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Anime “Kagurabachi” Takes Anime Expo by Storm!~ Taihi Kimura; “I’m so happy to absorb everyone’s passion!” Moved by the World Premiere!

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Manga Editor & Anime Producer Also on Stage, Revealed Behind-the-Scenes Stories of the Voice Recording and Anime Adaptation

TOKYO, July 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Anime “Kagurabachi”, based on a next-generation flagship title from Weekly Shonen Jump (Shueisha), hosted a special panel at Anime Expo—one of North America’s largest anime conventions that is currently being held in Los Angeles—on Friday, July 3, 2026.
Kicking off the “Kagurabachi” Anime World Tour Part 1, which features advance screenings worldwide, the event welcomed voice actor Taihi Kimura (as Chihiro Rokuhira), Takuro Imamura (Editor of “Kagurabachi” Manga), and Koichi Yasuda (Producer of “Kagurabachi” Anime) to the stage. A talk session followed the screening, where they discussed the series’ immense appeal and behind-the-scenes production stories.

“Kagurabachi” (Original Author: Takeru Hokazono), currently serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump, has surpassed a cumulative circulation of 4 million copies (including digital editions).
A stellar team of creators has been assembled for the project. Production will be handled by CyberAgent group company animation studio, Cypic (Umamusume: Cinderella Gray, The Summer Hikaru Died), the anime boasts an all-star staff, including Director Tetsuya Takeuchi (Action Animation Director on Sword Art Online II, Battle Scene Storyboards/Episode Director/Animation Director on Heavenly Delusion) and Character Designer Keigo Sasaki (Blue Exorcist, The Seven Deadly Sins). The protagonist, Chihiro Rokuhira, is voiced by Taihi Kimura, winner of the Best New Actor award at the 2025 Seiyu Awards.

World Premiere of the First 20 Minutes of Episode 1! Taihi Kimura Deeply Moved by Global Fans’ Enthusiasm!

Packed with fans, the venue was filled with immense energy even before the event started. Observing the crowd, Taihi Kimura remarked, “I can feel your heat! Let’s have fun!” bringing great excitement to the room.
Following this, the first 20 minutes of Episode 1 of the anime made its world premiere.
As the screening ended, massive cheers and applause erupted from the audience, truly demonstrating the immense passion of the fans.

Taihi Kimura Shares His Thoughts on Protagonist Chihiro Rokuhira:”I go into recording feeling as though I’ve left something precious to my heart behind.”

Next, Takuro Imamura (Editor of “Kagurabachi” Manga) and Koichi Yasuda (Producer of “Kagurabachi” Anime) joined the stage for a talk session.

First, Kimura reflected on his first recording session for “Kagurabachi” anime, stating, “The very first voice in Episode 1 is the father (Kunishige / as Tomokazu Seki), and since he led the way from the first episode, it was very easy to get started.”

Regarding the recording process, he revealed, “Chihiro is difficult; if I slowly feel it in my heart, too much emotion comes out. Balancing it so that not too much comes out, while remembering that he is still an 18-year-old, is tricky. But I go into recording feeling as though I’ve left something precious to my heart behind.”

Manga Editor & Anime Producer Reveal the Behind-the-Scenes of the “Kagurabachi” Anime Adaptation

Manga Editor Imamura and Anime Producer Yasuda also shared about the behind-the-scenes production of the “Kagurabachi” anime.

Imamura shared an anecdote about the original author, Takeru Hokazono, when the anime was decided: “Hokazono-sensei was also very happy. Ever since the anime adaptation was announced, we’ve received huge expectations from everyone, and sensei is also highly motivated to make the manga “Kagurabachi” even more interesting.”
When asked if Hokazono-sensei had any specific requests for the anime, Imamura answered, “His strong feeling was simply that he wanted it to be a very cool anime,” and continued, “As everyone who watched it today could feel, I think it has turned out to be a very cool anime,” exciting the crowd.

Next, when asked about how the decision to adapt “Kagurabachi” came about, Yasuda passionately commented, “First and foremost, I was drawn to the “katana” and the action. On top of that, I wanted to face the earnest dedication of the animation studio Cypic.”

He also discussed the production concept, stating, “Our core production concept is to fully bring out the absolute best of the original work.” He continued to expand on the topic, saying, “As a producer, I also want to infuse the studio’s passion to the absolute maximum, so I am highly conscious of maintaining that perfect balance during production.”

Q&A Session

Furthermore, Q&A session’s questions were gathered from fans on official social media.

When asked about his favorite scene in Episode 1, Kimura instantly replied, “Enten”. This drew a massive cheer of agreement from the fans.

Also, when asked about behind-the-scenes production stories with Hokazono-sensei, Imamura shared an anecdote about the first time he met sensei. The venue was filled with excitement over this exclusive talk.

Next, when asked about the struggles in anime production, Yasuda prefaced with, “I think it’s exactly what you’re all expecting,” and shared, “It’s the action. The animation work is extremely difficult, so Cypic is giving it more than their all to produce this.”

Taihi Kimura Concludes with a Message to “Kagurabachi” Fans: “As a fan myself, I want to continue enjoying “Kagurabachi” more and more together with all of you from here on out.”
At the end of the event, the speakers delivered messages to the fans.

Yasuda commented, “Thank you for gathering today and watching the first episode. We are currently hard at work producing it for next year’s broadcast. This project involves not just the production studio, but many other members. It’s a work that everyone is pouring their all into, so we would be thrilled if you could continue to support us with high passion.”

Imamura added, “Thank you very much for today. Just like all of you, the original manga team and Hokazono-sensei are really looking forward to the anime broadcast. We believe it will be a supreme anime with unprecedented, amazing quality, and we are eagerly waiting for it. We look forward to the day we can all watch the broadcast together.”

Finally, Kimura said, “Thank you very much. I was so, so happy to see all of your faces and absorb your passion into my body. As a fan myself, I want to continue enjoying “Kagurabachi” more and more together with all of you from here on out, so please continue to support us!” The event concluded with a commemorative photo with the fans in the venue, striking the “Bachi Pose”.

Loud cheers and applause rang out, and “Kagurabachi” Anime World Tour at “Anime Expo 2026” concluded as a massive success.

“Kagurabachi” Anime World Tour Part 1 Now Underway!

Kicking off at Anime Expo in Los Angeles, the anime “Kagurabachi” is currently hosting Part 1 of its World Tour across major anime conventions. Advance preview screenings of the first 20 minutes of Episode 1 will be held at “Japan Expo” in Paris on Thursday, July 9, at “AnimagiC” in Mannheim on Saturday, August 1, at “Otakon” in Washington D.C. on Sunday, August 2, and at “Anime NYC” in New York on Saturday, August 22. Furthermore, select events will host special panel sessions featuring guest appearances.

The anime “Kagurabachi” is scheduled to begin broadcasting and streaming in April 2027 on Crunchyroll, MUSE, and SMG HOLDINGS, among others.

We invite fans worldwide to witness the dawn of a new era as the first “stroke” of this epic saga is set into motion.

“Kagurabachi” Anime World Tour Part 1 Overview

“Kagurabachi” Anime World Tour Special Site
https://anime.kagurabachi.jp/en/worldtour/

[Anime Expo] “Kagurabachi” Anime World Tour – World Premiere Screening at Anime Expo

Location: Los Angeles
Date & Time: Friday, July 3, 2026
                       4:45 – 6:05 PM PDT
Venue: Los Angeles Convention Center (Room: JW Marriott Diamond)
Details:
・Screening of the first 20 minutes of Episode 1 
・Special appearance by anime cast and staff 
Panel Session Guests:
Taihi Kimura (as Chihiro Rokuhira), Takuro Imamura (Editor of “Kagurabachi” Manga), Koichi Yasuda (Producer of “Kagurabachi” Anime) *Honorifics omitted
*Event details are subject to change or cancellation without notice.
Official Website: https://www.anime-expo.org

[Japan Expo] “Kagurabachi” Anime World Tour – Premiere Screening at Japan Expo

Location: Paris
Date & Time: Thursday, July 9, 2026
                       3:30 – 4:30 PM CEST
Venue: Parc des Expositions de Paris-Nord Villepinte (Room: Yuzu Stage)
Details:
・Screening of the first 20 minutes of Episode 1
・Special appearance by anime staff
Panel Session Guests:
Riki Azuma (Cross-Media Producer of “Kagurabachi” Manga), Koichi Yasuda (Producer of “Kagurabachi” Anime) *Honorifics omitted
*Event details are subject to change or cancellation without notice.
Official Website: https://www.japan-expo-france.jp/

[AnimagiC] “Kagurabachi” Anime World Tour – Premiere Screening at AnimagiC

Location: Mannheim
Date & Time: Saturday, August 1, 2026
                       10:30 – 11:00 PM CEST
Venue: Rosengarten Mannheim (Room: Mozart Hall)
Details:
・Screening of the first 20 minutes of Episode 1
*Event details are subject to change or cancellation without notice.
Official Website: https://animagic.de/

[Otakon] “Kagurabachi” Anime World Tour – Premiere Screening at Otakon

Location: Washington, DC
Date & Time: Sunday, August 2, 2026 *Time TBA
Venue: Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Details:
・Screening of the first 20 minutes of Episode 1
*Event details are subject to change or cancellation without notice.
Official Website: https://otakon.com/

[Anime NYC 2026] “Kagurabachi” Anime World Tour – Premiere Screening at Anime NYC

Location: New York
Date & Time: Saturday, August 22, 2026
                       3:30 – 4:15 PM EDT
Venue: Javits Convention Center (Room: Main Stage)
Details:
・Screening of the first 20 minutes of Episode 1
・Special appearance by anime staff
Panel Session Guests:
Koichi Yasuda (Producer of “Kagurabachi” Anime), Kenta Suzuki (Producer of “Kagurabachi” Anime) *Honorifics omitted
*Event details are subject to change or cancellation without notice.
Official Website: https://animenyc.com/

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LEAP Group Relaunches HumanView, a Growth Intelligence System Built to Explain Why Customers Behave the Way They Do

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33 minutes ago

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October 24, 2026

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Reimagined from the ground up, HumanView pairs statistical modeling with expert analysts to turn millions of real-world customer signals into business decisions

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — LEAP Group today announced the relaunch of HumanView, its growth intelligence service. The new version has been rebuilt from the ground up and now has a dedicated home at leapgroupnetwork.com/humanview.

HumanView analyzes what customers say and do across social platforms, e-commerce sites, review platforms, search behavior and user-generated content, including signals from Reddit, TikTok, YouTube, Meta, Amazon and Walmart+ that general AI tools cannot always access. Because the data reflects unprompted, real-world behavior, it avoids the response bias built into surveys and focus groups.

The service works in three layers. HumanView captures signals at scale, decodes millions of records through validated statistical models such as regression, correlation and clustering, and then relies on experienced analysts to interpret the patterns. Clients receive clear, human-validated insights instead of another dashboard.

“Machines find the patterns. Humans find the point,” said Alan Gilleo, CEO at LEAP Group. “The first version of HumanView showed us how much customers reveal when nobody is asking them questions. This version is built to explain why they act the way they do, and to put those answers in front of everyone making decisions, from product to service to marketing.”

HumanView focuses on three areas:

Growth Intelligence: customer motivations and how people perceive a brand and its competitors

Market and Category Intelligence: product pain points, service friction, unmet needs and competitive gaps

Audience Intelligence: new segments, positioning opportunities and gaps in the market

Every model is designed and validated by data scientists and benchmarked before it informs a recommendation.

To learn more about HumanView, visit leapgroupnetwork.com/humanview.

About LEAP Group
LEAP Group is a boutique marketing agency holding company with offices in Louisville, Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Chicago. Guided by the belief that brands should “Market Less. Matter More.,” LEAP gives clients access to specialized experts across its entire network. Learn more at leapgroupnetwork.com.

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SOURCE LEAP Group

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STEPHEN A. SMITH ADDRESSES WHITE HOUSE DINNER ATTENDANCE, REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO HBCUs AND PROTECTING CORPORATE INVESTMENT IN BLACK EDUCATION

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2 hours ago

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October 24, 2026

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NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Stephen A. Smith, media mogul, New York Times bestselling author, and proud 1991 graduate of Winston-Salem State University, is addressing the public discussion surrounding his decision to attend a White House dinner with President Donald Trump, emphasizing his commitment to the long-term financial stability of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

For Smith, the decision was rooted in a commitment to institutions that have educated generations of Black leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs, and public servants.

“I will always advocate for HBCUs and the students whose futures depend on them,” Smith said. “My reason for attending the White House dinner was to discuss the challenges these institutions face in securing long-term funding and to make the case that corporate America must continue to invest in them.”

Smith acknowledged federal support through the FUTURE Act while expressing concern that political tensions surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) could discourage private companies from supporting HBCUs. He maintains that these institutions deserve sustained corporate partnerships, philanthropic contributions, and public investment.

“If we truly believe in free-market capitalism, businesses should be able to support educational institutions and charitable causes without fear of criticism or repercussions,” Smith said. “HBCUs have made extraordinary contributions to this country. They deserve sustained public and private investment.”

Ashley Christopher, Esq., Founder and CEO of the HBCU Week Foundation, recognized Smith’s advocacy and decision to engage with the administration.

“Stephen A. Smith has been a powerful advocate for HBCUs, using his platform and influence to shine a national spotlight on our institutions,” expressed Christopher, “His continued support of HBCU Week helps advance our mission of connecting students with life-changing educational opportunities, and we are proud to have him as our ambassador.”

Since Smith became an HBCU Week Ambassador in 2019, the initiative has facilitated more than 15,000 on-the-spot college acceptances and raised and awarded more than $150 million in scholarships, according to the HBCU Week Foundation.

As public discussion continues, Smith is emphasizing the importance of ensuring HBCUs have the resources and partnerships needed to educate future generations and expand opportunities for students.

CLICK HERE to watch Smith’s full response to his White House visit.

MEDIA CONTACT:

media@mrsasinc.com

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SOURCE Straight Shooter Media

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Advantex Announces Completion of Financing and Extension of Maturity Date of Previously Issued Debentures

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2 hours ago

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October 24, 2026

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TORONTO, Oct. 23, 2026 /CNW/ — Advantex Marketing International Inc. (CSE: ADX) (“Advantex”), a leader in the merchant cash advance and loyalty marketing products for merchants, today announced the completion of a $250,000 secured debt financing. Advantex issued a $250,000 non-convertible debenture which bears an interest rate at 12% per annum and matures December 15, 2027. The proceeds raised from this issuance of the Debenture will be used for working capital purposes.

Advantex has also extended the maturity of its existing $700,000 in 12% secured debentures from October 10, 2026 to December 15, 2027.

About Advantex Marketing International Inc.

Advantex provides working capital to merchants. Advantex also provides specialized marketing programs that enable members of Aeroplan to earn Aeroplan points at participating merchants.

Advantex shares trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol ADX. For more information go to Advantex’s profile on www.sedar.com

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to the future business and operations of Advantex. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. The business and operations of Advantex described herein is dependent on a number of factors and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ material include, but are not limited to, changes in Advantex’s economic and competitive conditions including but not limited to the industry sectors in which Advantex operates.

The statements in this news release are made of the date of this release. Forward-looking statements are made based on management’s beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date the statements are made and Advantex undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable law.

SOURCE Advantex Marketing International Inc.

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