Behaviour Interactive and Freestyle developers met for a roundtable interview published by Automaton. The discussion covered how Dead by Daylight influenced Obakeidoro! and the design philosophy of asymmetric battle games. Participants included DbD Executive Producer Jose Ramos and Senior Creative Director Dave Richard, plus three Freestyle staff. The first part of the interview is now available.
Wizards of the Coast announced the pre-constructed Commander deck 'Secret Lair Commander Deck: Hatsune Miku' on August 5. Orders placed on Secret Lair between 1:00 AM and 11:59 PM on August 11 will be made-to-order, with delivery expected within 2027. The $149.99 deck includes 14 borderless cards illustrated by KEI, Naoki Saito, and Hachi.
FUFUTIETIE JAPAN announced a collaboration between its Myo-o series art figures and the manga Hana no Keiji. The special collection launches August 7, Hana Kei Day, with reservations opening the same day. Fighter and entertainer Nobuo Kakuta has been named official ambassador for the Myo-o series.
Free Style Inc. announced on August 6 that the Nintendo Switch version of the asymmetric tag battle game Obakeidoro 2 will begin distribution today at 10 PM JST. The price is 1,980 yen including tax. Alongside the release, a large update adding Custom Rules and a new DLC pack will also be distributed, including for the previously released Nintendo Switch 2 version. Obakeidoro 2 is an asymmetric competitive game where players split into Humans and Ghosts to play Keidoro, a tag game. It supports local and online multiplayer for up to 8 players, and the Nintendo Switch 2 version also supports local wireless play. A solo play mode against CPUs is included. Matches have a 3-minute time limit. The Human side wins if at least one player escapes the Ghosts. Caught players go to jail but can be rescued by teammates. Lanterns can be used once to scare off Ghosts. The Ghost side aims to catch all Humans, with characters having unique traits such as speed or wall-passing. The game is a sequel to Obakeidoro!, with the Nintendo Switch 2 version released in October 2025. Save data from the Switch version can transfer to Switch 2, but not the other way. The Custom Rules update allows players to set rules like the number of Ghosts and Humans and movement speed in Room Match and Minna de Keidoro modes. The DLC Additional Character Pack 1, priced at 980 yen, includes the Human character Ponkichi (Ninja), the new Ghost Gasha, and the Substitute Lantern. The roadmap reveals a limited-time event from August 13 to August 30, and September and October events.
Keishi Ayasato and Ko-dai will launch a new manga titled Noblesse Gambit: Fukushū Reijō wa Odoru, Hanzaikyō to no Danzai Yūgi in Kadokawa's Comic Alive magazine on August 27. Ayasato writes the story and Ko-dai draws the art. The announcement appeared in the magazine's September issue.
The official website for the television anime of Kei Urana's Gachiakuta manga streamed a new first look promotional video for the second season on Wednesday. The video, which was initially shown at Anime Expo 2026 and the 25th Taipei International Comics & Animation Festival earlier this month, is now available to audiences outside those events for the first time. It features new scenes from the upcoming season, including the first footage of new and returning characters, and teases the Information Broker arc from the manga. Alongside the trailer, the website released illustrations of Enjin and Zanka, which were distributed as limited-edition postcards at the two events. The first season, directed by Fumihiko Suganuma at BONES FILM, aired in 2025 and ran for 24 episodes. It won Best New Series at the 10th Crunchyroll Anime Awards. A release window for the second season has not been confirmed. In addition to the second season, a survival action RPG titled Gachiakuta The Game (tentative) and a stage adaptation were also announced.
Keigo Higashino, the award-winning mystery novelist behind The Devotion of Suspect X, The Miracles of the Namiya General Store, and The Camphorwood Custodian, died on July 23 due to colon cancer. He was 68. His family held a private funeral. Higashino debuted in 1985 and his works inspired numerous film, stage, and anime adaptations.
At the finale event for Super Space Sheriff Gavan Infinity, held July 19 at Tokyo Dome City Theater G Rosso, main cast members Kohei Nagata, Ryuga Akabane, Kanna Sumi, and Kentaro Yasui announced that the Super Gavan team will appear in the new series Kakusei Hunter Omega Horn. A post-finale mini-drama, Super Space Sheriff Gavan Infinity Gaiden, will stream on YouTube and TTFC.
Toei announced a mini-drama series 'Super Space Sheriff Gabban Infinity Gaiden' set after the TV series finale. It will be distributed from August 2 on YouTube and the Toei Tokusatsu Fan Club. The episode holds the key to a crossover between 'Super Space Sheriff Gabban Infinity' and 'Kakusei Hunter Omega Horn'. A mysterious red Arc Gaburion appears. The second PROJECT R.E.D. series 'Kakusei Hunter Omega Horn' begins July 26, with Kohei Nagata returning as Iron Wall Rage.
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.
Kei Sanbe, creator of ERASED, launched a new manga titled Aria's Adventures in Miracleland on Friday. The story follows a girl who trusts only her father. After she is tasked as a lookout during a crime that turns into robbery and murder, she is taken away and wakes up on an uninhabited island. The first chapter is available on the KadoComi website.
Freestyle announced on July 17 that the Nintendo Switch version of Obakeidoro 2 will launch on the Nintendo eShop on August 6 at 22:00 JST. The asymmetric tag game, in which up to eight players split into ghosts and humans, is already available on Nintendo Switch 2, and the Switch version supports cross-play with Switch 2 players. A large update releasing the same day adds custom rules to Room Match and Minna de Keidoro modes, allowing players to adjust the number of ghosts and humans, movement speed, and other parameters. Recommended settings are provided for common configurations. For a limited time, the character Guri from the original Obakeidoro! becomes selectable during local wireless play and shared play. Pre-orders are open now. The download version costs 1,980 yen (tax included). Owners of the Switch download version of Obakeidoro! can purchase Obakeidoro 2 at a 10 percent discount. The packaged version of the original game is not eligible for the discount.
The historical action manga "Hana no Keiji: Kumo no Kanata ni" is currently on sale on Kindle with 50% points back on all 18 volumes. The series, based on the life of Warring States eccentric Maeda Keiji, is known for its popularity in pachinko machines and memorable lines. The sale applies to the complete series.
The Girls Revolution Project will hold its second live performance, 'Revolutio,' on August 8, 2026, at Spotify O-EAST in Tokyo. The show marks the two-year anniversary of the project's units Shinseiki and Tsumi to Batsu, both appearing in virtual form. Tickets go on sale via Tixplus, with official resale via Tixplus Trade from July 14 to July 26. The first live 'Kaizen' took place in 2025.
K, a member of the group &TEAM, made his film debut as Nagi Seishiro in the live-action Blue Lock film at its world premiere in Tokyo on July 13. During the stage greeting, K expressed gratitude to the cast and staff and asked the audience if he could now call himself an actor, receiving applause. The film opens in Japan on August 7.
DMM GAMES has announced that the PC RPG Tenkei Paradox will end service on August 26, 2026, approximately four years after its launch. The game was one of the titles commemorating DMM GAMES' 10th anniversary. Paid diamond purchases are suspended from July 13, and refunds will be available from August 26 to November 26. A CG collection with unreleased data is in preparation.
Axel Entermedia revealed the key visual for Touken Ranbu - ICE BLADE -, the first ice show based on the Touken Ranbu franchise. The event runs October 3-4 at Yoyogi National Gymnasium in Tokyo. Top skaters including Kaori Sakamoto, Takahito Mura, and Keiji Tanaka perform alongside voice actors. The story involves a five-headed dragon attacking a honmaru and an Ice Spirit awakening. Ticket sales begin July 3.
x3d representative Kōnosuke Takeishi will speak at the ODEN BUSINESS WORKSHOP 04 in Oita Prefecture on July 23, 2026. The talk, co-presented with ORSO CEO Yoshichika Sakamoto, will include a live demonstration of creating an anime opening sequence using only generative AI. The workshop is organized by the Oita Prefecture Digital Content Industry Promotion Council and focuses on how AI-driven talent can transform business and creative work, especially for regional companies with limited resources.
Hip-hop crew SUSHIBOYS released the single 'Coin Laundry' on July 7 and the MV for 'Laundry' on July 6. The song recalls composing at a coin laundry in their hometown of Ogose Town, Saitama. Guest performers kou-kei, Mc Mamagari, Takut, and Goneshow appear. The MV includes footage from a live the crew held at the same laundry on May 31, marking their 10th debut anniversary.
At an Anime Expo 2026 panel, the creators of Frieren: Beyond Journey's End revealed behind-the-scenes details of Season 2 and stated that Season 3 aims to surpass Season 2's quality. Director Tomoya Kitagawa, Chief Director Keiichiro Saito, Character Designer Keisuke Kojima, and Madhouse Producer Yuichiro Fukushi appeared before a packed audience.
TV Asahi announced six new English dub cast members for the Akane-banashi anime during its Anime Expo panel. The dub cast includes Kari Wahlgren, Greg Chun, Ben Diskin, SungWon Cho, Crispin Freeman, and Keith Silverstein. The anime will return for a second season in January 2027.
Good Smile Racing announced a 1/7 scale figure of Racing Miku based on Kei Mochizuki's 15th anniversary illustration "Rhapsody." The figure features a pure white dress with colorful ribbons representing past designs. Pre-orders are open at 30,000 yen, with release scheduled for October 2027.
A special collaboration video featuring Kamen Rider Zetts and Super Space Sheriff Gavan Infinity will screen in Japanese theaters from July 3. The video is part of the "NO MORE Movie Thieves" campaign, which urges audiences not to film or record in theaters. The two heroes pursue a "Camera Man" character in a comical chase, with narration by Jiei Kabira and Ayako Kawasumi.
Dengeki Hobby Web has listed the Shueisha Kindle comic and novel releases arriving on Amazon.co.jp on July 3, 2026. The slate includes Hunter x Hunter (Monochrome Edition) Vol. 39, Kinnikuman Vol. 93, Futsuu no Keion-bu Vol. 11, Ao no Hako Vol. 26, Marriage Toxin Vol. 18, and several other titles across multiple genres.
Takara Tomy has opened pre-orders for the Shinkalion 500 Kodama from the Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkalion anime as part of its Plarail SGX series. The toy transforms from a four-car train into a robot and can combine with other separately sold SGX products into a five-car formation. It is priced at 8,800 yen and ships August 8, 2026.
The staff for the television anime of Hiromu Arakawa's Daemons of the Shadow Realm manga released the main promotional video, key visual, and theme song details for the second cour on Sunday. Kei Sugawara performs the ending theme song "Kujaku" (Peacock), while Masanori Otoda provides the opening theme song "back shot." The second cour debuts on July 4. The anime, directed by Masahiro Ando at Bones Film, premiered on April 4 and is set to run for two consecutive cours. Crunchyroll streams the series with a same-day English dub. The cast includes Kensho Ono as Yuru, Yume Miyamoto as Asa, Yuichi Nakamura as Dera, and Misaki Kuno as Gabu-chan. Noboru Takagi oversees series scripts, Nobuhiro Arai handles character design and chief animation direction, and Kenichiro Suehiro composes the music. Arakawa launched the manga in Square Enix's Monthly Shonen Gangan in December 2021, with the 13th volume releasing July 10.
Rockstar Games has announced pricing for Grand Theft Auto VI, the next entry in the open-world crime series. The standard edition will cost $79.99, while the Ultimate Edition is set at $99.99. The prices were reported by journalist Jeff Keighley, who said the information came directly from Rockstar Games and parent company Take-Two Interactive. Pre-orders for the game open on June 25 at midnight local time, and the title is scheduled for release on November 19 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. The Japanese price has not been announced, but based on current exchange rates, the standard edition is expected to be around 13,000 yen and the Ultimate Edition around 16,000 yen. Alongside the pricing news, Sony Interactive Entertainment published a PlayStation.Blog post detailing PS5-specific features. The PS5 version will support DualSense haptic feedback and adaptive triggers from launch day, as well as Tempest 3D AudioTech and near-instant load times via the console's SSD. The physical edition of the game will include a digital download code rather than a disc.
Keisuke Honda's venture capital firm X&KSK invested in Engineer no Mikata, an engineer dispatch company. A two-part talk video released on YouTube reveals why Honda, who aims to create Japan's first decacorn, backed a business he initially thought was reckless. The conversation covers Japan's multi-tiered subcontracting structure, low engineer salaries, and the role of AI in redefining the industry.
Almavinca is accepting reservations for new merchandise from the anime "Too Many Losing Heroines!" on its EC site AMNIBUS from June 13 to July 22. The lineup features Anna Yanami, Lemon Yakushiji, Chika Komari, and Yoshiki Shizuku in school uniform apron designs, including life-size tapestries, acrylic stands, and trading items. Shipment is scheduled for late September.
Palude has opened pre-orders for the second Haikyu!! loungewear collection, featuring Toru Oikawa, Hajime Iwaizumi, Keiji Akaashi, Atsumu Miya, and Osamu Miya in designs themed around their favorite foods. Items include pullovers, pants, hair bands, socks, keychains, cushions, acrylic stands, and can badges, available from June 22 to July 20, 2026.
The live-action film "Osomatsu-san: Jinrui Kuzu-ka Keikaku!!!!!?" will host limited audio commentary screenings from June 26 to July 31, featuring Aぇ! group and Nishimura Takuya. New live footage of Watanabe Miho and Noguchi Iori performing a duet has also been released on YouTube for a limited time until July 12.
Kagami Games announced on Thursday it will release seven visual novels in English, including My (♂) Life as a Vampire's Maid (♀), Please Praise the SR Girls!, and Arcana Alchemia. The company also set release dates for two previously announced titles and confirmed a collaboration for Tayutama - Kiss on My Deity on additional storefronts.
Medicom Toy is releasing a limited 400% BE@RBRICK audio speaker with Keith Haring art motifs to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Keith Haring Pop Shop. The portable Bluetooth speaker stands 28 cm tall, uses Rinaro's omnidirectional audio technology, and costs 99,000 yen. It launches in June 2026 at Medicom Toy stores and select retailers.
The manga adaptation of Yuuki Enaga's light novel Shōkan Skill wo Keishōshita node Kiwamete Miyō to Omoimasu! concluded on Friday. The series ran on Comic Growl from November 2024 and released its third compiled volume on June 8. Artist Kikori Morino drew the adaptation. The original light novel debuted on Kakuyomu in 2023.
Organizer Geoff Keighley announced that Summer Game Fest 2026 became the most-watched edition of the event to date, with 62 million livestreams and a peak concurrent viewership of 6.7 million. All key metrics grew by double digits year over year, with approximately 23% growth compared to 2025.
A rumor that Hideo Kojima and The Game Awards host Geoff Keighley are on bad terms has spread online, originating from Kojima's reaction to losing all seven nominations at TGA2025. The lack of visible interaction since then, including Kojima's absence from Summer Game Fest, has fueled the meme. Keighley has replied to Kojima's posts without response, but Kojima reposted a joke about the feud, showing he is aware of the meme.
Kei Urana, creator of Gachiakuta, and graffiti designer Hideyoshi Andou have deactivated their X accounts after a wave of online harassment. Urana faced backlash for sharing a fan parody video, and Andou was targeted after defending her. A Studio Bones animator publicly condemned the toxicity.
The NPD BookScan Top 20 adult graphic novels for April 2026 has 16 manga volumes, led by Jujutsu Kaisen volume 29. Gachiakuta volume 1 debuts at fourth. Five manga titles also appear on the New York Times Best Sellers list for May 2026.
The 2022 live-action film 'Osomatsu-san the Movie' starring Snow Man will air on TV Tokyo on June 6, 2026, from 11:40 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. The broadcast promotes the upcoming sequel 'Osomatsu-san: Humanity's Trashification Plan!!!!!?' starring Aぇ! group, which opens nationwide on June 12.
The main promotional video for the second season of the anime Baki Hanma, based on Keisuke Itagaki's manga, has been released. The video shows Miyamoto Musashi confronting underground arena fighters. Chevon performs the opening theme "Roku no Wa," and Sandaime J SOUL BROTHERS perform the ending theme "KATANA." The season streams exclusively on Netflix starting June 18.
The live-action television adaptation of Keiko Suenobu's Ochitara Owari manga has announced three new cast members: Aimi Satsukawa, Kei Fubuki, and Sarina Suzuki. The series premieres July 1 in the Wednesday Platinum Night timeslot on Chukyo TV, NTV, and affiliates. Former AKB-48 member Mariko Shinoda and announcer Misato Ugaki star.
Takara Tomy has opened pre-orders for the Black Shinkalion as part of its Plarail SGX toy line. The set includes a three-car formation, weapons, and transformation into a dragon and Berserker Mode. A separate 800 Tsubame figure and a Link Combination Set pairing E5 Hayabusa with 800 Tsubame are also available.
CITY: The Animation concluded its 13-episode run with a finale that doubles the usual cut count and ends with a fully original musical number. The series, directed by Taichi Ishidate and based on Keiichi Arawi's manga, was produced by Kyoto Animation over an extended period. The finale was directed by Ishidate and Takuya Yamamura, with three animation supervisors including Tamami Tokuyama, Kayo Hikiyama, and Nobuaki Maruki. The production's philosophy rejected digital effects in favor of hand-drawn animation, background art, and effects, aiming to retrain younger animators in skills that had become less common. Arawi wrote all production credits by hand and was deeply involved in the adaptation, including selecting classical music pieces for episode 12. The Sakuga Blog's analysis describes the series as a milestone for the studio, comparable to Liz and the Blue Bird, but notes that its resource-intensive approach is unlikely to be repeated. Kyoto Animation is expected to announce a new project at an upcoming event, with speculation pointing toward a long-promised adaptation of the novel 20th Century Electricity Catalog.
A new Neon Genesis Evangelion television series is in development, with NieR creator Yoko Taro attached as series composer and scriptwriter. Studio Khara announced the project during the final program of the Evangelion:30+ 30th Anniversary of Evangelion event over the weekend. The series will be co-produced with CloverWorks, known for Spy x Family. Story details, release timing, and cast have not been revealed. Kazuya Tsurumaki, a longtime Evangelion collaborator and director of FLCL, will direct alongside Toko Yatabe, who has worked extensively within the franchise. Keiichi Okabe, another key NieR creative voice, will compose the music. Original Evangelion creator Hideaki Anno is not listed among the lead creative credits. The announcement positions the project as the franchise's first completely new TV installment in years, fueled by the creative team's well-regarded profiles for atmosphere and story crafting.
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.
The July issue of Ichijinsha's Comic Rex magazine announced that pastime774 will launch a manga adaptation of Kei Takano's light novel series Dōtei Dakedo Akuyaku Kizoku ni Tensei Shita no de Harem o Tsukuru Isekai. The manga begins serialization in the magazine's next issue on June 26.
The film "Osomatsu-san: Human Scum-ification Plan!!!!!?" starring Aぇ! group, Keita Kusama Richard, and Takuya Nishimura will offer a special sticker as a first-week audience gift from June 12 to 14, followed by a full live video of the in-film unit F6 from June 19 to July 5. The film opens June 12, 2026.
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 Patlabor EZY 'File 1' film opened at #8 in the Japanese box office, while the live-action Shōjiki Fudōsan film debuted at #4. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie returned to #1 in its fourth weekend, and Detective Conan: Highway no Datenshi held at #3 in its sixth weekend.
Chukyo TV announced a live-action television adaptation of Keiko Suenobu's Ochitara Owari manga, premiering July 1 on Chukyo TV, NTV, and affiliates. Former AKB-48 member Mariko Shinoda and announcer Misato Ugaki star. Taeko Asano writes the scripts.