Hey, everyone!

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

• Sonic Mania Plus Game added to Netflix Games

• Gōshō Aoyama's Yaiba Manga to Return with New Anime Adaptation

• Jason DeMarco Shares Insights on Ninja Kamui Success and Future of Toonami Originals

• Berserk: The Black Swordsman First Trailer Release Date Revealed

• Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Tabletop Mission Kit Brings the Anime to Life

Meme of the Day

Sonic Mania Plus Game added to Netflix Games

On Tuesday, Netflix announced the addition of the Sonic Mania Plus game developed by Sega to iOS and Android devices in the fold of its Netflix Games service. Sonic Mania was developed by Sega. At its time the game debuted on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC back in August 2017. An updated version, Sonic Mania Plus, was released in July 2018. In 2018, a 5-minute series titled Sonic Mania Adventures was posted free on YouTube by Sega.

Sonic Superstars will be released on October 17 on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC. The game returns players to their classic 2D platform gaming style with Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Amy Rose. It will have two modes: single and cooperation, with up to four players.

Gōshō Aoyama's Yaiba Manga to Return with New Anime Adaptation

Gōshō Aoyama, the creator of Detective Conan, is bringing his classic manga Yaiba back with a new anime adaptation. Yaiba was serialized in Weekly Shōnen Sunday from 1988 to 1993 and became popular for its action, comedy, and adventure mix. The series follows Yaiba Kurogane, a young samurai who battles mythical creatures and historical figures, including his rival Takeshi Onimaru.

The revival aligns with Detective Conan's 30th anniversary celebrations and reflects Aoyama's commitment to revisiting his past work. This new adaptation is expected to captivate long-time fans and introduce Yaiba to a new generation of viewers. You can read more here.

Jason DeMarco Shares Insights on Ninja Kamui Success and Future of Toonami Originals

During a recent online Q&A session, Jason DeMarco, co-creator of Toonami and VP/Creative Director for on-air at Adult Swim, discussed the future of the anime-original action series Ninja Kamui. While Season 2 hasn't been confirmed, DeMarco shared that "[Cartoon] Network and Max are thrilled with Season 1," adding that Toonami's ratings and original series performance have pleased network executives.

DeMarco also hinted that concept art for Ninja Kamui will eventually be shared, pending approval from director Sunghoo Park, who was given creative freedom to deliver a throwback ninja anime. The gritty series follows Joe Logan seeking revenge after his wife and child are murdered by his former ninja clan.

The Q&A session also provided updates on other Toonami originals. Lazarus, an upcoming series by Cowboy Bebop's Shinichiro Watanabe, is "coming along GREAT," Uzumaki, the anime adaptation of Junji Ito's work, will be ready "WHEN IT'S READY!"

You can read more here.

Berserk: The Black Swordsman First Trailer Release Date Revealed

Berserk: The Black Swordsman has announced the release date for its first trailer, produced by Studio Eclypse. The trailer will premiere on May 15, 2024, as shared via Studio Eclypse's official X (formerly Twitter). The post also features new key artwork of Guts, captioned, "𒉭 #BERSERK: The Black Swordsman𒉭 Trailer Release: May 15 2024. Memorial Remake of Volume 1 by Kentaro Miura. Key Visual #3 #ベルセルク #GUTS #StudioECLYPSE."

The trailer will debut at Otakufest Saltillo on May 18-19. Hype for Berserk remains high, with Berserk Deluxe Volume 1 topping U.S. manga sales in March 2024, grossing $725,000.

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Tabletop Mission Kit Brings the Anime to Life

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, the Netflix anime based on the Cyberpunk video game and tabletop series, is finally getting its own tabletop mission kit. The kit, created by R. Talsorian Games and CD Projekt Red, brings the anime's world to tabletop gamers. Set after the events of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, the mission kit offers a new gaming experience where players can explore Night City, featuring character designs by Studio Trigger's Hiroyuki Imaishi.

The kit, releasing in June 2024, includes:

• Rule book

• Dice (2 D10s, 4 D6s)

• "Edgerunners Handbook"

• Tokens and maps

• "The Jacket," a full mission

• Seven pre-made Edgerunners characters

The Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Mission Kit will retail at $35 and be available in both physical and digital formats, including Roll20 and Fantasy Grounds. Gaming shops will stock it shortly after.

Produced by Studio Trigger and CD Projekt Red, the Cyberpunk: Edgerunners anime is a prequel to the Cyberpunk 2077 video game and adapts the cyberpunk genre with vibrant visuals and a dystopian storyline. Although there's no second season planned, the mission kit lets fans recreate the anime's world and explore new adventures.

Did you know?

I Really Want to Stay at Your House from the Cyberpunk: Edgerunners soundtrack is actually an Easter Egg for Cyberpunk 2077.

The song I Really Want to Stay at Your House, performed by Rosa Walton and Hallie Coggins, became a viral sensation and fan favorite due to its prominent use in the series. The track plays during several key emotional moments between David and Lucy, and its lyrics poignantly capture the themes of love, longing, and tragedy that permeate their relationship.

The song is not just a poignant backdrop but also serves as a nod to Cyberpunk 2077, the game that inspired the anime. It's part of the in-game radio station Pacific Dreams, which players can listen to while driving around Night City.

This unique blending of game and anime soundtracks helps unify the Cyberpunk universe, offering a deeper, more immersive experience for fans of both the series and the game.

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