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Anime connects to Sony, Toei Animation, and Bandai Namco through streaming, studios, licensing, merch, and games.
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· Ryan General
Kit Kat Japan gets the anime treatment in stylish promo directed by Naoko Yamada
Renowned animator Naoko Yamada directed an anime-inspired promotional video for Kit Kat in Japan. The 15-second animation is part of the brand’s “Kikkake wa Kit Kat de” (“Kit Kat Creates the Chance”) campaign, which spreads messages of encouragement to Japanese consumers. Kit…
· Michelle De Pacina
U.S. Marines spotted using a poster featuring an anime character to recruit members
Violet Evergarden, a female anime character from the 2018 anime of the same name, was used in an official U.S. Marines poster to recruit members. The design of the poster is based on an old illustration of a male U.S. Marine that dates back to the First World War. A photo of the…
· Bryan Ke
‘One Piece’ dominates list of most searched for anime series by state, study reveals
“One Piece” was ranked as the most Google-searched anime of 2021 in 25 out of the 50 states in the U.S., followed by Pokémon” (No. 2) and “Naruto” (No. 3). The animated series, which is based on Eiichiro Oda’s manga of the same name, debuted in 1999. Eiichiro Oda’s “One Piece”…
· Michelle De Pacina
Complaint ‘hidden’ in ‘Akira’ by fed-up animator has been discovered 33 years after the anime’s release
An animator’s “hidden” complaint in the 1988 classic anime film “Akira” has been discovered by an eagle-eyed viewer 33 years later. The complaint: Twitter user @HikozaTwi spotted the message on a caution sign attached to a piece of equipment that is seen at the 38-minute mark of…
· Michelle De Pacina
Junji Ito voices character in upcoming anime adaptation of his horror manga classic ‘Uzumaki’
Legendary horror mangaka Junji Ito voiced a character for the anime adaptation of his “Uzumaki” series that is currently in production. The anime: The official Twitter account of Uzumaki Anime unveiled a black and white behind-the-scenes video of Ito in the production’s…
· Michelle De Pacina
Trailer: Highly anticipated ‘Chainsaw Man’ anime promises dark, surreal trip full of gore
Animation studio MAPPA released a new trailer for the anime adaptation of “Chainsaw Man” at the annual Jump Festa in Japan. About the anime: The teaser trailer offers a look into the pulp fiction-esque world of gory violence in “Chainsaw Man,” which is based on the manga series…
· Bryan Ke
Trailer: ‘Rurouni Kenshin’ anime to return after over 23 years
Japanese anime company Aniplex has released the first teaser trailer for the new “Rurouni Kenshin” anime TV series. The announcement: The new series, developed by Liden Films (“Tokyo Revengers”), was confirmed at Shueisha’s Jump Fiesta 2022 in Makuhari Messe, one of the largest…
· Michelle De Pacina
Trailer: ‘Bleach’ anime to return after decade-long absence with ‘Thousand-Year Blood War’ arc
Viz Media unveiled an official trailer for the return of the iconic anime series “Bleach” at the Jump Festa in Japan. The comeback: The popular anime, which ended back in 2014 with the “Lost Substitute Shinigami” arc, will be returning in October 2022 with its anime adaptation…
· Bryan Ke
‘Dragon Ball’ series narrator, anime voice actor Jouji Yanami dies at 90
Joji Yanami, a voice actor who gave life to many memorable characters, including the narrator of Akira Toriyama’s “Dragon Ball” anime series, has passed away at the age of 90. What happened: News of his death was shared by his agency, Aoni Production, on Tuesday, according to…
· Michelle De Pacina
Netflix releases dazzling teaser for anime film ‘Bubble’ from ‘Attack on Titan,’ ‘Death Note’ director
Netflix released a teaser trailer on Dec. 6 for its new anime film titled “Bubble,” directed by “Death Note” and “Attack on Titan” director Tetsuro Araki. All-star talents: “Bubble” features all-star talents and creators such as Hiroyuki Sawano, who composed the “Attack on…
· Michelle De Pacina
‘JoJo’s Bizarre Adventures’ anime releases colorful new intro blending CG and 2D
Popular anime “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure” welcomes its new season with a new opening. Stone Ocean: The Warner Bros. Japan Anime released a new opening credit for the upcoming fifth season of “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure” on their official YouTube channel on Nov. 28. The intro has…
· Michelle De Pacina
‘One Piece’ anime celebrates its 1000th episode with updated opening, new film announcement
The Japanese anime series “One Piece” celebrated its 1,000th episode by remaking its first opening and releasing a new film. The milestone: On Nov. 20, the legendary anime based on Eiichiro Oda’s manga series of the same name debuted its 1,000th episode.
· Michelle De Pacina
‘Rick and Morty’ anime short inspired by ‘Lone Wolf and Cub’ has Shogun Morty fighting Ninja Ricks
Adult Swim has released “Rick and Morty” short “Samurai and Shogun Part 2” of “Rick and Morty” on their official YouTube channel. About the anime: The anime is a continuation of the first short titled “Samurai & Shogun” released on March 29, 2020. The shorts, inspired by the…
· Ryan General
Because ‘Hollywood does not understand anime,’ RE:Anime releases full live-action ‘Naruto’ film on YouTube
RE:Anime, the production team behind a series of live-action Naruto videos on YouTube, has released a full 50-minute film called “Naruto, The Movie: Climbing Silver,” which features a mostly Asian American cast. Epic live-action battles: The film, which was uploaded to the…
· Bryan Ke
PewDiePie trashes ‘Squid Game’ as an ‘anime rip-off’ in new video
In his latest upload on Monday, renowned YouTuber PewDiePie called the hit show “Squid Game” an “anime rip-off”. Strong opinions: In the video, the 31-year-old Swedish star, whose real name is Felix Kjellberg, compared the South Korean series to Japanese shows that share a…
· Maina Chen
Anime trailblazer Eiichi Yamamoto, ‘Belladonna of Sadness’ and ‘Astro Boy’ director, passed away at 80
On Sept. 7, Eiichi Yamamoto, the trailblazing Japanese director behind groundbreaking anime and film, passed away of a heart failure at the age of 80. His legacy: Born in 1940 in Kyoto, Yamamoto got a headstart into the world of animation after he graduated high school. He soon…
· Maina Chen
Netflix releases side-by-side comparison of new live-action ‘Cowboy Bebop’ opening and the original anime intro
Netflix released the opening sequence for its “Cowboy Bebop” live-action series, and it is a fast-paced homage to the cult-classic original. Let’s Jam: Over the weekend, the Netflix remake of the critically acclaimed space Western anime featured the cast — John Cho as Spike…
· Khier Casino
Simu Liu plays a one-eyed samurai in Netflix anime ‘Bright: Samurai Soul’ set in feudal Japan
“Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” star Simu Liu is set to voice the lead character for the English dub version of the upcoming Netflix anime film “Bright: Samurai Soul.” Same universe: Based in the world of David Ayer’s 2017 Netflix movie “Bright,” starring Will Smith…
· Ryan General
Asian American Actors Want More Opportunities for Asians in Anime Voice Acting
Some Asian voice actors are lamenting how most anime voiceover jobs still go to white A-List artists who are already dominating voiceover work in feature film and television in the U.S. Hope for better: Voiceover actors at anime entertainment company Funimation expressed in a…
· Ryan General
‘Yasuke’ Anime Based on the Historical Black Samurai Drops on Netflix
Netflix on Thursday released “Yasuke,” an anime series based on a real historical figure believed to be the first Black samurai. The trailer, which was released on Monday and dubbed in English, shows Yasuke exhibiting his fighting skills against enemies who use swords, magical…
Anime → Toei Animation
Anime connects to Sony, Toei Animation, and Bandai Namco through streaming, studios, licensing, merch, and games.
If anime for you means Crunchyroll, soundtracks, figures, games, or theater releases, these are some of the companies sitting behind it.
People & Works
Open
Culture surface · Anime
Anime slate
Anime slate is a culture-first entry point into the listed company behind it.
Culture surface · Gaming
Anime-style IP
Anime-style IP is a culture-first entry point into the listed company behind it.
Culture surface · Anime
ACG
ACG connects to Bilibili and the broader anime story around it.
Culture surface · Anime
ACG community
ACG community connects to Bilibili and the broader anime story around it.
Brand · Anime
Aniplex
Aniplex is the Sony-owned production house that quietly bankrolls the anime you think you discovered, monetizing hits like Demon Slayer and Fate not through streaming but through the far richer worlds of gacha games and merch.
Platform · Anime
Bilibili Comics
Bilibili Comics connects to Bilibili and the broader anime story around it.
Platform · Anime
Bilibili Video
Bilibili Video connects to Bilibili and the broader anime story around it.
Platform · Anime
BookWalker
BookWalker is a culture-first entry point into the listed company behind it.
Brand · Anime
Bravia
Bravia connects to Sony Group and the broader anime story around it.
Results
Culture · platform
Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll connects to Sony, the company behind the anime streaming app, plus the music, merch, and licensing around it.
Company · Japan · TYO:7832
Bandai Namco Holdings
Bandai Namco sits behind toys, anime IP, games, and licensing that turn fandom into everyday consumer products.
Company · China · NASDAQ:BILI
Bilibili
Bilibili is where China's Gen-Z lives online — anime, gaming, and creator culture, with a fandom so loyal it powers a wildly popular New Year gala.
Company · Japan · TYO:9468
Kadokawa
Kadokawa ties publishing, anime adaptation, games, and fandom discovery into one listed media company.
Company · Japan · TYO:6758
Sony Group
One of the layers behind PlayStation, Sony Music, Sony Pictures.
Company · Japan · TYO:4816
Toei Animation
Toei Animation is tied to some of the biggest anime franchises and the global licensing machine around them.
Company · Japan · TYO:9602
Toho
Toho is the studio behind Godzilla and the distributor of Japan's biggest anime films — the gatekeeper of the country's blockbuster culture.
Company · Japan · TYO:6460
Sega Sammy Holdings
Sega Sammy stewards Sonic, Persona, and Like a Dragon — nostalgic franchises now spanning games, films, and anime for a global fanbase.