Chiho Saitō's VS Lupin manga, based on Maurice Leblanc's Arsène Lupin, has ended. The final chapter appeared in the summer issue of Shogakukan's Zōkan Flowers magazine on Tuesday. The manga launched in the magazine's inaugural issue in 2012 and follows the gentleman thief in early 20th century Paris. Shogakukan published seven compiled volumes, the last in 2023.
Sony Interactive Entertainment announced a delay for the FlexStrike Wireless Fight Stick, its first fighting game controller for PS5 and PC. Originally set for August 6, 2026, in English-speaking regions, the release is pushed back due to unexpected production delays. It is not yet known if the delay will affect Japan.
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.
JINS will release collaboration eyewear with Ghost in the Shell on July 16, including JINS' first electronic dimming sunglasses limited to 1,000 units worldwide and four models of glasses with cyberpunk design. Prices are 29,900 yen for sunglasses and 19,900 yen each for glasses. The collaboration commemorates the latest TV anime.
The Japanese end song for the live-action Moana film, titled '旅立とう ～Along The Way～', will be performed by TSUZUMI (live-action Moana voice), Matsuya Onoe (live-action Maui voice), and Chinatsu Yabiku (animated Moana voice). The film opens July 31. A special video shows the US cast recording the same song.
K, a member of the group &TEAM, made his film debut as Nagi Seishiro in the live-action Blue Lock film at its world premiere in Tokyo on July 13. During the stage greeting, K expressed gratitude to the cast and staff and asked the audience if he could now call himself an actor, receiving applause. The film opens in Japan on August 7.
Samsung Health has added a consent toggle for using health data to train AI models. If users decline, a warning says their health data will be deleted unless retention is legally required. The feature has been spotted in some regions but not Japan. Samsung's help page says data such as activity, health records, medication, and menstrual cycles may be used, sometimes with human review. How-To Geek has contacted Samsung for more details.
Publisher Loopr Partners and developer Long Void Games announced DIEATHLON: Death Race, a single-player FPS where players ski down a snowy mountain while blasting a shotgun. The trailer shows a gatling gun, upgrades like increased reload speed and double jump, and branching routes. The game is scheduled for Q4 2026 on Steam, with a demo available now.
At Anime Expo 2026, nyalra, the writer of NEEDY GIRL OVERDOSE and Sister Other Paranoia, held a candid panel where he discussed how his loneliness drove him to social media success, the personal inspiration behind his games, and the double-edged sword of online fame. He answered fan questions about his creative process, his favorite visual novel (Saya no Uta), and the meaning of the character Ame-chan.
Satoshi Urushihara's first art collection in about 10 years, 'Satoshi Urushihara Art Collection -GLOSS & SHADOW-', will be released on September 28, 2026, by Frontier Works. The book contains over 130 illustrations from 2015 onward, including Langrisser and Monthly Young King works, plus new drawings. A reprint of his 1994 collection 'Satoshi Urushihara Cell Works' also ships that day. An exhibition in Shibuya and Hiroshima will feature cels, merchandise, and autograph sessions, but is restricted to adults.
Sanrio announced a two-day festival for Pom Pom Purin at Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse on September 12-13. The event, called Pomfes, marks the character's 30th anniversary and follows its first-place finish in the 2026 Sanrio Character Ranking. Admission is free, with paid front stage tickets. Live performances include Juice=Juice, asmi, and Monaki. Exclusive goods, food, and games are planned. Further details due in late August.
The fourth film in the 'Detective is in the Bar' series, titled 'Bye Bye Love: The Detective is in the Bar', has announced nine new cast members. The film is set for release on December 25, 2026, nine years after the previous installment. Directed by Kazuya Shiraishi and written by series screenwriter Ryota Furusawa, the movie stars Yo Oizumi as the detective and Ryuhei Matsuda as his partner Takada. The new cast includes Aju Makita as Akemi, a runaway high school girl and niece of recurring character Gen-chan; Koji Yamamoto as town mayor Okuji Yutaro; Takuma Oto as Mori Gousuke, president of a powerful local company; and Tomoya Nakamura as Adachi, the new underboss of the Kirihara group, replacing Yutaka Matsushige's character Aida. Additional cast members are Keiko Horiuchi as Misako, Toshinori Omi as Nakatani Shigeo, Hiromasa Taguchi as the Fukuoka yakuza Togashi, Takamitsu Nonaka as detective Midorikawa, and Shingo Mizusawa as Morino Kenkichi. The story follows the detective and Takada as they become entangled in a conspiracy after a request from Junko, played by Kyoka Suzuki.
Mao Nanami, known for the Real Girl manga which ran from 2011 to 2016 and inspired two anime seasons and a live-action film, will launch a new manga adaptation of Ryō Midorikawa's light novel Tensei Hakushaku Lilina no Kekkon in Square Enix's Gangan Online on July 26. The story follows a reincarnated countess navigating aristocratic society and a suspicious duke.
The August issue of Monthly Shonen Gangan announced that manga creator matoba will launch a new series titled 'Eden no Tō: Luluchikakunia to Tō no Meikyū' in the magazine's next issue on August 12. The manga is described as a 'girl meets girl x apocalypse world' story set in a fantasy world without heroes or demon lords, where girls explore labyrinthine dungeons. matoba previously created 'Studio Apartment, Good Lighting, Angel Included' and 'As Miss Beelzebub Likes.'
Dengeki Hobby Web published the Amazon Hobby bestseller ranking for plastic models as of July 13, 2026. Bandai's HGUC Gundam Mk-II (AEUG) took first, followed by HG Legend Gundam and 30MS Komiya Kaho. Kotobukiya's new Frame Arms Girl Ray Falx entered at fourth, while Sachi Plamo's VERT File Type-S ranked fifth during Amazon Prime Day.
Mitsubachi Miyuki's boys-love manga It's Strictly Business is getting a live-action television series. The announcement was made on the manga's official X account on Friday. The story follows college student Kiyo, who pretends to be gay to attract girls, only for his clubmate Issei to take the act seriously. Yen Press publishes the English edition, with the first volume shipping on September 22. The manga launched in Hakusensha's Hana to Yume in April 2021.
Dengeki Hobby Web published the Amazon.co.jp Toys New Arrivals Ranking for July 14, 2026. Toy Story 5 merchandise takes the top spot, with Tamagotchi Paradise White Glacier and Orange Tropics at second and third. Other entries include Pokémon, Hot Wheels, and Magic: The Gathering items.
SneakerStep and True&Lip, two 2.5D singer idol groups under STPR, are releasing summer-limited goods featuring their first yukata visuals. The merchandise goes on sale July 18 on the STPR ONLINE STORE. SneakerStep offers five items including star-shaped can badges and tanzaku keychains, while True&Lip's lineup includes name keychains and ribbon tote bags. The yukata visuals were also used in SneakerStep's recent 'Hoshiai' cover video.
The manga adaptation of Yuuri Seo's novel series The Saintess Recruited a Doting King Husband is ending with its 24th chapter, as announced by Square Enix's Manga UP! platform. The manga, drawn by Coma Hashii, launched in 2023 and has five compiled volumes. The web novel began in 2022.
Dynamo Amusement will open the limited-time VR attraction facility VR BASE TOKYO at Tokyo Tower Foot Town 3F from July 18 to September 6, 2026. The venue features three attractions, including the first location-based VR experience from the Aooni series, 'Aooni VR: Blueberry Mass Production Plan', and a Fuji-Q Highland roller coaster VR. The previous run in early 2025 drew about 20,000 visitors.
SNK released an animated trailer for Fatal Fury City of the Wolves teasing Rick Strowd, Duck King, Kim Kaphwan, and Laocorn Gaudeamus. The company previously announced season 3 will launch in July. The game debuted in April 2025 and has received multiple DLC characters since launch.
HoYoverse's closed beta test for Honkai: Nexus Anima, a new Honkai series game, features creature collection, exploration in Iatown, and auto-chess style battles. Players bond with Nexus Anima creatures, use their skills for traversal, and deploy them in strategic auto-battles. The branching main quest changes based on choices. Honkai series characters appear as Mirror Heart supports. The Evolution Test runs July 9-27.
Nintendo announced on July 14 that the Nintendo Museum in Uji City, Kyoto, will begin selling Nintendo Switch 2 merchandise at its Bonus Stage shop from July 15. Items include T-shirts, mugs, a ballpoint pen, a ring notebook, a pin set, and game software package stickers for Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza. The museum, which focuses on Nintendo's history, will now carry current-generation console merchandise.
Crunchyroll announced that its online store will become exclusive to Mega and Ultimate Fan subscription tiers starting in August. The company will announce a cutoff date for the current store version. Select items are now designated final sale, and returns will only be accepted for damaged or defective products. The updated store will feature curated drops and exclusive merchandise.
SD Gundam G Generation Eternal will add two new UR units from Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury on July 16. The units are Darilbalde (Season 2 spec) (EX) paired with Guel Jeturk, and Michaelis (Season 2 spec) (EX) paired with Shaddiq Zenelli. The game is available on iOS and Android.
Anime Feminist's review of Mebius Dust's first episode finds the original anime cluttered with forgettable characters, rushed pacing, and unclear worldbuilding. The show, a 2019 contest winner produced by Doga Kobo, fails to distinguish its superpowered capture-the-flag premise from other action anime, leaving the reviewer underwhelmed.
LINE stamps and a phone theme for the TV anime Kōri no Jōheki are now available. The stamps feature characters Koyuki, Miki, Minato, and Yota in key scenes, while the theme uses a fresh design. The first season aired from April to July 2026, and the second season is set for October. The merchandise is produced by Creative Plus and costs 250 yen for stamps and 370 yen for the theme.
Otakon announced it will host background art director Kazuki Higashiji at its 2026 event. Higashiji has worked on Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, Maquia, Angel Beats!, Hanasaku Iroha, and Charlotte. The convention also announced a policy change banning fan art sales in the dealers room, directing dealers to the artist alley instead.
NEXON Games' IO Division, the team behind Blue Archive, showed its new game Project RX to the public for the first time at Anime Expo 2026 in Los Angeles. A booth featured voice-recognition rock-paper-scissors interactions with characters. A vlog captured producer interviews where they said the team aims to avoid competing with Blue Archive and is not leading with combat content. Project RX is also scheduled for Tokyo Game Show 2026 in September.
The first episode of My Stepmother and Stepsisters Aren't Wicked aired, introducing Miya Nakamura who, after her mother's death, moves in with her stepmother and stepsisters. Contrary to fairy tale expectations, they are warm and welcoming, though Miya remains suspicious. The episode is praised for its heartwarming tone and Kujira's voice performance as the stepmother.
Anime Feminist reviews the first episode of Hanaori-san Still Wants to Fight in the Next Life, where former Demon King Ryusei and Hero Meteor are reincarnated as a teacher and high school student. The review praises the show for handling the age-gap romance with self-awareness, avoiding ickiness by having the characters view each other as former enemies rather than teacher-student. The reviewer found it charming and hilarious, already preordering the manga.
THQ Nordic and Campfire Cabal announced that Expeditions: Samurai will enter early access on August 7, 2026, for PC via Steam. A new trailer introduces eight companions. The game uses early access to incorporate stealth, environmental interaction, dynamic portraits, controller support, and co-op. Developer Campfire Cabal was formed by series creative director Jonas Wæver after leaving Logic Artists, which had shifted focus to NFTs. Full release is planned for Q1 2027.
SpaceCan has announced Concrete Carnage, a post-apocalyptic truck racing game heavily influenced by the original 1997 Carmageddon. Set in the toxic wasteland of Hexagon, players take on the role of 'gleaners' who run over pedestrians, crush rivals, and transport cargo. The game features six modes, eight trucks, real-time deformation, and a repair system. It is scheduled for release on PC via Steam.
DÉ DÉ MOUSE released the VOCALOID song "Beelzebub no Gretel" on July 15, 2026. The track is a dark fairy tale adaptation of Hansel and Gretel, serving as a sequel to his earlier song "Yugami Odoru" based on Andersen's The Red Shoes. The music video was created by the artist using collaged images and his own illustrations. DÉ DÉ MOUSE is known for his "melody cut-up" technique and has been active in VOCALOID production since 2025.
Game Spark's daily roundup of notable Steam games highlights three titles that have been in Early Access or officially released within the last three days and have over 100 review ratings. The list includes Stackflow, a Tetris-roguelike puzzle game that graduated from Early Access; Electoral Carnage, a free 2D fighting game featuring political satire; and Little Incrementisle. The editorial team curates the list regardless of genre.
Shaun Hammond Business Solutions released a new demo update for the PC survivor-like shooter Antivirus Survivors 2003 Professional, adding UI improvements, new weapons and enemies, and volunteer language support. The update is expected to be the last before the full game launches in the third quarter of 2026.
Riot Games announced League of Legends Classic, a new mode recreating the early LoL experience based on Season 3, launching July 30. It features 60 champions, slower combat, the classic Summoner's Rift map, returning items and runes, and a community voting system called Council. Yasuo is banned from the mode.
Fuji Television released the Blu-ray and DVD of the short puppet series "Puppet Sunsun" on July 15. The show, which airs weekly on the morning program "Mezamashi TV," is now available in deluxe and regular editions. The deluxe set includes an NFC keyholder, a diorama acrylic stand, and a postcard set. Bonus footage includes the show's TV commercials and a performance from the 2025 FNS Kayousai.
A documentary titled "Critical Path," released on YouTube, follows SpaceX engineers during the final week before the Starship V3 launch in May 2026. It captures a one-day delay caused by a quick disconnect failure, the team's round-the-clock repairs, and the eventual successful launch, dummy satellite deployment, and controlled splashdown. The film emphasizes the pressure and iterative problem-solving behind the mission.
Bilibili showcased a simulation RPG based on the long-running Hong Kong manhua The Ravages of Time at Bilibili World 2026. The game, titled Three Kingdoms: The Ravages of Time, focuses on Sima Yi and Liao Yuan Huo (later Zhao Yun) and features a strategist card system. A closed beta for PC and Android begins July 23 in mainland China.
Techland has cancelled the PS4 and Xbox One versions of Dying Light: The Beast, citing that the game cannot deliver the best experience on last-generation hardware. The open-world zombie survival horror title was released in September 2025 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. The developer said the game relies on current-gen processing power and memory, and that porting it would require too much compromise. Refunds are available for those who planned to play on the affected platforms.
TV Asahi producer Kazuki Endo presented a special screening of the anime Tenmaku no Jadougal at Japan Expo 2026 in Paris on July 10, 2026. The event screened Acts 1 through 4, including Acts 3 and 4, which had not yet aired in Japan. Before the screening, Endo discussed the adaptation process, the decision to commission Studio Science SARU, and the production team's location hunting in Mongolia. The team, including chief director Naoko Yamada and director Abel Gongora, stayed with nomadic families in gers to research 13th-century Mongol culture. Endo also described close collaboration with original author Tomato Soup, who provided reference materials and historical verification with multiple experts. The anime airs Saturdays at 11:30 p.m. on TV Asahi's IMAnimation slot across 24 stations and streams on Crunchyroll in over 200 countries. The original manga won first place in the women's category of Kono Manga ga Sugoi! 2023 and the Comic Division Grand Prize at the 55th Japan Cartoonists Association Awards. The venue was packed with fans, and applause followed the screening.
Over the past four months, 48 people have been arrested for trespassing at a former IBM office complex in Somers, New York. Thirty of those arrested were teenagers. A fire was started by trespassers in March, and one man was charged with felony possession of a loaded gun and theft. The complex, designed by I.M. Pei, has been abandoned since 2016. Local police attribute the surge to a viral TikTok video from winter 2025.
The weekly Readers Corner column from Beneath the Tangles highlights six manga volumes, including full reviews of Gals Can't Be Kind to Otaku! Vol. 2 and Reincarnated in a Mafia Dating Sim Vol. 4.
Bandai Spirits is offering the HG 1/144 Gouf Ignited (Heine Westenfluss Custom) from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny via a Premium Bandai lottery. The kit uses the SEED Action System for articulation, includes the Slayer Whip in two states, and recreates the red-hot blade with molded colors. The lottery runs until July 21, with winners announced July 23. The kit is not a Premium Bandai exclusive.
Annapurna Interactive and developer Marumittu Games released the puzzle adventure game 'D-topia' on July 14, 2026, for PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, and Microsoft Store, as well as Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. The game is set in the residential facility D-topia, an AI-managed utopia designed to maximize human happiness. The player takes on the role of a facility maintenance worker, solving puzzles to fix glitches and resolve residents' problems. Players can switch between the visually optimized paradise and the real world 'Blockside' to uncover the truth behind the facility. The player's choices determine the happiness of residents and the future of humanity. The price is 2,300 to 2,350 yen (tax included), with a 10% launch discount available on digital storefronts. The game features a branching story with multiple endings based on player decisions. Marumittu Games is a Kyoto-based indie studio founded by former Q-Games and Level-5 developers.
In a new This Week in Anime column, ANN's Coop and Lucas examine the summer 2026 season's least interesting debuts, focusing on two isekai titles: The World's Strongest Rearguard and The Insipid Prince's Furtive Grab for The Throne. Both are criticized for being boring, derivative, and cynically produced, with Rearguard earning a half-star rating in ANN's preview guide.
Arcade Oven is developing Littlehaven, a healing simulation game that combines interior design and village building. Players can freely customize furniture without grid restrictions, adjusting rotation, size, and color. The game also features narrative discovery: residents' pasts are revealed through personal items like diaries and photos. Wishlist registration is available on Steam; release date is to be announced.
KADOKAWA's online lottery service Kujibikido will offer a Kakuriyo no Yadomeshi lottery from July 21 to August 18, 2026. Prizes include A5 character fine graphs, mugs, clear posters, mini shikishi, and can badges, all using illustrations by series artist Laruha. A repost campaign on X gives three winners a set of BIG can badges.