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The My Dress-Up Darling stage event at Aniplex's AnimeJapan 2025 booth today officially confirmed that the previously announced anime sequel is a second season that will air in July 2025 . A special 'memories' video and an illustration were unveiled to commemorative the announcement. My Dress-Up Darling Memories Trailer My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 Illustration Related: My Dress-Up Darling Anime Sequel Officially Confirms 2025 Release Based on the manga by Shinichi Fukuda, Keisuke Shinohara ( Blackfox ) directed the My Dress-Up Darling anime's first season at studio CloverWorks, with series composition by Yoriko Tomita ( The Elusive Samurai ), character designs by Kazumasa Ishida and music by Takeshi Nakatsuka ( The Greatest Demon Lord Is Reborn as a Typical Nobody ). Crunchyroll streams the series and describes the story: Wakana Gojo is a high school boy who wants to become a kashirashi--a master craftsman who makes traditional Japanese Hina dolls. Though he's gung-ho about the craft, he knows nothing about the latest trends,...

Did Solo Leveling surpass One Piece and Demon Slayer?(Photo Credit –YouTube)

Solo Leveling has taken the anime world by storm since its global release on Crunchyroll in 2024. With its gripping premise set in a world where humanity’s survival depends on hunters ranked by strength, the series instantly captured audiences and became one of the year’s most talked-about anime.

Now, with the arrival of its second season, Solo Leveling has achieved yet another incredible milestone. It has surpassed two of the most iconic anime series to claim the title of Crunchyroll’s most-rated anime.

‘Solo Leveling’ has now surpassed ‘One Piece’ to become the Most-popular Anime on @Crunchyroll!

CloverWorks, the acclaimed Japanese animation studio behind fan-favorite hit series like Spy x Family, My Dress-Up Darling, Horimiya and many more, has a recent feature film in its catalog, now streaming exclusively on Crunchyroll.

Trapezium is a 95-minute anime drama movie and a bold new character study for the studio, generally known for producing more buoyant and serialized stories. Helping bring the feature film to life are anime talent such as director Masahiro Shinohara -- known for his work on Re:zero -Starting Life in Another World -- and veteran anime writer Yuko Kakihara, of Buddy Daddies and Blue Box fame, handling the screenplay. The movie adapts Kazumi Takayama's original novel of the same name. The film's official trailer can be seen below.

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Fire Force Season 3 gets a major positive update, with an exclusive new trailer reveal...

Be it aesthetic elements, like the awe-inspiring swordsmanship of the samurai, or legends and folklore that often influence supernatural anime, traces of Japan’s rich history and cultural legacy can be seen all over the medium across anime genres and settings. Anime that actually dives into Japanese history and portrays the events of the past accurately can be hard to come by, with bona fide historical fiction being a scarce and underrated genre.

The history of Japan features thrilling events and compelling narratives in plentitude. While few in numbers, some incredible anime take on the challenge of bringing Japanese history to life, giving the audience a peak at a tantalizing past – from bygone epics of warriors and empires to the recent history enriched through fiction.

Related10 Best Underrated Historical Anime, Ranked

Historical anime bring the past to life, offering rich stories for history-loving fans.

Sengoku Basara Turns Japan’s Most...

The Elusive Samurai is a historical manga and anime series based on a young samurai who is determined to get revenge on the enemy that betrayed his family and overthrew them. On a mission to gain back his glory, young Hojo Tokiyuki finds himself making new friends and enemies along the way.

As one of the most underrated anime and manga series of 2024, The Elusive Samurai has a thrilling story that fans of historical fantasy would truly love. The manga has been running since 2021, and its chapters have been collected in English across fourteen volumes as of the time of writing, with two more coming out before the end of the year. The best volumes of The Elusive Samurai highlight what the series excels at: high-stakes action, clever comedy and heartwarming character development.

Related10 Minor Anime Villains That Failed Terribly

VIllains are written to be stopped, but these evildoers failed in the biggest ways.

Hundreds of thousands of manga have been released across countless genres, ensuring every fan can find something that resonates with them. However, some series stand out as a cut above the rest—must-reads that every manga fan deserves to experience at least once.

These incredible manga feature stellar storytelling, beloved characters, and beautiful art. From fantasy to realism, romance to action, each series brings something unique to the table. While they may differ in style and genre, they all have one thing in common: they set the standard for what makes a truly unforgettable manga.

Yona of the Dawn's Rich World-Building & Great Female Main Lead Make it Worth the Read Read on Viz Media; Manga Status: In its Final Arc

Yona of the Dawn is an epic fantasy romance by Mizuho Kusanagi. The series follows the princess of the Kouka Kingdom, 16-year-old Yona, as her cousin Su-won kills her...

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...

A-1 Pictures' popular Solo Leveling picks up a rather nice accolade before Season 2 premieres this January as MyAnimeList data crowns it 2024's most popular anime.

The popular anime database and tracker MyAnimeList revealed its most popular anime of 2024. MyAnimeList allows users to add a series to their account to indicate their current watch progress -- while these can include members who plan to watch the series but have not yet, this is generally negligible and can be discarded. Unsurprisingly, Solo Leveling Season 1 was the most popular anime of 2024, leading Demon Slayer: Hashira Training Arc in second by a massive 246k member lead. It led Dandadan in third by 271k. The top 10 list can be seen below.

Related 'I Am Alive Thanks to All of You': Spy x Family Gets Positive Update From Series Creator

Spy x Family creator Tatsuya Endo begins the New Year with a heartwarming message directed toward...

Shonen Jump is synonymous with many of the biggest IPs in manga and anime. Recently, the company revealed which franchises will lead the iconic brand into the next generation.

As detailed on PR Times, Weekly Shonen Jump is collaborating with TikTok to launch a new social media campaign called #JumpOshiKatsu, or "New Power Generation." From Dec. 27 to Jan. 31, Shonen Jump will compile fan-created TikToks revolving around nine popular manga titles that have launched in Weekly Shonen Jump and its companion publications over the last decade. The full list of included works can be seen below.

Related 'Such a Shame': Akira Toriyama's Original Editor Weighs in on Dragon Ball Super at Jump Festa

A former Shonen Jump editor doesn’t mince words when criticizing the Dragon Ball Super manga by Toyotarou and the late Akira Toriyama.

Shonen Jump Launches New TikTok Plan for Its Major Hit Franchises

Kagurabachi by Takeru...

In the mid-2000s, few shonen series were as popular as the Big Three, a term created by the Western anime community to refer to One Piece, Naruto, and Bleach. Extremely beloved worldwide, these three franchises ran alongside one another in Shonen Jump from 2001 to 2014, amassing a substantial shared fanbase and even becoming an entire generation’s introduction to anime. However, with the conclusion of Naruto in 2014 and Bleach in 2016, a void was left on the pages of Shonen Jump, urging the fans to search for new series to take the Big Three’s place.

In the following years, a new lineup of top-rated shonen series did, indeed, emerge, even if none of them ended up becoming the universally acknowledged New Big Three. Yet, this new generation of shonen hits is now also swiftly concluding. Just in the last few years, such massive series as Demon Slayer, Hell’s Paradise, Dr. Stone,...

Out of all the aspects that make an anime series world-class, the one that probably matters the most is the animation quality of the series. The current era of anime heavily relies on the flow of animation within a series, as it serves more than one purpose. It helps with the story, the characters, significant moments, dramatic effects, etc.

Demon Slayer | Credit: Ufotable

And the one series that has been praised a lot for its animation quality is Demon Slayer. Ever since the Demon Slayer anime started in 2019, the animation quality of the series has been top-notch, and it has only enhanced with every new season. Demon Slayer is animated by Ufotable, which is one of the biggest animation studios in the anime industry.

Be it the Mugen Train arc or the Entertainment District arc, Ufotable has made sure that the series prevails in terms of delivering a better standard of animation.

A popular magazine in Japan recently announced the results of the bi-annual "National Treasure Level-Handsome Men" survey. Takeo Otsuka, who voices Aquamarine from Oshi no Ko and Jinshi from The Apothecary Diaries, has officially earned the title of Japan's most handsome voice actor for the latter half of 2024.

Per Oricon, the aforementioned magazine is ViVi, a monthly fashion magazine with a target demographic of women aged 17-27. Sitting at the top of ViVi's Top 10 "most handsome men" rankings is Otsuka, who narrowly defeated Nobuhiko Okomoto, best known for his role as Katsuki Bakugo from My Hero Academia. The third-place winner is Nobunaga Shimazaki, the star of CloverWorks' popular martial arts-focused drama, Wind Breaker. The full list of winners, ranked from most to least popular, are listed below.

Related "If She Were Still Alive": Oshi no Ko Creator Reveals Ai Hoshino's Would-Be Future Career

A major fashion magazine reveals a...

The official website and accounts for the My Dress-Up Darling anime today revealed that the previously announced sequel will be broadcast in 2025 , while also unveiling a teaser visual. A format for the new anime is yet to be confirmed. My Dress-Up Darling Anime Sequel Teaser Visual Related: My Dress-Up Darling Manga Gets Live-Action Drama in October 2024 Based on the manga by Shinichi Fukuda, Keisuke Shinohara ( Blackfox ) directed the My Dress-Up Darling anime's first season at studio CloverWorks, with series composition by Yoriko Tomita ( The Elusive Samurai ), character designs by Kazumasa Ishida and music by Takeshi Nakatsuka ( The Greatest Demon Lord Is Reborn as a Typical Nobody ). Crunchyroll streams the series and describes the story: Wakana Gojo is a high school boy who wants to become a kashirashi--a master craftsman who makes traditional Japanese Hina dolls. Though he's gung-ho about the craft, he knows nothing about the latest trends, and has...

As the year draws to a close, Google has unveiled its most-searched terms for 2024, including a dedicated slot for the anime category. The top 10 anime on this list feature several expected entries, with the recent global sensation Dandadan securing an impressive #2 spot. Science Saru's Dandadan has rightfully earned its place, delivering fans nearly every element one could hope for in an entertainment medium.

Google's data highlights the growing interest in anime, with Dandadan skyrocketing in popularity following the release of Episode #7. This episode surprised fans with the tragic backstory of the Acrobatic Silky, cementing the anime's place among the year's most talked-about series. However, the top-searched anime of 2024, while an expected contender for the list, claimed the #1 spot for a reason that firmly justifies its position.

Mashle Takes the First Spot in Google's Top 10 Anime List Season 2 of Mashle, Released During the Winter of 2024, Has One Good Reason For Its...

The popular My Hero Academia manga by Kohei Horikoshi has handily broken its first-week sales record, marking a fittingly awe-inspiring end to the 10-year-long Weekly Shonen Jump series.

Via Oricon, My Hero Academia Volume 42 has shattered its first-week sales record with a massive 616,671 estimated sales in the week of Dec. 2-8. The final volume was released on Dec. 4 and so only had five days of tracking. Nevertheless, it still exceeded the 600k first-week sales mark in a franchise first. The volume also far outsold its other contemporaries released in the same week, with Chainsaw Man Volume 19 selling 109k, Kagurabachi Volume 5 selling 91k, Blue Box Volume 18 selling 84k and The Summer Hikaru Died Volume 6 selling 58k). Readers can see the full top 10 comics/manga for the week of Dec. 2-8 below, and further official data indicating that My Hero Academia's Volume 42 numbers may even be higher still.

Related Dragon Ball Daima...

The Mononoke Lecture Logs of Chuzenji-sensei: He Just Solves All the Mysteries , an upcoming TV anime based on the supernatural mystery manga series, has revealed a new teaser trailer, a new piece of key art and two key cast members. The series will broadcast in Japan beginning in April 2025. The Mononoke Lecture Logs of Chuzenji-sensei Teaser Trailer The main cast includes: Kana Kusakabe voiced by Kaori Maeda (Konatsu Taiga in Senpai is an Otokonoko ) Kana Kusakabe Akihiko Chuzenji voiced by Katsuyuki Konishi (Ashikaga Takauji in The Elusive Samurai ) Akihiko Chuzenji Based on the Rozen Kreuz novel series created by Natsuhiko Kyogoku, Kodansha serializes the original The Mononoke Lecture Logs of Chuzenji-sensei: He Just Solves All the Mysteries manga by Aki Shimizu in their Comic Days shonen manga magazine. Chihiro Kumano directs the TV anime at animation studio 100studio. Atsushi Oka provides the scripts and also serves as animation supervisor, and...

Google has now released its top-trending search terms in its annual Year in Search data drop, revealing which anime titles maintained their notoriety among fans in its new data release.

Google recently released its Year in Search 2024, showcasing the year's top trending searches across categories like sports, celebrities, public personalities and notably for Japan, anime. When looking at trends in Japan, Google data revealed that Mashle was the top trending anime of 2024, followed by Dandadan, Kaiju No. 8, My Deer Friend Nokotan and The Elusive Samurai. Readers can check out the full top 10 list below. A Google representative shared that Google defines top trending as "the searches that had a high spike in traffic over a sustained period in 2024 as compared to 2023."

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Weekly Shonen Jump’s latest breakout hit Kagurabachi, written by Takeru Hokazono, has been nominated for the prestigious 70th Shogakukan Manga Award.

This marks yet another accolade for the manga, which recently won the Next Manga Award in the print category and is set to receive an anime adaptation by CygamesPictures.

The Shogakukan Manga Award, established in 1955, is one of Japan’s oldest and most respected manga awards. It recognizes outstanding works published in magazines, collected volumes, and online platforms from Jan 1, 2024, onward.

The winners are selected through a comprehensive evaluation process involving manga artists, critics, editors, cultural organizations, booksellers, and general readers.

Alongside Kagurabachi, 11 other works have been nominated:

Uruwashi no Yoi no Tsuki by Mika Yamamori (Dessert) Kujo no Taizai by Shohei Manabe (Big Comic Spirits) The Apothecary Diaries (Yakuyaku no Hitorigoto) by Natsu Hyuga (Story), Minoji Kurata (Art), and Touko Shino (Character Design) (Monthly Sunday Gx) Kore...

Kagurabachi has the potential to be the next ‘it’ Shonen series, and within just a year of its debut, the manga has solidified its place in the hearts of otakus. With its edgy protagonist and awesome battle scenes, it ticks every Shonen requirements box. In fact, rumors of its anime announcement have entered the chat just in time.

The series has already amassed a huge fanbase with people praising various aspects of it. Takeru Hokazono has done a splendid job of creating intriguing characters with various motives, and it’s time to see how well the series performs as an anime.

Kagurabachi Gets Nominated for 70th Shogakukan Manga Awards Kagurabachi’s edgy protagonist, Chihiro | Credits: Viz Media

The Shogakukan Manga Award is one of the most prestigious manga awards in Japan. It is awarded annually and features a variety of candidates from all kinds of genres. It is also the oldest manga award in Japan,...

Which Studio will Produce Kagurabachi? Hit Manga Finally Getting Anime Adaptation - Main Image

The hit battle-action manga, Kagurabachi, which has captured the attention of fans worldwide, is officially set to become an anime.

Hailed as a next-generation Shonen Jump masterpiece and following in the footsteps of popular titles like Jujutsu Kaisen, Demon Slayer, and Spy×Family, it’s no surprise that Takeru Hokazono’s work is being adapted for the screen.

But one burning question remains, which studio will take on the task of bringing this manga to life? Let us explore the story's premise and everything we know about the upcoming anime.

What Is Kagurabachi About?

The Kagurabachi manga series debuted in September 2023 and quickly rose to fame. Despite having only four volumes released, it has sold millions of copies worldwide and gained popularity in both Japan and the West.

The series has received high praise for its gripping story and stunning artwork,...

Shonen is a genre of anime and manga made for teen boys, known for its exciting action, strong friendships, and stories about growth. Classics like One Piece, Naruto, and My Hero Academia have won over fans around the world, making shonen a big part of anime and manga culture.

With so many new series coming out, it's tough to find something fresh and worth reading. For those familiar with popular titles and looking for something new, there are plenty of new shonen manga that deliver engaging stories and memorable characters that stand out.

Hibaru Gains the World's Strongest Fist in Astro Royale A Yakuza Group Battles to Find Its Next Leader

Astro Royale is a supernatural manga by Ken Wakui, who is also known for his work on Shinjuku Swan and Tokyo Revengers. This shonen began its serialization in April 2024. Since then, two volumes have been released, with a third...

Kagurabachi, the major Shonen Jump series by Takeru Hokazon that has been dubbed the "next-generation" hit following recently concluded manga such as Jujutsu Kaisen and My Hero Academia, is on course to finally announce an anime adaptation in a new report.

The reliable Toyokeizai reports that the rapidly-rising Shonen Jump manga Kagurabachi will receive an anime adaptation produced by Shochiku and CyberAgent, and animated by CyberAgent's anime studio Cygames Pictures. No release date or streaming information was revealed, and CyberAgent and Shochiku declined to confirm. However, the report added that Shueisha's decision to opt for Cygames rather than more closely affiliated studios, like Mappa, Bones (My Hero Academia) or Pierrot, likely stems from risk management by entrusting too many works to the same production lines.

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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...

Yaiba: Samurai Legend , an upcoming TV anime based on the manga by Gosho Aoyama ( Case Closed ), has revealed a new teaser trailer (below) as well as two additional cast members. The series will broadcast in Japan on Yomiuri TV and Nippon TV beginning in April 2025. The new cast members include: Kenjuro Kurogane voiced by Katsuyuki Konishi (Ashikaga Takauji in The Elusive Samurai ) Kenjuro Kurogane and Katsuyuki Konishi Musashi Miyamoto voiced by Junichi Suwabe Musashi Miyamoto and Junichi Suwabe Shogakukan serialized the original Yaiba manga from 1988 – 1993 in their Weekly Shonen Sunday magazine, and the series was also previously adapted into a TV anime which broadcast in Japan from April 1993 – April 1994. Takahiro Hasui directs Yaiba: Samurai Legend at Wit Studio. Toko Machida provides the series composition, Yoshimichi Kameda provides the character designs and chief animation direction, and Yutaka Yamada and Yoshiaki Dewa provide the music. Yaiba: Samurai Legend teaser art Related: Yaiba Anime Remake Reveals Staff,...

The Elusive Samurai was one of 2024's breakout anime hits, drawing in hundreds of fans with its unique mix of action, comedy, and historical drama. However, the anime ended after a significant moment in the story, leaving fans desperate to know what happens next. Because of this, many fans are heading over to the manga to get their fix of Tokiyuki Houjou's adventures. But where can American fans read the manga, and where should anime fans start the story from?

The Elusive Samurai (or Nige Jouzu no Wakagimi in Japan) launched in the pages of Weekly Shnen Jump on January 25th, 2021. The series is written and illustrated by Yusei Matsui, the creator of 2005's Neuro: Supernatural Detective and the cult classic anime and manga series Assassination Classroom.

Related The Elusive Samurai: Every Elusive Warrior, Ranked

Hojo Tokiyuki gathers a group of skilled fighters known as the Elusive Warriors during his...

Dan Da Dan is a high-energy supernatural action romance anime adaptation of the eponymous Shonen Jump+ manga. It features two main lead characters: the nerdy Ken (aka Okarun due to his occult obsession) and Momo, a gyaru character who recently broke up with her deadbeat boyfriend. The two unlikely friends bond over their overlapping beliefs in aliens and ghosts, respectively, In the English dub of Dan Da Dan Okarun is voiced by A.J. Beckles while Momo is voiced by Abby Trot

The series brings the two together as a dejected yet headstrong Momo defends Okarun as he's being picked on by bullies, only for the two to wind up challenging each other's respective beliefs; Okarun's stalwart belief in aliens, and Momo's family connection to the occult. A.J. Beckles and Abby Trott discuss the influences and experiences of playing these characters and their previous roles influencing their performance as a...

The long-awaited return of Dragon Ball didn't disappoint with its explosive Episode 1 premiere of Dragon Ball Daima. However, an unforgettable moment in the series premiere might have been teased in an underrated anime series from the spring 2024 season.

As pointed out by Dragon Ball animation enthusiast AnimeAjay (@/AnimeAjay), the key animation of Vegeta sacrificing himself to destroy Majin Buu in the Dragon Ball Z recap scene in Dragon Ball Daima Episode 1 was handled by Shun Sawai. Sawai has worked on numerous projects, such as Oshi no Ko, Lupin the Third: Part 5 and Bocchi the Rock!. However, he's also worked on the Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero movie as a digital key animator and is a big fan of the franchise itself -- so much so that he made an additional social media account dedicated to Dragon Ball fan art. Before the release of Dragon Ball Daima Episode 1, Sawai worked on...

It's been an interesting year for me as a Weekly Shonen Jump manga fanatic, enjoying Shueisha's stories since the old days of Viz Media's short-lived Shnen Jump magazine. Gone are my days as a shaggy-haired pre-teen cracking open the latest localized chapters of Naruto, One Piece, and Hikaru no Go as I turn toward the future with heavy hitters like Jujutsu Kaisen and My Hero Academia bowing out. Thus begins a predictable panic, wondering what will carry the publication, but the truth is Weekly Shnen Jump is not in danger, thanks to factors including anime and years of precedents.

A major factor that typically helps new shnen manga succeed is a popular anime adaptation, with recent adaptations of Weekly Shnen Jump's The Elusive Samurai and Shnen Jump+'s Dan Da Dan serving as strong examples. For viewers in the West, much of that is derived from hype over...

The Elusive Samurai is a great historical retelling of the fall of the Kamakura Shogunate in the 1300s in Japan. The Kamakura Shogunate was one of the strongest Shogunates in Japan's history, having stood tall for hundreds of years. Takauji's massive betrayal is brought to anime with incredible visuals, fun characters, and some of the most jaw-dropping set pieces on-screen. Tokiyuki Hojo, the last remaining member of both the Kamakura Shogunate and his Hojo Clan, is a great protagonist that gets easier and easier to root for.

Tokiyuki is less than 10-years-old when he watches his clan get demolished. Instead of committing ritual seppuku like the rest of his people, he defiantly decided to continue living. Tokiyuki's righteous indignation leads him to meet new friends, seek out important allies, and hopefully one day, lead to the recapture of his home territory.

Tokiyuki Snipes Sadamune The Heir of Hojo Against the...

Wind Breaker sets itself apart in the world of anime by focusing on the emotional depth and relationships between its characters, instead of being just another action-packed spectacle. Produced by CloverWorks, Wind Breaker resonates with viewers on a much deeper level due to the characters’ journey, personal growth, and bonds that often take center stage.

Haruka Sakura from Wind Breaker season 2 Teaser | Credit: CloverWorks

However, it seems like it’s not only the viewers who can relate to this; even the production team — including Yuichi Fukushima, executive officer and animation producer; Taishi Kawakami, character designer and animator; and Toshikazu Tsuji, general manager, and animation producer have shared their insights about what makes Wind Breaker stand out; more than its flashy battles.

The Most Striking Element of Wind Breaker, According to the Animation Producer

During an interview with Anime Trending during Anime Expo 2024, Toshikazu Tsuji, general manager of CloverWorks and animation producer,...

The beginning of a new anime season always brings forth waves of excitement and anticipation in the community. With anime being more plentiful than ever before, each anime season is guaranteed to have a handful of outstanding series fans will be eagerly discussing each week. The Summer 2024 season was no exception - from long-awaited continuations like Oshi no Ko Season 2 to novel smash hits like The Elusive Samurai, the last three months of anime were nothing short of incredible.

However, not every Summer 2024 premiere was a raging success. In the sea of titles that debuted this Summer, plenty stood out for all the wrong reasons, making up some of the worst series to have come out this year. As the summer season wraps up and makes way for Octobers premieres, it's becoming clear which shows from the past three months won't be remembered as timeless classics or fan-favorite hits.

This week on The Anime Effect: Subaru Natsuki's voice actor Yusuke Kobayashi joins the show to talk about Re:zero Season 3. Plus, The Elusive Samurai continues with Season 2, Captain Falcon Gba games come to Nintendo Switch and a special One Piece anniversary episode is announced. Episode 35 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 35 Summary In this week's episode, LeAlec, Leah and Nick discuss the podcast's recent Signal Awards nominations, One Piece Fan Letter episode and much more. Then, LeAlec and Leah are joined by Re:zero -Starting Life in Another World voice actor Yusuke Kobayashi at Anime Expo 2024 to chat about Season 3, why Emilia is the best girl and what world he would want to be isekai'd into.

Anime fans can rejoice as My Happy Marriage will be returning with its second season set to arrive on Netflix in January 2025. Back in September 2023, the finale episode of season 1 premiered. My Happy Marriage is a light novel series written by Akumi Agitogi, with art by Tsukiho Tsukioka, about a woman named Miyo Saimori.

My Happy Marriage narrates the story of Miyo Saimori, who is abused by her family but is eventually saved by the aloof but kind Kiyoka Kudou. This Cinderella-inspired historical romance gained a strong fanbase, leading to a manga adaptation illustrated by Rito Kohsaka and an anime adaptation by Kinema Citrus, the studio behind titles like Yuyushiki and Made in Abyss.

My Happy Marriage | Credit: Kinema Citrus

Akumi Agitogi is highly praised for the captivating narrative of My Happy Marriage. The story beautifully follows a woman overcoming the trauma of her abusive family, offering a unique...

For outliving its contemporaries as well as some famous titles of the next generation, One Piece has gained unparalleled prominence in the anime industry. It has been more than two decades and the manga has continued to grow in worldwide popularity. The previous year proved to be a blessing in this respect. Due to the live-action adaptation and the Gear 5 commotion, the popularity of the series reached new heights.

A still from the early episodes of One Piece | Credits: Studio Toei Animation

Whenever a manga becomes popular because of an exciting development, the sudden spike in popularity is temporary. The momentum returns to a more steady state soon after the excitement has settled down. This is seemingly what happened with One Piece as this month, the manga didn’t even make it to the top ten best-selling manga. This is bound to be a shocker for any fan of the series.

The Summer 2024 anime season has ended, though a few anime series linger a bit with one or two more episodes to air in the Fall season's domain as well. Still, it's easy to look back and see which anime series of the Summer season were the big winners, with Oshi no Ko being the best drama and My Hero Academia proving itself the strongest shonen offering in that season. My Hero Academia's 7th season is also the best season for this anime in particular.

The Summer season's competition in the shonen demographic was primarily Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest, The Elusive Samurai, and Wisteria: Wand and Sword. Those three shonen titles all had plenty to offer and helped make Summer a blast for anime fans, but for ten particular reasons, My Hero Academia was still the Summer season's top title. My Hero Academia now has a well-established reputation as a shonen heavyweight,...

The Elusive Samurai quickly made strong impressions as Weekly Shonen Jump's latest manga to get a hit anime adaptation, with confirmation of a second season on the way. As shown in The Elusive Samurai's X account and the official anime's website news portal, season 2 has been confirmed, meaning Matsui's long-running manga will continue to get the glorious exposure it deserves. With fans eager for more after a successful 12-episode first outing, the enthusiastic social media response is as strong for The Elusive Samurai season 2 as it first was after glimpsing the incredible teases from the first episode.

The Elusive Samurai season 1 was a visually spectacular production, thanks partly to CloverWorks' stellar animation and Yusei Matsui's zany vision, laden with cartoonish humor, magical realism, and surprisingly brutal violence. It's great for history buffs fascinated by the era of the Kamakura Restoration but exaggerated far enough to give healthy doses...

The Elusive Samurai , a currently broadcasting TV anime based on the historical fiction manga of the same name, has concluded the Japanese broadcast of its first season, and now the show has announced that it will be returning in the future for a second season. Aside from a calligraphy announcement penned by calligrapher Kamari Maeda (below), at the time of this writing, no further details about the new season have yet been revealed. Shueisha serializes the original The Elusive Samurai manga by Yusei Matsui in their Weekly Shonen Jump manga magazine. Viz Media also publishes an English language version. Yuta Yamazaki directs the TV anime at animation studio CloverWorks, while Yoriko Tomita provides the series composition, Yasushi Nishiya provides the character designs, and Akiyuki Tateyama and Gembi provide the music. The Elusive Samurai key art Related: The Real Story of Hojo Tokiyuki, The Elusive Samurai Crunchyroll currently streams the first...

The Elusive Samurai is a fantasy anime adapting Yusei Matsui's manga of the same name. The story is set in Feudal Japan and follows Hojo Tokiyuki, a young samurai whose family was killed. On the run, he seeks revenge on the warrior who betrayed his family. The series is loosely inspired by the actual historical figure of Hojo Tokiyuki, telling an action-packed and engaging narrative that explores the themes of revenge, loyalty and honor.

As Tokiyuki starts out on his mission in The Elusive Samurai's historically accurate anime, he soon gathers a party of like-minded warriors who help him on his journey. Together, they call themselves the Elusive Warriors, and they work together to restore the Hojo clan's reputation and reclaim Kamakura. Their mission is not an easy one, with the villainous Ashikaga clan posing a serious threat to their safety as time goes on. As the main group in The Elusive Samurai,...

Minor spoilers for Dandadan ahead!

The Fall 2024 anime season marks the release of one of the most anticipated shonen titles of the year - the adaptation of Yukinobu Tatsus Dandadan. And Science Sarus adaptation ought to help even more fans discover this incredible gem. What contributed most to Dandadans explosive success even prior to the animes release is just how refreshing and original of a series it is. A playful and enthrallingly chaotic story of Momo Ayase, the granddaughter of a spirit medium who believes in the occult, and Ken Takakura, a reserved and awkward high schooler obsessed with aliens, Dandadan follows the pair form an unlikely alliance when both ghosts and extraterrestrials become their enemies.

One of Dandadans main selling points lies in the fact that the relationship between Momo and Ken, whom the heroine nicknames Okarun to avoid the awkward association with her favorite actor, doesnt end in a simple friendship.

The anime and manga industry going mainstream has helped countless manga artists gain worldwide fame. Previously, Western countries were only treated to popular anime like Dragon Ball, One Piece, Naruto, etc., but now they can explore their favorite genre. With tons of anime and manga available online, people can have their preferences instead of depending on others.

There are several popular anime in the modern generation that have made a massive name for themselves. Wind Breaker is one of the recent anime that aired in 2024. Even though the anime has received positive reviews, fans want to know more about the anime and have been constantly asking whether it will be worth their while. Everyone prefers an honest opinion before commitment.

Wind Breaker Ignores The Concept Of Superpowers Wind Breaker (Credit: CloverWorks)

Most of the Shonen anime revolves around a powerful protagonist who is yet to reach their full potential. By...

In Dan Da Dan , high school student Momo believes in ghosts while her classmate, Okarun, believes in aliens. Ghosts and aliens are two pretty classic supernatural entities, and while each protagonist believes in one, they do Not believe in the other. At least for now. With Dan Da Dan premiering during spooky season, it’s the perfect time to get into a debate about that sound coming from your basement or that spot in your house the cat keeps staring at. Would you gleefully move into that old Victorian house for sale at too good of a price? Would you investigate the object you spotted flying overhead that's neither a bird or a plane? Or maybe you believe in something else entirely. Vote in our Dan Da Dan poll to tell us (and whatever else is out there) what supernatural entity you believe in! Dan Da Dan Aliens or Ghosts...

Jujutsu Kaisen concluded its run in Weekly Shonen Jump on Sep 29, 2024, marking the end of a 6 year serialization that captivated readers worldwide.

As fans bid farewell to the series, several fellow manga creators took a moment to express their gratitude and admiration for Gege Akutami’s work through their comments.

Akutami also thanked everyone for their support, stating, “This is the final chapter!! Thank you very much for your support!! I’ll do my best next time too!!”

Checkout the messages from Shonen Jump authors below:

Hitsuji Gondaira (Mission: Yozakura Family)

“I would have liked to smell the inside of Jogo’s earplugs. I’m sure they have a gently earthly scent like Bizen ware.“ Yoshifumi Tozuka (Undead Unluck)

“Akutami-sensei, I love the facial expressions and emotional dialogues you draw and write! Thank you so much for your hard work these past six and a half years!“ Shuhei Miyazaki...

The final chapter of Gege Akutami’s Jujutsu Kaisen is finally out and it has brought the end of an action-packed and stressful era with it. Jujutsu Kaisen was one of the top-ranking Shonen manga during its serialization, but now that it has ended, everyone has an opinion on how much the author has tortured them.

Yuji Itadori from Jujutsu Kaisen. [Credit: Mappa]

Jujutsu Kaisen might have one of the most controversial endings, but its impact should never be underestimated. Did Akutami kill countless characters, including everyone’s favorite hunk? Yes. But it will remain a landmark series nonetheless and the comments from Akutami’s fellow mangakas prove it even more.

Shonen Jump Authors Comment on the End of Gege Akutami’s Jujutsu Kaisen Gojo Satoru from Jujutsu Kaisen. [Credit: Mappa Studio]

The final chapter of Jujutsu Kaisen was published on September 29, 2024, in the Weekly Shonen Jump magazine. The same volume published the comments of several mangakas,...

After over six years, Gege Akutami's Jujutsu Kaisen manga is officially over. The latest issue of Shonen Jump features words of love and support from Jjk creator Akutami as well as his acclaimed manga-making colleagues.

The Shonen Jump News account on X (formerly Twitter) shared Akutami's message and those left by his peers in Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #44, 2024. "This is the final chapter!!" Akutami said. "Thank you very much for your support!! I'll do my best next time, too!!" After roughly six and a half years of publication in Shonen Jump magazine, Jujutsu Kaisen has concluded with the release of Chapter 271. The dark fantasy series also officially announced it has achieved 100 million copies in circulation since its initial release on March 5, 2018.

Related "Mountain of Stress": Jujutsu Kaisen Director Finally Explains the Real Reason for a Major 'Fall Into Darkness'

Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 director Shota Goshozono breaks down...

Historical anime and manga are a dime a dozen. From quite accurate retellings of certain time periods to mostly fictitious or even completely fantastical stories. Many shows have covered a lot of time periods, but they have focused mostly on the Edo or the Sengoku periods, with some forays into the Heian Era or most recently the Taisho Era. On the other hand the Kamakura period is largely unexplored, especially the turmoil during its twilight. In that sense, The Elusive Samurai is quite a rare finding, following the story of a relatively obscure figure in Japanese history, Hojo Tokiyuki, the last heir of the powerful Hojo clan that once controlled the Kamakura Shogunate. The anime follows the fall from grace of his clan, and the young Tokiyuki standing up in defiance, looking to restore his clan and avenge his family. Today we meet the real Hojo Tokiyuki, whose life unfolded...

Spoilers for The Elusive Samurai's anime and manga ahead!

The Elusive Samurai is one of the newest popular anime series. It debuted in July 2024, adapting the Japanese manga series of the same name (written and illustrated by Yusei Matsui). The series is based on the tale of Hojo Tokiyuki, a Japanese historical figure and young samurai who was determined to get revenge on the rival samurai who betrayed his family.

The Elusive Samurai is set between Japan's late Kamakura and early Muromachi periods, making it one of the best historical fantasy anime as it expertly weaves history in with its exciting adventures. The anime's story focuses on Tokiyuki as he navigates feudal Japan using his martial arts prowess to outmaneuver the enemies he comes across. During his journey, he makes alliances, but he also comes across plenty of formidable enemies. The strongest villains in The Elusive Samurai pose a...

After the long- anxious wait of four years, Fire Force will return with its third season in Spring 2025. Crunchyroll has announced that the long-awaited final season will be divided into two halves set to release in 2025 and 2026, respectively. With the Season 3 announcement, Fire Force has taken over the internet, leaving fans eagerly anticipating its return.

Fire Force Season 3 | Credit: David Production

Crunchyroll released a special trailer along with the desperately anticipated official confirmation. Indeed, the Season 3 announcement has created a huge buzz among the fandom, especially when Season 2 ended at a cliffhanger. Nevertheless, the long four-year delay made fans fear about the prequel’s success and concerned about the Fire Force‘s downfall.

Fire Force’s Four-Year Hiatus Could Risk Losing Its Momentum and Fanbase

Since its first season release in 2019, Fire Force anime was ahead of other titles of its time, offering viewers splendid narrative and terrific action scenes.

Quick Links When Does The Elusive Samurai Episode #12 Release? What Happened in The Elusive Samurai Episode #11? The Elusive Samurai Episode #12 Will Be a Bloody Grand Season 1 Finale

The Elusive Samurai has had a stellar first season, often exceeding expectations for its quality as the latest Weekly Shonen Jump manga to get a hit anime adaptation, and the season finale, episode #12 will surely confirm these impressions. However, as all good things must eventually come to an end, the season 1 finale is imminent, with the latest risky clash well underway. While Tokiyuki Hojo has trained well to become a truly lethal and agile warrior, he has had to grapple with more entrenched, conventional samurai viewpoints as he wins over forces.

The plot of The Elusive Samurai was set off first by Takauji Ashikaga's shocking betrayal and coup against the Kamakura Shogunate, slaughtering Tokiyuki's Hojo clan in the process and forcing him to flee into hiding.

Amidst all the competition and hustle, praise and acknowledgment is truly refreshing. CloverWorks is an animation studio known for its notable works such as Bocchi the Rock! and Spy x Family. Their adaptation of Jump’s The Elusive Samurai has garnered popularity. However, the praise extends beyond that.

Bocchi in a still from the anime | Credit: Studio CloverWorks

Takeru Hokazono, the author of Kagurabachi, acknowledged the studio for its anime adaptation. With several fans sharing the author’s comment, a collaboration might likely be in the works. To say the least, praise from a budding and promising mangaka is nothing short of iconic.

Fans respond to Takeru Hokazono acknowledging Studio CloverWorks

CloverWorks has animated some of the most popular anime. These include Black Butler, Spy x Family, and Horimiya. Their animation of Satoru Nii’s manga Wind Breaker is more than promising. The series bagged the award for Best New...

Shnen anime continues to be immensely popular, having legions of fans beyond its intended demographic of young males who enjoy stories of action, adventure, and friendship. It's little wonder that some of the greatest anime titles of yesteryear are shnen, such as Dragon Ball and Naruto, and each year adds even more to the shnen pile. The 2020s have been a great decade for shnen fans who want fresh anime to watch, and 2024 promises to keep up that trend.

The year 2024 boasts a delightful variety of new and returning shnen titles in all four of its anime seasons for fans to try out. Shnen lovers can revisit the Winter 2024 season to find great series they missed, and they can try out some solid shnen series here in the Spring 2024 anime season. Then, fans can make a note of even more shnen anime titles slated to release later this year in summer and fall.