Tag Archives: Anime

Event

Tokyo Is Building a Brand-New Anime Festival — TOKYO ANIME NEXT Lands in Ikebukuro This October

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Tokyo just announced a brand-new anime festival, and it could become one of the most important events on the calendar for anime fans everywhere. The Japan Animation Association, co-hosted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, has unveiled TOKYO ANIME NEXT — a four-day showcase running 30 October to 2 November 2026 across Ikebukuro’s Toshima Ward. The announcement landed today directly from Tokyo’s official government press release, with no English coverage yet.

TOKYO ANIME NEXT — official announcement visual
Image courtesy of Tokyo Metropolitan Government / Japan Animation Association

What Is TOKYO ANIME NEXT?

TOKYO ANIME NEXT is the Japan Animation Association’s first major Tokyo-based event at this scale. The headline venue is Tokyo Tatemono Brillia HALL in Ikebukuro, with additional programming spread across multiple locations in the Toshima Ward district — the same neighbourhood that houses Sunshine City, Animate Ikebukuro, and some of the densest concentration of anime goods stores in the world.

The event’s stated mission is to showcase both the present and future of Japanese animation: connecting anime with international audiences and providing a platform for emerging animation talent.

What to Expect Across Four Days

The programme spans a genuinely broad range of formats. According to the official announcement, TOKYO ANIME NEXT will feature:

  • Screenings — acclaimed works and latest notable titles
  • Exhibitions — deep dives into animation production and craft
  • Workshops — children’s and educational programmes
  • Symposiums and talk events — panels on the state of the industry
  • Stage events — live performances and presentations

The finale on 2 November at Brillia HALL is the headline moment: a special orchestral performance synchronised with footage from anime titles popular overseas, framing both the art form’s history and its global future. Think less Comiket floor-scramble, more curated cultural showcase — with a live orchestra as the close.

The Bigger Picture: A Major 2027 Event Is Coming

Here is the part that has us paying close attention. The October 2026 event is explicitly described as a launch project — a test run, in effect, for a full-scale international anime festival planned to open in earnest in 2027. Organisers will use the finale on 2 November to formally announce those 2027 plans. In other words, what we are seeing now is the prologue to something bigger.

With Sony Music Solutions handling operations and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government as co-host, the backing is serious. This is a government-supported push to establish Tokyo as a permanent, globally recognised anime events destination — similar to what AnimeJapan does for the spring season but with a stronger international and creative focus. The official website is already live at tokyoanimenext.jp, and the secretariat can be reached at info2026@tokyoanimenext.jp — programme details are listed as “coming soon.”

Last words

Late October into early November is arguably the best time of year to be in Japan — autumn leaves, cooler temperatures, and now TOKYO ANIME NEXT to anchor the anime side of any trip. Ikebukuro already draws Singapore otaku in big numbers given its Animate flagship and the Sunshine City figure shops; adding a four-day curated anime festival to the mix makes the case for a late October 2026 Japan trip even stronger.

Programme details and ticketing are still to come from the official site. We will update this page when announcements drop. Keep an eye on our events page for the latest Japan and SG anime event news.

Manga Anime

Mushoku Tensei Season 3 Premieres 5 July — Studio Bind Is Back

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After a two-year gap, Rudeus Greyrat is almost back. Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Season 3 has locked in a 5 July 2026 premiere date, with Studio Bind returning for what is shaping up to be one of the biggest isekai events of the summer season.

Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Season 3 | OFFICIAL TRAILER — via Crunchyroll on YouTube

What Is the Perugius Arc — and Why Does It Matter for Mushoku Tensei Season 3?

Mushoku Tensei Season 3 key visual featuring the main cast
Image courtesy of Studio Bind

Season 3 picks up from Volume 14 of Rifujin na Magonote’s original light novel, heading into the so-called Everyday-life Arc. Rudeus and his companions make for the legendary floating fortress of the Dragon God Perugius — a destination that promises answers about the world’s deeper mysteries. But the journey takes a dark turn when one member of the group is struck down by a deadly illness, forcing Rudeus to navigate a new kind of crisis: not a dungeon boss or a magical disaster, but the threat of losing someone he loves to something he cannot simply fight off.

It is a quieter arc by Mushoku Tensei’s standards, but fans of the source material know it lands some of the series’ most emotionally resonant moments. After Season 2’s harrowing conclusion — which left both Rudeus and his audience reeling — the shift into this more grounded chapter feels earned.

Studio Bind Returns With the Same Team That Built the Benchmark

Consistency is one of Mushoku Tensei’s greatest strengths, and Season 3 is no exception. Director Ryosuke Shibuya is back, as are character designers Sanae Shimada and Ryota Furukawa, and composer Yoshiaki Fujisawa, who has scored every instalment of the anime to date. The returning core voice cast is intact: Yumi Uchiyama as Rudeus, Kokomo Kohara as Roxy, Ai Kayano as Sylphiette, and Ai Kakuma as Eris.

Roxy Migurdia in Mushoku Tensei Season 3
Image courtesy of Studio Bind

Two notable new faces join the cast this season: Haruka Tomatsu steps in as Nina Farion, and Tetsu Inada voices Gal Farion — characters whose significance to the Perugius storyline will become clear once the season is underway. Both are experienced voice actors with extensive credits across major anime titles, which suggests the new roles are being taken seriously.

With an 8.2 rating on IMDb and four consecutive Crunchyroll Anime Awards nominations across its first two seasons, Mushoku Tensei has established itself as one of the genre’s flagship productions. Season 3 inherits that reputation and, from the looks of the official trailer, intends to uphold it.

Yuiko Ohara Opens; Mika Nakashima Brings the Season Home

The theme song lineup for Season 3 is turning heads. Yuiko Ohara — whose warm, introspective style proved a perfect fit for this series in earlier seasons — handles the opening theme. The ending, meanwhile, goes to Mika Nakashima, whose contribution is titled Prayer, If It Ends.

Singapore fans who caught Mika Nakashima’s 2026 Asia tour will recognise the name immediately — she is one of Japan’s most beloved singer-actresses, with a discography that spans J-pop ballads and anime tie-ins alike. Having her sign off each Mushoku Tensei episode this summer is a genuinely exciting pairing, and the ending theme PV released in early June 2026 gives a strong sense of the emotional register she brings to the material.

Where to Watch Mushoku Tensei Season 3 in Singapore

Crunchyroll has confirmed a worldwide simulcast for Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Season 3, with episodes dropping weekly as they air in Japan from 5 July. Singapore viewers should note that streaming rights for anime in Southeast Asia sometimes differ from the global arrangement — previous seasons of Mushoku Tensei were available locally via platforms including Muse Asia, Netflix, and meWATCH in addition to Crunchyroll, depending on the period. We recommend checking your preferred platform close to the premiere date to confirm local availability.

For more anime coming this summer, keep an eye on our coverage as the July season ramps up.

Last Words

Two years is a long time in anime fandom, but Mushoku Tensei has always rewarded patience. The Perugius Arc brings a different energy to the series — slower, more introspective, and emotionally heavier than the action peaks of earlier seasons — and that shift in register is precisely what makes it such a compelling pivot point in the story. With the same creative team, a stacked voice cast, and a genuinely exciting music lineup headlined by Mika Nakashima, Singapore fans have every reason to clear their schedule for 5 July. Rudeus’s journey continues — and if the trailer is any guide, Studio Bind has no intention of letting the standard slip.

Manga Anime, News

Pokémon Horizons Season 3 Part 3 Lands on Netflix 26 June

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The wait is almost over — Pokémon Horizons: Season 3 — Rising Hope Part 3 lands on Netflix this Friday, 26 June 2026, picking up where one of the most story-driven Pokémon anime seasons in recent memory left off.

Pokémon Horizons Season 3 Part 3 — official clip still featuring Dot's Gimmighoul and Sinistcha
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

What’s Happening in Part 3

Part 3 takes Liko, Roy, and the rest of the Rising Volt Tacklers to Blueberry Academy, where the intensity dial gets turned all the way up. Training is the focus — and not just any training: the young trainers are preparing to challenge Elite Four members and sharpen their edge against the Explorers, the organisation threatening to spread Laquium across the world.

Mysteries around Terapagos deepen as the crew works to understand its connection to Laquium, while the Brave Olivine receives a surprise message that sends everyone scrambling. Dot’s newest partner, Gimmighoul, steps into the spotlight — as does the match-green tea Pokémon Sinistcha, featured in the official Part 3 clip below. New rival Ult, who declared himself Roy’s challenger last season, continues to push the group forward.

An Astonishing Battle! | Pokémon Horizons: Season 3—Rising Hope Part 3 — via The Official Pokémon YouTube channel

Catch Up Before Friday

If you’re joining late, Rising Hope is the 28th season of the Pokémon anime and the third arc following Liko and Roy — the freshest protagonists since Ash hung up his Poké Balls. The season opened with a year time-skip, placing the Rising Volt Tacklers in a new chapter after the events in Laqua left the group without a leader.

Parts 1 and 2 — 22 episodes between them — are already on Netflix. Season 3 runs to 47 episodes in total, so Part 3 adds a substantial new stretch to the story. The official episode count for Part 3 has not been confirmed at time of writing, but previous releases suggest around 10–12 new episodes.

Pokémon Horizons Season 3 Rising Hope — official Netflix trailer key art
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

Where Singapore Fans Can Watch

Netflix Singapore carries Pokémon Horizons, so Part 3 should be available on your account from 26 June — no VPN needed. For fans who want to watch without a Netflix subscription, the Pokémon Asia ENG YouTube channel has been streaming Season 3 episodes for free since March 2026, making this one of the most accessible Pokémon anime releases for fans in the region.

Check the official Pokémon announcement for the latest details, and see all our anime coverage here.

Last words

Singapore Pokémon fans have been eating well lately — between Pokémon GO events, the TCG, and Pokémon Champions Mobile hitting #1 on iOS locally, this is a genuinely great time to be a Trainer here. Part 3 of Rising Hope arrives just as the Summer 2026 anime season heats up, making this Friday’s drop a tidy warm-up for what’s ahead. Save your Netflix queue for 26 June.

Manga Anime, News

Kagurabachi Anime Casts Tomokazu Seki, Coming April 2027

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The wait for the Kagurabachi anime just got a whole lot harder. The production has officially cast the legendary Tomokazu Seki as Kunishige Rokuhira — master swordsmith and father of protagonist Chihiro — dropping a dedicated character trailer to mark the announcement.

KAGURABACHI | Official Teaser Trailer — via CyberAgent ANIME Global on YouTube

Why Tomokazu Seki as Kunishige Is Such a Big Deal

If you have watched anime for any stretch of time, you know Tomokazu Seki’s voice — Gilgamesh in the Fate franchise, Dino in Dr. Stone, Touya Mochizuki in In Another World with My Smartphone, and dozens of commanding roles across three decades of the medium. Landing him as Kunishige — a swordsmith of mythical skill who is also a deeply devoted father — is a casting choice that tells you exactly what register this show is aiming for.

Seki commented on the role in the official press release: “Kunishige Rokuhira is a legendary swordsmith, but at the same time, he is also a warmhearted father.” That duality — the fearsome craftsman and the gentle dad — is central to why Kagurabachi‘s opening chapters hit so hard.

Kunishige Rokuhira character visual from the Kagurabachi anime
Image courtesy of CyberAgent ANIME / Cypic

Chihiro’s Voice and the Full Creative Team

The lead — Chihiro Rokuhira, the son who sets out for revenge — is voiced by Taihi Kimura, who took home the Best New Actor prize at the 2025 Seiyu Awards. It is a strong debut for a role that will carry the entire series.

Direction is by Tetsuya Takeuchi, with character design by Keigo Sasaki, at studio Cypic (a CyberAgent group company). Shochiku and CyberAgent are co-chief production partners.

Chihiro Rokuhira character visual from the Kagurabachi anime
Image courtesy of CyberAgent ANIME / Cypic

The Manga Behind the Anime: 4 Million Copies in Two Years

Kagurabachi, written and illustrated by Takeru Hokazono, launched in Weekly Shonen Jump in September 2023 and immediately became one of the fastest-rising titles the magazine had seen in years. It has now surpassed four million copies sold (as of May 2026), won the Next Manga Award 2024 in the Print Category, and is available in English via VIZ Media. The premise: after witnessing his father’s murder at the hands of criminals seeking the family’s legendary enchanted swords, Chihiro dedicates himself to hunting down those responsible — blade in hand.

The World Tour and What It Means for Singapore Fans

Before the full series drops in April 2027, the first 20 minutes of Episode 1 will screen at four international anime conventions as part of the Kagurabachi Anime World Tour Part 1:

  • Anime Expo 2026 — Los Angeles, 3 July 2026, 4:45 PM PT
  • Japan Expo — Paris, 9 July 2026
  • AnimagiC — Mannheim, 1 August 2026
  • Anime NYC — New York, 22 August 2026

Singapore fans won’t need a plane ticket: the full series is confirmed for MUSE, the Southeast Asian streaming platform that already carries a broad catalogue of Shonen Jump anime, when it premieres in April 2027.

Last Words

Between Tomokazu Seki in a career-defining role, an award-winning VA pairing at the lead, and a production team clearly taking the manga’s legacy seriously, Kagurabachi is building into one of the most anticipated anime of next year for Singapore fans. If the manga is still sitting on your to-read list, consider this your reminder — Volume 1 is on shelves now via VIZ Media. Keep tabs on our manga and anime coverage as more details drop ahead of the April 2027 premiere.

Manga Anime, News

Studio Ghibli Has a New President: Kenichi Yoda Takes Over

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One of anime’s most legendary studios just turned a new page. As of today, June 22, 2026, Kenichi Yoda has officially stepped in as the new President and Representative Director of Studio Ghibli, with the studio’s shareholders’ meeting confirming the transition from outgoing president Hiroyuki Fukuda.

Studio Ghibli films including Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro
Image courtesy of Studio Ghibli

Who Is Kenichi Yoda, Studio Ghibli’s New Head?

Yoda’s name is familiar to those watching Nippon Television’s growing role in Ghibli. A General Specialist at NTV’s Content Strategy Headquarters, he has served as the network’s primary liaison to the studio since the 2023 acquisition. His most prominent production credit is the acclaimed stage adaptation of My Neighbor Totoro, which broke box office records at London’s Barbican Centre — a reminder that his experience lies in expanding Ghibli’s world well beyond the cinema screen. He brings a clear events-and-exhibition eye to the studio, which fits the direction NTV has been steering Ghibli: more live experiences, more global brand-building.

Hiroyuki Fukuda Steps Back — But Doesn’t Leave

The outgoing president Hiroyuki Fukuda (64) took the helm in 2023, the same year Nippon Television acquired Studio Ghibli as a subsidiary. He concurrently held the role of President and Representative Director at NTV Holdings, making his appointment a natural bridge between the two companies during the acquisition period. Fukuda will continue serving as a board director at Studio Ghibli, keeping the NTV–Ghibli connection intact even as he passes the executive baton.

Studio Ghibli classic film poster collage
Image courtesy of Studio Ghibli

The Creative Pillars That Aren’t Moving

For the fans most likely to panic at any Studio Ghibli headline — breathe. The studio clarified that no other changes to its upper leadership structure are planned:

  • Hayao Miyazaki continues as Honorary Chairman of the Board.
  • Toshio Suzuki, the legendary producer behind decades of Ghibli films, remains Representative Director and Chairman of the Board.
  • Goro Miyazaki stays on as Managing Director.

The studio’s creative backbone — Miyazaki and Suzuki at the top — remains exactly as it was. Yoda’s appointment is a strategic and executive move, not a creative one.

NTV, Ghibli, and What Comes Next

When NTV acquired Studio Ghibli in 2023, it sparked plenty of debate about what corporate ownership could mean for such a fiercely independent studio. Three years in, the answer has been a gradual, carefully managed integration — with stage productions, international exhibitions, and global licensing expanding alongside the films. As Studio Ghibli stated at the time of the announcement, as reported by Anime News Network: “By combining the resources of both companies, we aim to create new innovations.” Yoda, coming from exactly that events-and-content side of NTV, looks built for this mandate.

Last Words

For Singapore Ghibli fans, the studio’s beloved films remain as accessible as ever — streaming across major platforms, with merchandise at specialty retailers islandwide. What Yoda’s presidency means for future productions is still an open question, but the continued presence of Hayao Miyazaki and Toshio Suzuki at the top suggests that the studio’s creative soul is in safe hands. This feels less like the end of an era and more like a carefully managed handoff — Studio Ghibli remains Studio Ghibli, just with a fresh name steering the ship. Stay tuned to our anime and Japan culture coverage for any updates from the studio.

Manga Anime, News

BanG Dream! YUME∞MITA Drops 2nd PV and Opening Theme — Premieres 2 July

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BanG Dream!’s next anime chapter is taking shape fast — the staff behind YUME∞MITA dropped the second promotional video, a clean opening animation, and the series’ main key visual on 21 June, all ahead of a three-episode premiere night on 2 July 2026.

BanG Dream! YUME∞MITA main key visual featuring Mugendai Mewtype
Image courtesy of Bushiroad / NICHICALINE

What Is BanG Dream! YUME∞MITA?

YUME∞MITA is the latest entry in the long-running BanG Dream! franchise — but it comes with a twist that makes it feel genuinely new. The anime centres on Mugendai Mewtype, a five-member virtual girl band made up entirely of VTubers. Each member has a real online presence and a dedicated fan base, and the series threads their digital personas into a full TV anime narrative.

The five members: Arale Nakamachi (vocals), Nonoka Miyanaga (lead guitar), Ritsu Minetsuki (rhythm guitar), Miyako Fuji (keyboard), and Yuno Sengoku (DJ and manipulator). If you already follow any of them on stream, you’ll be watching familiar faces in a completely new form.

Opening Theme: Our Survival, Written by Unison Square Garden

The PV2 and clean opening sequence reveal the series’ opening theme: “Kore wa Boku-tachi no Seizon no Arasuji” (Our Survival) performed by Mugendai Mewtype. The song was written by Tomoya Tabuchi, guitarist and vocalist of Unison Square Garden — a band whose anime credits include the Kekkai Sensen openings and the Boku dake ga Inai Machi ending theme. His involvement gives the track a sharp, indie-rock edge that sets YUME∞MITA apart from earlier BanG Dream! idol-pop entries.

BanG Dream! YUME∞MITA — Official PV2, via バンドリちゃんねる☆ on YouTube

Production — NICHICALINE and Director Tomomi Umetsu

The series is animated by NICHICALINE, a studio building its identity in music-forward anime. Tomomi Umetsu directs with Hiroshi Morita as assistant director, and Midori Gotō handles series composition alongside writers Akiko Waba, Yotsuji Haibuchi, and Hitomi Ogawa. Character designs are by Osamu Nobusawa and Mochipuyo.

The broadcast plan is ambitious: the first three episodes air simultaneously on 2 July at 23:00 JST on Tokyo MX, with additional broadcasts on BS NTV and Sun TV. Dropping three episodes on night one is an increasingly popular strategy for summer anime that wants to make an immediate impression — you get a complete story arc before the weekly wait begins.

Where to Watch in Singapore

Crunchyroll confirmed in January 2026 that BanG Dream! YUME∞MITA would be part of its 2026 anime lineup. Crunchyroll is available in Singapore, so the expectation is that Singapore fans will be able to stream from 2 July — though exact territory availability for SG had not been confirmed at the time of writing. Check Crunchyroll’s official announcements closer to 2 July for the final word.

Last words

Between the VTuber concept, the Unison Square Garden writing credit, and a three-episode opening night, YUME∞MITA is shaping up as one of Summer 2026’s more interesting sleeper picks. Singapore fans who already live in the VTuber world will have a head start on the lore — check out more Summer 2026 anime we’ve been tracking ahead of the July season kick-off.

Manga Anime, News

BLEACH: The Calamity — 25 July Premiere and Two New Themes

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The date is finally locked in. BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War — The Calamity premieres on TV Tokyo at 11:00 PM JST on Saturday, 25 July 2026 — and today’s announcement also confirms two brand-new theme songs, chosen with direct input from series creator Tite Kubo.

BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War — The Calamity key visual featuring Ichigo's Horn of Salvation form
Image courtesy of TV Tokyo / Studio Pierrot
Official Trailer | BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War Final Part – The Calamity | INTL SUBS — via vizmedia on YouTube

The Date BLEACH Fans Have Been Waiting For

The Calamity is Part 4 — and the final part — of the Thousand-Year Blood War anime adaptation, taking the story to Yhwach’s ultimate confrontation with Ichigo and crew. Studio Pierrot returns under chief series director Tomohisa Taguchi and director Hikaru Murata. The key visual puts Ichigo front and centre in his Horn of Salvation form, the definitive fusion of his Soul Reaper, Hollow, and Quincy powers — a visual shorthand for just how much is riding on this final cour.

The July 25 TV premiere had been listed as TBC for months. That question is now answered.

Two New Theme Songs — and Tite Kubo Picked Both

The opening theme is “I-BULL” performed by jo0ji. The ending theme is “Rasen” (Spiral) performed by singer-songwriter 9Lana. According to Anime News Network’s coverage of today’s announcement, Kubo personally listened to and selected the theme songs for The Calamity — a hands-on involvement that also extends to checking storyboards, production graphics, and settings throughout the final arc. For a series that has always used music as emotional punctuation, knowing the creator himself signed off on these picks carries real weight.

BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War — The Calamity character visual
Image courtesy of TV Tokyo / Studio Pierrot

Catch the First Three Episodes Early — Theatrical Screenings

Before the TV broadcast begins, Fathom Entertainment and Viz Media are screening the first three episodes of The Calamity in U.S. theatres from 25–29 June 2026, in both Japanese-with-subtitles and English dub versions, including an exclusive behind-the-scenes conversation with Kubo, Taguchi, and Murata. UK fans are getting their own theatrical run on 26 June, as confirmed by Anime News Network. Singapore cinema screenings for The Calamity have not been announced at the time of writing — watch for local news closer to launch.

Where Singapore Fans Can Watch BLEACH: The Calamity

The first three parts of Thousand-Year Blood War streamed on Disney+ in Singapore, and The Calamity follows the same international distribution. Check your Disney+ app for a Singapore listing around the 25 July premiere date — a simulcast or same-week stream is the expectation based on previous parts. Exact local start times for Southeast Asia have not been officially confirmed yet; keep an eye on Disney+ Singapore’s schedule. More anime news on GameTrader

Last words

Thirteen years after the manga ended and two years into the most visually ambitious arc BLEACH has ever put on screen, the final curtain is drawing near. For Singapore fans who have been with the Thousand-Year Blood War adaptation since its 2022 launch, 25 July is the date to circle. With Tite Kubo personally hand-picking the soundtrack and the Horn of Salvation visual signalling the absolute endgame, The Calamity looks set to give BLEACH the send-off it deserves.

Manga Anime

Higurashi: When They Cry Gets a New TV Anime — 20 Years On

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On June 21 — Watanagashi, the Cotton Drifting Festival day in the series’ own lore — KADOKAWA announced that Higurashi: When They Cry is getting a brand new television anime, two decades after the original first aired.

New TV Anime Production Announcement PV (「ひぐらしのなく頃に」新作TVアニメーション制作決定PV) — via KADOKAWAanime on YouTube

みんな、おかえり — Everyone, Welcome Home

During a live-streamed 20th anniversary special on Sunday, KADOKAWA confirmed that a new Higurashi: When They Cry TV anime is now in production. The announcement came with a teaser visual featuring a smiling Rena Ryugu and the tagline みんな、おかえり — “Everyone, welcome home” — a phrase that is both deeply warm and deeply ominous if you know the character. A short promotional video with newly recorded voice dialogue was also released through the official KADOKAWAanime YouTube channel.

Higurashi: When They Cry 2026 new anime teaser visual with cast
Image courtesy of KADOKAWA

The Original Cast and Studio DEEN Are Back

The entire main voice cast is returning for the new series:

  • Keiichi Maebara: Soichiro Hoshi
  • Rena Ryugu: Mai Nakahara
  • Mion Sonozaki / Shion Sonozaki: Satsuki Yukino
  • Satoko Hojo: Mika Kanai
  • Rika Furude: Yukari Tamura

Animation production returns to Studio DEEN, the studio behind the original 2006 and 2007 anime adaptations — not Passione, which handled the 2020–2021 GOU and SOTSU remakes. That is a deliberate homecoming on multiple fronts, and the announcement makes no effort to be subtle about it.

New Higurashi anime visual from Studio DEEN and KADOKAWA 2026
Image courtesy of KADOKAWA

New to Higurashi? Here Is the Short Version

Higurashi: When They Cry (ひぐらしのなく頃に) is a horror-mystery visual novel series by Ryukishi07 via 07th Expansion, originally released in chapters from 2002 to 2006. It follows a group of friends in the rural village of Hinamizawa during the summer of 1983 — where, every year around the Cotton Drifting Festival, someone dies or goes missing. The series is known for its psychological horror, time loop mechanics, and a knack for making cheerful character designs do a lot of unsettling work. It is not for the faint-hearted, and that is precisely why it still has such a passionate following two decades on.

Last Words

No premiere date or streaming platform has been confirmed yet. Previous Higurashi adaptations — the original series and both GOU and SOTSU — have been available on Crunchyroll in Southeast Asia, so that is the platform Singapore fans would naturally look to, but nothing for the new series is confirmed. KADOKAWA says further announcements are coming soon.

For Singapore’s horror-anime crowd, Higurashi at twenty feels as alive as ever. Whatever direction this new series takes, that Watanagashi timing was not an accident — the team is very much in on the joke, and Rena is smiling. Keep an eye on our anime coverage for updates as they drop.

Manga Anime, News

Goodbye, Lara Reveals Ending Theme “Hearts Glow” by Hana Hope and Two New Cast Members

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Kinema Citrus — the studio behind Made in Abyss — has dropped the third promotional video for its upcoming original anime Goodbye, Lara, and it delivers two notable reveals: the ending theme song “Hearts Glow” performed by singer-songwriter Hana Hope, and a pair of new cast additions joining the show when it premieres on Crunchyroll this July.

Goodbye, Lara | Official Trailer — via Crunchyroll on YouTube

What the Goodbye, Lara PV3 Shows

The new promotional video previews the ending theme in context, giving audiences their first feel for how Hana Hope’s music fits the show’s bittersweet, fairy-tale-meets-modern-Japan atmosphere. Alongside the musical reveal, the Crunchyroll announcement accompanying the PV also unveiled a fresh key visual and expanded the cast with two more named characters.

Two New Cast Members Join the Ensemble

Minami Tsuda voices Risa, Lara’s fourth oldest sister, while Kazutomi Yamamoto takes on Kōta, a new human character. They join a lineup that already includes Hana Hishikawa in the lead role of Lara, alongside Nana Kawaishi, Rica Fukami, Ayumu Murase, and Masaki Terasoma.

The Story: A Mermaid Reborn at Lake Biwa

Loosely inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid, Goodbye, Lara follows a mermaid princess who wished to be loved by a human — a wish that cost her everything. Two centuries later, she awakens at Lake Biwa in modern-day Shiga Prefecture, Japan, with one last chance at life and love before she vanishes for good.

Director Takushi Koide leads the production at Kinema Citrus, with Anna Kawahara overseeing series scripts, Shiori Tani handling character design, and Yuma Yamaguchi composing the score. The project is published by Kadokawa.

Goodbye Lara key visual — Crunchyroll anime Summer 2026
Image courtesy of Crunchyroll / Kadokawa

When and Where to Watch in Singapore

Goodbye, Lara premieres in Japan on 5 July 2026, with Crunchyroll simulcasting for international audiences — including Singapore and Southeast Asia. It is part of Crunchyroll’s Summer 2026 anime season lineup, which includes a strong mix of returning titles and originals this year.

Last words

With a studio pedigree like Kinema Citrus behind it and Hana Hope lending emotional weight to the ending theme, Goodbye, Lara looks set to be one of the more quietly affecting picks of Summer 2026. Singapore fans catching the new season on Crunchyroll would do well to give this one a slot on their watchlist — 5 July is closer than it feels.