The seas of One Piece may be wild and turbulent, but they aren't necessarily unconquerable. There is a constant power struggle between the World Government and the pirates, and they have yet to break the stalemate. On the pirates' side, the Four Emperors of the Sea reign supreme. Each Em?peror not only possesses terrifying might, but also a reliable crew following their lead.

These crews are more than just a collection of powerful in?dividuals. They are the embodiment of their captain’s ideals. Here's what each crew seems to uphold.

The Whitebeard Pirates are one big family

The Whitebeard Pirates, led by th??e late Edward Newgate or Whitebeard, represent the idea of a big family. The crew deeply puts importance on loyalty and camaraderie. As such, familial bond is central to the crew's identity.

Whitebeard's desire for a family stems from his own childhood as an orphan. He cherished the idea that having a family is the greatest treasure one can possess, a belief tha??t became a guiding principle in his life and leadership. This longing fueled his ambition to create a crew that mirrored the warmth and support of a family unit. Importantly, Whitebeard’s definition of family transcends blood relations. He viewed each member of his crew as his own child, nurturing and protecting them fiercely.

His crew's organization followed a typical rank and file. His main crew was divided into different divisions, led by a powerful member of the crew. Marco?? the Phoen??ix held the position of First Division Commander, while Portgas D. Ace was the Second Division Commander. The Whitebeard Pirates also had a number of affiliated pirate crews, like Whirl Spider Squard who stabbed Whitebeard during the Paramount War.

The Big Mom Pirates are one big family, literally

When it comes to family, Big Mom and her kin?? can't be overlooked. Big Mom and her children make up the crew's main force. The Charlotte siblings do everything to appease their matriarch, though it mostly boils down to feeding her.

Unsurprisingly, Big Mom’s love for food has profoundly shaped her rule and the crew’s lifestyle. Each island under her control in Totto Land represents a specific food theme, creat??ing a “land of sweets�?that reflects her deepest desires. Furthermore, food plays a major role in her crew's ranks.

The crew is naturally led by Big Mom herself. Ju??st below her are her strongest children, the Sweet Commanders. After taking down Charlotte Snack, Urouge managed to reduce the Four Sweet Commanders to three. The remaining ones are Katakuri, Smoothie, and Cracker. Furthermore, the Big Mom Pirates' Devil Fruit abilities are food-related. For instance, Katakuri possesses the power of the Mochi-Mochi Fruit, while Cracker has the Bis-Bis Fruit.

The Animal Kingdom Pirates are rather tanky

The Animal Kingdom Pirates, led by the monstrous Kaido, are a crew built for war. Structured around strength and endurance, this crew is composed of powerful individuals who thrive in combat. True to their name, they heavily rely on Zoan Devil Fruits. In fact, Kaido even imports artificial Devil Fruits for a chance to give his followers anim??alistic abilities.

It? isn't surprising as Kaido himself is known as The Strongest Creature. He has the Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon. His Devil Fruit's tough scales in addition to Kaido's natural sturdiness allow him to tank mos??t attacks. Similarly, his followers adopt a similar fighting style. They use their tough bodies to take and deal physical damage from their opponents.

Under Kaido’s rule, the Animal Kingdom Pirates are motivated by sheer surv?ival and dominance, embodying a “survival of the fittest�?mentality. Those at the lowest of the hierarchy can climb thei?r way by taking down those with higher positions.

Devil Fruits aren't a thing in Emperor Shanks' Red-Hair Pirates

S?hanks' Red-Hair Pirates embrace the concept of true pirate freedom, l??iving by a code of honor and respect that sets them apart from more ruthless crews. At least, we are led to believe so.

This crew functions as a cl??ose-knit band of ??brothers, with Shanks serving as both captain and friend to each member. Unlike other Emperors, Shanks values the bonds of trust within his crew over brute strength alone. Even his affiliated pirate crews are known to be weak in terms of battle prowess.

However, the Red-Hair Pirates are far from weak, and being the only remaining Emperor crew of the original Four Emperors is a testament to that. Interestingly, the Red-Hair Pirates consist of non-Devil Fruit users. They utilize pure physical ability and Haki to obliterate anyone brave enough to cross them. For instance, Captain Kid.

Blackbeard Pirates will do anything to realize their goals

The Blackbeard Pirates, under the command of the cunning and ambitious Marshall D. Teech, are known for their ruthlessness and willingness to do anything to achieve their goals. Teech and his crew embody the most “pirat??e-like�?qualities among the Emperor crews. Blackbeard himself has a penchant for deception, betrayal, and an insatiable thirst for power. His crew follows suit, united by a common drive for personal gain and a willingness to bend the rules to achieve their aims.

Contrary to Shanks' Red-Hair Pirates, the Blackbeard Pirates are a group consisting of Devil Fruit users. It's not really that surprising since Blackbeard is the only One Piece ch??aracte??r to possess two abilities. His Dark-Dark Fruit also allows him, presumably, to take and bestow Devil Fruit abilities.

The Blackbeard Pirates embody the philosophy that power should be seized by any means necessary. They believe t??hat pirates can only be united by a common interest and not camaraderie or any of that cheesy stuff.

The Straw Hat Pirates chase dreams

The Straw Hat Pirates have started as a motley crew of one, yet they've undeniably gone far. From a young kid playing pirate, Luffy has effectively become one of the strongest personas in the sea as an Emperor. However, his journey doesn't end there. He ultimately dreams of becoming the Pirate King. Unsurprisingly, Luffy's Straw Hat Pirates are bonded by not only camaraderie but also the pursuit of their individual dreams.

Together, the Straw Hat Pirates embody the spirit of adventure and the belief that dreams are worth fighting for. None of the Straw Hats believe that any dream is laughable, no matter how absurd it may be. They wholeheartedly believe not onl?y in t??heir dreams but their crewmates' as well.

Interestingly, the Straw Hat Pirates are also the least in number. Their main crew only consists of ten people, though they now have the Straw Hat Grand Fleet sailing under their Jolly Roger.

Cross Guild is not only the home of an Emperor but also mischiefs

The Cross Guild is yet another interesting story of one's rise to piracy. Buggy the Clown may be the pr?onounced Emperor and Cross Guild's proclaimed leader, but the true puppeteers are Crocodile and Mihawk. Even so, Buggy does his fair share to the crew.

Cross Guild is deeply rooted in Buggy's hard work. Most of its members are Impel Down escapees or mercenaries of Buggy's Delivery. Even if he isn't that much of a threat in a fight, Buggy is still a genius jester. Through clever manipu?lations and a flair for the dramatic, Buggy has convinced his followers of his “legendary�?status, even when much of it stems from exaggerated tales and opportunistic deception.

The post Every Emperor crew in One Piece, explained appeared first on Destructoid.

One Piece's official accounts recently announced the anime's six-month hiatus. However, fans of the series will not be left unattended. A special episode called One Piece Fan Letter and One Piece Log: Fish-Man Island Saga will take the anime's time slot. The former has already been released, while the latter is set ?to air the week after.

Unfortunately, official One Piece channels just announced that the remaster will be postponed to make way for Major League Baseball (MLB) World Series' live broadcast. One Piece Log: Fish-Man Island Saga was originally set to release on October 27. The? first episode's release date has now changed to November ?3.

The remaster will revamp the Straw Hat Pirates' adventure on the kingdom under the sea. It will not only improve upon the shading, animation, and special effects, but also compress the original 58 episodes into 21 episodes. Doing so will likely improve the anime's pacing, which One Piece is notoriously known for. Furthermore, the saga will feature?? a Dolby Atmos soundtrack, offering a contemporary retelling of the Straw Hats�?underwater journey.

A complete recap of the Fish-Man Island Arc's most notable moments can be found here. But to put it briefl?y, the Fish-Man Island Arc will see the Straw Hat Pirates return after their two-year training. Stronger and more skil?led than ever, the crew is finally ready to take on the New World. However, their first challenge lies beneath the ocean in the mysterious and politically fraught Fish-Man Island.

One Piece Log: Fish-Man Island Saga will be available for streaming via Crunchyroll. Other seasons of One Piece can also be streamed through Crunchyroll and Netflix. However, availabil?ity may vary depending on region.

The post One Piece Log: Fish-Man I??sland Saga postponed to Nov??ember 3 appeared first on Destructoid.

The One Piece anime is having a six-month break and will be returning on April next ??year. The break is to give the production team a much-deserved rest time, as well as preparation for a better adaptation of the Egghead Arc. However, fans of the anime aren't simply left hanging. A remaster of the Fish-Man Island Arc will air in its place.

The original Fish-Man Island Arc ran for 58 episodes, but the remaster will only have 21 episodes. Furthermore, the remaster will? also enhance the original's art, animation, and effects. And so, here are some moments to look forward to rewatch.

The Straw Hat Pirates' return after the timeskip

The Fish-Man Island Arc marks the long-awaited reunion of the Straw Hat Pirates after two years of separation. Seeing them get back together as a ??crew for the first time was undeniably thrilling, and doing so for the second time surprisingly offers the same excitement. Naturally, however, there won't be much surprise this time around, since w??e already know how the Straw Hats look after their long training. On the contrary, it does allow us to focus more on details we may have missed during the first run.

As their debut post-timeskip, the Straw Hats made an explosive showcase of their skills during this arc. Each one gets a chance to hog the ?spo??tlight as the crew fights and escapes from the Marines.

More than the Straw Hat Pirates, I am very much looking forward to seeing some of my favorite One Piece characters get more air ti?me �?Demalo Black and his crew. If you don't remember who they are, that's no skin off your nose. They are the ragtag group that posed as the Straw Hats, even advertising a recruitment campaign. While they don't offer any narrative importance, they are, in my opinion, one of the best gags in the series.

Straw Hat Pirates VS the New Fish-Man Pirates

The Straw Hat Pirates have a long history with Fish-Men, most notably through their previous encounter with Arlong. Arlong has always viewed Fish-Men as a s?uperior race. While Luffy stomped his face to the ground, the Straw Hat wasn't able to extinguish that ideology. Hody Jones, who had long idolized Arlong, inherited that ?belief and aimed to rule Fish-Man Island himself. As such, he and his allies became the arc's main antagonists.

Interestingly enough, Hody Jones and his army of Fish-Men weren't motivated by any tragic experience. They were products of bred hate, making th??em nothing more than terrorists. Even so, their numbers were nothing to scoff at. They had a hundred thousand members, though they only served as a testament to how much stronger the Straw Hat Pirates had become.

Luffy and the others didn't have that much of a hard time kicking Hody and his henchmen's asses. In fact, Luffy easily knocked half of their numbers with his Conqueror??'s Haki, then proceeded to beat up Hody like a sandbag. The other Straw Hats also proceeded to unveil their new arsenal.

Chopper unleashed his new for?m, the Horn Point, while Franky debuted some of his new inventions. Usopp and Nami also brandished their new equipment, knocking down a number of enemy Fish-Men along the way. Furthermore, Robin, Brook, and?? Zoro showed some of their new moves. Unfortunately for Sanji, his greatest contribution to the arc is his gigantic mermaid-shaped nosebleed.

Queen Otohime's sacrifice for the future of Fish-Man Island

Queen Otohime might be weak and frail, but her determination to pursue her vision of unity between humans and Fish-Men is beyond outstanding. She was a leader who firmly believed in peaceful coexistence, despite the longstandi??ng hate prejudice the two races harbored against each other.

Otohime relentlessly gave a speech on the island, trying to convince her fellow sea dwellers to sign for her cause. Even though she had seen notable success initially, the Fish-Men and Mermaids slowly withdrew their signatures after a series of unfortunate events??. First was the death of Fisher Tiger, who was known as the hero of Fish-Men. Another turning point of her campaign was the arrival of Donquixote Mjosgard, a Celestial Dr?agon.

The ship carrying the World Nobles crashed into the island. Queen Otohime rushed to the scene amongst many others. But being the despicable creatures that they were, Mjosgard was not only ungrateful for the help, he even held the queen at gunpoint. Even so, Otohime only showed him kindness, even? pleading for Aladine to help tread the Celestial Dragon's wound. Eventually, Mjosgard and the others left the islan??d safely, though still with no remorse or gratitude. But given the recent developments in the anime, this scene will elicit different emotions when watching the second time around.

After returning from her trip with the Celestial Dragons, Queen Otohime's cause saw some progress. Unfortunately, it once again regressed ??upon he?r tragic end.

Jimbei, the Sun Pirates, and Koala's backstory

Fisher Tiger was another believer in co-existing with men and Fish-Men. But while Queen Otohime wanted to unite the two races, Fisher Tiger firmly believed in having them living separately. Nonetheless, he and his Sun Pirates were important historical figures for the Fish-Men. His experience as a slave in Mary Geoise had left him with a deep-seated resen?tment toward humans, and while he did not seek revenge, ?he harbored no desire to mingle with them either.

Fisher Tiger’s most significant act was leading the raid o??n Mary Geoise to liberate the slaves �?both humans and Fish-Men �?who were suffering under the World ??Government’s brutal rule. Among the freed slaves was the young Koala, though her meeting with the Sun Pirates wouldn't occur until three years later. When the Sun Pirates docked into the island where Koala was staying, the inhabitants asked Tiger to keep the girl with them.

Tiger ultimately agreed, and the Sun Pirates made Koala do chores for them. Arlong was obviously hostile toward the human child, though Hatchan kept holding him back. With her tragic experience as a slave, Koala didn't shed a single tear, ??begging to be kept alive as she didn't cry. Seeing this, Fisher Tiger and the others slowly warmed up toward her. Tiger also told her it was fine for her to cry.

Unfortunately, the Sun Pirates also didn't have a better ending than Queen Otohime. After bring??ing Koala back to her hometown, the Marines ambushed the Sun Pirates with the help of the island's inhabitants. The scruffle ultimately resulted in Fisher Tiger meeting h??is end due to blood loss.

When the Fish-Man Island Arc first aired, this tragic backstory simply weaved together Tiger, Jimbei, and Arlong's relationships. But a handful of arcs later, we learned that this arc also set the stage for Koala, who eventually became a key member of the Revolutionary Army.

The post Most exciting moments of One Piece’s Fish-Man Island Arc appeared first on Destructoid.

DAN DA DAN is one of the promising new series of the Fall 2024 an??ime season, and it's certainly delivering on expectations. Just within three episodes, the anime already introduced a number of mythical creatures, including the famed Turbo Granny.

Th??e weenie-loving old hag has certainly earned herself a number of fans. However, is?? she actually based on real folklore? Yes, she is.

Turbo Granny in DAN DA DAN

In DAN DA DAN, Turbo Granny is a high-speed, malevolent entity that the protagonist, Ken Takakura or Okarun encounters in the pilot episode. She is a visually terrifying spirit, with the appearance of an old, emaciated woman with an exaggeratedly withered face and wild hair. Despite her frail appearance, she is renowned ??for her abilit??y to move at superhuman speed. She uses this speed to aggressively chase down her victims, eagerly attempting to get her hands on her victim's privates.

Unfortunately for Okarun, he became one of Turbo Granny's v?ictims, though he was partly at fault. In his attempt to disprove supernatural phenomena to Momo, he agreed to go to Turbo Granny's den. When the spirit did appear, it was already too late for him to escape. The ancient spirit took possession of both his body and balls. However, it wasn't all bad. By only partially transforming into Turbo Granny, Okarun could control the spirit's supernatural abilities while retaining his sanity.

Given Okarun's situation, Turbo Granny is not merely a throwaway monster of the week. She plays a larger role in Okarun's development, especially as the young, timid boy copes with the spirit's constant attempts ??to take over his body.

The urban legend behind the old lady

While DAN DA DAN presents a fictionalized and stylized version of Turbo Granny, her origins are rooted in Japanese urban legends. The real Turbo Granny is a well-known myth, particularly in Japan’s paranormal circles. Ac??cording to the legend, Turbo Granny is a spirit or apparition that haunts specific roads or highways, part??icularly in mountainous or rural areas.

She is said to appear as a disheveled old w???oman, sometimes driving or running at incredibly fast speeds, often chasing or challenging drivers to races. The legend bears similarities to other vehicular-themed Japanese spirits like the Teke-Teke, who also haunts roadways. Encounters with Turbo Granny in folklore are often foreboding. But unlike in the anime, she doesn't seek schlongs. Instead, it is a common belief that a meeting with her will cause accidents or misfortune.

The post Origins of Turbo Granny featured in DAN DA DAN appeared first on Destructoid.

DAN DA DAN continues to impress as one of the standout anime of the Fall 2024 season. With?????????????????????????? each new episode, fans get to know more bizarre and captivating paranormal entities. During the second episode, the Flatwoods Monster makes its debut.

But just like the Turbo Granny, the Flatwoods Monster is based on real-life cryptid legend that has fascinated UFO enthusiasts for decades. Reasonably, the one portrayed in DAN DA DAN isn't a one-to??-one copy of the?? one from urban legends.

Flatwoods Monster in DAN DA DAN

In DAN DA DAN, the Fl??atwoods Monster makes its debut in the anime's second episode. The creature is depicted as an alien with a strange, mechanical body, glowing eyes, and an eerie presence that sends shivers down the spines of anyone who comes across it. Its towering figure and otherworldly appearance make it one of the most menacing entities in the anime so far.

The Flatwood Monster appeared after Momo rem?oved the protective talisman attached to her residence's Torii gate. It quickly sealed the house's vicinity, preventing the duo from getting o??ut and re-attaching the talisman. Interestingly, the monster isn't without flaws. It primarily used sumo techniques, and it also surprisingly limited itself to sumo rules. The duo only needed to make it touch the ground to eliminate its limbs.

The series certainly took creative liberties in ??its portrayal of the Flatwoods Monster, amplifyin?g its threatening presence for dramatic effect. Even so, it is derived from real-world legends.

Urban legend behind the monster

The Flatwoods Monster, also known as the Braxton County Monster, originated from an incident in Flatwoods, We?st Virginia, in 1952. On September 12th of that year, several locals reported seeing a bright object streak across the sky and land in a nearby field. When they went to investigate, they encoun??tered a creature that became one of the most famous cryptids in UFO lore.

According to eyewitness accounts, the Flatwoods Monster was a towering figure of about 10 feet tall. It was clad in a metallic, skirt-like structure with glowing, orange-red eyes and a spade-shaped head. The monster emitted a noxious mist, which reportedly made some witnesses feel sick. The creature wa?s seen hovering near the crash site of what many believ??ed to be a UFO, sparking a wave of UFO sightings and cryptid reports in the area.

While skeptics have dismissed the Flatwoods Monster sighting as a misinterpretation of natural phenome??na �?claiming that the witnesses may have mistaken an owl perched on a tree for? an alien �?the legend continues to thrive in popular culture.

The post Origi?ns of Flatwoods Monster ?featured in DAN DA DAN appeared first on Destructoid.

The popular web novel and webcomic The Beginning After the End (TBATE), is set to receive an anime adaptation. The announcement came during a panel at New York Comic Con, surprising its millions of fans. Furthermore, Tapas claims that this is the first time an American web nove??l is getting an anime.

The announcement came ?with an official trailer and poster.

Studio A-Cat will be handling the anime, with Keitaro Motonaga (Date A Live and Katanagatari) as the director. Takamitsu Kono (Utawarerumono: The False Faces) is overseeing the scriptwriting, while Masami Sueoka will handle character design. Keiji Inai, known for his scores in Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?, will be composing the music.

Slow Curve is producing the an?ime. Meanwhile, TurtleMe, the original creator, takes on the role of story supervisor and executive producer. Ot??her executive producers include Gabrielle Luu, Mike Zhu, and Kevin Nicklaus.

TutleMe also offers a heartfelt message for the series' adaptation via the TBATE official X account.

A fan account on X (@DailyTBATE) translated the message to English:
"Dear viewers in Japan,

I am grateful to announce that The Beginning After the End is being adapted into an anime, a milestone made possible by your incredible support. Having grown up reading manga, it’s an honor to have my story recognized in the birthplace of anime and manga, one of my first influences in writing.

I’d like to thank Studio A-Cat for their hard work in adapting the story into an animation and Crunchyroll for making this all happen. Working with them has been a pleasure to bring this story to life in a new form.

My sincerest gratitude for your generous support and for celebrating this milestone with me!"

For the uninitiated, The Beginning After the End follows the story of Arthur Leywin, a once-powerful king reborn into a world filled with magic, mythical creatures, and danger at every turn. Previously known as King Grey, Arthur retains the memories and w?isdom of his past life. This gives him a unique perspective as he grows from infancy in his new world.

However, this second ??chance at life comes with its own challenges. As Arthur masters powerful magic, encounters fierce enemies, and uncovers the secrets of his reincarnation, he must protect those he loves and navigate a destiny that threatens to reshape the world of Dicathen.

While waiting for the 2025 anime release, both the TBATE web novel and webcomic are available on Tapas.

The post The Beginning After the End webcomic is offi?cially getti??ng an anime appeared first on Destructoid.

Every month or so, I embark on a quest to find my next slice-of-life anime obsession. There's something inherently captivating about the everyday experiences of an Average Joe, a welcome escape from the ups and downs of my real life. Fortunately, my search for a new anime binge was short-lived when I stumbled upon You Are Ms. Servant, a captivating story abo?ut a former assassin turned maid and a wealthy, amiable teenage boy.

The concept of a cold-blooded killer attempting to change their ways immediately piqued my interest. This was largely due to my fondness for Yor Forger from Spy x Family, another anime character who navigates a world of violence while maintaining a cozy family life. Initially, I couldn't help but draw comparisons ??between the two, but I soon realized that Ms. Servant, also known as Yuki, is a character with her own unique set of attributes and a compelling origin story.

You Are Ms. Servant begins with Yuki showing up at the doorst??eps of Hitoyoshi Yokoya, a high school student left alone in a big house. She asks Hitoyoshi to employ her as a servant after her previous master recommended that she go there. The reason for this career change isn't too apparent, but that just adds to her mystery. However, Yuki's idea of "serving" deviates from the typical house cleaning standards, as she only knows the ways of a murderous executioner. Essentially, all she did was take out the human trash before, bringing a new definition of what it means to be a maid. 

At first, Hitoyoshi hesitates to employ such a person (and rightfully so) until he eventually decides to just go with it. Even though they are ??complete strangers, the two create memories together that can either pull ?at your heartstrings or make you roll on the floor with laughter. The beginning plays more into the comedic approach, as Yokoya explains to Yuki how cleaning doesn't mean flushing out human scum. This leads to a bunch of hilarious scenes where she makes a sad attempt to tidy the house.

It's hilarious to watch a merciless killer clumsily mop a floor as if it's one of the hardest things she can do. Bu?t the part that really got me laughing out loud was when Yuki discovered the delicious wonders of tonkatsu sauce. She becomes so obsessed that a living embodiment of the sauce talks to her in her dreams. As someone who also loves tonkatsu, I completely understand. Plus, Yuki never really had a decent meal before, so everything tastes like a five-star meal to her. 

Yokoya's reactions to this, and pretty much anything she does for that matter, make ?it even more whimsical. Almost every scene has him looking dumbfounded at all the wild things she d??oes around the house. 

Then, sometimes, their dynamics completely change to a more seri??ous tone. Considering that both characters lived a pretty isolating life prior, they often go to a dark place in their minds. Even though I love to have a good laugh, I did appreciate this aspect of the anime. It adds a sense of realism that not everything is chipper, and it helped me understand who they are as characters as a whole.

It also brings a sense of mystery to the story, gradually uncovering the truth ab?out their past. There are brief snippets here and there regarding Yuki's violent upbringing and Hitoyoshi's peculiar family life. Each episode seems to add more pieces to the puzzle, leaving me wanting more to decipher the tangles of their past.

The blending of comedy and drama was a concept I didn't expect from You Are Ms. Servant. I know that mixing the two together can be challenging to do since they're utterly opposite from each other. Y??et, this anime has just the right balance of these elements. When th?e two characters are alone, it leans more on the drama scope through their loneliness. On the other hand, when they're together, it's more of a comedy anime to ease the tension. This balance creates a unique viewing experience, bringing out some of the most wholesome and emotional moments between the characters.

Despite only meeting not too long ago, Yuki and Hitoyoshi already have the makings of being a Found Family. This concept, often seen in anime, refers to a group of ??individuals who are not related by blood but form a close-knit, supportive unit. I like that it separates from the standard romantic-based anime, as the two learn to live and help each other regardless of their differences. They also establish a pretty good teamwork system, in which Yokoya shows Yuki the ropes of maintaining a clean house. I admire that they equa??lly put in the work, rather than having the maid just do everything. Honestly, I was worried that it would turn out that way at first, but I'm happy that the anime took a different direction by having them slogging away together. 

I've noticed that more and more anime have centered around the idea of a Found Family, including Spy x Family and Buddy Daddies. This further diversifies relationships, where not every familial bond is blood-related. Thankfully, You Are Ms. Servant adds to this uniquene?ss more with Yuki and Yokoya's distinct companionship.

All in all, you should definitely check out You Are Ms. Servant if you're looking for a cozy anime. The show has everything for a slice-of-life, from humor to wholesomeness to drama. You can expect episodes every Saturday on Crunchyroll. 

The post You Are Ms. Servant blends comedy and drama into a whimsical slice-o?f-life anime appeared first on Destructoid.

The Fall 2024 anime season is officially here, and it has a jam-packed lineup of new series to check out. However, new adaptations aren't the only ones taking the spotlight. This season also has multiple much-awaited returning franchises. Shangri-La Frontier Season 2 is among them.

The second season of Shangri-La Frontier is already airing, with the pilot episode premiering on October 13. Similar to the first season, it follows a weekly release format and is slated to have 25 episodes. As such, Season 2 will extend into early 2025, offering ?fans a long stretch of immersive storytelling. Below is the full release schedule:

• Episode 1: October 13, 2024
• Episode 2: October 20, 2024
• Episode 3: October 27, 2024
• Episode 4: November 3, 2024
• Episode 5: November 10, 2024
• Episode 6: November 17, 2024
• Episode 7: November 24, 2024
• Episode 8: December 1, 2024
• Episode 9: December 8, 2024
• Episode 10: December 15, 2024
• Episode 11: December 22, 2024
• Episode 12: December 29, 2024
• Episode 13: January 5, 2025
• Episode 14: January 12, 2025
• Episode 15: January 19, 2025
• Episode 16: January 26, 2025
• Episode 17: February 2, 2025
• Episode 18: February 9, 2025
• Episode 19: February 16, 2025
• Episode 20: February 23, 2025
• Episode 21: March 2, 2025
• Episode 22: March 9, 2025
• Episode 23: March 16, 2025
• Episode 24: March 23, 2025
• Episode 25: March 30, 2025

The second seaso??n's production will still be handled by C2C studio, with Toshiyuki Kubooka leading the team as the anime director. He will be assisted by Hiroki Ikeshita. Furthermore, Kazuyuki Fudeyasu will handle the anime com?position, while Ayumi Kurashima is in charge of character design.

What is Shangri-La Frontier about?

In Shangri-La Frontier, Rakuro Hizutome, a gamer known for his love of trash games, dives into a virtual reality world that is the polar opposite �?the titular masterfully crafted MMORPG. As a veteran of poorly designed games, Sunraku (Rakuro's in-game name) approaches this high-quality game with a unique perspective, applying?? his skills honed in buggy, unbalanced games to the intricately designed world of Shangri-La Frontier.

The first season of the anime aired from October 2023 to March 2024. If you have forgotten some of the details, you can read through the comprehensive recap of Season 1's important plot poi?nts. In brief, the second season will likely see Wolfgang's expansion and future activiti??es, including taking on the remaining Colossi.

The second season is available for streaming on a number of streaming platforms, ?including Crunchyroll and Netflix. However, availability may vary depending on region.

The post Shangri-??La Frontier Season 2 full release schedule appeared first on Destructoid.

The One Piece anime hits its fans with a surprise announcement. The bel?oved anime adaptation of Eiichiro Oda’s legendary manga wi?ll be going on hiatus until April 2025. The news was officially revealed via an announcement video, which confirmed that the anime will resume its Egghead arc next spring.

The hiatus will allow the anime's production team to "recharge," as confirmed during the live-streamed special titled "One Piece News #1." To fill the gap left by the hiatus, the One Piece Fan Letter special will air on October 20, followed by a special edited version of the fan-favorite Fish-Man Island arc on October 27.

According to Anime News Network, this version of the arc will offer a fresh viewing experience, featuring r?etouched art, enhanced color shading and lighting, special effects, and a Dolby Atmos soundtrack.

In addition to the anime, One Piece is expanding its presence in the digital space. One Piece Base, a new smartphone app featuring a manga viewer and other franchise-related cont??ent, launches in Japan on Sunday. However, the app is also slated to be released globally next year.

The app will allow users to unlock chapters using points. These points can be earned via scanning barcodes from One Piece merchandise, logging into the app daily, and inviting fri??ends. The app also includes the portrait maker which transforms fans' selfies in?to art reminiscent of Oda's signature style.

The post One Piece anime is going on hiatus??, returning April 2025 appeared first on Destructoid.

Luffy has faced some seriously powerful opponents throughout his One Piece journey. From pirate captains to world-threatening villains, he isn't one to back down from a challenge, especially when his opponent is standing in the way of his goal.

Here’s a rundown of 10 of his mo??st intense duels tha??t had us on the edge of our seats.

Bellamy's defeat is probably the most satisfying

This one might seem like a mismatch at first, but it’s a battle that really shows Luffy’s growth. Bellamy, the cocky pirate, mocked Luffy’s dream and ideals, clai??ming they were outdated. When they finally clashed, Luffy ended things with a single punch!

Bellamy may not have put up a great fight against Luffy, but the emotional buildup to their fight was ce??rtainly intense. Seeing Bellamy getting his due punishment very swiftly makes it very satisfying.

Against the Fish-Man Arlong

Arlong Park was a turning point in Luffy’s adventure. Nami’s tragic backstory and Arlong’s brutal control over her village made this fight deeply personal. Luffy’s rage as he destroyed Arlong Park brick by brick, symbolically freeing Nami, was one of the? most emotionally charged moments in the series. This fight wasn’t just about beating a strong o??pponent; it was about freeing someone Luffy cared about from years of suffering.

Since this match occurred prior to the time skip, Luffy was still unable to use Haki. He had to be creative with his attacks, givi?ng birth to ludicrous antics such as using Arlong's teeth against him.

Versus the electrifying God Enel

God Enel was no joke. With his lightning powers and the overwhelming confidence that he was untouchable, he literally saw himself as a god. But in comes Luffy, made of rubber and completely immune to Enel’s thunderous attacks. Their battle on Skypiea's Upper Yard was a thrilling mix of cat and mouse, with Luffy figuring out how to strike Enel despite the massi?ve power gap.

?That fight is certainly unforgettable, so much so that many fans are still waiting for En?el's return to the series. We can't really blame them since Enel is supposed to be just chilling on the Moon.

Crocodile was not an easy opponent

Crocodile was Luffy’s first real introduction to the harsh reality of the Grand Line. In Alabasta, Crocodile pushed Luffy to the brink not once but twice, nearly killing him both times. Luffy had to figure out a way to counter Crocodile’s Logia Devil Fruit, and the third roun??d was a bloody, intense showdown in the depths of a collapsing tomb. When Luffy finally landed that finishing blow, drenched in water and his own blood, it was a massive win both for him and the people of Alabasta.

Luffy versus Gecko Moriah

Thriller Bark was a spooky adventure, and Gecko Moriah, the Warlord with the power to control shadows, was the main antagonist. Luffy’s battle against Moriah was unique because it wasn't just a straightforward clash of strength. Moriah’s ability to steal shadows made him tr?icky, but when Luffy absorbed hundreds of shadows to boost his power, the fight became a chaotic showdown. It was an int??ense battle of endurance. Naturally, Luffy got the victory, though at a serious cost to his body.

Rob Lucci was one tough nut

The Water 7 and Enies Lobby arcs were some of the most emotional in One Piece, and Luffy’s fight again??st Rob Lucci was an abso?lute highlight. Rob Lucci, the cold, brutal assassin, stood in Luffy’s way as he fought to save Robin from the World Government. This battle was raw, full of heavy hits and desperate moves.

Altho??ugh it wasn't the first fight that put Luffy's life in danger, it was arguably the first one that forced ??Luffy to go beyond his limits. After all, it's during this fight that Luffy debuted his Gear Two and Gear Three.

Doflamingo was far from being a pushover

Dressrosa was a long, exhausting arc, but Luffy’s showdown with Doflamingo made the marathon wor?th it. Doflamingo w??as a true sadist who used every card in his arsenal to ensure his victory. Alas, his antics weren't enough to stomp Luffy.

That is not to say the fight was easy. Not only did Doflamingo hold the entire Dressrosa hostage, he was also the first villain to utilize Devil Fruit Awakening. However, it's also because of Doffy's formidability that fo?rced Luffy to unveil yet another power-up �?Gear Four.

Katakuri was like Luffy but better

It's ??not an exaggeration to say that Katakuri was a game-c?hanger. During the Whole Cake Island arc, Luffy's duel with Big Mom's strongest son felt like a mirror match. Katakuri had similar powers but with even better control, and his ability to see into the future made him a seemingly impossible challenge. Luffy had to evolve, not just in terms of power but in mindset.

The respect these two fighters built for each other by the end was incredible, and Luffy's hard-fought victory felt well-earned. The best is that Luffy also harnessed hi??s Color of Observation Haki during the fight.

Kaido deserves to be an Emperor

Kaido, the strongest creature in the world, was an opponent Luffy couldn't take lightly. In Wano, Luffy faced Kaido multiple times, each clash more intense than the last. Kaido’s sheer power and durability made him a seemingly unbeatable foe. After all, he managed to on??e-shot Luffy during their first encounter. It was very clear that Kaido far outclassed Luffy, urging the latter to power up fast.

The two Emperors' battle was so intense that it forced Luffy's Devil Fruit to Awaken, ??ultimately revealing the fact that Luffy possesses the Human-Human Fruit, model: Nika and not the Gum-Gum Fru??it.

Luffy VS Usopp will always be top-tier

This fight hurts. L?uffy versus Usopp wasn’t about defeating some villain or proving strength. This was about friendship and leadership. When the Going Merry’s fate caused a rift between the crew, Usopp, feeling left out and powerless, challenged Luffy. It was a battle of emotions as much as fists.

Even though this fight has a very obvious winner, it doesn't make it less intense. Usopp, knowing full well how much he lacked in strength and power, prepared to the fullest to take down his capt??ain. Ack??nowledging his resolve, Luffy also didn't hold back, regardless of the fact that each of his strikes emotionally affected him as well.

The post 10 of Luffy’s most intense duels in One Piece appeared first on Destructoid.

The Dragon Ball franchise embarks on a new adventure with its upcoming series, Dragon Ball DAIMA. However, this isn't just another entry to the Dragon Ball universe. Dragon Ball DAIMA holds special significance as it is the last Dragon Ball-related project that the late legendary Akira Toriyama personally worked on before his passing.

Full release schedule

According to an interview by Produ, Dragon Ball DAIMA will be running 20 episodes. The highly anticipated pilot episode dropped on October 11, 2024. Epi?sode 2 is scheduled to air on October 18, and the rest of the series will follow a consistent weekly release pattern.

• Episode 1: October 11, 2024
• Episode 2: October 18, 2024
• Episode 3: October 25, 2024
• Episode 4: November 1, 2024
• Episode 5: November 8, 2024
• Episode 6: November 15, 2024
• Episode 7: November 22, 2024
• Episode 8: November 29, 2024
• Episode 9: December 6, 2024
• Episode 10: December 13, 2024
• Episode 11: December 20, 2024
• Episode 12: December 27, 2024
• Episode 13: January 3, 2025
• Episode 14: January 10, 2025
• Episode 15: January 17, 2025
• Episode 16: January 24, 2025
• Episode 17: January 31, 2025
• Episode 18: February 7, 2025
• Episode 19: February 14, 2025
• Episode 20: February 21, 2025

Dragon Ball DAIMA brings a fresh twist to the Dragon Ball universe while invoking some familiar themes that longtime fans will recognize. The plot centers around a mysterious conspiracy that transforms Goku, Vegeta, and other beloved characters into smaller, childlike versions of themselves. This setup echoes elements from Dragon Ball GT, where Goku was similarly turned into a child. Unlike the latter, however, the former is confirmed to be canon.

With their curious circumstance, the heroes must n?ow embark on a perilous journey to discover the source of this transformation and restore themselves to their original forms. Along the way, they will explore a completely new world �?the Demon Realm.

You can catch Goku and Co.'s shenanigans via Crunchyroll.

The post Dragon Ball DAIMA full release schedule appeared first on Destructoid.

After much anticipation, the anime adaptation of Junji Ito’s iconic horror manga Uzumaki has finally arrived. Known for its eerie atmosphere, twisted visuals, and psychological dread, Uzumaki has ??long been hailed as one of ??the most haunting works in the horror genre.

Fans have eagerly awaited its transformation from page to screen. And now, with its debut on Adult Swim’s Toonami block, Uzumaki is bringing Ito’s nightmarish vision to life.

The Uzumaki anime will be a mini-series consisting of four episodes, each airing weekly through mid-October. As of now, two episodes have aired. Here's Uzumaki's full release schedule:

• Episode 1 �?September 28, 2024
• Episode 2 �?October 5, 2024
• Episode 3 �?October 12, 2024
• Episode 4 �?October 19, 2024

For the uninitiated, Uzumaki centers around the eer??ie happenings in a small town that becomes obsessed with spirals. It all started with a weird phenomenon, then spiraled into a grotesque horror consuming the entire town.

Studio Drive is in charge of the anime's production, while Production I.G. USA and Adult Swim co-produce the series. The anime was initially set to debut in 2020, but it faced a series of delays that pushed the release back multiple times.

Prod?uction issues postponed? the series in 2021, then complications arising from the COVID-19 pandemic further delayed the project to October 2022. But in mid-2022, the creators made the difficult decision to delay the project indefinitely, stating their desire to ensure that the adaptation was not just visually stunning but also true to the spirit of Junji Ito’s original work.

The post Uzumaki full release schedule appeared first on Destructoid.

This year, two shōnen action series of Weekly Shonen Jump magazine reached their long-awaited conclusions: Kohei Horikoshi's My Hero Academia and Gege Akutami's Jujutsu Kaisen.

These were, without a doubt, two of the biggest titans of its genre and demographic, and their absence will certainly leave a huge empty hole in the entire anime and manga industry. However, their respective fan bases reacted to each ending with a lot of controversy and mixed opinions.

As someone who has been reading weekly chapters of both My Hero Academia and Jujutsu Kaisen for several years, witnessing these series flesh out their stories until the very end has been mind-blowing. While their finales had a lot ??of issues, one of them excelled, whereas the other failed, ??and vice versa. So the only remaining question is: Which one of them had the strongest ending?

A brief recap of the two divisive final chapters

To recap: In the final chapter of My Hero Academia, we see series' protagonist Izuku Midoriya after eight years have passed since the final battle. He is now Quirkless because he transferred One For All to Tomura Shigaraki, but he became a renowned hero for not only having defeated All For One and Shigaraki but also for inspiring the Hero Society of Japan to improve and be more prone to saving innocent people. While Deku laments that his friends are still active heroes, he still enjoys his job as ?a teacher at U.A. High School and realizes that he has made an important impact on other people. However, at?? the very last minute, All Might gives him a special armored suit that lets him become a hero once again.

On the other hand, Jujutsu Kaisen's ending is much more simple. After the deadly battle with Ryomen Sukuna, Yuji Itadori, Megumi Fushiguro and Nobara Kugisaki go back to their usual lives and stop a corrupt sorcerer who was stalking a woman during one of their missions. However, after they detain the enemy, Itadori assures him that? he won't be executed, echoing the late Satoru Gojo's dream of inspiring a new generation of sorcerers to be kinder and more empathetic. After a brief interaction bet?ween Sukuna and Mahito in the afterlife, we see the final finger of Sukuna resting while hidden away, as it no longer has a curse sealed within it.

Despite their flaws, both endings did many things right

There's no denying that both My Hero Academia and Jujutsu Kaisen had exciting final battles that not only made their respective antagonists seem intimida??ting and dangerous but also made good use of almost every relevant character who had appeared throughout the series. Both Horikoshi and Akutami's illustrations were incredibly detailed during these final confrontations, and they will definitely look amazing whenever they get animated by their respective studios.

My Hero Academia did a solid job at closing off almost every single plot beat that it established throughout the series, and most of the characters had satisfying conclusions: From the inspiring and heroic main characters, like Deku himself, Bakugo, Todoroki or Uraraka, to the tragic villains, like Shigaraki, Spinner, Toga or Dabi. Even minor characters like Gentle and La Brava got endearing conclusions to their stories. The time skip during the final chapter was certainly a bold move, but getting to see grown-up versions of Deku and his friends finally become? famous Pro Heroes was as satisfying as ?it was emotional.

The ending of Jujutsu Kaisen was much simpler, as it instead focused on showing how the main three characters were able to not only return to their regular lives but also how their e?xperiences during the Culling ?Game Arc and the Shinjuku Showdown Arc affected them, especially considering that Nobara Kugisaki was absent from the story for a very long time. Akutami also took his time to explain a few loose ends from the final battle and briefly showed what was going on with other characters like Yuta Okkotsu or Kinji Hakari.

However, My Hero Academia failed in some important areas...

Despite all their positives, both My Hero Academia's and Jujutsu Kaisen's endings left much to be desired. Even though My Hero Academia managed to close off the stories of most of its important characters, it still left a lot of open plot threads that could have easily been resolved before the finale: What happened to Re-Destro? Is the Quirk Singularity Theory ever going to become a reality? Did Uraraka and Deku get t??oget?her during the timeskip?

The idea of the eight-year time skip was quite brilliant, but it could have been executed better. Many fans felt it was disappointing that Deku became a teacher and couldn't fulfil his dream o??f becomi?ng the #1 Pro Hero, something that the series had established since the very first chapter. Other fans would have also preferred a Naruto/Boruto approach, where they could have seen which members of Class 1-A got together and had children. Lastly, while many fans understand that Deku giving up his powers for the sake of Hero Society fits perfectly within the themes of the entire series, they also criticized the fact that he received a special suit at the very last minute because it ultimatel??y undermines his diff?icult decision.

And Jujutsu Kaisen's conclusion felt rushed...

Jujutsu Kaisen is a much different story, though, since fans were already having issues with its final story arcs before Shueisha even announced its finale. Most of them criticized the manga for some of its odd writing choices, like the omission of classic characters like Toge Inumaki or Nobara Kugisaki and the abrupt death of popular character Satoru Gojo at the hands of Ryomen Sukuna. After the critically acclaimed Shibuya Incident Arc, Jujutsu Kaisen went in an entirely different direction that a huge part of the fan base didn't enjoy. I?t also left many unanswered questions that left most fans frustrated: What happened dur?ing the Heian Era? What did they do with the bodies of Geto and Gojo? Why did Uraume follow Sukuna with so much loyalty?

But the main criticism regarding the ending of Jujutsu Kaisen is related to its abrupt nature. While Akutami had revealed that he intended to end the manga in the near future, many fans believed he could have kept it going for a few more months. The final battle against Ryomen Sukuna felt too drawn out, and by the time the good guys finally came out victorious, the series came to a c?lose before getting the opportunity to properly show how this conflict changed the world and its main players. Personally, the final chapter feels more like the ending of a major story arc instead of feeling like the ending of a manga series that had been in serialization for more than six years.

At the end of the day, it's all about timing

When Shueisha announced that My Hero Academia was going to end in 5 chapters, the final battle was already over, and the final Epilogue Arc had already begun. So Horikoshi cleverly used these final five chapters to close off most of the big plot threads that still remained open. By the time My Hero Academia ended, Horikoshi had made 430 chapters in total over the course of 10 years. This was quite a lot of time for h??im to flesh out his world and characters. Although to be fair, some fans argue that this extensive duration made the lack of answers in?? some areas all the more disappointing.

On the other hand, Shueisha announced that Jujutsu Kaisen only had 5 chapters left right in the middle of Itadori's final clash against Sukuna, which immediately made fans worry and question if Akutami was going to have enough time to write proper conclusions for every single one of his characters. While he did get the chance to answer many remaining questions, the eventual conclusion of the story felt uneventful and mundane. Jujutsu Kaisen ended at 271 chapters, which is a lot less than My Hero Academia in length. Of course, not all shōnen manga series have to be equally extensive, but Jujutsu Kaisen felt as?? big and ambitious as some of its contemporaries. Unfortunately, it compromised this ambiti??on by telling its story in half of the time and with fewer chapters.

So, which ending is better? My Hero Academia? Or Jujutsu Kaisen?

While I certainly appreciate that Jujutsu Kaisen took a lot fewer risks and gave us a more concise and predictable ending, it just can't beat the finale of My Hero Academia for me. It is not without its flaws, but both the Final War Arc and the Epilogue Arc did a way better job at using all the relevant players of the series and closing off almost every single big plot thread than any of Jujutsu Kaisen's final arcs.

While it's perfectly understandable why some fans may find Deku's final fate to be disappointing, it fits perfectly with the themes of the series that were proposed from the very beginning, and the final panel with him in his iron suit was a little treat for those who still wanted to see him and all of his friends working as Pro Heroes. When compared to the ending of Jujutsu Kaisen, it certainly left more fans satisfied. My Hero Academia just?? had the more fulfilling ending of the two, even if it was far from perfect.

Nevertheless, regardless of which series had the superior conclusion, there's no denying that both My Hero Academia and Jujutsu Kaisen changed the world of anime and ??manga forever, and fans of the genre will miss them. It's important to point out that Horikoshi and Akutami's unfortunate health issues indirectly caused som??e of the flaws in their series' endings, so fans of both are hoping that they will now get a chance to properly rest for a few years. At the end of the day, these two talented authors expressed their desire to keep working in the manga industry, so hopefully, we'll get to see more amazing stories from them in the near future.

The post My Hero Academia vs. Jujutsu Kaisen: Which had the better ??ending? appeared first on Destructoid.

The Fall 2024 anime comes with an exciting lineup. There are a number of new series worth checking out, though anime sequels aren't necessarily falling behind. After all, Shangri-La Frontier Season 2 is also releasing this season. But just like every time a new season arrives, there's this initial sense of confusion, especially as to what's happening in the nar??rative. After all, it's quite a while since the first season aired.

With that in mind, here?'s everything you need to remember before S?eason 2 arrives.

What is Shangri-La Frontier about?

Judging Shangri-La Frontier based on its cover alone, it's easy to mistake it as an isekai anime. It, after all, seems to be set in a fantasy world with a half-human, half-bird character as the main character. While that isn't entirely correct, it isn't that far off either. Instead of being transported into a fantastical world with an overpowered game system as an ally, Shangri-La Frontier is a vide?o game anime centered on the eponymous game.

The story, however, follows the student Rakurou Hizutome, who thrives on impossible challenges. In fact, his hobby is beating so-called trash games, which is exactly what it sounds like. The real-world equivalent of those games is probably these ones. But after defeating what he considers one of the worst games he ever played, he can't find another to match it. A close game store employee?? introduces him to the god-tier game Shangri-La Frontier, and thus begins his new journey.

What happened in the first season?

Season 1 does a good job establishing the grueling gaming world that is Shangri-La Frontier, though Sunraku's knack for making things harder for himself also helped a lot in that re??gard. The first thing he did after logging into the ??game was skip the tutorial town, fight the area boss, and then sprint into the second town.

The moment he got there, h?e encountered and attempted to defeat a nigh impossible opponent �?Lycagon the Nightslayer. He duele??d the wolf monster, landing hundreds of critical hits, yet he didn't even get close to slaying it. Instead, he got obliterated with a single strike and received Lycagon's mark, which came with a restriction that disallowed him from equipping anything on his torso and legs. And thus, Sunraku's pervy character design was born.

??Sunraku would later on learn that Lycagon wasn't a single mob. It was actually one of the seven Colossi, which no player was able to slay. His defeat and the mark, however, did give him some benefits. For one, it triggered a unique scenario, leading him to meet Emul and discover Rabituza. Af??ter doing a series of quests and proving his willpower, a.k.a Vorpal Soul, he was acknowledged by Vash, the Rabituza's boss and the one pictured above.

Naturally, it didn't end there. After all, what's a trash game lover if not a seeker of difficulty? Sunraku met with his long-time trash game comp????anions, Arthur Pencilgon and OiKatzo. They teamed up to take on another Colossus �?Wethermon the Tombguard. But before the big battle, they must first prepare and obliterate Pencilgon's PK clan. Psyger-0, who belonged to a notable clan, played a major role in destroying the said clan and helping with the cleanup.

With? all of that out of the way, the trio's fight ag??ainst Wethermon commenced. Sunraku took on the undead samurai, while Pencilgon and OiKatzo took on the Colossus' trusty steed. After a grueling and tight battle, the trio triumphed. Pencilgon opted to turn over a new leaf, tasking Psyger-0 to do the honors of defeating him. Afterward, the trio decided to form their own clan whose sole purpose was defeating the six other Colossi. Pencilgon also ended up being the leader after she lost a game of rock-paper-scissors.

Wethermon, being another almost impossible-to-beat boss, did drop a lot of good items. There were a lot of powe?rful armor and weapons, though still far from us??able. However, the item Inventoria allowed the trio to teleport into the storage space anytime they needed.

What to expect in Shangri-La Frontier Season 2?

After defeating Wethermon, the trio parted ways, opting to finish their own tasks first. Sunraku returned to Rabituza to figure out how to power up Ether Reactor. However, he learned that to re-activate the said reactor would require an Ancient Craftsman. Since Vash wasn't around, Sunraku decided to train one instead,?? and his candidate was no other than Bilac, Emul's sister. He then started to supply her with materials needed to increase her smithing abilities.

Given that Bilac had yet to improve her smithing skills by the end of Season 1, Shangri-La Frontier Season 2 will certainly pick up on that. It will also likely expound more on Shangri-La Frontier's world as a mysterious character who introduced himself as Professor, the leader of a lore-dedicated clan. While Sunr?aku and the other are yet to accept Professor's alliance offer, they will likely end up working together as it was r??evealed in Season 1 that slaying the seven Colossi is necessary to further the game's overarching plot.

There is also the developmen?t of character relationships. Wolfgang, the trio's newly-founded clan, will have to develop and recruit other formidable members. After all, they are planning to defeat the game's supposedly unbeatable bosses. Furthermore, there's also Sunraku and Psyger-0's relationship. Given Psyger-0's relentless pursuit, she hopefully gets closer to her beloved trash gamer?.

When is Shangri-La Frontier Season 2 coming?

As the Fall 2024 lineup slowly rolls in, Shangri-La Frontier Season 2 is bound to arrive soon. However, it's actually coming sooner rather than later. Crunchyroll officially announced that the new season will premiere on the streaming platform on October 13 (Su??nday). Specifically, the pilot episode will drop at 2:30 a.m. PT.

Just like in the first season, studio C2C will be handling the anime's production, with Toshiyuki Kubooka as ??the direc?tor. Other staff include Kazuyuki Fudeyasu (composition), Ayumi Kurashima (character design), and MONACA (music).

The post Eve?rything to r?emember before Shangri-La Frontier Season 2 starts appeared first on Destructoid.

The thrilling season finale of My Hero Academia Season 7 is going live this Saturday, but fans don't ??have to worry about the potential lack of episodes, because Bones and Shueisha already confirmed that Season 8 is coming very soon.

This announcement was made in this week's issue of Weekly Shōnen Jump (and was later reported by Shōnen Jump News on Twitter/X). But the most noteworthy part is that Season 8 will be the final season of the My Hero Academia anime, which shouldn't be a surprise considering that the original manga by Kohei Horikoshi recently reached its conclusion as well.

This week's episode of the anime is seemingly going to adapt content from chapter 395 up to chapter 398, meaning that Season 8 will have to cover around 31 chapters from the original manga, including the climactic final battle and the controversial ??finale of the entire ser??ies. This is far less than what other seasons previously adapted, which ultimately means that the final one will most likely be around 10 or 12 episodes in total, instead of the usual 25 (Although season 1 was the only exception to this rule).

At the end of the day, it's quite mind-blowing to think that My Hero Academia, a huge and influential action shōnen anime that has consistently been on air since 2016 is finally going to end in 2025. It will certainly leave an empty space in the anime industry, similarly to how ??the conclusion of the original manga was a huge occasion for its respective industry.

Why are My Hero Academia fans so happy with this decision?

Fans reacted to the announcement of My Hero Academia's final season with a lot of excitement and celebration, and it's not only because of the idea that they will get to see the finale of their beloved series in animated form. In reality, most fans feel relieved by the confirmation that Bones is going to adapt the ending of the series into a full anime season, instead of relegating it to a canonical movie.

In recent years, the anime industry has been going through a peculiar trend o??f adapting important canonical story arcs into feature films. While these types of adaptations can certainly see a rise in budget and in animation quality, they also take a lot of time to produce, not to mention that it forces the studio to adapt an extensive arc into a few hours of content, which sometimes isn't enough to properly? convey a story.

Because of this, movie adaptations of canonical arcs have been a divisive endeavor among fans, as this has recently happened with the final arc of Demon Slayer and the Bomb Girl arc of Chainsaw Man. Fortunately for My Hero Academia fans, they won't fall vi??ctim to the glaring issues of this trend, and they will be able to witness the finale of their favorite series next year.

The post The My Hero Academia anime is officia??lly ending in 2025 appeared first on Destructoid.

The hit historical anime The Elusive Samurai wrapped up its first season in Japan, but the fun isn't over just yet. The Elusive Samurai Season 2 is officially coming, though an official release date and synopsis are stil??l under wraps.

The announcement came in the form of an elegant calligraph??y pie??ce by artist Kamari Maeda.

For those unfamiliar, The Elusive Samurai is based on Yusei Matsui’s manga. The manga runs in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump and is available in English through Viz Media and MANGA Plus. The anime tells the tale of Hojo Tokiyuki, a young noble on the run after the Kamakura shogunate collapses in 1333. Betrayed by Ashikaga Takauji, one of his most trusted vassals, Tokiyuki escapes the bloodshed. With the help of Suwa Yorishige, a wise Shinto priest and lord of Suwa Province, he sets out to reclaim what?’s rightfully his using his elusive ways.

CloverWorks produced the firs?t season of the anime, and Aniplex of America licensed the series for North America. Yuta Yamazaki leads the production team as the director, while Yoriko Tomita manages the series composi??tion. Yasushi Nishiya is responsible for the character designs, while Akiyuki Tateyama and GEMBI are behind the captivating soundtrack that brings the world of medieval Japan to life.

The Elusive Samurai's?? first season can be streamed via Crunchyroll, Disney+, and Netflix, though av??ailability varies per region.

The post The Elusive Samurai announced upcomin??g second season appeared first on Destructoid.

The second season of Oshi no Ko comes to a close as the Fall 2024 anime season lineup slowly rolls in. However, the excitement that Season 2 brings isn't over just yet. After the season finale aired, the anime's official website announced the production of Oshi no Ko Season 3.

The announcement also came with a promotional video showcasing some?? of the second season's notable moments.

Still, there's??? a bit more. The anime's official X account also released an eye-catching visual to hype the upcoming season.

Furthermore, Anime News Network reports that veteran singer and voice actor Mamoru Miyano will be joining the cast as Hikaru Kamiki, while veteran voice actress Hina Kino will be voicing the enigmatic Ts?ukuyomi. However, Season 3's official release date is yet to be revealed.

Oshi no Ko Season 2 started airing on July 3, with the final episode airing on October 3. The season focused on the 2.5D theatrical adaptation of the famous Tokyo Blade manga. While it expounded on Aqua, Akane, and Kan?a's character dynamics, the latter episodes developed the narrative in terms of Aqua's search for revenge and Ruby's realization of her beloved doctor's tragic fate.

The anime is an adaptation of the popular manga series written by Aka Akasaka and illustrated by Mengo Yokoyari. It won the Anime Series of the Year at the Tokyo Anime Award Festival 2024. Both the anime's first and second seasons can be streamed on Netflix, while the manga can be read via MANGA Plus.

The post Oshi no Ko Season 3 is confirmed appeared first on Destructoid.

Kazuki Yao is a seasoned voice actor who lends his voice to several characters in the One Piece anime, like Jango, Bo??n Clay and Franky. Unfortunately, it seems that he w??asn't able to record lines for the latest episode due to health concerns.

One of the many official One Piece accounts on Twitter/X recently confirmed this recasting since Jango will appear in Episode 1121 of the show, where Wataru Takagi will voice him instead. He's also a talented voice actor with a similar raspy voice, and he's well known for voicing Bellamy in One Piece, Obito Uchiha in Naruto and Okuyasu Nijimura in Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable. This wouldn't be the first time Takagi takes over the role of Jango, as he previously voiced the character in the 2001 animated short Jango's Dance Carnival.

So far, the One Piece account stated that Takagi would only replace Yao in Episode 1121, and there is still no confirmation of whether this replacement will be permanent. It also didn't say anything regarding Yao's role as Franky, who is actually one of the main characters of the anime, so a recast of his voice would be a pretty big deal for this show. However, by following the story of the manga, we know that Franky will reappear in the anime within a few more episodes, so Toei Animation will most likely?? announce if they will also recast him in the near future.

Franky has been sounding weird in the One Piece anime for a while

It's quite evident that his performance as Franky has been taking quite a toll on Yao's voice for quite a long time, and One Piece fans noticed his gradual change in tone. Franky's voice began sounding more strained when the anime adaptation of the Wano Country Arc began airing ??in 2019, but it became even more noticeable at the beginning of the Egghead Arc. Yao's health issues should not be a surprise since he is 65 years old an??d has been active within the industry for almost 40 years.

Fans are hoping he can rest his voice and wish him a f??ull recovery. After all, he's an important figure within the franchise since he has used his signature raspy voice to portray two extremely popular characters, Bon Clay and Franky, for quite a long time. During Jump Festa 2008, Eiichiro Oda revealed that he loved Yao's performance as Jango and Bon Clay so much that he wanted to give him a starring role in the anime, so he created Franky with his voice in mind. This means that Yao is such a legendary voice actor that his talents even influenced the content of the original One Piece manga.

The post Longtime One Piece voice actor replaced due to health conc??erns appeared first on Destructoid.

Dan Da Dan is making waves as one of the most exciting new anime in the Fall 2024 ??lineup. Combining supernatural elements with intense action and a dash of humor, the series has quickly gained attention for its quirky plot and fast-paced energy. Fans of the manga have been eagerly awaiting the anime adaptation, and now, it’s finally here.

Full release schedule

The anime kicked off on October 3, 2024, and is available on Crunchyroll. Although there is still no official confirmation of the final number of episodes, the season is expected to have a total of 12 episodes. For those looking to follow the s??eries closely, here’s the full release schedule:

• Episode 1 release date: October 3, 2024
• Episode 2 release date: October 10, 2024
• Episode 3 release date: October 17, 2024
• Episode 4 release date: October 24, 2024
• Episode 5 release date: October 31, 2024
• Episode 6 release date: November 7, 2024
• Episode 7 release date: November 14, 2024
• Episode 8 release date: November 21, 2024
• Episode 9 release date: November 28, 2024
• Episode 10 release date: December 5, 2024
• Episode 11 release date: December 12, 2024
• Episode 12 release date: December 19, 2024

The series follows two high school students, Ken Takakura and Momo Ayase, who are constantly debating which is more real �?Momo’s belief in the occult or Ken’s fascination with ali??ens. Their rivalry takes a bizarre twist when both of their beliefs turn out to be true, plunging the??m into a chaotic world of spirits and aliens.

As if things weren’t weird enough, Ken suddenly finds himself cursed and missing a very personal part of his anatomy. Now, with the stakes quite literally close?? to home, he and Momo must work together to recover Ken’s “family jewels�?while navigating a bizarre mix of the paranormal and extraterrestrial.

This article will be updated with any new developments.

The post Dan Da Dan full release schedule appeared first on Destructoid.

Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact, the fighting game based on the popular anime series, has been delayed into 2025. This is primari??ly based on the inclusion of rollback netcode into the game that many fans of the fighting genre req?uest in modern-day titles.

Hunter x Hunter Nen x Impact delayed out of 2024

"We sincerely apologize for the trouble caused by this delay to the players who are looking forward to the game’s release," said Arc System Works on X. "This delay is so that we will be ab??le to implement rollback netcode for release."

The development team also says that "[They] made this decision out of concern that players would not be able to fully enjoy the game in a state where some players would enc??ounter issues with online play, given the nature of fighting games."

Many fighting games in the PS4 era ??and earlier used delay-based netcode, a form of connectivity that relies upon each other's internet. Rollback netcode alleviates possible issues by predicting the opponent's next moves. More ??often than not, rollback netcode is far better.

Titles such as Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8, and MultiVersus use rollback netcode to improve the quality of their online matches. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact is thankfully following this trend. Ar?c System Works says that the release date will be announced at a later date.

Nen x Impact is a promising 3v3 fighter in the same vein as the Marvel vs Capcom series. It stars heroes like Gon and Killua fighting against members of the Phantom Troupe and the infamous Hisoka. It has a relatively good response from the FGC (fighting game community) at EVO 2024. The Exhibition video for Nen x Impact from ?EV?O currently has around 1.6K likes and 25 dislikes. That's a great ratio.

The post Hunter x Hunter: Nen x ??Impact delayed for rollba?ck netcode inclusion appeared first on Destructoid.

One Piece is no stranger to tragic backstories. In fact, it's more common for characters in the series to have lived a horrible life than a happy one, and it does make sense. After all, many of the series' beloved characters are trying to pursue their own dreams that stemmed from heartbreaking experiences. And so, here are the 10? characters?? with the saddest backstories.

The Gladiator Kyros

Kyros has always been a mighty and good-hearted warrior, though he isn't blessed with a good life at birth. He became a gladiator in the Corrida Colosseum after killing two men in his teens, and he dominated the place. Kyros easily racked up thousands of victories without a single defeat, then King Riku convinced him to live a free life. He eventually caught Princess Scarlett's heart, eloped with her, and gave birth t?o Rebecca.

The tragedy came after Doflamingo's conquest of Dressrosa. He cut his own leg? to save King Riku and then transformed into a toy soldier by Sugar. Even though Sugar fai??led to take Kyros' free will, other people's memories of him were still erased. Kyros watched Diamante murder his wife and couldn't even shed a tear. Furthermore, he protected Rebecca and taught her how to fight for years. During that time, Rebecca only knew him as the toy soldier and not her biological father.

Usopp

Usopp has always been kn??own as a liar who liked telling tall tales. However, this quirk of his is deeply rooted in his tragic backstory.

Usopp's father, Yasopp, left with the Red-Hair Pirates when Usopp was still a child, leaving him and his ailing mother behind. As his mother's condition worsened, Usopp started lying about pirates' arrival in the hopes that the chance of his father returning could help keep his mother's fighting spirit up. After losing his mother, Usopp kept up with the lies as a way to cope with the sadness of losing both of h?is parents.

Nico Robin

Born in Ohara, Robin was a child prodigy, able to read the ancient Ponegliffs, which made her a target of the World Government. Ohara’s scholars, including Robin’s mother, were determined to uncover the secrets of the Void Century, but their quest led to the destruction of their island. Robin witnessed the merciless Buster Call, a catastrophic attack that annihilated her entire homeland. Among the casualties are her mother, her new friend Jaguar D. Saul, and the scholars? she admired. It didn't end there. Branded as a dangerous criminal from a young age, Robin spent her life on the run, unable to trust anyone.

Bartholomew Kuma

Bartholomew Kuma is the newest character to join the list of sad backstories in the series. He has always been a mysterious character, treading the line between being the Straw Hats' enemy and ally. However, it ultimately made sense ?after his story? was revealed in Egghead.

Kuma is one of the last Buccaneers, yet he has lived a tragic life. Enslaved with his parents at just four years of age, Kuma's family was abused so much that both his parents ultimately perished. Kuma gained his freedom during the God Valley incident and eventually lived as a priest with Ginny. Both characters then joined t??he Revolutionary Army, though Ginny was once again captured to become a World Noble's bride.

When Ginny returned to the revolutionaries, it was already too late. She died from Sapphire Scale Disease, leaving her daughter Jewelry Bonney behind. Bonney unfortunately inherited the disease. In order to save her, Kuma volunteered himself for the government's human experiment, which ??slowly turned him into an unthinking, unfeeling machine.

Cutty Flam/Franky

Franky, originally named Cutty Flam, was abandoned by his pirate parents at a young age. Taken in by shipwright Tom, Franky developed a passion for building ships. However, when Tom was arrested for building the shi?p of the Pirate King, the government gave him a chance to escape pun?ishment by building a sea train.

Even when Tom successfully held his end of the bargain, the government still didn't want to let him go. They were after Pl??uton's blueprint and wanted to acquire it no matter what. During this time, Franky was already into creating battleships. Spandam, then leader of CP5, learned of this and used those very same battleships to launch a pseudo-attack on Water 7. Even though Tom and the others successfully stopped the attack, Tom was still sentenced to death. He was taken to Enies Lobby via the same sea train he built, which Franky attempted to stop with his frail, young body.

Senor Pink

Senor Pink undeniably has one of the stupidest outfits in One Piece, yet the reason behind his wardrobe of choice is far from stupid. Even during his younger years, Senor Pink was al?ready a member of the Donquixote Pirates. Interestingly, however, he met and fell in love with a woman named Russian, who hated pirates. Knowing this, Senor Pink hid his true occupation and posed as a banker. The two eventually gave birth to a son named Gimlet.

The happiness was short-lived. Gimlet died while Senor Pink was away, and Russian ultimately learned the truth. She started running away from Senor Pink and got caught in a landslide, which brought her into a permanent vegetative state. In a desperate attempt to bring his wife's consciousness back, Senor Pink starte??d wearing Gimlet's clothes. This brought a smile to the comatose Russian's lips, prompting Senor Pink to adopt the attire permanently.

Nami

Nami grew up in Cocoyashi Village under the care of her adoptive mother, Belle-Mère. Despite their poverty, Nami, her sister Nojiko, and Belle-Mère lived happily. That happiness was shattered when the Arlong Pirates invaded the village, demanding a tax for every resident. Unable to pay for all three of them, Belle-Mère sacrificed herself in front of Nami and Nojiko. She could have lived if she denied having daughters, but Belle-Mère's motherly love couldn't?? let her do so.

Nami was then forced to work for Arlong, who exploited her incredible cartography skills to draw maps for his conquest??s. Arlong promised to free the village if Nami could gather 100 million Berri?es, forcing the young girl to a life of piracy and thievery.

Trafalgar D. Water Law

As a child, Law grew up in Flevance, a prosperous kingdom famous for its Amber Lead. However, the material was highly toxic, and its prolonged exposure led to the slow and painful death of its citizens. The government kept the truth hidden, and by the time the effects of the poisoning became apparent, it was too late. Law watched as the gove??rnment shot his parents and those close to him.

Consumed by rage and a desire for revenge, Law joined the Donquixote Pirates, where he hoped to use their power to destroy the government. However, his life took another tragic turn when he bonded with Donquixote Rosinante, also known as Corazon. Rosinante tried to save Law from the darkness, eventually bonding with the young Law. However, Corazon's betrayal soon came to light. Knowing his brother would put an end to him, Corazon used his Devil Fruit ability on the young Law and died with a smile on his face. Meanwhile, Law could only weep i??n silence as he once again watch his protector die in front of him.

Tony Tony Chopper

Born with a blue nose, Chopper was ostracized by his fellow reindeer. Thi??ngs only got worse when he ate the Human-Human Fruit, which gave him human-like characteristics. His ??appearance terrified both humans and animals, leaving him alone in the world. Seeking acceptance, Chopper approached humans for help, but he was met with violence and further rejection.

He eventually found a home with Dr. Hiriluk, a quack doctor with a big heart. Chopper looked up to Hiriluk as a father figure, but tragedy struck when Hiriluk fell gravely ill. Remembering the skull and bones in Dr. Hiriluk's Jolly Roger, Chopper mistook the skull and bones symbo??l on the medical book as a miracle cure. In a desperate attempt to save him, Chopper risked his life to find that special mushroom. Hiriluk, knowing the truth, still took the mushroom as it was his precious son's concoction. Not wanting Chopper to blame himself for his death, Dr. Hiriluk took his own life before the poison could do so.

Brook

Brook’s backstory is unarguably on??e of the most haunting in the series. He was once the musician of the Rumbar Pirates, a jovial group who promised to return to the Grand Line to reunite with their friend Laboon. Unfortunately, tragedy struck when the crew were hit by an illness, leading to their slow demise. In their final moments, Brook and his crewmates played one last song together, which Brook is supposed to deliver to Laboon?. And so, they did. The crew sang as one fell after another. Eventually, it became a quartet; a trio; a duet; ultimately, a sorrowful solo.

The post 10 One Piece charac??ters with the saddest backstories appeared first on Destructoid.

Bandai Namco Filmworks has officially announced the production of the Wistoria: Wand and Sword's second season. This news was revealed following the finale of the first season. Alongside the announcement came a new trailer and an exclusive artwork created by Toshi Aoi, the manga’s artist.

The anime follows the journey of Will Serfort, a young boy who dreams of becoming a ??great sorcerer in a world dominated by magic. However, there’s one major obstacle standing in his way �?he lacks the ability to use magic. Undeterred by the scorn of his classmates and the challenges of living in a magic-centric wo?rld, Will discovers that his strength lies not in a wand, but in his sword. With this unique ability, Will embarks on a path of perseverance and determination, aiming to rise above the odds and fulfill a promise he made to someone dear to him.

The anime is produced by Actas and Bandai Namco Pictures, with Tatsuya Yoshihara, known for his work on Black Clover, serving as director and series c??omposer. The series also boasts character designs by Sayaka Ono and a stirring soundtrack composed?? by Yuki Hayashi.

The first season introduced fans to Will Serfort and a diverse cast of characters, including Colette Loire, Sion Ulster, and Julius Reinberg. For those who have yet to experience Wistoria: Wand and Sword, the complete first season is available for streaming on Crunchyroll.

The post Bandai Namco reveals Wistoria: Wand? and Sword Season 2 appeared first on Destructoid.

Six years after the first season aired in 2018, Grand Blue Dreaming is finally coming back for its sec?ond season. There is still ??no official release date yet, but the production team shared a teaser visual to celebrate the announcement.

Grand Blue Dreaming, adapted from the manga by Kenji Inoue and Kimitake Yoshioka, quickly became a fan favori?te with its uniq?ue blend of diving-themed adventures, alcohol, and outrageous comedy. The story follows Iori Kitahara, a college student whose plans for a normal school life get hilariously derailed when he joins his university’s diving club. After all, the club members do more drinking than diving.

Based on the anime's official website, the new season is expected to continue where Season 1 left off. Iori would be returning to Izu after completing his diving license training in Okinawa. However, things take a surprising turn when he receives a letter from his younger sister, Shiori, setting the?? stage for more chaotic and comedic adventures?.

According to Crunchyroll, Season 2 will see the return o?f many familiar faces both behind the scenes and in the voice cast. Shinji Takamatsu, who directed the first season, is back to direct, write, and oversee sound direction for the upcoming season. Furthermore, Season 1's main cast is also reprising their roles.

To top it all off, the NBCUniversal Anime/Music channel on YouTube is running a free streaming promotion in celebration of th??e Seaso??n 2 production. The channel will be streaming the entirety of the first season from September 29 to October 11.

The post Grand Blue Dreaming Season 2 is officially coming appeared first on Destructoid.

Blue Box may not be the typical action-packed shonen anime, but it is still one of the most anticipated Fall 2024 anime. With the perfect mixture of romance and sports, this series has captured the attention of both manga fans and newcomers alike?? with its refreshing story and charming character dynamics.

The anime is set to release on October 3, but Netflix noted that the specific time may vary depending on country and region. However, it has been revealed that the anime will air for two consecutive cours?. Assuming it will follow the typical 12-episode per cour format, the full schedule will be as follows.

• Episode 1 release date: October 3, 2024
• Episode 2 release date: October 10, 2024
• Episode 3 release date: October 17, 2024
• Episode 4 release date: October 24, 2024
• Episode 5 release date: October 31, 2024
• Episode 6 release date: November 7, 2024
• Episode 7 release date: November 14, 2024
• Episode 8 release date: November 21, 2024
• Episode 9 release date: November 28, 2024
• Episode 10 release date: December 5, 2024
• Episode 11 release date: December 12, 2024
• Episode 12 release date: December 19, 2024
• Episode 13 release date: December 26, 2024
• Episode 14 release date: January 2, 2025
• Episode 15 release date: January 9, 2025
• Episode 16 release date: January 16, 2025
• Episode 17 release date: January 23, 2025
• Episode 18 release date: January 30, 2025
• Episode 19 release date: February 6, 2025
• Episode 20 release date: February 13, 2025
• Episode 21 release date: February 20, 2025
• Episode 22 release date: February 27, 2025
• Episode 23 release date: March 6, 2025
• Episode 24 release date: March 13, 2025

Blue Box foll?ows the story of Taiki Inomata, a high school student who dreams of becoming a top badminton player. Every morning, he practices in the school gym alongside Chinatsu Kano, a ??rising star in the basketball team whom he secretly admires. When circumstances lead Chinatsu to move into Taiki’s house, their daily lives become intertwined.

This article will be up?dated as more information becomes available.

The post Blue Box full release schedule appeared first on Destructoid.

The Summer 2024 anime season is slowly fading out as one series after another airs their final episode for the season. That said, the Fall 2024 anime season is already lurking around the corner. The lineup is certainly packed. Not only are there many exciting return??ing series, but many new series are worth keeping an eye on. Furthermore, the lineup has good enough variety to cater to different kinds of viewers.

Without further ado, here are some?? interesting new anime series airing this coming season??.

Dan Da Dan

A bizarre blend of sci-fi, supernatural, and comedy, Dandadan has already made waves with its manga’s unique take on alien encounters and ghostly battles. The anime adaptation, led by Science Garu, should bring the visually dynamic? and fast-paced story ??to life.

The story follows two high schoolers, Ken Takakura and Momo Ayase, who are at constant odds about which belief is real: the oc?cult or cryptids. However, things take a weird turn when both of them turn out to be correct, and both are plunged into the world of the other's belief. With Takakura literally losing his balls, the two must now navigate these new discoveries and retrieve the boy's family jewels.

The anime will air its pilot episo??de on October 3.

Blue Box

Blue Box combines sports and romance into a heartwarming story about passion and? dreams. Taiki, a high school badminton player, has a crush on his senior, Chinatsu, who’s a basketball star. When they end up living together, their slow-burn romance begins to bloom alongside their athletic ambitions.

Blue Box is adapted from the manga of the same name, which is currently published in Weekly Shonen Jump. Interestingly, it's the same magazine that publishes hit manga series like One Piece, Naruto, Bleach, and many more. Despite not being an action-adventure, Blue Box is currently one of its top earners.

Same with Dandadan, Blue Box will start airing on October 3.

Uzumaki

Junji Ito’s Uzumaki is one of the most highly anticipated horror adaptations in years. Despite his cute and amicable personality, Junji Ito is a master when it comes to horror. Uzumaki is one of his many works.

As its title suggests, Uzumaki �?which literally translates to "spiral" �?focuses on the strange and terrifying spiral patterns that begin to overtake a? small town. What starts as an unusual phenomenon leads to a series of horrific events.

From what we've seen in the trailers, Uzumaki's anime adaptation seems to maintain the grotesque, atmospheric tension that the manga is known for. Uzumaki will be an eight-episode series with its first episode coming out on September 28, making it the perfect anime to ??wa??tch during Halloween!

Trillion Game

Adapted from the popular manga by Riichiro Inagaki and Ryoichi Ikegami, Trillion Game tells the story of two ambitious young men, Haru and Gaku. Wanting to afford anything they desire, the duo aims to earn a trillion dollars through their unorthodox and daring methods. With a good mix of comedy, drama, and absurdity, Trillion Game should be on your watchlist.

The anime will start airing on October 3 and will continuously air for half a year.

Negative Positive Angler

For those looking for something offbeat, Negative Positive Angler delivers a mix of fishing, life lessons, and unexpected character development. It's a Kadokawa original anime that will be directed by Yutaka Uemura, who also worked on Saga of Tanya the Evil.

The story will follow the debt-riddled college student Tsunehiro Sasaki. To make matters worse, his doctor informed him that he only had two more years to live. One day, he fell?? into the sea as he was trying to escape h??is debtors. Hana, a fishing enthusiast, saved Sasaki and introduced him to fishing.

Much like many other series on this list, Negative Positive Angler is coming out on October 3.

Dragon Ball DAIMA

The Dragon Ball universe is expanding once again with Dragon Ball Daima. It follows a similar plot direction as Dragon Ball GT, though not necessarily the same. In Daima, Goku and the gang are turned into younger versions of themselves. They must explore?? a new world to find the solution to their little dilemma. As such, the series will have a chibi art style, reminiscent of the original series.

Other than the fact that it is Dragon Ball, Daima is the last Dragon Ball project Akira Toriyama worked on before his untimely passing. The anime will premiere on October 11.

Ranma 1/2 (Remake)

The return of Ranma 1/2, the classic martial arts ??and gender-bending comedy, has caused a stir among longtime anime fans. Originally a hit in the 90s, this anime remake will be introducing a new generation of fans to Rumiko Takahashi's classic manga.

It follows the adventures of Ranma Saotome, a skilled marti??al artist who, after falling into a cursed spring, transforms into a girl whe?never he’s splashed with cold water. Hot water reverses the effect, but the transformation creates endless comedic chaos in his life. Ranma also deals with romantic entanglements, particularly with his fellow martial artist and fiancée Akane Tendo.

Studio MAPPA will be behind the remake's ani??mation. Furthermore, the first episode is coming?? out on October 5.

365 Days to the Wedding

Adapted from Tamiki Wakaki’s manga serialized in Weekly Big Comic Spirits, 365 Days to the Wedding is a lighthearted office rom-c??om with a unique twist.

The story follows Takuya Oohara and Rika Honjouji,? two coworkers at a travel agency who are desperate to avoid a transfer to a remote branch in Siberia. Their solution? Pretend to be engaged, as the company is only considering single employees for the move. Although they barely know each other, they must now ?convince their boss and colleagues that they’re genuinely in love.

The premise alone sets up many comedic opportunities. But whether 365 Days to the Wedding can execute it well remains unknown, which is why it should be added to your Fall 2024 anime watchlist. 365 Days to the Wedding will air its pilot episode on October 3.

The post New Fall 2024 anime series to be excited for appeared first on Destructoid.

The first season of My Happy Marriage was an instant hit when it was released on Netflix back in July 20??23, quickly working its way into the hearts of viewers. It’s an incredibly touching story, and the anime is co??ming back for a second season in January 2025. 

There’s something special about watching someone realize their worth when they’ve been downtrodden their entire life, thanks to mistreatment from others. It’s something that I can heavily relate to myself, and I know a lot of others can likely say the same. My Happy Marriage takes this concept up a notch. 

Season one of My Happy Marriage saw Miyo??, a girl who thought that she wasn’t worthy of love, betrothed to the somewhat grumpy and hard-shelled Ki?yoka, whose previous fiancées had fled within three days of meeting him. Over the course of the season, we saw her determination slowly win over his heart and, eventually, love blossomed. 

Of course, there were plenty of trials and tribulations faced by the couple, but there will likely be ?more to come in the second season. Miyo, with her Dream-Sight ability, will come face to face with Kiyoka�?�s mother for the first time, something which apparently doesn’t go smoothly judging from the teaser released by Netflix. 

Here's a teaser from t??he press release: "In the second season, the battle over the 'blood of the Usuba' that flows through Miyo enters a new phase, with their love put to the test. Will these two be able to fully protect the happiness they have finally grasped in their hands?"

I ha?ve complete faith in the pair's love and dedication to each other, and I fully believe that together they can get through anything, but it’s sure to be a bumpy ride. Episodes will be released weekly, so there’s going to be some nail-biting time between installments as we wait to see what happens. 

The post My Happy Marriage season 2 is coming to Ne?tflix in Janu?ary 2025 appeared first on Destructoid.

To fight against the threat of the demons, many members of the Demon Slayer Corps make use of Breathing Styles, which allows them to summon inhuman strength by pairing the right breathing patterns with ?immacu?late swordsmanship.

But which among the styles featured in the series can be considered the strongest? Here are all the Breathing Styles in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, ranked.

• As you can expect, this piece will feature heavy spoilers for the events only showcased in the Demon Slayer manga. so prepare your Nichirin Sword and read at your own risk.

14. Insect Breathing

An adjacent form of Flower Breathing created by the Insect Hashira, Shinobu Kocho to make up for her weak constitution and inability to decapitate demons, Insect Breathing is a style that specializes in perfor??ming fast and precise reaper-like trusts with the intent of applying lethal effects through Wisteria poisoning. True to that, and although lethal against most, the style lacks the punch many? of the others have, as sunlight and decapitations are still the only way to truly end the life of high-end demons.

13. Sound Breathing

Created by the Sound Hashira Tengei Uzui, Sound Breathing is an offense-oriented style that revolves around his superhuman ability to identify sounds, and it's focused on performing a series of sequential and fas?t slashes while dual-wielding inter-connected Nichirin Swords. To add an extra kick to his forms, Uzui pairs many of them with gunpowder to generate massive explosions while making use of other ninja arts to shift the battle in his favor. Unfortunately, we cannot rank this breathing higher as only three of its forms were showcased during the entirety of the manga.

12. Flower Breathing

Used by the former Flower Hashira Kanae Kocho, as well as by Kanao Tsuyuri, Flower Breathing is a s??tyle that specializes in fast and well-placed curved stashes that mimic the way petals flow and bloom. Its biggest differential, however, lies i?n its final form's (Equinoctial Vermilion Eye) ability to massively boost its user's perception. That translates into a boost in kinetic vision, which allows them to momentarily perceive the world as if in slow motion while posing a severe burden to one's eyes.

11. Beast Breathing

Developed by Inosuke Hashibira during his life in the mountains, the Beast Breathing style is, much like its? creator, as straightforward as it gets and relies on t?he use of two Nishin Swords as well as on one's physical attributes to rush in while cutting everything on their path. As a self-taught style, many of its forms (or fangs) make use of Inosuke's ability to dislocate his joints at will, as well as his unique perception.

11. Love Breathing

A branch of Flame Breathing created and perfected by the Love Hashira Mitsuri Kanroji, Love Breathing is a style that focuses on the performance of whip-like slashes with preferably an altered Nishin Blade. A style only viable for Mitsuri, given her unique muscle density, Love B??reathing is one of the most oppressive in our list, as it allows its user to slash opponents at blinding speeds and overwhelm even the highest-ranked demons.

9. Serpent Breathing

Used and seemingly developed by the Serpent Hashira Obanai Iguro, Serpent Breathing is a style that specializes in extremely precise and unpredictable single-motion attacks only achievable by curving one??'s ??sword in a snake-like manner. It is unknown if it is possible to perform its forms with a standard Nishin Sword. Even if no more than five of its forms were shown during the series, the style seems to be one of the most balanced in the series and allowed Iguro to hold his own and aid Tanjiro during most of their struggle.

8. Mist Breathing

Used by Muichiro Tokito, who might be by all accounts the most talented member of the corps since Yoriichi Tsugikuni, Mist Breathing is a style that specializes in pairing unpredictable movements with fast and sequential attacks to disorient targets??.

Nothing showcases that better than its seventh dorm, Obscuring Clouds. Developed by Muichiro, the technique sees him slow his movements only to suddenly accelerate without notice. If attacked during it, that drastic change will cause enemies to feel like they are env??eloped in and trying to strike a wave of mist.

7. Flame Breathing

Used by Kyojuro Rengoku and all of the Flame Hashira that came before him, Flame Breathing specializes in the performance of kendo-like heavy strikes capable of decapitating targets in one fell swoop. But don't let?? that fool you, as even if shown not to be a great fit against enemies like Akaza, the style packs enough punch to turn most demons into cinders. Together with Wind, Flame is also one of the Breathing Techniques with the highest number of known forms, only falling behind Sun, Water, Moon, and Beast.

6. Thunder Breathing

Thunder Breathing is a quick-draw style that focuses, above all else, on the performance of unreachable fast strikes through its first form, Thunderclap and Flash. The style, however, gains new life when used by Zenitsu Agatsuma, as his Sixfold, Eightfold, and Godspeed variations allow him to perform consecutive Thunderclap and Flash slashes and bring down multiple enemies before they even realize they have been cut. Zenitsu also developed the style's seventh form, Flaming Th?under God, which can be seen as a hypercharged version of the above.

5. Wind Breathing

A maverick style that can be seen as the antithesis of the grounded approach of th?e water-breathing style, Wind Breathing focuses mainly on the performance of acrobatic high-speed slashes that emulate the shape of whirlwinds.

Used and mastered by Sanemi Shinazugawa, the style allows him to cruise through demons like a tornado. Its offensive repertoire ?also allowed Sanemi to stand his ground against Upper Moon Rank One Kokushibo in a duel even after the demon u??nsheathed his sword and revealed his true might.

4. Water Breathing

Known for being the most common am??ong the Demon Slayer Corps, the Water Breathing style excels in both offense and defense by applying water properties to swordsmanship, which allows it to make up for its lack of raw power with extreme adaptability. However, the style can only be brought to its full potential through its 11th form, Dead Calm.

Developed by Water Hashira Giyu Tomioka, Dead Calm sees users become water by entering a heightened ??state and allows them to react to threats at almost instantaneous sp??eed. But the form is not perfect, as there's a limit to how many attacks one can perceive.

3. Stone Breathing

Used by Gyomei Himejima, the strongest among the last gene??ration of the Hashira, the Stone Breathing style makes use of momentum to produce devastating close and long-range combinations at a 360-degree angle, a feat only possible given its reliance on unconventional chained weapons, such as Himejima's Nichirin spiked flail and handaxe combo.

Although demanding a lot of its user'??s body, given the necessity? to manipulate the chain at all times, its use allowed Himejima to be a game changer in the fight against Upper Moon Rank One Kokushibo, all while guiding his comrades.

2. Moon Breathing

A style created by Michikatsu Tsugikuni (later to be known a??s the demon Kokushibo) after his failure to learn his brother's Sun Breathing, the Moo?n Breathing is the style with the biggest amount of forms to date, as it beneficiated greatly from the enhanced life spam its wielder boasted after being turned into a demon. True to that, many of its forms also use his Demon Blood Art and are paired with swordplay honed to almost perfection and a deep knowledge of all breathing styles.

That mix allowed Kokushibo to?? climb the ranks and take the spot as the first Upper Moon Demon, as well as keep the upper hand even while facing multiple mark??ed Hashira during the Infinite Castle Arc.

1. Sun Breathing

The original breathing style, the Sun Breathing, was created by Yoriichi Tsugikuni and later adapted into the Kamado Family's Hino??kami Kagura dance ritual. Boasting the main strengths of all of the main style branches, it's true might can only be achieved by linking together all of its for??ms.

A testament to both its power and its creator's might can be seen in how it was used b??y Yoriichi to bring Muzan to?? the brink of death during their first and only encounter. The wounds inflicted on the Demon King also damaged him to a cellular level and never fully healed, instead remaining as scars even half a century following their encounter.

The post All Demon Slayer Breathing Styles, ranked appeared first on Destructoid.

In the Fall of 2022, Netflix and CD Projekt Red released Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, an animated prequel to Cyberpunk 2077 that became one of the year's biggest sleeper hits. During Geeked Week 2024, the two studios revealed they're getting back together to make another animated project set in the Cyberpunk universe.

Netflix's new Cyberpunk project won't be Edgerunners Season 2

The announcement came as a brief but stylish trailer that barely reveals anything about this new project. All we know with any certainty is that this new Cyberpunk project will again play out in? the mechanized jungle that is Night City. The trailer's description also confirms that Netflix Animation will be involved, proving that this will be an animated production.

I'm not surprised that Netflix is bringing us more Cyberpunk animation. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners was an earth-shattering success, so much so that Cyberpunk 2077's 1.6 and 2.0 Patches added a pleth??ora of Easter Eggs and?? references to it. I've binged the series three times s??ince 2022, and I'm still reduced to a sobbing mess by the time I reach the last episode.

Unfortunately, whatever this new Cyberpunk series (or film) ends up being, it won't be a continuation of Cyberpunk Edgerunners. CDPR confirmed long ago that they had no plans to produce a second season of Cyberpunk Edgerunners, and I, for one, am perfectly okay with that. David? Martinez and his crew's adventures ended on a heartbreaking but satis??fying note, and it'd be wrong to take that sense of closure away by trying to continue the story.

While we won't get Cyberpunk Edgerunners Season 2, we've known that CDPR has been planning to make other animated projects set in Cyberpunk 2077's world. Hopefully, this new entry will be just as nova as Cyberpunk Edgerunners was.

The post Netflix and CD Projekt Red are making anoth??er Cyberpunk anime appeared first on Destructoid.

The beloved Naruto series is celebrating a major milestone �?its 25th anniversary �?with a special promotional video released to commemorate the occasion?. This iconic manga, which was first released in 1999, has since become a cultural phenomenon, and the anniversary PV is a heartfelt tribute to the maverick ninja.

The anniversary PV beautifully captures some of the most iconic moments from both Naruto and Naruto: Shippuden, taking fans through key battles, emotional scenes, and memorable characters that have defined the series. From Naruto’s early days as the underdog n?inja in Konoha to his evolution into the Seventh Hokage,?? the video serves as a nostalgic trip down memory lane for longtime fans.

For the uninitiated, the story follows Naruto Uzumaki, an orphaned ninja ostracized by his village due to the powerful Nine-Tailed Demon Fox sealed within him. To gain recognition and prove his wort?h, Naruto dreams of becoming the Hokage, the strongest ninja in the village.

Naruto, penned by Masashi Kishimoto, first debuted as a manga series in Weekly Shonen Jump in 1999. In 2002, the manga was adapted into an anime by Studio Pierrot, marking the beginning of its international success. The anime ran for 220 episodes, covering Naruto’s early years and his growth as a ninja. Its sequel, Naruto: Shippuden, continued the story from 2007 to 2017, w?ith 500 episodes that focused on Naruto’s maturation and the climactic battles that ??decided the fate of the ninja world.

The franchise has also received a number of spin-off manga series, as well as movies and video game adaptations. The manga can be read on MANGA Plus and VIZ Media, while the anime is available for streaming on Crunchyroll.

The post Naruto receives ??PV in celebration of 25th anniversary appeared first on Destructoid.

Back in September 2023, Netflix announced that the beloved Capcom game franchise Devil May Cry is getting a new animated adaptation. During Geeked Week 2024, Netflix fol??lowed up with an exciting reveal: the animated series is set to premiere in April 2025.

Alongside this announcement, a brand-new teaser trailer was released, giving fans a first look at some of the s?how’s action-packed s??equences.

Produced by Netflix, the series promises to offer a fresh take on the iconic action-adventure game. Animation is being handled by Studio Mir, renowned for its stellar work on projects like The Legend of Korra and Dota: Dragon’s Blood.

The story will center on Devil May Cry’s iconic characters, including Dante, Vergil, and Lady. According to Anime News Network, the first season will consist of eight episodes, which should set the stage for what is expected to be a multi-season saga. Furthermore, Netflix confirmed that Johnny Yong Vosch, who voiced Nero in Devil May Cry 4 and Devil May Cry 5, w??ill be taking o??n the role of Dante in this adaptation.

This is also not the first time Devil May Cry has been adapted for the screen. ?In 2007, Madhouse produced a 12-episo?de anime series based on the game. Released on home video by ADV Films and later Funimation, the anime gained a following and was made available on streaming platforms like Crunchyroll in 2017.

The post Devil May Cry a?nimated series to premiere?? in April 2025 appeared first on Destructoid.