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Sailor Moon anime director Kunihiko Ikuhara has opened up about some of his greatest film inspirations, including an iconic 1977 Italian horror film.

Ikuhara, the visionary behind Revolutionary Girl Utena, Sailor Moon (Seasons 2-4) and Sailor Moon R: The Movie - The Promise of the Rose discussed Dante Argento’s 1977 cult classic, Suspiria, and its visuals on his recently launched YouTube and Niconico channel, "Ikuni and the Cinema Snack of Fate." Ikuhara stated, "Suspiria left a strong impression on people of my generation...when it comes to the genre of 'magic in school,' my generation has Suspiria."

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Whenever you step into an anime fan space, there are some discussions that you are nearly guaranteed to encounter. Many of these discussions have been staples since the earliest days of the anime fandom, with a new thread popping up the second the old one vanishes. One such debate focuses on one of Sailor Moon's most iconic elements: its transformation sequences. Despite these sequences being beloved by viewers, many fans wonder why Usagi's foes politely wait for her to finish rather than attacking the girls while their defenses are down. Thankfully, the series (and its spinoff material) gives several solid arguments for why the Scouts never get jumped mid-transformation.

The most commonly given and accepted argument for why villains stand and let the Sailor Scouts transform is that the transformation sequences are just for the viewer's benefit and that, in-universe, transformations happen instantly. It's easy to see why...

Anime is famous for its incredible diversity, aiming not just to entertain the viewers but also intellectually stimulate and provoke thought with some of its more complex plots. Despite being best known for action flicks and engaging yet straightforward shonen anime epics, anime offers no shortage of more elaborate stories that captivate audiences with their experimental structure, artistic distinctiveness, and narrative intricacy.

Such anime series can be equally enticing and alienating, often refusing to give the viewers clear answers or guide them through their labyrinthine chronicles. However, many such titles open up differently on a rewatch, and experiencing them multiple times is worthwhile to make out their enigmas. These complex anime films and series might not be the easiest to comprehend, yet their virtues shine through when reviewed more than once.

Texhnolyze Is a Difficult Yet Worthwhile Cyberpunk Anime Thriller Streaming on Apple TVImage via Madhouse

A blood-curdling tale that exposes humanity’s most cruel,...

Magical girl anime has always been more dynamic than casual anime watchers realize, but even its most devoted fans can't deny its tropes are everywhere. In a world that worships franchises with massive potential for merchandise, the genre operates like a programmed delivery system for cute animal companions, sparkly transformations, and gemstone-encrusted weapons to defeat cackling villains. While these are hallmarks of the genre, they can't create great anime on their own.

It's a consistent magical girl anime problem, and it spans generations. Yet the genre's most prolific generations — the '90s and 2010s — got two separate Sailor Moon Infinity Arc adaptations that rose to the challenge and elevated magical girl anime. In each era, whether the original 38-episode run of Sailor Moon S or the condensed, manga-faithful 13-episode take from Sailor Moon Crystal, an Infinity Arc iteration arrived at a turning point in how animation studios produce content and attract audiences.

Villains will always have a certain allure to an audience, even if they are utterly despicable. It's understandable, because from vampire folktales to the Hades and Persephone myth to Anakin Skywalker and Kylo Ren of Star Wars, brooding and Byronic figures will always tempt the imagination. Some anime villains have such a fan following that even years after their initial waves of popularity, they still have thousands of fan-works centering on them as love interests.

Jujustu Kaisen, in particular, has sparked a wave of romantic villain fanfiction with its cast of compelling and handsome antagonists. The character who the villain falls in love with tends to be the fanfiction writer's original character, an insert for the reader themselves, or a character who many in the fandom agree would be compatible with the villain. The anime villain may or may not have a romance arc, but even if they don't have...

The version of Usagi Tsukino in the original Sailor Moon anime and the Usagi in the source material manga series, Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon, differ from each other quite a bit, at times. Some details about Usagi's costume and powers didn't quite make it into the anime. Her personality was also caricaturized for the anime adaptation.

The anime version of Sailor Moon and the manga version of Sailor Moon each have something interesting and enjoyable to give the audience. Readers new to the manga series who grew up watching the anime may be surprised to see some of the differences in the main character, though. The manga doesn't shy away from some of the darker and mature elements in Usagi's story.

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Sailor MoonTV-PGActionDramaFantasyRomance9.4/10Release DateMarch 7, 1992DirectorsJunichi Sato, Kunihiko Ikuhara

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Sailor Moon has a diverse cast of characters, and many of them have friends and romances. Some of them have such romantic chemistry that fans hoped to see them together. Even if they never ended up in an official pairing, that doesn't stop the audience from debating what could have been on fan forums or imaging a happily ever after for them in fan fiction.

Many of the fan favorite, non-canon pairings do have merit as potential couples. Either they were given extra scenes together in the original anime, which had many extra filler arcs, or it seemed like Naoko Takeuchi might have considered pairing them together but then didn't follow through. Nevertheless, many fanon couples make such sense that surely they could have stood the test of time.

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The Sailor Moon anime has a complex history, from the ways it adapted elements of the manga to the way some studios censored it. Censoring queer romances detracts from the series as a whole and, thankfully, there are more faithfully translated versions available of the original anime that don't mar the queer relationships. The original anime also has plenty of filler arcs, extra characters, and extra episodes with side characters that complicate their relationships, sometimes for better and sometimes for worse.

Some friendships and relationships should have been explored further, and other relationships were doomed ideas. Adapting one medium of storytelling to another can sometimes mean some elements change. Some side characters in the Sailor Moon manga have a new level of chemistry when they go from static print to animation.

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Sailor Moon is an epic magical series with unique and well-written villains. Even the antagonists that look the most simplistic on the surface are tied to complex philosophical themes that extend across story arcs. Naoko Takeuchi's series has been around as a manga and an anime since the 1990s, and the franchise has only grown since then.

Every Sailor Moon story arc is defined by its main villain. Between the Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon manga series, the first anime adaptation, the movies, and the reboot series, Sailor Moon Crystal, the villain timeline can get a little confusing. Some villains intersect as they reappear in different story arcs outside their main plot line.

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A deftly written plot twist is a balance of subtle foreshadowing and creative surprise. These plot points should make thematic sense as well as speed the story along. There are several stunning Sailor Moon plot twists. Those events have become iconic scenes in the series and even influenced other fantasy shojo, romance, and magical girl anime.

Even though some reveals are obvious from the start in Sailor Moon, like Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask's true identities, they still work as plot twists. The magic is in how and when the reveal comes about. Those dramatic moments heighten emotional and plot-related stakes at the same time, developing the series' key characters as the pacing hurtles forward.

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When adapting manga into an anime, most series try to stick to the source material as closely as possible. However, if the adaptation catches up to the manga too fast, some anime series have to improvise by adding original content to the story, more commonly known as filler. Nowadays, excessive filler in anime is no longer prominent, with long-running series switching to seasonal releases, most shows don’t need to stall to prevent outpacing the manga.

Yet, older series — especially classic shōnen — commonly include episodes, and even entire arcs, of anime-original content with no connection to the manga. Most fans find filler unwelcome, and skipping non-canon arcs is a common practice (and for a good reason) as they often add little to the story and distract the viewers from the main plot. Some filler anime arcs subvert fans' expectations by enriching the narrative in unexpected ways, making them just as...

Many anime fans consider Naoko Takeuchi’s iconic Sailor Moon franchise to be one of the best in history, often suggested as a great beginners anime and one that sparked the passion of many fans of the media. Its approach to the Shojo genre was revolutionary, focusing on topics other series of its time did not dare approach. Serena’s quest to save the universe from the forces of darkness changed the industry forever, inspiring many other amazing shows in the process.

One such franchise is the lesser-known Revolutionary Girl Utena, an incredibly complex series that many fans hail as one of the most ahead of its time. The story of the titular swordswoman is one that every Sailor Moon fan who has not given it a chance should consider watching, as its themes and story will strongly resonate with them.

Sailor Moon Director Kunihiko Ikuhara's Follow-up, Revolutionary Girl Utena,...

Naoko Takeuchi's original Sailor Moon manga series has delighted fans ever since its release in the early '90s, with numerous anime, live-action, video game and stage musical adaptations still going strong today. Now, two new mystery boxes have also arrived for U.S. fans, coming with stunning artwork and 5-8 premium items.

Sailor Moon Fan Network reports that Stylin Boxes has released new mystery boxes, featuring solely licensed Sailor Moon merchandise for the first time in U.S. history. They retail for $66 and come with a stylish cover featuring the Sailor Guardians in '90s-style anime artwork. The boxes include "5-8 premium products," per Stylin Boxes' website. Readers can check out the cover art and more information below.

Related Sailor Moon Fans Finally Get First Official Look at "Unprecedented" New 'Wonder Statue' Release

After a 1-year delay, Sailor Moon gives fans get a long-awaited first look at an...

Toei Animation's Sailor Moon anime has received a licensed perfume release for U.S. fans, with a scent blend teased as offering an "exquisite image" and refreshing, elegant aura for girlish types.

The Fabulous Shop USA revealed it's now selling its new Sailor Moon perfume to fans in the United States. The "Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon - Stallion Rave Perfume" 50 ml bottle retails for Hk$739 (~US$95) and comes after its initial release in Hong Kong in September. It's now available nationwide via Usps Ground Advantage, excluding Hawaii, Alaska and Apo/Fpo addresses. Readers can check out the images and more information about the latest Sailor Moon perfume below.

Related Sailor Moon Crystal Returns to Air in New Debut Broadcast Release

Toei Animation'sSailor Moon Crystalwill air on TV in Canada for the first time, with broadcaster Wildbrain airing the series four days a week.

Toei Animation's New Sailor Moon Stallion...

Overseas Sailor Moon fans are disappointed to hear news that orders from a respected Japanese retailer, which commonly ships overseas, have been abruptly canceled. An unexpected notification from CDJapan -- an official online store specializing in Japanese CDs, DVDs, Blu-rays, and various collectibles and merchandise -- has notified purchasers of the 2024 Nogizaka 46 Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon musical that the product cannot be sold internationally.

Those outside of Japan who ordered the recent Sailor Moon Blu-ray have learned that their orders have now been canceled. An X (formerly Twitter) post about the announcement was made via Sailor Moon News, along with documentation confirming that fans would not be receiving their orders. While buyers are confused about why the product cannot be shipped overseas, even official statements by the seller indicate that it doesn't know why the merchandise is unavailable internationally. The seller has confirmed that buyers outside of Japan will be refunded; however,...

Since 2020, we have worked with Cartoons Underground to interview their up-and-coming student animators. Some returned to the festival to show their later work, such as Olivia Griselda and Sarah Cheok; others have begun to make waves abroad, such as Calleen Koh; and still others are hard at work on their own life trajectories.

This year, we spoke to the directors Jaime Ng Shu Yi (“Neh Neh Pok”), Wang Xiruo and Emily Tan (“The Seamstress’ Secret”), and Ning Xuan Tan (“I Think I’m Going to Die”). The three animations are wildly different in style, displaying a fine flight of Singapore’s up-and-coming animators. “Neh Neh Pok” is a 2D-animated memoir on a young girl’s journey towards accepting her flat chest.”The Seamstress’ Secret”, on the other hand, introduces repressed seamstress’ crush on her client, a singer, beyond the hazy crimson curtains of 1940s Shanghai. Finally, “I Think I’m...

The Sailor Moon franchise remains a major magical girl franchise, with its classic manga incarnation still being a sales hit over 30 years on. Now, the preceding series that started it all for the Sailor Scouts is coming to the West in the franchise's premiere collection series.

Via Sailor Moon Fan Network, the Naoko Takeuchi Collection, named after the franchise's creator, is finally releasing Codename: Sailor V in the prestige format. Showcasing the origins of one of Sailor Moon's allies, the series was in many ways a prototype for the later series starring Usagi Tsukino. Although it won't be released until 2025, the two-volume collection is a must-have for Sailor Moon fans who've always wanted to read the adventures of Sailor Venus.

Related "So Many Memories": Sailor Moon Director Tributes Late Sailor Jupiter Voice Actor in Heartfelt Message

Kunihiko Ikuhara, director of the original '90s Sailor Moon anime, reflects...

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One of the best things about anime is the characters. Characters can make or break a series. This typically comes down to how the characters are written. Thankfully, plenty of characters, whether theyre main or side characters, are some of the most well-written cast members in their respective shows.

These characters typically have a lot of development throughout their series. Their motivations evolve as they do to create truly dynamic stories. In terms of side characters, some are so well-written that they surpass the main characters in quality. The most well-written anime characters grapple with the world around them and grow from their struggles.

Updated on October 29, 2024 by Robbie Robinson: Often times, it's the characters that make anime series so good. Over decades and decades of anime, there are more than enough anime characters for fans to love. That being, there...

Sailor Moon fans can now wear their love of the classic anime and manga on their sleeves -- or near them -- thanks to new officially licensed friendship bracelets.

Now available at Hot Topic, the five-pack includes an individual accessory for each original Sailor Scout -- Sailor Moon, Sailor Mercury, Sailor Mars, Sailor Venus and Sailor Jupiter -- making for both a robust celebration of the shojo series and a solid bang for one's buck, considering its wallet-friendly price. Able to be worn separately or together, enthusiasts can sport their favorite scouts charm, stack them up for a full-team homage or share among friends and fellow fans.

Related New Sailor Moon Perfume Release Promises a "Refreshing" and "Exquisite" Scent for Diehard Collectors

The Fabulous Shop unveils its new Sailor Moon perfume, promising a "refreshing" and "exquisite" scent in a limited-edition collector's bottle.

Sailor Moon's New Bracelet Collection Embraces Nostalgic Style...

Sailor Moon is one of anime's most popular and instantly recognizable franchises. The adventures of Usagi Tsukino and her friends have delighted audiences ever since the manga debuted in the pages of Nakayoshi magazine in 1991. As is the norm for popular manga series, it wouldn't be long until the franchise jumped to anime, with Toei Animation launching its adaptation the following year.

This anime made the franchise even more popular. As is the norm for the industry, Sailor Moon's popularity led to Usagi and her friends making their way to the silver screen several times during the show's run. Today, seven different Sailor Moon movies exist. These films cover everything from high-budget manga adaptions to bonus side stories. But what do new fans need to know about them?

Related 10 Coolest Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Cosmos the Movie Attacks, Ranked

Sailor Moon Cosmos pits Sailor Moon and her allies against...

Naoko Takeuchi and Yoshihiro Togashi, the respective creators of Sailor Moon and Hunter x Hunter, have revealed touching tributes to the late Emi Shinohara -- best known for voicing the original anime's Sailor Jupiter -- with new artwork.

Via X (formerly Twitter), Togashi took a break from his regular Hunter x Hunter updates to post an emotional illustration of Sailor Jupiter from the popular Sailor Moon anime from the '90s. The character was played by the late veteran voice actor Emi Shinohara, who passed away this week at age 61 due to illness. Notably, Togashi is married to Naoko Takeuchi, the original creator of the Sailor Moon manga and franchise. Following Togashi's first revealed piece of Sailor Jupiter artwork, Takeuchi also released one of her own, depicting the Sailor Guardian in full color. Readers can check out the new illustrations below.

Related Shonen Jump Announces Surprise Return of Hunter x Hunter...

This article contains major spoilers for the Black Moon arc of the Sailor Moon storyline.

In the second season of both the original Sailor Moon anime and the reboot, Sailor Moon Crystal, the Black Moon arc begins after the Sailor Senshi and their allies defeat the Dark Kingdom. Much to the shock of the heroes, especially Usagi Tsukino and Mamoru Chiba, a little girl by the name of Chibiusa suddenly appears and changes their lives forever. Chibiusa is from another time and seeks the Silver Crystal, but initially refuses to explain why.

While the newest Sailor Senshi is finding her place in a strange new world, the Black Moon Clan rises up and threatens to destroy not only the Earth, but the present and future timelines for their own purposes. Stakes grow higher as several Sailor Senshi are unable to defeat their foes and as the cruel Prince Demande and...

On Sept. 8, Emi Shinohara, the Japanese voice actor for Makoto Kino/Sailor Jupiter in the original Sailor Moon anime series, died at the age of 61. In the wake of her death, many who worked alongside Shinohara have stepped forward to pay their respects, including fellow Sailor Moon voice actor Megumi Ogata and one of the anime series' directors, Kunihiko Ikuhara.

According to Shinohara's managing agency, 81 Produce, the popular actor died one month after a period of hospitalization for an unnamed illness. During her career, she worked on a myriad of popular series besides Sailor Moon, including Clamp's Magic Knight Rayearth, Cardcaptor Sakura, Tenchi Muyo! and Naruto Shippuden, among others. As detailed on Oricon, Ikuhara posted a heartwarming farewell message on social media, in which he reflected on the times he spent working with Shinohara.

Related Emi Shinohara, Sailor Moon's Sailor Jupiter Voice Actor, Dies at 61

Emi Shinohara,...

In anime as it is in reality, the theater is a stage of life. It’s where identities and connections are forged, where rivalries are played out for all to see, where young love is won and lost and, in one particular instance, where the very nature of storytelling is at its rawest. You’ve likely seen a class deliver a rendition of Romeo and Juliet or The Tale of Urashima Taro at the school culture festival more than once, but these titles own the spotlight when it comes to putting on a whole show about drama in the truest sense of the word. Whatever your theatrical preference — naturalism, revue, rakugo (a form of Japanese verbal comedy), 2.5D or improv — anime has you covered in multiple genres. A3! We’re Gonna Get Together and Put on One Last Show to Save the Community Theater: The Anime. “Act! Addict! Actors!” is...

This Sailor Moon Cosmos The Movie review contains no spoilers.

Ten years after the premiere of Sailor Moon Crystal and three years after Netflix’s release of the Sailor Moon Eternal duology of films, a second duology—Sailor Moon Cosmos—faithfully adapts the fifth and final arc of Naoko Takeuchi’s iconic manga, bringing a definitive and satisfying close to the Crystalverse experiment.

The story of Sailor Moon Cosmos revolves around the revelation that there are Sailor Guardians not just for the planets of our solar system but all planets throughout the galaxy. Sailor Galaxia, a narcissistic nihilist bent on attaining godhood to destroy and remake the universe in her image, is capping off her campaign of galactic destruction by coming to Earth to harvest the Sailor Crystals, the last great MacGuffin required to realize her goal. This coincides with the arrival of The Three Lights, the hot new boy...

Revolutionary Girl Utena remains a massive creative masterpiece that has influenced animators and writers around the world decades after its original release. Utena's core message on gender and sexuality remains as important and poignant as ever. The series's avant-garde and experimental approach to storytelling has made the unconventional shojo series timeless to its core.

When reflecting on the anime industry's rich history, there are some series that have managed to withstand the test of time, and leave a permanent mark on not just the industry, but on the creatives that fuel it. Many point to series like Astro Boy (1963), Akira (1988) or Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995) for how they fundamentally affected modern anime, but there is one series that, regardless of how many years pass by, remains a massive creative influence for animators and writers around the globe – cementing it as one of the greatest anime ever created.

Celebrating its 27th birthday in 2024, Revolutionary Girl Utena,...

Remember the beauty, magic and weirdness of the Penguindrum anime with a new line of goods from SuperGroupies ! The fashion brand specializes in "anime-bound" clothing and accessories—goods that embody your favorite shows and characters while still working as part of your daily wardrobe. Their latest line is inspired by Kunihiko Ikuhara's surreal 2011 series. The Penguindrum fashion line consists of three parts: an analog watch, bag and necklace. The watch features the penguin trio marching around the center of the dial, preceded by the fruit of fate. The back is engraved with a special message, and the watch itself arrives in an all-too-familiar box: Related: Gundam Seed Collabs with Levi's for New Apparel Collection The bag is shaped like an apple, sporting a Pintrio seal on one side and a leather penguin hat charm on the zipper. Related: Ai Yazawa Collabs with Lulu felice for Nana and Neighborhood Story-Inspired...

The following content contains discussion of sensitive and potentially triggering topics, including murder and capital punishment.

The man responsible for the Kyoto Animation arson, Shinji Aoba, has been formally sentenced to death for his act.

Nhk provided live coverage of Aoba's widely anticipated sentencing, in which it was revealed that 409 people requested to attend the trial out of 23 available seats. In a break from convention, the judge read out the reasoning behind the guilty verdict first, without revealing that Aoba had been sentenced to death. The main focus of recent court trials in this case was to verify whether Aoba was of sound mind to be held responsible for the arson, in which he killed 36 people. The judge found him sufficiently competent, and shortly after 4 p.m. Jst, Aoba was sentenced to death. The families of the victims will not appeal, and Aoba's defense team did not state whether they would.

WWE star Thea Megan Trinidad Büdgen, better known to many fans by her ring name Zelina Vega, has appeared as Sailor Moon's Queen Serenity for a New Year's cosplay outfit.

Sailor Moon fans on Reddit quickly noticed WWE star Vega's outfit inspiration for her New Year's party. Cosplaying Queen Serenity from the Sailor Moon series, she captioned the series of posts to her Instagram: "Happy New Year .. 2024.. your soul.. is mine!" If the long, flowy dress and the twin buns weren't a dead giveaway, the crescent moon on her forehead surely demonstrated Vega's commitment to pulling it off. Her cosplay photo and the positive fan reaction are shown below.

Related Sailor Moon Director Wins Harassment Lawsuit Over Plagiarism Claims Prolific anime director Kunihiko Ikuhara wins a harassment lawsuit against an unnamed partys aggravating plagiarism accusations. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Thea Trinidad Bu...

Canada's Pluto TV is celebrating its first anniversary by launching dedicated channels for two beloved iconic anime, Naruto and Sailor Moon.

Pluto TV announced dedicated channels for both anime as part of its multi-genre content catalog currently streaming or coming soon to the platform. The popular Naoko Takeuchi manga-turned-anime series Sailor Moon gets a dedicated channel on Pluto TV featuring the five seasons of the original 1990s series as well as the newer remake, Sailor Moon Crystal. Pluto TV describes the series: "Usagi Tsukino is a girl who transforms into the guardian, Sailor Moon. Watch Usagi and her team of Sailor Guardians fight to protect the universe from evil daily on Pluto TV."

Related Godzilla, Dragon Ball and Sailor Moon Meet in Monarch: Legacy of Monsters Sailor Moon and Dragon Ball creators get a fun reference in the latest episode of the Godzilla sequel series Monarch: Legacy of Monsters.

A stalker has been arrested after the Attack on Titan Japanese-language voice actor for Mikasa, Yui Ishikawa, reported him to the police following death threats.

Jiji reported on Dec. 25, 2023, that the 25-year-old man, Fukuta Kishimoto from Kyoto, was arrested and charged with intimidation after directing a death threat toward Ishikawa. He had posted the message "I'll s*ab her with a knife and k*ll her" in November and was arrested the same month. He has now confessed to the charge. The threat was identified after Ishikawa's agency discovered the post online.

Related Major Web Novel Piracy Site Shut Down Following Operator Arrest Major crackdowns on piracy sites continue as a joint U.S-Korea operation brings down the largest web novel site in the country.

Ishikawa is well-known for her role as Mikasa in Attack on Titan, concluding her 10-year run as the character in November 2023 with Attack on Titan...

The iconic creators of Sailor Moon and Dragon Ball recently got reference cameos in the most recent episode of the Godzilla-centric TV series Monarch: Legacy of Monsters.

Episode 7 of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters premiered on Dec. 22 and featured references to both Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama and Sailor Moon creator Naoko Takeuchi. The authors were brought up by Tim, played by Joe Tippett, in a moment of panic while he, Cate and Kentaro tried to convince the missing May’s family that they knew her from an "online manga group."

Related Dragon Ball Artist Releases New Artwork of Two Retro Toriyama Characters Toyotarou, the artist behind Dragon Ball Super, pays tribute to classic characters from the early years of Akira Toriyama's career. <img alt="Tim in Monarch: Legacy of Monsters looking concerned, played by Joe Tippett." data-image-id="1753189" data-mobile-optimized="true" height="450" src="https://static0.cbrimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/8joetippett-png.jpeg" width="800" />

May, who had been kidnapped earlier in the episode, was revealed by her family to actually be "Corah" and had been away for quite some time. Corah’s sister,...

Anime director Kunihiko Ikuhara, perhaps best known among anime fans for his work on Sailor Moon R, S and SuperS, has won the defamation and targeted harassment lawsuit he filed against a woman who accused him of plagiarizing her work.

Over the past 18 months, Ikuhara pursued a defamation case against an unnamed woman who claimed that some of his illustrations were tracings of her work. Ikuhara filed the lawsuit in June 2022 to clear himself from the allegations, but also to stop the accuser's escalated efforts from further damaging his professional reputation and livelihood. The anime director petitioned for US$29,4000 as compensation for damages and was awarded about US$8,5000 after the ruling, according to Bengo4's report (via Comicbook.com).

Related Young Thug Trial Includes Bizarre Reference to Bleach Infamous Filler Arc Anime's broad appeal is again demonstrated in the most unlikely of places, with the Bleach anime's "Bount" arc referenced in an ongoing court trial.

Reki Kawahara, the creator behind Sword Art Online, has revealed he was being harassed online over ownership of his popular light novel series.

According to Anime Senpai, Kawahara shared his story in regard to the current lawsuit from anime director Kunihiko Ikuhara against a woman harassing the Japanese creator over accusations of plagiarism. Ikuhara, known for his work on Sailor Moon, Revolutionary Girl Utena and Penguindrum, was being harassed online via social media platform X (formerly Twitter) by an unnamed woman who believed the anime director was plagiarizing from her. The harassment campaign didn't just involve Ikuhara but also many who associated with him professionally. In response to Ikuhara taking action against the woman, Kawahara revealed that he too has been a victim of similar circumstances.

Related: Slayers Artist Rui Araizumi Fights Back Against AI Accusations

"Sailor Moon" & "Revolutionary Girl Utena" director Kunihiko Ikuhara was the target of a harassment...

Anime director Kunihiko Ikuhara says a woman's efforts to pressure him for an apology for allegedly plagiarizing her work has escalated to harassment, prompting concern for his personal safety.

Ikuhara has doubled down with legal action against the unnamed woman, according to Japanese newspaper the Mainichi Shimbun. A prolific creator in the anime industry, Ikuhara has explicitly denied the allegations, responding with a lawsuit claiming compensation for damages. This would also to serve as a deterrent against further aggravation.

Related: Why Sailor Moon's Queer Legacy Still Matters

Per the report, the woman's attempts to encroach on Ikuhara's personal and professional space escalated to a point that justified police support. The woman initially contacted Ikuhara in April 2022 via a direct message on Twitter, calling him out for allegedly plagiarizing one of her works. When a colleague posted one of Ikuhara's illustrations, the same woman also pointed out that this was traced from her work.

The anime medium is ever-changing and dynamic, beloved for its courageousness in exploring bold ideas and setting new trends. Anime's history saw the rise and fall of countless genres and tropes that once defined the medium's identity, only to sink into obscurity when replaced by something trendier. The '70s and '80s were the golden age of mecha anime — a genre modern fans steer clear of today.

The same fate, undoubtedly, awaits contemporary trends, like isekai and dark fantasy, which will live on only as outdated classics. Yet, some older series, if they were to come back now, would've been hits with contemporary audiences despite their aged themes. These timeless shows would work best in today's anime landscape, as they already have predicted modern trends way before they became mainstream.

Related: 10 Classic Mecha Anime That Aged Poorly

Serial Experiments Lain

Innovation and experimentation have always been intrinsic to anime's avant-garde scene.

Kunihiko Ikuhara's directorial career started in the 1990s when he got the chance to direct "Protect the Melody of Love: Usagi Plays Cupid," the sixth episode of Sailor Moon's first season. He would work on more Sailor Moon episodes and receive a promotion, taking the role of series director for Sailor Moon R and the Sailor Moon R movie.

Ikuhara is a legendary figure in the anime industry, a trendsetter who has worked on some of the most influential series ever released. While his name might not be as instantly recognizable as Hayao Miyazaki's or Hideaki Anno's, his work speaks for itself. One of the most fascinating aspects of Ikuhara's catalogue is that he's unafraid to take his creations in weird directions, using surreal storylines and off-kilter metaphorical sequences to discuss deeper human issues. Yet even in his unique filmography, one series stands out for its supreme weirdness.

As anime becomes more and more mainstream, writers can get creative with their stories, embracing newer sub-genres like soothing slice-of-life and expanding on the oldies-but-goodies, like isekai. The least popular genre in anime is historical fiction (the sort without any speculative elements whatsoever). Action, adventure, and romance are the most popular genres, but other sub-genres have risen to the fore and gained in popularity, like romantic comedy.

Related: 10 Anime Characters Who Belong In Another Genre

Popular genres and sub-genres are not to be confused with demographics like shojo, shonen, seinen, and josei, which have more to do with marketing and target audience. Genres like romance and chosen-one fantasy are written for any kind of demographic.

Magical Girl: Revolutionary Girl Utena

Though Utena is the titular character of Revolutionary Girl Utena, Anthy is the true magical girl of this classic. Anthy contains the power of the Sword of Dios. Utena acts as her princely guardian.

In some ways, the first two episodes of "Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury" are just what you'd expect from a new series in the "Gundam" franchise. There's a powerful robot called a "Gundam" piloted by a child soldier. Space colonies play politics with the lives of ordinary people. There's an impressive amount of 2D mechanical animation, an increasing rarity in the anime industry outside of studios like Sunrise. Most importantly, the "prologue" episode gives the heroine Suletta Mercury a first-hand demonstration of the horrors of war. The original "Mobile Suit Gundam" distinguished itself from its peers by suggesting that giant robot battles could be fought over ideology distinct from good or evil, and that innocent people could be hurt in the crossfire. "Witch from Mercury" is brighter and poppier than its predecessor, but something of that original cynicism remains.

In other ways, though, "Gundam: The Witch from Mercury" is nothing like I expected.

Seven Seas Entertainment is excited to announce the license acquisition of the Sarazanmai Anthology manga by various creators, a collection of over a dozen short stories based on the hit anime by Kunihiko Ikuhara!

After accidentally breaking a statue of a mythical kappa, junior high students Kazuki, Toi, and Enta are transformed into kappa themselves as punishment by Keppi, prince of the Kappa Kingdom. Keppi has a task for the boys if they want their bodies back: work for him to hunt down zombie kappa born of twisted human desires. Even scarier, though? They’re going to have to expose their own deepest fears and desires to each other to do so! Explore this surrealist modern folktale–a fan-favorite anime in 2019–like never before in this collection of all-new short manga by various creators!

Seven Seas will publish the manga collection Sarazanmai Anthology for the first time in North America...

Anime continues to push boundaries not only in animation, but also in terms of what can be accomplished in a television series.

There are now more ways than ever to stream anime. These anime streaming services offer deep libraries that can be overwhelming. There are countless anime landmark shows worth your time, but here’s a list of some of the most impressive new anime series to come out in 2019 and 2020 to help cut through the noise and alleviate those anime streaming woes.

Mob Psycho 100 II

What’s It Like? Bored to Death meets Legion

Where Can I Watch It? Crunchyroll, Funimation (Sub and Dub), Adult Swim (Dub only)

There’s nothing like a good comeback story. Few anime have such incredible turnarounds between seasons as Mob Psycho 100 did. During the show’s first season, the creator’s sister series, One-Punch Man, was the more impressive of the two.