Tokyo International News Agency

Animation studio ufotable has announced the continuation of the much-anticipated theatrical film "Katsugeki Touken Ranbu," generating significant buzz on social media. This announcement, made alongside updates for ongoing popular projects "Genshin Impact" and "Demon Slayer: Swordsmith Village Arc Part 2," has brought both relief and complex emotions from fans, given the nearly decade-long wait. Since the theatrical film adaptation of "Katsugeki Touken Ranbu" was first announced upon the conclusion of its TV anime broadcast in 2017, there has been very little concrete follow-up, leading some fans to worry that production might have been canceled. However, ufotable's official "in production" announcement has now confirmed the project's "survival." On X (formerly Twitter), numerous voices of relief emerged, such as "I thought Katsugeki Touken Ranbu was canceled" and "It's alive!" On the other hand,...

The unit "2ji da Toka" from the popular VTuber group "Nijisanji" has released a limited-time cover video of BUMP OF CHICKEN's hit song "Acacia" on YouTube, performed at their 1st solo live concert, drawing an enthusiastic response from fans. This surprise release is available until August 21, 2026, at 7:59 PM JST (Japan Standard Time) on member Ibrahim's YouTube channel. For many fans, this "Acacia" cover was considered a legendary performance that would never be seen again, as it was not included in the live DVD or Blu-ray. Consequently, this unexpected release led to an outpouring of joy and gratitude on social media, with comments such as "So thankful to be able to see it again" and "I thought I'd never see it again since it wasn't on the disc." Fans who watched the uploaded video shared a stream of comments like "I can't stop crying from emotion" and "I can relive the best memories agai...

Dance & vocal group Bullet Train (Chotokkyu) has announced that they will hold a solo concert at Tokyo Dome, a long-cherished dream, leading to an outpouring of joy among their fan community, the "Hachigousha" (8-Go-sha), across social media. Many fans expressed emotional messages of congratulations and blessings for the achievement of this long-standing goal, dominating trending topics on Twitter (X). Upon hearing the announcement, fans flooded social media with emotional posts such as "Congratulations on the dream Dome concert!" "So happy I have goosebumps," and "Truly blessed to have supported them for 15 years." Some even expressed uncontrollable excitement, writing "Tears won't stop" and "I feel like I could go wild on the Shinkansen." These reactions clearly show the profound significance of this announcement for the Hachigousha who have continuously supported the group. Member Yuki posted a powerful message on h...

The popular RPG series "Tales Of" is celebrating its 30th anniversary, and animation studio ufotable has unexpectedly released a teaser video for an upcoming information reveal, sending fans into a frenzy. With full details set to be unveiled on April 3rd, social media is buzzing with anticipation. ufotable has a proven track record of animating the "Tales Of" series, having worked on projects such as the OVA "Tales of Symphonia" and the TV anime "Tales of Zestiria the Cross." The recently released teaser video features silhouettes of past characters and the 30th-anniversary logo, drawing significant attention to its content. The studio is currently juggling multiple major projects, including "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - Infinity Castle Arc," "Mahoutsukai no Yoru" (scheduled for theatrical release in 2026), and "Genshin Impact Anime." Amidst their busy schedule, the nature of this upcoming "Tales Of" a...

Racehorse Shirankedo has sensationally retired from racing and will begin her new life as a broodmare at Champions Farm in Hokkaido. This announcement has sparked a wave of heartfelt farewells and hopeful expectations for her future, especially across social media. Shirankedo, who secured two graded stakes victories including last year's Niigata Kinen, captivated numerous horse racing fans with her unique name and her phenomenal "late kick" displayed in the final stages of races. Her powerful performance in the Tenno Sho, in particular, remains fresh in many memories. Fans have voiced sentiments such as, "Her strength and easy-to-remember name, I'll never forget her," and "I loved Shirankedo-chan's running." The news of her retirement, however, came as a shock to many. Comments like "Oh no, Shirankedo is retiring... I'm so sad" and "I wanted to see her race more" poured in, revealing the surprise and sorrow surrounding t...

Owner Susumu Fujita's horse, Sonshi, made a spectacular return to racing with a dominant victory in the Hankyu Cup (GIII) at Hanshin Racecourse on February 21st, marking his first race in a year and a month. Partnering with jockey Yuga Kawada, Sonshi astonished fans by setting a new course record of 1 minute 18.9 seconds over the Hanshin turf 1400m. Sonshi's comeback to a graded race followed a prolonged absence of 54 weeks (or 57 weeks since the Yodo Tan-Kyori Stakes), having been excluded from last year's Silk Road Stakes. Overcoming a long layoff due to a fracture, he pulled off a remarkable revival despite competing at his highest-ever weight, having gained 14kg. His overwhelming performance prompted a flurry of amazed reactions on social media, with comments like "He's too much of a monster" and "Absolutely insane." Jockey Yuga Kawada also praised Sonshi's boundless ability, remarking, "I was truly surprised. I take my hat off to him....

Posts about "Uji Matcha" are currently generating significant buzz on social media. A wide array of products, from Japanese and Western sweets to drinks and tea leaves, are being released, stimulating consumer purchasing desire. However, concerns regarding the definition and quality of "Uji Matcha," as well as trademark issues overseas, are simultaneously emerging, highlighting challenges beneath its popularity. Consumer posts reveal high praise for the rich flavor and taste that "Uji Matcha" offers. Comments like "Uji Matcha is so good!" and "This matcha is so strong, there'll be none left for me!" are common. Many also express anticipation and joy for collaborations with existing brands and new products, such as "Manneken's Uji Matcha has finally started" and "Kinoko no Yama Uji Matcha flavor is the best." Specific products drawing attention include Yumian's "Domestic Strawberry and Gyokurin-en Uji...