The Elusive Samurai Season 2 is set to premiere on July 13 on Fuji TV, with returning staff at CloverWorks and streaming on Prime Video.
The Elusive Samurai Season 2 has its premiere locked in for July 13 on Fuji TV, with a main promotional video that previews the opening theme song "Onigoto" by Kento Nakajima. The second season continues with director Yuta Yamazaki and character designer Yasushi Nishiya at CloverWorks, maintaining continuity from the first season. Prime Video will stream the series.
The announcement confirms the full creative team and a concrete broadcast date, giving viewers a clear timeline for the return of the anime adaptation of Yūsei Matsui's manga. The opening theme reveal and promotional video offer the first extended look at the new season's content.
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Netflix announced it will add the television anime of Akimi Yoshida's Banana Fish manga in select regions on August 12. The series previously streamed on Amazon Prime Video with subtitles, but left that service recently. The 2018 MAPPA adaptation updates the setting to modern day New York.
Tomofumi Ogasawara launched the official crossover manga between Code Geass and Gundam Wing, titled Shin Kidō Senki Gundam W x Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch: Minuet Zero, on Kadokawa's KadoComi platform on Friday. Kōjirō Taniguchi from Sunrise is credited with the scenario.
The non-credit opening video for the original TV anime Goodbye Lara, Kinema Citrus's 15th anniversary project, has been released. The opening uses cel animation, a traditional hand-drawn technique, and features handwritten staff credits. The series is based on The Little Mermaid and follows mermaid princess Lara reviving in Lake Biwa 200 years after her original story.
Dwango and the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks announced on July 12 that Animelo Summer Live, commonly called Anisama, will hold its first event in western Japan. Titled ANISAMA FUKUOKA 2027, the two-day anime song festival is scheduled for March 13 and 14, 2027, at Mizuho PayPay Dome Fukuoka. The event is a new expansion for the annual summer concert series, which has been held in the Kanto region since 2005. The 20th edition in 2025 drew a record 87,000 attendees over three days. Organizers said the Fukuoka event aims to make the venue a new "anime song holy land" in western Japan. The usual summer Kanto edition will continue as normal, with Animelo Summer Live 2027 planned for August 27-29, 2027, at GMO Saitama Super Arena. Additional details, including performing artists and ticket information, are expected to be announced around autumn 2026. The event is co-organized by Dwango and the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, the professional baseball team whose home stadium is Mizuho PayPay Dome.
Shika, known for her figure and photo session popularity, released her 8th DVD 'Reincarnation' on July 4 at a Sofmap event in Akiba. She had graduated from image DVDs with her February 2024 work 'There's a Limit to Being Scandalous' but restarted after the director's persuasion. The 134-minute disc includes a school uniform scene and a competitive swimsuit she tears.
UNIQLO will release a collaboration UT collection with music unit YOASOBI on July 17, 2026. The lineup includes four graphic T-shirt designs created by four artists who have built YOASOBI's visual world. Each shirt costs 1,990 yen and is available in sizes XS to 4XL. The collaboration is the first between YOASOBI and UNIQLO's UT line in about five years.
Pre-orders have opened for a 1/7 scale figure of Hestia from the fifth season of Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? The figure reproduces the secret ritual scene from Episode 9, stands 24 cm tall, and is priced at 28,050 yen. Release is scheduled for May 2027.
Mega Cat Project has released cat versions of One Piece characters as diner staff figures. The six-figure set includes Luffy, Zoro, Nami, Sanji, Chopper, and Trafalgar Law, each with food accessories. Pre-orders are open now for a late December 2026 release at 6,600 yen per box.
The 7-member virtual idol group FouRTe Project will digitally release their 7th single 'Melo Sapiens' on July 10, 2026, under JOI MUSIC. The hyper pop eurobeat track was produced by ☆Taku Takahashi of m-flo and Kanata Okajima. A campaign for member voice lines runs through July 26. The group's first offline live, 'ALL IN,' is set for August 14 at Zepp DiverCity Tokyo.
Anime! Anime!'s annual reader survey asked which female character looks best in a yukata. Ran Mouri from Detective Conan took first place with about 20% support, followed by Hinata Hyuga from Naruto at about 13% and Mahiru Shiina from The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten at about 4%. The poll ran from June 9 to June 17 and received 434 responses.
The synopsis and preview cuts for Episode 3 of Mushoku Tensei III: Isekai Ittara Honki Dasu have been released. The episode, titled The Return of Everyday Life, shows Rudeus settling into domestic life with his second wife Roxy, first wife Sylphiette, and their family, and returning to Ranoa Magic University. Cliff reacts negatively to Rudeus introducing Roxy as his wife due to religious beliefs. The episode airs July 12.
A limited edition Zippo lighter inspired by the manga "Initial D" has been released through the goods brand CAMSHOP.JP. Only 50 units are available at 27,500 yen each. The lighter features a black nickel finish with laser-engraved mountain pass battle scenes and a serial number.
CQ LABS released Crusader Quest: Heroes Town on March 31 for PC and Mac. The idle RPG lets players collect pixel-art heroes, rebuild Hero Village, and rescue goddesses. Developer Alan discussed the game's origins, its busier-than-typical idle gameplay, and a tough post-launch period where update-and-hotfix cycles became routine.
The Ichiban Kuji "Tamagotchi ~Guruguru Discovery! Tamagotchi Paradise!~" will be released sequentially from July 25, 2026 at Lawson and other stores. The kuji features 10 prize grades from A to Last One, with each draw costing 750 yen. Prizes include a Tamagotchi Paradise-shaped alarm clock, a Deka Babymarutchi blanket-in-cushion, a UFO light, and other decorative and practical items.
The anime "One Piece Heroines" collaborated with shoe brand Diana to reproduce Nami's "battle-ready shoes" as wearable sandals. The sandals feature ocean-blue satin, a heel silhouette, and stones. They are available from July 6, 2026, for 25,300 yen at Diana stores and the web shop. A newly drawn Nami illustration is the collaboration visual.
Pre-orders for the Danganronpa 1・2 Reload and Thank You Mart collaboration merchandise open July 10 at the official online shop. The 17-item lineup, all priced at 390 yen, includes tote bags, eco bags, keytop keychains, and other daily-use goods featuring Monokuma designs. Store sales begin in late October 2026.
The music unit MyM, formed by Morisanchu's Oshima and Gambareluya members Yoshiko and Mahiru, will release a collaboration song with the classic magical girl anime Magical Angel Creamy Mami on July 29, 2026. The track, "Delicate ni Suki Shite ~Creamy Maimu Ver.," features guest vocals from Takako Ota, the original voice of Creamy Mami. Pop-up stores in Tokyo and Osaka are planned for August.
MiliPro talent Nonono Otono released her sixth single 'Princess Viral' under the agency's in-house label Million RECORDS on July 10-11, 2026. The move marks her departure from Universal Music. The song was produced by VOCALOID creator yowanecity, with animation by Ichimaru.
Parade will release the second series of Chiikawa Mochiru Face Super BIG Plushies as prizes at amusement facilities across Japan from mid-July. The lineup includes Rabbit and Flying Squirrel designs, each about 40 cm tall and made from soft, mochi-like fabric.
Sega announced a new Luminasta prize figure of Baki Hanma, set for sequential release starting July 17. The figure stands about 12×18 cm and reproduces the character's muscles and scars. The announcement follows the second cour of the Baki Hanma anime, which launched on Netflix on June 18.
Bandai will release the gashapon set "MLB Capsule Torso Players Edition" from the third week of July 2026. The lineup includes six Japanese MLB players: Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Munetaka Murakami, Kodai Senga, Seiya Suzuki, and Lars Nootbaar. Each capsule contains a faithfully reproduced uniform torso. The price is 500 yen per pull.
Wave is reprinting its 1/7 scale figure of Uzaki Yanagi from 'Uzaki-chan Wants to Hang Out! ω' in a cow-pattern bikini. The pose and expression were designed by original creator Take Sensei. Pre-orders are open on Amazon Japan at 19,800 yen, with a scheduled release of December 31, 2026.
The spin-off mini-drama 'Kamen Rider Zetts SERIES OF SISTER'S SUBSTORY Agent Minami' concludes with 'Last Mission' streaming on Toei Tokusatsu Fan Club from July 19. An audio commentary for the TV series episode and a new 'Zetts Anime' episode are available now for members.
Bandai Spirits is releasing a new line of Undertale figures called Amicotto, designed to resemble hand-knitted amigurumi. The series includes seven characters: Flowey, Human, Toriel, Undyne, Alphys, Napstablook, and Mettaton. The figures roll out sequentially from July to October 2026. The Japan Amigurumi Association supervised the design to replicate yarn textures and hand-knitting distortions.
Takara Tomy's BEYBLADE X has announced its first collaboration with the Ultraman series, releasing a starter set themed after Ultraman Tiga on September 12, 2026. The set features interchangeable parts to replicate Tiga's three forms, a special launcher, and a sticker. It will be displayed at events in July and released in eight Asian regions.
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.
The TV anime Togen Anki is getting a Chinese-style DMM lottery starting July 11, 2026. Newly drawn illustrations feature six characters in Chinese outfits, including Ichinose Shiki and Kogasaki Jin. Prizes range from acrylic stands to can badges, with a cushion as the last chance prize. The lottery will be available at participating stores nationwide. The illustrations show the characters in standing collars and Chinese buttons, a departure from their usual battle scenes.
Game Spark's roundup of its most-read survival game articles for the first half of June 2026 spotlights three titles: 7 Days to Die's V3.0 experimental update, Survival Machine's full release, and Grounded 2's PS5 version and cross-platform update. The list reflects the games drawing the most reader interest on the site.
Infinite Loop released DLC for virtual singers MEIKO and KAITO on the Desktop Mate platform on July 9, 2026. The paid add-ons, each priced at 2,200 yen, are available on Steam and add new 3D models supervised by Crypton Future Media, along with original motions and voice lines. MEIKO, who debuted in November 2004 as the first Japanese-language virtual singer, can be seen striking poses, singing, fixing her hair, relaxing with a drink, and waving when pinched. KAITO, the first male Japanese virtual singer since February 2006, performs singing gestures, poses, eats ice cream, and exits with a polite bow. Both characters have an alarm function that displays them full-screen at a set time. Desktop Mate itself is a free app that displays 3D characters on the PC screen, with additional DLC available for other characters. With the release of MEIKO and KAITO, all six Piapro Characters are now represented in Desktop Mate.
The Pokepiece series, depicting Pokemon in a shared house, is releasing sports-themed merchandise at pop-up stores across Japan starting mid-July 2026. Items include pass cases, key rings, pouches, charm mascots, and plush boxes featuring Pikachu, Piplup, Rowlet, and others. Purchase bonuses vary by location.
Seven Net Shopping is holding a lottery sale for Pokemon TCG 30th Anniversary products. The expansion pack '30th CELEBRATION' and the '30th CELEBRATION Premium Deck Set Espeon & Umbreon' are eligible. Entry requires having ordered and received a product of 1 yen or more on Seven Net Shopping between June 1, 2025 and June 14, 2026. The expansion pack includes the new rarity 'FUR' Mew ex and Mewtwo ex, plus 30 holo Pikachu cards by 30 illustrators. The deck set includes Espeon ex and Umbreon ex decks with full art cards.
On July 11, 2026, developers LEMORION and HAGANEIRO released update 2.6.0 for the drawing hide-and-seek game Meccha Chameleon, adding the official collaboration map "HIKAKIN Museum." The map is themed around YouTuber HIKAKIN and includes photos of HIKAKIN and his brother SEIKIN, as well as items such as misokin and ONICHA. Special collaboration-exclusive gimmicks are also included. The update also introduces a controller support alpha version, though UI operations are not supported. Region tags for Japan, South Korea, and East Asia were added, a bug fix for hit detection when the doppelganger was hidden, and an adjustment expanding the hunter's field of view from 100 to 105. Meccha Chameleon launched on Steam on June 10, 2026, and by July 5 had sold over 15 million copies. The game is available for 790 yen on PC (Steam) and supports the cloud gaming service GeForce NOW. The collaboration with HIKAKIN was previously teased under the label "collaboration with a famous Japanese person."
The BL manga "Rainen no Koto o Ie, Ore ga Warau" concluded with the release of its second volume on July 10, 2026. To mark the occasion, a voice PV featuring Ryota Iwasaki and Reiji Kawashima was released. The story follows a hikikomori NEET who lives for sending postcards to his favorite comedian's radio show, until the comedian suddenly appears at his home. The series began in 2024 in the digital BL magazine Honey Milk.
Koi Shikarubeki ~Mayoiga Kara no Tegami~, a visual novel set in 1972 Japan by Narcissus writer Tōma Kataoka and developer neko neko soft, has launched on Steam. It is the first title from publisher OVERLAP GAMES' new visual novel brand. The story follows a boy who returns to a forbidden shrine and a girl trapped there. Full voice, chapter-based, 7-10 hours playtime.
Bandai Spirits' S.H.MonsterArts line is releasing a figure of Evangelion Unit-01 'G' Awakened Form from the Godzilla vs. Evangelion collaboration. Pre-orders start July 10, 2026, at the Tamashii Web Shop for 17,600 yen, with shipment in December 2026. The figure features new molds, Godzilla-inspired dorsal fins and tail, and a radioactive heat ray effect part.
Dengeki Hobby Web reports that Sentinel has announced a new action figure in the Fighting Armor line: Rescue, the armored partner of Iron Man. The figure features die-cast parts, drone and effect accessories, and an articulated design meant to mimic human movement. Pre-orders are open now, with a November 2026 release.
The live-action adaptation of Honobu Yonezawa's The Samurai and the Prisoner dropped to #4 in its third weekend at the Japanese box office. The 37th Anpanman film held at #5 in its second weekend. The 4K restoration of Kiki's Delivery Service ranked #8 in its third weekend. The new Sgt. Frog film opened at #10.
CHIRALITY has released HYPERFIST on Steam for free. The first-person action game, developed as a student project at DigiPen Institute of Technology, focuses on melee combat using a mechanical fist. Players take on the role of a local punk fighting a robot corporation. The game features a combo system, three stages, a giant boss, and a punk rock soundtrack with comic-style visuals.
At Anime Expo 2026, Kamome Shirahama and Dana Terrace participated in a public Q&A session at Kodansha House. The two creators discussed their mutual admiration, creative processes, and influences. Shirahama revealed Witch Hat Atelier took six years to develop, while Terrace expressed interest in an anime adaptation. They also shared insights on fantasy world-building and the theme of possibilities in Shirahama's work.
Bandai is taking pre-orders for a new gashapon set titled Hatsune Miku Machibouke. The set includes four deformed figures of Hatsune Miku, Kagamine Rin, Kagamine Len, and KAITO, each with a sad expression and sitting pose. The concept is "always waiting for you." Each figure costs 400 yen. Pre-orders close July 23, 2026, with shipping expected in October 2026.
Bandai is re-releasing the Pretend Owner Series Nissan Generations GT-R Collector Keys gashapon in July 2026. The set includes six key replicas representing GT-R generations from the KPGC10/KPGC110 to the R35, plus a secret variant. Each key is designed to look like the real car key. The price is 500 yen per pull. The re-release begins in the third week of July.
Frogwares released PC system requirements and a new trailer for The Sinking City 2, along with pre-order details for three editions. The game shifts from open-world investigation to survival horror, inspired by Resident Evil and Silent Hill. It launches August 18 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, with a demo on Steam.
Crunchyroll announced the English dub cast and staff for the television anime of Hekiru Hikawa's Hanaori-san Still Wants to Fight in the Next Life. The same-day dub will premiere on July 11, with Kelly Greenshield and Mauricio Ortiz-Segura among the cast. The anime debuts on Japanese TV and streams on Crunchyroll in multiple regions. LIDEN FILMS handles animation production.
AmiAmi has opened pre-orders for a re-release of the Pokémon Romantic Collection 6-Piece BOX, a set of six container-style figures. Originally released in February 2025, the set returns at a 29% discount for 5,380 yen and ships in early August. The lineup includes Primarina, Sylveon, Sprigatito, Jigglypuff, Alola Vulpix, and Galarian Ponyta.
The PC version of the hack-and-slash idle RPG 'Artes Note' will officially release on Steam on July 13, 2026. The game is a port of a mobile title with over 100,000 cumulative downloads. Players create characters by selecting race, job, and title, then send parties into automatic dungeon exploration. The game features approximately 1,000 equipment types, 85 dungeons, and a story exceeding 300,000 characters, with 93% of users finding it interesting. Demo save data can be transferred, and a 7.5th anniversary event runs until August 21.
GIGABlock Studio announced that the barrier defense game Dear Magical Girls will be released for free on Steam on July 31, 2026, with no microtransactions. Players control Arin, a magical girl in her fourth year of service, who must defend magic stones from demonic beasts by manipulating barriers. The game combines 2D story segments with tactical barrier deformation, and its narrative explores the protagonist's burnout and the hidden truth behind the magical girl system. The game supports Japanese language.
Avail will sell 'I'm Doraemon' eco-bags exclusively at the Shimamura Park online store starting July 13. The bags come in two designs-Anywhere Door and Memory Bread-priced at 2,750 yen each. The items are part of the Sanrio-designed Doraemon goods series.
Publisher Gamersky Games and developer Kinnymoms will release the deck-building roguelite cooking game 'Kiny to Meijoushigatai Odenya' on Steam on July 27, 2026. Players run an oden shop for cosmic beings, throwing ingredients like goblins, miners, and ores into a cauldron. Ingredients clash and fuse randomly with no fixed recipes. Reaching target scores unlocks cauldron expansions and cosmic relics. A demo is available now.
THQ Nordic and Ashborne Games have postponed the early access release of medieval city management sim The Guild - Europa 1410 from July 16 to September 2026. The delay allows the team to incorporate demo feedback and bundle content originally planned for the September update, including a new tutorial city, UI improvements, and multi-language support. The roadmap remains unchanged.
Kuraks is releasing Evangelion-themed Uruchuru POP SEAL puffy 3D stickers in November. The lineup includes Shinji, Rei, Asuka, the Evangelions, and the loose apostles. Each sticker set costs 660 yen.