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Mana
Facts
- Noted
- Mana self-taught Unreal Engine after moving abroad · 2026-09-07
- Noted
- won Epic Games' Unreal Quest 5 contest · 2026-09-07
- Noted
- was selected for Kodansha Game Creators Lab in February 2024 · 2026-09-07
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1h ago
Kodansha Game Lab opened the Steam store page for Catharsis ~The Last Atelier~, an immersive art adventure by creator Mana, on September 7, 2026. The game is planned for release within 2026. Players control a nameless being who knows nothing about humans, guided by a mysterious voice through ten paintings by Van Gogh, Klimt, and Monet. Each stage changes the viewpoint and controls: some are 3D walking spaces, others side-scrolling, and one involves traveling by boat. A wolf and an owl accompany the journey, letting the player ride across plains or fly to high places. The game has no game over and no time limits, and each stage takes about 10 to 20 minutes. Wishlist registration opened with the store page. Catharsis is Mana's debut work. Mana self-taught Unreal Engine after moving abroad, won Epic Games' Unreal Quest 5 contest, and was selected for Kodansha Game Creators Lab in February 2024. The game supports Japanese, English, and Simplified Chinese, and is published by Kodansha.
2d ago
Metasla announced Mana Alchemy, a Vampire Survivors-like open-world RPG, on September 4, 2026. The game is set for a 2027 release on Steam, with a console version planned but no platforms named yet.
The story follows Merlin, the youngest of eight daughters born to the great witch Dawed. Lacking magical talent, Merlin is cast out as a child and saved by a talking grimoire called Harley. She sets out across the island of Shudar, ruled by her mother and crawling with monsters, to take revenge on the seven older sisters who now rule it.
Combat is movement-only: spells fire automatically once set into a grimoire grid, in the style of Vampire Survivors. Players build magic by arranging blocks in the grid, and can create new spells by alchemizing collected materials and existing magic. Equipping staves raises stats and grants each staff a unique ultimate spell. The story is framed around a choice between forgiveness and revenge.
Metasla is a three-person indie studio based in Nagoya. Its previous PC release, Sea Fantasy, launched in 2025 and sold over 50,000 copies.
3d ago
At Prime Video Presents Tokyo on September 3, 2026, Mana Ashida, who plays Maomao in the live-action adaptation of The Apothecary Diaries, said, 'Being able to play a beloved character is the greatest happiness.' The event also featured cast and creators from Bless, Jinko Glico, Please Save My Earth, and The Silent Fleet, with Prime Video announcing doubled investment in Japanese original works over the next two years.
3d ago
Amazon Prime Video announced on Thursday that it is producing a live-action series adaptation of Hyuganatsu and Touko Shino's The Apothecary Diaries light novel series, with Mana Ashida cast as protagonist Maomao. The series will stream exclusively worldwide on Amazon Prime Video in 2028. It is co-produced by TOHO and Amazon MGM Studios, with Yuki Saito directing and Erika Yoshida writing the screenplay. A teaser visual featuring Ashida as Maomao was revealed alongside the announcement. Ashida, who said she was already a fan of the novels, described the filming period as one where she poured her heart into her love for Maomao and the series. Original author Hyuganatsu welcomed the adaptation, saying she felt confident after Ashida was chosen, and that she visited the set several times, impressed by the elaborate sets and costumes. The Apothecary Diaries began as a web novel in October 2011, with print novels starting in August 2014 and a manga adaptation in May 2017. The story follows Maomao, a young apothecary sold into service in the emperor's rear palace, where her medical knowledge catches the attention of the head eunuch Jinshi. The series has two anime seasons, with a third season premiering October 2, 2026, and an anime film opening December 11.
4d ago
KADOKAWA released "Learn with Amagami Konomi and Suki! Middle School English Words & Phrases 1800" on September 1. It is the first study reference book by Amagami Konomi, a self-produced VTuber with over 840,000 YouTube subscribers, supervised by Kawai Juku English teacher Yuma Moriya. The 224-page volume covers middle school vocabulary, phrases, and conversation expressions, with fill-in-the-blank dialogues and a red sheet to hide answers.
Aug 28
Studio Sasanqua, the studio founded by Visions of Mana director Kenji Ozawa, announced on August 24 that it has begun mid-career recruitment for 7 game development positions. The roles span Game Producer, Game Director, Lead Planner, Lead Engineer, Art Director, Environment Artist, and UI Designer. The company says it aims to create games that balance emotional themes with comfort, and projects are already in development.
Aug 28
EVeM Co., Ltd. has released the Sengoku Management Scouter, a diagnostic tool that scores management ability against four standards and classifies users into 16 Sengoku warlord types. Developed from work with roughly 2,500 managers, it takes about five minutes and follows EVeM's Management 16 Types Diagnostic, used by approximately 40,000 people.
Aug 28
Sports Interactive and SEGA announced Football Manager 27 on August 27, 2026, with a release window of November 2026. The specific release date and supported platforms will be revealed later. The new installment is positioned as a series comeback after the turbulent launch of the previous game, Football Manager 26. That title followed the cancellation of Football Manager 25, which was scrapped due to development delays caused by the switch to the Unity engine. Some players voiced dissatisfaction with the UI adopted in Football Manager 26, and Studio Director Miles Jacobson acknowledged the studio failed to meet expectations of users accustomed to the traditional interface, saying he wants to prioritize resolving this in the new game. The policy for Football Manager 27 is to further develop the current design while reviving ideas and in-game behaviors that were well received in past titles. From September onward, the studio plans to release gameplay introductions, deep dives on key functions, commentary from the development team, and blog articles. A Steam playtest is planned, with registration open now, and details on early access for the Steam version will be announced later.
Aug 28
Kakao Games announced on August 4 that it will work with webtoon studio The Grimm Entertainment to develop and publish games based on its popular comic and webtoon properties. The Grimm Entertainment owns IPs including Manager Kim and Lookism, and is known for Viral Hit, which inspired an anime and a Japanese live-action adaptation. The companies aim to attract global interest through game adaptations.
Aug 20
Bandai Namco Entertainment announced on August 20 that the expansion DLC 'Mask of Idris' for 'Code Vein 2' will release on September 9. The announcement came via the official PlayStation Japan X account, which shared a trailer and a PlayStation Store link. The DLC is set in the 'Abandoned World,' a space formed by the emotions of worlds erased by the history-altering events of the main game. These distorted emotions swell and begin to affect the real world, and the story follows a battle to save another world alongside new partners. Two new companions join the protagonist: Liv Vorda, voiced by Aoi Yuki, the half-sister of the vampire Valentin Vorda and the original overseer of the 'Hollow of Time and Space,' who abandoned her duties out of boredom; and Ruu Magmel, voiced by Manaka Iwami, a lone vampire girl working to stop the Abandoned World's expansion. To access the DLC, players must reach the second ending 'Moon of Harmony' and complete the quest 'Exchange Opinions with Valentin: Magmel Island Book.' A free update, Ver.2.0, will release the same day, adding post-main-story exploration with partners. 'Code Vein 2' is available on PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
Aug 12
The television anime adaptation of Manabu Yashiro's Tank Chair manga will premiere on October 4. Bandai Namco Filmworks revealed the main promotional video, key visual, additional cast and staff, and theme song artists on Wednesday. Yurina Amami joins the cast as Dr. Radio, a genius scientist hiding in an abandoned radio tower, and Gen Sato plays Uzu, a mysterious newcomer to the Academy's Class A. The opening theme is "DALALA" by reggae-punk band SiM, and Daoko performs the ending theme "SYNC." The anime airs on Tokyo MX at 11:00 p.m. JST on October 4, followed by BS11, CBC on October 5, and MBS on October 6. Tadahiro "Tady" Yoshihira and Hiroaki Ando direct and write scripts at Polygon Pictures, with Yuki Moriyama designing characters and Masaru Yokoyama composing music. The cast includes Koki Uchiyama as Nagi Taira, Minori Fujidera as Shizuka Taira, Gakuto Kajiwara as Naozumi Kurosaka, and Saori Hayami as Touko Kurosaka. The manga began on Magazine Pocket in November 2022 and moved to Monthly Shonen Sirius in November 2024.
Jul 26
The fourth season of the KonoSuba anime, titled KonoSuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World! 4, was announced at the "Colorful" 10th anniversary event on July 26, 2026. The season is set to air in 2027. Studio ENGI will handle the animation, taking over from the previous studios that worked on earlier seasons. Takaomi Kanasaki returns as chief director, while Manabu Kurihara, who previously directed The Detective Is Already Dead, steps in as the new director. Makoto Uezu returns to oversee series scripts, Koichi Kikuta returns for character design, Yoshikazu Iwanami returns as sound director, and Masato Kōda returns to compose the music. The event also revealed an "ultra teaser visual" and a 10th anniversary video featuring a new arrangement of Machico's song "fantastic dreamer" from the first season. The third season aired in April 2024, and the sequel was first teased after the Bonus Stage OVA in March 2025.
Jul 16
The Recording Academy, the organization behind the Grammy Awards, selected SKY-HI and the six members of BE:FIRST as new members for 2026. They now have voting rights for the 69th Grammy Awards in February 2027 and eligibility to attend the ceremony. The selection is separate from any nomination. The move comes as BMSG, the label that manages both, pushes for global expansion.
Jul 15
Retailers list Sae Kumanami's manga From Superfan to Stepsister to conclude with its 10th compiled volume, shipping September 18. The series began on Twitter in November 2020 and later serialized in Gangan Online. English publisher Manga UP! Global describes the story of a girl whose stepbrother turns out to be her idol model Noa.
Jul 15
Nyxtails Studio announced Backrooms Manager - Together, a cooperative logistics survival game for up to six players set in the Backrooms. Players are kidnapped with erased memories and must fulfill a 49-day contract to regain freedom. The game emphasizes economic management: players meet quotas, manage team funds, and face balance checks every three days. Early access begins on Steam on July 26, 2026, with Japanese display support.
Jul 13
Former Zachtronics lead designer Zach Barth's circuit puzzle game 'U.V.S. Nirmana' was released on May 5 for PC, Mac, and Linux. The game combines Zach-like puzzles with a story inspired by ancient Buddhist scriptures. It includes 30 puzzles and supports Japanese. The developer has moved on to the next puzzle game after post-release updates.
Jul 7
Publisher indie.io and developer Neurona Games released Esports Manager 2026 on Steam on July 7. The game is an esports team management simulation set in a tactical FPS similar to Counter-Strike. Players act as a team manager, handling training, scouting, sponsorships, merchandise, and legal matters. The game includes over 325 real esports teams and more than 1,900 real players, with stats based on actual performances. In matches, players watch AI-controlled action from a top-down view and can give equipment instructions like full buy or eco. The game quickly attracted players, reaching a peak concurrent count of around 5,000. As of July 7, 80% of 240 Steam user reviews are positive, earning a 'Very Positive' rating. Some players have criticized the AI behavior during matches, with reports of illogical actions. The developer announced a functional improvement patch for the next day. The game is priced at 2,300 yen, with a 20% launch discount to 1,840 yen until July 21. The store page does not list Japanese language support.
Jul 5
Seven Seas Entertainment announced 16 new licenses at its Anime Expo panel on July 4, 2026. The slate spans multiple imprints and genres, including light novels, manga, manhwa, and audiobooks, with releases scheduled from March through June 2027.
Jul 3
Hakuhodo DY Music & Pictures announced on Friday that Damu Amato and Shirabii's novel series Heir to a Monstermancer is receiving a television anime adaptation. The announcement included a teaser visual and the main cast and staff. Manaka Iwami voices Leen, Chiaki Kobayashi voices Hakura, and Akio Ōtsuka voices Ao; all three reprise their roles from a voice drama released with the first novel volume in 2024. Chihiro Kumano directs at Project No.9, with Satoru Sugizawa handling series scripts and Akane Kasasagi designing the characters. The series won the grand prize in the 2nd Drecom Media Awards. Amato originally posted the story on the Shōsetsuka ni Narō website from 2016 to 2024. J-Novel Club publishes the novels in English. A manga adaptation by Yū Satō will launch on Drecom's Drecomi+ manga website in September. Drecom will publish the third novel volume on July 10. A promotional webtoon adaptation was produced by MITA, Gudan, and Red Seven.
Jul 3
Composer Yoko Shimomura will hold a 39th anniversary orchestra concert on September 25, 2026, at the Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre Concert Hall. The concert, titled "39! ~Thank You!~," will feature the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Grammy Award-winning Arnie Roth. The announced setlist includes pieces from games Shimomura composed for, such as "Home Town Domina" from Legend of Mana, the main theme of Xenoblade, "Beware the Forest's Mushrooms" from Super Mario RPG, "Stand Your Ground" from Final Fantasy XV, "The Other Promise" from Kingdom Hearts, a Live A Live medley, and "Cocone's Theme" from Napping Princess. Organizer advance ticket sales begin July 4 at 10:00 AM, followed by playguide advance sales on July 13, and general sales on August 22. Ticket prices are ¥9,900 for S seats and ¥8,800 for A seats.
Jun 29
Developer Florian Alushaj announced that the simulation game Fantasy World Manager has surpassed 100,000 wishlist registrations on Steam. A demo released in June 2026 received useful feedback, and the developer is working on a relaxing mode inspired by WorldBox while keeping the game's core world-building tools intact. The game is scheduled for a 2026 PC release.
Jun 18
Manami Iwami and Masaya Fukunishi have joined the cast of Magilumiere Co. Ltd. Season 2, playing Sakae Tōnomori and Hibiki Yami Mori respectively. A 30-second promo video was released featuring the opening theme "Late Magic" by syudou × Yusei Yagi. The first season will stream free on Jump+ YouTube from June 20. Season 2 premieres Summer 2026.
Jun 18
The second season of the Magilumiere Magical Girls Inc. anime revealed a new promotional video, the opening theme "Latte Magic" by syudou × Yūsei Yagi, and two new cast members: Manaka Iwami as Sakae Tōnomori and Masaya Fukunishi as Hibiki Yamimori. The season premieres on NTV on July 4 at 24:55 JST.
Jun 6
Developer Florian Alushaj released a demo for the simulation game Fantasy World Manager on Steam on June 6, 2026. Players draw maps, build cities and dungeons, create races and factions, and watch inhabitants live, farm, and adventure. The demo includes most world-building tools. The full game is planned for a 2026 PC release.
Jun 1
The main trailer and additional cast for 'Trophy', the feature directorial debut of Son Myeong-a, have been released. The film follows a 14-year-old Zainichi Korean girl named Sohi, played by newcomer Hanna, and her daily life at a Korean school. New cast members include YOU, Kitaro, Takashi Yamanaka, Kazuko Shirakawa, Daisuke Kuroda, and Soji Arai. The film opens in Japan on July 10.
May 29
Bandai Namco revealed Yujiro Hanma from Baki the Grappler as a playable character in Tekken 8, arriving in early 2027. Square Enix also announced new Mana series ports and remasters, though specific titles and release dates were not detailed in the column.
May 27
Sega released a large update for Football Manager 26 on May 26, adding an International Management mode under the official FIFA World Cup 2026 license. Players can manage a national team through the tournament, with 47 of 48 participating countries playable at launch. Japan is excluded due to licensing restrictions.
May 27
Luminara Legacy LLC, the production company behind VTuber events and talent management, has collapsed overnight. Most of its talents have already left or not renewed contracts. Industry figures have publicly detailed negative experiences with CEO Camana, including using other agencies' names without consent. Several partner organizations had already severed ties in recent weeks.
May 25
The television anime adaptation of Satsuki Nakamura's light novel series "Though I Am an Inept Villainess" will premiere on July 12 at 11:45 p.m. JST on TV Tokyo and its affiliates, the staff announced on Monday. A new key visual was also released. The series was originally scheduled for an April debut but was delayed due to production delays. Studio Dōga Kōbō is producing the anime, with Mitsue Yamazaki directing. Manaka Iwami voices the protagonist Kou Reirin, and Natsumi Kawaida voices Shu Keigetsu. Crunchyroll will stream the series in multiple regions including North America, Europe, and Oceania. The light novel series, which began in December 2020 under Ichijinsha's imprint, has 12 volumes as of March 2026. A manga adaptation by Ei Ohitsuji runs concurrently in Monthly Comic Zero-Sum. Seven Seas Entertainment publishes both the novels and manga in English under the full title "Though I Am an Inept Villainess: Tale of the Butterfly-Rat Body Swap in the Maiden Court." The story follows Kou Reirin, a frail imperial consort candidate who is body-swapped by a rival and must navigate court intrigue in a new, stronger body.