Atlus is running a Persona 3 20th anniversary sale on the PS Store and Nintendo eShop, offering Persona 3 Reload at its highest discount ever: 60% off on PlayStation and 40% off on Switch. The sale also includes deep cuts on Persona 5 Royal, Metaphor: ReFantazio, and other Atlus titles. The PS Store sale runs until July 29, while the eShop sale extends to August 10 for some titles.
M!LK member Yuto Sano appeared at a stage greeting for Toy Story 5 and smiled at the 'mellow' reaction to his character Smartie Pants, a high-tech toilet training toy. Sano performed a line from the film and recalled friends asking how to play with the unfamiliar toy. Social media users described the character as charming, and Sano expressed surprise at the positive response.
Bandai Spirits released five new Plano-saurus model kits from the Gachikoseibutsu-bu line on July 11, 2026. The lineup includes Tyrannosaurus 1915 and Spinosaurus 1915, which recreate outdated scientific reconstructions, plus a Pachyrhinosaurus with optional horn parts. Two Tyrannosaurus variants feature tropical rainforest and snowy region color schemes, the latter using a new Mineral Injection technology to simulate snow. All kits are snap-fit, no-tool, and include a display base.
505 Games and KUNOS Simulazioni released Ver.0.8 for Assetto Corsa EVO, adding the KTM X-Bow GT2, GT4, and Volkswagen Golf 8 R, plus the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit. The update expands user-generated content with livery tools, mod cars in multiplayer, and league event organization. VR receives foveated rendering and performance tuning as the early access build continues toward 1.0.
Japanese idol group Rainbow Conquistador launched a 3D VR talk show series "Kimi to Nijicon [245mm]" using Canon's EOS VR SYSTEM. The 15-episode live stream on DeoVR and YouTube is a demonstration experiment exploring whether XR goggles can become a way for fans to watch their oshi. The setup uses an EOS R5 C camera and a real-time conversion app to stream VR180 footage without PC editing.
The "TOY STORY - PLAYFUL JOURNEY COLLECTION" event will run from July 21 to August 31, 2026, at LUMINE EST Shinjuku in Tokyo. It features limited items from 37 shops, a special cafe themed around the latest film "Toy Story 5," and exclusive novelty giveaways. The event coincides with the film's theatrical release on July 3, which marks 30 years since the first "Toy Story" debuted in Japan.
Takara Tomy announced two new sets for the Transformers MPG toy line: MPG-24 Eject & Amhorn, releasing in late February 2027, and MPG-25 Blaster & Steeljaw, releasing in late March 2027. Both sets include fully transformable figures and accessories based on the classic anime series.
Amazon Kindle has launched a large-scale sale offering up to 50% points back on select Kadokawa manga titles, running from July 7 through July 13 for the Kadokawa campaign and until July 23 for the Summer Super Point Fair. The promotion coincides with Amazon Prime Day and covers dozens of series, including Delicious in Dungeon, Tsukihime: A Piece of Blue Glass Moon, Nichijou, Persona 3, Persona 4, Persona 5: Mementos Mission, and Gunslinger Girl. For Delicious in Dungeon, all 14 volumes (excluding volume 10) are eligible; buying the full set costs 10,742 yen and yields 5,012 yen in points. The Delicious in Dungeon World Guide: Adventurer's Bible Complete Edition and Ryoko Kui's sketchbook Daydream Hour are also included. The Persona manga adaptations are similarly discounted: all 11 volumes of Persona 3 cost 6,897 yen with 3,454 points back, all 13 volumes of Persona 4 cost 8,173 yen with 4,092 points back, and all 3 volumes of Persona 5: Mementos Mission cost 2,057 yen with 1,029 points back. Other notable titles in the sale include Fate/stay night, Fate/Zero, Today's Menu for the Emiya Family, A Bride's Story, Neon Genesis Evangelion, The Saga of Tanya the Evil, Erased, Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation, and The Eminence in Shadow.
Amazon has kicked off the advance sale for Prime Day 2026, and one of the featured deals is a PlayStation 5 Digital Edition bundle. The set, which includes the PS5 Digital Edition model (CFI-2200B01) and two PlayStation Store Ticket codes worth 5,000 yen and 3,000 yen, is priced at 58,710 yen. That is 7 percent below the set's reference price of 63,000 yen, saving buyers more than 4,000 yen. The advance sale began at 0:00 on July 7, 2026, and runs through July 9. The main Prime Day event then follows from July 10 to July 13. The PS5 Digital Edition retains the console's core features: an ultra-high-speed SSD, 3D audio, backward compatibility with PlayStation 4 titles, and the DualSense controller's haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. The PlayStation Store Tickets are prepaid codes that add credit to a user's account for digital purchases. The deal is available while stocks last, and Amazon notes that sale prices may end early due to limited quantities.
A Game Spark feature examines how the 2016 indie horror game Back in 1995 deliberately reproduced the low-resolution, glitchy graphics of early 3D hardware like the PlayStation and Sega Saturn, creating a new retro 3D genre. The game, the debut of developer Takaaki Ichijo, is recognized as a pioneer of the PS1-ish style and is now celebrating its 10th anniversary.
Dengeki Hobby Web reports the Amazon.co.jp toy best seller ranking as of July 6, 2026. Takara Tomy's Toy Story Real-Size Talking Figure Buzz Lightyear took first place, with four Toy Story 5-related toys appearing in the top 10 following the film's theatrical release. Other popular items include Tamagotchi Paradise - Orange Tropics and the Pokémon Card Game MEGA Expansion Pack Storm Emerald BOX.
RetroCrush announced the addition of the Hyakusho Kizoku anime (as Hyakusho Kizoku - The Farmer's Days) and the 500000000 Years Button anime to its streaming library, along with several other titles including Urusei Yatsura (1981), Tamala 2010, Angel Cop, Lone Wolf and Cub, and Bubblegum Crisis, rolling out through July and August.
Automaton's 89th weekly game article roundup highlights seven notable titles, including the cyberpunk life sim Nivalis Nights (September 30), the visual novel Sister, Others, Paranoia from the Needy Girl Overdose team (August 15), and the adult anomaly-hunting game Train No. 45, which has seen a sudden sales surge.
The Persona 5 Special Big Band Concert, held June 30 at Pacifico Yokohama National Hall, reprised its 2025 performance with a larger venue, evolved arrangements, and songs from Persona 5: The Phantom X. Conductor Charlie Rosen, whose "Last Surprise" cover earned a Grammy nomination in 2024, led the big band. The setlist included "Ambitions and Visions" from P5X and tracks from the game's "Third Semester." Lyn returned as vocalist.
One More Level CEO Szymon Bryła told Insider Gaming that ideas exist for Ghostrunner 3 or a spin-off, but development requires approval from 505 Games, which owns the IP. The studio is currently focused on Valor Mortis, a first-person action game set for release on September 24, 2026.
Sano Yuto, who voices Smarty Pants in the Japanese dub of Toy Story 5, made a surprise appearance at Tokyo Disneyland on July 3. He rode in an omnibus with fellow cast members Karasawa Toshiaki and Tokoro George, greeting fans during a special evening parade celebrating the film's release.
All 127 episodes of the first Inazuma Eleven TV anime will be broadcast for free on ABEMA's Family Anime 2 Channel starting July 4, released sequentially over 10 days. The film Inazuma Eleven: The Movie 2025 will also air for free on July 13. Each day's episodes are available for catch-up viewing for seven days after broadcast.
Square Enix has released the digital version of Final Fantasy X-2.5 ~Eien no Daishou~, a novel by Kazushige Nojima that continues the story after Final Fantasy X-2. The book follows Yuna and Tidus on a new adventure in Spira and is available at e-book stores for 1,540 yen.
Toy Story 5 opened in Japan on July 3, 2026, following a record-breaking US debut that earned approximately $160 million in its opening weekend. The film's worldwide box office has surpassed $585 million, exceeding the final totals of Toy Story and Toy Story 2. The Japanese dub cast includes Alice Hirose as the new character Lily Pad, with comments from the actress and details on theater bonuses.
Mango Party announced on July 3 that the adult puzzle game '45th Train' has sold over 100,000 copies on Steam within a week of release. The 'Exit 8'-like spot-the-difference game, developed by Elniko, currently holds an 'Overwhelmingly Positive' rating from 1,074 user reviews, with 98% positive.
Capcom announced a collaboration campaign between Devil May Cry 5 Devil Hunter Edition for Nintendo Switch 2 and the Netflix series Devil May Cry Season 2. Thirty winners will receive an original T-shirt via lottery. The campaign runs until July 16, 2026. The download version of the game is discounted to 2,990 yen until July 31.
Good Smile Company announced a 1/7 scale figure of Hatsune Miku based on the main visual for the Hatsune Miku Symphony 2025 Sapporo Performance. The figure is part of the company's top-tier Signature Class line, sculpted by Soga with coloring by Graham Mask, and is scheduled for release in September 2027 at 32,800 yen.
7-Eleven has filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Nike over the upcoming Air Max 95 "Convini Pack" colorway, which the convenience store chain says copies its orange, green, and red stripe. The sneaker is set to release on July 11, which is also 7-Eleven Day. 7-Eleven is seeking an injunction, recall, damages, and profit disgorgement.
Kotobukiya announced a wide range of new figure prototypes and color samples at Anime Expo 2026 in Los Angeles on July 2. The company revealed supervising prototypes for "Super Kaguya-hime!" figures of Kaguya, Tsukimi Yachiyo, and Sayori Sakayori, as well as a prototype for "Magic Knight Rayearth" Hikaru Shidou. Under the OSHI WORKS line, prototypes were shown for "Attack on Titan The Final Season" characters Mikasa, Armin, Levi, and Sasha. The new OSHI WORKS Mini brand debuted with color samples of "The Apothecary Diaries" Maomao and "TRIGUN STARGAZE" Vash the Stampede and Nicholas D. Wolfwood. For game-related figures, Kotobukiya showed the first color sample of a 1/4 scale "Goddess of Victory: NIKKE" Anis figure. OSHI WORKS Mini color samples were also displayed for "Persona 3 Reload" and "Persona 5 The Royal" protagonists, plus prototypes for "Trails" series characters Estelle Bright and Joshua Bright, and SNK characters Mai Shiranui, Angel, and Kula Diamond. Additional figures included "Cyberpunk: Edgerunners" Rebecca and "Snowball Earth" Tetsuo Yabusame and Ao Nogi.
M!LK members Taishi Shiozaki and Yuito Yoshida made unannounced cameo voice appearances in the Japanese dub of Toy Story 5, now in theaters. Fellow member Yuto Sano, who voices Smarty Pants, hinted that Shiozaki's role may be easy to miss on first viewing. The specific characters they play have not been disclosed.
Sano Yuto, a member of the vocal dance unit M!LK, has been cast as the Japanese voice of the new high-tech toy Smarty Pants in Toy Story 5. He passed an audition at Pixar's US headquarters and re-recorded about 80-90% of his lines after the initial dubbing session, working with the director to refine the performance.
Sega released the SKY Agriculture Pack for Farming Simulator 25 on June 30, adding 12 implements from French manufacturer SKY Agriculture. The pack covers seedbed preparation, stubble treatment, cover crop seeding, and fertilization, with improved animations and realistic dirt effects. It is available separately or through the Year 2 Season Pass.
Bandai Spirits is re-releasing the Soul of Chogokin GX-105 Mazinger Z Kakumei Shinka figure, originally released in 2022 for the 50th anniversary of the Mazinger Z TV broadcast. Pre-orders open July 1, 2026, with a December 2026 release date. The figure features a new sculpt and redesigned joints for improved posing.
Actor Sano Yuto attended the Japan premiere of Toy Story 5 in Tokyo on June 30, where he voices new character Smarty Pants. He shared that he holds weekly late-night meetings with his vocal dance unit M!LK, where members speak freely, including the youngest member Sano Shunta, who is five years his junior and speaks casually to him.
Takara Tomy has opened pre-orders for the Shinkalion 500 Kodama from the Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkalion anime as part of its Plarail SGX series. The toy transforms from a four-car train into a robot and can combine with other separately sold SGX products into a five-car formation. It is priced at 8,800 yen and ships August 8, 2026.
505 Games and Supernova Games Studios released the V0.5 update for Assetto Corsa Rally on Steam Early Access. The update adds two laser-scanned Greek WRC stages with 12 variations, 22 km of road, and 16-player online multiplayer with lobbies and events. Tire physics and force feedback have also been overhauled.
A limited-time pop-up store for Toy Story 5 will open inside the central ticket gate of JR Shinagawa Station from July 1 to July 16, 2026. The store sells new merchandise including acrylic keychains, mugs, and tote bags, with a free sticker for purchases over 2,000 yen.
DPVR (Dapeng VR) will sequentially launch the G5 Series of AI smart glasses in Japan from August 2026. The lineup includes three models: the standard G5, the fashion-focused G5 Crystal, and the sports-oriented G5 Pilot. All models feature a 13MP camera, voice control, AI assistant, and hands-free photo/video shooting, calls, and music playback. The company is also recruiting sales partners in Japan.
505 Games has signed a publishing agreement for ExeKiller, a post-apocalyptic cyberpunk western FPS developed by Paradark Studio. Players control bounty hunter Denzel Feni, an ExeKiller working for a mega-corporation. The game features a semi-open world with environmental threats, quests with multiple solutions, and player choices that affect NPC attitudes, dialogue, and story endings. It is scheduled for PC release on Steam, with console versions under consideration.
Aoshima Bunka Kyozai-sha's SKYNET brand announced a 1/12 scale pre-finished model of the Yamaha TZR250 '89. Two color variations, Silky White/Fine Red and V-Max Blue/Star Silver, are scheduled for release in November 2026 at 4,620 yen each. The model features a die-cast tank, movable steering and rear suspension, and a display stand.
Celsys Inc. and Ibis Inc. launched the 36th Digital Coloring Contest 'Nurimasu!' on June 26, 2026, featuring line art from 16 characters of Persona 5 Royal and Persona 5: The Phantom X. Entrants color the line art on any device and post it on X with a hashtag. Prizes include pen tablets, PCs, Persona 5 goods, and an acrylic panel of the entry. The contest runs through July 19, 2026.
Atlus's Persona 5 Royal is 70% off on Steam, dropping from 7,678 yen to 2,303 yen. The sale runs through July 10. The RPG, a 2019 expanded version of the 2016 original, holds an Overwhelmingly Positive rating from over 86,000 reviews on the platform.
Sega released the free Emergency Pack DLC for Farming Simulator 25 on June 25, 2026. The DLC adds firefighting, rescue, and technical support missions alongside traditional farming, with 4 scenarios and 10 emergency types. It includes two Schlingmann fire trucks and supports up to 9 players in multiplayer.
ZOZOTOWN will release a ZOZOTOWN-exclusive "TOY STORY" COLLECTION starting June 29 at 12:00 JST, featuring T-shirts and a storage box tied to the upcoming film "Toy Story 5." The collection includes four types of lottery-sale T-shirts, each limited to 555 pieces, printed with art that gathers characters from the new film. Two of those shirts are the "Big Gathering T-Shirt" and the "Tech Trio Design T-Shirt," both priced at 5,555 yen. A "Storage Box" costs 2,420 yen. Separately, four made-to-order "Rough Sketch T-Shirts" depict Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, and character pairs with phrases evoking their personalities, priced at 5,720 yen each. A "Peek-a-Boo T-Shirt" is also available for 4,400 yen. The shirts use a hybrid heritage fabric meant to reproduce the rough texture of 1980s American T-shirts. The lottery application and order period runs until August 3 at 12:00 JST, with lottery results emailed around August 5. Shipping is scheduled from mid-September to mid-October 2026. A social media campaign will give away three "Storage Boxes" to winners who follow ZOZOTOWN's X account and repost a specific post. The collection commemorates the July 3 theatrical release of "Toy Story 5," the first film in the series in seven years.
Publisher Alawar announced on June 26 that its horror simulation game Security 51 will launch on Steam on July 27. The game casts players as a security guard at a facility beneath Area 51, tasked with checking documents, permits, and credentials of people passing through a checkpoint to a dangerous elevator area. Suspicious visitors may be infiltrating janitors, enemy spies, or non-human entities. The full version adds systems not present in the demo, including blood sample analysis and microscopic examination of specimens, plus new locations deeper in the facility. Players can also use surveillance cameras inside the facility as evidence, spotting anomalies such as a person emerging from an elevator that should be empty or an employee who left the facility reappearing. The game draws inspiration from Papers, Please and Paranoia SCP. A demo version is currently available on Steam, and the store page lists Japanese language support.
Grasshopper Manufacture released the first major update for its action-adventure game ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN on Steam on June 26, adding a costume change function, a photo mode, and collaboration outfits from the indie game Hotline Miami. The update, named "ROMEO'S UPDATED, MAN," is available for the PC version, with a similar update planned for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Players who have cleared the game can change Romeo's appearance in his room on the time ship, choosing from three masks and eight jacket types. The Hotline Miami collaboration includes outfits based on the characters Jacket and Biker. Other costumes reference past Grasshopper Manufacture titles, including a Tiger Jacket series tied to a hitman character and a Demon Jacket linked to a legendary demon hunter. The photo mode allows camera adjustment, color correction, depth of field control, and frame art. A 20% off sale on Steam and a 10% off bundle with Hotline Miami are also live. ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN launched in February 2026 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, and currently holds an 88% positive rating on Steam from approximately 1,900 reviews.
Volume 4 of the manga adaptation of "Did You Think You Could Live Normally in a World with a 1:5 Male-to-Female Ratio? ~When Girls with Heavy Emotions Are Toyed with by an Unaware Guy~" was released on June 26. The obi (book jacket) features a recommendation comment from Makoto Ito, the protagonist of the visual novel and anime "School Days." Ito's comment reads: "Who decided you have to focus on just one person?" The manga, illustrated by Momoyuki U and based on a light novel by Kōtarō Sandō, follows Shōto, a man transported to a world where the male-to-female ratio is 1:5. His respectful treatment of women, rooted in his original world's values, unintentionally charms them, leading to possessive and sometimes stalker-like behavior. The series is serialized in Monthly Shonen Ace and has been running since 2024. The original light novel author also reacted on social media, calling the endorsement a "hot cheer from that legend." "School Days" was originally released as an adult PC game by Overflow in 2005 and later adapted into a 2007 anime known for its shocking romantic drama.
FCNT announced on June 25 the arrows Alpha2 F-51G, a new top-tier smartphone for NTT docomo. Release is scheduled for late August 2026 or later, with pricing unannounced. The device is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Extreme chipset, with a base configuration of 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. An indigo model available through the docomo online shop offers 12GB RAM and 512GB storage. The 6.4-inch LTPO organic EL display supports a 144Hz refresh rate and 3000 nits peak brightness. A 5370mAh silicon-carbon battery supports 90W fast charging, reaching full charge in about 40 minutes. The main camera uses a Sony LYTIA 710 50.3-megapixel sensor, paired with a 49.9-megapixel ultra-wide camera and a 49.9-megapixel front camera, all capable of 4K/60fps video. The body meets MIL-STD-810H standards across 23 items and passes an in-house drop test from 1.8 meters. The phone includes arrows AI, a multimodal assistant for transcription, notification summaries, image generation, and playlist creation, plus Google Gemini, Perplexity, and Copilot. It also features an action key for quick AI or payment app launch and a pulse wave sensor for autonomic nerve measurement. Color options are Indigo, White, Red, and Blue Green, with Red and Blue Green exclusive to the docomo online shop. FCNT promises up to three Android OS updates and five years of security updates.
Sega announced the Ver.4.4 update and 1st anniversary campaign for Persona 5: The Phantom X (P5X) on June 24, 2026. The update adds a Hatsune Miku collaboration event titled "Miracle Concert," where players earn Miku Points through music games and boss battles. Hatsune Miku appears as a new ★5 character in a pickup contract. The anniversary campaign includes a free 5-star character selection ticket (Special Invitation Ticket Vol. 3) that lets players choose from seven characters including Sua Tropical, Tomoko Peach Summer, Masaki Ashiya, and Futaba Sakura. Players can receive free crystals equal to their login days multiplied by 10, up to a maximum of 3,650. Additional rewards include 1,000 crystals for reading the collaboration story, up to 1,500 crystals from the mini-game, and a login bonus of platinum tickets and miricoins. An arranged version of "Life Will Change" is added to the game. The update also adds Masaki Ashiya to the regular draw pool. Outside the game, a collaboration sake with the HINEMOS brand is available for pre-order, and an Animate fair is planned for August.
Singapore-based venture studio Kasagi Labo announced a new project tentatively titled Casshan 2045 at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. The reimagining of Tatsunoko Production's classic 1973 anime Shinzō Ningen Casshan features original character design concepts by Final Fantasy artist Yoshitaka Amano.
Singapore-based anime venture studio Kasagi Labo announced multiple projects during its MIFA presentation at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival on June 24. The company unveiled a new film connected to the Ninja Scroll franchise, with Masao Maruyama, producer of the original 1993 film and co-founder of Madhouse and MAPPA, serving as special creative advisor. Kasagi Labo also announced a theatrical feature adaptation of the viral YouTube short Living in a World Without Magic, which has amassed over six million views. The screenplay is by Michiko Yokote, known for Cowboy Bebop, Bleach, and Shirobako. Two additional projects were revealed: Casshan 2045, a reimagining of Tatsunoko Production's 1973 classic with character designs by Final Fantasy artist Yoshitaka Amano, and Ars Gratia, an original sci-fi feature from director Ilya Kuvshinov developed with Good Smile Company and Liden Films. The company also provided production updates on its feature GATE 2 and the original sci-fi series Special Kid Factory, from talent behind ID: Invaded. Kasagi Labo is using its AnimeOshi platform to gather fan feedback and crowdfunding through an 'Open Pitch' model, which it presented as an alternative to the traditional production committee system.
Hakusensha's monthly shoujo manga magazine LaLa will hold a 50th anniversary original art exhibition in Tokyo and Osaka. The Tokyo venue runs from July 17 to August 3 at Shinjuku Takashimaya. The Osaka venue runs from September 5 to 27 at Namba Parks Museum. The exhibition, titled "50th Anniversary LaLa Original Art Exhibition ~Enchanting Creation~", displays over 200 original artworks by 76 artists, from legendary creators to current serializers. It also features past covers, the first issue from 1976, name drafts, and other materials that trace the magazine's history. Photo spots and an interactive corner where visitors can leave their own "heart-pounding" moments are planned. Admission gifts include illustration cards that change by day of the week; when all five types are collected they form a frame featuring characters from 10 series. A collaboration cafe will run at the Osaka venue from September 5 to 27. Official goods such as a visual book, tote bags, and key charms will be sold.
Indie game brand ASTRA announced on June 24 that it will release 'Humanity Optimization Plan Eden Protocol - Order of 2125' for PC. The game is a cybercrime hunt adventure set in 2125, where an AI system called AEGIS manages human emotions, relationships, and actions under the 'AI Act' to maintain a zero-crime utopia. Players act as surveillance collaborators, analyzing citizens' data to find and restrain violators. Twelve criminals have been revealed, charged with offenses ranging from major system modification to excessive sugar intake. The cast includes voice actors from the Acacia group, such as Yusei Kano and Momoka Sae. The protagonist Yamada Sovereign is voiced by Rie Tachibana. The game is the first title from ASTRA, a new brand by Astro Production. An ARG-style promotion is underway on social media. The price is set at 3,980 G (no yen symbol). Further details are expected from June 25.
The manga adaptation of Heiseiowari's The Kind Adventurer and the Reincarnated Girl is listed to end with its fourth volume, scheduled for release on August 10. The series launched in December 2024 and will conclude after less than two years. The original novel series continues, with its third volume released digitally in June 2025.
The spinoff manga PARANORMASIGHT: File 25 - Reikan Shōjō Kurosuzu Mio no Kaigō will conclude with its second volume, shipping August 6. The series, by Hinase Momoyama, tells an original story set after the events of Square Enix's game PARANORMASIGHT: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo. The manga launched on Square Enix's Manga UP! platform in November 2025, with the first volume released in February 2026.