Fans of Detective Conan (known as Case Closed in some regions), have you read the 52nd Issue of Shogakukan’s Weekly Shōnen Sunday, published on November 20th, 2024? This issue contains a memorable episode revolving around the Keisatsu Gakkou-gumi (警察学校組, lit. “police academy crew”), the main characters of the Detective Conan Police Academy Arc - Wild Police Story. Additionally, this episode is making waves on the internet due to it picking up where that one scene from the movie Detective Conan: The Bride of Halloween left off. (If you’ve watched the film, you probably know which one we’re talking about!)

In the 2022 film Detective Conan: The Bride of Halloween, viewers are treated to heartwarming flashbacks of the police academy crew, comprised of Rei Furuya, the serious straight-A student; Hiromitsu Morofushi, a man with a strong sense of justice and previous trauma involving an accident with his parents; Jinpei Matsuda, an outrageous and uncooperative man with a high level of expertise; Kenji Hagiwara, a man with great insight and communication skills who’s terrible with women; and Wataru Date, a natural leader who’s been influenced by his father’s resignation from the force. Unfortunately, only Rei Furuya will be left alive seven years after their graduation. Regardless, these four men continue to live on in the hearts of Rei, his fellow police officers, and many adoring fans.

Check out the fan art below honoring the lives of the deceased members and the happier times they spent together! Like Seneca says, “As is a tale, so is a life. Not how long it is, but how good it is, is what matters.”

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Dandadan has been making waves on pixiv, thanks to its recent anime television series adaptation that premiered on October 3rd, 2024!

Written and illustrated by Yukinobu Tatsu, Dandadan has been serialized in Shueisha’s Shōnen Jump+ app and website since April 2021. The series follows two teenagers, Momo Ayase and Ken “Okarun” Takakura, who each gain special powers after encounters with the paranormal.

Momo, whose grandmother is a medium, believes in ghosts but not aliens. Okarun is a nerd who believes in aliens but not ghosts. Each determined to prove the other wrong, Momo chooses a location associated with the occult for Okarun, and the latter a location associated with the extraterrestrial for Momo. As it turns out, they’re both right: Momo gets abducted by a group of aliens, while Okarun is possessed by a spirit, resulting in the pair gaining supernatural abilities. What follows is an often comedic, action-packed story involving spirits and aliens, a quest to retrieve Okarun’s “golden balls” that he lost while being possessed, and blossoming feelings of young love.

To celebrate Dandadan’s anime adaptation, we’ve compiled some fantastic artwork featuring the characters from the series. Enjoy!

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Kitarō Tanjō: GeGeGe no Nazo (鬼太郎誕生 ゲゲゲの謎, lit. “The Birth of Kitarō: The Mystery of GeGeGe”), which was released last November in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Shigeru Mizuki, is returning to theaters as a recut version!

Kitarō Tanjō: Gegege no Nazo Shinsei-ban (True Birth Version) opened in theaters on October 4th, 2024, and includes 327 retaken cuts, some re-dubbed lines, plus a new R15+ rating. Not only is the new version bloodier than before, but the higher-quality sound and visuals are guaranteed to have you glued to your seats for an even more immersive experience. Revolving around Kitarō’s biological father, Medama-Oyaji, and his adoptive father, Mizuki, Kitarō Tanjō: Gegege no Nazo is set in the fictional Nagura Village in 1955, where a brutal murder of one of the Ryuga family members ruling the village sets off a chain of horrifying events.

Enjoy this collection of fan art of the characters from Kitarō Tanjō: GeGeGe no Nazo, which includes both happy and eerie, gory moments!

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Oshi no Ko is set to hit the stage for the first time ever this December!

Written by Aka Akasaka and illustrated by Mengo Yokoyari, Oshi no Ko has been making waves since its serialization began in Shueisha’s Weekly Young Jump in April 2020. The series follows the story of twins Aqua and Ruby, who are reincarnated as the children of the first-generation B Komachi’s idol leader, the legendary Ai. At once a reincarnation story, a murder mystery, and an unflinching commentary on Japan’s entertainment industry, Oshi no Ko is full of stars and diamonds in the rough that have their reader’s eyes twinkling with anticipation.

The second season of the anime series began airing in July 2024, which revolves around Tokyo Blade, an in-universe true battle manga that the characters do a stage adaptation of. A real-life adaptation titled Oshi no Ko: 2.5D Stage Edition will also be performed in Tokyo and Osaka in December of this year, so make sure to check it out if you have the chance!

Have you been enjoying the Tokyo Blade arc? Check out the incredible fan art of the characters below and their equally stunning outfits!

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Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines! has been making waves on pixiv, thanks to its recent anime television series adaptation that premiered on July 14th, 2024!

Written by Takibi Amamori and illustrated by Imigimuru, this Japanese light novel series follows the self-proclaimed “background character” protagonist, Kazuhiko Nukumizu, as he interacts with several “loser heroine” girls at his high school who all get their hearts broken after being turned down by their respective crushes. Anna Yanami, the story’s main heroine, is accidentally spotted by Kazuhiko one day, being rejected by her childhood friend on whom she has a long-lasting crush. Thanks to her bubbly personality, she is one of the most popular girls in class, although she sometimes doesn’t know when to stop talking and is a bit of a glutton. Nevertheless, these all add to her charm, and it’s no wonder people can’t take their eyes off her!

Thanks to her intriguing characteristics, Anna Yanami is having a moment on pixiv! Take a look below to see some of the best fan art featuring her and enjoy her irresistible cuteness!

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The Elusive Samurai has been making waves on pixiv, thanks to its recent anime television series adaptation that premiered in July 2024!

Written and illustrated by Yusei Matsui, creator of Assassination Classroom, The Elusive Samurai is a Japanese historical manga series based on the historical figure of Hōjō Tokiyuki, the heir to the Hōjō clan before Ashikaga Takauji caused its downfall. The story has been serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Shōnen Jump since January 2021 and is gaining attention due to it being Yusei Matsui’s first series in five years.

Thanks to his intriguing characteristics, Hōjō Tokiyuki is having a moment on pixiv! Take a look below to see some of the best fan art featuring him on pixiv and enjoy his multitude of expressions!

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Behind every dazzling illusion is a troubled past that fuels it.

Set in the near future, a new movement called “Phantom Live” arises amidst the oversaturated hip-hop music industry. By causing a chemical reaction between their DNA and phantometal-containing accessories, rappers are able to create stunning illusions linked to their emotions that drive their audiences wild. Behind the scenes, however, some secretly suffer from side effects known as “traumatic illusions,” an unfortunate price they pay in exchange for fame.

The story follows four groups—BAE, The Cat’s Whiskers, cozmez, and Akanyatsura (悪漢奴等, lit. “good-for-nothing troublemakers”)—who are immensely popular in their respective genres. One day, the legendary CLUB paradox suddenly decides to reopen its doors and invites them to join a mysterious competition, “Paradox Live,” out of the blue. Determined to prove their music is the best, the 14 rappers decide to accept the invitation.

Paradox Live is a Japanese multimedia franchise created by Avex Pictures and GCREST in 2019. Four new groups—VISTY, AMPRULE, 1Nm8, and Goku Luck (獄Luck; a play on the words gokuraku, meaning heaven or bliss, and luck)—have since joined the project, adding up to a total of 29 voice actors. The franchise revolves around rap battles between each group, which fans can vote for using “dope points.” Paradox Live has currently released 25 drama CDs, as well as held multiple collaborations and three concerts called Paradox Live Dope Shows. An official anime, Paradox Live THE ANIMATION, also began airing on October 3rd, 2023.

In this fan art series, you’ll meet characters from each group, including the legendary rapper duo Buraikan (武雷管, lit. “gallant thunder pipe”). What dark secrets and trauma could they be hiding behind those confident smiles?

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“A photograph is usually looked at, but seldom looked into.” In the case of Link Click, however, photos are not only looked into, but quite literally stepped into.

Link Click (时光代理人, lit. “Time Agents”) is an original Chinese donghua series written and directed by Li Haoling and produced by LAN Studio. Tucked away in a corner of the downtown area is Time Photo Studio, an unassuming shop run by two young men, Cheng Xiaoshi and Lu Guang. What sets their studio apart from other photo studios is its unique service, Time Travel Photography, made effective by combining the two men’s abilities.

Cheng Xiaoshi is able to enter a photograph, travel back in time, and “link” his consciousness with the photographer, thus reliving the events of that day. In contrast, Lu Guang is able to keep track of the events that happened within 12 hours after the photo was taken and “click the shutter,” i.e., observe and direct Cheng Xiaoshi’s actions from outside.

Together, Cheng Xiaoshi and Lu Guang use their powers to solve various cases, such as murders, missing persons cases, or even just to help relieve people of their past regrets.

The first season of Link Click aired from April 30th, 2021 to July 9th, 2021, followed by a second season from July 14th, 2023 to September 22nd, 2023. Link Click is available on the Shanghai-based Chinese video-sharing website Bilibili, as well as Funimation and Crunchyroll for international viewers. Additionally, a special chibi-style episode, Xiaoyao Sanren de Weituo (逍遥散人的委托, lit. “Troubles of Ordinary People”), was released on August 27th, 2021, followed by an 18-episode chibi series, Shiguang Dailiren Xiao Juchang (时光照相馆的日常, lit. “The Daily Life of Time Photo Studio”), from October 10th, 2021 to November 10th, 2022. A live-action drama adaptation was also announced on June 17th, 2023, set to premiere in 2024.

If you enjoy drama or mystery with a hint of the supernatural, check out this collection of fan art showcasing the residents of Time Photo Studio and more! Take a look at each illustration carefully—you never know what secrets might be hidden within.

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Can’t a girl test out her poisons in peace? Not at the Imperial Court, where countless rumors and mysteries abound!

The Apothecary Diaries is an ongoing light novel series written by Natsu Hyūga and illustrated by Touko Shino, originally published on the user-generated novel publishing website, Shōsetsuka ni Narō. The series has also been adapted into a manga and anime, with the anime premiering on October 22nd, 2023.

In the red-light district of a fictional country based on ancient China lives Maomao, a young girl who works as an apothecary. One day, she gets kidnapped and sold to the Imperial Court, where she is forced to work as a servant. Despite her circumstances, she plans on working there until her years of servitude are over without drawing anyone’s attention—until she gets wind of the fact that the Emperor’s children are gravely ill.

Though disinterested in other human beings, Maomao is deeply passionate about poison and medicine, and she decides to investigate the cause of their illness on a whim. Soon enough, her knowledge, wit, and talent are recognized by the eunuch Jinshi, who appoints her lady-in-waiting to the Emperor’s favorite consort to taste the lady’s food for poison. With her extensive experience as an apothecary, Maomao gradually makes a name for herself by solving various mysteries in the court.

In this feature, we’ll be showcasing fan art of the main characters, the quick-witted Maomao, and the shrewd and beautiful Jinshi. Enjoy these illustrations that perfectly encapsulate their relationship dynamics!

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The first half of Season 2 of the anime Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation finished airing last month on September 25th, with the second half slated to premiere in April 2024. It goes without saying that Sylphiette, who is consistently in the top five in various popularity polls and recently won the Mushoku Tensei community poll championship on Reddit with 47 percent of the votes, is a strong fan favorite!

Who is Sylphiette (Fitts)?

Sylphiette, also known as Fitts, is one of the heroines in Mushoku Tensei and Rudeus’s childhood friend. She is half human, a quarter elf, and a quarter beast. Due to her emerald green hair resembling that of the Superd Tribe, a tribal race of infamous warriors from the Demon Continent, she was constantly bullied as a child, causing her to become shy and meek. After Rudeus saves her from her bullies, the two form a codependent friendship until Rudeus is sent away by his father to act as Eris’s tutor. She eventually resolves to train herself to support him in the future and later becomes Princess Ariel’s bodyguard under the alias Fitts.

Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation is a light novel series written by Rifujin na Magonote and illustrated by Shirotaka. Originally serialized on the popular web novel website Shousetsuka ni Narou from November 2012 to April 2015, it received a print release under Media Factory’s MF Books imprint in January 2014, with pixiv user Shirotaka providing illustrations. The series ran from January 24th, 2014 to November 25th, 2022, and has 26 volumes in total. Known as one of the pioneers of high fantasy Narou web novels, the franchise has over 13 million copies in circulation as of June 2023.

Quiet and serious as the Silent Fitts and shy as Sylphiette, her duality and strength as one of the most powerful mages in Mushoku Tensei is most likely what draws so many people to her. Check out the fan art below that perfectly captures her in all her sweet, handsome, and badass moments!

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If you were going to be reincarnated into a fantasy world, would you want to be a king? A queen? Or a slime?

Many people might answer king or queen, but unfortunately that’s not what happened to Satoru Mikami in That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime! Reborn as a nameless, powerless slime in a new world that he knows nothing about, he wanders aimlessly, trying to figure out his place and his new abilities… until he meets Veldora, a powerful dragon who has been sealed away for hundreds of years.

After befriending the dragon, he promises to help him get out and in exchange, the dragon bestows him with the name Rimuru. As a result, he unintentionally becomes one of the most powerful creatures in his new world. As he figures out how to navigate this new position, he gains allies… and enemies.

This popular series started as a web novel before getting a manga and anime adaption, as well as a game adaption, and winning multiple awards for its character- and world-building. If you’ve been enjoying this light and bouncy story, this collection of illustrations highlighting the characters of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime is perfect for you!

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When the self-proclaimed “Greatest Spy in the World” sets out to build a team specializing in the impossible, the only logical choice would be to recruit… seven washouts with zero practical experience?!

Spy Classroom is an ongoing light novel series written by Takemachi and illustrated by Tomari, published under the Fujimi Fantasia Bunko imprint since January 18th, 2020. In an age where wars are no longer fought in the open, countries now fight by deploying masters of deception like spies instead of weapons of mass destruction. After the spy team Inferno is wiped out, their sole surviving member, Klaus, a top spy with a 100 percent mission success rate, sets out to create a new spy team. This new team, Lamplight, is expected to specialize in “Impossible Missions” with at least a 90 percent chance of failure—in other words, death.

Unfortunately, the seven members he recruits for his team are all bottom-of-the-barrel misfits with no practical experience whatsoever. With only one month until their first Impossible Mission, Klaus must teach the girls everything he knows and, in turn, the girls must employ every trick up their sleeves to survive and prove their worth as spies.

The series currently has ten volumes, as well as four short story volumes, and has been adapted into a manga and anime. The first season of the anime aired from January to March 2023 and the second season from July to September 2023. You can also listen to the audiobook versions for volumes 1 to 5 on dwango.jp’s audiobook service.

If you enjoy light action comedy with some slice-of-life moments, this collection of illustrations highlighting the characters of Spy Classroom is perfect for you!

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Frieren, an elven mage who has lived for over a thousand years, was part of the heroic team that vanquished the Demon King in a decade-long battle. After saying goodbye to Himmel, the main hero of their group, Frieren sets out on a quest to better understand humans. The story picks up after their triumphant battle against the Demon King, exploring Frieren's subsequent adventures, the people she meets, and the feelings that come with her extraordinarily long life compared to humans.

On Friday, September 29th, the anime premieres with a two-hour special on Nippon Television's Friday Roadshow (some regions might not air it). Interestingly, this marks the first time a TV anime series has debuted on the renowned Friday Roadshow.

In this feature, we're showcasing fan art from Frieren: Beyond Journey's End. You'll encounter artworks of Frieren, the main character, and other beloved figures like Fern, Stark, and Himmel. Enjoy!

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Love Live! but… not?!

Yohane the Parhelion: Sunshine in the Mirror is a spin-off of the popular Love Live! series, featuring Yohane reimagined as a young girl who returns home after failing to make it in the big city. She works as a fortune-teller, meeting characters whom any Love Live! fan will recognize on the spot, even though they are showing up in a very unique, fantastical way!

It’s certainly a different take on the typical “spin-off”, since Yohane the Parhelion: Sunshine in the Mirror is more of an alternate universe than a branching story of the original plot. Still, there’s lots of fun to be had watching this remixed version of the Love Live! characters! If you love Love Live! or fantastical settings, this one is for you!

We’re not the only ones who think so! Lots of fans of this spin-off have been pouring their time and love for it into these awesome fan art pieces below. 

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Can you believe it? We're coming up on 20 years of the Pretty Cure franchise dominating the magical girl world.

Since Futari wa Pretty Cure, each series has been a unique wonderful adventure. It can't have been simple to tackle subjects like the importance of imagination and diversity, fighting in the face of adversity, and other hard-hitting life lessons in such a fun way, yet the brand has become well-known for it over the course of its two-decade existence.

Even though each series has its own group of ardent fans, the yearly team-up films featuring that year's current squad plus a few teams from previous series are also hugely popular. One such movie, titled Pretty Cure All Stars F, is slated to be released on September 15, 2023, and will star 77 of the franchise's heroines. This new film will shatter the Guinness World Record for “Most Magical Warriors in an Anime Film” previously held by Hug! Pretty Cure Futari wa Pretty Cure: All Stars Memories, the film that celebrated the franchise’s 15th anniversary.

We've gathered some of the most incredible fan artwork showcasing characters from the franchise up through the most recent season, Soaring Sky! Pretty Cure, which debuted in early February of this year, to help you celebrate this momentous event!

Have you spotted your favorite Cure in the artwork below?

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