GKIDS has revealed the English dub cast of Warner Bros. Japan and STUDIO4°C’s anime film adaptation of Hiroshi Sakurazaka and Yoshitoshi ABe’s All You Need Is Kill light novel. A new trailer was also released.
The English dub cast of All You Need Is Kill includes:
Stephanie Sheh as Rita
Jadon Muniz as Keiji
Lisa Kay Jennings as Shasta
Cherami Leigh as Rachel
Jonny Cruz as Yonabaru
Station alert: The English cast of ALL YOU NEED IS KILL has been revealed! 🚨Stephanie Sheh – RitaJadon Muniz – KeijiLisa Kay Jennings – ShastaCherami Leigh – RachelJonny Cruz – YonabaruIn theatres starting January 16Get tickets: brnw.ch/21wWIf5
All You Need Is Kill opens first on January 9 across 10 theaters in Japan, followed by North America on January 16. GKIDS will also distribute the film in the U.K., Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand.
Kenichiro Akimoto directs the anime at STUDIO4°C. AKASAKI performs the theme song “Tsuretette.”
The All You Need Is Kill novel was published by Shueisha in 2004. In 2009, Viz Media acquired the series and began publishing it in English. A manga adaptation by Takeshi Obata and Ryōsuke Takeuchi was released in January 2014.
Lastly, here’s an overview of the series via VIZ Media:
When the alien Mimics invade, Keiji Kiriya is just one of many recruits shoved into a suit of battle armor called a Jacket and sent out to kill. Keiji dies on the battlefield, only to be reborn each morning to fight and die again and again. On his 158th iteration, he gets a message from a mysterious ally—the female soldier known as the Full Metal Bitch. Is she the key to Keiji’s escape or his final death?
Pony Canyon has announced that a TV anime adaptation of Spica Aoki’s Kaiju Girl Caramelise (Otome Kaijū Caramelise in Japanese) manga is coming in 2026 on TBS and BS11 channels. A new promotional video, teaser visual, and main cast and staff for the Kaiju Girl Caramelise anime were also revealed.
Teruyuki Omine directs the anime at LIDEN FILMS. Yuniko Ayana handles the series scripts, and Mitomi Nakayama is the character designer. GOOD SMILE FILM is producing the series.
Aoki launched the manga series in Kadokawa’s Monthly Comic Alive magazine in 2018, and the series is still ongoing. The ninth compiled book volume will ship out on December 23. Yen Press publishes the manga series in English.
Here’s a story synopsis, via Pony Canyon:
Love… or Destruction?
Kuroe Akaishi, a high-school girl suffering from a mysterious illness, has always lived avoiding others because of her awkwardness in social situations.
One fateful encounter leads her to fall in love with Arata Minami—the most popular boy in her class.
And the moment she realizes her feelings, the dormant power within her awakens…
A battle between love and reason is in conflict.
A shocking twist that shatters the conventions of shoujo manga is about to sweep across Japan!
Toei Animation has announced the Digimon Beatbreak English dub will premiere December 27 on Crunchyroll with its first five episodes streaming at once. The English dub cast of Digimon Beatbreak was also revealed alongside a new trailer.
Lastly, here’s a story synopsis of the anime, via Bandai:
“e-Pulse,” which is generated by human thoughts and emotions, was used as the energy source for the Al support device “Sapotama.” Behind this remarkable development, a terrifying monster appear. Digimon are living beings that evolve by consuming e-pulse. Tomoro Tenma is drawn into an extraordinary experience after meeting Gekkomon, who suddenly appears from his Sapotama. While living together with Kyo Sawashiro and other members of the bounty hunting team “Golden Dawn,” Tomoro renews his resolve. What new future will be forged by humans and Digimon?
SEGA has announced that a new update for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds will add free NiGHTS content on December 24 at 4:00 p.m. PST / 7:00 p.m. EST. The new Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds update includes NiGHTS as a playable characters, the Dream Sleeper vehicle, and special emotes and sounds.
Check out the new screenshots for NiGHTS below:
There will be more playable characters added to Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds for free. AiAi from Super Monkey Ball and the Banana Cruiser Vehicle will be added in a free update in January 2026. Sonic the Hedgehog IDW series characters Tangle and Whisper will join the roster in February 2026.
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is available now for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam. The Season Pass is available now for $29.99.
The Season Pass includes collaborative content from the following series:
Minecraft
Playable characters: Steve, Alex, and Creeper
Minecraft-themed course and vehicle
SpongeBob SquarePants
Playable characters: SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick
SpongeBob SquarePants-themed course and vehicle
PAC-MAN
Playable characters: Pac-Man and rival ghosts
PAC-MAN-themed course and vehicle
Mega Man
Playable characters: Mega Man and Proto Man
Mega Man-themed course and vehicle
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Avatar Legends
Final Weapon previously reviewed Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds and gave it a 4.5/5 score, noting that “there is very little in the way between the player and the game’s content, making for a refreshing pick-up-and-play experience that will satisfy players of all ages and skill levels. CrossWorlds is a kart racer that deeply understands the appeal of the genre and manages to finish in first place because of that.”
Today, ATLUS released the Version 1.03 update for Persona 3 Reload on Nintendo Switch 2. This update aims to improve the game’s performance by adjusting and enhancing frame rate stability, two months after launch. Additionally, ATLUS has increased the frame rate to a targeted 60 FPS for TV Mode only in Persona 3 Reload, which was previously locked at 30 FPS.
You can check out the new patch details below:
Version 1.03 – Patch Details
Performance Mode (only available in TV Mode) – targets 60 FPS
TV Mode and Handheld Mode – improved frame rate stability
The Nintendo Switch 2 patch update for the free demo will take place in the coming days (exact time TBD)
Alongside this update, Persona 3 Reload is on sale for 15% off in the Nintendo eShop. The sale is set to last now through January 4.
Previously, ATLUS shared that Persona 3 Reload will receive new updates over time to improve the game’s performance. According to general producer Yoshihiro Komori, careful quality assurance, or QA, is required and may be difficult to address in time for launch, so updates will come afterward. A 60 FPS performance mode was not planned, but it seems the team has changed its mind following the reception of the Switch 2 version.
Persona 3 Reload is available now for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam.
The stars of the My Status as an Assassin Obviously Exceeds the Hero’s anime were summoned from modern-day Japan and get cheat abilities, except for the protagonist. Final Weapon has everything you need to know about the new My Status as an Assassin Obviously Exceeds the Hero’s anime, including the weekly schedule and release dates for all the new episodes.
In My Status as an Assassin Obviously Exceeds the Hero’s, Akira Oda and his classmates are summoned to another world. When the other students gain cheat abilities from the summoning, Akira only gains the abilities of a mediocre assassin class. However, his status soon surpasses the strongest class, “hero.” After this happens, Akira becomes suspicious of the King behind the summoning, and he has to flee due to being framed for a crime he didn’t commit.
My Status as an Assassin Obviously Exceeds the Hero’s Anime Release Dates, Exact Premiere Time and Schedule
New My Status as an Assassin Obviously Exceeds the Hero’s episodes will release on Mondays at 9:00 a.m. PST / 12:00 p.m. EST on Crunchyroll. Episodes will be released with English subs and same-day English dubs. My Status as an Assassin Obviously Exceeds the Hero’s is expected to have 12 episodes this season.
Here are the release dates and schedule for My Status as an Assassin Obviously Exceeds the Hero’s (subject to change):
Episode 1 – October 6 – OUT NOW
Episode 2 – October 13 – OUT NOW
Episode 3 – October 20 – OUT NOW
Episode 4 – October 27 – OUT NOW
Episode 5 – November 3 – OUT NOW
Episode 6 – November 10 – OUT NOW
Episode 7 – November 17 – OUT NOW
Episode 8 – November 24 – OUT NOW
Airing 30 minutes later than usual due to Labor Thanksgiving Day
Episode 9 – December 1 – OUT NOW
Episode 10 – December 8 – OUT NOW
Episode 11 – December 15 – OUT NOW
Episode 12 – December 22 – OUT NOW
New episodes of My Status as an Assassin Obviously Exceeds the Hero’s will premiere at the following times (subject to change):
Pacific Standard Time (PST): 9:00 a.m.
Mountain Standard Time (MST): 10:00 a.m.
Central Standard Time (CST): 11:00 a.m.
Eastern Standard Time (EST): 12:00 p.m.
Greenwich Mean Time (GMT): 5:00 p.m.
OP/ED, Cast and Staff
VESPERBELL
BONNIE PINK
VESPERBELL performs the opening theme song “Issen (Flash of Light).” BONNIE PINK performs the ending theme song “Like Gravity.”
The Japanese cast includes:
Takeo Ōtsuka as Akira Oda
Saku Mizuno as Amelia Rosequartz
Sanae Kobayashi as Yoru
Konomi Tamura as Lia Lagoon
Junichi Suwabe as Saran Mithray
Ayato Morinaga as Tsukasa Satō
Masaaki Mizunaka as Kyosuke Asahina
English Dub Episode 1 Cast
Akira voiced by Austin Tindle
Saran voiced by James Cheek
Daisuke voiced by Matt Holmes
Gilles voiced by Kieran Flitton
Higuchi voiced by Erin Kelly Noble
Hitman voiced by Gerardo Davila
Honda voiced by Rebecca Danae
King voiced by Brian Mathis
Kyosuke voiced by Garret Storms
Lia voiced by Dani Chambers
Miko voiced by Henri Sudy
Minotaur voiced by Brad Foster
Mori voiced by Tom Aglio
Oka voiced by Wyatt Baker
Princess voiced by Corey Pettit
Rintaro voiced by Matthew Elkins
Shiori voiced by Taylor Murphy
Steward voiced by R Bruce Elliott
Tomoya voiced by Ciarán Strange
Tsukasa voiced by Mark Allen Jr.
Watabe voiced by Eduardo Vildasol
Yajima voiced by Rissa Mazzuca
Yuki voiced by Monica Flatley
English Dub Episode 1 Crew
Voice Director: Jad Saxton
Producer: Susie Nixon
Adaptation: Audrey Drak Rigg
Mixer: Andrew Tipps
Engineer: Tina Son
Nobuyoshi Habara directs the anime at Sunrise, while Kunihiko Okada handles the series scripts. Hirona Okada and Kaori Saito handle the character design, while Satoshi Igarashi composes the music. Masahiro Yamane is the main animator for the series and will also handle the monster design.
Additional staff members include:
Sub-Character Design: Yu Chen Jiang
Prop Design: Kazutaka Ema
3D CG: Kanemori Yasuda
Art Director: Akira Suzuki
Color Design: Yūki Mori
Compositing Director of Photography: Akihiro Takahashi
Editing: Emi Onodera
Sound Director: Hiroto Morishita
Sound Production: Kanon
Where Can I Watch My Status as an Assassin Obviously Exceeds the Hero’s?
My Status as an Assassin Obviously Exceeds the Hero’s is airing on TV Tokyo, BS Fuji, Animax, and other channels in Japan. Crunchyroll will stream the anime in North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East, CIS, Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
What is My Status as an Assassin Obviously Exceeds the Hero’s About?
Lastly, Seven Seas Entertainment publishes the My Status as an Assassin Obviously Exceeds the Hero’s light novel series by Matsuri Akai in English. Here’s a story synopsis
When Akira’s class is magically summoned to another world, he and his classmates are awarded fantastical powers–but while one of them is lucky enough to become a true Hero, Akira becomes a mere Assassin. However, against all odds, the Assassin just might be the most powerful role of all! Harboring doubts about the king’s intentions, Akira uses his newfound strength as a master of the shadows to uncover the secrets and conspiracies of the crown.
The beloved Gintama franchise expands to even greater heights with the new GINTAMA – Mr. Ginpachi’s Zany Class spin-off anime series. As Ginpachi prepares class for his students, Final Weapon has everything you need to know about GINTAMA – Mr. Ginpachi’s Zany Class, including the weekly schedule and release dates for all the new episodes.
GINTAMA – Mr. Ginpachi’s Zany Class stars Ginpachi Sakata, a high-school teacher who is known for her silver, curly hair, worn lab coat, and his deadpan eyes. Specifically, he’s in charge of Gintama High School’s Class 3-Z, which is full of familiar faces and troublemakers. This class is going to raise some hell, and its up to Ginpachi to resolve trouble and get his own life in check.
GINTAMA – Mr. Ginpachi’s Zany Class Release Dates, Exact Premiere Time and Schedule
New GINTAMA – Mr. Ginpachi’s Zany Class episodes will release on Mondays at 8:30 a.m. PT / 11:30 a.m. ET on Crunchyroll. Episodes will be released with English subs and same-day English dubs. GINTAMA – Mr. Ginpachi’s Zany Class is expected to have 12 episodes this season.
Here are the release dates and schedule for GINTAMA – Mr. Ginpachi’s Zany Class (subject to change):
Episode 1 – October 6 – OUT NOW
Episode 2 – October 13 – OUT NOW
Episode 3 – October 20 – OUT NOW
Episode 4 – October 27 – OUT NOW
Episode 5 – November 3 – OUT NOW
Episode 6 – November 10 – OUT NOW
Episode 7 – November 17 – OUT NOW
Episode 8 – November 24 – OUT NOW
Episode 9 – December 1 – OUT NOW
Episode 10 – December 8 – OUT NOW
Episode 11 – December 15 – OUT NOW
Episode 12 – December 22 – OUT NOW
New episodes of GINTAMA – Mr. Ginpachi’s Zany Class will premiere at the following times (subject to change):
Pacific Standard Time (PST): 8:30 a.m.
Mountain Standard Time (MST): 9:30 a.m.
Central Standard Time (CST): 10:30 a.m.
Eastern Standard Time (EST): 11:30 a.m.
Greenwich Mean Time (GMT): 4:30 p.m.
OP/ED, Cast and Staff
Botchi Boromaru
LONGMAN
Botchi Boromaru performs the opening theme song “Sakurakaze (Cherry Blossom Wind),” and LONGMAN performs the ending theme song “Underclass HERO.”
Returning cast members for the anime include:
Tomokazu Sugita as Ginpachi Sakata
Daisuke Sakaguchi as Shinpachi Shimura
Rie Kugimiya as Kagura
Satsuki Yukino as Tae Shimura
Susumu Chiba as Isao Kondo
Kazuya Nakai as Toshiro Hijikata
Kenichi Suzumura as Sogo Okita
Tetsuharu Ohta as Sagaru Yamazaki
Yū Kobayashi as Ayame Sarutobi
Akira Ishida as Kotaro Katsura
Takehito Koyasu as Shinsuke Takasugi
Satoshi Hino as Kamui
Natsumi Higashida is directing the GINTAMA – Mr. Ginpachi’s Zany Classanime at BN Pictures. Makoto Moriwaki is the general director, and Kazuyuki Fudeyasu and Mitei Mark II handle the series composition. Gintama animation director Shinji Takeuchi returns for the project, and Audio Highs will compose the anime’s music.
Where Can I Watch GINTAMA – Mr. Ginpachi’s Zany Class?
Crunchyroll is streaming GINTAMA – Mr. Ginpachi’s Zany Class in North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East and CIS. The anime is streaming for free every week with watch parties on Anime.com as well. In Japan, GINTAMA – Mr. Ginpachi’s Zany Class is airing on TV Tokyo and affiliate channels.
What is GINTAMA – Mr. Ginpachi’s Zany Class About?
Tomohiko Osaki launched the story of the 3rd Year Class Z Ginpachi-sensei novel series in 2006, and its still ongoing. In the novel series, Gintoki Sakata is a high school teacher in charge of Class 3-Z at Gintama High School, which is full of many familiar characters. 3rd Year Class Z Ginpachi-sensei novel series recently received a new volume on October 3, titled Oide yo Rinkan Gakkō, or Going on a School Camp.
Lastly, the Gintama series is streaming on Crunchyroll.
Yumeko starts anew after amnesia sparks a new personality within her in the new Plus-Sized Misadventures in Love anime. Final Weapon has everything you need to know about Plus-Sized Misadventures in Love, including the weekly schedule and release dates for all the new episodes.
In Plus-Sized Misadventures in Love, Yumeko’s insecurities and self-loathing seemingly fades away after an incident leaves her with amnesia. Her change in demeanor and confidence shocks her co-workers. Yumeko is ready to face whatever comes her way, including love, work, friends, and an attempted-murder mystery.
Plus-Sized Misadventures in Love Release Dates, Exact Premiere Time and Schedule
New Plus-Sized Misadventures in Love episodes will release on Mondays at 7:00 a.m. PST / 10:00 a.m. EST on Crunchyroll. Episodes will be released with English subs. Plus-Sized Misadventures in Love is expected to have 12 episodes this season.
Here are the release dates and schedule for Plus-Sized Misadventures in Love (subject to change):
Episode 1 – October 6 – OUT NOW
Episode 2 – October 13 – OUT NOW
Episode 3 – October 20 – OUT NOW
Episode 4 – October 27 – OUT NOW
Episode 5 – November 3 – OUT NOW
Episode 6 – November 10 – OUT NOW
Episode 7 – November 17 – OUT NOW
Episode 8 – November 24 – OUT NOW
Episode 9 – December 1 – OUT NOW
Episode 10 – December 8 – OUT NOW
Episode 11 – December 15 – OUT NOW
Episode 12 – December 22 – OUT NOW
New episodes of Plus-Sized Misadventures in Love will premiere at the following times (subject to change):
Pacific Standard Time (PST): 7:00 a.m.
Mountain Standard Time (MST): 8:00 a.m.
Central Standard Time (CST): 9:00 a.m.
Eastern Standard Time (EST): 10:00 a.m.
Greenwich Mean Time (GMT): 3:00 p.m.
OP/ED, Cast and Staff
GANG PARADE
Yūma Uchida
GANG PARADE performs the opening theme song “Happy Yummy Lucky Yummy.” Yūma Uchida performs the ending theme song “Watashi de Yokatta!!! (I’m Glad It’s Me!!!).”
The cast of the Plus-Sized Misadventures in Love anime include:
Aya Endō as Yumeko Kōda
Yūma Uchida as Keisuke Yūki
Akari Kitō as Saki Tamai
Tomokazu Sugita as Hiroki Maezono
Eiji Takeuchi as Masahiko Hosoi
Takuya Eguchi as Yutaka Shigemori
Junichi Suwabe as Motoki Minami
Shōya Chiba as Shunzaburō Tanigawa
Kazuomi Koga is directing the anime at Marvy Jack. Aya Watatane is handling the screenplay and series composition. Atsuko Takahashi is handling the character design. Takashi will also serve as the chief animation director, along with Kyoko Kametani. Satoshi Hōno and Karin Nakano are composing the music.
Where Can I Watch Plus-Sized Misadventures in Love?
Plus-Sized Misadventures in Love is streaming on Crunchyroll worldwide, excluding Japan, China, Hong Kong, Macau, Korea and Taiwan. In Japan, the anime will air on Tokyo MX, Sun TV, and other affiliate channels and streaming services.
What is Plus-Sized Misadventures in Love About?
Mamakari released the manga in 2019. NTT Solmare publishes the manga in English through its MangaPlaza service and describes it as follows:
This is my punishment – someone as hideous as me falling for someone as good-looking as you…” Yumeko had a mountain of complexes about herself. Then, a terrible accident befalls her. Though somehow saved from the brink of death, Yumeko wakes up a completely different person.
“Is this…me…?! I’m SUPER cute!!” Those around her can’t hide their surprise and wonderment at this 180-degree change. However, Yumeko’s new hyper-positive attitude begins to change her surroundings as well.
Worries and complexes can affect anyone, and Yumeko will chop right through those of her various supporting characters!! In love, work, friendship… And an attempted murder case?! This frenzied romantic comedy will leave you bubbling with energy!
Bandai Namco and SAS have revealed a new trailer for Patapon 1+2 Replay, revealing that the December 22 update will add a new Boss Rush Challenge mode. The Patapon 1+2 Replay Boss Rush Challenge update is out now in regions where it’s already December 22, so players in North America should get the update relatively soon.
In Boss Rush Challenge, players take on waves of powerful enemies with the squad they’ve grown. Units that players take into battle will be from their cleared save data. Each stage brings a boss that changes randomly every time, so players are encouraged to bring their most powerful Patapons to meet the challenge.
Previously, Bandai Namco released the version 1.0.6 update for Patapon 1+2 Replay to fix a sound effect playback issue for the original Patapon game. Patapon 1+2 Replay update 1.0.6 also fixes a bug affected the “Battle of Ekkora Oasis” mission in Patapon 2.
Patapon 1+2 Replay launched on July 11 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam. The game features new support functions and features, including a drum command always on display, a skip function for some scenarios, input timing delay settings, and new three-level difficulty adjustment.
Final Weapon reviewed Patapon 1+2 Replay and gave it a 4 out of 5 score, noting that the remaster is “a nostalgic blast from the past and features many upgrades from the original titles, including difficulty and latency sliders. While the story is light and the timing can be strict, this re-release manages to capture the charm of the originals while updating the games to stand alongside other modern titles, making Patapon 1+2 Replay a must-own for fans of the series.”
Square Enix has announced that the Octopath Traveler series has surpassed 6 million copies sold worldwide. To celebrate 6 million copies sold, Square Enix released a new illustration featuring characters from across the series in Octopath Traveler, Octopath Traveler II, and Octopath Traveler 0.
Octopath Traveler 0 is available now for Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. A free demo is available now with save data transfers over to the full game. The Standard Edition costs $49.99, while the Digital Deluxe Edition costs $59.99.
Digital Deluxe Edition contents include:
Deluxe Travel Provisions
Action Skills
Triple Strike Mastery
SP Saver Mastery
Extra JP Mastery
Consumable Items: 8 Types of Nuts (M)
Fortifying Nut (M)
Magic Nut (M)
Tough Nut (M)
Resistant Nut (M)
Light Nut (M)
Critical Nut (M)
Sharp Nut (M)
Slippery Nut (M)
Town Decorations: Festive Decoration Designs
Table with Roasted Chicken
Festive Arch
Large Festive Arch
Festive Flag
Grand Vase
Digital Art Book
Final Weapon previously reviewed Octopath Traveler 0 and gave it a 4.5/5 score, noting that the game “delivers the series’ most cohesive story yet, backed by its sharpest combat system and a surprisingly addictive town-building feature. By blending a focused narrative with a large, memorable cast and wrapping it all in gorgeous HD-2D visuals, it stands as both the strongest entry in the franchise and one of the best JRPGs in years.”
