2d ago
ArtPlay and 505 Games announced on August 26 that Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement, the latest entry in the Bloodstained series, has been delayed from its planned 2026 release window to 2027. Koji Igarashi, co-founder and representative director of ArtPlay, delivered the news in a video message, stating that development has entered its final stretch. He apologized to fans for the date change and said the entire production staff is working hard to deliver a better product. The game is a 2.5D gothic horror action RPG set in 16th-century England, several years before Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night. Players control Leonardo Brandon of the church's Black Wolf Brigade and Alexander Kitella of the White Deer Brigade as they fight the Demon King Elias, who rules a castle that appeared in the sky. The game features a two-player Buddy System, a day-night cycle across the series' largest map, and mechanics including Flash Arts, crafting, cooking, and equipment customization. Alongside the announcement, four new screenshots were released showing combat, a giant blade attack, erupting flames, and underground exploration. Gameplay footage is expected to be shown soon. The game targets PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Aug 7
Netflix began streaming the animated film The Ribbon Hero on August 8, 2026. The movie is based on Osamu Tezuka's 1953 manga Ribbon no Kishi, also known as Princess Knight. Director Yuki Igarashi leads the project, marking his first feature-length directorial work. Character designs come from Kei Mochizuki, known for Fate/Grand Order and Touken Ranbu ONLINE, with Mai Yoneyama, who worked on Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, as character design collaborator. Animation production is by OUTLINE, with production by Twin Engine. The story follows Sapphire, princess of the lost kingdom Silverland, who loses everything to a calamity called Nergal and arrives in Goldland, where she decides to fight to protect her new home. The cast includes Saya from the comedy duo Lalande as Sapphire, Seiran Kobayashi as Pine, Kouki Uchiyama as Velvet, and Mayumi Shintani as Zircon. The theme song is Reborn by Girls Archives. The film is also available with Indonesian dubbing, handled by Kantana CS Pro Indonesia with Guritno as dialogue director.
Jul 5
Beneath the Tangles reviewed the first episode of The World's Strongest Rearguard, an isekai anime now streaming on Crunchyroll. The story follows Atobe Arihito, who reincarnates in a fantasy world after a bus accident and receives a unique class called Rearguard. The review calls the episode passable but unremarkable fantasy fare.
Jun 26
The intellectual entertainment group QuizKnock will collaborate with the long-running manga and anime series Bonobono for the latter's 40th anniversary of serialization and 10th anniversary of its TV anime, as well as QuizKnock's own 10th anniversary. Eight QuizKnock members will make guest appearances in the Bonobono TV anime for four consecutive weeks, starting with the August 8 broadcast on Fuji TV at 5:22 a.m. Each member will voice a character designed by anime director Hidenori Yamaguchi based on their personal traits and favorite animals. The characters include Raizawa (Takashi Izawa), Makemo P (P Fukuura), Kawamajiro (Takuya Kawamura), Suggafuro (Shunki Sugai), Yamamori (Yoshiaki Yamamoto), Tsurupen (Shuko Tsurusaki), Takomon (Higashimon), and Takogon (Higashigoto). Alongside the anime appearances, a collaboration video titled "Can a Quiz King Also Guess the Lines from the Manga Bonobono!?" will be released on the QuizKnock to Manabou YouTube channel on June 26 at 7 p.m. In late July, rubber strap merchandise featuring all eight characters alongside Bonobono will go on sale for 1,400 yen each.