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Fresh off a packed European tour, “Naruto The Symphonic Experience” is set for a North American run in 2025. The live orchestral experience immerses visitors in a two-hour journey through the beloved anime, which is currently celebrating the 20th anniversary of its original TV adaptation.

Beginning February 28th in Evansville, Indiana, “Naruto The Symphonic Experience” will hit more than 60 cities throughout North America, including Los Angeles, Boston, Dallas, Toronto, Atlanta, Orlando, and Seattle. The trek currently runs through May 18th and will wrap up in Boston. See the full list of cities that will welcome the symphonic tour below.

Get Naruto The Symphonic Experience Tickets Here

A Live Nation pre-sale for “Naruto The Symphonic Experience” will take place tomorrow, December 4th at 10:00 a.m. local time (use code Joy). Tickets will become available to the general public later in the week on Friday, December 6th at 10:00 a.m. local...

Of all the arcs in the series, the 4th Shinobi World War left several fans devastated. From character deaths to tragic backstories, Masashi Kishimoto left no stone in turning his series into a complete cryfest.

Besides that, the arc featured some of the iconic and legendary battles. From Madara and Might Guy’s duel to Kakashi’s showdown with Obito, it was a complete treat. Still, Kishimoto may have faltered with what stands as one of the most important battles in the series.

Team 7 in a still from the Shippuden anime | Credit: Studio Pierrot

The mangaka’s decision to underline the last-minute development for Sakura screams superficial to this date. While her medical ninjutsu and taijutsu prowess stands unparalleled, the character’s sudden rise to glory seems inconclusive.

This is especially true after all the decades fanatics spent projecting hate and vilification onto the character. With one of the most crucial fights in the series,...

V for Vendetta is one of the best dystopian political films ever made. Set in a future where a fascist totalitarian regime controls the United Kingdom, the film follows the antics of a freedom fighter known as V and his fight against the regime. However, tumultuous real-world events in South Korea could form the basis for a compelling sequel.

V For Vendetta is set in a dystopian future (Credit: Warner Bros).

In South Korea, President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in the nation. As a result, chaos and uncertainty quickly took over the country with a series of baffling events following the President’s televised speech. Here’s everything you need to know about Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law announcement, which just might be a good premise for a movie.

Yoon Suk Yeol Declared Martial Law in South Korea South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol instilled marital law...

Despite ending decades ago, Yoshihiro Togashi’s Yu Yu Hakusho remains one of the most iconic anime franchises ever. Yu Yu Hakusho‘s manga ran for 19 volumes, while its anime produced 112 episodes, eight Ova installments, and two movies.

Its striking aesthetics remain unforgettable, and the series has significantly influenced the supernatural shonen genre.

Yu Yu Hakusho | Credits: Studio Pierrot

Yu Yu Hakusho has definitely maintained its status as a classic anime over the decades. The story revolves around high school “bad boy” Yusuke Urameshi, who tragically sacrifices his life to save a child from being struck by a truck. He assumes the role of a Spirit Detective entrusted with safeguarding the human realm from supernatural dangers.

Though Yu Yu Hakusho is hailed as one of the most iconic anime, Yoshihiro Togashi once ignited fan outrage with the death of a beloved character, even leaving Yusuke’s voice actor utterly heartbroken.

Madara Uchiha is one of the most insanely powerful villains in Naruto, who showcased God-level skills during the Fourth Shinobi War. Over the years, Naruto has shown one powerful jutsu after another, but very few of them can overpower one broken ability of Madara.

This particular ability has not made its debut post-Madara yet, and it stands to question why Boruto hasn’t utilized it. With the power scale of the antagonists in Boruto, the next generation of heroes are in dire need of overpowered skills. And Madara’s Tengai Shinsei checks all the boxes.

Madara Executed a God-Level Jutsu in Naruto, Which was Never Seen Again Madara’s Tengai Shinsei summons a meteor in Naruto | Credits: Studio Pierrot

During the Fourth Shinobi World War: Climax, Madara faced the Allied Shinobi Forces. After realizing that his enemies were too dangerous for him to hold back, Madara used Tengai Shinsei to...

The iconic music of the Naruto anime series will make its way through the United States and Canada as Naruto: The Symphonic Experience begins its newest tour in February 2025! Coming off the latest European tour, Gea Live, Un Pour Tous Productions, RoadCo Entertainment and Viz Media will host the concert series accompanied by an original two-hour film from the first 220 episodes of Naruto . Tickets for the concert go on sale December 6 at 10:00 a.m. Et, with more information available at www.narutoinconcert.com . The symphonic series will stop at the following locations next year: Coming right off the 20th anniversary of the original TV anime's premiere, you can watch every episode of Naruto and Naruto Shippuden right here on Crunchyroll, who describes the series: The Village Hidden in the Leaves is home to the stealthiest ninja. But twelve years earlier, a fearsome Nine-tailed Fox terrorized the village before...

Yoshihiro Togashi’s Yu Yu Hakusho is one of the most influential manga and anime series in existence, and this is no exaggeration. Its aesthetics are memorable to date, and the series has had a huge impact on the supernatural shonen genre. The series begins with the death of its protagonist, who is offered a second chance at life if he passes some trials and tribulations.

Yusuke, the hero, soon becomes a Spirit Detective who protects humans from threats emerging in the supernatural realm. The series is meticulous in creating bigger and bigger hurdles for its protagonist to cross. With 112 episodes under its belt, Yu Yu Hakusho is considered a legendary anime.

Yu Yu Hakusho Voice Actor Explains the Anime’s Legacy Yu Yu Hakusho | Credits: Studio Pierrot

Justin Cook is a famed voice actor who mostly dubs anime into English. He voices Yusuke in Yu Yu Hakusho and Raditz...

Succeeding the original “Big Three” anime series, the “New Big Three” has been dominating the manga and anime market successfully for years. While all three manga are over (two of them ended recently), the anime adaptations are still ongoing so fans will be able to enjoy more content in the future.

Among them, My Hero Academia holds a special place in the hearts of many fans, who were saddened by the fact that Kohei Hirokoshi ended the story recently. But, the silver lining is that it was a good and deserved ending that most fans were satisfied with, which is not often the case with major shonen titles.

Be that as it may, while we are waiting for the final season of the anime, the manga’s final volume – Volume 42 – has just been released, and we can confirm that Hirokoshi added more content to the tankobon, including a whole previously...

The Manga industry can either break or make a mangaka’s career. Sailor Moon is no exception to this especially when it comes to the mangaka. As one of the most popular and celebrated franchises, it had a breakthrough in the shojo genre.

It isn’t often that shojo series get their due acknowledgment and recognition compared to the rival shonen genre. And while the manga holds cult popularity, the author had several qualms about it initially.

Sailor Guardians in a still from the anime | Credit: Toei Animation

Naoko Takeuchi, like most mangaka, had a backup career plan which makes sense. The perils of the industry including the competition and brutal serialization aren’t everyone’s cup of tea.

And while her qualms were valid, her doubts were thwarted eventually. Her series made a worldwide cultural impact on society and storytelling in the shojo genre. Not only that, it holds...

The concept of families holds a lot of importance in One Piece. From the Nefertaris to the Shimotsukis, every family introduced in One Piece has some kind of significance, but the one family that to this day startles fans is the Charlotte family. The Charlotte family is headed by Big Mom, and along with being her family, they are also her pirate crew.

Big Mom in One Piece. [Credit: Toei Animation]

In fact, they were so powerful that together they became one of the strongest crews in the One Piece world, earning Big Mom the title of Emperor of the Sea. Her crew and her family were shown during the Whole Cake Island arc, and some of them, including Big Mom, took part in the battle of Onigashima during the Wano arc as well.

Big Mom has so many children and husbands that it is hard to keep track of them,...

After almost a year of waiting, the highly anticipated Part 3 of Bleach: Tybw is finally out and has become the talk of the anime community online. From mind-boggling animations to terrific action scenes, Tybw captivated several veteran fans to the show.

Following Sōsuke Aizen’s defeat, Yhwach rose as a vengeful new threat to the Soul Society. Though Ichigo’s comeback was met with positive feedback, the story has been anything but happy for the Soul Society. Tybw focuses on the conflict between the Soul Society and the Wandenreich, a hidden Quincy faction.

Sosuke Aizen in Tybw Part 3. [Credit: Studio Pierrot]

With the return of the Thousand-Year Blood War, Tite Kubo has unveiled numerous secrets about the Soul Society and shed light on many sidelined characters from classic Bleach. Yet, one enduring mystery continues to drive fans crazy after all these years.

The Unsolved Mystery Keeping Bleach Fans Hooked for Years

For decades,...

If someone mentions Naruto fights, a long list of adrenaline-inducing ones comes to mind. When there’s a competition to draw exciting fight sequences, Masashi Kishimoto is unrivaled. The fights in the series are never too long or unnecessarily drawn out, and it’s oddly satisfying to see the quick back-and-forth of powerful attacks.

While there are many wonderful fights throughout the series, the original Naruto stands out with its brutal ones. Seeing the young genin standing their ground against more experienced characters gives a boost to the already high levels of excitement.

Sasuke Uchiha in the Forest of Death episode in the original Naruto series | Credits: Studio Pierrot Co. Ltd.

Speaking of fights in the original series, there’s a painfully underrated Sasuke fight that doesn’t get enough recognition for how well-choreographed it is. Interestingly, the Naruto arc that featured the fight wasn’t even a part of Kishimoto’s plan.

Kohei Horikoshi’s series is no less than a wonderland when it comes to quirks. It is this unique power system that defies conventional storytelling. This is especially true for the manga’s popularity in the superhero genre.

The series is lauded for its diverse and well-written side characters. Unlike most shonen, the characters do not exist merely to further the plot. It is evident with Ochaco Uraraka and her impeccable quirk.

Ochaco Uraraka in a still from the anime | Credit: Studio Bones

As a wielder of Zero Gravity, Uraraka holds immeasurable power and combat prowess. But like most characters, her abilities are grossly underutilized to the point of them being wasted.

Interestingly though, her quirk shares a similarity with yet another iconic Marvel character. Like Ochaco, the character was grossly sidelined for the most part.

Kohei Horikoshi’s Uraraka parallels this Marvel character

Be it manga or anime, Kohei...

Despite its sheer popularity and acclaim, Naruto has an incorrigible blot. This is especially true with the female characters and their underutilized potential. But what ticks off the fans after decades is the incessant nerfing of female characters.

Be it Kurenai or Tenten, Kishimoto has severely failed his female characters. What’s more disappointing is that most of his characters harbor great potential. This holds especially true with Sakura and her Kage-level abilities.

Sakura Haruno in a still from the Shippuden series | Credit: Studio Pierrot

As a protégé of Fifth Hokage Tsunade Senju, her feats are often overlooked. Before her path to glory, the Team 7 member’s proficiency in Genjutsu is taken for granted.

To make it worse, Kishimoto nerfed one of her potent skills in the series which could’ve made her unparalleled. Her excellence and prowess coupled with her underutilized abilities point to the mangaka’s squandering of his characters’ potential.

Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto is known for a lot of things, but the one aspect of the story that led to the series becoming one of the greatest of all time was the twists and surprises that no one expected. Naruto is known for flipping the entire storyline by introducing the most thrilling suspense at the exact moment and grabbing the attention of the fans.

Naruto Anime Series | Credit: Studio Pierrot

From bringing back the first and second Hokage in the beginning to introducing the concept of aliens in the end, these twists made sure that the fans could never guess what Kishimoto planned next. However, there was one twist that beat almost every other surprise and went down as a legendary moment in the history of anime.

This surprise was the return of Obito Uchiha as Tobi in the evil organization called Akatsuki. This surprise not only shocked the characters within the series,...

Revenge stories have always been a treat to watch, be it in anime or not. However, for anime fans in particular, such well-written revenge series have rather become a rarity with only a handful of exceptions like Monster and Vinland Saga. Well, things are about to change now though.

Chihiro Rokuhira from Kagurabachi | Credits: Viz Media

The long-awaited anime adaptation of Kagurabachi is finally on the horizon. In case you don’t know, it has also turned out to be one of the most gripping revenge stories to ever come out in modern times and the manga was a massive mainstream success within the community as well.

So now, its next step in the world of anime would therefore be pretty successful for sure. Fans are certain that it will create a new milestone within the Shonen genre, telling a very hard-hitting fantasy tale of vengeance.

CygamesPictures is Reportedly Adapting The Kaburabachi Anime!

Despite its popularity and fanbase, Kohei Horikoshi’s manga My Hero Academia wasn’t exempt from censure. This holds especially true with its disappointing ending and the closure garnered an array of reactions from fans.

While some fans appreciated it, most responses aligned toward a negative reception. Although the horrid ending plagued the series, there’s one thing the mangaka did that made him on par with Kishimoto.

Izuku Midoriya in a still from the anime | Credit: Studio Bones

Despite the series’ inconclusive ending, the mangaka reigns supreme in this key aspect. This had fans appreciating Horikoshi for his brilliance on X.

Furthermore, the series stands in contrast to Kishimoto’s manga in terms of the latter’s criticism. This is especially true with the same-face syndrome backlash.

Kohei Horikoshi outdid himself in this aspect despite My Hero Academia’s ending

Kohei Horikoshi made waves with his superhero Shonen series.

The carefree but sly Karasuma Ranmaru will be making their first full appearance in the ninth episode of the anime adaptation of Mai Tanaka’s manga series A Terrified Teacher at Ghoul School! and with it comes the reveal of Showtaro Morikubo as his voice. Ranmaru is the Captain of the Karasu-Tengu Troupe, who is a bit of a womanizer and has poor habits, even for a yokai! Morikubo is best known as the voice of Shikamaru in Naruto and voices Gomah in this season’s Dragon Ball Daima . Related: A Terrified Teacher at Ghoul School! Anime Summons Creditless Opening and Ending Videos Katsumi Ono directs the A Terrified Teacher at Ghoul School! TV anime at animation studio Satelight. Deko Akao writes the series composition, Natsuki draws the character designs and Takahiro Inafuku composes the music. Square Enix serializes the original A Terrified Teacher at Ghoul School! manga in their...

Muneyuki Kaneshiro’s Blue Lock has continued its thrilling run of showcasing the high-stakes match between Team Blue Lock and U-20 Japan, where Rin Itoshi’s Trivela Kick gave the team an upper hand. However, more than the match, the viewers are hooked on how the manga author paints the rivalry of the Itoshi brothers, which happens to be evident as their rivalry intensifies as the match continues.

Rin and Itoshi Sae. Credits: 8 Bit

While the viewers were thrilled with how fierce their rivalry was, they tended to find an uncanny resemblance with how Itoshi Sae’s character gave off the image of Uchiha Itachi from Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto. Thus, reminding the otakus of the same toxic relationship that was featured in the Shonen series, where Itoshi is Sasuke and Sae is Itachi.

Muneyuki Kaneshiro’s Complex Brotherhood Bond of Itoshi Brothers Reminded Fans of Itachi and Sasuke

Muneyuki...

One of the key highlights of the Naruto series is its portrayal of complexity. From pain and loneliness to grief and sorrow, it unpacked heavy emotions. It is this very complexity that makes it stand out from its contemporaries.

Kishimoto’s forte is his writing of diverse characters, especially with their persona. Their motives and ambitions outline different hues of the spectrum of characterization. This, however, is often lost in translation.

Team 7 after the Final Battle

A perfect example of this is Sasuke Uchiha being labeled as an edgelord by fanatics. More often than not, his intentions are grossly overlooked amidst the criticism. Recently though, most fans took to the Internet to clap back at the unjust criticism.

Through their highlighting of this brilliant detail, they also outlined the stark difference between the manga and the anime. This also ties well with Kishimoto’s finesse, which often gets underappreciated in the process.

If you are a connoisseur of dark fantasy series that will take your breath away, then it will be normal to come across the greatness of Kentaro Miura and his magnum opus, Berserk. The series is renowned among the otakus for its intriguing art style and unfiltered action, with a gripping storyline in a fantasy world that has kept it so relevant in the anime and manga industry.

A panel from the Berserk manga. Credits: Hakusensha

Hence, many consider it to be the greatest manga, and its anime adaptation has added to its popularity. Since the trend of live-action adaptations of manga has been going on, fans wonder if Berserk will hop on the trend too. And what better to see Guts, the protagonist of the series, played by none other than Henry Cavill, and it might just become a reality because one of the richest families in the world...

Eiichiro Oda might be the master of foreshadowing in the anime industry but his rival, Masashi Kishimoto, can also employ this method of storytelling. From Madara hating being approached from behind to Sasuke being wrapped in a snake on a chapter cover, Naruto is clearly a beloved series that has been planned from the beginning. One of the best examples, however, is the foreshadowing of Obito Uchicha and declaring the Fourth Shinobi World War connecting back to his mask during the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox’s Attack.

Obita is one of the most calculated villains in Naruto, making this piece of foreshadowing completely intentional by Kishimoto. The way it was written into the story and his future actions should’ve been obvious to fans that it was him all along.

Obito’s mask during the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox’s Attack in Naruto. [Credit: Studio Pierrot]

The Uchiha might be an underachiever but...

Kakashi Hatake was one of the first characters in Naruto who defined suave with their personality. Even though he was a prominent character throughout the series, his clan wasn’t explored at all. The only two representatives of the Hatake Clan that we had were Kakashi and his father, Sakumo Hatake. Based on that, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that the Hatake Clan was a force to be reckoned with.

Sakumo and Kakashi Hatake in Naruto Shippuden | Credits: Studio Pierrot Co. Ltd.

Just like Kakashi was always a beloved character, Sakumo was a fan-favorite enigma. All the information we had about him was through Kakashi’s flashback. His brief appearance made him a subject of curiosity for fans. A certain detail about him could be the answer to many questions that we have about the father-son duo. Here’s what this detail is, and how Masashi Kishimoto might...

Just like every year, this year too, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade took over the streets of Manhattan, New York, on November 28, 2024. The parade had some of the greatest artists performing and was accompanied by floats of many globally recognized characters, and One Piece’s Monkey D. Luffy was one of them.

Monkey D. Luffy | Credits: Studio Toei Animation

One Piece fans were excited to see their favorite character from the series enlightening the streets of New York and representing the anime and manga industry on a global level. This year was especially a big one for Luffy and One Piece because the anime series celebrated its 25th anniversary, which is a big achievement.

However, many fans wanted to know why other prominent anime series like Naruto and Jujutsu Kaisen didn’t earn a place in the Macy Thanksgiving Parade but Luffy got a chance to represent himself and One Piece.

In the world of anime, Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece is considered to be the greatest Shonen title ever. The series narrates the gripping tale of Monkey D. Luffy and his fearless crewmates, who have set sail on the quest to become the freest people in the world. To establish this notion, the mangaka has always showcased the Straw Hat and Roronoa Zoro to be two unyielding individuals who would not let any tyrant dictate their way on the weak.

Luffy and Zoro. Credits: Toei Animation

However, the show’s fans will be taken aback when they learn that despite being showcased as the most valiant figures, they still have their fears. It might sound appalling because they have not only fought some of the strongest names in the series, including the Gorosei. However, once learning about their fears, it would make sense because they can never overcome them.

Eiichiro...

Tite Kubo’s skills at creating a balanced power system in a story like Bleach, which has a great number of characters, deserve praise. Especially when we consider how power systems are the most interesting aspect of shonen anime-manga series. It’s extremely rewarding to figure out the ultimate extent and the different ways in which these powers can be utilized.

However, there’s nothing more disappointing than power systems that favor certain abilities more than others. The way Kubo has created the world in Bleach with three different factions, and no sense of superiority to either one of them is admirable. Most Shonen series struggle to establish a similar balance, and One Piece is the best example of this.

A still from Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War anime | Credits: Studio Pierrot Co. Ltd.

In the recent arcs of One Piece, there’s a clear disparity and hierarchy between different abilities,...

Live-action adaptations are generally a cursed concept in the anime industry. The past speaks for itself in this regard with the failed Dragon Ball and Death Note movies that also tried their hand at Americanizing the respective series. Now Destin Daniel Cretton is set to direct the live-action Naruto movie and while we don’t have much information about it, the director’s promising filmography gives some hope.

However, despite his success with Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Naruto is an entirely different ballpark for him to tackle. Some live-action adaptation directors whose works didn’t even make it to the production stage have talked about the challenges they face.

Naruto Uzumaki in Naruto: Shippuden. [Credit: Studio Pierrot]

The director has expressed what an honor it was to meet and collaborate with Masashi Kishimoto himself and to be responsible for bringing Naruto to life in a live-action format.

Momo Ayase has been a powerhouse who has not been taken lightly from the very first episode of Dandadan. But with the release of Episode 9, Momo’s intelligence is clearly at a very high level, not to mention her terrifying speed of growth.

Okarun and Momo Ayase in Dandadan. [Credit: Science Saru]

Dandadan showcases Momo Ayase’s intelligence in the intense, high-stakes scenario when the gang is faced with their strongest foe yet, Nessie. Her fiery, no-nonsense attitude suddenly changes and she reads the enemy like a book, understanding, predicting, and growing in combat.

Related Dandadan: Fans Should be More Concerned About Aira’s Father Because of Her Behavior with Okarun in Latest Episode

With this terrifying intelligence and the ability to adapt and grow under immense pressure, the question we have to ask is – Could she be the next Shikamaru Nara of modern anime?

Momo’s Battle Prowess is...

There are many moments in Bleach that fans would rather not be reminded of. When it comes to fights, there is something artistic about making the action sequences special by adding something to it.

Mayuri Kurotsuchi from Bleach. [Credit: Studio Pierrot]

It could be stunning visuals or great music in the background; major anime like Naruto and One Piece have countless battles that make the fans hot-blooded. This a common trope in shonen anime, how can one actually break away from the mold?

Episode 8 of Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Part 3 is the anime’s 400th episode, and they decided that it was fitting to showcase one of the creepiest fights in the show, Mayuri Kurotsuchi vs Pernida Parnkgjas. What has Bleach done right that many popular shonen have failed to do?

Tite Kubo Pursued Creepy Perfection Kenpachi Zaraki [Credits: Studio Pierrot]

While there were many criticisms of the episode, especially regarding the mix of CGI and animation,...

For the longest time, the rivalry between Naruto and One Piece has been one of the most intriguing aspects of the anime and manga industry. The two series have competed with each other for the top spot, and this fierce competition between the two has led to the series becoming the pillar of the anime and manga community’s global recognition.

One Piece | Credit: Toei Animation

Their creators, Eiichiro Oda, and Masashi Kishimoto, started their manga journeys almost at the same time. The two are legends in the manga community, and while they are friends in real life, they have always maintained a healthy feud by making their stories more compelling for the readers. One of the aspects that has helped them is the portrayal of death in their work.

While Oda has rarely relied on making the One Piece story intriguing by killing its characters, Kishimoto has used it extensively.

The world of dark fantasy is incomplete without Berserk. Kentaro Miura’s detailed art and compelling storytelling have reached many fans who appreciate it for what it is. Aside from commanding the attention of audiences across the globe, Miura also inspired many mangakas who garnered attention for their own dark fantasy series including Hajime Isayama and Tatsuki Fujimoto. But who inspired Miura?

Guts in Kentaro Miura’s Berserk | Credits: Hakusensha

From the iconic shonen title Fist of the North Star to the renowned shojo series The Rose of Versailles, Miura was influenced by various genres and creators. Go Nagai is one such creator who inspired Miura and the similarities between Nagai’s Devilman series and Berserk are pretty noticeable. For fans of Miura’s magnum opus, Devilman Crybaby anime is easily the next perfect watch, and here’s why that is the case.

The Charm of Berserk And Where It Comes From

Throughout Berserk,...

10 Anime Moments That Shattered the Internet - Main Image

Anime is a medium fans turn to for entertainment during their downtime, but some scenes go beyond just being enjoyable. These moments leave such a lasting impression that viewers can’t help but rave about them online.

We’ve rounded up some iconic anime titles known for delivering scenes that became instant sensations. Whether they stunned audiences with breathtaking animation or broke hearts with unexpectedly emotional twists, these moments left fans feeling.

One Piece - “Luffy’s Gear 5 Transformation”

One of the most anticipated moments in 2023 for One Piece fans was the animated debut of Luffy’s Gear 5 transformation during his final battle with Kaido. While manga readers saw it coming, seeing Gear 5 brought to life with goofy sound effects and catchy drum beats left a lasting impact on the anime community.

Episode 1071 marked this pivotal moment in the series, showcasing...

Studio Pierrot has been a heavy lifter in the anime industry for decades. With anime bigshots like Naruto, Yu Yu Hakusho, Black Clover, and Bleach under it, the studio has supplied a constant stream of weekly episodes.

Ichigo in Bleach: Tybw | Credits: Studio Pierrot

However, the era has changed, forcing Pierrot to mend its ways. Currently, the studio is considering moving from weekly to seasonal releases for its series, which would lead to more focused works and better-quality episodes.

Demon Slayer Changed the Perspective of Studio Pierrot Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba | Credits: Ufotable

Michiyuki Honma, the president of Studio Pierrot, recently explained how Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba influenced the future of the anime industry as well as Pierrot. According to the president, the anime was a major turning point for the anime industry.

It was a high-quality work that took a lot of time and a generous...

Among the most hated villains in Naruto, Danzo Shimura takes the case. This is especially true with his notoriety and menacing tact. From the Uchiha massacre to Third Hokage’s assassination, the fandom’s hate toward the character is justified.

But what would rile up most fans is the chain of wrongs he participated in. His control over Konoha and the clan massacre isn’t the end of it all. This is especially true with his involvement in his secret organization.

Sasuke Uchiha’s Sharingan in a still from the Shippuden series | Credit: Studio Pierrot

According to this theory, he may have capitalized on the Uchiha clan’s inheritance through unfair means to fund his organization.

This includes Sasuke’s inheritance specifically since he is the sole survivor of the massacre. The theory also points to the Uchiha clan’s possible legacy in the sequel as well.

Danzo used Sasuke...

Hiromu Arakawa’s Fullmetal Alchemist has grown to be one of the most popular fantasy series that became an instant classic to watch. From the very first episode, the series kept the readers and the viewers hooked to the title focused on showcasing a story, never seen before.

Alphonse and Edward Elric. Credits: Studio Bones

The series focuses on narrating the Elric brothers going on a fantasy adventure to reclaim their lost bodies while performing the art of alchemy, beautifully flaunting the consequences of messing with the rules of life and death. While the show focused on the two siblings, it also displayed how fathers can’t always be loving and caring figures.

The fans were taken aback when they witnessed that Shou would misuse his knowledge of alchemy, performing heinous experiments that would send shivers down one’s spine. However, he was not the only evil dad in the series,...

As one of the iconic ninja stories in the shonen genre, Naruto redefined most concepts for kids. Be it friendships or villainy, it highlighted the complexities and stark realities of life.

For decades, the series continued to tug at viewers and readers’ heartstrings. With versatile characters and a vibrant cast, the anime impacted millions of people worldwide and this also includes the beloved hero’s voice actor.

Naruto Uzumaki aka The Seventh Hokage in Boruto | Credit: Studio Pierrot

Junko Takeuchi, who plays the titular character, opened up about her journey in an interview. Playing the character for decades shaped her life along with her perspectives.

This holds with Masashi Kishimoto’s flair and understanding of emotions. Empathy and compassion are not mere words but tools that are pivotal in shaping the course of the story.

Playing Naruto made Junko Takeuchi better

Fans know him as a knucklehead ninja who was...

Masashi Kishimoto is a mastermind at creating characters and their background stories, which is clearly exhibited in Naruto. He also created a legendary band of shinobi called the Akatsuki, who, over the course of decades, wreaked havoc on the world.

One of the most deadly Akatsuki members is Kakuzu, who is an immortal of sorts. His deplorable acts as well as his greedy and raging nature, led Naruto fans to despise him. But did you know that the character was Masashi Kishimoto’s personal tribute to Gundam?

Masashi Kishimoto Has Been Obsessed With Gundam Since Childhood Masashi Kishimoto is a huge fan of Mobile Suit Gundam 1979 | Credits: Sunrise

Every mangaka is inspired by various series that they have grown up watching or reading, and the same goes for Masashi Kishimoto. Aside from Kinnikuman, Doraemon, and Akira, Kishimoto is also an avid fan of Gundam and became attached to it when...

The transition from Naruto Shippuden to Boruto wasn’t a smooth one, from the shift in focus to the dip in the story’s quality, fans were not happy with many aspects of it. Even though there was a wave of excitement about a sequel of the celebrated series, it waned off soon afterward.

Naruto’s hairstyle in Boruto anime | Credits: Studio Pierrot Co. Ltd.

Among the major issues such as the weakened state of many fan-favorite characters and a diabolical shift in Konoha’s values, many fans had gripes with a smaller and somewhat insignificant change.

It was Naruto’s atrocious haircut that didn’t sit well with fans. The changed appearance took fans by surprise. There have been countless discussions on how it’s an unwelcome change, but we may finally have the reason why it makes sense.

Naruto’s Shorter Hair Makes More Sense If Obito Was...

Kakashi consistently ranks amongst the top characters in Naruto, and for good reason. He is powerful, mysterious, and humorous, a combination that can make anyone drool. But how was he as a sensei to Team 7?

While Kakashi is often considered a great sensei, on closer observation, you might find many faults with the logic. His greatest mistake stems from the fact that he treated the members of Team 7 unequally.

Kakashi Did Not Treat Team 7 Equally in Naruto Team 7 in Naruto | Credit: Studio Pierrot

The two biggest victims of Kakashi’s negligence were Naruto and Sakura. Naruto was admittedly an annoying kid, and both his classmates and teachers were done with him. However, as his appointed mentor, Kakashi should have paid more attention to the kid. Kakashi was also aware of his past as well as the fact that Naruto had next to no one, yet he always pointed out how inept Naruto was.

For any Devil Fruit user in One Piece, the strongest aspect of his power is the awakening of his Devil Fruit. When a Devil Fruit user awakens his/her true powers, he/she unlocks a totally different scale of strength that is quite literally unmatchable. This is why the awakening of a Devil Fruit is considered to be a rare phenomenon within One Piece.

Devil Fruit | Credit: Toei Animation

Out of the plethora of Devil Fruit users, only a handful of the characters have been able to awaken their Devil Fruits. The first character within the One Piece narrative to awaken his Devil Fruit was actually Donquixote Doflamingo during the Dressrosa arc. After that, other characters like Katakuri, Lucci, etc. were seen unlocking their true potential.

However, the shocking aspect of the Devil Fruit awakening plot in One Piece is that big league players like Kaido and Whitebeard were never...

After almost a year of waiting, the highly anticipated Part 3 of Bleach: Tybw is finally out and has become the talk of the anime community online. Ichigo’s comeback was met with positive feedback, earning widespread applause for its improved animation and refined picture quality. From mind-boggling animations to terrific action scenes, Tybw captivated several veteran fans to the show.

Sosuke Aizen in Thousand-Year Blood War | [Credit: Studio Pierrot]

Bleach recently marked its 20th anniversary, leaving many fans nostalgic about the recent official tribute video. The special commemorative video has reignited discussions about the beloved anime’s potential for a remake. With the arrival of new faces in Tybw, many fans are reflecting on a fan-favorite character whom Tite Kubo seemingly gave the worst fate, ending tragically.

How Tite Kubo Doomed a Fan-Favorite Bleach Character with a Tragic Fate

For decades, Bleach has stood as the pillar of the Big Three...

Almost every Naruto fan page has people brutally criticizing Kurenai for her battle against Itachi. In fact, the amount of trolling she has faced is second only to Sakura. But does she really deserve all those harsh words?

The main issue that fans have with Kurenai is that she dared to use Genjutsu against the Jesus of Genjutsu, Itachi. But was it really that huge of a mistake? Or just the best tool in her arsenal at the moment?

Kurenai Might Not Have Been Equipped With Enough Knowledge of Itachi’s Prowess in Naruto Kurenai uses Genjutsu on Itachi in Naruto | Credits: Studio Pierrot

Itachi’s prowess over Genjutsu might not have been well-known at the time that Kurenai had to face him in battle. Unless there were detailed reports on how exactly Itachi preferred to fight or defeat his enemies, Kurenai had no way of knowing that her Genjutu might not work on Itachi.

Within the anime and manga industry, the one character that has stood on a pedestal for the longest time is Itachi Uchiha from Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto. There are very few characters in the community who could stand up to the level of Itachi, and those who tried have failed miserably. However, there are some fanbases who feel like their favorite character has some similarity with Itachi’s personality.

Itachi Uchiha | Credit: Studio Pierrot

One such character is Gin Ichimaru from Tite Kubo’s Bleach. Gin was the captain of the 3rd Division of the Gotei 13 and an anti-hero character who became quite popular within the fanbase. Gin initially portrayed himself as a villain who sided with Sosuke Aizen in the story but later revealed that he was only in cahoots with the villain so that he could kill him.

While this may sound a little bit similar to Itachi’s narrative in Naruto,...

Kurenai Yuhi is one of the few characters in Naruto who specializes in genjutsu, but it feels like her abilities are often overlooked. Genjutsu is such a fascinating aspect of the ninja world, and Kurenai’s expertise in it could have been explored much more. With it, her skills are said to rival those of even Itachi’s and he himself praised her skills. Unfortunately, Kurenai had to go against the master of genjutsu himself and Kishimoto never used her again.

A lot of Naruto fans have criticized Kishimoto for not writing female characters properly and in Kurenai’s case, the criticism is justified. The series hyped the woman so much and then basically ignored her. She could have been like Might Guy, in a class of her own and the best in the art of genjutsu.

Kurenai Yuhi | Credits: Studio Pierrot

Being the Hidden Leaf Jonin, who is the...

Over the years, the anime industry has undergone a number of trends, which have more or less become one of the many signature elements of the art form. One is fan service to its viewers, where female characters are sexually framed, making them stand out awkwardly.

A still from Bleach. Credits: Studio Pierrot

Though Tite Kubo’s Bleach followed the same route, where it made the fans happy using Rangiku Matsumoto, Nanao Ise, Orihime Inoue, and so many more. However, Ruchia would make the viewers feel otherwise.

The petite Shinigami of the Soul Society hasn’t shied away from showcasing what would happen if the author made the female characters have an aura of seriousness radiating from them. Fans enjoy watching the girls, giving a brief moment of excitement, standing tall right from the very beginning of the series.

Tite Kubo’s Bleach Made Fans Think Highly of Female Characters

In the anime genre,...

(Welcome to Ani-time Ani-where, a regular column dedicated to helping the uninitiated understand and appreciate the world of anime.)

While there are countless types of stories told in the anime medium, there is one genre that is king: the action shonen. It's the most popular genre there is, but it's not without problems. Shows like "Naruto" and "Dragon Ball" tend to follow a very specific formula without much change, which means even the slightest variation on the formula — like making the protagonist a 30-year-old and not an angsty high schooler — makes for something exciting.

One of the biggest tropes of the genre, one that "Dragon Ball" perfected and made its bread and butter, is the idea of training to fight. Specifically, it is the idea that training is everything, and that fighting is the purest form of living. "Dragon Ball Z" has Goku constantly abandon his wife and kids because...

The Minato One-shot manga titled “The Whorl Within the Spiral” was the result of the Naruto P99 Popularity Poll that Minato Namikaze won. The one-shot sent shockwaves in the Naruto fandom, so much so that they began hating the current state of the Boruto manga. This was Masashi Kishimoto’s work after his cancelled manga Samurai 8: The Tale of Hachimaru and many fans still want him to draw Boruto instead of Ikemoto.

Minato in The Whorl Within the Spiral | Credits: Viz Media

The focus of this one-shot is on Minato’s early days as a ninja and his relationship with his wife, Kushina Uzumaki. Fans are given a glimpse into Minato’s genin team training sessions as well as the roots of his famed technique, the Rasengan. The plot further dives into Minato’s critical role in taming the enormous Kurama trapped within Kushina. The one-shot also sheds light...

Fans of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Tmnt) definitely have a lot to be happy about. One of the most popular comic book series of all time, which became a franchise consisting of various derivative works, is going through a renaissance in recent years: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem was a major success, and the characters had a major DC crossover event, the animated series is doing well… but there is more!

Namely, as you probably know, the Heroes in a Halfshell are currently enjoying a major crossover with one of the biggest animanga franchises of all time – Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto! This is fitting, seeing how both franchises explore the world of the shinobi.

The first issue of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Naruto was released on November 20, 2024, and everyone is just so excited with the new content and everything that it brings, including a cool redesign for the Turtles,...

For over two decades, One Piece has mostly been the undisputed powerhouse of the manga world. Eiichiro Oda’s masterpiece has consistently dominated sales charts, inspired millions, and secured its place in pop culture history throughout the years. However, as the year 2024 draws to a close, another heavyweight has challenged One Piece‘s supreme reign — Gege Akutami’s Jujutsu Kaisen.

Gear 5 Luffy | Credit: Toei Animation

According to the latest Oricon rankings, Jujutsu Kaisen has claimed the top spot in manga sales in 2024 surpassing One Piece. This marks a historic moment, as very few series have ever challenged Oda’s epic on the sales charts, let alone overtake it.

Oricon Charts’ Final Estimates of 2024

The latest Oricon rankings, spanning November 20, 2023, to November 17, 2024, tell a fascinating story about the manga industry’s current state. Jujutsu Kaisen has topped this year’s chart with 7.6 million copies sold, surpassing One Piece, Oshi no Ko,...

One Piece, Bleach, Naruto, and Dragon Ball have some of the biggest fandoms, who also love to bicker with each other. “Who is the strongest?” is the favorite question to ask for some of you guys.

But while you were wasting time on these petty fights, you failed to notice a legendary voice actor who has played a part in every big anime. With a huge list of dubbing and Va works under his belt, Ryusei Nakao is a heavyweight in the industry.

A Legendary Va Voiced Characters for All the Big 3 Shonen Anime Plus Dragon Ball Mayuri Kurotsuchi from Bleach is voiced by Ryusei Nakao | Credits: Studio Pierrot

Ryusei Nakao is a famous Japanese voice actor, actor and singer. At the age of 73, he has voiced probably more than a hundred characters for anime, video games, and other media. He also has a major hand in dubbing films and series into Japanese.