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5m ago
CloverWorks announced a regional tour of its POP UP SHOP 2026 event, starting January 16 in Ebetsu, Hokkaido, followed by Nagoya in February and Kochi in March. The pop-up shops will sell merchandise for series including My Dress-Up Darling, Wind Breaker, Bocchi the Rock!, Spy × Family, Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, and others. Limited quantities of past release goods and books will also be available. Each venue will display reproduction artwork and production materials, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the studio's animation process. The tour begins at Ebetsu Tsutaya Books (January 16 to February 4), moves to TSUTAYA BOOKSTORE Noritake in Nagoya (February 13 to March 2), and ends at Kochi Tsutaya Books (March 27 to April 13). Stock and exhibits may vary by location. The announcement was made on January 9, 2026.
20m ago
CITY: The Animation concluded its 13-episode run with a finale that doubles the usual cut count and ends with a fully original musical number. The series, directed by Taichi Ishidate and based on Keiichi Arawi's manga, was produced by Kyoto Animation over an extended period. The finale was directed by Ishidate and Takuya Yamamura, with three animation supervisors including Tamami Tokuyama, Kayo Hikiyama, and Nobuaki Maruki. The production's philosophy rejected digital effects in favor of hand-drawn animation, background art, and effects, aiming to retrain younger animators in skills that had become less common. Arawi wrote all production credits by hand and was deeply involved in the adaptation, including selecting classical music pieces for episode 12. The Sakuga Blog's analysis describes the series as a milestone for the studio, comparable to Liz and the Blue Bird, but notes that its resource-intensive approach is unlikely to be repeated. Kyoto Animation is expected to announce a new project at an upcoming event, with speculation pointing toward a long-promised adaptation of the novel 20th Century Electricity Catalog.
20m ago
A detailed production review from Sakuga Blog argues that My Dress-Up Darling season 2 represents a significant creative and technical upgrade over the first season. The piece traces the improvement to multiple factors: series director Keisuke Shinohara's growth into his role, the addition of assistant series director Yusuke Yamamoto (Nara) who brought a more eclectic comedic sensibility from Bocchi the Rock, and a healthier production environment at CloverWorks compared to the post-Wonder Egg Priority exhaustion that constrained season 1. The review highlights how the sequel broadens its depiction of cosplay and otaku culture, giving fuller treatment to in-universe fictional works and exploring more diverse perspectives including crossplay and age-related identity struggles. It notes that animation producer Shouta Umehara stepped down to a production desk role, allowing Shou Someno to take over as producer, which the review frames as a positive development for the team's long-term health. The piece singles out episodes directed by Nara and a return from Shin Wakabayashi as particular highlights, while also noting that the season's small-team approach to animation required careful management to avoid burnout.
55m ago
Game Spark published its weekly roundup of new game releases for the week of June 1 to June 6, 2026. The list covers releases across Windows PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2, with separate schedules for Japan and North America. Major titles include Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, launching June 3 on Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch 2; Gothic 1 Remake, arriving June 6 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S; The 7th Guest Remake, out June 4 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S; and eFootball Kick-Off!, also releasing June 4 on Nintendo Switch 2. Other notable releases include House Flipper Remastered Collection, River City Saga: Journey to the West, TETRIS THE GRAND MASTER 4 -ABSOLUTE EYE-, and multiple smaller indie titles. The roundup also lists several games launching across multiple platforms on the same day, such as the Kunio-kun title River City Saga: Journey to the West and the villain-reincarnation game Villain Reincarnation.
55m ago
Game Spark's weekly "Treasure Hunt" column for May 24-30, 2026, highlights a batch of obscure and niche game releases and announcements. The roundup includes the retro-style survival horror title "Heavy Metal Death Can," set in 1970s Sweden, where players investigate a sunken submarine. Also featured are the combo-focused character action game "Knuckle Paradise," the relaxing train puzzle game "Trackastrophe!," the platforming RPG "Automaton Heart" with organ upgrades, and the chess-powered soulslike "Stonemachia." Other entries include a top-down shooter "Mutant Hunter" with a distinctive reload animation, the anime-style racing RPG "Kaido Genkai" scheduled for a June 9 release, and a Game Boy Color game "Dracula: Dark Reign" inspired by "Castlevania." The column also notes the release of the "Medieval II: Total War Kingdoms" mod "Tsardoms: Total War," covering a historical period from 1345 to 1530 across the Balkans and Eastern Europe. The column is a curated list of indie and retro-style projects, with links to Steam and other platforms.
1h ago
At BitSummit PUNCH in Kyoto, New Blood Interactive CEO Dave Oshry showed a playable build of *Dungeons of DUSK*, a turn-based 3D dungeon RPG set between the first two chapters of the cult FPS *DUSK*. The game is developed by Italy-based 68k Studios, led by Federico Fanelli, and published by New Blood. Combat is grid-based: every step the player takes, enemies also move. The player collects handguns and shotguns, spends technique points on special abilities, and uses items found in the dungeon. A skill tree system lets players build their character. A FRENZY mode triggers when enemies are killed within a set number of turns, granting bonus experience. The demo has been updated with improved field of view and map readability, and full Japanese localization has been confirmed. Oshry said the project began as an idea to make something like the mobile *DOOM RPG*, aiming to revive the pre-smartphone mobile RPG genre. A Steam demo is available now, and the full game is planned for a 2026 release.
1h ago
Game Spark published its weekly ranking of the most-read articles for the period of May 22 to May 28, 2026. The top spot went to a story about the open-world RPG Kenshi, which was on a 72 percent discount on Steam, bringing its price to 980 yen. The article also noted that Kenshi has surpassed 3 million total sales and announced a Japan-exclusive collaboration sake with KURAND. Second place covered Nintendo re-uploading the original 2017 Switch introduction video to YouTube, a move tied to a hardware price revision that raised the original Switch from 32,978 yen to 43,980 yen and the Switch 2 from 49,980 yen to 59,980 yen. Third place featured an opinion column arguing that Gundam Extreme Versus Maxi Boost ON should be released on Switch 2 and Steam. Fourth place reported the discovery of Korean ratings board listings for Persona 4 Revival, Ace Combat 8 Wings of Theve, and Splatoon Raiders. Fifth place covered the full release of the cooperative resort management sim Tropical Resort Simulator.
1h ago
Suntory Beverage & Food will launch a collaboration campaign between its BOSS coffee brand and the Pokemon 30th anniversary on June 1, 2026. The campaign features a lottery for three types of "BOSS Jackets" inspired by the original starter Pokemon: Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle. The Bulbasaur design is a backpack with an openable top meant to carry plants. The Charmander jacket has an LED light at the waist that glows. The Squirtle design is a rain jacket with a water gun and storage backpack. Entrants purchase a six-can pack of BOSS products to apply. A five-pack entry course gives five winners the jacket. A one-pack course gives 3,000 winners a 1,500 yen QUO card. A separate campaign uses QR codes on BOSS products to enter for T-shirts themed to five regional starter Pokemon and gift pay points. Both campaigns run from June 1 at 9:00 a.m. to August 31 at 11:59 p.m. Five main BOSS products will also get "Pokemon Zukan Can" redesigns featuring the starters, Pikachu, and Eevee with Pokedex data on the label. A two-pack of Craft Boss Cafe with a 30th anniversary charm set was released on May 19.
2h ago
Noel Berry, co-developer of the acclaimed platformer Celeste, and his brother Liam Berry have unveiled their next project: City of None, a 2D exploration-focused action platformer. The game was shown in a playable demo at BitSummit PUNCH, a major indie game festival held in Kyoto from May 22 to 24, 2026. In City of None, players control a wooden doll inhabited by collected souls, navigating a decaying underground city. The demo featured platforming and puzzle-solving with a sword weapon, but no direct combat against enemies. Berry told Game Spark that the game prioritizes exploration and atmosphere over the pure platforming of Celeste, though it retains precise movement controls. The title was nominated for the Vermillion Gate Award's grand prize at the festival. City of None is scheduled for a 2027 release on PC via Steam.
2h ago
Studio Trigger has announced commemorative merchandise for a special all-episode screening event of the anime series SSSS.DYNAZENON. The goods feature newly drawn key visual illustrations by character designer Katsumi Sakamoto. The lineup includes a can badge priced at 500 yen, an acrylic stand at 2,500 yen, and a T-shirt at 6,500 yen. The merchandise will be available at physical sales spaces at Tachikawa Cinema City starting December 6, 2025, and at Kawasaki Chinetta from January 10, 2026. The items are available for purchase even without a ticket to the screening. The announcement was made on the studio's official website on December 1, 2025.
3h ago
Anime Feminist's weekly round-up for March 25-31, 2026, features a review of the new manga *Wicked Spot*, a profile of actress Meiko Kaji, and a primer on *Witch Hat Atelier*. The *Wicked Spot* review, from Gizmodo's Isaiah Colbert, describes the series by mangaka Sal Jiang as a sapphic rom-com that blends witchy elements with influencer culture, comparing it favorably to *The Guy She Was Interested In Wasn't A Guy At All* and Kamome Shirahama's *Eniale & Dewiela*. The profile of Kaji, published by Aftermath, covers her 60-year career, including her iconic role in *Lady Snowblood* and her reflections on the grind of early acting. The round-up also includes a video primer on *Witch Hat Atelier* featuring Alex Henderson, plus links to articles on the Tokyo Pokémon Center stalking murder, Japan's citizenship law changes, and a survey of foreign residents in Saitama. Other items cover a worker fired after disclosing autism, former Nippon Ichi Software president's comments on game industry creativity, and a call for concrete woke action.
3h ago
The official website for the light anime adaptation of Kaoruko Miyama's boys-love manga Perfect Addiction released a promotional video on Wednesday, confirming a July premiere. The anime stars Yōhei Azakami as Akihito Kuji and Sōma Saitō as Sae Takatsuki. Akashi Uozumi directs at IMAGICA Infos and Imageworks Studio, with Izumi Tezuka handling series scripts. Yayoi Tateishi is sound director, Midori Narikiyo composes the music, and Kazuya Takahashi is production supervisor. The project is the second release under the BALLOON label, a boys-love brand launched last year by IMAGICA Infos with Dai Nippon Printing, CYBIRD, and BLUE RIGHTS. The label's first light anime, I'll Live a Long Life to Dote on My Favorite Stepbrother!, premiered in January. DNP originated the light anime concept as a lower-cost, faster-production alternative to traditional animation. BALLOON aims to produce four titles in fiscal 2026 and scale to ten or more projects per year by 2028. The Perfect Addiction manga launched in Kaiohsha's Gush online magazine in April 2022 and has over 1.5 million copies in circulation. Seven Seas Entertainment has licensed the manga in English and will release the second volume on July 21.
4h ago
Anime Feminist reviewed the premiere of "I Made Friends with the Second Prettiest Girl in My Class," a high school story about Maki Maehara, a boy who has no friends at school and eats alone. After an awkward self-introduction, he is befriended by Ami Usanagi, the girl the title calls the second prettiest in class. The review criticizes the title for framing Umi as a consolation prize and for reinforcing harmful ranking systems among teenagers. It praises the depiction of Umi reaching out to Maki based on shared interests and the realistic portrayal of teens having different friend groups in and out of school. However, it notes the camera occasionally leers at girls' bodies, and Umi's jokes about Maki being a pervert do not land well. The review calls the episode bland and generic, with potential for romance but nothing exciting beyond the protagonists expanding their friend group. It expresses hope the story values platonic friendships as much as romantic ones, but remains cautious about a possible love triangle. The reviewer concludes the show is not for them but may interest other readers.
4h ago
Anime Feminist's review of the first episode of "Pardon the Intrusion, I'm Home!" describes a series that aims for upbeat romantic comedy but lands closer to a horror story about a woman losing control of her personal space. The episode introduces 24-year-old Rinko, who loves her apartment and her anime merchandise collection. Her peace is shattered when a neighbor, Usada, kicks a hole through her wall. Rinko initially reacts with fear and anger, but immediately forgives him upon recognizing him as the mangaka behind her favorite series. She then cooks for him and rejects the idea of him facing consequences because he needs to draw. A second neighbor, Satsuki, initially seems reasonable but reveals a devious side, offering to pretend to be Rinko's boyfriend. The reviewer notes the show frames these intrusions as comedic, but the dissonance between Rinko's established love for her space and her rapid capitulation to the men's demands is jarring. The episode ends with a domestic dinner scene, which the reviewer finds uncomfortable rather than charming.
4h ago
The premiere of My Ribdiculous Reincarnation introduces a nameless protagonist who dies after being hit by a meteor in Tokyo and finds himself in a world of gods and goddesses betting on how long reincarnated souls survive. The protagonist can reincarnate multiple times into bizarre scenarios, including becoming the rib of a hero to feel women hugging him. The review from Anime Feminist notes that the show actively ridicules the isekai genre and its typical power fantasy tropes, with the protagonist being an honest but pathetic loser who is rightfully mocked for his behavior. The women characters are not sexualized, and the camera avoids leering shots. The animation uses multiple styles, including a colorful, cartoonish look for the gods and a segment reminiscent of the 1957 Soviet film The Snow Queen. The reviewer remains on the fence about continuing, citing personal taste as the deciding factor.
5h ago
Anime Feminist published a review of the first episode of Petals of Reincarnation, a new series on HiDive. The review, written by a former academic with a background in history and museum studies, examines the premiere's premise: high schooler Touya Senji enters a hidden world of Returners and Sinners, modern humans who embody historical figures and their abilities. The reviewer acknowledges the appeal of the concept, comparing it to Hetalia and Fate in its use of real historical figures in a dark fantasy setting. However, the review strongly criticizes the series for including figures like Pol Pot and Hitler as characters, arguing that the show lacks nuance and fails to responsibly handle the real-world horrors these individuals represent. The reviewer calls the premiere a "four-tiered premiere of cream cheese icing over shit when you dig down," stating that flashy animation and a strong ending theme cannot compensate for what they see as a problematic and shallow treatment of history. The review concludes that there are better historical studies and edgier anime to watch instead.
5h ago
Anime Feminist reviewed the premiere of Ghost Concert: Missing Songs, an original anime set in 2045 Japan where human-made music is banned and an app called MiucS generates socially appropriate sounds. The episode follows high schooler Seria, who initially accepts the system but becomes curious after hearing someone singing, a crime described as catching an audible virus. When she investigates, she encounters a ghost and becomes possessed, gaining a flirtatious alter ego. The review praises the premiere for blending science fiction with fantasy elements, particularly the possession plotline and a second song that impressed the reviewer. The reviewer notes the series explores themes of humanity and technology, contrasting Seria's interest in traditional Japanese crafts with the chrome-and-concrete world. The review calls the plot twist unpredictable and says the episode became one of the reviewer's favorites of the season, though it does not spoil the twist. The reviewer expresses high hopes for the series, calling it interesting from start to finish.
5h ago
Anime Feminist published a long-form analysis on March 4, 2026, examining the history and narrative function of genderbent characters in the Fate franchise, from its first installment Fate/stay night (2004) through Fate/Grand Order (2015-present). The piece argues that the series' practice of reimagining historical male figures as women is not merely a marketing ploy but frequently serves character development and thematic exploration of identity, personhood, and the cost of surrendering oneself to an ideal. The analysis focuses on King Arthur, the franchise's first genderbent character, whose identity as a woman is central to her arc and her relationship with protagonist Shirou Emiya. The article also examines later characters like Mordred, Nero Claudius, and Okita Souji as self-referential iterations on the original Saber design, and discusses how the series uses its genderbending framework to spotlight lesser-known historical women, such as Katsushika Ōi and Tokimura Michi. It notes that Fate's approach to gender has become less binary over time, with explicitly nonbinary characters like Chevalier d'Eon, Qin Shi Huang, and Romulus appearing in Fate/Grand Order. The piece acknowledges that not all of the franchise's gender experiments are tasteful, sometimes veering into fetishism, but concludes that the series shows a consistent, decades-long interest in exploring gender and identity.
5h ago
This week's round-up covers multiple stories across the anime and manga industry. Crunchyroll is undergoing restructuring in its HR, Product, and E-Commerce departments, with layoffs estimated at roughly one-eighth to one-seventh the size of its August 2025 cuts, according to a source speaking to ScreenRant. The restructuring involves shifting merchandise strategy and moving roles internationally to address growth in Latin America, India, and Southeast Asia. Separately, manga creator Rumiko Takahashi has quietly withdrawn all her works from Shogakukan's MangaONE platform, without a public announcement, following the publisher's handling of a sexual abuse case involving creator Shōichi Yamamoto. The victim in that case released a statement through Anime News Network, denying a tabloid headline and clarifying her goal of exposing the truth; Shogakukan has since expressed plans to establish a third-party committee. The round-up also includes a discussion of political themes in anime, a review of BanG Dream! It's MyGO!!!!!, and a feature on Silent Hill's feminist themes.
6h ago
Anime Feminist reviewed the first episode of *Agents of the Four Seasons: Dance of Spring*, a new urban fantasy anime that premiered at the start of the spring season. The episode centers on three female characters: Hinagiku, the frail Agent of Spring; Sakura, her loyal bodyguard; and Nazuna, a young girl they meet. The review praises the premiere for its small-scale, character-focused introduction, contrasting it with fantasy series that overwhelm viewers with worldbuilding from the start. It highlights the compelling dynamic between Hinagiku and Sakura, described as a "lady-and-knight" relationship with chivalric intimacy, though it notes that Sakura likely is not Hinagiku's love interest. Nazuna is singled out as a surprisingly effective character, given a subtle arc about hope and grief that grounds the magical elements. The review also notes that the episode ends with a montage hinting at a larger cast and higher stakes, leaving questions about Hinagiku's past and the reasons for her hiding. The visuals are described as lovely, and the writing as effective fantasy storytelling.
8h ago
Anime Feminist's weekly round-up for 11-17 March 2026 covers multiple stories. The lead piece examines how Oshi no Ko uses real-life tragedy to depict harassment and reality TV culture. A separate report from Unseen Japan details a sexual assault controversy involving manga publisher Shogakukan, where a victim spoke out about the company's handling of a creator who was arrested in 2020, had his manga canceled, and was rehired under a new name in 2022 before a settlement was reached. Shogakukan announced on March 2 that it would set up a third-party committee to investigate MangaONE's hiring processes. Other items include the news that Mega Man voice actor Spencer Diskin will not return for the game Dual Override because Capcom refused to make the project unionized, a retrospective on the anime Mayonaka Punch, a survey finding 62.6% of unmarried Japanese under 30 do not want children, and an interview with Charithra Chandran about backlash over her casting as Vivi in Netflix's One Piece Season 2.
8h ago
Anime Feminist's weekly round-up for March 18-24, 2026, covers a range of topics including a feature on women in early game localization, a reprint announcement for Shimura Takako's manga Wandering Son, and a report on Japanese government subsidies for entertainment. The localization piece highlights Kaoru Moriyama, one of Square's first Japanese-to-English translators, who worked on Final Fantasy Legend II and III, Final Fantasy Adventure, Final Fantasy IV, and Secret of Mana, and confirmed an unreleased English translation of Final Fantasy II. Fantagraphics announced a newly designed paperback edition of Wandering Son: Volumes One & Two, releasing July 7, 2026. The round-up also includes a report from Automaton noting that anime creators received 0.0% of Japan's entertainment industry subsidies in 2024, with most funds going to promotion and distribution. Other items cover housing discrimination against foreign residents in Japan and a Tokyo court decision denying women's right to sterilization surgery.
8h ago
MAPPA announced on March 1, 2026, that it will absorb its subsidiary studio Contrail through a merger effective April 1, 2026. The merger is intended to consolidate operations and improve working conditions for staff. Contrail's brand will be maintained after the merger, and its team will continue producing current and future projects. The decision to merge was driven by MAPPA's plan to relocate Contrail's staff to its headquarters in Nakano, Tokyo, providing a better production environment. The company stated that the merger aims to allow staff from both studios, who have different cultures and technical backgrounds, to learn from each other and create animation that resonates with global audiences. MAPPA and Contrail will share the creative philosophies and production expertise they have each developed over time. The announcement did not specify any changes to Contrail's ongoing projects or leadership.
9h ago
Netflix Japan announced four new titles as part of its 2026 slate on January 27. The lineup includes a live-action film adaptation of Toriko Yoshikawa's novel 'One Year to Live, Buy a Man,' directed by Hiroki Kazama and starring Ko Shibasaki and Eiji Akaso. The anime 'Sparks of Tomorrow,' produced by Kyoto Animation and directed by Minoru Ota, is set for a July release. A live-action adaptation of the webtoon 'Viral Hit' will premiere on May 28, directed by Hideki Takeuchi. The unscripted auction format 'Doors Closed, Bids Open,' hosted by Matsuko Deluxe, was also announced. The streamer noted that Japanese content viewing hours hit a record in the second half of 2025, with one in two Netflix members globally watching anime.
9h ago
Anime Feminist published a review of the first episode of the shojo romance series In the Clear Moonlit Dusk on January 15. The review describes the protagonist Yoi, a tall girl with a lower-pitched voice who has been nicknamed "The Prince" by her classmates. She is uncomfortable with the label but struggles to speak up. The episode introduces Ichimura, a popular boy also called "Prince," who is the first person to see past her reputation. The reviewer is of two minds about the premiere. On one hand, they value the story's exploration of how rigid feminine beauty standards can exclude girls from being seen as women. They note that Yoi experiences something like dysphoria due to being misgendered. On the other hand, the reviewer is disappointed that the series seems to be heading toward a romance that reaffirms Yoi's femininity rather than letting her embrace her boyish traits. They also criticize the character design, arguing that Yoi looks conventionally attractive with big eyes and soft features, which undercuts the premise of her being unfeminine. The reviewer finds the animation lovely and the leads have chemistry, but they remain frustrated with the broader trends the story represents. They place the show on their "It's Complicated" shelf.
9h ago
Anime Feminist reviewed the premiere of "Reincarnated as a Dragon Hatchling," finding it a decent but unexceptional entry in the reincarnation fantasy genre. The episode follows an unnamed protagonist who is reborn as a baby dragon in a fantasy world with no memory of his past life. Guided by a divine voice with a surprisingly humorous personality, he must hunt and eat creatures to level up and survive. The reviewer notes strong similarities to "So I'm a Spider, So What?" but finds the protagonist lacks that show's charisma, making his progression feel less triumphant. The monster designs are praised as distinct and well-crafted, and the divine voice's playful mockery provides comic relief. The episode introduces a human magician who becomes an ally, and the world's politics remain mysterious, hinting at potential depth. However, the protagonist's naivety about how humans will perceive him is criticized as unrealistic. Overall, the review calls it a competent reincarnation story, recommending "So I'm a Spider, So What?" as a superior alternative but suggesting this show is passable for fans who have already seen that series.
9h ago
Hikaru Kondo, founder and producer of ufotable, spoke with The Hollywood Reporter about the production of Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, the first film in a planned trilogy adapting the final arc of Koyoharu Gotouge's manga. The film has grossed $722 million worldwide, including $134.5 million in North America, making it the highest-grossing Japanese film of all time. Kondo described his role as sending creative prompts to the studio's roughly 300 in-house staff, with storyboards serving as a launch pad for animators to experiment with action sequences and camera motion. When asked about a reported $20 million budget, Kondo declined to confirm the figure but noted that a Hollywood sequel with similar box office performance would justify a budget of $100 million to $150 million. Aniplex producer Yuma Takahashi, who joined the conversation, said he would "sincerely try my best" regarding budget for future installments. Kondo also addressed ufotable's history of receiving offers from Hollywood studios, stating the company evaluates each project individually without changing its fundamental production approach. He emphasized that the studio's strength comes from long-term staff retention and a trial-and-error process blending 2D and 3D animation.
9h ago
Celia Catunda, director of the Brazilian-Japanese animated feature "My Grandfather Is a Nihonjin," said she deliberately avoided making the film in an anime style, instead aiming to create a visual blend of Japanese and Brazilian traditions. Speaking ahead of the film's premiere at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, Catunda explained that while many asked if the project would be anime, she wanted to forge a distinct look. The film follows Noboru, a boy from São Paulo who learns about his Japanese heritage through his grandfather Hideo. It is based on the novel by Oscar Nakasato and draws on Catunda's own experiences growing up with friends of Japanese descent. Catunda, who does not have Japanese heritage, worked with creative consultants to avoid stereotypes, particularly in character gestures and music. The score combines Japanese sounds with Brazilian countryside music. The film is produced by Catunda's company Pinguim Content and is set to screen at multiple festivals after its Annecy debut. Catunda cited the recent Oscar win for the Latvian film "Flow" as a positive sign for independent animation.
12h ago
The National Film Archive of Japan (NFAJ) will host a retrospective of Toei Animation this summer, screening 50 theatrical features on 35mm film prints. The program runs from late July through early September. It offers a rare chance to see the studio's films in their original format at a time when most archival screenings have moved to digital. The NFAJ has not published a full lineup, but a teaser flyer confirms the selection spans more than four decades of Toei's output. Early works include The Tale of the White Serpent (1958), considered Japan's first color animated feature, Magic Boy (1959), and Alakazam the Great (1960). The retrospective also features The Little Norse Prince (1968), Isao Takahata's feature that launched a 50-year creative partnership with Hayao Miyazaki, who worked on scene designs and key animation. Later decades are represented by Galaxy Express 999 (1979) and Adieu Galaxy Express 999 (1981). The program highlights Toei's shift into franchise filmmaking with Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone (1989) and Sailor Moon R: The Movie (1993). More recent selections include Digimon Adventure (1999) and One Piece: The Movie (2000).
12h ago
Netflix announced a slate of new One Piece projects on April 7, headlined by The One Piece, a new anime series from Wit Studio that will re-adapt the East Blue saga from Eiichiro Oda's manga. The series is produced in collaboration with Toei Animation and Fuji Television. Unlike the original 1999 anime, this version is described as a reimagining using contemporary production techniques and updated visuals, suggesting a more compact, seasonal approach. Netflix also previewed LEGO One Piece, a two-part animated special premiering September 29. Produced with The LEGO Group, Shueisha, and Atomic Cartoons, it retells the story of the live-action series' first two seasons in LEGO form. The company confirmed that live-action Season 3, titled One Piece: The Battle of Alabasta, is in production for a 2027 release. Additional franchise expansions include a podcast, and merchandise lines from Moose Toys, NERF, Quiksilver, Funko, Netflix Shop, Penguin Random House, Hot Topic, and Primark.
12h ago
Toho, the Japanese entertainment company behind Godzilla Minus One, announced on December 19 that it has acquired all shares of Glasgow-based anime distributor Anime Limited from Germany's Plaion Pictures. The acquisition gives Toho immediate distribution capabilities in the UK and France across theatrical, home video, TV, streaming, and merchandise. Toho will also establish a European regional headquarters in London, led by Toho Global, its overseas business division. Anime Limited founder and managing director Andrew Partridge will join the leadership team of the new European base. In a parallel move, Toho and Plaion Pictures have agreed to a strategic alliance, with Plaion extending Toho's distribution reach into Germany, Italy, and other European markets. The deal follows Toho's acquisition of US distributor GKIDS in October 2024 and the launch of a Singapore-based Asian hub in November 2024. Toho cited the European anime market's estimated value of $4.77 billion in 2024, projected to reach $9.05 billion by 2030, as context for the expansion. Financial terms were not disclosed.
12h ago
Sakuga Blog published a translated interview from Comic Natalie featuring Shiboyugi director Souta Ueno and sound director Noriyoshi Konuma. The two discussed their creative process for the anime, which premiered on January 7. Ueno said he wanted to avoid common death game tropes by not reveling in the girls' deaths or making a spectacle of them. Konuma explained that the sound design aimed for abstraction rather than dictating emotions, using atonal and dissonant music from composer Junichi Matsumoto. The recording sessions for the hour-long first episode took two sessions, with three takes per episode and five-hour sessions. Konuma noted that voice actress Chiyuki Miura's performance made Yuki more human than expected, adding nuance to her character. Ueno revealed that the opening sequence was inspired by his own experience of wandering at night, which he compared to feeling suicidal, and Konuma's dream of a burning double-decker bus. The interview also covered the casting of lesser-known talent, the decision to use instrumental music for the opening, and the thematic exploration of love in the story's world.
12h ago
A new Neon Genesis Evangelion television series is in development, with NieR creator Yoko Taro attached as series composer and scriptwriter. Studio Khara announced the project during the final program of the Evangelion:30+ 30th Anniversary of Evangelion event over the weekend. The series will be co-produced with CloverWorks, known for Spy x Family. Story details, release timing, and cast have not been revealed. Kazuya Tsurumaki, a longtime Evangelion collaborator and director of FLCL, will direct alongside Toko Yatabe, who has worked extensively within the franchise. Keiichi Okabe, another key NieR creative voice, will compose the music. Original Evangelion creator Hideaki Anno is not listed among the lead creative credits. The announcement positions the project as the franchise's first completely new TV installment in years, fueled by the creative team's well-regarded profiles for atmosphere and story crafting.
12h ago
Amazon MGM Studios has appointed Buddy Marini as head of its Japan operations, effective March 6. Based in Tokyo, Marini will oversee the development and production of local originals across film, television series, and anime, and work with Amazon's global teams to distribute Japanese content on Prime Video. He reports to Nicole Clemens, who joined Amazon in June 2025 to lead international operations. Marini was most recently managing director of Warner Bros. Discovery Japan, where he led a team of 300 people across streaming, original production, pay-TV networks, and licensing. Earlier in his career, he founded the manga platform Mangamo, served as CEO of Hulu Japan, and managed Avex Asia in Hong Kong. Prime Video's current anime slate includes "Fist of the North Star: Hokuto No Ken," "The Ghost in the Shell," and "From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman." Amazon's APAC chief Gaurav Gandhi said last month the company aims to be "the preferred destination for anime content globally."
12h ago
The Marché du Film at the Cannes Film Festival and TIFFCOM, the Tokyo International Film Festival content market, are partnering to launch a new three-day event dedicated to Japanese intellectual properties. The inaugural Japan IP Market will run from May 15 to 17, 2026, aboard the Art Explora catamaran at Cannes' Vieux-Port. The market will feature pitch sessions, one-on-one meetings, and conferences aimed at connecting Japanese rights holders with international producers and buyers for film and TV adaptations. Participating companies include Amuse Creative Studio, Kadokawa Corporation, Shochiku, Toei Company, Nihon Bungeisha, Nippon Animation, and Shufu To Seikatsu Sha. A keynote titled "The Future of Japanese IP in Global Adaptations" will be delivered by Tetsu Fujimura, executive producer of Netflix's live-action "One Piece" adaptation. Additional sessions include a France-Japan partnership focus and a discussion on manga and anime publishers and broadcasters featuring Crunchyroll and Glénat Editions. Japan is the country of honor at this year's Cannes Film Market. The announcement follows a 15 percent growth in Japan's anime industry, which exceeded $25 billion in revenue in 2024, according to the Anime Industry Report published at TIFFCOM last November.
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Isamu Imakake's feature film 'Dragon Heart: Adventures Beyond This World' will debut on U.S. digital platforms on March 3, following a 250-screen theatrical run in Japan last year. Freestyle Digital Media acquired the U.S. rights. The film follows Ryusuke, a Tokyo junior high student who, after an accident at the Anabiki River, and his cousin Tomomi awaken in a spirit realm where they must discover their true purpose to return to the living world. The feature was written and produced by Ryuho Okawa, with a screenplay credited to the Dragon Heart - Adventures Beyond This World Scenario Project. Animation was handled by HS Pictures Studios in Japan, with 3D work overseen by VFX creative supervisor Yumiko Awaya. The English-language dub features Zach Aguilar and Ren Holly Liu. Imakake described the film as a spiritually driven fantasy aimed at younger audiences grappling with existential questions, drawing from Buddhist, Hindu, and other spiritual iconography.
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Studio Ghibli has donated over 120 items from the 2008 film "Ponyo" to the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles, including key animation drawings drawn by Hayao Miyazaki himself and artboards that served as early concept blueprints for the film. The donation, which also includes original Japanese release posters, came as a surprise to senior exhibitions curator Jessica Niebel, who had repeatedly asked Ghibli for materials over several years without a response. After the museum's 2017 Hayao Miyazaki retrospective closed, Niebel received an email from Studio Ghibli offering the items. The donation is now part of the museum's new exhibition "Studio Ghibli's Ponyo," which opened recently and runs through January 10, 2027. The exhibit is Niebel's first designed specifically for children, with interactive play spaces, viewing stations, and a movable woodcut of Ponyo that children can manipulate. Niebel also conducted new interviews with Ghibli artists for the exhibit, a rare opportunity since the studio's artists typically do not give interviews.
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The anime adaptation of Hiromu Arakawa's manga Daemons of the Shadow Realm (Yomi no Tsugai) has released its first preview for the 9th episode, which airs on May 30, 2026. The series debuted on April 4, 2026, and streams on Crunchyroll. The manga, which began in 2021, has over three million copies in circulation. The anime is directed by Masahiro Ando with scripts by Noboru Takagi, character designs by Nobuhiro Arai, and animation production by Bones Film. The Japanese cast includes Kensho Ono as Yuru, Yume Miyamoto as Asa, Yuichi Nakamura as Dera, and others. The opening theme is "Tobu Toki" by Vandy, and the ending theme is "Tobo Yo" by yama. In a separate interview, English dub voice actors Ben Stegmair (Yuru) and Molly Zhang (Asa) discussed their approaches to the roles, with Stegmair noting he plays three distinct versions of Yuru and Zhang describing how she used a different voice for the fake Asa.
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Techno Speech announced that the Japanese talk voice library Ui, voiced by illustrator and VTuber Shigure Ui, will release as a new voice library for the speech synthesis software VoiSona Talk in summer 2026. Package pre-orders opened May 30, with a limited special edition at 16,500 yen and a regular edition at 9,900 yen.
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The upcoming "New Theatrical Version ☆ Keroro Gunsō: Revival and Immediate Crisis of Earth's Destruction!" has announced seven new guest voice actors, including Keigo Sato (JO1), Yusei Yagi (FANTASTICS), Suzanne, Rina Watanabe (Hinatazaka46), Tomokazu Seki, Natsuki Hanae, and Koichi Yamadera. The film commemorates the anime's 20th anniversary and is the first new movie in 16 years, directed by Yuichi Fukuda. It opens nationwide on June 26.
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The staff for the Young Ladies Don't Play Fighting Games anime revealed that Halca performs the ending theme song "New Game." The anime also announced a new collaboration with Street Fighter 6, including a promotional video in the Battle Hub from June 2-30 and six title cards available through July 14. The anime premieres July 7.
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The television anime adaptation of Hiro Oda's light novel series "Yowaki MAX Reijō nanoni, Ratsuwan Konyakusha-sama no Kake ni Notte Shimatta" will premiere in October 2026, Kadokawa announced on Saturday. The announcement came alongside the release of the first promotional video, the main staff, and three additional cast members. Rina Hidaka joins as Caroline Ramsey, Sora Amamiya as Erin White, and Haruki Ishiya as Henry Cox. Nobuaki Nakanishi is directing the series at studio Jumondo, with Hiroko Fukuda handling series composition, Hyun Sik Choi designing characters, and Moe Hyuga and Natsuki Hamada composing the music. Miku Ito voices protagonist Pia Rockwell and Ryota Osaka voices Rufus Stan, reprising their roles from the novels' voice drama and the manga's voice comic episodes. The story follows a grad student reincarnated as a 10-year-old villainess in an otome game who tries to break her engagement early, only to have her fiancé propose a bet instead. Oda began the story on Shōsetsuka ni Narō in January 2020, and Kadokawa published the seventh novel volume in April 2024. The manga adaptation by Aji Murata released its fifth volume on February 16.
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Anime Hack columnist Q declares "The Story of a Clumsy Disciplinary Committee Member and an Inappropriately Skirted JK" (Ponsuka) the dark horse hit of the current season. The piece praises the series' fast-paced comedic depiction of opposites-attracting leads Togo Sakuraomon and Poem Kohinata, its strong supporting cast with their own romantic subplots, and the anime's pop visual style that retains the manga's thick lines while adding fluid animation.
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The Arc Championship 2026 itasha event was held on May 24 at Okuibuki Motor Park in Maibara City, Shiga Prefecture, drawing 250 fan-decorated vehicles. Concurrent events Aiste 2nd and Atabui 2026, themed around VTubers and the Idolmaster series, also took place at the venue.
21h ago
A pop-up shop selling collaboration merchandise for Chibi Maruko-chan and Crayon Shin-chan will open at Tokyo Solamachi from June 4 to June 21, 2026. The shop, called Okiraku Shoten, will carry stationery, household goods, and event-exclusive items, with a photo spot and a lottery prize for purchases over 2000 yen.
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Niantic opened Pokémon GO Fest 2026: Tokyo on May 29, the first real-world Pokémon GO event in Tokyo and the largest ever, covering almost all of the city. The main venue spans four areas in Odaiba-Aomi, with stages, photo spots, and team zones. The event runs through June 1.
23h ago
FUJII Production released a 20-second video on May 29 showing a new game in development, featuring a giant robot, a road-sign weapon, and a tank. The developer's first game, 'Byoki na GENERATION -Kurein Kyatcha no Bory-', launched in December 2025. No store page or details are available yet, and development is described as 'super delayed.'
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Bandai Spirits announced the DX Chogokin SDF-1 Macross, the first 45th anniversary product for Super Dimension Fortress Macross. The 1/2000 scale figure measures about 650 mm, transforms without replacement parts, and includes light-up gimmicks. Pre-orders open June 1 for a November 2026 release at 99,000 yen.
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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.
1d ago
Ashi Productions announced on May 30 that a new OVA for "Magical Princess Minky Momo" will hit theaters on November 13, 2026. The project, titled "Magical Princess Minky Momo: Toward the Dream We Long For - Duet of Sincerity," is the first completely new OVA in 32 years, following 1994's "Minky Momo in The Station of Departure." It commemorates the 50th anniversary of Ashi Productions' founding. The story takes place in Desirnasa, a dream-powered land facing extinction as humans lose hope. On her 12th birthday, Momo receives a smartphone and awakens as Minky Momo after meeting three companions: Chamocha, Dettabook, and Pipirup. She begins collecting dream energy but grows suspicious of a mysterious app spreading "shallow dreams" driven by approval and numbers. Kunihiko Yuyama, chief director of the 1991 series, provided a comment and illustration to mark Momo's birthday on May 30. The OVA is directed by Ayumu Watanabe, with character designs by Hiroshi Watanabe and Mari Tominaga, and a script by Deko Akao. A fan art campaign runs until June 24 on X, with selected works appearing in the theater pamphlet.