Anime Buzz

The long-awaited English release of Yayū Murata’s hauntingly beautiful manga Across the Strange Edge (Okashiki Sekai no Kyōkaisen) is one step closer to reality: Murata has announced a Kickstarter campaign to bring an official English translation of Volume 1 to international readers. The campaign launches April 1, 2026, and—if fully funded—backers can expect physical rewards to begin shipping by Autumn 2026. This post breaks down everything fans need to know: the story, the creator’s background, campaign timing, what rewards to expect, and why this title matters for readers who love quietly poignant supernatural stories. Image courtesy of Yayū Murata © Yayū Murata What is Across the Strange Edge about? Across the Strange Edge follows Misuzu, a reserved girl who has grown up emotionally distant after a childhood marked by loss and parental absence, and Chizuru, a bright but isolated classmate who can see supernatural beings that others cannot. Their lives in...

“Slave: Heaven” delivers a breathless penultimate episode for Chained Soldier Season 2, throwing everything — spectacle, character beats, and the series’ signature fanservice — into one combustible clash. The episode centers on the decisive confrontation with Kuusetsu, pushes Yuki’s slave-transformation arc to its logical extremes, and manages to balance genuinely effective action choreography with the show’s unabashed lewdness. Below I break down what worked, what felt indulgent, and what this means heading into the finale. © Takahiro,Yohei Takemura /SHUEISHA, Chained Soldier Production Consortium Animation and Action — A Notable Step Up One of the most surprising strengths of “Slave: Heaven” is how confidently it stages its action. The animation here is sharper and more daring than many earlier episodes, showing the production team willing to loosen up and deliver kinetic, entertaining sequences rather than relying solely on static, manga-style panels. Strat...

When crossovers work, they can be more than a parade of cameos — they can deliver genuine emotion, a sharp sense of place, and a surprisingly coherent story. Isekai Quartet The Movie: Another World takes the franchise's trademark character mash-up and elevates it into a proper cinematic adventure. The result is equal parts laugh-out-loud comedy and unexpectedly affecting drama, wrapped in some of the most ambitious animation the series has attempted so far. Isekai Quartet The Movie: Another World — poster. Plot Overview: From School Hijinks to a Devastated World The film abandons the confined school setting viewers have become used to and throws its ensemble into a bleak, post-apocalyptic fantasy realm where towering golems roam. The core quartet — Tanya, Ainz, Subaru, and Kazuma — find themselves separated into distinct groups, which allows the movie to explore unexpected pairings and place familiar personalities into unfamiliar stakes. As alliances form and old gru...

The fifth episode of Medalist Season 2 shifts focus from Inori’s competitive arc to revisit Tsukasa’s complicated past and his evolving relationship with Jun. Rather than a straight continuation of tournament fallout, this installment uses a quiet reunion and a private skate to probe Tsukasa’s unresolved regrets, his reasons for abandoning a pro career, and whether coaching Inori is truly the redemption he believes it to be. The episode delivers a thoughtful character beat, raises narrative stakes for both mentor and student, and teases a more direct confrontation between Inori and Hikaru on the ice. © つるまいかだ・講談社／メダリスト製作委員会 Episode 5 Overview: A Reunion That Redefines Episode 5 opens by picking up threads from the previous week and steering them toward a quieter, character-focused moment: Tsukasa finally comes face-to-face with Jun. The meeting is awkward—Jun doesn’t recognize him, which underlines how much time and distance exists between their shared history—b...

The Hero's Bereaved Family (Yūsha Izoku), a darkly comic post-adventure isekai manga by Maki Kanemaki, has just become more accessible to English readers — MANGA Plus is now hosting the series' opening chapters in English. Blending twisted family drama, brutal inheritance battles, and a sharp take on the “life after the hero” trope, this title is quickly becoming a must-read for fans of subversive fantasy and black comedy in manga form. Image via MANGA Plus' X/Twitter account © Maki Kanemaki, Shueisha Quick overview: What is The Hero's Bereaved Family? The Hero's Bereaved Family (Yūsha Izoku) follows Gil, a half-elf who sets off to attend the funeral of the legendary hero who defeated the Demon King — a man Gil never met but shares blood with. Expecting an inheritance and perhaps some answers, Gil instead finds himself swept into a savage, laugh-out-loud inheritance conflict among the hero’s many, love-starved children. What begins as an...

Prince Lloyd de Saloum returns in the second season of I Was Reincarnated as the 7th Prince So I Can Take My Time Perfecting My Magical Ability (briefly, 7th Prince), and this season takes a narrower, more focused approach than its predecessor. Where season one spread its attention across short, episodic beats, season two commits to a single church-centered arc that investigates divine sorcery and a mysterious underground laboratory. The result is a mixed bag: tighter narrative cohesion and some impressive battle animation, but also persistent character-blind spots and a few baffling storytelling choices. Prince Lloyd's curiosity about divine sorcery drives the season's central mystery. Season 2 Overview: A Single Arc, Higher Stakes Unlike season one’s short arcs, season two follows one main storyline: Lloyd’s fascination with the church’s divine sorcery and the discovery of an underground laboratory that hints at darker machinations. The unified arc strengthens t...

© 鵜飼有志・ねこめたる How do you conclude a series like SHIBOYUGI: Playing Death Games to Put Food on the Table? Episode 11 doesn't look for an easy, tidy resolution. Instead it doubles down on the series' commitment to mood, memory, and moral ambiguity—delivering a finale that feels more like an elegy than a victory lap. If you've followed Yuki's battered trail through the show's fractured timeline, this episode asks you to sit with the bruise rather than slap on a bandage. Episode 11 — Recap and structure The finale pivots around the looming confrontation with Kyara and the emotional fallout of Hakushi's apparent death. But SHIBOYUGI has never been primarily interested in linear storytelling. Instead of a straight boss fight, the episode intercuts present action with ghostly, cyclical flashbacks and death-dream sequences that collapse Yuki's past and present into one aching montage. The big reveal—that Hakushi may have faked her death—refram...

Yen Press just unveiled a sizable September slate: 13 new manga releases and two light novels ready to hit shelves. From pulse-pounding psychological death games to cozy supernatural slice-of-life and rom-com hijinks, this batch offers something for every manga reader. Below we break down each licensed title, spotlight what makes it worth your attention, and point you toward where to preorder or learn more. At a glance: 13 manga and 2 light novels coming in September This lineup includes omnibus editions, single-volume adaptations, fresh serialized debuts, and light novels from rising creators. Whether you love dark thrillers, heart-tugging drama, or quirky fantasy, these September releases are packed with variety. Featured manga releases JUDGE (Omnibus Edition) — Yoshiki Tonogai Image courtesy of Yen Press © Yoshiki Tonogai A tense psychological death game, JUDGE gathers sinners bound to the seven deadly sins into a courthouse and forces them to choose a sacrifice...

Champignon Witch episode 12 closes the season with a thoughtful meditation on love, power, and identity. Rather than ending on a conventional romantic climax, the finale leans into character and theme: Luna’s compassion, Lize’s quiet growth, and the series’ rejection of rigid categories for what makes someone “good” or “worthy.” This episode reframes the show’s magic system as a moral landscape, where the most powerful acts are driven not by selfish ambition but by care for others. ©樋口橘・白泉社／「シャンピニオンの魔女」製作委員会 Black vs. White Witches: Love as Power or Liability? Episode 12 foregrounds a contradiction at the heart of Champignon Witch’s lore: black witches are said to be harmed by love, yet Luna—arguably the most influential black witch in the story—exhibits deep love in many forms. She cares for Henri, treats Lize and the familiars like family, and holds steadfast friendship with Dorothy. Despite this, Luna remains the world’s foremost healer against poison. That t...

100 Meters — poster 100 Meters is a quietly powerful sports drama that follows two sprinters from childhood to the professional track, asking the simple but profound question: why do you run? Directed by Kenji Iwaisawa and adapted from Uoto’s five-volume manga, the film blends rotoscoped realism with anime stylization to produce visceral race sequences and intimate character moments. Screened at the Scotland Loves Anime film festival on November 1, 2025, this movie is a must-watch for fans of character-driven sports stories and distinctive animation techniques. Visual Style: Rotoscoping That Feels Alive One of the first things viewers will notice is the film’s commitment to a rotoscoped aesthetic. Iwaisawa, who previously worked on rotoscoped projects, elevates the technique with a professional team to avoid the uncanny valley that sometimes plagues frame-by-frame animation. Instead, movement feels weighted and muscular—every stride, stumble, and surge forward conveys phy...

This week’s release roundup brings a mix of must-have Blu-rays, heavy-hitter manga volumes, digital novel drops, and even a PC game launch — plenty to keep collectors and casual readers busy. Below I’ve organized the full list of new anime, print and digital manga, novels, and game releases, plus highlights and buying recommendations so you can quickly spot what’s worth adding to your shelves this week. Anime Releases Standout physical releases this week focus on high-demand titles and seasonal hits. Notable entries include a feature film Blu‑ray, a hit shounen limited edition, and the much-anticipated second season home video for a top streaming adaptation. Highlights The Boy and The Beast (Blu‑ray) — a gorgeous film release for collectors looking to own Mamoru Hosoda’s acclaimed feature on disc. Food Wars! The Third Plate Complete Collection (BD) — the culinary shonen returns in a complete set that’s perfect for new viewers or completists. Solo Leveling Season 2 -A...

The penultimate episode of Tamon’s B-Side delivers a memorable cultural-festival installment that balances slapstick humor, heartfelt confession beats, and a concert sequence that—while imperfect—still showcases solid production. This episode leans into character development, especially for Utage and Natsuki, while setting up a finale that feels poised to tie together the show's romantic and personal stakes. Below I break down the highlights, missteps, and what to expect in the final episode. © 師走ゆき・白泉社／多聞くん今どっち！？製作委員会 Episode snapshot: culture-fest chaos and emotional turns This episode leans into two anime staples—the school cultural festival and the concert—but mixes them with the series' signature rom-com sensibilities. The F/ACE boys’ attempts at “disguise” provide comic relief, while the festival’s events, including a teacup ride and a live performance, become the stage for important emotional revelations. The episode excels at alternating between ...

Promotional image for Kamitsubaki City Under Construction Kamitsubaki City Under Construction begins with a striking, apocalyptic tableau: a city in ruins and a young survivor, Kafu Morisaki, left to navigate a world transformed. Seven years after disaster decimates much of humanity, mysterious monsters called tesseractors emerge and only a handful of girls — witchlings whose voices are their weapon — can stand against them. The series opens with promise: bold visuals, a bleak tone, and a hook that mixes musical elements with dark, fantastical stakes. Unfortunately, the show’s early momentum ultimately slows, and structural issues prevent it from fully delivering on that initial potential. Premise & Setup: A Promising Hook The setup is immediate and compelling. Kafu’s survival after a catastrophic event and the later emergence of tesseractors provide a clear “what’s at stake” foundation. Witchlings — girls whose singing can halt the monsters — give the story a unique...