The recent assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has shocked both the nation and the world. In response, Japanese networks have suspended their planned programming, including several anime releases.
One such network is NTV which announced that the airing of BELLE (Ryū to Sobakasu no Hime) by Mamoru Hosoda has been moved to a later date.
Originally set to air on July 8 at 9 PM JST, the anime movie’s TV airing is delayed to an unspecified date and time.
Another anime that was affected is Teppen—!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Laughing 'til you Cry. The second episode of the series was set to air on July 9.
It was announced on the show’s official Twitter that the first episode will instead be re-broadcast on the 9th, with the 3rd episode to air on July 16.
Based on the announcement, it seems that the second episode has been cancelled entirely.
The cancelation of Teppen episode 2 is said to be “due to various circumstances,” with no specific reason mentioned. But some fans have speculated that it has something to do with the episode’s story.
While the information on the second episode has been taken down, some fans have spotted the synopsis before the recent events. According to a comment on Reddit, Teppen episode 2 will feature the main character stopping “an assassination attempt on the President.”
The recent events have also prompted discussion online about possible delays or cancelations for other anime such as Lycoris Recoil.
Several anime due to air on Friday night in Japan (during Friday in the USA/UK) have had their domestic broadcasts delayed.
Rent-A-Girlfriend Episode 2 was delayed by 20 minutes to accommodate additional news broadcasts, and a similar change was made to Lucifer and the Biscuit Hammer's premiere.
At the time of writing, there is not expected to be any change to the international streaming of Friday's releases.
Shinzo Abe Assassination
Earlier today, former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe died hours after he was shot in Nara while campaigning for the upcoming election.
Abe was shot from behind while addressing the public. According to reports, the main suspect is a 41-year-old man named Tetsuya Yamagami. Reports say that he shot Abe with what appears to be a homemade gun.
This article will be updated as more information on delayed or suspended anime releases is announced.
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