No need to hunt down a viewing order for this anime. We've got it right here.
Hunter x Hunter, based on the series created by Yoshihiro Togashi, is a story so popular, the anime version ended up being adapted twice. If that doesn't tell you how iconic this series is, we don't know what will. The story revolves around a young boy, Gon, who learns that his long-gone dad is actually famous for being a world-renowned hunter. Eager to follow in his father's footsteps, Gon leaves his home island to try his hand at passing the Hunter Examination. Unsurprisingly, Gon's journey isn't exactly easy, which gave both the 1999 and 2011 anime adaptations plenty to work with and expand upon. If you're unsure on where to start, then here’s everything you need to know about watching Hunter x Hunter in full. How to watch Hunter x Hunter 1999 If you're anything like us, your first venture into Hunter x Hunter may have been the 2011 version. However, it wasn't the first iteration of the popular series. That was the 1999 version of Hunter x Hunter, which lasted through to 2003. Including the OVAs, there’s a total of 92 episodes, which have been praised by fans for their distinct animation style. Though this adaptation largely focuses on the Hunter Exam arc, there are filler episodes that can be skipped if needed — which can largely be found in the OVAs. Here’s the chronological and release order for how to watch Hunter x Hunter: Hunter X Hunter (1999) Hunter X Hunter: Spider (OVA, 2002) Hunter X Hunter: Greed Island (OVA, 2003) Hunter X Hunter: Greed Island Final (OVA, 2004) How to watch Hunter x Hunter 2011 The 2011 version of Hunter x Hunter is essentially a reboot of the 1999 one. The beauty of this is that, regardless of whether you want to start from the beginning or a more modern take, you could watch either version in any order and not really lose out on anything. However, there are some distinct pros in Going beyond the Hunter Exam arc, the 2011 version takes much more of the story in that the 1999 original. Racking up 148 episodes by the time it finished in 2014, this version essentially acts as its own standalone story. Watching this Hunter x Hunter adaptation will look something like this: Hunter Exam arc (Episodes 1-26) Heavens Arena arc (Episodes 27-38) Phantom Troupe arc (Episodes 39-58) Greed Island arc (Episodes 58-75) Chimera Ant arc (Episodes 76-136) Election arc (Episodes 136-148) How to watch the Hunter x Hunter films On top of the two original adaptations, viewers also have the option to add the Hunter x Hunter films to their watch list. Released while the 2011 version of Hunter x Hunter was still going, these films aren’t considered to be canon — meaning they won’t have a huge effect on the overall story. At the same time, both of them offer up plenty of new information, fleshing out the plot lines that you might already be familiar with. Here’s the best order to watch the Hunter x Hunter films: Hunter x Hunter: Phantom Rouge (2013) Hunter x Hunter: The Last Mission (2013) View oEmbed on the source website Where to watch Hunter x Hunter in the UK Episodes of Hunter x Hunter can currently be streamed on Crunchyroll by UK fans. Additionally, the Hunter x Hunter films can be found on Prime Video and Tubi. You can catch Hunter x Hunter on Crunchyroll. Sign up to Crunchyroll from £5.99 per month with a 14-day free trial. 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 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.
There's a lot to catch up with, but it's easier than it looks!
Bleach is an iconic title in anime fandom. It premiered back in 2004 and has run for 16 seasons, as well as venturing into sequel territory with the ongoing series Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War, which debuted in 2022. Based on the long-running shonen manga series by Tite Kubo, Bleach follows the adventures of a teenage boy (later a young man) named Ichigo Kurosaki. As a fantasy story taking place in an alternate universe, it begins with Ichigo adopting the powers of a Soul Reaper, an entity with a similar role to the Grim Reaper. Tasked with protecting humankind from evil spirits and navigating the borders between life and death, he must learn to wield his new abilities, setting the scene for a series of adventures involving other supernatural creatures. Running for an impressive 366 episodes between 2004 and 2012, Bleach has earned a passionate fanbase. Two decades on, fans are now tuning into the sequel series Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War. Also based on the manga, it's a four-season narrative that will conclude Ichigo's journey as a Soul Reaper. Part 4 of the series is set to premiere in 2026. Given the epic length of this franchise, catching up can seem like an intimidating task. Fortunately, we've got you covered with this conclusive guide to watching all of Bleach in order. How to watch Bleach in order First off, what does it mean to watch Bleach "in order"? Basically, you have two options: Watching by episodic release date, or in chronological order based on the story's plot. The easiest method is to watch by release date, which means alternating between the anime series and its related spin-off movies. Here's our outline for how to watch the Bleach anime franchise in release order: Season 1 - The Substitute Soul Reaper (Episodes 1-20) Season 2 - The Entry (Episodes 1-21) Season 3 - The Rescue (Episodes 1-22) Season 4 - The Bounty (Episodes 1-22) Season 5 - The Assault (Episodes 1-15) Bleach The Movie: Memories of Nobody Season 5 - The Assault (Episodes 16-18) Season 6 - Arrancar The Appearance (Episodes 1-22) Season 7 - The Arrancar Part 2 (Episodes 1-20) Season 8 - The Arrancar Part 3 (Episodes 1-2) Bleach: Diamond Dust Rebellion Season 8 - The Arrancar Part 3 (Episodes 3-16) Season 9 - The New Captain (Episodes 1-22) Season 10 - The Arrancar Part 4 (Episodes 1-9) Bleach: Fade To Black Season 10 - The Arrancar Part 4 (Episodes 10-16) Season 11 - Turn Back The Pendulum (Episodes 1-7) Season 12 - The Arrancar Part 5 (Episodes 1-17) Season 13 - Zanpakuto The Alternate Tale (Episodes 1-36) Season 14 - The Arrancar Part 6 (Episodes 1-34) Bleach: Hell Verse Season 14 - The Arrancar Part 6 (Episodes 36-51) Season 15 - Gotei 13 Invading Army (Episodes 1-26) Season 16 - The Lost Agent (Episodes 1-24) The Thousand Year Blood War Part 1 The Blood Warfare (Episodes 1-13) The Thousand Year Blood War Part 2 The Separation (Episodes 14-26) The Thousand Year Blood War Part 2 The Conflict (Episodes 27-40) If you want to watch in narrative chronological order, you'll wind up with a slightly different viewing schedule. This list explains how to catch up with Bleach via that method: Season 1 - The Substitute Soul Reaper Season 2 - The Entry Season 3 - The Rescue Season 4 - The Bounty Season 5 - The Assault Season 6 - Arrancar The Appearance Season 7 - The Arrancar Part 2 Season 8 - The Arrancar Part 3 Season 9 - The New Captain Season 10 - The Arrancar Part 4 Season 11 - Turn Back The Pendulum Season 12 - The Arrancar Part 5 Season 13 - Zanpakuto The Alternate Tale Season 14 - The Arrancar Part 6 Season 15 - Gotei 13 Invading Army Season 16 - The Lost Agent The Thousand Year Blood War Part 1 The Thousand Year Blood War Part 2 The Thousand Year Blood War Part 3 As you may have noticed, the second viewing guide is a little shorter. That's because it skips the spin-off movies, which are generally seen as nonessential viewing if you're primarily interested in the central plot. However if you want to check out the Bleach films as well, this is the best viewing order: Bleach The Movie: Memories of Nobody Bleach: Diamond Dust Rebellion Bleach: Fade To Black Bleach: Hell Verse If you follow one of these viewing guides, you'll soon be caught up with the full anime franchise, leaving you ready for the fourth and final cours of Thousand Year Blood War in 2026. How to watch the English dub of Bleach You can watch English dub of Bleach on Disney Plus. How to watch Bleach in the UK In the the UK, you can stream the entire Bleach franchise on Disney Plus, including Bleach: Thousand Year War. View Green Video on the source website Bleach is available to watch on Disney Plus in the UK – sign up to Disney Plus now for £8.99 per month or £89.90 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. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Black Clover season 5 release date speculation, latest news
After a long wait, the Black Clover anime is set to return.
After a four-year wait, we finally have some good news regarding the future of Black Clover. Announced at Anime Expo 2025, the show is set to return for a fifth season. Debuting in 2017, this fantasy anime series is a beloved title among shonen fans. Adapted from the long-running manga series by Yūki Tabata, it concluded its most recent season in 2021. And crucially, that season ended on a cliffhanger. The season 4 finale, titled The Faraway Future, ended with the protagonist Asta preparing to train for an oncoming war. But since then, fans have been left hanging. After a while, even the most loyal viewers get tired of rewatching Black Clover's filler episodes while they wait. In the long gap between seasons, the show's creators did release a movie titled Black Clover: Sword of the Wizard King. However, this 2023 film takes place during an earlier point in the story's timeline, so it doesn't continue the main plot. With the fifth season now officially on its way, here's everything we know about the future of Black Clover. Black Clover season 5 release date speculation At present, there's no official release date for Black Clover season 5. However, it seems likely to arrive sometime in 2026, considering the timing of the announcement at Anime Expo in July 2025. The new season will stream on Crunchyroll, and (somewhat confusingly) is being described as "season 2" of the show, framing the first four seasons as "season 1". Black Clover's creators haven't confirmed why there was such a long wait between seasons, but the two most likely reasons are the difficulty of releasing one season per year, and the limited amount of source material left to adapt. By taking a pause between seasons 4 and 5, the show gave the original manga a chance to publish more material. Who could return for Black Clover season 5? If we go by the latest Black Clover episode and film appearances, these are the most likely cast members to return for season 5: Asta - Gakuto Kajiwara (JP) / Dallas Reid (EN) Yuno - Nobunaga Shimazaki (JP) / Micah Solusod (EN) Noelle Silva - Kana Yūki (JP) / Jill Harris (EN) Liebe - Nobuhiko Okamoto (JP) / Bryce Papenbrook (EN) Yami Sukehiro - Junichi Suwabe (JP) / Christopher R Sabat (EN) Magna Swing - Genki Muro (JP / Ian Sinclair (EN) Julius Novachrono - Toshiyuki Morikawa (JP) / Robert McCollum (EN) Dallas Reid is currently best known for his ongoing work in My Hero Academia, while Bryce Papenbrook can be heard in Attack on Titan. What could happen in Black Clover season 5? Assuming that this season continues to adapt the original manga series, we can expect the next storyline to cover the Spade Kingdom Raid Arc. Season 4 already sets the stage for this arc, where the Clover and Heart Kingdoms join forces to raid the Spade Kingdom. Their goal is to prevent the Dark Triad from releasing demons onto the Continent – and to rescue their captured allies. This includes Yami, who was captured by the Spade Kingdom's Zenon back in season 4. View Green Video on the source website Is there a trailer for Black Clover season 5? Yes! The season 5 announcement arrived alongside a teaser trailer, which you can watch here on YouTube: View oEmbed on the source website In the meantime, Black Clover is still available to stream on Netflix, Crunchyroll, and Hulu. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Do you fancy crying when watching an anime series? You'll want to watch Higurashi, then.
At first glance, Higurashi: When They Cry appears to be a sweet and cozy anime – something you put on TV when you want to unwind and watch something chill. The reality is that Higurashi is, in fact, terrifying, arguably horrifying at times, and can even be a challenging watch, is soon revealed. It's likely that you've heard of Higurashi already. It's described as a "sound novel" which might be confusing at first, but let us explain. It's a video novel, but instead of focusing solely on visuals, the Higurashi story took it a step further to tell a story through the use of sound and atmosphere. It was met with explosive success, with the story expanding into an anime in 2006. It quickly established itself as one of the best anime franchises around. The series follows Keiichi Maebara. Set in 1983, Keiichi has recently moved to the quiet village of Hinamizawa, where he quickly makes a group of friends at school. However, not everything is what it seems, as he soon realises that a darkness is lurking underneath the surface, one that is eager to reveal itself. There have been a lot of different adaptations of Higurashi, so it makes sense on why newcomers may not know where to start. Thankfully, our guide is the best way to help you find out how to watch Higurashi in order. How to watch Higurashi in order After the unexpected popularity of the original When They Cry series, plenty of spin-offs were made that turned Higurashi from a TV show into a franchise. At the same time, the visual novels were re-released, adding entirely new story arcs to better match up with the episodes and OVAs. Thankfully, Higurashi’s release and chronological order are precisely the same. Here’s how that watchlist would look: When They Cry (2006) Higurashi no Naku Koro ni: Nekogoroshi-hen (OVA, 2007) When They Cry: Kai (2007) When They Cry: Rei (2009) Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kira (2011–12) Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kaku: Outbreak (OVA, 2013) Higurashi: When They Cry – Gou (2020–21) Higurashi: When They Cry – Sotsu (2021) What is Higurashi? While the village of Hinamizawa initially seems peaceful when Keiichi moves there, he quickly finds our that violent secrets are lurking underneath. On the day of the village’s local annual festival, he learns that murders and disappearances are rife, and each remains unresolved. This leads to something known as the Oyashiro Curse, which is a name given to the events by the superstitious villagers. When Keiichi and his friends try to solve the murders for themselves, they each succumb to paranoia and a blinding homicidal rage. As the mysteries unfold, more tragedies strike Hinamizawa, threatening the lives of everyone within it. View oEmbed on the source website Is Higurashi disturbing? Higurashi is deemed to be so disturbing that some fans consider it to be the greatest horror anime that’s ever been made. The show is known for its brutal scenes, supernatural elements, great mysteries, and bloody action, which kickstarted the legacy that the franchise is known for today. Where to watch Higurashi in the UK Higurashi can currently be found on Crunchyroll, Netflix and AppleTV for UK viewers. You can catch Higurashi on Crunchyroll. Sign up to Crunchyroll from $7.99 per month with a 14-day free trial. 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 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 The Seven Deadly Sins anime in order
It would be a (seven) deadly sin to watch this anime out of order.
If you're after an anime that has intense battles, a humorous cast of characters that you'll remember for a long time to come, and an epic story that explores the themes of courage, redemption, friendship, and love in a vibrant fantasy setting, pause. We've got just the anime for you: The Seven Deadly Sins, a 2014 anime adaptation of creator Nakaba Suzuki's manga following Princess Elizabeth, who is in search of a group of former Holy Knights known as The Seven Deadly Sins. The Seven Deadly Sins anime is relatively short when you compare it to other shonen anime like Naruto and Bleach, but it still has an awful lot to offer. It is well-loved among its fans, and the general consensus is that animation studios A-1 Pictures and Studio Deen did a great job of bringing the anime to life. However, The Seven Deadly Sin anime doesn't just stop there. It has several spin-offs worth considering, mobile games and video games such as The Seven Deadly Sins: Knights of Brittania and The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross. That said, with so much to peruse, you might be wondering on where you should even start. Thankfully, we have got just the guide to help you explore and watch The Seven Deadly Sins anime in order. How to watch The Seven Deadly Sins in release order While you could watch The Seven Deadly Sins in chronological order, you're almost guaranteed to spoil yourself in the process. For newcomers, our advice is to begin with the release order. As the show’s timeline is based on information revealed throughout the series, no nasty surprises will throw you off while watching Elizabeth in her search. Doing that would make your watchlist look something like this: The Seven Deadly Sins Season 1 (2014) The Seven Deadly Sins Bandit Ban OVA (2015) The Seven Deadly Sins Heroes Fun Time: Extra Stories Compilation OVA (2015) The Seven Deadly Sins: Signs of Holy War (2016) The Seven Deadly Sins: Revival of Commandments (2018) The Seven Deadly Sins Movie 1: Prisoners of the Sky (2018) The Seven Deadly Sins: Heroes’ Frolic OVA (2018) The Seven Deadly Sins: Imperial Wrath of the Gods (2019) The Seven Deadly Sins: Dragon’s Judgement (2021) The Seven Deadly Sins Movie 2: Cursed by Light (2021) The Seven Deadly Sins: Grudge of Edinburgh Part 1 (2022) The Seven Deadly Sins: Four Knights of the Apocalypse (2023) The Seven Deadly Sins: Grudge of Edinburgh Part 2 (2023) The Seven Deadly Sins: Four Knights of the Apocalypse Season 2 (2024) How to watch Seven Deadly Sins in chronological order The second way to watch Seven Deadly Sins is by following the chronological order of the timeline that appears in the franchise. There aren’t too many significant changes between this and the release order, except for the OVAs. These were originally released at the same time but cover three different time periods, which ultimately changes their placement in the list. The rejigged version looks like this: Bandit Ban (2015) (OVA) The Seven Deadly Sins Season 1 (2014) Heroes Funtime (2015) (OVA) The Seven Deadly Sins: Signs of Holy War (2015) The Seven Deadly Sins: Revival of Commandments (2018) The Seven Deadly Sins Movie 1: Prisoners of the Sky (2018) Heroes’ Frolic (2018) (OVA) The Seven Deadly Sins: Imperial Wrath of the Gods (2019) The Seven Deadly Sins: Dragon’s Judgement (2021) The Seven Deadly Sins Movie 2: Cursed by Light (2021) The Seven Deadly Sins: Grudge of Edinburgh Part 1 (2022) The Seven Deadly Sins: Grudge of Edinburgh Part 2 The Seven Deadly Sins: Four Knights of the Apocalypse (2023) The Seven Deadly Sins: Four Knights of the Apocalypse Season 2 (2024) Has Seven Deadly Sins finished? View Green Video on the source website There are no current plans to continue the original TV outing; however, the franchise has continued with various films and spin-offs, including The Grudge of Edinburgh. The series also has a sequel The Four Knights of the Apocalypse, with season 2 currently available to watch on Netflix. Do you need to read The Seven Deadly Sins manga? Not at all! While there are always slight differences when it comes to adaptations, there's very little reason or requirement for you to read the Seven Deadly Sins manga if you don't want to. However, it is encouraged if you want to see the differences — regardless of how small they are — between the anime adaptations and the manga or light novels. Where to watch The Seven Deadly Sins in the UK For UK fans, Seven Deadly Sins can currently be found on Netflix, Crunchyroll and Amazon Prime. You can catch Seven Deadly Sins on Netflix. Check out more of our anime coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
There's never been a more perfect time to watch over 40 years of anime.
When you think back to the very beginning of anime, the one that you felt started it all off, it would be a safe guess that you thought back to the original Gundam. With origins dating back to the late 1970s, the Gundam franchise is renowned worldwide, largely in part due to creators Hajime Yatate and Yoshiyuki Tomino shaping the franchise into something with worldwide appeal that boasts a plethora of spin-offs, sequels, prequels, and everything in between. But with so many iterations and storylines, it’s easy to see why you might feel lost when trying to figure out where to start. The latest Gundam news, outside of the theatrical release of a Gundam movie, is the new anime series Mobile Suit Gundam: GQuuuuuuX. This series is set in an alternative universe where Char Aznable obtains the White Base and the original RX-78 Gundam, rather than Amuro Ray. This means that the outcome of the One Year War is immediately altered, with the anime seeking to explore the implications of this change. With a new exciting movie on the way and a brand new anime series to watch, it's obvious why you would want to find out the watch order of Gundam and all its exciting spin-offs. Thankfully, we're here to point you in the right direction, having compiled over 50 animated franchise versions into one cohesive timeline. Read on to find out how to watch Gundam in order, from release to chronological. How to watch Gundam in release order With so much going on and so many different elements to consider, viewers might simply want to watch Gundam in the order in which it was released. The order for watching the Gundam franchise by release date looks something like this: Mobile Suit Gundam (1979 – 1980) Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam (1985 – 1986) Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ (1986 – 1987) Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack (1988) Mobile Suit Gundam F91 (1991) Victory Gundam (1993) Mobile Suit V Gundam (1993 – 1994) Mobile Fighter G Gundam (1994 – 1995) Mobile Suit Gundam Wing (1995 – 1996) After War Gundam X (1996) Turn A Gundam (1999) Gundam SEED (2002 – 2003) Gundam SEED Destiny (2004 – 2005) Mobile Suit Gundam 00 (2007 – 2009) Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn (2010) Gundam Reconguista in G (2014 – 2015) Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin (2015 – 2018) Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans (2015 – 2017) Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt (2015 – 2017) Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury (2022) Mobile Suit Gundam: GQuuuuuuX (2025) View oEmbed on the source website How to watch Gundam in chronological order The franchise takes place across the Universal Century timeline for the original Gundam series, which then grew to include the added spin-offs and OVAs we’re including in this list. It follows the tensions between the Earth Federation’s Amuro Ray and Char Aznable, which later led to all-out war. Essentially, this is the core timeline of the Gundam franchise. Watching Gundam according to the chronology of the Universal Century timeline follows this order: Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin (2015-2018) Mobile Suit Gundam (1979) Mobile Suit Gundam: The Movie Trilogy (1981-1982) Advent Of The Red Comet (2019) The 08th MS Team (1996 – 1999) MS IGLOO (2004 – 2008) 0080: War In The Pocket (1989) Thunderbolt (2016) 0083: Stardust Memory (1991) Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam (1985) Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam: A New Translation (2005-2006) Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ (1986) Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack (1988) Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn (2010) Mobile Suit Gundam Twilight Axis (2017) Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative (2018) Gundam Hathaway (2021) Mobile Suit Gundam: F91 (1991) Victory Gundam (1993) You might have noticed that Gundam: The Witch from Mercury (2022) or Mobile Suit Gundam: GQuuuuuuX isn't included in this. The reason for this is that both of these anime series are set in alternative timelines, and so isn't part of any existing Gundam timeline. This means it can be missed entirely if you choose, but we don't recommend it if you're a completionist who wants to embrace and watch everything Gundam has on offer. How to watch the non-Universal Century timeline Gundam Unsurprisingly, there are numerous Gundam anime series outside the UC timeline, branching into other narratives, including the After Colony/Mars Century timeline, the Cosmic Era, Anno Domini, and the Advanced Generation. If you were to add these to your watchlist, the order of how to watch them would look like this: After Colony/Mars: New Mobile Report Gundam Wing (1995 – 1996) Operation Meteor (1996) [Compilation OVA] New Mobile Report Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz (1997) Cosmic Era Mobile Suit Gundam SEED (2002 – 2003) Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Astray (2003) Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny (2004 – 2005) Mobile Suit Gundam SEED C.E. 73: STARGAZER (2006) Anno Domini Mobile Suit Gundam 00 (2007 – 2009) Mobile Suit Gundam 00 The Movie - Awakening of the Trailblazer (2010) Advanced Generation Mobile Suit Gundam AGE (2012) Mobile Suit Gundam AGE: Memory of Eden (2013) What is a Gundam? In short, a Gundam is an advanced, high-performance mobile suit that appears in every version of the franchise. Gundam suits are considered to be more powerful than standard production mobile suits, and each features the best equipment and technology available at the time of their release. If you're struggling to picture them, consider familiar franchises like Pacific Rim and Transformers. At the same time, the meaning of Gundam can vary depending on the timeline that’s being featured. In earlier years, Gundam was used as an acronym; however, more recent anime shows have decided not to include it. How to watch Gundam in the UK The Gundam Universal Century timeline can be found on Netflix, Crunchyroll, Funimation, and Disney Plus. The Gundam anime is also available to buy on Amazon. You can catch Gundam on Crunchyroll. Sign up to Crunchyroll from £4.99 per month with a 7-day free trial. Check out more of our Anime coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Boruto filler list: All Boruto episodes to skip
Not feeling Boruto's vibes? You can skip these episodes and feel guilt-free.
Imagine going out on ninja adventures while also being a school student. If that sounds appealing, then you'll no doubt enjoy Boruto, the Naruto sequel that follows the adventures of Boruto, the son of Naruto, and all of his friends. And much like his father, Boruto is training to become the most powerful ninja to ever live. Pretty big shoes to fill, wouldn't you say? Boruto first aired back in 2017, where it quickly became well-loved and popular thanks to a returning cast of characters like Team 7 (Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke) as well as a brand new story focusing on a new generation. Unfortunately, what became apparent was that the anime was fast catching up with the manga, thus leaving the series to pad out much of its content with filler episodes. If you love filler, this was great news. For everyone else, however... Not so much. Because of catch-up, many Boruto fans are now waiting and wondering if the anime series will continue, as the manga and anime are on hiatus. So while we wait for the answer to that long-sought-after question, don't fret, because there's still plenty of episodes and spin-off material to get stuck into. Are they worth watching? We answer that question and more with this Boruto filler list guide. Boruto filler list: Which episodes can be skipped? Like most long-standing anime series, not every episode is a fantastic piece of television history. The unfortunate truth is that some episodes simply don't offer up anything new, while others are just recaps of things we've seen before. If you're not interested in all that filler noise, then you skip it all by moving past the following arcs: Episodes 48-50: the Byakuya Gang Arc Episodes 67-69: the Cho-Cho Arc Episodes 231-232: the Great Sea Battle of Kirigakure Arc Episodes 261-273: the Kawaki & Himawari Academy Arc By skipping the mentioned arcs, fans will still be ready and prepared to enjoy the next instalment of episodes without feeling as though they've missed anything important. Which Boruto episodes are essential to watch? There are plenty of arcs for Boruto fans to get stuck into, but that doesn’t always mean that they are worth the time. Alongside the episodes that provide context for the wider story, the canon arcs are absolutely essential for understanding the unfolding action. Here’s a breakdown of the arcs you’ll definitely need to watch: Episodes 1-16: the Academy Entrance Arc Episodes 25-32: the School Trip Arc Episodes 71-92: Mitsuki's Disappearance Arc Episodes 120-126: the One-Tail Escort Arc Episodes 127-141: the Time Slip Arc View Green Video on the source website How to watch Boruto in the UK Episodes of Boruto: Naruto Next Generations are currently available to stream on Crunchyroll. If you’d like your binge to go back even further, fans will also find original Naruto episodes ready to watch on the streaming platform, as well as over on Netflix. However, be aware that episodes of the original series are being added over time, and therefore the series is not currently complete on that specific platform. You can catch Boruto on Crunchyroll. 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.
Solo Leveling season 2 ending explained: Did Jinwoo take down Beru?
It’s time to squash some bugs once and for all.
*Warning: This article contains full spoilers for the final episode of Solo Leveling season 2.* Even before Solo Leveling aired the season 2 finale, the action didn’t really feel like it could be topped. With Jinwoo’s fight against the Ant King as the climax of the Jeju Island Arc, episode 12 gave us one of the best anime fights we’ve arguably ever seen. So how does episode 13 even try topping that? By ending things on a hopeful note, that’s how. Instead of fans being left with a knot in their stomach wondering whether Jinwoo can ever return, he’s going out on a high – and that’s good news for us. Whether Solo Leveling season 3 comes our way remains to be seen (more on that later), but Jinwoo’s not done facing down his demons, including some more mysterious faces. Solo Leveling season 2 ending explained Does Jinwoo destroy the ants? You know he does. Instead of leaving, Jinwoo decides to stay on Jeju Island, eliminating all the ants that are left. In the process, he’s able to reach the 100th level. After, he decides to use shadow extraction on the Ant King’s Corpse, named Beru. This might feel familiar to you, and that’s because we saw something similar in the season 1 finale. Jinwoo’s final fight at the time was with the Blood-Red Commander, later extracting the shadow of Igris. He’s got a different issue this time around, though. Where Jinwoo couldn’t extract Igris’s shadow the first time in season 1, he finds an unexpected darkness when he tries with Beru in season 2. What does this mean? We don’t know yet, but it’s likely going to cause more issues later down the line for Jinwoo. Because the Ant King was a soldier with a general rank, Beru is now easily the strongest soldier in Jinwoo’s shadow army. Already, he’s showing immense loyalty to Jinwoo, essentially helping to destroy all the ants that are left on the island. What happened to Cha Hae-In? View oEmbed on the source website You might remember that things got a bit hairy for Cha Hae-In in season 2 episode 12. She was pretty much cured by the Elixir of Life, but her condition was still deteriorating. Luckily for her, Jinwoo found a way around the problem, saving her life. Don’t worry, she’s completely healed now. Remembering the death of S-Rank healer Min Byung-Gu, Tusk was tasked with taking his corpse. From there, shadow extraction was used on Min Byung-Gu’s body, who becomes a show soldier. The shadow started to heal Cha Hae-In without even being ordered to, with Jinwoo terminating the extraction afterwards so Min Byung-Gu can peacefully rest. It’s deep, but it’s also incredibly touching. Jinwoo once again saves them both from the remaining ants while leaving Jeju Island, meaning Min Byung-Gu can get the respectful funeral he deserves. Who are the mystery beasts appearing in the finale? Good question! In a nutshell, we don’t completely know. Our new beasts look like humans, appearing in front of the Knights Guild while they were doing recognition of the ant’s chambers. They’re clearly powerful, with one resembling the Ice Elves we saw in season 2’s first episodes. They put the hunters to sleep and easily move through gates, opening and closing them at will. It looks as though the beasts are following someone whose powers are tracked to the cave. Without a typical dungeon break, this is the first time we’re seeing monsters appear outside gates in this circumstance — but of course, we don’t know why. You might have also noticed Jinwoo’s dad, Sung II Hwan, is brought back for the finale. Again, we’ve got no idea why, but he’s keeping a close eye on the beasts’ movements. Earlier threats that were warned against throughout season 2 may have something to do with this, but we’re speculating. There is one way we can start to get some answers here: by reading the manga. Fans will know these beasts are called Monarch of Fangs and Monarch of Frost, and are officially introduced in a future arc. What happens now? Now here’s where the news isn’t as great – Solo Leveling hasn’t officially been renewed for Season 3. However, we’ve got every reason to remain hopeful that it will. The first reason is a big one. In the original manga, it’s the Jeju Island Raid that acts as a catalyst for the bigger story Solo Leveling is trying to tell. We’ve still got no idea what’s really going on with the game system, and understandably, the season 2 finale has left us with more questions than answers. As any good finale should, season 2’s ending dripfeeds us morsels of what’s to come, steering us in the direction of the manga’s endgame. Our mystery beasts haven’t suddenly been introduced for no reason, for example. What do they want? What does Jinwoo’s dad want? Will Beru overpower him or turn against him? And what is Jinwoo’s next move now he’s reached the 100th level? These are all burning questions we need answering as soon as possible, but these are just the tip of the Solo Leveling iceberg. Solo Leveling is available to watch on Crunchyroll. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what’s on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Want to get into Black Clover but find navigating its spin-offs and 150+ episodes tricky? We're here to help!
Black Clover offers a subversive take on the fantasy genre, set in a world where everything is magic – except for the story's hero. The young orphan Asta is born with no magical powers, making him an outcast in his society. But when he acquires a rare book that gives him anti-magic abilities, he creates a new path for himself, embarking on a journey to become the next Wizard King. Beginning as a manga series by Yūki Tabata in 2015, Black Clover has since spawned a stage play, video game spin-offs and, of course, an extensive anime franchise. Between the Black Clover TV series, OVAs and films, the sheer volume of anime canon can be a little intimidating. So if you're looking to speed-watch the most important parts, we've got you covered with our Black Clover filler list. Otherwise, whether you're a new viewer or a longtime fan waiting for Black Clover season 5, here's our guide for how to watch Black Clover in order. How to watch Black Clover in release order The bulk of the Black Clover anime franchise is relatively simple, covered in the four current seasons of the TV series. However there are also several connected spinoffs including OVAs and the 2023 movie Sword of the Wizard King. If you want to watch Black Clover in order of release date, here's where to start: Jump Festa 2016 OVA (OVA, 2017) Black Clover season 1 (anime, 2017–2018) Black Clover season 2 (anime, 2018–2019) Jump Festa 2018 OVA (OVA, 2018) Squishy! Black Clover (ONA, 2019) Black Clover season 3 (anime, 2019–2020) Black Clover season 4 (anime, 2020–2021) Black Clover: Sword of the Wizard King (film, 2023) How to watch Black Clover in chronological order Of course, there's also the option of watching Black Clover according to the franchise's narrative timeline. There isn't a huge difference between this and the original release order, aside from one key difference. The movie Black Clover: Sword of the Wizard King tells a story that takes place between the Elf Reincarnation arc and the Heart Kingdom Joint Struggle arc in the TV series. In other words, you should watch that movie halfway through season 4 for the full timeline to make sense, taking a break at episode 157: Black Clover season 1 Black Clover season 2 Black Clover season 3 Black Clover season 4 (up to episode 157) Black Clover: Sword of the Wizard King Black Clover season 4 (from episode 158) As you may notice, none of the OVA specials appear in this list. That's because they're not officially part of the Black Clover timeline, so you can watch them at any time or skip them altogether if you prefer. View Green Video on the source website How to watch the English dub of Black Clover English dubbed episodes of Black Clover can be found on Crunchyroll. An English dub of Black Clover: Sword of the Wizard King is also available on Netflix. How to watch Black Clover in the UK All four seasons of Black Clover are available to stream on both Crunchyroll and Netflix, along with the movie Black Clover: Sword of the Wizard King. You can catch Black Clover on Crunchyroll. Sign up to Crunchyroll from $7.99 per month with a 14-day free trial. Check out more of our anime coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Solo Leveling defies one big anime trend – and should stick to its guns for season 2
Anybody who started watching Solo Leveling season 1 and immediately thought it couldn’t compete with other hit anime series needs to apologise (sound familiar?), as season 2 hits the ground running. Over the last year, the anime has absolutely wiped the floor with its competition thanks to its simplistic yet intense leveling-up storyline. Main character Jinwoo started out as an E-rank hunter, merely going along to raids in order to make up numbers in a crew. As time has passed, however, things have changed. Jinwoo is having the classic hero’s journey of realising he’s actually much stronger after coming back from the dead in the pilot episode. Instead of climbing the ranks, he is stuck with his E-rank label while the system secretly upgrades his missions, weapons and strength. Why? It’s a mystery. Even if you’re not keeping up with the monster madness happening onscreen, you’ll be able to tell Jinwoo is changing quite easily. Without any warning, his physical appearance subtly shifts at numerous points, meaning he’s started season 2 as a buff, chiseled man. The meek schoolboy we started with disappeared fairly quickly into Solo Leveling – and that’s been a problem for some fans. Now that we’re one episode into season 2, there’s two opposing arguments in the fandom. Some feel season 1 did a terrible job of showing Jinwoo’s progress and evolution, but they also think season 2 is going to fumble the bag. Given how starkly different Jinwoo is now, there’s a fear that his growth will be rushed as Solo Leveling steamrollers into its Jeju Island Arc. Let’s flip this argument on its head. What if the speed of Jinwoo’s ranking is actually a blessing rather than a curse? Yes, we’re moving at a lightning-quick pace – but it’s incredibly dynamic. And isn’t that why Solo Leveling has stood out so much in the first place? It’s fair to say that, historically, anime likes to take its sweet time unfolding a storyline. While this often matches up with manga chapters, TV adaptations still never leave any stone unturned. Think of One Piece as an example. We’re only just beginning to see the anime’s finish line, and it’s been going since 1999. View oEmbed on the source website Dragon Ball, Naruto, My Hero Academia and Attack on Titan have all followed a similar path. In one way or another, each franchise has continued to live on, even if it’s obvious its storyline should have been stopped long before. Solo Leveling quite literally slices through its rivals by getting to the meat much, much faster. If Jinwoo’s story had any different kind of pacing, it would be boring. Taking away all the excitement of the leveling up, the battles and new achievements he can unlock, Solo Leveling is just like any other run-of-the-mill anime being released these days. It hits all the basic narrative touchpoints while incorporating stereotypical goals to be reached – namely that a young, weak boy defies the odds and fulfils a supernatural prophecy. The reason why we’re so enthused by the show and can’t wait to devour season 2 is its dynamism. Obviously, the big mystery of why Jinwoo is still showing as an E-rank that’s incredibly tantalising, but the small wins are just as heart-stopping. Other hunters are now starting to see Jinwoo as a real threat, and that’s thanks to him being thrown into the deep end head first. We’ve finally got an anime that’s really challenging the system it's set for itself, and that’s challenging us in turn. The next episode has never been needed more when we’ve been charged through a deadly, violent mission at full pelt, almost always resulting in more questions than answers. Jinwoo hardly knows how to handle what’s being thrown at him, but the fact he can hold on by the tips of his fingers makes watching any scene in Solo Leveling remarkable. If Jinwoo can keep up with being in the thick of the action, so can we. It’s time we respected Solo Leveling Season 2 for what it’s giving us – a blood-rushing, pulse-raising adventure that’s showing no signs of slowing down. Solo Leveling season 2 is available to watch on Crunchyroll. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what’s on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
My Hero Academia season 7 ending explained: Did Ochaco or Toga survive?
*Warning: This article contains full spoilers for the final episode of My Hero Academia season 7.* It feels as though all the My Hero Academia endings have come at once, with season 7 closing out the penultimate part of the anime. When we last saw the UA gang, Ochaco and Toga were locked in a life-or-death battle, with a Quirkless All Might enlisting Melissa to help him design a brand new superhero suit. Rumours have been swirling that All Might will bow out after episode 21 thanks to his all-time level of weakness, but is this actually true? We’re forgetting another key character amidst the chaos: Deku. The nervous young boy who started out as our titular character back in season 1 has since been sidelined, acting in a secondary role in season 7. But what does the future hold for these three storylines? Let’s break down everything that went on during the My Hero Academia season 7 ending. How did Ochaco and Toga's final fight end? As you might expect, things weren’t too rosy for these two after we left them ending their final fight in episode 20. But it’s Toga who is killed off, coming to her death halfway through the episode. But how does it happen? We first see Toga standing over Ochaco, who is barely surviving after the Double Swarm disappeared. Ochaco has overused her Quirk, and it’s taking a serious toll on her body. However, Toga seems unwilling to her Ochaco die — or at least won’t let it happen that easily. Instead, Toga swallows some of Ochaco’s blood, which partially transforms Toga into her (if you’ve seen a snap of the two blended together, now you know why). This gives Toga the ability to perform a life-saving blood transfusion, which understandably isn’t a decision that naturally matches up to a character who has been singled out as one of season 7’s biggest villains. Her reason? Toga wants to do something drastic in order to prove to Ochaco that her kind-hearted feelings are genuine. But there’s an issue: if Toga keeps going, she risks losing all of her own blood supply — and therefore her life. Ochaco begs for her to stop, but Toga insists that she’s going to do exactly as she pleases. Toga doesn’t want to get caught, and she’s equally sure Ochaco won’t let her get away regardless of what happens. We see an emotional apology from Toga for the way she’s treated Ochaco, thanking her for making Toga happy and for all that she’s done. Toga wonders if these are feelings that she could have felt before their final fight came to what it did. While she thinks about being able to live as a "normal" girl, the two fall unconscious. Here, it’s implied that the transfusion has been successful. Ochaco’s life has been saved… and it’s because Toga has given her own in the process. What does the armoured suit mean for All Might? While Toga and Uraraka find their emotional end, All Might is refinding his confidence. He’s intent on tracking down arch-nemesis All For One, and his new suit — dubbed the "Armoured All Might" — is the ideal form of protection. It’s here we need to remember something huge: All Might is now Quirkless. It’s a detail reaffirmed in episode 20, with Melissa helping him to make a new suit. We’ve not seen the pair fight since season 3, making this part of the season 7 ending one of the most anticipated scenes in the show’s history. All For One isn’t best pleased that All Might has arrived on the scene, chaotically striking out against him with no proper form of strategy. Thanks to his brand spanking new suit, All Might is able to deflect all of these attacks, reflecting on the 1-A students who have had the suit named after them. All Might flashes back to meeting Nana Shimura for the first time, remembering the moment he first wanted to be her disciple. He shares his desire to become a symbol for people to look up to, bearing a burden as a Quirkless person (who does this remind us of back in season 1?). After some epic battle sequences, All For One starts to get the upper hand and cause some serious injuries — but it’s All Might’s words to Deku, ringing in his head, that allow him to push through against his foe. We see him stand tall while cackling, clearly planning to keep All For One completely focused on him. Annoyingly, this is where we leave the drama… but for how long? Where is Deku in all of this? It might feel as though Deku has been forgotten in all of this chaos, but fear not! He's busy fending off Shigaraki, although it doesn’t feel like that’s going hugely well. They’re still locked in a grand one-on-one battle which could mark the end of the storyline arc as we know it. Thanks to the interface we previously saw Toga using, Shigaraki now has unrestricted access to all of his Quirks. His big goal is now to destroy Deku in order to build his own "perfect" world. However, we don’t get any resolution to this battle. Instead, we leave it on more of a cliffhanger — as they fight, Deku gets the sense that All Might is almost down and out in the dramatic fight of his own. What happens now? Thankfully, it was confirmed My Hero Academia season 8 would be happening ahead of the season 7 ending. There’s some bad news, though — it will be the last season of the anime (excluding any film spin-offs like You’re Next that might make their way to us). That’s not too surprising. In real-time, the My Hero Academia manga has ended, meaning if you really want to know what’s coming up, you can read ahead. For context, Toga and Ochaco’s fight happens in Chapter 394. While the future of ​​UA Academy still hangs in the balance, it’s the Deku and All Might cliffhangers we’re going to be tuning in for. We’ve already seen Dabi, Toga and Spinner each defeated, but there’s no doubting All For One and Shigaraki are both stronger than any of the long-gone villains. Without too many spoilers, the ending has a great deal still in store… including a major time jump, a change in career and an epic hero-done-good storyline. Outside of that, the release date for a new My Hero Academia spin-off has been confirmed. My Hero Academia is available to watch on Crunchyroll. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what’s on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Netflix has made one genius decision with its Twilight series
The phone is ringing, and 2008 is on the other end. It’s promising us trashy teen romance, with a hint of mystery and a healthy helping of the supernatural. But haven’t we had this all before? Of course we have! The late noughties gave us Twilight, and we’ve been hooked ever since. We don’t need to remind you of the story. Boy meets girl, boy is actually hundreds of years old and doesn’t eat cafeteria food, boy fights other boy, who is sometimes a very large dog, for said girl’s attention. The franchise spawned five movies following the trio, and Stephenie Meyer’s books have fanned the flames since 2005. Ever since the saga’s official on-screen end in 2012, all has been silent. Sure, we’ve memed the cast on socials until we’re blue in the face and Meyer has continued to write, but things haven’t been the same. Well, with the exception of one thing – Meyer’s 2020 companion novel Midnight Sun. It retells the story of the 2005 original… except this time, it’s all from Edward’s perspective. You might have missed it the first time around, but you definitely won’t now Netflix has got its mitts on it. Announced this week, Midnight Sun is officially coming to the streaming service - only there’s a huge change. Instead of getting Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart back together, the series – yes, series – will be animated. As soon as the news dropped, you could almost hear the collective sigh from Twilight fans across the world. Why are we doing this? Why can’t we just be content with what we had way back when? It just won’t be the same without RPatz and KStew! Complain all you like, but there’s some good we’re not yet considering. We don’t need more of the same when it comes to the Twilight franchise, and to try and replicate the same thing would be a mistake. We’ve all got a soft spot for what has been, but we can revisit its live-action peak any time we like. If we’re going to keep Twilight alive – and it feels like that’s what we want – it’s got to be different. Enter the world of animation. Where people don’t exist on screen, anything becomes possible. We can be taken to mesmerising worlds that can’t be accessed in real life, and have our minds expanded to realise things we thought couldn’t be possible. Mark our words – it’s going to be down to animation that Twilight gets a successful second lease of life. If you’re not convinced, let’s look at the evidence. We only need to assess the popularity of shows like Demon Slayer, Tokyo Ghoul and Solo Leveling to see how the supernatural can be elevated to the next level. On paper, none of these are stories that are groundbreaking, but it's the artistry on screen that allows them to break free from boundaries. Even Netflix knows its importance. The platform has increased its animation output noticeably over the years, and it’s taking the content seriously. Blue Eye Samurai, Terminator Zero and Arcane are great examples of this, and they’re attracting subscribers to stick around. Where other shows and dramas are flailing, fans know they’re getting quality from animation. So, what does this mean for Twilight? At this stage, the level of detail is slim. We know the plot well, and Meyer will be involved in the show’s production. Netflix has already proved that it means business when it comes to animation, so what the show needs the most is trust from its fans. Trust, and an open mind. Even if you haven’t watched animation in years, you’ll likely remember the magic and thrills from being a kid. Things have only gotten more magical and thrilling since, and adapting our teenage love of cute vampire romance can only mean better things are ahead. We’re looking for something more, something to feed the supernatural-shaped hunger we’ve had in our bellies for decades… and we need something that knows no bounds to get that. The bottom line is that Twilight is here to stay, and shaking off its cringe-tween label is the only way it can survive. Through animation we’re likely to get something darker, grittier, and more challenging, fleshing out Meyer’s world and catapulting it into brand new territory. No reunion of live-action reboot is capable of doing that, but putting moving illustration on screen? Anything is possible. Midnight Sun is coming to Netflix. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what’s on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
How Demon Slayer can avoid disaster with its Infinity Castle film trilogy
It’s only been a matter of days since Demon Slayer wrapped up its fourth and final season. Over the course of eight episodes, the Hashira Training Arc has ramped up, with Nezuko’s newfound freedom posing a threat to the success of the Hashiras altogether. Sure enough, Muzan is intent on finding her to become immortal, while all active Hashiras have been trapped inside the Infinity Castle. It’s a fantastic cliffhanger that seamlessly blends one story arc with the next. However, there’s a catch: Instead of watching the rest of Demon Slayer play out in a familiar and accessible season 5, the Infinity Castle Arc will be entirely packaged for film, with the series announcing it will draw its conclusion through an upcoming trilogy. On the face of it, a trilogy of movies feels like an odd choice. Fans were largely left unsatisfied by the release of this year’s Demon Slayer movie, Kimetsu No Yaiba - To the Hashira Training. Instead of giving viewers a fresh take, the 2024 release replayed scenes from the previously-aired season 3, combined with the first scenes from season 4… which we later saw air on TV anyway. Where anime such as Haikyu!! and Spy x Family have instead recently released films with entirely separate stories - meaning that even someone who has never watched before can follow along - Demon Slayer is starting to stick out like a sore thumb. By meshing film and TV together, the end product is not just messy, but not really doing much of anything… and that’s a huge concern for the new trilogy. However, that doesn’t mean the Infinity Castle film trilogy is all doom and gloom. The news has only just been announced, and there are plenty of ways the anime can go out with a bang and make all of its three films pull their weight. After all, there’s a reason we’ve all become so invested in the dynamic, unique and action-packed series that has taken the world by storm. Before what happens in the films can even be touched on, the Demon Slayer trilogy will first need to look at its accessibility. It’s no secret that Western fans often get releases months after Japan, meaning any well-kept secrets or explosive twists will lose their impact if each of the three films has globally different release dates. We don’t know yet when the movies will hit screens, but one solid international release feels like the sensible call. On top of that, the trilogy will need to be worth the price of its cinema tickets. By essentially putting a higher paywall between anime fans and the content they’re waiting for, moviegoers will now be defined by who can afford to attend. If fans are going to invest in three separate films, there better be a really worthwhile pay-off. View oEmbed on the source website Then there’s the question of what will actually happen over the course of the three films. The existing manga gives us a good idea of what we can expect, but when it comes to adaptations, it’s all about timing. Aside from the obvious complaint - please, Demon Slayer, no more recaps! - the Infinity Castle Arc can’t afford to reveal too much too soon. If the first instalment of the series tells us what will become of the trapped Hashiras or Nezuko’s fate too soon, fans won’t exactly be queueing up to see the second and third. Ideally, the first film will tease us and leave us wanting more, the second will drop an anime-altering bombshell, and the third will be the answer to any outstanding questions. It’s the content of the Demon Slayer trilogy that’s arguably the most concerning. The anime doesn’t have the best track record with the art of satisfying surprise (just look at its most recent film), and having source material means there’s an extra sense of expectation from a fan base who are truly invested in what’s to come. The Demon Slayer Infinity Castle trilogy has a lot to get right, but with effective planning and considered storytelling, it can easily give fans what they want and deserve. Satisfying the existing fan base while appealing to brand new moviegoers is an extra challenge the anime has given itself, so let’s hope the series is ready to learn from its mistakes in the past. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle is coming soon to cinemas. Stream episodes on Crunchyroll. Sign up to Crunchyroll today for as little as £4.99 or start your 7-day free trial. Check out more of our Anime coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Oshi no Ko season 2: Release date speculation and latest news
Anime fans have been struck with a sickness — not being able to watch Oshi no Ko season 2. After the first season aired in early 2023, the show quickly became one of the major breakout anime series of the year. Based on the manga of the same name by Aka Akasaka, there’s already a huge fanbase for the story that’s still to come. Following a doctor and his recently deceased patient, the pair are reborn as twins to a famous Japanese pop idol. The duo navigate the highs and lows of the entertainment industry and grow up together as they set out on their brand-new lives. With the story being so sought after, fans have been left wondering when we might see season 2. Well, fans will be pleased to know the wait is almost over. Oshi no Ko Season 2 release date speculation Season 2 of Oshi no Ko is due to air in Japan on July 3rd. We imagine the episode will be available either the same day in on HIDIVE in the UK. How many episodes will Oshi no Ko season 2 have? Though the first season of Oshi no Ko had 11 episodes, there is no confirmed number for the amount of episodes that season 2 might have. We’ll be sure to update this page with the latest information on episodes featured in Oshi no Ko season 2. What is the plot of Oshi no Ko season 2? Following on from the explosive episodes featured in season 1, the second season of Oshi no Ko is set to explore the obstacles that Aquamarine Hoshino faces more deeply. Fans can expect to see even more personal growth from him, with themes of friendship, ambition, and the pitfalls of the entertainment industry all examined in further detail. Who will feature in the Oshi no Ko season 2 cast? In line with the show’s first season, here’s who we expect will make a return in Oshi no Ko season 2: Aqua Hoshino - Takeo Ōtsuka (Japanese) / Jack Stansbury (English) Ruby Hoshino - Yurie Igoma (Japanese) / Alyssa Marek (English) Kana Arima - Megumi Han (Japanese) / Natalie Rial (English) Miyako Saitô - Lynn (Japanese) / Christina Kelly (English) Memcho - Rumi Okubo (Japanese) / Juliet Simmons (English) Akane Kurokawa - Manaka Iwami (Japanese) / Kristen McGuire (English) Fans might recognise Jack Stansbury for his role in Haikyu!!, while Alyssa Marek is best known for Assassins Pride. Where to watch Oshi no Ko in the UK Oshi no Ko Season 2, like the first season will be available to watch on HIDIVE. Is there a trailer for Oshi no Ko season 2? Yes there is a Japanese trailer for the new season! View oEmbed on the source website Oshi no Ko is available to stream on HiDIVE. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on.
Demon Slayer season 4 could be the best yet if it stops wasting time
Waiting for a new series of your favourite show can make or break your year, and Demon Slayer has kept fans on the edge of their seats waiting for season 4. Last time we saw them, Tanjiro, Genya, and Nezuko were chasing the real body of Upper Moon 4, and things are taking another turn in the Hashira Training Arc. With Season 4, Demon Slayer is taking things back to anime basics by delivering a foolproof storyline fans are guaranteed to love – an elaborate training programme. School stories have historically been a hit across manga and anime, with franchises like My Hero Academia and Jujutsu Kaisen each keeping obvious character progression at their core. While the latter two shows have built their brand off the back of committing to their characters levelling up in a familiar setting, Demon Slayer picks and chooses when it wants to use the blueprint. It’s finally using this in a new way in season 4, returning to its season 1 roots by shifting the focus back to the Hashiras. Tanjiro has been so hellbent on avenging his sister that the Hashiras have spent the last two seasons lurking somewhere in the background. Now that the Hashira Training Arc movie has revealed something huge – spoiler, Nezuko is cured! – a greater threat looms, meaning the Hashiras need to share as much wisdom with the demon slayers as possible. However, all this excitement comes with a catch. Season 4 isn’t exactly off to a snappy start, teasing a satisfying school story in between wasting far too much time. Instead of driving the action forward with tension, suspense and a sprinkling of mystery, new episodes are heavily relying on filler scenes… and that isn’t good. It only takes a quick Reddit search to see that most Demon Slayer fans who paid to see the Hashira Training Arc movie in cinemas felt a bit short-changed. Fusing together the season 3 finale as a recap and teasing the start of season 4 Episode 1, the film gave away very little action, instead using its time to remind fans of things they already knew. Annoyingly, it seems like new episodes are also getting off to the same start. Once again, fans see the Hashiras summoned to the Ubuyashiki Mansion, hinting at longtime tension between the group but not explaining why. Long and drawn-out visual fillers see different members of the gang suspended in different emotional states… which is all well and good, but what’s it adding? Even hardcore Demon Slayer fans will likely come up with the same answer to that question – nothing. Instead of building on its dynamic storytelling from earlier seasons, season 4 so far feels like a step backward, losing the sharp grip it once had. This hits particularly hard because the Hashira Training Arc is the one that shows the most promise out of them all. Of course, the structure of it is a popular one, but the substance is packed with things to explore. Each of our Hashiras embodies their own unique skillset, ready to offer up something new to Tanjiro’s next level of education. We’ve also got the new dynamic between Tanjiro and Nezuko, with it being unclear just how badly Nezuko has been affected by her transformation. Our beloved Hashiras must have complex and intriguing backstories, and we’d like to see them. Basically, no matter where the anime can direct its attention, there’s satisfying gold to be found. But for some reason, Demon Slayer doesn’t seem to be seeing what’s right in front of it. In each franchise, there’s likely going to be a lull or a point of no return. In order to avoid season 4 being the moment fans switch off, the show needs to cut back on the gimmicks and get straight into the heart of the story. If not? Goodbye renewal, hello cancellation. You can catch Demon Slayer on Crunchyroll. Sign up to Crunchyroll today for as little as £4.99 ($6.40) or start your 14-day free trial. 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. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
My Hero Academia needs to end after season 7 – it's almost unrecognisable
The anime is almost unrecognisable from the curious and energetic show it started out as.
It comes as no surprise that many of our favourite anime all start with a simple story – a lone hero from a broken family finds out that they’ve got superpowers, setting them on a journey that will change their life for good. It’s something that connects hit shows like Demon Slayer and Mashle, and it has also provided the foundation for Japan’s titan animated adventure, My Hero Academia. Since 2016, fans have watched Izuku Miyadora – also known as Deku – blossom from a timid little boy into a superhero capable of taking on the most terrifying villains in the world. For eight years, personal growth, connections and self-belief have all made My Hero Academia the anime that we know and love, but as season 7 begins to air, it feels as though things might have changed for the worse. In fact, the story is now so far removed from the original idea that the series should probably end after its latest run. What was once an endearing and plucky tale about studying up to harness your unique quirks and being the best version of yourself possible has now descended into international warfare, bringing in global villains that make the current storyline seem more like a UN summit. Season 7 has engineered this in the form of Japan vs America, with the US’s number one hero Star and Stripe flying in to go head-to-head with Shigaraki in episode 1. Any good anime is rich with a wealthy number of characters who come and go, but what is My Hero Academia actually trying to achieve with this? As her name obviously suggests, the introduction of Star and Stripe is a homage to anime lovers across the pond, but also hints at political opposition. By introducing politics into its seventh season, My Hero Academia suddenly becomes a very different show. Gone are the days when all Deku would have to worry about was having his quirk stolen from him by All For One – now there’s a much more real fish to fry. In its earlier days, there was a sweetly innocent quality to My Hero Academia, which is strange to say about a show that prides itself on life-threatening action. Sticking close to the subjects that always play well in anime, such as a tiered educational system in a familiar yet fascinating high school setting, the beating heart of the anime has always been what’s inside that counts. Fast forward to season 7, and nuclear warfare is legitimately being considered as a means to end all. Not only are new episodes already proving to be a step too far, but My Hero Academia never needed to get political in the first place. Fans might moan about anime always sticking to tropes and playing safe, and there are plenty of good reasons for them to do so. In the case of My Hero Academia, less is actually more, now becoming disillusioned with itself by bringing outside forces in. Suddenly, fans are being reminded – albeit in a completely fictional way – of the chaos of the outside world, severing the ties that the magical powers of the show once held. Sure, Deku’s problems and insecurities have always been relatable, but they’ve never hit so close to home that entertainment dries up… until now. Thanks to the visual feast that the medium of anime offers, shows can always afford to be light-hearted. Packing a more serious punch where it needs to, the creativity of the art form means there are no real boundaries for what can be achieved – and a lot of the time, that means leaning into the sillier side of things. Whether it’s through creating a training academy beyond anyone’s wildest imagination or a dream-like sequence that visualises the team's emotions, anything could happen. Typically, that “anything” doesn’t resemble real life. However, season 7 not only proves that My Hero Academia’s silly side is long gone, but also that it’s probably wise to end things before it’s too late. The shift into politics feels as though the show is running out of ideas, turning to the usual story blueprint of international war for inspiration. It’s not a perfect fit, with the show now out of sync with its own structure. This almost isn’t surprising given how heavily franchised the IP now is. With toys, movies, games and manga, it was only a matter of time before something stopped working. Bowing out after season 7 doesn’t have to be a bad thing either. With shows such as Hunter x Hunter rumoured to be making its return after a long hiatus, the franchise might just need a substantial break in order to find its feet again. If the worst comes to the worst and it didn’t come back, fans can’t complain – it’s better to have loved a show that didn’t put a foot wrong than one that dragged on for far too long. At this point, it’s all speculation, but My Hero Academia in its current state is almost unrecognisable from the curious and energetic show it started out as. The beauty of something special is knowing when to give up the ghost, and Star and Stripe might be the superhero to shine that light. View Green Video on the source website You can watch My Hero Academia on Crunchyroll. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Demon Slayer season 4: Release date, trailer, plot, latest news
This is not a drill - finally, we have a release date for Demon Slayer season 4! Crunchyroll has officially announced when the upcoming arc, To the Hashira Training, will hit the platform - and has given a new look at what we can expect. Those who have seen Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – To the Hashira Training will know that the end of the Swordsmith Village Arc saw Nezuko beating the sun, placing a target on her back for others to harness her powers. Plus, Tanjiro voice actor Natsuki Hanae recently shared a teaser about what we've got in store. He exclusively told RadioTimes.com: "There’s a lot more training and action that you didn’t see so much in season 1. There’s a really big sense of that in this next season. I think fans will really be able to get behind their favourite characters." Read on for everything we know so far about Demon Slayer season 4. Demon Slayer season 4 release date Demon Slayer season 4 will be released on 12th May - so not long to wait now! Episodes will be simulcast on Crunchyroll each week - so we're expecting weekly releases on Sundays in the UK. It was previously revealed that the fourth season, titled Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Hashira Training Arc, would be released in spring 2024, keeping in line with previous releases from the show. Fans recently enjoyed the release of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – To the Hashira Training, a movie which gave viewers a first glimpse at the upcoming arc. Dubs for English, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, French, German, Italian, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu will be produced and released in the future. There is no release date for these just yet. Demon Slayer season 4 cast: Who will return? Crunchyroll has confirmed the return of the following actors and characters: Natsuki Hanae as Tanjiro Kamado Akari Kito as Nezuko Kamado Hiro Shimono as Zenitsu Agatsuma Yoshitsugu Matsuoka as Inosuke Hashibira Takahiro Sakurai as Giyu Tomioka Katsuyuki Konishi as Tengen Uzui Kengo Kawanishi as Muichiro Tokito Saori Hayami as Shinobu Kocho Kana Hanazawa as Mitsuri Kanroji Kenichi Suzumura as Obanai Iguro Tomokazu Seki as Sanemi Shinazugawa Tomokazu Sugita as Gyomei Himejima We'd expect the following stars to return as part of the English cast: Tanjiro Kamado – Zach Aguilar Nezuko Kamado – Abby Trott Inosuke Hashibira – Bryce Papenbrook Zenitsu Agatsuma – Aleks Le Muzan Kibutsuji – Greg Chun Kagaya Ubuyashiki – Matt Mercer Giyu Tomioka – Johnny Yong Bosch Mitsuri Kanroji – Kira Buckland Muichiro Tokito – Griffin Burns How many episodes could there be in Demon Slayer season 4? We're expecting 11 episodes in Demon Slayer season 4, but this has not been confirmed. Previous seasons have followed an 11-episode arc, so it would make sense if season 4 did the same. What is the plot of Demon Slayer season 4? Season 4 will adapt the Hashira Training Arc, which is exactly what it sounds like - Tanjiro goes to train with some of the strongest Hashira in the hopes of becoming one himself. An official synopsis for season 4 reads: "[Tanjiro joins] the members of the Demon Slayer Corps and their highest-ranking swordsmen, the Hashira. "In preparation for the forthcoming final battle against Muzan Kibutsuji, the Hashira Training commences. While each carry faith and determination within their hearts, Tanjiro and the Hashira enter a new story." Recently speaking to RadioTimes.com, voice actor Natsuki Hanae said: "All of the Hashiras are strong, but when you watch the next season, you're about to get a new impression of other characters. I think it is something to really look forward to." Is there a trailer for Demon Slayer season 4? Yes! Check out the latest trailer below, which was released in line with the release date announcement: View oEmbed on the source website Where will I be able to watch Demon Slayer season 4? You'll be able to watch Demon Slayer season 4 on Crunchyroll. You can catch Demon Slayer 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. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Dragon Ball’s Akira Toriyama leaves behind an untouchable legacy
Akira Toriyama's impact will live on in his work.
Thankfully, anime lovers are spoilt for choice these days. Streaming platforms provide a never-ending abundance of content, with up-and-coming titles proving their worth just as much as long-standing titans. Never has there been a medium that caters to so many facets and so many tastes – and arguably, it was Dragon Ball that made it all possible. First released in 1984, Dragon Ball arrived on the scene at the same time that then-unknown animator Hayao Miyazaki was laying the foundations for what became Studio Ghibli. With the exception of Gundam, the same realm of visual storytelling just didn’t exist, let alone a fully fleshed-out franchise. First achieving mainstream acclaim for the popular manga series Dr. Slump, creator Akira Toriyama had been quietly working away since the late '70s until the birth of Dragon Ball, catapulting both him and the world of animation into brand-new territory. Now, it’s incredibly common for anime shows to get their basis from a source of manga, making Dragon Ball the archetype for the transition. Inspired by martial arts, novels, and old Hong Kong movies, it’s difficult to argue that Akira Toriyama wasn’t the spearhead for how shōnen – the genre of manga – made its way to television. In a nutshell, Dragon Ball tells the story of a young warrior called Son Goku, a young who embarks on a quest to become stronger and learns of the mysterious Dragon Balls. It’s a world away from us, yet a seemingly simple story that has kept audiences hooked for 40 years. But how did Akira Toriyama pull it off? Fantasy and science-fiction aren’t categories we’re unfamiliar with – in fact, we’ve probably been wanting more of them since television was first created. Yet Toriyama’s Dragon Ball opened audiences up to something they had never experienced before. Seemingly so simple on the surface, the franchise delves into layers and layers or lore, setting, and possibility. With Toriyama at the helm, anything was possible, and he made it so. Packed with vibrant visuals, a distinct animation style, and a voice that knew exactly what it wanted to say, Dragon Ball set the precedent for what anime had the potential to become. Indulging viewers in the classic hero’s journey – with a few fantastical tricks thrown in for good measure – Akira Toriyama knew exactly what his audience wanted, and how to translate that into a serialised story. Our lead Goku is lovable, yet hardened. He knows how to fully lean into his powers, but isn’t invincible. He is able to scale up his abilities, giving him ample room to grow at a steady rate. And perhaps mostly importantly, he is genuinely loved by all who meet him. This formula has been implemented in many of our favourite anime shows ever since, from One Piece and Hunter x Hunter to Avatar: The Last Airbender and a little series called Pokémon. A believable story in an unbelievable world is a tough nut to crack, and Akira Toriyama’s time in the creator’s chair achieved that effortlessly. His vision spiralled into bigger and better possibilities, resulting in a healthy list of TV shows, manga, games, movies and merchandise. As many tributes from the artists who followed in his footsteps pointed out, he was considered to be the G.O.A.T. His ideas and execution made others believe in what animation could do for them, giving us many of the other incredible shows we’ve grown to love since. There is a more simplistic explanation for why Akira Toriyama is held in such high esteem, and why Dragon Ball is looked to as the best of the best. Away from the technical know-how, the authentic style, and the understanding of craft, there is heart. A huge helping of love is poured into every character, every scene, every extension of the franchise. It’s a love that’s so obvious that it has established a global fanbase that has transcended generations. Toriyama held the love for his work and his fans in equal measure – and, in turn, both have continued to give back to him. Whether it was in life or now in death, Akira Toriyama leaves an untouchable legacy behind him. Never again can a single idea achieve the wealth of potential that Dragon Ball did for anime, and perhaps never again will such a large amount of creatives be completely inspired by a single source. Both Toriyama and Dragon Ball were before their time and timeless, coming together to form an infinite loop of exceptional storytelling that will be always be appreciated. Looking for something else to watch? Check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide, or visit our Sci-Fi hub for more news and features. 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 season 4 will see "much more action" in Hashira Training Arc
Fans of Demon Slayer might have to wait until April for new episodes, but the first instalment of season 4 - also known as the Hashira Training Arc - is set to pack an almighty punch. Those who have seen Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – To the Hashira Training will know that the end of the Swordsmith Village Arc saw Nezuko beating the sun, placing a target on her back for others to harness her powers. In order to protect them from this brand new threat, the Hashiras decide to train the Demon Slayer Corps themselves, hinting at more dramatic action and battles to come. Speaking exclusively to RadioTimes.com, Tanjiro voice actor Natsuki Hanae agreed, saying: "There’s a lot more training and action that you didn’t see so much in season 1. There’s a really big sense of that in this next season. "I think fans will really be able to get behind their favourite characters." When fans originally met the Hashiras back in season 1, they were introduced through Tanjiro’s eyes, with the story focused on his journey to becoming a member of the Demon Slayer Corps. Though there are a select number of active Hashiras, there are even more that are retired - which is something season 4 looks to pick up on. Following the Hashira Training Arc manga, viewers might already have an idea of what’s in store for season 4 - but that doesn’t mean a few surprises won’t be thrown in along the way. Retired Hashiras are expected to take centre stage once again, alongside a deeper dive into Gyomei’s backstory. Demon Slayer fans are also expecting to see epic fights including Giyu vs Sanemi, while a more complex relationship between Muzan and Ubuyashiki is yet to be revealed. But where does this leave the immediate threat to Nezuko’s safety? According to Hanae, the Hashira action just might take viewers by surprise. "All of the Hashiras are strong, but when you watch the next season, you're about to get a new impression of other characters," he told RadioTimes.com. "I think it is something to really look forward to." View Green Video on the source website Demon Slayer season 4 will begin on Crunchyroll in spring 2024. Check out more of our Fantasy 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 – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Solo Leveling isn't in shape to keep up as anime thrives
Solo Leveling has cast a shallow yet broad net with its storytelling.
"In a world of gifted hunters and monsters, a weak hunter, Sung Jinwoo, gains extraordinary powers through a mysterious programme, leading him to become one of the strongest hunters and conquering even the strongest dungeons." This is the synopsis of Solo Leveling, an anime that’s brand new to Crunchyroll for 2024. Kicking off with its premiere episode on 6th January, it’s easy to think that we’ve heard this story somewhere before. "Gon Freecss discovers that his father, who left him at a young age, is actually a world-renowned Hunter, a licensed professional who specialises in fantastical pursuits such as locating rare or unidentified animal species, treasure hunting and surveying unexplored enclaves." This is the synopsis for 2011 smash hit anime series Hunter x Hunter, which wrapped up a full 10 years before Solo Leveling even came into existence. Without context, these two shows are almost completely indistinguishable. View oEmbed on the source website It’s a tale as old as time - a young unestablished hero, typically with a dysfunctional family unit, enters a magical foreign world thanks to powers or strengths that they didn’t know they fully had. From there, an untouchable desire to be the best and strongest in their field is formed. From One Piece to Demon Slayer, and from Jujutsu Kaisen to Black Clover, almost every franchise-worthy anime follows this exact route. Even in mainstream fantasy, the likes of Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings have all built their success off of this premise. In short, it seems to be a foolproof path to long-term glory. But how does a newbie sustain themselves in the midst of it all? The problem is that being too generic - or trying to cater to absolutely everyone by following a tick box formula - works against a debut programme in the 2020s framework. Goblin Slayer shows like Goblin Crown have continued to fly under the radar, while anime such as Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 fell off the face of the Earth, even with a familiar IP to work from. Does adopting this strategy make Solo Leveling a bad anime? Not at all. Sung is an endearing sweetheart, even though his genuine hopelessness is nigh-on frustrating to follow in early episodes. He’s an E-rank hunter, meaning he’s about as lowly as low could get. Called in to tackle a D-rank dungeon, he’s quickly in over his head when it’s revealed that a secret second dungeon is attached to it. As more of Solo Leveling’s premise is revealed, there’s a solid structure to be enjoyed. The action sequences are gruesomely brutal, leaving viewers open to what might be to come - even when the bare bones of the narrative are obvious. Stuck in violent and disarming situations, there’s enough present to want to come back to see how Sung might progress. But is this enough to stand up against a packed roster of anime in 2024? It’s incredibly unlikely. In the first quarter of 2024 alone, the world of Gundam makes a comeback with Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom, Frieren: Beyond Journey's End - what some have hailed as the best anime of 2023 - returns and One Piece starts its long-awaited final Egghead arc. Where anime lovers are spoiled for choice, Solo Leveling is probably not the place their eye is drawn to. Whether it’s a case of bad timing or purely predictable patterns, well-established IPs with the same structure, or new shows that have a completely fresh spin, are likely to take precedence. Solo Leveling plays out more like an anime greatest hits medley, having a little bit of everything to cater to every taste. There’s an intricate magic system, a network of villains, a bashful hero and a sidekick who won’t admit they’re in love, even when everyone else can see it. In essence, Solo Leveling has cast a shallow yet broad net with its storytelling. The result? A lack of authentic edge that keeps the show as good rather than great. On top of this, Solo Leveling doesn’t seem like a show - or original Korean web novel - many fans are overly fussed with. There’s a feeling of 'mid' in the air, with the general consensus that even the original web novel needs a bit of bedding into. The trouble is, Solo Leveling doesn’t have the luxury of time in an industry where a new show - or at least episode - is being released on a weekly basis. It hasn’t argued hard enough to ascertain why viewers should choose it out of thousands of options the streaming platform has, letting the fact that it is something new do the talking instead. Perhaps it’s a signal that anime should step away from story adaptations altogether. Perhaps it’s a sign for said adaptations to slow down in output, so we can savour them more. Regardless of personal opinion, Solo Leveling is likely to bear the brunt, lost in the sea of shiny, intricate and unique animated shows we are routinely presented with. Solo Leveling 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. 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.
Game of Thrones can't be saved by animation
An animated Thrones series could do the craft a huge disservice.
Back in 2021, it was first reported that a Game of Thrones animated series was in its earliest stages of development, though absolutely zero plans were ever revealed. Fast-forward to now and creator George RR Martin is suggesting that three franchise animations are in the works, pivoting the Nine Voyages spin-off from live-action. At this point, we have to stress - this isn’t a continuation of where things left off after the season 8 finale. Think of it instead as a new branch on the same tree, exploring the same world at the same point in time, only focusing on different stories. Even better, said stories will now have a whole new visual style to explore. Given how intricate the main series was, any animation should be nothing less than breathtaking. However, as the world of Game of Thrones continues to expand commercially, the move to animation begs the question: why bother? Fans of the main series will remember (or might choose not to) how abysmally badly season 8 ended - so much so that it completely eclipsed its former reputation of being an unmissable show. We watched, we left and we moved on, still with a bitter aftertaste in our mouths. As of November 2023, it was estimated that at least six more Game of Thrones spin-offs were somewhere in the development pipeline. So, at what point does this hit expansion for expansion’s sake? As Martin wrote himself on his personal blog: "There’s a whole world out there. And we have a lot better chance of showing it all with animation. So we now have three animated projects underway." With this in mind, animation is possibly looked at as the potential saviour of a franchise with a rocky history. At first glance, this is totally understandable. Who doesn’t like being whisked away to a world where everything is obviously make-believe? After all, isn’t that why Game of Thrones worked so well in the first place? If nothing else, this approach from the show’s creative eggheads could then be doing animation a huge disservice. Already looked upon as a genre rather than an art form, animation isn’t exactly an easy beast to tame, needing barrels of time, history and understanding. Though the franchise IP is incredibly strong, it’s now entering into an arena it hasn’t dealt with before, stacking up to the likes of anime titans. Away from the hallmarks of Game of Thrones, animation has hit a global boom. Anime, in particular, is growing in popularity internationally, with success stories such as One Piece and Avatar: The Last Airbender making the transition from cartoon to live-action. In effect, Martin is planning the reverse strategy, perhaps with the hopes of capitalising on this thirsty demand. There’s no two ways about it: Game of Thrones is likely to struggle - or unlikely to be successfully revived - by an animated series. Competition is already extremely fierce, with fan doubt possibly holding over from the sour note that season 8 created. There seems to be little value in continuing to explore the world in its "present" day, not building on anything that wasn’t already bludgeoned by the series finale. If there is no value, then the animation itself will suffer. Anime or cartoon shows perform at their best when they are enriched with unique storytelling - just look at Blue Eye Samurai or Invincible. If that authenticity is dulled, then so is the end product, resembling something that instead looks like a cheap cash grab. View Green Video on the source website Perhaps this is a particularly harsh way to view what Martin might have in store for fans, but it’s difficult to be enthused by something that has already been self-sabotaged. Any new additions also have the potential to harm where the franchise is actually excelling, with the second season of House of the Dragon being hotly anticipated. As a prequel with an entirely new cast and vision, its value is easy to spot. But widening the world of Game of Thrones too far could put a dangerous strain on what has already been salvaged. View Affiliate Playlist on the source website The first season of House of the Dragon aired on Sky Atlantic and is available on NOW – find out more about how to sign up for Sky TV. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide to see what's on tonight. 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.
Invincible season 2: Release date, trailer, latest news
Mark Grayson has many more challenges awaiting him. **SPOILERS FOR SEASON ONE AHEAD**
Invincible was a huge hit when it premiered on Prime Video back in 2021, and now season 2 is almost upon us. Based on the comic book of the same name, the animated series follows Mark Grayson, the son of mighty hero Omni-Man, as he develops his own superpowers. Season 2 picks up where the shocking season 1 finale left off and marks the return of the show's star-studded voice cast, including Steven Yeun, JK Simmons, Sandra Oh and others. With Invincible season 2 fast approaching, read on for everything you need to know about the show. Invincible season 2 release date UK Invincible season 2 will air on Friday 3rd November 2023, with new episodes airing weekly. However, after the fourth episode, the show will go on a mid-season hiatus, with the back half of season 2 airing in early 2024. A specific release date for the second half of season 2 is yet to be confirmed. On the day of the season one finale in April 2021, Amazon Prime Video confirmed that Invincible had been renewed for a second and third season on the streaming service. Luckily, it sounds like fans won't have nearly as long to wait for Invincible season 3 as they have season 2 if Robert Kirkman's comments on its development is going. Speaking to ScreenRant, Kirkman explained: "Season 3 is very far along... when I talk about the actors that we have for season 2, it is a minefield. "There's so many in season 3 that we have to talk about. If you think the cast expanded for season 2, just wait until you hear about who we're getting in the show in season 3." How many episodes will Invincible season 2 have? According to the show's initial announcement, season 2 of Invincible is set to have a total of eight episodes. The new season is set to be divided into two parts, with half airing in November 2023 and the rest set to air at some point in early 2024. The current release schedule for Invincible season 2 looks something like this: Episode 1 - 3rd November Episode 2 - 10th November Episode 3 - 17th November Episode 4 - 24th November Episode 5 - Early 2024 Episode 6 - Early 2024 Episode 7 - Early 2024 Episode 8 - Early 2024 Speaking at San Diego Comic Con 2023, Robert Kirkman explained the reasoning behind the decision to split season 2 into two halves: "With everything going on in that time of year with, you know, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, and a lot of family time, I think a lot of shows get lost in the shuffle there. "So I think it's good to take a pause and narratively, it's going to make things hit a little bit harder. People will know what I'm talking about when the season launches." No official dates for the second half of season 2 have been released yet, but we'll be sure to update this page as soon as we have more information. Invincible season 2 cast As expected, many of the familiar faces from season 1 are all set to return for the show's second outing, including the following: Mark Grayson/Invincible - Steven Yeun Debbie Grayson - Sandra Oh Amber Bennett - Zazie Beetz Cecil Stedman - Walton Goggins Atom Eve/Eve Wilkins - Gillian Jacobs Rex Splode - Jason Mantzoukas Robot - Zachary Quinto Allen the Alien - Seth Rogen Nolan Grayson/Omni-Man - JK Simmons More famous names have been announced as joining the new series, such as: Queen Lizard - Tatiana Maslany King Lizard - Scoot McNairy Great Thaedus - Peter Cullen Angstrom Levy - Sterling K Brown The Shapesmith - Ben Schwartz Daveed Diggs, Calista Flockhart and Cliff Curtis have also been revealed to be joining the Invincible cast, though their roles are as of yet unknown. How did Invincible season 1 end? The first season of Invincible ended with Mark Grayson and his unhinged alien father having a brutal duel, which very nearly cost the teenage superhero his life. Just as Omni-Man was about to strike the fatal blow, he remembered the happy memories that his son had given him over the years and found himself unable to do it. Omni-Man flew off to whereabouts unknown but will almost certainly be back in season two, as we now know that a Viltrumite invasion force is on its way to an Earth weakened by the loss of its strongest heroes. In addition to this existential threat, the season one finale saw a montage of other foes that Mark will need to contend with in future episodes – from sinister mob bosses to creepy mind-controlling aliens. If you want to get an insight into where this story will go next, check out Robert Kirkman's Invincible comic books which provide the inspiration for the show. Invincible season 2 trailer The official teaser trailer for Invincible season 2 dropped on 21st July 2023. During the two-minute preview, Mark looks set to find out exactly what he's now capable of. The closing scenes tease an epic battle ahead, leaving viewers with the line of: "Viltrumite against Viltrumite? That hasn't happened since The Great Purge." Get up to speed with the latest action ahead of the new episodes below: View oEmbed on the source website At New York Comic Con 2023, Invincible fans were greeted to the first official full season 2 trailer, which released on 14th October 2023, which you can check out below. It teases a world in ruin. Mark (or perhaps a different Mark?) seemingly fulfilling the footsteps of his father speaking menacingly to Earth's population, not to mention a number of new heroes including The Shapesmith, voiced by Ben Schwartz. View oEmbed on the source website Invincible season 1 is currently available to stream on Amazon Prime Video. Check out more of our Sci-Fi and Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide to see what's on tonight. 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.
Mashle season 2: Release date, cast, trailer, and news
Some anime have heroes destined for greatness, others have worlds of expansive magic and lore - Mashle has both. Despite having only debuted onto the manga scene in January 2020, Mashle has quickly established a place for itself as a rising star of both manga and anime, with the first season of the show having premiered this year in April 2023. Soon after, a second season was announced fresh off the heels of the season 1 finale. Using the manga series created by Hajime Kōmoto as a starting point, the series follows a magicless man called Mash who aims to become a Divine Visionary at the Easton Magic Academy. Only exceptional students get the title, and Mash must learn to survive and hold his own in a world that is always against him. Get ready to don your magic robes… here’s everything we know about Mashle season 2 so far. Will there be a season 2 of Mashle? Yes! Fans of Mashle will be excited to learn that a second season of the show has already been officially confirmed. The announcement was initially made on the show’s Twitter/X account, stating that the magic would be back for a second outing. The number of episodes season 2 will have is currently unknown, but we’ll be sure to keep this page updated with all of the show’s latest updates. View oEmbed on the source website Mashle season 2 release date: When is it out? Thankfully, the announcement of Mashle season 2 also revealed when new episodes will air, beginning in January 2024. Though a specific release schedule hasn’t been announced, fans can begin to get excited about what Mash and his friends might be up to next. Episodes of season 1 are currently available on Crunchyroll. What is the plot of Mashle season 2? While exact details haven't been released, it has been confirmed that the second season of Mashle will be adapting the Divine Visionary Selection Exam Arc from the original manga, which tees up the arrival of new characters including Ryoh Grantz, Orter Madl and Margarette Macaron, but more on them later. This is one of the more significant arcs in the Mashle storyline as it introduces the Easton Magic Academy 'Prefect' System, of which Margarette is a part. Likewise, a number of ground-breaking revelations are discovered about the number of magic marks on certain individuals - but to say any more would be a spoiler. Does Mashle have an ending? Yes, it does! Unlike a lot of anime adaptations of manga like One Piece or, surprisingly, Attack on Titan, Mashle: Magic and Muscles has already had its definitive ending, with the final chapter of the manga having been released in July 2023. Thankfully this means that Mashle the anime is far less likely to have filler episodes, something that fans will be incredibly relieved to hear, not having to relive the many filler episodes of a show like Naruto. With only 18 volumes and 162 chapters, Mashle is a manga that you could likely blast through and finish off by the time the second season premieres in January 2024. Mashle season 2 cast: who will return? Based on the characters featured in the show’s first season, here’s who we’re expecting to see return in Mashle season 2: Mash Burnedead - Chiaki Kobayashi (Japanese) / Aleks Le (English) Finn Ames - Reiji Kawashima (Japanese) / Brian Timothy Anderson (English) Lance Crown - Kaito Ishikawa (Japanese) / Stephen Fu (English) Dot Barrett - Takuya Eguchi (Japanese) / Benjamin Diskin (English) Lemon Irvine - Reina Ueda (Japanese) / Anjali Kunapaneni (English) Fans might also know Chiaki Kobayashi for his role in Play It Cool, Guys since 2022, while Reiji Kawashima is still keeping fans happy as Fushi in To Your Eternity. The production has also recently revealed some of the first character designs for Mahle season 2, including the likes of Ryoh Grantz, Orter Madl and Margarette Macron, which can be seen below. View oEmbed on the source website View Green Video on the source website Why is the show called Mashle? Though it’s an unusual name, Mashle has some method behind the madness. The show’s title simply combines the words magic and muscle into one, but also includes the name of the anime’s main character, Mash. The name remains unchanged from the original manga series and given how catchy it is, it’s easy to see why it stuck. Is there a trailer for Mashle season 2? While we wait to see a full trailer for season 2, an announcement teaser was released at the same time that Mashle’s second instalment was revealed. Mash is already taking on a brand new set of opponents, while the explosions and action-packed battles are set to be bigger and better. Catch up with the Mashle season 2 preview below: View oEmbed on the source website You can catch Mashle on Crunchyroll. Sign up to Crunchyroll from $7.99 per month with a 14-day free trial. 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.
Goblin Slayer season 2: Release date, trailer, latest news
Goblin Slayer is returning with more fights and gore than you can shake a bloody club at. The dark fantasy series grabbed anime fans by the throat from the first episode. Based on the dark fantasy light novel series of the same name, Goblin Slayer is known for its gritty drama and dark undertones, causing the show to rocket in popularity and quickly become established as one of the most popular releases of 2018. The series follows a nameless warrior who has the sole mission of destroying all goblins. Along the way, he meets a group of friends, all taking traits from core fantasy archetypes, who become a dynamic hunting team as things get more intense. With years having passed since its successful first season, fans were elated to finally have the second season of the brilliantly bloody show back on our TV and laptop screens recently. Read on for everything you need to know about Goblin Slayer season 2. Will there be a Goblin Slayer season 2? Goblin Slayer season 2's initial announcement was made during GA FES 2023, with new visuals and a teaser trailer being released at the same time. View oEmbed on the source website The show finally premiered its debut episode of season 2, An Ordinary Spring Day, on 6th October 2023. Since then, we've also had the show's second episode, The Red-Headed Wizard Boy, which released on 13th October 2023, so Goblin Slayer fans have a great double-bill to dive into before the next episode which will be released this Friday 20th October 2023. When is Goblin Slayer season 2 release date? At the time of the show's official announcement of season 2, the release of Goblin Slayer season 2 was revealed to be scheduled for some time in 2023. It’s likely that the second season will follow in the footsteps of season 1's 12 episode arc, though the official number of episodes for season 2 has yet to be confirmed. Alongside confirming the first episode's release date, the Goblin Slayer X account shared a brand new poster showing off the upgraded look of the monster hunting party. View oEmbed on the source website Fortunately, there's no wait for it to come to international audiences - Crunchyroll have already confirmed that they will be exclusively streaming Goblin Slayer season 2 as they premiere in Japan, rest assured. Who will return for Goblin Slayer season 2? The show's official announcement confirmed that the core cast and crew that will be coming back for more. The below cast members are returning for Goblin Slayer season 2: Yuichiro Umehara as Goblin Slayer (Japanese)/Brad Hawkins (English) Yui Ogura as Priestess (Japanese)/Hayden Daviau (English) Nao Tōyama as High Elf Archer (Japanese)/Mallorie Rodak (English) Yuka Iguchi as Cow Girl (Japanese)/Brittany Lauda (English) Maaya Uchida as Guild Girl (Japanese)/Sara Ragsdale (English) Yūichi Nakamura as Dwarf Shaman (Japanese)/Barry Yandell (English) Tomokazu Sugita as Lizard Priest (Japanese)/Josh Bangle (English) Yōko Hikasa as Witch (Japanese)/Amanda Gish (English) Yoshitsugu Matsuoka as Spearman (Japanese)/Kyle Igneczi (English) Misato Takada of Saiyuki Reload: Zeroin fame is directing the series at Liden Films, with the director of season 1, Takaharu Ozaki, taking the role of chief director. Hideyuki Kurata is once again leading series composition, with Hiromi Kato designing the characters and Kenichiro Suehiro returning to compose the music. What will Goblin Slayer season 2 be about? Though the teaser trailer sheds light on some of the new visuals, it’s still fairly unclear what Goblin Slayer season 2 will focus on. It’s expected that the show will follow the original light novel series, which has 12 volumes in total. In short, there’s plenty for the anime to be catching up on. At the end of season 1, the Priestess left fans with the parting sentence, "Goblin Slayer has an uncertain destiny because he is a pawn in the hands of the high authorities." With that in mind, it could be said that the Priestess will become the main character of season 2, focusing on her narration while fans follow the further adventures of the goblin slayers themselves. What is certain is that Goblin Slayer’s character will continue to grow, with plenty more battles and monsters lying in wait for him. Is there a trailer for Goblin Slayer season 2? There are two, in fact! Goblin Slayer's first 70 second teaser is jam-packed with exciting new action sequences, leaving fans with the words: "I'm not saving the world. I'm just killing goblins." You can watch the full teaser trailer below: View oEmbed on the source website Crunchyroll also released the official trailer for Goblin Slayer season 2 on 2nd September, which you can watch here - there's a lot of blood, goblins and a banging guitar riff to back it all up. What's not to like? Finally, just before the series premiered, we got one final great trailer, which not only gives us another look into what to expect from season 2, but is set to the awesome new theme, Entertainment, performed by Japanese indie music group Mili. View oEmbed on the source website Where does the Goblin Slayer movie fit into the series? Goblin Slayer received the big screen treatment following the show's runaway success. Based on the light novel, Goblin Slayer: Goblin's Crown is set after the first season, with the first 25 minutes recapping past events. The remainder of the movie adapts future events but doesn't act as a continuation of season 1. Fans should still watch the movie as it highlights canon events we probably won't see in season 2. Where to watch Goblin Slayer in the UK In the UK, Goblin Slayer is available to watch on streaming service Crunchyroll. The series is also available to buy on Amazon. Goblin Slayer season 2 is available to watch 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 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.
Castlevania: Nocturne | Release date, cast, trailer, latest news
Just as fans thought the Castlevania story has been brought to a close, they bring you right back in with an all new sequel series, ready for you to sink your teeth into and feast on. Two years after the original series wrapped up, Netflix is set to release Castlevania: Nocturne as part of its annual anime slate. It's all new characters - sort of. Set against the backdrop of the French Revolution, a good 300 years following the events of the previous series, our new main character is Richter Belmont. In case you haven't picked up on it, he's a descendent of none other than Simon Richter, Richard Armitage's protagonist of the original series. Although it's billed as a standalone sequel series, don't be too surprised if a few familiar fanged friends and foes appear. The wait for a new Castlevania series is almost over, so here’s everything we know about the release, cast and latest news on Castlevania: Nocturne. Castlevania: Nocturne release date The series officially announced in 2022, and Castlevania: Nocturne will be available to watch on 28th September 2023. The show is exclusive to Netflix, with both series based on the video game series of the same by Konami. It’s also being adapted from the 1993 entry Castlevania: Rondo of Blood and its sequel Symphony of the Night. The number of episodes that Castlevania: Nocturne is set at 8 episodes with each spanning around twenty-five minutes, give or take. Castlevania: Nocturne cast Fans of the Castlevania universe are set to be in for a treat thanks to the cast list that Castlevania: Nocturne has set in store. The following famous faces are set to lend their voice to the English dub of the show: Julia Belmont - Sophie Skelton Dracula - Graham McTavish Trevor Belmont - Richard Armitage Lisa Tepes - Emily Swallow Alucard - James Callis The Elder - Tony Amendola Sypha Belnades - Alejandra Reynoso The voice behind main character Richter Belmont has yet to be revealed, alongside the cast behind the Japanese dub. Graham McTavish, Alejandra Reynoso, James Callis and Richard Armitage are all reprising their roles from the original series. What is the plot of Castlevania: Nocturne? The plot details for Castlevania: Nocturne remain largely unknown, although the show’s announcement teaser trailer gives us a good idea of what to expect. The youngest Belmont can be seen on a dark and mysterious street, contemplating his choices and ready to use his now-iconic whip. It’s this whip that acts as his ultimate defence against vampires, giving the family its solid reputation as hunters. Billed as the sequel series to Castlevania, Castlevania: Nocturne follows Richter Belmont, a descendent of main protagonists Trevor and Sypha from Castlevania, as he reluctantly teams up with a rag-tag group of misfits during the French Revolution to stop the apocalypse. Never a dull day if you're a Belmont. Castlevania: Nocturne trailer Alongside the release of the show’s official poster, the first full trailer for Castlevania: Nocturne was revealed on 27th July 2023. Catch up with the action in full by watching it here: View oEmbed on the source website Castlevania: Nocturne is set to hit Netflix on 28th September. You can sign up for Netflix from £4.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream. Find something to watch tonight with our TV Guide and Streaming Guide, or visit our Fantasy hub for more news and features. 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.
One Piece director reveals why "beautiful" Luffy flashbacks were key
Eagle-eyed fans of One Piece might have noticed a few changes to scenes in Netflix’s new live-action series. Adapted from the popular 1997 manga series created by Eiichiro Oda, flashbacks to Monkey D Luffy’s childhood appear throughout the show’s first two episodes. In the first manga instalment of the East Blue saga, the same scenes appear all together, before jumping ahead in time to meet Luffy as a young adult. Speaking exclusively to RadioTimes.com, director Marc Jobst explained: "Steven [Maeda] and Matt [Owens] were very clever in the way that they put those flashbacks in, because what they do is they give us an understanding of Luffy that we then bring into the adult character." He continued: "So when we see this beautiful, infectious, inspiring optimism of this character, who just runs around the place in a red vest and blue shorts, somehow we know that it's not just vacant optimism. "It's come from hardship and it's been learned. It's the same for all the characters as you go down through the series." Though the episodes might have shifted away from the original structure, the spirit of the manga remains intact throughout the series. "The reason why we all took this on board so seriously is to honour the manga and its craziness," Jobst exclusively revealed to RadioTimes.com. Read more One Piece: One Piece on Netflix review: Life on the open seas lives up to expectations Netflix One Piece bosses conducted “global search” to find perfect Luffy One Piece release date: Latest news for live-action Netflix series One Piece creator asked for changes to Netflix live-action series One Piece director promises a more "spooky" live-action series Meet the cast of live-action One Piece on Netflix Will there be a One Piece season 2 on Netflix? How to watch One Piece in order He continued: "More importantly, it means something to people. So many actors would come into the casting and say, 'This has seen me through some really dark times.' "As a director, when you hear that, you take that on board and you really want to honour that. "Every single one of us needs to believe we can be who we want to be, and needs to believe in our dreams. I think that's why this show is so special. That's why we wanted to work so hard to try to get it right." View Green Video on the source website One Piece is available to stream on Netflix from Thursday 31st August 2023. Sign up for Netflix from £4.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream. Check out more of our Fantasy 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.
Ragnarok season 3 ending explained: How much has Magne imagined?
Warning: This article contains full spoilers for Ragnarok season 3. Norwegian dramas are a tense experience at the best of times - and the supernatural feel to Ragnarok only makes the experience even more thrilling. With season 3 landing on Netflix at the end of August, the jig was finally up for Magne (David Stakston), a teenage boy who has been reincarnated as Thor, the Norse God of thunder. Instead of taking on the tone of a Marvel movie, the series goes back to its Nordic roots, taking place in the fictional town of Edda. Throughout the show so far, Magne has been on a quest to stop a family known as the Jutuls from causing serious environmental damage, with warm winters and harsh downpours becoming all too common. Season 3 has seen Magne fall under Saxa’s (Theresa Frostad Eggesbø) spell, with the penultimate episode highlighting growing unrest between his allies. But can he fix it in time before the show ends once and for all? Read on to find out exactly what happened during the ending of Ragnarok season 3. Ragnarok season 3 ending explained As the final episode of Ragnarok season 3 begins, hope is on the horizon. Peace has broken out in Edda after fighting has drawn to a close, with Magne deciding that his exams are more important to focus on than his hammer. With so much calm, it doesn’t seem as though there’s an awful lot left to do. Saxa still hasn’t messaged Magne back while Iman (Danu Sunth) and Harry (Benjamin Helstad) have chosen to return to their former lives. Magne passes his exams and graduates, with Turid (Henriette Steenstrup) waiting in line to celebrate. While Laurits (Jonas Strand Gravli) prepares to move out with Jens (Vebjørn Enger) and reminisce on old times, Magne is a little distracted at his ceremony. Magne notices Harry outside teaching Hod (Christopher Judge), who previously took an arrow to his eye during a fight. Viewers then see events through Magne’s memories of a Young Thor comic, in which it’s revealed that “The Death of Baldur” actually involves Jens. The Prophecy looks like it’s about to unfold as Jens takes an arrow to the heart, yet no one at the ceremony notices. Magne cries out for Signy (Billie Barker), finally able to move past the role of Ragnarok. He throws away all of his comics in the hopes of a new beginning, with the notion of Magne moving past his trauma indicating that he might have been imagining things all along. How much is in Magne’s head? In short, a lot. The season 3 finale heavily implies that these scenarios were ones that Magne was imagining playing out in the event of something bad happening to Edda. After Magne’s initial graduation ceremony scene with Jens, an epic action sequence breaks out involving giants and Laurits, who is communicating with various Gods. In the middle of this, there’s a declaration of possible love from Signy, asking Magne to do his best in exchange for her being his girlfriend. This is where the visions come in, as viewers watch Magne imagine this as part of Thor’s supposed Prophecy. The idea is that Thor would die, leading to a New World, which essentially would be an improved version of Edda. It’s essentially a metaphor for Magne finally being able to come to terms with the trauma he has gone through and make a new life for himself without the need for superpowers or comic strips. To back this up, it’s hinted that absolutely everything that has happened across the three seasons has been fictionalised, with Magne’s mother suggesting that he might have had paranoid schizophrenia as a child. What has happened to the Jutuls? The season 3 finale also hints at what eventually happens to the Jutul family. Magne’s final turn with his hammer does make the Jutuls fairly scared for their lives, having been caught up in the earlier schoolside battle with the giants. Just before they commit to the fight, Magne manages to persuade them not to. Both Saxa and Fjor make grand attempts to take Magne down before failing, possibly realigning their priorities in terms of what matters most. Though Saxa didn’t succeed in getting Magne’s hammer, the episode shows her to be working with investors and activists to try and make the world a better place going forward. It’s this that suggests that Jutul Industries has turned a corner, perhaps no longer being the villains that Magne has often considered them to be. At the same time, Fjor is happily coupled up and living with a colleague from work. The Jutul family finally seems to be at peace with the rest of Edda… for now. Ragnarok season 3 volume 2 is available to stream now on Netflix. You can sign up for Netflix from £4.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream. Find something to watch tonight with our TV Guide and Streaming Guide, or visit our Fantasy hub for more news and features. 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.
One Piece director on bringing Jeff Ward's "terrifying" villain Buggy to life
Warning: Minor spoilers for Netflix's One Piece ahead. In true One Piece style, Netflix’s live-action series is home to plenty of fearsome pirates. Each looking for ways to take down the captain of the Straw Hats, Monkey D Luffy, the villains of One Piece are quick to make a name for themselves, with no one doing that more than the terrifying pirate clown Buggy (played by Jeff Ward). Introduced properly in the show’s second episode, fans are treated to a trip to Buggy’s circus, where he has kept the population of an entire village as hostages. Speaking exclusively to RadioTimes.com, director Marc Jobst explained: "It was a week of really intense shooting." He continued: "It was in equal measure terrifying as it was exciting. On one level, you've got this phenomenal actor, Jeff Ward, who's playing Buggy, who comes and he just roars his way onto that stage and owns the floor of the circus. "On another level, it's a very, very complicated sequence to shoot. "Don't forget, when you're filming, you're breaking it down into very small pieces to achieve the whole when you put it all together. So it's very easy to get lost in because there's so many different limbs flying all over the place and you've got to keep track of it." Though it’s arguably Buggy who steals the scenes in episode 2, Luffy always makes sure that he’s the pirate who comes out on top. "We have an amazing cast led by Iñaki [Godoy], who is an extraordinary number one," Jobst told RadioTimes.com. He continued: "[The scene] went through lots of different iterations to get it right because you've got to get that balance between that crazy, wild and wonderful world of the circus and then suddenly that kind of darker turn of character that Buggy has. "The mood of a crew always follows your number one. So, if your number one is up for it and upbeat and excited and willing to try again and willing to do better, everybody else follows." Read more One Piece: One Piece on Netflix review: Life on the open seas lives up to expectations Netflix One Piece bosses conducted "global search" to find perfect Luffy One Piece release date: Latest news for live-action Netflix series One Piece creator asked for changes to Netflix live-action series One Piece director promises a more "spooky" live-action series Meet the cast of live-action One Piece on Netflix Will there be a One Piece season 2 on Netflix? How to watch One Piece in order One Piece is now available to stream on Netflix. Sign up for Netflix from £4.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream. 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.
Netflix's One Piece features Easter eggs in "every single set"
Longtime fans of One Piece are sure to be thrilled by the amount of Easter eggs that appear in Netflix’s new live-action adaptation. Following rookie pirate Monkey D Luffy (Iñaki Godoy) as he sets out to become the King of the Pirates, his crew become better known as the Straw Hats as they make countless enemies across the open seas. Speaking exclusively to RadioTimes.com, production designer Richard Bridgland explained: "The amount of detail is huge." He continued: "It goes even beyond what you're going to pick up in the edited scenes, as well. "So, for instance, in Baratie’s restaurant, if you look in the background there are all these paintings I did of landscapes of places Zeff had either been to or would know about in the One Piece world, which the fans will recognise instantly. "I just put in all of these kinds of Easter eggs into every single set, so that the world was complete." Though the new series has a lot to offer those who are unfamiliar with the world of One Piece, fans of the franchise will be sure to recognise plenty of details along the way. "I was aware at the beginning I had to honour Oda’s work in the manga, but also the were fans who have been reading this since 1997," Bridgland added. He continued: "They would have a huge kind of imaginative world in their heads of what One Piece looks like. The thing is, we couldn't make everything look like what everybody would imagine, but we did make sure that we stayed very true to the spirit of what is in everything." While much of One Piece remains recognisable, there are a few notable changes made throughout Luffy’s quest to become a pirate. "The biggest single [change] was Kaya’s mansion," Bridgland told RadioTimes.com. "All the scenes mentioned in the manga never go inside, and in the show, almost all of them take place inside the mansion. "We had to create a world that was that no one had seen before, but what made it easy was that I based everything on the characters. For instance, in the dining room, we have a room that is just covered in porcelain plates and pots. "Another set where I kind of deviated — but, again, because it described the character better — was Morgan's office, which turned into this huge set with an enormously high ceiling. "When I was reading his character, he's a general in the army but he's also bombastic and aggressive and self-regarding to an insane degree." View Green Video on the source website He continued: "I just felt his room had to reflect that, as well. So it's got a long walk up to his desk, you have to go up the steps to it. "There are two enormous windows behind him, huge statues of Morgan at the doorway, huge portraits of Morgan winning victories on the battlefield." When it came to getting One Piece just right, the devil was in the detail for Bridgland and the rest of the production crew. Read more One Piece: Netflix One Piece bosses conducted “global search” to find perfect Luffy One Piece creator asked for changes to live-action series One Piece director promises “spooky” live-action adaptation One Piece’s Luffy and crew prepare for battle in epic final trailer Meet the cast of One Piece: All the characters in the live-action series "In terms of the Easter eggs that we created, I loved working with the lovely graphics artists to create the money, because it's so detailed and it looks like real money. When you look at it, it’s completely One Piece because it's got these characters on it." He continued: "We built everything in this world. It was proper old-fashioned filmmaking… "What was really important was to give a believable foundation to the world. So I used 18th and 19th-century piracy, pirate galleons and all the language. And then we added all the One Piece elements on top of that." One Piece is now available to stream on Netflix. Sign up for Netflix from £4.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream. 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.
Netflix One Piece bosses conducted "global search" to find perfect Luffy
Turns out there was only one person for the job.
Finding the leading actor for a franchise adaptation sounds like a stressful job - but for the creative team behind Netflix’s live-action One Piece series, one face stood out above the rest. With the show’s eight episodes landing on the streaming platform, viewers are set to fall in love with the Straw Hat Pirates all over again. Speaking exclusively to RadioTimes.com, director Marc Jobst said: "We were blessed to find Iñaki [Godoy] to play Luffy." He continued: "We did a big global search when I came on board, and one of the things that we said together as a team is we needed to start casting straight away. "We knew that this show would stand or fall on whether the audience fell in love with our cast. It was a big ask — we were looking for the right kind of actor, who could bring heart, soul, spirit and warmth to these characters." Heart and warmth are both key elements to bringing One Piece to life, with Luffy leading his Straw Hats across the seas on brand new adventures. For Jobst in particular, the leading cast needed to be able to match up to his distinctive directing style. "I needed them to be physically fit and able to hold a choreography because of the way that I like to shoot action," he exclusively told RadioTimes.com. He continued: "In particular, because of the way that I wanted to shoot One Piece action, which is different to the action that I had shot in the Marvel Universe or The Witcher. Read more One Piece: One Piece creator asked for changes to live-action series One Piece director promises "spooky" live-action adaptation One Piece's Luffy and crew prepare for battle in epic final trailer Meet the cast of live-action One Piece on Netflix "You're looking for that extra magical ingredient of what it's going to be like when you put them together. Because chemistry on screen is this elusive thing, isn't it? "You can see it and you can feel it when it's on the screen, and you can feel its absence when it's not there." View Green Video on the source website One Piece is now available to stream on Netflix. Sign up for Netflix from £4.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream. 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.