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Ahead of a July 2025 return to Japanese television, the Rent-a-Girlfriend stage event at AnimeJapan 2025 today unveiled a brand-new Season 4 teaser trailer and a date visual depicting Mami under an umbrella by the train tracks. Rent-a-Girlfriend Season 4 Teaser Trailer Rent-a-Girlfriend Season 4 Mami Date Visual Related: Rent-a-Girlfriend Season 4 Anime Splashes Down Over 2 Parts Starting July 2025 Based on the manga by Reiji Miyajima, Kazuomi Koga ( Kubo Won't Let Me Be Invisible ) returns to direct Rent-a-Girlfriend Season 4 at studio Tms Entertainment, with series composition by Mitsutaka Hirota ( Days with My Stepsister ), character designs by Kanna Hirayama ( Oshi no Ko ) and music by Kenichi Maeyamada. Crunchyroll streams the previous three seasons and describes the story: Kinoshita Kazuya is a 20-year-old failure of a college student. He managed to kiss his girlfriend once, but was dumped after a month. "Ugh... Damn it. I never want to go through that again." Completely spiteful, Kazuya uses a certain method to date a girl.

Streaming platforms have become a haven for anime fans, providing access to countless series and films at the click of a button. Unfortunately, licensing agreements often result in beloved titles leaving these services, and Hidive is no exception. Fans of heartwarming and hilarious romantic comedies will be dismayed to learn that Kubo Won't Let me Be Invisible, along with Giant Beasts of Ars and Spy Classroom, is set to leave the platform on January 15, 2025, at 00:00 Est.

This deadline looms close, so fans should plan their re-watches carefully. The departure of these shows highlights the importance of enjoying series while they are available and appreciating the fleeting nature of anime’s digital accessibility. For those who have not yet watched these gems, now is the perfect time to dive in before they vanish from streaming.

Why Kubo Won't Let Me Be Invisible Is a Must-Watch The Endearing Charm of Kubo Won't Let Me Be Invisible...

If your name is Henry Walton "Indiana" Jones Jr., look away now. As for the rest of you, we wish you a Happy New Year! And so do many of our favorite anime titles, among others, who've provided a hiss-toric number of Year of the Snake-themed artwork and depictions of characters keeping warm, visiting shrines and eating mochi to kick off 2025. Related: Roundup: Scale Up Your 2024 Celebrations with Over 100 Anime New Year's Visuals and Illustrations 9-nine- Ruler's Crown via official X (formerly Twitter) A Couple of Cuckoos via author's X (formerly Twitter) A Journey Through Another World: Raising Kids While Adventuring via author's X (formerly Twitter) A Sign of Affection via author's X (formerly Twitter) A Terrified Teacher at Ghoul School! via author's X (formerly Twitter) Actas Animation via official X (formerly Twitter) Aggretsuko via official X (formerly Twitter) Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian via official X...

Magic Maker: How to Create Magic in Another World Gets Anime Adaptation Slated for 2025 Release - Main Image

Another isekai series is coming soon, as Magic Maker: How to Create Magic in Another World has confirmed its anime adaptation with a 2025 release date window. Join Shion on his quest to bring magic to a world devoid of it in this thrilling fantasy anime.

Magic Maker Light Novel Series Announces Anime Adaptation

The isekai fantasy light novel series Magic Maker ~Isekai Maho no Tsukurikata~ (or How to Perform Alternate World Magic in English) confirmed that it is getting a TV anime adaptation by Studio Deen (of Sasaki and Miyano fame).

Also revealed were details about the anime’s cast and staff, along with a teaser visual and trailer highlighting the show’s magical fantasy setting and characters.

The anime’s announcement comes seven years after the original light novel by Kazuki...

My Dress-Up Darling made waves when it launched back in the Winter 2022 anime season as a refreshing romance anime series unlike any other. My Dress-Up Darling was an innocent seinen anime that combined high school hijinks, teen love, the power of cosplay, and comedy to create something wonderful that any comedy or romance fan can enjoy. There isn't yet news on a potential My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 for now, but in the meantime, new fans are always welcome to dive in and meet this anime's delightful main cast.

Season 1 of My Dress-Up Darling only introduced a small handful of characters, but each of them is a pleasure to meet and is well-written, meaning My Dress-Up Darling is quality over quantity with its cast. Each character has either a role to play in cosplay or a loving bond with a major cast member, giving this anime an intimate, cozy feeling where...

A post on Reddit breaking down exactly where anime main characters tend to sit when attending class during school hours has gone viral, and it highlights one clear favorite position.

Reddit user u/Math082r posted the chart on Dec. 26, 2023, composed of what he says is over 200 anime and the seats of their main characters. It corroborates what many fans have long felt is the most common trend -- that main characters sit next to the window and as far away from the chalkboard as possible. The post, viewable below, racked up over 10k upvotes in under a week, with the commonly held sentiment that this was "not the chart we needed but the chart we deserve."

Related Japan's Most Popular Ranking Site Reveals Strongest One Piece Straw Hats in Fan Vote Japan's #1 ranking website asked fans to vote for the strongest member of One Piece's Straw Hat pirate crew.

Kubo Won't Let Me Be Invisible showcases "softly aggressive" cuteness and explores the duality of wanting to be seen and overlooked. (Hidive) The Girl I Like Forgot Her Glasses explores a fresh spin on romance tropes with a cute and absurd basis for the relationship. (Crunchyroll) The Dangers in My Heart subverts stereotypes and deconstructs typical tropes in a dark premise, offering a unique take on romance. (Hidive)

2023 was an amazing year for romance anime. Popular series like My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999 and Yuri Is My Job! might have been so beloved for a reason, but put the true romance on the back burner. Some series like Endo and Kobayashi Live! might deconstruct popular otome and "villainess" Isekai while others like Our Dating Story might tear down tropes, but when up against long-running series like Rent-a-Girlfriend, they fall short.

Ironically, some returning series were negatively affected by...

Like live-action TV shows, Japanese anime usually relies on conflict, drama, and suspense to drive the story, which will keep the viewer engaged until the very end. Some of the most famous and well-regarded series are like that, such as the seinen title Monster or the heavy drama of Fruits Basket, but sometimes, anime fans want lighter fare.

Plenty of anime series are designed to make the viewer feel relaxed, happy, and optimistic about themselves and the world around them. Many of them are known as iyashikei, or conflict-free anime that are about a premise rather than a plot. Most feel-good anime series are true iyashikei, though a few others are comedy or romance with plenty of plot.

Updated on December 3rd, 2023 by Louis Kemner: This list of the best feel good anime has been updated and enhanced to adhere to Cbr's current publication standards.

Kubo Won't Let Me Be Invisible...

So far, 2023 has been an outstanding year for anime fans. The Fall 2022 season set an incredibly high bar that won't be cleared again anytime soon, but 2023 is still doing its best to keep the momentum going. Winter 2023 had great anime like Vinland Saga and Tokyo Revengers Season 2, while Spring 2023 had heavy hitters like Demon Slayer's third season and Oshi no Ko.

However, many other fine anime titles flew right under the radar because series like Demon Slayer and Mashle stole the show. Even if those overlooked anime series from 2023's first half aren't quite on par with Oshi no Ko and Vinland Saga and their kind, these overlooked series still deserve another chance. Anyone underwhelmed by 2023's offerings outside of Bleach and Jujutsu Kaisen is encouraged to go back and see what else 2023 had to offer.

Related: 10 Most Rewatchable Romance Anime

Don't Toy With Me, Ms. Nagatoro! 2nd Attack...

Many of the most popular Japanese anime titles involve action and combat, such as classic shonen titles like Dragon Ball Z or even the shojo series Fruits Basket, which sometimes shows Kyo and Yuki Sohma fighting people. Some anime are famous for their creative and engaging combat, like Chainsaw Man, but an anime doesn't need action sequences to be worth a watch.

Related: 10 Heroes Who Define Modern Anime

Hundreds of excellent anime series have no violence or action in them at all, not even the "violent tsundere" concept or characters kicking each other through the roof for comedy's sake. If an anime fans needs a break from martial arts, swords, and gunplay, they can tune into some outstanding anime where everyone uses their words, not their fists, to get ahead.

Bocchi The Rock!

Bocchi the Rock! was a surprise smash-hit of the Fall 2022 anime season, and some anime fans actually...

Slice-of-life Japanese anime is all about the familiar everyday adventures of real life, so the protagonists often feel down-to-earth compared to magical girls or shonen action leads. There's no single right way to design and write a slice-of-life anime protagonist. However, in the wake of so many generic self-insert characters, some audiences feel frustrated with these characters and long for a better-defined, more badass lead.

Slice-of-life has a reputation for being an easygoing, casual subgenre with gentle and vaguely defined self-insert protagonists to match. While there will always be an audience for that, it makes true badass slice-of-life protagonists stand out all the more, and that's what slice-of-life needs. Best of all, these badass Sol leads follow the key rules for protagonist design, regardless of genre.

Related: Slice-of-Life Has Become Anime's Most Boring Genre - And the Laziest

Badass Slice-Of-Life Protagonists Have Better Writing

Badass slice-of-life protagonists, rare as they are,...

The Winter 2023 season was a slow one for some anime fans. The returning series didn't do much to satisfy longtime fans, nor did many new series draw anyone in. This isn't to say that there was nothing good about the season. It's just that most of it felt tepid and sleepy. This lukewarm winter serves runs in sharp contrast to the following season.

Spring 2023 has been a stellar season for anime fans. It's full of great series, old and new. All of them are exciting, engaging, and leave audiences wanting more. The stimulation this season's anime brings is unlike anything fans have felt in a long time. It generates a brilliant burst of energy that feels like a proper kickoff for the new year.

Related: What Is the Third Eye – And Why Do So Many Anime Characters Have One?

What Good Anime Came Out in Spring 2023?

Part of the problem...

Studio Mappa's hit new series Hell's Paradise won't return for two weeks.

The anime's official Twitter account recently revealed that the series will take a one-week break following its latest installment. Episode 8, "Student and Master," was released on May 20, 2023, but the next outing has a slated release date of June 3, 2023, with no broadcast happening on May 27. Studio Mappa has yet to explain the unexpected delay at the time of writing.

Related: Hell's Paradise: Sagiri's Strength and Vulnerability Make Her the Perfect Heroine

【お知らせ】 第8話のご視聴ありがとうございました。 来週5月27日の放送・配信はお休みとなります。 第9話の放送・配信は6月3日となります。#地獄楽アニメ — 『地獄楽』公式 (@jplus_jigokurak) May 20, 2023 Hell's Paradise Fans' Reaction to the Delay

Hell's Paradise has been one of the most popular anime titles in the spring season, with many fans expressing their disappointment at having to wait for the next chapter in the tweet's replies. Many of them pointed to the series as one of...

Fans of Japanese anime and manga have more options than ever before on how they consume the latest content, from watching anime on platforms like Crunchyroll and Hidive to Blu-ray DVDs, digital manga platforms like Viz and of course, print media. Manga fans can enjoy great content either digitally or on paper, but they might not be sure which is better for them.

While there's no single definitive answer on whether print or digital media is better, manga fans can decide which works best for them after they weigh the pros and cons of each -- a similar experience that regular book readers have. Price is certainly a factor, as expected, but manga readers should also account for convenience and even their health when choosing how to read their favorite content.

Related: Naruto and One Piece Fan Uncovers the Manga Creators' Friendly Rivalry

The Perks of Reading in Digital Manga...