The Ghost in the Shell director Toma Kimura, professionally known as Mokochan, says he prayed to an imaginary version of original manga creator Masamune Shirow while developing the new adaptation.

"I would pray to this imaginary version of Shirow that emerged from my reading of the manga," Mokochan told WIRED Japan. "Then, after about three days, the answer would just quietly appear. At that point, it no longer mattered whether the answer came from my own inner thoughts or from my interpretation of the source material. That’s what I mean by spiritual communion."

Masamune penned the Ghost in the Shell manga, which debuted in 1989. The 1995 anime movie adaptation, directed by Mamoru Oshii, is widely considered one of the best anime movies of all time... so I absolutely understand praying to an imaginary Masamune for guidance. The Western live-action adaptation starring Scarlett Johansson, however, wasn't the most well-received (but we don't need to talk about that).

Per the official synopsis from Prime Video, the new Ghost in the Shell is set in a near-future "where information networks envelop the world and advanced cyborg technology has enabled the creation of a cyberbrain" and tells "the story of the full-body cyborg Motoko Kusanagi and the combat unit she leads in the fight against cybercrime."

Ghost in the Shell is airing now on Prime Video. Keep up to date with our Ghost in the Shell release schedule. For more on what to watch, check out our guide to the best anime to watch this year and keep up with new anime.

Ghost in the Shell lends itself to remakes more perhaps than any other manga to date.

The original story, written and illustrated by Masamune Shirow, is set in a world where identity and consciousness are no longer defined by the physical. Technology in this cyberpunk future has developed to the point where people now possess cyberbrains that allow them to interface with various networks and therefore inhabit different artificial forms, remoulding themselves each time.

The same is true of Mamoru Oshii's 1995 movie adaptation which arrived in theaters five years after the manga ended. Considered a box-office failure upon release, the film has since been heralded as a sci-fi classic, even though it deviated wildly in tone from the story that inspired it.

While Shirow's original work was funny and even goofy at points, this energy was redirected into a quieter, philosophical meditation on the meaning of life itself in the film. Subsequent adaptations largely stuck to this tone, including Oshii's more ponderous sequel, although Kenji Kamiyama's Stand Alone Complex dived further into political intrigue. The less said about Netflix's poorly-conceived SAC 2045, the better.

Fluidity is as integral to this franchise as wires and circuitry are to its dystopian future, yet even within this constant state of evolution, it took hitting a hard factory reset to now give us what might be the best version of Ghost in the Shell yet.

A new approach

Like previous adaptations, the vast sci-fi world of Science Saru's new Ghost in the Shell is centred by Motoko Kusanagi, a cyborg who leads the elite tactical unit Public Security Section 9 in their fight against cybercrime and terrorism. With help from a fellow cyborg named Batou, Kusanagi eventually comes into conflict with a mysterious hacker known as the Puppet Master who can control the cybernetic minds of others from afar for his own nefarious gains.

This fundamental wiring connects every version of Ghost in the Shell, no matter where their thematic emphasis might lean, but the most radical take on Kusanagi yet is the one that ends up being most faithful to the original story.

Leaning into the manga's spiritual roots, Science Saru draws heavily from the humor and lighthearted tone that initially defined this world in their new adaptation, giving us a new take on Ghost in the Shell that's never been seen on screen before.

The weighty existentialism that's become the default for this franchise has now taken a back seat in favor of jokes and even some slapstick comedy. While that might sound like an affront to what Ghost in the Shell has become known for, watching Kusanagi and her team bicker mid-firefight actually grounds this series with a newfound humanity which speaks to themes around identity in a very different, yet no less relevant way.

Key to this is how the remake rewires Kusanagi herself, transforming our introspective, incredibly serious lead into someone far more spunky in her approach to crimefighting.

This version of Kusanagi isn't afraid to tell you what she thinks, quick to crack jokes or blow up when things aren't going her way. "This is why I hate letting insensitive jerk wads into my brain," she says at one point, teasing her bestie Batou. Play your cards wrong and Kusanagi might even hack your ghost to make you punch yourself in the face.

But there's a lot of love there for her team still, and episode two even throws some physical loving her way, sexualising Kusanagi in ways that give her agency rather than just ogle at her body from afar (as has so often been the case in previous adaptations).

Although some areas of the fandom might be less than willing to embrace such change, this is far from a betrayal. Science Saru were in constant contact with the creator of Ghost in the Shell, regularly asking Shirow questions to ensure that the story was in line with his original vision.

That's also true of the animation, which harkens back to the manga with exaggerated features and retro vibes that feel like they've been lifted directly from the pages of Young Magazine Zōkan: Kaizokuban (where Ghost in the Shell first appeared circa 1989).

Human nature

The character work is more expressive, matching the new energy this remake brings, and the colors are far more vibrant too. Early on in episode one, there's a scene where bright red robotic devices shine under the sun that streams through branches of cherry blossom trees as they shed their petals overhead, creating a gorgeous vista that's miles removed from the cold tech-noir cityscapes this franchise is usually known for. Those still exist though, of course. It's just that the remake brings more variety and intriguing use of light to its palette.

And it's not like the serious undertones of Kusanagi's mission are absent entirely. Those bursts of color sometimes come with bursts of pixelated blood in a series where violence remains intrinsic to said mission. The members of Public Security Section 9 regularly fight for their lives in explosive gunfights where death, be it the death of a human or the destruction of their cybernetic shell, is commonplace throughout.

This again brings into question what it means to be a human, how technology can lead us further from our essence, or our "ghosts", if you will. Such concerns are threaded into wider, even more timely issues around corruption, human experimentation and the abuse of AI, which, while always present in the franchise, are accentuated further here. So this is very much a Ghost in the Shell story still, perhaps more so than any other adaptation so far given Science Saru's dogmatic faithfulness to the original text.

Such an approach doesn't automatically guarantee success though. Where the remake succeeds most is in how it balances all this so well, finding humor within dystopia without sacrificing the tension and extreme violence that's inherent to this property. Like they've done so effectively in Dandadan, Science Saru brings seemingly disparate tones together with what feels like ease, enhanced of course by the world-class visuals and voice-acting you'd expect from a studio of such repute.

Who knew that a humorous take on Ghost in the Shell would turn out to be one of this year's biggest and best surprises? And even more surprisingly, who knew that this would turn out to be one of the rare remakes that justifies its existence by being more faithful to the original, not less? Ghost in the Shell continues to subvert expectations even now, 37 years after Shirow first put pen to paper, but that's incredibly fitting for a franchise long defined by change.

Ghost in the Shell episode 1 is out now on Prime Video. Make sure you don't miss a moment with our The Ghost in the Shell release schedule. We've also got a list of the best shows on Prime Video to keep you busy too.

Dragon Ball Super: Beerus is heading our way this year, and while many longtime anime fans are pretty conflicted about it, I'm in the camp that is extremely excited for the remake. In fact, I'm so excited about it that I've gathered everything you need to know about the new anime in a handy overview.

Dragon Ball is one of the best anime of all time for a reason, and Dragon Ball Super: Beerus is positioning itself as a complete restructuring of the start of Dragon Ball Super. That means new fans of the series will get a more polished and likely better experience with Super before the long-awaited release of Dragon Ball Super: The Galactic Patrol. Yes, Beerus has been reworked plenty of times in the anime before, but this really does feel like a fresh start for Super in general before we crack on with adapting the rest of Akira Toriyama's manga.

So, if you are planning to start Dragon Ball Super for the first time, or are looking for a recap before future outings, read on! Here I've gathered all the news that you need to know about the potential Dragon Ball Super: Beerus release date, plot details, trailers and more.

Dragon Ball Super: Beerus release date speculation

We don't yet have a firm release date for Dragon Ball Super: Beerus, but we do know the anime will be heading our way sometime in Fall 2026 in Japan.

Considering we have already passed the halfway point of the year, we should be getting news about a release date very soon. Personally, I'm betting on an August or September release, seeing as October is already pretty stacked with the likes of Tokyo Revengers, Black Clover and The Apothecary Diaries season 3.

This is just speculation on my part though, and I'll be sure to update you as soon as we get more news.

Dragon Ball Super: Beerus story: Which manga chapters is it adapting?

Dragon Ball Super: Beerus is an "enhanced" edition of the Beerus arc from Dragon Ball Super. So it's essentially a remake that covers chapters 1-4 of the Dragon Ball Super Manga.

However, thanks to a trailer released in April, we also know that the Resurrection F/Golden Frieza arc will be covered in the new anime, meaning that episodes 19-27 of the Dragon Ball Super anime are getting reworked as well. I'm pretty sure this means the God of Destruction Champa Arc will be part of the remake at some point, with chapters 5-13 also getting adapted, but this hasn't been fully confirmed, so keep that in mind.

Since we know for sure chapters 1-4 are being adapted, here is a quick recap in case you need it. Beerus (aka the God of Destruction) wakes up from a nice 39-year-sleep and sets out to find the Super Saiyan God. It turns out that all that sleep has made him still cranky, threatening the Earth if Goku and the crew can't find him the Super Saiyan God. I won't get into any spoilers, but fights ensue in classic Dragon Ball fashion.

Now, if you are a longtime Dragon Ball fan, then chances are that you have already seen this arc play out and more than once. The Beerus arc was first seen in the 2013 movie Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods, and then later again in the first episodes of the series Dragon Ball Super back in 2015. However, despite us already seeing this plot play out multiple times, I would still recommend folks tune in. Especially newcomers.

According to the official Dragon Ball site, Dragon Ball Super: Beerus features "extensive new cuts, revisions to existing scenes, a complete re-rendering of all footage, newly recorded dubbing with added score and sound effects, and a full reconstruction of the story." It's essentially a remaster, and let's be honest, the Beerus episodes back in 2025 weren't the best structurally. For newbies, it's going to be much easier to keep viewers hooked than to ask them to make sense of the series in its current state.

However, if you are a seasoned Super fan and have been waiting for the next arc in the manga to hit our small screens, it's also understandable why you'd give this one a miss while we wait for Dragon Ball Super: The Galactic Patrol to release.

Is there a Dragon Ball Super: Beerus trailer?

The most recent trailer for Dragon Ball Super: Beerus came our way in April 2026, and it shows some brief clips of the series with Beerus confronting Goku. You can watch it for yourself above!

While the animation and fights in the clip do look very polished, what really makes this teaser stand out is that at the end of the teaser, we see Frieza's silhouette, seemingly confirming that the Resurrection F/Golden Frieza arc will be in the remake as well instead of just the God of Destruction Beerus Arc. Exciting times!

Dragon Ball Super: Beerus cast

There are a ton of characters in Dragon Ball; however, below you can find the Japanese cast list of the main players and some other notable faces for longtime series fans for Dragon Ball Super: Beerus.

• Masako Nozawa as Goku, Gohan, and Goten
• Koichi Yamadera as Beerus
• Ryo Horikawa as Vegeta
• Ryūsei Nakao as Frieza
• Toshio Furukawa as Piccolo
• Masakazu Morita as Whis
• Aya Hisakawa as Bulma
• Takeshi Kusao as Trunks
• Mayumi Tanaka as Krillin
• Masaharu Satō as Master Roshi
• Naoko Watanabe as Chi-Chi
• Ryūzaburō Ōtomo as Shenron
• Masashi Ebara as Mr Satan
• Naoki Tatsuta as King Kai
• Hiroko Ushida as Marron
• Hikaru Midorikawa as Tien Shinhan
• Hiroko Emori as Chiaotzu
• Miki Itō as Android 18
• Eiko Yamada as Mai
• Yuko Minaguchi as Videl
• Ryūzaburō Ōtomo as Ox-King

I'll keep you posted as more casting news gets revealed. In the meantime, you can check in with our guide on how to watch all of Dragon Ball in order.

Is Dragon Ball Super: The Galactic Patrol still coming out?

Yes! Dragon Ball Super: The Galactic Patrol is still coming out and is now in production.

There is currently no release date, but rest assured that, even though Dragon Ball Super: Beerus is ahead of it, we will still be seeing chapters 42-67 of the manga finally adapted. I'll keep you posted as soon as we hear any release date news, but at least we know that our very long wait is almost over.

For more upcoming releases, check out our guides for Demon Slayer Infinity Castle 2 and Solo Leveling season 3.

It began as a disaster. Fresh off conquering the Continent in peerless fantasy RPG The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, CD Projekt Red turned its attention to the neon metropolis of Night City for Cyberpunk 2077.

Instead of being an instant success, Cyberpunk 2077 – in the franchise's parlance – flatlined out of the gate in 2020. Game-ruining glitches, a broken world, and stuttering last-gen ports led to the unprecedented removal of the title from the PlayStation Store.

Far from CD Projekt Red being able to do no wrong, things suddenly looked dire. I, along with plenty of my chooms, dropped Cyberpunk – seemingly never to return.

But it's here where the comeback story begins. Away from the gaze of many who felt burned by one of gaming's biggest modern-day disappointments, the developers clawed back a large chunk of goodwill with 2023's 2.0 update. The dramatic changes overhauled everything from skill trees to chrome upgrades to ensure Cyberpunk 2077 closely matched CD Projekt Red – and fans' – initial expectations for the game.

That same week, the Phantom Liberty DLC, introducing players to a dangerous new section of Night City in Dogtown, and a story revolving around a trapped President and the emergence of Idris Elba's shadowy FIA Agent Solomon Reed. Far from being a desperate last gasp of a dying game, it rejuvenated the series. Phantom Liberty now stands alongside CD Projekt Red's dreamy trip to Touissant in The Witcher 3: Blood and Wine as shorthand for best-in-class expansions.

But that wasn't how I, or others, returned to the Cyberpunk fold. Our way back into Night City's crime-ridden streets was through Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, a joint collaboration between CD Projekt Red and the acclaimed Studio Trigger of Kill La Kill fame.

Chrome sweet chrome

The show charts the rise of David Martinez, a down-on-his-luck kid who, after suffering a family tragedy and in desperate need of 'eddies' to pay the bills, forces his way through the seedy underbelly of Night City to become one of its most prominent Edgerunners.

Ably backed by a crew that includes netrunner and David's love interest Lucy, hot-headed Rebecca, and stoic leader Maine, Edgerunners begins as an effortlessly cool, stylish depiction of how a Robin Hood-style set of mercs could thrive in a world that wants them dead. Then, spoiler alert, most of them do end up dead.

As much as I love Cyberpunk 2077, Edgerunners understands the franchise's message that much more. Because there are no winners and losers in Night City, just the corporations and those crushed underfoot. While the RPG can absolutely have its heart-wrenching moments, it pales in comparison to David's journey. Hell, you probably haven't looked at the moon in the same way since.

Ahead of the Cyberpunk sequel, Edgerunners also gives Night City new life. Where its game counterpart is a joyful futuristic playground once you're kitted out in all the best chrome, Edgerunners' take is close to something like Akira: a wiry, suffocating beast of a city that – as cliche as it sounds – is a character in itself. This is a place that chews people up and spits them out whole; a lethal, kinetic rush is found in every dilapidated alley and brutalist rooftop. Cyberpunk 2077 may have won back favor on its own merits, but Edgerunners kickstarted everything by truly getting what made everyone so eager in the first place.

Back to Night City

But that's not the end of the saga. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners season 2 is coming to Netflix later this year – and first signs are promising.

The early reactions from Anime Expo are incredible, with fans and critics alike praising the premiere as an undoubted step up from the first season. It also speaks to the dedication to the series and its remarkable turnaround that 6000 fans packed into the L.A. event to watch the premiere episode of the second season, and not a single soul leaked footage from the event. There are no gonks here, only those who wish to protect a shared secret, safe in the knowledge that they've just witnessed something very special.

Then you hear the creators talk, and the hype only intensifies. Edgerunners writer Bartosz Sztybor has described the second season as a Scorsese movie in comparison to the first season's explosive Michael Bay-coded offering. That instantly brings to mind something far more narratively brave than what we've seen so far – a path Cyberpunk could do well to walk down between now and the release of the codenamed Orion sequel.

From disaster to delight, Cyberpunk has done what so many have failed to do. As the twin industries of Hollywood and gaming become increasingly littered with failed big-budget projects, layoffs, and a gnawing sense of dissatisfaction, CD Projekt Red should be held aloft as a teaching lesson for many. With time, patience, and a risky side-project, everything can be fixed again. Welcome back to Night City. We can't wait to see where it takes us next.

For more, check out the first Cyberpunk: Edgerunners season 2 reactions. Then, dive into our collection of the best anime on Netflix.

The director of acclaimed fantasy anime Frieren: Beyond Journey's End believes the aim for the upcoming Golden Land arc is to surpass the previous two seasons – which are widely regarded as some of the best anime in the past decade.

Speaking at Anime Expo 2026 (via Polygon), Tomoya Kitagawa – who described Frieren season 3 as an "epic and romantic" adventure – said, "we're going to do our best to surpass season 2." He added that the "mentality is always to do better every time."

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End roared onto the scene in 2023, instantly becoming the top-rated anime of all time on aggregator site My Anime List. Its second season was similarly successful, despite its truncated length leaving some fans feeling a bit short-changed.

Frieren season 3 is currently slated for release in October 2027, though Kitagawa says there is still some way to go before we see the finished product. He remarked that they are currently "creating the design, concept art, and storyboard for season 3."

The third season will adapt the manga's Golden Land arc, which sees mage Frieren and her companions Stark and Fern head to the city of Wiese. It's there where they encounter fearsome demon Macht, the strongest of all seven Sages of Destruction.

If it lives up to expectations, Frieren will join a collection of other highly-anticipated titles to release next year, including Delicious in Dungeon season 2. We can't rule out Jujutsu Kaisen, Chainsaw Man, and Demon Slayer all returning in 2027 either.

Need the lowdown on what else is on the way? Read our complete guide to new anime.

Yuri web comic-turned-manga The Guy She Was Interested In Wasn't A Guy at All is getting an anime adaptation in January 2027, as Crunchyroll announced at Anime Expo. Among its sterling credits is an endorsement from Nirvana drummer and Foo Fighters singer Dave Grohl, who reckons late Nirvana singer, songwriter, and guitarist Kurt Cobain would've loved the series.

Nirvana's song Breed will serve as the opening theme of the anime, which stars two Japanese high school girls who frequent a music shop and share a love of Western rock music. One ends up infatuated with the other without realizing that the rock-savvy boy of her daydreams is in fact her female classmate in a punk getup, and the two unavoidably grow closer. The series' neon green motif, a sharp highlight in a sea of black-and-white panels, has earned it the nickname "green yuri" among English fans, with yuri referring to women-loving-women stories (complementing yaoi, men-loving-men).

Though many mainstream rock and pop bands have been featured in countless anime openings and endings, Nirvana is an extraordinarily rare type of license for an anime studio to pursue, let alone secure. Aniplex, parent to CloverWorks, the animation studio which will adapt the series, released a short interview with Grohl, conducted by series author Sumiko Arai, who discussed the song Breed and his thoughts on the series.

"Breed was always my favorite song to open a show with," he recalls. "We did it a few times, I think. The last time that Nirvana performed together with me and [Krist Novoselic] and Pat Smear, we performed for this benefit concert in Los Angeles after the fires. And we were trying to think of what song to begin with ... I think it's a great way to start the show."

With a physical volume of The Guy She Was Interested In Wasn't A Guy at All in his hands, Grohl says, "I think that Kurt definitely would've loved this." Arai, or perhaps an interpreter, seems to ask, "Really?" in response.

"Oh my god, yeah, of course," Grohl adds. "This is exactly – it seems like the same message, aesthetic, and the vibe. It's cool." It's a fair read. After all, Cobain was staunchly supportive of the LGBT community, famously saying, in early print liners of Nirvana's 1992 album Incesticide, that, "If any of you in any way hate homosexuals, people of different color, or women, please do this one favor for us -- leave us the fuck alone! Don't come to our shows and don't buy our records."

Reviewing a list of songs that will be used in the anime, Grohl adds, "These are amazing. What? Wow. Oh my god, this is a good playlist. This is incredible. Oh my god, it's so good, you have really good taste in music."

The Guy She Was Interested In Wasn't A Guy at Allwas part of our list of the top 10 manga of 2024. I stand by my thoughts at the time, with the small caveat that the series' central relationship was a little less clear in early volumes, and look forward to the anime.

Delicious in Dungeon season 2 release plans help set up 2027 to be one of anime's best years ever.

Delicious in Dungeon season 2 finally has a release window, which means 2027 is shaping up to be a big year for new anime.

Netflix shared a new poster for Delicious in Dungeon season 2, adding that we can expect it to hit the streamer in October 2027. You can check out the poster below.

Blue Eye Samurai season 2, another Netflix anime original, also has a 2027 release window, with Frieren: Beyond Journey's End season 3 to follow suit on Crunchyroll. Chainsaw Man season 2, Jujutsu Kaisen season 4, and Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle are all also expected to arrive in 2027... making it a pretty stacked year.

Delicious in Dungeon debuted in 2024, with a second season officially announced in June, shortly after the season 1 finale aired. A trailer was also released in 2024, with an initially speculated release date of 2026. There hasn't been much by way of news until now, with Studio Trigger initially announcing the release window at Anime Expo.

The first season centered on the hunt for Falin (voiced by Saori Hayami and Lisa Reimold), the sister of adventurer Laios (Kentarô Kumagai and Damien Haas), who was eaten by a red dragon during a dungeon raid gone wrong. The second season does not yet have an official synopsis, though we can expect it to adapt the Dwarf City Ruins arc from chapter 56 of the manga.

While we wait, check out our complete guide to 2026's remaining new anime, as well as our essential best anime movies selection.

Get ready to have your heart ripped out all over again in Night City.

Speaking at the show's Anime Expo 2026 panel, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners season 2 writer Bartosz Sztybor was quoted by multiple attendees – and Japanese outlet Famitsu – as describing the first season as like a Michael Bay movie, with the second season more resembling a Martin Scorsese movie.

Sztybor also warned fans not to get "too emotionally attached" to characters. Given how the first season judiciously bumped off some of our favorite characters – including hero David and most of the crew he ran around with – that doesn't bode well for the four new faces we'll be spending time with as part of the second season.

Already, there appears to be drama afoot with cyberpunk legend Weak Kingsley as a leak suggested he may have family ties with pink-haired Maelstrom member Talia. We don't anticipate nomad D. or the camera-wielding Roman to have an easy time of it, either.

Scorsese, of course, is best known for sweeping, epic gangster dramas, with the director never too squeamish about shockingly killing off major characters at a whim. The Departed and Goodfellas are just two examples of the auteur's penchant for letting blood run freely on the big screen.

First Cyberpunk: Edgerunners season 2 reactions have unanimously praised the Netflix anime's opening episode, with CD Projekt Red producers also praising fans for not leaking footage from the Anime Expo panel.

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners hits Netflix this fall. For more, check out our picks for the best anime on Netflix.

Good news: Netflix has announced full release plans for the next two 'Stages' of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Steel Ball Run. The bad news? They almost perfectly line up with a leak that suggests the cross-country saga won't come to a close until 2028.

As confirmed by the streamer, 'JoJo Friday' will return as Steel Ball Run gallops into sight with weekly episodes from September 25.

Unfortunately, those hoping for a full run of 20-plus episodes in typical JoJo's fashion will be disappointed.

As part of the 2nd and 3rd Stages of Steel Ball Run (each Stage is a leg in Johnny Joestar's mammoth horse race across America), there will be 11 episodes from September through until December.

Sadly, this lines up perfectly with a previous leak we hoped wasn't going to be true. A Redditor by the name of crossleboss took to the platform six months ago to detail a – fittingly – bizarre release schedule.

In it, there would be one initial episode in March (which was true, and caused much consternation among the rabid fanbase) followed by 11 from September. So far, so accurate.

From there, we could apparently be getting a further 12 episodes next June, 10 episodes in October 2027, and the final nine episodes in May 2028. And we thought the wait for Attack on Titan's never-ending Final Season was bad.

Need something else to watch in the meantime? We have a complete guide to 2026's remaining new anime, as well as our essential best anime movies selection. If you're still playing catch up, here's our guide on how to watch JoJo's in order.

The first Cyberpunk: Edgerunners season 2 reactions are in as its creators and producers thank fans for not leaking the first episode.

Attendees of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners season 2's panel at this year's Anime Expo were among the first in the world to watch the opening episode of the new Netflix series.

They responded to the opportunity with a wave of wildly positive responses, as well as protecting the secrets that lie within the animated return to Night City.

"I watched the first episode of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2. It perfectly blends classic Night City vibes with exciting new characters," one wrote on Twitter. Exactly what I hoped for from [writer Bartosz Sztybor] and Studio Trigger. Top-tier animation, production, and voice acting. Looking Preem as Hell, Chooms."

Another attendee remarked, "Episode one of Edgerunners 2 is an incredible and beautiful start to season 2, I can’t wait for the rest to come out."

Perhaps most excitingly, one Twitter user gushed, "This is gonna be an all timer, it resonates in my bones." Another said it was, simply, "pretty special."

Media outlets who were in the crowd also reacted favorably to what they saw.

Polygon's Ryan Epps kickstarted the groundswell of great feeling surrounding the Studio Trigger follow-up, writing, "Packed with incredible colors, gorgeous framing, and punchy sound design, Edgerunners 2 is a fresh take on a beloved world. It immediately feels like a Ghost in the Shell-meets-Trigun experience, offering this gritty, grounded study of Night City through realistic action and character drama."

Gizmodo's Isaiah Colbert intrigues by stating, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is "both a sequel that expands itself outward, weaving a bigger, bolder, ambitious tale, while also feeling viscerally intimate and small-scale."

In a rare moment of pop culture confidentiality, not a single second of footage is seemingly available online from the Cyberpunk: Edgerunners season 2 premiere. While some descriptions are out there – if you know where to look – those who want to go in fresh can rest easy in knowing Anime Expo 2026 was a leak-free zone.

"We really appreciate everyone’s understanding and for helping us keep the Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 episode one screening at Anime Expo spoiler-free by not recording any footage," CD Projekt Red's global PR director Radek Grabowski tweeted.

CD Projekt Red's associate country director for Japan Satoru Homma added, "Thank you so much for keeping your promise properly."

For those chooms late to the party, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners season 2 is a standalone story following four new protagonists: veteran edgerunner Weak Kingsley, seeming cinephile Roman, Maelstrom member Talia, and nomad D.

As per the official synopsis, 'Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 pulls you back into Night City, where lives become entangled to the extreme. Weak, a washed-up cyberpunk legend, is now forced to live without chrome as he searches for a sense of purpose in a world that’s passed him by. Meanwhile, the deadly nomad D sets out on a path to revenge that brings him close to corpo secrets never meant to be found. Across this ten-episode standalone series, uncover a story of family, obsession, legacy – and how your lens reflects the stories of the people around you."

If the first Cyberpunk: Edgerunners season 2 reactions are anything to go by, we can prepare for peak. The series hits Netflix this fall.

For more, check out our picks for the best Netflix anime around.

Koei Tecmo recently pulled the curtain back on Attack on Titan 3, the company's upcoming action game, with almost an hour of new footage, and boy oh boy, this looks like one of the most ambitious anime tie-in games in years.

Despite its name, Attack on Titan 3 isn't exactly a continuation of the previous two games in the series. It instead retells and makes playable the entire epic anime, from the first season's humble beginnings with our characters in training to the final season's all-out war.

Publisher Koei Tecmo this week released a new trailer and almost an hour of gameplay, showing off some of the things you'd expect (grappling action and titan takedowns) to things you might not (character customization, equipment upgrades, seemingly wide open environments).

Pulling rubble down on a naked titan's head before grappling around its ankles like it's an AT-AT obviously looks like a fun time, but glimpses at Attack on Titan 3's progression is what gets me really excited. Rather than simply recreating the anime's most memorable moments, as tie-in games often do, Attack on Titan 3 seems like it's really trying to fulfil the fantasy of being a Survey Corps grunt who's eventually promoted to a squad leader. People you save out in the field can then be recruited into your squad, adding an exciting layer of management to what could've been an otherwise straight forward staby-stabby game.

"Engage in pulse-pounding battles against the Nine Titans—making their first appearance in the game series—and immerse yourself in brand-new story arcs," the game's Steam page reveals. "Iconic moments from previous titles have been completely reimagined to deliver a fresh experience, with the narrative carried all the way through to its dramatic climax."

Attack on Titan 3 launches sometime this winter on PC, Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and Nintendo Switch 2.

Here's how to watch the Attack on Titan anime in order and the very best anime games to tide you over until then.

As other anime studios lean into the use of AI, the director of Science Saru's upcoming The Ghost in the Shell anime series promises the remake will stay clear of GenAI.

Toma Kimura (otherwise known as Mokochan) took to the stage at the 2026 Annecy International Animation Festival and gave fans an insight into how the team achieved the finer details of the upcoming anime remake. "We wanted every street sign to be specifically designed, but it became too much of a burden,” he said. “Instead, we used this worm-like lettering that looks like kanji but is actually gibberish."

This led Kimura to the topic of AI. "We decided on this before generative AI became prevalent, so please know that zero GenAI was used on the project." Complex reports that after that statement, the crowd "erupted" into applause.

The Ghost in the Shell's "zero GenAI stance" is a breath of fresh air for anime fans. AI has slowly crept into the genre over the past few years, starting with subtitles, but it has now spread to generating art and animation too.

Earlier this year, Wit Studio, best known for producing the first three seasons of Attack on Titan and the hit show Spy x Family, admitted to using AI to generate backgrounds in the opening sequence of Ascendance of a Bookworm season 4. Once outed, the studio quickly apologised, stating it is still committed to hand-drawn animation, and removed the AI-generated images.

But Science Saru won't make that mistake. At Annecy, producer Kohei Sakita added, "The feeling of something drawn by a person is the whole appeal of animation to me."

Based on the hit manga of the same name by Masamune Shirow, The Ghost in the Shell is set in a near-future "where information networks envelop the world and advanced cyborg technology has enabled the creation of a cyberbrain," as per Amazon. The upcoming cyberpunk show follows "the story of the full-body cyborg Motoko Kusanagi and the combat unit she leads in the fight against cybercrime."

Ghost in the Shell arrives on Prime Video on July 7. For more on what to watch, check out our guide to the best anime to watch this year and keep up with new anime.

One of the biggest anime weekends of the year is almost upon us. Emanating from Los Angeles, this year's Anime Expo promises to deliver plenty of surprising announcements and shocking reveals for fans across its four days. From Cyberpunk: Edgerunners season 2 to Jujutsu Kaisen, all the major new anime releases you're looking forward to are present and accounted for at Anime Expo 2026.

To help prepare you for the major panels, we've laid out this year's Anime Expo schedule, as well as giving our expert opinions on what to expect this year – from trailers, release dates, and so much more.

Once you've run the rule over Anime Expo 2026, join us as we bring together the best anime on Netflix. Then, discover all we know about Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War part 4.

Anime Expo 2026 schedule

Below, we'll guide you through all four main days. With dozens panels, talks, and showcases taking place, we can't give due time to everything that's going down on the exhibition floor. With that in mind, we've narrowed down the schedule to our big highlights and some fan favorite picks for good measure.

Day 1 highlights (July 2)

• Echoes from Aincrad Unanswered Butterfly First Look – 12:30 PM Pacific/3:30 PM Eastern/8:30 PM BST
• Aniplex of America panel – 2:30 PM Pacific/5:30 PM Eastern/10:35 PM BST
• Star Wars Visions Presents – The Ninth Jedi – 6:00 PM Pacific/9:00 PM Eastern/2:00 AM BST

Day 2 highlights (July 3)

• Steel Ball Run panel – 12:30 PM Pacific/3:30 PM Eastern/8:30 PM BST
• Blue Lock creators panel – 1:00 PM Pacific/4:00 PM Eastern/9:00 PM BST
• Sonic the Hedgehog Animated Shorts panel – 3:00 PM Pacific/6:00 PM Eastern/11:00 PM BST
• A-1 Pictures panel – 3:00 PM Pacific/6:00 PM Eastern/11:00 PM BST
• Witch Hat Atelier cast and creator panel – 3:15 PM Pacific/6:15 PM Eastern/11:15 PM BST
• Demon Slayer Infinity Castle Celebration panel – 5:00 PM Pacific/8:00 PM Eastern/1:00 AM BST
• Black Torch premiere panel – 6:45 PM Pacific/9:45 PM Eastern/2:45 AM BST.
• Junji Ito: Master of Horror (with live-action anthology series premiere) - 6:45 PM Pacific/9:45 PM Eastern/2:45 AM BST
• Cyberpunk: Edgerunners season 2 panel – 7:30 PM Pacific/10:30 PM Eastern/3:30 AM BST
• The Apothecary Diaries panel – 8:30 PM Pacific/11:30 PM Eastern/4:30 AM BST

Day 3 highlights (July 4)

• Bleach Thousand-Year Blood War panel – 10:00 AM Pacific/1:00 PM Eastern/6:00 PM BST
• Atlus panel – 11:30 AM Pacific/2:30 PM Eastern/7:30 PM BST
• Black Clover season 2 panel – 1:30 PM Pacific/4:30 PM Eastern/9:30 PM BST
• Studio Trigger panel – 2:00 PM Pacific/5:00 PM Eastern/10:00 PM BST
• Tokyo Revengers panel – 2:15 PM Pacific/5:15 PM Eastern/10:15 PM BST
• My Hero Academia 10th anniversary panel – 2:30 PM Pacific/5:30 PM Eastern/10:30 PM BST
• The Ghost in the Shell and Science Saru panel – 2:45 PM Pacific/5:45 PM Eastern/10:45 PM BST
• Frieren: Beyond Journey's End special event – 6:00 PM Pacific/9:00 PM Eastern/2:00 AM BST

Day 4 highlights (July 5)

• Jujutsu Kaisen: Celebrating 5 Years of Curses panel – 10:00 AM Pacific/1:00 PM Eastern/6:00 PM BST
• GKIDS panel – 12:15 PM Pacific/3:15 PM Eastern/8:15 PM BST

What could be announced at Anime Expo 2026?

As you can see above, that's quite the packed schedule – with the Friday and Saturday (July 3-4) in particular offering up the potential for wall-to-wall exciting announcements.

So, what's realistic and what's an anime pipe dream? We already know Cyberpunk: Edgerunners season 2 will be premiering its first episode at Anime Expo. If you're there, you're very lucky. If not, expect an influx of reactions to hit social media the minute people have left the panel. On top of that, we'd expect a little more story details. We're hoping we also get some more clarity on if this is set before or after Cyberpunk 2077, too.

The Demon Slayer Infinity Castle celebration panel isn't likely going to be too big of a deal. We'd be shocked if a sequel release date gets announced here. Let's put it that way. However, a streaming release date for the first movie is realistic – especially as Amazon Canada seemingly leaked a late July spot for Tanjiro's big-screen record-breaker.

There's almost certainly going to be more news and quotes surrounding Apothecary Diaries and its third season/movie combo, as well as a larger look at The Ghost in the Shell ahead of its Prime Video debut this month. After months of radio silence, we're almost certainly getting another Steel Ball Run trailer and, hopefully, a release date for its next batch of episodes this fall.

Intriguingly, there are a handful of names here that are still some way off but are still staking a claim for our attention at Anime Expo. Frieren: Beyond Journey's End and Jujutsu Kaisen are slated for new seasons next year, so we don't anticipate major announcements coming our way. A teaser or two wouldn't go amiss, though.

Finally, we're holding out hope for Solo Leveling to be part of the A-1 Pictures panel. We've heard precious little about its upcoming season, so any sort of teaser would be welcome. It's a slightly longer shot than most of the collected names here, but Anime Expo is certainly the place to drop it.

Dig deeper into some of the world's biggest anime with our guides to the One Piece filler list and how to watch Jujutsu Kaisen in order.

The Cyberpunk: Edgerunners season 2 English-language voice cast has been announced, but fans are (understandably) zeroing in on one of its most recognizable names.

As revealed by CD Projekt Red, veteran edgerunner Weak Kingsley will be played by Clancy Brown, the prolific actor known for everything from playing Mr. Krabs in SpongeBob SquarePants to the hardened detective Lieutenant Anderson in Detroit: Become Human.

Amid the wave of Mr. Krabs-related jokes about saving eddies and calling Plankton a gonk, fans are united in their reaction to the news.

In short, fans are overjoyed: "Clancy Brown as Weak has to be one of my top five favorite castings," one wrote on Twitter, to which executive producer Saya Elder noted that it was a "personal recommendation" from writer Bartosz Sztybor.

"Might have to watch the English dub of Cyberpunk Edgerunners II when it comes out now," another remarked.

"I'm about to start watching the Cyberpunk anime just for Clancy Brown," one newcomer to Edgerunners said. Another added that they expect Weak to be one of the dopest characters in the Cyberpunk universe."

Elsewhere, it has been confirmed that Kimoy Lee will voice Talia Yang, Nazeeh Tarsha will voice D, and Valeria Rodriguez will voice Roman Carax.

Excited to hear them in action? A select few will get a chance to watch the first episode of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners season 2 early at the show's Anime Expo panel on July 3.

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners season 2 hits Netflix this fall. For more, check out our guide on new anime releases, plus our picks for the best anime on Netflix.

Attack on Titan anime studio Wit announced a new anime, LONA, premiering in spring 2027 – the studio's latest original series.

Per Wit Studio's reveal trailer, LONA will be directed by Takashi Katagiri, who directed Spy x Family Code: White and was episode director on Vivy: Fluorite Eye's Song. Vivy is an especially relevant and encouraging touchstone, not just because it's an excellent Wit original, but because LONA seems to deal with some similar themes.

Set in the "not-so distant future," LONA sees humanity "attacked by humans who should be dead." Governments respond with the formation of the eponymous "Laboratory of Optics and Neural Analysis," which is charged with analyzing the brains of the dead.

Banish the zombie tropes from your mind; LONA seems much closer to sci-fi transhumanism so far, a little more Psycho-Pass or Ghost in the Shell.

The teaser description adds, "What do people think of, and what do they leave behind before they die? Countless memories engraved in the neural circuits. What did they see in those deep depths?" One character, per the trailer's English captions, wonders, "What was her oldest memory, what was her strongest desire?"

"A neuroscience adventure series depicting researchers confronting their world by connecting with the unresolved emotions left behind by the deceased," a plot summary adds.

LONA has been in the works since 2020, according to story and screenplay writer Akiko Nogi, who also sheds more light on the setting: "Driven by a desire to explore forms of expression possible only through animation, we have set our story against the backdrop of a large-scale synchrotron radiation facility – a place I have long been fascinated by – as we take on the mysteries of the brain and the world around us."

The series' character designs will be handled by Posuka Demizu, best known as the artist behind the manga The Promised Neverland (not the disastrous second season of its anime adaptation). The team is stacked from top to bottom, and LONA's reveal trailer is predictably gorgeous, so this series gets an early spot on my 2027 anime list.

New anime in 2026: the biggest upcoming and ongoing shows and release dates.

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners season 2 has given us a nova first look at the long-awaited anime anthology's return, with its first trailer revealing a fresh quartet of Edgerunners. But a fan theory suggests the show could be setting up a huge twist that mirrors a major moment in Cyberpunk 2077's first act.

Note: spoilers for Cyberpunk 2077 follow.

At the climax of Cyberpunk 2077's early game, V's partner-in-crime Jackie Welles dies during the attempt to steal the Relic from Konpeki Plaza. Could Cyberpunk: Edgerunners season 2 be hiding a similar rug-pull? Twitter user @WGB05112004 thinks yes, positing: "I think they gonna pull a The Suicide Squad/Welcome to Derry and kill off the first guy[s]" Instead, the "real" cast of Edgerunners season 2 are hiding in plain sight, the theory goes, in silhouette on the show's first poster. Check it out below.

Plenty of fellow Twitter users are in agreement with the idea that a place as brutal and unforgiving as Night City could be hiding an early bloodbath. After all, with a Sandevistan spine, even the most accomplished merc could be zeroed in the blink of an eye. Some even suggest that newcomer Roman Carax, a "cinephile" who is "obsessed with chasing the truth," could be the throughline, as the young filmmaker documents each character's death on film. Dark stuff.

Not everyone agrees, however, with some pointing out that there's probably too much distinct footage featuring this new quartet of characters for their early demise to make sense. However, the idea that there are major characters from season 2 that are yet to be officially revealed is practically a given. In fact, dataminers think they may have already uncovered a secret fifth character with connections to the group and wider Cyberpunk lore.

After a 4-year absence, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners season 2 releases this fall on Netflix. The 10-episode second season tells a brand new story featuring a fresh cast of characters and once again hails from Studio Trigger.

For more, check out our picks for the new anime you should be watching right now. Need to fill out your watchlist? Our collection of best Netflix anime will ensure you have plenty to watch.

CD Projekt Red has confirmed more about its quartet of main Cyberpunk: Edgerunners season 2 characters, but datamined leaks suggest an unseen fifth major player in Night City has surprising links to two of those already announced.

As revealed on the Cyberpunk: Edgerunners season 2 website, Weak Kingsley is described as a "washed-up cyberpunk legend" who is "forced to live without chrome in a world that's passed him by."

The new synopsis also confirms family, obsession, and legacy are major themes in play here – which makes this next leak all the more intriguing.

Smets205 on Reddit has uncovered a fifth character card on the Edgerunners site.

Meet Avida, a "jazz singer and corpo insider" who is apparently "Weak's old flame." The plot thickens from there with the reveal she has a "fragile" daughter: Talia, the pink-haired Maelstrom member who forms part of Edgerunners season 2's main crew.

Old flame? A daughter? It's possible Weak Kingsley is hiding plenty of secrets – while the 'fragile' and 'weak' connection means there's almost certainly some hidden family drama brewing up in Night City's streets between the chrome-less protagonist and his ex-lover. A clip on the site, shown below, also shows a tense interaction between Weak and Talia.

All told, it sets up an extra layer of tragedy to what is surely going to be another depressing story told in NC.

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners season 2, a standalone 10-episode story, is set for release on Netflix this fall.

For more, check out our picks for the new anime you should be watching right now. Need to fill out your watchlist? Our collection of best Netflix anime will ensure you have plenty to watch.

CD Projekt Red has revealed two profiles for Weak Kingsley and D, two of the recently announced characters for Cyberpunk: Edgerunners season 2.

Weak and D were announced ahead of the trailer that dropped today, with CD Projekt Red social media manager Marcin Lukasewski pointing out that Weak is much older than the other edgerunners (which, according to Lukasewski, increases his relatability.

CD Projekt Red released brief character bios through YouTuber Danny Motta and Twitch streamer Gigguk, which you can see below.

"Once known as 'King,' a veteran edgerunner at the top of his game. Weak now lives in the shadow of his former glory," the first bio shares, followed by new images of the character.

"A Snake Nation netrunner with sharp technical skills and a sharper hunger for revenge, D hunts the killer who wiped out his clan," reads the second.

We don't have a plot synopsis for the new Edgerunners season, only confirmation that it'll feature a "different crew and new standalone story set in Night City," with a count of 10 episodes. We do, however, finally have that new trailer, which sees our boy D enacting what appears to be some bloody revenge, as well as another new protagonist named Roman Carrax, an aspiring filmmaker who sets out to document real stories in Night City.

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners season 2 is set to hit Netflix in Fall 2026. For more, check out our picks for the best anime you should be watching right now, or, check out our list of new anime shows.

Welcome back to Night City, chooms. The first trailer for Cyberpunk: Edgerunners season 2 is here, and it's full to the brim with chrome, corpos, and chaos.

If you want adrenaline-fueled action, the Cyberpunk: Edgerunners season 2 trailer has more than enough to go around. We see one figure, Roman, filming D. on a bloody rampage, with plenty of angst, tears, and spine-ripping action that will be plenty familiar to those who have walked these streets with V., David or Johnny Silverhand.

The Studio Trigger/CD Projekt Red production is the next anthology chapter after Cyberpunk: Edgerunners tore our hearts out in style with its saga of the Sandevistan-infused protagonist David. In the 2022 anime, David crashed his way through Night City in a war against corpos and others who wished him dead.

While Edgerunners ended in tragedy for most of its cast, it could have been so much worse for its hero.

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners writer Bartosz Sztybor confirmed as much in an interview with Anime Corner. He said, "There was one ending in which David doesn't die entirely. Arasaka gets him, and he ends up fighting in Africa or South America in corporate wars as a robot."

The second season has slowly unveiled its cast in drip-feed fashion, beginning with a look at the camera-wielding Roman Carax at Annecy.

From there, a CD Projekt Red manager spoke of how the elder statesman of the group, Weak Kingsley, resonated with him. 'D' was also announced, as was corpo Talia Yang. Her inclusion also appeared to spoil a cameo from a Cyberpunk 2077 game character.

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners season 2 is released in fall 2026.

For more, check out our picks for the best anime you should be watching right now. Then, dive into the rest of the year's remaining new anime shows.

CD Projekt Red and Studio Trigger have given us a glimpse at Cyberpunk: Edgerunners season 2 in action for the first time.

Look a little closer, however, and you may spot what some fans think is a notable Cyberpunk 2077 character waiting in the wings.

The official Edgerunners Twitter account posted a two-second GIF of season 2's main female protagonist – and seemingly former corpo – Talia Yang leaping through the air.

In the background is a Maelstrom member hanging over the balcony. That might not be any chrome-added gang affiliate, though. Some think it's Dum Dum, the contact for V in early Cyberpunk 2077 quest 'The Pickup.'

Those who have steered themselves through the neon-drenched streets of Night City in CD Projekt Red's open-world masterpiece will be all too aware of Dum Dum.

Designed as an early chance to experiment with the RPG's narrative decision-making, the gang member can be killed or paid off – among other options – if the deal goes south. He can then emerge in a later quest, depending on your choices.

If that is Dum Dum in the above clip, that likely confirms that Cyberpunk: Edgerunners season 2 is set before the events of Cyberpunk 2077 (as was the first season, it should be noted). The other option is that it's canon that V left Dum Dum alive.

Of course, other Cyberpunk 2077 characters have appeared in Edgerunners – namely, Atom Smasher and his run-in with David. That didn't turn out well for our hero, but it apparently could have been far worse.

Other Cyberpunk: Edgerunners season 2 characters announced so far include Weak Kingsley, Roman Carax, and 'D'.

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners season 2 is set for fall 2026. For more, check out our guide to the rest of the year's big new anime releases.

CD Projekt Red social media manager Marcin Lukasewski says Weak Kingsley, the first new character to be revealed in Cyberpunk: Edgerunners season 2 is relatable as hell because of his much older age.

"As someone who just got a bit older, Weak's character in Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 resonates with me a whole lot. Can't wait for you guys to meet him when you watch the series!" Lucasewski wrote on Twitter. "He is cool, and for so many reasons!"

The first image of Weak comes from a video shown of the new cast at Annecy, courtesy of CD Projekt Red, which concealed their identities as silhouettes. The second revealed cast member is simply know as D. As we can see from the image below, there is still one more to be revealed.

Weak's character is particularly interesting given his much older age than the show's usual cast of teens... which is, indeed, pretty cool. D, with spikey hair and youthful stance, appears to be of the show's usual age range.

We don't know much else about the new season other than that there will be a "different crew and new standalone story set in Night City." A more concrete announcement is set to come out on June 29, with an Anime Expo panel to follow in July.

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners season 2 currently does not have a release date (and neither does the upcoming Cyberpunk 2077 sequel). For more, check out our list of new anime, as well as all the new PS5 games on the horizon.

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners writer Bartosz Sztybor has revealed that an alternate fate was planned for David, but it's just as depressing.

Speaking to Anime Corner, Sztybor confirmed, "There was one ending in which David doesn't die entirely. Arasaka gets him, and he ends up fighting in Africa or South America in corporate wars as a robot."

In the Cyberpunk: Edgerunners ending that made it onto our screens on Netflix, David is brutally murdered by Atom Smasher, but not before putting up one heck of a fight against Arasaka's hired muscle. In an extra heart-wrenching twist, his partner Lucy visits the moon after his death, when their dream was to go together.

So, was the original ending a fate worse than death? Becoming a blunt weapon for Arasaka to wage corporate wars overseas would have been a uniquely deflating ending to the Cyberpunk anime, especially when so much of the franchise is already dedicated to showcasing how large global corporations are able to stomp the man on the street underfoot.

Let's hope Cyberpunk: Edgerunners season 2 is a little more upbeat. The new season, once again brought to life by Studio Trigger, is in the works and on the cusp of a reveal.

The first look at the main character was glimpsed this week at Annecy, with CD Projekt Red unveiling a more official look at another Night City denizen on social media. A more concrete announcement is coming on June 29, with an Anime Expo panel to follow in July.

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners season 2 is currently undated, as is the upcoming Cyberpunk 2077 sequel.

Don't go cyberpsycho while you wait: here are the new anime you can watch until then, as well as all the new PS5 games over the horizon.

We didn't see this one coming. The first DC Studios anime has been unveiled at Annecy International Animation Film Festival – and it's all about a Joker revenge quest.

As per the logline for Joker: Laugh Riot, "When Batman is murdered, the Joker launches a ruthless crusade through Gotham’s underworld to find the killer who took away his greatest adversary. But as his violent quest for answers pushes him closer towards vigilante than villain, Joker is forced to confront the truth that without Batman, he doesn’t know who he is."

The project, seemingly not tied to the DC cinematic universe that James Gunn and Peter Safran are crafting with Superman, Supergirl et al on the big screen, is being directed by Yasuhuro Aoki.

Aoki helmed last year's Chao and even has past history with the Caped Crusader as part of 2008 animated anthology Batman: Gotham Knight. There, he directed the fourth entry, which saw Kevin Conroy's Batman take on the Scarecrow.

DC dipped into anime just a few years ago with Suicide Squad Isekai, but this is its first extensive in-house production, complete with a killer premise.

Long-time Bat-fans will be acutely aware, however, that Batman dying and even Joker trying to interrogate his killer is nothing new.

Batman: The Animated Series even featured a classic episode titled 'The Man Who Killed Batman'. The Clown Prince of Crime grows increasingly frustrated by the idea that hapless criminal Sid the Squid managed to defeat Batman once and for all.

Joker: Laugh Riot is currently undated, but stick with GamesRadar+ for updates as we hear more.

Dive into what's coming in the summer season with our guide to new anime.

We have good news for One Piece fans overseas, as Netflix has confirmed a release date for One Piece Heroines, and it's less than one week after it drops in Japan.

On June 25, Netflix took to Twitter to confirm that the upcoming special episode of One Piece will land on the streamer on July 11. That's just six days after it airs in Japan on the evening of July 5. Check out the post below.

The special episode is set to follow the female leads of the One Piece series. The synopsis reads, "After buying a pair of shoes that end up hurting her feet, Nami returns to the shop feeling dissatisfied. There, she meets Lebno, the designer, who tells her, 'I’ll make you a brand-new pair from scratch—but only if you’ll be my model.' The shoes are crafted by the artisan Miucha, leading to an unexpected and stylish encounter."

One Piece released the first teaser on June 23 over on YouTube, which saw Nami make her high fashion debut, and features the episode's theme song 'Blue Shining Star' by AiNA THE END. You can watch the teaser trailer below.

The episode is titled Nami, adapting the character's One Piece Heroines story. However, the novel also focuses on different adventures following three other One Piece Heroines, so there's plenty of content to adapt in the future. Although Nami's story revolves around fashion, Robin's story sees her decipher an ancient tablet, whereas Princess Vivi receives a love letter from an admirer, and Ghost Princess Perona goes after the last bottle of wine.

The news of Netflix's Heroines release date comes just one day after the streamer released the first The One Piece teaser. The upcoming show will act as a remake of the original anime series, adapting the legendary manga by Eiichiro Oda. However, The One Piece will tell the same story in fewer episodes, meaning that new fans can catch up with the franchise without having to watch 22 seasons of the main show. Of course, Nami will also appear in The One Piece, which hits Netflix in February 2027.

For more from the original anime series, check out our guide on how to watch One Piece in order and the episodes you need to avoid in our One Piece filler list.

It looks like Netflix's upcoming The One Piece remake won't stray too far from the original anime, as the series has cast the original voice actor behind Monkey D Luffy.

The official One Piece Twitter page broke the news, writing, "The Japanese voice cast for Monkey D. Luffy is confirmed to be Mayumi Tanaka."

The star provided a comment on her return, saying, "I'm happy to once again take part in a new series, The One Piece, as Luffy. While taking on a new challenge at this age brought some anxiety, the experience itself has been full of new insights. It has truly renewed my spirit in playing Luffy." Check out the post below.

Tanaka was first brought on board to voice Luffy 27 years ago for the original One Piece series, but has since starred in spin-offs such as One Piece Film: Gold, One Piece Film: Red, One Piece: Stampede, and many more One Piece titles. The wider voice cast has yet to be announced, but thanks to the first The One Piece teaser, we know that main characters Roronoa Zoro, Nami, Usopp, and Sanji will appear.

Much like the 1999 One Piece anime, which is still running, The One Piece adapts the legendary One Piece manga by Eiichiro Oda. So why bother making another anime series when one already exists? Well, The One Piece will differ from One Piece in a number of ways. First up, The One Piece is made by Wit Studios and will cover the source material at a much faster rate, meaning new fans can get involved with the franchise without having to watch 22 seasons of the original anime.

Directed by Masashi Koizuka, The One Piece season 1 is set to adapt the first 50 chapters of the original manga, which is about halfway through the East Blue saga, leading up to Luffy’s encounter with Sanji, the sous chef of the floating restaurant Baratie. The One Piece season 1 will consist of 7 episodes, which is pretty speedy as the original One Piece anime covers up to 8 chapters in its first 7 episodes.

The One Piece is set to premiere on Netflix in February 2027. For more, check out our guide on how to watch One Piece in order, and keep up with new anime on the way.

Following the first look at Annecy, Netflix has confirmed that Cyberpunk: Edgerunners season 2 is on its way, and the first trailer is imminent. In a post on Instagram, we got a new poster and a tease asking fans if they're "ready to meet the crew" as well as promising a trailer coming on June 29.

The poster doesn't reveal too much aside from showing us a new look at Night City. It also seems like there may be a stream of blood falling on the left-hand side and, as fans know all too well, there are no happy endings in Night City. Check it out below.

Some fans have been speculating that there might be a hidden message in the new look. Posting on Reddit, one noticed that the way 'Cyberpunk: Edgerunners II' is written makes it look like 'Cyberpunk Edgerunners 71'.

"It's heavily theorized that it's intentionally stylized like that to tease a 2071 setting," they speculated, suggesting that the second season could be a prequel. The exact timeline of the new episodes has not yet been confirmed, but we do know it will be telling a fresh story set in Night City and focusing on a new cast of characters.

The first-look image might have even revealed the new character replacing David in the lead role as a young woman with short blonde hair. It seems like all will be revealed soon as a first major look at the anime series arrives in just a few days' time.

In the meantime, check out our guides to the best new anime on the way as well as our pick of the best shows on Netflix.

The first trailer for the highly-anticipated The One Piece remake project is here, and it's back to humble beginnings of Monkey D. Luffy on his quest for the mythical pirate treasure.

The One Piece trailer begins with the King of the Pirates Gold Roger and his "dying words" that launch a Grand Line-spanning quest for the One Piece.

With a spruce up in animation and art style, the classic first arc of the One Piece saga has certainly been given a modern-day makeover. The sizzle reel of the Straw Hats and some of their greatest early adventures proves the remake is in good hands with Attack on Titan's Studio Wit, too.

Releasing in February 2027 and brought to life by Studio Wit, Netflix has confirmed that The One Piece's first season will consist of seven bumper-length episodes, clocking in at five hours total.

The adaptation of the first 50 chapters of Eiichiro Oda's manga, the East Blue Arc, will also be released all at once on the streamer. That's a far cry from the months-long gap that formed part of the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Steel Ball Run release schedule.

Studio Wit president George Wada has previously commented on exactly why One Piece is being remade by his studio, pointing towards the old 4:3 ratio as a major stumbling block for a new generation of viewers.

Wada later remarked that the goal is for The One Piece to have "flawless pacing." After all, the original One Piece anime is the poster child for the dreaded f-word: filler. Judging by the trailer, it's full speed ahead on the swashbuckling adventure.

The One Piece is releasing next February.

For more from the original anime series, check out our guide on how to watch One Piece in order and the episodes you need to avoid in our One Piece filler list.

Netflix has finally shared the first look at Blue Eye Samurai season 2 and promises that new episodes are "coming soon."

The first look image, which can be viewed above, sees Mizu (Maya Erskine) navigating a ship through a violent storm on the way to England. Per Polygon, Netflix aired approximately 60 seconds of new footage at the 2026 Annecy Festival, which sees Mizu arrive in London and get put into an underground fighting match.

Per the official logline: "In Season 2, Mizu's bloody quest continues in London, where she faces new friends, old foes, and her own demons. In Japan, Akemi and Taigen navigate Edo Castle under a dangerous new Shogun, while Ringo searches for new purpose." There is no set release date for the new season, though Netflix said via press release that it's "coming soon." Animated shows tend to take a few years between seasons, so we're not surprised (and we're sure it'll be worth the wait).

Created by husband-and-wife team Amber Noizumi and Michael Green, Blue Eye Samurai hit Netflix in November 2023 and was swiftly renewed for a second season that same December. The anime series follows a female warrior onna-musha who seeks revenge against four men, one of whom is her father. The voice cast includes Kenneth Branagh, Brenda Song, George Takei, Masi Oka, and Randall Park.

Blue Eye Samurai season 1 currently sits at a near-perfect 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, with the Critics Consensus calling it "visually dazzling while paying deft attention to character" and a "masterfully rendered animated adventure."

For more, check out the best anime shows to watch right now.

One year on from its announcement, we finally have a glimpse of what could be the main character of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners season 2.

As spotted at the Annecy Animation Festival by Nexus Point News, the new look at the second season of Studio Trigger's Netflix animated anthology features a young blonde protagonist holding a camcorder.

It's still early days, but we're convinced the unnamed character is replacing David as Cyberpunk: Edgerunners' lead. Why? Well, apart from obvious spoiler reasons, the very first announcement video for the new season focused on a gang of silhouettes. At its centre was one diminutive figure that looked suspiciously similar to what was unveiled at Annecy.

"I’m super happy and proud to announce that Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 is in production, CD Projekt Red franchise creative director Bartosz Sztybor wrote on Twitter last year. "I’m writing, producing and showrunning, so be prepared for sadness!!"

All we know right now is there will be a "different crew and new standalone story set in Night City."

David actor Zach Aguilar previously told GamesRadar+ he has spoken to CD Projekt Red about the franchise's future but "truly" doesn't know if that involves his character.

Those desperate for more from the streets of Night City will be heartened by the fact that Cyberpunk: Edgerunners season 2 has its own panel at next month's Anime Expo. Expect more story, character, and setting teases there as we get ready to return to the streets of Night City.

A Cyberpunk 2077 sequel is also in the works at CD Projekt Red.

For more, check out our guide to new PS5 games and new anime just over the horizon.

It's been well over a year since Solo Leveling season 2 ended, and it looks like we may have to wait a while longer yet.

According to Screen Rant, the highly anticipated third season has been given a 2027-2028 release window. This corroborates rumors that Solo Leveling Season 3 wouldn't arrive until around the time of the Olympics... which are set to take place in 2028.

The news comes just days after the President of Crunchyroll assured fans that the season was actively being worked on.

It's worth noting that the hit anime debuted 2024, with a second season quickly arriving in 2025. Because of the quick turnaround between seasons, it's easy to see why fans were expecting season 3 to follow suit. However, when it comes to animation, three years between seasons is pretty standard (it's also becoming standard for live-action streaming shows).

There may be some bigger and better news on the horizon as A-1 Pictures, the studio behind Solo Leveling, will have a panel at Anime Expo 2026. We may very well get a first look or even a trailer for season 3 to tide us over until 2027-2028 rolls around.

Solo Leveling currently holds the title for Crunchyroll's most-streamed show of all time, thanks to season 2 blowing every other show out of the water. The series also smashed it at the 2025 Anime Awards, taking home the awards for Anime of the Year, Best New Series, Best Action Anime, and Best Main Character (Sung Jinwoo).

Solo Leveling season 3 does not yet have a release date. For more, check out our guide to the most exciting new anime heading our way.

As part of Japan's Blue Lock Day celebration, Blue Lock season 3 is moving ahead with an official title and first look.

Blue Lock season 3 is officially subtitled Neo Egoist League, but does not yet have a release date. A new poster, shared by the Twitter account for Blue Lock, can be found below, alongside new key art for protagonist Yoichi Isagi and German ace forward Michael Kaiser. There's also a commemorative Blue Lock Day video over on the show's official YouTube channel.

Per an official press release, Isagi's bio reads as follows: "Once an unknown high school forward, he joined the 'Blue Lock' project to chase his dream of leading Japan to a World Cup victory as the world's number one striker. Through grueling selections inside the Blue Lock facility and battles against formidable rivals – including the match against Japan's U-20 national team – he has gradually unlocked his talent and his 'ego.' After scoring the decisive goal against the U-20 squad, he became an overnight sensation."

Kaiser's bio reads: "Ace forward of the U-20 squad at Bastard München – Germany's strongest club, which also boasts the world's current number one striker, Noel Noa – and one of the New Generation World XI (World Best Eleven). He carries absolute confidence in his talent and ability, and possesses a fierce 'ego' that mercilessly looks down on lesser opponents. He boasts outstanding sense across the full range of play, from elite physical ability to ball control and handwork."

Some fans were worried about the fate of season 3 after Blue Lock season 2 was met with some pretty harsh feedback, with the animation even being compared to a PowerPoint slide. Apparently, the season suffered from production mishaps, with one animator speaking out about the season's "short turnaround."

For more, check out our picks for the best anime you should be watching right now.

Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You has become the first anime on Crunchyroll to get a perfect five-star rating on the streamer.

The series, from Asahi Productions, dropped its first six episodes on Crunchyroll as 12 'mini-episodes' on June 3. It revolves around the quirky saga of downbeat worker Sasaki and his interactions with supermarket worker Yamada and her alter-ego Tayama, who shares cigarettes with Sasaki outside the building.

As you can imagine – especially whenever something reaches the height of its popularity – the five-star rating has fluctuated slightly. It dipped to a 4.9 rating at one point before reverting back to its initial score.

If you want to read ahead, the manga – by Jinushi – has been running since 2022 and currently consists of eight volumes.

Confusingly, the full anime hasn't premiered yet, with Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You airing new episodes in July. At least it's not as bad as the Steel Ball Run release schedule and its months-long gap between episodes.

The seinen kicks off an exciting period of new anime releases this summer. The traditionally low-key window includes The Ghost in the Shell, Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War: The Calamity, Black Torch, and Young Ladies Don't Play Fighting Games arriving this July.

Among those, The Ghost in the Shell – hewing closer to the original source material than previous adaptations – promised a "new era of cyberpunk action" in its first trailer earlier this year.

For more, check out the best anime shows to watch right now and our picks for the best anime on Crunchyroll.

The World Cup is about to kick off, which means you probably want to watch some of the best soccer anime around to get your football fix in between matchdays.

To help you navigate the free kicks, fouls, and frenzied support of the world's beautiful game in animation, we've put together a list of the essential (and best) soccer anime to watch in 2026. They include cult classics, shows that have inspired some of the world's best players, and so much more. Back of the net!

For more from the world of anime, check out our picks for the best anime on Crunchyroll, plus our wider look at this year's new anime.

Captain Tsubasa

Number of seasons: 1

Available on: Crunchyroll

Perhaps the best-known soccer anime of all time, Captain Tsubasa has proved influential on the careers of real-world players Lionel Messi, Fernando Torres, and Andres Iniesta.

From day dot, Captain Tsubasa (which launched in 1983) was a sensation thanks to its inspiring story, colorful cast of characters, and opponents you loved to root against. For many, Tsubasa's iconic 'block' in the very first episode still resonates as an anime classic moment alongside any shonen battle or fight scene.

There's a reason, then, why a generation of children – whether they grew up to be world-class stars or otherwise – were enraptured by the ongoing saga of student Tsubasa and his dream to one day lift the World Cup.

Tsubasa's quality, once you ignore the slightly dated animation of the original series, is in its longevity – with multiple series covering the lead's inspiring journey from fledgling upstart to professional breakthrough.

Start with the '80s original (or skip to the more widely-available 2018 remake) and work your way up to find a unique, captivating sports anime that broke new ground outside of Japan, as well as creating an icon that persists today in the hearts of millions.

Blue Lock

Number of seasons: 2

Available on: Crunchyroll

The new kid on the block, Blue Lock burst onto the scene back in 2022 and has been top of the league ever since.

Centred on the development of striker Isagi in his bid to become an egocentric 'perfect' forward with a relentless eye for goal, the upstart is joined by hundreds in the 'Blue Lock' program. Child labor laws aside, it's a killer premise – putting all of Japan's biggest soccer hopefuls into one facility in a bid to spit out worldbeaters, and all the rivalries and close calls that go with it.

Yes, the soccer can sometimes take a back seat to the cacophony of colorful powers and disruptive chaos that explodes around the players in lieu of actually kicking a ball, but it's an exciting depiction of a sport that has been surprisingly dormant in the anime space in recent years.

If you can look past the second season's admittedly rougher animation, you'll be on board for what could one day be held up as Gen Z's Captain Tsubasa. A live-action movie and a third season are also in the works, proving Blue Lock has the staying power to outlast its competitors.

Giant Killing

Number of seasons: 1

Available on: Roku

Everyone loves a David vs. Goliath soccer story. Whether it's Wrexham's march up the English leagues backed by Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac, Leicester City's remarkable 5000/1 Premier League win, or Greece's unlikely pragmatic victory at Euro 2004, there's always plenty of narrative juice in achieving the unexpected on the field.

No better is that feeling communicated in anime than in Giant Killing. Where some sports anime start from the bottom and work their way up, this short-lived anime charted the spluttering fortunes of the top division's East Tokyo United and its incoming, unorthodox manager Takeshi Tatsumi.

It would be reductive to call this an anime Ted Lasso, but the similarities are there: a rags-to-riches story, a triumph against the odds, and an ensemble of colorful players you would run through a brick wall for.

Its 26-episode run may leave you feeling a little short-changed, but its brisk, breezy season encompasses all the highs and lows of a typical football campaign – and there's always the manga if you want to see how East Tokyo United fare next.

Inazuma Eleven

Number of seasons: 3

Available on: Prime Video

If you're looking for a down-to-earth soccer anime, Inazuma Eleven isn't it. Instead, the sports series turns the on-pitch action up to 11 with supercharged abilities and shots that break the sound barrier. You're not getting that at your local non-league ground, that's for sure.

While Inazuma Eleven doesn't break new ground with its story – Raimon Jr. High is striving for success with a bunch of hopeful upstarts – it's unapologetically entertaining with its shonen-like story, one that goes on to include aliens, conspiracies, and time travel. It even spawned its own media franchise, with several of its games worth checking out if you want more of its unique madcap soccer energy.

Aoashi

Number of seasons: 1

Available on: Crunchyroll

We've already dealt with larger-than-life characters and OTT moments in soccer, but Aoashi is an anime that deals in fighting spirit over style and pizazz.

Player Ashito Aoi is built more in the Hajime no Ippo mold: a player of tremendous potential, but one that needs to scratch and claw his way to the top through good old-fashioned hard work. Along the way, he butts heads – and clashes cleats – with opponents while playing for Esperion Academy. A second season has been announced, and we can't wait to see more of the gritty, grounded action – a perfect palate cleanser for those who prefer a sports underdog story.

For more, check out our picks of the best anime movies, plus all the best anime shows you should be watching in 2026.

Anime veteran Kunihiko Hamada has revealed he is no longer employed by Madhouse after a decades-long stint at the studio.

Hamada, perhaps best known for his work as animation director on the likes of Chihayafuru and perennial GamesRadar+ favorite Monster, took to Twitter to express his dissatisfaction at the sudden career news.

"No attempts to retain me, just ended abruptly," Hamada wrote. "35 years with Madhouse. Over 20 years as an employee, severance pay: 0 yen."

Happily for the animator and character designer – whose work also includes time spent on One-Punch Man and '90s cult classic Cardcaptor Sakura – he found new employment almost immediately.

"Already employed at a different company. Starting fresh with a new mindset, studying diligently like a newbie while poring over Shibayama-san's works collection," Hamada said.

It appears, then, that Hamada has gone to work at animation studio Aijado – or at least is being influenced by its former president Tsutomu Shibayama, who passed away earlier this year.

Elsewhere in the anime world, fans can look forward to Makoto Shinkai's next movie.

The Your Name and Suzume director updated fans on social media last month about his untitled new project.

"The entire staff is working hard every day on my new film," Shnikai wrote on Twitter. "I'm confident it's going to be a great film, so please hang in there just a little longer until the announcement!”

For more, check out all the new anime scheduled for 2026. Then dive into our collection of the best anime shows you should be watching right now – including Monster.

Anime has never been bigger. What was once a niche concern, relegated to tape traders and Japanophiles in the West, has exploded into a global phenomenon in recent years.

In just one prominent, symbolic example of Japan's animation takeover, Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle outgrossed Superman at the 2025 box office. As 2026 wears on, the medium is showing no signs of slowing down.

In fact, quite the opposite: a new generation of famous fans – The Weeknd, Olympic Gold Medalist Alysa Liu, Oscar winner Michael B. Jordan, and Megan Thee Stallion, to name but a few – have only intensified the feeling that anime, suddenly, is in vogue – and it's at Crunchyroll's 10th Anime Awards in Tokyo where that ascension to the mainstream is celebrated.

This year, over 70 million votes were registered across dozens of categories, with fans and expert panelists voicing their opinions on who should be crowned Anime of the Year and Film of the Year, among other categories. Demon Slayer Infinity Castle and The Apothecary Diaries may have taken home the top awards as the likes of The Weeknd and RZA presented, but the show preached platitudes for all, rather than highlighting sweeps and solo winners.

"Our priority here is to highlight the creators, but also connect the creators with their global fans," Crunchyroll president Rahul Purini tells GamesRadar+.

Anime Awards co-host and prolific voice actor Sally Amaki only adds to the swell of feeling that the Anime Awards allows the industry to put the spotlight on oft-obscured animators and voice actors.

"I don't think they get enough recognition in their everyday lives, so I feel like it's a day to really show appreciation to the people that are usually behind the scenes," Amaki explains.

Scott Donaton, SVP global head of brand and community at Crunchyroll, agrees with the creator-first approach – something that is otherwise missing from anime's annual wave of new releases and announcements.

He says, "I think this is really about bringing the creative community together, and I'm not sure there are any other, certainly not many other places on the calendar where the entire creative community behind anime, the storytellers, the creators, the voice talent, the performers can all come together in one room to celebrate the craft and the artistry and the performances. So that's what this is all about for us, is that chance to bring that community together and celebrate, and that feels really unique as a moment in the industry."

From bars to ballrooms

But it's been a long road to get here. Crunchyroll's shaping of the Anime Awards into a must-see event runs in parallel to anime's own rise.

It all began back in 2017 in humble surroundings that were worlds away from anime's larger-than-life reputation: a California bar, complete with a low-maintenance operation that involved a camera being taped to the back wall.

"It was started by fans, for the fans in the back of a bar," Anime Awards executive producer Melissa Hill recalled. "To now see where we are, doing a global scale production in Tokyo – to see that transition and the authenticity, just to keep true to the fandom, it's been quite amazing."

As Hill alludes to, the past few years has seen the ceremony transplanted to Tokyo, not only borne out of a desire to give the Japanese creators their flowers, but also to anchor the awards in their ancestral home – just a few miles from the hustle and bustle of the legendary Akihabara district, famed for its towering, monolithic buildings stacked with anime paraphernalia amid a hazy neon backdrop.

The Anime Awards also holds a mirror up to anime's greatest calling card: its innate ability to capture an audience, regardless of generation, background or nationality.

Where the likes of superhero movies and Star Wars are having a crisis of confidence outside of tentpole territories, anime is soaring and proving to be an essential part of Gen Z's media diet. With India, Brazil, and Mexico providing a bedrock of fandom, however, it's the chance to bring celebrities into the mix to really communicate their genuine love for the medium that sets it apart.

"The beauty of it is when we're talking to The Weeknd, we're talking to RZA, we're talking to Megan Thee Stallion – whether it's at Comic Cons or at the award show – we're talking to them as fans first and foremost, and they're talking to us as fans first and foremost," Donaton says. "Their fandom is so deep and so authentic, and so it means so much to them that I think it's a chance to really reflect how much anime has evolved from what was seen as a niche medium into a truly global mainstream phenomenon."

The chance for anime's biggest celebrity cheerleaders to be able to platform their support for a medium they grew up loving is at odds with Japanese animation's previous reputation as a magnet for weirdos and losers (Amaki herself admits she was bullied growing up in America for her love of anime). Whisper it, but anime might actually be cool.

My own experience of the awards – on the orange carpet instead of the traditional red amid a conveyor belt of international talent striding into sight – only bolsters the belief that anime and Crunchyroll's starry, ballroom-set contribution to the industry is at an exciting crossroads, verging on the cusp of something altogether monumental.

Yet, there are still naysayers surrounding this anniversary event. At a meeting of anime leaders in Japan, Production I.G. president George Wada called for a Japanese Anime Awards, with onlookers also feeling – perhaps fairly – that centring Crunchyroll's Anime Awards in Japan, where the streamer isn't available, rings hollow.

Big in Japan

In an industry so cosplay-adjacent, Crunchyroll could be accused of playing dress-up, using the legitimacy of the awards to promote its own content. After all, the vast majority of nominees most years are available on Crunchyroll, with only 2026's lineup going some way to kowtowing to demand for more Amazon and Netflix offerings.

"The nominations are selected by 100-plus independent, unbiased and unassociated judges," Purini argues. "These are industry experts… and they select the nominations. Nobody at Crunchyroll has any influence, right? [And] it's the global fans voting, and we have a third party that manages the voting controls."

Purini also points to the "law of averages" as to why the Anime Awards feels so top-heavy towards Crunchyroll year after year. "There are about 300 shows made in Japan every year, right? We are getting somewhere between 220 to 240 shows of those."

But, with the bulk of the event being in Japanese – punctuated by English-language pre-shows and other segments – it amounts to a halfway house that tries to appeal to everyone and doesn't always succeed.

Despite that, the speed of the event, complete with genuine show-stealing performances from the likes of Neon Genesis Evangelion's Yoko Takahashi and Asian Kung-Fu Generation, is a welcome salve to the self-important, elongated awards shows found across film, TV, and music.

So, how far can anime – and the Anime Awards itself – go? While it will be some time before it joins the Oscars, Emmys, and Grammys as major events, there is plenty of belief – both internally at Crunchyroll and elsewhere – that the medium can only keep expanding. Which begs the question: Today, Japan. Tomorrow, the world?

"Maybe it won't even be in Japan anymore," Amaki offers. Maybe it'll be posted in different countries, because anime is just popular everywhere nowadays."

One day, then, the ceiling might be hit. But it doesn't feel like it's going to be anytime soon, especially with fresh instalments of Crunchyroll's crown jewels Demon Slayer, Chainsaw Man, and Solo Leveling all mooted to return in the coming years.

While the Anime Awards, admittedly, feel slightly lowkey next to its more prestigious peers, its tighter pacing and creative-led approach (no rushing winners off stage here) is a refreshing antidote to legacy events that feel equal parts unapproachable and impenetrable to those who haven't been following the peaks and troughs of various award seasons.

10 years on, teething issues remain, but Crunchyroll is working towards making the Anime Awards, like anime itself, a global concern fueled by the sort of star power that is turning audience attention away from Superman and towards shonen – and beyond. That's the one prize Crunchyroll and the Anime Awards is keen to firmly grasp within the next decade.

For more, check out the full list of Anime Awards 2026 winners, plus our picks for the best anime on Crunchyroll.

It's been over a year since Solo Leveling season 2 ended, and Crunchyroll president Rahul Purini has finally given fans an update on the highly anticipated season 3.

"Nothing to announce, but we are just as eager as the fans for the next show!" Purini told Radio Times. "We know the creators are actively working on it, so hopefully we can announce something soon."

Solo Leveling, the hit anime based on Chugong's South Korean web novel of the same name, debuted in 2024, with a second season quickly arriving in 2025. Shunsuke Nakashige directs, with Noboru Kimura serving as head writer, and character design by Tomoko Sudo. The second season, titled Solo Leveling: Arise from the Shadow, followed Jinwoo as he embraces his new role as the superpowered Shadow Monarch.

Thanks to season 2, Solo Leveling currently holds the title for Crunchyroll's most-streamed show of all time. The series also won big at the 2025 Anime Awards, taking home the awards for Anime of the Year, Best New Series, Best Action Anime, and Best Main Character (Sung Jinwoo).

A-1 Pictures, the studio behind Solo Leveling, is set to hold a panel at Anime Expo 2026, leading some fans to anticipate a season 3 first look or trailer reveal. Fans have also speculated that a compilation film of season 2 will be released beforehand, as the studio did the same with season 1.

Solo Leveling season 3 does not yet have a release date. For more, check out our guide to the most exciting new anime heading our way.

Crunchyroll president Rahul Purini has reaffirmed the company's general anti-AI stance but admits it could be used to "help with recommendations and personalization" on the anime streamer.

"I would say it's not that difficult," Purini told Radio Times when pressed on whether it's difficult to avoid using AI in an anime industry that has increasingly leaned on it.

Purini continued, "We are very clear in terms of what we will and will not do. We have always said creator authenticity is really important for us. We want to make sure creators get to tell the stories the way they want to tell them, whatever technology they want to use, but it is the [creator's] intent. They get to tell the story, and we want to be authentic to their storytelling, and so that's why we're not using AI in our creative process – whether it's subtitling or dubbing."

While Purini has seemingly stopped short of refusing to platform any shows or movies that use generative AI in their creation, the Crunchyroll boss says AI still has some use – particularly when it comes to the Spotify-style personalization on offer.

"We're looking at AI in terms of, how can we help with discovery, how can we help with recommendations and personalisation? How can we build a platform more engaging for our fans?" Purini said. "That clarity makes it easy for how we use AI."

Anime has been beset by anime controversies in recent years. Notoriously, Amazon came under fire for its AI English dub on Banana Fish and a job posting that alluded to an "expansion of AI-enabled dubbing capabilities."

In a separate incident, Wit Studio apologized after using AI in Ascendance of a Bookworm, and Crunchyroll itself appeared to leave in a line referencing 'ChatGPT said' in a German translation last year.

Despite the ongoing battle between art and AI, anime voice actor Kayleigh McKee offered a perfect counterpoint as to why performances should remain human.

"Nothing will ever be able to replicate it because of the uniqueness of our human condition and the nuance which, I think, is a bit of hubris to assume we can simply craft it into being in such a short time," Mckee said.

For more, check out the best anime on Crunchyroll, plus our complete guide to 2026's new anime.

Anime openings don't get more iconic than Neon Genesis Evangelion's 'A Cruel Angel's Thesis', a bold, ethereal track that set the tone for a generation-defining (and brain-melting) series and turned millions into serious anime fans.

While you may not know the name of the singer behind the song – Yoko Takahashi – you certainly know her voice, and the legacy she continues to leave on the industry.

For many, Takahashi, who performed at this weekend's Crunchyroll Anime Awards, is regarded as a legend and trailblazer (including The Weeknd, who posted pictures with the singer recently).

Anime voice actor Sally Amaki, who has also portrayed characters in Overwatch and Marvel Rivals, is among her fans – and has nothing but praise for the iconic singer and her (Third) impact.

"Without [Yoko Takahashi and other '90s anime legends], I don't think anime would have even been that popular in Japan itself," Amaki tells GamesRadar+ prior to the Anime Awards in Tokyo.

"Yes, there are a lot of popular artists right now who sing anime openings and endings, but people like Yoko Takahashi really paved the way for them. It's really cool to be able to witness [the performance] in person – witness history in person. I feel like people in Japan know how popular Yoko Takahashi is, but it's really cool to be able to spread it overseas as well. She's the one who really fired up the 'ani-song' community."

While the Anime Awards rewards the biggest and brightest anime names of the past 12 months, SVP global head of brand and community Scott Donaton agrees it's an opportunity to look back and give those who trod new ground their flowers.

"I think that the 10th anniversary, in particular, is a chance to stop and reflect and celebrate all that's new, but all that's come before it as well," Donaton noted.

While 'A Cruel Angel's Thesis' remains on loop on our playlist, there's still more on the way from Neon Genesis Evangelion. A Yoko Taro-penned series is in the works, complete with a suitably cryptic teaser.

Crunchyroll's Anime Awards took place on May 22 in Japan. For more, read the list of the main Anime Awards 2026 winners.

Still haven't experienced Evangelion? You'll need our guide on how to watch Neon Genesis Evangelion in order.

Wu-Tang Clan's RZA has a long, storied history with anime stretching back decades – including a memorable turn providing the eclectic soundtrack for legendary cult series Afro Samurai.

Now, he's cutting through the noise and getting to the heart of why Japanese animation reigns supreme over the entertainment industry in the west.

"Hollywood has made it into cookie cutters. Hollywood waffle comes in a frozen box now," RZA tells GamesRadar+ ahead of Crunchyroll's 10th Anime Awards.

"Anime is like getting it fresh, you know what it's gonna be – and that's [using the] mind and entertainment. You want to be stimulated."

RZA adds, "Hollywood is pretty formulaic. It goes through cycles."

For the artist, that extends to Japan's passion for creativity compared to, in his mind, a love of the green stuff in America.

"I'm fascinated when you come to a city like Tokyo, and you go into some of these buildings. Inside these buildings are anime studios where every floor [has] young people crafting their work. Whereas I'm from New York, and you go into the buildings, and every floor, someone is doing business or stock or moving money or moving different types of commerce."

Afro Samurai, a 2007 adaptation of Takashi Okazaki's manga, follows Afro (voiced by Samuel L. Jackson), a samurai on a quest for revenge after the death of his father. The miniseries received acclaim for its inimitable sense of style, brutal fight scenes, and relentless momentum.

Crunchyroll's Anime Awards took place this past weekend. For more, check out the list of 2026 Anime Awards winners.

In need of some viewing inspiration? Here are the best anime shows you should be watching right now, plus a look ahead to the new anime arriving this summer season.

Anime's biggest night of the year has come to a close. Crunchyroll's 2026 Anime Awards were filled with shocks, surprises, and the ultimate announcement for who took home Anime of the Year in a crowded lineup that featured the likes of Dan Da Dan, The Apothecary Diaries, and The Summer Hikaru Died.

Below, we will guide you through the winners of all major categories from Tokyo as Chainsaw Man, Demon Slayer and 100 Meters also duked it out for the fiercely competitive Film of the Year award. Plus, whether you like your isekai or are more in love with romance, we have all genre awards and English/Japanese voice performance awards waiting for you. It's all just a scroll away.

For more, check out the new anime launching in the upcoming summer season and our guide to the best anime on Crunchyroll.

Anime Awards 2026 winners: the main list

Ahead, you'll find all of the 2026 10th Anime Awards winners from the major categories.

Anime of the Year

• Dan Da Dan season 2
• Gachiakuta
• My Hero Academia Final Season - WINNER
• Takopi's Original Sin
• The Apothecary Diaries season 2
• The Summer Hikaru Died

Best Continuing Series

• Dan Da Dan season 2
• Kaiju No. 8
• My Hero Academia Final Season
• One Piece - WINNER
• Solo Leveling season 2
• Spy x Family season 3

Best New Series

• Clevatess
• Gachiakuta - WINNER
• Sakamoto Days
• Takopi's Original Sin
• The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity
• The Summer Hikaru Died

Film of the Year

• 100 Meters
• Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc
• Demon Slayer Infinity Castle - WINNER
• Mononoke the Movie: Chapter 2 — The Ashes of Rage
• Scarlet
• The Rose of Versailles

Best Original Anime

• Apocalypse Hotel
• Digimon Beatbreak
• Lazarus - WINNER
• Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX
• Moonrise
• Zenshu

Best Animation

• Dan Da Dan season 2
• Gachiakuta
• My Hero Academia Final Season
• One Piece
• Solo Leveling season 2 - WINNER
• Takopi's Original Sin

Best Action

• Dan Da Dan season 2
• Gachiakuta
• Kaiju No. 8
• My Hero Academia Final Season
• One Piece
• Solo Leveling Season 2 - WINNER

Best Comedy

• City: The Animation
• Dan Da Dan season 2 - WINNER
• My Dress-Up Darling season 2
• Ranma 1/2 season 2
• Spy x Family season 3
• Witch Watch

Best Drama

• Anne Shirley
• Blue Box
• Orb: On the Movements of the Earth
• Takopi's Original Sin
• The Apothecary Diaries season 2 - WINNER
• The Summer Hikaru Died

Best Isekai

• Campfire Cooking in Another World with My Absurd Skill season 2
• Disney Twisted-Wonderland: The Animation — Season 1 "Episode of Heartslabyul"
• From Bureaucrat to Villainess: Dad's Been Reincarnated!
• Konosuba-God's Blessing on This Wonderful World!
• ReZero: Starting Life in Another World season 3 - WINNER
• Zenshu

Best Romance

• Blue Box
• Dan Da Dan season 2
• Honey Lemon Soda
• My Dress-Up Darling season 2
• Ranma 1/2 season 2
• The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity - WINNER

Best Slice of Life

• Anne Shirley
• Blue Box
• City: The Animation
• My Dress-Up Darling season 2
• Spy x Family season 3 - WINNER
• The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity

Best VA Performance (Japanese)

• Aoi Yuki (The Apothecary Diaries) - WINNER
• Chiaki Kobayashi (The Summer Hikaru Died)
• Daiki Yamashita (My Hero Academia)
• Kikunosuke Toya (Chainsaw Man)
• Mayumi Tanaka (One Piece)
• Reina Ueda (Chainsaw Man)

Best VA Performance (English)

• Alexis Tipton (Chainsaw Man)
• Emi Lo (The Apothecary Diaries)
• Justin Briner (My Hero Academia)
• Lucien Dodge (Demon Slayer) - WINNER
• Morgan Barry (Sanda)
• Paul Castro Jr. (The Summer Hikaru Died)

Itching to see what else is out there? We have a curated collection of the best anime movies and best anime on Crunchyroll waiting for you.

The anime battleground has never been fiercer. Crunchyroll, once the predominant top dog of the industry, is being rivaled by the likes of Netflix and Amazon, with each bolstered by financial backing, fearsome reputations, and their own set of exclusives – including Dan Da Dan on Netflix, The Ghost in the Shell on Prime Video, and Bleach on Disney Plus.

But Crunchyroll president Rahul Purini remains assured that, even in a crowded marketplace, the anime streamer is offering the biggest and best options for viewers.

"The audience is young; they're engaged; they spend money in the medium. We're not surprised that a lot of people want to serve this audience. We expected it," Purini tells GamesRadar+.

Purini points to Crunchyroll's storied history in the anime space (prior to its merger, Funimation was founded in 1994) and its sole focus on anime and anime-adjacent content as reason enough why it has the edge over its peers.

"At the same time, we've been doing this for 30 years. We are focused on this audience. This is not just one genre for us. This is the entire thing. We have the single largest anime library in the world. We had 55-plus shows every quarter. So, we feel good in terms of being able to bring an offering to fans that's differentiated, unique, and is compelling. The competition is aggressive, but we are confident in our ability to attract this audience."

As of May, Crunchyroll now has over 21 million subscribers. Previous figures from Netflix suggest half of its 300 million-plus subscribers have watched anime at least once, while almost a third of subscribers on Disney Plus and Prime Video have also dabbled in the medium.

With anime hotter than ever – and grossing hundreds of millions of dollars at last year's box office – it appears the old idiom is true: a rising tide lifts all boats. But Crunchyroll, more than most, remains steadfast in navigating busy waters as the flood of anime content increases.

The 10th Anime Awards are streaming live on Crunchyroll's Twitch and YouTube channels on May 23.

For more, run the rule over what's still to come this year with our guide to new anime.

28 years after its last magical girl show, Bleach and Naruto studio Pierrot is launching a new series as its producer admits they are "tired of battles" in anime.

Speaking to Oricon News (via Automaton Media), producer Yuhei Fukui pulled back the curtain on Magical Sisters LuluttoLilly, a series that continues the studio's decades-old tradition of magical girl anime, best characterized by a group of young women transforming into fantastical alter-egos – complete with a "no battles" rule.

“Our company has produced numerous works like Naruto and Bleach that lean heavily into battles, but this time, the producer in charge was like, I’m so tired of battles," Fukui said.

For Fukui, who has worked with Studio Pierrot as they went to work on action-heavy shonen series punctuated by sword fights, betrayal, and power levels, that means going for a change of pace in a more intense landscape than when they last worked on magical girl anime in the 1990s.

They continued, "In the current day and age, when it’s easy to get tired from informational overload, we felt that there is a need for an anime with a tender and soothing worldview. Instead of an anime that you have to watch with your eyes glued to the screen, we wanted something you can casually watch while you unwind."

Magical Sisters LuluttoLilly, currently airing in Japan, follows Fuu and Rui, a pair of sisters who have drifted apart but suddenly reconnect after receiving magical powers that transform them into adults. The catch? The powers only last for a year – and must be kept a secret. Don't go expecting any episode-spanning showdowns here, that's for sure.

For more, check out the new anime coming your way in the summer season, plus our picks for the best anime movies to watch right now.

The new Ghost in the Shell anime series finally has a release date, and it's hitting the small screen this summer.

A new trailer reveals that the show will premiere on July 7, accompanied by some exciting, action-packed footage that promises a "new era of cyberpunk action."

"In near-future Japan, where the world has become highly information-intensive, with a vast corporate network covering the planet, electrons and light pulsing through it," says the trailer. "But the nation-state and ethnic groups still survive… The offensive unit led by the full-body cyborg Motoko Kusanagi."

The series was produced by Science Saru, who have previously worked on shows like Dandadan, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, and Star Wars: Visions.

Based on the manga of the same name, there have been several other adaptations of Ghost in the Shell since it was first published in 1989. The 1995 anime movie is the most well-known and beloved, while a live-action movie starring Scarlett Johansson was released in 2017 to mixed reviews.

Set in the middle of the 21st Century in the fictional Japanese city of Niihama, the manga follows Public Security Section 9, a counter-terrorist organization led by Major Motoko Kusanagi. Its big-screen adaptations tend to deal with Kusanagi's dealings with the Puppet Master, a mysterious hacker that she must hunt down, and it seems like this new anime will follow suit.

The Ghost in the Shell premieres on July 7 on Prime Video. For more on what to watch, check out our guide to the rest of this year's best new anime.

New anime Witch Hat Atelier has been years in the making – but not quite as many years as was first reported.

The manga adaptation has reportedly been in the works since 2019, but one of the show's producers has now revealed that work didn't actually start on the series until 2023.

"I’m often asked about the production period, so I can’t really go into details, but here’s a little behind-the-scenes information: The anime adaptation was announced in 2022, but Bug Films wasn’t involved from the beginning," Hiroaki Kojima wrote on Twitter.

"I officially joined the production in 2023, thanks to a fortunate connection. So, the actual production period was approximately 3 and a half years. Even so, it was the most time-consuming project I’ve ever worked on, and I’m grateful to everyone on the production committee. What I’m trying to say is, I want all the fans to simply enjoy the work."

The anime follows Coco, who's an aspiring witch without any powers. Per the official synopsis, "when a young witch named Qifrey visits her village, Coco uncovers the 'absolute secret,' becomes Qifrey’s apprentice, and begins her studies. This is the story of children who encounter despair, yet reach out toward hope."

Ayumu Watanabe, who has previously worked on titles like Summer Time Rendering and Children of the Sea, directed the show.

Witch Hat Atelier is currently streaming weekly on Crunchyroll. Stay up to date with our Witch Hat Atelier release schedule, or get up to speed with our guide to the other best new anime on the way in 2026.

The One Piece anime remake has set a 2027 release window as Netflix confirms it's avoiding a Steel Ball Run-style disaster.

As confirmed by the streamer, the Wit-produced series will premiere in February 2027, taking us through the first 50 chapters of Eiichiro Oda's manga and up to Luffy's meeting with Sanji.

Even better, we're getting seven episodes (totalling around 300 episodes) from the adaptation of the East Blue arc dropping as a batch release, meaning Netflix has learned all the right lessons from JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run.

There, fans were bemused by a release schedule that saw one bumper-length premiere episode followed by weeks of radio silence and, finally, confirmation that new episodes would arrive in the fall.

As a taster, The One Piece has released concept art (which you can see above) that features series protagonist Luffy in humble beginnings at Windmill Village.

Previously, the head of Wit Studio had spoken out about The One Piece remake project, urging his team to remake Oda's masterpiece for a new generation.

"The reason we decided to remake One Piece is something Eiichiro Oda said," Wit's George Wada revealed in an interview with Ai Show's now-deleted video (via translations from Anime Hunch and ComicBook).

"He said that One Piece has become very long and full of details, since it started so long ago. The new generation watching modern productions may not feel the same excitement towards the old animation. He felt a bit of regret about that and wanted the new generation to know and follow the story. That motivated me to remake this great story using modern techniques suitable for today’s audience."

2027, then, is the year of One Piece on Netflix. Alongside The One Piece remake, the live-action One Piece season 3 is also setting sail for our streaming shores next year. Full steam ahead!

For more, check out our guide on how to watch One Piece in order and our complete One Piece filler list.

Anime loves to get freaky. That's the general consensus from people who don't actually watch Japanese animation and just assume it's all for weirdos. In truth, anime is a vast medium that strives to evoke all kinds of emotions across expansive fantasy worlds or heightened realities similar to our own. But yes, it does also like to get freaky on occasion, and it just so happens that the weirdest series out right now is also this season's best.

Written by Joumyaku and illustrated by Mizuki Yoda, the story of MarriageToxin revolves around a young man named Hikaru Gero who struggles with love. Like so many others, Gero is a workaholic who's caught up with his job, unable to carve out time for dating. But unlike so many others, Gero just so happens to be a professional assassin who works for the Poison Clan, using toxins to enhance his strength and kill anyone who stands in his way.

So far, so typical for usual Shōnen fare. Yet amidst all the power-ups and epic battles, MarriageToxin flips this framework into something far stranger, and as a result, more original too.

Everything changes suddenly when Gero finds out that the Clan will force his sister to bear a child if he won't marry and produce an heir to continue its centuries-long lineage. That's far from ideal because Akari is a lesbian, so she's not exactly in a rush to leave her girlfriend for a man. Gero, the ever-practical, loving big brother, asks his next target for their hand in marriage so Akari can be spared. But the target in question, Mei Kinosaki, says no. Because of course they do.

What might not be so obvious, however, is that Konsaki's actually a man who dresses up as a woman to swindle other men out of money. When Gero finds out, there's no "gay panic" around this. Instead, the pair end up becoming colleagues and even friends. Gero saved their life, and in return, Konsaki teaches him how to date women so he can find a partner he actually wants to marry, thereby saving his sister while securing the Poison Clan's future in the process.

Choose your poison

MarriageToxin is hardly the first anime to combine action with romance, but few give both genres such equal footing in their storytelling. And fewer still do so with casual queer representation like this incorporated so seamlessly.

Gero and Kinosaki's friendship is integral to this story, with a mutual respect that's often lacking when queer characters are introduced in anime. Even the opening credits show Kinosaki dressing in female clothing without judging or fetishizing them. And when you think about it, the driving purpose of the story is to help a lesbian live the life she wants and deserves for herself.

This approach to queerness isn't what makes MarriageToxin "weird" though, even if it does help differentiate the series from other action romances of its ilk. No, what makes MarriageToxin so strange is the bizarre world that Gero and Kinosaki operate in.

Aside from the strange central conceit, where a man who poisons himself gets dating tips from a cross-dressing marriage swindler, the clans themselves are also pretty weird.

Early on, we meet Gero's best friend, the Bug Master Toshiki Hanamaki, who walks around using centipedes for shoes. Yes, really. But Hanamaki is actually pretty nice, despite that scary centipede tattoo on his face. The same can't be said, however, for the assassin made of water. Or how about the shirtless blonde guy who does a yoga-style stomach flex that almost kills Gero through the manipulation of sound waves?

Yep, these aren't your everyday fight scenes, and the show often takes weird turns narratively speaking as well. Just look at the end of episode four, when that Sound Master attack somehow leads us to a demon chowing down on a baby. "How did we get here?" you might ask yourself. That's not important. What is important is that you'll be having too much fun with all these awkward, loveable weirdos to care. And Gero might be the weirdest of them all.

The man who injects himself with poison to power up also can't eat food on dates that hasn't been prepared by him personally. He's incredibly awkward with women, to the point where you wonder how he's gotten as far in life as he has. And did I mention Gero is obsessed with DIY candy kits, collecting them like other people might hoard stamps or comics? Other characters in the show also think he's odd, probably more than we do as the viewer, but he's charming nonetheless, and that's also true of Marriagetoxin as a whole.

Strange days

Relentlessly silly and often romantic, this is a series unlike any other. Where else would our protagonist vomit up a plastic-like substance made of beer to impress? Never mind that he kills people for a living. Gero is the kind of hero you root for regardless, because his heart is in the right place. That's also why the romance and action meld far better than you'd typically find in such a hybrid show, because the action is driven by a romantic purpose, so it feels more organic.

That fluidity of genre and gender is also apparent in the animation, which Bones Film studio renders to stunning effect. The action is frantic and vibrant yet also cohesive, set to an offbeat city pop soundtrack by Taisei Iwasaki and Yuma Yamaguchi that's slightly out of step with what you might find in a similar show.

Some comparisons can be drawn between Marriagetoxin and Sakamoto Days or even Spy X Family at points, but such parallels don't really do justice to the story that Joumyaku is telling.

In a country where there's stronger pressure to marry and have kids before society deems you too old, Marriagetoxin channels the absurdity of it all with humour and also pathos, even if the show itself doesn't always make sense. And therein lies the beating heart at the foundation of it all.

Witch Hat Atelier has rightly been lauded as a highlight of this season, and a lot of fans are raving about Daemons of the Shadow Realm, too, but nothing quite beats the freaky premise of Marriagetoxin and the entirely unique dynamic that underpins it. This is the antidote to samey Shōnen that we've all been looking for. To avoid watching it at this point would be a mistake that borders on toxic.

MarriageToxin is streaming on Crunchyroll now. For more, look ahead with our list of new anime in 2026, or fill out your watchlist with the 30 best anime movies to watch right now.

After its ending last year, My Hero Academia fans will have undoubtedly wanted more from the heroes they spent close to the past decade watching.

Now, they're getting 'More' – a post-finale special that catches up with the superhero anime's major players eight years down the line.

As you can see above, the special trailer previews how Izuku and the rest of his former classmates are getting on after the events of 2025's My Hero Academia series finale.

There is, of course, plenty of hero antics, as well as what appears to be a more low-key school reunion for those who fought alongside each other. Is it possible to be nostalgic for something that ended a year ago? If not, 'More' is about as close as we'll get to feeling that way.

An adaptation of My Hero Academia's manga epilogue, 'More' isn't expected to run for longer than any typical anime episode, but it will be good to see everyone again, that's for sure.

The My Hero Academia anime first debuted in 2016 and became one of the first shows to propel the medium into its current golden age. Alongside Fire Force and Dr. Stone, it is one of the latest anime to come to an end in the past 12 months.

Elsewhere, new anime this spring season include the return of One Piece, magic goings-on in Witch Hat Atelier, and ongoing isekai adventures in Re:Zero season 4.

My Hero Academia: More is streaming on Crunchyroll from May 2.

While you wait, fill up your watchlist with our picks for the best anime on Crunchyroll.

Attack on Titan creator Hajime Isayama says he has some regrets about how protagonist Eren Yeager turned out.

“Eren became a protagonist who committed mass slaughter on a scale rarely seen in other works of fiction," Isayama said (via Dexterto). "As for why I conceived such a story from the beginning, part of it was my desire to create a narrative with a major twist ... where the victim becomes the perpetrator."

"But a large factor was also my own immaturity and foolishness at the time, when I was in my early twenties. That aspect became the core of Eren’s character, leading to the point where he confesses not as someone forced into wrongdoing by circumstances, but as someone who harbored a desire to do harm."

Though Isayama is talking about the manga, the anime is a near-exact adaptation – and Eren Yeager follows the same arc. The story follows Eren as he vows to exterminate the Titans after they destroy his hometown and kill his mother.

The Attack on Titan manga wrapped up in 2021. The anime ended in 2023 after a final season that lasted several years, followed by multiple feature-length specials known as The Final Chapters. The final Final Chapter premiered in January.

"However, Attack on Titan had long since ceased to be mine alone, and Eren became a character loved by many readers," Isayama continued. "In the end, without fully committing to portraying him as a detestable figure, I found myself depicting him with a certain closeness and sympathy. As a result, I feel there remains a sense of insincerity in the story’s conclusion... at least in my own assessment."

I'm going to level with you... the dude committed genocide. Just going off of that, I'd say Eren stayed pretty dang evil throughout the entire story, though, yes, he still has those qualities that still make the viewer or reader root for him (and a lot of that lies in the fact that he's the protagonist and so we kind of have to root for him) but I honestly can't imagine him being any worse.

For more, check out the other new anime in the works, plus our picks for the best anime movies to add to your watchlist.

Hideo Kojima is no stranger to offering his opinions on movies and TV, and he's returned with another viewing recommendation.

"Watched episode 2 of Nihon Sangoku. Man, it's still so fun, isn't it!" Kojima wrote on Twitter (via the platform's automatic translation). "It's super hilarious! Total hit. And get this, Jun Fukuyama and Kazuhiro Yamaji showed up too. Oh man, I'm thrilled. What’s with this anime – somehow watching it makes me talk in 'Kansai dialect.' Gonna watch more"

Nippon Sangoku hit Prime Video on April 5, and it's also airing on Japanese TV. The anime is adapted from Ikka Matsuki's manga, which is set in the aftermath of a nuclear war, a pandemic, and a natural disaster. Following mismanagement from the government, the country splits into three kingdoms – and, a century later, one man tries to unify them once more.

Kojima regularly shares his recommendations on social media. Earlier this year, he revealed that Sinners, KPop Demon Hunters, and Pluribus made the cut of his favorite releases of 2025.

Last year, Kojima also had a starring role in one of the biggest movies to be released. He had a voice cameo in the Japanese version of Zootopia 2, voicing a character named Paul Moldebrandt. Zootopia 2 was the highest grossing Hollywood movie of the year, beating Avatar: Fire and Ash.

"Hideo is still making games in very much the way that he made Metal Gear, where it is so conceptualized, and so huge, and so thought out that I think the only way he knows how to swing is big," Troy Baker recently told us in an interview ahead of the 2026 BAFTA Game Awards. "And when you do that with trust, and you surround yourself with talented people – not only in the cast, but also in the crew – and you still execute that, man, it's a miracle. Truly is a miracle."

You can fill out your watchlist with our guide to the best anime to watch now or all the most exciting new anime coming soon.

Good news anime fans, those eagerly anticipating the final season of Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War will get to experience it a little sooner than expected, as the hit anime show is set to premiere in US theaters.

On April 14, Fathom Entertainment announced that they will screen the first three episodes of VIZ Media's Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War - The Calamity across the US from June 25 to 29. This means those attending will get to see the first few episodes of The Calamity before anyone else, as the season is set to debut in July.

The screenings will be available in Japanese with English subtitles and with the English dub. Audiences will also be treated to never-before-seen content and an exclusive interview with creator Tite Kubo, chief series director Tomohisa Taguchi, and series director Hikaru Murata. Tickets for the event go on sale on May 29.

Based on the Shonen Jump manga of the same name, the Bleach series launched in 2004 and ran until 2012. However, in 2022, Bleach was resurrected, with Thousand-Year Blood War acting as a sequel to the original series. Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War part 3 set the stage for a ferocious battle between the Soul Reapers and Quincies. However, The Calamity will bring that fight to an end, covering volumes 55-74 of the manga's final arc.

The latter half of the official synopsis reads, "The Thirteen Court Guard Squads join forces with the surviving Quincies and head for the Royal Palace, but it’s fallen under the control of the Wandenreich, who have transformed it into the Wahr Welt. The Royal Guard wait for them within the castle, ominously towering against the sky. Beyond the chaos of calamity, what lies in wait—despair or hope?"

Although the full season does not yet have a US streaming date, Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War - The Calamity is expected to land on Disney Plus and Hulu this July, where all current parts of Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War are available to stream now.

For more, check out our guide on how to watch Bleach in order, and keep up with new anime shows heading your way soon.