iWorld
Crunchyroll launches Curated Anime playlists on Spotify
Mumbai: Crunchyroll, the ultimate brand for every anime fan, has an exclusive partnership with Spotify to present listeners with specially curated playlists and a dedicated shelf on Spotify’s global Anime Hub. The partnership comes at a time when global streams of anime music on Spotify have skyrocketed by 395 per cent since 2021, highlighting the growing influence of anime culture worldwide. Turning the daily grind into an epic adventure, the playlists present fans with a thoughtful curation of music that will further immerse them into the action-packed world of anime.
The new “Curated by Crunchyroll” playlists will be regularly refreshed with new content for listeners, setting up the ultimate anime-inspired queue:
● Crunchyroll Anime Essentials – A brand new anime season has arrived on Crunchyroll this summer! Listen along to the music behind the lineup.
● The Broody Black-Haired MC – Anguished with a tragic past, this character’s demeanor may intimidate some, but deep down they just need a hug.
● The Bubbly Pink-Haired BFF – Always close at hand when a friend is in need, this character brings light, positivity, and an often underestimated strength.
● The OP White-Haired Sensei – Underneath their cool, unbothered exterior, this character is an enigma to be unraveled.
● The Journey Begins – You are the main character of your own story. The fate of the world depends on you … and of course, there are side quests.
The shelf will also include Crunchyroll’s recently debuted hit podcast: Crunchyroll Presents: The Anime Effect Podcast, featuring high-profile guests like Oppenheimer’s David Dastmalchian, rapper Denzel Curry, and J-Pop icon LiSA.
“Anime and Japanese music are a match made in pop culture heaven,” said Crunchyroll executive vice president of emerging business & Crunchyroll Games’ general manager Terry Li. “Music is a vital part of the anime experience, and through our partnership with Spotify, we’re excited to amplify that connection and make fandom even more immersive for our fans”.
“We are thrilled to partner with Crunchyroll to bring listeners a new curation of anime music to explore,” shared Spotify head of music in Japan, Kyota Onishi. “On Spotify, global streams of anime have surged over the past few years and we hope Anime Hub will become an indispensable part of Anime culture.”
The Curated by Crunchyroll shelf is available to visit here, via Spotify’s global Anime Hub. Over 250 hours of Japanese music and performance videos from popular artists such as LiSA and Aimer can also be found on Crunchyroll.
iWorld
Samay Raina returns with Still Alive, confronts 2025 controversy in bold comeback special
Comeback set tackles controversy, blending humour with raw storytelling
MUMBAI: Samay Raina is set to release his new stand-up comedy special, Still Alive, on YouTube on April 7, 2026, marking a high-profile return following a turbulent year.
The trailer for the special dropped on April 5, offering a glimpse into what Raina describes as a raw and unfiltered set that leans as much on honesty as it does on humour.
Positioned as a comeback of sorts, Still Alive draws heavily from the controversy surrounding his show India’s Got Latent in early 2025. The episode led to legal trouble, multiple FIRs, and a lengthy six-hour interrogation by the Maharashtra Cyber Cell, placing the comedian at the centre of intense public scrutiny.
Rather than sidestep the episode, Raina leans into it. The special reflects on the fallout and his personal journey through it, blending observational comedy with moments of emotional candour. Early audience feedback from live performances suggests the tone is less about rapid-fire punchlines and more about storytelling with bite.
The special was filmed during his global Still Alive & Unfiltered tour, which ran from August 2025 to early 2026. The tour saw Raina perform across major international venues, including the Madison Square Garden Theatre in New York, a milestone that places him among the youngest Indian comedians to take that stage.
The title itself signals resilience. “Still Alive” is a nod to navigating both legal and public backlash while choosing to remain unapologetically authentic, a theme that appears to anchor the set.
With the special set to premiere online, all eyes are now on how audiences respond to a performance that promises equal parts reflection and wit. For Raina, the message is clear. He is not just back, he is ready to be heard on his own terms.
