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Another week is coming to an end, so the Bam Smack Pow team is here once again to bring up all the most important anime news for the week. The biggest news this week is that Crunchyroll is gearing up for the annual Anime Awards next month.

With that in mind, here's all the anime news you need to know as the Easter long weekend kicks off.

In this photo illustration, a Crunchyroll Inc. logo is seen... | Sopa Images/GettyImages Anime Awards 2025 fan voting closes, ceremony scheduled for May 25

The fan voting period for Crunchyroll's 2025 Anime Awards is now closed. This year's nominees were initially determined by a panel of industry judges, with the winners to be determined by the panel of judges in conjunction with the public fan vote for categories such as Anime of the Year, Film of the Year, Best Voice Performance in both Japanese and English,...

Now over 20 years old, Soul Eater was once one of the biggest shonen anime and manga franchises out there. Now, fans can celebrate the brand's history with stylish new watches.

Having already produced similar items for several anime brands, SuperGroupies is now releasing items derived from Soul Eater.Based on Maka, Death the Kid and other characters from the franchise, the timepieces combine class with fandom as only SuperGroupies can. These are just some of the items that SuperGroupies is offering as part of the collaboration, and fans have less than a month to pre-order theirs.

RelatedFans of Isekai Anime Smash-Hit Sword Art Online Can Log In With New Asuna, Sinon & Yuuki Watches

The latest Sword Art Online items by SuperGroupies lets U.S. fans look like Asuna and other characters with classy watches and a lightweight coat.

The Clock Is Ticking to Pre-Order SuperGroupies Soul Eater Watches

The main...

The shojo anime genre has been around for decades and has provided fans with some of the best series. Fan favorites like Fruits Basket and Yona of the Dawn have led many viewers to try other shojo properties as well. Newer fans typically go for more recent anime, but some old gems are just as good (if not better) than a lot of the current shojo anime series.

The best older shojo anime give audiences a feeling of nostalgia, from more fantastical plotlines to an “exaggerated realism” animation style. They also portray a wider breadth of surprisingly empowering female characters for the time of their creation. Shojo anime nowadays are great, but these lost diamonds should not be kept in the dark, either.

Related10 Most Underrated Classic Shojo Anime, Ranked

From the ‘60s to the 2000s, these underrated shojo anime classics shaped the genre but remain overlooked gems that every fan should revisit.

A prolific genre trailblazing the most imaginative visions of the future, science fiction is a beloved staple of speculative fiction that deals with all sorts of compelling concepts of advancement — from technological wonders to time travel to extraterrestrial life. Anime and sci-fi go way back, the genre being one of the medium's most bountiful in terms of producing cult classics.

Some of anime's most influential titles — Akira, Serial Experiments Lain, Mobile Suit Gundam — speculate about cutting-edge science and futuristic worlds. However, sci-fi in anime is not simply defined by its glorious past; just as enterprising as the ideas it proposes, science fiction continues to blossom in modern anime, with some of the genre's best works being released over the last decade. Taking the viewers on exhilarating adventures through fiction's most imaginative worlds, these modern sci-fi anime are a testament to the genre's timeless appeal.

Related10 Best Sci-Fi Anime That Don't...

It's only natural that certain anime appeal more to different demographics. Not every anime that becomes popular in Japan gets the same treatment in regions like the United States and vice versa. These differences in tastes aren't anything unusual by any means. Everyone has their preferences with the media they consume, and anime is no different.

That being said, there are plenty of successful anime titles beloved in America that aren't nearly as popular with Japanese audiences. While different sensibilities could be at play, there are also cases where anime could be made with international audiences in mind. This could allow more titles to capitalize on success from outside their home country. Unfortunately, this may make the series less desirable to its domestic audience.

Panty & Stocking's English Dub Resonated with Fans of Western Adult Animation Streaming on Crunchyroll

The English dub for Panty & Stocking is still one of the very best.

Sailor Moon set the standard for magical girl, shojo, and romance anime. It follows Sailor Moon's love story with Tuxedo Mask in their current lives, and in their past lives as princess of the Moon Kingdom and prince of Earth. They have a swoon-worthy story, where they meet as their celestial alter egos, and they immediately feel a pull toward one another.

Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask have a bit of a tsundere dynamic in the '90s anime adaptation, and tsundere romances will always be popular in romance anime. After the first story arc, their romance becomes more nuanced. Their romance is so iconic that it popularized certain character tropes and inspired elements of future romance anime.

Prétear: The New Legend of Snow White Is an Underrated Magical Girl Series Streaming on CrunchyrollImage via Hal Film Maker

Prétear: The New Legend of Snow White has a similar ensemble cast to Sailor Moon.

Most anime fans would tell others that the best way to watch anime is with the original Japanese audio with subtitles. However, there have been some truly brilliant English dubs that are worth the watch. One outstanding example is the recent anime hit, Dandadan. However, there are so many anime, old and new, with highly underrated English dubs.

The best English dub anime have a certain flair that draws audiences in. It could have a particularly stellar performance by members of the cast, or the dialogue and localization change things around for even more impact. No matter the genre or when these anime released, their English dubs are some of the best, even if they aren’t widely appreciated.

Related10 Best Modern Anime Dubs, Ranked

Anime dubs have come a long way from their early days, evolving into an art form that can elevate the viewing experience to new heights.

Crunchyroll announced that the English dub of Apothecary Diaries season 2 will be streamed on the platform from Jan 24, 2025.

Cast and staff details for the English dub have also been revealed.

Apothecary Diaries season 2 English dub cast includes:

Emi Lo as Maomao Kaiji Tang as Jinshi Bree Han as Xiaolan Monica Piskor as Lingli Jim Foronda as Guen Alex Hom as Gaoshun Molly Zhang as Gyokuyou Naya Moreno as Ailan Giovannie Cruz as Hongniang Monica Rial as Narrator Kelly Greenshield as Guiyuan Suzie Yeung as Shisui Kelsey Cruz as Yinghua Alex Mai as Emperor Wendy Powell as Madam Ciarán Strange as Pairin Trina Nishimura as Lihua Rebecca Danae as Meimei Monica Flatley as Joka Reshel Mae as Lishu Oscar Seung as Ukyou

Staff includes:

Voice Director: Shawn Gann Producer: Susie Nixon Adaptation: Clayton Browning Mixer: William Dewell Engineer: August Cline

The Apothecary Diaries season started airing on Jan 10, 2025. It will run for two consecutive course.

Shojo is a marketing demographic. Shojo anime is written and produced for a young female audience, and though it comes in a wide array of genres and subgenres, there are certain storytelling conventions that often come with shojo. Romantic comedies and high fantasy epics sometimes share similar shojo tropes and popular clichés.

Fairy tale motifs show up often, in both contemporary and fantasy anime. Some shojo protagonists are Cinderella-coded characters with an extremely kind nature that juxtaposes their cruel family. Other shojo anime are loose retellings of fairy tales like Snow White and the Seven Dwarves and Beauty and the Beast.

Related This 2025 Romance Anime Would Be Even Better If It Changed Genres

Without its supernatural elements, My Happy Marriage could better showcase Miyo and Kudo’s heartfelt and powerful love story.

Prétear Combines Magical Girl Anime with Grimms Fairy Tales Fairy Tales Referenced: Snow White & the Seven Dwarves...

With anime becoming increasingly popular around the world, so has the demand for more diverse characters, and that has led to some of the most iconic black characters in anime. Black characters have become more popular both in Japan and outside, especially in the past few decades as anime fandom grows. Some mangaka, like Eichiro Oda, were way ahead of their time by incorporating Black characters in their work which paved the way for future creators to follow suit.

More than just a handful of small examples in lesser-known works, black characters can be found in even the biggest anime franchises. Trailblazers like Tite Kubo and Masashi Kishimoto have designed some of the most memorable black characters in anime and manga.

This set a precedent for a new generation of manga and anime creators who looked up to these icons and wrote some deep and multifaceted characters. The most iconic...

Dragon Ball Daima English Dub: Why Official Announcement Left Fans Dismayed - Main Image

Dragon Ball Daima is a new show gaining a lot of popularity among fans, and it’s easy to see why, with its connection to the Dragon Ball Z canon and familiar feel.

While it starts off by leaning on nostalgia, it gradually evolves into something fresh and unique, just as the late Akira Toriyama envisioned.

A recent announcement from Crunchyroll reveals the exact date for the release of the English dub. While many fans are excited about this news, it has also led to some negative reactions. Here’s what we know so far about Daima’s English dub and how fans are responding.

What Do We Know So Far About Dragon Ball Daima’s English Dub?

The English dub of Dragon Ball Daima is finally arriving on January 10, 2025. However, this won’t be the...

Dragon Ball Daima, Goku's latest adventure and the legendary Akira Toriyama's final vision for his iconic series, is finally premiering its English Dub at the start of 2025. The all-new anime, which initially premiered in October, has released eight episodes with subbed Japanese audio thus far. Now, Dragon Ball fans will be able to experience the series in English with performances from familiar franchise voices.

The legendary Sean Schemmel will reprise his role as Goku, while the fan-favorite Stephanie Nadolny will be making her Dragon Ball return to voice Goku (Mini). You will be able to check out the dub of Dragon Ball Daima starting January 10, 2025, on Crunchyroll.

Dragon Ball Daima's English Dub Features Both Familiar and New Voices

Image By Joshua Fox

Stephanie Nadolny is beloved by Dragon Ball fans for voicing both Kid Goku and Kid Gohan in the original dubs of Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z....

Dragon Ball Daima has a streaming premiere date!

The English dub of the series arrives on Crunchyroll starting on January 10, 2025 in select territories.

Based on an all-new story and character designs from author Akira Toriyama, this original anime series from legendary studio Toei Animation commemorates the 40th Anniversary of Dragon Ball.

Here’s a plot summary: “Goku and company were living peaceful lives when they suddenly turned small due to a conspiracy! When they discover that the reason for this may lie in a world known as the “Demon Realm,” a mysterious young Majin named Glorio appears before them.”

Keep reading to find out more…

English dub episodes of Dragon Ball Daima will be released weekly, starting with Episode 1, “Conspiracy,” which premieres on January 10, 2025. The English dub will stream on Crunchyroll in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

The Dragon Ball Daima English dub voice cast:...

No matter how toxic or misogynistic some shojo anime male leads can be, there’s no denying their magnetic appeal. While the genre has shifted towards “green-flagged” heroes rather than glorifying condescending men, fans can’t help but feel drawn to the irresistible allure of the “bad boy” persona. The latest example of this is Yakuza Finace’s Kirishima Miyama. He has become anime viewers' new favorite bad boy with his destructive behavior, killer looks, and noxious personality.

He’s a walking red flag, whether it’s his mischievous nature or obsessiveness with Yoshino. His controlling nature may annoy her, but fans have fallen in love with Kirishima and his unbearably tempting charms. For those who can’t ignore boys like Kirishima with a morally grey personality, these shojo male leads would be great additions to their list.

Related The 25 Best New Romance Anime

With shojo series like Skip And Loafer...

Theshojogenre is filled with a wide variety of wonderful stories catered to all anime lovers. Although it may be targeted toward a certain demographic, any anime fan should give these titles a chance to dive into the world of shojo animes. The genre is filled with both popular shows, such asSailor MoonandMaid Sama!, and plenty of underrated ones, such asSnow White with the Red HairandFrom Me To You.

What makes the shojo genre so great is its diverse selection of stories they tell. Shojo is more than just romance and there's a ton of shojo anime out there are filled with stories of adventure, fantasy and action. These stories are filled with emotional storytelling, compelling character developments andabsolutelybeautifulanimation that will leave viewers breathless. Viewerswho find themselves diving into this genre will know just how diverse it is and how much it has to offer.

Related 10 Strong Shojo Female Characters Like...

Big news has just been revealed about the long-gestating series adaptation of Mass Effect in the works at Amazon MGM Studios. The update comes three years after the project was first reported to be in development.

Per Variety, it's been reported that the Mass Effect series is officially moving forward. Daniel Casey is on board to write the series in addition to executive producing. Also on board as an executive producer is Cedar Tree Productions' Karim Zreik, who previously worked on Marvel shows like Daredevil, Jessica Jones, and The Punisher. Other EPs include Ari Arad and EA's Michael Gamble.

Related BioWare is Moving On to Mass Effect Without Dragon Age: The Veilguard Dlc

BioWare confirms there are no plans for Dragon Age: The Veilguard to receive expansions, with the studio focusing its attention on Mass Effect.

No plot details have been revealed about the TV show, though it will...

Monkey D. Luffy is the main protagonist of One Piece, and he has become one of the world's most iconic anime characters. Mayumi Tanaka has been voicing Luffy since One Piece debuted in Japan in 1999, and Colleen Clinkenbeard has been Luffy's English voice actor for the past fifteen years. Colleen has been voicing anime characters since 2004 and has voiced a variety of characters.

Several of the characters Colleen has voiced are more mature than Luffy, and many anime fans likely do not know they are hearing Luffy's voice actor because her other characters do not sound much like him. She has voiced several side characters, but she has also voiced some well-known characters from beloved franchises.

Marie Mjolnir Is A Demon Weapon Who Successfully Became A Death Scythe A Living Weapon Who Can Transform Into A Powerful Hammer

In Soul Eater, there are special humans who can transform into traditional weapons like guns and Scythes.

James Gisante attended the Dragon Ball Daima New York Comic Con panel for Cbr on Thursday, and here is his recap of the panel - BC

It was only a year ago that the latest anime series in the Dragon Ball saga was unveiled at New York Comic Con, so its only fitting that Dragon Ball Daima was one of the first major panels at this years convention. Despite this being advertised as a Dragon Ball Daima panel, this was an all-encompassing panel that also included news about merchandise, video games and in-person events that fans will be able to look forward to for quite some time.

Related Dragon Ball Daima Episode 2, "Glorio" Recap & Spoilers

Dragon Ball Daima Episode 2 briefly loses itself in its adorable transformations before the anime forges ahead towards the Demon Realm.

Who will be the English-speaking voice actor for Glorio in Daima?

Kicking off the festivities was Monica Rial,...

Toei Animation reveals its panels and offerings at New York Comic Con 2024, which coincides with the 40th anniversary of the Dragon Ball manga, the 25th anniversary of the One Piece anime and the 25th anniversary of the Digimon anime series.

Via a press release, Toei Animation confirmed that its upcoming appearance at New York Comic Con will include celebrations for One Piece, Dragon Ball and Digimon. For One Piece, the Toei Animation X Dim Mak Pop-Up Shop will display its curated selection of One Piece merchandise, including hoodies, t-shirts and shorts, as well as Nycc-exclusive releases like a Straw Hats crew puffer tote bag, Egghead Luffy skate deck and enamel pin collection. It will open both days from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. at Booth 2635. Dragon Ball will kick off Toei Animation's panel schedule at Nycc 2024, with the Dragon Ball Daima Special Panel on Day One on Oct. 17. Bulma's English...

Izuku Midoriya (Deku) is seen as one of the greatest up-and-coming Heroes in a generation from My Hero Academia. He is extremely dedicated, and he bravely charges into any fight. However, some fans are realizing that many more characters from different anime show more heroism than Deku.

Deku has saved a lot of people and taken down some dangerous villains. Yet, he seems to be stuck in a selfish need to prove himself. Meanwhile, other anime characters have more altruistic actions. They dont seek more power or validation. They simply hope to help others and make their worlds better places to live.

My Hero Academia (2016) TV-14ActionAdventure

Izuku has dreamt of being a hero all his lifea lofty goal for anyone, but especially challenging for a kid with no superpowers. Thats right, in a world where eighty percent of the population has some kind of super-powered quirk, Izuku was unlucky...

The latest installment of the Dragon Ball franchise, Dragon Ball Daima, has announced a surprise world premiere date for a theatrical release of its English dub.

Via Wtk on X (formerly Twitter), American theater companies AMC, Fandango and others have added a new listing for Dragon Ball Daima's English dub world premiere, scheduled for Nov. 10, 2024. The theatrical screening will include the first three episodes, with Goku's Japanese-language voice actor Masako Nozawa giving a special introduction before the screening.

Related Dragon Ball Reveals 38-Year-Old Artwork Spotlighting Master Roshi's Biggest Weakness

A decades-old drawing of Master Roshi by original creator Akira Toriyama highlights the comedic nature of the iconic Dragon Ball character.

Dragon Ball Daima's Upcoming Nycc Appearance Includes Special Screening and Merch Dragon Ball Daima theatrical placeholder listing - November 10, 2024 https://t.co/m4Yfdeltaphttps://t.co/dLRxtAE3kOhttps://t.co/PWOIOleLzg pic.twitter.com/UTKSpWjDDp Wtk (@Wtk...

Anime fans will want to pour a tall cup of coffee heading into the New Year to celebrate in the most ghoulish way possible when the Tokyo Ghoul 10th Anniversary Complete Series Blu-ray Box Set releases on December 31, 2024 from Crunchyroll.

For the first time ever, this anniversary collection will contain all seasons of the popular Tokyo Ghoul series in one complete box set, including every episode of Tokyo Ghoul, Tokyo Ghoul √A, and Tokyo Ghoul:re. The art outside the box is newly commissioned artwork from the animation studio Pierrot that features the main character Kaneki and visual references to the fan-favorite opening song “Unravel” by Tk from Ling Toshite Sigure. Special features will include select episode audio and video commentaries, the “Jack” and “Pinto” OVAs, the “Kaneki in Black and White” featurette with the English dub cast and crew that discusses questions and themes of the anime, and more.

One...

Shojo anime are beloved for their mostly romantic plots and beautiful details. But not everything in shojo anime is always swathed in bubbles and roses. A growing number of shojo stories have been weaving darker themes into their tales. These shows start as the sparkling love stories fans adore, but they have some unexpectedly dark moments.

The most surprising and darkest moments shock audiences because they come from almost nowhere. There may have been some hints along the way, but these moments are such stark switches in tone that they catch audiences off guard. The most surprisingly dark moments are incredibly bleak. Some are still necessary for the stories theyre in, while others simply seem out of place in otherwise happy shows.

Related 10 Best Shojo Anime of All Time, Ranked

From classics like Ouran High School Host Club to modern series like My Happy Marriage, these are the best shojo anime of all time.

A brand-new Dragon Ball anime titled Dragon Ball Daima was announced during New York Comic-Con 2023. The surprising announcement came to fans eager for the continuation of Dragon Ball Super's anime, which concluded in 2018. Although the Dbs manga has two substantial post-Tournment of Power story arcs ready for adaptation, the new anime looks to deliver something entirely new from Akira Toriyama himself that pays tribute to Dragon Ball's 40th anniversary.

Toriyama began publishing the original Dragon Ball manga in 1984, with the beloved anime starting in 1986. The sequel series, Dragon Ball Z, gained immense levels of popularity worldwide for its intense action scenes and mature sci-fi epic story elements.

However, Toriyama's work on Dragon Ball started as a much more light-hearted affair with more rounded character designs. The first look at Dragon Ball Daima resembles Toriyama's original series more closely than the very different pulse-pounding battles of Dbs's Tournament of Power.

Batman has been around for 85 years and the argument can be made that he is the greatest superhero of all time. Despite having no superpowers, he consistently defeats his enemies through his wits and ingenuity. His peak physical condition and exceptional hand-to-hand combat skills also play a role in his success. Batmans rogues gallery is filled with iconic and terrifying villains, and several anime characters would fit perfectly among them.

Most of these terrifying anime characters are villains in their own series, but a few follow their own brand of justice, which would put them at odds with Batman's moral code. Some of these characters possess supernatural abilities, but others are far more grounded. Many of these characters would test Batman physically, but others would test him emotionally and mentally.

Your browser does not support the video tag. Rize Would Instill Fear In Gotham & She Could Manipulate Batman Romantically A...

Batman is a world-renowned sleuth who fights crime under the cover of night. The Dark Knight is known for taking down quirky evildoers and has even defeated villains who are much stronger than him. For as formidable as the DC universe can be, far more unique and powerful villains can be found in anime.

Batman may be impressive, but hed be hard-pressed to defeat some of the strongest anime villains around. These anime villains arent only ruthless, they're nearly unbeatable even in their own series. They show no mercy whatsoever. The Caped Crusader is strong, but he would be powerless to the abilities of these nere-do-wells. These villains may be flashy, but they're much more serious about their destruction than any Batman villain.

Related The 30 Most Powerful Villains In Anime, Officially Ranked

From Freiza and Muzen to Sukuna and All For One, anime has no shortage of powerful villains who are nearly impossible to defeat.

Anime is filled with stories that have captured the hearts of fans, only to be left unfinished or abruptly cut short. Whether due to studio closures, financial struggles, or simply being ahead of their time, many promising series have been left in limbo.

While anime series like Bleach and Rurouni Kenshin have gotten the chance to be rebooted, there are plenty of others that deserve a second chance at telling their story. From Berserk to Deadman Wonderland, these short-lived series stand out as prime candidates to make a triumphant return.

Claymore Rushed Its Conclusion The series Had an Abrupt Ending That Didn't Live Up to Its Source Material

Related Claymore Is a Masterclass in Shonen Power Scaling

Claymore is a shonen masterpiece that handles power scaling unlike any other, bolstered by an unexpected message about teamwork and trusting others.

Claymore is a tale of fierce warriors and monstrous battles that met an untimely end,...

Since Link Click's debut, it has skyrocketed in popularity. Link Click is known as being one of the best Chinese donghua web series that has turned into an anime. As Season 3 of Link Click approaches and is anticipated to come out in the winter of 2024, many fans are seeking new psychological thrillers to help quench their thirst.

Link Click is a masterpiece that manages to combine time travel with mystery and crime. The concept is very unique where the main character travels through photographs and into the bodies of others to solve crimes. Link Click explores themes of friendship as well as darker topics including murder, loss and abuse.

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Related 10 Most Questionable Storylines in Link Click

Although a celebrated sci-fi show, Link Click still features some questionable storylines that leave the viewers wondering.

Id: Invaded Diving Inside The Brain Of A Serial Killer

Much like Link Click,...

The anime world offers plenty of incredibly popular, highly-viewed options, especially when it comes to the romance genre. Typically geared toward women audiences, these love stories capture viewers' hearts with their charismatic characters, stunning scenes, and ravishing romances. Perhaps even more so when paired with historical settings and fantastical elements.

Not every romance anime immediately hooks a readers' attention and catapults itself into A-list popularity though. With so many offerings on display, and new ones appearing constantly, diamonds like Snow White with the Red Hair or Sugar Apple Fairy Tale fall through the cracks and become overshadowed by other titles. Revisiting previous anime options can reveal underrated stories, just waiting to be discovered.

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Related 10 Reasons to Rewatch I'm the Villainess, So I'm Taming the Final Boss

I'm The Villainess, So I'm Taming The Final Boss subverts some common romance tropes, making for...

Black Butler fans are in for a treat thanks to a pair of Ciel and Sebastian wristwatches from SuperGroupies. The accessories feature deep-cut references to the "Public School Arc" of the manga and recently completed anime series.

SuperGroupies' new Black Butler wristwatches are sure to please fans of the hit shonen series. The watch comes in two variants with detailed embellishments inspired by main characters Ciel Phantomhive and Sebastian Michaelis. Priced at 22,000 yen (US$139) each, the item is available to preorder at SuperGroupies until July 22, 2024 (or until the maximum number of reservations is reached). The wristwatches share a common motif with distinct references to the characters and their stories; while the design is a heavy dose of Black Butler fan service, the gothic aesthetic also works with formal ensembles and casual chic.

Related 10 Best Moments in Black Butler Public School Arc

The best scenes from the newest Black Butler season...

Class 1-a has been the focus of most of My Hero Academia, and remains so until the end. Although it's safe to say that it has a bunch of talented students, there are a few characters who rise above the fray. The author of the series, Kohei Horikoshi, has actually put in quite some effort to write some wonderful characters, both boys and girls.

In fact, My Hero Academia is one of the very few manga out there with relatively well-written female characters that often shine and aren't pushed to the background. On the other hand, some fans have argued that the girls are often sidelined when it comes to battle, which is mostly done by male students. That said, Class 1-a, in particular, has some of the most powerful female characters that have been seen in the series to date. Here are all the 1-a girls ranked by how strong they are.

Quick Links The Fairy Tail Guild The Sabertooth Guild Zeref, the Alvarez Empire, and the Spriggan 12 Other Fairy Tail Villains

Fairy Tail, written and drawn by author Hiro Mashima, is a moderately popular shonen action series with a huge cast of colorful and fun characters, most of whom belong to wizard guilds. In Fairy Tail's fantasy world, magic is commonplace, and wizards of all kinds join formal guilds all over the nation of Fiore. That means when a new wizard guild is introduced, Fairy Tail viewers can expect to meet a handful of new characters all at once.

The story begins with the huge Fairy Tail guild, the most popular and renowned guild in Fiore, with its headquarters in the capital, Magnolia. That guild is where protagonist Lucy Heartfilia will find her future with her new family. During her many missions with her fellow Fairies, Lucy will meet a...

Roronoa Zoro's bond with Shimotsuki Kuina majorly shapes his quest to become the World's Strongest Swordsman. Kuina hails from Wano Country's Shimotsuki Clan, making her a distant relative to Roronoa Zoro. Zoro's promise to Kuina propels his growth as a swordsman and sets him on the path to challenge Dracule Mihawk for the title of World's Strongest Swordsman.

Since its debut in 1997, One Piece has grown into one of the most popular media franchises in the entire world. Its manga — written by Eiichiro Oda — is currently the best-selling manga of all time by a wide margin, and with the recent success of its anime and live-action adaptations, the franchise is showing no signs of slowing down. Its protagonist, Monkey D. Luffy, is closer than ever to his goal of becoming the King of the Pirates, but for him to reach the end of the Grand Line, each member of...

Crunchyroll just rolled out the English dub of ‘Dragon Ball Super!’ You can start watching at 1:00 Pm Pst today. It’s a treat for those of us who’ve been waiting to enjoy the series with English voiceovers.

The cool part is, the dub brings back familiar voices from the classic ‘Dragon Ball’ series. Sean Schemmel is voicing Goku again, and Christopher R. Sabat takes on both Piccolo and Vegeta. Plus, we’ve got some fresh voices like Matthew Mercer as Hit and David Gray as Zamasu.

And there’s more to the voice cast. We’re talking Kyle Hebert as Gohan, Christopher Ayres as Frieza, and Monica Rial stepping into Bulma’s shoes. Not to forget, Jason Douglas as Beerus and Patrick Seitz lending his voice to Jiren. The list goes on with talents like Sonny Strait as Krillin and Eric Vale as Future Trunks.

Related: 75 Best Dubbed...

Dragon Ball Super, the fourth anime TV series in the Dragon Ball franchise, will be available to stream in English dub on Crunchyroll from today.

The anime streaming giant announced that all English-dubbed episodes of Dragon Ball Super will be available for Crunchyroll viewers starting today at 1 p.m Pst. The series consists of 131 half-hour episodes that initially ran from July 5, 2015, to March 25, 2018. Sean Schemmel reprises his longtime role as Goku for the English dub cast of Dragon Ball Super, along with Christopher R. Sabat as both Piccolo and Vegeta.

Related Dragon Ball Releases New Monthly Calendar Series Ahead of Major Dbz Anniversary Dragon Ball announces an official monthly calendar series, featuring iconic characters and scenes as fans gear up for a major franchise anniversary.

Among the familiar faces, new additions to the 2015 voice cast include Matthew Mercer as Hit and David Gray as Zamasu. Below are the additional English...

A magic school setting may be a more traditional setting for a fantasy novel, but there are some select anime that take place in schools of the magical and alchemical arts. Some magic school anime incorporate elements of the magical girl subgenre, and others commentate on classic stories like the Harry Potter series.

Magic school anime tend to mix high stakes with fantastical slice-of-life elements. Characters learn magic as well as battle against big-bads, and sometimes even uncover secrets of the arcane school that houses their studies. High school may be a common enough setting for anime, but sometimes a heavy dose of magic and mayhem improves the story.

Updated by Sage Ashford on November 29th, 2023: This article has been updated to better match with Cbr's current guidelines.

A Certain Magical Index Expands Its Magic School Into An Entire City

A Certain Magical Index

Index is still a fugitive...

English dub actors often don’t get the credit they deserve among anime fans, even the ones with the most roles in the business. It isn’t an easy task to not only take on a character whose original voice is beloved by fans, but give a unique performance that makes that character your own. However, many of the best actors in the business have hundreds of roles in their experience.

These are the actors who have been voicing anime characters for decades, witnessing and often shaping a changing industry. Many also take part in script writing, Adr directing, and several other aspects of production. Whether they are famous for a specific, unforgettable type of voice or for their incredible range, there are some good reasons why they have racked up so very many credits on Behind the Voice Actors, a site dedicated to logging every voice role an actor has played in television,...

Fire Emblem fans have plenty of reasons to be excited about the recently-released Fire Emblem Engage. Not only is it the latest entry into the famous strategy franchise, but it’s really a return to form for Fire Emblem after the series experimented with a few different ideas. It also features a massive roster of characters voiced by some pretty notable actors.

Seriously, Engage’s voice cast is impressive. It’s one thing to boast a roster of named and notable characters quite so large, and it’s quite another to give most of those characters their own name and voice. While you may only recognize the names of a few Fire Emblem voice actors on paper, you’ll almost certainly recognize many of them the moment you hear them in-game.

So whether you can’t quite place why that name is so familiar, or you just want a little...

Crunchyroll, the ultimate anime destination worldwide, announced today that tickets for Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, the newest film in the global anime blockbuster franchise, are now on sale in the United States and Canada at Fandango.com. The film will be available in both English dub and subtitled and will arrive in more than 2500+ theaters in North America on August 19. The film will also be released in select U.S. based IMAX® theaters. Tickets are also now on sale in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. Ticket-on-sale dates and openings for global territories are available at http://2022dbs-global.com/.

Crunchyroll and Toei Animation also unveiled a new trailer this afternoon, treating both fans attending Comic-Con International to a new, special exclusive look at the upcoming film.

“Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero” also took center stage at the San Diego Convention Center during Comic-Con International, when special guest of honor from Japan,...

More riches are coming exhibitors’ way, particularly during the late summer dry period, as Crunchyroll and Toei Animation are releasing the next Dragon Ball movie, Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, on Aug. 19 in the U.S. and Canada at 2,300 theaters and select Imax venues.

The only other new wide release in theaters at that time is Universal’s Idris Elba movie, Beast. Super Hero is getting a further global blast around the world at the same time.

These Crunchyroll movies are big one weekend cash cows, whereby all the fans come out in one swoop. Rival studios marvel at how Crunchyroll pulls this off, largely without a national TV campaign; dialing into and engaging their fanbase to leave the house. The last Dragon Ball Super: Broly posted a 6-day MLK opening of 22.3M, yet finaled at 30.7M. Worldwide, the pic did 115.7M.

Logline for Super Hero: the Red Ribbon Army...

From celebrity Q&As to industry, cosplay, gaming, anime and entertaining, informative sessions from all areas of pop culture, Fan Expo St. Louis presents its collection of nearly 150 programing panels and meetups during the event, Friday through Sunday, May 13-15 at America’s Center. There’s truly something for every fan and every taste every hour of the show into the evening throughout all three days of the convention, right until Sunday’s 5 p.m. finish.

Fan Expo St. Louis celebrity guests like William Shatner (“Star Trek”), Guardians of the Galaxy’s Michael Rooker, the “Smallville” trio of Tom Welling, Michael Rosenbaum and Kristin Kreuk, “The Mandalorian” and Rocky standout Carl Weathers, “Clerks” cast members Brian O’Halloran, Jeff Anderson and Trevor Fehrman, “Sons of Anarchy” trio of Ron Perlman, Theo Rossi and Ryan Hurst and others will conduct interactive sessions with fans, headlining the thorough slate.

On the comics front,...

Season Two of the science fiction anime TV series "gen: Lock", created by Gray Haddock, stars Michael B. Jordan, Dakota Fanning, Golshifteh Farahani, Maisie Williams, Kōichi Yamadera, Asia Kate Dillon, Blaine Gibson, Gray Haddock, Miles Luna, Chad James, Monica Rial and David Tennant, streaming November 4, 2021 on HBO Max:

"...'gen:Lock' is set in a dystopian future Earth where an international coalition known as 'The Polity' fights a hostile, autocratic invading force known as 'The Union'. Members of the gen:lock' program participate in the development and testing of an experimental technology which allows for individuals with unique mental make ups to have their minds uploaded to giant suits of mecha armor called 'Holons'.

"In the new Season, a war leaves behind only a handful of highly skilled soldiers fighting for the future of humanity as a deteriorating Earth, due to an unstoppable climate collapse, has two distinct visions for the future...

New York, NY (7/16/21) – Following the June 2021 announcement of actor Ki Hong Lee narrating the Solo Leveling, Vol. 1 audiobook, Yen Press, LLC announced the narrators for the remaining launch series of Yen Audio, a newly created imprint dedicated to audiobook adaptations of light novels. These series include adaptations of some of the most popular light novels from Yen On—Sword Art Online, Overlord, and The Saga of Tanya the Evil.

Sword Art Online, Vol. 1 will be narrated by Bryce Papenbrook. Bryce Papenbrook has been a professional voice-over artist since the age of eight and has since starred in numerous roles, including Kirito from the Sword Art Online anime. Additional noteworthy roles include Inosuke Hashibira from Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba and Eren Yeager from Attack on Titan. The Sword Art Online, Vol. 1 audiobook is scheduled for an August 2021 release.

Overlord, Vol. 1 will be narrated by Christopher Guerrero. Christopher Guerrero is...

This virtual panel is presented in partnership with Funimation.

Anime has grown by leaps and bounds over the past decade as it’s progressively evolved from a niche interest into mainstream entertainment. There are now more places than ever to consume anime, whether it’s on broadcast television or any of the available streaming services, some of which are devoted entirely to anime content.

It’s truly exciting to see the medium’s continued success, but part of the reason that it’s found such universal acclaim is because often anime is just as concerned about representation as it is with entertainment. Anime doesn’t just speak to everyone, but specifically highlights those that may get overlooked elsewhere and feel like their voices are diminished.

Monica Rial and Caitlin Glass are two highly accomplished voice actors. In celebration of Women’s History Month in partnership with Funimation, we spoke with...

Vic Mignogna, known for voicing Broly in the “Dragon Ball” series of games, films, and tv shows, filed a lawsuit claiming defamation and other charges against Funimation and other voice actors on Thursday, according to public court documents.

Fellow Funimation voice actors Monica Rial and Jamie Marchi, along with Rial’s fiance Ronald Toye, are also named in the suit. Mignogna’s suit stated that he is suing for interference in other work contracts and that the charges made against him accusing him of sexual harassment are false, and affected his career due to not only Funimation’s decision to no longer work with him, but conventions also canceled his appearances. Mignogna and his lawyer, Ty Beard of Beard Harris Bullock Hughes, are seeking “monetary relief over $1,000,000.00” in addition to other relief to which Mignogna “may be justly or equitably entitled.”

In January, accusations of sexual harassment and homophobia surfaced against Mignogna.

Rooster Teeth’s fourth annual celebration all things animated, the Rtx Animation Festival, has announced its initial programming lineup.

The breakout event, which has been hosted during the digital giant’s annual Rtx Austin convention since 2016 and is open to all Rtx Austin ticket holders, will feature panels and screenings frotned by Benjamin Martian and Andrew Koehler, the creators of Adult Swim’s medieval parody series Tigtone, as well as anime luminaries Ian Jones Quartey and Monica Rial. Rial, for her part, has lent her voice to both Dragon Ball Super and Rooster Teeth’s own gen:lock anime.

Other participating companies and series at this year's Rtx Animation Festival include: Cyanide And Happiness, How It Should Have Ended, CypherDen, Titmouse, Flashgitz, Frederator, Mashed, Mondo Media, and Rooster Teeth Animation. More guests will be announced closer to the event, Rooster Teeth says.

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Today, Rtx Animation Festival, Rooster Teeth’s celebration of the best of internet animation, announced its first wave of panelists including Tigtone co-creators Benjamin Martian and Andrew Koehler, animation industry leader Ian Jones-Quartey, Dragon Ball Super and gen:lock voice actress Monica Rial and more. We've got your first, exclusive look at the headliners who will be hosting panels during the fan-favorite (and fan-focused) event this summer, but there are more surprises yet to come; stay tuned for more announcements of screenings, panels, and special guests! The Rtx Animation Festival will take place July 5th-…...

Technology triumphs in a world of fantasy and fun!

Get ready to be transported to another world with a hit fantasy anime that’s part action, part comedy, and all fun! Own the complete series of “In Another World With My Smartphone” on DVD and Blu-ray combo pack from October 29, courtesy of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment!

Based on the popular light novel series by Patora Fuyuhara and illustrator Eiji Usatsuka, when young Touya Mochizuki is mistakenly killed by a stray lightning bolt, God takes pity on the boy and reincarnates him in a fantasy world unlike the one he came from. As compensation, he is granted the wish of many teenagers: his smartphone! Enlisting as an adventurer in a world of swords and magic, Mochizuki’s smartphone will prove more valuable than any spell in a journey where many challenges and cute girls await!

“In Another World With My Smartphone...

Following the new trailer that arrived last month, IGN has released a new clip from Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection of F. The animated movie is set for a limited theatrical release from August 4 through August 12 in the states, and fans can purchase tickets from DragonBallZ.com. This new clip features a fearsome dragon asked to bring the powerful villain Freiza (Chris Ayres) back to life. And it's done with unexpected results.

One peaceful day on Earth, two remnants of Frieza's army named Sorbet and Tagoma arrive searching for the Dragon Balls with the aim of reviving Frieza. They succeed, and Frieza subsequently seeks revenge on the Saiyans. The film is set to feature the return of cast members Sean Schemmel as Goku, Christopher Sabat as Vegeta/Piccolo, John Burgmeier as Tien, Kyle Hebert as Gohan, Mike McFarland as Master Roshi, Monica Rial as Bulma, Sonny Strait as Krillin, Ian Sinclair as Whis,...

Funimation has debuted two new trailers for Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods, along with the announcement that the upcoming animated adventure will debut in a limited theatrical event from August 5 through August 9 in over 350 theaters nationwide. We also have a new photo gallery, along with the official synopsis and the full English-language voice cast for the first Dbz animated movie in over 17 years, directed by Masahiro Hosoda. Check out the trailers and images below, then clickHere to find out if Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods is coming to a theater near you.

Following the events from the internationally renowned animated television series, Dragon Ball Z, after the defeat of Majin Buu, a new power awakens and threatens humanity. Beerus, an ancient and powerful God of Destruction, searches for Goku after hearing rumors of the Saiyan warrior who defeated Frieza. Realizing the threat Beerus poses to their home planet,...