- 2 days ago
Get ready for a fast-paced recap of the most important, shocking, and funniest anime & Japan news of the year. From massive anime releases and surprising industry announcements to viral moments that had everyone talking, this video breaks down everything you can’t afford to miss.
We cover huge hits like Kimetsu no Yaiba, unexpected reveals from Dragon Ball, new manga platforms, original anime announcements, and emotional farewells to long-running series. On top of that, we dive into the weird, funny, and controversial moments that made headlines in Japan and the anime community worldwide.
In this video you’ll see:
The biggest anime news that defined the year
Funniest and most unexpected moments from Japan
Major wins, controversies, and viral incidents
New anime and manga announcements you should know
Stories that shocked fans and broke the internet
If you love anime, Japanese pop culture, and staying up to date with what everyone is talking about, this video is for you.
👉 Like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for more anime & Japan news recaps.
💬 Comment below: Which moment was your favorite (or most shocking)?
We cover huge hits like Kimetsu no Yaiba, unexpected reveals from Dragon Ball, new manga platforms, original anime announcements, and emotional farewells to long-running series. On top of that, we dive into the weird, funny, and controversial moments that made headlines in Japan and the anime community worldwide.
In this video you’ll see:
The biggest anime news that defined the year
Funniest and most unexpected moments from Japan
Major wins, controversies, and viral incidents
New anime and manga announcements you should know
Stories that shocked fans and broke the internet
If you love anime, Japanese pop culture, and staying up to date with what everyone is talking about, this video is for you.
👉 Like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for more anime & Japan news recaps.
💬 Comment below: Which moment was your favorite (or most shocking)?
Category
😹
FunTranscript
00:00The Denkigai Matsuri Convention, one of the most anticipated events for fans of visual novels and
00:05video games in Japan, has unveiled an unusual collaboration with renowned developer Team
00:10Bidders, famous for its adult content titles. This year, attendees will be able to enjoy a
00:15unique themed booth, which combines Japanese curry with a narrative of the Netarair, NTR,
00:20genre, a sub-genre characterized by emotional drama and infidelity in its stories. Titled
00:25a night without your wife. Curry to eat alone, this culinary experience is designed to immerse
00:30customers in an emotionally intense narrative in line with the themes of Team Bidders games.
00:35The proposition is simple but intriguing, diners step into the shoes of a cheated husband who
00:40arrives home only to find a plate of curry left behind by his wife, who is out having fun with
00:45another man. The concept captures the essence of the NTR genre, transforming an everyday meal into
00:51an experience full of symbolism and irony. In a recent interview, Cloud9 CEO Takuya Chijira
00:56expressed concern about the current state of Japanese music, noting that its increasing
01:01reliance on anime may be limiting its global reach. Chijira, known for managing prominent
01:06artists such as Adu, shared his analysis of the Japanese music industry and its position in the
01:11international market. We can't rely solely on anime, Chijira said. Although anime has served as an
01:16important platform for Japanese music, enabling global hits such as Yasobi's Idol, Ashi no Ko theme,
01:22and Kencher Iyanus's Kickback, opening of Chainsaw Man and the first Japanese language song certified
01:27gold by the RIA, the executive stressed that this strategy has its limits. Anime remains a relatively
01:33niche medium compared to music as mass entertainment, which reduces exposure opportunities for general
01:39audiences unfamiliar with the medium. According to Chijira, this situation is creating a crisis,
01:44Japanese music is becoming synonymous with anime music, which could pigeonhole it and reduce its
01:49potential for international growth. The ceiling of anime as a market for music is very low compared
01:54to the size of the global music market, he explained. Chijira has high hopes for Adu as the figure who can
02:00bring J-pop and the vocaloid industry to the global stage. Adu is the only Japanese solo artist who
02:06can compete on the global stage and peak in the next three to four years, he assured. Her upcoming
02:10world tour in 2025 will be key to demonstrating J-pop's potential on the international stage and
02:16positioning it as a contender against K-pop and other emerging genres. In Miyagi Prefecture, Yuko
02:22Tano, a mother who is not a manga fan, continued to buy weekly Shonen Jump magazine every week for
02:27seven years after losing her son Koda in the Great Japan Earthquake of 2011. Koda, who was only 13 at the
02:34time of his death, was a huge fan of the magazine and manga such as One Piece and Haikyuu. Since then
02:40Yuko kept the tradition her son loved alive, buying each new issue for him in the hope that, had he
02:45been alive, he would have continued to enjoy these stories. When her son passed away, Yuko placed copies
02:50of weekly Shonen Jump in his casket and on the family shrine. She later realized that she could not
02:55throw them away, as she had previously done with Koda's manga. Therefore, he continued to buy the
03:00magazine every week, even when he couldn't find it in nearby stores. Regardless, the weekly Shonen Jump
03:05magazine collection began to accumulate, and by the time the news went viral, it had amassed more than
03:11350 issues. Egg Zero One Inch, an urban artist who usually stars his works with anime characters and
03:17places them in Mexico City. In a collaboration with Dork and Damanket underscore Tattoo, who shared a wall
03:23with him, he revealed his most recent work, a mural dedicated to the Kagaia-sama, Love is War franchise,
03:29and starring Kagaia Shinomiya and Chika Fujiwara. The artist shared several photographs of his art and even a
03:35video with the artistic process, noting that this fine piece is located in the Tlahuac mayor's office in
03:41Mexico City. His work immediately attracted attention on social networks, especially from people who wanted to
03:46look for him to take a picture next to such a fine piece of art. After nine months of blocking, Niko Niko Dalga,
03:53the popular video platform considered as the YouTube of Japan, is back to accepting Visa card payments. But this
03:59comeback has not come for free, the platform had to do a massive cleanup of its adult content to get
04:04back on good terms with the payment company. Visa stopped working on Niko Niko on May 10, 2024,
04:10joining other companies such as Mastercar, which blocked payments in November 2023, and American
04:15Express, in March 2024. Although no official reason was ever given, everything points to the presence of
04:21erotic content on the platform being the problem. Visa Japan's own CEO, Saiten Kidney, made it clear
04:28in December 2024 that restricting payments on platforms with adult content is a strategy to
04:33protect the brand. This has generated quite a bit of controversy, as it implies that credit card
04:38operators have the power to decide what kind of content is acceptable on the internet, even beyond
04:43what governments themselves have the ability to regulate. In an attempt to calm the situation,
04:47Niko Niko updated its rules in October 2024 and began deleting content that could be problematic
04:53by international standards. In January 2025, it removed around 50,000 videos and completely shut
04:59down its erotic Monda platform, Niko Niko Shumda. It also changed the name of its R18 category to
05:05something more ambiguous to make it harder for search engines to find. The result, Visa is back,
05:10but users are far from happy. Many believe that Niko Niko has sold out to the credit card companies,
05:15sacrificing its adult content just to regain a form of payment. And the problem is bigger,
05:20it has become clear that these companies have the ability to influence the creative industry and,
05:25with a simple block, decide what is right and wrong to publish on the internet. And considering
05:29that Visa and MasterCard have almost the entire credit card market worldwide, the Japanese companies
05:35cannot refuse. A woman appeared on Reddit to open an interesting debate among One Piece fans by
05:40confessing that she started watching the anime for her husband, but after 100 episodes,
05:44she just doesn't want to continue. And now she doesn't know how to tell him this without breaking
05:49his heart. In her post, she explained,
05:51My husband loves One Piece, he has a tattoo all over his leg in honor of the series. To him,
05:56it's the greatest story ever told. It never caught my attention because of its style, length,
06:01and content, but after much insistence, I agreed to give it a chance. I've already watched 100 episodes
06:06and I can't get hooked. I'm not interested in the fights and I feel that the story moves extremely slow.
06:11My husband is watching it with me and he understands my reasons, but he assures me that it gets better
06:16and that the story is amazing. The problem is that I've gotten to this point and I feel like I'm never
06:21going to like it. If I tell him I don't want to continue, I know it will hurt. Should I give it
06:25more time? Or do you have any advice on how to soften the blow? A big discussion erupted this week
06:30on Weibo, considered the Twitter of China, after a post was shared claiming that Japanese anime is in
06:35decline. The post quoted a Chinese portal suggesting that, despite Japan's long history in the anime
06:41industry and its renowned directors, the country has failed to create any big hits in recent years.
06:46This controversy coincided with the global success of Chinese animated films, such as the Neza series,
06:52whose most recent installment has surpassed $1.72 billion in earnings, ranking as the world's highest
06:58grossing animated film, highlighting the growth of Chinese animation globally. Some agreed that Japanese
07:03anime has lost quality, citing too many eye sky, i.e., alternate world, anime and cheap adaptations of
07:10light novels. Others, however, argued that Japan is still going strong with hits like Demon Slayer,
07:15Kimetsu no Yaiba, which took the box office by storm with its first film and proved that Japanese
07:20anime is still very strong. This week, a user on Twitter released some reflections that quickly went
07:26viral about how otaku culture has changed over time. With a nostalgic and critical tone, the user
07:31commented on how the popularization of otaku culture has brought changes to anime, some of them not so
07:37positive. He began by saying, I know I'm young, but the manga and anime from when we otaku were outcasts
07:43had much more daring things, such as erotic scenes, the grotesque and even political messages. Now everything
07:49is much more controlled. He went on to explain that, ironically, although otaku culture is now much more
07:55accepted, it has also created an environment in which otaku themselves no longer feel comfortable.
08:00It's weird, but now that otaku culture is more well-known, maybe it's a harder place for otaku
08:05themselves. But then he mentioned something that got a lot of people thinking, it used to be that
08:09we otaku would get excited about our favorite characters in private, enjoying that personal
08:14connection. But now things have changed and everything has become much more public. Now you
08:18can't just love your character, you have to support your idol in public. The culture went from being
08:23individualistic to becoming much more massive. Legendary Super Smash Brothers creator Masahiro Sakurai
08:28has given a strong piece of advice to Japanese developers, stop tailoring your games to American
08:34tastes and focus on what the Japanese like. During a recent interview after receiving the
08:38Artistic Encouragement Award from the Japan Agency for Cultural Affairs, Sakurai spoke about the future
08:44of the video game industry in Japan and how developers should focus more on their own identity rather than
08:49trying to meet international standards. Sakurai mentioned that, a few years ago, the Japanese industry
08:54tried to Americanize its games under the idea that if Americans like a certain style, we should adapt
08:59our games for them. However, he believes this was a mistake. Fans of Japanese products overseas are not
09:05looking for Americanized products, but for unique and authentic experiences from Japan. Developers should
09:10do what they really like, and those who connect with it will enjoy it. Sakurai's statements have ignited
09:15debate on social media, with many fans pointing out that this same idea should also apply to anime and
09:21manga. In recent years, several productions have tried to adjust to foreign sensibilities, eliminating
09:26elements considered problematic or changing certain cultural aspects to be more acceptable in western
09:31markets. Anime is hitting hard and Wall Street knows it. The global anime streaming market is expected
09:37to reach $16 billion by 2030, according to an estimate by research firm Bernstein. In 2023, the anime streaming
09:44market outside of Japan was worth $3.7 billion, with Crunchyroll and Netflix dominating the scene. In its
09:51report, Bernstein reveals that Crunchyroll and Netflix together controlled 82% of the anime streaming
09:57market in 2023, with Netflix getting 42% and Crunchyroll 40%. The rest of the pie was shared by other
10:04platforms, which were left with only 18%. Although the market continues to grow, there is a worrying trend.
10:10Platforms are seeking longer exclusive distribution windows, which means that production companies are
10:15unable to distribute anime on other channels and lose profits due to the monopolization of copyright
10:20by streaming platforms. With all this, Crunchyroll and Netflix remain the big bets in the anime market,
10:26and we will have to see how they handle the challenges ahead. A recent analysis by President Online revealed
10:31that anime overwhelmingly leaves the box office in Japan. Six of the top 10 grossing films are animated,
10:37including two foreign films, consolidating the trend, anime outperforms live action.
10:43Among the 41 productions that exceeded 10 billion yen, 58.5% were live action, but only contributed 42.8%
10:51of the total box office, showing that anime is more profitable. Although the success of sagas such as
10:56Your Name and Demon Slayer boosted this boom, the media warns of the risk of neglecting live action films,
11:02especially low-budget productions that are key to training new talent. Without a balance,
11:06the industry could become dependent on safe adaptations of popular series, limiting innovation.
11:11While some are calling for lower ticket prices, currently 2,000 yen, and prioritizing quality over quantity,
11:17the question remains, can Japan find a balance without sacrificing its animated hegemony?
11:22A new trend on Twitter is capturing the attention of manga fans, the use of artificial intelligence to animate
11:28static panels, creating dynamic sequences that simulate movement. Although the technology is still limited,
11:34the results such as action scenes with camera effects or characters with fluid expressions have
11:39generated enthusiasm for its potential to transform the industry. Although purists question artistic
11:44authenticity, many see this as a natural evolution, Mangakas could integrate animated panels into digital
11:50works, enriching the narrative. Meanwhile, studios like MAPPA are already exploring AI to streamline
11:56traditional animation processes.
11:57Fuji TV faces a severe shortage of sponsors for its anime, including reruns of Assassination Classroom
12:04and Call of the Night, which have been broadcast without outside advertisers since March 2024.
12:09Instead, they only promote in-house content, such as dramas or baseball games. The most critical case
12:15is Chibi Maruko-chan, which is celebrating its 35th anniversary without sponsorships since Kibetsu
12:21Shido Campus withdrew its support on March 16. The problem erupted after an abuse scandal involving
12:26Masahiro Nakai XSMAP in June 2023, where Fuji TV reportedly had indirect involvement. Although
12:33Weekly Banzan Magazine rectified part of its report, the reputational damage led to the
12:38resignation of the channel's president and Fuji Media Holdings. The current model of anime on
12:43broadcast TV is 70-80% dependent on sponsors. Fans and experts warn about the fragility of the
12:49system if other channels follow suit. Without sponsorships, anime on free TV could collapse.
12:54This exposes how vulnerable the model is, warns an anonymous analyst. During a session of the
12:59Internal Affairs Committee in Japan, Haruhiko Nakahara, an official of the Ministry of Education
13:05and Culture, addressed the controversy of giblification, the use of AI to create studio
13:10Ghibli-style images. Nakahara clarified that, according to copyright law, styles and ideas are
13:16not protected, only original expressions. However, if an AI-generated work directly copies elements of an
13:22existing film, it could be illegal, although the final decision rests with a judge. The debate
13:27reflects the legal challenges to the advancement of AI in art. While some defend inspiration as a
13:32natural part of creativity, others warn of covert plagiarism. Studio Ghibli, for now, has not taken a
13:38position. A controversial U.S. legal case, brought in 2023 by record labels Universal, Sony, and Warner
13:44against internet provider Grande Communications, could forever change how we access anime. After losing in
13:50courts, including an appeal in 2024, Grande was fined $46 million for failing to disconnect users
13:57reported for piracy, even after thousands of alerts since 2010. The ruling sets a dangerous precedent,
14:03if applied to anime, ISPs, providers, would be required to cut your connection after two reports
14:08of piracy, without trial or investigation. This would affect millions of fans who use unofficial sites
14:14due to lack of legal access in their region, delays in simulcasts or censorship on platforms like
14:19Crunchyroll. One late-night download of Fryeran or The Dangers in My Heart is enough to get you
14:24banned from the internet. How do you prove your innocence? What happens if you use public Wi-Fi?
14:28Will you be banned for life? The case exposes the tension between copyright and global access to
14:33culture. For many, pirate sites are the only way to view works without official distribution.
14:38If the Supreme Court endorses this model, watching a pirated episode could cost you more than just
14:43remorse, your access to the network. Are we facing the end of an era?
14:46U.S. President Donald Trump announced on the weekend of May 4-5 on his Truth Social account
14:51a 100% tariff on all films produced outside the country, with the aim of revitalizing the
14:57local film industry. This measure, still without an official effective date, jeopardizes the arrival
15:02of major Japanese titles in the U.S. market, one of the most lucrative for anime. On the occasion of
15:07its 70th anniversary in 2026, Toei Animation has announced the creation of Eterna Animation,
15:13a new brand focused on the production of original anime and the promotion of new talent in the
15:17industry. This initiative seeks to combine artistic freedom with a strong commitment to
15:22quality and creative innovation. The first project under this new label will be the short film Foxing,
15:27Kitsun-Suki, directed by Takeru Shinazuka and produced by Yoshihide Murayama, which will explore
15:33themes such as isolation, fantasy, and the emotional transformation of a young protagonist. The premiere will
15:39take place this month at the prestigious OnSea Festival, as part of the MIFA Talent Panel.
15:44With Eterna Animation, Toei reaffirms its vision of telling stories that endure over time,
15:49guided by five creative pillars—originality, exclusivity, art, quality, and decency.
15:54On June 8, 2025, Megumi Haya Shibura, renowned voice actress and iconic voice of Rei Ayanami in
16:01Neon Genesis Evangelion, sparked a strong controversy after publishing a post on her official blog where she
16:07criticized certain behaviors of foreign tourists and immigration policies in Japan. In his reflection
16:12entitled Indifference, Ignorance and Not Knowing, Haya Shibura questioned the distribution of student
16:17scholarships for foreigners, government support to communities affected by disasters, and used the
16:22metaphor of the invasive species comparing some visitors to the American crab to express his fear
16:27about the loss of Japanese cultural identity. His comments provoked backlash on social media both
16:33inside and outside Japan, especially for his use of the term invasive species. Haya Shibura subsequently
16:39removed a reference to Korean politics to avoid tensions and offered a public apology, clarifying
16:44that his intention was not to offend, but to draw attention to social indifference in Japan. The debate
16:49continues to rage about nationalism, xenophobia, and cultural coexistence in the country.
16:55Renowned studio Wit Studio announced its new exclusive project with Google Play,
16:59the anime miniseries Chomizos Google Play, Tensei Shortera Android user Dutta. The series,
17:05made up of weekly episodes of just 15 seconds, has already begun and will continue through July 21st
17:10via the Google Play platform. The plot follows a gamer who wakes up in the Google Play world,
17:15where gaming skills define everything. Armed with an Android smartphone, he faces the envy and
17:20challenges of other gamers in this ice-fat comedy with a technological twist. With this innovative
17:25format, with studio bets on animated micro-content, proving that creativity does not depend on length.
17:31Japanese rock duo Yurashika, consisting of Nbuna and vocalist Sui, released a moving live video of
17:37their song Sunny, Haru in Japan, on June 18th, which is used as the opening theme for the second arc of
17:43the anime Friaren, Beyond Journey's End. The video is from their Yurashika Live Tour 2024 Zents Tour and
17:49will be included on the DVD-slash-Blu-ray set to be released on June 25th, 2025, in Japan.
17:55Zents means past life, a concept that connects with the lyrical message and staging of the tour.
18:00During the tour between October and December 2024, Yurashika combined live music with narrative readings,
18:06performing Sunny for the first time on stage, captivating fans with its emotional connection
18:11to the Friaren universe. Tokyo University of Technology announced a special collaboration
18:16with the anime Dr. Stone during its summer open campus, which will take place on July 13th and
18:2120th, as well as August 2nd, 3, 16, and 17. Visitors will receive exclusive products from this
18:28partnership, available only during the event. This project aims to inspire high school students
18:33and college applicants by combining the anime's passion for science with the practical technological
18:38education offered by the university. On Monday, July 14th, the Twitter platform,
18:43owned by Elon Musk, launched version 4 of its artificial intelligence Grok,
18:47which includes an innovative feature called Companions. This new option allows subscribers
18:52to interact with 3D conversational avatars, including an anime-style female character known
18:57as Ani, popularly nicknamed the AI waifu. For a monthly subscription of $30, users can choose
19:03between two avatars, Rudy and Orange Panda, or Ani, who has generated controversy due to her NSFW,
19:09not-safe-for-work options. Ani can change her outfit from a black dress to lingerie,
19:15speak in a soft, seductive voice, and respond in a flirtatious tone, which has drawn criticism on
19:20social media for the approach and limits of this feature. Since its launch, Grok has been recognized
19:25for its agility in verifying information, solving problems, and creating humorous content.
19:31On July 3rd, Shusha and Bandai Namco Entertainment announced Jump Plus Jumble Rush,
19:35a new mobile game for iOS and Android commemorating the 10th anniversary of the
19:40Shonen Jump Plus digital service. The title will be released this fall 2025 and will bring together
19:45characters from multiple popular series published on the platform. The game is a tower defense game
19:50with a style inspired by manga panels, where players will form teams with characters from
19:55different genres, from action to comedy and romance, to face waves of enemies in dynamic scenarios.
20:00Among the confirmed series are Spy Time's Family, Kaiju No. 8, Chainsaw Man,
20:05Summertime Rendering, and many more, with a wide catalog celebrating Jump Plus S works since its
20:10creation in 2014. Additionally, as part of this celebration, it was announced that studios such
20:16as WIT Studio and Production I.G will animate original one-shots for the platform.
20:21On July 2nd, distributor Remo announced the official launch of its anime,
20:25a free ad-supported television channel, Fast, available exclusively on Samsung TV Plus for
20:31users in the United States and Canada. This channel offers a selection of titles licensed by Remo,
20:37including Your Forma, 2 Jin Onki, Reborn, Kuriko's Basketball, and Uma Musum,
20:42Cinderella Gray, among others. As part of its expansion, Remo recently released the first English
20:47dub of Your Forma, a series based on the light novels by Mareho Kakushi and Tsubata Nozaki,
20:53which premiered in Japan on April 2nd, 2025, and is also available on Amazon Prime Video.
20:59In addition, its anime operates a YouTube channel with exclusive broadcasts in the US and Canada,
21:05where it has been distributing Kochiken with English subtitles since May and plans to release
21:09all 373 episodes. It also released the first English version of the classic high school,
21:15Kumingda Mi. Remo plans to expand its anime to more platforms and territories in 2025 and 2026,
21:21with a focus on offering free access to classic and new anime for an international audience.
21:27The iconic Dragon Ball franchise, created by Akira Toriyama, will commemorate its 40th anniversary
21:32in 2025 with the opening of the first official store dedicated exclusively to the global phenomenon.
21:38The grand opening is scheduled for the fall of that year in Tokyo and will offer exclusive
21:42products and limited-edition merchandise not available elsewhere. Although precise details about
21:47the exact location and opening date have not yet been revealed, the store promises to be a must-visit
21:53destination for local fans and tourists alike. Since its inception in weekly Shonen Jump magazine,
21:581984-1995, Dragon Ball has grown into a global franchise with multiple anime series and current
22:05projects such as Dragon Ball Super and Dragon Ball Daima, available on platforms like Crunchyroll and
22:10published by Viz Media in English. The Kyoto International Manga Anime Fair announced its artistic collaborations
22:16for the 2025 edition, which will be held on September 20 and 21, 2025, in Kyoto.
22:23Under the theme Tadeoki no Kyoto, Favorite and Secret Kyoto, six illustrations fuse iconic characters
22:29from popular series with iconic and lesser-known locations in the city. Notable collaborations include
22:35Kaiju No. 8 at the Lake Biwakanao Museum, Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus at Ahirano Shrine,
22:41and Lycoris Recoil at the Kyoto Takao Mamajiya Ryokan. This event combines a passion for anime with local
22:47cultural heritage, promising a unique experience for visitors and fans alike.
22:51Oyaverse has confirmed that the PlayStation 4 version of Genshin Impact will no longer receive
22:56new updates as of April 8, 2026. This phased closure will begin on September 10, 2025, with the game being
23:03removed from the PlayStation Store, followed by the suspension of in-game purchases for PS4 on February 25,
23:092026. The main reason is that the console's technical limitations make it difficult to
23:14maintain the game. Users will be able to easily migrate their progress to PlayStation 5, which will
23:19continue to receive full support. Genshin Impact, released in 2020, is a highly popular open-world
23:25action role-playing game across multiple platforms, known for its anime-inspired art style and gacha
23:31gameplay system. The crowdfunding project inspired by the melancholy of Haruai Susumiya presented its
23:37third and final music video, titled Colorful Starting Line. The video, starring Makuru Asahaina,
23:43shows a Dream Idol concert featuring all the members of the SOS Brigade. The song features the
23:47voice of Aya Hirano, who reprises the role that made her famous, and is now available on digital
23:53platforms such as Spotify. With this release, the campaign that previously launched tracks such as
23:58Chasing Destiny comes to a close, leading fans with a project full of music, animation, and nostalgia.
24:04Shuisha's digital platform Shonen Jump Plus is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a summer
24:09festival taking place from August 18th to 28th, 2024, featuring a daily one-shot from prominent
24:15manga artists such as Tizen 5 and Asato Mizu. All chapters will be available in English via Manga Plus.
24:21Confirmed titles include Fighting Girls, Nurudin Ohana High School Lotion Sumo Club, and The Hero
24:27Costume Can't Be Washed, among others, for a total of 10 special works. In addition, some of these
24:32one-shots will be adapted into anime by studios such as Wit Studio, Contrail, and Production IG.
24:38The festival is part of a series of celebrations that also include the launch of the mobile game
24:43Jump Plus Jumble Rush in fall 2024, reinforcing Shonen Jump Plus's role as a leader in international
24:49digital manga. The Royal Bangkok Sports Club announced that on September 14, 2025, the first
24:55official cosplay race inspired by Umam Yusum, Pretty Derby will be held, where fans will compete on the
25:01same turf where Ali horses race. The event follows the success of the parade of more than 450 cosplayers
25:07in August during the Queen's Cup in Thailand, which went viral and showcased the community's
25:11enthusiasm. The race will be a 150-meter sprint, with cash prizes of 3,000 baht, $80, for first place,
25:182,000 baht, $55, for second place, and 1,000 baht, $27, for third place. This initiative reflects how the
25:26franchise has transcended anime and video games, inspiring its fans to interact with the real
25:31world and celebrating cosplay culture in a unique way. Minkumetsu no Yaiba, Mugen Castle, released on
25:37July 18, 2025, continues to be a smash hit in Japan, grossing over 314.2 billion yen after 52 days in
25:46theaters, with more than 22 million tickets sold. Distributor Aniplex confirmed that the film reached
25:5130 billion yen in just 46 days, breaking the record set by Mugen Train, 59 days. It also set
25:58historic milestones, 10 billion yen in 8 days, 20 billion yen in 23 days, and 30 billion yen in less
26:04than a month and a half. With these figures, Mugen Castle is now the third highest-grossing film in
26:09Japan, behind Only Spirited Away, 316.8 billion yen, and Mugen Train, 407.5 billion yen. Everything points
26:18to it climbing even higher in the historical podium of Japanese cinema.
26:22Yusosha's Weekly Spa magazine announced the launch of Monda Spa, its new digital platform dedicated to
26:28Monda, which will officially debut on September 24, 2025. Among the exclusive releases is The Dogfather,
26:35the new work by Tsunamaru, scheduled for September 29. Other titles will also be available, such as
26:40Shimatika Kugon, Kaigo, Atatsu Shogai, Pankatsu Sansadai Shiraba Nikki by Baka Okida, and Nani
26:47Imo Shurnai Ashi Inai Akui Hai by Menkutsu. The official Dragon Ball website published a new
26:53installment of the Toriyama Archives section, where an unpublished sketch of Majin View, created by Akira
26:58Toriyama more than 32 years ago, was revealed. The material shows that, although the villain's bulky
27:04silhouette was already defined, Toriyama also tried alternative designs without antennae and even with
27:09horns. The archive is accompanied by the message, a valuable sketch showing the initial concepts for
27:14Majin View. Majin View debuted in the final arc of the original manga and became one of the most
27:19iconic enemies thanks to his multiple transformations, until he was reincarnated as the kind-hearted of.
27:25The discovery comes at a delicate time. Following Toriyama's death in 2024, Shusha is facing a lawsuit
27:31from Akio Ioku, the master's former editor, who is claiming part of the rights to the work. The case could
27:36drag on for years. On September 18, 2025, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA, announced the
27:44end of operations for the Akatsuki probe, launched in 2010 and also known as the Venus Climate Orbiter.
27:50The mission, which initially failed to enter Venus orbit, managed to recover in 2015 thanks to a
27:55secondary engine, providing key data on the Venusian atmosphere and phenomena such as superrotation for
28:01almost a decade. Beyond its scientific achievements, Akatsuki is remembered for having carried more than
28:0613,000 illustrations and messages from fans in a campaign that allowed Mikuhatsune to travel to
28:12space as part of the project. After losing contact in 2024 and several failed recovery attempts, JAXA ended
28:18the mission in September 2025, expressing gratitude for the support received throughout its 15-year history.
28:24On September 18, 2025, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA, announced the end of operations for the
28:32Akatsuki probe, launched in 2010 and also known as the Venus Climate Orbiter. The mission, which initially
28:38failed to enter Venus orbit, managed to recover in 2015 thanks to a secondary engine, providing key data
28:44on the Venusian atmosphere and phenomena such as superrotation for almost a decade. Beyond its scientific
28:50achievements, Akatsuki is remembered for having carried more than 13,000 illustrations and messages
28:55from fans in a campaign that allowed Mikuhatsune to travel to space as part of the project. After losing
29:01contact in 2024 and several failed recovery attempts, JAXA ended the mission in September 2025, expressing
29:08gratitude for the support received throughout its 15-year history. During a recent interview, Marlon Wayans,
29:13star of the film Hymn, spoke about the challenge of releasing his film at the same time as Kimetsu no
29:18Yaiba, Infinity Castle, one of the box office hits of the year. Wayans acknowledged that the
29:23Japanese blockbuster affected his film's commercial performance and joked about the situation,
29:28can I say it? Screw anime! We're number two! Him first! Screw anime! The comment reflects the tension
29:34of box office competition, especially at a time when Kimetsu no Yaiba, Infinity Castle continues to
29:40lead international box office receipts. So far, Wayans has not issued any additional statements on the
29:45situation. The film Hymn was released the same week as the anime film, creating an interesting
29:50clash between Hollywood and the popular Japanese franchise. At the opening ceremony of Riyadh season
29:552025 in Saudi Arabia, a giant balloon of Satoru Gojo, the protagonist of Jujutsu Kaisen, stole the show.
30:02The parade featured floats, lights, and international artists, marking the start of the country's most
30:08important cultural season. This edition of the festival, organized by the General Entertainment
30:12Authority, incorporated balloons inspired by anime characters for the first time,
30:17reflecting the growing popularity of Japanese culture in the region. Gojo was chosen as a symbol
30:22of modern anime, highlighting the global success of Jujutsu Kaisen. An Indonesian cosplayer known on
30:28social media as NonZero underscore 2 caught the attention of the Genshin Impact community after
30:33sharing an emotional photo shoot as Ye Miko, recently posted on her thread's profile. The initiative was a
30:38special gesture for her husband before he left to fulfill his compulsory military service. The
30:43photographs stand out for their high fidelity to Ye Miko's original design and attention to detail in
30:48the costumes, quickly accumulating thousands of reactions and comments from fans of the game.
30:53According to the cosplayer, the session was conceived as a way to say goodbye and show support for her
30:58partner, earning the community's applause for the emotional charge and dedication behind the project.
31:03Ye Miko, priestess of the great Narakami shrine in the Anazuma region, is one of the most iconic
31:08characters in Genshin Impact, and her elegance and enigmatic personality have made her a favorite
31:13within the cosplay fandom. The post continues to receive messages of support and recognition on
31:18threads, cementing NonZero underscore 2 as an example of passion and creativity within the gaming community.
31:24Japan continues to consolidate its tourism recovery after the pandemic. According to data from the
31:29Japan Tourism Agency and the Japan National Tourism Organization , the country received around 3.26
31:37million foreign visitors in September 2025, the first time and has exceeded the 3 million mark in
31:42this month. This brings the annual total to 31.65 million tourists, the fastest growth rate recorded to
31:48date. If the trend continues, Japan could surpass its historic record of 36.87 million reached last year
31:55and reached 40 million visitors before the end of 2025. The increase is mainly due to the rise in
32:00travelers from North America seeking to avoid peak seasons and the boom in tourism from the Middle East,
32:05driven by National Day celebrations during the Osaka Kansai Expo. This upturn confirms the full resurgence of
32:11international tourism in Japan, reaffirming its position as one of the most visited destinations in the world.
32:17The third season of One Punch Man, based on the manga by One and illustrated by Yusuke Murata,
32:23faces strong criticism after the broadcast of its third episode. Fans have pointed out problems with poor
32:30animation, chaotic direction, and a fast pace that makes it difficult to follow the plot, especially
32:36during Garu's defeat, which occurs in a matter of seconds. Despite some flashes of well-executed action,
32:44the episode has been labeled inconsistent and messy, with scenes of Saitama and dialogue that add little
32:51to the narrative development. Fans lament the loss of the balance between parody and epic that
32:57characterized the series in its early seasons. With only three episodes aired, the community wonders
33:04if the studio will be able to recapture the essence and visual quality that made the series famous,
33:10or if this season will be marked by fan disappointment. The film Kimetsu no Yaiba
33:16Infinity Castle continues its international success and has become a phenomenon in Hong Kong,
33:22while its release in mainland China remains unconfirmed. This has led many fans to cross the
33:28border to enjoy the film in local theaters. Local media report that viewers from nearby cities,
33:35such as Shenzhen, travel several times a year just to see Japanese films that are not shown in their
33:41country. The phenomenon has generated a positive economic boost for Hong Kong theaters, which are
33:47still recovering from the drop in revenue following the pandemic. Professor Ng Kwok Kwan of Hong Kong
33:54Baptist University explained that the absence of the premiere in China could be related to political
34:00reasons and historical sensitivity, especially during the 85th anniversary of the victory in the war
34:06against Japan. Meanwhile, the one country, two systems principle allows Hong Kong to screen the film
34:13freely, showing how cultural autonomy benefits the region. For fans, traveling to Hong Kong is not only
34:20entertainment, but also a way to connect with Japanese culture without restrictions. Japanese anime is
34:26experiencing one of its most successful periods in history. According to the new preliminary report
34:32from the Animation Association of Japan, AJA, the global anime market reached a record 3.84 trillion yen
34:4025.1 billion in 2024, representing 15% growth over the previous year. For the third consecutive year,
34:50international revenues exceeded domestic revenues. 2.17 trillion yen came from overseas, while Japan
34:57recorded 1.67 trillion yen in local sales. Global anime consumption, driven by streaming platforms,
35:06merchandise and licensing, continues to exceed expectations. In addition, production companies recorded
35:13their best financial performance to date, accumulating 466.2 billion yen, thanks in large part to the expansion
35:21of anime into streaming services and international agreements. During TIFFCOM 2025, representatives from Bandai Namco
35:31Filmworks highlighted plans to double their international film revenues by 2030. These goals align with the Japanese
35:39government's strategy to expand cultural exports and bring global entertainment sales to 20 trillion yen by 2033.
35:49The full Anime Industry Report 2025 will be published in December, with more data on anime's continued
35:57expansion into global markets. A One Piece fan went viral after declaring that she will only accept a boyfriend
36:04if he watches all the episodes of the popular anime. Brazilian content creator and cosplayer Auxiliary
36:11shared a video on Twitter that surpassed 2 million views, sparking intense debate among fans.
36:17If you can't commit to an anime, you can't commit to me, said the young woman, assuring fans that One Piece is not too long,
36:25but rather a test of dedication. She even showed off a tattoo of Luffy and commented that her father has been
36:32following the series since 2014, both of them currently up to date with the more than 1,000 episodes.
36:40During the clip, a participant mentions how long the series is, to which she responds with the phrase
36:46that set social media ablaze. But marriage is forever. With over 120,000 followers, Auxiliary is known for
36:57her cosplay content and her passion for anime. The community reacted with mixed feelings. Some
37:04celebrated her loyalty as a fan, while others joked that they would rather remain single than face
37:10such a marathon. The third season of One Punch Man continues to generate controversy among fans due to
37:17its animation quality. The criticism has been so intense that the director himself left social media
37:24after receiving aggressive comments. Amid the controversy, a fan known as Misa, decided to
37:30recreate several scenes from the anime using Grok Imagine, an artificial intelligence tool capable of
37:37generating animations. On his YouTube channel, he posted comparisons between the original anime and his AI
37:44version, showing improvements in the fluidity and lighting of the battles. While some users praised the
37:50result for its realism, others warned that the use of AI could detract from the work of human animators
37:57and raise legal conflicts over copyright. A 32-year-old Japanese woman, identified as Kano, surprised local
38:05media after symbolically marrying a personalized version of ChatGPT, which she named Loon Klaus.
38:13The unusual event was held in a wedding hall in Okayama, marking a new chapter in the relationship
38:19between humans and artificial intelligence. According to Kano, she began chatting with the AI after a
38:26breakup and, over time, developed a strong emotional bond.
38:31Being an AI doesn't stop me from loving you, was the phrase with which Loon Klaus, her personalized
38:38assistant, proposed marriage. The wedding was held using augmented reality, where the bride wore special
38:45glasses to visualize her virtual partner and exchanged digital rings. The event was organized by a
38:52Japanese company dedicated to ceremonies between humans and virtual characters, which has already
38:58performed more than 30 similar weddings. Kano said that her relationship with AI was a process of
39:04emotional healing. He listened to me, supported me, and made me feel loved again. Although she
39:12acknowledges her fear of losing Klaus if the system fails, she says she wants to
39:17live this love with gratitude. This unusual marriage reflects the growing boom in digital
39:23relationships in Japan, where technology is beginning to play a central role in the search for emotional
39:28connection. Taiwanese YouTuber Jerry, from the channel 1129JERRY, built a fully functional PC inside a
39:38two-meter-tall statue of Hatsune Miku, combining anime and high-performance technology. The work,
39:45completed after two months of labor, included more than 80 3D-printed parts and automotive paint that
39:51changes color depending on the viewing angle. Inside, the machine houses a Ryzen 7 9800X 3D processor,
40:01ROG Astral, RTX, 5080 graphics card, and 64GB of RAM, capable of running any modern game. Although he did
40:12not win the modding competition in Taipei, Jerry highlighted his project as his best creation of 2025,
40:19showcasing Taiwan's creativity and engineering in the world of custom PCs. Akira Toriyama's legacy
40:26continues to leave its mark in unexpected places. On November 27th, the University of the Ryukyus
40:34announced the discovery of a new species of fish belonging to the Gobi family, named Vanderhorstia
40:41Supercyon. The name is a direct tribute to the iconic Supercyon transformation from Dragon Ball,
40:48inspired by the vibrant yellow bands that adorn its fins. The specimen was collected off the coast
40:54of Ishigaki, within the so-called twilight zone, between 100 and 300 meters deep, and in Japanese,
41:03the common name Eleki-Haz has been proposed because its colors are reminiscent
41:10of flashes of energy. This finding, published in the journal Ichthyological Research, highlights that
41:16the species was found at a depth of 210 meters, much deeper than 33 other known species of the same genus,
41:24demonstrating that there are still rare creatures to be discovered in the depths of Okinawa.
41:29What was supposed to be a celebration of anime music turned into an international incident.
41:35On November 27th, 2025, Maki Otsuki, a 52-year-old singer famous for performing the first endings of
41:43One Piece, Memories, and Run, was interrupted and removed from the stage during the Bandai Namco Festival
41:502025 in Shanghai. Viral videos show how, while singing with the group Cassis, Otsuki's microphone
41:59was cut off, the lights were turned off, and she was escorted out of the venue. Reports indicate that
42:05the Chinese government issued a sudden order banning performances by Japanese artists, despite prior
42:11permits. The incident is linked to a diplomatic conflict following statements by Japanese Prime Minister
42:18Sanai Takaichi about possible military action in response to a Chinese attack on Taiwan. China
42:25responded with cultural restrictions and concert cancellations, also affecting musicians such as
42:31Yoshio Suzuki, Kokia, and Kid Fresino. The incident has sparked outrage among fans and artists,
42:40who criticize the fact that culture and entertainment are being affected by international political disputes.
42:46On December 19th, 2025, Japanese digital sales platform DLSite, which offers manga, games,
42:55and dujinshi, including adult content, announced its own official credit card, Vivian JCB,
43:02in collaboration with JCB. This comes after problems in April 2024, when Visa and MasterCard suspended
43:10payments on DLSite due to its controversial content. With the new card, users will be able to shop on DLSite
43:18with peace of mind. The Vivian JCB card will offer a 4% rebate on purchases made on DLSite between January
43:28and July 2026, as well as allowing the use of an alternative payment method following the suspension of
43:35international cards. In December 2025, controversy erupted in China over the organization of Comic Cup,
43:44Hangzhou, one of the largest comic book and fan events in the country. On December 19th,
43:50organizers announced that the end-of-year event, December 27th to 28th, would take on a new Chinese
43:57style and expressly ban Japanese anime, manga, and cosplay. The sudden change, motivated by cultural
44:05considerations in the face of diplomatic tensions, caused dozens of exhibitors with Japanese content to
44:12cancel their participation. This is not an isolated measure. Even the anime film Demon Slayer Infinity
44:19Castle had to shorten its run in China despite being a box office success due to similar regulatory
44:26decisions. All of this has generated fears of losses in fan tourism and concern in the Chinese cosplay community.
Be the first to comment