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We have an update on the Frieren anime, but it is that it will be a while before we see more, as season 2 won’t start until January 2026. There’s no exact date yet, but it will be a part of the Winter season. The first season of the show is available to stream now via Crunchyroll. The last volume of the manga to appear in English was the twelfth one on February 11, 2025. 

Season 2 of the show will be on Nippon Television. That’s where the first season aired in Japan as well. There aren’t any details about arcs that will be covered. The key visual is available though, and it shows Frieren and Fern with Stark. The official social media also shared a teaser with plush of the elf. Crunchyroll hasn't stated if the second season will appear there yet.

Here are the teaser images:

While it will be a while before we see season 2 of the Frieren anime, it is still going to very much be an active presence in our lives. When 2025 began, it brought with it a PSO2 New Genesis crossover with the series. There have been a number of figures, such as Nendoroids. Even a brief light novel was included with volume 12 of the manga in Japan. 

Speaking of the Frieren manga, it is still running. Viz Media offers the new chapters in English as they release, with the last one being 140. However, it will be some time before more appears, as the series is in the midst of an indefinite hiatus. A new English volume is on the horizon though, as the thirteenth one debuts on May 13, 2025.

Season 2 of the Frieren anime will start in January 2026. The first season is available now via Crunchyroll. Volume 12 of the manga is out worldwide, and volume 13 of Frieren will debut in English on May 13, 2025. 

The post Season 2 of the Frieren Anime Won’t Arrive Until 2026 appeared first on Siliconera.

A 4K remaster Blu-Ray of Perfect Blue will come out on February 28, 2025. There will be a normal version, and a deluxe version that comes with several bonus goods. [Thanks, Famitsu!]

The normal Perfect Blue 4K Blu-Ray will cost 6800 JPY ($44.65). For 11,800 JPY ($77.45), you can get Ultra HD Blu-Ray & Blu-Ray set. This set will come with two Blu-Rays, as well as: a 35 mm film frame from the late 1990s depicting protagonist Mima, a booklet that includes the production process from Satoshi Kon’s blog Kon’s Tone, and a postcard set. Amazon JP is offering an exclusive bonus if you order from there. You’ll be able to get a replica of a theatrical pamphlet from the late 1990s.

Perfect Blue is an influential and well-received work that came out around 25 years ago in 1998. Madhouse produced it, and the late Satoshi Kon (Paprika, Paranoia Agent) directed it. It follows the story of Mima Kirigoe, a former J-pop idol who left her group in order to become an actress. A stalker begins to pursue Mima, which, combined with other stressors in her professional life, causes Mima to suffer from psychosis. People around Mima then start getting murdered, and Mima realizes that she’s the prime suspect.

The Perfect Blue Blu-Rays will come out on February 28, 2025.

The post Perfect Blue 4K Blu-ray Arrives in February appeared first on Siliconera.

At the first-anniversary special screening of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End on September 28, 2024, season 2 of the anime was officially teased with a new visual. The teaser showcases Frieren, Fern, and Stark.

The teaser image hints that the new episodes will involve the continuation of their journey after the events of the First Class Wizard Exam Arc. The story will pick up from episode 61 of the manga, which appeared in volume 7. Madhouse, the studio behind the first season, will return to produce the second season. Crunchyroll, which streams the first season, hasn't confirmed if it will offer the second.

You can view the official social post below, which includes the new art for the second season for the first time.

In addition to the teaser visual, an accompanying YouTube announcement video confirmed production of season 2 of the Frieren anime is in the works. It appeared along with congratulatory comments from Yamada Kaneto and Abe Tsukasa. They expressed their gratitude to fans for the and appreciation for the industry’s involvement in bringing Frieren to life. 

You can view the teaser on YouTube below:

In related news, a giant papier-mâché sculpture of Frieren appeared in Japan during the Asagaya Tanabata Festival in August 2024. The sculpture, which resembles the elven mage, was shared on the official Frieren X (formerly Twitter) .

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is available on Crunchyroll, and Viz Media has licensed the manga for North America.

The post Frieren Anime Season 2 Teased With Frieren, Fern, and Stark  appeared first on Siliconera.

Many anime rise and fall based on their villains. The team here at Siliconera picked our favorite villains in anime history. Be it memorable, charming villains or downright horrifying characters, these are the best anime villains of all time.

Siliconera Speaks Up: Best Anime Villain Ever 2qd6e

As much as I'd like to name Oikawa for the meme, I have to say that I really liked Kira/Light of Death Note for the exact same reasons I liked Walter from Breaking Bad. He was not as charismatic or clever as he thought he was, nor as moral as he made himself to be. Everything he did in order to make something "better" for himself only ended up making things worse for the people around him, but at least Walter owned up to it. I do love how, just like with Walter, there are people who genuinely don't seem to realize that you're not supposed to be rooting for Light. The only thing I wish for with Death Note is that Madhouse gave him the same death he had in the anime: crying and squirming around in his own blood like the worm that he is. -- Stephanie

"It was me, Dio!" Like clearly, I have to go with Dio Brando. LOOK at how much trouble he's caused for the Joestar family and the world! Even when he isn't Dio Brando and is instead, like, Diego Brando, he's still unbeatable! He has this overwhelming charisma and energy, plus he's just so easy to hate. I love him as a villain so much! -- Jenni

Johan Liebert from Monster is truly the most haunting anime villain I’ve ever seen in a series. How this series starts and the moral questions Johan’s existence brings from the beginning are tragic and unmatched. This guy is unlike any other anime villain, being such an emotionless and disturbing genius from start to finish. Don’t miss this unforgettable villain, even if the animation is starting to show its age a little. As a slight aside for second place, I’d have to give it to Makoto in School Days. This guy manages to consistently outdo himself every episode as the most unlikeable anime protagonist/villain of all time. -- Cody

The post Who’s the Best Anime Villain of All Time? appeared first on Siliconera.

A key visual for Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Part 2 has come out, showing the main cast of characters. It’ll start from January 5, 2024. [Thanks, AnimeTV!]

The second cour of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End will cover the First Class Mage Exam Arc. Episodes will air on Friday nights, and the cour will run until March 2024. There is also a new trailer for the arc, which you can watch on TOHO Animation’s YouTube channel.

Frieren and her entourage will meet several new faces in Auberst, which is where they must take the First Class Mage Exam. The full list of new characters, as well as the cast, are:

• Denken: Jiro Saito (Zash in Fairy Tail: Dragon Cry)
• Ehre: Kanae Ito (Yui in Sword Art Online)
• Genau: Tarasuke Shingaki (Kariya in Fate/Zero)
• Kanne: Azumi Waki (Charlotte in Genshin Impact)
• Land: Shouhei Komatsu (Hizen Tadahiro in Touken Ranbu)
• Laufen: Shizuka Ishigami (Benten in Urusei Yatsura)
• Lawine: Sayumi Suzushiro (Nijika in Bocchi the Rock)
• Richter: Eiji Hanawa (Connor in Detroit: Become Human)
• Sense: Haruka Terui (Yuna in Yuki Yuna is a Hero)
• Ubel: Ikumi Hasegawa (Arcueid in Tsukihime -A piece of blue glass moon-)
• Wirbel: Kisho Taniyama (Jean in Attack on Titan)

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is a story about the titular character, an Elven mage from a group of adventurers who saved the world. Himmel, a human hero, dies after Frieren returns from a fifty-year-long journey around the world to study magic, and Frieren regrets not taking the time to learn more about Himmel when he is still alive. With Fern, an orphan girl her former comrade adopted, Frieren goes on a journey in order to see Himmel’s soul and bid a proper farewell.

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is readily available on Crunchyroll, and the second cour will return on January 5, 2024.

The post Frieren Second Cour Key Visual Shows New Characters appeared first on Siliconera.

A special version of Volume 12 of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End will come out on December 18, 2023. It will come with a special short novel that was written specifically for the Frieren anime opening. [Thanks, Dengeki Online!]

The Frieren light novel is readily available to read on the official website for the show. But Volume 12 will come with a physical copy of the book. In total, there will be 32 pages, as well as three illustrations. Tsukasa Abe, who draws for the manga, worked on these pictures. Though it’s unclear who the author of the novelization is, the original writer Kanehito Yamada supervised the entire time. If you get the bundle, you will only get the novel. Volume 12 itself is the same no matter what.

This is not the first time that someone wrote an official short story for a show. Prior to Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury coming out, a short story was available on Sunrise’s website that focused on the Aerial’s feelings for a young Suletta. At the time, the author stated that reading the novel and then listening to the song again will affect how you feel about the lyrics.

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is readily available for streaming via Crunchyroll. The special bundle of Volume 12, which will include the novelization based on YOASOBI’s “Yuusha,” will come out in Japan on December 18, 2023.

The post Frieren Light Novel Comes with Volume 12 appeared first on Siliconera.

A new 1/7th scale figure of Frieren and Fern from the ongoing Fall 2023 anime series Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End appeared on Design Coco’s social media . The figure is being produced in collaboration with the animation studio Madhouse. Pre-orders will begin on October 13, 2023. Only a Japanese release is confirmed for now. A retail price has not yet been revealed.

The figure is based on a new illustration that was drawn by Frieren and Fern character designer Reiko Nagasawa. She illustrated it to commemorate the release of the anime adaptation.

Check out the prototype photo of the fully painted Frieren and Fern scale figure, as well as the artwork it was based on, in the gallery below:

[gallery link="file" columns="2" size="full" ids="989921,989922"]

Design Coco is well known for its anime figures. For example, the company released ones of Jujutsu Kaisen characters Yuji, Megumi, Suguru, and Panda. It also created a Genjyo Sanzo figure from Saiyuki Reload Zeroin.  

The Frieren and Fern from the ongoing anime series Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is in development. There's no release window for it yet. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End will continue airing through the Fall 2023 anime season and is available to stream on Crunchyroll. Viz Media handles the manga outside Japan.

The post New Frieren Figure Also Features Fern appeared first on Siliconera.

The Yoasobi opening theme song for the anime series Frieren: Beyond Journey's End ranked number one on the latest Oricon Weekly Digital Singles Ranking. The song is called "Yuusha.” As a reminder, Yoasobi is a duo made up of the Japanese artists Ayase and Ikura. This marks the duo’s 13th single to hit number one in their entire career. [Thanks, Oricon News!]

The song was written under the supervision of Kanehito Yamada, the original writer of Frieren: Beyond Journey's End. The anime series premiered with a two hour special on September 29, 2023. The full official music video for the song was ed four days ago on the Yoasobi YouTube channel.

You can watch the music video for “Yuusha” below:

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIBODIPC_8Y[/embed]

In addition to "Yuusha" hitting number one, the song recorded 26,000 s in its first week. On top of that, Yoasobi’s other popular single released earlier this year, "Idol," exceeded 500,000 s. It is the opening theme song for the anime series Oshi no Ko. It also recently appeared as a song for a dance troupe performance on America’s Got Talent.

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End will continue airing through the Fall 2023 anime season and is available to stream on Crunchyroll. Viz Media handles the manga outside Japan.

The post Frieren Opening Theme Song Is Another Yoasobi Hit appeared first on Siliconera.

For the 25th anniversary of Kon Satoshi’s Perfect Blue, Filmarks will release a remaster version of it in Japan on September 15, 2023. It will only be in theaters for a limited time. This is to commemorate not only Perfect Blue, but also Madhouse’s 50th anniversary. [Thanks, Dengeki Online!]

This is the first time that Perfect Blue has been remastered in 4K. However, some theaters will only play it in 2K. You will have to check your theater’s website to see which version it will play. The movie will appear in forty-four select theaters across Japan from September 15 to 28, 2023. As of the time of writing, it’s unclear if Madhouse or Filmarks plan on showing it in theaters outside of the country.

Perfect Blue is an animated psychological thriller that came out in 1997. It focuses on Mima Kirigoe, who was a member of a J-pop idol group before she left to pursue a career in acting. This decision caused massive fan outrage, and even results in one of them stalking her. Mima’s various stressors cause her to develop psychosis, and things get worse when a series of murders start occurring around her.

The Perfect Blue remaster will air in Japan from September 15, 2023 for a limited time. There's no word on a worldwide release yet.

The post Remaster of Perfect Blue to Air in Japan for 25th Anniversary appeared first on Siliconera.

More Cardcaptor Sakura is going to be on the horizon, as the official Twitter for the series announced an animated sequel to Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card. This news came out during Sakura Fes 2023. More information on the continuation of the show's story will appear in the future.

There is no new key visual for the show. Instead, there is art of Sakura and Kero from the 25th anniversary celebration. This is the same art that appeared when the 25th anniversary project was first revealed back in 2022. Cardcaptor Sakura first started airing in Japan in April 1998. The plot centers around Sakura Kinomoto, who accidentally sets loose all of the mysterious Clow cards, and thus must use her new powers as a Cardcaptor in order to seal them back again.

Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card is the sequel to the original Cardcaptor Sakura. The manga began serialization in 2016 and Madhouse produced the anime in 2018. In Clear Card, the Sakura Cards (which are powered-up versions of Clow card with Sakura as their new master) turn blank. She has to go and capture new transparent cards—the eponymous Clear Cards—with the help of her boyfriend Syaoran and her old friends.

Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card is available for streaming on Crunchyroll. The sequel is in development.

The post Cardcaptor Sakura Clear Card Sequel in the Works appeared first on Siliconera.

The anime adaptation of the manga Frieren will premiere in Japan in Fall 2023. The announcement came along with a new trailer and details about its staff and cast. [Thanks, Numan!]

Check out the trailer below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5ZEiJyqDKU

Frieren (also known as Frieren: Beyond Journey's End or Sousou no Frieren) is based on a manga by Kanehito Yamada and Tsukasa Abe. The manga originally debuted in April 2020, and has nine volumes as of late 2022. The anime series is being produced by Studio Madhouse (Death Note, One-Punch Man Season 1, Overlord), with Bocchi the Rock! Director Keiichiro Saito at the helm. The screenplays will come from Tomohiro Suzuki, who worked on ACCA: 13-Territory Inspection Dept. and Boogiepop and Others. Character designs will be adapted by Reiko Nagasawa, who worked on takt op. Destiny. Violet Evergarden and Muv-Luv Alternative composer Evan Call will work on the show's music. Atsumi Tanezaki, who played Anya Forger in Spy x Family and Rio Futaba in Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai, will play Frieren.

The story of Frieren follows the eponymous elven mage, who was once part of a party that defeated the Demon King and restored peace to the land. However, that victory was just the beginning, as Frieren is a nearly immortal elf. She realizes at a funeral for one of her friends that she's destined to outlive most of her comrades, and goes on a journey to fulfill their last wishes, as well as form new connections.

Frieren premieres in the Fall 2023 anime season. Details on an international release have not yet been announced. The manga is published in English by Viz Media. Check out Jenni's impressions of the manga.

The post Frieren Anime Adaptation Premieres in Fall 2023 appeared first on Siliconera.

An anime Blu-Ray box of the Hunter Exam Arc and the Zoldyck Family Arc of Hunter x Hunter 2011 will be available on March 22, 2023. These arcs are the first two in the series, and cover episodes 1 through 26. Other than the Blu-Ray discs, the box will come with extras like a radio CD. [Thanks, Dengeki Online!]

Technically speaking, there will only be 25 episodes in the Blu-Ray box. This is because episode 13 was a recap episode. For exclusive goodies with the Hunter x Hunter Blu-Ray box, there will be the “Han Megumi and Ise Mariya’s Hunter x Hunter Hunter Studio Returns” CD. This was the radio show that aired during the show’s original run. There will also be a 20-page booklet. Finally, everything will come in a box that has art from the character designer Takahiro Yoshimatsu.

Han and Ise, who voice Gon and Killua, respectively, also left comments about what they from the initial Hunter x Hunter anime voice-acting sessions. Both of them stated that they felt like it was a dream come true to voice for Hunter x Hunter, and that they did their best to stay grounded and focused in the studio. For Han in particular, as Gon was one of her very first television series roles, she said that she started her voice acting journey from an environment she is thankful of.

The Hunter x Hunter Hunter Exam Arc and Zoldyck Family Arc Blu-Ray box will be available on March 22, 2023. It will cost 33,000 JPY, or $249.30. The Hunter x Hunter manga briefly returned on October 2022 but it is on hiatus again.

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The Night Warriors: Darkstalkers' Revenge anime is coming back. Discotek Media announced a Darkstalkers: The Complete OVA Collection Blu-ray release the evening of March 14, 2022. It will prepare a remastered version of the four-episode Madhouse animated adaptation for a May 2022 release. As part of the announcement, it showed a teaser of how it will look, what people will find on the disc, and what folks will see in its gallery.

The main characters in this Darkstalkers anime are Morrigan, Demitri, Donovan, and Pyron, though characters like Felicia, Hsien-Ko, Bishamon, and Jon Talbain also show up. Both Japanese and English voice acting will be available. There will be a gallery, subtitles that use characters’ English and Japanese names, promo and trailer videos for the anime and games, and clean ending and epilogue options.

Here's a peek at some of its gallery inclusions.
[gallery columns="5" ids="920158,920159,920160,920162,920163" link="file"]

And this is how the upscaled, restored footage will look.

But that new upscaled video is the high point.

A comparison clip to show you how much different Darkstalkers looks now. pic.twitter.com/zi2EYegJ4q

— Discotek Media (@discotekmedia) March 15, 2022

The preliminary box art also appeared.

A look at the packaging & the disc label.

These really came out excellent. pic.twitter.com/K3tYtsvoc1

— Discotek Media (@discotekmedia) March 15, 2022

The Darkstalkers: The Complete OVA Collection anime Blu-ray will be out in May 2022.

The post Darkstalkers: The Complete OVA Collection Anime Blu-ray Announced appeared first on Siliconera.

People have a chance to sample an older Marvel Anime series. The first episode of the Madhouse Iron Man anime is now available on YouTube. People can watch the entire “Japan: Enter Iron Man” dubbed episode online. There is no option to watch it with Japanese voice acting and English subtitles. [Thanks, Anime News Network!]

The series begins as Tony Stark is about to retire. He’s created a new Iron Man Dio suit of armor. As he’s working on the Japanese Arc Station and preparing it, the Zodiac Order’s agents begin causing trouble. Rather than stepping back from his role, Stark must now don the Iron Man suit again and deal with troubles with the Arc Station, Dio armor, and Zodiac Order.

Here’s the full first episode of the Marvel Iron Man anime. The full story is told over a 12 episode arc.

It is unknown if additional episodes of the Iron Man anime will appear via Throwback Toons, though clips of other Marvel Anime series did appear. For example, there are quite a few snippets from the X-Men series, with the most recent one involving Takeo.

Marvel Anime Iron Man episode one is now available on YouTube. All 12 episodes are available on Blu-ray and DVD. The other four series in this line are Blade, Wolverine and X-Men.

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