Anime & Manga Weekly — 2026-04-24
This week's biggest story is the looming *Kagurabachi* anime announcement, with Shonen Jump building anticipation through a countdown website and ads across Japan ahead of an April 27 "Jump Press" event. Meanwhile, the legendary *Gintama* creator Hideaki Sorachi made his highly anticipated return to Weekly Shonen Jump with the wild new series *Class 2-B Hero Destroyerz*, sending fans into a frenzy. Seven Seas Entertainment also went on a licensing spree, picking up multiple manga and light novel titles in the same week, underscoring the continued appetite for Japanese content in Western markets.
Anime & Manga Weekly — 2026-04-24
This Week's Top Headlines
Kagurabachi Anime Announcement Expected April 27 — Shonen Jump Teases "New Era"
- What happened: Shonen Jump launched a countdown website and placed ads across Japan pointing to an April 27 "Jump Press" event widely expected to officially announce an anime adaptation of Takeru Hokazono's Kagurabachi. Cygames Pictures has been leaked as the producing studio.
- Why it matters: Kagurabachi became a viral sensation within weeks of its 2023 debut and has kept a passionate fanbase waiting over two years for an anime. An official announcement would mark one of the most anticipated adaptations in recent Shonen Jump history.
- Key facts: Countdown website live now; announcement event targeted for April 27, 2026; Cygames Pictures rumored as studio (unconfirmed).
Gintama Creator Hideaki Sorachi Returns to Weekly Shonen Jump With Class 2-B Hero Destroyerz
- What happened: After a seven-year absence, Gintama creator Hideaki Sorachi launched his new manga Class 2-B Hero Destroyerz (2-nen B-gumi Yūsha Destroyers) in Weekly Shonen Jump, with the debut chapter earning the cover spot of the issue. The series is described as a demon-lord comedy.
- Why it matters: Sorachi is one of the most beloved manga creators in Shonen Jump history, and his return after seven years is a massive deal for long-time fans of the magazine. The cover placement signals Shueisha's confidence in the title.
- Key facts: Published in Weekly Shonen Jump (Shueisha); comedy/fantasy genre; launched week of April 21, 2026.
Glasses With a Chance of Delinquent Romance Manga Gets TV Anime
- What happened: Kodansha announced on April 22 that Naruki's manga Glasses With a Chance of Delinquent (Megane, Tokidoki, Yankee-kun) is getting a television anime adaptation. No studio or premiere date has been announced yet.
- Why it matters: The romantic comedy manga, which launched in January 2021, has a strong following and is available in English via K MANGA and Seven Seas, meaning the anime will have a ready-made Western audience.
- Key facts: Announced April 22, 2026 by Kodansha; manga available in English via K MANGA and Seven Seas Entertainment; no premiere date or studio confirmed yet.
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News - Anime News Network
The Spring 2026 Anime Preview Guide - Anime News Network
Anime — New Announcements & Premieres
Glasses With a Chance of Delinquent Romance — TV Anime Announced
- Details: Kodansha confirmed the anime adaptation on April 22, 2026. Studio and director not yet revealed. Premiere window TBA.
- Source material: Manga by Naruki, serialized in Kodansha's K MANGA platform; launched January 2021.
- Where to watch: Platform TBA.
Japan's Official Top 10 Spring 2026 Anime Revealed
- Details: Japan has officially released rankings of the top 10 most-watched anime of Spring 2026 so far, with the list featuring a diverse genre spread including titles like Daemons of the Shadow Realm, Witch Hat Atelier, and Always a Catch.
- Source material: Various manga/light novel source materials.
- Where to watch: Various platforms including Crunchyroll.
Hitoner One-Shot Becomes Full Series on Shonen Jump+
- Details: Tomohiro Yagi's one-shot manga Hitoner, which originally appeared in 2024, has been greenlit as a full serialized series. The first chapter of the series debuted on Shueisha's Shonen Jump+ platform on April 22, 2026.
- Source material: Original manga by Tomohiro Yagi (Shueisha / Shonen Jump+).
- Where to watch: Shonen Jump+ (digital platform).
Streaming & Licensing Updates
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Amazon Prime Video — Candy Caries anime is now streaming in North America and other regions via Amazon Prime Video, per ANN's April news feed. Sub status confirmed; dub status not specified.
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Seven Seas Entertainment — Licensed both the manga and light novel versions of I Became a Necromancer After Beating Up My Angel Guide and Accidentally Triggered the Apocalypse (April 22, 2026), as well as the manga series The Apothecary Is Gonna Make This Ragged Elf Happy — two separate acquisitions announced in rapid succession this week, signaling continued aggressive English-market expansion. Release dates TBA.
Manga — Chapter Highlights & Serialization News
Class 2-B Hero Destroyerz (Hideaki Sorachi) — Series Launch
- What's happening: The long-awaited return of Gintama creator Hideaki Sorachi to Weekly Shonen Jump, with a new demon-lord comedy that earned the magazine's cover on its debut week.
- Publisher / magazine: Shueisha / Weekly Shonen Jump.
- Fan reaction: Enormous excitement online — seven years is a long wait for Sorachi fans, and many are calling this one of the most significant Shonen Jump debuts in years.
Hetalia World Stars Gangsta — Manga Ends, Franchise on Break
- What's happening: Creator Hidekaz Himaruya announced on X (formerly Twitter) on April 23 that Hetalia World Stars Gangsta has ended, and the broader Hetalia manga franchise is now taking a break.
- Publisher / magazine: Published online by Himaruya directly; the Hetalia franchise has a long, beloved history.
- Fan reaction: A bittersweet moment for longtime Hetalia fans, many of whom have followed the franchise for well over a decade.
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News - Anime News Network
The Spring 2026 Anime Preview Guide - Anime News Network
Doro no Kuni (Mud Country) — Final Chapter Confirmed for May 19
- What's happening: The April 21 issue of Futabasha's Manga Action magazine confirmed that Hamachi Yamada's Doro no Kuni (Mud Country) will end with its next chapter, publishing on May 19, 2026. The series launched in August 2024.
- Publisher / magazine: Futabasha / Manga Action.
- Fan reaction: The series ran for less than two years, leaving readers surprised by the relatively swift conclusion.
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News - Anime News Network
The Spring 2026 Anime Preview Guide - Anime News Network
Hitoner — One-Shot Graduates to Full Serialization on Shonen Jump+
- What's happening: Tomohiro Yagi's popular 2024 one-shot Hitoner has been upgraded to a full ongoing series, debuting its first serialized chapter on Shonen Jump+ on April 22, 2026.
- Publisher / magazine: Shueisha / Shonen Jump+.
- Fan reaction: Fans of the original one-shot celebrated the announcement, with many noting the fast turnaround from one-shot to series as a sign of strong readership metrics.
Industry Moves
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Seven Seas Entertainment doubles down on isekai: The publisher announced two major license acquisitions on the same day (April 22–23, 2026) — the manga and light novel of I Became a Necromancer After Beating Up My Angel Guide and Accidentally Triggered the Apocalypse, plus the manga The Apothecary Is Gonna Make This Ragged Elf Happy. The dual-format (manga + LN) pickup for the Necromancer title is notable, as it mirrors the strategy Seven Seas used to great success with other isekai franchises.
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Komodo brings manga to Kawaii Kon in Honolulu: Publisher Komodo is debuting new manga titles at Kawaii Kon in Honolulu (April 23, 2026), including demos, a lucky draw, and exclusive Moon Ciders items — a sign of publishers increasingly taking manga directly to regional US conventions beyond the major coastal events.
Trends to Watch
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Kagurabachi's anime announcement could reshape Spring 2026 discourse: With the April 27 Jump Press event days away, the entire community is watching. If confirmed with Cygames Pictures attached, it would be one of the highest-profile anime announcements of the year and shift the conversation around which Spring/Summer studios are winning big titles.
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Shonen Jump's renewal cycle is accelerating: The same week Sorachi debuts Class 2-B Hero Destroyerz and Yagi's Hitoner graduates to serialization, Jump is still dealing with the aftermath of multiple 2026 cancellations. The magazine appears to be cycling through new talent at a faster rate than in previous years, using one-shots as audition tools before committing to full runs.
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Seven Seas is cornering the dual-format (manga + LN) market: Two licensing announcements in a single day — one covering both manga and light novel formats — suggests Seven Seas is strategically locking up complete franchise rights rather than just the manga arm, positioning itself for broader merchandising and adaptation upside.
What to Watch & Read Next
- Anime pick: Witch Hat Atelier — Currently charting in Japan's official Spring 2026 top 10 and praised across the preview guide for its lush animation; streaming on Crunchyroll.
- Anime pick: Daemons of the Shadow Realm — Another top-10 Spring 2026 performer in Japan worth catching up on before the mid-season conversation heats up; check Crunchyroll for availability.
- Manga pick: Class 2-B Hero Destroyerz — The first chapter of Hideaki Sorachi's return is live now on Shonen Jump's platform; essential reading for any fan of Gintama or sharp comedy manga.
- Manga pick: ANN's Spring 2026 Manga Guide — A freshly updated roundup reviewing the season's new volumes across all publishers; a great discovery tool for readers looking beyond the big Shueisha titles.
Quick Takes
- Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway opened at #1 at the Japanese box office, with the 2026 Doraemon film dropping to #2 in the same frame.
- Crunchyroll is bringing Chainsaw Man voice actor Kikunosuke Toya to AFA Thailand as a guest appearance.
- Cardfight!! Vanguard franchise is getting a brand-new companion manga titled Cardfight!! Vanguard Full Fighters, announced alongside the previously reported 2027 anime.
- Hetalia franchise is on hiatus following the conclusion of World Stars Gangsta — Himaruya has not announced a return timeline.
- Shonen Jump is building April/May lineups with fresh one-shots following a wave of 2026 cancellations — a deliberate refresh strategy to keep reader engagement high.
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.
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