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Resident Evil: Death Island Screening Brings Together Fans and Cast
Death Island brings together the video games' most recognizable characters for a thrilling mission filled with iconic zombies.
― Fans of the 1996 horror franchise Resident Evil gathered for an early screening of the latest animated film in the series on July 12. Death Island brings together the video games' most recognizable characters for a thrilling mission filled with iconic zombies. Most notably,...
The Nippon Gallery Presents Japan's Anime Sweeping the World
A new art exhibit in New York City, on display through July 26, showcases the works of eight artists inspired by anime and manga.
― A new art exhibit in New York City, on display through July 26, showcases the works of eight artists inspired by anime and manga. The Nippon Club hosted a reception to celebrate the exhibition's launch where the artists discussed their work. Azuki co-founder/ANN contribu...
The Summer 2023 Anime Preview Guide
Return to the world of literary turf wars in Bungo Stray Dogs Season 5! Also check out our reviewers' takes on Cecelia and Pastor Lawrence, Zom100: Bucket List of the Dead, Helck, Dark Gathering, School for Heroes, Synduality: Noir, My Happy Marriage, Bleach, Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2, and more!
― Welcome to Anime News Network's Summer 2023 Anime Preview Guide! Here's how it goes: our team of critics ...
The Summer 2023 Anime Preview Guide
They're back! The zombie apocalypse has never been so welcome as it is in Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead! Also check out our reviewers' takes on Dark Gathering, School for Heroes, Masterful Cat is Depressed Today, My Happy Marriage, Reborn as a Vending Machine, Now I Wander the Dungeon, Level 1 Demon Lord and One Room Hero, and more! Sponsored by Yen Press!
― Welcome to Anime News Network's Summer...
Your Anime Rankings - Best of Spring 2023
Right at the finish line, Oshi no Ko overtakes Witch from Mercury for the 3rd place. Come and see the final results for the Spring 2023 season!
― Let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the season,
based on the polls you can find in our Daily Streaming Reviews
and on the Your Score page with the latest simulcasts. Keep in mind that these rankings are based on how peopl...
The Most Anticipated Anime of Summer 2023
Are you looking forward to Jujutsu Kaisen? Mushoku Tensei? The weird world of Undead Murder Farce? ANN's editorial team shared their picks for the summer anime season!
― Welcome to our Most Anticipated Anime feature for the Summer 2023 season. Below you'll find our editorial team's (tentative) top picks from the shows slated to premiere in July. There's a wide variety of shows to choose from and lit...
Your Anime Rankings - Best of Spring 2023, Jun 17-23
With only one week left to go, Oshi no Ko climbs one step closer to the top. Find out how your favorite shows performed in our weekly user rankings.
― Let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the season,
based on the polls you can find in our Daily Streaming Reviews
and on the Your Score page with the latest simulcasts. Keep in mind that these rankings are based on how ...
The Best and Worst Anime of Spring 2023
Our team picked a wide variety of series for their favorites this season, but there were some clunkers among the magic moments, too. Here are the Spring 2023 anime recommended by our editorial staff (and the ones you should probably avoid).
― Spring was stacked with day-of viewing like Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury and heartfelt rom-coms, like Skip and Loafer. Our team picked a wide var...
After the Rain and Kowloon Generic Romance Manga Artist Jun Mayuzuki
Manga creator Jun Mayuzuki shares her inspirations for Kowloon Generic Romance, the research that went into creating it, and her feelings about categorizing it as sci-fi.
― Jun Mayuzuki is an acclaimed manga artist best known for the coming-of-age drama After the Rain. Her latest series, Kowloon Generic Romance, ranked third in Takarajimasha's This Manga is Amazing! ranking in 2021 and was also a pr...
Anime Aunties Visit Japan - Can A Maid's Kindness Save the World?
It's easy to give into cynicism when confronted by unabashed kindness, but visiting at-home Maid Café changed my perspective.
― When Kim Morrissy visited the at-home café in Akihabara last year, I was intrigued. There is something about maid culture that was enticing to me; the optimism seemed infectious. It was hard to wrap my brain around as a cynical (and clinically depressed) 36-year-old. Many of...
Nobunaga's Ambition: Awakening
Much like the famed warlord, Bandai Namco set their sights on the heavens above in honor of the celebration of Nobunaga's Ambition's 40th Anniversary. It's a big game for a big number—so, how does it stack up?
― Few strategy games have the sheer legacy and weight of the Nobunaga's Ambition series. Much like the famed warlord, Tecmo Koei set their sights on the heavens above in honor of the celebratio...
Centaurs Manga Creator Ryo Sumiyoshi on Fantasy in Feudal Japan
Although we often think of centaurs as strictly Western creatures, manga has its fair share of centaurs. Even within that body of work, Ryo Sumiyoshi's Centaurs stands out for its art, worldbuilding, and story.
― From Greek mythology to Disney's Fantasia to Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series, centaurs, mythical half-human, half-horse beings, have been a fantasy mainstay. Although we often think of ...
Your Anime Rankings - Best of Spring 2023, Jun 10-16
Ranking of Kings suddenly jumps in the cumulative thanks to this week's episode, but will it be able to keep that place? Discover what else is moving in the rankings!
― Let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the season,
based on the polls you can find in our Daily Streaming Reviews
and on the Your Score page with the latest simulcasts. Keep in mind that these rankings...
The Summer 2023 Trailer Watch Party!
― Get ready for the summer heat with another huge season of anime! Lynzee Loveridge, Jacki Jing, James Beckett, and Geoff Thew from Mother's Basement will watch all the anime trailers for the July 2023 season. Hop in the pool, bring your snacks and floaties, and watch with us! We'll be picking our favorites at the end. Will we survive the entire stream? Will we unlock the hidden power of friendship ...
Lonely Castle in the Mirror Director Keiichi Hara on Bullying and Other Social Issues Facing Children in Japan
“Statistically, it's gotten to the point where you have one or two kids out of school per class per day. […] So I ended up asking myself, 'What can I do to help?'”
― Earlier this month, Anime News Network was able to sit down with Director Keiichi Hara and talk a bit about his newest anime film, Lonely Castle in the Mirror, prior to its US premiere. In the process we talked about the social issues fa...
How the SPY×FAMILY Creative Team Brought the Manga to Life
Animation producer Kazuki Yamanaka and chief animation director Kyoji Asano share their insight from working on smash-hit anime series.
― Few series manage to capture the imagination and thrill quite like SPY×FAMILY. The exhilarating espionage tale interwoven with family dynamics has captivated audiences worldwide with its unique blend of action, comedy, and heartwarming moments. Behind this remarkab...
The Brilliant Minds Behind VINLAND SAGA Season 2
The creative team talks about taking up the mantle for season two and how a "battle of emotions" takes center stage.
― VINLAND SAGA, the critically acclaimed historical anime, has taken audiences on a breathtaking journey through the Viking Age, combining thrilling battles, complex characters, and a gripping narrative. As fans eagerly watch VINLAND SAGA Season 2 each week, we had the privilege of si...
Japan's Newest My Hero Academia Exhibition is Full of Awesome Photo Spots
See the most impactful moments from the hit anime's sixth season!
― The currently-running My Hero Academia ANIMATION Exhibition -All-Out War- in Tokyo is an art exhibition centered around the most impactful moments of the first arc of the hit anime's sixth season. It's full of statues, pop-out wall art, and various pieces that use both dynamic lighting and sound to enhance the experience. Or to put i...
Light Novels With Shōjo Manga Energy
Whether you're looking for intrigue, romance, fantasy, or just a fun female protagonist, we've got your next summer read here!
― Last year, I wrote an article about light novels with shōnen manga energy. It's a bit belated, but here is a list of light novels that feel like they belong in a shōjo manga magazine. (In fact, some of their manga adaptations actually are published in shōjo magazines!) It i...
Your Anime Rankings - Best of Spring 2023, Jun 3-9
The cumulative isn't moving much anymore, but The Dangers in My Heart just keeps climbing and climbing; how far will it go? Check out our weekly user rankings!
― Let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the season,
based on the polls you can find in our Daily Streaming Reviews
and on the Your Score page with the latest simulcasts. Keep in mind that these rankings are ba...
Game Preview - Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective
The quirky game from the creators of Ace Attorney is back with a fresh coat of paint. Christopher Farris tests out fan-favorite adventure puzzler.
― It's been well over a decade since Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective possessed the Nintendo DS. The adventure game from Shu Takumi (the same creative mind behind the DS mainstay Phoenix Wright) proved to be a solid cult hit in its time, and now, with a rema...
“My Last War”: Finding a Peaceful World in Attack on Titan and Vinland Saga
When confronted with the horrors of war, what kind of man do you become?
― General Spoiler Warning for the plots of Attack on Titan and Vinland Saga, below. It's rather incredible how perfectly Eren Jeager and Thorfinn Thorsson serve as foils for each other, both as characters and as symbols for the larger thematic goals of their respective anime. It was not even a little surprising to learn that Att...
The Anime You Should Have Watched in Spring 2013
Travel back ten years and revisit some fan favorite anime and hidden gems.
― When you're captive to the eternal churn of seasonal anime, it's hard to fit every show you want to watch into your busy life. I have a full-time job and a family, yet somehow have twenty-seven newly-streaming anime shows on my Spring 2023 to-watch list. This isn't sustainable, so why not take a break (hide) from all those ...
Your Anime Rankings - Best of Spring 2023, May 27-Jun 2
Vinland Saga and Skip and Loafer are sitting very stable at the top of the charts. See how your favorite shows stack up this week!
― Let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the season,
based on the polls you can find in our Daily Streaming Reviews
and on the Your Score page with the latest simulcasts. Keep in mind that these rankings are based on how people rated indiv...
The Anime Road To Street Fighter
Video game to anime adaptations can be contentious, but Street Fighter fans can consider themselves the lucky few. Christopher Farris discusses Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie and the fighting game's other, less well-known anime entries.
― The return of Cammy White in her debut trailer trailer for Street Fighter 6, and her new design, has caught the attention of plenty of players and fan artist...
Anime Aunties Visit Japan - The Final Day
Jacki closes out her whirlwind trip with a spooky castle in Kyoto and a surprise cosplay event at Tokyo Tower!
― I've been back in the United States for two days now, and I woke up at 4:30 AM today, woo jet lag! So now, as I wait for the rest of the world to wake up, I will look back at one of the most epic trips of my life. I am not going to take us too far down memory lane here since many of you ha...
LA's Gallery Nucleus Hosts 1st U.S. Exhibition for SSS Artist Group
Anime alums Taiki (Infinite Dendrogram), Mai Yoneyama (Promare), and BUNBUN (Sword Art Online) brought a new incarnation of their art to Los Angeles.
― The Gallery Nucleus art gallery in Los Angeles currently features exclusive pieces from nine artists at the “SSS Re\arise” exhibition. Previously held in Tokyo and Kyoto, the exhibit drew thousands of visitors in Japan. Original artworks from Taiki, ...
Cardfight!! Vanguard will+Dress Staff Discuss Bringing the Hobby Anime Alive
Character designer and chief animation director Tomokatsu Nagasaku and line producer Eiichi Koshiishi discuss their artistic endeavors, exploring the craft that goes into the latest iteration of the franchise.
― Anime Central welcomed Illinois anime fans last weekend. Among the creatives present were character designer and chief animation director Tomokatsu Nagasaku and line producer Eiichi Koshiish...
MAPPA STAGE 2023: Cast and Staff Comments from Chainsaw Man, Attack on Titan, More
According to co-star Romi Park, Eren voice actor Yuuki Kaji "walk[ed] around the recording studio crying the whole time after the recording of The Final Chapter Part 1."
― The MAPPA STAGE 2023 event was held on May 21, 2023, at the Tokyo Garden Theater. Many fans gathered at the venue for the event, which featured performances of popular MAPPA titles such as Hell's Paradise, Campfire Cooking in Anoth...
Anime Aunties Visit Japan: Day 12 - What to Do at Kyoto International Manga Museum
They have all your favorite manga in a surprising number of languages!
― I hate to admit this, but many of the museums we've been to have been relatively empty, maybe a couple of people around. Not the case for the Kyoto International Manga Museum. It was packed (on a Thursday, no less). Dozens of people filled the store and lobby, multiple people in each room, eagerly looking at each display. It war...
Your Anime Rankings - Best of Spring 2023, May 20-26
Tengoku Daimakyo stops its descent with a stellar episode! With lots of ups and downs in the cumulative, find out where your favorites rank this week!
― Let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the season,
based on the polls you can find in our Daily Streaming Reviews
and on the Your Score page with the latest simulcasts. Keep in mind that these rankings are based on ho...
Anime Aunties Visit Japan - Day 11: Osamu Tezuka Manga Museum Stirs Emotions
A Tezuka newbie, Jacki discovers why everyone should know the God of Manga and how is legacy persists into the future.
― The Father of Anime. The God of Manga. Articles about Osamu Tezuka have given the iconic artist, cartoonist, and animator numerous, glorious titles, but how many Americans know his name or works? I have no idea. I've been an anime fan since the age of 7, loved anime for nearly 30 y...
How the Record of Ragnarok Director and Series Composition Writer Created a Faithful Adaptation
Following the announcement that Record of Ragnarok II's second part will premiere in July, we have an interview with director Masao Ōkubo and series writer Yuka Yamada about sticking to the manga's roots.
― The Record of Ragnarok anime is an incredibly faithful adaptation of artist Azychika, original creator Shinya Umemura, and narrative composer Takumi Fukui's manga. The series has intense fight seq...
Anime Aunties Visit Japan - Day 10: Universal Studios Japan Guide for Anime Rides
What was the star attraction? A Jujutsu Kaisen rollercoaster that almost made Jacki blackout or seeing a real-life Loid Forger from SpyxFamily?
― Jacki: Do you want to see the Jujutsu Kaisen crew defeat a demon in 4D? How about flying around in a virtual reality rollercoaster with Doraemon? Or would you rather see Loid and Yor Forger IRL? Well, my dream became a reality at Universal Studios Japan, an...
Anime Aunties Visit Japan - Day 9: Trip to Awaji Island with Naruto, Godzilla, Dragon Quest & More!
See Hokage Rock in person, zipline into Godzilla's mouth, and squee along with Hello Kitty!
― Jacki: Awaji Island has a plethora of otaku attractions: NARUTO & BORUTO Shinobi-Zato, the Godzilla Museum, Crayon Shin-Chan Adventure Park, Dragon Quest Island, and Hello Kitty Smile. Okay, sign me up! I read some travel blogs about the island, but none explained how to tackle all of this fun at Nijigen no ...
Anime Aunties Visit Japan - Day 8: Traveling to Osaka
Jacki and Lynzee part ways as Jacki heads south to Osaka, and Lynzee questions her mortality while stranded at the San Francisco airport.
― Jacki: Sadness. Executive Editor Lynzee Loveridge is currently flying over the Pacific Ocean while I type this. The Anime Aunties — now divided — our fusion dance has come to an end. She returns home to the ol' U.S. of A, and now, I am in Osaka. Definitely sad t...
Anime Aunties Visit Japan - Day 7: Everything Gundam in Yokohama
It's 59 feet tall, and there's nothing else like it. Jacki and Lynzee check out the RX-78F00 "moving Gundam" at GUNDAM FACTORY YOKOHAMA!
― Jacki: Marvel, Disney, The Simpsons— I am trying to think of something that compares to how Mobile Suit Gundam is viewed in Japan so you can understand its weight, its immensity here — and nothing compares. Executive Editor Lynzee Loveridge will emphasize the she...
The Art of 【Oshi No Ko】: An Interview With Mengo Yokoyari
Yokoyari-sensei discusses trying to bring Akasaka-sensei's vision to life and how it's all so different from their work on Scum's Wish.
― To complete our set of interviews with the Oshi No Ko manga creators, here's our interview with Mengo Yokoyari, where she shares her insight about the art side of the manga. Read on to find out more about the manga's unique design choices and Yokoyari's working rel...
Your Anime Rankings - Best of Spring 2023, May 13-19
Looks like The Café Terrace and Its Goddesses put out a great episode this week. See how all your favorites fared in our weekly user rankings!
― Let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the season,
based on the polls you can find in our Daily Streaming Reviews
and on the Your Score page with the latest simulcasts. Keep in mind that these rankings are based on how people...
Anime Aunties Visit Japan - Day 6: Otaku Shopping at Nakano Broadway, Harajuku, and Mandarake
This is the day that Jacki and Lynzee spent too much money.
― Lynzee: Hi guys! Apologies for the delay on our day six write-up. We had a really early morning for day seven, which left me less time to write and both of my feet are swollen. This a reminder that if you do a big trip, drink lots of water and make sure you have time to rest because my feet currently resembled pickled pigs' feet. It was r...
The Best Series Out Now on the Viz Manga App
Looking for some recommendations for what to read on the new Viz Manga app—now available in the United States and Canada? Our team of reviewers has you covered, from acclaimed shōnen and shōjo manga hits to some of the more off-beat titles.
― Looking for some recommendations for what to read on the new Viz Manga app—now available in the United States and Canada? Our team of reviewers has you covered,...
Anime Aunties Visit Japan - Day 5: Nintendo Store, Hedgehogs, and FLAT STUDIO
We're back in Shibuya to cuddle with some spiny friends, power-up in the Nintendo Store, and finish off the day with okonomiyaki!
― Jacki: If you watch anime, you know the Shibuya Scramble. No, it's not a silly dance. It's one of the most iconic intersections on the globe. Every few minutes, all the vehicles on the road stop, and hundreds of people scramble every which way, eager to get to their dest...
Anime Aunties Visit Japan - Day 4: Akihabara, Maid Café, and the Real Sailor Moon Shrine
At anime's mecca, Lynzee and Jacki blow their luck on gacha, visit a maid café, and reenact iconic Steins;Gate scenes. Then Jacki visits the IRL Sailor Moon shrines for nostalgia.
― Lynzee: Today we hit the otaku mecca: Akihabara. The area has changed post-pandemic and wasn't as bustling as I expected it to be. Still, I can't argue that this place had everything an anime fan could want, whether that...
Anime Aunties Visit Japan - Day 3: Ikebukuro Round 2 and Shinjuku's Golden Gai Bars
Jacki explores more shops in Ikebukuro! We ventured into Shibuya today, tried our best moe moe kyun~ and had a Slam Dunk cocktail in Golden Gai!
― Jacki: I'm truly a kid in a candy store in Japan. Anime ads pop up on giant billboards. They hang on banners on the streets. They're on the little TVs on the train. I cannot get enough. I eyed so many captivating storefronts on Otome Road yesterday, so I d...
Your Anime Rankings - Best of Spring 2023, May 6-12
What a spectacular week for Insomniacs After School! Discover which other series stand out in our weekly user rankings.
― Let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the season,
based on the polls you can find in our Daily Streaming Reviews
and on the Your Score page with the latest simulcasts. Keep in mind that these rankings are based on how people rated individual episo...
Anime Aunties Visit Japan - Day 2: Ikebukuro and the Birthplace of Anime
Jacki and Lynzee head to Oizumi Gate in Nerima, the home district of Rumiko Takahashi, Leiji Matsumoto, and more.
― Lynzee: The rain was off and on today, so Jacki and opted to save the your name. locations for better weather. Instead, we decided to head over to Oizumi Anime Gate in Nerima, followed by a trip to BL haven Otome Road in Ikebukuro and a full tour of the Tokiwaso Museum in Tokyo's Toshim...
Anime Aunties Visit Japan - Day 1: Demon Slayer IRL
Lynzee and Jacki head to Asakusa to see the area that inspired an arc in Demon Slayer. We also scoped out the futuristic boat designed by Leiji Matsumoto, bought too many sweets, and found Kamen Rider at Bandai HQ!
― And we're off! Jacki and I landed in Tokyo on May 13, but I was dead to the world after nearly 24 hours of travel time (two planes, multiple trains). The following day I was mostly huma...
Anime Aunties Visit Japan
Lynzee and Jacki are in Tokyo! Follow their day-to-day anime adventures from Asakusa to Nakano.
― Lynzee Loveridge and Jacki Jing are collectively spending two weeks in Japan, from Tokyo to Osaka! Follow our write-ups daily as we explore traditional candy stores, anime studios, interview creators, and more! You'll also want to make sure to follow our video blogs over at Anime News Network's YouTube,...
What Mamoru Oshii Wants to Tell the Next Generation of Anime and Film Creators
Mamoru Oshii is participating in an online video course about what it means to be a director. He spoke exclusively to ANN about what he wants viewers to take away from his lessons.
― The acclaimed director Mamoru Oshii, best known for the cult anime film Ghost in the Shell, is participating in an online video course on Narō about what it means to be a director. The 4.5+ hour course is filled with ins...
Preview - Atelier Marie Remake: The Alchemist of Salburg
While the 1997 original never came to the United States, Gust is working on a remake of the beloved Atelier Marie RPG. Let's go back to the start and see how the series invites players to take things at their own pace.
― While the Atelier series has seen a recent rise to fame, courtesy of the Atelier Ryza trilogy games, the franchise has always enjoyed low-key popularity among RPG enthusiasts. Its or...
How Accurate Is 【Oshi No Ko】 About the Japanese Entertainment Industry? An Interview With Aka Akasaka
In our exclusive interview with Aka Akasaka, he reveals how his extensive research into the entertainment industry inspired the series and other fascinating insights into the manga's creation.
― It's not hard to understand why the Oshi No Ko anime and manga series has been a huge hit. The story is full of fascinating insights about the Japanese entertainment industry, all wrapped up in a thrilling su...
Your Anime Rankings - Best of Spring 2023, Apr 29-May 5
After a slow start, My Clueless First Friend and The Dangers in My Heart are steadily climbing the charts. Find out how your favorite shows fared in our weekly user rankings.
― Let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the season,
based on the polls you can find in our Daily Streaming Reviews
and on the Your Score page with the latest simulcasts. Keep in mind that these ...
From Introvert Cringe to Yuri Harem—Watamote Turns 10
It's 2023, and anime about socially awkward girls are in. Watamote's Tomoko has come a long way since her shut-in days, becoming a hopeful role model where once there was only cringe.
― It's 2023, and anime about socially awkward girls are in. Komi Can't Communicate gave us a protagonist with such severe anxiety that she struggles to speak. For the main character of Bocchi the Rock, merely being per...
Thorfinn Is Me, I Am Him
As you progress through life, you meet some amazing people with magnetic personalities and incredible intellect. You think to yourself, “These people are the real deal. They're going to make it.” The Askeladds and Canutes in your story begin to take over your narrative.
― Four. That's the number of times we hear Thorfinn's inner thoughts in the entirety of Vinland Saga's first season. Considering th...
Your Anime Rankings - Best of Spring 2023, Apr 1-28
New season, new rankings. Come and see which series have the favor of the moment! Did Oshi no Ko manage to snag first place?
― Let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the season,
based on the polls you can find in our Daily Streaming Reviews
and on the Your Score page with the latest simulcasts. Keep in mind that these rankings are based on how people rated individual ...
The Spring 2023 Manga Guide
The manga is complete with more than 50 manga reviews to find your next favorite series!
― Banner art by catfish Welcome to Anime News Network's Spring 2023 Manga Guide! You may have seen one of our seasonal Anime Preview Guides, where a team of critics writes up each new anime television premiere as it airs at the beginning of a season. Now, doing something like that for manga is tricky - there's n...
MAN WITH A MISSION Talks New Demon Slayer Season, Upcoming International Tour
MAN WITH A MISSION's Jean-Ken Johnny gushes to ANN about the theme songs in the newest Demon Slayer season, plus the band's upcoming international tour.
― You can always count on Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba theme songs to grab your attention. The opening and theme songs of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Swordsmith Village Arc feature a team-up between two top artists in Japan: rock band Man With a...
The Spring 2023 Light Novel Guide
Find your next page-turner in our light novel guide! Go back to the beginning with Sasaki and Miyano: First Years, or find out what happens when Only the Villainous Lord Wields the Power to Level Up!
― There are plenty of things that I could say about this Guide's crop of light novels, but the most striking to me is the balance: there's a much more equal slate of books aimed at a male and a female a...
Does Gunbuster Hold Up Today?
Now available on Blu-ray from Discotek, AJ dives into Hideaki Anno's anime directorial debut to see if the show stands on its own beyond its historical status.
― Studio Gainax's Gunbuster is the anime directorial debut of one of the industry's most influential pioneers, Hideaki Anno, and it is considered a must-watch classic by hardcore mecha fans. It's easy to see why some might recommend shows stri...
The Spring 2023 Manga Guide
New day, new manga! Find your next BL must-read or dive into historical intrigue with today's new reviews!
― Banner art by catfish Welcome to Anime News Network's Spring 2023 Manga Guide! You may have seen one of our seasonal Anime Preview Guides, where a team of critics writes up each new anime television premiere as it airs at the beginning of a season. Now, doing something like that for manga is ...
The Spring 2023 Anime Preview Guide
The Anime Preview Guide rises again for its very last anime entry: The Sacrificial Princess and the King of Beasts! Find out if this entry was worth the wait and read all of our reviews for the Spring 2023 anime season here.
―
Adblock+ breaks this page, consider whitelisting ANN Welcome to Anime News Network's Spring 2023 Anime Preview Guide! Here's how it goes: our team of critics writes up their i...
Mamoru Nagano Speaks About His Theater-Exclusive Anime Gothicmade
Never shown outside of theaters on its director's orders, the 70-minute film has achieved a cult-like status among fans of The Five Star Stories manga series.
― For many outside of Japan, if they've heard of the film at all, likely only know of Gothicmade through an almost mythical, untouchable lens. This is a 70-minute animated film released in Japanese cinemas in 2012. At the explicit request of a ...
How Rintaro's Newest Work Honors Japan's Silent-Film Era
Sadao Yamanaka is no household name, but his impact on Japanese cinema is profound. Rintaro returned to the director's chair after a decade to share his love for Yamanaka's legacy.
―
Sadao Yamanaka is no household name, but his impact on Japanese cinema is profound. Although he died at the age of just 28 in Manchuria after his conscription to war by the Japanese military in 1938, his short life saw ...
Makoto Shinkai Talks Suzume and the Earthquake that Inspired It
The acclaimed anime director discusses the impact of the Great East Japan Earthquake on his latest work and what sort of stories he's considering for the future.
―
Director Makoto Shinkai made a public appearance at the BFI Southbank on March 1, appearing in a Q&A after a screening of his newest film, Suzume. His films have grown funnier over the years, and so has he. Speaking to the BFI's lead prog...
The Real Wall Maria: Surveying Hajime Isayama's Hometown for the 'Attack on Hita' Tourism Project
We went to Hita City to see how Attack on Titan has revitalized its creator's hometown.
― Years ago, when Attack on Titan manga creator Hajime Isayama was visiting his hometown of Hita City in Japan's Oita prefecture, he noticed many businesses had been shuttered and realized his hometown wasn't doing so well. He decided he "wanted to give something back to this town in which [he] came up with the i...
The Spring 2023 Anime Preview Guide
The Anime Preview Guide is winding down, but Oshi no Ko proves being fashionably late can help you stand out!
Also: Ranking of Kings: The Treasure Chest of Courage, The [email protected] Cinderella Girls U149, Demon Slayer: The Swordsmith Village Arc, Marginal Service, Insomniacs After School, Dead Mount Death Play, Gundam: The Witch From Mercury Season 2, Birdie Wing Season 2, Mashle, Hell's Paradise, The Ancient Magus' Bride Season 2, Dr. Stone, Yuri Is My Job!, Konosuba, and more!
Also: Ranking of Kings: The Treasure Chest of Courage, The [email protected] Cinderella Girls U149, Demon Slayer: The Swordsmith Village Arc, Marginal Service, Insomniacs After School, Dead Mount Death Play, Gundam: The Witch From Mercury Season 2, Birdie Wing Season 2, Mashle, Hell's Paradise, The Ancient Magus' Bride Season 2, Dr. Stone, Yuri Is My Job!, Konosuba, and more!
Katsuhiro Otomo's Domu Pilot: An Unnerving Movie Adaptation That Could Have Been
Domu remains a cursed affair: forgotten in the shadow of Otomo's more famous creation and repeatedly stumbling in attempts to bring it to a broader audience. It remains a story reserved for the select few who seek it out.
― Domu is a unique story within Katsuhiro Otomo's illustrious career as a mangaka and director, and not solely for its content. Despite being its predecessor, Domu is often compared...
The Spring 2023 Anime Preview Guide
Tanjiro will face new foes and forge new allies in DEMON SLAYER: THE SWORDSMITH VILLAGE ARC!
Also: Dead Mount Death Play, Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke's Mansion, Gundam: The Witch From Mercury Season 2, A Galaxy Next Door, Summoned to Another World for a Second Time, Birdie Wing Season 2, Mashle, Magical Destroyers, Otaku Elf, The Café Terrace and Its Goddesses, The Ancient Magus' Bride Season 2, Dr. Stone, Yuri Is My Job!, Konosuba, and more!
Also: Dead Mount Death Play, Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke's Mansion, Gundam: The Witch From Mercury Season 2, A Galaxy Next Door, Summoned to Another World for a Second Time, Birdie Wing Season 2, Mashle, Magical Destroyers, Otaku Elf, The Café Terrace and Its Goddesses, The Ancient Magus' Bride Season 2, Dr. Stone, Yuri Is My Job!, Konosuba, and more!
Why International Anime Co-Productions Are So Rare
International interest in anime has never been higher, but the production committee system and small government funding windows are a roadblock.
― With anime growing ever more popular with a global audience, more and more international companies have become interested in working with Japanese companies on their latest projects. This isn't a new phenomenon; Ghost in the Shell was an international co-p...
The Spring 2023 Anime Preview Guide
Suletta Sundays are back! It's the second season of Gundam: The Witch from Mercury! Also: A Galaxy Next Door, Summoned to Another World for a Second Time, Birdie Wing Season 2, Mashle, Magical Destroyers, Otaku Elf, The Café Terrace and Its Goddesses, The Ancient Magus' Bride Season 2, Dr. Stone, Yuri Is My Job!, Konosuba, and more!
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Marry, F---, or Kill with Alternative Manga Artist Shiu Yoshijima
Shiu Yoshijima, an illustrator and manga artist who specializes in drawing cute yet edgy “poisonous” women, so we had to ask her the age-old question: marry, f---, or kill?
― Anime Boston's one Japanese guest this year was Shiu Yoshijima, an illustrator and manga artist who specializes in drawing cute yet edgy “poisonous” women, typically incorporating fantasy elements into her work. Yoshijima parti...
Hands on With April Fools' Game Fate/Grail League
A testament to the existence of the annual Fate/Grand Order April Fools' game, which was only playable for one day. Play baseball with your favorite Servants!
― Type-Moon has been famous for its April Fools' jokes since all the way back in 2005. In the past, these have been anything from fake movie posters to in-character Fate series live streams. However, in more recent years, Type-Moon has released...
The Spring 2023 Anime Preview Guide
It's season's biggest day for new premieres. Check back regularly for updates. First up, the wizarding world is getting a punch to the gut with MASHLE! Also:: Too Cute Crisis, My One-Hit Kill Sister, The Ancient Magus' Bride Season 2, Dr. Stone, Yuri Is My Job!, Konosuba, and more!
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The Spring 2023 Anime Preview Guide
Megumin's explosive spin-off is here! Does it hold up to the original Konosuba? See our reviews of Konosuba: An Explosion on This Wonderful World!, KamiKatsu: Working for God in a Godless World, Skip and Loafer, I Got a Cheat Skill in Another World, Tokyo Mew Mew New Season 2, and more!
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Your Anime Rankings - Best of Winter 2023
Despite Danmachi dominating the second half of the season, Vinland Saga keeps its lead by a hair. Come and see the final results for the Winter 2023 season!
― Let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the season,
based on the polls you can find in our Daily Streaming Reviews
and on the Your Score page with the latest simulcasts. Keep in mind that these rankings are based...
AnimeJapan 2023 Cosplay Gallery
Characters new and old turned out for the big convention last weekend!
― To change the opening line of Edgar Allan Poe's poem The Raven a bit, "Once upon a midday dreary" anime fans from across the world gathered at the Tokyo Big Site to enjoy the offerings of AnimeJapan 2023. Many come for the booth, stage shows, and merch. But there are those who come for the cosplay. Here are some of the cosplay w...
Could Taisu Be the Ideal International Anime Collaboration?
Producer Chirying Culture gave Cowboy Bebop creator Shinichiro Watanabe the chance to fulfill his dream of creating "an animation like a picture book."
― International companies are increasingly involved in producing and commissioning new anime projects, with international talent playing a progressively integral role in bringing them to life. Outsourcing production to foreign studios and companies ha...
Our Most Anticipated Anime of Spring 2023
What series are you most looking forward to watching? Here are the ANN Editorial Staff's picks for the most promising series for spring!
― Welcome to our Most Anticipated Anime feature for the Spring 2023 season. Below you'll find our editorial team's (tentative) top picks from the shows slated to premiere in April. There's a wide variety of shows to choose from and little cross-over for our team's ...
The Best and Worst Anime of Winter 2023
Winter was a far quieter season compared to its loud, bombastic brother (aka Fall 2022). While media can live and die by its ability to hype up an audience, our editorial team still managed to uncover some worthwhile entertainment this season.
― Winter was a far quieter season compared to its loud, bombastic brother (aka Fall 2022). While media can live and die by its ability to hype up an audience,...
Your Anime Rankings - Best of Winter 2023, Mar 19-25
As the Winter season is gradually wrapping up, spots #8-13 in the cumulative remain furiously undecided! Find out how your favorite shows performed in our weekly user rankings.
― Let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the season,
based on the polls you can find in our Daily Streaming Reviews
and on the Your Score page with the latest simulcasts. Keep in mind that thes...
The Spring 2023 Trailer Watch Party!
Watch all of this season's trailers with Lynzee Loveridge, Jacki Jing, James Beckett, and Geoff Thew from Mother's Basement!l We start live at 5pm PDT/8pm EDT tonight!
― Watch all of this season's trailers with Lynzee Loveridge, Jacki Jing, James Beckett, and Geoff Thew from Mother's Basement! Find out your next "must-watch" in the 48 anime series set to premiere in April. Will we survive the entire ...
A Glance into Junji Ito's Horror: Uzumaki, Black Bird, and Enigma at Amigara Fault
In the context of pop culture, Ito's style has come to stand out from the norms with unique characters and stories that leap off the page.
― Over the years, Japanese media has earned a distinguished place on the stage of contemporary horror. Some may even consider them a forerunner, with works such as Ringu and Ju-On setting the bar for the genre. That said, the boom of J-horror in the 90s' was perha...
The Spring 2023 Trailer Watch Party!
Watch all of this season's trailers with Lynzee Loveridge, Jacki Jing, James Beckett, and Geoff Thew from Mother's Basement! Find out your next "must-watch" in the 48 anime series set to premiere in April. Will we survive the entire stream? Will we unlock the hidden power of friendship and find our magical girl alter-egos? See for yourselves, live on Friday March 24 at 5pm Pacific/8pm Eastern!
― Watc...
Your Anime Rankings - Best of Winter 2023, Mar 12-18
The Ice Guy and His Cool Female Colleague has been getting better week after week, and it's now paying off in the cumulative. Discover what else is moving in the rankings!
― Let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the season,
based on the polls you can find in our Daily Streaming Reviews
and on the Your Score page with the latest simulcasts. Keep in mind that these ran...
What 'Witch' Means in Gundam: Witch From Mercury
“History does not repeat, but it often rhymes.” Brian Stremick uncovers the parallels between the latest Gundam series and the European witch hunts of the 15-17th centuries.
― “History does not repeat, but it often rhymes.” One of the best anime franchises to depict this concept is Mobile Suit Gundam. Since the first TV anime aired in 1979, this franchise has shown that for all the technological or p...
Suiting Up to Battle Dinos in Exoprimal
So far, Exoprimal has a fantastic foundation to work with. The game looks amazing, the matches are hectic and fun (if a bit long-winded), and there seems to be a good story on the horizon.
― Team-based hero shooters have to do a lot of work to get out from under Overwatch's massive shadow. Capcom is looking forward to establishing a contender with their upcoming Exoprimal, with a bonus: it's not just...
Arc System Works World Tour Crowns Two New Champions
Players credit netcode use for helping level the playing field internationally.
― Last weekend, DNF Duel and Guilty Gear -Strive- (GGS) awarded winners, Mocchii and GO1, for coming out on top after a grueling day of hard-fought battles. The sold-out event featured the chance to experience the World Tour finals in person alongside the top qualifying players. While living out the excitement alongside ...
Everything You Need to Know Before Going to Super Nintendo World
Let's-a-go to Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios! The lines might have you saying "Mamma Mia!" but we've got the cheat codes you need to make the most of it.
― Let's-a-go to Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios! Regrettably, though, the lines will surely have you screaming "Mamma Mia!", but don't you worry, we made you a walkthrough, breaking down everything you need to know and how to g...
Your Anime Rankings - Best of Winter 2023, Mar 5-11
The weekly ups and downs are interesting, but Vinland Saga rules all with supreme stability. See how your favorite shows stack up this week!
― Let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the season,
based on the polls you can find in our Daily Streaming Reviews
and on the Your Score page with the latest simulcasts. Keep in mind that these rankings are based on how people r...
No, You Can't Make Anime with AI
Mimicking the recognizable work of skilled animators does not mean AI or its users understand the artistic decisions behind anime production.
― It's been difficult to ignore the conversations that have surrounded the development of AI tools lately. With Midjourney using prompts to generate images and OpenAI's ChatGPT able to generate seemingly comprehensive text, it feels like we're on the precipice ...
Top 10(ish) Games To Look Out For On Nintendo Switch Online
Need some help deciding which classic games to try on Nintendo Switch Online? We're here to tell you about the best games available and which upcoming titles to look out for!
― Nintendo's Virtual Console on Wii, Wii U, and 3DS was an amazing gift: a way for players to buy, download, and enjoy classic games from a variety of old consoles. Not just old Nintendo hits, but even classics from the Turbogra...
The Double Writer's Guide to Kamen Rider
With Hideaki Anno's Shin Kamen Rider hitting Japanese theaters, now's a good time to sink into the series. Here's a guide on the best films and shows available in North America.
― With Hideaki Anno's Shin Kamen Rider hitting Japanese theaters, we decided it may not be a bad time to take a look at the slowly but surely growing collection of Kamen Rider series and films available in North America. In t...
Hands-on With NARUTO×BORUTO VR
Ever wanted to run around the Hidden Leaf Village to team up with Naruto and friends to fight ninjas? Then have I got the game for you.
― Ever wanted to run around the Hidden Leaf Village to team up with Naruto and friends to fight ninjas? Then have I got the game for you. From March 21 to May 28, NARUTO×BORUTO VR will be playable on the fourth floor of DiverCity in Odaiba, Tokyo. ANN was able to try...
Your Anime Rankings - Best of Winter 2023, Feb 26-Mar 4
After a slow start to the season, Miss Nagatoro climbs into the cumulative top 10! Find out where your favorite shows rank this week.
― Let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the season,
based on the polls you can find in our Daily Streaming Reviews
and on the Your Score page with the latest simulcasts. Keep in mind that these rankings are based on how people rated in...
Inside Bandai Namco's First Akihabara Arcade
On March 1, the Namco Akihabara-ten arcade opened at the site of the recently closed GiGO Akihabara Arcade #4. This is Bandai Namco's first-ever Akihabara arcade, so ANN dropped by on opening day to see what it had to offer.
― On March 1, a new arcade, the "Namco Akihabara-ten," opened at the site of the recently closed GiGO (formerly Sega) Akihabara Arcade #4 across the street from Akihabara Station...
The Many Adaptations of Death Note
Hollywood can't get enough of Death Note. With yet another adaptation reportedly in the works from Netflix, Kennedy looks at the series' many versions, both fan-made and official.
― Since the manga's completion in 2006, Death Note has been adapted 5 times, and has yet another adaptation said to be on the way. If that sounds like a lot, it's because it is. Most manga can realistically hope for only o...
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