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It's not common for anime to feature unreliable narrators, but when done right, it elevates the experience of watching the anime series to a different level. When viewers are unaware of the truth, it takes storytelling into a realm of uncertainty that challenges those watching and makes them active participants in the narrative. Sometimes, the main character is being intentionally deceitful. Other times, it's the plot itself that deceives both the protagonist and the viewer.

This twist can make an anime much more intriguing than if it was telling a story through an objective view. Viewers get a glimpse into the depths of the main character to see what kind of person they truly are.What makes a narrative like that interesting for viewers is the way it forces them to figure out fact from fiction. This adds a layer of complexity to the anime series and leaves a lasting impact.

Acclaimed anime creator and industry leader Masaaki Yuasa today announced the establishment of a new Tokyo-based animation studio called ame pippin, in collaboration with production companies Asmik Ace, Aniplex and CoMix Wave Films. Yuasa previously co-founded Science Saru in 2013 with producer Eunyoung Choi, where he directed both mind-bending series and original films. ame pippin's official website displays the following message in English from "CEO & Co-Founder" Yuasa: We are hoping that our new studio will be a place for new opportunities and a fresh creative environment. As a collective, we will make steady progress, maintain quick turnarounds and flexibility, and foster joy in creativity. The next chapter of film and media entertainment starts here! Related: Dan Da Dan Season 2 Releases New Teaser Trailer Source: Variety...

The Kessoku Band from Bocchi The Rock! will perform its next solo live event, titled the Kessoku Band Tour “We will B”, in Tokyo on February 15 following the band's previously ongoing tour . To celebrate the show, a new illustration of the group by artist Yusuke Nakamura was released. Nakamura is best known for his work illustrating the covers of numerous albums by Asian Kung-fu Generation. as well as books such as The Tatami Galaxy and more. Based on the manga by Aki Hamazaki , Keiichiro Saito directed the Bocchi The Rock! TV anime at animation studio CloverWorks. Crunchyroll currently streams the series as well as the two compilation anime films, and describes the story as follows: Hitori Gotoh, “Bocchi-chan,” is a girl who’s so introverted and shy around people that she’d always start her conversations with “Ah...” During her middle school years, she started playing the guitar, wanting to...

Devilman has been considered one of the most profound and haunting pieces of work in the history of manga. Originally created by Go Nagai, Devilman first appeared in 1972 and quickly became one of the most controversial yet captivating works in Japanese pop culture. For decades, adaptations struggled to fully capture the bleak and uncompromising vision of the original manga, often shying away from its most disturbing elements.

Devilman Crybaby | Credit: Science Saru

It wasn’t until Devilman Crybaby, Netflix’s original anime directed by Masaaki Yuasa, that the story received an adaptation bold enough to delve into its harrowing depths. It was released in 2018 as the series commemorated the 50th anniversary of Go Nagai’s career. However, the most fascinating thing is that even Yuasa himself admitted that he initially found Devilman to be a “scary” and difficult project to adapt.

The impossible challenge: Adapting Devilman for modern audiences

Known...

Movies play a pivotal role in many families' Christmas and holiday celebrations. To some people, it isn't truly Christmas until they've watched The Muppet Christmas Carol, Miracle on 34th Street, or It's a Wonderful Life with their family. However, there is one anime Christmas film that, despite being heavily praised by both critics and viewers, has failed to join the pantheon of quintessential Christmas films despite the film being a modern take on many of the themes found in popular Christmas classics.

Arriving on screens in 2003, Tokyo Godfathers has an all-star production team featuring many of the biggest names in the anime industry. It was directed and co-written by the legendary Satoshi Kon, who also wrote and directed modern classics like Millennium Actress and Paprika and directed the critically acclaimed Perfect Blue. The film's other writer was Keiko Nobumoto, who wrote the screenplay for Cowboy Bebop and its big-screen follow-up,...

One of the things that has made Dandadan one of the best anime of 2024 is its chaotic energy. Not many anime shows have the ability to incorporate outlandish sci-fi concepts and deliver them with on-point humor. The series has taken the world by storm because of its unhinged aura and knack for presenting a story that may be peculiar but strongly represents its respective genres. While there’s no anime quite like Dandadan, several good sci-fi shows have been able to channel a similar vibe.

Their eccentric storytelling, bizarre characters, and outlandish ideas have charmed the audience into liking their well-executed mayhem. Dandadan has been a standout title because it is absurdly charming and skillfully blends popular sub-genres and undertones. If the viewers particularly enjoy high-octane action, over-the-top humor, and obscurity, then these acclaimed sci-fi shows are a must-watch.

Related These Anime Studios Are The Best In The Business

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Anyone tuned into the latest anime season has probably caught the buzz around Dandadan, an adaptation of Yukinobu Tatsu’s million-selling oddball manga. Dandadan may have only begun its anime adaptation, but it’s already making a major splash. Indeed, the anime is a treat for alien and occult fans, and much of its growing popularity is driven by these enthusiasts.

Okarun and Momo swinging [Credit: Science Saru]

With the release of the latest episode 5, Science Saru once again showcased their exceptional animation skills, bringing this wild manga to life. Yukinobu Tatsu introduces viewers to two main lead characters, Momo Ayase and Ken Takakura, dealing with supernatural and alien threats.

Many fans were expecting the anime to follow the trend of dark shonen filled with violence and bleak themes, but viewers were pleasantly surprised by its lighthearted and unique approach. Amid the success of Dandadan, Yukinobu Tatsu acknowledges a legendary manga...

The anime industry lost a long-treasured gem as Ryou Kouno, a talented art director, passed away recently. Kouno has been in the anime industry for decades and has made significant contributions during her career. News of her passing away has been received by fans with grieving hearts.

She was a part of popular works like Mob Psycho 100, Devilman Crybaby, Perfect Blue, and many more. Her easy adaptability to such widely different art styles made her a favorite in her field.

Talented Art Director Ryou Kouno Passes Away Mob Psycho 100 | Credit: Studio Bones

Ryou Kouno, a popular background artist and art director in the anime industry, passed away on October 23, 2024. News of her death was publicly revealed two days later, on October 26, by her nephew via Twitter. Her nephew also reported that she passed away due to suspected gastrointestinal bleeding.

Fans of the artist have commented their condolences under the post,...

Fall 2024 is gaining back its reputation as the season with the biggest releases as Dandadan gets better and better as episodes drop by every week. It’s finally dawning upon fans that one shouldn’t judge studios solely based on their previous works. Studio Science Saru has gained confidence among fans that it is the perfect studio to animate such a huge and much-anticipated work. It perfectly encapsulates Dandadan’s wackiness through its art style and camera angles.

Turbo Granny in Okarun’s body | Credits: Science Saru

It’s no surprise that the story of Dandadan is unhinged in itself. After all, it’s written by Yukinobu Tatsu, who was assisting Chainsaw Man‘s creator, Tatsuki Fujimoto. So, fans should expect some over-the-top scenes and statements from characters. And going through different arcs just to retrieve one’s d*ck is just a teaser for what’s yet to come...

From well-established industry giants to indie groups only getting their start in the world of animation, the numerous studios that bring fans new series to enjoy season after season are the foundation blocks of the entire anime medium. Unlike in other industries, anime is often judged based on the studio that produced it, the production house holding even more importance to fans than the directors or the key animators.

While plenty of studios are esteemed for the quality of their shows, like Production I.G or the current industry goliath, Mappa, considerably fewer anime production houses are known for having a distinctive style that makes them stand out. Most studios are encouraged to pick up as many varied projects as possible, yet some stick to developing a unique visual identity. These studios that emphasize style often create some of the best anime in the medium.

Related 10 Best Anime Art Styles Of All Time,...

When thinking of Asian Kung-fu Generation , Naruto is probably the first anime that comes to mind. The band’s iconic “Haruka Kanata” is a staple in the Naruto universe and helped set the tone for one of its biggest arcs: the Chunin Exams. It’s no wonder that this is one of the group’s favorite anime, but what other series does Asian Kung-fu Generation enjoy? We got the chance to ask the group about their all-time favorite anime, which is always a tall task, but they managed to narrow it down to 11 picks. Related: How Anime Led Asian Kung-fu Generation to Being on the World Stage Do any of Asian Kung-fu Generation's picks make your own personal list of best anime? Check out their favorites below! Asian Kung-fu Generation's Favorite Anime Naruto Erased Bleach Image via Hulu Fullmetal Alchemist / Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Naruto Shippuden Dororo Image via Hidive Bocchi The Rock!

Underrated anime movies offer entertaining and memorable experiences that deserve more recognition. These movies often tell simple stories dismissed as generic, but they are hidden gems worth watching. Each underrated anime movie has its own unique qualities, from colorful animation to emotional storytelling.

Anime movies have recently become an increasingly popular industry, with titles like Your Name and A Silent Voice taking the world by storm. However, those willing to look into the most underrated anime movies are sure to be rewarded with entertaining and memorable experiences that, for some reason or another, were unable to gain as much traction as they deserve.

From light-hearted romances to serious adventures and touching dramas, anime movies can follow just about any topic and tell any story. More often than not, underrated anime movies tend to tell stories that, due to their simple premise and setting, are likely to be dismissed as generic or unoriginal.

While Studio Ghibli is celebrating the release of a new film by their lead genius, Hayao Miyazaki, with The Boy and the Heron, and Disney is celebrating their 100th anniversary in a variety of ways (including the film Wish), another powerhouse of animation is quietly celebrating their legacy. That would be Masaaki Yuasa, the brilliant director, writer, and animator behind some of the greatest anime films of all time, and a handful of brilliant TV series. Yuasa is a master of motion and space, and also one of the most fluid anime filmmakers of all time, able to adapt his style to various genres and emotions.

A gorgeous new Blu-ray box set, Masaaki Yuasa: Five Films, collects the major cinematic achievements of Yuasa — Mind Game, The Night is Short, Walk on Girl, Lu Over the Wall, Ride Your Wave, and Inu-Oh. As we previously reported about the Yuasa set, the...

Anime history is full of stunning romance series. In fact, in the eyes of many, anime is the perfect genre for romance, as animation's flexibility makes it easy to convey the dizzying euphoria, painful lows, and utter beauty of love in a way that resonates with audiences. However, many anime romances follow a similar format, with each year seeing a new raft of "boy meets girl" stories arrive on television screens.

But, tucked between these shows is a whole raft of unique romance anime that put a different spin on the ideas and storylines viewers have come to expect. Your Name is one of the most famous recent examples of this, charming audiences with its unique take on life and romance, but it is far from the only one.

Related I'm In Love With The Villainess' Unexpectedly Deep Moments Make It Worth The Watch It may require patience, but I'm...

The anime medium is no stranger to adaptations. In fact, many of the medium's most famous works started as manga, and with every new anime season, many more stories get adapted from manga to anime. However, sometimes, the anime adaptation of something overshadows the original work to the point that many viewers, even those who consider themselves fans of the anime adaptation, don't realize it is building on an earlier thing.

There can be many reasons for this. Sometimes, the anime becomes so popular that it completely drowns out discussion of the original work. Plus, for American fans, there can often be massive gaps between the anime and the source material's localization, if the initial work gets localized at all. This means that, while some fans might be interested in the original work, they can't get a copy of it, leading to it being forgotten over time, as people can't...

Science Saru is known for its creative and visually stunning anime. The studio was co-founded by Masaaki Yuasa and Eunyoung Choi, who are dedicated to promoting creativity and fun. The anime produced by Science Saru have received warm reception from fans and critics for their unique look and storytelling.

The best Science Saru anime are some of the most creative in the industry. Established in 2013, the studio began as a subcontractor, providing key animation for episodes of shows such as Adventure Time and Space Dandy. Since then, it's branched out into full-length television shows and original movies of its own.

The company was co-founded by Masaaki Yuasa. As a director, animator, and screenwriter, he is known for his flashy, fluid visuals and surreal stories. He and Science Saru's other co-founder, Eunyoung Choi, are dedicated to promoting creativity, innovation, and fun in all the projects they pursue.

Night Is Short, Walk...

Fans can now get a better look at Disney's Dragons of Wonderhatch, which is set to premiere later on this year.

Disney+ released a new teaser trailer of its live-action/anime hybrid Dragons of Wonderhatch on Oct. 23 via YouTube. The description of the TV series reads: "The real world we live in, depicted in live-action, and a fantasy world with dragons, depicted in anime, brought by Disney+! This completely new story that no one has seen before depicts two worlds, Yokosuka in live-action and the dragon fantasy world Upananta in anime." The teaser showcases two of the main leads -- the Japanese schoolgirl Nagi and the dragon rider from another world, Tyme.

Related: 15 Best Live-Action Anime Adaptations

The latest teaser confirms new additions to the cast from the earlier trailer released this year, which include Rena Tanaka, Masami Miura, Riko Narumi and Sumire. Tanaka joins as Nagi's mother, Hana, while Miura joins as Nagi's father.

Inio Asano needs no introduction to fans of the Seinen genre. From ‘Goodnight Punpun’ to ‘Solanin,’ Asano’s beautiful art style and captivating stories have mesmerized fans for a long time. With a soaring demand for adaptations of Asano’s works, fans are finally getting their wish fulfilled. ‘Dead Dead Demon’s Dededede Destruction’ is finally receiving an anime adaptation.

Inio Asano’s ‘Dead Dead Demon’s Dededede Destruction,’ often referred to as ‘Dddd,’ was first serialized in Shogakukan’s Big Comic Spirits in 2014. With a total of 12 tankobon volumes, the manga concluded in February 2022.

In January 2021, the series received the Best General Manga award at the 66th Shogakukan Manga Awards, and in 2022, it was honored in the manga category at the 25th Japan Media Arts Festival Awards. In March 2022, Gaga Communications announced an anime adaptation based on the series.

https://twitter.com/DEDEDEDEanime/status/1697021384734507102

On August 30, 2023, the official website confirmed that “Dededede,...

Prestige T.V. shows like Succession and House of the Dragon are bigger than ever naturally leaving many viewers to wonder what the best prestige anime series are. Though the medium is famous for the breakneck action of series like Dragon Ball, that doesn't mean there aren't anime filled with the same literary themes, interesting direction, and stunning twists that keep fans of prestige T.V. hungry for more.

These prestige anime span several genres and lengths of show. From surreal fantasy to dramatic sports to psychological thrillers, these anime have been making a significant impact on viewers for years. They are some of the best of the best that TV of all media has to offer.

Attack On Titan (2015 - 2023)

The newest of the most popular prestige anime on this list, Attack on Titan was a smash hit from the day it first premiered. Despite the years-long hiatus between...

Live-action film and TV adaptations of anime remain ever-popular, but what about the best anime adapting other media? While there are plenty of great original anime airing, shows are just as often based on manga and light novels. But what about anime that digs a little deeper for inspiration?

These types of anime are a bit harder to find, but they are proof that inspiration for a great show or movie can come from anywhere. Dedicated viewers can find anime adaptations of classic literature, video games, American comics, and even music videos.

Mekakucity Actors (2014)

When longtime homebody Shintaro is forced to leave his house in search of a new keyboard, he already isn’t looking forward to the stresses of the outside world. Getting caught in a terrorist attack and hostage situation is absolutely outside of his wheelhouse. Meeting the Mekakushi-dan, a group of superpowered and traumatized other kids, gets...

Disney has pulled back the curtain on its slate of Asia-Pacific films and TV shows set for its two-year-old streaming service. Among the fare set to run on Disney+ is Rookies, a romantic drama set at an elite police academy that stars K-pop sensation Kang Daniel, and Blackpink: The Movie, a documentary about the popular K-pop group tied to its fifth anniversary.

Those are among 20-plus global, regional and local-language projects revealed today as headed for Disney+ as South Korean drama series Squid Game has become a global phenomenon. Check out the slate below.

The new Apac projects include original productions from scripted live-action tentpole series including drama, comedy, fantasy, romance, sci-fi, crime and horror to variety shows, documentaries and anime from markets including Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Greater China and Australia. Subject to local availability, the new Apac content titles will be available on the streaming service over the next year,...

As one of the most prolific and certainly most original animators, Masaaki Yuasa has graced us with memorable series and feature films alike, most of which are available to watch on streaming platforms. With 22 films and series under his belt as a director, and many more as a screenwriter, key animator or animation director, Yuasa’s name has became a trademark in the animation film universe. It is to him that we owe the pastel beauty of “The Tatami Galaxy” (2010), the sobering reminder of the times we live, depicted in “Japan sinks: 2020”, the deeply touching anime “Ride Your Wave” (2019), to name just a few. His interpretation of subjects is always over the top, colourful and merciless in its depiction of events and people.

After a significant number of awards won at diverse international film festivals, among which – Sitges, Annecy, Fantasia International Film Festival, and Ottawa International Animation Festival, Yuasa has...

After releasing Lu Over the Wall to critical acclaim, director Masaaki Yuasa was met with a similar brief for his next feature, Ride Your Wave, by Japanese animation studio Science Saru.

“We were assigned with the same theme, ‘a love story involving a fantastic/out-of-this-world being,’” Yuasa recalls. “From there, we came up with the story about a guy who turned into water and a human girl.”

Turning into a meditation on loss, following Yuasa’s experience of the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011, Ride Your Wave centers on Hinako, a surfer whose life changes forever when the charming Minato rescues her from an apartment building fire. Thereafter, the firefighter tragically passes, but the romance between the two only continues to unfold, when Hinako finds that she can summon her lost love to appear, wherever there is water.

Distributed by Toho in Japan and by Gkids in the U.

With each New Year bringing feelings of new beginnings and vows to explore new talents (at least until we slip just once from our gym routine!), the Screen Anime channel is excited to head into 2021 with a line-up themed around new beginnings, led by Keiichi Hara’s Annecy Award-nominated biopic Miss Hokusai, as well as The Place Promised in Our Early Days, the feature film debut of the now world-famous director Makoto Shinkai, and more!

Joining them later this month are the intense and action-packed thriller Jin-Roh (written by Mamoru Oshii of Ghost in the Shellfame), and the eclectic short-film anthology follow-up Genius Party Beyond. These four great films are also joined by this month’s binge-worthy TV series The Tatami Galaxy, the acclaimed eccentric romantic comedy from Masaaki Yuasa.

All titles will be available on Screen Anime from 27 December 2020 until 25 January 2021. The four feature films will be available in...

Each Saturday, Tim has been taking a look at one of the films submitted for the Best Animated Feature Oscar. Today, two of them by the same artist.

Masaaki Yuasa is, to my mind, the most interesting director working in animation today. Ever since his first feature, 2004's Mind Game, he has subjected himself to a nearly constant process of self-reinvention, with every one of his major projects shifting to a new style, genre, or most likely both. He's mostly worked in television, but he had a very phenomenal 2017 with two extremely well-received features. Both of those were released in the United States in 2018 by distributor Gkids, and both are among the most stunning, even radical pieces of animation available on any screen of any size in the past twelve months.

The first one produced, though the second one released by Gkids, The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl is...

The Night Is Short, Walk on GirlNew York City’s remarkable summer of Asian film programming continues this week, when, just as the New York Asian Film Festival comes to a close, the Japan Society begins its annual series highlighting the best of contemporary Japanese cinema. This twelfth edition of Japan Cuts features 28 films over ten days, most of which are premiering for the first time in the United States. It’s an eclectic mix of arthouse and genre films from world famous directors as well as young unknowns. I was able to sample a handful of this year’s program, for the most part steering away from the biggest names1 in favor of less heralded filmmakers. In all I saw six films: three romantic comedies; a road movie; a 1980s pink film (Masayuki Suo’s Abnormal Family); and Nobuhiko Obayashi’s Hanagatami, which is some kind of a historical drama.

(If only I could watch this series again, knowing what I do know now... Oh wait, I can!) There are timetravel stories which allow people to visit faraway pasts, dinosaurs, pyramids, or faraway futures with wastelands, aliens, utopias, dystopias... There are other timetravel stories which allow people to re-do or re-view parts of their Own pasts and try to avoid certain mistakes. The noitaminA anime "The Tatami Galaxy" from director Masaaki Yuasa is such a story, or rather such a series of stories. Its eleven episodes depict a student doing the same two years of his life in different ways, seemingly all to the same disastrous effect. Australian distributor Siren Visual has released several of the recent noitaminA series on DVD, and "The Tatami Galaxy"...