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Shohei Ohtani and Wife Mamiko Tanaka sent a heartwarming announcement that sent shockwaves through the sports world, Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani revealed on Saturday, December 28th, that he and his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, are expecting their first child.

The two-way phenom shared the exciting news on Instagram with a heartwarming photo. A pair of tiny gray shoes, a pink onesie, and an ultrasound image were carefully arranged alongside the couple’s beloved dog, Decoy, who seemed to be sharing in the excitement. “Can’t wait for the little rookie to join our family soon!” Ohtani wrote alongside the image, expressing his anticipation for the arrival of their little one.

Los Angeles Dogers Star Shohei Ohtani and Wife Mamiko Tanaka’s Joyful Announcement, Couple Expecting First Child

This joyous news comes just months after Ohtani publicly revealed his marriage to Tanaka in February 2024. Tanaka, a former professional basketball player...

The age of battles is upon us, and one Roboco is making their dreams come true! At the Me & Roboco special stage at Jump Festa 2025 today, the series announced that One Piece ’s Luffy will inspire a new character for the upcoming Me & Roboco anime film. Mayumi Tanaka, Luffy’s voice actor, will also take the reigns to voice this Roboco version. Tanaka joined the stage event dressed as a farmer with a proper straw hat. Can’t think of a reason why! Me & Roboco Anime Film Mayumi Tanaka Announcement Related: Me & Roboco Anime FIlm Unveils New Trailer, Teaser Visual Akitaro Daichi ( Fruits Basket ) continues to direct the Me & Roboco film at Studio Gallop. The film is set to release in Japan on April 18, 2025. Daichi also directed the 2022 TV anime series, alongside scripts by Sayuri Oba, character designs by Yuko Ebara and music by Jun Abe and Seiji Muto. Crunchyroll...

The live-action film Demon City will premiere on Netflix on February 27. Based on the comic Oni Goroshi, which ran from 2020 to November 2024, the story follows a hitman in the city of Shinjo seeking revenge for the tragic loss of his wife and daughter.

Known for its intense and graphic violence, the comic earned a devoted fanbase and is now being brought to life on screen.

The movie is written and directed by Seiji Tanaka, whose debut film Melancholic won multiple awards, including Best Director at the 31st Tokyo International Film Festival. Tanaka’s ability to blend drama, suspense, comedy, and horror has made him a standout filmmaker.

Toma Ikuta stars as Shuhei Sakata, the hitman determined to take down a masked criminal group ruling Shinjo. Ikuta, known for his emotional performance in Netflix’s Beyond Goodbye, takes on a grittier, action-packed role in this film.

The cast also features Matsuya Onoe,...

The live-action movie adaptation of Demon City is set to premiere on Netflix on February 27. It’s based on the comic Oni Goroshi, which ran from 2020 to November 2024. The story takes place in the city of Shinjo and follows a hitman seeking revenge after losing his wife and daughter.

The comic, known for its raw and intense violence, gained a loyal following and is now being adapted for the screen.

The film is written and directed by Seiji Tanaka, whose debut feature, Melancholic, won several awards, including Best Director at the 31st Tokyo International Film Festival. Melancholic mixed drama, suspense, comedy, and horror, showcasing Tanaka’s unique style as a filmmaker.

Toma Ikuta takes the lead role as Shuhei Sakata, a hitman bent on revenge against a group of masked criminals controlling Shinjo. Ikuta, who gave a heartfelt performance in Netflix’s Beyond Goodbye, now brings a darker, action-packed character to life.

Netflix Japan's official X (formerly Twitter) announced today that a live-action movie adaptation of Masamichi Kawabe's manga Onigoroshi will stream worldwide on February 27, 2025, under the title Demon City Onigoroshi . "Onigoroshi" literally means Demon Killer in Japanese. Kawabe's original manga ran in Nihon Bungeisha's Weekly Manga Goraku magazine from 2020 to 2024, with the final 16th volume set to release in Japan on February 28, 2025 — one day after the film's worldwide stream begins. The story is set in the provincial city of Shinjo and follows Shuhei Sakata, a professional killer who vows to avenge his beloved wife and daughter. Actor Toma Ikuta (Reiji Kikukawa in the Mogura no Uta live-action film series) plays the protagonist, Shuhei Sakata. "I will be starring in the Netflix movie 'Demon City Onigoroshi,' with almost no dialogue," said Ikuta. "I was given a difficult role that required me to express all my emotions in action. It's aggressive, Netflix!

In Chapter 6 of Season 1, Godzilla, the King of Monsters, arrives on the Fortnite Battle Royale island. Players can actually acquire a miniature version of the kaiju to place in their lockers so they can run around Battle Royale as their very own Godzilla, even though this enormous titan is anticipated to roam the Battle Royale map at some point in the future.

The Chapter 6 Season 1 Battle Pass of Fortnite has been released on December 1, 2024. | Credit: Epic Games.

The 1,000 V-Buck Battle Pass allows users to unlock Godzilla as a skin to use in the Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 1 experience. Players must wait patiently to claim Godzilla, though, as he is a waiting game, similar to the majority of the Battle Pass’s secret skins. This epic collaboration has been longed for by many, but the creator of this character would have never wanted it to surface in this battle royale title.

Fortnite...

Mamoru Oshii’s Ghost in the Shell is an anime classic and one that caters to both anime enthusiasts and cinema lovers. Whether it’s the visual appeal or excelling as a pioneer of cyberpunk, the movie passes the test of time with flying colors. At the center of everything great about Ghost in the Shell, there’s Motoko Kusanagi.

Motoko Kusanagi from Ghost in the Shell | Credits: Studio Production I.G.

The voice actor who brought a great character like Motoko to life was Atsuko Tanaka. Motoko embodies perfection while being leagues ahead of the stereotypical representation of female anime characters. Even though she doesn’t have any flaws outright, her character is full of depth and she exhibits many admirable qualities.

For those who are familiar with the movie, it’s hard to not like her as a character. And that wouldn’t have been possible if it...

The six-month hiatus of Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece anime has come as a big shock to the fans of the series. The series has been growing continuously for almost thirty years without any major break, and now that it has entered the final saga of the narrative, the hiatus felt like a heartbreak. However, there is still some hope for fans in the form of Dandadan.

One Piece | Credit: Toei Animation

Yukinobu Tatsu’s Dandadan has been on the rise for quite some time now, and the anime series has become a fan favorite in a very short period of time. But the one thing that has attracted all the One Piece fans towards Dandadan is the unique connection it shares with One Piece. This connection is the inclusion of Luffy’s voice actor, Mayumi Tanaka, as the Va for one of the most important roles in the Dandadan.

November 3 was “Culture Day,” a national holiday in Japan. To mark the day, the official X (formerly Twitter) for the Murai in Love manga and TV anime posted two parody arts newly drawn by the original manga's author, Junta Shima. The titles are not directly mentioned, but it is assumed that both were inspired by famous movie's poster visuals. The first one , described as “a musical entertainment about two dreamers who fall in love,” is supposedly based on La La Land . La La Land Japanese poster visual And the original of the second one , which is described as “a success story of a protagonist who gives her all in love and work, set in the fashion industry," is thought to be The Devil Wears Prada . The Devil Wears Prada Japanese poster visual Related: Murai in Love Anime Previews Opening Song in New Trailer The TV anime adaptation of Junta Shima's...

Move over South Korea, there’s a new player in the international arena. Japan’s famously risk-averse broadcasters and studios have woken up to the world outside Japan and are making a bold move on the U.S. and other international markets.

In part inspired by the global success of Korean content, but also aware that their huge domestic market is shrinking as Japan’s population declines, major players such as Toho, Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) and Fuji Television realize they need to find a source of revenue elsewhere in order to grow. And with deep libraries of anime, manga, movies, formats and games, they’ve also realized that they’re sitting on huge reservoirs of valuable IP.

Toho was among the first Japanese studios to make international moves, under forward-thinking president and CEO Hiro Matsuoka, taking back some rights to its Godzilla franchise and getting involved in merchandising in the U.

Each of the three films included in Radiance’s Daiei Gothic: Japanese Ghost Stories is based on a classic Japanese tale that’s been adapted to film various times over the past century. This speaks to the remarkably timeless and universal nature of the stories, evoking real-life experiences and themes that are common to humans across time and culture.

The earliest film in the set, Misumi Kenji’s Yotsuya Ghost Story, is based on perhaps the most popular kaidan, or ghost story, in Japan. It’s so popular, in fact, that it was also adapted in 1959 by another filmmaker, Nakagawa Nobuo. While that adaptation, The Ghost of Yotsuya, has been more widely available in the West until now, it’s Misumi’s film that veers more radically from the traditional beats of the kaidan, filling in a tale of good and evil with striking layers of ambiguity and feeling.

Where...

Haikyuu is one of the most celebrated and popular anime in the sports genre. Even a decade after its release, it continues to be relevant. This is especially true with the themes of team play and coordination.

The series stands as an inspiration for several sports anime. It is praised for its well-written and developed characters. So much so that even the Director will vouch for it.

Shoyo Hinata in a still from the anime | Credit: Production I.G

In a recent interview, Susumu Mitsunaka revealed his favorite character from the show. Unsurprisingly, it isn’t Shōyō Hinata or Yū Nishinoya but Ryūnosuke Tanaka.

His reasons for picking the character may seem absurd to most fans but it’d make sense. Especially when we think about how it ties well to the core themes of the series. By and by, the series has excelled in its portrayal of teamplay and coordination.

From its well-written characters to its slice-of-life trope, Skip and Loafer is an appealing series. Especially when it comes to the representation of teen relationships.

As a popular seinen series, the manga was awarded Shogakukan. The series’ success extends to the anime as well, especially with its popularity. However, there’s a controversial backstory behind the series’ production.

Mitsumi Iwakura in a still from the anime | Credit: P.A. Works, Inc.

The voice actress Tomoyo Kurosawa’s approach to the anime was a bit contentious. This is especially true with her methods and techniques. As revealed in an interview, the actress’ method resonates with Mayumi Tanaka’s approach to One Piece. Safe to say, it did work out well in the end considering Tanaka’s relationship with the series.

Skip and Loafer Va opens up about her controversial method

Skip and Loafer is a slice-of-life, rom-com series written by Misaki Takamatsu.

Some anime characters are simply ideal for cosplay, and Zero Two is the epitome of the concept. Darling in the Franxx is definitely a huge hit, but so is its iconic character, Zero Two. In fact, her popularity exceeds that of the anime at times.

Zero Two in Darling in the Franxx | Credits: A-1 Pictures, Trigger CloverWorks

In the plethora of pink-haired anime girls, Zero Two still manages to stand out. In an interview with Crunchyroll, the director, character designer, and producer of Darling in the Franxx sat down to have an in-depth conversation regarding the anime and its characters.

Zero Two’s Design was Created While Keeping Cosplayers in Mind Zero Two and Hiro in Darling in the Franxx | Credits: A-1 Pictures, Trigger CloverWorks

It is important for anime characters to have specific designs that help them stand out from any other characters, be it in the same or different series.

by Danica Pacardo

“Geeks” is a highly enjoyable slice-of-life women-led series with the perfect balance of comedy and crime/mystery. Produced by Fuji TV, it aired every Thursday at 10:00 pm during summer in Japan.

It follows the daily lives of the “energy-saving trio” Saijo-san (Mayu Matsuoka), Kira (Minami Tanaka), and Motoyama (Karen Takizawa), three single ladies who are working at the Takanashi Police Station. They are known to have a no-overtime policy, as they are efficient and they set clear boundaries between work and personal time. Each of them has a distinct geekiness which they are able to utilize as they help Serizawa (Aoi Nakamura), the police station’s detective, solve the series of cases in their area.

Check also this video

Matsuoka, Tanaka and Takizawa have great chemistry as they portray work buddies who unwind by dining out and drinking sake every Friday. Known as a versatile actress,...

The death of Portgas D. Ace in One Piece remains one of the most emotional and heartbreaking moments in anime history. The tragedy of Luffy’s older brother still haunts the fans of this series, but they are not the only ones who are grieving. Even the voices behind the characters were deeply affected by this tragic event, one of them being Mayumi Tanaka; the voice actress of Monkey D. Luffy.

Portgas D. Ace from One Piece | Credit: Toei Animation

A recent confession by Mayumi Tanaka has touched on a sentiment that many fans of One Piece share — Ace’s death wasn’t just a plot point; it was a moment that shaped Luffy’s character and impacted the emotional core of the entire story.

Mayumi Tanaka’s Candid Confession

Mayumi Tanaka, the renowned voice actress who voiced Monkey D. Luffy from One Piece, revealed in a recent interview that...

A wave of sadness spreads across the globe, as the beloved anime One Piece announces an unexpected six-month hiatus in the broadcast of its current Egghead Island arc. It’s remarkable that even with 1,100 episodes in, One Piece continues to push boundaries, promising fans an even better and more cinematic experience ahead.

For over 25 years, Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece has been enthralling fans without a single dull moment, and a break is essential for this remarkable anime to preserve its legacy. Sadly, fans will have to wait till April 2025 to see the return of the Straw Hat Pirates.

Luffy’s Gear 5 form in One Piece. [Credit: Toei Animation]

On the positive side, this break could lead to fewer fillers in the anime, allowing it to avoid catching up to the manga too quickly. However, the best aspect is that it will provide the production team with much-needed rest, especially for Luffy’s voice actor,...

The recently trending Shonen Jump anime series Dandadan has introduced a new and unexpected narrative that changed the entire action and supernatural thriller genre within the anime industry. Although the series has only witnessed the release of its first episode, it has already made its place as one of the best new anime series of 2024.

Dandadan anime | Credits: Science Saru

The Dandadan anime series is adapted from the Japanese manga series of the same name, written and illustrated by Yukinobu Tatsu. It is being produced by Science Saru, and the story offers a unique perspective on the paranormal aspects of the world. The manga is already quite popular within the industry, and now the anime is shining even more brightly because of an unexpected twist.

Dandadan has brought the most unanticipated characters together that have united two different fanbases. These two characters are Luffy from One Piece and Tanjiro from...

More than two decades have passed with this epic anime adventure of One Piece. Filled with complex plot twists, and master storytelling by the genius Eiichiro Oda, it has given the readers a series that refuses to be bound by conventional rules. As such, it has broken records of how long a television series could actually run.

Luffy with a red suit from One Piece | Credits: Toei Animation

Upto this day, One Piece sails on as strong as ever, since Oda never disappoints with his impressive ability at foreshadowing complex narrative threads.

But beneath this seeming success lies a very pressing concern with the aging of the original voice cast. As these veteran actors grow older with the series, it becomes inevitable to find worthy successors now. Otherwise, it might threaten to blur the lines that carry this phenomenal anime forward.

Oda Deceived The Original Luffy Voice Actor, Mayumi Tanaka!

After enthralling fans for over 25 years, Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece narrates an epic tale of friendship and adventure, captivating generations of viewers. Undoubtedly, One Piece is regarded as the most influential anime with the largest fanbase worldwide.

With the end of the One Piece Egghead Saga, fans are eager to see Straw Hats venture into Elbaf Island, a story Oda-sensei has been most excited to draw. Despite the long list of 1000+ episodes or chapters, Oda-sensei has yet to unveil several mysteries of the One Piece world, keeping fans eagerly anticipating.

Monkey D. Luffy in One Piece. | Credit: Toei Animation

Not to mention, several fans are patiently waiting for our beloved protagonist to finally obtain the famous Gol D. Roger’s treasure, One Piece, and become the King of the Pirates. Over 25 years, Luffy has garnered immense popularity, thanks to his compelling devil fruit powers, charisma, and unwavering dedication. While...

Spoiler Alert !!!This article discusses the Marineford Arc and Post-War Arc of One Piece!

The bond between Monkey D. Luffy and Portgas D. Ace in One Piece is one of the most heartwarming aspects of the anime. The two sworn brothers had each others’ backs since their childhood and while Ace took a long time to warm up to the younger boy, he eventually became the best elder brother to Luffy. Their protectiveness and pride for each other are unmatched. Their voice actors, Mayumi Tanaka and Toshio Furukawa, are similarly bonded and found family in each other.

Ace and Luffy in Marineford in One Piece. [Credit: Toei Animation]

A recent interview revealed that Tanaka calls Furukawa “big bro,” just like Luffy called Ace in One Piece. The tragic events of the Marineford Arc left the voice actors as devastated as Luffy and the fans felt. Furukawa found Ace’s death scene incredibly difficult to record.

The 10th anniversary of the Haikyu!! anime series has seen the volleyball sensation soar to new highs, even greater than the staff who worked on it themselves even imagined. After the Japanese release of The Dumpster Battle movie in February, the film has achieved the 35th spot in the all-time rankings in Japanese box office history , with extra screenings that brought Karasuno fans back to the theaters repeatedly. Following a panel that celebrated the movie's success at Anime NYC , Crunchyroll News got to speak with two lead producers of the anime, as well as the series' editor from Weekly Shonen Jump, to talk about the success of Haikyu!! within the sports anime realm, an in-person experience of the fandom while in Paris for the Olympics and much more! First, could you please introduce yourselves and your role on the Haikyu!! series? Shoichiro Taguchi : I'm Shoichiro Taguchi, producer from Toho.

The first Tyler Perry series under his overall deal with Netflix officially has a release date! On Sept. 12, Netflix announced that Perry's debut series with the streamer, Tyler Perry's Beauty in Black, will be released on Thursday, Oct. 24. Along with the release date announcement, the streamer also dropped the first teaser trailer for the show, and it's sure to be one of fall's biggest hits!

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Beauty in Black's release date on Oct. 24 will be the first of a two-part drop for the series. Now, fans have definitely soured on Netflix's recent tendency to split the releases of show into two parts, but there's good news here before you get too worked up. The first season of Beauty in Black contains 16 episodes, which means part 1 will likely have eight episodes.

On top of the extended episode count for Beauty in Black, it's also an hour-long drama series,...

The Back to the Future franchise has been successful in more ways than one. On top of breaking records and shocking audiences in the direction that the science-fiction genre can go, the film was also massive when it came to cultural significance. The first film was single-handedly able to completely change the way the genre would go in the future.

Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly in Back to The Future | Credit: Universal Pictures

However, the rest of the films weren’t far behind. The second film, for example, ended up being responsible for quite a big shift in another classic fantasy series. During an interview, the director of Godzilla vs. Biollante, Kazuki Omori, revealed how the film ended up influencing the Godzilla franchise.

Back to the Future Was Ahead of Its Times?

One of the most oversaturated tropes in the science-fiction genre has to be the time travel trope.

Spoiler Alert !!!Spoilers ahead for One Piece episode 1118!

One Piece has now put a voice to its biggest threat yet. Imu, the supreme ruler of the World Government, has finally said their first line. However, just like their existence, the Japanese voice actor for Imu remains a complete secret as the voice actor was credited as “???” in the ending credits. This keeps their gender a complete mystery.

Toei Animation is complying with the One Piece author’s wishes to keep Imu as secretive as possible. Imu is a truly terrifying villain amongst all the villains we’ve seen so far, beating the likes of Kaidou and Big Mom. The magnitude of control and power they have over the One Piece world is what makes them the biggest threat yet. Very few characters canonically know about their existence.

What We Know About Imu in One Piece So Far Imu in One Piece ep 885 holding bounty posters.

The finale of Sunny on Apple TV+ is now streaming, and it certainly delivered! I think it was a great finale and there were many plot points resolved that was exciting as a viewer who's been following this story along for the last 10 episodes. The natural question on our minds now is whether the series has been renewed.

At the time of this writing, Apple TV+ has not renewed or canceled Sunny starring Rashida Jones. This is nothing to worry about just yet though. While some shows get early renewals before a finale is even out, most of the time it takes at least a few weeks, if not months, to get a renewal.

I really hope that Sunny season 2 does happen because I think it's needed. And here's why! Spoilers Below.

Courtesy: Apple TV+ Unexplained loose ends

The series blends together comedy and mystery in an intriguing way which...

Apple TV+’s Sunny is one of the best shows on the platform. In fact, it’s one of the best shows out there right now, and it’s sad to see there isn’t much buzz about it. The show tells the story of Suzie, an ordinary American woman trying to find respite in Japan. There, she meets a man named Masa, who makes her realize that the hermit life isn’t exactly what she needs. Instead, they end up getting married and living together in Japan for 10 years, until one day Masa and their young son Zen end up missing after a plane crash. The show is a detailed and intricately woven story that brings in mystery and dark satire about AI, which is sure to be the next big thing in the industry. The show being set in Japan adds an extra flair to it, and the...

Not going to lie, I’m a little bit sad that Sunny is already over. It’s something I’ve been looking forward to watching every week. The show follows Suzie, a woman who learns that her husband and son have disappeared after a plane crash. This leads to many discoveries about said husband, making Suzie feel like she never knew him at all. But there’s more; the Japanese Yakuza are involved in this whole mess, and Suzie needs to figure out if her husband and son are still around or if they’re actually gone. Sunny episode 10 is the most colorful this season. Also yes, in typical season-finale fashion, there are a couple of massive reveals in this episode. So, without further ado, let’s go!

Spoiler Alert

How Do Suzie And The Gang Get Out?

Episode 10 begins with the Japanese festival of “Setsubun” to celebrate the onset of the spring season.

Created by Hajime Komoto, Mashle: Magic And Muscles ran in Weekly Shonen Jump from 2020 to 2023, the series quickly became one of the most anticipated action comedies in the magazine. Followed by the anime series starting in 2023, fans can’t get enough of Mash’s quirks and obsession with cream puffs, and the refreshing mix of action, comedy, and unique but purposeful musical choices. After the second season’s success, an anime sequel was officially announced back in May . At Anime NYC 2024, Crunchyroll News had the opportunity to speak with Tomonari Tanaka, the series director, alongside other Mashle staff including producer Sota Furuhashi, and composer Masaru Yokoyama about the second season’s global popularity, what they are most looking forward to working on in the sequel and how the music is used to amplify the action and comedic moments. Plus, what each of them thinks about the success of the Season 2 opener “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” by Creepy Nuts.

Reading and analyzing the source material while adapting it into another art form is extremely necessary. It helps to keep the authenticity of the story and makes sure that it is followed to the core. However, this is not what Luffy’s Voice Actor, Mayumi Tanaka, thinks. Tanaka has been voicing Luffy since the beginning of One Piece anime, and she has given her best in every episode.

Luffy in One Piece | Credit: Toei Animation

Her voice reflects Luffy’s emotions in the perfect way, and even after so many years, she still maintains the same pace and approach while enacting Luffy. The secret to her outstanding performance is that she has never read the One Piece manga and will most likely continue to do so in the future.

Although this may sound a little bizarre, but Tanaka has some very valid reasons behind her approach, and they have been...

Veteran voice actress Mayumi Tanaka has been the iconic voice of Monkey D. Luffy for over two decades, bringing the beloved character to life in Eiichiro Oda’s long-running series One Piece. At the age of 64, Tanaka found herself reflecting on the future of the character, especially as the series shows no signs of nearing its conclusion.

Mayumi Tanaka with Iñaki Godoy | Credit: Netflix

During a Japanese talk show, Tanaka lightheartedly admitted that she may not be around to see the series through to the end. As for the question of who could possibly replace her as Luffy’s voice, a renowned name was hilariously brought up —- that is Masako Nozawa, the voice behind Son Goku from Dragon Ball.

Mayumi Tanaka’s Legacy in One Piece Monkey D. Luffy in One Piece | Credit: Toei Animation

Mayumi Tanaka’s portrayal of Monkey D. Luffy has become inseparable from the character himself.

I suppose it takes about 9 episodes to truly appreciate how lovely Sunny is as a show and as a homebot. The show is shockingly heartfelt despite the Yakuza angle and the massive mystery that we’re desperate to solve throughout the show. Episode 9 is presented as one of those comedy Japanese game shows. The bizarre episode borders on satire while perfectly balancing out the emotional depth of the show all at once. I think if you had any doubts watching this show, they’re probably gone by now. But with all that said, let’s dive straight into episode 9 of Sunny, because boy, is it information heavy.

Spoiler Alert

Why Is Sunny In A Game Show?

Remember how at the end of episode 8, “Sunny-chan” fell into an abyss of nothingness? Well, this is because there’s something she needs to figure out in her head by herself. Just moments earlier,...

The anime fandom lost another special talent today, the reputed Japanese voice actress Atsuko Tanaka died from an unnamed illness at the age of 61. Sadly few people might remember her name, but everyone will surely remember her from all the iconic characters (like Konan from Naruto) she voiced in her career.

Konan from Naruto | Credits: Studio Pierrot

With a career that spanned over three decades, the late Tanaka-sensei made a truly considerable mark on the industry—becoming notably the voice of Motoko Kusanagi in Ghost in the Shell. She had a large portfolio of memorable roles to her name. Below, we focus on five of her most notable anime appearances that a lot of you never might have expected.

5. Lisa – Lisa: Jojo’s Bizarre Adventures Lisa Lisa from Jojo’s Bizarre Adventures | Credits: David Productions

Atsuko Tanaka did the voice of Lisa Lisa, the mysterious and seductive heroine...

Image via the official Ghost in the Shell website The son of voice actor Atsuko Tanaka announced on his X (formerly Twitter) account that his mother passed at the age of 61 on August 20, with Mausu Promotion also announcing the news on the same day. Tanaka’s son, fellow voice actor Hikaru Tanaka, noted that she did not want to reveal the name of the disease but revealed she had been battling the condition for the past year. Atsuko Tanaka is best known as the voice of Motoko Kusanagi in the Ghost in the Shell franchise, Bayonetta in the Bayonetta games, Lisa Lisa in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure , Hanami in Jujutsu Kaisen , Konan in Naruto and many more. Here is the message from Hikaru Tanaka along with a translation: To all of you who have always been a part of our lives, On August 20, 2024, my mother Atsuko Tanaka, a voice actor, passed away.

The voice-acting industry in anime is lamenting the passing away of Atsuko Tanaka. Tanaka, who voiced Mokoto Kusanagi from Ghost in the Shell, has passed away at the age of 61 due to an unknown illness. Her legacy in voicing anime characters has forever shaped Japanese animation and dubbing.

Atsuko Tanaka and her son Hikaru Tanaka | Credit: X

Atsuko Tanaka’s extraordinary voice gifted life to various characters in multiple anime and movies. She also developed her work of dubbing by giving a Japanese voice to international celebrities. The news about her passing was reported by her management company and confirmed by her son, Hikaru Tanaka, which shipped a wave of anguish among the anime community.

A Farewell Tribute from Atsuko Tanaka’s Son Mokoto Kusanagi from Ghost in the Shell | Credit: Production I.G.

Hikaru Tanaka posted a biding message on X (formerly Twitter) via OriconNews, conveying his gratitude towards his mother.

Mayumi Tanaka is one of the very few voice artists who have gained worldwide fame for voicing a single character. She is the voice of One Piece’s Monkey D. Luffy. She has been with the franchise for more than two decades, and fans cannot even think of anyone apart from her when it comes to Luffy. But she is also involved with another big franchise, which is worth more than $23 Billion.

Mayumi Tanaka is also the voice actor of Goku’s best friend, Krillin. Even before landing the role of future Pirate King, she got to work with the Dragon Ball franchise. The Dragon Ball and One Piece fandom often get involved in heated arguments, but the voice artist revealed that Krillin is quite similar to Usopp as a person. There is barely any difference between the two.

Mayumi Tanaka Believes Usopp And Krillin Are Similar Usopp from One Piece...

Atsuko Tanaka, known for her role as Motoko Kusanagi in Ghost in the Shell, passed away on Aug 20, 2024, at the age of 61. This news was shared by her agency through an official statement and confirmed by her son, voice actor Hikaru Tanaka.

In his post, Hikaru Tanaka explained that Atsuko had been battling illness for nearly a year but chose not to disclose the specific nature of her disease in keeping with her wishes.

Checkout the full statement by Hikaru Tanaka below:

To all those who have always supported us,

On August 20, 2024, my mother, the voice actress Atsuko Tanaka, peacefully passed away.

To all the fans who loved Atsuko Tanaka, and to all those in the industry who took care of her during her life, I thank you deeply on her behalf.

It deeply saddens me to inform you of our parent-child relationship in this way.

In accordance with her wishes,...

Apart from the Big 3 of Shonen anime, Dragon Ball stands in a league of its own. With its exceptional writing and character design, Akira Toriyama’s manga influences several Shonen anime. Besides that, the anime highlighted several voice actors who later worked with Eiichiro Oda. One such voice artist is Mayumi Tanaka.

Krillin in Dragon Ball Super | Credits: Toei Animation

Before voicing Luffy in One Piece, Tanaka voiced several iconic roles in different anime franchises. Although her career spans fifty years, she reveals the obstacles while voicing Krillin. This included a vicious yet vibrant fanbase that highlighted the anime’s popularity and the generation gap.

The vicious yet vibrant fandom of the Dragon Ball franchise

Mayumi Tanaka voices the role of Krillin in the Dragon Ball series written by Akira Toriyama. Before landing the role of Krillin, Tanaka worked with several anime franchises such as Doraemon, Astroboy, and Perman. Although...

Eiichiro Oda has been extremely secretive about the One Piece and its true nature. For a series that has been ongoing for over two decades both as a manga and as an anime, the ambiguous nature of its titular part seems almost like a mockery to fans who have been seeking the same answer Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates have been.

Luffy | Credit: Toei Animation

What is it or who is it, that is a question asked multiple times. Whether it is a person, the last piece of a puzzle, or perhaps an entire phenomenon, anything even remotely close to its nature remains unknown. However, fans were extremely terrified of Oda bending to a common trope and thus ruining a series he worked so hard to work on. Much to their relief, the power of friendship isn’t the One Piece.

The Unity of Seas in Eiichiro Oda’s...

Mayumi Tanaka is known for giving voice to One Piece’s Monkey D. Luffy. For the past 25 years, the fans have listened to her voice and cannot imagine anyone apart from her. While the voice artist has gained worldwide fame, only a few know that she voiced Krillin from the Dragon Ball franchise.

Krillin is one of the oldest and most iconic characters in the Dragon Ball franchise. Son Goku also considers him as his best friend. While talking about their relationship, Tanaka mentioned that Krillin is like Chi-Chi. He can pose a challenge to her since he can be Goku’s wife.

Chi-Chi Should Be Careful Of Krillin Krillin and Goku (Credits: Toei Animation)

Mayumi Tanaka believes Krillin could be a great wife to Goku. Even though both of them are married to two beautiful ladies, she thinks otherwise. Krillin always held Goku in high regard and deeply cared for him.

The word “otaku” has come to mean a very specific thing in the West. It is generally taken to mean “an obsessive fan of anime and manga”. In Japan, it is a different matter. There the word can be applied to being a passionate fan of anything. Anime and manga certainly, but also trains, military, games, or building electronics. Generally considered oddities for not fitting into social norms, they didn't gain notoriety until the late 80s. At this time a number of incidents, including the infamous “Otaku Killer” in 1989, caused a shift in perception of otaku to being deviant and dangerous. Enter “Otaku no Video” (1991), a two-episode Ova produced by the legendary Studio Gainax that captures the essence of what being an otaku truly means.

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In 1982, Kubo is a young college student involved in his school's tennis team and seeing his girlfriend Yoshiko.

Voice actress Mayumi Tanaka is the iconic figure behind the voice of our dearest rubber boy, Monkey D. Luffy. What’s really amazing though, is how Tanaka herself proved to be as much a pioneer in the art of voice acting as Luffy did in his journeys.

Luffy from One Piece | Toei Animation

She devised a certain technique that inspired a whole generation of voice actors. And its influence was definitely seen with the critically acclaimed series Code Geass. So what could possibly be the secret technique that paved the path for our beloved Luffy to come to life?

Not Knowing The Story Ahead of Time Increases The Authenticity of The Voice Impressions Straw Hat Pirates from One Piece | Toei Animation

During an interview, Mayumi Tanaka boldly set a new trend in voice acting, especially when it comes to authenticity with her most iconic role: Monkey D. Luffy. Tanaka said...

The official website and accounts for the upcoming Murai in Love anime released a brand-new trailer for the romantic comedy series today, announcing a October 6 at 23:30 Jst premiere for Japanese television and previewing opening song "Henshin!" by Rinu (Strawberry Prince). A new visual and more cast members were also revealed. Murai in Love Visual The newly announced cast members are as follows, joining leads Yoko Hikasa and Kengo Takahashi: Hitomi Nishifuji voiced by Mikoi Sasaki Yuka Nishifuji voiced by Saori Goto Yayoi Fukunaga voiced by Yuki Hirose Hitomi and Yuka Nishifuji Yayoi Fukunaga Related: Murai in Love Anime Reveals 'Extreme' Tanabata Illustration Based on the manga by Junta Shima, Yoshinobu Yamakawa ( The Duke of Death and His Maid ) directs Murai in Love at studio J.C.Staff, with series composition by Susumu Yamakawa ( The Way of the Househusband ), music by Ruka Kawada ( The Ice Guy and His Cool...

Quinta Brunson is turning her attention to the movies and will produce, co-write, and star in a comedy feature for Universal called “Par for the Course” that will see the “Abbott Elementary” star act alongside Stephanie Hsu.

While this isn’t Brunson’s first film acting role, its her first screenplay and major starring role. She’ll be writing the script alongside Justin Tan, who is also a writer on “Abbott Elementary,” and Tan will direct the film as his feature directorial debut.

Seth Rogen’s Point Grey Pictures will also produce the comedy alongside Brunson, and it’s a mini reunion between the two after Brunson had a part in Rogen’s “An American Pickle.” Alex McAtee is set to produce on behalf of Point Grey under its first-look deal with Universal Pictures. Brunson is producing on behalf of her production banner Fifth Chance.

Plot details for “Par for...

Cooper has one of those faces you just can’t help but believe. He’s got still-intact, onetime-heartthrob looks, bangs that fall right in the place that devastates you, and a smile that’s expressive even when his gimlet eyes aren’t. Am I talking about the protagonist of M. Night Shyamalan’s new thriller “Trap” here, or the man, Josh Hartnett, who plays him? As this silly, contrived, yet stylishly executed cat and mouse game reveals, Cooper is not just the father of a pop-star-obsessed tween. He’s also a serial killer with Ocd — that his SUV is black because black always looks cleaner by default is a telling sign, according to an FBI profiler eventually hunting him from the sidelines of a Taylor Swift-sized stadium concert. And like one of serial killer cinema’s most darling poster boys, namely one Norman Bates with the original face “you...

Voice actors often turn to the source material to perfectly nail the characters they are playing and while many would expect One Piece actor Mayumi Tanaka to do that as well, that isn’t the case. No matter the medium that is being adapted, artists utilize the already available material to make sure the character they are enacting isn’t far from what the creator intended for them to be.

Luffy | Credit: Toei Animation

Learning about their characters helps artist improve their own approaches. It helps them embody who they play while also giving them a bigger picture of just what kind of a person their character is. Fans find the approach just as engaging because of how much life such a little gesture can put into the work as well.

Mayumi Tanaka Never Read the One Piece Manga

During an interview with 7 Rules (via Comicbook), Mayumi Tanaka admitted that...

Eiichiro Oda has featured a number of deaths in One Piece so far but only one of them is traumatizing enough to make your brain shut down. It is the most unexpected death for any One Piece fan, and the incident shaped the way Luffy and the Straw Hats grew next.

But you would be surprised to know that the aftermath of the Marineford Battle is not just traumatizing to fans, but also to other staff members behind the anime. One cast member in particular was shell-shocked as they accidentally received a spoiler from Eiichiro Oda himself.

Usopp’s Voice Actor Found Out About Ace’s Death Before it Even Happened Ace’s Death in One Piece | Toei

Kappei Yamaguchi, the voice actor of Usopp in the One Piece anime was present at a live-stream in 2023 when he revealed a shocking truth. Apparently, the voice actor happened to be present...

"House of the Dragon," now well into its second season, has officially restored Westeros' place on the Iron Throne of television. All the insistence that "Game of Thrones" season 8 permanently tarnished interest in the franchise now look foolish, as this prequel about fire and blood has racked up acclaim. (Read /Film's review of "House of the Dragon" season 2 here.)

With it becoming ever more unlikely that the "A Song of Ice and Fire" books will receive a proper conclusion, "House of the Dragon" is working two-fold to sustain audience interest in its fantasy world. It's worked on me; after sitting out "Game of Thrones" during its initial run, the Foma finally got to me and I'm now watching "House of the Dragon" and reading the books.

Last time, I professed mea culpa for unfairly judging comic writer Garth Ennis. Now, I similarly come hat-in-hand to George R.R. Martin — I am...

Shohei Ohtani is not only one of the biggest stars in baseball today, but he’s also the highest paid. In December 2023, the Japanese pitcher signed the largest contract in MLB history with the Los Angeles Dodgers for $700 million over 10 years.

In addition to pitching, Ohtani is also a designated hitter. Thanks to his elite contributions at both positions, he’s been given the nickname “Sho-time.” But even though he is a baseball phenom and draws comparisons to Babe Ruth, Ohtani is a very private person and just recently revealed that he’s married.

Here’s more about Ohtani’s wife Mamiko Tanaka, and why some sports fans may know her.

When Ohtani announced that he was married

Wheels up to Seoul. pic.twitter.com/NgeQYiwgS2

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 14, 2024

In February 2024, Ohtani announced on Instagram in both Japanese and English captions that he had gotten married.

He wrote:...

Welcome to this week’s review of Tna Wrestling, Let’s get straight into the review and see what went down on the show…

Match #1: Jordynne Grace Def. Izzy Dame The following is courtesy of tnawrestling.com:

Izzi Dame from Nxt answers Jordynne Grace’s Open Challenge. The match begins with a lock-up, and Dame taunts Grace, asking for a test of strength before cheap-shotting her. Grace takes control with a suplex, slamming Dame to the mat and tossing her to the floor. Grace continues her assault outside the ring as Ash watches. Dame recovers as Ash’s concierge distracts Grace, but Rosemary chases him off. Dame uses the distraction to drop Grace throat-first on the top rope and hits a Stalling Falcon Arrow. Both women fight back and forth until Grace lands the Juggernaut Driver and defeats Izzi Dame.

My Score: 2.5 out of 5 Match #2: Charlie Dempsey def.