Breaking: Anime Expo to Unveil Studio Bones' Exciting Announcement! Don't Miss Out!

Rumors have been circulating that Studio Bones (known for Fullmetal Alchemist and Mob Psycho 100) will be making a special announcement during Crunchyroll's panel at Anime Expo. This news comes shortly after Anime Expo's official Twitter account announced that the studio's founder, Masahiko Minami, and Cowboy Bebop character designer, Toshihiro Kawamoto, will be attending as Guests of Honor. While the sources of these rumors have not been confirmed, Twitter users @MangaMoguraRE and @AniNewsAndFacts, who are known for providing up-to-date news on anime and manga, were among the first to report on this. Although the tweet from @MangaMoguraRE includes some speculative language, fans have been quick to connect the dots and engage in enthusiastic speculation.

What Do the Fans Want?

The responses to these stories alone provide a comprehensive glimpse into Bones' animated works. Fans from numerous series produced by the studio emerged to express their desire for sequels to their beloved shows. And among these passionate fan bases, the Noragami fandom was undeniably the most vocal.

Noragami, directed by the renowned storyboard artist Koutarou Tamura, first aired in 2014. It follows the journey of Yato, a wandering minor god who lacks followers or a shrine to call his own. The series garnered significant praise and even received a second season in 2015. However, despite its critical success, it never obtained a third season due to low sales. Given the current surge in demand, it is surprising that the show did not receive the necessary support it deserved.

Even with a passionate fanbase and critical acclaim, a piece of artwork can sometimes fail to meet expectations, only to be recognized for its brilliance years later. However, with the manga set to conclude this year, now would be an opportune moment for Bones to announce a comeback, particularly since Kawamoto, one of AX's guests, served as the character designer.

Of course, the Soul Eater fandom couldn't help but hope for a remake when rumors of a new Bones project surfaced. The desire for a revival was evident in the numerous comments, with fans reasoning that if Fullmetal Alchemist could receive a remake, then Soul Eater should too. However, it is crucial to consider the involvement of director Takuya Igarashi, who is currently occupied with Bungo Stray Dogs. Additionally, the feasibility of a remake may no longer be as certain.

What's More Likely?

It is unlikely that the announcement would be for a previously confirmed project like Sk8 the Infinity Season 2, which has yet to be given a release window. However, considering it from a different perspective, this announcement could be Bones associating themselves with a highly anticipated project, the studio behind which has not yet been revealed. And there is still one major anime that has not been assigned a studio: One Punch Man Season 3.

Consider for a moment the true creators behind the series. While most sources credit Madhouse, One Punch Man was actually a collaboration of talent from various parts of the industry. Many animators from Bones, in particular, played a significant role in its production.

Although Season 2 may have disappointed fans, there is still hope for the series to regain its peak in animation quality. With Bones potentially joining the team for the third act, they have the potential to bring the series back to its former glory. Additionally, now that Mob Psycho 100, another series by the creator of One Punch Man, has concluded, it would be a perfect opportunity for the team to reunite for a new season. Pair that with the inclusion of Mob Psycho director Yuzuru Tachikawa, and it becomes an ideal collaboration.

On the other hand, there is a new and exciting project that has been generating a lot of excitement recently: Dandadan, a shōnen manga by Yukinobu Tatsu. This manga, which started serializing in Shōnen Jump+ in 2021, revolves around a boy who doubts the existence of ghosts and a girl who refuses to believe in aliens. However, when they discover that both supernatural beings are real, they find themselves embarking on an extraordinary adventure to restore normalcy in their lives.

With the anticipation of an anime adaptation, Dandadan has the potential to become the next big trend in the anime world, much like the success of Chainsaw Man last year. If Bones, a renowned studio, decides to venture into something fresh while also catering to a dedicated fanbase, acquiring the rights to Dandadan could prove to be even more valuable than the popular series One Punch Man.

However, just like the fans who prepared themselves for Season 3 of One Punch Man being adapted by MAPPA, there is a possibility that Dandadan might also be taken on by that studio. MAPPA has gained a reputation for producing a significant amount of content, often with impressive results. Both studios have the potential to excel in creating an outstanding adaptation, but fans who are knowledgeable about the industry might find solace in Bones' comparatively lighter workload.

What Would Be Especially Great?

However, it is important to note that there is always the possibility that none of the previously mentioned announcements will come to fruition. In the event that an unexpected announcement is made, it would certainly be a pleasant surprise. Nevertheless, the likelihood of a completely original work being announced seems slim, considering that Bones recently revealed Metallic Rogue for 2024, which coincides with the studio's 25th anniversary. However, there is one exception to this. Fans of the 2015 series Kekkai Sensen will likely be familiar with director Rie Matsumoto, who has collaborated with Bones on numerous occasions, primarily on music videos and promotional campaigns. Rumors have circulated for years about a new project with Matsumoto as the director, and now would be an opportune moment to put any concerns about the validity of those rumors to rest.

Fans eagerly await the unveiling of the mysterious project by this relatively unknown director, who has already gained a reputation for her exceptional storytelling skills. With her limited but impactful body of work, Matsumoto has proven herself to be a promising talent in the industry. Additionally, her strong rapport with the studio indicates that she deserves more opportunities to direct. On July 2, all will be revealed at the Crunchyroll Panel, leaving fans curious to see if the rumors were indeed true. In the meantime, it may be worth revisiting your favorite show from Studio Bones, as there is a possibility of a sequel in the near future.

Sources: Twitter (AnimeExpo [1] [2], MangaMoguraRE, AniNewsAndFacts)