Anime Friends 2025 brought together thousands of Japanese culture fans in São Paulo from July 3rd to 6th. In addition to international attractions and interactive spaces, the event also featured major editorial announcements, solidifying its role as an essential showcase for the Brazilian geek market.
Publishers NewPOP, JBC, Panini, and other brands surprised the audience with long-awaited and unprecedented reveals, reinforcing the sector's growth in the country. Below, check out a complete summary of the main manga announced during the event, as well as a special appearance by Crunchyroll, which returned with a booth packed with activations.
NewPOP bets on diversity with award-winning works and BLs
NewPOP kicked off the panel series with a diverse selection that drew attention for its representation and boldness. Among the highlights was " My Existence as a Wandering Warrior ," an autobiographical manga by Kabi Nagata that reflects on mental health and identity. The announcement of "Run Away with Me, Girl!" , "One Room Angel , "The Song of Yoru and Asa," and "Avant-Garde Yumeko" reinforces the publisher's commitment to niche works, focusing on BL, alternative shoujo, and social issues.
The publisher also surprised fans by confirming the arrival of the Link Click , a successful Chinese animation that is gaining increasing popularity among Brazilian readers. NewPOP also announced titles such as "Afterglow , "Lion Hearts , "Our Meal," and "Serious Hour ," making up an eclectic and sensitive catalog.
JBC unveils Medalist and celebrates 30 years of history
On Sunday, it was JBC to take the stage to unveil its latest releases. The main announcement was "Medalist ," a figure skating manga that's gaining traction in Japan. Also revealed was the arrival of "Tenkaichi: The Greatest Warrior Under the Rising Sun ," a work that blends action and strategy in an alternate history setting.
The publisher confirmed during the panel that it will hold a 30th anniversary event on August 23rd and 24th. The celebration promises to be a milestone for fans who have followed JBC's trajectory since the 2000s.
Panini invests in action, fantasy and sci-fi titles
Panini also attended with a panel packed with new releases. Among the most talked-about announcements were "GALAXIAS , "TOUGEN ANKI , "Tower Dungeon ," and " Salaryman Z ," all aimed at audiences seeking intense action, supernatural elements, and dystopian universes.
Another highlight was "Super String: Marco Polo's Travel to the Multiverse ," a title that blends science fiction with interdimensional adventure. With these releases, Panini reinforces its position as one of the most popular publishers among shounen and seinen readers.
Comikey, Intrínseca and MPEG expand the national scene
In addition to major publishers, other brands also took advantage of Anime Friends to announce new acquisitions. Comikey Brasil revealed the arrival of "The Saint of the Wounded: Between Healing and Revenge" and "The General and the Commander: A Marriage Between Rivals ," while Intrínseca bet on "Naruse Will Rule the World .
MPEG presented a diverse list that includes “The Otome Heroine's Fight for Survival” , “ The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity” and “A Gentle Noble's Vacation Recommendation” , reinforcing its focus on audiences that are fans of light novels and romantic comedies.
Crunchyroll was at Anime Friends 2025 with an interactive booth
Another major highlight of Anime Friends 2025 was the return of Crunchyroll with its own booth. The streaming platform prepared activities for fans, such as themed quizzes and spaces dedicated to Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba and Gachiakuta . The latter even had a special screening in the Ultra Auditorium, which generated a great deal of attention among visitors.
The company's presence reaffirms the event's importance in the Brazilian geek culture calendar and reinforces its connection with the local public.
Two new animes arrive on TV Cultura
During the event, the Antimatéria announced that two anime will be shown on TV Cultura later this year: "My Deer Friend Nokotan" and "Captain Tsubasa (2018) ." The news was received enthusiastically by the audience, especially since it marks the return of Japanese productions to Brazilian broadcast television.
This initiative demonstrates that, in addition to manga, anime also continues to expand its reach in the country, reaching new generations of viewers.
Anime Friends 2025 and Brazil's leading role in the market
Anime Friends 2025 once again demonstrated why it's considered one of the largest Japanese cultural events outside of Japan. The announcements made by publishers and platforms confirm that Brazil remains one of the main consumer markets for manga and anime in the West.
For those who weren't able to follow everything closely, it's worth keeping an eye on the publishers' websites and social media and getting ready, because the coming months promise unmissable releases in bookstores and digital platforms.
