Anime & Manga Weekly — 2026-04-22
This week's biggest headlines center on Kodansha launching a bold global manga talent search, Netflix announcing an English dub/sub release for the *Akane-banashi* anime, and *Fungus and Iron* confirming its manga will end with volume 10 as an anime adaptation looms. Kodansha also unveiled plans to bring its pop-up experience to Los Angeles for Anime Expo, featuring *Blue Lock* and *Witch Hat Atelier* creators. The week rounds out with fresh chapter activity across major titles and continued fan buzz around the spring 2026 anime season.
Anime & Manga Weekly — 2026-04-22
Top Headlines
1. Kodansha Launches Biggest-Ever Global Manga Creator Search
- Creator / Studio / Publisher: Kodansha (publisher of Attack on Titan, Blue Lock)
- What happened: Kodansha announced what it is calling its largest-ever global search for new manga creators, opening submissions to aspiring artists worldwide — not just in Japan.
- Why it matters: The move signals a structural shift in how manga's largest publishers approach talent acquisition, potentially diversifying the medium's creative pool beyond Japanese-born artists for the first time at this scale.
2. Netflix to Stream Akane-banashi Anime With English Dub and Sub on May 17
- Creator / Studio / Publisher: Writer Yūki Suenaga, illustrator Takamasa Moue (manga); Netflix (distributor)
- What happened: Netflix confirmed it will stream the first two episodes of the Akane-banashi anime — based on the rakugo-themed manga — on May 17, with both English dubbed and subtitled versions available simultaneously.
- Why it matters: Akane-banashi is a niche but critically acclaimed manga with a deeply Japanese cultural subject matter (traditional rakugo storytelling). A simultaneous dub launch on Netflix signals growing Western investment in non-mainstream anime genres.
3. Kodansha House Coming to Los Angeles for Anime Expo (July 2–12)
- Creator / Studio / Publisher: Kodansha
- What happened: Kodansha announced its "Kodansha House" pop-up experience will debut in Los Angeles July 2–12 in partnership with Anime Expo. Blue Lock creators Muneyuki Kaneshiro and Yusuke Nomura, along with Witch Hat Atelier creator Kamome Shirahama, are confirmed for guest appearances.
- Why it matters: The event marks Kodansha's first major physical fan engagement activation in North America, reflecting the publisher's increasing focus on Western markets and fan community building outside Japan.
4. Fungus and Iron Manga Confirmed Ending at Volume 10 as Anime Adaptation Nears
- Creator / Studio / Publisher: Ayaka Katayama (mangaka); magazine/publisher not specified in source
- What happened: Ayaka Katayama's dystopian manga Fungus and Iron — which began serialization in March 2021 — was confirmed to end with its 10th collected volume. An anime adaptation was recently announced, making this a strategic conclusion ahead of the adaptation's release.
- Why it matters: The timing of a manga ending just as its anime is announced is increasingly common as publishers seek a clean, complete story for animated adaptations to draw from. Fans of the series face a bittersweet conclusion alongside new hype.
5. 50th Annual Kodansha Manga Awards — Nominees Announced
- Creator / Studio / Publisher: Kodansha
- What happened: Nominees for the 50th Annual Kodansha Manga Awards were announced, with Ichi the Witch, A Star Brighter Than the Sun, Mii-chan and Yamada-san, and others receiving nominations. Notably, The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity earned its fourth consecutive year of nominations.
- Why it matters: The Kodansha Manga Awards are among Japan's most prestigious manga honors. Four consecutive nominations for The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity underlines its sustained critical recognition and signals its growing mainstream appeal. (Note: announcement date was April 6; included as relevant ongoing awards context from the past two weeks.)
New Chapter & Episode Releases
Akane-banashi — Anime Episodes 1–2
- Author/Studio: Based on manga by Yūki Suenaga and Takamasa Moue
- Platform: Netflix (streaming from May 17, 2026)
- Highlight: The rakugo-themed series makes its Netflix debut with a simultaneous English dub and subtitle launch, introducing Western audiences to the world of traditional Japanese storytelling performance.
One Piece — Ongoing Spring 2026 Anime Arc
- Author/Studio: Eiichiro Oda (manga); Toei Animation
- Platform: Crunchyroll
- Highlight: Reddit discussions on r/OnePiece confirm the anime is progressing through new arc material in spring 2026, with fans tracking the manga-to-anime adaptation schedule closely following the Egghead arc conclusion earlier this year.
Fungus and Iron — Final Arc (Volume 10 Confirmed)
- Author/Studio: Ayaka Katayama
- Platform: Japanese serialization (specific magazine not disclosed in source)
- Highlight: With the 10th volume confirmed as the series finale, readers are heading into what promises to be a climactic conclusion to the dystopian sci-fi narrative — timed alongside the anime adaptation announcement.
Spring 2026 Anime Season — Ongoing Weekly Releases
- Author/Studio: Multiple studios (see Crunchyroll spring schedule)
- Platform: Crunchyroll, various
- Highlight: The spring 2026 season is in full swing with multiple new series airing weekly; community discussion on r/anime has flagged several premieres as among the strongest in recent years.
Adaptations & Licensing News
Akane-banashi — Netflix Dub/Sub Simulstream
- Type: Anime dub + simulcast (English)
- Studio/Distributor: Netflix
- Premiere window: May 17, 2026
- Details: First two episodes launch May 17; both English dubbed and subtitled versions confirmed. Based on the Weekly Shonen Jump manga by Yūki Suenaga and Takamasa Moue. No episode count confirmed at time of announcement.
Fungus and Iron — Anime Adaptation Announced
- Type: Anime adaptation (original announcement timing not specified, confirmed this week alongside manga end)
- Studio/Distributor: Not disclosed in available sources
- Premiere window: Not yet announced
- Details: Adaptation confirmed to be in development; manga ending with volume 10 appears timed to align with the upcoming anime. Series began serialization March 2021.
Kodansha Spring 2026 North American Licensing Activity
- Type: Print manga licenses / fan event partnership (Anime Expo)
- Studio/Distributor: Kodansha USA
- Premiere window: Kodansha House pop-up: July 2–12, 2026
- Details: Kodansha is bringing its pop-up fan space to Los Angeles for the first time, with guest creators from Blue Lock (Kaneshiro & Nomura) and Witch Hat Atelier (Shirahama) confirmed. Reflects ongoing North American manga market expansion.
Cancellations, Endings & Hiatuses
Fungus and Iron by Ayaka Katayama
- Status: Ending (final volume confirmed)
- Publisher/Magazine: Serialization details not specified in available sources
- Reason (if stated): Natural story conclusion timed with anime adaptation announcement; no editorial cancellation indicated
- Final chapter / date: Volume 10 (exact chapter/release date not confirmed in sources)
Oshiawase ni, Kekkonsha-sama. Watashi mo Watashi de, Shiawase ni Narimasu no de. by Matsurika
- Status: Serialization suspended
- Publisher/Magazine: Monthly Shonen Magazine (Kodansha)
- Reason (if stated): Editorial staff suspended serialization after finding the artist imitated other artworks; artist Matsurika admitted to the imitation.
- Final chapter / date: Suspension announced March 31, 2026 (within the past three weeks; included as recent industry development)
Fan Reactions & Community Buzz
r/OnePiece — Release schedule discussion for the next arc Fans on r/OnePiece are actively mapping out the 2026 anime schedule following the Egghead arc. One top thread unpacked the pacing for upcoming episodes, with users speculating about the manga's remaining chapter count before conclusion. The thread generated significant engagement with fans debating whether the anime will maintain its current adaptation pace or introduce another long hiatus.
r/anime — Spring 2026 season reaction threads Multiple threads on r/anime have praised the spring 2026 season as one of the strongest in recent memory. General community sentiment points to at least one new original series emerging as a surprise breakout hit. Fans have called it a "true successor" to beloved titles from past seasons, with strong upvote counts on first-episode reaction posts.
Fandom discussion — Top 10 manga fans want adapted in 2026 A widely shared ranking from AnimeJapan's official 2026 poll sparked debate online, with fans arguing over which rising manga titles deserve the next major anime greenlight. Centuria and Gokurakugai appeared prominently in the visual. The list generated cross-platform discussion on Reddit and social media about the gap between fan demand and studio greenlight decisions.
What to Watch Next Week
-
May 17, 2026 — Akane-banashi Episodes 1–2 drop on Netflix with full English dub and subtitles. Mark your calendar if you've been waiting for an accessible entry point into this rakugo coming-of-age series.
-
July 2–12, 2026 — Kodansha House LA at Anime Expo — Though weeks away, early planning is warranted; Blue Lock and Witch Hat Atelier creator appearances are confirmed, and badge/event registration windows typically open in advance.
-
Ongoing — Fungus and Iron final arc chapters — With the manga confirmed to end at volume 10 and an anime adaptation on the horizon, now is the ideal time to catch up before the adaptation generates spoiler-heavy discourse online.
Reader Action Items
- Read now: Catch up on Akane-banashi before its Netflix debut on May 17. The manga is available on Manga Plus () for free — it's a surprisingly emotional series about rakugo performance and family legacy.
- Add to watchlist: Fungus and Iron anime adaptation — no premiere date yet, but the manga ending + adaptation announcement makes this one of the most buzzworthy upcoming titles to track. Follow Anime News Network for studio and air date updates.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
Powered by
