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Which Summer 2024 Anime are Popular in the U.S. Compared to Japan?
We have a new deep-dive from Miles Atherton to find out which anime captured the most fans last season!
― Anime has never been bigger in the United States of America. It's a big statement to make but relatively easy to qualify. According to research from Polygon from 2023, “56% of Gen Z respondents and 41% of Millennial respondents say they watch anime at least once a month” with the supermajority o...
The Fall 2024 Manga Guide
The manga guide continues with a fan-favorite yuri series, a recent anime adaptation, and plenty of horror!
― Welcome to Anime News Network's Spring 2024 Manga Guide! You may have seen one of our seasonal Anime Preview Guides, where a team of critics writes up each new anime television premiere as it airs at the beginning of a season. Now, doing something like that for manga is tricky - there's no e...
Interview: Danganronpa Creator Kazutaka Kodaka is Gambling His Studio's Future on His New Game
Previously stuck in development hell, Kodaka and Uchikoshi are betting the very existence of their studio, Too Kyo Games, on the success of The Hundred Line.
― The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy is an upcoming visual novel/TRPG from the creative minds of Danganronpa's Kazutaka Kodaka and Zero Escape's Kotaro Uchikoshi. At Tokyo Game Show 2024, Anime News Network was able to see a bit of the new ...
Korea's WEBTOON Entertainment In Midst of Labor Dispute
WEBTOON Entertainment's labor union is requesting fair compensation after its CEO was awarded an eye-popping $30 million in cash and stock options.
― Since going public on the U.S. stock market, WEBTOON Entertainment, the world's leading platform for Korean webcomics, has been battling a series of escalating crises. The company's stock price has plummeted by 50%, and disgruntled stockholders have fil...
The Fall 2024 Manga Guide
Check out the latest additions to the Manga Guide with gyaru, fantasy adventures, and more spicy series!
― Welcome to Anime News Network's Spring 2024 Manga Guide! You may have seen one of our seasonal Anime Preview Guides, where a team of critics writes up each new anime television premiere as it airs at the beginning of a season. Now, doing something like that for manga is tricky - there's no equi...
From Vertical Scroll to Screen: Anime Adaptations of K-Comics
It's becoming hard to miss: anime is increasingly mining Korean comics for inspiration. Let's take a look at some of the popular adaptations so far.
― It's becoming hard to miss: anime is increasingly mining Korean comics for inspiration. It's hardly a new thing, though – back in 2004, Ragnarok started the ball rolling, followed by Black God in 2009. The former series was based on a game, while the ...
Interview: Bridging Dungeon Fighter Online and Dark Souls with The First Berserker: Khazan
We got hands-on with the the big upcoming Souls-like games: The First Berserker: Khazan.
― One of the big upcoming souls-like games is The First Berserker: Khazan. I got some hands-on time with the title at the Tokyo Game Show 2024. I also got to sit down with the game's creative director, Junho Lee, and art director, Kyuchul Lee, to discuss the game's connection to the nearly 20-year-running Dungeon...
Look Back: Director Oshiyama's Inherent Need to Draw
Oshiyama spent the last week of the film's production drawing “1,000 key animations.”
― Studio Durian's movie adaptation of Tatsuki Fujimoto's one-shot, Look Back, has been the talk of the town. Following critical acclaim from some of the most influential Japanese moviegoers, US fans had the chance to see the movie with Director Oshiyama. GKIDS hosted three public screenings, which included a live Q&...
Newtype exclusive interview: Tower of God Season 2 Series Composition/Scriptwriter Erika Yoshida
Scriptwriter Erika Yoshida shares the most important theme of season two and how the series' characters have changed.
― Everyone climbs the tower with something different in their hearts…
Tower of God Season 2 is here at last!
The view from the top is… Series Composition/Script: Erika Yoshida
A depiction of real-life problems in our world today ーSeason 2 is finally here after four years. How do you ...
The Real Yokai of DAN DA DAN
We asked yokai expert Zack Davisson to give us a lesson in the real origins of Turbo Granny, Serpos aliens, and more from the hit series DAN DA DAN!
― I was just at AnimeNYC, and as usual, after my yokai panel I had people curious about their favorite series, asking “Is this a real yokai?” I get that question all the time and the answer is always “Yes.” Because all yokai are real to the same extent ...
Blood on the Tracks Manga Creator Shūzō Oshimi Can't Help But Get Personal
We met with Oshimi at the Kodansha House pop-up in NYC to look back at Flowers of Evil, gender themes in his work, and what might come next.
― “Have you ever read a comic that crept up on you? A story that lingers long after you put the book down? You turn off the lights and get ready to sleep, and then, from the darkness, this story reaches out and grabs your ankle? Congratulations, you've just read...
The Giants Dance in Attack on Titan: The Musical's U.S. Premiere
Titan ballads, giant balloons and puppets, and aerial artistry brought Hajime Isayama's iconic manga to life.
― “Are you a cult? Is this musical based on a cult manga or anime?” I was half-surprised when an English-speaking, middle-aged press attendee asked this at the Attack on Titan: The Musical press conference. The answer would have been a Google away. Still, perhaps the woman's confusion was to ...
A Bright and Colorful Adventure: An Interview with BAKERU Director Tadanori Tsukawaki
We spoke with BAKERU's director—Tadanori Tsukawaki of Good-Feel about a wide range of topics—from the game's anime inspirations, its educational elements, and even giant robots for good measure.
― While playing through BAKERU, I couldn't help but reminisce about the 3D platformers that defined a large part of my childhood—Ape Escape, Sly Cooper, the list goes on. But as mentioned in my review, my fo...
The Fall 2024 Anime Preview Guide
The Preview Guide is back for one last hurrah with Blue Miburo!
― Welcome to Anime News Network's Fall 2024 Anime Preview Guide! Here's how it goes: our team of critics writes up their impressions instantly, to be posted here as they go along. Each critic will cover as many shows as they can handle, giving you alternate takes on almost every show. The guide is ongoing, organized by series, and updat...
Palworld Will "March On" Amid Nintendo Lawsuit
Pocketpair's Global Community Manager John “Bucky” Buckley said, “[Refuses] for any plans to be changed. We march on,” when asked about any changes to the company's plans moving forward.
― In January 2024 the video game world was abuzz with an early access game. That game was none other than Pocketpair's Palworld. A survival and monster-taming game, it saw over one million players on its early access...
Managing the Stress System: REYNATIS Creative Producer TAKUMI
With its combination of style, fashion, and high-flying action, REYNATIS was one of the bigger action RPG surprises of the summer. We sat down with creative producer TAKUMI, to speak more about the game.
― With its combination of style, fashion, and high-flying action, REYNATIS was one of the bigger action-RPG surprises of the summer. We sat down with TAKUMI, REYNATIS's creative producer, to speak mo...
The Top 5 Games from Nintendo's Holiday Line-Up
We tested some of Nintendo's most highly-anticipated games of the year and found five to add to your Christmas list!
― Usually, I don't want to see any Christmas promotions before Halloween, but I make an exception for the Nintendo Holiday Tour, which came to NYC in September to showcase games and merchandise Nintendo is selling this holiday season. Many games were on display, including games from ea...
Mario & Luigi: Brothership Game Preview
We checked out the demo in New York City and this seabound Mario & Luigi entry is shaping up to be one of the more exciting titles of Nintendo's 2024 holiday line-up.
― Mario & Luigi: Brothership had its own preview event in New York City the week after the Nintendo Holiday Tour. This is the first full new game in the Mario & Luigi RPG series since Paper Jam in 2015, the first for the Switch, and th...
The Cast of My Hero Academia: You're Next Go Beyond Plus Ultra on Red Carpet
We spoke to dynamic duo Daiki Yamashita and Kenta Miyake on the red carpet to learn more about the villainous Dark Might in the new MHA film.
― Dynamic duo Daiki Yamashita and Kenta Miyake return to LA for the U.S. premiere of My Hero Academia: You're Next. Previously, the pair came together alongside the voice actors of the movie's two central characters, Mamoru Miyano and Meru Nukumi, at Anime Expo...
The Fall 2024 Anime Preview Guide
Things are spooky in the Anime Preview Guide! The season has almost wrapped up, so be sure to check out all the latest reviews of the season right here.
― Welcome to Anime News Network's Fall 2024 Anime Preview Guide! Here's how it goes: our team of critics writes up their impressions instantly, to be posted here as they go along. Each critic will cover as many shows as they can handle, giving you a...
Fresh and New Everytime: The Music of Creepy Nuts
Hip-hop duo Creepy Nuts delivers a high-energy show filled with multi-genre hits. We had the privilege of sitting down with them for a quick conversation about their writing process and inspirations.
― Hip-hop duo Creepy Nuts performed earlier this year at Anime NYC, delivering a high-energy show filled with multi-genre hits. Made up of DJ Matsunaga and rapper R-Shitei, the setlist included many of ...
Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines! Interview with Director Shotaro Kitamura
Director Kitamura shares his impressions of Makeine's heroines, creating the anime's summer atmosphere, and more.
―
Illustrated by Yuuko Hariba
Background by Shingo Kanai (Kusanagi)
Finished by Ayaka Murakami
Composite by Yuko Shigeie Which girl captured your heart this summer? Let's take a look back at the heroines who colored the summer with their unique “kawaii” style! We asked the director what...
The Fall 2024 Anime Preview Guide
Romance takes a dark turn in Yakuza Fiance! Also check our reviews for Tower of God: Workshop Battle, Puniru is a Kawaii Slime, MF Ghost, TsumaSho, Ranma ½, Bleach, BLUE LOCK, DAN DA DAN, and more!
― Welcome to Anime News Network's Fall 2024 Anime Preview Guide! Here's how it goes: our team of critics writes up their impressions instantly, to be posted here as they go along. Each critic will cover a...
Creating a Multi-Volume Rom-Com Manga from a One-Shot
According to series creator Yūki Kanamaru, More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers was originally only supposed to be three chapters long!
― More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers certainly caught me by surprise when it aired back in 2022. Within its unique premise is a story about love and looking past our preconceptions about each other. At Anime Expo 2024, Anime News Network sat down and s...
The Fall 2024 Anime Preview Guide
The Everything Goes School of Martial Arts is now in session with the RANMA 1/2 reboot! Also: You are Ms. servant, Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, Blue Exorcist: Beyond the Snow Saga, Orb: On the Movements of the Earth, BLUE LOCK 2nd Season and more!
― Welcome to Anime News Network's Fall 2024 Anime Preview Guide! Here's how it goes: our team of critics writes up their impressions instantly, to be ...
Performing in the 2.5 Dimension: Producer Shimpei Yamashita on Oshi no Ko Season 2
Ahead of its final episode, Shimpei Yamashita discusses the challenges of following up Oshi no Ko's first season with one equally as good.
― Oshi no Ko, based on the manga by Aka Akasaka and Mengo Yokoyari, may not have surprised readers of the series by being a hit. The story is by turns intense and humorous, balancing detailed examinations of what it means to project a perky, lighthearted image to ...
Bringing Hololive to the U.S.: An Interview With Motoaki Tanigo, CEO of COVER Corp
With major collaborations and sold-out concert halls slowly starting to crop up here in the U.S., hololive has been one of the spearheads of this rise in popularity.
― In the past couple of years, VTubing has continued to grow as an inventive and influential form of entertainment. With major collaborations and sold-out concert halls slowly starting to crop up here in the U.S., hololive has been one ...
Your Anime Rankings - Best of Summer 2024
NieR recovers from its mid-season drop while The Elusive Samurai pays the price of slacking off in its last few episodes. Discover all the other last-minute surprises in the final ranking of the Summer 2024 season!
― Let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the season,
based on the polls you can find in our Daily Streaming Reviews
and on the Your Score page with the lat...
The Fall 2024 Anime Preview Guide
It's been six long years, but SAO: GUN GALE ONLINE is back! Also read our reviews for How I Attended an All-Guy's Mixer, Magilumiere Magical Girls Inc., Mecha-Ude, Blue Box, DAN DA DAN, and more!
― Welcome to Anime News Network's Fall 2024 Anime Preview Guide! Here's how it goes: our team of critics writes up their impressions instantly, to be posted here as they go along. Each critic will cover as ...
The Fall 2024 Anime Preview Guide
Watch out for Turbo Granny, because DAN DA DAN is here! Check back for new anime previews right here.
― Welcome to Anime News Network's Fall 2024 Anime Preview Guide! Here's how it goes: our team of critics writes up their impressions instantly, to be posted here as they go along. Each critic will cover as many shows as they can handle, giving you alternate takes on almost every show. The guide is o...
Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian: Interview with Sumire Uesaka as Alya
As part of ANN's exciting new partnership with Newtype magazine, we present an interview with Alya voice actor Sumire Uesaka!
― We're excited to share some great news! Anime News Network and the Newtype magazine are teaming up to bring selected Newtype articles to anime fans around the world! These articles, along with exclusive content and images from the magazine, will now be available globally. F...
Guilty Gear's Artistic Identity, Upcoming Anime with Ken Miyauchi, Shoichi Kitazono, and Genki Mamada
ANN sat down with GUILTY GEAR -STRIVE- staff to discuss how important art is to not just Guilty Gear’s gameplay, but also its identity.
― GUILTY GEAR -STRIVE-, which recently surpassed 3 million players and has an anime adaptation in the works, is arguably the most stylish fighting game currently on the market. Moreover, it leans very heavily into this stylishness by allowing its visuals to play a r...
Your Anime Rankings - Best of Summer 2024, Sep 16-22
Yatagarasu is dueling with Monogatari, and Spice & Wolf with Makeine. Please look forward to the final results coming up next week!
― Let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the season,
based on the polls you can find in our Daily Streaming Reviews
and on the Your Score page with the latest simulcasts. Keep in mind that these rankings are based on how people rated indi...
The Staff of My Deer Friend Nokotan Were Shocked by Its Worldwide Popularity
With its horned protagonist, disturbingly realistic deer, and off-the-wall absurdist humor, My Deer Friend Nokotan has been one of the most popular shows—inside of Japan and out.
― With its horned protagonist, disturbingly realistic deer, and off-the-wall absurdist humor, My Deer Friend Nokotan has been one of the most popular shows of the Summer 2024 anime season—both inside of Japan and out. To fin...
The Fall 2024 Anime Trailer Watch Party is Live with Mother's Basement!
The Anime Trailer Watch Party starts in just 30 minutes! Tune in on YouTube, X, or on our home page to watch!
― The Anime Trailer Watch Party returns next week for another huge anime season! Find your next must-watch anime with Anime News Network executive editor Lynzee Loveridge, ANN video producer Jacki Jing, ANN reviewer James Beckett, and Mother's Basement's Geoff Thew as they watch over sixty tr...
The Most Anticipated Anime of Fall 2024
The fall anime season is upon us! We have new seasons of big names like Re:Zero and DanMachi and new shows like Uzumaki and DAN DA DAN. Which are the ANN editorial team most excited about? Let's find out.
― Fall is upon us! And with the changing of the leaves comes a new season of anime to enjoy. On the one hand, we have new seasons of big names like Re:Zero and Danmachi. On the other, we have new s...
Director Hiroshi Nagahama, From Wicked City to Uzumaki
We sat down with the Uzumaki anime director to see what hints he could give us about the horror series before it premieres this weekend.
― On the screen in front of a crowded Otakon panel room, Director Hiroshi Nagahama shows a slide featuring the cover art for the 1987 film Wicked City, directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri of Studio Madhouse on the screen in front of a crowded Otakon panel room. Several a...
The Worst Anime of Summer 2024
While there were many great anime this season, there were also some... not so great ones. From the boring to the outright painful, here are the editorial team's picks for the worst anime of the summer 2024 season.
― While there were many great anime this season, there were also some... not so great ones. From the boring to the outright painful, here are the editorial team's picks for the worst anime...
The Best Anime of Summer 2024
With summer at an end, the ANN editorial staff is back to break down our picks for the season's best anime. So, if you're looking for some new, recently completed anime to watch, this is the perfect place to start.
― With summer at an end, the ANN editorial staff is back to break down our picks for the season's best anime. So, if you're looking for some new, recently completed anime to watch, this i...
From Indie to Pro: Make A Girl Anime Film Director Gensho Yasuda
Gensho Yasuda started creating quick animation clips on YouTube; now he's helming his own team to create his first feature film.
― Creator, director, scriptwriter—Gensho Yasuda started his creator journey online. He focused on what he could do on his own and shared his short animations with his growing audience on social media. He garnered attention on his YouTube channel with solo efforts featuring...
The Fall 2024 Anime Trailer Watch Party Returns with Mother's Basement!
The Anime Trailer Watch Party returns next week for another huge anime season! The stream will be live on Wednesday, September 25 at 6pm Pacific/9pm Eastern.
― The Anime Trailer Watch Party returns next week for another huge anime season! Find your next must-watch anime with Anime News Network executive editor Lynzee Loveridge, ANN video producer Jacki Jing, ANN reviewer James Beckett, and Mother's B...
This Life-Size Ainz Ooal Gown Statue is Only One of the Cool Things at the Overlord Exhibition in Tokyo
There's also original animation materials, photo spots, and tons of figures!
― To coincide with the release of the new movie, Overlord: The Sacred Kingdom, a limited-time Overlord gallery is now open to the public in Tokyo. Aptly named “Overlord Exhibition,” this art exhibition is filled with everything from animation keyframes and original light novel artwork to photo spots and life-size recreations...
Shangri-La Frontier Cheat Codes: How Its Creators Built Its Video Game World
Before Sunraku returns in season two, ANN spoke with light novel author Katarina and manga creator Ryōsuke Fuji on fleshing out its VR world.
― Shangri-La Frontier is an exciting action anime showcasing the fun exploits of our main character Sunraku. With a shoebill bird mask and an assortment of daggers by his side, Sunraku seeks to overcome challenges and learn more about the god-tier game Shangri...
Your Anime Rankings - Best of Summer 2024, Sep 9-15
This week Ossan Newbie climbs to spectacular heights while The Magical Girl and The Evil Lieutenant takes quite a nosedive. See how your favorite shows stack up this week!
― Let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the season,
based on the polls you can find in our Daily Streaming Reviews
and on the Your Score page with the latest simulcasts. Keep in mind that these ran...
Creating a Game Space Where Anyone Can Gather: Hidetaka 'Swery' Suehiro on VR
Swery is best known to gamers for his off-the-wall characterization and unconventional genre mixes. For a great example, look no further than his new VR multiplayer: Death Game Hotel.
― Hidetaka Suehiro, best known to gamers as "Swery," has long been appreciated for his off-the-wall characterization, unconventional genre mixes, and unique settings in games. For a great example, look no further than S...
Reimagining A World-Famous Monster: #DRCL Manga Creator Shin'ichi Sakamoto
Shin'ichi Sakamoto gives us a deeper look at his award-winning title's LGBTQ+ themes and how hie draws "with an awareness of beauty."
― Shin'ichi Sakamoto's storied manga has at last begun coming stateside, with English releases of Innocent and #DRCL midnight children now several volumes in, and The Climber announced to be coming soon. #DRCL, a dramatic reimagining of Bram Stoker's Dracula, was nomin...
Recreating a Video Game Classic with Final Fantasy VII Rebirth's Naoki Hamaguchi, Yoshinori Kitase, & Teruki Endo
In ANN's exclusive interview, the team behind Final Fantasy VII Rebirth reveals the wildest fan theories, streamlining its technical aspects, and what they think of the mixed reactions to its conclusion.
― Taking on one of the most beloved entries in the Final Fantasy franchise was never going to be an easy task. Square Enix's Final Fantasy VII was originally released in January 1997 to high demand,...
Your Anime Rankings - Best of Summer 2024, Sep 2-8
The top 3 contenders take the week off, leaving Yatagarasu to snatch the first place. Find out how your favorite shows fared in our weekly user rankings.
― Let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the season,
based on the polls you can find in our Daily Streaming Reviews
and on the Your Score page with the latest simulcasts. Keep in mind that these rankings are based on...
Bringing Ghibli's Animated Worlds into Our Own: The Ghibli Park and Ghibli Exhibition
The Ghibli Park & Ghibli Exhibition opened in Tokyo to give fans a backstage look at the creation of Ghibli Park, the Ghibli Museum, and the works of Goro Miyazaki.
― Designed by Goro Miyazaki, son of Hayao Miyazaki and the director of several Ghibli films, Ghibli Park is not your ordinary theme park. Rather than rides, the park has full-on recreations of important places in various Studio Ghibli ani...
Hololive's Second English Vtuber Concert was a Dimension-Breaking Success
"Breaking Dimensions" was Hololive's second major English Vtuber concert. Like the first one that happened last year at the Anime Expo, this one was a resounding success.
― VTubing continues to grow as a prominent form of entertainment in the United States. While it is still nowhere near the degree of exposure that you would see in Japan and other Asian countries, Vtubing has exploded to a point wher...
ODDTAXI's Baku Kinoshita On His New Film, Housenka
The director sheds light on his in-progress Showa-era film starring an aging yakuza and how it differs from his critically-acclaimed ODDTAXI anime series.
― Three years after ODDTAXI, Baku Kinoshita is back with a feature film, Housenka. This movie will be focused on an old yakuza, agonizing in his cell and remembering his past life while chatting with his talking flower. The director was present at...
Your Anime Rankings - Best of Summer 2024, Aug 26-Sep-1
While the top spots are stable, we see Suicide Squad Isekai and Senpai is an Otokonoko gradually rise through the middle ranks. Check out our weekly user rankings!
― Let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the season,
based on the polls you can find in our Daily Streaming Reviews
and on the Your Score page with the latest simulcasts. Keep in mind that these rankings ar...
TOUGEN ANKI's Main Cast Talks About Their Roles in the Upcoming Anime
Recently, Anime News Network was able to sit down with voice actors Kazuki Ura, Koutaro Nishiyama, and Hiroshi Kamiya to talk about their roles in TOUGEN ANKI.
― Recently, Anime News Network was able to sit down with voice actors Kazuki Ura, Koutaro Nishiyama, and Hiroshi Kamiya to talk about their roles in the upcoming anime TOUGEN ANKI—as well as the tricks of the trade that help them get into char...
Exploring the Past, Present, and Future of UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH II Sys:Celes with Director Kamone Serizawa
ANN got to chat with UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH II Sys:Celes director about what’s in store for its future, and Serizawa’s other favorite fighting games.
― Since its release earlier this year, fighting game fans have been loving French-Bread's UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH II Sys:Celes—which, just as Arc System Works CEO Minoru Kidooka expressed hoping for at EVO last year, was fought on by players on EVO's mainst...
Your Anime Rankings - Best of Summer 2024, Aug 19-25
Monogatari outshines all others for two weeks in a row, and displaces Yatagarasu for position #2 in the cumulative. Find out how your favorite shows stacked up according to viewer votes.
― Let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the season,
based on the polls you can find in our Daily Streaming Reviews
and on the Your Score page with the latest simulcasts. Keep in mind...
Ghost in the Shell - Where to Start and What's Worth Watching (and Reading)
From films, TV series, and OVAs to novels, manga, and art books, join us for this exhaustive deep dive into everything Ghost in the Shell—and we mean everything.
― Back in 1995, Shirow Masamune was already renowned in the West for his manga (and their respective anime adaptations) Appleseed and Dominion Tank Police. Fan excitement was high for his next big manga, Ghost in the Shell (GitS), first pub...
The Rise of Terminator Zero with Writer Mattson Tomlin & Director Masashi Kudo
Ahead of it's Netflix premiere, we spoke with the Terminator Zero director-writer team about the AI apocalypse and exploring James Cameron's sci-fi world.
― Leading into the Terminator Zero premiere panel at Anime NYC Saturday night, a bit of the show's soundtrack started playing with that iconic Terminator "du-dum du-du-dum" beat. Just a couple of "du-dum du-du-dum" in, one audience member started ...
A Chat with Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection Producer Shuhei Matsumoto
ANN sat down with producer Shuhei Matsumoto at EVO to talk about the highly anticipated re-release of Marvel vs. Capcom 2, Street Fighter’s new DLC, and more.
― It's hard to overstate how intensely fighting game fans have been pleading for an official re-release of Marvel vs. Capcom 2, which initially came out in 2000. So as you can likely imagine (if you didn't see it for yourself), the news that i...
From Page to Screen: DAN DA DAN Director Fūga Yamashiro and Voice Actor Shion Wakayama
Director Yamashiro shared the methods behind the series "god-tier" animation, its tokusatsu visual connection, and whether he believes in ghosts (or aliens).
― Creator Yukinobu Tatsu's DAN DA DAN manga has been a fan-favorite, deftly blending a smorgasbord of supernatural elements with comedy, romance, and intense fight scenes. Director Fūga Yamashiro and studio SCIENCE SARU had the unenviable task o...
Empathizing with Pregnancy: An Interview with My Girlfriend's Child Manga Creator Mamoru Aoi
"I thought about what I could do as a woman, as a mother, and as a shojo manga artist."
― Shojo manga artist Mamoru Aoi has been busy this summer completing her highly recognized manga, My Girlfriend's Child. Also known as Ano Ko no Kodomo, the romantic drama was nominated for an Eisner award under Best Publication for Teens. In addition, the live-action TV drama based on the manga began broadcasting...
When Old Work Reaches New Audiences: An Interview with Bubblegum Crisis' Kenichi Sonoda
Seasoned manga creator and character designer Kenichi Sonoda discusses reinvigorating retro art and Rally Vincent's updated ride.
― Kenichi Sonoda, Japanese manga artist and character designer for Bubblegum Crisis, returned to the US for his appearance at San Diego Comic-Con 2024. Udon Entertainment brought him as a guest in celebration of Bubblegum Crisis Complete Archive, which includes an extensi...
Visualizing Lovecraft: An Interview with Manga Creator Gou Tanabe
The Eisner-nominated horror manga creator shares his experience adapting Lovecraft's darkest stories.
― Japanese artist Gou Tanabe made his first appearance at San Diego Comic-Con 2024. Known for his manga adaptation of H. P. Lovecraft's novels, Tanabe first started with the publication of The Outsider in 2007 and has continued his work to now. His take on The Shadow Over Innsmouth was nominated for ...
How A Small Team Created a Huge Hit: Look Back Anime Film Director Kiyotaka Oshiyama
Having topped 1 billion yen at the Japanese box office, Oshiyama and his Flip Flappers anime alumni look to have a big, emotional hit.
― Kiyotaka Oshiyama and Studio Durian might not be immediately familiar to average anime fans, but the team's latest outing is worthy of attention. The small studio team's previous work centers mostly on designs for series like Deca-Dence and FLCL: Shoegaze, although...
Your Anime Rankings - Best of Summer 2024, Aug 5-11
A large number of episodes are skipping this week due to the Olympics, making it hard to pin down what's really happening. But one thing is sure: Plus-Sized Elf wins the "Chaos Dragon" award hands-down.
― Let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the season,
based on the polls you can find in our Daily Streaming Reviews
and on the Your Score page with the latest simulcas...
VTuber Mori Calliope Shares Her Favorite Suicide Squad Isekai Characters
Hololive's Mori Calliope, long known for her rapping and a game-streaming grim reaper, was brought on board to perform "Go-Getters," the Suicide Squad ISEKAI's ending.
― Hololive's Mori Calliope, long known for her rapping as well as being a game-streaming grim reaper, was recently brought onboard by Warner Bros. to perform "Go-Getters," the new song featured in Suicide Squad Isekai's ending. We caug...
Rick and Morty: The Anime Explores New Dimensions
If you're a diehard Rick and Morty fan, think of this as a dedicated season of Interdimensional Cable.
― Tower of God director Takashi Sano takes on the behemoth of Rick and Morty and reinterprets its universe in Rick and Morty: The Anime. Based on the first two episodes, the anime series is a refreshing new take on the decade-old series. Director Takashi Sano's charming designs and fluid animation s...
Making Monsters Delicious with Delicious in Dungeon Manga Creator Ryoko Kui
We spoke with Delicious in Dungeon manga creator Ryōko Kui to discuss the community of food, why Senshi is so sexy, seeing neurodivergence in Laios, and more.
― Hot off the heels of its season one finale, Delicious in Dungeon captivated audiences with its ensemble cast's humorous chemistry, appetizing meals, and impressive world-building. It's impressive to imagine everything from the series' magica...
From Pilot to Full-Series: Creating Mecha-Ude: Mechanical Arms
Originally a pilot supported by crowdfunding efforts, we sat down with director Okamoto and producer Tetsuya Kinoshita to discuss how the series has evolved ahead of its premiere.
― After garnering impressive support from fans in 2019, Mecha-Ude: Mechanical Arms is well on its way to its full-fledged premiere. Originally a pilot supported by crowdfunding efforts, we sat down with director Okamoto and...
The Summer 2024 Anime Preview Guide - Delico's Nursery
Hear me out: hot vampire dads. That's it. That's the premise for Delico's Nursery.
― What is this? In the past, the vampire race that ruled over the land had the power of immortality. In the present day, this power has been lost, and the world has been divided into two groups: the now-mortal vampire race and the human race that coincides with their limited life span. However, it is said that somewhe...
The Summer 2024 Anime Preview Guide - True Beauty
Better late than never, and in Jugyeong's case, that involves a whole makeover. How did this manhwa adaptation measure up?
― What is this? In middle school, otaku Lim Jugyeong was a target for bullies because of her ugliness. When her mom refused to get her plastic surgery, she took matters into her own hands: she studied up, watching hours of YouTube tutorials. Now, in high school, nobody knows her...
Your Anime Rankings - Best of Summer 2024, Jul 29-Aug 4
The cumulative gets all shaken up as Oshi no Ko topples NieR, and Makeine surges 5 spots to overtake The Elusive Samurai. Find out where your favorites rank this week!
― Let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the season,
based on the polls you can find in our Daily Streaming Reviews
and on the Your Score page with the latest simulcasts. Keep in mind that these ranking...
What to Expect in the Loner Life in Another World Anime Series
We spoke with series director Akio Kazumi and Pony Canyon producer Takanori Matsuoka about the series' unique appeal and misconceptions about what a "loner life" is.
― Loner Life in Another World is set to premiere in October, but what sets it apart from other isekai series? We spoke with series director Akio Kazumi and Pony Canyon producer Takanori Matsuoka about the series' unique appeal, misconcep...
Interview: From Singing Naruto to Inspiring Bocchi the Rock!, 20 Years of ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION
In just twenty years, ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION has gone from singing for anime to inspiring its characters.
― In 2003, ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION exploded into the anime scene with “Haruka Kanata,” the second theme song for the popular Naruto anime. The crunchy guitar riffs and raw vocals brought an alt-rock sensibility rare for anime theme songs. The next year, fans of big action-driven shonen series ...
Your Anime Rankings - Best of Summer 2024, Jul 22-28
NieR:Automata overthrows The Elusive Samurai while a bunch of other anime skip a week due to the Olympics. Find out how your favorite shows performed in our weekly user rankings.
― Let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the season,
based on the polls you can find in our Daily Streaming Reviews
and on the Your Score page with the latest simulcasts. Keep in mind that th...
Comparing Japanese and US Anime Viewership: Spring 2024
We compared viewership data from major Japanese streaming services, download sites, and more to find out what anime fans in Japan and the US are really watching.
― Anime — animated television and film produced in Japan — is a cultural product that, like Champagne wine or Jollibee, has transcended its country of origin to become an international delight. But just as with those cultural products from F...
Creating a New World with Familiar Characters in Suicide Squad ISEKAI
How did seasoned anime creators take comic book villains and give them a unique twist? We spoke with director Eri Osada and scriptwritersTappei Nagatsuki and Eiji Umehara to find out.
― Wit Studio's original Suicide Squad ISEKAI anime kicked off summer with a high-action romp as fan-favorite DC characters found themselves trying to survive in a fantasy world unlike anything they'd ever seen in Gotha...
How Blue Lock Anime Brings the Action to Life
In which ANN learns that the anime staff has a database of highly-detailed feet.
― Blue Lock was everywhere at Anime Expo 2024. Multiple panels, a strong presence at the Kodansha booth in the Exhibit Hall, and countless cosplayers donning Blue Lock's instantly recognizable training outfits, all underpinned by a wildly popular shonen anime and manga on the rise. I was lucky enough to sit down with th...
Your Anime Rankings - Best of Summer 2024, Jul 1-21
This season, an eye-popping 44 series qualified for the rankings! Will the Elusive Samurai be able to keep the lead it built up, or will it lose to fan-favorites such as NieR, Oshi no Ko, Yatagarasu, or Spice & Wolf ?
― Let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the season,
based on the polls you can find in our Daily Streaming Reviews
and on the Your Score page with the ...
EXCLUSIVE: Preview Atsushi Kaneko's Search and Destroy, Reimagining of Dororo Manga
Fantagraphics debuted the award-nominated Search and Destroy manga on Tuesday
― Fantagraphics debuted the award-nominated Search and Destroy manga on Tuesday, and Anime News Network can exclusively share a four-page preview. IMG search-and-destory_preview_pg-39.jpg
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IMG search-and-destory_preview_pg-42.jpg Images ©Atsush...
Small-town Horror: Interview with The Summer Hikaru Died Creator Mokumokuren
Recently tapped for an anime adaptation and selling almost a quarter million copies, we spoke with Mokumokuren about their manga, body-horror, adolescence, and more.
― Manga creator Mokumokuren is having a good year. Their debut manga The Summer Hikaru Died was recently tapped for an anime adaptation, but not before making multiple entries on top manga lists, in the U.S. and Japan. Dripping with the...
Playing the Long Game - The Story of Slam Dunk in North America
Slam Dunk has been wildly popular across Asia—first in the 90s and once again with the release of The First Slam Dunk last year. But in North America, this hasn’t exactly been the case.
― Just before I flew out to D.C. for Otakon last year, I started hearing a low but persistent rumbling around a little movie about to hit theaters—The First Slam Dunk. While I missed my chance to see the film on the ...
MAHO FILM's President Junji Murata on Creating a Better Anime Studio
“We've been trying to improve things by providing good wages to all the staff, providing a stable working environment, and holding various [internal company] events.”
― Founded in 2018, MAHO FILM is one of the younger anime studios around. That said, they've already produced 10 anime, including I'm the Villainess, So I'm Taming the Final Boss and Doctor Elise: The Royal Lady with the Lamp. Recently, ...
HUNTER×HUNTER NEN×IMPACT's Tomoyasu Miyazaki Talks Bringing Fan-Favorite Series into Gaming Arena
Creators were given near 'total freedom' to bring anime's story to life in NEN×IMPACT.
― Hunter × Hunter is a massively popular series, with passionate – and patient – fans. The series has continued in fits and starts, as its creator Yoshihiro Togashi has been plagued with health issues. But the quality has proven to be worth the wait for millions in Japan and internationally. When Bushiroad announc...
The Summer 2024 Anime Preview Guide
Still trying to figure out what to watch? Check out our review for the summer 2024 anime season, now with bonus KINNIKUMAN!
― Welcome to Anime News Network's Summer 2024 Anime Preview Guide! Here's how it goes: our team of critics writes up their impressions instantly, to be posted here as they go along. Each critic will cover as many shows as they can handle, giving you alternate takes on almost ev...
President Kondo and the Power of In-House Staff at Nihon Falcom
How does a relatively small studio continue to create deeply satisfying story-led games? President Kondo shares Nihon Falcom's secrets to success.
― Nihon Falcom president Toshihiro Kondo kicked off a busy July 4 weekend at Anime Expo. He and the other Nihon Falcom staff spoke to fans at the various panels and at the NIS America booth as they eagerly playtested the company's signature JRPGs. Origina...
The Summer 2024 Anime Preview Guide
It's time to add few more rom-coms to summer mix with MAKEINE: TOO MANY LOSING HEROINES! We also have reviews for ATRI, Why Does No One Remember Me In This World?, Bye Bye Earth, My Deer Friend Nokotan, Monogatari, Elusive Samurai, and more!
― Welcome to Anime News Network's Summer 2024 Anime Preview Guide! Here's how it goes: our team of critics writes up their impressions instantly, to be posted h...
Bocchi the Rock! Staff Reflect on Growth and Change
Director Keiichirō Saitō and voice actor Yoshino Aoyama from Bocchi the Rock! sat down with Anime News Network to discuss the behind-the-scenes details of adapting the show-stopping anime.
― The anime adaptation of Aki Hamaji's four-panel manga was a sleeper hit in late 2022. Viewers related to Bocchi's awkwardness and social anxiety, while entertained by the off-the-cuff animation. In addition, Kes...
My Hero Academia's Mamoru Miyano, Daiki Yamashita Discuss Manga's Imminent Conclusion
'I'm sure Horikoshi-sensei is burning his soul, like One For All, and he's going to deplete his soul like All Might after he finishes drawing the final episode.'
― While discourse around My Hero Academia has focused on the manga's imminent ending as of late, you wouldn't have thought the franchise was running out of gas based on the MY HERO ACADEMIA SPECIAL EVENT at this year's Anime Expo. Filling t...
Interview: An Umineko Retrospective with Ryukishi07 & Sayaka Ohara
Popular sound novel creator Ryukishi07 and Beatrice voice actor Sayaka Ohara look back on Umineko's mysterious ending.
― Ryukishi07, the mind behind the When They Cry franchise, and voice actress Sayaka Ohara came together for Anime Expo 2024. Ohara voices the legendary Golden Witch, Beatrice, from Ryukishi's Umineko When They Cry series. Although the final chapter in the story was released in 2011,...
The Summer 2024 Anime Preview Guide
It's forbidden love at first sight in The Magical Girl and The Evil Lieutenant Used to Be Archenemies. Plus, Love Is Indivisible by Twins, No Longer Allowed In Another World, Mayonaka Punch, My Deer Friend Nokotan, Narenare -Cheer for you!-, Fairy Tail 100 Years Quest, Tower of God Season 2, and more!
― Welcome to Anime News Network's Summer 2024 Anime Preview Guide! Here's how it goes: our team of ...
Your Anime Rankings - Best of Spring 2024
Sound! Euphonium remain uncontested, but we see Delicious in Dungeon grab the #3 spotlight from Kaiju No. 8 and a number of other last-minute upsets! Check out the turbulent final week of the Spring 2024 season!
― Let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the season,
based on the polls you can find in our Daily Streaming Reviews
and on the Your Score page with the latest...
The Summer 2024 Anime Preview Guide
Livestreaming vampires come in a few varieties in Mayonaka Punch! Plus, Nare Nare Cheer for You, A Journey Through Another World: Raising Kids While Adventuring, Fairy Tail 100 Years Quest, VTuber Legend: How I Went Viral after Forgetting to Turn Off My Stream, Tower of God Season 2, and more!
― Welcome to Anime News Network's Summer 2024 Anime Preview Guide! Here's how it goes: our team of critics ...
The Summer 2024 Anime Preview Guide
July is here with a brand-new batch of anime! Check out SHY Season 2, The Ossan Adventurer, Suicide Squad ISEKAI, My Wife Has No Emotion, and more!
― Welcome to Anime News Network's Summer 2024 Anime Preview Guide! Here's how it goes: our team of critics writes up their impressions instantly, to be posted here as they go along. Each critic will cover as many shows as they can handle, giving you alte...
The Summer 2024 Anime Trailer Watch Party Starts Soon!
Get yourself some snacks and a cold drink, but make sure you're back in time for too many anime trailers. The stream will be live on Friday, June 28 at 6pm Pacific/9pm Eastern.
― The Trailer Watch Party is back so beat the summer heat with Anime News Network executive editor Lynzee Loveridge, ANN video producer Jacki Jing, ANN reviewer James Beckett, and Mother's Basement's Geoff Thew as they watch n...
The London Cast of Your Lie in April: The Musical
The beloved anime is coming to the stage in London, so we sat down with the cast to discuss the getting into these musically-gifted characters.
― At the beginning of June, I sat down with the four central cast members of the upcoming London production of Your Lie in April: The Musical, which starts a 12-week West End run from June 28 at the Harold Pinter Theatre. This is the English-language version ...
Frank Wildhorn, Composer of Your Lie in April: The Musical
From Takarazuka to Death Note, Frank Wildhorn is carving a name for himself in manga-based theater productions.
― Frank Wildhorn's musical career spans nearly half a century. It ranges from Takarazuka all-female musicals in Japan to Broadway versions of Jekyll and Hyde and Bonnie and Clyde, and a symphony inspired by the River Danube. Then there's the small matter of a chart-topping Whitney Houston s...
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