Welcome back, anime fans!, Here we are once again with your Weekly Anime News, bringing you all the biggest and most important updates from the anime industry.

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Let’s dive into this week’s biggest stories.

Kirio Fan Club TV Anime Reveals Opening Song & April 2 Premiere

Kirio Fan Club
SATELIGHT

The official adaptation of Chikyu no Sakana Ponchan’s manga has unveiled its first commercial, revealing both its opening theme and premiere date.

• Premiere: April 2
• Airing on: TBS & MBS (Super Animeism TURBO block)
• Opening Theme: “FANCLUB” by Skirt & ODD Foot Works

Directed by Sō Toyama at SATELIGHT, the anime features series composition by Aya Satsuki and character design by Nami Hayashi.

With a strong voice cast and vibrant production team, this slice-of-life fan culture story is shaping up to be one of April’s most charming debuts.

Akane-banashi Anime Drops New Trailer & Free YouTube Streaming

Akane-banashi
TV Asahi

The rakugo drama anime has revealed a brand-new trailer, opening song, and confirmed its April 4 premiere.

• Opening Theme: “Hitotarashi” by Kuwata Keisuke
• Airing on: TV Asahi (IMAnimation block)
• FREE Streaming: North & Latin America via YouTube

A world premiere screening will take place in New York on April 1, including behind-the-scenes footage and a live rakugo performance by Katsura Sunshine.

Directed by Ayumu Watanabe at ZEXCS, this emotionally driven performing arts anime is aiming to bring traditional rakugo storytelling to global audiences.

Onegai AiPri Reveals Cast, Staff & April 5 Debut

Onegai AiPri
OLM

The latest installment in the Pretty Series franchise officially unveiled its teaser, cast, and staff lineup.

• Premiere: April 5
• Airing on: TV Tokyo
• Opening Theme: “Onegai AiPri!”

Directed by Jun’ichi Fujisaku and Masahiro Matsunaga, the series continues the idol-themed magical franchise tradition.

With colorful visuals and idol-driven storytelling, this is clearly targeting younger audiences while keeping longtime Pretty Series fans engaged.

Voice Actress Yukie Maeda Retires After 30 Years

Yukie Maeda

Veteran voice actress Yukie Maeda announced her retirement due to health complications related to malignant sarcoma.

After a 30-year career, she shared heartfelt gratitude toward colleagues and fans. Despite ongoing treatments and recurring surgeries, she continued working from Kyoto until her health made studio travel impossible.

Her roles included characters in Shin Koihime Musō, Transformers: Armada, and Kamichu!.

A true industry veteran stepping away after decades of dedication.

Related topic: Goku’s Fighting Style Explained Across All Dragon Ball Sagas

Yūki Kaji Leaves Agency to Launch His Own Company

Yūki Kaji

Yūki Kaji announced he will leave VIMS on April 8 to establish his own company for his voice AI project, Soyogi Fractal.

Kaji described the project as his “life’s work,” aiming to merge human voice artistry with AI technology while protecting the “soul of the voice.”

His crowdfunding campaign previously raised over three times its goal.

This move could mark a major shift in how voice actors collaborate with AI in the future.

Even a Replica Can Fall in Love Premieres April 7

Even a Replica Can Fall in Love
Kadokawa

Kadokawa revealed a new promotional video, staff updates, and confirmed the April 7 premiere.

• Opening: “Refrain” by shytaupe
• Ending: “Awa” by asmi
• Airing on: AT-X & Tokyo MX

Directed by Ryuichi Kimura, the romantic sci-fi drama stars Sumire Morohoshi and Ryōta Suzuki.

April is seriously stacked.

Japanese Box Office Updates

Gintama Compilation Drops to #3

Gintama: Yoshiwara in Flames

The new compilation film earned over 784 million yen cumulatively and remains strong in its second weekend.

Demon Slayer Still Dominating

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle – Akaza Sairai

Even in its 32nd weekend, the film re-entered the top 10.

It has:

• Sold over 27 million tickets
• Earned nearly 39.6 billion yen
• Surpassed Spirited Away
• Crossed 100 billion yen worldwide

It remains the highest-grossing anime film of all time globally.

Gundam Hathaway & Other Rankings

Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: The Sorcery of Nymph Circe

The second Hathaway film earned over 2.1 billion yen total so far.

Other notable entries:

• Cosmic Princess Kaguya!
• Milky☆Subway
• Be Forever Yamato: Rebel 3199
• The Dangers in My Heart Movie

Japanese theaters are packed this season.

Kyoto University Develops AI “Buddharoid”

Kyoto University

Researchers developed a humanoid robot trained on Buddhist scriptures to assist temples and offer spiritual advice.

The AI robot responded to philosophical questions about modern society and mental peace — blending religion and AI in a fascinating way.

Garry Chalk in Full Remission

Garry Chalk

The voice of Optimus Primal revealed he is in full remission after battling stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

He returns to work soon — an incredible comeback story.

Devil May Cry Season 2 Set for May 2026

Devil May Cry
Netflix

Season 2 premieres May 12, 2026. A new teaser shows Dante receiving his iconic guns.

Season 1 debuted in the global top 10 in 87 countries. Multiple seasons were planned from the beginning.

Related topic: Epic One Piece Action Figures – Bring the Grand Line to Your Shelf!

Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 Returns With Episode 8

Jujutsu Kaisen

After a one-week break, Episode 8 returns with what staff are calling “peak cinema.”

Chief animation director Hiromi Niwa is hyping the episode heavily, and legendary key animator Kouki Fujimoto is involved.

Expect insane action.

Dragon Ball Celebrates 40 Years

Dragon Ball

February 26 marks 40 years since the first episode aired on Fuji TV in 1986.

From Journey to the West inspiration to global shonen dominance, Dragon Ball changed anime forever.

Its legacy still shapes modern battle anime today.

Evangelion Announces Brand-New TV Series

Evangelion
Studio Khara
CloverWorks

After 30 years, Evangelion returns with a completely new original television series.

• Scripts: Yoko Taro (NieR Automata)
• Direction: Kazuya Tsurumaki & Toko Yatabe
• Music: Keiichi Okabe
• Production: Studio Khara & CloverWorks

No story details yet — but this was the biggest highlight of the 30th Anniversary Festival.

Related topic: Gojo vs Sukuna — Who Wins? Ultimate Jujutsu Kaisen Anime Poll

Quick Headlines You May Have Missed

• RIP Hideki Sato (1950–2026), father of SEGA hardware
• No new JJK & Frieren episode this week
• Bleach final cour introduces anime-original character
• Haikyuu!! confirmed to return in 2027
• Dorohedoro Season 2 premieres April 1, 2026
• Black Clover expected October 3, 2026 (unofficial)
• Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc movie coming to Crunchyroll
• Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian Season 2 delayed

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