The first volume of 'TS Tensei Bishoujo Nekotora Reiko wa Netoraretai' was released on June 11, 2026, and the series continues serialization on Square Enix's Gangan Online.
The manga 'TS Tensei Bishoujo Nekotora Reiko wa Netoraretai' is a niche gender-swap reincarnation story with NTR themes, serialized on Square Enix's Gangan Online platform. Its first collected volume went on sale June 11, 2026, marking the series' first physical release. The volume is available in both print and digital formats, with Melonbooks offering an illustration card as a purchase bonus for the physical edition, while the digital version includes illustration data.
The series follows a gender-swapped reincarnated man who plots to cuckold his childhood friend. The release signals continued demand for taboo-themed reincarnation manga on major platforms. No further volumes, anime adaptations, or other media expansions have been announced in the provided stories.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the cited Yomimono stories below, each itself sourced, then editorially reviewed. Every fact links the story it came from.
Structured graph also available as JSON at /public/entities/ts.
CC BY 4.0.
Aniplex of America announced at its 2026 San Diego Comic-Con panel that 'Clockwork Girl,' the first story in Yasuomi Umetsu and Shaft's Virgin Punk original anime series, will be available for digital purchase in September. The film opened in Japanese theaters in June 2025 and screened in the U.S. later that year.
The anime Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba and the theatrical film Witch on the Holy Night will participate in the 2026 Awa Odori festival in Tokushima Prefecture, running from August 11 to 15. Animation studio ufotable, which produces both works, released newly drawn commemorative posters for the event. During the festival, a stamp rally will feature illustrations from ufotable's past collaborations with TYPE-MOON, including The Garden of Sinners, alongside Demon Slayer art. Collectors who gather all stamps will receive a card with the 2026 illustration. On August 14, the Demon Slayer Corps dance performance returns for a second year. Voice actors Hiro Shimono, who voices Zenitsu Agatsuma, and Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, who voices Inosuke Hashibira, will join mini corps members in the dance at the Kon'ya-cho stage. The festival also includes sales of themed drinks with novelties and goods featuring the new illustrations. Witch on the Holy Night, based on TYPE-MOON's 2012 visual novel, is scheduled for theatrical release on November 20. Demon Slayer is currently rebroadcasting its TV series, and the Blu-ray and DVD for Infinity Castle Arc Chapter 1: Akaza's Return releases on July 29.
Shikiso Utsuzawa's light novel series 'Because I, the True Saint, was Banished, that Country is Done For!' is getting a television anime adaptation in 2027. The announcement opened a website revealing the teaser visual, main cast, and staff. Masumi Tazawa voices Eliane, Taku Yashiro voices Nigel, and Tsukasa Sakurai directs at Tsumugi Akita Anime Lab.
At San Diego Comic-Con 2026, Bandai Spirits announced three new S.H.Figuarts figures from major anime franchises. From 'Naruto Shippuden', the S.H.Figuarts Minato Namikaze [Kurama Link Mode] -The Flash That Tears Through Darkness- includes kunai and a Giant Rasengan effect part. From 'My Hero Academia', the S.H.Figuarts Dark Deku figure reproduces battle-damaged costume details and dirt with precise sculpting and coloring. Both figures will open for pre-order in Japan at the Premium Bandai Tamashii Web Store on July 28, 2026 at 16:00 JST. From 'Dragon Ball Z', the S.H.Figuarts Full Power Frieza -Battle Scarred Edition- was also announced, but further details on its release are pending. Pre-orders for the Minato and Dark Deku figures began in North America on July 25, 2026. The announcements were made via the Tamashii Nations official X account during the convention.
Cocoro Software announced on July 24, 2026, that its roguelike third-person shooter 'Spell Fragments' has been selected for the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's startup support program 'IP360'. The game was accepted into the 'Menu 1: IP New Creation Support (Startup Support: Sōfū)' division, which received 819 applications and accepted only 34, a selection rate of about 24 times. 'Spell Fragments' is a roguelike TPS where players equip spell fragments and combine elements to create custom magic, then assign those spells to keys or clicks to defeat enemies and clear dungeons. With the support, Cocoro Software plans to accelerate development for quality improvement, content expansion, and overseas expansion. The company also announced that the game will be exhibited at the iGi indie Game incubator / Sōfū booth (09-C67) at Tokyo Game Show 2026, which runs from September 17 to September 21, 2026. The studio is currently recruiting level designers, illustrators, and UI designers to strengthen the development team. 'Spell Fragments' is scheduled for release on PC via Steam.
Yostar will release two new ASMR works for the mobile and PC RPG Blue Archive on July 27 at 0:00 JST. The 10th volume, "Sun, Moon, Words, and You (Seia ASMR)," features Seia voiced by Atsumi Tanezaki. The 11th volume, "It's Sensei's Fault, You Know? (Miyo ASMR)," features Miyo voiced by Kana Hanaishi. The announcement was made during the Blue Archive 5.5th Anniversary Live Broadcast on July 26. A 10% discount sale on both new and existing ASMR works will run on DLsite until August 23. The ASMR series has been expanded approximately every six months since its launch.
Game Spark and Inside have published their weekly roundups of new game releases for the week of July 27 to August 2, 2026, covering both Japan and North America. The most prominent titles include the Halo: Campaign Evolved remake, launching July 29 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, and Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, arriving July 30 on Nintendo Switch 2. Other notable releases include the PvPvE extraction shooter Mistfall Hunter on July 30 across PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, the card game Culdcept the First on multiple platforms, the simulation game Volcano Princess, the shoot-em-up TATSUJIN EXTREME, and the gardening game Honogurashi no Niwa. The roundups list dozens of additional indie and niche titles across Windows PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2. Game Spark also published a separate article compiling overseas review scores for Halo: Campaign Evolved, which holds Metascores of 76 on PC (17 reviews), 81 on PS5 (43 reviews), and 84 on Xbox Series X (25 reviews) as of the time of writing.
At Wonder Festival 2026 Summer, held on July 26, 2026, multiple figure manufacturers displayed upcoming releases. X-PLUS showed the second installment of the "Sakai Yuji Best Works Selection Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah Poster Version," a sofubi figure of Beast King Klebatess from "Klebatess - The Beast King, the Baby, and the Corpse Hero," and the "Toho 30cm Series" Godzilla (Godzilla Galaxy Odyssey) and Space Godzilla. Also at X-PLUS: "Gigantic Series" Return of Ultraman Spacium Beam Pose, "Great Monster Series" Plastic Monster Gokinezura, Foam Monster Grotes Alien, and the in-production "KOF XV" Shermie 1/6 Scale Statue. ART STORM / FEWTURE MODELS displayed sofubi figures from "The Return of Ultraman" and "Ultraman Nexus," as well as Godzilla (2001), SpaceGodzilla, and Anguirus from the "Godzilla" series. They also showed sofubi figures of Mothra and the Demon Beast King Klevates, and a statue of Shermie from "KOF XV."
BANDAI SPIRITS has opened pre-orders for a new S.H.Figuarts action figure of Choso from Jujutsu Kaisen. The figure, priced at 9,900 yen, stands approximately 150mm tall and includes a set of effect parts to recreate the Blood Manipulation ultimate technique Piercing Blood. It also comes with an interchangeable right arm part and a blood blade. Pre-orders begin at general retail stores on August 3, 2026, with a scheduled release in January 2027. In a separate announcement, BANDAI SPIRITS also confirmed reprints of three earlier Jujutsu Kaisen S.H.Figuarts figures: Satoru Gojo (Jujutsu High days), Suguru Geto (Jujutsu High days), and Toji Fushiguro. All three reprints are priced at 9,350 yen each, except Toji at 9,900 yen, and are scheduled for release in March 2027. The Toji figure includes a bonus set of interchangeable head parts for the separately sold Gojo figure.
Drecom announced on July 24, 2026, that the 3D dungeon RPG "Wizardry Variants Daphne" (iOS, Android, PC) will begin a collaboration event with Square Enix's MMORPG "Final Fantasy XI" on July 30. The collaboration includes an item distribution within Final Fantasy XI: the equipment item "Mask of the Abyss," based on the player character "Masked Adventurer" from Wizardry Variants Daphne, will be given away during a distribution period scheduled for August. Further details of the event are to be announced in subsequent reports. To mark the collaboration, 4Gamer.net published a special conversation between Wizardry creator Robert Woodhead and former Square Enix developer Hiromichi Tanaka, who worked on the first three Final Fantasy titles. In the discussion, Tanaka noted that the ninja job in the original Final Fantasy was directly influenced by Wizardry, and that the medieval fantasy world brought to computers by Wizardry became a driving force for his work. Woodhead and Tanaka also reflected on the early days of computer game development, including packaging innovations and the experimental nature of titles like Wizardry IV.
At Wonder Festival 2026 Summer, held in late July 2026, the AmiAmi Hobby Camp booth featured a wide array of new figure displays from multiple manufacturers. Dengeki Hobby Web reported on colored samples of 'DaiBros Core' Rage Nightveil, 'Girls' Frontline 2' 1913 Battlecruiser, and 'NIKKE' Bay, along with prototypes from 'Warship Girls R' and 'Girls' Frontline 2: Exilium' SOP. Other notable exhibits included painted samples of 'Gakuen Idolmaster' Fujita Kotone, 'Sakura Wars' Sakura Shinguji, and 'Evangelion' Rei and Asuka. The Alphamax booth showcased 'Azur Lane' Prinz Eugen and Kansas figures, plus 'Brown Dust II' Frozen Queen Wilhelmina. At the Koi Koi booth, painted samples based on illustrations by Kekemotsu and Michihasu appeared, alongside a prototype of 'To LOVE-Ru' Lala Satalin Deviluke in a swimsuit. Original character figures by DISH, including 'Shibuna Pharaoh' and a tentative 'D-chan', also drew attention. The event featured a mix of licensed properties and original creations from various studios and illustrators.
The theatrical anime 'SEKIRO: NO DEFEAT,' based on FromSoftware's action-adventure game 'SEKIRO: SHADOWS DIE TWICE,' will hold a completion screening with stage greetings on August 14, 2026, at United Cinemas Toyosu. The event, announced on July 24 by Qzil.la and KADOKAWA, includes an advance showing of the film followed by appearances from voice actors Daisuke Namikawa (Wolf), Miyuki Sato (Kuro), Kenjiro Tsuda (Genichiro Ashina), Shizuka Ito (Emma), and director Kenichi Kutsuna. Ryudo Nakakura will serve as MC. Regular seats are 2,700 yen, and premium pair seats (two tickets) are 6,600 yen, both tax included. Advance lottery reservations via Ticket Pia run from July 25 at 18:00 to August 9 at 23:59, with general sales starting August 11 at 10:00. The film is entirely hand-drawn 2D animation, directed by Kenichi Kutsuna with script by Takuya Sato and character design by Takahiro Kishida. Animation production is by Qzil.la, with production and produce by KADOKAWA and ARCH. The theme song is 'Blu' by Ryuichi Sakamoto. The film will screen nationwide for a limited three weeks starting September 4. It has also been selected for the Annecy International Animated Film Festival 2026 'Midnight Special' section and the Fantasia International Film Festival 'Animation Plus' section.
Bandai Namco Filmworks announced the new television anime Mobile Suit Gundam RG XARX-ZERO at San Diego Comic-Con on July 23, 2026. The series is directed by Kenji Kamiyama (Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex) and produced by SOLA ANIMATION. It is the first entry in the RG Project, a multimedia initiative that also includes the action game GUNDAM ROGUE ORBIT. The anime is set in a new timeline separate from the Universal Century. The story begins in A.A. (After Apocalypse) 45, 45 years after humanity abandoned Earth following an attack by a self-replicating alien ecosystem called the Apocalypse. The protagonist, Ray Azumi, is a war orphan voiced by Takeo Otsuka. He pilots the Gundam ZERO, a mobile suit designed by Eiichi Shimizu. The anime takes place roughly 100 years before the events of the game. Kamiyama is writing the series scripts, with Toh Enjoe collaborating on world-building. The series is scheduled to premiere in 2027.
Good Smile Company has opened pre-orders for a Hatsune Miku plastic model kit in its PLAMATEA series. The non-scale model stands approximately 150mm tall and features articulated joints for posing. It includes a pre-painted "smile" face, plus three additional expression faces (smile, open mouth, and chibi face) that require decal application. Accessories include an action tie, a microphone, and multiple interchangeable wrist parts. Color separation is achieved through molded colors, pre-colored parts, and some stickers. Markings can be applied using either stickers or decals. The kit also comes with a base that has an articulated support rod. The prototype was created by Takenouchi Kenkyusei, with production cooperation from TEAM NAVEL (Unitec). The price is 6,300 yen (tax included). Pre-orders are open until September 2, 2026, and the kit is scheduled for release in January 2027.
QualiArts and COVER Corporation launched "hololive Dreams" (abbreviated as "HoloDori") on July 23, 2026, for iOS, Android, and Steam. The game is the first official smartphone title for the hololive production VTuber group. It is a free-to-play rhythm and RPG set in a theme park, where players raise talents, play rhythm games and mini-games, and build a dream park. Pre-downloads for the smartphone versions began on July 22. The developers announced that cumulative pre-registrations surpassed 1.5 million, triggering in-game rewards for all 54 participating talents, including a "Kawaii Hairpin" accessory and five gacha tickets. To celebrate the launch, a "15-Day 25-Song Addition Campaign" will add 25 songs over 15 consecutive days, and a login bonus will award diamonds equivalent to 10 gacha pulls. Players can also obtain one talent of their choice at the highest rarity at the start of the game.
Netflix announced on July 22, 2026, that it is developing a new live-action series titled "Parasyte: Tamiya," based on Hitoshi Iwaaki's manga "Parasyte." The series centers on the character Ryoko Tamiya, a parasite who takes over a high school teacher's body and later questions coexistence with humans. Shioli Kutsuna stars as Tamiya, with Yeon Sang-ho (director of 2024's "Parasyte: The Grey") serving as planner and co-writer alongside Ryu Yong-jae. Kensaku Kakimoto and Kazuhiro Nakagawa are directing. Production company WOWPOINT returns to develop and produce the series, with Episcope handling production. Filming has already wrapped after a six-month shoot. The series will stream globally on Netflix in 2027. Kutsuna described the role as the most challenging of her career. Yeon Sang-ho praised her performance, saying she "perfectly portrayed the process of a non-human entity understanding humans and its own existence." The original manga, serialized from 1988 to 1995, has sold over 25 million copies worldwide. This is the second live-action adaptation from Yeon Sang-ho, following "Parasyte: The Grey" in 2024.
The live-action film adaptation of Coffee's Wandance manga has revealed four new cast members: Kira Yamaguchi as On Miyao, Ran Mazzel as Iori Itsukushima, Tsukki as Gaku Kabeya, and Aloha Takamatsu as Usen Takumi. The film opens in Japan on November 27.
The official website for Rakuen Tsuihō -Expelled from Paradise- Kokoro no Resonance debuted the fifth teaser trailer and key visual on Wednesday, previewing the action and the entity "Fallen." The site also announced Sumire Morohoshi will voice Penem. The film opens in Japan on November 13.
The So What's Wrong with Getting Reborn as a Goblin? anime announced three new cast members and theme song artists. Natsuki Hanae, Hiro Shimono, and Yukari Tamura join the cast. Sou performs the opening theme, and AHUB performs the ending theme. The anime premieres in October.
Crypton Future Media announced on July 22, 2026, that a new smartphone game, Hatsune Miku Graphy Collection: Mysterious Music Comet Re:Merge, will launch for iOS and Android in fall 2026. The game is free-to-play with item-based microtransactions and features the six Piapro Characters: Hatsune Miku, Kagamine Rin, Kagamine Len, Megurine Luka, MEIKO, and KAITO. The main visual, showing the characters smiling against a starry sky, was newly drawn by illustrator Kocha Majitaro. The game's genre and further details have not been disclosed and will be announced at a later date. The title suggests a connection to the music RPG Hatsune Miku Graphy Collection: Mysterious Music Comet, which ended service in 2020. To commemorate the announcement, special stickers will be distributed at the Hatsune Miku Magical Mirai 2026 events in Hamamatsu, Osaka, and Tokyo starting July 2026. Visitors can receive a sticker by showing their screen following the game's official X account at the Crypton Future Media Digital Content Team booth.
On July 20, 2026, numerous anime, manga, and game franchises posted Marine Day greetings on social media. The Japanese national holiday, which honors the ocean and marks the end of the rainy season, prompted official accounts and creators to share beach-themed illustrations, character birthday messages, and promotional content. Among the posts, the official Kaiju No. 8 account promoted an upcoming original short anime titled "Narumi's Weekday" with a pun on the character's name and the kanji for sea. The MAPPA studio released a new illustration by Rie Nishimura for the soccer series DAYS, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2026. The Sound! Euphonium account reminded followers that the film Sound! Euphonium: The Final Part 2 opens on September 11. Classroom of the Elite noted that July 20 is also the birthday of character Honami Ichinose. The That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime account promoted the streaming of its movie Tears of the Azure Sea on U-NEXT. The Chiikawa movie account promoted the July 24 release of Eiga Chiikawa: Ningyo no Shima no Himitsu. Voice actor Yuki Kaji posted a personal greeting, and the band Orange Range shared a summer song. The roundup, compiled by Anime News Network, spanned three articles covering dozens of entries.
The legal dispute over the unfinished shooting game Steam Pilots has concluded, with a Japanese court dismissing both the developer's claim for unpaid development costs and the composer's counterclaim for damages. The project, initiated by composer Motoaki Furukawa, raised a total of 11,022,700 yen across two crowdfunding campaigns on Makuake. Developer Pixel handled game development but received no payment, leading to its withdrawal in January 2022. Pixel sued Furukawa for unpaid costs in March 2022, and Furukawa countersued for damages and defamation in 2023. The Sendai District Court ruled on January 29, 2026, that the arrangement was a joint production contract with profit sharing after sales, so Pixel had no right to compensation. Furukawa's damages claim was also rejected because the game was never completed and Pixel's withdrawal was due to unavoidable circumstances. However, the court partially recognized Furukawa's defamation claim against Pixel representative Eishu Sasaki, ordering 400,000 yen in damages. Pixel appealed but the High Court upheld the ruling on July 7. Pixel stated it considered appealing to the Supreme Court but decided to accept the judgment and move forward. The crowdfunding platform Makuake had already refunded backers after the project was effectively canceled in 2023.
Ashi Productions announced on July 22 that it will release "Magical Princess Minky Momo: To the Dream of Longing: Duet of Sincerity," a completely new OVA and the first animated entry in the Minky Momo series in 32 years. The project commemorates the studio's 50th anniversary. A teaser trailer and key visual were released alongside the main cast. Kurumi Yoki voices the protagonist Momo/Minky Momo. Fukushi Ochiai plays the dog Dettabook, Natsumi Fujiwara plays the monkey Chamocha, and Rie Kugimiya plays the bird Pipirupi. The trailer opens with the incantation "Prirura prirura dejirinpa, doririmu doririmu dejipappa" and shows the land of dreams and hope called Dejinasa. The story follows Momo, who awakens as Minky Momo on her 12th birthday and collects dream energy to save Dejinasa from a crisis caused by humans losing hope. The key visual carries the catchphrase "Having dreams is wonderful," inheriting the theme of past series. The OVA is directed by Ayumu Watanabe, with a script by Deko Akao and character designs by Hiroshi Watanabe and Mari Tominaga. It will screen in theaters nationwide starting November 13 at Shinjuku Wald 9 and other venues. Advance tickets with a limited flake sticker sheet bonus go on sale July 24.
THQ Nordic Japan and TATSUJIN Co., Ltd. released a demo for TATSUJIN EXTREME on July 22, 2026, across PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. The full game is scheduled for release on July 30. TATSUJIN EXTREME is a completely new entry in the TATSUJIN series, which originated as an arcade vertical-scrolling shooter from Toaplan in the 1980s. The demo includes four modes: TUTORIAL for learning basic controls, HEART STARTER which allows players to continue without game over, STORY which begins with a prologue comic by Junya Inoue, and TEAM for two-player cooperative play. In STORY and TEAM, players can experience the first stage, SUCCESSION. The demo does not support save functionality or online rankings. Alongside the demo, a making-of PV showing development footage and in-game screens set to the game's music was released on the TATSUJIN Official Channel. An in-person trial event and autograph session by Junya Inoue are scheduled for August 2 at BEEP Akihabara store in Tokyo.
VTuber Suisei Hoshimachi and virtual idol Hatsune Miku threw the first pitch at a Chiba Lotte Marines game on Monday. Hoshimachi appeared on the pitcher's mound via screen and delivered a perfect pitch to Marines player Shingo Ishikawa. The event was part of Lotte's summer ice cream campaign.
The official website for the To You in the Beyond anime film unveiled a full trailer, key visual, theme song artist Tota, and four new cast members on Wednesday. The film adapts Akiko Abe's novel and opens in Japan on October 9.
Bandai Namco Entertainment released a new trailer for Captain Tsubasa 2: World Fighters, introducing the South Korean national team. The soccer game launches August 28 on Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam, featuring 22 national teams and over 110 playable characters.
The September 2026 issue of Champion RED, released July 21, features a completely new one-shot of Katsuhisa Kigitsu's Detective Marnie, the first in 12 years. The one-shot becomes the 100th chapter of the series. Selected chapters chosen by Kigitsu from all 99 previous chapters are also included. The issue comes with a clear file bonus featuring a newly drawn cover illustration of Marnie on the front and memorable scenes on the back. The editorial department announced new one-shots will run for three consecutive months starting with this issue.
Mutsumi Aoki will launch a new manga series titled Seinaru Hime no Kakushigoto in the October issue of Comic Yuri Hime on August 18. The story follows a magic-wielding princess and a serious knight on a journey to sainthood. Aoki previously ended the spinoff manga Osananajimi ga Zettai ni Makenai Love Come: Otonari no Yon-shimai ga Zettai ni Honobono suru Nichijō in November 2022.
Sega and Colorful Palette released the full-size 2DMV of "Hikari" (Sekai ver.) on the official Project Sekai YouTube channel on July 17, 2026. The song, written and composed by Atsu Mizuno, is sung by MEIKO and 25-ji, Nightcord de. Players can also claim the track in-game from the Present menu.
Otakon announced it will host cast and staff from the television anime of Kazuto Mihara's The World Is Dancing, the anime adaptation of Dr.Poro and Nabana Naba's The Vermillion Mask, and Orange's Trigun Stargaze. The guests will participate in panels at the convention, which runs from July 31 to August 2 in Washington, D.C.
KADOKAWA announced the first online lottery commemorating the 20th anniversary of the anime adaptation of "The Familiar of Zero" on July 21. The lottery, hosted on the company's online service Kujibikido, will run from July 28 at 12:00 JST to August 25 at 11:59 JST. Each draw costs 770 yen including tax. Prizes include original goods using DVD and Blu-ray package illustrations: an S Prize of a selectable Charafine Graph (2 types), an A Prize of an A3 clear poster (6 types), a B Prize of an acrylic panel (6 types), a C Prize of an acrylic keychain (11 types), and a D Prize of a can badge (11 types). Buyers of a 10-draw set receive one random bromide (2 types) as a guaranteed bonus. A repost campaign on X (formerly Twitter) will select three winners by lottery to receive a B Prize acrylic panel set. The lottery is open to participants in Japan.
Bandai Spirits' Tamashii Nations teased a new addition to the S.H.Figuarts One Piece Marineford Summit War series. A silhouette image was posted on the official X account, with full information promised during the TAMASHII NEWS NETWORK 2026 stream on July 21 at 8:00 AM JST.
The September issue of Jump SQ. will include a new song CD, 'Pack Your Memories into the Racket,' by original author Takeshi Konomi feat. Tenipuri Familia. The CD features 143 voice actors and Tenimyu cast members and is described as a permanent preservation edition available only as a magazine bonus.
Anime Anime's 2026 Rainbow Day reader poll, with 102 respondents, ranked Doma from Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba first for the second consecutive year. Nijino Yume from Aikatsu Stars! placed second, and Touhou Project's Tenkyuu Chimata took third.
Bandai Spirits has launched a new tabletop game brand called Bandai Tabletop Games, with its first lineup being the competitive dice game Purakoro based on Pokemon. Six start sets and a closed-package Tanken Box 01 will be released on July 18, 2026, commemorating Pokemon's 30th anniversary.
Isao Tsuge, the character design supervisor for the Netflix series "Gas Man," has explained the three concepts embedded in the blue-gray coat worn by the titular character. In an interview with Cinema Today, Tsuge said the coat's color first represents the gas-like nature of the character, second conveys a sense of otherness, and third shows respect for the 1960 original film, which also featured blue and gray tones. Tsuge, who has worked on films including "Departures" and "Shin Godzilla," designed the Gas Man after receiving the role two months before filming began. He praised actor UTA, who plays the Gas Man, for delivering emotionless lines with precise timing while also showing natural warmth in scenes with a young girl. Tsuge noted he has known UTA since childhood through his father, actor Masahiro Motoki, with whom Tsuge worked on "Departures" and "Gemini." The series, a reboot of Toho's 1960 special effects film "The Gas Man First Number," is directed by Shinzo Katayama and stars Shun Oguri and Yu Aoi alongside UTA. All eight episodes are now streaming on Netflix.
Infinite Loop announced on July 16 that its desktop mascot platform Desktop Mate will get a sister app, Calculator - Desktop Mate Widgets, releasing on July 22. The app is a free-to-use digital calculator available on PC (Steam, Microsoft Store, Mac App Store), iOS, and Android. Characters appear in the background and react to button presses with spoken numbers and poses; pressing '=' sometimes triggers a struggle animation. A performance mode turns the calculator keys into piano keys, with the character singing. The base app includes Infinite Loop's mascot Aierutan voiced by Milia. Additional character DLCs cost 440 yen each. The first DLC, Hatsune Miku, launches simultaneously on July 22 with newly recorded voice lines and four theme designs. Special reactions occur for specific results like '39'. Infinite Loop also plans future widget apps beyond the calculator. Separately, a Desktop Mate DLC for Hatsune Miku Magical Mirai 2026 Ver. will release on Steam on July 23 for 2,200 yen, and Desktop Mate will have booths at all three Magical Mirai 2026 venues.
Game Spark and Inside published their weekly roundups of new game releases for the week of July 20-26, 2026, covering both Japan and North America. The most prominently highlighted titles include Splatoon Raiders for Nintendo Switch 2, DragonSword: Awakening for Windows PC, and KAZUMA KANEKO'S TSUKUYOMI for Windows PC. Splatoon Raiders and DragonSword: Awakening are both scheduled for July 23, while KAZUMA KANEKO'S TSUKUYOMI launches July 24. Other notable releases mentioned in the opening of the Inside article are FINAL FANTASY X/X-2 HD Remaster (Nintendo Switch 2, July 23), SD Gundam G Generation Eternal (Windows PC, July 22), and Vampire (Windows PC, July 22). The lists also include dozens of smaller indie titles across multiple platforms including PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch. Both outlets note that release dates are subject to change.
A themed cafe featuring Hatsune Miku and other Piapro characters opens in Tokyo, Aichi, and Osaka from August 2026. The Hatsune Miku Wa Modern Cafe combines Japanese and Western elements with newly drawn art of the characters in Japanese-patterned outfits. The menu includes character-inspired dishes and sweets, and cafe-only merchandise will be sold. Reservations open via lottery and first-come basis.
Kadokawa released the trailer for the Uchū Nanchara Kotetsu-kun film, 'Uchū Nanchara Kotetsu-kun: Ukkari Detekita Uchūjin o Sagase!', on Monday. The trailer previews the theme song 'Uchū no Nanchara Nakama' by Shōko Nakagawa. The film, based on Yūji Nishimura's web manga, will open in theaters on September 11. The story follows space pilot trainee Kotetsu searching for aliens. The television anime cast returns. Yoshinori Tsutsui directs, with script by Yōichi Katō.
Sega and Colorful Palette are holding the World Link event 'Kimi no Tonari, Kimi to Miru Ashita' in Project Sekai from July 19 to 29, featuring five chapter periods for Tenma Saki, Aoyagi Touya, Kamishiro Rui, Akiyama Mizuki, and KAITO. The 'Around table WITH you! Gacha' runs from July 19 to 31, adding five new ★4 members with live costumes.
Memori Tsukibana, former blue member of the idol group Yuenai, held a release event for her third DVD on July 4 at Sofmap AKIBA Amusement Hall. The group's current system ended after a live performance on June 6, and she is now focusing on solo activities. The DVD, filmed on Ishigaki Island in February, features various costumes and hairstyles. Event participation tickets sold out quickly. She is also scheduled to appear at a birthday festival on July 25.
The 30th volume of Gege Akutami's Jujutsu Kaisen manga ranked #1 on Circana BookScan's Top 20 adult graphic novels list for June. The chart featured 17 manga volumes, including multiple Jujutsu Kaisen entries, Chainsaw Man volume 21 at #2, Gachiakuta volume 1 at #6, and The Summer Hikaru Died volume 1 at #8. Other titles include Witch Hat Atelier, One Piece, Demon Slayer, Dandadan, Blue Lock, and The Apothecary Diaries.
Inside's July 19 article highlights three Chinese games not yet released in Japan: NetEase's open-world RPG Sea of Remnants, which launched its PC version in China on July 9 and has a launch PV with over 10.7 million views on bilibili; the 2D auto-chess strategy game Shi Zhi Zhong, now accepting pre-registrations; and the ninth entry in the horror puzzle series Paper Costume 9, which topped the iOS free chart in China on July 16.
Shobido has launched a new Peanuts merchandise line featuring Snoopy and a summer-themed gingham check pattern. The collection includes five items: drawstring pouch, mini pouch, coin purse, scrunchie, and hair clip, available in black and blue colorways. Prices range from ¥1,760 to ¥2,420. The items are sold at the Shobido online store.
Amazon's Kindle Manga Weekend Festival is pairing with a 50% off sale on Yokoyama Mitsuteru's sci-fi series including 'Tetsujin 28-go,' 'Mars,' and 'Babel II' to make them effectively 75% off. Historical works like 'Sangokushi' and 'Suikoden' are also discounted through 50% points back. The sale runs through July 20.
Anime News Network's weekly release roundup for July 12-18 includes four anime Blu-ray sets-DAN DA DAN Season 2, Witch Watch, The 100 Girlfriends-and dozens of print and digital manga volumes from Viz Media, Kodansha USA, Seven Seas, and others. All releases are scheduled for July 14.
A collaboration between Jujutsu Kaisen and Yokohama City begins August 1, 2026, at locations including Yokohama Cosmo World, YOKOHAMA AIR CABIN, and Yokohama Marine Tower. The event features photo spots and a sticker giveaway. It is the finale of the anime's 5th anniversary project. The live event Jujufes 2026 will be held at K Arena Yokohama on August 29-30.
Japanese cosplayer Tsukune Tsukimi traveled to Taiwan as an ambassador for MSI, attending COMPUTEX 2026 and the MSI 40th anniversary exhibition. She also held her first local photoshoot and visited Shilin Night Market, where she caught six shrimp. The article includes 27 photos documenting her trip.