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The Shonen anime genre has some of the most diverse shows that can cater to the taste of almost everyone. It can offer action-packed but lighter-themed shows like Naruto, Bleach, One Piece, or some heavy-themed anime like Hell’s Paradise.

However, Chainsaw Man or Hell’s Paradise does not properly define the dark Shonen subgenre, which once presented even grittier shows. While these are great at what they are doing, some earlier Shonen anime defined how Shonen can have elements of Seinen and still be popular amongst its target audience.

Gabimaru from Hell’s Paradise [Credit: Mappa]

2010 to 2020 was the time when we saw the emergence of some great shows that handled dark elements exceptionally. However, now that aspect has mellowed down significantly, and we definitely need a revival of it.

The glorious era of dark Shonen shows

There have always been legendary gore anime like Berserk, Higurashi: When They Cry, and Elfin Lied before 2010. Then,...

The official website and X (formerly Twitter) for the upcoming summer 2025 TV anime Gachiakuta released a new short trailer and visual for one of the main characters, Enjin. Katsuyikoi Konishi (Tengen Uzui from Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba ) voices the character, who is described on the site as "Enjin finds Rudo after he is cast into the Pit and recognizes his potential as a Giver. He recruits him into the Cleaners, an organization dedicated to hunting down trash beasts." The tagline on the visual reads: "I guess it's time for some cleaning." Gachiakuta Enjin Short Trailer Related: Gachiakuta Anime Premieres in July 2025, Will Stream on Crunchyroll The TV anime Gachiakuta is set to premiere in Japan in July 2025, and Crunchyroll will steam the anime as it airs in Japan for members in North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East, Cis (excluding Russia and Belarus) and Indian subcontinent.

Singer-songwriter Otoha released a music video for her upcoming sixth major CD single song " pineapple tart" on her official YouTube channel . The song is now featured as the ending theme for the spring 2025 TV anime Yaiba: Samurai Legend , which premiered in Japan on April 6. The video was directed by Ao Inoue, who collaborated with Otoha for the first time. The clip depicts Otoha playing acoustic guitar for the first time since her major label debut, with soft light. Otoha " pineapple tart" Music Video Yaiba: Samurai Legend Creditless Ending Video The CD single of " pineapple tart" is set to release on May 28, 2025. Prior to the CD release, the title track is now available on digital platforms for streaming and download. "pineapple tart" digital jacket Otoha artist photo Related: Yaiba: Samurai Legend Anime Unveils Case Closed Collab Illustration, Ending Song Video Takahiro Hasui ( Mob Psycho III ) directs the Yaiba anime remake at Wit Studio,...

Following Yaiba: Samurai Legend 's first episode broadcast in Japan, the anime's official accounts unveiled a new illustration uniting both of Gosho Aoyama's famed creations, along with a creditless version of the ending song sequence that features "pineapple tart" by otoha. Yaiba: Samurai Legend x Case Closed Collab Illustration Yaiba: Samurai Legend Ending Video Related: Yaiba: Samurai Legend Anime Previews Blue Encount Opening Song in New Trailer Based on the Gosho Aoyama manga that ran from 1988 to 1993, Takahiro Hasui ( Mob Psycho III ) directs Yaiba: Samurai LEgend at Wit Studio, with series composition by Toko Machida ( Kemono Michi: Rise Up ), character designs and chief animation direction by Yoshimichi Kameda ( Mob Psycho 100 ) and music by Yutaka Yamada ( Vinland Saga ) and Yoshiaki Dewa ( Hell's Paradise ). The official website's introduction section describes the story: The protagonist, Yaiba (Kurogane Yaiba), is a wild samurai boy who trains in the jungle with his father,...

Mainichi Broadcasting System, Inc. announced in partnership with Adn, Gkids, and Muse a global theatrical premiere for the second season of the smash-hit anime series Dan Da Dan. In celebration of Dan Da Dan’s return, the global theatrical rollout, released as Dan Da Dan: Evil Eye, outside of Japan, begins on May 30th from Muse in Asia, in North American theaters on June 6th from Gkids, and in European theaters from Adn on June 7th. The series begins streaming worldwide this July.

The critically lauded and wildly popular show returns for a new chapter, following the first season’s conclusion in December 2024. With production from the acclaimed animation studio Science Saru, the series’ second season is co-directed by Fuga Yamashiro, director of the first season, and longtime Science Saru veteran Abel Gongora, who directed the highly acclaimed opening theme animation of the series’ first season. Composer kensuke ushio returns...

The era of anime took a big turn in 2025 as some of the greatest projects are being released this year. From One Piece’s return to Fire Force Season 3, 2025 is jam-packed, and it is safe to say that this year will reshape the anime industry in a big way. Among the many anime series and movies that are coming out this year, the one that fans are particularly excited about is Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc.

Reze in Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc | Credit: Mappa Studios

The movie is the best phase in the Chainsaw Man storyline and will portray the new dark adventures of Denji as she understands his feelings toward Makima and Reze. However, what’s more astonishing is that Chainsaw Man has gained numbers that rank the franchise closer to industry giants like Demon Slayer, and that too with just a single season under its belt.

Netflix’s upcoming sci-fi anime Moonrise is an exciting event for all anime lovers. The series is based on a sci-fi book that promises an intense, emotional story set against the backdrop of a divided Earth and Moon.

If it sounds intriguing already, you might want to mark your calendars because the series will be available to stream very soon. The premiere is set for April 10, 2025, and the fans are eager to see how the series’ stellar cast, with a lot of experience from popular shows, will bring the characters to life.

Jacob Shadows (Jack) in Moonrise anime | Credits: Studio Wit

Moonrise is a tale that not only brings out the best because of its narrative and settings but also because it is extremely character-driven. The cast is the driving force behind the development of each character.

A stellar cast that will captivate the fans

Chiaki Kobayashi voices the protagonist,...

Yaiba: Samurai Legend gets brand new life with a new anime this spring! Today, the upcoming series has revealed both the title of its ending song and the artist bringing it to life. Singer/songwriter Otoha will be in charge of the show's ending theme, titled "Pineapple Tart." Otoha's previous work include theme song composition and performance for Shangri-La Frontier and Black Butler , as well as theme song composition for Bocchi The Rock! Related: Yaiba: Samurai Legend Anime Previews Blue Encount Opening Song in New Trailer "An encounter with something unknown that you've never experienced before can become a ray of light throughout your life," Otoha says of the ending song's inspiration. "Pineapple Tart" aims to encompass the extraordinary making its way into everyday life. The artist adds that there are many scenes in which he related to Sayaka's perspective. Takahiro Hasui ( Mob Psycho III ) directs the Yaiba anime remake at Wit Studio,...

This week on The Anime Effect: LeAlec, Leah and Nick give a rundown of all the anime you can look forward to this spring, the titles they're the most excited for and more! In our audio-exclusive episode, we fill you in on the latest news in the anime world, including Digimon Beatbreak coming in October, highlights from AnimeJapan 2025 and more! Episode 57 of The Anime Effect is now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere else you listen to your podcasts! If you're waiting to watch the video episode, it'll be live on Crunchyroll and YouTube at 7 p.m. Et. Listen or Watch on: Episode 57 Summary In this week's news episode, Leah, Nick and LeAlec discuss some of the biggest news that came out of AnimeJapan 2025 like Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc releasing in September and the latest on New Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt , among other updates. Plus, we...

Since the dawn of time, the anime industry has been compared to cartoon animation and thus has been assumed to be an art form for children. All over the world, there is a huge mass of audience who believe that almost every aspect of anime draws parallels with children’s cartoon movies and series.

Yuji Kaku’s Hell’s Paradise | Credit: Mappa Studios

However, this has been proved wrong time and time again, especially by the use of dark themes and plots that sometimes make it difficult for even adults to watch. The perfect example of this that comes to my mind is Hell’s Paradise by Yuji Kaku. The series is one of the darkest narratives I have ever come across and it is also the reason why it is a part of the Dark trio of the anime industry.

I’ll admit that there might be other dark stories in the world of anime,...

Next month, Adult Swim will begin airing Cowboy Bebop creator Shinichiro Watanabe's brand-new anime, Lazarus. Recently, the network unveiled a special sneak peek from the series, giving fans an action-packed introduction to Lazarus' lead character, Axel.

Lazarus' newly-released preview is featured on Adult Swim Europe's official YouTube Channel. The sequence showcases Axel's unique acrobatic skills, which he uses to deftly evade several armed prison guards. The clip also previews the show's English dub, which stars Jack Stansbury (Axel), Bryson Baugus (Leland), Jovan Jackson (Doug), Luci Christian (Christine) and David Matranga (Dr. Skinner). In North America, Lazarus is slated to premiere on Adult Swim's popular Toonami programming block on April 5 at 12 a.m.

Lazarus Is Set to Be Cowboy Bebop Creator's Next Sci-Fi Action Hit Anime

Lazarus is Watanabe's first original anime work since Carole & Tuesday (2019) -- an adolescent drama about two young girls who share a passion for music.

Mappa Studios’ journey within the anime industry has been a perfect one, as it has produced some great masterpieces. Founded in 2011, the Japanese animation studio has become one of the biggest names all over the world with projects like Attack on Titan, Jujutsu Kaisen, Chainsaw Man, Hell’s Paradise, Kakeguri, The God of Highschool, etc.

Yuri!!! on Ice Anime Series | Credit: Mappa Studios

However, there is one other name connected to Mappa that might have contributed a lot to the studio’s success but didn’t get the respect that it deserved. The name is none other than Yuri!!! on Ice, which came out in 2016 and became an instant hit. It was a sports anime series based on professional ice skating, and while it only had one season under its belt, it managed to reach a huge audience.

Yuri!!! on Ice was so successful that it was renewed for a spin-off anime movie,...

Ahead of an April 10 release date, Netflix's AnimeJapan 2025 stage event today released a brand-new trailer and key art for original sci-fi anime Moonrise , along with thirteen additional cast members. Chiaki Kobayashi (Gabimaru in Hell's Paradise ) stars as protagonist Jack and Yuto Uemura (Atsushi in Bungo Stray Dogs ) stars as Phil Ashe, Jack's childhood friend. Moonrise Anime Trailer Moonrise Anime Key Art The newly announced cast members include : Mary voiced by AiNA The End Rhys Rochelle voiced by Misaki Yamada Georg Landry voiced by Katsunori Okai Eric Baker voiced by Yu Kobayashi Osma voiced by Kosuke Takaguchi Inanna Zinger voiced by Arisa Kori Zowan voiced by Yuka Terasaki Duan voiced by Satoshi Yamaguchi Bob Skylum voiced by Masaki Aizawa Wise Crowne voiced by Takehito Koyasu Doctor Salamandra voiced by Mie Sonozaki Windy Sylph voiced by Arisa Sekine Novice Harbinger voiced by Shin Aomori Related: Wit Studio's Moonrise Anime Reveals Cast,...

The official website for the upcoming original anime series Virgin Punk revealed a key visual and main voice cast members today. The newly announced main voice cast members include: Umai Kaminaga voiced by Saki Miyashita Mr. Elegance voiced by Katsuyuki Konishi Luis Gowdy voiced by Taku Yashiro Maggie voiced by Rui Tanabe Tommy J. voiced by Norio Wakamoto Noa Andriet voiced by Fuka Izumi Vespa voiced by Sumire Uesaka Key Visual Related: Original Anime Virgin Punk 1st Part "Clockwork Girl" Gets Theatrical Release on June 27, 2025 Virgin Punk Anime 1st Trailer The anime project was revealed at the Aniplex Online Fest 2024 event in September 2024. Yasuomi Umetsu serves as character designer and director, based on an original story created by himself and studio Shaft, which also in charge of anime production. The first part, titled "Clockwork Girl," will release in the Cine Libre Ikebukuro theater in Tokyo and the Theatre Umeda theater...

Samurai are among the most important people in Japanese culture and history, considering they remain a significant source of inspiration for Japanese artists. Animators have brought samurai history to life through anime, creating some amazing fight sequences and even better discussions on honor and friendship. While samurai are part of the military caste, they are also much more than that.

Samurai have a unique code of honor unlike anything else seen in the country, or anywhere in the world, for that matter. Some fantastic samurai anime are out there for those interested in seeing samurai in action. These warriors have always been a key part of anime, and while samurai anime tend to be rooted in historical realism rather than fantasy, the battles in these series are incredible. Almost everyone will find something to love in these awesome samurai anime.

Updated on March 15th by Chelsea Steele: Samurai will...

One of the great things about Crunchyroll is the incredible size of the streaming service's catalog. With so much anime to choose from, there's virtually something for everyone, including those searching for more mature content. As TV age ratings continue to evolve, sometimes even those with a TV-14 rating may have mature themes, visuals, language, and portray things like graphic violence, drug or alcohol use, and sexual content.

Maturity may also reflect deep or disturbing themes or messages that won't be found in anime more suitable to younger viewers. Deep dives into the systematic flaws in society and fighting inner-demons while searching for the meaning of life and staving off feelings of despair or emptiness just aren't going to make sense to a younger audience. Fortunately for the mature viewer, Crunchyroll has plenty of anime to satisfy those searching for a little more depth.

Hell's Paradise Uses Death Row Inmates...

From Chainsaw Man to Jujutsu Kaisen, Mappa has produced top-notch anime in the Shonen genre. It is one of the finest animation studios in the Japanese industry, hailed for finesse and craftsmanship. But there is an anime that remains a victim of the middle child treatment.

A still from Zenshu’s trailer | Credit: Mappa

To be specific, Zenshu has the cold shoulder when it comes to Winter anime. The series has good animation, plotline, and story, and yet failed to gain popularity. But that doesn’t define it as a failure in any case, especially when it comes to its unique tropes of storytelling.

Mappa’s anime gets the cold shoulder treatment

When we hear the word Mappa the first thing that comes to our mind is excellent animation. There are only a handful of animation studios that live up to the standards and it is one of them. Through Jujutsu Kaisen,...

Ahead of an April 6, 2025 broadcast debut and subsequent simulcast on Crunchyroll , a brand-new trailer released for Witch Watch today previews more of the upcoming magical comedy anime's spell-binding silliness and its ending song, "Mahou wa Spice" ("Magic is Spice") by four-piece rock band Aooo. Witch Watch Pre-Broadcast Trailer The Witch Watch anime's main cast includes: Nico Wakatsuki voiced by Rina Kawaguchi (Quan in Kizuna no Allele ) Morihito Otogi voiced by Ryota Suzuki (Ryusei in Dr. Stone ) Kanshi Kazamatsuri voiced by Kohei Amasaki (Will in Wistoria: Wand and Sword ) Keigo Magami voiced by Kaito Ishikawa (Naofumi in The Rising of the Shield Hero ) Nemu Miyao voiced by Tomori Kusunoki (Shizuka in Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead ) Yuri Makuwa voiced by Mikako Komatsu (Maki in Jujutsu Kaisen ) Kara Minami voiced by Rie Takahashi (Yuzuriha in Hell's Paradise ) Kukumi Ureshino voiced by Konomi Kohara (Chika in Kaguya-sama: Love is War ) Tenryu...

The official accounts for the Gachiakuta anime released a new teaser trailer today, announcing the series is scheduled to premiere in July 2025. Additionally, Crunchyroll is announcing today the anime will stream on the service as it airs in Japan during the summer 2025 season. Gachiakuta Anime Teaser Trailer Gachiakuta Release Date: July 2025 Territories: North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East, Cis (excluding Russia and Belarus) and Indian subcontinent Synopsis: Crawl back from the abyss of Hell to change this lousy world! Rudo lives in the slums of a floating town, where the poor scrape by under the shadow of the rich who live a sumptuous life, simply casting their garbage off the side, into the abyss. Then one day, he’s falsely accused of murder, and his wrongful conviction leads to an unimaginable punishment—exile off the edge, with the rest of the trash. Down on the surface,...

Over 25 years ago, director Shinichiro Watanabe changed the anime world forever with his groundbreaking hit, Cowboy Bebop (1998). Now, Watanabe is gearing up for the television premiere of his upcoming Spring 2025 series, Lazarus -- a work that its team is praising as "the highest level of entertainment we Japanese can create."

As detailed on Mantan Web, an advance screening of Lazarus was recently held at the Shinjuku Wald 9 movie theater in Tokyo. Here, director Watanabe presented Episode 1 alongside several key cast members, including Mamoru Miyano (Axel), Makoto Furukawa (Doug) and Yuuma Uchida (Leland). Although the primary voice cast has worked on other projects, they are especially enthusiastic about this specific undertaking. Consequently, the first day of recording was extremely nerve-wracking, particularly for Furukawa. "I was very nervous. There are sweat stains on the script for Episode 1," he admitted. "The performance was born because of that tension."

New Mappa & Adult Swim Anime...

Only a few years ago, the association of Studio Mappa with any anime was a matter of great joy for fans. Every fandom desperately wished that their favorite manga gets adapted by Mappa. This confidence was a result of the stunning animation quality in the anime series produced by the studio. Moreover, the animation production of many popular and mainstream titles was taken over by Mappa.

Sukuna in a still from Jujutsu Kaisen anime | Credits: Studio Mappa

All was going great, the studio was taking and delivering projects at a great momentum. However, their reputation took a hit with Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2. On the other side of the exciting and spectacular fights, a crack started to appear in Mappa’s shiny armor.

The overworked employees shared their experiences, and the animation quality of Jujutsu Kaisen also took a hit. Even now, Mappa has many great projects under its belt, but...

Taro Sakamoto from Sakamoto Dayswas once the world's greatest assassin. His skills have waned a bit since retiring, but he is still a lethal fighter who can dispatch assassins who have been sent to kill him. There are several assassins from other anime who can defeat Sakamoto. Some of these assassins can take Sakamoto down using their speed and stealth, but most of them can defeat him in direct combat.

Despite his overweight appearance, Mr. Sakamoto possesses enhanced strength, speed, durability and reflexes. As a result, he can match most anime assassins in hand-to-hand combat. Fortunately, all the anime assassins who can beat Sakamoto have special abilities which give them an edge. Some of these assassins could incinerate Taro Sakamoto, and one can literally take him down with a single punch.

Hunter X Hunter's Killua Can Stop Sakamoto With His Powerful Electric Nen Streaming On Netflix

The Zoldyck Family...

Moonrise , the original sci-fi anime announced by Netflix in September 2022, entered its next phase today by revealing several preview stills and an April 10, 2025 release date, plus main cast and staff members. Chiaki Kobayashi (Gabimaru in Hell's Paradise ) stars as protagonist Jack and Yuto Uemura (Atsushi in Bungo Stray Dogs ) stars as Phil Ashe, Jack's childhood friend. Furthermore, "Daijobu" by AiNA The End ( Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury Season 2 Ed) will serve as the series' theme song. Related: Moonrise, Onimusha And More New Anime Unveiled During Netflix's Tudum Japan Event Tow Ubukata pens the story and Hiromu Arakawa ( Fullmetal Alchemist ) designs the characters for Moonrise . Masashi Koizuka ( The One Piece ) directs the anime at Wit Studio and serves as series composer, with character designs adapted for animation by Ayumi Yamada and music by Ryo Kawasaki. Additional staff members include: Chief Animation Directors: Ayumi Yamada, Satoshi Kadowaki Sub Character Designer:...

Ahead of an April 6, 2025 broadcast debut and subsequent simulcast on Crunchyroll , the official anime website and accounts for Witch Watch today confirmed the casting of Nana Mizuki as Nico's mother, Ibuki Wakatsuki, and Katsuyuki Konishi as Morihito's father, Reiji Otogi. Ibuki Wakatsuki Reiji Otogi The Witch Watch anime's main cast includes: Nico Wakatsuki voiced by Rina Kawaguchi (Quan in Kizuna no Allele ) Morihito Otogi voiced by Ryota Suzuki (Ryusei in Dr. Stone ) Kanshi Kazamatsuri voiced by Kohei Amasaki (Will in Wistoria: Wand and Sword ) Keigo Magami voiced by Kaito Ishikawa (Naofumi in The Rising of the Shield Hero ) Nemu Miyao voiced by Tomori Kusunoki (Shizuka in Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead ) Yuri Makuwa voiced by Mikako Komatsu (Maki in Jujutsu Kaisen ) Kara Minami voiced by Rie Takahashi (Yuzuriha in Hell's Paradise ) Kukumi Ureshino voiced by Konomi Kohara (Chika in Kaguya-sama: Love is War ) Tenryu Kiyomiya voiced by...

Ahead of an April 5 broadcast debut, a brand-new trailer released today for Yaiba: Samurai Legend previews the comedy adventure anime's opening song, "Blade" by Blue Encount ( My Hero Academia Season 4 Op), and highlights all the farce and force we'll be treated to from next month. A main visual and four additional cast members were also revealed. Yaiba: Samurai Legend Main Trailer Yaiba: Samurai Legend Main Visual Yaiba: Samurai Legend 's confirmed cast list is now as follows: Yaiba Kurogane voiced by Minami Takayama Sayaka Mine voiced by Manaka Iwami Takeshi Onimaru voiced by Yoshimasa Hosoya Kenjuro Kurogane voiced by Katsuyuki Konishi Musashi Miyamoto voiced by Junichi Suwabe Kagetora voiced by Isshin Chiba Shonosuke voiced by Kosuke Echigoya Raizo Mine voiced by Atsushi Miyauchi Shizuka Mine voiced by Rina Sato Fuji Mine voiced by Kimiko Saito Gerozaemon Geroda voiced by Takeharu Onishi Mr. Spider voiced by Shuhei Sakaguchi Mr. Sea...

The rich and diverse medium of anime invites fans to experience no shortage of captivating stories. Pushing the bounds of narrative virtuosity, visual technique, and artistic expressiveness, the best anime films and series are universally acclaimed as masterpieces. In the opulent tapestry of the medium’s cream of the crop, titles like Cowboy Bebop, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Gintama, and countless other esteemed works make new fans fall in love with anime and encourage audiences to revisit them time and time again. However, like any prolific medium, anime hardly counts only admired masterworks and celebrated smash hits. Aside from the plethora of forgettable and mediocre titles, a few are situated on the very opposite end of the spectrum from the medium’s revered sensations — the worst anime of all time.

An anime series’ quality is hardly an objective metric. Nonetheless, quite a handful of titles are recognized and remembered by the...

The following contains spoilers for Gege Akutami's Jujutsu Kaisen manga, available on Viz Media.

The most prominent and prolific category in anime and manga alike, the shonen demographic, has undergone notable changes in the last decade. Known historically for its inspirational, adventure-rich stories targeting young male audiences, shonen has been steadily shifting its focus to darker narratives with prevalent mature themes and horror elements. The trends of lighthearted, tonally jovial action-adventures that persisted through the early 21st century with titles like Naruto and Fairy Tail, were replaced by gritty, nihilistic shonen. In the 2020s, the tides of change in the mainstream shonen anime manifested in the emergence of the new “Shonen Dark Trio” - Chainsaw Man, Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku, and Jujutsu Kaisen.

The “Dark Trio” is a colloquial term used to describe the most influential and popular - particularly in the West - contemporary shonen franchises that challenge the...

Deciding on the single best anime in a given season or year is always a matter of personal taste, but when the overall anime community trends toward certain titles over others, that means something. For example, anime lovers want to know what the single best anime was from 2024, with "best" describing both popularity and quality, and the answer may have surprised some community members. In that year, My Hero Academiadethroned Jujutsu Kaisen as the community's favorite.

That doesn't mean the entire anime community has soured on Jujutsu Kaisen — indeed, author Gege Akutami's dark shonen anime masterpiece is still in the upper echelons and will likely remain there for years to come. Still, even if Jujutsu Kaisen only had a minor slip in the ranks and all this is subjective anyhow, the fact My Hero Academia surpassed Jujutsu Kaisen in 2024 ties into some important facts about how those two shonen...

With all the right ingredients for success, from a compelling narrative to exciting plot progression, Hell’s Paradise garnered massive popularity. There’s great appreciation among fans for the show’s setting and the ideas portrayed in it. Set in the Edo Period, the anime-manga series depicts a stark contrast between the primitiveness of the timeline and the characters’ portrayal.

Yamada Asaemon Sagiri in Hell’s Paradise anime | Credits: Studio Mappa

This can easily be considered the main highlight considering how the characters defy gender stereotypes in an excellent manner. Yet, we hardly see this aspect of the show being discussed. So, here’s how Hell’s Paradise transcends gender norms, presenting a refreshing picture of what’s expected from the male and female characters in anime.

Hell’s Paradise defies its own setting and it’s delightful to see the contrast unfold

Hell’s Paradise has a huge cast of characters, with Gabimaru and Sagiri at the center.

Ahead of an April 5 broadcast debut, the official anime website and accounts for Yaiba: Samurai Legend today announced the casting of Isshin Chiba (Chiba in Case Closed ) as Kagetora, continuing the voice actor overlap between author Gosho Aoyama's creations, and Kosuke Echigoya as Shonosuke. Kagetora / Isshin Chiba Shonosuke / Kosuke Echigoya Related: Yaiba: Samurai Legend Anime Reveals Start Date, Detective Conan Collab Video Based on the Gosho Aoyama manga that ran from 1988 to 1993, Takahiro Hasui ( Mob Psycho III ) directs the Yaiba anime remake at Wit Studio, with series composition by Toko Machida ( Kemono Michi: Rise Up ), character designs and chief animation direction by Yoshimichi Kameda ( Mob Psycho 100 ) and music by Yutaka Yamada ( Vinland Saga ) and Yoshiaki Dewa ( Hell's Paradise ). The official website's introduction section describes the story of Yaiba : The protagonist, Yaiba (Kurogane Yaiba), is a wild samurai boy who trains in the jungle with his father, Kenjuro! By chance,...

Ahead of an April 6, 2025 broadcast debut and subsequent simulcast on Crunchyroll , a brand-new trailer released today for Witch Watch previews the anime's opening song, "Watch me!" by Yoasobi ( Oshi no Ko Op), and sets off an abundance of magical comedy hijinks. A new key visual was also unveiled. Witch Watch Trailer Witch Watch Key Visual The Witch Watch anime's confirmed cast list includes: Nico Wakatsuki voiced by Rina Kawaguchi (Quan in Kizuna no Allele ) Morihito Otogi voiced by Ryota Suzuki (Ryusei in Dr. Stone ) Kanshi Kazamatsuri voiced by Kohei Amasaki (Will in Wistoria: Wand and Sword ) Keigo Magami voiced by Kaito Ishikawa (Naofumi in The Rising of the Shield Hero ) Nemu Miyao voiced by Tomori Kusunoki (Shizuka in Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead ) Yuri Makuwa voiced by Mikako Komatsu (Maki in Jujutsu Kaisen ) Kara Minami voiced by Rie Takahashi (Yuzuriha in Hell's Paradise ) Kukumi Ureshino voiced by Konomi Kohara...

The following contains spoilers for various manga's endings. Proceed with caution.

Last January, Yoshifumi Totsuka's mangaUndead Unluck released its final chapter after being published by Shōnen Jump for five years. Avoiding manga spoilers, "Chapter 239: Deadluck" will satisfy fans, even if they know they'll miss Fuuko Izumo and Andy. To most people, this may not seem like a big deal, since every manga eventually ends. Undead Unluck's anime just started, meaning fans still have a lot of time to spend with their favorite unlucky and undying heroes.

However, Undead Unluck's recent conclusion is a lot more significant than even the most dedicated manga reader may realize. Undead Unluck concluded just a week after another Shōnen Jump title — Hitsuji Gondaira's Mission: Yozakura Family — ended after six years of publication. These titles ended so quickly after two of Shōnen Jump's biggest hits finished their stories in the same year. Undead Unluck...

The official website for the upcoming original anime series Virgin Punk announced today that its first part "Clockwork Girl" will release in the Cine Libre Ikebukuro theater, Tokyo, and in the Theatre Umeda theater, Osaka, on June 27, 2025. Teaser visual Related : Original Anime Virgin Punk Announced for Early Summer 2025 Release The anime project was r evealed at the Aniplex Online Fest 2024 event in September 2024. Yasuomi Umetsu serves as character designer and director, based on an original story created by himself and studio Shaft, which also in charge of anime production. Virgin Punk 1st Trailer Main staff: Director/Character Designer: Yasuomi Umetsu Series Composer/Scriptwriter: Yuya Takahashi Main Animators: Genichiro Abe, Shinya Takahashi, Maho Kando Art Designer: Shinichi Yokota Art Directors: Yuji Honjo, Yuki Funagakure Color Designer: Yasuko Watanabe Directors of Photography: Takayuki Aizu, Rei Egami Editor: Rie Matsubara Sound Director: Shoji Hata Music: Yoshiaki Dewa ( Hell's Paradise ) Animation Production: Shaft...

Jujutsu Kaisen is a universal hit, and is often classified as being part of shōnen anime’s “Dark Trio”, along with Chainsaw Man and Hell’s Paradise. Sporting iconic characters such as Sukuna and Gojo, who have been mentioned in popular songs like Megan Thee Stallion’s “Otaku Hot Girl”, and quotable one-liners such as “Nah, I’d win”, there’s no question that Jujutsu Kaisen has pop-culture in a chokehold.

Jujutsu Kaisen’s exceptional storytelling, top-tier animation and well-written characters contributed to its roaring success. However, the series isn’t without its flaws. Gege Akutami has received a lot of backlash from fans, resulting from storyline inconsistencies, underdeveloped characters and character deaths. Akutami has made many questionable decisions in Jujutsu Kaisen, with the most obvious being the mistreatment of the characters.

Related10 Best Ongoing Shonen Manga For Fans of Jujutsu Kaisen & Where to Read Them

Jjk’s ending left an...

Pokémon fans the world over have long since been marking Feb. 27 in their calendars as Pokémon Day -- the anniversary of the original 1996 Pokémon Red & Green, and a day officially recognized by the Japan Anniversary Association. This year will be a special one for Dragonite fans in particular, as a new anime titled "Dragonite and the Mail Courier" is set to debut.

Via Oricon, the new anime is the result of a collaboration between The Pokémon Company and CoMix Wave Films -- the latter well-known as the animation studio behind renowned director Makoto Shinkai's films. Scheduled to be released on Feb. 27 at 12 a.m. (Jst) via Pokémon’s official YouTube channel, "Dragonite and the Mail Courier" will likely be just one of the special releases slated for the biggest day of the year for Pokémon fans worldwide. The anime's first artwork release and further information can be seen below.

Over the last decade, My Hero Academia has risen to become one of the most popular anime shows in recent years. It tackles the superhero genre quite well and has a good comedic atmosphere, but it also has serious emotional and intellectual weight with its commentary on society, discrimination, and the true meaning of good vs evil.

By now, My Hero Academia has seven seasons and counting, and countless anime fans are heavily invested in the story of Izuku Midoriya and his hero friends. But even the most dedicated fans can find plenty of other, similar anime to watch in between weekly updates of My Hero Academia's upcoming eighth season. Most of them are also shōnen action anime or perhaps seinen as well.

Updated on February 3, 2025 by Ari Night: With several stellar anime releases since this article was last published, this list has been updated with five new anime entries.

Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku is a dark yet captivating anime with a promising story that has hooked fans. Following Gabimaru and Sagiri Yamada Asaemon, the series blends strong shonen themes with a dynamic character relationship that elevates the narrative. With the manga already complete before the anime aired, many believe the entire story will be animated—an expectation fueled by the show’s growing popularity. Set in a historical era on a hauntingly beautiful island, the series explores the motivations of characters trapped in a deadly quest for the Elixir of Life.

The battles and power systems are as compelling as the personal relationships driving the story. Though much of the original cast has already fallen, those still standing can fight immortal beings — and maybe even return to the lives they’ve left behind. The real strength of the series lies in the connections between characters. Gabimaru’s desire to reunite...

Intense violence, gripping action, and unpredictable plot twists were expected by many upon first watching Netflix's smash hit Squid Game. That being said, almost no one foresaw the level of heartwrenching emotion that the Korean show would bring to television screens around the world. To put it mildly, tissues were likely needed on more than one occasion.

The journeys of the show's fascinating characters were always likely to end in disaster, but devastation and heartbreak came right alongside the blood and gore of the deadly high-stakes game show. Countless lives were taken over the course of Season 1, although Season 2 also had its share of heartbreaking moments. Squid Game has touched many fans around the world, and these moments were the most upsetting in a series filled with sorrowful scenes.

Updated on January 31, 2025, by Ajay Aravind: Season 2 of Squid Game was relatively less sad because Gi-hun fomented a rebellion and briefly overwhelmed the guards.

Anime has many genres that are specific to itself, and it continues to push storytelling forward in inventive ways that have been able to trigger major trends in some cases. Netflix’s Squid Game is one of the biggest shows in the world, and while its praise is deserved, it’s fascinating to consider that anime has been turning out comparable content for years.

This playfully grim subject matter is so prevalent in anime that there’s a whole subgenre of “death game” content. Accordingly, there are several anime series that should satisfy Squid Game fans. With Squid Game's second season introducing a new cast of characters and leaving on a cliffhanger, fans are eager to satisfy their yearning for the next season.

Updated on January 28, 2025, by Robbie Robinson: Once again, Squid Game has taken Netflix subscribers by storm with its heart-pounding second season. While fans are stuck waiting for more episodes,...

Although Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku and Bleach may be outwardly different anime, both shonen share quite a few similarities. They both center on the topic of death and rebirth by different means. Both feature protagonists that are uniquely suited to survive and thrive in the conflicts they face against their will. Gabimaru and Ichigo Kurosaki also prioritize their loved ones over anything else. Plus, both have horror themes that feature the terrible ways humans can transform.

While the Bleach anime is good, and the Thousand-Year Blood War arc adaptation incredible, the anime isn't a perfect translation of the tone and themes in the original manga. The original story has its flaws, too. When encountering similar elements, many of Hell's Paradise's episodes surpass Bleach. They take a different approach to sidestep many of the mistakes Bleach makes. Though both are great anime to watch, Hell's Paradise packs in great writing into the first season's 13 episodes,...

As the second season of the popular anime Hell’s Paradise is coming soon, manga fans are in for a special treat. The complete manga series, which wrapped up in January 2021 after 127 chapters, is getting a fresh box set re-release. This new version includes all 13 volumes, each featuring stunning cover art.

What makes this box set extra special is the exclusive 80-page booklet that comes with it. The booklet contains a side story, ‘Forest of Misfortune,’ first released in 2023 to celebrate the anime adaptation by Studio Mappa.

In this one-shot, we see the characters Gabimaru and Yui in a small village where children challenge Gabimaru to a physical contest. They don’t know who he is and are shocked by his ability to survive anything.

The re-release of the Hell’s Paradise manga box set is expected to hit shelves in Fall 2025, though the exact date and price are still a mystery.

North American distributor Viz Media is gearing up for another year of exciting manga and novel releases. The company recently unveiled its upcoming Fall 2025 slate, which includes One Piece: Law's Story -- a spinoff light novel that initially debuted in its original Japanese over five years ago.

As detailed on Viz's Bluesky page, One Piece: Law's Story focuses on Trafalgar Law's "journey from his youth to the adventures of the Heart Pirates across the high seas." The book's debut chapter was initially serialized in One Piece Magazine in October 2018, and the completed story was released as a single volume in April 2020. While Law's Story was penned by Shusei Sakagami, the novel's narrative was developed by One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda.

Related One Piece Publisher Targets These 19 Piracy Sites Worth 560 Million Visits in Major New Subpoena Request

One Piece publisher Shueisha seeks the names and identifying details of 19 piracy site...

Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball is arguably the most recognized franchise in the community. With Daima‘s premiere, Goku’s return has set the internet ablaze, drawing many veteran fans back to the series.

One of the key factors behind Toriyama’s Dragon Ball legacy is its incredible storytelling and memorable characters, which have left a lasting impact on generations of fans, becoming a global sensation.

Goku vs Frieza in Dragon Ball Super. [Credit: Toei Animation]

Still, over time, many fans have felt the female characters in Dragon Ball are sidelined, with others claiming they lack depth. However, that’s not entirely true, as Toriyama crafted one iconic female character who became the face of the series, surpassing even Bulma and Chi-Chi.

The Most iconic female character in Dragon Ball Saga

Dragon Ball has always been a very male-driven series and there’s nothing wrong with it embracing this demographic. However,...

Crunchyroll is officially announcing today that the upcoming anime adaptation of Kenta Shinohara’s manga Witch Watch will stream on the platform when it premieres in April 2025! The anime series previously announced in December 2024 that it will run for two continuous cours. Witch Watch Release Date: April 2025 Territories: North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East and Cis Synopsis: Morihito Otogi, a high school student who comes from a lineage of ogres, enjoys a peaceful, ordinary life until his childhood friend, Nico, moves in with him. Nico is a witch-in-training, and chooses Morihito to be her familiar. While Nico is thrilled to reunite with her old friend and crush, Morihito is tasked with the perilous duty to protect her from a foretold calamity. Between the unpredictable chaos caused by Nico’s magic, and the awkwardness of sharing a home, their lives become a whirlwind of supernatural hijinks and threats.

The dark fantasy genre of the anime world has become quite popular in recent times, and one of the main reasons behind it is Yuji Kaku’s Hell’s Paradise. With only one season under its belt, the anime series has achieved such reputation and recognition that it has been added to the anime industry’s “Dark Trio” group, which is absolutely remarkable.

Gabimaru in Hell’s Paradise | Credit: Mappa Studios

One of the reasons behind Hell’s Paradise‘s inevitable success was the plethora of characters and their battles within the series that added more thrill to the story. These battles were a little different than the manga’s narrative, as it made the characters look more human. Kaori Makita, the director of the anime series, once revealed the reason behind making this change.

The director is known for her contribution to many prominent series like Attack on Titan, Yuri!!! on Ice,...

For a dark shonen anime, Hell’s Paradise: Jigokuraku has a distinct absence of mob characters. Every character and monster are designed with purpose and intent behind them, with careful attention to detail.

Mob characters, however, are often used to create an atmosphere and to represent the “ordinary people” in the anime. Hell’s Paradise does not care for either. Gabimaru, the protagonist, is on a mission on Kotaku that could mean life or death for him. The monsters, however, do not play around.

Gabimaru from Hell’s Paradise. [Credit: Mappa]

This was a conscious choice by the mangaka, Yuji Kaku, and the director of Hell’s Paradise, Naoki Makita. Without the inclusion of mob characters, how were they supposed to create an environment of dread and fear?

The monsters of Kotaku filled in those gaps perfectly. They might have power in numbers but their visual style is horrifying enough to create a sense of...

Fans of Chainsaw Man can finally celebrate as recent updates suggest that season 2 is not just a rumor but officially in the works. This revelation has already stirred excitement across various platforms; reigniting discussions about the anime’s potential. However, with season 2 in the pipeline, Mappa finds itself at a crossroads.

Mappa gave great attention to Chainsaw Man season 1 | Credit: Studio Mappa

While fans’ expectations are sky-high, there’s a growing concern about how the studio will carefully balance quality and timelines. On one hand, rushing the project could jeopardize the legacy of Chainsaw Man, but in a fast-paced industry where quick turnarounds have become the norm, taking their time could also lead to impatience among viewers.

The high stakes of Mappa in continuing a passion project

Legal documents filed by Shueisha reveal that Mappa; the powerhouse animation studio, is set to helm the Chainsaw Man project once again with...

In the wide variety of anime genres, Shonen is the one targeted primarily at young male characters. These characters have gained immense popularity for their unique designs and backstories that fans can easily relate to.

However, since the dawn of this infectiously popular genre, it has evolved significantly, with each series reflecting changes in its art style and animation techniques. Though it is noticeable how Shonen has changed significantly, it continues to develop, where a new title, Hell’s Paradise, has defied to challenge societal norms.

Hell’s Paradise poster. Credits: Studio Mappa

While it features high-octane battles with an emotionally gripping storyline, it has featured one unique trait that not only defies the stereotype while committing to the greater good of the fan-favorite genre.

Hell’s Paradise challenges Shonen’s stereotype with Gabimaru’s unique trait

With anime becoming a mainstream form of entertainment in recent years, it has remained popular by...

Hell’s Paradise: Jigokuraku is on its way to becoming the best dark shonen manga in the community, on par with the likes of Chainsaw Man, Dororo, and Jujutsu Kaisen. However, it’s undeniably the most unique of the lot, thanks to this one part of the lore that Yuji Kaku was a genius for.

The series follows Gabimaru the Hollow who gets the death penalty after a failed assassination attempt. His only chance at a pardon is to find the elixir of life in Shinsenkyo or Kotaku, its real name, which is a mythical land that toes the boundary between hell and heaven.

Shinsenkyo in Hell’s Paradise. [Credit: Mappa]

The island gets even more mysterious with its strange creatures. Moreover, the sole survivor returned from Kotaku with flowers sprouting all over him, losing all of his humanity in some sort of metamorphosis.

In the trailer for Season 1 of Hell’s Paradise, the...

The allure of adapting beloved anime into live-action films or series has captivated filmmakers for decades, but the results often fail to live up to fans’ expectations. Titles like Dragon Ball: Evolution and Netflix’s Death Note have become infamous examples of adaptations that missed the essence of their source material. Could a Hell’s Paradise live-action adaptation avoid a similar fate or become an even bigger disaster?

The protagonist of Hell’s Paradise, Gabimaru | Credit: Studio Mappa

Created by Yuji Kaku, Hell’s Paradise is a dark fantasy series that blends brutal action, intricate storytelling, and deeply complex characters. Its fantastical settings, surreal monsters, and high-octane battles make it a perfect fit for anime but could spell doom for a live-action adaptation. Even the anime director Makita Kaori expressed concerns about translating its fantastical elements to a realistic medium.

The challenges of adapting Hell’s Paradise to live-action Gabimaru and Sagiri; a fascinating...