Twin Engine launched the web manga label Bibibi Comic on August 7 with 31 titles, including Chou Kaguya Meshi!, an official spinoff of the film Chou Kaguya-hime! set ten years after the movie. The spinoff is written by Teruya based on a plot by director Yamashita. A commemorative issue is on sale at bookstores.
Acer Japan is releasing three Nitro V 16 AI gaming laptops with AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 processors. Two models arrive August 7, one August 20. The 16-inch WUXGA displays run at 180Hz. Two models use GeForce RTX 5060 Laptop GPUs, one uses RTX 5070. Storage options are 512GB and 1TB SSDs.
Bandai Namco Pictures will stream all 413 episodes of the Battle Spirits anime series nonstop on YouTube from August 8 at 9 p.m. through around August 15. The live-only broadcast, with no archive, covers the franchise from Shounen Toppa Bashin to the latest web series Mirage, ahead of the fall premiere of Battle Spirits [Re] Zekkai no Sora.
Shueisha launched MANGA MILLION on August 6, a global digital service commemorating its 100th anniversary. The service offers approximately 400 manga titles, totaling 1 million pages, translated into over 100 languages, free worldwide with no registration required. The distribution period runs through the end of December 2027. The lineup includes One Piece, Naruto, Bleach, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Jujutsu Kaisen, Kingdom, Oshi no Ko, Spy x Family, and Chainsaw Man, plus more than 150 shojo and josei titles.
The main trailer and visual for the new Yatsuhakamura film were revealed, along with the theme song DOOM by TMG, the band led by B'z guitarist Tak Matsumoto. The film, based on Seishi Yokomizo's mystery novel, stars Matsuya Onoe as detective Kosuke Kindaichi and opens September 18.
Ubisoft is giving away the PC version of Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Future Soldier on Ubisoft Connect from August 7 until August 13 at 17:00. The 2012 third-person tactical shooter is part of the Ghost Recon series' 25th anniversary campaign. On Steam it holds a 'Mostly Positive' rating with 70% of about 5,000 reviews positive, though players note performance issues and ended online features. The game does not support Japanese. Series-wide sales are running with discounts up to 95%.
Yuzusoft announced on August 7 that its bishoujo adventure game Sanoba Witch has surpassed 500,000 copies sold worldwide. The original 18+ PC version launched in February 2015, meaning the milestone took roughly 11 years to reach. The game follows protagonist Shuuji Hoshina, who can sense others' feelings, and his classmate Nene Akechi, who becomes aroused as the cost of a magical contract. Other heroines include Meguru Inaba, who struggles to make friends, and Tsubasa Shiiba, who dresses in male clothing as her contract's cost. The all-ages version on Steam has received 98% positive reviews from 9,488 user reviews, earning an 'Overwhelmingly Positive' status. According to Steam Scout data, 95.4% of the full HD version's reviews are in Simplified Chinese, 3.6% in Traditional Chinese, and 0.4% in Japanese. In December 2024, sales were reported at 300,000 copies, meaning an additional 200,000 copies sold over the following year and a half. The game was also adapted into a manga. Yuzusoft's Senren * Banka surpassed 1 million copies in February 2026, and Sanoba Witch appears to be following similar success.
Wazang Games opened the Steam store page for Slaymeji: Roguelite Desktop Survivor on August 8, 2026. The game launches September 1 with an undecided price. It combines survivor-style roguelite combat with a desktop-resident character. Players complete real-world tasks to earn currency and unlock new hunters.
Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey' will hold IMAX early screenings from September 4 to 10, ahead of its September 11 release. The film also gets simultaneous release in six formats and nine versions, including IMAX, Dolby Cinema, 4DX, MX4D, and 35mm, with special visuals released for each.
The upcoming film 'Odoru Daisousasen N.E.W.: Metropolis wo Kakenukero!' has announced a collaboration with the capsule toy brand Gacha Police, releasing a set of six mini police-themed items. The lineup includes a warning siren that makes sound, an emergency lamp that actually lights up, a thumb handcuff, an extendable baton, a slide-cover pistol, and a police notebook-shaped tape roll marked 'KEEP OUT.' Each item costs 400 yen including tax, and the products are scheduled to appear from August, with the exact release date to be announced later. The collaboration marks the film's September 18 nationwide release. Social media reactions have been positive, with users calling the items 'cute' and expressing nostalgia for the series. Some fans have also requested additional items inspired by the franchise, such as a 'Kaeru Kyuubin' delivery service item or a 'Rainbow Manjuu' sweet, though these were not confirmed. The film stars Yuji Oda as the protagonist Aoshima and features a returning cast including Yusuke Santamaria, Miki Maya, Miki Mizuno, and others.
Developer Playbooster released the early access version of online simulation game Tale of Electronic Drifting on Steam on August 6. It costs 600 yen, with a 20% launch discount to 480 yen until August 14. Players drift through a shared electronic sea, build islands, and survive by trial and error.
The demo for the 3D marble-rolling game Marblearium launches on Steam on August 7. Players control a single marble, rolling through physics-based courses with branching routes and hidden shortcuts, accompanied by lo-fi beats and ambient sound. The game emphasizes flow over puzzle-solving, with no time limits and a gentle fall penalty.
LoFi/Chill vocalist Mellow will hold a second live event, "Mellow 2nd LIVE," on October 21 at SHIBUYA TAKE OFF 7. The event runs from 19:00 to 22:00, with free admission and a drink ticket system. Guests ONE×ONE and ALLES will join Mellow for the entertainment exchange event.
The main cast for director Shingo Natsume's original theatrical anime 'ghost / Yoru no Hate' was announced. Mayu Horita plays protagonist Nike, and Issei Takahashi plays Mas. This is Takahashi's first theatrical anime voice role since Studio Ghibli's 'Whisper of the Heart' (1995). The film releases February 11, 2027, with animation by Madhouse.
Entergram announced on August 6 that the Steam version of 'Okayu Nyuum! R' would be delayed. The game was scheduled for release on August 7, but due to various circumstances, the release has been postponed. The new release date is undecided and will be announced later. The previous game's Steam version was also delayed just before release.
ABEMA will launch a limited-time Black Jack anime channel on August 8, 2026, airing all four series for a total of 94 episodes free daily. The lineup includes the 2004 TV anime, the OVA, Black Jack 21, and Black Jack: The 4 Miracles of Life. Episodes remain free to view for one week after broadcast.
Koei Tecmo Games released the sixth DLC set for Dead or Alive 6 Last Round on August 6, 2026. The Honoka Secret Sunflower Set includes four swimsuit costumes with summer accessories and color variations. The August 2026 DLC roadmap was also announced, featuring swimsuit costumes for Honoka, Marie Rose, NiCO, and Nyotengu.
Publisher Devolver Digital announced plans to delist and go private, with a shareholder vote set for September 8. The company's stock has fallen about 96% since its November 2021 listing, and it estimates delisting will save roughly $1.6 million annually. Revenue has grown, but operating losses have persisted since 2022.
Creepy Nuts will hold the domestic arena tour "Creepy Nuts ONEMAN TOUR 2027" from February to May 2027, with 12 shows across 8 cities and about 120,000 attendees expected. Fan club advance tickets open August 6. The unit also plans a new song, "Running Wheel," for August 19.
The official ZUTOMAYO CARD tournament, ZUTOMAYO CARD CHAMPIONSHIP 2026, will be held on August 16 at Tokyo Tama Future Messe. This is the first official tournament in about three years. Entry is open, and general admission tickets go on sale August 6 at 8 PM. Yutaka Kinutani drew the key visual.
On August 6, developer Makoto Sanada added the original version of The Forest of Drizzling Rain to the Steam remake as a free update. The free game version, discontinued in July 2024, can now be selected at startup. The remake has received 96% positive reviews out of 468 reviews.
The Broadcasting Ethics & Program Improvement Organization discussed viewer criticism of a weekday late-night anime featuring a cat-eared woman who smokes and scenes that appear to show illegal drug use. Committee members split on whether the depictions fall within freedom of expression or cross a line, and no program advanced to formal discussion.
Half Games is developing Half Grip, a pixel-art roguelike combat racing game designed to be played with one hand. Players steer, shoot, and reload while racing armed rivals, using items like rams, shotguns, magnets, and mines. Prize money unlocks vehicle upgrades and weapons. The game is scheduled for release in 2026, and wishlist registration is open.
Konami Amusement held the draft meeting for BEMANI PRO LEAGUE -SEASON 6- on August 5, selecting 84 players across beatmania IIDX, SOUND VOLTEX, and DanceDanceRevolution. Seven amusement facility operators serve as team owners. The Regular Stage matchups were also released, with matches to be streamed free on YouTube.
MAGES. opened download preorders for STEINS;GATE RE:BOOT on Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, and Steam on August 6, ahead of the August 20 release. The standard edition costs 6,380 yen, and the digital deluxe edition costs 11,880 yen. PlayStation Store pages for PS5 and PS4 are also live, with Xbox Series X|S planned.
Flyhigh Works announced that the PS5 version of Moji Yugi will launch on August 20. The Nintendo Switch trial version, Moji Yugi Chapter Zero, was released today. The prequel lets players experience part of the full game alongside the story of the 4,396th hero. The main game costs 3,600 yen on Switch and 3,630 yen on PS5.
Toei Animation Museum Channel will premiere past PreCure works for two consecutive weeks starting August 9. Each week offers a free double feature: the Suite PreCure film with the first episode of You and Idol PreCure♪, then the Maho Girls PreCure! film with the first episode of Wonderful PreCure!. Archives stay up one week.
GameDiscoverCo surveyed 3,800 Steam users on how user reviews affect purchase intent. About half said they are less inclined to buy when the review status is Mixed or lower. The survey also found that 91.9% of respondents regularly check reviews before purchasing, with 40.5% always checking.
Akatsuki Games announced new playable characters Iharu Reno and Kikoru Shinomiya for Kaiju No. 8 THE GAME, plus the 1st Anniversary 8 Major Events. Reno arrives August 10 wearing Dimension Numbers 6, and Shinomiya arrives August 20 wearing Numbers 4. A special program mini airs August 30.
Developer BlareByte announced CLEAR RED, a roguelike action game for PC via Steam with no release date. Players defend an underground missile base from alien attacks, mining resources to power defenses, crafting equipment, and ultimately launching an ICBM to destroy the alien mothership. The game draws inspiration from Metro 2033, Deep Rock Galactic, Amnesia: The Bunker, Dome Keeper, and the first Alien film.
Celsys and Mangadraft announced the winners of the 8th Global Comic Awards on August 6. The contest, themed "Impact," drew over 800 entries from around the world. GaeZin won the Manga Grand Prix for "IMPACT," and Cabrita Cuernitos took the Webtoon Grand Prix for "Punch Back!" Winners received comments from guest judges, prize money, and CLIP STUDIO PAINT.
Jamiroquai's official YouTube channel suddenly released Japanese-subtitled music videos for "Virtual Insanity," "Cosmic Girl," and "Canned Heat." The release commemorates the band's first Japan performance in nine years, scheduled for Summer Sonic 2026. The videos appeared without prior announcement on August 6.
NVIDIA announced at FMS: The Future of Memory and Storage that it is open sourcing the cuFile API and its underlying storage software stack, components of its GPUDirect Storage technology. The move aims to establish a common interface across platforms and ensure interoperability. Google, Intel, Meta, and NVIDIA will serve as initial maintainers of the xio-sig project on GitHub.
Technics will release a special DJ video featuring You$uk Yukimatsu, recorded at Tokyo Tower's top deck, to celebrate the SL-1200 series' 55th anniversary in 2027. The video premieres worldwide on Resident Advisor's RA Live on August 19, 2026, at 1:00 AM Japan time.
Fixstars Amplify Inc. and AIST's G-QuAT announced that the domestic superconducting quantum computer System F, manufactured by Fujitsu and running on the ABCI-Q infrastructure, is now supported by the Fixstars Amplify SDK. Users can run optimization calculations on System F with minimal code changes by switching the solver specification to OqtopusClient in Amplify Quantum version 1.3.
Bandai's trading card game app BANDAI TCG+ will introduce identity verification using My Number cards for entry to some events in Japan, starting around September. The system uses the external MOALA account service, reading the card's IC chip via smartphone. Bandai says it will not collect or store users' My Number data.
BA-KU, the brand behind Hira Hira Hihiru and BLACK SHEEP TOWN, announced development of its new title Hyakubyaku (Hyaku Byaku). Renya Setoguchi directs and writes the scenario, with Karin Kanzaki on character design and Hideyuki Babai on music. The game is planned for Steam, with a store page in preparation. A teaser flyer is available at Seven-Eleven network printers until September 3.
The Pokémon Company and musician YOSHIKI have announced donations for relief efforts following the July 28 Kumamoto earthquake. Pokémon donated 100 million yen, while YOSHIKI gave 10 million yen to the Japanese Red Cross Society. YOSHIKI also donated to European wildfire relief and shared a message of support.
THQ Nordic announced on August 5 that wishlist registrations for The Eternal Life of Goldman have surpassed 500,000 across all platforms with wishlist support. The hand-drawn action-adventure from Weappy Studio is planned for PC, Nintendo Switch, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, with Japanese display support. A demo covering the first 90 minutes is available on Steam, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.
After the July 31 release of the film Spider-Man: Brand New Day, concurrent player counts for the PC versions of Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered, Marvel's Spider-Man 2, and Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales rose, according to SteamDB. Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered went from 3,703 players on July 29 to 17,606 by August 5. The film's opening gross reached $927 million worldwide, second only to Avengers: Endgame's $1.2 billion, per Variety.
Nnnimanity LLC opened pre-orders on Friday, August 7, 2026, for birthday commemorative goods celebrating Yuna Oshimi, a member of the VTuber project Nnnimanity. The goods are available at the Nnnimanity official BOOTH shop until Monday, September 7, 2026, with shipping scheduled to begin sequentially from mid-November 2026. The lineup includes a Celebration Full Set priced at 10,000 yen, which bundles an acrylic panel, acrylic smartphone stand, acrylic stand, can badge, and mouse pad, plus a signed postcard as a purchase bonus. Individual items are also sold separately: the acrylic panel at 3,400 yen, the acrylic smartphone stand at 2,200 yen, the acrylic stand at 1,900 yen, the can badge at 500 yen, and the mouse pad at 2,000 yen. The illustration for the goods was drawn by Mumu*. Oshimi is described in her profile as a bright and straightforward reliable leader who guides her companions, with a birthday on August 7. Nnnimanity LLC, established in September 2024 and based in Chuo-ku, Tokyo, operates the VTuber project, which features streamers from a world where magic and science coexist.
indent and Bunkyosha will release Yuko-san's Spirit Appraisal, a novel by Shinichi, on August 6, 2026. It is the second book publication from their Editorial Board Bulletin Board recruitment effort and marks Shinichi's commercial debut. The story follows a psychic high school girl and her childhood friend solving occult incidents.
Healthcare Circus Co., Ltd. will present at the Kindai University × Nakanoshima Qross MOU Signing Commemorative Symposium on August 31, 2026, at Nakanoshima Qross. President Ayaka Kondo will lecture on demonstration projects and evidence building, then join a panel discussion on socially implementing university research seeds.
Japanese AI firm ZEALS announced the semi-domestic small humanoid D1 on August 5. Priced from 5 million yen, it stands 129.3cm tall, matching Doraemon's height, and is designed for indoor use in medical, manufacturing, logistics, and hotel settings. Sales reception opened the same day.
KMNZ announced the performers for KMNPARTY vol.8, a club event at WOMB in Shibuya on September 13. The lineup includes KMNZ, Rim, Getty, P*Light, DJ Noriken, NUROJUNK, DJ TAKUYA the bringer, Capchii, Synthion, Ren, Nemonoika, and LAKU. Tickets go on sale August 8 at noon.
Chreseeba Games announced that Unpossess 2: Exorcism Simulator will launch into Early Access on August 21, with a Japanese release on August 22. The PC (Steam) game supports single-player and online co-op for up to four players. A demo with Japanese display support is available now.
Five Cross announced a limited-time event for the smartphone RPG Saint Seiya Galaxy Soldiers featuring the character Tenjusei Pharaoh. The event runs from August 6 to September 1, with an increased SSR Pharaoh drop rate, a guaranteed Pharaoh on the 40th summon, and a growth challenge offering rewards.
Director Kawajiri Yoshiyuki's feature film Cherry and Virgin won the Audience Award and the Gold Prize in the feature animation category at the 30th Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal. The film, a rotoscope love story about an erotic manga artist and a fujoshi, also recently took the Special Jury Prize in the Satoshi Kon Competition.
Bandai Namco Experience's original IP project Polaporipospo will make its music festival debut at Summer Sonic 2026. The CG character band WAKAZO performs on August 15 at the Tokyo venue's Club Que Sera Sera stage, with live vocals by voice actors and live instrumentation by professional musicians.
The Apex Legends collaboration cafe Nessie Cafe returns on August 6, this time hosted at internet cafe and esports venues operated by Disk City Entertainment. Six stores across Tokyo, Osaka, Sapporo, and Sendai offer private rooms, gaming PCs, and darts alongside collaboration food and drinks. Menus and bonuses rotate between SPLIT1 and SPLIT2 periods.