animeblast Celebrates 2nd Anniversary with Public Recording, VTuber Debut, and More

Fuji Shouji, a manufacturer of pachinko machines known for titles like Toaru Majutsu no Index, Hidan no Aria, and Jigoku Shoujo, has a deep connection to anime. In 2024, the company launched the project animeblast, which has now reached its second anniversary. The project aims to deliver new ways to enjoy anime, and its various initiatives have been gaining attention.

What is animeblast?

animeblast started in July 2024 with the concept of discovering new ways to enjoy anime and creating “fun” from a free perspective together with fans. One of its main activities is the YouTube talk show animeblast 情報局, where anime works are explored in depth. The show is hosted by anime-loving comedian Tenshin Handai, and features cast members and artists as guests. The lineup includes familiar titles such as Toaru Majutsu no Index and the 2026 summer anime Tetsunabe no Jan!. Past guests include Ishikawa Kaito, Umehara Yuuichirou, Okamoto Nobuhiko, Ogura Yui, Kitou Akari, Higashiyama Nao, Hirata Hiroaki, fripSide (Uesugi Mao and Abe Hisayo), and Matsuoka Yoshitsugu, among others.

Beyond the YouTube show, the official social media accounts run character birthday celebrations, giveaways, and other fan-engagement initiatives. animeblast also sponsors anime-related events such as Animelo Summer Live and the Seiyuu Awards, and provides radio programs, supporting the growth of anime culture in a passionate and serious manner.

In addition, a VTuber agency called Burasuto Bui was established as a spin-off project. With the theme “playing with Japanese culture to the fullest,” it aims to spread appeal from Japan to the world. On August 26, 2026, the first generation members—Nagiri Ryune, Kakubane Suzume, and Yomori Hana—were introduced, and their future activities are already drawing attention.

animeblast 情報局: A Show That Makes Anime Even More Enjoyable

The YouTube program animeblast 情報局 is regularly streamed and remains available as an archive, so viewers can catch up on missed episodes. As of September 2026, 19 episodes have been released. The show covers not only the latest anime but also older works that fans may have missed, a distinctive feature of animeblast.

The first episode featured Satou Rina and Arai Satomi from Toaru Kagaku no Railgun. The two chatted warmly about their favorite points, with Arai commenting on the character Shirai Kuroko, who wears panties on her head, calling her “the comic relief” and noting that “she has cool moments but is fundamentally a pervert.”

In episode 4, Okamoto Nobuhiko appeared solo to talk extensively about his role as Accelerator in Toaru Majutsu no Index. He revealed that when he asked fans where they first learned about him, the overwhelming majority said Accelerator, and he expressed happiness at receiving many responses from male fans.

Episode 10 celebrated the birthday of Hidan no Aria’s protagonist, Kanzaki H. Aria, with a special feature on the 2011 series, which marked its 15th anniversary this year. Guest Majima Junji, who voiced Kinji Tohyama, appeared, and the episode has surpassed 440,000 views (as of September 2026). Majima mentioned that he had not appeared at an event related to the series in seven years, and he researched the show for this broadcast. Kugimiya Rie, who plays Aria, appeared via a comment video, celebrating the character’s birthday with a cute cake prepared by the staff. She also answered birthday-themed questions, such as what present she would give Aria.

Another birthday special featured Matsuoka Yoshitsugu, the voice of Tenjou Yuuya from Ise Reberu (short for Isekai de Cheat Nouryoku o Te ni Shita Ore wa, Genjitsu Sekai o mo Musou Suru ~Level Up wa Jinsei o Kaeta~). When asked who he would invite to Yuuya’s birthday party, Matsuoka said he would invite the voice actors rather than the characters, specifically Murase Ayumu and Okamoto Nobuhiko, and even slipped into an impression of Okamoto during the conversation.

Producer Interview: Two Years of animeblast

To mark the project’s second anniversary, the content producer shared their thoughts.

On the project’s origins: “animeblast started from the desire to use our experience in developing pachinko machines to deliver the appeal of anime in a different way. We wanted to create opportunities for more people to learn about the charm of anime and enjoy it through a fresh approach. One of our initiatives is the YouTube show, where we invite cast members to talk about their works in their own words, deepening enjoyment for existing fans and sparking interest in newcomers. Recently, we have also featured artists who contribute to anime, expanding the content.”

Reflecting on two years: “At first, it may have been unclear to the anime industry what we were aiming for. But over two years, as we continued to deliver anime’s appeal in various forms, we gradually gained understanding. One of our unique efforts has been spotlighting works that aired some time ago, not just the latest titles. This has created new opportunities for people to revisit older series. We also saw new ideas emerge from our activities—for example, after a conversation on the show about Toaru Kagaku no Railgun, we actually produced a ‘Gekota pouch’ based on that exchange. This flexibility is part of animeblast’s charm.”

Memorable episodes and viewer reactions: “The first episode, featuring Toaru Kagaku no Railgun, stands out. Covering such a well-known work from the start helped shape the show and made it easier for guests to feel comfortable. Over two years, the comments from viewers have shown us that many people support us because we have kept going. That is truly rewarding.”

Behind the scenes: “One particularly memorable recording was the ‘Komarin Birthday Special’ for Hikikomari Kyuuketsuki no Monmon. The staff were asked to do various things on the spot, making it a different kind of session. The guests were so enthusiastic that the recording was lively, and the show’s stance of ‘enjoyably talking about anime’ was reflected in the studio atmosphere.”

Future plans: “We will continue to cherish the concept of presenting new ways to enjoy anime and take on various challenges. As we enter our third year, we want to create more opportunities for direct communication with fans. On September 26, 2026, we will hold our first public recording. The VTuber project Burasuto Bui is also underway, helping us reach new audiences. With Fuji Shouji’s 60th anniversary as a milestone, we will keep pursuing fresh ideas while staying true to our slogan, ‘A different kind of fun.’”

2nd Anniversary Public Recording and Giveaway

To celebrate animeblast’s second anniversary, five readers will be invited to the YouTube public recording event.

Event details:
Event name: animeblast 2nd Anniversary YouTube Public Recording
Date: September 26, 2026 (Saturday)
Time: Doors open 12:30 / Start 13:00 / End scheduled 14:30
Venue: Bunka Housou (Bunka Housou Media Plus Hall), Hamamatsucho, Tokyo
Guests:
From Toaru Majutsu no Index: Abe Atsushi, Iguchi Yuka
From Tetsunabe no Jan!: Toya Kikunosuke, Amasaki Kouhei

How to apply:
1) Repost the campaign post on X.
2) Follow the official AnimeAnime X account.
Winners will be notified via direct message from the Anime! Anime! editorial team on September 17 (Thursday).

Important notes:
– One winner per person.
– Transferring or reselling tickets is strictly prohibited. Tickets obtained through resale will not be admitted.
– Guests with a fever of 37.5°C or higher will not be admitted.
– Photography, video recording, and audio recording during the recording are strictly prohibited.
– Late arrivals will not be admitted for any reason.
– The schedule may change or be canceled due to weather or other unavoidable circumstances.
– Transportation and accommodation costs are the responsibility of the winner. The organizer is not liable for accidents or troubles during travel or at the venue.
By applying, you agree to these terms.