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Shigeki Awai, one of the foremost animators and directors of Japan’s massive anime industry unfortunately passed away on March 19th, 2025. Awai was 71 at the time, and he left behind a legacy of hundreds of the industry’s most famous anime series to his name.

Shigeki Awai contributed to Naruto: Shippuden | Credits: Studio Pierrot

From industry headliners like Naruto, One Punch Man, Boruto, Black Clover, Attack on Titan, and many more, Awai has left his impression on pretty much every series anime fans have come to appreciate over the years.

Interestingly, what many don’t know is that he also helped create an anime that remains to this day one of the most underappreciated series in the industry. When honestly it should have been talked about much, much more.

Shigeki Awai helped create Bungo Stray Dogs into the shonen mammoth it turned out to be

Kafka Asagiri and Sango Harukawa...

The anime adaptation of The Exiled Heavy Knight Knows How to Game the System is sharing even more details today — from cast and staff to a fresh new teaser trailer! Most importantly, the upcoming fantasy series announced its 2026 premiere. Check out the second teaser for the series, showcasing some of the action to come: Related: The Exiled Heavy Knight Knows How to Game the System Anime Adaptation Announced This second teaser also showcases the anime's three leads: Elymas Edvan voiced by Takeo Otsuka (Aqua Hoshino in Oshi no Ko ) Luce Rubis voiced by Shion Wakayama (Momo Ayase in Dan Da Dan ) Maris Edvan voiced by Natsuko Abe (Nya Nia in Tower of God ) Elymas Edvan / Takeo Otsuka Luce Rubis / Shion Wakayama Maris Edvan / Natsuko Abe The main staff for the project was also revealed: General Director: Shingo Suzuki Chief Director : Tetsukazu Yamagishi Director: Katsumasa Yokomine Character Design: Takayuki Uchida Chief Animation Director: Keiji Tani,...

Aleks Le, the official English-language voice actor for Sung Jinwoo in the Solo Leveling anime series, has earned significant status within the anime community thanks to his remarkable vocal performance. However, Solo Leveling's official North American publisher has revealed an appreciation for Le that seems entirely unrelated to his acting abilities.

On X (formerly Twitter), Yen Press' official company account recently shared a comical reaction to one of Le's selfie posts. "Bark Bark Bark Bark Bark Bark Bark," Yen Press commented on the actor's thread -- a crude yet comedic expression of the staff's appreciation for Le's physical appearance. The same account later posted a somewhat tongue-in-cheek apology for their "behavior" towards Le. These posts led to a wave of shocked -- yet sympathetic -- responses from Le fans, many of whom also admitted to finding the actor extremely attractive.

Solo Leveling's Sung Jinwoo Voice Actor Responses to Webtoon Publisher's...

Anime piracy has been a persistent issue for years with popular Shonen Jump series, but a new report highlights just how widespread the problem has become in 2024. With the rise of streaming services and increasing subscription costs, many fans are turning to illegal sites to watch their favorite series. Despite the industry's efforts to curb piracy, it continues to thrive, affecting both anime studios and legal streaming platforms. The latest data reveals that multiple anime series rank among the most pirated TV shows of the year, underscoring how deeply ingrained this issue has become.

The list of the most pirated shows in 2024, from plagiarismtoday.com, includes major anime titles like That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime season 3, My Hero Academia season 7, and Solo Leveling season 1. These popular series, alongside others like Dandadan and Blue Lock season 2, are competing with Western hits such as House of the Dragon and...

Korean online comics have existed since the early days of the internet in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The industry saw significant growth when Naver launched its Webtoon platform in 2004, fueling Korea’s digital content expansion. Popular series like Solo Leveling, Tower of God, and Noblesse later received anime adaptations in Japan, strengthening the connection between Korean webtoons and Japanese anime.

A major announcement in a leading South Korean financial newspaper revealed that Naver Webtoon’s Japanese service, Line Manga, is launching a project this year to produce 20 webtoons as anime adaptations. CEO Kim Shin-bae emphasized that the initiative is part of a broader effort to expand webtoon-based intellectual property (IP) into new formats, including TV dramas, films, and anime.

Naver's New Initiative Could Represent The Future Of Anime Korean Webtoons And Japanese Anime Studios Join Forces

Kim Shin-bae, who leads Line Digital Frontier, explained, "We are focusing on...

Manhwa has been steadily rising in popularity among international fans, offering fresh perspectives and unique storytelling. While manga and manhwa each have their own appeal, manhwa has made significant strides in both storytelling and art, carving out its own space in the comic world. Cultural differences may influence preferences, but many fans appreciate what manhwa brings to the table.

One major advantage of manhwa is its accessibility. Designed for digital reading, it’s more mobile-friendly than manga, making it perfect for fans on the go or winding down at night. Additionally, manhwa introduces readers to a different cultural landscape, offering a refreshing and exciting new experience for manga lovers.

Manhwa’s Full-Color Art Makes It Easier to Follow Than Manga Manga is Mostly Still a Black & White Format

Many manhwa, like Something About Us and Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke's Mansion, have full-color art in every chapter.

While Shonen Jump is home to some of the most beloved manga, manhwa offers its own collection of must-read stories that keep fans coming back for more. From gripping villainess dramas to action-packed fantasy adventures, Korean webcomics have something for everyone.

Since manhwa originates from South Korea and manga from Japan, both mediums explore similar themes and genres in unique ways. This difference in storytelling broadens readers' perspectives, offering fresh takes on familiar concepts. Whether it's romance, action, or psychological thrillers, diving into manhwa allows fans to experience their favorite genres from a whole new angle.

My Beloved Oppressor's Complex Characters Are Enough to Hook Fans Available on Webtoon

My Beloved Oppressor isn't an easy manhwa to read, as it deals with a ton of heavy topics such as abuse, but MyBeloved Oppressor tackles these heavy topics without romantacizing them. It causes readers to think about their own moral compass...

Fans have already claimed Solo Leveling’s second season as one of the best anime of 2025 and we’re only 3 months in. A-1 Pictures, the studio behind Solo Leveling, has done a fantastic job.

Other manhwa-to-anime adaptations, however, haven’t been receiving the same amount of love and effort from their studios. Recently, Studio A-Cat released their preview of The Beginning After The End’s anime adaptation, and fans are not impressed.

Arthur Leywin from The Beginning After The End. [Credit: Studio A-Cat]

Considering the mediocre nature of its animation, fans begrudgingly joke that all the energy towards a great manhwa-to-anime adaptation will go towards Solo Leveling. Tower of God, too, was a disappointment after the quality dipped in Season 2.

One manhwa, in particular, has a special place in any anime fans’ hearts: Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint. It’s coming soon to Crunchyroll, although the studio and potential release date are unknown. However,...

Popular webtoon The Beginning After the End, is all set to receive its anime debut in April 2025. Fans of the manhwa had been pretty excited about the release, that is until more and more details were revealed about the upcoming adaptation. As I keep going through more and more promotional materials, a deep-seated fear inside me seems to be coming true.

Fans of The Beginning After the End are scared for its fate | Credits: Studio A-Cat

After the huge success of Solo Leveling, fans naturally hoped for a similar adaptation for Tbate. However, everything from its trailer and visuals to promotional materials has been nothing but mid. Thus I am forced to think that what if Tbate becomes the next Tower of God?

The Beginning After the End anime might not have a bright future ahead Tbate anime has not shown any impressive potential so far | Credits: Studio A-Cat

First of all,...

It would be an understatement to say Solo Leveling is popular. The series is gaining cult fan following and notoriety in every possible way. This is true for the second season that notched up every element in the series. It is coming to a close which has fans worried for the most part and here’s why.

Jinwoo cries as he reunites with his mother | Credit: A-1 Pictures

The second season’s ending, particularly, has most fans worried, especially with the latest update. From shock and disbelief to hope, users responded differently to the news. Other than that, the finale also raises several questions regarding the series’ potential pacing.

Solo Leveling Season 2 update disappoints fans

To be one of the highest rated anime is indeed a big win for Solo Leveling. But what makes it so special is its elements be it characters or worldbuilding. The series often doesn’t...

When initially announced that J Balvin would be doing the voice of Tusk in the English version of Solo Leveling, fans were worried. The globally renowned reggaeton artist had never done voice acting for anime previously, so his casting was unexpected. While the promotional push behind his involvement suggested it was going to be a major selling point, the reality of his performance told a different story.

A scene from Solo Leveling Season 2. | Credit: A-1 Pictures

Some of the fans struggled even to understand the lines of Tusk in the dub, leading to widespread complaints. Even some of the experienced dub watchers had to put on closed captions. Rather than raising the dub, J Balvin’s performance turned out to be one of its greatest flaws, leading to discussions about how Solo Leveling‘s English version could recover from the damage.

Aleks Le: Can he save Solo Leveling‘s dub reputation?...

New data has revealed the most pirated TV series of 2024, as anime all streamed by the popular streaming service Crunchyroll -- including the likes of Solo Leveling, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, Dandadan and more -- dominate the list.

Via Plagiairism Today, Variety reported on data analytics company Muso's new data drop on 2024's top 10 most pirated TV series, which were heavily dominated by Japanese anime titles. Crunchyroll exclusively licensed all these anime titles except for Dandadan Season 1, which it streamed alongside Netflix. The unfortunate honor of most pirated TV series went to That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime (Tensura) Season 3, followed by My Hero Academia Season 7 and Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Season 2. Readers can check out the top 10 most pirated TV series below.

RelatedCrunchyroll Finally Confirms Solo Leveling as Most-Watched New Anime of 2024

Solo Leveling Season 1 is confirmed as 2024's most-watched new anime in...

Fandom debates can be heated and frustrating and Solo Leveling is no different. Like most series in the shonen genre, it isn’t isolated from burning questions. The best example of this is the ongoing Igris versus Beru debate though, fans may have found their answer after all.

Sung Jinwoo in a still from Season 2 of the anime | Credit: A-1 Pictures

Now, we all know that both are prime and superior in their strength and kill. They’re evenly matched with the Ant King shadow outrivalling the Blood Red commander. Here, the latter takes the cake for several reasons, which also makes him one of the well-written characters in the manhwa.

Igris versus Beru is a neverending debate

Igris and Beru bear semblance to each other in their loyalty to Sung Jinwoo and being the strongest shadows. Both were the duty-bound and loyal shadows of the former monarchs Ant King and Ashborn.

Ever since Chugong’s Solo Leveling received an anime adaptation, the industry has opened its gate to a lot of other manhwa and webtoons, which has broadened the horizon in a major way. It has helped the manhwa community establish its place on a global level and get more opportunities in terms of anime adaptations for other major projects.

Tower of God Season 1 | Credit: Telecom Animation Films

However, what many fans don’t know is that Solo Leveling was not the first manhwa to get an anime adaptation and clear the path for others. It was Tower of God, which was written and illustrated by S.I.U. Tower of God was one of the first manhwa to get an anime adaptation, and its global success brought attention to the wider anime industry.

But the only problem was, after its first season, Tower of God saw a major downfall in terms of fame and popularity,...

"Revered yet w(e)ary." Flanked by two incoming characters and familiar allies, Naofumi sits atop the throne in a brand-new visual unveiled for the much-anticipated fourth season of The Rising of the Shield Hero anime today. Cast members for the beastly pair and a July 2025 broadcast date were also revealed. Crunchyroll previously confirmed that it will stream the new series. The Rising of the Shield Season 4 Visual The newly announced cast members are as follows: Werner voiced by Takeo Otsuka (Jinshi in The Apothecary Diaries ) Jaralis voiced by Jiro Saito (Denken in Frieren: Beyond Journey's End ) Werner Jaralis Related: The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 4 Anime Announced Based on the light novels by Aneko Yusagi and Seira Minami, the most recent season of The Rising of the Shield Hero was directed by Hitoshi Haga ( Made in Abyss assistant director) at studio Kinema Citrus, with series composition by...

Ahead of Blue Box 's 22nd episode broadcast on Thursday, the anime's official website and accounts revealed the casting of Yuki Kaji (Kenma in Haikyu!! ) as Kazuma Matsuoka, a member of Eimei High School's boys' basketball team who returns from studying abroad in the United States. Related: Blue Box Anime Cour 2 Shares Creditless Opening, Ending Videos Based on the manga by Koji Miura, Yuichiro Yano ( Lupin The 3rd Part 5 ) directs the Blue Box anime at studio Telecom Animation Film, with series composition by Yuko Kakihara ( The Apothecary Diaries ), character designs by Miho Tanino ( Tower of God ) and music by Takashi Omama ( Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury ). Viz Media publishes an official English version of the manga and describes the story: Taiki admires Chinatsu from afar, but he doubts that she sees him in the same way. Yet somehow, he musters up the courage to tell her to never give up on her dreams!

Chugong made waves with their Manhwa Solo Leveling, especially through its compelling storyline and characters. The series made its iconic comeback with the anime’s second season. This also boosted its popularity worldwide with its diverse fanbase. However, a recent update will have most fans on cloud nine.

Sung Jinwoo in a still from Season 2 of the anime | Credit: A-1 Pictures

This is true for the author’s return after their hiatus which will shape the course of future projects. Their return is pivotal for the franchise to offshoot its sequels and other projects. It is beneficial, yes, but it is also a win-win situation for the series in most cases, and here’s why.

Chugong’s return from hiatus delights fans

Almost a decade back, Chugong started their journey as a manhwa writer. Back then, manhwas were relevant and known within a limited group of people. With webcomics’ digital accessibility,...

As the immersive world of manhwa continues to reach international countries, those who are hardcore fans of manga and manhua can enjoy full and exciting stories. From tense apocalyptic settings to sweet, slice-of-life romances, manhwa covers every genre. With an endless supply to satisfy everyone's itch, there are hundreds of bingeworthy manhwa's that will keep readers up at night.

From hit successes like Solo Leveling and Tower of God, it's safe to say that some of these manhwa might make it to the big screen. Some have already made their stellar debut in the K-Drama world, while others have become smashing anime productions. These bingeworthy manhwa can make it to the big screen as well and become a big success if given the opportunity to.

Related10 Best Anime Based on Manhwa, Ranked

Manhwa to anime adaptations continue to make an impact on the anime world with its rich story and incredible animations.

Amazing anime adaptations for manhwa's have been on the rise, with works like Solo Leveling and Tower of God being huge successes within the anime community. For those who enjoy manga and are looking for something to spruce up their reading log, manhwa offers a whole new selection of stories that dive into a different sort of culture that feels both familiar yet different.

As manhwa has become more popular in the anime world, fans of manhwa get to see some of their favorite ones adapted to the big screen with stunning animation and amazing soundtracks that do their story justice. This is a fantastic step forward for anime, since manhwa approach storytelling differently. With their refreshing take on loved genres, fans of anime will find refreshing re-tellings of their favorite type of stories.

RelatedThe 10 Best Manhwa With Female Protagonists That Become Badass After Reincarnation

The most popular manhwa are often action or adventure-based,...

Power levels are a common trope in anime and for good reason. Power levels allow a particular story to showcase a character's strength and compare them to other characters in an accessible way based on a numerical value. A number, however, doesn't always tell the entire story regarding an anime character's strength. Sometimes magical talent, feats, or a rank within a larger hierarchical system are the best indicators of power or strength.

Every anime features different types of power levels and how such power is classified. From a simple crystal ball to a gadget or even an entire political structure, anime showcases power levels in unique ways to make certain characters appear more powerful to the average person. While not every power level is revealed in the same way, there are a few common tropes to look out for in anime.

My Hero Academia has a Tiered Hero System Streaming...

Sakamoto Days anime is the talk of the town, but it is definitely not in a good way. The series is facing major backlash from fans because of its lackluster adaptation of Yuto Suzuki’s masterpiece. But that isn’t the only reason why most fans are angry.

Sung Jinwoo in a still from the anime | Credit: A-1 Pictures

To be fair, botched animation is a dealbreaker for most fans, and in this case, Tms Studio rendered Suzuki’s style cartoonish and bland. But what didn’t sit well with most fans was the anime abandoning one of the key aspects that made the series superior.

In this case, Solo Leveling takes the cake despite being too serious and grave. The anime stands as a well-put and perfectly done manhwa adaptation in every way. It would be safe to say that A-1 Pictures went out of their way to carve it a masterpiece.

A brand-new trailer and key visual released for Bye Bye, Earth Season 2 today announced that the action fantasy anime will return to Japanese television on April 4, 2025 at 23:30 Jst . The opening and ending songs, "Aufheben" by Who-ya Extended and "Moonwork" by Asca, respectively, are also previewed. The full trailer on YouTube is region-locked at the time of reporting. A partial version is available from X (formerly Twitter) below. Bye Bye, Earth Season 2 Main Trailer Bye Bye, Earth Season 2 Key Visual Related: Bye Bye, Earth Season 2 Anime Premieres in April 2025 Based on the novel by Tow Ubukata, Yasuto Nishikata ( Hortensia Saga ) directs Bye Bye, Earth at studio Liden Films, with series composition by Hiroyuki Yoshino ( Strike the Blood ), character designs by Yuki Hino and music by Kevin Penkin ( Tower of God ). Crunchyroll streams the anime and describes the story: Belle Lablac doesn’t really fit in as the only human being...

The 7th Annual Global Demand Awards have named the most in-demand anime of 2024 worldwide, beating out several other heavy hitters from the year, including the likes of One Piece and Solo Leveling.

The Global Demand Awards are produced by Parrot Analytics, which touts the Awards as "Entertainment's Only data-backed awards show." The awards are entirely determined by global fan activity with no judges or voting committees involved, using the year's demand data captured over the full year. The finalists were determined using data collected between Jan. 1 and Oct. 31, 2024, although the winner was decided using the full year's worth of data. The finalists considered were My Hero Academia, Solo Leveling, One Piece, Demon Slayer and Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, with My Hero Academia claiming the title.

RelatedNew My Hero Academia Anime Spinoff Series Sets Release Date With Exciting Trailer Reveal

Based on Mha creator Kohei Horikoshi's original concept, the popular...

Solo Leveling has become the latest obsession among anime fans, with Season 2 solidifying the manhwa’s legacy and propelling the franchise to new heights. Season 2 has just begun, yet it’s already receiving praise as an early contender for anime of the year.

The first three episodes alone have delivered relentless action, featuring battles that rivaled some of the best from Season 1. Following Jinwoo’s climb of the Demon Castle in Episode 3, he decides it is time to get his Hunter rank re-evaluated.

Sung Jinwoo joining the mining team for an A-rank dungeon raid | Credits: A-1 Pictures

Solo Leveling‘s return has been nothing short of spectacular, and Episode 4 delighted fans by finally introducing the first interaction between Jinwoo and Cha Hae-In, one of the series’ most beloved pairings. While the anime has faced criticism for altering parts of the manhwa’s narrative, the latest episode truly stood out as a highlight.

Spoiler Alert !!!This article contains spoilers for Solo Leveling Episode 16.

For some reason, I have always been a big fan of the reassessment arc in Solo Leveling. It felt cool to me when I first read it and that didn’t change when I came back to it. So it would be an understatement to say that I was anticipating the arc getting animated from the very first season. When you first watch or see something, there is a sort of filter that almost masks the flaws and romanticizes the image in front.

Go Gunhee | Credit: A-1 Pictures

It is why in many cases, a rewatch is advised for better judgment. For the anime, the arc might have been more of a saving grace than a turning point. So far the season has been jumping from one active scene to another, leaving no room for a breather or a break.

The battle between the sub and the dub versions is one of the longest ongoing duels in the history of anime. While this battle has been mostly won by the sub-version, there are a few instances where the dub version has prevailed. Recently, it was seen in the second episode of the Solo Leveling anime series Season 2, “Solo Leveling: Arise from the Shadow.“

Solo Leveling Season 2 | Credit: A-1 Pictures

While the sub version tries its best to adapt the entirety of the manhwa into the anime’s story, it recently ignored a minor detail that was quite significant for Sung Jinwoo’s character. And although the sub version overlooked it, the dub version didn’t give up on that opportunity and made sure to include it in the episode, which in turn earned all the praise and appreciation.

Sung Jinwoo’s English voice actor, Aleks Le, shared a tweet on...

Solo Leveling introduced many new fans to the world of manhwa, as it makes the perfect getaway series given its popularity and simplicity. The manhwa is massively popular, and the anime is doing justice to every aspect of the manga with the glorious animation. Studio A-1 Pictures has done a great job, and with the second season currently airing, the overall quality of the anime seems to be getting better.

Igris and Sung Jinwoo during the fight against Baruka in Solo Leveling | Credits: Studio A-1 Pictures

However, Solo Leveling anime might be setting the bar too high for the upcoming anime adaptations of the popular manhwa series. The Tower of God anime serves as a cautionary tale, and fans should be prepared for the worst as more and more manhwa series gear up for their anime debut.

Solo Leveling is getting top-tier treatment

Solo Leveling anime began its run during...

Solo Leveling has become the newest obsession for anime fans, with Season 2 cementing the legacy of the manhwa and elevating the franchise to greater heights. Besides all the criticism of Season 1, A-1 Pictures wrapped up the Red Gate arc adaptation with flawless execution from beginning to end.

Solo Leveling started 2025 off on the right foot, breaking records and solidifying the manhwa’s status as an icon. Season 2 has just begun, yet it’s already receiving praise as an early contender for anime of the year.

A still of Sung Jinwoo from the Season 2 opening | Credits: A-1 Pictures

Indeed, Solo Leveling is back more fabulous and exciting than ever, making everyone eager for the next episodes. As it continues to dominate the anime world and gain global popularity, the series must carefully navigate a major flaw from the manhwa—one that sparked significant backlash and could negatively impact the anime’s success.

When Solo Leveling made its anime debut, its fans had already been waiting for too long. They celebrated the long-anticipated adaptation of a beloved webtoon.

Baam in the Tower of God opening 1. [Credit: Telecom Animation Film]

A very famous webtoon getting adapted isn’t the first time, but Solo Leveling reached new heights with its reach extending all over the world and receiving massive acclaim.

However, for fans of Tower of God, the Solo Leveling series’ meteoric rise was a painful reminder of how poorly their own favorite manhwa was treated when it was adapted into anime.

Tower of God’s anime adaptation was a massive failure

While both manhwa are titans of the webtoon world, Tower of God has a longer history and has been well acclaimed for having a deeper, more complex story. Yet, its anime adaptation has failed spectacularly to capture the essence of the incredible tale that...

2024 is in the books and we’re on to 2025, but before we fully get into the new year, let’s look back at your favorite anime opening themes from the past year. We had you vote every season over the course of the year and finally, one final time, as we pitted every top five against each other to see which openings would reign supreme as the best of the best. Will we see some surprise entries or will our previous winners continue to stay on top? Let’s dive into these results to find out! What 2024 Anime Openings Were in the Poll? Here's a quick rundown of all the anime openings that were in the running. These are the openings that were in the top five of our fan polls over the course of 2024. Top Winter Anime 2024 Openings Check out all Winter Anime 2024 OPs here! 5. "Ambivalent" by Uru ( The Apothecary Diaries...

Anime fans are no strangers to disappointment. Every year, a slew of highly anticipated shows fail to live up to their hype, leaving viewers scratching their heads and questioning where it all went wrong. Unfortunately, 2024 was no exception, with several titles that managed to stand out for all the wrong reasons. From poorly executed adaptations to uninspired sequels, this year had many shows that made anime history, just not in the way anyone hoped.

Even the most loyal anime fans can find their patience tested by a string of disappointing releases. This year, several titles failed to deliver on their promises, leaving fans with a mix of frustration and regret. Some were plagued by technical shortcomings or poor storytelling, while others fell victim to unrealistic expectations. Whatever the reason, these series became the worst that 2024 anime had to offer.

Tower of God: Return of the Prince A Promising Sequel That...

The anime community is buzzing with excitement, as The Beginning After the End, a.k.a, Tbate recently announced its anime adaptation for a 2025 release window. With its captivating mix of fantasy, reincarnation themes, and character-driven storytelling, The Beginning After The End is a must-watch for anime fans this year.

The Beginning After the End arguably ranks among the most popular Korean manhwa, boasting a massive following that has eagerly awaited adaptation news for years.

Arthur from The Beginning After the End manhwa Season 6 | Credits: Tapas

The manhwa series has earned acclaim for its rich character development, immersive world-building, and thoughtful exploration of themes like power, loss, and redemption. Amid the immense hype from the isekai community surrounding Tbate’s release, it might surprise some that the author drew no inspiration from other isekai series when crafting the light novel.

Tbate author reveals: No inspiration taken from other Isekai series...

Japanese rock band Macaroni Empitsu released their latest digital single song "Saraba" ("If So") on January 3, 2025, and also posted the song's music video on their official YouTube channel . The song is now featured as the opening theme for the TV anime Blue Box 's ongoing second cour. Macaroni Empitsu "Saraba" Music Video The music video is directed by Motherfucko , known for her Mv works for popular J-pop artists such as Daichi Miura, Generation from Exile Tribe, CreepHyp, and Scandal. She said on the band's official website about this music video: "I created a story with two time lines: the members in their student days and the members who have grown older. I hope you enjoy the sad love story of their student days and the cool performance scenes. Please take a look at the many wonderful photos of their memories." "Saraba" digital jacket featuring actor Akari Takaishi Macaroni Empitsu artist...

After the broadcast of the latest 13th episode of the Blue Box TV anime in Japan last night, Telecom Animation Film's official YouTube channel started streaming the creditless opening and ending videos for the anime's second cour. Blue Box Cour 2 Creditless Opening Video Blue Box Cour 2 Creditless Ending Video The new opening theme song "Saraba" ("If So") is performed by the four-member Japanese rock band Macaroni Empitsu . As their fourth anime theme song work, "Saraba" digitally released on January 3, 2025. Macaroni Empitsu artist photo The new ending theme song "Contrast" is sung by singer-songwriter Tomoo . This is her first anime theme song work. "Contrast" will be available digitally on January 8. Tomoo artist photo Related: Blue Box Anime Previews New Theme Songs in Cour 2 Trailer Based on the manga by Koji Miura, Yuichiro Yano ( Lupin The 3rd Part 5 ) directs the Blue Box anime at studio Telecom Animation Film, with series composition...

A-1 Pictures' popular Solo Leveling picks up a rather nice accolade before Season 2 premieres this January as MyAnimeList data crowns it 2024's most popular anime.

The popular anime database and tracker MyAnimeList revealed its most popular anime of 2024. MyAnimeList allows users to add a series to their account to indicate their current watch progress -- while these can include members who plan to watch the series but have not yet, this is generally negligible and can be discarded. Unsurprisingly, Solo Leveling Season 1 was the most popular anime of 2024, leading Demon Slayer: Hashira Training Arc in second by a massive 246k member lead. It led Dandadan in third by 271k. The top 10 list can be seen below.

Related 'I Am Alive Thanks to All of You': Spy x Family Gets Positive Update From Series Creator

Spy x Family creator Tatsuya Endo begins the New Year with a heartwarming message directed toward...

Manhwa's have been on the global rise for quite some time and with it, a ton of oversea fans have been exposed to some of the greatest stories. Some have made it onto the big screen, such as Solo Leveling and Tower of God, two popular action-adventure manhwa's that have received anime adaptations.

The great thing about manhwa's is how most of them are in full-color format, which brings these stories even more to life. With stunning stories and an equally stunning artstyle, these manhwa's will have any fan binge-reading late into the night.

Related The 10 Best Manhwa With Female Protagonists That Become Badass After Reincarnation

The most popular manhwa are often action or adventure-based, but here are some with badass female protagonists that are just as great.

Wind Breaker Shows That Sometimes You Have To Fight To Get Where You Want To Be Status: Ongoing

Wind Breaker follows the story of Jay,...

Continuing Crunchyroll News tradition, we bring seasonal tidings from across the world of anime for the final time in 2024! Santa and reindeer outfits, sweet treats, dazzling decorations and gracious gifts light up December 25 in holiday-themed artwork from many of our favorite titles and more, which you unwrap below. Related: Roundup: Anime Celebrates 2023 Holiday Season with Festive Visuals and Illustrations Aggretsuko via official X (formerly Twitter) Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian via official X (formerly Twitter) Anne of Green Gables via official X (formerly Twitter) Bleach via official X (formerly Twitter) Butt Detective via official X (formerly Twitter) Code Geass via official X (formerly Twitter) Cultural Exchange with Game Center Girl via author's X (formerly Twitter) Demon Lord 2099 via official X (formerly Twitter) Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba via official X (formerly Twitter) Digimon via official X (formerly Twitter) Doraemon via official X (formerly Twitter) Dragon Ball...

Get ready, Solo Leveling fans! The countdown is almost over. Crunchyroll’s most sensational anime of the year, Solo Leveling, is finally returning with its long-awaited season 2, which is set to debut on January 4, 2025.

Season 2 will pick up right where the gripping first season left off; this new chapter promises more thrills, action, and jaw-dropping moments. Following the excitement for Season 2, Solo Leveling‘s latest film -ReAwakening- has been a huge hit among fans.

Sung Jinwoo in the Season 2 Trailer. [Credit: A-1 Pictures]

The movie provides a recap of the series’ first season, followed by the exclusive premiere of the first two episodes of Season 2. Though Season 1 of the anime faced some criticism, the ReAwakening film teased a sequel ready to silence the negativity. Season 2 holds promise, but the anime studio may struggle to capture the manhwa’s legacy, especially Jinwoo’s evolving personality, which resonated deeply with readers.

Solo Leveling...

Robin Williams is an esteemed actor celebrated for his contribution to the Hollywood film industry. Be it John Keating in Dead Poets Society or Alan Parrish in Jumanji, Williams was a versatile character in every aspect.

Little do people know that Williams was obsessed with anime. In particular, he was drawn toward the cyberpunk genre as a whole be it Apple Seed or Ghost in the Shell. However, his film featured a cameo so iconic, that fans remember it to this date.

Asuka in a still from the anime | Credit: Gainax

The film featured a cameo of Neon Genesis Evangelion and its misaligned theme. The clip garnered an array of comments which are nothing short of hilarious. The misinterpreted essence coupled with the fan edit made it comical.

Interestingly, it sheds light on the disturbing and unsettling themes in the anime. As one of the revolutionary series in the mecha genre,...

It isn’t often that we come across just and faithful adaptations and in that aspect, Solo Leveling takes the cake with its superior animation and stellar visuals. It is a visual masterpiece par excellence.

With A-1 Pictures headlining the second season, it is set to outdo the previous one. That, in turn, sets a contrast with other manhwas that are seemingly plagued by the curse of botched adaptations.

Sung Jin Woo in a still from the anime | Credit: A-1 Pictures

A clear example of this is Tower of God which failed miserably in its second season. Despite its riveting plot and unique world-building, it flatlined in a key aspect compared to its contemporaries.

Solo Leveling is at the top of the range in most aspects

Solo Leveling is one of the very few manhwas that have made their way to the top. Be it plot, characters, or concept, it...

As the currently-airing anime adaptation approaches its halfway point, the Blue Box Jump Festa 2025 stage event today released a brand-new trailer, key visual, theme song details and more cast for the sports rom-com series' second cour. The anime's broadcast resumes on January 2, 2025. Macaroni Empitsu ( Oblivion Battery ending theme song) performs "Saraba" for the next opening song and Tomoo performs "Contrast" for the next ending song, both of which are previewed in the trailer below, while the visual's tagline reads, "The one I like is—." Blue Box Cour 2 Trailer Blue Box Cour 2 Key Visual Kana Ichinose (Fern in Frieren: Beyond Journey's End ) joins the cast as Ayame Moriya. Ayame Moriya character design Related: Blue Box Anime Plays It by Ear in Creditless Opening, Ending Song Videos Based on the manga by Koji Miura, Yuichiro Yano ( Lupin The 3rd Part 5 ) directs the Blue Box anime at studio Telecom Animation Film, with series...

The official X (formerly Twitter) account for the Bye Bye, Earth anime today confirmed that Season 2 will begin releasing in April 2025 . Related: Bye Bye, Earth TV Anime Confirms Season 2 for 2025 Based on the novel by Tow Ubukata, Yasuto Nishikata ( Hortensia Saga ) directs Bye Bye, Earth at studio Liden Films, with series composition by Hiroyuki Yoshino ( Strike the Blood ), character designs by Yuki Hino and music by Kevin Penkin ( Tower of God ). Crunchyroll streams the anime and describes the story: Belle Lablac doesn’t really fit in as the only human being in a world full of anthropomorphic animals. No fangs, no fur, no scales, no claws. Lonely and eager to discover where she comes from, Belle journeys to find answers to the questions of her heart. Carrying nothing but her giant sword, the Runding, she faces a world of possibilities and pitfalls in hopes of discovering the truth. Source: Official...

While it may feel like it’s winter outside, we’ve still got some banger openings from the fall season for you to listen to while you’re all wrapped up in a blanket. There were a wealth of good options to choose from in the final season of 2024, but you made a choice on your favorite, and it was a decisive one. Let’s dive in to see which OPs you thought were the best of the best for fall! #5: Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World- - "Reweave" by Konomi Suzuki After a few years of being away, Re:zero -Starting Life in Another World- is back with yet another banger of an opening. This is of course a series known for having good OPs so it’s no surprise that Season 3 has brought us one that really gets you amped. There’s a perfect amount...

Anime fans worldwide are shaking with excitement for the upcoming releases that will arrive in 2025. This upcoming year promises to be one of the best so far regarding iconic series, as its roster has already introduced many shows that viewers cannot wait to enjoy. Among these long-awaited projects, one will be of interest to fans of the beloved Power Rangers franchise.

The Red Ranger Becomes an Adventurer in Another World is an Isekai anime that will blend the fantastical elements of this genre with the best of the Power Rangers saga. This show, which will begin airing in January 2025, has everything it needs to become an instant classic, as proven by the amazing trailer released on social media to announce the anime.

The Red Ranger Will Bring Justice To A New Land The Anime Blends Action and Fantasy ã€æ–°ç•ªçµ„】戦隊レッド 異世界ã...

The anime community is buzzing with excitement, as The Beginning After the End, a.k.a, Tbate recently announced its anime adaptation for a 2025 release window. Following the immense success of Solo Leveling and Tower of God, The Beginning After the End is poised to break multiple records and elevate Korean manhwas to global fame.

Arthur from The Beginning After the End manhwa | Credits: Tapas

Though Tbate has achieved remarkable success, the manhwa has suffered countless delays, and readers are thirsty for some sword and sorcery adventures. The author of Tbate created the series as a personal escape from his day job, never imagining it would rise to global fame.

Amidst the hype and high expectations, Tbate faces the daunting challenge of meeting manhwa readers’ standards, with the author candidly admitting he had to temper his ambitions after realizing the immense difficulty of the task.

Author Reflects on the Challenges...

Ahead of a January 5, 2025 broadcast debut in Japan, the official website and accounts for the I Want to Escape from Princess Lessons anime today revealed four additional cast members to join Haruka Shiraishi, Jun Fukuyama, Wataru Hatano and Yuka Saito, as follows: Louis voiced by Shun Horie (Kyotaro in The Dangers in My Heart ) Lyle voiced by Shunichi Toki (Ruka in Vampire Dormitory ) Lily voiced by Mie Sonozaki (Nana My Hero Academia ) Maria voiced by Rie Suegara (Endorsi in Tower of God ) Louis Lyle Lily Maria Related: I Want to Escape from Princess Lessons Anime Premieres on January 5, 2025 Based on the light novels by Izumi Sawano and Miru Yumezaki, Shinobu Tagashira directs and provides character designs for the I Want to Escape from Princess Lessons anime at studio Emt Squared, with Tomoko Kanemaki ( Kingdom Hearts manga) alongside as series composer. J-Novel Club publishes an official English version of the series...

2025 is only a few weeks away, but Solo Leveling fans still have a lot to look forward to this year. A brand-new English dubbed trailer for Solo Leveling -ReAwakening- just dropped, courtesy of Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment.

The latest Solo Leveling anime movie footage is the first English dub of the trailer. Sung Jinwoo, the former E-rank hunter turned one-man army, is played by Aleks Le. He’s best known for his roles as Ja Wangnan in Tower of God Season 2, Jin Enjoji in Dandadan, Lighter in Zenless Zone Zero and Zenitsu Agatsuma in Demon Slayer. Solo Leveling -ReAwakening- will open in North American theaters on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024.

Related "We'll See a Side of Cha Hae-in That Isn't So Composed": Solo Leveling Season 2 Gets Hype New Admission

Solo Leveling star Reina Ueda opens up about her character Cha Hae-in ahead of the anime's second season, teasing a less "composed" look.

From animation to plotline, Solo Leveling is nothing short of iconic. Based on the manhwa by Chu-gong, the anime was a full rager in its first season. Its unique take on strength and courage is what sets it apart from other series.

The concept of leveling up is a common theme among the new-age anime. But the series took it up a notch through its impeccable visuals. With the second season’s trailer, the series would be a real treat.

Sung Jin-Woo in a still from the anime | Credit: A-1 Pictures

Be it visuals or the opening song, fans can’t help but laud the trailer. For sure, it would be a complete banger in terms of its production quality. What’s even more interesting is that the series lived up to its title in most aspects.

Fans Respond to Solo Leveling Season 2 Trailer

Written by Chu-gong, Solo Leveling is...

Phantom thieves might be making a comeback in anime, if the recent announcement of Lupin the Third's first 2D movie in decades is any indication. For the uninitiated, Lupin the Third is a story about a master thief by the same name, grandson of fictional French gentleman thief Arsène Lupin. Lupin has a singular voice, bridging comedy and adventure with action, heart, and sex appeal. It's an essential formula in entertainment—because it works.

Debuting in 1967, the series would go on to become one of the most renowned and timeless anime franchises, with Lupin developing an iconic status in Japan and Italy and a devoted cult following elsewhere in the world. Lupin the Third has spawned countless movies, TV releases, and countless manga. Fans have even gotten in on the action, since Lupin's episodic format lends itself well to one-off stories that aren't "canon", per se. However, despite its prolific catalog of adventures,...

2024 is almost over, which means only one thing for Solo Leveling fans: Season 2 is nearly here. The highly anticipated new anime season, based on the hit manhwa fantasy series by Chugong, has revealed brand-new footage and its new musical performers.

Per a press release, Crunchyroll unleashed another trailer for Solo Leveling Season 2, teasing never-before-seen footage of the first two episodes. These episodes, "You aren't E-rank, are You?" and "I Suppose You aren't Aware," will accompany the North American theatrical screening of Solo Leveling -ReAwakening- on Dec 6, 2024. In addition to giving fans another taste of the breakthrough hit, Crunchyroll revealed the new musical performers behind Solo Levelings Season 2 anime opening theme song.

Related Solo Leveling: Arise Goes Dark With Chilling New Trailer for Jeju Island Raid

Solo Leveling: Ariseupdates fans with a new trailer for the upcoming Jeju Island Raid, featuring one of the series' strongest foes: the Ant King.