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All 27 "Crayon Shin-chan Movie" series can be streamed for free! "Crayon Shin-chan: Honeymoon Hurricane ~The Lost Hiroshi~" appears for the first time on ABEMA
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From "JoJo: Golden Wind" comes business suits! Giorno & Bucciarati are ready for action!
From TV anime “JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind” comes blazers and pants (slacks) which can be worn together as business suits inspired by Giorno Giovanna and Bruno Bucciarati. Pre-orders are available at “Premium Bandai” until Dec. 26, 2019.
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August 27, 2019 By: Koutarou Nakase (Translated by vrusshie & Matthew ), 25544 views
「BanG Dream!」 the 4th Tie-up with Lawson! In-store Broadcasting With Saaya Yamabuki and Original Goods
「BanG Dream! Girls Band Party!」 and its 4th tie-up with Lawson as of September the 3rd, has been revealed. The campaign is to give out a limited quantity of originals goods which will be sold on a first-come-first-serve basis
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August 28, 2019 By: Kagerou Mikazuki (Translated by Elizabeth & Jit ), 23758 views
The 2nd PV for Ahiru no Sora has been released! Don’t miss out on the hot scene featuring a freakishly tall basketball player!
The 2nd PV for TV anime Ahiru no Sora has been released and features the passionate plays of a freakishly tall basketball club member. Broadcasting information was released at the same time. The series will be aired on TV Tokyo’s channel 6 starting on October 2nd.
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The rising star, Chinese cosplayer Kitaro shows her willingness to work in Japan!
We have interviewed Kitaro, the Chinese cosplayer who belongs to the same production as Enako, a cosplayer with top-class popularity in Japan. Here is the interview along with cosplay photos such as Elizabeth from “The Seven Deadly Sins” and Gabriel from “Monster Strike”.
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August 27, 2019 By: MoA (Translated by トナカイ(JJ) & Chris ), 22235 views
「Gundam Build Divers」 Gundam AGEII Magnum SV ver. is added to the HG series line-up! Replication of “FX Plosion” mode.
「Gundam AGEII Magnum SV ver.」 piloted by Kujo Kyoya in 『Gundam Build Divers』 gets a gunpla kit with a scale of 1/144(HG). Currently available for pre-order on Premium Bandai.
The 2nd PV for Ahiru no Sora has been released! Don’t miss out on the hot scene featuring a freakishly tall basketball player!
The 2nd PV for TV anime Ahiru no Sora has been released and features the passionate plays of a freakishly tall basketball club member. Broadcasting information was released at the same time. The series will be aired on TV Tokyo’s channel 6 starting on October 2nd.
「Gundam Build Divers」 Gundam AGEII Magnum SV ver. is added to the HG series line-up! Replication of “FX Plosion” mode.
「Gundam AGEII Magnum SV ver.」 piloted by Kujo Kyoya in 『Gundam Build Divers』 gets a gunpla kit with a scale of 1/144(HG). Currently available for pre-order on Premium Bandai.
「BanG Dream!」 the 4th Tie-up with Lawson! In-store Broadcasting With Saaya Yamabuki and Original Goods
「BanG Dream! Girls Band Party!」 and its 4th tie-up with Lawson as of September the 3rd, has been revealed. The campaign is to give out a limited quantity of originals goods which will be sold on a first-come-first-serve basis
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“The Summer Hikaru Died” Captivates AX 2025 — Interview with Chiaki Kobayashi (Voice of Yoshiki Tsujinaka) 
At Anime Expo 2025, the North American premiere of “The Summer Hikaru Died” was met with an overwhelmingly enthusiastic reception. Despite being screened prior to its official broadcast in Japan, the anime filled the venue and left a deep impression on local fans. We sat down with voice actor Chiaki Kobayashi, who plays Yoshiki Tsujinaka, to hear his thoughts on the AX experience, cultural differences between fans, and what he hopes international viewers will take away from the series.
ー How did the atmosphere at AX feel to you?
Even though it was before the broadcast (*), I was really surprised that the venue was completely packed. There were even people who couldn't get inside, saying things like “Please let us in!” and that really caught me off guard, but I was also very happy. Even though there’s a supernatural entity like “Hikaru,” “The Summer Hikaru Died” is a story that strongly reflects a Japanese rural village atmosphere, so at first I thought it might not feel very relatable to American audiences. But maybe because of that—or maybe because there’s something else that transcends that—I don’t know, but seeing so many people showing interest in the series right in front of my eyes made me really excited to see how they’ll react once it starts airing. (*The interview and panel were conducted prior to the anime’s broadcast.)— You did get a sense like “Ah, this is how it’s being accepted,” right?
We held a screening event in Japan too, but I felt like there were way more people laughing here in the US. Even in tense scenes, if there’s anything remotely funny, everyone laughs. So I could really see that the way people enjoy entertainment is different from Japanese fans, and that was a lot of fun.— What were you most looking forward to at AX?
The thing I looked forward to most was being able to directly feel the passion from the fans. Even in Japan, I get to attend events for various works, but the atmosphere from the audience is different even between Tokyo and Osaka, you know? So when you're in another country entirely, the reactions are completely different, and that’s something I always enjoy seeing.— It did feel like you were building the stage together with the audience during the talk panel.
They call out your name just because you answered a question—there aren’t many places in Japan where that happens (laughs).— Have you participated in any other overseas events before? Do you notice any differences between Japanese and American fans?
Actually, I’ve never been to any overseas events aside from AX. So I guess I’m an “AX-exclusive international voice actor” (laughs). As for differences between Japanese and American fans, I think Japanese fans also feel moved or laugh at the same scenes as American fans, but maybe because they’re more conscious of those around them, they don’t express it outwardly. So during events it can be hard to tell how they’re feeling, but when I read online reactions later, I go, “Oh, so they actually did enjoy it,” and feel reassured. American fans, on the other hand, don’t worry about how others perceive them. If they think something’s funny, they laugh out loud. If they think something’s amazing, they’ll clap. They really show their emotions. For us on stage, when they do that, it really creates the feeling that we’re building the event together, and I’m very grateful for that.— Was there any message or moment from overseas fans during the “The Summer Hikaru Died” panel that particularly stood out to you?
They clapped after every single question. Even when I answered in Japanese and the interpreter translated it into English afterward, they still applauded. Even during other panels, every time someone spoke, they’d get all excited and cheer and clap, and I felt an incredible amount of respect from the audience toward all the speakers. That’s why it really felt like we were giving and receiving joy back and forth. Like, “Wow, if they’re enjoying this so much, I want to keep talking!” That kind of feeling naturally comes up. The applause and cheers really made me happy—definitely a unique trait of overseas fans.— Is there any line or phrase you’d like to say in English for your overseas fans?
Everyone who came to the venue—didn’t we all spend the same hour or two together during the event? So whenever I do an event for a show I star in, I always hope that people go home thinking, “That was a special time, different from the rest of the day.” So at the end, I like to do a call-and-response thing. In Japan, we do something like calling out “Hikaru ga Shinda (Hikaru Died)” or “Natsu (Summer).” But with the English title “The Summer Hikaru Died”, I wasn’t sure how to break it up for a call-and-response. Like, “Hikaru Died” sounds kind of violent (laughs). In the end, we didn’t have time to do it, but I’d love to come up with a call-and-response for the English version of The Summer Hikaru Died and try it sometime.— Finally, do you have a message for the fans?
Thank you once again for taking the time to read this interview. I’m truly a huge fan of this work myself, and I can say with confidence that it’s a story you’ll find genuinely compelling. Although “The Summer Hikaru Died” takes place in a rural Japanese village that even I’ve never visited, I firmly believe it’s a series that people around the world can relate to and enjoy. I would be very happy if many of you could watch it and follow the journey of Hikaru and Yoshiki.2nd
“The Summer Hikaru Died” Premieres at Anime Expo 2025, Moving Fans with Panel Talk by Creator Mokumokuren and Voice Actor Chiaki Kobayashi 
The highly anticipated TV anime “The Summer Hikaru Died” (original manga published by KADOKAWA; anime co-produced by CyberAgent and KADOKAWA; animation production by CygamesPictures) held its North American premiere screening and special talk panel on July 4 at Anime Expo 2025, North America's largest annual anime convention, held in Los Angeles this year from July 3 to 6.
The event featured an exclusive screening of Episode 1, followed by a panel discussion with the original manga creator Mokumokuren, voice actor Chiaki Kobayashi (who voices Yoshiki Tsujinaka), and producers Chiaki Kurakane (KADOKAWA) and Manami Kabashima (CyberAgent). The venue welcomed a full house of nearly 2,000 excited fans eager to see this haunting and emotionally-packed new anime before anyone else.
Episode 1 Premiere Leaves Fans in Awe
The panel opened with the premiere screening of the first episode, introducing viewers to the rural Japanese summer setting where high school student Yoshiki Tsujinaka begins to notice unsettling changes in his childhood friend Hikaru—who seems to have been replaced by something eerily identical. From the very first frame, the emotionally tense storytelling and striking visuals drew the audience in. The screening ended to a thunderous applause with audible exclamations of awe from the audience.
The Cast and Creators Share the Story Behind the Anime
Following the premiere screening, manga creator Mokumokuren, voice actor Chiaki Kobayashi, and the two producers took the stage for a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the anime.
When asked about her thoughts on the anime adaptation, Mokumokuren admitted, “I was kind of expecting [the manga to be made into an anime]—so I wasn’t that surprised when the offer came. But I had a strong sense of what could be changed [in the story] and what absolutely shouldn’t be. I was very involved throughout the process.” Her remarks made her deep trust in the production team evident.
Voice actor Chiaki Kobayashi, who plays Yoshiki in the anime, reflected on landing the role: “I thought the story was really fascinating even when I was auditioning for the role, so I was thrilled to become a part of it.”
When asked about casting Chiaki Kobayashi as Yoshiki, producer Chiaki Kurakane shared some behind-the-scenes insights: “Given Yoshiki’s emotional subtlety, the nuance in his shifting feelings, and the growth his character goes through, we knew we needed someone with Kobayashi’s range. After discussions with the director and Mokumokuren, it was nearly unanimous—we all felt Kobayashi was the right choice.”
Producer Manami Kabashima also spoke about the team’s meticulous approach to the anime’s production: “As a horror series, we didn’t want to rely on loud sounds or sudden shocks to scare the audience. Instead, Director Takeshita and the team at CygamesPictures have been exploring how to create a more quiet kind of horror—like the constant sense that something might be there—through expertly utilizing sound, color, and direction.”
The audience responded with enthusiastic applause as the panelists offered valuable behind-the-scenes insights into the production.
Scenes That Stayed With the Panelists
When asked which scenes from Episode 1 left the strongest impression on them, Mokumokuren highlighted one particularly chilling moment: “The scene where the red light outside the police box starts blinking as Yoshiki’s inner thoughts slip out—that was originally conveyed through text in the manga. I was amazed at how the director turned that into a purely visual expression.”
Kobayashi pointed to one particular line that stuck with him: “Yoshiki’s line, ‘You’re not really Hikaru, are you?’ is normally something you’d expect at the climax of a story. The fact that it’s delivered right at the start really sets the tone.”
As the discussion continued, Kobayashi shared further insights into how he performed his role, while the producers teased what fans can expect in future episodes. The panel concluded to enthusiastic cheers from the audience and heartfelt messages from each panelist.
Messages from the Panel
Manami Kabashima (Producer, CyberAgent):
“The story really takes off after Episode 1, and I hope you'll stay with us and enjoy every episode to the end.”
Chiaki Kurakane (Producer, KADOKAWA):
“Although this series is framed as a youth horror, it’s also a mystery and drama that explores human relationships in complex ways. We want each viewer to enjoy it in their own way, from whatever angle resonates with them most.”
Chiaki Kobayashi (Voice of Yoshiki Tsujinaka):
“‘The Summer Hikaru Died’ is a visually stunning series with a beautiful soundtrack. While it’s set in a quiet rural town in Japan, it deals with themes that I think are universally relatable. I truly believe audiences here in L.A. will enjoy it too—so please look forward to it!”
Mokumokuren (Original Creator):
“The TV anime adaptation of ‘The Summer Hikaru Died’ has stayed true to the core of the original story, while evolving into something even more powerful through animation. I think it’s a faithful and honest adaptation. The manga is still going as well, so I hope you’ll keep reading it.”
Episode 1“Replacement” Stills and Synopsis
In celebration of Anime Expo 2025, the stills and synopsis for Episode 1 of “The Summer Hikaru Died” have also been made available.
Episode 1 “Replacement” serves as a powerful introduction to the emotionally charged and unsettling world of “The Summer Hikaru Died.” The newly released stills capture key moments from the premiere episode, hinting at the tension and mystery that drive the story forward.
Watch the Episode 1 Preview Here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LV4i5VkCuJM
The anime “The Summer Hikaru Died” is streaming worldwide on Netflix as of July 5, 2025.
Episode 1 “Replacement” Synopsis:
On a sweltering summer day, Yoshiki realizes that his best friend Hikaru—who had smiled beside him throughout their childhood—is no longer the same. Though this “Hikaru” looks and talks just like him, it's something else entirely. In their stifling, isolated village, Hikaru was the only person Yoshiki could ever truly trust. Desperate not to lose that bond, he chooses to accept the imposter—and vows to tell no one. About “The Summer Hikaru Died”
“The Summer Hikaru Died” is a hit horror manga series about an ordinary high school boy, Yoshiki, who experiences various mysterious incidents in his daily life with Hikaru, or rather, a mysterious entity who is imitating his best friend Hikaru. The story of that "something" and Yoshiki’s mentality has garnered significant attention, making it a must-see anime series.Follow “The Summer Hikaru Died” on Social Media:
Official Website:https://hikanatsu-anime.com/ Official X:https://x.com/hikaru_anime_en Official YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@hikaru_anime_enIntroduction