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- Announced
- reservations for goods featuring CD jacket illustrations · 2026-08-11
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3d ago
Bandai's Gashapon Online has opened reservations for Mobile Suit Gundam Gundam Head Mejirushi Accessory 3, a six-type lineup of small marker charms drawn from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom. The set covers Strike Freedom Gundam Type II, Black Knight Squad Carlla, Infinite Justice Gundam Type II, Z'Gok (SEED FREEDOM Ver.), Destiny Gundam Spec II, and Akatsuki. Each piece is a painted PVC figure paired with a silicone ring and a crab clasp, about 2.5 cm tall, made to clip onto bags and small items. The Z'Gok is the entry drawing the most attention, with posts joking that it is the odd one out and one user reporting four pulls of it in a row. Reservations close Sunday, October 25, 2026 at 23:59, or earlier if the prepared quantity runs out, at 400 yen per play, with home delivery set for around late January 2027.
4d ago
Migalo Holdings and its subsidiary DXYZ announced that DXYZ's facial recognition ID platform FreeiD will be installed at Well-being Shigino, a wooden apartment building developed by Imamura Real Estate in Osaka's Joto Ward. FreeiD will be placed at the building entrance and at each unit's front door, covering all exclusive-use areas. The two companies will jointly promote housing convenience using the technology.
4d ago
The new film Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom Zero will open in theaters on January 15, 2027, and its protagonist is Shinn Asuka. The reveal came during a stream on October 9, 2026, alongside a teaser visual and trailer. The film is a prequel to the 2024 movie Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom, adapting a scenario written after Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny by scriptwriter Chiaki Morosawa, writer Shigeru Morita, and director Mitsuo Fukuda.
5d ago
AMATA Games announced on October 8 that the Nintendo Switch 2, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S versions of SNØ: Ultimate Freeriding arrive on October 29. Studio Gauntlet's downhill skiing game launched on Steam in February 2025 and holds an Overwhelmingly Positive rating there. The Switch 2 version costs 1,600 yen with tax, while the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S versions cost 1,650 yen. A 20 percent launch sale runs for two weeks from release, with the PlayStation Store discount limited to PlayStation Plus members.
5d ago
The theatrical anime Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM ZERO will open on January 15, 2027, the release date announced during a special program streamed on the official Gundam YouTube channel on October 9. The film is a prequel to Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM, the 2024 theatrical sequel to the Mobile Suit Gundam SEED television series, and it connects the events of the TV anime Mobile Suit Gundam SEED DESTINY and the 2024 film. Shinn Asuka is the protagonist. The scenario was written during planning for SEED FREEDOM by series composition writers Chiaki Morosawa and Shigeru Morita, and director Mitsuo Fukuda. A panel at New York Comic Con 2026, which began October 8 local time, introduced the same information with special guests. The October 9 stream was scheduled for 4:45 AM Japan time so domestic viewers could watch the New York panel content at the same time.
5d ago
Gashapon Online will take pre-orders for Mobile Suit Gundam Gundam Head Mejirushi Accessory 3 from October 8 at 11:00, priced at 400 yen per play with shipping around late January 2027. The third volume in the head-shaped marker series draws its six designs from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM: Strike Freedom Gundam Type II, Black Knight Squad Carla, Infinite Justice Gundam Type II, Z'Gok (SEED FREEDOM Ver.), Destiny Gundam Spec II, and Akatsuki.
6d ago
The METAL ROBOT Spirits <SIDE MS> Black Knight Squad Carla from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM is open for pre-orders on Tamashii Web at 26,400 yen including tax, with shipping set for April 2027. The figure stands about 145mm tall, uses ABS, PVC and die-cast, and reproduces the film's coloring and gold plating. Chest armor movement deploys the Super High Impulse Cannon Adro Onji.
6d ago
MegaHouse is expanding its GGG (Gundam Girls Generation) figure brand with two new entries drawn from across the Gundam franchise. Lacus Clyne, from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom, appears in a haori, with her costume shown spreading in the air and her expression mid-speech. That figure is set for release in March 2027 at hobby shops nationwide and online shopping sites, priced at 24,200 yen including tax. It measures about 225mm tall, with sculpting by Ahiru Taicho and coloring by namoji. Separately, Matilda Ajan from the original Mobile Suit Gundam joins the line under a newly drawn illustration and supervision by illustrator and manga artist Tsukasa Kotobuki. Preorders for Matilda Ajan open Thursday, October 8, 2026 at 10:00 at hobby shops and online retailers. Her figure is about 250mm tall and is scheduled for June 2027 at 22,000 yen including tax.
6d ago
FreeStyle, which runs the VTuber-focused live house 1st Stage, has started offering Ful Daibu, an event support plan for independent VTubers and VSingers. The plan is run with the event planning company AxisLink, which handles progress management and vendor and goods arrangements while 1st Stage covers the venue and technical side, including XR and AR performances. Organizers carry the basic venue and production costs, and performers receive 20 percent of event profit.
6d ago
FREEing is accepting preorders on Amazon.co.jp for a 1/4 scale figure of Azur Lane's Pamiat Merkuria. The Northern Parliament light cruiser is sculpted in the bunny suit from an anniversary illustration, standing about 485mm tall and priced at 39,600 yen including tax. Shurufuto and Ujigawa Hokan of Dragon Craft handled the sculpt, with yozakura on paint. Release is scheduled for May 30, 2027.
Oct 6
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM ZERO is a prequel to the 2024 film Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM, and it is set to depict the Freedom Gundam theft incident, which the earlier film did not cover in detail. A program with the latest information on the work is scheduled to stream from 4:45 a.m. on Tuesday, October 9, 2026. Fans want the gap between Athrun Zala and Cagalli Yula Athha filled in.
Oct 5
The October 2026 Gunpla Journal rounds up Bandai's upcoming kit schedule, led by the MGSD 00 Raiser at 6,050 yen, the MGEX 1/100 Mighty Strike Freedom Gundam at 26,400 yen, the HG 1/144 Hamma Hamma at 4,400 yen, and the RG 1/144 Ground Type Gundam at 4,620 yen. All four are scheduled for 2027 releases.
Oct 5
Genius Sonority will end service for the Nintendo Switch free-to-play RPG New Denpa Ningen no RPG FREE! on December 7 at 11:00, the studio announced on October 5 via its official X account and website. The game launched in July 2024 as the latest entry in the Denpa Ningen no RPG series. Players recruit Denpa Ningen, beings born from radio waves that cannot be seen with the naked eye, and follow a story in which the Denpa Ningen Kota, described as having a strong sense of justice but kind-hearted and introverted, sets out to overcome his own weakness after meeting the player. The studio said it "reached the conclusion that it would be difficult to provide services that would satisfy customers going forward." Paid in-game items went off sale at the same time as the announcement, and events that span the end date will close on December 7. Refunds for unused paid in-game currency will be detailed later.
Oct 5
Bandai Spirits will open preorders for two METAL ROBOT Spirits items from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom on October 9 at 5:00 PM JST. The Black Knight Squad Carla articulated figure is priced at 26,400 yen including tax, with an April 2027 ship date. A dedicated effect parts set is priced at 6,050 yen including tax and ships the same month. The figure stands about 145mm tall and uses ABS, PVC, and diecast parts. Its chest armor moves to deploy the Super High Impulse Cannon Adulo Onji, and the included interchangeable face parts correspond to scenes from the film. The effect parts set carries Levitator effect parts with gradient paint and a wingspan of about 410mm. It also includes Sahasrabhuja effect parts and support parts to recreate the launch state. Both items are listed as manufacturer BANDAI SPIRITS. Preorders run through the Tamashii Web Shop and Premium Bandai, per the announcements.
Oct 3
Cozy Lives released the dressmaking simulation Dressmaker on Steam on September 21, 2026, for PC and Mac at 1,923 yen, with a 10 percent launch discount to 1,730 yen until September 29. Free Lives published the game. Players act as a town tailor, choosing fabrics such as cotton, linen, wool, silk, and velvet, then working through pattern layout, cutting, machine sewing, and decoration with buttons, ribbons, and appliques. Completed dresses go to customers for reputation and coins, or into a shop window as ready-made stock. Free Lives said on Steam News on September 22 that the game recouped its development costs within 24 hours of release, and Game Spark reported that 96 percent of 1,098 Steam user reviews were positive as of 14:45 on September 23, giving it Overwhelmingly Positive status.
Sep 25
The Table Museum line's figma Venus de Milo is up for pre-order again at Rakuten Books, listed at 8,203 yen including tax against a reference price of 8,250 yen. The pre-painted poseable figure from seller Union Creative includes a dedicated base with a movable support pillar, chest and head parts, an apple, wrist parts, and parts for the statue's lost arms. Flexible material at key points keeps the proportions while allowing a range of motion.
Sep 18
Kadokawa released a teaser for the television anime of Yasukiyo Kotobuki's The Diary of a Middle-Aged Sage's Carefree Life in Another World. Tomokazu Sugita plays protagonist Zelos Merlin, the first cast member announced. The teaser also gives the premiere date: January 2027. Takayuki Inagaki directs at YANCHESTER, with Hiroko Kanasugi on series scripts and Mariko Fujita designing characters.
Sep 14
MegaHouse is taking preorders from 10:00 on September 10, 2026 for a GGG series figure of Cagalli Yula Athha in her pilot suit from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM. The figure is priced at 23,100 yen with tax included and is scheduled to ship in February 2027. It depicts Cagalli holding the ring Athrun gave her, based on the film's epilogue cut.
Sep 10
FREEing is accepting pre-orders on Amazon.co.jp for the figma Venus de Milo, a re-release from the Table Museum series. The painted PVC and ABS figure stands about 15.5 cm and is scheduled for release on August 30, 2027, priced at 8,250 yen including tax. Sculpting is by Tatsuya Ishibashi of M.I.C., with production cooperation from Max Factory.
Sep 5
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM ZERO is a prequel to the 2024 film, set after SEED DESTINY. It is the first SEED series past arc, centering on the Freedom hijacking incident. Released footage shows everyday scenes with Shin Asuka and Lunamaria Hawke, sparking fan speculation and mixed feelings.
Sep 2
BANDAI SPIRITS will release a pearl color version of the Lacus Clyne prize figure from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM starting September 3. The figure is part of the GLITTER&GLAMOURS series and reuses the mold of the figure that appeared in February 2025. The pilot suit is recolored in pearl and the hair uses clear parts. It stands about 22cm tall and shows Lacus holding her helmet with a fleeting expression.
Aug 31
neko punch Inc. published a production case study for FREECASH advertising creatives covering 26 projects over 7 months from January 2026. The workflow combines video and static image banners to deliver over 130 pieces per month, built as an integrated generative AI pipeline from planning to delivery, including handling ad review rejections.
Aug 29
The Gundam series 50th anniversary celebration event GUNDAM-Con2027 SIDE MAKUHARI runs January 9 to 11, 2027, at Makuhari Messe in Chiba. First lottery ticket sales are now open until September 6. The event features work stages including Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM ZERO, plus Gunpla, card, and game competitions.
Aug 28
STRICT-G, the Gundam apparel shop operated by Bandai, has introduced a new apparel and goods collection modeled after Athrun Zala from the film Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM. The lineup consists of four items: a dry T-shirt, dry half pants, a dry hoodie, and a clear bottle, all featuring designs inspired by the character. The three apparel items are made with functional materials that offer contact cooling, UV-cut, and water-absorbing quick-drying properties, making them suitable for spring and summer wear. The clear bottle includes an original logo and comes with a carabiner that can be attached to bags, designed for everyday use as well as outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and mountaineering. Pre-orders for the collection begin on Friday, August 28, 2026, at 1:00 PM JST through the Premium Bandai online store, with general sales starting at STRICT-G stores on Saturday, August 29, 2026. The T-shirt is priced at 4,950 yen, the half pants at 6,050 yen, the hoodie at 6,600 yen, and the clear bottle at 2,200 yen, all tax included. The apparel comes in sizes M through XXL, with the T-shirt available in burgundy and the half pants and hoodie in navy.
Aug 27
Bandai Spirits Hobby Division released package images for three limited ENTRY GRADE Gunpla kits styled after ukiyo-e woodblock prints. The lineup covers the RX-78-2 Gundam, the Strike Gundam, and the Wing Gundam, each in a 1/144 scale with box art that renders the mobile suits in a traditional Japanese aesthetic. The kits also include new Japanese-pattern stickers featuring Mt. Fuji, cherry blossoms, and big waves, letting builders decorate the finished units. All three are scheduled for release on August 29, 2026. The RX-78-2 Gundam and Strike Gundam each carry a price of 1,430 yen, while the Wing Gundam is priced at 1,760 yen. The kits retain the ENTRY GRADE series' touch gate specification, which lets parts be removed by hand without nippers. The announcement follows a separate limited release of the ENTRY GRADE 1/144 Nu Gundam in a ukiyo-e package, which is priced at 1,760 yen and also launches on August 29. That kit is compatible with the armaments of the HGUC 1/144 RX-93 Nu Gundam.
Aug 27
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 27
Bandai Spirits is releasing a G-FRAME FA figure of the Destiny Gundam (ZGMF-X42S), the mobile suit piloted by Shin Asuka in Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny. The figure is a Premium Bandai exclusive, priced at 6,545 yen including tax, with shipping scheduled for March 2027. It stands about 110mm tall and includes the anti-ship sword MMI-714 Arondight Beam Sword, the long-range beam cannon M2000GX High-Energy Long-Range Beam Cannon, and the Voiture Lumiere system that reproduces the Wings of Light. The set includes one colored figure, partially assembled, and one piece of soda-flavored gum. The Destiny Gundam was developed by ZAFT under orders from Gilbert Durandal, chairman of the PLANT Supreme Council, and features the Hyper-Deuterion Engine and high mobility from the interplanetary propulsion system. Orders are also open simultaneously for the Destiny Gundam SpecII, the modified version that appears in Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom, in a final battle image color scheme with metallic red frame parts. Both figures are part of the G-FRAME FA line, which emphasizes sharp modeling and articulation.
Aug 23
Yen Press announced nine new licenses at its main industry panel at Anime NYC on Saturday, split between two light novel series and seven manga series. The company did not give a release window. The light novels are The Witch's Conviction, The Beast's Redemption and 'Cause I'm Freedom! The manga slate includes Seal My Lips With a Kiss, Übel Blatt II: Knights of the Fallen King, and The Gray Exorcist.
Aug 20
The official X account for the Mobile Suit Gundam SEED series announced on August 20 that a special program revealing the latest information on the theatrical anime Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM ZERO will stream on the Gundam Channel YouTube channel starting at 4:45 a.m. JST on October 9. The program will deliver the same content unveiled at the New York Comic Con 2026 panel event held the same day. The panel, titled Gundam Showcase 2026 @ NYC - Feat. SEED FREEDOM ZERO Panel, takes place on October 8 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. EDT at the convention's Main Stage. A worldwide stream on GUNDAM CHANNEL INTL is scheduled for 3:45 p.m. EDT on October 8, but it will not be a live broadcast or recording of the panel; it will deliver key updates separately. SEED FREEDOM ZERO is a prequel to the 2024 theatrical film Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM, based on a scenario written by Chiaki Morosawa, Shigeru Morita, and director Mitsuo Fukuda during that film's planning. The theatrical release was announced at Gundam Conference SPRING 2026 in May 2026.
Aug 18
Two fan games based on the manga Freezing, the strategy simulation Freezing WHAT IF... and the adult deck-building roguelite Battle Heroine Crisis, will end Steam distribution on August 31 due to IP license contract expiration. Already purchased copies remain downloadable.
Aug 15
The TV anime adaptation of The Exiled Cheat Magician Uses His Cheat to Live a Carefree Second Life released an action PV. It shows the party facing the Phosphorescent Dragon in an unconquered dungeon. The anime premieres on TV Tokyo in October, produced by P.A.WORKS.
Aug 13
Bandai Spirits will hold a lottery sale for the METAL ROBOT魂 <SIDE MS> Destiny Gundam SpecII Final Battle Ver. figure on Premium Bandai starting August 24, 2026 at 12:00. The figure commemorates TAMASHII NATION 2026 and is priced at 25,300 yen including tax, with shipping scheduled for November 11, 2026. The coloring is based on the final battle scene from the film Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM, with the elbow and knee joints appearing to glow red through plating applied to die-cast parts. The main body's exterior parts have a reddish tint to reflect that glow. The set includes Wings of Light effect parts, a high-energy beam rifle, a prototype 35-type modified railgun, a shield, beam shield effect parts, an Arondight beam sword, beam boomerang effect parts, and a dedicated stand. The figure stands about 140mm tall with a wingspan of about 400mm. Applications are limited to one per person and are open to CLUB TAMASHII MEMBERS Sky Stage or higher. The product is handled via lottery, not first-come, first-served.
Aug 11
Animate has started taking reservations for goods featuring CD jacket illustrations from the Free! series, commemorating the Free! Series ORCHESTRA CONCERT 2026. The lineup spans seven categories, including keychains, stickers, acrylic blocks, photo cards, and magnets, with designs drawn from previously released character songs, duet series, and album jackets.
Aug 9
Bandai Spirits will release the ZGMF-X20A Strike Freedom Gundam Renewal in December 2026. The figure uses the new Universal Reaction Frame to expand articulation and enable more dynamic poses. It includes beam rifles, beam sabers, and a waist rail gun that can deploy without part swapping. Preorders open August 3.
Aug 8
Dengeki Hobby Web ranked its Wonder Festival 2026 Summer breaking news reports by reposts, tallying 43 posts with 50 or more RPs as of July 27, 2026. Colored samples of 'Super Kaguya-hime!' figures led the list, with first reveals of 'Gundam SEED FREEDOM' and 'Patlabor' items drawing attention.
Aug 7
FREELY TOMORROW, the Hatsune Miku song by Mitchie M posted on Nico Nico Douga on July 31, 2011, reached its 15th anniversary on the same date in 2026. The dance-pop track, with lyrics co-written by yIRE, hit VOCALOID legend status, 1 million views, about 20 days after posting, then the fastest record. Its vocal tuning quality, which the self-praising title 'Tuning Is Amazing' seemed to justify, drew both praise and criticism.
Aug 6
Free Style Inc. announced on August 6 that the Nintendo Switch version of the asymmetric tag battle game Obakeidoro 2 will begin distribution today at 10 PM JST. The price is 1,980 yen including tax. Alongside the release, a large update adding Custom Rules and a new DLC pack will also be distributed, including for the previously released Nintendo Switch 2 version. Obakeidoro 2 is an asymmetric competitive game where players split into Humans and Ghosts to play Keidoro, a tag game. It supports local and online multiplayer for up to 8 players, and the Nintendo Switch 2 version also supports local wireless play. A solo play mode against CPUs is included. Matches have a 3-minute time limit. The Human side wins if at least one player escapes the Ghosts. Caught players go to jail but can be rescued by teammates. Lanterns can be used once to scare off Ghosts. The Ghost side aims to catch all Humans, with characters having unique traits such as speed or wall-passing. The game is a sequel to Obakeidoro!, with the Nintendo Switch 2 version released in October 2025. Save data from the Switch version can transfer to Switch 2, but not the other way. The Custom Rules update allows players to set rules like the number of Ghosts and Humans and movement speed in Room Match and Minna de Keidoro modes. The DLC Additional Character Pack 1, priced at 980 yen, includes the Human character Ponkichi (Ninja), the new Ghost Gasha, and the Substitute Lantern. The roadmap reveals a limited-time event from August 13 to August 30, and September and October events.
Aug 1
Kadokawa and Garena Online Private Limited revealed the first trailer and key visual for Free Fire Daybreak, the television anime adaptation of the Garena Free Fire battle royale game, on Saturday. The anime is scheduled to premiere worldwide, including in Japan, in spring 2027. The story is set in the near-future city of New Dawn, controlled by the Horizon Corporation. The protagonist is Kelly, a 16-year-old girl who loses her memory and awakens an ability called "Limit Break" through an experimental program called "Project Bloom." The key visual features Kelly alongside the game characters Hayato and Moco. Ken Takahashi, known for Ragna Crimson and Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya, directs the anime. Japanese studio Candy Box, which produced Blue Archive The Animation and Azur Lane: Slow Ahead!, handles animation production. Sus4 Inc. is producing the music. Kadokawa and Garena are co-producing the anime, with Kadokawa's Kadokawa Qingyu subsidiary serving as production manager. The anime was first announced in May 2024, with a teaser arriving in July 2025. Garena Free Fire originally launched in December 2017 and has been the most downloaded mobile battle royale game for seven consecutive years since 2019, according to Garena.
Jul 27
The television anime adaptation of Garena's battle royale game Free Fire is titled Free Fire Daybreak and will premiere in spring 2027. A new visual was released. Ken Takahashi directs at studio Candy Box, with music by Sus4 Inc. Kadokawa and Garena co-produce the series, which is planned for worldwide broadcast and streaming.
Jul 27
TOHO announced the English dub cast for the Though I Am an Inept Villainess anime, which begins streaming July 26 on Crunchyroll, Hulu, and Disney+. Brianna Knickerbocker leads as Kou Reirin. The series premiered July 12 on TV Tokyo after a production delay from April.
Jul 17
Freestyle announced on July 17 that the Nintendo Switch version of Obakeidoro 2 will launch on the Nintendo eShop on August 6 at 22:00 JST. The asymmetric tag game, in which up to eight players split into ghosts and humans, is already available on Nintendo Switch 2, and the Switch version supports cross-play with Switch 2 players. A large update releasing the same day adds custom rules to Room Match and Minna de Keidoro modes, allowing players to adjust the number of ghosts and humans, movement speed, and other parameters. Recommended settings are provided for common configurations. For a limited time, the character Guri from the original Obakeidoro! becomes selectable during local wireless play and shared play. Pre-orders are open now. The download version costs 1,980 yen (tax included). Owners of the Switch download version of Obakeidoro! can purchase Obakeidoro 2 at a 10 percent discount. The packaged version of the original game is not eligible for the discount.
Jul 13
4Gamer's latest Apple Arcade recommendation highlights Flow Free+, a line-connecting puzzle game with over 9,000 levels. The rules are simple: connect same-colored pipes without crossing. Levels range from 5x5 grids to complex hex and irregular shapes. A time attack mode and daily puzzles add variety. The minimalist presentation keeps the focus on the puzzles, with no ads or in-app purchases. Each level can be cleared in seconds to minutes, and perfect clears earn a star.
Jul 13
Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, stars of the BBC series SHERLOCK, were spotted together at the Wimbledon Championships on July 13, 2026. The sighting in the Royal Box, with Cumberbatch's wife Sophie Hunter between them, sent fans into a frenzy, with many speculating about a possible fifth season. Co-creator Steven Moffat recently said on a podcast that he would want to do more SHERLOCK if possible, noting that the actors have aged to match the original characters.
Jul 6
Bandai Namco Filmworks announced on July 6 that two mobile suits from the film "Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM" will appear as giant nebuta floats at the 2026 Aomori Nebuta Festival. The Mighty Strike Freedom Gundam and the Infinite Justice Gundam Type II, crafted by nebuta master Hiroo Fukushi, will serve as the front nebuta leading a parade group. The exhibition is the first installment of the Gundam Festival Project, an initiative that places Gundam IP into locally cherished festivals as a form of regional revitalization. A newly drawn event key visual shows characters Kira Yamato, Lacus Clyne, Athrun Zala, and Cagalli Yula Athha dressed in haneto dancer costumes. The parade will also distribute collaboration fans featuring that visual. The festival runs from August 2 to August 7, with a pre-festival display on August 1. A pop-up shop opens July 18 at the To-O Nippo Shinmachi Building, selling limited goods and tie-up products with local Aomori items like Stamina Gen Tare sauce, Gachirin apple juice, and Nanbu Senbei crackers. Additional collaborations include chocolate banana flavored English Toast bread and Polo Chocolat cake in limited packaging.
Jul 4
TV Asahi announced six new English dub cast members for the Akane-banashi anime during its Anime Expo panel. The dub cast includes Kari Wahlgren, Greg Chun, Ben Diskin, SungWon Cho, Crispin Freeman, and Keith Silverstein. The anime will return for a second season in January 2027.
Jul 3
Aniplex of America revealed the English dub cast and a same-day English dub for Grow Up Show -Sunflower Circus- during its Anime Expo panel on Thursday. The anime premieres July 4 in Japan and streams on Crunchyroll as it airs.
Jul 1
Bandai Spirits will release three clear color Gunpla kits at The Gundam Base in July 2026. The HG 1/144 Z'Gok (SEED FREEDOM Ver.) [Clear Color] arrives on July 11, priced at 3,630 yen. The kit uses clear outer armor parts that reveal the inner frame modeled after the Infinite Justice Gundam Type II, with metallic molding on joints and backpack. It can reproduce a damaged head armor state and includes red-hot claw parts. On July 18, two more kits launch: the FULL MECHANICS 1/100 Gundam Base Limited Gundam Aerial [Clear Color] for 4,730 yen, featuring clear blue and white armor with metallic joints and a slide mechanism in the legs for kneeling poses; and the MGSD Gundam Base Limited Wing Gundam Zero EW [Clear Color] for 5,280 yen, with clear armor over a metallic inner frame and the ability to reproduce Neo Bird Mode in two forms. The MGSD kit uses a "reflection cut" on internal silver parts visible through the clear outer shell. All three are Gundam Base limited items.
Jul 1
Bandai Spirits announced a collaboration between the online shooter Apex Legends and three Real Grade Gunpla kits, which will be sold exclusively at Gundam Base stores and GUNDAM SIDE-F starting July 25. The lineup includes the RG 1/144 Freedom Gundam -Apex Legends Crypto Ver.-, priced at 4,400 yen; the RG 1/144 Wing Gundam Zero EW -Apex Legends Valkyrie Ver.-, also 4,400 yen; and the RG 1/144 Gundam Epion -Apex Legends Alter Ver.-, priced at 5,500 yen. Each kit features a color scheme inspired by an Apex Legends character: the Freedom Gundam uses white, yellow-green, and black for Crypto; the Wing Gundam Zero uses black and orange for Valkyrie; and the Gundam Epion uses light blue and black for Alter. All three kits include original Apex Legends marking stickers and come in full-color packaging. The collaboration was announced on July 1 and the kits will be available at physical Gundam Base locations and GUNDAM SIDE-F.
Jun 30
Shueisha Games announced on June 30 that it will cancel the release of the PC adventure game Ukiyo, which was in development by Free Key Design. The game, set in a cyberspace world with a Japanese-style aesthetic, follows a samurai cat named Kai trapped in a virtual space called UKIYO. It had been shown at events like BitSummit and Tokyo Game Show in 2022, but updates on its official X account had stopped. Shueisha Games apologized to those waiting for the release and said future information will come from the developer. According to Game Spark and GameBusiness.jp, the publisher and developer on the Steam store page have been changed to FREAKY DESIGN, which was previously handling the design aspect. The game was originally part of Shueisha's Game Creators CAMP support project. Seaknot Studios, which handled game system production, has not commented on the change.
Jun 27
Bandai Spirits released the METAL BUILD Strike Freedom Gundam <Revival Edition> on June 27, 2026. The figure is a reissue of the November 2015 original, with updated packaging and an added auxiliary support rod. It stands approximately 195mm tall and uses ABS, die-cast, and PVC materials. The design follows the "Paladin" concept arrangement supervised by chief mechanical animation director Satoshi Shigeta, giving it proportioned parts. The eight DRAGOONs on the wings are detachable and can be displayed radially using dedicated base parts. The two high-energy beam rifles combine into a single weapon roughly 270mm long, and the waist rail gun Xiphias 3 has an original barrel deployment gimmick. The set includes the main body, backpack, beam rifles, beam sabers, beam shields, interchangeable hands, DRAGOON fixing arms, joint parts, auxiliary support stand, and a dedicated base. The price is 38,500 yen including tax. The figure is a general retail product for ages 15 and up, available in Japan.