The Japanese Society for Rights of Authors, Composers and Publishers (JASRAC) announced that Sony Music Publishing and Ayase, who wrote and composed the YOASOBI song “Idol,” have again won the Gold Award — the yearly award for the Japanese songs that received the most royalties from JASRAC in 2024.
YOASOBI released the music video for their “Watch me!” song on Sunday. The song was released as a single on the same day, and it serves as the opening theme song of the Witch Watch anime.
ONE PIECE has revealed the preview for Episode 1129, along with a special visual teasing Kuma’s tragic backstory. The anime had a recap episode for Kuma and Bonney last week, while the next episode is set to premiere on May 18.
You can see the new visual below.
With 61 days remaining before its Japanese premiere on July 18, 2025, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle Movie 1 continues its official countdown campaign with a new visual spotlighting the Serpent Hashira, Obanai Iguro. He follows his love interest, Mitsuri Kanroji, just a day since her own visual reveal.
As part of its 10th anniversary initiatives, Shueisha’s manga platform Shonen Jump+ (Shonen Jump Plus) has launched a new anime adaptation project focused on one-shot manga. Three animation studios: WIT Studio, Production I.G, and CONTRAIL, each of which will produce one adaptation. The project is being led by JOEN, a production company formed by CloverWorks, WIT Studio, Aniplex and Shueisha to enable animation studios to oversee projects from planning through final execution.
KARATZ has announced that its The Apothecary Diaries jewelry collection, inspired by Jinshi and Maomao, will be released at 10 PM JST on May 23. The collection features a green ring for Maomao, a blue ring for Jinshi, and light blue earrings inspired by when Maomao was temporarily working as an entertainer following her release from the Rear Palace. You can check out the images of The Apothecary Diaries‘ jewelry collection and a post from Maomao’s voice actor, Emi Lo, below:
How to Become Ordinary (Shoshimin) Season 2 unveiled a trailer and visual for its next case, Winter Special – The Bonbon Chocolate Case, which begins with Episode 8 and is set to premiere on May 24.
With 62 days remaining until its Japanese premiere on July 18, 2025, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle Movie 1 has unveiled a new countdown visual, this time highlighting the Love Hashira, Mitsuri Kanroji.
Once again animated by ufotable, the studio behind all prior adaptations in the franchise, the film marks the beginning of a trilogy that will adapt the final battles against Muzan Kibutsuji and his most powerful demons. Following its debut in Japan, international audiences can expect a global release window spanning August 14 to September 25, 2025.
More details have emerged on Toei Animation‘s AI aspirations following its investment in Preferred Networks (PFN), described as possessing “top-level AI technology competence in Japan.” In Toei Animation’s FY2025 financial report under the FY2026 outlook section, the company says, “We will seek to co-develop new business opportunities and improve the efficiency and quality of our production, capitalizing on synergies between AI and animation production technologies.” Toei Animation adds that it’s eyeing a joint venture with PFN. You can check out Toei Animation’s list of example AI applications below.
Gachiakuta anime has revealed a new character visual and short video introducing Riyo Reaper, yet another member of team Akuta in the Cleaners. Studio BONES FILM is in charge of the animation, with Fumihiko Suganuma as the director. The anime is set to premiere in July 2025, with Crunchyroll set to stream it.
