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With another week wrapping up, the Bam Smack Pow team is here once again to bring the biggest anime news of the past week. The big news this week is the continued announcement of new anime dubs for Spring 2025, plus a big update on the Demon Slayer theatrical run set for later this year.

Demon Slayer: Mugen Train returning to theaters in May

In anticipation of the release of the series' final story arc hitting theaters later this year, Crunchyroll has announced that the previous Demon Slayer movie, Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train will get a special 4K re-release in North American theaters starting May 14. Tickets go on sale starting April 30.

Functioning as the Demon Slayer anime's second season, Mugen Train was originally released in Japan in the fall of 2020 as a feature-length movie. Despite the complications of the Covid pandemic, Mugen Train has...

With an updated relationship status and a new transfer student in the mix, Aharen-san wa Hakarenai will be full of surprises again when the English dub of Season 2 begins streaming on Crunchyroll from Monday, April 21 , thanks to the below cast and crew! Note: Kelsey Cruz fills in for Dani Chambers as Aharen until further notice. Aharen-san wa Hakarenai Season 2 English Dub Episode 1 Cast Raido voiced by Ben Balmaceda Aharen voiced by Kelsey Cruz Riku voiced by Kara Edwards Tobaru voiced by Katelyn Barr Oshiro voiced by Kristen McGuire Ishikawa voiced by Kevin D. Thelwell Sato voiced by Veronica Laux Miyahira voiced by Tia Ballard Additional Voices: Brayden Medlin, Lisette Monique Diaz, Kristin Payne, Lara Woodhull, Jack Broadbent, Aiden Call, Sarah Wiedenheft Aharen-san wa Hakarenai Season 2 English Dub Episode 1 Cast Voice Director: Jonathan Rigg Producer: Samantha Herek Adaptation: Matthew Greenbaum Mixer: Andrew Tipps Engineer: Derric Benavides Related: Wind Breaker Season 2 English Dub Reveals Cast & Crew,...

The official YouTube channel for Japanese rock group Zutomayo (also known as Zutto Mayonaka de ii Noni. in Japan) has released a music video for its new digital single song "Binetsuma" ("Warmthaholic"), which is featured as the opening theme for the ongoing second season of the TV anime Aharen-san wa Hakarenai . Zutomayo "Binetsuma" Music Video Aharen-san wa Hakarenai Season 2 Creditless Opening Video The group's vocalist Aca-Ne posted her comments about the song on the official website as follows: "Aharen-san wa Hakarenai" has been one of my favorite manga, and after I received the offer for the song, I read the manga over and over again as I worked on it. I enjoyed the process of shaping the sound image, as I had been thinking on a daily basis about not being able to measure distance with people. I made it inspired by the feeling of not being able to measure distance,...

The official YouTube channel for shallm, a band project featuring vocalist lia, released a music video for its latest digital single song "Twilight." The lyrical pop tune is now featured as the ending theme for the ongoing second season of the TV anime Aharen-san wa Hakarenai . The music video is composed of animations illustrated by Isana Syou, featuring characters based on the motifs of the sun and the moon who travel in a fantastical world. shallm "Twilight" Music Video Aharen-san wa Hakarenai Season 2 Creditless Ending Video The project shallm released its first original song "Mugen Hologram" digitally in March 2023. "Twilight" is its second anime theme song work, following "Massakasa Magic!," the opening theme for the winter 2024 TV anime 'Tis Time for "Torture," Princess . "Twilight" is now available on digital platforms for streaming and download. "Twilight" digital jacket Related: Aharen-san wa Hakarenai Season 2 Anime Premieres on April 7 Following the first season...

Featuring "Binetsuma" by Zutomayo ( Dan Da Dan Ed) and "Twilight" by shallm, respectively, creditless versions of Aharen-san wa Hakarenai Season 2's opening and ending song sequences are now available to watch below. Crunchyroll is simulcasting the latest series. Aharen-san wa Hakarenai Season 2 Opening Video Aharen-san wa Hakarenai Season 2 Ending Video Related: Shoshimin: How to become Ordinary Season 2 Anime Mixes Mediums in Opening, Ending Videos Based on the manga by Denki-gai creator Asato Mizu, Yasutaka Yamamoto ( Nekopara ) and Tomoe Makino ( Kotaro Lives Alone ) direct Aharen-san wa Hakarenai at studio Felix Film, with series composition by Takao Yoshioka ( Horimiya ), character designs by Yuko Yahiro ( Kaguya-sama: Love is War ) and music by Satoru Kosaki and Monaca ( Hitoribocchi no Marumaruseikatsu ) . Crunchyroll streams the anime and describes the story: Socially awkward Aharen-san has personal boundary issues, either getting too close or too far from her classmates. When fellow student Raido picks up an eraser she drops,...

Aharen-san wa Hakarenai Season 2 is looking like quite the catch in a brand-new trailer and key visual unveiled today, with the latter also announcing an April 7, 2025 at 22:00 Jst return to Japanese television and previewing the series' ending song, "Twilight" by shallm. Aharen-san wa Hakarenai Season 2 Trailer Aharen-san wa Hakarenai Season 2 Key Visual Related: Aharen-san wa Hakarenai Season 2 Anime Reveals Ending Song, New Cast Based on the manga by Denki-Gai creator Asato Mizu, Yasutaka Yamamoto ( Nekopara ) and Tomoe Makino ( Kotaro Lives Alone ) direct Aharen-san wa Hakarenai at studio Felix Film, with series composition by Takao Yoshioka ( Horimiya ), character designs by Yuko Yahiro ( Kaguya-sama: Love is War ) and music by Satoru Kosaki and Monaca ( Hitoribocchi no Marumaruseikatsu ) . Crunchyroll currently streams the first season and describes the story: Socially awkward Aharen-san has personal boundary issues, either getting too close or too far from her classmates. When fellow student Raido picks up an eraser she drops,...

Ahead of Aharen-san wa Hakarenai Season 2's April 2025 broadcast on Japanese television, the anime's official website and accounts today revealed the casting of Iori Saeki (Vanilla in Nekopara ) as Ms. Henzan and that Season 2's ending song will be "Twilight" by shallm. Zutomayo performs "Binetsuma" for the opening song. Related: Aharen-san wa Hakarenai Season 2 Anime Previews Opening Song in New Trailer Based on the manga by Denki-gai creator Asato Mizu, Yasutaka Yamamoto ( Nekopara ) and Tomoe Makino ( Kotaro Lives Alone ) direct Aharen-san wa Hakarenai at studio Felix Film, with series composition by Takao Yoshioka ( Horimiya ), character designs by Yuko Yahiro ( Kaguya-sama: Love is War ) and music by Satoru Kosaki and Monaca ( Hitoribocchi no Marumaruseikatsu ) . Crunchyroll currently streams the first season and describes the story: Socially awkward Aharen-san has personal boundary issues, either getting too close or too far from her classmates. When fellow student Raido picks up an eraser she drops,...

Ahead of an April 2025 broadcast on Japanese television, a brand-new trailer released today for Aharen-san wa Hakarenai Season 2 provides our first preview of Nao Toyama (Rin in Laid-Back Camp ) as Riku Tamanaha and the new series' opening song, "Binetsuma" by Zutomayo. Aharen-san wa Hakarenai Season 2 Trailer Related: Aharen-san wa Hakarenai Season 2 Anime Premieres in April 2025 Based on the manga by Denki-gai creator Asato Mizu, Yasutaka Yamamoto ( Nekopara ) and Tomoe Makino ( Kotaro Lives Alone ) direct Aharen-san wa Hakarenai at studio Felix Film, with series composition by Takao Yoshioka ( Horimiya ), character designs by Yuko Yahiro ( Kaguya-sama: Love is War ) and music by Satoru Kosaki and Monaca ( Hitoribocchi no Marumaruseikatsu ) . Crunchyroll currently streams the first season and describes the story: Socially awkward Aharen-san has personal boundary issues, either getting too close or too far from her classmates. When fellow student Raido picks up an eraser she drops, Aharen-san decides they’re now best friends.

The official website for the upcoming TV anime adaptation of Nana Nanana's romantic comedy light novel series Danjo no Yujo wa Seiritsu Suru? ) announced the anime's opening and ending theme song artists. HoneyWorks feat.Hakoniwaliliy , a collaboration project by HoneyWorks and Hakoniwalily, will perform the opening theme song "Shitsumon, Koitte Nandeshouka?" . HoneyWorks is a Japanese creator unit active since 2010. Hakoniwaliliy is a musical unit consisting of two members, Hanon and Kotoha, releasing songs produced by HoneyWorks. Hakoniwaliliy previously provided theme songs for Aharen-san wa Hakarenai in 2022 and 365 Days to the Wedding in 2024. Message from Hanon (Hakoniwaliliy): We will be in charge of the Op music for the TV anime “ Danjo no Yujo wa Seiritsu Suru?” ! This is a cute, up-tempo song that connects with the work! Overall, we sang this song with the image of sweet and sour love in the midst of youth! I personally...

Zatsu Tabi -That's Journey- hits the road this spring! The first full-length trailer for the upcoming anime adaptation reveals a release window, a taste of the opening theme song and two new cast members. Check out the new trailer below, featuring a sample of opening theme "Tabishiyo! don't you?" by voice actor duo harmoe: Zatsu Tabi -That's Journey- Related: Skip and Loafer Manga Launches Noto Earthquake Reconstruction Support Project The show's ending theme will be "bookmarks," composed by Sizuk ( The Idolm@Ster Cinderella Girls ) and performed by utaite Harucha. Additionally, the trailer introduces two new cast members. Satomi Sato (Mizuki Shibata in The Irregular at Magic High School ) will play Fuyune Kojiya, and Yoko Hikasa (Arthur Pencilgon in Shangri-La Frontier ) will appear as Riri Tenkubashi. Fuyune Kojiya Riri Tenkubashi Related: Aharen-san wa Hakarenai Season 2 Anime Premieres in April 2025 Masaharu Watanabe ( Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World- ) directs Zatsu Tabi -That's Journey-,...

The Aharen-san wa Hakarenai Jump Festa 2025 stage event today confirmed that the anime's second season will begin airing in April 2025 . The stage event also revealed that Nao Toyama (Rin in Laid-Back Camp ) will voice Riku Tamanaha, a socially awkward gyaru transfer student. Related: Aharen-san wa Hakarenai TV Anime Returns for Season 2 Based on the manga by Denki-gai creator Asato Mizu, Yasutaka Yamamoto ( Nekopara ) and Tomoe Makino ( Kotaro Lives Alone ) direct Aharen-san wa Hakarenai at studio Felix Film, with series composition by Takao Yoshioka ( Horimiya ), character designs by Yuko Yahiro ( Kaguya-sama: Love is War ) and music by Satoru Kosaki and Monaca ( Hitoribocchi no Marumaruseikatsu ) . Crunchyroll currently streams the first season and describes the story: Socially awkward Aharen-san has personal boundary issues, either getting too close or too far from her classmates. When fellow student Raido picks up an eraser she drops, Aharen-san decides they’re now best friends. Whether studying,...

The official X account of Jump Festa 2025 announced on Sep 2, 2024, that this year’s event will feature Jump Super Stage Red & Blue, Jump Studio, and a stage celebrating the 10th anniversary of Shonen Jump+.

Jump Festa 2025 is set to take place on Dec 21-12, 2024 at Tokyo’s Makuhari Messe convention center. This year, the venue has been expanded and the number of stages has increased.

Check out the stages and their line-up below:

Red Stage

Weekly Shonen Jump titles:

One Piece My Hero Academia Jujutsu Kaisen

Shonen Jump+ titles:

Chainsaw Man Spy x Family Kaiju No. 8

Jump Sq titles:

Prince of Tennis Blue Exorcist Rurouni Kenshin

V Jump title:

Dragon Ball Blue Stage

Weekly Shonen Jump titles:

Bleach Gintama Sakamoto Days Haikyuu Witch Watch Kimetsu no Yaiba Mission Yozakura Family Blue Box

Shonen Jump+ title:

Dandadan

Jump Sq title:

World Trigger Jump Studio Stage (Green)

Weekly Shonen Jump titles:

Dr.

Aharen-san wa Hakarenai , the TV anime based on the romantic comedy manga by Asato Mizu, is returning to Japanese airwaves for a second season. At the time of this writing, the release date for the second season has not yet been revealed. Crunchyroll currently streams the first season of the series. Aharen-san wa Hakarenai Season 2 Teaser Shueisha serialized the original Aharen-san wa Hakarenai manga from 2017 – 2023 in their Shonen Jump+ digital manga magazine. Yasutaka Yamamoto and Tomoe Makino direct the TV anime adaptation at animation studio FelixFilm. Takawo Yoshioka provides the series composition, Yuko Yahiro provides the character designs, and Satoru Kosaki & Monaca provide the music. Aharen-san wa Hakarenai Season 2 teaser art Related: Feature: Aharen-san wa Hakarenai Was an Absolute Treasure This Spring Anime Season Crunchyroll describes Aharen-san wa Hakarenai : Socially awkward Aharen-san has personal boundary issues, either getting too close or too far from her classmates. When fellow student...

As 2023 bids farewell, the annual Anime! Anime! General Election has unveiled the winners of the “Most Recommended Female Voice Actor” of 2023.

The survey period spanned from Nov 15, 2023, to Dec 15, 2023, during which over 3,000 anime fans participated. With a majority of female respondents, accounting for approximately 65%, with 35% being male, the survey captured the sentiments of a diverse audience ranging from those under 19 to individuals in their 40s.

Participants were asked to identify the voice actors who left a lasting impression, whether through their roles in various anime or their appearances in other forms of entertainment. The criteria ranged from the most active and impactful voice actor of the year to the one fans found themselves recommending the most.

Checkout the top 20 most recommended female voice actors of 2023 below:

20. Marina Inoue

Notable roles: Armin in Aot, Mai Zenin in Jujutsu Kaisen, Momo Yaoyorozu in Mha, etc.

19. Tomori Kusunoki

Notable roles: Makima in Chainsaw Man,...

Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia | October 20, 2023: Mbc Anime – a strategic initiative by Mbc Group and Tokyopop dedicated to the licensing, promotion, and production of anime content in the region – announces investments in two original anime productions scheduled to debut in Japan and worldwide this month. They are “Kami.App” (カミエラビ) and “Protocol: Rain” (僕らの雨いろプロトコル).

The shows, which are from Fuji TV and TV Asahi, will stream exclusively on Shahid, the world’s leading Arabic-streaming platform by Mbc Group. In order to cater to current and future anime enthusiasts in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena), Mbc Anime is also now part of the production committees of both Japanese broadcasters.

Streaming this week as a simulcast on Shahid, “Kami.App” is a battle-royale twisted action story where high school student Goro is pitted against rivals in a bid to become the ultimate kami, wielding the power to manipulate the...

Any manga series may benefit greatly from getting an anime adaptation, but something is often lost in the process. It's expensive and labor-intensive to turn manga into anime, and countless anime series fail to get renewed for later seasons to continue the story. This also happens with romance manga, and that can completely ruin the story.

Too many romance anime fall flat because the ultimate payoff -- the two leads declaring "I love you" and starting a relationship -- never actually happens. Such things typically happen at the end of manga romance stories, and if the anime doesn't get that far, then the manga's big payoff is lost and the anime feels too open-ended. Fortunately, several popular romance anime do reach the big "I love you," often with a final season or perhaps a movie to finish the story.

Related: How Ski Trips Became Anime's New Code for Wholesome Romance...

In this writer’s oh so humble opinion, spring is usually when some of the best anime comes out, with the fall season coming right after in quality. It isn’t always true; just like with American television, there’s anime seasons where nothing good comes out and surprises in the summer and winter are the pleasant reprieve from continuously airing series. However, last spring gave us some of 2022’s most popular series — Spy x Family, Ya Boy Kongming!, as well as a number of generally fun series, like Fanfare of Adolescence, Aharen-san wa Hakarenai, and Birdie Wing (which is actually getting a second season starting in April). So, there’s lots of hope for 2023’s spring roster!