Anime News Network

Overview

Anime News Network, commonly abbreviated as ANN, is one of the longest-running and most widely referenced English-language news and information websites dedicated to anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture, having launched in 1998 and continuously operated as a primary source for anime and manga industry news, reviews, and encyclopedia-style reference information for more than two decades. The site publishes daily news coverage spanning new anime series and film announcements, licensing deals bringing Japanese content to Western markets, industry business news involving anime studios and manga publishers, convention coverage, and interviews with creators, voice actors, and industry professionals, functioning as a primary information source for both casual fans following their favorite ongoing series and industry professionals tracking business developments within the anime and manga industry.

A distinguishing feature of Anime News Network is its extensive encyclopedia database, which catalogs detailed information about individual anime series, manga titles, staff and cast credits, and studio information, functioning similarly to how a specialized industry database like IMDb operates for film and television but built specifically around the scope and conventions of Japanese animation and comics, making it a frequently referenced resource for fans, journalists, and researchers needing accurate credits and production information about specific anime or manga titles.

The site's editorial team, including managing editor Crystalyn Hodgkins and other staff editors and contributors, produces regular reviews of new anime series and manga releases, giving readers critical perspective on new releases to help them decide what to watch or read amid the large volume of anime and manga content released each season, alongside ongoing feature columns and opinion pieces exploring broader trends and topics within anime and manga fandom and the industry itself. Anime News Network has built substantial credibility within the anime and manga fan community and industry over its long operating history, often being one of the first English-language sources to break news about licensing announcements, series renewals, or major industry developments, which has made it a go-to source that other media outlets and fan communities frequently cite when reporting on anime and manga industry news themselves.

The site maintains active social media presence and a dedicated fan forum community, extending its engagement with readers beyond just article consumption into ongoing discussion and community interaction around the news and reviews it publishes. As one of the most established outlets in its niche, Anime News Network serves an audience ranging from casual anime viewers wanting basic show information to serious industry-watchers and journalists who rely on ANN's encyclopedia and news archive as a dependable reference resource.

Pricing

Anime News Network's news articles, reviews, and encyclopedia database are free to access, with an optional ANNcast Premium or similar membership tier historically offered for ad-free browsing and bonus content; core news and reference content remains freely available, supported primarily through advertising revenue.

Key Features

• Daily anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture news coverage
• Extensive encyclopedia database of anime and manga titles and credits
• Reviews of new anime series and manga releases
• Convention coverage and creator/voice actor interviews
• Over two decades of established industry credibility
• Active fan forum and social media community engagement

Best For

Anime News Network is best for anime and manga fans who want reliable daily industry news and a trusted reference database for series and credit information, as well as industry professionals and journalists tracking developments in the anime and manga business.