The television anime adaptation of Iris and Noboru Kannatsuki's Magical Explorer light novel series will premiere in October. The official website revealed the debut date alongside the first key visual and promotional video. The cast includes Nobunaga Shimazaki, Ai Kakuma, Saori Onishi, and M.A.O, with Kazuki Ohashi directing at WHITE FOX.
Takeru Kirishima's manga adaptation of Hakubi Kokuto's Sekigan Renkin Kenshi no Yarinaoshi Kitan light novel series has ended. The final chapter appeared in Kadokawa's Monthly Shonen Ace magazine on Friday, and the third compiled book volume will ship on September 26. The story follows adventurer Yoruichi Yashiro after he loses an eye and is branded a failure.
Crunchyroll debuted a same-day English dub for the original anime Goodbye, Lara on July 5. The dub stars Brianna Knickerbocker as Lara, Anairis Quiñones as Mari, and Tiana Camacho as Grace, with Gavin Harrison directing for VSI Los Angeles. The anime premiered on Tokyo MX and other channels that same day. The story is a modern retelling of The Little Mermaid set in Lake Biwa, directed by Takushi Koide at Kinema Citrus.
The official website for the anime film Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dear Friend began streaming the main trailer on Monday, June 15. The trailer previews the theme song "Turn the World Upside Down" performed by Tōko Kirishima. The film is set to open in Japanese theaters on October 16. It is the latest installment in the Rascal Does Not Dream franchise, adapting the 15th and final volume of Hajime Kamoshida's light novel series. The film is teased as moving the story toward its conclusion. Soichi Masui returns to direct at CloverWorks, with Masahiro Yokotani handling the script and Satomi Tamura designing the characters. The band fox capture plan also returns to compose the music. Aniplex is distributing the film. The returning voice cast includes Kaito Ishikawa as Sakuta Azusagawa, Asami Seto as Mai Sakurajima, and many others. The film follows the television series Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus, which aired from July to September 2025.
The Japan Culture and Entertainment Industry Promotion Association (CEIPA) held the Grand Ceremony for Music Awards Japan 2026 on June 13 at Toyota Arena Tokyo. Sakanaction's "Kaiju," the theme song for the TV anime "Chi: Chikyuu no Undou ni Tsuite," won Best Anime Song. It was the band's first anime theme song. Lead vocalist Ichiro Yamaguchi said during the ceremony that the manga's author, Uoto, pushed for the band to be involved. Sakanaction also won Song of the Year, Best Rock Song, Best Music Video, and Best Rock Band/Solo Artist, among other awards, totaling eight wins. Kenshi Yonezu's "IRIS OUT" from the "Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc" won Best J-POP Song and swept Best Japanese Song in Asia, Europe, North America, and Latin America. Mrs. Green Apple won Artist of the Year for the second consecutive year, plus Best J-POP Artist and the Fandom Special Award. HANA won New Artist of the Year. The Best Original Score for Animation went to the "Lazarus" soundtrack by Kamasi Washington, Bonobo, and Floating Points. Ado won Largest Live Audience (International). The awards event, now in its second year, had over 70 categories voted on by more than 5,000 music industry professionals.
VTuber Iris Lucen established a new agency, Realize Production, on June 1, 2026, after Connect Inc. terminated contracts with all talents from its Right Up!, Grow Up!, and Prism Up! groups. All 17 original Right Up! members move to the new agency, joined by five independent talents, bringing the total to 22. Iris cited an executive's embezzlement as the reason Connect could no longer support them.
Eisnid released its new PC title "Iris Odyssey: Pandora's Girl" on Steam on May 29, 2026. The game is a modern fantasy text adventure set in Shibuya. It follows Kazahana, an orphan girl searching for her missing brother Mitsuba, who awakens magical powers and meets Iris, a seasoned mage pursuing the criminal mage organization Sky Seeker. The story branches based on player choices, with Kazahana and Iris deepening their bond. The business model is free-to-play with item billing: the prologue through the middle part (over two hours of play) is free. The full main story is unlocked via a paid DLC called the Complete Package, priced at 2,980 yen. A launch sale runs until June 11, offering the Complete Package at 10% off (2,682 yen). An ASMR drama featuring Kazahana, titled "I will take care of your ears responsibly," is also available on DLsite for 1,980 yen.