The Anime Effect

This week we’re talking about some of the hottest anime news like the amazing list of presenters and performers expected at Anime Awards 2026, a special My Hero Academia 10th birthday celebration and a new Kamen Rider project on the way! Plus, we try to name shonen anime as many we can with only clues! Welcome to The Anime Effect, the weekly podcast hosted by Crunchyroll's own in-house, resident anime experts – Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, and Leah President. The show is a lively mixture of roundtable news and discussion with Crunchyroll hosts and special guests as they debate hot topics, provide recommendations, and tackle fan questions. Talk to us! https://got.cr/AnimeEffectQuestions Vote for the 2026 Anime Awards: https://www.crunchyroll.com/animeawards/vote Anime Awards 2026: Voting Goes Live as RZA, Winston Duke and More Join the Live Show Daemons of the Shadow Realm English Dub Reveals Release Date, Cast and Crew My Hero Academia Anime Unveils New Visual for Extra Episode That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime the Movie: Scarlet Bond Releases in U.S., Canada on April 20 The Kamen Rider Animated Project Announced Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

VOTE FOR US! This week we’re catching up on all the exciting updates from Anime Japan 2026, like Sentenced to be a Hero AND You and I Are Polar Opposites both getting second seasons, and a new ONE PIECE Heroines trailer and MORE! Plus, we are REACTING to the insanely awesome list of Anime Awards 2026 nominations! Welcome to The Anime Effect, the weekly podcast hosted by Crunchyroll's own in-house, resident anime experts – Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, and Leah President. The show is a lively mixture of roundtable news and discussion with Crunchyroll hosts and special guests as they debate hot topics, provide recommendations, and tackle fan questions. Talk to us! 👉 got.cr/AnimeEffectQuestions ANIME JAPAN Roundup Gachiakuta: The Game Releases Combat Preview Videos for Rudo, Enjin and More Go For It, Nakamura-kun!! English Dub Reveals Same-Day Release, Cast and Crew Witch Hat Atelier English Dub Reveals Same-Day Release, Cast and Crew Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week we’re exploring all of the new and returning anime titles we're excited to watch this Spring 2026, we BLIND RANK anime plot twists and we preview Union Arena's latest anime drop with Solo Leveling voice actor Michelle Rojas! Welcome to The Anime Effect, the weekly podcast hosted by Crunchyroll's own in-house, resident anime experts – Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, and Leah President. The show is a lively mixture of roundtable news and discussion with Crunchyroll hosts and special guests as they debate hot topics, provide recommendations, and tackle fan questions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week we’re getting our shovels out to dig news this week, like a live-action Samurai Champloo in the works, some of our fave anime artists planning festival appearances and MORE! Plus, we share what anime we're watching RIGHT NOW and we hear from y'all in Fan Service. Welcome to The Anime Effect, the weekly podcast hosted by Crunchyroll's own in-house, resident anime experts – Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, and Leah President. The show is a lively mixture of roundtable news and discussion with Crunchyroll hosts and special guests as they debate hot topics, provide recommendations, and tackle fan questions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The ICONIC Veronica Taylor (Ash Ketchum's English Voice Actor) joins the podcast to discuss the impact Pokemon has had on her life, her advice for aspiring voice actors and so much more. Welcome to The Anime Effect, the weekly podcast hosted by Crunchyroll's own in-house, resident anime experts – Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, and Leah President. The show is a lively mixture of roundtable news and discussion with Crunchyroll hosts and special guests as they debate hot topics, provide recommendations, and tackle fan questions. Have a question for The Anime Effect? Ask it here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosts LeAlec Murray, Nicholas Friedman and Alex Lebl are weathering the news tornado this week with headlines like the latest Crunchyroll Manga drop, the release of a special Evangelion anime short, Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- Season 4 updates, a new Sword Art Online game and Dorohedoro coming to Crunchyroll. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Seattle Storm forward Gabby Williams takes a break from the WNBA court to gab about her gateway anime, what she’s watching now and why she fell in love with anime. PLUS she builds her DREAM TEAM made up of her favorite anime characters. Welcome to The Anime Effect, the weekly podcast hosted by Crunchyroll's own in-house, resident anime experts – Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, and Leah President. The show is a lively mixture of roundtable news and discussion with Crunchyroll hosts and special guests as they debate hot topics, provide recommendations, and tackle fan questions. Have a question for The Anime Effect? Ask it here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosts LeAlec Murray, Leah President, and Nicholas Friedman are discovering new depths of anime news this week with headlines covering new Pokemon starters, a ONE PIECE manga milestone and just-released Reze Arc merch. PLUS, they gush over the just-announced Gundam x Apex Legends collaboration, a Rilakkuma anime and a My Hero Anime concert tour kicking off across the pond. Have a question for The Anime Effect? Ask it here. Pokémon Celebrates 30th Anniversary With Generation 10 Reveal ONE PIECE Manga Surpasses 600 Million Copies in Print Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc x a statement of Apparel Line Launches Rilakumma Short Form TV Anime Premieres on April 4 Apex Legends Gundam Event Includes Wildcard Takeover, Limited Edition Gunpla and More My Hero Academia in Concert European Tour Kicks Off This September Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hannah Bahng joins The Anime Effect to reveal her favorite anime, ships, and why we should all be more cringe. Have a question for The Anime Effect? Ask it here. To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosts Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, and Leah President cannot believe they’re talking about a new Evangelion anime series in production! PLUS, they discuss the next projects coming from Ufotable, the latest Pokémon games coming to the Switch, the newest member of the Sonic film franchise cast, and a new way you can rep your favorite manga. Have a question for The Anime Effect? Ask it here. To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email [email protected]. New Evangelion Anime Series in Production Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle II, Genshin Impact and More Teased in Ufotable Highlight Reel Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle is coming back to North American and United Kingdom theaters next month MANGA Plus Introduces New Feature to Make T-shirts from Manga Pages Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Comes to Nintendo Switch on February 27 Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Film Casts Kristen Bell as Amy Rose Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosts Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray and Leah President are celebrating 100 episodes of The Anime Effect by revealing their favorite moments with guests, spilling behind-the-scenes tea, and testing their anime knowledge. Have a question for The Anime Effect? Ask it here. To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosts LeAlec Murray and Alex Lebl discuss Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc coming to streaming, the Texas Rangers JUJUTSU KAISEN night with themed jerseys, the latest on BLEACH "THE STORIES" TV Anime Project, the Spiritbox x Sentenced to Be a Hero AMV, and more. Have a question for The Anime Effect? Ask it here. To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email [email protected]. Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc Streams on Crunchyroll Spring 2026 Texas Rangers MLB Team Brings JUJUTSU KAISEN Night Back with New Themed Jerseys BLEACH "THE STORIES" TV Anime Project Reveals Soul Society Arc Visual and Release Schedule Metal Band Spiritbox Joins the Battle with Sentenced to Be a Hero AMV Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Khleo Thomas and Lena Lemon join us again but for a very special gamified The Anime Effect episode. Who will be crowned as the ultimate anime fan? Find out now! Follow along with the emoji game: 🐉 ⚽️ 💤 👻 ➡️ 🥚 🍵 📔 🐱 1️⃣ 🤜 👨🏻‍🦲 ⚓ 🌒 🐈‍⬛ ⛓️ 🪚 🧍‍♂️ 💅 🪡 🎎 🍓🍍🗑️ 🦎 👹 🎱 🗡️ 🖼️ 🌐 👽 👻 👵🏻 🃏 👮 🌸 🤖 👼 🪑 🦸‍♂️ 📚 😭 👩🏻 ❤️ 👱🏻‍♂️ Have a question for The Anime Effect? Ask it here. To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosts Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, and Leah President have so much ONE PIECE news to share like the two baseball teams collaborating with the anime and the first ONE PIECE HEROINES episode coming soon, plus they share the anime and anime creatives that took home 2026 Tokyo Anime Awards, another anime concert coming to the US, and the latest from Digimon. Have a question for The Anime Effect? Ask it here. To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email [email protected]. ONE PIECE Night Returns to T-Mobile Park in March for Mariners Game Boston Red Sox x ONE PIECE Theme Night Returns This May with Themed Bomber Jacket, Plush ONE PIECE HEROINES Anime Airs Nami Episode on July 5 Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, Gundam GQuuuuuuX Win Top Honors at Tokyo Anime Awards 2026 Violet Evergarden Live in Concert USA Tour Sets Sights on Three Cities This Month Digimon Story Time Stranger Sets Switch, Switch 2 Launch Date Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

BABYMETAL is in the studio revealing the anime trios they emulate the most, their first reaction to learning they were joining the One-Punch Man universe, why metal music and anime pair together perfectly, and more. Have a question for The Anime Effect? Ask it here. To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosts Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, and Leah President are talking about the FIRST announcements for the 2026 Anime Awards, the upcoming JUJUTSU KAISEN in Concert global music tour, the MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM HATHAWAY The Sorcery of Nymph Circe anime film’s shocking ending theme song, and the upcoming THE GHOST IN THE SHELL and Chainsmoker Cat anime adaptations. Have a question for The Anime Effect? Ask it here. To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email [email protected]. Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2026 Sets May 23 for 10th Anniversary, Yoko Takahashi to Perform JUJUTSU KAISEN in Concert Global Music Tour Kicks Off in June MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM HATHAWAY The Sorcery of Nymph Circe Anime Film Releases New Trailer Featuring Guns N' Roses Ending Theme Song THE GHOST IN THE SHELL Anime Reveals July 2026 Broadcast in New Trailer, Visual Chainsmoker Cat Anime Adaptation Announced for July 2026 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Music icon Crystal Kay stops by the studio during her first North American tour to share her favorite anime, why she would want to create more music for anime, the anime characters that make her feel seen, and more. Have a question for The Anime Effect? Ask it here. To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosts Nicholas Friedman, LeAlec Murray, and Leah President are talking about all the exciting updates Dragon Ball fans got at the Dragon Ball 40th anniversary event, The Dangers in My Heart: The Movie coming to US theaters, our first glimpse of Yoshi in The Super Mario Galaxy movie, The Apothecary Diaries Steady Hands collection, and more. Have a question for The Anime Effect? Ask it here. To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email [email protected]. Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Season 2 Anime Travels on with Creditless Opening, Ending Videos Dragon Ball Super: The Galactic Patrol Anime Officially in Production Dragon Ball Super: Beerus Enhanced Anime Announced for Fall 2026 New Dragon Ball Game Project AGE 1000 Revealed for 2027 The Dangers in My Heart: The Movie to Screen in US Three Days After Japan The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Introduces Yoshi in New Trailer, Visual The Apothecary Diaries Steady Hands Collection Expands with More Apparel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Trigun and TRIGUN STARGAZE creator Yasuhiro Nightow reveals his favorite and least favorite Trigun characters, what he loves about the new adaptation, and so much more, only on The Anime Effect. Have a question for The Anime Effect? Ask it here. To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosts LeAlec Murray, Leah President, and Aly Luskey are revealing the winners of the Top 10 Anime Crushes of 2025, KONOSUBA -God's blessing on this wonderful world! Season 4, the Umamusume: Pretty Derby – Beginning of a New Era film coming to theaters, the MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM HATHAWAY The Sorcery of Nymph Circe theme song by SZA, the live-action ONE PIECE NERF collaboration, and the latest from Sonic the Hedgehog. THEN, we’re discussing the best My Hero Academia OPs. Have a question for The Anime Effect? Ask it here. To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email [email protected]. Top 10 Anime Crushes of 2025 According to Fans KONOSUBA -God's blessing on this wonderful world! Season 4 Anime Confirmed Umamusume: Pretty Derby – Beginning of a New Era Anime Film Hits North American Theaters in February 2026 MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM HATHAWAY The Sorcery of Nymph Circe Anime Film Unveils SZA Theme Song EXCLUSIVE: Live-Action ONE PIECE NERF Collaboration Revealed Sonic the Hedgehog 35th Anniversary Trailer Celebrates Blue Blur’s Latest Milestone (genre) Let’s Celebrate All the My Hero Academia Openings (So Far) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices