The third Frieren character poll closed with 12,700,122 votes and Genau, a first-class mage, taking first place, ending Himmel's two-poll streak. The Mimic, entry number 140, finished 21st, but 6th once votes were capped at one per person. "The Bone She Bought" made the top ten and is getting merchandise.
Dorohedoro Season 2's main PV revealed the Cross-Eyes voice cast: Koki Uchiyama as Dokuga, Daiki Hamano as Tetsujo, plus four more. (K)NoW_NAME returned for the themes, streaming ran April 1 to May 27, and Season 3 is confirmed.
Re:Zero Season 4's second key visual has dropped, with 19 episodes set to air from April 2026. But while Japanese fans voice fatigue after Season 3's divisive reception, overseas fans are calling Arc 6 the series' masterpiece. Why is there such a stark enthusiasm gap between domestic and international audiences? We explore what Japanese anime fans really want now.
April 2026 saw Slime season 4 (five cours), Re:Zero season 4, Classroom of the Elite season 4, Witch Hat Atelier, and One Piece's Elbaf arc all launch at once. Slime held the top on viewership, but the satisfaction rankings went to Yomi no Tsugai, which nobody saw coming. A look back at the haken race, with lessons from Chainsaw Man and The Promised Neverland season 2.
Capcom's iconic fighting game Street Fighter gets a Hollywood live-action movie releasing worldwide on October 16, 2026. Jason Momoa as Blanka, Roman Reigns as Akuma, and a star-studded cast bring 17 fighters to life. The Japanese teaser trailer showcases Ryu, Chun-Li, Guile and more in action-packed scenes.
ARASHI's first new song in 5 years and 5 months, "Five," achieved 3.2 million streams on its release day—the highest first-day record in Oricon history, surpassing BTS. With lyrics echoing their debut single "A・RA・SHI," the track has fans in tears ahead of their farewell 5-dome tour. Here's why Japan's biggest idol group still commands record-breaking devotion.
TOHO animation is bringing its biggest-ever booth to AnimeJapan 2026 on March 28-29, featuring around 30 titles including Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3, Frieren Season 2, and The Apothecary Diaries. With star-studded voice actor stages, exclusive new merchandise, and free livestreaming for international fans, here's everything you need to know.
Tokyo rock trio Mrs. GREEN APPLE made history by debuting at No. 13 on the IFPI Global Artist Chart 2025 — becoming the first Japanese act ever to break into the top 15. Their 10th-anniversary best album "10" also landed at No. 10 on the Global Album Chart, with over 1 million physical copies sold. Find out who they are and why the world is listening.
Number_i's "GOD_i" has crossed 100 million cumulative streams on Billboard JAPAN — their fourth song to hit this milestone. Released digitally in January 2025 and hitting No. 1 on debut, the track by member-producer Yuta Kishi now proves it has lasting power. What does this mean for a group that started with no major label and no traditional industry support?
ONE PIECE manga has surpassed 600 million copies worldwide! Creator Eiichiro Oda has written down the secret of the One Piece treasure for the very first time and, with help from Japan's JAMSTEC ocean research agency, sealed it 651 meters beneath the sea. The answer will only be revealed when the manga ends. Here's everything you need to know about this extraordinary event.
Hideaki Hatta, president of Kyoto Animation, died on February 16, 2026, at the age of 76. From subcontracted cel painting that his wife Yoko started in an apartment block, through incorporation in 1985, he led the studio for more than four decades under the motto "creating together," producing The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, K-On! and Violet Evergarden. A look back at his career, including the years he spent rebuilding after the 2019 arson attack.