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There is no doubt that Shinichiro Watanebe’s upcoming Lazarus anime is one of the most anticipated Spring 2025 debuts, possibly the biggest one among the list (excluding returning shows). It’s been a while since Watanabe made an anime after scoring hits with Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo, and with his track record, the fans are excited.

And while the production suffered a large hiatus, we now know that the anime is premiering on April 6, 2025 and to hype us up even more, the opening video for the anime has just been released.

Related: Shinichiro Watanabe’s ‘Lazarus’ Anime Adds 14 Cast Members

Before we continue, here is the Op video:

Kamasi Washington is performing the opening theme, “Vortex,” whose instrumental and ambient-focused nature reminds us of Watanabe’s previous work. On top of that, the series’ style is very similar to Cowboy Bebop, which is something the fans will appreciate.

The...

The doors for the original TV anime Apocalypse Hotel welcomed eight new cast members today in a brand new trailer for the series based in a historic hotel in Ginza, which survived past humanity. The trailer was released at AnimeJapan 2025 and on the anime's official X (formerly Twitter), which showed off the design of the characters. The original anime series is scheduled to premiere on April 8 in Japan . Apocalypse Hotel Anime Main Trailer 2 Joining the cast of Apocalypse Hotel include: Ponko voiced by Sumire Morohoshi Doorman Robo voiced by Hiroki Tochi Environment Check Robot voiced by Shin-ichiro Miki The Owner voiced by Hiroyuki Kinoshita Bumbuku voiced by Cho Mami voiced by Takako Honda Fuguri voiced by Mutsumi Tamura Mujina voiced by Yoshiko Sakakibara Related: Apocalypse Hotel Anime Unveils New Key Visual Kana Shundo ( Luminous Witches episode director) directs Apocalypse Hotel at CygamesPictures with CyberAgent producing. Shigeru Murakoshi ( Zombie Land Saga ) is writing the series composition,...

With just under a month to go until its grand debut, Shinichiro Watanabe's new anime Lazarus is adding more voice actors to its cast— fourteen more, to be precise. Who will they be playing? That's a surprise for later! Joining the cast of the action series are: Yuichi Nakamura (Satoru Gojo in Jujutsu Kaisen ) Tomokazu Sugita (Taro Sakamoto in Sakamoto Days ) Shoya Chiba (Akihiko Nirei in Wind Breaker ) Neeko (Reborn in Reborn! ) Daisuke Ono (Sebastian Michaelis in Black Butler ) Kazuhiko Inoue (Kakashi Hatake in Naruto ) Satoshi Hino (Momonga in Overlord ) Sumire Uesaka (Lum in Urusei Yatsura 2022) Hidenori Takahashi (Konohamaru Sarutobi in Boruto: Naruto Next Generations ) Koki Uchiyama (Gen Narumi in Kaiju No. 8 ) Kensho Ono (Tetsuya Kuroko in Kuroko's Basketball ) Aoi Tada (Radical Ed in Cowboy Bebop ) Ayane Sakura (Ochaco Uraraka in My Hero Academia ) Yoshiko Sakakibara (Queen Nehelenia in Sailor Moon Sailor Stars ) Each voice actor's role...

Shinichiro Watanabe, best known as the creator of Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo, has a new anime coming out next month, as Mappa is preparing for the release of Lazarus. The anime has attracted a lot of attention, as fans of Watanabe’s work are looking forward to seeing this new story.

As we have reported earlier, the series will premiere on Adult Swim’s Toonami programming block on April 5 at 12:00 a.m. Edt, and will be available on Max the next day. In Japan, the series will premiere on TV Tokyo and its affiliates on April 6 at 11:45 p.m. and will also stream on various platforms.

But, while the premiere date is getting closer, Mappa is providing us with additional information, as 14 new cast members for the upcoming series have been revealed. Their roles are, as of the time of writing, unknown, but we have the full list of names for you.

In modern days, anime has reached the heights of mainstream popularity as one of the cornerstones of global pop culture. From Demon Slayer to Solo Leveling, anime has been continuously producing some of the most narratively gripping and technically impressive exemplars of animation in media, the industry’s modern landscape being nothing short of awe-inspiring.

However, to find some of the medium’s most outstanding works, one has to turn their attention to the past – namely, the 1980s. The '80s have long been considered to be anime’s golden age. The anime gems of the ‘80s were largely responsible for popularizing anime worldwide, including classics like Akira and Kiki's Delivery Service that are still revered as timeless to this day. Yet, fans might be pleasantly surprised by just how many of the ‘80s history-defining anime still hold up today, their ageless appeal withstanding against the passage of time.

RelatedEvery Isekai Anime From the 1980s,...

There's a lot to love in Netflix's animated "Castlevania" shows. Based on the hit video game franchise of the same name, the sharply animated shows feature a fun alternate history to our own, where real-world events have been altered by the inclusion of supernatural beings like vampires and demons. There are some truly great characters with a lot of charm, some fantastically tragic antiheroes, and some good old-fashioned blood and gore. The sequel series, "Castlevania: Nocturne," has done well for the streamer, continuing the story set forth in "Castlevania" and setting up one of the best storylines in the whole saga, "Symphony of the Night."

But even if Netflix inexplicably gives "Castlevania" the axe (or stake), there's great news for fans who just can't get enough of vampires, alternate history, amazing animated violence, and guys named Alucard, because there's a classic anime franchise that contains all of those things: "Hellsing.

The upcoming film Mononoke the Movie Trilogy: Chapter 2: The Ashes of Rage is heating up, with its official social media account revealing fresh details. The latest update includes new cast members, a striking main visual, and a trailer that gives us a deeper look into what’s coming.

Set to hit Japanese theaters on March 14, this second installment continues the Mononoke saga, following up on Mononoke The Movie: Phantom in the Rain, which premiered in July 2024. The first film, which is streaming on Netflix, took home the Axis: Satoshi Kon Award for Excellence in Animation at last year’s Fantasia International Film Festival.

The new cast lineup includes Ryō Horikawa as Fujimaki, Naomi Kusumi as Katsunuma, Yoshiko Sakakibara as Suikōin, Yukana as Sayo, and Atsumi Tanezaki as Sachiko. Previously announced additions include Chō as Yoshimichi Tokita and Kenyuu Horiuchi as Rōjū Ōtomo.

Mononoke fans will be happy to know...

Ahead of a planned 2025 release, the official accounts for the Once Upon a Witch's Death anime today released a brand-new character trailer for Sophie Hayter, the genius "witch of blessings" who performs spectacular magic at festivals across the country and is a sucker for food. Once Upon a Witch's Death Sophie Character Trailer The Once Upon a Witch's Death anime's confirmed cast is as follows: Meg voiced by Yoshino Aoyama Faust voiced by Yoshiko Sakakibara Sophie Hayter voiced by Hina Yomiya Fine Cavendish voiced by Rumi Okubo Carbuncle voiced by Miharu Hanai Shirofukuro voiced by Aina Suzuki Mysterious Girl voiced by Atsumi Tanezaki Related: Once Upon a Witch's Death Anime Releases Faust Character Trailer Based on the light novels by Saka and Chorefuji, Atsushi Nigorikawa ( Beast Tamer ) directs Once Upon a Witch's Death: The Tale of the One Thousand Tears of Joy at studio Emt Squared, with series composition by...

Ahead of a planned 2025 release, the official accounts for the Once Upon a Witch's Death anime today released a brand-new character trailer for Faust, one of the "Seven Sages" who raised protagonist Meg to be a powerful witch like her. Once Upon a Witch's Death Faust Character Trailer The Once Upon a Witch's Death anime's confirmed cast is as follows: Meg voiced by Yoshino Aoyama Faust voiced by Yoshiko Sakakibara Sophie Hayter voiced by Hina Yomiya Fine Cavendish voiced by Rumi Okubo Carbuncle voiced by Miharu Hanai Shirofukuro voiced by Aina Suzuki Mysterious Girl voiced by Atsumi Tanezaki Related: Once Upon a Witch's Death Anime Releases Meg Character Trailer Based on the light novels by Saka and Chorefuji, Atsushi Nigorikawa ( Beast Tamer ) directs Once Upon a Witch's Death: The Tale of the One Thousand Tears of Joy at studio Emt Squared, with series composition by Keiichiro Ochi ( The Quintessential Quintuplets...

Ahead of a planned 2025 release, the official accounts for the Once Upon a Witch's Death anime today released a brand-new character trailer for protagonist Meg Raspberry, a bright apprentice witch who learns she only has a year left to live. Once Upon a Witch's Death Meg Character Trailer The Once Upon a Witch's Death anime's confirmed cast is as follows: Meg voiced by Yoshino Aoyama Faust voiced by Yoshiko Sakakibara Sophie Hayter voiced by Hina Yomiya Fine Cavendish voiced by Rumi Okubo Carbuncle voiced by Miharu Hanai Shirofukuro voiced by Aina Suzuki Mysterious Girl voiced by Atsumi Tanezaki Related: Champignon Witch Anime Adaptation Announced Based on the light novels by Saka and Chorefuji, Atsushi Nigorikawa ( Beast Tamer ) directs Once Upon a Witch's Death: The Tale of the One Thousand Tears of Joy at studio Emt Squared, with series composition by Keiichiro Ochi ( The Quintessential Quintuplets ) and character designs by Yukishizuku...

If there's one thing the Once Upon a Witch's Death anime is showing in the leadup to its planned 2025 release, it's that there's lots to do with friends in the magical town of Lapis. Protagonist Meg and Sophie Hayter, the "witch of blessings" who performs spectacular magic at festivals across the country and is a sucker for food, enjoy the Otherworld Festival together in the latest situation visual unveiled today. It was also revealed that Sophie will be voiced by Hina Yomiya (Anna in The Dangers in My Heart ), who will star alongside Yoshino Aoyama, Yoshiko Sakakibara, Aina Suzuki, Miharu Hanai and Rumi Okubo. Once Upon a Witch's Death Situation Visual #3 Related: Once Upon a Witch's Death Anime Hits the Street in New Visual Based on the light novels by Saka and Chorefuji, Atsushi Nigorikawa ( Beast Tamer ) directs Once Upon a Witch's Death: The Tale of the One Thousand Tears...

Once Upon a Witch's Death , a series of fantasy light novels written by Saka and illustrated by Torefuji, is being adapted into a TV anime that will broadcast in 2025. In addition to an official website and social media feed , the series has also revealed the main staff, key cast members, a teaser trailer, and a piece of key art (below). Meg Raspberry voiced by Yoshino Aoyama (Ururu in The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic ) Meg Raspberry character art Faust voiced by Yoshiko Sakakibara (Sesshomaru's Mother in Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon ) Faust character art Ascii Media Works publishes the original Once Upon a Witch's Death light novels under their Dengeki no Shin Bungei imprint. Yen Press also publishes an English language version. Atsushi Nigorikawa directs the TV anime at animation studio Emt Squared. Keiichirou Ohchi provides the series composition, while Yukishizuku provides the character designs. Once Upon a Witch's Death key...

Adult Swim and Crunchyroll’s upcoming animated series “Blade Runner: Black Lotus” takes place between the events of Ridley Scott’s 1982 classic “Blade Runner” and Denis Villeneuve’s 2017 sequel “Blade Runner: 2049.” Set in a futuristic world that plays by its own very strict rules, the minds behind the series at Alcon Entertainment, the owner of the “keeper” of the “Blade Runner” IP, strived to make sure that everything in their new series did in fact play by those rules.

Lucky for the “Black Lotus” team, there are already people at Alcon who spend their days keeping the “Blade Runner” timeline straight.

“We have two people who work for us at Alcon whose— I wouldn’t say it’s their full-time job, (but) it’s the majority of their job,” Andrew Kosgrove, the co-founder and co-ceo of Alcon, said Tuesday during a virtual panel at the Television Critics Association’s press tour.

Adult Swim and Crunchyroll have revealed the characters and stellar English and Japanese voice cast of its anticipated animated series Blade Runner: Black Lotus, inspired by the Blade Runner movie franchise.

Cast includes Jessica Henwick, Arisa Shida, Will Yun Lee, Shinshu Fuji, Samira Wiley, Takako Honda, Brian Cox, Wes Bentley, Josh Duhamel, Taiten Kusunoki, Peyton List, Yoshiko Sakakibara, Stephen Root, Hochu Otsuka, Barkhad Abdi, Takayuki Kinba, Gregg Henry, Masane Tsukayama, Henry Czerny, Akio Nojima, Jason Spisak and Kazuki Yao.

Shinji Aramaki (Appleseed) and Kenji Kamiyama (Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex) will direct all 13 episodes. The series is produced by Alcon Entertainment and animation studio Sola Digital Arts, with Shinichiro Watanabe serving as a creative producer.

Henwick/Shida voice Elle, a female replicant created for a secret and unknown purpose. Lee/Fuji voice Joseph, a mysterious figure who owns a spare parts junkyard in Los Angeles. Wiley/Hona voice Alani Davis,...

The Marvel Anime: X-Men Teaser Trailer, Opening Sequence, and Clip have premiered. The 2011 X-Men Marvel anime series is the animation X-Men has always deserved and it is about time. Directed by Fuminori Kizaki, the animation is beautfiul. If you have ever seen Ninja Scroll, Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust (written about here: 5 Essential Anime Films you need to View) or Redline (written about here: Redline (2009) Movie Trailers), you will recognize this animation and Madhouse, the company behind it immediately.

Marvel Anime: X-Men is part of

a four-part anime project with collaborations from both Marvel Entertainment and Madhouse. The project will take famous Marvel characters and reintroduce them for a Japanese audience in a 12-part series. The announcement was confirmed at the 2009 San Diego Comic-Con. According to former Madhouse President and CEO Jungo Maruta, Marvel is giving the anime studio “free reign” [sic] to re-imagine the Marvel superheroes for Japanese audiences. It is...

• There are two trends that have been washing over the industry over the last several years that have drawn the ire of fans worldwide: remakes and revisions. While the more vicious vitriol has been saved for the often shameless remakes being peddled by every studio, reactions to the rereleasing of a classic film with a spit-shine has been more mixed. Some are perfectly fine, and often times happy, to see one of their favorite films remastered with all the bells and whistles. The home video market wouldn’t be anywhere near as big were it not for this focus on quality and making the old new again. You like the Criterion Collection? Of course you do! Sure sometimes this revisionist history trend can sometimes be a bit superfluous and unnecessary (the original Star Wars trilogy anyone?), but if a filmmaker has the desire to take another stab at one

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