News

A typical Anime fan can spot One’s characters from a distance! The creator of One Punch Man and Mob Psycho 100, One, has a very distinct style that can be identified at a glance. This style isn’t simply visual, but holds narrative importance as well. When the anime of Mob Psycho 100 first came out, the creator revealed that he nearly compromised with this aspect of his storytelling.

One considered the possibility of making the character designs of Mob Psycho 100 more conventional, but it’s great that he didn’t follow through with this idea. Or we would have ended up with another typical shonen story.

One Considered Making Mob Psycho 100 Characters More Conventional

The characters of Mob Psycho 100 look ordinary. They can’t be mistaken for underdogs either, because nobody imagines them to be capable of anything extraordinary. This initial perception proves to be false,...

Mob Psycho 100 stands out from its Shonen peers in many ways. One treated teenagers according to their age and they don’t act like soldiers who will save humanity. The protagonist tries to stay away from conflicts as much as possible unless it is forced on him.

The animation of Mob Psycho 100 is also phenomenal due to its unique stylistic approach. The character design is extremely expressive, and the animation is fluid, making it a very attractive watch. As it turns out, the series’ animation was closely related to that of One’s other popular franchise.

Mob Psycho 100‘s Animation was Inspired by One Punch Man Shigeo Kageyama in Mob Psycho 100 | Credits: Studio Bones

In an interview with Anime News Network, Yoshimichi Kameda, the animation director and character designer of Mob Psycho 100 talked about his experience in different animation styles and how it was integrated into the series.

Following the announcement of Detective Conan‘s 28th anime film, titled Detective Conan: Sekigan no Flashback (One-eyed Flashback), earlier this week, the film’s official website unveiled its very first trailer on Dec 4, 2024.

The trailer can be viewed below:

Detective Conan: Sekigan no Flashback is set to premiere in Japan on April 18, 2025.

The film will feature characters Kogoro Mori, known as “The Sleeping Mysterious Detective,” and Yamato Gansuke, “The One-Eyed Detective.” It is set in the snowy mountains of Nagano Prefecture, according to the official website.

It is being produced by Tms Entertainment, with a new creative team taking the reins:

Katsuya Shigehara is stepping in as director, replacing Chika Nagaoka, who directed The Million-dollar Pentagram, the highest-grossing film in the franchise’s history.

Similarly, Takeharu Sakurai replaces the previous scriptwriter Takahiro Okura. Yugo Kanno will, however, return to compose the music for the movie.

Twenty-seven feature films based on...

The 28th installment in the Detective Conan anime film franchise is officially titled Detective Conan: Sekigan no Flashback (One-eyed Flashback) and is set to premiere in Japan on April 18, 2025.

The film will feature characters Kogoro Mori, known as “The Sleeping Mysterious Detective,” and Yamato Gansuke, “The One-Eyed Detective.” It is set in the snowy mountains of Nagano Prefecture, according to the official website.

The announcement was accompanied by a key visual illustrated by series creator Gosho Aoyama.

Detective Conan: Sekigan no Flashback is being produced by Tms Entertainment, with a new creative team taking the reins:

Katsuya Shigehara is stepping in as director, replacing Chika Nagaoka, who directed The Million-dollar Pentagram, the highest-grossing film in the franchise’s history.

Similarly, Takeharu Sakurai replaces the previous scriptwriter Takahiro Okura. Yugo Kanno will, however, return to compose the music for the movie.

Twenty-seven feature films based on the Case Closed series have been released.

Mob Psycho 100 is anything but a run-of-the-mill shonen anime. From characters to animation, the series is a complete visual treat. What makes it a worthy watch is One’s storytelling. Often, fans compare the series to the mangaka’s magnum opus One Punch Man. Despite similarities, both protagonists are entirely different. Even the Director will vouch for this.

Shigeo Kageyama in the anime | Credit: Studio Bones

Yuzuru Tachikawa had an interesting process behind selecting Mob’s voice actor. He left no stone unturned in casting the perfect fit for the protagonist’s voice. Interestingly, the voice actor exemplified the hero’s plain yet powerful persona. This only proves that a story doesn’t require an attractive male lead to sustain itself.

Mob Psycho 100 Director’s choice for Va is the perfect fit

Mob Psycho 100 is a much-needed breather in terms of its storytelling and characters. Its outstanding...

The main character of Mob Psycho 100, Shigeo Kageyama, Aka Mob, stands out not only for his immense psychic powers but also for his humble, reserved demeanor — a far cry from the usual Shonen heroes who take great pride in their powers. This resulted in many viewers speculating that the creator of the series, One, might have created Mob as a reflection of himself. However, according to One, this is so not true.

Mob Psycho 100 Season 2 | Credit: Studio Bones

In fact, the creator believes Mob to be the exact opposite of him. One has admitted that Mob is closer to an “ideal protagonist” — a character embodying qualities that even he struggles to manifest in real life.

The Birth of a Distinct Protagonist through Mob in Mob Psycho 100

When One first conceived Mob Psycho 100, he had no intention of creating a traditional Shonen manga. In an interview which was translated by Mark Cha,...

Renowned for his famous works One Punch Man and Mob Psycho 100, One has millions of fans around the world. Definitive of shonen protagonists in every way possible, One’s main characters like Saitama or Mob have simplistic appearances that don’t match up with their importance. They have rather simple features without any distinct traits which could make them stand out.

Saitama | Credits: Studio Madhouse

Given the creator’s exceptional skills, it’s hard to believe that the characters look that way just for the sake of it. There must be a reason behind the disparity between their extraordinary powers and their ordinary character designs. The director of Mob Psycho 100 and One delved into the idea behind the anime, along with why Mob looks so normal.

The Connection Between Mob’s Character and his Simplistic Design

Characters like Garou or Genos from One Punch Man are prime examples...

Warning: Sensitive topics are discussed below.

Anime like Death Parade, Bocchi the Rock, & A Silent Voice explore mental health themes with depth and sensitivity. Fruits Basket, Neon Genesis Evangelion, & Banana Fish delve into complex issues like trauma, depression, & Ptsd effectively. Series like March Comes in Like a Lion, Perfect Blue, & Welcome to the N.H.K. provide realistic portrayals of loneliness, madness & social anxiety.

Mental health issues are a nuanced subject that can be hard to address and portray accurately, especially in anime. Previously stigmatized, particular matters may have been glossed over in mainstream media. With changing times and increased acceptance and conversation surrounding mental health, anime has also become an art form that includes meaningful dialogue around mind-wellness or specifically highlights characters with lived experiences.

Whether it is to raise awareness or to speak to viewers who can relate, these series explore the depth, struggle, sensitivities, and sentiments around depression,...

Released in 2023, the anime adaptation of the Blue Giant manga was a critically acclaimed film. Now, the highly praised masterpiece is hitting an even higher note by earning a popular streaming platform as its new venue for viewers in North America.

Directed by Yuzuru Tachikawa, the Blue Giant movie was lauded by critics and moviegoers alike upon its theatrical release. One of several beloved anime films in the past few years, it's also part of a trend among anime movie adaptations. The news also comes as the franchise continues in manga form.

Related Netflix Reveals New Sailor Moon Cosmos Trailer Ahead of Worldwide August Release

Ahead of its release this August, Netflix reveals a new trailer for both parts of Sailor Moon Cosmos, concluding the Sailor Moon Crystal anime reboot.

One of 2024's Best Anime Movies Soon Streams on Netflix in North America Directed by Yuzuru Tachikawa (Mob Psycho 100...

After a U.S. theatrical release and a Blu-ray release, Blue Giant finally has its streaming release plans in place. According to the latest announcement, the anime film will be available on Netflix in the U.S. and Canada starting on September 1, 2024. Gkids licensed the film in the U.S. and previously hosted a limited theatrical screening in October 2023 with a Blu-ray release following in April 2024. Blue Giant Trailer Related: Blue Giant Anime Film Blu-ray Release Set for April 2024 The film, directed by Yuzuru Tachikawa ( Mob Psycho 100 ) at Nut, was released in Japan on February 17. Shinichi Ishizuka's manga has been serialized in Shogakukan's Big Comic since May 2013. Following the first arc, Blue Giant set in Japan (May 2013 – August 2016) and the second arc Blue Giant Supreme set in Europe (September 2016 – April 2020), its story entered the third arc Blue Giant Explorer in May 2020 and was set in the United States. A total...

The world of manga and anime is more so special with the variety of art styles each artist can offer making their work unique to their own. Mob Psycho 100, One Piece, Naruto, and all the other mangas can be recognized alone with just their art style. One, the creator of Mob Psycho 100 knows firsthand the uniqueness their manga offers through the illustrations.

Mob Psycho 100 | Credit: Studio Bones

However, there have often been moments where the art style gets overlooked. Nevertheless, the story is one to be praised again and again. So much so that fans regard it to be one of the most captivating series out there. Despite it all, there was one decision the author refused to take, making it even better.

Mob Psycho 100 Wasn’t One to Sexualize

Sexualization in anime and manga is an unfortunate occurrence that is more regular than not. Almost...

The 27th feature film of Detective Conan anime series, titled Detective Conan: The Million Dollar Pentagram, has set a new box office record. The film has amassed a remarkable 9.77 million viewers and grossed 14.01 billion yen in just 45 days.

The film has thereby surpassed the record held by the 26th feature film, titled Detective Conan: Black Iron Submarine (2023), which earned 13.88 billion yen.

This feat makes Detective Conan: The Million Dollar Pentagram the highest-grossing film in the franchise history.

Here is a breakdown of the film’s box office performance:

Opening Day: 630,000 admissions, 960 million yen First 3 Days: 2,274,333 admissions, 3,352,494,500 yen 10 Days: 6.5 billion yen 22 Days: 7,320,000 admissions, 10.5 billion yen 25 Days: 8,453,000 admissions, 12.099 billion yen 31 Days: 8,980,000 admissions, 12.8 billion yen 38 Days: 9,430,000 admissions, 13.5 billion yen 45 Days: 9,770,000 admissions, 14.01 billion yen

Detective Conan: The Million-Dollar Pentagram hit the Japanese theatres on April 12, 2024.

The film had achieved the second highest opening weekend collection for an anime movie, overtaking the opening week gross...

The 8 Show is a South Korean dark comedy thriller series created by Han Jae-rim. Based on a Naver webtoon titled Money Game and Pie Game by Bae Jin-soo, the Netflix series follows the story of eight cash-strapped people as they participate in a mysterious game that gives them money just to be present but as time progresses things start to go a bit crazy. The 8 Show stars Ryu Jun-yeol, Chun Woo-hee, Park Jeong-min, Lee Yul-em, Park Hae-joon, Lee Zoo-young, Moon Jeong-hee, and Bae Seong-woo. So, if you love psychological drama and dark comedy with brilliant performances in The 8 Show here are some similar shows you could watch next.

Alice in Borderland (Netflix) Credit – Netflix

Alice in Borderland is a Japanese sci-fi survival thriller series created by Yoshiki Watabe, Yasuko Kuramitsu, and Shinsuke Sato. Based on a graphic novel of the same name by Haro Aso, the Netflix...

When the second season of Mob Psycho 100, one of the most popular anime series, was released in 2019, Yuzuru Tachikawa, the director of the Mob Psycho 100 anime, was interviewed and asked about his experience working on the series and the difference between the first season and the second season.

Mob Psycho 100

Tachikawa not only explained how the second season was better, but he also talked about how One, the creator of Mob Psycho 100, got involved in the production of the anime series. The director also revealed that while the production of the anime was going on, One wanted to make some changes that would fit perfectly for the anime series.

However, Tachikawa wanted to adapt the anime from the original material without any changes, as it would have helped the series keep its essence, making the narrative of Mob Psycho 100 one of the best storylines in the anime world.

The latest feature film of Detective Conan series, titled Detective Conan: The Million-Dollar Pentagram, continues to dominate the Japanese box office.

According to the latest box-office information released by Kogyo Tsushin, the film has surpassed 12.099 billion yen in just twenty-five days of its release, drawing over 8.45 million audience.

This marks the fourth consecutive week that the film has held the number one spot in the box office rankings. In the weekend alone the film attracted 1.13 million moviegoers and generated revenue of 1.627 billion yen, surpassing the previous week’s figures.

Detective Conan: The Million-Dollar Pentagram hit the Japanese theatres on April 12, 2024.

The film had achieved the second highest opening weekend collection for an anime movie, overtaking the opening week gross of Jjk 0 movie (2.6 billion yen).

It also surpassed the opening day numbers of the 26th feature film with a significant 112% increase.

The film also crossed 10 billion yen within just 22 days of its release,...

The 27th feature film of Detective Conan film series, titled Detective Conan: The Million-Dollar Pentagram, has achieved a remarkable feat, surpassing 10.5 billion yen in box office revenue, attracting over 7.32 million audience, within just 22 days of its release.

This marks the first time in Japanese anime film history that a franchise has achieved 10 billion yen for two consecutive films.

The film’s distributor, Toho, highlighted the exceptional pace at which it reached this milestone, surpassing the previous film, Detective Conan: Kurogane no Submarine, which achieved the same feat in 24 days.

“The film continues its rapid advance without losing momentum, and is aiming to break all previous records,” Toho stated.

Regarding the film’s reception, the distributor said, “This work, which is packed with all three pillars of mystery, love comedy, and action, has people discovering new things every time they watch it, and many people are making repeat visits to the cinema.

The Detective Conan movie franchise has achieved a monumental milestone, surpassing a total of 100 million viewers in Japan. This remarkable feat is attributed to the 27th film in the series, “Detective Conan: The Million-Dollar Pentagram,” garnering over 6.44 million viewers and 9.2 billion yen in just 18 days.

In doing so, Detective Conan becomes the third franchise in Japan to achieve the feat of 100 million tickets sold after Doraemon and Godzilla.

Distributor Toho highlighted the significance of this milestone, emphasizing that reaching 100 million with the 27th film is the fastest record in history.

“The number of 100 million people is close to Japan’s population and is truly a remarkable achievement worthy of being called a national work. In addition, surpassing 100 million people is a record following the movies ‘Doraemon’ and ‘Godzilla’ series, but surpassing it with the 27th instalment is the fastest record in history!“

To celebrate this landmark occasion, a commemorative video has been released,...

The 27th feature film of Detective Conan, titled Detective Conan: The Million-Dollar Pentagram, has been achieving remarkable success at the Japanese box office since its release on April 12, 2024.

According to the latest figures released by Kogyo Tsushin on April 22, the film has already surpassed 6.5 billion yen within just ten days of its premiere, drawing an attendance of nearly 4.47 million viewers.

The film had also achieved the second highest opening weekend collection for an anime movie, overtaking the opening week gross of Jjk 0 movie (2.6 billion yen).

It also surpassed the opening day numbers of the 26th feature film with a significant 112% increase.

Chika Nagaoka served as the director for Detective Conan: The Million-Dollar Pentagram, with screenplay by Takahiro Okura.

The 26th feature film, Detective Conan: Kurogane no Submarine released on April 14, 2023, and had set a new record to become the first film of the franchise to earn 10,304,483,700 Billion Yen at the box office.

Following the record breaking premiere of Detective Conan‘s 27th feature film, the latest box office report revealed that the film has generated a revenue of 3,352,494,500 yen and attracted total of 2,274,333 viewers within the first three days of its release.

In doing so, the movie has achieved the second highest opening weekend collection for an anime movie, overtaking the opening week gross of Jjk 0 movie (2.6 billion yen), One Piece Film: Red (2.254 billion yen), Haikyu Movie (2.23 billion yen), Suzume (1.88 billion yen), The First Slam Dunk (1.295 billion yen) and even Hayao Miyzaki’s The Boy & The Heron in the process.

It only falls short of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train‘s opening week collection, which stands at 4.6 billion yen.

Below is a breakdown of Detective Conan film’s box office collection:

April 12 (Friday) – Audience: 638,119 people, Revenue: 962,785,780 yen April 13 (Saturday) – Audience: 839,126 people, Revenue: 1,239,818,980 yen April 14 (Sunday) – Audience: 797,088 people,...

Detective Conan’s 27th feature film, titled Detective Conan: The Million-Dollar Signpost, has achieved an remarkable milestone as it has become the top anime film opener of 2024, raking in an impressive 960 million yen on its opening day and drawing over 630,000 viewers.

This was revealed by distributor Toho during a special stage greeting event at Toho Cinemas Hibiya in Tokyo on April 13, 2024.

The film released on April 12, 2024, in 515 theatres across Japan.

The film surpassed the opening day numbers of the 26th feature film, which was the first film in the series to surpass the 10 billion yen mark in revenue, with a significant 112% increase.

The film’s voice cast, including Minami Takayama, Va of Conan Edogawa and Kappei Yamaguchi, Va of Kaito Kid, expressed their amazement at the film’s phenomenal opening.

“900 million… What is it? It was a weekday, right!?,” exclaimed Takayama.

“630,000 people on the first day… I’m surprised. This...

Longer isn't always better: these single-season animes on Hulu pack a punch in just a few episodes. Hulu has a variety of genres for fans looking for a one-season great anime: mecha, mystery, romance, comedy, & more. Hulu has many popular watchlist essentials: Death Note, Erased, Ouran High School Host Club and more.

The streaming platform Hulu has an expansive list of animes to choose from, and many of these shockingly only lasted for a single season, which, however, did not hinder their quality at all. So many recent anime series are incredibly lengthy, with shows like One Piece with a whopping 20 seasons and counting. However, some animes have managed to tell an incredible story in only a few episodes. Many of the most captivating series of all time only lasted for one single season.

These one-season-long animes have it all: gripping plots, a wide variety of well-rounded and interesting characters,...

The 2024 Crunchyroll Anime Awards are nearly here, which gives us an opportunity to celebrate the best anime of the past year. We’ve spent the year experiencing a colorful palette of emotions while watching not just anime series, but several films. Six of those incredible movies have been nominated for Best Film. Let’s take a look at the nominees! Related: Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2024: Your Ultimate Guide Black Clover: Sword of the Wizard King Image via Netflix Directed by: Ayataka Tanemura Black Clover: Sword of the Wizard King was released in Japanese cinema in June 2023 and simultaneously premiered on Netflix. The story takes place after the events of the Elf Saga, but before the Heart Kingdom arc, giving fans of Black Clover more content to become invested in. Black Clover: Sword of the Wizard King gives viewers stunning, well-defined animation with its uniquely choreographed action sequences. The battle feels like it never stops,...

The official website of Detective Conan unveiled a second trailer for its upcoming 27th feature film, titled Detective Conan: The Million-Dollar Signpost, on Feb 15, 2024. The trailer previews the theme song for the film.

Japanese singer and songwriter aiko performed the theme song “Soushi Souai” (Mutual Love).

aiko expressed her enthusiasm on performing the theme song, stating, “I was so surprised and happy that I worked really hard every day.” Quoting a line by Shinichi, she added, “Shinichi once said, ‘Some things can only be conveyed through words,’ but I believe there are also things that can only be conveyed through music.

Detective Conan: The Million-Dollar Signpost is scheduled to release in Japanese theatres on April 12, 2024.

Chika Nagaoka will serve as the director, with screenplay by Takahiro Okura.

The website describes the plot of the film as:

“In Hakodate, Hokkaido, a foreboding announcement arrives from the Kaito Kidat the repository of the Onoe Zaibatsu.

A sublime score from Hiromi Uehara drives this coming-of-age-anime, which brings three young jazz musicians to life with spectacular imagery

Is jazz dead? Yuzuru Tachikawa’s Blue Giant certainly begs to differ. Following three 18-year-old boys who doggedly pursue their musical dreams, the film hits the familiar beats of the coming-of-age anime, yet it also deviates from the format in interesting ways. There are trials and tribulations, quarrels and reconciliation, but what makes Blue Giant really shine is its masterly rendering of the physical ecstasy that emanates from live performance.

Jass, the band at the film’s centre, represents three different approaches to making music. Arriving in Tokyo from a small town, Dai Miyamoto has only picked up the saxophone four years earlier yet possesses a prodigious, ferocious ability to channel his emotions with every note. In contrast, pianist Yukinori Sawabe, who grew up in a family of musicians, is...

The official website for the Japan Academy Film Prize announced the 2023 winners of each category for the 47th edition on January 24. Films eligible for the prize included those released in Japan between January 1 and December 31, 2023 (which included 149 Japanese films and 221 foreign films), selected by a vote of the 3,950 Japan Academy Prize Society members. While the winners are usually announced at a press conference, the announcement was released in writing this year due to the Noto Peninsula Earthquake. The organizers announced that a portion of the proceeds from the awards ceremony will be donated as relief funds. The winners in each category, including the Best Animation of the Year, will be announced at the awards ceremony at the Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa, Tokyo, on March 8. The five films selected for the Excellent Animation of the Year are listed below. One of these works will be chosen as the Best Animation of the Year.

The official website of Detective Conan revealed a new trailer for its upcoming 27th feature film, titled Detective Conan: The Million-Dollar Signpost, on Dec 26, 2023.

Accompanying the trailer is a new visual featuring Heiji, Conan, and Kaito Kid.

Detective Conan: The Million-Dollar Signpost is scheduled to release in Japanese theatres on April 12, 2024.

Chika Nagaoka will serve as the director, with screenplay by Takahiro Okura.

The website describes the plot of the film as:

“In Hakodate, Hokkaido, a foreboding announcement arrives from the Kaito Kidat the repository of the Onoe Zaibatsu. This time, Kid is targeting a Japanese sword with connections to Toshizo HIijikata, the vice commander of Shinsengumi, who lived in the end of Edo period. As Kid pursues the Big Jewel, the question arises: why is he after a sword?

Meanwhile, the renowned detective from the west, Heiji Hattori, along with Conan and others, visits Hakodate for a kendo tournament.

The official website of Detective Conan movie announced on Dec 6, 2023, that the franchise is getting a new compilation film titled “Detective Conan vs. Kaito Kid” ahead of the release of its upcoming 27th feature film, Detective Conan: The Million-Dollar Signpost.

Detective Conan vs. Kaito Kid is set to release on Jan 5, 2024.

Accompanying the announcement is a promo video and teaser visual. The Pv previews the film’s theme song, “Daitan,” performed by Wands.

Detective Conan vs. Kaito Kid compiles episodes from the TV series, including the origins of Kaito Kid, and the first encounter between Conan and Kid.

According to the website, the compilation film is a must watch to learn about the “beginning of the two,” Conan and Kid, and to enhance the enjoyment of the upcoming movie Detective Conan: The Million-Dollar Signpost.

Detective Conan: The Million-Dollar Signpost is scheduled to release in Japanese theatres on April 12, 2024.

The 26th feature film,...

The bestselling manga series Blue Giant, created by Shinichi Ishizuka, ran from 2013 to 2016 with a number of sequel manga series, receiving an English-language translation through Seven Seas Entertainment. Telling a group of young men's obsessive quest to achieve jazz music excellence and recognition in Tokyo, the manga has been adapted into a new anime movie of the same name, directed by Yuzuru Tachikawa, who previously helmed the popular anime Mob Psycho 100. Released in North America by Gkids, the film is a celebration of the awe-inspiring power of music and the friendships forged in the midst of joining forces towards a common cause.

Teenage saxophone prodigy Dai Miyamoto travels to Tokyo after graduating from high school in order to become a serious jazz musician and immediately sets out to form a jazz ensemble. Befriending master pianist Yukinori Sawabe and amateur drummer Shunji Tamada, Dai forms a tight trio that hones...

This year has seen many spectacular animated movies. From "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" to "The First Slam Dunk," we've seen movies that make full use of their medium and deliver stunning visuals that push the artform forward. The latest to join that list is "Blue Giant," the highly anticipated adaptation of the Shinichi Ishizuka manga of the same name, directed by Yuzuru Tachikawa and written by Number 8.

The film follows a trio of young Japanese men looking to leave their mark on the jazz scene. Dai Miyamoto plays the saxophone and leads the group with his burning passion for music. Along for the ride is Yukinori Sawabe, who doesn't share Dai's optimism for becoming a star, having played piano since he was 4 years old without much to show for it. And lastly, there's Dai's roommate Shunji Tamada, who is inspired by Dai's love of jazz and decides to pick...

Anime is ever growing in popularity, to the point where the original TV series are now transforming into hit live-action projects. Look at the long-running One Piece, for example. Meanwhile, hit manga series are transforming from page to screen, such as the inspiring and relentlessly entertaining Blue Giant, which hits select theaters this week. Directed by Yuzuru Tachikawa, Blue Giant will touch the hearts of young musicians everywhere — and anyone daring enough to dream, for that matter. Featuring electrifying musical performances and a dynamite jazz soundtrack, Blue Giant is a must-see for cinephiles of all shapes and sizes.

An Ode to 'Passionate and Intense' Jazz

"Blue giant" is term coined for stars in space that burn so hot that their perceived color turns from red to blue. The aspiring "shining star" here is Dai (voiced by Yûki Yamada), a young basketball player whose life is turned upside down the day...

Blue Giant is a visually stunning anime film that pays tribute to aspiring young musicians and showcases their journey in the world of jazz. The film features relatable characters with a strong bond of friendship, and their growth and development form the backbone of the story. With real jazz music and wild visuals, Blue Giant offers an intense and memorable concert-like experience that will appeal to jazz enthusiasts and newcomers to the genre alike. Catch it in theaters on October 8th and 9th.

The anime film Blue Giant is a jazzy tribute to aspiring young musicians, offering a glimpse into the world of music in a stunningly visual way. Starring relatable characters with a solid bond of friendship, Blue Giant hits a lot of the right notes to get an interesting story while keeping the music center stage.

Blue Giant is based on the manga of the same name by Shinichi Ishizuka,...

It's been said that music can touch our souls, a power so great that it can awaken an artistic side in us that perhaps we didn't even know was there. This happens to Dai, the main character in Yuzuru Tachikawa's new anime film Blue Giant, which hits select theaters Oct. 8 and 9. Dai is a young basketball player who finds a new passion in jazz after a friend brings him to a local club. From there, Dai decides to pack up and move to Tokyo with hopes of joining a band as a saxophonist. With no formal education in music, Dai is perhaps in over his head at first, but after meeting some supportive fellow musicians who give Dai a shot, Blue Giant becomes a success story that will inspire young aspiring musicians everywhere.

And for those unfamiliar with the term, "blue giant" is a term referring to a star...

Blue Giant is an anime film about three young musicians who strive to make a name for themselves as a jazz band called Jass. The film is not only about music, but also explores themes of friendship and camaraderie among the characters. Director Yuzuru Tachikawa used a combination of different animation techniques to accurately portray the musicians playing their instruments and create visually stunning performances.

The anime film Blue Giant follows the music careers of three young musicians with a shared love of jazz: saxophonist Dai Miyamoto, pianist Yukinori Sawabe, and their fresh-faced drummer, Shunji Tamada. With Dai setting out to be the greatest jazz musician on the planet, the young men face a difficult road to make a name for themselves as a band, Jass. The film is as much about friendship and camaraderie as it is music, and tells the tale of how these three friends push each...

There’s nothing quite like jazz. Hitting the right notes in the tiny area between experimentation, chaos, art and cacophonous noise is a tricky thing to do, and the artists that can are held in a regard few other professions can touch. There’s an allure to it, a danger in live performances where one false note could send an entire act into disarray. It may be the most pure form of music, depending not on set patterns and structure, but instinct and intuition in every moment. Curious then, that Shinichi Ishizuka’s “Blue Giant” manga series was miraculously able to catch the hearts and minds of many with words and images about jazz rather than including the music itself. As a medium, manga is restricted to the expression of the illustration and the truthfulness of the story, but one thing it inherently cannot have is sound to go with it.

Dai Miyamoto’s life is turned upside down the day he discovers jazz. A former high school basketball player, Dai picks up a saxophone and begins practicing day and night, determined to become one of the greatest of all time. He leaves his sleepy hometown for the bustling nightclubs of Tokyo, but soon finds the life of a professional musician is not for the faint of heart. His passion eventually wins over the cocky but talented pianist Yukinori, and after Dai convinces his friend Shunji to learn the drums, they launch a new jazz trio whose rough sound contains a raw energy that quickly wins attention from local audiences. But what does it take to truly be great?

From director Yuzuru Tachikawa (Mob Psycho 100) and based on the award-winning manga, Blue Giant is a moving ode to the power of music and the artist, featuring electric performances and a stunning jazz soundtrack.

Blue Giant is finally seeing a North American premiere. Gkids is working on the distribution of the highly anticipated anime film.

Blue Giant is adapted from Shinichi Ishizuka's acclaimed manga series of the same name. The movie will have a limited release in only a handful of theaters. Gkids has also shared a trailer on X (formerly Twitter) and other platforms, with English subtitles accompanying the original Japanese.

Related: Why Are So Many Anime Set In High School?

Blue Giant from Yuzuru Tachikawa (Mob Psycho 100) is coming to select theatres on Oct 8 & 9!

Animation producer and distributor Gkids has acquired all North American rights to the music-driven anime feature “Blue Giant.”

The film, an adaptation of the manga of the same name, is directed by Yuzuru Tachikawa. Number 8, the editor of the original “Blue Giant” manga written by Shinichi Ishizuka, penned the script.

In “Blue Giant,” former high school basketball player Dai Miyamoto discovers a love for jazz, and determines to learn the saxophone. He hits the jazz clubs of Tokyo in his quest to be the best sax player in the world. Dai launches a trio with cocky but talented pianist Yukinori, with Dai’s friend Shunji on the drums. But he soon learns that life as a professional musician is harder than it looks from the outside.

Pianist Hiromi Uehara composed the in-story original music and also plays for the character Yukinori. Drummer Shun Ishikawa, of the band Millennium Parade, and saxophonist Tomoaki Baba,...

"Bleach" began its run in the popular comics magazine Shonen Jump in August 2001. It was adapted into an anime three years later in October 2004, and quickly became one of the most popular anime and manga in its age bracket. Fans would refer to "Bleach" and its two Jump peers, "Naruto" and "One Piece," as the Big Three. 

"Bleach" always boasted the lowest sales numbers of the three, especially in Japan where "One Piece" was king. But "Bleach" made up for this by being the most stylish comic of its day. Its character designs, fight sequences and paneling had a certain je ne sais quoi that kept it relevant against heavier hitting opponents in the magazine. The fact that its hero, Ichigo, was a jaded teenager from the beginning, rather than a rambunctious child like Naruto or Luffy, appealed to a fanbase that was going through its own adolescence.

"Bleach" has...

Spawned from a an animation short titled “Death Billiards”, which was originally produced by Madhouse for the Young Animator Training Project’s Anime Mirai 2013 and released on March 2, 2013, “Death Parade” is a rather unique title, both in terms of presentation, but mostly, due to its intensely philosophical context.

When people die, and before their soul is sent for either reincarnation of banishment in the void, they have to pass through one of many mysterious bars that are situated in a tower that exists in the border between life and after-life. These bars are run by entities known as arbiters, who appear as bartenders, but whose real purpose is to have the dead (who always come in pairs) participate in games, that eventually reveal their true characters, thus allowing the arbiters to decide on their soul. The series follows one such bartender, white-haired, green-eyed Decim, who runs the Quindecim bar,...

The truth remains that whatever one talks about regarding the anime industry this year, the success of “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie” overshadows everything in the category. However, the year was once more quite good for the industry, at least content-wise, with a number of titles that are bound to make an impact in the future coming to the fore. A number of new trends also appeared, with two titles that focus on the humanization of animals, a number of ones that presented a distinctly European setting, and a number of series that were original, not based on manga that is. Lastly, Masaaki Yuasa proved, once more, that he is on the very top of anime directors.

Without further ado, here are the 10 Best Anime Series of 2020, in a list that includes titles whose season or the whole series ended in 2020, with the exception of “Beastars” which ended...

In another of this year’s original anime series (not based on a manga that is), the creators of “Deca-Dence” try to do something radically different with their title, combining a number of trademark elements with a rather complex and unusual main premise which also extends to the drawing and animation of the series.

In the latter part of the 2400s, air pollution reached lethal levels. As humanity hurtled toward extinction, they were also threatened by the emergence of life forms known as Gadoll, causing the extinction of 90% of the world’s population. Large corporations developed cyborgs to carry out human functions, but the cyborgs eventually began to outnumber humans and the Solid Quake Corporation acquired rights to manage humanity. The company created a giant dome on the Eurasian continent in which they installed a colossal entertainment facility called Deca-dence, with its own independent all-governing system to make all decisions.