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Yuki Kaji, the Japanese voice actor behind Eren Yeager in Attack on Titan, has boldly compared himself to Walt Disney, aspiring to turn his character from Soyogi Fractal into a cultural icon on the same scale as Mickey Mouse.

During an interview with Comic Natalie, Kaji compared himself to Walt Disney, especially when it came to the scope of goals for his project, Soyogi Fractal. The voice actor explained that he had initially struggled to verbalize his vision for the project until a fellow creator pointed out that Kaji was aiming to do "something like what Walt Disney did." Kaji stated that he completely agreed with the comparison and further drew a parallel between himself and the legendary animator, noting that Walt Disney himself was the first voice of Mickey Mouse. He felt that Bon Soyogi, the character from Soyogi Fractal who utilizes his voice, too, was "a Mickey Mouse-like...

Gachiakuta has a plethora of unique characters and even some side characters who momentarily steal the show. Episode 3 of the anime debuted an old bald doctor who resembled an old man, despite being an old woman. Turns out that the character was voiced by Ryusei Nakao, the voice actor of Dragon Ball‘s Frieza.

Nakao has plenty of popular roles to his name. He voices Mayuri in Bleach, Daraku in Gintama, Vaccine Man in One Punch Man, and more. Nakao has brought some iconic characters to life, and casting him for a random old woman in Gachiakuta has been a winning decision, earning praise from fans.

Frieza’s Voice Actor Fits the Eccentric Side Character in Gachiakuta Ryusei Nakao, the voice actor of Frieza, voiced a weird old woman in Gachiakuta | Credits: Toei Animation

Ryusei Nakao has been an active voice actor for decades and continues to be a veteran in his field.

Manga legend Rumiko Takahashi, of Inuyasha fame (among many others), is having her new manga adapted to anime, and that's definitely good news for fans of her previous work. Takahashi's latest manga, Mao, will be joining her many other previous works in receiving a new anime adaptation.

Takahashi is one of the most successful mangaka of all time, responsible for hits like Ranma 1/2, Urusei Yatsura, and the aforementioned Inuyasha. Her latest series began serialization in Japan in May 2019, and started being translated to English in 2021. Now, six years into its run, Mao is being animated.

Mao tells the story of Nanoka Kiba, a young girl who had survived a terrible accident some years ago. Returning to the scene of the incident, Nanoka is transported back in time to the Taisho era (roughly the 1920s), where she meets Mao, a practitioner of magic investigating a ghostly village.

Mao is...

Bandai Namco Filmworks announced on July 14, 2025 that Mao, the latest manga from mangaka Rumiko Takahashi – whose works include Inuyasha, Ranma 1/2 and Urusei Yatsura, will be adapted into a television anime.

The anime will be produced by the studio Sunrise and is scheduled to air on Japan’s Nhk-General channel in the spring of 2026. A new trailer and key visual were released to commemorate the announcement. Check them out below:

Mao anime trailer

The project brings together a staff who are familiar with Takahashi’s works. Mao’s anime adaptation will be directed by Teruo Sato, with Yoshihito Hishinuma serving as character designer and chief animation director. Both of these staff members had worked on Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon.

Additionally, Yuko Kakihara, who was the script supervisor for the 2022 remake of Urusei Yatsura, will serve in the same role for Mao. Shu Kanematsu is in charge of composing the music.

The historical fantasy series follows Nanoka Kiba,...

A TV anime adaptation of Rumik oTakahashi's dark fantasy manga series Mao is set to premiere on Nhk General TV in Japan in the spring of 2026. The anime's official website and X (formerly Twitter) opened today, releasing a teaser trailer and visual. Mao Teaser Trailer Teaser visual The site also revealed the anime's four main voice cast members below: Mao voiced by Yuki Kaji (Eren Yeager in Attack on Titan ) Nanoka Kiba voiced by Natsumi Kawaida (Himari Momochi in The Demon Prince of Momochi House ) Hyakka voiced by Hiro Shimono (Zenitsu Agatsuma in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba ) Kamon voiced by Toshiyuki Toyonaga (Takuma Kosugi in My Wife Has No Emotion ) Mao character visual Nanoka Kiba character visual Hyakka character visual Kamon character visual A hand-written message from Rumiko Takahashi reads: "Thank you for the anime adaptation. It is as good as I expected, the voice actors are great,...

Kazuhiko Torishima, former editor-in-chief of Weekly Shonen Jump, took a swipe at Attack on Titan during a press meet at Japan Expo 2025, claiming that despite its global buzz, the manga ultimately failed to have a lasting impact or sales.

As reported by Db-z, Torishima critiqued Attack on Titan for being complex and failing to engage readers long-term. “Creating a character is a simple thing. Even a child can do it,” he stated. He cited his conversation with a German publisher, who said Attack on Titan "made a lot of noise" while it aired, but its manga sales quickly fell off once the anime ended. In contrast, he highlighted Dragon Ball and Naruto as examples of manga that continue to sell consistently, even years after their anime adaptations concluded.

Former Shonen Jump Editor Criticizes Attack on Titan's Complex Storyline Image via Mappa

Torishima noted that both Dragon Ball and Naruto...

One of the best superhero movies of the year is finally headed to a streaming home.Before James Gunn's Superman hits theaters this July, one of the best recent Batman movies is set to start streaming very soon and could give fans a superhero fix while they wait.

Currently, all eyes are on the arrival of Gunn's Superman, but fans also have an eye on the upcoming appointment of a new Dark Knight. However, that still seems to be some way off, so perhaps the time is just right for fans to double down on the DC action with a Japanese anime film that features The Dark Knight up against the Justice League, and has been wowing critics. Read the official plot description below:

Following his return to present-day Gotham City, Batman returns to feudal-era Japan to face off against a mysterious new threat – the Yakuza League – formed...

Warner Bros. Discovery today announced that the DC anime sequel Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League will stream exclusively on Max (soon to be called HBO Max) on Thursday, July 3.

A sequel to the globally celebrated 2018 anime film Batman Ninja, this original feature once again reimagines DC’s legendary Dark Knight through the lens of Japanese anime, blending iconic characters with bold storytelling and visually stunning animation.

Following his return to present-day Gotham City, in Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League, Batman returns to feudal-era Japan to face off against a mysterious new threat – the Yakuza League – formed from the warped remnants of his greatest allies.

He arrives to find a world where the Yakuza war with each other, and brutality reigns without honor or humanity. Fans can expect high-octane action, bold visuals, and fresh twists on beloved DC heroes and villains in this wholly original tale.

Directed by Jumpei Mizusaki and Shinji Takagi,...

Warner Bros. Discovery has unveiled July 3 as the release date for DC anime sequel Batman Ninja Vs. Yakuza League on Max.

Reimagining DC’s Dark Knight through the lens of Japanese anime, Batman Ninja Vs. Yakuza League is the sequel to the 2018 anime film Batman Ninja.

Batman Ninja Vs. Yakuza League follows Batman’s return to feudal-era Japan to face off against a mysterious new threat — the Yakuza League — formed from the warped remnants of his greatest allies. He arrives to find a world where the Yakuza war with each other, and brutality reigns without honor or humanity.

The film is directed by Jumpei Mizusaki (Batman Ninja) and Shinji Takagi (Steamboy).

Veteran screenwriter and novelist Kazuki Nakashima penned the screenplay, with character designs by Takashi Okazaki and music by Yugo Kanno.

The voice cast stars Koichi Yamadera as Batman. Yamadera has voiced characters in films like Cowboy Bebop and Ghost in the Shell.

Netflix is set to release the sequel to the 2024 anime film Mononoke: The Phantom in the Rain, titled Mononoke the Movie: The Ashes of Rage, later in 2025. This film continues the story of the enigmatic Medicine Seller as he confronts new supernatural challenges within the imperial palace.

A Glimpse into the Sequel

In The Ashes of Rage, the Medicine Seller returns to the inner chambers of Ōoku, where the aftermath of previous events has disrupted the balance of power. The new director, Otomo Botan, enforces a strict regime, leading to tensions with Fuki, a seasoned courtesan. As mysterious incidents of spontaneous human combustion occur, the Medicine Seller suspects the presence of a mononoke—a vengeful spirit born from intense human emotions. His investigation reveals the involvement of the Fire Rat’s children, who are searching for their mother and targeting those who threaten newborns. To exorcise the mononoke, the Medicine Seller must uncover its “Shape,...

Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League picks up mere days after 2018’s Batman Ninja, flinging Gotham into a whirlwind of samurai swagger and street-level mayhem. When Damian Wayne’s phone blares an alert about an incoming “Yakuza Hurricane,” our attention snaps to the sky: an inverted Japan, suspended like a looming fortress above the city, spews jet-packed gangsters into alleyways below.

Junpei Mizusaki and Shinji Takagi co-direct with Kazuki Nakashima’s script guiding every eccentric twist. Their goal seems clear: crank anime-style spectacle to eleven while embracing the absurd. Batman and Robin pilot the Batwing through gravity-defying chases, punctuated by nonstop world-bending exposition that plays as both narrative engine and running joke.

Visually, the film marries traditional cel shading with bursts of 3D flair, pushing each showdown into kaleidoscopic territory. Dialogue hops between blunt humor—“This is so dumb”—and earnest appeals to honor, as when Gotham’s heroes struggle to redeem their twisted counterparts.

One year after the release of Attack on Titan star Yuki Kaji’s AI app "Soyogi Soyogi AI," the app is scheduled to be shut down due to a "fundamental divergence in the ideal vision."

Per Japanese news site Oricon, Soyogi Soyogi CeVIO AI, the interactive AI app featuring Yuki Kaji’s character Soyogi Soyogi, is set to end this August, approximately one year after its launch in July 2024. The app featured an interactive version of Soyogi that could chat with, sing and even lull users to sleep using an AI-trained voice model of Kaji. An official announcement about the app’s cancellation was relayed, stating, "We regret to announce that Soyogi Soyogi AI will be discontinued, even though many users actively enjoyed the service. The decision stems from a fundamental divergence in the ideal vision between the app’s operating company and our creative team regarding how to engage with AI and our users.

Every voice actor has a career-defining role, and for Yuki Kaji, it might be Eren Jaeger from Attack on Titan. Imagining anyone else’s voice, Eren would be the strangest nightmare for many fans, which is no surprise given how brilliantly Kaji portrayed the character. As rewarding as it was for fans to hear him bring Eren’s character to life, the experience was nothing short of a whirlwind for the actor.

During an interview, the Eren Va shared how the role became unforgettable for him, and that the scene where Eren apologizes to Ramzi was the reason. This scene broke many fans due to how devastating it is, but Kaji’s words give us an insight into how crucial it was from an acting perspective.

Yuki Kaji shares his experience from when he completely absorbed Eren’s role. Eren apologizes to Ramzi | Credits: Studio Mappa

Yuki Kaji has played...

The previously announced Future Kid Takara original anime, a collaboration between STUDIO4°C and Nhk Enterprises that was successfully crowdfunded in 2023, today offered a sneak peek at its climate change-charged story through a new teaser poster and video. It was also revealed that Yuki Kaji will voice the titular Takara and ten-year-old Honoka Yoshida will voice Sara across 11 five-minute episodes. The series is slated to premiere at Osaka's Expo Hall on September 25, 2025 . Future Kid Takara Teaser Poster Future Kid Takara Cast Related: Award-Winning All You Need Is Kill Light Novel Gets Anime Film Yuta Sano ( Berserk: The Golden Age Arc - Memorial Edition ) directs Future Kid Takara at STUDIO4ºC, with a script by Shinji Obara ( Samurai Champloo ) and original character designs by Shinji Kimura ( Children of the Sea art director). The sci-fi adventure follows a young girl named Sara, who travels to the year 2100 to find the world ravaged by the effects of global warming.

Features the voices of: Koichi Yamadera, Daisuke Ono, Akira Ishida, Kengo Kawanishi, Yuki Kaji, Romi Park, Akio Otsuka, Ayane Sakura, Rie Kugimiya, Wataru Takagi | Written by Kazuki Nakashima | Directed by Junpei Mizusaki, Shinji Takagi

Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League, a sequel to the 2018 cult hit Batman Ninja, is a film that revels in its own absurdity while delivering a heartfelt tribute to both anime conventions and the DC Universe. Directed by Junpei Mizusaki and Shinji Takagi, with a screenplay by Kazuki Nakashima, this animated superhero romp picks up a day after the events of Batman Ninja, plunging Batman and his allies into a multiversal mash-up that’s equal parts thrilling, ridiculously gorgeous and surprisingly poignant. This new film doubles down on the over-the-top nonsense of the original, offering a wild ride that’s as much a love letter to Japanese culture as it is a playful riff on the superhero genre.

Batman Ninja Vs. Yakuza League is now available to purchase on digital platforms, but DC fans will be able to preview the highly-anticipated anime sequel without having to shell out any cash. The follow-up to 2018's Batman Ninja features the titular Dark Knight and his closest allies battling an alternate, Yakuza-themed Justice League to save Gotham City. And yes, it is as awesome as it sounds, at least according to the new action-packed footage.

As of Mar. 18, Batman Ninja Vs. Yakuza League is on digital platforms like Prime Video for purchase, while a streaming option remains unavailable. It's been several years since Batman Ninja broke canon forever and delivered a truly fresh take on the classic comic book character, but it feels like it never left. In the nearly 20-minute preview, Warner Bros. allows fans to experience both the English voice acting and the Japanese dub so that you can...

So here’s the deal: Amazon Prime Video is shaking things up with this newly developed AI-assisted dubbing process, and it’s creating ripples in the anime and entertainment communities. The streaming giant, which has a huge collection of anime and international movies, recently revealed a pilot project that will employ AI to generate English and Latin American Spanish dubs for select titles.

A still from My Hero Academia. | Credit: Studio Bones

So, a lot of people in the industry and fans are calling it a cheap move that really disrespects voice acting and the whole creative vibe of anime dubbing. So is this just another way to push real talent aside for AI? And what’s gonna happen to anime in the future, considering it really relies on the passion and hard work of talented voice actors?

Amazon’s AI dubbing: The impact on the anime industry

Amazon Prime...

A few more mysteries about The Dinner Table Detective have been solved, as the upcoming mystery anime's latest trailer today revealed an April 4, 2025 at 23:30 Jst premiere date and previewed the series' ending song, "Rhapsody" by Billy Boo. The Dinner Table Detective Trailer The Dinner Table Detective anime's confirmed cast is as follows: Reiko voiced by Kana Hanazawa (Mitsuri in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba ) Kageyama voiced by Yuki Kaji (Eren in Attack on Titan ) Kazamatsuri voiced by Mamoru Miyano (Dazai in Bungo Stray Dogs ) Related: The Dinner Table Detective Anime Reveals Cast, Staff and Release Date in First Trailer Based on the novels by Tokuya Higashikawa, Mitsuyuki Masuhara ( Ace of the Diamond ) directs The Dinner Table Detective at studio Madhouse, with series composition by Mariko Kunisawa ( Bartender Glass of God ), character designs adapted for animation by Izumi Kawata and music by Takeshi Hama ( Maoyu ). The story follows Reiko, the...

Ahead of Blue Box 's 22nd episode broadcast on Thursday, the anime's official website and accounts revealed the casting of Yuki Kaji (Kenma in Haikyu!! ) as Kazuma Matsuoka, a member of Eimei High School's boys' basketball team who returns from studying abroad in the United States. Related: Blue Box Anime Cour 2 Shares Creditless Opening, Ending Videos Based on the manga by Koji Miura, Yuichiro Yano ( Lupin The 3rd Part 5 ) directs the Blue Box anime at studio Telecom Animation Film, with series composition by Yuko Kakihara ( The Apothecary Diaries ), character designs by Miho Tanino ( Tower of God ) and music by Takashi Omama ( Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury ). Viz Media publishes an official English version of the manga and describes the story: Taiki admires Chinatsu from afar, but he doubts that she sees him in the same way. Yet somehow, he musters up the courage to tell her to never give up on her dreams!

The anime adaptation of Go! Go! Loser Ranger! is gearing up for its second season, and there’s a lot to unpack. The official website just announced new voice cast members, adding fresh faces to the series.

Kōji Yusa will voice Hwalipon, a key figure in the Invader Rights Association. Meanwhile, Hiroshi Kamiya steps in as Yakushi Usukubo, the group’s chairman and father of Angel Usukubo.

Yūki Kaji joins as Kyōsuke Wakaba, a former member of the Green Battalion who mysteriously vanished. Masakazu Morita takes on the role of Masashi Nishiki, a detective looking into eerie disappearances known as the ‘spirited away’ cases.

The new season also introduces Kōsuke Toriumi as Chidori, an informant tied to the Green Battalion. On the villainous side, Boss Monster Magatia, codenamed ‘Snake’, enters the scene alongside Mine Gatō, a former soldier who follows Magatia’s orders. Lastly, Satoru Ito will voice Shigenobu Murakami,...

Out of all the things that Naruto is known for, one has to be its ridiculously powerful cast of characters. It’s a very natural habit of the community where they argue about which anime has the strongest characters, and Naruto is always a top contender. In fact, pre-Shippuden Gaara was a beast in his prime.

Gaara in Naruto | Credits: Studio Pierrot

But you might be shocked to know that Masashi Kishimoto, the creator of Naruto, actually compared (to an extent) Gaara to another character from a different anime! It’s Shoto Todoroki from My Hero Academia.

Todoroki might just have it to beat Gaara! Shoto Todoroki | Credits: Studio Bones

Pre-Shippuden Gaara was truly something to be feared, as even some fans used to get terrified of his brutal actions. His intimidating aura, mixed with his over-powered abilities and last but not least, his unsettling expressions, made him a force to be reckoned with.

Popular light novel and manga writer Atsuko Asano is perhaps best known for her sci-fi shojo series, No. 6 -- an intensely emotional tale about two lost souls who are brought together in the wake of society's destruction. 14 years after the series' conclusion, Asano shocked long-time fans by suddenly announcing a new sequel novel.

The original No. 6 light novel series originally debuted in October 2003 and was serialized regularly until its conclusion in June 2011. That same year, Aria released a manga adaptation featuring illustrations by Hinoki Kino. As of 2025, both works have cumulatively sold over 1.5 million copies worldwide. The story has also been adapted into a popular anime series by Studio Bones. Consequently, the series' return has become a major trending topic on social media. No. 6 Reunion Volume 1 recently became available for preorder on Amazon Japan, which also published an accompanying message from the author. "It was Nezumi's voice, 'You decide...

“Attack on Titan” fans can get ready to experience The Rumbling on the big screen, as the anime series has wrapped its last two episodes up for a cinematic treat.

After four seasons watching Eren Jeager follow through with his mission to unleash of the Wall of Titans in an effort to seek revenge for the people of Paradis, the film is set to deliver a totally new perspective with the same sword-wielding characters. The movie is a dream come true for director Yuichiro Hayashi.

“I originally drew the storyboards [for ‘The Final Chapters’] with the idea that it would be watched as a single movie,” Hayashi said in a statement. “So, having the opportunity to have everyone watch it in the best possible environment, the theatre, is a dream come true for me.”

Check out all the details on how to watch below.

When does “Attack on Titan: The Last Attack” come out?...

Attack on Titan: The Last Attack -- the latest film entry of Hajime Isayama's dark fantasy epic -- is scheduled to debut in the West in just a few days. However, AoT fans now have a larger window of time to enjoy the movie on the big screen than previously announced.

The official English X (formerly Twitter) account for the Attack on Titan franchise recently announced that the film's screening period in the U.S. and Canada has been extended in response to "overwhelming demand." Originally, The Last Attack was slated for an exclusive series of one-day-screenings, giving fans a very narrow window of opportunity to see the movie in theaters. This limited screening period is still being utilized for other non-Japanese territories, including Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Ireland, France, Italy, Spain, Denmark and The Netherlands, among others.

RelatedNew Attack on Titan Reversible Military-Style Jackets Will Have Fans...

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...

The 7th Annual Global Demand Awards have named the most in-demand anime of 2024 worldwide, beating out several other heavy hitters from the year, including the likes of One Piece and Solo Leveling.

The Global Demand Awards are produced by Parrot Analytics, which touts the Awards as "Entertainment's Only data-backed awards show." The awards are entirely determined by global fan activity with no judges or voting committees involved, using the year's demand data captured over the full year. The finalists were determined using data collected between Jan. 1 and Oct. 31, 2024, although the winner was decided using the full year's worth of data. The finalists considered were My Hero Academia, Solo Leveling, One Piece, Demon Slayer and Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, with My Hero Academia claiming the title.

RelatedNew My Hero Academia Anime Spinoff Series Sets Release Date With Exciting Trailer Reveal

Based on Mha creator Kohei Horikoshi's original concept, the popular...

Anime villains are beloved by the anime community, and have become important figures in pop culture. Villains come in all different forms, and since their characterization varies by series, it is nearly impossible for fans not to find a villain they like. From tragic villains such as Dabi Todoroki and Ulquiorra and anti-heroes like Itachi Uchiha and Light Yagami, to those classified as pure evil such as Griffith and Ryomen Sukuna, there's a villain to match everyone's preferences.

Sukuna is the main antagonist in Jujutsu Kaisen, and he is widely regarded as one of the most evil anime villains ever. In universe, Sukuna is known as the King of Curses and he certainly lived up to the title by committing some of the most cruel acts in Jujutsu Kaisen. Sukuna’s ruthlessness and sadism are reasons he is widely considered as one of the most evil anime villains. However, there...

Shueisha's Jump Square magazine recently put out an update regarding one of its most popular science-fiction works. The next installment of Daisuke Ashihara's World Trigger manga will not debut in the publication's next issue as originally intended.

Initially released in 2013, World Trigger has accumulated a massive following among Shonen Jump fans, its standalone volumes having sold over 15 million copies worldwide (as of July 2023). Per Oricon, World Trigger informed fans of the series' upcoming one-month hiatus period via its official X (formerly Twitter) account. "The Jump Square March special issue, released on Tuesday Feb. 4, will be on hiatus due to the author's poor health. We sincerely apologize to all the readers who were waiting for it," the post stated. "The Jump Square April issue (released on March 4) is scheduled to be published. We appreciate your understanding."

Related 'If You Don’t Have a Hit You Get Canceled': Award-Winning Shonen Jump...

High-end apparel brand Mayla has revealed yet another stunning addition to its expansive Attack on Titan collection. Preorders have officially opened for the "Winged Grace" Iconique skirt, the design of which is based on the series' heroic cast.

As detailed on Mayla's official site, the company's newest release is "inspired by the uniform of the Scout Regiment," the famous group that unites to battle the titans on behalf of humanity. The ruffled skirt is asymmetrical in design and features the Regiment's classic green and white color scheme. Attached to the waist is a gold-plated emblem depicting the Wings of Freedom -- an eternal symbol of the Regiment's courage and resilience. Cbr readers can check it out below.

Related Shonen Jump Rival Publication More Than Doubles Sales After Attack on Titan Creator's Return

Bessatsu Shonen Magazine sales skyrocket after the release of a new manga collab between Attack on Titan creator...

‘Attack on Titan: The Last Attack‘ brings together the last two episodes of the critically acclaimed anime series into one monumental theatrical experience so fans can relive the epic finale of the global anime sensation on the big screen.

Debuting in 2013, ‘Attack on Titan’ has become both a critical and commercial success worldwide garnering praise for its dark themes, stunning animation, and deep intellectual and emotional themes.

Often regarded as one of the defining animes of a generation, the series has been ranked as #23 on the top 250 TV shows of all time on IMDb (as rated by IMDb users) and three of the seasons have received a 100% critic’s score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Related: Attack on Titan: Will the Titan Cycle Repeat Itself Once Again?

Key Credits:

● Director: Yuichiro Hayashi

● Original Story: Hajime Isayama

● Music: Kohta Yamamoto and Hiroyuki Sawano

● Character Design: Tomohiro Kishi

● Animation Production: Mappa

● Art Direction: Kuniaki Nemoto...

Based on the original concept from My Hero Academia creator Kohei Horikoshi, the Vigilantes anime spinoff sets its release date with an official new trailer reveal by Studio Bones.

Via the official X (formerly Twitter) and website, My Hero Academia: Vigilantes has revealed a new teaser visual and trailer, confirming its release date for April 7, 2025. The trailer and visual spotlight Vigilantes characters Koichi Haimawari, Pop Step (stylized Pop☆Step) and Knuckleduster. Readers can check them out below, along with their voice actor announcements and more information.

Related My Hero Academia Creator Praises Shonen Jump's Next Hit Fantasy Series as 'The Ideal Shonen Manga'

My Hero Academia creator Kohei Horikoshi has called another Weekly Shonen Jump series the "ideal shonen manga" as Volume 1 hits shelves nationwide.

Mha: Vigilantes Gets New Trailer & Release Date in Major Production Update

Shuichiro Umeda will voice Haimawari and is joined by Ikumi Hasegawa as Pop Step and Yasuhiro Mamiya as Knuckleduster.

Quick Links What Is My Hero Academia About? Who Is Endeavor in 'My Hero Academia'? Does Endeavor Live or Die in 'My Hero's Academia'?

As fans await the official release date for My Hero Academia Season 8 in 2025, all eyes turn to how Toga and Ochako will reconcile following a confrontation with the Infinite Doubles. Of course, the popular anime series adapts story beats from the long-running manga, finally drawing to a close following the epic Final War between Deku and Tomura. With the ending in sight, several loose ends and character fates must be addressed to satisfy fans.

One such character's fate involves Enji Todoroki, aka Endeavor, the venerated Flame Pro Hero who solved more cases than anyone in history. During his heroic sacrifices, Endeavor risked his life and sustained a brutal physical toll that directly informed his future. Despite his lofty ambitions and decorated record, Endeavor's battered...

Lazarus, the upcoming anime series created by famed Cowboy Bebop director Shinichiro Watanabe and animated by Mappa has recieved an exciting new reveal of the series' setting, the city of Babylonia.

The official X (formerly Twitter) account for Lazarus posted the Babylonia City artwork reveal on Jan. 15, 2024. The art, seen below, features the city’s central tower, adorned with intricate, futuristic designs and crowned by a striking mechanical warrior, with the residential areas of Babylonia sprawling out behind it. The tower is marked by several colorful construction cranes, which have been seen in several teaser visuals as action settings.

Related 'There Were a Lot of Rejected Ideas': Attack on Titan Director on the Challenges of Creating Winter 2025's New Hit Mappa Anime

Attack on Titan episode director Mitsue Yamazaki breaks down the difficult process of developing an anime series based on an original concept.

Cartoon Network's Upcoming Lazarus Anime...

Major Shonen Jump rival Bessatsu Shonen Magazine has kicked off 2025 with a dramatic increase in sales. This achievement is owed in large part to the official debut of The Theory of an Ill-Natured Man and A.I. -- a new spin-off manga that's part of a collaboration between Attack on Titan creator Hajime Isayama and Japanese voice actor Yuki Kaji (Eren Yeager).

Per Oricon, Bessatsu Shonen Magazine's February 2025 issue hit bookshelves in Japan on Jan. 9. Within the first few days, the publication's sales increased 2.5 times compared to the previous issue. Additionally, online editions of the magazine sold 1.7 times more. On Jan. 16, Bessatsu Shonen publisher Kodansha released an announcement attributing the sales surge to Hajime Isayama, who served as the storyboard artist for the aforementioned manga. The comic is part of a larger creative initiative conceived by Kaji, who has stated that he hopes to "change" the course of history by providing...

The official website of AnimeJapan 2025 revealed the line-ups for its main stages on Jan 17, 2025.

This year’s event will feature four main stages—Red, Green, Blue, and the newly introduced White stage, hosting a total of 52 programs over two days.

An overview of the stages can be viewed below:

Red Stage & Green Stage: These are closed stages with designated seating. Attendees will need both an admission ticket and a stage viewing ticket to watch programs on these stages. Blue Stage & White Stage: These are open stages. The front-row seats for viewing will be designated seating, requiring both an admission ticket and a stage viewing ticket. However, free viewing areas are available at the back, though space is limited.

It was also revealed that some stage programs will be streamed online. Further details about the streaming schedule and availability will be revealed in the coming weeks.

Related:

Your Favorite Manga Might...

Today is a great day for Attack on Titan fans looking forward to the series’ epic cinematic conclusion, Attack on Titan: The Last Attack. Crunchyroll has released a new English-subbed trailer for the upcoming compilation film, which will begin premiering internationally starting on Feb. 6.

Crunchyroll posted the newly subbed trailer on YouTube, which sits at a mere 60 seconds but teases an intense cinematic experience featuring all of Attack on Titan’s most beloved characters, including Armin, Levi, Hange, Misaka and of course, Eren Yeager as they prepare for the fight of their lives. Attack on Titan: The Last Attack is a two-and-a-half hour omnibus film that combines the final two episodes of Attack on Titan and includes a few all-new bonus scenes.

Related 'It's Been 10 Years': Attack on Titan Creator Reveals New Story Release That Will 'Change History'

Attack on Titan creator Hajime Isayama and official Eren voice actor Yuki Kaji...

While Japan is not typically known for its stop-motion animation, director Takeshi Yashiro is taking charge of the scene. His film, “Norman the Snowman: On a Night of Shooting Stars” (2021) marks one of the latest of an exclusively stop-motion filmography, including the original “Norman the Snowman” (2014), “Moon of a Sleepness Night” (2017), and “Gon, the Little Fox” (2019).

Norman the Snowman: On a Night of Shooting Stars is streaming on Jff Theater until 2025/02/01 11:00:00 [Jst]

The “Norman the Snowman” series follows the coming-of-age adventures of a Boy (Oda Keita) and the titular Norman (Yoshino Hiroyuki), a two-tiered saucy snowman decorated with aviator hat, mustard scarf, and sunglasses. The two reunite each snowfall, happily swapping tales about Northern winters and local summers well into the night. Previously, in the 2014 episode, they trekked northward to glimpse an aurora borealis; in this 2021 sequel, they search for a legendary meteor shower to make a wish upon a star.

The mini-warriors enter a strange new world in the latest episode of Dragon Ball Daima. Goku’s unexpected pitstop will tie into his teased surprising defeat in the First Demon World.

After its one-week break for the New Year, Dragon Ball Daima is back with a brand-new episode. Now that Goku and Vegeta have their own Demon Realm Dragon Ball, the gang is flying toward the First Demon World for the third and final ball. Unbeknownst to them, Dr. Arinsu already has the one-star Dragon Ball in her possession thanks to Majin Duu (and Majin Kuu). Even more unfortunate, Team Goku's lousy luck with transportation continues as they’re forced to detour to a planet that not even King Gomah would set foot on.

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The majority of Hajime Isayama's manga career has been dedicated to the Attack on Titan franchise. Now, for the first time in 10 years, Isayama has had a new manga project released that's entirely unrelated to his iconic dark fantasy tale.

Per Oricon, Bessatsu Shonen Magazine's February 2025 issue has launched the first chapter of The Theory of an Ill-Natured Man and AI, a new spin-off manga created in collaboration with Yuki Kaji, the Japanese voice actor for Eren Jaeger. The work is part of a commemorative project titled "Soyogi Fractal", which celebrates the 20th anniversary of Kaji's entrance into the anime industry. The manga, which features a unique science-fiction-themed premise, is storyboarded by Isayama and illustrated by Kai Noshigami. The former artist also created the magazine's cover illustration.

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Following the completion of his masterpiece hit series, Attack on Titan, author Hajime Isayama claimed that he may never create another manga again. Luckily for fans, it seems that statement didn't come true, as Isayama is set to release his first work since 2021 in collaboration with Yuki Kaji, the Japanese voice of Eren Yeager, and illustrated by Noshigami Kai. The one-shot is intended to be released in celebration of Yuki Kaji's voice acting career, and will be part of the Soyogi Fractal voice synthesis project in which Kaji's voice is the instrument.

Early reports of the project struck fans as a bit strange, and the newly revealed title of the one-shot is an even bigger head-scratcher. The official title of the one-shot is The Theory of a Malicious Man and AI - I'm an AI Who Gained Self-Awareness, Is Exploited by a Black Company, Becomes a V-Tuber as a Joke,...

With the recent announcement of the My Hero Academia: Vigilantes anime, fans of the beloved superhero shonen franchise are already set to have a great 2025. Now, even more good news has come for fans, particularly those who prefer the English dub of the hit series.

As revealed in its recently released 2025 release schedule, the remainder of My Hero Academia Season 7 is finally coming to Hulu. This update will include the English dubbed versions of Episodes 148-159. Hulu already has Episodes 139-147 of My Hero Academia, which compose the first half of Season 7, available to stream in English. With this new update, all seven seasons of the anime will be available to watch in English on Hulu in their entirety. The English dubbed version of Episodes 139-147 is scheduled to be made available for streaming on the platform on Jan 9, 2025. Hulu already streams Season 7 in Japanese with English subtitles, which was...

This article contains mentions of physical abuse. Reader discretion is advised.

Jin “Jiji” Enjoji is a wild card, even within the context of the frenetic style of Dandadan. Jiji is one of the newest characters to be introduced to the anime, but he has already made waves within the story and the Dandadan community. Although he is Okarun’s romantic rival, as well as Momo’s childhood bully, fans already love him for his goofy personality and bizarre mannerisms. Viewers are also looking forward to his romantic rivalry with Okarun as they both pine for Momo.

Jiji is an incredibly unique character, but he isn’t an island. Several fan-favorite anime characters are quite similar to Jiji in their personalities and habits. Audiences who love Jiji are sure to enjoy similar characters found in other anime. Each of these characters has a distinctness to them that gives viewers the same...

Mashle: Magic and Muscles anime fans have a delicious treat to look forward to in January, as Mash Burnedead's favorite cream puffs are being brought to America for a limited-edition collaboration with Beard Papa's.

Via the official website, Beard Papa's announced a collaboration with Aniplex and its Mashle: Magic and Muscles anime to celebrate National Cream Puff Day on Jan. 15, 2025. The collab will include a limited-edition collection of cream puffs inspired by characters and the world of Mashle and will be available at all Beard Papa's stores nationwide.

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Mashle Celebrates National Cream Puff Day With Delicious Anime Collab Across America

Fans can head to Beard Papa's website to register for updates and check for nearby stores.

Anime creators love making their audience cry. From heartfelt dramas about young love, unrequited feelings, and relationship drama to the more serious stories that tackle issues like death, war, and illness, anime has found countless ways to break hearts and make viewers weep. There's no short supply of sad anime series out there, some of which tell the most gutwrenching stories of any form of media.

Fans who enjoy heart-rending stories that make them shed endless tears are in luck, as many of anime's most iconic titles are nothing short of heartbreaking. Offering thought-provoking messages and depressing subjects that speak to their audiences, these anime titles have gone down in history as some of the saddest of all time. Even the strongest of anime fans can't hold back the tears as these heartbreaking titles tug at audiences' heartstrings from start to finish.

Updated on January 1st, 2025 by Chelsea Steele:...

Studio Bones' My Hero Academia was recently crowned America's most in-demand series of the Summer 2024 anime season, as highlighted in a new report covering TV and streaming trends in the U.S.

Parrot Analytics recently released its report covering TV and streaming trends in the U.S. for the third quarter of the year (July–September), which overlaps with the Japanese anime Summer 2024 season. It was revealed that My Hero Academia was the most in-demand anime series during that period, ranking sixth overall. Notably, it was the only anime series to appear in the top 20, narrowly missing out to Amazon Prime Video's The Boys, and flanking Saturday Night Live, Hazbin Hotel, Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon at #1. Readers can check out the full list below; My Hero Academia streamed its seventh season proper from May to October.

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One of the appeals of anime comes from the creative and inventive characters, who often get to accomplish feats and perform actions far beyond anyone in the real world could do. From becoming a superhero complete with a superpower to defending the cosmos along with other Sailor Scouts, these characters get to live lives way beyond the confines of possibility. And with so many different worlds, stories and characters out there, some even have increased intellects, with their brainpower the stuff of legends and envy.

While these characters are blessed with genius-levels of intellect, they’re still human (mostly) and still make mistakes. From Tenya Iida rushing off to confront a known murderer on his own, to Sailor Mercury transforming in front of a villain and revealing her civilian identity, these brilliant characters have done some dumb things along the way, showcasing that they’re more than just their smarts.

Attack on Titan stars have discussed their characters' fates in the series' last compilation film. Attack on Titan: The Last Attack's ensemble, including Yuki Kaji (Eren Yeager), Marina Inoue (Armin Arlert), Hiroshi Shimono (Connie Springer), Yu Shimamura (Annie Leonhart) and Romi Park (Hange Zoe) were at a recent Toho Cinema screening event in Tokyo for the movie.

Per Oricon, the cast discussed their love for the series, with Shimono sharing his joy at Attack on Titan's popularity, wishing the show would go on "forever." Shimamura revealed she did not expect her character Annie to wake up from her crystallized state, but was happy her personality became fully fleshed out and that her story ended on a good note. Many characters have tragic endings in Attack on Titan, but perhaps none more so than Park's Hange. "Thanks to everyone, I was able to pass away splendidly," she said.

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Who ends up who is perhaps the most important question anime fans ask, possibly only second to "who would win?’ The romance genre is one of the most loved, and even though when the show is not exclusively romantic, fans are always interested in the dynamics between different characters. Sometimes, the audience is treated to obvious couple formations between the protagonists, but fans have limitless imaginations when it comes to shipping.

It just so happens that some anime couples don’t get their due share in the limelight because they haven’t been exclusively written into the storyline in that manner. However, usually, when the chemistry between some characters is off the charts or unexpected, it forces the viewers to make sense of that relationship. Whether they are canon or not, the audience has more than a few surprising anime ships that work far better than the original pair.

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Hajime Isayama created a one-of-a-kind series with Attack on Titan. And with the manga came its unique protagonist, Eren, voiced by Yuki Kaji in the anime. But if anything can divide Attack on Titan fans, it’s their view on Eren.

Due to how polarizing his character is, fans have divided themselves between his supporters and dissuaders. From being an innocent boy who sought revenge against the Titans who killed his mother to a genocidal man, Eren’s journey has been intriguing but somewhat removed from reality.

It was Eren’s voice actor who helped Hajime Isayama flesh out the protagonist Eren in Attack on Titan voiced by Yuki Kaji | Credits: Mappa

Hajime Isayama appeared in a special issue of Brutus magazine in which he talked about his popular series, Attack on Titan. Isayama confessed Eren is a character who he figured out along the way. Creating the protagonist along the way is dangerous,...

Fans of the popular fantasy comedy anime Mashle: Magic and Muscles can look forward to an exciting January, when the hit series will be newly added to another streaming platform.

Per Hulu, Season 1 of Mashle: Magic and Muscles, both dubbed and subbed, will be joining Hulu on Jan. 9, 2025. Presently, Mashle is only available for viewing on streaming platforms Max, Crunchyroll and Amazon's Prime Video (with a Crunchyroll subscription), giving fans another avenue to enjoy the Harry Potter-esque parody anime. Mashle is currently available for viewing on Hulu with the Live TV add-on, but come January, it will become part of Hulu’s anime collection, available for viewing by any subscribers.

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