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- game · 2026-06-20 · global · 2026-06-20
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- tv · 2026-07-08 · 2026-06-18
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- tv · 2026-07-09 · worldwide · 2026-06-10
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- tv · 2026-07-08 · Japan · 2026-06-10
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35m ago
The women's fashion brand dazzlin has launched a special collection based on the manga and anime franchise Chiikawa. The lineup includes four items: a knit hat and loungewear set featuring Chiikawa's face, a frill-sleeve knit pullover, an all-over print dress, and a fluffy material bag with a charm. Web pre-sales begin on August 7, 2026, through the official online store RUNWAY channel and ZOZOTOWN, with in-store sales scheduled for mid-September. Prices range from 9,900 yen to 19,800 yen. The collection aims to blend Chiikawa's character motifs with dazzlin's feminine aesthetic, using details like patches, all-over prints, and charms to make the designs suitable for daily wear. Chiikawa, created by illustrator Nagano, started as a manga on X (formerly Twitter) and has since expanded into goods, collaborations, a TV anime airing on Mezamashi TV since April 2022, and a film released in July 2026.
6h ago
A 1/7 scale completed figure of Eris Boreas Greyrat from the anime "Mushoku Tensei III: I'm Serious About the Other World" is now available for pre-order. The figure, produced by Hobby Sakura, captures Eris in a dynamic pose holding a sword and looking back. It stands approximately 250mm tall including the base, made of PVC and ABS materials. The reference price is 30,800 yen (tax included), with a scheduled release date of April 2027. Pre-orders are being accepted at AmiAmi as of July 2026. The third season of the anime began airing in July 2026. The figure's pose references a line from the character: "Sorry, but I'm not a virgin!" The product includes the figure body and a base. The figure is based on the light novel series by Rifujin na Magonote, which started on the novel submission site Shousetsuka ni Narou in 2012.
17h ago
Square Enix has opened pre-orders for a new line of mascot plush toys called Pocket Peoplets, featuring characters from Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Final Fantasy X. The lineup includes 11 characters total: Cloud, Aerith, Tifa, and Sephiroth from FF7R, and Tidus, Yuna, Wakka, Lulu, Kimahri, Auron, and Rikku from FF10. Each Pocket Peoplet is described as compact enough to fit in a pocket, with a soft, fluffy texture and large eyes designed for attaching to bags or displaying at home or in an office. Each mascot is priced at 2,090 yen (tax included). The release date is set for November 14, 2026. Pre-orders are available now through the Square Enix e-STORE, the company's official online shop. The product pages for each character are live on the store.
21h ago
DIG has announced two new entries in its DIGSTA PVC statue series. From the anime Bocchi the Rock!, Nijika Ijichi appears in a maid outfit based on her appearance during the Shuka Festival cultural festival episode. The figure stands approximately 175mm tall including the base, is priced at 12,100 yen including tax, and is scheduled for release in December 2026. A purchase bonus exclusive to the DIG official online store includes a replacement face part with an intimidating expression. Separately, Goro Majima from the game Like a Dragon 8 Gaiden: Pirates in Hawaii joins the series in pirate costume. That figure stands approximately 180mm tall including the base, is priced at 15,400 yen including tax, and also ships in December 2026. The DIG online store exclusive bonus for Majima is a Goro (Monochrome) Figure that can be swapped between two styles. Both statues are painted PVC, ABS, and acrylic resin finished products. DIG uses digital modeling to reproduce costume textures and details. Photos shown are of prototypes and may differ from the final product.
1d ago
The TV anime "Chiikawa" began free distribution on the commercial broadcasters' official streaming service TVer on July 24, 2026. The promotion commemorates the nationwide theatrical release of "Movie Chiikawa: The Secret of Mermaid Island," which opened the same day. Episodes 1 through 5 and the latest episode are always available for free. Episodes 6 through 63 became available on July 24, and episodes 64 through 120 will be added on August 8. All episodes are bundled into groups of 10 for the short-form series. The free viewing period runs through August 23, 2026. The anime is based on the manga by illustrator Nagano and airs within Fuji TV's "Mezamashi TV" program. The film follows Chiikawa and friends who receive an invitation to a mysterious island, where they encounter a giant Siren and uncover a hidden secret.
1d ago
At Wonder Festival 2026 Summer, held in late July 2026, the AmiAmi Hobby Camp booth featured a wide array of new figure displays from multiple manufacturers. Dengeki Hobby Web reported on colored samples of 'DaiBros Core' Rage Nightveil, 'Girls' Frontline 2' 1913 Battlecruiser, and 'NIKKE' Bay, along with prototypes from 'Warship Girls R' and 'Girls' Frontline 2: Exilium' SOP. Other notable exhibits included painted samples of 'Gakuen Idolmaster' Fujita Kotone, 'Sakura Wars' Sakura Shinguji, and 'Evangelion' Rei and Asuka. The Alphamax booth showcased 'Azur Lane' Prinz Eugen and Kansas figures, plus 'Brown Dust II' Frozen Queen Wilhelmina. At the Koi Koi booth, painted samples based on illustrations by Kekemotsu and Michihasu appeared, alongside a prototype of 'To LOVE-Ru' Lala Satalin Deviluke in a swimsuit. Original character figures by DISH, including 'Shibuna Pharaoh' and a tentative 'D-chan', also drew attention. The event featured a mix of licensed properties and original creations from various studios and illustrators.
3d ago
The TV anime "Mushoku Tensei III: Jobless Reincarnation" has released advance scene cuts and a synopsis for Episode 5, titled "Celebration." The episode depicts the wedding ceremony of Cliff and Elinalise at the Saint Millis Church, with Rudeus and others in attendance. Meanwhile, Rudeus realizes that Norn and Aisha's tenth birthday has not been celebrated, so he goes into town with Sylphiette and Roxy to buy presents for them. The synopsis also teases that Rudeus's long-cherished wish finally comes true. In addition, an audio commentary for Episode 5 featuring voice actors Yumi Uchiyama (Rudeus), Yoshimi Kohara (Roxy), and Ai Kayano (Sylphiette) will be premiered on the YouTube TOHO animation channel. The commentary was recorded while the three drank alcohol, matching the celebratory tone of the episode. It will begin with an opening talk at 23:58 on July 26, two minutes before the TV broadcast on TOKYO MX and BS11 at 24:00. The third season adapts from Volume 13 of the original light novel series by Rifujin na Magonote, which has a cumulative circulation of 18 million copies.
4d ago
Niina Nakabayashi has joined the cast of the Chainsmoker Cat television anime as Jikaki Neko, a character debuting in the preview for the fourth episode. The anime premiered on July 2 on Tokyo MX and BS11, with an alternate "Evil Dragon Unleashed" version available on premium services.
5d ago
The official website for the first Chiikawa anime film, Eiga Chiikawa: Ningyo no Shima no Himitsu, announced on Tuesday that Momoka Terasawa and Sayumi Suzushiro have joined the cast as Hitoha and Futaba, two islanders the characters meet. The film adapts the manga's 2023 "Siren Arc" and opens in Japan on July 24.
6d ago
The September issue of Jump SQ. will include a new song CD, 'Pack Your Memories into the Racket,' by original author Takeshi Konomi feat. Tenipuri Familia. The CD features 143 voice actors and Tenimyu cast members and is described as a permanent preservation edition available only as a magazine bonus.
6d ago
The new season of The Prince of Tennis II: U-17 World Cup Final Member Selection premieres in fall 2026. The announcement includes the third key visual, the opening theme Walls And Bridges by the unit Aozu, and the ending theme Kinkan Shoku phenomenal by Keigo Atobe and Yushi Oshitari. Actor Shirota Yuu, who previously played Kunimitsu Tezuka in the stage musicals, voices Spanish team member Romeo Fernandez.
Jul 20
VTuber Aoizakura digitally released a new single, 'Boku no Kakumei o,' on July 20. The song carries a message of self-determination. She will also hold a one-man live at Zepp Shinjuku on August 2, her first in about a year and a half. The event follows her debut live at Zepp Haneda in December 2024.
Jul 20
Parade is releasing two prize items for the movie "Chiikawa: The Secret of Mermaid Island," which opens July 24. The Siren Big Plushie and Aurora Beach Bag each come in two types. A social media campaign on the official Parade Prizes X account offers a chance to win a set of both plushie types. The items launch from late July.
Jul 20
The staff for The Prince of Tennis II: U-17 World Cup Kesshō Member Ketteisen revealed the third teaser visual, a new cast member, and theme songs on Sunday. The four-member unit Aosu performs the opening theme "Walls And Bridges." Keigo Atobe and Yūshi Oshitari perform the ending theme "Kinkanshoku phenomenal." Yū Shirota voices Romeo Fernandez from Spain. The anime premieres this fall.
Jul 19
Keiichi Sigsawa, known for Kino's Journey and Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online, has written his first original manga. Titled Kemono-tachi no Peregrinatio, it is drawn by Hayato Asaki and launched on Shogakukan's Weekly CoroCoro Comic online magazine. The story follows a young man and a beast tamer traveling on a giant wolf in a world where giant beasts wiped out most of humanity.
Jul 19
Manga creator Niichi announced on July 19, 2026, that a television anime adaptation of their romantic comedy manga "Sometimes Even Reality Is a Lie!" has been green-lit for a 2027 release. The announcement was accompanied by a commemorative illustration from Niichi. The manga began as a self-published doujinshi in 2018 and was serialized on Niichi's X (formerly Twitter) account. Kadokawa's Chukei Publishing has been compiling the chapters into volumes since 2020, with eight volumes currently available. The ninth and final volume is scheduled to ship on September 16, 2026. J-Novel Club releases the manga in English. The story follows Kaoru Terasaki, a male gamer who plays a female character in an MMORPG. When he finally meets his long-time in-game friend Nanami Osaka in person, he discovers she is a girl. To avoid her overprotective father, Kaoru must cross-dress as a girl. The series blends romantic comedy with a gender-bending premise. No studio, director, or cast has been announced yet.
Jul 19
Amazon's Kindle Manga Weekend Festival is pairing with a 50% off sale on Yokoyama Mitsuteru's sci-fi series including 'Tetsujin 28-go,' 'Mars,' and 'Babel II' to make them effectively 75% off. Historical works like 'Sangokushi' and 'Suikoden' are also discounted through 50% points back. The sale runs through July 20.
Jul 17
Japanese retailer Geo is running a storewide game sale through July 20 that includes several Nintendo Switch 2 titles at discounted prices. The most notable deals are four games all priced at 3,278 yen: Momotaro Dentetsu, Etrian Odyssey I·II·III, Shiren the Wanderer 6, and Super Robot Wars Y. The sale covers both Switch 2 native software and Switch titles playable via backward compatibility, as well as Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrades of earlier Switch games. Other discounted Switch 2 titles include Mario Kart World (7,128 yen), Donkey Kong Bananza (5,478 yen), Poko a Pokemon (6,578 yen), Kirby's Air Rider (4,928 yen), and Hyrule Warriors: Sealed Chronicles (5,478 yen). Switch 2 Edition games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (6,028 yen) and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond (3,828 yen) are also on sale. The on-site investigation by Inside Games and Game Spark confirms the prices are available at physical Geo stores while stock lasts.
Jul 16
Playstack has apologized for the PS5 physical edition of Mortal Shell II being unavailable for pre-order due to demand exceeding forecasts. The company warned that restocking before the August 20 release is unlikely. The shortage comes amid ongoing debate about physical media, with a petition for continued physical game production surpassing 150,000 signatures and Sony planning to end disc production for new PlayStation games after January 2028.
Jul 16
Premium Bandai has opened orders for a re-release of the RE/100 1/100 Zaku II Kai Gunpla from Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket. The kit, priced at 4,290 yen (tax included), is available starting July 16, 2026. It includes the standard head plus two additional head parts: a Commander Type and a Fritz Helm. Armaments consist of an MMP-80 machine gun, a heat hawk, and hand grenades. The model features an expanded range of motion, with a chest armor section that can be pulled diagonally forward and a cockpit block that slides forward to reduce interference when the torso bends. Weapon attachment racks on the suit are reproduced in their deployed state. The kit is manufactured by BANDAI SPIRITS and uses PS and TPE materials. The product page notes that photos show a painted prototype and the final product may differ. This re-release makes the kit available again through Premium Bandai's online store.
Jul 16
BilibiliWorld 2026, the three-day ACGN event hosted by Bilibili, concluded on July 12 at the Shanghai National Exhibition and Convention Center. The event attracted 400,000 visitors from over 30 countries and regions, with 170 exhibitors participating. For the first time, BilibiliWorld sold tickets to overseas users, drawing fans from the United States, Russia, South Korea, Italy, and elsewhere. The venue featured approximately 1,000 itasha cars and over 60,000 cosplayers. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige attended, marking his first visit to China in seven years. He unveiled the concept poster for Avengers: Doomsday and discussed Robert Downey Jr.'s role as the villain. Other exhibitors included Arknights, Genshin Impact, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. The event also had a significant economic impact: overseas flight bookings to Shanghai rose 35% year-on-year, hotel reservations in Shanghai increased 126% month-on-month, and hotel bookings within 5 km of the venue surged 600% month-on-month. Cambodian Princess Norodom Jenna also visited the event.
Jul 15
In an interview at Anime Expo 2026, Sonic lead producer Takashi Iizuka discussed the 35th anniversary, the surprise release of Sonic Frontiers Definitive Edition on Switch 2, and the sales disappointment of Sonic Racing CrossWorlds. He stated he wants to create a story-driven game that appeals to both gamers and fans who discovered Sonic through movies and anime, while declining to reveal the next mainline project.
Jul 15
Chiikawa has partnered with fashion brand merry jenny for a special collection of plush totes and frill T-shirts. Pre-sales begin July 15, 2026, on RUNWAY channel and ZOZOTOWN, with store release on July 22. The items feature Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi in designs blending the manga's aesthetic with merry jenny's romantic style.
Jul 15
KADOKAWA will release 'Xross Stars ART COLLECTION II' on September 16, 2026. The second art book for the trading card game features over 220 illustrations from the 'Exceed Rampage' and 'Broken Neonlights' booster packs. It includes an original PP ticket card. The game brings together VTubers from Vspo!, Crazy Raccoon, and Neo-Porte.
Jul 15
Masanori Morita reported a dinner gathering with Eiichiro Oda and seven other major Jump manga artists on July 13. He posted a delinquent-style illustration of the group, which includes Masashi Kishimoto, Nobuhiro Watsuki, Takehiko Inoue, Masakazu Katsura, Riichiro Inagaki, Gege Akutami, and Kohei Horikoshi. Social media reacted with surprise, calling the lineup the "Avengers of manga."
Jul 15
The TV anime Mushoku Tensei III has released synopsis and preview cuts for Episode 4, titled "Water King-Class Mage." The episode follows Rudeus Greyrat as he continues his research driven by the resolve "I don't want to lose anyone anymore." After obtaining a new prosthetic left hand called the Zarif's Prosthetic with the help of Zanoba and Cliff, Rudeus faces the possibility that danger may again threaten his family. He decides to ask his wife Roxy Migurdia to teach him Water King-class magic, the highest tier of water magic. The preview cuts show Sylphy with a sulky expression, Roxy looking back, and Aisha covering her mouth. Mushoku Tensei III began airing on July 4, 2026, with episodes 1 and 2 as a one-hour special. The series airs every Saturday at 24:00 on TOKYO MX, BS11, and other stations, with simultaneous streaming on ABEMA and d Anime Store. Season 3 adapts from Volume 13 of the original light novel by Rifujin na Magonote, which has sold over 18 million copies cumulatively. The anime adaptation marks its 5th anniversary in 2026.
Jul 15
Hamster Corporation announced on July 15 that a revival version of the 1989 Data East RPG Glory of Heracles II: Titan's Downfall will be released on July 16 for Nintendo Switch 2 and PlayStation 5. The game is the second entry in the Greek mythology-themed series and will be sold as part of the Console Archives line, priced at 800 yen. Originally released for the Famicom, the title features a party system and a day/night cycle, which were new additions compared to its predecessor. Players control a young human hero who travels a vast world to defeat monsters, joining forces with eccentric companions such as a centaur and a bronze goddess statue. The game includes challenging mechanics where enemies can destroy weapons and armor. The Console Archives series aims to faithfully reproduce classic titles on modern hardware, adding conveniences like button and screen customization and anywhere save and load. The revival is designed for both returning players and newcomers.
Jul 15
Singapore-based Pawprint Studio brought a playable demo of its monster-collection RPG Animo to Bilibili World 2026, held July 10-12 in Shanghai. The game, which began a closed beta test in Japan on July 9, is set for release within 2026 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, iOS, and Android. Animo is an open-world RPG where players capture creatures called Animo and fight alongside them, carrying up to four at a time. Its defining feature is the Link system, which lets players merge with an Animo and control it directly. In this linked state, combat becomes real-time rather than turn-based, as players manually use the Animo's skills and dodge attacks. The system also aids exploration: linking with an Animo allows swimming and climbing across treacherous terrains that are difficult for a human character. Developers plan to expand Ecology Areas tied to the Link system, where each Animo has unique background details and rivalries that players can only discover by inhabiting the creature. Animo is free-to-play with item-based monetization. The demo at BW2026 was reportedly close to the final version, with six demo units consistently occupied.
Jul 15
STUDIO24's figure series THE KING OF COLLECTORS'24 adds Ryu from Street Fighter II as its 9th entry, releasing December 2026. The 18cm figure is sculpted by Hirotaka Inasaka and produced in-house. The series previously included characters from Fatal Fury SPECIAL and The King of Fighters '98, enabling cross-company matchups in figure form.
Jul 14
The manga adaptation of Yuuri Seo's novel series The Saintess Recruited a Doting King Husband is ending with its 24th chapter, as announced by Square Enix's Manga UP! platform. The manga, drawn by Coma Hashii, launched in 2023 and has five compiled volumes. The web novel began in 2022.
Jul 14
Several Final Fantasy games are at their lowest prices ever on Nintendo eShop and PlayStation Store. The Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Digital Deluxe Edition is 60% off at 3,256 yen, Final Fantasy XII The Zodiac Age is 1,914 yen on Switch, and the Final Fantasy I-VI Bundle is 5,503 yen. Most deals end July 15.
Jul 14
Advance scene cuts for Episode 2 of The Old Man from the Countryside Becomes a Sword Saint II have been released. The episode sees Beryl struggling to teach Fissel, while Muii begins to open up. The first season ranked in Prime Video's top 10 across 45 countries and won the Storytelling Award at the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting+ Awards 2026.
Jul 14
Square Enix released the Nintendo Switch 2 download versions of Octopath Traveler and Octopath Traveler II on July 14, 2026. Each game is priced at 5,478 yen, a reduction from the previous 7,480 yen price on other platforms. A digital bundle containing both titles is available for 6,820 yen, saving 4,136 yen over separate purchases. The release coincides with the series' 8th anniversary, which was celebrated with a program on July 13. The physical bundle of both games for Switch 2 is scheduled for October 1, 2026, also priced at 6,820 yen. Pre-orders for the physical edition are open, with purchase bonuses including digital wallpapers at the Square Enix e-STORE and original stickers at Amazon.co.jp. The Octopath Traveler series, developed by Acquire, uses the HD-2D visual style that blends pixel art with 3DCG. The series has sold over 7 million copies worldwide. No upgrade path from the existing Nintendo Switch versions is available.
Jul 14
Nintendo added 13 new tracks from the Free Run mode of Mario Kart World to its Nintendo Music streaming service on July 14. The tracks draw from Super Mario Maker, New Super Mario Bros. U, New Super Mario Bros. Wii, New Super Mario Bros., and Mario Paint. Mario Kart World launched in 2025 as a Nintendo Switch 2 launch title. Nintendo Music is available to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers on iOS, Android, and web.
Jul 13
ASCII.jp is running a series of Amazon Prime Day 2026 recommendations for Steam games, with several titles discounted through July 13. Three notable deals include Bandai Namco's Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown - Top Gun: Maverick Ultimate Edition at 79 percent off, dropping from 12,650 yen to 2,657 yen. The edition includes the main game, Season Pass with three additional missions and aircraft, and a Top Gun aircraft set. Firaxis Games' Sid Meier's Civilization VII is half off at 4,400 yen, down from 8,800 yen. The latest installment divides campaigns into three eras and allows separate selection of leaders and civilizations. Bandai Namco's Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition is also 79 percent off at 1,317 yen, reduced from 6,270 yen. The definitive edition features upgraded graphics, additional playable characters, and scenarios not in the original Xbox 360 version. All three deals are available on Steam during the Prime Day event.
Jul 13
Parade is releasing two prize items for the upcoming film Chiikawa: The Secret of Mermaid Island, which opens July 24. The Siren BIG Plushie and Aurora Beach Bag each come in two designs featuring the siren and Chiikawa characters traveling on water. A follow-and-repost campaign on X offers a chance to win the plushie set, running until July 26.
Jul 13
Sega's Like a Dragon 8 Gaiden: Pirates in Hawaii Steam online code is discounted to 1,733 yen (75% off) during Amazon Prime Day 2026. The spin-off stars Goro Majima as a pirate in Hawaii, featuring two battle styles and the series' signature side content. The deal is available for a limited time on Amazon Japan.
Jul 13
Talking's custom merchandise service Talking ODM added the "Chiikawa Ura" design on July 13. The design features a rabbit saying "Ura." and gained attention from sumo prize banners. Products include face towels, T-shirts, bucket hats, tote bags, mugs, and more, all available in multiple sizes and styles.
Jul 12
The synopsis and preview cuts for Episode 3 of Mushoku Tensei III: Isekai Ittara Honki Dasu have been released. The episode, titled The Return of Everyday Life, shows Rudeus settling into domestic life with his second wife Roxy, first wife Sylphiette, and their family, and returning to Ranoa Magic University. Cliff reacts negatively to Rudeus introducing Roxy as his wife due to religious beliefs. The episode airs July 12.
Jul 12
Parade will release the second series of Chiikawa Mochiru Face Super BIG Plushies as prizes at amusement facilities across Japan from mid-July. The lineup includes Rabbit and Flying Squirrel designs, each about 40 cm tall and made from soft, mochi-like fabric.
Jul 12
Actresses Yui Asaka, Yuka Onishi, and Yuma Nakamura, who played the Kazama sisters in the 1986 drama Sukeban Deka III: Shoujo Ninpou Denki, reunited in Tokyo on July 12 for a Blu-ray release event. They provided live commentary on the second episode, shared behind-the-scenes stories about grueling shoots and their lack of acting experience, and reflected on the series' legacy 40 years after its original broadcast.
Jul 12
Game Spark's weekly ranking of the most-read articles from July 3 to July 9, 2026, features three entries from the top five: a Dragon Quest XII development update, Hideo Kojima's comments on the end of PlayStation disc production, and a Battle Brothers content update. The list reflects reader interest in major franchise news and industry commentary.
Jul 11
The 2013 theatrical crossover film Lupin the Third vs. Detective Conan: The Movie airs uncut on BS12 TwellV's Sunday Anime Theater today, July 12, at 7:30 PM. The film brings together Lupin III and Detective Conan in a story involving Phantom Thief Kid, a stolen gem, and a global conspiracy.
Jul 11
Nippon Ichi Software released a Steam demo for the action RPG Kyōran Makaiism on July 10, 2026. The demo contains three special stages not found in the main game, each with a distinct difficulty level: Prinny, Demon, and Demon Lord. All seven weapon types from the full game are usable - sword, fist, spear, bow, gun, axe, and staff - and each stage takes about 5 to 10 minutes to clear. Save data from the demo cannot be transferred to the full version. The full game launches on Steam on July 24, 2026. Demos for PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, and Nintendo Switch will follow on July 23. The game originally released on those consoles on January 29, 2026. Development lead is Shunsuke Minowa, character design is by Takehito Harada, and music is by Tenpei Sato. The story follows a mercenary named N.A. (voiced by Takuya Eguchi) hired by the new demon lord Tisiel (Aoi Koga) to retrieve a stolen pudding.
Jul 10
Activision released PS5 and PS4 ports of Call of Duty: Black Ops and Call of Duty: Black Ops II on July 10, 2026, without prior fanfare. Each game is priced at 5,900 yen including tax, and PlayStation Plus subscribers can purchase them at 50 percent off until August 7, bringing the price to 2,950 yen. The ports include the single-player campaign, competitive multiplayer, and the Zombies horde mode. They are straight ports, not remasters, and were handled by Iron Galaxy, the studio known for Switch ports of Skyrim and Overwatch and work on The Last of Us Part II Remastered. The original games launched in 2010 and 2012, respectively. According to reviews cited by Game Spark, the ports run well with fast loading and matchmaking, but the standard $40 price drew criticism, with some suggesting the discounted PS Plus price should have been the baseline. The PS5/PS4 versions do not support cross-play and require a PlayStation Plus subscription for multiplayer. Certain features from the originals, such as Wager Match and Theater Mode in Black Ops, have been removed. The games are also available on PC and Xbox platforms.
Jul 9
MatsukiyoCocokara is launching a Chiikawa-themed summer campaign from July 16 to September 15, 2026. Customers can enter lotteries to win original goods like cooler bags and folding chairs, or answer quizzes for first-aid kits and cosmetics boxes. Limited-edition cosmetics and medicine notebook cases will also be sold in stores. The promotion includes app icon changes, store wrapping, and a collaborative fireworks display.
Jul 9
Billboard JAPAN's JAPAN Book Hot 100 chart for June 29-July 5 put HUNTER×HUNTER Volume 39 at number one, ahead of One Piece Volume 115 and Haruki Murakami's new novel KAHO -The Tale of KAHO-. The chart, launched in November 2025, aggregates physical sales, e-book downloads, library lending, and other data. Volume 39, released July 3, includes chapters 401-410 and features Hisoka on the cover alone for the first time.
Jul 9
Sony Interactive Entertainment published the June 2026 PS Store download rankings on July 9. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth leads the PS5 category, followed by Adventurer Elliot's Millennium Story and EA Sports FC 26. On PS4, Powerful Pro Baseball 2026-2027 takes first, with Dragon Quest XI S and Monster Hunter: World in second and third. Beat Saber tops PS VR2, and eFootball leads free-to-play.
Jul 9
Square Enix announced the end of service for FINAL FANTASY VII EVER CRISIS on October 7, 2026. The producer letter cited difficulty in providing quality that satisfies as a title bearing the FF7 name, particularly balancing production workload and demand for character weapons and gear graphics. The game launched on smartphone in September 2023 and on Steam in December 2023.
Jul 8
Publisher Playstack and developer Cold Symmetry have announced that Mortal Shell II, the sequel to the 2020 souls-like dark action RPG, will launch on August 20, 2026. The game is coming to PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Pre-orders are now open for the standard edition and the Devout Edition, which includes 72-hour early access and a set of eight shell skins. A limited-time PC demo is available on Steam, allowing players to carry over some progress to the full game. The demo covers the prologue and the early open-world area, offering about three hours of content. The game features a compact open world with over 60 dungeons, a combat system that removes stamina in favor of step dodges and perfect guards, and the ability to don the remains of fallen warriors to gain their abilities and stats. The open beta, which ran in June, earned a "Very Positive" rating on Steam, with 92% of approximately 4,600 user reviews positive and a peak of about 8,000 concurrent players. Mortal Shell II is the studio's first major sequel after the original game sold 500,000 copies worldwide.