Tag: anime (Page 2 of 8)

‘100 Meters’ Trailer, Release Date, Cast & Poster: GKIDS Brings Track and Field Anime to U.S. Theaters

August 30, 2025 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Netflix release date: December 31, 2025.

U.S. theatrical release date: October 10, 2025 (Los Angeles) and October 12–14, 2025 (nationwide event release).

Synopsis: 100 Meters follows Togashi, a track star who is born to run. As a kid, he is naturally gifted and wins every 100-meter race without effort.

But in sixth grade, he meets Komiya, a transfer student who is full of determination but lacks technique. In teaching him, Togashi gives Komiya a new purpose: to win no matter what.

Years pass by, and Togashi and Komiya meet again as rivals on the track and reveal their true selves.

Directed by Kenji Iwaisawa.
Written by Yasuyuki Muto.
Based on the manga by Uoto.
Score composed by Hiroaki Tsutsumi.
Theme song is “Rashisa” by Higedan.

HBO Max & GKIDS Expand Partnership as 20 Acclaimed Japanese Films Roll Out Beginning September 1

August 17, 2025 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

HBO Max and GKIDS have extended and expanded their partnership, adding twenty more films from award-winning filmmakers to the streaming platform.

On September 1, the following films will premiere on HBO Max:

Children Who Chase Lost Voices – Directed by Makoto Shinkai

Fireworks – Directed by Akiyuki Shinbo and Nobuyuki Takeuchi

Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko – Directed by Ayumu Watanabe (North American Streaming Debut)

Ghost Cat Anzu – Directed by Yôko Kuno and Nobuhiro Yamashita (North American Streaming Debut)

Lonely Castle in the Mirror – Directed by Keiichi Hara (North American Streaming Debut)

Love & Pop – Directed by Hideaki Anno (North American Streaming Debut)

The Place Promised in Our Early Days – Directed by Makoto Shinkai

Your Name. – Directed by Makoto Shinkai (4K Streaming Debut)

‘Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle’ IMAX Trailer and Poster Released As Tickets Become Available for Advance Purchase

August 16, 2025 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Release date: September 12, 2025.

Synopsis: Tanjiro Kamado joined the Demon Slayer Corps after his younger sister Nezuko was turned into a demon.

With the head of the Demon Corps in danger, Tanjiro and the Hashira, the Demon Slayer Corps’ highest-ranking swordsmen, rush to the headquarters, only to be plunged into a mysterious place known as the Infinity Castle.

And so, the battleground is set as the final battle between the Demon Slayer Corps and the Demons ignites.

Directed by Haruo Sotozaki.
Original story by Koyoharu Gotoge.

Tickets are available on the IMAX website.

Bringing Indie Animation to Life: ‘StarBreaker,’ Whatatoon and the Future of Studio-Free Storytelling

August 1, 2025 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

In a media landscape dominated by major studios and corporate algorithms, a small but passionate collective of creators is proving that there’s still room for independent, creator-driven animation to shine.

Enter StarBreaker, a bold sci-fi animated series born from Latin America’s burgeoning animation scene. Heavily inspired by anime classics like Robotech and Gundam, StarBreaker is a passion project that has defied the odds — developed on a micro-budget and driven by a team that refused to let financial limitations get in the way of powerful storytelling and visual ambition.

After four years of production struggles, StarBreaker is fully completed — a rare feat in indie animation. The series comprises four action-packed 24-minute episodes, featuring dynamic mecha battles, cosmic stakes and a uniquely Latin American narrative voice. All that’s left now is to produce an English dub and manufacture the DVD and Blu-ray editions, bringing the story to a wider global audience.

But what is StarBreaker about?

‘Mononoke the Movie: Chapter II – The Ashes of Rage’ Official Trailer, Release Date, Synopsis and Cast List

July 27, 2025 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Release date: August 14, 2025 on Netflix.

Directed by Kenji Nakamura and Kiyotaka Suzuki. Written by Yasumi Atarashi.

Synopsis: Shortly after the intense showdown in Mononoke the Movie: The Phantom in the Rain, the Medicine Seller appears once again in the inner chambers of the Ooku. Within, dynamics are shifting in the wake of the previous incident.

Otomo Botan, a woman from a distinguished family, succeeds Utayama as the new director and begins enforcing a strict leadership style rooted in discipline and balance. This creates growing tension between her and Fuki, a seasoned courtesan who once enjoyed the exclusive favor of the emperor, causing a rift that deepens with each passing day.

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‘Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2’: Teaser Trailer, Release Date and Poster Unveiled for Second Season of Netflix Anime Based on Video Game

July 8, 2025 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Release date: TBD (2026).

Synopsis: Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 presents a new stand-alone, 10-episode story from the world of Cyberpunk 2077 — a raw chronicle of redemption and revenge.

In a city that thrives in the spotlight of violence, one question remains: when the world is blinded by spectacle, how far do you have to go to make your story matter?

Directed by Kai Ikarashi.
Written by Masahiko Otsuka.
Character designs by Kanno Ichigo.
Executive produced by Bartosz Sztybor.

‘Record of Ragnarok III’: Trailers, Release Date and Poster Revealed for Third Season of Netflix Anime

July 7, 2025 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Release date: December 10, 2025 on Netflix.

Synopsis: The saga continues with 13 one-on-one battles for the survival of humanity, pitting gods against humans from across the world.

Witness the fateful seventh battle: the final fight to break the 3-3 tie between the gods and humans.

Directed by Koichi Hatsumi.

Written by Yasuyuki Muto.

Based on the manga by Shinya Umemura, Takumi Fukui and Azychika.

‘My Melody & Kuromi’: Official Trailer, Release Date and Key Art Revealed for Netflix Stop-Motion Series

June 12, 2025 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Release date: July 24, 2025 on Netflix.

Synopsis: In Mariland, My Melody opens a bustling cake shop with her friends Flat and Piano, drawing in customers every day.

Meanwhile, Kuromi’s Japanese sweets shop across the street is always empty, fueling her determination to beat My Melody’s shop.

One day, My Melody encounters a pink heart in the forest, which sets off a series of strange events in Mariland — and the two are suddenly faced with a crisis that threatens everyone.

Directed by Tomoki Misato.
Written by Shuko Nemoto.
Based on characters created by Sanrio.
Theme song: “Kawaii (Prod. Gen Hoshino)” by LE SSERAFIM.

‘The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity’: Trailer, Release Date and Poster Revealed for Netflix Anime Based on Romance Manga

June 6, 2025 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Release date: September 7, 2025 on Netflix.

Synopsis: The story unfolds in a town where two infamous schools are in constant dispute: Chidori High, a boys’ school primarily attended by students with challenging academic records, and its neighbor, Kikyo Girls’ High, known for its students hailing from wealthy and prestigious families.

One day, Rintaro Tsumugi, a second-year student at Chidori with a fierce appearance but a gentle heart, is assisting at his family’s patisserie when he meets a customer named Kaoruko Waguri.

Rintaro cherishes his interactions with Kaoruko, as she doesn’t judge him based on his looks. However, this serene connection is abruptly shaken when Rintaro discovers that Kaoruko is actually a student at Kikyo.

This revelation sets the stage for their challenging journey, as they strive to overcome the societal barriers imposed by their schools and environment, seeking to carve out their own path.

Directed by Miyuki Kuroki.
Written by Rino Yamazaki.
Based on the manga by Saka Mikami.

‘Dan Da Dan’ Season 2: New Official Trailer Unleashes More Supernatural Action from Hit Anime

May 27, 2025 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Release date: July 3, 2025 on Netflix, Hulu and Crunchyroll.

Series synopsis: When high schooler Momo, from a family of spirit mediums, first meets her classmate Okarun, an occult geek, they argue — Momo believes in ghosts but denies aliens, and Okarun believes in aliens but denies ghosts.

When it turns out both phenomena are real, Momo awakens a hidden power and Okarun gains the power of a curse. Together, they must challenge the paranormal forces threatening their world.

Directed by Fuga Yamashiro and Abel Gongora.
Based on the manga by Yukinobu Tatsu.
Music by Kensuke Ushio.

‘Lost in Starlight’ Official English Trailer: Maitreyi Ramakrishnan and Justin H. Min Lead Netflix’s First Korean Animated Film

May 15, 2025 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Release date: May 30, 2025 on Netflix.

Synopsis: In 2050 Seoul, astronaut Nan-young’s ultimate goal is to visit Mars. But she fails the final test to join the fourth Mars Expedition Project.

Meanwhile, musician Jay has buried his dreams in a vintage audio equipment shop. When Nan-young visits the shop to fix an old record player her mom left behind, she meets Jay, and a romance slowly blossoms.

As they root for each other and dream of a new future, Nan-young is given another chance to fly to Mars — inevitably leaving Jay behind.

How will the two navigate their journey toward their dreams and love?

Directed by Han Ji-won.

Written by Han Ji-won and Kang Hyun-joo.

‘Lost in Starlight’ Teaser Trailer, Release Date, Synopsis, Cast and Poster: Netflix’s Anime Love Story Traverses the Universe

April 29, 2025 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Release date: May 30, 2025 on Netflix.

Synopsis: In 2050 Seoul, astronaut Nan-young’s ultimate goal is to visit Mars. But she fails the final test to join the fourth Mars Expedition Project.

Meanwhile, musician Jay has buried his dreams in a vintage audio equipment shop. When Nan-young visits the shop to fix an old record player her mom left behind, she meets Jay, and a romance slowly blossoms.

As they root for each other and dream of a new future, Nan-young is given another chance to fly to Mars — inevitably leaving Jay behind.

How will the two navigate their journey toward their dreams and love?

Directed by Han Ji-won.

Written by Han Ji-won and Kang Hyun-joo.

‘Dan Da Dan’ Season 2 Trailer Unveiled, First Three Episodes Get Worldwide Theatrical Release

April 26, 2025 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

TV release date: July 3, 2025 on Netflix, Hulu and Crunchyroll.

Theatrical release date: June 6, 2025.

To celebrate the return of Dan Da Dan, a theatrical premiere, releasing as Dan Da Dan: Evil Eye, will kick off the Evil Eye arc, which began in the final episode of the first season.

The Dan Da Dan: Evil Eye theatrical event will screen the last episode of season one, along with the first three episodes of season two, in addition to an exclusive interview with series directors Fuga Yamashiro and Abel Gongora.

The theatrical rollout will cover over 50 countries and regions.

‘Witch Watch’ Official English Trailer: Supernatural Anime Based on the Manga by Kenta Shinohara Premieres April 6

March 27, 2025 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Release date: April 6, 2025 on ADN, Aniplus, Crunchyroll, Hulu, Netflix, and Tropics.

Dubbed episodes in English will stream three weeks after their Japanese television broadcast, beginning April 27, 2025.

Synopsis: Morihito Otogi, a high school student who comes from a lineage of ogres, enjoys a peaceful, ordinary life until his childhood friend, Nico, moves in with him.

Nico is a witch-in-training, and chooses Morihito to be her familiar. While Nico is thrilled to reunite with her old friend and crush, Morihito is tasked with the perilous duty to protect her from a foretold calamity.

Between the unpredictable chaos caused by Nico’s magic, and the awkwardness of sharing a home, their lives become a whirlwind of supernatural hijinks and threats.

‘The Summer Hikaru Died’: Netflix Unveils Official Trailer for Coming-of-Age Anime About a Sinister Imposter in a Rural Village

March 24, 2025 / The Animation Blog / 0 Comments

Release date: July 5, 2025 on Netflix.

Synopsis: Yoshiki and Hikaru live in a rural village and have been close friends since they were young. On a perfectly ordinary summer day, as they laugh over trivial things, Yoshiki turns to Hikaru and says: “You’re not Hikaru, are you?”

Six months earlier, Hikaru went missing in the mountains and returned unexpectedly a week later. The new Hikaru looks and sounds just like the original, but something else is stirring within him.

Yoshiki continues spending his days with the “something” imitating Hikaru, while pretending as if nothing has changed.
Meanwhile, strange incidents begin to plague the village. Thus begins this coming-of-age horror story.