Otaku News

New Ghost in the Shell 2026 Music Production Details Revealed

Date: 2026 February 07 11:12 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

We've just received details about the the new 2026 release of Ghost in the Shell. It's already been revealed that it'll be released in Japan sometime in July 2026, but now we're told that Taisei Iwasaki, Ryo Konishi and Yuki Kanesaka will be providing the music for the series.

Taisei Iwasaki will be the musical director and is best known for composing the score for Belle, while Ryo Konishi, produces for artists such as Chara+YUKI, Mrs. Green Apple, TOMOO and more. They'll be collaborating with composer Yuki Kanesaka, who produced the music for TV anime Dr. Stone.

AnimEigo Release Latest Episode of The Anime Business Documentary Featuring Translator and Writer Johnathan Clements

Date: 2026 January 21 20:39 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from AnimEigo have sent us the details for the latest episode of their ongoing documentary series The Anime Business. Episode 12 features an interview with Johnathan Clements, translator, writer and co-author of The Anime Encyclopedia. He's an established name in the anime industry and very well known in anime fandom especially in the UK. He's done many collaborations with Helen McCarthy who was featured in Episode 11. He's well known for his insights into the anime industry and has written about it's inner workings.

In this episode Johnathan Clements takes us on a retrospective of the anime industry and fandom.

Episode 12 is available now on the official AnimEigo YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@AnimEigo/videos.

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Season 2 Streaming Release Details

Date: 2026 January 14 19:54 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from anime streaming service Crunchyroll have announced the streaming release details for Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Season 2. The popular anime charts the adventures of elf mage Frieren, who has completed her quest with a party of heroes and now has to figure out what to do next. One of our contributors describes this as the sad elf anime, but that's one take on it, to be honest, it's such a great series. There's fun slice of life moments, plenty of action and adventure. It's well animated, well paced, the more we watch the more we want to learn about Frieren's world.

Kyle Cardine the Global Editor-in-Chief for Crunchyroll News revealed the release details. Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Season 2 will be released on 16th January 2026 at 7am PT, which is 15:00 in GMT (UK Time) or 16:00 CET. The series is available to stream in North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East, CIS, India and Southeast Asia.

An Interview with Horror Manga Artist Anji Matono

Date: 2025 November 29 09:53 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Interviews

This year in Japan Expo in Paris one of the Japanese guests was horror manga artist Anji Matono. Best known for her work 100 Ghost Stories That Will Lead to My Own Death it collects a series of gruesome horror stories which spans across multiple volumes of unsettling manga.

We were lucky enough to catch up with her while in Paris and find out about what it's like being a horror manga artist.

My Happy Marriage Returns to Netflix in 2026 for 3 Special Episodes

Date: 2025 November 22 11:21 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

Fans of the anime version of My Happy Marriage will be pleased to hear that Miyo and Kiyoka will be returning to Netflix in 2026 for a 3 episode special. The same team behind season 1 and 2 of the anime will return for the special episodes. In the official promo image and the director imply that the couple will finally get married! No doubt some special powered hijinks will get in the way too.

The press release doesn't state a streaming date, but it does offer a reminder that you can get the official soundtrack on vinyl from the good folks at Anime Limited.

You can watch My Happy Marriage Season 1 and 2 on Netflix.

The Guy She Was Interested In Wasn't a Guy at All Kinokuniya Pop Up Event Details

Date: 2025 November 12 20:33 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

The good folks from Kadokawa Corporation have sent us details for a The Guy She Was Interested In Wasn't a Guy at All pop up event which will be held Kinokuniya Bookstores in Japan, North America, and Asia-Pacific Region. The event will start in February 2026 and run sequentially across all the participating regions.

We're told the pop up will have a wide variety of original merchandise featuring newly drawn illustrations of Mitsuki and Aya, as well as other illustrations from the comics. We really love The Guy She Was Interested In Wasn't a Guy at All and if you want to know more about what we think about it, then why not take a look at our manga review?

Hypland and Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Streetwear Collection

Date: 2025 September 28 14:50 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Retail

The good folks from streetware brand Hypland have sent us details of their upcoming Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Streetwear Collection. The official clothing range will be available from September 29 2025. The line includes t-shirts, gym shorts, hoodies, tote bags and tapestries all adorned with characters from Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. The line up includes not just Tanjiro and his pals, but Hashira and Demons too.

The limited edition range will be available from hypland.com, Hypland Pop-ups, and select partners.

An Interview with Hidemi Shiraki Editor in Chief of Young Magazine

Date: 2025 September 10 19:50 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Interviews

Following on from the announcement that Kodansha were going to release a special US edition of Young Magazine, we were keen to know more We got in touch with Hidemi Shiraki Editor in Chief of Young Magazine and interviewed him via e-mail. We talk about what seinen means to him and why Young Magazine is getting a US release now.

Mobile Suit Gundam San Diego Comic Con 2025 Announcements

Date: 2025 July 29 19:11 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks at Bandai Namco Filmworks Inc revealed some news for Gundam Fans at San Diego Comic-Con 2025.

Highlights included lots celebration for the 30th Anniversary of Gundam Wing, including an illustration inspired by the classic artwork was revealed, plus a special Commemorative video titled Mobile Suit Gundam Wing - Operation 30th - directed by Toru Iwasawa (who also directed Frieren: Beyond Journey's End), which is available on GundamInfo, the official Gundam YouTube channel.

They announced Gundam Wing illustrator Sakura Asagi and screenwriter Katsuyuki Sumisawa will also team up for a new manga series commemorating the 30th anniversary of Gundam Wing. It bridges the gap between Endless Waltz and Frozen Teardrop, with chapter 1 available to read in English online now.

A theatrical re-release of Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz will arrive in Japanese and American theaters.

Fans of Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans can also enjoy the 10th Anniversary project which is set to reunite key staff members from the original series including Director Tatsuyuki Nagai and the main cast of Mobile Suit Gundam Iron‐Blooded Orphans Urdr‐Hunt, more details will be made available nearer the release date.

Japan Expo Paris 2025 Report

Date: 2025 July 20 15:43 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Features

France is the largest manga market in Europe, accounting for around 50% of all manga sales in Europe. As a result the French anime and manga scene is massive. Many people enjoy France's thriving Bande dessinée culture of comics, but Japanese manga and culture is also very popular in France.

With this in mind, we decided to visit Japan Expo in Paris. It's an event purely focused on Japanese culture, featuring anime and manga, video games, Japanese food and traditional Japanese culture. The July 2025 event attracted 230,000 visitors making it the third largest event in France for visitors per day! Having experienced the London event scene many a time we were keen to explore what the colossal French event looked like.

Kodansha Announces US Release of Young Magazine

Date: 2025 July 16 20:02 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good folks from publishing powerhouse Kodansha have sent us details of the US release of Young Magazine. The popular Japanese manga magazine has been home to the legendary titles including Akira and Ghost in the Shell. They've selected 19 new manga series geared towards American manga fans. Along with a special bonus to help boost the magazine's American launch, new titles will be unveiled from manga creators including Shuzo Oshimi (author of "The Flowers of Evil" and "Blood on the Tracks").

We're told this special, premium issue of Young Magazine, containing over 1,044 pages of , will be distributed for free to attendees of Anime NYC as well as being made available at participating Kinokuniya locations for a limited time.

We're excited about some of the titles they've got lined up. We really enjoyed Boys Run The Riot and the follow up Boys Run The Riot - In Transition is sure to be good.

AnimEigo Release Latest Episode of The Anime Business Documentary Featuring Manga Entertainment

Date: 2025 June 28 14:33 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from AnimEigo have sent us the details for the latest episode of their ongoing documentary series The Anime Business. Episode 5 features an interview with Andy Frain, the founder of Manga Video/Manga Entertainment. They popularised anime in the UK and beyond. They were responsible for releasing Akira in the UK creating a boom in the market, and then later co-producing hugely successful and influential Ghost in the Shell animated movie. They've had a massive impact on the English speaking anime world and it's great to see the history of the company documented in this video.

Episode 5 is available now on the official AnimEigo YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@AnimEigo/videos.

Teppeki Honeymoon Volume 1 Manga Release Details

Date: 2025 June 18 19:48 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good folks from One Peace Books have sent us the details of their latest shoujo manga by Meca Tanaka. Teppeki Honeymoon Volume 1 is due out on 8th July 2025.

The intro explains "Everything is going wrong for high schooler Ena, locally renowned for her super strength, when her life takes a strange turn. She becomes the betrothed of the unexpectedly gorgeous Sakae, a bodyguard and heir to a major security company."

Meca Tanaka is well known for other titles including The Young Master's Revenge and Meteor Prince.

You can pre-order Teppeki Honeymoon Volume 1 from Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk and all good places that sell books.

Manga Mavericks Books & Red String Announce July 2025 Release of 3 Additional Manga Titles

Date: 2025 June 17 19:54 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good folks from Manga Mavericks Books and Red String Manga have sent us a reminder about their release slate, we've covered the launch details before here, but now the press release we've been sent includes pre-order details.

The titles include the queer self-discovery drama, Now No One Lurks Beneath the Snow, the yuri psycho-horror, The Murderer and Her Runaway Desire, and the yuri office romance, Senpai no Kohai. The titles launch on July 16th 2025 and are now available for pre-order from the Manga Mavericks Books website.

The Guy She Was Interested In Wasn't a Guy At All Volume 1

Date: 2025 May 27 19:09 | Posted By: Joe

Fashionable and upbeat high schooler Aya loves listening to rock, but no one else seems to share her interest...until she meets a cool, stylish employee at a CD shop. Dressed in black from head to toe, he has this air of mystery about him, and his taste in music is impeccable. Aya falls hard for him-not knowing her crush is actually her female classmate Mitsuki! For her part, Mitsuki generally keeps to herself and avoids standing out at school. But given that she sits right next to Aya, Mitsuki's all too aware of the other girl's feelings, and she's afraid to reveal the truth. So why does she find herself talking with Aya more and more...?

Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- Screenings at Anime Expo in LA and Japan Expo in Paris

Date: 2025 May 14 19:35 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime

The good folks from Bandai Namco Filmworks Inc have sent us details of the special screenings and talks of Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning-, which is a theatrical film composed of re-edited episodes of the Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX.

Attendees at Anime Expo 2025 in LA can attend a special screening and talk with production staff at the event on Thursday , July 3, 2025. While at Japan Expo in Paris on Sunday 6th July 2025 attendees will also be treated to a screening and talk featuring production staff. Both events require tickets to the main events of Anime Expo and Japan Expo to enter, but the screenings once inside the events the screenings are free to attend.

You can catch Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX on Amazon Prime Video.

BBC Radio 4's Screenshot on Studio Ghibli

Date: 2025 April 26 18:48 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Anime > Film

BBC Radio 4's Screenshot Programme focuses on movies. This week they've got a special episode dedicated to Studio Ghibli. Ellen E Jones and Mark Kermode explore the world of Studio Ghibli to celebrate it's 40th Anniversary. It forms a great little introduction to the uninitiated or those who want to learn more about the much loved and hugely influential studio. They also interview co-founder of Irish animation studio Cartoon Saloon, Nora Twomey who discusses the emotional impact of films like My Neighbour Totoro, and Grave of the Fireflies.

We're then treated to an interview with Emily Mortimer, who plays the voice of Sophie in the English dub of Howl's Moving Castle. Then they interview the excellent Michaël Dudok de Wit about his animated feature film The Red Turtle, which was produced by Studio Ghibli.

You can listen to the episode for free on the BBC Sounds App, on the BBC Website or on other audio services.

Regular readers will remember we interviewed Michaël Dudok de Wit about The Red Turtle when it was released.

Souce: BBC Radio 4's Screenshot

Manga Mavericks LLC Launches Manga Publishing Division Manga Mavericks Books

Date: 2025 April 26 10:32 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good folks from Manga Mavericks have sent us details of their latest endeavour. They've established Manga Mavericks Books a new manga publisher that will work directly with Japanese creators to license, localize, and distribute their stories worldwide.

They intend to launch 6 manga titles this July 2025, which include 3 titles directly licensed by Manga Mavericks LLC, as well as 3 titles licensed by our localization partner Red String.

It's always exciting to see new manga publishers spring up and we hope that they start to gain some traction.

You Talk Too Much, So Just Shut It Already! Volume 1

Date: 2025 April 19 15:21 | Posted By: Joe

Tsukino Hiiragi was born deaf. When her oblivious classmate Taiyo Enomoto suddenly starts talking to her, she's interested. But, as she carefully reads his lips, she starts to wonder: what nonsense is he talking about anyway?

Detectives These Days Are Crazy! Manga Release Details

Date: 2025 April 09 17:58 | Posted By: Joe

Category > Manga

The good people from manga publishers One Peace Books have just sent us the details for their latest release - Detectives These Days Are Crazy! (Mattaku Saikin no Tantei to Kitara). It follows the adventures of the unlikely duo of an old school detective Keiichiro Nagumo who is all washed up and hasn't kept up with the times, he teams up with a high school girl called Mashiro who wants to be his assistant. Volume 1 will be released on Monday 28th April 2025.

An anime adaptation is due out later in 2025.

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