Sega updated PSO2 New Genesis ver.2 on September 9, 2026, adding the high-difficulty permanent quest Suppression of the Spectral Tower: Northern Frozen Wastes. The four-player quest takes place in a tower in Alterelum. The update also introduced the Riiz weapon series, which upgrades from the Kaiz series using Kaiz Cube items.
astragon Entertainment and Simteract released Bus Simulator 27 today for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S with Japanese support. The game combines bus operation management with realistic driving, letting players plan routes and expand a bus company, with cross-platform four-player co-op. It introduces long-distance buses for the series, set in Felicia Bay, a new region inspired by Spain and Portugal. The roster covers 13 manufacturers and more than 45 vehicles.
Bandai is re-releasing the BT21 Mejirushi Accessory Angel ver. gashapon, limited to Gashapon Bandai Official Shops. The set is a re-sale of the product released in January 2026. It includes seven angel-themed charms, one for each BT21 character, at 300 yen per pull including tax, with a release planned for the second week of September 2026.
TOMYTEC's Little Armory line adds LD054 Desk Work Tools A2, a 1/12 scale unpainted assembly runner kit reproducing office equipment and stationery. The set includes a desktop PC, keyboard, mouse, 23-inch and 17-inch monitors, two phones, a projector, scissors, a cutter, a stapler, a headset, smartphones, a BB bullet bottle, and a COP.357 type. It is priced at 2,640 yen including tax and is scheduled for release on November 30, 2026. Preorders are open on Amazon Japan.
FuturLab, the developer behind PowerWash Simulator, has canceled an unannounced project that was in development for two to three years, and seven staff have left the company. CEO Kirsty Rigden confirmed the cancellation, saying the project was in preproduction and its costs would exceed expected revenue. The studio is now focusing on PowerWash Simulator 2 while continuing to prototype new games.
CRI Middleware and IID announced the first 15 exhibitors for GTMF 2026, the game developer tools and middleware show, and opened free visitor registration. The event runs December 2 in Osaka and December 8 in Tokyo, its 21st edition. The sponsor roster spans platform holders, infrastructure firms, and audio and graphics middleware vendors, with new participants including Toshiba, SoftBank, and Khronos Group. Exhibitor applications remain open through the end of September.
Inception announced Mercury 2.5, a diffusion-based language model that refines multiple tokens in parallel instead of generating text left to right. It outputs 1107 tokens per second, up from Mercury 2's 1009, with context length doubled to 260,000 tokens. Inception rates its quality on par with GPT-5.6 Luna (Low), Gemini 3.5 Flash-Lite, and Claude Haiku 4.5. Output pricing stays at $0.75 per million tokens while input pricing drops to $0.20, with an 80 percent launch discount on OpenRouter.
Samsung held its own event space at IFA 2026 in Berlin, away from the main hall, to show the Galaxy S26 FE and its AI ecosystem. The phone went on sale globally on September 4, uses the Exynos 2500, and starts at 799 euros, about 145,000 yen. Foldables and smartwatches were also on display. Japan release plans are unknown.
Phoenixx announced the second edition of Zero Kyori Connect, an indie game event built around VTubers playing games in front of a live audience, set for Saturday, September 26, 2026, at namco TOKYO in Shinjuku. The event, titled Zero Kyori Connect No.2 ~Indie Game Edition~ Supported by xeen, features two games: Zako no Ahiru, a taunting, frustrating mountain-climbing game, and Super Tank Wars, a programming AI tank battle game. Doors open at 16:00 and the show starts at 17:00. Eri Mochizuki and Nana Matsuzaki host as MCs, with live commentary from Ichigo no Pafe, Kojouji Puramu, and Yukimizu Meru. Regular tickets cost 3,500 yen including tax, sold first-come, first-served with a limit of one ticket per person per show. Bandai Namco Research Institute provides planning cooperation, Baba Ani Two handles production, and xeen is the special sponsor. Phoenixx organizes the event, which it describes as connecting VTubers and audiences at zero distance.
Wataritama Studio announced the PC management sim "Kako de Buzutte VTuber -2018 kara nara Buzurerun ja!?" for Steam, launching within the year. Players time travel to 2018 and try to go viral as a VTuber in one year, raising five stats and reading weekly trends. Failing resets subscribers and money but keeps skills. Clearing the game unlocks Reality Mode.
CyberConnect2 will exhibit for the first time at Tokyo Game Show 2026, held from September 17 to 21. The company will stage its 30th anniversary CyberConnect2 Exhibition as an IN Chiba edition at its booth. No new title announcements are planned. The booth will display development materials and artwork, and 1,200 copies of the manga Chaser Game will be given away free.
Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault left early access and reached its full official release on September 2, 2026. The roguelite sequel, which moved from pixel art to an anime style, is available on PC, Nintendo Switch 2, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. A physical edition for Switch 2 and PS5 is scheduled for December 10 via Sega.
Nature Technicolor's NTC MONO Mushroom Plushies 2 capsule line launches September 10 at vending machines nationwide. The set carries four species: Tamagotake in mature form, Benitengutake as a young specimen, Eringi, and Maitake. Sizes run from about 85mm to 110mm, and each plushie has a rubber cord for attaching to bags. A single capsule costs 500 yen. Junya Sato directs planning, and Ikimono publishes the line.
Oshi Con 2026 opened at inside SPACE at One Ayala in Makati City for two days, organized by DayJobÜ. The event brought together VTubers, artists, streamers, creators, and fans, with three international VTuber agencies exhibiting. Stage performances covered pop, OPM, anime, and Vocaloid. Fans could meet creators in Oshi Meet areas and browse fan art and merchandise. The report positions the convention as the Filipino fan's window to the wider VTuber culture.
A Steam sale now covers the Biohazard series with discounts up to 80 percent. Most titles drop below 1000 yen, with Biohazard RE:4 at 75 percent off for 997 yen and Biohazard RE:3 and RE:2 at 80 percent off for 798 yen each. RE:4 and Revelations 2 have reached their largest discount yet. The latest entry, Biohazard Requiem, is the exception at 30 percent off for 6293 yen.
Premium Bandai opens reservations September 8 at 11:00 for three Gunpla kits tied to the MS IGLOO OVAs, all shipping in March 2027. The Zaku Ground Combat Set and Ground Combat Gundam Ground Combat Set, both from MS IGLOO 2: Gravity Front, cost 3,080 yen each. The EX Model Hildolfr from MS IGLOO: The Hidden One Year War returns at 8,580 yen.
Dokkan Nagoya 2026, the Chubu region game industry conference, will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Nagoya Kogakuin Senmon Gakko Building 1. The event returns after its 2025 comeback. Yu Mizokami of Nippon Ichi Software will lecture on game screen design. Gemdrop and IKIF+ will present Unreal Engine usage from the Gundam Hathaway film.
Playstack shipped a September 5 patch for Cold Symmetry's Mortal Shell II that adds an experimental adaptive difficulty system. Enemies grow stronger the more the player wins and weaken when the player struggles. The setting is off by default and can be toggled at any time. Difficulty shifts ease over time and return to standard balance as play style changes.
The second AI Film Festival Japan runs October 31 to November 2, 2026, at Tokyo Innovation Base. Alibaba Cloud, CapCut, and ElevenLabs join as partners, with CapCut and ElevenLabs each sponsoring a special award in the festival division. The 2026 edition keeps screenings and the awards ceremony at its core while adding hands-on production workshops, industry dialogue, and an External Pathways program to connect works to overseas festivals, platforms, and co-development. The 2025 first edition drew 563 works from 45 countries and regions.
BLDB, the model brand behind the Building Block line, has started selling the SEMTO ENGINE ST-NF2/FS-L200AC, a 7cc inline twin 4-stroke SOHC engine assembly kit. Builders assemble the engine from unassembled parts, then start it on methanol glow fuel with 20 to 25 percent nitromethane. The kit uses dual timing belts, air cooling, and a 480 brush motor electric starter, with CNC-machined anodized aluminum parts. BLDB offers three purchase configurations.
X PLUS is taking pre-orders on Amazon Japan for two 1/700 scale unpainted plastic model kits of Gamera from the 1996 film "Gamera 2: Legion Invasion". The flight version captures the high-mobility form with arms spread like wings, transparent jet nozzle parts, and a display base. The standard version stands about 10cm tall. Both are scheduled to release November 30, 2026.
Illustrator and indie developer melon22 released the adult 3D action game Dekanomos on DLsite on September 6, 2026. Players control four female warriors whose outfits tear apart as they take damage. A September 7 update adds camera adjustment and visibility fixes. The PC title costs 1,320 yen, discounted to 990 yen until September 19.
The Tokyo performance of YUKIHIDE "YT" TAKIYAMA's LIVE 2026 UNCHAINED tour will stream in real time on September 19 through the FanStream app and StreamPass platform. The show supports the third album "Talkin' to My Hand" and features Gin Kitagawa on bass and vocals and Toshi Nagai on drums. Viewing tickets cost 3,800 yen for SonusNexus fan club members and 4,500 yen for general buyers, with archive viewing from September 23 through 26.
The official X account announced on September 4 that Ash Arms 2 -the Darkside of the Moon- will appear at Tokyo Game Show 2026. The demo runs September 19 to 21 at Hall 2, booth 02-C08, alongside a follow-and-repost campaign. The sequel to Ash Arms: Ash Ember Frontline, a bishoujo military simulation RPG, moves to third-person shooter gameplay with 3D graphics. Developer Chengdu Wanhuajing Technology is combining weapon customization, mecha bishoujo action, strategic base building, and trade elements.
A spatial experience event, Q LIMINAL, will be held at Sunshine City in Ikebukuro from September 11 to 20. It commemorates the release of the A24-produced film Backrooms. Participants explore a dimly lit space by scanning QR codes, with the correct ones increasing an exploration rate in a dedicated app.
Automaton's weekly roundup covers seven game articles. Highlights include 'Gundam Rogue Orbit' releasing March 5 next year, and 'Fate/EXTRA Record' finally getting a January 28 release date after multiple delays. Other entries cover 'Maneater 2', 'The Murder Case at Fleming Manor', 'Uta Macross', 'Tyr', and 'World Sweeper'.
2K announced at PAX West 2026 that Sid Meier's Civilization VII will receive a free update, Arc of Tomorrow, in 2027, adding a fourth era, the Atomic Age, spanning the 1950s to the 2050s. New civilizations and leaders, including Gandhi, plus nuclear warfare systems and multilateral agreements, are included. A paid expansion, Earthrise, was also announced.
Haconect VTuber Ginkai Mao's birthday commemorative goods and voice will be sold from September 6 to October 6, 2026, via the official Haconect BOOTH and Geek Jack stores. The lineup includes a full set with a newly illustrated B2 silky suede wall scroll by Hoshi no Kocha, an acrylic panel, a can badge, and two birthday voice tracks.
2K announced the first expansion DLC for Sid Meier's Civilization VII, titled Earthrise. The space-themed expansion adds celestial charts in early ages and space agencies in later ones, with missions across the solar system. Players can also reshape Earth's terrain and mitigate climate change effects. A free update adds the Atomic age in 2027.
A commemorative online fan meeting for Detective PreCure! LIVE2026 will stream on the official PreCure YouTube channel from 19:00 on September 13, 2026. Cast members Hikari Chiga, Fuu Tenshou, Ikumi Hasegawa, Nao Touyama, and producer Kanako Tada will look back on the story, answer fan questions, and share news about the October 3 live event. Streaming ticket perks were also announced.
Inside's photo feature looks back at Tokyo Game Show 2025 cosplay, spotlighting characters from Arknights: Endfield, Star Savior, VALORANT, and more. The retrospective arrives as TGS 2026 approaches, set for September 17 to 21, marking the 30th anniversary and a record five-day run.
THINKR announced on September 5 that it will hold THINKR AUDITION 2026, a joint recruitment drive spanning four in-house areas, with applications opening October 5. The audition follows a studio restructuring announced the same day, in which THINKR spun off KYOKAI STUDIO and UNKNOWN LAB from KAMITSUBAKI STUDIO. The two new studios join KAMITSUBAKI STUDIO and ALLT STUDIO in selecting candidates for the audition. Recruitment runs in two categories: a Virtual Artist Category, which THINKR describes as the fourth such audition led by KAMITSUBAKI STUDIO, and a Real Artist Category, newly implemented with ALLT STUDIO and the two new studios. Applicants face no age or gender restrictions, and any nationality may apply if residing in Japan, provided they hold no exclusive contract with a production company or record label. Minors need parental consent. The application period runs from October 5 to December 8, 2026, and each applicant may enter only one category. Selection involves members from all four areas, including KAMITSUBAKI STUDIO executive producer PIEDPIPER, who will form new artist projects and offer tailored activity plans such as music production and lessons.
Virtual singer Isekai Joucho launched her official fan club, 1209Carat., on September 5 and opened membership recruitment. The annual fee is 10,000 yen and the monthly fee is 800 yen. The club offers advance ticket reservations, exclusive videos, galleries, wallpapers, newsletters, and birthday messages. Annual plan members receive a physical membership card and card holder.
Developer AMPLITUDE Studios released a behind-the-scenes video for the 'HUMANKIND 2' announcement trailer, which had faced unfounded generative AI allegations. The trailer was shot in live-action at Nu Boyana Film Studios in Sofia, Bulgaria, with real sets, props, costumes, and animals, combined with visual effects and CGI. The game is scheduled for PC release on Steam in 2027.
The GPSBOX & Kiramekko POPUP STORE runs at Haneda Airport Terminal 1 until September 28. It sells Chiikawa x Sanrio Characters Kiramekko figures in four types, including Chiikawa x My Melody and Usagi x Pompompurin, plus mofusand x Ultraman Kiramekko and GPSBOX figure collections. Items are random, and numbered tickets may be issued on busy days.
ZweiLance, the former Duel Masters pro known as Mr. Full Power, is holding TSUIOKU 2026 SUMMER on September 23 at Tokyo Ryutsu Center. As of September 1, only about 300 of the 1,200 slots were filled. He posted a YouTube video appealing to players, and spoke to KAI-YOU in an email interview.
Solo developer stisdan released the free PC game ELFWARE_2000 on itch.io. Players control a punk-styled elf woman who destroys the beacons of five cell towers as fast as possible. Movement includes jumping, wall kicks, and a summoned motorcycle. Grinding rails and hopping between platforms lead to destruction targets. Clear time and scores display after each run.
AIx2 Games began giving away its WWII coast defense FPS 'Beach Invasion 1944' for free on the Epic Games Store on September 4. The giveaway runs until September 7 at 18:20. Players who add the game to their library during the period keep it permanently. The game supports Japanese display.
TOHO Cinemas will re-sell five special items tied to the film Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu starting September 6 at its Shinjuku and Namba locations. The lineup covers three popcorn boxes and two drink cups, all in limited quantities with a one-item-per-person purchase cap. Prices run from 1,700 yen to 14,800 yen. Sales methods differ by theater.
Shine Post announced on September 4 that its live event BRiGHT STARS FESTIVAL 2026 will be streamed online. The two-day show runs September 12 and 13 at Pia Arena MM, and online viewing tickets went on sale the same day at 4,800 yen for both days. Archives stay up for one week after each performance. It is the first large-scale Shine Post live in three years, bringing together TINGS, HY:RAIN, Rough Diamond and Himawari Symphony.
Konami Arcade Games has started selling Shigoto Neko x pop'n music Kuji Vol.2 on KONAMI Premium Kuji ONLINE, the company's no-losing-ticket online lottery. The volume uses newly drawn illustrations by Kumamine, the illustrator behind Shigoto Neko, the character known for its Yoshi! pose. Prizes run from S to E rank, with bonus e-amusement pass cards for larger draw sets. Each draw costs 880 yen, and sales run until October 5, 2026.
Aoshima is re-releasing the DeLorean DMC-12 as a 1/24 scale plastic model kit in its The Supercar series. Pre-orders are open at AmiAmi and AmiAmi's Yahoo! store at 4,110 yen, against a reference price of 5,720 yen. The kit is scheduled for September 2026 and includes opening gull-wing doors, a reproduced engine, and decals.
cheero announced a Danbo collaboration model of its Wireless Open Earphones Smart Pro, an open-ear design that lets wearers hear surroundings while listening. The DANBOARD ver. comes in a normal color and a pop color, priced at 5,980 yen, with a 4,980 yen launch special limited to 300 units. Sales begin September 10, 2026 at noon, with IP65 dust and water resistance and about 8 hours of playback per charge.
Two new volumes from the Nola Books labels launch September 5, 2026 on Amazon Kindle and other e-book stores. Madou Senki Lore Derdam 2 continues the Glanz label's shonen series by Puh Inukai with art by Namanie. Minarai Monjutsushi wa Honjitsu mo Shugyouchuu, lower volume, is the Bloom label's shojo entry by Hokuto Hiiragi with art by Jon Serita. The label counts 22 works on the Kono Light Novel ga Sugoi! 2027 list.
Takara Tomy opened preorders on Amazon Japan for two 2026 Tomica advent calendars. The standard Tomica Advent Calendar 2026 comes in a blue ad-truck themed box with two special Christmas wrapping cars and 24 daily presents. The Disney Cars Tomica Advent Calendar 2026 pairs holiday Lightning McQueen and Mater figures with glow-in-the-dark tires. Both are limited production for 2026, carry a 5,280 yen reference price, and target ages three and up.
Nijisanji's Niji Pin Badge Collection Vol.2 goes on sale September 7 at 18:00. The set includes nine motif badges designed around individual livers, priced at 1,000 yen each. Each badge is W40mm x H30mm or smaller, made of zinc alloy and iron. Purchases are limited to five per badge per transaction, with shipping from mid-September 2026.
A24's Backrooms, the feature debut of 21-year-old Kane Parsons, opened September 4. To promote it, a real 3D advertisement recreating the film's liminal space appeared in a vacant glass-walled room in Akasaka, staged by PINPIN STUDIO. Sightings posted on X drew over 88,000 likes. A YouTube Live surveillance stream runs until September 13, but the link is undisclosed; viewers are meant to find it themselves.
Bandai Spirits is re-releasing two Master Grade kits from the MSV line through Premium Bandai. The MG 1/100 Mass Production Hyaku Shiki Kai and the MG 1/100 FA-78-2 Heavy Gundam open for pre-order on September 4, 2026 at 11:00. The Hyaku Shiki Kai is priced at 6,490 yen and ships in February 2027, while the Heavy Gundam is 5,390 yen and ships in March 2027.
The staff for the third season of the new Ranma 1/2 anime announced that Seiya of comedy duo Shimofuri Myojo will guest star in an unannounced role and serve as promotional ambassador. The season premieres on NTV on October 3 and streams on Netflix. An advanced screening will be held that day with three voice actors.
During the State of Play broadcast on September 3, 2026, Sony Interactive Entertainment announced three titles for the PlayStation Plus Classics Catalog, a service for Premium plan members. Mega Man X: Command Mission arrives in September, while Dino Crisis 2 and the original Ratchet & Clank are scheduled to join within 2026. The Classics Catalog lineup for the second half of 2026 was the focus of the announcement. The additions were revealed alongside other news from the stream, which included Mycopunk, a four-player cooperative FPS set to hit the Game Catalog at launch. The three Classics titles span different eras and genres, from the turn-based RPG spin-off of Mega Man X to the survival horror sequel and the platforming series debut. Sony did not provide specific release dates for the two later arrivals, only the window of later this year. The announcements were part of a broader State of Play presentation that covered multiple upcoming PlayStation offerings.