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Anime adaptations can be a hit or miss most of the time. This also holds especially true for live-action adaptations that are on the rise. From One Piece to Cowboy Bebop, celebrated franchises are getting Westernized adaptations. And though it’s mostly a mixed bag, there might be upsides to it as well.

Mads Mikkelsen as Le Chiffre in Casino Royale | Credits: Eon Productions/MGM

To be specific, Mads Mikkelsen’s casting as an anime character would be nothing short of iconic as most fans have noted. This ties in well with his stark resemblance to the characters played by the seasoned voice actor Kenjiro Tsuda. It only highlights the diversity and versatility of the Va’s

Mads Mikkelsen is the personification of an anime character

We know him as Hannibal Lecter from Hannibal and Martin from Another Round but one thing is for sure. Mads Mikkelsen is one of...

Crunchyroll has announced a special lineup of rom-com anime available to stream for free throughout February. From Feb 1-28, 2025, fans can access a collection of classic and recent hits without a subscription.

Crunchyroll’s free-to-watch selection includes beloved classics and 2024’s biggest romantic releases, including Fruits Basket, Horimiya, A Sign of Affection, and Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian.

Checkout the list below: A Couple of Cuckoos

On the way to meet his birth parents, super-student Nagi meets brash Erika, who needs a quick favor. Pose as her boyfriend at dinner so she can avoid an arranged marriage. But things get tricky once they realize they’re heading to the same spot, and her parents still want them wed. How does he ask out his school crush, keep his grades up, and hide his pending nuptials? No one said love was easy!

A Sign of Affection (Ajia-do Animation Works...

Horimiya is often considered one of the best romance anime that debuted in recent years. It follows a budding relationship between Kyoko Hori and Izumi Miymura, two characters who have their own secrets to keep. It has a calming atmosphere with charming characters which can instantly draw in any romance lover.

However, the anime is not devoid of issues. From its pacing to its portrayal of Hori, after a point, the anime seems to go off the tracks. The biggest problem is that the series sidelines one of the main characters.

Horimiya ignored one of its leads to favor the other Horimiya mostly focuses on the development of Miyamura | Credits: CloverWorks

At the beginning of the series, both Miyamura and Hori are introduced as the main characters. However, as the story progresses, it becomes clear that one character is overpowering the other. The narrative often focuses on Miyamura while completely sidelining Hori’s development.

Crunchyroll is offering a variety of shows available to stream for free in February!

For the entire month of February, fans can stream several classic rom-coms, including Fruits Basket, Horimiya, and Kaguya-sama: Love Is War, as well as modern hits A Sign of Affection and Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian.

The Crunchyroll Store is also offering a Lovestruck Loot sale, starting February 5 through February 14, with discounts of up to 30% on products from rom-coms like Ouran High School Host Club, Sasaki and Miyano, Tomo-chan Is a Girl!

Click through to check out the full list of titles available to watch for free in February on Crunchyroll…...

Other than pacing and animation, Spy x Family tops the charts through its impressive voice cast. The anime is a just adaptation of Tatsuya Endo’s shonen manga. It brings several intricacies and subtleties alive through its dubs.

Often voice actors do not get enough credit for breathing life into characters. As an important aspect of the anime, it often gets overlooked. But this isn’t the case with this series, especially with the mangaka’s praise for the seiyuu.

The Forger family in Spy x Family | Credit: Wit Studio

Be it expressions or nuances, the voice actress’ role in the series is a complete game-changer. Not only did her performance have the mangaka, readers, and viewers floored but it showcased her diversity and versatility as an artist.

Above all, though, her role spotlighted the character’s paramount importance in the series. This also ties well with the mangaka laying...

Couples define the romance animes they're in. Without a great couple, the series itself really doesn't matter. The best couples in romance anime add everything to their series, allowing worlds to be built around them and characters to shine through their interactions. The best part about couples in romance anime is the freedom they're given to be themselves. No two couples are identical, giving plenty of room for couples with unique dynamics, fun characteristics, and interesting relationships.

While each couple can have different ways they express themselves within their relationships, there is one key trait that a couple needs to be one of the best in romance anime. They need to have good chemistry with each other, and it can be shown in a lot of different ways. Kaguya and Shirogane from Kaguya-sama: Love is War have a different relationship than Hori and Miyamura from Horimiya, but each couple seems...

Yona of the Dawn may not hail from the ’90s, but with nearly a decade since its release and the story left incomplete, a reboot feels overdue. Unlike other romance anime that might need a reboot to fix lackluster animation or poor adaptation choices, Yona of the Dawn doesn’t suffer from these pitfalls. Instead, it stands as a prime candidate for revitalizing the romance-adventure genre, offering a refreshing alternative to predictable plotlines and clichéd twists.

Much like Kimi ni Todoke, which recently returned to great fanfare, Yona of the Dawn could capture a new generation of viewers while reigniting its devoted fanbase. With its rich world-building, compelling characters, and a plot that balances romance and adventure, a reboot has the potential to redefine how anime tackles these genres. Fans have long expressed their desire to see Yona’s journey continue, especially with so much of the manga left untouched.

Romance in anime has always been a melting pot of tropes, archetypes, and the occasional breakout character that redefines how relationships are portrayed. From classic tsundere dynamics to more complex portrayals of love and understanding, modern romantic anime has evolved significantly. Among these stories, A Sign of Affection and Horimiya stand as shining examples of how characters with depth and charm can elevate a simple love story to another level.

Izumi Miyamura from Horimiya is the epitome of the green flag | Credit: CloverWorks

Itsuomi Nagi from A Sign of Affection is a character widely regarded as the epitome of a “green flag”. However, Izumi Miyamura from Horimiya transcends the idea of being just a green flag; he’s an entire forest of positive traits; quickly becoming a fan-favorite not just for his layered personality but also for his dynamic with Hori.

Horimiya: Izumi Miyamura’s complex brilliance

At first glance,...

Anime has a unique way of capturing emotions and weaving them into unforgettable stories. Some romance anime are emotional dramas filled with tears and angst, while others are lighthearted rom-coms that show fans how enjoyable love can be. Over the years, Japanese animation has created several romantic stories; regardless, Horimiya is still hailed as the best shojo anime in recent memory.

Hori & Miyamura | Credits: CloverWorks

Horimiya had the sweetest love story, realistic and relatable characters, powerful side characters, and an array of different friendship dynamics. The dual protagonists, Izumi Miyamura and Kyouko Hori, are refreshing characters who make fans cheer for them throughout the anime. Despite its massive fanbase, the anime missed its chance to shine in the shojo genre due to a minor story flaw.

A Small Story Flaw Holds Horimiya Back from Being the Ultimate Shojo Masterpiece

Romance anime can vary widely in terms of premise and emotional connection.

Horimiya has stolen the hearts of rom-com lovers with its beautiful plot and character development. The dual protagonists, Izumi Miyamura and Kyouko Hori, are refreshing characters who make fans cheer for them throughout the anime.

Miyamura’s two sides in Horimiya | Credits: CloverWorks

The tale of Miyamura and Hori isn’t just a typical romance but a slow coming-of-age story in which both protagonists slowly learn to accept the different sides of themselves. In an interview, the director of the anime, Masashi Ishiyama, talked at length about the thoughts that went into the production of the series.

Horimiya‘s Op Hinted at Miyamura’s Deepest Thoughts Miyamura’s feelings of isolation and loneliness in Horimiya | Credits: CloverWorks

The opening theme of Horimiya is a serene song called Iro Kosui (Color Perfume) by Yoh Kamiyama. It matches the easygoing aesthetic of the rest of the anime. But you might have noticed...

The romance genre in anime has long been going through a period of drought with a noticeable lack of truly interesting stories. Despite some of the old hit romance series like, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya and Kaichou wa Maid-sama, the rest are mostly run-of-the-mill shows.

A still from the Horimiya anime | Credits: CloverWorks

However, out of nowhere, Horimiya appeared to be an exception to this trend, bringing hope for a revival of quality romance anime. Although it was still a manga created as far back as 2011, its fresh take on the genre felt refreshing for a lot of viewers. But alas! The subsequent anime adaptation, released in January 2021, didn’t really offer much as it never showed a lot of elements that made the manga so lovable. But why did it happen?

Horimiya’s Author Was Hardly Involved in The Production of The Anime Miyamura & Hori’s candy scene...

Shounen anime might be the reigning king of the anime world at the moment, but the Shoujo genre is not too far behind. Every new anime season sees the debut of several high school romance series, but very few can beat Wotakoi: Love is Hard for an Otaku.

Wotakoi shows up in every Top 10 list of romance anime despite being six years old. Thanks to its blend of romance, comedy, and slice of life, the anime is hard to forget. Add to that its evergreen theme of otakus and office love, and you have a winning recipe.

In the World of High School Romances, Wotakoi Manages to Stand Out Narumi and Hirotaka in Wotakoi | Credits: A-1 Pictures

The anime industry is obsessed with high school romances. From Me to You, Horimiya, Kaguya-sama, My Love Story, and Oregairu, are all extremely famous high school romances. In fact, every anime season is...

Some of the funniest moments in anime happen by accident. Sure, it's always great to see Goku be funny on purpose, but nothing is funnier than when his navet accidentally shines through, revealing that one of the strongest warriors around might just be a goofball. Accidentally funny moments in anime don't happen often, making their appearance even more noteworthy. Having accidentally funny moments is always refreshing and can be a nice reprieve from serious moments.

Sometimes, it's hard to tell if a character is being funny on purpose or by accident. As long as it's funny, it doesn't really matter in the end. Some characters, like Goblin Slayer, aren't really written to be that funny. Given the context of their situation, though, viewers can't help but laugh at the absurdity of his one-track-mindedness and his overwhelming dedication to slaying goblins.

Gon and Killua Hunter x Hunter

Gon and Killua are...

In 2021, Hiroki Adachi’s Hori-san to Miyamura-kun finally got an anime adaptation called Horimiya, and it was an instant hit. It was a combination of romance and comedy, which was quite rare for a Shonen series, but it still managed to have an impact on the community. The anime series was directed by Masashi Ishihama, who is a well-known name in the industry.

Horimiya Anime Series | Credit: CloverWorks

Horimiya follows the story of Kyouko Hori and Izumi Miyamura, who discover the hidden lives of each other. Their secrets become a mode of their friendship and help them open up about it to each other. This brings them close with a lot of funny and intense moments. While the story is an intriguing part of the series, there is one other aspect that was particularly liked by Ishihama.

The director once revealed that the thing that excited him about the series...

Making a successful romance anime is a big task, especially in the Shonen genre. There are very few romantic anime series that have earned fame and recognition in the Shonen world, and Horimiya is one of them. Horimiya is based on the popular manga Hori-san to Miyamura-kun created by Hiroki Adachi in 2007.

Horimiya Anime Series | Credit: CloverWorks

Although the Horimiya manga was serialized in 2011, it got an anime adaptation in 2021 and was directed by Masashi Ishihama. Ishihama is a big name in the anime industry, as he has worked on many prominent projects like Bleach, Dragon Ball, Beelzebub, Spy x Family, etc. However, Horimiya is special to him because he was the director of the series.

Ishihama once revealed he was quite confused while working on the anime series because of one major factor. This factor was the time difference between the manga’s serialization and the anime’s production.

In the world of visual novels, Korean Manhwas are slowly gaining popularity. From Omniscient Reader to True Beauty, several webtoons are entering their respective niche. This is especially true with most upcoming series in the romance genre. This includes a popular fan-favorite webtoon that might be on par with The Apothecary Diaries and Horimiya. But there’s a catch to it.

Maomao and Jinshi in a still from the anime | Credit:

Maybe Meant To Be is one of the popular webtoons in the romance genre. Its light-hearted take on relationships sets it apart from other series. The webtoon is a refreshing take on the romance genre as a whole. Its overarching flaw, however, is holding back its true potential.

Maybe Meant to Be is a promising yet flawed series

Maybe Meant To Be is a romance webtoon written by Honeyskein and Damcho. The South Korean visual novel follows the journey...

Amidst all the competition and hustle, praise and acknowledgment is truly refreshing. CloverWorks is an animation studio known for its notable works such as Bocchi the Rock! and Spy x Family. Their adaptation of Jump’s The Elusive Samurai has garnered popularity. However, the praise extends beyond that.

Bocchi in a still from the anime | Credit: Studio CloverWorks

Takeru Hokazono, the author of Kagurabachi, acknowledged the studio for its anime adaptation. With several fans sharing the author’s comment, a collaboration might likely be in the works. To say the least, praise from a budding and promising mangaka is nothing short of iconic.

Fans respond to Takeru Hokazono acknowledging Studio CloverWorks

CloverWorks has animated some of the most popular anime. These include Black Butler, Spy x Family, and Horimiya. Their animation of Satoru Nii’s manga Wind Breaker is more than promising. The series bagged the award for Best New...

Crunchyroll announced new Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu dub premieres for some of the popular anime titles that will be streamed on the platform in August and September 2024.

Checkout the titles below:

1. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 1 & Season 2 Release Date: Aug 14 (Full Batch) Dubs: Hindi

Corporate worker Mikami Satoru is stabbed by a random killer, and is reborn to an alternate world. But he turns out to be reborn as a slime! Thrown into this new world with the name Rimuru, he begins his quest to create a world that’s welcoming to all races.

2. Mashle: Magic And Muscles Season 2 Release Date: Aug 20 (Full Batch) Dubs: Tamil & Telugu

This is a world of magic. This is a world in which magic is casually used by everyone. In a deep, dark forest in this world of magic, there is a boy who is single mindedly working out. His name is Mash Burnedead,...

6 Romance Animes to Binge(Photo Credit –Instagram/YouTube)

Kimi ni Todoke: From Me To You, finally dropped its third season on August 1st! The show taught us the power of friendship, which turned shy girls into crazy romantics.

Set in Hokkaido, Kimi ni Todake is all about a high-school student named Sawako who looks a lot like Sadako from The Ring. But don’t let that fool you! She’s a sweetheart who just needs a little help. Kazehaya, the cool kid who likes her as she is, steps in and helps her grow.

With Season 3 hitting screens, fans are excited to unveil the magic of this show. If you’re a die-hard fan craving more, we’ve got you covered with top 6 shows similar to the romantic love story of Sawako that will keep you swooning!

Trending Top 14 Episodes Of Grey’s Anatomy To Watch If You Miss Mark & Lexie...

Horimiya's unique storytelling format required adaptation to create a cohesive love story for Hori and Miyamura. The 4-koma format limited the original plot's depth, leading to the anime's focused development of the romantic narrative. Director Masashi Ishihama aimed to bring more romantic comedies to Japan through the refreshing take on Horimiya.

Its not usual to see the genre romance paired together with the shonen demographic, but when they are, its usually in reference to a major hit like Horimiya. That is not the only factor that makes the romcom special, though. The source material for this anime is a webcomic that is in a 4-koma format, which is to say, each chapter is made up of only 4 panels. This inevitably makes the story feel more like a comic strip than a cohesively placed narrative, making it almost impossible to watch the anime in the same order the comics were released.

Grandpa and Grandma Turn Young Again is a perfect introduction to shojo romance anime with a wholesome, mature story and lovable characters. With only 11 episodes, the series is a quick watch that wraps up every loose end, making it ideal for new viewers in the genre. The simple premise of an elderly couple turning young again allows the show to focus on the power of everlasting love and the importance of supporting characters.

Grandpa and Grandma Turn Young Again, which recently finished airing on Crunchyroll, is the perfect beginner shojo/romance anime. It tells the story of a loving Grandpa and Grandma who run an apple orchard in Hirosaki, in the Aomori Prefecture, and find a golden apple on one of their trees. After eating the golden apple, Grandpa and Grandma turn young again, regaining their physical youth for a couple of months.

It's a straightforward story great for someone...

Wind Breaker confirmed for a second installment. Season 2 to release in 2025, more info coming soon. Cloverworks studio is likely to produce 12-13 episodes.

One of spring 2024's most popular anime, Wind Breaker, has just been confirmed to receive a second installment coming very soon. The hit series managed to attract an audience and performed much better than expected, so a sequel is very much deserved.

As per a press release from Crunchyroll and the official X/Twitter account of the series, Wind Breaker is receiving a season 2 following the finale.

|Tvwind Breaker Season 22025| https://t.co/QIGXc2KLaU# pic.twitter.com/IJLr8uLIqJ Wind Breaker() (@winbre_sakura) June 27, 2024

Although there was no teaser trailer accompanying the announcement, it was confirmed that Wind Breaker season 2 will be released in 2025. More information will be released in due time, but this news is exciting given how excellent the first season was.

Related 10 Most...

Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings Gets July Release Date: All You Need to Know - Main Image

Fans of the popular romance light novel can now rejoice, as the anime adaptation of Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian has confirmed its official release date in July. This comes after a delay that pushed the show to debut a season later.

Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings Reveals July Release Date

The highly anticipated school romance anime is now confirmed to debut on July 3, 2024, in Japan.

The announcement was made in a new promo video that highlights the male lead, Masachika Kuze, and reveals the anime’s broadcast details in Japan.

There's no word yet on the show's international release date, but it will likely be around the same date as its local premiere.

The Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian anime was originally announced in November 2023. At the time,...

New York, NY (4/26/24) – Along with the news of two upcoming audiobook adaptations, Yen Press, LLC, announced the release of fifteen new titles, including nine manga, five novels, and a box set (Toilet-bound Hanako-kun: Second Stall). These fifteen titles are set to release in October 2024.

Toilet-bound Hanako-kun: Second Stall

By AidaIro

A new deluxe collection of Volumes 11 through 20 of Toilet-bound Hanako-kun wrapped in one frightful package! Pick up where the first box set left off and follow Hanako, Nene, Kou, and company on their adventures, all the way until the beginning of the school festival. Don't “stall” any longer and make room on your shelf for this supernatural selection!

Horimiya, Vol. 17: A Piece of Memories

Story by Hero, Art by Daisuke Hagiwara

School may have finished, but there is no end to the sweet “awww”-inspiring tale of Hori and Miyamura! Snapshots of Hori, Miyamura, and the gang's lives; a...

North American publisher Yen Press came through with a bunch of new license announcements today, including a fresh batch of manga, light novels and audiobooks. Some of the highlights include the Lycoris Recoil manga, the Is the Order a Rabbit? manga and audiobooks for That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime and Weathering With You . See what's on the way next in the full slate below. Weathering With You Audiobook Synopsis: Longing to escape his island home, Hodaka runs away to Tokyo, where he meets Hina, a girl who holds a mysterious power: she can control the weather. From director Makoto Shinkai comes the novel adaptation of the hit animated film! That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Audiobook Synopsis: After dying at the hands of a robber, Satoru Mikami awakens in a fantasy realm...as a slime! As he acclimates to this new existence, his exploits set...

One woman in her time will play many parts, and that time is this summer! Upcoming rom-com anime Giji Harem released its first full trailer today, which gives us another preview of a drama club girl's attempts to woo her crush while announcing a July 2024 entrance and previewing the series' opening theme song, "Blouse" by Gohobi. Related: Giji Harem Anime Reveals Main Staff in Teaser Trailer Based on the manga by Yu Saito, Giji Harem is directed by Toshihiro Kikuchi ( Bungo Stray Dogs Wan! ) at studio Nomad, with series composition by Yuko Kakihara ( Buddy Daddies ), character designs by Yoshihisa Sato ( Summer Time Rendering animation director) and music by Takeshi Watanabe ( The Duke of Death and His Maid ). Saori Hayami (Yor in Spy x Family ) is cast to play Rin Nanakura and Nobuhiko Okamoto (Sengoku in Horimiya ) will be the subject of her affections and affectations as Eiji Kitahama. Source: Comic...

Bones' new magical girl anime promises to be a standout romance drama airing in Summer 2024 The all-star staff behind the anime, which have worked on other romance hits like Horimiya, ensures a promising adaptation. The series' premise, following a forbidden love story between a magical girl and her sworn enemy, is guaranteed to be yet another hit shojo romance during the Summer 2024 season.

The studio behind many hits such as My Hero Academia is now tackling a magical girl anime that will be airing this year during the Summer 2024 season. This romance drama is a sleeper hit, and Bones will definitely do the popular manga justice by taking it to the next level.

Titled The Magical Girl and the Evil Lieutenant Used to Be Archenemies, the official X account of the upcoming anime shared a short teaser as well as the release window and main staff.

✦･･â...

Spring brings with it a breath of fresh air in the world of anime, and 2024 is no exception. With a plethora of promising titles on the horizon, it’s time to gear up for a season filled with excitement, adventure, and memorable stories. Here’s our curated list of the top 10 anime to watch out for in Spring 2024:

10. Black Butler: Public School Arc

Release Date: Apr 13, 2024

Studio: CloverWorks

Fans of the iconic “Black Butler” series have reason to rejoice as the beloved franchise makes a comeback with the adaptation of the popular Public School Arc.

Produced by Cloverworks, known for their stellar work on “Wonder Egg Priority” and “Horimiya,” this revival promises to reignite the passion of fans who have long awaited the next chapter in the series.

9. Wind Breaker

Release Date: Apr 4, 2024

Studio: CloverWorks

Get ready for some high-octane action with “Wind Breaker,” a delinquent series poised to...

One clear memory I have in regards to being a creative, and I’m sure it’s something many creatives have been told, is that my field of choice (in my case writing) is not a real job . Creativity can feel like a space where so many people enjoy what comes out of it... yet don’t miss a beat when it comes to putting it down as an occupation. This is why I’m always so happy to see creators recognized for their work, so you can imagine the joy I felt in seeing Gabe Kunda receive his flowers from Forbes late last year. I first heard Kunda in My Hero Academia for his portrayal of Rock Lock before going down a bit of a rabbit hole with the actor. Not only is he in anime series like Chainsaw Man (the Bat Devil), Hell’s Paradise (Genji Yamada Asaemon) and...

The Spring 2024 anime season is marking the return of a number of classic anime, like Black Butler, that haven't received any new content in nearly a decade. There are also a number of brand-new anime, like the highly anticipated Kaiju No. 8, debuting this spring. Much like the very successful Winter anime season, Spring is shaping up to be even more exciting.

With the Winter 2024 anime season finally coming to a close, a new batch of seasonal anime is fast approaching. Winter had some incredible new and returning series, like Solo Leveling and Classroom Of The Elite. So far, it seems as though Spring isn't slowing down this momentum whatsoever.

From the return of beloved anime such as My Hero Academia, and new series that will likely take the world by storm such as Kaiju No. 8, there is a lot to be excited about in the next three months.

Kenjiro Tsuda is a versatile actor who's worked in a wide variety of genres, with instantly iconic anime roles displaying his talent and range. Kenjiro Tsuda is best known for arrogant and antagonistic characters like Seto Kaiba and Overhaul. Kenjiro Tsuda also has a penchant for voicing comedic characters like Tatsu from The Way of the Househusband.

Kenjiro Tsuda is an acclaimed anime voice actor best known for his many dark and passionate characters. While he has played characters in games, movies, radio, and theater, he's often best known for his many prominent roles in anime and has been an incredibly prolific voice actor since his debut in 1995.

Kenjiro Tsuda's signature style is his drawl and menacing tone, and that's often led to Kenjiro Tsuda voicing characters with an arrogant air to them who are often in opposition to the protagonists.

Though he undeniably has a recognizable style, he's also...

Horimiya sets a high standard for romance anime with a simple yet believable love story between Hori and Miyamura. My Dress-Up Darling shines with unique characters and a cosplay angle that adds a refreshing perspective to the genre. My Love Story!! challenges stereotypes with an unconventional yet adorable couple, delivering a heartwarming romance fans will love.

Crunchyroll has some of the best anime romance selections fans can watch. In recent years, this highly popular streaming service has gained the attention of fans worldwide for its carefully curated selection of anime that ranges across various genres. However, while action shows and isekai tend to be some of their most viewed, romance has gained a significant following on Crunchyroll with some of the best anime the genre has to offer.

Given how malleable romance can be, there are countless stories on Crunchyroll that have a strong hook to grab viewers on telling a sweet love story.

Jujutsu Kaisen won Anime of the Year at the eighth annual Crunchyroll Anime Awards, which were handed out Saturday in Tokyo.

From left: Sony’s Sanford Panitch and Keith Le Goy, Crunchyroll’s Rahul Purini and Sony’s Kenichiro Yoshida

The Japanese manga series, which debuted in 2018, also won Best Action of the Year, dominated this year’s event, also winning Best Cinematography, Best Character Design, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor, Best Opening and Best Ending Sequences, plus three additional awards for Best Voice Actors in different languages.

Other winners included Demon Slayer (Kimetsu no Yaiba Swordsmith Village Arc), which collected three awards including Best Animation and Best Art Direction.

See the complete winners list below.

Celebrating the best and brightest in anime, the 2024 Anime Awards drew a record-breaking 34million votes from fans in 200 countries and territories, Crunchyroll said.

Here are the winners of the 2024 Anime Awards:

Anime of the...

The Anime Awards aims to celebrate the best that anime has to offer and this includes our beloved dubs. The performance of English VAs helps spread certain titles to wider audiences and can even serve as a way to give already established fans another fresh go-round with a series they love. Related: Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2024: Your Ultimate Guide In the end, helping people discover new titles while sharing the joy of old ones is what makes the anime community so special. With that, let’s run down the six nominees for Best Voice Artist Performance - English in the 2024 Anime Awards. Abby Trott as Nezuko Kamado Series: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Swordsmith Village Arc Even if you’ve never watched Demon Slayer , you may know Abby Trott’s voice, especially if you’re a Super Smash Bros. fan. She has an extensive resume, with her performance as...

On February 23, voice actor Reina Kondo's official Twitter account announced that she will be taking a temporary hiatus due to health issues. Details of her illness have not been disclosed. The statement from her agency, Hirata Office, writes: "She has been unwell since early February and, in consultation with her doctor, we have decided to prioritize her treatment for the time being. She will take a temporary rest, and will be able to work with restrictions after that. We sincerely apologize to everyone concerned and to our fans for any inconvenience and worry this may cause." Due to this decision, she will cancel her scheduled appearances at the concert events for The Idolm@Ster Shiny Colors franchise in March and April, the "Seiyu Grand Prix presents Spring Märchen Tea Party" event on March 10, the "Magical Girl Raising Project double shadow" reading play on March 16 and 17, and the special event...

Popular Japanese actress Rena Kondo, known for her roles in Dorohedoro, Akiba Maid War, Horimiya, among others, is taking a temporary break from her activities due to health concerns. Her talent agency, Hirata Office, announced the news on Feb 23, 2024, in a statement.

According to the statement released by the company, Kondo has been facing ongoing health issues since the beginning of February. In light of her condition, she has consulted with medical professionals, leading to the decision to prioritize her treatment and recovery at this time.

While the specifics of her health condition have not been disclosed, it has been decided that she will be taking a temporary break to focus on her recovery.

“Kondo has been suffering from poor health since February. After consulting with a doctor, it has been decided that she will prioritize treatment for the time being. As for her future activities, she will be taking...

Following the first lineup last week, the official website for the TV anime Go! Go! Loser Ranger! (known as Sentai Daishikkaku in Japan), based on the super hero manga by Negi Haruba ( The Quintessential Quintuplets ), announced the second lineup of its additional voice cast members. The anime has planned to reveal more voice cast members weekly for three consecutive weeks since January 30. The five characters introduced in a new video below are Ranger cadets of the Red Battalion led by the Dragon Keepers: Kai Shion: Yuki Ono (Josuke Higashikata in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable ) Eigen Urabe: Seiichiro Yamashita (Toru Ishikawa in Horimiya ) Angelica Yukino: Akari Kito (Nezuko Kamado in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba ) Soujiro Ishikawa: Daiki Hamano (Go Onizuka in Yu-Gi-Oh! Vrains ) Renren Akebayashi: Tomoyo Kurosawa (Kumiko Omae in Sound! Euphonium ) Related: Go! Go! Loser Ranger! Anime Announces 4 Additional Voice Cast Members The TV anime...

The seasons have changed once again, leading slice-of-life anime The Diary of Ochibi-san to unveil a brand-new trailer centered on Ochibi-san, Nazeni and Pankui's fall and winter activities with friends, such as collecting a large jar of osmanthus flowers and making piping-hot shiruko. Related: Friendship Blooms in The Diary of Ochibi-san TV Anime Trailer Daisuke Onizuka and Shogo Tsurii are directing the 24-episode slice-of-life series at Studio Khara ( Evangelion films), while the main trio are voiced by Manami Hanawa (Kiwi in Made in Abyss ), Nobuhiko Okamoto (Sengoku in Horimiya ) and Shiori Izawa (Piwi in Helck ). The original manga was first serialized in Asahi Shimbun in 2007 and ran until 2019, and was also adapted into a stop-motion short for the Japan Animator Expo anthology by Makoto Kawamura. Manga subscription service Azuki digitally publishes The Diary of Ochibi-san via Cork, describing the series as such: “Even if I can make you smile, I...

Chainsaw Man leads the field with a dominant 25 nominations for Crunchyroll‘s eighth annual Anime Awards, which be handed out in March. It will compete for the marquee Anime of the Year prize against Bocchi the Rock!, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba Swordsmith Village Arc, Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2, Oshi No Ko and Vinland Saga Season 2.

The fan-voted Anime Awards, which honor the year’s best Japanese animation, also features such disparate categories as Best Romance, Best Slice of Life and Best Voice Artist Performance in nine languages, will be presented March 2 in Tokyo. Three-time Grammy winner Megan Thee Stallion and Japanese singer LiSA will be among the presenters.

“Watching anime is one of my favorite things to do,” Megan Thee Stallion said in a statement. “I love cosplaying all of my favorite characters, I love the storytelling, and I love getting inspiration from the different anime art styles.”

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners...

The ‘Ultimate Anime Destination’ is home to over 46,000 episodes and 1,300 unique titles

If anime isn’t a genre that you normally follow, it might surprise you that it is one of the most popular genres in the world. Not only do more than half of Netflix’s worldwide subscribers check out anime on any given year, but the world’s leading anime streaming service Crunchyroll just crossed a major milestone. A little over two years after being acquired by Sony in August 2021, the streamer has gone from 5 million paid global customers to 13 million, as was announced during a presentation 2024 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week.

Crunchyroll recently surpassed 13 million premium paid subscribers around the world. The platform also announced that it has distributed 10 of the top 20 grossing anime films in United States box office history. Crunchyroll boasts the largest anime library, with over 1,300 unique titles and 46,000 episodes totaling over 24,000 hours available to stream.

Another year closes, and it sure was a newsy one! As my fourth year now doing this roundup, it's always fascinating to see what exactly ranks the highest as the year ends. Publishing this in the new year helps confirm my feeling that you need to let the current year end first, as any big news can break before December 31 (as you'll see soon). 2023 was a big year of change, particularly with Attack on Titan 's final finalized finale, but one that also continues to show the extended interests of anime fandoms. While you will normally be correct that Shonen Jump titles claim the crown for reads, don't count out the silently popular Isekai and/or reincarnation anime! Without further ado, here are the top-performing Crunchyroll news and features articles from the year 2023. News #1: Porno Graffitti Goes Plus Ultra Performing 1st My Hero Academia Opening in Just One Take What a good opening!

Streaming services like Crunchyroll offer a plethora of anime series under 20 episodes that are perfect for binge-watching. Shows like Odd Taxi and Erased deliver complex mysteries that keep audiences hooked with each episode. Yamada-kun and the Seven Witches and Horimiya provide fresh takes on romance anime, offering engaging storylines and lovable characters.

Thanks to streaming services dominating how fans consume series – which has led to the binge-watching phenomenon – there's never been a better time to sit back, relax, and binge anime on one of the biggest streaming platforms for the medium, Crunchyroll. The platform's massive library hosts plenty of series under 20 episodes that are easy to get hooked onto, and, despite their shorter runs, tell impressive stories that rival even some of the greatest classics in the industry.

Whether it be a complex mystery throwing hints and foreshadowing at its audience each episode, a simple slice-of-life romance or a bloodsoaked revenge thriller,...

Watching some lighthearted anime romance is one way to get some relaxation and unwind. Some people prefer watching anime that don’t have too much of a complex plot or characters, yet they still hold a fascination for them in a simple and comedic way. Low-stake anime romances have some silliness involved, keeping you hooked on their drama.

If you are one of those who are looking to watch some light-hearted anime, we have compiled a list of 5 you can watch! Just make sure you have a reliable internet connection to stream them on Crunchyroll, Netflix, Hulu, etc. If you don’t have one, we recommend getting Xfinity internet for super-fast speed and seamless connectivity while watching anime.

Moving on, here are the 5 anime that are low-stakes and include a little romance as well:

5. Maid-Sama (2010-2011)

This light comedy follows the adventures of three high-school girls and their romantic endeavors.

It’s an interesting month ahead on Hulu, as the streamer rolls out some of the series it’s been keeping in its back pocket for the holiday season.

On December 15, the first season of Such Brave Girls will arrive. The sitcom follows a dysfunctional family – and we mean dysfunctional! – that includes real-life sisters Kat Sadler and Lizzie Davidson. British comedian Sadler has previously written for The News Quiz, Hypothetical, and Mel Giedroyc: Unforgivable, but this is her first big TV project. “Everything we joke about in the show is from a place of lived experience,” she told Funny Women. “I wish I could say this is a heart-warming show about overcoming trauma, but that would be a lie. It’s about three toxic, damaged egomaniacs manipulating the world and each other for their own personal gain, vengeance and glory…just like in Little Women.” Sounds good!

Later in the month,...

Streaming service Crunchyroll announced that it has launched a traditional TV channel for a variety of channel networks. The move seems to be a safe bet to garner greater attention to Crunchyroll with a variety of older, English-dubbed shows. Online streaming will likely remain the priority by getting the premium and latest shows first.

The new Crunchyroll channel was already been rolled out on certain TV networks just as it made its press release. Judging by the channels, the 24-hour linear channel will mostly serve as an "economy class" sample, with limited options. The ultimate goal will be to draw in TV-adherent viewers towards trying the online streaming service, with its subscription plan. It's an age-old tactic that nonetheless still creates more options.

Related: Crunchyroll Releases Horde of Horror Anime For Free to Celebrate Halloween

Crunchyroll Channel Provides Older Anime for Free Close

The press release, reported by Anime News Network...

Crunchyroll and Gsn, each a subsidiary of Sony Pictures Entertainment, have joined forces to launch a new 24/7 anime streaming channel.

Starting today, viewers can find the new Crunchyroll channel on Amazon Freevee, LG Channels, the Roku Channel and Vizio WatchFree+. An announcement of the venture says its linear-style roster of fan-favorite titles is intended for an “anime-curious audience.” Among the series available at launch are Horimiya, Ranking of Kings, Moriarty the Patriot, Psycho–Pass, Arifureta, Sugar Apple Fairytale, To Your Eternity and Code Geass.

New and premium anime content will remain on Crunchyroll’s SVOD and AVOD services, the companies said.

Sony acquired Crunchyroll from AT&T in 2021 and merged it with anime specialist Funimation. The avid base of anime fans globally has propelled Crunchyroll past 10 million paid subscribers, Sony Corp. announced last summer. Sony also bought AT&T’s 42% stake in Gsn in 2019, becoming the sole owner of the cable TV network.

All anime, all the time: Crunchyroll, the Sony-owned anime service, announced a new 24-hour free, ad-supported channel in the U.S. to promote the Japanese animation format — and try to win a few new fans for its core offerings.

The first services to carry Crunchyroll’s free, ad-supported streaming TV (Fast) channel are LG Channels, the Roku Channel and Vizio WatchFree+, launching on Oct. 11. Amazon’s Freevee is slated to launch the channel on Oct. 17. The channel is a joint collaboration between Crunchyroll and corporate cousin Game Show Network (Gsn), which is part of Sony Pictures Entertainment.

The Crunchyroll channel will feature a lineup of older shows, dubbed in English — while new and premium anime content will remain on Crunchyroll’s subscription and ad-supported VOD services. Series available on the Fast channel at launch include “Horimiya,” “Ranking of Kings,” “Moriarty the Patriot,” “Psycho-Pass,” “Arifureta,” “Sugar Apple Fairy Tale,” “To Your Eternity” and “Code Geass.

Crunchyroll has launched its own 24/7 linear channel, the company announced Wednesday.

The anime-based channel, which is a collaboration between Sony Pictures Entertainment’s Crunchyroll and Gsn, will be available across Fast TV, with Amazon Freevee, LG Channels, The Roku Channel and Vizio WatchFree+ being the first to carry the channel. The network will launch on Oct. 11 on LG Channels, The Roku Channel and Vizio WatchFree+, with beginning to carry the channel on Oct. 17.

The channel will carry beloved Crunchyroll series, including “Horimiya,” “Ranking of Kings,” “Moriarty the Patriot,” “Psycho–Pass,” “Arifureta,” “Sugar Apple Fairytale,” “To Your Eternity” and “Code Geass.” New anime content will remain on Crunchyroll’s SVOD and AVOD services as well.

“Crunchyroll Channel is a gateway to the world of anime where we will guide viewers to discover new worlds, new stories and new characters,” Crunchyroll President Rahul Purini said in a statement. “And thanks to our distribution partners at launch,...

Believe it or not, anime has been one of the dominant entertainment genres for years, with viewers of all ages around the world tuning in to watch the stylized animated titles in record numbers. Now, fans will have a new way to stream hits as the world’s leading anime streaming service Crunchyroll has teamed up with Gsn to launch an around-the-clock free ad-supported streaming TV (Fast) anime channel.

Crunchyroll launches 24/7 streaming anime channel. The network will feature Japanese animated hits dubbed in English. The channel will be available on multiple free streaming platforms, including Freevee and the Roku Channel. 14-Day Free Trial $7.99+ / month crunchyroll.com

“With the launch of the Crunchyroll channel, we can immediately complement our growing subscription streaming platform by attracting more viewers and fans into our anime ecosystem,” Crunchyroll president Rahul Purini said. “We’re making it easier than ever to reach anime-interested and -curious viewers...

As one of the most popular anime of 2022, Spy X Family would undoubtedly receive a second season, and it did plus a movie to go along with it. The series just received its official trailer ahead of its October premiere, featuring a mesmerizing new opening theme sung by Ado, who was the voice of Uta's songs in the smash-hit movie One Piece Film: Red.

Spy X Family is one of the most popular manga series ever with about 31 million copies in circulation.The first season of the Spy x Family anime aired in April 2022 and was split into two parts or cours. With the premiere of season 2 coming soon on October 7, a new trailer has been released to showcase the return of the Forger family and the new opening theme.

Related: Spy x Family Season 2 Official Release Date Revealed

The Voice Of Uta From One Piece Film: Red Sings...