From July 3rd to 6th, Anime Friends 2025 brought together over 150,000 people in the Anhembi District of São Paulo. AnimeNew attended the event, closely monitoring the latest developments. Among them was the special panel hosted by Disney+, which reinforced the platform's growing focus on anime and original Asian productions.
Hosted by Chibi Martins on the Ultra Stage, the panel featured previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and special appearances, placing Disney+ as one of the event's highlights.
Bleach Thousand-Year Blood War Gets Tribute On Stage
The panel began with a celebration of the legacy of Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, one of the most popular titles in the catalog. Voice actress Luiza Porto and dubbing director Thiago Keplmair shared with the audience the challenges and behind-the-scenes experiences of voice work in Brazil. They emphasized the importance of the Brazilian adaptation for the success of the series.
The warm reception from the public showed that the anime remains popular even after more than two years of airing.
Twisted Wonderland: Disney villains gain new life in a magical universe
Next up, the highlight was the anime Twisted-Wonderland, based on the popular Japanese mobile game. The plot revolves around a young man who, upon passing through a magic mirror, is transported to the world of Twisted Wonderland and enrolled in the magical school Night Raven College. Each house at the school is inspired by a classic Disney villain, giving the production a dark and captivating aesthetic.
Bia Menezes, the anime's Brazilian voice actress, spoke about the dubbing process and the expectations surrounding the national premiere, scheduled for the second half of 2025. The audience reacted enthusiastically, especially fans who have been following the game and waiting for the animation for years.
Cat's Eye returns with a new anime about action, espionage, and brotherhood.
Closing the panel, Disney+ revealed news about the remake of Cat's Eye, an 80s classic. The plot follows three sisters who lead a double life: during the day, they run a cafe; at night, they are thieves who steal works of art belonging to their missing father.
The plot gains extra tension with the involvement of Hitomi, one of the sisters, with Toshio Utsumi, the detective investigating the robberies, unaware that he's dating one of the criminals. The premiere is also scheduled for the second half of 2025.
The presence at the event shows the strength of Disney+ in the anime market
Participation in Anime Friends 2025 demonstrated that Disney+ is ready to compete in the Asian market with platforms already established in this niche. Alongside titles like Tokyo Revengers, Tengoku-Daimakyo, Undead Unluck, and Sand Land: The Series, the announcements reinforce the company's strategy of expanding its geek catalog with productions aimed at young and adult audiences.
The panel at Anime Friends 2025 brought together fans of all ages and created a direct connection with anime consumers in Brazil, one of the most important markets for the global streaming market.
With premieres scheduled for the coming months, 2025 promises to be a year of expansion and experimentation for Disney+ in Japan, Korea, and Brazil, especially among fans of anime, fantasy, and stories with a striking visual identity.
