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Ahead of a simulcast release on Crunchyroll, a brand-new main trailer released for Aquarion Myth of Emotions today announced that the mecha anime will air on Japanese television from January 9, 2025 at 24:30 Jst (effectively January 10 at 0:30). The trailer highlights new and previously confirmed cast members, while also previewing the series' opening song, "Sosei no Aquarion Myth of Emotions Ver." by Akino from bless4 and Yoshiki Fukuyama. Akino from bless4 also performs "Kokuhaku" for the ending song, which is composed and arranged by Yoko Kanno ( Cowboy Bebop ) and features lyrics by Kanno and director Kenji Itoso. Aquarion Myth of Emotions Main Trailer The Aquarion Myth of Emotions ' anime's cast is now as follows: Sakko Otori voiced by Yumiri Hanamori Rimiya Tsukishiro voiced by Makoto Koichi Toshi Hatano voiced by Aki Toyosaki Momohime Amaha voiced by Azumi Waki Sayo Ichiki voiced by Konomi Kohara Sun voiced by Hiroki Nanami Kyoko...

Back in August, Kaiju No. 8 Season 2 was confirmed for a 2025 release along with theatrical screenings of the first season. The compilation will screen along with a special episode titled "Hoshina's Day Off," and it's officially set to kick off a three-week run in 32 theaters across Japan on March 28, 2025. You can see visual for Hoshina's Day Off inset at the bottom left of the theatrical visual below. Related: Kaiju No. 8 Season 2 Anime Confirmed for 2025 Release The story of Hoshina's Day Off comes from Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma writer Yuto Tsukuda, with Yuichiro Kido ( Dr. Stone ) providing the script. Based on the hit manga by Naoya Matsumoto, Shigeyuki Miya and Tomomi Kamiya directed the first season of  Kaiju No. 8  at studio Production I.G, with series composition by Ichiro Okouchi ( Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury ), character designs by Tetsuya Nishio ( Naruto ) and music by Yuta Bando ( Belle ). Crunchyroll  currently...

Featuring "Same Blue" by Official Hige DANdism ( Spy x Family Op) and "Teenage Blue" by Eve ( Jujutsu Kaisen Op), respectively, creditless versions of the Blue Box anime's opening and ending song sequences are now available to watch below. Blue Box Opening Video Blue Box Ending Video Related: Dan Da Dan Anime Gets the Ball Rolling with Nutty Opening, Ending Song Videos Based on the manga by Koji Miura, Yuichiro Yano ( Lupin The 3rd Part 5 ) directs the Blue Box anime at studio Telecom Animation Film, with series composition by Yuko Kakihara ( The Apothecary Diaries ), character designs by Miho Tanino ( Tower of God ) and music by Takashi Omama ( Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury ). Viz Media publishes an official English version of the manga and describes the story: Taiki admires Chinatsu from afar, but he doubts that she sees him in the same way. Yet somehow, he musters up the courage...

In celebration of "No. 8" day and Kafka's birthday on August 5 in Japan, the official website and accounts for the Kaiju No. 8 anime today confirmed that the previously announced sequel is a second season scheduled to release in 2025 . Furthermore, a film compilation of scenes from Season 1 and a special episode titled ''Hoshina's Day Off" will be shown in Japanese theaters sometime next year, and a live event with the anime's voice actors will be held at Kannai Hall on June 1, 2025 . Crunchyroll announced in June that it will stream the much-anticipated sequel when it releases. Related: Kaiju No. 8’s Kafka Hibino is the Hero We 30-Somethings Deserve Based on the hit manga by Naoya Matsumoto, Shigeyuki Miya and Tomomi Kamiya directed the first season of Kaiju No. 8 at studio Production I.G, with series composition by Ichiro Okouchi ( Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury ), character designs by Tetsuya Nishio...

Hit Japanese anime series Kaiju No. 8 is getting a second season. Shortly after the credits rolled on the show’s season-one finale Saturday, global specialty streamer Crunchyroll revealed that work is already underway at the storied Japanese anime studio Production I.G for a follow-up story arc. Crunchyroll says it will stream the season two return of Kaiji No. 8 in over 200 countries, with the specific release plans to be revealed at a later date.

Kaiju No. 8 is adapted from the original manga created by Naoya Matsumoto. The show is animated by Production I.G (Ghost in the Shell) with kaiju artwork and design supervision by Studio Khara (Evangelion: New Theatrical Edition, Shin Godzilla).

The series is directed by Shigeyuki Miya (director and character designer of Onihei) and Tomomi Kamiya (Yotsuiro Biyori), with composition and scriptwriting by Ichiro Okouchi (Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury).

The show’s official...

In a recent survey conducted by Anime! Anime!, Japanese fans picked their top yuri anime series. The poll, which ran from June 12-16, garnered responses from 733 participants.

The gender ratio of those who participated in the survey was was approximately 50% male, 40% female, and 10% unspecified.

The age demographics showed that about 35% of the respondents were under 19 years old, and about 30% were in their 20s, highlighting the genre’s popularity among younger audiences.

Checkout the top 20 Yuri anime series as selected by Japanese fans below:

20. The Demon Girl Next Door 19. Wataten!: An Angel Flew Down To Me 18. Strawberry Panic 17. The Jellyfish Can’t Swim In The Night 16. Maria Watches Over Us 15. Kannazuki No Miko 14. Studio Apartment, Good Lighting, Angel Included 13. Yuri Is My Job! 12. My Next Life As A Villainess: All Routes Lead To Doom! 11. Gushing Over Magical Girls 10. The Magical Revolution Of The Reincarnated Princess And The Genius Young Lady 9. Sakura Trick...

The colossal thrills of Naoya Matsumoto's Kaiju No. 8 are heading to mobile and PC in a newly announced game currently titled Kaiju No. 8 The Game . The official accounts shared a reveal trailer for the project, which Akatsuki Games is developing and distributing for mobile devices and PC, with production and promotional cooperation from Toho and Production I.G. The game will be available via the App Store, Google Play and Steam.  There's no release date yet, but you can see some cinematic footage in the first trailer below.  Kaiju No. 8 The Game Trailer Related: Kaiju No. 8 Anime Adds Kenta Miyake as Kaiju No. 10 The original  Kaiju No. 8  manga by Naoya Matsumoto is serialized in Shueisha's Shonen Jump+ digital manga platform. An  English language version  is also available from Viz Media. Shigeyuki Miya and Tomomi Kamiya direct the TV anime at studio Production I.G., with series composition...

A start date is in place for the Grendizer U anime, which will bring its hot-blooded super robot action to TV in Japan on July 5. There's also a new trailer, key visual and some updated mecha visuals, so check it all out below while we wait for the fun to begin next month. First up, the third full trailer previews Band-maid ending song "Protect You": Grendizer U Trailer 3 The new key visual has Grendizer front and center along with Mazinger Z and their respective pilots, Duke Fleed and Koji Kabuto and, among other characters. Here are some fresh mecha visuals, starting with Double Spazer: Drill Spazer: Marine Spazer: Vega Beast King Banibani: Teron Burn: There are also plans in place for a manga adaptation, which will be serialized on web manga site Comiplex. Further information on that will be announced at a later date. Related: Grendizer U Anime Reboot...

The Kaiju No. 8 anime series announced a new cast member joining the show today, with voice actor Kenta Miyake (All Might in My Hero Academia ) playing Kaiju No. 10 . Kaiju No. 8 is currently broadcasting in Japan, and it is also streaming on Crunchyroll as part of the spring 2024 anime simulcast lineup . Kaiju No. 10 and Kenta Miyake Related: Which Kaiju No. 8 T-Shirt Is Best for Kaiju Battles? The original Kaiju No. 8 manga by Naoya Matsumoto is serialized in Shueisha's Shonen Jump+ digital manga platform. An English language version is also available from Viz Media. Shigeyuki Miya and Tomomi Kamiya direct the TV anime at studio Production I.G., with series composition by Ichiro Okouchi ( Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury ), character designs by Tetsuya Nishio ( Naruto ) and music by Yuta Bando ( Belle ). Crunchyroll describes Kaiju No. 8 : In a world plagued by creatures known as Kaiju, Kafka Hibino...

The rising stars of the Defense Force will get to shine even brighter when Kaiju No. 8 takes over women's magazine anan for a two-week special edition! As shown below, the front cover of issue 2400, due out on June 5, will feature Kafka and Reno, while the back cover will display Vice-Commander Hoshina. Kikoru and Commander Ashiro will take over the front cover of issue 2401, which will be published on June 12. Each issue will contain interviews with the relevant cast members, plus director Shigeyuki Miya in the latter issue. Issue 2400 front Issue 2400 back Issue 2401 front Related: Sailor Moon Cosmos’ Three Lights Idol Band Don the Cover of Women’s Magazine anan Based on the hit manga by Naoya Matsumoto, Shigeyuki Miya and Tomomi Kamiya direct Kaiju No. 8 at studio Production I.G, with series composition by Ichiro Okouchi ( Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury ), character designs by Tetsuya Nishio...

With episode five of the monster-adverse   Kaiju No. 8   TV anime set to air later this week, Kafka will finally be making their way officially onto the Defense Force, and with it comes a bunch of new characters to fill out the ranks of the Third Division. In anticipation of the next episode, two more members of the Third Division were announced tonight on the official Twitter account for the series. Akari Minase  voiced by Nene Hieda (Misa Ilioroagu in The Misfit of Demon King Academy ) Hakua Igarashi  voiced by Mayuko Kazama (Sayo Minakami in Gushing Over Magical Girls ) Related: Kaiju No. 8 Anime Reveals Cast for Kaiju No. 9 in Monster and Human Form Shigeyuki Miya and Tomomi Kamiya directs  Kaiju No. 8  at studio Production I.G, with series composition by Ichiro Okouchi ( Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury ), character designs by Tetsuya Nishio ( Naruto ) and music by Yuta...

The Gundam Breaker series is getting ready to continue with its first numbered entry in over six years. Bandai Namco Entertainment announced plans to bring Gundam Breaker 4 to PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and PC (Steam), and a global launch date has been locked in for August 29, 2024. This one has players breaking, building and battling with their own unique Gunpla both online and off. You can see some footage in the extended announcement trailer below. Related: Mobile Fighter G Gundam Shares 30th Anniversary Illustration, Side Story Plans Standard and Collector's Edition physical releases are on the way to PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch, and those who pre-order will get the Launch Edition that comes with reversible cover art and an exclusive poster. Here's what you'll get with the Digital Editions: Digital Deluxe Edition – This version includes the base game, early unlocks to parts from 15 “hero” mobile suits spanning iconic series including Mobile Suit Gundam Seed,...

The fourth episode of the Kaiju No. 8 anime marked the debut of Kaiju No. 9 in both monster form and the human form of Takamichi Hotaka. With that comes the announcement of their respective voice cast members. Hiroyuki Yoshino (Present Mic in My Hero Academia ) voices Kaiju No. 9 and Tomokazu Sugita (Gintoki in Gintama ) voices Takamichi Hotaka. You can see their designs below. Related: Kaiju No. 8 Anime Announces Cast for Isao Shinomiya, Tae Nakanoshima Based on the hit manga by Naoya Matsumoto, Shigeyuki Miya and Tomomi Kamiya direct  Kaiju No. 8  at studio Production I.G, with series composition by Ichiro Okouchi ( Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury ), character designs by Tetsuya Nishio ( Naruto ) and music by Yuta Bando ( Belle ). Crunchyroll is  streaming the series  as it airs in Japan and describes the story: In a world plagued by creatures known as Kaiju, Kafka Hibino aspired to enlist in The Defense Force.

Ahead of its fourth episode broadcast this weekend, the official website and accounts for the Kaiju No. 8 anime today announced the casting of Tessho Genda (Kurt in Saga of Tanya the Evil ) as Isao Shinomiya, the Director General of the Defense Force and Kikoru's father, and Mutsumi Tamura (Kobayashi in Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid ) as Third Division Platoon Leader Tae Nakanoshima. Isao Shinomiya / Tessho Genda Tae Nakanoshima / Mutsumi Tamura Related: Recap: Kaiju No. 8 Episode 3, “Revenge Match” Based on the hit manga by Naoya Matsumoto, Shigeyuki Miya and Tomomi Kamiya direct Kaiju No. 8 at studio Production I.G, with series composition by Ichiro Okouchi ( Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury ), character designs by Tetsuya Nishio ( Naruto ) and music by Yuta Bando ( Belle ). Crunchyroll is streaming the series as it airs in Japan and describes the story: In a world plagued by creatures known as Kaiju, Kafka...

Grendizer U , the new version of Go Nagai's classic giant robot series, has just released a new trailer packed with moments that will get any mecha fan's blood pumping. Set to the show's opening theme, "Kaishin no Ichigeki" by Glay, the new trailer features battles both on Earth and in space, as well as familiar sights like Mazinger Z rising from its launch pad: Related: Grendizer U Anime Reboot Unveils Four Updated Mechanical Designs Along with this new trailer come four new cast members, all playing staff members at the Photon Lab: Hayashi voiced by Shinya Takahashi (Kouki Mimura in Assassination Classroom ) Yamada voiced by Riho Sugiyama (Yoko Araki in Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture ) Saeki voiced by Hinonori Kondo (Clamp in Mobile Suit Gundam The Origin ) Oi voiced by Sora Tokui (Nico Yazawa in Love Live! School Idol Project ) Related: Grendizer U Anime Reboot Recruits New Cast and Crew,...

30th anniversary plans were teased for the Mobile Fighter G Gundam anime along with some highlights surrounding the wider 45th anniversary festivities for the original Mobile Suit Gundam . Now some of that has come to fruition, including a special 30th anniversary visual (above) and a new side story scenario that's being developed by G Gundam chief director Yasuhiro Imagawa. The character-filled illustration comes from animator Shinpei Sawa. The side story reveal follows tease of a new character for the series, complete with art. According to the announcement, the new story connecting the past, present and future is in development for summer 2024, and stories will be posted on the official G Gundam website . Previously-revealed character tease. Related: Gundam Anime Shares Big Plans for 45th Anniversary, Celebratory Art The Mobile Fighter G Gundam anime aired from April 1994 to March 1995 for a total of 49 episodes, featuring Yasuhiro Imagawa as chief director, Fuyunori Gobu...

Crunchyroll is carving out a monster-sized home for the launch of the eagerly anticipated Kaiju No. 8. For the first time, the ultimate destination for anime will stream new episodes of the series live every week in more than 200 countries and territories around the world at the same time as it broadcasts in Japan, starting on Saturday, April 13 at 7:30 pm Ist.

The official key visual for the Anime:

Check the English Dub Trailer here:

In case fans miss it live, the new episodes of Kaiju No. 8 will be available on Crunchyroll every Saturday at 9 pm Ist. Subscribers can visit the official Kaiju No. 8 show page on Crunchyroll now to add it to their Watchlist as a reminder.

Additionally, Crunchyroll will be producing multiple dubs of Kaiju No. 8 in English, Latin American Spanish, Portuguese, German, French, Italian, Castilian Spanish, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu.

Not only that, Crunchyroll...

Grendizer U brings back one of Go Nagai's classic Mazinger series robots for a new generation. And when the main 'bot gets updated, the enemy units need an upgrade, too! Today, we get a look at the glow-ups for three Saucer Beasts who appeared in the original series, as well as an updated look for the smaller enemy units. First up, the mass-produced MiniFOs, piloted by Vegan soldiers: Related: Grendizer U Anime Trailer Previews Theme Songs, More Cast Announced Next up, the Saucer Beasts themselves. All of them have a more angular, futuristic redesign, while maintaining elements of their original look. Here's Saucer Beast Girugiru, the turtle-like monster seen in the original series's first episode: Gorugoru, the two-headed Saucer Beast originally seen in episode 4: And Gingin, piloted by Captain Gorman in episode 7 of the original series: Related: Grendizer U Anime Reboot Recruits New Cast and Crew, Shares New...

As the third performer of cover song project CrosSing 's ongoing eighth season, voice actor Lynn sang "Shukufuku," originally performed by Japanese music duo Yoasobi as the opening theme for the first season of Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury . Lynn voiced Miorine Rembran, one of the two protagonists of the anime. Kana Ichinose, who was cast as the anime's other protagonist, Suletta Mercury, sang "Kimi yo Kedakaku Are," the first ending theme for the anime, as the third performer of the project's sixth season in August 2023. She said in a short message video on Twitter, "Since this song was the opening theme for Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury, I covered it this time, and it was a very difficult song. But I think I was able to record it with a lot of fun and all of my heart, so I hope you will listen to it a lot!

The official Twitter account for Japanese music duo Yoasobi has announced that the music video for their second CD single song " Shukufuku " ( The Blessing ) has been viewed over 100 million times on YouTube. The CD single released in Japan on November 9, 2022, and was featured as the opening theme for the first season Mobile Suit Gundam the Witch from Mercury . The song was based on the novel Yurikago no Hoshi ( The Star of the Cradle ), written by the anime's series composition writer, Ichiro Okochi . The music video was directed by Nobutaka Yoda (10Gauge), who has produced opening movies for Doraemon and Mr. Osomatsu , as well as various movie trailers and commercials. Meanwhile, Yutaro Kubo — who has presented his work at international film festivals and has received numerous awards and nominations in Japan and abroad, including the Anima Mundi (Brazil) Best Gallery Award — served as the animation director. The three-minute clip started streaming...

Disney+ has revealed the release date for the next title on its growing slate of Japanese anime. The hitman series The Fable, based on the best-selling manga of the same name, will launch worldwide on the streaming service on April 7. The show is the latest anime title released via Disney’s partnership with Japanese publishing powerhouse Kodansha, the home of some of Japan’s most iconic manga IP, including titles like Akira, Attack on Titan and Ghost in the Shell.

During a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Luke Kang, Disney’s president of the Asia Pacific region, spoke of anime’s continually growing global popularity and said that producing more content in the category was Disney’s main priority for the Japanese market. The Fable will also air in Japan on Nippon TV, but Disney holds the exclusive worldwide streaming rights.

The original The Fable manga was written and...

Everyone's favorite Earthian is back as a posable figure from Bandai Namco! Chuatury Panlunch (Chuchu to you and me) from Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury makes her debut in the company's Figure-rise Standard series. These figures are highly posable and flexible for a variety of expressive display options. Chuchu sports her iconic hairstyle and comes with three separate faceplates for her many moods, as well as props for both chill and less chill moments: Related: Japan Box Office: Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Freedom Returns to No.1 in 3rd Weekend Related: Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Freedom Film Surpasses 3 Billion Yen in 24 Days The figure is now available from the Bandai Hobby website for 4,180 yen, including tax. Missing Chuchu and the rest of the cast of Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury ? You can watch the whole series right here on Crunchyroll ! Source: Anime! Anime!

In a surprising move, Twitter has officially jumped on the year end ranking bandwagon, revealing the top 5 anime and manga, among other categories that dominated the platform in the year 2023 in Japan. This announcement comes as part of the XTrendAward.

XTrendAward is an accolade known for its data-driven approach in determining the real trends of the year based on the various posts across the platform.

Taking the top spot in the anime category was Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury, and Chiikawa in the manga category.

Checkout the top 5 trending anime of 2023 on Twitter below:

1. Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury

2. Jujutsu Kaisen

3. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End

4. Attack On Titan

5. Oshi No Ko

Moreover, Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury was the third most trending topic overall on X, with Jujutsu Kaisen taking eighth spot.

Top 5 trending manga of 2023:

1. Chiikawa

2. Hyperinflation

3. The Dangers In My Heart...

A healthy mix of returning blockbuster series and quirky new originals herald the 2023 spring season of anime. Leading the charge is the wild and entertaining Oshi no Ko, a drama that’s both as outlandish as they come and often bitingly down to earth, all while taking a magnifying glass to the entertainment industry. Elsewhere, the surreal, post-apocalyptic road trip Heavenly Delusion and the second season of Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury operate on a larger scale, both balancing flashy action with some immensely complicated internal struggles.

The second season premiere of "Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury" followed the action-packed first season finale by returning to the status quo at Asticassia School of Technology. The next episode blew it up, killing characters and breaking Asticassia beyond repair. Now in this third episode, we leave Asticassia for the most part. Nika and Miorine appear, Shaddiq chats with his (kidnapped) guardian, but the heroine Suletta is totally absent. It's another big twist in a season that's leaned on shock and awe, catching the viewer's attention with the right hand to hide what's in the left. These sorts of magicians' tricks only work so long as the viewer is willing to suspend their sense of disbelief. Thankfully "The Witch From Mercury" is generous. The staff is very good at conditioning the audience, predicting what they want and then giving it to them when they least expect it or most dread it.

The storm has come to "Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury." Dawn of Fold terrorists Sophie and Norea broke into the Rumble Ring, killing one student and badly injuring Guel's half-brother Lauda Neill. Shaddiq kidnapped his adopted guardian during the chaos, and now is a step closer to ruling the Benerit Group. Nika nearly confessed her guilt, but is now being hunted by security forces. Chuchu and her other Earth House friends grappled with Ptsd after the attack on Plant Quetta. Elan confessed that Norea reminds him of his earlier face (who was seemingly killed in episode 6.) Sophie pushed herself to the limit in order to defeat Suletta, only to die after realizing what Lady Prospera finally confesses in this episode: that the Aerial contains the body or spirit of Prospera's daughter Ericht Samaya. It's all part of Quiet Zero, a plan begun by Miorine's mother Notrette to end...

The last time we saw "Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury," everything was about to change. The Earthian terrorist outfit Dawn of Fold attacked Plant Quetta, incapacitating Benerit Group president Delling Rembran. In the chaos, Guel Jeturk accidentally killed his dad. Shaddiq made his first big play to change the status quo of the Benerit Group. Nika Nanaura, an Earthian double agent with connections to Dawn of Fold, was spotted at the worst possible moment by her classmate Martin. Suletta Mercury, the heroine of the series, was taught by her mother Lady Prospera to kill others in order to protect her friends. She did so, crushing an Earthian soldier with the hand of the Aerial to save Miorine. Miorine was disgusted.

After an episode like that, anything seemed possible. For instance, Suletta and Miorine becoming enemies. Nika or Guel facing a criminal trial. Abandoning Asticassia School of Technology for...

In this weekly data series powered by Parrot Analytics we look at the top breakout shows of the past week. Breakout shows are the most in-demand series that have premiered in the past 100 days.

When Netflix announced its decision to cancel “1899” last week, fans and viewers were left confused by the decision and the platform’s reasoning. Demand for the series has tracked higher than the first two seasons of “Dark,” another German show by the same creators which was Netflix’s best performing German language series yet.

Following the cancellation announcement, not only has there been an expected jump in social activity, but we have also measured an increase in consumption/viewership, with demand for “1899” jumping by 55. As of this week, the show had 25.5 times the average series demand in the U.S., climbing up the list to take third place in the breakout shows rankings, according to Parrot Analytics‘ data,...

Violence and chaos consume the twelfth episode of "Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury," the last of the show's first half. The Dawn of Fold mercenaries launch their attack on Plant Quetta. Guel fights his dad. Nika uses her shady connections to keep her Earth House friends safe but is caught by Martin. Delling is stabbed through the chest by debris protecting his daughter Miorine. Suletta is encouraged by her mother to murder a terrorist in cold blood and does so with a smile on her face. Robots tear through space, cold artillery shells mix with laser fire, and carefully seeded imagery of hands, tomatoes, and kneeling machines are paid off in terrifying fashion.

"The Witch From Mercury" is not subtle. It lays out its characters and conflicts well in advance. It encourages the audience to think, "Hey, wouldn't it be messed up if that happened?" Then it does...

In this weekly data series powered by Parrot Analytics we look at the top breakout shows of the past week. Breakout shows are the most in-demand series that have premiered in the past 100 days.

Demand for “1899” inched up by 3 last week, after the previous week’s 5 increase in demand, , according to Parrot Analytics‘ data, which takes into account consumer research, streaming, downloads and social media, among other engagement. This increase in demand came before the announcement on Jan. 2 that Netflix had canceled the show.

After “1899” premiered on Nov. 17, it ranked near the top of our new shows ranking and the fact that it has grown in demand for the past two weeks points to the show’s longevity. The show’s creators were also behind “Dark,” which became one of Netflix’s biggest international hits. These factors make it all the more surprising that Netflix axed the show and left fans sorely disappointed.

"Delling is going to die." So begins the end of the first half of "Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury." Every piece placed on the board in earlier episodes is making its move. Guel's dad Vim Jeturk wants Delling dead. Sarius Zenelli of Grassley Defense Systems hedges his bets. Shaddiq maneuvers to take control of the situation on his own. A new boy wearing Elan's face tries once more to seize the Aerial for Peil Technologies. Delling himself travels to Planet Quetta, where he meets with Lady Prospera. Her own plans are, as usual, a mystery.

The success of any one of these plots and counter-plots could change the future of the powerful Benerit Group. Whether this is simply another skirmish in a long battle for control of the solar system's economy, or the moment that the Benerit Group collapses into a civil war between dueling companies, is besides the point.

Slowly but surely, "Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury" has been moving towards full-scale war. This episode featured the show's first real group battle, as Suletta is made to fight not just Shaddiq but his five teen girl lieutenants at the same time. Chuchu takes the field for the first time, but she isn't the only one. Even noncombatants like Lilique and Till are made to fight. They can't hold their own against Shaddiq's experienced cohort, but they show more of an affinity for the battlefield than you might think. Lilique makes a rival (despite herself) out of Shaddiq's ally Renee, as clear a qualification for Gundam main character status as you can find. Meanwhile, Till takes point on the episode's final twist, directing Chuchu's sharpshooting prowess to ensure victory.

"Revolutionary Girl Utena," which influenced "The Witch From Mercury," only ever featured one-on-one duels. But those duels were never...

"Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury" has spent much of its run so far loudly critiquing unrestrained capitalism. The Benerit Group runs the solar system with machines built on the back of cheap labor from the inhabitants of Earth. Its president Delling Rembran crushes innovative ideas that pose a threat to the hegemony of the military-industrial complex. Asticassia School of Technology, where the children of the Benerit Group earn their qualifications, is a place to make important connections rather than one designed to teach students anything. "The Witch From Mercury" has made it as clear as it possibly can that the Benerit Group has at best become outmoded, and at worst become an active force for evil. So the question remains: what should take its place?

The last episode saw Miorine form a new start-up, Gund-arm Inc., to rebrand her friend Suletta's Gundam Aerial as an innovative idea rather than a dangerous heresy.

You may have noticed that there was no new episode of "Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury" last week. Instead, the series aired a special episode on November 13 summarizing the events of episodes 1-6, followed by an interview with Suletta and Miorine's voice actors Kana Ichinose and Lynn. Neither Crunchyroll nor the GundamInfo YouTube channel are currently streaming this segment to audiences in the United States. Recap episodes are an anime tradition, although they were more common when anime series ran for dozens of episodes instead of just a dozen. Earlier "Gundam" titles had their fair share. But all of them, as far as I know, lasted more than six weeks before resorting to a recap. Despite being the newest entry in the prestigious "Gundam" franchise, "Witch From Mercury" managed just six episodes before taking a break. Why didn't Bandai Namco delay this series to give its artists the time they needed,...

In this weekly data series powered by Parrot Analytics we look at the top breakout shows of the past week. Breakout shows are the most in-demand series that have premiered in the past 100 days.

AMC’s “Interview With the Vampire” saw the largest jump in demand in this week’s top breakout shows ranking, according to Parrot Analytics‘ data, which takes into account consumer research, streaming, downloads and social media, among other engagement.

This week’s data captures demand for the show’s penultimate episode which aired on Nov. 6 and drove demand for the show 13 higher than last week. Next week, we will be able to see how its finale on Sunday performed but this week’s solid performance shows that “Interview With the Vampire” has momentum going into its finale. AMC’s decision to renew the show for a second season before the first season even premiered looks prescient now.

This might be the single most action-packed episode of "Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury" yet. I know that may seem absurd considering the feast that we have been given each week. But consider this week's bounty: Guel is abandoned by his family and goes camping in the woods! Earth House builds Suletta some cool rocket boosters out of scrap! Elan's powerful Gundam Pharact goes up against Suletta's Aerial in a space duel! These are the kinds of absurd, melodramatic events that certain folks pejoratively call "anime." "Witch of Mercury" proves that this kind of storytelling can also be fun and addictive, so long as the pacing is just fast enough, and the characters endearing enough, that you suspend your sense of disbelief for another week.

If this week's episode is a big wrapped gift, though, the gift has a bomb inside. This is the meanest and most...

The fourth episode of "Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury" slows its roll after last week. Guel withdraws his proposal of marriage to Suletta, claiming it was all a big misunderstanding (or was it?) Last week's exciting robot fight is replaced by a standardized test involving piloting a boring utility robot through a minefield. Rather than risk being expelled if she fails, the worst thing that could happen to Suletta here is needing to take a make-up exam. Even Suletta's mother Lady Prospera fails to make an appearance this time around, as much a sign as any that the show's revenge plot has been put on hold.

You might think that would make this week's episode, "Unseen Trap," a disappointing effort. But "Unseen Trap" is the meatiest episode of "Witch From Mercury" to date. The secret to the show's success so far has been juxtaposing high-stakes anime melodrama (as...

There's a practice in anime fandom called the three-episode rule. The way it works is, if you watch a series for at least three episodes, you'll come away with an idea of what the anime is and whether it is worth continuing. The three-episode rule is rather useless at judging anthology shows like "Space Dandy," or even older series that ran for 52 episodes or more. It's also debatable whether animators or scriptwriters pay any attention to it, or if the rule is a fan-made supposition along the lines of "this episode must have been expensive to make" or "off-model character designs mean bad animation."

Three episodes into "Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury," I'm no closer to knowing if the series will stick the landing at the end. But I do know one thing, which is that right now "The Witch From Mercury" is outrageously fun to watch. There...

The second episode of "Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury" throws a spanner into the works. Did you think that our heroine Suletta would get in her powerful Gundam Aerial and lay waste to the rest of Asticassia School of Technology? Not so fast. A team of robots flies into the arena to arrest her, claiming that her mecha relies on forbidden Gund-based technology; a type of device that, as we learned in the prologue episode, strengthens itself by drawing directly upon human life force. Suletta is detained, the duel is annulled, and the status quo enforced by the powerful Beneritt Group remains intact. The only real fight scene in this episode is a short teaser after the ending credits. The remainder is all politics.

Then again, that is not such a bad thing. From the very beginning, "Mobile Suit Gundam" distinguished itself from its peers through politics. One...