Luffy Throws First Pitch, The Rise Of The Webtoon Industry, & More | Anime+ News Ed: 84 E: 189

This week on Anime+, Aray and Aunn round up all the biggest, weirdest, and most surprising stories in the anime and manga world. From major adaptations and industry plans to Luffy throwing a fastball and Kana Arima repping vegetables, it's a jam-packed episode full of hot takes and side tangents.

📰 Covered in this episode:

• 📚 The Beginning After the End launches a Kickstarter for print editions — and it's already crushing goals
• 🇰🇷 South Korea unveils a 5-year plan to become an animation powerhouse
• 🤖 Naver Webtoon introduces AI chatbots that let you talk to your favorite webtoon characters
• 🔥 Roll Over and Die is getting a TV anime — yes, that one
• 📉 Baki Rahen and Fly Me to the Moon go on hiatus — but don't panic just yet
• 😈 ‘Tis Time for “Torture,” Princess returns for Season 2 in January 2026
• ⚾ Luffy throws the first pitch at Fenway on One Piece x Red Sox Day (gear drop when?)
• ☔ Protect yourself from the rain with Gundam shield umbrellas
• 💥 Kagurabachi continues its domination — now at 2.2 million copies in circulation
• ⚽ Aoashi scores a second season by TMS Entertainment, coming 2026
• 🫑 Kana Arima becomes a bell pepper ambassador… and no, it’s not an April Fool’s joke
• 🌙 Shohei Ohtani walks up to the Sailor Moon opening — anime culture in the MLB is real

Call to Action:

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Listener Questions:

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Sources:

The Beginning After the End Web Novels Get Kickstarter Campaign for Print Run

https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2025-04-26/the-beginning-after-the-end-web-novels-get-kickstarter-campaign-for-print-run/.223939

South Korea Announces 5-Year Plan to Boost Animation Industry

https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2025-04-27/south-korea-announces-5-year-plan-to-boost-animation-industry/.223952

Naver Webtoon Releases AI Chatbot for Webtoon Characters

https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2025-04-27/naver-webtoon-releases-ai-chatbot-for-webtoon-characters/.223819

Roll Over and Die Novels, Manga Get TV Anime (Updated)

https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2025-04-25/roll-over-and-die-novels-manga-get-tv-anime/.223927

Baki Rahen Manga Goes on Hiatus Until May 15

https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2025-04-28/baki-rahen-manga-goes-on-hiatus-until-may-15/.223975

Fly Me to the Moon Manga Goes on Hiatus

https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2025-04-28/fly-me-to-the-moon-manga-goes-on-hiatus/.223977

'Tis Time for "Torture," Princess' Anime's 2nd Season Premieres in January 2026

https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2025-04-28/tis-time-for-torture-princess-anime-2nd-season-premieres-in-january-2026/.224001

Luffy to Throw 1st Pitch on Boston Red Sox x One Piece Theme Day

https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2025-04-28/luffy-to-throw-1st-pitch-on-boston-red-sox-x-one-piece-theme-day/.224003

Deflect Rain With Gundam Shield Umbrellas

https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2025-04-28/deflect-rain-with-gundam-shield-umbrellas/.223991

Kagurabachi Manga to Top 2.2 Million Copies in Circulation

https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2025-04-29/kagurabachi-manga-to-top-2.2-million-copies-in-circulation/.224014

Aoashi Soccer Anime Gets 2nd Season by TMS Entertainment in 2026

https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2025-04-29/aoashi-soccer-anime-gets-2nd-season-by-tms-entertainment-in-2026/.223815

Oshi's no Ko's April Fool's Joke Is Real: Kana Arima Is a Bell Pepper Ambassador

https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2025-04-29/oshi-no-ko-april-fool-joke-is-real-kana-arima-is-a-bell-pepper-ambassador/.224031

Sailor Moon Opening Plays as Baseball Star Shohei Ohtani's Walk-Up Song

https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2025-04-30/sailor-moon-opening-plays-as-baseball-star-shohei-ohtani-walk-up-song/.224058