https://www.cbr.com Read up on the latest Anime News, Reviews and Features from the team at CBR. Fri, 30 Jun 2023 23:30:14 GMT en-US hourly 60 Many Sailor Moon characters die and are revived or reborn, but many don't come back after they die, especially the villains and henchmen. But though they work for the darker forces of the universe, they tend to be complicated characters capable of true redemption. Some are even working for the baddies under duress or because they've been brainwashed.

]]> Fri, 30 Jun 2023 23:30:14 GMT https://www.cbr.com/dead-sailor-moon-characters-should-come-back/ Demons, poltergeists, and Frankenstein-like creations don't just make great costumes — they make great characters, too. Not all monsters in anime are horrific; some anime have a diverse range of monsters with more cartoony, Halloween vibes than straightforward horror. Their cast of characters comprising vampires, ghosts, ghouls, and zombies are like a love letter to "The Monster Mash" and make year-round entertaining watches.

]]> Fri, 30 Jun 2023 21:30:16 GMT https://www.cbr.com/greatest-monster-anime-ranked/ Aespa's Karina has apologized for speaking about My Hero Academia in a positive light.

]]> Fri, 30 Jun 2023 20:09:56 GMT https://www.cbr.com/my-hero-academia-aespa-karina-backlash/ One Piece is littered with powerful individuals, ranging from hard-working Marines to sea-faring pirates to rebellion-minded revolutionaries. However, despite the numerous differences between these characters, one thing unites many of them — their reliance on the power of Devil Fruits.

]]> Fri, 30 Jun 2023 19:51:13 GMT https://www.cbr.com/one-piece-characters-awakened-devil-fruit/ After only two years, Horimiya is back with more content. Originally adapted into a 6-OVA series, Hori and Miyamura’s love story was finally made into a full-length anime series in 2021, when it was picked up by CloverWorks. Still, the creative team had to leave out details, side stories, and even secondary characters, which makes Horimiya’s world so complex, nuanced and compelling.

]]> Fri, 30 Jun 2023 18:31:14 GMT https://www.cbr.com/horimiya-season-1-recap/ One of the best parts about watching a good action series is seeing a great fight. A struggle of wills between the protagonist and the antagonist can get viewers pumped, especially if the story leading up to the conflict is told properly. These fights can even be cathartic, allowing the hero to finally triumph over the villain.

]]> Fri, 30 Jun 2023 18:00:14 GMT https://www.cbr.com/best-iconic-anime-fights/ The first episode of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 will be released on July 6, 2023. The beloved Studio MAPPA anime will release weekly episodes every Thursday exclusively on Crunchyroll.

]]> Fri, 30 Jun 2023 17:57:11 GMT https://www.cbr.com/jujutsu-kaisen-season-2-episode-1-release-date-time/ The Baki series is well known for its exaggerations of physical abilities. Every fighter in the series is absurdly and, at times, grotesquely muscular. One of the most prominent examples of these physiques comes from the Hanma men's backs.

]]> Fri, 30 Jun 2023 17:40:13 GMT https://www.cbr.com/baki-the-grappler-demon-back-explained/ Many love interests from classic anime set the standard for character types down the line. Unique relationship dynamics that stood out to audiences in the past are so loved that they inform later romances. Some characters, love confessions, and romantic scenes are so iconic that audiences want to see them told over and over to varying degrees.

]]> Fri, 30 Jun 2023 17:10:12 GMT https://www.cbr.com/anime-love-interests-define-classic-series/ Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball works tirelessly to surpass shonen series expectations and remain relevant in the face of new modern classics. Dragon Ball is even more popular today than when it first premiered and the exaggerated heights of the series’ latest battles continue to excite fans. There are many different reasons to love Dragon Ball, but it’s these fateful fights that frequently receive the most attention.

]]> Fri, 30 Jun 2023 16:51:16 GMT https://www.cbr.com/dragon-ball-anime-best-pointless-fights/

]]> Fri, 30 Jun 2023 16:20:16 GMT https://www.cbr.com/hells-paradise-tensen-powers-explained/ My Hero Academia has taken off as one of the most popular pieces of superhero media of all time, with both the manga and anime standing as brilliant examples of the genre. One thing that makes My Hero Academia stand out amongst the rest of superhero media is the awesome villains. They also have some of the coolest powers and abilities.

]]> Fri, 30 Jun 2023 16:00:17 GMT https://www.cbr.com/my-hero-academia-all-villains-ranked-from-weakest-to-strongest/ Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball Z is a formative shonen series full of unforgettable moments. The fandom is frequently divided over what qualifies as Dragon Ball's best battle or character breakthrough. That being said, every Dragon Ball fan remembers their reaction to the first time that Goku transforms into a Super Saiyan. Goku's iconic transformation is a major turning point for the series, and Super Saiyans are now so prevalent it's hard to imagine a version of Dragon Ball Z without them. Dragon Ball Z's first Super Saiyan reveal is hard to top; at that moment, it feels like Goku has achieved peak power. It's an exciting experience for both Goku and the audience, but it's also the start of a dangerous precedent that Dragon Ball Z fails to ever completely abandon.

]]> Fri, 30 Jun 2023 15:30:15 GMT https://www.cbr.com/dbz-cell-saga-solved-intensified-super-saiyan-problem/ Slice-of-life Japanese anime is all about the familiar everyday adventures of real life, so the protagonists often feel down-to-earth compared to magical girls or shonen action leads. There's no single right way to design and write a slice-of-life anime protagonist. However, in the wake of so many generic self-insert characters, some audiences feel frustrated with these characters and long for a better-defined, more badass lead.

]]> Fri, 30 Jun 2023 14:41:13 GMT https://www.cbr.com/slice-of-life-anime-need-confident-heroes/ One Piece is one of the longest-running anime in the medium's history, but despite its long-standing nature, the series is nowhere near finishing up. The pirate-themed shonen (based on Eiichiro Oda's legendary manga of the same title) has well over 1000 episodes — only a small percentage of which are of the filler variety.

]]> Fri, 30 Jun 2023 14:20:14 GMT https://www.cbr.com/one-piece-every-filler-arc/ The highly-anticipated second season of Jujutsu Kaisen will stream simulcast on Crunchyroll.

]]> Fri, 30 Jun 2023 14:00:17 GMT https://www.cbr.com/jujutsu-kaisen-season-2-simulcast-crunchyroll/ Tatsuki Fujimoto's Chainsaw Man is one of the biggest anime of 2023, and the series' overwhelming success has pushed many audiences to explore its source material manga. MAPPA has a reputation for visually stunning anime adaptations, and their first season of Chainsaw Man is no exception.

]]> Fri, 30 Jun 2023 13:31:12 GMT https://www.cbr.com/greatest-chainsaw-man-manga-panels/ The isekai subgenre in Japanese anime has many familiar conventions and themes, most of all the sheer escapism factor that helps drive this subgenre's success. All works of fiction are escapism to some degree, helping viewers lose themselves with new characters and worlds, but isekai takes it to an extreme, usually at the cost of their protagonists.

]]> Fri, 30 Jun 2023 12:00:16 GMT https://www.cbr.com/personal-problem-power-fantasy-iskeai-anime-heroes/ Dragon Ball Super Tournament of Power was arguably the most exciting event the franchise has seen in years. Unlike most anime tournaments, the ToP affected the series on a multiversal scale. Fighting for their universe's survival, the multiverse's greatest martial artists fought desperately in a forty-eight-minute battle royale where only one universe could survive.

]]> Fri, 30 Jun 2023 11:00:17 GMT https://www.cbr.com/dragonball-super-top-strongest-anime-crossover-characters/ Chapter 135 of Tatsuki Fujimoto's Chainsaw Man will be released on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. It will be available to readers free of charge via the Viz Media website, Shōnen Jump and Manga Plus app. The entire series library is also available to paying members of Shōnen Jump Plus.

]]> Fri, 30 Jun 2023 06:35:11 GMT https://www.cbr.com/chainsaw-man-chapter-135-release-date/ The hit manga Mashle: Magic and Muscles will end in a few days.

]]> Thu, 29 Jun 2023 22:06:50 GMT https://www.cbr.com/mashle-manga-ends/ Fans of manga and manhwa alike know that isekai is one of modern anime's most popular genres. "Isekai" means "another world" in Japanese and follows the typical story of a person being transported to another world, mostly after a tragic death.

]]> Thu, 29 Jun 2023 19:51:14 GMT https://www.cbr.com/best-isekai-romance-manhwa-fans-manga/ For most people, volleyball is just a sport, but when it comes to the Haikyuu!! volleyball players, it's a matter of life and death.

]]> Thu, 29 Jun 2023 18:40:50 GMT https://www.cbr.com/haikyuu-fans-humorously-reminisce-spoilers/ The creator of the popular rom-com Rent-a-Girlfriend gave the series' main character aspects of his own personality.

]]> Thu, 29 Jun 2023 18:01:19 GMT https://www.cbr.com/rent-a-girlfriend-mangaka-based-main-character-himself/ Among the top shojo romance anime, Kimi Ni Todoke has remained a beloved series next to Toradora, Fruits Basket, and Ouran High School Host Club. For years, these anime have remained uncontested series in the anime community, especially among fans of high school romances. However, this past Spring season of anime has given the top shojo series a run for their money, especially Kimi Ni Todoke.

]]> Thu, 29 Jun 2023 17:40:14 GMT https://www.cbr.com/skip-loafer-wholesome-development-kimi-ni-todoke-romance-comparison/ Another season of Demon Slayer has come and went, and along with major character growth and revelations for characters like Tanjiro and Nezuko came the defeat of more of Kibutsuji Muzan's Upper Moons. With the aid of the Love Hashira Mitsuri Kanroji, the Mist Hashira Muichiro Tokito, and Genya Shinazugawa, the Demon Slayer core won two major battles at the Swordsmith Village against Upper Moon Five Gyokko and Upper Moon Four Hantengu.

]]> Thu, 29 Jun 2023 15:30:13 GMT https://www.cbr.com/are-demon-slayers-new-upper-moons-weaker-than-gyutaro/ Isekai anime exploded in popularity over the last few years and branched into multiple subgenres. This increased popularity was just the push creators needed to further embrace the genre. Roughly translating to "other world," isekai presents intriguing stories where protagonists from the real world find their way to a fantasy setting.

]]> Thu, 29 Jun 2023 15:10:13 GMT https://www.cbr.com/best-isekai-manhwa-myanimelist/ The iconic characters from DC comics might get a chance to be reincarnated into a new world thanks to Spy x Family's Wit Studio.

]]> Thu, 29 Jun 2023 15:07:11 GMT https://www.cbr.com/wit-studio-isekai-anime-dc-comics/ Demon Slayer has easily become one of the most popular anime series of its generation, and a huge part of that has to do with its fights. In particular, the production quality behind Ufotable's animation, combined with the beautiful art style used by in the original manga, created a perfect formula for success. Season two single-handedly propelled the series to new heights thanks to its emotionally charged Hashira battles, and fans had extremely high expectations for season three because of that.

]]> Thu, 29 Jun 2023 14:41:14 GMT https://www.cbr.com/demon-slayer-swordsmith-village-arc-disappointing-fights-ufotable-animation/ Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball is a signature shonen series that's entertained audiences for over three decades, yet it's still one of this generation's most popular anime. Dragon Ball Z picks up from the events of the original Dragon Ball, with Goku now a father ready to take on unprecedented evil from across the galaxy.

]]> Thu, 29 Jun 2023 14:20:14 GMT https://www.cbr.com/dbz-bad-writing/ Considering how often villains fail to enact their plans, it's a wonder why anime villains try in the first place. Even if the heroes struggle, they will always defeat the villains. However, victory for the heroes doesn't always end in punishment for the villains.

]]> Thu, 29 Jun 2023 13:30:15 GMT https://www.cbr.com/successful-anime-villains-worst-crimes/ Demon Slayer's third season has come to a close and two more upper moon demons have been slayed. During this epic battle, fans were given further insight into the powerful abilities select superior demon slayers possess. The love Hashira Mitsuri Kanroji, and the mist Hashira Muichiro Tokito, both showcased their marks.

]]> Thu, 29 Jun 2023 12:00:16 GMT https://www.cbr.com/demon-slayer-rengoku-should-have-gotten-a-mark/ It’s extremely challenging to create a successful anime or manga series, let alone one that’s able to run for as long as Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball. Toriyama has put Goku and the rest of Dragon Ball’s characters through incredible situations over the course of hundreds of episodes. A story of this scope is prone to face inconsistencies or introduce certain retcon measures in the sake of streamlining storytelling.

]]> Thu, 29 Jun 2023 11:00:14 GMT https://www.cbr.com/dragon-ball-akira-toriyama-best-forgotten-character-arcs/ The Hunter x Hunter prequel one-shot centered on the Blacklist Hunter Kurapika is set for a digital release.

]]> Thu, 29 Jun 2023 05:42:07 GMT https://www.cbr.com/hunter-x-hunter-kurapikas-memories-digital-exclusive/ It may not get as much love and attention as other shonen, but Hunter x Hunter is still a fun series. Like other decent works of fiction, HxH has interesting characters, and many of them are Hunters who are capable of using Nen. Nen is arguably the most complex and unique power system in anime, which means that the fights are quite entertaining.

]]> Wed, 28 Jun 2023 23:30:16 GMT https://www.cbr.com/myanimelist-popular-hunter-x-hunter-characters/ Hajime Isayama's Attack on Titan is one of the best-selling manga series in history, with over 110 million copies sold to this date. Fortunately, the anime adaptation of the manga series enjoys the same popularity for its dystopian future arc, especially its characters. Eren Yeager is one of the protagonists of Attack on Titan and perhaps the series' most complex character. His character growth and the shift from an eager young man to anit-hero who shapes the future are outstanding. Eren's childhood trauma, combined with what he faces in the field against the Titans, plays an undeniable role in his resilient personality.

]]> Wed, 28 Jun 2023 22:30:14 GMT https://www.cbr.com/eren-yeager-founding-titan-history-powers-explained/ As a longstanding creator on the WEBTOON platform, Quimchee first debuted her hit drama series I Love Yoo in 2017. The webtoon stars a teenager named Shin-Ae Yoo, whose boring life drastically changes when she meets two wealthy brothers who are at odds with each other. With over 500 million views and six years running, I Love Yoo remains a fan-favorite in the drama genre.

]]> Wed, 28 Jun 2023 22:08:32 GMT https://www.cbr.com/interview-webtoon-quimchee-discusses-i-love-yoo-anime-expo/ Tatsuki Fujimoto has a habit of discussing deeper topics through a sometimes hysterical lens, and yet, he always finds a way to make it work. While Chainsaw Man sensationalized work so far, his latest manga oneshot, Goodbye, Eri, takes the cake when it comes to this talent the mangaka has for throwing strange things into a pot and seeing what comes out. Much like its predecessor, Goodbye, Eri is poised to become a modern classic.

]]> Wed, 28 Jun 2023 21:51:14 GMT https://www.cbr.com/viz-media-goodbye-eri-manga-review/ It's common for an anime to significantly change certain parts of the manga it's adapting for creative and practical reasons. This can affect the manga's characters in such a way that they either feel familiar yet different, or they become new people entirely. The best kinds of changes are those that impress viewers and improve the story.

]]> Wed, 28 Jun 2023 21:30:16 GMT https://www.cbr.com/manga-characters-better-in-anime/ Despite the differences between the Dragon Ball and Naruto franchises, the two series' main protagonists actually have a lot more in common than one might think. Both Goku and Naruto devoted their very lives to gaining power, protected people from imposing outside threats, fell in love, got married and then had kids. Oddly enough, the similarities between them don't exactly stop there when it comes to fatherhood. Both Goku and Naruto have two children, and they are equally famous for devoting more time to their duties and responsibilities than their own families. This has led to their reputation as fathers being scrutinized, but which one is a worse dad, Goku or Naruto?

]]> Wed, 28 Jun 2023 20:30:15 GMT https://www.cbr.com/naruto-worse-father-than-goku/ Waifus aren't reserved for kind and heroic characters, several anime villains have become fan favorite waifus. Terrifying powers and ruthless cunning aren't a villain's only attributes. Some villains wield their beauty like a weapon, while others are indifferent about their lovely features. There's more to attraction than conventional concepts of beauty, too.

]]> Wed, 28 Jun 2023 19:50:14 GMT https://www.cbr.com/best-anime-villain-waifus/ Among Dragon Ball Z's contributions to modern shonen anime, its core rivalry is one of the biggest. Goku and Vegeta's constant efforts to one-up each other have set the standard for rivals in battle anime and all series. Nearly every anime rivalry trope can be tied or traced back to what was established by this series.

]]> Wed, 28 Jun 2023 19:20:13 GMT https://www.cbr.com/goku-vegeta-rivalry-explained/ Demon Slayer's story is short but sweet compared to its shonen predecessors like Naruto and Bleach, meaning it has several story arcs or sequences perfect for a movie rather than a full anime season of 12–24 episodes. This makes Demon Slayer's anime rather experimental, but too much experimenting might be a bad thing for Demon Slayer in the long run.

]]> Wed, 28 Jun 2023 18:30:15 GMT https://www.cbr.com/demon-slayer-relies-on-movies-for-success/ The Pain’s Assault Arc from Naruto: Shippuden is one of the most universally beloved anime arcs for good reason. The enigmatic and seemingly omnipotent Pain, who had been teased since the sequel series began had finally set his targets on the Hidden Leaf Village. Pain’s attack came not long after Jiraiya’s murder, the initial war declaration that prompted Naruto to undergo his most dangerous training regimen so far. The Pain arc did such a great job of tying together Shippuden’s loose ends so far that it seemed like a finale battle even if it wasn’t. And truly at that point, Naruto was as great as it had ever been.

]]> Wed, 28 Jun 2023 17:41:13 GMT https://www.cbr.com/naruto-shippuden-should-have-ended-with-the-pain-arc/ Demon Slayer is a shonen action series with a strong emotional core, mainly centered around protagonist Tanjiro Kamado's sympathetic quest to restore Nezuko's humanity and Tanjiro's generous compassion for the demons he slays. Best of all, many of the Hashira are the same way and support Tanjiro personally, but Shinobu Kocho is an exception.

]]> Wed, 28 Jun 2023 16:20:12 GMT https://www.cbr.com/demon-slayer-shinobu-kocho-worst-hashira/ Isekai is a subgenre of Japanese light novels, video games, manga, and anime where the protagonist gets transported to or reborn in another world. They're usually tasked with completing a specific mission during their time in this new world they've been forced into. In recent years, isekai's popularity has skyrocketed, resulting in several more isekai anime adaptations.

]]> Wed, 28 Jun 2023 15:39:32 GMT https://www.cbr.com/best-isekai-anime-ranked/ Unlike many large studio releases in the current era of film (and particularly anime films) not much has really been shown of Studio Ghibli's upcoming How Do You Live? That isn't an accident, though; legendary filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki has purposely been keeping things under wraps with his latest epic—and apparently for good reason.

]]> Wed, 28 Jun 2023 15:30:24 GMT https://www.cbr.com/ghibli-miyazaki-how-do-you-live-facts/ Crunchyroll has the world's biggest anime library. It's perfect for watching ongoing series since the newest episodes arrive on the platform an hour after their Japanese premiere. During Spring 2022, Funimation merged with Crunchyroll, making its vast library even bigger.

]]> Wed, 28 Jun 2023 15:15:23 GMT https://www.cbr.com/crunchyroll-best-streaming-anime-recommendations/ Demon Slayer is a hugely popular shonen anime series that features more than stellar animation from Studio UFOtable and an exciting combat system of swords and breathing. Like any good shonen series, Demon Slayer boasts a large cast of charming and compelling characters, from the cuddly Nezuko Kamado to the flashy Tengen Uzui and beyond.

]]> Wed, 28 Jun 2023 15:10:24 GMT https://www.cbr.com/demon-slayer-most-wholesome-ships-ranked/ Maki Zenin skyrocketed in popularity after Jujutsu Kaisen's first season. Many fans fell in love with her brash and belligerent nature, her overwhelming physical strength, and her conviction to one day return to lead the Zenin clan that previously rejected her. Her character design was simple but memorable, which made the change in appearance to her current scarred state in the manga jarring for many fans. Here's how Maki earned the battle scars that have come to define her appearance.

]]> Wed, 28 Jun 2023 14:40:19 GMT https://www.cbr.com/jjk-maki-zenin-scar-origins-shibuya-incident/ There are some genuinely hilarious anime out there. The medium has plenty of creators who love to do zany, off-the-wall gags that will leave viewers in tears, or touch on the inherent silliness of reality in fun and creative ways.

]]> Wed, 28 Jun 2023 14:20:16 GMT https://www.cbr.com/best-comedy-anime-watch-now/ Anime can run for hundreds–or even thousands–of episodes, while others say everything that they have to in a dozen installments. The length of an anime is less important than whether it's able to tie up its loose ends and properly conclude the story.

]]> Wed, 28 Jun 2023 13:30:14 GMT https://www.cbr.com/canceled-anime-with-great-endings/ Demon Slayer's third anime season, the Swordsmith Village story arc, expanded upon the series' combat systems in a few intriguing ways, from Genya's half-other combat moves to Gyokko's aquatic, vase-themed attacks to the introduction of two more demon slayer marks. These marks are the key to victory against the Upper Moons, but it's not easy getting them.

]]> Wed, 28 Jun 2023 12:00:17 GMT https://www.cbr.com/demon-slayers-marks-significance/ Kohei Horikoshi’s My Hero Academia is one of this decade’s biggest shonen success stories and one of the most impressive anime about superheroes. My Hero Academia has entered its endgame and it’s remarkable to look at how far these characters have come from their humble origins. A significant hurdle that’s faced by many battle shonen series is the concept of “power creep,” where individuals suddenly receive convenient upgrades to better service the storytelling.

]]> Wed, 28 Jun 2023 11:00:16 GMT https://www.cbr.com/mha-worst-power-creeps/ Ouran High School Host Club was the anime that introduced the audience to the classic tomboy trope – hiding the fact that the boy character is actually a girl. Several other shows took inspiration from Ouran, but not many managed to hit the mark in terms of accurately depicting a good tomboy character. Aoharu x Machinegun came out quietly in 2015, and its plot pretty much seems like an Ouran knockoff at first glance. Fortunately, there's more than meets the eye when it comes to the former.

]]> Wed, 28 Jun 2023 00:30:17 GMT https://www.cbr.com/sports-ouran-high-school-is-underrated/ Hollywood has a terrible reputation when it comes to adapting anime into live-action, but that doesn't mean that filmmakers will stop trying to bring anime to life. This trend won't be stopping anytime soon, especially in light of how anime seems to keep getting bigger and adored around the world with each passing year.

]]> Tue, 27 Jun 2023 23:30:14 GMT https://www.cbr.com/upcoming-anime-movie-adaptations-in-the-works/ One of the most common hobbies in the anime community is collecting various anime figurines. While some may be content with just two or three, others are more interested in accumulating a shelf worth of figures as a way of expressing their passion for a certain series. However, it is often believed that obtaining these figures is not as easy as one may think, especially considering the fact that they can be extremely pricey. Even more so, some can be more difficult than others to find.

]]> Tue, 27 Jun 2023 22:30:16 GMT https://www.cbr.com/anime-figurine-collecting-for-beginners/ Just like any other form of entertainment, anime is prone to making writing decisions that can't satisfy everyone. Some fans support the writing choices in question, while others don't. This kind of polarization is to be expected. After all, storytelling preference is subjective. However, there are some plot beats that got on everyone's nerves.

]]> Tue, 27 Jun 2023 21:30:15 GMT https://www.cbr.com/controversial-anime-writing-decisions/ Based on Hajime Isayama's manga of the same name, Attack on Titan introduced the series likable main protagonist, Eren Yeager in the first episode. A freedom fighter driven by revenge, many were actually surprised by his shocking turn from hero to villain when he instigated the Rumbling. Eren always had a longing for vengeance, having watched his mother be devoured by a Titan when Wall Maria broke. With an intense hatred for Titans, he vowed to destroy them all. In an unexpected turn of events, his father injected him with Titan serum and pointed him toward a hideous, hidden truth about both the Titans and the world beyond the walls of Paradis Island that Eren never saw coming. A truth so powerful, it would eventually lead him to start the Rumbling.

]]> Tue, 27 Jun 2023 20:30:15 GMT https://www.cbr.com/aot-eren-rumbling-explanation/ Many Pokémon fans fell in love with Hoenn’s kickin’ chicken, but apparently, that was never the franchise’s intention.

]]> Tue, 27 Jun 2023 20:12:55 GMT https://www.cbr.com/pokemon-intentionally-designed-blaziken-disappointment/ Anime's heightened and imaginative nature has caused fans to expect weird and exaggerated endings. It isn't uncommon to hear fans both praise and mock an anime for using its last episodes to become esoteric or even self-aware. But even by anime standards, some endings are too weird to believe.

]]> Tue, 27 Jun 2023 19:51:12 GMT https://www.cbr.com/weird-anime-endings/ Demon Slayer's third season, the Swordsmith Village story arc, was packed with shocking plot twists and developments, from Genya Shinazugawa's half-other combat technique to Nezuko Kamado's newfound sunlight immunity. Nezuko nearly succumbed to the sun's morning rays, but she survived intact and looks more human than she has in years.

]]> Tue, 27 Jun 2023 19:21:13 GMT https://www.cbr.com/demon-slayer-nezuko-more-or-less-human/ Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 will make its epic debut next month, and the anime celebrates the fast-approaching premiere by highlighting one of the story's powerful female characters.

]]> Tue, 27 Jun 2023 18:39:10 GMT https://www.cbr.com/jujutsu-kaisen-video-showcases-nobara-season-2/ The core squad of Bleach consists of Ichigo Kurosaki, Uryū Ishida, Orihime Inoue and Yasutora Sado. The latter of the four were not born with their spiritual powers and instead inherited them through their connection to Ichigo and their proximity to the Hōgyoku which was inside Rukia Kuchiki. Due to Ichigo’s constant leaking of spiritual power and the wishing-granting ability of the Hōgyoku, Chad and Orihime was able to manifest powers when they needed them most.

]]> Tue, 27 Jun 2023 18:30:13 GMT https://www.cbr.com/bleach-tatsuki-arisawa-why-no-powers/ Fake-out deaths are among the most dreaded tropes in all of shonen anime. Many popular shonen have relied on it, including One Piece, Fairy Tail, and My Hero Academia. Even Dragon Ball Super, a part of a franchise that infamously brings people back all the time, has somehow invoked fake-out deaths. Anime fans can't stand this trope because of how often it's poorly used.

]]> Tue, 27 Jun 2023 17:41:16 GMT https://www.cbr.com/demon-slayer-nezuko-fakeout-death-good/ Fans planning to visit Los Angeles for the upcoming Anime Expo might want to double-check their hotel reservation.

]]> Tue, 27 Jun 2023 17:10:54 GMT https://www.cbr.com/anime-expo-guests-affected-hotel-worker-strike/ Given their seemingly impenetrable popularity and influence, it isn't easy to "kill" an anime genre. However, some anime were so bad or groundbreaking that they killed the genre they were a part of. Some of these genres managed to adapt to a different world, while others were seemingly disappeared overnight despite their previous fame.

]]> Tue, 27 Jun 2023 16:50:13 GMT https://www.cbr.com/anime-that-ruined-a-genre/ The biggest draw of Dragon Ball is the spectacle of its fights. Seeing these martial artists battle at high speeds and fire explosive energy blasts is enough to give anybody an adrenaline rush. However, that's not to say there isn't also an emotional aspect to the fights. There are times when the reasons for these fights are just as epic as the fighting itself. However, if there were one character who best mixes intense action with good story development, it would have to be Vegeta.

]]> Tue, 27 Jun 2023 16:20:14 GMT https://www.cbr.com/vegeta-had-best-fights-dragon-ball-z/ The overall Demon Slayer anime franchise handles its pacing and movies differently than most other series do. While other series such as Jujutsu Kaisen and My Hero Academia use their movies as bonus tie-in adventures with completely self-contained plots, the Demon Slayer anime has used its two movies to create smooth, satisfying pacing – and it might do so again in the future, too.

]]> Tue, 27 Jun 2023 15:30:13 GMT https://www.cbr.com/demon-slayer-movies-keep-a-perfect-pace-for-anime/ Along with several shōnen battle anime, Sword Art Online was instrumental in the increased popularity of anime. Said success even saw a growing amount of light novels taken out of Japan and localized in the West through the original source material of the series. Unfortunately, there's one medium that hasn't seen this same level of stardom when it comes to the otherworldly virtual realty franchise.

]]> Tue, 27 Jun 2023 14:40:15 GMT https://www.cbr.com/soa-manga-less-popular-than-anime/ Body-swapping is a comedic and popular trope within anime. Characters switching bodies and attempting to live each other's lives often has hilarious results. The ensuing chaos can offer a light-hearted, comedic break for fans to enjoy between more serious episodes.

]]> Tue, 27 Jun 2023 14:20:16 GMT https://www.cbr.com/best-anime-with-body-swap/ A prominent fan reportedly confirmed Shonen Jump's spinoff prequel manga series My Hero Academia: Vigilantes will receive an anime adaptation.

]]> Tue, 27 Jun 2023 14:08:17 GMT https://www.cbr.com/my-hero-academia-spinoff-vigilantes-anime-adaptation/ Anime remains the ultimate equalizer because of its limitless ability to tell diverse stories where anything is possible, including grandiose death games where dozens of people are assembled. It’s always interesting when certain trends invade anime and one type of suspenseful story that’s found increasing popularity over the past decade are battle royale or death game series.

]]> Tue, 27 Jun 2023 13:30:15 GMT https://www.cbr.com/best-battle-royale-anime/ One of the more contentious elements of the Dragon Ball franchise is ironically its main hero, Goku. While he's considered one of the greatest warriors in the series' universe, his fighting skills far away his skills as a family man. This sees him many times turning to training instead of being a father and a husband. Worst of all, this sees him completely overlook another family member.

]]> Tue, 27 Jun 2023 12:00:16 GMT https://www.cbr.com/dragon-ball-goku-never-visits-grandpa-gohan-other-world/ Casual fans of Japanese anime, or any non-fan who wants to get into anime, is encouraged to find the right entry points so they can don't get overwhelmed. Choosing a series on Crunchyroll at random or sampling a long-running show halfway through won't work so well, but other entry points do exist, and most of them are quite intuitive.

]]> Tue, 27 Jun 2023 11:00:15 GMT https://www.cbr.com/best-anime-franchise-entry-points/ Spy x Family continues to be the manga darling for many modern-day anime fans, eager to tune in every week to catch up on the action-packed adventures of Loid, Yor, and Anya. With the release of Chapter 83, the stakes become even higher and there is enough subterfuge and intrigue in a short manner to scratch that espionage itch for the week.

]]> Tue, 27 Jun 2023 00:49:48 GMT https://www.cbr.com/shonen-jump-spy-x-family-manga-chapter-83-review/

]]> Tue, 27 Jun 2023 00:30:15 GMT https://www.cbr.com/mha-dark-deku-strength/ Kohei Horikoshi’s My Hero Academia remains one of the most popular shonen series of this generation and its fandom seems to grow more passionate with each passing year. My Hero Academia has hundreds of individuals – both heroes and villains alike – who all have diverse Quirks, which aid them in battle. The bulk of the planet’s population have Quirks, but these superpowers come in many different shapes and sizes.

]]> Mon, 26 Jun 2023 23:30:17 GMT https://www.cbr.com/best-mha-heteromorphs/ Shonen anime has learned a lot from Dragon Ball. It's no secret that modern shonen anime would not even exist in the form that it does today if not for the foundation laid by Akira Toriyama's magnum opus. It wasn't planned that way though. In an early interview with Telepal Tokyo in 1986, Toriyama had this to say when asked about his writing process, "I take things as they come and I don't really have a plan about the story."

]]> Mon, 26 Jun 2023 22:30:15 GMT https://www.cbr.com/dragon-ball-influence-on-modern-anime/ Anime villains are imposing figures. They incite fear wherever they tread and do whatever it takes to ensure chaos. Anime villains are some of the most vicious characters. However, there are some whose stature makes them less intimidating at the onset. They may be some of the most evil villains, but they are also the shortest.

]]> Mon, 26 Jun 2023 21:30:17 GMT https://www.cbr.com/short-anime-villains/ Since Naruto's debut, the titular character has always remained at the top of popularity charts and is highly regarded as one of the most lovable anime protagonists. Popularity aside, Naruto Uzumaki's rival bests him in character development. From his very first scene, Sasuke Uchiha has remained the most critical source of drama, emotion, and relatable motivation that moves the plot forward.

]]> Mon, 26 Jun 2023 20:30:16 GMT https://www.cbr.com/naruto-sasuke-best-character-development-explanation/ Before fans get excited, no, that Season 2 trailer of Heaven Official's Blessing isn't a new trailer.

]]> Mon, 26 Jun 2023 20:16:20 GMT https://www.cbr.com/heaven-officials-blessing-fans-confusion-reposted-season-2-trailer/ Shojo anime have been around since anime's beginning. As such, the genre’s animation has changed drastically with the times and within each new type of story. While each series holds similar elements to the last, different eras and characters separate these animation styles from each other.

]]> Mon, 26 Jun 2023 19:51:14 GMT https://www.cbr.com/best-shojo-anime-art-styles/ This article contains spoilers for Demon Slayer Swordsmith Village Arc, Episode 11, "A Connected Bond: Daybreak and First Light," streaming on Crunchyroll.

]]> Mon, 26 Jun 2023 19:20:17 GMT https://www.cbr.com/demon-slayer-nezukos-greatest-ability/ Osamu Dazai from Bungou Stray Dogs may not be the series' protagonist, but he stole the show from the lead, Atsushi Nakajima. Dazai may seem cheerful and outgoing, but his past is quite dark, and his identity is still shrouded in mystery even though his backstory has been covered.

]]> Mon, 26 Jun 2023 19:00:17 GMT https://www.cbr.com/bungo-stray-dogs-osamu-dazai-facts/ The Naruto franchise is undeniably one of the biggest hits in the anime industry. It has received worldwide acclaim and has millions of fans all over the world. It sets the standard for shonen anime and manga, both in narrative and characters. One of the recurring themes in Naruto and Naruto Shippuden is the rivalry between the titular character, Naruto Uzumaki, and Sasuke Uchiha. From their initial encounters as young shinobi-in-training to their epic battles as powerful ninjas, their relationship has captivated fans and played a pivotal role in shaping the show's narrative.

]]> Mon, 26 Jun 2023 18:30:16 GMT https://www.cbr.com/naruto-sasuke-rivalry-explained/ My Hero Academia has been ongoing for nine years, and the climactic Final War Arc has been raging on with no signs of slowing down the intensity. With a dedicated fan base, a beloved anime series and a best-selling manga, it is safe to say that My Hero Academia has retained its status of being a shonen powerhouse. The latest chapter of My Hero Academia, Chapter 392, "Villain Name," created by Kohei Horikoshi, translated by Caleb Cook with lettering by John Hunt, is one of the creepiest -- and most impactful -- in the entire series.

]]> Mon, 26 Jun 2023 18:22:53 GMT https://www.cbr.com/shonen-jump-my-hero-academia-chapter-392-review/ The My Hero Academia anime series has always been about the eternal clash of good vs evil, with caped pro heroes fighting to defend society and villains like Tomura Shigaraki striving to tear down society and rebuild it from the ground up. However, hero society was more fragile than anyone expected, and eventually, Izuku Midoriya went rogue to finish the fight on his own terms. Hero society had failed – but he could still keep fighting.

]]> Mon, 26 Jun 2023 17:40:16 GMT https://www.cbr.com/mha-vigilante-deku-wasted-potential/ The anime industry is known for churning out a lot of slice-of-life comedy and drama series, and they often take place in a high school. This isn't an accident; many anime viewers are in high school themselves, so this academic setting is relatable and familiar. But that doesn't have to make for stale, routine storytelling. Some high school anime go above and beyond.

]]> Mon, 26 Jun 2023 17:10:30 GMT https://www.cbr.com/best-high-school-anime-ranked/ Visual novels are an unorthodox medium that take the best from video games, anime, and literary approaches to craft an immersive and interactive experience incomparable to any other storytelling method. The close link between anime and visual novels makes the latter medium an inviting source for adaptations.

]]> Mon, 26 Jun 2023 16:50:15 GMT https://www.cbr.com/worst-visual-novel-anime-adaptations-ranked/ The Death Note franchise is famed for its intense battle of wits between Light Yagami the antihero and the super-detective L, with many thought-provoking themes explored along the way. The original manga did an outstanding job with all this, while the Death Note anime changed or omitted material that hurt the narrative, including Light's final downfall in that dockside warehouse.

]]> Mon, 26 Jun 2023 16:20:16 GMT https://www.cbr.com/death-note-manga-ending-better-than-anime/ In the anime medium, quality parents come at a premium. Countless anime characters are born to fractured households, and as a result, they often lack any sort of concrete parental guidance. That’s not to say that there aren’t amazing parents in anime — Maes Hughes from Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood and Minato Kamikaze from Naruto: Shippuden are both solid examples of parents who love, protect, and challenge their children.

]]> Mon, 26 Jun 2023 16:00:29 GMT https://www.cbr.com/worst-anime-fathers-ranked/ When creating a dramatic storyline for a character, a backstory is used to develop their identity. The backstory forces the audience to craft an opinion about the character, resulting in being either likable or hated by the audience.

]]> Mon, 26 Jun 2023 15:30:16 GMT https://www.cbr.com/demon-slayer-do-all-characters-need-tragic-backstorys/ Manhwa has captivated the hearts of fans who love Japanese entertainment like anime and manga, with romance being the dominant genre to saturate the field. With the majority of manhwa possessing more capable female leads than manga, some have become accustomed to switching to South Korean comics.

]]> Mon, 26 Jun 2023 15:10:30 GMT https://www.cbr.com/best-romance-manhwa-recommendation/ The Chainsaw Man anime did fairly well back in the Fall 2022 anime season, but studio MAPPA felt let down by its performance compared to Jujutsu Kaisen and similar titles. Low Blu-Ray sales didn't help either, and it seemed Chainsaw Man's anime would never reach the same heights as author Tatsuki Fujimoto's ongoing manga. But a feature-length anime movie could change that.

]]> Mon, 26 Jun 2023 14:40:15 GMT https://www.cbr.com/why-chainsaw-man-next-arc-perfect-for-upcoming-film/ Anime heroes are among the strongest and most awe-inspiring in television. They typically have humble beginnings, but their tenacity and unbridled determination help them go beyond their goals. There are countless fantastic anime heroes, yet others do not share that same luster.

]]> Mon, 26 Jun 2023 14:20:16 GMT https://www.cbr.com/badly-written-anime-protagonists/ Shonen anime represent some of the medium's biggest titles, and fans regularly laud the genre's Big Three and Dark Trio. Shonen's Big Three — Naruto, One Piece, and Bleach — were a trio of top titles that concurrently ran in Shonen Jump. A recent set of more mature shonen series dubbed the Dark Trio — Chainsaw Man, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Hell's Paradise — have become some of the decade's most talked about anime.

]]> Mon, 26 Jun 2023 13:30:16 GMT https://www.cbr.com/how-shonen-jump-big-three-better-than-dark-trio/ Dragon Ball Z is mostly known for epic fighting and duel between its many characters, but a rather overlooked element in the series is the music. This is particularly the case in Japan, where several now iconic songs have been tied to the series. Though they might not be as popular among Western fans, these tunes (and one in particular) definitely fit a bit better than the Funimation dub's main theme.

]]> Mon, 26 Jun 2023 12:00:16 GMT https://www.cbr.com/dbz-openings-cha-la-head-cha-la-better-than-rock-the-dragon/ Anime is home to some of the most amazing and creative superpowers ever seen in fiction. Whether these abilities mildly strengthened their user or turned them into a physical god, they almost always came with a price. Some powers had an understandably high exchange rate, while others demanded a price that was just unreasonable.

]]> Mon, 26 Jun 2023 11:00:15 GMT https://www.cbr.com/best-anime-abilites-not-worth-cost/ Demon Slayer fans have it bad for one very bad man.

]]> Mon, 26 Jun 2023 00:53:52 GMT https://www.cbr.com/demon-slayer-thirsty-fans-simping-muzan/