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- Aury, a fan of Yatara's work, created a demo of animated monsters from Yatara's X illustrations and approached the artist with the idea. · 2026-05-25
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9h ago
BANDAI SPIRITS is expanding its PlanoSaurus Gachikoseibutsu Club series with a new kit based on the Steller's sea cow, a large marine mammal that survived into the 17th century and is believed to have gone extinct in 1768. The kit is set for release on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at a price of 1,925 yen including tax. The Steller's sea cow model follows the series' two-build system: a skeleton build that lets assemblers learn the internal structure, and a dinosaur build where integument parts are attached over the skeleton. The skin parts include fine wrinkles molded into the surface, reproducing the animal's physique, which stored fat for adaptation to cold regions. Articulation covers the mouth, head, neck, arms, abdomen, and tail flukes, allowing the model to be posed in a swimming stance on a clear base included with the kit. Assembly is snap-fit with no adhesive or tools required, and parts pop off runners with a touch-gate system. The kit is non-scale and includes a sticker sheet and the base.
1d ago
STARGLOW, the five-member dance and vocal group under BMSG, revealed the artist visual and regular edition jacket artwork for their first album Aurora, due November 18. The visual places the members in a deep blue space lit by colorful light, dressed in black and white. The jacket uses gradient typography that suggests meteor trails. The album collects everything from pre-debut track Moonchaser through latest single Drivin' My Life, plus new recordings.
Aug 29
Devolver Digital and Big Fan Games announced on August 27 that Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2, developed by Auroch Digital, will launch on October 14. The sequel adds two playable characters, Malum Caedo and Nayla Bellas, plus branching campaign paths, new enemies, new weapons, and a navigation guide. Mick Gordon contributes the track Ascent of the Arkifane.
Aug 13
Phoenixx released the Nintendo Switch version of Menhera-rium, a deck-building roguelite dice game, on August 13. The game is available at a 20% discount until August 26 at 23:59 JST as part of a two-week launch sale. The Steam version has been available since February 18, and at the time of writing, it holds a "Very Positive" rating from 652 user reviews, with 92% positive feedback. Players are confined by a girl with mental health issues, voiced by Yuko Natsuyoshi, and must survive seven days by winning rounds of the dice game chonchiro, wagering their blood. Each day, the player must reach a target score to satisfy the girl; losing results in blood loss. Players can use items to restore blood, rewrite dice outcomes, and modify dice to increase the chance of rolling desired combinations. The girl evaluates each day's results, granting coins used to purchase items, dice outcomes, or packs to build and strengthen the deck. The game is developed by Tezcatlipoca and supports Japanese, English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Russian, and Brazilian Portuguese.
Aug 5
Bandai Namco Entertainment announced on August 5 that it will exhibit five titles at Tokyo Game Show 2026, held at Makuhari Messe from September 17 to 21. The main booth in Hall 5 will feature playable demos for 'ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE', 'Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3', 'One Piece: Sea of Delights Restaurant', and 'Bleach Mirrors High'. 'Tales of Eternia Remaster' will be present but only with a reservation campaign, no demo. 'ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE' is scheduled for release on October 2, 2026, for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam. It is the first in the series to feature a first-person perspective in its drama parts, and this will be its first exhibition at a domestic game event. Public days from September 19 to 21 will require a numbered ticket for the demo, distributed at the booth. Demo participants receive an original sticker. The Family Game Park at TKP Tokyo Bay Makuhari Hall will offer demos of 'Once Upon a Katamari' and 'Tamagotchi Petit Petit Store: Welcome! Nintendo Switch 2 Edition'. The ASOBI STORE satellite booth in Hall 11 will sell advance merchandise for 'Ace Combat 8', the 'Tales of' series, Katamari, Pac-Man, and Taiko no Tatsujin.
Aug 1
The BanG Dream! Ave Mujica prima aurora anime film will open in Japan on October 16, 2026. The date was announced during a Bandori TV live stream on Thursday, which also debuted a new trailer and key visual for the project. The film is set six months after the comeback of the band Ave Mujica, with the story taking place in spring as the group's popularity grows and each member's activities gain momentum. Sakiko Togawa, the band's leader, proposes a members-only masquerade as their next stage, and the narrative follows her ambition to become a god. The film is a sequel to the BanG Dream! Ave Mujica television anime, which premiered in Japan in January 2025 and was animated by Sanzigen under director Kodai Kakimoto. The voice cast includes Kanon Takao as Sakiko Togawa, Yuzuki Watase as Mutsumi Wakaba, Rico Sasaki as Uika Misumi, Akane Yonezawa as Nyamu Yutenji, and Mei Okada as Umiri Yahata. Advance tickets go on sale August 15 at theaters, online, and at Animate, with goods-included tickets available at Comic Market 108 and the BanG Dream! STORE.
Jul 21
Midgar Studio, the French developer behind the JRPG Edge of Eternity, is closing due to legal liquidation proceedings. CEO Jérémy Zeler-Maury announced the closure on LinkedIn on July 20, stating that despite searching for a new acquirer, the studio could not resolve its situation within the deadline. The studio was acquired by Nacon in 2022, which has faced financial difficulties following its parent company Bigben Interactive's bond repayment delays and judicial restructuring filings. The fate of the upcoming title Edge of Memories, a successor to Edge of Eternity scheduled for Q4 2026, remains uncertain.
Jul 12
Bandai Spirits released five new Plano-saurus model kits from the Gachikoseibutsu-bu line on July 11, 2026. The lineup includes Tyrannosaurus 1915 and Spinosaurus 1915, which recreate outdated scientific reconstructions, plus a Pachyrhinosaurus with optional horn parts. Two Tyrannosaurus variants feature tropical rainforest and snowy region color schemes, the latter using a new Mineral Injection technology to simulate snow. All kits are snap-fit, no-tool, and include a display base.
Jul 11
Chinese figure manufacturer CCSTOYS is developing a die-cast action figure of Raftclans·Aurun from the Super Robot Wars OG series, as announced by Dragon Horse on July 10. The unpainted prototype was shown at BiliBili World 2026 in Shanghai. The figure follows CCSTOYS's previous SRW OG releases of Cybuster and Alt Eisen. Designer Takayuki Yanase is supervising the project.
Jul 11
Crunchyroll announced the English dub cast and staff for the television anime of Hekiru Hikawa's Hanaori-san Still Wants to Fight in the Next Life. The same-day dub will premiere on July 11, with Kelly Greenshield and Mauricio Ortiz-Segura among the cast. The anime debuts on Japanese TV and streams on Crunchyroll in multiple regions. LIDEN FILMS handles animation production.
Jul 11
Pre-orders for the Zoids T-SPARK AZ-17 Ultrasaurus, the AZ-17EX Gravity Cannon for Ultrasaurus, and the AZ-17DX Ultrasaurus Gravity Cannon Spec set are now open at the Takara Tomy Mall. The Gravity Cannon is being released as a product for the first time. The DX set includes bonus micro-figures and a Munbei pilot figure. All items are scheduled for late February 2027.
Jul 6
Sedna Interactive announced Sushi Restaurant Simulator, a simulation game where players personally prepare ingredients, cook sushi and other Japanese dishes, and manage a restaurant. The Steam store page is live. The game includes inventory management, time-limited orders, employee hiring, equipment upgrades, and online cooperative play. A 2027 release is planned with Japanese display support.
Jul 4
Singer-songwriter Mahiru has announced additional fall-winter 2026 shows in Hong Kong, Bangkok, and Singapore for her Asia tour "Auralisia," partnering with global promoter Live Nation. The Hong Kong show on October 10 will feature local artist Billy Choi as a guest, with venue capacity tripled from last year. Mahiru also released her first major-label EP "Cinema" on June 24.
Jun 29
Sedna Interactive opened the Steam store page for Sushi Restaurant Simulator, a cooperative restaurant management game where players run a sushi restaurant, cook Japanese dishes, and manage customer service, inventory, and upgrades. The game supports solo and online co-op for up to four players, with eight playable characters, AI customer reactions, and a dynamic day-night cycle. A trailer shows a smiling Shiba Inu and a staff member slapping a customer.
Jun 23
Good Smile Company is re-releasing three MODEROID King's Style plastic model kits from the 1989 anime Granzort: Granzort, Windsard, and Aquabeat. A luxury King Gold Edition of Granzort is also available as a limited re-release at the Good Smile Company official shop. The kits feature transformation mechanisms and detailed parts.
Jun 21
Bandai Spirits announced the second figure in its Robot Tamashii High Density series, the Zwarth from Aura Battler Dunbine. The jet-black aura battler stands 180mm tall, includes an aura sword, shield, and an original lance, and ships in November 2026. Pre-orders open June 23 at the Tamashii Web Store for 22,000 yen.
Jun 19
Tokyo Hammock announced the smartphone game Chrono Restaurant: In Search of Memories' Recipes will release June 23 on iOS and Android. The free-to-play simulation game features over 600 dishes and tasks players with managing a restaurant transported to another world to satisfy six princes.
Jun 19
Nintendo announced a new dining facility called SUPER FAMILY RESTAURANT will open at the Nintendo Museum in Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture, in fall 2026. The restaurant will serve food and desserts, with details on the opening date and menu to be announced later. Interior photos hint at decorations themed around Nintendo characters like Link and Samus.
Jun 17
Auroch Digital released a demo for Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 on Steam during Steam Next Fest, alongside a 40-minute gameplay video. The sequel introduces Battle Sister Nyla Belas as a new playable character with higher mobility, new weapons like the Condemnor Stake Thrower, a weapon selection wheel, and enemies from Khorne and Slaanesh. The game is scheduled for a 2026 release.
Jun 17
XREAL announced the XREAL AURA, a next-generation XR headset developed with Google and Qualcomm, on June 17. The device is scheduled for release in fall 2026. Pricing has not been finalized, but the standard model is expected to cost under $1,500 (around 240,000 yen). The AURA combines a 91-gram sunglasses-style display unit with a separate compute pack. The display uses Sony micro-OLED panels with 1,920 by 1,200 dots per eye and a 120 Hz refresh rate, and offers a 70-degree field of view. That is wider than the 57 degrees of the XREAL One Pro and the 52 degrees of the XREAL 1S. The compute pack runs on Qualcomm's Snapdragon Reality Elite processor and Google's Android XR platform, which includes the Gemini AI assistant. The device supports hand tracking, 6DoF head movement, and gesture control via a built-in XREAL X1S coprocessor. Two storage configurations are planned: 12 GB RAM with 256 GB storage, and 16 GB RAM with 512 GB storage. From launch day, users can access millions of Android apps through the Play Store. XREAL opened two reservation programs on June 17: a 15,000-yen Benefit Program that secures priority shipping and a 30,000-yen purchase coupon, and a 45,000-yen First Limited Pass limited to 2,000 units that guarantees release-day delivery and a serial-numbered edition.
Jun 16
Sirius announced the SWIRE AURBIS, a personal theater speaker that uses 100mm drivers placed near the ears to deliver immersive sound at low volumes without blocking the ear. The device launches in September 2026 for ¥43,780. A launch event and listening session will be held at Tower Records Shibuya on June 19.
Jun 15
Nijisanji announced a lineup of four celebration goods for Lauren Iroas, commemorating his YouTube channel reaching 1 million subscribers. The items include a voice acrylic stand, a ring and necklace set, room shoes, and a quote rubber keyholder. Pre-orders run from June 15 to July 14 on the Nijisanji Official Store.
Jun 12
Aurogon Shanghai announced Swords of Legends, a PC action RPG inspired by Chinese classical literature, at Summer Game Fest 2026. Players take the role of a Shiban, a judge of the underworld, rescuing lost souls. The game features a Spirit Beast Companion System and is planned for PC, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms. Release date and price are undecided.
Jun 11
G2 Esports released its fantasy-action webtoon Red Aura in English on WEBTOON on June 6. The series, which debuted in Japan on LINE Manga in October 2025, is now available globally as a WEBTOON Originals title with 20 episodes at launch and weekly releases planned for a 42-episode first season.
Jun 11
The New National Theatre announced the full cast for the world's first stage adaptation of Fujiko F. Fujio's 1969 sci-fi short manga 'The Minotaur's Plate'. Seishiro Kato plays the protagonist crew member, Future Uchida plays the girl Minoa. The play runs December 10-28 at the New National Theatre's Small Theatre in Tokyo. Takuro Suzuki handles adaptation, choreography, and direction.
Jun 9
Bandai Namco Entertainment announced "One Piece: Ocean's Delight Restaurant" during the June 9, 2026 Nintendo Direct. The game is a restaurant management simulation developed by Kairosoft, known for titles like Game Dev Story. Players run a restaurant called Baratie No. 2 with the Straw Hat Pirates, cooking dishes using Devil Fruit abilities. Sanji is a central character for developing recipes. The game includes over 400 characters from the One Piece universe, including Enel and Boa Hancock. Players can go on adventures to find new ingredients, expand their menu, and use earnings to customize the restaurant's interior and layout. The title is scheduled for release on October 22, 2026, for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2.
Jun 5
Aurogon Shanghai released a new gameplay trailer for 'Swords of Legends' during Summer Game Fest 2026 on June 6. The action-adventure RPG is set in a world inspired by Chinese classical literature and mythology, including the 'Shan Hai Jing.' Players take the role of an underworld executor who travels to the human world to guide lost souls to their proper destinations. Some souls resist, requiring combat using weapons, spells, and magical artifacts. The trailer showed a battle with a character named Cai Yi Hou Kong Kong Zi. The game is planned for release on PC via Steam, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, with no release date announced yet. A trial event is scheduled in Shanghai, China. The Steam store page has also opened, and the game supports Japanese text display.
May 28
Laura Wandel's new film 'Adam's Sin' opens nationwide in Japan from June 5. To mark the release, her 2021 film 'Playground' will screen for one week at Shinjuku Musashinokan starting the same day. Three new visuals and comments from musician Sekaikan Ozaki and director Takahisa Zeze have also been released.
May 25
Toei Games will publish HINO, a 2D action-adventure game developed by UnGloomStudio and based on the ballpoint pen monster illustrations of artist Yatara. The game follows a girl named Hino and her companion Monimoni Skeleton as they explore a dark world seeking a place of rest. The project began when UnGloomStudio producer and animator Aury, a fan of Yatara's work, created a demo of animated monsters from Yatara's X illustrations and approached the artist with the idea. Yatara agreed, and the team expanded to six members including engineer Menchi. The game's scenario is an "if story" distinct from Yatara's original illustrations, though the protagonist and her companion retain their core designs. Monsters are one-hit kills, and the player uses a light bulb staff and other items to survive. The game was playable at BitSummit 2026 in Kyoto, where a demo is also available on Steam. A 2026 PC release is planned.