During Anime Expo 2024, I had the chance to attend the Oshi no Ko Season 2 premiere and check out the first two episodes of it. Since the first season is up there with one of my favorite shows of all time, I certainly was looking forward to this new story arc. Unfortunately, it disappointed due to its awkward pacing, even though the animation was flashy.

Oshi no Ko Season 2 picks up after the end of the first season. Aqua Hoshino is looking to join a theatre troupe to find out more about Ai. The first episode starts off strong, showing off a glimpse of the stage play the troupe is putting on. The gorgeous introductions to each of the characters in the production really impressed me, thanks to the excellent animation and effects.

This beautiful introduction feels as if you are actually watching the real stage play in action. The whole sequence works so well because of that. But the strong start eventually makes way for a step back in time to examine Aqua, Akane, and the other stars in the lead-up to the big day. This transition felt like it worked, and I enjoyed meeting all of the new characters in the troupe.

As you might expect, there is plenty of drama between the leads, the director, and even the writers. The mix of drama and brilliant voice acting from the Japanese cast kept me engaged throughout the entire first episode. While this story arc certainly feels like a slight diversion from the core plot of the riveting series, it starts out as an entertaining one nonetheless.

Overall, I would say I enjoyed the first episode, even though it lacked the shock value and star power of the original Season 1 feature-length premiere. The real problem I have with Oshi no Ko Season 2 wasn’t present at this point. The issues I had popped up when the second episode began at the event. Instead of continuing on from the light twist at the end of the first episode, episode two went unnecessarily further back in time.

The second episode spends way too much time focusing on Aqua and the others first joining the theatre troupe. Considering I already saw them rehearsing and spending time together in the first episode, this felt somewhat unnecessary. In fact, I would argue it almost feels like the second episode should’ve been the first one because of this timeline shift.

Watching these two episodes back-to-back completely killed the goodwill the first episode of this stage play arc introduced. I had no interest in going back in time and seeing the mostly unnecessary exposition leading up to the production. The only slight saving grace of the second episode comes from the focus on the lead writer of the stage play. His moments were surprisingly emotional and evoked some sympathy.

However, I didn’t need an entire flashback episode to provide those scenes. They could certainly work without going back in time. Overall, I feel like the first and second episodes would better swapped. Perhaps if you don’t binge these episodes it will be a bit better to watch. For now, though, I look forward to the third episode and, hopefully, better pacing that sticks to moving the story forward rather than backward.

Oshi no Ko Season 2 is streaming right now via HIDIVE. Yen Press handles the manga outside of Japan.

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In early Tokyo Babylon manga volumes, we get a good balance of seeing Subaru Sumeragi at work in various situations, but we don’t get to see as much of Seishirou Sakurazuka. However, in the third volume, the storyline focuses entirely on a single, harrowing case. As a result, we get to see more of what sets Subaru apart, as well as a hint at Seishirouo’s true power.

Editor’s Note: There will be some mild spoilers for the setup of volume 3 of the Tokyo Babylon manga, but the conclusion and major spoilers aren’t discussed.

Volume 3 of the Tokyo Babylon manga consists of two parts of the same story: “Call A” and “Call B.” It’s a continuing case in which three women calling in on a specific Dial Q Party Line, determining themselves to be warriors protecting against the end of the world by using magic against “bases” at phone numbers ending in 19■9. (Yes, it’s 100% referencing X/1999.) However, these are complete amateurs with no awareness of what sutras and the supernatural can actually do. So they’re causing tremendous damage to the people at those locations, as well as backlash to themselves that actual practitioners like Subaru are aware of. The storyline involves the tracking down of the trio and handling of the situation.

A great part of both “Call A” and “Call B” is that we’re seeing all sides of Subaru as an onmyoji. There’s the investigation portion, which involves him using actual detective-style footwork and his supernatural skills. Then, there’s the execution of handling the curses and spells the inexperienced practitioners are weaving. We are seeing him both informally and formally handling things in one of the most substantial and life-threatening situation so far, and it’s handled so well throughout both parts of this case.

What’s really important is the part Seishirou plays in Tokyo Babylon volume 3 and how it hints at his relationship to and power compared to Subaru. CLAMP did a great job of leading up to the reveals surrounding him. We have a general idea in the first two volumes. There are suggestions he possesses a strength that compares to Subaru’s. But it’s in the “Call B” portion that we really get the first real idea of what could be going on. It’s so satisfying, and it also means that the volume really helps make the wait for what happens next in the fourth one harder.

Two things constantly propel Tokyo Babylon forward, and both of them are at the forefront in volume 3 of the manga. One is seeing how Subaru deals supernatural situations. The other is the constantly evolving situation between Subaru and Seishirou. We get both of that here, and in each case the stakes and reveals are even greater than before. It’s a great showcase that helps build the tension on all fronts and leaves the reader wanting more.

Tokyo Babylon volume 3 is available now, and Yen Press will publish volume 4 of the manga on August 20, 2024.

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Bandai Namco announced Dragon Ball Daima, Dragon Ball Sparking Zero, and the Dragon Ball Super Card Game Fusion World will all appear at its SDCC 2024 booth. This will be free to enter if you go to the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina Terrace at West Harbor Drive in San Diego, California from 9:30am to 7pm PT between July 25-28, 2024. However, a preview night will also be open there between 6pm-9pm PT on July 24, 2024.

Both the Dragon Ball Sparking Zero and the Dragon Ball Super Card Game Fusion World elements of the SDCC booth will involve a demo. The new fighting game will be playable. Those who try it will get a lanyard with the game’s logo that proclaims the person who wears it played the title. In the case of the card game, people who take part in the tutorial event will also get the 2024 trial decks with demo cards. A Vol. 1 Promotion Pack will also be a part of the booth giveaways.

Here’s how those bonuses look:

The Dragon Ball Daima elements involve free items tied to the new anime. Two of the booth giveaway bonuses are a bag and fan featuring that version of Goku and the show’s logo. However, people who visit the booth also get a lanyard that can have ribbons attached if you visit different zones tied to things Bandai Namco is promoting. If you collect all the ribbons, you can trade them for an acrylic stand of Goku inspired by the show. 

Here’s how those items will look:

A number of figures and models will also be there. The Figure-rise Standard part will include a Son Goku Model Kit Trial Version for people to build. 

Dragon Ball Sparking Zero will be on the PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC on October 11, 2024. The Dragon Ball Daima anime will begin airing in Fall 2024.

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Bandai will release a new batch of Human Rabbitality Project: Pekoratchi, the Usada Pekora Tamagotchi. The company started accepting applications for purchasing the Vtuber Tamagotchi on the Japanese Premium Bandai website. Unlike the first batch, Bandai will employ a lottery system to determine which people get to buy the item. [Thanks, Inside Games!]

Bandai originally revealed the special Tamagotchi in July 2023 with a release window in December 2023. The company opened the first pre-order batch on a first-come-first-served basis on July 17, 2023. However, it instantly sold out in just a day, and not even fellow Hololive Vtuber Hakui Koyori could manage to place an order for the product. The company opted to use a lottery sales system for the new batch so that more people have an opportunity to get the items.

As a refresher, Pekoratchi is a unique Tamagotchi themed after Usada Pekora. Bandai alters some of the gameplay elements to suit the Vtuber. For example, she can eat almonds and drink cow milk when the player feeds her. Pekora can also change her attire based on the player's manner of raising her. The virtual toy is available in two colors: Usada White and Usada Blue, and each of them will also come with a chibi plushie of the Vtuber.

Bandai will close applications for the lottery sales of Human Rabbitality Project: Pekoratchi on August 2, 2024. The company will announce the winners at a later date in August 2024.

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Cover has announced the debut stream dates for the 3D models of Hololive English -Advent- Vtubers. All five Vtubers in the group will gradually reveal their 3D models throughout early August 2024.

The Advent group comprises Shiori Novella, Koseki Bijou, Nerissa Ravencroft, Fuwawa Abyssgard, and Mococo Abyssgard. While each Vtuber would usually have their own debut stream, Fuwawa and Mococo will have a single stream since they also share the FUWAMOCO channel.

Here are the 3D debut stream dates in American time zones. Also note that despite the different dates, all streams will start at the same hour at 8am PDT / 11pm EDT.

• Shiori Novella - August 2, 2024
• Koseki Bijou - August 3, 2024
• Nerissa Ravencroft - August 9, 2024
• FUWAMOCO (Fuwawa and Mococo Abyssgard) - August 10, 2024
• Full group collab stream - August 17, 2024.

A summary of the announcement is also available to view via the tweet on Hololive Production's official English X account right below:

Cover has been gradually giving 3D models to Vtubers under its Hololive Production. It first announced the 3D debuts of Hololive English -Advent- members on the same day it confirmed the June 2024 3D debut dates of Holostars English Tempus Vanguard Vtubers in late May 2024. Roughly a whole year will have passed from the initial debuts of Advent Vtubers in late July 2023 until they get their 3D models.

The Hololive English -Advent- 3D debuts will begin with Shiori Novella's stream on August 2, 2024, and conclude with the FUWAMOCO sisters on August 10, 2024.

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The latest episode of the NieR: Automata anime adaptation showed the fight against the Square Enix CEO as part of its alternate ending skit. The skit "starred" former Square Enix president Yosuke Matsuda and current president Takashi Kiryu.

The skit started with Pod 042 introducing one of the multiple endings present in the NieR Automata video game. It continued with the puppets of 2B and 9S watching various machine lifeforms competing in the arena. 2B and 9S eventually joined the fight, until former Square Enix president Yosuke Matsuda and current president Takashi Kiryu appeared to confront them. The skit ended with a Japanese textbox that described the end of the YoRHa forces and the end of humanity after being overwhelmed by the power of the super CEO boss.

You can check out the alternate ending skit for the NieR: Automata anime featuring the Square Enix CEO boss fight here:

The Square Enix CEO boss fights appeared as a secret bonus fight in the NieR Automata 3C3C1D119440927 DLC. When it released, the fight featured Yosuke Matsuda and the PlatinumGames CEO at the time, which was Kenichi Sato. Additionally, NieR series producer Yosuke Saito confirmed that the voices of the former and current Square Enix CEOs were recorded specifically for the skit.

The second cour of episode for the NieR Automata Ver1.1a anime adaptation is currently airing and is available streaming on Crunchyroll. The game is available on the PS4, Switch, Xbox One, and Windows PC. 

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Bones revealed the six original villains who will appear in My Hero Academia: You’re Next. They’re all part of the criminal Gorrini family, who work with Dark Might to plunge society into chaos.

You can watch a trailer for My Hero Academia: You’re Next here:

The new villains outside of Dark Might don't actually appear in the My Hero Academia: You're Next trailer.

As for the cast of the Gorrini family, as well as their pictures, they are:

• Bruno Gorrini: Masaki Terasoma (Kuzuki in Fate/stay night)
• Deborah Gorrini: Minako Kotobuki (Tsumugi in K-On!)
• Jill Gorrini: Voice actor unknown
• Kamil Gorrini: Yuki Ono (Josuke in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure)
• Paulo Gorrini: Yusuke Kobayashi (Subaru in Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World)
• Simon Gorrini: Michitake Kikuchi (Blackthorne in FFXVI)
• Ugo Gorrini: Ken Uo (Flying Dutchman in Spongebob Squarepants: The Cosmic Shake)

My Hero Academia: You’re Next will be the first time that a My Hero Academia movie will be available in IMAX, MX4D, 4DX, and Dolby Cinema from day one. The movie will start airing in Japan from August 2, 2024. Aside from the above trailer, there is also a new key visual showing Deku, Bakugo, and Todoroki in the midst of jumping into action, all three of them using their respective powers.

My Hero Academia: You’re Next will start airing in theaters in Japan from August 2, 2024.

The post My Hero Academia: You’re Next Villains Revealed appeared first on Siliconera.

Reiji Miyajima, the mangaka of Rent-A-Girlfriend, has announced that season 4 of the anime is in development. He thanks the fans for all of their support, as that’s the reason why it came to pass.

In commemoration of this news, Miyajima drew a picture of Kazuya and Chizuru holding hands. Around them are the various side and supporting characters cheering them on. The two of them are wearing Hawaiian shirts and matching jackets, as the fourth season will adapt the Hawaii Arc. It'll air some time in 2025.

You can watch the teaser trailer here:

Rent-A-Girlfriend is a popular anime and manga series. Serialization started in 2017 and the anime started in 2020. As of March 2024, over 13 million copies of the manga are in circulation. It follows Kazuya Kinoshita, who rents a girlfriend named Chizuru Mizuhara after his real girlfriend dumps him. After a somewhat disastrous first date, he finds out that Chizuru’s actually really mean. As they spend more time fake dating so that Kazuya can keep up appearances, he starts to fall in love with her for real and he works to make their rental relationship a real one.

Rent-A-Girlfriend season 4 is in the works and you’ll likely be able to watch it on Crunchyroll with the rest of the show. Kodansha has licensed the manga in English.

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Bandai Spirits has announced the launch of a new comprehensive brand called Rowtashii Noise, which aims to bring high-end collectible items to fans worldwide. This brand inherits the manufacturing techniques of the TAMASHII NATIONS line known for its collector's products for adults and is including figures for Oshi no Ko and Gintama for it's launch. The announcement was made on July 11, 2024. [Thanks, Hobby Watch!]

Rowtashii Noise will introduce two new figure series: "Adokenette" and "Tekupiku. Adokenette is a 5-head-tall figure series that focuses on the concept of innocence. The figures feature poses that make it seem as if they are peeking out from behind something. The first Bandai spirits releases in this series will include Oshi no Ko in September, followed by Gintama in November. Each figure is priced at ¥3,960 (approximately $25 USD).

The Tekupiku series consists of chibi figures designed for portability, characterized by their large bag and eye designs. Figures from Bandai Spirits Gintama and Haikyu!! will be available starting in November. Each figure in this series is priced at ¥3,850 (approximately $24 USD).

Bandai Spirits plans to expand both series with various IP products and introduce new figure series in the future.

The first season of Oshi no Ko can be streamed on HIDIVE. Gintama and Haikyuu are streaming on Crunchyroll.

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A new Rebuild of Evangelion figure of long-haired Rei Ayanami will appear in Japan on July 2025. The figure will cost 19,800 yen (or approximately $124.66,) and is now available for pre-order from the S-FIRE online storefront until October 7, 2024.

The figure depicts Rei Ayanami’s long-haired design as she appeared in the Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time anime movie. The character appears wearing her plugsuit and laying in a relaxed pose while resting on top of a flat base. The figure is approximately 135mm (or 5.3 inches) wide and 118mm (4.65 inches) tall.

You can check out the new Rebuild of Evangelion figure of long-haired Rei Ayanami in more detail here:

Back in late April 2023, a similar figure of Rei Ayanami with long hair went on pre-order. The figure had a planned release date of February 2024 in Japan. In addition, a figure of Asuka Langley Shikinami from the Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time movie also appeared on January 2024 as an arcade prize re-release throughout Japan.

The new Evangelion figure of Rei Ayanami with long hair is now available for pre-order until October 7, 2024. The figure costs 19,800 yen (~$124.66) and will release in July 2025.

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Bandai Spirits has revealed a new SH Figuarts action figure modeled after Shinn Asuka from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom. The company will sell the figure in not only Japan but also the rest of Asia and the US. The figure will have a tax-inclusive price tag of 9,900 yen (~$61.25) in Japan.

This action figure will feature the depiction of Gundam SEED Destiny's original protagonist in the new movie that has been available to watch on Netflix and Prime Video since June 2024. Other than a gun, the package will also include a saber that Shinn used in a brief duel. In addition, the set will have multiple head parts with different facial expressions, including the series' iconic SEED eyes that are only available inside the helmet.

The owner will also be able to pose this figure together with SH Figuarts of other characters from the same entry, such as Kira Yamato and Lacus Clyne. Bandai Spirits will also release an SH Figuarts of Athrun Zala in December 2024.

Here are some of the sample images for Shinn Asuka's upcoming SH Figuarts:

The SH Figuarts action figure of Shinn Asuka from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom will be available in Japan, the rest of Asia, and the US in January 2025. Bandai Spirits will open pre-orders for the product on July 12, 2024.

The post Gundam Seed Freedom Shinn Asuka SH Figuarts Revealed appeared first on Siliconera.

The Evangelion Summoners War: Chronicles crossover event is now live, giving people a chance to summon versions of Shinji, Rei, Asuka, and Mari in their school uniforms and plugsuits. There will also be a “A.D. FIELD!” quest, Shinji-Obot Port and Rei-Mirror Lake dungeons, and a Ready for Battle! Stop the Angel Invasion! event.

Some of the events and activities don’t necessarily start alongside the collaboration’s beginning. The Ready for Battle! Stop the Angel Invasion! one that involves defeating Angels with Evas using Energy Coins is available immediately, with Energy Coins able to be collected via missions. Asuka's Energy Gift is already ongoing, doling out 100 Energy and 10 Quick Battle Permits per day until someone collects the bonus for seven days. However, the announcement revealed that the two locked dungeons that are part of the Shinji-Obot Port and Rei-Mirror Lake ones and tied to Asuka and Mari won’t open until July 18, 2024. The five-star Water Shinji unit will be a collab dungeon reward.

As for the Evangelion Summoners War: Chronicles summon banner crossover units, there are some that are available now, and others that appear on July 18, 2024. All of them are five-star “monsters.” You can pull to try and get the Water Shinji, Wind Rei, Dark Shinji, and Light Rei immediately. The Water/Dark Shinji both feature Lance of Longinus Skills, to connect to the series, and a Synchronization Skill. Meanwhile, the Wind Rei has Heat Resistant Light Wave Shield and Unit 0 Pilot skills, while Light Rei has abilities like A.T. Field Deployment and Even If I Die, I Can Be Replaced. The Fire Asuka, Fire Mari, Dark Asuka, and Light Mari art is available ahead of their banners’ July 18, 2024 debut, but their skills are not.

Here are how all the Evangelion characters will look in-game.

A developer video also showed some of the units in-battle and their skills.

Another teaser acted as a reveal for the event:

Summoners War: Chronicles is available on PCs and mobile devices. Evangelion is streaming on Netflix, and the Rebuild of Evangelion movies are on Amazon. The Summoners War: Chronicles Evangelion crossover event runs July 11, 2024, and it ends on August 10, 2024.

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Kadokawa has acquired anime studio Doga Kobo as a subsidiary. Doga Kobo is known for its work on Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun and, more recently, Oshi no Ko. [Thanks, Yahoo!]

According to a report from Yahoo, Kadokawa and Doga Kobo have been on amicable terms for the past decade. As part of Kadokawa’s “global media mix with technology” strategy, it aims to increase its creative output and create anime, as well as expand its shows’ IPs. With this acquisition, Kadokawa has strengthened its ability to create anime that can be popular and profitable on a global scale.

Ryuu Ishiguro, a representative from Doga Kobo, stated that the company has worked with a lot of different companies and people to create anime. Kadokawa is one of those companies and has been a good partner to Doga Kobo. Now that Doga Kobo is in a better place than ever, it will work hard to create even better works than it’s released in the past.

Doga Kobo is an animation that was first established in July 1973 by former Toei Animation members. Actually, as of July 11, 2024, the company is now exactly 51 years old. Aside from the aforementioned Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun and Oshi no Ko, it also produced Koihime Musou, YuruYuri, and Chiikawa.

As of July 11, 2024, Doga Kobo is now a subsidiary of Kadokawa. You can catch Doga Kobo’s current anime, Oshi no Ko season 2, exclusively on HIDIVE.

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A collaborative animation video to celebrate the release of the July 2024 555th issue of the CoroCoro Comic monthly magazine will reportedly appear on July 31, 2024, and studio BONES will be in charge of the animation. The 555th issue of CoroCoro released in Japan back in June 14, 2024. [Thanks, ryokutya2089!]

Aside form BONES’ involvement in the upcoming CoroCoro commemorative video, Story Inc. will be in charge of production. The company was responsible for producing the Suzume anime movie. Meanwhile, Japanese artist and Vocaloid producer Eve will take care of the music. Eve is well known for his work as the artist behind the Chainsaw Man opening song "Fight Song," the My Hero Academia opening theme "Bokurano," and Jujutsu Kaisen's "Kaikai Kitan" opening theme, to name a few.

Nobutaka Yoda will direct the video. Yoda has a long-running career in the anime industry as director, with predominant credits as opening and ending animation director for a multitude of anime series including Dr. Stone, Golden Kamuy, Doraemon, and Bungo Stray Dogs.

Some of the most well known manga series featured in the CoroCoro magazine include Doraemon, Pokemon, Beyblade, Duel Masters, Yokai Watch, and Inazuma Eleven. A manga adaptation based of the most recent Pokemon anime series started serialization on the magazine from the May 2023 issue.

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Crunchyroll and Toei Animation announced that people who attend SDCC 2024 will get to see the One Piece 25th Anniversary: Symphony Voyage concert. It will be held on at 7pm PT/10pm ET on July 27, 2024. It is one of two Crunchyroll concerts at the event, with the other being the LiSA at the Crunchyroll Concert Series at 5pm PT/8pm ET on July 26, 2024. 

Both the Crunchyroll Concert Series and One Piece 25th Anniversary: Symphony Voyage concerts will be free if someone paid to attend SDCC 2024. However, when discussing the One Piece one, Toei and Crunchyroll both did note it is a “first-come, first-served” performance. As such, those with badges who want to attend may want to line up early, and the doors open at 5pm PT for both.

In the case of the former, it will be at the San Diego, California Jacobs Park The Rady Shell. In addition to LiSA, Alice Longyu Gao will sing. The announcement also reminded how LiSA performed Demon Slayer’s “Gurenge” and “Homura” songs. She also performed the Fate/ series songs “Ash,” “This Illusion,” and “Oath Sign,” the My Hero Academia ending theme “Datte Atashi no Hiro,” and Sword Art Online songs like “Crossing Field,” “Shirushi,” and “Unlasting.”

With the One Piece 25th Anniversary: Symphony Voyage concert, it will feature the San Diego Symphony performing songs from the series. That will also be held at The Rady Shell. Photo ops will also be available. There will also be other events at the performance. The concert itself will last for 90 minutes total.

The San Diego Comic Con will be held July 25-28, 2024. The One Piece anime is streaming on Crunchyroll and Netflix. Viz Media handles the manga outside Japan. The live-action show is on Netflix, with season 2 in production.

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