This week, we’ve got some wild anime news to talk about: The Weeknd is coming to the Anime Awards 2026, ONE PIECE is collaborating with Popeyes, and more! PLUS, Alex reveals his HOTTEST TAKE on anime yet.

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 mix of roundtable news and discussion, featuring Crunchyroll hosts and special guests as they debate hot topics, offer recommendations, and tackle fan questions.

Talk to us! ⁠⁠https://got.cr/AnimeEffectQuestions ⁠⁠

Follow Crunchyroll on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@crunchyroll

#animenews #animepodcast #crunchyrollpodcast #crunchyrollnews

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Listen up! We’re breaking down the hottest anime news, such as the top-tier list of presenters and performers slated for the Anime Awards 2026, a special My Hero Academia birthday event, and a new Kamen Rider project! PLUS, we try to name as many shonen anime as we can with only clues!

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

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 mix of roundtable news and discussion, featuring Crunchyroll hosts and special guests as they debate hot topics, offer recommendations, and tackle fan questions.

Talk to us! ⁠⁠https://got.cr/AnimeEffectQuestions ⁠⁠

Follow Crunchyroll on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@crunchyroll

#animenews #animepodcast #crunchyrollpodcast #crunchyrollnews

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It's time to catch up on ALL the exciting updates from AnimeJapan 2026, like a new ONE PIECE Heroines trailer and so much more! Plus, we react to the impressive list of Anime Awards 2026 nominations and spiral only a little!

⁠VOTE FOR US HERE!

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

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 mix of roundtable news and discussion, featuring Crunchyroll hosts and special guests as they debate hot topics, offer recommendations, and tackle fan questions.

Talk to us! ⁠⁠https://got.cr/AnimeEffectQuestions ⁠⁠

Follow Crunchyroll on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@crunchyroll

#animenews #animepodcast #crunchyrollpodcast #crunchyrollnews

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Listen! We’re exploring all of the new and returning anime titles coming Spring 2026, we BLIND RANK anime plot twists, and we preview Union Arena's latest release with Solo Leveling star 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 mix of roundtable news and discussion, featuring Crunchyroll hosts and special guests as they debate hot topics, offer recommendations, and tackle fan questions.

Talk to us! ⁠⁠https://got.cr/AnimeEffectQuestions ⁠⁠

Follow Crunchyroll on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@crunchyroll

#animenews #animepodcast #crunchyrollpodcast #crunchyrollnews

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You heard that right! A live-action Samurai Champloo adaptation is in the works, our fave anime artists are planning festival appearances and MORE! Plus, we're sharing our anime watchlists before hearing from you 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 mix of roundtable news and discussion, featuring Crunchyroll hosts and special guests as they debate hot topics, offer recommendations, and tackle fan questions.

Talk to us! ⁠⁠https://got.cr/AnimeEffectQuestions ⁠⁠

Follow Crunchyroll on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@crunchyroll

#animenews #animepodcast #crunchyrollpodcast #crunchyrollnews

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The ICONIC Veronica Taylor, the OG voice of Ash Ketchum from Pokémon, joins us to share the impact anime has had on her life, her advice for aspiring voice actors, and stories not even diehard fans have heard before.

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 mix of roundtable news and discussion, featuring Crunchyroll hosts and special guests as they debate hot topics, offer recommendations, and tackle fan questions.

Talk to us! ⁠⁠https://got.cr/AnimeEffectQuestions ⁠⁠

Follow Crunchyroll on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@crunchyroll

#animenews #animepodcast #crunchyrollpodcast #crunchyrollnews

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Anime Effect weathers a news hurricane as it sorts headlines like a new Crunchyroll Manga drop, the debut of a new Evangelion anime, Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- updates, a brand-new Sword Art Online game, and 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 mix of roundtable news and discussion, featuring Crunchyroll hosts and special guests as they debate hot topics, offer recommendations, and tackle fan questions.

Talk to us! ⁠⁠https://got.cr/AnimeEffectQuestions ⁠⁠

Follow Crunchyroll on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@crunchyroll

#animenews #animepodcast #crunchyrollpodcast #crunchyrollnews

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 how she fell in love with anime. Plus, she builds her ultimate ANIME DREAM TEAM with our help.

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 mix of roundtable news and discussion, featuring Crunchyroll hosts and special guests as they debate hot topics, offer recommendations, and tackle fan questions.

Talk to us! ⁠⁠https://got.cr/AnimeEffectQuestions ⁠⁠

Follow Crunchyroll on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@crunchyroll

#animenews #animepodcast #crunchyrollpodcast #crunchyrollnews

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Anime Effect dives into the anime news this week, including the new Pokémon starters, a ONE PIECE milestone, and a quiet Reze Arc merch drop. PLUS, we dissect the new Gundam x Apex Legends collaboration, the new Rilakkuma anime, and the latest My Hero Anime concert tour.

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

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 mix of roundtable news and discussion, featuring Crunchyroll hosts and special guests as they debate hot topics, offer recommendations, and tackle fan questions.

Talk to us! ⁠⁠https://got.cr/AnimeEffectQuestions ⁠⁠

Follow Crunchyroll on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@crunchyroll

#animenews #animepodcast #crunchyrollpodcast #crunchyrollnews

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hannah Bahng joins The Anime Effect to reveal her favorite anime, OTP ships, and explains why everyone should be way more cringe.

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 mix of roundtable news and discussion, featuring Crunchyroll hosts and special guests as they debate hot topics, offer recommendations, and tackle fan questions.

Talk to us! ⁠⁠https://got.cr/AnimeEffectQuestions ⁠⁠

Follow Crunchyroll on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@crunchyroll

#animenews #animepodcast #crunchyrollpodcast #crunchyrollnews

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices