News

Squid Game Season 2 has taken the world by storm since its release, gaining global recognition for its gripping and intense story. However, with several months ahead before Netflix's release of Squid Game’s third season, now is the perfect time to introduce fans to a similar title to enjoy in the meantime. Fortunately, anime has plenty of options for high-stakes game series that are sure to please any Squid Game fan looking to hold onto the survival atmosphere for a little longer.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Squid Game’s creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk, even admitted being inspired by iconic survival death game mangas like Liar Game, Kaiji, and Battle Royale. Nonetheless, one anime that shares a similar premise and tone and is a must-watch for every Squid Game fan is Tomodachi Game. Tomodachi Game is a short anime with only 12 episodes that not only shares themes with...

When you purchase through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

If you are an anime fan with a Shudder subscription in November 2024, then you might find yourself overwhelmed with the sheer number of brilliant anime shows you can find on the horror streaming service. So, if you love anime or want to get into the colorful world of anime, then this month Shudder has some amazing options.

Parasyte – The Maxim Season 1 (November 28) Credit – Madhouse

Parasyte – The Maxim is a Japanese horror thriller drama anime series. Based on the Parasyte manga series by Hitoshi Iwaaki, the Madhouse series follows Shinichi Izumi, a high school boy whose right hand becomes the host for an alien entity who calls itself Migi after which they join forces to fight against other alien parasites feasting on humans.

Is it Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? Seasons 1-4 (November 28) Credit...

Shudder is bringing a diverse array of horror content to fans this November 2024, featuring a blend of originals, exclusives, and beloved horror franchises. The month kicks off with Doc of Chucky on November 1, an in-depth documentary chronicling the legacy of the Child’s Play franchise, followed by classics like Bride of Chucky and Seed of Chucky. November 4 introduces The J-Horror Virus, a deep dive into the rise of supernatural horror from Japan, accompanied by other genre-defining films like Ju-On The Grudge and One Missed Call. Fans of dark, avant-garde horror can look forward to The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula on November 5, a competition to crown the world’s first drag supermonster.

Shudder Originals like Black Cab on November 8 explore chilling narratives, while The Creep Tapes on November 15 follows the terrifying journey of a serial killer who manipulates videographers into filming his disturbing life. November 22’s Rita brings the haunting tale of an...

Kaiji is often presented as a brutal death game akin to (and inspiring) Squid Game; this comparison misses the mark, as well as what makes Kaiji so special. Kaiji is the story of the title character, Kaiji Ito, who is tricked by his friend into signing off on a predatory loan. The funds were intended for gambling, and when the money is lost and the interest accumulates, a loan shark named Yuji Endo shows up at his door.

Endo tempts him with a cruise called the Espoir the ship of hope. There, a death game would happen: the winners would be debt-free, while the losers would be deeper in debt, handed off to an undisclosed (at the time) fate. Kaiji initially declines, but he realizes his paycheck will mostly vanish until the loan is repaid, which will take many years. Kaiji takes his first big leap of faith and boards...

Blue Lock redefines sports anime with its focus on individuality and selfishness over teamwork, influenced by the battle royale and football fanaticism of author Muneyuki Kaneshiro. Pifa's President, Ray Dark, is revealed in chapter #260 as a reference to Inazuma Eleven's antagonist, Reiji Kageyama, with similar traits and a connection to the protagonist. Inazuma Eleven's influence on Blue Lock is evident through Easter eggs and character similarities, showing how both series deviate from traditional sports anime norms.

Warning: Contains spoilers for Blue Lock chapter #260

Blue Lock stands out because of its premise of individuality and selfishness instead of promoting teamwork like most sports anime. This made Blue Lock redefine the shnen genre. Author Muneyuki Kaneshiro's previous work was a battle royale manga, which, along with his football fanaticism, motivated him to create a survival sports story where, when the characters lose, they don't lose their lives but their dreams. Kaneshiro has...

‘Jellyfish Can’t Swim at Night’ and ‘Whisper Me a Love Song’ will both premiere on Hidive after their North American debuts at Anime Boston 2024.

There are more changes a-brewing at Hidive! AMC’s anime-dedicated streaming service has announced it will debut two new series in the month of April, which will be exclusive simulcast streams of hotly anticipated titles from Japan. Hidive will be debuting “Jellyfish Can't Swim in the Night” and “Whisper Me a Love Song” next month, with both series expected to serve as centerpieces of the streamer’s spring schedule.

“Jellyfish Can’t Swim at Night” and “Whisper Me a Love Song” will see their North American premieres at Anime Boston on March 29, with their Hidive premiere to follow soon after. Both series are brand-new releases and will stream on Hidive simultaneously with their releases in Japan. Hidive recently rolled out a big update to its user interface,...

Amazon has struck first-of-its-kind deals with Japan’s Nippon TV and BBC for podcasts.

The former tie-up will see Nippon’s Acma: Game drama series stream on Prime Video Japan starting April 7, immediately after Nippon TV’s Sunday primetime air slot, with global streaming of the series to follow on Prime Video two weeks later. Hulu Japan will also stream the series immediately after Nippon TV’s broadcast as part of the unusual deal.

Based on the popular manga of the same name written by Meeb (Brave Bell) and illustrated by Koji Megumi (Bloody Monday), Acma: Game takes place in a devil’s world where the challenge is to conquer the world by collecting 99 devil’s keys. Players are forced to participate, and if they lose, they cannot refuse any orders. The protagonist challenges the game risking his life, along with the people who are being manipulated by the devil’s key.

AMC’s anime streaming service is launching some bug updates for its apps on various devices.

Hidive is leaping into the future. The anime streaming service from AMC is launching updated apps for a wide range of devices that include a new user interface, updated features based directly on user feedback, and of course a huge variety of anime shows and movies including its popular exclusive series “Oshi no Ko” and thousands more.

Hidive now offers viewers the ability to download titles for offline viewing. The user interface of Hidive has been updated for easier browsing and quicker discovery. Hidive is part of AMC’s family of streamers, whose future still seems clouded. 7-Day Free Trial $4.99+ / month hidive via amazon.com

There’s a host of new updates to the Hidive interface rolling out for subscribers this week. Chief among these is the ability to download titles for offline viewing. This...

Anime has a unique way of portraying characters in all their diverse facets, from valiant heroes to cunning tricksters. Among these, there exists a niche group of characters who have a penchant for gambling. Whether it’s high-stakes card games or strategic wagers, these anime characters are drawn to the thrill of taking risks and testing their luck. Let’s delve deeper into the lives of some of the most famous anime characters who love to bet.

Usopp – One Piece

Usopp, known as the marksman among the Straw Hat Pirates in “One Piece,” might not fit the typical gambler mold. Still, his knack for weaving elaborate stories and embracing uncertainty secures his spot among these characters. Usopp’s exaggerated stories often involve bets and challenges that push the limits of believability, showcasing his fearless spirit and love for adventure. Whether facing off against opponents or navigating the treacherous seas, Usopp...

As its name implies, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is truly bizarre and downright unique. The series is made up of multiple parts, each taking place in different settings and time periods while focusing on a brand-new main cast of characters. What they all have in common is that each part keeps viewers wondering what could possibly happen next, as each moment seems to be even more surprising and stylish than the last.

With no other series having quite the same impact as JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, it may be difficult for fans to find an experience that evokes the same feelings for them. However, there are still various anime that were seemingly inspired by or resemble aspects of Jjba, which fans are likely to find just as captivating.

Fist of the North Star

Fist of the North Star follows Kenshirou as he embarks on a journey to rescue his fiancée, Yuria, who...

AMC’s streaming arm might be struggling these days, but its anime-dedicate platform Hidive is continuing to string together successes. In late April, the service announced that its exclusive series “Oshi no Ko” became its most-streamed title in history.

Hidive is back with the announcement of another first this week. The service has revealed that it will simulstream both English-subtitled and English-overdubbed versions of the show “The Eminence in Shadow” the same day they are released in Japan this fall. “The Eminence in Shadow” Season 2 will debut in October, and fans can watch all episodes of Season 1 on-demand on Hidive now.

7-Day Free Trial $4.99 / month hidive via amazon.com

As part of the announcement, Hidive released a new English-subbed trailer for ‘The Eminence in Shadow’ Season 2.

Watch the New Trailer for ‘The Eminence in Shadow’ Season 2:

In Season 2 of ‘The Eminence in Shadow,’ everything has been going according to plan,...

Fans of Japanese animation were thrilled to learn that AMC was starting its own streaming platform dedicated to the medium in 2017. That platform is Hidive, which offers hundreds of mainstream and niche anime titles for just $4.99 per month.

7-Day Free Trial $4.99 / month hidive via amazon.com

Despite the passion that many anime fans have for the genre, there’s never been a true sensation on the service in its five year history until now. “Oshi No Ko” is that sensation, as the show has shattered records for engagement on Hidive, according to an announcement from AMC.

The show has become the most-streamed series in the service’s history, just seven days after its series premiere on Wednesday, April 12 at the Anime Boston convention. Additionally, the new anime drama’s debut shattered all trial starts records for Hidive, delivering the most trials added in the streamer’s history.

”We’ve been anxiously...

If you’ve been craving more anime content, you’re in luck. AMC Networks’ anime-focused streaming service Hidive unveiled the full slate of simulcast series that will begin their premieres in April. In addition to previous announcements, the company revealed five shows that will round out its lineup of new and ongoing series for the upcoming season. These five titles are “Tokyo Mew Mew New” Season 2, “Too Cute Crisis,” “Otaku Elf,” “Insomniacs After School,” and “Alice Gear Aegis Expansion.”

7-Day Free Trial $4.99 / month hidive via amazon.com

“We’re thrilled to bring this exciting slate of new simulcast series to Hidive this spring,” Hidive president John Ledford said “From comedy and fantasy to drama and sci-fi, Hidive will be home to some of the best shōnen, shōjo and seinen anime premiering in Japan next season. Fans will not want to miss a minute of it.”

Joining these new additions to the season are the previously announced,...

Anime content has become increasingly popular among streamers over the past several years. Data from Parrot Analytics in January 2022 found that global demand for anime content grew 118% over the past two years, making it one of the fastest-growing content genres by that metric during the pandemic.

So it should be no surprise that AMC Networks’ anime-focused streaming service Hidive is looking to significantly up its content library. AMC has announced a deal with Japan’s Mainichi Broadcasting System (Mbs) to grant the exclusive rights to broadcast a portion of Mbs’s future schedule in all international markets outside of Asia. The output agreement includes Mbs’s slate of titles based on various hugely popular manga and light novels. The series will be simultaneously broadcast on Hidive upon their release in Japan.

7-Day Free Trial $4.99 / month hidive via amazon.com

“This is a truly historic agreement for Hidive and is the culmination of our partnership with Mbs,...

Click here to read the full article.

Since its debut in September, Netflix’s South Korean survival drama Squid Game took the world by storm. It’s the streamer’s most watched show ever, and its castmembers have been showered with awards and critical acclaim, with Emmys in sight.

It’s hard to fathom, then, that writer-director Hwang Dong-hyuk first had the idea for the series 14 years ago, based on his own economic struggles and the class disparity in South Korea, and was told it was “too unrealistic and too violent.” But despite the initial pushback and doubts, the show debuted at a time that mirrored a reality we face: The economic gap has been worsening and people were looking for thought-provoking yet entertaining content while stuck in their homes.

Hwang and star Lee Jung-jae, who plays Gi-hun in the series, talked to THR, through an interpreter, about how the...

Anime is extremely popular around the world. This type of visual entertainment has its own style and deepness. Anime might be just a cartoon, but it usually tackles diverse and complicated themes that relate not only to our daily life but also – serious philosophical questions. These cartoons can boast of impressive graphics and captivating characters who easily connect with the audience. Stories and themes depicted in anime series are never shown in any other cartoons. One of them is gambling. If you have never seen a gambling anime and have no idea where to start, check this list out. We have gathered the most captivating Japanese cartoons that bring this issue up and show it from the new light. Read on and immerse yourself in the most atmospheric and thrilling series ever!

Gyakkyou Burai Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor

This anime is based on manga that was created in 1996. For years, it...

If you’re a fan of gambling and sports betting movies (like the ones depicted with sbobet), then you have to watch Kaiji.

Never heard of it? It’s a Japanese live-action film based on a manga (Japanese comics) of the same name. Written by Nobuyuki Fukumoto, it’s a top-rated series in its home country.

The film is a trilogy, with the original movie Kaiji (in the U.K., it’s titled Kaiji: The Ultimate Gambler)released in October 2009. It stars Tatsuya Fujiwara in the lead role, a well-known Japanese actor who also starred in other anime adaptations such as Death Note and Battle Royale.

The producers of Kaiji released two other films in the series. They were Kaiji 2, released in 2011, and Kaiji: Final Game, in 2019. Both movies differ from the manga in terms of outcomes and choices made by Kaiji, but the settings and events remain roughly the same.

Any fan of manga or anime will know how they have taken on many forms and embraced a range of exciting and outlandish themes through the years.

However, arguably one of the biggest success stories to emerge from those areas in recent decades is Kaiji, a story that has intriguingly embraced gambling and gone on to become a major multimedia franchise.

A success in many forms

Gambling as a pastime has been popular for years and these days it is arguably bigger than ever. Sports betting and casino gaming have been given a new lease of life thanks to the internet, with many online sites now offering a range of different experiences under one roof. Genesis Casino is a good example of this trend, as the site has breathed new life into classic gambling pastimes such as roulette, blackjack and slot machines. While some may be digital forms of the games,...