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11h ago
Developer Replicant D6 has announced that the N64-style spy FPS Agent 64: Spies Never Die will be released on August 11. The game, inspired by GoldenEye 007, casts players as elite spy John Walter across 14 missions. It includes split-screen multiplayer for both co-op and versus modes, with online support. The story campaign supports local co-op with vertical split-screen and online co-op. The versus mode includes four-way split-screen and over 70 rule variants. Supported languages are English, French, and Japanese. A playtest is recruiting on Steam.
2d ago
After Group Stage 2 of the Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves division at Esports World Cup 2026 in Paris, eight players advanced to the final tournament on July 11. Players Nemo, Laggia, and mi2ha4 are among the finalists. The winner will take home $250,000. The players reflected on their performances and the tournament's unique group format.
2d ago
THQ Nordic and Ashborne Games have postponed the early access release of medieval city management sim The Guild - Europa 1410 from July 16 to September 2026. The delay allows the team to incorporate demo feedback and bundle content originally planned for the September update, including a new tutorial city, UI improvements, and multi-language support. The roadmap remains unchanged.
4d ago
Eight years after release, the space simulation X4: Foundations reached record concurrent player numbers. Developer EGOSOFT released a free major update (version 9.00) that rebalanced combat and equipment. In an interview, the studio explained its business model: free foundational updates paired with paid DLC, which now generates more annual revenue than the base game. The next paid expansion, themed around exploration, is already in development.
5d ago
Sega's mascot Sonic the Hedgehog has joined the CREATOR division of professional esports team ZETA DIVISION for a limited summer period, the team announced on July 8, 2026. The surprise addition follows a February event called 'Sonic Racing CrossWorlds The k4sen,' where Sonic won a race and caught the attention of popular streamer k4sen. According to the announcement, Sonic and k4sen both celebrate their 35th anniversary this year, which served as a catalyst for the collaboration. Sonic reportedly said he could not sit still when hearing about hot challenges on the best stage. ZETA DIVISION is also marking its own 5th anniversary with a pop-up event in Tokyo from July 31 to August 2. Additional merchandise includes a collaboration gaming PC and LINE stamps featuring the team's mascot ZETA-kun. The team plans to develop various content with Sonic's involvement during the summer period.
5d 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.
5d 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.
5d 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.
5d 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.
6d 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.
6d ago
Amazon Kindle has launched a large-scale sale offering up to 50% points back on select Kadokawa manga titles, running from July 7 through July 13 for the Kadokawa campaign and until July 23 for the Summer Super Point Fair. The promotion coincides with Amazon Prime Day and covers dozens of series, including Delicious in Dungeon, Tsukihime: A Piece of Blue Glass Moon, Nichijou, Persona 3, Persona 4, Persona 5: Mementos Mission, and Gunslinger Girl. For Delicious in Dungeon, all 14 volumes (excluding volume 10) are eligible; buying the full set costs 10,742 yen and yields 5,012 yen in points. The Delicious in Dungeon World Guide: Adventurer's Bible Complete Edition and Ryoko Kui's sketchbook Daydream Hour are also included. The Persona manga adaptations are similarly discounted: all 11 volumes of Persona 3 cost 6,897 yen with 3,454 points back, all 13 volumes of Persona 4 cost 8,173 yen with 4,092 points back, and all 3 volumes of Persona 5: Mementos Mission cost 2,057 yen with 1,029 points back. Other notable titles in the sale include Fate/stay night, Fate/Zero, Today's Menu for the Emiya Family, A Bride's Story, Neon Genesis Evangelion, The Saga of Tanya the Evil, Erased, Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation, and The Eminence in Shadow.
6d ago
Four characters from the manga and game franchise The Prince of Tennis will appear on the back cover of the July 15, 2026 issue of the magazine anan (issue 2504). The cover features Ryoma Echizen, Kunimitsu Tezuka, Syusuke Fuji, and Ryoga Echizen in casual summer clothing, described as an anan-exclusive special gravure. The collaboration promotes the July 30 release of two remastered romance adventure games: The Prince of Tennis: Motto Gakuen-sai no Ouji-sama ♡ -40 and more... and The Prince of Tennis: Gyutto! Doki Doki Survival Tie break ♡ game. These are updated versions of PlayStation 2 titles originally released between 2005 and 2007, and they will be compatible with Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and Steam. The magazine's back reading pages will include a report on the games. The Prince of Tennis manga by Takeshi Konomi began serialization in 1999, and its sequel The New Prince of Tennis will conclude in the September 2026 issue of Jump SQ. on August 4, ending a 27-year run. The anime adaptation, which started in 2001, is celebrating its 25th anniversary with projects planned through December 2027. A fan event called Tenipuri Surprise Summit is scheduled for July 19 at Tokyo International Forum Hall A, featuring Konomi and voice actors.
Jul 6
Hasegawa is reissuing the VR-747 Temjin Type a8 White Knight Order 1/100 scale plastic model kit to mark the 30th anniversary of Cyber Troopers Virtual-On. The kit, designed by Hajime Katoki, features four-color molded parts, a Sleipnir Mk.6/w weapon, and White Knight Order decals. It is priced at 5,280 yen and ships October 1, 2026.
Jul 6
D4 Enterprise released Relics for the Nintendo Switch on July 2, 2026, as the 106th EGG Console title. Originally an MSX2 action adventure from Booster Technology in 1986, the game features a Spirit Ride possession system. The Switch version adds a Scene Select mode and a Gallery mode.
Jul 5
Automaton's 89th weekly game article roundup highlights seven notable titles, including the cyberpunk life sim Nivalis Nights (September 30), the visual novel Sister, Others, Paranoia from the Needy Girl Overdose team (August 15), and the adult anomaly-hunting game Train No. 45, which has seen a sudden sales surge.
Jul 5
Atlus announced on July 4 that animation studio MAPPA will produce the anime cutscenes for the upcoming game Persona 4 Revival. The announcement was made via the official Persona public relations X account and the Atlus West account. MAPPA, known for Chainsaw Man and Jujutsu Kaisen, will handle all animation cutscenes for the title. Persona 4 Revival is a full remake of Persona 4 Golden, retaining the original storyline while completely refreshing graphics, UI, and adding new elements to battles and events. Alongside the cutscene announcement, Atlus released an introduction video for the character Rise Kujikawa, which includes anime cuts of a swimsuit scene. Rise Kujikawa is a popular first-year high school idol who becomes a companion in the story. On social media, fans expressed excitement with comments such as 'Can we see the smooth-moving protagonist!?' and 'Too luxurious.' Persona 4 Revival is scheduled for release on February 18, 2027, for Xbox Series X|S, PC (Windows, Steam), and PS5. The standard edition is priced at 9,900 yen. A limited box edition with bonuses including a special binding box, art book, and DLC is also available.
Jul 5
Atlus announced on Saturday that Studio MAPPA will produce all of the animated cutscenes for Persona 4 Revival, the upcoming remake of the 2008 role-playing game. The news came during Anime Expo 2026 alongside two new character videos featuring the protagonist and Rise Kujikawa. Atlus also confirmed that Abby Trott will voice Rise in the English dub, part of a new English voice cast for the game. The remake is set to launch on February 18, 2027, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC with Xbox Game Pass, and PC via Steam. Pre-orders are open now. The original Persona 4 was released for PlayStation 2 in 2008 and later received an enhanced port, Persona 4 Golden, for PlayStation Vita in 2011. The new version is described as a distinct reimagining separate from Golden. The animation director reportedly played Persona 1 through Persona 4 before beginning work on the cutscenes. Persona 3 Reload, the previous Atlus remake, launched in February 2024 and featured animation from a different studio.
Jul 4
The developer of Project Winter released a dev diary for the new social deduction game 4 Penny Coffins, set in 1888 London. Players investigate Jack the Ripper's murders across three phases. The diary focuses on the investigation phase, where evidence is a physical item that can be hidden or tampered with, and the Ripper can interfere with clues.
Jul 4
Square Enix's Dragon Quest Monsters 4 lets players choose between Bianca and Flora as the lead at the start. An Inside poll of 1,000+ respondents found 56.8% picked Bianca and 43.2% picked Flora, a narrower margin than the original Dragon Quest V marriage choice.
Jul 3
Mango Party announced on July 3 that the adult puzzle game '45th Train' has sold over 100,000 copies on Steam within a week of release. The 'Exit 8'-like spot-the-difference game, developed by Elniko, currently holds an 'Overwhelmingly Positive' rating from 1,074 user reviews, with 98% positive.
Jul 3
THQ Nordic and Ashborne Games released a developer diary for the medieval city management sim The Guild - Europa 1410, detailing production chains, logistics, and economic risks. Players can pursue artisan or merchant professions, process raw materials into finished goods, and even keep bees for steady income. Bandit attacks threaten supply routes, and market prices shift with player actions and world events. The game enters early access on Steam on July 16, 2026.
Jul 2
Atlus released a trailer for Persona 4 Revival, a remake of the 2008 RPG, on Tuesday. The trailer introduces the game's characters and confirms a new English voice cast. The remake launches February 18, 2027 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC via Game Pass, and Steam.
Jul 2
Kadokawa announced on Monday that the SHIBOYUGI: Playing Death Games to Put Food on the Table 44: CLOUDY BEACH anime film will begin streaming worldwide on July 13, 2026. The film will have a limited two-week theatrical run in Japan starting July 10. It will stream on Netflix in North America, Central and South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, and the Middle East. Crunchyroll will carry it in the Indian subcontinent and CIS territories, with additional regional platforms including Aniplus, Laftel, Bahamut Animation Madness, and others across Asia. A new trailer, the first to feature voiced dialogue, was released alongside the announcement. The story follows professional death game player Yuki, voiced by Chiyuki Miura, as she enters her 44th game on a remote island with seven other players. The game, called Cloudy Beach, initially appears to be an escape challenge but turns into a mystery after a dismembered body is discovered. The film features returning staff: director Sōta Ueno at Studio DEEN, series composer Rintarou Ikeda, and character designer Eri Osada. New cast members include Aino Shimada as Maguma, Anna Nagase as Essei, Hikaru Tōno as Mozuku, Konomi Inagaki as Hizumi, Riko Akechi as Mitsuba, Yukari Tamura as Koyomi, and Yume Miyamoto as Airi.
Jul 2
4Divinity and Eschatology Entertainment announced 'Guns of Eschaton,' a soulslike FPS set in an apocalyptic Western world, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam. The game is the final vision of art director Viktor Antonov, known for 'Half-Life 2' and 'Dishonored.' A new trailer shows in-game footage. Release date and price are undecided.
Jul 1
At Summer Game Fest Play Days 2026, NetEase Games and 24 Entertainment Lin'an Studio showed a playable demo of 'Blood Message', a linear action-adventure set in late Tang Dynasty China. The game emphasizes stealth, brutal context-sensitive finishers, and cinematic chase sequences. No release date or price has been announced yet.
Jul 1
Carl Rinsch, director of '47RONIN', was sentenced to 2.5 years in prison for defrauding Netflix of $11 million. He received the money for a sci-fi drama but spent it on cars, cryptocurrency, and personal expenses. The court also ordered him to repay the full amount. The defense plans to appeal.
Jun 29
DJI has officially announced the Osmo Pocket 4P, a dual-lens gimbal camera with a wide-angle and medium telephoto camera. The standard combo is priced at 99,000 yen, and the Vlog combo at 113,300 yen. The camera features a 1-inch CMOS sensor, 17-stop dynamic range, D-Log2 recording, 12x zoom, and 103GB of internal storage.
Jun 29
Bandai opened pre-orders on Premium Bandai for the HG 1/144 Hydra Gundam from New Mobile Report Gundam W Dual Story G-UNIT, alongside seven reissue kits including the RG Mass Production Z'Gok, HG Gundam Griepe, and HG Gundam Geminass. The Hydra Gundam transforms into mobile armor form and costs 5,500 yen.
Jun 29
Premium Bandai has opened a lottery sale for the HG 1/144 Hambrabi (GQ) Gunpla from Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX (Zeek Axis). The kit includes a transformation to MA mode not seen in the series, a Fedayeen Rifle, and a Sea Serpent with a lead wire. Applications run from June 29 to July 6, with winners announced July 8 and shipping in August 2026. Price is 2,860 yen.
Jun 28
The A24 horror film 'Backrooms,' directed by 21-year-old Kane Parsons and based on an internet urban legend, will open in Japanese theaters on September 4, 2026. The film earned over $81 million in its US opening weekend, topping the box office, and made Parsons the youngest director ever to lead both US and worldwide charts.
Jun 28
The four-member rock band TUBE will release their first feature-length film, "Gekijoban TUBE 40th Anniversary Live & Documentary ~40-shunen no Kokoki~," nationwide on August 28 under WOWOW distribution. The film compiles unseen footage from their 40th anniversary year, including the Hawaii Waikiki performance, the Yokohama Stadium summer festival, and the 40-show tour finale in Okinawa.
Jun 28
AmiAmi, the Japanese hobby goods retailer, will sponsor the hololive English 4th Concert -Serendipity- in Los Angeles this July. The company will also exhibit at Anime Expo 2026, selling official concert merchandise at its booth and hosting a Wishing Wall event where fans can leave messages alongside those from hololive English talents.
Jun 27
Aoshima announced the Daiki Ninomiya EK9 Civic Type R as the next entry in its 1/24 Initial D plastic model series. The kit, based on the late-model car from the series, includes new molds for the body, hood, and headlights, plus dedicated aero parts and wheels. It is a snap-fit, glue-and-paint-free assembly. Release is set for November 2026 at 4,840 yen.
Jun 27
Sentinel has opened pre-orders for the fourth volume of its Sushi Monster Sushi-L.A. figure collection, featuring 10 toppings with Happy Smile and Deep Sadness expressions. The set includes a glow-in-the-dark secret figure for the first time, and a lottery campaign for a soft vinyl Sushi-L.A. figure.
Jun 27
SEGA FAVE will hold the official national tournament "Public Road Strongest Deciding Battle 4th" for "Initial D THE ARCADE." The tournament includes three categories: KING OF DRIVER 4th (2-car battle), Toge Battle Royale 4th (4-car battle), and MASTER ATTACKER 4th (time trial). Regional qualifiers run from August 2026 to January 2027 at seven locations across Japan, with a final tournament in March 2027. A first tag tournament, Double Ace CUP, is scheduled for November 2026. Lifeguard sponsors the event.
Jun 27
The August issue of Monthly Comic REX, released June 26, introduces two new serializations: a comedy about a goblin locksmith and a harem fantasy about a reincarnated villainous noble. The first, by H9, follows a man reincarnated as a goblin who uses locksmith skills. The second, by pastime774, follows a virgin reincarnated as a doomed noble seeking a harem.
Jun 25
A24 and UNDER R will open a pop-up store in Tokyo and Osaka from July 10 to July 24 to promote the horror film "Bring Her Back." The store at UNDER R Sendagaya in Tokyo and UNDER R Osaka will sell a new apparel collection, books, goods, and an A24 Record Bar. Triple collaboration items involving UNDER R, A24, and international artists will also be available. The Sendagaya location will host a special ice cream stand from JOHN'S ICE CREAM TOKYO. "Bring Her Back" is directed by Danny and Michael Philippou, who previously made "Talk to Me." The film follows siblings Andy and Piper who, after losing their father, come to live with a new mother figure named Laura. Andy is played by Billy Barratt, blind sister Piper by Sola Wong, and the mysterious child Oliver by Jonah Leon Phillips. Sally Hawkins plays Laura. The film opens in Japanese theaters on July 10 with an R15+ rating.
Jun 25
D4 Enterprise released "EGG Console First Queen IV PC-9801" on Nintendo eShop as the 105th title in the retro game service. The real-time simulation, originally from Kure Software Koubou in 1994, features the series' Gocha Character System and new dual-unit controls, fatigue mechanics, and mercenary hiring. The scenario is the largest in the series.
Jun 25
TV Asahi announced nine new regular cast members for its Thursday drama 'Dai Kūkō ~GATE24~,' starring Shuri, including Kaoru Okunuki, Sayaka Akimoto, Masaki Kaji, Shion Machida, Riku Kashima, Naoto Nishimura, Haru Tsubakihara, Seiichi Tanabe, and Mitsuru Fukikoshi. The series will also be distributed worldwide on Netflix. It premieres July 23.
Jun 24
Singapore-based venture studio Kasagi Labo announced a new project tentatively titled Casshan 2045 at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. The reimagining of Tatsunoko Production's classic 1973 anime Shinzō Ningen Casshan features original character design concepts by Final Fantasy artist Yoshitaka Amano.
Jun 24
Singapore-based anime venture studio Kasagi Labo announced multiple projects during its MIFA presentation at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival on June 24. The company unveiled a new film connected to the Ninja Scroll franchise, with Masao Maruyama, producer of the original 1993 film and co-founder of Madhouse and MAPPA, serving as special creative advisor. Kasagi Labo also announced a theatrical feature adaptation of the viral YouTube short Living in a World Without Magic, which has amassed over six million views. The screenplay is by Michiko Yokote, known for Cowboy Bebop, Bleach, and Shirobako. Two additional projects were revealed: Casshan 2045, a reimagining of Tatsunoko Production's 1973 classic with character designs by Final Fantasy artist Yoshitaka Amano, and Ars Gratia, an original sci-fi feature from director Ilya Kuvshinov developed with Good Smile Company and Liden Films. The company also provided production updates on its feature GATE 2 and the original sci-fi series Special Kid Factory, from talent behind ID: Invaded. Kasagi Labo is using its AnimeOshi platform to gather fan feedback and crowdfunding through an 'Open Pitch' model, which it presented as an alternative to the traditional production committee system.
Jun 24
To mark the 25th anniversary of Kamen Rider Agito, a screening of the 2001 film Kamen Rider Agito PROJECT G4 will be held at T-Joy Hakata on July 11. The event will feature stage greetings from Toshiki Kashu, Jun Yamazaki, and Ryo Karato, who played Kamen Rider G4 and is making his first public appearance in 25 years. Tickets include admission to the Shin Agito Exhibition in Fukuoka.
Jun 24
As part of the Persona series 30th anniversary, Atlus will premiere Episode 1 of Persona 4 on its official YouTube channel on June 26, followed by Persona 4 The Golden on July 3. All episodes of both series will also be streamed for free on ABEMA on June 27 and July 4, with free catch-up for one week.
Jun 23
GKIDS will release Studio 4°C's anime feature ChaO on Blu-ray Disc on September 22. The film, directed by Yasuhiro Aoki, is a romantic comedy about a mermaid princess and a salaryman. It is already available digitally in the U.S. The Blu-ray includes storyboards, animatics, and trailers. The film won the Jury Prize at Annecy 2025.
Jun 23
Sega Sammy Holdings has confirmed four major titles for release in the fiscal year ending March 2027, including 'STRANGER THAN HEAVEN' on January 15, 2027, and 'Persona 4 Revival' on February 18, 2027. The lineup also includes two new major IP titles, though their identities remain unclear. The company cited strong trailer viewership for its upcoming games but acknowledged that recent releases like 'SHINOBI: Revenge of the Slash' and 'Sonic Racing CrossWorlds' fell short of sales expectations, prompting plans for organizational and sales reforms.
Jun 23
NASEF Japan will hold a press conference on June 30 to announce the outline of the 4th All Japan High School eSports Championship, designed with input from an executive committee of high school eSports club advisors. The organization will also introduce a new certification system for training eSports instructors to support club activities.
Jun 23
Sony announced the INZONE H9 II LTK 2026 LIMITED EDITION, a wireless gaming headset designed in collaboration with the League The k4sen event. The headset features the event logo on the housing and is available for pre-order through the ZETA DIVISION store until July 1, 2026, for 41,800 yen, with shipping expected around late September.
Jun 23
Google DeepMind and film studio A24 announced a research partnership on June 22, 2026, with Google investing approximately $75 million (12.1 billion yen) in A24. The collaboration will focus on developing AI tools to assist filmmakers with storyboarding and production workflows, rather than generating content or training on A24's library. A24 Labs, the studio's technology division, has already built an application that uses AI to create storyboards. Google DeepMind stated that the partnership aims to support artists in developing new workflows through repeated prototyping and testing with A24 filmmakers. The deal is Google's first equity investment in a film studio. A24, known for films like 'Midsommar,' 'Everything Everywhere All at Once,' and 'Backrooms,' has seen sales more than double in two years. No specific timeline for the tools' release was announced.
Jun 22
Kyoko Saito will play Nozomi Endo, an animal quarantine officer with sharp information-gathering skills, in the TV Asahi drama 'Daikuukou ~GATE24~' starring Shuri. The series follows a special airport security unit. It premieres July 23 on Thursdays at 21:00.
Jun 22
The Nintendo 64, released on June 23, 1996, marks its 30th anniversary in 2026. A retrospective article highlights how the console's three-pronged controller and analog 3D stick established the basic grammar of modern 3D action games, and looks back at launch titles Super Mario 64 and Pilotwings 64.