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TØ-MA, a 2.5D singer active since February 2026, released her second single "Genkai Toppa Lover" for distribution. The upbeat rock track features music by shun÷1, bass from Nishitsuki Reion, and drum arrangement by Matenrou Opera's Hibiki. The release marks the official start of her VTuber activities, with live shows announced at Shibuya REX and BugLug's Bugsami 2026 Tokyo.
FLINT BASE, the animation studio established by CloverWorks and A-1 Pictures, is strengthening its management structure and preparing to recruit a second cohort of trainees. On August 21, 2026, CloverWorks and A-1 Pictures announced that MAPPA and Production I.G will join as partner studios. CloverWorks will continue to handle day-to-day operations, and the cooperative arrangement with A-1 Pictures will remain in place. The expanded partner network is intended to reinforce the studio's training system and support the development of animators. In terms of hiring, FLINT BASE plans to begin recruiting new graduates for its second cohort, who will join in April 2027, starting in September 2026. Application guidelines and other details are expected to be posted sequentially on the FLINT BASE official website. The announcement was published simultaneously on the A-1 Pictures and CloverWorks official news pages, both dated August 21, 2026.
Aniplex began streaming a trailer for the A(E)liens story segment of Atsushi Nishigori's original omnibus anime film Grotesqqque. The film opens in Japan on November 6. It premiered at this year's Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal. The omnibus comprises three stories with different worldviews, and the trailer spotlights the first segment.
Anime Anime rounds up five fall 2026 sequel series, including The Apothecary Diaries Season 3, Blue Box Season 2, and Black Clover 2nd Season, with recaps of prior seasons to help viewers catch up before new episodes air in October. The article highlights key plot points and new cast details for each show.
The first part of Musshu's manga adaptation of There's No Freaking Way I'll Be Your Lover! Unless... ended on July 31 on Shueisha's Young Jump + platform. Eru Kudō will draw the second part, titled Watashi ga Koibito ni Nareru Wake Naijan, Muri Muri! Muri Janakatta!? ~Second Season, launching in January or February 2027. The 10th compiled volume ships in December, with the final volume in 2027.
Future Friends Games released the Switch 2, PS5, Switch, and PS4 versions of CloverPit today, August 13, 2026. The game, developed by Panik Arcade, is a roguelite slot machine title where players are trapped in a rusty cell and must spin a five-reel slot to earn money and repay a debt before a deadline. The new console versions include all previously distributed update content, including the Hardmode Update, which doubles the required repayment amount. The Switch 2 version supports mouse operation and performance improvements, while the PS5 and PS4 versions feature light effects on DualSense and DualShock controllers. The game has sold over 1 million copies and has more than 5 million players across its existing platforms, which include PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, iOS, and Android. It was originally released on Steam on September 27, 2025, where it holds a "Very Positive" rating based on about 24,000 user reviews, with 90% recommending it. The price for the new console versions is 1,200 yen (tax included).
Future Friends Games and Panik Arcade will release the slot roguelite CloverPit on PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2 on August 13. The console versions include all post-launch updates, and the DLC Unholy Fusion launches the same day. The Switch 2 version supports mouse controls.
Automaton's weekly roundup highlights seven notable game stories, including the announcement of Palworld Online, a mobile MMORPG by Garena, and Attack on Titan 3, set for December 10. Other entries cover new titles from veteran creators and indie releases.
CloverWorks and director Atsushi Nishigori announced on July 27 that Akio Ōtsuka has joined the cast of the original omnibus anime film Grotesqqque. Ōtsuka will voice the Space Agency Bureau Director in the film's first story, "A(E)liens." The film is set to open in Japan on November 6, 2026, and will have its world premiere at the Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal, running from July 16 to August 2. Grotesqqque consists of three distinct stories: "A(E)liens," "Yoroshiku★Girl," and "Nocturne: Nuit Grotesque." The staff also revealed the extensive list of 35 musical acts contributing to the film, with the band METALVERSE performing the opening theme "Shoot Shoot Shoot" and Haoto performing the ending theme. Nishigori, known for directing The IDOLM@STER and DARLING in the FRANXX, is directing, writing the screenplay, and designing the characters. The film is produced by CloverWorks and comes from JOEN, a company jointly established by Aniplex, CloverWorks, Wit Studio, and Shueisha.
At Anime Expo 2026, the world saw the first episode of Black Clover Season 2, directed by Ayataka Tanemura. Tanemura, who previously worked on the first season and directed the film Sword of the Wizard King, took over from Tatsuya Yoshihara. Author Yūki Tabata told Tanemura to make the battles extra cool, and the premiere includes a scene not in the manga. The episode jumps straight from the season one finale, with Asta training under Nacht Faust.
A play report on Inside praises the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of LoveR Kiss Endless Memories, released April 30, 2026, for its refined romance simulation. The game's 'topic jewel' conversation system, which stacks matching topics to boost tension, adds strategic depth without becoming a chore. The review notes the series' evolution from the original LoveR through LoveR Kiss, culminating in this edition that includes nearly all DLC and new features. The timing of the summer setting aligning with real-world summer is also highlighted.
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.
CloverWorks announced during its Anime Expo panel on July 4 that the original anime film Grotesqqque, directed by Atsushi Nishigori, will open in Japanese theaters on November 6. The film is an omnibus of three stories with distinct worldviews: "Aeliens," "4649 Girl" (pronounced "Yoroshiku Shojo"), and "Nocturne: Kono Grotesque na Yoru ni." Nishigori directs, writes the screenplay, and designs the characters. The opening theme is "Shoot Shoot Shoot" by the band METALVERSE. A trailer and key visual were released. The cast includes Kana Ichinose, Gen Hoshino, Chika Anzai, Maaya Uchida, Rumi Okubo, Rie Kugimiya, Miyu Tomita, Ikumi Hasegawa, Saori Hayami, Sara Minami, and four members of Nogizaka46: Nagi Inoue, Aruno Nakanishi, Miku Ichinose, and Nao Tomisato. The film is produced by CloverWorks and comes from JOEN, the company jointly established by Aniplex, CloverWorks, Wit Studio, and Shueisha. The film will make its world premiere at the Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal, running from July 16 to August 2.
The anime adaptation of Sumiko Arai's manga The Guy She Was Interested In Wasn't a Guy at All will premiere in January 2027, as revealed in a teaser trailer unveiled at Anime Expo 2026. CloverWorks is producing the series, with Masashi Ishihama directing. The cast includes Akari Kitō as Aya Ōsawa and Mariya Ise as Mitsuki Koga. Rino Yamazaki handles series composition, and Kanna Hirayama is the character designer. The opening theme song is the 1991 Nirvana track "Breed." Crunchyroll will stream the anime. The manga follows high schooler Aya, who develops a crush on a cool CD shop employee, unaware that the employee is actually her quiet female classmate Mitsuki. Arai began the manga on Twitter in April 2022 before moving to pixiv Comic in April 2023. Kadokawa Shoten publishes the print volumes, with the fourth volume released on February 19. The series ranked second on the 2024 Kono Manga ga Sugoi! guidebook for top manga for female readers and second on the 23rd Da Vinci "Book of the Year" list.
The Dengeki Hobby Web editorial department reconstructed the Amazon Hobby Bestseller Ranking for the "Anime & Moe Goods" category as of July 2, 2026. CloverWorks' "My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 Thank You Book" placed second. The list also includes a Gunpla kit and a candy toy.
Dengeki Hobby Web reports that Mobile Suit Moon Gundam Vol. 16, Mobile Suit Gundam Eight Vol. 2, and Mobile Suit Crossbone Gundam: Zeolover Vol. 3 will all be released on June 26, 2026. Pre-orders are open on Amazon.co.jp for both Kindle and print editions.
The original animated film GROTESQQQUE, directed by Atsushi Nishigori and produced by CloverWorks, has announced that 35 artists will contribute music to the project. The lineup includes ASCA, Reol, Otoha-otoha-, Iori Noguchi (=LOVE), TAKU INOUE, Junna, and 29 others, spanning singer-songwriters, Vocaloid producers, idols, bands, and composers. The film is scheduled for release in 2026 and consists of three distinct stories: Ellians, about an alien girl and a civil servant searching for friends; Yoroshiku Shojo, a battle royale among girls called Gyaru P; and Nocturne ~Kono Grotesque na Yoru ni~, following a pure-blood vampire and three infected survivors traveling through a devastated world. The cast includes Tomoka Anzai, Kana Ichinose, Miku Ichinose (Nogizaka46), Nao Inoue (Nogizaka46), Maaya Uchida, Rumi Okubo, Rie Kugimiya, Nao Tomita, Aruno Nakanishi (Nogizaka46), Ikumi Hasegawa, Saori Hayami, Gen Hoshino, and Sara Minami. Details on how the 35 artists will participate will be announced from July onward.
Sanrio announced a large shopping event titled "HELLO KITTY'S SWEETS MARKET -Chocolate lovers-" where Hello Kitty, My Melody, Kuromi, Cinnamoroll, Pompompurin, and Chococat appear in chocolate-themed costumes. The event starts at Ginza Mitsukoshi on June 17, 2026, and tours department stores nationwide through January 2027, offering limited-edition merchandise including plushies, keychains, apparel, and collaboration food items.
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.
CloverWorks revealed the cast and characters for its original omnibus anime film Grotesqqque on Saturday. The 14-person cast includes Kana Ichinose, Maaya Uchida, Rie Kugimiya, and four members of Nogizaka46. The film, directed by Atsushi Nishigori, will open in 2026 and comprises three stories with different worldviews.
Sanrio announced the large shopping event 'HELLO KITTY'S SWEETS MARKET -Chocolate lovers-' touring department stores nationwide from June 17, 2026, at Ginza Mitsukoshi through January 2027. The event features chocolate-themed limited goods including plush toys, keychains, and apparel centered on Hello Kitty and other Sanrio characters. Pompompurin currently leads the 2026 Sanrio Character Ranking interim results.
CloverWorks announced on March 19, 2026, that it will sell official studio merchandise at the TV anime WIND BREAKER × RED° TOKYO TOWER collaboration event. The lineup includes items featuring cover illustrations of the after-recording script, created by director Toshifumi Akai and character designer/chief animation director Taishi Kawakami. Products include script-style notebooks and can badges, among other items that use artwork from the production studio. The event runs from April 3 to May 6, 2026, at RED° TOKYO TOWER on the 5th floor. A purchase bonus offers a random postcard from eight designs for every 2,200 yen spent on new WIND BREAKER merchandise during the period. After-event online sales are planned, with details to be announced later.
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.
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.
CloverWorks and A-1 Pictures announced on November 4, 2025, that they will open a new animation studio called FLINT BASE in April 2026. The studio is a joint venture between the two Aniplex subsidiaries, backed by the Sony Group. FLINT BASE is described as a new challenge in animation production, focused on drawing and animator work. The companies stated that the studio aims to serve as an entry point for students aspiring to become animators. They noted that even with ongoing digital innovation, animation still requires the work of many animators. Both CloverWorks and A-1 Pictures will maintain their existing in-house animation teams and training systems, which will continue as the core of each studio. FLINT BASE will operate as a separate entity. The announcement was accompanied by the launch of a recruitment drive for new graduates in 2026, specifically for the role of animator at FLINT BASE. Applications are open until November 28, 2025. The official FLINT BASE website provides further details.
The original anime film project "Grotesqqque" by director Atsushi Nishigori and studio CloverWorks announced its cast on May 30, 2026. The 14-member lineup includes voice actors, actors, idols, and musical artists: Chika Anzai, Kana Ichinose, Miku Ichinose (Nogizaka46), Nagi Inoue (Nogizaka46), Maaya Uchida, Rumi Okubo, Rie Kugimiya, Nao Tomisato (Nogizaka46), Miyu Tomita, Aruno Nakanishi (Nogizaka46), Ikumi Hasegawa, Saori Hayami, Gen Hoshino, and Sara Minami. Specific character assignments were not disclosed. The film is scheduled for a 2026 theatrical release and consists of three parts with distinct worldviews: "ÆLIENS," "4649GIRL," and "NOCTURN: EN CETTE NUIT GROTESQUE." Nishigori handles direction, screenplay, and original character designs. CloverWorks produces the film, which is the first project from JOEN, a creative partnership formed in 2022 by CloverWorks, WIT Studio, Shueisha, and Aniplex. Distribution is handled by ANIMEC.
Fanatical has released the Into Games Charity Bundle 2026, a set of 11 PC game keys priced at 2,630 yen. The bundle includes CloverPit, Mouthwashing, Monument Valley 3, and eight other titles that hold Very Positive or Overwhelmingly Positive Steam reviews. The sale runs until June 25.
CloverWorks announced a pop-up shop for the TV anime WIND BREAKER at Kinokuniya Shinjuku Main Store from June 3 to June 16, 2026. The venue will sell existing goods, display reproduction original drawings, and offer a random sticker bonus for purchases of 2,200 yen or more.
Publisher Takeshobo announced three manga titles for digital English release: Melt in Your Color by hitomi on May 29, My Father's Lover by Chil Shiomi on June 5, and Don't Stop Even If I Say So by Tamaji Ura in June 2026. The titles will be available on platforms including Renta!, MangaPlaza, Coolmic, BookWalker, and Rakuten Kobo.
CloverWorks announced a pop-up shop for the TV anime Black Butler - Boarding School Arc and Black Butler - Green Witch Arc, running from May 29 to June 10, 2026, at SHED By_ACG on the 5th floor of Laforet Harajuku. The shop will sell existing goods and display original artwork. Purchase bonuses include random illustration cards and a one-day-only mini shikishi on June 5.