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Ota
Minoru Ota is the director of Kyoto Animation's first major anime series since the 2019 arson attack, which premiered on Netflix on July 5, 2026.
Synthesized from 29
Yomimono stories · updated
Jul 5
Minoru Ota directed the first two episodes of Sparks of Tomorrow, which screened at Anime Expo 2026 before the series premiered on Netflix on July 5, 2026. The series is set in an alternate-history Meiji-era Kyoto and follows a clumsy girl and an inventor in a steampunk world on the cusp of an electric age. Ota appeared at a Q&A session after the screening alongside producer Satori Senami.
The project was shelved after the 2019 arson attack on Kyoto Animation and is now the studio's first major anime series since that tragedy. Ota is a first-time director for the series, which marks a deliberate stylistic and thematic departure from the studio's previous work. The premiere positions the series as a new frontier for Kyoto Animation.
Key facts
- Role
- Director of Sparks of Tomorrow ↗
- First-time director
- First-time director for Sparks of Tomorrow ↗
- Premiere date
- July 5, 2026 ↗
- Setting
- Alternate-history Meiji-era Kyoto ↗
Timeline
- Jul 5, 2026 Sparks of Tomorrow Premieres on Netflix as Kyoto Animation's New Frontier
- Jul 1, 2026 Aile The Shota to Release New Song 'ONGAKU' on July 8
- Jun 28, 2026 My Charms Are Not Working for Medaka Kuroiwa Nominated for DARUMA Award
- Jun 28, 2026 VLiver Hitone Iri Releases Original Song Aromatic Arcana via OTAGROUP Music
- Jun 22, 2026 Valve Adds Sarcastic 'Data Miner Bait' Message to Dota 2 Code
- Jun 22, 2026 Dorohedoro Holds Top Spot In ANN's Spring 2026 Weekly Rankings
- Jun 19, 2026 Hosoda Mamoru Exhibition Opens With 450 Storyboards From The Girl Who Leapt Through Time
- Jun 19, 2026 You Are Ms. Servant Manga Resumes After Four-Month Hiatus
- Jun 15, 2026 Demon Slayer and Heart Bread ANTIQUE Collaboration Launches July 1
- Jun 14, 2026 Ryota Miyadate Transforms Into Three Superstars for Third Solo anan Cover
- Jun 14, 2026 Demon Slayer Infinity Castle Arc Blu-Ray Store Bonuses Reveal Ufotable Art
- Jun 12, 2026 Studio 4°C Returns to Chimney Town With a Hybrid Sequel
- Jun 11, 2026 Fujiko F. Fujio's 'The Minotaur's Plate' Gets First Stage Adaptation
- Jun 10, 2026 Unapologetic Projects Adapting Hotaru's Way Manga Into U.S. Live-Action Series
- Jun 8, 2026 Total War: Warhammer 40,000 Live Demo Debuts at Summer Game Fest, CBT Registration Opens
- Jun 7, 2026 Total War: Warhammer 40,000 Closed Beta Set for Late 2026
- Jun 5, 2026 Spring Anime OPs and EDs Push Visual Boundaries With Experimental Direction
- Jun 3, 2026 Muv-Gal Adds SSR Yui Takashiro In Muv-Luv Alternative Total Eclipse Collab
- May 31, 2026 Thai Cosplayer and VTuber Fan Taotan Gets Warm Welcome in Manila
- May 31, 2026 Botan Kamiina Fully Blossoms When Drunk Episode 1 Review Emphasizes Cozy Yuri
- May 31, 2026 Gals Can't Be Kind to Otaku?! Premiere Explores Prejudice and Shared Fandom
- May 30, 2026 Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Producer Discusses Trilogy, Budget, and Studio Growth
- May 28, 2026 Gachiakuta Stage Play Cancels Shows After Lead Actor Injures Leg
- May 28, 2026 Tomb Raider King Animated Series Reveals Kotaro Yanagi in New Trailer
- May 27, 2026 KAF Releases 'School Front' Music Video From 5th Album 'Deep Love'
- May 24, 2026 Hana-Kimi Season 2 Premieres July 1 With Omoinotake Theme Songs
- May 19, 2026 BE:FIRST Announces World Showcase Tour Across 4 Cities
- May 17, 2026 Botan Kamiina Fully Blossoms When Drunk Anime Streams Sixth Episode Clean Ending Theme
- May 16, 2026 Witch on the Holy Night Film Cast Returns for 2026 Premiere
Synthesized by Yomimono from the cited Yomimono stories below, each itself
sourced, then editorially reviewed. Every
fact links the story it came from.
Claim activity
When a claim about Ota was confirmed, debunked, or disputed against
open-web sources. The record stays even after a claim drops off the facts list.
- Confirmed Ota directs Sparks Of Tomorrow 6d ago · source
All coverage
1d ago
Solo developer Hirasaka opened the Steam store page for Death Momotaro, a horror action comedy based on the Japanese folktale. The player takes the role of Death Momotaro and fights Death Grandpa, the Death Animals, and the Death Oni across four chapters. Chapter one is an escape from a giant peach, chapter two feeds Death Kibidango to the animals, and chapter three shoots the oni on Onigashima. Release is set for late September 2026 at around 400 yen, with Japanese, English, and Simplified Chinese support.
1d ago
Four TARMACWORKS 1/64 scale diecast mini cars are open for pre-order on Amazon Japan, including the Safari Rally Kenya 2024 winning Toyota GR Yaris and a Pandem Mazda RX-7 FC3S. Prices run from 5,060 to 6,160 yen, and all four are scheduled for a February 28, 2027 release.
2d ago
The TV anime Hotaru no Yomeiri held a preview screening on September 6 at United Cinemas Toyosu, showing episodes 1 through 3 ahead of its October 9 premiere on Fuji TV's noitamina block. Voice actors Lynn, Kouki Uchiyama, and Kento Itou appeared in kimono, discussed their auditions, and played a game guessing which scene Lynn found most romantic. The answer was the episode 2 scene where Shinpei shows Satsuko fireflies and confesses his love.
6d ago
C'CLOCK, the voice actor digital clock line, is launching a new series called C'CLOCK MASTERS built around veteran voices. Aoni Production's Tetsu Inada, Mitsuo Iwata, and Ryota Takeuchi get models with orders opening at noon on September 9, 18, and 28, 2026. All voice data is newly recorded for the series, and the line is designed so buyers can collect multiple actors by swapping microSD cards.
Sep 2
P Maru-sama will appear on NHK's Minna no Uta for the first time with "Zettai Seiten!!," airing October through November. She co-wrote the lyrics with producer Ryota Saito, her first attempt at writing lyrics. NOVECHIKA and Taishi Noguchi composed the track, and Kasuki Kato of Shirogumi handled the animation. Three other new songs join the same broadcast window.
Sep 1
TV Asahi announced that Kotaro Koizumi and Dori Sakurada will guest star in the annual Doraemon Birthday Special on September 6. Koizumi plays Howard Richie, a 22nd-century billionaire whose gem is stolen, and Sakurada plays Konrobo, a fox robot officer trying to catch the wanted Doraemon.
Sep 1
The live-action series of Mitsubachi Miyuki's boys-love manga It's Strictly Business will premiere November 5 on BS Fuji. Sōta Uemura plays Ren Ashihara and Rio Takahashi plays Issei Kuji. Kozue Sasaki and Kana Urara direct, and Uiko Miura writes the script. Yen Press publishes the manga in English and ships the first volume on September 22.
Sep 1
The Sirotan TV anime will premiere October 3 at 4:29 p.m. JST in TV Asahi's new short anime programming block PicoAni. Aoi Yuki voices the white seal Sirotan, with Miyu Hanasaki, Rina Hidaka, and Riyo Iwai in supporting roles. Arisa Okada directs at Lesprit, Sei Yoshitsuki writes the scripts, and TV Asahi and Shinei Animation produce.
Aug 31
OneEight launched an open beta test on August 30 for the village-building action RPG Warota, Ore no Ie no Tonari Maoujou www, running until September 7 at 1:59 p.m. The test needs no application and has no participant cap, offering 2-3 hours of play up to the first boss. Players reincarnate as a Bounder, build a village, switch jobs via hats, and fend off the idol demon king Platinum Goldcast's live concert monster waves.
Aug 31
One or Eight Co., Ltd. announced the open beta test for 'Warota, My House Is Next to the Demon King's Castle www' starts today, August 31, at 2 PM JST. The action RPG blends village building, life simulation, and base defense. The test runs to September 7, supports Japanese, English, and Chinese, and covers play up to the first boss.
Aug 31
Premium Bandai is taking pre-orders for the Sesotai Risogu Grandiose Number One Set, an unauthorized item from Unauthorized Sentai Akibaranger modeled after the Sentai Ring series of Number One Sentai Gojuujager. The set includes rings themed after the three Akibarangers, Season Pain versions, and a GOLDEN EDITION, and it is compatible with the separately sold DX Tegasword.
Aug 28
Publisher Polnoch released KOTAMON, a first-person junkyard simulation from developer KotaMota Games, on August 21 for PC via Steam. Players work as a janitor to recover a super-rare card thrown away by the protagonist's sister. The game earned a Very Positive rating on Steam, with 80% of 991 reviews positive and a peak concurrent player count of 4,832 at the time of writing.
Aug 21
DMM Pictures revealed a teaser promotional video and the January 2027 debut for Ore to Yu Nii!, the television anime based on Miyuki Nakayama's Shota Oni boys-love manga. Studio Hibari is animating the series, with Noriko Hashimoto directing and Yuniko Ayana overseeing the series scripts. The voice cast features Shinnosuke Tokudome as Tsubaki and Shuichiro Umeda as Yu. The story follows an elementary school boy named Tsubaki and his high school childhood friend Yu, whom Tsubaki loves but who treats him like a child. Nakayama debuted the manga in September 2021 on the Comic CMOA website as part of the launch for Square Enix's boys-love label Gangan BLiss. The manga won the Best Next Generation (Newcomer) award at boys-love website Chil-Chil's 13th annual BL Awards in 2022. Square Enix published the manga's seventh volume on March 21.
Aug 21
Sega announced the guest lineup for the Stranger Than Heaven stage at its Sega/Atlus booth during Tokyo Game Show 2026, which runs from September 17 to September 21 at Makuhari Messe. The event spans five days, with both special stages and gameplay stages scheduled. Actor Tsuyoshi Ukaji is set to appear on the September 18 special stage, while professional wrestler Kenny Omega joins the gameplay stage on September 19. Voice actor Akio Otsuka takes the special stage on the same day. The September 20 lineup includes streamer kson on the gameplay stage, with the special stage guest still listed as coming soon. The final day, September 21, features Ushizawa on the gameplay stage and a special last stage with actors Yu Shirota and Dean Fujioka. Sega plans to stream each stage program on the RGG Studio official YouTube channel.
Aug 19
The unofficial fan game HoloCure will add nine playable characters in its next update, Ver.0.8, scheduled for mid-autumn. The roster includes all four Hololive 5th Generation members and all five Secret Society holoX members. The developer cited scheduling as a reason the release may take time.
Aug 17
Investment learning platform SOBA OTOME announced a partnership with Web3 pet care app LOOTaDOG. The collaboration combines financial education with Web3 entertainment to help investment beginners take their first step. The first joint project is scheduled to be revealed soon, with more content and community events to follow.
Aug 15
To mark the 2026 Awa Odori, collaboration merchandise featuring Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba and Witch on the Holy Night will be sold from August 11 to 15 at ufotable Cafe Tokushima, Machi★Asobi CAFE Bizan, ufotable Cafe TOGO, and other locations. A stamp rally with ufotable's past Awa Odori illustrations runs concurrently, with a postcard reward for collecting all stamps.
Aug 14
Atlantis Models is re-releasing two vintage plastic model kits originally from the former Aurora Company: the 1/125 U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker and the 1/48 WW.II German Army Panzer V Panther. Both kits are scheduled for import and sale by Platz in October and November 2026.
Aug 11
Nijimen published the results of its otaku-selected ranking of characters voiced by Ryota Osaka, timed to the voice actor's birthday on August 2. Eijun Sawamura from 'Ace of Diamond' took first place with 768 votes out of 3,798 total, roughly double the runner-up. The 2026 edition saw significant movement in the top 10, with two newcomers entering the list.
Aug 11
The indoor theme park NAMJATOWN will host the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba event Demon Dwelling Town from August 21 to October 4, 2026. ufotable drew new illustrations of eight characters, including Akaza, Rui, Daki, and Gyutaro. The venue will sell original goods, offer mini-games and a rally, and serve themed food.
Aug 8
Medicos Entertainment is releasing a Super Action Statue of Jotaro Kujo Ver.2 from JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders. The figure includes three head parts, a movable school uniform, and an effect piece recreating Star Platinum's ORA ORA rush. It is priced at 9,900 yen and ships in February 2027.
Aug 6
In an interview at Anime Expo 2026, Clevatess director Kiyotaka Taguchi and Lay-duce producer Seiichiro Kuriyama explained how they built the series' visual style. The episode one destruction scene was stretched from a few manga pages to about 20 minutes. Present-day scenes use a 1990s cel look, while flashbacks aim for a 1970s style like Heidi, A Girl of the Alps. Kadokawa producer Kosuke Arai also brought Ellie Goulding in for the ending song.
Aug 4
The theatrical anime adaptation of Mahoutsukai no Yoru received a pair of new key visuals during the FGO Fes. 2026 stage event on August 1. Aniplex released the double visual set, with one illustration drawn by original character designer and key animator Hirokazu Koyama for TYPE-MOON, and a second by animation studio ufotable. Koyama's special key visual depicts Aoko Aozaki in her school uniform standing before the mansion gate, while the ufotable visual shows Aoko and Touko Aozaki inside a grand hall lit by soft light from a skylight. The film is scheduled for a November 20 release in Japanese theaters. Aniplex also announced that advance movie ticket cards will go on sale at theaters nationwide starting August 28, priced at 1,500 yen including tax, with a limited theater- booklet titled Mahoutsukai no Yoru Magician Apprentice Reader included as a purchase bonus. The same announcement revealed a smartphone version of the visual novel, optimized from the home console edition with full voice acting, also slated for November 20.
Jul 27
The anime Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba and the theatrical film Witch on the Holy Night will participate in the 2026 Awa Odori festival in Tokushima Prefecture, running from August 11 to 15. Animation studio ufotable, which produces both works, released newly drawn commemorative posters for the event. During the festival, a stamp rally will feature illustrations from ufotable's past collaborations with TYPE-MOON, including The Garden of Sinners, alongside Demon Slayer art. Collectors who gather all stamps will receive a card with the 2026 illustration. On August 14, the Demon Slayer Corps dance performance returns for a second year. Voice actors Hiro Shimono, who voices Zenitsu Agatsuma, and Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, who voices Inosuke Hashibira, will join mini corps members in the dance at the Kon'ya-cho stage. The festival also includes sales of themed drinks with novelties and goods featuring the new illustrations. Witch on the Holy Night, based on TYPE-MOON's 2012 visual novel, is scheduled for theatrical release on November 20. Demon Slayer is currently rebroadcasting its TV series, and the Blu-ray and DVD for Infinity Castle Arc Chapter 1: Akaza's Return releases on July 29.
Jul 22
On July 22, 2026, Alche Inc. announced that Ryota Kohama, bassist of the rock band ONE OK ROCK, is launching a new project called "Melty Island" inside Fortnite. The island goes live on July 23 at 17:00 JST (some sources list 18:00 JST) and is free to play. Melty Island is a battle royale-style practice world where players fight 99 bots while exploring environments that feature original music and art. The project began from Ryota's desire for a personal practice space. It was built using Fortnite's Creative 2.0 mode and the Unreal Editor for Fortnite. The island's art comes from Swedish artist Emil Öhlund, who has previously done jacket art for ONE OK ROCK. Music was composed by Shuya Yamamoto, with vocals from SennaRin, Bonnie Fraser (Stand Atlantic), and Hoshikuma Minami. Creative direction is by Junji Kumahara of STUDIO KONBINI. The island includes multiple themed areas such as a glitch city, a monster-eroded district, and a factory zone. Players can stream and monetize gameplay footage. The project aims to connect games, music, and art, and is available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android.
Jul 20
The new season of The Prince of Tennis II: U-17 World Cup Final Member Selection premieres in fall 2026. The announcement includes the third key visual, the opening theme Walls And Bridges by the unit Aozu, and the ending theme Kinkan Shoku phenomenal by Keigo Atobe and Yushi Oshitari. Actor Shirota Yuu, who previously played Kunimitsu Tezuka in the stage musicals, voices Spanish team member Romeo Fernandez.
Jul 20
The staff for The Prince of Tennis II: U-17 World Cup Kesshō Member Ketteisen revealed the third teaser visual, a new cast member, and theme songs on Sunday. The four-member unit Aosu performs the opening theme "Walls And Bridges." Keigo Atobe and Yūshi Oshitari perform the ending theme "Kinkanshoku phenomenal." Yū Shirota voices Romeo Fernandez from Spain. The anime premieres this fall.
Jul 17
Japanese retailer Geo is running a storewide game sale through July 20 that includes several Nintendo Switch 2 titles at discounted prices. The most notable deals are four games all priced at 3,278 yen: Momotaro Dentetsu, Etrian Odyssey I·II·III, Shiren the Wanderer 6, and Super Robot Wars Y. The sale covers both Switch 2 native software and Switch titles playable via backward compatibility, as well as Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrades of earlier Switch games. Other discounted Switch 2 titles include Mario Kart World (7,128 yen), Donkey Kong Bananza (5,478 yen), Poko a Pokemon (6,578 yen), Kirby's Air Rider (4,928 yen), and Hyrule Warriors: Sealed Chronicles (5,478 yen). Switch 2 Edition games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (6,028 yen) and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond (3,828 yen) are also on sale. The on-site investigation by Inside Games and Game Spark confirms the prices are available at physical Geo stores while stock lasts.
Jul 16
The Recording Academy, the organization behind the Grammy Awards, selected SKY-HI and the six members of BE:FIRST as new members for 2026. They now have voting rights for the 69th Grammy Awards in February 2027 and eligibility to attend the ceremony. The selection is separate from any nomination. The move comes as BMSG, the label that manages both, pushes for global expansion.
Jul 15
The first period of the Tales of series 30th anniversary collaboration cafe, produced by ufotable and Production I.G, will run from July 28 to August 23, 2026. The cafe will be held at three venues: Machi★Asobi CAFE TOKYO, ufotable Cafe / Machi★Asobi CAFE Kitakyushu, and ufotable Cafe TOKUSHIMA. A total of 188 newly drawn illustrations covering all mothership titles were created for the project, with Akira Matsushima and Tokuyuki Matsutake serving as main key animators. The illustrations were first announced in April 2026. Newly revealed artwork for Tales of Phantasia, Tales of Destiny, Tales of Eternia, and Tales of Xillia has been posted on the special website, with additional illustrations scheduled to be added each month. The cafe will offer menus and goods themed around the illustrations, with details for the first period to be announced later. An online instant-win lottery using the illustrations, called ufotableWEBSHOP lottery, will also be held, with further information to follow.
Jul 14
K, a member of the group &TEAM, made his film debut as Nagi Seishiro in the live-action Blue Lock film at its world premiere in Tokyo on July 13. During the stage greeting, K expressed gratitude to the cast and staff and asked the audience if he could now call himself an actor, receiving applause. The film opens in Japan on August 7.
Jul 14
The weekly Readers Corner column from Beneath the Tangles highlights six manga volumes, including full reviews of Gals Can't Be Kind to Otaku! Vol. 2 and Reincarnated in a Mafia Dating Sim Vol. 4.
Jul 13
Hasegawa announced a new 1/32 scale car model series called e moke that requires no glue or paint. The kits use snap-fit assembly and color-coded parts with stickers, making them ideal for beginners. The first release is a Toyota Celica LB 1600GT, available in four colors: Civilian Purple, Casual Turquoise, Social Silver, and White Spirit. Each kit is priced at 2,420 yen and releases on August 1, 2026.
Jul 11
The Ultraman Tiga 30th Premium Stage was held on July 10 at Suginami Public Hall, reuniting original cast members Hiroshi Nagano, Takami Yoshimoto, Mio Takaki, and Akitoshi Ōtaki. The event featured a reading, the appearance of the three Ultraman Tiga forms, and the playing of V6's 'TAKE ME HIGHER,' which drew loud cheers. The cast shared memories and behind-the-scenes stories from the series.
Jul 10
Kotaro Uchikoshi, director of 999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors, revealed that the character known as Seven actually has the first name Six, making his full name Six Seven. The reveal came 17 years after the game's 2009 release, in response to a fan question on X. Uchikoshi said the name references the 2025 "6-7" trend, which originated from basketball players and a viral video. The reveal is clearly a joke rather than a canonical lore addition.
Jul 9
The August issue of Shueisha's Ribon magazine announced on July 3 that manga authors Nana Haruta and maki will launch a new manga titled Sugarless Romance in the magazine's September issue on August 3. Haruta is credited for the original story, and maki is drawing the manga. Haruta previously ended her Tsubasa to Hotaru manga in 2017. The love comedy centers on first year high school student Aoi Nanase, who is determined to have a wonderful high school romance.
Jul 6
Otakon announced it will host voice actress Ayaka Fukuhara and Production I.G. USA president Maki Terashima-Furuta at its 2026 event, running July 31-August 2 in Washington, D.C. The convention also revealed a long list of other guests including Ryotaro Okiayu, Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, and Yuka Iguchi, and confirmed a policy change banning fan art sales in the dealers room.
Jul 5
In an interview, anime critic Ryota Fujitsu argues that anime's growing popularity is leading to its commodification, turning it into a mass-produced product indistinguishable from other entertainment. He warns that anime will lose its artistic identity and become interchangeable, with generative AI tools accelerating this trend. The piece also addresses the Japanese government's recent funding initiative, which encourages AI translation to combat piracy, a move some outlets have misread.
Jul 5
Kyoto Animation's Sparks of Tomorrow, a project shelved after the 2019 arson attack, premieres on Netflix July 5. The first two episodes screened at Anime Expo 2026, followed by a Q&A with director Minoru Ota and producer Satori Senami. The series, set in an alternate-history Meiji-era Kyoto, follows a clumsy girl and an inventor as they navigate a steampunk world on the cusp of an electric age.
Jul 1
Aile The Shota, an artist under BMSG, will digitally release his new song 'ONGAKU' on July 8, 2026. The track was produced with global producer Taka Perry and explores themes of conflict and dreams. A Nippon Budokan solo live is set for March 2027, with early bird tickets available now.
Jun 28
The TV anime My Charms Are Not Working for Medaka Kuroiwa has been nominated in the Best Romance Anime category at the Japan Expo DARUMA Awards 2026. Public voting is open until July 1. The awards are decided by a jury and fan vote through the Mangacollec app or website.
Jun 28
OTAGROUP talent Hitone Iri released the original song Aromatic Arcana on June 24, 2026, through the label OTAGROUP Music. The track was composed and co-written by Koji Matsuzaka, who praised Iri's vocal range. Iri described the release as a major step toward her dream.
Jun 22
After a recent Dota 2 update, users found a variable named 'm_bHackWhyAreYouGuysReadingOurVariableNames' in the game data, a message apparently aimed at data miners. Valve's move, reported by influencer gabefollower, is seen as a sarcastic warning to those who comb through game files for hints about unannounced projects like Half-Life 3.
Jun 22
Anime News Network published its weekly episode rankings for the week of June 10-16, with Dorohedoro remaining at #1. The list of 34 series includes notable movers like Botan Kamiina Fully Blossoms When Drunk climbing to #2 and Needy Girl Overdose entering at #5.
Jun 19
The Hosoda Mamoru: Origins/Exhibition opens June 20 at CREATIVE MUSEUM TOKYO, marking 20 years since The Girl Who Leapt Through Time. The show displays about 450 storyboards from that film, plus materials from Summer Wars, Wolf Children, and Hosoda's early work, including a student film screened for the first time in 44 years.
Jun 19
Shotan's You Are Ms. Servant manga will resume serialization on June 21, ending a four-month pause since its last chapter on February 8. The announcement was made via Shogakukan's Sunday Webry website. The series, which began in 2020, has 10 compiled volumes and received a TV anime adaptation in October 2024.
Jun 15
GK Marketing will run a collaboration between the Demon Slayer anime and the Heart Bread ANTIQUE bakery chain from July 1 to August 31. Newly drawn ufotable illustrations show the Demon Slayer Corps relaxing with bread. Products include can badges, acrylic keychains, clear bottles, and store-exclusive coasters.
Jun 14
Snow Man's Ryota Miyadate appears on the solo cover of anan No. 2501 for the 'Miseru Karada 2026' special, his third solo cover for the magazine. Under the theme 'SUPER STAR RESPECT,' he recreated a legendary pop icon, the strongest action actor in history, and a global period drama star. Staff applauded when he emerged in the pop-icon costume. The issue also features Neru Nagahama, Ena Nakano, and Saya Kamiya, among others.
Jun 14
Ufotable has released the store-specific purchase bonuses for the Blu-ray and DVD release of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle Arc Chapter 1, set for July 29, 2026. Animate, Amazon, and Rakuten Books each get exclusive newly drawn illustrations featuring Tanjiro and Giyu, Shinobu, and Zenitsu respectively.
Jun 12
Director Yusuke Hirota returns for Chimney Town: Frozen In Time, a sequel to the 2020 CG feature Poupelle of Chimney Town. The film premiered at the Berlinale and will screen at Annecy. Hirota discussed the studio's hybrid 2D/3D approach, creature design drawn from protagonist Lubicchi's imagination, and influences including Level-5 games and stop-motion classics.