Crimson Technology added Edgar Crow, a pirate captain voiced by Hiroaki Hirata, to its Voidol Unlimited subscription service on October 8. The service converts a user's voice into a character's voice in real time and costs 2,200 yen per month with tax included. Subscribers also get access to Voidol3R and its three conversion modes. First-time subscribers can try it free for 30 days.
Kushinada Kikou released the official version of its 3D avatar control system HIROMEIRO on September 17, 2026. The system performs full-body tracking of a 3D avatar using a single camera, with no device attachment and no dedicated suit or markers required. It recognizes whole-body movement even in everyday clothing. HIROMEIRO has been offered as a development version since 2023, refined through streaming activities of the company's affiliated virtual talent, Hiro Rinne. The official version supports VRM, the file format widely used as a standard for 3D avatars. Streaming-oriented modes are included, such as a green back mode for easy background compositing and an upper-body-only tracking mode for seated streaming. A vertical video shooting function is also available for short-form content. The PC tracking app can hide the input video to prevent identity exposure. Tracking processing is separated from avatar display, so tracking can run on a different device to distribute processing load.
AREA35 is showing a playable build of Tiny Metal 2 at Tokyo Game Show 2026, the third entry after Tiny Metal in 2017 and Tiny Metal: Full Metal Empire in 2019. Producer Hiroaki Yura said the team now numbers just under 30 people, naval units like battleships and submarines widen the tactics, all modes support co-op, and SAFEHOUSE handled the refined graphics.
Nijimen's otaku-selected ranking of characters voiced by Hiroaki Hirata places Sanji from ONE PIECE first with 133 votes, ahead of Wild Tiger from TIGER & BUNNY. The top six entries match last year's order, while Re-Destro from My Hero Academia enters the list at ninth.
Area 35 exhibited playable demos of Tiny Metal 2, Project Blitz, and Felicity's Door at BitSummit PUNCH in Kyoto. Tiny Metal 2 was delayed from within 2026 to spring 2027 for quality improvements. Representative Hiroaki Yura discussed the anti-war themes behind the Tiny Metal series and the studio's focus on reviving classic game genres.
MegaHouse is releasing a Lucrea figure of Mai Shiranui from The King of Fighters '98, based on a new illustration by SNK artist Hiroaki. The figure captures her victory pose with an umbrella and is available for pre-order at 25,300 yen, with an October 2026 release date.