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Ciel and Sebastian are returning for a grand mystery in Germany as Black Butler -Emerald Witch Arc- premieres this week! You can catch the season premiere of Black Butler -Emerald Witch Arc starting April 5 at 9:00 a.m. Pt right here on Crunchyroll. Read on for everything you need to know about the premiere. Black Butler -Emerald Witch Arc- Sub Release Date and Time: April 5 at 9:00 a.m. Pt Where will it be available: North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East, Cis, Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia Series synopsis: At the Queen’s behest, the 13-year-old earl Ciel Phantomhive and his loyal demon butler, Sebastian Michaelis, leave the gritty underworld of nineteenth-century England and venture to the south of Germany to investigate a series of mysterious deaths. Legend has it, those who enter the Werewolves’ Forest are destined to be cursed, but Ciel and...

When we think about Solo Leveling, the first thing that comes to our minds is animation and power-packed battles. The series is at an all-time high with the second season. But more than that, the second season is on a roll with the growing popularity and success.

The ratings, reviews, and reception are working in the series’ favor. It is a clapback to haters calling it an overhyped series. But the recent episode did a teeny tiny slip-up that had fans go all gaga on the internet. This had to do with a fan service moment, but that is not all.

Sung Jinwoo in a still from the Solo Leveling anime | Credits: A-1 Pictures

While fans aren’t complaining about the moment, it was a perfect thirst trap for them. It also points to a key problem with the impact frames which the animators must address and work upon. But...

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...

Major spoilers for the Black Butler manga will be discussed towards the end of this article.

Black Butler: Emerald Witch Arc is the anime adaptation of the eighth story arc in the Black Butler manga, which will return to Crunchyroll on April 5, 2025, with more of CloverWorks’ high-quality animation. To add to the excitement of fans of Yana Toboso’s nearly twenty-year-old supernatural mystery series, it was recently announced that the manga will also finally be coming back from a months-long hiatus.

The Emerald Witch Arc is one of the most anticipated anime adaptations among fans of the Black Butler manga, as it forces Ciel to revisit his traumatic past once more and lays down major clues that lead up to the Blue Revenge Arc, which was left on a cliffhanger before the manga went on an indefinite hiatus back in August 2024.

The Black Butler Anime Returns With Another Manga-Accurate Adaptation...

This spring has gotten even more terrific for fans of the enthralling Black Butler, as another season arrives very soon. Titled Black Butler: Emerald Witch Arc, Aniplex had the pleasure of unveiling an official trailer for the new season, which will begin airing on April 5, less than two weeks away. This time around, fans will see the Phantomhive House in Germany, where the Queen has ordered them to investigate a series of mysterious deaths.

Emerald Witch Arc is the eighth arc of the manga on which it is based and the fifth season of Black Butler after the Public School Arc, which went into production in 2023 and ran from April 13 to June 22, 2024. Similar to the upcoming season, Black Butler: Public School Arc is an adaptation of the arc of the same name. It was directed by Kenjirou Okada and produced by CloverWorks, with Hiroyuki Yoshino handling the series composition and Yumi Shimizu designing the characters,...

From Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus and Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt to My Hero Academia: Vigilantes , One Piece , Chainsaw Man and beyond, AnimeJapan 2025 was stacked with news items over the weekend. If you missed something, or if you just want to revisit some of the big trailers and reveals, we’ve got you covered with a full recap of the event! Check out everything that went down at AnimeJapan 2025: New Adaptations and Continuations We got further confirmation of some big shows and films this year, including the next step for the Tokyo Revengers anime and a date for Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc ! Here are some of the continuations on the horizon. Tokyo Revengers: War of the Three Titans Anime Confirmed with Teaser Visual My Hero Academia Final Season Anime Premieres in October 2025, Will Stream on Crunchyroll I Got a Cheat Skill in Another...

Ahead of an April 5 broadcast and simulcast on Crunchyroll , the Black Butler -Emerald Witch Arc- stage event at AnimeJapan 2025 today released a new main trailer highlighting the latest series' ending song, "Waltz" by Ryugujo, and opening song, "Maisie" by rock band Cö shu Nie . Black Butler -Emerald Witch Arc- Main Trailer Related: Black Butler -Emerald Witch Arc- Anime Reveals Ending Song Details Kenjiro Okada ( March comes in like a lion chief director) continues to direct for the latest Black Butler anime at studio CloverWorks, with series composition by Hiroyuki Yoshino ( World Trigger ), character designs by Yumi Shimizu ( Horimiya chief animation director). Maaya Sakamoto and Daisuke Ono reprise their roles as Ciel Phantomhive and Sebastian Michaelis, respectively. The original Black Butler manga by Yana Toboso began in 2006 in Square Enix's G Monthly GFantasy manga magazine, with 34 volumes released in Japan to date. An English language version is also available from Yen Press.

Historical movies are a great watch, whether the viewer is interested in history or just looking for something fun to occupy their time. There are many movies out there that contain historical events, costuming, or characters. However, not all of them are accurate. Some films portray the time period a lot more precisely than others, and some anime movies capture their time periods very well.

A lot of anime movies made in Japan focus on World War II and the atrocities that happened during that time. Movies like In This Corner of the World and Grave of the Fireflies are prime examples of WWII movies that are very historically accurate. Some anime films focus on other time periods and feature a solid amount of true fact to them. For example, Black Butler, while highly fictional, also depicts the Victorian era very well. More anime movies show samurai, princesses, and even prominent historical figures.

Catch Me at the Ballpark! is locked in for a spring premiere right here on Crunchyroll. With real-world baseball well underway and the premiere of this new series on the way, two new cast members have been introduced! Both of the latest announcements are members of the Motorsuns: the baseball team at the beginning of the series. Daiki Yamashita (Deku in My Hero Academia ) will appear as Wataru Ichinomiya, a young player sensitive about his weak batting skills. Alongside him is Ken Norogiriyama, voiced by Jun Fukuyama (Grell in Black Butler ). Wataru Ichinomiya Ken Norogiriyama Related: The Catcher in the Ballpark! Anime Casts Chiaki Kobayashi Junichi Kitamura ( Fluffy Paradise ) directs the Catch Me at the Ballpark! anime at studio Emt Squared, with Shigeru Murakoshi ( I Parry Everything ) on series composition, Fumio Iida on character designs and Monaca ( Shangri-La Frontier ) on music. The anime's official website describes the story (translated): "Am I your type,...

After starting from the top with an illustration by Hokkaido Gals Are Super Adorable! creator Kai Ikada, the Okitsura: Fell in Love with an Okinawan Girl, but I Just Wish I Know What She's Saying anime meets Kyoto-based Tying the Knot with an Amagami Sister in the middle in an official collab visual. Yuna, Yae and Asahi previously posed with the Nakano sisters of The Quintessential Quintuplets . Tying the Knot with an Amagami Sister x Okitsura: Fell in Love with an Okinawan Girl, but I Just Wish I Know What She's Saying Anime Collab Visual Related: Tying the Knot with an Amagami Sister Anime Enshrines The Quintessential Quintuplets in Collab Visual Based on the manga by Marcey Naito, Yujiro Abe ( Konosuba Season 3) directs Tying the Knot with an Amagami Sister at studio Drive, with series composition by Yasuko Aoki ( The Demon Prince of Momochi House ), character designs by Haruko Iizuka...

Crunchyroll has teamed up with longtime anime entertainment company, Aniplex, on a joint anime production venture called Hayate Inc., which will focus on planning, developing and producing anime content for the streamer.

The new establishment will be lead by Aniplex’s Masanori Miyake and Leo Watanabe. Miyake will serve as chairman and CEO while Watanabe will serve as Hayate’s president and COO. The staff will consist of employees from both Crunchyroll and Aniplex.

Per Crunchyroll, “Hayate will produce premium content for anime fans worldwide using Aniplex’s production know-how cultivated over the years through its partnerships with a wide range of creators and studios as well as Crunchyroll’s development, marketing and distribution capabilities built upon its strong ties to the anime community and passionate fandom.”

Crunchyroll, LLC is an independently operated joint venture between U.S.-based Sony Pictures Entertainment and Japan’s Aniplex, a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc.

Animation is getting better with every passing year, and studios have produced some truly remarkable anime that are a feast for the eyes as much as they are for the soul. Kyoto Animation and Ufotable are two of the leading companies in the anime industry with consistently high-quality graphics that never disappoint.

However, while anime is able to capture stories in motion and color where manga cannot, there are some mangaka who possess a passion and flair for their work that simply cannot be replicated. Manga is as much of an art form as it is a medium for storytelling, and occasionally, there is no better way to witness the genius of a good story than to watch it unfold through the brush strokes and pencil sketches of the artists who created them.

Black Butler’s Characters are Elegantly Drawn to Perfection Read Now on Manga Up!

Black Butler is...

When Ciel Phantomhive and his loyal butler, Sebastian Michaelis, head off to Weston College by order of the Queen, they uncover a disturbing truth regarding what's been happening behind the scenes on campus. However, that's really just a normal day in the world of Black Butler . After dealing with twisted circuses, zombie-infested luxury ships and chainsaw-wielding Shinigami, a strict school where you can't step on the grass is par for the course. Black Butler -Public School Arc- saw the return of the anime series after Black Butler: Book of the Atlantic premiered back in 2017. This is something that Daisuke Ono (the voice of Sebastian), Kenjiro Okada (director), and Yoshito Ito (animation producer) had in mind while tackling the dark, yet comedic, ongoings of Weston College. In our interview, the three discussed bringing the Black Butler anime back, their location research in England and what fans can look forward to with...

Solo Leveling Season 2 and Sakamoto Days are coming to a close soon, and Zenshu is reaching the end of its peak. The frigid snows of winter are melting and giving way to fresh flowers, which means 2025's spring anime season is about to come in hot with a bouquet of series to reinvogirate the world with new entertainment.

Crunchyroll, Netflix and Hulu are here to provide the anime fans with the sustenance they've been waiting for. With the last season of Fire Force, another Mappa original, and the My Hero Academia: Vigilantes anime set to start the season off, this spring is already looking promising for the eager anime fans.

Go! Go! Loser Ranger! Challenges the Tropes of Sentai Anime Premiering April 13 on Hulu

Go! Go! Loser Ranger!is a 2024 anime with the interesting twist of a character rebelling against the story and his own superficial programming. It’s a...

The end of March will also mark the end of the Winter 2025 anime season. With the new season approaching, a new Japanese survey has revealed which upcoming shows are stirring up the most excitement among its domestic fan base.

Japan-based anime site Animate Times asked its readers to submit their "top recommended anime" picks for Spring 2025. The survey's interim results were unveiled on March 7, with separate top 10 lists released for both male and female viewers. The site also released a third chart ranking the top picks overall. This list includes many anime franchises with already-large international followings, including Fire Force and My Hero Academia. However, there are also several works that have never before been adapted for TV. Animate Times' top 10 overall picks, listed from most to least popular, are included below.

The Top 10 Anime of Spring 2025 According to Animate Times Image via Passione, Hayabusa FilmFrom Old Country Bumpkin to...

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

Manhwa being made into anime series has become more commonplace in recent years. One of the most popular manhwa into anime examples is Solo Leveling, which is now already one of the top anime of the year and possibly of all time. Fans love these stories and the amazing illustrations that come with them. Fans are very excited about recent additions to the manhwa-into-anime genre, as well as the ones that have been announced and will be coming soon.

From a story about a firefighter with supernatural powers to a sweet coming-of-age story about a young girl who faces bullying, there are all sorts of new manhwa that have either been released recently or are due for release soon. All of these manhwa are available to read online, and readers will be glad they read these series when they debut as anime. Having the inside scoop and knowing what's about...

Following a stint uncovering a mystery at Weston College, it’s time for the Black Butler TV anime to head into the "cursed" woods this April for the Emerald Witch Arc . Today, the second teaser trailer for the next arc and a new visual showing Ciel and Sebastian with the titular witch were released, with the trailer announcing an April 5 premiere. Black Butler -Emerald Witch Arc- Second Teaser Trailer and Visual Related: Black Butler -Emerald Witch Arc- Anime Reveals Ending Song Details Kenjiro Okada ( March comes in like a lion chief director) continues to direct the latest Black Butler anime at studio CloverWorks, with series composition by Hiroyuki Yoshino ( World Trigger ), character designs by Yumi Shimizu ( Horimiya chief animation director). Maaya Sakamoto and Daisuke Ono will also reprise their roles as Ciel Phantomhive and Sebastian Michaelis, respectively. The original Black Butler manga by Yana Toboso began in 2006 in Square Enix...

A new face is joining magical girl anime You and Idol Precure♪ —not another Cure, but a manager! Junichi Suwabe joins the cast as Tanaka, a mysterious figure who knows the identities of Cure Idol and Cure Wink. As it happens, he's been sent from Kirakiland to support Idol Precure. Suwabe's other roles include Dandy in Space Dandy , Eraser Head in My Hero Academia and Undertaker in Black Butler . When asked about his role, he expressed joking surprise that he wasn't playing a member of the magical girl group itself—adding that he's all set to play Cure Gentle or Cure Dandy if the situation presents itself. Related: You and Idol Precure♪ Anime Shares Creditless Opening, Ending Videos You and Idol Precure♪ , the 22nd instalment of Toei Animation's long-running Precure anime franchise, premiered in Japan on February 2, 2025. Crunchyroll is streaming the latest series for members in North America,...

Daenerys Targaryen shocked fans across the world with her descent into complete and utter madness during the final season of Game of Thrones, burning King’s Landing to ashes. Although there is much debate about the direction that such a beloved character went, her insanity was iconic as much as it was infamous.

There are many anime queens who could rival the madness of the last Targaryen monarch, as female characters who have gone completely off the rails are a dime a dozen in anime. However, few can exceed the cruelty and craziness it takes to reap destruction on a city full of innocent civilians after they’ve already surrendered.

Related10 Reasons Why Code Geass and Game of Thrones are the Same Show

Code Geass and its cast shares far too many uncanny similarities with the hit tv-show Game of Thrones. Lelouch & Daenerys are practically the same.

Daenerys Loved Dragons...

The official website for the Black Butler anime series today confirmed that boy group Ryugujo will make their anime debut with "Waltz" for the ending song of Black Butler -Emerald Witch Arc- , which is scheduled to premiere in April 2025 . It was revealed in January that two-member rock band Cö shu Nie , best known for performing Tokyo Ghoul:re 's first opening song, will perform "Maisie" for the opening song. Related: Black Butler -Emerald Witch Arc- Anime Reveals Opening Song Details Kenjiro Okada ( March comes in like a lion chief director) continues to direct the latest Black Butler anime at studio CloverWorks, with series composition by Hiroyuki Yoshino ( World Trigger ), character designs by Yumi Shimizu ( Horimiya chief animation director). Maaya Sakamoto and Daisuke Ono reprise their roles as Ciel Phantomhive and Sebastian Michaelis, respectively. Crunchyroll streams the full series to date, and will stream the upcoming -Emerald Witch Arc- when it premieres in the spring.

2024 is in the books and we’re on to 2025, but before we fully get into the new year, let’s look back at your favorite anime opening themes from the past year. We had you vote every season over the course of the year and finally, one final time, as we pitted every top five against each other to see which openings would reign supreme as the best of the best. Will we see some surprise entries or will our previous winners continue to stay on top? Let’s dive into these results to find out! What 2024 Anime Openings Were in the Poll? Here's a quick rundown of all the anime openings that were in the running. These are the openings that were in the top five of our fan polls over the course of 2024. Top Winter Anime 2024 Openings Check out all Winter Anime 2024 OPs here! 5. "Ambivalent" by Uru ( The Apothecary Diaries...

The official website for the Black Butler anime series today confirmed that two-member rock band Cö shu Nie , best known for performing Tokyo Ghoul:re 's first opening song, will perform the opening song for Black Butler -Emerald Witch Arc- , which is scheduled to premiere in April 2025 . The song, titled "Maisie", is written by Hyde, Miku Nakamura and hico and will feature Hyde ( Attack on Titan Season 3 opening theme) himself. Related: Black Butler -Emerald Witch Arc- Anime Reveals Teaser Visual, April 2025 Release Kenjiro Okada ( March comes in like a lion chief director) continues to direct the latest Black Butler anime at studio CloverWorks, with series composition by Hiroyuki Yoshino ( World Trigger ), character designs by Yumi Shimizu ( Horimiya chief animation director). Maaya Sakamoto and Daisuke Ono reprise their roles as Ciel Phantomhive and Sebastian Michaelis, respectively. Crunchyroll streams the full series to date, and will stream the upcoming -Emerald Witch Arc- when it premieres in the spring.

Japanese anime studio P.A. Works is set to release Japan’s first anime film adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s timeless children’s novel, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Titled Fushigi no Kuni de Alice to -Dive in Wonderland- (With Alice in Wonderland -Dive in Wonderland-), the movie will debut in Japanese theaters on August 29, 2025.

This reimagining takes a fresh approach, centering on Rise, a modern-day girl voiced by Nanoka Hara, known for her roles in Suzume and Oshi no Ko. Rise finds herself mysteriously transported to Wonderland, where she meets Alice, played by 10-year-old Maika Pugh. Pugh expressed her excitement about the role, calling it a dream come true.

The film is directed by Toshiya Shinohara, recognized for his work on Black Butler and A Lull in the Sea. The screenplay is penned by Yuko Kakihara, whose credits include The Apothecary Diaries and Blue Box. P.A. Works, renowned for its visually stunning productions,...

Yuji Kaku’s Hell’s Paradise recently got renewed for a second season, which is supposed to be released in January 2026. The series has become one of the greatest dark fantasy anime series of all time with only one season under its belt, earning fame and appreciation from fans all over the world. However, the news about the second season might have received the love that the creators hoped.

Hell’s Paradise Season 1 | Credit: Mappa Studios

When the second season of Hell’s Paradise was finally announced, some fans were over the moon as their favorite series was officially renewed. But there were some fans who questioned the long wait that they had to endure for the series, considering the fact that the first season came out in April 2023. The second season took almost four years to get adapted, which is unacceptable to some fans.

While this may sound like an obvious problem for some,...

The yaoi genre, also known as Boys' Love (Bl), has taken off in popularity over the past few years. It's had a cult following since it was first established in the 1960s, but now it's far more out in the open than it's ever been. Popular anime streaming services all have at least some Bl anime, and manga can be found in any bookstore shelved beside shōnen and shojo series. With this amount of attention, however, comes a clearer view of the genre's biggest problems.

A lot of Bl can be uncomfortable to consume because the relationships too often fetishize predatory, non-consensual, harassing, and even abusive interactions. Popular Bl like Dakaichi and The Night Beyond the Tricornered Window suffer from this, as well as classics like Junjou Romantica. As a result, many are seeking Bl that don't strongly adhere to the common, and often toxic, tropes that dominate the genre.

Another chapter ends on a year of anime news, which means it's time to look back at the newsy calendar that was! Now in my fifth year of writing this , I've come to terms with one aspect of this roundup article that I'm changing going forward: Rather than highlighting articles published pre-2024 that still make it in our top-read of the year, I'm only listing articles actually published within the year in this top list. It was funny the first time to see articles from 2022 (and earlier!) still be the most read years after, but it didn't really feel representative of the year in anime news. Having said that, looking at the year makes it clear that Demon Slayer had truly returned, after last being on the list in 2022 . Solo Leveling also made an impressive intro, showing up most as a single title between the News and Features Top 10 most-read.

We've only just begun to unravel the ties that bind in Tying the Knot with an Amagami Sister . The romance anime officially returns for its second cour on January 14, 2025 , and we've received a brand-new key visual today as an offering to tide us over until then. Furthermore, it was revealed that the series' new ending song will be "Kamisama no Iu To–ri!" by ≠Me ( The Maid I Hired Recently is Mysterious Op ). Tying the Knot with an Amagami Sister Cour 2 Key Visual Related: Tying the Knot with an Amagami Sister Anime Cour 2 Begins on January 14, 2025 Based on the manga by Marcey Naito, Yujiro Abe ( Konosuba Season 3) directs Tying the Knot with an Amagami Sister at studio Drive, with series composition by Yasuko Aoki ( The Demon Prince of Momochi House ), character designs by Haruko Iizuka ( Horimiya ) and music by Ryo Kawasaki ( Black Butler: Public School Arc ) and Tomoyuki Kono.

Yuri!!! on Ice has been the gateway to the Boys Love genre for many budding fujoshi. It was Mappa’s stepping stone to fame. Mappa might be currently dominating with huge titles like Jujutsu Kaisen, Attack on Titan, and Chainsaw Man, but it was Yuri!!! on Ice that brought the studio to its current spotlight.

In an industry where queerbaiting is rampant, Yuri!!! on Ice is a refreshing series that did not leave fans hanging. It delivered exactly what it had promised and more. In the end, Mappa’s gamble paid off ten times over.

Yuri!!! on Ice was Mappa’s Biggest Gamble, and Fans Received it With Open Arms Yuri!!! on Ice | Credits: Mappa

Yuri!!! on Ice debuted in 2016, just a couple of years after Mappa was formed. Very soon it became Mappa’s claim to fame and boosted to studio’s popularity to the sky. The anime dominated...

After years without news of a new season of Black Butler, fans were recently treated to a completely new season and the announcement of the long-awaited Emerald Witch arc airing in April 2025. In a newly released promo, the anime teases its return with one of the most anticipated arcs in the series. Those familiar with the manga are excited to see how some of the most beloved and memorable scenes will look in an anime, while others are waiting to continue their favorite Victorian Gothic show.

The promo reignites excitement surrounding the next season of Black Butler with atmospheric art featuring Earl Ciel Phantomhive and his demon butler, Sebastian Michaelis. The anticipation is palpable for both longtime manga fans and anime-only fans. The Emerald Witch arc is certain to spark conversation and deliver the suspense and drama that fans are longing for.

Official Art From The Emerald Witch Arc Sparks...

Wistoria: Wand and Sword (Tsue to Tsurugi no Wistoria) offers a compelling blend of fantasy and adventure and some dazzling adaptation of its Fujino Omori-authored and illustrated Kiyotaka Haimura-illustrated manga source material, to boot. Yet, despite its polished visuals, standout score, and powerful protagonist, the series struggled to garner the attention it deserved in 2024 compared to other newcomers like Kaiju No. 8 or Delicious in Dungeon.

Set in a realm where magic reigns supreme, Wistoria’s first season introduced Will Selfort, a magic academy student with more sword skills than innate magic abilities — and his subsequent struggle to overcome societal biases towards the more mystically inclined. It’s an intriguing premise—with quality results, too. So, why didn’t it earn more fanfare? An end-of-seaon-one investigation is in order.

Why Was Wistoria: Wand and Sword Overlooked? Comparisons to Mashle and Other Misinterpretations May Have Kneecapped Wistoria

Ahead of its debut,...

Following a fan event held in Japan today, the official website and accounts for Black Butler revealed that the previously announced Black Butler -Emerald Witch Arc- anime will begin airing in April 2025 . A teaser visual and two additional cast members were also unveiled. Black Butler -Emerald Witch Arc- Teaser Visual Chikahiro Kobayashi (Legoshi in Beastars ) and Rie Kugimiya (Kagura in Gintama ) join the cast as Wolfram Gelzer and Sieglinde Sullivan, respectively. Sebastian Ciel Sieglinde Wolfram Related: Black Butler -Emerald Witch Arc- Anime Announced, Crunchyroll to Stream Kenjiro Okada ( March comes in like a lion chief director) continues to direct the latest Black Butler anime at studio CloverWorks, with series composition by Hiroyuki Yoshino ( World Trigger ), character designs by Yumi Shimizu ( Horimiya chief animation director). Maaya Sakamoto and Daisuke Ono reprise their roles as Ciel Phantomhive and Sebastian Michaelis, respectively. Crunchyroll streams the full series to date and describes the overall...

Early in 2024, the gifted mangaka best known for Attack on Titan announced a new collaborative one-shot manga that has finally been given a 2025 release date. The project is a joint effort between Hajime Isayama and voice actor Yuki Kaji, whose masterful portrayal of Eren Yeager was the result of close work with Isayama over the course of Attack on Titan's anime adaptation. Intended to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Kaji's voice acting career, the project features a character called Soyogi Soyogi.

Hype has been building around the project for months. The one-shot was initially projected for publication in Fall 2024, a goal that wouldn't be realized. Isayama and Kaji have had extremely high standards for the project, holding out for the perfect artist and crafting the story details with great care—details which, if nothing else, demonstrate the one-shot's promise and potential. At last, the project has received a firm release date,...

Scores of major manga series have been banned in Tennessee as new laws are enacted across America that remove "offensive" books from libraries.

Via Ann, Chalkbeat reported this week that Rutherford County district has instructed its librarians to remove over 150 books from schools pending an investigation about whether they violate Tennessee's Hb 843. Hb 843 mandates that books in school libraries "must be suitable for the age and maturity levels of the students." It would ban books that contain "whole or in part nudity, descriptions or depictions of sexual excitement, sexual conduct, excess violence, or sadomasochistic abuse," are "patently offensive" or "appeal to the prurient interest" for students in kindergarten through K-12. The books currently banned while under review largely span LGBTQ+ topics, books featuring drugs, sex and violence, graphic novels, and action and Bl manga. These include Roots: The Saga of An American Family by Alex Haley, which was adapted into the popular TV mini-series,...

School districts around North America have been relentless in their ban on manga. From popular series like Attack on Titan and Jujutsu Kaisen to classics like Osamu Tezuka’s Unico: Awakening, nothing is being spared by the school committees.

In the past two months alone, two Tennessee school districts have listed various manga that they have removed from school libraries already. Other school districts in Tennessee are also considering complying with a new state law to limit books in school libraries.

The Suffocating List of Manga That Have Been Banned in Tennessee School District Assassination Classroom poster | Credits: Studio Lerche

On November 11, the Rutherford County Schools removed over 150 titles from school libraries after they were flagged. The first eight volumes of Assassination Classroom and Volume 1 of Fire Force are currently under review. Caleb Tidwell, a board member, cited the state obscenity laws under which the titles were flagged. A supporter...

Solo Leveling is one of the biggest surprises in recent years. Although manhwa adaptations have been growing in popularity, Solo Leveling's incredible first season set a new standard. The series was licensed by Crunchyroll for an anime produced by A-1 Pictures, a subsidiary of Aniplex with an impressive portfolio including classics like Sword Art Online, Black Butler, and Blue Exorcist. What resulted was a smash-hit battle shnen nobody saw coming. Anticipation for its second season has been high as many fans are wondering what to expect.

Not long ago, the second season of Solo Leveling was teased in a trailer for Solo Leveling -ReAwakening-. Now, there's an even bigger development for our hero Jinwoo. A 45-second trailer for Solo Leveling season two just dropped. Despite the anime's simple premise, Solo Leveling teems with complexity and hype, and the trailer confirms that more of the same is on the horizon.

Mari Okada is an award-winning filmmaker and writer who is famous for her hand in creating emotional pieces like Anohana as well as weaving together the stunning tale of Maquia. She also contributed to a handful of writing and diecting jobs, having worked on the writing staff for popular anime like Basilisk, Black Butler, and Fate/Stay Night. Most recently, she wrote the screenplay for the new 2024 film, Fureru, which was released in Japan earlier this year.

Okada possesses a talent for tugging at her audiences' heartstrings, crafting stories that leave fans sobbing by the time the credits start rolling. Her work consists of deeply flawed, realistic characters who overcome their obstacles with the help of love, friendship, and self-actualization. Many of her works are perfect for anime fans who love a good story about the strong bonds built between imperfect people as well as a good cry.

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Related 45 Heartbreakingly...

While Yusei Matsui has had a stellar year with his latest manga adaptation of The Elusive Samurai garnering acclaim, his previous hit, Assassination Classroom, has seen better days. As reported by Wmbf News on November 15, 2024, Horry County School District recently moved to take Assassination Classroom out of its libraries, without possibility of a challenge for five years. The request was initially made by a concerned mother of a ninth grader who checked the book out, with the mother citing the series' "pictures of violence, guns, and other content she believes is inappropriate for students her daughters age."

Despite Assassination Classroom being about its main characters killing their powerful alien homeroom teacher to save their planet, the series' violence and other mature themes are quite tame. The manga is well-loved by its readers and was nominated for the Best U.S. Edition of International MaterialAsia category at the 2016 Eisner Awards, indicating...

As 2024 draws to a close, Disney+ is announcing some impressive anime offerings for the year ahead. In the anime community, Disney+ is often sidelined in favor of other subscription services like Netflix, Hulu, and Crunchyroll. Disney+ has always had mainstream offerings for anime lovers, hosting major series like Jujutsu Kaisen and Bleach. But as far as exclusives and originals go, Disney+ hasn't attained the same prestige as Netflix or Crunchyroll with fans.

In reality, Disney+ has been producing anime exclusives for a while now. They offered the niche hit Black Rock Shooter a follow-up in 2022 with Black Rock Shooter: Dawn Fall, and beloved classic Code Geass received a Disney+ exclusive film in 2024 called Code Geass: Roze of the Rebellion. Although anime has never been Disney+'s priority, a string of recent announcements confirm several new exclusives for the platform that could entice anime fans who are yet to try the service.

Yusei Matsui’s prominent manga series, Assassination Classroom, has been a topic of discussion since the story began in 2012. The series has quite a big fanbase, and the aspect that intrigues its fans the most is the unique storyline that explores the themes of science fiction, comedy, drama, and thrill. However, the uniqueness of the story has become a problem for the series.

Assassination Classroom | Credit: Studio Lerche

Assassination Classroom follows the lives of a bunch of misfit students of Class 3-e who are tasked with killing their teacher. Their teacher is, in fact, an alien with unprecedented powers who has claimed to destroy Earth within one year. But the enticing aspect of the story is that the teacher himself teaches the art of assassination to his students.

While the narrative certainly sounds eccentric, many people are not happy with the different elements of Assassination Classroom. Thus, the series has...

Back in the day, it was pretty common for a manga and its anime adaptation to air at the same time. Sometimes, it would even mean that the anime made many original decisions due to the lack of available chapters. Black Butler, Fruits Basket, Soul Eater, and Fullmetal Alchemist are some popular examples of this phenomenon.

While most of these series originally changed many things from the manga, Fullmetal Alchemist is the only one to bring two different experiences to life, and somehow both make sense in their own way.

Edward and Alphonse in Fullmetal Alchemist (2003) | Credits: Studio Bones

While some fans prefer Fullmetal Alchemist, others wouldn’t think twice before crowning Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood as their absolute favorite. Both series have found dedicated fanbases and the ‘which one’s better’ debate has been ongoing since forever. However, when one looks at the fan discussions, it becomes clear that fans...

An extremely popular slime isekai series thrives in Japan but has not made as big a splash with international audiences. While That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime has landed at #1 for manga sales in its home country, it has been bested worldwide by other sports, mystery and isekai franchises.

PR Times recently revealed the top-selling books in 2024 based on sales data provided by digital retailer BookWalker (formed by parent company Kadokawa). As of Aug. 6, 2024, the top 10 series listed below are the top-selling books on the popular e-book service. Although That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime dominated the Japanese sales chart, it failed to rank at all in the top 10 for international readers. The top 10 listings provided by PR Times and BookWalker, based on four regions where the e-book retailer operates, can be viewed below. As of Aug. 6, 2024, the sales are tallied for series with 30 or more...

Capturing the hearts of countless fans around the world, Natsuki Takaya became a renowned name after her work, Fruits Basket, became a massive hit that deeply narrates the human journey that each of her characters undergoes. The anime is the perfect title if you are looking forward to watching something whimsical yet so serious that will keep you on the edge of your seats.

Poster for Fruits Basket. Credits: Tms

The show was quite popular in the Otaku community all the way back in 2001, which returned with grace when, in 2019, the remake of the fan favorite anime was announced. Takaya-Sensei had a big demand for the remake because she was not fond of the original series.

Hence, when the idea of the remake of the 2001 was pitched to the manga artist, she did not hesitate to bring forth her demands. As a result, the show has become an evergreen...

The Shonen Jump action-comedy series Assassination Classroom by Yusei Matsui is once again at risk of being banned by another school district in the U.S. for its controversial subject matter. The latest school to object to the 2012 manga comes from Horry County in South Carolina.

Wmbf News reported in late September that the school districts of Horry County were reviewing Assassination Classroom for potential banishment from its libraries after an unnamed parent complained about the book's violent and sexual content. "Even if I didnt have children, I would not want a child to read this book," the parent said. "I mean, there are girls in lingerie hopping on top of men in the book. [...] In the book, theyll have several chapters that are telling you...a killing is in the title, of some nature. There are also several pages where there are handguns, rifles, knives, and potions, and it...

Female creators have played a pivotal role in shaping the anime industry, bringing unique perspectives and narratives to the medium. From iconic classics to modern hits, their works have left a lasting impression on audiences worldwide. These anime series not only showcase remarkable storytelling and character development but also reflect the creative talents they come from.

Highlighting anime from female creators shines a light on the diversity within the industry and demonstrates the unique and varied approaches to storytelling that women bring to the table. These works have influenced multiple genres, from shojo romance to epic shonen adventures. There are countless anime universes that have been created by women, but some stand out among the rest due to the incredible genius behind the work.

Ouran High School Host Club Timeless Characters and Themes for a Beloved Comedy

Ouran High School Host Club is a beloved comedy that deconstructs the most...

At first glance, Fruits Basket will seem like the most stereotypical Shoujo manga in existence. An unfortunate orphan girl gets invited by her dashing classmate to live in his house and soon discovers a secret hiding in their family. Of course, she vows never to speak it to a soul and gets into a series of trouble. Can it get any more Shoujo than this?

Still, the series, with its diverse range of characters, unexpected twists, and a famous love triangle, has achieved worldwide fame. In fact, after the superb response from its 2001 anime, it was renewed for another 26-episode series in 2019.

Fruits Basket Manga Sold Over 30 Million Copies in 2018 Fruits Basket 2019 Poster | Credits: Tms Entertainment

Fruits Basket by Natsuki Takaya first debuted in the Hana to Yume magazine in 1998 and was serialized till 2006. To date, the manga has been one of the best-selling Shoujo series. By the time the...

From Attack on Titan to Black Butler most anime have maintained their consistency through the sequels. Although some series get their sequels and adaptations, this is subject to change. Some take years and even decades to make their comeback. However, the possibility of this one such series’ sequel seems like a long haul.

Sebastian Michaelis in a still from the series | Credit: A-1 Pictures

Ouran High School Host Club was all the rage back in 2006 when it first premiered. From its representation of the queer community to its parodying of the Shojo genre, it marked its niche through its storytelling. However, it’s been almost 18 years that there is no possible sign of its second season as most fans wait in anticipation.

Black Butler’s sequel has Ouran High School Host Club Fans waiting in anticipation.

Black Butler is a dark fantasy shonen manga written by Yana Toboso. From its...

Kinnikuman Perfect Origin Arc continues to beef up its roster, introducing its second wave of Perfect Large Numbers. Today, five new cast members were announced: From left to right, the new additions are: Nemesis: Takeshi Kusao (Trunks in the Dragon Ball series) Grim Reaper: Junichi Suwabe (Undertaker in Black Butler ) Marvellous: Yoshihisa Kawahara (Katsumi Orochi in Baki ) Jak Chi: Shinobu Matsumoto (Kashiwade Aoki in Knights of Sidonia ) Polarman: Takashi Matsuyama (Rurio in Hozuki's Coolheadedness ) Related: Kinnikuman Perfect Origin Arc Anime Previews Episode 0 in New Trailer Also known in English as Ultimate Muscle , the original Kinnikuman manga by Yudetamago has been serialized since 1979 in Shueisha publications such as Weekly Shonen Jump, Weekly Playboy , and Shu Play News . Akira Sato directs Kinnikuman Perfect Origin Arc at animation studio Production I.G. Makoto Fukami provides the series composition, Hirotaka Marufuji provides the character designs, and Yasuharu Takanashi provides the music.

Major Japanese cross-border e-commerce service Buyee has revealed its top 10 best-selling anime, J-pop, mobile game and tokusatsu merchandise so far for 2024, representing well-known franchises such as My Hero Academia, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime and more.

Via a press release, The Beenos Group's popular e-commerce platform Buyee revealed its statistics on the most purchased goods among its partners for the first half of 2024, spanning categories like J-pop artist releases, mobile game merch, tokusatsu merch and anime merch (aired in 2024). It was revealed that Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba was #1 in anime merchandise by purchasing volume, followed by Ensemble Stars in second and My Hero Academia in third place. The rest of the top 10 comprised Saint Seiya, Wind Breaker, Kingdom, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, Blue Archive The Animation, Delicious in Dungeon and Black Butler. Readers can also check out the lists for J-pop, mobile game and tokusatsu merchandise below.

Watch Black Butler in a specific order to stay true to the original story by Yana Toboso. Black Butler features captivating characters like Grell and Undertaker that add excitement and suspense. The anime showcases cool and calculated characters like Sebastian and Ciel, making it a must-watch for anime fans.

Black Butler, known for its gothic theme and daring mysteries, is one of the best anime that can hold viewers' attention with its captivating characters and world. The anime follows the lead character, Ciel Phantomhive, who formed a contract with a demon named Sebastian Michaelis. With this contract, Ciel vowed to seek revenge on the people who tortured him and murdered his late parents.

How To Navigate Black Butler So Its Faithful To The Canon

Anime fans can watch the Black Butler anime adaptations in a certain order to keep up with Yana Toboso's original storyline.

The anime is a beloved...