Welcome to a Spring Break Edition of This Week In The Nerd Fandom. We certainly had a week filled with exciting announcements, and unfortunately, back-to-back heartbreaking losses. Let’s take a look at what has happened recently.
Death Of An Icon: Akira Toriyama Passes Away At Age 68
The world was brought to a stop with the passing of legendary manga creator, Akira Toriyama. Toriyama was known for his iconic manga such as DR. Slump, Dragon Ball, its sequels Dragon Ball Z and Super, and Sand Land. Toriyama was also known for his work as a Character Designer for video games such as Chrono Trigger, Blue Dragon, and Dragon Quest. He passed away on March 1, due to acute subdural hematoma. He was 68. His family held a private funeral. The Anime/Manga Community offered their condolences and paid their respects to Toriyama, Anime News Network has a complete list on their website.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Hashira Training Arc To Premiere On May 12
Next up, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba makes a heroic return to television with its new Hashira Training Arc, which has been confirmed to return on May 12. The anime will premiere on the Fuji TV channel and its affiliates with a one-hour special on May 12 at 11:15 p.m. (10:15 a.m. EDT). The video also features the opening theme song “Mugen” (Dreams) by MY FIRST STORY x HYDE. It has been confirmed it will also premiere on Crunchyroll as well.
My Adventures With Superman Gets A Comic Adaption
It was one of the most talked about adaptations last year, and now My Adventures with Superman is taking a heroic leap back onto the Comic Book Page. DC announced a brand-new comic book series based on the animated show, bringing together series producer Josie Campbell (Writer) and artist Pablo M. Collar (Rogues, Bribones, Sword of Azrael). It picks up from the explosive end of season one, serving as a bridge to the highly anticipated season two. Pre-orders begin on Friday, March 15, and will arrive at participating comic shops and e-retailers on Tuesday, June 4. You can watch the first season of My Adventures with Superman on MAX and Adult Swim, Season Two is coming soon.
BLUE LOCK The Movie: Episode Nagi Scores A New Trailer
We’re one month away from one of the most anticipated animated sports films, BLUE LOCK THE MOVIE: EPISODE NAGI. Episode Nagi debuted a brand-new trailer showcasing Reo and Nagi in action, with new music from Nissy and SKY-HI titled Stormy. The movie is based on the manga written by Muneyuki Kaneshiro and illustrated by Kota Sannomiya and is available to read on Kodansha’s KManga Publication, and the film will debut in theaters on April 19 in Japan.
Blizzard Entertainment Reveals New Cowboy Bebop Collaboration For Overwatch 2
In one more day, players can have a chance to take part in a brand-new collaboration involving Shinichiro Watanabe and Sunrise’s Cowboy Bebop anime in Overwatch 2. The new collab will feature themed skins, emotes, intros, and more. Among the unlockable Legendary Skins are Spike Spiegel Cassidy, Faye Valentine Ashe, Jet Black Mauga, Ed Sombra, and Ein Wreckingball. The Ein skin will be available to everyone as a free unlock, and all skins will be revealed on March 11. Overwatch 2 is available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
Viz Media Shocks Fans With Surprise Licensing Deal For Kagurabachi
Shueisha’s newest series is one of the most talked about Shonen manga titles on the market. Takeru Hokazono’s Kagurabachi will be coming soon for English Audiences, thanks to a new licensing deal with Viz Media. Kagurabachi currently sits at No. 9 on Shueisha’s Manga Plus with 125.1k views, and its popularity caught the attention of senior WSJ editors, the attention of fans all over the world, and now Viz Media. It became so popular, that voice actor Aleks Le (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Vinland Saga, Rent-A-Girlfriend) released a special dub voice-over of the Kagurabachi promotional video. The first volume of Kagurabachi is available now in Japan and will be available for English Readers in Fall 2024.
Chainsaw Man Tears Up The Competition In February’s Adult Graphic Novels Chart
The latest Circana Bookscan Chart for Adult Graphic Novels was recently released and anime continues to drive more manga and manhwa sales. Three volumes of Tatsuki Fujimoto’s Chainsaw Man took several spots in the top fifteen, and Volume 14 took the No. 1 spot. Meanwhile, seven volumes of Gege Akutami’s Jujutsu Kaisen took seven spots in the top 20, showing proof that the series is one of the most-demand titles (both in print and anime), finally, the late Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball Super twentieth volume took No. 2 in the top five. As for Manhwa, six volumes of Chugong’s Solo Leveling were also in the top 20, the new anime adaption fueling the sales. For more information, head over to ICv2 for the rundown.
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