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Jul 2
Yoshitaka Amano's long-gestating anime project ZAN, based on his 2010 art collection DEVA ZAN, has revealed its staff and will premiere a pilot film at Anime Expo 2026 in Los Angeles on July 3. The project, now listed as a limited anime series, was originally announced as a film in 2010 and rebooted as a series in 2022. The staff includes several mecha anime veterans who previously worked together on Armored Trooper Votoms. Shigeyasu Yamauchi and Toru Yoshida are directing. Ryosuke Takahashi is handling series composition. Moriyasu Taniguchi is chief animation director. Kunio Okawara is mechanical designer. Minoru Nishida is art director. The story follows a young samurai named ZAN from Sengoku-era Japan who is guided by a mysterious girl, Uzume, into a different world governed by the life symbol Trope and its ruler RIKKA. Alongside the announcement, Amano launched a new US-based company, Yoshitaka Amano Inc., headquartered in Los Angeles, which will focus on animation production, art management, and licensing. An immersive exhibition called AMANO is also planned for global expansion starting in 2027.
Jun 28
Yoko Takahashi's 'A Cruel Angel's Thesis' from Neon Genesis Evangelion took the top spot in TBS' Japan's Strongest Anime Songs Best 100 ranking, voted on by 166 music professionals from 41 countries. Naruto Shippuden's 'Blue Bird' and Dragon Ball Z's 'CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LA' placed second and third, respectively.
Jun 25
Columbus Circle will release a limited edition portable Famicom-compatible console, the IPS 8 Bit Pocket HD V2 <TAKAHASHI MEIJIN Ver.>, in late September. The model commemorates 16-Shot Day (August 16), established by Takahashi Meijin. It features a 4.3-inch IPS LCD, a Master Button for high-speed consecutive shots, two wired controllers, and adjustable screen ratio. Reference price is 17,380 yen.
Jun 24
The first volume of Sayaka Mogi's new manga "Kuro-neko-sensei to Hotsureta Kanja-tachi" was released as an e-book on June 24, 2026, from Hayakawa Publishing. The dark fantasy follows a quack doctor treating stuffed animals with strange illnesses, including a rabbit with suicidal ideation and an elephant that gave away its button eyes. The obi carries a recommendation by Yosuke Takahashi. Store-specific bonuses include different newly drawn manga.
Jun 24
Episode 12 of MAO focuses on exposition, introducing the shadowy water sorcerer Shiranui as a new antagonist. The series has entered a slower narrative phase, a familiar pattern for creator Takahashi, but the central mystery of events a millennium ago still holds the reviewer's attention.
Jun 19
MAPPA released a second trailer for the third season of the new Ranma 1/2 anime, confirming an October premiere on NTV and Netflix. Director Kōnosuke Uda and most staff return, with Riko Kaneda and Haruki Miura joining as chief animation directors and Atsuko Ishida and Yoshihiro Takeda added as main animators.
Jun 19
Hiroshi Takahashi's Dustland, the official sequel to Crows and Worst, released its first volume on June 19. Eight figures including actor Shun Oguri and rapper R-Shitei contributed commemorative comments. The series runs in Young Champion and follows delinquent boy Asada Hibari in the Utsusemi district.
Jun 17
The TV anime Re:Zero - Starting Life in Another World has released the key visual for its 4th season's second half, the Recapture Arc, following the conclusion of the Loss Arc on June 17. The 8-episode Recapture Arc will begin airing on August 12 across 21 stations in Japan, with advance streaming on ABEMA and d Anime Store. Alongside the visual, a special performance video of 'Stay Alive ~Regain~' sung by Emilia voice actress Rie Takahashi was released. The song played during episode 11 of the Loss Arc and marks the first time Takahashi has performed 'Stay Alive' in character since the 1st season. The track became available on streaming platforms on June 18. Takahashi commented that she sang the new version while preserving the original song's emotions but wrapping it in the warmth Emilia now holds, making it a song that stands by Subaru. The franchise also announced details for its 10th anniversary event, 'Starlight Party,' to be held on November 14 at Tachikawa Stage Garden, featuring 12 cast members and musical guests Konomi Suzuki and MYTH & ROID. The original light novel series by Tappei Nagatsuki has surpassed 16 million copies in circulation worldwide.
May 20
The 7-member VTuber idol group FouRTe Project released their 6th single 'ALL IN' on May 20, 2026. The song is produced by ☆Taku Takahashi of m-flo and shares its name with the group's first offline live concert, scheduled for August 14 at Zepp DiverCity in Tokyo.
May 19
Hiroyuki Takahashi, organizer of the March 28 otaku anti-war protest in Tokyo, reacted to singer Masayoshi Oishi's radio comments questioning the protest's use of the "otaku" label. Takahashi pushed back on Oishi's concern that the protest might tarnish otaku or their oshi, asking whether otaku supporting war is preferable.
May 19
A Yu-Gi-Oh Art Works exhibit featuring concept art by the late Kazuki Takahashi will be held in Tokyo in Winter 2026. The production committee opened an official website and social media account, and will release more details in late August 2026. The exhibit is a one-time event with no tour planned.
May 19
The official website for the anime film adaptation of Kaori Mado and Akamoku's light novel *Kimi to Hanabi to Yakusoku to* revealed additional cast, staff, the theme song, a key visual, and the first trailer on Tuesday. The film is scheduled to premiere in Japanese theaters on July 17. Rie Takahashi joins the cast as Haru, and Natsuko Yokosawa voices Yukari Natsume, the mother of protagonist Makoto Natsume. The idol group timelesz performs the theme song "Kienai Hanabi," which is previewed in the new trailer. Akira Suzuki directs the film at SynergySP and The Answer Studio, with a script by Kohei Mori and character designs by Yuuji Watanabe. The light novel was published in December 2025 under Shogakukan's Gagaga Bunko imprint. The story follows Makoto, who becomes involved with classmate Aki Hayama, who possesses a mysterious fireworks artwork and was told by her great-grandmother that she would meet someone named Makoto Natsume.
May 16
Bandai Namco Filmworks announced that Armored Trooper Votoms: Die Graue Hexe will reach Japanese theaters as a two-part film series. The first part opens on November 20, 2026. The date arrived with a new trailer and key visuals. Original Votoms creator Ryōsuke Takahashi returns as supervising director. Kenji Kawai, known for his work on Mobile Suit Gundam 00, is composing the score. Mechanical design duties go to Yoshihiro Sono, who worked on Votoms: AT Stories, and Shinobu Tsuneki, whose credits include Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These. The project was first revealed in January 2026. The second film does not yet have a date. Bandai Spirits and Megahouse, two Bandai Namco subsidiaries, will produce merchandise tied to the films. Bandai Spirits plans a High Grade model kit and a Hi-Metal R figure of the Scopedog in a desert color scheme. Megahouse will release 8cm model kits in its VA-KIT Platoon line. More merchandise details are expected at the 64th Shizuoka Hobby Show, which runs May 16 and 17 at Twin Messe Shizuoka.