Anime and April Fools "2018 April Fools' Day Collection"

Each year, April Fools' Day gives a chance for creators in the anime, manga, and games industry to showcase their creativity. With the popularity of social media in recent years, many of these expressions of creativity become viral easily. Below is a selection of this year's official April Fools' jokes released by the anime and related industries.

Anime

Akkun to Kanojo
The official website of the Spring 2018 anime Akkun to Kanojo announced that the title of the show will be changed to Akkun to Motokano (Akkun and His Ex-girlfriend) as a result of the couple breaking up due to Non-tan getting angry at Akkun's tsuntsun behavior.


Asobi Asobase
The official website of the Summer 2018 anime Asobi Asobase revealed a key visual, portraying the characters in a rather "strong" fashion.


Caligula
Pony Canyon's official anime YouTube channel posted a manga preview of the Spring 2018 anime Caligula's first episode drawn by bkub Ookawa, the creator of Poputepipikku (Pop Team Epic).


Comic Girls
The official Twitter account of the Spring 2018 anime Comic Girls announced a new series titled Anime Girls, where the characters aim for the anime industry.


Darling in the FranXX
The official Twitter account of the Winter 2018 anime Darling in the FranXX announced a film trilogy for Spring 20018.


Detective Conan
The official Detective Conan smartphone application had been hijacked by Kurazawa, the criminal; in which the icons on the application were changed to that of "criminal Kurazawa-san." Some free comic strips centered on the character also appeared on the homepage.

A notice on the official website of the upcoming Detective Conan: Zero's Executioner anime film stated that access to the website has been prohibited. In order to enter, solving the puzzle by typing the correct three-digit password was required, using the clues presented in the page.


Dragon Ball Super x Precure Super Stars!
Toei announced a crossover movie between the Dragon Ball and Precure franchise titled Dragon Ball Super x Precure Super Stars! The Movie: Son Goku vs. Cure Yell, scheduled to premiere on April 1, 2019. The tagline on the visual reads "Which one is truly super!!"


Emiya-san Chi no Kyou no Gohan
The official website of the Emiya-san Chi no Kyou no Gohan net anime revealed a key visual, teasing a new series with a rather familiar grey-haired masculine character.

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Gegege no Kitarou (2018)
The official website of the new Gegege no Kitarou anime revealed a "black and white" version of the key visual.


The iDOLM@STER SideM
A reboot of the Kaerre's Big Adventure film centered on Pierre's frog mascot Kaerre was announced; directed and written by, and starring Kaerre.


Isekai Maou to Shoukan Shoujo no Dorei Majutsu
The official website of the Summer 2018 anime Isekai Maou to Shoukan Shoujo no Dorei Majutsu announced a game adaptation of the series.


Jashin-chan Dropkick
The official website of the Summer 2018 anime Jashin-chan Dropkick announced a collaboration with women's pro wrestling. The staff and cast section in the website were changed to Rossy Ogawa, the president of World Wonder Ring Stardom, and female pro wrestlers, respectively.


Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san
The official Twitter account of the Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san anime announced a prequel of the series titled Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-chan, depicting the main characters' elementary school days.


Kuroko no Basket: Last Game
The official website of the Kuroko no Basket: Last Game anime film turned into Hiyoko no Basket.


Prince of Stride: Alternative
The official Twitter account of the Prince of Stride: Alternative otome game announced a movie for the series titled Prince of Stride The Movie: Legend of Melon-ko.


Toji no Miko
Nene, a mascot character from the series, appeared all over the anime's official website on April 1.


Yama no Susume: Third Season
The official website of the Yama no Susume franchise revealed a key visual, which shows the main characters at the summit of K2, the second highest mountain in the world



Other

Azur Lane
The official Twitter account of the Azur Lane smartphone game announced a TV anime, slated for an April 8012 premiere.


Band-Maid
The all-girl Japanese band Band-Maid renamed themselves as "Band-Maiko" for April Fool's and revealed the "secret MAIKO lips" music video, a modified version of their "secret My lips" track rewritten in Kyoto dialect.

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petit milady
The members of the idol unit Ayana Taketatsu and Aoi Yuuki switched their Twitter accounts for the day. A prank shot of the voice actress' breasts could be seen on Yuuki's then-switched account.


Mahou Shoujo MadokaMagica Gaiden: Magia Record
The official Twitter account of the MagiReco smartphone game announced a "Holy Radio Station" featuring Madoka-senpai.


Shounen Jump+
Sousuke Aizen, one of the main antagonists from Bleach, appropriated the website for the day.


Source: Gigazine