Bleach captains ranked - all Gotei 13 squad captains
You don't want to mess around with The Gotei 13. But who's the strongest out of them all?
If you're looking for an anime that boasts incredible fighters, you can't go wrong with Bleach. And often, theses fighters cross dimensions in order to test their mettle against one another. The result is intense, devastating battlefields that are well-loved by fans of a series known for its action-packed battles. Protagonist Ichigo Kurosaki started off as a normal everyday civilian, but then he inherited Soul Reaper powers and eventually became one of the most powerful warriors alive (or dead). However, there are those who rival Ichigo's power, namely the members of the 13 court guard squads (also known as the Gotei 13), who are some of the most skilled, defensive, and powerful individuals in the world that dedicate their lives to the Soul Society and the protection of the human world. Watch Bleach on Disney Plus in the UK Some of the Soul Society's captains have ruled for years without a worthy opponent; however, there is a hierarchy in place on who is the most powerful, and who is not. Read on below to find out more. Bleach Gotei 13 captains ranked 13. Sajin Komamura – Squad 7 Saijin Komamura primarily hides his appearance behind a bamboo mask and very little is known about him that's not surface level, basic information. Viewers eventually discovered he was an anthropomorphic wolf who was actually quite shy about his physical appearance, hence his penchant for hiding it. Komamura's powers position him as an undisputed captain but they're a long way short of matching his higher-ups. When it comes to physical comparisons, he falls short against the other Squad commanders and even his Zanpakutō has been easily defeated throughout the series. 12. Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi – Squad 3 After the Soul Society was tricked by Aizen Sosuke, Rōjūrō and the other Visored found themselves exiled. Rōjūrō joined Shinji Hirako until the time finally came to face Aizen head on but during their final conflict, he was reinstated and given his former rank of captain of Squad 3. Despite his strength and abilities, Rōjūrō isn't fond of conflict and will usually do everything in his power to avoid it. Instead, he opts for quick manoeuvrability and control to take down his enemies instead of brute force. 11. Suì-Fēng – Squad 2 Suì-Fēng manages the Second Division in the Soul Society while commanding Stealth Force. She's one of the faster captains who's top speed is up for debate which is reflected by quickly jumping to conclusions. Suì-Fēng finds it difficult to manage her emotions, which is often her downfall. She makes hasty, spur-of-the-moment decisions that typically get the better of her, but despite her wobbly demeanour, she's still a tough foe in the battlefield. 10. Jūshirō Ukitake – Squad 13 Captain Ukitake is one of the more kind-hearted captains with a relatively good repertoire among his lesser peers. He's one of the few Captains who trained directly under Captain Commander, which means his swordsmanship is comparable only to the best. While Jūshirō is undoubtedly a formidable opponent, his fragility and poor constitution bring his reputation down a notch. Like the aforementioned Gotei, he prefers to avoid conflict at all costs. 9. Kensei Muguruma – Squad 9 Similar to Rōjūrō, after his battle with the Visored, he was later reinstated to his post as Captain. He's one of the more brutal fighters, opting for close-combat attacks backed with taught techniques that blow through his opponents. Alongside his abilities and his Zanpakutō, Kensei is a prominent threat on any battlefield, which many of his peers recognise. 8. Shinji Hirako – Squad 5 Another addition to the list of exiled Visored, Shinji Hirako was the former Fifth Division Shinji. He led his team in the battle against Aizen by partnering with the Gotei 13 to take him down. Due to his teamwork and overall tactics, he was reinstated in the Soul Society along with a few of his comrades and made a captain once again. Shinji is incredibly skilled at the sword but his main prowess lies with critical thinking and abilities to look beyond immediate dangers. He's one of the more powerful Visored but still can't match the likes of Zaraki Kenpachi. 7. Mayuri Kurotsuchi – Squad 12 Mayuri is a difficult character to wrap your head around due to his unreasonable interests in petty arguments. He's proven himself on the battlefield many times but is somehow taken down with the most minute of squabbling. Mayuri isn't typically seen on the battlefield to flex his Zanpakutō ability, though when he does weigh in, he's feared for his gruesome and horrific takedowns which has many of the other Gotei shaking in their boots – no surprise, considering his favourite method is eating enemies alive... 6. Tōshirō Hitsugaya – Squad 10 Hitsugaya is the youngest Shinigami to ever reach Bankai and considered somewhat of a prodigy among his peers. With his Zanpakutō ability, he can go toe to toe with some of the tougher Gotei while making short work of those beneath him. In his short time as Shinigami, he's proven his swordsmanship countless times to boast the title of strongest in the Soul Society, countering that of Ryūjin Jakka, belonging to Captain-Commander Yamamoto. 5. Byakuya Kuchiki – Squad 6 Byakuya comes from a long lineage of skilled Soul Reapers. He's set a high standard for himself to meet, which he does, setting himself up as the captain of the sixth division and a fearsome member of the Gotei 13. Yoruichi Shihouin personally trained Byakuya in both shunpo and swordsmanship, making him no small feat for enemies to take down. His prowess lies with the sword just like his peers but he's a cut above the rest with his lightning fast reflexes, rivalling that of Ichigo's Bankai for a time. 4. Shunsui Kyōraku – Squad 8 Captain-Commander Yamamoto has quite a soft spot for Shunsui after he managed to obtain the level of expert swordsmanship. He possesses incredible power in every aspect imaginable, from skill and focus, to strength and dexterity, all while slicing down foes with two swords simultaneously. He's on equal playing terms with the Espada and can take down anyone who stands in his way relatively quickly thanks to his Zanpakutō ability. 3. Retsu Unohana – Squad 4 Retsu Unohana is an enigma, never really letting anyone in to her personal life, feelings or backstory. Captain-Commander hand-picked Retsu for her confidence on the battlefield during the Gotei 13's founding and was made the original Captain of Squad 11 and the previous holder of the Kenpachi title. Her strength was comparable to none and quickly overwhelmed anyone who stood in her way. Self-healing abilities only boosted her efficiency with even the strongest of armies struggling to take her down. 2. Kenpachi Zaraki – Squad 11 Zaraki is the current holder of the Kenpachi title and is considered the strongest Soul Reaper in the Soul Society. Zaraki earned the Soul Reaper title after defeating Retsu Unohona in an arguably one-sided battle, but was quickly dispatched after only landing one blow. Zaraki is one of the few Gotei who revels in battle. He seizes the moment to shine and boast, feeding his own ego as he tears through enemies. He even has to reel it back when training with his peers to avoid hurting them. 1. Genryusai Yamamoto – Captain-Commander The Captain-Commander of the Soul Society is the embodiment of strength, tactics, and leadership. Yamamoto has ruled over the 13 court guard squads for more than 1,000 years, doing so with the sheer presence of his power alone. As of yet, no one can match up to Genryusai Yamamoto and his Zanpakutō, capable of defeating foes with his bare hands before he even thinks about picking up a sword. Bleach is available to watch on Disney Plus in the UK – sign up to Disney Plus now for £7.99 per month or £79.90 for a full year. Bleach is streaming on Hulu in the US – start your free trial here. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide or Streaming Guide to find out what else is on. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home – subscribe now. 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Need to know the best way to get your Baki fix and watch the brutal martial arts anime in order? We've got just the thing.
Who doesn't love an anime series where you can watch a guy punch away all his problems? If that sounds like you, then Baki is the series for you. As blasé as that statement may sound, Baki does, in fact, have an epic legacy in Japanese pop culture. The series originally debuted in 1991 and follows a classic fighting genre narrative, placing us in the shoes of a 13-year-old boy whose goal is to defeat his father, Yuujirou Hanma, and become a fighting champion. Baki, also known as Baki the Grappler, has undergone multiple adaptations over the years, with an anime series released in 2001, 2018, and 2022. However, the latest iterations are available on Netflix, with a new instalment, BAKI-DOU having recently been confirmed to release sometime in 2026. But where do you even begin with this beloved franchise? There's an intimidating amount to watch, so if you're looking to watch Baki in order, then search no more: we've got the perfect guide for you. What order should I watch Baki? Fortunately, Baki has a relatively straightforward story arc, with a timeline that aligns with its release date. There's very little jumping around from past to present, making it easier to follow compared to a series with more elaborate plots. We're looking at you, Naruto and Dragon Ball. Baki Hanma, the Netflix series that ran from 2021 to 2023, is a standalone sequel to the original Baki that aired in 2001. However, the two series are connected, with the new Netflix show focusing more on its title character. Meanwhile, the Baki Hanma vs Kengan Ashura crossover with the gladiator-fighting anime Kengan Ashura provides even more material for those who want to see even more intense combat and muscle-bound battle scenes. Here's the perfect order to watch Baki: Baki The Grappler: The Ultimate Fighter Baki The Grappler – Season 1: Kid Saga/Underground Arena Saga Baki The Grappler – Season 2: Maximum Tournament Saga Baki: Most Evil Death Row Convicts Special Anime Baki – Season 1: Most Evil Death Row Convicts Saga Baki – Season 2: Great Chinese Challenge Saga/Godlike Clash of the Kids Saga Baki Hanma: Son of Ogre - Season 1: Combat Shadow Fighting Saga/Great Prison Battle Saga Baki Hanma: Son of Ogre - Season 2: Pickle Wars Saga/The Father VS Son Saga Baki Hanma VS Kengan Ashura Baki-Dou (Release Date TBC) Are Baki 2001 and 2018 the same? Like many long-running anime series, Baki can confuse new viewers because there's more than one season 1 and season 2. The original first season of Baki is the first season of Baki the Grappler, which aired in 2001, followed by a second season later that same year. However, Baki season 1 (2018) is actually the second part of this story, loosely connecting the plot of both shows. Fortunately, you don't need to watch these earlier series to understand Netflix's recent adaptations. Are there Baki filler episodes that I can skip? There's no filler in the traditional sense of a list of skippable episodes. There are, however, two OVAs that serve as an interesting time capsule of the series's history, most of which is recapped later. The must-watch instalments are the main series themselves: Baki the Grappler, Baki and Baki Hanma. The OVAs in question that you can live without are Baki: The Ultimate Fighter and Baki: Most Evil Death Row Convicts Saga. Will there be a Baki Hanma season 3? Technically no, but there will be a continuation of the Baki series under a new title: BAKI-DOU. This was announced at the very end of season 2. What is BAKI-DOU? Taking place after Baki Hanma, BAKI-DOU has Baki facing a brand new threat: the resurrection of Japan’s greatest swordsman, Miyamoto Musashi. Other warriors, such as Doppo Orochi, Jack Hanma, and Kaoru Hanayama, also make a return to the fight. Baki's greatest strength (and weapon) are his fists, but can this legendary underground fighter take on iconic and powerful samurai? We'll find out sometime in 2026. You can watch the teaser trailer for BAKI-DOU below. View oEmbed on the source website Where can I watch Baki in the UK? View oEmbed on the source website The majority of the Baki franchise is available on Netflix, including the second season of Baki Hanma: Son of Ogre. Unlike its previous season, which only had 12 episodes, the second season was split into cours and featured 13/14 episodes respectively. For those without a Netflix subscription, Crunchyroll also offers the anime in its entirety. Read more: How to watch Pokémon in order: All the TV series, movies and specials How to watch Evangelion in order How to watch Code Geass in order Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide or Streaming Guide to find out what else is on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Bleach filler list: The episodes you can skip
Bleach boasts an amazing backlog of episodes - but some stories are more important than others.
Known as one of the "big three" 2000s-era anime series alongside One Piece and Naruto, Bleach is a bona fide classic. An icon of the shonen genre, it influenced a generation of anime fans and creators following its original debut in 2004. However, no long-running anime series is completely free from padding, and at 366 episodes long, this dark fantasy masterpiece does indeed include some filler. Adapting the manga series by Tite Kubo, Bleach includes a lot of subplots that don't directly relate to the central plot, or add new canon to the original source material. As such, many of those episodes are considered nonessential viewing. At the same time, there's debate over what "filler" really means here. The show features some memorable moments (for instance the introduction of the Bount) which you can technically skip in favour of more plot-centric storylines. But these sections can still be exciting and rewarding to watch. Basically, the question here is whether you want to be a completist and marathon your way through 366 episodes, or if you'd prefer a more stripped-down version of the show, trimming away the less important subplots. With more than half of Bleach's current episodes being characterized as filler, the second option is certainly more efficient. So if you want to know which episodes to skip, read on! What are Bleach's filler episodes? Running for 16 seasons between 2004 and 2012, the original Bleach series included 166 filler episodes, covering lighter side-stories and detours from the central plot. For example, there's one episode where the supporting characters Ikkaku and Yumichika, a duo of soul reapers, embark on a mission to the human world, which basically amounts to an entertaining but pointless standalone story. Elsewhere in the show, you'll find stereotypical fan-service episodes, alongside slice-of-life moments that don't offer much in the way of plot or character development. If you're planning to skip those sections, here's our list of filler episodes to avoid: Episode 33 Episode 50 Episodes 64-108 Episodes 128-137 Episodes 147-149 Episodes 168-189 Episodes 204-205 Episodes 213-214 Episodes 227-265 Episode 266 Episode 287 Episode 298 Episode 299 Episodes 303-305 Episodes 311-316 Episodes 317-341 Episodes 355 While a few of these episodes do help to flesh out the broader Bleach canon (for instance by setting up the Bleach: Hell Verse film), if you watch all of them then you'll spend just as much time engaging with filler as following the main plot. What filler episodes are a must-watch? Regarding the question of what actually qualifies as "filler," a couple of these arcs do add something meaningful to the story, even if they're generally classified as filler material by Bleach fans. The first would be the Bount arc, which covers episodes 64-108. This arc introduces a new race of dangerous supernatural villains, but since it doesn't appear in the original manga, it's seen by some as an unnecessary addition. So while it's dramatically rewarding to watch, it's not actually relevant to later arcs. Later on, in episodes 311-316, we get some insight into the Reigai Uprising, establishing a more serious and gritty tone for the show going forward. If you skip that section, you may miss out on some important context. This sequence then leads into an arc where Kageroza Inaba creates Modified Soul copies of the Gotei 13, placing them in Reigai bodies. He then uses these bodies to attack the Soul Society, so if you skip these episodes, you'll miss some important context for the final status of the Soul Society. In terms of sheer entertainment value, the Zanpakuto Unknown Tales episodes (230-265) offer new insight into the show's main characters and fantasy worldbuilding. This arc explores how a Shinigami's Zanpakuto (or sentient weapon) can rebel against its master, disrupting our expectations for how this kind of relationship typically plays out. How to watch Bleach in the UK All 16 seasons of Bleach are available to stream in the UK on Disney Plus. 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Naruto and Naruto Shippuden filler list: The episodes you can miss
Naruto and Naruto Shippuden have legendary episodes – but there's still plenty you can skip if you want to.
Naruto is one of the most iconic anime franchises in existence – a status it enjoys both due to its longevity, and thanks to its continuing popularity with kids. Its nostalgia value is undeniable. For many anime fans, Naruto was the show that made them fall in love with the medium, and for that reason alone it's widely regarded as a must-watch. Adapted from a long-running manga series by writer and artist Masashi Kishimoto, Naruto (and its sequel series Naruto Shippuden) is a ninja adventure story about an orphan boy named Naruto Uzumaki, who wants to grow up to become the Hokage (or leader) of Leaf Village. His journey involves training in martial arts and battling an ever-increasing number of enemies. While this is obviously an action franchise, the violence is kid-friendly, balanced out by comedic moments and storylines about love and friendship. In terms of sheer volume, Naruto is also one of the biggest anime/manga franchises around. Alongside the original comics, fans can enjoy spin-off video games, live-action adaptations, a vast array of merchandise, and even a musical. As for the actual anime, Naruto and Naruto: Shippuden boast an intimidating 700+ episodes combined, running from 2002 to 2017. And after that there's the sequel series Boruto, which ran for almost 300 further episodes. Given the length of those two original Naruto adaptations, it's no surprise that some of those episodes are filler. While seriously dedicated fans may want to watch every single episode, you can definitely skip some sections and still enjoy all the important parts of the story. But which bits qualify as essential viewing? Happily, we're here to help you answer that question. Read on for our guide to all the filler episodes in Naruto and Naruto: Shippuden, advising you on which episodes you can comfortably skip. What are the Naruto filler episodes? For newcomers to the world of Naruto, the following episodes are all generally agreed to be filler: 26 - Special Report: Live from the Forest of Death! 97 - Kidnapped! Naruto's Hot Spring Adventure! 101-106 - The Land of Tea Escort Mission Arc 136-140 - The Land of Rice Fields Investigation Mission Arc 143-219 You may notice that this list includes an eyebrow-raising run of 77 consecutive episodes. That's because this chunk of later episodes don't include anying that really develops the main characters or drives the plot forward. Some fans consider them to be a waste of time, but if you're concerned about skipping such a long section of the show, you can obviously drop in and check out a couple of episodes to get an idea of the tone. For instance episodes 169 to 173 see Naruto, Ino and Shino join forces with Anko for some higher-level missions, giving us a new perspective on how these characters work as a team and forge bonds together. Meanwhile episodes 102 to 106 cover a period after the Konoha Five fail to return with Sasuke. It's basically an extended conclusion to the Sasuke Retrieval arc, leading into the next storyline without really adding anything to the main plot. Read more: How old is Naruto? Explaining his timeline Is Naruto dead in Boruto? Naruto fans crown most popular character – and he's getting a spin-off What are the Naruto Shippuden filler episodes? Acting as a direct sequel to the original series, Naruto Shippuden continues the story two years later, meaning that our titular protagonist is now a little older. Clocking in at 500 episodes, this series represents a major undertaking for completists. However nearly 200 episodes of Naruto Shippuden are considered to be filler. If you want to enjoy a lean, stripped-down version of Naruto Shippuden, here's the list of episodes to skip: 57-71 - Twelve Guardian Ninja Arc 91-112 - Three-Tails' Appearance Arc 144-151 - Six-Tails Unleashed Arc 170-171 176-196 - Past Arc: The Locus of Konoha 223-242 - Paradise Life on a Boat Arc 257-260 271 279-295 - Fourth Shinobi World War: Confrontation Arc 303-320 347-361 - Fourth Shinobi World War: Climax / Kakashi's Anbu Arc 376-377 388-390 394-413 - In Naruto's Footsteps: The Friends' Paths Arc 416-431 - Birth of the Ten-Tails' Jinchuriki Arc 427-450 - Jiraiya Shinobi Handbook: The Tale of Naruto the Hero Arc 464-468 - Kaguya Otsutsuki Strikes Arc 480-483 - Childhood Arc As with our filler list for the original Naruto, a lot of these episodes either don't add anything to the core plot, or introduce new and extraneous material that didn't occur in the original manga. However there's some debate over whether the Kakashi: Shadow of the ANBU Black Ops arc (episodes 347 - 361) qualifies as filler or not. This section fleshes out the role of Kakashi (one of the strongest Naruto characters), and gives the Hyūuga sisters a more prominent role. So while it isn't necessary viewing for plot purposes, a lot of fans love these episodes for their strong character moments and action scenes. Likewise episodes 464 - 468 have plenty to offer, despite their reputation as filler. This brief arc explores a key element of the show's worldbuilding, the history of the Shinobi. So it's important viewing for lore-heads. How to watch Naruto in the UK For fans based in the UK, both Naruto and Naruto Shippuden are available to watch on Crunchyroll. You can also watch Naruto via Netflix, but that platform doesn't currently offer Naruto Shippuden. Over in the US, Naruto is one of several well-known anime shows that are now available for free on YouTube in a subtitled format. Unfortunately for international viewers though, those YouTube streams are geo-locked to the US - and don't include the dubbed versions of the show. View Green Video on the source website Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide or Streaming Guide to find out what else is on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Berserk explores complex topics like trauma and grief, and is well worth a watch.
Berserk is one of the most brutal and complex anime franchises, and is well-known for its dark themes, gritty tone and violent action sequences. Based on the 1989 manga from writer and artist Kentaro Miura, Berserk is set in a dark fantasy world that's bloody and unforgiving. It follows a mercenary named Guts, who battles both humans and monsters in his quest for vengeance. Better yet, the Berserk manga is still ongoing. Miura sadly passed away in 2021, but the story continues under the guidance of Miura's close friends and team, who were aware of the ending Miura had planned – though considering the depths of darkness already shown within the pages of Berserk, we doubt it will end happily. While it may not be for the faint-hearted, it hasn't stopped the series from being iconic, with numerous adaptations over the past few decades. It's no wonder, then, that newcomers are looking for an idea on where to start. Our guide is here to help. Read on to help you figure out how to watch Berserk in order. How to watch Berserk in order Despite Berserk's iconic reputation, the various anime adaptations have earned a mixed response. Some are relatively well-regarded, while others have been criticised for poor animation quality and storytelling. Either way, many Berserk manga fans will argue that no screen adaptation has ever done justice to the gruesomeness and long-running storylines of the original. But if you still want to see the horror of the Eclipse in motion, here's where to start: Kenpuu Denki Berserk (1997) Berserk: The Golden Age Arc I – The Egg of the King Movie (2012) Berserk: The Golden Age Arc II – The Battle for Doldrey Movie (2012) Berserk: The Golden Age Arc III – The Advent Movie (2013) Berserk (2016) Berserk Season 2 (2017) Berserk: The Golden Age Arc – Memorial Edition (2022) How to watch Berserk in the UK You can stream the 1997 Berserk anime on YouTube for free. Meanwhile, the later Berserk anime series, including the Golden Age sagas, are available on Crunchyroll. You can also purchase Blu-ray and DVD copies of the series via Amazon. View Green Video on the source website Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide or Streaming Guide to find out what else is on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
How to watch Fullmetal Alchemist and Brotherhood in order
If you're after heartache, joy and pain, then you'll want to know how to watch Fullmetal Alchemist and Brotherhood the way it was intended.
When it comes to naming of the greatest anime of all time, it'd be easy to say something like Dragon Ball or Naruto. But we prefer something different, an anime that sets the standard for being excruciatingly heartbreaking, while also having one of the best stories and character arcs of all time. We are, of course, talking about Fullmetal Alchemist and Brotherhood. Following the protagonist brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric, the two lose their mother and thus attempt to do everything in their power to bring her back. This leads to unexpected and brutal consequences: Edward loses two of his limbs, whereas Alphonse loses everything except his soul, forcing Edward to bind it into a suit of armour in an effort not to lose his brother for good. There's plenty of whimsy in Fullmetal Alchemist, but be warned: this anime isn't suitable for children and there are plenty of gruesome plot twists involved. If that doesn't put you off, though, and you want to jump right into the series, we've compiled a list of everything you need to know on how to watch Fullmetal Alchemist and Brotherhood in order. What's the difference between Fullmetal Alchemist and Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood? They're two sides of the same coin: Fullmetal Alchemist is the original anime release, whereas Brotherhood is a retelling of the same story. Brotherhood is widely regarded as the more faithful adaptation of the manga and includes numerous battles, encounters and plots that the original does not. For die-hard fans of the story, Brotherhood is probably your best option. For those who don't mind a little padding here and there, including a latter half that treads its own path away from the manga, the original Fullmetal Alchemist series is all yours. How to watch Fullmetal Alchemist based on release date Luckily, there's a very clear difference between the two adaptations. The Brotherhood rendition is marked in every release, so it's rather hard to miss. If you're thinking about watching both the original and retelling of the story, you can do so one after the other. Fullmetal Alchemist (2003) Fullmetal Alchemist The Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa (2003) Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009) Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Special: The Blind Alchemist (2009) Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Special: Simple People (2009) Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Special: The Tale of Teacher (2010) Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Special: Yet Another Man’s Battlefield (2010) Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos (2011) Does Fullmetal Alchemist have filler? The original series only includes a few episodes you should feel safe skipping. They include: Episode 4 - A Forger's Love Episode 10 - The Phantom Thief Episode 37 - The Flame Alchemist, the Bachelor Lieutenant & the Mystery of Warehouse 13 Apart from the aforementioned, it's relatively story-based, and anything you do miss will have a knock-on effect on the rest of the series. Brotherhood's episode 27 is the only filler in the entire saga and acts as an interlude between battles. Overall, it's a very story-driven anime, so if you like your pacing fast and epic, you'll enjoy Fullmetal Alchemist. View Green Video on the source website How to watch Fullmetal Alchemist in the UK If you're okay with a physical copy, you can order the original series from Zavvi for £29.99 as it's not available to stream. You can also purchase the original series on Amazon for a little under £30. Currently, the only place to watch Fullmetal Alchemist online is on Funimation. That being said, it only holds the Brotherhood main series and none of the specials. You can also pick up the specials, available for £22.10 on Amazon. However, this is only available on DVD, as it's currently unavailable on Blu-ray. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide or Streaming Guide to find out what else is on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Step onto the volleyball court with the perfect Haikyuu!! viewing schedule.
When it comes to sports anime, Haikyuu!! is without a doubt considered the king of the genre. It's got everything: emotional highs and lows, ambitious teen rivalries, as well as a fast-paced but emotional story from beginning to end. It's what makes Haikyuu!! essential viewing, even if you're not super into sports. Initially published by Haruichi Furudate in February 2012 as a manga for Weekly Shonen Jump, the manga came to its conclusion eight years later, in 2020. But even before then, Haikyuu!!'s popularity was immense. Not only was it everywhere, but it was well-loved enough to spawn a multimedia franchise, with the anime series bringing international attention to protagonist Shoyo Hinata's volleyball exploits. Its bold animation, thrilling cliffhangers and intriguing characters drew plenty of people in. Thankfully, there's plenty to keep you entertained when it comes to Haikyuu!!, what with its four TV seasons, as well as several OVAs and movies. While it doesn't sound like a lot on paper, it can get confusing if you don't know where to start. Thankfully, we've got the perfect guide to help you watch Haiykuu!! in order. How to watch Haikyuu!! in release order While some anime franchises include a lot of filler that fans consider non-essential, Haikyuu!! is one of those shows where you shouldn't try to cut corners. If you want to get to know everything and everyone that the series has on offer, you really should just sit down and watch everything. The OVAs flesh out the main characters, and the movies provide a great accompaniment to the four seasons of the TV series – including the relatively recent Haikyuu!! The Movie: The Dumpster Battle, released back in 2024. View oEmbed on the source website The Haikyuu!! anime release order is: Haikyuu!! season 1 Haikyuu!! Lev Genzan! (The Arrival of Lev! OVA) Haikyuu!! Quest Picture Drama (OVA) Gekijō-ban Haikyuu!! Owari to Hajimari (movie) Gekijō-ban Haikyuu!! Shōsha to Haisha (movie) Haikyuu!! season 2 Haikyuu!! vs Akaten (vs Failing Grades OVA) Haikyuu!! season 3 Special Feature! Betting on the Spring High Volleyball (OVA) Haikyuu!! Sainō to Sense (movie) Haikyuu!! Concept no Tatakai (movie) Haikyuu!!: Riku vs Kuu (Land vs. Sky OVA) Haikyuu!!: Boru no Michi (The “Path” of the Ball OVA) Haikyuu!! To the Top season 4 Part 1 Part 2 Haikyuu!! The Movie: The Dumpster Battle While it has been a year since the last movie, Haikyuu!! fans are still eagerly looking forward to what's believed to be the 'final' movie in the Haikyuu!! franchise overall: Haikyuu!! VS The Little Giant. As of the time of writing, the movie - which is, according to GamesRadar, said to cover chapters 327, and then 338 to 365 - has not had a release date confirmed. That said, when it does, we'll be sure to provide more information about it and its place in Haikyuu!!'s viewing order. How to watch Haikyuu!! in chronological order If you want to watch the anime in chronological order, the following list removes the recap movies for extra efficiency. Those films literally just serve as recaps for previous material in the series, so you can skip them to create a more concise viewing schedule: Haikyuu!! Haikyuu!! Lev Genzan! (OVA) Haikyuu!! season 2 Haikyuu!!: vs Akaten (OVA) Haikyuu!! season 3 Haikyuu!!: Riku vs Kuu (OVA) Haikyuu!!: Boru no Michi (OVA) Haikyuu!! To the Top season 4 part 1 Haikyuu!! To the Top season 4 part 2 Haikyuu!! The Movie: The Dumpster Battle How to watch Haikyuu!! in the UK You can stream Haikyuu!! in its entirety on Crunchyroll. This includes the main TV series, OVAs and feature films. You can also stream all four seasons of the TV series on Netflix and Amazon Prime in the UK. View Green Video on the source website Haikyu!! is available to watch on Crunchyroll. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide or Streaming Guide to find out what else is on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
How to watch Neon Genesis Evangelion in order: Anime series and movies
Dive into a visual masterpiece the way you should.
While still regarded by many as one of the best anime of all time, the right watch order for Neon Genesis Evangelion can be confusing for those not in the know. Nevertheless, there is indeed a correct way to watch the story of Shinji Ikari piloting a biomechanical mecha to fight eerie monsters called Angels. Evangelion always stood out from other anime by its complicated interpretations of Japanese and Western ideology, and integration of biblical references. That said, the impassioned multi-layered storytelling seems to have also gone into a release of peculiarly titled films that have come out since the original series aired – making it all a little tough to follow for newcomers as to what's canon and what isn't. Thankfully, this quick and easy guide will how to watch the whole of Neon Genesis Evangelion in chronological order. How to watch Evangelion in order From the original 1995 anime to the various numbered movies, the right chronological order to watch Neon Genesis Evangelion in is as follows: Neon Genesis Evangelion (episodes 1-26) Evangelion: Death(True)²/ Death and Rebirth The End of Evangelion Evangelion: 1.11 You Are (Not) Alone Evangelion: 2.22 You Can (Not) Advance Evangelion: 3.33 You Can (Not) Redo Evangelion: 3.0+1.01 Thrice Upon a Time The initial Neon Genesis Evangelion series, available on Netflix, tells the whole original story as expected, followed by the Death movie retelling events with some new scenes drawn in. Responding to the controversy of the anime's final two episodes, The End of Evangelion was made as a feature-length remake to the final chapter of the story. Evangelion: Death(true)2 is essentially the same as Death and Rebirth — both being recaps of the anime with those new scenes, so you don't have to worry about getting anything mixed up between the two. Although, Death(true)2 is the only version available on Netflix. Later on, starting from the late 2000s, the numbered "Rebuild" Evangelion movies started coming out. Titled with numbers 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 3.0+1.0, these are essentially modern retellings of the original series by Evangelion's creator, Hideaki Anno. The additionally confusing part though, is that those films had their titular numbers tweaked again on home release to reflect them being extended director's cuts: 1.11, 2.22, 3.33, and 3.0+1.01 respectively. What Evangelion episodes or movies are filler? While we believe none of the episodes from the anime are skippable filler, the Evangelion: Death(True)² movie is optional viewing in our opinion. Although the film features some new scenes along with a recap of the series' events, anything new ends up being covered in The End of Evangelion anyway. The Death film is still on Netflix anyway if you feel like giving it a try to get your own opinion, but don't feel like you need to watch it if you're operating on limited time. How to watch Evangelion in the UK To start your chronological watch, all 26 episodes of the Neon Genesis Evangelion anime, the Evangelion: Death (True)² film, and The End of Evangelion film can all be watched on Netflix. Back in late 2018 and 2019, respectively, Netflix acquired the worldwide rights for streaming the series and both movies, so it's likely that will be the only streaming service for the foreseeable future where you can watch them legally. Keep in mind, though, the English version of the show is a newer dub made especially for Netflix, with the original by ADV Films not being available. Interestingly, the numbered 1.11, 2.22, 3.33, and 3.0+1.01 Rebuild of Evangelion movies are available to watch on Amazon Prime Video, not being involved in Netflix's exclusivity deal. While it might be frustrating that you need to access two different streaming services to access all of an anime franchise to watch it in the right order, the newer Evangelion films can at least be currently viewed at no extra cost if you have an Amazon Prime membership. View Green Video on the source website Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide or Streaming Guide to find out what else is on. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 10 issues for only £10, PLUS a £10 John Lewis and Partners voucher delivered to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Here's how to watch this epic political anime thriller.
Set in an alternate timeline, Code Geass is an ideal anime series for people who enjoy fantastical thrillers with a touch of political subtext. In this universe the world is split into three empires, covering the Americas (somewhat confusingly named Britannia), Asia, and a combination of Europe and Africa. Our protagonist is an exiled American prince named Lelouch, who gains superpowers via a woman who is leading an army against Britannia. Code Geass is known for its epic scope, exploring international conflicts and moral conundrums, as the various world powers battle for dominance. The audience is invited to examine ethical questions about leadership and war, seen through the eyes of Lelouch and his supporting cast. Running for two seasons in 2006 and 2007, the original Code Geass anime series was then followed by a spin-off titled Code Geass: Akito the Exiled. Alongside that, there are also several spinoff films and OVAs. That may sound a little confusing, but we're here to clarify the most accessible viewing order for the full anime franchise. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know! How to watch Code Geass in order Unlike some anime franchises, Code Geass actually released its story in chronlogical order. That makes things relatively simple, because you don't need to worry about time skips or flashbacks. The basic narrative is pretty straightforward, beginning with the main anime series, which is often subtitled Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion. The bad news is, some of these instalments aren't available to stream online. Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion (2006) Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion Special Edition 'Black Rebellion' Code Geass: Akito the Exiled – The Wyvern Arrives Code Geass: Akito the Exiled – The Wyvern Divided Code Geass: Akito the Exiled – The Brightness Falls Code Geass: Akito the Exiled – Memories of Hatred Code Geass: Akito the Exiled – To Beloved Ones Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2 Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch R2 Special Edition – Zero Requiem Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch – Kiseki no Birthday Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch – Nunnally in Wonderland Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion I – Initiation Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion II – Transgression Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion III – Glorification Code Geass: Lelouch of the Resurrection How to watch Code Geass in the UK View oEmbed on the source website Unfortunately you can't watch all of Code Geass on any one platform. The franchise is scattered across multiple streaming services, and some spin-offs aren't currently available at all. Fortunately the main Code Geass anime series is available on Crunchyroll, the staple streaming service for anime fans. Elsewhere, some of the Code Geass spinoff films are available to buy on DVD and Blu-ray. Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion (2006): Crunchyroll Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion Special Edition 'Black Rebellion': Unavailable Code Geass: Akito the Exiled – The Wyvern Arrives: Blu-Ray at Amazon Code Geass: Akito the Exiled – The Wyvern Divided: Unavailable Code Geass: Akito the Exiled – The Brightness Falls: Unavailable Code Geass: Akito the Exiled – Memories of Hatred: Blu-Ray, £19.99 at HMV Code Geass: Akito the Exiled – To Beloved Ones: Unavailable Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2: Unavailable Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch R2 Special Edition – Zero Requiem: Unavailable Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch – Kiseki no Birthday: Unavailable Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch – Nunnally in Wonderland: Unavailable Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion I – Initiation: Blu-Ray, £39.99 at HMV (boxset only) Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion II – Transgression: Blu-Ray, £18.41 at Amazon Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion III – Glorification: Crunchyroll Code Geass: Lelouch of the Resurrection: Blu-Ray, £15.99 at HMV View Green Video on the source website Check out more of our anime coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 10 issues for only £10, PLUS a £10 John Lewis and Partners voucher delivered to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Solo Leveling English dub release date, cast, trailer, latest news
The weak quickly become the strongest of hunters.
It's already proven to be one of the biggest anime releases of the year – and now, the Solo Leveling English dub is on the horizon! Based on a very popular South Korean webcomic, Solo Leveling, follows Sung Jinwoo, who is known as the world's weakest hunter. Despite this, he continually puts himself risk to save his fellow adventurers and to acquire whatever loot he can to pay for his mother's hospital bills, kickstarting a "secret side quest" and setting the Solo Leveling story in motion. While it hasn't impressed everyone, it's certainly made a splash in the anime world. Now we're a few episodes into the series, it's time to start getting excited about the English dub. When is the Solo Leveling English dub released? The Solo Leveling English dub will be released on Crunchyroll on 20th January 2024 – so just a few days to go! Crunchyroll hasn't revealed an exact time just yet, but we'll be sure to update this page once we know. Who is voicing the Solo Leveling English dub? The full voice cast of the Solo Leveling English dub is below: Aleks Le - Sung Jinwoo Justin Briner - Yoo Jinho Rebecca Wang - Sung Jinah Michelle Rojas - Cha Hae-in Ian Sinclair - Choi Jong-in Christopher R Sabat - Baek Yoonho Kent Williams - Go Gunhee SungWon Cho - Woo Jinchul Dani Chambers - Lee Joohee A fair few of the voice actors might sound familiar to anime fans as they'll almost certainly have heard them elsewhere. Le has previously appeared in Demon Slayer, while Briner has appeared in My Hero Academia. Rojas might sound familiar to Hell's Paradise fans, while Sinclair has previously appeared in One Piece. Both Sabat and Williams have a background in Dragon Ball Z, while Cho is known for Ranking of Kings. Is there a trailer for the Solo Leveling English dub? Yes! You can check out the action-packed trailer below: View oEmbed on the source website Where can I watch the Solo Leveling English dub in the UK? You won't have to jump through interdimensional gates just to get your fill. The Solo Leveling English dub will be available to stream online on Crunchyroll. View Green Video on the source website Solo Leveling arrived on Crunchyroll on Saturday 6th January. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide or Streaming Guide to find out what else is on. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 10 issues for only £10 – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
All the Titans in Attack on Titan and their powers explained
Everything you need to know about the Titans, their powers, and who controls them.
The world of Attack on Titan is a pretty gnarly one, with flesh-and-blood giants roaming the lands, chewing up friends, and family alike. The Titans have an epic scale of destruction at their disposal, which they seem to deploy with ease, as season 4 part 3 of the series showed very well. While there are technically 11 different types of titan, we can subtract 2 of them as some are typically just unintelligent, aimless beings - it's the nine unique Titans we're really interested in. Initially, it appears they're wanton agents of chaos bringing death and destruction seemingly at random, but as we progress through the anime, it becomes clear that not only are the Titans attacking with specific purpose and intention, but they're in fact able to be controlled as immense weapons of mass destruction. All soldiers have a ruler, and in the case of the Titans, they obey the commands of the Founding Titan, and can only be controlled by those who share the same bloodline as the creator, Ymir Fritz. As the world progressed and the bloodline was diluted, control of the Titans was passed between nations until eventually being used against each other. They all bring a unique and deadly advantage to their hosts with no Titan claiming an objective lead over its counterparts. As the final ever episode of Attack on Titan looms close, it's important to know your Attack Titans from your Colossal Titans - here's the full debrief on each of the Nine Titans, what they do, and who they're connected to. All the Titans in Attack on Titan The Attack Titan View Green Video on the source website Eren Yeager commands the Attack Titan and has turned it into a devastating weapon of war. Its agile and powerful movements allow it to dominate the battlefield and take down waves of military and artillery foes in an instant. While all Titans receive memories of their past hosts, the Attack Titan is the only example that could see those yet to command it. Eren received memories from his father, Grisha Yeager, and his allies which he used to calculate the demise of Marley and to craft the debilitating war game that would eventually destroy the world. The Armoured Titan The Armoured Titan can be classed as the most physically gifted, if we ignore the obvious stature of the Colossal Titan. Its golden exoskeleton is nearly impenetrable which, backed by its ludicrous speed, makes for an immovable force. Along with the Colossal Titan, it delivers the first blow to humanity and shows that not all Titans have a clear weak spot that can be utilised. It boasts one of the most difficult methods of take downs simply due to its outlandish manoeuvrability and protective traits. The Colossal Titan The Colossal Titan gave humanity "a grim reminder" about how truly insignificant their lives were. With one swift kick to Wall Maria, the Titan almost singlehandedly sets in motion the entirety of the series with a blood bath arrival and a deeply political backstory not unravelled until years later. The citizens of Shiganshina were accustomed to the garden variety titan - three to 15 metres tall with little to no sense but bloodlust. The Colossal Titan however earned its title by towering over humanity at 60 metres, ditching its fleshy cocoon for pure muscle and bone caging. Its height and weight are its main assets with its counterparts feeling infant like and the Survey Crops compared to ants. The body heat alone is enough to burn enemies upon contact which we saw in full effect after countless soldiers fell to their deaths trying to defeat it - with Armin Arlert burnt to a crisp. The Beast Titan The Beast Titan is the being that told humanity they were not alone and more existed outside of the confines of their walled knowledge. Until his arrival, the world only knew of the common Titan and the newly announced Colossal and Armoured variants. The Beast Titan was the first to make verbal contact and showed clear signs of intelligence, throwing Titan studies and understanding into disarray. The Beast Titan is the only being to speak clearly even in its ape-like form. Though it's not as physically gifted or active as others, its long arms and solid throws are enough to destroy airships, fleets and forts with any rocks that may be laying around fit for launching. The Beast Titan belongs to none other than Eren's older half-brother, Zeke Jaeger. Zeke becomes a pivotal antagonist in the anime but, especially in the final episodes of Attack on Titan for his participation in the War for Paradis, he proves to be a formidable adversary for Armin and company, but especially Levi, who faces off against Zeke in his Beast Titan form multiple times. While it seemed that Zeke was done and dusted, he miraculously appeared out of the Founding Titan, suggesting that Zeke, nor the Beast Titan, will go down easily. The Female Titan Annie Leonhart is responsible for piloting the Female Titan which is essentially a gender-swapped Attack Titan. She's much more agile than Eren and showcases martial arts instead of brute force but she's critically one of the weakest Titans in terms of impact and defence. The Female Titan is a force to be reckoned with but has fewer feats to credit her than her counterparts due to her crystallised time away from the frontlines. The Cart Titan The Cart Titan scurries around the battlefield on all fours, distinguishing itself from the bipedal Titans. This quadruped earned its name for its courier-like form that sees manned artillery on both shoulders shooting down enemies as it pounces from place to place. Rabid movements and lightning-fast reflexes more than make up for its lack of strength but its elongated, crocodile-like jaw still tears through enemies in an instant. The Cart Titan is similar to the Beast Titan in the sense it's more critical of the battlefield and acts as a general more than a soldier. Pieck Finger, the Cart Titan's holder, analyses the playing field before delivering a final blow or delivering a powerhouse attack to turn the tides of war in its favour. The Jaw Titan A small but feral rendition, the Jaw Titan tears through its opponents with its diamond-clad (you guessed it) jaw. It feels almost infantile compared to its terrifying brethren but it's by no means weak. The Jaw Titan was the only thing strong enough to land the killing blow on the War Hammer Titan and potentially free Annie from her crystallised state. The small but mighty force sports a lion mane and small body but delivers some underrated, pivotal moments in the narrative that without its influence, would stop everyone in their tracks. The War Hammer Titan View oEmbed on the source website Donning a white exoskeleton made of crystal armour, the War Hammer Titan destroys its opponents with its structured flesh. The Titan has the ability to mould weapons at the tip of its fingers that boasts an undeniable defence while easily destroying whatever crosses its path. A Titan host is typically stored in the nape of the neck but the War Hammer Titan has the ability to relocate its host to another area. During its confrontation with the Attack Titan, the host was located underground in a crystallised cocoon, buying itself valuable time to retaliate while its opponent focused on a false target. The Founding Titan The Founding Titan has the ability to command all other Titans while altering the subjects of Ymir's memories, telepathically communicate with others, and create Titans from scratch. Eren takes control of the Founding Titan to deliver hell upon humanity - unleashing a wave of Colossal Titans across the world while towering over them in its true, insect like form. This Titan, of course, is pivotal to the final episodes of the final season of the show, with Armin and his crew targeting both the Founding and the Beast Titan during Eren's reign of chaos in his desperate bid for some kind of 'freedom' - though what that freedom is has become very confusing to anyone who isn't Eren by this point. Attack on Titan is available to stream on Crunchyroll.com. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide or Streaming Guide to find out what else is on. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 10 issues for only £10 – subscribe now and celebrate the 60th anniversary of Doctor Who with a special issue of Radio Times. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
How old is Goku in the Dragon Ball series?
It's not as straightforward as you may think.
Dragon Ball has been running for a long time - but how old is its protagonist, Goku? The easy answer is - Goku isn't one specific age, it jumps from series to series. Here's everything you need to know about how old Goku is in Dragon Ball. How old is Goku in Dragon Ball? The little Saiyan explodes into Bulma's life at the young, naïve age of 11 years old. The original Dragon Ball series follows Goku exploring the world and meeting what he'll soon call family. His age impacts the action and scenarios massively compared to later sequels which makes the show feel more like a slice-of-life comedy. After accompanying Bulma, Yamcha, Oolong and Puar to stop Emperor Pilaf and his forces from using the Dragon Balls towards world domination, Goku trains to prepare for the 21st World Martial Arts Tournament. A three-year interim takes place, meaning he grows to the age of 15 before he can take part. Directly following the tournament is when the Piccollo arc takes place and another three years later is when it wraps, setting Goku up as an 18-year-old adult. How old is Goku in Dragon Ball Z? View Green Video on the source website Dragon Ball Z is where the meat of the series takes place. Five years after the events of Dragon Ball, Goku is now 23. He's now joined by his five-year-old son, Gohan. Sadly, this is where we see Goku sacrifice himself in order to stop his evil half Saiyan brother, Raditz, from destroying the world. As the Z Fighters train on Earth for the arrival of Raditz's superiors Vegeta and Nappa, Goku trains in the afterlife. Upon his resurrection through the Dragon Balls, Goku remains physically 23 but chronologically ages to 24 when he helps drive Vegeta from the Earth. After defeating Frieza, Goku spends the next three years training once again for the arrival of the androids, landing him at 27. Several arcs later and many more world-ending opponents vanquished, Goku is forced to sacrifice himself once again, this time to stop Cell. He remains dead for the next seven years until Elder Kai's resurrection to defeat Majin Buu. The series experiences a 10-year jump which means Goku is (bear with us) 37 but chronologically 44. How old is Goku in Dragon Ball Super? Dragon Ball Super takes place during Dragon Ball Z, sitting between that 10-year-gap between Majin Buu's defeat and the epilogue at the end of the series. We enter into Super roughly around 4 years into that jump, so in the first episode Goku body-wise is about 30-31 years old, but in terms of hard, chronological time, he is 38 years old when we meet him again. As we reach the end of Dragon Ball Super: Broly, the sequel animated movie, not much time has actually passed - about a year, making Goku physically 32 and in actual lived years 39. The manga has continued on beyond the events of Broly, but as of yet, there hasn't been a clear definition as to how long it's been since that confrontation and showdown. How old is Goku in Dragon Ball GT? Dragon Ball GT opens five years later, shifting Goku to physically 42 but chronologically 49 years old. Emperor Pilaf steps in to complicate things even further after reverting him back to an 11-year-old while retaining his adult mentality. The arc lasts for two years but GT doubles down with a special taking place a century into the future. After Goku form changes merges with the Eternal Dragon, he recovers his adult physical form and though we don't have an exact reference to work with, this would make him approximately 151 psychologically. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide or Streaming Guide to find out what else is on. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
The demon butler is taking fans to a brand new home.
Anime's most popular butler is making the shift to Crunchyroll - Black Butler is hitting the platform. The series begins as a gothic slice-of-life-style anime before catapulting itself into the darker, more sinister side of story-telling. Based on Yana Toboso's manga series, fans follow Ciel Phantomhive, the 12-year-old Earl of Phantomhive, as he serves as the Queen's Watchdog, delving into the underworld of Victorian-era London to solve crimes. Struggling with his past where he saw his parents brutally murdered, Ciel was subsequently abducted and violently tortured. Desperate to end his suffering, he trades his own soul for a chance at vengeance, casting his lot with the one person on whom he could depend: Sebastian, a demon Butler summoned from the very pits of hell. Together, they rummage the streets of London ready to take on and destroy anyone they deem as evildoers. The series became an instant hit with fans because of its darker tones and characters. For anyone new to the anime, good news has arrived as the entire franchise is being rehoused under one place! Where can I watch Black Butler in the UK? Black Butler was initially housed on Netflix, although season 3 was absent from the site. During the Anime Expo 2023 on July 3, 2023, Crunchyroll announced a range of title acquisitions, including Black Butler. Fans will be able to watch the entire Black Butler franchise, including movies and OVAs, direct from Crunchyroll. When does Black Butler land on Crunchyroll? With all of the excitement new acquisitions bring, the question on everyone's lips is when we can tune in. Fans weren't given a specific date for when Black Butler arrives except for sometime in 2024. We will keep this article updated with all of the latest news on an air date. What season of Black Butler are we currently on? Ciel and Sebastian have delivered three full seasons alongside two movies and a handful of OVAs. During Anime Expo 2023, fans were treated to the news that a new season is already in the making and will adapt the Public School Arc. Despite Crunchyroll acquiring the rights, season 4 will be a continuation and not a reboot. CloverWorks are responsible for the next instalment and promise the same high quality action and the show is known for. View Green Video on the source website What order should I watch Black Butler? Black Butler is a relatively small and easily consumable series. With a core-episode list totalling only 44 episodes, it could be binged in one weekend. To watch the release date order of Black Butler, see below: Season 1: Black Butler (2009) Season 2: Black Butler II (2010) Season 3: Black Butler: Book of Circus (2014) Black Butler: Book of Murder (Movie, 2015) Black Butler: Book of the Atlantic (Movie, 2017) The entire second season is classed as filler and won't impact the story if you decide to skip it. That being taken into consideration, here's the canon watch order: Season 1: Black Butler (Episodes: 2-6, 13-15) Season 3: Black Butler: Book of Circus Black Butler: Book of Murder Black Butler: Book of the Atlantic Is there a new trailer? Of course there is! What's a new announcement without a brand new set of visuals? Though it doesn't say much about what we can expect from season 4, Maaya Sakamoto and Daisuke Ono are reprising their roles and providing the voices for Ciel Phantomhive and Sebastian Michaelis, respectively. View oEmbed on the source website Since then, the official Crunchyroll X account has released a brand-new official trailer for Black Butler, revealing more about the mysterious prefects behind Black Butler's Public School Arc including Edgar Redmond, Lawrence Bluewer, Herman Greenhill and Gregory Violet. View oEmbed on the source website You can catch Black Butler on Crunchyroll. Check out the rest of our Sci-Fi and Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to see what’s on tonight. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
When will the One Piece anime and manga end?
The series looks ready to sail for years to come.
Pirate adventure series One Piece is one of the longest-running television shows in history, let alone in anime. Monkey D. Luffy and his cohorts have sailed the high seas for everything from treasure to devil fruits, but they're still miles away from their final maiden voyage. One Piece has solidified itself as the anime that will always be there for fans no matter how much they age, first breaking onto the scene in 1997. The televised adaption follows the manga faithfully while throwing in hundreds of episodes of filler to pad things out even more. Recently, the series has gone on to adapt one of the fans' most long-awaited events in One Piece: Luffy's Gear 5 transformation. It's a pivotal moment in the anime, and one that signals a fundamental shift in the power levels of Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirate crew - maybe he needs the power for some of the most powerful villains to come. Could a face-off with Emperor Imu be on the cards? Aside from the exaggerated action and comic book-like thrills, a touching and sometimes dark narrative undercuts the comedy which makes you root for and fall in love with the colourful cast of pirates. The story's conclusion is just around the corner with its creator, Eiichiro Oda, teasing one final adventure for our protagonist. There's still a long road that Luffy is travelling down to become the ultimate pirate king, so there's a lot of adventures left in store. Read on for everything we know so far about the One Piece ending below. When will One Piece end? Oda continues to estimate when the final plot will be delivered but pushes those dates back in favour of more content. His most recent predications suggested One Piece could potentially conclude in either 2024 or 2025 but given the show's history, nothing is set in stone. In truth, it's not really clear when One Piece will wrap, even after 1,075 episodes. Oda promised the series was venturing toward its final days but it will be in no way rushed in favour of meeting deadlines. The good news is fans will be kept entertained for many more months – and potentially years – to come because Luffy is still a long way off the title of Pirate Master. Will the One Piece manga continue after the anime? View oEmbed on the source website No. The manga is quite a bit ahead of the anime in terms of content that needs to be adapted but when the source material ends, then it's lights out for the band of pirates. Some franchises decide to keep fans entertained long after their anime agreement ends but Oda seems determined to wrap things up after two decades of build-up. There are a few context clues and hints from Oda which might give us some insight as to when we could see the manga wrap up - the creator has hinted that he'd like to see One Piece hits its 30th anniversary which would be June 2027. There's also the fact that Oda enjoys the idea of number coding - combinations of numbers in Japanese can often sound like other worlds, for example Luffy's birthday spells out the word 'gomu' and Buggy's birthday is 'bara'. Fans have speculated that the manga may conclude on chapter 1156, which translates to 'Hito' or chapter 1200, which translates to 'Dawn.' If Oda was to end on chapter 1156, judging by the rate the manga is currently going at around 37 chapters a year, we could expect the manga to end around May 2025. However, if Oda is looking to end on the nice round number of 1200, it looks like it could be roughly July 2026. Only time will tell. What will happen in the final One Piece arc? View Green Video on the source website As the conclusion draws nearer, there are a few loose ends that need tying up. While we don't have a definitive answer set in stone, fans have speculated a mass brawl which sees Luffy transport himself 900 years into the past to meet two brothers, Franky and Bonney, who each have their own Devil Fruits. Four "Original Devil Fruits" are said to play a key part in the journey. A final showdown between Luffy and Blackbeard will set the ultimate battle in motion with the very existence of the Devil Fruits wiped out by willing their return to nature. Oda has kept the finer details of the final arc close to his chest, but a lot of die-hard fans are convinced this is what is going to play out. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide or Streaming Guide to find out what else is on. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
How long are the One Piece anime and manga?
From start to finish, viewers would need weeks to power through it all.
The adventures of Monkey D Luffy in One Piece date back to 1997, and over that period there were very few hiatuses. It's not a series you can binge-watch over a lazy weekend, but rather one that requires literal weeks of patience. It's well worth it considering the phenomenal cast of pirates, world-building and thrilling, action-packed battle sequences the series boasts. In even better news, fans can now also add Netflix's live-action adaptation to their watchlist, after all episodes were released on 31st August. Even better news is that there's no real end in sight for when the show's creator can see it wrapping. How long is the One Piece anime? If you were to sit down and watch One Piece from the very first episode to where the anime currently is, you'd be looking at over 17 days of consecutive viewing with no breaks, interruptions or sleep. The anime boasts 1,055 episodes at the time of writing with more arcs, stories and characters on the horizon. It's a faithful adaptation of the manga but 95 episodes of that are filler. They pad the series out nicely without feeling like too much of a slog but definitely add a lot to the overall world-building. There are also 15 movies for fans to sink their teeth into which vary in canon material and run time. Taking these into consideration, viewers can add another 22.5 hours to their schedule. The live-action adaptation currently stands at just eight episodes. How long is the One Piece manga? View Green Video on the source website The manga is just over 1,000 chapters and equals out to roughly 10 episodes of the anime per release. The physical source material boasts a weekly release date which has been impressively upheld throughout its run. Depending on your abilities, it may be more difficult to jump in an as anime-only fan. It may feel like the chapters fly in due to the fact there are only 15 or so pages to each, but the One Piece world is still fully intact across the hundreds of releases. You can delve into the anime or manga without worrying about lost content from either adaptation. How to watch One Piece in the United Kingdom One Piece is available to stream in the UK on the streaming service Crunchyroll. The live-action adaptation of One Piece is also now available to watch on Netflix. A live-action version of One Piece is also coming to Netflix later in 2023. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide or Streaming Guide to find out what else is on. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 10 issues for only £10, PLUS a £10 John Lewis and Partners voucher delivered to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
How close is One Piece's Luffy to Gear 6?
If a Gear 6 exists, will Luffy be able to control it?
The power scaling in One Piece has varied over the years, but the latest addition to the power list shifts things up a notch. Luffy's evolution to Gear 5 in episode 1,071 showed a whole new level of strength to the pirate's powers, embodying the mythological Sun God Nika as observed by Zunesha. The road to becoming the Pirate King is a long one, so the world's favourite swash-buckling sailor needs all the help he can get. Eiichiro Oda has a habit of bulking out the story with bigger and unexpected plot devices, which means Gear 6 may be lurking around the corner. The concept of power up Gears has been a core part of the One Piece franchise and has allowed Luffy to take on the most difficult of foes. Fans speculate Gear 6 is inevitable – and with the series winding up to its conclusion, it could play a pivotal part in the final conflict. Gears have offered major power boosts throughout the series to help characters push their potential to their limits. Luffy has levelled up several times over the year which each new buff building on the last. So, if Gear 6 exists, how close is Luffy to achieving it? Read on as we explore the possibilities. What power ups did Luffy receive from his Gears? Luffy started his journey on Gear 1, his natural resting position, but shifted things up a notch during the Enies Lobby arc. Gear 2 saw Luffy increase the speed of his blood to withstand heavy damage from foes. His new physical strength allowed him to land devastating blows and, at a later stage, channel the energy from his Gear directly into his hands to create fists of flames – Red Hawks. Gears 2 and 3 were introduced on the basis Luffy was capable of making full use of the Devil Fruits. During the same arc, Luffy increased his power when he combined it with Busoshoku Haki, which saw him able to blow massive amounts of air into his thumb and bones to crush his enemies. Gear 4 was produced after merging with Armament Haki to take on the warlord Donquixote Doflamingo. Luffy activated this mode by blowing into his arm and inflating his muscles to capsize anyone standing in his way. Gear 5 was unlocked during Luffy's fight with Kaido, and is widely regarded as Luffy's peak as of writing. Kaido landed a knockout blow to Luffy, but in reality, this was exactly what Luffy needed. The awakened form of Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika meant that Luffy essentially becomes the Sun God Nika, is able to use Gears 3 and 4 with ease, and can perform unimaginable attacks at will. What's the most recent Gear in One Piece? View oEmbed on the source website Gear 5 awoke after Luffy tapped into his Devil Fruit again for the first time since the Blank era. Its official name is Hito Hito no Mi and it only came to light after he was defeated three times in a row by Kaido. Fans recently saw Gear 5 used to warp the fabrics of existence and allow Luffy to use his imagination to control the battlefield. Gear 5 is the pirate's most powerful form – and with it comes devastating after effects. Each of the previous Gears took their toll on Luffy but none more so than Gear 5, which saw him barely able to stand. After finally reeling in its power, Luffy had to take a serious step back from the battlefield. How close is Luffy to Gear 6, and does it exist? Some speculative viewers argue Oda's naming of the power-ups as Gears has special relevance in light of the fact that cars have 6 gears. Aside from Devil Fruit and Haki mastery, Luffy possesses the Will of D and the Voice of All Things, which might play a major role in his next power-up. However, when it boils down to it, Gear 6 is entirely speculative at this point – and with Oda's history of diverting expectation, its not clear whether or not it will ever come to fruition. There's a great possibility that we may see various Gear 5 upgrades rather than an evolution to Gear 6, like what happened with Gear 4 receiving upgrades like Boundman, Tankman and Snakeman. There's no reason Luffy can't kick things up a notch again, but the jury's out on what those new skills will look like and if the Pirate Master will even be able to handle it. View Green Video on the source website Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide or Streaming Guide to find out what else is on. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 10 issues for only £10, PLUS a £10 John Lewis and Partners voucher delivered to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
How old is Naruto? Explaining his timeline
Naruto is a long way away from the troublemaking kid he used to be.
Naruto Uzumaki is pivotal in the turn of the millennium's anime character roster. His distinguishable features – canary hair, whiskers and forehead protector – are instantly recognisable, as is his undeniable dent in the shonen world as a whole. What is less clear, even to an avid fan, is how old Naruto is. His might was tested against the strongest characters in the Naruto anime but he always came out on top with a cheeky smile to boot. There are several moments our protagonist steps away from the spotlight in order to hone his skills but he always returns ready for more. When watching the Naruto series in order, from the original Naruto series and its sequel, Naruto: Shippuden, several years pass. The shift signals drastic character development, which is backed by key moments in his life. Naruto starts off as a troublesome kid before moving on to become a moody teenager, wrapping things up as a fully realised adult. Here's Naruto's exact age throughout the series. How old is Naruto at the start of the anime? Naruto's adventure begins with him enrolling at Konoha's Ninja Academy, with the titular character being 12 years old when he graduates from the academy. He spends the majority of his youth here after being abandoned as an orphan, training under his new adoptive father figure Iruka Umino to become the greatest shinobi in the land. After the academy, he joins a squad known as Team 7 with fellow graduates and ninjas-in-training Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno. The anime follows Naruto's adventures with Team 7 but only one canon year passes in his reality. This sets Naruto as only 13 years old by the time the show wraps. Read more: Naruto and Naruto Shippuden filler list: The episodes you can miss Naruto fans crown most popular character – and he's getting a spin-off Is Naruto dead: What happened in Boruto? How old is Naruto in Naruto: Shippuden? The events of Naruto: Shippuden take place two and a half years after the original anime, meaning Naruto is 15 years old during the series. Naruto stepped away from the limelight to focus on his training under Jiraiya but later returned to Konoha Village at 15 years old. His goofy demeanour has taken a back seat for the typical composure of a moody teenager, which kickstarts a dramatic shift in character and tone for the rest of the series. During the Pain arc, Naruto is explicitly noted to be 16 which adds a very brief but vital piece of information when mapping out his age against the timeline of events. Naruto: Shippuden takes place over the course of two years which sees the fourth great ninja war or fourth shinobi world war take place. Coming out on the other end of two masterpiece arcs, Naruto sits on the verge of adulthood at 17 years old. How old is Naruto in The Last: Naruto the Movie? The Last: Naruto the Movie is set just before the finale of Naruto, meaning all the gang are young adults by this point. Naruto himself is 19 years old, and the group’s older dynamic allowed the writers to focus more on the romantic relationship between Naruto and Hinata. It’s in the finale of this film where the next blonde-haired troublemaker, Boruto, is born - by the time we see him though, he’s already 5 years old. How old is Naruto is Boruto: Naruto Next Generation? View oEmbed on the source website Boruto: Naruto Next Generation focuses on Boruto 15 years after his father's original journey, setting a massive change in tone, pacing and the world in general. The once hot-headed teenager we all fell in love with is now a mature parent coming in at 32 years old. He passes the torch on to his son after successfully becoming Hokage of Konoha Village and one of the greatest shinobi that ever lived. And for those curious to know, Boruto is 12 when we initially join him on his adventure, but when we flash forward to see Boruto given the Karma Seal to become the vessel of Momoshiki Otsutsuki, he’s aged up to 16 years old. With the second part of Boruto: Naruto Next Generations announced to be in development, we could see Boruto age into fatherhood - and maybe even Naruto into grandfatherhood! Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide or Streaming Guide to find out what else is on. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Dark Gathering release schedule: When is episode 2 out?
The next big monster hunter series is finally here.
Dark Gathering has been around since 2019 but only now is it being translated for Western audiences. At the centre of the "new" anime is Keitaro Gentoga, a natural-born medium with a flair for attracting ghosts with his cursed right hand. He becomes the unwitting tutor to Yayoi Hozuki, a young girl seeking to capture ghosts while searching for her mother after a traumatic incident that left her with two pupils in each eye. Dark Gathering follows the pair as they face off against supernatural horrors in what is expected to be the next big thriller series in the world of Shonen. With the series having 12 volumes and more on the way, the anime will cover quite a bit of the story with season 1. When is Dark Gathering episode 2 out? With Dark Gathering episode 1 already out, episode 2 is set for release on Monday 17th July 2023. Dark Gathering release schedule Dark Gathering will have a weekly release schedule so there's plenty of regular content to keep you entertained. With the first episode already out, the following can be expected on these dates: Episode 1: Monday, 10th July 2023 Episode 2: Monday, 17th July 2023 Episode 3: Monday, 24th July 2023 Episode 4: Monday, 31st July 2023 Episode 5: Monday, 7th August 2023 Episode 6: Monday, 14th August 2023 Episode 7: Monday, 21st August 2023 Episode 8: Monday, 28th August 2023 Episode 9: Monday, 4th September 2023 Episode 10: Monday, 11th September 2023 Episode 11: Monday, 18th September 2023 Episode 12: Monday, 25th September 2023 Dark Gathering will have 25 episodes overall, acting as a two-cour series. HIDIVE, the show's UK streaming platform, has only confirmed the first 12 episodes' release date but the remaining episodes are expected to continue directly after the September 25th release. If that is the case, the anime's final is expected to land on December 25th. What time does Dark Gathering release? Dark Gathering episode 1 will release its English sub on HIDIVE at 6pm BST. The international release times are: Pacific Daylight Time (PDT): 9 PM (previous day) Mountain Daylight Time (MDT): 10 PM (previous day) Central Daylight Time (CDT): 11 PM (previous day) Eastern Daylight Time (EDT): midnight (same day) British Summer Time (BST): 5 AM (next day) Central European Summer Time (CEST): 6 AM (next day) Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST): 2 PM (next day) View Green Video on the source website Who are in the Dark Gathering cast? With a new series comes a brand new host of characters and voiceovers to fall in love with. The lead cast includes: Yū Sasahara as Yayoi Hо̄zuki Nobunaga Shimazaki as Keitarо̄ Gentо̄ga Kana Hanazawa as Eiko Hо̄zuki Rina Kawaguchi as Ai Kamiyo The creative team has Hiroshi Ikehata as the director in OLM studio, Shigeru Murakoshi as the supervisor of the series’ scripts, Shin'ya Segawa as the character designer, Takahiro Uezono as the 3D director, and Kohei Yoshida as the sound director. Singer Kana Hanazawa is going to do the show’s ending song, Haiiro, which means grey, written by Konomi Fujimura and Katsutoshi Kitagawa. Is there a trailer for Dark Gathering? There have been a handful of trailers over the past year with the third and final released just last month. We got a much clearer look at all of the action instore along with the dark and sinister undertones expected throughout the series. Check out the newest trailer below: View oEmbed on the source website Where to watch Dark Gathering in the UK Dark Gathering Episodes will be broadcasted on TOKYO MX AT-X, and BS Asahi in Japan. They can also tune in via Disney+, Prime Video, and Hulu. For UK fans, the only way to stream the series is with HIDIVE which provides English subtitles. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
The dystopian thriller was initially only three episodes long.
Alice in Borderland is less about its namesake and more about a modern, dystopian nightmare. Many of us will be familiar with the smash-hit Netflix series. It launched around the time Squid Game gained popularity and platformed more of Korean television to wider, Western audiences. The show pulls from the manga, created by writer and illustrator Haro Aso in 2014. As the manga grew in popularity, it was only natural it got the anime treatment which soon presented itself in the shape of an OVA instead of the typical one-cour package we see today. Most interesting about the release is that it only ever received three episodes and no further expansions despite its ongoing manga. Even though the Alice in Borderland series has captured quite a lot of attention from anime communities around the world, people are still surprised at how they pulled it off with just three episodes. What was the original Alice in Borderland OVA about? The anime follows Ryouhei Arisu, a typical student who wants to ignore school and form her own ideal sense of reality. He and his companions, Daikichi Karube and Chouta Segawa, are sent spiralling into a new world known as Borderland after witnessing a large explosion in the sky. The Borderland comprises participants who are a part of a deadly game. In order to survive in the Borderland, the participants and Arisu and his friends have to survive those deadly games in order to get back home. How is the television series different from the OVA? The source material is more or less the same apart from aspects including the game being based in an abandoned Tokyo instead of an entirely new world. The type and difficulty of each game are represented by playing cards, to extend their visas. If these visas expire in any case this will lead to the player's execution by lasers being shot from the sky. Without any spoilers, the characters and their outcomes in the television adaptation match those of the OVAs. Silver LinkConnect Studio had to compress all the manga volumes released up until the point of the OVAs creation. This means only the story to this point is portrayed and anyone only watching the OVAs will not have witnessed the actual ending of the manga. Why does Alice in Borderland only have three episodes? Silver LinkConnect Studio decided to create an anime after the manga started to pick up in popularity. It was always planned to be a mini-series but this meant the studio had to pack several volumes worth of material into single episodes. The studio bundled the manga chapters released at the point in time the OVAs were being tossed around, so once they decided what needed chopped and what should be included, three episodes was the perfect amount. The episodes were titled: Game 1: Three of Clubs Game 2: Five of Spades Game 3: Seven of Hearts Releases were more than a month's grace between each other, with the first instalment arriving on 17th October, 2014, and running until 18th February, 2015. Where to watch the Alice in Borderland OVA in the UK The OVA is currently only available on streaming site HIDIVE with a subscription. Alice in Borderland is streaming now on Netflix – sign up for Netflix from £6.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream. Check out more of our Sci-Fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to see what's on tonight.
Time travel is confusing enough without multiple instalments.
Steins;Gate follows the larger-than-life Rintaro Okabe, also known as Kyouma Hououin. He spearheads the show with eccentric characteristics, acting as the lead scientist behind the Future Gadget Laboratory with his childhood friend Mayuri and his hacker friend Daru. A classic mishap results in the group creating a time leap machine which soon becomes the interest of the series's antagonist organisation, SERN. Stories with time travel at the forefront are a headache at the best of times – with Steins;Gate following suit. It's not drastically difficult to keep track of what's going on but with the jumping back and forth in the anime, along with several conflicting instalments, it's confusing even if you're taking notes. Here's everything you need to know about how to watch Steins;Gate in order. How to watch Steins;Gate in chronological order To enjoy the canon viewing order, you'll have to jump between the mainstream anime series. A movie and alternative timeline episode interject themselves rather brazenly into what is already a convoluted situation. If you take the series step by step, go with the following: Steins;Gate (2011) (Episodes 1-22) Steins;Gate: Kyoukaimenjou no Missing Link – Divide by Zero (2015) (Episode 23β) Steins;Gate 0 (2018) (Special) Steins;Gate (2011) (Episodes 23-24) Steins;Gate: Egoistic Poriomania (Non-canon ending to the 2011 series) Steins;Gate: The Movie: Load Region of Déjà Vu (2013) How do the OVAs and movies impact the story? Fans finishing the anime series may still be confused as to what's going on and that's without all the added extras. Steins;Gate: Kyoukaimenjou no Missing Link – Divide by Zero acts as an interjectory retelling of a single episode on an alternative timeline. It stands alone as a "what if" addition but is by no means filler. Steins;Gate: Egoistic Poriomania is technically the final episode of the series but is considered by the show's creator as non-cannon. Steins;Gate 0 and the movie build on the established foundation and go into more depth regarding Okabe's decisions and their consequences. It's a series with little to no filler so it's advised you watch the show in the above order without skipping ahead. View Green Video on the source website How to watch Steins;Gate in the UK Steins;Gate seasons 1 and 2 can be found on Apple TV and are available to purchase now. Steins;Gate: The Movie − Load Region of Déjà Vu is also available to buy via Apple TV. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide or Streaming Guide to find out what else is on. Join us on Thursday, 25th May for Radio Times Talks – Marvel vs. DC: who's the king of superhero cinema?, an epic evening of fan debate featuring a panel of exciting guest speakers – get your free ticket now. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
What are the Demon Slayer breathing techniques?
The five core Demon Slayer breathing techniques have birthed countless others.
The Demon Slayer universe borrows from the typical elemental archetypes found throughout fantasy storytelling for its breathing techniques: Fire, Earth, Wind, Water and Air. Viewers follow Tanjiro Kamado from his early days as a simple town boy to mastering his own unique breathing technique. Overall, there are actually 14 Demon Slayer breathing techniques, but they can all be sourced to the main five elements. The branched options are used by the Demon Slayer Corps, with each getting their moments to shine in the manga and anime, but their history is a tangled one. The source of all breathing techniques is Sun Breathing but mastery of said power has been diluted over the years with Demon Slayers only able to use one or two at full potential. There was a Demon Slayer during the Sengoku Era, also known as the Golden Age of Demon Slayers, who is classed as the most powerful Demon Slayer of all time, able to take on the strongest demons. His story took place over 500 years before the current Demon Slayer time period, but is credited for creating the Sun Breathing technique along with its 13 derivatives. Upon Yoriichi’s death, it was lost until Tanjiro revived it through his familial dance. Earth, Wind, Flame, Air and Water are the five most common forms and also the first to be created from Sun. They were mastered by Yoriichi's students, who were unable to control Sun Breathing, which they crafted to have their own unique strengths and weaknesses. While Yoriichi invented Sun Breathing, his brother created another: Moon Breathing. It was developed when Kokushibo mastered Total Concentration Breathing but deemed too powerful for other Demon Slayers to master. What are the Demon Slayer breathing techniques? Developed from Water Water Breathing is the most common and easiest technique to learn. The three most notable Water Breathing forms include Flower, Serpent, and Insect. Obanai, a member of the Hashira, is the only person to master Serpent Breathing but its backstory remains unclear. Flower Breathing is used by Kanae and Kanao, also Hashira members. Insect Breathing is Shinobu's poison-based technique and acts as a new addition to the family. It's currently unknown if any of the students studying under her will train in Insect Breathing. Developed from Flame Only six forms of Flame Breathing are known to viewers. Mitsuri practices Love Breathing, inventing it after practising under Kyojuro, and found her abilities were better suited to whip-like attacks rather than the highly offensive Flame origins. Once again viewers do not know exactly when this technique was developed, but it can be assumed fairly recently, perhaps around the same time as Insect Breathing. Developed from Wind There are nine known forms of Wind Breathing with the most common being Mist and Beast. One of the Hashira uses the technique but is not credited for its creation, leaving its exact origins unknown. Inosuke is a self-taught Beast Breathing expert. Its background implies it's difficult for anyone other than Inosuke to master and while it boasts 10 techniques in total, he doesn't consider the majority of them as form. Developed from Thunder Thunder Breathing is a quick and agile technique which derives its name from the lightning it creates. It has multiple forms but only one is known to be mastered. Sound Breathing dedicates itself to the user's reflexes in sound, boasting five techniques in total but only three are known to viewers. Its exact origins are debated. Developed from Earth Stone Breathing is defensive but more devastating than the others due to its strength. It has five known techniques but only Gyomei Himejima is known to make full use of its powers, branding it as one of the more underutilised techniques. Though its techniques are generally unknown, it's suggested it can only be used equipped with a flail or axe. View oEmbed on the source website Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide or Streaming Guide to find out what else is on. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Demon Slayer demons ranked: Who is the strongest of the Twelve Kizuki?
Tanjiro and the gang are a drop in the ocean when it comes to strength. The Demon Slayer Corps were formed under absolute necessity, otherwise humanity had very little chance to survive against the strongest demons in Demon Slayer. Demon Slayer season 3 welcomes another crop of antagonists but the anime overall has only showcased a small few from the Twelve Kizuki. The Hashira have proven no match for some, which begs the question – just how powerful can the Demon Slayer demons become? Rengoku's defeat rang alarm bells with viewers, signalling Demon Slayer isn't just another series where friendship conquers all. Their threat is very real and only those who've mastered their abilities, those at the top of the Demon Slayer ranks, stand a chance of changing the world. Muzan is introduced as the leader of the demons early on, but how true is it and where do his counterparts rank in the line-up? These are the most powerful demons in Demon Slayer. 10. Daki Daki is one half of the terrifying brother/sister demon duo but falls short of matching her sibling's power. She goes by the name of Ume and Warabihime in her oiran guise, serving as the central antagonist of the Red Light District Arc and a posthumous antagonist in the later arcs. She possesses shapeshifting abilities which she channels through her cloth sash to eviscerate her foes despite the light material it's made of. Through the power of cell shifting, she can merge her abilities with her brother to become the heavyweights even a member of the Hashira struggled to defeat. 9. Nezuko Nezuko appeared powerless at first but as the anime progresses, she's starting to show signs she's not one to be messed with. Other than Tenga, she was the only one capable of going to-to-toe with Daki. Her speed was unmatched and with only a few kicks she sent Daki flying through the Entertainment District. Nezuko boasts regenerating abilities that surpass any other demon. Backed by her Blood Demon Art that allows her to generate pink flames using her blood, she's able to tackle other strong foes while humans remain untouched by her heat. She's not necessarily a threat to humans due to her mind still remaining intact but there was one unfortunate instance she had to prove herself to the Hashira in order to not be killed. 8. Gyutaro Gyutaro is Daki's brother and proves looks can be deceiving. Daki inherited the family's good looks whereas Gyutaro was bullied mercilessly for his appearance, leading to a depressed maniac who hides in his sister's shadow, only stepping out to protect her. After Daki was on the ropes, Gyutaro swept in and singlehandedly took down Tanjiro and the others. If it was a one-on-one match-up, none of our Demon Slayer protagonists would've survived. His Blood Demon Art allowed him to manipulate his blood and make lethal weapons that could kill anyone in one clean swing. The same blood can also act as a barrier from his opponent's attacks. He and his sister earned the title of Upper Rank Six demons but his powers far surpass Daki's. 7. Gyokko Gyokko makes his grand appearance in season 3 and it's not a pleasant one. He's one of the main antagonists of the Swordsman Village Arc taking down some who will remain nameless (spoilers!) with ease. Children are his main goal because he loves the smell of fear. He inherits his powers from his interest in fishing and water as a child - summoning giant fish-like monsters, teleportation, and trapping people inside his pots. 6. Nakime Nakime is an Upper-Rank Four Demon and one of the most mysterious characters in the entire series. She's somewhat of an enigma, acting as Muzan's right-hand woman to summon demons to his will. When she wasn't playing biwa professionally as a human she was a rampaging serial killer. To give herself a sick thrill from murder, Nakime's victims were a few moments away from performing or stepping on stage. After targeting Muzan himself, he offered her the power of a demon which she accepted. Her power includes manipulation of space, which she can use to change the Infinity Castle as per her liking. 5. Hantengu Hantengu is another of the Swordsmith Village's antagonists. Because of his position on the list, you can probably guess he's quite a step up from Gyokku when it comes to power scaling. He's capable of wiping out the majority of the Demon Slayer Corps but will buckle under pressure and burst into tears. Cloning is his forte with each doppelganger personifying a different personality, ability and appearance. Besides his base form as Hantengu, his other personalities include Sekido, Karaku, Aizetsu, Urogi, Zohakuten, and Urami. Each of these personalities has its different Blood Demon Art too. 4. Akaza Akaza killed Rengoku in cold blood without tapping into his true potential. The only reason Tanjiro and the others made it out alive is because of day break. Akaza is an upper-rank-three Demon and one of the most faithful minions of the Demon king Muzan Kibutsuji. The Blood Demon Art that Akaza uses is known as Destructive Death. Using his ability, he can create destructive shockwaves at will. These shockwaves can be given different forms like cannon-shaped, circular, spike-shaped, air pressure, and much more. 3. Doma Doma is responsible for creating Gyutaro and Daki's demon forms. He looks calm and collected, which is exactly what you'd expect from an ice demon. Cryokinesis allows him to regenerate and spawn ice at will anywhere he wants or decrease the temperature of a location until it freezes his opponent to death. He was the leader of a cult named Eternal Paradise Faith, where people followed him, and he solved their troubles. Later he started killing and eating his followers. 2. Kokushibo Kokushibo is the ultimate force to be reckoned with, sitting neatly as an upper-rank-one Demon, holding the top position in the list of the Twelve Kizuki. Most demons joined the ranks as plain humans but Kokushibo is linked to Yoriichi Tsugikuni, the greatest Demon Slayer to have ever lived. With Crescent Moon Blades Blood Demon Art, he creates crescent moon-shaped blades from his flesh katana. His attacks can vary in size and respectively but result in his foes sliced in half. 1. Muzan Kibutsuji The head honcho himself is Muzan Kibutsuji. Kokushibo may be the strongest demon around but Muzan is the creator. He has a sense of untouchability that no matter how hard a Demon Slayer trains, they'll be tossed to the side without a bat of the eye. Muzan's sole focus is finding the Blue Spider Lily, a mystical flower known to cure the illness, or to create more Demons so that one day any one of them would be able to overcome their weakness of sunlight. Muzan's Blood Demon Art is known as Biokinesis, which grants him multiple powerful abilities. Muzan can easily alter his flesh, limbs, and organs and can also change facial features at will. Biokinesis allows Muzan to generate a variety of weapons using his flesh and bones. In addition to that, he can also create multiple puppets that he can control. Even after splitting himself into hundreds of pieces, Muzan can reattach and become one being again. View Green Video on the source website Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide or Streaming Guide to find out what else is on. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
My Hero Academia filler list: The episodes you can miss
The shonen focuses on the action but there are some filler episodes tucked neatly between the canon.
Anime favourite My Hero Academia is one of the rare adaptations that follows its manga almost page for page. Izuku Midoriya's time at U.A. High School is streamlined for viewers, which is unusual for a high school-based shonen. Fruits Basket and Great Teacher Onizuka have incredible filler episodes but My Hero Academia rarely strays from what is absolutely canon material. This means fewer interactions and less fleshing out of its characters, but more bang for viewers' buck when they decide to dive in. It's almost a shame characters don't receive their own bespoke backstories detailing their Quirks and how they've come to be, but the overall narrative manages to intertwine the cast regardless, albeit surface level. If you want to kick back with a few of the lighter storylines to help pad out your schedule, you may find it difficult to do so given how extremely small My Hero Academia's filler list actually is. My Hero Academia filler list Season 6 has wrapped at the time of writing so viewers shouldn't expect any more filler for the foreseeable future. My Hero Academia's filler list is slim pickings which is a testament to its writers and their ability to focus on what's important. The four available filler episodes are: 39 58 64 104 Viewers won't miss out on anything important if they do decide to skip the filler. Episode 39 follows the cast as they compete in a volleyball tournament, 58 acts as a fleshed-out lead-in to the My Hero Academia: Two Heroes movie, 64 focuses on an anime-only character, and 104 falls entirely into the fan service category. Season 6 focused on story progression instead of side mission shenanigans so it is unlikely that any more filler is on the horizon. If you decide to binge watch the show from the beginning, you could very easily power through the filler episodes without noticing. How to watch My Hero Academia in the UK My Hero Academia is available to watch on the streaming service Crunchyroll. On Netflix, the original 2016 series of My Hero Academia is available, as well as the 2019 film Heroes: Rising. Elsewhere, the series can be bought on Amazon Prime Video. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide or Streaming Guide to find out what else is on. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
The premier boxing shonen has two main methods of viewing.
Hajime no Ippo's beauty lies in its representation of raw human strength and determination, setting itself aside as one of the few mainstream shonen that sidesteps the flashy anime theatrics in favour of a realistic representation of what humanity is capable of. While most anime focus on campy and light-hearted high school-focused sports such as basketball, football or swimming, Hajime no Ippo channels boxing in a never before seen way. Even if you have no interest in the sport, the writing, characters, and overall narratives and emotions draw you in. It's one of the few productions that make boxing appeal to a wider audience, which is commendable considering Hollywood blockbusters struggle with the same feat. Ippo Makunouchi is fully fleshed out as are his peers and opponents. It's a realistic portrayal of the world of boxing brought to light by a fabulous cast of characters. How to watch Hajime no Ippo in order of release It's an absolute must-watch for any anime fan but the release dates and canon material are somewhat muddled. If you want to enter the Hajime no Ippo ring, start with the following. Hajime no Ippo Hajime no Ippo: New Challenger Hajime no Ippo: The Fighting - Rising Hajime no Ippo: Boxer no Kobushi Hajime no Ippo: Champion Road Hajime no Ippo: Mashiba vs Kimura The franchise currently sits at 126 episodes which isn't an unrealistic binge but it's made easier by knowing exactly where to start. The release date schedule doesn't take away from understanding the narrative, it simply focuses on some aspects more than others. How to watch Hajime no Ippo in chronological order View Green Video on the source website The chronological schedule puts everything where it should be with an accurate and representative retelling of manga material. Most fans suggest watching in this order: Hajime no Ippo Hajime no Ippo: Boxer no Kobushi Hajime no Ippo: Champion Road Hajime no Ippo: Mashiba vs Kimura Hajime no Ippo: New Challenger Hajime no Ippo: The Fighting - Rising The best thing about the series is that there is next to no filler so no matter which way you jump in, you're treated to nothing but canon material. There are no issues or concerns about whether or not key details are missed because everything is wrapped up nicely by the end of the franchise no matter which schedule you decide. How to watch Hajime no Ippo in the UK At the time of writing, only Hajime no Ippo: The Fighting - Rising is available to UK viewers via Crunchyroll. However, the rest of the series is available on three separate special release editions on Amazon. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide or Streaming Guide to find out what else is on. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Oshi No Ko release date, plot and cast: Where to watch the anime
Oshi No Ko takes a look behind the curtain of the shockingly dark and tormented world of Japanese pop idols and young acto The anime ties together a handful of stories perfectly intertwined to deliver carefully crafted profiles of characters while wrapping into one overall narrative as the timeline progresses. Idols have a colourful and cheery stage persona but Oshi No Ko uncovers dangerous, revenge-driven teens determined to rise to the top and create their own identity. Ai Hoshino is the face and undisputed star of rising idol group B-Komachi. An unexpected pregnancy at 16 years of age leads her to take a hiatus – but with the resolve to keep her family intact. While Ai finds herself trying to juggle the life of a teen idol and a mother, the world of showbiz shows just how cruel and unforgiving it can be. When is Oshi No Ko released? View oEmbed on the source website Fans have now stepped into the world of Oshi No Ko. The first episode of the anime premiered on 12th April 2023 and was 90 minutes long, covering what is essentially the anime's prologue. Oshi No Ko episode 2 is scheduled to be released on 19th April 2023. Episodes are released on Wednesdays at 11pm in Japan, meaning they drop at 3pm in the UK and 10am ET in the US. Oshi No Ko's cast The cast boasts a range of characters and even multiple voice actors for certain leads. The main protagonists are: Aquamarine Hoshino: Yumi Uchiyama (young) / Kento Ito / Takeo Otsuka Ruby Hoshino: Tomoyo Takayanagi / Yurie Igoma Ai Hoshino: Rie Takahashi Kana Arima: Megumi Han Akane Kurokawa: Manaka Iwami Mem-Cho: Rumi Ookubo Where to watch Oshi No Ko in the UK Oshi No Ko is available to stream on HIDIVE in the UK. The likes of Netflix, Hulu and Prime Video do have the rights to stream it but only to Japanese residents, and it is not currently available on Crunchyroll in the UK. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide or Streaming Guide to find out what else is on. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
How to watch Demon Slayer season 3 in the UK
The Swordsmith Village arc poses the greatest threat yet.
Tanjiro and the gang are finally back but it's by no means a celebration. The last we saw of the Demon Slayer Cops family they were seconds from death after a brutal fight with two members of the Kizuki tore them limb from limb - literally. Everyone is exhausted after the Entertainment District conflict and, with their weapons shattered, it's time to call it quits for a while. At the end of season 2, we assumed there would be some downtime for our antagonists to progressively pick up the new plot but the anime had another case in mind. The Entertainment District arc wrapped up fairly well in the sense there were no major cliffhangers. It did, however, tease a few interesting points viewers still have no idea about, including new faces appearing in the dark and some of the Hashira lingering over the battleground. Season 3 is just around the corner and it just so happens to be the most gruesome and difficult battle Tanjiro is yet to face. What will happen in Demon Slayer season 3? The new movie, To The Swordsmith Village, ties the Entertainment District arc and series 3 neatly together with a recap of past events while acting as a one hour special opening for the next instalment. Season 3 will see Tanjiro and the others venture to meet Hotaru Haganezuka in order to repair his sword after it was broke into pieces during his last battle with the Kizuki. It's not long before several upper rank demons attack him and the group head on but with no weapon to fend them off, its a run or die situation. How many episodes will there be in Demon Slayer season 3? The first season of Demon Slayer boasted an impressive 26 episodes. Season 2 dropped off dramatically, losing eight episodes in total. At the time of writing, we don't actually know just how many season 3 will have with no official confirmation and no clear pattern to make predictions. How to watch Demon Slayer season 3 in the UK Demon Slayer season 3 will be available to watch on Crunchyroll from 9th April. Strangely, the Swordsmith movie is yet to obtain a streaming release date despite receiving a theatrical release a month in advance. If you decide to jump straight into season 3 without watching the movie you will only miss some of the padding materials and not any of the important plot devices. Demon Slayer season 3 trailer View oEmbed on the source website What's a new season without a flashy new trailer to send hype levels skyrocketing? The first trailer dropped in April last year but fans have been treated to a more fleshed out representation of season 3 – watch above. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide or Streaming Guide to find out what else is on. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home — subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to the Radio Times View From My Sofa podcast.
Is Naruto actually the untouchable ninja he makes himself out to be?
Countless anime prop their main protagonist as the strongest anime character in the land, but Naruto somewhat goes against the grain and starts off his journey as a brash and uncontrollable hothead who struggles with the most basic abilities. Several big names are introduced very early into the series, but it's not until much later that viewers are treated to the full extent of their power. When their abilities finally do come to light, it’s on the basis of world-ending terror and ultra-violence. The large majority of the cast make it out alive or take their foes down with them, but it begs the question of exactly who is the most terrifying opponent to deal with. Read on as we explore all. 10. Jiraiya Jiraiya’s skills have been passed down to young hopeful ninjas, but very few are able to replicate his abilities. Legends say that one day someone will come along who not only matches Jiraiya in power, but will surpass him entirely to destroy the world. Three of his most notable students include the legendary Fourth Hokage, Nagato, and Naruto himself. Aside from his tutoring of young masters, he was classed as one of the Three Legendary Sani before he decided to pass on his knowledge to the next generation. 9. Might Guy Might Guy is a world renowned power house of strength. He in no way needs to rely on taijutsu because he’s more than capable of striking foes down with bare knuckle hand-to-hand combat, He’s one of the few able to open the hidden gates to grant himself unimaginable power and although we’ve only seen it once, there’s a tangible sense of impending doom that follows him onto the battle field. Even the Kisame of the Akatsuki is afraid of him. Although we only ever see him access the full extent of his power once, there’s a reason that Kisame of the Akatsuki is too afraid to fight him when they first meet. 8. Minato Minato was not only capable of becoming the Fourth Hokage at an early age, but he also surpassed his own master and went on to be feared throughout the land. Very few managed to face him head-on – most simply ran away. His dexterity and speed allowed him to make short work of foes and create the Rasengan ninjutsu technique. Unless faced by the peak of Shinobi, few would live to tell the tale of their battle against Minato. 7. Kakashi Hatake Kakashi is one of the original unstoppable forces viewers are blessed enough to meet. Introduced as nothing short of godly, he made every conflict he was involved in look like child’s play. Even when facing Zabuza, he manages to toss him aside like a rag doll whereas the most highly trained ninja would struggle to land a blow. He was conscripted into the Anbu Black Ops and able to use multiple styles of ninjutsu, even inventing the hyper-powerful Chidori, or Lightning Blade, technique. 6. Itachi Uchiha Naruto believed Itachi was the single most powerful ninja alive, but his mystery has somewhat shrouded the full extent of his feats. Itachi became somewhat of a mentor to Naruto and the gang, arguably crediting him as the source for some of the current strongest ninja in the game. Nothing is more daunting than going toe to toe against his Mangekyō Sharingan or the Susanoo. 5. Obito Uchiha Obito is revealed as the anime’s main antagonist fairly late into the game. As a powerful Uchiha, Obito was also a student of Minato’s, alongside Kakashi. The viewer somewhat follows Obito through the wider narrative, watching him control the Nine-Tailed Fox, pose a threat to the great ninja nations, lead the Akatsuki from the shadows, and ascertain almost limitless power before the end. It was a cruel twist of fate to discover his primary role in Naruto, but it did make for incredible viewing. 4. Madara Uchiha Sasuke aside, Madara is easily the strongest Uchiha in the land. His boldness knows no limits after we witnessed him directly challenge the God of the Shinobi in order to compare himself directly to the best. After obtaining the power of Rinnegan, he went on to control the Ten-Tailed beast’s Jinchuriki. Very few of the toughest masters in the Naruto world are capable of tackling Madara and even fewer foolish foes have tried. 3. Hashirama Senju Senju was the God of the Shinobi in question and the founder of the Hidden Leaf Village. He managed to fend off Madara’s advances to maintain his position as one of the most powerful ninja. His ability to control and manipulate wood manifested in the Senju clan and was strong enough to rival the kekkei genkai of the Uchiha – that being the Sharingan. 2. Sasuke Uchiha Sasuke is one of Naruto’s main antagonists and backs it with an incredible history of combat, expertise and tactical knowledge to warrant him a front-and-centre position. Sasuke is equal parts intimidating, talente, and standoffish, with an attitude that would rival even the most brash young ninja. No one has managed to best Sasuke once he arrived at his maximum potential except for one yellow, spikey-haired handful… 1. Naruto Uzamaki It may not be a surprising reveal, but it’s undoubtedly Naruto who takes the top spot as the most powerful character in the land. Initially, he struggles to manage his abilities but the training wheels quickly come off as he spirals into a destructive force even the highest Shinobi can’t control. Naruto owns almost an unlimited amount of chakra thanks to the Nine Tailed Fox, standing him up as the untouchable force we knew he would become even from his younger years. View Green Video on the source website Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide or Streaming Guide to find out what else is on. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home – subscribe now. 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Demon Slayer takes direct inspiration from real life locations.
The beauty of the Demon Slayer series lies primarily in the flashy cut-scenes and colourful breathing techniques. They add a never before seen flair to the anime that sets it aside from its competitors as one of the most visually appealing on the market. The eerie landscapes and locations take a back seat for the fight scenes to shine, but even they get their moment in the spotlight at pivotal moments throughout the series. Demon Slayer's so far short run has seen Tanjiro Kamado visit some unforgettable places, from his humble snowy home and dangerous training areas, to the flashy Entertainment District where he almost lost his life. Read on for all you need to know about when and where the beloved anime is set. When is Demon Slayer set? The series is explicitly set during Japan’s Taishō period, a real world era in which the centre of the imperial nation’s political power shifted. This is glaringly obvious to viewers given the presences of minka, pagoda and cherry blossoms, but the real life setting acts as an inspiration for the constantly changing "main areas" of Demon Slayer's arcs. The era is one of the shortest in Japanese history, only lasting from July 30th 1912 to December 25th 1926. Demon Slayer's story is set within these 14 years and draws realistic comparisons to what life was like – Demons aside. Japanese fashion at the time was still grounded in its own history, but Western influences were slowly making their way over. Throughout the series, the majority of characters don traditional garbs except for Muzan, who wears a typical American-styled black suit. As fashion progressed in the '20s, their clothes took more inspiration from Western culture which resulted in a collaborative wardrobe which we see sported by the Hashira and Kizuki. There's an evident reliance on electricity as if it's some form of new energy in Demon Slayer. The land is split into what feels like old and new generations with rural areas going without and the sprawling, populated cities making full use of the energy source. Some of the more dated elements include the rail systems and architecture, with the fancier aspects directly inspired by Western culture, including shopping centres and entertainment facilities. Where is Demon Slayer set? Natagumo and Fujikasane Mountain Aside from the wider landscape, there are a handful of iconic areas Tanjiro faces off in. One of the earliest battle rings is Natagumo Mountain where he has to polish his skills against against the Spider family in the first fully fledged arc. The desolate mountain range is full of cobwebs and towering tress that make it difficult to manoeuvre. It's not to be confused with the Fujikasane mountains, the training area new warriors must conquer before they're welcomed into the Demon Slayer Corps. The area is infested with demons out for the kill with very few ever making it out alive. Hopeful Demon Slayers must endure seven unaided nights atop Mount Fukijasane before they are granted a sword with their specialised ore and other training materials. One of the most striking, smaller areas on the mountain is Wisteria Flower Forest, a beautiful lavender location filled with wards to keep demons at bay. Mugen Train The Mugen Train sets the scene for Demon Slayer's first eponymous movie. The vehicle itself is a classic steam engine with lavish interiors soon ruined by a demon bloodbath. The Mugen Train isn't necessarily a spectacular visual but it is one of the most memorable areas in the entire Demon Slayer series. It feels claustrophobic given the impending danger and high speeds that can't be replicated on steady ground. The viewer doesn't get to experience the Mugen Train and its decor as much as they'd like, but it currently acts as the centre point of the entire series. The Entertainment District Tanjiro welcomes viewers to the Entertainment District – but the feeling is bitter sweet. We arrive on the basis of investigating multiple unexplained disappearances, but before the group gets down to action, they're blown away by the glistening lights and beautiful colours the area has to offer. Its Japanese name, Yukaku, means red light district, taking inspiration from the real life Yoshiwara area from the Edo period. Today, it stands as one of the most beautiful rural areas in Japan, which allowed Demon Slayer to add fantasy and anime aspects to an already established and stunning foundation. View Green Video on the source website Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide or Streaming Guide to find out what else is on. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Is Naruto dead and what happened to Boruto?
Naruto's death has been teased with a shroud of mystery.
Naruto Uzumaki acts as a pivotal character in the turn of the millennium's anime character roster. His distinguishable features – canary hair, whiskers and forehead protector – are instantly recognisable, as is his undeniable dent in the Shonen world as a whole. Viewers walked alongside Naruto from his troublesome teens to becoming one of the greatest-known Hokage in the world. Through it all, he faced perilous foes and obstacles but still managed to come out on top with that cheeky grin that won fans over from day one. After saving the world from destruction during the 4th Great Ninja War, it appeared life was smooth sailing from here on out. Things sadly took a dark turn after the sequel series, Boruto, teased the protagonist's death, leaving fans in a state of disarray and confusion. So, is Naruto dead and what happened to Boruto? Read on for everything you need to know. Is Naruto dead? Well, it's a complicated one. Boruto's prologue depicted a destructive fight in Konoha village between Boruto Uzumaki, Naruto's son, and Kawaki, a mysterious boy who fans knew nothing about at that point in time. The pair were out for blood with them landing equal blows strong enough to kill the other in one fell swoop. Kawaki threatened to send Boruto to the same place he sent the 7th Hokage, sending alarm bells ringing as to what could have possibly happened to Naruto. He claimed the age of Shinobi was over and he was the sole survivor, suggesting Naruto was essentially dead. During their confrontation, Boruto donned Sasuke's attire and was holding his sword, adding weight to the claims something dreadful had happened and that the Shinobi truly was finished. Though everything seems bleak, fans actually got to see exactly what happened to Naruto and his wife in a previous chapter. In a strange twist of fate, fans discovered Naruto adopted Kawaki and called him his own, saving him from Isshiki and offering him a fresh new start. Kawaki saw Naruto as a father figure, idolising him dearly and willing to go any length to protect him, including facing the Otsutsuki head-on. It just so happened that Boruto was possessed by an Otsutsuki which led to their conflict, with Kawaki's end goal being to kill Boruto to save Naruto. Knowing that Naruto will stand in his way, Kawaki sent him to a different dimension, along with his wife, Hinata Uzumaki. This means everything Kawaki claimed is indeed true but the immediate blood lust fans are led to believe is actually a heart-wrenching Sophie's Choice-like decision to protect the ones he holds dear. Naruto is technically safe from harm as of now, but Boruto is not. View Green Video on the source website Check out more of our Sci-Fi coverage, visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to see what’s on tonight, or read our guides to the best series on Netflix and the best movies on Netflix. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
What is The Rumbling in Attack on Titan?
Season 4 part 3 showed the terrifying event in action.
Fans of Attack on Titan have been hooked on the anime, with the effects of The Rumbling finally being shown in season 4 part 3. The Rumbling is the climax of the Attack on Titan series fans were warned about from the beginning. Branded a fate worse than the apocalypse, all viewers knew was Titans would unleash hell upon the earth. After 10 long years, Eren Yeager finally invoked the powers of the Founding Titan to deliver on the life-ending threat, but it was originally used as a plot to keep the peace between nations. What is the Rumbling? The Rumbling was threatened as the end of days to keep the people of Marley away from the Island of Paradis. Ymir Fritz is the godlike being who originated the role of The Founding Titan - able to telepathically communicate with her subjects and create Titans in her own vision and to her will. During the Great Titan War, Karl Fritz used the power of the Founding Titan to build three walls named after their daughters, Maria, Rose, and Sheena, in an attempt to protect his people from bloodshed. These very walls encased the monsters of war known as the Colossal Titans and would be stored under sky-high walls of stone, hidden from the common eye. The Founding Titan's ability to wipe a person's memory was used to wipe any recollection of how the walls were built which is why its modern-day citizens knew so little about their origins. View Green Video on the source website After collecting the remnants of the Eldian Empire behind the walls, Karl sent a threat of 'The Rumbling' to anyone that dare disturb his people's peace, stating he would unleash the wrath of the Titans. Warring nations knew of this power and the walls that were built but were unsure of the extent of destruction at their fingertips. Ultimately, it was an empty threat to ensure that none of his successors would use the Founding Titan to threaten the world again. The scare tactic was an attempt to prevent outsider interference and to allow the people of Eldia to live in carefree paradise. Fritz's plan worked for decades but the Marleyan nation remained aware of the power they controlled and wanted it for themselves. They knew a full-scale invasion was too risky which set in motion the overarching narrative of the Attack on Titan series - an infiltration mission to obtain the Founding Titan gone awry. Over the course of generations, the Founding Titan's powers were passed down through the Fritz family line before they were stolen by Grisha Yeager, Eren's father. This shift in inheritance meant the host's primary objective was no longer peace, but revenge. Why did Eren start The Rumbling? Because Eren witnessed the crimes of Marley first-hand and soon discovered everything around him is a result of their violence, he vowed to use the Founding Titan's power to destroy the world. The Rumbling was halted momentarily in some arcs but reaching the final season, Eren unleashed hell. Using the Founding Titan's powers, he woke the Colossal Titans slumbering in the walls and made for Marley. Tapping into the Founding Titan's original form, god-like abilities and army of monsters, The Rumbling made its way across the continent with no way of being stopped. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide or Streaming Guide to find out what else is on. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.