Anime Buzz

The March issue of Monthly CoroCoro Comic announced a fresh chapter for the Duel Masters franchise: Shigenobu Matsumoto will launch a sequel manga titled Duel Masters RX (pronounced "reverse cross") in the magazine's next issue on March 13. The prelude short teases a fun, meta crossover moment—Duel Masters Win protagonist Win Kirifuda literally steps into the world of manga and meets the franchise’s original hero, Shobu Kirifuda—setting the stage for nostalgia, character interplay, and new plot directions that both long-time fans and newcomers can get excited about. Image via Amazon Japan © Shogakukan, Shigenobu Matsumoto What is Duel Masters RX (Reverse Cross)? Duel Masters RX promises to continue Win Kirifuda’s journey, but with a twist: the new title (read as “reverse cross”) hints at storylines that will invert or remix established franchise tropes. The prelude short—published as an introductory piece—shows Win crossing into the manga world and meet...

Always a Catch! episode 7 delivers a satisfying blend of comedy, heart, and surprisingly effective action that pays off long-running story threads. This installment finally lets Mimi use her signature hair ornament as more than just decoration, gives Renato a moment to prove himself, and ties together the episode’s romantic and comedic beats with thoughtful direction and expressive animation. ©ももよ万葉・三登いつき・ながと牡蠣／SQUARE ENIX・逃げ釣り製作委員会 Episode 7 recap: brass knuckles, bandits, and runaway love Episode 7 opens with the long-awaited moment so many viewers have been teasing for: Mimi pulls her hairpin free and uses it as a weapon. What follows is a lively sequence of brawling bandits, awkward encounters, and an absurdly timed fart joke — the kind of gag that underlines the show’s willingness to mix lowbrow humor with genuinely sweet beats. Mimi ends up tracking down a missing villager, Veronica, only to discover the “kidnapping” was really a runaway elopem...

Shonen Jump+ readers have reason to celebrate: Yū Miki's chilling historical-supernatural manga The Bateren Tales (Bateren Kaidan) is set to return from hiatus on May 22 and will launch directly into its final arc. The announcement, posted by Shonen Jump+ editor-in-chief Seijirō Nakaji on X, also confirmed that the manga's first collected tankōbon will ship on June 4. For fans who fell for Miki's eerie atmosphere and period detail, this marks the beginning of the end — and possibly the most intense chapter of the series yet. Image via Yū Miki's X/Twitter account ©Yū Miki, Shueisha What the Return Means: Dates and Details The Bateren Tales went on hiatus on February 6, and the May 22 restart will pick up with the manga's final storyline. The serialized chapters originally launched on Shonen Jump+ on October 3, and with the compiled first volume arriving June 4, readers who prefer collected editions won't have long to wait to own the b...

Episode 7 of You and I Are Polar Opposites leans into the series’ strongest suit: awkward, character-driven comedy that quietly deepens relationships. This installment balances brief but revealing character moments—especially for Taira and Nishi—with the kind of subtle romantic setup that makes a slice-of-life romcom addictive. Through short, punchy scenes and smart comedic timing, the episode expands the cast’s dynamics while keeping the laughs coming. Rihito/Taira: The resident sad boy gets a rare spotlight One of the episode’s quieter pleasures is the unexpected return of Rihito (Taira). He’s only around for a short stretch, but his presence adds emotional texture. The episode uses middle-school nostalgia as a foil to Taira’s chronic pessimism—where others find fond memories, he sees reminders of loneliness and failed expectations. That bitterness is played for laughs, but the script also drops hints of something more: an allusion to a past relationship that fell apart becaus...

Episode 6 of The Warrior Princess and the Barbaric King doubles down on the show's darker, more provocative instincts — and not always in ways that serve the story. Between explicit creature design, problematic fanservice choices, and a few surprising moments of accountability, this episode is a mixed bag: fascinating worldbuilding and symbolism buttressed by clumsy handling of female bodies and consent. Below I break down the highs and lows, what the episode reveals about the series' themes, and what to watch for in future installments. ©KOTOBA NORIAKI, KODANSHA/'THE WARRIOR PRINCESS AND THE BARBARIC KING' Production Committee Sexualization, Tentacles, and Narrative Tone One of the most jarring elements of episode 6 is its unabashed use of tentacle imagery to sexualize an otherwise tense combat sequence. The Fiend’s attack on Malcius is framed not merely as a threat but as an explicitly sexualized assault: the creature strips and fondles her while she is i...

Anime and manga fans have a new title to add to their watchlists: manga author Gyōmuyōmochi is launching a brand-new Japanese fantasy series titled Mushagakuen in Kodansha’s Monthly Shōnen Magazine. The announcement arrived in the magazine’s June issue (published May 7), and the series is set to begin in the magazine’s August issue, which ships in July. An official X/Twitter account for the manga was also opened on May 7, giving fans an early spot to follow updates and previews. Image via Mushagakuen manga's X/Twitter account ©Gyōmuyōmochi What we know so far about Mushagakuen The official information released on May 7 is brief but exciting: Mushagakuen is described as a Japanese fantasy manga and will premiere in Monthly Shōnen Magazine’s August issue (shipping in July). Gyōmuyōmochi — who has attracted attention for previous work — is both the author and artist, and the series will be available in English through Kodansha’s K MANGA service. In addit...