Each year, April Fools' Day gives a chance for creators in the anime, manga, and video game industries—as well as fans of these industries—to showcase their creativity. With the popularity of social media in recent years, many of these expressions of creativity go viral. Below is a selection of this year's official April Fools' jokes released by the anime, manga, and related industries, plus some fan-made content that felt a little too real.
Anime
5-toubun no Hanayome ∬
TBS overhauled its official website for 5-toubun no Hanayome on Thursday, and it featured a new spin-off titled 5-toubun no Hanamuko (The Five Wedded Grooms). The key visual depicts Fuutarou Uesugi as a bride with the quintuplets as his suitors.
Date A Live IV
Ahead of the release of Date A Live IV, Kadokawa opened an official website for a spin-off anime titled Date A Live Girl's Side. Nobunaga Shimazaki voices Tooru Yatogami, Nobunaga Shimazaki voices Orion Tobiichi, Nobunaga Shimazaki voices Yoshiki Himekawa, Nobunaga Shimazaki voices Yoshimune, and Nobunaga Shimazaki voices Kyouzou Tokisaki in the character teaser video.
Gochuumon wa Usagi Desu ka? Bloom
The Gochuumon wa Usagi Desu ka? official website and Twitter released new visuals on Thursday, depicting characters from the series as the seven deadly sins in Seven Rabbits Sins: Is the Order a Rabbit?.
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Gou
The official Twitter account for the Higurashi no Naku Koro ni anime series announced the decision to open a Sanrio Puroland (Hello Kitty Land) in Hinamizawa.
Jaku-Chara Tomozaki-kun
The official Twitter account for the Jaku-Chara Tomozaki-kun TV anime released a key visual for a spin-off titled Sai-Chara Kobaton-kun (The Saitama Character "KOBATON-kun"). The spin-off should feature Saitama Prefecture's mascot Kobaton in a prominent role.
Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon S
The official website for the second season of the Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon anime announced a television drama adaptation on Thursday. Enka singer and VOCALOID 4 Sachiko voice provider Sachiko Kobayashi will play Kobayashi-san alongside 3D models of the other characters. Asked to comment on the role, Kobayashi said she'll be happy if they can make a beautiful drama, and that the "S" in Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon S stands for "'Saikou' ni 'Suteki' de 'Shiawase' na 'Sachiko' (The most lovely and happy Sachiko)."
Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear
In honor of the Year of the Ox, the official website for the Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear TV anime had a new look on Thursday, revealing a spin-off titled Ushi Ushi Ushi Cow. The key visual states "Fina meets many cows and milks them," and that she lives a "moo-moo life with milk and steak."
Love Live! Nijigasaki Gakuen School Idol Doukoukai
The official website for the Love Live! Nijigasaki Gakuen School Idol Doukoukai TV anime unveiled a new story on Thursday with a purrfect cast of characters, each with their own short story.
Synopsis
Nijigasaki Gakuen is a popular private school in Odaiba, Tokyo, with a variety of subjects taught and a school spirit that nurtures independence. The girls who attend the school chase their dreams on a daily basis, but another, much smaller story is spreading in Odaiba—the story of Nyangasaki. The cats at Nijigasaki spend their free time taking walks, napping, and participating in other activities at their own pace. It's a carefree tale, but sometimes it sparkles, and now the Nyangasaki cats have assembled in search of "Tokimeki" (TL Note: this could be "a thrill," "a crush," or as Marie Kondou would say, something that "sparks joy").
Cast Cats
Love Live! Sunshine!!
In celebration of the fifth anniversary of Aqours, the official website for the Love Live! School Idol Project series released a game titled Saishuu Kessen! Aqours vs. Aliens (Decisive Battle! Aqours vs. Aliens) on Thursday. Players aimed to blast as many aliens as they could without harming innocent Aqours members. The game has since been removed from the official website.
Maoujou de Oyasumi
Demon Lord Tasogare is trapped in the human world, and it is up to the Demon Cleric "Leonard," Great Red Siberian, and other members of the Ten Guardians to save him. This Maoujou de Oyasumi spin-off film will be screened in theaters February 29-31, 2022, but it probably won't be as those dates will not exist.
Shakunetsu Kabaddi
The official Twitter account for the Shakunetsu Kabaddi TV anime announced that information will be provided in Hindi from now on.
Sword Art Online
@gamerturk95, @_xCelest, @Vyh2VG, and others released the first trailer for a Sword Art Online: The First Day TV anime special. It is highly unlikely that it premieres on August 29 at midnight on Tokyo MX, BS11, and additional stations.
Uma Musume: Pretty Derby (TV) Season 2
At the request of fans, Cygames, Inc. and the Uma Musume project have unveiled a creation for everyday relaxation—the Carrot Hamburg (steak) Cushion! This high-quality product from Toresen Gakuen will be available from Thursday at 12:00 p.m. (JST) on the Uma Musume official website.
Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru. Kan
Artist Recolors (Daasu) opened an (un)official website for a Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru. spin-off anime from Iroha Isshiki's point of view. Titled Yahari Watashi no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru. i, the spin-off may premiere on June 8, 2031.
Zombieland Saga: Revenge
The official Twitter account for Zombieland Saga: Revenge announced a 4-koma manga 100-day serialization project on Thursday. Yuuki Kikuchi (SUPER Doubutsuuzu, 100-nichigo ni Shinu Wani) is penning the manga. The April 1 release is titled 1-nichime ni Shinu Zon.
Manga/Other
Crayon Shin-chan Movie 29 x Love Live! School Idol Festival
To promote the upcoming Crayon Shin-chan movie, the titular character made his way into the Love Live! School Idol Festival! mobile game on Thursday. Limited edition cards were available in the store, and the 2019 mix of "Ora wa Ninkimono" was also playable.
Ensemble Stars
Developer Happy Elements K.K released a preview for the second part of the Ensemble Stars main story, Uchuu Sensou-hen. It features the song "Endless Vide" and some unexpected visuals.
Fate/Grand Order x Thunderbolt Fantasy
In anticipation of the third season of Thunderbolt Fantasy premiering on April 3, Pili International Multimedia produced a stop-motion animation crossover featuring Saber from Type-Moon's Fate/stay night franchise.
GOALOUS5
The male seiyuu collective GOALOUS5—Kentarou Kumagai, Shouhei Komatsu, Junta Terashima, Shuugo Nakamura, and Toshinari Fukamachi—released a video depicting the activities of an evil cat organization.
Key
Japanese visual novel studio Key revealed a new project titled Kaginado (potentially Keys and Such) on its official Twitter account on Thursday. By the stroke of midnight on Friday the tweet was removed, and a cryptic tweet was left in its place.
Paradox Live
Avex Pictures' hip-hop mixed media project Paradox Live received a romance simulation spin-off titled Paradox Love. Unfortunately, we will have to find love elsewhere, as the game is no longer being advertised on the project's official website.
Steins;Gate
Future Gadget Laboratory's Denwa Range (PhoneWave) is being prepared for mass production. Featuring a next-generation design in a convenient size that will fit on a small table, you can enjoy all the emotional turmoil of time travel from the comfort of your own home! Future Gadget Laboratory is taking preorders here for a planned April 1, 2036 release.
(Note: if you attempt to pre-order the Denwa Range from the present worldline, you will encounter a 999 error)
Tantei wa Mou, Shindeiru.
The official Twitter account for the Tantei wa Mou, Shindeiru. light novel series announced three spin-offs on Thursday—Doukyuusei wa Mou, Gaman Dekinai (My Classmates Can't Stand it Anymore), Idol wa Mou, Shitteita. (The Idol Already Knew), and Agent wa Mou, Hohoendeiru. (The Agent is Already Smiling). They are scheduled to be released on November 25, 202100, December 25, 202100, and January 25, 202200, respectively.
Source: animate Times, Gigazine
← Previous Year
Anime
5-toubun no Hanayome ∬
TBS overhauled its official website for 5-toubun no Hanayome on Thursday, and it featured a new spin-off titled 5-toubun no Hanamuko (The Five Wedded Grooms). The key visual depicts Fuutarou Uesugi as a bride with the quintuplets as his suitors.
Date A Live IV
Ahead of the release of Date A Live IV, Kadokawa opened an official website for a spin-off anime titled Date A Live Girl's Side. Nobunaga Shimazaki voices Tooru Yatogami, Nobunaga Shimazaki voices Orion Tobiichi, Nobunaga Shimazaki voices Yoshiki Himekawa, Nobunaga Shimazaki voices Yoshimune, and Nobunaga Shimazaki voices Kyouzou Tokisaki in the character teaser video.
Gochuumon wa Usagi Desu ka? Bloom
The Gochuumon wa Usagi Desu ka? official website and Twitter released new visuals on Thursday, depicting characters from the series as the seven deadly sins in Seven Rabbits Sins: Is the Order a Rabbit?.
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Gou
The official Twitter account for the Higurashi no Naku Koro ni anime series announced the decision to open a Sanrio Puroland (Hello Kitty Land) in Hinamizawa.
Jaku-Chara Tomozaki-kun
The official Twitter account for the Jaku-Chara Tomozaki-kun TV anime released a key visual for a spin-off titled Sai-Chara Kobaton-kun (The Saitama Character "KOBATON-kun"). The spin-off should feature Saitama Prefecture's mascot Kobaton in a prominent role.
Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon S
The official website for the second season of the Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon anime announced a television drama adaptation on Thursday. Enka singer and VOCALOID 4 Sachiko voice provider Sachiko Kobayashi will play Kobayashi-san alongside 3D models of the other characters. Asked to comment on the role, Kobayashi said she'll be happy if they can make a beautiful drama, and that the "S" in Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon S stands for "'Saikou' ni 'Suteki' de 'Shiawase' na 'Sachiko' (The most lovely and happy Sachiko)."
Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear
In honor of the Year of the Ox, the official website for the Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear TV anime had a new look on Thursday, revealing a spin-off titled Ushi Ushi Ushi Cow. The key visual states "Fina meets many cows and milks them," and that she lives a "moo-moo life with milk and steak."
Love Live! Nijigasaki Gakuen School Idol Doukoukai
The official website for the Love Live! Nijigasaki Gakuen School Idol Doukoukai TV anime unveiled a new story on Thursday with a purrfect cast of characters, each with their own short story.
Synopsis
Nijigasaki Gakuen is a popular private school in Odaiba, Tokyo, with a variety of subjects taught and a school spirit that nurtures independence. The girls who attend the school chase their dreams on a daily basis, but another, much smaller story is spreading in Odaiba—the story of Nyangasaki. The cats at Nijigasaki spend their free time taking walks, napping, and participating in other activities at their own pace. It's a carefree tale, but sometimes it sparkles, and now the Nyangasaki cats have assembled in search of "Tokimeki" (TL Note: this could be "a thrill," "a crush," or as Marie Kondou would say, something that "sparks joy").
Cast Cats
Love Live! Sunshine!!
In celebration of the fifth anniversary of Aqours, the official website for the Love Live! School Idol Project series released a game titled Saishuu Kessen! Aqours vs. Aliens (Decisive Battle! Aqours vs. Aliens) on Thursday. Players aimed to blast as many aliens as they could without harming innocent Aqours members. The game has since been removed from the official website.
Maoujou de Oyasumi
Demon Lord Tasogare is trapped in the human world, and it is up to the Demon Cleric "Leonard," Great Red Siberian, and other members of the Ten Guardians to save him. This Maoujou de Oyasumi spin-off film will be screened in theaters February 29-31, 2022, but it probably won't be as those dates will not exist.
Shakunetsu Kabaddi
The official Twitter account for the Shakunetsu Kabaddi TV anime announced that information will be provided in Hindi from now on.
Sword Art Online
@gamerturk95, @_xCelest, @Vyh2VG, and others released the first trailer for a Sword Art Online: The First Day TV anime special. It is highly unlikely that it premieres on August 29 at midnight on Tokyo MX, BS11, and additional stations.
Uma Musume: Pretty Derby (TV) Season 2
At the request of fans, Cygames, Inc. and the Uma Musume project have unveiled a creation for everyday relaxation—the Carrot Hamburg (steak) Cushion! This high-quality product from Toresen Gakuen will be available from Thursday at 12:00 p.m. (JST) on the Uma Musume official website.
Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru. Kan
Artist Recolors (Daasu) opened an (un)official website for a Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru. spin-off anime from Iroha Isshiki's point of view. Titled Yahari Watashi no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru. i, the spin-off may premiere on June 8, 2031.
Zombieland Saga: Revenge
The official Twitter account for Zombieland Saga: Revenge announced a 4-koma manga 100-day serialization project on Thursday. Yuuki Kikuchi (SUPER Doubutsuuzu, 100-nichigo ni Shinu Wani) is penning the manga. The April 1 release is titled 1-nichime ni Shinu Zon.
Manga/Other
Crayon Shin-chan Movie 29 x Love Live! School Idol Festival
To promote the upcoming Crayon Shin-chan movie, the titular character made his way into the Love Live! School Idol Festival! mobile game on Thursday. Limited edition cards were available in the store, and the 2019 mix of "Ora wa Ninkimono" was also playable.
Ensemble Stars
Developer Happy Elements K.K released a preview for the second part of the Ensemble Stars main story, Uchuu Sensou-hen. It features the song "Endless Vide" and some unexpected visuals.
Fate/Grand Order x Thunderbolt Fantasy
In anticipation of the third season of Thunderbolt Fantasy premiering on April 3, Pili International Multimedia produced a stop-motion animation crossover featuring Saber from Type-Moon's Fate/stay night franchise.
GOALOUS5
The male seiyuu collective GOALOUS5—Kentarou Kumagai, Shouhei Komatsu, Junta Terashima, Shuugo Nakamura, and Toshinari Fukamachi—released a video depicting the activities of an evil cat organization.
Key
Japanese visual novel studio Key revealed a new project titled Kaginado (potentially Keys and Such) on its official Twitter account on Thursday. By the stroke of midnight on Friday the tweet was removed, and a cryptic tweet was left in its place.
Paradox Live
Avex Pictures' hip-hop mixed media project Paradox Live received a romance simulation spin-off titled Paradox Love. Unfortunately, we will have to find love elsewhere, as the game is no longer being advertised on the project's official website.
Steins;Gate
Future Gadget Laboratory's Denwa Range (PhoneWave) is being prepared for mass production. Featuring a next-generation design in a convenient size that will fit on a small table, you can enjoy all the emotional turmoil of time travel from the comfort of your own home! Future Gadget Laboratory is taking preorders here for a planned April 1, 2036 release.
(Note: if you attempt to pre-order the Denwa Range from the present worldline, you will encounter a 999 error)
Tantei wa Mou, Shindeiru.
The official Twitter account for the Tantei wa Mou, Shindeiru. light novel series announced three spin-offs on Thursday—Doukyuusei wa Mou, Gaman Dekinai (My Classmates Can't Stand it Anymore), Idol wa Mou, Shitteita. (The Idol Already Knew), and Agent wa Mou, Hohoendeiru. (The Agent is Already Smiling). They are scheduled to be released on November 25, 202100, December 25, 202100, and January 25, 202200, respectively.
Source: animate Times, Gigazine
← Previous Year
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Anime