‘The Boy and the Heron’ English Dub Given First Look in New Trailer

Say what you will about English dubs, but they are, in fact, a thing. With Hayao Miyazaki’s newest film, The Boy and the Heron, soon to be available internationally and outside the film festival circuit, audiences were teased the performances of the English language cast in a new trailer that came out earlier today.

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An Alluring Story is Glimpsed in ‘The Boy and the Heron’ Teaser Trailer

On July 14, Hayao Miyazaki’s final film, The Boy and the Heron (or, as it’s called in Japan, How Do You Live?), was released to Japanese cinemas with no marketing for it whatsoever, aside from this poster:

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CASETiFY & ‘Chainsaw Man’ Collab Celebrates Pochita and Special Division 4 Devil Hunters

Chainsaw Man fans, rejoice!

There’s a collaboration that, not only celebrates Chainsaw Man, but also is practical to use for every day life. CASETiFY, the popular global tech accessory brand, has teamed up with the equally popular anime series Chainsaw Man.

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‘The Boy and the Heron’ is an Unnecessary Title Change for Hayao Miyazaki’s Final Film

Last Friday, the highly anticipated final film from Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki (that is, unless, he decides to come out of retirement again for the umpteenth time), How Do You Live?, was at long last released in Japan. That same day, film distributor GKIDS announced that it had acquired the North American distribution rights for the film, and set it to come out later this year. The big kicker is that it will be released not as How Do You Live?, but under a different title, The Boy and the Heron.

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Netflix Celebrates Japanese Content Slate at Anime Expo 2023

Returning to Anime Expo, North America’s biggest fan event for all things Japanese pop culture, Netflix showcased their diverse slate of upcoming anime and live action adaptations, including fan-favorites like PLUTO or BEASTARS Final Season as well as news and talent appearances for the highly anticipated stop motion series Pokémon Concierge, live action adaptations Zom 100: Bucket list of the Dead and ONE PIECE.

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Anime Expo 2023 Fever is Upon Us

LineCon, I mean, Anime Expo, is now upon us this weekend at the Los Angeles Convention Center and here’s a snippet of the things we are most excited about! From the countless activities, events, panels, and concerts that you can attend and all the endless artists & vendors you can support, there’s something for all the anime lovers guaranteed to swarm the halls:

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Audiences Will Be ‘Spirited Away’ in Stage Adaptation of Miyazaki Classic

Spirited Away is undoubtedly one of — if not the most — well-known film from director Hayao Miyazaki. The Academy Award-winning fantasy-adventure of a young girl having to navigate the spirit world she’s trapped in is a story that has captivated and inspired audiences all over the world.

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Makoto Shinkai Brings His Best in the Rollicking Adventure of ‘Suzume’

Makoto Shinkai has been directing animated films for over two decades now, but it was his 2016 film, Your Name, that garnered critical acclaim both in Japan and abroad. While both Your Name and his 2019 film, Weathering with You, are notable for the creative development of their respective magic systems and intricate plots, they lack in substance of their female leads and development of the romantic tension between the male and female characters.

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NOC Review: When Grogu Met the Soot Sprites

It’s been three years since the first-ever Star Wars live-action series, The Mandalorian — as well as the platform it lives on, Disney+ — debuted. In celebration, viewers received a little treat, by way of a collaboration between two beloved studios.

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A Door to a New Adventure Opens in the trailer for Makoto Shinkai’s ‘Suzume’

Toho and Comix Wave have finally released the reveal trailer for Makoto Shinkai’s upcoming film, Suzume. The anticipation of the next film from the acclaimed Your Name and Weathering With You director has been building since the first key visual was released back in April.

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‘Soul Hackers 2’ Overrides Predecessor’s Past with New Digital Identity

Atlus has released new story and character information about their upcoming RPG, Soul Hackers 2, a sequel to the twenty-five year old game, Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers. Following its cult-celebrated predecessor’s meshing of sci-fi aesthetic with the Shin Megami Tensei, Soul Hackers 2 aims to upgrade the concept by coding a new tale about humanity and its relationship with technology. 

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Putting the ‘Bebop’ in ‘Cowboy Bebop’ with Steve Aoki and John Cho

It’s time to jam Bebop fans! Netflix’s Cowboy Bebop debuts today! And while it isn’t perfect, it’s still pretty fun in a pretty campy way. However, the one thing the show gets right is the music! And heavily inspired by the terrific music of the original anime, the music in the new adaptation pays homage, while managing to carve out its own identity for itself (much like the show as a whole). And someone who knows all about that is iconic DJ Steve Aoki!

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Funimation and Crunchyroll Invite Fans to Special ‘One Piece’ Episode 1,000 Event

The worldwide, cultural impact of anime has come a long way, hasn’t it? From dragon balls to giant space robots, the icons of the past have fought valiantly for anime’s future. And some of those shonen warriors are still fighting the good fight; like One Piece.

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The Middle Geeks Episode 32: The Promise of ‘Star Wars: Visions’

We’re excited to have Meg Humphrey of Rogue Podron on to discuss Star Wars: Visions, the new anime anthology on Disney+ that breathes fresh life into this franchise with Japanese creators, crafting stories in a universe that was *heavily* inspired by their own culture.

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NOC Review: ‘Cowboy Bebop’ is a Mixed Bag That Will Test the Purists

So much like my review for Snake Eyes, I will set a disclaimer about the fact that I’m by no means a hardcore Cowboy Bebop fan. I’ve seen the full series once through in my life, and I do like it. And I’ve rewatched some of my favorite episodes numerous times, particularly in preparation for the release of this series. But I’m not as emotionally attached or invested in the series as many out there are.

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Jacob Hopkins talks ‘To Your Eternity’

Yo! Yo! Yo! It’s Kuya P back again with another interview for my friends here at the NOC! I recently sat down for a conversation with Actor, Jacob Hopkins to discuss his latest project on CrunchyRoll & HBO Max, To Your Eternity! Check out our conversation and then head over to CrunchyRoll or HBO Max to check out To Your Eternity streaming now!

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Netflix Unleashes ‘Cowboy Bebop’ Opening Credits

Our first footage of Netflix’s Cowboy Bebop is finally here! As predicted, right on the heels of the poster drop yesterday, the streaming service teamed up with the show’s cast during today’s TUDUM event to unveil the first look to all the rabid fans who have been patiently waiting to see it! And it didn’t disappoint! It’s an almost perfect recreation of the classic anime’s intro!

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