2d ago
Infinite Loop released DLC for virtual singers MEIKO and KAITO on the Desktop Mate platform on July 9, 2026. The paid add-ons, each priced at 2,200 yen, are available on Steam and add new 3D models supervised by Crypton Future Media, along with original motions and voice lines. MEIKO, who debuted in November 2004 as the first Japanese-language virtual singer, can be seen striking poses, singing, fixing her hair, relaxing with a drink, and waving when pinched. KAITO, the first male Japanese virtual singer since February 2006, performs singing gestures, poses, eats ice cream, and exits with a polite bow. Both characters have an alarm function that displays them full-screen at a set time. Desktop Mate itself is a free app that displays 3D characters on the PC screen, with additional DLC available for other characters. With the release of MEIKO and KAITO, all six Piapro Characters are now represented in Desktop Mate.
Jun 26
Infinite Loop began sales of the Desktop Mate Sanrio Characters DLC Set on June 26, bundling six previously released character DLCs for the desktop mascot platform. The set includes Hello Kitty, Pompompurin, Cinnamoroll, Pochacco, My Melody, and Kuromi, each with officially supervised voices and personality-specific animations. Pompompurin dozes off while sitting, Pochacco hops around, and Kuromi occasionally takes selfies. The bundle is priced at 10,560 yen including tax, a 20% discount from the regular combined price of 13,200 yen. It is the first six-DLC bundle for Desktop Mate. A multi-character feature allowing Sanrio characters to interact on screen is scheduled for a full release soon. A promotional video showing the characters moving on a desktop has been published on YouTube. The set is available on Steam for Windows 10 and 11, with macOS support added for Tahoe 26 and later via open beta. The sale period runs until March 4, 2027.
Jun 4
Nested Loop Studios and Pantaloon's room-building simulator Boxroom, which turns a player's Steam library into physical 3D packages for display and game launching, was scheduled for Early Access on May 26, 2026, but the Steam store page still reads "Coming Soon" as of June 4. A 4Gamer.net play report published ahead of the intended launch details the game's library-scanning feature, room customization with 1990s UK-themed furniture, and the privacy settings required to sync a user's account.
May 19
Koji Suzuki, the novelist who created the Ring horror franchise and helped launch the J-horror boom in the west, died in a Tokyo hospital on Friday. He was 68. His 1991 novel Ring spawned films, manga, and spinoffs, and his other works include Dark Water, Spiral, and Loop.
May 16
Seven Seas Entertainment announced six new licenses on Wednesday. The slate includes four manga and two light novels, all scheduled for release between January and April 2027. The manga titles are Pendulum: The Beastmen Omegaverse Saga by Hana Hasumi, Good Night, My Little Bird by RICO SAKURA, The Cat Who Didn't Believe in 'What-ifs' by Oki Eiko, and The Tomorrow I Want to See with Kako: A Time-Loop Romantic Comedy by KNOTS. The light novels are Goetia Shock by Dokuzu Kento with art by Nekosuke Ookuma, and Wandmaker of the Ruined World by Hagane Kurodome with art by Kayahara. Pendulum and Good Night, My Little Bird will appear under the publisher's mature-rated BL label. Pendulum is a companion story to Remnant: The Beastmen Omegaverse Saga, already available from Seven Seas. The Cat Who Didn't Believe in 'What-ifs' began as a popular webcomic and will receive its first English print edition. Goetia Shock will be a digital-only release on the Airship imprint. The Tomorrow I Want to See with Kako carries a release date of January 2027 in the press release and March 2027 on social media. Pricing for the print volumes ranges from $15.99 to $16.99 in the United States.