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Kadokawa's Dengeki Maoh magazine announced that Akane's Puchimas! -Petit Idolm@ster- manga ends in the magazine on December 25, with the 16th and final volume due at the end of February 2027. The four-panel series launched in 2008 and follows the 765Pro idols and the Puchidoru creatures. Five volumes bundled anime DVDs, and the manga inspired two net anime seasons.
QualiArts has started the new hololive Dreams event "Innocent Two, Watching Eyes" on Android, iOS, and PC (Steam). Takane Lui, Fuwawa Abyssgard, and Mococo Abyssgard join as new ★5 members. The event runs until September 17 at 19:59, with the gacha available until September 19 at 10:59. Event songs include the new original unit track "Sanmiittai Love System", Lui's "Holo Hawk", and FUWAMOKO's "Mekurumeku Rendezvous".
The short anime of Shaoh's I'm Dating a Dark Summoner manga has a premiere date. The main promotional video and visual, unveiled Friday, confirm an October 4 television debut on Tokyo MX at 25:20, effectively October 5 at 1:20 a.m., with BS11 airing October 7. The video previews opening theme "Zettai Kansei♡Kisei Jijitsu" by Ringo Coisio and announces Mao Komiya performs ending theme "AKUMA♰No?☆Hime♡Goto." Akane Nishimura voices Haru, the party leader and swordswoman; Maya Ayahane voices Eury, an elf archer from the Lilylala forest. HIDIVE will stream the anime.
KADOKAWA's online lottery service Kujibikido is offering an Akane-banashi lottery with newly drawn illustrations of Akane, Hikaru, and Karashi in modern Japanese-style clothing. Prizes include BIG acrylic stands, acrylic stand figures, keychains, bromides, and can badges. Sales run from August 19 to September 16, 2026, at 770 yen per draw.
Good Smile Company opened pre-orders for a deformed figure of Akane Sakura from the TV anime Akane-banashi, based on her first rakugo performance. The Mini Memory figure stands about 80mm tall, includes a base, and is priced at 3,900 yen on Amazon.co.jp, with release scheduled for January 31, 2027.
Anna Nagase, the voice of Akane Osaki in the Akane-banashi anime, spoke with Anime Herald at Anime Expo 2026 about her preparation for the role. She described over a year of rakugo practice, the influence of co-star Akio Otsuka, and the challenge of balancing the character's bright and dark sides.
At Anime Expo 2026, representatives from TV Asahi, Dentsu, and SEGA described a shared strategy of lowering barriers for overseas audiences. TV Asahi's Akane-banashi anime released episodes on YouTube in three languages, while Dentsu's Gachiakuta campaign built a global community narrative. The panel argued that the content itself does not need to change; the key is improving access and engagement.
Kodansha's Monthly Shonen Sirius editor-in-chief Takashi Yamaguchi issued a public apology to Cells at Work! creator Akane Shimizu on July 3, acknowledging failures in medical supervision, working environment, editor conduct, and crediting of derivative works. Shimizu confirmed receiving the apology and said discussions with Kodansha are ongoing.
TV Asahi announced six new English dub cast members for the Akane-banashi anime during its Anime Expo panel. The dub cast includes Kari Wahlgren, Greg Chun, Ben Diskin, SungWon Cho, Crispin Freeman, and Keith Silverstein. The anime will return for a second season in January 2027.
Furyu is accepting reservations for three Gridman Universe figures from its affordable TENITOL brand. Rikka Takarada in volleyball wear and Akane Shinjo in track and field attire are available individually or as a special set that includes an alternate winking face part. Reservations close August 19, with shipping scheduled for March 2027.
Yen Press announced six manga and two novel licenses during its Anime Expo panel on Friday, including Planarian Humans, Takane-san and Arashi-chan, Zeta Gundam Define, The Chef of the Adventurers' Tavern, A Flower in Black Crude Clothes, and The 11th Cat Is Nene!.
Sekai Project announced during its Anime Expo panel that it will release Cabbage Soft's visual novel Jewelry Hearts Academia in the West in 2026. The company also showed a demo for Akaneiro ni Somaru Saka and revealed a Grisaia series merchandise collaboration with Frontwing for the series' 15th anniversary.
Akane Shimizu, creator of Cells at Work!, posted a series of allegations on X on July 1 and 2 detailing what she describes as years of editorial mistreatment during the manga's serialization. She claims Kodansha failed to provide promised medical supervision, dismissed her requests for professional assistants, and subjected her to personal criticism that contributed to severe mental health struggles, including suicidal thoughts.
QINOCOP announced the Gridman Universe Office Style POPUP in OIOI, held at Shinjuku Marui Men from July 11 to July 26, 2026. Newly drawn illustrations feature Rikka Takarada, Akane Shinjo, Yume Minami, Borr, Hime, and Mujina in office lady outfits. Goods include life-sized tapestries, acrylic stands, and business card holders. Purchases of 3,000 yen or more earn a random Cheki-style card, with bonuses for Epos Card users.
The 30th issue of Kodansha's Morning magazine published the final chapter of Akane Torikai's Bad Babies Don't Cry manga on Thursday. The series, which launched in July 2024, follows four strangers who saved a 10-year-old girl from a train platform and must reunite years later to save her again. The manga entered its final arc on April 30.
Anime Corner released the results of its twelfth weekly poll for the Spring 2026 season on June 26, based on over 4,000 votes from fans worldwide. Wistoria: Wand and Sword Season 2 took first place with 8.18% of the vote, marking its third weekly victory of the season. Witch Hat Atelier climbed to second place with 6.19%, while Classroom of the Elite IV secured third with 5.00%. I Made Friends with the Second Prettiest Girl in My Class reached a new season-high in fourth place at 4.54%, and That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 4 rounded out the top five with 4.40%. The poll ranks 58 series total, with titles like Dr. Stone: Science Future Part 3, Marriagetoxin, and Daemons of the Shadow Realm following in the top ten. Anime Corner noted that the rankings reflect community preferences and are not a definitive guide. The site also began collecting votes for its Spring 2026 Anime of the Season award.
The season finale of Akane-banashi is a quiet denouement following Akane's Karaku Cup victory. She receives the stage name Arakawa Akane, begins learning taiko drum, and sees her performance go viral, causing a surge in popularity at school. The episode focuses on the aftermath and her friends' ambitions, setting up future seasons without a cliffhanger.
TV Asahi announced on Saturday that the Akane-banashi anime will return for a second season in January 2027. The announcement came with the conclusion of the first season's Karaku Cup Arc. Six new cast members were revealed for characters who appeared in the season finale: Hochu Otsuka as Miroku Kashiwaya, Ryotaro Okiayu as Shomei Tsubakiya, Hiroshi Naka as Enso Sanmeitei, Mutsumi Tamura as Urara Ransaika, Shinichiro Miki as Ryu'un Kenputei, and Tomokazu Seki as Chocho Konjakutei. The second season will follow Akane after she graduates high school and becomes an apprentice of Shiguma Arakawa, starting her professional career as a rakugoka under the name Akane Arakawa. Studio ZEXCS returns for animation production, with Ayumu Watanabe directing. The first season aired on TV Asahi's IMAnimation block starting April 4. The anime is based on the manga by Yuki Suenaga and Takamasa Moue, which launched in Weekly Shonen Jump in February 2022. Viz Media publishes the manga in English.
Furyu's TENITOL TALL line is releasing two sportswear figures of Rikka Takarada and Akane Shinjo from 'Gridman Universe', based on lottery illustrations. A special 2-figure set with extra face parts is also available. Pre-orders open June 19, 2026, with shipment scheduled for March 2027.
Akane Shimizu, the creator of Cells at Work!, disclosed on X that she was diagnosed with depression, trichotillomania, and PTSD while serializing the manga. She also described financial harm from relatives, sexual abuse, and secondary victimization from family members, and said she cut contact with her sister, who inspired the series.
Episode 11 of Akane-banashi shifts to a celebratory cooldown after the Karaku Cup victory, with a party scene that fills most of the runtime. The episode also begins to explore whether Akane's father's rakugo was simply not good enough, planting a seed of doubt about the art form's survival.
Two major fan polls for the Spring 2026 anime season have released their Week 10 results, covering episodes aired from June 3 to June 9. Anime News Network's reader poll ranked Akane-banashi at number one for the weekly episode ranking, with Witch Hat Atelier and Nippon Sangoku: The Three Nations of the Crimson Sun rounding out the top three. In the cumulative ranking, Witch Hat Atelier held the top spot, followed by Dorohedoro and Nippon Sangoku. Anime Corner's separate poll, which collected over 6,000 votes, showed a different leader: Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- Season 4 took first place for the seventh consecutive week with 12.63% of the vote. Wistoria: Wand and Sword Season 2 climbed to second place at 5.88%, narrowly beating Witch Hat Atelier at 5.85%. Anime Corner noted that Marriagetoxin achieved its highest placement of the season at sixth place, and Akane-banashi entered its top ten for the first time this spring.
QINOCOP announced a Gridman Universe popup at Shinjuku Marui Men from July 11 to 26, 2026. New illustrations feature Rikka Takarada, Akane Shinjo, Yume Minami, Borr, Hime, and Mujina in office-style outfits. Goods include life-sized tapestries, extra-large acrylic stands, and business card holders. Purchase bonuses include polaroid-style illustration cards, with extras for Epos Card users.
Episode 9 of Akane-banashi highlights Hikaru's theatrical voice-acting style during the Karaku Cup, but the episode only gives her about half to 60 percent of the runtime before shifting to Akane's performance, which the review argues lessens Hikaru's impact as a competitor.
Anime Feminist reviewed the first episode of the Akane-banashi anime, calling it one of the most anticipated anime of the year. The premiere focuses on the relationship between Akane and her father Shinta, a journeyman rakugo performer whose career struggles lead to expulsion from the rakugo hierarchy. The review praises the show's girl-led narrative and its challenge to gendered norms, noting that Akane's mother is the breadwinner supporting her husband's artistic ambitions. However, the review criticizes the episode's visual style as overly busy, with constant flashy animation and layered storytelling that makes it difficult to parse Shinta's rakugo performance. The reviewer compares it unfavorably to Rakugo Shinju, which allowed performances to breathe. The patriarchal nature of rakugo is set up as a central critique, with the master who expels Shinta positioned as the villain. The review expresses hope that future episodes will slow down and focus on character development rather than visual spectacle.
Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- Season 4 has taken the top spot in the Spring 2026 weekly anime rankings for the fifth time, according to the Week 8 poll from Anime Corner. The series received 20.08% of over 5,000 votes, the highest vote share any anime has achieved this season. Daemons of the Shadow Realm placed second with 5.15%, and Classroom of the Elite IV earned its first top-three finish of the season in third place with 4.65%. Witch Hat Atelier and Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun Season 4 rounded out the top five. Re:ZERO Season 4 has now won five of the first eight weekly polls, extending its lead as the season enters its final weeks. The series began on April 8 and previously ranked first in Weeks 1, 2, 3, and 6. The season consists of 19 episodes split into two arcs: the 11-episode Loss Arc starting April 8 and the 8-episode Recapture Arc beginning August 12, with a two-month break in between. Anime News Network also noted that Dorohedoro and One Piece kept Witch Hat Atelier just shy of first place in their own rankings.
The final trailer for the live-action film adaptation of Akane Tamura's manga A Side Character's Love Story features the theme song "Clover" by Nishina. The film stars Hiyori Sakurada as Nobuko Tanaka and Taisei Kido as Hiroki Irie, with direction by Hiroki Kazama. It opens in Japanese theaters on June 5.
The Akane-Banashi anime has released a preview for its 8th episode ahead of its May 23, 2026 debut. The series premiered on April 4, 2026, and streams on YouTube and Netflix worldwide. The anime adapts the manga by writer Yuki Suenaga and illustrator Takamasa Moue, which began in 2022 and has 17 volumes. Viz Media publishes the English version. The anime is directed by Ayumu Watanabe, with scripts overseen by Michihiro Tsuchiya. Yu Harima is assistant director, and Kii Tanaka handles character designs and chief animation direction. Production is by ZEXCS. The Japanese cast includes Anna Nagase as Akane Osaki, Takuya Eguchi as Karashi Nerimaya, Rie Takahashi as Hikaru Koragi, and others. Netflix also recently revealed additional English dub cast members for the third episode. The story follows Akane Osaki, a high school student who secretly takes rakugo lessons from her father's former teacher, Shiguma Arakawa, and begins her climb from opening act to headliner.
Episode 6 of Akane-banashi, now streaming on YouTube, introduces Koguma, a rival who challenges Akane in a way she has not faced before. Koguma's strength lies in his deep knowledge of the historical settings of rakugo stories. He understands that rakugo is a period art form, and he uses details like Edo-period dice made from bone rather than modern plastic to create verisimilitude. This approach gives his performances a sense of authenticity that Akane lacks. The episode frames this as a new kind of challenge for Akane: she must move beyond simply memorizing and performing stories-what Koguma calls "just words"-and instead learn the historical and cultural context behind them. The review notes that this requires a different kind of dedication from Akane, one that demands academic study and hard work. The episode received a community score of 4.3 on Anime News Network.
Episode 7 of Akane-banashi features Akane's first major competition, performing the classic rakugo tale Jugemu Jugemu. Voice actress Anna Nagase delivers a rapid-fire vocal performance that the review calls a tour de force, elevating the anime adaptation beyond the manga.
Netflix has listed the English dub cast and staff for the first two episodes of the Akane-banashi anime, which adapts the manga by Yūki Suenaga and Takamasa Moue. The English dub cast includes Abby Trott as Akane Osaki, Xander Mobus as Shinta Arakawa, Rebecca Wang as Masaki Osaki, and Brook Chalmers as Shiguma Arakawa. Other cast members include Evan Michael Lee, Rich Brown, Kirk Thornton, Mona Marshall, Clifford Chapin, Dorah Fine, Matt Shipman, and Darius Marquis Johnson. Bang Zoom! Studios is handling production, with Eric P. Sherman as executive producer and Alex Von David as ADR director and writer. Netflix will debut the English dub for the first two episodes on May 17, with subsequent episodes releasing weekly. The anime began airing on TV Asahi's "IMAnimation" block on April 4. Netflix will begin streaming the series with the English dub on May 17. The anime also streams for free on the Akane-banashi Global YouTube channel in North America and Latin America after Japanese broadcast. The manga launched in February 2022 and has 21 compiled volumes as of April 3.