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- Lotte's Coolish and Sou ice cream brands posted silhouette images of two singing artist groups for upcoming commercials. · 2026-06-29
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9h ago
Automaton's series on overlooked domestic Steam titles spotlights ghostpia Season One by the creative unit Chosuido. The visual novel, a polished version of the browser and smartphone game, released on Nintendo Switch in March 2023 and on Steam in August 2023. It is set in a snowbound town of 1024 immortal ghosts and follows Sayoko, an outsider, and the newcomer Yoru. Chosuido calls it a "Denshi Graphic Novel," mixing picture-book art with glitches and noise. The unkillable ghosts turn slapstick violence into a meditation on loneliness.
1d ago
The Urban Legend Dissolution Center pop-up shop runs September 1 to 27 at AKIHABARA GAMERS main store 7F, with online sales from September 28 to October 12. New Halloween illustrations of Wataru Meguriya, Azami Fukurai, and Jasmine appear across nine products. Blind items come with complete sets, and purchases of 2,000 yen earn a random illustration card.
1d ago
Banpresto is releasing a soft vinyl figure of Ted, the talking bear from the drama series 'Ted: The Series', as a crane game prize. The figure stands about 13 cm tall, reproduces Ted's small eyes, mischievous grin, and fur texture, and dresses him in a stylish suit. It is scheduled to appear sequentially from Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
1d ago
KAMITSUBAKI STUDIO's Harusaruhi released the new single PAUSE on August 21, 2026, with the music video going up at 20:00 the same day. The track is a dance pop piece from OHTORA and maeshima soshi, who split the writing: OHTORA handled lyrics and music, maeshima soshi handled music and arrangement. The video was made by yujureal works, with KU on illustration and animation and mon on typography. Kentaro Iwaki (THINKR) produced the single, with PIEDPIPER as executive producer.
1d ago
Sony Music Entertainment began order-based sales of 4th Anniversary Goods for VEE virtual talents Anew Uparu and Luminous Sweet at the VEE Official Shop. Each acrylic diorama stand, priced at 4,500 yen, includes a bonus sticker using new illustration by Kutori Panya. Orders run through September 6.
1d ago
At Good Smile Fest Osaka, VISION displayed upcoming CHILLfigg trading figures, including A Certain Scientific Railgun T and Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya, plus the new seated-style CHILLfigg Relax line with I Want to Love You Until You Die. The event runs August 22-23, 2026 at Umeda Crystal Hall.
1d ago
ABEMA's rapper discovery audition RAPSTAR2026 has drawn 12,953 applicants, the highest ever, nearly double last year's 6,780. The 2026 season premieres October 10 on ABEMA, with a 10 million yen prize, up from 3 million. Seven producers provided beats for application videos.
1d ago
Yostar will hold the final tournament of the Mahjong Soul Corporate Tournament 2026 on Sunday, August 30, and live-stream it on the official Mahjong Soul YouTube channel. Eight companies compete: four from a 104-company qualifying round and four special invitation seeds. The stream runs from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
1d ago
Movic is releasing two versions of the P25th Reprint Art Metallux Badge Collection, a can badge with a metallic shine, around September 19, 2026. The Persona series marks its 30th anniversary in 2026. Reservations are open at Animate stores, Animate online shopping, and Movic mail order.
1d ago
Atlus announced the Persona Sound Station Vol.3: Persona 4 Series Music 30-hour Livestream, a one-night-only event on YouTube from August 28 at 19:00 to August 30 at 1:00, with no archive planned. Chat participation will be available. The stream marks the third installment of the End-of-Month Fun Project, part of the Persona series 30th anniversary. A concurrent campaign offers posters and signed shikishi boards from Persona 4 voice actors, including Daisuke Namikawa, to 28 winners.
1d ago
Developer sweet ampoule announced a Steam release for horror mystery adventure game Waiting at the Misohagi Crossing, with a 2027 launch planned. The story follows Akasaki Hotaru, who returns to Yokogawa Town after 7 years and reunites with his supposedly dead first love, Amano Koyo. The game spans novel, exploration, and escape segments, with an expected playtime of 6 to 14 hours and a single ending.
1d ago
Tokyo Disney Resort will raise prices for Disney Premier Access starting September 1. At Tokyo Disneyland, Beauty and the Beast's Enchanted Tale goes from 2,000 to 2,500 yen. At Tokyo DisneySea, Anna and Elsa's Frozen Journey and Soaring: Fantastic Flight rise from 2,000 to 2,500 yen, while Journey to the Center of the Earth goes from 1,500 to 2,000 yen.
1d ago
Publisher HARRISONWORLD announced that Cavi Studio's Dice Tavern: A Fateful Throw launches September 8, 2026. The dice-building roguelite adapts the classic game Farkle and draws inspiration from Balatro and a minigame in Kingdom Come: Deliverance. It offers over 10 playable characters, 30-plus opponents, and a Steam demo.
1d ago
Kana announced at Anime NYC on Friday that it licensed six manga titles for English release through 2027. The slate includes Children of the Afterlife, Happy at Home, Good Morning Leon, Why We Fall in Love, Pumpkin Night, and Soon the Fog Clears. Release dates span from May to November 2027.
1d ago
Hololive-affiliated VTuber AZKi will appear in the immersive music live show "Animersive Live 'Belle - PROJECT LAYRA -'," based on Mamoru Hosoda's 2021 film "Belle." The announcement came on August 21, 2026, through the show's official "HIROchan" X account, which first posted a silhouette hinting at a guest artist as the "Diva of the VTuber world" shortly after 3:00 p.m. that day, then confirmed AZKi's involvement at 7:00 p.m. AZKi also released a comment expressing excitement about performing on the show's main stage. The live event is scheduled to run from October 10 to November 15, 2026, at MoN Takanawa: The Museum of Narratives Box1000 in Tokyo. The show is a spin-off story set five years after the film, following the character Hiro-chan as she produces a new songstress in the virtual world U, which in the film gathered 5 billion users. Organizers are MoN Takanawa and the Animersive Live "Belle" Production Committee, with cooperation from Studio Chizu.
2d ago
The staff of the anime film Sekiro: No Defeat began streaming main feature footage on August 21, 2026, focusing on the battle between protagonist Wolf and Gyoubu Masataka Oniwa, the warrior guarding the great gate of Ashina Castle. The clip shows Gyoubu on his horse Onikage, announcing himself with the line from the game, and attacking with a cross-bladed spear while Wolf uses the shinobi prosthetic and grappling hook. The film is fully hand-drawn 2D animation, produced by Qzil.la with Kenichi Kutsuna directing in his feature-length debut. The screenplay is by Takuya Sato, character design by Takahiro Kishida, and music by Shuta Hasunuma. The cast reprises roles from the game, including Daisuke Namikawa as Wolf and Miyuki Sato as Kuro. The film will screen in Japanese theaters for three weeks starting September 4, 2026, with a PG12 rating. Crunchyroll will stream it worldwide excluding Japan, China, Korea, Russia, and Belarus in 2026. The theme song is Ryuichi Sakamoto's "Blu."
2d ago
Konami Digital Entertainment releases Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol.2 on August 27 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam, priced at 6,600 yen. The collection includes Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, originally released on PS3 in 2008, and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker HD Edition, originally on PSP. Metal Gear Ghost Babel, a Game Boy Color title from 2000, is included as a bonus for bundle buyers. Reviews highlight that MGS4 is its first port since its original release, marking the first time it is playable on platforms other than PS3. The port supports up to 4K resolution and 60fps on some systems. Both main titles include a Master Book and Scenario Book, with MGS4 also featuring the Metal Gear Solid 4 Database. Reviewers note the collection's value in preserving the series' history, with the scenario books digitized from the 25th anniversary collection. The bundle also includes Metal Gear Solid Digital Soundtrack Vol.2.
2d ago
ExeCo announced 'Medium Rare', a turn-based dungeon-crawling survival horror for Steam, developed by Payne Robinson and Peter Tinaglia. Set in a world where cannibalism is industrialized, the game follows a protagonist rescuing his wife from a human meat processing plant. Release is planned for 2027, with Japanese store page available but no Japanese language support currently.
2d ago
Microsoft acknowledged that the August 12, 2026 Windows update (version 26100.9168/KB5121003) may cause crashes, freezes, and system restarts in some games, including ARC Raiders, The Finals, and MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls. The company is investigating whether the issue is caused by Microsoft and asks users to report problems via the Feedback Hub.
2d ago
Marvelous announced on August 21 that the latest entry in the Story of Seasons series, Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar, will be the next title in Nintendo's simultaneous trial event for Nintendo Switch Online members. The trial runs from August 24 at 12:00 to August 30 at 17:59, letting subscribers play the full game for free during that window. The game, released in August 2025, is a farm management simulation set in Soyokaze Town, a community known for its weekly bazaar that has fallen into decline. Players grow crops, care for animals, and sell goods at the bazaar to revive the town and aim for the world's greatest bazaar. It is based on the 2008 Nintendo DS game Story of Seasons: Welcome! Wind Bazaar, with updated graphics and systems for current consoles. Alongside the trial, a sale runs from August 24 to September 6, offering 40% off the Switch version at 3,960 yen and the Switch 2 version at 4,620 yen. Save data from the trial can transfer to the purchased full version.
2d ago
Developer Roman announced a gameplay trailer, the end of its first public playtest, and an October demo for Salt and Soil: A Frontier Family Sim. The turn-based historical strategy game follows one family across the American frontier from 1609 to 1900, with annual family meetings shaping the story. A PC and Mac release is planned for 2026.
2d ago
A24's PRIMETIME, starring Robert Pattinson as journalist Chris Hansen, will release in Japan in 2027. The film depicts the behind-the-scenes of the reality TV show To Catch a Predator, which used sting operations to expose adults targeting minors online. It premieres in North America on September 25, 2026, and is in competition at the Venice Film Festival.
2d ago
Filmmaker Kane Parsons released the 16-minute Backrooms series installment Everything Must Go on YouTube on August 18, 2026. The footage originally played after the end credits of the A24 feature film The Backrooms, which opened in the United States on May 29, 2026. It connects his YouTube series with the film version.
2d ago
Pancake Studios released Sensory Overload on Steam. The dropper game has players fall through a voxel world, avoiding obstacles to score points. The developer cites Minecraft dropper maps and rhythm games osu! and Geometry Dash as inspirations. A promotional short video by the developer reached 70 million views, generating about $1,000 in revenue, which will fund purchases of roughly 120 indie games recommended by followers.
2d ago
The second season of the television anime based on Nana Mikoshiba's The Iceblade Sorcerer Shall Rule the World light novel series will premiere on TBS on October 8 at 1:23 a.m., followed by an October 9 airing at 11:00 p.m. The announcement came from the anime's official website on Thursday, which also revealed the theme song performers and a new key visual. Sizuk will perform the opening theme "Diamond Dust," and Maaya Uchida will perform the ending theme "Compression:[". Both artists previously contributed theme songs to the first season. Crunchyroll will stream the anime as it airs. Masahiro Takata returns to direct, write, and oversee scripts, and serve as sound director. Zero-G is now animating the series, replacing Cloud Hearts, which animated the first season. Mariko Kawamoto takes over as character designer from Makoto Shimojima. The returning cast includes Junya Enoki as Ray White, Iori Saeki as Amelia Ros, Akira Sekine as Ariane Olgren, and others. Miyu Kubota will voice Elisa Griffith, replacing Nana Harumura, who retired from voice acting in January due to health reasons. The first season premiered in January 2023.
2d ago
FromSoftware's new Nintendo Switch 2 action game The Duskbloods, directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki, holds a network test from August 21 to 24, 2026. Ahead of that, media hands-on sessions and a group interview with Miyazaki revealed the game's core loop. In The Duskbloods, up to 8 players compete across four phases, earning victory points called Virtue to survive elimination. Virtue comes from defeating enemies, looting items, completing events, and, within designated Ritual Grounds, defeating other players. Outside those areas, PvP yields little benefit, so the game emphasizes strategy over direct combat skill. Players choose from six fixed characters in the network test, each with unique melee and ranged weapons, bloodline arts, and mobility options including air jumps and dashes. The full version will add customization and over 10 character bases. Miyazaki confirmed the game is not an extraction shooter and that PvPvE was a loose label. He also said the final battle can be PvE against a boss, and that ranked matches and seasons are planned.
3d ago
Konami announced that in the Master Collection version of Metal Gear Solid 4, items previously unlocked by entering passwords after clearing the game can now be obtained by taking photos of specific locations. A video demonstrates using the Camera on a suspicious spot to get the Scanning Plug. The collection releases August 27.
3d ago
The action thriller Mutiny, directed by Jean-François Richet and starring Jason Statham, was streamed in full on the American version of Amazon Prime Video before its August 21, 2026 theatrical release. The 95-minute film was available for at least one hour on August 19, with one report saying nearly four hours. The page now shows unavailable.
3d ago
The original soundtrack for 'Chiikawa: The Secret of the Mermaid Island' reached number one on Billboard JAPAN's Hot Albums chart released August 19. It climbed from 12th on July 29 to the top spot in its fourth week, the first movie soundtrack to lead the chart in about seven years.
3d ago
SondeHub, a weather balloon tracking service that began as a joke domain redirect, became a tool for predicting flight paths during the war in Ukraine. The operator traced heavy API traffic to locations around Ukraine and Russia, and some Ukrainian groups may use it to direct flying objects via wind. In 2025, U.S. military authorities requested data, but the operator charged a fee that went unpaid.
3d ago
Sega updated PSO2 New Genesis ver.2 on August 19, 2026, adding the limited-time quest "Beach Wars '26" set in a summer-themed West Aelio. Up to 12 players can participate, with trials that may change over upon clear and spawn the enemy Luino Anga. The update also adds a new special ability, refreshed seasonal exchange items, and two revival AC Scratch lines running until September 2.
3d ago
Publisher Pretty Soon released Project P.I.T.T., a physics-based automation sandbox game developed by solo developer Froke, on Steam on August 20. The game tasks players with producing rubber ducks and dropping them into a bottomless hole in the floor to earn money. Players can purchase upgrades such as magnets and fans to improve efficiency, and later unlock items like cash registers and candy to drop as well. The game includes sandbox elements, allowing players to build conveyor belts and automated systems to feed the pit. The demo version has attracted many YouTube playthroughs, with total video views exceeding 10 million. As of 10:30 AM JST on August 20, the game had received 75 Steam user reviews, with 90% positive, earning a 'Very Positive' rating. The game is available for 1,350 yen, with a 15% launch discount bringing it to 1,147 yen until September 3. It supports Japanese. The workplace features unsettling messages like 'They See You' and 'NO WAY OUT,' hinting at a mysterious narrative.
4d ago
Prime 1 Studio's Premium Masterline line adds Overlord Albedo ED Ver., a 1/4 scale statue based on so-bin's Season 1 ending illustration. Reservations run from August 19 to October 19, 2026, priced at 219,890 yen. Release is scheduled between January and April 2028.
4d ago
Hamster Corporation will release Console Archives Little Princess: Maru Oukoku no Ningyou Hime 2 for Nintendo Switch 2 and PlayStation 5 on August 20, 2026. The game, priced at 1,500 yen, is a revival of Nippon Ichi Software's 1999 musical RPG for the original PlayStation. It is set 12 years after the previous game, Maru Oukoku no Ningyou Hime, and follows Kururu, the daughter of Cornet and Prince Ferdinand, as she travels the Maru Kingdom in search of her ideal prince. The battle system has been overhauled from the predecessor, with command-based combat where special moves consume HP and partner dolls use the in-game currency Inochium. Filling the Gratitude Gauge through doll attacks enables a powerful Reward attack. Defeated monsters can join the party as dolls, and equipping them boosts stats. The Console Archives series aims to faithfully reproduce classics on modern hardware, including features like button and screen customization and save/load anywhere. The previous game in the series is also available for the same platforms.
4d ago
Aerosoft announced Road Construction Simulator, developed by Caipirinha Games, for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. Players plan routes, operate ten types of construction vehicles, and complete roads from gravel paths to highways. Academy and Sandbox modes are included, with vehicle customization and a personal premises.
4d ago
Universal Studios Japan announced new goods and menus for the Back to Hogwarts event in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, starting September 1. The event celebrates the 25th anniversary of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Butterbeer with a commemorative mug, collectible pouches, robes, wands, and digital badges are among the offerings. Hogwarts Castle Walk returns for a limited run.
4d ago
Remedy Entertainment announced that Control Resonant has gone gold. The action-adventure RPG follows Dylan Faden, an FBC agent in Manhattan battling cosmic entities. It releases September 24 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. The physical version is delayed to October 15. IGN is releasing exclusive gameplay footage, including a recent boss battle.
5d ago
TOHO Cinemas will release a popcorn box modeled after the Hogwarts Express on August 26, tied to the 25th anniversary of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. The product, called The Prime Collection Hogwarts Express Popcorn Box, is priced at 9,800 yen including tax. It measures approximately 54 centimeters in length and has a special design where steam rises from the chimney when water is added. The item will be available at 43 theaters, including locations in Tokyo such as Hibiya, Nihonbashi, and Ueno, as well as Susukino, Akita, Utsunomiya, and Sannomiya. Sales will begin at the opening of each participating theater, and the item will also be sold on the official TOHO Cinemas online store the same day. The online purchase does not include popcorn. Sales methods and the full list of theaters will be announced on the official TOHO Cinemas page once decided. The release coincides with a limited-time screening of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone starting August 28, which will include premium formats such as IMAX, Dolby Cinema, and 4D, plus a previously unreleased making-of video after the main feature.
5d ago
CCP Games, the studio behind EVE Online, has completed a management buyout from parent company Pearl Abyss and rebranded as Fenris Creations. The move coincides with a research partnership and minority investment from Google DeepMind. CEO Hilmar Veigar Pétursson discussed the independence, the new name's mythological meaning, and the externally funded project EVE Frontier in a recent interview.
5d ago
Team SmallBoots, 14 students from Dongseo University in Busan, won Excellence in Art and Excellence in Game Design in the rookie category at BIC2026 for their graduation project Soom. The top-down action adventure draws visual inspiration from Sky: Children of the Light and combat references from the Zelda series and Death's Door.
5d ago
A24 announced on August 18 that the approximately 16 minutes of extra footage from the film Backrooms, previously shown only in theaters after the main feature, is now available for free on director Kane Parsons' official YouTube channel. The footage does not support Japanese subtitles, but will be shown with Japanese subtitles during the film's theatrical release in Japan on September 4.
5d ago
SpaceX has officially completed its acquisition of AI coding tool developer Cursor for $60 billion. The deal follows an April partnership to accelerate AI model training. Cursor now gains access to SpaceX's GPU cluster. The collaboration has already produced Grok 4.5 and Grok 4.6, with the latter an improved version for coding, web app development, and CAD.
5d ago
Illustrator and character designer Ikemochi will publish her second art book, 'Ikemochi Art Book Floraison', on November 6. The 3,850 yen volume includes original works, VTuber design drawings, and fan art, including work on Hololive English's FUWAMOCO. Reservations are open at bookstores.
5d ago
On August 17, independent developer Hokuto released a Spanish version of the free short romance ADV 'Kobayakawa-san wa Soulslikesque.' The localization was proposed directly by translator Facundo Seghezzo, who discovered the game through an overseas let's play. The game now supports Japanese, English, and Spanish, and has been played about 77,000 times on PLiCy.
5d ago
Falling Damage Games announced on August 18 that Ski-E-O! Ski Resort Tycoon will launch in Early Access on PC via Steam on November 13. A demo is available now. The management sim simulates snow quality and depth in 1-meter units, imports real LiDAR terrain data, and supports up to 15,000 independent guests.
5d ago
GENEPOP Studio published the Steam store page for Steel Soul Shaper, a cyberpunk repair simulation game. Players run a secret clinic as an underground doctor, repairing and modifying cyberware like prosthetics and drones. The game also includes decoration options and story choices that affect the world.
5d ago
Epic Games released the trailer for Fortnite Battle Royale Chapter 7 Season 4 "Override," which teases characters from Sonic the Hedgehog, Persona, Pac-Man, Crash Bandicoot, Mega Man, Spyro, Mortal Kombat, and Tetris. The season launches August 20.
5d ago
Soft Studio WING is developing Onryo Senki REVIVE, a remake of its 1988 horror adventure game Onryo Senki. The remake faithfully reproduces the original PC scenario while adding a visual map system for city navigation. A prototype video and screenshots are available on the official site and note. Release details are undecided.
5d ago
Frontier Works announced on August 15 that a new game based on the anime "Zombie no Afureta Sekai de Ore Dake ga Osowarenai" is in development. Titled "Zombie no Afureta Sekai de Ore Dake ga Osowarenai: Rakuen e no Michi," the RTS tower defense game will launch on Steam in 2027. Players control protagonist Yusuke Takemura, who has the special ability to not be attacked by zombies, as they gather weapons and defend their base.
5d ago
Denfaminicogamer hands-on with the Nintendo Switch 2 version of Elden Ring, the Tarnished Edition, reports no frame drops or stutters in TV or handheld modes. Graphics matched other platforms, controls responded immediately, and the trial ran smoothly from start to finish. The game launches August 28.