Illustrator lack is actively collaborating with PRISMA WING on a series of 1/7 scale Piapro Characters figures, with pre-orders open for MEIKO and KAITO as of June 2026.
Illustrator lack has been working with Prime 1 Studio's PRISMA WING line on a series of 1/7 scale figures based on original illustrations of Piapro Characters. In May 2026, PRISMA WING opened pre-orders for a MEIKO figure, capturing the character in a relaxed off-stage pose on a neon-lit hexagonal base. The figure was priced at 27,998 yen at Rakuten Books. In June 2026, the line expanded with a KAITO figure, also based on original art by lack, now available for pre-order at Kadostore for 32,890 yen until July 9, 2026, with a scheduled release in August 2027.
Both figures share a hexagonal base design that allows collectors to connect multiple characters from the series. The collaboration between lack and PRISMA WING has produced at least two figures as of June 2026, with no further figures announced. The MEIKO figure's pre-order period and the KAITO figure's pre-order window overlap, suggesting the line is being released in quick succession.
No other projects involving lack are mentioned in the available stories. The artist's work on these figures represents the extent of current coverage.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the cited Yomimono stories below, each itself sourced, then editorially reviewed. Every fact links the story it came from.
Structured graph also available as JSON at /public/entities/lack.
CC BY 4.0.
Ubisoft announced on July 6 that Assassin's Creed Black Flag Re: Sync will launch in Japan on July 9, with console versions (PS5, Xbox Series X|S) playable from midnight and the PC version from 23:00 that same day. Pre-loading is already live for Xbox, with PS5 and PC pre-loads starting July 7. A traffic vision ad campaign runs July 6-12 at Shibuya and Dotonbori locations.
Game Spark and Inside have published their weekly roundups of new game releases for the week of July 6, 2026, covering both the Japanese and North American markets. The headline titles this week are 'Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced', 'GRANBLUE FANTASY: Relink - Endless Ragnarok', and 'Palworld', all scheduled for release on July 9 and July 10 respectively. 'Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced' launches on July 9 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. 'GRANBLUE FANTASY: Relink - Endless Ragnarok' also arrives July 9 on PC, PS5, PS4, and Nintendo Switch 2. 'Palworld' follows on July 10 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. Other notable releases include 'Echoes of Aincrad' (July 9 on PS5, Xbox, PC; July 10 on PS5, Xbox, PC), 'Digimon Story Time Stranger' (July 9 on Switch 2 and Switch), 'Wuthering Waves' (July 10 on Xbox Series X|S), and 'College Football 27' (July 9 on PC, PS5, Xbox). The lists also include dozens of smaller indie and digital-only titles across all platforms.
The staff of the second season of the Black Clover anime revealed a new promotional video on Sunday, July 5, 2026, which previews the opening theme song by rock band WANIMA. The video debuted at Anime Expo 2026 on Saturday, July 4, where the first episode of the new season also had its world premiere. The opening song is titled "Kienai Riyuu" (The Reason That Won't Disappear). The second season will debut on TV Tokyo in October 2026. Ayataka Tanemura, who directed episodes 153-170 of the original Black Clover anime and the 2023 film Black Clover: Sword of the Wizard King, will direct the new season. Studio Pierrot returns to animate the season. Crunchyroll will stream the anime. The Black Clover anime originally aired 170 episodes from October 2017 to March 2021. The manga, created by Yuki Tabata, launched in Weekly Shonen Jump in February 2015 and concluded on May 1, 2024, after transferring to Jump GIGA in 2023.
The summer 2026 anime Black Torch, based on Takaki Tsuyoshi's Jump SQ. manga, released the synopsis and advance scene cuts for its first episode ahead of its July 4 broadcast. The episode introduces Jiro Azuma, a high school student and ninja descendant who can talk to animals, and his encounter with the mononoke Ragou.
Yen Press announced six manga and two novel licenses during its Anime Expo panel on Friday, including Planarian Humans, Takane-san and Arashi-chan, Zeta Gundam Define, The Chef of the Adventurers' Tavern, A Flower in Black Crude Clothes, and The 11th Cat Is Nene!.
BluPetal licensed Masashi Kumamoto's Last Heaven and Raika Suzumi's The Black World is Dyed in White Chalk at Anime Expo, both for print and digital release in early 2027. The publisher also signed a marketing deal with Kaiohsha for its Gush Comics BL imprint and announced a subscription platform at BluPetal.net.
Crunchyroll announced a same-day English dub for the Black Torch television anime, starting Saturday. The English cast includes A.J. Beckles as Jiro Azuma, Ben Balmaceda as Toshimasa Azuma, Ben Diskin as Amagi/Crow, and Erin Yvette as Ichika Kishimojin, among others. STUDIOPOLIS, Inc. handles ADR production.
Ubisoft has released the spec sheet for the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S versions of Assassin's Creed Black Flag RE: Syncro, detailing graphics modes and target frame rates across all console variants ahead of the July 9, 2026 launch.
Bandai Spirits is re-releasing S.H.Figuarts (True Bone Carving Method) figures of Kamen Rider BLACK and Shadow Moon in new specifications. The King Stone Flash Edition and Shadow Flash Edition include light-gathering heads, exchangeable belt parts, and effect sheets. Pre-orders open July 1, 2026, with BLACK shipping in December 2026 and Shadow Moon in January 2027.
The anime for Yōsuke Kaneda's manga The Classroom of a Black Cat and a Witch released a third promotional video on Monday, announcing Akari Nanawo's new opening theme "∞Rettō-Sei" for the second cour. Comedian Attack Nishimoto joins the cast as Ursa Minor, a Virgo Magic student appearing in episode 13.
Abel Co., Ltd. will exhibit the "Tone of Black" speaker at VAGUE KOBE from July 17 to 20, 2026. The speaker was designed by Teruhiro Yanagihara Studio with acoustic engineering by Koshiro Fukuoka. An opening event on July 17 includes a talk session and DJ sets.
The upcoming anime adaptation of Tsuyoshi Takaki's manga "Black Torch" has released its opening video, featuring the theme song "FREEZE ME UP" by the band SiM. The video was streamed ahead of the series' premiere on July 4, 2026. The anime will be available on Crunchyroll in multiple regions including North America, Central and South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East, and the CIS. The series is produced by studio One Double-0 (100studio), with Kei Umabiki directing, Gigaemon Ichikawa handling series composition and screenplay, Gou Suzuki on character designs, and Yutaka Yamada composing the music. The Japanese voice cast includes Ryota Suzuki as Jiro Azuma, Yoji Ueda as Rago, Sayaka Senbongi as Ichika Kishimojin, Junya Enoki as Reiji Kirihara, Junichi Suwabe as Ryosuke Shiba, and Reina Ueda as Usami. The English dub cast includes A.J. Beckles as Jiro Azuma and Erin Yvette as Ichika Kishimojin. The ending theme is "Groooovy" by I Don't Like Mondays. The manga originally ran in Jump Square from 2017 to 2018, spanning five volumes.
Edia released the Nintendo Switch port of the otome game Blackish House ←sideZ -Retour- on June 25, 2026, priced at 8,580 yen. Originally a PC game from April 2017, the title features new romanceable characters with "black personalities"-talented but selfish celebrities forced to cohabitate and stage a musical within six months or lose their contracts.
Desolation Digital released the incremental game 'How To Grow a Black Hole' on PC today. Players feed a black hole to increase its mass, unlock upgrades, and automate growth, but must control instability to prevent collapse. A 15% launch discount brings the price to 450 yen until July 1. The developer describes the concept as raising 'the worst pet in the universe,' a deliberately absurd take on astrophysics.
Activision announced on June 23 that Nicolas Cage will appear in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 as a new operator in the Season 04 Reloaded update launching June 26. He is the face of the Summer of Action event and is obtained through a premium event pass track that includes an exclusive skin, emote, and finishing move. The update also adds a Japanese-style zombie map, a new multiplayer map, and a remastered map.
Good Smile Company's Cutie Honey Nova PLAMATEA Black Honey plastic model kit took first place in Amazon Japan's Hobby Bestseller Ranking as of June 18, 2026. The ranking also featured returning favorites like Hot Wheels Ferrari Testarossa and a Pokémon Re-Ment set, plus restocked items such as the 30MM Full Armor Portanova and 30MP Bocchi the Rock! Hitori Gotoh.
Treyarch announced on June 18 that the first two games in the Black Ops series, Call of Duty: Black Ops and Call of Duty: Black Ops II, will be ported to current PlayStation hardware in July 2026. The ports are being handled in partnership with Iron Galaxy. Both titles will include all three modes: Campaign, Multiplayer, and Zombies. The original Black Ops, released in 2010, is set during the Cold War and follows CIA operatives including Alex Mason. It introduced the iconic map Nuketown, which became a series staple. The sequel, Black Ops II, released in 2012, spans two time periods, the 1980s and 2025, and features the series' first multiple-ending campaign based on player choices. Specific details about which PlayStation hardware (such as PS5 or PS4) will be supported and pricing have not been disclosed.
Prime 1 Studio's PRISMA WING series is releasing a 1/7 scale figure of KAITO based on an original illustration by artist lack. The figure is now available for pre-order at Kadostore for 32,890 yen until July 9, 2026, with a scheduled release in August 2027.
Crunchyroll announced its Summer 2026 simulcast lineup on June 17, covering more than 50 new and returning series. The season kicks off on June 24 with Heroine? Saint? No, I'm an All-Works Maid (And Proud of It)! and runs through August. Major new adaptations include Black Torch, an action series about a shinobi who bonds with a mononoke cat, and Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia, a historical fantasy from Science SARU set during the Mongol Empire's expansion. Returning sequels dominate the slate: Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Season 3, Hana-Kimi Season 2, Saga of Tanya the Evil Season 2, Clevatess Season 2, and Trapped in a Dating Sim: The World of Otome Games is Tough for Mobs Season 2 all premiere in July. Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World- Season 4 Part 2 arrives on August 12. The Elusive Samurai Season 2 and Oh Boy, Was I Wrong About Her are confirmed for later in the season without exact dates. Twelve series continuing from Spring 2026, including One Piece's Elbaph Arc Part 2 and That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 4, will also stream through the summer. English dub languages were listed for many titles.
Mark Gordon, the head of Call of Duty: Black Ops developer Treyarch, has stepped down after 22 years at the studio. The announcement was made via official social media channels. Gordon had led the studio since May 2005, overseeing the development of numerous Call of Duty titles including Call of Duty 2: Big Red One, Call of Duty 3, Call of Duty: World at War, and the entire Black Ops series. Under his leadership, Treyarch introduced technical innovations such as the Super Terrain system in 2018's Black Ops 4, which supported up to 100 players on a single map, and the OmniMovement system in 2024's Black Ops 6, which enabled smooth movement in all directions. The studio's new leadership will be co-studio heads Kevin Hendrickson and Yale Miller, both longtime Treyarch veterans with over a decade of experience as Chief Operating Officer and Production Director, respectively. The studio's message thanked Gordon for his leadership and friendship. As of the time of reporting, Gordon's LinkedIn profile still lists him as Treyarch studio head, and his next role has not been disclosed.
Oro Interactive released the first-person horror adventure game 'MOLE' on Steam on June 15, 2026. Developed by Off Black Creations, the game is priced at 1,500 yen, with a 10% launch discount running until June 30. Players take the role of a navigator aboard a massive post-war drilling vessel called the 'Mole,' descending into an underground Slavic region to trace a mysterious signal. The crew has vanished, and the drill is silent. Gameplay involves operating levers, switches, and machinery to repair broken systems, with no tutorials or objective markers. As players progress, they collect memory fragments that reveal the story and the fate of the missing crew. The game is described as a psychological horror about madness, faith, and the 'abyss' people dig into themselves. A launch trailer shows eerie ship interiors and surreal landscapes. On Steam, the game has earned a 'Very Positive' rating, with 96% of 150 user reviews positive at the time of reporting. The estimated playtime is 4 to 5 hours.
Good Smile Company announced a PLAMATEA plastic model of Black Honey, the mysterious warrior from the joint project Cutie Honey Nova. The model stands 170mm tall, includes multiple weapons and expression parts, and is scheduled for release in December 2026 for 8,800 yen.
TV Tokyo announced on Monday that the second season of the Black Clover anime, based on Yūki Tabata's manga, will premiere in October 2026. Ayataka Tanemura, who directed episodes 153-170 of the first season and the 2023 film Black Clover: Sword of the Wizard King, will return as director. Studio Pierrot will animate the new season, and Crunchyroll will stream it. Tanemura and Asta voice actor Gakuto Kajiwara will appear at a panel at Anime Expo 2026 on July 4, where a premiere screening of the first episode is also planned. A 10-minute recap video of the first season, previously shown at the Black Clover Exhibition in Tokyo and Osaka, has been released on YouTube. The first Black Clover anime ran for 170 episodes from October 2017 to March 2021. The manga concluded in Jump GIGA in May 2026 after beginning serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump in February 2015.
Kotobukiya is re-releasing its ARTFX J figure of Touko and Tepig from Pokémon Black and White. Based on a newly drawn illustration by artist Ariga Hitoshi, the 1/8 scale PVC figure features Touko in her signature hot pants and ponytail, with Tepig posed on flame-effect clear parts. It is priced at 15,400 yen and ships in November 2026.
Bandai is releasing the second series of its Machibouke Gundam gashapon figures in a special Black Clear color variant. The lineup includes four mobile suits: Z'Gok, Dom, Strike Gundam, and Baku. Each figure costs 400 yen and will be available at Bandai Namco Official Shops starting early June.
Ubisoft released a Deep Dive video during the Future Games Show: Summer Showcase 2026, with game director Richard Knight detailing new elements in the upcoming remake of Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag. The game adds smoother gameplay, the ability to hire new officers, and expanded storylines for characters like Lucy and Blackbeard. It launches July 9, 2026, on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Ubisoft released a new trailer for Assassin's Creed Black Flag RE: Sync during the Summer Game Fest 2026 broadcast on June 6. The full remake of 2013's Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag is set to launch July 9, 2026, on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, and Ubisoft Store.
The staff for the television anime adaptation of Tsuyoshi Takaki's manga Black Torch revealed a second promotional video on Friday, June 5, along with the show's theme song information and a new key visual. SiM performs the opening theme song "Freeze Me Up," and I Don't Like Mondays. performs the ending theme song "Groooovy." The new video previews both songs and showcases battle scenes. The anime will debut on July 4 on TOKYO MX and other stations. Crunchyroll will stream the series in North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East, and CIS. The world premiere will screen at Anime Expo 2026. Kei Umabiki directs the series at 100Studio, with character designs by Gō Suzuki, series composition and scripts by Gigaemon Ichikawa, and music by Yutaka Yamada. The cast includes Ryōta Suzuki as Jiro Azuma, Yōji Ueda as Rago, Sayaka Senbongi as Ichika Kishimojin, and Junya Enoki as Reiji Kirihara. Viz Media publishes the original manga in English, which ran in Jump Square from 2016 to 2018 across five volumes.
Denfaminicogamer reviewed the roguelite action game Raiders of Blackveil, where animal characters fight against the oppressive mega-corporation Blackveil. The review highlights the game's high-risk, high-reward gameplay, customizable dungeon difficulty, and a balance of challenge and reward that keeps players engaged despite the brutal enemy numbers.
Publisher Oro Interactive and developer Off Black Creations have announced that the psychological horror game 'MOLE' will launch on Steam on June 16. The game places players in the role of a navigator piloting a malfunctioning giant drilling vessel called the 'Mole' through an underground descent, with no tutorial or hand-holding guidance. Players must repair the vessel's broken systems and learn its operation through trial and error while listening to the voices of dead crew members and chasing a mysterious signal from the depths. The story explores themes of loss, guilt, and confronting one's own failures, with fragmented memories surfacing as the player descends. The game's demo, released on January 29, has already received a 'Very Positive' rating on Steam with 96% positive reviews out of 138 total, praised for its art style and the tactile feel of operating machinery in a confined space. The Swedish four-person development team Off Black Creations emphasizes immersive experiences that trust the player, while Oro Interactive has previously handled titles like 'Super Battle Golf' and 'Roadside Research'.
Anime Anime reports that Black Butler: Book of Circus, the third TV anime season adapting the Noah's Ark Circus arc, is available for unlimited streaming on DMM TV, U-NEXT, d Anime Store, Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu. Amazon Prime Video offers rental-only access, and TSUTAYA DISCAS provides DVD rental. DMM TV is highlighted as the most affordable unlimited option at 550 yen per month with a 14-day free trial.
Black Jacket is a deck-building roguelite set in the afterlife where players challenge opponents to blackjack with coins of the soul at stake. The game allows cheating through card back patterns, suit-based effects, and sleeve mechanics, letting players manipulate draws and interfere with opponent cards.
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.
Dubbing producer Reuben Lack, in an interview published on the Substack newsletter Anime by the Numbers, discussed the current state of anime dubbing and localization. Lack described his entry into the industry, starting in Los Angeles in 2016 and later joining SDI Media (now Iyuno), where his known enthusiasm for anime led to work on Crunchyroll titles. He named his favorite dub project as "Heavenly Delusion" ("Tengoku Daimakyo"), praising its cast and visual quality. Lack expressed concern about increasing pressure on dubbing workflows, citing instances where productions record English dubs against non-final animatics and do not correct sync issues later. He also noted that some companies hire vendors with no anime experience, resulting in what he called "awkward, clunky dubs." Lack called for fans to be vocal about quality expectations and to call out subpar work. He contrasted anime dubbing with live-action dubbing, saying anime localization often becomes "highly derivative of itself" and that he prefers more naturalistic performances like Kylie McNeill's in "Belle" or Jonah Scott's in "Beastars."
A pop up shop for the TV anime "Black Butler: Public School Arc" and "Black Butler: Emerald Witch Arc" will run from January 31 to February 15, 2026, at Shinjuku Marui Annex in Tokyo. The shop will sell new merchandise featuring original illustrations. A talk event with production staff, including director Kenjiro Okada, character designer Yumi Shimizu, and animation producer Taito Ito, is scheduled for February 7 at Shinjuku Marui Men. Attendees can enter the shop freely, though crowd control measures may apply. A purchase bonus offers a random mini-shikishi (four designs) for every 3,000 yen spent. Online sales via the Marui Web Channel run concurrently from January 31 to February 15. Applications for the talk event are open from January 17 to February 1, with winners announced around February 3-4.
CloverWorks announced a regional tour of its POP UP SHOP 2026 event, starting January 16 in Ebetsu, Hokkaido, followed by Nagoya in February and Kochi in March. The pop-up shops will sell merchandise for series including My Dress-Up Darling, Wind Breaker, Bocchi the Rock!, Spy × Family, Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, and others. Limited quantities of past release goods and books will also be available. Each venue will display reproduction artwork and production materials, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the studio's animation process. The tour begins at Ebetsu Tsutaya Books (January 16 to February 4), moves to TSUTAYA BOOKSTORE Noritake in Nagoya (February 13 to March 2), and ends at Kochi Tsutaya Books (March 27 to April 13). Stock and exhibits may vary by location. The announcement was made on January 9, 2026.
Wombo Games released the Ghoulag Update for the early-access roguelite Raiders of Blackveil on May 19. The update adds a cursed-prison biome called Ghoulag with 10 new monsters, two bosses, and a searchlight gimmick. It also introduces Champion Perks that can fundamentally change a character's abilities, such as turning a healer into a poison attacker.
To mark the 25th anniversary of the manga, two limited-edition chronograph wristwatches themed after the Lagoon Company and Hotel Moscow have been announced. Each model is limited to 2,001 units, with pre-orders opening June 19 and a release scheduled for late October 2026. The watches retail for 29,700 yen.
British-style pub chain HUB announced a second collaboration with the manga Black Lagoon, running from August 7 to August 30. The event will feature newly drawn illustrations by Rei Hiroe, limited goods, and themed drinks and food. Visuals of Levi and other characters in bar outfits were released ahead of the full details.
Prime 1 Studio's PRISMA WING line is now accepting pre-orders for a 1/7 scale figure of Piapro Characters' MEIKO, based on original art by illustrator lack. The figure captures MEIKO in a relaxed off-stage pose, raising a glass on a neon-lit hexagonal base. Pre-orders are available at Rakuten Books for 27,998 yen.
The staff for the television anime adaptation of Tsuyoshi Takaki's manga Black Torch announced three additional cast members and several new staff positions on May 15. Shinpachi Tsuji will voice Toshimasa Azuma, Yuko Kaida will play Toko Kusumi, and Hochu Otsuka will portray Banjuro Tokieda. The newly revealed staff include sub-character designers Yumi Nakamura, Masahiko Suzuki, and Mariko Kinoshita, design works by Shunya Kikuchi, art directors Sachi Takahashi and Shoko Imaizumi, color designer Haruko Nobori, CG director Hirotaka Naito, director of photography Satoshi Yamamoto, editor Masato Yoshitake, sound director Takeshi Takadera, and sound effects by Naoto Yamatani. The anime is directed by Kei Umabiki at 100studio, with character designs by Go Suzuki, series composition and scripts by Gigaemon Ichikawa, and music by Yutaka Yamada. Black Torch will premiere on July 4 on TOKYO MX and other channels. Crunchyroll will stream the series in multiple regions including North America, Europe, and Oceania. The manga, which ran in Shueisha's Jump Square and later on Shonen Jump+, spans five volumes and is published in English by Viz Media.
The June issue of Monthly Sunday GX includes a Maomao acrylic stand for The Apothecary Diaries spin-off, announces Jormungand and Black Lagoon anniversary exhibitions, and concludes Akiri's Under: All About the New Transparent Power.
Siliconera reviews the first volume of Takidon's shojo manga My Super-Cute Black Mage, released in English by Yen Press. The series follows Aria, a magic school prefect who can read the mind of the abrasive black mage Jade, discovering his hostile words mask genuine affection. The review praises the mind-reading gimmick for defusing the tsundere dynamic early and creating comedy and tension.
Anime Feminist reviewed the first episode of The Classroom of a Black Cat and a Witch. The review finds the premiere uncomfortable, citing frequent upskirting, a friend who sexually harasses the lead, and a scene where Spica offers her body in exchange for magic. The reviewer says the comedy relies on sexual stunners instead of the weird magic that could make the show distinct. A late sequence where Spica proves herself does not salvage the episode.