Anime April Fools’ Day 2026 Roundup
The anime industry embraced the spirit of April Fools’ Day on April 1, 2026, with a wide variety of joke announcements and creative collaborations.
Various franchises used the occasion to announce fictional spin-offs, such as a fighting game featuring characters from Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian and a preschool-themed series for Date A Live on March 31, 2026.
The author of Ascendance of a Bookworm teased an otome fandisc set for release in the year 2226, while Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- announced a corporate-themed visual novel titled Re:ZERO -Starting Office Life- on March 31, 2026.
Action-oriented series also participated, with Dragon Ball opening fake pre-orders for a Scouter Pro Max device and Mobile Suit Gundam announcing a new Celestial Being film slated for the year 2314 CE.
Other notable gags included a cat-themed relaunch for the Tokyo Revengers mobile game and the establishment of a fictional Code Geass corporation on March 31, 2026.
The Apothecary Diaries introduced two fictional idol groups named bubbles and Edel Glanz on April 1, 2026, complete with a management role for the character Gaoshun.
In a nod to the 1980s, Yoroi-Shinden Samurai Troopers claimed to have accidentally broadcasted old footage during their timeslot on March 31, 2026.
Several series announced unlikely spin-offs starring minor or guest characters, such as a Hollywood Zakoshisyoh project for As a Reincarnated Aristocrat and a live-action film for Super Psychic Policeman Chojo set for the distant year 20026.
Collaborations also featured prominently, including a crossover between The Classroom of a Black Cat and a Witch and Boarding School Juliet, as well as a horse-racing mashup between Umamusume: Pretty Derby and Midori no Makibao on March 31, 2026.
The festivities also featured unique merchandise and interactive web pages, like a growth-tracking button for Botan Kamiina Fully Blossoms When Drunk and special T-shirts for Yowayowa Sensei on April 1, 2026.
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