Independent developer Renka released the mystery visual novel Ren: Kuonjima Warabeuta Serial Murder Memorandum for PC via Steam on July 28, 2026. The game is set on the storm-isolated island of Kuonjima, where a murder notice is delivered through a Warabeuta song and seven geniuses gather to solve the case. It features locked-room puzzles, astrology, and a puzzle of flesh and blood.
Dat Japan announced Arena Remake, a modernized version of the 90s PC strategy RPG that was bundled in GAMEPACK and preinstalled on Fujitsu FMV computers. The game includes a faithful Legacy Mode and a new Arrange Mode with roguelike elements and added story. It launches for PC and Switch in winter 2026.
BA-KU, the brand behind Hira Hira Hihiru and BLACK SHEEP TOWN, announced development of its new title Hyakubyaku (Hyaku Byaku). Renya Setoguchi directs and writes the scenario, with Karin Kanzaki on character design and Hideyuki Babai on music. The game is planned for Steam, with a store page in preparation. A teaser flyer is available at Seven-Eleven network printers until September 3.
Bilingual singer Liza released the electro-pop track "Moshi Moshi Frenemy feat. 3Li¥en" on August 5, produced by Chaki Zulu. The lyric video, made by graphic designer mito, shows Liza and 3Li¥en as 8-bit characters escaping a dungeon. A new artist photo was also unveiled.
thatgamecompany is holding a limited-time pop-up event for Sky: Children of the Light from August 4 to 11, 2026, at the former Sanzenri site in Shibuya, Tokyo. The event commemorates the start of distribution of the interactive experience Dear Van Gogh within Sky. Visitors can experience the world of the interactive experience, which explores the life and works of Vincent van Gogh, through exhibits and spatial design.
Good Smile Company announced a second re-release of the MODEROID Gurren Lagann plastic model kit from the TV anime Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann. The non-scale assembly kit stands approximately 140mm tall and uses five colored runners: red, yellow, gray, beige, and clear black, allowing builders to recreate the in-show appearance through assembly alone. Included accessories are the Guren Boomerang, a drill, and interchangeable hand parts, with joints that offer a wide range of motion for recreating scenes from the series. By swapping the head parts, the kit can also reproduce the Lagann form. The product is priced at 4,500 yen including tax, with reservations open from August 6, 2026, to September 16, 2026, and shipping scheduled for December 2026. Orders placed during the reservation period at the official Good Smile Company shop are guaranteed delivery, with a purchase limit of three units per person. The kit can be displayed alongside the separately sold Nendoroid Simon figure, and the Gurren Lagann Head Display Base and expression parts from that figure are exchangeable with this model.
Dat Japan announced Arena Remake, a turn-based RPG for Nintendo Switch, releasing in winter 2026. The game remakes ARENA, a title from the early 1990s PC collection GAMEPACK that was preinstalled on Fujitsu's FMV series. It includes Legacy Mode and Arrange Mode, the latter adding a new story and roguelike elements.
thatgamecompany turned 20 in May 2026, and its live game Sky: Children of the Light has surpassed 300 million cumulative downloads as it enters its eighth year of operation. The studio launched a new in-game story, Dear Van Gogh, on July 17, based on real letters between Vincent van Gogh and his brother Theo. Founder and CEO Jenova Chen discussed the milestone, the new content, and his views on AI in a recent interview.
NBCUniversal announced that Yō Taichi joins the cast of the My Stepmother and Stepsisters Aren't Wicked anime as Riru Kazan, a classmate of protagonist Miya. Riru will appear in the fifth episode on Wednesday. The anime debuted July 8 on TV Kanagawa, TV Saitama, and Chiba TV, and also airs on MBS, Tokyo MX, and BS Asahi.
MBS revealed a new trailer and visual for the live-action series of Amekiri's boys-love manga Chotto Mato yo, Harutora-kun. Six new cast members were announced, and the opening theme song "Ichizu no Rinbu" by Lienel was previewed. The series premieres August 13 on MBS's Dramaphil block.
Takeru Kirishima's manga adaptation of Hakubi Kokuto's Sekigan Renkin Kenshi no Yarinaoshi Kitan light novel series has ended. The final chapter appeared in Kadokawa's Monthly Shonen Ace magazine on Friday, and the third compiled book volume will ship on September 26. The story follows adventurer Yoruichi Yashiro after he loses an eye and is branded a failure.
Bushiroad Creative has added two anime series to its PalVerse line of palm-sized deformed figures. The Jujutsu Kaisen set, which went on sale July 31, 2026, includes six characters: Yuji Itadori, Megumi Fushiguro, Yuta Okkotsu, Choso, Kenjaku, and Sukuna. Each figure stands about 90mm tall. A single pack costs 1,100 yen, while a box of six costs 6,600 yen and guarantees a complete set when unopened. Buyers who purchase a box at participating stores such as the Bushiroad Online Store, Animate, and Hobby Zone receive a bonus sticker set. The Frieren: Beyond Journey's End lineup, also six characters, features Frieren, Fern, Stark, Himmel, Heiter, and Eisen. Packs are 1,210 yen and boxes are 7,260 yen. Reservations for the Frieren set close August 4, with a release scheduled for November 27. Both lines use random packing, but box purchases ensure collectors get all six types.
MSY announced on August 4, 2026 that its brand GRAPHT will release new merchandise based on the horror adventure game SIREN, timed to the story event known as the Otherworld Entry that occurs on August 3. The lineup includes two T-shirt designs, seven trading square magnets, and two embroidered stickers. Pre-orders opened on the GRAPHT official EC site, and the items are also being sold sequentially at the PlayStation Official Licensed POP UP STORE by GRAPHT, held outside the south ticket gate of JR Ikebukuro Station from August 4 to August 17. The T-shirts are priced at 5,500 yen each and come in sizes M, L, and XL. One design features the key visual of the first SIREN, while the other shows the title logo on the chest and a large print of Hanuda Village's specialty dish, Hanuda Soba, on the back. Both use DTF printing to achieve vivid colors on black fabric. The trading magnets cost 660 yen individually or 4,620 yen for a box of seven. The embroidered stickers, priced at 1,320 yen each, depict the title logo and the in-game message End Condition Achieved. They are made at embroidery workshops in the Kiryu region and can be used as stickers or iron-on patches.
Garena announced on August 3 that it is developing Palworld Online, a mobile MMORPG based on Pocketpair's Palworld IP, with a release planned within 2026 for iOS and Android. The game is being made under an official license from Pocketpair and will rebuild the original survival crafting experience for smartphones, introducing a new story setting and original side stories alongside the core elements of capturing and raising Pals, exploration, and base management. As an MMORPG, Palworld Online features a seamless open world where players can form groups, build joint bases, engage in PvE and PvP content, challenge bosses in the open world, visit other players' bases, and search for rare Pals together. The mobile version optimizes the UI and controls for touch operations, supporting one-touch play across a range of device specifications. Garena's president, Terry Zhao, said the company aims to maintain the depth, immersion, and freedom of Palworld while delivering a mobile-optimized experience. Pocketpair's CEO, Takuro Mizobe, noted Garena's experience in global expansion, localization, and live service operations for mobile games. Palworld Online is scheduled for release on mobile in 2026, with further details on the service start date to be announced later.
Kadokawa and Garena Online Private Limited revealed the first trailer and key visual for Free Fire Daybreak, the television anime adaptation of the Garena Free Fire battle royale game, on Saturday. The anime is scheduled to premiere worldwide, including in Japan, in spring 2027. The story is set in the near-future city of New Dawn, controlled by the Horizon Corporation. The protagonist is Kelly, a 16-year-old girl who loses her memory and awakens an ability called "Limit Break" through an experimental program called "Project Bloom." The key visual features Kelly alongside the game characters Hayato and Moco. Ken Takahashi, known for Ragna Crimson and Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya, directs the anime. Japanese studio Candy Box, which produced Blue Archive The Animation and Azur Lane: Slow Ahead!, handles animation production. Sus4 Inc. is producing the music. Kadokawa and Garena are co-producing the anime, with Kadokawa's Kadokawa Qingyu subsidiary serving as production manager. The anime was first announced in May 2024, with a teaser arriving in July 2025. Garena Free Fire originally launched in December 2017 and has been the most downloaded mobile battle royale game for seven consecutive years since 2019, according to Garena.
Yen Press announced on Thursday that it has licensed two light novel series under its Yen On imprint and one manga title. The company also revealed an audiobook adaptation of Mamoru Hosoda's Wolf Children: Ame & Yuki novel. Further announcements are planned at San Diego Comic-Con.
Visual novel developer Yuzu Soft announced during its Yuzu Soft Songfes 2026 event on July 26 that its 2016 visual novel Senren * Banka will receive an anime adaptation premiering in 2027. The game's original voice cast will reprise their roles: Sora Haruka as Yoshino Tomotake, Yuki Kotorii as Mako Hitachi, Mikan Sato as Murasame, and Sawa Sawawa as Lena Liechtenauer. Singer KOTOKO, who performed the visual novel's opening theme, will also perform the anime's opening song. The announcement did not specify the anime's format or episode count. The visual novel, released in Japan in July 2016 for Yuzu Soft's 10th anniversary, has sold over 1 million units worldwide as of February 2026. It received a Steam release in English and Chinese in 2020 via NekoNyan and HIKARI FIELD, and a Nintendo Switch version in May 2022. The game has accumulated over 30,000 'Very Positive' user reviews on Steam, with approximately 92.65 percent of reviews written in Simplified Chinese, according to Steam Scout data cited by Game Spark. The copyright for the anime lists wwwave, a studio known for producing shorter-format anime episodes.
COSPA is releasing a line of summer apparel based on the TV anime "Frieren: Beyond Journey's End," including a jinbei featuring Frieren being eaten by a mimic and dry T-shirts with memorable scenes from the series. The jinbei uses breathable shijira-ori fabric and comes in navy or rikyu-nezumi colors. Among the T-shirts is one depicting Frieren's expression from episode 33, where she says she ended up working in a mine for 300 years, and another showing her displeased face from episode 30. The items also include an eco bag, an acrylic multi keyholder with Fern and Stark, and a cleaner cloth. The products will be generally available from mid-October 2026, with advance orders accepted until August 9. The jinbei and two T-shirts will be sold in advance at the COSPA booth during Wonder Festival 2026 [Summer] on July 26. Separately, Animate will release a five-design T-shirt collection on August 22, 2026, featuring plushie photo illustrations and scene designs from the second season, each priced at 3,850 yen.
Onion Games has announced a premium physical edition of its RPG "Stray Children" for Nintendo Switch, set for release on December 10, 2026, at 10,978 yen. The "Stray Children TREASURE BOX" is a limited first-print run produced only for pre-orders, with no additional manufacturing planned after the order period ends. The box includes the game cartridge with all updates applied, the "Stray Book" development archive spanning approximately 160 pages of sketches and setting art by character designer Kazuyuki Kurashima, background artist Satoshi Katsuta, and director Yoshiro Kimura. Also included is an experience music CD for the in-game fictional RPG "Mikazuki," described in the game as a title canceled in 1997, featuring chiptune music by the group Thelonious Monkeys. A cloth antique map titled "The Night Before the World's Collapse" and an acrylic keychain featuring the protagonist and his companion complete the set. Pre-orders opened on July 24. A talk show to commemorate the announcement is scheduled for July 25 at 20:30 JST on Kimura's X account, featuring Kimura, Kurashima, and Thelonious Monkeys members Masanori Adachi and Hiroshi Taniguchi, hosted by Yamaguchi Quest.
Bushiroad Creative has opened pre-orders for the PalVerse line of deformed figures based on the TV anime Frieren: Beyond Journey's End. The lineup includes six palm-sized characters: Frieren, Fern, Stark, Himmel, Heiter, and Eisen. Each figure stands approximately 90mm tall. A single box contains all six types and completes the set. The box is priced at 7,260 yen (tax included) at Kadostore, while individual randomly packed units cost 1,210 yen each. Pre-orders placed by August 4, 2026, guarantee availability. The figures are scheduled for release on November 27, 2026. The manufacturer is Bushiroad Creative. Pre-orders at Kadostore close on July 29, 2026, at 23:59, though orders may close earlier if the planned sales number is reached.
Dear Villagers and Drop Rate Studio released the underwater horror action game DIVE or DIE - Children of Rain on Steam and Epic Games Store on July 21, 2026. Players explore the Abyssal Puddle labyrinth, manage survivors, and collect relics to prevent a great flood in 40 days. A launch sale offers a 20% discount until August 5.
Yasuki Tanaka's Summer Time Rendering suspense manga is getting a live-action film in 2027, directed by Ken Ninomiya. The announcement was made on July 22, the same date the series' events begin. A live-action project was originally announced in 2021 alongside the anime adaptation, which premiered in April 2022 and covered the entire manga.
Crystal Spider Games released the hand-drawn dungeon RPG A Kobold Story: Trenchcoat Adventurer on PC June 4. The game features three kobolds in a trenchcoat, a CrayonVision art style, and inspiration from 1985's The Bard's Tale. Developer Benjamin reports positive feedback, with players saying the game made them want to try other dungeon RPGs. An update adding controller support arrives August 15. A sequel, Trenchcoat Adventurer Vol. 1: Gone Rogue, launches July 22. Full Japanese localization is planned, with volunteer translators welcome.
From July 17 to October 16, 2026, the glamping resort THE FARM in Chiba Prefecture is hosting a Frieren collaboration. All 32 tents become themed rooms, the resort is styled as a village from the series, and the check-in lounge features interactive exhibits including a mimic, prop weapons, and a monument of Himmel's ring. Staff act as "villagers" and guests as "travelers."
Japanese retailer Geo is running a storewide game sale through July 20 that includes several Nintendo Switch 2 titles at discounted prices. The most notable deals are four games all priced at 3,278 yen: Momotaro Dentetsu, Etrian Odyssey I·II·III, Shiren the Wanderer 6, and Super Robot Wars Y. The sale covers both Switch 2 native software and Switch titles playable via backward compatibility, as well as Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrades of earlier Switch games. Other discounted Switch 2 titles include Mario Kart World (7,128 yen), Donkey Kong Bananza (5,478 yen), Poko a Pokemon (6,578 yen), Kirby's Air Rider (4,928 yen), and Hyrule Warriors: Sealed Chronicles (5,478 yen). Switch 2 Edition games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (6,028 yen) and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond (3,828 yen) are also on sale. The on-site investigation by Inside Games and Game Spark confirms the prices are available at physical Geo stores while stock lasts.
The TV anime Frieren: Beyond Journey's End has partnered with gaming community vaultroom for a line of apparel. The collection includes six items: four T-shirts featuring mascot Bolt-kun dressed as Frieren, the hero party gaming, Frieren's party, and Aura, plus two hoodies with Frieren and a mimic scene. Prices range from 9,900 yen for T-shirts to 24,200 yen for hoodies. Sales begin July 18, 2026 in two batches on vaultroom's shop. Fan reactions have been positive.
thatgamecompany released the interactive experience 'Dear Van Gogh: To Dearly Beloved Van Gogh' within Sky: Children of the Light, available from July 17, 2026. A limited-time pop-up event at the former Sanzenri site in Shibuya runs from August 4 to August 11, featuring free exhibits and a reservation-required wheat field installation.
Akita Shoten is running a sale on Amazon Kindle, offering individual volumes of ten manga series for 99 yen each. The lineup includes NIGHTMARE MAKER, Children of the Whales, Batchi Batchi, Tsubaki Night Club, Yaniz, Ippon!, Yakyu Shiyouze!, Harigane Service ACE, Vanitas, and Hakoiri. The discounts apply to both single volumes and complete sets.
The French manga 'Dreamland' by Reno Lemaire will be adapted into a television anime that will broadcast in Japan starting October 2026. The series will air on ABC TV and TV Asahi network stations nationwide as part of the ANiMAZiNG!!! block, every Saturday at 2:00 AM. The original manga, a shonen series heavily influenced by Japanese manga, has sold over 800,000 copies in France. The anime is produced by the French studio Ellipse & La Chouette Compagnie, with direction by Juan Pablo Machado and Joe Celse. The Japanese broadcast will be a fully localized version with Japanese voice actors. A key visual and the official Japanese website have been released. Author Reno Lemaire expressed his surprise and honor that the work is reaching Japan, while the directors noted they grew up watching Japanese anime.
The 'Something Genuine' series published a conversation with Anastasia Muñoz, the voice of Serie in Frieren: Beyond Journey's End. The interview moves beyond her anime credits to discuss her work as a theater educator, fine arts department head, and founder of the nonprofit Arts Mission Oak Cliff, as well as her views on creativity and AI.
The official Frieren: Beyond Journey's End X account posted a pun image placing Frieren in Resident Evil's Raccoon City, using the phrase 'Raccoon City-ren'. The Resident Evil official account replied with an image of a treasure chest. Fans speculated on Frieren's ability to survive the zombie apocalypse and noted the surreal composition. Both franchises have upcoming collaborations at Universal Studios Japan.
Manga creator Nyoijizai, known for Harukana Receive, launched a new series on Kadokawa's Dra Dra Sharp# magazine. The story follows newlyweds Yuto and Asuka, a professional volleyball player and team captain who agrees to abstain from sex until a tournament ends. The series began last Saturday, shortly after Nyoijizai ended Cinderella Athletes in February.
The first episode of My Stepmother and Stepsisters Aren't Wicked aired, introducing Miya Nakamura who, after her mother's death, moves in with her stepmother and stepsisters. Contrary to fairy tale expectations, they are warm and welcoming, though Miya remains suspicious. The episode is praised for its heartwarming tone and Kujira's voice performance as the stepmother.
Solafune CEO Ren Uechi participated in a roundtable with Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and other officials at the IVS2026 startup conference in Kyoto on July 1. The meeting, which Koizumi also posted about on social media, involved discussions on the company's AI-driven geospatial intelligence platform. Solafune focuses on integrating GEOINT, OSINT, and SIGINT for policy support and business development.
Aerosoft, Binary Impact, and Alchemical Works released 'Forensics: Crime Scene Detective' on July 14, 2026. The forensic investigation sim was developed with cooperation from the Rhineland-Palatinate State Police and features scenarios based on real cases. However, on Steam, only 23% of 38 reviews are positive, with praise for the concept but criticism of a lack of content and unclear UI. The game is available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.
U-NEXT released its viewership ranking for the first half of 2026, covering January 1 to June 8. The top 10 is heavy on sequels, with Jujutsu Kaisen: Culling Game Arc (Part 1) taking first place, followed by Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Season 2 and That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 4. Spring premieres Yomi no Tsugai and Nihon Sangoku also made the list.
Stratagem Interactive is developing 'HistoriCity: Florence', a simulation game for Steam where players rebuild a settlement devastated by the Black Death into a Renaissance city. The game features historical events like the Bonfire of the Vanities and the Pazzi Conspiracy, and landmarks such as Florence Cathedral. Players can hire famous figures like Michelangelo, Brunelleschi, and Galileo. A demo is available now, with no release date set. Japanese language support is not currently included.
Independent developer Renka announced the mystery visual novel 'Ren: Kujūshima Warabebuta Serial Murder Memorandum' for Steam on July 28, 2026. The game is set on an isolated island where a crime notice is given via a children's song and seven geniuses gather. It features classic locked room mysteries, astrology, and a puzzle of flesh and blood. Renka has released five games in 2026 so far.
On July 8, 2026, the official Frieren: Beyond Journey's End X account posted a pun combining the series' title with the card game UNO. The post, featuring Aura and Himmel on UNO cards, drew reactions calling it "clever", "a perfect hit", and "the best ever". The UNO Frieren card game is currently on sale from Ensky.
Anime News Network published a five-part roundup of Tanabata greetings from across the anime, manga, and video game industries on July 7, 2026. The collection includes wishes and illustrations from official accounts for series such as Bungo Stray Dogs, Detective Conan, My Hero Academia, Sakamoto Days, Doraemon, Chibi Maruko-chan, Hell's Paradise, and Dragon Quest. Video game franchises like Final Fantasy, Monster Hunter, and Like a Dragon also participated, alongside creators including Hideo Kojima, Yuki Kaji, and Shoko Nakagawa. Several series tied their posts to new releases: the second season of Yoroi Shin Den Samurai Troopers premiered on July 7, My Happy Marriage released a special Tanabata illustration and announced a three-episode special for 2026, and My Stepmother and Stepsisters Aren't Wicked began airing on July 8. The roundup also features greetings from manga titles like Chiikawa, MARRIAGETOXIN, and Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You, as well as from studios Tatsunoko Production and Square Enix.
The raising simulation game 'Princess Maker: Children of Prophecy', the first new package entry in the series in 18 years, has achieved 'Overwhelmingly Positive' recent user reviews on Steam, with 95% of 110 reviews in the last 30 days being positive. Early access began July 3, 2025. A version 0.9.7 update released July 6 adds new dresses, a Fate Card, and expanded weapon shop inventory.
Chinese manufacturer HEMOXIAN announced a new plastic kit series called RUSTED BRIER. The first release, Lande Koskinen & RTP-10A Fengren High-Speed Variable Fighter, is a large set combining a 1/12 scale beautiful girl figure and a transformable mecha. It is scheduled for October 2026 at 9,680 yen, distributed by Kotobukiya.
At an Anime Expo 2026 panel, the creators of Frieren: Beyond Journey's End revealed behind-the-scenes details of Season 2 and stated that Season 3 aims to surpass Season 2's quality. Director Tomoya Kitagawa, Chief Director Keiichiro Saito, Character Designer Keisuke Kojima, and Madhouse Producer Yuichiro Fukushi appeared before a packed audience.
Tokyo MX announced a second season for the live-action adaptation of Ogeretsu Tanaka's boys-love manga Renai Rubi no Tadashii Furikata, set to debut in October on Tokyo MX1. Genki Iwahashi and Satoru Sōma reprise their roles as Hiromu Suzuki and Natsuo Washizawa. Yasuki Satō returns to direct, with Motoko Takahashi back on scripts.
TV Asahi announced six new English dub cast members for the Akane-banashi anime during its Anime Expo panel. The dub cast includes Kari Wahlgren, Greg Chun, Ben Diskin, SungWon Cho, Crispin Freeman, and Keith Silverstein. The anime will return for a second season in January 2027.
Kodansha USA Publishing announced during its Anime Expo panel on Thursday seven new print releases for spring 2026, including the prose collection Witch Hat Atelier: Special Stories, the yuri thriller Fatale Game, and the historical fantasy The Chronicles of Leënde. Other titles are The Serenade of Spring Thunder, Myther, and the classic Phoenix, along with Historié.
Warner Bros. is developing a film adaptation of Siren Head, the internet-born monster created by Canadian artist Trevor Henderson. Zach Cregger and Brian Duffield will co-write the script, with Duffield directing. The project follows recent Hollywood interest in online horror phenomena, after A24's The Backrooms became a box office hit.
To mark the 35th anniversary of Future GPX Cyber Formula, MegaHouse and threezero are releasing a Variable Action Hi-SPEC UNITED figure of the Asurada G.S.X RS SIREN. The black matte finished model is inspired by the shakedown of the Asurada G.S.X. Pre-orders open July 3, 2026, at select retailers. A Premium Bandai edition includes an exclusive Credential Pass bonus. The figure is priced at 55,550 yen and ships in February 2027.
Remow's It's Anime YouTube channel will stream the television anime of Otsuji's My Stepmother and Stepsisters Aren't Wicked manga outside of Asia. The anime premieres on July 8 in Japan on multiple TV stations and streaming services. Keisuke Inoue directs at NEWON, with Hina Suzuki starring as Miya.
Dengeki Hobby Web published the Amazon Hobby New Arrival Ranking top 10 for the Figure & Collector Doll category as of June 29, 2026. The top spot is the GUNDAM UNIVERSE Mighty Strike Freedom Gundam, followed by Good Smile Company's POP UP PARADE Aura from Frieren: Beyond Journey's End at 2nd place, and the Blue Archive figma Shiroko*Terror at 3rd.