Unveiling the Latest Buzz in the World of Anime

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Welcome to a captivating week in the realm of anime, where intrigue and excitement intertwine in a symphony of updates and revelations. As the anime universe continues to unfold its diverse tapestry of stories and innovations, we’re here to unravel the most riveting news that has taken the community by storm. From the unexpected yet enthralling cinematic approach of Demon Slayer’s upcoming season to the thrilling theatrical release of Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045, this week’s updates are a treat for aficionados of all stripes. Join us as we dive into the heart of these developments and shed light on the future of some of your favorite series.

Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 Season 2 Movie Version Gets November 23 Opening Date

Mark your calendars, because the highly anticipated movie rendition, or theatrical cut, of the second season of “Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045” is poised to hit the screens on November 23. The excitement doesn’t stop there – this cinematic experience will grace 30 theaters across Japan, granting fans a limited three-week window to immerse themselves in its futuristic world. To give a tantalizing taste of what’s to come, a teaser trailer and a visually captivating poster have also been unveiled, further stoking the fires of anticipation.

The Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045’s first season was released in April 2020, with the second season released in May 2022. Both of them are Netflix exclusives. Production I.G and SOLA DIGITAL ARTS animated the series. The main cast includes:

• Akio Otsuka as Bato
• Atsuko Tanaka as Motoko Kusanagi
• Koichi Yamadera as Togusa
• Hiroshi Naka as Daisuke Aramaki
• Kaiji Soze as John Smith
• Kenjiro Tsuda as Standard
• Megumi Han as Purin Ezaki
• Megumi Hayashibara as Takashi Shimamura
• Sakiko Tamagawa as Tachikoma
• Shigeo Kiyama as Kurisu Otomo Teito
• Takashi Onozuka as Pazu
• Taro Yamaguchi as Borma
• Toru Ohkawa as Saito
• Yutaka Nakano as Ishikawa

The anime is part of the franchise based on the Ghost in the Shell manga by Shirow Masamune, which was serialized in Kodansha’s Young Magazine. The official website for the anime describes season 2 as:

The year is 2045. As a result of the Global Simultaneous Default, an economic disaster that shook every country on Earth to its foundations, as well as the explosive evolution of artificial intelligence, the world has plunged into the Sustainable War, a planned war that can be continued indefinitely. In this near future, the decline has not yet become bad enough that people can sense in their daily lives the risk to human survival posed by A.I.
To combat cybercrimes by the Posthumans, a new breed of human being that has suddenly arisen, Public Security Section 9, led by the fully prosthetic cyborg Motoko Kusanagi, makes its way to Tokyo, which was reduced to ruins in a previous war. What they find there are a refugee group that calls itself “N” and a hostile American Special Forces unit. As the risk of nuclear war set off by a hijacked submarine grows ever greater, the three-way battle between Public Security Section 9, America, and the Posthumans intensifies.

Shinobu Takayama’s Haigakura Manga Gets Anime Adaptation

Prepare yourselves for an electrifying announcement – the cherished manga “Haigakura” by none other than Shinobu Takayama is embarking on an exhilarating journey towards an anime adaptation, scheduled to grace our screens in the upcoming year. A captivating teaser visual has been unveiled, offering a mere glimpse of the forthcoming spectacle:

Shinobu Takayama, the creative mind behind “Haigakura,” shared his sentiments regarding this transformative anime endeavor. Celebrating a remarkable 15-year artistic journey that commenced in the modest realms of a bimonthly magazine, Takayama expresses profound astonishment at the passage of time and the remarkable evolution of his work. The revelation of the anime adaptation left him in awe, a feeling he continues to relish. Takayama extends his heartfelt gratitude to the tireless support that has fueled this venture, inviting continued enthusiasm as both manga and anime soar to new heights.

“Hailing from the pages of Ichijinsha’s “Comic Zero Sum WARD” magazine from January 2008 to May 2015, and subsequently migrating to “Zero-Sum Online” in September 2015, the captivating tale of “Haigakura” unfolds in a world forever transformed by the departure of four once-mighty gods, who served as the pillars upholding reality. This divine exodus was accompanied by a multitude of minor deities. In their wake, a new order emerges, with “kashikans” shouldering the task of apprehending these elusive runaway gods, restoring equilibrium to the chaotic realm. Ichiyou, the central protagonist, reluctantly embraces the mantle of a “kashikan,” driven by the desire to liberate his foster father. This guardian, once a tiger, became ensnared to take the place of the forsaken gods. With an unwavering determination, Ichiyou embarks on a quest to recapture these errant deities and resurrect the serene existence he once knew.

Notably, Shinobu Takayama’s illustrious portfolio is adorned with a diverse array of creations, including the 2004 sensation “Amatsuki,” the 2005 gem “Mr. Morning,” the 2019 marvel “Kashoku no Shiro,” the 2015 sensation “Sakitama,” and the 2017 masterpiece “Mikansei Saikorotonics,” alongside the ever-popular “Arcana” manga series, among others. Antecedent to “Haigakura,” two of Takayama’s lauded creations, “Amatsuki” and “Strange+,” metamorphosed into anime adaptations that graced our screens with their enchanting tales in 2008 and 2014, respectively.

A thrilling exhibition devoted to the boundless imagination of Shinobu Takayama is set to unfold from September 23 to October 9 at Tokyo’s Yurakucho Marui, followed by an encore presentation from October 20 to November 5 at Osaka’s Namba Marui. A spectacular visual has been unveiled, tantalizingly capturing the essence of this extraordinary event:

Oshi no Ko Theme Now Fastest Song to Pass 400 Million Streams

YOASOBI’s mesmerizing track “Idol,” the theme song for “Oshi no Ko,” has been on an unrelenting journey of breaking records since the anime’s debut. The latest accolade in its impressive collection is the distinction of becoming the fastest song in Oricon chart history to surpass the 400 million streams mark. Adding to its triumphs, it now reigns as the first song to achieve over 10 million streams consistently for 19 consecutive weeks, outshining even official HIGE DANdism’s “Subtitle.”

With an illustrious 19-week stay at the number one spot, “Idol” proudly secures the third-longest streak. The current tally, as of August 22, 2023, by Oricon, stands at an impressive 403,127,806 streams, with a remarkable 16,618,575 streams gathered in the past week alone.

Directed by Daisuke Hiramaki, the “Oshi no Ko” anime is brought to life through animation production by Doga Kobo. Aka Akasaka and Mengo Yokoyari’s manga find its English digital haven on Manga Plus. The story unfolds in the captivating world of showbiz, where deceit serves as a potent weapon. Goro, an OB-GYN living a quiet countryside life, crosses paths with his beloved idol, Ai Hoshino, whose ascent to stardom has just begun. Their meeting, in the most unexpected of circumstances, sets in motion the gears of fate. This astounding collaboration by Aka Akasaka and Mengo Yokoyari presents an entirely fresh perspective on the showbiz realm, making “Oshi no Ko” a truly shocking series.

Heaven official’s Blessing Season 2 Set for October 2023

Debuting during the autumn of 2020 and simultaneously airing on Funimation, the inaugural season of the enchanting donghua “Heaven official’s Blessing” enthralled audiences with 11 gripping episodes and an exclusive special episode. This adaptation beautifully captures the essence of the novel by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu. Now, as disclosed on the official social media channels, the highly anticipated season 2 of “Heaven official’s Blessing” is all set to grace screens this October. Feast your eyes on a fresh Japanese-dubbed rendition of the earlier preview, provided below for your enjoyment.

Delivering the English dub of “Heaven official’s Blessing,” Crunchyroll succinctly summarizes the narrative:

Xie Lian, the royal heir of the Xian Le Kingdom, ascends to the celestial realm despite consecutive downgrades in status. In an unfortunate twist of fate, he inadvertently shatters the revered Gold Palace of heavenly dignitaries. With no mortal worshiping his name, Xie Lian embarks on a journey back to the mortal realm, tasked with dispelling malevolent spirits and vengeful phantoms.

Shangri-La Frontier Anime Shares Debut, Song Info, New Visual and More

Fresh details have just emerged about “Shangri-La Frontier,” and the excitement is building as its debut is set for October 1. The revelations don’t stop there – we’ve also been enlightened about the theme songs. The opening anthem, titled “Broken Games,” is masterfully performed by FZMZ, while the ending melody “Ace” is delivered by Chico. However, the actual clips of these musical compositions remain tantalizingly withheld.

Behold the captivating key visual that has been unveiled:

And, in the realm of the recently disclosed cast, the roles are now known: Yumiri Hanamori brings Psyger-100 to life, Sayaka Senbongi embodies Animalia, and Seiichirō Yamashita takes on the role of Orcelott.

Priorly, it had been divulged that Yūma Uchida portrays Sunraku/Rakurō Hizutome, Azumi Waki embraces Psyger-0/Rei Saiga, Yōko Hikasa lends her voice to Arthur Pencilgon/Towa Amane, Makoto Koichi embodies Oikatzo/Kei Uomi, Rina Hidaka breathes life into Emul, and Akio Ohtsuka commands Viceash.

The animation magic is being conjured at C2C, with Toshiyuki Kubooka, known for steering the ship for “Wandering Witch – The Journey of Elaina,” at the directorial helm. The task of weaving the series’ scripts and overseeing them falls to Kazuyuki Fudeyasu, celebrated for contributions to “Black Clover,” “Dropkick on My Devil!,” and “Record of Ragnarok.” The harmonious melodies are orchestrated by monaca.

Originating as a web novel penned by Katarina, this franchise has expanded into a manga adaptation by Ryōsuke Fuji, presented by Kodansha in English. Kodansha weaves this tale for us:

Rakurō Hizutome, a second-year high school student, is driven by a singular passion: ferreting out and vanquishing “shitty games.” His gaming prowess is unparalleled, and no game is too abysmal for his conquest. So when the alluring VR game “Shangri-La Frontier” emerges, Rakurō does what he does best – min-maxing and bypassing prologues to plunge straight into the heart of the action. Yet, can even a virtuoso gamer like Rakurō unearth the enigmatic secrets that lie within the depths of the Shangri-La Frontier…?

Demon Lord, Retry! Manga Sequel Inspires Anime

Following the storyline of Kurone Kanzaki’s “Demon Lord, Retry!” light novel, Amaru Minotake introduced an “R” to the title for its manga sequel series. Now, this sequel is receiving its very own anime adaptation. The official social media accounts of “Maousama, Retry!” made this thrilling announcement, also revealing that the series has amassed an impressive circulation of 1.9 million copies.

As for specifics such as the creative team, release schedule, and the anime’s format, we are left in anticipation, eagerly awaiting more details to be disclosed.

The initial anime adaptation of “Demon Lord, Retry!” originally aired in July 2019, guided by director Hiroshi Kimura (known for episodes of “BLUE LOCK”), and brought to life by studio EKACHI EPILKA. J-Novel Club offers the English version of the “Demon Lord, Retry! R” manga, characterizing the series as follows:

Continuing the Demon Lord’s escapades, this revamped series propels him into further adventures. After encountering an enigmatic entity in the depths of the Bastille Dungeon, he embarks on a journey to Hellion Territory. Here, the Grand Devils are locked in a power struggle for dominion over the realm. With the inclusion of a new advisor, the seemingly boundless optimist Akane, the Demon Lord’s army becomes more diverse, and their escapades even more eccentric.

Under Ninja Anime Unleashes Trailer with Debut Date

October 5 will mark the much-anticipated debut of the anime “Under Ninja,” and this exciting revelation comes courtesy of a fresh trailer.

Unveiling some key details, we now know that the invigorating opening theme titled “Hyper” will be performed by Kroi. The role of Ozu will be portrayed by Kōichi Sōma.

The anime’s official website has disclosed that the musical talents of Yūsuke Seo, Sadahiro Nakano, MK, and Ryu are all contributing to the captivating soundtrack.

Regarding the cast, Taito Ban takes on the role of Kurō Kumogakure, while Katō is embodied by Tarusuke Shingaki, Miracle Hibi is brought to life by Tasuku Hatanaka, and Suzuki is portrayed by Atsumi Tanezaki. Shion Hachiya is energetically depicted by Daiki Yamashita, Kawado is given depth by Chika Anzai, Ōno is amusingly portrayed by Chō, and Eita is embodied by Shūichi Uchida. Lastly, Noguchi is brought to life with charm by Sora Tokui.

Behind the scenes, Tezuka Productions is weaving its creative magic, and the project’s directorial guidance is skillfully provided by Satoshi Kuwabara, known for their work on “Yu-Gi-Oh!: The Dark Side of Dimensions.” Steering both the supervision and series scriptwriting is the capable hand of Keiichirō Ōchi, renowned for contributions to “The Quintessential Quintuplets.” The musical landscape is being shaped by the talents of Shōta Kowashi, who has previously lent their expertise to “Pui Pui Molcar.”

The source material, a manga by Kengo Hanazawa, finds its English audience thanks to Denpa. Summarizing the plot, the publisher paints a vivid picture of a high school loner unexpectedly thrust into the role of a modern-day ninja, tasked with international assassinations. This intriguing tale is set in the aftermath of World War II, where a newly formed agency staffed with ninjas emerges to counter terrorism and violence within the Pacific region. Initially tasked with domestic matters, the agency soon evolves into a force managing a myriad of affairs across borders. Amid this backdrop, our protagonist Kurō, a seventeen-year-old high school underdog, emerges as Tokyo’s last line of defense against potential waves of foreign assassins.

Nizo Yamamoto, Art Director for Ghibli, Shinkai, Dies at 70

Nizo Yamamoto, a celebrated art director renowned for his contributions to Studio Ghibli films and other cinematic ventures, has passed away at the age of 70. The cause of his demise was attributed to stomach cancer.

Born in Goto, Nagasaki in 1953, Yamamoto’s legacy is commemorated by the establishment of a museum dedicated to his work in the same city. His educational journey led him to the realm of architecture, later transitioning to crafting intricate backgrounds for animated productions upon relocating to Tokyo for his art studies.

His artistic collaboration with luminaries like Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata commenced with the TV series “Future Boy Conan.” This partnership was the foundation for his significant role as an art director for numerous Ghibli classics, including “Castle in the Sky,” “Grave of the Fireflies,” and “Princess Mononoke.” Beyond Ghibli, he left an indelible mark on the works of filmmakers like Mamoru Hosoda (“The Girl Who Leapt Through Time”) and Makoto Shinkai (“Weathering With You”).

Yamamoto’s creations can currently be admired at the Hamamatsu Municipal Museum of Art, where an ongoing exhibition will continue to showcase his brilliance until September 10.

Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead Episode 6 Hit with Streaming Delay

Originally scheduled to premiere this weekend along with the Japanese broadcast, the streaming of Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead episode 6 has been delayed on some services. While the airing will remain in place on Sunday at 5:00 pm Japan Time, the streaming will be pushed to Monday due to “production circumstances.”

Zom 100 episode 6 will now stream on August 28 at 2:00 a.m. Pacific Time. The streaming delay affects Crunchyroll, Hulu, and Netflix. VIZ Media confirmed the delay and tweeted about the updated schedule.

Episodes 4 and 5 were both previously delayed. 

Staff:

• Creators: Haro Aso, Kotaro Takata
  (Published by Shogakukan: Monthly Sunday Gene-X, ongoing)
• Director: Kazuki Kawagoe (Komi Can’t Communicate)
• Assistant Director: Hanako Ueda (Summer Time Rendering)
• Series Composition: Hiroshi Seko (Chainsaw Man)
• Character Design: Kii Tanaka
• Zombie Design: Junpei Fukuchi
• Music: Makoto Miyazaki
• Music Selection: Maiko Gouda
• Sound Production: dugout
• Animation Production: BUG FILMS
• Production: Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions Co., Ltd

Here’s the official description:

With three years under his belt at the company from hell, Akira Tendo is mentally and physically spent. All at the ripe old age of twenty-four. Even his crush from Accounting, Saori, wants nothing to do with him. Then, just when life is beginning to look like one big disappointment, it happens. The zombie apocalypse descends on Japan! Surrounded by hordes of hungry zombies, Akira comes to a realization that will forever change his life…

“Wait, does this mean I never have to go to work again?”

Confess to… party like it’s… travel Japan coast to…

Now, with his nightmare job no longer, Akira’s got his mojo back. Let the bucket listing begin!!

The series previously inspired a live-action movie.

McDonald’s teams up with ‘The Devil is a Part-Timer,’ surprises creator and fans!

Get ready, anime fans, because the realm of anime is stretching its reach into uncharted territories once again. In an exciting twist, the iconic world of McDonald’s is colliding with the beloved anime series “The Devil is a Part-Timer,” and even the creator of the show can hardly believe it.

Hold onto your seats, anime aficionados! The far-reaching influence of anime is embarking on a fresh journey, and this time, it’s making an unexpected pit stop at the renowned McDonald’s franchise. Teaming up with the anime “The Devil is a Part-Timer,” McDonald’s is forging a unique partnership that has even caught the attention of the series’ creator.

Embarking on a campaign that tips its hat to its numerous Hollywood cameos, McDonald’s has etched its presence across a wide array of entertainment avenues. Spanning movies, TV shows, and music videos, this renowned fast-food establishment has left an indelible imprint on diverse entertainment mediums, even finding its place in the realm of anime. Particularly in Japan, the eatery frequently assumes a recognizable persona in anime series as “WacDonald’s,” and it is precisely within this context that the collaborative venture takes flight.

Demon Slayer will choose multiple movies over Season 5

It appears that Demon Slayer’s fifth season might take a slightly different form than the previous ones, potentially materializing as movies rather than traditional anime episodes. This speculation arises from the sheer length of the final arc, which suggests that Ufotable, the studio behind the series, might opt to adapt it into a series of multiple movies.

In the wake of the conclusion of its third season, Demon Slayer enthusiasts found themselves immersed in the Swordsmith Village arc. The anticipation now lies with the forthcoming fourth season, which is slated to delve into the narrative of the “Hashira Training.” However, it’s important to note that the transition to this segment might require a considerable amount of time before it graces the screen as a fully-fledged anime.

Venturing into the upcoming fourth season, the narrative will delve into the intriguing ‘Hashira Training’ saga, although its release timeframe remains elusive. This new installment promises to interweave snippets from both the manga and the light novel, culminating in the Hashira Training arc, which acts as the penultimate chapter preceding the climactic showdown against the formidable Muzan and the enigmatic Upper Moons.

Anticipation swirls around the horizon for the fifth season, poised to encapsulate the grand culmination of the saga. However, intriguing leaks have surfaced, hinting at an unconventional twist. The venerable Ufotable, renowned for its masterful animation, may opt for a departure from traditional weekly episode releases. Instead, whispers suggest a bold strategy – the creation of a series of distinct movies to narrate the story of Demon Slayer’s ultimate confrontation. Should this daring move come to fruition, it would etch a unique chapter in anime history, as no previous series has embarked on a cinematic journey comprising five consecutive feature films.

The fourth season of Demon Slayer is in the works. It will cover the Hashira Training arc and is expected to be the shortest season yet. It’s set to be released in the summer of 2024 and will be available for streaming on Netflix.