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2h ago
astragon Entertainment and Simteract have announced that Bus Simulator 27 will launch on September 9, 2026, with Japanese language support. The open-world simulator is set in the fictional Iberian city Felicia Bay, featuring up to 250 bus stops, licensed vehicles from 13 manufacturers, and first-time long-distance bus routes. It includes Unreal Engine 5 graphics, dynamic weather, management elements, and 4-player online co-op. Pre-orders are available on Steam for 3,850 yen.
6h ago
The 30th Fantasia International Film Festival will screen multiple anime premieres including the world premiere of CloverWorks' three-part collection Grotesqqque, two episodes of the live-action Junji Ito series, and several short films, along with the North American premiere of A New Dawn and the Canadian premiere of cocoon. The festival runs July 16 to August 2 in Montreal.
12h ago
Bandai Namco Entertainment America released a new trailer for Captain Tsubasa 2: World Fighters, showing the game's modes. The soccer game launches August 28 on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. Pre-orders include cosmetic bonuses and an Early Unlock Pack. The game features 22 national teams and over 110 characters.
16h ago
Dengeki Hobby Web published the top 10 best-selling plastic model kits on Amazon Japan's Hobby category as of July 9, 2026. Bandai Spirits' 30MS Komiya Kaho from The Idolmaster Shiny Colors took first place, followed by the Sachi Plamo VERT File Type-S file set. Blokees' Star Wars Mandalorian & Grogu kit ranked third. Several Gunpla kits also appeared in the top 10.
22h ago
Onion Soup Interactive's Andy Madin discusses the early access release of Nippon Marathon 2: Daijoubu, a chaotic Japan-themed racing game. In an interview, Madin cites Takeshi's Castle and shonen anime like One Piece and JoJo's Bizarre Adventure as key influences on the game's over-the-top character design and physics-based chaos. The game is available on PC and Linux.
22h ago
Sony Interactive Entertainment published the June 2026 PS Store download rankings on July 9. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth leads the PS5 category, followed by Adventurer Elliot's Millennium Story and EA Sports FC 26. On PS4, Powerful Pro Baseball 2026-2027 takes first, with Dragon Quest XI S and Monster Hunter: World in second and third. Beat Saber tops PS VR2, and eFootball leads free-to-play.
1d ago
Inti Creates released White Steel of X 1+2 Dual Collection on July 9 for Nintendo Switch 2, Switch, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam. The Switch 2 version is priced higher than the other platforms. Owners of both previous Steam titles can get a 50% discount bundle for two weeks.
1d ago
Thank You Mart will sell Danganronpa 1・2 Reload collaboration merchandise starting late October 2026. The 17-item lineup includes tote bags, pouches, keychains, and card holders, all priced at 390 yen (429 yen with tax). Online pre-orders open July 10.
1d ago
On July 8, Hiroshi Iuchi announced that his shooting game 'UBUSUNA' is moving toward resuming production with investment from another company. The project was reported canceled in May after Iuchi left M2. Designer Kusasa Wa proposed outside investment, and discussions had already begun before the public cancellation. Iuchi holds the rights to the concept and system specifications, so resources created at M2 cannot be used.
1d ago
The text-only RPG Saga & Seeker, which uses generative AI for free-text input, released version 1.2.0 on July 9. The update adds Branch Generation, Session Restore, Character Reordering, and Folder Creation. Branch Generation lets players redo input at any story point to create new routes. The game is 20% off during the Steam Summer Sale until July 10. A Character & Scenario Recruitment Campaign is also running.
1d ago
The Steam Summer Sale on Steam includes discounts on multiple Obsidian Entertainment titles. Fallout: New Vegas is 50% off at 550 yen, and its Ultimate edition is 60% off at 879 yen. Other discounted games include The Outer Worlds 2, Avowed, Pentiment, and Grounded. The sale runs until July 10 at 2 a.m. Japan time.
1d ago
Valve's Season 5 update for Counter-Strike 2 alters the C4 explosion mechanic that has been in the series for over 25 years. The blast no longer penetrates walls; instead, it attenuates around corners, allowing players to survive by hiding behind obstacles at a distance. The health bar now shows remaining health after an explosion. The change follows a March update that modified reloading to discard magazines.
1d ago
A fan-made mod for Cyberpunk 2077, released on Nexus Mods, lets players reproduce the appearance of Talia, a character from the upcoming Netflix anime Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2. The mod recreates her chrome body modifications shown in the June 30 teaser, including exposed joints and spiky toes, with versions compatible with existing body framework mods.
1d ago
Wildlands Interactive and Ultimate Games S.A. will hold a weekend-only playtest for their blacksmith sim Sword & Shield Simulator starting July 10 on Steam. The test includes a rebuilt forging system, modular shield crafting, mining, lockpicking, stealth, and new locations.
1d ago
Sega released an update for PSO2 New Genesis ver.2 on July 8, 2026, adding Rank.3 to the important target elimination quest "Star Extinction Emblem." The new difficulty features the enemy "Solas Crypt" instead of "Dark Falz Solus," with unique attack patterns. New equipment includes the ★15 "Kaiz" weapon series and special abilities "C/Peta Dryel" and "C/Refas Drye." The 58th Mission Pass and a revival AC Scratch are also available.
1d ago
Sega announced a livestream for Sakatsuku 2026 on July 14 at 20:00 JST. The broadcast will reveal the Ver2.1 update contents and half-anniversary information. Producer Katsuya Hisai, director Masatsune Funakoshi, and MC Neontetra Seika will appear, along with a video message from PV actress Yuka Kageyama.
1d ago
Fighting game player GO1 developed heatstroke at the Esports World Cup 2026 after an air conditioning failure on a shuttle bus caused the interior temperature to reach 39 degrees Celsius. He has recovered enough to eat and walk but still feels fatigued and is in discussions with event management about his participation. He thanked fellow players who assisted him on site.
1d ago
Japanese idol group Rainbow Conquistador launched a 3D VR talk show series "Kimi to Nijicon [245mm]" using Canon's EOS VR SYSTEM. The 15-episode live stream on DeoVR and YouTube is a demonstration experiment exploring whether XR goggles can become a way for fans to watch their oshi. The setup uses an EOS R5 C camera and a real-time conversion app to stream VR180 footage without PC editing.
1d ago
Sunborn Japan held the 1.5th anniversary offline event "Summer Front" for Girls' Frontline 2: Exilium on July 4, 2026, livestreaming from Bellesalle Akihabara. The event unveiled the new SSR doll Lorelei, voiced by Yuka Saito, and announced collaborations with Ultraman and SSSS.GRIDMAN. A voting event called "Starry Wish" is also underway.
2d ago
Streamer k4sen's offline event The k4sen Con 2026 has added Junichi Kato, Moko, Oniya, and Yuyuta to its lineup. The four will appear in the stage content Real Buckshot Roulette on DAY1, August 8. Kato was previously scheduled for the same project in 2024 but withdrew before the event.
2d ago
Gravity Game Arise announced two compilations of classic Jaleco arcade games, totaling 32 titles. Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 will release on PC, Nintendo Switch, and PS5, with 20 games revealed so far. Features include DIP switch reproduction, CRT filter, rewind, and rapid-fire functions.
2d ago
Gravity Game Arise announced on July 8, 2026, that it will release JALECO ARCADE COLLECTION Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam. The two volumes together contain 32 arcade titles originally published by Jaleco during the 1980s and 1990s. Twenty of those titles have been revealed so far, with the remaining 12 to be announced later. Vol. 1 includes City Connection, Formation Z, Takeda Shingen, The Lord of King, Butasan, Tenseiryū, Cybattler, Field Combat, P-47: The Freedom Fighter, and Naughty Boy. Vol. 2 includes Exerion, E.D.F. Earth Defense Force, Makai Densetsu, Iga Ninpō Den, Plus Alpha, Pop Flamer, Rod Land, Soldam, Argus, and Phantasm. Physical editions are planned for Switch and PS5. The collection includes optional features such as overseas versions of some titles, DIP switch reproduction for difficulty and lives, a CRT filter, selectable rapid fire from 10 to 30 shots per second, a rewind function, and quick save and load. Release dates and prices have not been announced.
2d ago
Nintendo added five titles to its Game Boy Advance Nintendo Classics and Game Boy Nintendo Classics libraries on July 8, 2026. The Game Boy Advance Nintendo Classics, available to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers, received two games: the 2005 puzzle compilation "Dr. Mario & Panel de Pon" and the 2002 action-command RPG "Tomato Adventure." "Tomato Adventure" was developed by AlphaDream, the studio later known for the "Mario & Luigi RPG" series. The Game Boy Nintendo Classics, available to standard Nintendo Switch Online subscribers, received three titles: the 1994 platformer "Super Mario Land 3: Wario Land," the 1991 action-shooter "Fortress of Fury" by City Connection, and the 1992 RPG "Selection II: Dark Seal" by KEMCO. The additions span multiple genres and publishers, with Nintendo, City Connection, and KEMCO each contributing titles.
2d ago
The A24 horror film Backrooms has surpassed $350 million at the global box office, setting new records for the studio in North America, China, France, and Taiwan. Directed by Kane Parsons, the film is based on the internet urban legend from 4chan and will release in Japan on September 4.
2d ago
The Harvey Awards announced nominees for the 2026 ceremony, with five anime and manga-related projects nominated for Best Adaptation from Comic Book/Graphic Novel. The Best Manga category includes seven titles. The winners will be announced at New York Comic Con on October 9.
2d ago
AmiAmi has opened pre-orders for the ToHeart2 Kousaka Tamaki Bunny Ver. 1/4 Scale Complete Figure. Priced at 39,600 yen, the figure is scheduled for release in November 2026. The figure features a glossy pink-red bunny suit, fishnet tights, and a 1/4 scale presence that captures the character's flowing hair and gentle smile.
2d ago
Running With Scissors released a new trailer for 'Flesh & Wire', a horror FPS tied to the 'POSTAL' series. The game follows college student Angel and her cat Solomon through a nightmare of violence and revenge. It is set for a 2027 release on PC and PS5.
2d ago
Takara Tomy announced two new sets for the Transformers MPG toy line: MPG-24 Eject & Amhorn, releasing in late February 2027, and MPG-25 Blaster & Steeljaw, releasing in late March 2027. Both sets include fully transformable figures and accessories based on the classic anime series.
2d ago
Good Smile Company announced six new Brickroid figures from the Rebuild of Evangelion films, including Evangelion Unit-01 Awakened Ver., Unit-00, Unit-02 Beast Mode Second Stage, Mark.06, the Fourth Angel, and the Tenth Angel. A Building A + Base Set also joins the lineup. The Evangelion figures release in December 2026, and the building set in November 2026.
2d ago
The official website for the third season of the Shangri-La Frontier anime released a new teaser promotional video on July 7, 2026. The season is set to premiere in January 2027 on MBS, TBS, and 26 affiliated channels in Japan, airing Sundays at 5:00 p.m. JST. Studio C2C returns for animation production. Toshiyuki Kubooka is chief director, with Hiro Ōki as director and Naoki Kotani as assistant director. Kazuyuki Fudeyasu returns for series composition and scripts. Ayumi Kurashima is back as character designer and chief animation director. MONACA composes the music. The main voice cast reprises their roles, including Yuma Uchida as Sunraku, Azumi Waki as Psyger-0, Yoko Hikasa as Arthur Pencilgon, Makoto Koichi as Oicazzo, Rina Hidaka as Emul, and Akio Otsuka as Vysache. The first season aired from October 2023 to March 2024, and the second season ran from October 2024 to March 2025. The teaser highlights action from the Galaxia Heroes: Chaos arc. The franchise's first video game, Shangri-La Frontier ~Nanatsu no Saikyō-shu~, is also in development by Netmarble Nexus for a 2026 release.
2d ago
Publisher indie.io and developer Neurona Games released Esports Manager 2026 on Steam on July 7. The game is an esports team management simulation set in a tactical FPS similar to Counter-Strike. Players act as a team manager, handling training, scouting, sponsorships, merchandise, and legal matters. The game includes over 325 real esports teams and more than 1,900 real players, with stats based on actual performances. In matches, players watch AI-controlled action from a top-down view and can give equipment instructions like full buy or eco. The game quickly attracted players, reaching a peak concurrent count of around 5,000. As of July 7, 80% of 240 Steam user reviews are positive, earning a 'Very Positive' rating. Some players have criticized the AI behavior during matches, with reports of illogical actions. The developer announced a functional improvement patch for the next day. The game is priced at 2,300 yen, with a 20% launch discount to 1,840 yen until July 21. The store page does not list Japanese language support.
2d ago
Keen Software House released the 'Drive, Automate and Detonate' major update for Space Engineers 2 in early access on Steam. The update adds 46 new blocks including wheels, hinges, and automation tools, plus a Classic Survival Mode with crash-landing start. Combat gets warheads and rocket turrets. The game is scheduled for official release at the end of 2027.
2d ago
NC's MMORPG sequel AION2 arrives September 2026 with hundreds of character customization options, 8 classes, over 200 dungeons, and free-flight wings powered by Unreal Engine 5. Development lead Paek Seung-wook says he poured in dreams that could not be realized 18 years ago when the original AION launched.
2d ago
Developer MUC Games released the physics puzzle game Project: Ojisan on Steam on July 7. Players stack old men in various poses on a rooftop, aiming to reach a target height. The game costs 184 yen during a launch sale. It was created by the developer of Slot & Dungeons during a period of mental recovery.
3d ago
The first episode of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 was screened at Anime Expo 2026 to 6,000 attendees. No footage or spoilers have leaked online, a rare outcome for a high-profile preview. CD Projekt Red staff publicly thanked fans for keeping the promise not to record or share content. The series streams on Netflix this fall.
3d ago
Taito announced on July 7, 2026 that the Nintendo Switch remake Yuukyuu Gensoukyoku 2nd Album Revival will release on March 18, 2027. The regular edition costs 9,680 yen and the special edition costs 25,080 yen, both tax included. The game is a remake of the 1998 friendship-raising simulation Yuukyuu Gensoukyoku 2nd Album, the second entry in the series. It keeps the original story and character voices but features fully renewed character graphics by moo, the original character designer. The special edition includes a download code for Yuukyuu Gensoukyoku Ensemble 2 Re:R, a port of the 1999 fan disc with renewed graphics and visuals. That port includes self-cover versions of the theme songs by original composer and singer Aki Hata. Amazon will offer a limited pre-order bonus from July 10 to July 13, 2026: a download code for a faithful port of the original 1998 game. The bonus code may later be distributed separately with changes.
3d ago
Nintendo of Europe will release an improved Nintendo Switch 2 with a user-replaceable battery in fall 2026 to comply with EU battery regulations. The new model has a slightly smaller battery (5,172mAh vs 5,220mAh) and is 10g heavier. Battery replacement kits will be sold separately. Improved versions of Joy-Con 2, Joy-Con, and Pro Controller are also planned. The original Switch and Switch Lite will not get improved versions and will be discontinued in Europe after February 2027.
3d ago
Nintendo of Europe announced on July 6 that it will gradually release revised versions of the Nintendo Switch 2 and several peripherals with user-replaceable batteries, starting in summer 2026 and continuing into early 2027. The change is in response to the EU Battery Regulation, which will require portable devices sold in Europe to have user-replaceable batteries from mid-February 2027. Nintendo stated there are no functional differences between current and revised versions, though minor spec changes occur: the Switch 2 console's battery capacity drops from 5220mAh to 5172mAh (a 1% reduction) and its weight increases by about 10g. The Switch 2 Pro Controller sees a 16% battery reduction to 897mAh. Revised products include Joy-Con (some colors, summer 2026), Switch 2 (autumn 2026), Joy-Con 2 and Pro Controller (winter 2026), and N64 and GameCube controllers (early 2027). Meanwhile, the original Nintendo Switch, Switch Lite, Switch OLED, Switch Pro Controller, Pokémon GO Plus+, and several retro controllers will not receive revised versions. Their sales in Europe will end in mid-February 2027. Already purchased products remain usable, and services like the eShop and Nintendo Switch Online will continue. The changes apply only to the EU region.
3d ago
Corvostudio di Amadei Marco released a trailer for the largest expansion pack for World War II FPS Easy Red 2. Blood on the Danube focuses on late-war Eastern Front battles in Hungary, adding three campaigns, over 30 missions, new factions Hungary and Romania, and dozens of weapons and vehicles. It launches on PC via Steam on July 15, with console versions following on July 31.
3d ago
Valve's Counter-Strike 2 reclaimed the top spot on the Steam sales ranking for Japan as of July 6, 2026, according to ASCII.jp's weekly chart. The free-to-play shooter took first place ahead of EA's Apex Legends in second and Cygames' Shadowverse: Worlds Beyond in third. Bandai Namco Entertainment's new Sword Art Online action RPG Echoes of Aincrad debuted at seventh place ahead of its Steam release on July 10. The game launches on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on July 9, with a standard edition priced at 8,910 yen. To promote the title, Bandai Namco is running a Clearance Group Recruitment Campaign through July 17, inviting streamers to play on Very Hard difficulty with Death Game Mode enabled. Participants receive a NerveGear streaming kit and have their names inscribed on a Monument of Life page. Separately, Sony Interactive Entertainment aired a two-part talk show on July 7 and 8 featuring SAO game general producer Takasuke Futami and Echoes of Aincrad production manager Yasuhiro Yawata, who demonstrated character creation and early story content.
4d ago
After scoring two goals to lead Norway past Brazil in the World Cup, Erling Haaland's gaming habits drew attention. A video showed his Xbox Mini Fridge, top three games (Minecraft, GTA, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2), hopes for Xbox sponsorship, and excitement for GTA6.
4d ago
Independent developer ammaarreshi has ported the 2003 real-time strategy game Command & Conquer Generals Zero Hour to run natively on Apple Silicon Macs, iPhones, and iPads. The port uses the original engine compiled for ARM64, with touch controls and rendering via DXVK, Vulkan, MoltenVK, and Metal. The developer used Claude Code (Claude Fable model) for engineering work and debugging, and released the port as open source for free, though users must provide their own game assets.
4d ago
PARCO GAMES, the game label of PARCO Co., Ltd., announced on July 6, 2026, that "EXHIBITION OF SILENT HILL 2" will be held at PARCO FACTORY on the 7th floor of the main building of Ikebukuro PARCO from July 24 to August 17, 2026. This is the first solo exhibition of the Silent Hill series by Konami. Admission is 1,500 yen, with advance online tickets available via Ticket Pia. Visitors receive one random limited-edition original sticker as an admission bonus. The exhibition presents the world of Silent Hill 2 through spatial art, video, and sound, focusing on themes of sin, loss, and self-deception. Over 20 types of original goods will be sold at the venue, including T-shirts, acrylic stands, record bags, incense, and mugs. Some items are venue-exclusive secret designs. After the exhibition period, goods are also planned for sale on PARCO's official EC site ONLINE PARCO. The exhibition is positioned as a global cultural experience originating from Japan, riding on the acclaim of the 2024 remake of Silent Hill 2.
4d ago
Chinese manufacturer HEMOXIAN announced a new plastic kit series called RUSTED BRIER. The first release, Lande Koskinen & RTP-10A Fengren High-Speed Variable Fighter, is a large set combining a 1/12 scale beautiful girl figure and a transformable mecha. It is scheduled for October 2026 at 9,680 yen, distributed by Kotobukiya.
4d ago
Cyberpunk 2077's Steam concurrent player count has exceeded 100,000 following a 70% off sale that began on June 18. The sale runs until July 10, dropping the price from 8,778 yen to 2,633 yen. The game has sold over 40 million copies globally as of July 3, and a sequel is in development under the name Project Orion.
4d ago
GKIDS announced during its Anime Expo panel on Sunday several home video releases, including a 4K UHD Collector's Edition for Look Back on September 8, a 4K UHD Collector's Edition for the 4K remaster of Angel's Egg on September 22, and a Blu-ray Disc release for Hideaki Anno's live-action film Love & Pop on October 6.
4d ago
Krea 2, a free image generation AI model released on June 23, can produce both photorealistic and anime-style images on local PCs. Developed by cloud AI company Krea, it offers high quality and fast generation, outperforming existing local models like Z-Image Turbo and Anima. The model interprets text prompts well but lacks character consistency.
5d ago
Game Spark's weekly ranking for June 26 to July 2, 2026, places news about the 'Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2' second teaser and character visual in the top five, alongside a Steam sale guide, a retrospective on 'Mobile Suit Gundam Side Story: The Blue Destiny', and a free game giveaway at the Epic Games Store.
5d ago
Digital manga publisher Omoi announced four new manga licenses during its Anime Expo panel on Saturday, including the sequel to its hit series Natsume & Natsume. The company also revealed partnerships with Red String Manga and Square Enix Manga to add their titles to Omoi Premium, expanding its catalog with dozens of series.
5d ago
The television anime adaptation of Miya Kinojo's light novel series Chillin' in Another World with Level 2 Super Cheat Powers will receive a second season, the production staff announced on July 4, 2026. The announcement was accompanied by a teaser visual featuring the character Fenrys and a teaser trailer that recaps moments from the first season. Original novel illustrator Katagiri and manga adaptation artist Akine Itomachi each released celebratory illustrations to mark the news. The first season aired 12 episodes from April to June 2024, produced by J.C.STAFF. Yoshiaki Iwasaki directed the first season, with Megumi Shimizu handling series scripts, Sōta Suwa designing characters, and Kujira Yumemi composing the music. The first season's cast included Satoshi Hino as Flio and Rie Kugimiya as Fenrys, among others. Kinojo commented on the sequel, stating that new characters will be introduced and that Flio and Fenrys will remain central to the story. J-Novel Club publishes the light novel series in English, and Crunchyroll streams the anime in multiple regions including North America and Europe. A premiere date for the second season has not been announced.