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All of Us Are Dead Creator Dong-geun Joo Talks Zombies, Adaptations, and His Global Fans
Joo spoke with Anime News Network about his debut, the influences behind his work, the Netflix adaptation, and his latest series, Adonai.
― Dong-geun Joo, the creator of the popular webtoon All of Us Are Dead, visited Los Angeles to participate in an event at the Korean Culture Center Los Angeles celebrating Korean webtoons on September 11. Joo made his debut in 2009 with All of Us Are Dead, which w...
Behind the Scenes with Villion:Code Game Designer Ilya Kuvshinov
Ilya's latest project is Compile Heart's new game Villion:Code, and he was kind enough to take time out of his schedule to answer some of our questions.
― Ilya Kuvshinov is a world-renowned artist, illustrator, and character designer. His stunning work has appeared in many projects since moving to Japan in 2015 to work in the anime industry, including notable titles such as Ghost in the Shell: SAC 20...
Bringing Magic Knight Rayearth to a New Generation with Director Yui Miura
We spoke with the new series' director about the current trend of adapting older series featuring the isekai plot device and how older series focus on growth over wish fulfillment.
― Over 30 years since the original anime premiered in Japan, Magic Knight Rayearth is returning with an all-new adaptation to entice fans new and old this October. The new series, animated at Sung Hoo Park's E&H productio...
From Chainsaw Man to A Silent Voice, Music Composer kensuke ushio
kensuke ushio sat down with us to talk about his craft and process. He also dived deep into how he compiled the soundtrack for Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc and navigates the music business.
― The composer behind anime hits like Chainsaw Man, A Silent Voice, Dandadan, Devilman Crybaby, The Dangers in My Heart, and many more, kensuke ushio a.k.a. agraph, sat down with us to talk about his craft a...
Hakos Baelz Talks About Tanya the Evil, the Yakuza Games, and Being a Bit Chūuni
"For me, I think every year I try to put more of myself in my performances. Whether through practicing the vocals or practicing the dance, everyone's working really hard to make sure that it's a bigger and better performance for all our fans."
― Recently, I was able to sit down with Hololive's Hakos Baelz in preparation for their 4th English group concert, “Serendipity. We got to talk about Tanya the...
Director Hiroshi Ikehata Aims for Big Laughs in Giant Ojō-sama Anime
We caught up with the experienced director to ask him a few questions about working on a project where the character is bigger than a skyscraper.
― Hiroshi Ikehata is a director with decades of experience in the anime industry. He has worked on a wide variety of projects in diverse roles, including directing series such as Robot Girls Z, Kiratto Pri Chan, and Witch Watch. He is also directing the up...
Dancing Through History with The World is Dancing Director Toshimasa Kuroyanagi, Producer Kan Mizoguchi
We sat down with the two creatives to discuss the series, from its historical roots in the Muromachi era to brushstrokes seen on every episode title card.
― How can creativity span centuries? In Japan, a country rich in classical art forms, one example is the evolution of dance. Japan is home to Noh, a form of classical dance born of a turbulent time in the country's history. Many anime fans outside ...
Bringing Magical Girls into a Dark World: Magical Girl Raising Project's Character Designer, Series Writer
This October, the dark world of Magical Girl Raising Project returns with the series' new lead character designer, Masako Itō, who has designed more than her fair share of cute girls.
― This October, the dark world of Magical Girl Raising Project returns in Magical Girl Raising Project Restart. No stranger to the series, series writer Takao Yoshioka is also back to adapt Asari Endō's novels, along wi...
The Power of Spin - An Interview with the BEYBLADE X Team
What's next for the iconic game as it continues to grow?
― Way back in my elementary school days, my friends and I would always meet at the bottom of a playground slide to do one thing and one thing only: Let it rip! Needless to say, recess was BEYBLADE-filled and action-packed for a good while there. Well, at least until a little scuffle had our principal threatening to put an end to any sort of sp...
There's No Age Limit to Asobi - An Interview with TAKARATOMY CEO & President Akio Tomiyama
Coop sits down with the CEO of TAKARATOMY to discuss the joy of play.
― Over the past three years, the BEYBLADE X toy brand and an accompanying sea of packed beystadiums have become an Anime Expo weekend staple. But this year, the storied Japanese toy company behind the beys, TAKARATOMY, three-upped itself with a huge exhibition featuring not only BEYBLADE X, but their Licca-chan and Gacha brands. Th...
10 Years in the Making: Returning to Magical Girl Raising Project with Director Hiroyuki Hashimoto
Ten years ago, director Hiroyuki Hashimoto brought novelist Asari Endō 's terrifying vision of a magical girl battle royale to television screens. Following the season's conclusion, there was no news of a sequel: until now.
― Ten years ago, director Hiroyuki Hashimoto brought novelist Asari Endō's terrifying vision of a magical girl battle royale to television screens. In the first season's story, ma...
An Interview With Rensuke Oshikiri, Creator of Geniearth, Sayuri, and Hi Score Girl
Kevin Cormack goes over Oshikiri's decades-long career, from horror and action manga titles to video game nostalgia.
― Manga creator Rensuke Oshikiri is best known in the West for '90s video game nostalgia-packed rom-com Hi Score Girl, which was adapted into a successful anime series back in 2018. Yet his career spans several decades and many other titles, of which only two others – supernatural hor...
Studio MAPPA On How Dorohedoro Season Two Came To Be
During our chat, they revealed their favorite moments from the season, their hopes for future adaptations, how they strove to maintain a healthy production schedule, and their stance on AI in animation.
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To say the wait between Dorohedoro's first and second seasons was rough on fans would be an understatement. For years, fans worried that MAPPA's gloriously gory adaptation of Q Hayashida's manga ha...
Light and Ryuk Sing in Death Note: The Musical
ANN sat down with the stars of Death Note: The Musical to talk about their experiences with the show, the story, and Ryuk's makeup.
― On July 30, Death Note: The Musical comes to the stage at London's Barbican Centre, due to run for 50 performances until September 12. In the last days before curtains up, I could interview two of the main performers. Xander Pang plays Light Yagami, the student who's g...
Interview: Looking Back on Dr. STONE with the Anime's Director and Scriptwriters
Director Shuhei Matsushita, series composition/scriptwriter Kurasumi Sunayama, and scriptwriter Aki Kindaichi delve into the triumphs and challenges behind bringing the acclaimed manga to the screen.
― After nearly seven years and 97 episodes (not to mention an additional TV special), the animated adventures of Dr. STONE have finally reached their end. In light of this accomplishment, Anime News Netw...
Talking New Tunes With the Team Behind BanG Dream! YUME∞MITA
ANN got the chance to speak with director Tomomi Umetsu, animation producer Hiroaki Matsūra, and BanG Dream! project producer Yūki Nemoto to discuss what makes YUME∞MITA unique and what viewers can look forward to from the new series.
― BanG Dream! YUME∞MITA is a refreshed new entry in the long-running girls band franchise. With a band made up of new virtual performers starring in an anime with a rem...
Holding Nothing Back and Giving it Absolutely Everything: A Chat with Wistoria: Wand and Sword Season 2 Director, Hideaki Nakano
Hideaki Nakano talks about moving into the director's chair for Wistoria's second season and what he loves about the show.
― With its gorgeous visuals, rich world building, and absolutely electrifying direction, Wistoria: Wand and Sword is an obvious standout in the realm of magical school anime. While season one was directed by Tatsuya Yoshihara, who would later go on to direct Chainsaw Man: Reze A...
KAIJU GIRL CARAMELISE Anime Team Discusses How Love Makes Monsters of Us All
With KAIJU GIRL CARAMELISE making the leap from page to screen, we sat down with members of the cast and crew to discuss the story and bringing it to life.
― When someone says "kaiju," chances are you immediately picture a giant, rampaging monster. KAIJU GIRL CARAMELISE, based on Aoki Spica's manga of the same name, is fully aware of that - and it does still provide that rampaging monster. But this k...
Interview: Yōhei Kameyama on His Breakout Hit, Milky☆Subway
With millions of views on YouTube and a feature film adaptation, Milky☆Highway is largely the work of a single man: character designer, 3D modeler, animator, and director Yōhei Kameyama.
― With millions of views per episode on YouTube, Milky☆Subway: The Galactic Limited Express is one of, if not the, standout short-form anime of 2025—so much so that it got a theatrical run in Japan earlier this year....
Life After Dr. Stone with Aaron Dismuke, Felecia Angelle, and Brandon McInnis
Anime News Network took some time to sit down with English voice actors to talk about their favorite lines, lasting memories playing their characters, and what the show has taught them about both science and life.
― As the Dr. Stone anime dashes headlong towards its conclusion, Anime News Network took some time to sit down with English voice actors Aaron Dismuke (Senku), Felecia Angelle (Kohaku), an...
Mastering Accents in Witch Hat Atelier with the English Dub Cast
How does the English dub use accents to reflect the story's wide world? The English voices of Qifrey and Agott share their thoughts.
― Kamome Shirahama's Witch Hat Atelier manga is a global story - not just in terms of how popular it is, but also in the universality of its themes and characters. To reflect that, the English dub for the anime gives characters different world accents, using them to emp...
Creating Visual Spectacle in Nippon Sangoku with Director Kazuaki Terasawa
It's easy to miss a true seasonal anime highlight, but you'll regret leaving the beautiful Nippon Sangoku on your "watch later" list.
― With more anime than ever to choose from and high-profile series split among several streaming services, it's easy to miss a true seasonal highlight. Nippon Sangoku The Three Nations of the Crimson Sun first caught my attention while preparing for the Spring 2026 Ani...
Interview: What's New and Different in Resident Evil Veronica
Resident Evil Veronica producer Yoshiaki Hirabayashi talked about the challenges of creating remakes, the decision to change the original's title, and what the team would add.
― At Summer Game Fest 2026, Anime News Network got a chance to sit down in a group Q&A with Resident Evil Veronica producer Yoshiaki Hirabayashi to discuss the challenges of creating remakes, the decision to change the original...
The Astronaut Who Loves Anime
Astronaut Stanley Love went viral during the Artemis II mission when not-so-subtle anime references were spotted in Mission Control. Erica Friedman talks to Dr. Love about his fandom, magical girls, and more.
― Erica Friedman (Anime News Network): This spring, anime fans worldwide were thrilled to see Artemis the Cat from a very popular magical girl anime watching over NASA's Artemis II mission. Lat...
Hololive's Nerissa Ravencroft Talks about Frieren, Naruto, and Her Family Streams
Nerissa talked in detail about her singing career and how her family continues to support (and sometimes appear in!) her streams.
― Recently, Anime News Network video editor Stephen Shin sat down with Hololive's Nerissa Ravencroft and talked about Frieren, Naruto, her family streams, and more. We also discussed her favorite Hololive songs, her own songs within the company, and her history as a singe...
Creating Wordless Manga
How did the winners of the Silver Prize in Kadokawa's Global Manga Contest come up with their wordless stories? We sat down with masterlynx and REKU to find out.
― For many manga fans, the dream of publishing in Japan feels like just that - a dream. This is doubly true if you don't read, write, or speak Japanese, and while there's absolutely nothing wrong with publishing in another country or an onli...
Show, Don't Tell: Sentenced to Be a Hero Director Hiroyuki Takashima, Screenwriter Kenta Ihara
In this super-size interview, the anime staff behind the hit series Sentenced to Be Hero reveal one of the production's biggest edicts: no inner monologuing.
― Studio KAI's Sentenced to Be a Hero anime adaptation wrapped up in March, with a promise of a second season in the wings. Over the course of 12 episodes, first-time anime director Hiroyuki Takashima and Saga of Tanya the Evil and Vinland Saga...
Interview: Always a Catch Crew Dive Deep into How Their Heroine Stays True to Herself
The anime staff shares how Mimi defines herself as a unique heroine, studying fighting styles for her hand-to-hand combat, and their favorite moments.
― This season's Always a Catch! is the latest anime in the “villainess” sub-genre of fantasy. It's built around the twist of having Mimi, a completely unrelated young noble, treated like a villainess—and also having her be more than a little competent ...
Creating a Fanclub: Director Sou Toyama on Kirio Fan Club
What makes Kirio Fan Club a more realistic look at high school crushes? Director of the upcoming anime, Sou Toyama, gets into it.
― Kirio Fan Club is not your typical tale of high school love. Aimi and Nami eschew many of the romanticized aspects we've come to expect from anime high school girls: they're weird and loud and more than a little goofy while still taking themselves and their crush on clas...
Interview: Petals of Reincarnation Voice Actor Wakana Maruoka, Producer Takanori Matsuoka
At Anime Boston, we caught up with Petals of Reincarnation producer Takanori Matsuoka and Haito’s voice actress Wakana Maruoka to talk about this new, dark, battle anime.
― Adapted from the manga of the same name by Mikihisa Konishi, Petals of Reincarnation follows high schoolers Toya Senji and Haito Luo Buffett, as Toya learns that some people have gained the talents of historical figures. At Anime ...
Navigating the Slow-Life Vibes of Farming Life in Another World 2
With Atsushi Abe dipping his toes into the realm of cozy isekai this season, we were curious to discuss how he and producer Hiromi Sueta navigated their way through the anime's non-confrontational trenches.
― Thanks to A Certain Magical Index, Atsushi Abe will forever be known for lending his voice to something that errs on the dramatic and explosive. Which Farming Life In Another World 2 purposely i...
How to Compose an Anime Soundtrack: An Interview with Haikyu!! and My Hero Academia's Yuki Hayashi
"With anime, you've got 40 or 50 pieces all for a single season. If you compose without thinking first, there's no balance to it."
― Music is an important part of any anime—and in some cases can make or break the show entirely. To find out a bit more about how anime soundtracks are made, we sat down with Yuki Hayashi, the composer of anime like Haikyu!!, Kiznaiver, and My Hero Academia—including the ...
Interview: Creator Masamune Shirow Trusts Science SARU Team with The Ghost in the Shell Anime
Science SARU's productions hit a high with The Heike Story and haven't come down. The studio has curried favor with mainstream and niche hits, but more so than that, they've gained the trust of Ghost in the Shell creator Masamune Shirow.
― First announced nearly two years ago, Masamune Shirow's iconic Ghost in the Shell manga series is getting a new television anime adaptation from the team at Scienc...
MARRIAGETOXIN Voice Actor Haruki Ishiya on Gero's Strengths, Weaknesses, and Appeal
"Gero dreams of a normal marriage, probably one of the charm points of the story. And I think all the craziness coming from all sides in episode one perfectly encapsulates MARRIAGETOXIN."
― The romantic comedy MARRIAGETOXIN anime produced by Bones Film is out, and at Sakura-Con, Haruki Ishiya, the Japanese voice actor of protagonist Hikaru Gero, spoke with Anime News Network. The story by Joumyaku a...
My Hero Academia Composer Yuki Hayashi Interview: Why “You Say Run” Goes with Everything
"The quiet intro, the drums, [...] the memorable riff. Just having those three elements probably makes it easy to fit with any video."
― Recently, I was able to sit down with composer Yuki Hayashi and talk about his most famous work, the song “You Say Run” from My Hero Academia. We discussed not only the origins of the song and his favorite version of it, but also the meme surrounding it and why the ...
'The One Piece is Real,' An Interview with Reese Alexiades from The Savannah Bananas
If baseball is the world, then MLB is the World Government, the big organization over all. Who then are the pirates in that world? Well, let me introduce you to the Savannah Bananas.
― Summer is only a few months away in North America, and what says “summer” more than baseball? The sound of the bat hitting a ball, the shouts of the crowd, the opening music of One Piece… While it might seem ridiculous...
How Ace Combat Inspired the Sentenced to Be a Hero Author
After six years, Sentenced to Be a Hero has achieved an impressive amount of success: eight published volumes, a manga adaptation, and an anime adaptation by Studio Kai. With the first season wrapped, we reached out to creators Rocket Shokai and Mephisto to get more insights into their views on its success.
― Sentenced to Be a Hero is a light novel series that has been in publication since 2020. Afte...
Making 'Bad' Animation Beautiful: An Interview with ChaO Director Yasuhiro Aoki
"with ChaO, I just did what I wanted to do, and I've always liked looking at things from a different angle, and finding something different, and I think that's what I've done."
― Studio 4°C's feature film ChaO opened in Japan this August, by which time it had already been acquired by GKIDS. Now it's finally opening in theaters in North America on April 10. ChaO screened at international festivals, in...
Interview: Masahiko Ohta, the Go-To Director for Anime About Eccentric Young Girls, On His New Anime
From Himouto! Umaru-chan to My Deer Friend Nokotan, Masahiko Ohta's greatest hits have all been about crazy high school girls. His newest, The Demon King's Daughter is Too Kind, changes up the formula by having a much younger protagonist.
― Recently, Anime News Network was able to sit down with Director Masahiko Ohta and talk about his newest anime, The Demon King's Daughter is Too Kind. In the proce...
Interview: Ryuya Suzuki on Writing, Directing, Animating, and Scoring His First Feature Film, Jinsei
Jinsei isn’t your typical anime film. With a few exceptions, it was made entirely by one man.
― Jinsei isn't your typical anime film. It was written, directed, animated, and scored entirely by one man: Ryuya Suzuki. At the 38th Tokyo International Film Festival, Anime News Network sat down with him to discuss not only making the film but also the themes, messages, and ideas behind it. Turn the clock ...
Mushrooms and Fairy Tales: An Interview with the Director and Producer of Champignon Witch
"Luna is a rare kind of shojo heroine—someone who struggles both to love and to be loved."
― Deep in the black forest lives an unusual witch—Luna the Champignon Witch. Luna is a black witch, and her body emits poison, which means that everyone in town fears her. But Luna is a kind, gentle soul trying to survive in a dark world that distrusts black witches despite the very necessary function they fulf...
Anime Fits Metal Like a Powerglove
Since 2005, Powerglove has made the headbanging-est power metal covers of your favorite songs—from video games to anime. To learn more, ANN sat down with the band to talk all things metal, anime, and their upcoming album.
― Since 2005, Powerglove has been making the headbanging-est power metal covers of your favorite songs from video games and Saturday-morning cartoons. They've performed around the w...
Rewriting the Chivalrous Yakuza: Interview with Stray Manga Writer Ryu Kamio
"I have no time for those who uncritically submit to authority. If one senses that the direction their group is heading is misguided, I believe they should have the courage to cry out that it is wrong."
― Writer Ryū Kamio and artist Yu Nakahara's newest work available in English is Stray, a twisty crime drama that follows Hachiya Ken, a man who just finished serving time in prison for a crime he did ...
The Evolution of Shōjo Manga in the 1970s with Curator Rei Yoshimura
The manga studies specialist talks about the diversity of shojo and its reflection of girls' and women's lives across decades.
― This January, the Japan House London in Kensington hosted a talk by manga curator Rei Yoshimura. Yoshimura, pictured right, has worked as a curator for more than a decade, first at the Kawasaki City Museum and since 2017 at the National Arts Centre in Tokyo (NACT). A specia...
Manga Creation with Kazumi Yamashita
Kazumi Yamashita has been creating manga since 1980. Come find out what makes her work so enduring.
― Manga creator Kazumi Yamashita has been crafting stories in the medium since 1980. Originally debuting in Margaret, Yamashita has moved fluidly through both shoujo and seinen magazines, bringing readers stories that are steeped in humanity even when they don't deal with characters who are, strictly s...
Exploring an Alien World with All You Need is Kill Director Kenichiro Akimoto
A novel, a manga, a comic, a live-action movie starring Tom Cruise. All You Need is Kill is a story that keeps coming back, but Studio 4C's version may be the most daring yet.
― The feature film All You Need is Kill opened in America last Friday, a week after it opened in Japan. Before that, the film was shown at the Scotland Loves Anime festival in Edinburgh, London, and Glasgow. The first-time dire...
Creating Over 1500 Episodes with CHIBI MARUKO-CHAN Director Jun Takagi
We spoke to Director Takagi about keeping the long-running series fresh when it's set decades in the past and the unfortunate passing of long-time voice actor TARAKO.
― More anime are created every year, but few successfully cross from niche to mainstream entertainment in Japan. There are the mainstream action series, like Naruto, One Piece, Demon Slayer, and magical girl juggernauts like Precure, bu...
A Fresh Cast Brings the Original Detective Conan Anime to a New Audience
ADR Director Ayu, Conan voice actor Molly Zhang, and Shinichi Kudo voice actor Mauricio Ortiz-Segura discuss the new dub batch releases to introduce fans to the long-running detective series.
― Detective Conan is one of the most popular franchises in Japan, ready to celebrate it 30th anniversary this year! Despite its popularity in its home country, its impact overseas hasn't been nearly as strong. ...
Interview: Crafting a Film About Social Media-Induced Trauma with Macross Creator Shōji Kawamori
At the 38th Tokyo Film Festival, we were able to speak with Shōji Kawamori about this upcoming feature film, Labyrinth (and also about Macross finally being released across the wider world).
― While this film technically has both idols and giant robots, Labyrinth is about as far from what you'd expect from acclaimed Macross creator and mecha designer Shōji Kawamori. Rather than space battles and gian...
'Cruel Angel's Thesis' Singer Yoko Takahashi Reflects on the Iconic Theme
Every once in a while, an anime theme song escapes containment to become a mainstream hit and, in the case of singer Yoko Takahashi's "Cruel Angel's Thesis," a cultural phenomenon.
― Every once in a while, an anime theme song escapes containment to become a mainstream hit and, in the case of singer Yoko Takahashi's "Cruel Angel's Thesis," a cultural phenomenon. First released in 1995, the iconic Neon...
Writing the Strongest Villainess - an Interview with Light Novel Author Touko Amekawa
What does it take to write a strong protagonist who is neither heroine nor villainess? Touko Amekawa discusses that among other topics.
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It's a good time to be a fan of light novelist Touko Amekawa. English-language readers may have first been introduced to her work with Seven Seas' translation of 7th Time Loop: The Villainess Enjoys a Carefree Life, but before long, other publishers picked up her ...
The Long Career of Romeo's Blue Sky Character Designer Yoshiharu Satō
Ghibli alum shares stories of working with industry greats and putting his heart and soul into Romeo's Blue Sky.
― At 67 years old, character designer Yoshiharu Satō has spent over four decades in the animation business. Currently residing at Nippon Animation, the Kanagawa prefecture native has worked his way through era-defining projects before discovering an ad in Animage magazine. The publication...
Finding Relena: Exploring A Gundam Heroine's Legacy With Voice Actor Lisa Ann Beley
What was it like playing Relena, one of Gundam Wing's most controversial characters?
― This year marks the 30th anniversary of Mobile Suit Gundam Wing. But for American fans like me, it's only been 25 years since the giant robot show altered the course of my life. When it aired on Toonami in March of 2000, it sparked my lifelong obsession with Gundam that continues to this day, and I am not kidding w...
Horror Manga Creator Minetaro Mochizuki Prefers the Darkness
"When I wrote Dragon Head, the financial bubble had just burst. Money had become this worthless piece of paper in the span of a night. That feeling of depression or uneasiness kind of seeped into me, I guess."
― Manga creator Minetaro Mochizuki—the decorated creator behind titles like Hauntress, Dragon Head, Maiwai, and Chiisakobee, was recently honored at the second annual American Manga Awards, hel...
REDLINE, Lupin the IIIrd: The Immortal Bloodline Director Takeshi Koike
Acclaimed director professes his love for Chainsaw Man, closing the door on Lupin.
― Takeshi Koike is best known in the West for directing 2009's high-octane sci-fi car-racing action epic REDLINE. Since then, he's mostly worked within the long-running Lupin III franchise, first as character designer and animation director for 2012's acclaimed TV anime Lupin the Third: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine, be...
Pursuing a Unified Vision at FLAT STUDIO: Director loundraw and Producer Ryu Ishii
Founding a new studio is never easy - loundraw , an illustrator and the founder of FLAT STUDIO , and FLAT STUDIO producer Ryū Ishii sat down with ANN to share how they managed during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
― Founding a new studio is never easy—even without all of the logistics involved, there's pressure to prove that a new venture is worthwhile, that it can produce quality work, and that...
A Mini-Interview with Creator Yasuhiro Nightow on Trigun Stargaze and His Way of Writing
With Trigun Stargaze firmly on the horizon, we had the opportunity to speak with Trigun creator Yasuhiro Nightow about how the previous anime, Trigun Stampede, came to be and how he develops both his characters and story.
― With Trigun Stargaze firmly on the horizon, we were recently able to talk with Trigun creator Yasuhiro Nightow at New York Comic Con 2025 about how the previous anime, Trigun Stam...
How the Staff Tackled Trauma in Takopi's Original Sin Anime
We spoke with director Shinya Iino and producer Kotaro Sudo about the emotionally difficult developments and what they hope audiences take away from the Takopi's Original Sin.
― Taizan 5's Takopi's Original Sin manga is not for the faint of heart. The single-volume manga series depicts the difficult, and often times torturous existence of three different elementary school children. Shizuka is neglect...
Solo Leveling Composer Hiroyuki Sawano Prepares for LA Concert
Ahead of his solo concert in Los Angeles, the prolific composer shares “THE ANSWER” to our burning questions.
― If you've ever found yourself tapping your toes to the tunes of Solo Leveling, Gundam Unicorn, or Attack on Titan, it's all because of one man—Hiroyuki Sawano. Over the past twenty years, Mr. Sawano has established himself as the go-to composer for adrenaline-pumping anime scores—beats that...
Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc Interview: Director Tatsuya Yoshihara×Assistant Director Masato Nakazono
Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc's director and assistant director share how the blockbuster anime film was born from creative challenges.
― English translation of articles from the Japanese entertainment magazine Nikkei Entertainment! Read Nikkei Entertainment! on the web! Find Nikkei Entertainment! on Instagram and X We sat down for an interview with Director Tatsuya Yoshihara, who oversaw the pr...
Laugh, Cry, and Cheer for the Stories in Tatsuki Fujimoto 17-26 Anime Anthology
In their first-ever overseas interview, directors Seishirō Nagaya and Nobuyuki Takeuchi and producer Ryo Oyama share how they went from page to screen for the wildly creative anime anthology.
― Tatsuki Fujimoto's two-volume anthology collection comes alive in eight separate animated episodes, each told by seven different directors and six animation studios. The adaptation of Tatsuki Fujimoto 17-26 de...
Interview with Cat's Eye, City Hunter Manga Legend Tsukasa Hōjō
To celebrate the English release of his beloved manga, Hōjō-sensei shared memories of his early work, including how his editor backed up City Hunter in the face of criticism.
― Tsukasa Hojo is an acclaimed mangaka with decades of experience writing and illustrating countless works. His series are beloved around the world, including esteemed titles like Cat's Eye, City Hunter, and Angel Heart to name ...
A Chat with Junji Nishimura, Director of Mechanical Marie
Nishimura has accrued over three decades of industry experience, including credits on numerous anime. We talked to him about his latest series, favorite robots, and pink-haired anime girls.
― Fall 2025's action romcom anime Mechanical Marie is highly anticipated by fans of Aki Akimoto's original six-volume manga series. Anime News Network was thankful for the opportunity to interview director Junji ...
Becoming Two Hikarus with Voice Actor Shūichirō Umeda
Shūichirō Umeda has the task of becoming two characters, Hikaru and "Hikaru." He shares the subtleties of his performance in our new interview!
― Known for smash hits like Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead and Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines, we at ANN are no strangers to Shuichiro Umeda's prolific body of work over these past few years. Now that Umeda has scored another big hit with The Summer Hika...
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle Voice Actor Interview: Kengo Kawanishi/Muichiro Tokito × Kana Hanazawa/Mitsuri Kanroji
Nikkei Entertainment! shares a behind-the-scenes interview with the cast of the summer's hottest film, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle!
― English translation of articles from the Japanese entertainment magazine Nikkei Entertainment! Read Nikkei Entertainment! on the web! Find Nikkei Entertainment! on Instagram and X On July 11, a Pre-release Blessing Event was held at Zojoji Temple in ...
100 Meters Anime Film Director Kenji Iwaisawa's Attention to Detail Puts Artistic Originality First
Iwaisawa's attention to natural movement and his team's stylistic take on the camera angles help to visually elevate the movie's message about chasing one's passion.
― Six years ago, Kenji Iwaisawa took the world by surprise with his hilariously charming adaptation of Hiroyuki Ohashi's ON-GAKU. Now, with a larger budget and a team of industry professionals, Iwaisawa has taken on the challenge of adap...
EXCLUSIVE: Interview with Turkey! Time to Strike's Hana Hishikawa and Noriko Hidaka
We spoke with voice actors Hishikawa and Hidaka about their work on Turkey!-Time to Strike- and their thoughts on bowling, time travel stories, and the Sengoku Period of Japan.
― On August 21, fans of Turkey! Time to Strike gathered at the Loft Plus One bar in Shinjuku for a talk show with voice actors Hana Hishikawa (voice of Mai Otonashi) and Noriko Hidaka (Sumomo), Yutaka Omatsu and Gen Oishi from...
Overcoming Insecurities with Plus-Sized Misadventures in Love Manga Creator mamakari
After digesting so much comedy that punches down on people's weight, it's a refreshing change of pace when a story like Plus-sized Misadventures in Love! comes to flip the script
― After digesting so much comedy that punches down on people's weight, it's a refreshing change of pace when a story like Plus-Sized Misadventures in Love comes to flip the script and use its fat jokes in a wholesome, body-p...
Interview: My Hero Academia: All's Justice Producer Aoba Miyazaki on Creating More than a Sequel
"We're not just making [One's Justice 3]; as a team we said, 'We're going to make a new, even more fun game,' so we've drastically redesigned the inside of the game."
― With My Hero Academia heading into its final season and the battle between series protagonist Izuku “Deku” Midoriya and villain Tomura Shigaraki heating up, it's only natural for fans of the series to want to do more than just watch t...
Pass The Monster Meat Milady is Cooking Up a Delicious Anime Confection
A manga about food is a surefire way to leave one hungry enough for the juicy details regarding its creation. To satiate our appetite, ANN sat down with manga creator Chika Mizube and Melphiera voice actor Kanna Nakamura to get the inside scoop.
― A manga about food is a surefire way to leave one hungry enough for the juicy details regarding its creation. Surely, the first ten minutes of Pass the Mon...
Live-Action Film Director Yoshiyuki Okuyama on Adapting Makoto Shinkai's Classic 5 Centimeters Per Second Anime
One of Shinkai's beloved works is now a live-action film. We spoke with young director Yoshiyuki Okuyama about what probing the past can do for the audience and the filmmaker.
― Makoto Shinkai's anime classic 5 Centimeters Per Second (2007) received a live-action adaptation this year, which premiered this week at the Busan International Film Festival. Directed by photographer and filmmaker Yoshiyuki ...
Interview: The First Descendant Director on the Issues with the Game And How They're Fixing Them
We sat down with Director Min Seok Joo at Tokyo Game Show 2025 to talk frankly about the issues currently facing the game and their plans to overcome them.
― The First Descendant is a free-to-play, sci-fi looter shooter filled with fast-paced action, attractive characters, and tons of explosions. Now, more than a year since the game's release, I had a chance to sit down with Director Min Seok Joo, ac...
MAN WITH A MISSION's Jean-Ken Johnny Shares Insights on New EP, World Tour
Jean-Ken Johnny discusses what goes into creating an anime intro song, their new tour, movies, and what's new for MAN WITH A MISSION.
― Few musical artists can hold a candle to the impressive list of anime that the wolf-headed Japanese rock band MAN WITH A MISSION has done intros for, which includes iconic titles like Vinland Saga, Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Ya...
Kagurabachi Manga Creator Takeru Hokazono Shares His Inspirations
From Hollywood's version of Japan to Marvel films, Takeru Hokazono shares what media made an impact on his hit manga series.
― While the Kagurabachi panel featuring creator Takeru Hokazono wasn't advertised as one of Anime NYC's biggest events, you couldn't tell by the crowd size, as the room was stuffed full of one of the most enthusiastic audiences at the convention. The truth is, Kagurabachi's pop...
Bringing Apocalypse Bringer Mynoghra to the Fans with Director Yuji Yanase and Producer Yuki Mukai
Even when your lead characters are villains, Apocalypse Bringer Mynoghra shows they're still someone to root for.
― There's nothing quite like Apocalypse Bringer Mynoghra—an isekai series that takes place within the world of a 4X-type of strategy game, in which our protagonist (with the help of characters from the game) creates and rules over an evil kingdom. It has dark moments, villain protagonists...
For Webtoon Creator Mongie, Let's Play is Personal
Leeanne M. Krecic shares how comic series' characters are all reflections of herself, from Charles to Monica.
― Leeanne M. Krecic has accomplished what many fans only dream about: a studio is adapting her original story into an anime series. Also known as "Mongie," Krecic first launched Let's Play online comic on the WEBTOON platform in 2016, where it grew to 7.5 million readers, earned an Eisner Awa...
King's Maker Creators Share How It's All About Love
Writer and illustrator duo, Haga and Jiyoung Kang, share insights on how they work together on their popular Korean BL series, King's Maker.
― The world of digital Korean comics is infamously demanding as full-colored chapters are released weekly. Writer and illustrator duo, Haga and Jiyoung Kang, share insights on how they work together on their popular Korean BL series, King's Maker. Currently, th...
No Character is Safe in Hell's Paradise
In our interview with creator Yūji Kaku, we learn that every character has a "bad end" route, even protagonist Gabimaru.
― Hells Paradise captured the hearts of many people thanks to its unique setting, likable characters, and gorgeous animation. A great deal of thought went into how the anime presented itself visually and how the story effectively communicated its various potential branching paths. ...
SHUTEN ORDER Creators Open Up About Its Secrets
Writer Kazutaka Kodaka, director Takumi Nakazawa, and artist simadoriru have a new mystery game full of intrigue and psychadelia.
― Spike Chunsoft's SHUTEN ORDER's promises to combine five different gameplay styles with intrigue, mystery, and psychadelia. With the game about to release, Anime News Network was given the opportunity to sit down with three members of its development—director Takumi Naka...
Why Chainsaw Man is Going Theatrical with MAPPA President Manabu Ohtsuka, Vice President Hiroya Hasegawa
MAPPA Studio president hopes theatrical release will expand the hit series' audience.
― The familiar faces of Chainsaw Man are set to make their return in the fall with the upcoming movie: Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc. As a direct sequel to the first season, the story will continue from the events following the end of the season. Tatsuya Yoshihara, who was the action director of season one, wil...
TOUGEN ANKI Producer, Voice Actor Discuss Blood-Soaked Premiere
“I feel that I'm quite a reasoned person. Even when I get angry, I hold it back,” he said. “[Since] I started acting as Shiki's character, I've started to allow myself to let my true self out. It's okay to let your feelings out.”
― TOUGEN ANKI might seem on its surface like a typical shonen work: a young man is told he has a higher calling and is thrust into conflict. He's part of a long line of Oni ...
From The First Slam Dunk to ELECEED: DandeLion Animation Studio CEO Kazuhiro Nishikawa
We spoke with the studio CEO behind the critically-acclaimed The First Slam Dunk to find out more about their next project: the 2D-3D hybrid anime ELECEED.
― DandeLion Studios has been around for almost 20 years. You may know them as the production company responsible for the critically acclaimed movie The First Slam Dunk or the Oscar-nominated film Magic Candies. The studio's CEO, Kazuhiro Nishikawa...
Producers Talk Shop about Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & the White Guardian Game
Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & the White Guardian banked on the franchise's history, and now it's making the transition from a mobile game to a full-fledged console RPG.
― With its magic shops and the many Alchemists who run them, Gust's Atelier series has quietly continued over the decades as a fan-favorite thanks to its charming characters and comfortable atmosphere. Atelier Resleriana: Th...
Tower of God Creator SIU Looking Back on the Series a Decade Later
Since its debut, the series has evolved into a full-fledged franchise, with adaptations in anime, mobile games, and other formats. Despite its immense popularity worldwide, its creator, SIU, had never met his North American fans in person before.
― Tower of God, one of the most iconic titles on WEBTOON, has captivated global readers with over 1.3 billion cumulative views. Since its debut, the series ...
Influencers Gigguk, Dillon Goo, and OtakuVS On Making Their Own Anime
One might scoff at the notion: “Influencers are making anime now?” Such reductive thinking conflicts with the reality that the lines between industry professionals and content creators have been steadily blurring.
― GeeXPlus made waves here at Anime Expo by announcing GeeXProductions, a new IP division. As an internet influencer talent agency, GeeXPlus has been a supportive home for a range of varie...
Bringing K-Comics to the Next Generation: Inside Ink Pop's Vision for Young Readers
As manga and manhwa surge in global popularity, Penguin Random House launched Ink Pop—a new imprint bringing age-appropriate manga, manhwa, and webtoons to young readers.
― As manga and manhwa surge in global popularity, Penguin Random House has launched Ink Pop—a new imprint dedicated to bringing age-appropriate manga, manhwa, and webtoons to young readers in the U.S. The line, which debuted this su...
How Cyberpunk: Edgerunners' Lucy Joined Guilty Gear -STRIVE-
We thought Edgerunners was done. Then came the stunning announcement that Lucy would be coming to Guilty Gear -STRIVE- as a fully playable DLC character. How does the anime character translate to a fighting game?
― Bet you thought Cyberpunk: Edgerunners was done! The highly-regarded surprise collaboration between CD PROJEKT RED (CDPR) and Studio Trigger was a bright spot in the tumultuous early years...
How To Make a Whale Fly: An Interview with Leviathan's Scott Westerfeld, Christophe Ferreira, and Yūichirō Kido
We talked at length about the adaptation process, potential influences, and how the politically fraught world of Leviathan resonates with our own.
― When I sat down to watch Leviathan for review, it wasn't long before I was swept up by the series' rousing score, gorgeous visuals, and poignant storytelling. Studio Orange and Qubic Pictures crafted a tale that constantly put itself in my own mental con...
How The Answer Studio Breathed New Life Into a Classic With Anne Shirley
Producer Yoshiko Nakayama and voice actor Honoka Inoue share their affinity for Lucy Maud Montgomery’s beloved heroine and how they tackled bringing her tale to a new generation of anime fans
― Anne Shirley, animated by The Answer Studio, joins the long-standing tradition of adapting author Lucy Maud Montgomery's classic novel Anne of Green Gables for new audiences. While the novel is near and dear t...
How The Summer Hikaru Died Voice Actor Chiaki Kobayashi Learned a Rural Dialect
Kobayashi shared how he became familiar with his character Yoshiki's unique rural dialect used in The Summer Hikaru Died, and his friendship with co-star Shūichirō Umeda.
― The TV anime The Summer Hikaru Died is shaping up to be one of the best anime of the season. The horror series marries small-town life, supernatural occurrences, and the human emotions of grief among the sweltering heat of a Japa...
The Next Big Shōnen Anime: Gachiakuta Creator Kei Urana, Graffiti Designer Hideyoshi Andō, Producer Naoki Amano
It was no small feat taking Gachiakuta from the pages of the manga to screens in full animated glory, and the results speak for themselves.
―
With Gachiakuta, it feels like we're on the precipice of something big. Its distinct style sets it apart from other shonen anime, and the fiery attitude it exudes resonates with audiences right now. The time is ripe for a fresh series that lets us channel our ...
Dinosaur Sanctuary Manga Creator Itaru Kinoshita Wants to Show a Different Side of the Prehistoric
How does a triceratops sit? What are dinosaurs like as they enter old age? Itaru Kinoshita spoke with ANN about his passion for prehistory and how he's bringing dinosaurs to life.
― After a rousing panel with special appearances by “real” dinosaurs, Dinosaur Sanctuary manga creator Itaru Kinoshita sat down with ANN to speak more on his journey as a manga artist, why he chose to humanize dinosaurs, an...
A Celebration of 25 Years: An Interview with Manga Creators PEACH-PIT
From Rozen Maiden to Shugo Chara! Jewel Joker, PEACH-PIT has captivated manga readers for decades.
― Celebrating twenty-five years together, the manga artist duo behind PEACH-PIT made their long-awaited return to Anime Expo 2025 after a decade away. In addition to their anniversary, Anime News Network had the well-timed opportunity to speak to them after ANN's first interview with them twenty years a...
The Silent Hill f Staff on Moving the Horror to Japan
Amidst the screams of onlookers, I had the opportunity to discuss Silent Hill f's new setting in Ebisugaoka, and try our best to avoid major story spoilers.
― In Anime Expo's Entertainment Hall, there was a plethora of booths dedicated to gaming and merchandise, but one of the largest was Konami's Silent Hill presentation. Enveloped by black walls covered in red spider lilies, a huge line of fear-s...
How No Sleep for Kaname Date Developers Gave the Game Its Name
Director Kazuya Yamada and localization producer Alex Flagg answered our questions about certain game mechanics and how they came up with the game's name.
― During Anime Expo 2025, we got to sit down with Spike Chunsoft and talk about No Sleep For Kaname Date from AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES. It's the latest entry in the visual novel series. Director Kazuya Yamada and localization producer Alex Flagg answe...
A New Supernatural Human Drama: An Interview with This Monster Wants to Eat Me Director Yusuke Suzuki
We spoke with director Yusuke Suzuki about adapting Sai Naekawa's manga to the screen, casting the perfect voice actors for the main character trio, and how he set the stage for this supernatural human drama.
― Hinako Yaotose's life hasn't been easy. After surviving an accident that killed her family, she goes through her school days in her quiet seaside town under a cloud of survivor's guilt. It's t...
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