Kazuo Mafune's Ultraman STORY 0 manga, which depicts the early battles of Ultraman characters from their youth, has been digitized. All 16 volumes are now available as Kindle comics on Amazon.co.jp, priced at 792 yen each. The series, supervised by Tsuburaya Productions, follows Zoffy and other Ultraman brothers in original stories.
The Red River television anime has added Minami Takayama as Yuri's mother and Kazuhiko Inoue as her father. Both actors previously voiced the protagonist Yuri and co-lead Kail in a drama CD for the manga. The anime premiered on NTV and BS NTV on July 7-8 and streams on Crunchyroll.
Frontier Works announced a large-scale exhibition, "Hetalia 20th Anniversary Original Art Exhibition WorldFesta," for Tokyo and Osaka in autumn 2026. A key visual of Italy in a white prince outfit, newly drawn by Hidekazu Himaruya, was released. The event will display original pencil drawings and color illustrations, plus a life-sized Italy figure and photo spots.
The second and third stages of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run will stream worldwide on Netflix starting September 25, 2026. New cast members include Tomokazu Sugita as President Funny Valentine, Yoko Hikasa as Hot Pants, and Tomoaki Maeno as Mountain Tim. A second promotional video was also released.
Studio Trigger announced at its Anime Expo panel on July 4, 2026, that it is producing a new project directed by Hiroyuki Imaishi and written by Kazuki Nakashima. The duo previously collaborated on Gurren Lagann (2007), Kill la Kill (2013), and Promare (2019). Hiromi Wakabayashi is also attached to the project. No title, story details, release date, or additional staff were provided. The announcement was made via Trigger's official X account and confirmed by the panel. The project marks the fourth original anime from the Imaishi-Nakashima team. Trigger was founded in 2011 by Imaishi and Masahiko Otsuka and has produced series including Kill la Kill, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, and Delicious in Dungeon. The studio also confirmed at the same panel that Delicious in Dungeon Season 2 is set for October 2027.
The staff for the anime adaptation of Dr. Poro and Nabana Naba's manga The Vermilion Mask revealed the first main trailer with English subtitles during Crunchyroll's panel at Anime Expo 2026 on July 3. The announcement also confirmed the main Japanese voice cast. Taihi Kimura voices protagonist Peru d'Arrest, a young mask maker who loses control of a cursed mask and kills his master and comrades. Yuuki Yamamoto plays Sonarue Maywood, Kazuki Ura plays Mok Sharib, Takanori Hoshino plays Gouon, Wataru Komada plays Totoque, Junya Enoki plays Zent, Kazuhiko Inoue plays Gaston, and Akio Otsuka voices the Mask of the Warrior God. The anime is directed by Tetsuaki Watanabe at 100Studio (also called One Double-O or WOW Studio), with Gai Hazako as assistant director. Daisuke Ohigashi handles series composition, Hisashi Higashijima designs the characters, and Arisa Okehazama composes the music. The series will premiere in October 2026 and run for two cours. Crunchyroll will stream the anime as it airs. The manga began serialization in Young King Ours in February 2021 and has eight compiled volumes as of July 2025.
Square Enix has released the digital version of Final Fantasy X-2.5 ~Eien no Daishou~, a novel by Kazushige Nojima that continues the story after Final Fantasy X-2. The book follows Yuna and Tidus on a new adventure in Spira and is available at e-book stores for 1,540 yen.
Former Arashi members Ohno Satoshi, Aiba Masaki, and Sakurai Sho each announced personal fan clubs and salons on July 3. Matsumoto Jun is preparing his own membership, and Ninomiya Kazunari's club has been running since 2024. Ohno also opened official social media accounts for his salon, which launches July 15.
Tokyo-based AI animation company Puri Prince announced the second installment of its anime project, Dennō Isu Tantei Charlotte ~Dead Man's Hand~, a short series based on noriyang's web novel. The cast includes Hina Yomiya, Tomokazu Sugita, and others. The story follows a young detective and her AI partner investigating a cyber casino mystery.
Takehiko Inoue, creator of Slam Dunk, drew a congratulatory illustration for the TV anime World Is Dancing, which premiered July 2. The illustration depicts protagonist Oniyasha in Inoue's style. Inoue was a former assistant to original author Kazuto Mihara. The opening video, set to Macaroni Enpitsu's "Shuyo", transitions from black-and-white to color. The anime is directed by Toshimasa Kuroyanagi and produced by Cypic, with Yumiri Hanamori voicing Oniyasha.
Bandai Namco released a memorial video for the Ace Combat Zero port on June 30, the series' 31st anniversary. The PS2 classic is revived at 2160p/60fps and included as an early purchase and preorder bonus for Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve, which launches October 2, 2026 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. Brand director Kazutoshi Kono also issued a message marking the anniversary.
A collaborative visual featuring Shinotsu Shin from Junket Bank and Shinichi Akiyama from Liar Game has been released. The image shows both characters with defiant smirks, holding coins and playing cards. Junket Bank is set to air in October 2026, while Liar Game is currently airing.
An experiential exhibition called "UMEZZ HORROR HOUSE ~Drifting Classroom and Thought Experiment Exhibition~" will run from July 17 to September 6 at Gallery Zenon in Kichijoji, Tokyo. The event commemorates manga artist Kazuo Umezu's 90th birthday and combines an immersive horror experience based on his manga "Drifting Classroom" with the "Thought Experiment Exhibition" that has drawn over 20,000 visitors in Tokyo and Osaka.
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.
The Pokémon Horizons anime has added two new cast members: Yū Serizawa as Navi, a girl living in Lumiose City, and Kazuki Ura as Shirō, a muscular character with tremendous power. The new "Wonder Voyage" arc premiered on May 22, and a visual teases connections to Pokémon Go, Pokémon Unite, and Pokémon Sleep.
Genco Inc. announced on June 24 that a pop-up shop commemorating the release of the novel 'Sushi-ya no Goto' will run from June 25 to July 5 at Calendarum on the second floor of Shinjuku Marui Annex in Tokyo. The novel, written by series composition and scriptwriter Kazunori Ito and published by Bungeishunju, depicts former Special Vehicles Section 2nd Division 2nd Platoon Captain Kiichi Goto running a small sushi restaurant in Atami 30 years after the events of the original series, with visits from former squad members. The pop-up shop sells goods featuring the cover illustration by manga author Masami Yuki, including clear files, tenugui hand towels, acrylic stands, and keychains. It also carries the novel itself, a special feature magazine, and some theatrical merchandise from the ongoing 'Mobile Police Patlabor EZY FILE1' project. No advance reservation is required, but numbered tickets may be distributed on weekends due to expected congestion. Weekday hours are 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with weekend hours starting earlier. The novel is priced at 1,980 yen for the print edition and 1,900 yen for the digital edition, spanning 272 pages.
The official website for the television anime of Ryon's manga Are You a Landmine, Chihara-san? updated on Thursday to announce additional cast members, a delay to January 2027, and a tie-in music project. Newly announced cast include Maaya Uchida as Chinatsu Iwakura, Tomokazu Sugita as Hibiya, and Daisuke Ono as Kazami. The anime was previously scheduled for 2026 but will now premiere in the Super Animeism Turbo programming block on MBS, TBS, and 26 affiliated channels in January 2027, airing Thursdays at 0:26 a.m. (effectively Friday). Before the anime airs, the franchise is launching a music project for lead character Mai Chihara. Her first digital single, a cover of Nayutalien's Alien Alien, will be released on July 25, 2026. The anime is directed by Yasuaki Fujii at Synergy SP, with series composition by Keiichiro Ochi, character designs by Majiro, and music by Arisa Okehazama at King Records. The manga launched on the GANMA! service in June 2021 and won a Next Impact Comic award at the 2024 Rakuten Kobo E-book Awards. Seven Seas Entertainment has licensed the manga for English release.
The final chapter of the HiGH&LOW film series, "HiGH&LOW THE New World," was announced on June 24 at a 10th anniversary event in Tokyo. HIRO, the series' planner and producer, surprised attendees with a teaser video and confirmed the film will release in 2027. The story takes place several years after the 2017 film "HiGH&LOW THE MOVIE 3 / FINAL MISSION." Returning cast members include AKIRA as Kohaku, NAOTO as Jesse, and Alan Shirahama as Bernie, all reprising roles after nine years. Kazuma Kawamura and Hokuto Yoshino also join the cast. Directors Norihisa Hiranuma and Motoaki Kuba are helming the project. Hiranuma stated that the film will feature overseas artists and cast members. The teaser video, now on YouTube, shows hand-to-hand combat and armed groups, suggesting a harsher world. The series has drawn 6.21 million cumulative viewers and earned 8.9 billion yen at the box office. A live event, "HiGH&LOW 10th ANNIVERSARY FEVER," will be held at K-Arena Yokohama on September 22 and 23, featuring LDH artists including EXILE THE SECOND and THE RAMPAGE.
All 16 volumes of the manga 'Ultraman STORY 0' will be released as e-books on July 9, 2026. The series, by Kazuo Mafune of 'Doctor K' fame, was serialized in Magazine Z starting 2005 under Tsuburaya Productions supervision. It tells original stories of the Ultra Brothers' early battles and the founding of the Land of Light.
The official website for the Iron Wok Jan television anime released a main trailer and key visual on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, confirming a July 5 premiere date. The trailer, presented as an "alternate" version, features food critic Nichido Otani commenting on the cooking battles. The announcement also revealed that Tomokazu Sugita will voice Ryuji Bito, a wandering Chinese cuisine chef known as "XO Sauce Ryu." Sugita, a veteran voice actor, expressed excitement about joining the adaptation of a manga he read in real time. The ending theme song "Naita Akuma" by EMUNIMINI was also previewed. The anime will air on TV Tokyo and its affiliates on Sundays at 5:30 p.m. JST, and will stream on Anime Times, ABEMA, U-NEXT, and Anime Hōdai in Japan. Ei Aoki directs the series at studio TROYCA, with Makoto Uezu handling series composition and Masako Matsumoto designing characters. The main cast includes Kikunosuke Toya as Jan Akiyama, Ikumi Hasegawa as Kiriko Gobancho, and Kohei Amasaki as Takao Okonogi. The original manga by Shinji Saijyo ran in Weekly Shonen Champion from 1995 to 2000 and has over 10 million copies in circulation.
Colopl announced on June 24 that the PC version of KAZUMA KANEKO'S TSUKUYOMI, a deck-building roguelike by game creator Kazuma Kaneko, will launch on Steam on July 24. The standard edition costs 3,960 yen, and a Special Digital Deluxe Edition including the base game and two DLC packs will sell for 5,960 yen. The game was previously released for Nintendo Switch on April 23, 2026. It is set in a modern dark fantasy world where players climb a demon-infested tower called The Hashira in Tokyo Bay, using a three-card hand to battle Shinma (gods and demons). Five playable characters with distinct battle styles are available. The Steam version supports English and Japanese audio and text in English, Japanese, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, and Korean. On the same day, DLC Vol. 2, Painter K's Divine Brush: Truth Manifestation Set - Part 2, will launch for both Switch and Steam, adding five Creation Cards: Arianrod, Raphael, Banshee, Apollo, and Satan. The original free-to-play mobile and PC game, TSUKUYOMI - The Divine Hunters, ended service on April 22, 2026, and used generative AI for card art; the Switch and Steam versions do not use AI for new card creation.
Japan's first taxi-based film festival TAXIATER has announced its lineup of three short films, each sponsored by a different Kao household product. The films star Shiori Kubo, Yuta Hayashi, and Kazuna Osawa, and will screen in 100 taxis across Tokyo from August 3-9, followed by theatrical runs from August 15-29. Directors include Ryutaro Nakagawa, Nako Komiyama, and Sho Nagashima.
Tomokazu Sugita will voice Ryuji Bito, an assassin chef who uses XO sauce, in the TV anime Iron Wok Jan! A new key visual and a PV featuring food critic Otani's commentary were also released. The ending theme is "Nakita Akuma" by emunimini. A special program and a collaboration menu are scheduled for July.
The YouTube channel "Yonino Channel," led by Kazunari Ninomiya and featuring Yuichi Nakamaru, Ryosuke Yamada, and Fuma Kikuchi, reached 5 million subscribers on June 19. The milestone came about 5 years and 2 months after the channel's launch in April 2021, making it the first STARTO ENTERTAINMENT-related YouTube channel to do so.
The official website for the television anime adaptation of Takeru Hokazono's Kagurabachi manga announced on June 19 that Tomokazu Seki will voice Kunishige Rokuhira, the father of protagonist Chihiro. A character visual and trailer were also released. Seki, a veteran voice actor, described Kunishige as a legendary swordsmith and a warmhearted father, and said he aimed to convey both sides naturally. The anime is directed by Tetsuya Takeuchi at studio Cypic, with character designs by Keigo Sasaki. It is set to premiere in April 2027. A world tour will begin in July 2026 at Anime Expo in Los Angeles, followed by stops in Paris, Germany, and New York, where the first 20 minutes of the first episode will be screened. The full first episode will be shown in Japan in spring 2027. The manga, which debuted in Weekly Shonen Jump in September 2023, has 4 million copies in circulation. Taihi Kimura stars as Chihiro Rokuhira.
Tomokazu Seki will voice Chikamasa Rokuhira in the TV anime adaptation of Takeru Hokazono's manga Kagurabachi. A character visual and PV were released alongside the announcement. The series is directed by Tetsuya Takeuchi with animation by Cypic. The manga has over 4 million copies in circulation. The anime begins broadcasting in April 2027.
The television anime adaptation of Tsutomu's manga Ojisan wa Kawaii Mono ga Osuki. has revealed its cast, staff, and October premiere date in a new promotional video. Kazuyuki Okitsu leads the cast as Mitsutaka Oji, with Tomoe Makino directing at LIDEN FILMS.
The television anime adaptation of Kazuto Mihara's manga The World Is Dancing will begin streaming on Amazon Prime Video in Japan on June 29, ahead of its July 2 television broadcast. HIDIVE will stream the first episode on the same day, and the second episode will have its world premiere at Anime Expo on July 2. The anime is directed by Toshimasa Kuroyanagi at Cygames Pictures.
The Cyborg 009: Nemesis anime cast two new voice actors: Kazuhiro Yamaji as Dr. Isaac Gilmore and Tōru Nara as Dr. Robert Golbert. The series is directed by Hideki Ambo at Arect and will stream this summer.
Anime News Network interviews director Kazuaki Terasawa about the visual design of Nippon Sangoku. Terasawa explains the series blends traditional Japanese painting techniques with 3D renderings of modern structures to depict a future Japan that has regressed to the Meiji era. Color and texture are used on a cut-by-cut basis to reflect character emotions, categorized into joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness.
The staff for the new Hokuto no Ken -Fist of the North Star- anime announced on Wednesday that Kazuya Ichijō is voicing Fang Father, the leader of the Fang clan. The character will appear in the anime's 12th episode this weekend. The anime premiered in April and streams worldwide on Amazon Prime Video.
The staff for Clevatess II announced the anime's third promotional video, two additional cast members (Megumi Han as Zavthier and Tomokazu Sugita as Laswell), and a July 8 premiere. The video previews the opening theme "Foreshadow" by Mayu Maeshima. MYTH & ROID performs the ending theme "Awake Anew." Crunchyroll will stream the season as it airs.
Ahead of the first new Keroro Gunso film in 16 years, the franchise has announced its first official collaboration with Mobile Suit Gundam. Footage shows Gundam appearing to help the Keroro Platoon, and new illustrations by Mine Yoshizaki and Yoshikazu Yasuhiko have been released. Collaboration plastic models will also be sold.
HIDIVE announced it will stream the television anime adaptation of Kazuto Mihara's manga The World Is Dancing as part of its Summer 2026 simulcast season. The series, which explores the origins of Noh theater through the eyes of a young boy who would become the art form's co-founder Zeami, will debut on June 29 with an early premiere of its first episode. A second episode will have its world premiere during Anime Expo 2026 on July 2. The anime is produced by Shochiku and CyberAgent, with animation by Cypic (formerly Cygames Pictures). Toshimasa Kuroyanagi directs, with character design by Keigo Sasaki. The voice cast includes Yumiri Hanamori as Oniyasha, Simba Tsuchiya as Ishiya, Maaya Uchida as Kogane, and Romi Park as Zōjirō. The production has enlisted Kanze-school Noh performer Reijiro Tsumura as a supervisor for Noh choreography, with additional choreography by Kaiji Moriyama and Mikiko Kawamura. HIDIVE will stream the series exclusively in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand.
Kazue Katō's Blue Exorcist manga will resume serialization in the next issue of Jump SQ. on July 3, after a hiatus that began on March 4 to prepare for the final chapter. Katō has started drawing chapter 167. Viz Media publishes the series in English.
The television anime adaptation of Haruomi Tomotsuka's Dara-san of Reiwa manga has revealed a second trailer, additional cast members, and a July 2 premiere date. The trailer previews the ending theme song "Hinatabocchi" by REIRIE. Newly announced cast include Aoi Koga, Tomokazu Sugita, Mai Aizawa, Saori Hayami, and Hōchū Ōtsuka.
The TV anime 'Reiwa no Darasan' released its second advance trailer and announced five new cast members, including Aoi Koga as Shu Hasegawa, Tomokazu Sugita as Naomichi Fudeki, and Saori Hayami as Ane Miko. The ending theme song is 'Hinatabokko' by the duo REIRIE. The series begins airing on July 2 on TOKYO MX and other stations.
Animate will release Uma Musume collaboration goods on June 6, featuring a special illustration by Kazuhiko Shimamoto of Gold Ship and the Anime Store Manager striking a "Goooooold Fingaaaaa!!" pose inspired by Mobile Fighter G Gundam. The lineup includes acrylic stands, can badges, T-shirts, and more, available at Animate stores nationwide and online.
The television anime adaptation of Amara's light novel series The Cat and the Dragon has announced its July 4 premiere date, along with a first promotional video and three additional cast members. The series will debut on Tokyo MX on July 4 at 9:00 p.m. JST, followed by broadcasts on BS NTV, Yomiuri TV, Nagasaki Culture Broadcasting, and AT-X throughout the following week. Streaming will be available on d Anime Store in Japan. The newly announced cast includes Yu Serizawa as Haneko, a well-behaved cat who assists a prince struggling with magic; Makoto Koichi as the kind-hearted prince; and Kazuya Ichijo as the king, who must negotiate with the dragon. The first PV shows the dragon visiting a human town and requesting an audience with the king, along with glimpses of Haneko teaching magic to a child. The anime is directed by Jin-Koo Oh at OLM, with series composition by Mitsutaka Hirota, character designs by Rie Nishino and Chiaki Kurakazu, and music by Takahiro Obata. The original web novel debuted on Shōsetsuka ni Narō in September 2013, and the series has sold over 1.4 million copies across its light novel and manga editions.
Kazurō Kyō announced on Tuesday that the Fire Emblem Engage manga adaptation will reach its climax soon. The manga launched in Shueisha's Saikyō Jump magazine and on Shonen Jump+ in May 2023. The seventh compiled volume shipped on May 1. The game released for Nintendo Switch in January 2023.
The Marvel drama Moon Knight, starring Oscar Isaac, is available for unlimited streaming only on Disney+ in Japan as of June 2026. Other major services including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and U-Next do not carry the series. The article also notes the upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day film release.
The upcoming Cyborg 009: Nemesis anime has cast Tomokazu Sugita as Cyborg 004/Albert Heinrich, a cyborg enhanced with weapons including a machine gun and electromagnetic knife. The series follows nine cyborgs rebelling against the Black Ghost organization. It streams this summer.
The weekend box office rankings for May 29-31, 2026, show 'Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu' retaining the top spot with 243,000 admissions and 425 million yen. Three new entries debuted in the top 10: Hirokazu Kore-eda's 'The Sheep in the Box' at No. 5, the final 'Mononoke' film at No. 6, and 'TOKYO BURST - Crime City -' at No. 8.
NHK announced a live-action television adaptation of Kazumi Yamashita's Twisted Sisters manga. The 10-episode series will air on BS and BSP4K starting January 2027. Miori Takimoto stars as protagonist Rikako Ioroi, a manga artist who reunites with her estranged sisters over their dying father's will.
Anime Expo 2026 will host the world premieres of the Black Torch television anime and a new Magic Knight Rayearth anime, with guest Rie Takahashi. The event also features Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE producer Shohei Sakakibara and scenario writer Kazutaka Kodaka, a first look at Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 from Studio Trigger, and U.S. premieres for Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia and Sparks of Tomorrow.
The upcoming "New Theatrical Version ☆ Keroro Gunsō: Revival and Immediate Crisis of Earth's Destruction!" has announced seven new guest voice actors, including Keigo Sato (JO1), Yusei Yagi (FANTASTICS), Suzanne, Rina Watanabe (Hinatazaka46), Tomokazu Seki, Natsuki Hanae, and Koichi Yamadera. The film commemorates the anime's 20th anniversary and is the first new movie in 16 years, directed by Yuichi Fukuda. It opens nationwide on June 26.
May 27 marked the 40th anniversary of the Dragon Quest series. Creator Yuji Horii, former series director Jin Fujisawa, voice actors, and the official Final Fantasy account posted congratulations. The franchise began in 1986 with a command-based RPG that helped popularize the genre in Japan.
The official website for the new Sgt. Frog 20th anniversary anime film, Shin Gekijōban ☆ Keroro Gunsō Fukkatsu Shite Sokkō Chikyū Metsubō no Kiki de Arimasu!, announced seven additional guest voice cast members on Tuesday. The film opens in Japan on June 26. The new guest cast includes Tomokazu Seki as Warrior #7, Natsuki Hanae as an alien, Kōichi Yamadera as the Space Police Chief, JO1 member Keigo Satō and FANTASTICS member Yūsei Yagi as men in Shibuya, Suzanne as a Kumamoto announcer, and Hinatazaka46 member Rina Watanabe as a woman in Shibuya. Watanabe's role marks her first voice acting work. Jesse of the idol group SixTONES voices brothers Aruru and Deruru from planet Keron. Singer ano and comedian Soshina, who perform the opening theme song "Mata Kaettekita KERO! to MARCH," also appear as guest cast: ano plays a researcher robot, and Soshina plays a man in Shibuya. Yūichi Fukuda is supervising director and scriptwriter, with Fumitoshi Oizaki directing at Bandai Namco Pictures. A new Sgt. Frog television anime with a brand-new cast will debut in fall 2026.
The official website for LIDEN FILMS' television anime of Hitoshi Iwaaki's Historie manga released the first promotional video, a second teaser visual, and 11 new cast members on Monday. The anime is set to debut in January 2027, with Nobunaga Shimazaki starring as protagonist Eumenes.
At BitSummit PUNCH, developer Kazuhide Oka showed Quiet Express Room 909, a 3D adventure game set on a cross-continent train. Players explore cars, talk to passengers, and relive a seven-day journey to prevent a derailment. The demo ends with a time loop reveal. Oka cited Blue Prince and Road 96 as influences.