From celebrity weddings to unexpected controversies, 2024 delivered many newsworthy moments in the world of anime, manga, and voice actors. Japan Anime News (JAN) by ORICON NEWS has curated the most impactful stories of the year.

January

・Voice actors Yuma Uchida and Rina Hidaka announce their marriage (Jan 1).
・Hinako Ashihara, creator of Sexy Tanaka-san, passes away.
・Gundam SEED’s Aslan Zala visits Dotonbori in regional visuals.
・Captain Tsubasa concludes its manga run in April; Yoichi Takahashi cites age-related fatigue after 43 years.

February

・Mobile Suit Gundam SEED film sets record as the highest-grossing Gundam movie, breaking a 42-year record.

March

・Manga legend Akira Toriyama passes away at 68.
・TARAKO, voice of Chibi Maruko-chan, dies.
・Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End villain Aura ranks 2nd in a character poll; voice actress Ayana Taketatsu reacts with surprise.
・Artist Mutsumi Inomata passes away; companies pay tribute.

April

・Tokyo Revengers creator starts a new series in Weekly Shonen Jump.
・Conan's Ran’s iconic “horns” spark buzz in a McDonald’s ad.

May

・Issei Takahashi and Marie Iitoyo announce marriage, sparking “JoJo wedding” buzz from Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan.
・Toru Furuya apologizes for infidelity scandal involving a 4.5-year affair.
・Maho Girls Precure! sequel to air in January with its first-ever late-night slot.
・Hana-Kimi manga gets its first anime adaptation.

June

・Ranma ½ announces a brand-new anime.
・Voice actress Eiko Masuyama, known for Fujiko Mine (Lupin III), dies at 89.
・Voice actor Taiki Matsuno passes away; Yu-Gi-Oh! pays tribute.

July

・Demon Slayer Infinity Castle Arc to be adapted as a three-part film.
・Hell Teacher Nube announces a new anime for 2025.
・Magic Knight Rayearth returns with a new anime after 27 years.

August

・Atsuko Tanaka, voice of Motoko Kusanagi (Ghost in the Shell), dies at 61.
・My Hero Academia ends after a decade of serialization.
・Voice actress Akiko Yajima changes her name to Aki Uechi.

September

・Jujutsu Kaisen concludes its 6.5-year manga run.

October

・Dragon Ball DAIMA voice casting changes spark confusion.
・Aoni Production announces AI voice replication of Masako Nozawa and others.

November

・Hajime Kindaichi, now 37, is revealed to have married Miyuki and has children.
・New Precure series titled Kimi to Idol Precure♪.

December

・Franky’s voice actor in One Piece changes; Subaru Kimura replaces Kazuki Yao.
・Precure tackles pet mortality in an emotional storyline.

Source : ORICON NEWS