Not every genre or medium is for every person, but there are a lot of incredible stories told in anime form that I believe people should at least give a chance. While Attack on Titan and Dan Da Dan immediately come to mind, those series can certainly be more intense for those who are not anime fans. If I was to recommend a show that I believe even those who claim to not enjoy anime will like, it would have to be My Hero Academia. The world in and of itself is captivating and exciting, but the grounded, down-to-Earth stories that are told boil down to the classic good versus evil, which everyone can resonate with. 

While the group has been together during the biggest chapters of their lives, one thing Eiichiro Oda has never allowed One Piece's Straw Hat crew to do is have a romance with one another, instead occasionally giving them romantic interests in their adventures. I recently saw someone calling for this to be changed in order to allow Luffy and Nami to have a romance, but beyond disagreeing with this pairing, I do think it's far too late to let the Straw Hats romance each other. At this point, they all see each other more as a family and siblings than they would romantically.

Solo Leveling season 1 is finally going to be available to take home, and there are two options for fans, but both are pretty pricey. The Standard Edition is listed at $52.49 USD, and the Limited Edition set listed at $67.49. While this might seem like a lot, it is pretty clear to me that the Limited Edition is the way to go, if you can get your hands on it. For just $15 more you also get an art book, exclusive interviews, stills from the series, and more. This version seems much more worth it to me. That said, physical media is something I will always champion because you never know when your favorite series or film might be removed from streaming, and then you are left with no way to watch it.

Despite ending on a pretty conclusive note, producer Tetsuya Kinoshita recently confirmed more Attack on Titan projects were in the works, including a movie in the vein of Last Attack, which was a compilation of the anime's finale. With no further details shared at the time, it's really unclear just how the franchise will continue beyond the anime, but I'd honestly love for Before the Fall to get a movie or limited series, as the creation of the Vertical Maneuvering Equipment would be really interesting to explore, as would Kuklo's mysterious journey and origins.

Universal's Fan Fest Nights kick off on April 25 and people everywhere are thrilled to celebrate their favorite fandoms. This special, immersive, evening will include the worlds of Star Trek, Dungeons & Dragons, One PIece, Jujutsu Kaisen, Back To The Future, Super Mario Bros., and Harry Potter. This event is like if Comic-Con and Halloween Horror Nights had a baby, embracing all the aspects that fans love about these franchises. While I am eager to celebrate each and every one of them, I am personally most excited to step into the world of Dungeons & Dragons. Universal has teased the appearance of a massive Beholder, created by the Jim Henson company, and I cannot wait to see it in person.

It was recently announced that Black Torch is getting an anime adaptation after only running for five volumes with Shōnen Jump before being cancelled. Considering how rare it is for a cancelled manga to get an anime, part of me might be wondering if the publisher is considering a revival of the source material, especially since creator Tsuyoshi Yakaki is going to be closely involved with the show. I do think it will rely on whether the show's a hit upon its premiere, but since platforms like Netflix are making anime more broadly popular, I could very well see it getting a second chance at life.

There are a lot of great Anime series coming in 2025. Dan Da Dan season 2 will be released this summer and while I was a little late to the party, I instantly fell in love with season one when I finally watched it. As a massive fan of My Hero Academia, a series that holds a special place in my heart because I tune in every week with my family, I cannot wait to see what the prequel, My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, has in store for us. That said, my most anticipated is probably obvious from what I have already said - the final season of My Hero Academia. Season 8 will be the end, which is devastating. I am on the edge of my seat waiting to discover what happens and actively avoiding spoilers from the Manga. There were lots of emotional cliffhangers that have me dying to see what comes next and how things end up. 

My Hero Academia is coming to an end, but have no fear, because a spin-off series is already in the works and scheduled to premiere this April. My Hero Academia: Vigilantes is also based on a manga and is a prequel that explores the world of vigilantes before the main story events in My Hero Academia. As someone who is a massive fan of the series, I was starting to get bummed knowing it was going to end soon, so any excuse to jump back into this world is a good one. I am really looking forward to meeting new characters and discovering if there are any tie-ins or Easter eggs. 

I've never really got into anime, despite the fact, in theory, it should really be something I love. The only anime I've ever seen is called NouCome, although I knew it by the long name: My Mental Choices are Completely Interfering with my School Romantic Comedy, which is the main reason I watched it in the first place. I'm interested in learning which anime titles are good for beginners, or for those who have a hard time engaging with anime in general. 

Universal Fan Fest Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood tickets are officially on sale. We have also been given details about this all new, one of a kind, after hours event, and my mind is blown! This is like if Halloween Horror Nights and Comic-Con had a baby! My inner geek is freaking out at all the things that this night is going to offer. From an immersive Dungeons and Dragons experience, to a One Piece Pirate Gathering, to the ability to step back in time in front of THE clock tower from Back To The Future... Universal has thought of everything. I will one hundred percent be there - and probably more than one weekend during its limited run.

Because of its powerful action, inspirational stories, and complex character development, sports anime has become immensely popular worldwide. Whether you like traditional sports or unique takes on athletic challenges, there are a ton of fantastic sports anime to pick from. My two most-recommended sports anime are: Haikyuu!! (Volleyball) Haikyuu!! is a must-watch for sports anime aficionados. It's not only about volleyball; it's about teamwork, growth, and overcoming challenges. Its vibrant animation, intense fights, and endearing characters make it an intriguing series. The underdog story of Hinata and Kageyama's rise to prominence will captivate you. Kuroko no Basket (Basketball) Kuroko no Basket provides some of the most exciting, action-packed anime games for basketball fans. The series focuses on the battle between high school teams, particularly the "Generation of Miracles," and the mysterious Kuroko, who has a unique style of play. The anime's strong character development an

Though certainly not for everyone, the anime genre is packed with titles that even the most averse to the genre could enjoy, and it's really all about making sure someone's set up with a good first watch. Personally, my go-to recommendation forever remains Cowboy Bebop, as it's a relatively short watch at 26 episodes compared to something like Dragon Ball or One Piece, but it's also arguably the most universal, even with its sci-fi setting, as its mix of cultures, its stylish animation and music, and great voice performances, both Japanese and English dub, make for an all-around perfect way to show a first timer what the anime genre can hold. A close second would be Death Note, though some of its oddities in its back half may put newcomers off.

Undoubtedly, Naruto and One Piece are among the biggest anime series ever, and both actively used a power system to establish the prominence of their characters. One Piece’s Haki and Naruto’s Chakra are two of the most iconic, each offering unique mechanics. Which of the two do you think had a better power system, One Piece or Naruto?

Fan animator Steins Alter recently revealed a teaser trailer for their Elden Ring anime short film, and I'm a little disappointed it's only going to be a short film of about 5 minutes long. Just based on the trailer, Hidetaka Miyazaki, Yui Tanimura and George R.R. Martin's surreal fantasy world looks perfectly suited to the anime genre, and I'd love to see it get a full show adaptation that explores new corners of the Lands Between.

Anime has produced adaptations of popular stories. The story of Sherlock Holmes has been adapted into the amazing Moriarty The Patriot. DC characters have created Isekai Suicide Squad. So, what other stories would make a good anime adaptation? I personally think the story of Jekyll and Hyde would make an excellent anime. (If there already is one, let me know.) I'd love to hear what else people think would be a good adaptation. I understand that some things should be left alone but sometimes these adaptations are entertaining. So, what do you think?

My Hero Academia has had some tough-to-get-through deaths over the years, but one towards the end of season 7 may never be beaten in of the saddest. Himiko Toga might be a villain, but it is her parents that sent her down that path. She was never shown love, even though she craved it, and was treated poorly just because of how her quirk works, something she has no control over. In her final moments, she redeemed herself, giving up her life for that of someone she considered a friend, the hero Ochako Uraraka. In what is easily one of the most emotional moments of the entire series, Toga transforms herself into Uraraka so that she can give her blood to her. This is after Uraraka tells her that her smile is beautiful, and that she is the cutest in the world, something Toga needed to hear. It is a selfless act, and one that will be ed by MHA fans for a long time.

My Hero Academia season 7 has come to an end, and it has left the fate of many fan favorites up in the air. As the season neared the end, it was very clear that things were not going to be wrapped up by the end, however, I was shocked to be left on such a massive cliffhanger. Bakugo may or may not make it, Shoto was forced to (almost) kill his own brother, and there are two big bads, Shigaraki and All For One, in the midst of battles with our heroes. Pretty much everyone is knocking on death's door, even struggling to stand. I have a love-hate relationship with this ending for a few reasons. I hate that I have to wait who knows how long for the final season to be released, especially because the manga has ended, and it could be hard to avoid spoilers. But I also love the high stakes that we have been given and the fact that we get to take a break from the emotional roller coaster that had me crying every episode, for my own sanity.

A lot of anime series have dark plot lines weaved through them, but focus on the lighter and happier aspects of the story, but not all. There are several with extremely dark stories. If I was to select the anime series that I think is the darkest of all time, it would have to be Attack on Titan. Right from the very first episode, things get dark and heavy. Titans have suddenly appeared in the world and are eating humans. This gets worse and worse, with the series almost never offering a glimmer of hope. Another top contender would be The Promised Neverland, where children are literally raised as cattle for food.

Chainsaw Man's Aki and Power are two of the deaths that have stuck with fans ever since they happened. They have been greatly missed, but are now back - in chapter #182. It is possible that they are just Denji's illusions or some sort of flashback, but I am holding out hope that there is some way to permanently return them to the story. While I do think that bringing back characters can take away from their deaths, these two have been truly missed, and I am thrilled to see them back,

It's crazy to think it's already been a little over 26 years since Cowboy Bebop first graced our screens, and even still, as it remains one of the most iconic and acclaimed anime titles in history, despite most follow-up projects proving to be lackluster, namely the short-lived live-action Netflix remake series. Director Shinichirō Watanabe has generally remained cautious about the possibility of a proper sequel, though one of his most recent titles, Carole & Tuesday, featured a number of Easter eggs to his prior show, including seemingly the Bebop itself in the background, reigniting the discussion about a sequel. Personally, I would be open to the concept of a Cowboy Bebop sequel, permitted it take a standalone approach to following up from Spike and Vicious' climactic fight in the series finale. I was far more intrigued by the episodes about Spike and the crew going on wacky space adventures than their individual backstory episodes — even if those did prove emotional — and since no