Co-Op Stealth Game Thick As Thieves Launches May 21
The launch date and gadget-focused gameplay confirm Thick As Thieves as a budget-priced co-op stealth title, a niche that has seen few new releases in recent years.
Denfaminicogamer
Leafborn Goes Viral, Japanese Cover Art Released
The viral response to Leafborn in Japan prompted the developer to create and release region-specific cover art, a rare and direct reaction to audience demand from an independent developer.
Game Spark
Sega Partners With New One Studio for Japanese Publishing of Road to Empress II
Sega stepping in as co-publisher for a niche Chinese-developed interactive drama sequel signals a broader push to bring choice-driven live-action games to Japanese and Asian audiences through a major publisher's distribution network.
4Gamer.net
Glitch Productions Pilot 'GAMEOVERSE' Passes 8 Million Views in Two Days
The pilot's rapid viewership signals that Glitch Productions may have another breakout indie hit following 'The Amazing Digital Circus,' with a premise built on the tension between pop visuals and a dark, world-ending mechanic.
KAI-YOU
Nijisanji 8th Anniversary Live Concerto Day1 Report
The live's setlist, heavy on Heisei-era covers and idol-style staging, signals Nijisanji leaning into nostalgia and pop-culture touchstones for its anniversary event.
4Gamer.net
Ragnarok M: Classic Pre-Registrations Open in South Korea
The pre-registration launch marks the first concrete release milestone for a new mobile-and-PC version of the long-running Ragnarok Online franchise.
4Gamer.net
VACHSS Returns to Stage After Five Years With Nijisanji Fest 2026 Opener
The live marks the unit's first stage appearance since the Nijisanji Anniversary Festival 2021, giving fans a rare chance to see all six members perform together after half a decade.
4Gamer.net
Ensemble Stars!! Unit Mellow Dears Wraps Japan Tour Public Recording in Okinawa
The tour's completion marks the first nationwide public recording circuit for the Mellow Dears unit, signaling Happy Elements' investment in live-event engagement for Ensemble Stars!! beyond the game and anime.
4Gamer.net
Hypnosis Mic Chuo Ward Live Event Opens at KT Zepp Yokohama
The Chuo Ward live event is the first to feature an all-female cast, marking a tonal and casting departure from the main Hypnosis Mic stage productions.
4Gamer.net
GameStop Proposes $56 Billion eBay Acquisition, Board Rejects Bid
The bid positions GameStop as a buyer with cash and conviction in physical media's value, even as eBay dismissed the offer as unrealistic.
4Gamer.net
Doma Joins Demon Slayer: The Hinokami Chronicles 2 as DLC on May 28
Doma is the second Upper Rank character released as DLC for the game, following the pattern of the Infinity Castle arc content rollout tied to the film series.
4Gamer.net
Number_i Signs With US Label Atlantic Records
The deal places a Japanese pop group that originated from the post-Johnny's talent ecosystem on a major US label, signaling a rare direct pipeline from the Japanese idol industry to Western mainstream distribution.
Nikkan Sports via Yahoo News Japan, Sponichi Annex via Yahoo News Japan, Real Sound via Yahoo News Japan
Project Sekai World Link Event Great Yell for Dreamers and Vie for the Title Gacha Launch
This is the first World Link Event format to include both Kagamine Rin and Kagamine Len as separate chapter characters, with all Virtual Singers eligible for their Support Units.
4Gamer.net
Merry, MUCC, Former Kagerou Members Unite for Daisuke Festival
The festival finally stages the live collaboration that the three visual kei bands known as the Big Three never performed while Daisuke was alive.
Yahoo! News Japan (Entertainment)
Former BiS Member Peri Ubu Joins Girls Rock Group LUCY
Peri Ubu, who previously worked as LUCY's choreographer, returns to the stage as a member, continuing the thread of former BiS members regrouping in new projects.
Yahoo! News Japan (Entertainment)
Fujii Meijin Defeats Itodani 9-Dan for Fourth Consecutive Title Defense
Fujii's fourth consecutive defense solidifies his dominance in the Meijin title, a streak that began when he first won the championship three years ago.
Yahoo! News Japan (Entertainment)
Late Kenji Iino's One-Dot Game Concept Returns After 17 Years in New Collection
The collection marks the first official continuation of Iino's design philosophy since his death, bridging his original collaborators with a generation of student developers who never knew him.
Yahoo! News Japan (Entertainment)
Jon Favreau Discusses The Mandalorian and Grogu Film's Appeal
Favreau's framing of the film as a standalone parent-child story signals an intent to draw in general audiences beyond the existing Star Wars fanbase, a strategy that could broaden the film's commercial reach.
Yahoo! News Japan (Entertainment)
Kobayan Wins DreamHack Atlanta 2026 Street Fighter 6 Tournament
Kobayan's run from the losers bracket to defeat a top American player and secure an Esports World Cup spot highlights the growing competitiveness of Japanese Street Fighter 6 players on the international stage.
GAME Watch (Impress)
Picross Pixel Museum Gets Hakone Exploration DLC in December
This DLC marks the first post-launch content for Picross Pixel Museum, indicating Jupiter Corporation's continued support for the title beyond its initial release.
GAME Watch
Haikyu!! Theatrical Compilation Part 2 Airs Free on BS12 Tonight
The free broadcast gives viewers a chance to see the Seijoh match arc, a key early conflict in the series, without a theater or disc purchase.
GAME Watch (Impress)
Human Made and Pokémon Launch Second Collaboration Line
This second wave expands the collaboration beyond the initial Pikachu and Farfetch'd focus by introducing Magikarp, a Pokémon known for its weak in-game stats but strong meme appeal, suggesting the line targets both fashion collectors and internet culture.
GAME Watch, KAI-YOU
Namco Legendary Mountains 3D Puzzle Game Launches Summer 2026
This is the first time BeXide has built a game around a licensed collection of Namco arcade IPs, packaging them as voxel collectibles rather than as characters in a traditional crossover title.
GAME Watch, 4Gamer.net, Denfaminicogamer
Touhou Project's Remilia Scarlet Gets 1/7 Scale Figure From Novel Stella
The figure marks another premium-scale entry for a Touhou character outside the usual prize-figure circuit, with a high price point and detailed sculpting that targets dedicated collectors.
Anime Anime