The Vi∀ song, a collaboration between Hololive VTuber Shiranui Flare and the rhythm game pop'n music High☆Cheers!!, released in-game on June 4, 2026, as part of a larger BEMANI collaboration that began April 23.
The song Vi∀ is a collaboration between Hololive VTuber Shiranui Flare and the rhythm game pop'n music High☆Cheers!!. It was released in-game on June 4, 2026. The collaboration is part of a larger event spanning three BEMANI titles that began on April 23. LIGHT and NORMAL charts were available immediately upon release, while HYPER and EX charts require event progression to unlock.
The collaboration formalized a long-running fan wish. Shiranui Flare has publicly identified as a dedicated pop'n music player for years. The collaboration was teased at her April 2026 birthday 3D live. The song title Vi∀ uses a stylized A with a universal quantifier symbol, matching the visual identity of the pop'n music series.
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The expansion DLC 'Revelations' for DOOM: The Dark Ages launched on July 8, 2026, and has received high review scores across platforms, with Metascores of 89 on PC, 90 on PS5, and 91 on Xbox Series X. Critics praise the new Chain Spear weapon, the level design, and the story, calling it the culmination of the recent trilogy. Backtracking drew some criticism.
GAME Watch's latest roundup lists seven Nintendo eShop titles and three Steam deals whose discounts end this week. Highlights include Trails in the Sky the 1st at 50% off, Tsukihime -A piece of blue glass moon- at 50% off, The House of the Dead: Remake at 90% off, and ARK: Survival Ascended at 75% off. All prices are in yen.
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."
Ize Press will open a pop-up store called System Sync in New York City from August 14 to 30, timed with Anime NYC. Located at 238 E 6th Street in Manhattan, the store will sell English editions and exclusive merchandise for Solo Leveling and Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint, including glow-in-the-dark apparel, acrylic items, figures, and imported goods. The event also features photo installations, a stamp rally, and cosplay incentives.
A review of the Sasaki and Peeps Season 2 premiere at Anime Expo 2026 finds the series leaning harder into its improbable mashup of fantasy kingdom politics, corporate espionage, and supernatural elements. The episode wastes no time diving back into factional intrigue, with Peeps calmly strategizing alongside Sasaki. The show's strength remains its unfazed acceptance of the absurd.
The indefinite hospitalization order for Arion Kurtaj, the Lapsus$ hacker who leaked Grand Theft Auto VI footage in 2022, has been lifted. He has been transferred to a regular prison, and a criminal trial is scheduled for November. The order was originally imposed in 2023 due to concerns over his skills and intent to return to cybercrime.
Bethesda Game Studios released a statement detailing its upcoming projects, including remastered versions of Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas. The studio also confirmed a new Fallout project with Obsidian Entertainment, a prequel expansion for Fallout 76 titled 'Raven Rock', and that Fallout 5 is in pre-production. The Elder Scrolls VI remains the main development focus, using the new Creation Engine 3.
Eleon Game Studios has made the space sandbox survival craft Empyrion - Galactic Survival free to play on Steam from July 17 until July 21. The game, which entered early access in 2015 and fully released in 2020, is also available at a discounted price of 980 yen until July 24. Beginner guide videos accompany the promotion.
Solo developer Barry of Delayed Victory released Mining Merchant for PC on May 1. The shop management mining game supports co-op and a day-night cycle. Barry discussed inspirations from Motherload, Dave the Diver, and Schedule I. Development took twice as long due to his newborn daughter, and he named an in-game character after her. Players have requested more content after 50 hours of play.
Bethesda Game Studios published a detailed status update on its official X account on July 17, 2026, covering the development pipeline for its major franchises. The studio confirmed that Fallout 5 has entered pre-production and is being built using Creation Engine 3, the same engine powering Starfield and The Elder Scrolls VI. In addition, remastered versions of Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas are in development. Bethesda also announced a new, unannounced Fallout project being co-developed with Obsidian Entertainment, the original creator of Fallout: New Vegas. The Elder Scrolls VI remains the studio's top priority, with development proceeding as planned. For Fallout 76, a major expansion called Raven Rock, set as a prequel to Fallout 3, is scheduled for 2027. The Fallout TV series is in production for a third season, and Fallout Shelter is receiving a new season of content. Bethesda stated that this year's Fallout Day broadcast will not be streamed, but a live event in Washington, D.C. is planned for 2027 to mark the series' 30th anniversary.
Konami will release Castlevania: Belmont's Curse on October 15, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam. The title is a canonical sequel set in 1499 Paris, 23 years after Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse. The protagonist is Rose Belmont, daughter of Trevor and Sypha, voiced by Yui Ishikawa. Trevor is voiced by Ryotaro Okiayu. The game is co-developed by Evil Empire and Motion Twin, the creators of Dead Cells, but contains no roguelike elements. It is a 2D exploration action game that emphasizes the whip as both a mobility tool and a combat enabler. Players can use the Arcana Whip to swing across gaps, pull themselves toward enemies, and perform weapon-specific follow-up attacks. The game features seven weapon categories, a level-up system, and a tarot card-based Arcana system that grants spells and upgrades. Difficulty is high but adjustable through in-game options. The standard edition costs 3,850 yen; the Midnight Edition, which includes a digital art gallery and in-game items, costs 4,950 yen. The preview event provided about three hours of playtime, covering three bosses: Monster, Jeanne d'Arc, and Medusa.
Visual Arts announced a new brand, VISUAL ARTS Scripts, and its first title, Sayagatari -Yōtō no Yakusoku-, a visual novel where players fight monsters and receive kisses from a heroine who seals cursed swords. The game launches September 25 on PC, with a Steam version in development. Tomori Kusunoki voices the lead heroine. The download version is priced at 990 yen as a special launch price.
Evil Trout Inc. released Garry Mansion Incident on July 14 for PC via Steam, a remaster of the 2025 free game Type Help. The puzzle mystery features new illustrations, full English voice acting, a 3D interface, and additional puzzles. As of writing, 627 user reviews on Steam rate it 97% positive, earning an Overwhelmingly Positive status. The original creator William Rous cited Evil Trout's The Roottrees are Dead as an inspiration. A 10% launch discount runs until July 22.
Visual Arts, owner of Key, announced the PC novel game 'Sayagatari - Yōtō no Yakusoku -' for September 25 release. The download version is priced at 990 yen, a special launch price, and the first-run limited package is 4,950 yen. The opening movie, cast, and a signing event with illustrator Riichu were also revealed.
Anime Feminist's review of the first two episodes of Draw This, Then Die! praises the series for its balance of gentle comedy and honest depiction of burnout. The series follows Ai Yasumi, who discovers her favorite manga artist lives in her town and seeks to learn from her. Directed by Hiroaki Akagi and written by Hiroko Fukuda, the show uses publisher permission to name actual manga like Doraemon. The reviewer notes it is not a top-tier watch but is a solid hobby show.
A preview of the first-person parkour game VHOLUME highlights its addictive movement and exploration. The demo, available on Steam with 98% positive reviews, features four maps where players can speedrun or explore hidden areas. The wall-running mechanic opens up new routes, and the game includes multiplayer support. A full release date has not been announced.
Pocket Pair Publishing announced that the cooperative dark fantasy dungeon exploration game Vision Quench, developed by WizMUD Games, will launch in spring 2027. A new demo with enhanced content is now available on Steam. The game features a retro 3D visual style combined with American urban legends, and pits up to four players against the 'Green Tower' labyrinth in search of the legendary 'Sweepstakes Code'.
Cinema Today analyzes why Netflix's 'Gas Human' has been a hit, ranking first on Netflix Japan for two weeks and entering the global Top 10. The series, a reboot of Toho's 1960 film, uses its gas man premise to expose societal distortions rather than cause panic. The analysis credits the story, cast (including Suzu Hirose and Kento Hayashi), and direction by Shinzo Katayama.
The review of Chainsmoker Cat episodes 1-3 from Anime News Network describes the series as a deranged, raunchy comedy centered on chain-smoking cat-girl Yani Neko. Produced by Bibury Animation Studios, the show commits to depicting filthy habitats and noxious bodily fluids, while also weaving in an undercurrent of melancholy fatalism. Community scores range from 2.6 to 3.7.
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.
Cygnus Cross announced that the dot-pixel action RPG Emberville will launch on Steam Early Access on October 28, 2026. The game combines town rebuilding and dungeon crawling in a vast underground prison where death is not eternal. Players rescue survivors, gather resources, craft items, and fight using combos and class-based skills.
The anime adaptation of Eri Ejima's manga Young Ladies Don't Play Fighting Games premiered with a strong first episode, according to a review. The series follows Aya Mitsuki, a scholarship student at Kuromi Girls Academy who tries to hide her fighting game past but is recognized by the school's 'White Lily' Mio Yorue. The episode features actual Street Fighter VI footage and reunites director Shota Ihata and writer Wataru Watari from Girlish Number.
Anime News Network's seasonal romcom roundup covers the return of three series: The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You, You and I Are Polar Opposites, and Hana-Kimi, with commentary on their new seasons and metahumor.
Kodansha's Morning magazine announced that Shū Okimoto and Koichi Suzuki's manga 'Vote Counter Victoria' (Hyōyomi no Victoria) will conclude in two chapters. The series, which launched in June 2024, follows an election consultant and a new politician challenging a long-serving mayor. The seventh compiled volume ships on July 22. Real-life political consultant Kumiko Suzuka supervised the story.
The first CBT for Azur Promilia, the new RPG from the Azur Lane team Manjuu and Yostar, ran July 2-10. The preview highlights the game's unapologetic fan service, with characters ranging from 'small' to 'large' muchi muchi. Combat is action-based with a monster companion system, while a farming mode offers a slower pace. The review notes the game's visual emphasis may distract from storytelling.
LINE Yahoo released LINE Majimaji on July 15 for iOS and Android. The merge puzzle game features LINE FRIENDS characters and a magic card system with over 70 cards. Players combine blocks to fulfill orders and progress a story about saving a magical world. The game includes gacha for cards and a short anime series.
Anime News Network's review of the first three episodes of The World Is Dancing praises the show's unity of character, theme, and visual execution. The series follows the young playwright Zeami Motokiyo on his journey to understand the emotional roots of art. Community scores are high, with episodes 2 and 3 earning 4.3 out of 5.
The new Ghost in the Shell TV anime by Science SARU is being praised as the most faithful adaptation of Masamune Shirow's original manga. The series depicts character expressions and storylines directly from the source, including the Tachikoma and old-fashioned wired hacking. It contrasts with previous adaptations by Mamoru Oshii and others, finally delivering the manga's vision 37 years after its release.
Fashion brand MAYLA has released a skirt inspired by 'Mononoke the Movie: Chapter 3 - Snake God,' available in Medicine Seller and Shingi models. Each features custom textiles and an obi-like ribbon. Reservations are open until July 16, 2026 at 17:00, priced at 28,600 yen each.
Anime Feminist's review of Though I am an Inept Villainess Episode 1 finds the show initially rote but transformed by director Mitsue Yamazaki's touch. The review praises the unpredictable character writing of protagonist Reiren and the frightening portrayal of rival Keigetsu Shu, and highlights the show's handling of disability themes as a point of depth beyond typical villainess isekai.
Oro Interactive announced on July 16 that Machine Party, a violent party game for 2 to 4 players, will launch on Steam on July 30. The game is developed by Mike Klubnika, creator of the hit Russian roulette game Buckshot Roulette, and GDeavid, known for pixel art and low-poly 3D games. It features 15 death mini-games where failure results in the player's death. Players can compete in story mode or select individual mini-games. The mini-games test reaction speed, judgment, and trust, and players can betray or cooperate. The price is 950 yen. Music is by Alex Peipman, who composed for Buckshot Roulette. The game supports Japanese and 14 other languages. A new trailer was released. The Steam store page describes it as 'full of cunning means to outwit your friends'. Player appearance can be customized. This marks GDeavid's Steam debut, as he previously released on itch.io. The publisher Oro Interactive is known for titles like Order 13 and Easy Delivery Co.
Hayakawa Publishing released "There Is No Antimemetics Division" on July 15 under its Hayakawa Bunko SF label. The horror sci-fi novel, written by qntm and translated by Masato Naruniwa, originates from the SCP Foundation. It depicts a secret organization confronting antimemes, entities that erase themselves from memory. Author Li called it "overwhelmingly, crushingly interesting."
Anime Feminist's review of Tomb Raider King episode 1 describes the premiere as a middling male power fantasy that fails to stand out despite its Korean webtoon origins and time-travel premise. The adaptation keeps the original Korean voice cast but does not elevate the familiar story.
Indie developer Shobota has released 'Survivor: Unknown Village' on Steam, a game inspired by mobile game ads where you control a character fighting zombies. It features mouse aiming, dynamite, and a story about Zunda-mon on vacation. A demo with three stages is available; the full version has ten. Priced at 390 yen, it is 30% off until July 29. Also mentioned are a Zunda-mon plastic model kit and a manga volume.
Anime Feminist's review of the first episode of Let's go KAIKIGUMI describes the comedy horror as unfunny and disjointed. The protagonist's constant screaming is the main joke, failing to provide comedic nuance. The female lead Mechako is noted as a genuinely interesting character, with her off-putting demeanor and unpredictable behavior. The retro animation style is the only positive, but the series feels out of place for the 2026 summer season. The reviewer questions why this gag series was adapted.
Game Spark profiles the Taiwanese RPG Kakkyoden, a single-player wuxia game from Obb Studio. The game features an ugly protagonist, Zhao Huo, training at the Tang Sect. Its success-style progression, similar to PowerPro and Uma Musume, and a fan translation patch have made it a hit in Japan. The review highlights the game's humor and how it lowers the barrier for wuxia newcomers.
viviON Lab released "7 Days To Think About It" on Steam on July 16, 2026, priced at 655 yen with a two-week launch discount. The psychological horror game comes from silver978 and Mankind Games, creators of "Looking Up I See Only A Ceiling". Players explore a retro-styled 3D house with randomly shifting furniture, memorize the layout, and answer yes/no questions to escape within seven in-game days.
Nearly 20 years after the last entry in the Ultraman Fighting Evolution series, a veteran fan of the franchise has taken a deep dive into GigaBash, the arena brawler from Malaysian developer Passion Republic Games that features Ultraman characters as DLC. The article, published on July 15, 2026, compares the two games across multiple dimensions: gameplay philosophy, camera perspective, music, and single-player content. While GigaBash offers a party-oriented, balanced brawler experience inspired by Power Stone and War of the Monsters, the Ultraman Fighting Evolution series prioritized character authenticity over competitive balance. The review notes that GigaBash now includes seven Ultraman characters across three DLC packs, including a notable first: a playable female character, Carmeara. The article concludes that GigaBash is an enjoyable game that does not fully replace the desire for a new Fighting Evolution title, though it praises the developer's evident passion for tokusatsu and the excellent story mode for the original character Gigaman.
Independent developer HAKURO released roguelike action game 'KAZ' on July 14 for PC via Steam. Priced at 905 yen and supporting Japanese text, the game is controlled entirely with movement keys-up, down, left, right-on a tile-based field. Players must eliminate all enemies within a time limit of tens of seconds per round, then proceed to the next. The structure includes 25 themes with unique power-ups, six starting weapons, over 110 obtainable items, and five reflex-testing modes plus weekly and monthly challenges and an endless mode with online leaderboards. As of July 15, 59 user reviews on Steam were 96% positive, earning a 'Very Positive' rating. A Metacritic aggregate of seven reviews gives a score of 81. Reviewers praise the simple controls, high tempo, and dopamine-inducing exhilaration. However, user reviews are also filled with complaints of hand cramps, keyboard breakage, and warnings that people with tendonitis should not play. Some players reported breaking two keyboards while playing. The developer's store page describes the game as 'the ultimate psychedelic dopamine rush.' A release sale offers 15% off until July 28, bringing the price to 769 yen.
ASCII.jp's weekly Steam sale roundup highlights the Devil May Cry 5 - Playable Vergil Pack at 85% off for 448 yen, along with discounts on Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA Mega 39's+, GOD EATER 3, Stray, and Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord. The sales run through July 24, 2026.
On July 15, 2026, game development circle Heaviside Creation opened the Steam store page for 'Fight Only' (Tatakau Dake), a meta RPG scheduled for release on PC in 2027. The game stars a princess who can only use the 'Fight' command. She can punch enemies, allies, window frames, and even the game console itself to solve problems. The title is an expanded version of a free browser game called 'Fight Only Game' (Tatakau Dake no Game), which was released on unityroom in April 2026 and accumulated over 10,000 plays in its first week. The Steam version adds new metafiction gimmicks, additional stages, and a volume increase of more than ten times compared to the original. Party members include a timid priest and a sarcastic mage who act on their own, but the player can influence their actions by choosing the right targets to punch. The game also features a framing story where a young player controls the princess while talking to their father, and monsters appear in the real world. Heaviside Creation is known for the meta-horror typing game 'Dyping Escape', which holds a 'Very Positive' rating on Steam. 'Fight Only' will be exhibited at Tokyo Game Dungeon 13 on August 8 and at GamesCom 2026 starting August 26, with a playable demo available at both venues.
ASUS ROG and XREAL released the ROG XREAL R1 gaming AR glasses on July 14, 2026, priced at 141,550 yen. The glasses feature a 240Hz refresh rate, 0.01ms response time, and a 0.55-inch Micro-OLED panel per eye. They include a ROG Control Dock for connecting multiple devices like PCs, Nintendo Switch 2, and PlayStation 5. The review highlights the large virtual screen and synergy with the ROG Xbox Ally X.
KRAFTON and its creative studio Flyway Games released Ascend to ZERO on July 13 for Xbox Series X|S. The roguelite action game gives players 30 seconds per run and the ability to stop time at will. While time is frozen, enemies and the countdown pause, but the player cannot attack or open items. A cooldown prevents consecutive time stops. The game features permanent upgrades, rescued allies, and unlockable avatars. A play report highlights the tension between stillness and motion.
Evil Trout Inc., the studio behind The Roottrees are Dead, released Garry House Incident on Steam on July 14. The game is a visual novel remake of William Rous's free text-based mystery Type Help, co-developed by Rous, and follows a 1936 unsolved case. A 10% launch sale runs until July 22.
Level Infinite, in partnership with developer SHIFT UP, held a summer offline event for Goddess of Victory: NIKKE on July 12, 2026, at Akihabara UDX 2F AKIBA SQUARE in Tokyo. The event, titled "Dokidoki Tomaranai Natsu no Tabi in Akihabara," drew more than 2,300 players, who are referred to as commanders. The venue featured a summer-themed area with photo spots and special signboards, a real-life gacha machine called the "Closet Gacha" offering summer-limited items, and 15 cosplayers dressed as characters from the game. The cosplayers wore summer-limited outfits and recreated familiar costumes in detail, holding photo sessions and interacting with attendees. The Closet Gacha, themed around a giant closet, was a highlight, with cheers and reactions as players revealed their results. The event ran from opening to closing with a lively atmosphere, and attendees shared photos and impressions on social media. A recap video was released on the official NIKKE website and YouTube. The game is a free-to-play smartphone RPG with in-app purchases, available on PC, iOS, and Android since November 2022.
A playable demo of ReBlade: The Death Spiral at Bilibili World 2026 reveals a top-down roguelike with a parry system, weapon customization via IC chips, and a boss fight against a yokai named Zhang Yu Ge. Developer ChillyRoom, known for Soul Knight, has been working on the game for three years with a team of seven and is in its final stages.
The Nintendo Switch fan disk Ayakashi Gohan: Okawari! for S will release on August 20, 2026. It continues the story after the main game, following the heroine and her love interests in their daily lives. The game retains the warm, emotional tone of the original and adds new characters, including a mysterious transfer student.
The global art team LITTLE ARTISTS LEAGUE will hold a free one-day event, 'INVISIBLE MUSEUM | A Day to Search for Invisible Important Things,' on August 12, 2026, at Blooming Camp in Umeda, Osaka. The event features a concert by blind singer-songwriter Ko-sei, gospel performances by Soul Bird Choir with Kano, and workshops including a non-teaching cookie class and scent workshop. The program is designed to engage all five senses and deepen understanding of social issues through art.
A board game believed to have been played in ancient Rome, Ludus Coriovalli, has been reconstructed by AI from a limestone artifact. The rules were unknown, but AI simulations of 130 configurations matched wear patterns on the artifact. The game is now playable for free in a browser, with players controlling hounds and hares.
ZIPAIR Tokyo completed Starlink installation on all eight Boeing 787-8 aircraft, making every flight Starlink-compatible. A reporter tested the service on a Narita-Bangkok round trip and recorded speeds over 300Mbps, sufficient for video streaming and remote work. The airline has offered free Wi-Fi since its 2020 launch, an unusual perk for a low-cost carrier.