Structured graph also available as JSON at /public/entities/eve.
CC BY 4.0.
The Computer Entertainment Association (CESA) opened registration for CEDEC2026 on June 1. The conference runs July 22-24 in a hybrid format at Pacifico Yokohama North and online. Six pass types are available, with early bird discounts through June 30. The event also launches its first official merchandise, T-shirts and towels sold exclusively through the online shop.
An experiential exhibition for the TV anime "Kiriwo Fan Club" will run from June 26 to July 6, 2026, at GALLERY X BY PARCO in Shibuya PARCO, Tokyo. Titled "Kiriwo Fan Club no Fan Club Kiriwo Fan Club Exhibition," the event lets visitors experience the youth group drama of characters Aimi, Nami, and their friends from a fan's perspective. The space recreates the classroom of Ekoma High School, with installations featuring notable lines from the work. Limited-edition goods available only at the event include an "Oshi-dedicated Gaze Snap," a "Toute Bromide Case," and an "Ema with Things You Want to Do with Kirio-kun" capsule toy. Original collaboration products with creators connected to author Chikyū no Osakana Ponchan will also be sold. Three admission ticket tiers are offered: a basic ticket with a "ticket card," one adding a "serial number membership card," and a 3,000 yen limited ticket (100 available) that includes a "Daifuku Yaro Mascot" in addition to both cards. The exhibition is open daily from 11:00 to 21:00, with last entry 30 minutes before closing; the final day closes at 18:00.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government announced a new project under its 'Into Global' program: genre-specific one-on-one consultation sessions for small and medium-sized content businesses. The first session, focused on overseas expansion of games, will be held on July 6, 2026, at the Into Global Office in Nakano, Tokyo. Participation is free, with applications due by July 1.
Too announced the Game Development Draft Conference 2026, a web job-hunting event for students and young creators aiming to work in game development. Applicants submit original 3DCG portfolios, and nine companies including Bandai Namco Studio and CyberConnect2 review them. The application deadline is July 31, 2026.
New footage for the film "Never After Dark," produced by Kento Kaku and starring Moeka Hoshi, has been released on YouTube. The video presents a tour of the mansion setting as if it were an attraction, showing the old clock, a ringing phone, a self-opening door, and a "room of sealed secrets." The film opens nationwide on June 5.
JIDAI Co., Ltd. released three limited-edition design cans on June 1, 2026, from a collaboration between the brain-awakening synergy drink brand ASAP Synergy and artist Eve. The cans, all with the AWAKEN flavor, are sold at Don Quijote stores nationwide and the official online shop. The collaboration also includes multiple campaigns and limited goods.
Developer Incineration Productions announced on June 1 that Japan ranks first in Steam wishlist registrations for its upcoming roguelite FPS 'Everything is Gun!', accounting for about 23% of the total. The game is set for release in the fourth quarter of 2027.
A live viewing of the stage greeting for the theatrical advance screening of Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War - The Calamity will be held at 29 theaters across Japan on June 21. The event includes episodes 1-3 of the final cour and a cast talk with five voice actors.
The YouTube program "LAST CALL," hosted by ROLAND and Yuji Mizoguchi and surpassing 10 billion cumulative views, will hold a large-scale real event called LASTCALL COLLECTION 2026 on June 28, 2026 at TOYOTA ARENA TOKYO. Tickets go on sale May 31 at 21:00. The event will feature program recordings, a runway, and interaction booths with the LASTCALL Queen.
A nationwide Haikyu!! pop-up shop at 10 Commi Lab. Miraiya Shoten locations will run from June 2 to September 27, 2026. The event features summer water-play visuals of 12 characters, advance-sale acrylic keychains, purchase bonuses, and life-size standing panels. New products will be added monthly.
Ikinari! Steak is holding its annual collaboration with Hololive starting June 1, this year featuring the unit TokiMOS. The collaboration includes TokiMOS-designed paper aprons at all stores, decorated interiors at select locations, original goods, and special menu items. The project runs through June 30.
Writer Robinson Haruhara and artist Taishi Tsutsui will launch a new manga titled Animal Signal in Weekly Shonen Jump on June 8. The series is a bishojo animal comedy about an organization called the Anima Countermeasures Center. Haruhara wrote 'Tis Time for Torture Princess and Tsutsui created We Never Learn.
Anime Expo 2026 will host the world premieres of the Black Torch television anime and a new Magic Knight Rayearth anime, with guest Rie Takahashi. The event also features Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE producer Shohei Sakakibara and scenario writer Kazutaka Kodaka, a first look at Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 from Studio Trigger, and U.S. premieres for Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia and Sparks of Tomorrow.
Masaaki Yuasa has been appointed guest curator for the Toronto International Film Festival's new animation special program "Drawn Universes: Visions in Animation," running from November to December this year. The program builds on the festival's "Animate" series and follows the 2023 "Pop Japan!" showcase. Yuasa, known for "Mind Game" and the upcoming "The Life of Chrysanthemum," will select the lineup. Screening details will be announced later.
Studio Trigger has announced a staff talk event for the anime "New PANTY & STOCKING with GARTERBELT," titled "Never Say Never Ending Storytelling <3D Uncut Version>." The event will take place on November 2, 2025, at Mixalive TOKYO (Theater Mixa). It will be split into two parts: a daytime session (doors open 12:00, show 13:00-15:30) and an evening session (doors open 17:00, show 18:00-20:30), each with different content. Scheduled speakers include director Hiroyuki Imaishi, series composer and assistant director Hiromi Wakabayashi, character designer and art director Shigeto Koyama, and character designer and chief animation director Masaru Sakamoto. Additional guests are still being negotiated. The event will cover behind-the-scenes stories, design processes, and unreleased materials from the series, focusing on aspects not previously discussed in streams. Ticket price is 4,400 yen (tax included, fees separate). A lottery application period runs from October 6 to October 12, with results announced on October 14. General sales begin October 18 if tickets remain. Each ticket is limited to one per person, and attendees must follow COVID-19 safety protocols including temperature checks and mask-wearing.
Studio Trigger announced additional all-night marathon screenings of the TV series SSSS.GRIDMAN and SSSS.DYNAZENON at Cinemart Shinjuku in Tokyo. The SSSS.GRIDMAN event will take place on February 28, 2026, and will screen all 12 episodes plus the Anime Mirai short "Denkou Choujin Gridman: Boys Invent Great Hero." The SSSS.DYNAZENON event is scheduled for March 14, 2026, and will show all 12 episodes along with the live-action short "Gridknight Fight." Both screenings will include talk shows featuring director Akira Amemiya, producer Tomoyoshi Asou from Tsuburaya Productions, and MC Naoki Koyama from Pony Canyon. Tickets cost 4,500 yen each, excluding tax. Attendees will receive exclusive illustrated postcards: one by Akira Amemiya featuring Akane Shinjo for the Gridman event, and one by Masaru Sakamoto featuring Gauma for the Dynazenon event. Random finger puppet FIXER BEAM color variants will also be distributed. Online ticket sales begin on February 13 for the Gridman event and February 27 for the Dynazenon event.
Anime Expo 2025, North America's largest anime convention, is set to take place next week in downtown Los Angeles. A pre-event analysis of the announced programming and industry attendee list offers a window into the current priorities of major players in the anime and manga business. The author notes that the event remains the premier launchpad for new industry entrants and a key opportunity for companies to signal their goals and resources. However, the analysis suggests that Anime Expo's status as the continent's biggest convention may soon shift to Anime NYC. Many key industry figures now attend incognito, holding private meetings away from public spaces, a sign that anime has become big business. The schedule itself provides clues about which companies are planting their flags and what they are prioritizing, though the most critical observations will only emerge from on-the-ground reporting during the event itself.
A special kids dance session was held on May 31 at EBiS303 in Tokyo to celebrate the release of the Michael Jackson biopic "Michael／マイケル." Figure skater Mao Asada and GENERATIONS dancer Yuta Nakatsukasa appeared as guests. The two performed a dance to Jackson's "Beat It" alongside 172 child dancers. Asada said she has long wanted to skate to a Michael Jackson song but held back because of his stature as a global dancer. She added that she might be better at the moonwalk on ice. Nakatsukasa called Jackson a god and said he would name him as the person he most wants to meet. He cited Jackson's skill at singing in a large stadium without in-ear monitors as something he learns from. Both praised Jaafar Jackson, the director Antoine Fuqua's nephew who plays the lead role. Asada said she was most surprised by his voice, calling it a miracle that an actor could look so much like the real Jackson. Nakatsukasa said DNA is incredible and that he felt Jackson himself appeared in the latter half of the film. The movie opens in Japanese theaters on June 12.
HOLOSTARS English -ARMIS- member Octavio received a birthday LED billboard at Glorietta mall in Makati, Philippines, last weekend. The 180-square-meter digital ad ran April 11-12 at the mall's Activity Center, one of the busiest spots in the central business district. A fan group called Octoposse Philippines organized the project. Separately, a fan gathering called Bloomfinity took place at Wiltlover Signature cafe in Gateway Mall, Araneta City, themed after Octavio's latest outfit from January 2025. Registered attendees received item sets and food. The cafe had a photo card decoration corner. Octavio also released a song cover of Kenshi Yonezu and Hikaru Utada's "JANE DOE" with NIJISANJI EN's Enna Alouette, plus an "Octalks" radio session where he revealed he once tried to join Enna's agency. An archived karaoke stream featured songs by both artists. Octavio acknowledged the billboard on Tuesday, joking about "39 feet of Octavio."
The organizers of Boys Love Tokyo 2026, a two-day BL event at Sunshine City in Ikebukuro on June 27-28, 2026, have announced the third wave of commemorative goods. The new lineup centers on "replica original art" prints: high-definition reproductions of newly drawn illustrations from participating artists, each including a replica of the creator's signature. A total of 38 prints will be available. The announcement also covers purchase bonuses and entry gifts. Shoppers who spend at least 5,000 yen on event goods will receive a random pack of three "pashakore" cards (40 types total). Every attendee will get a branded shopping bag featuring the event's official mascot character. The event is produced by Animate, Chuo Shoten, and Movic, and features over 40 artists contributing to exhibitions, autograph sessions, talk shows, and a cafe area. The full exhibition layout is expected to be revealed soon.
Hololive English talents Takanashi Kiara and Ninomae Ina'nis held their first duo concert, 'Drawn to Dawn,' at the Wiltern in Los Angeles on March 27 and 28. Both days sold out, with fans lining up as early as 7 AM. The show was delayed 20 to 30 minutes to ensure all attendees entered. Kiara opened the first day with a high-energy set featuring flames and smoke, performing songs including 'Hinotori,' 'Chimera,' 'Mirage,' 'Perfume,' and 'Tasty,' and debuted several new outfits. Ina followed with a chill set, singing 'Violet,' 'Meconopsis,' and 'Temari,' also showing new outfits. The duo performed together on songs including 'Pineapple' and closed the encore with 'Our Bright Parade,' during which orange and purple streamers shot into the crowd. An after-party hosted by holoTakeover at Apt 503 Lounge featured DJs and live performances by indie VTubers Rachie and Yukinoshita Peo. COVER Corp CEO Motoaki Tanigo posted on social media that he was moved by the performances.
Hololive Production held its 7th fes. concert, Ridin' on Dreams, and SUPER EXPO 2026 at Makuhari Messe in Chiba from March 6 to 8. The three-day event drew fans from Japan and overseas, featuring a mix of past and present activities under the theme "hololive Time-Warp." The expo included a Memory Area with standees and signatures from talents across the Japanese, Indonesian, and English branches, a Time Capsule display of personal memorabilia, and a HOLOSTARS TV backstage area. Corporate partners set up booths: Furyu offered Kazama Iroha plush toys, Suzuki Motor showcased a GSX250R motorcycle co-designed with FLOW GLOW's Rindo Chihaya, Good Smile Company announced a Nendoroid for ReGLOSS, and the Gundam series revealed its first full collaboration with VTubers, featuring talents including Houshou Marine and Shirakami Fubuki. The concert introduced FLOW GLOW and hololive English -Justice- performing their debut songs, and used large mini-stage carts to bring performers closer to the audience. The hololive DREAMS rhythm-RPG hybrid mobile game, co-produced by QualiArts, was officially launched during the event, with a 30-meter booth offering a sneak peek. The hololive Trading Card Game demonstrated a sensing system developed with Sony. COVER Corporation CEO Motoaki Tanigo opened the event.
NIJISANJI EN is collaborating with the self-photo studio brand Photoism for a limited-time photo frame event running throughout April. Fans can visit participating Photoism locations to take snapshots using frames featuring 28 NIJISANJI EN livers, then receive physical prints, digital copies, and behind-the-scenes clips. Simultaneously, a pop-up store will open on April 2 in seven countries and regions: Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Thailand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Singapore. The pop-up will sell exclusive merchandise including acrylic standees, key rings, holographic can badges, postcard sets, photo-style card sets, mini package acrylic keychains, portrait acrylic keychains, two-layer A5 clear panels, and square clear bottles. The collaboration is part of NIJISANJI EN's Anniversary Project, organized by ANYCOLOR's English-language unit in partnership with CyberAgent's anime merchandise division.
The hololive English 3rd concert, ALL FOR ONE, will be screened at London's Genesis Cinema on May 2. Local organizer Virtual Stage Production (VSP) announced the event, marking the first official hololive screening in the UK. Both days of the concert, originally held at New York's Radio City Music Hall in August 2025, will be shown the same day. The screening will include licensed merchandise, a photo wall, standees, a digital signature wall, and a pre-show audience camera. Standard admission is £35, with VIP access at £100. Tickets are available at allforonescreening.com. VSP founder Steven Lei said the team hopes to bring the concert experience to European fans who could not attend the US event. VSP was formed by technical staff from Vocafest UK & Ireland.
The fifth stage adaptation of Happy Elements KAKARIA STUDIO's mobile RPG Helios Rising Heroes, titled Action Stage "Helios Rising Heroes" -THE EAST-, is currently running in Tokyo and Osaka. The Tokyo performances at Tennozu Galaxy Theater run through January 25, and the Osaka shows at Cool Japan Park Osaka WW Hall run from January 31 to February 1. The production is split into two parts: a drama segment and a live concert. The drama follows East Sector rookie Gray (played by Kenta Matsui) as he struggles with his mentor Ash's harsh training and a past incident where a second personality emerged and attacked Ash. The live portion features eight original songs, including a Valentine's Day-themed daily performance piece called "Thank you my sweet Heart" where the cast delivers sweet lines. A Blu-ray release is scheduled for July 22, 2026, with a limited edition including extra discs and photo sets available for pre-order until March 16. DMM TV is streaming select performances live and on demand.
The first large-scale exhibition spanning the entire Ghost in the Shell anime series, "Ghost in the Shell Exhibition Ghost and the Shell," will run from January 30 to April 5, 2026, at TOKYO NODE in Toranomon Hills. The event includes an augmented reality experience called "Dennou VISION" that lets visitors wear AR glasses modeled after those worn by protagonist Motoko Kusanagi. XREAL, the company that develops and sells AR glasses, announced it is providing equipment including the XREAL Air2 Ultra for the experience. The AR tour is guided by the Tachikoma robots from the Stand Alone Complex series. A separate "Dennou VISION Experience Ticket" is required on top of the general admission ticket, priced at 1,300 yen in advance online, 1,500 yen during the exhibition period online, and 1,700 yen at the door. General admission is timed-entry with limited quantities per slot. The exhibition is organized by a production committee including Kodansha, Mori Building, KDDI, Production I.G, Parco, and Bandai Namco Filmworks. A new TV anime, "Ghost in the Shell THE GHOST IN THE SHELL," directed by Moko-chan with series composition by Tow Ubukata and animation by Science SARU, is scheduled for 2026.
The stage adaptation LIVE STAGE "Bocchi the Rock!" 2026 RE:boot is currently being performed at THEATER MILANO-Za in Shinjuku through February 23, 2026. The production consists of two types of performances: a stage play and a separate live event concert. This "reboot" version reworks the story from the two previous stage productions into a single streamlined narrative, with new scenes added. The cast performs the band's music live on stage, including full-length songs from Kessoku Band and SICK HACK. Live streaming and delay streaming are available for select performances, with ticket prices starting at 690 yen for a limited introductory ticket. A Blu-ray and DVD release is scheduled for August 26, 2026. The cast includes Mamoru Morino as Hitori Gotoh, Miki Ootake as Nijika Ijichi, Karin Osanai as Ryo Yamada, and Mii Omori as Ikuyo Kita. The script and direction are by Akira Yamazaki.
AnimeJapan 2026, the annual trade exhibition held at Tokyo Big Sight, drew a record 156,000 attendees, a 2 percent increase over the previous year. The event featured 67 domestic and foreign firms operating booths across two business days, surpassing pre-pandemic levels, and a record number of exhibitors on public days. Major production companies including Aniplex, Bandai Namco, Kadokawa, and Toho created immersive pavilions. Sony publicly demonstrated its internally developed anime production software, AnimeCanvas. Amazon Prime did not exhibit on public days but held a joint presentation with Kodansha for business attendees promoting the upcoming Ghost in the Shell series. Organizers also set up a gallery focused on the role of individual producers in anime production. AnimeJapan will move to Intex Osaka for its 2027 and 2028 editions; it remains unclear whether business events will relocate as well, as most anime companies are based in Tokyo. Separately, Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry set a target for the overseas anime market to reach ¥6 trillion by 2033, nearly triple 2024 levels, and updated subsidy criteria to encourage higher-risk, high-budget productions.
A collaboration between the TV anime "Sousou no Frieren" and the glamping resort "THE FARM" in Katori, Chiba Prefecture, will run from July 17 to October 16, 2026. The event, titled "Weaving Memories, A Journey of Stars and Campfires," includes an immersive dessert experience where guests assemble a replica of the Merkuur pudding seen in the anime. The pudding consists of a mild milk pudding topped with a separate berry sauce, which guests pour themselves. The collaboration also offers exclusive newly drawn illustration flags depicting Frieren, Himmel, Fern, and Stark in farming outfits. These flags are included with dinner and can be used as decorations. The event is open only to glamping guests, with reservations starting March 30, 2026. The anime's second season aired from January to March 2026, and a third season covering the "Golden Land" arc is scheduled for October 2027.
A pre-release rally for the film "Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway's Flash - The Witch of Kirke" drew an estimated 4,000 fans to Shinjuku's Kabukicho district on January 18. The event featured voice actors Kensho Ono (Hathaway Noah) and Reina Ueda (Gigi Andalusia), who performed a live dub of the poolside scene from the first film. Comedian Kemuri Matsui of Reiwa Roman appeared in a pumpkin-head mask, claiming to represent the anti-government movement Mafty. The rock band Alexandros made a surprise appearance, performing songs including the first film's theme "Senko" and newer tracks. The film opens in Japanese theaters on January 30. A special collaboration program with Nippon TV's "ZIP!" will air on January 24, featuring first-time broadcast footage and interviews with Ono and Ueda.
A special exhibition for the TV anime "Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War - The Calamity" opened on May 30, 2026, at Anime Tokyo Station in Ikebukuro, Tokyo. The event runs through August 16 and is free to enter. The exhibition features key visuals from the "Thousand-Year Blood War" arc, life-sized character panels, and a full-scale replica of Ichigo Kurosaki's Zanpakuto, Zangetsu. Scene panels allow visitors to trace the story of the arc. A digital content section focuses on the Zanpakuto ultimate technique, Bankai. The anime's final cour, "Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War - The Calamity," is set to air in July 2026. The original manga by Tite Kubo has over 130 million copies in circulation worldwide. The TV anime began in October 2004, has produced more than 360 episodes and four theatrical films, and the final arc started in October 2022.
Mrs. GREEN APPLE announced that the final show of their ongoing stadium tour "ZENJIN MITOU TO I/MUTABLE ~KANSŌHEN~" on July 5, 2026, will be screened live in over 300 movie theaters across Japan. The tour marks the return of the "ZENJIN MITOU" series, which the band has continued since their indie days, for the first time in about two years. It includes six performances total: four at MUFG Stadium (National Stadium) in April and July, plus two at Yanmar Stadium Nagai in Osaka in May. The four-day run at MUFG Stadium is a first in the venue's history. The two Osaka shows and the two July MUFG Stadium shows are limited to fan club members, another first for the band. Details on participating theaters and ticket sales will be announced later on a dedicated website. The band is also known for anime theme songs including "Inferno" for Fire Force, "Dance Hall" for My Hero Academia, and the current "Haruka Kanata" for the latest arc of Frieren: Beyond Journey's End.
CloverWorks announced a regional tour of its POP UP SHOP 2026 event, starting January 16 in Ebetsu, Hokkaido, followed by Nagoya in February and Kochi in March. The pop-up shops will sell merchandise for series including My Dress-Up Darling, Wind Breaker, Bocchi the Rock!, Spy × Family, Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, and others. Limited quantities of past release goods and books will also be available. Each venue will display reproduction artwork and production materials, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the studio's animation process. The tour begins at Ebetsu Tsutaya Books (January 16 to February 4), moves to TSUTAYA BOOKSTORE Noritake in Nagoya (February 13 to March 2), and ends at Kochi Tsutaya Books (March 27 to April 13). Stock and exhibits may vary by location. The announcement was made on January 9, 2026.
GameSpark's latest Asian indie roundup, published May 31, 2026, highlights four titles from Chinese and Korean developers. The lineup includes the horror game '蛹月' (Pupa Moon) by CherryPink, now on Steam wishlists. It follows a girl named Su Li who wakes in a strange room and must escape monsters using a flashlight-like tool. The game features a revealing Chinese dress that can tear during action. Also featured is '万年レベル1プレイヤー' (The Eternal Level 1 Player), a 3D action roguelite by Tripearl Games and published by Smilegate, based on a Kakao web novel and webtoon. A demo is available on Steam, and PlayStation Store wishlisting has begun. The roundup includes 'Abyss: Everlasting', a dark fantasy turn-based RPG by IGNOST, sold only on STOVE with Korean language support and a SECRET PLUS adult version. Finally, '中国式地雷女' (Chinese-style Mine Girl), a visual novel by ZHONGXIA GAMES, has a release date of July 13, 2026, and will support Japanese text. The developer confirmed Japanese voice acting is not yet decided.
Studio Trigger announced on September 10 that it will sell exclusive merchandise at the "New PANTY & STOCKING FES" event, scheduled to take place at Zepp Shinjuku (Tokyo) and ZEROTOKYO. The event is described as the largest talk and music event ever held for the "New PANTY & STOCKING with GARTERBELT" project. Trigger's limited-edition set, called the "New Panty & Stocking FES Limited TRIGGER SET," will be sold at the venue for 12,000 yen (tax included). The set features newly drawn illustrations by Aoi Abe, who handled the event's key visual and served as animation director on the series. The set includes an event-exclusive holographic shopping bag, a Daten City doll, a T-shirt (Trigger version, available in sizes M, L, and XL), an acrylic figure (clear black finish), a sticker set (four designs featuring Panty, Stocking, Brief, and CENSORED), and a glitter pin badge set (two designs featuring Panty and Stocking). The goods will be placed in a Trigger-exclusive shopping bag. Purchase details are to be announced at a later date.
The first episode of the anime adaptation of the light novel series "Even a Replica Can Fall in Love" premiered this spring season. The story follows Nao, a replica created to be an identical copy of Sunao Aikawa, who attends school and lives in Sunao's place. Nao begins to develop her own identity after forming a connection with classmate Shuyu Sanada. The episode establishes that replicas are organic beings with identical DNA and personality to their originals, created to fill gaps in the original's life. A visual effect blurs the edges of Nao's existence when she acts as a replica rather than as a person. The premiere does not fully explain why replicas exist in society, but hints that Nao's creation stems from childhood upset. The review from Anime Feminist describes the episode as intriguing rather than impressive, noting that the series raises questions about humanity and digital forms of adapted humanity. The reviewer expresses cautious optimism about the series' potential to explore deeper themes, while also acknowledging that anime adaptations sometimes do not go as deep as viewers hope.
Anime Feminist published a detailed analysis examining the Solo Leveling anime adaptation, focusing on changes made for its Japanese release and their connection to historical anti-Korean sentiment and Japanese imperialism. The piece notes that Solo Leveling made history as the first Korean work to win Crunchyroll's Anime of the Year award, and was the most-watched anime on the platform in 2024. However, the analysis highlights that the Japanese localization removed all references to Korea, changing locations from Seoul to Tokyo and giving characters Japanese names. The article argues these changes mirror Japan's colonial-era "Japanization" policies, which sought to erase Korean language and culture during the 1910-1945 occupation. The analysis focuses particularly on the Jeju Island Arc, where in the original story Japanese hunters betray Korean hunters in a plot that parallels Japan's historical treatment of Korea. The piece states that the Japanese version of the arc was rewritten to remove this anti-colonial allegory, with the fictional "De Facto Nation" replacing Japan as the antagonist. The article calls for more historically informed discussion of these changes among anime viewers.
P.A. Works announced an open campus event for its in-house animation training center, set for May 23, 2026, at the studio's Toyama headquarters or a nearby facility. The event is designed for high school, university, vocational school students, and working professionals up to age 25, with limited spots available by reservation. Attendees will participate in two sample lectures, a Q&A session with instructors including director Masayuki Yoshihara (Uchouten Kazoku) and producer Soma (SHIROBAKO), plus current P.A. Works animators who serve as lecturers. The application deadline is May 18, 2026, at noon. The studio noted that the training center is not a school corporation, so it cannot handle visa procedures for foreign applicants. The open campus does not include a tour of the animation workspace, and photography inside the building is prohibited.
Cover Corp announced that its male VTuber group UPROAR!!, under the Holostars branch of Hololive Production, will hold a fourth anniversary stream on March 31, 2026 at 20:00 JST. The stream will air on Yatogami Fuma's YouTube channel and feature a special member-produced segment titled "UPROAR!! Trial!!!" in which guest participants submit "tips" (complaints) to judge each member. The announcement also includes a series of short-form videos across each member's channel-Yatogami Fuma, Utsugi Uyu, and Minase Rio-showing dance and variety content. A fan campaign runs from March 9 to March 27 on the Holoplus app: if fan comments reach a total of 100, the group will release a hand-drawn message image. The event is the group's first anniversary stream since its debut in 2022.
Virtual artist Mori Calliope will perform live at Apple's 50th anniversary celebration in Tokyo, the company announced on Wednesday. The event, titled "Mori Calliope - A Celebration of Creativity and Technology," takes place on March 27 at the Apple Store Omotesando. It is part of Apple's global 50th Anniversary Celebrations, which include events in New York, London, Sydney, and other major cities. Attendees must register in advance on a first-come, first-served basis through Apple's official website, with registration opening March 25 at 8:00 a.m. JST. The performance will feature a selection of songs from Mori Calliope's repertoire, followed by a discussion with Apple Music Radio DJ Mi-no about digital content and creativity. Mori Calliope, a member of hololive English -Myth-, debuted on Universal Music in 2022 and has topped music charts in Japan and the U.S. She said in a statement that her first Apple product was a red iPod nano, which she filled with anime songs, and that the device helped shape who she is today.
Hololive Production announced a one-day pop-up video spot in Shibuya for VTubers Houshou Marine and Hoshimachi Suisei, tied to their new song "Chatter Chatter." The event, titled "Suimari Issho! Chatter Chatter SPOT @SHIBUYA," will take place on March 31, 2026, from 12:00 to 20:00 at the Shibuya Cast Garden in Tokyo. Attendees can film videos at a dedicated real-life video spot using the song and post them on TikTok with the hashtag "#Chatter2Challenge" to receive original novelty items. The event also provides TikTok effects for the song. Participation is limited to one video per person, with up to three people allowed per shoot. Novelty distribution is limited to one per post per person, up to two items. The event runs rain or shine but may be canceled in severe weather, with updates posted on the hololive RECORDS official X account.
Crunchyroll has announced its programming for SXSW 2026, taking place in Austin, Texas, from March 14 to 18. The lineup includes panels on anime's global growth, brand strategy, and fandom design, plus an interactive activation for the series "Sentenced to Be a Hero" featuring a lifelike animatronic doll. The centerpiece is an exclusive first look at the upcoming hand-drawn anime "Sekiro: No Defeat," adapted from FromSoftware's video game. The sneak peek includes a Q&A with director Kenichi Kutsuna and composer Shuta Hasunuma. The panel "How Anime Became a Worldwide Cultural Force" features Crunchyroll, Twitch, and content creator Lena Lemon, citing data that 54% of Gen Z respondents said they like or love anime. Mitchel Berger, Crunchyroll's executive VP of global commerce, said SXSW is a convergence point for culture and that anime is having a major cultural moment. The activation for "Sentenced to Be a Hero" runs March 14-18 in the Omni Hotel lobby and requires no badge.
The National Film Archive of Japan (NFAJ) will host a retrospective of Toei Animation this summer, screening 50 theatrical features on 35mm film prints. The program runs from late July through early September. It offers a rare chance to see the studio's films in their original format at a time when most archival screenings have moved to digital. The NFAJ has not published a full lineup, but a teaser flyer confirms the selection spans more than four decades of Toei's output. Early works include The Tale of the White Serpent (1958), considered Japan's first color animated feature, Magic Boy (1959), and Alakazam the Great (1960). The retrospective also features The Little Norse Prince (1968), Isao Takahata's feature that launched a 50-year creative partnership with Hayao Miyazaki, who worked on scene designs and key animation. Later decades are represented by Galaxy Express 999 (1979) and Adieu Galaxy Express 999 (1981). The program highlights Toei's shift into franchise filmmaking with Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone (1989) and Sailor Moon R: The Movie (1993). More recent selections include Digimon Adventure (1999) and One Piece: The Movie (2000).
The Marché du Film at the Cannes Film Festival and TIFFCOM, the Tokyo International Film Festival content market, are partnering to launch a new three-day event dedicated to Japanese intellectual properties. The inaugural Japan IP Market will run from May 15 to 17, 2026, aboard the Art Explora catamaran at Cannes' Vieux-Port. The market will feature pitch sessions, one-on-one meetings, and conferences aimed at connecting Japanese rights holders with international producers and buyers for film and TV adaptations. Participating companies include Amuse Creative Studio, Kadokawa Corporation, Shochiku, Toei Company, Nihon Bungeisha, Nippon Animation, and Shufu To Seikatsu Sha. A keynote titled "The Future of Japanese IP in Global Adaptations" will be delivered by Tetsu Fujimura, executive producer of Netflix's live-action "One Piece" adaptation. Additional sessions include a France-Japan partnership focus and a discussion on manga and anime publishers and broadcasters featuring Crunchyroll and Glénat Editions. Japan is the country of honor at this year's Cannes Film Market. The announcement follows a 15 percent growth in Japan's anime industry, which exceeded $25 billion in revenue in 2024, according to the Anime Industry Report published at TIFFCOM last November.
The television anime adaptation of the light novel series Even Though I'm a Noble Girl that's WEAK to the MAX, I Accepted the Bet From My Cunning Fiancé will premiere in October 2026, as announced alongside a new promotional trailer and additional cast and staff details. The series is directed by Nobuaki Nakanishi at studio Jumondou, with scripts overseen by Hiroko Fukuda and character designs by Hyun Sik Choi. The main cast includes Miku Ito as protagonist Pia Rockwell and Ryota Osaka as her fiancé Rufus Stan. Three new cast members were revealed: Rina Hidaka as Caroline Ramsey, Sora Amamiya as Erin White, and Haruki Ishiya as Henry Cox. The story follows a woman reincarnated as the villainess of an otome game who, in a bid to avoid her bad ending, becomes extremely timid and tries to annul her engagement, only to be drawn into a bet by her cunning fiancé. The light novels, written by Hiro Oda with illustrations by Tsubasa, began serialization online in 2020 and have four volumes in print. A manga adaptation by Aji Murata is also ongoing.
The Arc Championship 2026 itasha event was held on May 24 at Okuibuki Motor Park in Maibara City, Shiga Prefecture, drawing 250 fan-decorated vehicles. Concurrent events Aiste 2nd and Atabui 2026, themed around VTubers and the Idolmaster series, also took place at the venue.
Geo Seed Games has opened a playtest for the survival craft action RPG Never Wither, running until June 2. The test covers the first area, Verdant Valley, with 19 creatures and 4 bosses, and offers 3-5 hours of single-player content. Progress will be reset, and online multiplayer is not available.
Niantic opened Pokémon GO Fest 2026: Tokyo on May 29, the first real-world Pokémon GO event in Tokyo and the largest ever, covering almost all of the city. The main venue spans four areas in Odaiba-Aomi, with stages, photo spots, and team zones. The event runs through June 1.
A play report from BitSummit PUNCH covers Project Revenant, a 2D side-scrolling action game where precise mouse aiming is critical. Weak enemy attacks can kill in one hit on Normal difficulty. A stylish execution system and skill actions like flashbangs add depth. The demo shows strong potential for fans of tough action games.
MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026, Japan's largest international music awards, will hold its Grand Ceremony on June 13, 2026, at TOYOTA ARENA TOKYO. The event announced 12 performing artists including Fujii Kaze, Kenshi Yonezu, Sakanaction, Sam Smith, and Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra with special guests LiSA, TAKUMA, and Aina the End. The ceremony will be broadcast live on NHK and streamed worldwide via YouTube.