The world of anime and gaming never sleeps—and this week has been one of the most exciting ones of 2025 so far. Fans across India, the U.S., Japan, and Europe witnessed landmark events, highly anticipated releases, and massive announcements that will shape the rest of the year. From the much-awaited Anime India 2025 convention in Mumbai to Demon Slayer’s Infinity Castle Arc film trilogy and new Crunchyroll acquisitions, this week has been full of reasons for fans to celebrate.
In this detailed roundup, we’ll cover everything from major events and conventions to game launches, anime episodes, industry updates, and even collaborations that bring anime culture closer to everyday life.
🎭 Major Events & Conventions
Anime India 2025: A Landmark for Indian Otakus
India is witnessing a rapid surge in anime popularity, and nothing showcases that better than Anime India 2025, the country’s largest convention dedicated to Japanese pop culture.
📅 August 22 – 24, 2025
📍 Bombay Exhibition Centre (NESCO), Mumbai
Nearly 20,000 fans are expected to gather at this mega-event. Spread across multiple days and halls, Anime India will feature:
- A massive exhibition space with official booths, fan art, and merchandise.
- Multiple stages with day-long programming, panel discussions, and performances.
- An anime film festival showcasing both classics and upcoming titles.
- India’s first ticketed anime concert, a groundbreaking move in making anime events more mainstream.
- An exclusive premiere screening of Let This Grieving Soul Retire! Season 2 on August 24, making it one of the highlights of the convention.
This event doesn’t just mark a milestone for India’s anime community—it places the country firmly on the global anime map, proving that otaku culture is thriving beyond Japan and the West.
Anime NYC 2025 (New York, USA)
Running from August 21 – 24, Anime NYC remains one of the biggest anime events in the U.S. East Coast. This year’s highlights include major exhibitors like AVIOT and a Tappytoon pop-up store featuring exclusive manhwa merchandise, catering to the growing popularity of Korean webtoons.
Gamescom 2025 (Cologne, Germany)
Europe’s largest gaming expo, Gamescom, is once again bridging the worlds of anime and gaming. From August 20 – 24, fans can look forward to:
- A special collaboration between Final Fantasy XIV Online and Monster Hunter Wilds, bringing together two of the most iconic franchises in gaming history.
This crossover is expected to excite not just gamers but also anime-inspired RPG fans across the globe.
Studio Ghibli Fest 2025 (USA)
From August 23 – 27, U.S. theaters are celebrating one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most beloved films, Ponyo. As part of the annual Studio Ghibli Fest, this screening allows both long-time fans and new audiences to relive the magical underwater world of Ponyo and Sosuke on the big screen.
🎮 Game Releases & Updates
This week’s gaming updates were full of surprises for anime-inspired titles and fighting game fans:
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Nekopara Remaster (iOS & Android) – Released on August 17. The beloved visual novel returns in an updated format, making its catgirl-filled heartwarming story more accessible to mobile audiences.
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Under Night In-Birth II Sys:Celes – On August 19, the fighting game added a new playable character, Izumi, expanding its roster and giving fans fresh strategies to explore.
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Guilty Gear -Strive- (Lucy DLC) – Released on August 21, this DLC added Lucy, bringing new energy and balance shifts to the popular competitive fighter.
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Pastel Parade (Steam) – Scheduled for release on August 27, this colorful rhythm game blends anime aesthetics with addictive beat gameplay, making it one of the most anticipated indie titles this month.
📺 Anime & Movie Highlights
Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun
The supernatural series continues its run with a new episode released on August 17. Fans praised the mix of dark themes and school comedy that the series has become known for.
Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Arc
The biggest news of the week for anime films came from the Demon Slayer franchise:
- The Infinity Castle Arc will be adapted into a trilogy of movies, bringing the series to its climactic end.
- Tickets for UK screenings went on sale August 15.
- In an unexpected twist, Hollywood star Channing Tatum has been confirmed as part of the English dub cast.
This announcement not only excites existing fans but also signals Demon Slayer’s growing international appeal.
Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc
Set for October 2025, this film adaptation of the iconic “Bomb Girl” arc promises high-octane action, emotional depth, and one of the manga’s most beloved storylines brought to life on the big screen.
📚 Licensing & Acquisitions
The anime and manga industry continues to grow with major licensing deals announced this week:
Crunchyroll (Animagic 2025)
Crunchyroll secured streaming rights for:
- My Status as an Assassin Obviously Exceeds the Hero’s
- This Monster Wants to Eat Me
- The Warrior Princess and the Barbaric King
Yen Press
Licenses include:
- Bad Girl
- Frieren: Prelude
- Lycoris Recoil: Recovery Days
Seven Seas Entertainment (Anime NYC 2025)
Seven Seas revealed 19 new titles and 8 manga, including Girl Meets Rock! and Dungeon Elf.
🛍️ Collaborations & Merch Drops
Anime continues to expand into lifestyle products and themed events:
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Demon Slayer × Raku Spa (Japan, Aug 18 – Sept 9)
- Themed spa baths
- Character-inspired food menus
- Exclusive limited-edition merchandise
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Hatsune Miku × Aozogear
- A quirky outdoor cooking merchandise line featuring the iconic Vocaloid.
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One Piece Pop-Up Store (Tokyo)
- A limited-time Mugiwara Store pop-up at Shinjuku Keio department store (until August 21).
📰 Industry Updates
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Crunchyroll × Delta Airlines – Anime is now officially part of Delta’s in-flight entertainment, giving travelers more options mid-air.
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WEBTOON Expansion – Announced novelizations of hit series like Cursed Princess Club and The Kiss Bet while also introducing short-form anime-style video episodes.
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Kakao’s Anti-Piracy Efforts – Over 11 piracy sites shut down and more than 160 million illegal works removed in the first half of 2025.
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Voice Actor News – Beloved English voice actor Mike McFarland, known for his work on Dragon Ball Z and One Piece, revealed he has been diagnosed with glioblastoma following brain surgeries. Fans worldwide have expressed support for his recovery. 💔
🌟 Conclusion
The week of August 17 – 24, 2025, has been monumental for anime fans. India is hosting its biggest anime convention ever, Demon Slayer is preparing for its grand finale on the big screen, Chainsaw Man is heading for another explosive chapter, and game developers are keeping otakus engaged with remasters, updates, and DLCs.
Licensing announcements from Crunchyroll, Yen Press, and Seven Seas prove that the anime industry is only expanding, while collaborations like Demon Slayer × Raku Spa and Hatsune Miku × Aozogear blur the line between fandom and lifestyle.
As we move further into 2025, it’s clear that anime is no longer just a niche interest—it’s a global cultural movement. Fans across the world have more content, more events, and more ways to celebrate their favorite series than ever before.
So whether you’re preparing to attend Anime India 2025, buying tickets for Demon Slayer’s Infinity Castle Arc, or waiting to dive into Chainsaw Man’s Reze Arc, one thing is certain: this year is shaping up to be unforgettable for anime fans everywhere.
✨ Stay tuned for next week’s roundup of anime news, releases, and global events!
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