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Your Ultimate Guide to Anime Ending Credits: Part III
The third installment of our in-depth look at the people who make the anime you love covers the most stressful jobs in the industry and what you might not know about outsourcing animation!
― It's been a while since the previous chapter of this guide following the ending credits of TV anime, attempting to shed some light into its production. Hopefully that break allowed everyone to catch up with the p...
Is Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress Just An Attack On Titan Clone?
These two post-apocalyptic action series sure do look and sound a lot alike, and they even share a director - but there's a lot more to Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress than that. Jacob Chapman argues his case.
― The countryside has been devastated by undead humanoid monsters, forcing humanity into packed walled cities ruled by fear and a rigid class structure. Then disaster strikes when those monsters ...
The Best and Worst of the Season So Far: Week of May 20-26
It's an action-packed week with real winners and losers on the charts - Kiznaiver shoots up as a sudden rival for the top spot, while Kabaneri sinks like a stone! See how your favorite shows placed!
― Our team of reviewers are following 25 anime series of the Spring 2016 season and readers are rating each episode as the reviews go up. So let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and w...
Interview: The World's Biggest Visual Novels with Visual Art's
Visual Art's CEO Takahiro Baba, character designer Na-Ga and music composer Shinji Orito discuss the incredible success and behind-the-scenes details of some of their biggest games, including Air and Angel Beats!
― Three members of Japanese visual novel company Visual Art's – CEO Takahiro Baba (left in picture), character designer Na-Ga (not pictured by request), and music composer Shinji Orito (rig...
What Makes Magical Girls So Popular?
They're an anime staple, embraced by audiences of all ages and types, and are frequently described as "empowering" - but what is it exactly that makes magical girls connect with so many people?
― Sailor Moon just got remade, Madoka Magica was the biggest anime hit of the past five years, and US-made cartoons are getting more mahou shoujo-tastic by the day. I think it's fair to call magical girls, you...
Hunting for Rare Anime Swag in Japan
For the hardest of the diehard otaku in Japan, finding the ultimate limited edition items comes with a serious price, and now that retailer exclusives are all the rage, it's a jungle out there.
― There are two Japanese phrases that describe serious Japanese collectors rather well. Roughly translated they're “Japanese people can't resist the words ‘limited edition’” and “Always buy sets of three. One ...
The Best and Worst of the Season So Far: Week of May 13-19
Kiznaiver leaps up the charts while Assassination Classroom drops like a rock - what other chaos awaits your favorite shows in our weekly user rankings?
― Our team of reviewers are following 25 anime series of the Spring 2016 season and readers are rating each episode as the reviews go up. So let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the season. Keep in mind that these r...
The Heroic Spirit of My Hero Academia
Even in this age of gritty superhero reboots, My Hero Academia has an undeniably optimistic idea of what heroes really are - Nick Creamer gets into it.
― There's just something about heroes. Soaring through the sky or charging across the earth, brows furrowed, ready for action. Halting the spread of evil, or simply offering assistance where they can. Pursuing an ideal of justice, carrying the hopes o...
The Real Legends of Bungo Stray Dogs
The supernatural detectives of Bungo Stray Dogs share a common thread: they're all based on world-famous authors from the past! Rebecca Silverman walks us through the real history behind the show's beautiful bishonen.
― It's a conceit more common to straight mysteries and steampunk – plucking authors out of their times and places and plunking them down in a semi-modern world (or an alternative versio...
The Best and Worst of the Season So Far: Week of May 6-12
The weekly rankings are shaken up by the introduction of Tanaka-kun is Always Listless, but does it change the order of the top 5? Found out how your favorite shows performed in our user rankings!
― This week, Tanaka-kun is Always Listless joins the rankings. Our team of reviewers are following 25 anime series of the Spring 2016 season and readers are rating each episode as the reviews go up. So let...
Interview: Legendary Evangelion Illustrator Yoshiyuki Sadamoto
The man behind the most iconic illustrations of Neon Genesis Evangelion and one of the most recognized character designers in the world opens up about his career and the state of the anime industry.
― During FicZone, a recent anime, manga and videogames event in Granada, in the south of Spain, we sat down to talk with Yoshiyuki Sadamoto about his current projects, hoping to get his thoughts about the...
Anime Time Travel: Who Got It Right?
Anime has a ton of different ways to travel through time, but which one of them seems the most plausible? Paul Jensen straps in to determine which method makes the most sense, from Haruhi Suzumiya to Re:Zero!
― Re:Zero has been making a bit of a splash this season, thanks in part to its time-bending premise. Every time the main character dies, he gets a chance to go back and try again, sort of like h...
Manga vs. Anime: Fullmetal Alchemist
The debate about which version of Fullmetal Alchemist is the best one rages to this day - we break down all the arguments to determine which one is actually better, the manga, the 2003 anime, or Brotherhood?
― For every popular anime based on a manga, there's the age-old question: which version is better? This is especially true with any anime that diverges significantly from its source material. Som...
The Best and Worst of the Season So Far: Week of Apr 29-May 5
Re:Zero shoots up the charts and threatens the top two spots - see how all your other favorite shows are faring in our weekly user rankings!
― Our team of reviewers are following 24 anime series of the Spring 2016 season and readers are rating each episode as the reviews go up. So let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the season. Keep in mind that these rankings are ...
The Takarazuka Experience: Rurouni Kenshin
All about Japan's legendary all-female theater troupe, which has delighted audiences for generations with lavish, impeccable stage productions of some of your favorite anime - including Rurouni Kenshin!
― Anime fans might not think about this too often, but there have been stage productions of popular anime, manga, and video game titles as early as 1966 with Sazae-san; such productions became dramati...
What's The One Beloved Anime You Just Don't Get?
Everyone's got one: the enormously popular and beloved anime series or movie that they just didn't fall in love with like everyone else. Our critics confess theirs, and we're dying to hear yours!
― This question can be tough to answer: what's the one beloved anime masterpiece, the show or movie or OVA or whatever it is where you feel like you're the only person who just doesn't get it and didn't fall...
Can You Name 10 More Anime from the 90s?
How well do YOU remember the anime of the 1990s? Here are 10 more classic shows - but can you recall them all?
―
The Best and Worst of the Season So Far: Week of Apr 22-28
The Spring 2016 season rolls along and while Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress hangs on to its #1 position in the cumulative rankings, there's a new challenger to the #1 spot in the weekly chart!
― Our team of reviewers are following 24 anime series of the Spring 2016 season and readers are rating each episode as the reviews go up. So let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) o...
All Might vs. Superman: How Our Heroes Are Different
What is it that makes the superheroes in Japan's megasize hits One-Punch Man and My Hero Academia feel so different from our old friends Iron Man and Batman? The differences are wider than you might think.
― Superheroes are extremely popular right now. Regardless of how you feel about the trend of a new comic-based movie or television series premiering every five minutes, it's undeniable that cape-we...
Your Favorite Anime Mascot
They capture your heart and, more significantly, your money - from Haro to Ryo-Ohki, our critics pick their favorite anime mascot characters, and we'd love to hear yours!
― Though their relative ubiquity has declined somewhat since the 90s, mascot characters have been a staple of anime forever; your first piece of anime merchandise might've likely been a Kuroneko keychain or a Keroberos plush doll. T...
The Best and Worst of the Season So Far: Weeks of Apr 1-21
The results are in from the first round of voting on Spring 2016's anime lineup! Find out which shows are already breaking out and which might already be heading for the scrap heap.
― Our team of reviewers are following 24 anime series of the Spring 2016 season and readers are rating each episode as the reviews go up. So let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the seas...
The Real Legends of Magi: The Kingdom of Magic
The next season of the Arabian Nights-flavored action-adventure hit Magi is on the way to Netflix; learn the folkloric history behind the show's heroes and get a refresher on seasons past.
― The Arabian Nights' Entertainment. 1001 Nights. Whatever you call it, the collection of Middle and Far Eastern folklore collected around the 13th century in Persia (now Iran) has had impressive reach in all corne...
Why We Love Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
Fans have clamored for a Phoenix Wright anime for years - the one we finally got left a little to be desired. Jacob Chapman explains what makes the game series so special... and why the anime might not stack up.
― This spring, after over a decade of waiting and hoping, Phoenix Wright fans finally got the TV anime adaptation they always wanted. Well, sort of. After the first episode of A-1 Pictures's...
The Spring 2016 Anime Preview Guide
The Spring 2016 Anime Preview Guide has begun! Check back daily for fresh takes on all of this season's hottest new shows.
Available Now: Big Order - Spring 2016 Shorts - Three Leaves, Three Colors - Flying Witch - Haifuri - Kiznaiver - Tanaka-kun is Always Listless - Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto - Shonen Maid - Concrete Revolutio: The Last Song - Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress - And you think there is never a girl online? - Anne-Happy - Super Lovers - Bungo Stray Dogs - Twin Star Exorcists - and much more!
Available Now: Big Order - Spring 2016 Shorts - Three Leaves, Three Colors - Flying Witch - Haifuri - Kiznaiver - Tanaka-kun is Always Listless - Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto - Shonen Maid - Concrete Revolutio: The Last Song - Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress - And you think there is never a girl online? - Anne-Happy - Super Lovers - Bungo Stray Dogs - Twin Star Exorcists - and much more!
Interview: Kazuya Sasahara on Dai-Shogun VR
The man behind the soldier bunnies of Apocalypse Meow has a vision: anime in virtual reality. Specifically, Dai Shogun in virtual reality, via Kickstarter. Naturally, we had a few questions about his ambitious plans.
― Kazuya Sasahara is known among Western fans chiefly for his directorial work on Cat Shit One (also known as Apocalypse Meow in the US), a little CG OVA featuring realistic fuzzy animal...
Anime Spotlight - Shonen Maid
After his mother passed away, grade school boy Chihiro Komiya starts working as a "maid" at his uncle's grand estate.
― Shonen Maid Visit the Official Site › Story Characters Trailer Cast & Staff Gallery On air starting April 7, 2016 (in Japan) Key Staff Director: Yusuke Yamamoto (Aquarion Evol, Walkure Romanze) Series Composition: Yoshiko Nakamura (Hiiro no Kakera - The Tamayori Princess Saga, Mont...
Anime Spotlight - Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto.
The cool, cooler, coolest high school student is here, and his name is Sakamoto.
― Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto. Visit the Official Site › Story Characters Trailer Cast & Staff Gallery On Air starting April 7, 2016 (in Japan) Key Staff Director: Shinji Takamatsu (Gintama (TV), Mobile Suit Gundam X, School Rumble, Cute High Earth Defense Club LOVE!) Character Design: Kana Ishida Atsuko Nakajima (T...
Which Shonen Jump Series Hooked You?
Weekly Shonen Jump has been the most potent gateway drug for anime since 1968 - most anime fans have a story about the one Shonen Jump title that won their heart. We asked our critics - and now we're asking you!
― Weekly Shonen Jump has been acting as the world's most potent gateway drug for anime & manga since 1968, offering up undeniably addicting, globe-conquering action-adventure epics like Drago...
Anime Spotlight - Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto.
The cool, cooler, coolest high school student is here, and his name is Sakamoto.
― Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto. Visit the Official Site › Story Characters Trailer Cast & Staff Gallery On Air starting April 7, 2016 (in Japan) Key Staff Director: Shinji Takamatsu (Gintama (TV), Mobile Suit Gundam X, School Rumble, Cute High Earth Defense Club LOVE!) Character Design: Kana Ishida Atsuko Nakajima (T...
Anime Spotlight - Shonen Maid
After his mother passed away, grade school boy Chihiro Komiya starts working as a "maid" at his uncle's grand estate.
― Shonen Maid Visit the Official Site › Story Characters Trailer Cast & Staff Gallery On air starting April 7, 2016 (in Japan) Key Staff Director: Yusuke Yamamoto (Aquarion Evol, Walkure Romanze) Series Composition: Yoshiko Nakamura (Hiiro no Kakera - The Tamayori Princess Saga, Mont...
Interview: Bluefin and the World of Anime Collectibles
If you've ever bought a Gundam model, it likely says 'Bluefin' on it somewhere; we sat down for a chat with the folks at Bluefin, who are responsible for getting some of the coolest anime merchandise into your hot little hands.
― If you've ever purchased a Gundam model kit in America, you've probably seen the name Bluefin on the back somewhere. Having recently opened a brand-new warehouse space in So...
Anime Spotlight - Bakuon!!
Discouraged by riding uphill to her school on a bicycle, high school girl Hane Sakura joins the motorcycle club and acquired a motorcycle license.
― Bakuon!! Visit the Official Site › Story Characters Trailer Cast & Staff Gallery On air starting April 2016 Key Staff Director: Junji Nishimura (GLASSLIP, Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan, Samurai Deeper Kyo, Ranma ½) Introduction If highschool girls ride a...
Anime Spotlight - And you thought there is never a girl online?
Hideki Nishimura thought female characters in online games were all played by male players. He is about to change his mind, however, when he receives a confession of love from a female character......
― And you thought there is never a girl online? (Netoge no Yome wa Onna no ko ja Nai to Omotta?) Visit the Official Site › Story Characters Trailer Cast & Staff Gallery TV Anime on air starting April 7...
Anime Spotlight - Haifuri
Childhood friends Akeno Misaki and Moeka China enroll in a marine high school in Yokosuka in order to become "Blue Mermaids," a new female force established to protect the remaining coastal towns after many countries have sank into the sea.
― Haifuri Visit the Official Site › Story Characters Trailer Cast & Staff Gallery Broadcast Begins April 9, 2016 (JST) Key Staff Director: You Nobuta (A Good Lib...
The Pro Wrestling-Shonen Anime Connection
If you've ever wondered why shonen anime like Dragon Ball Z seems like pro wrestling so often, Daryl Surat is here to illuminate the Japanese pro wrestler who's likely responsible for influencing a generation of mangaka.
― I lack mental organization. I don't keep a list of everything I've seen, read, played, or own. It is one thing to say you watched a series, but how much do you remember? As I look ...
Anime Spotlight - Bungo Stray Dogs
Armed Detective Agency, a group of prolific Japanese writers with supernatural powers, solve disputes that army and police couldn't step into.
― Bungo Stray Dogs Visit the Official Site › Story Characters Trailer Cast & Staff Gallery On air starting April 6th 2016 Key Staff Director: Takuya Igarashi (Ouran High School Host Club, Sailor Moon Sailor Stars, Soul Eater) Series Composition: Yoji Enokido ...
The Best and Worst of the Winter 2016 Season
The final rankings for the entire Winter 2016 anime season are in! Find out how ERASED, Grimgar, Konosuba and more fared according to your votes!
― Our team of reviewers are following 27 anime series of the Winter 2016 season and readers are rating each episode as the reviews go up. So let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the season. Keep in mind that these rankings...
Anime Spotlight - SUPER LOVERS
High school student Haru Kaido is suddenly introduced to a boy named Ren, a wild child who happens to be his adoptive little brother.
― SUPER LOVERS Visit the Official Site › Story Characters Trailer Cast & Staff Gallery Broadcast Begins April 6th 2016(JST) Key Staff Director: Shinji Ishihira (Fairy Tail,LOG HORIZON) Series Composition: Yoshiko Nakamura (Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun, Hiiro no Kakera - ...
Anime Spotlight - JOKER GAME
In 1937, the Imperial Army established "Institution D" to train spies. The recruitment method, training, and core values of the Institution were, however, very unorthodox and different from those of the Army.
― JOKER GAME Visit the Official Site › Story Characters Trailer Cast & Staff Gallery Broadcast Begins April 5th 2016(JST) Key Staff Director: Kazuya Nomura (Ghost in the Shell: The New Movie, R...
Anime Spotlight - The Asterisk War (2nd season)
Ayato Amagiri takes up the challenge along with his partner Julis, the Witch of the Resplendent Flames (Glühen Rose).
― The Asterisk War (2nd season) Visit the Official Site › Story Characters Trailer Cast & Staff Gallery Broadcast Begins April 2, 2016 (JST) Key Staff General Director: Manabu Ono (Horizon in the Middle of Nowhere, Saki, The Irregular at Magic High School) Original Character Designs:...
Anime Spotlight - The Lost Village
30 young men and women sign up for a suspicious bus tour to “Nanakimura Village” – a phantom village that may or may not really exist.
― The Lost Village Visit the Official Site › Story Characters Trailer Cast & Staff Gallery Broadcast Begins April 2016 (JST) Key Staff Director: Tsutomu Mizushima (Another, Big Windup!, Blood-C, Girls und Panzer, Prison School, Shirobako, xxxHOLiC) Series Composition...
Anime Spotlight - Kumamiko - Girl meets Bear
A middle school student works as the shrine maiden for a shrine that worships bears.
― Kumamiko - Girl meets Bear Visit the Official Site › Story Characters Trailer Cast & Staff Gallery Broadcast Begins April 3rd 2016(JST) Key Staff Director: Kiyoshi Matsuda (Macross Frontier (TV) (Episode Director (5 episodes)) Story Deep in the mountains somewhere in the Tohoku region, Machi is a middle school stu...
Photos from AnimeJapan 2016: Finale
Our last gigantic batch of photos from AnimeJapan 2016, including Hundreds, Jojo's Bizarre Adventure, My Hero Academia and much more. PLUS: a visit to the Love Live shrine!
― Okay, so here's how Anime Japan was laid out – you'd enter the facility behind the cool sign above, go downstairs, and then dash across across two huge halls (hall ‘A’ and hall ‘J,’ natch) of Tokyo Big Sight to see everything. ...
Your Ultimate Guide to Anime Ending Credits: Part II
Last time we ran through the entire process of actual animation - this time we'll cover the people who polish it up and make it shine for you. Kevin Cirugeda's incredible guide to the folks who make anime continues!
― It's time for another installment in this guide detailing the ins and outs of anime production, structured around the roles listed in the ending credits of a TV anime episode. When desc...
AnimeJapan 2016 Photos: Part I & II
The sights, the sounds, the booths, the cosplayers - this is the show floor at this year's AnimeJapan 2016, where everything from My Hero Academia to Macross Delta were shown off.
― It's finally here! The reason I flew across the country, over Alaska, and across the Pacific to Japan, the nation's biggest anime exposition, and it… …well, it seems kinda empty, doesn't it? Let's head inside Tokyo Big S...
The Best and Worst of the Season So Far: Weeks of Mar 18-24
The winter season comes to a crashing finale with a surprising pick climbing up the ladder just in time to claim the top spot! How did the rest of your favorite shows fare in the end?
― Our team of reviewers are following 27 anime series of the Winter 2016 season and readers are rating each episode as the reviews go up. So let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the se...
Tour the Swag of AnimeJapan 2016
Here's an avalanche of photos of all the incredible toys, costumes, models, cels, statues, posters, sake, trading cards, blurays, gashapon and more on display at AnimeJapan 2016!
― As anime and manga fans from around the world gather at the Tokyo Big Sight exhibition center for the annual Anime Japan fair (March 26 to March 27, 2016), it begs the question of what sort of merchandise fans are looking ...
Touring The Real-Life Anohana
Take a stroll through the real-life locations and natural beauty that inspired the smash hit tearjerker Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day!
― In recent years, an entire sub-culture of anime fans dedicated to finding the real-life locations of different anime series has emerged. You might think this is an easy task, but consider the effort put into it. First, we must pinpoint the actual city or town ...
Can You Name These 12 Anime from the 2000s?
How well do you remember the previous decade? Test your knowledge of the anime of the 2000s!
―
Toole Japan Part II: Attack on Titan and Evangelion at Universal Studios Japan
Mike valiantly fights the crowds on a holiday weekend at Universal Studios Japan to experience the park's Attack on Titan, Evangelion and Kyary Pamyu Pamyu rides - and that's just the beginning!
― After the glorious, unexpected insanity of the Nipponbashi Festa, Prairie and I figured that hitting Universal Japan on Monday would be a good idea, to avoid the crowds. After all, who goes to a theme park ...
What Was Your First Anime Obsession?
Our critics revisit the shows that transformed them from normal everyday teens into full-fledged Anime Fans, and we want to know what YOUR first real anime obsession was!
― We asked our writers one simple question: which anime made you a fan? Not the first anime you ever saw - not the blurry memories of Robotech or Gundam Wing before you knew what anime was - the first show you really embraced as an ...
The Best and Worst of the Season So Far: Week of Mar 11-17
ERASED rebounds while Konosuba's finale takes the top spot. Find out how your other favorite shows are performing as we head into the Spring season!
― Our team of reviewers are following 27 anime series of the Winter 2016 season and readers are rating each episode as the reviews go up. So let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the season. Keep in mind that these ranki...
Toole Japan Part I: Nipponbashi Street Festa 2016
We sent Mike Toole to Japan, so naturally he stumbled across an enormous cosplay street festival on his first day in beautiful Osaka. Witness: incredible cosplay by Japanese fans! Giant robots! Dogs and cats in costume!
― I'm on assignment for ANN here in Japan, getting ready to cover the great big Anime Japan event later this week at Tokyo Big Sight! But before heading to Japan's megalopolis, my wif...
Interview: Inio Asano
The acclaimed author of Goodnight Punpun, Solanin and Nijigahara Holograph talks about his currently-ongoing manga Dead Dead Demon's Dedededestruction and the modern manga market.
― During the past Salón del Manga de Barcelona, Spain's largest anime and manga event, which took place in Barcelona from October 29th to November 1st, we had the opportunity to talk with Inio Asano, the manga creator respo...
Ten Years of Death Note: Is Light The Bad Guy?
It's been a decade since Death Note took over the world, and there are some who still argue that Light Yagami had some pretty solid ideas. Jacob Hope Chapman investigates.
― Ten years ago, Tsugumi Ohba's bizarre and controversial creation, Death Note, became an anime series. It also became a mainstream success almost immediately, infecting Hot Topics everywhere and creating the world's most inexpensi...
Interview: Akira in Color with Steve Oliff
The man who brought full color to the Akira manga at Marvel Comics so many years ago has unearthed his original pages for sale. Deb Aoki talks to the artist about his experience working on a classic.
― In the 1980's and early 1990's, there was no bigger manga series than AKIRA by Katsuhiro Otomo. Otomo's dynamic, detailed artwork and mind-blowing post-apocalyptic story was a game-changer in Japan, an...
Your Ultimate Guide to Anime Ending Credits: Part I
You know what a director on a Hollywood movie does, but what does an "animation director" do in anime? Kevin Cirugeda takes apart the end credits in our guide to the folks who make the shows you love!
― There's an understandable disconnect between western anime fans and the craft of their hobby. Anime production is shrouded in mystery, starting with the credits at the end of every TV anime episode; i...
The Best and Worst of the Season So Far: Week of Mar 4-10
It's Konosuba's time to shine as the fantasy-comedy climbs up a tremendous number of spots on the weekly chart! Find out how your other favorite shows did in our weekly user rankings!
― Our team of reviewers are following 27 anime series of the Winter 2016 season and readers are rating each episode as the reviews go up. So let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the se...
How Fire Emblem Became a Phenomenon
A cult classic for years, RPG series Fire Emblem has become a bonafide phenomenon among anime fans. Gabriella Ekens dives into the franchise to uncover what suddenly made anime fans sit up and take notice.
― For the longest time, Fire Emblem stood alongside Earthbound as one of those Nintendo franchises people primarily knew from Super Smash Bros. That all changed in 2013, when Fire Emblem: Awakening...
Interview: Eric Beckman, Founder & President of GKIDS
The man behind GKIDS, the company with the magic touch for getting anime nominated at the Oscars, talks about both the business and the New York International Children's Film Festival, happening now!
― Eric Beckman is the co-founder and president of GKIDS, a film distributor well-known among anime fans for their careful (and Academy Award nomination-laden) handling of several Studio Ghibli films in t...
Comparing Comedies: Konosuba vs. Dagashi Kashi
This season's two hit comedies, Konosuba and Dagashi Kashi, don't have much in common on the surface, but comparing them reveals a lot about what we get out of anime comedies. Nick Creamer considers the possibilities.
― What is it that makes you laugh? Is it watching a character who's earned their fall hit the banana peel, or watching someone you've come to love be their ridiculous self? What do you ...
The Best and Worst of the Season So Far: Week of Feb 26-Mar 3
Haruchika comes blasting up the charts in a surprise upset, but is it enough to shake up the top 5? See how your favorite shows fared in our weekly user rankings!
― Our team of reviewers are following 27 anime series of the Winter 2016 season and readers are rating each episode as the reviews go up. So let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the season. Keep in mind th...
Interview: "Queer Japan" Filmmaker Graham Kolbeins
The folks behind MASSIVE, the first gay manga anthology in the US, return with a documentary exploring LGBT mangaka and the community in Japan (Mild NSFW images).
― Blushing school boys kiss in BL manga, magical anime girls coyly hint at their “more than friends” relationship. Male kabuki performers dress up as elegant women, and androgynous female actresses in Takarazuka theater troupes have legions...
Gundam Front Tokyo: The Ultimate Tour
Step inside the ultimate Gundam fan experience at Gundam Front! Explore enormous replicas of famous mobile suits and locations from the show, learn how Gunpla gets made and more in this exhaustive photo tour.
― In 1979 the All-Nippon News Network affiliate in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, Nagoya Broadcasting Network, aired an anime series that changed the face of the anime industry. That series was Mobil...
What's The Best (And Worst) Anime Ending You've Ever Seen?
Simple question, tough answer: what's the very best anime ending you've ever seen, and which one let you down the most? Our critics discuss their favorites, and we can't wait to hear yours!
― It's a simple question with a deceptively difficult answer: what's the single best anime ending you've ever seen, and which one is the worst? A good ending can redeem an otherwise mediocre show, or bring somethi...
The Best and Worst of the Season So Far: Week of Feb 19-25
In a shocking twist, Active Raid climbs up the chart and threatens the top spots! How did the rest of your favorite Winter 2016 anime perform in our weekly user rankings?
― Our team of reviewers are following 27 anime series of the Winter 2016 season and readers are rating each episode as the reviews go up. So let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the season. Keep in...
Interview: The Past, Present and Future of Dragon Ball
Resurrection 'F' and Dragon Ball Kai director Tadayoshi Yamamuro and producer Norihiro Hayashida discuss the fascinating process of making Kai, the new DBZ films and those pesky animation errors in Dragon Ball Super.
― Last year's Salón del Manga de Barcelona, celebrated in Barcelona from October 29th to November 1st, hosted a fascinating pair of creatives dedicated to the world of Dragon Ball. Tada...
Can You Guess These 15 Classic 90s Anime From Just One Image?
It's easy to forget just how much anime there was in the 90s, and just how much of it came out in the US! Can you guess all 15 of these classic 90s anime from just one image?
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The Magic of the Stage in Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju
A drama about rakugo performance seems like a strange fit for animation, but somehow this season's Rakugo Shinju makes it work. Nick Creamer digs into the secrets of one of this season's most unique and memorable shows.
― The glare of the bulbs. The blinding dust of the spotlight, and the faces beyond. The way the art moves through you or abandons you, and meets the audience in turn. Expression of th...
Grimgar and the Consequences of Death
Life is often cheap in anime - death is rarely permanent, but in Grimgar, something's different. Rebecca Silverman explores how anime typically deals with death, and what makes this show's handling of it so special.
― Spoiler Warning: this article contains important story information from Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash, From The New World, Fushigi Yugi, Natusyuki Rendezvous, and Akame ga Kill Many words...
The Best and Worst of the Season So Far: Week of Feb 12-18
Gintama crawls its way back to the top of the rankings this week, but can it dethrone Erased? Find out how all your favorite shows performed in our weekly user rankings!
― Our team of reviewers are following 27 anime series of the Winter 2016 season and readers are rating each episode as the reviews go up. So let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the season. Keep in ...
The Evolution of Evangelion: Rebuild vs. TV
With the latest Rebuild of Evangelion film finally out in the US, Gabriella Ekens takes an in-depth look at the enormous differences between the original groundbreaking TV series and the smash hit Rebuild films.
― Since the film series was announced in 2006, much ado has been made about the “Rebuild of Evangelion.” The project has alternately been described as a remake of or sequel to one of the most...
Seven Magic High Schools Worth Enrolling In
There are a ton of anime about magical high schools swarming with special teens fated to save the world and fall in love. Paul Jensen tries to get a handle on all this by listing seven of the finest examples of the genre to get you started.
― Over the past few years, the anime world has seen the “magical high school” premise go from an unusual twist on the action genre to a staple of the medium. At t...
The Best and Worst of the Season So Far: Week of Feb 5-11
Konosuba drops to the #2 spot and a huge surge for GATE have left the chart in total chaos! Find out what rose to retake the title of #1 in our weekly user rankings.
― Our team of reviewers are following 27 anime series of the Winter 2016 season and readers are rating each episode as the reviews go up. So let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the season. Keep in mind...
Anime You'd Love To See Remade
We asked a simple question: which anime would you most love to see get a total remake? Here are some wild ideas for remakes of Fate/stay night, Clannad, Voltron and more, and we can't wait to hear yours.
― We asked our writers a simple question: if you could remake any anime in history, which would it be and why? It can be for any reason - maybe the TV series was a shaky adaptation, maybe the animati...
Thirty Years of Castle in the Sky
On the eve of its thirtieth birthday, Sean Bell considers the impact and legacy of Hayao Miyazaki's beloved but often overlooked mid-80s fantasy classic.
― For years, I couldn't remember its name. Films absorbed in the haze of early childhood often have that downside. Nevertheless, images endured, bouncing around my brain for a decade afterwards. Slapstick pirates. Cannon-bedecked blimps. Children a...
The Best and Worst of the Season So Far: Week of Jan 29-Feb 4
Witness the meteoric rise of Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans in our user rankings this week! What mighty shows have fallen in its wake?
― Our team of reviewers are following 27 anime series of the Winter 2016 season and readers are rating each episode as the reviews go up. So let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the season. Keep in mind that these rankings ...
The Real Pirates of One Piece
Uncover the history behind the real-life seagoing bandit kings and scalawags that inspired some of the most memorable villains in Eiichiro Oda's world-conquering pirate fantasy One Piece!
― I discovered pirates through a bizarre combination of Astrid Lindgren's Pippi Longstocking novels (and the weird 1988 film) and Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island when I was in elementary school, and my fasc...
Your Most Memorable Anime Villain
Everyone has a favorite anime villain, but which one was the most memorable, and had the most impact on you? Our team of critics reveal the bad guys that still keep them up at night - and we need to hear yours, too!
― This week we asked our team of critics for the most memorable villain they've ever encountered in anime. We specifically didn't ask for favorite - "most memorable" suggests a villain th...
The Best and Worst of the Season So Far: Week of Jan 22-28
See how all your favorite Winter 2016 shows are performing in our user-driven polls!
― Our team of reviewers are following 27 anime series of the Winter 2016 season and readers are rating each episode as the reviews go up. So let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the season. Keep in mind that these rankings are based on how people rated individual episodes of the cur...
Animator Expo Season Three: What's Worth Watching
There's another crop of wildly creative shorts available in the kaleidoscope of awesome known as the Animator Expo (including a new Evangelion short!) and Kevin Cirugeda is here to guide you to all the best stuff.
― The end of Animator Expo's free online distribution is quickly approaching, possibly marking the last time this animated anthology will be easily available. Khara's project to put to use ...
Lupin the Third: The Complete Guide to Films, TV Specials and OVAs
Our resident Lupin expert tackles the rest of the famous thief's adventures, running down every single TV special, film and OVA!
― Welcome to the second and final installment of our guide to Lupin The Third! In this segment, I'll cover all of the franchise's feature films, animated TV specials (an enormous chunk of Lupin's animated legacy) and OVAs. Lupin's episodic TV adventures are covered here in ...
The Best and Worst of the Season So Far: Weeks of Jan 1-21
A new season has begun and we're off to the races with our daily streaming user polls! Find out how ERASED, Grimgar and the rest of this season's new shows are stacking up according to your ratings!
― Our team of reviewers are following 27 anime series of the Winter 2016 season and readers are rating each episode as the reviews go up. So let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and w...
Lupin the Third: Where to Start and What's Worth Watching - TV Edition
The first part of Reed Nelson's mega guide to the entire Lupin the Third franchise covers the best episodes from every single season of Lupin's television adventures!
― Every so often I see the question: “I want to get into Lupin the Third, where do I start?” Like other long-running anime, Lupin boasts dozens of anime installments, not to mention the original manga, video games, and live-action film...
Which Anime Made You Cry?
Anime has the ability to pull our heartstrings and make us weep like all great entertainment. Our team of critics reveals which anime moment, episode or ending made them burst into tears - and we're dying to hear yours, too!
― A few weeks back we ran an interest piece on a survey of adult Japanese anime fans about anime that made them cry. That got us thinking – which anime, in the long history of ou...
Anime Spotlight - BBK/BRNK
Can these 5 teenagers take on the burden of saving their world?
― BBK/BRNK Visit the Official Site › Story Characters Trailer Cast & Staff Gallery Broadcast Begins January 9, 2016 (JST) Key Staff Character Design: Yusuke Kozaki (Fire Emblem Awakening, NO MORE HEROES) Music: Masaru Yokoyama (Your Lie in April, Plastic Memories) Introduction Can they pull it off? Story Let's talk about "BBK/BRNK". A w...
Anime Spotlight - Haruchika -Haruta & Chika
Childhood friends Chika Homura and Haruta Kamijo reunite in their high school's wind ensemble club. They are both determined to recruit new members and perform in the prestigious national wind ensemble competition at "Fumon Hall".
― Haruchika -Haruta & Chika Visit the Official Site › Story Characters Trailer Cast & Staff Gallery Broadcast Begins January 2016! (JST) Key Staff Director: Masakazu Hashi...
A Fire Burns in Concrete Revolutio
Justice, peace, and freedom - can any one hero truly fight for them all? If your peace violates my freedom, who is right? Nick Creamer explores the themes of Shou Aikawa's Concrete Revolutio.
― Fires burn in the streets, born of anger at a system that kills those it's sworn to protect. Citizens rally to any leader that speaks in their voice, united less by pride or conviction than by an overriding fe...
Anime Spotlight - Please tell me! Galko-chan
Galko-chan may look like a player but as they say looks can be deceiving!
― Please tell me! Galko-chan Visit the Official Site › Story Characters Trailer Cast & Staff Gallery Broadcast Begins January 2016 (JST) Key Staff Director: Keiichiro Kawaguchi (Minami-ke Tadaima, Moetan) Character Design: Kenji Fujisaki (B-Daman CrossFire, Blood Lad) Introduction Is it true that Galko-chan is going to become ...
The Winter 2016 Anime Preview Guide
The Winter 2016 Anime Preview Guide has completed! Take a guided tour through this season's new shows, big and small.
Available Now: KONOSUBA, AOKANA, Schwarzes Marken, Rainbow Days, Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash, Dimension W, Nurse Witch Komugi-chan R, BBK/BRNK, Luck & Logic and much much more! ― Welcome to Anime News Network's Winter 2016 Preview Guide! Here's how it goes: our team of critics write ...
Available Now: KONOSUBA, AOKANA, Schwarzes Marken, Rainbow Days, Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash, Dimension W, Nurse Witch Komugi-chan R, BBK/BRNK, Luck & Logic and much much more! ― Welcome to Anime News Network's Winter 2016 Preview Guide! Here's how it goes: our team of critics write ...
The Rise of Masashi Ishihama: From The New World to Garakowa
Kevin Cirugeda introduces you to the soaring career of Masashi Ishihama, an impressive animator whose work on the cult hit From the New World should get you pretty excited about his brand-new film, Garakowa.
― It was well over two years ago when the existence of Garakowa – Save the World was first hinted at (under the name D.backup then), as the scenario that won Pony Canyon's creative contest awarde...
Anime Spotlight - Prince of Stride Alternative
First year students Takeru Fujiwara, Nana Sakurai and Riku Yagami are ready to take on the challenge of bringing Honan High School's stride team back to the top!
― Prince of Stride Alternative Visit the Official Site › Story Characters Trailer Cast & Staff Gallery Broadcast Begins January 5, 2016 (JST) Key Staff Director: Atsuko Ishizuka (No Game, No Life, Hanayamata) Series Composition: Taku Kishim...
Anime Spotlight - DIMENSION W
Our energy problems seemed to have been solved. But with new solutions new problems arise. Enter repo man Kyoma and his android assistant Mira the most unlikely duo for this job.
― DIMENSION W Visit the Official Site › Story Characters Trailer Cast & Staff Gallery Broadcast Begins January 2016 (JST) Key Staff Director: Kanta Kamei (Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Girfriend, Nanaana's Buried Treasure)...
Anime Spotlight - ERASED
Satoru Fujinuma will have to finally face the truth about his past! How will this affect his future?
― ERASED Visit the Official Site › Story Characters Trailer Cast & Staff Gallery Streaming starts January 7th, 2016 at 9:30am(PST) Key Staff Director: Tomohiko Ito (Sword Art Online, Silver Spoon) Character Design: Keigo Sasaki (Blue Exorcist, The Seven Deadly Sins) Story Satoru Fujinuma is a young m...
Anime Spotlight - Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju (Showa and Genroku era lover's suicide through Rakugo)
Yotaro enter's the world of Rakugo during the Showa era.
― Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju (Showa and Genroku era lover's suicide through Rakugo) Visit the Official Site › Story Characters Trailer Cast & Staff Gallery Broadcast Begins January 8, 2016 (JST) Key Staff Director: Mamoru Hatakeyama (Rozen Maiden – Zurückspulen) Series Composition: Jun Kumagai (Hamatora) Character Design: Mieko Hosoi (Aiura, ...
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