Latest Anime News
The anime world is buzzing with exciting developments this June, offering fans new releases, long-awaited adaptations, and thrilling continuations of beloved series. Here’s a roundup of the latest anime news:
28th June 2024
Japanese voice actor Taiki Matsuno sadly passes away at age 56
Aoni Production a voice talent agency announced via their website on June 27th 2024, that Taiki Matsuno passed away on June 26th 2024 at the age of 56. This was due to a a right cerebral haemorrhage as the cause of his death.
He was reowned for his anime voice acting and celbrated for lending his voice to iconic characters, including several One Piece roles and the titular lead as Kindaichi Hajime in the series The Kindaichi Case Files.
According to the statement, the wake and funeral service will be held for close relatives only following wishes from his family. The agency writes, “Taiki Matsuno (56 years old), who was affiliated with our company, passed away on June 26, 2024, due to a right cerebral haemorrhage. We would like to inform you of this with deep gratitude for the kindness shown to us during his lifetime. Furthermore, in accordance with the wishes of the bereaved family, the wake and funeral will be held only for close relatives. We ask for your understanding,”.
Taiki Matsuno was born in Tokyo on October 16, 1967. He began his professional career as a child actor, joining the Himawari Theater Company when he was young. While working on many live-action TV dramas and movies, he also made his debut as a voice actor at the age of 10. From the end of the 70's to the present, he became best known as the voice of Kindaichi Hajime in the 1997 anime series Kindaichi Case Files, Koga in Inuyasha (2001), Lafitte, Hildon and Canpacino, Trebol and Hildon in One Piece, Agumon in multiple Digimon projects such as Digimon Savers, and the Japanese rendition of SpongeBob.
Other notable anime character roles Matsuno played include:
The Prince in The Adventures of the Little Prince (1978)
Pegasus in Sailor Moon SuperS (1995)
Hajime Kindaichi in Kindaichi Case Files / Kindaichi Case Files R (1997-2016)
Echoes in Boogiepop Phantom (2000)
Koga in Inuyasha (2001-2010)
Jun Manjome in Yu-Gi-Oh! GX (2004-2008)
Wisdom in Pretty Cure / Futari wa Precure Max Heart (2004-2006)
Agumon in Digimon Savers (2006-2007)
Tarte in Fresh Precure! (2009-2010)
Norio in Idol Time Pripara (2017)
Mori Shellmon in Digimon Ghost Game (2021)
Here at OtakuTokyo, we send our condolences to Matsuno's family and friends. He will forever be remembered for his compasion and contributions to the anime industry.
Season 2 Officially Announced for WIND BREAKER
WIND BREAKER anime announced today that WIND BREAKER Season 2 is now in production, however fans will have a little time to wait as the season is scheduled to premiere in 2025.
Crunchyroll have confirmed they will stream the new season when it returns in 2025. Trailor is available to watch on our media section.
Terminator Zero Adds Rosario Dawson and More to Cast
Netflix is on the roll when it comes to anime and once again a new eight episode series is set to drop on the 29th August 2024.
The series is called Terminator Zero and four new cast members have been revealed in the meantime.
Here are some of the additional voice cast members who will be joining Timothy Olyphant as the Terminator:
Kokoro voiced by Rosario Dawson (Ahsoka)
Malcolm Lee voiced by André Holland (Moonlight)
Eiko voiced by Sonoya Mizuno (House of the Dragon)
The Prophet voiced by Ann Dowd (The Handmaid's Tale)
Dawson's Kokori is an advanced AI that serves as Japan's own Skynet competition. Holland's Malcolm Lee is a computer programmer and father of three who finds himself haunted by apocalyptic visions.
He's responsible for developing Kokoro. Mizuno's Eiko is a resistance fighter sent back in time from 2022 to prevent Malcolm from launching Kokoro, and Dowd's Prophet guides the human resistance.
I'm a Noble on the Brink of Ruin, So I Might as Well Try Mastering Magic
I'm a Noble on the Brink of Ruin, So I Might as Well Try Mastering Magic, an upcoming TV anime based on the series of fantasy light novels, has revealed a wealth of new information, including a new trailer (check out the trailor in our media section) and the main cast members.
The series will broadcast in Japan beginning in January 2025.
The main cast includes:
Liam voiced by Ayumu Murase (Dali in Migi&Dali)
Ladon voiced by Tomokazu Sugita (Sasaki in Sasaki and Peeps)
Asuna voiced by Haruka Tomatsu (Mel in Saint Cecilia and Pastor Lawrence)
Jodie voiced by Saori Hayami (Emma in TSUKIMICHI -Moonlit Fantasy-)
24th June 2024
New 'Gintama' Movie Hits Theaters
The beloved anime series 'Gintama' is making a grand return with a new movie adaptation of the "Ikkoku Keisei" arc. Scheduled for a limited theatrical release this month, this film delves into significant storylines and characters, including Tokugawa Sada Sada and Rotten Maizu. Fans can expect intense battles and deeper insights into Gintoki’s past.
Exciting Anime Releases
Several highly anticipated anime series are making their debut or returning for new seasons:
"Spice and Wolf: Merchant Meets the Wise Wolf": This reboot revisits the charming tale of Holo and Kraft, captivating audiences with its rich character development and engaging narrative.
"Laid-Back Camp Season 3": The serene and heartwarming adventures of high school girls on camping trips continue, offering viewers a perfect blend of humor and realistic camping experiences.
"Kaiju No. 8": Adapted from the popular manga, this series introduces Kafka, a man with the ability to transform into a kaiju, as he joins Japan’s defense force. It promises a fresh take on the kaiju genre with thrilling action sequences.
"Wind Breaker": This new anime focuses on the lives of delinquents, delivering high-energy battles and a unique spin on the traditional battle shonen format.
Upcoming Anime Seasons
Fans can look forward to the return of several blockbuster anime series later this year:
"My Hero Academia Season 7": Continuing the epic saga of young heroes in training, this season is set to bring new challenges and character developments.
"Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Hashira Training Arc": Following the dramatic events of the Entertainment District arc, the focus shifts to the intense training of the Hashira, promising more breathtaking action and emotional depth.
"That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3": The adventures of Rimuru Tempest continue, exploring new territories and conflicts in the fantasy world.
These updates highlight the dynamic and ever-evolving landscape of anime, with fresh content and enduring favorites capturing the imaginations of fans worldwide. Whether through new adaptations, reboots, or continuing sagas, there’s something for every anime enthusiast to look forward to this season.