Gareb Shamus Of Wizard Magazine claims they invented cosplay, Hololive CEO responds to newest talent exit, and Amazon Prime Video to implement AI dubbing program. Also, CODA works with China on arrest of piracy website owner, pharmacies offer licensed prescription record books for free, scalping ensues, and Mamoru Oshii still wants to make a third Ghost In The Shell movie! Meanwhile in Japan, a man arrested for asking to borrow money, due to staffing shortages, and the newest snack to be sold as a work of art at 110,000 yen?!

It's Sanrio VS Kuromi! Sanrio is being sued over the moral rights of Kuromi and Sanrio speaks about the suit! The upcoming BanG Dream 少女樂團派對 gets 52 episodes mini anime, Detective Conan wins 2024 grand prize at the TVer award, and Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards! Meanwhile in Japan... All you can steal, back for a limited time, and sakura blossoms without the allergies at an indoor park open for festival time!

Ranma 1/2 gets a pop-up cafe in March, an interview explains why Gohan lost out on being the main character, and it wasn't due to fan reaction, and Bleach animation director was fired. Also, The Samurai Pizza Cats are returning, Shibuya is being taken over by a Jojo reference, and Evangelion is getting an extended reality game?! Meanwhile in Japan... Turn your bath into soup, a maid cafe adds translation panels to the Akihabara location, and 全家FamilyMart brings back sweet treats for Cat Day!

An update on disability discrimination at Crunchyroll, the newest found species of fish named after Princess Mononoke, and live-action Cells at Work earns 6 billion yen at the Japanese box office! Also, UDON signs a deal with Lunar for distribution rights, Alice in Borderland gets its season 3 release date, and Romi Park to guests at Nostalgiacon! Meanwhile in Japan, a tourist was arrested for striking a clerk over a 3 yen bag, and curry bread achieved a new world record!

Ohayocon sues Sekaicon over trade secrets, lawyers ask to nullify arsonist's appeal withdrawal, and J-pop artistLiSA announces North America tour! Also,Crunchyroll is accused of firing an employee after an ADA request, thePokémon company claims Diamond Comic Distributors owes them money, and Hideaki Anno sets up an exhibition for the 50th anniversary ofSpace Battleship Yamato! Meanwhile in Japan, the Nintendo Museum might owe you money, and tourists in Kyoto cause railway crossing chaos?!

A new piracy bill has been backed by Netflix, Disney, and Sony, the Japan Fair Trade Commission to investigate anime studio abuse, and rock band the pillows disbands! Also, Kyoto Animation - 京都アニメーション arsonist withdraws appeal, Anime Tourism Association releases 2025 list of sites that fans should visit, and BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment opens first US interactive store! Meanwhile in Japan, Osaka to ban smoking on its streets and the newest maid cafe has an age limit for its maids, 65?!

Crunchyroll confirms limited credentials posted, but no breach was discovered, an anime producer becomes new Fuji Television president, and BAND-MAID to release music video for a song used in a new anime opening! Also, TOKYOPOP contributes to voice actors lost homes in LA wildfires, Cells at Work live-action grosses over 5 billion yen,Square Enix Tokyo cafe to shut down, and an anime studio merger leads to one being dissolved! Meanwhile in Japan, a 71-year-old robs 63 houses and treats strangers to sushi just to look cool, and a woman causes 8 separate traffic accidents in 35 minutes!

Happy 2025! The staff is back from their well-deserved break and they're ready to go! On this week's show... It's the end of an era, AnimeNEXT is on indefinite hiatus, and the AJS staff is tea-ready! Also, crowdfunding was launched for Mike McFarland's brain surgery, and Crunchyroll dropped a new manga app! Plus, Japan sets its inaugural music awards event, BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment to release a Gundam tabletop miniature game, and the Godzilla card game will be simultaneously released in Japanese and English! Meanwhile in Japan, a bear breaks into a home to spend winter as a human, a monkey grabs a jogger and gives chase for hundreds of meters, a man is fired for going to the gym, and a collaboration of the glasses-wearing boys!

Join DJ Ranma S, Mako-chan, BerryMelon, WildSpice, and Koibug for their yearly get-together of good times and merry cheer! Then we look through the articles and share some interesting stories such as a man who has eaten at the same restaurant for over 1800 days in a row, a city painting its streets yellow to discourage prostitution, not paying for a date may be seen as domestic violence by the government, Ghibli Park puts up Christmas trees and decorations, and invites fans to “come search for Christmas”, and Pokémon to get the Claymation treatment via Wallace and Gromit's home studio! Plus Ask the Anime Jam Session Staff! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/animejamsession/support

The passing of anime industry veteran Jan Scott-Frazier, Visa Japan confirms sales restrictions and long-time One Piece voice actor graduates! Also, new collaboration means brand new Sailor Senshi art, Vampire Hunter D comes to an AMC Theatres near you, and an isekai mobile and PC game to involve popular anime characters! Meanwhile in Japan... An elementary school installed a nap pod to encourage restfulness, and a castle raised ticket prices by up to 200 percent! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/animejamsession/support