Anime Friends 2025 brought together thousands of fans of Japanese culture in São Paulo between July 3rd and 6th. In addition to international attractions and interactive spaces, the event also hosted major publishing announcements, solidifying its role as an essential showcase for the national geek market.
Publishers NewPOP, JBC, Panini, and other brands surprised the public with highly anticipated and unprecedented announcements, 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 the special participation of Crunchyroll, which returned with a booth full of activations.
NewPOP bets on diversity with award-winning works and BLs
NewPOP opened the series of panels with a diverse selection that drew attention for its representativeness and boldness. Among the highlights is " My Existence as a Wandering Warrior ," an autobiographical manga by Kabi Nagata, which offers reflections 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 BLs, alternative shoujo manga, and social themes.
Furthermore, the publisher surprised everyone by confirming the arrival of the manhua of 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 "The Hour of Seriousness ," creating an eclectic and sensitive catalog.
JBC unveils Medalist and celebrates 30 years of history
JBC 's turn to take the stage to announce its new releases. The main announcement was for "Medalist," a manga about figure skating that has been gaining popularity in Japan. They also revealed the arrival of "Tenkaichi: The Greatest Warrior Under the Rising Sun ," a work that blends action and strategy in an alternate historical context.
The publisher confirmed during the panel that it will hold the 30th-anniversary celebration event on August 23rd and 24th. Therefore, the celebration promises to be a milestone for fans who have followed JBC's journey since the 2000s.
Panini invests in action, fantasy, and sci-fi titles
Panini its presence felt 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
Besides the 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 Dominate the World .
MPEG, on the other hand, 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 who 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 activity among visitors.
The company's presence reaffirms the event's importance on the Brazilian geek culture calendar and reinforces its connection with the local audience.
Two new anime series are coming to TV Cultura
During the event, the Antimatéria announced that two anime series will be shown on TV Cultura later this year: “My Deer Friend Nokotan” and “Captain Tsubasa (2018)” . The news was received with enthusiasm by the audience, especially as it marks the return of Japanese productions to Brazilian open television.
This initiative demonstrates that, in addition to manga, anime 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 is considered one of the largest Japanese culture events outside of Japan. 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.
