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Crunchyroll announces anime retail pop-up in Los Angeles — MP3s & NPCs
Crunchyroll is launching a retail pop-up experience called The Loop at Westfield Topanga Mall in Los Angeles, featuring exclusive merchandise and immersive activations for anime series like Solo Leveling. The event will offer free general admission, with Crunchyroll subscribers receiving early access and a special pin pack available for purchase that also acts as a skip-the-line pass.
Inside Crunchyroll's 10th Anime Awards – and why it's only the beginning
Crunchyroll's 10th Anime Awards celebrated the growing mainstream popularity of anime, with over 70 million votes cast. Despite criticisms about its focus and location, the event highlighted creators and fostered community. The awards have evolved significantly since their humble beginnings, mirroring anime's own global expansion and appeal across diverse demographics.
Solo Leveling season 3 is "actively" being worked on, Crunchyroll president says, and its creators will…
Crunchyroll president Rahul Purini confirmed that "Solo Leveling" season 3 is actively being worked on, though no official announcement has been made. The hit anime, based on a South Korean web novel, is currently Crunchyroll's most-streamed show of all time and won multiple awards at the 2025 Anime Awards. Fans anticipate a potential reveal at Anime Expo 2026.
Crunchyroll boss says it's "not that difficult" to avoid using AI in anime
Crunchyroll president Rahul Purini stated that it is not difficult for the company to avoid using artificial intelligence in its creative processes, emphasizing creator authenticity. While Crunchyroll is not using AI for subtitling or dubbing, Purini indicated that AI could be employed for enhancing user recommendations and personalization on the platform. The article also touches upon past controversies involving AI in anime, such as Amazon's AI dub for Banana Fish and Wit Studio's use of AI in Ascendance of a Bookworm.
Frieren and Fern Dress as Witches in Halloween Figures
Sega announced two new Frieren figures featuring the characters Frieren and Fern dressed as Halloween witches, set for release worldwide in Fall 2026. These figures will be part of Sega's Luminasta line and will be available separately. This follows previous seasonal merchandise releases for the popular anime series.
BLUE PROTOCOL: STAR RESONANCE SEASON 3 LAUNCHES WITH FAIRY TAIL COLLABORATION
Blue Protocol: Star Resonance has launched its third season, featuring a limited-time collaboration with the anime series Fairy Tail. The update also introduces a new Twin Striker class, new maps and dungeons, and a Musician System for social gameplay. The Fairy Tail collaboration runs from May 28 to June 30.
Winners of the 2026 Crunchyroll Anime Awards
The 2026 Crunchyroll Anime Awards ceremony, held in Tokyo, celebrated the best of the anime industry. My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON won Anime of the Year, while Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle secured multiple awards, including Film of the Year. The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 also received four accolades, including Best Drama and Best Director.
30 years on, anime voice actor Sally Amaki praises the enduring legacy of Neon Genesis Evangelion theme A Cruel…
Anime voice actor Sally Amaki praised the enduring legacy of Neon Genesis Evangelion's theme song, 'A Cruel Angel's Thesis,' and its singer Yoko Takahashi. Amaki believes Takahashi and other '90s anime legends paved the way for the genre's current popularity in Japan and overseas. The discussion took place around the Crunchyroll Anime Awards.
Afro Samurai maestro and hip-hop legend RZA thinks anime is the antidote to "formulaic" and "cookie cutter" Hollywood
Hip-hop artist RZA believes anime offers a refreshing alternative to what he describes as formulaic and "cookie cutter" Hollywood productions. He contrasts the creative passion found in Japanese anime studios with the business-focused environment of Western entertainment, highlighting anime's ability to stimulate the mind.
Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2026 winners announced — MP3s & NPCs
The winners of the 2026 Crunchyroll Anime Awards have been announced, with My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON taking home Anime of the Year. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle received the most awards with seven, including Film of the Year. Other notable wins include The Apothecary Diaries for Best Drama and Best Main Character.
All the Winners of the 10th Crunchyroll Anime Awards
The 10th Crunchyroll Anime Awards were held in Tokyo, celebrating the best in anime with over 30 categories and more than 73 million votes cast globally. My Hero Academia Final Season took home Anime of the Year, while Demon Slayer Infinity Castle won Film of the Year. The event featured performances by notable artists and recognized industry veterans, including a special posthumous award for director Tatsuya Nagamine.
Anime Awards 2026 winners: Demon Slayer and My Hero Academia reign supreme
Crunchyroll's 2026 Anime Awards celebrated the best in anime, with Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba taking home Film of the Year and My Hero Academia winning Anime of the Year. The event also recognized winners across various genres and voice performance categories, highlighting popular series like The Apothecary Diaries and Dan Da Dan.
The Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2026 Winners
The Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2026 ceremony, held in Tokyo, celebrated the best in anime with over 73 million votes cast. My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON took home the coveted Anime of the Year award, among its three wins. The event also featured performances and tributes, including a 30th-anniversary celebration of Neon Genesis Evangelion's theme song.
Crunchyroll's CEO admits the competition from Netflix and Amazon is "aggressive" but remains "confident" in attracting anime viewers: "This is not just one genre for us, this is the entire thing"
Crunchyroll CEO Rahul Purini acknowledges aggressive competition from Netflix and Amazon but remains confident in the platform's ability to attract anime viewers. He highlights Crunchyroll's extensive library, 30-year history in the anime space, and sole focus on anime as key differentiators against competitors.
MARRIAGETOXIN makes its way to Anime Expo 2026 — MP3s & NPCs
The cast and crew of the anime MARRIAGETOXIN will attend Anime Expo 2026 for a panel on Saturday, July 4th. The panel will feature show director Motonobu Hori, Bandai Namco Filmworks chief producer Ryoya Arisawa, Bones Film producer Tatsuya Saito, and voice actors Haruki Ishiya and Shion Wakayama. Autograph signings with Ishiya and Wakayama will follow the panel.
Crunchyroll’s Month-Long Sale Includes Big Deals Anime Blu-Rays
Crunchyroll is holding a month-long "Ani-May" sale featuring discounts on anime Blu-rays and reduced subscription prices. The sale includes a "Two-for-One" deal on hundreds of Blu-ray titles, with notable mentions including Berserk, Dragon Ball Super, and Arcane: League of Legends. Additionally, new subscribers can get the first three months of the Fan Tier subscription for $2 per month.
Thermae Romae Redux Sequel Manga Returns
The sequel manga to Mari Yamazaki's Thermae Romae, titled Thermae Romae Redux, has released its 14th chapter worldwide, available in English on Shueisha's MangaPlus. This installment focuses on Satsuki, the wife of the protagonist Lucius Modestus, as she navigates her life and obligations in Japan. Previous anime adaptations of the original manga are available on Crunchyroll and Netflix.
Crunchyroll's Month-Long Sale Includes Big Deals Anime Blu-Rays
Crunchyroll is holding a month-long "Two-for-One Ani-May Sale" on anime Blu-rays, offering a discount where the lowest-priced item is free when purchasing three eligible items. The sale includes a wide range of titles, from classic series like Berserk and Dragon Ball Super to newer releases such as Kaiju No. 8 and Solo Leveling, with options for both standard and collector's edition Blu-rays.
Crunchyroll's Month-Long Sale Includes Big Deals Anime Blu-Rays
Crunchyroll is holding a month-long "Two-for-One Ani-May Sale" on anime Blu-rays, offering a discount where the lowest-priced item is free when purchasing three eligible items. The sale includes a wide range of titles, from classic series like Berserk and Dragon Ball Super to newer releases such as Kaiju No. 8 and Solo Leveling, with options for both standard and collector's edition Blu-rays.
Crunchyroll’s Ani-May Offer Gets You 3 Months Of Mega Fan Membership For $3 A Month
Crunchyroll is offering a limited-time deal during its Ani-May event, allowing new subscribers to get three months of its Mega Fan membership for $3 per month. This promotion provides ad-free streaming, access to a wider range of shows, and includes the Crunchyroll Game Vault. The offer is available until May 26 and can also be accessed through Amazon Prime Video.