2h ago
The Japan eSports Association has officially confirmed 25 athletes as Japanese representatives for the e-sports events at the 20th Asian Games in September. The team includes fighting game players Higuchi (Street Fighter 6), NOBI (Tekken 8), and SCORE (The King of Fighters XV), along with representatives from eFootball, Gran Turismo 7, Puyo Puyo eSports, Identity V, Pokémon UNITE, and PUBG MOBILE. Four coaches will also accompany the team.
20h ago
K, a member of the group &TEAM, made his film debut as Nagi Seishiro in the live-action Blue Lock film at its world premiere in Tokyo on July 13. During the stage greeting, K expressed gratitude to the cast and staff and asked the audience if he could now call himself an actor, receiving applause. The film opens in Japan on August 7.
Jul 8
ANYCOLOR announced on July 8, 2026, that a new line of merchandise themed around cherries, called Cherry Cherish, will go on sale at the Nijisanji Official Store starting July 9 at 18:00 JST. The lineup features six Nijisanji livers: Mito Tsukino, Kaede Higuchi, Yuka Shiina, Ririmu Makai, Meruto Kuramochi, and Berry Saotome. Eight product types are available, including glitter acrylic stands at 2,000 yen each, random heart-shaped can badges at 600 yen, random Cheki-style cards at 350 yen, sticker sets at 1,200 yen, cherry key holders at 2,000 yen, mini pouches with carabiners at 2,200 yen, sitting plushies from the Nijinui Goods series at 3,500 yen, and twin key holders from the Nijipuppet Customize series at 3,000 yen. Full-body visuals were illustrated by Chie Maeyama, and chibi characters by Tokaretamatama. Shipping is scheduled from mid-July 2026 onward. Purchase limits apply per item.
Jun 27
A retrospective screening and talk event for Mobile Police Patlabor EZY File 1 will be held on July 26, 2026, at United Cinemas Toyosu. Director Yutaka Izubuchi, screenwriter Kazunori Ito, and storyboard artist Shinji Higuchi will appear. Attendees receive a printed booklet of the 130-page Episode 3 storyboard.
Jun 27
The main visual for the first cour of the TV anime "Ao Ashi Season 2" was released on June 26, 2026. The opening theme will be performed by the band 10-FEET, and the ending theme by singer Higuchi Ai. The visual centers on protagonist Aoi Ashito, surrounded by eight members of the Tokyo City Esperion Youth A team: Nagisa Akutsu, Haruhisa Kuribayashi, Yuma Motoki, Taira Nakamura, Yoichi Kirigi, Eita Takasugi, and Enshin Akiyama. Handwritten comments from three voice actors were also published. Kosuke Ōsuzu, who voices Ashito, wrote "Soccer at a more 'professional' level!!" Shunsuke Takeuchi (Nagisa Akutsu) wrote "Check out the cool buzz cut!!" and Yūichirō Umehara (Haruhisa Kuribayashi) wrote "Anguish." The second season adapts the arc following Ashito's promotion to the A team. The original manga by Yūgo Kobayashi ran in Weekly Big Comic Spirits from 2015 to 2025 and has sold over 25 million copies. The first season aired from April to September 2022. The first cour of season two is scheduled to premiere on NHK E-TV on October 4, 2026, airing Sundays at 17:00. Animation production is handled by TMS Entertainment, with Kazuki Yokoyama directing.
Jun 26
The staff of the Aoashi anime revealed a new main visual, the theme song artists, and an Anime Expo panel for the second season on June 26. The season will premiere on NHK Educational on October 4. Japanese rock band 10-FEET will perform the opening theme for the first half of the season (12 episodes), while singer-songwriter Ai Higuchi will perform the ending theme. The second season will be animated by TMS Entertainment, replacing Production I.G. Kazuki Yokoyama takes over as director from Akira Sato. Asami Taguchi and Junko Yamanaka join as character designers alongside returning Manabu Nakatake, with previous designers no longer credited. The series will have a panel at Anime Expo on July 3, featuring producer Junichi Katsutani, a world premiere preview of footage, and a discussion on realistic soccer animation. The manga by Yugo Kobayashi ended in August 2025 with 40 volumes.
Jun 9
Nijisanji announced pre-orders for Higuchi Kaede celebration goods starting June 9, 2026 at 18:00 JST, commemorating her YouTube channel reaching 1 million subscribers. The lineup includes a Gold Niji Papetto plush, a Squeeze Mascot, and an Acrylic Flower Base. Orders run until July 8 on the Nijisanji Official Store, with shipment from mid-September.
Jun 5
Takanori Higuchi, who played Kaoru Kino/Another Agito in Kamen Rider Agito, announced on June 5 via X that he has joined PLAN-D, the agency headed by co-star Jun Kaname. Higuchi recently reprised his role in the anniversary film Agito: Supernatural War, released April 29.
Jun 5
Live2D and NIJISANJI announced the nizima × Higuchi Kaede Fan Art Contest on June 4, 2026. The contest has two categories: Illustration and nizima ACTION!!, for fan works themed around VTuber Higuchi Kaede. Higuchi Kaede herself will judge entries. The entry period runs from June 4 to July 20, 2026.