2h ago
PANDORA, an IP solutions company based in Shibuya, Tokyo, announced on September 1 that it has launched a music label and publishing management business focused on real and virtual promotion. The company will outsource publishing management to AMUSE and handle copyright protection and revenue distribution through JASRAC and NexTone, consolidating master and publishing rights under one roof. XTuber creator iTVY joins as a PANDORA producer, and the company says he is rumored to be the alias of a producer behind multiple mega-hits in the Japanese music scene. The first release is 'Day Breaker' by Saikyo Muteki Rengo, out August 29, 2026, with lyrics by Niki, composition and arrangement by iTVY and Marcello Jonno, production by iTVY, and mixing and mastering by Wayson Scream. PANDORA says the structure cuts intermediate costs and returns revenue directly to the artists involved in writing and producing the music, and lets it license secondary uses such as cover song videos without rights barriers.
Jul 15
Sony Interactive Entertainment announced the July 2026 lineup for the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog on July 16. The additions span three weeks and include eight titles across the Extra, Premium, and Classics tiers. The open-world action RPG Rise of the Ronin, developed by Team NINJA and set during Japan's Bakumatsu period, is available from July 16 for PS5. Ubisoft's Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, a first- and third-person adventure set 15 years after the film, and Firefighting Simulator Ignite, a cooperative firefighting simulation, launch on July 21. The zombie survival game Dying Light, the sci-fi RPG Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector, and the platformer Snow Bros. Wonderland arrive on July 28. For Premium subscribers, two PlayStation 2 classics-Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy and Fahrenheit-become playable on July 21. The staggered release schedule gives subscribers a steady stream of new content throughout the month.
Jul 15
In a new interview, BetaLab producer BetaCat discusses the design of roguelite god sim Pandora's Toybox, released on PC in May. The developer explains cutting real-time combat and direct unit control to preserve a god-like perspective, and confirms no major content updates are planned as they shift to a new project.
Jul 14
PANDORA Inc. and L&L Victor Entertainment have published official fan work guidelines for their fan-participatory IP project IDOL:UnderCode. The guidelines broadly permit illustrations, manga, novels, videos, music, cosplay, and AI-generated content, and allow monetization through standard platform functions like YouTube ad revenue. The project launched TikTok LIVE on July 2.
Jun 21
Jun Mochizuki's Pandora Hearts manga is getting a second stage musical adaptation titled PandoraHearts Retrace II -madness of lost memory-, running in Tokyo from October 2-12 and Kobe from October 16-18. Akira Yamazaki returns to direct and write the script, with Ako Takahashi on lyrics and Harumi Fuuki composing. Kazan Yokoyama reprises his role as Oz Vessalius.
Jun 18
The second musical adaptation of Jun Mochizuki's PandoraHearts, titled Retrace II -madness of lost memory-, will run in Tokyo and Kobe from October 2026. Akira Yamazaki returns as scriptwriter and director, with Ako Takahashi as lyricist and Harumi Fukiai as composer. Kazushi Yokoyama reprises his role as Oz Vessalius. Mochizuki shared a new illustration and thanked fans for supporting the first musical.
May 29
Eisnid released its new PC title "Iris Odyssey: Pandora's Girl" on Steam on May 29, 2026. The game is a modern fantasy text adventure set in Shibuya. It follows Kazahana, an orphan girl searching for her missing brother Mitsuba, who awakens magical powers and meets Iris, a seasoned mage pursuing the criminal mage organization Sky Seeker. The story branches based on player choices, with Kazahana and Iris deepening their bond. The business model is free-to-play with item billing: the prologue through the middle part (over two hours of play) is free. The full main story is unlocked via a paid DLC called the Complete Package, priced at 2,980 yen. A launch sale runs until June 11, offering the Complete Package at 10% off (2,682 yen). An ASMR drama featuring Kazahana, titled "I will take care of your ears responsibly," is also available on DLsite for 1,980 yen.