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Dragon Ball Z is well-known for its wild transformations, intense battle scenes, and highly memorable characters. But it has made a name for itself for mysteriously vanishing some of its characters. All the early Dragon Ball characters are quite familiar with Launch, the dual-personality woman who was often seen alongside Goku and the gang in their journey.

She was introduced to the series as comic relief and had quite an impact during the early days of the Saiyan Saga. But since then, the character has mysteriously disappeared from the franchise itself. Recently, Launch’s Japanese voice actor, Mami Koyama, surfaced with an explanation for her character’s absence.

The Real Reason Launch Disappeared

In a recently shared X post shared by a reputed Dragon Ball reporter, Enomis, with their collaboration with KosoKoso podcast, revealed the real reason why Launch was removed from the manga and its adapted versions. According to...

Dragon Ballis one of the world’s most iconic and influential anime franchises ever created. With unforgettable characters, decades worth of lore, and epic transformations, it became a staple in shōnen storytelling. Yet, among the original cast, one fan favorite had disappeared from the series entirely, leaving fans to wonder what happened.

Launch was a unique character who left a memorable impression on fans during the original Dragon Ball series. However, despite her popularity, she never received a proper farewell or a return. Fans were only given a quick explanation that she had chased after Tien Shinhan. While it’s a convenient reason, it felt oddly abrupt.

For years, Launch’s absence was dismissed as Akira Toriyama simply forgetting her character after a now-infamous comment that was likely meant as a joke. At face value, the remark became the explanation for why such an iconic character was left out of the series,...

One of the most beloved but often forgotten characters in the Dragon Ball franchise has finally had her mysterious absence explained by the voice actor herself. Mami Koyama, the Japanese voice actor of Launch, revealed why her character disappeared from the series during the Dragon Ball Z years.

Koyama was a guest on the Japanese podcast series KosoKoso, hosted by former Shonen Jump/Dragon Ball editor Kazuhiko Torishima and Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii. As in previous episodes, the latest KosoKoso release features fascinating behind-the-scenes information about the production of the Dragon Ball manga by the late Akira Toriyama that's never been publicly revealed before. Koyama, who played Launch in the 1986 Dragon Ball anime, finally answered why her character vanished from the main cast during Dragon Ball Z, which is marked by Goku's re-introduction as an adult and father, and the shocking arrival of the Saiyan Raditz on Earth.

The City Hunter: Angel Dust anime film kicked off with a theatrical release in Japan in September 2023—with a North American premiere following in August 2024—and now it’s heading to Blu-ray in North America. Shout! Studios distributes the Anime Limited release, which is up for pre-order now ahead of a July 14 launch. Here’s what to expect from the North American Blu-ray: City Hunter: Angel Dust Movie (Blu-ray) Ryo Saeba is known as City Hunter, the top “sweeper” within the underworld. Based in Shinjuku as a private detective, he and his partner Kaoru Makimura take on a variety of clients. Their latest case is provided by Angie, a filmmaker, with a simple request - to find her missing cat. Ryo is thrilled by Angie's beautiful looks while Kaori is thrilled by the hefty reward… Meanwhile, Saeko Nogami of the Metropolitan Police investigates an invention of the biotech company Zoltech...

Military fiction might not be the most common anime genre, but it is a prevalent one. Some of these are just as outlandish as other anime works, while others are far more grounded. Using tactics and wartime aspects, these anime recreate the most brutal aspects of war, and some of its most neglected elements.

Many military anime are part of major subgenres such as mecha and even the popular isekai anime genre, while others are firmly in more realistic settings and explore concepts from a Japanese perspective. Best of all, most of these can easily be streamed and may even be part of continuing franchises.

Alderamin Is a Borderline Military Isekai Anime - But Done Well Streaming on CrunchyrollImage via Madhouse

Visually, light novel adaptation Alderamin on the Sky heavily resembles an isekai, which makes sense given who the manga adaptation's artist was. The manga was drawn by Taiki Kawakami,...

Goku's first time becoming a Super Saiyan is easily one of the most iconic transformations in all of anime. Goku's guttural outburst of rage after seeing his friend Krillin killed at the hands of Frieza always sends chills down the spines of any Dragon Ball fan. Everything from the shots, the effects, and the dialogue are all instantly recognizable to viewers, from hardcore anime lovers to the general watcher. But as memorable as the scene is, it's not the first time an anime character has undergone a major transformation.

Plenty of anime from the 70s and 80s have characters undergoing iconic transformations in their own right. Like the Super Saiyan transformation, these sequences are as memorable as they are iconic. With how popular Dragon Ball continues to be, it can be easy to forget that other anime helped lay the foundation for the series' use of breathtaking displays of power.

“Monoke The Movie: Phantom in the Rain” is the new animated supernatural feature, directed by Kenji Nakamura, based on the “Mononoke” anime TV series (2007), spinning-off from the “Ayakashi: Samurai Horror Tales” anthology series (2006), starring Hiroshi Kamiya ,Tomoyo Kurosawa, Aoi Yūki, Mami Koyama, Kana Hanazawa, Haruka Tomatsu, Yoko Hikasa, Yūko Kaida, Yukana, Yuki Kaji, Jun Fukuyama, Daisuke Hosomi, Miyu Irino and Kenjiro Tsuda, streaming November 28, 2024 on Netflix:

“…a girl named ‘Asa’ is trying to advance her career, while another named ‘Kame’ is seeking her dream to participate in the workings of the ‘Inner Chambers’.

“As the elderly ‘’ does her best to conceal its secrets…

“…the ‘Medicine Seller’ arrives and begins to unravel the truth…”

Click the images to enlarge…...

Being an Emperor of the Sea, Big Mom is one of the greatest adversaries the Straw Hat Pirates face in One Piece. She's a menacing, sweet-toothed giant who lets absolutely nobody get in the way of satisfying her cravings. When a good number of the Straw Hats infiltrated her territory and sabotaged her tea party, she naturally had no plans of letting them leave the island alive. Given her despicable, spoiled behavior, Big Mom has been a target of many since childhood. Even so, one character has shown her what affection is like, and that's her foster parent Mother Carmel.

Mother Carmel was a missionary nun known as "Holy Mother." She took in abandoned, rejected kids and gave them shelter in her orphanage. One of those children was the young Linlin, who was left behind on the island of Elbaf by her own parents. The nun took her in while...

The best movies to watch in 4K to show off the crystal-clear picture quality of ultra-high-def monitor and smart TVs. In the age of high-definition streaming and 4K Blu-rays, there's no shortage of classic movies, art films, and blockbusters for cinephiles to enjoy at home. Today, this is the closest to a cinematic theater experience for those who'd rather view movies from the comfort of their couch or desk.

The best 4K movies aren't just visual stunners or action-filled hard hitters. Whether through cinematography, choreography, character development, production, scoring, or plot, they are also some of the best movies in their respective genres. Viewed at 4K resolution, these films take on a whole new life. This is not only true for movies with big-budget action scenes, but even for smaller movies and horror films that deliver some great moments in high definition.

Akira (1988) The Cyberpunk Anime Classic

Akira (1988)

A secret...

The World Government is a major antagonistic group in One Piece that has existed for over 800 years, and Imu is its supreme ruler. Imu's true appearance and gender has not been revealed yet, but they are incredibly powerful. It appears as though Imu witnessed the creation of the World Government, meaning they are immortal. They also possess a Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit and immense Haki. Few One Piece characters stand a chance against Imu, but certain Shonen characters can defeat them.

Most of the Shonen characters who can defeat Imu possess god-like abilities that can directly counter Imu's immortality. Many of these characters are villains in their respective series, but a few heroic characters can take Imu down too. Imu can try fighting back, but most of these characters can defend themselves from Imu's attacks.

Kaguya Otsutsuki Can Destroy Imu's Immortal Body With Her Kekkei Mora An Alien Being With...

For over 23 years, anime voice actor Masako Nozawa has provided the voice for Son Goku from Akira Toriyama's beloved shonen franchise, Dragon Ball. Recently, Japanese audiences demonstrated their appreciation for Nozawa's iconic role by granting her the title of "Japan's top female voice actress."

NetLab, a popular Japan-based entertainment site, collaborated with "Voice Note" to hold a survey asking viewers to state who they believe to be "the best female voice actor in Japan." This particular poll, targeted toward audiences in their 50s and 60s, allowed participants to choose performers from not just anime but also video games, TV commercials and VAs for foreign-made films. In a landslide vote, roughly 24.4% of voters chose Nozawa. The second place winner, with 11.3% of the vote, was Nobuyo Oyama, who voices the titular robot cat from Shin-Ei Animation's Doraemon anime. The top 13 winners are listed below.

Related Dragon Ball Spotlights One...

Every season brings new, spectacular anime with it, but sometimes it's nice to look back to the past. Whether you want to revisit an old favorite, or are interested in checking out important pieces of anime history you've never seen before, Hulu has you covered.

From Dragon Ball to Cowboy Bebop, these classic anime are all available to stream on Hulu. Along with a plentiful bounty of classic series to watch, you'll also be able to find some of the greatest and most important movies of all time, like Akira.

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Related How Sailor Moon's Art and Animation Evolved Over Time, Explained

When an anime has thrived for nearly three decades, it's no surprise when it makes changes to keep up with the times.

Akira is Perfect for Any Anime Movie Night The Most Legendary Anime Film of All Time

Akira is...

The 1980s saw the birth of cyberpunk movies like Blade Runner, showcasing the "high-tech, low life" essence of the subgenre. Films like Tron and The Terminator offer deep looks into technology and humanity, making them iconic cyberpunk masterpieces. Rewatching cyberpunk classics such as RoboCop and Videodrome unveils hidden societal critiques and thematic layers worth exploring.

The 1980s added some great movies to the cyberpunk subgenre of science fiction, and 10 of them can be watched almost endlessly. Cyberpunk, not to be confused with neo-noir, is a very specific but not well-defined subgenre of science fiction. There are a few features almost every cyberpunk story has, such as anti-capitalist messaging, a grim, dystopian depiction of the near future, a focus on advanced technology, body horror, and a protagonist who challenges a corrupt system to tear it all down. Cyberpunk can be more or less summed up with a common phrase about the subgenre: "high-tech,...

A spin-off of the original anime series, Ayakashi: Samurai Horror Tales, Mononoke is undoubtedly one of the most peculiar original anime series we have on the market. It is an avant-garde series focusing on the supernatural, incorporating elements of mystery and psychological horror, as the series focuses on the unnamed traveling apothecary who is stingy with words. He travels with his medicine cabinet and a box containing a spiritual sword whose pommel is adorned with a monkey’s head, fighting numerous supernatural enemies along the way.

The original anime series ran for 12 series in 2007 but the series is coming back with a feature-length anime movie titled Mononoke: Karakasa, which is going to be released on July 26, 2024 in Japan. Today, a new trailer and a lot of new information has been released, so we are going to report everything to you here.

The Mononoke anime movie was announced back in 2022, as...

Ahead of an April 19 theatrical release in Japan, the prequel anime film Blue Lock The Movie -Episode Nagi- announced today two additional cast members joining the movie: Comedian Seiya, a dedicated fan of the series, will guest star as a Hakuho High School soccer club member, while Mami Koyama (Big Mom in One Piece ) will voice Mikage Corporation driver Baaya. Seiya promotional photo Related: Blue Lock The Movie -Episode Nagi- Anime Releases Main Trailer Based on the award-winning manga by Muneyuki Kaneshiro and Yusuke Nomura, Tetsuaki Watanabe ( Haikyu!! episode director) directed Blue Lock and assistant-directed by Shunsuke Ishikawa ( Sword Art Online Alicization episode director) at studio eightbit ( That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime ). Ishikawa acts as director for the -Episode Nagi- movie. If you're a fan of blood-pumping sports anime, check out the first first season in a range of subs and dubs, right here on Crunchyroll ! Japan...

Cult-classic anime Mononoke revealed a few years back that the series will be continuing with an anime film titled Mononoke the Movie: Karakasa . After a few delays and a lead change , the upcoming anime film got a confirmed release date of July 26, 2024, in Japanese theaters, bringing the Medicine Seller back into the supernatural fray. A short trailer and key visual were also released to promote the release date. Alongside the trailer, more character and their voice actors were announced with their anime setting designs. The Medicine Seller  voiced by Hiroshi Kamiya (Koyomi Araragi in the Monogatari series) Asa  voiced by Tomoyo Kurosawa (Kumiko Omae in Sound! Euphonium ) Kame  voiced by Aoi Yuuki (Maomao in The Apothecary Diaries ) Utayama  voiced by Mami Koyama (Big Mom in One Piece ) Related: Mononoke Anime Film Postponed Beyond 2023, Main Lead Cast Member Replaced Mononoke the Movie: Karakasa is directed by Kenji Nakamura, who returns from the series,...

Dune: Part Two set the box-office on fire, deepening the epic narrative with visually stunning new planets and action scenes. Villeneuve drew inspiration from Akira, sparking a subconscious connection that influenced Paul Atreides's transformation in Dune: Part Two. Villeneuve's mastery of scale in Dune: Part Two mirrors the depth and scope of Japanese cinema, particularly the wide-angle lens style.

The follow-up to his 2021 landmark sci-fi hit, Denis Villeneuve's Dune: Part Two, has dominated the box office and become a social media sensation following its recent release. The sequel, which adapts the second half of Frank Herbert's seminal sci-fi novel, has quickly become the highest-grossing movie of 2024, a title it is expected to keep long into the year. Dune: Part Two takes the grand-scale storytelling and visuals that Villeneuve expertly brought to the original and takes them several steps further, introducing audiences to new planets and even grander action scenes.

Originating in Japan and still primarily focused on the Japanese market, anime as a medium has been steadily gaining popularity all across the globe, and its international influences are now more prominent than ever. In the United States, anime started picking up steam in the '90s, firmly establishing itself in pop culture and influencing the formation of a dedicated niche of die hard fans in the West. Nowadays, with the rise of information accessibility and legal streaming platforms, anime is more popular in America than it’s ever been.

Anime is still mostly widespread in Japan, and this reality greatly influences which shows get traction elsewhere in the world. Yet, the anime that make it big in the West and the medium’s country of origin aren’t always the same. Just like Japan has plenty of incredibly popular anime that Western viewers have little interest in such as Doraemon and Sazae-san,...

Anime isn't a genre. It's a medium, one that's still fighting for mainstream acceptance in the West. Its hold on American audiences is stronger than ever, with Studio Ghibli blockbusters and franchises like "My Hero Academia" earning critical acclaim and global adoration. However, too many people still associate animation with children's viewing. While there are plenty of great anime films that parents can show to their kids, this attitude still leads to confusion. Not only is some anime emphatically not child-safe, but if you dismiss it as kids' stuff, you're missing out on some great movies.

If you've never watched an anime film before, rest assured that it's not all sailor uniforms and jiggly bits, just like how action movies aren't all gravelly-voiced men and sexy ladies. There's something for everyone, although we also confess that you're going to see a lot of Hayao Miyazaki and Mamoru Oshii here, and for good reasons.

Warner Bros. has given the go ahead on a live action version of the 1988 anime cult classic Akira, with Jaume Collet-Serra to direct.

The original anime is based in Neo Tokyo, 2019, Shotaro Kaneda (Mitsuo Iwata) leads the Capsules, his b&#333s&#333zoku gang, to fight against the Clowns. However, Kaneda's best friend Tetsuo Shima (Nozomu Sasaki) is injured when he almost hits Takashi (Tatsuhiko Nakamura), a small but decrepit psychic boy called an esper. Takashi is captured by armed soldiers and has Tetsuo hospitalized. When Kaneda and his gang are interrogated, he tries to flirt with Kei (Mami Koyama), a member of a dissident underground terrorist group before being released.

The live action remake is eyeing frontrunner Garrett Hedlund (Tron: Legacy) for the lead character, Kaneda.

Akira comes to theaters in 2012. The film is directed by Jaume Collet-Serra.