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Dandadan's Evil Eye movie has set a record for the box office debut of an anime series, even surpassing Solo Leveling: ReAwakening to claim the title. The record indicates that cinematic events for anime series could remain a profitable venture, even outside of Japan.

Dandadan: Evil Eye was released in theaters on June 6, 2025, for a limited-time engagement. The movie is a compilation of the first three episodes of season 2, which is currently set to debut on July 3, 2025, providing an early peek at the second season for the most dedicated fans. It turns out that there are far more dedicated Dandadan fans than it would seem, however, as the official US box office totals from the weekend put it at $3.55 million, putting it ahead of almost every recent anime movie except for My Hero Academia: You're Next.

Dandadan Evil Eye Takes Down Solo Leveling Dandadan's New Debut Beats Out Many Popular...

Sorry, Solo Levelingfans -- a bigger (and maybe even better?) anime movie has dominated the United States box office.

Dandadan: Evil Eye has officially earned more than December 2024's popular Solo Leveling: ReAwakeningin domestic ticket sales, with the new theatrical release poised to earn even more in the coming days as its U.S. run continues. Box Office Report confirmed the news in a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), where the account broke down the official numbers. "Gkids' release of Dan Da Dan: Evil Eye grossed $356K on Monday. Total domestic (North America) gross stands at $3.55M," the post stated.

Solo Leveling's Box Office Record Broken by the Next Anime Hit of Summer 2025 Gkids' release of Dan Da Dan: Evil Eye grossed $356K on Monday. Total domestic (North America) gross stands at $3.55M.#Dandadan#BoxOfficepic.twitter.com/SroZc4321M— BoxOfficeReport.com (@BORReport) June 10, 2025

The same X post was shared on Reddit,...

Emerging animation creators should learn to stop worrying and love social media, looking beyond established production and distribution models. But there are a few pointers.

“Talk back to the people who comment. They don’t want to talk to a wall,” said Hayley Lam, founder at Studio Munbou.

“That’s the beauty of independent creators and stories and internet-born characters: you get to interact with the communities and fandoms. [Vocaloid] Hatsune Miku is a great example. It really is about putting IP into the audience’s hands.”

She stressed the need to experiment to stand out on social media during a Wia Summit panel dedicated to “The Audience-Driven Future,” moderated by Wia president Marge Dean.

“If you don’t capture their attention within the first three seconds, they’re going to move on with their doom-scrolling. It’s a dopamine effect, so make your IP and storytelling memorable. It must stand...

Hatsune Miku has sung her way into several products and collaborations, including real-life racing vehicles. Now, one of her official cars is becoming an actual collectible, letting fans put the pedal to the metal in handheld form.

Part of Takara Tomy's Tomica line of toy cars, the new Tomica Premium Racing Good Smile Hatsune Miku Amg 2024 Ver. is based on last year's iteration of the Hatsune Miku-themed race car. This further celebrates Miku's official racing brand, while also offering merchandise that car enthusiasts can appreciate. Set to be released next month, it is scheduled to come out nearly two decades after Miku was officially named a racing mascot.

Hatsune Miku's Newest Racing Toy Puts the Pedal to the Metal for Fans in July

The Tomica Premium Racing Good Smile Hatsune Miku Amg 2024 Ver. is a toy based on a Hatsune Miku-themed racing version of the Mercedes-Amg. As with the real-life car,...

Sega is bringing Hatsune Miku and other anime and Japan IP fan-favorites to consoles everywhere in a major upcoming release.

An announcement trailer for the upcoming Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds was posted to the official PlayStation YouTube channel on June 6. The latest kart racer, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, lets players jump into the driver's seat as their favorite characters from across the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, not to mention a plethora of other popular IPs.

Fan-Favorite Vocaloid Hatsune Miku Speeds Into Official New Sega Release

Quite possibly the most iconic character set to make the jump to the world of Sonic Racing from their own respective franchises is the popular Vocaloid Hatsune Miku. Though this is hardly the first time that Hatsune Miku has shown up in another popular franchise, she has never appeared in a major kart racer before Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds. Nor has Ichiban Kasuga, the protagonist of the Yakuza...

Lucky Cyan’s debut in To Be Hero X‘s episode 8 was refreshing, to say the least. The heroes previous to her were all about battles and a troubled present. Whereas the donghua focused on Cyan’s troubled past from the outset, it showcased her musical capabilities.

Of course, one can already anticipate that a battle is soon to begin, especially after the cliffhanger in episode 9. But in the meantime, fans can still enjoy Cyan’s songs and her concerts as a big shot pop star. In the midst of this, fans have already begun creating comparisons between her and another extremely popular Vocaloid.

Fans are referring to Lucky Cyan as To Be Hero X‘s Hatsune Miku Hatsune Miku from Colorful Stage! The Movie: A Miku Who Can’t Sing | Credits: Sega, P.A. Works

At first glance, anyone can tell that Lucky Cyan’s design is reminiscent of Hatsune Miku.

Among the numerous crossovers between Hello Kitty and various other brands, there have been several anticipated mashups with Sanrio. One of the most unexpected developments involved the biggest name in horror manga, and this terrifying crossover is coming back with new products.

Drawing on images from their previous collaboration, a new Junji Ito x Sanrio Characters capsule series features acrylic stands that reproduce the artwork. Featuring characters from Junji Ito's classic horror manga alongside cute Sanrio mascots, it's a sign that Ito's presence and popularity have only grown in recent years. Likewise, it's also proof that Hello Kitty and company can make anything cute, no matter how creepy.

Hello Kitty Gets Creepy With New Junji Ito x Sanrio Acrylic Stands ＼⚠ï¸æ–°ä½œã‚«ãƒ—セルトイã€äºˆå‘Šã€‘📣🆕ï¼ã€Œä¼Šè—¤æ½¤äºŒ サンリオã‚ャラクã...

Hatsune Mikufans are getting a whole new way to display their favorite Piapro Vocaloids, with a major collection now going global for the first time.

As seen via Caseplay's line of Hatsune Miku phone cases, fans can deck their mobile devices out in a range of cases featuring their favorite Vocaloids from Piapro. These include Hatsune Miku herself, as well as Kagamine Rin, Kagamine Len, Megurine Luka, Kaito and Meiko. There are also a variety of stylized cases for fans who don't necessarily want to showcase a single character or flashy pop art on their phone. Official images of many of the phone cases can be seen below; however, the collection also spans across multiple other tech accessories, such as AirPod cases and Apple Watch bands, with products compatible with over 130 devices, including Android.

Hatsune Miku Fans Get New International Release for Apple & Android Users With Phone Cases, AirPods & More

Developed by Crypton Future Media,...

Spoiler Alert !!!The following article contains massive spoilers for To Be Hero X's Episode 8 and future events.

To Be Hero X has captivated audiences worldwide with its new take on superheroes, which is elevated by its stellar animation, a blend of 2D and 3D animation techniques. The anime is loved by fans for its emphasis on character depth by giving each member of the Top 10 their character arcs and episodes. In its latest episode, To Be Hero X gave us a look at the backstory of Lucky Cyan. While Cyan is surrounded by people like Luo and the rest of her friends at the orphanage, who care about her, she may be on track for a devastating loss.

To Be Hero X released a Pv centered around Lucky Cyan on their website, and if we are to trust it, then the story may snatch Luo away from Cyan, solidifying...

Spoiler Alert !!!This article contains spoilers for To Be Hero X Episode 8.

There is a character in Honkai: Star Rail named Adventurine. His entire thing is that he is the luckiest man even but that luck doesn’t make his life any easier. To Be Hero X followed the same concept as Lucky Cyan’s story. I knew from hereon out the animation would stick to 2D and I was sceptical at first but you won’t be hearing a single complaint from me.

The fact that she is called Lucky Cyan obviously gives away her powers, but the complexity of it is what makes her character so interesting. We’ve seen glimpses of her in previous episodes, but diving into her story wasn’t something I was prepared for. What I thought was that she would just be a discount Hatsune Miku. I was wrong, I was so wrong.

Hello Kittyfans get a new series of plush toys to celebrate their favorite character this summer thanks to a new official Sanrio release.

Sanrio's official online store for the U.S. has released a new wave of Hello Kitty plushies that are perfect for bringing by the poolside this summer. The Summer Pool Series from Sanrio features a 12-inch tanned plush figure of Hello Kitty herself sporting a floral swimming cap and swimsuit, as well as embroidered and applique detailing. The plush is currently on sale with a 13% markdown as of the time of writing, making it the most marked-down product of the Summer Pool Series so far.

Sanrio Gives Hello Kitty a Tan in Official 'Summer Pool' Plushie Toy Collection

The Summer Pool Series also features two Hello Kitty bean doll plush toys, one in white and one of the franchise's leading star sporting a toasty summertime tan. Both...

Hatsune Miku has been a major "anime" mascot for decades at this point, despite lacking a true anime of her own. This changed in 2025 with the release of Colorful Stage! The Movie: A Miku Who Can't Sing, a feature-length anime movie based on the Vocaloid character. However, unauthorized access to the movie has caused its production team to issue an update.

An official warning has been given online to fans who have shared pirated or otherwise unauthorized footage of Colorful Stage! The Movie: A Miku Who Can't Sing. This includes the snippets of the movie and the film in its entirety, which is already making the rounds across the internet. The legal warning comes amid intensifying scrutiny of this kind of anime piracy, especially after a similar incident involving the latest Demon Slayer movie screening.

Hatsune Miku's First Feature-Length Movie Reignites Concerns Over Anime Piracy ã€ŒåŠ‡å ´ç...

When it comes to Sanrio mascots, Hatsune Miku's best friend is definitely the flying dog Cinnamoroll. Now, the duo are reuniting once more for a collaborative pop-up store that combines Sanrio, Vocaloid singers and an adorable slumber party.

Running throughout May 2025, this new store will feature various items with imagery designed by artist Shiraho, with all of these uniting pairs of Sanrio and Vocaloid characters. Among these two will, of course, be Hatsune Miku and Cinnamoroll, who've proven to be the most popular of these pairings given previous releases. With some of the line-up set to be released internationally via online retailers, this pajama party series is certainly not something that Sanrio or Miku fans will want to sleep on.

Hatsune Miku & Cinnamaroll Reunite in New Sanrio x Vocaloid Slumber Party Collection ï¼¼5/9（金）～5/22（木）開催ï¼æ±äº¬é§…一ç...

The world's most popular Vocaloid is celebrating a significant milestone, and she’s doing it in style. To mark the 10th anniversary of Hatsune Miku’s long-running Miku Symphony concert series, a range of high-end jewelry is set to be released.

The Miku Symphony concerts are celebrating their 10th anniversary, and a new collection of intricate and stunning jewellery has just been announced to mark this special occasion. The concert series began in 2015 and has toured extensively throughout Japan. It has even visited cities in the U.S. Unlike other Vocaloid performances, the concerts feature no singing but live symphonic performances by a full orchestra, blending the futuristic sounds of the digital performers with classical music.

Hatsune Miku's Latest Collection is Pure Extravagance

To mark this occasion, a collection of jewelry crafted by Japanese apparel brand Mayla will go on sale. Fans will be able to buy a gold version...

Anti Social Social Club (Assc) is back with its second major drop of 2025, blending its signature streetwear ethos with Sanrio’s iconic colorful characters. The new drop features Hello Kitty, Cinnamoroll, and Badtz-Maru, all reimagined through Assc’s rebellious lens.

Via a press release, available starting May 3 at 8 a.m. Pst, exclusively on the Assc website, the collection includes hoodies, mugs, rugs and phone chargers, with prices ranging from $25 to $249 and sizes Xs to 2Xl for apparel. Assc’s collaboration with Sanrio isn’t just about combining cute characters with streetwear; it’s also a marriage of cultural forces, officially teased as using "bold typography, unexpected colorways, and an attitude that blurs the line between misfit energy and pop-culture nostalgia." Readers can check out official images of the release below.

Hello Kitty, Cinnamoroll & Badtz-Maru Take to the Streets in Exclusive New Hoodie Release

Each product presents the classic critters in...

Later this month, anime studio Satelight planned to give back to the fans via its 30th anniversary event Sate Fes . The event advertised live readings from the casts of various Macross and Aquarion series, a performance from virtual idol Hatsune Miku and much more. As of today, however, the event has been postponed until further notice. An official notices states that the event, which will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the studio's founding, must be postponed "due to various circumstances." No further information has been given regarding the reasons for the postponement. However, it looks as though this isn't an outright cancellation—event staff is currently seeking out a new set of dates, and will announce them as soon as they're confirmed. Satelight 30th Anniversary Sate Fes Commercial Related: Macross Anime Franchise Holds Heroine Audition for New Series Satelight initially scheduled Sate Fes for May 24 and 25 at the Pacifico Yokohama National Hall in Kanagawa.

Hatsune Miku’s debut feature-length anime film, Colorful Stage! The Movie: A Miku Who Can't Sing, has now broken its own impressive box office record.

As seen on Anime Trending, Colorful Stage! The Movie: A Miku Who Can't Sing premiered in 800 theaters across the U.S. last Friday, grossing US$2.8 million over its opening weekend and coming in seventh place for weekend ticket sales. During Colorful Stage! The Movie: A Miku Who Can't Sing’s opening weekend in Japan, Jan. 17-19, the film grossed 300 million yen (approximately US$2.1 million), meaning the film's U.S. opening weekend ticket sales actually exceeded the film’s domestic performance.

Colorful Stage! The Movie: A Miku Who Can't Sing Finds Major U.S. Box Office Success Image via P.A. Works

Colorful Stage! The Movie: A Miku Who Can't Sing, the first feature film following Vocaloid mascot Hatsune Miku, was produced by P.A. Works,...

Fans of the popular harem rom-com anime The Quintessential Quintuplets have a special new merchandise release to look forward to in the form of five watches in official collaboration Seiko, now available for overseas collectors.

All five quintuplets from The Quintessential Quintuplets have received watches for international release, featuring yellow for Ichika, purple for Nino, blue for Miku, green for Yotsuba and red for Itsuki. Seiko only created 2,000 units per sister; Japan Select will release its limited collection of those 2,000 units overseas this month, making it a very limited-edition item. Readers can check out Seiko's The Quintessential Quintuplets watches and visuals of the sisters in similar color-themed dresses below.

Seiko & The Quintessential Quintuplets Partner Up for 5-Year Anniversary Watch Collection

The watches, initially released in celebration of the anime's five-year anniversary, are currently listed for US$530 via the Japan Select website. The Quintessential Quintuplets' watches follow Seiko's frequent IP collaborations in recent months,...

Official collaborations between Hatsune Miku and the Mobile Suit Gundam franchise have been on a major increase in recent months, with several products uniting the two disparate brands. This has now manifested in a drawing that further combines them in a more subtle way.

A new image is making the rounds of Sakura Miku, the cherry blossom-themed version of the Vocaloid singer. Befitting the cherry blossom season in Japan, the image was made by a major creator behind the Gundam franchise. While it might not involve giant robots, it's just one of many mashups between the two properties.

Gundam's Yoshikazu Yasuhiko Draws One of Hatsune Miku's Most Colorful Designs Yet Image by Yoshikazu Yasuhiko

In March 2025, it was revealed that an image of a Hatsune Miku variant had been drawn by none other than Yoshikazu Yasuhiko. Originally a mecha designer for several entries in the Mobile Suit Gundam franchise, Yasuhiko...

Easter Sunday Am Writethru after Saturday Night post: It’s a win for original movies as Warner Bros’ Sinners has taken the lead at the Easter weekend box office with $45.6M per Warners over the studio’s A Minecraft Movie which is landing in second with $41.3M. Since 2000, this weekend reps the eighth time that Warner Bros has led the Easter weekend box office with an event title after 2010’s Clash of the Titans, 2016’s Batman v. Superman, 2018’s Ready Player One, 2019’s The Curse of La Llorona, 2021’s Godzilla v. Kong, 2022’s Fantastic Beasts 3, last year’s Godzilla x Kong and now Sinners. Let the record show that Warner Bros with both titles contributed 64% of the entire weekend’s box office. Among all Easter weekend openings, Sinners ranks 9th.

This comes after a better-than-expected Saturday of $16.5M for the Ryan Coogler directed, Michael B. Jordan starring vampire pic, down...

Virtual pop sensation Hatsune Miku has officially made her American theatrical debut. Colorful Stage! The Movie: A Miku Who Can't Sing premiered in the U.S. on April 18, and despite some skepticism from anime fans and outsiders alike, the film is garnering enthusiastic responses.

In the film, teen musician Ichika encounters virtual singer Hatsune Miku in Tokyo's Shibuya district. The unlikely pair collaborate to help Miku create more emotional music and form deeper connections, setting up a heartfelt story about the intersection of technology and human creativity. While the movie may not be the most accessible for total newcomers to the fan-favorite Vocaloid, its audience score on Rotten Tomatoes speaks volumes about its general reception in America thus far.

Hatsune Miku's Anime Theatrical Debut Proves the Potential for Mass Vocaloid Appeal

As of writing, Colorful Stage! The Movie: A Miku Who Can't Sing has no critics score on Rotten Tomatoes,...

The Sanrio characters are usually as cute as can be, especially when it comes to their merchandise. Now, they're set to be a bit more monstrous than usual through a new series of keychains.

Sanrio's popular mascots are crossing over with Capcom's popular Monster Hunter video game franchise, with 10 keychains uniting them with iconic monsters from the series. Many of these correspond with the mascots in some way, namely a particularly "purrfect" choice for Hello Kitty. Set to be released in Japan in the coming days, the keychains are just the latest mashups from either brand, which have each had their fair share of crossovers.

Hello Kitty, Kuromi, Cinnamoroll & More Get Wild in Terrifyingly Adorable Monster Hunter Collectibles

The new Sanrio x Monster Hunter rubber keychains, each standing at just under two inches in height, unite the adorable mascots with the epic and terrifying beasts from Capcom's Monster Hunter -- namely,...

Colorful Stage! The Movie: A Miku Who Can’t Sing spins a simple yet resonant premise: a silent variant of Hatsune Miku, stripped of her voice, drifts through a fractured digital realm known as the Sekai, while street performer Ichika—grounded in the tangible world—sets out to help her rediscover her song. Adapted from the mobile rhythm game Hatsune Miku: Colorful Stage! (Project Sekai), the film cleverly translates its source’s gameplay loops—unit formation, track remixing, and score chasing—into interlocking narrative beats that drive both character growth and musical drama.

This hybrid of musical drama and fantasy balances quiet character moments—Ichika’s late‑night street concerts, Miku’s silent appeals—with vivid, high‑energy song sequences that mirror the game’s rapid‑fire satisfaction. Clocking in at 105 minutes, P.A. Works leverages its reputation for detailed animation to ensure each synchronized performance crackles with kinetic energy,...

Hatsune Miku is known for her music and sense of style, with the visage of the Vocaloid gracing numerous brands and products. Now, she's getting hi-tech with a new collaboration that's certain to help fans hit the right note.

The Tuf Gaming x Hatsune Miku collection combines the colorful aesthetic of the Vocaloid singer with a series of gaming peripherals. These include headphones to rock out to Miku's music with and a mouse that's perfect for ruling your favorite online game. Pre-orders are set to open soon, so Asus gamers hopefully won't have to wait long to upgrade.

Hatsune Miku & Asus Hit the Next Level in New Cyberpunk-Esque Tech Collection

Asus' new Tuf Gaming x Hatsune Miku collection features four Miku-themed items, all of which are decked out in imagery and a familiar color scheme based on the character. The Tuf Gaming H1 Gen II Hatsune Miku Edition headphones...

Rhythm games are a massively popular subgenre in Japan, and among the most popular is the best-selling mobile game Hatsune Miku: Colorful Stage! Bringing the characters and world to the big screen, Colorful Stage! The Movie: A Miku Who Can’t Sing fails to give audiences who aren’t fans of the source material a reason to watch this generic underdog story.

Colorful Stage! The Movie: A Miku Who Can’t Sing Review

The film follows a teenage girl who meets a version of virtual singer Hatsune Miku, discovering that this version of Miku struggles to get her voice heard by the world. Together, they set out on a journey to bring Miku’s music to the public, spreading the power and message of her music to people everywhere.

Colorful Stage! The Movie is, technically, a stand-alone project featuring mostly new characters outside of the virtual singers. That being said,...

Hatsune Miku keeps cranking out the hits, with the popularity related to her digitized musical talents seeing a constant crescendo of merchandise. This includes a frequent array of dance partners -- namely, a certain flying dog by way of Sanrio.

Another array of Hatsune Miku x Cinnamoroll products has arrived, depicting the duo in even more cute situations. Featuring sleepy costumes and happy-go-lucky situations, these plush toys are only the latest in a line of similar collaborations. Coming to arcade machines soon, the stuffed toys further cement the Vocaloid singer and the Sanrio mascots as intercompany best friends forever.

Hatsune Miku and & Sanrio's Cinnamoroll Return for Sega's New Collaborative Plushies

Created by Crypton Future Media to be released as prizes for Sega arcade machines, the newest Hatsune Miku/Cinnamoroll plushies are the sixth and seventh wave of these items, respectively. Two of the plushies in the first wave have the two making hearts,...

Cinnamoroll and the rest of the Sanrio crew have been collaborating with Build-a-Bear for a while now, resulting in several flavors of sweet stuffed animals in cute clothes. Now, the flying dog is back with two of his friends for new items worth saving room for dessert for.

Adorned in a suit and a dress evoking their friendship, the new Cinnamoroll and Mocha stuffed animals from Build-a-Bear focus on some overlooked Sanrio characters. The floppy-eared dogs can be purchased individually or as a set, and their clothing is also sold separately. Only the latest Build-a-Bear collab with the Hello Kitty-adjacent characters, fans can now bring home one pup or the entire litter.

RelatedHello Kitty's Sanrio Turns on the Charm in New Kuromi & My Melody Anniversary Watch Release

Hello Kitty's Sanrio collaborates with Angel Heart for new anniversary watches inspired by iconic rivals My Melody and Kuromi.

Cinnamoroll, Mocha & Milk Sweeten...

U.S. film and television distributor Gkids -- well-known for acquiring and distributing anime movies such as Studio Ghibli's film catalog and shows like Dandadan -- has announced it will soon be bringing a new feature-length Hatsune Miku film, Colorful Stage! The Movie: A Miku Who Can't Sing, to North American theaters.

The Gkids-acquired anime movie is based on the Hatsune Miku: Colorful Stage! mobile game released in Japan in 2020. The game is a spin-off of Sega's Hatsune Miku: Project Diva series and features similar rhythm-based gameplay involving six of Crypton Future Media's Vocaloids. Colorful Stage! The Movie: A Miku Who Can't Sing is a full-length anime film featuring a new Hatsune Miku design animated by P.A. Works, of Angel Beats! and Shirobako fame. The movie features music utilizing the voices of various Vocaloid characters, all produced by different Vocaloid producers and composed by Deco*27.

RelatedHello...

Hello Kitty & Friends are stopping by Earth for a newly released figure collaboration in the U.S., combining Sanrio's nostalgia and Space Molly's futuristic appeal.

Via a press release, Pop Mart released its new space-themed figure series in the U.S. following its release in Asia. The Mega Space Molly 400% Hello Kitty and Friends Series comes as a blind box series, where fans can have a 1/6 chance of getting Hello Kitty, Pompompurin, Cinnamoroll, Kuromi, My Melody and Pochacco. The mascots are featured in adorable character-themed space suits and come in a box adorned with cute art. Each figure costs $269.90. Readers can check out the images below.

RelatedHatsune Miku & Cinnamoroll Team Up for Exclusive New Vocaloid and Sanrio Crossover Collectibles

Another Sanrio and Vocaloid crossover sees Miku Hatsune and Cinnamoroll, among other characters, celebrated through a traveling pop-up shop.

Hello Kitty & Friends Head to Space in Exclusive New Pop...

The classic Neon Genesis Evangelion anime is known for its dark psychological leanings, with many viewers lauding it for how the series deconstructed mecha anime. Nonetheless, the franchise's newest forms of merchandise include adorable magnet versions of its characters.

The "Huggy Good Smile" series by Good Smile Company is proud to present new Evangelion figures that double as magnets. Based on the franchise's latest movies, these toys come in a variety of options, including two different versions of Asuka and Rei. With Good Smile now accepting reservations, fans can lay claim to these collectibles that are sure to almost make them forget how dark the anime is.

Related Neon Genesis Evangelion Gets New Good Smile Company Release for Most Hated Character

Based on his depiction from Rebuild of Evangelion, the newest Gendo Ikari collectible by figma is the perfect purchase for fans of detailed toys.

New Evangelion Magnet Figures Are...

Megan Thee Stallion has officially dropped her third studio album, Megan, which includes "Otaku Hot Girl," a new track packed with anime references, from a sample from the official Jujutsu Kaisen soundtrack to a narrated intro by the English voice actor for Yuji Itadori, Adam McArthur. In addition to the sample and the intro from Adam, "Otaku Hot Girl" also features lyrics referencing Satoru Gojo from Jujutsu Kaisen and Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuka Uchiha from Naruto . The album, which dropped today, June 28, also includes singles "Cobra" ( including a remix from alt-metal group Spiritbox ), "Hiss" and "Boa," the last of which is also a stunning display of anime and gaming references—like the title referencing Boa Hancock from One Piece . Megan is no stranger to sharing her love for anime on the world stage, including her public displays of love for series like Black Clover , her appearance at the 2024 Anime Awards...

Jujutsu Kaisen is well known for its strong female leads, but one Jujutsu sorcerer that stands out is the radiating Yuki Tsukumo. An accomplished anime cosplayer and artist has now used her own cosplay of Yuki as a photo reference for her amazing depiction of the character.

Faves, or Miss Faves on X (formerly Twitter), uploaded her artwork of Yuki from Jujutsu Kaisen on the social media website. Her artwork portrays the Special Grade Sorcerer in a similarly striking pose from the anime, where Yuki asks Aoi Todo, "What kind of girls do you like?" However, Faves didn't limit herself to official artwork from the Gege Akutami series to accurately draw Yuki -- she also used herself as a reference model.

Related New My Dress-Up Darling Cosplay Creates a Picture-Perfect Shizuku-tan

It takes one talented cosplayer to imitate another in this perfect real-life anime cosplay of Marin as Shizuku-tan from My Dress-Up Darling.

Popular American rapper Megan Thee Stallion has given anime and Japanese pop culture fans a special surprise in the form of "Megan Thee Cosplayer." She appears in multiple personas, including as the Vocaloid icon Hatsune Miku, while making quick work of her enemies in Amazon's new "It's Prime Day" video commercial.

Via Megan Thee Stallion's official X (formerly Twitter), the rapper released the new commercial in collaboration with Amazon for the company's upcoming Prime Day on July 16-17, 2024. She adopts multiple roles in the video, including the Japanese Vocaloid icon Hatsune Miku -- the latter being a software voicebank designed as an anime girl-style virtual idol, who made her first official appearance in 2007. Readers can check out the images of Megan Thee Stallion's Hatsune Miku cosplay and more below in the official music video.

Related My Dress-Up Darling Reveals In-Development Designs for Upcoming Game Release

My Dress-Up Darling fans will...

Jon Bon Jovi’s new bar in Nashville, dubbed Jbj’s Nashville, has opened, welcoming fans to the five-story, 37,000-square-foot spectacle of live music entertainment, which includes one mesmerizing feature: a permanent hologram of Bon Jovi himself.

The virtual Bon Jovi comes courtesy of Proto Inc., who partnered with the venue and Big Plan Holdings to install a hologram unit that would beam-in a 4k version of the rock star, as well as surprise celebrity guests. Later this year, an additional Proto unit will be installed to include Bon Jovi’s bandmates from his namesake band, as well.

Unlike the performing “holograms” that some might be familiar with, like Hatsune Miku or the Abba Voyage shows, the Proto holograms place the subject in a controlled booth, almost like a life-size Barbie doll box, which mimics uber-realistic lighting and presence.

Other locations have begun introducing Proto units, like JFK Airport in...

Sanrio's Hello Kitty and Adidas are gearing up for their official collaboration, and now, new images have finally teased the finished product, which recently also received a release window of 2024 -- sometime within the next six months.

Via Sole Retriever, Adidas' upcoming partnership with Sanrio's Hello Kitty will be released in 2024 through Adidas and select retailers in-store and online. The Hello Kitty x Adidas Sambae sneakers will be available in women's sizes, coming in white with a pink gum sole, Hello Kitty's trademark red ribbon on the laces, and various icons and details across the shoe. The insole also features a full-color Hello Kitty portrait. Readers can check out the images below, with the first three coming via kicksdong on Instagram.

Related Sanrio's Hello Kitty & Retrospekt Go Vintage With Limited-Edition Film Camera Reveal

Sanrio's popular Hello Kitty receives a new collaboration with Retrospekt, debuting as a tomato for the limited-editionFC-11 35mm film camera model.

Metaphor: ReFantazio is Atlus’ brand new IP. Atlus is well known for creating the Persona series, but now the studio is taking what it's learned over the past several decades to take a stab at the fantasy genre rather than the typical Japanese high school life. I went hands-on with Metaphor: ReFantazio at Summer Game Fest 2024, spending one hour split across three different self-contained portions of the game. Unsurprisingly, Metaphor: ReFantazio feels very familiar to Persona in terms of core gameplay loop, but it still manages to stand out in several ways in its story, gameplay mechanics, and characters. Related: Fitness Boxing Feat. Hatsune Miku Gets in the Ring on Switch This Fall The first portion of the demo was called “Scenario,” which showed off some of the game’s story. It introduced Gallica, the protagonist's fairy companion. Much like Persona , the protagonist can choose different dialogue options to respond to other characters.

Sanrio's ever-popular Hello Kitty is the latest character to receive a new collaboration with Retrospekt, debuting as a tomato for the limited-edition Fc-11 35mm film camera model.

Via a press release, retro-themed product manufacturer Retrospekt has released its new Hello Kitty Fc-11 35mm film camera. The camera goes for a summer feel, featuring a tomato aesthetic, a red and white gingham pattern reminiscent of a picnic loincloth, and custom Hello Kitty tomato artwork scattered across the camera body. Kitty White herself wears a tomato costume, while the camera's packaging embodies the same gingham pattern and more Hello Kitty artwork. The Hello Kitty Fc-11 35mm film camera was released on June 14, 2024, via the Sanrio and Retrospekt websites. Readers can check out the official images and teaser video below.

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Hello Kitty turns lifestyle as U.S.-based brand Kitsch...

I'm gonna knock you out! Miku said knock you out! Soon you'll be able to get your fitness on with everyone's favorite Vocaloid superstar, because Aksys Games announced fall release plans for Fitness Boxing feat. Hatsune Miku in the west. Featuring both a classic Fitness Boxing mode and the new "Miku Exercise" mode, the Nintendo Switch game will include 24 tracks, from "Melt" to "The Vampire." There will also be new special songs added into the mix, such as cosMo@Bousou-p's "Let's Mikusercise!!" While we wrap our heads around that word, it's also worth noting that there will be over 30 Bgm tracks from the Fitness Boxing series overall, making this the entry with the most songs to date. Fitness Boxing feat. Hatsune Miku Teaser Trailer Related: Wa-tah! Fitness Boxing Fist of the North Star Sets Date for the West Aksys Games describes the features: Train alongside your favorite Piapro characters. Hatsune Miku,...

Two of Japans most iconic pop culture franchises are pairing up thanks to an official collaboration between Sanrio and Sega. The partnership sees everyones favorite turquoise-haired Vocaloid, Hatsune Miku (among other characters), featuring on all-new merchandise together with the likes of Hello Kitty, Kuromi, My Melody and Pompompurin.

The merchandise, consisting of a collection of acrylic keychains released in three individual batches, or "volumes," is part of Sega Faves new capsule toy collaboration. The keychains are designed to be attached to bags, pouches or other items as an added accessory, with Volume 1 being released this month, Volume 2 in July and Volume 3 in August. Each keychain costs 400 yen -- approximately US$2.60 -- which can be collected from capsule toy corners throughout Japan (or via enterprising resellers).

Related Hello Kitty Releases Limited-Edition Blue Anniversary Watch for Cat & Dolphin Lovers Alike

Sanrio's Hello Kitty unveils a new limited-edition watch collaboration for her 50th anniversary,...

In keeping with our celebration of metal and anime here on Crunchyroll News, it's time to turn our attention to another band that's been influenced by the medium of anime in their creative process: Within Destruction. The Slovenia rockers sat down with me to chat about their latest single, "Animetal," and how their inspirations from anime have come to life. And what better way to do that than by premiering the music video for the song, right now, exclusively on Crunchyroll News? Check out the full interview below, where drummer Luka Vezzosi, vocalist Rok Rupnik, and guitarist Howie Fang break down their anime origins, but not before checking out the music video for "Animetal" right here: Can you tell me a little about your anime journey? How it started and where you are now? Did different members of the band have different pathways into anime? Luka: Everything started for...

Photo by Brianna Fox-Priest Hatsune Miku has the power to bring crowds wherever her virtual presence can be felt. Even drawing fans to a relaxed campus located in the city of Brotherly Love: Philadelphia. How does a virtual singer bring waves of die-hard fans and the equally curious to a local cafe? That’s the magic of Miku. Richie’s Cafe in Philadelphia isn’t just a local student hub, it now proudly can say it was the first North American Hatsune Miku collab cafe. When Richie’s Cafe’s Operational Manager, Tarik Dzemaili, came up with the idea to create a collab with Crypton Future Media’s Hatsune Miku, he never expected them to respond to his request, “It was a shot in the dark. I sent them an email not expecting a reply. But I got a reply the next day.” Related: Hatsune Miku is On...

Magic: The Gathering and manga fans, get ready to combine your powers, this time for a new release that's on the way from Viz Media. The publisher announced plans to bring writer Katsura Ise and illustrator Takuma Yakota's Destroy All Humans. They Can't Be Regenerated. A Magic: The Gathering Manga to North America in fall 2024, complete with an exclusive card. Related: Hatsune Miku is On the Cards for Magic: The Gathering Secret Lair Set Known in Japan as Subete no Jinrui o Hakai suru. Sorera wa Saisei Dekinai. , the series has been running in Monthly Shonen Ace magazine since November 2018. Synopsis: Seems like in everything he does, geeky Tokigawa Middle School student Hajime Kano always comes in second place behind popular honor student Emi Sawatari. But when Hajime takes a trip to a new game store he’s been hearing about, their rivalry takes an unexpected turn. Welcome to the...

Weekend One of the 2024 Coachella Music Festival has arrived and you can watch all of the live stream videos here!

YouTube will be livestreaming the festival all weekend long starting at 4pm Pt on Friday (April 12) and when live acts aren’t playing throughout the weekend, you’ll be able to watch replays.

Keep reading to find out more…In between sets, livestream viewers from around the world will be able to tune into exclusive on-the-ground coverage of the art, artists, creators, installations, and behind-the-scenes Shorts moments.

Some of the acts you can watch on Friday include Lana Del Rey, Sabrina Carpenter, Suki Waterhouse, Chloe Bailey, and Tinashe. You can check out the full lineup here!

Below each live stream video you can find the schedule for that channel.

Coachella 2024 on Coachella Stage | Weekend 1

Friday, April 12 – Coachella Stage:

4:00pm – Livestream begins

4:45pm – Young Miko

6:00pm – Sabrina Carpenter...

On Thursday, April 4, the Hatsune Miku Expo 2024 North American concert tour rolled out at the Thunderbird Arena in Vancouver, Canada. However, longtime Hatsune Miku fans expecting the traditional hologram experience were presented with an underwhelming TV screen presentation instead.

On social media, Miku Expo 2024 attendees are airing out their grievances over the mishandling of what should have been a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Vocaloid concert performances of Hatsune Miku deploy an optical illusion technique known as a Pepper's Ghost trick to make it appear as if the virtual pop star is performing live on stage. For reasons currently unknown, the North American tour discarded the Pepper's Ghost technique in favor of a plain LED TV. The results, as disappointed attendees have fiercely noted, are not the same. A TikTok video humorously comparing the traditional hologram performance of Hatsune Miku vs. her TV performance has gone viral.

Related Fairy Tail Sequel Highlights...

McDonald's has repurposed the infamous "Nyan Cat" song for one of its latest anime-style advertisements.

Those who frequented YouTube during the early 2010s may happen to remember Nyan Cat -- a three-minute animation of a pixelated gray cat riding a rainbow with Hatsune Miku's "nyanyanyan" song playing in the background. Shortly after its release, the video acquired meme status on social media, especially among anime fans. Now, McDonald's Japan has revived the classic meme in order to promote its "shakashaka" ("shake-shake") french fries. Featured on McDonald's Japan's official X (formerly Twitter) page, the ad features an anime-style school girl with cat ears and a tail dancing, with the lyrics of the revised song replacing "nyannyan" with "shakashaka."

Related McDonald's Unveils Its Newest Pokmon Happy Meal Toys McDonald's Japan has revealed its new Happy Meal toys for the fast-food giant's upcoming Pokmon collaboration. シャカã‚.？😸ðŸ.ŸðŸŒˆ#ShakaCat pic.

Seven Seas continued its Wonderful Wednesdays Twitter announcements today with three new titles set to release in a three-month window later this year, including a manga featuring Hatsune Miku and more. Hatsune Miku: Cantarella ~Poison of Blue~ by WhiteFlame and Ichika Hatsune Miku: Cantarella ~Poison of Blue~ is scheduled to release in September 2024. Synopsis: Cesare, the eldest child of the notorious Borgia household in fifteenth-century Italy, learns he has a sister he’s never met—Lucrezia. He is also given a poison called “Cantarella,” which has been handed down in the family for generations. The story unfolds after Cesare (here played by Kaito) meets Lucrezia (Hatsune Miku) for the first time... Cat Companions Maruru and Hachi by Yuri Sonoda Cat Companions Maruru and Hachi volume 1 is scheduled to release in August 2024. Synopsis: Maruru lived a pampered life till one day, he ran after a flock of sparrows and couldn’t find his way back home.

Seven Seas continued its Wonderful Wednesdays Twitter announcements today with three new titles set to release in a three-month window later this year, including a manga featuring Hatsune Miku and more. Hatsune Miku: Cantarella ~Poison of Blue~ by WhiteFlame and Ichika Hatsune Miku: Cantarella ~Poison of Blue~ is scheduled to release in September 2024. Synopsis: Cesare, the eldest child of the notorious Borgia household in fifteenth-century Italy, learns he has a sister he’s never met—Lucrezia. He is also given a poison called “Cantarella,” which has been handed down in the family for generations. The story unfolds after Cesare (here played by Kaito) meets Lucrezia (Hatsune Miku) for the first time... Cat Companions Maruru and Hachi by Yuri Sonoda Cat Companions Maruru and Hachi volume 1 is scheduled to release in August 2024. Synopsis: Maruru lived a pampered life till one day, he ran after a flock of sparrows and couldn’t find his way back home.

Hatsune Miku's long-awaited appearance at Coachella fulfills a promise from 2020, confirming her influence on the music scene. Miku's virtual origins and extensive discography make her Coachella performance a major step for the pop culture powerhouse. Despite being a fictional character, Miku's voice has created thousands of songs, highlighting the vibrant music community she represents.

The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival has announced that Hatsune Miku, Japan's most prominent virtual diva, will be performing during the three-day event. This fulfills a promise that went unanswered for four years after disruptions to the 2020 event. While the idol is popular around the globe, seeing her at one of the most important music events in the world further confirms the influence Vocaloid programs have on the music scene.

Reported separately by Pop Base's X account and Crunchyroll, the digital performer will be appearing on Saturday on two different weekends in April.

Image via Intergalactic Bound Music Video Four years ago, Coachella made the announcement that the one and only Hatsune Miku would be appearing on the first day of the 2020 festival alongside artists like Rage Against The Machine, Megan Thee Stallion, Madeon and many others. But due to the global pandemic , the Indio-going masses were not blessed with hearing Miku. On January 16, Coachella announced their 2024 festival lineup with Miku finally making her appearance on the Saturday of the event, held on April 13 and 20. Alongside Miku, other notable Japanese artists will join the music festival, including Yoasobi on Friday April 12 and 19, and Atarashii Gakko! on Sunday April 14 and 21. Presale tickets for Coachella go on sale, for those lucky enough to secure them, starting on Friday, January 19. Hatsune Miku will also embark on a 10th Anniversary Tour, powered by Crunchyroll, between April and May this year for Miku Expo 2024. So even if you...

Since its debut in 2018, Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkalion has been shaking up the anime scene with transforming train robots, big action, and crossovers with everything from Evangelion to Hatsune Miku. Fans of the series have even more to look forward to, as it's been confirmed that the franchise will be coming back for a third season — now with more heavy-hitting studios on board! The upcoming third season will be titled Shinkalion: Change the World , and will feature animation from Signal.MD and Production I.G ( Atom: The Beginning ). Smde will continue to handle CG animation. The protagonist of the new series is Taisei Onari, a second-year in junior high who transfers to a new school to search for his missing older sister. Not long after, a mysterious evil entity called the Unknown emerges for the first time in a decade. Fortunately, Japan's bullet trains have been modified to transform into robots to fight the Unknown.