Hey, everyone!

Here’s what’s going in the world of Anime today:

• BLUELOCK Anime's 2nd Season Premiere Confirmed

• Re: Zero's 3rd Season, Nina the Starry Bride, and Tying the Knot with an Amagami Sister all coming to Crunchyroll

• Baki Hanma vs. Kengan Ashura Crossover Anime Trailer Drops

• Knuckles Spinoff Series Crosses 4 Million Hours Viewed

• Voice Actor Warns Fans of Character Shipping

• Voice Actor Celebrates Luffy's Birthday with Wholesome Original One Piece Artwork

Meme of the Day

BLUE LOCK Anime's 2nd Season Premiere Confirmed

Exciting news for BLUE LOCK fans! The official X (formerly Twitter) account announced today that the highly anticipated second season of the anime will kick off in October 2024! Along with the announcement, fans were treated to a unique commemorative illustration by manga artist Yusuke Nomura.

Adapted from the award-winning manga by Muneyuki Kaneshiro and Yusuke Nomura, BLUE LOCK is directed by Tetsuaki Watanabe (known for his work on Haikyu!!) and assistant-directed by Shunsuke Ishikawa (Sword Art Online Alicization). Produced by Studio Eightbit (known for That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime), Ishikawa also takes the reins as director for the EPISODE NAGI movie.

If you're into adrenaline-pumping sports anime, don't miss out on the first season, which is available with subtitles and dubbed versions on Crunchyroll! Follow the intense journey of three hundred high school players vying for the coveted position of Japan's national team striker. With only one spot up for grabs, who will rise to the occasion and lead Japanese soccer into a new era of glory? Watch a trailer for season 1 here.

Re: Zero's 3rd Season, Nina the Starry Bride, and Tying the Knot with an Amagami Sister all coming to Crunchyroll

There was big news from Crunchyroll's industry panel at CCXP Mexico! Three exciting new anime series, including the highly anticipated Re: ZERO Season 3, are confirmed to stream on the service later this year! You can read more about the releases here.

Baki Hanma vs. Kengan Ashura Crossover Anime Trailer Drops

Exciting news for anime fans! Netflix dropped a new trailer for the Baki Hanma vs. Kengan Ashura crossover collaboration anime, unveiling the staff and giving us a glimpse of what's to come. Get ready for epic battles and killer theme songs!

Directed by Toshiki Hirano (known for his work on the 2018-2024 Baki anime) at TMS Entertainment, this crossover extravaganza features scripts by Atsuo Ishino and character designs by Makoto Takahoko and Shingo Ishikawa. Plus, Kenji Fujisawa and Yasuharu Takanashi are teaming up to bring us some killer tunes.

The trailer also teased some epic showdowns, including Saw Paing Yoroizuka vs. Kaoru Hanayama, Raian Kure vs. Jack Hammer, and the highly anticipated Baki Hanma vs. Ohma Tokita.

Mark your calendars because this action-packed anime is hitting Netflix on June 6th! And get this—both Baki and Kengan Ashura's cast members are returning for this epic crossover event.

Netflix describes the series as a "hard-hitting crossover" that will shake up the world of martial arts manga. And with the success of both franchises on Netflix, this collaboration is bound to be legendary.

So get ready to witness the clash of titans as Baki and Kengan Ashura collide in an anime showdown like no other! Watch the trailer here.

Knuckles Spinoff Series Crosses 4 Million Hours Viewed

In a big win for Sonic fans, Deadline reported on Friday that the Knuckles spinoff series from the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise hit a whopping 4 million hours of viewing time over its premiere weekend on Paramount+. Not only did it smash records as the platform's most-watched original series ever, but it also became the top kids and family title overall.

With the debut of Knuckles, viewership for the Sonic franchise skyrocketed by 278% globally, proving its massive popularity.

Starring Idris Elba as Knuckles, alongside a stellar cast including Edi Patterson, Julian Barratt, and more, the show follows Knuckles as he mentors Wade, played by Adam Pally, in the ways of the Echidna warrior.

With an impressive lineup of directors and writers returning from the films, fans eagerly await more Sonic goodness. And speaking of which, mark your calendars because Sonic the Hedgehog 3, the live-action movie, is set to hit theaters on December 20th!

Voice Actor Warns Fans of Character Shipping

Justin Briner, the talented voice behind Izuku "Deku" Midoriya in My Hero Academia and Yoo Jin-ho in Solo Leveling, recently took to social media to address a pressing issue. In a plea to anime fans, Briner asked them to refrain from asking voice actors about their personal opinions on romantic pairings involving their characters.

Briner emphasized that such questions put voice actors in uncomfortable positions and could potentially lead to trouble. He clarified that his reluctance to engage in discussions about romantic pairings doesn't stem from disdain for fandoms but rather from a need to maintain professionalism and avoid inadvertently endorsing or upsetting fans with his responses.

Briner's caution is understandable considering his words' weight in the fandom. Expressing support or dissatisfaction with a pairing could be misconstrued as an official endorsement, potentially disappointing fans who support different ships. This issue is particularly sensitive when it comes to same-sex pairings and can lead to heated debates and tensions within the fandom.

Overall, Briner's plea highlights the complexities of fan interactions and the importance of respecting voice actors' boundaries in navigating discussions about romantic pairings in anime.

Voice Actor Celebrates Luffy's Birthday with Wholesome Original One Piece Artwork

May 5th was a special day for fans of One Piece, as it marked the birthday of the series' beloved protagonist, Monkey D. Luffy. To celebrate, Toshio Furukawa, the voice actor behind Portgas D. Ace, Luffy's adoptive brother, shared a heartwarming piece of birthday artwork on his official X (formerly Twitter) page.

In the artwork, Luffy joyfully announces his birthday to the world, capturing the carefree spirit that has endeared him to fans worldwide. In the background, a silhouette of Ace, portrayed by Furukawa, watches over his younger brother with a gentle reminder to take care of him.

The bond between Luffy and Ace is central to the heart of One Piece. Ace, Gol D. Roger's biological son, grew up alongside Luffy under Monkey D. Garp's care. His character holds a special place in fans' hearts, and Furukawa's artwork subtly alluded to his tragic fate.

Did you know?

Luffy shares his birthday with some other anime favorites and a Japanese holiday.

May 5th, Monkey D. Luffy's birthday, holds special significance in Japan as Children's Day. It's a fitting coincidence, considering Luffy's playful and childlike nature. Interestingly, Luffy shares his birthday with characters like Demaro Black, a pirate who mimics him, and Gon Freecss from Hunter x Hunter. It's as if May 5th was destined to be a day for celebrating adventurous spirits and youthful exuberance!

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