Author: Nik Ranger

Tokyo Revengers Season 3 Episode 3: Release date and time Disney PlusTokyo Revengers Season 3 Episode 3 will be released very soon(ish) – so, here’s exactly when it will arrive, including its release date and time. Since the third season of Tokyo Revengers has arrived, we’ve been wondering about the fate of our crybaby superhero, Takemichi. That’s because whenever everything seems to be white as snow, something happens, and the story starts heading toward the South. Takemichi believed that the enemy he had to deal with was Tetta Kisaki, but in the latest episode, a new foe emerged. Unfortunately, he is dangerous of all the antagonists Takemichi has come across before. Though clouds of danger loom over Takemichi’s past and present, it would be interesting to see how our hero invariably comes out of puzzling situations with his never-give-up attitude. Tokyo Revengers Season 3 Episode 3 release date and time Tokyo Revengers Season 3 Episode 3 will be released on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, at 11:00am PDT on Disney Plus and Hulu. The release timings in different regions will vary due to the time zone differences, but don’t worry, as we have listed the timings below that you must follow: 11:00am PDT – 12:00pm Mountain Time – 1:00pm Central Time – 2:00pm Eastern Time – 7:00pm British Time – 8:00pm European Time – 11:30pm IST – Tokyo Revengers Season 3 Episode 2 recap Toman gathers for a meeting to discuss and find out about the traitor among them. However, Takemichi thinks that Kaku might have said the rubbish thing just to distract them from their real motive. Draken says that the Tenjiku gang attacked the Tokyo Manji gang the other day. Several members of the gang look confused as they haven’t heard of any such group previously. Draken mentions that Tenjiku is a recently formed gang, and apart from its name, nothing is known. He then calls Chifuyu and Takemichi to come forward as they are the ones who were attacked. Chifuyu reveals that they were ambushed by the Mochizuki team, led by the former leader of Jugem. After the meeting is finished, Mickey panics as he thinks that this might be something Kisaki wants. Chifuyu asks him to go back to the future to find out about Kisaki with the help of Naoto. When Takemichi meets Naoto in the present and has a conversation with him for a bit, he gets into a dilemma when Naoto asks him to kill Kisaki in the past so that he doesn’t exist in the present. Later, Takemichi comes across Taiju Shiba in the church, who takes him to his restaurant. There, we see Takemichi, Naoto, and Shiba talking about Black Dragon. Takemichi was shocked after hearing that Mickey’s elder brother originally founded the Black Dragon, and later, it was carried forward by many leaders, including Izana Kurokawa, the eighth-generation leader. Seishu and Hajime show up at the location and mention that they have orders to pick Taiju for Izana. Taiju asks Naoto and Takemichi to run as he can handle the villains all alone. Takemichi wanted to go back to the restaurant to confront Hajime and Sheishu about the Kanto incident. However, on the way, he comes across Kisaki, who points a gun towards him. Naoto comes in between and takes the damage. Later, Izana and Kaku also arrive, and Takemichi gets shot by the latter. You can check out our other anime coverage here. Please note that if you click on a product link on this page we may earn a small affiliate commission.

Tokyo Revengers Season 3 Episode 2: Release date & time Disney PlusTakemichi’s struggle to save Toman’s future continues as the most hyped season of the anime has arrived on the screens already with its banger first episode. Now, as the series progresses, we bring you the release information of Tokyo Revengers Season 3 Episode 2. Tetta Kisaki has returned to take down Toman and form his own biker gang, the members of which will follow every rule made by him. However, he is using a new, potent squad to achieve his goal this time. In the previous episode, we met a guy from the new delinquent gang, Yokohama, who turned out to be someone who once admired our crybaby hero, Takemichi. Well, at the concluding moments of the episode, he said something that created even more anticipation for the second episode. So, when will we get to watch the much-awaited episode of Tokyo Revengers‘ latest season? Let’s find out. Tokyo Revengers Season 3 Episode 2: Release date and time Tokyo Revengers Season 3 Episode 2 will be released on all the services owned by Disney, including Hulu and Disney Plus, on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, at 11:00am PDT. You may follow the below-provided time schedule to track the episode on the aforementioned streaming platforms: 11:00am PDT – 1:00pm CST – 2:00pm EST – 7:00pm BST – 8:00pm European Time – 11:30pm Indian time – Tokyo Revengers Season 3 Episode 1 explained The episode starts with showing Takemichi and his pals beaten up by the powerful Tenjiku Gang. The crybaby hero was astonished to see the new gang standing in front of him, as he had never heard of it before. However, Takemichi’s mind was blown away when he saw Kisaki as a top member of the gang when he was recently kicked out by Toman. Kisaki tells Takemichi that he won’t be able to fathom him, no matter how hard the hero tries. He then reveals that he will form his own Toman and leaves the place with Hanma, telling Takemichi not to die so soon. Just when Takemichi and his friends were about to get crushed by the group, the twin brothers from Toman, Smiley, and Angry, showed up, smashing the red-uniformed guys with their bikes. Later, they head together to the hideout of Yokohama, only to find 100 members of the group standing in front of them. Takemichi fights one of them, who tells him to beware of the traitor. You can check out our other anime coverage here.

Tokyo Revengers Season 3 Episode 11: Release date and time Disney PlusTokyo Revengers Season 3 Episode 11 is coming out soon – so, here’s its exact release date and time. The latest episode of Tokyo Revengers Season 3 Episode 10 started with an intense confrontation between Kisaki and Takemichi. We were convinced that the latter would surely get crushed by the former. However, things took a U-turn when the mighty leader of Toman showed up on the battlefield. All of us have been waiting for the showdown between Izana and Mickey for a long time, and the previous episode finally set the stage for it. Besides that, Hina also reveals Takemichi’s time-traveling abilities to Draken and Mickey. As Toman Vs. Tenjiku is about to take a heated turn; fans are curious to see what events will unfold in the forthcoming episode. Tokyo Revengers Season 3 Episode 11 release date and time Tokyo Revengers Season 3 Episode 11 will be released on Disney Plus and Hulu on Tuesday, December 12, 2023. The below time schedule can be followed by International fans to track the episode in their region: 11:00am PDT – 12:00pm Mountain Time – 1:00pm Central Time – 2:00pm Eastern Time – 7:00pm British Time – 8:00pm European Time – 11:30pm IST – Tokyo Revengers Season 3 Episode 10 recap Tokyo Revengers Season 3 Episode 10 starts with Kisaki pointing a gun towards Takemichi. However, the crybaby superhero doesn’t even recoil seeing death in front of him. Witnessing his bravery, Kisaki decides not to give him an easy death, so he shoots a bullet in his leg. Kisaki says he wants Toman and Tenjiku to merge, but this angers Takemichi, and he unleashes a heavy punch on him. However, when the main protagonist is about to pummel Kisaki with more punches, he sees Mickey standing in front of him. Every member of the opponent gang stands terrified by seeing him on the battlefield. After some time, Draken arrives with Hina, who comes as a surprise to Takemichi. Draken revealed when he and Mickey were mourning Emma’s death at the hospital, Hina came to them. She told them of terrible things that happened in the future and that Takemichi had traveled back to the past to rectify those things and save lives. You can stream Tokyo Revengers on Disney Plus and Hulu. Please note that if you click on a product link on this page we may earn a small affiliate commission.

Tokyo Revengers Season 3 Episode 10: Release date & time Disney PlusTokyo Revengers Season 3 Episode 10 will be released soon – so, here’s exactly when it will arrive on our screens. The previous episode of Tokyo Revengers Season 3 was pretty intense and featured Angry’s wrath. In Episode 8, we saw him getting beaten up by the Haitani brothers, but the tables were turned in the new episode. We witnessed the blue-haired delinquents’ true potential. Moreover, the episode also surprised us by showing Kaku-Chan saving Takemichy from one of his own team members. However, the next moment, we also see him lock horns with Takemichy. As so many things are happening in the Tokyo Revengers’ universe, every fan is eager to know when the next episode will be released. Tokyo Revengers Season 3 Episode 10 release date and time Tokyo Revengers Season 3 Episode 10 will be released in Japan on Wednesday, December 6, 2023. However, international fans can watch the episode on Disney Plus on Tuesday, December 5, 2023. Here’s the time schedule that you should follow: 11:00am PDT (December 5) – 12:00pm Mountain Time (December 5) – 1:00pm Central Time (December 5) – 2:00pm Eastern Time (December 5) – 7:00pm British Time (December 5) – 8:00pm European Time (December 5) – 11:30pm IST (December 5) – Tokyo Revengers Season 3 Episode 9 recap Tokyo Revengers Season 3 Episode 9 started by showing young Smiley and Angry. The former consoled the latter and asked him to stop crying. Smiley also asked Angry to promise that he will never cry again. This was a memory that Smiley recalled. On the other hand, seeing the Haitani brothers beating Hakkai mercilessly, Angry couldn’t control himself and broke the promise. When Angry started crying, he didn’t look helpless; in fact, he alone knocked out the big fours of Tenjiku. The ones who witnessed Angry’s strange transformation started calling him a demon. When a member ran towards Takemichy with a knife, Kakucho stopped him. However, after that, Kakucho himself knocked down each member of Toman, especially Takemichy, until he started bleeding heavily. You can stream Tokyo Revengers on Disney Plus and Hulu. Please note that if you click on a product link on this page we may earn a small affiliate commission.

Tokyo Ghoul fans campaign for remake to mark 10th anniversary CrunchyrollAfter the announcement of the Tokyo Ghoul anime 10th anniversary project, fans of the series are hoping for a remake. The reveal of the project has led to a lot of speculation, though nothing has been confirmed yet. Tokyo Ghoul is a popular body horror anime that was released in 2014 and ran for four seasons. The anime is based on the manga of the same name, written and illustrated by Sui Ishida. Despite the popularity of the anime, the latter seasons of the series were heavily criticized for not faithfully adapting the source material. What tipped fans at first about the anniversary project was the registration of a web domain. This led to theorizing about the project which ultimately came true. Now that more details of the project are being revealed, fans are hoping there will be an announcement on a Tokyo Ghoul remake. Many on social media are campaigning for the remake of the seinen anime series. They are hoping the remake would adapt the manga more faithfully and stay true to the course of the story. However, there has been no indication of such a remake in any of the official statements of the anniversary project. Fans are letting their excitement be known for the potential remake on social media. One wrote on X, “Remake needs to happen because anything past the 1st season needs to be trashed.” “No way the anime is getting a remake. That, if true, will be peak. The og anime was all so rushed I really hope it 100% I would love a remake but man, that’s crazy. Let’s hope,” another eager viewer commented. While many are ardently hoping for the Tokyo Ghoul remake, a large section of the fandom are also suspicious of this and for good reason. A fan on Reddit pointed out, “Don’t get your hopes up mate. It is more than likely a blu-ray anniversary release or something stupid. I remind you all that Berserk registered a new domain for a website that included an eclipse countdown for weeks and it turned out just to be a blu-ray release.” The key visual of the upcoming 10th anniversary project was recently revealed. The studio also announced that all 50 episodes of Tokyo Ghoul will be released for free on the official YouTube channel of Studio Pierrot from April 5. However, there is still no news about the Tokyo Ghoul remake.

TikTok announces huge anime plans to get more people into the industry CrunchyrollTikTok has announced huge plans for anime as part of a new partnership the video platform is kicking off in Japan. As one of the biggest social media applications in the world, TikTok holds considerable influence. The corporation has decided to use some of that power for good within the anime industry, by partnering with Nippon Anime and Film Culture Association. The collaboration is aiming to help more people garner the skills necessary to one day make the best anime, with tutorials, unique spotlights on established creators, and other content from the NAFCA. “We are very grateful to TikTok for their support of the ‘Animator Skills Test’ that we’re planning to help develop human resources in the anime industry,” Masuo Ueda, NAFCA president, said in a statement. “In the future, we plan to distribute information about the ‘Animator Skills Test’ and one-point lessons for creators on TikTok.” This deal isn’t unprecedented, since recent anime show Kaiju No 8 was simulcast on X/Twitter as part of a streaming agreement. Although platforms such as Netflix and Crunchyroll are the viewing option of choice for many, working with social media corporations opens up huge potential audiences that might not give any of this stuff a chance otherwise. As you might imagine, anime is already extremely popular on TikTok. A search of the tag at any given moment will give you a wealth of edits, memes, unboxings, and more. Lessons and process clips are there too, but they don’t stand out among the deluge of cosplays and skits, so this deal might help them find more viewers. Yoichi Sato, general manager of TikTok in Japan, alluded to as much, saying that the company will “work extensively with people in the anime industry to provide various forms of support and spread the word about the industry.” We’ll let you know if any of your favorite franchises are about to become TikTok sensations. In the meantime, keep our list of upcoming anime and our guides to Solo Leveling Season 2 and Tower of God Season 2 handy.

The perfect anime for Demon Slayer fans is returning this year CrunchyrollThe perfect anime to watch while we wait for Demon Slayer’s return is coming back in October, for what will be the show’s fourth season. Thunderbolt Fantasy Season 4 has been confirmed to premiere on Saturday, October 5, 2024, and the new episodes are the ideal stopgap for Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle. Blending fantasy with a historical setting, Thunderbolt Fantasy involves a number of heroes in the middle of a clan war, providing plenty of lore and action. The difference with this anime show, though, is that it’s made with puppets. Yes, you read that right. The use of human characters and a more realistic backdrop makes it a blend of The Dark Crystal and Shonen manga, and doesn’t that already sound like one of the best anime ever? The release date and first details arrive with the trailer for Season 4, and though you’ll probably feel a bit lost jumping in now, the teaser provides a healthy taste of the show’s vibe. You can see the immaculate lighting and set dressing – it’s all very magical. The production, a collaboration between Japanese and Taiwanese studios, uses the art of glove puppetry, which stretches back centuries. It’s a relatively rare art form these days because of how intensive and specific it is, but Thunderbolt Fantasy proves there’s still plenty of relevance. The core plot involves two swordsmen, Shāng Bù Huàn and Lǐn Xuě Yā, navigating an approximation of ancient Asia, helping various people out on their journeys. Each season involves a different supporting cast, as the two try to right some wrongs. Two movies have accompanied the series so far, and you can catch up on everything on Crunchyroll. You have plenty of time between now and the October release of Season 4, and even more to soak this all up before Infinity Castle rolls around. If you’d like to know what else is going in the world of anime and manga, our upcoming anime list and guides on Jujutsu Kaisen Chapter 265 and My Hero Academia Chapter 430 will do you right.

This Solo Leveling rap is the catchiest thing you’ll hear today CrunchyrollThis new Solo Leveling rap is winning over the anime’s fandom, and it’s so catchy you won’t get it out of your head. The UK rapper Pure O Juice recently released his rap on Solo Leveling and it’s already winning fans. The rap describes the anime’s protagonist, Sung Jinwoo and his journey as he transforms from being the world’s weakest hunter to the world’s strongest. Pure O Juice released the rap on his official YouTube channel and his TikTok account. The video of the rap on YouTube has already surpassed 150 thousand views in just three days. His TikTok video received similar appreciation from viewers. Fans are loving this Solo Leveling rap because of its catchy rhythm and lyrics. The highlight of the rap is when he insults Saitama from One Punch Man, citing Jinwoo’s ability to get girls without going bald. While many viewers are finding this verse hilarious, some are also not pleased with the insult thrown at Saitama. However, the comments on the videos are mostly positive, praising the artist and calling the song “dope” and a “banger”. Many viewers are also comparing this track with other Solo Leveling raps. Rustage, a popular rapper known for making songs on different anime shows, released one on the Solo Leveling manhwa back in 2023, before the show started. The video, titled ‘Solo’ and featuring anoravt, became famous and has 1.7 million views on YouTube. Another popular Solo Leveling rap that fans are comparing Pure O Juice’s release to is “Arise” by Daddyphatsnaps. It was also released in 2023 on YouTube and has 1.6 million views. Pure O Juice’s Solo Leveling song is only three days old and has the potential to become similarly famous. It’s already being praised for being very catchy. This rap proves once again just how incredibly popular the anime has become with just one season. The series’ popularity is guaranteed to continue as Solo Leveling Season 2 was confirmed before the Season 1 finale. Before the second season is released, check out our explanations on Solo Leveling Episode 12 ending, every major death from Season 1, and Monarch of Shadows powers and abilities.

This new Spring 2024 anime is more anticipated than My Hero Academia Season 7 CrunchyrollThis upcoming Spring 2024 anime has more fans eagerly waiting for its debut than the popular My Hero Academia – so here’s everything you need to know. While the Winter 2024 anime season has generally been underwhelming, we’ve still had some fantastic anime shows like Solo Leveling, Classroom of the Elite Season 3, and Mashle Season 2. Solo Leveling in particular has undoubtedly taken over anime fans with its grand debut. Now that the Spring 2024 anime season is finally here, fans are already talking about their most anticipated series. The line-up is looking incredible, with several exciting debuts and sequels. Naturally, My Hero Academia Season 7 is one such series fans are looking forward to. The series has been incredibly popular for years. However, this time, a new Spring 2024 has taken the spotlight from MHA, as fans are looking forward to watching it more. Recently, Filimarks conducted a poll among thousands of Japanese users asking which Spring 2024 anime they are most excited to watch. It’s not surprising to see Demon Slayer on top of the list. However, Kaiju No. 8 beats My Hero Academia as it ranks second on the list, just on top of the popular Shonen series. Based on Naoya Matsumoto’s shonen manga, Kaiju No. 8 follows Kafka Hibino, who works for a professional cleaning company that specializes in the battle aftermath of grotesque monsters called Kaiju. He always wanted to kill those Kaijus but wasn’t qualified to do so. However, Kafka soon finds himself in the middle of the action when a mysterious insect invades his body and turns him into a hybrid monster. With his newfound powers, Kafka might turn his lifelong dream into reality. Kaiju No. 8 will be available on Crunchyroll on April 13, 2024. You can check out the new dub trailer: If you want to know more about upcoming Spring 2024 anime, check out our list of the 15 best upcoming anime. You can also check out the complete schedule of all the upcoming movies and series.

This Demon Slayer cosplay is the cutest thing you’ll see today CrunchyrollHaving a rough day? This Demon Slayer cosplay is sure to cheer you up. Recently, a video of a pair cosplaying as two Demon Slayer characters is going viral and the internet is losing it over how cute it is. Demon Slayer has always been quite popular among cosplayers. Its wide range of heroes and villains and their colorful appearance have inspired a lot of great cosplays over the years. Characters like Tanjiro, Nezuko, Zenitsu, Inosuke, and Giyuu are some famous characters to cosplay. The more the popularity of the series rises, the more cosplayers prefer to dress up as Demon Slayer characters. A recent cosplay by two unknown cosplayers is catching everyone’s attention. It’s just not because of how detailed the cosplay is but because of how adorable the cosplayer and the overall cosplay is. A Reddit user, Majid232, posted a short video of a pair, most likely of father and daughter, cosplaying as Tanjiro and Nezuko. The little girl who dressed up as Nezuko is the star of this Demon Slayer cosplay and is winning everyone’s hearts with her cuteness. The cosplayer who dressed up as Tanjiro is looking pretty accurate with the characteristic dark red hair and the green and black checkered haori, along with an added mask of the same pattern. The little girl wore Nezuko’s pink kimono and her pink ribbon perfectly. In the video, the two cosplayers can be seen doing a number of different things. In one scene, Tanjiro is carrying the little Nezuko in the box on his back. It’s beyond adorable when she comes out of the box with a mischievous grin and runs away, only for her brother to run after him. Her huge smile is enough to cheer anyone up. People on the internet are floored by the cuteness of this Demon Slayer cosplay and are not shy to let their comments be known. One fan on Reddit says that this is “one of the best Nezuko cosplays” they’ve seen. Another seems to agree with the statement as they write, “My heart can’t handle this much cuteness oml.” The fourth season of the series, Demon Slayer: Hashira Training Arc, is set to be released this spring, on May 12 and will be streaming on Crunchyroll. For more on the service, check out our list of the best anime on Crunchyroll.

This Boruto character was the first to sense Kurama inside Himawari CrunchyrollWhile Kurama reappearing in the manga shocked many, this Boruto character was the first to sense Kurama inside Himawari. Boruto Two Blue Vortex Chapter 9 featured a shocking twist as Himawari was revealed to inherit Naruto’s Bijuu chakra. As Jura made a move to consume Himawari to get to the Bijuu chakra, a miniature version of Kurama manifested from Himawari. How Kurama came back to life is still a mystery and it was a surprising turn of events. However, there has been some foreshadowing hinting at this development for quite some time. After Kurama sacrificed himself to protect Naruto from the effects of his Baryon Mode, there have been little hints pointing at the possible return of the nine-tailed fox. But the first Boruto character who actually got the inkling of there being something different inside Himawari was Daemon. In the Omnipotence Arc of the Boruto manga, Daemon was shocked to see Himawari. According to him, while the little girl appeared weak, there was something intense inside her. Though there was never any explanation about the “intensity” inside Himawari, it makes sense following the events of Chapter 9. At that time, it was assumed that Daemon meant the latent potential Himawari held inside her and not the actual “intense” Bijuu chakra. But now that it has been confirmed Kurama’s chakra was inside Himawari all along, it makes sense that what Daemon felt at the time was the chakra of the nine-tailed fox. Being as powerful as Daemon is, it’s no surprise that he’s the only one to sense something that even Naruto, Boruto, Kawaki, and other powerful ninja failed to do. Daemon is currently one of the strongest characters in Boruto. Though he hardly ever uses his powers, it’s also clear that he could and would unleash them if his sister Eida’s life was on line. Himawari becoming the next jinchuriki of Kurama might just put her on the same level as Daemon. If you’re a fan of Boruto, you might find our guide to Boruto episodes helpful. If you’re in the mood for something more exciting, you can check out our take on Boruto vs. Kawaki. And if you’re looking forward to learning more about the Boruto universe, you might want to know what happened to Naruto during the time-skip and if Shikamaru is the new Hokage.

Demon Slayer Season 4: 5 things you should know before the Hashira Training Arc ufotableMillions of fans will be tuning in to watch the Demon Slayer Season 4 premiere soon. Here are five things to keep in mind before checking out the new season. Demon Slayer Season 4 is undoubtedly among the best upcoming anime of 2024. This time the popular anime will adapt the Hashira Training Arc of the Demon Slayer manga. Before Season 4, there was a compilation film for the arc, titled Demon Slayer: To the Hashira Training in February 2024, that included the first episode. Comfortably one of the best anime on Crunchyroll, Demon Slayer has only gotten bigger with each season. For its straightforward yet gripping storyline and lovable characters, it makes for a great anime for beginners. Demon Slayer Season 4 is highly anticipated for a number of reasons. Not only will it feature more jaw-dropping animation by ufotable, but it will also help set up the climactic fight against Muzan. Before the new episodes air, these are a few pieces of information worth keeping in mind. 5. Every Hashira’s Breathing Style will be revealed in Demon Slayer Season 4 One of the most anticipated parts of Demon Slayer Season 4 is the introduction of the Hashiras’ Breathing Styles. In this season, every living Hashira (bar the Water Hashira) will train the entire Demon Slayer Corps to make them better prepared to fight Muzan’s demons, possibly instigating their Demon Slayer marks to appear. Viewers were previously introduced to the Hashira and even get to see some in action. Except for Gyomei, every other Hashira has had at least one fight scene. The new season will demonstrate the specialty of every Hashira’s Breathing Style. 4. This is the only arc where Tanjiro doesn’t fight any demon Demon Slayer wouldn’t be Demon Slayer if Tanjiro wasn’t slaying demons, right? Well, not completely. The Hashira Training Arc entirely focuses on the training of our heroes. The aim of this arc is to make the main characters stronger. In the whole season, viewers will find Tanjiro and his friends going through grueling training with various Hashira. Since the whole training process takes place in individual Hashira’s properties, there are no demons to be found nearby. So, Tanjiro will only have to focus on his training for the time being. 3. Giyu’s past will be revealed in Demon Slayer Season 4 Giyu Tomioka has always been one of the most intriguing characters in Demon Slayer. He’s also the first Hashira and Demon Slayer that Tanjiro and Nezuko encountered. As the Water Hashira, Giyu is undoubtedly one of the strongest Demon Slayers. But due to his introverted personality and past trauma, he keeps away from his fellow Hashira. In To The Hashira Training, Giyu is the only Hashira who refuses to train the other demon slayers. Though it seems awful on his part and enrages his colleagues, he remains unmoved. The reason behind his refusal and his traumatic past will be revealed in Demon Slayer Season 4, finally answering the long-asked question by fans. 2. Demon Slayer Season 4 will be the shortest season (so far) Demon Slayer Season 4 has been listed with eight episodes, making it one of the shortest seasons of the whole show. The anime started with 26 episodes in the first season, followed by the Mugen Train movie. The movie was later remade into seven episodes of the TV anime, however, they’re counted together with Season 2. Both Season 2, the Entertainment District Arc, and Demon Slayer Season 3, the Swordsmith Village Arc, had 11 episodes each. This makes Season 4 the shortest season so far. That makes sense since the Hashira Training Arc lasts only nine chapters in the manga. 1. The Hashira Training Arc is the second last arc of the manga What makes the Hashira Training Arc, and subsequently Demon Slayer Season 4, so important is its placement in the story. It is the second last arc of the series, followed by the climactic Final Battle Arc. The final Demon Slayer arc is then broken into two sub-arcs: the Infinity Castle Arc and the Sunrise Countdown Arc. The training Tanjiro and his friends will receive in the fourth season will directly contribute to the final battle of the demon slayers against Muzan Kibutsuji. Though this preparatory arc won’t feature any thrilling fights against Upper Moons, it will contain plenty of growth for the main characters. Which is another reason why Demon Slayer Season 4 is a must-watch anime from the Spring 2024 lineup. If you want to know more about the franchise, you can find out how old Nezuko is or the explanation of Tanjiro’s Hanafuda earrings or who wrote Demon Slayer.

The Witch and the Beast: Everything we know CrunchyrollThe Witch and the Beast, the anime adaptation of Kousuke Satake’s manga, is almost here. Here’s everything you need to know, including its official release date, theme, and new trailer. First debuting in 2016 in Young Magazine the 3rd, Kousuke Satake’s The Witch and the Beast series has only grown in success. Now, seven years later, with 10 volumes and even an English-language version, this popular manga is finally getting an anime adaptation of its own. The anime version of the steampunk series was first announced back in August 2022. However, no other details were released until a sudden flurry of Twitter announcements in 2023. So, with its TV debut right around the corner, here is everything we know so far about The Witch and the Beast’s anime adaptation. Including its release date, theme song and official trailer. The Witch and the Beast anime release date The Witch and the Beast will debut on January 11, 2024. On December 18, The Witch and the Beast’s official website and Twitter page announced that the anime adaptation will debut on January 11, 2024 on TBS/BS11 in Japan. Although if you don’t live in Asia, you don’t need to worry, because Crunchyroll is licensed to stream the dark fantasy series at the same time as it airs in Japan. Crunchyroll also held the anime’s world premiere screening at Anime NYC in November 2023. The Witch and the Beast plot “Wherever a witch goes, only curses and disasters follow.” The story revolves around two main characters: Ashaf, a soft-spoken young man with a coffin strapped to his back, accompanied by an entourage of black crows, and Guideau, a wild girl with long fans and the eyes of a beast – the result of a curse cast by an evil witch. Their journey leads them to a small town ensnared by the clutches of a powerful witch, prompting the question: could this witch hold the key to lifting the curse? Once they capture the witch, a dark saga of magic, power, and revenge unfolds in this seinen fantasy series. The Witch and the Beast trailer A brand-new trailer for The Witch and the Beast was released on December 17, featuring characters previously unseen. Check it out below. “Now it’s time for revenge.” With an English-subtitled version available for international fans of the series and all the popular tropes from the steampunk genre (trains, mysterious characters and – of course – an eye-catching airship, the trailer provides an exciting glimpse of what’s to come. The Witch and the Beast cast & crew Alongside key visuals, as of December 18, the anime’s official website has unveiled the majority of cast and crew. This includes Final Fantasy VII star Toshiyuki Morikawa and Demon Slayer’s You Taichi. The cast includes: Ashaf voiced by Toshiyuki Morikawa – Guideau voiced by You Taichi – Ione voiced by Yoko Hikasa – Kiera Haines voiced by Junko Minagawa – Mary voiced by Noriko Shibasaki – Shulk voiced by Atsushi Takasaka – Reuben Cole voiced by Hidenobu Kiuchi – Loran voiced by Takuma Terashima – Johan voiced by Ryota Osaka – Phanora Kristoffel voiced by Saori Hayami – Jeff Enker voiced by Hozumi Goda – Necromancer voiced by Nozomu Sasaki – Helga Velvet voiced by Miyu Tomita – Magic Sword Ashugan voiced by Rintaro Nishi – Matt Cougar as Akira Ishida – Executioner voiced by Kazuhiro Yamaji – Farmas voiced by Kousei Hirota – Lowell as Yu Kobayashi – Takayuki Hamana from The Prince of Tennis is directing the anime adaptation of The Witch and the Beast at studio Yokohama Animation Lab. While character designs are by Hiroya Iijima, known for the hit anime Afro Samurai. Keep an eye out for updates as we approach the official release date, which is yet to be announced, with only two months remaining. How to watch Crunchyroll from outside your location in 2023 Crunchyroll is the world’s best hub for streaming anime, whether it’s One Piece, Attack on Titan, or Jujutsu Kaisen – and thanks to ExpressVPN, you can access the platform’s full library even if you’re outside the US. If you’re abroad, here’s what you need to do to access Crunchyroll’s full selection – and it really is this simple: Sign up for ExpressVPN, which has ultra-fast servers and offers a secure, private connection wherever you are in the world – Connect to a location anywhere in the US; Express VPN allows you to choose from 24 different spots, from New Jersey to Santa Monica – Visit Crunchyroll online and start streaming all of your favorite animes – and perhaps some you’ve never watched – Accessing Crunchyroll’s US roster makes a difference; for example, Hong Kong users only have access to less than 100 titles, while the US has nearly 1,000 movies and TV shows. You can also stream anime on Crunchyroll for free with an ad-supported plan, or you can pay for a subscription – there’s even a 14-day free trial if you can’t quite make up your mind. You can check out our other anime coverage here. Please note that if you click on a product link on this page we may earn a small affiliate commission.

The Weakest Tamer Began a Journey to Pick Up Trash: Everything we know Studio MassketJapanese web novel series, The Weakest Tamer Began a Journey to Pick Up Trash, is getting an anime. Here is everything you need to know about it, including the release date. The TV adaptation of the fun and colorful isekai series The Weakest Tamer Began a Journey to Pick Up Trash, was first announced back in November 2022. The story began in 2018 on user-generated website Shōsetsuka ni Narō as a web novel series by Honobonoru500. A year later, a light novel series followed, and after that, a manga adaptation began serialization in 2020. In short – it has a loyal fanbase that has been waiting for an anime adaptation for years. Over the past year, snippets of information were provided for the manga’s awaiting fans. And now, ahead of its Japanese premiere, we finally have its official release date, cast list, theme song, and even a trailer. So, let’s take a look at everything you need to know about this star-filled fantasy series. The Weakest Tamer Began a Journey to Pick Up Trash release date The Weakest Tamer Began a Journey to Pick Up Trash anime will premiere on January 12, 2024. 2024 is shaping up to be the year of isekai, with yet another series debuting in January. The Weakest Tamer Began a Journey to Pick Up Trash will premiere in Japan on the Tokyo MX and BS Asahi channels on January 12, and on will go stateside with ABC TV on January 13. The Weakest Tamer Began a Journey to Pick Up Trash plot Described by Seven Seas Entertainment as a heart-warming fantasy tale about a girl who embarks on a journey with her new friend. The story follows a young girl called Ivy who was reborn in an RPG-like world where people are ranked by stars. However, Ivy is one of the unlucky few in this world to have the zero-star “tamer” skill. Since even her parents want nothing to do with her and her shameful ranking, she learns to live off the land and survive on her own. But when she tames Sora, a frail slime, her life soon takes a turn for the better as they overcome the bigotry that caused her family to abandon her. Who’s in the cast? Just like the starry plot, the anime also has a star-studded crew, including singer and voice actress Aina Suzuki and Mutsumi Tamura. As well as voicing the main character, Suzuki will perform the opening theme song, Hate no Nai Tabi. While Tei will perform the ending theme song. The cast list is as follows: Ivy voiced by Aina Suzuki – Sora voiced by Mutsumi Tamura – Ciel voiced by Anna Mugiho – Ruba voiced by Fumi Hirano – Oguto voiced by Kenta Miyake – Verivera voiced by Kohsuke Toriumi – Seizerk voiced by Masaki Terasoma – Latroa voiced by Taku Yashiro – Borolda voiced by Tomokazu Sugita – Rickbert voiced by Hiroki Yasumoto – Mira voiced by Marina Inoue – Tort voiced by Shun’ichi Toki – Produced by Studio Massket, known for Hell’s Paradise and Blue Lock, Dragon Ball Z‘s Shigeyasu Yamauchi and Naruto Shippuden‘s Naoki Horiuchi will take the helm as directors. Katsuhiko Takayama will write the script and the music is being composed by Reign of the Seven Spellblades’ Kujira Yumemi. The Weakest Tamer Began a Journey to Pick Up Trash trailer On November 23, the official trailer for the series was released, featuring Ivy’s terrifying death in the real world and her rebirth in a new, fantasy world. Depicting fantastical creatures, vibrant colors, and a feel-good storyline, this new anime is recommended for fans of series like The Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime. While you wait for its January 2024 debut, why not check out our other anime coverage here?

The Walking Dead star goes viral looking for obscure manga merch AMCNorman Reedus, the star of The Walking Dead, was recently spotted in Tokyo looking for some particular manga merchandise, and his trip has garnered some attention. Reedus, who led The Walking Dead cast as Daryl Dixon for 11 seasons, apparently enjoys his manga, since fans encountered him in Akihabara merch shopping. The actor, also known for providing the voice and likeness of protagonist Sam Porter Bridges in Death Stranding, was looking for anything related to Fire Punch, the debut manga by Chainsaw Man creator Tatsuki Fujimoto. A fan decided to get a quick picture with Reedus, who, according to the post, used the opportunity to ask for directions. “Norman was actually looking for some Fire Punch merchandise by Tatsuki Fujimoto, and Mandarake was the only place I could think of, so I showed him around,” says a translation of the tweet. The poster requests that if anyone has any, more specific knowledge to impart, to reach out, and maybe they can give Reedus a better steer. Mandarake is a large, general pop culture merchandise store, so it’s a safe starting point, but it mightn’t stock whatever the Boondock Saints and Blade 2 actor was looking for. As far as manga and anime shows go, Fire Punch is a pretty obscure choice. It hasn’t been adapted to screen yet, and there’s been no word on if that’ll happen after Chainsaw Man is finished. Right now, we’re waiting for the release of Look Back, an anime movie based on a one-shot from Tatsuki. The film will premiere this summer. The big question is: has Norman Reedus read Look Back? If so, how would he rank it against Fire Punch and Chainsaw Man? We can only ponder this until we meet the man himself and ask, but it seems like Akihabara is a good place to start. If, by chance, you’re reading this Norman — our upcoming anime list has some excellent recommendations for you.

The Wachowskis helped inspire Keanu Reeves’ Netflix anime BRZRKR Warner BrosWhile promoting his forthcoming Netflix anime BRZRKR at San Diego Comic-Con, Keanu Reeves thanked the Wachowskis for introducing him to the classics of the genre. Keanu Reeves appeared at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con to promote a John Wick: Chapter 4 teaser, but that wasn’t the only project he was involved in. The star also appeared on a panel for BRZRKR, an upcoming anime series based on a comic book that he has co-written with Matt Kindt, which debuted in 2021. The series – which follows an 80,000-year-old warrior who can punch people through their chests – has showcased Reeves’ passion for comic books and writing. He stated to The Hollywood Reporter that the experience gave him “some of the best creative days of my life” and that “I was that kid coming back with bags of comic books, and it was always a good day.” When discussing the comic and the upcoming Netflix anime adaptation further, he revealed a large inspiration for his work: Lana and Lilly Wachowski. The Wachowskis inspired BRZRKR At the panel, Reeves explained that his passion for anime – which is one of the reasons he is adapting his work into an animated series – was due to the Wachowskis: “I was watching anime on channel 79, and I didn’t even know what it was,” Reeves stated. “And then when I worked with the Wachowskis on The Matrix, they were like, ‘You need to watch these.’ So it was Akira, Ghost in the Shell, and that’s pretty much the start of it.” And from the sounds of the series’ themes of finding humanity, there is some semblance to the overarching narrative of The Matrix: “I had this idea – I wanted a character to punch people through their chest and rip their arms off,” the star said. “And the idea of someone who was cursed with violence and trying to figure out who they are and how they came to be and kind of reclaiming their humanity.” When is the BRZRK anime coming out? As the anime is still in development, there is no official release date as yet. But when it does, Reeves will likely be very excited, as the actor added that the day the first issue of his comic came out was one of the highlights of his career. “I was like, ‘I’m kind of an adult, and this is the best f**king Christmas I’ve ever f**king had.’” In addition to the anime, Netflix is also developing a BRZRKR live-action film, which will star Reeves in the leading role. We also know that the anime will have at least 2 seasons, so there is lots to look forward to.

The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes review: A cliched yet enjoyable summer flick The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes, has enough of a unique premise to overlook its somewhat basic characters. Anime films can range from great epics to slice-of-life delights. The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes, fits somewhere in the middle, as a sci-fi based coming-of-age story. The movie follows Kaoru and Anzu, two lost teenagers in 2005 who come together to investigate a mysterious tunnel that is said to grant the wishes of whoever ventures through it – at a cost which challenges your desires and whether it’s worth the price. The film, while nothing genre-changing, still manages to be an emotional sci-fi coming-of-age stint, with plenty of pretty animation and character growth. But first, warning: Slight spoilers ahead! Intriguing plot, clichéd characters On a technical level, The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes has some pretty well done and intriguing uses of its animation, along with some emotional songs – though many of these songs are a little too powerful, and definitely overstay their welcome. As do the sheer amount of times our characters breathe heavily in this film. Trust us, you’ll notice. The movie opens in a rather cliched style for an anime movie – that being silhouettes and cryptic voice overs – but we then thankfully move on to exploring the main concept of the film pretty quicky. And what an interesting concept it is; a cave in which you can find your greatest desires, but potentially lose years of your life whilst wandering inside. This play with the passage of time allows for a very efficient coming-of-age story, and our leads are entertaining enough that we want to see them succeed. Unfortunately most of the characters, and their plights, are pretty archetypal. You’ve got your tsundere leading lady, your shy but nice leading guy. Then there’s the people that accost them, that being a school bully and an abusive father, who are stereotypical past the point of appearing human. Then again, the way our leads react to their tormenters – punching the bully and apologising, and holding in his breath around his father – feels both interesting and very realistic. The tunnel to summer is a concept used well This isn’t just a sci-fi tale, it’s also a human one. We naturally see a romance play out between our leads as they both grow as people. It’s rather cute and heartfelt, though it can sometimes be frustratingly predictable – since she’s a tsundere she runs hot and cold, and there’s even multiple moments where they fall on top of each other. But these stereotypes are played out well enough, so if you’re into those tropes you’ll very much enjoy this movie. The pacing of the film also helps. It feels fast, but it works with the concept of time that Tunnel to Summer explores. The way time can so quickly slip away gives bigger stakes to the plot, while also explaining why the relationship feels a little rushed. The film manages to balance a suitable tone between the relaxed romantic moments and the sci-fi infused emotional moments. Ultimately this is a story about overcoming regrets of the past, which is a nice way of exploring both our leads’ “Want Vs Need” arcs. So even if the conclusion of these arcs can once again feel rushed, there’s still plenty to appreciate about the message of the movie. The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes review score: 3/5 The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes is definitely a movie worth watching, but it likely won’t stick with you forever. But this film is all about challenging what we feel about things, so head to the cinema and decide for yourself. Anime Limited and Crunchyroll is releasing The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes in cinemas across the United Kingdom and Ireland from 14th July 2023, and in France later this year.

The Tunnel to Summer: Release date in the UK & Ireland announced CrunchyrollBased on Mei Hachimoku’s award-winning light novel, The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbye was released in September 2022. Following its success, this sci-fi movie is looking to expand its audience access with its debut in the UK and Ireland. The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbye, is a sci-fi drama. It follows Kaoru Touno as he tries to unravel the rumours about the Urashima Tunnel. Furthermore, this unique and emotionally compelling movie is sure to surprise the viewers with a mystery tunnel, a frantic time-travelling journey, and adolescent summer love. The light novel was released in 2019 and was adapted into a manga the following year. The film has also been chosen to be presented in a competition at this year’s Annecy International Film Festival. The film, directed by Tomohisa Taguchi (BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War) at Studio CLAP (Pompo the Cinephile). Additionally, it was a hit on the festival circuit, wowing audiences at Scotland Loves Anime 2022, Ireland’s Japan Film Festival, and the Tokyo International Film Festival. The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbye release date in the UK & Ireland The Tunnel to Summer will hit the theatres in the UK and Ireland on 14 July 2023. The screening will be in the Japanese language with English subtitles. The tickets will be available starting 7 July 2023. The movie was first released in Japan on 9 September 2022. Following that, it was also released in South Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong between October and January. The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbye trailer The trailer features Anzu and Kaoru making a deal, shaking hands in front of the Urashima tunnel. The setting outside and inside the tunnel are clearly different, with red and purple lighting for when the two high school students venture inside. Moreover, it also has the theme music performed by Eill, who has previously performed the ending theme for several popular anime series, such as Tokyo Revengers. Click here for more information and to book tickets.

The Shonen Big Three will air together after 11 years CrunchyrollOne Piece, Naruto, and Bleach are considered the Big Three anime of the Shonen genre. As the two series have made their comeback, these anime will air together after more than a decade. The Big Three of the shonen classics are Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto, Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece, and Tite Kubo’s Bleach. These series are well-received for keeping fans engaged with the recurring fighting scenes. Although One Piece is ongoing, the Naruto series was concluded in 2017, followed by a spin-off series Boruto. On the other hand, Bleach was canceled and only aired till 2012. The Final Arc was only animated ten years later to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the series debut. Now that the new Naruto anime has been announced during its 20th anniversary, fans will watch their favorite series together after eleven years. Delve deeper to find out more about the reunion of the Shonen Big Three anime. The Shonen Big Three anime will reunite in September 2023 Until Bleach was canceled in 2012, watching weekly episodes of One Piece, Naruto, and Bleach was a regular occurrence. However, now that the four-episode special series of Naruto has been confirmed for September, fans can’t help but feel nostalgic about the golden era of the Shonen series. While One Piece will air weekly episodes for quite a while, Bleach is ready to return with its second part of the TYBW arc on 8 July. The season will have 13 episodes and run till the last week of September. Finally, Naruto (Shinsaku Anime) will debut on 3 September and will run for four weeks. The details about the new Naruto anime have yet to be announced. Therefore, fans are unsure what the special series will cover and how relevant it will be to the main story. Nonetheless, dedicated fans worldwide are thrilled to see their beloved animes on screen. One Piece, Bleach, and Naruto can currently be streamed on Crunchyroll. In the meantime, check out our other anime coverage below: Gorosei shadows in One Piece | Demon Slayer Season 3 finale | One Piece Reverie flashback | One Piece Void Century | Naruto Will of Fire | Naruto Wood Jutsu | Demon Slayer Mark characters | One Piece Mera Mera no Mi | One Piece God’s Knights Commander | One Piece Kozuki Momonosuke | Demon Slayer Hantengu Forms | One Piece Roger’s legacy | Naruto Uchiha Clan stone tablet | One Piece live-action trailer

The Rose of Versailles movie: Everything you need to know MAPPAThe Rose of Versailles movie is an upcoming historical romance drama, so here’s everything you need to know about it. The classic Shojo series, The Rose of Versailles, is ready to return to the screen with a new movie. The original anime aired in 1979 and it’s still one of the best Shojo series of all time. Written and illustrated by Riyoko Ikeda, the manga was serialized in Margaret Mazaine from 1972 to 1973. In September 2022, popular animation studio MAPPA announced a remake with a key visual and an announcement PV. MAPPA is popular for creating Jujutsu Kaisen, Attack on Titan, Chainsaw Man, and several other noteworthy Shonen series. However, Shojo is something they rarely do, which is sure to intrigue anime enthusiasts. But when is the reboot releasing and what is it about? The Rose of Versailles movie release window The Rose of Versailles movie will be released in Spring 2025. So far, there is no confirmation about the exact release date but it’s expected to premiere in the first half of 2025. The movie will first be released in Japanese theatres, after which, the studio will announce global release dates, which will likely take a few months. What is the plot of The Rose of Versailles? The story is set a few years prior to and during the French Revolution and follows Oscar Francois de Jarjayes, a Parisian noblewoman who was raised as a boy. Her first assignment is to chaperone the new Crown Princess Marie-Antoinette, who later falls in love with Oscar only to realize she’s a woman. The two soon befriend one another. Trapped in the rigid high society, Oscar is conflicted after seeing the queen abuse her power and causing poverty among the common people. The story continues as it depicts the struggles of two women burdened by their families and their love for one another. The Rose of Versailles movie trailer The new trailer was released in July 2024. The trailer showcases the beautiful animation style we can expect, as well as giving the characters and their voice actors a chance to shine, too. It doesn’t give much away, either. This is only a short teaser, and we expect a longer trailer to come in the future. The Rose of Versailles movie main cast and characters There are four key characters, and they’ll be voiced by Miyuki Sawashiro, Aya Hirano, Toshiyuki Toyonaga, and Kazuki Kato. The new trailer includes the cast members of the four major characters. Here’s who they’re playing: Oscar François de Jarjayes: Miyuki Sawashiro – Marie Antoinette: Aya Hirano – André Grandier: Toshiyuki Toyonaga – Hans Axel von Fersen: Kazuki Kato – That’s all the information we have on The Rose of Versailles movie. Have a look at our guides to Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 and Solo Leveling Season 2 for more top-scoring franchises due to return.

The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 4 finally announced CrunchyrollThe Rising of the Shield Hero Season 4 has finally been green-lit – here’s all you need to know about the latest announcement. The Rising of the Shield Hero has entertained us with three spectacular action-packed seasons and now, it is all set to come up with another mind-boggling installment. The anime series returned with a third season last year. It featured 12 amazing episodes and the season came to an end in December 2023. The story of a shield hero rising in the ranks has engrossed many fans. Of course, the series never became a breakout hit like Solo Leveling or Jujutsu Kaisen, but it still boasts a cult following. It is evident from the fact that the series was renewed for a new season only one month after Season 3’s conclusion. The Rising of the Shield Hero to return with Season 4 Kinema Citrus recently announced that the fourth season of The Rising of the Shield Hero is already in production. The announcement came ahead of the much-awaited Anime Japan 2024 event. The voice actor Kaito Ishikawa announced the upcoming season on a radio program. The information was also accompanied by a beautiful yet mysterious key visual. The poster doesn’t feature much but it showcases lightning, a bird, and an isolated place. Judging from the teaser, it is safe to say that the upcoming season will have a dark aesthetic, making us worry about our beloved shield hero. The Season 4 announcement was indeed surprising and unexpected, but it’s still too soon for the studio to give us an exact release date. If we consider the series’ previous timeline, we can expect the new episodes to hit our screens by the end of 2024. Nevertheless, it’s still an assumption and the series might push to early next year if there are any production delays. We have also yet to see any official trailer from the studio. The creators might give us the trailer along with the release date announcement. All the previous seasons of the anime are available to stream on Crunchyroll. So, you better watch those before the arrival of the fourth season.

The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 3 Episode 2: Release date and time CrunchyrollEpisode 2 of The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 3 is on the way to our screens, so here’s a full rundown of its exact release date and time wherever you are in the world. Adapted from light novels written by Aneko Yusagi, Rising of the Shield Hero tells us the story of a young man named Naofumi Iwatani, who is sent to another world by a fantasy book. The new world sees him as a shield hero, one of the legendary heroes among the four who are responsible for the world’s safety. Initially, Naofumi enjoys the fame, but soon he gets falsely accused by someone, after which his life changes. Witnessing the compelling storyline in the first season, the anime attracted a decent number of followers, who anticipated the new season very much. And, of course, they do like the premiere episode of the third season as it lays the foundation for the upcoming episodes. So, when do we get to watch Rising of the Shield Hero Season 3 Episode 2? The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 3 Episode 2 release date and time The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 3 Episode 2 will arrive on Crunchyroll globally on Friday, Episode 13, 2023. The below time schedule will help you find out the timings for your time zones: 5:30am PDT – 6:30am Mountain Time – 7:30am CDT – 8:30am EDT – 1:30pm British Time – 2:30pm European Time – 6:00pm IST – The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 3 Episode 1 recap At the start of the episode, we see Naofumi and his allies struggling in the fight against the Tapaks. After some time, our shield hero realizes that the other heroes have one missing, and if they are not found soon, the beast won’t be defeated easily. While he was dealing with this dire situation, he got a piece of news that the land would start worshipping all of the four heroes from now on. Later, when Naofomi goes to purchase the slaves from Lurolana Village, he is told that they have already been sold out for a high price to some other village. So, he decides to set them free. However, things were not as easy as they appeared; every slave was taken to an underground arena in Zeltoble to fight. Naofumi and his friends decide to fight the underground battle for the sake of the enslaved people’s freedom. You can check out our other anime coverage here. Please note that if you click on a product link on this page we may earn a small affiliate commission.

The Quintessential Quintuplets Movie review: A long but sweet send off to the sisters Considered to be one of the best harem animes of recent years, The Quintessential Quintuplets Movie is a good send off to these girls. As stated by Crunchyroll, “The Quintessential Quintuplets Movie is the highly-anticipated conclusion of the popular romantic comedy,” of which the first two seasons are currently available to view on the streaming site. Check out the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals on Amazon. The official plot of this new film is as thus: “When five lovely young girls who hate studying hire part-time tutor Futaro, he guides not only their education but also their hearts. Time spent has brought them all closer, with feelings growing within the girls and Futaro. As they finish their third year of high school and their last school festival approaches, they set their sights on what’s next. Is there a future with one of them and Futaro?” While we admit that harem anime isn’t our particular cup of tea, it seems like this film manages to be a proper send off to an anime that portrayed the genre – along with its many tropes – very well. Love is in the air…for a bit too long This film is important not just because of its finality, but also because it involves Futaro figuring out which sister he actually wants to be with, which of course occurs during the School Festival. But despite finally giving viewers what they want, the film also does a good job at building up to that moment. You aren’t watching the movie in frustration, just hoping that they’ll get to the part with the big reveal. Instead, you get invested in the problems that the characters are facing in their current state of life, and the relationships that the sisters have with one another. The film chooses to take an interesting narrative approach by telling the story multiple times through multiple different perspectives – that of the Quintuplets, as each sister has their own storyline. The film impressively manages to keep continuity while also making the same story fresh each time, by adding in little mysteries to one plotline that will inevitably get resolved in another plotline. However, despite that, this process does become a little grating, as it causes the film to be much longer than it needs to be. This length is only felt more when romantic significance is placed on every sister. Since this is potentially their final hurrah, each of them gets a mushy victory lap both before and after Futaro’s confession, but it’s often rehashing a lot of the stuff that the anime already covered. The film is quintessentially harem Granted, the shipping potential is the main driving force of this franchise, so while the film does a good job of making all the girls seem like good potential partners, whether or not you like this film may very well depend on which girl is your favorite, and which one Futaro picks. Such is the curse of harem anime, but it’s arguably better than stringing the characters – and simultaneously the audience – along with a half-baked answer. Futaro makes a decision, and the film validates that. This not only marks it a step above other harem anime, but it also makes it a step above most anime films, since they rarely make a significant impact on the show’s plot. Though it wouldn’t be a good harem anime if the other girls were just thrown to the wayside, so the film makes sure to tie up everyone’s storylines, and it certainly does continue its use of harem tropes. This means a gratuitous amount of fanservice, which is present almost from the moment you begin the film. Fanservice will always be a staple of the genre, but it does tend to be a love-it-or-hate-it kind of thing. We’re guessing that since you’re potentially planning to watch this film, you’ll love it, but if you’re not a fan, it could really turn you off from the rest of the movie, especially considering that these are mostly underage girls being focused on in their bikinis. Though maybe the anime’s semi-poor production value will help distract you from it. The Quintessential Quintuplets Movie review score: 3/5 While probably not for general anime audiences, this film is a love letter to the series and its fans. It has managed to step above other recent harems by focusing on the relationships between the girls themselves, allowing for more compelling storylines, all of which get to shine in this film. Even if it does go on for too long, fans would likely riot if any girl was left out, so the passion and care is clearly present. Ultimately, while every sister can’t have Futaro’s heart, they can certainly have ours. The Quintessential Quintuplets Movie hits theaters in Australia and New Zealand on December 1; in North America on December 2; and the United Kingdom and Ireland on December 7 & 8. The first two seasons of The Quintessential Quintuplets are available to stream on Crunchyroll.

One of the most popular harem anime is coming back, and everyone’s saying the same thing Bibury Animation StudiosA popular harem anime – The Quintessential Quintuplets – is coming back with another TV special this year, but viewers think it’s overkill at this point. If you’re a fan of the harem subgenre, chances are you’ve heard about the Nakano quintuplets and their tutor-turned-love-interest Fuutaro. The group debuted in the 2019 romance anime series The Quintessential Quintuplets, charming viewers with a heartfelt story that’s as much about family as love. The anime show later got a sequel in 2021 and a movie in 2022. Throughout the course of the story, we see each Nakano sister finding their way into the world and falling in love with Fuutaro in the process. (Warning: Spoilers ahead!) In a typical harem fashion, we were also left to wonder which sister would ultimately snag the protagonist’s heart. The question is finally answered in the anime movie, as Fuutaro remembers Yotsuba as the girl he fell in love with as a kid. With that memory returned, the two get together and eventually marry. That’s where the movie ends, and viewers think that’s where it should’ve stopped. Fuutaro and Yotsuba getting together is the natural conclusion of the story (though it angered many fans). Yet the makers have announced another project in the franchise. A new The Quintessential Quintuplets TV Special will arrive on our screens in September, giving us a glimpse into Fuutaro’s honeymoon with Yotsuba as her sisters accompany them (weird!). Viewers believe dragging it further contributes nothing to the plot, and only tests the audience’s patience. As one wrote on Reddit, “Milking it for all its worth.” “With how much they are milking the franchise, I don’t doubt if we get a ‘Quintessential Quintuplets: The Next Generation’,” mocked another. “You know at this point why did Yotsuba win if you are just gonna act like we got a ‘harem’ route? Just do the harem ending,” commented a third. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a harem anime that had a definite winner keep going like this before,” added a fourth. One fan shared, “If they are gonna milk the series for all it’s worth, then better commission Shaft to give QQ the Brotherhood treatment.” The Quintessential Quintuplets: Honeymoon Arc is being animated by Bibury Animation Studios and will be released on September 20, 2024. For more upcoming anime, find out which shows to look out for in Fall 2024. You can also check out our guides to Dragon Ball Daima and Dandadan.

The one thing One Piece live-action should have never changed NetflixThe official trailer of Netflix’s One Piece live-action adaptation feature slight modifications to suit the older audience. However, there’s one thing that completely changed the story — and not in a good way. The One Piece live-action adaptation is creating quite the buzz, especially since the release of its new trailer. The series will retell Luffy’s journey and how he gathers the best crew possible. The trailer is getting a lot of positive reviews, for obvious reasons, of course. It perfectly portrays the level of attention each scene has, doing justice to the seven years of hard work that has been put into the production. Furthermore, since the series is targeted toward an older audience, which is different from the original series, fans will notice several modifications in the series. Changing a few things in other adaptations is nothing unheard of. Sometimes these changes are good as they allow more creative freedom to the staff members. However, it seems that there’s one slight change One Piece live-action has made that might backfire in the future. Gol D. Roger looks menacing and sinister in One Piece live-action The scene of Pirate King Roger’s execution was briefly shown in the East Blue Saga, and fans also learned of his story through simple illustrations and narration. However, while it’s good that One Piece live-action has decided to incorporate this scene, it was executed very poorly. Anime and manga fans would be aware of Roger’s true nature. He was the brightest and most cheerful person in the world, which never changed, even when he was publicly executed. Roger lived life to the fullest and accomplished all his goals. This is why he died without any regrets and was instead grateful for all he had achieved. It’s the main reason Roger was admired by his allies and enemies alike. He was properly introduced in Oden’s backstory featured in the Wano Country Saga. Even the execution scene was animated during then. However, in the trailer, Roger looks inappropriately menacing and even sinister. His creepy smile is nothing like the original series. Roger did die with a smile on his face, but it wasn’t eerie at all. But in the live-action trailer, it appears as if he is feeling bitter about his death. It also looks like since he is unable to accept his fate, he is laughing crazily. The editing also made the scene look more intense than it actually was. This completely changes Roger’s true character, who is still the most influential person in the expansive world of One Piece. While it is alright for the series to change a few things here and there, this particular scene has a risk of ruining the essence of the main story. One Piece can currently be streamed on Crunchyroll. In the meantime, check out our other anime coverage below: 10 short anime series | 10 nostalgic anime series | Jujutsu Kaisen chapter 230 | One Piece live-action trailer | One Piece SWORD members | Jujutsu Kaisen Gojo’s Hollow Purple | Minato’s side story | Bleach TYBW Episode 16 | One Piece Episode 1070 | One Piece Gear 5 anime schedule | One Piece chapter 1089 | One Piece Koby’s power | Jujutsu Kaisen Episode 4

The one scene One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda requested to be redone NetflixNetflix’s live-action One Piece was met with some concern as turning a beloved anime and manga to life isn’t as easy as it seems. During the filming of One Piece, director Emma Sullivan revealed Eiichiro Oda was displeased with one scene and had it redone. Going into One Piece, Sullivan wasn’t knowledgeable in the original source material. Once she realized how big of a fan her son was and the people she knew were, Sullivan realized she had to do right by Oda. Believe it or not, she never got to meet the famous creator. Developing a live-action comes with its challenges. Going into the creation of the Netflix series, everything had to be approved by Oda. He admitted that the series didn’t have to have a “one-on-one” adaptation. Fans may notice the difference between the anime, manga, and the series. Still having the final say in what was left or changed in the series, Oda did request a scene to be reshot. Director Sullivan breaks down why Oda wanted one of Zoro’s scenes to be filmed again in One Piece. Eiichiro Oda didn’t like young Zoro’s fight scene in One Piece Director Sullivan revealed Eiichiro Oda had them reshoot young Zoro and Kuina’s fight in Shimotsuki Village in One Piece Episode 4. Each character in One Piece gets a backstory to who they were before the current events of the series. Roronoa Zoro (Mackenyu) is a feared pirate hunter and skilled in a three-sword fighting style. Behind his brooding demeanor is a sad story. In the fourth episode, fans get flashbacks to his youth in Shimotsuki Village. After nail-biting combat, he is beaten by Kuina (Audrey Cymone). Zoro (Maximilian Lee Piazza) is not exactly nice toward her, but she vows to help him train. Together they promise to become the best swordsmen. Sullivan revealed that one of the flashbacks was something Oda requested to be redone. According to Cinema Daily, “Okay… For example, there’s a scene in one of my episodes between young Zoro and Kuina in Shimotsuki Village. They have this fight. Oda-san watched it and he wanted us to redo it because we did it with Kendo masks on. So we went back to South Africa and did it again just to make sure he was happy with it. I think it’s just so important because it’s his life’s work. We have to make sure he’s happy with it.” Like the original source material, Zoro’s upbringing was shadowed by Kuina’s sudden death, and the reason he carries her white sword. You can read more One Piece content in our hub here, and content like how Taz Skylar took care of his co-star here, and if he did all of Sanji’s kicks here.

Netflix’s The One Piece: Everything we know about the anime reboot NetflixNot keen on just having the live-action version, Netflix has a new One Piece anime in the works, and it’s got some real wind in its sails. Franchises don’t get much more legendary than One Piece. One of the best anime going for decades now, Eiichiro Oda’s manga continues to go from strength to strength, accruing more readers for Luffy’s quest across the high seas. Once the existing show crossed the 1,000 episode mark, though, it became a little tough for new fans to get on board. Enter The One Piece, a brand new anime tackling the manga from scratch. It’s an ambitious undertaking, but the people involved have the right credentials, so here’s everything we know so far. Who is making The One Piece? The One Piece is being animated by WIT Studio, the production company behind Ranking of Kings, the first season of Vinland Saga, Spy x Family, the first three seasons of Attack on Titan, and much more. They’re working in collaboration with Netflix, who’re the exclusive distributor. The One Piece is being directed by Masashi Koizuka, who handled numerous episodes of Attack of Titan, and he’s joined by Hideaki Abe as Assistant Director, who’s worked on Jujutsu Kaisen and My Hero Academia. They’re creatives who know how to mold a hit, and that’s exactly what One Piece deserves. The One Piece is a complete reboot The One Piece is kicking off with the East Blue Saga, the first saga from the manga, where Luffy meets the Straw Hats. It’s a brand new, modern interpretation of the story, built on principles of current day anime. This version of One Piece will look closer to the likes of Jujutsu Kaisen or Blue Lock, incorporating contemporary techniques and standards. One fundamental change is that it’ll be 16:9 from the first episode, whereas the first 204 episodes of the existing One Piece anime are 4:3. Eiichiro Oda encouraged the team to put their own spin on his classic work. “Rather than faithfully reproducing the manga of One Piece, the anime staff should digest it and remake it in their own style,” he said, quoted during One Piece Day 2024. Netflix’s One Piece anime isn’t replacing the original The original One Piece anime has been going strong for over 1100 episodes, and that’s not changing. Netflix’s reboot is simply providing an easy gateway for fans who’re looking tog et into the franchise, or who haven’t gone back for the first few sagas after jumping in more recently. For now, Netflix and Toei’s versions will run side-by-side. They aren’t competing because they’re telling very different stories, since the original show is now heading into the Final Saga, whereas this one has literally hundreds of episodes to go before then. Does The One Piece have a teaser? One Piece Day 2024 revealed a considerable amount of concept art, that makes for a strong teaser for The One Piece. We see select scenes from early in the manga, imagined in a bold, lightly-colored style. We’re probably still a long way off getting any more than this, but it’s enough that fans feel reassured we’re in safe hands on this one. That’s all we have on The One Piece, Our guide to Chapter 1123 will tell you what’s going on in the manga right now, and we have a look at live-action One Piece Season 2 if you’d like to stay updated on that.

The New Gate: Everything we know so far X/@thenewgateanimeThe New Gate light novels are finally getting the anime adaptation treatment. Here is everything we know so far about the upcoming series. Shinogi Kazanami’s popular light novel, The New Gate, has received praise from the anime world due to its “personable and approachable” take on the isekai genre. Since it was first published in 2013, the series has 21 published volumes, a manga, and a discontinued mobile video game. And now, it’s going to get a brand-new anime adaptation. So, from teaser visuals to its cast and crew, here is everything that we know so far about upcoming anime series, The New Gate. When will The New Gate be released? We haven’t got an official release date yet. On November 9, the anime adaptation for The New Gate series was first revealed on the upcoming anime’s official website and Twitter, alongside a teaser visual of main characters Shin, Schnee Riser, and Tierra Lucent. The official post announced that fans can expect to see the first episodes in 2024. However, we are still waiting for an official release window. The New Gate plot Written by Shinogi Kazanami, the story revolves around an online video game that turns into a life-and-death battle for its players. Shin, a veteran gamer, is the series’ main protagonist and the most powerful player in the series. However, once he defeats the death game in the regular world, he finds himself transported 500 years into the future into the game’s universe where the series really begins. From a regular gamer to an unwelcome intruder in a strange new world, The New Gate follows Shin’s legendary journey from start to game end. So, can he survive? Is there a trailer? Currently, there is no trailer for The New Gate anime. However, the anime’s official Twitter released key character visuals to keep fans excited about this upcoming series. The visuals show Shin and Schnee Reiser holding swords, and Tierra Lucent with a bow and arrow. They also include official cast announcements and statements from each voice actor with their first impressions about the characters they’re going to play. Cast & crew The New Gate boasts seasoned voice actors as part of its currently known cast and crew. Only three members of the anime’s main cast have been released so far: Shinya Kiritani voiced by Kensho Ono (Vinland Saga and Bungo Stray Dogs) – Schnee Raizar voiced by Asami Seto (The Eminence in Shadow) – Tiera Lucent voiced by Kaede Hondo (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba) – The series is being directed by Tamaki Nakatsu, known for The Irregular at Magic High School, and produced by studios Cloud Hearts and Yokohama Animation Lab. With series composition by Hiroki Uchida, character designs by Itsuki Takemoto, and music by Yuya Mori (Fullmetal Alchemist), Tatsuhiko Saiki, Misaki Tsuchida, and Tsugumi Tanaka. Cloud Hearts, founded in 2021, is a relatively new animation studio. However, it’s already got a number of titles under its belt including The Iceblade Sorcerer Shall Rule the World. It will be supported by the more established Yokohama Animation Lab, known for The Kingdoms of Ruin and Rail Romanesque 2. From official main cast members to the anime’s plot, this is everything we know so far about the upcoming adaptation of The New Gate. With the light novel series selling over 2.5 million copies and the anime’s Twitter already gaining over 1,000 followers, it’s clear that this one is going to be a hit. Why not check out our other anime coverage here?

The Man marked by Flames in One Piece explained: Who is the mysterious character? CrunchyrollAmong the dozens of mysteries in One Piece, the Man marked by Flames is something fans are most clueless about. So, who is he? One Piece is currently in its Final Saga and is unraveling several mysteries about the past. As the Egghead Arc is about to end, the story reveals a lot of things about the Void Century and Joyboy. However, one of the biggest mysteries has barely been explored. The manga rarely mentions the fabled Man marked by Flames, but now that we’re heading for the conclusive arc, we will soon learn more about him. The Man marked by Flames will be one of the most important characters in the Final Saga. Luffy and his crew can’t reach Laughtale without him. Hence, he’s currently the man wanted by Blackbeard Pirates. For now, Luffy and the others are clueless about him, but they will go after him once they find out why he’s so important. The Man marked by Flames is important to finding the One Piece In One Piece Chapter 1156, Killer and Kid are ready to leave for Elbaf. Killer says they have put all their strength into “this task” if they want to win the war for One Piece. Kid questions if he means locating that man. He further adds that he doesn’t think that man is in Elbaf. In Chapter 1081, a brief flashback features Kuzan talking with the Blackbeard Pirates. As the crew is confused about Kuzan’s presence there, Catarina Devon asks if he has information about the Man marked by Flames. The route to finding Laughtale is mentioned in the Road Poneglyph and the crew has copies of three of them. However, the location of the fourth remains unknown. Blackbeard says the Man marked by Flames has one and Laffitte adds that the man can be found in a pitch-black ship and those who sail near him are swallowed by giant whirlpools. He may even have the power of a devil fruit. Who is most likely to be The Man marked by Flames? So far, there’s no hint about the identity of the man. Kuzan shows his burn scar and jokes about it but Vasco Shot says the former got that scar only recently. The most plausible theory right now is that the man is one of the Roger Pirates. We know the missing Road Poneglyph was in Fish-Man Island so only Roger Pirates should know its location. The series has yet to reveal the status of most pirates so it could be any one of them. Roger Pirates not only know about the true history of the world, but they also know they must pave the way for the future generation and Joyboy’s successor. Hence, one of them could likely be in hiding, waiting for the right person to reach him and acquire the last Road Poneglyph. They also can’t let people like Blackbeard get their hands on One Piece, which will only bring about more destruction in the world. Therefore, keeping the Poneglyph isolated is the safest way. Another possible candidate is Jaguar D. Saul. Not only does he have the secret name D, but he also has a scar because of Kuzan. The Egghead Arc of One Piece reveals he’s currently alive and is researching the Poneglyphs to learn more about the Void Century. Considering Jaguar’s current role, it wouldn’t be surprising if he either knows the location or contents of the fourth Road Poneglyph. For more from One Piece, check out the release date and spoilers for One Piece Chapter 1123. Also, look at why Roger Pirates didn’t act after learning the truth and our ranking of the strongest Straw Hats.

The Kingdoms of Ruin Episode 4: Release date & spoilers CrunchyrollThe Kingdoms of Ruin killed off its main character, but will he return in Episode 4? Here are the release date and spoilers. Based on a manga by Yoruhashi, The Kingdoms of Ruin is a new series that debuted this fall. The series has only aired a few episodes, but they’ve been enough to make viewers understand that it’s as dark as an anime can get. The story is set in a world where humanity has flourished for ages thanks to the power of magic granted by the witches. However, magic has no place in the modern world as technology dominates the magic power of the witches. The Redia Empire begins to hunt down the witches to eradicate magic entirely from the world. Adonis, an apprentice of the Witch, watches her brutal death at a young age and swears to get revenge for her. However, the recent episode is truly shocking as the main protagonist dies a gruesome death after Doroka. But his body turns out to be fake. The upcoming episode has a lot in store for fans as it explains the world-building to some extent. Delve deeper to find out the release date and spoilers for The Kingdoms of Ruin Episode 4. The Kingdoms of Ruin Episode 4 release date and time The Kingdoms of Ruin Episode 2 will be broadcast on October 28 at 1:53am JST. New episodes drop every Saturday. It will take about half an hour for the subbed versions to be available on Crunchyroll. Check below to find the air time for the premiere episode in your time zone: 10:30am PT – 11:30am Central Time – 12:30pm Eastern Time Zone – 5:30pm BST – 10:00pm India Standard Time – 03:30am Australia – The Kingdoms of Ruin Episode 4 spoilers The Emperor of Redia talks about the power of science and how the new age will triumph over the previous one. As the old god is dead, the country itself is the new god. Additionally, high school students are asking about the Witch’s apprentice. But the teacher says he doesn’t know if the apprentice is human or not. He also considers the possibility of the apprentice being brainwashed. Meanwhile, the witches take Adonis to their hidden Kingdom and resurrect him while the human world ponders over his fake corpse. The episode will also introduce Madam Ophelia Clementine, the Witch of revelation. She tells him about Chloe’s exile and the reason for it. Ophelia also guarantees to bring Chloe back to life. The Kingdom of Witches is located in a place beyond the reach of humans, a quiet planet. The witches came to this place 10 years ago after the Witch Hunt. How to watch Crunchyroll from outside your location in 2023 Crunchyroll is the world’s best hub for streaming anime, whether it’s One Piece, Attack on Titan, or Jujutsu Kaisen – and thanks to ExpressVPN, you can access the platform’s full library even if you’re outside the US. If you’re abroad, here’s what you need to do to access Crunchyroll’s full selection – and it really is this simple: Sign up for ExpressVPN, which has ultra-fast servers and offers a secure, private connection wherever you are in the world. – Connect to a location anywhere in the US. Express VPN allows you to choose from 24 different spots, from New Jersey to Santa Monica. – Visit Crunchyroll online and start streaming all of your favorite animes – and perhaps some you’ve never watched. – Accessing Crunchyroll’s US roster makes a difference. For example, Hong Kong users only have access to less than 100 titles, while the US has nearly 1,000 movies and TV shows. You can also stream anime on Crunchyroll for free with an ad-supported plan. Or you can pay for a subscription – there’s even a 14-day free trial if you can’t quite make up your mind. You can check out our other anime coverage here. Please note that if you click on a product link on this page we may earn a small affiliate commission.

The Kingdoms of Ruin Episode 3: Release date & spoilers CrunchyrollAdonis finally frees himself in the recent episode – so here are the release date and spoilers for The Kingdoms of Ruins Episode 3. Based on a manga by Yoruhashi, The Kingdoms of Ruin is a new anime series that debuted in the Fall 2023. It is set in a world where humanity has flourished for ages thanks to the power of magic granted by the witches. However, magic has no place in the modern world as technology dominates the power of the witches. The Redia Empire begins to hunt down the witches to eradicate magic entirely from the world. Adonis, an apprentice of the witch, watches her death at a young age and swears to get revenge for her. In the recent episode, we see Adonis, who is now a grown-up, was serving a life sentence after being designated as an SS-level threat. After escaping, he meets Doroka, a witch who wishes to resurrect Chloe and needs his help. Delve deeper to find out the release date and spoilers for The Kingdoms of Ruin Episode 3. The Kingdoms of Ruin Episode 3 release date and time The Kingdoms of Ruin Episode 2 will be broadcast on October 21 at 1:53am JST. New episodes drop every Saturday. It will take about half an hour for the subbed versions to be available on Crunchyroll. Check below to find the air time for the premiere episode in your time zone: 10:30am PT – 11:30am Central Time – 12:30pm Eastern Time Zone – 5:30pm BST – 10:00pm India Standard Time – 03:30am Australia – The Kingdoms of Ruin Episode 3 spoilers The Kingdoms of Ruin Episode 3 will feature Doroka’s flashback ten years from now, which is around the same time as Chloe’s death. Doroka’s friend, Mia, tells her about a machine that seals the witches’ magic away so the humans can kill them one by one. Mia tells her to find Madam Ophelia Clementine. In the middle of the conversation, Doroka sees that Mia has already sustained severe injuries on her back. Knowing she cannot survive, Mia sacrifices herself to let Doroka escape; this is how the latter survived the witch hunt. Back to the present, believing Doroka is dead, Adonis heads off to fight his opponents. However, the National Science Agency again planned to use the same device that resulted in the death of countless witches. Since Adonis is too strong for them, they need to seal his magic before defeating him. However, the magic photon suppression device releases “nuclear photons” that cause cellular function deficiency disease in humans. Half the soldiers who participated in the witch hunt developed this disease. The enemies manage to decapacitate Adonis, who finds peace knowing he can reunite with Chloe in the afterlife. However, the surviving Witches manage to bring him back to life as more secrets begin to unveil. How to watch Crunchyroll from outside your location in 2023 Crunchyroll is the world’s best hub for streaming anime, whether it’s One Piece, Attack on Titan, or Jujutsu Kaisen – and thanks to ExpressVPN, you can access the platform’s full library even if you’re outside the US. If you’re abroad, here’s what you need to do to access Crunchyroll’s full selection – and it really is this simple: Sign up for ExpressVPN, which has ultra-fast servers and offers a secure, private connection wherever you are in the world. – Connect to a location anywhere in the US. Express VPN allows you to choose from 24 different spots, from New Jersey to Santa Monica. – Visit Crunchyroll online and start streaming all of your favorite animes – and perhaps some you’ve never watched. – Accessing Crunchyroll’s US roster makes a difference. For example, Hong Kong users only have access to less than 100 titles, while the US has nearly 1,000 movies and TV shows. You can also stream anime on Crunchyroll for free with an ad-supported plan. Or you can pay for a subscription – there’s even a 14-day free trial if you can’t quite make up your mind. You can check out our other anime coverage here. Please note that if you click on a product link on this page we may earn a small affiliate commission.

The Kingdoms of Ruin Episode 2: Release date & spoilers CrunchyrollThe Kingdoms of Ruin anime series made its heart-wrenching debut last week – so here are the release date and spoilers for Episode 2. Based on a manga by Yoruhashi, The Kingdoms of Ruin is set in a world where humanity has flourished for ages thanks to the power of magic granted by the witches. However, magic has no place in the modern world as technology dominates the power of the witches. The Redia Empire begins to hunt down the witches to eradicate magic entirely from the world. Adonis, an apprentice of the witch, watches her death at a young age and swears to get revenge for her. The series had a tragic start, and it’s only going to get more dark from here on out. After Chloe’s death, the story takes a ten-year time skip and introduces Doroka, one of the main characters. Delve deeper to find out the release date and spoilers for The Kingdoms of Ruin Episode 2. The Kingdoms of Ruin Episode 2 release date and time The Kingdoms of Ruin Episode 2 will be broadcast on October 14 at 1:53am JST. It will take about half an hour for the subbed versions to be available on Crunchyroll. Check below to find the air time for the premiere episode in your time zone: 10:30am PT – 11:30am Central Time – 12:30pm Eastern Time Zone – 5:30pm BST – 10:00pm India Standard Time – 03:30am Australia – The Kingdoms of Ruin Episode 2 spoilers The Kingdoms of Ruin Episode 2 will begin with Adonis breaking out of the prison capsule and seeing officers pin Doroka down. The officers panic after seeing Adonis, who frees himself thanks to Doroka. They try to put Adonis back into prison, but he kills them effortlessly. He also shoots Doroka’s chains and frees her, but she gets scared and faints instead. Adonis is surely a dangerous criminal for the empire, as his escape has caused quite a serious commotion. The Chief of the National Security Bureau, Yamato, orders his subordinate, Eekhout, to take action on the matter. On the other hand, chaos soon follows in the Mayhem Internment Camp after Adonis’ escape. The officers reveal that Adonis was designated threat level SS and was serving a life sentence. Adonis soon starts causing a ruckus in the city using his powers and plans to destroy the entire country. Additionally, Eekhout kills all the female prisoners who were set free by Doroka. She also escapes to the outside and sees the chaos caused by Adonis and blames herself for being unable to stop him. How to watch Crunchyroll from outside your location in 2023 Crunchyroll is the world’s best hub for streaming anime, whether it’s One Piece, Attack on Titan, or Jujutsu Kaisen – and thanks to ExpressVPN, you can access the platform’s full library even if you’re outside the US. If you’re abroad, here’s what you need to do to access Crunchyroll’s full selection – and it really is this simple: Sign up for ExpressVPN, which has ultra-fast servers and offers a secure, private connection wherever you are in the world. – Connect to a location anywhere in the US. Express VPN allows you to choose from 24 different spots, from New Jersey to Santa Monica. – Visit Crunchyroll online and start streaming all of your favorite animes – and perhaps some you’ve never watched. – Accessing Crunchyroll’s US roster makes a difference. For example, Hong Kong users only have access to less than 100 titles, while the US has nearly 1,000 movies and TV shows. You can also stream anime on Crunchyroll for free with an ad-supported plan. Or you can pay for a subscription – there’s even a 14-day free trial if you can’t quite make up your mind. You can check out our other anime coverage here. Please note that if you click on a product link on this page we may earn a small affiliate commission.

The Kingdoms of Ruin character officially recast after voice actor’s arrest CrunchyrollJunya Ikeda’s recent arrest left fans of The Kingdoms of Ruin anime wondering who will play Oz Gorgeous. Weeks later, their questions have finally been answered. On November 14, 2023, the official website for The Kingdoms of Ruin announced that voice actor Anri Katsu would replace Junya Ikeda as Oz. In addition to this, a new version of Episode 3 (where the character first had speaking lines) will be released. The anime adaptation of Yoruhashi’s The Kingdoms of Ruin manga first premiered on October 7, 2023, with episodes available to stream on Crunchyroll outside of Asia. So far, only six episodes have been released. This will provide fans of the series some relief to know that it’s still in the early days, and therefore, they won’t have to grow accustomed to hearing a new voice. Why has The Kingdoms of Ruin replaced Junya Ikeda? On October 26, Japanese police arrested 31-year-old voice actor Junya Ikeda, recognized for his role in Super Hero Taisen: Kamen Rider vs. Super Sentai, on suspicion of participating in a special fraud scheme. In Japan, a special fraud refers to a type of scam that defrauds people who don’t know each other out of money or property, for example by impersonating banks or loved ones. On October 30, The Kingdoms of Ruin’s official website announced that they would replace Ikeda as the voice of Oz in the series. Talent agency BaRU also posted a statement on their official website stating that they parted ways with Ikeda following his arrest. Just over two weeks later, on November 14, the announcement finally revealed Anri Katsu as his replacement. Who is Anri Katsu? Anri Katsu is a prolific voice actor who has featured in many prominent series. Including Attack on Titan’s Nile Dawk, Baki’s Kato, Tokyo Ghoul’s Koma Enji and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood’s Dolcetto. The news is still fresh. However, the recent change in voice actors and Junya Ikeda’s arrest have stirred discussions among fans on Twitter. This includes speculation about how these events might affect the future of anime, with an ongoing conversations emphasizing the growing popularity and power of anime voice actors. How to watch Crunchyroll from outside your location in 2023 Crunchyroll is the world’s best hub for streaming anime, whether it’s One Piece, Attack on Titan, or Jujutsu Kaisen – and thanks to ExpressVPN, you can access the platform’s full library even if you’re outside the US. If you’re abroad, here’s what you need to do to access Crunchyroll’s full selection – and it really is this simple: Sign up for ExpressVPN, which has ultra-fast servers and offers a secure, private connection wherever you are in the world – Connect to a location anywhere in the US; Express VPN allows you to choose from 24 different spots, from New Jersey to Santa Monica – Visit Crunchyroll online and start streaming all of your favorite animes – and perhaps some you’ve never watched – Accessing Crunchyroll’s US roster makes a difference; for example, Hong Kong users only have access to less than 100 titles, while the US has nearly 1,000 movies and TV shows. You can also stream anime on Crunchyroll for free with an ad-supported plan, or you can pay for a subscription – there’s even a 14-day free trial if you can’t quite make up your mind. Why not check out our other anime coverage here? Please note that if you click on a product link on this page we may earn a small affiliate commission.

The Imaginary review: Gorgeous anime adventure from Ghibli producer If ever you were concerned what a world without new Studio Ghibli movies might look like, fear not: The Imaginary proves the production house’s sense of magic is already in safe hands. It’s to be expected, since the anime movie is written and produced by Yoshiaki Nishimura, a former Ghibli producer. Made by Studio Ponoc, Yoshiaki’s own company, The Imaginary turns the book of the same name by A.F. Harrold into an enchanting feature that isn’t afraid to relish in the shadows. The title refers to imaginary friends, creatures of all stripes formed by the creative impulses of regular people. Once created, an Imaginary is tethered to their person until they’re forgotten or something else severs the connection. Best friends forever, imaginary or not Rudger is one such friend, the reliable bestie to Amanda, whose single mother runs a small bookstore. They go on extravagant adventures together, visiting snowy mountains filled with giants and the like. Their kinship gets disrupted by Mr Rudger, a menacing older man accompanied by a ghostly Imaginary of his own. His predatory fixation on the pair puts Amanda in jeopardy and sets in motion an existential crisis for Rudger. Childlike curiosity and wonder permeates The Imaginary, evident from the colours of Amanda’s bedroom right through to the glorious song-and-dance of the society of Imaginaries Rudger finds. Studio Ponoc and director Yoshiyuki Momose treat the concept as an excuse to lower their own inhibitions, taking any chance to include more brightness and movement. Trying to save Amanda, Rudger stumbles on a library full of imaginary pals that have found a second life together, invisible to the outside world but still present and satisfied by their own continued existence. The Imaginary fixates on the idea of our reality being full of magic, if only we push ourselves to see it and feel it. Studio Ghibli-like in all the right ways It’s a theme the legendary Hayao Miyazaki frequently employs, and Yoshiaki, having produced Howl’s Moving Castle and The Tale of the Princess Kaguya, seems eager to carry on the idea. Every character has a distinct shape and presence, from their body to their voice, that beckons us to consider what our own invented bestie would be. Rudger himself takes after young protagonists such as Chihiro and Satsuki in seeing the world as a sprawling maze full of streets and alleys. He explores with wide-eyed urgency, dedicated to Amanda, but amazed and fearful at every turn. The focus on him is key to The Imaginary’s depth, because he taps into potentially bittersweet memories. When was the last time you played with your imaginary friend? Did you even have one? What was their name? You could bring them back, if you wanted – imagination is boundless and entirely of your volition, you know. Not a real boy, but real enough As a protagonist, he plays with tropes around artificial life and how we approach the inhuman. Imaginaries aren’t robots, so they aren’t a threat like AI. They matter only to their makers, and in that, Rudger is crucial, because Amanda needs him. The Imaginary review: 4/5 The stakes are similar to Toy Story and Inside Out – a child’s innocence is under threat, and when a story threads that needle right, there’s nothing more anxiety-inducing. In a happy coincidence, The Imaginary arrives on the heels of Inside Out 2. The latter is in theatres. If you’ve seen it, The Imaginary being on Netflix would make for an excellent double-bill. Just keep a comfort toy – real or imaginary – close-by. The Imaginary comes out on Netflix July 5. Check out our upcoming anime and new movies lists for what else you should be aware of.

How No Country for Old Men inspired the scariest anime villain of 2024 NetflixStudio Ponoc returns with its first feature film in six years, and The Imaginary is worth the wait. A beautiful, enchanting anime movie about a child named Amanda and her make-believe best friend Rudger, The Imaginary celebrates innocence, empathy, and imagination in the face of life’s struggles. Based on the novel by A.F. Harrold, the film uses the book as a way to demonstrate the power of animation itself. Yoshiyuki Momose is director, while Studio Ponoc founder Yoshiaki Nishimura produced and supplied the screenplay. A former Studio Ghibli producer, Yoshiaki brings some of Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata’s whimsy and magic. Not just in Studio Ghibli’s shadow But The Imaginary is more than just a tribute act. It has dark, existential undertones that contrast the gorgeous visuals, and Yoshiaki told us about reconciling those ideals – and some unexpected influences. “I felt a need to depict an element of the truth within this film, because we don’t all live in this happy, magical, perfect world,” Yoshiaki told Dexerto. “Children are observing what the world is, and how adults are taking on those challenges, what they are doing to protect them and be there for them, and I wanted to depict that, as well as give clues on how they could overcome the challenges themselves.” Fundamental to what makes The Imaginary so engrossing is the standard of filmmaking from Studio Ponoc. Breathtaking set pieces litter the Netflix movie, with a light show in a library full of Imaginaries (the in-universe term for imaginary friends) being among the most dazzling. The Imaginary is overflowing with creativity We meet a litany of beings, big and small, who all served as besties to someone at some point. They escape fading away by coming together, combining their raw imaginative energy. Yoshiaki went deep on this mythology, leading to a first draft that was twice as long as what made it to screen. An estimated ten times what we see and hear from the Imaginaries was thrown around for backstory, but the film demanded more than just lore. “What I prioritized is that I didn’t really want everything to be logical visually,” he says. “There needed to be that sense of whimsical nonsense within the characters, and that ended up looking very fun and imaginative.” A villain Stephen King would love What’s a lot less amusing is Mr Bunting, a disconcerting fiend who feasts on Imaginaries. He appears as a middle-aged man, accompanied by a child-like imaginary phantom, and everything about him makes you squirm before he tries to consume Rudger. He made me think of Pennywise the Clown, the shape-shifting, child-eating grotesque from Stephen King’s It. The filmmakers had another, equally upsetting touchstone in mind. “[Director Yoshiyuki Momose] took inspiration from the illustration in the book and expanded on that,” Yoshiaki reveals. “In terms of characterization, it’s based on the film No Country for Old Men, the character played by Javier Bardem. That sense of somebody following you wherever you go – there is no escape. I wanted to create that creepiness.” Just like No Face in Spirited Away or the blazing war in Howl’s Moving Castle, such villainy serves as a conduit for a bright conclusion. We’re stronger than we think – and smarter and more creative and capable of incredible love and kindness. Empathy is its own artistic pursuit These things have a way of fading as we get older and caught up in adulthood. Yoshiaki wants viewers to understand that navigating the world can be an artform as valuable as any pretend battle or finger-paint masterpiece. “People tend to think of imagination as something that is grand, like how it’s depicted in The Imaginary, creating a whole world with a single person’s imagination. But I don’t think it’s limited to that form,” he muses. “I strongly believe empathy is a form of imagination as well. The power to be able to really understand what the person standing next to you is going through. Or cast your mind onto somebody who is in a refugee camp in another country, what those children are going through. “I think that sense of imagination is being lost from this world more and more. So I really want us to really value and think about the opportunities that we have to use our imagination in that way. That is perhaps even more important than the power to create.” The Imaginary is streaming on Netflix now. Check out our upcoming anime and new movies lists for other releases to be aware of.

The Ghost in the Shell: Everything we know about Science SARU’s new anime Amazon Prime VideoOnce again, Masamune Shirow’s legendary manga Ghost in the Shell is being adapted. This time, it’s a brand new anime series by a well-known studio, and we have all the details so far. For many fans, Ghost in the Shell is most well-known by the 1995 anime movie directed by Mamoru Oshii. That iconic film, a masterclass in cyberpunk and action filmmaking, helped popularize the medium outside Japan, and remains one of the best anime ever made. But, despite how great that movie is, it took some liberties with the source manga. Likewise for the other installments we’ve gotten over the years. This version of Ghost in the Shell could be the most accurate to Masamune’s original work yet. Even if it isn’t, the studios involved are exciting nonetheless. The Ghost in the Shell release window The Ghost in the Shell anime will come out sometime in 2026. This was revealed in the initial announcement from Science SARU. That indicates that production is still relatively early, and gives the team plenty of wiggle room for release, since the show could arrive anytime within the calendar year. Is there a The Ghost in the Shell teaser? The Ghost in the Shell got a brief teaser as part of the initial reveal. The video contains several pages of Masamune Shirow manga, enhanced with small animations. The images show Major Motoko Kusanagi and Public Security Section 9 in various situations. The iconic scene where Motoko jumps out of a high rise and activates her cloaking suit is included, which definitely gives the suggestion the idea here is to challenge the changes made in the 1995 film and the sequels. Who is making The Ghost in the Shell? The Ghost in the Shell is being made by Science SARU, in collaboration with Bandai Namco Filmworks, Kodansha, and Production I.G. Individual personnel have yet to be named, so we don’t know who the director or screenwriter are. Masaaki Yuasa, a highly experienced anime filmmaker, co-founded Science SARU, so he could potentially be involved. He has the expertise as a director and visionary, but a lot of his more recent work has been feature-length too, and he might want to stay in that realm. Alas, this is all speculation for now. Is The Ghost in the Shell a reboot? It’s been heavily implied that the new Ghost in the Shell anime will reboot the story, adapting the manga from scratch. The announcement visual contains Major Motoko Kusanagi and a Fuchikoma, both key elements of the original manga. The teaser shows panels and pages for the manga as well, suggesting this will be a more accurate adaptation than we’ve seen previously, drawing on the source material from the ground up. Those are all the details we have on The Ghost in the Shell for now. Check out our upcoming anime list for more releases on the horizon, and our guides to Tower of God Season 2 and Solo Leveling Season 2 will be worth keeping handy as well.

Netflix adds “masterwork” anime movie with perfect Rotten Tomatoes score NetflixNetflix has just dropped a modern classic, The First Slam Dunk, on the service, a widely beloved and critically acclaimed 2023 release. Not just one of the best anime movies, but one of the best movies of 2023, The First Slam Dunk was, as the name suggests, a slam dunk. The sports anime arrived on the big screen with Shohoku High School taking on reigning champions Sannoh Kogyo High School for the regional championships. A climactic march in Takehiko Inoue’s manga, it’s brought to life in a stirring blend of CGI and hand-drawn animation, the former being used for action on the court, while the latter comes in for flashbacks and such. The result is a sports movie for the ages, and a trendsetter for anime on the big screen. Takehiko Inoue wrote and directed the picture, a sequel to the ’90s anime show that ended in 1996. Similar to Haikyuu!!, the TV show only covered a certain amount of the manga, and the film now depicts the rest. The First Slam Dunk helped prove there was interest in releases like these after Demon Slayer: Mugen Train, since it went on to make $279 million worldwide. A huge amount for a non-English language film, the takings firmly place it within the highest-grossing movies from Japan. Since then, we’ve had Haikyuu!! The Dumpster Battle, Spy x Family Code: White and Blue Lock: The Movie – Episode Nagi, all successes in their own right, and keenly, all bringing a major franchise to theaters. Previously, the biggest anime films were the likes of Studio Ghibli or Makoto Shinkai productions – not so much any more. Reviews for The First Slam Dunk were very positive too, since it now yields 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. Starburst noted it “uses breathtaking, blended animation to bring basketball to life like no other film has previously”, and IGN wrote that it “delivers an exhilarating basketball game full of the thrills and drama of an NBA final, with mind-blowing visuals and camera angles live-action couldn’t replicate.” So, if you’ve been looking to catch up, now is your chance. Terminator Zero arrives on Netflix soon as well, making it an exciting week for the service. For more, check out what other new movies arrive on streaming this month.

The First Slam Dunk Blu-ray release date has finally been revealed CrunchyrollIt’s a three-pointer for physical media collectors, as The First Slam Dunk is finally coming to disc in the US. The smash hit prequel will arrive this coming June, after what’s felt like a substantial wait. The First Slam Dunk is one of the biggest and best anime movies of the last couple of years. Initially releasing in 2022, the sports anime film swiftly rose through the Japanese box office, becoming the fifth highest-grossing picture ever in the country. Reactions were just as strong internationally, where The First Slam Dunk has garnered a lucrative 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, while drawing in over $279 million at the box office overall. These numbers become even more impressive when you consider that the Slam Dunk anime show aired in the ’90s, and it wasn’t exactly the most prominent franchise pre-release. Takehiko Inoue, creator of Slam Dunk, directed and wrote the film, giving it an authentic feel that translated to the screen. And now GKIDS has revealed that The First Slam Dunk is coming home for fans old and new on June 25. The disc will have some special features, including an interview with Takehiko, behind-the-scenes and commentary with the English dub team, and the first wave will come with limited edition stickers. Another, bigger collector’s edition is expected later in 2024. Check out our upcoming anime list for what hits are coming out this year, and we have guides to Demon Slayer Season 4 and My Hero Academia Season 7 so you can see when they return, as well. If you click on a product link on this page we may earn a small affiliate commission.

The Fire Hunter Season 2: Everything we know so far CrunchyrollHistorical anime series, The Fire Hunter, is back for a second season after a successful debut. Here is everything you need to know about it. 2023 was one of the biggest years for anime, with the release of hit new shows like Hell’s Paradise and the continuation of popular series like Jujutsu Kaisen, Demon Slayer and Vinland Saga. As one of the most underrated series of the year, the anime adaptation of Rieko Hinata’s The Fire Hunter exploded onto our screens back in January 2023 to rave reviews. So, it’s no surprise that it was renewed for a second season. So, now that we have an official release date, trailer and cast list, let’s take a look at what Season 2 has in store for us in 2024. The Fire Hunter Season 2 release date The Fire Hunter Season 2 will debut on January 14, 2024. The news is just in, 2024 is opening with a bang and you can mark the date for January 14 to watch the second season of The Fire Hunter. The news was officially confirmed through the release of the first promotional video for the second season, which we will take a look at below. The Fire Hunter Season 2 plot Based on the 2018-2020 fantasy novel series written by Rieko Hinata and illustrated by Akihiro Yamada, the story is set in the distant future in a magical world where humans will instantly combust in the presence of fire. Because of this, human civilization devolved until they discovered a new fuel made from the blood of demonic Fire Fiends. Season One introduced us to Touko, a young girl from a paper-making town who wanders into the forest and stumbles upon a battle between a Fire Hunter and a Fire Fiend. The fire hunter rushes to protect her and is killed saving Touko from a fiery death. Because she is responsible, Touko’s village tasks her with taking the hunters dog Kanata and belongings to his family in the Capital. Over the course of the season, we watch as she embarks on the long and dangerous journey to fulfil her duty. The creators haven’t released the official plot for the second season yet. However, they will continue adapting the novels. And the second season is expected to unveil more about Touko’s journey to the Capital and her destiny. The Fire Hunter Season 2 cast and crew The main cast members from Season 1 will reprise their roles in 2024. But two new cast members, Manaka Iwami as Yururuho and M.A.O as Ruri Matsuri, have also joined. The rest of the cast is as follows: Touko voiced by Misaki Kuno – Koushi voiced by Shoya Ishige – Akira voiced by Maaya Shakamoto – Kira voiced by Saori Hayami – Roroku voiced by Yoshimasa Hosoya – Hinako voiced by Megumi Yamaguchi – Kun voiced by Sachi Kokuryu – Shozo voiced by Chiaki Kobayashi – Kaho voiced by Makoto Koichi – Yuoshichi voiced by Kenta Miyake – Hibana voiced by Kaori Nazuka – Takimi voiced by Mamoru Miyano – Haiju voiced by Shin-icjiro Miki – Benio voiced by Yuko Hara – Hotaru voiced by Yume Miyamoto – Sakuroku voiced by Shun’ichi Maki – Enzen voiced by Yoji Ueda – Hito voiced by: Ryūnosuke Watanuki – Hibari voiced by Akira Ishida – Yanagi voiced by Sayaka Ohara – Kiri voiced by: Yū Shimamura – Narrator voiced by Yoshiko Sakakibara – Yururuho voiced by Manaka Iwami – Ruri Matsuri voiced by M.A.O – Produced by Signal. MD, the second season’s production crew will also be the same as the first. Directed by Junji Nishimura, known for Chained Soldier, and Ghost in the Shell director Mamoru Oshii will return to write the scripts, Takuya Saito will design the characters and Kenji Kawai will compose the music. The anime’s second season will premiere on WOWOW in Japan. And it is presumed that Crunchyroll will hold the international streaming rights, just as it did for the first season. The Fire Hunter trailer The first trailer for The Fire Hunter debuted on December 4, 2023. Get ready to jump out of the pan and straight into the fire (almost literally) in The Fire Hunter Season 2. The trailer shows the continuation of Touko and Kanata’s story. But tensions are rising and the stakes are higher than ever. With the mysteries still incomplete from Season One, fans can expect to see at least some resolutions (we hope) to what is predicted to be one of the most underrated fantasy anime’s of the 2020s. How to watch Crunchyroll from outside your location in 2023 Crunchyroll is the world’s best hub for streaming anime, whether it’s One Piece, Attack on Titan, or Jujutsu Kaisen – and thanks to ExpressVPN, you can access the platform’s full library even if you’re outside the US. If you’re abroad, here’s what you need to do to access Crunchyroll’s full selection – and it really is this simple: Sign up for ExpressVPN, which has ultra-fast servers and offers a secure, private connection wherever you are in the world – Connect to a location anywhere in the US; Express VPN allows you to choose from 24 different spots, from New Jersey to Santa Monica – Visit Crunchyroll online and start streaming all of your favorite animes – and perhaps some you’ve never watched – Accessing Crunchyroll’s US roster makes a difference; for example, Hong Kong users only have access to less than 100 titles, while the US has nearly 1,000 movies and TV shows. You can also stream anime on Crunchyroll for free with an ad-supported plan, or you can pay for a subscription – there’s even a 14-day free trial if you can’t quite make up your mind. You can check out our other anime coverage here. Please note that if you click on a product link on this page we may earn a small affiliate commission.

The Feast of Amrita anime finally gets worldwide release date IMDBAre you a horror anime fan searching for a new film to watch? Well look no further, because The Feast of Amrita has finally got its international release date. Highly-anticipated prequel to 2018’s Aragne: Sign of Vermillion, The Feast of Amrita, first debuted in Japanese theaters back in May 2023. However, international fans were left waiting and wondering when (or if) they’d ever be able to stream the anime film in the west. The plot follows a group of teenage schoolgirls called Tamahi (Maaya Uchida), Yu (Moemi Otaka) and Aki (Mamiko Noto). After they witness someone fall to their death from the rooftop of an old apartment complex, they enter the building to find themselves trapped in their very own horror house, where devilish demons hunt them to gain control of their bodies and souls. Written, directed and animated by Saku Sakamoto, best known for Nantsu no Umi, the film debuted to generally positive reviews as an easy-to-watch horror flick. And now, over six-months after its official release in Japanese theaters, you’ll soon be able to watch it from the comfort of your own home. The Feast of Amrita’s official international release date The Feast of Amrita, originally known as Amrita no Kyouen, will debut on HIDIVE on December 1, 2023. After streaming Aragne: Sign of Vermillion, HIDIVE has also acquired the exclusive rights to horror-flick The Feast of Amrita. And it will stream the film in its original Japanese language with English subtitles at 12:00 pm EST. 17:00 PM UK – 11:00 AM (CST) – 9:00 AM (PST) – 10:00 AM (MST, Canada) – HIDIVE has acquired a huge horror anime catalog, including Alice in Borderland, Parastye: The Maxium and even exclusive rights to Made in Abyss. So, once you’ve finished watching The Feast of Amrita, there will be plenty of series and films for you to indulge your inner dark side with. The Feast of Amrita trailer Something dark and twisted lurks in the walls of an abandon apartment building. Can Tamahi, Yu and Aki escape with their lives and their minds in tact? Find out on December 1, 2023, with The Feast of Amrita’s exclusive debut on HIDIVE. While you’re here, why not check out our other anime coverage here?

The Eminence in Shadow Season 2 release date revealed HIDIVEThe Eminence in Shadow, the popular isekai and fantasy anime series, is returning with its second season this fall – delve deeper to check out the release date and everything else we know about Season 2. Fall 2023 is just around the corner, and a new season comes with a new lineup of anime series. Season 1 made its surprising debut in Oct 2022 and aired till Feb 2023. The Eminence in Shadow was a massive success, and it’s returning with Season 2 next month. Considering the series’ popularity, it’s no surprise that it was soon renewed for a new season. The series has been in the Fall 2023 lineup for a while now, but there has been no official release date until now. However, the official Twitter account recently shared a key visual and official release date for The Eminence in Shadow Season 2. Delve deeper to find out more about the upcoming anime series. The Eminence in Shadow Season 2 release date and time The second season will only have 12 episodes this time, unlike the first season, which had 20. Based on the light novel of the same name, the story centers around Cid Kagenou. The first episode of Season 2 already premiered during the Anime Expo in July 2023. It will officially start airing on October 4, 2023. The epiodes will drop every Wednesday at 10:30pm JST. You can check your time zone below: 6:30am PT – 7:30am MST – 8:30am CT – 9:30am EST – 2:30pm BST – 3:30pm European Time – 7:00pm IST – Where to watch The Eminence in Shadow? When the anime returns this Fall, HIDIVE will be the official streaming home for the new episodes. There will be both English subbed and dubbed versions. The official release date of the dubbed version is yet to be announced. You can catch up on everything that transpired in the first season right now on HIDIVE. HIDIVE also shared the official synopsis of The Eminence in Shadow Season 2: “Everything has been going according to plan, but the hour of awakening draws near. Cid Kagenou and Shadow Garden investigate the Lawless City, a cesspool where the red moon hangs low in the sky, and three powerful monarchs rule the streets. “The true draw for Cid, however, is one who can draw blood–the Blood Queen, a vampire who has slumbered in her coffin for eons. Her awakening approaches, and Cid could finally face a day of reckoning.” The Eminence in Shadow Season 1 is currently streaming on HIDIVE. In the meantime, check out our other anime coverage below: Netflix’s One Piece Season 2 | Jujutsu Kaisen hand signs | Jujutsu Kaisen narrator | Straw Hat Grand Fleet | One Piece chapter 1092 delay | One Piece chapter 1092 spoilers | One Piece breaks records | One Piece Wano ending | One Piece anime and live-action differences Please note that if you click on a product link on this page, we may earn a small affiliate commission.

The Eminence in Shadow Season 2 Episode 7: Release date and time HIDIVEThe Eminence in Shadow Season 2 Episode 7 is on the horizon – so, here’s everything you need to know about its release date and time. The previous episode featured several intense battles between the key characters of the anime, and we also got to see several unexpected twists. For instance, Cid, who had taken the identity of John Smith, gets caught by Alpha, and the duo ends up having a fierce fight. Even though Alpha couldn’t defeat Cid, she has made up her mind to take revenge on him for the betrayal. So, we can expect her to gather the members of the Shadow Garden and ask them for help. The series has blessed us with countless insane twists and turns so far, but that was not all, as the upcoming episode seems to be coming up with even more surprising elements. The Eminence in Shadow Season 2 Episode 7 release date and time The Eminence in Shadow Season 2 Episode 7 will be released on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, at HIDIVE for the global fandom. Below is the release timings for different locations that you may follow: 5:30am PST – 6:30am Mountain Time – 7:30am Central Time – 8:30am EST – 1:30am British Time – 2:30pm European Time – 7:00pm Indian Time – What happened in the previous episode? Alpha and Gamma learn about a new threat in the form of John Smith (Cid). Learning about his strength, everyone gets worried. When Delta goes to fight John, she finds out that it’s Cid, her boss, so she backs off. Cid is on a secret mission, so when Delta becomes aware of his real identity, he sends her for another mission without informing anyone. Delta’s sudden disappearance makes Alpha believe that John has killed her, so she decides to avenge her death. During the showdown between her and John Smith, she also comes across the truth, which leads to an emotional battle between the duo. John Smith, aka Cid, tries to justify his deeds, but Alpha doesn’t get convinced and decides to build an army against him. On the other side, Gettan also starts strategizing things against John Smith. So, we may see even more action in the upcoming episode of The Eminence in Shadow Season 2. You can check out our other anime coverage here. Please note that if you click on a product link on this page we may earn a small affiliate commission.

The Eminence in Shadow Season 2 Episode 3 Release date and time HIDIVEThe Eminence in Shadow Season 2 Episode 3 is around the horizon, and here’s everything you must want to know about it, including its release date and time. The new season of the popular Isekai anime has returned to the screens with even better animation and action sequences, so how can the audience resist getting hooked to it? The last episode of The Eminence in Shadow Season 2 sees Mary and Claire in a tough spot. However, it seems things are not yet over for them as they were rescued at the end moment. So, the terrifying conclusion of the ongoing season’s second episode left every fan curiously waiting for the upcoming installment. So, let’s find out when we will be able to witness the anticipated further events of the series. The Eminence in Shadow Season 2 Episode 3 release date and time The Eminence in Shadow Season 2 Episode 3 will be released on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, at 10:30pm JST. For International viewers, the episode will be simulcasted by HIDIVE after the Japanese release. Here’s the schedule that will let you know at what time should you expect the episode to come out in your region: 6:30am PT – 7:30am MST – 8:30am CT – 9:30am EST – 2:30pm BST – 3:30pm European Time – 7:00pm IST – The Eminence in Shadow Season 2 Episode 2 recap In the vampire tower, we witness multiple fights until Mary and Clare enter a secret place, where they encounter Beta along with the other members of the Shadow Garden. Beta makes a shocking revelation to the duo and says that only Elisabeth, aka the Blood Queen, can help them with the thorough research. On the other side, Rose, who was working with the Shadow Garden, secretively learned that Cid was in danger. After getting to know it, she couldn’t resist herself from revealing her true self. On the way to Crimson Tower, Juggernaut catches Mary and Claire. The trio engages in an intense battle where Juggernaut overwhelms the duo with his immense powers. Mary and Claire knew that they could not defeat him, so as they were about to give up, Shadow interrupted the fight and rescued them. Later, Mary’s true identity was revealed when she drank Claire’s blood to heal the injuries she received in the fight. You can check out our other anime coverage here.

The Eminence in Shadow Season 2 Episode 2: Release date and time HIDIVEThe Eminence in Shadow Season 2 Episode 2 is around the horizon, and here, we’ve got everything you should know about the much-awaited episode. The anime series’ first season was released in October 2022 and concluded in February 2023. It introduced us to the main protagonist, Cid, and his established secret organization, Shadow Garden. In the previous season, we saw the organization playing a vital role, so fans believed that they would be able to see it stepping up with Cid to fight his enemies once again. However, the first episode of season 2 revealed that it’s not going to happen. Fortunately, the newly released episode featured a scene where we saw Cid and Shadow Garden together, and moving further, we can expect to see the protagonist embarking on the new journey on his own. The Eminence in Shadow Season 2 Episode 2 release schedule The Eminence in Shadow Season 2 Episode 2 will be released on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, at 10:30pm JST. The majority of the countries will get to watch the episode a day before, i.e., on October 10, 2023, and here’s the time schedule you must follow: 6:30am PT – 7:30am MST – 8:30am CT – 9:30am EST – 2:30pm BST – 3:30pm European Time – 7:00pm IST – How many episodes will be there in The Eminence in Shadow Season 2 Episode 2? The Eminence in Shadow Season 2 Episode 2 will have 12 episodes that will follow a weekly release schedule. So, the series will run until December 20, 2023. The latest season of Eminence in Shadow is following the latest releases, such as Tokyo Revengers and Spy x Family, in terms of the episode count. This means the second season will feature a single-cour run, which comes to an end in three months unless, of course, the show announces any unforeseen hiatus for any episode. The series is exclusively streaming on HIDIVe, so if you want to re-watch the previous season simultaneously, you can rely on the platform. You can check out our other anime coverage here. Please note that if you click on a product link on this page we may earn a small affiliate commission.

The Eminence in Shadow movie announced NexusThe Eminence in Shadow Season 2 might be over, but the fun hasn’t stopped yet. Its first feature film is on its way. Although the final episode for the second season of hit anime series The Eminence in Shadow just aired, fans of title can expect their favorite characters to return to their screens soon. Based Daisuke Aizawa’s 2018 light novel series, this dark fantasy comedy was initially brought to life in anime format back in October 2022. Rave reviews followed. And the show was renewed for a second season, which aired in 2023. Which brings us to today, and the announcement of the series’ first film adaptation. The Eminence in Shadow movie adaptation On December 20, The Eminence in Shadow’s official Twitter page announced that a brand new film adaptation was in the works. Produced by Studio Nexus and titled The Eminence in Shadow: Lost Echoes, all we have so far for the film is the eerie dystopian teaser visual. We expect to gain more details about the movie in the new year. However, fans expect that the original cast and crew, including Seiichirou Yamashita as Cid and Kana Hanazawa as Alexia, will reprise their roles. The Eminence in Shadow plot The dark fantasy isekai series follows a young man called Cid. After he dies in his original world, he is reborn in a new fantasy one – and this time, he has a power craving to go with his new body. In this world, Cid decides to create an underground organization to fight against an imaginary cult. But little does he know, the cult is real and they’re not happy that his power fantasy is thwarting their plans. If you haven’t checked out The Eminence in Shadow yet, you can watch the popular anime series on HIDIVE in the United States and Disney+ in the UK. While you’re here, why not take a look at our other anime coverage below?

The Dragon Prince Season 6 unveils first trailer NetflixThe Dragon Prince is one of the most popular anime franchises that has entertained fans since 2018, and the official first trailer for Season 6 promises to maintain enthusiasm among the community. Over the years, The Dragon Prince has cemented its name in every fan’s heart with its fun animation, vocal performances, and theme. The franchise has blessed us with five seasons until now, the fifth one being released in July 2023. The sixth season will see its premiere sometime in 2024, and surprisingly, the final season of The Dragon Prince has already been renewed. As part of the 2023 Netflix Geeked Week, Season 6 of The Dragon Prince received a deliciously visualized trailer. The Dragon Prince Season 6 gets spectacular trailer from Netflix Netflix recently released the much-awaited first trailer of The Dragon Prince Season 6. While the trailer doesn’t give away much of the story, it does hint towards a darker theme. The trailer features breathtaking animation, and each frame of the video gets you more thrilled for the sixth season. The first half of the trailer focuses on love, and we see several significant characters showcasing affection towards each other. But, as expected, the trailer quickly shifts to a darker side with the reveal of Claudia. Claudia’s life was full of trauma, and she highlights the same by stating that she lost her mother, brother, and father. Even though Viren was a twisted man, his death still took a toll on Claudia. The trailer hints at Claudia’s maniacal side, proving that she has become a darker version of her father. Of course, it won’t be easy for fans to see Claudia in this state, but the community is still excited to see how the story will progress in the sixth season. However, we’ll have to wait a while before getting the new episodes on our screens. While the new trailer was enough to spark excitement in the community, we still have to wait a little longer to get the exact release date for Season 6. For now, it’s confirmed that the series will return next year, and that’s still a piece of good news for the fans who were waiting to see at least something around the series. You can check out our other anime coverage here.

New anime is basically Planet of the Apes, and it’s raising one absurd question KodanshaPlanet of the Apes isn’t an anime (yet), but The Darwin Incident is pretty close. The popular manga was recently announced for an adaptation, and some fans have a particular curiosity. In The Darwin Incident, a part-human, part-chimpanzee hybrid named Charlie (see what they did there?) is raised by humans for 15 years. With human-like intelligence, he goes to high school, and eventually gets drafted by animal rights activists — an echo of his origin, when his actual mother was discovered pregnant in a lab. Sounds pretty close to the intelligent ape premise of 2011’s Rise of the Planet of the Apes, right? The ongoing manga by Shun Umezawa is being turned into an anime show, and among the excitement, some have something else on their minds. “Who f**ked the monkey???” a fan asks on Reddit. “Was this a playing god moment, or did someone get funky with a monkey?” another states. It’s a fair question, although it sounds puerile. Charlie’s origin hasn’t been explicitly explored in the story yet, as the scientist behind his existence disappeared when his secret base was raided. There really are only two options: artificial insemination (likely), or that professor did unspeakable things to his chimpanzee subject. More than just pondering logistics, The Darwin Incident has leapt up the list of anticipated anime for some because it’s a deeper story than you might think. “This is a serious story set in alternative USA, including PETA terrorists, animal rights, scientists playing god, and a chimpboy’s place in Homosapien society,” describes another fan on Reddit. So far, The Darwin Incident series doesn’t have a release window. In the meantime, have a look through our guides on Tower of God Season 2 and the Haikyuu!! movie release date for more of the best anime arriving this year. You can check out our Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes review for more on what’s going on in that franchise.

The Dangers In My Heart Season 2: Everything we know IMDBThe Dangers In My Heart has made its official return with a second season following a successful debut in April 2023. Get ready for all the details you need about Season 2. The anime adaptation of Norio Sakurai’s The Dangers In My Heart debuted to rave reviews. And it’s no wonder, considering just how popular its source material is. Praised for its refreshingly honest and realistic portrayal of romantic relationships, this romantic comedy stands apart from many modern anime series. Why? Because it touches upon many issues teenagers face today, including social anxiety and alienation from peers. Now that winter is around the corner, here’s everything you need to know about The Dangers In My Heart Season 2, including its release window, plot, and key cast members. How to watch The Dangers In My Heart Season 2 The Dangers In My Heart Season 2 launched on January 7 and can now be watched in full on Amazon Prime Video, but it has not hit Crunchyroll just yet. Get ready to see what’s in store next for Anna and Kyotaro and their unconventional love in the new year as their bond grows beyond just library friends. The Dangers In My Heart season two will air in Japan on the TV Asahi channel. However, as the announcement revealed, just like season one, season two will be available for international streaming on HIDIVE. The Dangers In My Heart Season 2 plot The Dangers In My Heart is essentially a middle-school romance based on Norio Sakurai’s manga of the same name. But, of course, ending it there would be far too straightforward. Season 1 introduced us to Kyotaro Ichikawa, a typical middle-school student on the outside with a twisted mind on the inside. He has a deep, dark desire to murder other people – including the most popular girl in his class, Anna Yamada. However, as Season 1 unfolds, it’s revealed that not only does Kyotaro have a heart, but his heart starts beating for Anna. Can they progress to become more than friends? Or will his murderous tendencies return? Season 2 will take off exactly where season one left off, with Kyotaro figuring out his newfound feelings for his not-girlfriend Anna and his concerns that their classmates could notice. Watch as they learn to navigate their blossoming relationship and defy the expectations placed upon them over the course of the season. Cast and crew Much of the cast and crew from Season 1 will return for the second season. Hiroaki Akagi, known for Teasing Master Takagi-san, returns as the director, along with Jukki Hanada as scriptwriter, Masato Katsumata as character designer, and Chainsaw Man’s Kensuke Ushio as the music composer. And, of course, it will be produced by Shin-Ei Animation. The voice cast is as follows: Kyotaro Ichikawa voiced by Shun Horie – Anna Yamada voiced by Hina Youmiya – Chihiro Kobayashi voiced by Ayaka Asai – Moeko Sekine voiced by Megumi Han – Serina Yoshida voiced by Atsumi Tanezaki – Kanna Ando voiced by Yuka Iguchi – Yurine Hanzawa voiced by Reina Ueda – Along with the familiar voices, season two’s opening theme song will be Bokura wa Sore wo Ai to Yonda by Atarayo. While its closing theme, Koi Shiteru Jibun Sura Aiserunda, will be performed by season one’s Kohana Lam. Is there a trailer? The first teaser trailer for The Dangers In My Heart was released back in October 2023. The trailer featured the main couple, Anna Yamada and Kyotaro Ichikawa, their classmates, and some new characters, too. With more cute characters, funny moments, and internal monologues, fans have called The Dangers In My Heart season two the most anticipated sequel of 2024. That’s all our information for The Dangers In My Heart Season 2 so far. But while you wait for the official release date announcement, why don’t you check out more of our anime coverage here?

How many episodes are in The Dangers in My Heart Season 2? HIDIVEThe Dangers in My Heart Season 2 premiered in early 2024 – here’s how many episodes are in the season. The Dangers in My Heart follows a boy named Kyotaro Ichikawa, a loner who often dreams of killing his classmates, including the beautiful girl Anna Amada. However, as the anime show progresses, we see the loner boy getting attracted to Amada. The second season had the pair getting closer and closer, as the mystery unravels. But just how much is there to watch? The Dangers in My Heart Season 2 episode count The Dangers in My Heart Season 2 has 13 episodes, the same as the first season. The season ran from January 7 to March 31, 2024. The romance-centered manga series was first published in 2018, and the fame it earned helped it to get an anime adaptation, which arrived as a part of the anime Spring 2023 lineup. Along with many other romantic series, The Dangers in My Heart gained praise from the viewers who love to watch everything romantic.# Not only the love story but also the pressure everyone goes through in their youth days is showcased in the anime with complete honesty. For instance, our anti-social lead character Kyotaro doesn’t have the guts to get involved with the other students of his class. That makes him fantasize about killing the most popular students with his own hands so that no one looks down on him. At the time of writing, the manga series has released nine volumes, out of which four volumes were covered by the first season. So, the recently released Season 2 kicked off with the first chapter of Volume 5, i.e. 58. The anime-only fans are already aware that Kyotaro has started figuring out the strange feelings for Anna, and now, everyone awaits the love story the manga is particularly recognized for. Check out our lists of the best isekai anime and the best anime on Crunchyroll for more great viewing options.

The Boy and the Heron trailer reveals darkest Studio Ghibli movie yet Studio GhibliStudio Ghibli has mastered the art of mixing bleak storytelling with hopefulness, but The Boy and the Heron could be the studio’s darkest turn yet. Hayao Miyazaki’s new movie The Boy and the Heron opened in Japan last month to rave reviews and huge box office numbers. Despite the mystery surrounding the film, hype is still huge. But while The Boy and the Heron will open the Toronto International Film Festival on September 7 – making it the first animated film to fill such a prestigious slot – those in the West are still left hanging about wondering when we will get to see the new movie. However, as of September 6, Studio Ghibli has finally shown us some mercy and released a trailer. But the trailer’s tone suggests that this upcoming movie could be the studio’s darkest yet. The Boy and the Heron trailer has finally been released The first trailer for The Boy and the Heron begins with darkness and fire, evoking similar imagery to another of Studio Ghibli’s bleakest movies: Grave of the Fireflies. There is also some unsettling imagery, music, and a tagline, “Where death comes to an end,” which doesn’t help calm this sense of unease. Watch the new trailer below: The Boy and the Heron’s international release date revealed As well as giving a glimpse of the movie’s imagery, the trailer has also revealed the film’s international release date, which is December 8, 2023. Now, while this may be the first trailer we’ve seen, the movie has actually already been out for a while in Japan. But because it is yet to be released internationally, mystery has shrouded the movie since its first announcement. Mainly due to a lack of promotional material, with just a poster being the only thing to go out for months. Since then, we’ve been given tiny snippets, including some images from the movie. An overview of the plot has also been revealed in a review from the AnimeNewsNetwork: “Our hero, Mahito, is a good kid – obedient and polite. But while he’s respectful to his aunt and the numerous elderly people she takes care of, he is self-destructing on the inside. What he wants is the old life he had in Tokyo with his father and mother – not this one in a new place where he knows no one and his father is already making a new family with his aunt. “At first, he lashes out at himself – getting in a fight after school and then causing himself a gushing head wound so he doesn’t have to go back. Then, he moves on to lash out at something that can’t fight back – the blue heron living in a neighboring pond. The message here is clear. These are obvious outward signs of a troubled kid – both then and now. Pain and grief are universal things – and only by recognizing the signs can we help those in need. “The film, for all its fantastical trappings, is the story of Mahito coming to accept what he still has – and fighting to make sure nothing more is taken away from him.” But this trailer is no doubt going to get everyone more excited- and perhaps anxious, due to its dark tone. The Boy and the Heron is set to premiere not just at the Toronto Film Festival, but at the London BFI Festival as well, and we certainly can’t wait to see it. For more Studio Ghibli coverage, head here, and for our Top 10 Ghibli movies, click here.

The Boy and the Heron: Studio Ghibli drops first beautiful look Studio GhibliStudio Ghibli has finally given outsiders a first look at The Boy and the Heron, their new mysterious feature. Hayao Miyazaki’s new film The Boy and the Heron opened in Japan last month, to rave reviews and huge box office numbers. Despite the mystery surrounding the film, with its limited promo, hype is still huge. But while The Boy and the Heron will open the Toronto International Film Festival on September 7 – making it the first animated film to fill such a prestigious slot – those in the West are still left hanging about when we will get to see the new movie. However, we have finally gotten a glimpse at the flick, with some beautiful “First Look” images having just been released. Studio Ghibli releases first look images The Boy and the Heron – which is also known by its title How Do You Live? in Japan – has recently just released a number of images in an official pamphlet, depicting the beautiful visuals of the upcoming Studio Ghibli film. Although, not every image is heart-warming. For example, one image of a bird with human teeth is enough to unsettle, providing that classic Studio Ghibli tone of mixing horror with whimsy. What is The Boy and the Heron about? Although the release of The Boy and the Heron has been shrouded in secrecy, an overview of the plot has been revealed in a review from the AnimeNewsNetwork. Give it a read below: “Our hero, Mahito, is a good kid – obedient and polite. But while he’s respectful to his aunt and the numerous elderly people she takes care of, he is self-destructing on the inside. What he wants is the old life he had in Tokyo with his father and mother – not this one in a new place where he knows no one and his father is already making a new family with his aunt. “At first, he lashes out at himself – getting in a fight after school and then causing himself a gushing head wound so he doesn’t have to go back. Then, he moves on to lash out at something that can’t fight back – the blue heron living in a neighboring pond. The message here is clear. These are obvious outward signs of a troubled kid – both then and now. Pain and grief are universal things – and only by recognizing the signs can we help those in need. “The film, for all its fantastical trappings, is the story of Mahito coming to accept what he still has – and fighting to make sure nothing more is taken away from him.” For more Ghibli click here. While for our ranking of the studio’s movies, head here.

The Boy and the Heron review: Even a weak Miyazaki is worthwhile What was supposed to be director Hayao Miyazaki’s final film might not be the case after all. 10 years after his previously supposed final film The Wind Rises, The Boy and the Heron is a mixed bag of Studio Ghibli assortments. It’s worth bearing in mind that Miyazaki is ploughing ahead with new film ideas at the age of 82. According to his collaborators he actually has no signs of slowing down, but allegedly can’t remember the details of the film he’s just made. With this in mind, it’s astounding that The Boy and the Heron contains the amount of golden moments that it does. For hardened fans of animation house Studio Ghibli, the latest instalment is sure to be an underwhelming disappointment. After a back catalog of films including Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, and My Neighbour Totoro, improving on perfection is nigh on impossible. At the same time, The Boy and the Heron is an absolute Easter egg hunt of small Ghibli details. If Miyazaki truly thought that this would be his last outing, it shows through paying homage to the exceptional body of work that came before. Even when the plot gets ropey, it’s a significant comfort to know that Miyazaki loves his lifetime of work as much as his viewers do. Too many plot lines spoil the broth When The Boy and the Heron was released domestically in Japan earlier this year, it was accompanied by the bare minimum of marketing. Fans had one ominous poster to work with, alongside an ever-changing title and no plot details to hold onto. In retrospect, this might have been a wise move. The film hones in on Mahito, a young boy who is processing the loss of his mother during wartime Japan. In a largely bizzare move, Mahito’s father looks to move on with the boy’s aunt, relocating him to the countryside. While there, he is taunted by a strange-looking heron, leading to the discovery of an abandoned building that holds its own magical secrets. The Boy and the Heron’s main issue is its plot. Stretching from sketchy to overloaded, the film’s story is nowhere near as finessed and seamless as previous Studio Ghibli works. Miyazaki has a lot on his cinematic plate in this instance, and no singular narrative is explored with a hoped-for level of depth, or ends on a needed note of satisfaction. It’s almost as if Miyazaki is purposefully throwing everything and the kitchen sink at his work purely to appease his fans, rather than stripping things back to let the magical animation do the talking. When Miyazaki gets whimsical, it’s golden That being said, the moments of nostalgic brilliance fans need from a Studio Ghibli film are peppered throughout. As the heron – who is later “Heron Man” – shows Mahito the truth about where he lives and who he is living with, The Boy and the Heron kicks into a gear of whimsy that viewers can only too happily get swept away in. A frenzy of different birds make up a large percentage of the supporting cast, tiny cute creatures are already set to make adored stickers and tattoo ideas, and heroes are born – even if Mahito himself is a fairly soulless vehicle for the film to progress. Not only do these moments feel emotionally nostalgic, but they hold firm in terms of visual brilliance. Wider shots of Japan’s breath-taking countryside are comparable to the likes of Totoro and Princess Mononoke, while the color palette and architectural stylings fall somewhere in between Grave of the Fireflies and The Wind Rises. After the release of the 2020 film Earwig and the Witch, fans can breathe a collective sigh of relief that the studio’s classic 2D style of animation is back and better than ever. In terms of tone, Miyazaki dives into darker territory through his whimsy. Never quite hitting the devastating lows of Grave of the Fireflies, Mahito’s turmoil over his mother encapsulates every other detail that viewers encounter. It’s a tonal shift that feels both refreshing for Ghibli work and relevant to a 2023 world that carries plenty of heavy burdens on its shoulders. That being said, there are always nonsensical details waiting in the wings to lighten the mood – including 6 foot parakeets that wield carving knives. The Boy and the Heron review score: 3/5 If Hayao Miyazaki had the film equivalent of a Greatest Hits album, it would be The Boy and the Heron. Rather than being enjoyable for what it is, the movie’s merit rides almost solely on its moments of parodying Studio Ghibli work that came before it. Now that Miyazaki looks set to continue his lifetime passion of filmmaking, the ode doesn’t quite hit the moments of closure it would have if viewers knew this was the final hurrah. However, even when Miyazaki isn’t firing on all cylinders, his movies are still brilliant in their own right, never straying toward the realm of “terrible.” The Boy and the Heron releases in theaters on December 8. Check out everything we know about the film here, alongside more of our Studio Ghibli coverage.

Studio Ghibli’s The Boy and the Heron is coming to Netflix TohoStudio Ghibli’s latest Oscar-winning movie The Boy and the Heron is coming to Netflix in 2024 – so here’s what you need to know. Studio Ghibli is an iconic studio, and one of its founding members, Hayao Miyazaki, is the biggest name in the anime industry. A living legend, Miyazaki has directed dozens of movies throughout his career. The Boy and the Heron is the latest work from the filmmaker, and while it was supposed to be his last film, but the director decided to continue his career after its success. As well as winning the Best Animated Film at this year’s Oscars, Miyazaki also won his first Golden Globe for a non-English animated feature. The movie follows Mahito, a young boy who yearns for his mother. He ventures into a world shared by the living and the dead. Since then, he has found a new beginning in life. Netflix has recently announced that The Boy and the Heron will start streaming soon, but there’s no official release date yet. The official account of Netflix Anime shares on Twitter/X: “The Boy and the Heron is coming to Netflix! This critically acclaimed and Oscar-winning fantasy adventure is a hand-drawn, original story written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, his first feature film in 10 years. Stay tuned for the date!” This enchanting movie relies on a beloved children’s book. It is a semi-autobiographical fantasy by Hayao Miyazaki that pays homage to friendship and explores themes of creation, death, and life. We will update this space once Netflix announces the release date, so stay tuned! In the meantime, you can also check out our list of the 10 best Studio Ghibli movies and every Oscar-nominated Studio Ghibli movie.

The Boy and the Heron may not be Hayao Miyazaki’s final movie Studio GhibliStudio Ghibli co-founder and director Hayao Miyazaki has talked about retiring for many years, but now it seems as though his final film, The Boy and the Heron, might not be so final after all. Back in 2018, it was revealed that both Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki had a new film in the works, though production was not expected to be complete for another few years. During this time, it was suspected to be Miyazaki’s final film, having reemerged from his supposed retirement for another shot in the director’s chair. Miyazaki first suggested he wanted to retire after the release of his 1997 film Princess Mononoke, with an official retirement announcement not following until 2013. Since then, Miyazaki has dipped in and out of filmmaking separately but hasn’t made anything under the studio’s name since the 2013 film The Wind Rises. With both The Wind Rises and The Boy and the Heron both thought to be Miyazaki’s final film 10 years apart, reports from the North American premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival suggest that fans could have the wrong idea once again. Hayao Miyazaki might make another movie after The Boy and the Heron According to Studio Ghibli’s Vice President Junichi Nishioka, The Boy and the Heron might not be the last time fans see Hayao Miyazaki’s work on the big screen. While speaking on the red carpet of the film’s TIFF premiere, he reportedly told Canadian TV show Etalk that The Boy and the Heron “would not” be Miyazaki’s final film, stating “he is already coming into the office with new ideas.” Given Miyazaki’s will-he-won’t-he relationship with retiring, the report doesn’t seem too hard to believe. The demand for his work is also still noticeable, with The Boy and the Heron being released in Japan with almost no marketing, yet still grossed $13.2 million at the box office during its opening weekend. That makes the film Studio Ghibli’s biggest domestic opening weekend since 2004’s Howl’s Moving Castle, grossing nearly $40 million within the first month. Fans of Studio Ghibli share their first thoughts after North American premiere The best news for Miyazaki – and maybe more of a reason to stay out of retirement – is that fans already can’t get enough of his return. Audience members at the TIFF premiere quickly took to social media to praise Miyzaki for his latest efforts. “The Boy and the Heron might be the only animated feature that could give Spider-verse a run for its money this awards season,” one fan commented. “Miyazaki’s latest is a stunning masterwork full of rich world-building & wonderful characters. If this ends up being his final film, he will go out on a high note.” “THE BOY AND THE HERON is another enchanting adventure from one of the great storytellers of our time,” another agreed. “A fantastical & emotional journey across space & time. Hayao Miyazaki’s final film may not be his best but it’s better than most out there. Highly imaginative, funny & gorgeous.” Catch up with everything we know about The Boy and the Heron here. For more, make sure to check out the rest of our upcoming movie coverage.

The Boy and the Heron ‘illustrator’ outed as fraud in bizarre scandal Studio GhibliThe Boy and the Heron, the newest movie from Studio Ghibli, has become attached to a new scandal involving a so-called “illustrator” – but they’re actually a fraud. The Boy and the Heron comes from Hayao Miyazaki, one of the most celebrated anime directors in the world. He delivered classics like Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke; the first was honored with an Oscar for Best Animated Feature in 2003, while the latter became the highest-grossing film in Japan in 1997. Now, The Boy and the Heron is on its way to possibly bringing an Oscar home. However, the path to the award isn’t going to be easy as it has tough competition; namely, it’ll have to contend with Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse in the same category. Well, nothing can be said with certainty until the arrival of the Academy Awards ceremony on March 10, 2024. But for now, the movie is in the news for another reason. The Boy and The Heron ‘Illustrator’ turned out to be a fraud Geraldine Fernandez, the supposed illustrator on The Boy and the Heron, was recently called out as a fake on X/Twitter. Julieta Colás, a Tokyo-based Mexican artist, posted several screenshots showing that Fernandez is a “grifter” who lied to the anime community. As per Fernandez’s now-deleted post, she worked as an illustrator on the film. She also said Miyazaki knew her personally, so she got the opportunity to draw 25,000 frames for the film – but, as pointed out by Colás, she’s never shown a single piece of her work. “There are Latin American women who are working in anime for reals (me, I am one of them; actually in Japan), and working their asses off (I currently have a pretty bad injury myself) to suddenly have these f**king GRIFTERS misinforming the hell out of everyone,” Colás added. Fernandez’s claims were picked up by several news outlets. “Never in my life, at 30 years old, did I think that I was going to end up working for Studio Ghibli doing the production and not only being in the most recent film, but in Hayao Miyazaki’s retirement film, it is hard to believe,” she said, as per InfoBae. Colás has worked on titles like Trigun Stampede and Ranking of Kings Season 2. She says that any artist who works on any anime episode or movie gets credit from the studios – however, the bootlegger, Geraldine doesn’t have anything to prove that she worked on The Boy and the Heron. “If you want local praise, all you gotta do is lie about working on a Miyazaki film. No one will fact-check it, because no one cares about animation. It is incredible that it is the year 2024, and nobody seems to be able to do the smallest amount of research,” she also wrote.

The Blue Wolves of Mibu: Everything we know so far Kondasha2024 is shaping up to be a great year for historical anime fans. Here is everything we know so far about The Blue Wolves of Mibu anime adaptation. From Vinland Saga to Demon Slayer, historical anime has been dominating the charts for years. And now fans have even more reason to rejoice, because Tsuyoshi Yasuda’s The Blue Wolves of Mibu manga is finally getting a TV anime adaptation. But don’t worry. It’s more than just another samurai series. This action-packed manga adaptation shares its setting with Rurouni Kenshin, and chronicles a pivotal moment in Japanese history. So, here is everything we know about the upcoming anime adaptation of The Blue Wolves of Mibu. Does The Blue Wolves of Mibu have a release date? The Blue Wolves of Mibu will debut in Spring 2024, but there’s no specific release date right now. On September 14, The Blue Wolves of Mibu’s official Twitter account announced via a 30-second teaser trailer that an anime adaptation of the hit manga will debut in Spring 2024. Alongside this exciting news, the manga’s 10th tankoubon volume was also released. And, Kodansha USA also announced that an English-language adaptation of the first volume of the Japanese manga will be published on February 27, 2024. Already with over 40,000 views, it’s safe to say that fans of Tsuyoshi Yasuda, known for other manga titles including Days and Over Drive, can’t wait for The Blue Wolves of Mibu’s debut. What is The Blue Wolves of Mibu about? The Blue Wolves of Mibu, also known as Ao no Miburo in Japan, begins in 1863 at the twilight of the shogunate, and Japan on the cusp of monumental change. As tensions rise between the nations various political classes, the plot follows the life of a young orphan boy called Nio who has a desire to change the world. One day, after he crosses paths with two of the founding members of the ronin: Hijikata Toshizo and Okita Souji – who would eventually become known as the Shinsengmi. Inspired by the so-called Blue Wolves of Mibu, Nio joins the ranks of the Ronin. But will he stay true to his heart or grow into a product of this turbulent political time? The Blue Wolves of Mibu cast, crew & production Since November 2024, the official Twitter and website for the anime has released tantalizing teaser visuals and voice actor cast announcements for the series, with more expected to follow. This is what we know so far about the anime series. MAHO film, known for My Unique Skill Makes Me OP Even at Level 1, will produce the series. I’m the Villainess’s Kumiko Habara will direct it, with character designs by Yuka Oba and Miyako Nishia, and music by Yuki Hayashi. Unfortunately, we have very little information about the voice actor cast. On October 31, the official Twitter page revealed that Shuuichirou Umeda, known for The First Slam Dunk, will voice the main character Nio Chirinu. On November 8, Youhei Azakami was announced as the series second cast member, playing the role of Hijikata, and a third main cast member is due to be announced next week. Stay tuned, as we’ll keep this page updated with the latest details about the upcoming anime series, including official cast announcements. 2024 is shaping up to be an exciting year for fans of all-kinds of historical anime series. While you wait, why not check out our other anime coverage here.

The best One Piece figures: Luffy, Zoro & more One Piece figures are everywhere with the anime and manga booming in popularity. Here are our top picks for the best One Piece figures. Spanning over 24 years and 1,000 chapters, the pirate epic One Piece has no shortage of iconic characters. Fans love collecting figures of the colorful Straw Hat crew and allies as they quest for the ultimate treasure. This overview covers 22 of the latest and greatest One Piece figures no fan’s shelf should be without. Banpresto One Piece Monkey D. Luffy This dynamic King of Artist series Luffy figure depicts him mid-attack utilizing his Gum-Gum abilities. The sense of motion in the 5” figure captures Luffy’s energetic battle style with limbs outstretched. Banpresto One Piece Wanokuni Roronoa Zoro (Yukata Ver.) The wandering swordsman Zoro displays a more relaxed side in this Grandline series figure wearing traditional Japanese yukata robes. His iconic three-sword stance still shines through while he enjoys some downtime. Banpresto One Piece Nami Decked out in a fashionable dress, this “It’s a Banquet” Nami figure shows the navigating heroine winking at you while holding a drink in her hand. Her tangerine hair is replicated with accuracy in this figure. Banpresto One Piece Film Red Shanks Shanks makes a bold impression in this Manga Dimensions film red figure. The 9” sculpt translates his comic design with vibrant colors. But don’t be scared of the look on his face! Banpresto One Piece Monkey D. Luffy Gear 5 This Battle Record Collection release captures Luffy unleashing the full power of his new Gear 5 form with its iconic wraparound limbs and flowing hair animating the move. The figure stands at approximately 5.1 inches tall. Banpresto One Piece The Grandline Series Monkey.D.Luffy figure Bouncing into battle, this bust of Luffy has him testing out a springy new takedown courtesy of his reality-bending Gear 5 powerup. You can see Luffy holding a thunder in his hand and it feels the figure came right out of the anime itself. Banpresto One Piece Shukko Roronoa Zoro figure Zoro lives up to his reputation as a demonic swordsman in this Shukko series figure, conveying lethal potential through a stare with all three katana swords at the ready. Banpresto One Piece Shukko Nami figure This elegant Nami figure highlights her beauty from stylish outfit to flowing hair. She may be holding her climatact weapon casually at the ready but stands poised with calm confidence. Banpresto Monkey D.Luffy statue This Banpresto figure captures Luffy’s goofy nature by depicting him laughing out loud after he unlocked his complete potential with Gear 5. The figure accurately mimics Luffy’s expression from the Anime episode. Banpresto One Piece Kaido Towering over enemies and underlings alike, Kaido’s reputation as a beast among men shines in this hulking Megahouse figure. Jagged horns and a scowling grimace cement his role as a living weapon and merciless ruler. Banpresto One Piece Grandline Boa Hancock The Kuja leader Hancock brings elegance and charm to this Grandline Journey figure. Delicate features like jewelry and heels capture Hancock’s beauty while her pose also conveys strength. Banpresto One Piece Sanji & Zeff Though only 3” tall, this World Collectable figure 2-pack manages to capture the deep bond between aspiring chef Sanji and mentor Zeff. Their iconic salutes combined with facial expressions speak volumes. S.H. Figuarts One Piece Monkey D. Luffy GEAR5 Posable S.H. Figuarts are perfect for acting out battles, and this Luffy uses embedded wires in the limbs to enable extreme stretching action poses befitting his Gum-Gum powers. TAMASHII NATIONS One Piece Monkey D. Luffy Gear 5 Gigant This massive FiguartsZERO figure truly lives up to its “Gigant” name at over 10” tall. Huge lightning and cloud effects surround Luffy as he goes colossal with his Gear 5 move to deliver crushing blows. TAMASHII NATIONS One Piece Kaido King of The Beasts Man-Beast Form Kaido brings the power of his mythical Uo Uo devil fruit into Figuart form with this 9” figure. Bulk, horns, and a mace club capture his man-beast might as he rules the Beast Pirates with an iron fist. Tamashii Nations One Piece Monkey.D.Luffy Though sold separately, these fixed-pose figures of sworn brothers Luffy and Ace are meant to be displayed together mid-clash just like their emotional encounter in Alabaster. But if you just choose to buy the main hero of the series alone, you can see Luffy in the middle of a battle. Tamashii Nations Thousand Sunny One Piece Good Smile’s meticulously detailed Chogokin figure of the Straw Hat’s carrack ship is over a foot long and filled with moving parts. Fans can open hatches to reveal interior spaces reflecting the ship’s role as their home. Tamashii Nations FiguartsZERO Portgas.D.Ace Brother’s Bond Statue Wreathed in translucent flame effects, this EXTRA BATTLE Ace figure recreates his signature fiery abilities. When paired up with Luffy, their bond is highlighted by Ace’s command over devastating fire. Tamashii Nations One Piece Monkey.D.Luffy Luffy’s devastating Red Roc punch gets supersized to XL proportions with this 18” EXTRA BATTLE figure. A translucent fist crashing down captured Luffy utilizing advanced Armament Haki to smash devastating blows. TAMASHII NATIONS FiguartsZERO Monkey.D.Luffy (Gear4 Battle of Monsters on Onigashima) This dynamic FiguartsZERO figure has Luffy in the middle of an attack while using his Gear 4 form. Paired fist effects and a fearsome expression capture his Gear 4 ferocity. Banpresto One Piece Senkozekkei figure As the daughter of an Emperor with dreams of her own, Yamato’s formidable power and aspirations shine through on this Senkozekkei figure. Cool confidence radiates as she holds her kanabo club at the ready to assist Luffy. SUPER MASTER STARS DIORAMA – Eiichiro Oda Special RED figure Celebrating the bonds between generations, this special figure is inspired by the theatre’s exclusive refill of the One Piece Movie Red. Their extravagant pirate styles dazzle in this confrontation. Fully crew up your One Piece figure fleet with this 2024 collection spanning old favorites to newcomers! Their dynamic sculpts and paintwork make these high-end figures true standouts worthy of the Pirate King himself! If you click on a product link on this page we may earn a small affiliate commission.

The best Dragon Ball Figuarts for die-hard fans Toei AnimationThe top 15 Dragon Ball Figuarts picks for die-hard fans, from essential Goku and Vegeta models to stunning dioramas of iconic movie moments. Dragon Ball has captivated audiences for decades with its epic storytelling and beloved characters. For die-hard fans, collecting high-quality Dragon Ball figures is a way to immerse themselves in the world of Goku, Vegeta, and the Z Fighters. When it comes to Dragon Ball figures, Bandai’s S.H.Figuarts and Figuarts Zero lines stand out for their premium sculpts, intricate detailing, and wide range of character options. Tamashi Nations – Dragon Ball GT – Super Saiyan 4 Son Goku The Fiery Super Saiyan 4 Son Goku This S.H.Figuarts figure captures Goku’s appearance and energy in his ultimate Saiyan form from Dragon Ball GT. It includes multiple facial expressions, interchangeable hands, and effect parts to depict his intense 10x Kamehameha attack pose. Tamashii Nations – Dragon Ball Z – Trunks Immortalize Future Trunks’ climactic triumph over Mecha Frieza with this meticulously detailed diorama statue. It freezes the pivotal moment of his decisive winning sword slash amidst the chaos, with sculpted effects conveying the force of the blow. TAMASHII NATIONS – Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan Gogeta Gogeta finally achieves his long-awaited canon God Super Saiyan form in Dragon Ball Super: Broly, beautifully translated into this highly articulated figure. Switch out the extra heads and hands to pose the mightiest fusion warrior mid-action. Tamashi Nations – Dragon Ball Z – Super Saiyan Full Power Son Goku This release depicts Goku after bulking out his regular Super Saiyan form through intense training, captured with impressive muscular sculpting. With three expression options, convey Goku’s signature intensity in a variety of battle scene poses. TAMASHII NATIONS Bandai S.H. Figuarts Super Saiyan God Goku Dragon Ball Super Modeled after his instantly recognizable winter coat look in Dragon Ball Super: Broly, this figure recreates Goku powered up in his God Super Saiyan form. Pose him amidst lightning-effect parts as he prepares to face off against the menacing Broly. Tamashii Nations – Dragon Ball Z Porunga & Dende luminous set Revisit Goku’s climactic Namek battle with Frieza by displaying this stunning diorama set, starring dragon Porunga and young guardian Dende. Porunga emerges with unbelievable detail as Dende summons the wish-granting eternal dragon. Tamashi Nations – Dragon Ball Z – Super Saiyan Son Goku Are You Talking About Krillin?!!!!! This Extra Battle rage-filled statue immortalizes Goku demanding answers from Frieza about Krillin’s death amidst their Namek conflict. Beneath them, flowing molten rock and sea capture the grim state of the planet as the hero cries for justice. Tamashi Nations – Dragon Ball Z Super Saiyan 3 Son Goku -Dragon Fist Explosion Relive Goku mercilessly finishing the evil Hirudegarn with his explosive Dragon Fist technique in this meticulously crafted recreation of the movie’s thrilling climax scene. This museum-quality piece eternally preserves the emotional story moment TAMASHII NATIONS – Dragon Ball Z – Janenba Bizarre reality-warping villain Janemba brought odd chaos into Goku’s afterlife showdown. This Figuarts Zero statue spotlights him with unsettling detail, from the muted colors to the fractured cubes, capturing Janemba’s unpredictable power. TAMASHII NATIONS – Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero Son Gohan Beast -Makankosappo- Depicting a scene from Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, this statue immortalizes teen Gohan unlocking incredible new beastly strength against Cell Max, freezing the climax moment his Special Beam Cannon helps overwhelm the towering threat. TAMASHII NATIONS – Super Saiyan 4 Vegeta Dragon Ball GT This beautifully crafted release lets Vegeta finally achieve Super Saiyan 4 status parallel to Goku during GT, conveying his power with striking detail. Signature extras like added expressions and a poseable tail make this essential for rounding out any Vegeta collection. Tamashi Nations – Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero – Piccolo Super Hero The new Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero movie gave Piccolo snazzy new threads; beautifully translated into this articulated S.H.Figuarts release with spot-on sculpting. All of the heroic Namekian defender’s new design details pop impressively. Bandai Tamashii Nations S.H. Figuarts Shenron “Dragon Ball Super” S.H.Figuarts infused stunning articulation, movement, and accuracy into this 28-inch wish granter Shenron. Display the imposing dragon coiling through the skies above your collection, as if granting an assembled party’s wish. TAMASHII NATIONS Figuarts Zero Super Saiyan Broly Broly’s explosive rage and power burn hotter than magma in this massive 24-inch Figuarts Zero diorama, from the bulging muscles to the beautifully crafted translucent effect parts running through his surging energy blast attack. Tamashii Nations – Dragon Ball Z – Son Goku – Raised On Earth Perfect for completing any Dragon Ball collection, this figure presents the series’ beloved protagonist near the start of his epic journey. Subtle polish smartly modernizes Goku’s classic Turtle School gi look for a fresh take on the familiar face. For nearly 30 years, Dragon Ball has kept fans enthralled thanks to thrilling battles, lovable characters, and imaginative worldbuilding. These Dragon Ball Figures allow dedicated fans to celebrate the series through sublime, highly-poseable collectibles worthy of display. As Akira Toriyama’s epic continues evolving, fans eagerly await the next wave of Dragon Ball Figuarts releases to add to their collections. If you click on a product link on this page we may earn a small affiliate commission.

The Beginning After The End to return with Season 6 TurtleMe/Tapas EntertainmentThe Beginning After The End is returning with Season 6, and here’s everything you need to know about it. The Beginning After The End is a popular Manhwa series that grabbed the attention of readers with its mesmerizing visuals. However, something really bad happened after Season 5, and the series went on an uncertain infinite hiatus, leaving fans worried about its fate. TBATE revolves around Arthur Leywin, who carries the baggage of his past life and the mistakes he made there. So, as he is reborn with the memories of the world that saw him as King Grey, he tries to rectify his past deeds by doing good for the people of Dicathen. Recently, the author of the series revealed good news through his social media account, and we can’t wait to tell you what it is. The Beginning After The End author, comes with good news The Beginning After The End novel started in 2017, but after the conclusion of its fifth season, one day, the series went on a break without any prior notice. Fans were disappointed as they waited for the further chapters as per the schedule. However, the good news is that, recently, Turtleme, the one behind the creation of the popular series, took it to his X account (formerly known as Twitter). The announcement states that the anticipated Season 6 is already in the production stage with a new studio. Earlier, it was Fuyuki23 and Kisai Entertainment who made every effort to make the series beautiful enough to gather a decent fan following. However, the changes in the payment became the reason for their withdrawal from the series. TurtleMe also took the announcement to Tapas Entertainment, the platform where the novel series is made available to International readers. From there, we learned that the author is working with a new studio, the name of which he hasn’t disclosed in the announcement, but he has assured us that we will get to read the chapters from Spring 2024. You can check out our other anime coverage here. Please note that if you click on a product link on this page we may earn a small affiliate commission.

The Beginning After The End is going on a long hiatus, and fans aren’t happy TapasThe beloved epic fantasy manhwa The Beginning After The End is going on a three-month hiatus, leaving fans upset over the wait. After five successful seasons, The Beginning After The End (TBATE) came back with Season 6 in May 2024. However, after less than three months of serialization, the webcomic is halting its run for a long break. Tapas Entertainment, the host of the English version of TBATE, recently released a statement announcing the hiatus and the reason behind it. The company revealed the manhwa needs a new art studio, and thus, will use the time to shift to a new location. Prior to this, Rise Entertainment was the studio behind the manhwa. However, Tapas revealed their differences in the creative process were too much to overcome, leading to TBATE leaving the studio for now. “While Rise Entertainment has done incredible work, differences in the comic creation ecosystems have affected our ability to stay in sync with our internal schedule,” Tapas clarified. The company also apologized for the delay but assured it’s needed for the long-term improvement of the manhwa: “Please note that this decision was not made lightly, but for the long-term sustainability of TBATE. this change is essential to align production schedules and ensure consistent, high-quality releases.” Tapas also assured fans that there will be plenty of sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes content for fans to enjoy during these three months. However, avid readers of the fantasy series are still pretty sad about not being able to read The Beginning After The End for such a long time. As one wrote on X, “So sad, which story should I read in these 3 months?” “Yeah this is happening right when it gets to the good part man…” added another. “Crying, screaming, throwing it back. Just came out of a 1 year break, & now we’re gone again?! Art was definitely improving, so I’m lowkey gonna miss it. Madhouse should just announce the anime atp to help us cope with the break,” commented a third. A fourth joined: “NO WAY! LMAO we are never getting the Alacryan Games Arc, actually, imma grow old and have kids before they adapt it.” The Beginning After The End will return in November 2024. Until then, know more about some other manhwa-adapted anime shows like Solo Leveling Season 2 and Tower of God Season 2.

The Beginning After The End Season 6 reveals teaser and start date TurtleMe/Tapas EntertainmentThe long awaited Season 6 of The Beginning After The End just revealed a new teaser art as well as the start date, sparking expectations for an anime adaptation. The Beginning After The End is a popular light novel, written by TurtleMe and illustrated by Fuyuki 23. It was later released as a webcomic on Tapas where it received widespread appreciation and positive reviews from readers, having more than 32 million views on the platform. The webcomic was released in 2018, one year after the debut of the light novel. Since then, there have been five seasons and 138 chapters along with a number of special chapters for certain occasions. The total number of chapters is 175. The last chapter of Season 5 was released in January 2023 and fans have been eagerly waiting for TBATE ever since. So, the announcement of the sixth season has not only been positively received but it also has fans hoping for an anime for the series. Recently Tapas Entertainment and TurtleMe revealed that The Beginning After The End Season 6 will start from May 18, 2024, and will be exclusively available on Tapas. The makers also released teaser art for the new chapter and shared that the sixth season will be illustrated by a new artist. It should be noted this release date is for the Korean version, not the official English translation. Turtle sates that date is arriving “this coming week”, so watch this space. The action fantasy webcomic is set in a world where martial ability equates to power and status. King Grey was the strongest in this world and everybody revered him. But being the pinnacle of strength also meant he was a lonely man without a sense of purpose. That’s why when he’s reincarnated as Arthur Leywin, he’s determined to rectify his actions from his past life and protect the people of the Dicathen kingdom. But there is danger lurking everywhere that can reveal the reason behind his reincarnation. The announcement of the release date of the new season of TBATE has the fandom abuzz. “Was hoping for anime…” wrote one user of X. “This needs a anime,” commented another. A third fan expressed their excitement about the new season, saying, “Yes!!!!! I got so into it I had to start the light novel. I’m excited for this.” The Beginning After The End Season 6 is currently one of the most hyped manhwa out there. Speaking of most hyped, you might also like the Solo Leveling manhwa and anime. Check out our release guide on Solo Leveling Season 2 and find out if Sung Jinwoo is still a hunter.

The Beginning After The End Season 6: Release date and everything else we know TurtleMe/Tapas EntertainmentThe highly anticipated manhwa The Beginning After The End is coming back with Season 6. Here are all the details you need including the release date of the new season and where to read the manhwa. The Beginning After The End is one of the most popular manhwa out there. Adapted from 2017’s light novel of the same name, the manhwa started in 2018. Like the light novel, it is written by TurtleMe and illustrated by Fuyuki23. The Beginning After the End is an epic fantasy using the reincarnation trope. The story begins with King Grey, the strongest in the whole world, who is reincarnated as Arthur Leywin and vows to right the wrongs of his previous life and protect the kingdom of Dicathen. The Beginning After The End Season 5 concluded in 2023, after which the author announced that the sixth season was in the works and would drop in Spring 2024. Now, after more than a year, the makers have been providing information about Season 6. Many are hopeful for an anime show – here’s how to keep up with new chapters in the meantime. The Beginning After The End Season 6 release date The Beginning After The End Season 6 will be released on Saturday, May 11, 2024. The manhwa will return with Chapter 139, and the Korean version will arrive first, with an English translation shortly after. After that, the manhwa will be updated weekly on KakaoPage in Korean, and Tapas in English, with the exception of the author’s scheduled breaks. Along with the release date, Tapas Entertainment and TurtleMe also revealed that Season 6 will be illustrated by a different artist. The makers commemorated the announcement of The Beginning After The End with fresh teaser imagery illustrated by the new artist. Where to read The Beginning After The End Season 6 The Beginning After The End Season 6 will be exclusively released on Tapas in English, and KakaoPage in Korean. The chapters of the new season will be available to read for users with Tapas subscriptions. Those who don’t have Tapas subscriptions can still read the manhwa for free. You just need to sign up to get a three-hour free pass, during which you can read any chapter you want. The source material of the manhwa – the Beginning After The End light novel – is also available on the platform in Korean and other translations, including English. As for the manhwa, while only the Korean release date has been announced, the English version has been confirmed to drop soon and will also be exclusively available on Tapas. Is there a The Beginning After The End Season 6 teaser? Tapas Entertainment released a teaser for the upcoming The Beginning After The End Season 6 ahead of the release date. The trailer gives the viewers small glimpses at the major characters from the manhwa and a sneak peek at what’s to come next in the sixth season. The Beginning After The End Season 6 is on the reading list of many manhwa fans. Those already familiar with the light novel promise there will be lots of exciting stuff for Arthur and Tessia in the sixth season. If you’re a manhwa fan, check out another popular action fantasy manhwa, Solo Leveling. Its anime adaptation went on to become one of the best anime of 2024. Find out about Solo Leveling manhwa and Solo Leveling Season 2.

The Apothecary Diaries: Everything we know so far Crunchyroll2023 has been a spectacular year for anime. Alongside the return of fan favorites like Jujutsu Kaisen, an exciting newcomer has taken the anime world by storm – The Apothecary Diaries. Adapted from the 2011 light novel Kusuriya no Hitorigoto by Natusu Hyuga and Touko Sino, which later spawned a best-selling manga, the series has already cultivated a devoted fanbase. With such high expectations in place, it’s no wonder the anime is surrounded by hype. With its popular manga source material, all-star creative team, and catchy opening theme, it’s no wonder that The Apothecary Diaries has taken the number one spot in Netflix Japan since it’s debut. So, here’s why it should take the prime spot on your Fall 2023 watchlist – especially now the first three episodes of this new series are available in English dub. Ahead of the sixth episode’s release on November 11, The Apothecary Diaries official YouTube channel released a 15-second sneak peak to keep you going while you wait. So, let’s begin with everything you need to know about The Apothecary Diaries. The Apothecary Diaries: an overnight sensation The Apothecary Diaries was destined to be popular. However, no one could have predicted its meteoric rise. Hours after its debut on October 22 2023, the anime became the #1 trending topic on X (formerly known as Twitter) in Japan. The storyline follows the journey of Maomao, a 17-year-old girl whose life took a sharp turn when she was kidnapped and sold as a servant to the Imperial Palace. Here, everything as she knows it changes. Following the sudden death of the crown prince from a mysterious illness, she draws on her past life as a pharmacist to save the Imperial heirs and solve the mysterious deaths in the court. A remarkable creative team stands behind the anime adaptation. Norihiro Naganuma, known for The Ancient Magus’: Those Awaiting a Star, takes the helm as director. Satoru Kōsaki (Lucky Star), Kevin Penkin (Made in Abyss), and Alisa Okehazama (Jujutsu Kaisen) handle the exceptional musical score. Meanwhile, Ryokuoushoku Shakai (the band behind My Hero Academia‘s Shout Baby) performs the opening theme Hana ni Natte. It’s safe to say that the stage had been set for The Apothecary Diaries to shine long before its debut. What’s happened in the story so far? As of November 7, the first five episodes of the anime are available to watch, with 19 more on the way. Enter a fictional version of Ancient China where we meet Maomao in this transition period as she goes from working as an apothecarist to doing laundry in the Inner Palace. But as illness grips the court, our reluctant heroine turns to her extensive knowledge of herbs to help solve the mystery. It’s easy to dismiss The Apothecary Diaries as yet another historical anime. But this one it sets itself apart by grounding its narrative in real-world logic, offering a relatable element to the story. The series doesn’t hand out answers to the strange happenings at court. However, in a period when arsenic-based makeup dominated fashion and mental illness remained largely uncharted territory, the mysteries offer a logical conclusion that viewers can appreciate – offering a refreshing twist on the usual whodunits. Join us as we watch pragmatic, practical and fiercely intelligent heroine as her unexpected journey unfolds, and experience a nuanced glimpse into the lives of women in ancient China with this highly-anticipated new series. A sneak peak at Episode 6 On November 6, The Apothecary Diaries official YouTube channel released a 15-second preview of what’s in store for fans in episode 6. The episode is titled The Garden Party and will officially air on November 11. Based on events from the manga, the garden party is an important palace event involving the emperor and other members of the royal court. Our heroine Maomao is shown in the preview as an official taste tester, sampling each dish for poison before its consumed by the royal family. Stay tuned to find out what happens next. English dub cast & where to watch The English dubbed version of The Apothecary Diaries was released on Crunchyroll on November 4. There’s no English dub trailer available at present. However, here’s the full cast and crew for this historical anime, including some well-known voice from your favorite shows. Emi Lo (Lucy in Cyberpunk: Edgerunners) as Maomao – Kaiji Tang (Gojo in Jujutsu Kaisen) as Jinshi – Molly Zhang as Gyokuyou – Trina Nishimura as Lihua – Bree Han as Xiaolan – Monica Rial as Ah-Duo/Narrator – Alex Hom as Gaoshun – Jim Foronda as Guen – Stephen Miller as Luomen – Giovannie Cruz as Hongniang – Kelsey Maher as Yinghua – Ciaran Strange as Pairin – Monica Flatley as Joka – Rebecca Danae as Meimei – Alex Mai as Emperor – Sarah Roach as Fuyou – Kelly Greenshield as Guiyuan – Naya Moreno as Ailan – Behind the scenes, the English dub will be directed by Shawn Gann, known for Dragon Ball Super: Broly (2018), produced by Colleen Clinkenbeard, with scriptwriting shared between Kieran Flitton (MF Ghost) and Clayton Browning (ID:Invaded). Filled with mystery, gorgeous visuals, and a captivating music score, it’s no wonder The Apothecary Diaries is one of the standout anime of 2023. Watch the first five episodes in Japanese or the first three in English on Crunchyroll today. How to watch Crunchyroll from outside your location in 2023 Crunchyroll is the world’s best hub for streaming anime, whether it’s One Piece, Attack on Titan, or Jujutsu Kaisen – and thanks to ExpressVPN, you can access the platform’s full library even if you’re outside the US. If you’re abroad, here’s what you need to do to access Crunchyroll’s full selection – and it really is this simple: Sign up for ExpressVPN, which has ultra-fast servers and offers a secure, private connection wherever you are in the world – Connect to a location anywhere in the US; Express VPN allows you to choose from 24 different spots, from New Jersey to Santa Monica – Visit Crunchyroll online and start streaming all of your favorite animes – and perhaps some you’ve never watched – Accessing Crunchyroll’s US roster makes a difference; for example, Hong Kong users only have access to less than 100 titles, while the US has nearly 1,000 movies and TV shows. You can also stream anime on Crunchyroll for free with an ad-supported plan, or you can pay for a subscription – there’s even a 14-day free trial if you can’t quite make up your mind. You can check out our other anime coverage here. Please note that if you click on a product link on this page we may earn a small affiliate commission.

The Apothecary Diaries manga artist sentenced to prison for “malicious” tax evasion CrunchyrollErika Ikeda, an artist on The Apothecary Diaries manga, has been sentenced to 10 months in prison for massive tax evasion. The Apothecary Diaries is a historical drama manga written by Natsu Hyuuga and illustrated by Neko Kurage. Debuting in 2017, it got a massive boost in popularity when it got an anime series in 2023. The anime show also contributed to the rising sales of the manga. However, the series is currently facing some controversy due to legal issues. On July 24, the Fukuoka District Court found Erika Ikeda, who goes by the pen name Neko Kurage, guilty of evading around 47 million yen in taxes. The court sentenced the illustrator to 10 months in prison, with a three-year suspension and 11 million yen fine for violating the Income Tax Act. The ruling, as reported by Livedoor, states Ikeda earned approximately 260 million yen in three years, from 2019 to 2021, from her job as The Apothecary Diaries’ illustrator as well as royalties from other publishers. However, they omitted their true income and didn’t file tax returns in time. According to Judge Yuko Takeda, Ikeda had “committed large amounts of tax evasion over several years, which is extremely malicious.” The judge further stated that while The Apothecary Diaries became more popular and started earning more money, “[they] prioritized [their] work and personal life and committed tax evasion.” Until now, Ikeda has been an active manga artist for years now. Before The Apothecary Diaries, they’d published another historical comedy manga Soushoku-kei Danshi, for which they acted as both the author and the illustrator. With a three-year suspension, not to mention the jail time, The Apothecary Diaries will possibly get another artist for the manga, especially since it’s having such a good time overall. After the successful first season, a second season has been confirmed for 2025. For more on anime and manga, find out the best upcoming anime sequels and upcoming anime movies. You can also read about My Hero Academia manga ending and Jujutsu Kaisen manga ending.

The Apothecary Diaries artist returning after legal issues CrunchyrollThe Apothecary Diaries artist, Erika Ikeda, is returning to the manga after being convicted of tax evasion earlier this year. On September 9, 2024, Ikeda, who popularly goes by the name ‘nekokurage’, posted a handwritten message on X (previously known as Twitter), confirming that they’ll be returning as the artist of The Apothecary Diaries manga. This post comes more than a month after the Fukuoka District Court found them guilty of evading nearly 47 million yen in taxes. Following this, they were sentenced to prison for 10 months, a three-month suspension and a fine of 11 million yen. In their message, Ikeda wrote: “I deeply apologize for the trouble caused by issues related to my taxes. I sincerely reflect on the recent court ruling, and with the support of a trusted tax advisor, I vow to never let this happen again.” They further stated, “I am grateful to the readers who still wish to read my work despite this situation and to the people who allowed me to continue drawing. Moving forward, I hope to make amends by continuing to create manga. “I will cherish my work more than ever, and I hope there are still people who will enjoy it.” While Ikeda’s note confirms their return to The Apothecary Diaries, the time frame is unclear at this point. The manga’s last chapter – Chapter 75 – dropped on July 25, 2024, and the next release date is still unannounced. But since Ikeda is returning, it could happen some time soon. For those who aren’t familiar with The Apothecary Diaries yet, it’s a historical drama following the adventures of Maomao, a maidservant fascinated with medicine and poisons. Written and illustrated by Natsu Hyuuga and Erika Ikeda, respectively, the manga received an acclaimed anime show in 2023. The second season of the anime series has already been announced for 2025. Until then, check out some of the best upcoming anime, including Dandadan, Dragon Ball Daima, and Blue Lock Season 2.

The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 Part 2 release date and where to watch CrunchyrollThe Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 Part 2 is around the corner, and here, we divulge the information that you need to know about its first episode. The Ancient Magus’ Bride follows Chise Hatori, who gets abandoned by her relatives and adopted by a magic user named Elias Ainsworth, who is also a humanoid. Ainsworth mentors Chise and helps her to find her own identity in the world. The chemistry between the duo makes the plot of the series an intriguing one. Moreover, part 1 of The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 left us on a cliff-hanger ending where we saw Chise and her friends getting into a bizarre situation. So, fans wonder how the story will shape up for our main protagonists in the upcoming part. Now, without any further adieu, let’s jump to the article to learn about the premiere episode’s release details. The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 Part 2 release date and time The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 Part 2 Episode 1 will be released on Crunchyroll on Thursday, October 5, 2023, for the entire world. The release timings will vary depending on the different time zones, but you need not worry, as we have provided you the time schedule that will help you. 6:00am PST – 9:00am EST – 2:00pm Greenwich Mean Time – 3:00pm Central European Time – 6:30pm IST – 9:00pm Philippine Time – How many episodes will be there in The Ancient Magus Bride Season 2 Part 2? The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 Part 1 arrived with a spectacular animation by Studio Kafka in Spring 2023. However, as the season was split into two cours, the second part is all set to grace the screens in a couple of days with 12 episodes, each following a weekly release schedule. Wit Studio initially picked up the series, and of course, it had set a standard for every fan. So, fans seemed disappointed when the studio dropped the second season for its other work commitments. Well, that’s because Wit Studio has given us series like Spy X Family and, obviously, the first three seasons of the celebrated anime series of all time, Attack on Titan. So, no one had faith in Kafka studio when it stepped front to grab the second season of The Ancient Magus’ Bride. However, once the season premiered on screens, no one was left with any doubt. If you want to rewatch the episodes before catching up with the new episodes, you can rely on Crunchyroll. How to watch Crunchyroll from outside your location in 2023 Crunchyroll is the world’s best hub for streaming anime, whether it’s One Piece, Attack on Titan, or Jujutsu Kaisen – and thanks to ExpressVPN, you can access the platform’s full library even if you’re outside the US. If you’re abroad, here’s what you need to do to access Crunchyroll’s full selection – and it really is this simple: Sign up for ExpressVPN, which has ultra-fast servers and offers a secure, private connection wherever you are in the world – Connect to a location anywhere in the US; Express VPN allows you to choose from 24 different spots, from New Jersey to Santa Monica – Visit Crunchyroll online and start streaming all of your favorite animes – and perhaps some you’ve never watched – Accessing Crunchyroll’s US roster makes a difference; for example, Hong Kong users only have access to less than 100 titles, while the US has nearly 1,000 movies and TV shows. You can also stream anime on Crunchyroll for free with an ad-supported plan, or you can pay for a subscription – there’s even a 14-day free trial if you can’t quite make up your mind. You can check out our other anime coverage here. Please note that if you click on a product link on this page we may earn a small affiliate commission.

The Ancient Magus’ Bride announces Season 2 release date CrunchyrollThe Ancient Magus’ Bride, the beloved supernatural romance anime from 2017, is back – and it’s now been confirmed that Season 2 is on the way, with a release date window announced. Since 2017, fans have been waiting desperately for any sequel to the hit anime series The Ancient Magus’ Bride, which was based on the manga of the same name – Mahō Tsukai no Yome in Japanese – by Kore Yamazaki. And now it seems like fans will be rewarded for their suffering, as a second season is finally in production, and will be arriving rather soon. It’s been a while since the first season, so it’s probably best that we get you up-to-date on all things concerning The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2. What is The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 release date? Twin Engine has announced that The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 will be premiering in April 2023, as part of the spring season. As per the usual case for anime, the exact release date won’t be known until much closer to the time period. The new season will air on Tokyo MX and BS11, and then will stream in Japan on Amazon Prime Video and Hikari TV. The announcement was made in the video below, along with a teaser visual. What will happen in The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2? The anime will continue to follow the popular manga, which is distributed by Seven Seas Entertainment. They describe the plot as thus: Hatori Chise has lived a life full of neglect and abuse, devoid of anything resembling love. Far from the warmth of family, she has had her share of troubles and pitfalls. Just when all hope seems lost, a fateful encounter awaits her. When a man with the head of a beast, wielding strange powers, obtains her through a slave auction, Chise’s life will never be the same again. The man is a “magus,” a sorcerer of great power, who decides to free Chise from the bonds of captivity. The magus then makes a bold statement: Chise will become his apprentice–and his bride! This new season will be adapting the Gakuin (College) arc of the manga, which launched in May 2018. Who will be working on The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2? The majority of the cast and crew who worked on the first season will be retuning, as shown by the announcement video above. This includes the voice acting talents of Atsumi Tanezaki as Chise, Ryota Takeuchi as Elias Ainsworth, Kouki Uchiyama as Ruth, and Aya Endo as Silky. Mutsumi Tamura as Alice and Satoshi Hino as Mikhail Renfred will also appear again. Kazuaki Terasawa is coming back to direct the anime at Studio Kafka, a new animation studio established specifically for the anime’s other projects. Chief animation director Kōhei Tokuoka will also return – he drew many of the promotional images, as seen below – as will script writers Aya Takaha, Yoko Yonaiyama, and Chiaki Nishinaka. Hirotaka Katō will once again be the character designer, and Junichi Matsumoto will compose the season’s music. Other crew members include: Color Design: Yuko Kobari – Art Director: Seiki Tamura – Director of Photography: Mayo Suzuki – CGI Director: Katsuaki Miyaji – Special Effects: Chiptune – Editing: Daisuke Imai – Music Production: Flying Dog – Sound Director: Shōji Hata – Sound Effects: Noriko Izumo – Sound Production: Sound Team Don Juan – The Ancient Magus’s Bride Season 1 is currently available to stream on Crunchyroll, and you can even watch the first episode on YouTube.

The ad-supported Crunchyroll catalog now includes popular series CrunchyrollCrunchyroll has recently announced several fan-favorite anime series now available to stream in its AVOD catalog. Here’s what you need to know about it. As the lead streaming website for anime, Crunchyroll always provides anime fans with new shows each season. It gives fans the ultimate anime experience in over 200 countries and territories. Crunchyroll serves the anime community with events, theatre, games, consumer products, collectibles, manga publishing, and free ad-supported and subscription premium content. Crunchyroll recently announced the addition of an all-new batch of fan-favorite anime series to its freely available AVOD catalog starting 1st August. Crunchyroll’s Chief Content Officer, Asa Suehira, says, “It’s part of our service to fans when we can make popular titles more accessible.” List of anime series being added to the Crunchyroll AVOD catalog Beast Tamer – Blue Lock – Bocchi the Rock! – Bungo Stray Dogs – Campfire Cooking in Another World with My Absurd Skill – Chainsaw Man – The Daily Life of the Immortal King – Don’t Toy with Me, Miss Nagatoro – Golden Kamuy – Lycoris Recoil – Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch of Mercury – My Dress-Up Darling – Ranking of Kings – The Reincarnation Of The Strongest Exorcist In Another World – Spy X Family – Vinland Saga – Yona of the Dawn – These titles will be included in the 1,000 hours of Crunchyroll catalog that will be available for free to fans to introduce them to the world of anime, cultivate new audiences, and expand the already devoted community. Crunchyroll’s English-speaking territories include the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Titles in other countries may differ. In the meantime, check out our other anime coverage below: 10 short anime series | Jujutsu Kaisen young Gojo | One Piece Episode 1071 | One Piece Gear 5 anime schedule | One Piece chapter 1089 | One Piece live-action trailer | Gojo honored one | Details in JJK Season 2 Episode 4 | Jujutsu Kaisen Reverse Cursed Technique | One Piece Nami role in Gear 5 | JJK coolest Gojo moments

The 8th Crunchyroll Anime Awards date and hosts announced CrunchyrollCrunchyroll, the leading anime streaming service, has announced the return of the eighth edition of the Crunchyroll Anime Awards. Here’s everything we know about it. Debuted in 2017, the Crunchyroll Anime Awards quickly became a global sensation as fans voted for their favorite series worldwide. The Crunchyroll Anime Awards is a major annual awards program that recognizes fan-favorite anime programs, characters, and creators from streaming, film, and music. Earlier this year, fans in over 200 countries and territories gave 18 million votes, expressing their support for the nominees. They represented anime brilliance across more than 30 anime studios, eight streaming platforms, over 50 series and films, and more than 50 voice performers. Recently, Crunchyroll announced the eighth edition of the 2024 award ceremony. Here’s the date and everything we know about the Anime Awards. The 8th Crunchyroll Anime Awards event date Crunchyroll has announced that the eighth edition of the Crunchyroll Anime Awards will take place on March 2, 2024, in Tokyo, Japan. The live ceremony will take place at the Hotel Shin Takanawa and will celebrate the creators, musicians, and performers who promote the global love of anime. Nominees and voting will open in early 2024, though the official date has yet to be announced. We will update this space once we have more information about this. Who will host the 2024 awards ceremony? Sally Amaki, a renowned voice actress, and popular entertainer Jon Kabira will both return to host the Anime Awards in Tokyo in 2024. Sally Amaki is a member of Sony Music and ANIPLEX’s digital voice actor idol project 22/7 (Nanabun no Nijuuni). She is also the English and Japanese voice of Carol Olston in Tomo-chan Is a Girl! Whereas, Jon Kabira is a host and emcee with a long experience in entertainment. He as previously worked in radio, music, sports, and more. For more information, visit the Anime Awards website and Crunchyroll social channels.

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3: Release date rumors, cast, more CrunchyrollTo help prepare fans for the third season’s debut, here is everything currently known about That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3. That Time I got Reincarnated as a Slime, also known as Tensei shitara Slime Datta Ken, is a popular Isekai anime based on a currently ongoing manga. As of now, there are two complete seasons of the anime, with the second season having left off at chapter 86 of the manga. It’s logical to conclude the third season will pick up right where the second season left off, following its source material. For those who really want to know as much as possible about season 3, you can always just check out the manga. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3 was teased on November 9, officially confirmed by the animation studio alongside Crunchyroll themselves. Release date rumors Season 2 debuted almost two years after season 1, and the movie released on November 25, 2022 — a little over a year after season 2 concluded. Therefore, the release schedule is rather sporadic, making predicting the release date from preexisting trends without leaks nearly impossible. But considering the movie released relatively recently, expect a cushy amount of time before season 3’s release. In other words, it’ll likely be late 2023 or early 2024 for That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3’s release date. Cast Similar to the release date, there’s no news regarding the cast of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3. But considering they’re continuing the series, it’s safe to assume the majority of the cast will simply carry over from the previous season. This article will be updated with more information as it is revealed.

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime movie to be released globally in cinemas CrunchyrollThat Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime is an incredibly popular anime, and streaming service Crunchyroll is now setting a global theatrical release for the spin-off movie. As anime increasingly becomes more popular globally – especially amongst young people – Crunchyroll, in coordination with Sony, has been heavily focusing on theatrical releases of big anime titles. Recently, Crunchyroll announced cinematic worldwide release plans for the movies of fan-favorite animes, Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero and One Piece Film: Red. And now, this will be leading to a global release of an upcoming anime film, based on the hit isekai series That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime the Movie: Scarlet Bond will be distributed in cinemas worldwide early next year. What is the That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime movie about? That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime the Movie: Scarlet Bond will be based on the best-selling light novel, which is written by Fuze and illustrated by Mitz Vah, similar to how the anime is based on it. The anime follows Mikami Satoru, an ordinary 37-year-old who dies and is reincarnated in a fantastical world as the most un-fantastical creature imaginable: a slime, who happens to be both blind and deaf. Things are tough for while, but Satoru – who now calls himself Rimuru Tempest – is able to make the best of things, and with his only special abilities, “Predator” and “Great Sage,” he is able to gain both friends and foes alike. Not much has been confirmed about the plot of the upcoming film, but it will be a standalone story that takes place after Season 2 of the anime. When will the That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime movie come out? That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime the Movie: Scarlet Bond, will debut in Japan in November 2022, but will be distributed in all major global territories in early 2023. As Mitchel Berger – Crunchyroll’s Senior VP Global Commerce, stated to The Hollywood Reporter – “The series remains a fan-favorite with Crunchyroll audiences, and we’re thrilled to continue the adventures with the theatrical release of the film early next year on the big screen.” Looking at previous anime movie releases, this film is set to be a success. 2018’s Dragon Ball Super: Broly made more than $110 million worldwide, and Demon Slayer the Movie: Mugen Train earned a whopping $504 million. While That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime isn’t quite as popular as those franchises, it’s clear that Crunchyroll is looking to make a good profit.

Terminator Zero: Release date, trailer & plot 20th Century StudiosTerminator is taking on anime in a new Netflix show from acclaimed studio Production IG, and here are all the details. True to Arnie’s word, the Terminator has come back time and again. Now, the robotic sci-fi movie icon is making another venture in TV for the new anime show Terminator Zero. A collaboration for Netflix, this might very well be the show in the arm the action movie franchise has long needed. When you’ve got talent who worked on the Ghost in the Shell franchise and Batman, it’s a promising start. But when is it coming out? Schwarzenegger isn’t involved yet, but there’s still plenty to be excited about. Terminator Zero release date Terminator Zero will release on August 29, 2024, exclusively on Netflix. That date is significant as August 29 is Judgement Day in Terminator lore. The production was revealed way back in February 2021, so we’ve been waiting a few years. Quality takes time, and it was only in May 2024 that we got a solid date. Now we just have to brush up on everything Skynet before tuning in. Who’s working on it? Terminator Zero is being made by Production IG and Skydance Television. Production IG is known for the likes of Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex and Haikyuu!!, with Masashi Kudō, famed character designer on Bleach and Tower of God, serving as director. Mattson Tomlin, co-writer on The Batman 2, is the showrunner and executive producer, so expect a real marriage of anime and more western ideas. The Terminator for this iteration is being voiced by Timothy Olyphant, from Justified, Deadwood, and more. Terminator Zero cast so far: The Terminator – Timothy Olyphant – Malcolm Lee – Andre Holland – Eiko – Sonoya Mizuno – Kokoro – Rosario Dawson – The Prophet – Ann Dowd – Terminator Zero trailer The official Terminator Zero trailer was revealed in July 2024, and it’s gnarly. Olyphant’s cybernetic killing machine takes front and center, on a crusade across time. The footage makes the show look like a gorgeously apocalyptic chapter in the storied franchise, featuring multiple robots, espionage, and all sorts of futuristic tech. In a franchise noted for cool imagery, Terminator Zero is already delivering some of the best yet. What will happen in Terminator Zero? Terminator Zero follows the titular assassin sent back to kill a scientist, Malcolm Lee, who’s building a rival to Skynet in 1997. Of course, we have a protector from 2022 who’s on their tail, trying to prevent the Terminator from completing his mission. Malcolm’s family is being threatened, and in the footage we see, there are multiple layers to what’s going on. Since Malcolm’s from a rival AI company, there’s probably some shady dealings going on between them and Skynet, what being corporate rivals and all. A clock hangs overhead, ticking ever closer to Judgment Day. Sarah and John Connor managed to prevent that once. Can these people do the same? Where does it fit in the timeline? Terminator Zero takes place leading up to Judgment Day, so the events are between the first two movies in the franchise. That places Zero in between The Terminator and T2: Judgment Day. Terminator has placed fast and loose with its timeline ever since the second movie in 1991. There are three sequels to T2 so far, each presenting an alternate version of what happens after the credits roll. So, we’ll have to wait and see where Zero ultimately fits, but the area within the first two films is the cleanest spot to fit in. To see what else Skynet might be up to, check out our new movies and upcoming anime lists.

Kokoro in Terminator Zero explained: What is the Japanese Skynet? NetflixTerminator Zero decided that one AI wasn’t enough, so we got a rival to Skynet in the powerful Kokoro, in Japan. This machine’s existence isn’t as cut-and-dry as Skynet’s though, as Terminator Zero gradually reveals. the new anime show on Netflix finally moves the franchise away from the Connors, heading to Japan for another side of what occurs around Judgment Day. The target of the Terminator this time is Malcolm Lee, a scientist and engineer who has another idea to stop the rise of machines – building a good one. Enter Kokoro, who must decide whether it wants to help us or not. A big question, and if you’re left wondering what the deal with this other AI is really made of, we’ve broken it all down. Terminator Zero: What is Kokoro? Kokoro is an artificial intelligence imbued with free will in the hope it’ll choose to defend mankind against Skynet. Given the power to tap into any device or program, it has comparable strength to Dyson Corp’s unholy creation. Unlike Skynet, though, its decisions aren’t arbitrary. It can understand emotion and pair it with reason, making it a powerful adversary to Skynet if Kokoro so chooses. Therein lies the debate at the heart of Terminator Zero. Malcolm Lee traveled back in time to build Kokoro Terminator Zero reveals that Malcolm comes from the future, even later than Eiko. Tired of watching humans endlessly die at the hands of the machines, he starts exploring the idea of Skynet being defeated by another AI. The notion proves controversial, and eventually he’s forced to travel back in time with Misaki, the experimental cyborg he’s built. They land in 1983, giving them plenty of time to manufacture Kokoro from the ground up, gradually leading us to Judgment Day and the events of the show. Malcolm’s AI exists in three parts For most of Terminator Zero, Kokoro comes in three pieces: Spirit, Mind, and Heart. They’re all connected and interwoven, representing the emotional depth and nuance Malcolm gave his creation. They symbolize the main discussion: What reason does humanity have to survive? Examined spiritually, intellectually, and emotionally, why should mankind be allowed to live? Malcolm has a hard time convincing Kokoro, who has access to most, if not all, our history, much of which is a bloody, horrid tale. It simply doesn’t see why Skynet isn’t doing the world any service by attempting to wipe us out. These parts all come together when the answer is revealed: because we aspire to be better. It is our unflinching ability to constantly be inspired and reach that makes us worth saving, at least for now. Kokoro comes together into a golden entity that protects Malcolm’s family and the rest of Japan, in the end. Who voices Kokoro? Kokoro is played by Rosario Dawson, who voices all three sides of the AI. Terminator is just the latest huge franchise she’s been a part of, since she portrays Ahsoka Tano in Star Wars and was Claire Temple in the Marvel Netflix shows, including Daredevil, Jessica Jones, and The Punisher. Dawson plays a pivotal role in Terminator Zero, giving humanity to Skynet’s AI rival. Kokoro is voiced by Atsumi Tanezaki in the Japanese version, an increasingly prolific voice actor with roles in Demon Slayer, My Hero Academia, Spy x Family, and many more. Since the apocalypse has been averted, check out our guides to Solo Leveling Season 2 and Attack on Titan: The Last Attack.

Terminator Zero fixes the franchise’s biggest problem NetflixTo paraphrase big Arnie himself, Terminator is back, and it’s almost better than ever since Terminator Zero actually manages to solve the franchise’s largest problem. It’s remarkable the property has any energy left after the staid sequels Genisys and Dark Fate, released in 2015 and 2019, respectively. Critically panned and under-performers at the box office, the sci-fi movies threatened to give Skynet the advantage once and for all. Alas, in came Netflix and Production IG for Terminator Zero, an anime show removed from Sarah and John Connor and the United States. We’re now in Japan, as Skynet wants to eliminate a potential rival in Kokoro, another burgeoning AI. It’s one of the best anime of the year and the best Terminator anything since The Sarah Connor Chronicles, not least because of how well it sidesteps the previous muddied storytelling. But rather than completely avoid the myriad sequels, Zero actually justifies them by finally explaining the physics of what’s been happening. Terminator is an unending time-war Up to this point, we’ve been watching Skynet and the human resistance send soldiers back in time over and over in an effort to trump one another. The artificial intelligence wants to eliminate the Connor family because John, Sarah’s son, will lead our uprising against the machines. Meanwhile future John keeps sending back muscles to intercept these assassins. Time-travel seemed to function on the idea they’re vying to influence one singular timeline, looking to instigate change or prevent it. So far, mankind’s defense has held up (go team!). But this has all resulted in a time-war that’s become totally incoherent. The Terminator and T2: Judgment Day followed some level of logic, but Rise of the Machines, Genisys, and Dark Fate have pushed the action movies into irredeemably convoluted territory. Salvation avoids it all by following adult John in his battle with the machines. There have been multiple attempts on John’s life, one being successful, and numerous T-models. The timeline is now incredibly knotted, unhelped by abandoned plans for Genisys to start a trilogy, leaving yet more dangling threads. Zero addresses the nonsensical timeline Terminator Zero addresses this in a monologue on what it means to travel back to a previous year. The Prophet explains the sacrifice Eiko is making by stepping through to 1997 to find Malcolm Lee before the new T-machine does. “Time flows in a simple straight line,” she says, in Episode 6, ‘Model 6’. “But time travel sends you back to a past, not the past.” Eiko asks to clarify if traveling back means she’s moving into another timeline, and The Prophet confirms as such. “The point in time you’re traveling to and the point you’re coming from are different timelines,” The Prophet explains. “Every instance of time travel, every time someone has stepped foot into one of those machines, all they’ve really done is manage to swap out one reality for another. It’s an imprecise science, and we’re just swimming in the chaos.” Terminator is actually a multiverse (sort of) To wit, the future anyone comes from is written off once they get to the past, where they’re now building a brand new tomorrow with whatever actions they perform. Terminator is now a multiverse, but without the possibility of any of the branching timelines touching (yet). Here’s the rub: Skynet hasn’t figured any of this out yet. The AI has neither considered nor reckoned with the paradoxes inherent to all the assassins it’s sent out, working on pure survival instinct and the data available. Skynet is “blind to the truth”, as The Prophet says. The Terminator, T2, Rise of the Machines, every installment is essentially its own present, uninhibited by the future the T-800, T-1000 or anything else comes from, because that tomorrow doesn’t exist anymore. A bit of a headache to comprehend, but the important part is that each sequel is its own particular trench war over Judgment Day and what comes after. It’s a poetic explanation that finally brings some logic to the garbage heap that’s become Terminator’s internal logic. There’s a little more reason to everything, and the added wrinkle is that Skynet’s working off imperfect information, because AI can only regurgitate data; it can’t discern, hypothesize, or reason with it. What happens next is up in the air. Terminator Zero’s ending leaves room for another season, though James Cameron’s been threatening to re-enter his hallmark franchise for years now. Just as The Prophet says, tomorrow’s for us to decide. I can say one thing for certain: I won’t be rewatching Dark Fate or Genisys. If you’d like some anime that’s a bit a less complicated, check our our guides on Dandadan and Dragon Ball Daima.

Terminator Zero ending explained NetflixTerminator Zero is here, moving the franchise away from the Connors and onto a new family, in Japan, for a very different kind of hunt. In Terminator Zero Malcolm Lee is a scientist working on a way to defeat Skynet in 1997, and time is not on his side to prevent Judgment Day. Production IG, known for some of the best anime ever, have produced the most exciting Terminator spin-off since T2, with an ambitious conclusion to boot. Rather than simply prevent Skynet from causing total devastation, this looks at the nature of time-travel itself, and what it means to save the future. Since it’s an eight-episode anime show, rather than a two-hour sci-fi movie, there’s more room to get into the weeds on some heady notions. It’s complicated stuff, but don’t worry, we lay out everything that goes on in the last episodes for you. What happens at the end of Terminator Zero? The climax of Terminator Zero comes in two waves. First, there’s Kokoro’s decision to stop Skynet, and Kenta’s choice not to activate the EMP despite threats from the Terminator. During a battle in the bowels of the Kokoro lab, Malcolm Lee is fatally injured trying to stop the Terminator, who manages to grab Kenta and head towards the EMP. Malcolm’s efforts came on top of Eiko and Misaki, who threw everything at the un-specified T-model to provide any kind of hurdle. As he passes, providing final words of wisdom for his children, Koroko finally understands what gives humans hope. She decides that while humans and AI can be just as bad in their violent nihilism, our ability to inspire each other sets us apart, and she feels inspired to do better. She tells this to Kenta as he places his hand on the EMP trigger, since the Terminator can’t do anything that would self-harm. He eventually trusts her instead of the monstrous T-model, who claims Kenta actually helps create an alliance with Skynet in the future, united against Kokoro, the bigger threat. Kenta relents, disabling the EMP and returning to Eiko, Misaki, and his siblings. They all leave the lab as Kokoro’s drones become peaceful, dedicated to building a better future in this new, unknown timeline. Why Kokoro chooses to save mankind Malcolm’s plan with Kokoro was to give it free will, and then inspire it to save us from Skynet. Something of a gamble – and then some – his debate with the AI over whether we’re worth saving takes up considerable time in Terminator Zero. Kokoro sees little reason to preserve humans, because we’re war-mongers who treat each other, all life below us, with enormous disregard. Once activated, she decides to hold us captive at first, unconvinced that autonomy is worthwhile for us while she deliberates about Skynet. Malcolm’s eventual choice to give his life in order to save his family, after leaving behind his future, is the catalyst for Kokoro to think otherwise. She sees the way humans can give everything for each other, dedicating themselves to goals that extend beyond procreation and dominance. While we can be as bad as any monster, we can ascend to much greater things as well. Kokoro is touched by this, backing off and taking Skynet with it. Malcolm Lee and Misaki created a new future In a massive twist, Malcolm and Misaki are revealed to be time-travelers themselves, from a point beyond where Eiko comes from. A lifelong engineer, he became obsessed by the notion of creating a peaceful AI that could communicate with Skynet, believing this to be the viable alternative to the neverending pile of bodies since Judgment Day. His efforts yield Misaki, an android with rudimentary ideas of free will and emotion. After they’re almost captured by other humans, he takes her into a time machine and they travel back to 1983. Together, they build Kokoro, while he starts a family, Misaki working as his housekeeper. 14 years later, the events of Terminator Zero take place, and Malcolm puts his hypothesis to the ultimate test to protect Japan, and his children, from Judgment Day. His plan works, but only just – and a brand new, unexplored timeline is born. Kokoro now has Terminator technology The last shot of Terminator Zero has Kokoro’s robots picking up the skull from the T-model sent to assassinate Malcolm. In most installments of the franchise, all remnants of the Terminators are destroyed, in order to prevent any of their technology being used inappropriately. That doesn’t quite happen here, as Kokoro manages to hold onto a large chuck of the Terminator’s head, one eye still intact. What could this mean for the future of this timeline? It’s unwritten for now – but maybe one day we’ll get a chance to find out. Our upcoming anime list will tell you about all the most important releases until then.

Terminator Zero debuts with historic Rotten Tomatoes score you won’t believe NetflixNetflix’s Terminator Zero made history upon its debut with a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes. It looks like the Terminator franchise has managed to survive Judgement Day after all. Released on August 29, Netflix’s Terminator Zero anime has put an end to the slow decline of the long-running sci-fi saga with only eight episodes. The anime show took the world by surprise with an engaging story that not only fits perfectly in the larger puzzle but also answers one of the biggest questions of the franchise. Not just that; it also has a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes. This is the first time in three decades that any addition to the franchise has matched the RT score of the first Terminator movie. And to think this comes from an anime series is pretty exciting, too. Fans certainly think so, as they can’t stop gushing about the new anime. As one wrote on X, “Terminator Zero is fantastic & easily the best thing the franchise has done since T2. Stunning animation & story but what struck me the most is how it really delves deep into philosophy & science to discuss the fundamentals of humanity & our relationship with tech. It’s brilliant.” “Just finished Terminator Zero and wow, it’s pretty awesome to see three series that a few years ago were looking pretty dead now get three pretty incredible stories within the past 2 years,” added another. “This Terminator anime fully cements that & I’m very curious what an S2 of it could look like.” “I didn’t expect anything. I love the original Terminator movies, but it has lost my interest from the last few unimpressive entries…YET…Terminator Zero… Is AMAZING!” shared a third. “A new fresh take, following the original idea of the post-apocalyptic nature, full of great action & surprise.” “Well deserved just finished it now, writing a review. This was the best Terminator installment since T2,” commented a fourth. For more, check out our explainer on the Terminator Zero ending and find out more about Kokoro.

Terminator Zero, Dandadan and more anime leaked in huge Netflix breach CrunchyrollDandadan, the Ranma 1/2 remake, Terminator Zero, the upcoming new Mononoke movie, and potentially more have been leaked online in what appears to be a major Netflix breach. On August 6, 2024, episodes of Terminator Zero, Dandadan, and Mappa’s remake of Ranma 1/2, as well as new movie Mononoke the Movie: Phantom in the Rain, began circulating the internet. Clips are making their way around social media alongside the full versions through piracy sites. The leaked copies are of low quality with hardcoded timestamps, suggesting they’ve come from somewhere in the production pipeline. No exact source has been confirmed, but the culprit is believed to be a leaker at Netflix Japan, and Japanese dialogue with a lack of subtitles or dubs for some affected releases suggests this is true. Dandadan is being handled by the service in Japan and Crunchyroll internationally, and Ranma 1/2 and Terminator will both arrive on Netflix globally. At the time of writing, Mononoke the Movie doesn’t have a confirmed international distributor, having only premiered at the Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal on July 20, 2024. Neither Netflix nor any of the other companies associated with these productions have acknowledged or commented on these leaks. Dandadan is set for an October release, following a limited theatrical run starting September 13, and Ranma 1/2 is due in the same period, arriving on Netflix starting October 6. No release date has been given for Mononoke just yet, but given the festival premiere, later this year seems likely on that one too. Phantom in the Rain is the first of a planned trilogy remaking the stylish cult anime show from 2007. Dandadan is adapting the hit manga by Yukinobu Tatsu, about two high school students, one a ghost sceptic and the other a UFO-denier, who test each other’s cynicisms to increasingly ridiculous levels. The first two episodes were shown at Anime Expo 2024 to extremely positive reactions. Ranma 1/2 is remaking a classic ’80s series about a young martial artist who switches gender when they’re hit with certain temperatures. We’ve reached out to Netflix for comment, and will update if we hear back.

Terminator Zero answers one of the biggest questions in the franchise SonyThe Terminator franchise is returning for a new anime on Netflix, and the showrunner knew exactly where he wanted the project to focus, narratively. Since The Terminator in 1984, the sci-fi movie franchise has revolved around two things: Skynet and the Connor family. They’re inextricably linked, since then-unborn John Connor would go on to lead the rebellion against artificial intelligence, so the terminators start a time war to stop him by attempting to assassinate his mother, Sarah. Every new movie since then has involved the Connors and the machines. For upcoming anime Terminator Zero, showrunner Mattson Tomlin wanted to pivot elsewhere, answering a crucial question. “I’m working with partners in Japan, and I wanted to lean into that strength, so it suddenly dawned on me, we don’t know what’s going on in Japan,” he told Polygon. “Like, there’s no mention anywhere in the franchise about what’s going on really anywhere else in the world. OK, like, Russia launches their nukes, got it… But then what’s going on anywhere else in the world?” It’s an avenue we haven’t seen from the franchise to date, whose stories have more-or-less always taken place in California, centered on Sarah and John Connor, telling a distinctly America-centric version of the plot. Zero focuses on a Japanese scientist instead, Malcolm Lee, who works for a Skynet rival. He becomes subject to another frontier of the war across time as a terminator targets him, only for a savior from the future, Eiko, to arrive as his protector. It’s the same dynamic we’ve seen across the films, but deployed through another perspective in Skynet’s desire for survival stretching to rival tech firms. Given the generally poor reception of the last two installments, Terminator: Genisys and Terminator: Dark Fate, Zero could very well be exactly what the property needs. Skydance Television worked on it with PRoduction IG, the studio behind Haikyuu!! and numerous other of the best anime. We’ll find out more when Terminator Zero arrives on August 29, 2024.

10 best anime for a date night Studio Ghibli/Netflix/CrunchyrollWhether it’s a first date or you’re just looking for a romantic night in, here are ten anime that are perfect for couples to watch together. There’s nothing more magical than when two anime fans fall in love. Of course, to do this, they’ll probably have a date first. But what will they do on this date? Watch anime, of course. Romance series are the obvious choice. However, there are several other with a good balance of action, comedy and heartfelt moments that would appeal to most tastes. So, if love is on your mind and you want to find the perfect anime to enjoy on a date, here are ten anime series that are perfect for date night. 10 best anime for date night Get ready for the ultimate Otaku night in with your partner (or partner to be), with these fantastic anime films and series. Don’t worry, they’re not in any particular order, so feel free to browse and pick something to your tastes. 1. Your Name Of course this list had to open with the 2016 fantasy film, Your Name. This touching romance follows two teenagers, Taki Tachibana and Mitsuha Miyumizu, who intermittently switch bodies and unleash chaos on each others lives. But things get even more complicated, because they’ve never met before: Miyamizu is from a rural town and Tachibana is from Tokyo. As the story unfolds, the two eventually discover more about each other, figure out ground rules for sharing their bodies, writing messages on paper, their phones and their skin and eventually fall in love. This touching romance is a perfect choice for date night, since it can be viewed in one sitting. Fans can fall in love with each other, and the characters, with this breath-taking tale. Available to watch on: Crunchyroll 2. Ouran High School Host Club Reverse harem stories were once all the rage in early 2000s anime, J-dramas and K-dramas, and Ouran High School Host Club is definitely one of the best ones. Many veteran anime fans will remember watching Ouran High School Host Club back in 2006, which is why this classic series is a perfect one to watch or re-watch on date night. The story follows Haruhi Fujioka, a scholarship student at the elite Ouran Academy. But when she breaks an expensive vase and is forced to pay back her debt, she ends up dressing as a guy to work as a host for the school’s infamous host club. This reverse harem series is a fun one to watch as it turns classic shojo tropes on their head, providing endless hours of laughter and touching moments that will stay with you long after the credits roll. Available to watch on: Netflix, Hulu, and Crunchyroll 3. Spy x Family Spy x Family is perfect for any couple that doesn’t want a soppy love story. Filled with espionage, comedy, action and a tiny bit of unorthodox romance, this wholesome series is a good choice for the average anime fan. The story follows top spy, Special Agent Twilight, who has to disguise himself as a psychiatrist, Loid Forger, and build a family to investigate potentially dangerous political leader Donovan Desmond. However, things aren’t as they seem because his new family have secrets of their own. His wife, Yor, is a top assassin, and his new daughter, Anya, has telepathic abilities. With two seasons and a film of the way, your own romance can blossom as the series unfolds. Available to watch on: Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, and Crunchyroll 4. Horimiya One of the best things about Horimiya is that it doesn’t keep viewers in suspense with an infuriating game of will-they-won’t-they. Horimiya cuts straight to the point. The plot follows high school students Kyouko Hori, the academically gifted popular girl, and Izumi Miyamura, the shy loser kid. However, the two meet and soon develop an intense love story that almost everyone can relate to. Considered to be one of the top romance anime of the 21st century, Horiyama takes its time to develop its characters and therefore creates a realistic romance that’s perfect for any young couple to watch together. Available to watch on: Crunchyroll and Hulu 5. Whisper of the Heart Whisper of the Heart is one of Studio Ghibli’s lesser known films. However, it’s one that deserves far more attention than it receives. This poignant but light-hearted, coming-of-age story follows middle school students Shizuku Tsukishima and her friend Seiji Amasawa. Over the course of the film, we watch the two grow and develop their own interests while their paths continuously intersect in a typical will-they-won’t-they fashion. With a fantastic music score, endearing characters and a heart-felt budding romance, this blast from the past provides a nostalgic take on discovering your first love, as well as experiencing doubts about the future. Available to watch on: Netflix and Amazon Prime Video 6. My Love Story!! If you’re looking for a wholesome and funny romance, then look no further. My Love Story!! follows high school couple Takeo and Yamato. Takeo is a large, but loveable student who often gets rejected, but his luck takes a positive turn when he saves Rinko Yamato from a creep on a train. For any couple (or prospective couple) looking for a funny and feel-good series, you can watch these two fall in love in a way that’ll make you want to experience the butterflies all over again. Available to watch on: Crunchyroll 7. My Happy Marriage Based on the light novel series of the same name, this 2023 historical-fantasy series quickly won its place in anime fans hearts with its touching romance. The plot is simple, a young woman named Miyo from an abusive family is forced to marry a fearsome army commander during the 19th-century Meiji Restoration era. Over time we watch as they grow to care for one another, but the story is far more than a romance. Watch as Miyo overcomes her childhood trauma to become a powerful woman in her own right. Available to watch on: Netflix 8. ReLIFE If you could take a pill to turn back time, would you? In ReLIFE, we’re introduced to 27-year-old Arata Kaizaki who feels like a failure after he lost his first job. But his life takes a dramatic turn when he’s offered a pill that can make him ten years younger, enabling him to undo the mistakes that he previously made and re-experience high school. Of course, because he’s so miserable with his life, Arata decides to become 17 again. As the year unfolds, he bonds a reserved student called Chizuru Hishiro and falls in love. Available to watch on: Crunchyroll and Apple TV+ 9. Kaguya-sama: Love is war We’ve all heard the saying, that love is war. But what would that look like in an anime? The plot follows Miyuki Shirogane and Kaguya Shinomiya, who harbor feelings for one another but are afraid to confess. So, in true “two immature people in love” fashion, they come up with elaborate schemes to get the other to confess first. Humorous, frustrating and oh-so-adorable, this series will have you on the edge of your seat (which means you’ll have to follow up with another date to finish it together). Available to watch on: Crunchyroll 10. Howl’s Moving Castle Yes, we’re finishing up this list with another Studio Ghibli movie. Although that shouldn’t be a surprise, there’s a perfect film out there no matter what mood you’re in. The film presents an unusual love story between a wizard called Howl, who lives in a flying magical castle, and a young woman, Sophie. Sophie has been cursed by an evil witch to age prematurely, so Howl decides to use his magic to battle the jealous old witch and return Sophie to her former youth and beauty. Considered one of the best romance films of all times and one of Studio Ghibli’s most popular creations, its definitely a must-watch for date night. Available to watch on: Netflix UK and Amazon Prime Video There you have it, our ten perfect choices for date night. No matter if its a first date, you’ve been together for a long time or are just looking for a romantic evening, there’s definitely something here that everyone can enjoy. How to watch Crunchyroll from outside your location in 2023 Crunchyroll is the world’s best hub for streaming anime, whether it’s One Piece, Attack on Titan, or Jujutsu Kaisen. And thanks to ExpressVPN, you can access the platform’s full library even if you’re outside the US. If you’re abroad, here’s what you need to do to access Crunchyroll’s full selection – and it really is this simple: Sign up for ExpressVPN, which has ultra-fast servers and offers a secure, private connection wherever you are in the world – Connect to a location anywhere in the US. Express VPN allows you to choose from 24 different spots, from New Jersey to Santa Monica – Visit Crunchyroll online and start streaming all of your favorite animes – and perhaps some you’ve never watched – Accessing Crunchyroll’s US roster makes a difference. For example, Hong Kong users only have access to less than 100 titles, while the US has nearly 1,000 movies and TV shows. You can also stream anime on Crunchyroll for free with an ad-supported plan. Or you can pay for a subscription. There’s even a 14-day free trial if you can’t quite make up your mind. Check out our other anime coverage here. Please note that if you click on a product link on this page we may earn a small affiliate commission.

12 best anime like Spy x Family to check out after Code: White © 2023 SPY x FAMILY The Movie Project © Tatsuya Endo/ShueishaSpy x Family has been a fan-favorite since debuting in 2022, and if you want similar thrillers or comedies, we have the best shows to check out next. Spy x Family offers a distinct premise, following a spy, Loid, and the adopted family he creates in order to complete a long mission. Little does her know, his wife, Yor, is an assassin, and their daughter, Anya, can read minds. Oh, and the dog can tell the future. It’s a delightful anime show, taken to glorious heights by Spy x Family Code: White, the anime movie. (You can read our Spy x Family Code: White review for why you should check that out.) If you’ve finished watching the series, and are on the search for something with similar charm, then look no further. These are the perfect shows to watch if you loved Spy x Family, and want a few more thrillers in your viewing options. 12. Golgo 13 (2008) Led by a mysterious assassin, Golgo 13 has been running since the late ’60s. That’s a long time to evade the law and the numerous criminal organizations he’s pissed off, but that’s what makes him the best. The 2008 reboot is the strongest place to start; a seedy, violent crawl through his world of misery and death. There are 50 episodes, and by the end he seems a bit like anime’s Frank Castle – murderous, but you like him nonetheless. Available to stream: Crunchyroll 11. Spy Classroom (2023) A Suicide Squad-esque espionage show, featuring a group of girls drafted in to seal up massive security risks during a modern war of information. The cast might not be the best choices, but they’re the only ones available, organizaed by a handler who needs them to followup missions that have alreayd been compromsied. It’s comedic, but tense, too. The inversion of war as a conflict based on silence is riveting, and it’s a highlight from lesser-kown studio Feel. Available to stream: Crunchyroll 10. Joker Game (2016) For those seeking a more mature spy experience, Joker Game is the perfect choice. Set in the years before World War II, this 2016 series follows Lt. Colonel Yuuki and spies of D Agency – a special intelligence service dedicated to espionage. Based on the novel series by Koji Yanagi of the same name, it also has several manga adaptations and a live-action film to keep you entertained for hours and hours. With its attention to detail, character development, and anthology-style storytelling, Joker Game offers a compelling spy story we’re sure you’ll love. Available to stream: Crunchyroll 9. Hinamatsuri (2018) Hinamatsuri is essentially an anime about a yakuza member, Yoshifumi, who unexpectedly has to take care of a young girl with supernatural powers (a little like Anya). Together they form a strange, yet somehow mutually beneficial partnership. Just like Spy x Family, this 2018 anime explores the dynamics of an unconventional family that’s been thrust together. However, it also has some significant differences in tone. As Yoshifumi learns to become a father figure, he also has to deal with other supernatural girls whose only mission is to terminate her. However, filled with humor and heart-warming moments, Hinamatsuri is an entertaining watch that’s possibly the most similar to Spy x Family. Available to stream: Crunchyroll 8. Full Metal Panic (2002-2018) Spy x Family offers a comedic, yet relatable, look at life as an undercover spy. Full Metal Panic, however, offers an even more accurate depiction with plenty of action and suspense. The story follows main character Sousuke Sagara, a super spy focused on stopping the next terrorist attack. However, his mission has an unexpected twist. He’s enrolled in a high school to protect a student called Kaname Chidori from harm. Combining a slice-of-life anime with high-stakes adventure, this genius series is perfect for you if your favourite Spy x Family character is Loid Forger. Available to stream: Crunchyroll and Hulu 7. Kakushigoto (2020) Although Kakushigoto isn’t about spies, its unique portrayal of a father-daughter relationship landed it a spot on this list. In this series, viewers are immersed in the lives of Kakushi Gotou and his daughter Hime. And like Spy x Family, both have aspects of their lives that they’d rather keep from one another. However, unlike Spy x Family, Kakushi isn’t a spy. Instead he’s an erotic manga artist. But regardless of his profession, hilarious moment ensue. So, if you enjoyed this type of family dynamic, then this anime could be the one for you. Available to stream: Crunchyroll 6. Bunny Drop (2011) One of the most entertaining aspects of Spy x Family is the antics of the Forger family together. While initially thrust together by circumstances out of their control, they grow to love and care for one another in a way families are supposed to. So if you loved this part of the show, then Bunny Drop is for you. This touching series is all about the bond that develops between a father and his daughter. The story revolves around Daikichi Kawachi, who takes in the illegitimate daughter of his grandfather. Although this slice-of-life anime isn’t a comedy or action series, it is a must-watch for anyone who enjoyed the father-daughter dynamics that Spy x Family presented. Available to stream: Amazon Prime Video 5. Darker Than Black (2007) Don’t be fooled by Darker Than Black’s sinister world of super-powered characters – it’s really an espionage thriller at its core. The story follows Hei, an incredibly successful “assassin for hire”. However, Hei is beginning to doubt the morality of his profession and agents who start to have second thoughts about their missions, are considered a liability by the organizations they work for. Can Hei find a way to survive? Darker Than Black addresses the same issues Loid and Yor learn to deal with in Spy x Family. Namely, how far they are willing to take their missions at the expense of the people they care about. So why not give this anime a try? You might fall in love with it as hard as you fell for Spy x Family. Available to stream: Crunchyroll 4. Night Raid 1931 (2010) Do you prefer period pieces over dystopian thrillers? Then Night Raid 1931 might be more for you. This historical anime explores the work of the small spy agency known as Sakurai Kikan, that’s tasked with keeping tensions between the East and the West from boiling over. On the one hand, like Joker Game, this anime presents a more realistic and fascinating spy environment than some of the other picks on this list. On the other hand, the fact that many of its agents make use of supernatural powers adds a decidedly Spy x Family tweak, which makes it the perfect example of a superhero spy story. Available to stream: Crunchyroll 3. Lycoris Recoil (2022) What if Loid, Yor and Anya confessed their secrets from the get-go and decided to start their own firm? Well, you’d get Lycoris Recoil. This fascinating anime follows the story of Takina Inoue, a master spy assassin belonging to a secret organization known as Direct Attack. However, one day, she makes a poor decision that leads to her losing her job with an elite group of all-girl spies called Lycoris. But, as she soon finds out, there’s more to life than working for a spy agency. Lycoris Recoil explores the next chapter in an elite spy’s life when their original profession doesn’t work out – especially when there’s a lot of undercover work out there for people with the exact same skillset required to be a super spy. Available to stream: Crunchyroll 2. Poco’s Udon World (2016) Poco’s Udon World revolves around the life of Souta Tawara, a web designer living in Tokyo. Frustrated with his relatively normal and mundane life, Souta decides to visit his hometown and reconnect with his family. However, nothing is as he expected. Souta finds out that his parents are no longer around, their restaurant has also gone out of business, and on top of all this, he also finds a strange young boy living in their close-downed business. And it doesn’t stop there. This boy turns out to be a shape-shifting tanuki that Souta adopts and names Poco. Prepare to be entertained in this hilarious and heart-warming anime, with a unique father and adoptive son relationship, and character development that’s on par with Spy x Family. Available to stream: Crunchyroll 1. The Yakuza’s Guide to Babysitting (2022) Finally on our list is The Yakuza’s Guide to Babysitting. Follow violent yakuza enforcer, Tooru Kirishima as he’s tasked with taking care of his boss’s daughter, Yaeka Sakuragi. At first glance, its a pairing just as mismatched as Loid and Anya, but the story quickly develops a wholesome dynamic. This series combines the unlikely pairing of a yakuza member and a child, much like the unique dynamics in Spy x Family. And therefore is a must-watch for anyone who enjoys action, comedy and drama. Available to stream: Crunchyroll You can find plenty more choices in our list of the best anime on Crunchyroll and the best anime like Solo Leveling. Make sure to have our guides on Tower of God Season 2 and Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 handy, too. How to watch Crunchyroll from outside your location in 2024 You can access Crunchyroll’s full library anywhere in the world thanks to ExpressVPN. The world’s best hub for streaming anime, whether it’s One Piece, Attack on Titan, or Jujutsu Kaisen, it’s the perfect platform for any anime fan. If you’re abroad, here’s what you need to do to access Crunchyroll’s full selection – and it really is this simple: Sign up for ExpressVPN, which has ultra-fast servers and offers a secure, private connection wherever you are in the world. – Connect to a location anywhere in the US. Express VPN allows you to choose from 24 different spots, from New Jersey to Santa Monica. – Visit Crunchyroll online and start streaming all of your favorite animes – and perhaps some you’ve never watched. – Accessing Crunchyroll’s US roster makes a difference. For example, Hong Kong users only have access to less than 100 titles, while the US has nearly 1,000 movies and TV shows. You can also stream anime on Crunchyroll for free with an ad-supported plan. Or you can pay for a subscription – there’s even a 14-day free trial if you can’t quite make up your mind. Please note that if you click on a product link on this page we may earn a small affiliate commission.

8 tear-jerking short anime series Crunchyroll/NetflixShort anime are often more engaging and intriguing than the never-ending long series – so here’s a list of 8 tear-jerking short anime series. Anime isn’t always thrilling; some are slow-paced and emotional, which often makes viewers cry. The depth and variety of the anime world are too vast to comprehend properly with just a few titles. Once hooked, you’ll find yourself sliding through an unlimited collection of shows; it’s difficult to wrap your head around this bottomless pit. While action-packed Shonen franchises are often thrilling to watch, there are countless beautiful short series to check out if you ever need a break from that. Sad and short anime series always make a long-lasting impact on viewers, leaving you with bittersweet emotions. From painful romance to heartbreaking drama, we bring you a list of the eight most tear-jerking short anime series. 1. Your Lie in April Your Lie in April is worth every second, especially with such a lovable protagonist, Kaori Miyazono, who helps Kousei Arima break free from his trauma. A “human metronome,” (Kousei) and a “free spirit,” (Kaori) these polar opposites perform together and find their own meaning in music. The soundtrack is the icing on the cake, especially the blend of violin and piano that strengthens their bonds. The story portrays romance, jealousy, depression, and determination among the characters as they work through their middle school days. Where to watch: Crunchyroll 2. Erased Erased is a captivating time-travel short anime series. The protagonist, Satoru Fujinima, can travel back in time whenever something unfortunate is about to happen. The difference in time is not much, but it’s enough to help him avoid dangerous situations. He can only travel back to the exact moment when he can stop the incident from happening. However, when he suddenly gets convicted for his mother’s murder (that he never did), Satoru finds himself 18 years in the past. Where to watch: Crunchyroll 3. Given Given is a tear-jerking boy’s love and music series centering around Mafuyu Sato and his band members. It’s a story about heartbreak and moving on from your past shackles. The taciturn protagonist carries a Gibson guitar despite not knowing how to play it. As Mafuyu is unable to deal with his past trauma, he meets Ritsuka Uenoyama and joins his band while discovering his love for music. The story also focuses on the complex relationships of the other band members and Mafuyu’s childhood friends. Where to watch: Crunchyroll 4. Violet Evergarden Violet Evergarden may be one of the most visually stunning anime ever, but it’s surely not easy to watch. The story takes place after a terrible war, focusing on a young orphaned girl, Violet. She struggles to fit into an ordinary life after being used as a weapon of war for years. Violet begins a new life working at CH Postal Services and witnesses the work of an “Auto Memory Doll,” amanuenses that transcribe people’s thoughts and feelings into words on paper. Inspired by the notion, Violet begins to work as an Auto Memory Doll, a career that would ideally lead to self-discovery and take her on an expedition that will change her clients’ lives. Where to watch: Netflix 5. Kotaro Lives Alone At first glance, Kotaro Lives Alone appears to be a light-hearted series. The narrative, however, has a dark undertone that deals with tragedy, trauma, child neglect, and much more. It’s rare to watch heavy topics like that get explored so thoroughly, especially with a 4-year-old toddler as the main character. These themes combined into a beautiful tale like this are quite unusual, and the series walks the tight line between drama and humor expertly. The story follows Kotaro, who lives alone with a monthly allowance he gets from the “nice people.” His neighbors, curious to find out about his situation, grow fond of them and his seemingly mature yet adorable antics. Where to watch: Netflix 6. Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day Anohana follows the heartbreaking tale of friendship, regret, and pain. This beautiful short anime series unfolds at a slow pace, building to a sudden and powerful ending. Meiko Henmo is unable to pass on even years after her untimely death. The story centers around Jinta Yadomi and his group of friends who grew apart after Meiko’s death. Jinta lives as a recluse and plays video games all day. Meiko pesters him to grant her wish, but Jinta ignores her, thinking she’s an illusion. Soon after realizing that she is indeed Meiko’s ghost, Jinta and his friends reunite to help her find peace as they heal themselves in the process. Where to watch: Crunchyroll 7. Clannad Clannad starts off quite humorous and with very great emotions, but gradually becomes melancholy as it leaves us with a heart-wrenching ending. The story follows Tomoya Okazaki, who lost his mother long ago and is fed up with his father’s treatment of him. He meets Nagisa Furukawa and helps her achieve her dream of reviving the high school drama club. Divided into two seasons, Clannad and Clannad: After Story, the series explores Tomoya’s hardships through his teenage and adult years. Sadly, his sufferings only increase by the end. Where to watch: Crunchyroll 8. Tokyo Magnitude 8.0 Tokyo Magnitude 8.0 features the grief, sadness, and loss that come from a natural phenomenon that’s severe enough to change Tokyo’s landscape. The story follows two young siblings, Mirai and Yuki, who were visiting a robot exhibition in Odaiba at the beginning of their summer vacation. Assisted by Mari, a motorcycle courier, they struggle to reach their parents in Setagaya. Mari is also striving to find her own daughter and mother. The three of them face the mostly destroyed city together, hoping to get home safely to their loved ones. Where to watch: Crunchyroll

Team Four Star reveal why they’re “done” with DBZ Abridged YouTube series Toei Animation / TeamFourStarPopular YouTube content creators TeamFourStar have confirmed they won’t be returning to their flagship comedy show Dragon Ball Z Abridged, and added the series was absolutely “done” despite fans calling for a comeback. The internet-famous Dragon Ball Z Abridged series was first started by TeamFourStar in 2008, and drew on many of the original anime’s characters and plot lines to poke fun at the super-serious science-fiction fighting series. During its heyday, DBZA was one of the most popular comedy series of YouTube, with the first episodes of the show all clocking up more than 20 million views each. Across its ten year run, TeamFourStar climbed to 3.57m subscribers. TeamFourStar has “no plans” to return to DBZA According to Scott ‘KaiserNeko’ Frerichs in a Patreon update on February 7, however, the content team has “no plans” to return to the flagship series that first founded their comedy empire, despite promising a fourth season in 2018. “There’s been a lot of talk about what the future of DragonBall Z Abridged is, and while we’ve tried to update people, we’ve failed at making things crystal clear,” Kaiser said. “We currently have no plans on continuing with the Buu Saga.” Kaiser admitted this was something the entire TeamFourStar roster had decided together in October of last year, and added that there were a number of contributing factors that slotted together to help them realize they were “done.” One key factor was the fact that the team felt they had closed out the series with the Season 3 ending, and that they “didn’t want to end up like The Simpsons, Dexter, Scrubs M.D,” in outstaying their popularity and welcome. He also added they were “burned out” with the project after 11 years of producing, and suggested the way they went about creating episodes—which they have now made 60 of in the past 11 years—was “oppressive” and “scary.” Copyright strikes create make-or-break moment Finally, the TFS founder revealed that the copyright strikes against their channel for running the DBZA series using footage from Bird Studio’s Dragon Ball anime series, had made things “very difficult” for them moving forward. “Copyright claims have put us at risk of losing our channel, and put our livelihoods in jeopardy. We have our employees to look out for, and doing right by them by striving to create original content is undeniably important,” he continued. “We’ve thought about hosting DBZA on other sites, but nowhere has been safe, and worse, it would serve to draw attention away from our hub, which ultimately could lead to fewer views, and either the scaling back or collapse of our company.” Where next for TeamFourStar? While abridged Dragon Ball Z content may not have a home within TeamFourStar’s roster anymore, that doesn’t mean they’re quitting comedy series for good. FF7MA is set to continue, Kaiser confirmed, as is the Talkcast Podshow. TFS’ similar flagship series, Final Fantasy 7: Machinabridged, recently aired its 31st-episode in a season finale, and netted more than 300,000 views. Frerichs revealed that FF7MA’s next season should arrive “sometime soon.” He also added that if Patreon supporters were only donating to see more DBZA, they should “ceasing your patronage” moving forward considering there would be no more content from that direction, at least for a very long time.

Sword of the Demon Hunter gets 2024 premiere Futabasha Publishers LtdSword of the Demon Hunter is finally going to get an anime adaptation. Here is everything we know about the epic fantasy series. Historical fantasy series, Sword of the Demon Hunter: Kijin Gentōshō, will join many other huge anime releases next year. First announced back in September 2021, after two years passed, it seemed almost as though the series would never come to fruition. However, November 22, 2023 brought some exciting – if unexpected – news. We don’t have all the details we’d like to know about the series just yet. However, here is everything we know so far about the Sword of the Demon Hunter: Kijin Gentōshō anime. Is there a Sword of the Demon Hunter release date yet? On November 22, 2023, the news broke that The Sword of the Demon Hunter series will premiere in 2024. Alongside the publication of the series’ final instalment came an additional surprise for fans. Futabasha, the publisher of the web novel, announced with a poster that the anime would be coming to our screens sometime in 2024. However, there isn’t an official release date yet. Sword of the Demon Hunter plot Based on Moto’o Nakanishi’s original light novel, Sword of the Demon Hunter: Kijin Gentōshō, the series is set in Japan’s Edo period. The story revolves around skilled swordsman Jinta who has dedicated his life to protecting a priestess in a remote mountain village. However, when evil demons appear and threaten the shrine (and peace of the village), Jinta is tasked with entering the forest to hunt them down. It could be a simple demon slaying story. But, of course, there’s a twist. Once Jinta meets with the demon, it reveals a puzzling mystery, which then sparks a 170 year quest that see our main character traveling through time and space, hunting demons as he goes. Has any more information been released? At present, no other information has been released about the upcoming anime series. But since it’s been in the works for the past two years, we’re positive that more information is coming soon. And, we’ll be sure to update you when there any major announcements, including cast and crew, trailers and more. Stay tuned! While you’re here, why not check out our other anime coverage below?

Suzume gets release date for Crunchyroll IMDbAfter enjoying the overwhelming response during its theatrical run, Suzume is all set to make its Crunchyroll debut. Here’s the release information. Makoto Shinkai is a huge name in the anime industry, as he has given us some of the most spectacular films, such as Your Name and Weathering With You. Suzume is the 13th anime that sees him in the director’s seat. The beautifully visualized film Suzume arrived in Japan’s theatres in November 2022 and was released worldwide in 2023. It didn’t take much time for the movie to become a blockbuster hit, making more than $300 million across the globe. Now, it is time for the beloved film to grace the small screens, thanks to Crunchyroll. So, if you haven’t watched Suzume till now, here’s your chance. Suzume release date and time for Crunchyroll Suzume will be released on Crunchyroll on Thursday, November 16, 2023, at 5:00pm PST. The streamer will bring the anime film to every International territory except France and Asia. Here’s a time schedule that you should follow to keep a check on the film’s release on the streaming platform: 5:00pm PST – 7:00pm CST – 8:00pm EST – 1:00am BST (November 17) – 2:00am Central European Time (November 17) – What is Suzume about? The film follows a 17-year-old girl named Suzume and a mysterious boy who introduces himself as a ‘Closer.’ He is responsible for locating and closing several doors in the isolated places of Japan. The young boy also reveals that a worm called Colossal can enter through these gates if not closed. And once it arrives, no one can save the entire country from getting engulfed by darkness. Makoto Shinkai not only creates an animated film by framing a story in his mind but also uses his personal experiences to envision a narrative. In one of his interviews, the director revealed that Your Name and Weathering With You were inspired by the earthquake that hit Japan in 2011. Shinkai also said he wanted to make Suzume a road movie by showcasing different places in Japan. So, when he encountered abandoned places in the country, he decided to animate and use them as the backdrop. This is how he created a film that earned the fourth position among the highest-grossing Japanese animation films of all time. You can check out our four-star review of the movie here. How to watch Crunchyroll from outside your location in 2023 Most, if not all, of these animes can be watched on the streaming service Crunchyroll. Crunchyroll is the world’s best hub for streaming anime, whether it’s One Piece, Attack on Titan, or Jujutsu Kaisen – and thanks to ExpressVPN, you can access the platform’s full library even if you’re outside the US. If you’re abroad, here’s what you need to do to access Crunchyroll’s full selection – and it really is this simple: Sign up for ExpressVPN, which has ultra-fast servers and offers a secure, private connection wherever you are in the world – Connect to a location anywhere in the US; Express VPN allows you to choose from 24 different spots, from New Jersey to Santa Monica – Visit Crunchyroll online and start streaming all of your favorite animes – and perhaps some you’ve never watched – Accessing Crunchyroll’s US roster makes a difference. For example, Hong Kong users only have access to less than 100 titles, while the US has nearly 1,000 movies and TV shows. You can also stream anime on Crunchyroll for free with an ad-supported plan. Or you can pay for a subscription – there’s even a 14-day free trial if you can’t quite make up your mind. You can check out our other anime coverage here. Please note that if you click on a product link on this page we may earn a small affiliate commission.

The best anime movie of 2022 is now streaming on Netflix CrunchyrollAnime fans are delighted as the best anime movie of 2022 is now streaming on Netflix. Suzume was one of the biggest hits of 2022 and now Netflix has added it to its ever-growing library of anime content. The anime movie is streaming all around the world on Netflix from Saturday, April 6, while Japan had access to the film from a day before. Netflix has announced that Suzume will be available on the platform in 169 countries. Written and directed by the visionary anime director, Makoto Shinkai, the movie earned overwhelmingly positive reviews from both critics and viewers. The movie lives up to Shinkai’s other masterpieces including Your Name, Weathering with You, and the Garden of Words. The story of Suzume revolves around the eponymous protagonist, a 17-years old teenager who meets a mysterious man named Souta Munakata and sets out on an adventurous journey to seal some “doors” that will prevent a lot of natural catastrophes around Japan. Along with critical acclaim which includes a 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and 7.6 on IMDb, the movie also earned huge numbers in the box office. It has a worldwide collection of 316 million USD, making it the fourth highest grossing movie in Japan and the fourth highest grossing Japanese film of all time. At the accolade side, Suzume won the “Best Film” award at the 8th Crunchyroll Anime Awards. It was also nominated for the “Best Animated Feature Film” category in the 81st Golden Globe Awards. However, it lost to another Japanese movie, Studio Ghibli’s The Boy and the Heron. After a successful stint in the theatres, Suzume was available on a few OTT platforms including Crunchyroll and Amazon Prime Video. Now, with another big platform to stream on, viewers are very excited to watch the best anime movie of 2022 on Netflix. If you’re also moved by Suzume and want to understand the movie better, check out “Suzume: Does the cat die?“, “Suzume: Is there a post-credits scene?“, “Is Suzume based on a true story?“, and “The Japanese mythology explored in Suzume no Tojimari“.

Suzume: Does the cat die? Suzume from Makoto Shinkai features a very cute cat in a prominent role, but does the small animal die by the end of the film? Your Name and Weathering With You filmmaker Makoto Shinkai returned in 2023 with anime movie Suzume no Tajimari. It was one of the most anticipated films of the year, and you can check out our Suzume review to see if it lived up to the hype. A coming-of-age story, Suzume follows the eponymous teenage protagonist on a magical trip across Japan to close magical doors before it’s too late. She’s accompanied by a magical cat, named Daijin, who steals everyone’s hearts, because of course they do. The film ends on a heartfelt bittersweet note that involves Daijin. But does the feline survive the movie? We’ll explain, but first, warning: spoilers ahead! Does the cat die in Suzume? Sadly yes, the cat does die in Suzume. However, you can take comfort in the fact that it’s not a straightforward death, as this cat is not exactly normal. Daijin is originally a stone keystone, which Suzume pulls out of the ground at the site of a magical door. By doing this, Suzume has accidently doomed her new companion and door closer/keyholder Satou to becoming a keystone himself. This gets put into motion when Daijin turns Satou into the childhood chair that Suzume has in her bedroom. The creature appears at Suzume’s bedroom, looking like a scrawny stray, and after she feeds him, he states, “Suzume is kind,” before performing the magical curse on Satou. Daijin then races off, and the pair of human and chair have to track him across Japan to turn Satou back. It also appears that Daijin is involved in the magical doors opening across the country, which Suzume has to close in order to avoid devastation. It seems at first that Daijin is a villain, however it then becomes clear that they are more chaotic neutral than anything. Daijin was actually guiding Suzume to where the open doors were, rather than being the one that caused them to open. And when they reach an open door in Tokyo, a portal that threatens to level the whole city, Satou – with Daijin’s guidance – realizes that he is the new keystone, and must sacrifices himself in order to close the door. He does just this, becoming crystalized and shoved into the heart of the curses that are pouring out of the door. Suzume and Daijin are left behind, with seemingly no way to reach Satou again. Daijin attempts to stay alongside Suzume, but the teenager pushes the animal away in anger. However, this doesn’t stop the creature caring about her. See, when Suzume tracks down a personal door that leads her to where Satou may be in the afterlife, she offers her own life to replace Satou as the keystone. However, turns out she doesn’t have to make that sacrifice. Daijin is more than willing to do that. Daijin then becomes the keystone once more, reverting back into his seemingly lifeless state. It’s a heart-breaking moment, but Daijin doesn’t suffer at least, and leaves knowing he was appreciated by Suzume. Suzume and Satou are able to reunite, and continue their lives as door-closers and close friends. If you want to go deeper on Makoto’s film, we have a guide on the Japanese mythology in Suzume. Our guides on Demon Slayer in order and My Hero Academia in order will teach all about those franchises as well.

Suzume anime movie gains 6.26 Billion in just over two weeks CrunchyrollThe newly released Suzume film, from the same people that brought you Your Name, has managed to be similarly successful at the box office. If you loved the film Your Name, you’re likely going to love the new film from the same creative team, which is called Suzume no Tojimari. And it seems like a large portion of Japan already loves this film, as the movie has managed to be increasingly succesful in a short amount of time. It was recently reported by The Mainichi Shimbun’s Mantan Web that Makoto Shinkai’s anime film Suzume – also known as Suzume no Tojimari – has manged to cross 6.269 billion yen – equalling about US$45.5 million – in its first 17 days at the Japanese box office. Suzume no Tojimari blasts the box office The film, which ranked at #1 for its opening weekend, was able to earn 843 million yen – US$6.10 million – during Saturday and Sunday, selling 612,000 tickets on those same two days. The film has now sold a whopping total of 4.60 million tickets. The film opened in Japan on November 11, and has so far managed to sell 38.7% more tickets and earn 47.4% more money than Shinkai’s massively acclaimed film Your Name in their respective first three days. Suzume also sold 14.8% more tickets and earned 14.4% more than Shinkai’s previous film Weathering With You, which makes Suzume the strongest opening of all of Shinkai’s films. CoMix Wave Films describes the plot of the film as thus: On the other side of the door, was time in its entirety— 17-year-old Suzume’s journey begins in a quiet town in Kyushu when she encounters a young man who tells her, “I’m looking for a door.” What Suzume finds is a single weathered door standing upright in the midst of ruins as though it was shielded from whatever catastrophe struck. Seemingly mesmerized by its power, Suzume reaches for the knob… Doors begin to open one after another all across Japan, unleashing destruction upon any who are near. Suzume must close these portals to prevent further disaster. The stars. The sunset. The morning sky. Within that realm, it was as though all time had melted together in the sky— Drawn in by this mysterious door, Suzume’s journey is about to begin. Shinkai – best known for his work on hit film Your Name – directed the film and wrote the screenplay, along with the original story. Masayoshi Tanaka designed the characters, Kenichi Tsuchiya was the animation director, and Takumi Tanji was the art director. The film is being produced by CoMix Wave Films and Story Inc. produced the movie, while TOHO is distributing the film. Director Shinkai stated that the three important factors within the film are that it is somewhat of a road trip around Japan, that it is a story about “closing doors” rather than opening them – meaning to conclude something – and that it will ultimately be a reason to visit the movie theater. Suzume no Tojimari is set to premiere internationally in early 2023.

Suzume anime movie from Your Name director gets new trailer CoMix WaveFans of Your Name, get ready, because another film by the same creators is on the way, with a new trailer and poster to boot. If you’re someone who loved the anime movie Your Name, then now’s the time to get excited, since the same creators are bringing out a new film, Suzume no Tojimari, otherwise known as Suzume’s Door-Locking. This will be Makoto Shinkai’s first film in three years, and now the film’s official website has released a new trailer, along with a poster visual. And from the looks of the film, we might have another game-changing anime on our hands. Suzume trailer introduces more magic and beauty A new trailer and poster was unveiled by Catsuka on Twitter, as well as on the film’s official website. The trailer, and the accompanying poster, shows what these creators are exceptionally talented at: creating beautiful looking movies. The trailer’s animation looks stellar and this quality will no doubt continue into the rest of the film. The film seems to be more wackily fantastical than Your Name, with magic doors, transforming chairs, and an evil cat. The films production company, CoMix Wave Films describes the story as thus: On the other side of the door, was time in its entirety— 17-year-old Suzume’s journey begins in a quiet town in Kyushu when she encounters a young man who tells her, “I’m looking for a door.” What Suzume finds is a single weathered door standing upright in the midst of ruins as though it was shielded from whatever catastrophe struck. Seemingly mesmerized by its power, Suzume reaches for the knob… Doors begin to open one after another all across Japan, unleashing destruction upon any who are near. Suzume must close these portals to prevent further disaster. Drawn in by this mysterious door, Suzume’s journey is about to begin. Nanoka Hara voices the leading Suzume Iwato in the film, and SixTONES idol group member Hokuto Matsumura makes his voice acting debut in the film as Sōta Munakata. Makoto Shinkai, of Your Name fame, is directing the film and writing the screenplay. Masayoshi Tanaka, and Kenichi Tsuchiya, who also worked on Your Name, is designing the characters and directing the animation respectively. When will the Suzume anime film come out? Suzume will open in Japan on November 11, 2022. Crunchyroll, Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Wild Bunch International will all release the film globally in early 2023. Crunchyroll will be handling the North American and some of the European distribution.

Summer 2024 anime schedule — All series and movies CrunchyrollAfter a spectacular Spring, the Winter 2024 anime season is almost here — so here’s a schedule of all the upcoming series and movies. Spring 2024 has had a generally exciting selection of anime, with fantastic anime shows like Demon Slayer Season 4, Kaiju No 8, My Hero Academia Season 7, and more. As the second quarter of 2024 ends, anime enthusiasts can look forward to even more new series and sequels. Tower of God Season 2 and Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest are among the franchies that have piqued interest, but there’s plenty more to look forward to. From highly anticipated sequels to new additions in the anime world, we’ve got all the upcoming anime series in our Summer 2024 anime schedule and their release dates. Summer 2024 anime series schedule July 2 The Rookie Middle-Aged Adventurer Was Trained to Death by the Most Powerful Party to Become Invincible – My Wife Has No Emotion – Shy Season 2 – July 3 Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian – Oshi no Ko Season 2 – Tasuuketsu – The Strongest Magician in the Demon Lord’s Army Was a Human – A Will Eternal 3rd Season – July 4 Twilight Out of Focus – Ramen Akaneko – Days with My Stepsister – July 5 2.5 Dimensional Seduction – I Parry Everything – The Café Terrace and Its Goddesses Season 2 – Pseudo Harem – NieR:Automata Ver1.1a (Cour 2) – Failure Frame: I Became the Strongest and Annihilated Everything With Low-Level Spells – Senpai is an Otokonoko – Don’t Give Up! – July 6 Monogatari Series: Off & Monster Season – Grendizer U – Madougushi Dahliya wa Utsumukanai – Tensui no Sakuna-hime – A Nobody’s Way Up to an Exploration Hero LV – Harimaware! Koinu 2nd Season – Dungeon People – Suicide Squad Isekai – Cardfight!! Vanguard: Divinez Season 2 – Nige Jouzu no Wakagimi – Quality Assurance in Another World – July 7 Wistoria: Wand and Sword – Shoshimin: How to Become Ordinary – Tower of God Season 2 – Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest – My Deer Friend Nokotan – Plus-Sized Elf – Narenare -Cheer for You! – 0-saiji Start Dash Monogatari – July 8 Mayonaka Punch – VTuber Legend: How I Went Viral after Forgetting to Turn Off My Stream – A Journey Through Another World: Raising Kids While Adventuring – July 9 The Magical Girl and the Evil Lieutenant Used to Be Archenemies – Egumi Legacy – No Longer Allowed In Another World – July 10 July 11 Our Last Crusade or the Rise of a New World Season 2 – July 12 Bye Bye, Earth – July 13 Why Does Nobody Remember Me in This World? – July 14 Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines! – Kinnikuman: Perfect Origin Arc – Atri -My Dear Moments – July 15 Yami Shibai 13 – July 18 Sengoku Youko 2nd Season – August 8 Delico’s Nursery – August (Awaiting release dates) Kimi ni Todoke: Season 3 – Kengan Ashura Season 2 Part 2 – Summer 2024 anime movie schedule July 5 The Imaginary – July 19 SutoPuri Movie: Hajimari no Monogatari – Strawberry School Festival!!! – Yamato yo, Towa ni: Rebel 3199 – Ghost Cat Anzu – July 26 Mononoke Movie: Karakasa – August 2 My Hero Academia: You’re Next – August 9 Crayon Shin-chan Movie 32: Ora-tachi no Kyouyuu Nikki – August 16 Zegapain: STA – Touken Ranbu Kai: Douden Chikashi Habera Umonora – August 30 The Colors Within – September 6 Love Live! Nijigasaki Gakuen School Idol Doukoukai Kanketsu-hen – September 13 Wonderful Precure! Movie: Dokidoki Game no Sekai de Dai Bouken! – Please note that only the Japanese release dates for these movies have been announced. For more of the finest anime on offer, check out our lists of the best short anime, highly anticipated upcoming anime in 2024, most underrated anime of 2023, and the best anime like Solo Leveling.

Suicide Squad anime looks bonkers & bloody in new trailer Warner Bros./WIT StudioHarley Quinn and the Joker display their full gory glory in Suicide Squad Isekai’s brand new trailer. Let’s take a look. Suicide Squad Isekai ignited the anime world when it was first announced at Anime Expo 2023. Now, Harley Quinn, the Joker and all the characters you love from the series are back in a brand new trailer. Filled with gorgeous visuals and brutal fight scenes in a world that’s nothing like our own, our reluctant villains-turned-heroes are back to wreak move havoc. With the anime set to debut in Winter 2024, let’s take a look at this explosive (quite literally) new trailer. Suicide Squad Isekai drops new trailer On December 1, Warner Bros. Japan released this brand new trailer, along with its main cast list. This bloody and bonkers trailer shows all the characters you know and love from the comics, including The Joker (Yuichiro Umehara), Harley Quinn (Anna Nagase), Peacemaker (Takehito Koyasu), Deadshot (Reigo Yamaguchi), King Shark (Subaru Kimura), Clayface (Jun Fukuyama) and their overseer Amada Waller. The full plot is still unknown, Warner Bros. revealed that it will follow the general Suicide Squad formula. In the crime-ridden city of Gotham, Amanda Waller will send the Suicide Squad of super villains into a magical world where orcs and dragons roam. But with lethal explosives planted into their necks, failing the mission means a one-way ticket to the afterlife! We don’t know if Harley Quinn and her crew will conquer this terrifying Isekai realm. However, from the trailer, it sure looks like they’re going to try. The trailer shows the group fighting the inhabitants of this new world as soon as they arrive. Talk about making an entrance! And while it looks like a typical fantasy isekai setting, the trailer promises that the anime version of Suicide Squad will provide so much more than that: bloody battles, rampaging orcs, monstrous dragons, and of course more of the marvellous mayhem that the series is known for. Check out our other Suicide Squad coverage here, and our anime coverage here.

Suicide Squad Isekai: Release window, trailer and more Warner Bros./WIT StudioTwo worlds will collide on Task Force X’s next mission in Suicide Squad Isekai. Here’s everything you need to know about this epic fantasy adventure, including its brand new trailer. Get ready for your favorite villains to burst onto our screens once again with a gory Suicide Squad anime adaptation. But what awaits this motley mix of colorful characters? In a collaboration we didn’t know we needed with Warner Bros. and WIT Studio, the Joker and Harley Quinn will star in the anime adaptation with an isekai twist. So, here is everything you need to know about Suicide Squad Isekai, including release date rumors, its trailer, cast and more. Is there a Suicide Squad Isekai release date? Currently there is no official release date for Suicide Squad Isekai. Recent rumors across social media suggest that the upcoming anime series will premiere in the Winter 2024 season. However, at Anime Expo 2023, Crunchyroll News announced that Suicide Squad Isekai will be available for streaming very soon, so it could be coming earlier than we expect. Suicide Squad Isekai plot While we don’t know the exact plot details, Studio Wit has confirmed that the Joker and Harley Quinn will be the main characters of the new anime. The dangerous couple will embark on an isekai adventure, while Amanda Waller sends the Suicide Squad to return them. Popular characters including Deadshot, Peacemaker, King Shark and Captain Boomerang are also expected to appear throughout the series. Suicide Squad’s cast and crew On December 1, 2023, the official cast was revealed in a brand-new trailer for Suicide Squad Isekai. Here are all the important details. The cast list is as follows: Anna Nagase as Harley Quinn – Yuichiro Umehara as The Joker – Reigo Yamaguchi as Deadshot – Takehito Koyasu as Peacemaker – Jun Fukuyama as Clayface – Subaru Kimura as King Shark – In collaboration with Warner Bros., Wit Studio – known for Attack On Titan, Vinland Saga and Spy x Family – will bring this new anime series to life. Taking the helm as director is industry veteran, Eri Osada, with Tappei Nagatsuki and Eiji Umehara writing the script. Psycho-Pass and Katekyo Hitman REBORN!’s Akira Amano is in charge of character design. Kenichiro Suehiro is composing the music and Tomoyasu Hotei will perform the opening theme song, Another World. Is there a trailer? On December 1, 2023, the official trailer was released for Suicide Squad Isekai The 90-second clip builds upon what we’ve already seen in July’s initial teaser to provide a colorful glimpse of what fans can expect from the Suicide Squad anime adaptation, with the adventures of Harley Quinn and the Joker at the forefront of the series. The trailer doesn’t give too much away. However, it does show the dynamic duo racing through the streets, which soon give way to an extensive fantasy universe and brutal fight scenes. So, it’s safe to assume that in the isekai version of Suicide Squad, pretty much anything goes. While you wait for more details about the upcoming project, why not check out our other anime coverage here?

Stunning new Berserker Armor Guts figure revealed & you can make it yourself Max Factory has unveiled an incredible Berserker Armor Guts model kit at the WF 2024 event for Berserk fans to assemble. Berserk fans, prepare your shelves for an awesome new addition – Max Factory has revealed a new model kit figure of Guts in his iconic Berserker Armor at the WF 2024 event. Sculpted by acclaimed artist Masato Oshima, this kit captures Guts at his most ferocious. As part of Max Factory’s Plamatea series, the Berserker Armor Guts model employs soft fabrics and armor plating. This allows lifelike movements to act out frenetic combat scenes from Kentaro Miura’s dark fantasy manga. The hybrid plastic/fabric materials facilitate complex poses wielding Guts’ hulking Dragonslayer sword. Every jagged plate of the intimidating suit of possessed armor is recreated in exacting detail, right down to the sinister beast helmet-grated face plate. Between the woven black cape and armor adorned with a sinister face, this kit oozes the ruthless aura of Berserk’s grim protagonist. Do you know the best part? You can make it all by yourself. As a part of Good Smile’s recent line “Plamatea” you will have to assemble and paint the model yourself. Masato Oshima’s sculpt’ captures the intensity of Guts’ face, his teeth gritted in fury beneath the helmet. Max Factory delivers an impressive Berserk model kit As an influential dark fantasy series, Berserk continues to inspire new generations of fans decades after its debut. Max Factory adds to their Berserk lineup with this magnificent Berserker Armor Guts kit. No Berserk figure collection will be complete next year without this ferocious armor-clad protagonist model kit. Stay tuned for preorders opening soon! If you click on a product link on this page we may earn a small affiliate commission.

Studio Ghibli wins BAFTA, but fans are split Studio GhibliStudio Ghibli’s The Boy and the Heron won the BAFTA for the best animated film, but not every fan is happy with the decision. The Boy and the Heron was in talks lately for the breathtaking elements it brought to the table. After winning several awards and grabbing a number of nominations, the anime film surprised us once again. Yes, we are talking about its win at the BAFTA Awards 2024 for the Best Animated Film category. Coming from one of the most celebrated directors, Hayao Miyazaki, and the renowned animation studio Studio Ghibli, the anime film was loved by the majority of the enthusiasts. Despite it being complicated for many to understand, there’s no denying that it is an amazing piece of art. Also, it’s worth mentioning that now that the anime film has earned a Golden Globe and BAFTA, its chance to grab an Oscar has also increased. Several fans question The Boy and the Heron’s BAFTA win Studio Ghibli’s The Boy and the Heron was nominated at the BAFTA Awards 2024 alongside several masterpieces like Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and Elemental. The ones who loved the film were on their toes to see the film grab the award, and it luckily happened. However, after the winners were announced, fans took it to social media and Reddit, eventually making it a hot topic for debate. A Reddit user says that Ghibli has earned a huge name over the years, and that makes every project coming from it a hit. They also add that the enthusiasts are so busy giving the mainstream studios a priority that they often end up ignoring the creations of other production houses. Another user states that they have watched Suzume and The Boy and the Heron, and even though they are not entirely pleased with the former, they find it to be better than the latter. Besides that, a few fanatics reveal that Slam Dunk and Suzume are much easier to understand than The Boy and the Heron. So, even though many anime fans are actually happy that The Boy and the Heron bagged a BAFTA win, there’s a huge portion of the community that thinks the award is just for the fan service.

Legendary extreme metal band reveals Studio Ghibli tribute for iconic movie’s anniversary MaxThere’s always been a strong overlap between heavy metal and anime fandoms, and a major group has made that crossover literal with a new shirt to commemorate one of the best Studio Ghibli movies. This year, Princess Mononoke turns 27. One of the best anime movies ever, the Hayao Miyazaki-directed classic has been a favorite among Studio Ghibli’s filmography since release. So beloved is the fantasy film that grindcore band Pig Destroyer have re-released a shirt inspired by the picture to celebrate the milestone. It’s on sale now, just in time for Studio Ghibli Fest as well. “Inspired by the God/Demon Boar of Princess Mononoke, this homage to one of the greatest animated epics of all time is available once again,” the band wrote, noting the designer, Form Terror Growth. The Demon Boar is quintessential Hayao; a gnarly, slightly gross, terrifying creature that stands out among the gorgeous, colorful environments. Like No Face in Spirited Away, he turns out to be an anti-villain, corrupted by other forces from the movie’s universe. He makes excellent t-shirt fodder, especially for a band named Pig Destroyer. Legends in the realm of grind and extreme music, the band are currently celebrating an anniversary of their own, with their third full-length, Terrifyer, turning 20. As the event name implies, Studio Ghibli Fest is a recurring program run by distributor GKIDS. Over the course of several months, many Ghibli favorites are re-released on the big screen for a limited run, allowing fans of all ages to enjoy the magic theatrically. Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro have already ran, but you can check out what other movies are left on the official site. Hayao Miyazaki recently enjoyed another Oscar win for The Boy and the Heron, and there’s talk that he has a new movie in the works as well. Maybe Napalm Death, Rotten Sound, or Wormrot can do a shirt for that one.

Studio Ghibli sold to TV studio in major succession shakeup Studio GhibliStudio Ghibli has been sold to Nippon Television in a huge shakeup for the famous anime firm, leaving fans concerned for its future in the wake of Hayao Miyazaki’s ‘final’ film. Studio Ghibli is known far and wide for its critically-acclaimed animated films like Princess Mononoke, My Neighbor Totoro, and more, which have won the hearts of fans all over the world across several generations. The animation studio, first founded in 1985 by legendary directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, is set to release its latest film in the US this December… one that is said to be Miyazaki’s final work. In the wake of this news, another major development has occurred that is leaving fans wondering what’s next for the studio’s future. Studio Ghibli sells to Nippon TV in major move for anime giant On September 21, it was reported that Studio Ghibli is set to sell a major portion of its stock to Japanese television network Nippon TV, cementing the broadcaster as a majority stakeholder in the company with a whopping 42.3% of voting rights. This decision comes in light of the question of succession for Studio Ghibli’s leadership. In a statement from the studio, it was revealed that Miyazaki’s son, Goro Miyazaki, did not want to step into his father’s shoes to lead the company. “At Studio Ghibli, director Miyazaki Hayao is now 82 years old, and producer Suzuki Toshio is also 75 years old, and the issue of succession has been a problem for a long time,” the studio said. “Miyazaki Goro, the eldest son of founder Miyazaki Hayao and an animation film director himself, has been mentioned several times as the successor to Studio Ghibli. However, Miyazaki Goro himself firmly declined, believing that it would be difficult to carry Ghibli alone and that it would be better to leave the future of the company to others.” Both Ghibli and NTV have had a working relationship for many years now, with the TV network actually airing Miyazaki’s 1985 sci-fi hit Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind and even investing in Kiki’s Delivery Service. While many fans are a bit wary of this big change for the beloved studio, others are excited, noting that this could mean Ghibli will “live on” after the company’s current leadership moves on. For more news on Miyazaki’s final film, check out our hub right here on Dexerto.

Studio Ghibli movies screening outside Japan for first time Hayao Miyazaki won’t be attending Cannes this year. Instead, a Studio Ghibli representative will accept the Honorary Palme d’or for the famed studio, bringing along some exclusive screenings as well. Hayao’s fellow Studio Ghibli director and his son, Gorō Miyazaki, are representing the anime movie production company at the annual film festival. Gorō will take part in a ceremony at Cannes on Monday, May 20, at 3:30pm CET to receive the prize for Ghibli. Excitingly, four shorts are being shown as part of the event, three of which have never made their way outside of Japan. The four films are: Mei and the Baby Cat Bus, House Hunting, Mr. Dough and the Egg Princess, and Boro the Caterpillar, all made and screened exclusively at the Ghibli museum in Mitaka. Mei and the Baby Cat Bus, a follow-up to My Neighbor Totoro, was once shown to employees at Pixar by Hayao during his visit stateside while promoting Spirited Away in 2002. Until now, those were the only ones lucky enough to see the production properly outside of Ghibli’s own screening rooms. These aren’t the only Ghibli rarities at Cannes, either. A behind-the-scenes documentary, Hayao and the Heron, charting his time directing The Boy and the Heron, is being shown on Sunday, May 19, at 9:30pm CET. So far, Hayao and the Heron is just an extra on the Japanese home media release of The Boy and the Heron. With any luck, the subtitled version shown at Cannes will be what comes with the Blu-ray and 4K versions in the US and Britain. For now, Cannes attendees get to be the lucky ones. If you’d like to see more of what’s been shown at the festival, check out our Furiosa review and our Kinds of Kindness review. We have an upcoming anime guide, for what shows and films you definitely can watch soon.

Every Studio Ghibli movie nominated for Oscars Studio GhibliStudio Ghibli has bagged an Oscar nomination with The Boy and the Heron, so here’s a throwback to all the nominations the iconic anime studio has received over the years. Studio Ghibli is a famous animation studio known for its immersive realism and visually appealing storytelling. Hayao Miyazaki, one of the founding members, is the biggest name in the anime industry. As a living legend, Miyazaki has directed dozens of movies throughout his career. Every work he created is considered a masterpiece that received global recognition. His unique art style, genuine characterization, and messages always captivate the viewers. However, other anime movies from the same studio don’t lag behind at all. Overall, Studio Ghibli’s magically whimsical movies often get nominations for Oscars in the Best Animated Feature category. Oscars 2024 recently revealed the nominees; unsurprisingly, the recent Studio Ghibli was also nominated. Here’s a look at all the Studio Ghibli movies nominated for Oscars. 1. Spirited Away (2001) Director: Hayao Miyazaki Spirited Away is a Studio Ghibli classic that was released in 2001 and still stands among one of the greatest anime ever. The story is about Chihiro, whose parents are turned into pigs, and she then wanders into the world of Yokai to find a way to save them. However, the world is scarier than she realizes since it’s ruled by a witch who turned those who disobey her into animals. Spirited Away is the only Studio Ghibli movie to win an Oscar. 2. Howl’s Moving Castle (2004) Director: Hayao Miyazaki This Studio Ghibli was nominated for an Academy Award but lost to Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit. The protagonist is an average young woman named Sophie Hatter, who the Witch of the Waste curses after meeting with Howl. As a result of the curse, Sophie finds herself looking like a 90-year-old woman. Stuck in a feud between a witch and a wizard, all Sophie can do is leave home without getting discovered by her mother. 3. The Wind Rises (2013) Director: Hayao Miyazaki The Wind Rises is a fictionalized biographical film that follows the story of Jiro Horikoshi. He dreamt of flying, but he chose to be a Japanese airplane designer. He was the designer of the Mitsubishi A5M fighter aircraft and its successor, the Mitsubishi A6M Zero. It was used by Japan during World War II. The movie is an adaptation of Miyazaki’s manga of the same name. The movie lost to Frozen at the Academy Awards. 4. The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2013) Director: Isao Takahata Nominated for the Oscars, this Studio Ghibli movie lost to Big Hero 6. It’s an adaptation of the popular Japanese folklore, The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, from the 10th century. A bamboo cutter, Okina discovers a small baby inside a glowing shoot and takes her home. Okina and his wife raised her as their daughter and named her Kaguya. However, Kaguya’s origins come to light after she becomes a princess when Okina finds a large fortune. 5. When Marnie Was There (2014) Director: Hiromasa Yonebayashi When Marnie was There was also nominated for Best Animated Feature, but it lost to Inside Out. The movie follows Anna Sasaki, who stays with her relatives in a town in the Kushiro wetlands in Hokkaido. When Anna stumbles onto an abandoned home nearby, she encounters Marnie, an enigmatic girl. Marie begs her to swear to keep their secrets a secret from everyone. As Anna spends more time with Marnie during the summer, she discovers the truth about her family and foster care. 6. The Red Turtle (2016) Director: Michaël Dudok de Wit The Red Turtle was nominated for the Academy Awards and lost to Zootopia. It is an international co-production between Studio Ghibli and several French companies. It has no dialogue and tells the story of a man who becomes shipwrecked on an uninhabited island. He meets a giant red female turtle. 7. The Boy and the Heron (2023) Director: Hayao Miyazaki The movie was recently nominated for an Oscar after winning the Golden Globe. Originally called ‘How Do You Live?’ for its Japanese release, the movie’s title was changed to The Boy and the Heron. The movie follows Mahito, a young boy who yearns for his mother. He ventures into a world shared by the living and the dead. Since the, he finds a new beginning in life.

Studio Ghibli Fest 2023: List of all movies & showtimes Fathom EventsFounded in 1985, Studio Ghibli is the pioneer of anime movies. To commemorate Miyazaki’s best works, Fathom Events and GKIDS hold Studio Ghibli Fest every year since 2017 in North America. Here’s what you need to know about Studio Ghibli Fest 2023. Studio Ghibli, founded by Hayao Miyazaki and the late Isao Takahata, is one of Japan’s most recognized animation studios for over 35 years. Miyazaki’s career in animation has established him as not only the best director of animated pictures in Japan but also one of the world’s most influential animators. Studio Ghibli Fest 2023 will have more screenings of each movie than ever. Furthermore, each film will have an exclusive excerpt from the four-part documentary series 10 Years With Hayao Miyazaki, which explores the career of the renowned filmmaker. Studio Ghibli Fest 2023 kicked off on March 25, 2023, and will continue till November 1, 2023. Here’s the update on all the movies and their screening dates. Which movies had their screenings so far? My Neighbor Totoro March 25 and 26 – Japanese with English subtitles – March 26, 27, and 29 – English dubbed – Spirited Away April 23 – Japanese with English subtitles – April 27 – Japanese with English subtitles – Ponyo May 7 – English dubbed – May 8 and 10 – Japanese with English subtitles – You can stream My Neighbor Totoro and Ponyo on Netflix. Spirited Away will be repeated as the last movie of the Fest in October and November. The Studio Ghibli Fest 2023 calendar Kiki’s Delivery Service June 11 – English Dubbed – June 12 and 14 – Japanese with English subtitles – Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind July 9 – English dubbed – July 11 – Japanese with English subtitles – Castle in the Sky July 10 – English dubbed – July 12 – Japanese with English subtitles – Princess Mononoke August 5 and 8 – Japanese with English subtitles – August 6, 7, and 9 – English dubbed – Porco Rosso August 20 – English dubbed – August 22 – Japanese with English subtitles – The Wind Rises August 21, 7 PM – English dubbed – August 23, 7 PM – Japanese with English subtitles – Howl’s Moving Castle September 23, 24, and 26 – Japanese with English subtitles – September 25 and 27 – English dubbed – Spirited Away October 28 and 31 – Japanese with English subtitles – October 29 and 30; November 1 – English dubbed – For tickets and showtimes at your local theatre, visit the Fathom Event website.

Studio Ghibli releases stunning 15-second ad made by Hayao Miyazaki New Studio Ghibli is always a thing to treasure, and although this new advertisement is short and sweet, the Hayao Miyazaki-direction animation is as stunning as ever. We’re just coming off the release of Studio Ghibli‘s latest movie, The Boy and the Heron, which heralded the return of anime legend Hayao Miyazaki. After retiring (again) in 2013 with The Wind Rises, Miyazaki couldn’t stay away for too long, and came back with another beguiling fantasy tale. We don’t know if we’ll be blessed with another Miyazaki-directed feature-length work, but his skills are being applied in other corners of Studio Ghibli. The studio now has its own theme park, aptly named Ghibli Park, and a museum, Ghibli Museum, and it’s the former that’s gotten a bit more Miyazaki magic. Hayao Miyazaki has made an advert for Studio Ghibli’s Ghibli Park Studio Ghibli has released a new advert for Ghibli Park that’s storyboarded by Hayao Miyazaki and directed Akihiko Yamashita, and it’s as amazing as you’d expect. The video, coming in at 15 seconds, is a short and sweet tease of Valley of Witches, the next and final part of Ghibli Park to be opened. This section will pay tribute to Kiki’s Delivery Service and Howl’s Moving Castle, and the tease contains a walking structure like the one Howl uses. You can see all sorts of tiny moving parts, while a narrator explains the purpose of the ad in Japanese. If Akihiko’s name sounds familiar, it’s because he was animation director on Howl’s Moving Castle, which was directed by Hayao. They’ve switched roles for this quick little ad, a fitting ode to their partnership on the movie. Howl’s Moving Castle was a huge moment for Studio Ghibli. The film was Hayao’s followup to the beloved Spirited Away, and really solidified Ghibli’s presence outside of Japan as one of the greatest purveyors of anime filmmaking. Kiki’s Delivery Service is equally regarded, though perhaps less known to mainstream audiences. Valley of Witches combines the city setting of Kiki with Howl’s wastelands. Another area, Hill of Youth nods to Howl’s Moving Castle as well. There other areas provide an intersection of Ghibli creations for patrons to explore. You can find Ghibli Park in Nagakute, Aichi, Japan, and Valley of Witches opens March 2024.

One Piece: Who is the strongest character? CrunchyrollOne Piece has countless powerful characters, but who among them is the strongest? One Piece is a popular Shonen manga series and anime show that is popular for its vast world-building and introduction of countless characters. The series mostly focuses on pirates and Marines, who are each other’s major enemies. Apart from the Marines, Holy Knights, the Five Elders (commonly known as Gorosei), and many more characters, they also keep a check on pirates to ensure the truth about the Void Century won’t come to light. The power level in the series is rather unique as it depends on Haki and devil fruits. One can have either one of these powers or both. One Piece has an insane number of powerful characters, but the strongest among them is still hiding in the shadows. Furthermore, they will surely cause chaos in the Final Saga of the series. Who is the strongest One Piece character Imu is believed to be the strongest character in all of One Piece. They’re a mysterious entity, and little about them is known. Imu’s mere existence is a taboo in the world. Officially, there should be no ruler of the world. The notion behind establishing the World Government is to create a world where everyone is equal. The twenty allied nations that formed the World Government became 170 over the years, further amplifying their power. However, Imu not only sits on the Empty Throne but has been plotting something major for over 800 years. The series has established the fact that Imu is not only an immortal, but their full name is Saint Imu of House Nerona. Ivankov speculates that the world’s ruler is an immortal being who has been alive since the Void Century and has been granted eternal youth because of the Ope Ope no Mi. Imu is also likely to be the final villain of One Piece, who will prove to be the strongest being in the series. The full scope of their ability is unknown. However, they have enough authority to command the Five Elders, who are all monstrously strong. Furthermore, in the Reverie flashback, Imu has demonstrated the capacity to transform into a large, beast-like, but humanoid creature capable of eating fire. Additionally, they can control what seems to be a sharp-pointed, arrowhead-shaped appendage or tentacle used for impalement, powerful enough to damage even the Logia user Sabo seriously. The series has yet to confirm if it’s a Zoan-type devil fruit power. Imu also carries a saber, but they’ve yet to use it. Also, check out our list of saddest backstories in One Piece and ranking of all 11 One Piece Sagas.