GoKawiil
Tech News
Mike McFarland, a longtime voice actor known for his work on Dragon Ball Z and One Piece during the Funimation era, has died at age 56. He had been battling brain cancer, and in recent years also worked as an English dub script writer and director for Crunchyroll.
George Wada, president of Wit Studio, argued that Japan should establish its own anime awards ceremony rather than leaving major recognition to overseas events. He also previewed the studio's upcoming series 'Lona,' discussed its position on AI use and worker protections, and spoke about the scope of its remake of 'One Piece.'
Toei Animation has released a spin-off tied to 'One Piece' that centers on Nico Robin and Nami, sending the two heroines on their own standalone adventure separate from the main crew's storyline. The project emphasizes fashion, friendship, and the bond between the two women rather than the series' usual battles and pirate mythology.
One Piece is approaching its 30th anniversary, and the franchise is marking the milestone with a slate of new films and expanded adaptations across formats. The announcement signals an active multi-year push to celebrate and extend the property beyond its long-running manga and anime base.