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10h ago
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.
1d ago
MSY's audio and gaming accessories brand GRAPHT announced its first collaboration with the Persona series, timed to the franchise's 30th anniversary. The collection, sold under the ASOBI GRAPHT line that develops products with game IPs, centers on 'THE SPECIAL - EARPHONES PERSONA 30th Anniversary Edition,' a 9,900 yen earphone based on GRAPHT's THE STANDARD model. The Atlus Sound Team listened to and selected the tuning. Pre-orders opened September 7 on the GRAPHT OFFICIAL STORE. The earphones will not be sold at the venue, but will be on display and available for listening at the GRAPHT exhibition booth (Hall10-C08) at Tokyo Game Show 2026, running September 17-21 at Makuhari Messe, alongside a playable demo of Persona 4 Revival. All other items, including eight T-shirt designs, desk mats, a stainless steel thermal tumbler, acrylic art blocks, embroidered stickers, arcade controller buttons, and trading can badges, get early sales at the GRAPHT merchandise booth (Hall10-W30). Those items are scheduled for online sale around early October.
1d ago
Dengeki Hobby Web reports new merchandise for the kaidoru characters Blitz & Kisskill Lila from Persona 5: The Phantom X. Three items are now available for pre-order at Ebten: a square can badge two-piece set, an acrylic slide keychain, and an acrylic stand. All three are scheduled to ship in early November 2026. The badge set is priced at 1,210 yen, while the keychain and stand each cost 1,540 yen, tax included.
1d ago
Sukeban Games announced that .45 Parabellum Bloodhound, its new cyberpunk action game, will be playable at Tokyo Game Show 2026. The studio behind the bartending sim VA-11 Hall-A plans a Steam release for fall 2026. The demo runs September 17-21 at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, with the studio's booth in the indie area. The game stars Leila Mikazuchi, a former soldier, and uses a combat system that mixes real-time and turn-based shooting.
2d ago
Dengeki Hobby Web summarizes new model train announcements from the 25th International Railway Model Convention held August 21-23, 2026, at Tokyo Big Sight. KATO showcased its upcoming THE ROYAL EXPRESS cruise train and Keio 5000/5100 series, while TOMIX displayed EF58 locomotives and the Salon Express Tokyo. HO and Z gauge items from other makers were also covered.
2d ago
KADOKAWA will hold a Birthday online fair for Shū ni Ichido Kurasumeito o Kau Hanashi starting September 10, 2026. New merchandise using illustrations drawn by U35 will be sold at Kadostore and other online stores. The lineup includes an A4 Character Fine Graph, acrylic stands, a B2 wall hanging, and an acrylic diorama, plus trading items. The fine graph comes with a bonus SS card by author Usa Hada covering birthday episodes for Shiori Miyagi and Hazuki Sendai.
3d ago
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.
5d ago
Aoshima Bunka Kyozai-sha is adding two kits to its 1/12 scale The Bike plastic model series, both due in January 2027. The Kawasaki Z1A 900 SUPER4 '74 reproduces the 1974 export model in tiger color, with rubber tires, vinyl pipes, and metal screws. The Honda Z50J Gorilla '78 recreates the 1978 catalog specification of the long-running Monkey derivative. Prices are 3,520 yen and 1,540 yen, excluding tax.
5d ago
Rokuhan is releasing two Z gauge sets that reproduce the 500 Series Shinkansen's retirement commemorative logo, ahead of the train's full retirement in July 2027. The 8-car set (T013-8) forms the full V8 formation and includes stickers for the logo on cars 1 and 7. A 5-car add-on set (T013-9) holds only middle cars and combines with separately sold sets. Both ship October 31, 2026, and are available for preorder on Amazon.
5d ago
During the September 3, 2026 State of Play broadcast, GPTRACK50 released the third trailer for its action RPG Stupid Never Dies and made a demo version available. The demo, called FIRST BITE DEMO, went live on September 4 and includes content nearly identical to the full version, covering approximately the first two hours of the game. Save data from the demo can be transferred to the full version when it launches on October 22 for PC (Steam) and PS5. The game follows Davy, the weakest zombie in a monster world, who challenges dangerous dungeons to revive a frozen woman named Julia. Players use Style Eat to devour enemies and steal their abilities, and Body Hack to strengthen body parts, enabling rapid growth from the weakest state. Sega joined as co-publisher in July 2026. The game is priced at 7,689 yen including tax, with a digital deluxe edition called Stupid Never Dies: Gorgeous Baka Edition also planned.
5d ago
Developer 5minlab announced World Fiction Management Alliance: WPCA on September 3. The action game supports solo play and online co-op for up to 3 players. Players become agents who isolate supernatural beings invading the real world. The game appeared at Sony's State of Play Japan event. It is scheduled for release in 2028 on PS5 and PC via Steam.
5d ago
Krafton showed the latest footage for the action RPG 'World Fiction Management Federation: WPCA' during Sony's State of Play broadcast on September 3, 2026. The game, developed by 5minlab, is set in Seoul, South Korea, where players take on the role of young 'Isolators' from the Seoul branch of the World Fiction Management Federation. Their mission is to isolate 'Fictions,' supernatural horrors that invade reality and threaten humanity. The trailer opens with a horror tone but shifts to stylish battles against giant bosses, suggesting the action elements take priority. The game is scheduled for release in 2028 on PC and PS5. Denfaminicogamer adds that players can step into enemy weak points instantly or lure giant monsters to targeted positions. Weapons and 'Core Interference Devices' are crafted from remnants of defeated monsters, allowing players to build combat styles by combining skills and equipment. The game supports solo play and online co-op for up to three players, with seamless switching between the two modes.
6d ago
Meta Osaka will hold the XNAMBA MUSIC FESTIVAL -2025- Encore Screening on September 23, 2026, at Ikebukuro HUMAX Cinemas in Tokyo. The event marks the first anniversary of the virtual music festival held at Zepp Namba in Osaka on September 13, 2025, which drew 1,800 attendees. Cheering, clapping, and glow sticks are permitted.
6d ago
Level-5 will stream its online presentation LEVEL5 VISION 2026 II: Dream (also rendered Yume) on September 10 at 9 PM Japan time. The company announced the event on September 3, 2026, saying it plans to reveal various latest information on its titles, though it has not disclosed which titles will appear. The program will air on Level-5's official YouTube channel, with English and Traditional Chinese subtitles planned. A stream page will be released at a later date. This is the latest installment of LEVEL5 VISION, the company's recurring online event for new title announcements. At the previous edition, LEVEL5 VISION 2026 Takumi, held in April 2026, Level-5 provided follow-up information on Professor Layton and the New World of Steam and details on Snack World Reloaded and Puchipoyon of the Fantasy World. As of the time of the announcements, Level-5's unreleased titles include those three plus Decapolice, Inazuma Eleven RE, and Holy Horror Mansion. The company has not said what will be shown at the September event, and it warned against unauthorized re-uploading of the broadcast.
6d ago
JAPANNEXT released the JN-V65U2-M, a 65-inch 4K LCD monitor with a VA panel, on September 3, 2026. The direct sales price is 109,980 yen, with extended warranty models available: the JN-V65U2-M-H3 at 115,480 yen for a 3-year warranty and the JN-V65U2-M-H5 at 120,980 yen for a 5-year warranty. The standard model carries a 2-year manufacturer warranty. The monitor offers 3840x2160 resolution, a 5000:1 contrast ratio, 400 cd/m2 maximum brightness, sRGB 100% color gamut, and HDR400-equivalent performance. It includes a USB port for digital signage playback from USB memory, and connection terminals include three HDMI 2.0 ports, a video/audio input, component input, optical audio output, and audio output. The monitor supports 400x400mm VESA mounting and comes with 8W x2 speakers and a remote control. Dimensions are approximately 1445mm wide, 299mm deep, and 908mm high with the stand, and about 1445mm wide, 68mm deep, and 842mm high without it, weighing approximately 16kg. JAPANNEXT positions the monitor for conference room presentations, digital signage, and movie viewing.
6d ago
D4 Enterprise released EGG Console Volfes and the 5 Demons MSX on September 3, 2026, as the 114th EGG Console title. The 880 yen re-release of the 1987 MSX action RPG puts players in control of apprentice mage Volfes, who must defeat the great demon Naikin Naikis while collecting jars that summon helpful demons.
6d ago
A documentary film approaching the end of Arashi's activities will stream exclusively on Prime Video from December 15. The film is produced by Arashi Inc., with Hirokazu Kore-eda as general director. Archive footage of the group's final tour will follow on December 21, and nine past live videos will stream from September 15.
Sep 2
Microsoft detailed the games joining Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass between September 1 and September 15, 2026. Seven titles enter the library, headlined by the full release of the co-op survival craft RuneScape: Dragonwilds and the Day 1 addition of SpeedRunners 2: King of Speed. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War and Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage also join, alongside the TCG Card Shop Simulator 1.0 release, an EA Sports NHL 27 trial, and an Animo subscriber bonus.
Sep 2
Piranha Games announced the ninth DLC for MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries, Ashes & Ascension, launching October 2026 on PC via Steam. It is set during the First Whitting Conference of 3058-3060 and brings an 18-mission campaign with new cinematics, five new career mode faction starts, 10 high-reward crates, 13 Clan mechs, Inner Sphere omni mechs and variants, 11 new weapons, and new vehicle variants. Free update details come September 8.
Sep 2
Bandai Spirits has announced the Origin of Valkyrie VF-1S Valkyrie Roy Focker Special + Super Pack Set 45th Anniv. Preorders open September 1 at general retail, with release planned for March 2027 at 19,800 yen. It is the second entry in the revived line, following the VF-1J Valkyrie 45th Anniv. that began preorders August 3.
Sep 2
Dengeki Hobby Web's editorial ranking of Amazon's hobby new-arrival bestsellers in the plastic model category, current as of September 2, 2026, puts Kotobukiya's Arcadia Vanir at number one. The twin demon-type Diers kit, designed by Nidy-2D-, is the latest in the Arcadia line. Bandai Spirits' 30MF Necrosmephisto takes second, followed by Gundam decals, 30MF class-up armor, Hasegawa's Mospeada armored cycle, and 30MM Spinatia beast spec.
Sep 2
OPPO's Reno16 5G, released in August 2026, is now listed on Amazon Japan at 80,820 yen. The SIM-free phone pairs a 6.3-inch, 182g body with a 6700mAh battery, 80W SUPERVOOC charging, a 120Hz display, and a Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chip with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage. All cameras run around 50 megapixels, and the phone adds a Snap Key shortcut button, IP69K dust and water resistance, and an AI Mind Pilot feature that compares answers from Gemini, Perplexity, and ChatGPT.
Sep 2
Love Transit 35+, the new series in the Prime Video dating reality franchise, streams October 22 at 8 PM. All 10 participants are 35 or older, a new concept for the show, and former married couples join the five former couples who do not know each other's exes. The eight episodes roll out over three weeks.
Aug 31
The PEACH-PIT 25th Anniversary Special Exhibition will run 24 days at the Efreed Building in Nagoya, from September 19 to October 12, 2026. The schedule begins on a Saturday and ends on a holiday, easing travel plans for out-of-town visitors. Full details are on the official website.
Aug 31
Chinese marketing analysis firm DataEye reports that 89 of the top 100 anime and dramas on Douyin in May 2026 were AI-produced. The China Netcasting Services Association counted roughly 128,000 short dramas released in China in the first quarter of 2026, with 95% generated by AI. ByteDance's video-generating models, including Seedance 2.5, are driving the surge.
Aug 31
BANDAI SPIRITS has revealed the A prize for Ichiban Kuji BLEACH Stirring Souls vol.5, a MASTERLISE figure of Ichigo Kurosaki in the new Bankai form that appears in the final cour of the TV anime Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War - The Conflict. The image was released early on the official Ichiban Kuji X account. The lottery also includes a B prize Toshiro Hitsugaya figure in his adult form, a C prize Yoruichi Shihouin figure in her Shunko Black Cat Warrior form, and a Last One prize Kenpachi Zaraki figure in his red ogre-like appearance during Bankai. The remaining D through H prizes and the Double Chance Campaign reward are still unannounced. Ichiban Kuji BLEACH Stirring Souls vol.5 will be released sequentially from September 19, 2026, at Seven-Eleven, Ito-Yokado, and Youme Town stores. Each draw costs 850 yen including tax. The series is credited to Tite Kubo, Shueisha, TV Tokyo, dentsu, and Pierrot.
Aug 30
At gamescom 2026, Maverick Games' Mike Brown and Ben Penrose detailed CLUTCH, an open-world driving game set in Monaco. The title splits playtime between professional R1K circuit racing and the underground Midnight Collective, with a story by Skins writer Jamie Brittain. Brown, former Forza Horizon 5 creative director, said the narrative gives meaning to wins and losses.
Aug 30
ASCII.jp's second-part review of PC Shop SEVEN's ZEFT R65YC gaming PC checks performance, noise, and real-game results. The unit, priced at 758,780 yen, uses a Ryzen 7 9800X3D and RTX 5070 Ti inside a Noctua and Antec collaboration case. It delivered comfortable play at max quality in Forza Horizon 6 while staying in the 30dB range.
Aug 29
Ichiban Kuji Anime "Jujutsu Kaisen" 5th Anniversary FINAL! launches sequentially from September 26, 2026, at 800 yen per draw. The lineup includes MASTERLISE figures of Yuji Itadori and Yuta Okkotsu, plus a Satoru Gojo MASTERLISE as the Last One Prize and in the Double Chance Campaign.
Aug 29
Hobby Japan is producing a 1/24 scale die-cast finished model of Shu Hideyoshi's SUZUKI GSX750S KATANA from the manga Bari Bari Densetsu. The model reproduces the bike's signature muffler, handlebars, and mirrors. It retails for 4,290 yen including tax, with orders open now at Post Hobby and hobby shops nationwide.
Aug 29
Universal Studios Japan will release collaboration goods this fall pairing ONE PIECE with Jurassic Park, Detective Conan with Back to the Future, and a Junji Ito Tomie design with Halloween Horror Night's Street Zombies. Eiichiro Oda and Gosho Aoyama shared anniversary comments. Woody Woodpecker and Winnie Woodpecker debut as LINE stamps.
Aug 29
The fifth installment of the ONE PIECE x NBA collaboration figure series adds Ace and Sabo. Ace wears the NEW YORK KNICKS uniform and appears ready to release a basketball, while Sabo dribbles in the MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES uniform. Both figures are available for pre-order at e-BANPRESTO within Premium Bandai for 12,100 yen each, with shipping scheduled for February 2027.
Aug 29
Z.ai released its GLM-5.3 model as an open model on August 29, 2026, at 0:00 Japan time. The MoE model has 744 billion total parameters and 40 billion active parameters. Third-party organization Artificial Analysis gave it an Intelligence Index score of 60 and an Agentic Index score of 59.
Aug 29
Bandai is releasing Precure All Stars Q posket Miniature Collection 2 at gashapon locations nationwide starting in the fifth week of August. The second installment of the miniature figure line features four characters from Yes! Precure 5 GoGo!: Cure Lemonade, Cure Mint, Cure Aqua, and Milky Rose. Each item costs 500 yen including tax.
Aug 29
Bandai Spirits will release the Origin of Valkyrie VF-1S Valkyrie Roy Focker Special + Super Pack Set 45th Anniv. in March 2027. Pre-orders open September 1. The set includes the Super Pack bonus part, new leg roll axes, and added head articulation. It follows the VF-1J 45th Anniv. set.
Aug 29
Microsoft set a pre-order date for the Xbox Series X25, a limited edition Xbox Series X marking the 25th anniversary of Xbox. The bundle includes a specially designed console with an engraved serial number, a matching controller, and a download of Halo: Campaign Evolved. It costs $899.99 USD and releases November 13, 2026. The Xbox Wireless Controller X25 Special Edition is sold separately for 11,100 yen, releasing October 20, 2026.
Aug 29
Commodore, under license from Team17, announced 'Alien Breed 35th Anniversary Collection,' developed by Antstream. The compilation includes early Amiga titles from the 'Alien Breed' series with twin-stick controls, higher frame rates, mid-game saves, and new modes. It also features a gallery with canceled PSP and RTS versions, plus developer interviews. It releases September 24 for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Switch.
Aug 29
Kia is re-entering Japan through Kia PBV Japan, a Sojitz subsidiary, launching the PV5 Cargo and PV5 Passenger EV vans. Prices range from 6.19 million yen to 7.69 million yen. The company targets 1,000 units in 2026, leveraging subsidies up to 1.96 million yen and a low-floor design of 419 mm.
Aug 29
BANDAI SPIRITS revealed the full prize lineup for Ichiban Kuji Anime 'Jujutsu Kaisen' 5th Anniversary FINAL! The set includes MASTERLISE figures of Yuji Itadori and Yuta Okkotsu, an acrylic board with newly drawn illustrations, big acrylic stands, clear posters, rubber charms, and a Satoru Gojo MASTERLISE figure as the Last One Prize. Each ticket costs 800 yen including tax. In-store sales start September 26, 2026, with online sales beginning October 8, 2026.
Aug 29
Bandai announced the 3rd entry in the Precure Narikiri DX Fight Collection gashapon series, releasing on Gashapon Online starting August 28, 2026, at 11:00 AM. The set includes five items: Dream Torch from Yes! Precure 5, Princess Candle from Smile PreCure!, Love Pre Brace from HappinessCharge PreCure!, Twinkle Stick from Star Twinkle PreCure, and Heart Rouge Rod from Tropical-Rouge! PreCure. Each play costs 400 yen, with delivery around late December 2026.
Aug 29
Fine Molds has announced four new 1/72 scale aircraft plastic model kits ahead of the 64th All Japan Model & Hobby Show, to be held at Tokyo Big Sight on October 3 and 4, 2026. The lineup includes the Imperial Japanese Navy Type 0 Carrier Fighter Type 21 and Type 22, the U.S. Air Force F-104C Fighter "Red Devils," and the F-4 Phantom II, plus F-104C and F-15DJ kits with new molds.
Aug 29
BANDAI SPIRITS announced the VF-1S Valkyrie Roy Focker Special + Super Pack Set 45th Anniv. action figure for The Super Dimension Fortress Macross. Preorders open at general retail stores on September 1, 2026. The 250mm figure includes a detachable Super Pack, a new head gimmick, and a replaceable canopy cover. Price is 19,800 yen, release in March 2027.
Aug 29
Premium Bandai opened reservations on August 27, 2026 for three CSM items from Kamen Rider 555: the Faiz Blaster, the Faiz Phone ver.2.5, and a set combining both. The Faiz Blaster is the transformation and weapon item for Blaster Form, three-dimensionalized at the largest scale in the CSM series. The Faiz Phone ver.2.5 updates the gimmicks of the previous version with new sounds, including elements from the 2024 film Kamen Rider 555 20th Paradise Regained.
Aug 29
BANDAI SPIRITS is re-releasing Voltes V as a commemorative edition for the 50th anniversary of its Chogokin brand. The Soul of Chogokin GX-31SP Voltes V CHOGOKIN 50th Ver. figure features plating on silver parts, anime-style paintwork based on GX-31V, and a new joint allowing the Eagle Machine to connect. Pre-orders open September 1, 2026, with release scheduled for January 2027 at 33,000 yen.
Aug 29
Capcom released the physical version of Devil May Cry 5 Devil Hunter Edition for Nintendo Switch 2 on August 28. Priced at 3,990 yen, the definitive edition includes playable Vergil and other added content, runs at 60fps in TV and handheld modes, and joins the download version already available. Series sales exceed 40 million copies worldwide.
Aug 29
Sennheiser will release the MOMENTUM True Wireless 5 on September 3, 2026. It is the brand's first wireless earbuds with user-replaceable batteries in both the earbuds and charging case. The earbuds offer up to 12 hours of playback, or 40 hours with the case, and support USB-C and Qi charging.
Aug 29
TV Asahi will air Aibou season 25 for two consecutive seasons starting in October, starring Yutaka Mizutani and Yasufumi Terawaki. The series, which began in 2000, sees the Sugishita Ukyo and Kameyama Kaoru duo enter their 12th year together, setting a new record as the longest-running current drama series in Japan.
Aug 29
D3 Publisher opened pre-orders for the download version of Earth Defense Force 5 for Nintendo Switch 2 on August 27, with a 10% discount during the pre-order period. The game launches October 8, 2026. A Deluxe Edition includes the main game, Season Pass, and bonus items. The second trailer also released.
Aug 29
SEGA announced on August 26 that Farming Simulator 25 has surpassed 5 million copies sold worldwide. The publisher also released a new trailer for the Beans & Alpacas expansion, due October 27, introducing the South American Catuaí map, coffee growing, alpaca and Brahman cattle raising, banana cultivation, and over 25 new vehicles.
Aug 28
TOYS CABIN will release "Maou Damashii Sound Button Collection," a capsule toy with sound gimmicks featuring popular tracks from the free music material site Maou Damashii, starting in December. Each play costs 500 yen including tax. Pressing the button plays about 30 seconds of a track's chorus, including "Shining Star" and "Burning Heart." The secret includes a song exclusive to the capsule toy.