Anime News

April Fools’ Day Roundup: The Tricks, Twists and Takeovers of 2023

 

Welcome to April Fools’ Day, the most wonderful time of year for PR teams across the anime, manga and video game industries as they let loose their brightest and wildest spoof ideas. This year was no exception, so we’ve gathered as many as we could here for your viewing pleasure!

 

NOTE: Due to the sheer number of Twitter embeds, some sections may take a little while to load.

 


 

Aggretsuko

 

Aggretsuko puts her rage into folk songs instead of death metal.

 

 


 

Black Clover

 

Mereoleona launches a workout regime.

 

 


 

BLEACH

 

To quote the series’ official Twitter account, “This is the story of passionate men who show their convictions and pride at Gotei High School—”, featuring Ichigo, Uyru, Renji and Gin.

 

 


 

BLUELOCK

 

A new egoist joins the BLUE LOCK project: Japanese comedian Kinnikun Nakayama.

 


 

Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo

 

Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo announces Precure-style anime series.

 


 

Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki

 

“Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki Fest” parody visual with Kobaton, who was the subject of a previous April Fools from the series.

 


 

Bullbuster

 

Live-action adaptation announcement for mixed-media project Bullbuster.

 


 

Bungo Stray Dogs

 

As is tradition, a new installment in “Bungo Stray Dogs Academy.”

 


 

Date A Live

 

Date A Live joins in on the lively live-action action.

 


 

Girls und Panzer (+ Princess Principal)

 

Along with a legitimate announcement, a visual crossover between Girls un Panzer and Princess Principal.

 


 

HATSUNE MIKU: COLORFUL STAGE!

 

A whole music video from the HATSUNE MIKU: COLORFUL STAGE mobile game.

 


 

KamiKatsu: Working for God in a Godless World

 

Tired: KamiKatsu: Working for God in a Godless World. Wired: AniKatsu: Working for Animals in an Animal-less World.

 


 

Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear

 

Tired: Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear. Wired: Usa Usa Usa Bunny.

 


 

Kuroko’s Basketball

 

The gate to a new world opens for Kuroko’s Basketball.

 


 

Kuso Miso Technique

 

Once again proving that it’s never too late to be adapted, 1987 yaoi hentai and notorious meme Kuso Miso Technique gets an anime announcement.

 


 

Laid-Back Camp

 

Yamanashi Prefecture has been renamed to Camp Prefecture, and Rin has been appointed as governer for teh day.

 


 

Legend of Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These

 

Official spin-off anime Ginga Eigyo Densetsu (Legend of Galactic Businessmen) is announced with an illustration by character designer Kei Tsushima.

 


 

Love Live!

 

Love Live! moves the spotlight to nine young employees working at a spoof entertainment company in a documentary-style video.

 

 


 

Luminous Witches

 

It’s not an anime April Fools’ without academy parodies, and Luminous Witches was one of several franchises to step up in that regard.

 

 


 

MASHLE: MAGIC AND MUSCLES

 

The infectious goofy energy of April Fools’ Day evolved, spreading Mash’s haircut to the rest of the anime’s ensemble like a virus.

 

 


 

Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury

 

Nugen, Golneri, Kal and Nevola take over the official Twitter account of Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury.

 

 


 

My Happy Marriage

 

Sometimes it’s as simple as a jokey illustration, or in the case of My Happy Marriage, sometimes it’s going the extra mile in the storytelling with an interview opportunity.

 

 


 

Naruto

 

Some shonen anime destroy the moon; others impose a Sharingan on it.

 

 


 

OSHI NO KO

 

Kana becomes a baking soda ambassador.

 

 


 

Overlord (+ The Eminence in Shadow)

 

Ainz Ooal Gown and Cid join forces for a chibi crossover anime, coming to a screen near you in April 2138.

 

 


 

Pokémon GO

 

OOPS! All Pidgeys.

 

 


 

Pui Pui Molcar (+ JUJUTSU KAISEN)

 

This now long-running, unexpected collab continues for another fluffy year.

 

 


 

Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World-

 

Another spin-off anime to look forward to: Re:ZERO -Starting Life as a Magical Girl-, starring Ram and Rem!

 

 


 

Saint Cecilia and Pastor Lawrence

 

Saint Cecilia and Pastor Lawrence swap color motifs (the original title literally translates to “The White Holy Woman and the Black Priest”) for a spin-off anime coming this July, alongside the original.

 

 


 

Sonic the Hedgehog

 

No, really. This is a free point-and-click game that you can actually download on Steam right now.

 

 


 

The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten

 

Last year’s The Devil Next Door Made Me a Useless Human prank evolves into a game announcement.

 

 


 

The Girl I Like Forgot Her Glasses

 

Twelve words every guy wants to hear: The Girl in the Seat Next to Me Turned into a Mech.

 

 


 

Urusei Yatsura

 

The new Urusei Yatsura anime wishes a very happy birthday to Shutaro Mendo.

 

 


 

VINLAND SAGA

 

This job posting from VINLAND SAGA‘s Ketil is purely medieval.

 

 


 

 

Der shy man behind @Shymander, Liam is a timezone-fluid Aussie with a distinct fondness for anime, Eurovision and creating odd stats projects despite hating math.