2022 April Fools' Day Collection

by Aiimee
Apr 5, 2022 1:51 PM | 13 Comments

Each year, April Fools' Day gives a chance for creators in the anime, manga, and video game industries—as well as fans of these industries—to showcase their creativity. With the popularity of social media in recent years, many of these expressions of creativity go viral. Below is a selection of this year's official April Fools' jokes released by the anime, manga, and related industries, plus some fan-made content that felt a little too real.

Anime

Boku no Hero Academia
In anticipation for its upcoming season, the official Twitter account for the Boku no Hero Academia franchise announced a new hero sports league would be arriving this spring.

Bungou Stray Dogs
The official website and Twitter for the Bungou Stray Dogs franchise continued their annual April Fools tradition, adding Chuuya Nakahara and Paul Verlaine to the "Bungo Youth Graffiti" series.

Deaimon
Impressed by the attention to detail that went into producing the upcoming wagashi-themed Deaimon TV anime, the official Twitter account shared a picture of seiyuus Kozue Yuuki and Minori Suzuki preparing for their roles by immersing themselves in the art of Japanese confectionary-making.

Honzuki no Gekokujou
The official Twitter for the Honzuki no Gekokujou TV anime series announced a new otome game being launched on April 1, 2222, which gives users the chance to win the hearts of the main male cast featured in the anime.

Itai no wa Iya nano de Bougyoryoku ni Kyokufuri Shitai to Omoimasu.
The official Twitter account for the Itai no wa Iya nano de Bougyoryoku ni Kyokufuri Shitai to Omoimasu. TV anime revealed a new anime series for the franchise: Kawaii no ga Sukinanode Meido ni Gokufuri Shitai to Omoimasu. (BOFURI: I Like Being Cute, so I'll Max Out My Maid Stats). A key visual and audio drama were also released.

Jujutsu Kaisen
The official website and Twitter for the Jujutsu Kaisen TV anime released a screenshot of the show featuring a cameo from the main character of the stop-motion show Pui Pui Molcar.

Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai: Ultra Romantic
In advance of the new season's premiere, the official Twitter account of the Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai: Ultra Romantic TV anime revealed a new key visual of four titular Kaguya-sama characters.

Kakkou no Iinazuke
The official Twitter account for the Kakkou no Iinazuke TV anime released a new key visual featuring a new series, Kakkou no Neko, which will be premiering on February 22, 2222.

Kuroko no Basket
In honor of Kuroko no Basket's upcoming 10th anniversary project, the official Twitter released a teaser visual of the Chick's Basketball theme.

Love Live! Sunshine!!
The official Twitter for the Love Live! Sunshine!! franchise unveiled a trailer for a new spinoff anime series centered on Yohane's alterego. Unfortunately, the trailer was removed after April Fools Day and the anime has been lost to time.

Made in Abyss: Retsujitsu no Ougonkyou
The Made in Abyss: Retsujitsu no Ougonkyou official website and Twitter revealed that the upcoming second season would be directed by the character Purksha alongside a teaser visual.

Masamune-kun no Revenge
The official website and Twitter account for the Masamune-kun no Revenge TV anime announced that season three of the show was currently in production. Wait a minute, did they skip a number…?
(Note: Season 2 was officially announced later)

Otome Game Sekai wa Mob ni Kibishii Sekai desu
Kadokawa announced that the hit dating sim from the upcoming TV anime Otome Game Sekai wa Mob ni Kibishii Sekai desu, Alto Liebe, would be receiving its own mobile game, along with a PV featuring the game's theme song.

Otonari no Tenshi-sama ni Itsunomanika Dame Ningen ni Sareteita Ken
In anticipation for the upcoming TV anime of Otonari no Tenshi-sama ni Itsunomanika Dame Ningen ni Sareteita Ken, the official website and Twitter revealed a key visual of Mahiru Shiina for a rebranded Otonari no ko Akuma-sama ni Itsunomanika Dame Ningen ni Sareteita Kudan (The Devil Next Door Made Me a Useless Human).

RPG Fudousan
The official website and Twitter announced a TV anime special collaboration between RPG Fudousan and Machikado Mazoku airing on April 31. A key visual for the special was also released.

Shadow House
The official website and Twitter for the Shadow House TV adaptation released a PV for the upcoming second season in an updated live-action format.

Technoroid Overmind
The official website for the upcoming TV anime Technoroid Overmind revealed that they would also be releasing a horror movie on the same day titled Techno Curse ID. A poster was revealed as well to commemorate the horror retelling of the idol anime.

Tensei Kenja no Isekai Life
The official Twitter for the Tensei Kenja no Isekai Life TV anime shared a key visual of the main character Yuuji Sano for a new 80s-style action movie coming in 20XX.

Uzaki-chan wa Asobitai! 2nd Season
Ahead of the release of its second season, the official website for Uzaki-chan wa Asobitai! 2nd Season was hijacked by Yanagi and Tsuki who made some creative changes to the upcoming broadcast.

Watashi ni Tenshi ga Maiorita! Precious Friends
The official website and Twitter for the Watashi ni Tenshi ga Maiorita! Precious Friends anime movie announced an "early autumn" release date along with a devilish concept change.

World Trigger
The official Twitter account for the World Trigger TV anime announced that the shounen action anime would now be available as a child-friendly picture book.

Manga/Others

100 Sleeping Princes and the Kingdom of Dreams
The official Twitter for the 100 Sleeping Princes and the Kingdom of Dreams mobile RPG released a mobile otome game featuring a new "class" of characters to romance. The app will be available until April 11.

Azur Lane
The official Twitter account for the Azur Lane mobile game announced there would be a new RPG mobile game for the franchise launching on April 1, 2200.

Black Clover
The official Twitter for the Black Clover released the cover of the Clover Kingdom's first edition of CLOVERN, a new magazine featuring Yami Sukehiro as the first cover model.

Boku no Hero Academia ULTRA IMPACT
The Boku no Hero Academia ULTRA IMPACT mobile game received a peculiar update after being hijacked by a member of Class 1-A…

Danmachi - Memoria Frese -
The official Twitter account for the Danmachi - Memoria Frese - mobile game released a new button feature that allows users to hear the hundreds of iterations of Bell Cranel's "Firebolt."

Ensemble Stars!!
Developer Happy Elements K.K released an MV for an upcoming collaboration between Ensemble Stars!! and Ansan Bukubu Stars by the new band, BkuB.

Fate/Grand Order
The official Twitter for the Type Moon Fate/stay night mobile game Fate/Grand Order announced the launch of a new smartphone game, Fate/Pixel Wars. The game, set to launch on April 1, will center around the Holy Grail Election Campaign where the goal is to help Goredolf become the strongest president in North America. A teaser visual for the game was also released.

Gochuumon wa Usagi Desu ka?
The official website for the Gochuumon wa Usagi Desu ka? series released an egg-hatching browser game, TAKE OUT BLUE BIRD. Unfortunately, the game is no longer available for any egg-hatching enthusiasts.

GOALOUS5
The male seiyuu collective GOALOUS5—Kentarou Kumagai, Shouhei Komatsu, Junta Terashima, Shuugo Nakamura, and Toshinari Fukamachi—announced that the leader of the group is now the mischievous Onegai My Melody character, Kuromi. The group's official Twitter account also released a promotional video detailing their new objectives under Kuromi-sama.

Lapis Re:LiGHTs
The official Twitter for the Lapis Re:LiGHTs multimedia project announced that 20 new UR cards drawn by Ratura were being released on the series' mobile game.

Mahoutsukai no Yakusoku
Featuring the talents of Bisen Aoyagi, the calligrapher behind the Dororo TV anime opening title calligraphy, the official Twitter for the Mahoutsukai no Yakusoku otome game open an (un)official website for an April Fools fortune telling project with various mystical creatures giving out auspicious fortunes.

Mishiranu Joshikousei ni Kankin sareta Mangaka no Hanashi
Mangaka Ryouma Kitada announced on his Twitter a TV anime adaptation of his shounen drama Mishiranu Joshikousei ni Kankin sareta Mangaka no Hanashi. He also shared the (un)official website for the anime along with a key visual.

Nanatsu no Taizai: Grand Cross
The official Twitter for the RPG mobile game Nanatsu no Taizai: Grand Cross announced a new anime adaptation centered around Hawk and his search for leftovers from all over the kingdom.

Prima Doll
The official website for the Prima Doll multimedia project announced their restaurant, Cafe Kuronekotei, was now available on Uber Eats, with an interactive menu available ( with 0¥ delivery fees!).

Princess Connect! Re:Dive
Cygames opened an official website for an April Fools smartphone game based on the Princess Connect! series titled Princess Connect! Grand Masters. The game is a 3D auto chess game that is available from April 1 until April 8.

Sword Art Online: Integral Factor
The official Twitter for the MMORPG smartphone game Sword Art Online: Integral Factor revealed four new "heroine" outfits for Eugeo.

Takopii no Genzai
Shounen Jump+ announced on their website the serialization of a spin-off series to the psychological drama manga Takopii no Genzai called Takopii no Manzai (Takopii's Two-Person Comedy Act).

Technoroid Unison Heart
The mobile game of the Technoroid multimedia project, Technoroid Unison Heart, announced a side story for the game featuring the main cast transformed into Denta.

Uma Musume: Pretty Derby
A letter from the Meijiro family was published on the official Twitter for the smartphone game Uma Musume: Pretty Derby inviting all the trainers to a small party at 1pm on April 1. Although they did not mention what was going to happen at the party…

Source: animate Times

Interest

13 Comments Recent Comments

deg said:
cool collection you posted here

yes nice and decent collection they posted here.

Apr 20, 2022 10:45 PM by Indiagenerator

All that effort on the princess connect game, geez.

Apr 6, 2022 5:19 PM by ichii_1

Aiimee said:
There were many participants in this year's April Fools' Day so if I missed any, feel free to comment and let me know so I can add them!

Someone announced a remake of MOON.
https://www.gematsu.com/2022/03/romance-visual-novel-moon-remake-announced-for-switch-pc

Apr 6, 2022 4:35 PM by Lucifrost

Damn, that's a lot, lol. I only came across like 3-4 or so. A+ for effort, that's for certain.

Apr 6, 2022 2:31 AM by _MushiRock11_

It's sad that April fools has just turned into another chance at advertising/selling stuff. Nice to see some companies put some actual effort in.

Apr 5, 2022 6:21 PM by TinyTabun

Phloup said:
One April Fool's joke that I found quite impressive was the fake anime announcement by the author for his manga series Mishiranu Joshikousei ni Kankin sareta Mangaka no Hanashi.

The (fake) official site genuinely felt complete, and the key visual was good too. A great April Fool's joke overall (despite the fact that I find the manga a bit average).

Fake anime adaptations on April Fool's are evil, lol

@Aiimee I think this is one you could add :3

yes! when I saw this at first I wasn't sure if it was real or not lol

Apr 5, 2022 4:48 PM by DatRandomDude

One April Fool's joke that I found quite impressive was the fake anime announcement by the author for his manga series Mishiranu Joshikousei ni Kankin sareta Mangaka no Hanashi.

The (fake) official site genuinely felt complete, and the key visual was good too. A great April Fool's joke overall (despite the fact that I find the manga a bit average).

Fake anime adaptations on April Fool's are evil, lol

@Aiimee I think this is one you could add :3

Apr 5, 2022 3:51 PM by Phloup

The made in abyss visual lol looks almost like a fun and chill anime

Apr 5, 2022 3:15 PM by Xenocrisi

that made in abyss one is ice cold lmao

Apr 5, 2022 3:11 PM by betaweeb

Aiimee said:
There were many participants in this year's April Fools' Day so if I missed any, feel free to comment and let me know so I can add them!

You missed mine, where i posted a fake ANN link in the upcoming dubbed anime thread that said that Funimation/Crunchyroll were stopping dubs indefinitely due to VA drama regarding union dubbing.

anime-prime said:
Terrible news for dub fans.

As some of you may have heard, this past week there has been a bunch of talk about union dubbing and VAs demanding more pay from Funimation/Crunchyroll.

https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2022-03-28/the-battle-for-union-anime-dubs/.183842

Well, it seems like it has been settled, but not in the way that some might have been hoping. Since the VAs want more pay, and Crunchyroll/Funimation don't want to pay them more, and it's become such a huge public scandal, the large corporation has decided to suspend dubbing until further notice. Dubs currently airing will continue airing, but they won't start any new dubs starting from the Spring 2022 season. This is really sad, especially considering that this year was on track to be the best year of dubs yet, and of course right after the effects of Covid delays have ended, this issue pops up which will cause even more delays. Hopefully they resolve their conflict in time for the Summer 2022 season, but it's up in the air. These things can often take a long time. The full story explaining everything in greater detail is in the news article below.

https//www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-03-31/crunchyroll-suspends-dubbing-indefinitely-after-voice-actors-seek-unionization/.184975

Putting aside who is right or wrong, I am wondering if this will result in more profit for Funimation/Crunchyroll or if it will result in a loss of profit. I saw somewhere that the average cost of dubbing an episode of anime is around 10,000 dollars, so rounding down, dubbing a single cour of anime would be 100,000 dollars. And since they dub around 30 shows a season, let's just say they spend 3,000,000 dollars on dubbing each anime season. So that averages out to 1,000,000 dollars a month. That's how much they could potentially save. But at what cost? Well, if around 100,000 users stopped paying for various premium plans since they prefer dubs, then that would result in around a 1,000,000 dollar loss each month. So would it even be worth it for them? I wonder how many people would quit their memberships because of this. The sub community on the streaming site is vastly larger than the dub community, so perhaps they know they won't lose that many premium members. I guess we will see. Hopefully this isn't the end of dubs.

Apr 5, 2022 2:55 PM by anime-prime

i was surprised to see sooo many different IPs participate this year.

To add, here are some gacha I play which had their own spin on April Fools:

Arknights released a limited-time stage featuring a rap battle between Emperor and Rat King. Here is the official art commemorating the day: https://twitter.com/ArknightsEN/status/1509817861287690287?cxt=HHwW3oC-mY7W-fMpAAAA

Blue Archive revealed a new idol group titled 'Mischievous☆Straight' consisting of students Aru, Aris, Hifumi, and Yuuka. Here is their debut song, "To the Shining MiLie"

The Idoly Pride gacha had managers Makino, Saegusa, and Asakura cover the song 'Sayonara Kara Hajimaru Monogatari.' The game also released a limited-time photo shoot for the male version