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2h ago
The smartphone game Touken Ranbu ONLINE has launched a line of nail oils themed after 10 of its sword warriors. The product, called Touken Ranbu ONLINE: Fluffy Flower Dance Nail Oil Vol.1, is sold in sets of two bottles, each set representing a pair of characters. Reservations opened on July 16, 2026 at 12:00 JST and run through August 16, 2026. Each set costs 3,630 yen (tax included) and is scheduled to ship in January 2027. The oils contain real flowers and are scented to evoke each sword warrior: for example, Mikazuki Munechika has a bellflower scent, while Kashuu Kiyomitsu has rose. The bottles are designed with motifs from the characters' attire and family crests, with gold caps. A second volume, Vol.2, has already been announced for production. The game, a sword training simulation, has surpassed 14 million cumulative users since its launch.
1d ago
Sega updated PSO2 New Genesis ver.2 on July 15, 2026, adding the limited-time quest 'Soutei Enshuu: Kodai Ikyou no Jouka-sen' for up to eight players in the Ruins area. The update also includes new limited-time tasks, a costume campaign update, revival SG scratch, a summer AC scratch, and a PSO2 Day scratch with returning items.
Jul 8
Sega released an update for PSO2 New Genesis ver.2 on July 8, 2026, adding Rank.3 to the important target elimination quest "Star Extinction Emblem." The new difficulty features the enemy "Solas Crypt" instead of "Dark Falz Solus," with unique attack patterns. New equipment includes the ★15 "Kaiz" weapon series and special abilities "C/Peta Dryel" and "C/Refas Drye." The 58th Mission Pass and a revival AC Scratch are also available.
Jul 8
Fenris Creations has released its proprietary Carbon engine framework as open source on GitHub. The engine, developed and refined for over 20 years, supported Eve Online's single-shard world and its record-breaking 8,825-player battle. The repository includes over 20 modules covering physics, graphics, networking, and more.
Jul 8
Bandai Namco Entertainment released a new trailer for Sword Art Online: Echoes of Aincrad on Tuesday, previewing the game's Death Game Mode. The mode is a permadeath option that deletes the player's save file upon character death, with no respawns. It is normally available only after completing the game once, but early access is included with the Deluxe and Ultimate Editions. The game launches in Japan on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on July 9, and on PC via Steam on July 10. The Western release is July 10 across all platforms. Players create their own customizable avatar and explore Aincrad alongside characters like Kirito and Asuna. Aimer performs the theme song "Live to Survive." The game has four editions: Standard, Deluxe, Ultimate, and Aincrad (Bandai Namco Store exclusive). The Ultimate Edition adds a digital soundtrack, digital artbook, an in-game armor pack, and the bonus anime "Unanswered//butterfly," which follows other characters during the original Sword Art Online story. The Deluxe Edition includes expansion DLC and a starter item pack.
Jul 7
Bethesda and Zenimax Online Studios, the team behind The Elder Scrolls Online, are affected by Xbox's ongoing restructuring. Bethesda's head Jill Braff told staff in an email that the company must focus on its strongest franchises. Kotaku reports that up to half of the ESO development team may be laid off, and the game's roadmap will shift.
Jul 7
A new original theatrical film in the Sword Art Online series, titled Sword Art Online - Integral Domain -, has been announced for a 2028 release. The film is a completely new story that continues after the Alicization arc, which concluded the main television series. Director Shingo Adachi returns, with animation production by A-1 Pictures. A teaser visual drawn by character designer Yumiko Yamamoto and a teaser promotional video were released alongside the announcement. The cast includes Yoshitsugu Matsuoka as Kirito and Haruka Tomatsu as Asuna, both reprising their roles. The project was first teased at the series' 10th anniversary event in November 2022, but the title, release window, and staff details were only revealed on July 6, 2026, following a re-airing of the first season's 14th episode. The film is the first original theatrical entry in the main series since 2017's Ordinal Scale, and the first to directly continue the narrative beyond the Alicization arc. The Sword Art Online franchise has sold over 30 million copies worldwide across its light novel series.
Jul 7
ZeniMax Online Studios announced a review of The Elder Scrolls Online's development roadmap on July 6, the same day Microsoft laid off 1,600 Xbox employees with plans for 1,600 more. The roadmap for Season 1 and beyond will be changed, though Season 1 itself is still set to start July 9. A quest creator at ZeniMax said half her team was cut, indicating the layoffs are already affecting the game's schedule.
Jul 6
At IVS2026, a panel of investors and entrepreneurs from gaming, healthcare, and venture capital discussed the current state and future of AI agents. Topics included the lineage from AlphaGo to potential AI in EVE Online, the gap between sophisticated bots and LLM-based agents, and the challenge of making agents economically viable in live games.
Jul 6
GungHo Online Entertainment announced that the smartphone RPG Disney Pixel RPG will end service on September 30, 2026, roughly two years after its October 2024 launch. The reason was not disclosed. Paid item sales ended July 1, and gacha draws will end August 19. Unused paid currency will be refunded.
Jul 4
Warner Bros. Japan revealed the first English-subtitled promotional video, key visual, opening theme song artist, and November 6 streaming debut on Amazon Prime Video for Devils' Crest, the television anime of Reki Kawahara's Demons' Crest novel series. The trailer previews the opening theme song "Shinka" (Evolution) by Ado. The anime stars Haruka Shiraishi as Yuma Ashihara and Konomi Inagaki as Sawa Ashihara, with Shinji Ushiro as chief director at Production I.G and Kenichirō Komaya directing.
Jul 3
A 110-minute promotional anime for the new Sword Art Online game 'Echoes of Aincrad' will stream for free on YouTube from July 5, 2026, at 20:00 JST. The film, 'Unanswered//butterfly', was produced by Polygon Pictures and previously screened theatrically in May. It will not be archived, requiring real-time viewing.
Jul 1
GungHo Online Entertainment announced on July 1 that its smartphone RPG Disney Pixel RPG will end service on September 30, 2026, at 11:00 JST. The game launched on October 7, 2024, and will run for about two years. The announcement came via the game's official X account and a notice on the official website. Until the service ends, the developer plans to add more main story content and run various in-game events. Sales of paid items stopped on July 1. Sales of Red Crystal payment items, gacha using Red Crystals, and stamina recovery will end on August 19 at 11:00 JST. Blue Crystals will remain usable until the service termination. Unused Red Crystals will be refunded through a dedicated form after the service ends; players are advised to keep their in-game ID and inquiry code. The official website and customer support are scheduled to close on January 13, 2027. The game is a command battle RPG featuring Disney characters in pixel art, including Mickey Mouse, Pooh, Baymax, Stitch, and Maleficent in themed costumes.
Jun 30
Bandai Namco Entertainment America released the opening movie for the action RPG Echoes of Aincrad, featuring the theme song "Live to Survive" by Aimer. The song launches digitally Wednesday in English and Japanese. The game launches July 9 in Japan and July 10 worldwide on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.
Jun 30
Sega will stream the official program NGS Headline WAVE for PSO2 New Genesis ver.2 on June 30 at 21:00 JST. The broadcast will reveal the July update and the roadmap for late 2026 and beyond, plus a Development Letter corner and the short anime Central!.
Jun 29
Manga Up! Global added three manga licenses in late June: The Lonely King and His Sunshine Bride's Happily Ever After, Yoshi no Zuikara, and Don't Pry Into People's Genders in Online Games!. The titles were released between June 24 and June 30, covering romance, slice-of-life, and BL comedy genres.
Jun 29
Nintendo will raise prices for all Nintendo Switch Online plans starting July 1, 2026, at 0:00 JST. The individual plan's 12-month subscription will go from 2,400 yen to 3,000 yen, a 600 yen increase. The family plan's 12-month subscription will rise from 4,500 yen to 5,800 yen, a 1,300 yen increase. For the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, the 12-month individual plan will increase from 4,900 yen to 5,900 yen, and the family plan from 8,900 yen to 9,900 yen, each a 1,000 yen increase. Shorter individual plans also increase: the 30-day plan goes from 306 yen to 400 yen, and the 90-day plan from 815 yen to 1,000 yen. Subscribers whose automatic renewal payment date falls on or after July 1 will be charged the new rates. However, current subscribers can purchase additional vouchers for the same plan at the current price before the revision to extend their subscription period. The maximum extension is 1,095 days, achieved by purchasing up to three 12-month vouchers. This allows users to lock in the lower rate for up to three years. The extension can be done through the Nintendo eShop, the official Nintendo Store, or by redeeming voucher cards from retailers.
Jun 28
Bandai Namco Entertainment America released the second story trailer for Echoes of Aincrad, a new action RPG set in the original Sword Art Online world. The game launches July 9 in Japan on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, and July 10 on PC via Steam, with a Western release on all platforms July 10. Aimer performs the theme song.
Jun 28
On June 20, 2026, VTuber Sakuna Yuki streamed the demo of the new Sword Art Online game Echoes of Aincrad, which released on all platforms on June 16. The action RPG, based on the Aincrad arc, puts players in the role of a regular player rather than Kirito. Sakuna completed the roughly four-hour demo on Normal difficulty and expressed interest in the full game's Death Game mode, where a game over deletes save data. The full version launches July 9, 2026, with the Steam version following on July 10.
Jun 27
GOP Co. has started the early pre-play of the limited-time Season Server 2026 'Super Conqueror Battlefield' for PC MMORPG N-AGE ONLINE NEO. The season offers up to 8,000% experience bonus, new Stardust weapon rewards for top-ranked players in each class, a Premium VIP item with location-memory teleportation, a new pet growth system, and a Pet Breeder Championship event. Growth results can be transferred to the regular server.
Jun 27
Round One and Touken Ranbu ONLINE will hold a collaboration campaign titled "ROUND One Character Campaign" from July 17 to October 18, 2026. The campaign was announced on Round One's official website and X account. The key visual features Fukuoka Ichimonji, Mikazuki Munechika, and the initial sword. The campaign name combines "ROUND1" with the sword warrior Fukuoka Ichimonji, and the catchphrase is "Enjoy ROUND '1' with Fukuoka Ichimonji!" The campaign will take place at Round One amusement facilities nationwide, which offer activities such as bowling and arcade games. Details about prizes and specific campaign content have not yet been announced and will be released later. Social media reactions included comments like "I'll go bankrupt..." and "Alright, let's go!"
Jun 24
Sega released a Nameless City exploration update for PSO2 New Genesis ver.2 on June 24. The update includes the limited-time trial 'Gretto Rappie Subjugation' in the Entertainment District Survey, which boosts exploration point acquisition. Limited-time tasks offer a True Super Star Festival '26 SP Scratch Ticket. A revival AC Scratch 'Hairstyle Revival '26' brings back popular hairstyles like Elfemia Hair and Taiso Hair, with a count bonus combining two styles.
Jun 23
Nintendo has issued a reminder that its Nintendo Switch Online service will see price increases starting July 1, 2026. The revised pricing applies to all plans. For the standard Individual Plan, one month will cost ¥400 (up from ¥306), three months ¥1,000, and 12 months ¥3,000 (up from ¥2,400). The Family Plan for 12 months will be ¥5,800. For the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack tier, the Individual 12-month plan rises to ¥5,900 from ¥4,900, and the Family 12-month plan to ¥8,900. Nintendo also warned that automatic renewal payments scheduled on or after July 1 at 0:00 will be charged at the new rates. Subscribers can still extend their current subscription at the existing prices by purchasing additional tickets, up to a maximum extension of 1,095 days. The next scheduled payment date can be checked on the Nintendo Account website. The price revision was first announced earlier and is now being reiterated ahead of the implementation date.
Jun 22
Eir Aoi released a double tie-up single in April featuring "Unrealistic," the opening for That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 4, and "MONSTER," the opening for Classroom of the Elite 4th Season. In a recent interview, she discussed her 15-year career, the challenge of writing for two different series, and her gratitude for still being active in the anime music space.
Jun 21
This week's game release slate, covering June 22 to June 28 in both Japan and North America, is led by several high-profile titles arriving on June 25. The most prominent is "Star Fox" for Nintendo Switch 2, a remake of "Star Fox 64" that revamps the graphics, adds new movie scenes, and includes an encyclopedia of characters and planets. It is sold through the My Nintendo Store for 5,480 yen. Also launching on June 25 is "DEAD OR ALIVE 6 Last Round," a re-release of the 2019 fighting game optimized for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, featuring 29 playable characters, new costumes, and a photo mode. The game has a free-to-play base version and a 6,380 yen full version. "Dragon Quest X: Children of Time Online" arrives the same day, an expansion pack that concludes the main story of the MMORPG, adding a new setting, a Storm Kaiser job class, and new equipment. Other notable June 25 releases include the RPG "Villion: Code" (9,680 yen), produced by Megami Tensei creator Kouji Okada, and the card game "Medarot Card Robottle RB" (5,478 yen). "Devil May Cry 5 Devil Hunter Edition" launched earlier on June 23 for Nintendo Switch 2.
Jun 19
SpiderWare announced that the pixel art action MMO 'Soulbound: Online' will enter early access on July 21. The game features roguelite dungeons, three-player co-op, crafting, and base building. Wishlist registrations have exceeded 50,000 in less than four weeks. A demo is currently available on Steam.
Jun 19
The Touken Ranbu ONLINE and J.League collaboration project Shutsujin! J.League Ouen Honmaru opened a special site and began advance goods sales. Twenty sword warriors from the game serve as cheer captains for all 20 J1 clubs for the 2026/27 season, with illustrations by lack. Collaboration events at stadiums start in October.
Jun 19
G·O·P Co., Ltd. announced the limited-time Season Server 2026 "Super Conqueror Battlefield" for PC MMORPG N-AGE ONLINE NEO. Early Pre-Play begins after maintenance on June 25, 2026, ahead of the main battle on July 2. The season server features a 1,000% EXP multiplier (up to over 8,000%), guaranteed equipment enhancement up to +5, and a new pet KUROMAMESIBA. All rewards and characters can be transferred to the main world after the event ends.
Jun 17
Rockstar Games announced on June 17 that owners of Grand Theft Auto V on PS4 and Xbox One will receive a free upgrade to the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S versions, starting June 18 local time. The upgrade includes reduced load times, unique graphics modes, easier switching between Story Mode and GTA Online, and access to Hao's Special Works vehicle customization. The announcement was made alongside details of a July update for GTA Online titled "The Kortz Center Heist," which adds a mission to infiltrate an art gallery and steal artwork. Rockstar is also offering discounts on equipment and bonus rewards in the weeks leading up to the heist. Availability for Japanese users has not been confirmed at the time of writing. The PS5 and Xbox Series X|S versions originally launched on March 15, 2022, but no free upgrade path was previously available.
Jun 16
Bandai Namco Entertainment released the demo for Echoes of Aincrad, the new action RPG set in the Sword Art Online universe, on June 16. The demo covers the entire beta test chapter that opens the full game, letting players experience the period before the official service of the in-game MMO Sword Art Online becomes a death game. Playtime is roughly three to four hours, and save data carries over to the full release. Players control a fixed young swordsman avatar during the beta test, then customize their real appearance when the main story begins. The demo includes five missions, all weapon types, and a tutorial for the combat system, which features light and heavy attacks, sword skills, guarding, dodging, parrying, and a severance mechanic that lets players destroy enemy limbs. Partner character Iori, a hardcore beta tester, accompanies the player and can be ordered into Switch Mode or Free Mode. The full game launches July 9 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, and July 10 on PC via Steam. Aimer performs the theme song "Live to Survive." Streaming guidelines restrict full-game streaming to Very Hard difficulty with Death Game Mode enabled until July 17.
Jun 15
Bandai Spirits is releasing the second and third waves of its Chibigurumi plush toy series for Touken Ranbu Online as prize items. The second wave includes Mikazuki Munechika, Odotari, Yamatonokami Yasusada, Kote Kiri E, and Buzen E. The third wave includes Ichigo Hitofuri, Yakushi Tosiro, Izuminokami Kanesada, Horikawa Kunihiro, and Tsurumaru Kuninaga. Both waves launch June 23, with fourth and fifth waves planned for August 2026.
Jun 14
Bandai Namco Entertainment released a second story trailer for the action RPG Echoes of Aincrad, set in the original Sword Art Online death game world. A demo arrives June 16. The game launches July 9 in Japan on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, and July 10 on PC via Steam, with a Western release on all platforms July 10. Aimer performs the theme song.
Jun 11
Bandai Namco Entertainment announced on June 11 that a demo version of the new Sword Art Online action RPG Echoes of Aincrad will be released on June 16 for PC (Steam), PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. The full game launches July 9 on consoles and July 10 on Steam. Echoes of Aincrad reboots the Aincrad arc from the original light novel, placing the player as a beta tester trapped in the death game. Character creation lets players customize their avatar's real appearance, which is revealed during the iconic death game declaration scene by Kayaba Akihiko. The demo covers the early first-floor quests Summon and Going Ahead, where players meet partner character Iori and experience the moment logging out becomes impossible. The game offers four difficulty levels plus a permadeath Death Game Mode unlocked after clearing the story. Kirito voice actor Yoshitsugu Matsuoka recorded new lines for the game, which uses the original anime audio for Kayaba's announcement.
Jun 10
SpiderWare released a free demo of its upcoming MMORPG Soulbound: Online on Steam on June 10, 2026. The demo, called Server Smash, is tied to the Steam Bullet Hell Fest running from June 9 to June 15 local time. The game is a roguelite action MMORPG with pixel art visuals, supporting solo play and three-player cooperative dungeon exploration. Players fight against a collective of evil beings called the Anima, craft equipment from loot, and climb a leaderboard. The demo is primarily a server load test, and progress will reset at the end of the event with no carryover to the full release. The Steam version is a new game based on the same engine as the earlier browser and Discord title World Wide Webb, but it removes Web3 and blockchain features. The full Soulbound: Online is planned for PC via Steam, with no release date announced yet.
Jun 10
GungHo revealed Ninjala 2: The Uncharted Planet, a sequel to its 2020 free-to-play Switch game, during a Nintendo Direct livestream on Tuesday. The game is set for a spring 2027 release on Nintendo Switch 2 and introduces the series' first open world, along with new traversal abilities and co-op play.
Jun 7
Bethesda Softworks announced during the Xbox Games Showcase 2026 that The Elder Scrolls Online Season 1 Resurgence of the Thieves Guild will launch on July 8. A trailer accompanied the announcement. The new season continues the Thieves Guild storyline introduced in Season 0, pitting players against the Cordain Cartel in Daggerfall.
Jun 7
Streaming service ABEMA has recommended three anime with memorable proposal scenes in honor of June 7, Proposal Day. The selected works are The Quintessential Quintuplets, Sword Art Online, and SPY×FAMILY, each featuring a notable proposal moment. ABEMA is streaming all three series.
Jun 5
Developer FatHatCat announced that the free-to-play top-down 2D bullet-hell action RPG Runeward Online has exceeded 16,000 wishlist registrations on Steam in less than three days since its official announcement. The studio expressed surprise and gratitude, stating they will work to meet the high expectations.
Jun 4
Funktronic Labs has announced 'Scramble Knights Online,' a major genre shift from the previously planned battle royale 'Scramble Knights Royale.' The game is now a co-op PvE-focused adventure RPG, with early access planned for fall 2026 on Steam. The change was based on feedback from 25,000 playtesters and internal discussions.
Jun 3
Sega announced a collaboration between "PSO2 New Genesis ver.2" and Sonic the Hedgehog, running from June 17 to commemorate Sonic's 35th anniversary on June 23, 2026. The event includes limited-time quests themed after Sonic, special scratches, and login bonuses. The announcement came alongside a separate update on June 3 that launched the fourth collaboration with virtual liver groups Nijisanji and NIJISANJI EN, which runs until July 1. That update also introduced the "True Super Star Chronicle Festival '26" season event for NGS's 5th anniversary, a new quest "Realm Survey: Ruins" with the boss Ruino Shreder Λ, a class level cap increase to Lv.120, new rarity ★15 weapons, new Tech Arts Customizations, and two new face variations. The Nijisanji collaboration offers avatar items for four livers: Rika Igarashi, Meloco Kyoran, Meruto Kuramochi, and Sofia Valentine, plus voice tickets and other items.
Jun 2
Indie developer FatHatCat announced Runeward Online, a free-to-play online action RPG with bullet hell elements and co-op support. Players take the role of Runewards, challenging dungeons solo or in parties, collecting rare loot, and building powerful loadouts. The game targets a free Steam release and is currently in pre-alpha.
May 28
Indie developer SpiderWare announced on Discord that the Steam wishlist count for Soulbound: Online exceeded 17,000 in its first week. The roguelite action MMORPG, described as closer to Soulbound 2, adds new systems including combat, abilities, relics, player housing, and a new main story. A demo version was hinted at. The game is scheduled for release on PC via Steam soon.
May 26
Beneath the Tangles' latest Reader's Corner column reviews seven manga volumes, including the debut of Void: No. Nine, a postapocalyptic story from author Shima Shinya with a diverse cast, and The Adventure of the Black Cat Nyango: Since I Got a Rare Attribute, I Aim to Be a Carefree Adventurer. Other titles covered include Four in Love, Immortality and Punishment Vol. 2, Magical Midlifer Vol. 2, On the Boundary's Road, and Sword Art Online: Ordinal Scale Vol. 4.
May 19
Bandai Namco Entertainment released a trailer for Echoes of Aincrad, an action RPG set in the original Aincrad world. The trailer shows the bundled bonus anime 'Unanswered//butterfly' and the theme song 'Live to Survive' by Aimer. The game launches July 9 in Japan and July 10 worldwide on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.