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Manga Anime

The Elusive Samurai Season 2 Premieres on Crunchyroll 17 July

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Nine days from now, the most gifted runner in Japanese history makes his comeback. The Elusive Samurai Season 2 premieres on 17 July 2026 on Crunchyroll, and with a new main trailer and opening theme now revealed, we finally know what to expect when CloverWorks returns to feudal Kamakura.

The Elusive Samurai Season 2 — the main cast gather in a lantern-lit scene
Image courtesy of Aniplex

What Is The Elusive Samurai?

Based on the manga by Yusei Matsui — the creator behind Assassination Classroom — The Elusive Samurai (逃げ上手の若君) follows Hojo Tokiyuki, the young heir to the Kamakura shogunate who survives the brutal downfall of his clan through one extraordinary, embarrassing talent: running away at superhuman speed. Set during the historical Kenmu Restoration in 14th-century Japan, the series transforms real political upheaval into something wildly funny and, quietly, a little moving.

Season 1 from CloverWorks aired in 2024 and built a strong following on Crunchyroll — particularly among fans who like their history served with exaggerated comedy faces and genuinely well-animated action. The whole first season remains on Crunchyroll if you need to catch up before 17 July.

Season 2 Trailer and Opening Theme

The Elusive Samurai Season 2 | Main Trailer — via Aniplex USA on YouTube

Aniplex dropped the main trailer at Anime Expo 2026 earlier this month, confirming the 17 July premiere alongside the opening theme: “Onigoto” (鬼ごと), performed by Japanese singer and actor Kento Nakajima. Nakajima, who has spoken about his lifelong love of history, expressed genuine enthusiasm for the role — and the track itself sounds like a fittingly propulsive way to open an episode about a boy whose survival strategy is very fast feet.

CloverWorks returns with the core production team from Season 1, and based on the trailer the animation has lost none of its expressive energy — expect more of those gleefully exaggerated comedy cuts alongside the show’s sharper dramatic moments. Season 2 continues Tokiyuki’s campaign to reclaim Kamakura, with the political stakes rising as he gathers allies across a fractured Japan.

Tokiyuki in a lively outdoor market scene from The Elusive Samurai
Image courtesy of Aniplex

How to Watch from Singapore

Crunchyroll carries The Elusive Samurai in Singapore, and Season 2 streams from 17 July — same day as the Japanese broadcast on Fuji TV’s Noitamina block (Fridays, 11:30 PM JST). Both subtitled and dubbed versions will be available. If you have been sleeping on this one, the 24-episode Season 1 run is an easy weekend binge to get ready in time.

The Elusive Samurai is one of the more distinct anime running right now — a period piece that neither romanticises nor bores you with history, created by someone who clearly knows how to make a reader (or viewer) care about a surprisingly unconventional protagonist. Singapore fans on Crunchyroll, 17 July is the date to save. Browse more upcoming anime in our Manga & Anime section.

Manga Anime, News

Black Clover Season 2 Finally Returns in October 2026

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Five years is a long time to wait. Black Clover Season 2 is finally returning this October 2026 — and if the world premiere screening at Anime Expo 2026 is anything to go by, Asta and the Black Bulls are coming back stronger than ever. With the manga itself having completed its 11-year serialisation in May 2026, the timing of this anime comeback lands at exactly the right moment.

The Spade Kingdom Arc — Black Clover’s Best, Now Animated

Season 2 doesn’t ease you back in gently. The premiere episode, screened to a packed audience at Anime Expo 2026 on 4 July, opens in the Spade Kingdom and dives straight into the aftermath of the Spade Kingdom Raid — the story arc many fans consider the series’ creative peak. Reactions from AX attendees described the episode as distinctly “powered-up”, with particular praise going to a striking black-and-white sequence during Nacht Faust’s Mana Zone — a bold stylistic choice that signals this season won’t play it safe.

At the heart of the story is Asta’s training with his demon partner Liebe, guided by the enigmatic Black Bulls deputy captain Nacht Faust, as the two work towards mastering Devil Union Form — a temporary fusion of human and demon that amplifies Asta’s anti-magic to jaw-dropping levels. Alongside him, Noelle Silva and Yuno Grinberryall reach new heights that pay off years of patient setup for long-time readers.

Black Clover Season 2 — Asta in front of an illustration featuring Nacht, Yami, and Yuno
Image courtesy of Studio Pierrot / Crunchyroll
Black Clover Second Season — Official Trailer 3 — via Crunchyroll on YouTube

Studio Pierrot Returns — With a Fresh Team and Higher Ambitions

Studio Pierrot is back in production, which is what fans had hoped. The studio brings a largely renewed creative team: Ayataka Tanemura takes the director’s chair (he helmed portions of the original series and directed the Sword of the Wizard King Netflix film), with series composer Keiichiro Ochi, new character designer Itsuko Takeda, and new music composer Minako Seki. The updated character designs show a noticeably more polished look for the cast, and early screenshots suggest the animation quality is aiming for the heights Pierrot reached on Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War — strong words, but the first-episode reaction from AX backs it up.

Black Clover Season 2 — official character promotional art
Image courtesy of Studio Pierrot / Crunchyroll

WANIMA Opens the Season with “Kienai Riyuu”

The opening theme is “Kienai Riyuu” (消えない理由 — “The Reason It Won’t Fade”) by Japanese punk-rock band WANIMA. The group, known for their anthemic, full-throttle energy and previous contributions to the My Hero Academia and Haikyu!! soundtracks, is an instinctive fit for Black Clover’s never-quit spirit. Previews of the theme in the official trailer have already sparked “one of the best OPs of the year” claims online — which, for a 5-year comeback, is exactly the reception this series needed.

Black Clover Season 2 — key visual promotional art
Image courtesy of Studio Pierrot / Crunchyroll

Streaming for Singapore Fans

Black Clover Season 2 premieres in Japan in October 2026. Crunchyroll has confirmed streaming in international regions outside Asia. Singapore fans should watch Crunchyroll Asia‘s catalogue directly — Asia-specific streaming rights for many Studio Pierrot titles are handled separately, so a regional platform may carry it shortly after the Japan broadcast. If the original series’ distribution is any guide, it should find its way here.

Those looking to get ahead can revisit Season 1’s 170 episodes, or — since the manga completed its 11-year serialisation in May 2026 — dive into the source material now. An Official Guidebook covering the full story with creator commentary also drops in Japan on 4 August 2026. For more upcoming anime hitting Singapore-accessible platforms, check our anime and manga section.

Manga Anime

The Apothecary Diaries Movie Opens in Japan 11 December

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Maomao is heading to the big screen. Gekijōban Kusuriya no Hitorigoto: Bōhi no Hihō — The Apothecary Diaries: The Deceased Empress’ Treasure — opens in Japanese cinemas on 11 December 2026, marking the first theatrical film for one of Crunchyroll’s most-watched anime franchises of recent years.

劇場版 薬屋のひとりごと 亡妃の秘宝 予告｜2026年12月11日（金）公開 — via TOHO animation チャンネル on YouTube

Maomao’s Next Case: Treasure, Pirates, and an Imperial Secret

The film sends Maomao and Jinshi far outside the palace on a grim errand: escort the remains of a concubine — dead five years — back to her homeland. The mission turns dangerous fast. They encounter pirates, hidden treasure, and a mysterious boy named Mu Qing who holds the key to the dead woman’s secrets. It is a self-contained story set between the events of Seasons 2 and 3, corresponding roughly to volume 4.5 of the original light novel series.

The Apothecary Diaries Movie character visuals — Maomao and Jinshi
Image courtesy of Toho Animation

New Character, Familiar Voices

The main cast returns: Aoi Yūki reprises Maomao and Takeo Ōtsuka is back as Jinshi. The film’s new face is Mu Qing, voiced by Mariya Ise — whose extensive CV includes Killua in Hunter x Hunter, Ray in The Promised Neverland, and Himeno in Chainsaw Man. Mu Qing is the mysterious boy at the centre of the film’s mystery, and his connection to the deceased consort is the thread Maomao has to unravel.

Mu Qing character visual and voice actress Mariya Ise for The Apothecary Diaries Movie
Image courtesy of Toho Animation

An Original Story, Written by the Author Herself

The screenplay is a fully original work by Hyūganatsu, the author of the Apothecary Diaries light novels — not an adaptation of an existing arc, but a story she describes as “more like the first draft of the novel.” Production is by the same team at Toho Animation STUDIO and OLM who built the television series. With Season 3 Part 1 confirmed for October 2026 and Part 2 in April 2027 — both expected on Crunchyroll — the film slots into the gap and gives fans an extra chapter while they wait for the next arc.

Japan Premiere on 11 December — International Window TBA

The premiere is Japan-only for now, with no international theatrical or streaming date announced. Both previous seasons of The Apothecary Diaries were available on Crunchyroll in Singapore, so a streaming release overseas is plausible — though Toho Animation has not set a timeline. For now, Season 3 Part 1 on Crunchyroll this October is the next guaranteed fix for Singapore fans. Stay tuned for updates as they come, and browse our anime and manga coverage for more on what is streaming this season.

Manga Anime

Tanya the Evil Season 2 Premieres Tomorrow on Crunchyroll

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Nine years is a long time to wait for an anime sequel — but the long stretch is finally over. Saga of Tanya the Evil Season 2 (Youjo Senki II) premieres on July 8, 2026, and Singapore fans can catch it from tomorrow via Crunchyroll and Ani-One Asia. Studio NUT is back, the original voice cast returns, and the war for Tanya’s soul rages on.

Saga of Tanya the Evil Season 2 — Official Main Trailer via AnimeSelect on YouTube

Nine Years in the Making — A New Director Steps In

When Season 1 wrapped up in March 2017, followed by the theatrical film in February 2019, the story was clearly unfinished — the light novel series by Carlo Zen had volumes left to adapt. The announcement of Season 2 came in June 2021, but production took another five years to reach screens. The result is a 12-episode continuation produced again at Studio NUT, with Kenta Ihara returning for series composition and Yuji Hosogoe keeping the character designs consistent.

The most notable change is in the director’s chair: Takayuki Yukimoto takes over from Season 1’s Yutaka Uemura. Yukimoto’s appointment was announced at AnimeJapan 2026 alongside a new full trailer and cast reveals — the long development window apparently gave the new director room to push production values. The opening theme, “Why? RED induction” by MYTH & ROID (who also did Season 1’s “JINGO JUNGLE”), and the ending theme “Weiter! Weiter!” performed in-character by Tanya (Aoi Yuki) suggest the tone stays resolutely on-brand.

Saga of Tanya the Evil Season 2 key visual — Tanya and the 203rd Mage Battalion
Image courtesy of Studio NUT / Kadokawa

Where the Story Picks Up

Season 2 begins in autumn of 1926, with Episode 1 titled “Salamander Combat Unit” — dropping viewers straight into the Empire’s deteriorating strategic position as total, global warfare spreads. The 203rd Aerial Mage Battalion under Tanya’s command remains the Empire’s sharpest tool, but the odds are multiplying. The mysterious entity Being X continues to manoeuvre events to force the spiritually defiant Tanya toward submission, making every battlefield victory feel like a step toward a larger trap.

Returning cast members include Aoi Yuki as Tanya von Degurechaff, Saori Hayami as Viktoriya Ivanovna Serebryakov, Shinichiro Miki as Erich von Rerugen, Tessho Genda as Kurt von Rudersdorf, and Hochu Otsuka as Hans von Zettour. Season 2 also introduces two new characters — Mikehl and Liliâ — as the conflict expands beyond the Empire’s borders.

Saga of Tanya the Evil Season 2 key visual #2 — Tanya with General Zettour and Rudersdorf
Image courtesy of Studio NUT / Kadokawa

How to Watch in Singapore

Singapore fans have two good options from tomorrow. Crunchyroll carries the series with a simulcast for most international regions including Southeast Asia, while Ani-One Asia provides the dedicated regional stream for SEA audiences. New episodes drop on Wednesdays following the Japanese broadcast. Both Disney+ and Prime Video are also expected to carry the series on a delayed basis later in the season.

If you need a refresher before Season 2, Season 1’s 12 episodes and the 2019 film are currently available on Crunchyroll. The film in particular bridges the gap between the series and where Season 2 picks up, so it’s worth a watch before Episode 1 drops. Check our full anime coverage for more summer 2026 premiere guides.

Manga Anime, News

Young Ladies Don’t Play Fighting Games Is Now on Crunchyroll — With Street Fighter 6

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Episode 1 of Young Ladies Don’t Play Fighting Games is live on Crunchyroll today — and it is already the most fun gaming-anime crossover of the Summer 2026 season. The series follows Aya Mitsuki and Mio Yorue, two students at the ultra-refined Kuromi Girls’ Academy where video games are strictly off-limits, as they discover a shared, very unladylike obsession: locking in at the highest levels of a fighting game tournament. The twist that has everyone talking? The anime swapped out its source manga’s fictional game entirely and integrated real footage from Street Fighter 6.

Young Ladies Don’t Play Fighting Games | Official Trailer — via Crunchyroll on YouTube

From Tea Ceremonies to Ranked Matches

Kuromi Girls’ Academy is the kind of school where grace is a subject and composure is non-negotiable — which makes it the perfect setting for a comedy about girls who unwind by rage-quitting fighting games behind closed doors. The manga by Eri Ejima, serialised in Monthly Comic Flapper under Media Factory, has been running since January 2020 and now spans 10 volumes, with volume 11 arriving on July 22. Seven Seas Entertainment publishes the English version for readers here in Singapore who want to follow along in print.

The anime is produced by Studio Diomedéa and directed by Shōta Ihata, with series scripts handled by Wataru Watari — the writer behind My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU — lending the show a sharp, character-driven comic edge. Early reviewer Ken Pueyo at Anime Corner called it a show where “you don’t need to be a fan of fighting games to like this one,” praising the premiere for finding something genuinely funny in the gap between the girls’ outward elegance and their secret intensity at the controller.

Young Ladies Don't Play Fighting Games main visual showing all five characters in character-select screen style
Image courtesy of Diomedéa / Kadokawa

Street Fighter 6 Takes the Stage

In the source manga, the characters play a fictional game called Iron Senpai 4. For the anime, Capcom and the production team reached an agreement to replace it entirely with in-game footage from Street Fighter 6 — meaning every match the characters play on-screen is actual SF6 gameplay. The character assignments are: Aya mains Cammy, Mio mains Ryu, Yū specialises with Ken, and Tamaki runs Juri. For anyone who has spent serious time in SF6’s ranked mode, watching school-uniformed ojou-samas execute those framedata-perfect inputs is a very specific kind of joy.

The collaboration — officially branded Street Fighter × 対ありでした。 — gives the show a production value boost while keeping it immediately readable for viewers who have never touched a fighting game. The SF6 sections are rendered cleanly enough that non-players can follow the action, while fans will catch the small mechanical choices that tell you exactly how serious these girls really are.

Street Fighter × Young Ladies Don't Play Fighting Games official collaboration key visual
Image courtesy of Capcom / Diomedéa

Cast, Music, and Where to Watch in Singapore

The voice cast is stacked: Ikumi Hasegawa leads as Aya, Kana Ichinose — who impressed many in Sword Art Online: Alicization as Alice — voices Mio, with Sayaka Senbongi, Shino Shimoji, and Maria Naganawa filling out the rest of the main group. The opening theme “Inochi Mijikashi Tai Suru Otome yo!” is performed by Hanabie. (fresh off a strong year of anime tie-ups), and Halca handles the ending with “New Game.”

Aya from Young Ladies Don't Play Fighting Games alongside Street Fighter 6 key art
Image courtesy of Diomedéa / Capcom

Young Ladies Don’t Play Fighting Games is streaming on Crunchyroll with new episodes dropping every Tuesday. Episode 1 is available right now for Singapore viewers — no geo-block issues to worry about, since Crunchyroll covers SEA. If the SF6 integration or the premise sounds remotely interesting, the first episode is a confident hook. Check out more anime coverage on GameTrader for everything streaming in Singapore this season.

Manga Anime

Sekiro: No Defeat Anime Gets September 4 Japan Theatrical Date — Then Crunchyroll

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FromSoftware’s landmark Sengoku action game finally makes the leap to anime — and the people behind it clearly understood the assignment. Sekiro: No Defeat opens in Japanese cinemas on 4 September 2026 for a three-week limited run, before heading to Crunchyroll worldwide (Singapore included) later in 2026. The full theatrical trailer landed on 26 June and the production is making waves for being entirely hand-drawn 2D — in an era when shortcuts are common, that commitment matters.

Sekiro: No Defeat key visual showing Wolf with katana
Image courtesy of FromSoftware / KADOKAWA / Sekiro:No Defeat PARTNERS

The Story: Wolf, Kuro, and the Dragon’s Curse

The film follows the core arc of the game: Wolf, a shinobi sworn to protect Kuro — the Divine Heir whose bloodline carries the Dragon’s Heritage of immortality. Every resurrection Wolf uses to survive spreads Dragonrot, a sickness that slowly claims innocent lives around him. Kuro, in desperation, chooses to sever the immortal curse even at the cost of his own life. Wolf fights fate itself to find another way.

It is a tight, concentrated story, and the production committee has deliberately leaned into the game’s psychological weight: the bond between Kuro and Wolf is front and centre, with boss battles against Genichiro Ashina, Gyoubu Oniwa, and the terrors of Senpou Temple woven through. The film holds a PG12 rating in Japan.

Sekiro: No Defeat | Official Trailer 2 — via Crunchyroll on YouTube

The Production: Qzil.la, Hand-Drawn, Zero Generative AI

The film is produced by studio Qzil.la, directed by Kenichi Kutsuna (who cut his teeth as a key animator on Bleach, One Punch Man, and Naruto: Shippuden), with Takuya Satou as screenwriter and Takahiro Kishida — the character designer behind Durarara!! and JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind — handling character design. The composer is Shuta Hasunuma, while the theme song is “Blu” by the late Ryuichi Sakamoto, lending the film an extraordinary level of emotional gravitas before a single frame plays.

Qzil.la is known for its work in AI-adjacent technologies, which raised questions the moment the project was announced. The official production committee got ahead of it: they confirmed there will be no generative AI used anywhere in the animation. Every frame is hand-drawn. The film also screened in the Midnight Specials section at Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2026 and was selected for the Fantasia International Film Festival.

Genichiro Ashina in combat from Sekiro: No Defeat anime
Image courtesy of FromSoftware / KADOKAWA / Sekiro:No Defeat PARTNERS

Voice Cast and the Original Game Cast

The original Japanese voice actors from Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice reprise their roles:
— Daisuke Namikawa as Wolf
— Miyuki Satou as Kuro, the Divine Heir
— Kenjiro Tsuda as Genichiro Ashina
— Takaya Hashi as Owl

For fans who played the game with Japanese audio, hearing these actors inhabit those roles in full animated form is going to hit differently.

Action combat scene from Sekiro: No Defeat anime
Image courtesy of FromSoftware / KADOKAWA / Sekiro:No Defeat PARTNERS

When Singapore Fans Can Watch

The three-week Japanese theatrical window opens 4 September 2026 — that run is Japan only. For Singapore and the rest of Southeast Asia, the path to the film is through Crunchyroll, which holds the exclusive worldwide streaming rights (excluding Japan, China, Korea, Russia, and Belarus). A specific streaming premiere date has not been announced yet; the most likely window is late September to October 2026, after the theatrical run closes. Crunchyroll is available in Singapore with both the free (ad-supported) and Premium tiers.

There is no confirmed Singapore theatrical run at this stage — if one is announced, we will update this post. For more anime and game adaptation news, head to our Manga & Anime section.

Manga Anime

One Piece: Heroines Is Now on Crunchyroll — Nami, Robin, Vivi and Perona Get the Spotlight

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One Piece: Heroines — the long-awaited anime special spotlighting the franchise’s iconic female crew — premiered on Fuji TV in Japan on 5 July, and is now streaming globally on Crunchyroll, including in Singapore. If you have been waiting 27 years for Nami, Robin, Vivi and Perona to carry an entire story on their own, the wait is finally over.

Nami in a blue formal outfit on stage in One Piece: Heroines
Image courtesy of Toei Animation

What Is One Piece: Heroines?

One Piece: Heroines is an anime television special adapted from the light novel series of the same name, written by Jun Esaka and illustrated by Sayaka Suwa, published by Shueisha under the Jump J-Books imprint. The novels have been available in English via Viz Media since April 2025 (volume one) and July 2025 (volume two), so if the special hooks you, there is more to read. Direction is by Haruka Kamatani, with scripts by Momoka Toyoda and character design by Takashi Kojima.

ONE PIECE HEROINES | Official Trailer — via ONE PIECE Official – ENG on YouTube

Four Stories, Four Heroines

The special presents four stand-alone short stories, each centred on a different heroine from across the Grand Line:

  • Nami: After buying a pair of shoes that hurt her feet, Nami returns to confront the designer — who offers to craft her a bespoke pair from scratch, but only if she agrees to model for him. A quiet vignette about craftsmanship, pride and what it means to find something that truly fits.
  • Robin: Nico Robin is called on to decipher a mysterious stone tablet that could help the Revolutionary Army and their chief of staff, Koala.
  • Vivi: Princess Vivi finds the Kingdom of Alabasta buzzing over a love letter addressed to her — and takes matters into her own hands to get to the bottom of it.
  • Perona: The Ghost Princess faces off against Mihawk — not with swords, but over a prized barrel of vintage wine.
Official character design sheets for Nami and Robin in One Piece: Heroines
Image courtesy of Toei Animation

AiNA THE END Sings “Blue Shining Star”

The theme song, “Blue Shining Star,” is performed by AiNA THE END — vocalist, actress and one of the most distinctive voices to come out of the BanG Dream! franchise, where she voices Mashiro Kurata. She has also built a strong solo career with a raw, emotive style. The choice fits: her voice brings a bittersweet warmth that mirrors the understated, character-first tone of each story in the special.

Close-up teaser visual of Nami and Robin for One Piece: Heroines
Image courtesy of Toei Animation

How to Watch in Singapore

One Piece: Heroines is streaming now on Crunchyroll with simulcast access for Singapore subscribers. The special hit the platform on 6 July, one day after its Fuji TV broadcast in Japan. A premium Crunchyroll subscription gives full simulcast access; some content is available free with ads for new users. Keep an eye on our Manga Anime section for more summer 2026 streaming picks as they land.

Manga Anime

Jurassic Shadows Anime Revealed at Anime Expo 2026

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Imagine dinosaurs never went extinct — they just learned to hide. That’s the chilling premise behind Jurassic Shadows (竜化粧の忍 / Ryugesho no Shinobi), a brand-new original anime unveiled at Anime Expo 2026 by the director of the beloved The Apothecary Diaries.

Jurassic Shadows ninja with dramatic makeup and glowing red eyes from the Project PV
Still from Avex Pictures’ official trailer

A Tokyo Overrun by Ancient Predators

Set in Tokyo, 2029, Jurassic Shadows imagines a world where dinosaurs survived the mass-extinction event not by thundering across open plains, but by interbreeding with humans over millions of years, embedding ancient predator DNA deep into the population. Today, they walk among us — and when they choose to feed, they prey on humanity from within.

Standing against them is a covert order of ninjas who wield Ryugesho (「竜化粧」, literally “dragon makeup”) — a special pigment infused with ancient memories that awakens dormant dinosaur power inside its wielder. Part paint, part ancestor ritual, and entirely unlike any power system anime has tried before.

The teaser key visual says it all: a lone ninja, back turned to the viewer, faces off against a colossal T-rex in a rain-drenched street with Tokyo Tower looming overhead. “Reclaim your power” reads the tagline. Expectations are already sky-high.

Watch the Project PV

Jurassic Shadows | Project PV — via avex pictures on YouTube

The 90-second Project PV showcases animation studio Cannon Code’s fluid action style — explosive transformation sequences, ink-like energy trails, and a modern Tokyo setting that grounds the fantastical premise with gritty urban detail. Even from this brief first look, the visual ambition is clear: this is a series aiming to stand apart in a crowded action anime landscape.

The Creative Team Behind the Series

Jurassic Shadows marks director Norihiro Naganuma‘s first full-scale action project. He made his name leading both cours of The Apothecary Diaries, the period mystery-drama that dominated Crunchyroll charts globally (and in Singapore) across 2023 and 2024. Several of his Apothecary Diaries collaborators return here:

  • Director: Norihiro Naganuma (The Apothecary Diaries)
  • Screenplay: Kenta Ihara
  • Character Design: Yōichi Amano
  • Animation Design Adapter: Yukiko Nakatani
  • Art Director: Yusuke Takeda
  • Music: Shūhei Mutsuki
  • Animation Production: Cannon Code, LLC
  • Producers: Slow Curve / Avex Pictures
  • Original Work: SANB

A manga adaptation by Kodansha was also announced alongside the anime — a media-mix rollout that mirrors the launch strategy behind franchises like Jujutsu Kaisen.

Jurassic Shadows character from behind, energy surging from their body in the anime's signature dragon-makeup transformation
Image courtesy of SANB / Jurassic Shadows Production Committee

What Singapore Fans Need to Know

The Apothecary Diaries was a genuine phenomenon among Singapore anime fans — it topped local Crunchyroll streaming charts for months and generated some of the most passionate online discussion in the SG anime community since Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2. Naganuma directing a high-concept action anime with a core production team reassembled from that hit is exactly the kind of announcement worth tracking.

Crunchyroll covered the Jurassic Shadows announcement directly on their news platform, alongside the full AX 2026 staff reveal, suggesting international streaming discussions are already in progress. No streaming partner or release window has been officially confirmed yet — we will update as details emerge.

For more anime news and streaming updates relevant to Singapore, check the Manga & Anime section.

Manga Anime, News

Solo Leveling: Beyond the System — New Theatrical Anime Film Announced

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Solo Leveling is not done with us yet. At the Crunchyroll Showcase during Anime Expo 2026 in Los Angeles, English voice actor Aleks Le — the voice of Sung Jinwoo — took the stage to announce that Solo Leveling: Beyond the System, a brand-new theatrical anime film, is now in production.

Solo Leveling: Beyond the System official concept video thumbnail
Image courtesy of Crunchyroll / Aniplex

What Is Solo Leveling: Beyond the System?

The film is described as a direct continuation of the anime series, picking up following the events of Season 2. That positions it firmly within the same story continuity rather than as a spin-off or retelling, which will be welcome news to fans who have been wondering where Jinwoo’s journey goes from here. A teaser key visual and a companion concept video were released alongside the announcement, offering the first glimpse of the film’s visual direction.

Solo Leveling: Beyond the System key visual portrait
Image courtesy of Crunchyroll / Aniplex

Who Is Behind the Film?

A-1 Pictures — the acclaimed studio behind both seasons of the Solo Leveling TV series — is handling animation. The film is produced by Aniplex, Netmarble, D&C MEDIA, Kakao Piccoma, and Crunchyroll. That is a heavyweight lineup: the same group of producers that brought the original Korean web novel to global anime audiences. No director has been announced yet, and further production details are to follow.

It is worth noting that Solo Leveling made history at the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards, becoming the first Korean animation to sweep nine major categories including Anime of the Year. The franchise’s global momentum is very much still at full speed.

Solo Leveling: Beyond the System | Companion Concept Video — via Crunchyroll on YouTube

No Release Date Yet — Here Is What We Know

Crunchyroll confirmed the film is in production but held back on a release date, promising that more details will be announced at a later date. For Singapore fans who have been following the series on Crunchyroll, there is no confirmed theatrical or streaming window yet — but given that both seasons of the TV series were distributed globally through Crunchyroll, a wide international release for the film seems likely when the time comes.

In the meantime, catch up on both seasons of Solo Leveling on Crunchyroll, and browse our roundup of other Manga & Anime news from Anime Expo 2026.