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Dragon Ball Daima has given the fans many sweet memories. From being Toriyama’s ultimate work with a return to roots style adventure setting and well-timed gags, Daima also reintroduced fan-favorite forms like Super Saiyan 4 in a fresh, canonized light.

Not to mention many of the plot holes in Gt have been fixed through the storytelling in Daima, the question now arises: could this finally be the era where Dragon Ball Gt’s villains have a resurgence?

Instead of being relegated to the non-canonical and not really noticed by many Gt, can they truly claim their spot in the limelight? There is one character who is unique and complex and can carve out his own niche even in a setting like Dragon Ball Super- Baby.

It is time to immortalize Gt by adapting the best of it

Though Dragon Ball Gt was never part of the official canon, its influence has never truly faded.

Gotenks has long been a forgotten character far past his prime in Dragon Ball. From being a character with a fusion that made it seem like the future was going to belong to him, the childish and arrogant Gotenks was pushed far away from the main narrative.

Although the appearances of the character have not stopped, there is no doubt that he has been sidelined as a comic relief character at best, with zero contribution in any major battle post the Buu saga.

A bold fan theory offers a new take that could change everything: what if Gotenks becomes the franchise’s equivalent of Gear 5 Luffy, lackadaisical, charming, yet extremely powerful?

Gotenks is a character rooted in mischief and mayhem

Trunks and Goten both have properly shaped arcs. Trunks has been focused on in many arcs, whereas Goten has gotten his screentime when he was learning to fly and fight.

Netflix’s latest YA series, Bet, wants to be the next Kakegurui– minus the stakes, teeth, or nuance. From the flashy aesthetics to familiar school-based hierarchy governed by gambling, the drama checks all the visual boxes. But scratch the surface, and you’ll find a hollow core.

Where Kakegurui delivered thrilling tension, psychological warfare, and layered characters, Bet seems to settle for emotion-packed monologues and surface-level spectacle.

Bet had clearly tried to draw inspiration from Kakegurui and failed miserably. And the problem doesn’t even lie in the fact that it borrows; it’s that it does so poorly, without an understanding of what made the original so addictive. The misinterpreted inspiration is most noticeable in the student council. For audiences familiar with the Og anime, Bet feels like a doomed gamble from the first deal.

Bet’s surface-level imitation of Kakegurui

On the face of it, Bet has mirrored...

The Westernization of regional stories very rarely succeeds. Kakegurui‘s Netflix live-action version, called Bet, might have achieved some level of attention, but to fans of the original series, it will always remain a blotch. In fact, after Death Note and Dragon Ball: Evolution, fans can’t believe that Netflix has not learnt its lesson.

The latest live-action of Kakegurui, called Bet, has undergone a lot of controversies. It failed to attain the essence of the original series and included things that were never necessary. And all of this is because past warning went unheard.

Netflix should have paid heed to Death Note and Dragon Ball: Evolution’s glaring warnings Dragon Ball Evolution was a massive failure | Credits: 20th Century Fox

Dragon Ball Evolution was released in 2009 and was loosely based on Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball. Unfortunately enough, it was also the very first live-action adaptation of the franchise.

Bet is a 2025 Netflix teen drama that reimagines the Japanese manga Kakegurui in a Western setting. The series follows Yumeko, a compulsive gambler who transfers to St. Dominic’s Prep, an elite boarding school where gambling dictates the social hierarchy. As she navigates this high-stakes environment, Yumeko’s quest for revenge unfolds, challenging the school’s status quo. With its unique premise and stylized visuals, Bet offers a fresh take on themes of power, addiction, and identity.

About the Show:

Created by Simon Barry, Bet is inspired by the manga Kakegurui by Homura Kawamoto and Tōru Naomura. The series centers on Yumeko, portrayed by Miku Martineau, who enters St. Dominic’s Prep, where students engage in high-stakes gambling to determine social standing. The narrative explores themes of obsession, manipulation, and the consequences of a society driven by risk and reward.

What Happens in Bet?

In the season finale, Yumeko confronts Ray,...

Netflix's latest live-action anime adaptation keeps climbing the streaming charts, even if Kakeguruifans seem less than impressed.

Per Netflix's own internal charts, the recently released first season of Bet has reached the number 9 spot on the streaming platform's Global Top 10 TV shows list for English-language releases, amassing 2.4 million views and over 13.7 million hours viewed since the series premiered on May 15. A more updated chart via Flixpatrol has the series standing at number 4 on the Top 10 chart for May 19, with Bet being bested only by Fred and Rose West: A British Horror Story at number 3, American Manhunt: Osama Bin Laden at number 2 and Secrets We Keep at number 1.

Netflix's New 'Bet' Series Is a Streaming Hit But Fails to Impress Kakegurui Anime Fans Image via Netflix

Bet is based on author Homura Kawamoto and artist Toru Naomura's hit mana, Kakegurui. The series is set at an elite boarding school,...

The gambling-themed manga series Kakegurui created by Homura Kawamoto (story) and Toru Naomura (art) will receive a stage play adaptation in Tokyo in September 2025. Moeko Kanisawa , a member of the Japanese idol group ≠Me (Not Equal Me) is cast as the protagonist, Yumeko Jabami. Kanisawa previously played the role of Harukaze Doremi, one of the main characters in the Ojamajo Doremi stage play performed by the members of the group in 2022, but this will be the first stage play in which she will play the lead role alone. The Kakegurui stage play's official website and X (formerly Twitter) opened with a teaser visual featuring Kanisawa as Yumeko. Teaser Visual The rest of the main cast members include: Ryota Suzui played by Seiichiro Nagata Mary Saotome played by Moka Koizumi Midari Ikishima played by Kurisu Oto Itsuki Sumeragi played by Misato Kawauchi Yuriko Nishinotoui n played by Fuyuna Asakura Yumemi Yumemite...

Only days after its release on Netflix, a live-action adaptation of a popular Japanese manga series is already on the streaming platform's global Top 10 TV shows. Netflix has released its viewership data for the week of May 12th through the 18th, 2025, and this includes a roundup of how popular TV shows rank on the global and local levels. Several newcomers have done well this particular week, with American Manhunt: Osama bin Laden, released on May 14th, taking the #1 spot.

Historically, Netflix's live-action anime or manga adaptations have been hit or miss. Some notorious flops include Cowboy Bebop, which released its first and final season in 2021, and Fullmetal Alchemist: The Final Alchemy, the last nail in the coffin for the live-action Fullmetal franchise. However, widespread successes, such as the Alice in Borderland and One Piece adaptations, have inspired Netflix to continue turning popular animated Japanese entertainment into live-action masterpieces. Now, another...

In 2016, Yuri!!! on Ice was released on Crunchyroll and became one of the biggest anime of the year. It won numerous awards and currently has a MyAnimeList score of 7.90. Now, the hit anime series will be available to watch on another streaming platform next month.

On June 3, 2025, all 12 episodes of Yuri!!! On Ice Season 1 will be available to stream on Hulu. Both the English Sub and Dub versions will be available on the streaming platform. When Yuri!!! On Ice was first released, and professional figure skaters highly praised the show's accuracy. During the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, Japanese skaters Miu Suzaki and Ryuichi Kihara performed one of the show's soundtracks during the pairs' competition.

Yuri!!! on Ice is an original sports anime created by Sayo Yamamoto and Mitsurō Kubo, following the story of Japanese figure skater Yuri Katsuki (Toshiyuki Toyonaga), who professional Russian skater legend Victor Nikiforov (Jun'ichi Suwabe) is training.

Lately Netflix has found success in adapting several acclaimed animated series, manga, and anime in live action, with One Piece, Alice in Borderland, and Avatar: The Last Airbender being some of the finest examples. Despite that being the case, the streaming channel still hasn’t learned from its mistakes, as becomes evident from its recently released ten-episode TV series, Bet, an adaptation of Homura Kawamoto and Toru Naomura’s manga series, Kakegurui. This westernized adaptation of the hit anime/manga series is shallow, lacks nuance, and emphasizes the narrative’s superficial aspects so much that it replaces the story’s sharp satire on class disparity and gambling with 90s teen school drama parody. Viewers who are not familiar with the source material will get confused by the narrative treatment, whereas those who have read the manga or watched the anime are going to detest this ludicrous adaptation.

Spoilers Ahead

Why Did Yumeko Join St.

Netflix’s streak of releasing new live-action projects has become quite prominent ever since it achieved success with the One Piece live-action. The most recent addition to the live-action list of the streaming platform is Bet, a TV series based on the popular Japanese gambling psychological thriller manga and anime series Kakegurui by Homura Kawamoto.

The series is one of the most popular Shonen stories that has a huge fan following, and it focuses on the journey of Yumeko Jabami, a transfer student who indulges in gambling at Hyakkaou Private Academy. However, she has a secret motive behind her actions, which drives her character development and the plot within the series.

Bet follows the same premise, but the TV series is not as enticing as the original manga and anime. There are many other aspects that the recently released show couldn’t capture, and thus it might not be the one for Kakegurui fans.

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Bet is a teen psychological thriller drama series created by Simon Barry. Based on the Japanese manga Kakegurui: Compulsive Gambler by Homura Kawamoto and Tôru Naomura, the Netflix series follows Yumeko, a teen girl who enters an elite private school where gambling decides the social status of the students. It follows Yumeko, a mysterious teen girl with excellent gambling skills, as he enters the school to get revenge for a past tragedy. Bet stars Miku Martineau, Aviva Mongillo, Anwen O’Driscoll, Alex Hook, Dorian Giordano, Ayo Solanke, Laura Afelskie, Hunter Cardinal, and Rami Khan. So, if you loved the over-the-top drama, engaging story, and eccentric characters in Bet, here are some similar shows you should check out next.

Kakegurui (Netflix) Credit – Netflix

Kakegurui is a Japanese teen gambling psychological thriller anime series directed by Yuichiro Hayashi. Based on the...

The ending of Netflix’s new English drama show, Bet (a live-action remake of the anime series Kakegurui), promises it will return with another season. It is up to Netflix to greenlight the show, but considering that the main plot remains unresolved, we can definitely hope that the series will be renewed. As someone who has neither read the manga nor watched the anime series, this article is purely based on my understanding, or rather assumption, of how the narrative might unfold in the next season.

Spoiler Alert

Will Yumeko’s Mother Return?

In Bet’s final episode, we learned that Jo and Keiko had developed a financial system that promised to make wealth more accessible to people by bypassing the government and the banks, naming the new digital currency Bitcoin. The school board members, who we later learned were also members of the Kakegurui Club, had agreed to invest...

The Netflix series Bet, based on the anime and manga titled Kakegurui, is a fast-paced TV show where kids gamble using everything from cash to human pets to their own lives. The show is thoroughly entertaining, especially if you like to play a hand yourself. Each episode includes one big game that pushes the plot forward. While some of the games are basic card games, others are slightly different. The show follows Yumeko on her journey to avenge her parents’ deaths in a car accident when she was 6 years old. She comes to St. Dominic’s because she’s after a man named Ray. This man is a parent of one of the legacy students of the school. The only way for her to get to him, though, is if she climbs the ranks of the gambling leaderboard, defeating anybody who comes in her way. If she makes it to...

The complete first season of Bet is now available to stream on Netflix. It's the streaming giant's latest teen show, and it's what everyone's talking about at the moment.

Based on the beloved Japanese manga Kakegurui by Homura Kawamoto and Toru Naomura, Bet centers around 18-year-old Yumeko, a mysterious transfer student with a remarkable talent for gambling. As she enters the cutthroat world of underground betting at her new prestigious boarding school, Yumeko quickly catches the attention of the powerful Student Council. With a secret vendetta and a sharp mind, she’s set to disrupt the school’s social hierarchy, turning the game upside down for everyone involved.

(L to R) Rami Khan as Rex, Ryan Sutherland as Suki, Eve Edwards as Mary, Ayo Solanke as Ryan, Dorial Giordano as Chad, and Miku Martineau as Yumeko in Bet | Netflix

The English-language live-action series adaptation is led by Miku Martineau, who plays Yumeko.

Westernizing anime and manga, literally translating some of the eccentricities of the medium into live action without caring for nuances, has resulted in disastrous consequences in the past. Netflix’s old releases like small screen adaptations of Cowboy Bebop, or live action Death Note movies hold testament to that. The recently released Netflix series, Bet, inspired by Kakegurui manga/anime, repeats similar mistakes in its narrative treatment – resulting in some caricature-ish characterization. However, amidst all the characters that have appeared in the series, the oft silent, mask wearing member of Black Jackets student council, Riri, seems quite interesting. Possibly because she isn’t blabbering obnoxious and nonsensical stuff most of the time like most of the other players, and shows a bit of complexity which contrasts with the overly comical nature of the rest of the bunch.

Spoilers Ahead

Exploring Riri’s Past

Riri in Netflix’s Bet is inspired...

Netflix’s new drama series, Bet, is a remake of the popular anime show Kakegurui, so the premise might seem a bit of a stretch for those not familiar with the world. The protagonist, Yumeko, takes pride in being a compulsive gambler. And why not? Her parents were gamblers, and at a young age she figured out that there was nothing more tempting and fun than betting. She was expelled from multiple schools as a result of her addiction, but that didn’t stop Yumeko. She finally enrolled in a school meant for gamblers like her—St. Dominic’s. It seemed she had waited all her life to finally make it to the school reserved for elite kids. But what was the reason behind Yumeko’s desperation to join St. Dominic’s? Let’s revisit the most important events in the series to find out.

Spoiler Alert

What happened to Yumeko’s parents?...

Today is the day. All 10 episodes of Bet are now available to stream on Netflix, which means you can binge-watch the entire first season from start to finish without missing a beat. Or, maybe you'd rather savor the drama one episode at a time. Either way, you're in for a wild ride!

Bet is a live-action series adaptation of the popular Japanese manga Kakegurui from Homura Kawamoto and Tōru Naomura. However, keep in mind that it's not a direct adaptation. It doesn't follow the exact same story and instead draws inspiration from the original, offering a fresh take with new characters and plotlines. Don't worry, though. Yumeko Jabami and her love for high-stakes gambling are still the main focus of the show.

In this live-action series, Yumeko transfers to the prestigious boarding school for the global elite, St. Dominic's, where underground gambling dictates the social order. With her unmatched gambling talent and unpredictable nature,...

Netflix’s Bet ends with Yumeko being successful(ish) in her revenge plan, but it’s only the start, because she’s still got a lot left to do. The live-action English-language version of the anime Kakegurui tells the story of Yumeko, a transfer student at St. Dominic’s, an elite residential school. But of course, if there’s power, there’s hierarchy, and the students of this school gamble for a position at the council, the elite group of 10 students who call all the shots. To be fair, the council majorly consists of legacy students, but the “ordinary” kids are hoping to avoid “pet” status, the lowest of the lot, which forces you into becoming slaves to those who have defeated you. The show begins with Yumeko showing up at the school and disrupting the system by pushing Mary, a member of the council, all the way down to...

When I first started watching the Netflix original Bet, I couldn’t wrap my head around what was going on. It all felt so unrealistic, camp, and absurd. But then I realized it reminded me of the live-action Japanese show Alice in Borderland, but in English and set in high school. The strangeness of the English language in such erratic cadence felt almost intolerable at first, but once I got used to it, I realized I thoroughly enjoyed this very anime-style English-language revenge TV show. The 10-part show is set in a boarding school where we don’t see a single teacher the entire time, where high schoolers gamble for a spot on a leaderboard. One day, when a transfer student named Yumeko arrives at the school mid-term, she becomes the talk of the town as she starts to mess with the student council, i.e., the crème de la crème of the school,...

Break out your gown and get ready to toss your cap, because graduation season is here! Across the country, students of all ages and at all levels are celebrating the end of a journey and graduating to the next stage in their lives, whatever it may be. No matter where you are on that journey yourself, why not choose your weekend stream in celebration?

Go ahead and mark the milestone as well as the entire quest of learning. Cue up a movie about graduating college, a show about getting through high school, or a docuseries about taking the chance to seek an education in the first place, and the hopes and dreams that inspire it. Happy streaming, and congratulations to the class of 2025!

A risky gamble. The new series Bet, based on the Japanese manga Kakegurui by Homura Kawamoto, sees the student body of a prestigious boarding school —...

There's another week of brand-new television upon us, and I dare I say that this week brings some of the most exciting new series of the year so far. From sci-fi to comedy to action, there's something for every television fan to tune into and add to their watch list. It's the perfect time, too, to get into this batch of new shows before the streaming rush hits its peak this summer!

While there are a a few returning shows coming this, like Love, Death & Robots volume 4, Welcome to Wrexham season 4, and The Chi season 7, the new premieres are really the ones to watch. As always, on top of the series premieres and returning series, television fans also have new episodes to look forward to from the latest hits The Studio, Your Friends and Neighbors, The Last of Us, MobLand, Hacks, as well as the final chapter of Andor, which...

Netflix is bringing some heavy hitters to your screens this week. Your favorite streaming service has them all: new movies, series, and seasons of fan favorites.

If you're looking for true crime - not the political kind, we've had more than enough of that, thank you - Netflix has it this week. Looking to escape it all with some light comedy? You'll find it here. Or maybe you want your laughs in a darker vein - you came to the right place. And if you wish for some sheer terror, well...yeah, you know you've found it on Netflix. Expect more than a few to crack the top five.

You can uncover the truth of a pair of crazed killers, or follow the twisted path of a supplement snake oil salesman. Look behind the curtain of another of America's biggest manhunts. Or relax and let romance carry you away. This is the week for you,...

Netflix’s track record with anime adaptations has been anything but consistent. There are very few exceptions to the rule that live-action is nothing but a disappointment compared to the original.

Despite the surprising success of One Piece, the global streaming hegemon seems to have taken a step backward with its next venture: a live-action adaptation of the high-stakes gambling anime Kakegurui, now rebranded as BET. Unfortunately, the adaptation seems to be anything but impressive from the early glimpses.

This has led the fans to brace for the worst, with many comparing it to the notoriously disliked Death Note live-action from 2017. It might be that Netflix is determined to set things right, or it might just not have learned from its failure.

BET: An altered story and an altered identity

Originally released in 2017, Kakegurui is a story that centers on Yumeko Jabami, a transfer student who flips the social hierarchy of Hyakkaou Private Academy.

“Bet” is a new English-language TV series, based on the Japanese ‘manga’ "Kakegurui", created by Homura Kawamoto & Toru Naomura, directed by Simon Barry, Jacquie Gould, Craig Wallace, Joyce Wong, starring Miku Martineau, Ayo Solanke, Eve Edwards, Clara Alexandrova, Hunter Cardinal, Anwen O'Driscoll, Aviva Mongillo, Laura Afelskie, Dorian Giordano, Emma Elle Paterson and Ryan Sutherland, streaming May 15, 2025 on Netflix:

“..a student from Japan disrupts a boarding school's power structure with her gambling skills, challenging the ‘Student Council’ while pursuing revenge that could overturn the entire system.

“This mysterious new student with a tragic past is shaking things up at ‘St. Dominic's Prep’….”

Click the images to enlarge…...

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Netflix is ready with an entertainment-packed May this year. The upcoming month will see the premiere of many of Netflix’s original films and TV shows, including the highly anticipated new Fear Street film and a new season of Love, Death & Robots. Just like every month, Netflix is ready to overload you with great content. So, we’re here to tell you about the 11 best new shows coming to Netflix in May 2025.

The Four Seasons Season 1 (May 1) Credit – Netflix

The Four Seasons is an upcoming comedy-drama miniseries created by Tina Fey, Lang Fisher, and Tracey Wigfield. Based on the 1981 film of the same name by Alan Alda, the Netflix series revolves around three suburban couples who vacation together each year. When one of the couples breaks up and the husband begins dating a younger woman, tensions between the group rise.

Even though we're all counting down the days until all of our favorite Netflix shows like Stranger Things, Wednesday (which now has a return date!), Emily in Paris, and more return with new seasons later this year, the streaming service isn't cutting corners with its new shows in the meantime. In May 2025, there are plenty of titles to keep our watch lists stocked with great content.

Beyond the exciting, high-profile releases coming in May, such as The Four Seasons, Sirens, and the latest binge-able drama from Tyler Perry, Netflix has even more great shows to offer. May also brings Big Mouth season 8, Thank You, Next season 2, The Royals, Secrets We Keep, and Love, Death & Robots. There's definitely no shortage in shows to watch on Netflix in the coming month.

But which of the best new Netflix shows are worth watching in May and which are best left skipped, either altogther or for a rainy day?...

Netflix’s recent trailer for Bet, a live-action series adaptation of the popular anime Kakegurui – Compulsive Gambler, has taken the internet by storm. I don’t know how Netflix expected us to react, but it is safe to say that a lot of people hate it with passion. I, on the other hand, have been unable to process the whole thing.

Yes, I knew that this was in the works, but nothing could have prepared me for the trailer. It makes the story look nearly unrecognizable, and while I will refrain from judging it too harshly, I have to point out its absurdity, since this was not on my bingo card.

Why is Netflix adapting Kakegurui…again? Miku Martineau plays Yumeko in Netflix’s Bet | Credits: Netflix

Homura Kawamoto and Toru Naomura’s Kakegurui is a one-of-a-kind story that thrives due to its distinct setting. Hyakkaou Private Academy is a ruthless place where wealth,...

The official X account of Netflix unveiled a trailer for the English live-action series based on Homura Kawamoto and Toru Naomura’s Kakegurui manga, titled BET.

The trailer revealed that the series will be released on May 15, 2025.

Simon Barry is the showrunner for the series. It stars Miku Martineau, Ayo Solanke, Eve Edwards, Clara Alexandrova, Hunter Cardinal, Anwen O’Driscoll, Aviva Mongillo, and Ryan Sutherland.

The series will have 10 episodes.

Netflix describes the plot of the series as:

At a private school where gambling determines social status, a mysterious new student with a tragic past is shaking things up — and betting on revenge.

Kakegurui – Compulsive Gambler is a Japanese manga series written by Homura Kawamoto and illustrated by Toru Naomura.

It began serialization in Square Enix’s Gangan Joker in March 2014, with its chapters additionally collected into eighteen tankobon volumes as of July 2024.

In North America, the manga has been...

Netflix's official YouTube channel has started streaming a trailer for BET , the upcoming English-language live-action adaptation of the gambling-themed manga series Kakegurui created by Homura Kawamoto (story) and Toru Naomura (art). The series will be releasing on May 15. According to Netflix Japan's official X (formerly Twitter) , the Japanese title is Kakegurui Bet . BET Trailer The main cast members of BET include: Miku Martineau, Ayo Solanke, Eve Edwards, Clara Alexandrova, Hunter Cardinal, Anwen O’Driscoll, Aviva Mongillo, and Ryan Sutherland. The seires is produced by Boat Boat Rocker Media with Simon Barry ( Warrior Nun ) as the executive producer and showrunner. Netflix describes the series as such: At a private school where gambling determines social status, a mysterious new student is shaking things up — and betting on revenge. Related: Kakegurui Manga Series Plans Its First Exhibition in 2023 The original Kakegurui manga has been serialized in Square Enix's Gangan Joker since March 2014, releasing 19 volumes to date.

"My name is Yumeko. And I've been bad... But sometimes you have to do a bad thing... to make the world better. This should be fun." Yes indeed it should. Netflix has revealed the official trailer for a new streaming series called Bet, adapted from a manga series. This English-language series is based on the hit Japanese manga called "Kakegurui" created by Homura Kawamoto & Toru Naomura. A transfer student from Japan disrupts a boarding school's power structure with her gambling skills, challenging the Student Council while pursuing revenge that could overturn the entire system. This mysterious new student with a tragic past is shaking things up at St. Dominic's Prep, and betting on revenge. Starring Miku Martineau, Ayo Solanke, Eve Edwards, Clara Alexandrova, Hunter Cardinal, Anwen O'Driscoll, Aviva Mongillo, Laura Afelskie, Dorian Giordano, Emma Elle Paterson, and Ryan Sutherland. This main girl as Yumeko has the exact same voice as Dakota Johnson,...

Today, thanks to Netflix, we can share a new trailer for their upcoming series “Bet” which is a live-action adaptation of the hit Japanese manga “Kakegurui” by Homura Kawamoto and Toru Naomura.

The ten-episode run was helmed by “Warrior Nun” director Simon Barry, who also developed the project that focuses on a group of boarding school students who are participating in an underground gambling ring.

Continue reading ‘Bet’ Trailer: Netflix’s Latest Live-Action Manga Adaptation Series Launches May 15 at The Playlist.

Adapting manga and anime series into live-action is always tricky, but it can immensely pay off if fans warm up to it. Today, Netflix is rolling out the first trailer for Bet, a new series that brings another manga story to life. The story centers around a girl named Yumeko (Miku Martineau) who enters the gambling underworld of a boarding school for elite students while forwarding a secret revenge plan. The series premieres on May 15.

The trailer for Bet makes it clear that Netflix is keeping the manga energy up and betting on over-the-top visual elements that worked so well with One Piece. We will see eye patches, masks and a protagonist who uses a distinct behavior during gambling sessions in order for people not to suspect she has a plan in motion. However, her talent in games shakes up the entire school's hierarchy, which makes her a target of...

For 11 years, Homura Kawamoto’s manga “Kakegurui” has delighted readers with its hammy, enjoyably ridiculous story of an elite private school where student popularity is determined through a cutthroat underground gambling circuit. Combining intensely serious gambling battles with a strong dose of lesbian homoeroticism, “Kakegurui” (which translates to “Compulsive Gambler” in English) has spawned an entire franchise since its first publication in 2014, including two seasons of an anime series produced by Studio Mappa, a live-action Japanese series, two spin-off manga, and two live-action films.

Now, Netflix — which licensed the anime series for international distribution — is taking the gamble of seeing whether this weird, campy property can make the same successful adaptational leap that manga like “One Piece” have in the past, rather than flop on its face like some other attempts to translate anime to new mediums (see “Cowboy Bebop”). The streamer has today announced that an English live-action adaptation of “Kakegurui,...

Mappa, the anime studio behind Jujutsu Kaisen, Chainsaw Man, and Attack on Titan: The Final Season, announced on April 1, 2025, that it has launched its own music label, mappa records.

With this new initiative, Mappa aims to enhance the musical experience of its anime by collaborating with composers and artists to craft soundtracks that more deeply connect with its storytelling.

The label will not only produce music for Mappa’s works but also expand into global music distribution, CD and vinyl releases, and live event management.

Mappa stated it will continue striving to create lasting anime experiences.

Founded in 2011 by Masao Maruyama, one of the co-founders of Madhouse, Mappa Co., Ltd. is a Tokyo-based animation studio known for producing some of the most popular and visually striking anime in recent years.

Originally headquartered in Suginami, the studio later moved to Nakano, Tokyo.

Mappa built its reputation with works such as Yuri!!! on Ice,...

With less than two weeks remaining until the premiere of Lazarus, Adult Swim decided to tease anime fans with a sneak peek of the series. The show chronicles the everyday lives of five agents who form a special task force to find a scientist who basically doomed the entire humanity with a secret project. Each of them needs to be the best at something, and protagonist Axel's (voiced by Mamoru Miyano in Japanese and Jack Stansbury in the English dub) ability seems to be... breaking out of prisons. The anime is slated to debut on Adult Swim on April 6.

In the sneak peek, we can see that Axel makes it seem like escaping prison is no hard task at all. He moves swiftly between guards, has a clear picture of where he should go to escape and avoid them and seems like he will be out of there by the time the scene is over.

From Chainsaw Man to Jujutsu Kaisen, Mappa has produced top-notch anime in the Shonen genre. It is one of the finest animation studios in the Japanese industry, hailed for finesse and craftsmanship. But there is an anime that remains a victim of the middle child treatment.

A still from Zenshu’s trailer | Credit: Mappa

To be specific, Zenshu has the cold shoulder when it comes to Winter anime. The series has good animation, plotline, and story, and yet failed to gain popularity. But that doesn’t define it as a failure in any case, especially when it comes to its unique tropes of storytelling.

Mappa’s anime gets the cold shoulder treatment

When we hear the word Mappa the first thing that comes to our mind is excellent animation. There are only a handful of animation studios that live up to the standards and it is one of them. Through Jujutsu Kaisen,...

One Piece’s live-action adaptation opened Hollywood’s eyes to the potential that anime holds. The world remained a witness to its phenomenal success and quick ascension to one of the most-watched Netflix series. But ever since then, a new race has begun.

Every other day, there is news about a new live-action adaptation of an anime series. Netflix itself has announced new adaptations for Kakegurui and Mobile Suit Gundam. Kakegurui is a highly addicting anime, while Mobile Suit Gundam is already an established franchise.

Hollywood’s rat race for live-action adaptations of anime The One Piece live-action remake was a rare success | Credits: Tomorrow Studios, Netflix

There are multiple live-action adaptations of anime series that are already on the horizon. Some are dropped, while others stay in production hell for years. One example is Warner Bros. Pictures’ attempt to create an action film out of Akira. The live-action remake...

Plenty of anime series are meant to help the viewer relax, unwind, and have fun with a low-stress story, which often leads to cozy slice-of-life stories or even the concept of iyashikei. Anime like those are certainly fun and popular, but so are their opposites, the high-intensity anime that actually want the viewer to feel stressed in a good way as the tension keeps rising. Anime like those feature high stakes, incredible plot twists, and a great deal of action, drama, or both.

These anime know that consumers of fiction generally want to worry about what's happening in the story and worry for the well-being of the protagonists. Intense, stressful anime like these torture their characters so the audience can root for them as tormented underdogs, hoping against hope that things will turn around in the end. If anime fans need a stressful and intense anime to get them engaged with a cool story,...

It's normal for protagonists in manga and anime to grow, develop, and change over time, such as getting a new and better perspective on themselves or the world around them. However, certain anime protagonists resist internal change, remaining true to themselves and instead changing the world around them. Those static anime protagonists changed everyone else around them, driving the plot with their words and actions as a stablizing element in the story.

If handled poorly, such a protagonist may be boring and predictable, but there are some anime heroes who refused to change for all the right reasons. Such protagonists range from mild to highly interesting even if they had little personal development, since they were all likable from the start and did a lot of work to keep the plot moving forward in fun ways. These characters might also get limited development in terms of their backstories, since their...

Fortnite has consistently delivered high-profile collaborations, be it from Marvel’s Avengers or the infamous John Wick. The game always manages to pleasantly surprise the players while catering to a wide range of interests.

Spike Spiegel from Cowboy Bebop. [Credit: Sunrise]

Anime is a huge part of mainstream media, and Fortnite has shown this by including skins from Naruto, Dragon Ball, Jujutsu Kaisen, My Hero Academia, and Attack on Titan. The latest crossover with the legendary series Cowboy Bebop might be what pulls the anime fans into the game.

Cowboy Bebop is an anime series from 1998, yet its effect can still be seen in many series. It is a classic that anime fans revere, and by adding skins from there to Fortnite, the game introduces a nostalgic element.

The perfect blend of style and action

The Cowboy Bebop collaboration is going to be making waves across both the anime and Fortnite...

From gambling to mind games, Kakegurui is a well-written psychological thriller anime offering a nuanced commentary on powerplay. The premise and characters are the standalone aspects that connect well to its popularity among viewers. But there is a catch to that as well.

Midari Ikishima in a still from the anime | Credit: Mappa

In particular, its live-action adaptation update seems like a win for the franchise however fans aren’t too happy about it. The news has most readers and viewers disappointed for various reasons. While it seems dramatic, it is synonymous with Cowboy Bebop’s failed live-action adaptation.

Kakegurui’s live-action adaptation update upsets fans

Kakegurui is a fairly popular series in the psychological thriller genre that has its fanbase nonetheless. It is regarded as an underrated yet well-written anime in terms of its layered characters, depth as well as psychological games. Gambling, here, isn’t a mere prop...

Picture: Miku Martineau (left) and Yumeko (right)

Netflix has a mixed track record for its live-action anime and manga adaptations. However, the streamer has seen recent success thanks to adaptations of One Piece and Avatar. Next on the list is the adaptation of Kakegurui, with Warrior Nun creator Simon Barry at the helm. Coming to Netflix in 2025, here’s everything we know so far about the series.

The series is from Warrior Nun creator Simon Barry. While Warrior Nun was canceled at Netflix and revived later with a different team, Barry has moved on to BET, the American live-action adaptation of the Japanese manga Kakegurui by author Homura Kawamoto. Jeff F. King, David Fortier, Ivan Schneeberg, Jon Rutherford, and Nick Nantell are joining him as producers. Barry is also directing.

Creator, writer and director Simon Barry

BET is set in an elite boarding school where everything, including the pecking order,...

No long-running anime is ever perfect, but many can recover after a sub-par story arc. For other anime, a singular storyline can be so disastrous that it ruins the anime moving forward and destroys its reputation. This happens most commonly, but not exclusively, to shōnen series, because of most of them not being planned out in advance, and the typical structure of anime within the genre.

Popular anime like Naruto and My Hero Academia have been ruined by singular arcs time and time again. These storylines derail character arcs, conclude plotlines in unsatisfying ways, shift their respective series in controversial directions, and/or are simply not good enough to hold an audience's interest. In the worst-case scenario, an arc can be so destructive that it brings its series to an abrupt end.

Dragon Ball Gt's Black Star Dragon Ball Saga Got the Sequel Off to a Poor Start Dragon Ball Gt...

This week on The Anime Effect: Leah and LeAlec chat with comic book artist Joe Eisma about why comic fans should read manga, the inspiration he's gotten from Naoki Urasawa and more! In our audio-exclusive episode we fill you in on the latest news in the anime world including Yu-Gi-Oh! games coming soon and a Sanrio collaboration, when you can watch Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- in the United States , and more! Episode 49 of The Anime Effect is now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere else you listen to your podcasts! If you're waiting to watch the video episode, it'll be live on Crunchyroll and YouTube at 7 p.m. Et. Listen or Watch on: Episode 49 Summary In this week's news episode, LeAlec, Leah and Alex discuss the live-action Solo Leveling adaptation announcement , Kaiju No. 8 getting the Fortnite treatment, among other updates. Plus, we talk to Joe Eisma about...

Five years on from the Dorohedoro anime's debut, fans eagerly awaiting the series' return were today treated to a 2025 streaming release date and a storyboard-filled teaser visual for the previously announced sequel , along with the confirmation of Yuichiro Hayashi's return to the director's chair at studio Mappa. Dorohedoro Anime Sequel Teaser Visual Related: Dorohedoro Anime Sequel Announced Based on the hit manga by Q Hayashida, the first season of Dorohedoro was directed by Yuichiro Hayashi at studio Mappa and premiered in January 2020. Viz Manga publishes the manga's official English version and describes the story: In a city so dismal it's known only as "the Hole," a clan of Sorcerers have been plucking people off the streets to use as guinea pigs for atrocious "experiments" in the black arts. In a dark alley, Nikaido found Caiman, a man with a reptile head and a bad case of amnesia. To undo the spell,...

It's no understatement to say that women are the backbone of anime, naturally making fans try to rank the greatest female anime characters. While male anime protagonists are still generally the norm, anime still offers a wealth of interesting female characters that can't help but steal the show. From strong leading ladies to heart-wrenching love interests, no matter the plot or genre of the anime, female anime characters have captured the hearts of fans.

Though stereotypes might reduce women in anime to one-dimensional love interests, the truth is that women in anime are just as diverse as their male counterparts. Though shojo anime is always a great source of female characters, even shonen anime has its share of interesting women. Great female characters can be found in every genre of anime, making ranking the best difficult. In a way, the best female anime characters can almost be considered a reflection...

As 2024 draws to a close, Disney+ is announcing some impressive anime offerings for the year ahead. In the anime community, Disney+ is often sidelined in favor of other subscription services like Netflix, Hulu, and Crunchyroll. Disney+ has always had mainstream offerings for anime lovers, hosting major series like Jujutsu Kaisen and Bleach. But as far as exclusives and originals go, Disney+ hasn't attained the same prestige as Netflix or Crunchyroll with fans.

In reality, Disney+ has been producing anime exclusives for a while now. They offered the niche hit Black Rock Shooter a follow-up in 2022 with Black Rock Shooter: Dawn Fall, and beloved classic Code Geass received a Disney+ exclusive film in 2024 called Code Geass: Roze of the Rebellion. Although anime has never been Disney+'s priority, a string of recent announcements confirm several new exclusives for the platform that could entice anime fans who are yet to try the service.

The Rose of Versailles is a timeless shojo getting a revival after almost fifty years, and the new trailer proves why the series will be a huge hit. The Rose of Versailles is a genre-defining work dating back to 1972. Set around and during the French Revolution, The Rose of Versailles follows a woman named Oscar Franois de Jarjayes. Her father, a military commander, raised her as a son so she could take his place. A compelling historical fiction combining real figures with imaginary ones, The Rose of Versailles is one of the most influential shojo works of all time.

The Rose of Versailles is beautiful, and its historical setting gives it a timelessness and staying power. It actually received an anime in the late 1970s, but it's easy for modern-day fans without a specific interest in shojo to pass the series by. Mappa has decided to give it a second...

Anime as a medium has grown over the decades. It has also influenced several viewers worldwide. And celebrities are no exception to this, especially Dylan Sprouse.

The actor and his spouse, Barbara Palvin have proved their love for the art. Palvin, who is a model, isn’t too far behind. Especially with her tributes to iconic anime characters. However, this may prove risky as well.

Dylan and Barbara cosplaying as Gaara and Trunks | Credit: realbarbarapalvin

Especially with Megan Thee Stallion’s fame as a weeb. Stallion is celebrated and acknowledged for her music. But most importantly, the singer has opened up about her love for anime. With this new It couple in town, fans might dethrone Stallion as a weeaboo.

Dylan Sprouse and Barbara Palvin open up about their obsession

We know him as Zack from The Suite Life of Zack and Cody but Dylan Sprouse is truly versatile. Sprouse...