2029: A female cybernetic government agent, Major Motoko Kusanagi, and the Internal Bureau of Investigations are hot on the trail of “The Puppet Master,” a mysterious and threatening computer virus capable of infiltrating human hosts. Together with her fellow agents from Section 9, Kusanagi embarks on a high-tech race against time to capture the omnipresent entity. Director Mamoru Oshii’s award-winning cyber-tech thriller, based on the comic book by Masamune Shirow, has established itself as one of the leading Japanese animation films of all time.
Iconic and game-changing, Akira is the definitive anime masterpiece! Katsuhiro Otomo‘s landmark cyberpunk classic obliterated the boundaries of Japanese animation and forced the world to look into the future. Akira‘s arrival shattered traditional thinking, creating space for future generations of ground-breaking movies.
July, 1988— World War III breaks loose. Then, in 2019, in megalopolis Tokyo…As the leader of a group of young robust delinquents, Kaneda spent his nights tearing through the urban wastes, racing his motorbike against rival groups. One night while riding with his gang, his friend Tetsuo suddenly encounters a strange boy― the product of human experimentation— and is injured in the ensuing crash. Shortly thereafter, a military squadron appears on the scene to take the boy and Tetsuo away to an army research facility.
Determined to free Tetsuo from capture, Kaneda sneaks into the army research lab.However, a regimen of extreme experimental procedure has awakened a new power in his friend, and now he is consumed by madness…
Director and Original Story By: Katsuhiro Otomo Rating: NR
VIZ Media kicked off Anime NYC 2026 with a packed Industry Panel featuring exciting announcements, special guest appearances, new streaming news, collaborations and first looks. Highlights include:
BLACK TORCH
BLACK TORCH creator Tsuyoshi Takaki and editor Shihei Lin delighted fans with a live drawing demonstration while discussing the influences and aspirations behind the creation of the supernatural action series. BLACK TORCH follows teenage shinobi Jiro Azuma and the powerful mononoke Rago, whose uneasy alliance thrusts them into a hidden war between humans and spirits. The anime is now streaming exclusively on Crunchyroll.
BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War – The Calamity
Voice actors Wendee Lee, the voice of Yoruichi Shihoin, and Doug Erholtz, the voice of Kisuke Urahara, joined the panel and treated fans to reenactments of some of their favorite lines from the mega-hit anime. BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War is now streaming on Hulu and Disney+.
MAO English Dub Coming to Hulu August 24
The English dub of MAO, the supernatural series from legendary creator Rumiko Takahashi (Inuyasha, Ranma ½, Urusei Yatsura), will begin streaming on Hulu August 24, with Episodes 1–13 available. Produced by SUNRISE Studio, MAO follows Nanoka, a modern-day girl who slips through a portal into Japan’s Taisho era. There, enigmatic exorcist Mao reluctantly rescues her from a grotesque yokai attack—an encounter that leaves Nanoka with mysterious new abilities when she returns to the present.
Detective Conan Returns Under Its Original Name
Coming Spring 2027, Detective Conan (3-in-1 Edition), Vol. 1 marks a major first for the legendary manga series. Detective Conan—previously published in English as Case Closed—will be released under its original title, with the characters also updated to their original names. Fans will be able to experience the real Detective Conan in this faithful new edition of the iconic series.
Art of Manga Comes to the Brooklyn Museum
Art of Manga, the first major exhibition in the Americas to explore manga as an art form, makes its East Coast debut at the Brooklyn Museum. Featuring more than 600 drawings, the exhibition showcases manga’s immersive power, artistic innovation and social impact. U.S. audiences will have the rare opportunity to see original manga artwork from beloved series including Inuyasha, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, Ōoku: The Inner Chambers, ONE PIECE, and many more. For tickets and additional information, visit the Brooklyn Museum.
BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War x Round1 USA
VIZ Media and Round1 Entertainment are teaming up for a special BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War promotion launching at all Round1 USA locations beginning September 10. Fans can step into the World of the Living with limited-time BLEACH offerings including exclusive Round1 club cards, T-shirts, specialty drinks, gifts with qualifying food and beverage purchases, and additional surprises still to be revealed. The U.S. collaboration runs September 10–December 10, 2026, with a version of the promotion also launching at Round1 locations in Japan this August.
Starforge Systems x BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War
A new Starforge Systems x BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War collection launches at the end of August 2026. The collaboration will feature a range of products including a PC, PC case, mouse pads, acrylic wall art and Platelights.
At San Diego Comic-Con, Bandai Namco Filmworks Inc. unveiled the RG Project, a next-generation Gundam initiative that expands the franchise into a new universe across anime, video game, and various other media built around a new world envisioned by acclaimed science-fiction filmmaker Kenji Kamiyama, with worldbuilding developed together with Toh EnJoe. Anchoring the initiative is the upcoming anime Mobile Suit Gundam RG XARX-ZERO, directed by Kamiyama and animated by SOLA ANIMATION, launching in 2027.
The RG Project is a bold new vision for Gundam: A multi-media universe crafted by Kamiyama, in which entries share a narrative spanning generations within one continuous world. The initiative brings together the anime Mobile Suit Gundam RG XARX-ZEROand the upcoming, high-mobility action game, GUNDAM ROGUE ORBIT, each depicting the shared universe from a different perspective.
Mobile Suit Gundam RG XARX-ZERO opens this new saga, set roughly 100 years before the events of GUNDAM ROGUE ORBIT, telling the beginning of the story and how this world came to be. GUNDAM ROGUE ORBIT, picks up generations later in a future shaped by accumulated events depicted in the anime. The anime and game come together for an experience that invites Gundam fans to immerse themselves into this new world and make new choices of their own.
Stay tuned for the RG Project as it challenges the Gundam franchise with a bold new vision for the future.
Check out the images teased as well as more information about the project below:
The Story of Mobile Suit Gundam RG XARX-ZERO Begins
The three revelations delivered by the Autonomous Interstellar Object from another galaxy ushered in an age of unprecedented prosperity, allowing humanity to expand across the entire solar system.
Gravity Control. FTL Communication. Cognitive Materialization. Yet less than ten years after its discovery, the Object that had delivered these three revelations suddenly ran rampant, spawning an aggressive, self-proliferating ecosystem.
Humanity came to see this unknown ecosystem as the Apocalypse.
For three months, humanity fought the Apocalypse to a standstill in orbit above Earth. Forced to abandon the planet, humanity marked that year as A.A. 1—the first year After Apocalypse.
By A.A. 45, children born on the Moon and in space colonies have never known life without the Apocalypse.
And on the lunar surface, a boy named Ray Azumi awakens—
Protagonist: Ray Azumi
A war orphan who lost his parents in an Apocalypse attack, he serves as the designated pilot of Gundam ZERO. He is voiced by Takeo Otsuka.
Currently serializing in Shogakukan’s Sunday Web Every, Soara and the House of Monsters has confirmed its TV anime adaptation! In addition to the release of the ultra-teaser visual and promotional video, the main animation staff and voices of the main character, Soara, and Kirik have also been announced. A special project to commemorate the TV anime adaptation has been revealed too!
Soara (VA: Ikumi Hasegawa)
A girl raised with the sole purpose of fighting monsters, with high combat ability and a deep understanding of monsters.
Having a serious personality, she sometimes finds it hard to keep up with Kirik and his team’s antics.
Voice of Soara; Ikumi Hasegawa’s comment
I’m the voice of Soara, Ikumi Hasegawa.
The first time I read the manga, I was encaptivated by the heartwarming story and intricately drawn world. While watching Kirik and his team build houses, I felt as though I was a child reading a picture book, filled with excitement. I’m extremely happy to be able to live in this world as Soara. It is a privilege to play this role, and I place great importance on portraying the emotional shifts my character goes through as she spends time with Kirik and the others. Please look forward to it!
Kirik (VA: Ayumu Murase)
A dwarf boy who claims to be an “architect of the monster world”.
A highly skilled craftsman with remarkable ability in architecture.
Though he is a big brother figure, his scaredy-cat side sometimes slips out. He travels across the monster world building houses for homeless monsters.
Voice of Kirik; Ayumu Murase’s comment
I’m honored to play the voice of Kirik.
When I read the manga, I was blown away by not just the originality of the content, but also by Yamaji-sensei’s breathtaking art style, the uniqueness of all the monsters, and most of all – Kirik’s way of life and charisma!
Each episode’s recording session features a unique lineup of guests, where we have fun while pouring our hearts into our characters. Whether you have or haven’t read the manga, I hope that you’ll look forward to the anime’s airing!
VIZ Media closed out Anime Expo 2026 with a packed anime showcase featuring major announcements across its growing slate, including the English dub premiere date for MAO, confirmation that RWBYVolume 10 is officially in production, and a behind-the-scenes conversation with the English cast of Black Torch.
MAO Coming to Hulu on Disney+
From legendary manga creator Rumiko Takahashi (Inuyasha, Ranma ½, Urusei Yatsura), the supernatural mystery series MAO will premiere dubbed on Hulu on Disney+ beginning August 24, bringing one of Takahashi’s newest hit manga to English-speaking audiences.
RWBY Volume 10 Officially Greenlit
VIZ officially confirmed that RWBY Volume 10 has been greenlit, marking the next chapter in the globally beloved franchise.
Since its inception, the RWBY franchise has captivated audiences worldwide, accumulating over 350 million global views across platforms, with episodes averaging more than 7 million views. Fans have followed Ruby, Weiss, Blake, and Yang since the series debut in 2013. Since then, the world of “RWBY” has expanded its IP into print media, video games, merchandise, and multiple spinoffs, including “RWBY: Ice Queendom,” and two crossover “Justice League x RWBY” films.
Black Torch Cast Shares Behind-the-Scenes Stories
Following the successful Anime Expo premiere of Black Torch, English voice actors AJ Beckles(Jiro) and Keith Silverstein (Rago) joined fans for an inside look at bringing the supernatural action series to life, sharing stories from the recording booth and discussing the adaptation of Tsuyoshi Takaki’s acclaimed manga.
Crunchyroll took the stage at Anime Expo 2026 with a slate of major announcements spanning theatrical films, highly anticipated new series, and expanded fan experiences. Highlights from the annual Crunchyroll Showcase at the Peacock Theater included the reveal of Solo Leveling: Beyond the System, a character first-look at the upcoming Ghost of Tsushima Legends anime, and multiple world premiere debuts.
Hosted by Tim Lyu and Lauren Moore, the showcase delivered new trailers, surprise appearances, and first-look reveals for fans in attendance and around the world.
Solo Leveling: Beyond the System –In a moment that drew one of the panel’s biggest reactions, Aleks Le, the English voice of Sung Jinwoo, took the stage to make a special announcement to reveal that the story is far from over. Fans at Anime Expo were the first in the world to learn that Solo Leveling: Beyond the System is now in production. The all-new anime theatrical feature film will be a direct continuation of the series, picking up following the events of Season 2. Fans were also treated to a teaser key visual and a new promotional concept video. Solo Leveling: Beyond the System is animated by acclaimed A-1 Pictures (Sword Art Online). The film is produced by Aniplex, Netmarble, D&C MEDIA, Kakao Piccoma, and Crunchyroll.More details to be announced at a later date.
Ghost of Tsushima Legends –Crunchyroll debuted a first-look at the characters for the upcoming Ghost of Tsushima Legends anime,offering fans another early glimpse at the highly anticipated series. Last year, Crunchyroll, in partnership with Aniplex, Sony Music, and PlayStation Productions, announced the anime adaptation of the beloved action-adventure game. The series follows one of the last remaining samurai as he defends his homeland of Tsushima against the Mongol Empire. Director Takanobu Mizuno will lead the adaptation, with HAYATE Inc. overseeing production, Satoshi Maejima (NITRO PLUS) and Gen Urobuchi (NITRO PLUS) writing the script, with Gen Urobuchi also handling story composition, Takashi Okazaki providing character designs, and KAMIKAZE DOUGA producing the animation. The series aims to translate the game’s signature samurai aesthetic into a visually compelling, cinematic experience. Additional production details and a premiere date will be announced at a later time.
The Guy She Was Interested in Wasn’t a Guy At All –In one of the showcase’s biggest surprises, Crunchyroll aired a special video message to audiences at Anime Expo from Dave Grohl, who revealed that Nirvana’s “Breed” will serve as the opening theme for the upcoming anime adaptation of The Guy She Was Interested in Wasn’t a Guy At All set to launch in early 2027. The series follows fashionable and upbeat high schooler, Aya, who loves listening to rock, but no one else seems to share her interest…until she meets a cool, stylish employee at a CD shop. Dressed in black from head to toe, he has this air of mystery about him, and his taste in music is impeccable. Aya falls hard for him, not knowing her crush is actually her female classmate Mitsuki! Additional details on the series will be announced at a later time.
Kagurabachi –Following the recent announcement that the highly- anticipated anime adaptation, Kagurabachi, is coming to Crunchyroll next year, fans attending the Showcase were treated to an exclusive Q&A with Chihiro Rokuhira’s Japanese voice actor, Taihi Kimura, and Kyle Cardine, Editor-in-Chief of Crunchyroll News. Unveiled exclusively for the panel audience, attendees received a special first look at Chihiro’s provisional character design sheet.
NEW SERIES AND RETURNING FAVORITES
Here U Are –The anime adaptation of the beloved manhwa will make its way to Crunchyroll. The series follows Yang Yu, a university upperclassman who’s loved by everyone, and Huan Li, a quiet, antisocial new student. The two of them get off on the wrong foot, but despite clashing and repelling one another at times, they are still drawn to each other.
Fate Rewinder –Launching on Crunchyroll April 2027 this new sci-fi mystery thriller follows heroes equipped with the “Retry Eye,” an ocular implanted device granting the power to rewind time. The series centers around new Rewinder, Chrono, who must master his ability to save those who have died tragically.
The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 5 – Naofumi’s journey continues into perilous new waves of danger where he and his companions face threats that may implicate the other Cardinal Heroes. The series will make its way to Crunchyroll next year. Get a sneak peek at the upcoming season and catch up on the previous seasons, now streaming on Crunchyroll.
Dengeki Daisy – Crunchyroll revealed the world-wide premiere trailer of Dengeki Daisy. This new romantic comedy tells the journey of an orphan whose encounter with a mysterious hacker embroils her in espionage!
Aoashi Season 2 – Ashito’s journey continues October 2026 on Crunchyroll. Following his devastating junior high tournament loss and recruitment of J-League’s top managers, Ashito returns to pursue his dream of becoming one of the greatest soccer players of all time. Get ready for Season 2 by catching up on Season 1, streaming on Crunchyroll.
Gacha Girls Corps – Coming to Crunchyroll January 2027, Gacha Girls Corps follows mobile game addict, Heihachi, who gets dragged into another world after making an unusual in-game pull. Attacked by monsters, he does what he knows best, roll gacha, summoning a powerful knight named Norl who may be his only hope.
Magical Buffs – The Support Caster is Stronger Than He Realized! – After being expelled from his guild for overshadowing its leader, skilled support mage, Wim Strauss, gets a second chance when his childhood friend invites him to join her A-rank guild, Nachtibelle. The new fantasy series comes to Crunchyroll January 2027.
The Vermilion Mask – Crunchyroll gives fans another look into The Vermilion Mask, coming to the platform October 2026. The series follows Peru, a pupil of the legendary mask maker Gaston Roux, becomes controlled by the “Mask of the Warrior God,” and unintentionally kills his friends, and even his own master. In order to prevent this type of tragedy from reoccurring, Peru swears to destroy all of Gaston’s masks that are spread around the world. Confronting the sins that he has committed, he embarks on his voyage.
Overgeared – Coming this year to Crunchyroll, Overgeared follows Grid, an unlucky low-level player in the popular VR game, “Satisfy,” who can’t seem to catch a break, that is, until he gets an opportunity for the S-Rank Quest that changes his life. finds a powerful item that earns him a rare legendary class title: “Pagma’s Successor” and becomes a skilled blacksmith capable of forging unique weapons and equipping the game’s most powerful gear. He sets his sights on fame and fortune, but as his newfound abilities begin stirring up trouble in Satisfy, Grid learns that life as a legend may be more than he bargained for.
PLATFORM & FAN EXPERIENCES
AKIRA – The landmark 1989 cyberpunk anime classic is returning to theatres on September 4, 2026 in the United States and Canada, now in 4K and IMAX.
Crunchyroll Manga – Launched in October 2025, Crunchyroll Manga features over 400 titles from Japanese publishers including Shueisha, Square Enix, VIZ Media, Yen Press, and more. Major additions now include Kodansha US Publishing titles such as Attack on Titan, Fire Force, and Fairy Tail. During the showcase, the Black Torch manga was announced that it will be available to read on July 13, giving fans the opportunity to seamlessly switch between the anime with one click on Crunchyroll as it begins streaming new episodes on July 4.
More New Arrivals: Villainess Level 99; Red Cat Ramen; Ron Kamonohashi: Deranged Detective; Forget That Night, Your Majesty; Eko Eko Azarak Reborn; Grendizer U: The Inception; Three Exorcism Siblings; and Unemployed Killers Support Group.
New Chapters This Month: Do Women Need Sex Entertainment?; Farewell, My Odin; Sanda; The Elegant Courtly; Life of the Tea Witch; The Raven Dark Hero; Toxic Super Beasts; Working for God in a Godless World; and Yan.
Announced at Anime Expo 2026, The Guy She Was Interested In Wasn’t a Guy At All is becoming an anime series launching on Crunchyroll in 2027.
The mangafeatures a story and art by Sumiko Arai, translated by Ajani Oloye, lettered by Brandon Bovia, and published by Yen Press. Masashi Ishihama will direct the anime.
Fashionable and upbeat high schooler Aya loves listening to rock, but no one else seems to share her interest…until she meets a cool, stylish employee at a CD shop. Dressed in black from head to toe, he has this air of mystery about him, and his taste in music is impeccable. Aya falls hard for him—not knowing her crush is actually her female classmate Mitsuki! For her part, Mitsuki generally keeps to herself and avoids standing out at school. But given that she sits right next to Aya, Mitsuki’s all too aware of the other girl’s feelings, and she’s afraid to reveal the truth. So why does she find herself talking with Aya more and more…?
The series will feature Nirvana‘sBreed as its opening theme. The band is referenced often throughout the manga. Dave Grohl has gotten a look at the playlist for the series and seems to approve and thinks Kurt Cobain wouldn’t loved the mange/anime.
Anime distributor AnimEigo and parent company MediaOCD announced several newly licensed Blu-ray home media titles during its panel at Anime Expo 2026 that include Sakon The Ventriloquist, Drucker in the Dugout, House of Five Leaves, Baby & I, and the world’s first 4K restoration for AD Police Files.
An update was announced for the upcoming home media release of Vampire Princess Miyu that will deliver a pair of blank Blu-ray case inserts with every order. The groundbreaking horror anime OVA will be released on September 8th. Pre-orders are open now for a limited time exclusively from the MediaOCD web store. SRP is $24.95.
A new series of monthly columns and articles to be written by a variety of anime luminaries also was announced for the MediaOCD website blog. The first one will be penned by noted author and anime historian Jonathan Clements and will launch the new section later this summer.
Sakon The Ventriloquistis a 26-episode crime mystery anime series about an Edo-era puppeteer who travels Japan with his wisecracking puppet. He uses expert ventriloquism and theatrical skills to solve murders and expose clever killers. The series is based on a manga series, written by Sharakumaro and illustrated by Takeshi Obata (Death Note), which was originally serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump.
Moshidora (aka Drucker in the Dugout) is a 10-episode anime series produced by Production I.G. It follows a high school student who manages her school’s baseball team using practices from a book by the famous management consultant Peter Drucker to rally her dispirited teammates. The series was inspired by a bestselling novel and subsequent manga series that also spawned a live-action film adaptation.
AD Police Files is an acclaimed 3-episode OVA that served as the prequel to Bubblegum Crisis (also available on home media from AnimEigo). Chronologically set 5 years before the events of Bubblegum Crisis, it focuses on AD Police (Advanced Police) inspector Leon McNichol’s early days in the crimefighting law enforcement squad. The OVA receives a crisp 4K restoration by MediaOCD for the Blu-ray home media release.
House of Five Leaves is a 12-episode series directed by Tomomi Mochizuki (Ocean Waves, Kimagure Orange Road) and based on the acclaimed manga by Natsume Ono. It depicts the adventures of a down on his luck samurai who becomes a bodyguard for the charismatic leader of a mysterious gang of bandits known as the Five Leaves. AnimEigo will debut the series on HD Blu-ray in early 2027.
aby & I is a 35-episode shojo classic directed by Takahiro Omori (Baccano!, Durarara!!, Natsume’s Book of Friends) and based on the manga, Baby & Me, created by Marimo Ragawa. It poignantly follows10-year-old Takuya, who is forced to grow up fast after his mother’s death, leaving him to juggle his childhood and help his father raise and care for his toddler brother. The series will debut on Blu-ray in 2027.
The Kagurabachi Anime World Tour is adding another stop—in Washington, D.C. at Otakon. Head to the convention for a premiere screening of the first 20 minutes of Episode 1 on Sunday, August 2
Kagurabachi is a popular Japanese manga (comic book) series by Takeru Hokazono. The series follows a young swordsman, Chihiro Rokuhira, on his quest to avenge his blacksmith father. An anime adaptation has been officially announced for April 2027. This will be the first chance for fans to get a glimpse of it.
Otakon 2026 takes place July 31 to August 3 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.
