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Memories
Memories is a 1995 anthology film directed by Katsuhiro Otomo, currently part of the Discotek Media catalog with a planned Blu-ray release later this year.
Synthesized from 13
Yomimono stories · updated
2d ago
Memories is an anthology film directed by Katsuhiro Otomo, released in 1995. It remains a key work in his filmography, which also includes Akira, Steamboy, and Roujin Z. The film has not been the subject of recent standalone news, but it appears in the context of broader announcements about Otomo and the home video market.
In May 2026, Otomo opened a new feature animation studio, Oval Gear. The studio's first project is in production, and it is hiring staff. No release window or title for that film has been shared. Memories is cited as one of his directing credits, confirming its continued recognition as part of his body of work.
In August 2026, Discotek Media announced a slate of Blu-ray releases, including Memories. The announcement came at an Otakon panel, with releases planned for later in the year. The specific details of the Memories release, such as extras or packaging, were not disclosed in the announcement.
Key facts
- Director
- Katsuhiro Otomo ↗
- Role in Otomo filmography
- One of Otomo's directing credits, alongside Akira, Steamboy, and Roujin Z. ↗
- Home video release
- Discotek Media announced a Blu-ray release as part of a slate planned for later in 2026. ↗
Timeline
- Sep 1, 2026 Busan Film Festival Adds Japanese Animation Special with 13 Films
- Aug 14, 2026 Edge of Memories Developer Vows Release Within 2026 Despite Closure
- Aug 5, 2026 Discotek Announces Digimon Frontier, Lupin III: Part II, Toradora! Blu-ray Releases
- Jul 4, 2026 Sega Reveals Sonic the Hedgehog: Memories and Beyond Short Film at Anime Expo 2026
- Jun 19, 2026 Chrono Restaurant: In Search of Memories' Recipes Launches June 23 on iOS and Android
- Jun 18, 2026 Himitsu No Aipri Switch Game Download Sales End June 30
- Jun 18, 2026 Cardcaptor Sakura: Key of Memories Pre-Registration Opens Ahead of June 25 Launch
- Jun 11, 2026 Yui Kiyohara's 'A Window of Memories' Gets August Release Date
- Jun 9, 2026 Atelier Kalia: The Night Kingdom and the Signpost of Memories Announced for Early 2027
- Jun 6, 2026 Rei Furuya, Kaito Kid, and Hiroshi Morofushi Join Sega Prize Figure Series
- Jun 5, 2026 LumenTale: Memories of Trey Earns Strong Review Scores on Metacritic
- May 28, 2026 Switch Port of Starry☆Sky Spring Memories Released Today
- May 16, 2026 Katsuhiro Ōtomo Opens Feature Animation Studio Oval Gear
Synthesized by Yomimono from the cited Yomimono stories below, each itself
sourced, then editorially reviewed. Every
fact links the story it came from.
Facts
- Announced
- Blu-ray release (Otakon panel) · 2026-08-05
Connections
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Claim activity
When a claim about Memories was confirmed, debunked, or disputed against
open-web sources. The record stays even after a claim drops off the facts list.
- Confirmed katsuhiro tomo directs memories May 28 · source
All coverage
10h ago
The Pretty Memories adult toy line adds its 9th item: the Linkrun transformation phone notebook from Fresh Pretty Cure!, the 2009 series. The replica reproduces the broadcast-era design and ships with four dress-up sheets. All four Cures, Cure Peach, Cure Berry, Cure Pine, and Cure Passion, get completely new transformation voice recordings, joined by a four-person simultaneous transformation sequence and the opening theme. Pre-orders open September 9 on Premium Bandai.
Sep 1
The 31st Busan International Film Festival will screen 13 films in a new out-of-competition category, "Japanese Animation Special: Masterpieces of Madness, Exhilarating Prospects 12+1." The lineup spans 1958 to 2026, from The White Snake Enchantress and Belladonna of Sadness through Metropolis and Mind Game to four 2026 titles. The King and the Mockingbird, a French film that influenced Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, also screens in the section.
Aug 14
Midgar Studio, closed in July due to parent company Nacon's financial troubles, announced on August 12 that Edge of Memories will still release within 2026. The studio stated creative work is complete, with a specialized team handling technical finishing. The RPG targets PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.
Aug 5
Discotek Media announced a large slate of Blu-ray releases at its Otakon panel on Saturday, including Digimon Frontier, Lupin III: Part II, Toradora!, Pani Poni Dash!, Outlanders, Samurai Pizza Cats, The Big O, Argento Soma, Tales of the Abyss, Infinite Ryvius, Memories, Patlabor TV and movies, Penguindrum, Lupin III: Zenigata and the 2 Lupins, and Digimon Movies Collection 3. The releases are planned for later this year.
Jul 4
Sega announced the Sonic the Hedgehog: Memories and Beyond 35th anniversary short film at Anime Expo 2026, releasing a sneak peek video. The full short debuts this fall. The story involves Dr. Eggman upgrading Metal Sonic using Sonic's life-data and the Chaos Emeralds, with Sonic and friends relying on their friendship to win.
Jun 19
Tokyo Hammock announced the smartphone game Chrono Restaurant: In Search of Memories' Recipes will release June 23 on iOS and Android. The free-to-play simulation game features over 600 dishes and tasks players with managing a restaurant transported to another world to satisfy six princes.
Jun 18
Nippon Columbia announced that the download version of 'Himitsu no AiPri: Atsumete! Secret Memories' for Nintendo Switch will end sales at 11:59 PM on June 30. A 40% off sale is now live at the Nintendo eShop, lasting until the sale ends. The game, a mini-game collection based on the arcade and anime series, was released in December 2024.
Jun 18
KaraQ Games has opened pre-registration for Cardcaptor Sakura: Key of Memories on iOS and Android. The free-to-play smartphone game, based on the Cardcaptor Sakura series, lets players collect over 100 costumes as digital figures called Sakura Miniatu. It launches June 25.
Jun 11
Yui Kiyohara's new film 'A Window of Memories,' her first oral history documentary, will open in Tokyo on August 7, 2025. The film transcribes life stories from her two grandmothers and has actors recite them. A trailer and poster have been released, and the film is selected for the Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival.
Jun 9
Koei Tecmo Games announced the next mainline Atelier title, Atelier Kalia: The Night Kingdom and the Signpost of Memories, during the June 9, 2026 Nintendo Direct broadcast. The game follows a new protagonist named Kalia, who has lost her memory and retraces her past. The announcement trailer showed alchemy and battle sequences. The name of Yumia, the protagonist of the previous game Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories and the Imaginary Land, also appeared in the footage, suggesting a possible connection between the two entries. Atelier Kalia is scheduled for release in early 2027; pricing has not been announced. Separately, Koei Tecmo also confirmed that a Nintendo Switch 2 edition of Atelier Yumia will be available for download after the Nintendo Direct ended. That version supports cooperative play via local wireless communication.
Jun 6
Sega Fave is releasing three new figures in its Petite World Memories line from Detective Conan, featuring Rei Furuya, Hiroshi Morofushi, and Kaito Kid. Each comes in a trunk-style box with scene-specific accessories. The figures are prize items available from June 12, 2026.
Jun 5
LumenTale: Memories of Trey, a monster-collecting RPG released on May 27, 2026 for PC and Nintendo Switch, has earned a Metascore of 79 on PC and 78 on Switch. Critics praise its battle system, story, and art style, while noting divided opinions on originality and technical issues.
May 28
Dramatic Create released the Nintendo Switch version of Starry☆Sky Spring Memories on May 28, 2026. The port includes the PS Vita title Starry☆Sky Spring Stories and its PC predecessors. Players romance three childhood friends as the only female student at Seigetsu Academy.
May 16
Director and manga artist Katsuhiro Ōtomo has founded a new animation studio called Oval Gear. The studio will focus on feature-length work. Its first project is already in production. The company is hiring animators and production staff as it builds out its team. Ōtomo is best known for the 1988 film Akira, which he directed and wrote based on his own manga. His other directing credits include the anthology Memories, the steampunk feature Steamboy, and the science-fiction story Roujin Z. He also contributed to Perfect Blue, the psychological thriller directed by the late Satoshi Kon. The formation of Oval Gear marks a return to feature animation for Ōtomo, whose last full-length directorial work was Steamboy in 2004. The studio name and its immediate hiring push suggest a permanent production base rather than a one-off project team. No release window or title for the first film has been shared.