← all stories

Bandai Namco

Bandai Namco is in a heavy release window across games, anime, and retail. It appears at Tokyo Game Show 2026 with multiple playable titles and stages, and has locked release dates or windows for Gundam Rogue Orbit, Ace Combat 8, and The Blood of Dawnwalker.

Synthesized from 30 Yomimono stories · updated 1d ago

Bandai Namco's current slate runs from September 2026 into 2027. The company used Tokyo Game Show 2026 to put playable builds on the floor: ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE appeared with three missions, BLEACH Mirrors High ran as a smartphone demo with a Zangetsu balloon giveaway, ONE PIECE Ocean's Delicacy Restaurant offered a cutlery set for trying the demo, and Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs. 2 Infinite Boost got a balance update announced for October 1. The same week, Bandai Namco Amusement America and Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles set a September 30 opening for Bandai Namco Cross Store Minneapolis and THE GUNDAM BASE Minneapolis at Mall of America.

The biggest confirmed dates sit at the year's end and beyond. GUNDAM ROGUE ORBIT launches March 5, 2027 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, with a story estimated at around 20 hours and a three-player co-op mission after the story is cleared. ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE is set for October 2 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, with development at PROJECT ACES and a prologue set in July 2029 in Strangereal. CODE VEIN II received the paid Mask of Idris expansion and free Ver.2.0 update on September 9. The Blood of Dawnwalker released September 3 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

Bandai Namco Filmworks carried the anime side. The seventh Yamato yo Towa ni: Rebel 3199 film opens October 30, the Tank Chair anime premieres October 4, and the fifth Girls und Panzer das Finale film opens October 9. Idolm@ster SideM announced a film for November 20 and a console game for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. Separately, Aniplex took over publishing Fate/Extra Record after Bandai Namco Entertainment withdrew in March, and Kazuya Niino left Type-Moon studio BB.

Key facts

GUNDAM ROGUE ORBIT release date
March 5, 2027 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC ↗
GUNDAM ROGUE ORBIT estimated story length
Around 20 hours, with a three-player co-op mission unlocked after the story is cleared ↗
ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE release date
October 2 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, developed by PROJECT ACES ↗
Ace Combat 8 online mode player count
Up to 100 players can connect at once in the air base lobby ↗
Gundam Extreme Vs. 2 Infinite Boost balance update
Nine existing units are adjusted, scheduled for October 1, with the remaining four units to be revealed later ↗
Retail openings at Mall of America
Bandai Namco Cross Store Minneapolis and THE GUNDAM BASE Minneapolis open September 30, 2026 ↗
CODE VEIN II DLC and update
Mask of Idris expansion and free update Ver.2.0 released September 9, 2026 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S ↗
The Blood of Dawnwalker release
Launches September 3, 2026 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S ↗
Idolm@ster SideM film and game
Film opens November 20; console game in development for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 ↗
Fate/Extra Record publishing change
Aniplex will publish the remake, with development handled by Meteorize and Arco Wada returning as character designer ↗

Timeline

Synthesized by Yomimono from the cited Yomimono stories below, each itself sourced, then editorially reviewed. Every fact links the story it came from.

Facts

Release
live_action · 2026-09-30 · US · 2026-09-18
Announced
Mega Kawaii Mart pop-up shop at Mitsuwa Marketplace in Arlington Heights, Illinois on May 15, 2026 · 2026-05-17
Announced
partnership with Plott to develop Tengutosen · 2026-05-17
Announced
new intellectual property Tengutosen debuting in July · 2026-05-17
Noted
Bandai Namco Entertainment leads the ranking with 328 patents cited · 2026-06-27

Connections

Staff change of
kohei ikeda

Structured graph also available as JSON at /public/entities/bandai-namco. CC BY 4.0.

Claim activity

When a claim about Bandai Namco was confirmed, debunked, or disputed against open-web sources. The record stays even after a claim drops off the facts list.

  • Confirmed Bandai Namco produces THE iDOLM@STER SideM Sep 14 · source
  • Confirmed Bandai Namco produces Echoes of Aincrad Sep 4 · source
  • Confirmed Bandai Namco produces Hello Kitty Party Land Aug 31 · source
  • Confirmed Bandai Namco produces one piece grand gourmet Aug 31 · source

All coverage

9h ago

Gakumas Adds Another P-Idol Liberalization In Mid-October

Bandai Namco Entertainment announced on September 28 that Gakuen Idolmaster will add 'Another P-Idol Liberalization' in mid-October, letting any Produce Idol designate an Another Idol's song. An SSR Another Idol Guaranteed Gacha runs from October 9, and little-devil costume idols and Another Idols appear from September 30. The game is available on PC via DMM GAMES, iOS, and Android.

1d ago

True Saint Anime Sets January 2027 Debut, Names Staff

Bandai Namco Filmworks released a teaser video on Saturday for the television anime of Shikiso Utsuzawa's Because I, the True Saint, was Banished, that Country is Done For! The video gives the premiere as January 2027 and names Kanako Hara as music composer. Masumi Tazawa and Taku Yashiro lead the cast as Elian and Nigel, with Tsukasa Sakurai directing at Tsumugi Akita Anime Lab.

1d ago

Bandai Namco Postpones Mall of America Store Openings

Bandai Namco Amusement America announced on Sunday that the planned openings of Bandai Namco Cross Store Minneapolis and The Gundam Base Minneapolis at the Mall of America are postponed from their September 30 date. The company said it will share the new opening date once it is confirmed. The two stores were to join Bandai Namco's existing North American locations in New York City and Chicago.

1d ago

Magical Sisters Lulutto Lilly Second Part Gets Main Trailer

Bandai Namco Filmworks released the main promotional video for the second cours of Magical Sisters Lulutto Lilly, the magical girl anime it presents with Studio Pierrot. The video previews the new opening theme "Swingin' Magic" by ILLIT. The second part debuts on October 4 on Tokyo MX, and also runs on ABC TV, TV Aichi, BS NTV, and AT-X. The in-story idol unit performs the new ending theme.

1d ago

Denjiro Yonemura Recreates Quirks For My Hero Academia Ultra Rumble Anniversary

Bandai Namco Entertainment released a collaboration video with science presenter Denjiro Yonemura on September 30, 2026, marking the third anniversary of My Hero Academia: Ultra Rumble. The video is titled Boku no Denjiro Academia ULTRA RUMBLE. In it, Yonemura recreates the Quirks of Shoto Todoroki and Toya Todoroki, who appear in the game's Season 19, using experiments. His profile introduces his own Quirk as Science. He reproduces Shoto's Half-Cold Half-Hot flames with gloves and makes ice through supercooling. The ultimate moves Flashfreeze Heatwave Rin and Flashfreeze Heatwave: Blooming are also recreated through flame tests. The video opened at 12:00 on September 30, following a September 29 announcement from the game's official account. The announcement included an image of Yonemura smiling. My Hero Academia: Ultra Rumble is a free-to-play multiplayer battle action game available on PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and PC via Steam.

1d ago

Bandai Namco to End SYNDUALITY Echo of Ada Online Service After May 2027

Bandai Namco Entertainment announced on September 26 that it will end the online service for the mech PvPvE extraction shooter SYNDUALITY Echo of Ada after May 2027 and move the game to an offline version. The offline release will be a standalone build that covers gameplay except for certain features requiring online elements, shifting the format from PvPvE to an offline PvE extraction shooter. Some save data from the online version and eligible purchased items are planned to carry over. Updates and events for the current online service stop with the content scheduled for implementation within October 2026. Sales of the paid currency SYN COINS end at 0:00 on December 18, 2026. A function to save carryover data for the offline version is scheduled for December 2026. The exact end date of the online service will be announced in March 2027. SYNDUALITY Echo of Ada launched for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S on January 23, 2025, and for PC via Steam on January 24, 2025.

1d ago

Ace Combat 8 Opens With 16-Minute Cinematic Ahead Of October 2 Launch

Bandai Namco Entertainment will release Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve on October 2 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam, with a Deluxe Edition arriving September 29. The publisher streamed a 16-minute opening cinematic on Thursday. The campaign is set in 2029 in the Strangereal world, ten years after the previous numbered entry, and follows the Central Usean Federation after an invasion by the Republic of Sotoa. The player flies for the Joker Squadron aboard the old carrier Endurance, carrying the name of the legendary ace Wings of Sheave. Three wingmen join the fight. Online play, branded Ace Combat Online, casts players as mercenaries of an organization called I3 and splits missions into co-op, co-op with versus elements, and pure versus formats. Pre-orders include a port of Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War.

3d ago

ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE Launches For PS5, Xbox Series X|S, And Steam

Bandai Namco Entertainment released ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE on October 2, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam. The game is the latest numbered entry in the flight shooting series, sold at prices starting from 9,790 yen. The protagonist carries the name of the legendary ace Wings of Theve and works with three new companions to retake a stolen homeland. The title ships with a campaign mode and an online mode that the publisher describes as the largest in the series. It commemorates the series' 30th anniversary. Bandai Namco built the game on Cloudly, an independently developed engine that renders wide skies and layered cloud formations.

Sep 20

Idolmaster XR Live Team Details Chihaya Budokan Concert at TGS

A Tokyo Game Show session on September 18 brought together four people behind Chihaya Kisaragi's solo Nippon Budokan concert OathONE, held January 24 and 25. Yukiyoshi Yoshimoto of Bandai Namco Entertainment, Nobuaki Kazoe of REZ&, Akira Nakano of Sony Group and Takahiro Kozuki of Sony PCL explained the roles their companies played. The set used a 360-degree center stage, motion capture and Unreal Engine rendering.

Sep 19

Bandai Namco Announces Balance Adjustments For Nine Inibo Units At TGS 2026

At Tokyo Game Show 2026, Bandai Namco Experience announced a balance update for Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs. 2 Infinite Boost, scheduled for October 1. Nine existing units are being adjusted. Strike Gundam gets overhauled charge shots per form plus new melee attacks, Hecate gains block bits, and Star Build Strike Gundam gets changes centered on the Star Beam Cannon with new actions. Guncannon and Hyaku Shiki also appeared in the update visual. The remaining four units will be revealed later.

Sep 19

Ace Combat 8 Returns to Tokyo Game Show with Three Playable Missions

Bandai Namco Entertainment brought ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE to Tokyo Game Show 2026 as a playable build inside a five-title booth in Hall 5. The demo offers three missions, and the article's author chose "11 Maximum Payload," an air-to-air sortie against a group of intercontinental transport aircraft called Podarge, which fly with electronic warfare aircraft that jam radar.

Sep 19

Bandai Namco Gives Out Zangetsu Balloons For BLEACH Mirrors High At TGS2026

Bandai Namco Entertainment is exhibiting the smartphone game BLEACH Mirrors High at its booth at Tokyo Game Show 2026, held from Thursday, September 17 to Monday, September 21. Visitors to the booth receive a Zangetsu-shaped balloon, and the booth also offers novelties obtained through trial play experiences and other activities. BLEACH Mirrors High carries an original story set after BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War.

Sep 18

ONE PIECE Ocean's Delicacy Restaurant Demo Gives Cutlery Set at TGS2026

Bandai Namco Entertainment will hand out a cutlery set to visitors who try ONE PIECE Ocean's Delicacy Restaurant at its Tokyo Game Show 2026 booth. The set carries a design of the Straw Hat crew taking a breather. Quantities are limited and distribution ends when stock runs out. The demo lets players try part of the basic gameplay, including developing dishes and coordinating the restaurant's interior.

Sep 18

Bandai Namco Cross Store And THE GUNDAM BASE Open At Mall Of America

Bandai Namco Amusement America and Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles will open Bandai Namco Cross Store Minneapolis and THE GUNDAM BASE Minneapolis at Mall of America on September 30, 2026. Both are the second U.S. locations for their retail concepts. The Cross Store carries 15 official shops and brands, including BANDAI CARD GAMES OFFICIAL STORE, GASHAPON BANDAI OFFICIAL SHOP, and TAMASHII NATIONS, and offers gifts with purchase.

Sep 17

Seventh Be Forever Yamato: Rebel 3199 Film Reveals Main Trailer

Bandai Namco Filmworks revealed the main trailer and main visual for Nijiiro no Rinne, the seventh film in Yamato yo Towa ni: Rebel 3199, on Friday. Character designer Nobuteru Yuki drew the main visual. The film opens in theaters in Japan on October 30. The sixth film, Aoi Meikyu, opened on June 26. Crunchyroll streams the anime as Star Blazers: Space Battleship Yamato 3199.

Sep 17

Tank Chair Anime Adds Megumi Ogata as Sensei in Second Promo Video

Bandai Namco Filmworks released the second main promotional video for the Tank Chair anime and confirmed Megumi Ogata as the voice of Sensei, described as the founder of the Academy. Ogata will appear at an advanced screening at Ikebukuro HUMAX Cinemas on September 24. The series premieres October 4 on Tokyo MX, then BS11, CBC, and MBS, with Kodansha USA Publishing handling the license.

Sep 16

EDWIN And ACE COMBAT 8 Apparel Line Lands September 17 With Three Items

EDWIN will release three apparel items tied to the flight shooting game ACE COMBAT 8 on September 17, made with VALLEY APPAREL L.L.C. and Dickies. The lineup is a reversible MA-1 flight jacket at 39,600 yen, a short-sleeve T-shirt at 6,600 yen, and a Dickies short-sleeve work shirt at 11,000 yen, all tax included.

Sep 16

Gundam Rogue Orbit Launch Date Set For March 5, 2027

Bandai Namco Entertainment is running a collaboration campaign between GUNDAM ROGUE ORBIT and SD Gundam G Generation Eternal from September 16 to September 16, 2027. Entering a promotion code listed on the GUNDAM ROGUE ORBIT official page grants a Premium Gasha Ticket in SD Gundam G Generation Eternal. The campaign marks the decision to release GUNDAM ROGUE ORBIT on March 5, 2027.

Sep 16

Gundam Rogue Orbit Developers Detail High-Speed Action and Worldwide Aim

Bandai Namco Entertainment will release the action game GUNDAM ROGUE ORBIT for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC on March 5, 2027. Producer Yuya Tomiyama and director Yoshiyuki Serizawa, the latter at Bandai Namco Studios, gave a joint media interview timed to a preview play session. The project began under a mission to deliver a Gundam work to game users worldwide, and the team landed on the concept of Gundam versus extraterrestrial lifeforms. Players pilot the Gundam Helix against a giant enemy called Apocalypse, and the game leans on close-range combat over the long-range weapons typical of the series. Serizawa said the aim is to give players worldwide an ace pilot experience, following the sequence of boarding, cockpit entry, briefing, and catapult launch. A full story run is estimated at around 20 hours. A three-player co-op mission unlocks after the story is cleared.

Sep 15

4Gamer Sets Gundam Extreme Vs. 2 Infinite Boost Stage At TGS 2026

4Gamer will host a stage event for Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs. 2 Infinite Boost at its Tokyo Game Show 2026 booth on September 19, 2026, from 15:15 to 15:45. Voice actress Tomomi Isomura is MC, with game center employee and esports caster Nakao as guest. They will present the game and its latest information, and the stage will stream live on the YouTube channel 4GamerSP.

Sep 15

ACE COMBAT 8 Trailer Sets Story in July 2029 Strangereal

Bandai Namco Entertainment released a story trailer and new details for ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE, set for October 2 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. The prologue is set in July 2029 in Strangereal, where the Federated Central Usean Republic loses its main forces to a surprise invasion by the Republic of Sotoa. PROJECT ACES handles development. The trailer confirms three characters and the original FA-36 Game.

Sep 14

Bandai Resolicits JoJo World Capsule Figures From 2022 And 2025 Runs

Bandai is reselling two sets of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Capsule Figure Collection gashapon, tied to illustrations from JOJO WORLD 2 and JOJO WORLD 3. Each set has six types at 700 yen per play, scheduled for the third week of September 2026. The JOJO WORLD EDITION matches the November 2022 release; the JOJO WORLD 3 EDITION matches the April 2025 release. Both are sold at Bandai Namco Amusement.

Sep 13

Idolm@ster SideM Gets Film for November 20 and Switch Console Game

The Idolm@ster SideM franchise announced a film, Gekijō-ban Idolm@ster SideM F@ntastic Battle Fes ~Who goes first~, opening in Japan on November 20. Bandai Namco Entertainment is planning and presenting it, with Takanori Urui directing at hotarubi / SIKAKU. D3 Publisher and Bandai Namco also announced a console game for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, an adventure game where the player schedules 16 units and 49 idols.

Sep 13

Bandai Namco Opens SideM Console Game Project For Switch And Switch 2

Bandai Namco Entertainment announced on September 13 that a console game project has begun for The Idolmaster SideM, the branch of The Idolmaster franchise whose producible idols are all male. The game is in development for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, with the official title and release timing to be announced later. Players take the role of a Producer at 315 Production and work with 49 idols across 16 units in what the announcement calls an idol producing and scheduling adventure. The story shares the worldview of the SideM brand page on The Idolmaster portal site but is a new story written for the game, following the idols toward a large-scale live concert one year away. At the start, the player picks one of the 16 units as the leader unit for that concert, and the story and conversations change depending on the choice. The concert concept is MMM.

Sep 9

Bandai Namco Announces Ondeh Ondeh: Kaya's Umami Great Adventure for 2027

Bandai Namco Entertainment Asia announced Ondeh Ondeh: Kaya's Umami Great Adventure during the Nintendo Direct streamed on September 9, 2026. The game is a rhythm action title developed by Malaysian studio Metronomik, and it is scheduled for release in 2027 on Nintendo Switch 2. The protagonist, Kaya, aims to become a World Builder, a figure who creates worlds. To reach that goal, she travels through islands filled with rhythm, solving mysteries and taking on trials along the way. The central mechanic is a Magic Spoon that gives rhythm to whatever it scoops. Footage shown during the presentation included scenes of the spoon moving giant objects. The game combines rhythm-based play with puzzle-solving, as Kaya uses both timing and insight to overcome the challenges on each island. The announcement came as part of the broader Nintendo Direct 2026.9.9 showcase, which included multiple third-party and first-party reveals.

Sep 9

CODE VEIN II DLC Mask of Idris and Update Ver.2.0 Launch

Bandai Namco Entertainment released the Mask of Idris expansion DLC and free update Ver.2.0 for CODE VEIN II on September 9, 2026, on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. The DLC is set in the Discarded World and adds the Mask of Passion, a sage voiced by Nobuhiko Okamoto, two bosses, and new gifts for two-handed swords and gunblades. Update Ver.2.0 adds post-story exploration with buddies.

Sep 8

Gundam Rogue Orbit Previews Detail Fast Melee Combat and Over-Rise Power

Bandai Namco Entertainment's Gundam Rogue Orbit is shaping up as a melee-first action game, according to hands-on previews published September 8, 2026. The game launches March 5, 2027 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. Previewers played roughly 30 to 45 minutes across two missions: Rail Control Battle, a tutorial-style stage against a molten boss called Giant, and Instinct, a solo fight against a dragon-like boss named Drake. Combat centers on three preset mech assemblies: the Assault Sword, a short-range attacker with a grappling-hook Anchor ability; the Whip Sword, which switches between sword and whip modes; and the Sword Lance, a mid-range build that gains power with distance. A shared Tactical Gauge powers both the offensive Tactical Skill and the cancel-any-action Tactical Move dodge. Building the G.U.N.RISE gauge unlocks Over-Rise, a temporary state previewers describe as near-invincible, with auto-dodging and an AP Unit Burst finisher. The game also includes part-breaking boss fights and online co-op for up to three players.

Sep 3

Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3 Trailer Shows Custom Avatars, New Android Race

Bandai Namco Entertainment released a new trailer for Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3 during Sony's State of Play livestream on September 3. The video, titled "Fight Your Own Way," introduces the game's character creation system and confirms a new Android race among six playable options: Earthling, Saiyan, Namekian, Frieza Race, Majin, and Android. Players will customize a fighter's appearance, inherit techniques from Super Fighters, and choose a fighting style based on the moves of 130 heroes. The game is set in AGE 1000, where a mysterious hero arrives with no memory and meets a new generation of heroes who are university students in West City. The cast includes original characters Brett, Lilica, ROM, and Tap, alongside franchise figures like Bulma and Gamma 1. Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3 is planned for release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam in 2027. The project was first teased under the codename "Age 1000" and has been in development for about six to seven years. Bandai Namco announced the joint project with Toei Animation in January.

Sep 3

Digimon Story: Time Stranger DLC Legacy of Heroes Arrives in 2027

Bandai Namco Entertainment unveiled a new trailer for the large DLC "Legacy of Heroes" for "Digimon Story: Time Stranger" during the official "State of Play 2026.9.3" broadcast on September 3, 2026. The DLC is scheduled for release in 2027 on PlayStation 5, as announced during the program that introduces new PlayStation-related information. The expansion depicts a world set three years after the events of the main game. The trailer shows a boy adventuring across a vast world, exploring a new map while riding Digimon, and fighting alongside new partners. A completely new narrative unfolds with a new protagonist. The DLC adds approximately 50 new Digimon, with further details scheduled to be revealed at a later date. The beginning of the trailer includes content from the main game, prompting the official Digimon Game account to caution players who have not yet finished the main story. The base game is available on PC, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch, and is an RPG where the player becomes an agent of a secret organization adventuring across the human world and the digital world of Ilias.

Sep 3

Gundam Rogue Orbit Launches March 5, 2027 on PS5, Xbox, and PC

Bandai Namco Entertainment announced during the September 3, 2026 State of Play broadcast that Gundam Rogue Orbit, a new action game in the Gundam franchise, will launch on March 5, 2027 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. The trailer shown at the event previewed the game's story, characters, and gameplay. Players take on the role of pilot RE-X, who controls the high-mobility Gundam Helix. The cast also includes Sofia, April, the captain of the Stellarvane, Big Paul, a leader of sand pirates, and Elaine, a knight commander and Mobile Suit pilot. The story centers on survival against an unknown enemy, with fast-paced battles against enemy hordes and bosses. The trailer also highlighted extensive customization options, including the ability to change the Gundam Helix's torso, backpack, and head, as well as exterior painting. Producer Yuya Tomiyama detailed the game's features, noting unique skills, weapon types, Tactical Skills, and part swapping that alters gameplay.

Sep 1

Girls und Panzer das Finale Film 5 Trailer Sets October 9 Opening

Bandai Namco Filmworks posted the second trailer and key visual for the fifth film in the six-part Girls und Panzer das Finale series. The film follows Ooarai's semi-final win in the Winter Continuous Track Cup and heads to the finals against St. Gloriana Girls' College, led by Darjeeling, with Alice now on the roster after transferring to face Miho again. It opens in Japan on October 9, screening in Dolby Cinema, Dolby Atmos, 4DX, and MX4D, the series' first Dolby Cinema engagement.

Sep 1

Code Vein II DLC Mask of Idris Screenshots and Ver.2.0 Details Revealed

Bandai Namco Entertainment revealed new screenshots for the paid expansion DLC Mask of Idris for Code Vein II, along with details on the free update Ver.2.0, both scheduled for release on September 9. The DLC is set in the Abandoned World and features a new buddy character, with an alternate color version of all 14 characters unlocked after clearing the DLC story. The Ver.2.0 update introduces the Age of Harmony, a post-ending mode set after the ending A Miracle Called Fate, where players can explore the world with a favorite buddy and complete short episodes for each character to obtain new blood codes. Players can transition to this mode from a special vestige in Mag Mell using save data that has reached the ending. The update also adds the Trial of Memories, a consecutive battle mode against previously fought bosses and enemies, with over 90 new customization parts as rewards. Yadviga, a buddy character who wields a greatsword, becomes summonable after clearing her episode. A Story-Focused Mode strengthens the player character for easier battles, and a Character Shader option lets players switch between Original and Legacy appearances, the latter closer to the original Code Vein. Photo Mode gains over 30 new poses and 20 new frames, and the Jukebox returns with tracks from Code Vein, Code Vein II, and the God Eater series.

Sep 1

Ace Combat 8 Trailer Reveals Largest Online Mode in Series History

Bandai Namco Entertainment released the online mode trailer for Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve on September 1. The mode is positioned as the game's end content and the largest online mode in series history. Players take the role of mercenary pilots gathering at an air base lobby where up to 100 players can connect at once. The main missions are CooP Assault, a PvE mode in which two teams of four cooperate on missions and compete for high scores, and CooP Warfare, a PvPvE mode in which two teams of four fight each other alongside NPC units. CooP Warfare includes a threat level system: surviving without being shot down raises your threat, which increases score gained from kills but also the score given to opponents when you are shot down. Reaching three stars marks a player as an ace aircraft. Special missions include Emergency Sortie, where eight players face the series' signature giant weapons, and Scramble, a four-player fight against NPC rival units. The game launches October 2 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.

Aug 31

The Blood of Dawnwalker Reveals Skill Trees for Swordplay, Magic, and Vampire Powers

Bandai Namco Entertainment published new details on August 31, 2026 about the skill and ability system in The Blood of Dawnwalker, the open-world dark fantasy action RPG set in 14th century Europe that launches September 3, 2026 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. The protagonist Coen lives as a human by day and a vampire by night. Skills are divided into three trees: swordplay, magic, and bloodsucking. Swordplay emphasizes precision and timing, with branches that specialize in durability or combo attacks. Magic is usable during the day and includes attack and defense spells, crowd control, damage over time, and buffs and debuffs. Vampire abilities awaken at night and grow stronger as Coen accepts the curse and deepens his mutation, at a cost. Experience comes from defeating enemies, completing quests, discovering hidden places, and beating bosses. Leveling grants skill points, and a single type of point is usable across all three trees, so points earned by day can be spent on night abilities. Learning new abilities requires time in addition to skill points, and each tree has its own unlock method: guide books for swordplay, magic books for magic, and drinking blood to raise the mutation level for vampire powers.

Aug 31

Gunpla Reissue Conference 2026 Summer Picks Four Kits for Lottery Sale

The official Gunpla fan community Builders Note announced four kits for reissue based on voting in the Gunpla Reissue Conference 2026 Summer. A lottery sale runs from August 31 to September 14, 2026, with winners announced September 18. The kits are RE/100 Nightingale and Dijeh, plus RG Johnny Ridden's Zaku II and Force Impulse Gundam SpecII.

Aug 31

Aniplex Takes Over Fate/Extra Record Publishing as Kazuya Niino Leaves Studio BB

Aniplex announced on August 31 that it will now publish Fate/Extra Record, the remake of the 2010 PlayStation Portable game Fate/Extra. The announcement came with a new official website and X account, and the game will also launch on Nintendo Switch 2 in addition to its previously announced platforms. The transfer follows Bandai Namco Entertainment's withdrawal from publishing in March, after the game was delayed from a 2025 release to spring 2026. Development is now handled by Meteorize, with Arco Wada returning as character designer. The same day, Kazuya Niino, who served as studio director of Type-Moon studio BB and as director and planner on Fate/Extra Record, announced he is leaving the studio for personal reasons and has stepped down from the game. He stated he has already left the development site and will remove his name from the staff credits, citing health concerns and a planned break from game development. Niino added that the development team is working toward release and that he is confident the game will reach fans in good form.

Aug 31

Blue Archive Hina and Chinatsu Sitting Figures Land as Banpresto Prizes

Banpresto is releasing Blue Archive sitting figures of the Gehenna Discipline Committee's Hina and Chinatsu. Hina appears sequentially from September 8, 2026, and Chinatsu from September 10, 2026. Each crane game prize measures about 11 cm and comes in a chibi-style flat seated pose. Ako and Iori are scheduled for the following month.

Aug 30

Dragon Ball: Gekishin Squadra Shifts to Third-Person View in Year-End Renewal

Bandai Namco Entertainment announced on August 30 that Dragon Ball: Gekishin Squadra will undergo a renewal in Season 8 at the end of this year. The update changes the camera from top-down to third-person view, simplifies the victory condition to collecting more Dragon Balls within the time limit, and reworks the role system.

Aug 28

Hololive English -Justice- Pop-Up Store City Groove Heads to Five US Cities

Bandai Namco Amusement America and hololive English -Justice- will launch the POP-UP STORE -City Groove in September 2026. The limited-time event visits five US cities through March 2027, offering exclusive merchandise, a mini game, and photo opportunities. Each stop features newly illustrated city-pop inspired artwork created for the event.

Aug 28

Maebashi Witches Compilation Film Trailer Previews October Opening

Bandai Namco Filmworks released the main trailer and key visual for the Maebashi Witches compilation film, Gekijōban Maebashi Witches: Majo Minarai no Emoemories. The film opens in Japan on October 23, with director Junichi Yamamoto, scriptwriter Erika Yoshida, and composer Yuri Habuka returning. The group also announced a solo concert for January 2027.

Aug 28

New Ghost in the Shell Anime Casts Chikahiro Kobayashi as Lee

Bandai Namco Filmworks announced that Chikahiro Kobayashi plays Lee in the eighth episode of the new Ghost in the Shell television anime from Science SARU. The staff also shared the episode's end card, illustrated by animator and director Shingo Natsume. The series premiered on July 7 on the new Ka-Anival!! programming block from Kansai TV and Fuji TV.

Aug 28

Koki Ino Takes Over Kanon Himeno Role in The Idolmaster SideM

Bandai Namco Entertainment announced on August 28, 2026 that voice actor Koki Ino will succeed Ayumu Murase as the voice of Kanon Himeno in The Idolmaster SideM. Murase's graduation from the role was announced on August 18, following amicable discussions between both parties about the character's future. Ino expressed his intention to cherish what has been built so far while giving his best in the role. A special live stream to welcome Ino is scheduled for September 1 at 19:00 JST on YouTube and Niconico Live. The stream will feature Shugo Nakamura as Teru Tendo, Sho Kano as Yukihiro Kamiya, Shogo Yano as Nao Okamura, Keisuke Furuhata as Shiro Tachibana, and Ino as Kanon Himeno. During the program, staff will announce Kanon Himeno's future voice schedule and share details about the event 315 Production presents FANTASIC BATTLE FES ~Wanna step in~. The announcement notes that existing audio in 315 Production episodes will not be replaced for now, though some audio may be replaced in future operations. Ino will appear in the upcoming FES performances and related content announced after August 28.

Aug 28

MeetToMatch Business Matching Event Returns for Tokyo Game Show 2026

MeetToMatch will hold its sixth annual Tokyo Edition from September 17 to 20, 2026, during the Tokyo Game Show 2026 period. The event connects Japanese game companies with overseas counterparts through pre-arranged business meetings. Japan-based companies can participate free of charge, with registration available on the dedicated website. Last year, 571 companies from 45 countries took part, including 120 Japanese firms, and 93% of meetings involving Japanese companies were with overseas partners. So far in 2026, 361 companies have registered on the platform, among them Bandai Namco Entertainment, Sega, Kodansha, Shochiku, Colopl, Drecom, G-mode, Kotobuki Solution, Crunchyroll K.K., 505 Games Japan, Active Gaming Media, Toylogic, and Chorus Worldwide. Meetings can be held at Makuhari Messe booths, public spots, rented rooms, restaurants, or online via Zoom, Google Meet, or a proprietary time-zone-adjusting system. Shochiku's Hiroaki Ishige noted that the most common contact he receives at conferences is from people who found him through MeetToMatch. The service is independent of Tokyo Game Show and not an official TGS offering.

Aug 27

ABSOLUTE ACT Strike Freedom Gundam Debuts at TOKYO Toy Show 2026

Bandai Spirits is launching a new Gundam figure brand called ABSOLUTE ACT, built around the ABSOLUTE ACTION SYSTEM for articulation. The first entry is the Strike Freedom Gundam from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED DESTINY, which received its world first display at TOKYO Toy Show 2026, running from August 27 to August 30, 2026. The approximately 185mm tall ABS/PVC figure features movable mechanisms in the neck, shoulders, and waist, plus a waist rail mechanism and shoulder pull-out mechanism for dynamic posing. It includes a high-energy beam rifle, two beam sabers, a connected saber handle, two beam shields, interchangeable wrist parts, and a base with a bendable support rod. Reservations begin August 27, 2026, at general retail stores, with release scheduled for March 2027 at 16,500 yen including tax. TOKYO Toy Show 2026's first two days are trade-only, with public access on August 29 and 30. The show also featured other Gundam items at the Bandai Spirits booth, including Gundam Miximize Gundam Zero and HG 1/144 Gundam Zero.

Aug 23

Code Vein II's 'Mask of Idris' DLC Debuts on September 9

Bandai Namco Entertainment America announced the 'Mask of Idris' DLC for Code Vein II will debut on September 9, and began streaming a teaser trailer the same day. The sequel launched on January 30 (January 29 in Japan) for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. The game follows a Revenant Hunter guided by Lou, who can travel into the past to rewrite fate.

Aug 22

Gundam EXVS.2 Infinite Boost Adds Ashtaron Hermit Crab and Black Knight Squad Carla

Bandai Namco Entertainment will add two new units to Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs. 2 Infinite Boost. Gundam Ashtaron Hermit Crab from After War Gundam X arrives September 1 as a cost 2500 all-rounder. Black Knight Squad Carla from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM joins September 16 as a cost 3000 all-rounder. The September 1 patch also adjusts 10 existing units and refines the Gundam F91 model. A championship tournament is planned for GUNDAM-Con2027.

Aug 18

Kohei Ikeda Joins SNK's VS Studio After Leaving Bandai Namco

Kohei Ikeda, the game director known for Tekken 7 and Tekken 8, announced on August 18 that he has joined VS Studio SNK. Ikeda, also known by the nickname Nakatsu, left Bandai Namco Studios in June after 20 years at the company. He began his career at Enterbrain before moving to Bandai Namco, where he worked on numerous titles, especially the Tekken series, serving as game director and development producer for Tekken 8. VS Studio SNK is a development studio established in May with support from SNK. Its CEO is Katsuhiro Harada, who worked on the Tekken series with Ikeda and left Bandai Namco Studios in 2025. Yuichi Yonemori, another Tekken series veteran, is also part of the studio as CCO. In an X post, Ikeda said working on game development again with his two former bosses feels nostalgic and full of excitement from creating something new, and that he is very fulfilled. The game currently in development at VS Studio SNK has not been announced yet.

Aug 10

Patlabor REBOOT Streams for One Day on YouTube Starting August 11

Bandai Namco Filmworks will stream the anime Mobile Police Patlabor REBOOT on its official YouTube channel for 24 hours starting at 9 PM on August 11. The short film, directed by Yasuhiro Yoshiura and produced by Studio Khara, will also be available on U-NEXT from noon on August 14.

Aug 10

Unicorn Gundam Statue Finale Show Screens for 10 Days From August 22

Bandai Namco Filmworks will run a special video, "UNICORN GUNDAM Statue - BEYOND POSSIBILITY -", at the life-size Unicorn Gundam statue in Odaiba from August 22 to August 31, the statue's final day of display. The 10-day finale event also includes related exhibitions, campaigns, and a scheduled lineup of nightly projections.