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The Tale of the Heike in Text and Animation
Rebecca Silverman looks at the original classic story that inspired Science Saru and Naoko Yamada's beautiful, historical anime series.
― Once upon a time, most likely before 1330 C.E., a story was written. It told of the clash of the Genji and Taira clans, and while we don't know who first wrote it down, we can certainly trace at least some versions' provenance. The story was written and rewritten, ...
Yoshiyuki Tomino Doesn't Want You To Read This Article
When Bandai Entertainment was preparing to license Mobile Suit Gundam in North America in 2001, director Yoshiyuki Tomino had an unusual request: Delete episode 15. Now it's inspiring a feature film next year.
― When Bandai Entertainment was preparing to license Mobile Suit Gundam in North America in 2001, director Yoshiyuki Tomino had an unusual request: Delete episode 15. Tomino has never been coy ...
Yu Yu Hakusho: Does it Hold Up?
With Hunter x Hunter having claimed dominance in discussion of shōnen battle anime, it's easy to forget that its author, Yoshihiro Togashi, had already left his mark on the world of shōnen manga with another popular and critically-acclaimed series.
― With Hunter x Hunter having claimed dominance in discussion of shōnen battle anime as of late, it's easy to forget that its author, Yoshihiro Togashi, ...
The Fall 2021 Preview Guide
Others may not see his potential, but Bojji won't give up his claim as the next monarch in RANKING OF KINGS. Catch up all of this season's premieres with Demon Slayer, Blue Period, Shikizakura, The Faraway Paladin, My Sempai is Annoying, SAKUGAN, Platinum End, PureOre, The World's Finest Assassin, Banished from the Heroes' Party, Takt. op Destiny, Mushoku Tensei, AMAIM Warrior at the Borderline, Irina: The Vampire Cosmonaut, Mieruko-chan, The Night Beyond the Tricornered Window, Yashahime Season 2, 86 Season Two, Restaurant to Another World Season 2, and more!
Interview: Bright: Samurai Soul Director Kyohei Ishiguro
ANN had the chance to speak with director Kyohei Ishiguro about how he approached the Netflix anime film project and the intermingling themes of its setting.
― Bright: Samurai Soul is an anime spin-off movie in the universe of Netflix's film Bright, depicting its world in the setting of Meiji-era Japan. ANN had the chance to speak with the director of the movie, Kyohei Ishiguro, about how he approach...
The Fall 2021 Preview Guide
He's back! Flame Hashira Rengoku steals the show in the first episode of Demon Slayer's Mugen Train Arc! Catch up all of this season's premieres with Blue Period, Shikizakura, The Faraway Paladin, My Sempai is Annoying, SAKUGAN, Platinum End, PureOre, The World's Finest Assassin, Banished from the Heroes' Party, Takt. op Destiny, Mushoku Tensei, AMAIM Warrior at the Borderline, Irina: The Vampire Cosmonaut, Mieruko-chan, The Night Beyond the Tricornered Window, Yashahime Season 2, 86 Season Two, Restaurant to Another World Season 2, and more!
The Fall 2021 Preview Guide
Netflix's first weekly anime simulcast is here! Blue Period follows one boy's journey to discover his own truth through art. Catch up all of this season's premieres with The Faraway Paladin, My Sempai is Annoying, SAKUGAN, Platinum End, PureOre, The World's Finest Assassin, Banished from the Heroes' Party, Takt. op Destiny, Mushoku Tensei, AMAIM Warrior at the Borderline, Irina: The Vampire Cosmonaut, Mieruko-chan, The Night Beyond the Tricornered Window, Yashahime Season 2, 86 Season Two, Restaurant to Another World Season 2, and more!
The Fall 2021 Preview Guide
Japan's hottest rockers are also...vampires? Visual Prison is ready to find its bloodthirsty fans! Catch up all of this season's premieres with SAKUGAN, Platinum End, PureOre, The World's Finest Assassin, Banished from the Heroes' Party, Takt. op Destiny, Mushoku Tensei, AMAIM Warrior at the Borderline, The Vampire Dies in No Time, Digimon Ghost Game, Irina: The Vampire Cosmonaut, Mieruko-chan, The Night Beyond the Tricornered Window, Yashahime Season 2, 86 Season Two, Restaurant to Another World Season 2, and more!
Best Anime Dubs You Can Watch RIGHT NOW (Part 4)
AJ from the Cartoon Cipher looks at the latest anime dubs to find the ones most worth your time, whether its teen romance, mecha battles, or time-travelling gangsters.
― Hey everyone, hope you managed to enjoy your summer! I'm AJ from the Cartoon Cipher and the seasons are beginning to change, lets see if we can recommend even more anime dubs for you all to enjoy. Beastars (Season 1+2) Dubbing 3DCG ...
Interview: SAKUGAN Creative Staff and Cast
NN spoke to director Junichi Wada, producer Takayuki Funahashi, mecha designer Stanislas Brunet, kaiju designer Shoji Kawamori, and Memempu's voice actress Kanon Amane to get into the nuts and bolts of this highly ambitious production.
― Following a father and daughter's journey through an uncharted and hostile underground labyrinth, the anime SAKUGAN combines a gritty science-fiction setting, utilit...
The Fall 2021 Preview Guide
Idols on ice? The Dream Monkeys have their work cut out of them in PureOre! Catch up all of this season's premieres with The World's Finest Assassin, Banished from the Heroes' Party, Takt. op Destiny, Mushoku Tensei, AMAIM Warrior at the Borderline, The Vampire Dies in No Time, Digimon Ghost Game, Irina: The Vampire Cosmonaut, Mieruko-chan, The Night Beyond the Tricornered Window, Yashahime Season 2, 86 Season Two, Restaurant to Another World Season 2, and more!
The Fall 2021 Preview Guide
Can music save the world? Takt. op Destiny brings high-octane musical battles to the season. Also catch up on the latest premieres with Mushoku Tensei, AMAIM Warrior at the Borderline, The Vampire Dies in No Time, Digimon Ghost Game, Irina: The Vampire Cosmonaut, Mieruko-chan, Tesla Note, The Night Beyond the Tricornered Window, Waccha PriMagi, Yashahime Season 2, 86 Season Two, Yuki Yuna Is a Hero Season 3, Restaurant to Another World Season 2, and more!
The Fall 2021 Preview Guide
Rudy returns in the second season of the fantasy series Mushoku Tensei! Also catch up on the latest premieres with AMAIM Warrior at the Borderline, The Vampire Dies in No Time, Digimon Ghost Game, Irina: The Vampire Cosmonaut, Mieruko-chan, Tesla Note, The Night Beyond the Tricornered Window, Waccha PriMagi, Yashahime Season 2, 86 Season Two, Yuki Yuna Is a Hero Season 3, Restaurant to Another World Season 2, and more!
The Best and Worst of Summer 2021
The final episodes go against each other, and the cumulative gets shaken up! Find out where your favorites stand in the final ranking of Summer 2021.
― Our team of reviewers are following 24 anime series of the Summer 2021 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 rank...
The Fall 2021 Preview Guide
It's a big day for premieres and we're just getting started with Digimon Ghost Game, Irina: The Vampire Cosmonaut, Mieruko-chan, Tesla Note, The Night Beyond the Tricornered Window, and Waccha PriMagi! Also: Yashahime Season 2, Muteking, 86 Season Two, Yuki Yuna Is a Hero Season 3, Restaurant to Another World Season 2, The Heike Story and Selection Project!
― Yashahime Logo ⒸRumiko Takahashi/Shogakuk...
The Fall 2021 Preview Guide
The successors to Inuyasha and Sesshomaru are back for brand-new adventures in Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon - The Second Act! Also: Muteking, 86 Season Two, Yuki Yuna Is a Hero Season 3, Restaurant to Another World Season 2, The Heike Story and Selection Project!
― Yashahime Logo ⒸRumiko Takahashi/Shogakukan,Yomiuri TV,Sunrise 2020Adblock+ breaks this page, consider whitelisting ANN Vote in the Dai...
The Fall 2021 Preview Guide
October is here and with it a brand new season of anime. ANN's editorial team are watching every show—so you don't have to! We'll be updating throughout the next two weeks, so check back regularly. Today: Yuki Yuna Is a Hero Season 3, Restaurant to Another World Season 2, The Heike Story and Selection Project!
― Yashahime Logo ⒸRumiko Takahashi/Shogakukan,Yomiuri TV,Sunrise 2020Adblock+ breaks this p...
PREVIEW: Shin Megami Tensei V Is Nocturne Enhanced
If you've played even one game in this series, you'll know roughly what to expect. SMT V once again takes its players to an apocalyptic, desert-ified Tokyo populated with capricious demons.
― In retrospect, the timing of the Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD remaster, which came out in English earlier this year, could not have been better. It served as a perfect refresher course of what makes SMT g...
Hideaki Anno: A Career Retrospective
Hideaki Anno has long been considered to be one of the forerunners of modern anime and otakudom. Matthew Roe (@TheCriticlysm) takes another look at the career and impact of the maverick creator.
― Update: It has been brought to our attention that some details presented in this documentary have come under dispute, and we wanted to apologize and clear up any misconceptions that may have arisen as a re...
Ryukishi07 Explains How Higurashi GOU and SOTSU Reinvent the Franchise
As the Higurashi: When They Cry – SOTSU sequel anime approaches its conclusion, Ryukishi07 spoke to ANN about how the new anime reinvents the franchise, witches, his experience as a civil servant, and more.
― The Higurashi: When They Cry – GOU anime caused a stir when it was revealed that it was not a remake but a completely new story set in the world of Higurashi. As the Higurashi: When They Cry – S...
Head in the Clouds: A Look Inside the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures' Miyazaki Exhibition
A sense of childlike wonder is central to the experience within the very first exhibition of the newly opened Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.
― Through the pastel orange doors of the Marilyn and Jeffrey Katzenberg Gallery lies the retrospective exhibition dedicated to Hayao Miyazaki's cinematic work. Once inside, visitors step into the shoes of Mei Kusakabe from My Neighbor Totoro. As you stroll t...
Fall 2021 Anime Trailer Watch Party With SungWon Cho!
Tune in LIVE on Wednesday, September 29th at 5pm PDT/8pm EDT! Voice actor and YouTube personality SungWon (ProZD) will join executive editor Lynzee Loveridge and ANN video producer Jacki Jing to watch every fall anime season trailer!
― Consider this your official invitation to the Fall 2021 Anime Trailer Watch Party with SungWon Cho! Tune in LIVE on Wednesday, September 29th at 5pm PDT/8pm EDT! Voice...
Our Most Anticipated Anime Of Fall 2021
The Fall season is just days away! What series are at the top of your must-watch list? If you're still undecided, our critics make a case for some of the promising anime premiering in October.
― Welcome to our most anticipated anime feature for the fall 2021 season. Below you'll find our editorial team's top (tentative) picks from the 45-odd shows slated to premiere in October. What are your favorit...
Hana-chan and the Shape of the World Manga Creator Ryotaro Ueda
In his first ever interview, manga creator Ryotaro Ueda goes into detail about the thin veil between the living and the dead, and the in-between world as Hana-chan experiences it.
― ©Ryotaro Ueda 2019 / KADOKAWA CORPORATION In his first ever interview, manga creator Ryotaro Ueda discusses his premiere manga Hana-chan and the Shape of the World. The unique volume follows the imaginative Hana-chan, a ...
The Best and Worst Anime of Summer 2021
ANN's editorial team looks over the last three months to find the cream of the crop and the certified stinkers.
― Best: Kageki Shoujo!! Kageki Shoujo!! is an uneven anime overall, which makes sense given that the bulk of its episodes are character vignettes. But its best episodes are wonderful, perfectly balancing humor and drama in their empathetic depictions of teenage girl problems. The cutthroat...
The Best and Worst of Summer 2021, Sep 16-22
With many series ending this week there are few surprises left... but what's happening to Love Live!? Come and see where your favorites rank this week!
― Our team of reviewers are following 24 anime series of the Summer 2021 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 ra...
Interview: Remake Our Life!'s True-to-Life Depiction of Creative Work With Frontwing Producer Yasuhiro Atobe
ANN spoke to producer Yasuhiro Atobe to learn about Frontwing's connection to the anime, and how its depiction of creative work rings true to life.
― Remake Our Life! tells the story of Kyōya Hashiba, a game industry worker. After encountering a dead end in his adult life, he travels back in time to his university days, where he strives to create things with his newfound friends. The visual novel dev...
Kageki Shojo!! Manga Creator Kumiko Saiki and Anime Director Kazuhiro Yoneda
Manga creator Kumiko Saiki and anime director Kazuhiro Yoneda share the inspirations behind Kageki Shojo!! from the Takarazuka Revue to the classic series The Rose of Versailles.
― The story of Kageki Shojo!! tells the story of aspiring opera actresses attending a school dedicated to refining their talents. It is strongly inspired by the Takarazuka Revue, the famous all-female theater group. ANN spok...
Who Would Win? Shaman King's Yoh VS. Bleach's Ichigo
I'm talking Yoh Asakura and Ichigo Kurosaki in an all out spiritual battle between the two! Who would win?
― Ban… kai! Both Shaman King and Bleach have had a return recently! The new Shaman King series, which follows the manga more closely, was just released on Netflix several weeks ago and the manga for Bleach has returned as well. Yoh… this sounds like a fun time for a new versus right?! How's abo...
Star Wars' Place in Anime and Manga
It's fair to say that Star Wars would not look or feel the way it does without its roots in Japanese cinema, but do those roots extend to anime?
― Star Wars: Visions just graced the screens of millions of Disney+ owners everywhere. As anime continues to gain more mainstream momentum, it only makes sense to bring the medium's vast degrees of styles and creativity to that galaxy far, far away. I can't ...
Star Wars: Visions Producers James Waugh and Kanako Shirasaki
Anime has exploded culturally, there's no doubt about it, but we're all fans and have been since before that happened. I do think there's a whole host of people who haven't given anime a shot or haven't really tried it, but are Star Wars fans.
― Seven renowned Japanese animation studios. Nine diverse and wildly creative stories. Star Wars. Combine it all together, and you have one incredible, interna...
The Best and Worst of Summer 2021, Sep 9-15
After a season scraping the bottom of the rankings, the Detective is now Dead in the cumulative as well. See how your favorites and not-so-favorites stack up this week!
― Our team of reviewers are following 24 anime series of the Summer 2021 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 m...
From Saint Seiya to CCXP: the Past and Present of Anime Fandom in Brazil
Part of the reason anime became a cultural sensation in such a short span of time is because the ground had already been prepared by nearly a century of soft power. Brazil, after all, has the largest Japanese diaspora in the world.
― “Do you remember Os Cavaleiros do Zodíaco?” Ask this question to anyone in the streets of São Paulo, or any major Brazilian city, and I can guarantee it will elicit a gl...
Digimon in the Modern Era
In its over two decades of existence, Digimon has seen a wide array of iterations, so today we'll be taking a look at the most recent anime entries for this beloved franchise to see what worked and what didn't.
― In its over two decades of existence, Digimon as a franchise has seen a wide array of iterations, especially in the past six years, so today we'll be taking a look at the most recent anime ...
A History of Takarazuka Revue Influences in Anime
The Takarazuka Revue's theatrical adaptation of Rose of Versailles and other plays have been profoundly influential on the aesthetics and narratives of Japanese shoujo stories. ZeroReq011 looks at the profound influence of the glittering stage.
― Shall I tell a modern tale of girls and a stage? Curtains unraveled to their far reaches, a grand staircase positioned in the back, the spotlight basks on t...
Too Many Anime Spoils the Broth
Parrot Analytics' Alejandro Rojas says that anime consumption has doubled since 2017, and that there's still room to create more anime titles to meet the growing demand. The problem is that human beings have to actually create all of this content.
― “But look, I made you some content! Daddy made you your favorite, open wide!” - Bo Burnham Remember television? It wasn't all that long ago that our view...
The Best and Worst of Summer 2021, Sep 2-8
Love Live dips to #8 this week, allowing Iruma-kun to overtake it in the cumulative! Find out how your favorites show fared in our weekly user rankings.
― Our team of reviewers are following 24 anime series of the Summer 2021 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...
Whisper of the Heart Retrospective: The Real Story Behind the Lo-Fi Hip Hop Study Girl
Whisper of the Heart is a very low-key story compared to most of the other films in Ghibli's catalog. The stakes are 100% emotional—and that's something special.
― When you ask people what their favorite Ghibli film is, there are a few usual suspects. Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, My Neighbor Totoro. Almost definitely something directed by Hayao Miyazaki. But one film in the Ghibli catalog that I...
The Never-Ending Manga: At What Point Should a Series End?
As series go on, and there's increasing pressure to surprise and excite audiences, it can be incredibly difficult to meet such high expectations. When is the right time to close out a series?
― In May 2020, the manga series Golgo 13 announced that it would be taking its first break since it first began publishing fifty-one years ago due to the ongoing pandemic. A manga running for quite literally ov...
Exploring the "Concept" Novel of Vivy -Fluorite Eye's Song-
Making an original anime is tough. When you're making something from nothing, you can't just a plop a manga or a novel on people's desks and say, "Read this. This is what we're doing."
...But what if you could do just that? ― Making an original anime is tough. Coming up with a cool idea and securing the funding for it is only the first part of an uphill battle – you still have to communicate that id...
...But what if you could do just that? ― Making an original anime is tough. Coming up with a cool idea and securing the funding for it is only the first part of an uphill battle – you still have to communicate that id...
Review: Academy Museum's Hayao Miyazaki Artbook
On September 30th, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will open the doors of its new film industry museum and its the inaugural exhibit will feature the works of none other than Hayao Miyazaki.
― Featured image: Film Still, Spirited Away (2001), Hayao Miyazaki, © 2001 Studio Ghibli - NDDTM On September 30th, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, after a lengthy delay due to C...
Gridman, Dynazenon and the Hasegawa Nexus
Scriptwriter Keiichi Hasegawa is critical to the Gridman Universe project. Adam Wescott explains the anime series' tokusatsu origins and its irreplaceable scribe.
― What separates SSSS.Gridman and its spiritual successor SSSS.Dynazenon from the rest of Trigger's output? Plenty of folks have tried their hand at nailing down the genius of Gridman and Dynazenon by now, but nobody's yet addressed to my s...
The Best and Worst of Summer 2021, Aug 26-Sep 1
To Your Eternity makes a stellar comeback to claim the top of the ranking! Find out how your favorite shows stack up according to reader votes.
― Our team of reviewers are following 24 anime series of the Summer 2021 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 a...
In a Struggling Anime Workplace, “Cool Japan” Feels Like a Joke
On paper, the Japanese anime industry may be seeing impressive growth in the short and medium term, but its continued success is far from certain, especially as the chronic labor problems remain unaddressed.
― More than ever before, Japanese pop culture is “cool.” Anime has made its way to Hollywood, video games were shown off at the Olympics, and celebrities across the world have been loud and proud...
Is Dragon Maid a HIT or a MISS?
There are times where it feels like everyone has wildly different opinions about Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid. Does the show hit all the right marks or is it something that you can miss?
― There are times where it feels like everyone has wildly different opinions about Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid. Is the show hit all the right marks or is it something that you can miss? Hello, my name is AJ from the...
The Drops of God: Towards a Classier Foodgasm
Hot off the announcement of an upcoming multilingual live-action series, Rebecca looks at the manga that caused a sommelier sensation.
― We all know that manga, like any other entertainment medium, can cover a vast number of topics. Foodie manga isn't even all that new or unusual; Food Wars: Shokugeki no Soma may be the title most people currently know, but the genre is largely thought to have had it...
Toga, Dabi, Re-Destro and Shigaraki: The Villains of My Hero Academia Season 5
The "My Villain Academia" arc is full swing and we were able to sit down with villains themselves! Leah Clark (Himiko Toga), Jason Liebrecht (Dabi), Sonny Strait (Re-Destro) and Eric Vale (Tomura Shigaraki) answered our questions about their characters' relationships and motivations.
― The "My Villain Academia" arc is full swing and we were able to sit down with villains themselves! Leah Clark (Himik...
The History of Getter Robo and What It Influenced
Getter Robo is one of the few progenitors of mecha anime as we know it today, so why do Western audiences know so little about it? Scott Freisthler introduces the formative robot series and how it has shaped mecha anime.
― A Quick History of Getter Robo Getter Robo is another long-running anime franchise whose popularity has suffered from the lack of localization in western markets. Knowledge of it h...
The Best and Worst of Summer 2021, Aug 19-25
After weeks of solid performance, Kageki Shoujo finally takes the top spot! See how all you favorites fared in our weekly user rankings.
― Our team of reviewers are following 24 anime series of the Summer 2021 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 base...
How Anime Dubs Were Made During COVID
Abhi from The Cartoon Cipher walks us through how simuldubbing adjusted during the pandemic and the positives and negatives of this new work-from-home approach.
― Like everything else, anime was undeniably affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, including anime voice actors. There were delays, hiatuses, plus the introduction of remote work and recording voice acting from home on a large scale for the sak...
Why Do We Hate 3DCG Anime?
The fact that there are more CG series overall these days also means that there are more opportunities for disappointment. Anime fans are frequently regarded as being “Anti-3D”, but clearly this disdain isn't equally distributed.
― During San Diego Comic Con 2021, fans were given a first look at two new 3DCG anime entries into established franchises. The first was Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, debut...
INTERVIEW: Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train's Natsuki Hanae & Satoshi Hino
Natsuki Hanae (Tanjiro) and Satoshi Hino (Rengoku) discuss bringing their characters to life and how Demon Slayer transcended cultural boundaries to become a worldwide hit.
― The anime film took the world by storm this summer, becoming the #1 highest-earning film worldwide in 2020, as well as the highest-earning Japanese film of all time worldwide. It's home video sales and streaming numbers are equa...
The Realpolitiks of How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom
What is a 'realist' when it comes to political theory and international relations? Bhromor Rahman gives us a PoliSci 101 course and how these theories are shown in 'Realist Hero.'
― This season has certainly been saturated by isekai, but none is more interesting to me than How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom. Out of all the anime I've watched so far, this one has more political jargon than any. I ...
The Best and Worst of Summer 2021, Aug 12-18
My Hero Academia overcomes its weak early episodes to overtake One Piece in the cumulative! Find out where your favorites rank this week.
― Our team of reviewers are following 24 anime series of the Summer 2021 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 bas...
Growing Pains: How To Your Eternity Expresses the Experience of Being Human
With each tragic event, failure, or disappointment, Fushi becomes stronger, smarter, and kinder. And yet, I don't think To Your Eternity is expressing a sentiment as simple as “pain is good.”
― Fushi and Gugu may not be related by blood, but by every other facet of the word, they're brothers. They live, work, and struggle together, and of course, hurt one another, too. In episode 8 of the epic fantas...
How Does Piracy Affect Korean Webtoon Artists?
A common argument in favor of piracy is that unofficial distribution gives artists free exposure. However, the artists themselves don't see it that way.
― “Piracy is a service problem,” said Gabe Newell 10 years ago, describing the success of Steam in combating video game piracy. Today, digital publishers and distributors are adapting to the conveniences of piracy by providing a wide range of media a...
The 6 Best Baseball Anime Episodes
Time to indulge in anime's favorite past time! Open up a box of crackerjacks and find your seat because we're going to hit this one out of the park.
― From playing a game of catch to save the world, to settling old rivalries with pitches, baseball theme episodes are a staple for anime. Almost as iconic as beach episodes, they often provide a step away from the main story to see our favorite characte...
The End(s) of Evangelion EXPLAINED
Tune in live at 4pm PDT/7pm EDT on Friday on YouTube and Facebook to discuss the endings of Evangelion, including the TV series, the original End of Evangelion film, and the franchise's conclusion Thrice Upon a Time.
― Tune in live at 4pm PDT/7pm EDT on Friday on YouTube and Facebook to discuss the endings of Evangelion, including the TV series, the original End of Evangelion film, and the franchise'...
Beyond The School Cathedral: How Yuri Grew Up
From sequestered school girl dalliances to career women in the office, lesbian love stories are growing up and expanding into new narrative territory.
― Up until five or so years ago, if you wanted to check out some yuri anime or manga (media about romantic and sexual relationships between women) you had only a few options. You would get one of a small number of titles that would almost inevitably fe...
The Best and Worst of Summer 2021, Aug 5-11
After an Olympic pause, Love Live climbs to the top of the cumulative ranking! Find out how your favorite shows fared in our weekly user rankings.
― Our team of reviewers are following 24 anime series of the Summer 2021 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 ranking...
Interview: Transcending Genre with The Detective is Already Dead Author and Director
Despite "detective" in the title, novelist Nigojū didn't plan it as a mystery story. "Crossing many different genres is the core of this work, and it's the duty entrusted to the detective and her assistant."
― The Detective Is Already Dead is full of surprises: It combines mystery, action, sci-fi, and romance into a single package. We spoke to novelist Nigojū, who created the original work, and anime...
Growing Up With Evangelion
Shinji's apocalyptic coming of age was an allegory for the pains of growing up and living in a painful world, and an achingly personal reckoning for Anno as an author, himself.
― Warning: This editorial contains spoilers for the Evangelion series and films, including Thrice Upon a Time. In 2006, I had just turned 14. I knew what anime was at the time, of course; racing home after school each day to g...
Remembering Anime Pioneer Fred Ladd
If you look at the catalog of his anime works, Ladd actually wasn't incredibly prolific—but pretty much every one of his shows was momentous.
― It was at Anime Weekend Atlanta 2003 that I first beheld the visage of Fred Ladd, staring owlishly from the audience towards the front of the panel room where I was setting up for another “Dubs that Time Forgot” program. An acquaintance had tipped me off, war...
Why Stone Ocean Could Be the Most Important Part of Jojo Yet
― When it comes to shōnen anime, fans love a good protagonist. Or, more accurately, they love a good male protagonist: a boy who is funny, relatable, and easy to root for that embodies the spirit and energy of the genre. This has been the case for the last five seasons of Jojo's Bizarre Adventure; each Part has given us a unique male title character that has become beloved by fans for their persona...
Does It Hold Up?: Martian Successor Nadesico
Does this satirical space opera live up to its legacy? Join Ember Reviews as we queue up the classic mecha series Martian Successor Nadesico to see how it uses its own genre's tropes to create a parodical, yet sincere story.
― Does this satirical space opera live up to its legacy? Join Ember Reviews as we queue up the classic mecha series Martian Successor Nadesico to see how it uses its own genre's ...
Otakon 2021: Convention in the Time of COVID
Otakon 2021, subtitled "The Con at the End of the Rainbow," occurred under circumstances unseen since the first American anime convention welcomed fans in the early 1980s.
― Otakon 2021, subtitled "The Con at the End of the Rainbow," occurred under circumstances unseen since the first American anime convention welcomed fans in the early 1980s. America, Washington DC included, is still in the midst of...
Law and Order with Sonny Boy Director Shingo Natsume
"Boys and girls who square off against the illogical – the theme of this work is the frustrations and difficulties that anyone has felt through living."
― The Sonny Boy original anime tells a unique story about students stranded in a strange world filled with supernatural phenomena. Its director is Shingo Natsume, best known for his work on One Punch Man and Space Dandy. We spoke to him about the ani...
The Best and Worst of Summer 2021, Jul 29-Aug 4
Miss Kobayashi dips this week, but not enough to shake her hold on the cumulative ranking. See how all your favorite shows stack up in our weekly user rankings.
― Our team of reviewers are following 24 anime series of the Summer 2021 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...
Yoko Kanno: What's She Been Up To?
At 32 years old, she composed one of the most iconic anime soundtracks in history. Now two decades later, what is the famed Yoko Kanno up to?
― For more than two decades, acclaimed composer Yoko Kanno was a force of nature in the anime industry. Garnering attention as an anime soundtrack composer in 1994 with her futuristic score for Macross Plus, it was immediately apparent that she was a world-clas...
Creating the Sound of To Your Eternity: Takeshi Takadera and Reiji Kawashima
The story of To Your Eternity is portrayed through the ambiance in the sound direction and voice acting. ANN spoke to Fushi voice actor Reiji Kawashima and sound director Takeshi Takadera to learn about how the anime's sound came together.
― The story of To Your Eternity follows Fushi, a divine creature who gradually comes to understand humanity through his journey and experiences. This progression i...
Interview: The English Dub Cast of Tokyo Revengers
Tokyo Revengers is a wild ride! In this video interview, ANN talks with the English voice cast of A.J. Beckles (Takemichi Hanagaki), Aleks Le (Manjiro "Mikey" Sano), and Sean Chiplock (Ken "Draken" Ryuguji) about the anime's biggest moments so far.
― Time travel, motorcycle gangs, violence and death. Tokyo Revengers is a wild ride! ANN talks with the English voice cast of A.J. Beckles (Takemichi Hana...
The Best and Worst of Summer 2021, Jul 1-28
After a long time away, ANN's community episode rankings are back! See where your favorite series measure up this season and make sure to vote each week!
― Our team of reviewers are following 24 anime series of the Summer 2021 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 ...
Do We Still Need Shōnen/Shōjo Labels?
Writer Dennis Banda looks at loanword labels and their usage for translated manga. Are they still useful or are they a barrier for entry?
― I was having a casual chat with one of my coworkers about my hobbies the other week and of course, anime came up. I mentioned my favorite series and films and even recommended a few that might interest them. However, our conversation hit a bit of a roadblock when...
Sneak Peek: Sakugan
SAKUGAN is set to premiere as part of the Virtual Crunchyroll Expo this Thursday. However, as ANN was able to get a hold of the first episode in advance, let me be the first to tell you, the series is certainly off to an ambitious start.
― SAKUGAN is set to premiere as part of the Virtual Crunchyroll Expo this Thursday. However, as ANN was able to get a hold of the first episode in advance, let me be...
Review: Satoshi Kon: The Illusionist
French director Pascal-Alex Vincent found himself with a difficult question. What more is there to say that hasn't already been said about a director whose work stands as some of the most beloved animated media ever produced?
― Satoshi Kon was a one-of-a-kind creative force within the anime industry, a visionary director with a style that was distinctly his own. Despite directing just four feature fi...
How Much Does It Cost to License Anime Series?
ANN CEO Chris Macdonald spoke with multiple industry experts to get you the figures on how much it really costs to bring anime stateside.
― Hint: it's not cheap Recently there's been some discussion about how much it costs to license an anime series, especially in the wake of the recent AnimeTube Kickstarter campaign. There are many factors that impact the cost of the license, including, but not limi...
Anime & The Apocalypse: Finding Catharsis in the End of Everything
This essay is for all of us who look to retreat into the end of everything. Get in the car, loser, we're escaping into the apocalypse.
― What do you do to escape? Escapism is an interesting word when you consider it. We all use it so casually to refer to our chosen media but at its roots it identifies activities, media consumption included, as an alternative. Anime can be an escape from something; ou...
The Summer 2021 Preview Guide
This is the face of a girl ready for more anime! July closes out with THE GREAT JAHY WILL NOT BE DEFEATED!
― Adblock+ breaks this page, consider whitelisting ANN Welcome to Anime News Network's Summer 2021 Preview Guide! Here's how it goes: our team of critics write up their impressions instantly, to be posted here as they go along. Each critic will cover as many shows as they can handle, giving you ...
Ergo Proxy: Purpose in the Apocalypse
Humanity perpetually exists within an existential crisis, which exhibits no signs of ever reaching a legitimate conclusion.
Matthew Roe tackles life's biggest question through the lens of Manglobe's original series, Ergo Proxy. ― Human beings have been plagued with one particular question for the entirety of our written history: Why am I here? Whether we seek it out in religion, philosophy, friend...
Matthew Roe tackles life's biggest question through the lens of Manglobe's original series, Ergo Proxy. ― Human beings have been plagued with one particular question for the entirety of our written history: Why am I here? Whether we seek it out in religion, philosophy, friend...
Why Could the Meta Liberation Army Be MHA's Best Villains Yet?
Honestly, the scariest thing about The Meta Liberation Army is most likely their secrecy. Any, and I mean any, of the pro heroes could be believers of The Meta Liberation Army's philosophy.
― SPOILERS FOR MHA ANIME AND MANGA AHEAD. YOU WERE WARNED My Hero Academia has shown us that while heroes are the face of all things good about society, there are always villains to counter them. The anime has sh...
Looking Back on the Twisting Plot of Pandora Hearts
The series had a way of vacillating between goofy comedy and dark fantasy; it should have been jarring in any other context, but in the case of Pandora Hearts it just somehow worked.
― Watching The Case Study of Vanitas, it's not hard for anyone familiar with Jun Mochizuki's work to be reminded of Pandora Hearts. Both manga series are defined by their Victorian Era aesthetics, their beautiful charact...
Vivy: a Robot Ode to Life Vividly Lived
Vivy is, through a life and a song, a different tale of a journey of robots becoming more human, and what these journeys of robots communicate about humanity.
― Science fiction boasts a rich history of making audiences ponder how different people's lives would be in a future of new technologies. The more profound sci-fi stories don't only imagine how cool or even convenient it would be if certain tec...
Anime & Hip-hop with Rapper Kirk "Aztech" Yi
Aztech has created tracks for Jujutsu Kaisen, BEASTARS, Dr. Stone and the upcoming anime Sakugan. Find out how anime soundtracks gave the hip-hop veteran a new avenue for his art.
― Anime has long since had a deep and symbiotic relationship with hip-hop music, and Hybrid Thoughts, a Boston-based hip-hop group whose tracks has been prominently featured in anime like Dr.Stone and more recently BEASTARS...
Best Summer 2021 Openings
Summer is the time for pool parties, beach hang outs, and desperately trying not to melt into a puddle. But a season of so much fun deserves a matching set of tunes.
― Hey everyone! Jacki Jing here with Anime News Network! Summer is the time for pool parties, beach hang outs, and desperately trying not to melt into a puddle. But a season of so much fun deserves a matching set of tunes. And what bett...
The Summer 2021 Preview Guide
Summer Preview Guide is back with the premiere of MAPPA's latest, IDATEN DEITIES KNOW ONLY PEACE!
― Adblock+ breaks this page, consider whitelisting ANN Welcome to Anime News Network's Summer 2021 Preview Guide! Here's how it goes: our team of critics write up their impressions instantly, to be posted here as they go along. Each critic will cover as many shows as they can handle, giving you alternate...
'I Have Some Horror Stories': Animator Talks Industry's Problems, Hopes for the Future
According to former Science SARU animator Joan Chung, the studio's positive work environment was tainted by the anime industry's chronic problems.
― Overwork and overproduction – these are some of the main problems currently facing the anime industry. Animator wages remain low even as the demand for anime climbs and mega corporations become steadily more involved on the financing side. Under these ci...
The Game Designers Behind NEO: The World Ends With You
To celebrate the release of this hotly-anticipated sequel, we chatted directly with producer Tomohiko Hirano, Square Enix character design legend Tetsuya Nomura, and key character designers Gen Kobayashi and Miki Yamashita.
― It's been a long time coming, but the follow-up to Square-Enix's The World Ends With You is almost upon us. To celebrate the release of this hotly-anticipated sequel, we were gi...
Cosplay Must-Haves According to Pros Cowbutt Crunchies, SoloRoboto, & Amanda Haas
The means of creation, particularly 3D printing, are now much more affordable for cosplay hopefuls.
― From simple clothing to detailed and decadent costumes, cosplay can be a daunting affair. In the past decade, the increasing accessibility of technologies such as 3D printing have opened new doors for the cosplay toolkit. Tips, tricks, and materials that were once difficult to find are now a booming ...
DIY: Find a New Hobby with Anime
Hunting for a new hobby? There's an anime for that! Ember Reviews takes a look at the sporty, casual, and artistic hobbies featured in our favorite shows.
― One of my favorite things about anime is the plethora of niche subgenres that are extremely rare or completely missing from other mediums, one of which is colloquially known as “cute girls do hobbies,” which the past few seasons of anime have be...
The Summer 2021 Preview Guide
Our favorite wolf-boy is back with the second season of BEASTARS! ALSO: Nighthead 2041, Mother of the Goddess' Dormitory, Battle Game in 5 Seconds, Dungeon of Black Company, D_Cide Traumerei the Animation, The Aquatope on White Sand, Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid S, Drug Store in Another World, Tsukimichi -Moonlight Fantasy-, Reincarnated as a Slime Season 2 Part 2, Detective is Already Dead, Kageki Shoujo, The Case Study of Vanitas, and more!
The ODDTAXI Ending Explained!
Steve Jones and Jacki Jing break down that finale and why this series deserves its place among the ranks of best anime...ever!
― After 13 weeks of compounding convolution and mounting danger, ODDTAXI literally soars through its finale, sticking the landing with all the stalwart and slightly askew swagger that has come to define the series. It's satisfying in big and small ways. Big, because it takes...
The Summer 2021 Preview Guide
Preview Guide winds to a close with Mother of the Goddess' Dormitory! ALSO: Battle Game in 5 Seconds, Dungeon of Black Company, D_Cide Traumerei the Animation, The Aquatope on White Sand, Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid S, Drug Store in Another World, Tsukimichi -Moonlight Fantasy-, Reincarnated as a Slime Season 2 Part 2, Detective is Already Dead, Kageki Shoujo, The Case Study of Vanitas, and more!
Anime and Olympic History Meet in The Witches of the Orient Documentary
Before Haikyu!!, there was Attack No. 1. Chikako Urano's classic volleyball manga. The true story that inspired the manga is even more momentous and groundbreaking.
― Before Haikyu!, there was Attack No. 1. Chikako Urano's classic volleyball manga, which originally ran from 1968 to 1970, was the first ever shojo manga with a sports theme to become a TV anime. The series is still influential to this d...
The Summer 2021 Preview Guide
Do the new girls have what it takes to be the next Love Live sensation? Love Live Superstar is finally here! ALSO: Battle Game in 5 Seconds, Dungeon of Black Company, D_Cide Traumerei the Animation, The Aquatope on White Sand, Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid S, Drug Store in Another World, Tsukimichi -Moonlight Fantasy-, Reincarnated as a Slime Season 2 Part 2, Detective is Already Dead, Kageki Shoujo, The Case Study of Vanitas, and more!
The Summer 2021 Preview Guide
It's a twisted battle royale, but at least it ends quickly in Battle Game in 5 Seconds! ALSO: Dungeon of Black Company, D_Cide Traumerei the Animation, The Aquatope on White Sand, Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid S, Drug Store in Another World, Tsukimichi -Moonlight Fantasy-, Reincarnated as a Slime Season 2 Part 2, Seirei Gensouki - Spirit Chronicles, Detective is Already Dead, RE-MAIN, How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom, Kageki Shoujo, The Case Study of Vanitas, and more!
Interview: Cardfight!! Vanguard overDress Voice Actor Shōta Aoi
The popular voice actor and singer shares his thoughts on Yu-yu and Danji's relationship, along with his own deck-building dreams!
― We held an interview with Shota Aoi, who voices Yu-yu Kondo, the protagonist from Cardfight!! Vanguard overDress anime series. Cardfight!! Vanguard is a multimedia franchise that revolves around the trading card game of the same name. Now that all 12 episodes of the Car...
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