Episode 7 of Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You shifts to a lighter tone after last week's health scare. Tayama/Yamada takes a corporate mandated exam for a raise and passes with Sasaki's encouragement. The back half follows a ghost rumor at the supermarket that turns out to be a dog Goto is looking after. Anime News Network rates the episode 4/5.
Nick Nieuwoudt, co-developer of IRON NEST: Heavy Turret Simulator, says the most moving feedback came from veterans who told him the game captures the real work of fire direction commanders and gunners. One said it helped them face PTSD-related memories. The diesel-punk artillery game, out on PC since August 6 at 1,980 yen, is built as a psychological simulator rather than a mechanical one, with the player choosing among thirty shell types.
Snoozy Kazoo announced on August 22 that Rizz Dungeon: Skeleton Key to My Heart is delayed from September 17 to 2027. The studio said the September date was set out of necessity, to release before its funds ran out, and it had been cutting characters and features to make that deadline. Turnip Boy series sales performed better than expected, so the studio no longer needs to rush and plans to restore cut content.
Netmarble aired a half-anniversary broadcast for Seven Deadly Sins: Origin on August 21. The next major update adds Ban as an SSR character, completing the Seven Deadly Sins lineup. The update also brings the Grave Robbing Festival event from August 26 and a new solo-only weekly content called Labyrinth from September 2.
Bandai will release Uma Musume Pretty Derby Twin Wafer Special R 2026 at confectionery sections of mass retailers nationwide starting August 24. The edition introduces Dress Costume, Starting Future Costume, and Space Running Girls <Cosmo Puella> cards, with a lineup of 30 types including Still In Love and Stay Gold. Dress Costume cards may feature foil-stamped reproduced cast signatures. Each pack costs 198 yen including tax.
Sony Music Entertainment began order-based sales of 4th Anniversary Goods for VEE virtual talents Anew Uparu and Luminous Sweet at the VEE Official Shop. Each acrylic diorama stand, priced at 4,500 yen, includes a bonus sticker using new illustration by Kutori Panya. Orders run through September 6.
AYANEO has released the Konkr Pocket Advance, an Android-based handheld with a design modeled on the Game Boy Advance. The 3.5-inch LCD display has a 3:2 aspect ratio at 960x640 resolution. It runs Android 12 on a MediaTek Helio G90T, with a 4000mAh battery. Two models are on sale: $89 with 3GB RAM and 32GB storage, and $109 with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage.
Digital publisher Omoi announced at Anime NYC that it licensed Momoshiro and Tomoko Mitsuki's Love Is the Sweetest Journey manga, with English chapters starting in 2027. Omoi also revealed Scholastic's Graphix imprint will release A Snow Fox at the Northern Fort in print in fall 2027, and that it will add 45 titles from Titan Manga in the coming weeks, with some available immediately.
Nijisanji announced CLUB RETRO merchandise featuring Kokoro Amamiya, Nozomi Ishigami, Sara Hoshikawa, Oliver Evans, Shellin Burgundy, and Ayato Hitotsubashi. The lineup includes eight product types, from random photo-style cards to lunch totes, with new visuals. Sales open August 24 at 18:00 at the Nijisanji Official Store.
Future Friends Games delayed Sunset Summit from August 21 to September 9 because Steam approval did not complete in time. The co-op mountain climbing game, developed by Joe Fender and Andrew Fender, two of the three DEVOUR developers, supports up to 8 players as retirees. Additional days will be used for fine-tuning and bug fixes. Playtesting resumes over the weekend.
Bethesda Game Studios released a new update for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition on August 21, 2026, expanding console mod features and raising mod storage to 15GB on PS5 and Xbox. However, the update changes the game's base code, affecting PC mods. Skyrim Script Extender (SKSE) was updated in response, and plugins need individual updates or recompilation. Users report mods may not function if not updated.
Seven Seas announced eight new manga licenses during its Anime NYC panel on Friday, including Boys' Love, Girls' Love, and fantasy titles. The slate includes My Lips are Being Targeted, Scarlet Thirst, Synchronicity Obsession, I Wish it Had Just Been Love, The Duke's Daughter Must Seduce the Demon King... But the Demon King's a Girl?!, Enslaved By My Cats, Goetia Shock, and Witch and Mercenary. Release dates span from June to July 2027.
Bandai revealed five new Kamen Rider Mice items: the DX Ex-Pack storage case with Build Ride Eggs, the DX Hoko Crow stamp toy with Owl Seed Eggs, the DX Mice Phone with Faiz Ride Eggs, the DX Juunishi Alliance Rider Weapons Set 01, and the DX Legend Rider Eggs Set 01. Release dates run from September 5 to October 3, 2026.
AMAKUNI's competitive swimsuit figure series Swimsuit Silhouette adds illustrator Kani Beam's original character Watora. The 1/7 scale figure captures her waving while adjusting her swimsuit wedgie at the poolside. It releases from December 2026 to January 2027. A limited edition includes a B3 cross poster.
Two Fist of the North Star exhibitions are running in Tokyo this fall, each covering a different layer of the franchise. The anime-focused special exhibition opened August 22 at Anime Tokyo Station in Toshima City and runs through November 8. Admission is free, with hours from 11:00 to 19:00 and last entry at 18:45. The venue displays setting materials and scene photo panels from the spring 2026 anime series Fist of the North Star -FIST OF THE NORTH STAR-, which aired with new staff and cast using the latest video technology. Visitors can also try the original digital content Fist of the North Star Character Diagnosis, which answers questions to reveal which character matches the visitor's personality. The exhibition is organized with the copyright credit of Buronson, Tetsuo Hara, and Coamix. Separately, the Fist of the North Star Original Art Exhibition RETURNS+ runs September 12 to October 25 at GALLERY ZENON in Kichijoji. It displays over 150 original manuscripts handwritten by Tetsuo Hara, including newly added Celestial Emperor Arc pieces, plus a new gold-leaf art panel featuring Holy Emperor Souther. Tickets for the Kichijoji show went on sale August 21.
Developer sweet ampoule announced a Steam release for horror mystery adventure game Waiting at the Misohagi Crossing, with a 2027 launch planned. The story follows Akasaki Hotaru, who returns to Yokogawa Town after 7 years and reunites with his supposedly dead first love, Amano Koyo. The game spans novel, exploration, and escape segments, with an expected playtime of 6 to 14 hours and a single ending.
The staff of A Returner's Magic Should Be Special Season 2 released the first promotional video on Friday, August 21, 2026. The trailer confirms the sequel will premiere in Fuji TV's +Ultra programming block in October 2026, airing Wednesdays at 24:45, effectively Thursdays at 12:45 a.m. Crunchyroll will stream the new season. The anime's website also announced an advance screening at Shinjuku Wald 9 in Tokyo on October 3. The first season began re-airing on Fuji TV and Kansai TV in July 2026. Rock band FLOW returns to perform the opening theme "Sorrow," following their Season 1 song "GET BACK." krage will perform the ending theme "Everlasting." Taishi Kawaguchi returns to direct at Arvo Animation, with Takamitsu Kouno composing and writing scripts. Main cast members include Takuma Terashima as Desir Herman, Sayumi Suzushiro as Romantica Eru, Natsumi Fujiwara as Pram Schnaizer, and Asami Seto as Azrest Kingscrown. Yen Press describes the story: Desir Herman returns thirteen years to the past to prevent humanity's downfall.
Konami Digital Entertainment releases Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol.2 on August 27 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam, priced at 6,600 yen. The collection includes Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, originally released on PS3 in 2008, and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker HD Edition, originally on PSP. Metal Gear Ghost Babel, a Game Boy Color title from 2000, is included as a bonus for bundle buyers. Reviews highlight that MGS4 is its first port since its original release, marking the first time it is playable on platforms other than PS3. The port supports up to 4K resolution and 60fps on some systems. Both main titles include a Master Book and Scenario Book, with MGS4 also featuring the Metal Gear Solid 4 Database. Reviewers note the collection's value in preserving the series' history, with the scenario books digitized from the 25th anniversary collection. The bundle also includes Metal Gear Solid Digital Soundtrack Vol.2.
The third wave of official Chiikawa Pocket merchandise went on sale August 21, 2026, at 11:00. The new items follow Dinosaur and Alice themes, with 9 dinosaur-themed products and 8 Alice-themed products available. The goods are sold at the official online Chiikawa Pocket Goods Store and at POP UP STORE events at five locations across Japan.
ExeCo announced 'Medium Rare', a turn-based dungeon-crawling survival horror for Steam, developed by Payne Robinson and Peter Tinaglia. Set in a world where cannibalism is industrialized, the game follows a protagonist rescuing his wife from a human meat processing plant. Release is planned for 2027, with Japanese store page available but no Japanese language support currently.
Polden Publishing announced on August 21 that Toxic Studio is developing 'Put Your Toys Away Together!', a co-op tidying simulation for PC via Steam. Players restore a messy toy store by returning up to 20,000 toys to their correct shelves, with optional play activities. Playtesting registration is open, and Japanese display is planned.
DreadXP and Games From The Abyss announced CONCRETE BURIAL, a retro-styled first-person horror game set in a brutalist underground cemetery. The protagonist wields a weapon that uses their own blood as ammunition, seeking four wish-granting treasures. It is the third entry in DreadXP's XP ULTRA series, playable in one to two hours, launching on Steam for PC on September 17.
A24's PRIMETIME, starring Robert Pattinson as journalist Chris Hansen, will release in Japan in 2027. The film depicts the behind-the-scenes of the reality TV show To Catch a Predator, which used sting operations to expose adults targeting minors online. It premieres in North America on September 25, 2026, and is in competition at the Venice Film Festival.
Nijisanji VTuber Furen E Lustario announced her first mini album 'FACETS' for December 2, 2026, and her first solo live 'smilE' for February 6, 2027. The album includes six new songs across three editions, with first-press bonuses including a ticket lottery serial code.
Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You episode 7 begins the series' all-new content after its early mini-episodes. Sasaki learns Yamada is studying for an exam, while store employees claim the smoking area is haunted. The episode leans into end-of-summer themes and highlights the voice acting of Seena Hoshiki and Sakuya Satou.
Dunlop Sports Marketing will release Srixon TRI-STAR golf balls printed with four Demon Slayer characters on September 4, 2026. The limited-quantity product features Tanjiro Kamado as No.1, Akaza as No.2, Shinobu Kocho as No.3, and Doma as No.5. The balls use the base TRI-STAR model with a FastLayer D.G. Core and Strong Trajectory 338 Speed Dimple. Packaging shows all four characters. Price is open, with a reference price of 4,950 yen on Amazon.
FromSoftware's new Nintendo Switch 2 action game The Duskbloods, directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki, holds a network test from August 21 to 24, 2026. Ahead of that, media hands-on sessions and a group interview with Miyazaki revealed the game's core loop. In The Duskbloods, up to 8 players compete across four phases, earning victory points called Virtue to survive elimination. Virtue comes from defeating enemies, looting items, completing events, and, within designated Ritual Grounds, defeating other players. Outside those areas, PvP yields little benefit, so the game emphasizes strategy over direct combat skill. Players choose from six fixed characters in the network test, each with unique melee and ranged weapons, bloodline arts, and mobility options including air jumps and dashes. The full version will add customization and over 10 character bases. Miyazaki confirmed the game is not an extraction shooter and that PvPvE was a loose label. He also said the final battle can be PvE against a boss, and that ranked matches and seasons are planned.
SNK's wholly owned subsidiary SNK Entertainment has dissolved, according to a public notice in the Official Gazette on August 20. The company, which restarted in 2016 after a dormant period, ran contract development and licensing for properties like The King of Fighters and Metal Slug. Its game and digital content operations transferred to parent SNK in July 2022.
Konami announced that in the Master Collection version of Metal Gear Solid 4, items previously unlocked by entering passwords after clearing the game can now be obtained by taking photos of specific locations. A video demonstrates using the Camera on a suspicious spot to get the Scanning Plug. The collection releases August 27.
Village Vanguard is running two separate limited-time collaboration merchandise pre-orders with VTubers, starting in late August 2026. The first, with active dairy farmer VTuber Petra Nightmare, opens August 21 at 10:00 JST and runs through September 8. The lineup, illustrated by Nabe, includes a double-sided cushion cover, a gadget pouch, mini character stands, sparkling stickers, acrylic keychains, a frosted mug, a t-shirt, a desk mat, can badges, and clear cards. Prices range from 660 yen for badges and cards to 5,500 yen for the cushion cover. Orders placed during the period are estimated to ship in mid-to-late October 2026. The second collaboration, with VTuber artist Unnämed, opened for pre-order on August 20 at 8:00 JST and runs through September 20. The theme is a librarian who guides visitors to books matching their tastes. Illustrator Scocasr drew the artwork. The product range includes acrylic figures, keychains, a tote bag, a long sleeve t-shirt, a cheki album, cheki-style cards, and backstage stickers, priced from 700 yen to 8,000 yen. Estimated delivery is mid-to-late November 2026. Both sales are exclusive to the Village Vanguard online store.
The action thriller Mutiny, directed by Jean-François Richet and starring Jason Statham, was streamed in full on the American version of Amazon Prime Video before its August 21, 2026 theatrical release. The 95-minute film was available for at least one hour on August 19, with one report saying nearly four hours. The page now shows unavailable.
Dengeki Hobby Web's latest Amazon hobby new arrival ranking places the Hot Wheels Car Culture Aero Styles Custom '70 Chevy Nova at number one. The list includes a revived Gundam Leopard model kit, a new Max Factory figma, and several other Hot Wheels premium cars.
The original soundtrack for 'Chiikawa: The Secret of the Mermaid Island' reached number one on Billboard JAPAN's Hot Albums chart released August 19. It climbed from 12th on July 29 to the top spot in its fourth week, the first movie soundtrack to lead the chart in about seven years.
SHOLAYERED's THE FRAME series released 13 fragrance diffusers based on Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba characters, from Tanjiro to Obanai, on August 19. Each diffuser uses a wisteria floral scent and character-specific visuals, designed for daily use and collectibility.
Bethesda Game Studios announced the 'The Slasher' update for Fallout 76, launching September 15. It introduces Gen 9 Boost for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, with native versions, performance and stability improvements across all consoles, plus new content and a legacy seasons system. The update is free.
OpenAI released a preview of Private Safety Processing on August 19, 2026. The system lets OpenAI detect misuse patterns across related interactions without staff accessing customer content, while keeping the Zero Data Retention policy intact. Customer content stays on customer-managed infrastructure or encrypted storage with customer-held keys.
Pocketpair will exhibit at Tokyo Game Show 2026 with its largest booth in company history, featuring life-size statues of Pals like Sekhmet and Nyansie, a moving Jetdran statue, and dark humor exhibits including cages and a Mokoron holding a machine gun. The booth includes photo spots, an assault event, a cosplay stage with 23 cosplayers, and playable demos of Windrose and Never Grave.
KADOKAWA's Fantasia Bunko releases Full Metal Panic! Family Vol. 4 and Shouji Gatou's new robot light novel Kidou Tensei Vol. 1 on August 20, 2026. Family Vol. 4 features Natsumi piloting the Azul Raven in a training exercise, while Kidou Tensei follows a salaryman reborn as a prototype mobile weapon.
Max Factory will re-release the Nice Nature figma from Uma Musume Pretty Derby in April 2027. The figure includes four expression parts, a dash effect, and a bonus turf-pattern base at select retailers. It is priced at 11,800 yen.
Dengeki Hobby Web reports that England from the anime Hetalia World★Stars is joining Good Smile Company's Nendoroid Doll figure line. The articulated figure, priced at 9,800 yen, releases in March 2027 from Orange Rouge. A separate outfit set, priced at 5,500 yen, launches the same month.
Koei Tecmo opened preorders for the Nintendo Switch version of Romance of the Three Kingdoms 14 with Power Up Kit Complete Edition on August 20, 2026. The game adds tutorials that unlock six new ancient warriors, including Wu Song and Zhu Yuanzhang. Clearing all tutorials unlocks the IF scenario Heroes Gathering.
Metallica praised Ado on social media for opening her Summer Sonic 2026 Tokyo set and closing her Osaka set with the band's song "Enter Sandman." The band said watching younger generations find their way to their music never gets old and that they had never seen it done quite like Ado did. Ado quote-reposted the comments, saying she was so happy.
Publisher Pretty Soon released Project P.I.T.T., a physics-based automation sandbox game developed by solo developer Froke, on Steam on August 20. The game tasks players with producing rubber ducks and dropping them into a bottomless hole in the floor to earn money. Players can purchase upgrades such as magnets and fans to improve efficiency, and later unlock items like cash registers and candy to drop as well. The game includes sandbox elements, allowing players to build conveyor belts and automated systems to feed the pit. The demo version has attracted many YouTube playthroughs, with total video views exceeding 10 million. As of 10:30 AM JST on August 20, the game had received 75 Steam user reviews, with 90% positive, earning a 'Very Positive' rating. The game is available for 1,350 yen, with a 15% launch discount bringing it to 1,147 yen until September 3. It supports Japanese. The workplace features unsettling messages like 'They See You' and 'NO WAY OUT,' hinting at a mysterious narrative.
S.H.Figuarts is releasing Manzuboku and Code Zeroider (Vehicle Mode) from Kamen Rider Zetts. Pre-orders open August 21, 2026 at the Tamashii Web Shop. Manzuboku includes a removable belt, gun, and effect sheet. Code Zeroider includes interlocking helmet and wrist parts to reproduce riding scenes.
The staff for Star Detective Precure! The Movie: The Mysterious Garden and the Secret of 2 People announced that Jinji Nishimura and Kyon from the comedy duo cotton will voice the Dame Dame creatures. The film opens in Japan on September 18, with Hanako Ueda directing and Yoshimi Narita writing the script.
Bethesda Game Studios plans to release the latest update for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition on August 20, 2026. The update expands the mod storage limit on console versions, which currently cap at 5GB for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S. The specific new capacity is not confirmed, but it may follow Fallout 4's recent increase to 15GB or 100GB.
Bandai Candy announced details for the new STAR GALLERY figure series from Detective PreCure! on its official blog on August 19. The series will be available in two versions: a general retail version priced at 2,500 yen each (excluding tax) and a Premium Bandai version, with ordering information scheduled to begin on their respective e-commerce sites from August 20. STAR GALLERY replaces the discontinued Cutie Figure line, which ended due to factors such as the weak yen and rising raw material costs. The new series aims to continue the figure lineup in a different form while significantly improving product specifications. Figures have been enlarged from approximately 100mm to approximately 110mm, and skirts and small accessories that were previously molded in one piece are now divided for finer sculpting. The target age has also changed from 3 years and older to 15 years and older, based on analysis showing many Cutie Figure buyers were at least 15. The first wave includes Cure Answer, Cure Mystic, and Cure Arcana Shadow, while the second wave adds Cure Eclair and Cure Arcana, with both waves releasing simultaneously. The Premium Bandai version adds fine color coding and gold or pearl paint on some parts.
Red Bull Japan announced all four matchups for the invitational show match Red Bull Revenge, held September 21 at Tokyo Game Show 2026. The cards reenact famous Street Fighter competitive matches in Street Fighter 6: Big Bird vs Bonchan, Tokido vs MenaRD, Blaz vs Sahara, and LeShar vs Kawano. Each match is first-to-5, with free first-come seating and streams on YouTube and Twitch.
Hello Games CEO Sean Murray responded warmly to a post about a potential Palworld collaboration, after Pocketpair publishing head John Buckley had repeatedly expressed interest. Murray's heart reaction marks the first positive response in an exchange that had seemed one-sided, raising hopes for a collaboration between the two games.
Studio Ghibli announced 4K digital remasters of Whisper of the Heart and The Secret World of Arrietty, supervised by the studio. The films screen at IMAX theaters nationwide from October 23 to November 2, with expanded screenings in all 47 prefectures and Dolby Cinema from October 30 to November 12. New IMAX posters were also released.