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Demon Slayer loses best animation award & anime fans are split CrunchyrollA big reason behind Demon Slayer’s popularity is its stellar visuals, but it recently lost the top spot for animation in the 10th Anime Trending Awards. The results of the 10th Anime Trending Awards were announced on March 10, 2024. There were several categories in the award ceremony, including Anime of the Year, Best Character Design, and Best OST. Demon Slayer, despite being considered one of the best anime of the year, didn’t win a lot of awards. Fans are not very happy about this. Demon Slayer had a splendid season with the Swordsmith Village Arc and featured two of the best fights of the year in its third season. But given the anime it lost to, some fans are also appeased with the result. In short, the 10th ATA has split the anime fandom in two. Anime fans debate Demon Slayer’s second place in animation The nominees in the Best Animation category were Demon Slayer: Swordsmith Village Arc, Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2, Heavenly Delusions, Zom 100, and Spy x Family Season 2 among others. All of them featured amazing animation, but Jujutsu Kaisen took home the trophy. Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 was undoubtedly Demon Slayer’s biggest competitor this year. The anime already had an overwhelming win in the Crunchyroll Awards, though losing to Demon Slayer in animation. This time, Jujutsu Kaisen seized the top position from Demon Slayer. Fandoms of Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen are huge and, in some cases, overlapping – as shown by the fan reactions to the latter’s recent win, with many having different opinions on Demon Slayer’s loss to Jujutsu Kaisen. Some fans on Reddit complained about how Jujutsu Kaisen took home the Best in Animation award in the ATA when the third season of Demon Slayer was also in the running. A fan wrote, “The moment you didn’t choose Demon Slayer for animation, your awards became irrelevant. Mappa did a fantastic job with JJK, don’t get me wrong. Especially amidst all the controversy. However, c’mon… it’s ufotable… there’s no contest.” However, that was not the general consensus. Some fans agreed that while Demon Slayer did a good job in terms of animation, it wasn’t the best from the anime. One fan expressed their view in this matter by commenting, “Even as a Demon Slayer defender, Swordsmith Village didn’t deserve best anything besides best animation and even then I’m not sold on it.” Demon Slayer may not win the Best in Animation award in the ATA this year but it has an opportunity to redeem itself with its upcoming fourth season. We can count on Ufotable to give us another season of jaw-dropping animation.

Demon Slayer: Major anime scene debuts two Hashira’s powers UfotableThe latest Demon Slayer movie debuts two of Hashira’s powers in a scene unknown to manga fans – so here’s what you need to know. Before the highly-anticipated season arrives in April, Demon Slayer fans are treated to a special movie, To The Hashira Training. The new series will adapt the fan-favorite Hashira Training arc from the manga. The arc is featured in Chapters 128 to 136. However, because the material is lacking to make an entire anime season, the franchise will adapt scenes from the light novel. Hence, it will be an entirely new experience, even for manga fans. However, the latest Demon Slayer movie also features a couple of non-manga scenes, which are kind of important considering they debut the powers of two Hashira. Delve deeper to find out which breathing styles will be introduced in the new movie. Warning: Major spoilers ahead! Which Hashira’s powers are introduced in the new Demon Slayer movie? The anime scene from the Demon Slayer: To The Hashira Training movie introduces Sanemi’s and Obanai’s powers. After a brief flashback from every season and Mugen Train movie, we see the entire finale of the Swordsmith Village arc. Then, the movie features a scene where Sanemi Shinazugawa and Obanai Iguro are on a mission together. They invade an abandoned castle to save a woman. The castle had been forgotten after constant restorations and hence became a den of demons. Accompanied by some lower-rank demons, the two Hashira enter the castle, where they meet countless demons. The series shows their powers for the first time. Sanemi first uses Wind Breathing Second Form, Claws-Purifying Wind, followed by Obanai’s Serpent Breathing Fifth Form, Slithering Serpent. The duo then separate as Obanai plans to kill the demons while Sanemi has to save the woman. Obanai uses the Third Form, Coil Choke, while in the next moment, Sanemi introduces his Fourth Form, Rising Dust Storm. They successfully save the woman. However, the strangest part was that the abandoned castle instantly transformed into the Infinity Castle before disappearing into thin air. The manga, however, introduces Sanemi’s powers in Chapter 136. In a sparring match against Giyuu, Sanemi uses Wind Breathing First Form, Dust Whirlwind Cutter. On the other hand, Obanai first uses his powers in Chapter 140, introducing his Fifth Form. Chapter 140 is from the Infinity Castle arc. Hence, although the Hashira Training arc in the manga doesn’t introduce Obanai’s powers, the anime makes up for it with the special scene.

Is the Demon Slayer manga finished? CrunchyrollAs the Demon Slayer anime heads into Season 4, you might be tempted to read the manga to find out what happens. Could you find out the ending from reading the Demon Slayer manga, though? Demon Slayer Season 4 promises one of the most intense stories for Tanjiro yet, as he gets into the Hashira Training Arc. A harsh ordeal, becoming a Hashira requires an enormous amount of strength and discipline, pushing Tanjiro to the edge. Long one of the best anime on Crunchyroll, Demon Slayer has become absolutely massive. The franchise has spawned the highest-grossing anime movie ever in Demon Slayer: Mugen Train, and fans are patiently waiting for what comes next. If you’ve only watched the anime, you might be tempted to give the manga from Koyoharu Gotouge a try. But if you did, how far ahead could you go? Has the Demon Slayer manga ended? Yes, the Demon Slayer manga is over. Demon Slayer finished on Chapter 205 on May 18, 2020. The last volume of the manga, collecting chapters 197-205, was published on December 4, 2020 in Japan, and August 3, 2021 in English. Demon Slayer ran from February 2016 to then, so readers were able to enjoy four years of the story. So far, the anime has covered 127 chapters, with the Hashira Training Arc kicking off in Chapter 128. How many chapters of Demon Slayer manga are there? Demon Slayer has 205 chapters, split across 23 volumes. If you’re a new reader, this means you can pick up the whole thing in a boxset, allowing you to conveniently push through the whole, epic saga. It also means you can find out everything that happens before people who just watch the show. But if you don’t want to be spoiled, then steer clear until everything has been animated! Our lists of the best anime like Demon Slayer and best Isekai anime will draw your attention until the conclusion comes to screens.

Demon Slayer: How did Muzan become a demon? CrunchyrollWe all know Muzan is the biggest threat to the Hashiras in Demon Slayer, but do you know how he became the first demon? Let’s find out. Demon Slayer has become one of the most prominent animanga franchises – thanks to the heartwarming narrative and Ufotable’s brilliant animation. It is also an anime show that can make you feel bad even for the deadliest demons because of their tragic pasts. The story of Demon Slayer is set in the 20th century, and Muzan is often seen in flashbacks from the past, making it clear that the demon lord has been around for many centuries. He is someone who can make the potent demons tremble in fear in front of him. However, he wasn’t a demon since the start; in fact, he was once a helpless man who was about to die due to an incurable disease before getting the demonic transformation. How does Muzan become the first demon? Demon Slayer manga Chapter 127 revealed that Muzan was once a human who was diagnosed with an illness that would kill him at a very young age. However, Muzan wasn’t ready to surrender in front of death, so he decided to see a person who would help him live several more years. He knew that no medicine would work on him, so he asked the physician to experiment. Muzan just wanted to survive his fate no matter how twisted the path would be; he was also ready to let go of his humanity. Muzan’s physician tried to treat him with a medicine made of a mysterious flower, Blue Spider Lily. However, the experiment failed, so the human Muzan killed his own physician. After the tragic incident, Muzan underwent a horrifying transformation that eventually made him an immortal being. Even though Muzan became a robust demon who would never have the fear of dying as he used to in his human life, he found himself to be non-resistant from the sun. Despite having numerous perks, the demon lord also learned about his weakness which would restrict him from roaming outside in the daytime. However, after learning that Nezuko is sun-resistant, he wants to ingest the girl so he can overcome his only weakness. Well, that part will get adapted in Demon Slayer Season 4, so let’s keep our fingers crossed and see how Tanjiro will save his sister from Muzan. Be sure to check out our list of the best anime like Demon Slayer for more shows to check out!

How to watch Demon Slayer in order CrunchyrollDemon Slayer wormed its way into our hearts from the second Tanjiro swore to cure his possessed sister in the first episode. Now that we’re several seasons in, how should you watch the anime properly? Demon Slayer Season 4 is about to pit Tanjiro against his greatest adversary yet: becoming a Hashira. The Hashira Training Arc will have him become an elite member of the Demon Slayer Corps, provided he can survive the trials. Of course, we’ve every faith he will. Tanjiro has proven himself to be one of the great modern protagonists, a central reason why Demon Slayer has become one of the best anime currently going. But if you’re considering venturing out and tackling demons yourself, we can provide some guidance. We go through the entire Demon Slayer franchise so far, so you can have the perfect viewing experience. How to watch Demon Slayer in order Demon Slayer Season 1 – Demon Slayer Season 2, Episode 1 – Demon Slayer: Mugen Train / Demon Slayer Season 2, Episodes 2 to 7 – Demon Slayer Season 2, Episodes 8 to 18 – Demon Slayer Season 3 – Demon Slayer Season 4 – Demon Slayer Season 1 (Tanjiro Kamado, Unwavering Resolve Arc) The first season of Demon Slayer introduces Tanjiro and the Taishō era setting, as well as the powerful Muzan Kibutsuji, who becomes the main villain. It opens with Tanjiro’s family being killed by a demon, leaving his sister Nezuko possessed, spurring his decision to become a slayer. You get to see the mythology, the Demon Slayer Corps, and some great fight sequences as Tanjiro takes on the Lower Ranks of the Twelve Kizuki. A top-tier first season. Demon Slayer Season 2, Episode 1 Though Demon Slayer Season 2 arrived after Mugen Train – and retreads the same arc – the premiere is actually a lead in to the anime movie. Kyōjurō Rengoku, the current Flame Hashira, hunts a demon associated with a wave of deaths on a train. It’s a nice preamble that tells us a little more about the history surrounding the Hashira. Demon Slayer: Mugen Train / Demon Slayer Season 2, Episodes 2 to 7 (Mugen Train Arc) Demon Slayer did so well from the jump that the second arc became a widely distributed film, Demon Slayer: Mugen Train. Tanjiro, Nezuko, Inosuke, and Zenitsu join Kyōjurō on his mission to stop a demon feasting on train passengers. The Mugen Train Arc was then recut into six episodes for the first half of Demon Slayer Season 2. Although the story beats remain the same, some effects and sequences are touched up, and if you’re a completionist, you’ll want to check out both versions. If you only want plot, the movie is the way to go. Demon Slayer Season 2, Episodes 8 to 18 (Entertainment District Arc) The back half of Demon Slayer Season 2 covers the Entertainment District Arc. Sound Hashira Tengen Uzui helps our protagonists tackle some nasties in the eponymous area of Yoshiwara. Demon Slayer Season 3 (Swordsmith Village Arc) Love Hashira Mitsuri Kanroji, a fan-favorite, Mist Hashira Muichiro Tokito join to assist Tanjiro and Nezuko in protecting a village from Gyokko and Hantengu, two of Muzan’s dwindling Upper Ranks. A clear cut season of demon slayer action. Demon Slayer Season 4 (Hashira Training Arc) In Season 4, Nezuko has conquered the sun and is under Urodaki’s care. Tanjiro trains under the watchful eye of the five living Hashira, with the exception of the Water Hashira and the Wind Hashira. This is the last arc before the confrontation with Muzan begins, so it’s going to be intense. How many episodes of Demon Slayer are there? At present, there are 55 episodes of Demon Slayer. So far, the first season is longest, with 26 episodes, followed by 18 in Season 2, and 11 in Season 3. Season 4 will have 8 episodes, becoming the shortest season of the anime. Does Demon Slayer have any filler? Unlike many other anime, Demon Slayer has no filler, leaving no episodes to skip. However, you can potentially gloss over episodes 2 through 7 of Demon Slayer Season 2, since they retell the Mugen Train Arc from the movie. How many Demon Slayer movies are there? Demon Slayer has three movies – Mugen Train, To The Swordsmith Village, and To The Hashira Training. The latter two are compilation films, combining particular episodes together to celebrate a new season premiering and breaking up the wait between seasons for fans. Do you need to watch all the Demon Slayer movies? The only Demon Slayer movie you should see is Mugen Train. You can skip To The Swordsmith Village and To The Hashira Training, as they contain nothing you won’t find on the show. To The Swordsmith Village combines the last two episodes of Demon Slayer Season 2 with the first episode of Season 3. Demon Slayer: To The Hashira Training is the prologue of Season 4 and will be repeated in the first episode of Season 4. How many arcs of Demon Slayer are there? Demon Slayer has 12 arcs in total. Season 4 is adapting the tenth arc from the manga, the Hashira Training Arc. After this, we move into the Final Battle Arc, which is broken into two halves: the Infinity Castle Arc and the Sunrise Countdown Arc. Where can you watch Demon Slayer? You can watch all of Demon Slayer on Crunchyroll. Every episode as well as the Mugen Train movie are available to stream on the platform for subscribers. Season 4 episodes are released weekly as well, so you can keep up to date easily through the service. If you’d like to know more about Demon Slayer, we have a guide on Tanjiro’s Hanafuda earrings, things you should know before the Hashira Training Arc, and a list of the best anime like Demon Slayer, for similar entertainment.

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Arc explained CrunchyrollThe Demon Slayer Season 4 finale features the protagonists getting dragged into the Infinity Castle after the death of their leader, Kagaya Ubuyashiki. So, what will happen after that? Demon Slayer takes a turn for the worst when Muzan’s arrives at the Ubuyashiki mansion at the end of the Hashira Training Arc. The mansion blows up, killing Kagaya, his wife Amane, and his two daughters. However, that’s only the beginning of the tragedy. This leads us to Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, a movie trilogy to finish the show instead of another season or two. Fans are torn over the announcement, but anticipation has grown since the Season 4 finale. Infinity Castle Arc is by far the most popular arc of the Demon Slayer manga. The final fight against Muzan and the Upper Moons begins as all the Demon Slayer Crops forcefully gather inside the Infinity Castle. So, what will happen next in the Demon Slayer anime? Warning: This article contains spoilers from the manga! Infinity Castle Arc plot The Infinity Castle Arc is an all-out war between the Demon Slayer Corps and the demons. Tamayo poisons Muzan to weaken him as much as possible, but the villain is still stronger than they can handle. The demon slayers are all scattered in the bizarre layout of the castle. Shinobu fights Doma, the Upper Rank Two. His powers are too overwhelming for her since she’s unable to injure him with her poison. However, Shinobu swears to avenge her sister Kanao, who was killed by Doma. Furthermore, Zenitsu meets the new Upper Moon Six, who shares a bad history with both him and Gyomei. Tanjiro finally has a chance to avenge Rengoku since the opponent he’s facing is Akaza. However, even Giyu’s and Tanjiro’s combined forces aren’t enough to defeat the Upper Moon Three. Inosuke’s past unfolds as he joins forces with Kanao against Doma. However, the Upper Moon One is the worst of all Upper Moons, as Sanemi, Genya, and Tokito fight him head-on. Not only that, but the rest of the demon slayers fight against Muzan and try to slice off his neck. The arc includes several backstories and mysteries revolving around Shinobu, Inosuke, Tokito, Akaza, Kokushibo, and so on. As the fight continues, Tanjiro awakens a new power that will aid him in the fight. What is the Infinity Castle? The Infinity Castle is a vast extra-dimensional space created by the Blood Demon Art of the Biwa Demon Nakime. It serves as Muzan’s lair, and only once in a while do the Upper Moons gather for a meeting. Muzan summons them after over a hundred years when he senses Gyutaro’s death. Nakime is not strong in a conventional way since she has never shown much fighting prowess, but she uses her biwa as a medium to control the castle. The Infinity Castle consists of countless wooden rooms, halls, and moving passages. Because it is an extradimensional space, it has no exterior. Nakime uses her Blood Demon Art to change the layout whenever she sees fit. So, the castle’s range increases beyond its already incomprehensibly enormous area. Is Infinity Castle the last arc? No, Infinity Castle is not the last arc of Demon Slayer. However, the Infinity Castle movies will finish the anime, covering both Infinity Castle and the Sunrise Countdown Arc. They form the Final Battle Arc, referencing the climactic fight against Muzan. The Infinity Castle Arc runs from Chapters 140-183. The manga has a total of 205 chapters. This part focuses mostly on the fight against the Upper Moons, while the Final Battle Arc will feature more of Muzan. Since the Spring 2024 anime season is finally over, check out the best upcoming Summer 2024 anime and the summer 2024 anime release schedule.

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle movie trilogy – First trailer and everything else about the final arc CrunchyrollDemon Slayer has finally arrived at the Final War Arc, and now that the Hashira training is completed, we can look at when Infinity Castle will arrive. Demon Slayer has been a phenomenon. Starting in 2019, the show swiftly became known as one of the best anime available, thanks to an endearing protagonist, cool lore, and stunning sequences. We’ve had four seasons of the anime show so far, and what’s coming dwarfs all of them, because it’s the epic war between the Demon Slayer Corps and Muzan‘s army. Who’ll win? Only one way to find out (unless you’ve read the manga). What do we know about Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle? Where will it be released? We’re the Hashira of anime knowledge, so please, continue reading. Is there a release window for Infinity Castle? There is currently no confirmed release window for Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle. Going by the franchise’s release schedule to date, it’s possible the first film could arrive by 2026. Demon Slayer has managed to be very consistent over the years, taking two years maximum to produce a new season. Infinity Castle could kick off sooner, in 2025, but it’s up in the air for now. Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle trailer The first Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle trailer was released on June 30, 2024. It’s a brief teaser, showing the remaining Hashira descending into Muzan’s realm, teasing the very literal journey to Hell that’s coming. Little else is provided, but that’s alright, because fans have been waiting for this since the early days of the show. The bigger picture Effectively, Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle is Season 5 of the anime. The trilogy will adapt the next arc of the manga following Hashira Training, and though we might see the films re-edited into half-hour episodes like Mugen Train, that’ll happen after they’re released as movies. Rumors circulated ahead of Season 4 about the plan to finish on three films, drawing some excitement. It seemed like perhaps only the Infinity Castle Arc would get the cinematic treatment, rather than everything left in the manga. Instead, and more sensibly, it’s all of the Final Battle Arc. Jumping to films is somewhat of a risk, but one that’s worth taking given the franchise thus far. Mugen Train and the compilation films afterward have all felt like events, and Infinity Castle will be even bigger since it’s the climax of the whole story. The popularity of Demon Slayer means every one of these will be certifiable blockbusters when they arrive – especially the third, since it means we’ll all be saying goodbye to the universe. What manga chapters are the movies adapting? The Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle trilogy is adapting manga chapters 140 to 205, the entire Final Battle Arc. The Final Battle Arc is split into two parts: the Infinity Castle Arc (Chapters 140-183) and the Sunrise Countdown Arc (Chapters 184-205). They both take place within the eponymous location, after the Corps and Hashira are pulled into Muzan’s realm to take the battle to him. The story first covers fights against the Upper Moons, the most powerful demons in Muzan’s army, before moving on the head demon himself. All the Demon Slayer arcs in order, including the Infinity Castle trilogy: Unwavering Resolve Arc (Chapters 1-53, Demon Slayer Season 1) – Mugen Train Arc (Chapters 54-66, Demon Slayer The Movie: Mugen Train/Season 2) – Entertainment District Arc (Chapters 67-97, Demon Slayer Season 2) – Swordsmith Village Arc (Chapters 98-127, Demon Slayer Season 3) – Hashira Training Arc (Chapters 128-139, Demon Slayer Season 4) – Infinity Castle Arc (Chapters 140-183, Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle) – Sunrise Countdown Arc (Chapters 184-204, Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle) – 65 chapters might seen like a lot for three films to cover, but Demon Slayer has done a good job condensing the manga previously. Mugen Train turned 13 chapters into a two-hour movie, and in Season 2, the Entertainment District Arc was converted from 31 chapters to 10 episodes. Ufotable have proven themselves capable of making the right creative choices when deciding what to cut and what should be expanded. A trilogy of films gives them a chance to refine how Infinity Castle and all the fights are depicted, guaranteeing us some gorgeous, epic sequences. Where can you watch Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle? Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle will have a theatrical run first, before eventually moving to Crunchyroll. This follows previous seasons and Mugen Train. We don’t know the cadence of the three films yet, but when we know, you’ll know. Our upcoming anime list will keep you up to date on other franchises, and we have guides on Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 and Solo Leveling Season 2 for info on those as well.

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle movies worry fans because of what happened to Haikyuu!! CrunchyrollDemon Slayer: Infinity Castle is going to bring the anime to a close with an epic movie trilogy, adapting the entire Final Battle Arc, but fans have some concerns. Ufotable has decided to give Demon Slayer a truly grand finale by using the big screen for the climax of Tanjiro’s journey. Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle is adapting the manga’s last arc into three anime movies that’ll cover the fight to stop Muzan once and for all. The announcement has brought much excitement, but also trepidation. The manga has quite a few chapters to go, and fans are concerned about what’ll hit the cutting room floor, a bit like what’s happened to beloved sports anime Haikyuu!!. “My biggest concern is content. With the amount of manga chapters left there is about 11-12 hours of anime content and condensing that into five hours of movies seems like it will be an issue,” says one fan on Reddit. “I would have preferred another season or two and then cap it all off with a final movie that gets a theatrical release,” another user adds. “Trying to fit the remaining Upper Moon fights and Muzan into three movies… big yikes.” The wariness comes, in part, from Haikyuu!! The Dumpster Battle, and the fact that currently there’s only one more film planned in that franchise when we have so much more manga to go. Some fans are choosing to believe Ufotable won’t leave so much material on the table. “God knows what Production IG is doing to Haikyuu!!, condensing so much content into movies. But Ufotable is one studio that has earned the trust that they’ll handle these movies right,” a user states. A similar sentiment is shard regarding Attack on Titan. “This isn’t like Attack on Titan. It’s not up in the air, we know what we’re in for. People will lighten up after a release date and even more so after the first movie,” a comment adds. We don’t have a production timeline yet, but Ufotable has managed to be incredibly consistent with Demon Slayer, to the point a 2025 release seems relatively likely. We’ll keep you informed. In the meantime, our upcoming anime list will tell you what else you should keep an eye out for.

Demon Slayer fans torn over Infinity Castle movie announcement CrunchyrollDemon Slayer is getting a trilogy of movies for the fan-favorite Infinity Castle Arc, and fans are unhappy with the latest announcement. Demon Slayer is one of the most popular dark Shonen manga in the world. The anime is currently airing its fourth season, featuring the Hashira Training Arc. After the training is over, the Demon Slayer Corps will fight Muzana and the Upper Moons. The Infinity Castle Arc is one of the most popular arcs in Demon Slayer. However, instead of releasing a series, the entire arc will be covered in three movies. The Training Arc is one of the highest-grossing anime movies of all time. Hence, following its success, Ufotable look like they’re planning to go down that route again. The rumor about the trilogy surfaced last year, but most news accounts didn’t confirm it since it was a leak. There is still no official confirmation from the studio. However, it is almost certain that the trilogy is under development, according to another popular account. They said: “Kimetsu no Yaiba TV Anime will adapt its final ‘Infinity Castle Arc’ as a movie trilogy. “This information has apparently leaked from the visitor giveaways (now deleted) from Jump Victory Carnival’s website. We’ll keep updating this information.” They further clarify in a comment, “According to Japanese listings, the ‘Infinity Castle Arc’ terminology would include everything until the end of the series. We’ll be waiting until official confirmations and reports are given before conjecturing too much.” One fan shares, “I can say this with certainty. One after another, they will lose hype, and it’s kinda Demon Slayer’s fault. It all started with Mugen Train when manga movies became a thing. Then we had JJK0, Haikyuu is getting ones which I heard show much less then manga like I don’t get this.” “Demon Slayer about to have the three highest-grossing anime movies of all time,” shares another. Check out the release schedule of Demon Slayer Season 4 so you won’t miss out on an episode. If you want to know more about the characters, check out the powers of every living Hashira and our list of the saddest Demon Slayer backstories.

Demon Slayer creator gender-swaps main characters in “hilarious” drawing Koyoharu Gotouge/ufotableDemon Slayer fans are up for a “hilarious” treat as the manga’s creator has drawn gender-swapped versions of the series’ main characters. Mangakas usually add little titbits or funny segments as extras in manga volumes. Demon Slayer creator Koyoharu Gotouge did the same with some of his other acclaimed work. While some give us better insight into the characters, others are absolutely hysterical. In this instance, the author gender-swapped four of his main characters for one of the volume extras. First, we see Inosuke, who doesn’t look all that different from his usual appearance (sans his boar head, of course). It’s expected, yet Inosuke’s contrasting looks and personality never stop being funny. Next, there’s Nezuko. As expected, she looks very handsome as a boy. She also has a more serious look in her gender-swapped version. The last two pictures are where things get interesting. Zenitsu not only dons pigtails as a girl but also has freckles. Her eyebrows aside, it’s not all bad. Tanjiro, however, takes the cake as the most notable gender-swapped character. His girl version, ‘Tenko’, has everything changed aside from his hair and earrings. Tenko has thick eyebrows, small eyes, and protruding teeth. Needless to say, fans prefer the boy version after seeing this. One Reddit user wrote, “Tanjiro got done dirty.” “Poor lad… he was done dirty,” joined another, while a third said: “Why’d they do Tanjiro like that?” One user commented, “Does this mean Tanjiro is canonically ugly?”, to which someone replied: “I don’t think so. Daki did say he had pretty eyes. His fem version doesn’t look anything like him.” Another added, “Friendly reminder Daki called Tanjiro ‘ugly’ but with pretty eyes while Inosuke was called beautiful. So yeah… Our boy is ugly in the universe. So he and Kanao are pretty much cute wife, ugly husband dynamic lol.” Tanjiro may not look pretty as a girl but he’s all ready to take down Muzan in the upcoming Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle movie trilogy. Before the films come out, reacquaint yourself with the anime’s universe with our guides on every living Hashira and the Demon Slayer Corps.

Demon Slayer: Gyokko vs Muichiro is the most important fight so far CrunchyrollAfter witnessing the underwhelming true form of Gyokko, fans cannot help but be disappointed with how the fight turned out. However, there’s a reason why Gyokko vs Muichiro is the most important fight in Demon Slayer so far. As Demon Slayer Season 3 draws near its end, fans witness Mucihiro’s overwhelming power during his fight with the Upper Moon Five Gyokko. The youngest Hashira single-handedly defeated an Upper Moon Five, and it looked too easy. Fans have already witnessed the terrifying power of the Upper Moons Akaza and Gyutaro. One battle ended with Rengoku’s death, and the second battle ended with Uzui’s retirement. Therefore, fans were anticipating something thrilling when two demons attacked the Swordsmith Village together. Whether it is Gyokko’s true form or his easy defeat, fans have been continuously expressing their disappointment. However, the Gyokko vs Muichiro fight has a lot of relevance to the story. A brief summary of Gyokko vs Muichiro in Demon Slayer The fight between them begins when Muichiro tries to save the villagers. Their first encounter ended with Muichiro getting trapped in a water prison. As the young Hashira’s consciousness begins to fade, he remembers his father’s face, who had the same eye colour as Tanjiro. Muichiro then remembers his past he had forgotten because of a traumatic incident. He lost his twin brother because of a demon attack and was severely wounded. After the tragedy, Kagaya and his wife Amane helped Muichiro through everything. Because of his innate talent, Muichiro quickly rose to the ranks of Hashira. After remembering everything, Muichiro awakens his demon slayer mark and easily breaks from the water prison. After that, he again fights Gyokko and taunts the demon’s art. Gyokko soon realizes that he is no match against Muichiro and takes on his true form. The form is believed to be so dangerous that only three people, including Muichiro, have seen it. However, despite all the hype, Muichiro quickly decapacitates the demon. The fight was meant to hype up Muichiro and not the Upper Moon During all the previous fights with the Upper Ranks, the series has always focused on portraying the terrifying powers of the demons. However, Gyokko vs Muichiro was a battle that hyped up Muichiro Tokito, the only remaining descendant of the Tsugikuni bloodline. Since Yoriichi’s pregnant wife died because of a demon, he never remarried and continued his bloodline. On the other hand, Yoriichi’s brother Michikatsu who is now the Upper One Kokushibo. That makes Muichiro the only descendant of the Sun Breathing Technique. Furthermore, Muichiro is the first demon slayer to have awakened a demon slayer mark in the series. The entire hype around Gyokko vs Muichiro was to display the power boost one can gain after gaining this mark. Since demon slayers have always been at an unfair advantage against demons, the revelation of this power gives them hope of gaining the upper hand in the final battle. Furthermore, after Muichiro develops his mark, Mitsuri also develops it. This triggers the “Hashira Training Arc,” which is the last step before the final battle with Muzan and the remaining Upper Ranks. Demon Slayer can currently be streamed on Crunchyroll. In the meantime, check out our other anime coverage below: One Piece Void Century | One Piece Thriller Bark shadows theory | One Piece’s chapter 1085 | Kagaya Ubuyashiki abilities in Demon Slayer | Demon Slayer Thunder Breathing 7th form | The real villain in Hell’s Paradise | Naruto’s Best Rinnegan User | Luffy’s Gear 5 techniques | Naruto’s Infinite Tsukuyomi | One Piece Red Hair Pirates | Demon Slayer Season 3 Finale | Bleach vs Naruto | Naruto’s God Tree

Demon Slayer: Gyokko’s true form explained CrunchyrollThe recent episode of Demon Slayer features Gyokko’s true form, gathering mixed reviews from fans. Despite several comments about Gyokko’s true form being underwhelming, it is far from weak. As Demon Slayer Season 3 draws near its end, fans witness Mucihiro’s overwhelming power during his fight with Gyokko. The young Hashira single-handedly defeated an Upper Moon Five, and it looked too easy. As if Muichiro’s demon slayer mark wasn’t surprising enough, fans witness his tragic backstory that fueled Hashira’s determination to eradicate the demon. Furthermore, the taunting exchange between Mucihiro and Gyokko left the latter completely frustrated. As someone who takes pride in his art and creation, Muichiro’s mocking words forced Gyokko to unleash his true form. Delve deeper to learn more about Gyokko’s true form in Demon Slayer and why it shouldn’t be underestimated. Gyokko’s true form is a result of his technique Molting Transformation Gyokko can molt and transform into his real form, which is similar to a merman. Only three people, including Muichiro Tokito, have witnessed it. Gyokko has the same facial feature and muscular physique when assuming his true form. However, the most notable difference is his humanoid body covered in transparent scales similar to a fish. He also gains longer hair, black markings on various places around his body, webbed hands, a long tail, and a larger size. As an Upper Rank, Gyokko already has exceptional durability, which further amplifies after he takes his true form. His skin becomes layered in thick and hard scales that are noted to be harder than diamonds, making his body extremely fortified. Furthermore, whatever he touches is transmuted into fish. This makes him extremely dangerous to fight at close range. Gyokko’s true form allows him to use his most powerful technique, “Killer Fish Scales.” This technique requires Gyokko’s incredible speed to unleash a flurry of physical assaults from a great distance. This method is devastating enough to kill out most of the nearby trees. Demon Slayer can currently be streamed on Crunchyroll. In the meantime, check out our other anime coverage below: Underrated Zoro moments | Muzan Kibutsuji abilities in Demon Slayer | One Piece ending | Kagaya Ubuyashiki abilities in Demon Slayer | Demon Slayer Thunder Breathing 7th form | The real villain in Hell’s Paradise | Naruto’s Best Rinnegan User | One Piece’s Empty Throne | Luffy’s Gear 5 techniques | Naruto’s Infinite Tsukuyomi | One Piece Red Hair Pirates | One Piece Shanks’ twin theory | Bleach vs Naruto | Naruto’s God Tree | One Piece Straw Hats’ Dreams

Demon Slayer: Hashira Training Arc explained CrunchyrollDemon Slayer Season 4 is about to debut, and it will cover the Hashira Training Arc from the manga. The incredible story of Demon Slayer is far from over. As soon as Season 3 ended, ufotable confirmed Season 4 and a teaser featuring all the Hashira, confirming that next up is the fan-favorite Hashira Training Arc. The arc is featured in Chapters 128 to 136. However, because the material is lacking to make an entire anime season, the series will adapt scenes from the light novel. Before Demon Slayer Season 4 arrived on our screens, the franchise treated fans with To The Hashira Training, a compilation film released in more than 140 countries. The Hashira Training Arc is the last part of the story before the Final Battle Arc begins, so it’s an important part of the story to get right. Delve deeper to find out what will happen in the Hashira Training Arc of Demon Slayer. Warning: Major spoilers ahead! The plot of the Hashira Training Arc in Demon Slayer Demon Slayer: To The Hashira Training shows the living Hashira coming together to train the young demon slayers in order to prepare them for the final fight against Muzan. After Muichiro and Mitsuri manifest their Demon Slayer Marks during their fight against the Upper Moons, the Ubuyashiki Family and the Corps finally find a sliver of hope. After being at a disadvantage for so long, the demon slayers have a chance of overpowering those terrifying Upper Moons if they manifest their marks. However, the criteria to manifest this power is by no means an easy task. This is why the entire Demon Slayer Corps begins to train relentlessly under the guidance of the Hashira, thus commencing the Hashira Training Arc. The Hashiras are responsible for training their juniors as well as themselves. The Hashira don’t personally train anyone except for their successor Tsuguko. However, since the circumstances have changed, anyone ranked less than a Hashira must train under them. The training is divided into three parts. The first part is the hellish physical training under Tengen Uzui. Although the Sound Hashira retired after the “Entertainment District Arc,” he is still related to the Demon Slayer Corps. The second part involves flexibility training from Mitsuri and high-speed training from Muichiro. The last and most difficult part involves swordsmanship with Obanai, infinite strikes with Sanemi, and strength training with Gyomei. On the other hand, this training is also beneficial for the Hashira since they will spar against Corps members one after another, thereby enhancing their physical strength. The Hashira will also strive to create circumstances that can trigger the manifestation of their Demon Slayer Marks. Meanwhile, Mitsuri, Tokito, and Tanjiro, who already have marks, will train to maintain their “Mark Condition.” Two Hashira don’t take part in the training All Hashira, even the one who retired, were expected to train the demon slayers relentlessly to prepare them for the impending battle. However, Shinobu Kocho and Giyu Tomioka didn’t take part. It makes sense for Shinobu, who has a weak body and cannot decapitate a demon. She only relies on the poison she personally creates. Therefore, she won’t be able to help others in physical or swordsmanship training. Furthermore, during the Hashira Training Arc, Shinobu was preparing poison for the Final Battle. On the other hand, Giyu wasn’t a part of the training initially but joined later, thanks to Tanjiro’s relentless pursuit. Since they both trained under Urokodaki, Tanjiro wanted Giyu to teach him personally, but the latter denied it. The Hashira Training Arc will feature Giyu’s backstory and his friendship with Sabito. Although Giyu won’t give lessons to anyone, he will personally train with Sanemi. Check out the best anime like Demon Slayer, who is the strongest Demon Slayer, and our guides on Tanjiro’s Hanafuda earrings and how old is Nezuko for more from Tanjiro’s journey.

Does the Demon Slayer: To The Hashira Training movie have a post-credits scene? CrunchyrollDemon Slayer: To The Hashira Training movie was all the rage last month – but does it have a post-credits scene? Demon Slayer movie made its grand global premiere last month before the highly-anticipated Season 4, and treated fans with a special movie, which will be released in more than 140 countries. The Hashira Training Arc is the last of the anime show before the Final Battle Arc begins. As the Hashira and all the demon slayers train relentlessly for the final showdown, Muzan has set his sights on Nezuko and her ability to conquer the sun. With some emotional backstories as well as incredibly hilarious scenes, the series is already a fan-favorite. However, because it’s only nine chapters long in the manga, the movie and anime season will feature some scenes from the light novel. Now that the anime movie has debuted find out if it has a post-credits scene or not. Does the new Demon Slayer movie have a post-credits scene? Demon Slayer: To The Hashira Training movie doesn’t have a post-credits scene. However, the movie reveals the opening theme of the anime season. Titled “Mugen,” MY FIRST STORY and HYDE have collaborated on this incredible song. The opening introduces all the characters along with some foreshadowing that will take place in the anime season. The anime will debut in April 2024 with an hour-long first episode. MY FIRST STORY posted on X, formerly Twitter, a special message to fans on the day of the Japanese premiere: “MY FIRST STORY x HYDE’s collaboration song ‘Mugen’ has been selected as the opening theme song for TV Anime Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Hashira Keikō-hen, which will begin broadcasting on Fuji TV nationwide from spring this year!!” Apart from the opening theme, a special ending theme titled Shori no Meido – Kizuna no Kiseki & Nezuko Kamado no Uta REMIX is also included in the movie. The song is played with visuals of all the Hashira from the teaser announcement, as well as other characters. The movie hit Japanese theatres on February 2, 2024. It had a grand premiere in the USA on February 10, 2024. The movie was available in more than 140 countries from February 2 to March 7. Check out the best anime like Demon Slayer and our guide to who is the strongest Demon Slayer for more from Tanjiro’s journey.

Demon Slayer fans think one main character is underwritten Koyoharu Gotouge/ufotableDespite being widely beloved, Demon Slayer fans believe one main character hasn’t been served well by the writing in the manga. Nezuko is one of the most popular characters in Demon Slayer. Serving as the deuteragonist of the series, she’s the younger sister of Tanjiro and is turned into a demon at the beginning of the story. Since then, she’s been accompanying her brother on his journey. She’s one of the few shonen heroines who isn’t reliant on the protagonist in battles and isn’t used for fan service. Her relationship with Tanjiro is the core and one of the best parts of the story. But despite being strong, narratively important, and adorable, viewers still think that Nezuko is underwritten. Though she’s a main character and appears in almost every Demon Slayer arc, she doesn’t receive a lot of development. She mostly appears for lighthearted moments or battles. This doesn’t give her many opportunities to progress as a character. Instead, she’s become more of a mascot for the anime show. Fans have also pointed out her lack of personality. She had the potential to become one of the most interesting characters in the story, given her sad backstory and her status as a newly turned demon. However, the Demon Slayer author avoided any dark route for her, much to the complaints of his readers. One such fan shared on Reddit, “Nezuko. I like her, but I don’t think she has much personality. And the whole hypnosis thing takes away a lot from her character in my opinion.” Another added, “A lot of them, in my opinion, but I’m going with Nezuko. She just ends up being a plot point/cute mascot who gets underserved bullsh*t powers. For a main character, she seems truly underwhelming.” A third joined, “More development or better written? Nezuko, as is she is basically the cute mascot with deus ex machina conveniences,” while a fourth commented, “Nezuko has no character.” “I’m a big Nezuko fan but she doesn’t really have a personality, but that’s because she didn’t talk for like three and a half seasons. I feel like she should talk more and be a little bit more interesting,” another user wrote. Another Demon Slayer character fans believe is underwritten is the series’ antagonist, Muzan Kibutsuji. Many have complained about him being a one-toned character and an unimpressive villain for such a wonderful story. Muzan will face the living Hashira in the upcoming Demon Slayer Season 4 finale. Catch the final episode on Crunchyroll, and for more on the anime series, check out our explainer on all stages of Hashira Training, and find out Jujutsu Kaisen creator’s favorite Demon Slayer character.

Demon Slayer fans celebrate the “most underrated character” CrunchyrollAs Demon Slayer marches on, fans are starting to appreciate some of the finer details in the story. Particularly, one character without whom nothing would be possible. You may remember, when Demon Slayer started, Tanjiro encountered a man who warned him against going too far up a mountain at night. This one guy, who’s only ever appeared in the anime show once so far, indirectly saved Tanjiro’s life, spurring the entire narrative. As Demon Slayer Season 4 continues, adapting the Hashira Training Arc on our way to the final fight with Muzan, fans are recognizing this man from the first episode for the hero he is. Named Saburo, he’s been dubbed the “most underrated character” on Reddit, with a slew of tributes. “For real, that man saved the entire world because he didn’t want the child to be unsupervised,” reads one comment. “Man practically saved the world out of caution and kindness,” says another. More than one commenter can’t even recognize the man’s face, spurring the argument of just how under-valued he is to the overall fandom. Without Saburo, who knows what would’ve happened. Tanjiro could’ve been a demon victim, and we wouldn’t have the story we know and love. Tanjiro is the only full survivor of the attack on his family, which inspires him to join the Demon Slayer Corps. His sister, Nezuko, is partially turned into a demon, and he wants to find a cure. To do that, he has to join the efforts against all things demonic. Saburo put all of that in motion. He’s like the exact opposite of Muzan, a regular person whose protective and empathetic instincts preserve the light in a world that’s often vanishingly dark. Without giving too much away, you may see him again towards the end of Demon Slayer, too — but that’s for another arc. If you’d like to learn more about the franchise, we have breakdowns of every living Hashira and all six stages of Hashira Training.

Demon Slayer fans learn subtle detail about Muzan that makes them want Jujutsu Kaisen crossover CrunchyrollDemon Slayer Season 4 gave us a huge finale involving Muzan attacking the Demon Slayer Corps, and his presence has uncovered a particular fact that has fans wanting a crossover with Jujutsu Kaisen. After several years, the Demon Slayer Corps are about to face Muzan once and for all, something the Hashira have long been preparing for. Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle will depict the battle, a massive conflict between Muzan’s ranks and the slayers for the fate of mankind. A scene in the Season 4 finale has Muzan invoke his own abusive history, reminding Tamayo of how he possessed her in order to kill her family. A grim reminder of what we’re dealing with, a fan on Reddit posted about this scene reminding them of the five women Muzan settled down with only to drive them to die by suicide. This all occurred during the Heian era of Japan, from around 794 to 1185. Funnily enough, Sukuna, the big bad of Jujutsu Kaisen, was active during this period as well, and now people are wondering what a fight between the two would look like. “Muzan vs Sukuna would be interesting and at the same time boring,” says one fan. “I forgot Muzan was from the Heian era damn. Would he have been buddies with Sukuna or would they have hated each other?” another commenter muses. “If he talked shit to Sukuna he definitely wouldn’t have been, but if he stayed neutral and out of his way, they’d have no reason to care for each other, or even interact,” another fan responds. This is probably closest to the truth, since they’re singular demonic entities bound by different goals and rules. Sukuna is a curse who seeks to destroy the Jujutsu Sorcerers then live in eternal decadence and nihilism, whereas Muzan wants as much power and control as he can get. These objectives don’t need to overlap, and their enemies are operating in different spheres as well. That said, Sukuna would probably wipe out Muzan pretty easily, since the power-scaling in Jujutsu Kaisen is way wackier than in Demon Slayer. Really, there’s only one way to settle this for sure. Gege Akutami and Koyoharu Gotouge need to make a crossover. Ultimately, they’d be the winners, since this team-up would practically print money. While we wait for either show to return, check out our guides on Solo Leveling Season 2, Tower of God Season 2, and Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest.

Demon Slayer fans think the show could’ve ended much earlier with one small change CrunchyrollIt’s impossible to talk about modern shounen anime and not mention Demon Slayer. Boasting a huge following, the show has its fans engaging in various headcanons on a regular basis. One such headcanon some Demon Slayer fans have is that one small change to a character’s appearance could’ve ended the show earlier. Demon Slayer, written and illustrated by Koyoharu Gotouge, debuted in 2016 and successfully ran for four years before ending in 2020. The manga was already very popular and became even more so when it received an anime adaptation by ufotable in 2019. After three successful seasons and one record-breaking movie, we’re eagerly anticipating Demon Slayer Season 4. The Hashira Training Arc promises some of Tanjiro’s greatest tests yet. The fans of Demon Slayer are pretty active on the fandom and always discussing one conjecture after another. This new headcanon came from both their active imagination and their appreciation for Tanjiro’s earlier appearance. Demon Slayer could’ve ended earlier if Tanjiro kept his long hair A fan posted on Reddit that if Tanjiro kept his hair long like he had in the beginning, it would’ve changed the trajectory of Demon Slayer and ended the show much earlier. Their statement was supported by a lot of other fans who also claimed that Tanjiro’s long hair might’ve turned the series much shorter. According to them, Kibutsuji Muzan would’ve been triggered by Tanjiro’s long hair and might’ve had a heart attack after seeing him. Some fans joked that Tanjiro’s very sight would’ve triggered Muzan’s PTSD and caused him to run into the sunlight or cry for his Upper Moon demons to save him. The reason some fans think this is because of the similarities in appearance between Tanjiro and Yoriichi Tsugikuni. Yoriichi was the only person to have bested Muzan. In fact, Yoriichi completely overwhelmed Muzan and almost killed him at their first encounter. The encounter was so traumatizing for Muzan that his body still feared the very memory of Yoriichi after hundreds of years. If Tanjiro had kept his hair long, his first encounter with Muzan would have gone differently. Muzan would’ve cowered at Tanjiro’s appearance who would’ve looked even more similar to Yoriichi with his earrings and long hair. For all we know, the demon progenitor might have just run into the sunlight to spare himself from Yoriichi’s wrath. That would’ve cut Demon Slayer short for sure.

Demon Slayer fans pick the strongest old Hashira, with one clear winner CrunchyrollAmong Tanjiro and most of the other characters, Demon Slayer contains a few older heroes who offer plenty of wisdom. Fans have been discussing which one is the best, and the favorite is obvious. Demon Slayer‘s universe is a terrifying one, full of horrifying creatures. Surviving into old age isn’t guaranteed, and those who become Hashira in the anime show are taking on particular risk since they’re consistently facing horrendous threats. The few that do manage to reach their twilight years should be treasured. There are three prominent elderly slayers — Jigoro, Sakonji, and Shinjoru — and each of them have relatively vague backstories, leaving their overall abilities a mystery. Fans on Reddit have been discussing which one is ultimately the best, and Shinjoru is getting the most votes so far. The most powerful at his peak and one of the most well-trained Hashira, he seems a cut above at present. “Easily Shinjuro. He has knowledge about Sun breathing and he received complete training, whereas Kyojuro taught himself,” says one commenter. “Kyojuro’s dad obviously. His training must have been brutal,” says another. It’s contentious though. Shinjuro had a steep decline in his later years, and the others didn’t exactly slack, either. “In the past, Jigoro was the stongest hashira,” A user points out. “They even called him the ‘roar hashira’ because his lightning breath style was damn strong.” Jigoro has other fans, as well: “I would say maybe jigoro since he seems like he was a master of thunder breathing which seems like a very complex style. He is also older looking than Shinjuro.” I think the real point here is that if Ufotable is considering Demon Slayer spinoffs, there are three excellent candidates. We actually have a guide on the strongest Demon Slayer if you want to know the answer more broadly, and here’s how to watch Demon Slayer: To The Hashira Training, the recent compilation film, ahead of Season 4.

Demon Slayer: Every living Hashira and their powers UfotableDemon Slayer’s Hashira Training Arc will reveal the powers of the strongest Corps members — here’s a look at their abilities. Demon Slayer Season 4, one of the most highly-anticipated anime series of the year, is about to make its epic debut. The upcoming season will focus on the Demon Slayers undergoing vigorous training under each Hashira. After Mitsuri and Muichiro manifested their Demon Slayer Marks, the Corps realized that all Demon Slayers must learn that to fight the Upper Moons. Hashira are the powerhouse of the Corps and are respected by everyone. Hence, if they all awaken their marks, they will be even more unstoppable. However, after Rengoku’s death and Uzui’s retirement, the Corps only has seven active Hashira, which is a major loss for them. As we learn more about these powerful Demon Slayers, we’ve gone through all the Hashira, and their powers. 8. Insect Hashira: Shinobu Kocho Shinobu Kocho uses the Insect Breathing style. She doesn’t have the same physical powers as the other Hashira, as she’s the only demon slayer who can’t cut off a demon’s head. So, she makes up for it by creating poison using Wisteria. From the handle to just above the hilt, her katana is identical to any other katana. However, beyond that point, the blade is replaced with a rod. It only has a needle-like point that looks and functions similarly to an insect’s stinger and is infused with poison. Her breathing style is derived from Water Breathing, one of the five fundamental breathing styles. She has used four forms in the manga. 7. Sound Hashira: Tengen Uzui Tengen Uzui retired after his fight with Upper Moon Six Gyutaro, meaning he never manifested his Demon Slayer Mark. Even so, Uzui is one of the strongest characters in the series. He’s the only Hashira who uses two gigantic Nichirin cleavers. The blades feature a notch on the cutting edge and are kept together by a metal chain, similar to nunchucks. He derived his Sound Breathing from the Thunder Breathing Style. It combines Uzui’s heightened hearing (the Musical Score method he learned as a shinobi), dual Nichirin cleavers, and anti-demon bombs. 6. Love Hashira: Mitsuri Kanroji Mitsuri was gifted with heightened physical stats since birth. She trained under Rengoku and developed her love breathing style through his flame breathing. Furthermore, Mitsuri even manifested her Demon Slayer Mark in Season 3, which heightened her overall abilities. Mitsuri wields an extraordinarily thin, flexible, and long Nichirin sword that resembles a whip. Her superhuman flexibility allows her to wield her weapon freely without cutting herself in the process. Although she can use flame breathing, her main forte is love breathing that better suits her unqiue fighting style and katana. 5. Serpent Hashira: Obanai Iguro Obanai’s powers will be revealed in the Hashira Training Arc. He is partially blind in his right eye, so he developed a fighting style using his snake, Kaburamaru. The snake can read and foresee a target’s assaults before relaying that knowledge to Obanai. Obanai’s nichirin katana resembles an Indonesian Kris Sword, with the blade-shaped into waves simulating a crawling snake. His Serpent Breathing is derived from the Water Breathing Style. His fighting style includes Kaburamuru’s help and his use of twists and turns akin to how a serpent slithers to attack unexpectedly. 4. Mist Hashira: Muichiro Tokito Muichiro Tokito also manifested his Demon Slayer Mark in Season 3. The arc also revealed that he’s the descendant of a Sun Breathing user. Even so, Muichiro uses Mist Breathing, which is derived from Wind Breathing. It is breathing style Muichiro learned from a Mist Breathing cultivator. Muichiro is the most talented Mist Breathing user of his generation. He got so skilled at it that he even developed a new mist-breathing method that was crucial in beating Gyokko. 3. Water Hashira: Giyu Tomioka Giyu learned his Water Breathing Style from Urokodaki. Although Water Breathing has 10 forms in total, Giyu created an eleventh form, which he has only ever used. Water Breathing is one of the five styles directly derived from Sun Breathing. Hence, there has always been a Water Hashira since the creation of those styles. It mimics water, especially the flow, fluidity, and adaptability of the liquid, and copies it with the user’s actions, skills, and talents. 2. Wind Hashira: Sanemi Shinazugawa Demon Slayer: Hashira Training Arc will also reveal Sanemi’s powers for the first time. His Wind Breathing is one of the five styles directly derived from Sun Breathing. Sanemi learned and mastered with Masachika Kumeno after tutelage from an unknown cultivator. Wind Breathing imitates wind, particularly tremendous torrents of air and whirlwinds, through the user’s motions, techniques, and abilities. Most of the known techniques and forms include just offensive attacks. 1. Stone Hashira: Gyomei Himejima Demon Slayer: Hashira Training Arc will not only reveal Gyomei’s powers but also confirm that he’s the strongest Hashira. Because he is blind, he has sharp senses and excellent reflexes. Instead of a regular Katana, Gyomei wields a chained flail and axe forged of extremely high-quality iron that has absorbed a lot of sunlight. The metal’s quality is thought to be even higher than during the Sengoku Period, the golden age of Demon Slayers. Stone Breathing is also directly derived from Sun Breathing, which mimics earth and stone and replicates it with the user’s movements. For more from Demon Slayer, check out our list of things you should know before watching Season 4. We also have a list of the best anime like Demon Slayer, if you want other great anime to watch!

Demon Slayer fan goes viral for dumping girlfriend over Nezuko jealousy Unsplash / UfotableA Taiwanese man went viral on Facebook after revealing that he had dumped his girlfriend due to her jealousy of Demon Slayer character, Nezuko. The avid fan had a collection of figurines dedicated to the anime heroine. [jwplayer MvEjv9It] Demon Slayer was the breakout anime of 2019, and has since become a worldwide phenomena. The series has become so popular that its first theatrical film, Mugen Train, is on track to become the highest-grossing film of all time in Japan. However, one fan’s love of the animated series got him into hot water with his girlfriend who became fed up with his Nezuko figurines and threw out the collection worth over $3,500 USD. The man went viral after sending her packing. Man dumps girlfriend for mocking Demon Slayer’s Nezuko The anime fan’s plight was first discovered by the Demon Slayer community after he opened up about the whole ordeal in a Facebook post on November 10. According to the man, his girlfriend had bagged up all of his Nezuko figurines without his permission and threw them in the trash while he was away on vacation. While his partner claimed it had to do with them taking up too much space, the fan explained that she never liked his passion for the series. “I know you didn’t like [the figurines] when we first started dating. I’m an otaku who loves watching anime. I tried to cooperate with you and watch those less,” a rough translation of the essay reads. Tragically, he then revealed that he felt both “sad” and “pitiful” for enjoying his hobby. The man called his girlfriend out for being hypocritical for watching Korean dramas all the time and obsessing over famous actors. He also asked why they couldn’t just respect each other’s own tastes and preferences. #靠北女友787 我要來靠北趁我回老家兩天 而丟掉我珍藏老婆鬼化禰豆子模型的剛分手同居前女友 先不提那其中幾個模型陪伴我已久 妳知道妳丟掉的那一大堆我視作老婆的模型價值多少錢嗎？ 整整幾十萬啊！！！ 那都是我幾年來辛辛苦苦賺錢買來的 全被妳…Posted by 靠北女友2.0 on Tuesday, 10 November 2020 In the end, the Demon Slayer fan broke up with his partner after he discovered she had trashed his figurines which he spent years collecting. At the time of writing, it’s unknown whether the man has plans to re-buy more Nezuko merchandise. Originally written as a manga by Japanese artist Koyoharu Gotoge in 2016, the hit franchise has exploded in popularity after being adapted into an anime series by the renowned Studio Ufotable.

Demon Slayer fans are looking forward to the most unexpected friendship in the story Koyoharu Gotouge/ufotableDemon Slayer has many heartwarming friendships, but the one fans are looking forward to the most is also the story’s most unexpected. Giyu Tomioka and Sanemi Shinazugawa are among the most popular characters in Demon Slayer. They are the Water and Wind Hashira, respectively. However, despite their similar designations, they’re far from being friends. In fact, no one hates Giyu more than Sanemi (Obanai comes close). The Wind Hashira can’t stand the other’s gloomy nature and how Giyu always acts apart from the other Hashira. Unaware of its cause, he takes it as the Water Hashira’s arrogance. Giyu, on the other hand, acts indifferent to most things, including his fellow Hashira. However, under this, he genuinely craves friendship and doesn’t understand why Sanemi hates him. During the Hashira Training Arc, he admits to Tanjiro how he wants to befriend the Wind Hashira. However, when the final battle against Muzan (aka the Infinity Castle Arc) starts, there’s little time for making new friends. Warning: Spoilers ahead! While Giyu and Tanjiro have Akaza to face, Sanemi joins Gyomei, Muichiro, and Genya in fighting Kokushibo. What follows are only tragedies. Giyu and Sanemi are the only two active Hashira who survive the final arc. This, along with their shared grief at losing their comrades and loved ones, helps the two form a close bond. Towards the end of Demon Slayer, they’re shown eating in a restaurant together. Demon Slayer Corps has been disbanded, so they’re no longer part of the same organization. Former Sound Hashira Tengen Uzui even admits Sanemi doesn’t reply to his letters. So, it’s really surprising Sanemi chooses to spend his free time with Giyu, someone who he previously hated with gusto. It’s so out of their characters that it has fans intrigued. One such fan commented on Twitter/X, “I think it may have to do with them being the only two Hashira who took part in the final showdown with Muzan and survived it.” Another joined, “They definitely got to talking about their pasts and understanding each other. They had somewhat similar paths to becoming Hashira.” “Giyuu always wanted to be friends with Sanemi. It’s cute they were able to,” added a third. We’ll see both Giyu and Sanemi in their full glory in the upcoming Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle anime movies. However, we’ll have to wait more to see their friendship on screen as it doesn’t happen until the end of Demon Slayer. For more, check out our explainers on all stages of the Hashira Training and Shinobu’s plan for the demon who killed Kanae. You might also like our ranking of the saddest backstories in Demon Slayer.

Demon Slayer fans are surprised by how “devious” one character turned out to be Koyoharu Gotouge/ufotableKagaya Ubuyashiki is the gentlest man in Demon Slayer, so fans were surprised at how “devious” he turned out to be in the Season 4 finale. Demon Slayer ended Season 4 with a bang (literally). After Muzan Kibutsuji found the Ubuyashiki resident, he finally met Kagaya Ubuyashiki, the head of the Demon Slayer Corps, and his family. However, it turned out to be a trap, as Kagaya blew up his mansion, killing his wife, daughters, and himself, and severely injuring the demon. This gave Tamayo the opportunity to have Muzan absorb her fist and the medicine she was holding. Despite his noble sacrifice and unparalleled devotion to his subordinates, fans noticed Kagaya’s cunning side. Earlier, he invited Tamayo to work with Shinobu to create a medicine that can change demons to humans despite the former being a demon herself. However, contrary to everyone’s expectation, the invitation wasn’t for curing Nezuko but to use against Muzan. It seems Kagaya knew the history between the two and how Tamayo hated the demon king. He used her enmity in his favor and got her to sacrifice herself. Though it was for a noble reason, it was decidedly underhanded. As one Reddit user put it, “We all thought he wanted her to come to cure Nezuko. But Ubyashiki was more devious,” while another said, “Tamayo and Kagaya were probably cooking the most devious plan together with the most monotone faces.” “The fact that he asked her to join hands with Shinobu who literally concocts lethal poisons for demons should’ve been a huge hint,” commented a third. A fourth wrote, “I’m pretty sure Ubuyashiki knew Tamayo and Muzan had history. So I think he was saying like ‘So we wanna like blow him up to take him down….you in?’” Kagaya’s plan will finally come to fruition in the Infinity Castle Arc. For more on the beloved anime show, check out our explainers on every living Hashira and their powers as well as the stages of the Hashira Training. You might also like to know how to watch Demon Slayer in order.

Demon Slayer fans aren’t happy about Muzan’s latest appearance CrunchyrollDemon Slayer Season 4 Episode 7 finally features the highly anticipated moment when Muzan appears at Ubuyashiki’s doorstep. However, the scene has disappointed many fans. Demon Slayer Season 4 is finally nearing its conclusion. The Hashira Training Arc is just the calm before the storm. After this, the demon slayers will fight the Upper Moons and Muzan Kibutsuji. The final battle is divided into two parts: the Infinity Castle Arc and the Sunrise Countdown Arc. The special extended episode features Gyomei’s backstory and Muzan’s appearance in the Ubuyakishi household. From this point on, the Hashira Training Arc ends, as the finale will cover scenes from the Infinity Castle Arc and end the season on a major cliffhanger. Since this is the shortest arc in the manga, the anime includes scenes from the light novel to lengthen the story. Not only that, but the studio has greatly slowed the pacing. In the Demon Slayer manga, Muzan appears suddenly at Ubuyashiki’s doorstep. However, the anime features him walking for more than three minutes. Despite being the final villain, Muzan is not the fandom’s favorite baddie, and they don’t often think of him as highly as the Upper Moons. Ufotable tries its best to make him look amazing, but it attracts a lot of negative attention, with only a small part of the fandom appreciating it. One fan shares, “Ufotable really out here using Sapphire Shake presets in post-production.” “Ufotable is trying to give Muzan aura points so he’d stop getting sidelined by the upper moons,” shares another. Not only that, a number of animators are sharing the scene with all kinds of music. Here’s a popular edit: “Now this one is a good edit and not the repetitive unfunny Bollywood jokes,” shares one fan. Another complains, “The music made it better. I think the scene would be cooler if it wasn’t so long and dragged out. Ufotable stop with the Toei pacing.” If you want to know more about the characters, check out the powers of every living Hashira and our list of saddest Demon Slayer backstories.

Demon Slayer fans celebrate “perfect” transformation’s fifth anniversary CrunchyrollIt’s hard to believe Demon Slayer only came to our screens five years ago, and recently fans celebrated the anniversary of one of the first season’s biggest highlights. Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle is set to finish the anime show in the near future. One of the best anime of the current generation, Demon Slayer has come a long way from kicking off in 2019. The first season remains the longest, giving us some awesome fights and encounters. The extended battle against the Spider Family on Mount Natagumo is what gets the most attention, since Tanjiro, Zenitsu and Inosuke are all tested to their limits. Zenitsu is the one who’s got the spotlight recently, with viewers reminiscing over the fifth anniversary of his amazing transformation at the hands of the Spider Demon Son. In the show, Zenitsu gets trapped by the Son in a huge spider’s web. Increasingly agitated and anxious, he doesn’t handle the fight well, until he passes out and his subconscious takes over. His fugue state channels his Demon Slayer Corps training, demonstrating amazing agility, and in this instance, use of his thunder breathing. He unlocks the first form through a flashback to his days under Jigoro Kuwajima, and promptly rips through the Son in awesome fashion. Ufotable truly cooked with the scene, arguably the peak in a parade of spine-tingling sequences during that arc. Fans are in disbelief that it’s been so long, but they remain adamant about how good it was. “This scene is perfection, the backstory, the animation, the VA, the message, and, of course, the scoring,” says one response on X/Twitter. “My favorite transformation,” another replies. “By far my fave character in the series! Can’t wait for his fight in the infinity castle arc!” a third adds. Without spoiling anything, Zenitsu has a couple of moments still to come that cement him as far more than the coward he’s frequently portrayed as. Even the most fearful are capable of amazing things! We’re still waiting to hear about when we’ll see Infinity Castle. In the meantime, why not have a look at our guide to Demon Slayer in order to brush up on what happened and when?

Demon Slayer beats One Piece and Chainsaw Man in huge manga milestone CrunchyrollDemon Slayer has hit a big accomplishment in manga, overtaking none other than One Piece in doing so. There’s truly no stopping Demon Slayer. After spawning the highest-grossing movie ever in Japan, the anime show is about to take things up a notch in the Hashira Training Arc, where Tanjiro starts working towards becoming a Hashira. Away from the screen, the Demon Slayer manga continues accrue milestones. It’s been revealed that Demon Slayer was the highest-selling manga of 2023, beating Chainsaw Man in single volume sales and narrowly outdoing One Piece in overall numbers. Demon Slayer Vol 1 managed to stave off Denji with 148,468 copies sold, versus Chainsaw Man Vol 1’s 140,106. Both landed in the top 20 comics off the year, at 12 and 17, respectively. A fan totted up available data across all manga sales — combing through the top 750 books — to generate a ballpark ranking of the biggest franchises of 2023. Demon Slayer sits at number one, with over 2,000,000 books shifted, over One Piece, whose 103 volumes come to around 1,900,000 copies sold. A big victory for the Demon Slayer Corps over the Straw Hats, though staggering numbers from both. Not unexpected either, since Demon Slayer is in an easier position for new fans versus One Piece, where there are now 103 volumes of manga and over 1100 episodes of television. If you’re considering taking a jaunt to the high seas, check out our breakdown of the One Piece sagas. We can tell you how to watch The Hashira Training as well, so you’re up to speed on Demon Slayer.

Demon Slayer beats One Piece in major ratings, but it’s for one simple reason CrunchyrollDemon Slayer has crossed a huge milestone by surpassing One Piece’s rating on Crunchyroll, but there’s a very simple reason behind that. While One Piece is a shonen giant reigning over the anime industry for nearly three decades now, Demon Slayer is a comparatively new addition to the genre. Yet, its popularity has steadily elevated it to one of the most-watched anime shows in the world. Recently, the series has even managed to beat One Piece, which has a 4.9 rating on Crunchyroll with 520k votes. Demon Slayer has earned the same rating but has received votes from 523k users, thus surpassing the long-running shonen anime. But while this is an amazing feat by Demon Slayer, it’s not entirely surprising. One Piece has over 1100 episodes and has been running for 25 years now, whereas Demon Slayer is fairly new, having debuted in 2019, and has more active fans online. Besides, the daunting length of One Piece has many new viewers turning away from the anime. That’s not the case for Demon Slayer, which only has 56 episodes and one anime movie so far. This makes it a perfect show for beginners, adding to its growing fanbase. Many are even blaming the pacing of One Piece’s anime adaptation for this. As one wrote on Reddit, “The anime has horrible pacing. If you want to try out One Piece, I recommend reading the first few chapters of the manga.” “That’s correct. In anime format, Demon Slayer is superior to One Piece, but in the manga, it’s all the way around and it’s not even close. DS adaptation elevates the original material while OP downgrades it,” added another. A third commented, “Many people don’t watch One Piece because of its long episode count, so yeah, Demon Slayer gonna have more since it’s a perfect starter anime.” “It’s just sad that One Piece has to go through like 300 episodes to get a fight animated comparable to Gang vs UM6,” joined a fourth. Though a higher viewership or rating doesn’t always promise superior content, it does send a signal about audience perception. Maybe both shows will take pointers from it and make necessary adjustments. For more from the shonen genre, find out more about the Jujutsu Kaisen ending and the upcoming Elbaf Arc of One Piece. You can also check out our explainers on My Hero Academia ending and Demon Slayer’s Infinity Castle Arc.

Demon Slayer changed the anime industry by being so “high quality” CrunchyrollDemon Slayer is now easily one of the biggest anime franchises ever, spawning the highest-grossing film ever in Japan alongside the show, and the production company reckons it revolutionized the industry. Right now, we’re eagerly anticipating Demon Slayer Season 4. The anime show is about to return with the Hashira Training Arc, a calm before the storm as we enter the prolonged endgame for Tanjiro and the Demon Slayer Corps. Michiyuki Honma, President and CEO of Pierrot, the company behind Naruto and Bleach, described how the shonen anime changed the landscape [via Natalie]: “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba was a big turning point for the anime industry,” he states. “It was a high-quality work that took a lot of time and a generous budget to make, and it became a big hit when it aired, attracting people from a wide range of age groups.” He’s not kidding — sometimes it’s hard to remember that Demon Slayer only premiered in 2019. In just five short years, it’s become a dominant force in pop culture. “Before and after Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba was announced, I really felt that we had to change the way we create things,” he says. “Furthermore, other studios were releasing high-quality works on a similar scale. Japan has an environment where it can be watched on commercial television.” Given the runaway success Demon Slayer enjoyed, it’s not surprising to hear that other executives felt a call to action to match Ufotable’s standard. Ufotable had a long list of productions under its belt by that point, but nothing on the scale of ambition for Demon Slayer, making the explosion even more noteworthy. What heights will the series reach next? We can’t wait to find out! In the meantime, keep our upcoming anime list handy to see what other budding stars are on the way, and our guides to My Hero Academia Season 7 and Solo Leveling Season 2 will tell you all you need to know about their returns.

Demon Slayer has a confusing rule that even fans don’t understand CrunchyrollDemon Slayer has some pretty dense lore, from the history of the demons themselves to the slayers that right them, but there’s one thing fans can’t seem to work out. Now that we’re heading into Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, most of the rules around Muzan’s army and the Demon Slayer Corps have been pretty well defined. The time for establishing mythology is done, the real fight is about to kick off. That said, there’s one aspect of how demons approach the Demon Slayer Corps that continues to befuddle the audience, across readers and viewers. Namely, why do they always ask if slayers want to be converted as part of Muzan’s number? A Reddit thread has looked at the subject, listing several times a high-ranking demonic force had the opportunity to convert a slayer, and they asked politely first. Kokushibo did it to Gyomei, Sanemi, and Muichiro, for instance, likewise with Akaza for Kyojuro. Nobody’s quite sure why this is, although fans have some strong theories. “A person who is valiantly against the idea of becoming a demon would most likely get rejected by Muzan’s cells if forcibly injected into their bodies,” one comment stated, “but that might not be true though.” It could actually be about respect, as even demons have some reverence for the Hashira. “I don’t know about other demons but specifically Akaza would view doing that as disrespectful to someone like Rengoku,” a user said, another response adding: “Kokushibo asks multiple Hashira to become demons, and seems to begrudgingly accept their decision.” Another possible explanation is that if the person is an unwilling participant, they could become a truly unique adversary. “Every time a demon is created it has the potential to rise in ranks. If Akaza turned you without consent he just made a powerful enemy with nothing but time,” one comment explained. Then there’s a slightly nicer angle – even demons believe consent matters to some degree, and it’s all about respecting their opponent. “They just ask for consent because it’s cool to do so or it’s a demon’s honor,” a commenter wrote. The first part is probably the real answer. They ask first because a mortal enemy offering to convert a hero makes for a cool scene 100% of the time, and creator Koyoharu Gotouge knows that very well. Sometimes lore exists because it makes radical scenes more feasible. As we wait for more on the Infinity Castle movies, check out our guide on the Infinity Castle Arc and the Hashira Training.

Demon Slayer: Every character with a Demon Slayer Mark CrunchyrollIn the entirety of Demon Slayer, only a few characters are known to possess the Demon Slayer Mark. Here’s a look at all of them. All demon slayers have the potential to awaken the Demon Slayer Mark, and yet only a select few were capable of awakening it. It was pretty common during the Sengoku Era, the golden age of demon slayers. Yoriichi Tsugikuni passed down the Breathing Styles and the secret to unlocking the Demon Slayer Mark among his fellow swordsmen. This granted humans the ability to overpower even the strongest demons. They gained tremendous physical abilities and the power to see the “Transparent World.” However, the information was lost over time. Season 3 of Demon Slayer features Mitsuri and Muichiro awakening their marks, which helped them overpower the Upper Moons. This inspired the others to train and push past their limits as well. Delve deeper to find out all the known characters with a Demon Slayer Mark. Yoriichi Tsugikuni – Sun Breathing Style Yoriichi is the progenitor of Breathing Styles, born with a demon slayer mark, which means he never had to go under special training to awaken it. He was the user of the Sun Breathing Style and the first swordsman to ever use the breathing style. Being born with the mark, he possessed tremendous physical abilities granted by its effects all throughout his lifespan. His mark resembles crimson red flames spanning from the left side of his forehead to his cheeks and the side of his eye. Michikatsu Tsugikuni – Moon Breathing Style Michikatsu is Yoriichi’s twin brother, who later became a demon and rose to the ranks of Upper One Kokushibo. He is a user of the Moon Breathing Style, but because of his heritage, he developed a similar mark as his younger brother. However, unlike Yoriichi, Michikatsu’s mark covers a larger area from the left side of the forehead and the bottom of the right cheek, reaching down to the neck. Too afraid to die because of the curse, Michikatsu agreed to become a demon. He is also Muichiro’s ancestor, which explains why the Mist Hashira has always been so strong. Tanjuro Kamado – Sun Breathing Style Tanjuro was Tanjiro’s father, who was also born with a mark. However, despite being a user of the Sun Breathing Style, his mark was underdeveloped and looked more like a burn scar. Despite that, the power it granted Tanjuro was exceptional. Regardless of his frail body, Tanjuro was able to perform the Hinokami Kagura Dance for hours. He was also able to see the Transparent World. Tanjuro was always in a “Selfless State” without emanating any sense of drive, hatred, anger, fighting spirit, animosity or fear, even in dire situations such as his succumbing to his death or facing an enormous bear. Tanjiro Kamado – Sun Breathing Style Unlike his father, Tanjiro wasn’t born with a Demon Slayer Mark. However, he developed it in his childhood after protecting his brother from a boiling kettle. Tanjiro’s mark has evolved throughout the series. The transformation was when he went against the hand demon and hurt his head. Next, he developed the Demon Slayer Mark near the end of that battle, which enhanced his strength enough for him to sever Gyutaro’s head with his Nichirin blade. This mark became larger than the scar on his forehead. Finally, Tanjiro’s Demon Slayer Mark gets replaced with a permanent flame mark after the Hashira Training. Muichiro Tokito – Mist Breathing Style Muichiro is the Mist Hashira and a direct descendant of Michikatsu Tsugikuni. Being from a direct bloodline of elite swordsmen, Muichiro inherited their talents and became a Hashira two months after picking up his sword. In the third season of Demon Slayer, Muichiro single-handedly defeated the Upper Moon Five Gyokko. Because of awakening his mark, Muichiro easily overpowered the demon. His mark is in the shape of clouds on both sides of his cheeks and the left side of his forehead. Mitsuri Kanroji – Love Breathing Style Mitsuri, the Love Hashira, also awakens her Demon Slayer Mark during the third season while battling the strongest clone of Upper Moon Four Zohakuten. Already having tremendous physical abilities, Mitsuri further enhances her strength after gaining the mark. She is quick enough to evade Zohakuten’s attacks and keep him occupied until dawn. Mitsuri’s mark takes the form of two hearts upside down and opposite from each other with angel wings on both sides where the two heart tips meet that appear near her neck, close to her clavicle. Giyu Tomioka – Water Breathing Style Giyu Tomioka is the Water Hashira and a disciple of Urokodaki, his predecessor. He has mastered all ten forms of Water Breathing and even created an eleventh form all on his own. Even after serving as a Hashira for several years, Giyu believes it’s not his right to be there because of Sabito’s death. However, with Tanjiro’s help and after developing his Demon Slayer Mark, he seems to have let go of his guilt and inferiority complex. During his battle against Akaza, Giyu awakens his Demon Slayer Mark, resembling a fluid-water-like design on his left cheek. He can also use the Bright Red Nichirin Sword that renders even the most powerful demons incapable of healing. Gyomei Himejima – Stone Breathing Style Gyomei Himejima is the strongest Hashira in the Demon Slayer Corps. During his battle against Kokushibo, Gyomei awakened his Demon Slayer Mark. It takes the form of cracked earth fissure-like patterns on both of his forearms. Because Kokushibo believed in the curse of the mark, he predicted that Gyomei, who was well over 25, would die within a few hours of awakening his mark. Although Gyomei died after the battle with Muzan, he likely succumbed to injuries instead of being affected by the curse. Sanemi Shinazugawa – Wind Breathing Style Sanemi, the Wind Hashira, is another powerful character in the series. He awakened his Demon Slayer Mark during his battle against Kokushibo. His mark resembles a single paper origami windmill that is green in colour with two dots on both sides on his right cheek. After awakening his mark, Sanemi was able to fight against Kokushibo on equal grounds. During his battle with Muzan, he forcefully clashes his sword with Giyu, granting them both Bright Red Nichirin Swords. This granted him the ability to hamper the instantaneous regeneration of Muzan, which proved effective in the battle. Obanai Iguro – Serpent Breathing Style Obanai Iguro, the Serpent Hashira, awakened his Demon Slayer Mark during the final battle against Muzan. His mark has the form of three snake-like tattoo patterns with large dots stretching from his left arm to the left side of his chest. After awakening it, Obanai was able to land powerful sword slashes against Muzan despite being severely injured. He can use the Bright Red Nichirin Sword by putting all of his strength into gripping his blade, turning it bright red. Furthermore, Obanai had access to the Transparent World and saw Muzan’s twelve vital organs (seven hearts and five brains) for a split-second. Demon Slayer can currently be streamed on Crunchyroll. In the meantime, check out more anime coverage below: Underrated Zoro moments | Muzan Kibutsuji abilities in Demon Slayer | One Piece ending | Kagaya Ubuyashiki abilities in Demon Slayer | Demon Slayer Thunder Breathing 7th form | The real villain in Hell’s Paradise | Naruto’s Best Rinnegan User | One Piece’s Empty Throne | Luffy’s Gear 5 techniques | Naruto’s Infinite Tsukuyomi | One Piece Red Hair Pirates | One Piece Shanks’ twin theory | Bleach vs Naruto | Naruto’s God Tree | One Piece Straw Hats’ Dreams

Demon Slayer beaten to hilariously specific box office record CrunchyrollDemon Slayer has set some incredible box office records in Japan, but there’s one the franchise missed out on, thanks to none other than Bocchi the Rock. Demon Slayer is responsible for the highest-grossing movie ever in Japan with 2020’s Mugen Train. This year, Demon Slayer has the eighth highest-grossing film so far with the compilation movie To The Hashira Training. Among these plaudits, Bocchi the Rock has managed to sneak in to achieve something Demon Slayer overlooked. The new movie, starring the adolescent rock group Kessoku Band, went straight to the top of Japan’s box office this weekend, making it the first production with absolutely zero fresh footage to do so. Bocchi the Rock! Re:, a compilation film recapping the first 12 episodes of the anime show, opened on June 7, 2024, and it doesn’t contain a single scene that fans haven’t already seen. Thus, a record that’ll be tricky for other franchises to outdo has been set. The movie itself isn’t anything unusual. Anime regularly does recaps in movies and TV — My Hero Academia Season 7 had a four-episode recap before premiering — and sometimes they get limited theatrical runs. It’s the timing here that’s caused such an odd stir. Demon Slayer, for instance, always releases compilations before new seasons arrive. To The Hashira Training contained new scenes since Season 4 hadn’t started yet, and going to cinemas let fans get a preview before the season arrived properly. Bocchi the Rock! has done the opposite, recapping the first season after it’s over, with no teases on Season 2. A second film, appropriately titled Bocchi the Rock! Re:Re: is coming on August 9, so the future of the show could be teased there. Or Bocchi the Rock! will beat its own record, and Demon Slayer, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Solo Leveling will all join in, opening the floodgates on theatrical recaps. Keep an eye on our upcoming anime list for actual new releases worth looking out for.

Delicious in Dungeon Season 2: First trailer, plot details & more NetflixFantasy anime fans are in for a treat as Delicious in Dungeon Season 2 is coming soon – here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming anime. Delicious in Dungeon has been a pleasant surprise from the Winter 2024 line-up. Armed with expansive worldbuilding and likable characters, it brought us along for a rare adventure, where we’re not looking to defeat the demon king but to find weird gourmet dishes. The story follows the knight Laois Touden and his companions Marcille the elf, Senshi the dwarf, and Chilchuck the Half-foot as they explore the dangerous dungeons while learning more about food and forming bonds along the way. Based on the incredible manga by Ryoko Kui, the anime show has been praised for its unique story and balance between comedy and fantasy. It received overwhelmingly positive responses from viewers, too, and they’re looking forward to the second season. Is there a release date? As of yet, there has been no release date for Delicious in Dungeon Season 2 announced. The second season was confirmed right after the finale of Season 1. So, the sequel is already in production, but it’s difficult to guess when the final product will be released. Delicious in Dungeon Season 1 is exclusively available on Netflix, and it’ll likely be the same for Season 2. Upon its release, it’ll be available on the streaming giant. However, whether Netflix will be the sole platform is yet to be announced. Delicious in Dungeon Season 2 cast and crew However, there are some things we know. Like the first season, Studio Trigger is animating the sequel. Voice actors for the main characters will also return, with Kentarou Kumagai, Sayaka Senbongi, Hiroshi Naka, and Asuna Tomari portraying Laois, Marcille, Senshi, and Chichuck, respectively. Yoshihiro Miyajime is resuming his role as the director, with Yoshinori Mitsuda in charge of the music. Izutsumi and Thistle will have bigger roles in the second season, so we’ll hear more from their respective voice actors, Mitsuho Kambe and Yuu Kobayashi. Delicious in Dungeon Season 2 trailer The first trailer of Delicious in Dungeon Season 2 was released on June 13, 2024, the day the first season’s finale aired. The trailer teases the group’s new adventure as they set out to slay the Red Dragon and rescue Falin. It also gives us a brief look into the season’s antagonist: Thistle. Also known as “Sissel, The Mad Sorcerer, The Lunatic Magician”, he’s the creator of the Island’s dungeon. Aside from this, the rest of the trailer reveals nothing about the second season. Instead, it shows glimpses of certain moments from Season 1. What will happen? Delicious in Dungeon Season 2 will pick up from Chapter 53, the beginning of the First Floor Interlude Arc. Season 1 was 24 episodes long and adapted from the start until Chapter 52. This means every episode covered two to three chapters on average. Based on this, we can estimate that Season 2 will adapt the rest of the manga. But that’s only if the second season receives 24 episodes. If the upcoming anime sequel only has 12 episodes, like most seasonal shows, there’ll probably be another season after this. The manga still has seven story arcs left. If Season 2 adapts the rest of the story, it’ll cover the Dwarf City Ruins Arc, the Lunatic Magician’s House Arc, Thistle Arc, New Dungeon Lord Arc, Winged Lion Arc, and Falin Arc. If the manga ends up being 12 episodes long, then it’ll probably cover until the Thistle Arc, leaving the rest for a final season. For more upcoming anime, check out our guides on Sakamoto Days, Dandadan, Bleach Thousand-Year Blood War: The Conflict, and One-Punch Man Season 3.

Demon Slayer: All 6 stages of Hashira Training explained CrunchyrollThe brutal Hashira Training in Demon Slayer is divided into six stages, and we’ve broken down each grueling part off the process. The highly-anticipated Demon Slayer Season 4 has finally premiered. The Hashira Training Arc is the shortest arc in the story, focusing on the demon slayers trying to reach their maximum potential. The upcoming fight with the Upper Moons and Muzan Kibutsuji is unlike anything they’ve ever faced. Hence, it’s crucial everyone can tap into their maximum potential. The first episode is a one-hour premiere that focuses on the Hashira meeting as they reveal the history behind the Demon Slayer Marks. Additionally Muichiro explains the conditions required to manifest the mark. The purpose of the training is not only for the lower ranks to improve their strength but also to help the Hashira. The training has already begun, and it’s been hellish so far. However, the first episode only gives a glimpse of that, so let’s delve deeper into all the six stages of Hashira Training in Demon Slayer. Stage 1: Stamina Training Trainer: Tengen Uzui Uzui retired as a Hashira after his fight with Gyutaro. However, he still returns to train the others. The first stage of the training focuses on improving their stamina by running constantly at a high tempo. Uzui was disappointed with the way everyone was unable to keep up for long enough. Uzui was chosen for this stage because of his insane stamina, thanks to his background and his hellish training as a child. Stage 2: Rapid Movement Training Trainer: Muichiro Tokito By clashing swords with them personally, Mucihiro is teaching them how to loosen and tighten muscles more easily for greater body coordination by performing swings, among other things. He rose to the ranks of Hashira in a short time thanks to those abilities. It will also help the demon slayers remain vigilant throughout the entire battle. Stage 3: Flexibility Training Trainer: Mitsuri Kanjroi Mitsuri’s superhuman flexibility allows her to wield her weapon freely without cutting herself in the process. Hence, she’s the perfect Hashira for this stage. Her training is most unusual as well since she’s making the demon slayers wear leotards and dance non-stop to the beat of the music. They were also stretched by Mitsuri using her superhuman strength, so it must have been excruciatingly painful for them. Stage 4: Sword Skill Revision Training Trainer: Obanai Iguro This stage takes place inside a dojo where Obanai will attack the trainees with a wooden sword. Furthermore, the dojo is full of other demon slayers who are tied up to beams. The challenge is for the trainees to swing their swords while also avoiding the obstacles. Stage 5: Infinite Slashing Training Trainer: Sanemi Shinazugawa This is literally a beatdown session where Sanemi constantly slashes the trainees non-stop until they’re incapable of standing. Everyone wields a wooden sword, so they’re allowed to fight. However, none of them can hold their own against Sanemi, which is why it ends up being a beatdown session. While fighting the trainees, Sanemi also hopes to raise his body temperature and fulfill the conditions required for manifesting the Demon Slayer Mark. Stage 6: Muscle Amplification Training Trainer: Gyomei Himejima The final stage of the Hashira Training in Demon Slayer is definitely the most difficult one. The purpose is to stabilize the body with strong limbs for precise assaults and untiring defense. Hence, the trainee must first be able to bear the cold water of the mountain river’s waterfall, then carry three large logs of wood on their shoulders, and last push a massive boulder through a town. For more from Demon Slayer, check out our list of things you should know before watching Season 4. You can find out why Shinobu and Giyu aren’t in the training, as well as our look at the saddest Demon Slayer backstories.

Demon Slayer: All 7 forms of Upper Moon Four Hantengu explained CrunchyrollDemon Slayer’s Swordsmith Village arc features the demon slayers going against two Upper Moons simultaneously. However, the Upper Moon Four Hantengu proves to be a real challenge when he makes powerful clones with varying abilities. As the Demon Slayer Season 3 draws near its end, fans are almost familiar with the powers of Upper Moon Four Hantengu. Although Muichiro has defeated Gyokko, Hantengu is still giving demon slayers a difficult time. He fights using the many clones he manifests from his emotions. He has seven personalities: Hantengu, Sekido, Karaku, Aizetsu, Urogi, Zohakuten, and Urami. All these personalities have different abilities, each extremely strong. Because they originate from an Upper Moon Four, these clones cannot defeat easily. It takes the combined strength of Tanjiro, Genya, Mitsuri, and Nezuko to defeat this monster. Delve deeper to learn more about the different forms of Upper Moon Four Hantengu in Demon Slayer. Hantengu: The manifestation of cowardice The persona of Upper Moon Hantengu’s primary form is one of intense cowardice and anxiety. He exhibits paranoid, terrified, and delusional characteristics and is easily alarmed by what happens around him. He consistently displays cries of fear in response to even the most insignificant events. This form allows Hantengu to manifest his emotions and make them appear like the younger versions of himself due to his Blood Demon Art. A kanji on each clone’s tongue designates the main emotion that it personifies. These clones, each of which has a unique appearance, set of skills, and arsenal, all have at least Upper-Rank caliber strength, and all seem to be younger versions of Hantengu. When Hantengu’s head is severed, his Blood Demon Art is triggered, and Hantengu’s body and head split into two identical clones: one that personifies rage and the other that personifies joy. Sekido: The manifestation of anger Sekido is the manifestation of Upper Moon Hantengu’s anger, and as such, he portrays emotions of constant vexation, irritation, and rage — even towards his fellow clones. He was easily enraged when the clones fell short of his expectations and were defeated by the Demon Slayers. Sekido’s Blood Demon Art, “Electricity Generation”, allows him to generate electricity that flashes blue and red. He stabs his Khakkhara into the surface to activate this power, typically the ground. His electricity is so strong that it paralyses its targets in an instant, even if they are in midair, and renders them unconscious in a matter of seconds. His Blood Demon Art has a broad area of effect, enabling him to take down several opponents simultaneously. Sekido also has the ability to draw in and absorb the bodies of Karaku, Urogi, and Aizetsu, fusing to become Zohakuten. Karaku: The manifestation of pleasure As the embodiment of Upper Moon Hantengu’s pleasure, Karaku demonstrates his carefree and easygoing nature. While battling them, he continuously complimented Genya, Tanjiro, and Nezuko, treating it more like a game than anything else. Karaku’s Blood Demon Art, “Wind Blasts”, allows him to generate powerful gusts of wind using his maple leaf-shaped Uchiwa. Karaku can create a gale of wind powerful enough to instantly knock Muichiro unconscious, cause enormous craters, destroy an entire building, and crush Demon Slayers and demons alike under its tremendous pressure by merely swinging his Uchiwa down. Using his Blood Demon Art strategically, he can hit the entire battlefield with powerful wind gusts, making it difficult for his opponents to move around, similar to being in a tornado. However, Nezuko proves that this ability can be used against him by anyone who has possession of his Uchiwa. Aizetsu: The manifestation of sorrow As the manifestation of Upper Moon Hantengu’s sorrow, Aizetsu portrays dejection and negative emotions, constantly describing everything as depressing. Out of all the manifestations, he is the calmest since he analyses his opponents and thinks out his strategy against his opponents instead of bickering with the other clones. Aizetsu has some degree of control over the capacity to change his flesh, much like all demons. With the help of this ability, Aizetsu can transform his flesh into a Jumonji Yari – a spear in the shape of a cross. His Blood Demon Art, “Spear Projection”, allows him to project the thrusting attack of his Yari over great distances, enabling him to attack his targets from a distance. Aizetsu was unfazed when Genya used a shotgun that fired Nichirin steel shot to break his neck. He even managed to attack while still keeping his head intact and mending his neck easily. Urogi: The manifestation of joy Urogi is the most cheerful of Upper Moon Hantengu’s clones since he is the embodiment of Hantengu’s joy. Just like Karaku, Urogi seems to view the entire battle with the Demon Slayers as nothing more than a game or a form of amusement. Urogi’s unique physiology enables him to acquire bird characteristics and skills, including huge feathered wings and extremely sharp claws. His enormous wings allow him to fly at incredible speeds, and his talons are strong enough to cut through diamonds. Urogi’s Blood Demon Art, “Sonic Scream,” allows him to generate powerful sound waves from his mouth. Urogi’s scream has enough power to temporarily knock Tanjiro out of his senses, causing him to experience bleeding from his nose and ear. Zohakuten: The manifestation of hatred Since Zohakuten is created by Sekido consuming the other clones, they both share similar personality traits. He is the most powerful out of all Upper Moon Hantengu’s clones. He was incredibly foul-mouthed, just like Sekido, as seen by the constant insults he directed at his opponents. Out of all the clones, he is also the most intelligent and insightful, aside from Sekido. Zohakuten’s main Blood Demon Art, “Wood Manipulation”, allows him to manipulate and alter wood from the flora in his surroundings. This ability is triggered by tapping one of the many drums on his back. Wood Manipulation is suited for both long-range and close-range combats. As a result of combining Sekido, Karaku, Aizetsu, and Urogi, Zohakuten is able to employ all four of their clones’ Blood Demon Arts to a significantly greater degree. Not only can he use those abilities, but he can also transfer them to the wood dragon he created. Urami: The manifestation of resentment As the manifestation of Upper Moon Hantengu’s resentment, Urami is just as hypocritical and delusional as Zohakuten and Hantengu. He refers to himself as weak and innocent, all the while blaming Tanjiro for not seeing his innocence. Urami resents the fact that he was punished and persecuted for crimes that he was “innocent” of. He has the power to drastically grow his size, allowing Hantengu to hide inside him in a last-ditch effort to escape the Demon Slayers. Urami’s Blood Demon Art, “Ability Combination”, allows him to utilise the other clone’s Blood Demon Arts. Though it hasn’t been mentioned, Urami used Urogi’s sonic scream ability to stun Tanjiro, Nezuko, and Genya. Demon Slayer can currently be streamed on Crunchyroll. In the meantime, check out our other anime coverage below: One Piece Void Century | One Piece Thriller Bark shadows theory | One Piece’s chapter 1085 | Kagaya Ubuyashiki abilities in Demon Slayer | Demon Slayer Thunder Breathing 7th form | The real villain in Hell’s Paradise | Naruto’s Best Rinnegan User | Luffy’s Gear 5 techniques | Naruto’s Infinite Tsukuyomi | One Piece Red Hair Pirates | Demon Slayer Season 3 Finale | Bleach vs Naruto | Naruto’s God Tree

Surprise anime beats Demon Slayer and MHA on Netflix in one country CrunchyrollDemon Slayer and My Hero Academia might be the biggest releases of this season, but a new anime has already beaten them by topping the TV rankings on Netflix Philippines. This new anime is none other than Kaiju No. 8, another major release of Spring 2024. Though Demon Slayer and My Hero Academia are the top contenders for the best anime of the season in many lists, Kaiju No 8 has slowly but surely become a fan-favorite. The new anime premiered on April 13, 2024, and already has released seven episodes. Upon its release, the show received a positive response from viewers who found the concept interesting and the animation and pacing enjoyable. After My Hero Academia Season 4’s premiere on May 4 and Demon Slayer’s on May 12, the popularity of Kaiju No. 8 might have taken a hit. But Netflix Philippines’ ‘Top 10 TV Shows’ list indicates there is a loyal fanbase for the show, with many preferring the new monster anime to MHA and Demon Slayer. This isn’t completely unexpected as Demon Slayer Season 4 has been receiving criticism for infusing anime-only scenes in this season. Similarly, MHA has also had some flak from the viewers for its pacing, though My Hero Academia Season 7 is yet to get similar complaints. These little setbacks have allowed Kaiju No. 8 to rise to its potential in the Philippines. However, in the USA and most other countries, Demon Slayer and MHA are still dominating everyone’s watchlist. Fans of Kaiju No. 8 are pretty happy now that the series is getting its due credit. As one user on Reddit puts it, “Let’s go!!! That’s how it should be!” Another joins, “The power is growing!!!”, with a third adding, “And some still say the show isn’t a hit…” The ranking on Netflix Philippines proves that Kaiju No. 8 is worth checking out. However, the anime is not available on Netflix in every region, only in a select few countries. Apart from Netflix, all three shows are also available on Crunchyroll. Enjoying this season’s releases? Check out our articles on every living Hashira, 6 stages of Hashira Training, best anime like Kaiju No. 8, best Quirks stolen by All For One to know more about them.

Demon Slayer anime reaches huge sales milestone CrunchyrollDemon Slayer’s popularity continues to rise even a few weeks after Season 4 ended, as the anime reaches a huge sales milestone. Demon Slayer ended its latest season with a major plot twist as Muzan arrives at the Ubuyashiki mansion at the end of the Hashira Training Arc. Characters train relentlessly to awaken and maintain the Demon Slayer Marks to get strong enough for the final battle. However, in the final episode, the mansion blows up, killing Kagaya, his wife Amane, and their two daughters. However, that’s only the beginning of the tragedy. The story will be continued in Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, a movie trilogy to finish the show instead of another season or two. Fans are torn over the announcement, but anticipation has grown since the Season 4 finale. Recently, the Demon Slayer anime crossed a huge sales milestone as it now has over 3 million Blu-ray/DVD copies in circulation. According to a popular account on Twitter/X, “The Blu-ray/DVD sales of ‘Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba’ has 3 million copies in circulation: – Anime: 940.000 copies – Movie: Mugen Train: 1.990.000 copies – Live Event series: 73.000 copies – One fan shares, “Insanity… and they still have Infinity Castle trilogy incoming, they really gonna make an insane amount of money.” “Insanity! Ufotable really hit the jackpot with this. No wonder why it seems like the anime has an unlimited budget,” shares another. Another fan also shares, “I remember that Mugen Train sold 1 million in its release week alone, surpassing Frozen 2’s record! The achievements of this film are unbelievable! I’m curious to see how Infinity Castle will do!” Alongside physical releases, Demon Slayer is also available to stream on Crunchyroll. If you’d like to know what else is going on in the world of anime and manga, check out our upcoming anime list and guides on Jujutsu Kaisen Chapter 266 and One Piece Chapter 1123.

Why Death Note is the greatest anime of all time NetflixIn the world of anime, there are childhood classics like Pokémon and Naruto, and then there’s Death Note. Since Death Note premiered in 2006, the series has solidified its status as a cultural icon, earning the Animation of the Year (2007) award at the Tokyo Anime Awards and a spot on IMDb’s Top 250 TV Shows list as rated by users. In fact, Death Note is so popular that it has spawned multiple adaptations worldwide, ranging from light novels and video games to a live-action movie on Netflix (which we don’t talk about) and even a musical. Still serving as a gateway for many newcomers into the world of anime, almost 20 years after its debut, Death Note continues to hold a special place in fans’ hearts – here’s why. What’s Death Note about? If you’re part of the unfortunate few who’ve never watched the series (or the fortunate, who watched it so long ago they don’t remember enough about it), here’s a quick recap: The story follows Light Yagami, a highly intelligent but relatively normal high school student who discovers a mysterious notebook one day after class – the Death Note. This notebook belongs to the shinigami (basically a Japanese death spirit, similar to the Grim Reaper) Ryuk and grants the user with the supernatural ability to kill anyone whose name they write in the pages. However, the Death Note has five rules the user must adhere to: The human whose name is written in the pages will die. – This note will not take effect unless the writer has the victim’s face in their mind when writing his/her name. Which means that people sharing the same name will not be affected. – If the cause of death is written within the next 40 seconds of writing the person’s name, it will happen (for example, they will step in front of a train or fall off a high building) – However, if the cause of death is not specified, then the person will die of a heart attack (in other words, natural causes) – After writing the cause of death, details of the death must be written in the next six minutes and 40 seconds. – Now you’re familiar with the rules, let’s continue. With the Death Note in his possession and Ryuk at his side, the series follows Light as he goes on a killing spree and we watch as he devolves into an egomaniacal murderer under the alias Kira (meaning killer). Initially, the idealistic teenager Light simply wanted to create a utopia by ridding the world of criminals. However, as the proverb says, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. And, as we discover in the series, it’s a short road to tread. As the death toll mounts, expert detective Ryuzaki (who hides behind the name L) takes over the Kira case, initiating a captivating battle of wits that gripped fans for 37 episodes and the years that followed. Why is Death Note so popular? Death Note stands apart from many other anime in the Shonen genre because it doesn’t need to rely on fast-paced action scenes to keep the audience hooked. Instead, the cat-and-mouse battle of wits between Light Yagami and L cements the series’ status as one of the most memorable anime (and TV series) of all time. Why? Because there’s no way of guessing what’s about to happen next. With top-notch writing by Tsugumi Ohba, there’s a sense that the anime is always one step ahead, and the viewer is the one who can’t look away for fear that they’ll lose the intricate thread weaving the story together. Our main character, Light Yagami, also differs from typical anti-heroes that we see in Western fiction. This is because he’s extraordinary from the start. With unrivalled intelligence, his methodical nature and planning skills fuel this extraordinary tale about moral ambiguity. And although exploring the “the ends justify the means” concept reflects many other stories from the same genre, with the series drawing comparisons to Showtime’s Dexter, Death Note proves unmatched for viewer suspense maintained from start to end. The relationship between Light Yagami and L forms the crux of the series, and the constant need for each character to outsmart the other helps to keep viewers engaged. One of the best elements to Death Note is how the series conveys the intricate thought processes of Light and L, often through internal monologues and a shift in the color palette, adding depth to the narrative. While Death Note does have its flaws (mainly a dip in quality towards the end of the series), it doesn’t detract from the rollercoaster of heart-stopping thrills that the earlier episodes provide. It’s safe to say that the compelling narrative, complex characters, and exploration of morality make it a cultural touchstone and its far-reaching influence is a prime example of the butterfly effect in storytelling. Additionally, the memorable opening theme of Death Note (‘The WORLD’ by Nightmare for the first 20 episodes, and ‘What’s up, people?!’ by Maximum the Hormone for the rest) adds to its allure, setting the tone for each episode and further immersing viewers in this extraordinary fantasy world. The opening’s visual elements, layered with meaning, make it perfect for seasoned fans and newcomers to the world of anime alike. Why Death Note is the greatest anime of all time There’s no wonder why so many fans (and outsiders) in the world of anime hold Death Note as one of the greatest of all time. Its intelligent storytelling, memorable characters, and thought-provoking themes has resulted in a unparalleled masterpiece which anime series to come will struggle to replicate. And its exploration of morality, ambition, alongside the battle of wits between Light Yagami and L has solidified its position as a pop-culture icon. Almost two decades since its debut, it continues to captivate audiences from all generations around the world. This supernatural crime thriller deconstructs (and then reconstructs) all society ingrained expectations about morality that keeps it fresh for newcomers to anime and fans alike. Which is why Death Note is the (almost) undisputable greatest anime of all time. So if you haven’t watched Death Note (streaming in 2023 on Hulu and Crunchyroll US), what are you waiting for? It’s one of the few series that will always live up to the hype. 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 below: 10 best horror anime series to watch this Halloween | Highspeed Etoile: Everything we know so far | Top 5 mangas getting anime adaptations in 2024 | One Punch Man Season 3: Everything we know | Dragon Ball Daima: Everything we know | 5 anime to watch if you like Death Note Please note that if you click on a product link on this page we may earn a small affiliate commission.

Death Note musical coming to stage in English this year The Death Note musical is one of the more popular anime-based musical shows, and now it’s on its way to Europe with an English-language version. Death Note, originally written by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata, is one of the most popular and iconic manga and animes out there. So much so, it’s had a live-action Netflix film, Simpsons parodies, and even an upcoming show from Stranger Things‘ Duffer Brothers. And now, the story is set to take to the stage, as a musical adaptation is coming to the west this year, with an English translation. Death is coming to the stage in London It has now been revealed that Death Note: The Musical will make its English premiere at the London Palladium this year. The musical has been out for a few years in Japan and Korea, which has led to acclaimed productions, and it has already had an English dub, which is available to watch online. But now, this Winner of Best Musical at the Korea Musical Awards is now set to be performed fully in English, with its continued score by Frank Wildhorn (of Jekyll & Hyde and Bonnie & Clyde fame) with lyrics by Jack Murphy and book by Ivan Menchell. As it is based on the best-selling manga and anime, the plot of the musical is as such: “Tired of living in an unjust world where criminals run rampant, student Light Yagami stumbles upon a notebook. Dropped by a Shinigami, the book holds the ability to kill a person just by writing their name.” This concert production will be directed by Nick Winston and produced by Carter Dixon McGill Productions, along with Indie Theatrical. The production will also involve: Associate director and choreographer Alex Sarmiento – Musical director Chris Ma – Musical supervisor Katy Richardson – Orchestrator Jason Howland – Costume designer Kimie Nakano – Designer Justin Williams – Lighting designer Ben Cracknell – Sound designer Ben Harrison – Casting by Harry Blumenau – Artwork by Rebecca Pitt Creative – When will the Death Note Musical be performing in London? Death Note: The Musical will play the London Palladium, on August 21 and 22, 2023. So there isn’t much time for you to grab tickets, especially as they go on sale from June 2, 2023. The performances are set to be star-studded concerts, and if you want a taste, the musical’s lyrics have actually already been translated into English since 2015, which you can listen to in full here. The Death Note anime is currently available to watch on Crunchyroll. You can check out our other anime coverage here.

Death Note: The anime behind the Duffer Brothers’ live-action series, explained Viz MediaDeath Note has been a point of interest since the Duffer Brothers, the creators of Stranger Things, announced they were planning a live-action series. But what is Death Note? Recent news has broken about the Duffer Brothers forming their own production company called Upside Down Pictures. With Netflix, they plan to develop more projects both inside and outside of Hawkins. One of these productions will apparently be a live-action Death Note series, which has piqued some interest and sparked some worry. Fans of Stranger Things may wish to follow everything that the Duffer Brothers create, but may not be familiar with Death Note – though it is as similarly tense and spooky as Stranger Things. So perhaps you want to know what Death Note is about without having to watch the whole series? Well, first off that’s a massive shame, as Death Note is considered to be one of the greatest anime of all time. But eh, that’s your choice. So here it is, a simplified history of Death Note. Like death itself, Death Note has taken many forms Death Note – often stylized in all caps as “DEATH NOTE” – is a Japanese manga series originally written by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata. The series was initially created due to Tsugumi Ohba’s desire to create a suspense series, since mainstream manga had very few suspense stories in circulation. The comic was originally expected to be a one-shot story, but due to its immediate positive feedback, Death Note became a serialized manga. It ran weekly in the magazine Shōnen Jump from December 2003 to May 2006, spanning 108 chapters. As of April 2015, Death Note had over 30 million copies in circulation. A 37-episode anime television series adaptation was then produced by Madhouse Studio and directed by Tetsurō Araki, which ran from October 2006 to June 2007. The series is arguably what really pushed the franchise into becoming the global sensation that it is today. Now, the franchise has included many forms. There was a light novel written by Nisio Isin in 2006. Multiple spin-off series – such as 2016’s Death Note: New Generation – were created, and various Nintendo DS games were released, as were three (arguably forgettable) live-action films, which premiered in Japan from June 2006 to February 2008. There’s even been a (surprisingly pretty good) musical. Probably the most memorable take on this series to many of you is Netflix’s live-action 2017 movie, which starred Alex Wolff, and is widely considered to be terrible. Understandably, this has made some Death Note fans apprehensive about the Duffer Brothers’ upcoming attempt. What is the plot of Death Note? The story follows Light Yagami, a disaffected teen genius who lives in Tokyo. One day, he discovers a mysterious notebook called, you guessed it, the “Death Note.” As the name explains, this book has the power to kill anyone whose name is written in it, as long as the writer knows the victim’s full name and face. Turns out this Death Note belongs to an otherworldly being, a Shinigami named Ryuk. He appears to Light – though is invisible to everyone else – and explains that he dropped the notebook into the human world out of boredom, to see if anyone would use it. The series centers around Light’s attempts to use the Death Note to carry out a worldwide massacre of criminals, in order to create a crime-free utopia, but in the process he becomes very much like the psychopaths he initially set out to destroy. The series also covers the world’s reaction to Light’s actions. The media cottons on to the fact that someone is behind the mass string of deaths, and Light is sensationalized into a God-like figure, named “Kira,” aka “キラ,” the Japanese transliteration of the English word “killer.” Cults arise from Kira, successors are born, and the authorities attempt to put a stop to Kira’s actions. Or at the very least, discover who he is. The person put in charge of this mission is the odd and enigmatic consulting detective, known as L. L is able to deduce that Kira is located in Tokyo, and after outsmarting Kira on a live broadcast, Light vows to find out L’s real name, in order to kill him. Other characters are introduced, such as the adorable yet clingy actress-model Misa Amane, who has her own Death Note, along with other supernatural powers. But this article won’t discuss anything further, lest we really start dipping into spoiler territory. While the story arguably dips in quality as it nears its end, the series is a masterclass of showcasing two mastermind characters going head-to-head. The cat and mouse game L and Light play is akin to that of Sherlock and Moriarty, and the story’s themes of justice and morality lead the narrative on a whirlwind of twists and turns. The thematic impact of Death Note Death Note has something of an amazing legacy, for both good and bad reasons. Its many adaptations alone show how influential the show has been. The story has often been praised for its dark take on the theme of justice and playing God, and its gothic biblical imagery made it a haven for the emo kids of the early 2000s. That last statement cannot be understated: the characters of L and Misa are still seen as emo icons to this day. Because of its dramatic edge-lord essence, the franchise has occasionally been mocked, albeit lovingly. It’s hard to hate even the most melodramatic aspects of the show, as these moments always manage to be incredibly memorable. For example, who will ever forget the “I’ll take a potato chip… and EAT IT” scene? Let’s see the Duffer Brothers try to recreate this. Death Note is something of an enigma, one that hasn’t really been able to be captured in live-action. We can only hope that the skilled imaginations of the Duffer Brothers will lead to an exception.

Delicious In Dungeon anime releases episode 1 preview Studio TriggerThe anime adaptation of fantasy comedy series, Delicious In Dungeon, has released a taste of what’s to come. Delicious In Dungeon’s anime adaptation is set to debut in Japan on January 4. But, to get everyone’s mouths watering, the series served fans with a preview for its first episode. Based on Ryoko Kui’s best-selling manga series of the same name, Delicious In Dungeon won the hearts of fantasy fans everywhere with its hilarious (and delicious) take on the genre. So, if you’re gearing up for a Winter season filled with dungeon exploration, terrifying monsters and tantalizing – if a little unorthodox – recipes, here’s a sneak preview of what’s to come. Delicious In Dungeon episode 1 preview On December 29, Delicious In Dungeon released a 26-second glimpse at its upcoming episode. Check it out below. The short teaser features main character Laois, the fire-breathing dragon who swallowed his sister, and the rest of his dungeon raiding party. If you’re not familiar with the story, you can check out our in-depth guide with everything you need to know about Delicious In Dungeon here. But here’s a quick summary. It follows the story of a young adventurer called Laois and his dungeon raiding party. After they’re attacked by a terrifying dragon, they lose all their money, provisions and his little sister. But hope isn’t lost. They set out to go back and rescue her from the belly of the beast. However, there’s one small problem. They have no food with them. Since they have no food or money to buy food, Laois decides that the only thing they can do is eat the monsters that lurk in the dungeon. So, now no creepy, crawly, slimy creature is safe from the appetites of these dungeon raiders. The series will stream on Tokyo MX in Japan and Netflix in the United States. While you’re here, make sure to take a look at our other anime coverage below:

Delicious in Dungeon: Netflix release spectacular new trailer NetflixPrepare your taste buds because Netflix just released a new trailer for Delicious in Dungeon – and it’s an eat-or-be-eaten world out there. The highly anticipated anime adaptation of Kyoko Kui’s popular manga, Dungeon Meshi (2014-2023), will debut in January 2024. Studio Trigger’s creative team promises to cook up a mouth-watering feast of dark fantasy, high adventure, and unusual cuisine. So here’s a taste of what’s cooking. The story revolves around the main character, Laios and his intrepid band of adventurers, who encounter a sticky situation after a dragon attack deep in a dungeon. With no money or food, Laois comes up with an unconventional solution: why not eat monsters? As the countdown begins, what do we know so far? With 12 volumes and 94 chapters to adapt (the first 4 volumes selling over 2 million copies), director Yoshihiro Miyajima (known for Star Wars: Visions and Little Witch Academia) takes the helm of this fantasy comedy. And with 26 binge-worthy episodes, get ready to savour every moment because this anime adaptation promises to be nothing short of extraordinary. Netflix drops new Delicious in Dungeon trailer Adding to the anticipation, Netflix unveiled another appetizing glimpse into the world of Delicious In Dungeon on October 19. Alongside stunning visuals, the new English-language official trailer reveals the anime’s captivating opening theme, Sleep Walking Orchestra, performed by the J-rock band Bump of Chicken. So, are you ready to embark on a gastronomical journey like no other? Join adventurer Laios and his friends on their thrilling (and comically tasty) mission to rescue Laois’s sister. Find the mysterious Golden Kingdom, and cook up a storm on the way: from slimes to basilisks, no creature is safe from their culinary conquest. Mark your calendars because, as announced at Anime Expo 2023, Delicious in Dungeon will debut in January 2024, exclusively on Netflix. In the meantime, you can check out our other anime coverage here.

Delicious In Dungeon: Release date, trailer & more NetflixIt’s time to get cooking, because Delicious In Dungeon is coming soon. Here is everything you need to know. Delicious In Dungeon is one of the most hotly anticipated anime adaptations for the New Year. And for good reason. With a comedic twist on a stale high-fantasy genre, the series promises to provide a tantalizing treat for all who watch it. Based on Ryoko Kui’s comedy manga of the same name, this adventurous cooking series will get your mouth watering. Even if you’re not a fan of some of the more bizarre recipes. So, now you’ve had a taste, let’s take a look at all the key details you need to know about this anime, including its release date, streaming platform and more. Delicious In Dungeon release date Delicious In Dungeon will premiere on Netflix on January 4. On December 15, Delicious In Dungeon’s official Twitter page announced that the series would premiere on Netflix on January 4. Although, based on all the monstrous feasts they’ll be cooking in the dungeon, we might have to postpone our New Year diets until after the first course ends. And that’s not all. On December 21, Netflix confirmed that it will release an international simuldub of Delicious In Dungeon, including English-speaking countries, Spain, Brazil, Thailand, Germany and France. Delicious In Dungeon plot If you’re not familiar with Delicious In Dungeon, here’s a quick summary. The new anime is based on Ryoko Kui’s manga of the same name, which ran from February 2014 to September 2023. Set in a fantasy world were terrifying monsters lurk in dungeons, the story follows a young man called Laios. After his younger sister was eaten by a dragon, Laios and what’s left of his raiding party set out to rescue her. But one thing is standing in their way. They’ve lost most of their supplies and they can’t afford any more rations. To overcome this, Laios decides to go an unorthodox route and source all their food from inside the dungeon – including eating the monsters! With the help of a dwarf called Senshi, they embark on a raid like no other, and cook some delicious meals on the way. Cast and crew Produced by Studio Trigger, which recently brought us hit series including Kill La Kill, Little Witch Academia and Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, we can expect to see more of the vibrant animation that the studio is known for. Yoshihiro Miyajima is directing the anime, with Kimiko Ueno overseeing the scripts, Yasunori Mitsuda composing the music, and Naoki Takeda designing the characters. The cast is as follows: Kentaro Kumagai as Laios – Sayaka Senbongi as Marcille – Asuna Tomari as Chilchuck – Hiroshi Naka as Senshi – Saori Hayami as Falin – Akira Miki as Namari – Shinji Kawada as Shuro – Rie Takahashi as Rinsha – Miyu Tomita as Mickbell – Wataru Kato as Kabru – Yuya Hirose as Holm – Toru Nara as Kuro – Is there a trailer? The second full-length trailer for Delicious In Dungeon was released on December 22, 2023. Check it out below. Filled with bright characters, terrifying monsters and culinary adventures, Delicious In Dungeon will join Netflix’s roster as another must watch anime series. Mark your calendars for January 4, because something extraordinary is on the menu. Meanwhile, you can check out our other anime coverage here.

New anime leaves fans speechless with world premiere Science SaruSeveral premieres have taken place at Anime Expo 2024, and there’s one in particular that’s left fans trying to find the words for what they just watched. Dandadan is a contender for the biggest upcoming anime of the year. Science Saru is adapting the smash hit manga, about a pair of high school students investigating strange incidents to try and prove the other’s supernatural beliefs wrong. The first three episodes of the anime show screened at Anime Expo 2024, and reactions are strong. Attendees are hyping the series as even better than the trailers have made us believe. “Speechless after Dandadan’s premiere. Lost my voice screaming out in excitement. It’s all better than anyone was expecting,” says one user on X/Twitter. “I’m mostly here for Science Saru and damn they don’t disappoint. The crowd seemed to really love it! The director seems like a lovely fellow. I’m already a fan!” another states. “Dandadan premiere was beyond lit. Amazing first episode, very excited for what’s to come,” says a third. Footage we’ve seen so far shows Dandadan as a visually rich project, using many different colors and styles to depict the wacky situations. The protagonists have contrasting views, where one believes in ghosts but not aliens and the other aliens but not ghosts, and they gradually learn both exist. This happens through a number of increasingly unpredictable encounters that allow a studio like Science Saru to really stretch their skills. Fūga Yamashiro is directing the adaptation, tackling his largest work to date. Dandadan has stiff competition to take the title of best anime of 2024, since Solo Leveling arrived earlier this year, and we’ve had Demon Slayer Season 4 as well. But it looks like this’ll definitely give them a run for their money. Dandadan will come out in October, with a brief theatrical run planned on September 13, 2024. Check out our guides to Tower of God Season 2, Oshi no Ko Season 2, and Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest for shows to check out in the meantime.

Dandadan studio animator breaks silence on anime leak GKIDS/Science SaruThe Dandadan anime is facing a major crisis as several episodes have been leaked in a Netflix breach, and now Science SARU has broken its silence on the controversy. On August 6, 2024, Netflix faced a major breach where a number of episodes of the highly-anticipated upcoming anime were leaked. Dandadan is popular for its fluid battle choreography and detailed artwork. It centers around Momo Ayase and her classmate Takakura. While Momo believes in ghosts, Takakura, a cynic of the occult, believes aliens are real. In order to prove themselves right, they make a bet, which creates a string of hilarious events. This story of young love centers around the chaotic events, with ghosts, monsters, aliens, battles, and so on. However, six Dandadan episodes were leaked during the breach, as well as anime like Re: Zero, Terminator, Ranma 1/2, and Mononoke the Movie. In light of the recent events, animator Kass Chapa has shared their thoughts on the situation. Chapa has worked in several animation studios such as MAPPA, A-1 Pictures, and Science SARU, the latter of which is the studio behind Dandadan. The animator shared on Twitter/X, “This is our hard work. It is meant to be released on its due date, something we, as animators, really look forward to. It is incredibly disrespectful and just straight-up annoying. You think you are doing some kind of service to the community but you are not.” They further added, “Studios will only doubt our veracity and honesty. Which they already do, btw. I hope they sue whoever did it. Idc.” In another reply, they shared, “I paid for Mononoke’s movie on Kickstarter and I plan on watching the movie legally once it releases in my country. Same with Dandadan over Netflix. Because I respect their work. If you dislike animators and our work just say so.” Anime fans have expressed their support, with one writing, “I hope you can continue with your work. Also some actions need to be taken to prevent such leaks.” “Felt so sad to see it and the other titles that leaked. Hope it’s isolated quickly but the damage is likely done,” shared another. A third added, “I am truly amazed at the immaturity and reasons behind such behavior from leakers. Why do they want to harm the community like this?” Don’t forget to check out our review of Dandadan Episode 1. Also, check out our lists of the best short anime, most underrated anime of 2023, and best anime like Solo Leveling.

Deadpool: Samurai hilariously trolls readers with manga announcement ShueishaDeadpool: Samurai has announced its return with a second season – but not before trolling readers with a made-up series. The Merc with a Mouth is apparently having the time of his fictional life in 2024. After the blockbuster Deadpool & Wolverine (which sees Hugh Jackman’s return with the signature adamantium claws), the antihero is making a comeback in the manga world. On August 7, 2024, Shueisha announced Deadpool: Samurai Season 2 is coming to the Shonen Jump+ app. The manga will be created by Sanshiro Kasama and Hikaru Uesugi. But the announcement comes as hilariously as we’d expect from the notorious character. When Shueisha listed a new romance manga on the app, nobody expected it to turn out to be a joke at their expense. Secret Steward starts off as any other high romance story, not giving us any reason to doubt its true nature. However, halfway through the first chapter, we see Deadpool making his appearance. And not just quietly, either. He comes blazing in a truck and graphically decapitates the male lead with a straight face (not that we can see his face, but the expression is familiar enough). The Regenerating Degenerate doesn’t stop here. He also gives a nod to My Hero Academia by copying Dabi’s pose and asking readers if they’ve missed him. All of this before he fights some mantis-like monsters and announces his much-anticipated return to the pages. Fans are overjoyed with Deadpool’s return as well as the hilarious troll. As one fan wrote on X/Twitter, “He returned A-Train style too with a mix of Truck-kun. GOAT in the comic world, GOAT in the manga world.” Another joined, “I don’t know what I loved more. That it’s Deadpool or THAT HE USED TOUYA’S STANCE.” “He did this after brutally murdering a romcom protag,” added a third. A fourth commented: “YES! Right after the movie!” Don’t forget to catch Deadpool: Samurai Season 2 on the Shonen Jump+ app. And for more manga content, check out everything we know about Hunter x Hunter Chapter 401 and our guides to Jujutsu Kaisen Chapter 266, One Piece Chapter 1123, and Boruto Two Blue Vortex Chapter 13.

Death Note creators offers the US President a notebook in new manga Madhouse / PixabayDeath Note author Tsugumi Ohba and illustrator Takeshi Obata joined forces to give readers a new one-off manga of the popular series. However, the latest story went viral on Twitter when it was discovered United States President has a cameo in it. Death Note is one of the most popular mangas in Japan, running from 2003 to 2006. The series centers around the dark story about a high school boy who’s given the power to decide life and death through the power of a notebook. Despite ending over 14 years ago, the groundbreaking property made its return on February 3rd when its creators surprised fans with a special one-shot. However, the release quickly went viral when it was discovered the President of the United States has a bizarre cameo in it. The President of the United States in Death Note manga The groundbreaking story is about high schooler Light Yagami who stumbles upon a supernatural notebook. The item gives him the power to kill anyone by writing their name down inside. While the manga ended in 2006, fans were treated to a new one-shot story by series creators, but were stunned when it featured US President. The special release depicts a scene of Ryuk – the Death God responsible for the notebook – offering the US leader the chance to be its new owner. After its February 3 release, the story quickly went viral on social media platforms such as Twitter. Even trending in the ‘Politics’ section given its unexpected inclusion of the American politician. Fans of the series were surprised by the cameo, such as user ATTACKTlTAN who exclaimed, “DEATH NOTE COMING BACK JUST FOR THE PRESIDENT TO BE THE NEW OWNER IS NOT SOMETHING I EXPECTED THIS YEAR” https://twitter.com/ATTACKTlTAN/status/1224367279892238336 The manga’s inclusion of the world leader exploded on Twitter with thousands of people finding the strange scene to be amusing. C_Dobbins commented, “This is an actual panel from the new Death Note one-shot and I am absolutely losing it.” This is an actual panel from the new Death Note one-shot and I am absolutely losing it pic.twitter.com/0JQYZLDS1a — Christian “”Kris”” Dobbins (@C_Dobbins) February 3, 2020 While the revival of the groundbreaking property was only a one-shot, the creators sent shockwaves with its latest release. Perhaps there is a room for more stories in the series universe in the future? Death Note originally released as a manga in the iconic Japanese magazine the Weekly Shonen Jump. However it found worldwide success when it was adapted into an anime by studio Madhouse in 2006. Read More: One Piece cosplayer transforms into Chopper – Fans that have never seen the show before can catch the whole series on streaming services Netflix and Hulu.

Death Note fans still wish one thing was different about the ending MadhouseDeath Note might’ve ended a long time ago, but fans still want to change Light’s death in the anime. Light Yagami is undoubtedly one of the most well-written anime protagonists out there. At the beginning of Death Note, we see him as a straight-A student who happens to stumble upon the eponymous notebook. What follows is as intriguing as it is nefarious. The beloved anime show perfectly portrays Light’s descent from a person who wants to get rid of criminals to someone who’s developed a God Complex and isn’t above killing anyone, even his own family. However, when it comes to the character’s end, the anime series falters. Instead of the manga’s brutal ending which shows Light writhing in agony and begging Ryuk for his life, the anime shows his death more poetically than he deserves. In the anime, after having his true identity as Kira exposed and being shot by Matsuda, Light runs away to an abandoned building. Ryuk, who’s been seeing everything, chooses to write Light’s name in the Death Note as a mercy. The killer finally dies of a heart attack, illuminated by the setting sun. It’s a jarring contrast to the manga’s ending which portrays Light as pathetic as he’s always deemed everyone else. For a killer who doesn’t hesitate to end people’s lives, he begs for his own and gets no mercy in return. It’s just what he deserves and is the perfect end to his crimes. “I REALLY wish they had used the manga ending for that, it was far more agonizing and scary for Light, as he deserved,” wrote one user on X. “I feel like in the anime they kinda made it less pathetic and like… no… it’s supposed to be pathetic, that’s the point,” pointed out another. “I know they needed to fill in air time but I hate how they almost made it seem like they were fishing for sympathy for the person he became. Compared to what he used to be,” a third criticized the anime’s ending. While the manga perfectly captures the humanity in Light’s death, the anime adds another symbolism. At one point in the story, Ryuk reveals the users of Death Notes go to neither heaven nor hell. That’s why the anime shows Light dying on the stairs, never reaching paradise or purgatory. For more on psychological thriller anime, check out which anime to watch if you like Death Note and the best body horror anime.

Dan Da Dan gets global theatrical release ahead of October launch date Yukinobu Tatsu/SHUEISHA, DANDADAN Production CommitteeGet ready, Dan Da Dan fans — the highly-anticipated horror/sci-fi anime is coming to theaters ahead of its official streaming launch in October. Here’s how you can watch the action for yourself. Dan Da Dan is one of the most exciting upcoming releases for anime fans after the manga exploded in popularity last year. The over-the-top story seamlessly meshes horror and sci-fi elements to make for a stunning visual treat, and readers can’t wait to see Science Saru’s adaptation of the beloved series later this year. Luckily, viewers won’t have to wait until October to satisfy their occult cravings. As revealed in a press release on June 24, 2024, Dan Da Dan will receive a global theatrical release starting as early as August 31. Titled ‘DAN DA DAN: First Encounter,’ this release will feature the first three episodes of the anime series. It will also include exclusive interviews with the author of the original manga, Yukinobu Tatsu, as well as editor Shihei Lin, the anime’s director, Fuga Yamashiro, and voice actors Shion Wakayama and Natsuki Hanae, who voice the series’ lead characters, Momo and Okarun. Director Yamashiro is excited for fans of the series to see the manga come to life on the big screen. “When making this series into an anime, I incorporated playful and visually stunning techniques unique to video to create a very fun structure for the series. I believe you will enjoy it in a slightly different way from the manga and I hope you have a good time at the theatrical release!” he said. Screenings for DAN DA DAN: First Encounter begins in Asia on August 31, followed by Europe on September 7, North America on September 13, and Australia, New Zealand, and Africa through mid-September. The lucky cities that will host the screenings include New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Taipei, Hong Kong, Manila, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Bangkok. As the release dates approach, the theatrical premiere partners in each region will announce more details. While plenty of anime series like Haikyuu!! and My Hero Academia have scored theatrical releases for movies, this special premiere isn’t common for a series that hasn’t even officially aired yet. This is just the latest development about the series, which has been in the news since its opening theme sparked excitement among fans online, with the “perfect” band bringing the manga to life.

Dan Da Dan’s Momo voice actor reveals toughest challenge & funniest moments in the booth Science Saru, CrunchyrollWe got the chance to speak with Shion Wakayama, the voice of Momo in Dan Da Dan, about her biggest challenge bringing the tough-but-cute character to life from page to screen. Dan Da Dan is shaping up to be one of the biggest anime releases of the Fall season. The supernatural action series follows the misadventures of an unlikely pairing: high school students Momo Ayase and Ken Takakura. The two are as polar opposite as can be. Momo is a cute and fashionable but hard-edged teenage gal who isn’t afraid to speak her mind (or throw punches, for that matter). Ken, on the other hand, is a timid, nerdy shrimp of a guy with an obsession for all things related to aliens and conspiracy theories. The two get tossed together after a bet between them goes sideways, and their ensuing hijinks are only further amplified by their imbalanced personalities. Warning: Mild spoilers ahead! We got the chance to sit down with Momo’s Japanese voice actor, Shion Wakayama, who opened up about her experience voicing Dan Da Dan’s leading lady. For Wakayama, Momo actually presented a unique challenge for one particular reason: She’s a ‘gyaru.’ “It’s portraying a gyaru!” Wakayama answered when we asked her about the toughest part of voicing Momo. “I’ve hardly ever played a gyaru before, so it was challenging to learn how to speak like one. I tried my best, so please pay attention to the Japanese gyaru!” For those who don’t know, ‘gyaru’ is a nonconformist fashion style that rose to prominence in the 2000’s in Japan. It involves having really tanned skin, colorful hair, and a cute-but-trashy fashion sense (think Paris Hilton at the height of her fame in the aughts). Gyarus are also known for their loud personalities, and are often labeled as “provocative and flirtatious” partygoers. While Momo is bent on saving herself for a Takakura Ken lookalike (the celebrity, not the anime character), her strong personality leads to some hilarious conversations with other characters in the series. We had to ask Wakayama what she felt the funniest moment from the anime was — but she couldn’t think of just one, saying that the random interjections and unscripted ad-libs from her fellow actors threw her off-guard. “It was when unexpected ad-libs came from other characters!” she told us. “I’m prepared not to laugh at the scripted lines, but when unexpected words come out, it almost made me laugh!” She echoed this answer in another response, where we asked her about her favorite scene that she recorded for the anime. “I loved recording the parts where characters engage in fast-paced conversations! Recording the unfolding dialogue comically was a lot of fun, and I always looked forward to it,” she said. Eventually, Momo and Ken’s friendship blossoms into a tentative romance, which gets a bit of time to flourish in between the chaos of their lives. We asked Wakayama about her thoughts on their blooming relationship — and she hopes fans enjoy seeing them grow closer as much as she does. “Initially, Momo has no interest in Okarun, but she becomes attracted to him due to unexpected events. Their romance is both cute and comical, and it’s very enjoyable to watch. Please look forward to how their relationship develops!” Fans can watch Dan Da Dan on Crunchyroll and Netflix starting on October 3, or catch the first three episodes in theaters from August – September.

Dandadan anime: Release date, trailer, and everything else we know JNNAfter making a name for itself as one of the most popular new-gen manga, a Dandadan anime is in development, and we have all the details. Between a pair of stubborn but adventurous leads, and the incorporation of aliens and ghosts, Dandadan has potential to be one of the best anime of the last several years. Generating huge buzz upon first announcement, the upcoming anime is one many are waiting for in 2024. Dandadan comes from the mind of Yukinobu Tatsu. Previously an assistant on Chainsaw Man, Yukinobu swiftly proved he was more than capable of handling his own manga, winning several awards and garnering over 3 million copies in circulation. Taking it to the small screen was always a no-brainer, and if you’re looking for the latest on the project, you’ve come to the right place. No aliens or ghosts were hurt in the process of bringing you this information. Dandadan anime release date The Dandadan anime will premiere in theatres on Friday, September 13, 2024. GKIDS announced the early rollout in June, giving fans a chance to see the first three episodes ahead of a streaming release in October 2024. That’s for the US, with dates for other territories starting from August 31, 2024. The release is global, stretching across Europe, Asia, India, Australia, New Zealand, and more over the course of a few weeks. The production was announced in November 2023, and we’ve had a steady stream of details since then. Dandadan is confirmed to have a presence at Anime Expo on July 4 to 7, 2024, in Los Angeles, so there’s a good chance we get the general release date then Is there a trailer for Dandadan? The first trailer for Dandadan arrived in November 2023, announcing the anime was in production. It’s a brisk montage of the kind of happenings you can expect from Dandadan. You’ve got weird aliens, wacky ghosts, and our leads finding themselves in all sorts of hairy situations. It’s flashy, comes with some cool, electronica-infused theme music, and makes it clear this is an ambitious project for all involved. A second trailer was released in March 2024, with more of the same in terms of kinetic energy and wacky visuals. Dandadan plot Dandadan involves two high school friends, Momo Ayase and Ken Takakura, who hold conflicting beliefs — Momo believes in ghosts, but not aliens, whereas Ken is the opposite. They challenge each other to go to separate places where both phenomena have been encountered, only to find out extraterrestrials and poltergeists are both real. Their experiences lead to some strange powers, as Momo becomes telekinetic, and Ken can transform into a demon alter-ego. They decide to investigate into paranormal and phenomena and UFOs, creating all sorts of wacky hijinks. Who is making Dandadan? Dandadan is being made by Science SARU, the studio behind Scott Pilgrim Takes Off and Devilman Crybaby. Fuga Yamashira is directing the show, as his first time in the director’s chair after contributing to several productions, including rock opera Inu-Oh and Devilman Crybaby, in various roles. Hiroshi Seko is writing the screenplay, and, perhaps most excitingly, the score is coming from Kensuke Ushio. He’s the man who put together all the tunes for Inu-Oh, and if you’ve seen that, you know Dandadan is going to have some very memorable compositions. Dandadan cast Momo Ayase and Ken Takakura will be voiced by Shion Wakayama and Natsuki Hanae, respectively, in the Dandadan anime. These are both very capable performers, as Shino has had roles in Zom 100 and Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury, while Natsuki will very familiar, as the voice of Tanjiro from Demon Slayer. Given how anticipated Dandadan is, they’re getting off on the right foot with these names for the lead roles. A slew of characters have bit parts, from other students to family members. So far, none of these have been cast. We’ll update as we hear more! Where can you watch the Dandadan anime? Dandadan will stream on Crunchyroll and Netflix once it’s released, depending on your territory. Both companies have distribution deals in place — not unusual since My Hero Academia, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Demon Slayer are all available on the two — but the global breakdown of what country has the show and when remains to be seen. We’d expect Crunchyroll to have weekly release on simulcast, like it does for many of the biggest upcoming anime, and then Netflix gets the full season later. But that’s just a guess — watch this space. That’s everything we have for you on Dandadan, check out our guides on Solo Leveling Season 2 and Tower of God Season 2 for more upcoming shows.

Dandadan anime reveals “perfect” band for opening theme VizThe artists behind the Dandadan anime’s opening theme have been revealed, and fans are excited about what’s coming for the highly-anticipated show. It’s been announced that Dandadan’s opening is being penned by Creepy Nuts, a popular pair of hip-hop artists in Japan. The duo have contributed to Mashle and other anime shows, and their involvement has pleased fans. Science Saru, the studio behind Dandadan, made the reveal on X/Twitter, also stating that the song is called ‘Otonoke’, with a brief blurb. “The new song ‘Otonoke’ combines overwhelming mystery,” the tweet reads. “Look forward to the broadcast starting in October.” Expectant audience-members were quick to express their excitement. “Literally the perfect band for this series,” said one. “This about to BANG Creepy Nuts doesn’t miss,” added another. The sentiment is similar over on Reddit. “It’s probably a little hyperbolic, but this is going to be a top two piece of media of all time,” said one commenter. Another wrote, “My hype for the show was already high enough because I love manga so much, but now it’s even higher thanks to Creepy Nuts creating OP for it.” Dandadan is one of the biggest upcoming anime of the year. Adapted from the hugely successful manga by Yukinobu Tatsu, it follows two high schoolers, Momo (an alien skeptic who believes in ghosts), and Okarun (a ghost cynic who thinks aliens are real), who become amateur supernatural investigators. The series is due to arrive in October, though we don’t have an exact date yet. Just in time for Halloween, and it seems like Creepy Nuts might be the soundtrack to our spooky season if they deliver like they did for Mashle. Check out our guides on Tower of God Season 2 and Oshi no Ko Season 2 for what’s coming this summer.

Dandadan manga taking long hiatus, but for good reason VizDandadan has just revealed a gap in the manga’s schedule spanning a few weeks, though it’s for a good cause. Dandadan has grown exponentially since debuting in 2021. We have the anime show set for later this year, and currently the manga is up to 163 chapters with no signs of stopping. Breaks are another story. Chapter 163 brought a dreaded delay for the next instalment, lasting exactly one month, but the creator, Yukinobu Tatsu, had a good excuse. According to the mangaka, this hiatus is for “researching information.” There won’t be a new chapter in August, with Dandadan Chapter 164 arriving Tuesday, September 3, 2024. The explanation makes sense when you consider the central concepts. On one side, you have aliens, and on the other, ghosts. These encounters have escalated over the last couple of years, and keeping them fresh probably takes considerable effort by this point. Always a chance Yukinobu has something big they want to get right as well. There’s a science to UFO encounters and spectral beings, you know! In any case, a month is a long break for a weekly manga. One Piece usually only takes a week if Eiichiro Oda feels the need to break schedule, likewise for Jujutsu Kaisen. But if it’s what’s necessary than that’s it; maintaining weekly turnaround is tricky and Yukinobu deserves rest too. We have the Dandadan anime screening publicly for the first time in September, as part of a theatrical event where the first three episodes will be shown across the US. This follows a screening for Anime Expo 2024 attendees. Our Virginia Glazer was in attendance, calling Dandadan’s first episode “everything a manga-reader could want”. You can find out for yourself when the show comes to streaming in October. Check out our upcoming anime list for other shows to keep an eye on.

Dandadan Episode 1 is everything a manga-reader could want and then some GKIDSWe got the chance to attend Anime Expo for the world premier of Dandadan’s very first episode, and as manga readers, it was absolutely everything we could have hoped for. Dandadan has become one of the most-hyped anime releases of 2024 after rising to prominence as a must-read manga over the last two years. Chock full of wacky moments, breathtaking artwork, and eye-popping action, Dandadan had us hooked from the very first chapter… and after waiting over a year to see it brought to life on screen, we finally got the chance to see the anime adaptation’s very first episode at Anime Expo 2024. Warning: Mild spoilers ahead! The JW Marriott’s Platinum Ballroom was packed full of fans just as eager to see the episode as we were, which was preceded by a panel of special guests that included voice actors, producers, and the director of the anime. We even got to see a behind-the-scenes look at how the series was put together, showing off Okarun’s first-ever transformation being possessed by Turbo Granny as he saves Momo from a gaggle of Serpoian aliens trying to extract her organs in a UFO. That was just a taste of the thrilling action to come in the first episode — and boy howdy, we were not ready for it. Science Saru, the studio behind the animation, absolutely outdid themselves with this series, and there’s no denying that. The artwork is buttery smooth and a visual feast for the eyes, especially during action sequences (of which there are many). The liberties Science Saru took with portraying Okarun’s terrifying transformation are nothing short of perfection. The way he moves when under the influence of Turbo Granny is both frightening and satisfying. The sound effects, camera movement, and even color choices were all meticulously chosen. Director Fuga Yamashiro picked specific colors for both Turbo Granny and the Serpoians, choosing to represent them by using bright red and blue, respectively; colors that fill the screen anytime they’re on camera. In fact, these colors were projected in the background of the Platinum Ballroom during the screening, further immersing viewers in the thrilling experience. It was hard to contain our excitement, and we joined in with fans in their laughter, shock, and sadness due to the character development portrayed in the first episode. In a mere twenty minutes, we were already in love with Okarun and Momo, whose backstories we got familiarized with smack-dab in the middle of a high-energy action sequence. As manga readers, we were especially satisfied with one liberty that Yamashiro and the team took with a particular moment in the action sequence near the episode’s conclusion. It calls back to another interaction at the very beginning of the episode, when Momo goes through a violent breakup with her thug ex-boyfriend — something that was referenced in her fight with the Serpoians, and something that wasn’t done in the manga. It really hit home for us, showing that she was done being used by trifling guys and was finally taking her power back as a woman and a spirit medium. Overall, we cannot recommend Dandadan enough. As manga readers, based on the first episode alone, we have to commend Science Saru for their masterful retelling of the source material. They made something that was already fantastic even better — and we can guarantee that viewers won’t be disappointed if they decide to give it a try.

Crunchyroll’s latest poll reveals anime crush of 2023 YouTube/TOHOCrunchyroll has recently announced the poll results revealing the most popular anime crush of 2023 – and the winner won’t surprise you. At the end of 2023, Crunchyroll posted a poll asking anime fans about their anime crush of 2023. They shared the poll across multiple regions and received thousands of votes all over the globe. The beauty of anime isn’t limited to its beautiful scenery, but characters too. Several characters were pitted against one another in the poll, each receiving hundreds of votes. This includes male and female characters from all kinds of anime, not just the ones that aired in 2023. One iconic character stood victorious among the voters, winning by a landslide. And needless to say, this character has taken over the headlines in 2023 countless times with his insane popularity. Find out which character won the Crunchyroll anime crush poll in 2023. Which character won the Crunchyroll anime crush poll in 2023? Jujutsu Kaisen’s Satoru Gojo won the Crunchyroll anime crush poll with 1075 votes. Considering that Yor Forger, the second place holder, received 609 votes, Gojo’s victory is overwhelming. Jujutsu Kaisen aired its second season in 2023, which is one of the most popular anime of the year. The season begins with Gojo’s Past arc, featuring the story from 12 years before the main timeline. It follows Gojo’s high school days, and then the story moves to the current timeline during the Shibuya Incident. In both arcs, fans see different versions of Gojo and can’t help but gush over him. One particular scene that took Twitter by storm is from the Shibuya Incident which was also added in the Shibuya trailer. The scene had fans swooning over the beloved Sensei, who had removed his blindfold, had blood all over his face, and was breathing heavily. And now, it’s official that Gojo is the heartthrob of several anime fans worldwide. Jujutsu Kaisen is popular for its beautiful characters, so it has dominated the poll with several rank holders and honorable mentions. Kento Nanami takes third place with 582 votes, while Suguru Geto is seventh with 187 votes. Toji Fushiguro takes eighth place after tying with Frieren with 136 votes each. Nobara Kugisaki received an honorable mention with 54 votes. It’s also worth mentioning that JJK is the only series with more than two characters being rank holders in the poll. And of course, the most popular character of the series hails as the winner.

Cute anime ad from McDonald’s has heartwarming Studio Ghibli reference NetflixMcDonald’s has a released a cutesy new anime-inspired advert in Japan that contains an unexpected connection with none other than Studio Ghibli. McDonald’s in Japan occasionally nods toward some of the best anime shows, with advertisements utilizing the comfy aesthetic of the medium to encourage consumers. The latest is definitely one of the most clever productions to come out of the chain. The video, illustrated by Futatsumori Aya, shows a number of scenes with people eating McDonald’s food zooming into each other, with a hand literally pushing through each motif as if you’re filming someone on their phone. It’s an eye-catching mechanic, and a particular scene should be more recognizable to Ghibli fans. The fifth scene, encountered right after we see two friends on a hill enjoying burgers together, invokes The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, where an old bamboo gatherer finds a mythical young girl in a shoot. The legend, dating back over a millennium, was the inspiration for the anime movie The Tale of the Princess Kaguya. The McDonald’s version is quite a ways different from Isao Takahata’s, going for a more straightforward approach to the set piece. Likewise, what looks like a cheeseburger in a princess’s hand – not sure that was ever in any retelling of the myth. Still, it’s an effective bit of advertising; memorable, distinct, and makes you want to see it through, even if you’re not keen on any fast food. ‘Mikazuki’ by Ayaka plays over it, an easy bit of listening that’s just enough of an earworm to compel looking up the song afterwards. Needless to say, it’ll be interesting to see the likes of Grave of the Fireflies get a nod somewhere down the line. Only Yesterday and My Neighbors the Yamadas are much more likely to come first. Our upcoming anime list will keep you informed on any modern classics on the way.

Cyberpunk Edgerunners Season 2 still isn’t happening, but CD Projekt isn’t done with anime NetflixSadly, Cyberpunk Edgerunners Season 2 isn’t any closer to becoming a reality, but CD Projekt hasn’t closed the door on animation. Released in 2022 on Netflix, Cyberpunk Edgerunners came out of left field as one of the best anime of that year, thanks to the gorgeous realization of the namesake universe and compelling characters. The anime show only lasted 10 episodes, but to say it was short and sweet would be an understatement, leaving viewers clamoring for more. Unfortunately, the project, made by Trigger, was only ever designed for one season, and the story we got was all anyone planned with this corner of Mike Pondsmith’s world. But CD Projekt, developer of Cyberpunk 2077, has revealed that more spin-offs are potentially in the offing. “We are definitely planning to do more in terms of animation with Cyberpunk, so I hope that’s enough as an answer,” Michał Nowakowski, CEO of CD Projekt, said during an earnings call. “Expect to see more, for sure, but that’s as far as I can go right now.” He was asked specifically about the prospect of Edgerunners getting another season, to which he stated first that the company is “planning to have more in the sphere of pop culture”. His answer talked around the notion of more Edgerunners, not outright saying that Season 2 isn’t happening, but making it clear what’s coming isn’t that. It’s reassuring to know something is in the works that may capitalize on what was achieved with that TV show, though. Quality video game adaptations still aren’t totally common – just look at the Borderlands movie – and Edgerunners was the rare case of the spin-off actually launching better than the base game. Alas, we’ll have to wait and see what Nowakowski is suggesting. CD Projekt has quite a few releases on the slate, many of which are mysteriously titled. You’ve got Project Orion, set in the Cyberpunk universe, Project Sirius, in The Witcher franchise, and an original IP on top of all that. While we wait for details on all of the above, our guides on Solo Leveling Season 2, Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, and Dragon Ball Daima will keep you informed on their releases.

Dan Da Dan director explains anime’s major change from manga in episode one Science Saru, CrunchyrollEagle-eyed Dan Da Dan fans have likely spotted a discrepancy in the anime’s first episode that differs from the manga. We got to speak to the show’s director, Fuga Yamashiro, about his decision to make this change. Dan Da Dan is one of the most highly-anticipated anime of the Fall season, scheduled to hit streaming services on October 3, 2024. The series’ first episode premiered at Anime Expo over the summer, and quite a few fans have already gotten a peek at the eye-popping action it promises months ahead of its release. Warning: Spoilers ahead! Manga-readers have probably noticed a slight difference in episode one’s big climax. When Momo’s spiritual powers awaken as she’s being abducted by the Serpoian aliens, there’s a flashback to the beginning of the episode when she unsuccessfully kicked her scumbag ex-boyfriend during an argument — a fight she decidedly lost. This moment coincides with Momo kicking one of the aliens, dramatically freeing herself from their clutches. It makes for a far more impactful scene, showing her growth as a character and her newfound empowerment as a spirit medium. However, in the manga, this callback is not present during her scuffle with the Serpoians. We got the chance to quiz Dan Da Dan’s director, Fuga Yamashiro, about his choice to insert this moment during the episode’s climax — a moment he feels the manga’s author, Yukinobu Tatsu, likely also wanted to include but couldn’t. “I added the kick in because I felt that the author had probably wanted to add it too, but that he couldn’t because it would have disrupted the flow in manga form, so he had to take it out,” Yamashiro told us. “My intention was to replicate what the author wanted using the specific strengths of the medium I was working in — adding a short insert like that works as a flashback in animation thanks to the sense of speed and rhythm inherent to the medium. “I felt it was important to form a dramatic catharsis in the scene, content wise. Compare it to the opening scene, where Momo tries to kick her boyfriend but he blocks it, but after meeting Okarun and facing her own past and feelings, she’s able to grow and change a bit internally, allowing her to land the kick on the Serpoian, sending him flying!” Dan Da Dan is already shaping up to be one of the biggest premiers of the Fall anime season, and it’s all thanks to little details like this that make an already outstanding story even more impactful. Of course, we can’t discount the eye-popping action sequences and jaw-dropping fight scenes that Dan Da Dan manages to flawlessly translate from the manga’s black-and-white pages. For Yamashiro, making each fight scene into its own story is an important part of successfully pulling these moments off in an animated format. “The manga is full of cool panels one after the other, and it never feels like it lets up,” Yamashiro said. “Connecting all of those with natural acting was quite difficult. I put a lot of effort into making sure fight scenes, for example, weren’t just a bunch of cool shots, but rather a kind of story in and of themselves.” For Yamashiro, discovering the rhythm of each episode and translating the visuals from a storyboard to moving, breathing animation is the funnest part of bringing Dan Da Dan to life — something he says is also a pretty difficult task to manage. “What we call ‘cutting’ in Japanese, where we decide the timing of the episode, was the most fun part of adapting Dan Da Dan for me,” he explained. You create the rhythm of the visuals at this step, and start to see the final form of the episode for the first time. “Of course, you can visualize what the episode will look like to an extent reading the storyboard, but in this process you actually turn it into visuals. Deciding upon a proper tempo can be really hard work!” Fans can watch Dan Da Dan on Crunchyroll and Netflix starting October 3, or catch the first three episodes in theaters prior to release from August to September.

Dan Da Dan English voice actors say fans are not ready for “masterpiece” anime GKIDS, Science SaruDan Da Dan’s anime adaptation is one step closer to being a reality as its two lead characters, Momo and Okarun, have now been cast with their official English voice actors. Dan Da Dan is a prominent manga series that’s quickly become one of the most anticipated anime releases of 2024 thanks to its over-the-top comedy and eye-popping action sequences. The show, set to release in October, follows Okarun, an unassuming high school student obsessed with aliens and UFOs, and Momo, a Gyaru-gal who’s coming to terms with the spiritual power that she inherited from her grandmother. These two characters face otherworldly challenges, punctuated by hilarious moments that bring the central cast closer together against the odds – and now, they’ve found their English voices. As told in an official press release on July 29, 2024, Okarun will be voiced by AJ Beckles, while Momo will be brought to life by Abby Trott. Beckles is best known for his work in Tokyo Revengers as Takemichi Hanagaki, Michizou Tachihara in Bungo Stray Dogs, and Kaname Tosen in Bleach. It’s safe to say that Beckles is pretty excited about the opportunity to voice Okarun in Dan Da Dan, calling the series a “masterpiece.” “Getting to be a part of DAN DA DAN in any way is a dream come true,” he said. “I’ve been a fan of the manga for a couple of years now. Hanae-san is an incredible actor! The honor of actually being able to play his counterpart as Okarun in the dub was something I never could have imagined being granted to me! “Tatsu-san is a master of his craft, and I truly think this is one of those roles/stories that only comes around only once or twice in someone’s life and I am treating it with the utmost respect and care because of that. I can’t wait to show everyone my take on this ‘awkward fellow,’ and I want to assure every fan that’s been waiting for this adaptation that they have nothing at all to worry about. This will be a masterpiece!” Trott is famous for her portrayal of Nezuko in Demon Slayer, as well as playing Spiral in X-Men ’97 and Machi in Hunter X Hunter – and she’s just as jazzed as Beckles to join Dan Da Dan’s lineup of kooky characters. “You are not ready for DAN DA DAN…” she said. “As soon as I saw a clip of Science SARU’s immaculate animation, I knew this was something special. This show is absolutely electric. It’s hilarious, disturbing, beautiful, weird, dramatic, and raw – and I’m so excited to be voicing Momo in the animated telling of this EPIC manga! Ready or not…” Dan Da Dan will be available on streaming services in October 2024, but before that, it will be released in select theaters worldwide from August to mid-September as a special three-episode theatrical release.

Crunchyroll reveals Spring 2024 lineup with three mystery anime CrunchyrollCrunchyroll has released its Spring 2024 lineup and it’s looking pretty great for anime fans – but three anime have still to be confirmed. Crunchyroll’s Winter 2024 was quite amazing, with older popular titles like Classroom of the Elite and Mashle returning with new seasons and the likes of Solo Leveling and A Sign of Affection making their debut. Solo Leveling has already received an enormous response and is undoubtedly the best anime of this winter. Fans are very eager for the Spring 2024 lineup. We already know some big titles like Demon Slayer and My Hero Academia returning in May. These are expected to rule the upcoming anime season. But by the looks of the Spring 2024 lineup Crunchyroll has just revealed, anime fans will have plenty of options to amuse themselves with before these two shonen giants are released. The Spring 2024 lineup on Crunchyroll is up Crunchyroll has released the details of four anime for its Spring 2024 lineup and left three to be confirmed. The four confirmed anime are Kaiju No. 8, Black Butler -Public School Arc-, Konosuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World! 3, and Viral Hit. Kaiju No. 8 is a much-awaited anime adaptation of the sci-fi action manga of the same name by Naoya Matsumoto. The anime is adapted by Production I.G. and will debut on April 13. Black Butler is returning after years with a new arc and fans are very excited to have Sebastian and his little master back. This season will have Ciel and Sebastian back in action and going to a public school for their latest mission. It will also be released on April 13. Speaking of getting a beloved anime back, another one is returning this season. Kazuma and his ragtag team of eccentric companions are coming back to make us laugh some more with their chaotic adventures. The third season of Konosuba, helmed by the studio Drive, is set to premiere on April 10 on Crunchyroll. The last confirmed anime of the Spring 2024 lineup on Crunchyroll is Okuruto Noburo’s new anime Viral Hit. The anime is adapted from a manhwa of the same name featuring a bullied boy named Yoo Hobin and his journey to become a strong fighter after one of his fights got viral. It will be released on April 10. The last three anime of the Spring 2024 are to be announced by Crunchyroll later. The lineup this season looks pretty promising and hopefully the other three unannounced anime will also be as good.

Summer 2023 anime schedule announced by Crunchyroll CrunchyrollAs we move closer to the Summer 2023 anime season, Crunchyroll has announced its upcoming summer release schedule, with returning fan favorites and brand-new series. Here’s a look at all the anime and release dates you can stream on Crunchyroll this season. This summer, Crunchyroll brings your favourite anime along with some new ones! So far, 2023 has offered some outstanding anime. There’s no shortage of terrific series coming out this year, from brand-new hits to returning favorites. As expected, Summer 2023 will have more additions to the list. As the lead streaming website for anime, Crunchyroll will provide anime fans with their favorite shows and perhaps discover a new one from July 1. Changes to the schedule and dub languages are possible. Also, please note that the availability of the new series may vary by region. Summer 2023 anime list in Crunchyroll July 1 Horimiya: The Missing Pieces (Dubs include – English, Latin American Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Italian, Castilian Spanish, Hindi, and Russian) – Am I Actually the Strongest? (Dubs include – English) – AYAKA (Dubs include – English) – My Tiny Senpai (Dubs include – English, Latin American Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, and Hindi) – Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout (No dubs announced) – July 2 Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Season 2 (Dubs include – English, Latin American Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, German, French, Italian, Castilian Spanish, and Russian) – July 3 Sweet Reincarnation (Dubs include – English and German) – Masamune-kun’s Revenge R (Dubs include – English, Latin American Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, German, French, Italian, Castilian Spanish, and Hindi) – Malevolent Spirits: Mononogatari Cour 2 (No dubs announced) – July 4 The Girl I Like Forgot Her Glasses (No dubs announced) – July 5 Reborn as a Vending Machine, I Now Wander the Dungeon (Dubs include – English, Latin American Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, German, French, Italian, Castilian Spanish, and Hindi) – Undead Murder Farce (No dubs announced) – July 7 Reign of the Seven Spellblades (Dubs include – English, German, and Hindi) – The Masterful Cat is Depressed Again Today (No dubs announced) – The Gene of AI (No dubs announced) – Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Season 2 (Dubs include – English) – Rent-a-Girlfriend Season 3 (Dubs include – English, Latin American Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, German, French, Italian, Castilian Spanish, and Hindi) – Cardfight!! Vanguard will+Dress Season 3 (No dubs announced) – July 8 Liar, Liar (Dubs include – English) – My Unique Skill Makes Me OP even at Level 1 (Dubs include – English, Latin American Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, German, French, Italian, Castilian Spanish, Hindi, and Arabic) – TenPuru (Dubs include – English) – July 8 Classroom for Heroes (Dubs include – Latin American Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese) – July 12 Bungo Stray Dogs Season 5 (Dubs include – English, Latin American Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, and French) – Saint Cecilia & Pastor Lawrence (Dubs include – English) – July 13 The Devil is a Part-Timer!! Season 2 (Dubs include – English, Latin American Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, and French) – July 14 LINK CLICK Season 2 (Dubs include – English, French, Italian, Castilian Spanish, and Arabic) – Dates yet to be announced – Fate/strange Fake – Whispers of Dawn – Special Episode (Dubs include – English) – The Great Cleric (Dubs include – English, German, and Hindi) – The Misfit of Demon King Academy Ⅱ(Dubs include – English and French) – Ayakashi Triangle (Dubs include – German) – For more information, visit the Crunchyroll website. 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 | Demon Slayer Corps

Crunchyroll to stream all Attack on Titan OADs for first time ever Hajime Isayama, Kodansha / ATTACK ON TITAN COMMITTEE / CrunchyrollAttack on Titan fans, rejoice! The elusive OADs for the beloved anime series are finally available on Crunchyroll in their entirety, just before season 4’s launch next month. The Attack on Titan anime is officially wrapping up with Season 4 Part 2 on January 9, 2022. To celebrate the end of this iconic series, Crunchyroll is giving fans what they’ve been scouring the internet to find for nearly ten years: all 8 of the Attack on Titan OADs in one place. That’s right; Jeagerists and Scout Regiment members alike will finally get the entirety of what AoT has to offer with special side stories centering on its main characters. All 8 Attack on Titan OADs available soon on Crunchyroll There are 8 OADs (original anime DVDs) for Attack on Titan in total, many of which couldn’t be found to watch officially online for much of the show’s lifetime, thus far. Traditionally, OADs aren’t broadcast on television as part of an official anime series; instead, they’re generally made for home video release, and are often based on light novels or bonus manga adaptations from an existing property. In this case, 5 of the Attack on Titan OADs are based on spinoff manga and novel series from AoT screenwriter Hiroshi Seko and mangaka Yasuko Kobayashi. As such, it’s been difficult for fans to watch them outside Japan… but starting December 19, 2021, they’ll all be available to watch on Crunchyroll. The eight OADs act as special episodes focusing on events outside of AoT’s main story. The episodes and their titles are as follows: Episode 1 – Ilse’s Notebook: Memoirs of a Scout Regiment Member – Episode 2 – The Sudden Visitor: The Torturous Curse of Youth – Episode 3 – Distress – Episode 4 – No Regrets: Part 1 – Episode 5 – No Regrets: Part 2 – Episode 6 – Lost Girls: Wall Sina, Goodbye: Part 1 – Episode 7 – Lost Girls: Wall Sina, Goodbye: Part 2 – Episode 8 – Lost Girls: Lost in the Cruel World – These episodes are perfect for fans who are interested in seeing what led up to Levi’s induction into the Scouts, or those simply wanting a goofy reprieve from the show’s life-threatening events with a good, old-fashioned cooking contest among friends. The OADs will receive dubbed versions in late 2022 and will also be available to stream via Funimation.

Crunchyroll Winter 2024 lineup revealed CrunchyrollCrunchyroll has recently revealed the Winter 2024 anime slate – so, we’re going to take you through the new/ongoing shows and movies coming soon. Crunchyroll has always been the streaming service that licenses the biggest anime. For instance, Fall 2023 featured new shows like Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, Shangri-La Frontier, and more. The platform also added the sequels of popular shows like Jujutsu Kaisen, Spy X Family, and more to its vast library. The season has almost ended, and it’s time for every anime fan to learn what Winter 2024 has to offer. Well, as per the recently released Crunchyroll Winter 2024 lineup, it’s clear that the New Year will be full of surprises for fans, be it new anime shows or continuing shows. So, without taking much time, let’s delve deeper into the article to learn what’s coming up in Winter 2024. Crunchyroll’s Winter 2024 lineup spotlights fantasy anime Mark your calendars as we reveal the dates of the new anime shows that will arrive on Crunchyroll in Winter 2024. December 29 BURN THE WITCH #0.8 – January 1 Fluffy Paradise – January 5 The Demon Prince of Momochi House – Sasaki and Peeps – The Unwanted Undead Adventurer – The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic – January 6 Solo Leveling – A Sign of Affection – Tales of Wedding Rings – MASHLE: MAGIC AND MUSCLES Season 2 – January 7 7th Time Loop: The Villainess Enjoys a Carefree Life Married to Her Worst Enemy! – January 8 The Foolish Angel Dances with the Devil – Hokkaido Gals Are Super Adorable! – January 9 Villainess Level 99: I May Be the Hidden Boss but I’m Not the Demon Lord – January 10 Metallic Rouge – Sengoku Youko – January 11 Delusional Monthly Magazine – January 13 Bucchigiri?! – January 14 Meiji Gekken: 1874 – Winter 2024: Anime returning with a new season/arc Here, you will get to know the release dates for your favorite anime sequels: January 3 Classroom of the Elite Season 3 – Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki Season 2 – January 5 Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Part 2 – January 6 One Piece – Egghead Island Arc – January 7 Banished from the Hero’s Party, I Decided to Live a Quiet Life in the Countryside Season 2 – January 8 TSUKIMICHI: Moonlit Fantasy Season 2 – HIGH CARD Season 2 – January 14 The Fire Hunter Season 2 – TBA Here are the titles that are yet to get an exact release date: Doctor Elise: The Royal Lady with the Lamp – The Witch and the Beast – Ongoing anime series that will continue in Winter 2024 Every Friday Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End – Every Saturday The Apothecary Diaries – Firefighter Daigo: Rescuer in Orange – Case Closed (Detective Conan) – Soaring Sky! Precure – Every Sunday Shangri-La Frontier – Captain Tsubasa Season 2: Junior Youth Arc – 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.

Crunchyroll’s Anime Effect hosts say the FGC’s ‘dream’ fighting game is already here CrunchyrollWe sat down with the hosts of Crunchyroll’s ‘The Anime Effect’ podcast at EVO 2024, where they opened up about their love of fighting games and what the FGC’s “dream” anime fighter would be. EVO 2024 cemented itself as the largest open-bracket esports tournament in the world, bringing together over 10,000 registered players together in the Las Vegas Convention Center to duke it out in their favorite fighting games like Tekken 8, Street Fighter 6, and more. This year, Crunchyroll partnered with EVO for a special anime night, where they showed a screening of the classic Street Fighter II animated movie. The hosts of Crunchyroll’s official podcast, The Anime Effect, were also in attendance, who spoke with us about their experience at this year’s event. Nicholas Friedman and LeAlec Murray said they had a blast when we talked on Sunday, referencing how “accessible” the fighting game community has become over the years and how intertwined the FGC and anime fans really are. “When we were recording yesterday, the thing that was evident was that you don’t have to really get up to speed with anyone,” Friedman said. “It’s like you can start immediately talking about shows and we all get it, and we’re all part of that same community. Just hearing their stories of how completely intertwined their fighting game journey has been with their anime journey — that’s the thing that we’re seeing. Honestly, it’s the reason why we were really excited to come out is to be around like-minded anime fans.” With an eye-popping number of anime series in the world, it stands to reason that fighting games fans might want to see their favorite shows realized in a 2D fighter. But after speaking with members of the community over the weekend, the two hosts realized that many players’ ‘dream’ anime fighting game had already come to fruition years ago. “I’m somebody who grew up playing fighting games, and when I started playing Street Fighter II, I also started watching the original Dragon Ball,” Murray said. “As my love for the fighting game community grew, my love for anime was growing alongside it. The culmination of that was when Dragon Ball FighterZ came out. Of course, there’d been anime fighting games before that, but it felt like the fully realized version of, ‘Oh hey, there really is like a full crossover.’ “Everyone we talked to yesterday was saying that it was the dream, because we asked the question: ‘If you could pick any anime, or if you could have a dream fighting game, what would it be?’ And they’re like, ‘Oh, that exists. That’s Dragon Ball. It’s already there. We got it,” Friedman added. Of course, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t more room for dreaming about what anime would make an amazing fighting game. Murray and Friedman bounced back and forth with several big ideas, one of the major ones being a My Hero Academia-based fighter. “You gotta account for all the quirks that are going on. I feel like seeing how those would interact, the archetypes… I can already see it, like if you use too much of All Might’s power, you have an automatic debuff, and he just throws really weak punches or something,” Murray said excitedly. For Friedman, a Capcom-style 2D Digimon fighting game would be the best thing since sliced bread. “It’d be very cool,” he explained. “You’d start out as Rookie, and if you get stun-locked, you go down to Baby form. But as you power up, you can Digivolve. Your move set slightly changes. …especially in the way that you can use meters in games, I think they could do it.” While this was Friedman’s first real foray into the fighting game community, Murray has been a diehard fighting game fan for many years. He let us into the moments in his childhood that solidified his love for the genre, saying that both his father and a stranger at an arcade introduced him to the scene. “My dad was a really big driver for me playing fighting games,” he said. “He used to go to the arcade with me, and he would just feed me quarters, like playing Tekken. He would just sit there and watch. And I’d be like, ‘We can go play something else.’ And he was like, ‘Nope. Just keep doing what you’re doing.’” “The reason I fell in love with tag fighters is, I walked into the arcade and I was like, I don’t know what’s going on. And I just happened to be standing in front of the huge, MVC machines that they used to have. And there’s this guy sitting there, he had to be like maybe in his twenties. And he was like, ‘Hey, you want to play?’ I’m like, yeah. And he kind of walked me through arcade etiquette and like all this stuff. “And he was like, ‘Alright, let’s run some matches.’ Beats my ass. ‘Thank you.’ Just just runs the fade and I’m like, ‘Oh, okay,’ but he was like, ‘This is how you learn. Keep playing and you’ll get better. And I kept going back.” Murray’s experience echoes that of many other players in the FGC. While this was Friedman’s first real rodeo in the scene, he got to witness the pure, unadulterated passion of the community — and it’s safe to say that he’s a fan. The intersection between anime and fighting games is absolutely real, and with titles like Guilty Gear Strive getting a series in 2025, there’s more of a crossover between the two mediums than ever before. Thanks to our conversation with Crunchyroll, we got to see for ourselves just how close the anime fandom and the FGC really are.

Crunchyroll completely removes all comments – and users understand why CrunchyrollCrunchyroll has decided to close comment sections across the entire platform, and though the change is sudden, users aren’t against it. As a major purveyor of the best anime outside Japan, Crunchyroll boasts a large and dedicated subscriber base. The service’s substantial audience has grown significantly in recent years thanks to being acquired alongside Funimation and then merged with said rival by Sony. For much of this time, account holders could express themselves through comments on anime shows and a bespoke news blog. That particular avenue has been shuttered, for all the reasons you would expect. “We prioritize creating a safe and respectful community environment,” an official statement reads. “To maintain this standard, we are hiding all existing user-generated content, including comments and reviews, across all our platforms and experiences.” The company “encourages” feedback on social media instead, and user ratings are still active as well. Further comment from Crunchyroll support adds: “This change helps us reduce harmful content, prevent misinformation, and improve overall user experience.” That first part is something account holders agree on. “Every episode had roughly 300-400 comments and if I ever felt compelled to scroll beyond the first 50ish comments I would regularly see homophobic or racist stuff buried a little further down,” one Redditor comments. “Comments were a cesspool,” says another, who then states that they’d rather companies would seek heavier moderation than shuttering forums. This seems like a nuclear option, when a sterner hand could have preserved the sense of community on the platform itself. Unfortunately, the reality is more complex. “The bot problem is massive and it’s never going to be solved,” a commenter on Reddit who claims to work in content moderation says. “We can slow them down for a while through actions like banning users, blocking key phrases and the like, but they just find a way to get around it and to develop further.” They add that comment management isn’t cheap, and probably too far above what these companies are willing to pay to allow users the privilege. Anyone who works in public-facing media will tell you, comment sections and community management can require more energy, vigilance, and labour than you’d think. Eventually, you have to wonder if having the option there is worth it, and for most, the answer is simply no. Check out our guides on Tower of God Season 2, Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest, and My Hero Academia Season 7, for the major shows you can catch on Crunchyroll right now.

Crunchyroll down as Attack on Titan Final Season Part 2 crashes anime streaming service Kodansha, Hajime Isayama / CrunchyrollThe second part of Attack on Titan’s final season is finally here, but American viewers have their hands tied when trying to access its first episode as Crunchyroll crashed. As one of the most popular anime series in the modern era, Attack on Titan is a show that mostly every fan of the medium has indulged in. Authored by Hajime Isayama, the manga got its anime same-titled anime adaptation in 2013 after its first episode. Since then, it has been cemented as one of the go-to series any fan can enjoy. Attack on Titan was initially slated to end with its final season airing in October 2020, but due to the ongoing health crisis, it was pushed back to December 6 of the same year. The final season was divided into two parts with the first part finishing on March 29, 2021, with its “Above and Below” episode. This meant that a second part of the final season was in order. Slated to start on December 9, angsty fans have had to wait nearly 10 months for the story’s end but they’ve run into problems. Crunchyroll goes down during Attack on Titan’s Final Season Part 2 airing and fans aren’t happy Amidst the airing of the first episode of Attack on Titan’s final season part two, fans flooded the popular anime streaming service, Crunchyroll. This led to the website crashing almost immediately upon the episode’s release. This isn’t the first time it’s happened either as during the airing of the first episode of part one something similar happened to not just Crunchyroll but Funimation as well, enraging fans. It’s happened again and fans are once again not too pleased and they’ve decided to find a silver lining in an unfortunate situation. “And…. Crunchyroll crashed,” said the Attack on Titan wiki. “CRUNCHYROLL CRASHED, I HATE IT HERE,” said Twitter user theChrisDS While memes and jokes about the situation are very much present, other options for the anime’s fans are still available such as Funimation and Hulu. Attack on Titan crashing Crunchyroll yet again comes as no surprise as the highly-anticipated show has very dedicated watchers. We are working hard to resolve the site and app issues users are experiencing. Thank you for your patience, everyone! Stay tuned for more updates here. — Crunchyroll (@Crunchyroll) January 9, 2022 Thankfully, Crunchyroll has acknowledged the issue, stating that they are “working hard to resolve the site and app issues” and to “stay tuned for more updates.” Seems like Attack on Titan fans will have to wait a little bit more to start to finish the show’s final chapter.

Crunchyroll “focused” on fixing problems with mobile app CrunchyrollCrunchyroll president Rahul Purini has confirmed that plans are in place to fix lingering issues with the mobile version of the popular streaming platform. Crunchyroll is an amazing service that provides anime for a global audience, often lockstep with the Japanese release schedule, but the mobile experience leaves a lot to be desired. There are bugs, playback is often laggy, leading to frustration when watching to catch up with the best anime shows while travelling. When asked about possible improvements, Purini made clear updates are on the way. In fact, the experience on iOS and Android should begin improving very soon. Crunchyroll is fixing the mobile app “We have teams very focused on both our iOS and Android apps,” Purini says in an interview. “We have been releasing updates very regularly.” He tells The Verge that people will see the apps “are getting better and better every day.” There’s a vagueness to his statements that don’t inspire huge confidence, but it does sound like something he’s aware of, and understands needs to be made better. Purini reveals that he comes from an engineering background, so improving the backend is something he knows about. Later in the interview, he talks about how many platforms Crunchyroll is on, discussing the service’s rollout on consoles and smart TVs. The service has been put on a lot of marketplaces, and each one requires maintainence. Mobile will get the attention it deserves, I’m just not totally confident you’ll see that right away. But incremental changes should make a huge difference in the long run. Crunchyroll is only going to get bigger as Demon Slayer Season 4, My Hero Academia Season 7, and a plethora of other huge releases arrive this year. If Purini is true to his word, regardless of where you choose to watch, you’ll have a smooth time. Check out our list of the best fan-favorite anime if you want some quick thrills to stick on.

Crunchyroll and Funimation merger explained Many eyebrows are being raised as Funimation’s streaming service combines with the anime giant Crunchyroll – so, we’re explaining what the merger means. Recent news from Crunchyroll‘s acquisition of Funimation has hit the anime world by storm, with questions flying left and right on what’s going on with most people’s primary way of watching their favorite anime series and what will change on the platform. It’s been a rocky start for the merger where, in a controversial move, all digital purchases made on Funimation will be deleted when the streaming service goes away, leaving fans enraged. It’s a question of how this incident will be resolved, but for now, let’s get into everything we do know is happening with the Crunchyroll Funimation merger. When is Funimation shutting down? Funimation will be ending its streaming service from April 2, 2024, with all support going towards the Crunchyroll platform. Are Funimation exclusive shows heading to Crunchyroll? So far, the only anime series outright confirmed heading to Crunchyroll from Funimation is Dragon Ball Z Kai, the 20th anniversary recut edition of Dragon Ball Z, remastering episodes into HD and cutting out most filler, getting straight to the action. Most Funimation exclusive series from Sping 2022 onwards will make their way onto Crunchyroll in time, with the end goal being for all content from the closing service to be on Crunchyroll. This is the blanket statement provided with no specific mentions of particular shows. It is thought that location will still play a factor in the case of what shows are available in your specific region. Will I lose my digital purchases on Funimation? The answer is, unfortunately, yes. In a statement from Crunchyroll, as the Funimation streaming app will shut down on April 2, 2024, all content purchased will also be deleted from your account. This includes any purchases that include higher quality with Blu-ray features and enhancements. It may be time to invest in physical releases. Will I need to make a new Crunchyroll account? No, those with a Funimation account will be able to access Crunchyroll for the remainder of their subscription. If you log into Crunchyroll with your Funimation account credentials, your subscription should roll over to the other anime streaming service. From the end of your subscription date, you’ll need a Crunchyroll subscription. Will I lose my place in the anime I’m watching? Unfortunately, most likely, as it’s unclear if your watch history on Funimation will carry over onto Crunchyroll. It’s likely a good idea to make a note of where you are in the series on Funimation’s end so you can jump to the episode instead of having to play catch up. That’s all the information we have on the Crunchyroll Funimation merger; watch this space because we’ll keep it updated with all the newest information as we receive it while Crunchyroll absorbs Funimation.

Crunchyroll is kicking off the perfect anime if you love Godzilla x Kong CrunchyrollGodzilla and King Kong are back on the big screen for Godzilla x Kong: the New Empire, where they tag team against another common enemy. The blockbuster slobberknocker has them doing what they do best, and if you want more of the same, a new anime is just the ticket. Godzilla x Kong continues the MonsterVerse’s trend of having our favorite mutant lizard and ape punch and atomic breath whatever’s in front of them. Last time, that meant each other until MechaGodzilla was deployed, and now that means each other again, before another uneasy alliance in the face of a more insidious challenger. Adam Wingard has proven pretty adept at handling Hollywood’s kaiju, given he directed the championship bout in 2021’s Godzilla Vs Kong, and has since returned for their new tag team run. The New Empire offers a hearty portion of cinematic punches and atomic breath, with another sliver of human-sized mundanity. Kaiju are taking over To complement catching the spectacle in theaters, Crunchyroll is about to premiere the ideal anime show, Kaiju No 8. More psychological and human-focused than the MonsterVerse, the series is a prime gateway if you want to go deeper into the mythos while providing a lot of large-scale mayhem to boot. I should be clear: Kaiju No 8 contains neither Godzilla nor King Kong. Although they’re synonymous with the term, ‘kaiju’ refers to the broad idea of gigantic creatures. In Japan, it’s a whole subgenre with numerous franchises and a huge roster of intertwined characters and monsters. The equivalents to the Big G and Daddy K are horrific monstrosities that humanity is learning to handle. In this universe, we have a Defense Force that kills kaiju as they invade cities. Their methods are imperfect, and casualties still happen, but such is life when you’re essentially ants trying to figure out how to stop humans from stomping on your colony. Kaiju clean-up on every aisle Society has become a dystopian wasteland that’s ever-reliant on some specific roles to ensure our survival. You have the Defence Force and then the clean-up crew that do their best to mop up whatever damage is done when a creature is defeated. Both are crucial jobs, but one offers slightly more glory and reward than the other. The protagonist, Kafka Hibino, is stuck as a cleaner despite repeatedly trying to join the front line of defense. His wish comes true more than he’d like when he gets powers to become a kaiju, thus able to wrestle down beasts with his bare hands. A pretty decent asset, except he’s seen as a target in monster form and knows he can’t let the secret get out; otherwise, he’ll be poked and prodded (and worse) by the government. Kaiju No 8 presents a body horror anime that contorts Godzilla as a nuclear weapons allegory into an analogy for the military-industrial complex. Kafka wants to be a hero so bad, he becomes a one-man army who could cause incredible damage if he so chose. From the studio behind Haikyuu!! and Psycho-Pass The supporting cast, ranging from his best friend Mina to squadmate Reno Ichikawa, contrasts his powers with their mech suits, containing parts of killed kaiju. You can find shades of Neon Genesis Evangelion, Gundam, and Soul Eater among Kaiju No 8’s dreary worldview. Coming from Production IG, though, you can bet it looks gorgeous. A slightly neon-tinted dullness permeates the cities, showing our gradual decline toward becoming more machine-like. I’m not sure it’s fair to call Kaiju No 8 nihilistic, even if the hero’s name directly references Franz Kafka. It’s funnier and more chipper than what you’d think something about Earth getting pummeled by otherworldly threats would be. Monsters of all shapes and sizes Even if none of the musings on the human condition appeal to you, Kaiju No 8 contains a weird, wild smorgasbord of monsters, the likes of which would make Egon Spengler and the Extreme Ghostbusters worry. Gigantic insects and plants arrive in later episodes, and since Naoya Matsumoto hasn’t finished the manga, who knows what’ll show up. Kaiju No 8 premieres on Crunchyroll on April 13. After five MonsterVerse movies, the timing couldn’t be better. If you want more monster action, better human heroes, or a production that’s just a little more twisted, this covers all bases. Or, and perhaps most perfect of all, if you’d like to imagine what you’d do if you could become Godzilla, it answers that question for you. Honestly, it’s a good thing we have Crunchyroll subscriptions instead of a monkey’s paw. We have a handy list of the best anime on Crunchyroll for more viewing options, and our guides for Tower of God Season 2 and My Hero Academia You’re Next will make for handy reading as well.

Crunchyroll President explains why Funimation users can’t keep digital copies CrunchyrollThe Crunchyroll and Funimation merger enraged many fans whose digital copies purchased through Funimation Digital will no longer be supported. Here’s what Crunchyroll President Rahul Purini has to say about it. Earlier this month, Crunchyroll made a shocking announcement regarding the acquisition of the popular streaming website Funimation. The merger did bring many classic anime and fan favorites to the Crunchyroll platform, but one important feature of Funimation’s stream offerings will not be carried The anime industry didn’t take the news well when it was confirmed that the digital copies of content from DVDs or Blu-rays would be no longer effective. Regardless of the controversy, the acquisition is still taking effect. Funimation will discontinue its streaming service on April 2, 2024, with all support transitioning to the Crunchyroll platform. Those with Funimation accounts will be allowed to access Crunchyroll for the remainder of their subscription. Crunchyroll President Rahul Purini promises to make up for the loss to Funimation users The Verge had a recent interview with Present Rahul Purini. When asked about the digital copies being no longer available, Purini shares: “As we announced the sunset of Funimation, the users that had bought those physical home videos will not be able to have access to the digital copies on the Crunchyroll service. “I will say these are customers that we value a lot, and we are working really hard directly with each one of them to ensure that they have an appropriate value for what they got in the digital copy initially.” When asked about the appropriate value for what they got in the digital copies, he says: “It could be that they get access to a digital copy on any of the existing other services where they might be able to access it. It could be a discount access to our subscription service so they can get access to the same shows through our subscription service. So we are trying to make it right based on each user’s preference.” The interviewer again confirms with Rahul Purini, asking if Crunchyroll will give people digital copies of other services to make up for their loss; his response is, “If that is what they prefer.” Thanks to the interview, Funimation users can get more insight into the matter after the unsatisfactory official announcement. While the compensation may not satisfy all Funimation users, Crunchyroll President’s latest interview at least confirms that they’re trying to make up for everything.

Crunchyroll has “no announcements” about raising prices — for now CrunchyrollCrunchyroll has quelled rumors of a potential price hike coming soon, stating there aren’t any plans at present outside of Funimation accounts having to switch services. A flurry of misunderstanding has occurred on social media, leading anime fans to believe that Crunchyroll might be about to introduce a price hack. This is, in part, due to the consolidation of Funimation within Crunchyroll, where the latter is being shut down as a standalone service. Controversy has swirled around this decision, since Funimation users won’t have the anime shows and anime movies they own on the platform honored by Crunchyroll. Another tidbit to come from the move has been a belief that Crunchyroll is about to get more expensive. In a new statement, the company has said this isn’t happening. Crunchyroll doesn’t intend to raise prices in the near future In a comment given to Anime News Network, Crunchyroll stated it has “no announcements about a price change at this time.” Pressed about changes within the next two years, the company calls the possibility “improbable.” So, it’s possible your subscription will go up, just not in the immediate future. Where there is a jump in price happening is Funimation accounts migrating to Crunchyroll. Users have the option of moving, but they’ll need to pay Crunchyroll’s current prices, even if they’re on legacy accounts. Funimation offered longtime subscribers the ability to stay at a certain price point if they remained ongoing users over a long period. This has meant some accounts for paying less then $60 annually, a steep contrast to the $99 annually Crunchyroll currently runs at. However, this is something that only impacts those legacy accounts. Everyone else is simply subject to the regular price, which isn’t changing at present. We may see a change at some point in the future, but it’s not happening right now, and probably won’t until the Funimation shut down is complete.

Crunchyroll agrees to pay $30,000 to eligible users in class-action lawsuit CrunchyrollAnime streaming service Crunchyroll has to pay an equal portion of $30,000 to eligible users after reaching a settlement in a class-action lawsuit. The anime industry is in the midst of a major boom with Western audiences. Most recently, the One Piece live adaptation shattered records, hitting the first spot on Netflix’s Top 10 TV chart in 84 different countries. One Piece surpassed Wednesday and Stranger Things, earning a second-season renewal. And anime streaming services only benefit from an increase in visibility. In August, One Piece became the first anime to crash Crunchyroll two weeks in a row. The streaming service has arguably established itself as the king of the medium but has recently found itself under fire. In November 2022, an English voice actor called out Crunchyroll for lack of Jujutsu Kaizen residual payments. And this time around, the streaming service is being forced to pay users because of a user information privacy class action lawsuit. Crunchyroll settles in user information privacy class action lawsuit In September 2022, Crunchyroll allegedly released personally identifiable information from subscribers to several third-party companies like Facebook, which suit filers Salvador Beltran, Eli Gross, and others claimed violated the United States’ Video Privacy Protection Act. According to the Kroll Settlement Administration, Crunchyroll will pay claimants an equal portion of a $30,000 settlement amount, with estimates suggesting that anyone submitting a claim form for the suit will likely receive up to $30. It’s important to note that the $30,000 settlement amount is only a small portion of the total $16 million settlement fund Eligibility applies to anyone with a Crunchyroll subscription from September 8 through September 20. There is no concrete information at this time about when eligible users who submit a claim form may receive payment, though the deadline for submission is Dec. 12. Eligible users should receive an email with information about the potential payout, and all eligible users can find the claim form on Kroll Settlement Administration’s official website. For more, check out the rest of our anime coverage.

Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2022 Winners: Attack on Titan, Jujutsu Kaisen, more Viz Media / Shueisha / Kodansha / CrunchyrollThe winners of the sixth annual Crunchyroll Anime Awards have been officially revealed. From Attack on Titan to Jujutsu Kaisen and more, fans across the globe have voted to crown the best anime of the year. The highly-anticipated winners of the 2022 Crunchyroll Anime awards have now been revealed. Fans cast their votes across 26 different categories to crown the best anime voice actors, best animation, best fight scene, best protagonist, and more. This year had a few bangers that took the anime scene by storm; Attack on Titan Final Season Part 1 literally broke Crunchyroll, and Jujutsu Kaisen’s high-flying action and impressive fight scenes had Shounen fans’ jaws on the floor. Of course, we can’t count out later additions like the adorable and heartfelt Ranking of Kings, which was released in October 2021. Here are the winners of the 2022 Crunchyroll Anime Awards by category: Anime of the Year: Attack on Titan Final Season Part 1 The 9-year-old Attack on Titan series is coming to an end with its final season. Part 1 took home Crunchyroll’s Anime of the Year award — and it’s no surprise, considering the hype literally crashed Funimation and Crunchyroll’s streaming services (and it happened again a year later with the release of Part 2). Best Protagonist: Odokawa – ODDTAXI ODDTAXI has accrued a loyal and passionate fanbase, and it’s not hard to see why — especially with a deep-cut protagonist like Hiroshi Odokawa. The taxi driver has taken home Crunchyroll’s award for Best Protagonist for a number of reasons, his eye-opening discussions with his clients being just one of many. Best Antagonist: Eren Jaeger – Attack on Titan Final Season Part 1 Eren Jaeger is one of the more explosive anime characters out there, and his sudden shift in Attack on Titan the Final Season has won him Crunchyroll’s award for Best Antagonist. We won’t spoil anything here, but if Part 2 is anything to go by — he might just take home this award again next year! Best Fight Scene: Yuji Itadori & Aoi Todo VS Hanami – JUJUTSU KAISEN (cour 2) Jujutsu Kaisen is hailed for having some of the smoothest fight scenes in Shounen anime right now, so it’s no surprise this show took home Crunchyroll’s Best Fight Scene award. The hilarious brotherhood between Yuji and Aoi made for an uber-hype battle with big baddie Hanami. Other awards The rest of the 2022 Crunchyroll anime award winners are as follows: Best Boy: Bojji – Ranking of Kings Best Girl: Nobara Kugisaki – JUJUTSU KAISEN (cour 2) Best Director: Baku Kinoshita – ODDTAXI Best Animation: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Mugen Train Arc Best Character Design: Tadashi Hiramatsu – JUJUTSU KAISEN (cour 2) Best Score: Yuki Kajiura and Go Shiina – Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Mugen Train Arc Best Opening Sequence (OP): Boku no sensou by Shinsei Kamattechan – Attack on Titan Final Season Part 1. Storyboard and Direction: Yuichiro Hayashi Best Ending Sequence (ED): Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Mugen Train Arc Best Action: JUJUTSU KAISEN (cour 2) Best Comedy: Komi Can’t Communicate Best Drama: To Your Eternity Best Fantasy: That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 2 Best Romance: Horimiya Best Film: Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train Best VA Performance (Japanese): Yuki Kaji – Eren Jaeger – Attack on Titan Final Season Part 1 Best VA Performance (English): David Wald – Ainosuke Shindo/”ADAM” – SK8 The Infinity Best VA Performance – (German): René Dawn-Claude – Satoru Gojo – JUJUTSU KAISEN (cour 2) Best VA Performance – (French): Enzo Ratsito – Tanjiro Kamado – Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Mugen Train Arc Best VA Performance – (Portuguese): Léo Rabelo – Satoru Gojo – JUJUTSU KAISEN (cour 2) Best VA Performance – (Castilian): Marcel Navarro – Tanjiro Kamado – Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train Best VA Performance – (Spanish): Irwin Daayán – Rengoku – Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Best VA Performance – (Russian): Islam Gandzhaev (Ислам Ганджаев) – Tanjiro Kamado – Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train

Fan-favorite anime was “robbed” at Crunchyroll Awards CrunchyrollThe Crunchyroll Anime Awards have just happened, with Jujutsu Kaisen and Attack on Titan leading the winners, causing a particular series to fall by the wayside. The awards took place on March 2 in Tokyo, Japan, aiming to honor the top tier anime shows of the last year across a variety of categories. You’ve got Anime of the Year, Opening Sequence, Supporting Character, and many more, all rewarding a particular aspect of the franchises we love. As the leading ceremony of its kind, particularly for English-speaking audiences, the Crunchyroll Anime Awards put considerable effort to attract mainstream attention. This year, Megan Thee Stallion and pro wrestler Mercedes Moné were in attendance to present awards, creating celebrity buzz and prestige. Sadly, a lot of fans aren’t too keen on who went home with statues, believing the emphasis was too strong on already well-known and popular properties. Vinland Saga Season 2 was snubbed at the Crunchyroll Anime Awards On Reddit and across social media, many fans believe Vinland Saga Season 2 should’ve gotten at least some of the awards that Jujutu Kaisen received. Indeed, the Viking anime went in with around ten nominations, but failed to succeed in every category. Meanwhile, Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 got Anime of the Year, both Best Opening and Closing, Best Japanese Voice Actor Performance, and a wealth of others. It was a very good ceremony for MAPPA’s adaptation of Gege Akutami’s manga. “Vinland Saga definitely deserved [Anime of the Year] without a flinch of a doubt,” says one commenter on Reddit. “I had hopes seeing last year Edgerunners winning the AotY – that finally CR isn’t mollycoddling to its viewers or awarding based on popularity but I was so wrong.” Another adds on X, formerly Twitter: “The fact that Vinland Saga didn’t win a single award just proves that this is literally the worst anime awards of all time.” The reactions are a little hyperbolic, but I understand the frustration. Jujutsu Kaisen is one of the biggest anime going right now, and it wouldn’t have suffered any to lose some of these categories. Vinland Saga Season 2 is a great piece of work, and could’ve used some more recognition. Jujutsu Kaisen dominated the awards so much, even anime that got some statues (such as Chainsaw Man) have fans wishing they had a stronger look in. The awards are definitely top heavy, and although Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 was great, was it that great? I’m not so sure. But at the same time, this is just one awarding body. These shows can’t make everyone happy, and creating some discourse about winners ultimately helps the medium, since it creates a flurry of people saying how great franchises like Vinland Saga are. In any case, check out our lists of the best anime like Solo Leveling and best anime like Demon Slayer if you want more viewing suggestions.

Crunchyroll announced the schedule of 15 Dragon Ball Movies CrunchyrollThis Summer season, Crunchyroll is going full out with 15 Dragon Ball movies. Delve deeper to find out the schedule and dub information of these movies. Dragon Ball franchise started as a Shueisha-published manga created by Akira Toriyama. The original Dragon Ball TV anime series premiered in 1986, and the first anime film was released the same year. Dragon Ball is one of the most popular anime franchises, with several sequels and standalone movies. Crunchyroll, the leading anime streaming platform, is adding a large catalogue of Dragon Ball movies to its lineup beginning this week and ending in early July. The list includes primarily every Dragon Ball Z movie, including the Super prequel, Resurrection F, and the critically acclaimed Super movie Broly. Here’s the list of all the Dragon Ball movies Crunchyroll subscribers will be able to watch this season. The schedule of Dragon Ball movies 22 June Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone – Dragon Ball Z: World’s Strongest – Dragon Ball Z: Tree of Might – Dragon Ball Z: Lord Slug – Dragon Ball Z: Cooler’s Revenge – Dragon Ball Z: Return of Cooler – Dragon Ball Z: Super Android 13 – 29 June Dragon Ball Z: Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan – Dragon Ball Z: Bojack Unbound – Dragon Ball Z: Broly – Second Coming – Dragon Ball Z: Bio-Broly – Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn – Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon – 6 July Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection F – Dragon Ball Super: Broly – The 13 Dragon Ball Z movies will be available to stream in the United States, Canada, Latin America, Australia, and New Zealand with English, Brazilian Portuguese, and Latin American Spanish subtitles. Resurrection F and Broly, which will be released on 6 July, will have English, French, and German subtitles and audio. For more information, visit the Crunchyroll website. 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 | Demon Slayer Corps

Crunchyroll announces documentary to celebrate Studio BONES CrunchyrollCrunchyroll has recently announced a four-part docuseries in alliance with a renowned French studio. Here’s everything you should know about the project. Crunchyroll has been a go-to destination for every anime enthusiast for years. Whenever an anime gets released, fans look forward to a hassle-free streaming experience on the platform. Well, Crunchyroll also keeps on surprising the audience by including massive projects in its grand library every now and then. A little while back, the streaming platform declared that it had been working on a four-part docuseries to commemorate the 25 years of Studio BONES, the company behind several popular anime, including My Hero Academia. The studio that started as a small production company has evolved extensively over the years. So, Crunchyroll partnered with DeltaRocket to create the four-partseries to shed some light on the achievements of the studio’s highly talented team’s. Crunchyroll’s exclusive docuseries is titled Bones 25: Dreaming Forward Bones 25: Dreaming Forward is a four-part docuseries that showcases the history of Studio BONES. The first 24-minute premiere episode of the documentary has already arrived on Crunchyroll on February 13, 2024. Surprisingly, the arrival of the episode coincided with Metallic Rouge’s sixth episode’s release. For the unacquainted, Metallic Rouge is the latest original anime series from Studio BONES that premiered on the streaming giant on January 10. The four episodes of Bones 25: Dreaming Forward are titled “The History of Bones, Style and Originality, Successful Adaptation, and Metallic Rouge: The Future of Bones.” The intriguing project sees the involvement of some of the significant personalities from the production house. These include the president of Studio BONES and the creators of several celebrated titles like Mob Psycho 100 and Bungou Stray Dogs. According to the Studio BONES president, Masahiko Minami: “We wanted to build a place where we could find new forms of expression, new genres, and new themes through creation. Looking back, it was with great joy and gratitude that I rediscovered the works we have been creating with our wonderful friends.” The docuseries will reveal how the studio managed to create masterpieces like Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood and My Hero Academia. While the latter has always seen the hype for its intense battles, the former has set such a benchmark that no other series can dethrone it from sitting at the top of MyAnimeList. Besides these, Crunchyroll has numerous projects from Studio BONES, and we hope to see it adding the forthcoming creations of the highly acclaimed studio as well.

Code Geass: Z anime to make epic return after long hiatus Studio SunriseIt’s a moment Code Geass fans have been waiting for for a long time: a new anime series is finally happening. Sci-fi anime, Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion, is one of the most popular mecha series of the early 2000s. Widely regarded as one of the greatest anime ever made, it soon gained a loyal fanbase and even multiple spin-off movies. However, all fans have really wanted is another series to devour. And they almost got their wish, when Code Geass: Z of the Recapture was first announced three years ago. But after talk about the new series soon faded into silence, fans were left waiting and wondering what happened to it. Now, after a three-year hiatus, we’re finally going to get an update on Code Geass: Z of the Recapture. So, here’s everything you need to know about the announcement. Code Geass: Z of the Recapture anime update On December 1, Code Geass’s official website announced that something exciting was brewing for fans of the anime franchise. Although Code Geass: Z of the Recapture was announced three years ago, the series was put on hold due to reasons that are still unknown. However, on December 1, the series official website announced that during Lelouch Lamperouge’s 15th birthday screening on December 18, 2023, a special production presentation for Code Geass: Z of the Recapture will be held at Shinjuki Wald 9. What’s the announcement about? It hasn’t been revealed what the Code Geass: Z of the Recapture update will be about. However, it’s assumed that we’ll receive information about when or if we can expect to see the new series. And, hopefully, we’ll get an exciting sneak glimpse. What’s Code Geass: Z of the Recapture about? The new series plot is still unknown. We’ve been told that it would effectively serve as the anime’s third season, although it will take place in a separate timeline from the original series that concluded in Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2. Under Sunrise Studios, will be directed by Yoshimitsu Ohashi from the original series, produced by Hiroshi Morotomi, Yoshitaka Kawaguchi, Takuo Minegishi and Atsushi Yukawa, and written by Noboru Kimura. Make sure to check back in on December 18 for updates on the new series. Meanwhile, why not take a look at our other anime coverage here?

10 comfort anime that will make you smile Crunchyroll/NetflixAnime doesn’t always have to be all about action and drama. Some anime can help you relax and put a smile on your face – so here’s a list of 10 comfort anime you can never get tired of watching. Some anime provide the thrill of fights while others slowly enter your heart and stay there forever. The most popular anime are often pretty intense or tragic. Although it’s fun to watch Shonen fights and heart-breaking drama, anime enthusiasts would often need a break from it. As such, there’s nothing better than to soothe your soul as your evergreen comfort anime series and movies. Calm and slow-paced anime can always lift your spirits. If you’re someone who wants to watch something stress-free and humorous, scroll down to check out our top 10 picks. 1. Barakamon With valuable life lessons, hilarious scenes, and bonds of friendship, Barakamon is the pure definition of a comfort anime series. This epic tale of self-discovery follows a hot-headed Sei Handa, a calligraphist who hits a veteran in the field after having his work called “unoriginal.” His father punishes him by sending him to a remote island for self-reflection. Initially facing difficulty adjusting to country life, Handa soon finds his “unique” art style and meaning in his art. And the ones who help him achieve this are the eccentric people and the mischievous kid Naru Kotoishi. Where to watch: Crunchyroll 2. Flying Witch This relaxing anime series follows Makoto Kowata, a fifteen-year-old witch. As part of the witch’s tradition, she leaves her parent’s home and moves in with her relatives in a small town for its abundance of nature and affinity with magic. While Makoto usually spends her days as an ordinary high school girl, she also has her eccentric side as he aims to be a well-renowned witch. Her enthusiasm inspires her young cousin Chinatsu, who wishes to follow in her footsteps. Where to watch: Crunchyroll 3. Natsume’s Book of Friends This Shojo anime includes some of the religious traditions in Japan, including ghosts, spirits, and yokai. The story follows Takashi Natsume, who doesn’t fit in with humans because of his ability to see yokai. After constantly changing foster homes, he arrives at his late grandmother’s old place, whom he never met. Thanks to a powerful yokai, Madara, Natsume finds her Book of Friends, which only includes yokai’s name, and aims to free all of them. Where to watch: Crunchyroll 4. Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun This anime series follows eccentric high school students. Chiyo Sakura accidentally calls herself her crush, Nozaki’s fan, instead of confessing to him. And Nozaki gives her his autograph. She later realizes Nozaki is a popular Shojo mangaka. After a series of hilarious events, she finds herself working as his assistant. She also befriends her quirky schoolmates, including the hot-headed Hori, a shy but shameless Mikoto, and a girl named Kashima, who everyone calls a Prince. Where to watch: Crunchyroll 5. Howl’s Moving Castle This Studio Ghibli classic never gets old, no matter how many times you watch it. Set in a magical world, it touches on several themes, including humanity, selfhood, compassion, and belonging, and its most enduring message is derived from its ideas about war and its evils. The protagonist, Sophie Hatter, is an average young woman who gets cursed by the Witch of the Waste after she meets Howls. As a result of the curse, Sophie finds herself looking like a 90-year-old woman. She leaves her home and sets out on an aimless journey, but her life changes for the better when she enters Howl’s castle. Where to watch: Netflix 6. Snow White with the Red Hair Snow White with the Red Hair is the comfort anime for Shojo romance fans. The series features beautiful scenery, lovable characters, and a steady pace. Shirayuki owns a small herbal shop. She often catches unwanted attention for her unique red hair. Eventually, she has to leave for home when her kingdom’s prince orders her to be his concubine. After crossing the borders, she crosses paths with Zen, who finds her intriguing but has secrets of his own. Where to watch: Crunchyroll 7. My Neighbor Totoro Another Studio Ghibli classic we have on our list is My Neighbor Totoro. The story follows two sisters, Satsuki and Mei, who move into the countryside with their father to live close to their hospitalized mother. As the girls become accustomed to country life, they encounter supernatural beings. One day, Mei one day stumbles upon a little, bunny-like creature in the garden. Trailing it into the forest, she discovers “Totoro”—a massive, enigmatic forest spirit with whom she quickly becomes friends. Soon after Satsuki meets Totoro as well, the two girls discover that their lives are suddenly full of exotic woodland creatures and enchanted outdoor experiences. Where to watch: Netflix 8. The Morose Mononokean Despite being scary in Japanese folktales, Yokai-centered anime are often adorable and comforting. Hanae Ashiya encounters a fluffy Yokai just before he begins his high school life. However, the Yokai latches onto him and makes him sick, so much so that Hanae spends several days in the nurse’s office. He comes across a flyer advertising an exorcist who expels Yokai. He calls the number and meets Haruitsuki Abeno, the master of the Mononokean. Haruitsuki introduces him to the world of Yokai before Hanae starts working as his assistant. Where to watch: Crunchyroll 9. Whisper of the Heart Whisper of the Heart is an enchanting Studio Ghibli movie is an enchanting tale about two teenagers. Shizuku enjoys reading fiction and writing poetry enough to neglect her studies. She notices a boy named Seiji always issuing the same books as her and becomes curious to find his identity. She sees a strange cat on a train, decides to follow it, and discovers an intriguing antique store. Shizuku also meets Seiji and befriends him. Seiji’s passion for violin-making inspires Shizuku to follow her dreams. Where to watch: Netflix 10. Hinamatsuri Hinamatsuri is a heart-warming series about a yakuza raising a girl with mysterious powers. Yoshifumi Nitta encounters a girl coming out from a capsule having immense powers. Just when you thought things couldn’t get much worse, she loses control and, should her powers go unutilized, detonates an explosion. Left with no other option, Nitta ends up taking care of her. However, Hina turns out to be a great asset to his yakuza company. Therefore, this peculiar duo’s weird life begins. Where to watch: 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 a few of our other lists below and our other anime coverage here: 10 short anime that deserve more recognition – 14 best upcoming anime in 2024 so far – 10 Shonen anime to watch if you like One Piece – Top 10 anime series in Fall 2023 – Please note that if you click on a product link on this page we may earn a small affiliate commission.

Cosplayer creates dazzling rendition of My Hero Academia’s Momo Yaoyorozu rinnieriotcosplay Instagram / BonesMy Hero Academia features a large cast of characters each with their own unique outfits that compliment their Quirks, and one cosplayer expertly recreated one of the show’s most versatile heroines Momo Yaoyorozu. Characters from the popular manga/anime have been a popular target for cosplayers to give their own spins on throughout the years. While some cosplayers tend to like the more villainous personalities of the show, others have been honing their craft recreating the students from Class 1-A. Even though Momo can take a passive role at times, she’s always been a fan-favorite because of her heroic spirit and dazzling outfit that lets her best utilize her Quirk: Creation. 600To recreate her design, cosplayer Rinnie Riot used an incredible blend of expert craftsmanship, persistence with her wig and a bit of editing to bring one of the most complete looks for Momo yet. “Momo Yaoyorozu from Boku No Hero Academia cosplay,” Rinnie said. “Gimme this OP quirk so I can never leave my house. Costume is made by me! I didn’t think I could style the wig but here it is.” Sticking close to the Everything Hero: Creati’s design, Rinnie suited up in the hero’s “Yaoyoreotard,” which would give her ample skin exposure to conveniently use her Quirk in a dicey situation. 600MHA fans might appreciate the cosplay a bit more seeing as Rinnie also included Momo’s Yaoyoro-Belt around her waist to give the costume a bit more authenticity. Speaking of, staying true to Momo’s Quirk, Rinnie posed with blade in one hand and a katana in the other which is still materializing from her body. The bit of Photoshop magic rounds out the shot of her cosplay by giving the costume a unique layer from the anime. Rinnie’s cosplays have been a riot among fans Rinnie has shown her prowess for creating cosplays for a long time, and it shows with her incredible backlog of impressive designs. 600One such cosplay was inspired by popular MOBA League of Legends as Rinnie is seen in a really impressive K/DA Ahri suit complete with tails and Korean pop-star flair. Rinnie is definitely one of the best around and fans can’t wait to see more cosplays after getting a look at her latest take on Momo.

Crunchyroll adds new anime films, including Jujutsu Kaisen 0 CrunchyrollAnime streaming service Crunchyroll will be adding multiple films to its roster, including franchises like Psycho-Pass and Jujutsu Kaisen. Anime film fans can rejoice, because Crunchyroll is about to drop a whole bunch of them! It was announced earlier this week that the hit streaming service was planning to make multiple anime films from multiple different franchises available for streaming throughout September. But when are these films dropping? Let us tell you… What films are dropping on Crunchyroll? There’s plenty of new films dropping on the platform, and they can be organized by what date they’re dropping. The site seems to be dropping multiple films from the different franchises on the same days, seen by the Psycho-Pass and Free! films. Without further ado, let’s see what’s in store… September 1: Afro Samurai: Resurrection – BanG Dream! Poppin’ Dream! – September 8: Odd Taxi: In the Woods – Psycho-Pass: Sinners of the System: Case.1 Crime and Punishment – Psycho-Pass: Sinners of the System: Case.2 First Guardian – Psycho-Pass: Sinners of the System: Case.3 Beyond the Pale of Vengeance – September 15: The Girl Who Leapt Through Time – Sword of the Stranger – Black Butler: Book of the Atlantic – September 21: Jujutsu Kaisen 0 – September 22: High Speed! -Free! Starting Days- – Free! The Movie -Timeless Medley- the Bond – Free! The Movie -Timeless Medley- the Promise – Free! -Road to the World- The Dream – September 29: Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion I – Initiation – Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion II – Transgression – Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion III – Glorification – Code Geass: Lelouch of the Re;surrection – The availability for English subbed and dubbed versions will vary per film. While there are no official dates, Crunchyroll will also be streaming these films throughout September: Akira – Your Name – Wolf Children – The Boy and the Beast – Josee – The Tiger and the Fish – The Stranger by the Shore – Sing a bit of Hamrony – Crunchyroll is planning to add even more movies in October.

Classroom of the Elite Season 3 gets a release date CrunchyrollAs Winter 2024 finally draws near, the highly-anticipated Classroom of the Elite Season 3 reveals its release date. Classroom of the Elite Season 3 is an upcoming Winter 2024 anime. It’s a psychological thriller series focusing on high school students. Set in a prestigious Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School, the series follows Ayanokouji Kiyotaka. The first season of the anime adaptation was immensely popular among fans, with no news about a sequel for five years. After the second season gained massive popularity, a third installment was announced pretty soon and is all set to premiere in January 2024. Classroom of the Elite is based on a light novel of the same name by Shougo Kinugasa. The 14-volume long novel was published from 2015 to 2019 and has a total of 110 chapters. Studio Lerche is returning to animate the third season. Here’s a look at the release date of Classroom of the Elite Season 3. Classroom of the Elite Season 3 release date Classroom of the Elite Season 3 will start airing on January 3, 2024. The series will first premiere on the AT-X channel on that day at 10:30 p.m. (8:30 a.m. EDT) before running on Tokyo MX, BS NTV, Sun TV, TV Aichi, and KBS Kyoto. The anime will be available on Crunchyroll as soon as the episodes air in Japan. However, the streaming platform has yet to announce the timings. Additionally, we can expect a release date for the English dub soon after Season 3 starts airing. Classroom of the Elite Season 3 trailer and synopsis KADOKAWAanime shared the first trailer of Classroom of the Elite Season 3 on YouTube along with the season’s synopsis. It reads: “3rd Term Introduction: Tokyo Advanced High School is a dream-like school that boasts a 100% advancement and employment rate and rewards points worth 100,000 yen every month. However, in reality, it was a merit-based school where only a few students with excellent grades received preferential treatment. “In the third semester, Ayanokoji and his friends are promoted from D class to C class and head to forest school. What will be held there is a special exam called a “mixed training camp” that will be held jointly by all grades. In this test, students are divided into groups by gender and are graded on a group-by-group basis. “The students are horrified by the fact that they can’t get a high score unless they cooperate with students from other classes who have been competing against them, and most of all, they are horrified by the rule that any group that fails to reach the borderline will be expelled. The turbulent third semester, which causes upheaval, is about to begin!” Here’s a look at the trailer: The first two seasons of Classroom of the Elite are currently streaming 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 cutest anime show ever is returning this April TOHOIf Godzilla Minus One hadn’t satisfied your appetite for kaiju action, their chibi counterpart is about to return for a cuteness overload. Although the big-G is firmly rooted in sci-fi horror, cinema’s greatest monster has long had an adorable side, too. In 1967, we were introduced to Godzilla Junior in the aptly titled Son of Godzilla, an incredibly cute kaiju child who’s clumsy and struggles with fighting with big monsters, bless ’em. Since then, we’ve had numerous films with a more comedic, almost wholesome vibe, but none as much as the anime show Chibi Godzilla Raids Again. A more recent incarnation of the king of the monsters, this focuses on another of their children, who aspires to be as strong and fearsome. They’re surrounded by similarly fluffy counterparts of other kaiju, and they’re all about to return to your screens. Chibi Godzilla Raids Again returns in April 2024 It’s been announced that another season of Chibi Godzilla Raids Again is about to arrive in short order, with the first episode coming April 3, 2024. This was revealed with an accompanying poster, referencing Godzilla Minus One, from the show’s official X account (formerly Twitter). The first 13 episodes came out around this time last year. Each just a couple of minutes long, they feature Chibi Godzilla, Chibi Mothra, Chibi Rodan, and many more residents of Monster Island getting into various hijinks. It’s produced by Pie in the Sky and directed by Taketo Shinkai, both of which are returning for the second season. Chibi Godzilla is a reasonably new creation, debuting in children’s book ‘Do Your Best, Chibi Godzilla’ in 2018 before getting their own spin-off. So far, they’ve remained on the small screen, but you never know, if they get popular enough, we might see an appearance elsewhere someday. For now, we have the videos on YouTube, and I’m very glad of them. For more fine viewing options, check out our lists of the best anime movies and best anime like Solo Leveling.

Anime fans keep laughing at accidentally hilarious tribute to Chicago Cubs star player CrunchyrollSometimes it pays to Google someone’s name before you pay tribute to them. Chicago Cubs fans have found this out the hard way, with an unfortunate alternate meaning for a player’s name giving anime fans a giggle. Shōta Imanaga is one of the standout pitchers on the Cubs lineup right now. Being so prominent, he gets a lot of support from the stands, including audience-members showing up with his name written across their chest. Such adoration has spawn an image that’s travelling around social meida, but not how anyone associated with the Cubs might like. See, ‘Shota’ has connotations to those who know Japanese media, particularly anime shows and manga. Broadly speaking, it refers to erotic fiction centred on young, or young looking, men. It’s often softcore porn, known as yaoi. It’s a specific and popular genre, though not something that’s reached mainstream attention out side of Japan. Hence, people find it very funny that baseball audiences are so boisterously celebrating the word. It’s a harmless coincidence, that’s been compared to Arsenal FC fans dubbing themselves ‘Gooners’, leading to groups such as the Gay Gooners. Our list of the best sports anime might enlighten to more unfortunate terminology. Our guides to Demon Slayer Season 4 and Solo Leveling Season 2 are worth checking out, too.

Classroom of the Elite fans worried Season 3 will “rush” story Studio LercheThe release date for Classroom of the Elite Season 3 is drawing near, and fans’ concerns are growing. The wait for fans of Classroom of the Elite will soon be over as Season 3 is set to air on January 3, 2024. So, with only a couple of weeks to go, it’s almost time to head back to class with all your favorite characters. Adapted from Shogo Kinugasa’s light novel series of the same name, this psychological thriller follows the life of a quiet and unassuming high school student called Kiyotaka Ayanokoji. He’s not good at making friends, relatively introverted, but possesses unrivaled intelligence and physical abilities. But things are not as they seem. Classroom of the Elite is one of the most popular anime series airing at the moment. However, following a recent announcement that the new season would have 13 episodes, fans have taken to social media to express their concerns. Classroom of the Elite fans share Season 3 concerns On December 12, it was announced that Classroom of the Elite Season 3 – produced by Studio Lerche – would start broadcasting on January 3, 2024 with a total of 13 episodes. This isn’t out of the ordinary for anime series, with many fan favorites having short seasons. However, with only 13 episodes to cover 5 volumes, its easy to see why fans are upset. Fan reactions to Season 3 Following the announcement, fans took to social media platforms Reddit and Twitter to discuss their concerns that Studio Lerche would struggle to fit all five volumes into 13 episodes, without losing any of the story’s key plot points. “Let’s see how much of a train wreck this will be.” Wrote one user on Reddit. With another likening the anime to a “hyper rushed seasonal show (ex: Berserk of Gluttony)”. While some argued that it’s unfair to put the blame on the studio, choosing to point fingers at Kadokawa and Crunchyroll instead. Many called for a new studio to take over, and expressed concerns that they could “outsource some episode animations to a 3rd party studio, like they did with Season 2.” You can check out the rest of the Reddit thread here. But let’s now go over to Twitter to see if the same sentiment is reflected. Since we’re still waiting for the series official trailer, it’s possible that fans concerns are unfounded. While we should reserve judgement until the season is released, with multiple social media posts over the years highlighting the anime’s rushed pacing in comparison to the manga, it’s clear to see that the upcoming season for Classroom of the Elite will be met with as much trepidation as excitement. After all, as fans say, no anime adaptation is sometimes better than a bad one. While you wait for more news on your favorite series, you can check our other anime coverage here.

Classroom of the Elite Season 3 Episode 4: Release date & preview CrunchyrollClassroom of the Elite Season 3 Episode 4 will come with an unexpected guest, a major reason why fans are waiting for its release. Here’s the release date and preview information for the anticipated episode. Classroom of the Elite made a terrific return with the third season earlier this month, and with each episode, it is getting suspenseful yet intriguing for every fan. Things have gotten scary for Ichinose as Sakayanagi has targeted her by spreading some hare-brained rumors about her in the school that can ruin her name among her schoolmates. Besides this, the previous episode came with some mysterious events that kept the fans hooked on the show. So, when can we expect the new episode to arrive? Let’s delve deeper and find out. Classroom of the Elite Season 3 Episode 4 release date and time Classroom of the Elite Season 3 Episode 4 will be released on Wednesday, January 23, 2024, at 10:30pm JST on local Japanese networks. International fans can expect the episode to arrive on Crunchyroll at the below timings: 7:00am PST – 8:00am Mountain Time – 9:00am CST – 10:00pm EST – 3:00pm British Time – 4:00pm European Time – 8:30pm IST – After the completion of the Mixed Training Camp, Sakayanagi reveals her plan to Nagumo. She tells him that she is willing to target Honami and destroy her name among her peers. Sakayanagi also says Honami might also get suspended from the school because of her plan. After listening to her carefully, Nagumo agrees to support her in bringing Honami down. On the other side, Ayanokouji learns about Hirata and Karuizawa’s breakup. Yamauchi approaches Karuizawa to ask him what happened between him and Hirata. However, the latter’s friend doesn’t allow that and prevents him from the awkward situation. After some time, Sakayanagi entered the class and asked Yamauchi to come with her. The other students of the class start speculating if the duo can end up being a couple. Classroom of the Elite Season 3 Episode 4 preview Classroom of the Elite Season 3 Episode 4’s preview and official synopsis reads: “On Valentine’s Day, the guys in Class C were all buzzing with excitement, wondering if they’d be getting chocolates. Meanwhile, Karuizawa felt a bit nervous when Ayanokoji asked to talk. As they had a conversation at their meeting spot, someone totally unexpected showed up.”

Classroom of the Elite Season 3 unveils first trailer YouTubeAs Winter 2024 finally draws near, the highly-anticipated Classroom of the Elite Season 3 unveils its first trailer. Here’s a look at it. Classroom of the Elite Season 3 is one of the most highly anticipated anime series of Winter 2024. It’s a psychological thriller series centering around high school students. Set in a prestigious Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School, the story follows Ayanokouji Kiyotaka. The first season was immensely popular among fans, with no news about a sequel for five years. After the second season gained massive popularity, a third installment was announced pretty soon and is all set to premiere in January 2024. The series is based on a light novel of the same name by Shougo Kinugasa. The 14-volume long novel was published from 2015 to 2019 and has a total of 110 chapters. Studio Lerche is returning to animate the third season. Here’s a look at the first trailer of Classroom of the Elite Season 3. Classroom of the Elite Season 3 trailer Here’s a look at the trailer: Classroom of the Elite Season 3 synopsis and main cast KADOKAWAanime recently shared the first trailer of Classroom of the Elite Season 3 on YouTube. The trailer features the main cast, and the caption explains the synopsis and main cast of the upcoming season. Since the caption is in Japanese, we’ve shared an English version below: “3rd Term Introduction: Tokyo Advanced High School is a dream-like school that boasts a 100% advancement and employment rate and rewards points worth 100,000 yen every month. However, in reality, it was a merit-based school where only a few students with excellent grades received preferential treatment. “In the third semester, Ayanokoji and his friends are promoted from D class to C class and head to forest school. What will be held there is a special exam called a “mixed training camp” that will be held jointly by all grades. In this test, students are divided into groups by gender and are graded on a group-by-group basis. “The students are horrified by the fact that they can’t get a high score unless they cooperate with students from other classes who have been competing against them, and most of all, they are horrified by the rule that any group that fails to reach the borderline will be expelled. The turbulent third semester, which causes upheaval, is about to begin!” See the list of main cast and characters below: Kiyotaka Ayanokoji: Shoya Chiba – Arisu Sakayanagi: Rina Hidaka – Suzune Horikita: Akari Kito – Kikyo Kushida: Yurika Kubo – Megumi Karuizawa: Ayana Taketatsu – Yosuke Hirata: Ryota Osaka – Rokusuke Koenji: Toshiki Iwasawa – Honami Ichinose: Nao Higashiyama – Masayoshi Hashimoto: Yohei Asakami – Sho Ryūen: Masaaki – Mizu Hiyori Shiina: Rie Takahashi – Manabu Horikita: Yuichiro Umehara – Masaru Nagumo: Souma Saito – 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.

Chainsaw Man has been added to one of the most violent games ever CrunchyrollChainsaw Man, the action-packed anime and manga about man whose appendages become chainsaws, has been added to gore-filled video game, and honestly, it’s a match made in hell. Despite only having one season, Chainsaw Man has firmly established itself as a fan-favorite anime show. The gruesome tale, about a teenager who makes a deal with the devil to transform parts of his body into chainsaws – as you do – was easily one off the biggest releases of 2022. Truly, if there’s a more beautiful way to render blood and guts than MAPPA’s treatment of Tatsuki Fujimoto’s source material, I haven’t seen it. The body horror anime got a mobile game last year, but now we have another release that might appease people looking for straight gore. Chainsaw Man has been added to Happy Wheels Yes, it’s 2024, and there are still levels and characters being added to Happy Wheels. Chainsaw Man is one of them, as discovered by Chainsawpedia on X, formerly Twitter. The level is literally just you, running as Chainsaw Man, through a load of regular people. Blood and body parts go everywhere, and you can go to your heart’s content. If you’re unaware of Happy Wheels, it’s a game from the early 2010s where you had to complete obstacle courses using different characters, with esoteric physics and controls pushing against you. It swiftly became a meme thanks to the bizarre humor and YouTubers using it for crude videos. The community has dwindled over the years, but there are still players and people creating stages, hence Chainsaw Man getting one. Honestly, it just makes me want a full release – and the Chainsaw Man movie. Consult our list of the best anime movies if you also need a distraction from waiting around for the next installment in the gore-filled franchise.

Chainsaw Man manga box set gets 40% sliced off Manga fans, start your chainsaws! For a limited time, you can mark down the first 11 volumes of the Chainsaw Man manga by 40%. Amazon has reduced the Chainsaw Man manga box set by 40% in a new deal. It collects 11 action-packed volumes of one of today’s hottest manga series. That totals over 2,000 pages of demon-battling chaos await within the box’s spines, collecting the first 11 volumes of Chainsaw Man’s gripping story arc. If you order today, it should arrive before Christmas too – if you’re with Amazon Prime. What is Chainsaw Man about? Follow Denji, a devil hunter living hand-to-mouth until his pet devil Pochita merges with him in a violent twist of fate. Reborn as the Chainsaw Man, Denji discovers strange new powers and a destiny tied to the devil hunters Public Safety Division 4. Bloody battles, bonkers characters, and plot twists that hit harder than Denji’s iconic chainsaw arm are just the start of this crazy ride. Fan-favorite manga creator Tatsuki Fujimoto packs his signature style into every page of this can’t-miss series. Save 40% on the Chainsaw Man manga box set As a bonus, the box set comes with an exclusive double-sided poster featuring key art and characters from the franchise. It’s a must-have centerpiece for any Chainsaw Man or manga superfan. For a limited time upgrade your manga stash and save 40% on the Chainsaw Man Box Set. This hot deal won’t last long against the frantic devil battles within. Slice your way to savings today! Are you a fan of manga? Check out this manga deal for Berserk. If you click on a product link on this page we may earn a small affiliate commission.

Chainsaw Man movie has fans worried for MAPPA animators’ MAPPAJump Festa 2024 has been incredible as it brought some of the biggest news for the anime community. One such overwhelming announcement was the Chainsaw Man movie: Reze. While most fans are happy with the news, some are concerned about the production. Here’s why? Chainsaw Man is one of the most celebrated animanga series worldwide, thanks to the unique plot and the animation by MAPPA in Season 1. Since the finale of Chainsaw Man’s first season, every fan awaited the announcement of a second season. However, ahead of the season renewal, the creators decided to come up with a movie instead. MAPPA has been handed over the production responsibilities of the film featuring Reze in the primary role. Fans are already familiar with the animation quality they can expect from the movie, but despite that, they aren’t entirely happy with the decision. If you want to know why this is all going down, bear with us as we give you a clear picture. Fans are worried for MAPPA animators after the Chainsaw Man movie announcement MAPPA is one of the most reputed Japanese animation studios that has given us several mind-boggling anime. These include Vinland Saga Season 2, Chainsaw Man Season 1, Attack on Titan Final Season, and Jujutsu Kaisen. However, recently, the studio has been in the talks, not for a good reason, unfortunately. Several animators stepped in front and talked about how they have been pressured to do overtime without an increase in the payment. Some animators said they would not work for the studio in the future. While fans were already concerned for the well-being of the animators, Jump Festa 2024 burdened them with a new project. Everyone already knows what the animators have been through while working on Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2, and it looks like they won’t get any rest after JJK’s ongoing season, either. So, fans wonder how the animators will handle the back-to-back workload. Several fans believe that MAPPA will choose to do mass hiring for the new Chainsaw Man movie. Meanwhile, some of them have shared creepy GIFs and memes on social media, stating that MAPPA doesn’t know the concept of rest. These are just a few examples; you can check the other ones below: You can check out our other anime coverage here.

Chainsaw Man movie: Everything we know so far CrunchyrollAfter a rip-roaring first season, Chainsaw Man is coming back in movie form. We’ve got all the gory details on the Chainsaw Man movie, and what it might mean for Season 2. Chainsaw Man fans were blown away by the anime show based on Tatsuki Fujimoto’s blistering manga. Denji’s chainsaw-limbed escapades quickly made cemented Studio MAPPA’s adaptation as one of the best anime of the decade so far. After a period of silence after Season 1, we learned about an anime movie in development. Yes, Chainsaw Man could be coming to theatres, if you can believe it. Anticipation for an upcoming anime is rarely higher than for what’s next for Denji and Pochita, so we’ve scoured hell to bring you all the information you need on Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc. Chainsaw Man movie release date The Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc release date hasn’t been announced yet. The earliest we’d expect the film would be 2025 at this point. The Chainsaw Man movie was announced in late 2023, and although we got a short teaser, we don’t know how far along production is. The first season of the body horror anime finished in December 2022, so the crew could’ve been a year in already, or perhaps the choice to make a movie rather a second season was more recent. Whatever the case, we’ll keep you informed a we hear more. Chainsaw Man movie trailer Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc doesn’t have a trailer yet. A brief teaser was released alongside the film’s announcement, with a visual of Reze, who’s a major character this arc. Some awkward scenes between Denji and Reze are teased, since they become romantically involved. A bit of mournful piano plays over the montage, framing their partnership in appropraitely tragic fashion. Don’t get too attached to this one, friends! What will happen in the Chainsaw Man movie? The Chainsaw Man movie is adapting the Reze Arc, a storyline that involves a Soviet spy named Reze, who merged with the Bomb Devil, on a mission to assassinate Denji. Reze is the woman we see in the teaser, and despite her best intentions, her and Denji develop a bond that makes her attempt to kill him difficult. The Reze Arc is sometimes known as the Bomb Girl Arc, and it lasts 13 chapters. That’s a safe amount of plot for something feature-length, and it leaves three full arcs (45 chapters) of the Public Safety Saga for the next season of Chainsaw Man. So far, the Chainsaw Man manga has been split into two parts: the Public Safety Saga and the still-ongoing Academy Saga. There’s plenty of ground to cover before the show catches up to the manga, but given the production value, it’s good for Studio MAPPA to pace themselves too. Not least because of the concerns around workload and crunch at the production house. Is Chainsaw Man Season 2 happening? Chainsaw Man Season 2 has not yet been confirmed. Right now, Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc is the only announced followup to the first season. There’s a non-zero possibility that the Reze Arc still becomes part of Chainsaw Man Season 2, similar to Demon Slayer: Mugen Train. After Mugen Train made bank in cinemas, the movie was edited down into episodes to form the first part of Demon Slayer Season 2. For now, that’s just speculation, and Chainsaw Man Season 2 is off the table. How to watch the Chainsaw Man movie Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc’s release plan has not yet been confirmed, but a theatrical run followed by release on Crunchyroll is most likely. Franchise anime films are getting more and more wide theatrical releases around the world, with 2024 seeing Spy x Family Code: White and Haikyuu!! The Dumpster Battle going global. Chainsaw Man’s resounding popularity makes that all but a foregone conclusion. So, watch out for Denji on the big screen! If you’d like to stay up to date on other killer franchises, check out our guides to Solo Leveling Season 2, Tower of God Season 2, and Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3.

Upcoming anime show has “similar levels of insanity” to Chainsaw Man CrunchyrollThere are plenty of great anime releases due in 2024, from Demon Slayer to My Hero Academia and Haikyu!!, but one has fans excited because it’s like having more Chainsaw Man. In 2022, Chainsaw Man cemented itself as one of the best anime shows ever soon after first episode premiered. Following a young man, Denji, who makes a deal with a demon to give him chainsaw limbs, the madcap violence and incredible production made the series a highlight for fans of anime and those who enjoy some good old-fashioned gore. It’s become a standard-bearer for wacky storytelling, since Tatsuki Fujimoto’s manga is just as wild as the adaptation. Now, fans believe an upcoming anime could be just what we need while we wait for Chainsaw Man’s return. Dandadan could be the next Chainsaw Man Dandadan was already on the radar for many fans due to the manga’s popularity, but the latest trailer has drawn comparisons to Chainsaw Man. Science Saru is handling production, and everything we’ve seen so far suggests we’re in for a truly wild ride. “It doesn’t have the same ‘This was made by an alien’ vibe as Chainsaw Man, but it does reach similar levels of insanity,” one commenter states on Reddit. Another gives an outstanding genre breakdown of the story: “This is a series that 100% deserves the hype, its absolutely bonkers. It’s a rom-com x battle shounen with ghosts and aliens.” Goosebumps and Animorphs are referenced — touchstones that should excite any ’90s kid. Funnily enough, there’s a connection to Chainsaw Man, as the author, Yukinobu Tatsu, served as an assistant to Fujimoto. Clearly some influence wore off, and so far, Dandadan looks like it could be mindblowing. We don’t have long to wait, since the first episode will arrive in October on both Netflix and Crunchyroll. Have a look at our guides to Demon Slayer Season 4 and My Hero Academia Season 7 for more of what’s coming this year.

Chainsaw Man Episode 6 review: A time-loop creates too much tension CrunchyrollChainsaw Man Episode 6 has a fun enough concept, though the tension is often taken too far with frustrating characters. Chainsaw Man has been one of the most hyped-up anime in recent years, and it’s finally arrived on Crunchyroll, with Episode 6 now here. The plot is described as Crunchyroll as: “Denji is a teenage boy living with a Chainsaw Devil named Pochita. Due to the debt his father left behind, he has been living a rock-bottom life while repaying his debt by harvesting devil corpses with Pochita. One day, Denji is betrayed and killed. As his consciousness fades, he makes a contract with Pochita and gets revived as ‘Chainsaw Man’– a man with a devil’s heart.” This episode has an interesting dilemma, but any potential tension is made somewhat frustrating due to a certain character. But first, spoiler warning for Chainsaw Man ahead… Chainsaw Man has plenty of time on its hands Episode 6 begins where we left off, with our Devil Hunters trapped in a time loop by devils. This means they’re stuck on the same floor of a hotel, left to potentially starve to death. However, the devil that did this says that they can all leave, under one condition: it can eat Denji, the Chainsaw Man himself. This sense of being stuck in time is successfully put across, considering the episode only has 20 minutes to explore the scope of it – during which we see the characters sleep, eat, and smoke, as they consider the fact that they could very well die. During this time, we get to learn more about our new characters, and there even seems to be the potential relationship between Aki and Himeno. Surprisingly, this works, mainly because you’re not sure how the relationship will go. Often you see male and female characters lumped together in shonen anime unnecessarily, but not here. Not only do these two clearly have a history, but it’s also uncertain if anything will actually come of their relationship, or if they will just keep it professional. Either way, it’s interesting to watch. Episode 6’s tension is taken too far Now, while this episode creates a tense situation that leads to some genuinely great character moments – particular for Aki, who sticks up for Denji, even taking a knife for him – it also brings out the worst in another characetr, Kobeni. If you thought she was annoying last episode, you’ll hate her here. Not only does she freak out with every minor thing that happens, but her paranoia drives her and other characters into a sabotage-level frenzy. If you’ve seen the Doctor Who episode ‘Midnight’, you’ll know what we’re talking about. And while Midnight’s frustrating characters were there to show the message of the episode, in Chainsaw Man it just feels annoying. True, there probably are people like this who would react as such in this situation. But it makes for a very unpleasant viewing experience, and this type of character has become an unfortunately common trope in this genre of dark shonen. It’s not just annoying, it doesn’t make sense. We’re told that she makes up for her cowardice in her skills, but we’ve not seen those skills yet, all she’s done is shake and freeze up while holding a knife, all while stating that it’s not her fault and that she doesn’t want to be here. Why would anyone want to bring her on a mission? Himeno literally has to knock her out at one point. You half expect them to just throw her to the Devil as bait, at least then she’d be useful. But alas, this annoyance gets no comeuppance, as Denji chooses to be the bigger man, deciding to jump into the belly of the beast. However, he’s not going quiet into that goodnight, instead starting up the Chainsaw Man, setting up a fight and cliffhanger that will likely be just as frustrating to fans. Though we mean this as a compliment, as clearly people are still left wanting more. Chainsaw Man Episode 7 premieres on Crunchyroll on November 22. Want more Chainsaw Man reviews? Check out our other episodic reviews below Episode 1 | Episode 2 | Episode 3 | Episode 4 | Episode 5 | Episode 6 | Episode 7 | Episode 8 | Episode 9 | Episode 10 | Episode 11 | Episode 12

Chainsaw Man Episode 7 review: Some good moments, some gross moments CrunchyrollChainsaw Man Episode 7 is a rather chilled-out installment, but still features moments that will turn your stomach. Chainsaw Man has been one of the most hyped-up anime in recent years, and it’s finally arrived on Crunchyroll, with Episode 7 now here, meaning that we are halfway through the first season. The plot is described as Crunchyroll as: “Denji is a teenage boy living with a Chainsaw Devil named Pochita. Due to the debt his father left behind, he has been living a rock-bottom life while repaying his debt by harvesting devil corpses with Pochita. One day, Denji is betrayed and killed. As his consciousness fades, he makes a contract with Pochita and gets revived as ‘Chainsaw Man’– a man with a devil’s heart.” This newest episode introduces us to some more characters, and has a few ionic – but disgusting – moments. But first, spoiler warning for Chainsaw Man ahead… Chainsaw Man does what he does best: chainsawing Chainsaw Man opens with what has by this point become a staple of the show: gory action. Denji takes on the Chainsaw Man form, and battles it out with the Infinity Devil, in a battle that is somewhat repetitive, but still a bloody good time. By this point you do hope that you get to see other Devil Hunters use their powers, in order to create some variety of action, but alas, everyone is too weak from the events of last episode. Thankfully, everything ends up okay, and the episode ends up being a more introspective one, after the group of Devil Hunters stumble out of the possessed hotel. We see a lot of people this episode – arguably too many We get to see a lot about what Himeno thinks and feels this episode, marking her as a major character, especially as she is one of the most emotive out of all of the Devil Hunters. We see her watch Aki’s desperate attempt to find the Gun Devil with concern. We see her laying flowers at her old partner’s grave with her supervisor. We see her drink herself tipsy during some work drinks that the sector has, and then watch with rapt horror as she kisses Denji, and pukes inside his mouth, which he then swallows. This is a series about cutting up devils, and somehow this is the most disgusting thing we’ve seen so far. We meet some other characters at the drinks, and learn just how easily they are able to move on when a colleague dies in action. This is the world of the Devil Hunters, and it’s becoming more and more foreboding. Though, we were perhaps more scared of how irritating Kobeni would be this episode, but thankfully she’s tolerable. There’s lots of talking in this episode, and lots of thinking. It’s mysterious enough – and laced with just enough raunchy stuff – to keep us interested, as it seems like Denji’s troubled times with the Devil Hunters have only just begun. Chainsaw Man Episode 8 premieres on Crunchyroll on November 29. Check out the full release schedule here. Want more Chainsaw Man reviews? Check out our other episodic reviews below Episode 1 | Episode 2 | Episode 3 | Episode 4 | Episode 5 | Episode 6 | Episode 7 | Episode 8 | Episode 9 | Episode 10 | Episode 11 | Episode 12

Chainsaw Man Episode 8 review: Shots get fired CrunchyrollChainsaw Man once again sets up a conflict in a mysterious and dramatic way, making for an engaging episode that literally ends with a bang. Chainsaw Man has been one of the most hyped-up anime in recent years, and its first season has finally arrived on Crunchyroll, with Episode 8 now here. The plot is described as Crunchyroll as: “Denji is a teenage boy living with a Chainsaw Devil named Pochita. Due to the debt his father left behind, he has been living a rock-bottom life while repaying his debt by harvesting devil corpses with Pochita. One day, Denji is betrayed and killed. As his consciousness fades, he makes a contract with Pochita and gets revived as ‘Chainsaw Man’– a man with a devil’s heart.” This episode brings another myserious conflict, and lots of shocking moments. So first, spoiler warning for Chainsaw Man ahead… Chainsaw Man Episode 8 starts action with a bang Chainsaw Man has a knack for starting all of its big action scenes with a twist. Either there’s a betrayal, a reveal, or a shocking revelation, and this makes the action in Chainsaw Man a cut above the rest, as there is always some form of intrigue or emotional conflict tied with the bloody fighting. And this action has plenty of shocks, as it is apparently a massacre. Due to the Gun Devil being after Denji’s heart, it seems like a number of civilians – or disguised agents – now have it out for the Demon Hunters, procuring illegal weapons and committing mass shootings on all of the characters we currently know. The action is still rather slow, bogged down by its need for CGI, but there’s still always an intense feeling of dread. Right now, it’s hard to tell who’s alive and who’s dead, and with Himeno disappearing after an emotional internal confession to Aki, it’s starting to look like the next episode will be a tear fest. You can feel that all of the characters are growing closer in the little calm moments that they share, so it’s gleefully cruel of the show to start ripping them apart now. Chainsaw Man will either turn you on, or turn you off The episode begins with Denji and Himeno in bed with each other, and boy do the camera angles love to focus on the, um, assets of the situation. Chainsaw Man has been seemingly upping its sexual tension every episode, and this opening is no exception. But while the scene isn’t completely pointless, we do get some poignant dialogue from Himeno, if you’re not into fan service and raunch this scene will likely be the last straw for you, as it seems to go on forever, at an infuriatingly drawn-out pace. It is a shame if this does turn you off to the show, as the action is tensely satisfying and the characters all have potential, but anime can have a tendency of letting fan service override its own plots. But hey, if you’re someone who enjoys that kind of stuff, you’re going to have an absolute blast with this episode, even without the guns. Chainsaw Man Episode 9 premieres on Crunchyroll on December 6. Want more Chainsaw Man reviews? Check out our other episodic reviews below Episode 1 | Episode 2 | Episode 3 | Episode 4 | Episode 5 | Episode 6 | Episode 7 | Episode 8 | Episode 9 | Episode 10 | Episode 11 | Episode 12

Chainsaw Man: Every movie reference in the opening credits CrunchyrollChainsaw Man, the newest hit anime on the block, has an opening credits which is filled to the brim with film references. Chainsaw Man is the newest big kid on the block in terms of animes, and for good reason. The action is gory, the characters likeable, and the premise intriguing. You can read our review of the first episode here. But what also makes the show so great is its opening credits. The credits are a blast of action, with fun visuals and stellar animation, all accompanied by the beat-heavy song KICK BACK by Kenshi Yonezu. However, if you look closely, you can see that a lot of the visuals are actually references to a lot of popular films. The opening pays tribute to all of these films, even having a clip of all the characters sitting down at the cinema to watch them. So without further ado, here are all the film references we could find in the credits! Constantine (2005) Keanu Reeves has so many iconic films, that Constantine is often cast to the wayside. But not by Chainsaw Man. It seems fitting, as both properties deal with battling demons in epic and dangerous ways. The rooftop scene in the opening clearly depict a scene between Reeve’s and Rachel Weisz’s characters, which is a significant bond of the film. Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) While being a relatively new film, Thor’s newest outing is still given some love in this opening sequence, as the credits partake in some rather obvious fan service, while stating “Power” underneath. As you’ll notice, the font is in the same format at Thor’s two most recent films, under the direction of Taika Waititi. Don’t Look Up (1996) No, not the Netflix film starring Jennifer Lawrence. This is a Japanese horror film starring everyone’s favourite type of ghost: Dark-haired pale girl in a white dress. She terrorises a film set as a crew attempt to uncover the mystery of an old haunted flick. There aren’t any direct clips of the scene that Chainsaw Man is referencing, but you can actually watch the whole film on YouTube here. The Big Lebowski (1998) This classic has become one of the most idolised comedies of the past few decades. Nearly every scene has become iconic, especially all of the bowling scenes, so it’s no wonder that Chainsaw Man pays tribute to it, along with the scene of Da Jesus polishing his bowling ball, which has been giffed to all eternity. Attack of the Killer Tomatoes (1978) Another comedy that Chainsaw Man references is the absurdist parody Attack of the Killer Tomatoes, which has become somewhat of a meme in recent years. It makes sense that the show would pastiche this, as both deal with otherworldly threats while also having an odd sense of humor throughout the danger. Sadako vs. Kayako (2016) Consider this Japan’s version of Freddy Vs. Jason. Sadako vs. Kayako is a supernatural horror film, which is a crossover of the Ju-on and Ringu series. Originally teased as an April Fools’ joke in 2015, the film perfectly matches the absurd style of Chainsaw Man, and it also has some pretty cool fight scenes, which the opening credits reference. Fight Club (1999) While the rule may be to not talk about Fight Club, Chainsaw Man clearly wasn’t afraid to reference it. One of the awesome action visuals in the title sequence features a golden ball, which is referencing the Latte Thunder scene in the film, during the rampage that the club wreaks on Los Angeles, similar to how the anime characters are devastating the city around them during their battle. Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) The classic horror film is just as gory as Chainsaw Man, so it seems inevitable that it’s opening scene would be referenced in the title sequence. Especially as the lead of the anime begins his origins in a graveyard, and also has as much of a bloody start to his killing sprees, which will define him as the series continues. Pulp Fiction (1994) Pulp Fiction is one of the most well-known films in all of cinema, so of course it was going to be referenced. Here, Chainsaw Man is drawing on the film’s final scene, which see’s Samuel L. Jackson becoming embroiled in a shootout in a diner. It’s a great ending for a great movie, and we can only hope for similarly as iconic action to happen in the anime. No Country for Old Men (2007) This film is a masterclass in suspense, so you may be surprised to see it referenced in a show that is as bombastic as Chainsaw Man is. But rest assured, there’s just as much suspense to be had over the course of the series. Not to mention there is plenty of action, hence why the film scene they reference is the motel shootout. Reservoir Dogs (1992) Another of Tarantino’s films gets referenced by Chainsaw Man, and this time it’s the fantastic heist movie Reservoir Dogs. While the show also features some morally ambiguous protagonists, the title sequence is mainly referencing the iconic suits of the film, which the anime pastiches at the very beginning of its opening credits. Jacob’s Ladder (1990) Jacob’s Ladder is a psychological thriller which also (kind of) delves into the supernatural, so of course Chainsaw Man, which deals with demons – both real and metaphorical – would include a reference to it. The opening sequence is mainly referencing the final scene of the film, where Jacob sees his dead son. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019) Behold, another Tarantino flick! This time Chainsaw Man is referencing his newest film, which is a fictional tale of Hollywood in the 1960s, during the Manson murders. The opening credits of Chainsaw Man is actually referencing another opening credits scene, depicting Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio’s characters as they drive around town. Did you spot all of these Chainsaw Man film references? Now, while we think we got all the references, there could be any number of them that we’ve missed. So watch the full opening here, and see if there’s any more that you can spot! Chainsaw Man episode 1 is currently available to stream on Crunchyroll.

Chainsaw Man gets surprising movie announcement for Reze Arc MAPPAChainsaw Man surprised the anime community with a movie announcement at Jump Festa 2024 that will feature the Reze/Bomb Girl Arc. Here is everything we know so far. Chainsaw Man season 1 took the Internet by storm in October 2022 with fans seemingly unable to stop discussing the events featured. MAPPA’s amazing animation has been praised as one of the primary reasons for the anime’s success in becoming a global phenomenon. The first season of the anime introduced a protagonist with the most unusual reason to fight devils. These creatures threaten humanity, and Denji, our hero, is caught up in all this mess. He is accompanied by several other amazing characters, including Power, Makima, and Aki. These characters and the spectacular animation by MAPPA took viewers on a thrilling ride through Season 1. Now, everyone is excited to witness the next chapter of Denji’s quest. Warning, spoilers ahead for the manga. Chainsaw Man Movie: Reze officially announced At Jump Festa 2024, MAPPA made a surprise announcement that Chainsaw Man would be getting a movie before Season 2 titled Chainsaw Man Movie: Reze. When the stages for Jump Festa 2024 were revealed, fans were excited to learn that their beloved anime had made the cut — though a majority expected an announcement for Season 2 instead of a movie. As evident from the title, the film will see Reze in the titular role alongside Denji. Reze is the same girl that was teased in the finale episode of Chainsaw Man Season 1, leaving viewers intrigued as to whether she will become an antagonist or an ally to Denji. The movie will adapt the Reze/Bomb Girl Arc which runs for twelve chapters (40-52) in the manga. The story of the Bomb Girl Arc follows Reze, a girl who shows interest in Denji. However, as the story progresses, Denji realizes that she works for the Gun Devil. He also finds out that she is the Bomb Devil. Not only Denji and Reze, but also Aki, Beam, and Typhoon Devil will be highlights of the Reze Arc. The announcement was also accompanied by a short teaser featuring Reze and Denji in a romantic setting. Of course, the announcement for Chainsaw Man Movie: Reze is exciting, but aside from the short teaser, we have nothing else on the movie as of yet. The studio is still tight-lipped on the new cast and the release date. Regardless, MAPPA promised to reveal more information about the film in the future, so we’ll be sure to update you as soon as we know. 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.

Chainsaw Man director sparks Season 2 speculation with rare update MAPPA StudiosChainsaw Man’s director has sparked new Season 2 speculation with a rare cryptic update amid MAPPA’s silence on the follow-up. Despite the huge success of Chainsaw Man’s first season making it a household name, MAPPA Studios has remained relatively quiet on updates to the show. In between Jujutsu Kaisen’s second season and news of the studio’s mistreatment of its animators, intel surrounding Chainsaw Man’s Second season has been quite sparse. However, a rare update by Chainsaw Man’s director now has fans speculating about season two amid the troubles of MAPPA. “Our mission this year is to create a better working environment that is free from power harassment and moral harassment,” Nakayama said in a surprise November 26 update. “Free from unnecessary stress, and stable in terms of money and time, and although it is still small-scale, we are slowly taking shape.” He continued, “It’s only that first year, so we’ll be steadily building our foundation, and we should be able to release it soon.” Nakayama did not mention MAPPA’s troubles or Chainsaw Man directly, however many fans interpreted his update as so. When asked directly by a commenter about his future with Chainsaw Man, he simply replied, “Sorry I can’t tell you anything.” In the past month, MAPPA’s scandals have been building. The studio has been balancing multiple major projects, which has affected Jujutsu Kaisen’s productions. MAPPA’s animators have described workloads beyond the standard, with artists describing JJK’s horrific production schedule. However, animators were reportedly not compensated for the extra workload they were given. And in between the studio’s troubles, they have yet to give any updates to Chainsaw Man’s second season, let alone a confirmation of a sequel. For now, these vague studio updates are all we have to go off, but rest assured we’ll keep you posted with any further developments.

Chainsaw Man Episode 1 review: Gripping start to a gory series CrunchyrollEpisode 1 of Chainsaw Man, the highly-anticipated anime, shows that it knows its own hype – and is prepared to deliver on it. Chainsaw Man has been one of the most hyped-up anime in recent years, and it’s almost here. The plot is described as Crunchyroll as “Denji is a teenage boy living with a Chainsaw Devil named Pochita. Due to the debt his father left behind, he has been living a rock-bottom life while repaying his debt by harvesting devil corpses with Pochita. One day, Denji is betrayed and killed. As his consciousness fades, he makes a contract with Pochita and gets revived as ‘Chainsaw Man’ – a man with a devil’s heart.” It’s certainly an out there plot, but it’s not unheard of to see shocking anime become the next biggest thing; see Attack on Titan for that. But Attack on Titan also became a juggernaut due to its stellar animation and iconic characters, so will the first episode of Chainsaw Man be able to live up to that? First, spoiler warning for Chainsaw Man. Chainsaw Man Episode 1 toys with the dark and the light The episode effectively manages to get you into the world of the anime pretty quickly, while also not showing its cards too soon. We open on Denji walking to work on a beaten path while talking about selling his body parts to pay off his debt – including his nether regions. Denji, a demon hunter, appears to be a very likeable protagonist, which prevents this dark anime from feeling too miserable. He’s a less Disney-fied version of Aladdin, someone stricken in poverty who dreams of a bright but simple future; a good meal, and the chance to play some videos games with a girl, before the two of them would fall asleep hugging. He even has an animal sidekick, a dog demon with a chainsaw on its head, Pochita. Despite the chainsaw, the dog is actually super cute – slightly less cute when it starts talking, but that may be a personal preference – and we can only hope that this episode won’t be the only time we see him, due to him possessing the body of Denji after the boy gets torn apart by demon zombies. Chainsaw Man Episode 1 buys into the hype Those demon zombies kick off the main event of the show, which means some gory chainsaw action. There had been a potential action scene at the episode’s beginning, but the screen cuts away, as it wants to make you wait to see what action this series is capable of. Chainsaw Man gives all the time that, well, Chainsaw Man deserves. Denji’s transformation is revealed brilliantly, the animation showing his form in spectacular focus. The proceeding action animation – in which Denji cuts up multiple zombies and a giant demon head – can be a little slow and CGI-heavy at times, but it may just be that the anime wants you to get a good look at what’s happening before things truly start to hit the fan. It’s uncertain if his old boss survives, but maybe that’ll be cleared up later on. And this whole episode has effectively shown how poverty and the powerful’s exploitation of the poor through debt, is itself demonic. Chainsaw Man Episode 1 review score: 7.5/10 This is a solid opening episode to an anime, effectively getting across the main plot and characters while hinting at so much more. The series has set up a surprisingly easy to understand premise, while still managing to hit a good emotional beat at its end. Never has a boy surrounded by dead zombies asking for some bread with jam on it been so heart-warming. When it comes to anime, there is generally the rule of three: You have to watch the first three episodes to figure out whether an anime is going to be good or not. While it’s clear that this anime is good, we will likely need those other two episodes to see if this is going to be truly great. But we certainly can’t wait to find out. Chainsaw Man premieres on Crunchyroll on October 11. Want more Chainsaw Man reviews? Check out our other episodic reviews below Episode 1 | Episode 2 | Episode 3 | Episode 4 | Episode 5 | Episode 6 | Episode 7 | Episode 8 | Episode 9 | Episode 10 | Episode 11 | Episode 12

Chainsaw Man Episode 2 review: Denji’s first day on the job CrunchyrollChainsaw Man Episode 2 may not be as bombastic as the first installment, but it successfully sets up a lot of bombastic characters. Chainsaw Man has been one of the most hyped-up anime in recent years, and it’s finally arrived on Crunchyroll, with its two set-up episodes available to watch. The plot is described as Crunchyroll as “Denji is a teenage boy living with a Chainsaw Devil named Pochita. Due to the debt his father left behind, he has been living a rock-bottom life while repaying his debt by harvesting devil corpses with Pochita. One day, Denji is betrayed and killed. As his consciousness fades, he makes a contract with Pochita and gets revived as ‘Chainsaw Man’– a man with a devil’s heart.” The first episode managed to make a big splash, but the the second episode continue the hype? First, spoiler warning for Chainsaw Man ahead… Chainsaw Man Episode 2 is a more relaxed affair It’s typical of anime that after an initial onslaught of a first episode, the following episode will calm things down a little. Chainsaw Man is no different, as it focuses on setting up Denji’s new life as a government demon hunter and the characters that now surround him – though the opening credits remain as kick-ass as ever, with plenty of fun film references that we’ve discussed before. Each character has their classic – some may say stereotypical – archetype, but they are all easily identifiable and this new cast will likely bounce off each other well in the following episodes. Their initial relationships are also successfully established in a short amount of time. This includes the first scene, which has Denji and Makima discussing what their roles will be to one another at work. It’s a very funny scene that goes back and forth, and it shows from the get go how their relationship will be sweet with a dark underlining. It’s obvious that she’s using him, but he’s so immediate blindly devoted that it’s borderline endearing to watch. Raunch and blood remain a constant Denji himself is an endearing character, even in his raunchier moments. He acts like a teenage boy, grabbing explicit magazines after he’s slaughtered demons and, when trying to decipher what his new colleague’s serious dreams are, states, “I’ve got something to be serious about! My goal is… boobs!” One could argue that the show is raunchy to the point of juvenile, but his dialogue is acted well enough that it still comes across as humorous. There’s some short and limited action scenes in this episode, but they still mage to stand out. His alleyway confrontation with Hayakawa – who acts as a great straight man to Denji – is hilarious as Denji only aims for the nuts, and the final scene, which has Power jumping off a building to slam a demon with her hammer, proves that she’s going to be a hit character with audiences. The animation is faster than the previous episode, thankfully, and even the small amount of blood that gets spilled this time is enough to have us pumped to see what happens next. And with Denji bound to work as a demon hunter until he dies, there’s sure to be a lot more blood to come. Chainsaw Man Episode 3 premieres on Crunchyroll on October 25. Want more Chainsaw Man reviews? Check out our other episodic reviews below Episode 1 | Episode 2 | Episode 3 | Episode 4 | Episode 5 | Episode 6 | Episode 7 | Episode 8 | Episode 9 | Episode 10 | Episode 11 | Episode 12

Chainsaw Man Episode 3 review: Some predictable but fun action CrunchyrollChainsaw Man Episode 3 has a predictable build up to its action, but said action is definitely worth it. Chainsaw Man has been one of the most hyped-up anime in recent years, and it’s finally arrived on Crunchyroll, with its two set-up episodes available to watch. The plot is described as Crunchyroll as: “Denji is a teenage boy living with a Chainsaw Devil named Pochita. Due to the debt his father left behind, he has been living a rock-bottom life while repaying his debt by harvesting devil corpses with Pochita. One day, Denji is betrayed and killed. As his consciousness fades, he makes a contract with Pochita and gets revived as ‘Chainsaw Man’– a man with a devil’s heart.” The second episode was somewhat slower, but things get ramped up this time. But first, spoiler warning for Chainsaw Man ahead… Chainsaw Man Episode 3 makes the characters clearer Not much actually happens this episode, we simply get to know the characters slightly more; particularly Power, the demon who has been forced to work in public demon slaying service. Power is somewhat abrasive and unlikable, but that seems to be the point, and her connection to Meowy leaves it open for a likable character arc. The opening credits – which are still great, obviously – show that she’s likely going to become pretty good buddies with Denji. Denji is also somewhat one-note this episode, only focusing on trying to cop a feel of Power’s chest, but clearly this is the intended tone of the show, emphasised by the fan-service shots that the camera tends to lean on. Chainsaw Man is back in action After a lack of big action last episode, the devilish Chainsaw Man is back this episode, and it was definitely worth the wait. The build-up to the action is predictable, we can easily tell that Power is going to try and double-cross Denji from very early on, but that almost doesn’t matter when we see what it leads to. The battles in Chainsaw Man are interesting in how civilians get dragged into things, which Denji doesn’t always seem to care about. Plus, the animation is obviously a treat, as while it can still be a little slow sometimes, the shot composition really helps build the scale of the monster that Denji is fighting. We can only hope that things will get even more exciting next time once Power re-emerges, hopefully with Meowy in tow. Chainsaw Man Episode 4 premieres on Crunchyroll on November 1. Want more Chainsaw Man reviews? Check out our other episodic reviews below Episode 1 | Episode 2 | Episode 3 | Episode 4 | Episode 5 | Episode 6 | Episode 7 | Episode 8 | Episode 9 | Episode 10 | Episode 11 | Episode 12

Chainsaw Man Episode 4 review: Powerful quiet, powerful bombast CrunchyrollChainsaw Man Episode 4 shows us two sides to the series while making us want more of these wacky characters. Chainsaw Man has been one of the most hyped-up anime in recent years, and it’s finally arrived on Crunchyroll, with episode 4 now here. The plot is described as Crunchyroll as: “Denji is a teenage boy living with a Chainsaw Devil named Pochita. Due to the debt his father left behind, he has been living a rock-bottom life while repaying his debt by harvesting devil corpses with Pochita. One day, Denji is betrayed and killed. As his consciousness fades, he makes a contract with Pochita and gets revived as ‘Chainsaw Man’– a man with a devil’s heart.” This episode shows that it’s able to be bombastic, while also partaking in the well-needed peaceful quiet. But first, spoiler warning for Chainsaw Man ahead… Chainsaw Man shows a lot of power in Episode 4 Episode 4 starts off with more backstory for Power. As we predicted in the last episode, Power was initially unlikeable, but it was clear that the show was setting her up for some development. And while we don’t get a massive amount of that, the mere love she has for her cat is enough to make her instantly more endearing. The episode’s first half also partakes in a battle between Chainsaw Man and the Leech Demon. The fight is an awe to watch – even if the Leech Demon is grotesque to look at – and it starts to imply how rabid Denji can become, to much intrigue. The fight also shows how powerful Aki Hayakawa is, which gives some weight to his serious personality. Episode 4 likes to bask in the quiet and the bombast Chainsaw Man is raunchy and big, however it never hesitates to focus on the quiet moments. Here we get a full few minutes of watching Aki Hayakawa’s routine on a day off. The animation focuses on him making coffee, managing to be just as riveting as the previous battle, and it’s as if the animators are showing us that they can have restraint. They are able to pull us away from the action so that we don’t become numb to it. Although, this quiet is hilariously brought to an end by Power showing up and moving in with him and Denji. The sequence that follows is also hilarious… well, depending on who you ask. You would think that a boob joke would be a one-off gag, but not with Chainsaw Man, where we see Denji and Power discuss Denji’s ultimate dream to fondle a girl’s chest. Now, by this point you begin to understand that this will be a main factor of the show, at least for a while, and whether you like it or not will ultimately come down to personal taste. Some may find it hilarious that the show is taking Denji’s dream of fondling boobs so seriously, whereas others may be tired of the joke and averse to the blatant fan service. This is arguably the main issue for the series so far. Other issues may include that we still have a lot of characters that remain stoic and mysterious, namely Makima, but it’s hard to really fault the series for this. We’re just getting started, so we have plenty of time to learn about and love these characters. And there will no doubt be a ton of epic action in between. Chainsaw Man Episode 5 premieres on Crunchyroll on November 8. Want more Chainsaw Man reviews? Check out our other episodic reviews below Episode 1 | Episode 2 | Episode 3 | Episode 4 | Episode 5 | Episode 6 | Episode 7 | Episode 8 | Episode 9 | Episode 10 | Episode 11 | Episode 12