shiina is composing the music. The cast includes: Ryō Kitamura as Rat Kōdai Takikawa as Ox ...
The irregular at magic high school: Summer Vacation Arc Manga Ends
Series adapts fifth novel in Tsutomu Satou's original series
― The Mahōka Kōkō no Rettōsei: Natsu Yasumi-hen (The irregular at magic high school: Summer Vacation Arc) manga ended in the February issue of Monthly Comic Dengeki Daioh on Wednesday. The series launched in October 2016. Yuzuki N Dash provided the art for the manga based on Tsutomu Satou's novels and Kana Ishida's character designs. Kadoka...
Live-Action Drama About Shonen Jump Reveals Poster of Cast in Cosplay
Kobayashi Kendō joins cast
― The official website for Oh My Jump! ~Shonen Jump Shikyū o Sukuu~ (Oh My Jump! ~Shonen Jump Saves the World~), the live-action series centering around Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine, revealed poster visual showing the main cast in cosplay as Shonen Jump characters. The website also announced that comedian Kobayashi Kendō will play Hiroshi's boss Jusaburō Ōarashi (...
New Revolutionary Girl Utena Manga Chapter's Story, Date Revealed
January 27's "Utsukushiki Toge" features fencer Juri Arisugawa, anime's Shiori
― The March 2018 issue of Shogakukan's Monthly Flowers magazine will publish the new chapter of Be-Papas and Chiho Saitō's Revolutionary Girl Utena (Shōjo Kakumei Utena) manga on January 27. The new "Utsukushiki Toge" (Beautiful Thorn) chapter is set in Ohtori Academy after the finale of the main manga, and it will depict ...
Wednesday, December 27
Silver Link Animates Miss caretaker of Sunohara-sou for Summer Broadcast
Rina Satou, Eri Kitamura, Ayane Sakura confirmed in romantic comedy about dorm head, middle school boy
― The official Twitter account and teaser website launched for the television anime of Nekoume's four-panel romantic comedy manga Miss caretaker of Sunohara-sou (Sunohara-Sō no Kanrinin-san) on Thursday. The website announced that the studio Silver link (Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya, Brave Witches...
Devilman Crybaby Anime Debuts New Special Video
Masaaki Yuasa's series premieres worldwide on January 5
― The official YouTube channel for Netflix Japan began streaming a new 30-second teaser for its upcoming Devilman crybaby anime on Thursday. The anime will premiere worldwide on January 5. The 10-episode anime will be available in 190 countries or territories, with seven spoken languages and 23 subtitle languages. The dubbed languages include En...
Bad Fan Behavior Could Lead to Cancelled Love Live Events
'Obnoxious, embarrassing' antics gets a warning from staff
― The official website for the ultra-popular Love Live idol anime franchise is taking some event attendees to task. Videos began circulating of a group that attended a Love Live! Sunshine event at Akihabara UDX on December 22. Attendees complained that the raucous group were waving large light-up sticks, jumping, and screaming. 家虎と光害がUDX集まってて...
Chisa Yuuki Stars in Uchi no Oochopus Mini Anime
Kazutomi Yamamoto, Kana Asumi, more star in series of shorts
― NHK announced the cast for its new mini anime Uchi no Oochopus (Our Home's Oochopus) on Tuesday. The cast is as follows: Chisa Yuuki as Oochopus Kazutomi Yamamoto as Kantarō Kana Asumi as An-chan Yukari Fukui as Mama Wataru Takagi as Papa NHK announced the series on November 30. It will premiere on NHK-E on January 9 at 5:20 p.m. and each...
Valkyria Chronicles 4 Game's 2 New Trailers Preview Gameplay
Game ships in Japan for PS4 on March 21, for Switch in summer
― Sega began streaming a new game trailer and a promotional video on Thursday for Valkyria Chronicles 4: Eastern Front, the fourth installment in its Valkyria Chronicles game series. The game is slated for the PlayStation 4 on March 21 in Japan, and on the Nintendo Switch in summer in Japan. The game is also slated for the same platforms a...
Kemono Friends Producer Confirms Yaoyorozu Will Not Return for New Anime
Despite fan protests and a response from Kadokawa's CEO, it appears that the case is closed regarding director Tatsuki and anime studio Yaoyorozu's removal from the planned second season of Kemono Friends. Yoshitada Fukuhara, producer of the first anime, confirmed on Twitter on Wednesday that his anime studio Yaoyorozu will not return for the upcoming season. Fukuhara said, "This is the final repo...
HIDIVE Streams 4 Former Anime Strike-Exclusive Titles
Grimoire of Zero, Hitorijime My Hero, Kabukibu, Anonymous Noise still streaming on Anime Stirke
― Video streaming service HIDIVE is now streaming Hitorijime My Hero, Kabukibu, Anonymous Noise, and Grimoire of Zero. All four shows are available for free users except Grimoire of Zero, which is exclusive to members. All four shows were previously exclusive to Amazon's Anime Strike platform in the United...
Black Jack & Doronjo Find Love in Match-Making Service Ad
Can one underground physician and world-conquering villain find happily-ever-after?
― Two classic anime characters have finally found love -- with one another. The marriage consultation service Partner Agent teamed up with Tezuka Pro and Tatsunoko Pro for a collaborative web commercial. The ad stars black market doctor Black Jack and classic Yatterman villain Doronjo and will premiere on January 1. T...
Final Fantasy Explorers-Force Smartphone Game Delayed to Spring 2018
Square Enix's iOS, Android game originally slated for 2017
― The official website for the Final Fantasy Explorers-Force iOS and Android game revealed in a closed beta test feedback report on Wednesday that the game has been delayed to spring 2018. Square Enix originally planned to release the game in 2017. The closed beta test for the game was held from October 11-15. Based on the results of the beta...
Yuri on Ice's Sayo Yamamoto Directs Sex Manga Anime Promo
Director Sayo Yamamoto is teaming up again with manga creator Atsushi Kamijou to direct a promotional video for his manga Sex. The pair previously collaborated on Yamamoto's Japan Anima(tor)'s Exhibition ice-skating short "Endless Night," which could be considered a precursor to the director's hit anime series Yuri on Ice. Kamijou designed the characters for "Endless Night." The Sex promotional vi...
Japanese Comic Ranking, December 18-24
Detective Conan, The Seven Deadly Sins, Golden Kamuy, JoJolion, Attack on Titan in top 5
― Rank Title Est. Weekly Copies Est. Total Copies Release Date Publisher Author Highest Rank Weeks on List 1 Detective Conan 94 330,389 358,578 2017/12 Shogakukan Gosho Aoyama 1 2 2 The Seven Deadly Sins 29 162,211 317,145 2017/12 Kodansha Nakaba Suzuki 2 2 3 Golden Kamuy 12 146,569 146,569 2017/12 Shueisha Sato...
Universal Studios Japan's Cool Japan Attractions' Ads Are Action-Packed
Fly through Midgar on the Final Fantasy XR ride
― Universal Studios Japan is humming with excitement before the launch of its "Cool Japan 2018" campaign of new attractions. The theme park recently unveiled the details of its Sailor Moon: The Miracle 4D show and now has action-packed previews of its Final Fantasy XR ride, Detective Conan real escape game and Monster Hunter the Real experience. In the ...
Japan's Video Game Rankings, December 18-24
The [email protected] Stella Stage, Atelier Lydie & Suelle games debut
― Japan's Game Ranking: December 18-24 Rank System Title Maker Release Date Weekly Copies Total Copies 4Gamer Reader Review 1NSwSuper Mario Odyssey (Including Bundled Editions) Nintendo October 27 209,630 1,292,281 83 23DSYo-Kai Watch Busters 2 Hihō Densetsu Banbaraya Sword/Magnum Level-5 December 16 184,739 393,279 33DSPokémon Ultra Sun...
Gundam Designer Gets Political with Trump Magazine Cover
Artist draws U.S. Prez with Putin, Kim Jong-un, Xi Jinping, & Abe
― Japan's major financial magazine Weekly Tōyō Keizai's latest issue is all about predictions for the new year, and judging but its recent cover, it isn't exactly promising. The magazine commissioned 70-year-old Mobile Suit Gundam character designer Yoshikazu Yasuhiko to draw the cover. The image depicts U.S. President Donald Trump cel...
Sōkyū no Fafner The Beyond Anime Project's 4-Minute Promo Streamed
Video features song by angela
― The official website for Sōkyū no Fafner THE BEYOND, the new work in the Fafner franchise, began streaming a four-minute promotional video on Wednesday. The song in the video is angela's "Prologue -Kimi no Mukō Gawa-." King Records briefly streamed the video earlier this week but removed it and apologized for the error. Many of the main staff members are returning, tho...
Sentai Filmworks Licenses Hakumei and Mikochi Anime for HIDIVE Streaming
Anime premieres January 12 in Japan
― Sentai Filmworks announced on Wednesday that it has licensed the television anime adaptation of Takuto Kashiki's Hakumei to Mikochi: Tiny little life in the woods manga under the title Hakumei and Mikochi and will stream it this winter on HIDIVE. The company is also planning a home video release. Sentai Filmworks describes the story: While Hakumei is cheerful, ou...
Answerman - Does An Anime's Budget Affect Its Quality?
It's common to claim that a janky-looking TV anime is "cheap", but increasingly we hear that budget is not the most important factor when it comes to anime quality. Justin gets into it.
― "A loyal reader" asked: Do budgets influence anime quality? Do high budget anime look better than low budget ones? In the last few years, there seems to be a article of belief in some anime forums that budgets don'...
Tsukipro the Animation TV Anime Gets Sequel
1st series premiered in October
― The official Twitter account for the TsukiPro the Animation television anime series revealed on Thursday that production of a sequel has been green-lit. The 13th and final episode of the first anime premiered on Wednesday. The first anime premiered on October 4, and Crunchyroll streamed the series as it aired in Japan. Crunchyroll describes the story: SOARA, Growth, ...
A Sister's All You Need—Episodes 1-12 Streaming
This slice-of-life comedy about the daily trials of light novel authors can be hit-or-miss beyond its infamously off-putting opening scene. Theron Martin has the details.
― I've long pointed to Elfen Lied as having the most explicit and polarizing opening scene of any anime series I've seen, but it may have found a worthy challenger in this light novel adaptation from the fall 2017 season. A Sister's...
Sentai Filmworks Licenses Takunomi. Anime for HIDIVE Stream
Series premieres on January 11
― Sentai Filmworks announced on Wednesday that it has licensed the television anime adaptation of Haruto Hino's Takunomi. (Drinking at Home) four-panel manga. The company will begin streaming the series exclusively on HIDIVE in January. Sentai Filmworks describes the anime: Takunomi follows the story of Michiru Amatsuki, a 20-year-old woman who just moved to Tokyo to ch...
J.C. Staff to Animate Angels of Death Manga for 2018
Yen Press released horror escape series' 1st volume in November
― The wraparound jacket band on the sixth compiled book volume of artist Kudan Naduka and author Makoto Sanada's Angels of Death (Satsuriku no Tenshi) manga revealed on Wednesday that J.C. Staff (Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma, Children of the Whales) will animate the game and manga franchise's anime adaptation for a 2018 premiere. The fra...
Slow Start Anime's Promo Video Previews Cast Opening Song
Series about girl enrolling in high school a year late debuts on January 6
― The official Twitter account for the television anime of Yuiko Tokumi's Slow Start manga began streaming a new promotional video on Wednesday. The video features the anime's opening theme song "ne! ne! ne!" performed by STARTails☆, which is composed of cast members Reina Kondo, Ayasa Itō, Tomomi Mineuchi, and Maria Naganawa....
Dragon Ball Fighterz Character Breakdown Video Features Tien
Xbox One/PS4/PC game launches on January 26, open beta on January 14-15
― Bandai Namco Entertainment America began streaming a character breakdown video for the Dragon Ball FighterZ fighting game on Tuesday. The video features Tien Shinhan. Bandai Namco Entertainment will host an open beta for the game between January 14-15. Those who pre-ordered the game will have early access to the beta on January...
Tuesday, December 26
2018 Zoku Owarimonogatari Anime Teased in Video, Visual
Announced with 8th Owarimonogatari home video volume
― The official website for the Monogatari franchise unveiled a teaser promotional video and a new key visual for next year's anime of NisiOisin's Zoku Owarimonogatari novel. 「続・終物語」2018年アニメ化決定!アニメ化決定ティザーPVを公開!https://t.co/XVbLg29fQI#物語シリーズ pic.twitter.com/99LBiV6woX— 西尾維新アニメプロジェクト (@nisioisin_anime) December 27, 2017 NisiOisin's Monogatari Series n...
Key's Summer Pockets Game Reveals June 29 Release, Teases Anime
New video streamed for upcoming visual novel
― This year's February issue of Dengeki G's Magazine teased an anime adaptation of Visual Art's/Key's upcoming Summer Pockets Windows PC game on Wednesday. Visual Art's representative director Takahiro Baba said in a message that the project will "captivate you with various worldviews through the visual novel, anime, smartphone, and music." Visual Art's al...
Zoku Owarimonogatari Novel Gets Anime in 2018
2014 novel concluded "final season" of Monogatari Series
― A flier from the eighth Owarimonogatari Blu-ray Disc (Ōgi Dark) announced on Wednesday that NisiOisin's Zoku Owarimonogatari novel will get an anime adaptation in 2018. The flier did not reveal the anime's format. NisiOisin's Monogatari Series novels began with Bakemonogatari in 2006. The novel series' "final season" ended with Zoku Owarimono...
Kemono Friends Director Tatsuki is a Penguin at Twitter Trends Grand Prix 2017
Was the mask in honor of the late Grape-kun?
― Former Kemono Friends director Tatsuki appeared to be honoring the late Grape-kun, the real penguin that took social media by storm this year after he developed a crush on the Hululu cut-out in his enclosure at the Tobu Zoo. Not one for subtlety, Tatsuki wore a full-scale penguin mask for the entirety of the award show, even when he went on stage to acce...
'Final' Hetalia Musical Announced for March
Musical to have 3 performances with returning cast
― The official website for the stage musical adaptations of Hidekaz Himaruya's Hetalia - Axis Powers manga revealed a new musical titled Musical Hetalia Final Live ~A World in the Universe~ on Tuesday. The play will have three performances at Makuhari Messe in Chiba on March 17 and 18. The cast, all of whom are returning from the previous musical, in...
Yuri on Ice!! Could Take TAAF Awards for 2nd Year
Live-action Gintama film also works its way into the top 10
― Readers who found the loophole that allowed Yuri! on Ice to possibly win Tokyo Anime Award Festival 2018 (TAAF) after taking two categories this year will be disappointed to find out the voting results. TAAF closed voting on Sunday, narrowing down this year's anime series offerings to 100 and films to 10 choices. These choices were decided...
Patlabor/Birdy's Masami Yuuki to Launch Historical Manga
Manga follows daimyō Hōjō Sōun
― The February 2018 issue of Shogakukan's Monthly Big Comic Spirits announced on Wednesday that Masami Yuuki will launch a new series titled Shinkurō, Hashiru! (Shinkurō, Run!) in the next issue on January 27. The manga will be a historical series about the Warring States period daimyō (feudal lord) Ise Shinkurō, later known as Hōjō Sōun. Yuuki recently ended his Disu x...
Princess Jellyfish Manga Creator Akiko Higashimura Reveals April Divorce
Manga creator Akiko Higashimura announced on her official Facebook account on Sunday that she divorced her husband, fashion designer Satoshi Andō, in April. Higashimura married Andō in 2013. In the Facebook message, Higashimura said, "My ex-husband Andō helped raise my son since he was in kindergarten and supported me in various ways with my busy life of school events and housework. I'm very grate...
Hugtto! Precure Reveals Characters, Visuals, February 4 Premiere
Cure Yell, Cure Ange, Cure Étoile formally unveiled
― Toei Animation's official website for Hugtto! Precure, the next installment in its Precure franchise, updated on Wednesday with character and story information. The website also announced that the series will premiere on February 4 at 8:30 a.m. The characters include: Cure Yell/Hana Nono, a girl transfering to a new school in her second year of mi...
Pop Team Epic Hawks 'Crap' at Winter Comiket
Booth will sell "crappy" New Year's items and a piece of concrete
― The Pop Team Epic team is capitalizing on its no holds barred attitude at this weekend's Comiket event. The series is setting up a self-described "crappy" booth that imitates a dilapidated building where it will sell similarly themed crappy merchandise. Items include a "Crappy New Year's Set" that includes traditional New Year's ite...
North American Anime, Manga Releases, December 24-30
The Disastrous Life of Saiki K, Kiznaiver anime; Unmagical Girl manga ship
― Anime Releases Title Publisher Suggested Retail Price Date Barefoot Gen Movies 1-2 BDPlease Discotek Media US$29.95 December 26 Barefoot Gen Movies 1-2 DVDCite Discotek Media US$19.95 December 26 The Disastrous Life of Saiki K Part 1 BD/DVDAnimeNewsNetwork Funimation Entertainment US$64.98 December 26 The Disastrous Life of ...
'Shaman King' Trademark Listed Under Kodansha (Update)
Japanese publisher Kodansha is now listed as the trademark owner for "Shaman King" in Japan, Europe, and the United States. Hiroyuki Takei's Shaman King manga was previously published by Shueisha. The January issue of Kodansha's Shonen Magazine Edge featured a teaser silhouette along with the URL "http://comic-sp.kodansha.co.jp/skg20th/" on the last color page of Takei's Nekogahara manga on Decemb...
Intrepid Biking Otaku Sets His Sights on Winter Comiket
During the summer, one Comiket attendee gained a multitude of fans by chronicling his journey from Aichi prefecture toward Tokyo Big Sight. Usually such a trip would be no big deal, but Twitter user DJ_Flandre decided to travel the stretch of 760km (472mi) by bike. His journey was beset by obstacles, namely getting lost, overcoming intense heat, and navigating the sometimes mountainous terrain. No...
Season Finale: Gintama ‒ Episode 341
"With the thoroughly chaotic conclusion to the Guardian Spirits storyline, it looks like the Slip Arc saved the best for last."
Alice or Alice Anime Premieres in April
The February 2018 issue of Kadokawa's Comic Cune magazine announced on Wednesday that the television anime of Riko Korie's Alice or Alice - Siscon Nii-san to Futago no Imōto (Alice or Alice - The Brother With a Sister Complex and His Twin Sisters) manga will premiere in April. Kōsuke Kobayashi (Idol Time PriPara chief director) is directing the anime at EMT Squared (Urahara, Rainy Cocoa). Naoko Ku...
Watch 100 Years of Anime Flash By in Just 15 Minutes
From 1917 to 2017 — Here's almost everything noteworthy in the last century
― This year marked anime's centennial anniversary — 100 years of animation from Japan to delight and charm fans. It's hard to imagine that shadow puppet animation and stop-motion recreations of Japan meeting the West would lead to the community we have today, full of dazzling dancing idols, vampire slayers, and high fantasy e...
March comes in like a lion ‒ Episode 33
"As usual, the material being covered was strong enough to succeed dramatically in spite of its somewhat odd presentation."
Record of Grancrest War Anime's 3rd Promo Video Previews Theme Songs
Mashiro Ayano, ASCA perform songs for anime premiering on January 5
― The official website for the television anime of author Ryo Mizuno and illustrator Miyuu's Record of Grancrest War (Grancrest Senki) light novel series began streaming the third promotional video for the anime on Tuesday. The video previews Mashiro Ayano's opening theme song "starry" and ASCA's ending theme song "PLEDGE." (Note: Th...
Season Finale: Blood Blockade Battlefront & Beyond ‒ Episodes 11-12
"This second season included, Blood Blockade Battlefront remains one of the most consistently fun shows of the past few years."
Yuruyuri Creator Namori Designs New Anime Project's Characters
Dengeki G's Magazine reveals more info on January 30
― The official website for Kadokawa's Dengeki G's Magazine revealed on Tuesday that Yuruyuri manga creator Namori is providing the original character designs for a new anime project. The March 2018 issue of the magazine will feature the project on its cover and provide more information when it ships in Japan on January 30. Namori launched the Yuruy...
Love Live! Sunshine!! ‒ Episode 25
"It's hard to not feel emotional in that happiness-button-pushing way that this show has perfected."
Infini-T Force Film's Trailer Previews New Characters
Eiichiro Funakoshi, Kazuma Suzuki, Aya Endo join cast
― The official website for the Infini-T anime franchise revealed a new trailer, visual, and more cast for the Gekijōban Infini-T Force: Gatchaman Saraba Tomo yo (Infini-T Force the Movie: Farewell Gatchaman My Friend) film on Tuesday. The video previews the newly announced characters and cast. The new cast members are: Eiichiro Funakoshi as Dr. Na...
Season Finale: Kino's Journey - the Beautiful World- ‒ Episode 12
"I almost feel like I should thank Kino's Journey 2017 for ending on perhaps the most brainless final storyline possible."
Mr. Osomatsu Season 2 ‒ Episode 13
There's an enormous boot aimed right at Todomatsu's pink-hoodied, overachieving rear end in the final Osomatsu fiasco of 2017.
Japan's Animation DVD Ranking, December 18-24
Game Center CX sells 17,463, followed by Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!, One Piece, Mr. Osomatsu, Tokyo Ghoul
― Game Center CX DVD-Box 14 sold 17,463 copies to rank #3 on the overall DVD chart. The deluxe edition (first limited pressing) for the live-action film of the Tokyo Ghoul manga sold 2,179 copies to land at #20. The regular ediion was #26 with 1,716 copies. The stage musical version of Teii...
Japan's Animation Blu-ray Disc Ranking, December 18-24
Love Live! Sunshine!! sold 41,768 copies, followed by Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!, [email protected] Cinderella Girls Gekijō, Land of the Lustrous, Drifters
― The [email protected] SideM 2nd Stage [email protected] Stars~ Live Blu-ray [Complete Side] sold 4,192 more copies for a new total of 20,491 copies. It rose back to #24 in its 12th week on the overall Blu-ray Disc chart. Girls & Panzer der Film Cinematic Concer...
2018 Super Sentai Show Is Franchise's 1st to Star 2 Teams
Kaitō Sentai Lupinranger VS Keisatsu Sentai Patranger pits thieves vs. cops
― Kaitō Sentai Lupinranger VS Keisatsu Sentai Patranger (Phantom Thief Sentai Lupinranger VS Police Sentai Patranger) premieres on February 11 as the Super Sentai franchise's first television series to feature two rival sentai teams from the start. The 42nd live-action Super Sentai series since 1975 will run on TV Asahi and a...
Kamen Rider Kiva's Kouhei Takeda Returns in Build
Takeda plays Hokuto's Kamen Rider Gris in latest show
― Actor Kouhei Takeda will appear in the Kamen Rider Build series as Kazumi Saruwatari, a new character who can transform into Kamen Rider Grease. The role is a return to the Kamen Rider franchise for Takeda, who previously played the role of Otoya Kurenai in the Kamen Rider Kiva series in 2008. The character appeared briefly in the 16th episode o...
Dentsu, DreamWorks Plan TV Animation for Medicom's [email protected] Figures
The Japanese advertising sponsor Dentsu and Dreamworks Animation Television announced that they signed an agreement to joinly produce and develop a television animation project based on Medicom Toy's [email protected] figures. [email protected] toys are bear-shaped block figures from Medicom Toy. The Japanese toy line features collaborations with Disney, DC Comics, Despicable Me, One Punch Man, Astroboy, and many...
TBS Acquires Lyrical Nanoha's Anime Studio Seven Arcs
Network's first wholly owned anime studio also producing April's Dances with the Dragons
― Tokyo Broadcasting System Holdings, the parent company of the Japanese television network TBS, announced on Tuesday that it acquired the company Seven Arcs Group. Seven Arcs Group is the parent company of three affiliated companies tied to animation production: Arcturus, Seven Arcs, and Seven Arcs Pictures. Sev...
Monday, December 25
And Yet the Town Moves Creator Ishiguro's New Manga Detailed
The February 2018 issue of Kodansha's Afternoon magazine revealed story details for Masakazu Ishiguro's new Tengoku Daimakyō (Heaven's Great Magical Barrier) manga on Monday. The magazine describes the story as centering on a boy named Tokio, who lives alongside other children inside a beautiful wall. One day, Tokio receives a message that says "Do you want to go outside of the outside?" In a heav...
One Room Anime Launches VR Project With Crowdfunding
Campaign seeks to expand VR app starring Yui Hanasaka
― The official website for the One Room television anime announced on Monday that a One Room VR project is in the works to commemorates the upcoming second season. The staff launched a crowdfunding campaign on Campfire to expand the project. The VR app for iOS and Android devices features the character Yui Hanasaka from the first season's second e...
The Osomatsu-sans Perform Mr. Osomatsu Season 2's 2nd Cour Ending Song
12-member group previously performed once in 2013
― The official website for the Mr. Osomatsu anime announced on Tuesday that The Osomatsu-sans and the voice actors for the Matsuno brothers will perform the ending theme song for the second cour of the second season. The song is titled "Otona ÷6 × Kodomo × 6." The Osomatsu-sans is a group that consists of 12 members: vocalists Yukihiro Takahashi, Keii...
Akihito Yoshitomi Resumes Eat-Man The Main Dish Manga
Yoshitomi's School Ningyo manga ends
― This year's February issue of Kodansha's Monthly Shonen Sirius announced on Tuesday that Akihito Yoshitomi will resume his Eat-Man The Main Dish manga in the March issue on January 26. His School Ningyo (School Mermaid) horror manga ended in the February issue of Akita Shoten's Champion Red magazine on December 19. Yoshitomi drew his original Eat-Man manga from ...
Godzilla's 1st Anime Film Gets Shonen Jump + Manga in March
Youth Kurahashi's manga also runs on Z web site
― A manga adaptation of Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters (Godzilla: Kaijū Wakusei), the first film in the Godzilla anime trilogy, will launch in the Shonen Jump + web magazine and on the Z web site in March. Youth Kurahashi (Summer Hero) is drawing the manga. The manga will cover story material not in the anime, add original elements, and offer a glimps...
Happy Holidays from the Anime World!
Get yourself in the holiday spirit by checking out these holiday greetings from artists and companies within the anime and manga industry, and anime and manga properties! Series are listed alphabetically, while artists are listed by their surname. Click on each image for larger versions; they'll open in a new window automatically. Aikatsu! Merry Christmasクリスマス特別壁紙をアプリ内でプレゼント!サンタ姿のソレイユ3人をお見逃しなく壁紙公...
Hinomaru Zumō Manga to Have 'Super Important Announcement' on January 4
The combined fourth and fifth 2018 issue of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine announced on Monday that Kawada's Hinomaru Zumō manga will have a "super important announcement" in the next issue on January 4. Shonen Jump describes the manga's story: It is a divine ritual, a martial art, a combat sport—it's sumo!! A "small" new student, Ushio Hinomaru, appears before the weak little sumo club of...
Viz Media to Publish Nisekoi Author Naoshi Komi's New 1-Shot (Updated)
Manga about eSports debuts on January 4 in Japan, on January 8 in N. America
― Viz Media announced on Monday that it will publish the previously announced new one-shot by Naoshi Komi. The one-shot manga titled "e no Genten" (The Origin of e) is about eSports, and Shueisha will publish the manga in Japanese in the sixth issue of Weekly Shonen Jump in Japan on January 4. Viz Media will publish the one-...
Sword Dynasty Anime Based on Chinese Web Novel Reveals Japanese Cast
Japan's EMT Squared produced animation
― The staff of the Sword Dynasty animated series announced the cast for the show's Japanese broadcast on Monday. Japanese company EMT Squared produced the animation for the series. The cast includes (Note: Character names listed with phonetic Japanese pronunciation.): Hiro Shimono as Teinei Toshiki Iwasawa as Chen Ganshu Yūji Ueda as Ryō Ren Kōhei Amasaki as Fūs...
DARLING in the FRANXX Anime's 2nd Promo Reveals More Cast
Marina Inoue, Katsuyuki Konishi, Kenyuu Horiuchi voice characters
― The official website for Trigger and A-1 Pictures' DARLING in the FRANXX anime began streaming a second full promotional video on Monday. The video begins by introducing a "mysterious giant lifeform" called a "kyoryū" before introducing the main characters at Mistilteinn. The video also previews the opening theme song "Kiss of Death"...
Detective Conan: The Darkest Nightmare Film Gets 4D Screenings
2016 film to screen before 2018 film opens
― The official website for the anime film's based on Gosho Aoyama's Detective Conan (Case Closed) manga announced on Monday that the 20th film, Detective Conan: The Darkest Nightmare will get 4D screenings for a limited time starting on February 10, 2018. It will be the first Detective Conan film to get 4D screenings. The film opened in Japan on April 16, 20...
Hinamatsuri Anime's 1st Promo Video Reveals Cast, April Debut
Takako Tanaka, Yoshiki Nakajima, Rie Murakawa, Kaede Hondo star in super-powered yakuza comedy
― The official website for the television anime of Masao Ohtake's Hinamatsuri manga began streaming a promotional video for the anime on Monday. The video reveals the anime's main cast and April premiere. The main cast includes: Takako Tanaka as Hina, a mysterious girl who stays as a freeloader in Nitta's h...
Live-Action Perfect World Film Opens on October 5
The February 2018 issue of Kodansha's Kiss magazine revealed on Monday that live-action film adaptation of Rie Aruga's Perfect World manga will open in Japan on October 5, 2018. Sandaime J Soul Brothers and Exile member Takanori Iwata (live-action Crows Explode film) will play Itsuki Ayukawa, and Hana Sugisaki (live-action Blade of the Immortal film) will play Tsugumi Kawana. Kenji Shibayama (Naga...
Flame of Recca/MÄR's Nobuyuki Anzai to Launch New Manga Series
Manga slated for next spring
― Manga artist Nobuyuki Anzai will launch a new manga series in Shogakukan's Sunday S Zōkan magazine next spring. The series will be Anzai's first work with Shogakukan in seven years. Anzai ended his Kōtetsu Manroku -Metal Rock- manga in Takeshobo's Manga Life Momo magazine in February. The manga, a sequel to his Anzai Nobuyuki no Meta Nikki (Nobuyuki Anzai's Meta Diary) ...
Junji Ito 'Collection' Anime Listed With 12 TV Episodes, 2 OVA Episodes
Unaired episodes titled "Tomie"
― The official website for Junji Ito "Collection", the television anime of manga by famed horror author Junji Ito, revealed on Friday that the anime will have three DVD box sets with four episodes each for a total of twelve episodes. The second and third DVD sets will each include unaired episodes, titled "Tomie Part 1" and "Tomie Part 2," respectively. The first set w...
Gintama Anime's 'Silver Soul' Arc Previewed in Video
Promo previews opening theme by DISH//
― Bandai Namco Pictures began streaming a 30-second preview video for the Gintama anime's "Gin no Tamashii" (Silver Soul) arc on Saturday. The video previews the new opening theme "Katte ni My Soul" by DISH//. The new arc will premiere in the same time slot as the current arc on January 7. "Silver Soul" is the manga's final arc that began in July 2016. Burnout S...
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