KADOKAWA will release 'Xross Stars ART COLLECTION II' on September 16, 2026. The second art book for the trading card game features over 220 illustrations from the 'Exceed Rampage' and 'Broken Neonlights' booster packs. It includes an original PP ticket card. The game brings together VTubers from Vspo!, Crazy Raccoon, and Neo-Porte.
Independent developer petitmonte announced that the real-time strategy game Peasant Samurai will release on PC via Steam on August 3. The game is set in the Sengoku period but focuses on daily life and domestic affairs rather than battle. Players grow a small village as a peasant, manage resources, and develop the community. The game starts in 1488 and is cleared when 100 years have passed or all territories are acquired. Players sometimes take up arms to face the Oda army.
The Elusive Samurai Season 2 will premiere on July 17, 2026 on Fuji TV's Noitamina block. Amazon Prime Video will stream episodes the same day, making it the fastest streaming option. Other services including DMM TV and U-NEXT will follow on July 21. The article from Anime Anime details the streaming schedule and recommends Prime Video for early access and DMM TV for a cheaper subscription with a free trial.
THQ Nordic and developer Campfire Cabal announced that the historical RPG Expeditions: Samurai will begin early access on Steam on August 7, 2026. The game is set in Japan around 1600, at the end of the Sengoku period, and features a fictional Western protagonist who travels from England to survive the turmoil. A companion trailer released alongside the announcement introduces eight characters, including a thief, a sword master, a female warrior, and a cleric. The full version is planned for release in the first quarter of 2027, with additional features such as village management, crafting, and expanded character customization. The early access version includes combat, exploration, stealth, and a portion of the story. The price is expected to increase for the full release. The game supports two-player co-op, where a second player joins as the protagonist's twin sibling. This is the first Expeditions game developed by Campfire Cabal, a studio founded by former Logic Artists co-founder Jonas Waever after the original developer shifted focus toward blockchain. The series' previous entry, Expeditions: Rome, received an 86% positive rating on Steam. The early access build does not currently support Japanese display.
Bocchiboromaru will perform the ending theme for The Elusive Samurai season 2, with three guest vocalists from idol group Hinatazaka46. The song is titled "Romantic ga Hoshii nara." The season premieres July 17 on Fuji TV and streams on Prime Video. Returning staff include director Yuta Yamazaki and character designer Yasushi Nishiya at CloverWorks.
The live-action adaptation of Honobu Yonezawa's The Samurai and the Prisoner dropped to #4 in its third weekend at the Japanese box office. The 37th Anpanman film held at #5 in its second weekend. The 4K restoration of Kiki's Delivery Service ranked #8 in its third weekend. The new Sgt. Frog film opened at #10.
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 second cour of the sequel series Yoroi Shinden Samurai Trooper has begun airing. Hina Naota joins the cast as Kaede Narumi, the new DST commander appearing in episode 13. The non-credit opening and ending videos for the second cour have also been released, and Blu-ray BOX volumes 3 and 4 are confirmed.
The Yoroi-Shinden Samurai Troopers sequel anime has cast Hina Suguta as Kaede Narumi, the newly appointed DST commander, who appears in the second cour starting with episode 13. The second part of the series debuted on July 7, with new theme songs by Dannie May and karanoah. The anime streams on Crunchyroll.
The second season of the anime adaptation of Yūsei Matsui's The Elusive Samurai manga will premiere on July 13 on Fuji TV. The main promotional video previews the opening theme song "Onigoto" by Kento Nakajima. Returning staff include director Yuta Yamazaki and character designer Yasushi Nishiya at CloverWorks. Prime Video will stream the series.
THQ Nordic released a developer video diary for Expeditions: Samurai, a tactical RPG set in the Sengoku period. The video focuses on the game's art, which uses pastel colors and stylized expressions influenced by Japanese art. It also shows a new dialogue system with 3D models for real-time character emotion.
The new Sgt. Frog 20th anniversary film ranked #4 in its opening weekend with 150.8 million yen, while the 37th Anpanman film opened at #5 with 123.4 million yen. A new Sgt. Frog TV series with a fresh cast is set for fall 2026.
Shueisha announced on July 1 that its contract with Walt Disney Japan for Marvel character manga adaptations will end September 30. Affected titles include Deadpool: Samurai, Spider-Man: Bonds, Spider-Man: Octopus Girl, and two collections. Physical copies will sell only while stocks last; digital versions will be removed from e-book stores by September 30.
SNK announced the SWC 2026 Finals will take place November 27-29 in Stockholm, Sweden, as part of DreamHack Stockholm 2026. The tournament covers five SNK fighting game titles with a combined $4.2 million prize pool across qualifiers and finals. A regional league for Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves was also announced.
Netflix unveiled the first episode art for "The One Piece," WIT Studio's remake of the original One Piece anime, during its Annecy International Animation Film Festival showcase on Tuesday. The image, titled "Romance Dawn -Dawn of the Adventure-", matches the title of Eiichiro Oda's manga's first volume and chapter. The streamer also confirmed that Mayumi Tanaka will reprise her role as Monkey D. Luffy, a role she has held since 1999. The seven-episode first season, covering the East Blue saga through the first 50 manga chapters, will run approximately 300 minutes and stream worldwide on Netflix in February 2027. Masashi Koizuka directs, with Hideaki Abe as assistant director. Character designers and chief animation directors are Kyoji Asano and Takatoshi Honda. Taku Kishimoto handles series scripts. The teaser trailer debuted at a separate "Next on Netflix Animation" panel on June 24. The remake was first announced at Jump Festa '24 in December 2023.
The indoor theme park NAMJATOWN in Tokyo will host a collaboration event with the TV anime "The Elusive Samurai" from July 3 to July 26, 2026, featuring seven characters. Activities include a quiz rally, a ninja training ground, fortune latte sales, and a resale of original goods from 2024. The event commemorates the second season of the anime.
THQ Nordic announced the THQ Nordic Digital Showcase 2026 will stream on August 8 at 4:00 AM JST. The event will be broadcast on YouTube, Twitch, and Steam. It will feature release date announcements and new footage for several titles, including Titan Quest II, Wreckfest 2, and The Guild - Europa 1410. Additional information will be provided for Fatekeeper, Expeditions: Samurai, The Eternal Life of Goldman, and Way of the Hunter 2. A teaser video has been released showing scenes from Titan Quest II and Wreckfest 2. Game Spark highlighted Expeditions: Samurai, a Sengoku party-based RPG, and Fatekeeper, a dark fantasy action RPG, as key titles to watch. The showcase is THQ Nordic's annual event, following last year's edition which featured updates on Gothic 1 Remake, REANIMAL, and Darksiders 4.
The anime The Elusive Samurai will collaborate with Gokurakuyu RAKU SPA from July 9, 2026, at two locations in Saitama and Kanagawa. The event features four character-themed baths on rotating schedules, newly drawn goods, collaboration menu items, a digital stamp rally, and an X campaign. Original merchandise includes locker-style keychains, acrylic stands, and can badges.
The staff for the sequel anime Yoroi-Shinden Samurai Troopers released a second promotional video on Friday previewing the ending theme song for the second cours. The second part debuts July 7. New cast members include Tomoaki Maeno, Aya Endō, Hiroshi Shirokuma, Maaya Sakamoto, and Takehito Koyasu.
Bandai Spirits has announced three new S.H.Figuarts action figures, all opening for pre-order on June 19, 2026, at 16:00 JST via the Soul Web Store on Premium Bandai. The lineup includes a reissue of Shinken Red from "Samurai Sentai Shinkenger" using the True Bone Carving Technique, which sculpts from the skeleton based on a full-body scan of suit actor Hirofumi Fukuzawa. The figure stands 145mm tall, costs 13,200 yen, and ships in November 2026. It includes accessories such as the Shinkenmaru, Rekka Daizantou, Hiden Disks, Shodouphone in two modes, and Lion Origami in two modes. Also announced is the Black Sword Flame Reaver from "Honkai: Star Rail," a 170mm figure priced at 13,200 yen shipping in December 2026, with interchangeable head parts including a maskless option and two weapon types. The third figure is Ultraman Ginga Victory from "Ultraman Ginga S The Movie: Showdown! The 10 Ultra Warriors!," sculpted with cooperation from Tsuburaya Productions' modeling department LSS. It stands 150mm, costs 9,900 yen, ships in December 2026, and includes Ultra Fusion Shoot Effect Parts and interchangeable wrist parts for poses including the iconic thumbs-up alongside Ultraman Dyna.
Ryuichi Hoshino's comic adaptation of Yoroiden Samurai Troopers, originally serialized in Comic BonBon, is now available as e-books on Kindle. Volumes 1 and 2 were released on June 17, 2026, priced at 594 yen each. The manga offers a different take from the original anime.
Akimine Kamijyo, creator of Samurai Deeper Kyo and Code:Breaker, will launch a new series titled KILLER+SITTER in Kodansha's Shonen Magazine on June 24. The magazine describes it as a "new era family drama" involving the strongest ex-soldier.
The Elusive Samurai TV anime will hold a collaboration cafe with and GALLERY from July 15 to July 29, 2026, at four locations. Newly drawn illustrations of Tokiyuki, Shizuku, Fubuki, and Mima in waiter attire will appear on menu items, goods, and novelties. The menu includes five character-inspired food items and eight drinks.
The Television Critics Association announced nominees for its 42nd Annual TCA Awards on Friday. Disney Twisted-Wonderland The Animation received a nod in Outstanding Achievement in Family Programming. Two live-action series based on Japanese stories, Drops of God and Last Samurai Standing, were nominated in the new Outstanding International Series category.
THQ Nordic Japan announced on June 9, 2026, that the turn-based RPG Expeditions: Samurai will launch in early access on Steam this summer. Developed by Campfire Cabal, the studio behind Expeditions: Rome, the game is the latest entry in the Expeditions series. It is set in Japan's Sengoku period, specifically the year 1600, where players arrive aboard a Dutch frigate before the historical navigator William Adams. The player leads a crew of privateers through the final chapter of a civil war, with choices that alter the story and Japan's future. The game features eight companions, each with unique backgrounds and quests, and relationships that can develop into friendship, rivalry, or romance. Combat is turn-based with simultaneous actions, stealth, and a mix of pirate and Japanese weapons. For the first time in the series, Expeditions: Samurai supports drop-in/drop-out cooperative play. The full version is planned to offer about 60 hours of content. During early access, the developers plan to add the title of Hatamoto and village management features. Steam wishlist registration is open now.
Netflix will stream the second half of Baki-Dou: The Invincible Samurai on June 18, 2026. The 12-episode batch (episodes 14-25) drops worldwide on that date. A new visual shows Musashi, Baki Hanma, Kaoru Hanayama, Pickle, and Izo Motobe. Toshiki Hirano directs at TMS Entertainment.
THQ Nordic announced Expeditions: Samurai, a historical RPG set in late Sengoku period Japan. Players control an English sailor who becomes the first European samurai in a world without William Adams. The game features turn-based tactical combat, branching storylines, and 2-player co-op. Early access on Steam is planned for 2026, with a full release in Q1 2027.
Netflix released the main trailer for the second part of Baki-Dou: The Invincible Samurai on Wednesday, June 3, previewing key matchups and revealing the new theme songs. The trailer shows fights against Pickle, Izo Motobe, Kaoru Hanayama, and Baki Hanma. The opening theme is "Musashi" by the rock band Chevon, and the ending theme is "Katana" by J SOUL BROTHERS III. Chevon vocalist Mayu Yaginu said Baki-Dou is their favorite arc in the series and praised the Musashi versus Motobe fight as one of the most human and emotionally impactful. J SOUL BROTHERS III member Ryuji Imaichi said the ending song was built around the tension of drawing a katana before battle. The second part premieres worldwide on Netflix on June 18 with all 12 episodes available at once. The first 13 episodes of the anime launched on February 26. TMS Entertainment also announced an Anime Expo 2026 panel titled "Bring It On BAKI-DOU! Experience the Showdown with the BAKI-DOU Team," set for July 3 at 8:00 PM PT at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The panel will feature longtime Baki manga editor Yuki Yokoi and anime producer Takayoshi Aso, along with live audience activities and a showdown with internet personality Logan Chitwood as Yujiro Hanma and sword performer Kaz Kobayashi as Musashi Miyamoto.
The staff for the sequel anime Yoroi-Shinden Samurai Troopers announced the second part's theme songs, additional cast, and a July 7 premiere date in a new promotional video. Dannie May performs the opening "Bad Idenshi" and karanoah performs the ending "Bakemon." New cast includes Tomoaki Maeno, Aya Endo, and Hiroshi Shirokuma.
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.
TMS Entertainment confirmed that part 2 of Baki-Dou: The Invincible Samurai will stream on Netflix worldwide on June 18, 2026. The second half consists of 12 episodes released simultaneously. A new visual featuring Musashi, Baki Hanma, Kaoru Hanayama, Pickle, and Izo Motobe accompanied the announcement.
Fundom Co. will run a Samurai Champloo pop up shop at the Shibuya Tsutaya IP Bookstore from June 12, 2026, and at the Kyoto Tsutaya IP Bookstore from July 2. The shop offers new merchandise under the camos brand, including acrylic art, a portable cassette player, and apparel. Online sales begin July 31.
A new review of The Elusive Samurai focuses on the second episode's betrayal of Kunitoki and the introduction of retainers Kojirō and Ayako, who restore the protagonist Tokiyuki's faith in others. The piece contrasts the betrayal scene with the Gospel account of Judas, framing the retainers as models of faithful heroism.