AnimeFanatika – Home for South African Anime Fans

Konnichiwa fellow fanatiks. We bring you a fresh new Bento News filled with yummy content. We have a lot of Anime and Manga news, salivating game news as well as news from Japan as well as the world’s view on happenings in Japan. Itadakimasu!!

Anime News

Berserk Fan Anime Axed After Legal Pushback

Berserk is one of Japan’s most iconic series, and its dedicated fanbase won’t let you forget it. When Kentaro Miura introduced Guts, few could have predicted the character’s legendary status. Despite this, Berserk’s anime adaptations have had mixed success. Studio Taka aimed to change this with an unofficial fan-anime. However, after receiving a warning from Studio Gaga, the rights holder of Berserk, Studio Taka has decided to end the project.

Studio Taka shared their decision after Studio Gaga issued a statement clarifying that the fan anime did not have permission to proceed. While passionate about continuing, Studio Taka acknowledged the legal risks and chose to respect Berserk’s intellectual property rights.

With over four million views on YouTube, their trailer for Berserk: The Black Swordsman generated massive buzz. However, to honor Miura’s legacy, the fan-anime has officially been canceled.

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Anime Gets Second Season

The official X (formerly Twitter) account for Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End announced that a second anime season has been green-lit, with Madhouse returning to animate.

The anime premiered on September 29, 2023, with a two-hour special and continued airing on October 6 in NTV’s new “FRIDAY ANIME NIGHT” timeslot. Crunchyroll streamed the first season with an English dub.

The manga, launched in 2020 by Kanehito Yamada and Tsukasa Abe, follows Frieren, an elf mage reflecting on life after defeating the Demon King. The manga has won multiple awards, including the 2021 Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize.

Gundam: The Origin Returns to Theaters

The Gundam franchise, a powerhouse since the 1970s, is revisiting its roots with a new movie trilogy focusing on Char Aznable, the original series’ villain. The films, releasing in Japan on September 13th, retell Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin in a larger cinematic format but without new footage.

The trilogy, titled Char/Sayla Arc, The Outbreak of War Arc, and Loum Arc, explores Char’s backstory, including the conflict between the Earth Federation and the Principality of Zeon. While no North American release has been confirmed, the original series is available on Crunchyroll for streaming.

Anime News Links

Digimon Fans Can Finally Watch The Digimon Movies Legally and With Better Dubs

Now more people can become as obsessed with Digimon as the rest of us are!

Manga News

Black Clover Returns with Three New Chapters in Fall 2024

Exciting news for Black Clover fans: the Jump GIGA Autumn 2024 issue will release on November 15, 2024, featuring three new chapters (#374-376). This marks the series’ largest release since it moved to Jump GIGA in December 2023. With Yūki Tabata having more time to craft each chapter, the manga’s final arc has reached new heights.

As fans eagerly await these chapters, there’s growing speculation about a potential season 5 of the anime. With Black Clover continuing its explosive sendoff, hopes for the return of the anime are higher than ever.

Candy Flurry Creators Launch New Manga "Shinobi Undercover"

The creators of Candy Flurry, writer Ippon Takegushi and illustrator Santa Mitarashi, have returned to Weekly Shonen Jump with a new series, Shinobi Undercover. The first chapter is now available in English on the Shonen Jump app and Manga Plus.

The duo’s previous series, Candy Flurry, ran from April to September 2021 and was compiled into three volumes, released in English by Viz Media.

Shinobi Undercover follows a nervous ninja and a clumsy friend in a dangerous school. Fans can read the series’ debut chapter now on Shonen Jump’s platforms.

The Mandalorian Manga to End in October

The Monthly Big Gangan magazine revealed that Yūsuke Ōsawa’s The Mandalorian manga adaptation will conclude in the November issue, releasing on October 25.

Ōsawa, known for Spider-Man: Fake Red, launched the Star Wars: Mandalorian manga in May 2022. Square Enix published the second volume in May 2023, with Viz Media releasing the English version shortly after.

The manga adapts the popular live-action Star Wars series, following a lone Mandalorian bounty hunter and his journey to protect a Force-sensitive infant. The original show had three seasons, and a movie is set for May 2026.

Manga News Links

Discovering Tomorrow’s Manga Masters

A nice showcase piece on young aspiring mangaka

Manben: Behind the Scenes of Manga with Urasawa Naoki

This feature on Mizuki Shigeru, the legendary manga artist known for GeGeGe no Kitaro is very informative and fun.

Nippon News

A Heartfelt Farewell to Ueno Zoo’s Beloved Pandas

Panda-lovers gathered at Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo for a bittersweet farewell to Ri Ri and Shin Shin, a pair of giant pandas who captured Japan’s heart for 13 years. Over 2,000 fans, including Mayuko Sumida, who traveled from Aichi Prefecture, lined up to say their tearful goodbyes. “All I said was ‘thank you’ and ‘take care,’” Sumida shared. The pandas, loved for providing solace during difficult times like the Tohoku earthquake and COVID-19, returned to China due to health concerns. Etsuko Tokura, a devoted fan, said the pandas were her source of comfort. Despite the sadness, many find peace knowing the pandas will live happily in China’s natural reserves.

Kyoto’s Battle with Overtourism: Respect the Temples

As Japan experiences a surge in foreign visitors, overtourism has become a key issue in Kyoto, where iconic temples like Kodaiji are seeing the worst effects. Founded in 1606, Kodaiji is now plagued by littering tourists, leaving cigarette butts, drink containers, and ice cream sticks across its serene grounds. Despite signs and warnings, visitors often claim not to understand local etiquette. Chief priest Koin Aoyama highlights the frustration, urging tourists to respect the temple’s rules. Littering threatens to tarnish the charm of Kyoto’s historic sites, risking stricter measures if behavior doesn’t improve.

World’s Smallest Bookstore: A Magical Space for Children

Nestled in a woodland in Maebashi, the world’s smallest bookstore, “tiny tiny bookstore,” spans just 1.246 square meters—only small children can enter. Created by Shingo Watanabe, president of Sowa Delight, the store aims to let kids choose books without adult interference. Stocking 300 carefully selected titles, Watanabe hopes each book sparks children’s imagination, connecting even the smallest things to the universe. Built from ancient cedar and powered by solar energy, the shop is part of “coco no mori,” a space where children can explore, play, and engage with nature. Open weekdays, cash only.

Nippon News Links

Japanese cat island reveals all its cats will soon be gone

It is very sad that it has to happen but it is for good reasons

International News

Shigeru Ishiba's Vision for Japan’s Foreign Policy

The Hudson Institute, a U.S. think tank, published a commentary by Shigeru Ishiba, the new president of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party, on September 27. Titled “The Future of Japan’s Foreign Policy,” Ishiba calls for revising the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty, labeling it an “asymmetrical bilateral treaty” needing change. He also advocates for revising the Status of Forces Agreement and proposes stationing Japan’s Self-Defense Forces in Guam. Additionally, Ishiba suggests creating an “Asian NATO” and exploring nuclear sharing with the U.S. The institute introduced Ishiba as “the next prime minister of Japan,” ahead of the party’s presidential election.

Japan Faces Growing Teacher Shortage

Japan is facing an increasingly severe teacher shortage. A survey by the public broadcaster NHK revealed that, as of September, 43 local governments reported a shortage of 2,397 teachers across elementary, junior high, senior high, and special needs schools—589 more than in May. The rise is attributed to difficulties in finding substitutes for teachers on childcare, maternity, or medical leave. In response, administrative staff and vice principals are stepping in to teach. Chiba Prefecture faces the largest shortfall, with 94 teachers missing. Local education boards are working to recruit more educators to address this issue.

The Vtuber scene and its antics

Here are some highlights from ‘Vtuber land’

• Ironmouse VOD and main channel get deleted over copyright claims. Her channel was later restored.

• Twitches alleged bias against Vtubers.

• Nijisanji messes up, again

From The World of Gaming

Concord to Go Offline: Refunds and Future Plans

Concord’s developers have announced that the game will go offline starting September 6, 2024, following feedback from players on PlayStation 5 and PC. While many players enjoyed the experience, some aspects didn’t meet expectations. In response, the team is halting sales and offering full refunds to those who purchased the game. Refunds will be processed through PlayStation, Steam, Epic, and other retailers. Once refunded, players will lose access to the game. The developers expressed gratitude for the community’s support and will explore ways to improve the game in the future. Updates will be shared with the community as plans develop.

Nintendo and Pokémon Sue Palworld Developer for IP Infringement

Shortly after the release of Palworld in January, it gained the nickname “Pokémon with guns.” Now, Nintendo and The Pokémon Company are suing its developer, Tokyo-based Pocketpair, for intellectual property infringement. The lawsuit, filed in September 2024, seeks both an injunction and compensation for damages. While Palworld differs in gameplay from Pokémon—offering real-time combat and survival elements—the legal dispute likely centers on its visual similarities, with several “Pals” resembling Pokémon species. Nintendo may also be reacting to Pocketpair’s plans to expand Palworld into merchandise and licensing, potentially further infringing on Pokémon’s iconic IP.

Nintendo Museum Unveils Gaming History and Interactive Fun

Nintendo Co. unveiled its museum ahead of its October 2 opening in Uji, Kyoto, showcasing iconic video games and consoles like the Family Computer (Nintendo Entertainment System) and Nintendo DS. Visitors can experience the fun firsthand by playing games with giant controllers, such as a massive Nintendo 64, or trying shooting games with digital coins embedded in entrance tickets. The museum, housed in a former 1969 Nintendo plant, also displays Nintendo’s early hanafuda playing cards. Shigeru Miyamoto, creator of Super Mario, hopes the museum shows how Nintendo is “good at conveying fun.” Tickets are sold via lottery, starting at 1,100 yen for children.

Gaming News Links

My Time at Evershine – Fully Funded on Kickstarter in Under 40 Minutes

The Kickstarter is still ongoing and will remain open until 24 October 2024. Our very own Shiro joined this Kickstarter & submitted a pledge.

Only in Japan

Japanese Idols can be scary

It is October, everybody’s favourite scary and creepy month. This month in Only in Japan we look at scary music acts from Japan. First up is ATARASHII GAKKO! They look like four innocent idol girls but there is something darker about them, that is why our first video features ATARASHI GAKKO! Our next artist is 14th Generation Toilet Hanako-san, and yes that is her stage name. This adorable Death Metal idol will scare the living daylights out of you and the lyrics of her songs may make your ears bleed. She has one hell of a voice though. Our second video will tell you more.

Only in Japan Links

“I will continuously compliment you” – Buying praise from Tokyo’s street complimenter

Now that is a useful job, we all need a compliment. It may be weird for some, but compliments are medicine!

Cosplay News

Comic Con Africa 2024 Walkthrough

We share with you Comic Con Africa 2024 video walkthrough

Cosplays at Tokyo Game Show for SNK’s City of the Wolves

The Tokyo Game Show is currently in full swing, showcasing the thrill of in-person gaming events that bring fans together. SNK, in anticipation of City of the Wolves—the first new Fatal Fury game in over 25 years—is generating excitement with a team of cosplayers at its booth, dressed as characters from the game. Alongside the cosplayers, attendees can try a playable demo, with special prizes for players who win multiple matches. Although the full release isn’t scheduled until April, SNK is using the event to build buzz around the game and its return to the iconic Fatal Fury series.

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