Akane-banashi Anime Gets New Karaku Cup Arc Trailer and Visual

By
Soul Kiwami
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The staff of the anime adaptation of Yūki Suenaga and illustrator Takamasa Moue’s Akane-banashi manga revealed a new trailer and key visual previewing the Karaku Cup arc. The Karaku Cup of Akane-banashi involves the student rakugo storytelling competition of the same name.

Akane-banashi anime visual
© 末永裕樹・馬上鷹将／集英社・「あかね噺」製作委員会

New Akane-banashi episodes will release on Saturdays at 9:00 a.m. PT / 12:00 p.m. ET. The anime comes to Netflix in English on May 17.

Multi-instrumentalist Keisuke Kuwata performs the opening theme song “Hitotarashi.” 

The cast and staff of the Akane-banashi anime include:

Cast
  • Anna Nagase as Akane Sakurazaka
  • Takuya Eguchi as Karashi Nerimaya
  • Rie Takahashi as Hikaru Koragi
  • Jun Fukuyama as Shinta Arakawa (Toru Osaki)
  • Nobunaga Shimazaki as Maikeru Arakawa
  • Chiaki Kobayashi as Koguma Arakawa
  • Yohei Azakami as Kyoji Arakawa
  • Seiichiro Yamashita as Guriko Arakawa
  • Fumihiko Tachiki as Zenshō Arakawa
  • Hiroaki Hirata as Ikken Arakawa
  • Shizuka Itō as Masaki Ōsaki
  • Yumiko Konatsu as Saki Yoshino
  • Ryōta Iwasaki as Kimihisa Kashio
Staff
  • Original Work: Yuki Suenaga, Takamasa Moue
  • Director: Ayumu Watanabe
  • Assistant Director: Yu Harima
  • Series Composer: Michihiro Tsuchiya
  • Character Design & Chief Animation Director: Kii Tanaka
  • Sub Character Design & Chief Animation Director: Yasunari Nitta
  • Chief Animation Director: Hisashi Kagawa
  • Costume Design: Noriko Shimazawa
  • Prop Design: Yoshinori Iwanaga
  • Art Design: Shuhei Tada
  • Art: Takumi Sakurada
  • Color Design: Saori Goda
  • Photography Director: Yuta Nakamura
  • Editor: Kiyoshi Hirose
  • Sound Director: Noriyoshi Konuma
  • Music: Akio Izutsu
  • Rakugo Supervision: Kikuhiko Hayashiya
  • Animation Studio: ZEXCS
©Yuki Suenaga, Takamasa Moue / SHUEISHA, Akane-banashi Committee

The Akane-banashi anime is streaming in the following regions and platforms:

  • Worldwide: Netflix (territories outside of Asia will begin from May)
  • North and South America: Akane-banashi Global YouTube channel (free)
  • Germany, Austria, Switzerland: aniverse
  • France, Monaco, Andorra, Switzerland, Belgium, Luxembourg: ADN
  • Spain: Anime Box
  • Italy: Anime Generation
  • Asia Pacific (excluding Korea and China): Ani-One YouTube
  • Taiwan: Bahamut, ChungHwa Telecom MOD & Hami Video, LiTV & Ofiii, Line TV, My-Video, Catchplay, friDay
  • Hong Kong, Macao: Bahamut
  • Indonesia: Catchplay
  • Thailand: TrueID
  • Mongolia: playmax.mn STAR TV
  • South Korea: Laftel, Aniplus Channel

In Japan, the anime is airing on TV Asahi’s IMAnimation programming block.

Yūki Suenaga and Takamasa Moue launched the Akane-banashi manga in February 2022. Viz Media releases the manga in English and describes the story as follows:

Akane unintentionally stirs up a scandal when she’s discovered taking informal lessons from her father’s former teacher, Shiguma Arakawa. And she’s about to make even bigger waves because she is about to begin her first steps in climbing the ranks of a rakugo performer from zenza opening act to shin’uchi headliner is exchanging her secret lessons for formal training. But she’ll still have to finish high school and navigate her relationship with Shiguma’s existing apprentices, all while learning that becoming a stellar rakugoka takes much more than just being good at performing!

Acky Bright’s GalaXic Baseball League Manga Launches in July 2026

By
Soul Kiwami
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GalaXic Baseball League

VIZ Media has announced GalaXic Baseball League, a new sci-fi manga created in partnership between MLB Players, Inc., OneTeam Partners, and Acky Bright’s BW NYC Studios, Inc. Acky Bright is writing and illustrating the GalaXic Baseball League manga, which will begin serialization on July 2 on the VIZ Manga app. Volume 1 of the manga will launch this October.

VIZ Media describes the story as follows:

In the distant future, baseball has rocketed into the cosmos. What was once America’s pastime is now a high-stakes interplanetary competition in which teams from every corner of the universe battle for glory. Amid a sinister plot to wreak havoc on the galaxy, legendary baseball players team up with two unlikely heroes in their quest to save Earth – and the heart and soul of baseball.

“As I watched the 2023 World Baseball Classic final, I kept seeing people saying, ‘Reality just outdid manga!’ That became the seed for this entire story,’’ Bright said. “At the time, I never imagined that my dream of creating a baseball manga would one day become reality – together with MLB Players, Inc. Now, I’m excited to finally be able to share this story with everyone. I hope readers can escape into an epic that brings the heart and soul of baseball to life in another galaxy.”

“When Acky shared his idea of fusing the global language of manga with the global passion for baseball, it ignited a spark in my manga editor’s soul,’’ said Hisashi Sasaki of VIZ Media. “I am thrilled to be a part of this project and to have the opportunity to deliver this story to a global manga audience. It’s an honor to be involved in such a remarkable endeavor.”

Nintendo Switch 2 Lifespan Expected to Last as Long as Switch

By
Saras Rajpal
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Nintendo Switch 2 Lifespan Expected to Last as Long as Switch

During an investor meeting, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa stated that he plans for the Nintendo Switch 2 lifespan to last as long as the original Switch. The announcement comes just a few days after Nintendo revealed that prices for the Switch 2 would increase worldwide. 

The original Nintendo Switch initially released in March 2017, and while it is still available and playable, its lifespan technically ended when the Nintendo Switch 2 released in June 2025. As such, it’s safe to say that the Switch 2 could end up lasting eight years and could receive support from 2025 all the way until 2033. Considering the recent announcement of a “robust software lineup” in the future to compensate players in the wave of the price increase, it seems that Nintendo is intending to support the Switch 2 for quite a while. 

Starting September 1, the recommended retail price of Nintendo Switch 2 will increase from $449.99 to $499.99 (tax excluded) in the U.S., and in Canada, the price will increase from $629.99 CAD to $679.99 CAD (tax excluded). That same day, Europe will also receive a price increase for Nintendo Switch 2 from €469.99 to €499.99 (tax excluded). In Japan, the price of the Nintendo Switch (Japanese-language system, Japan only model) will increase from ¥49,980 to ¥59,980 starting May 25, and the multi-language system model’s price remains unchanged. 

Nintendo published its earnings release for the fourth quarter of fiscal year ended on March 31, 2026, confirming that Nintendo Switch 2 reached 19.86 million units in global sell-through. Roughly 2.49 million Switch 2 units were sold from January 1 to March 31, resulting in a total of 19.86 million units sold. In the same quarter, 10.78 million Switch 2 software units were sold.

Dragon Quest Live Stream Focused on ‘Next Game’ Announced for May 27

By
Saras Rajpal
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Dragon Quest Live Stream Focused on 'Next Game' Announced for May 27

Dragon Quest series creator Yuji Horii has announced that a live stream dedicated to the “next game” in the franchise will take place on May 27. It will also focus on “other things besides the next game.” 

During a KosoKoso broadcast, Horii said that “We’ll be doing a live stream on May 27. I think we’ll be able to make an announcement about the next game,” when talking about Dragon Quest. Currently, the time that the stream will take place is unknown, and Square Enix themselves have not yet released any further official details about the stream. However, it’s safe to say that it will feature a new look at Dragon Quest XII: The Flames of Fate, the highly anticipated next entry in the series. 

Dragon Quest: The Flames of Fate was initially announced in 2021. It is described as a darker, more adult game with a new battle system, and major decisions that players will be forced to make throughout the story. While the game’s release date is unknown, in the meantime, you can play DRAGON QUEST I & II HD-2D Remake, which launched in 2025. It released on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC, almost a year after Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake released for the same consoles.

Final Weapon reviewed the game, giving it a 4.5/5. We described it as a title that “masterfully modernizes two timeless RPGs with the gorgeous HD-2D art style. Significant story changes, wonderful quality-of-life improvements, and flawless performance on Nintendo Switch 2 make this a must-play game for any fan of the genre. Without a doubt, this is the definitive way to experience the Erdrick Trilogy for both newcomers and longtime fans alike.”

Nintendo is Preparing ‘Robust Software Lineup’ to Make Up for Switch 2 Price Hike

By
Soul Kiwami
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Nintendo Switch 2 software

During Nintendo’s latest investor’s briefing, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa apologized for the Nintendo Switch 2 price hike and confirmed that the company is preparing a “robust software lineup” to make up for it. Furukawa noted that Nintendo wanted to prioritize wide adoption of Switch 2, but the company faces challenges bearing the rising costs over a long period in the current market. Despite that, the “robust software lineup” that Furukawa mentions could mean that Nintendo is gearing up to produce even more new Switch 2 games with the updating pricing model.

“We will prepare a robust software lineup to enhance the Switch 2 ownership value,” Furukawa said. “We will work diligently to overcome this barrier. We sincerely apologize to our customers for the considerable inconvenience and trouble this will cause. While we wanted to prioritize a wide adoption, it was challenging to bear the rising costs over a long period. The [new] pricing does not fully account for all cost increases.”

Starting September 1, the recommended retail price of Nintendo Switch 2 will increase from $449.99 to $499.99 (tax excluded) in the U.S., and in Canada, the price will increase from $629.99 CAD to $679.99 CAD (tax excluded). That same day, Europe will also receive a price increase for Nintendo Switch 2 from €469.99 to €499.99 (tax excluded). In Japan, the price of the Nintendo Switch (Japanese-language system, Japan only model) will increase from ¥49,980 to ¥59,980 starting May 25, and the multi-language system model’s price remains unchanged. 

Nintendo published its earnings release for the fourth quarter of fiscal year ended on March 31, 2026, confirming that Nintendo Switch 2 reached 19.86 million units in global sell-through. Roughly 2.49 million Switch 2 units were sold from January 1 to March 31, resulting in a total of 19.86 million units sold. In the same quarter, 10.78 million Switch 2 software units were sold.

Devil May Cry Season 2 Reveals New Devil Trigger Key Visual

By
Soul Kiwami
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Netflix has revealed a new key visual for Devil May Cry Season 2 depicting Dante’s Devil Trigger form. In the Devil May Cry Season 2 key visual, Dante can also be seen wielding his Rebellion sword.

Devil May Cry Season 2 Devil Trigger key visual

Devil May Cry Season 2 will premiere on May 12 exclusively on Netflix.

The soundtrack of Devil May Cry Season 2 includes:

  • Papa Roach ft. Hanumankind – “See U in Hell”
  • Casey Edwards & Amira Elfeky – “Bazooka”
  • Korn – “Freak On A Leash (Power Glove Remix)”
  • Evanescence – “My Immortal (Band Version)”
  • Avril Lavigne – “Sk8er Boi”
  • Papa Roach – “Getting Away With Murder (Power Glove Remix)”
  • Drowning Pool – “Bodies”
  • Amy Lee – “Meet Me in the Afterlife (Power Glove Remix)”
  • Bryce Vine – “Street Punks On A Freight Train”
  • Capcom – “Dante’s Office (7 Hells Battle)”
  • Gunship- “The Gates Of Disorder (Power Glove Remix)”
  • Power Glove ft. Gunship – “Shall Never Surrender”

The Devil May Cry animated series premiered on April 3, 2025. Limp Bizkit’s “Rollin'” is the opening theme song. Studio Mir and Adi Shankar produced the eight-episode first season, and the series will have multiple seasons.

The Japanese cast for the Devil May Cry anime includes Toshiyuki Morikawa as Dante, Fumiko Orikasa as Lady, and Hiroaki Hirata as Vergil. The English cast is as follows:

  • Johnny Yong Bosch as Dante
  • Scout Taylor-Compton as Lady
  • Hoon Lee as White Rabbit
  • Kevin Conroy as VP Baines
  • Chris Coppola as Enzo

The latest entry in the series, Devil May Cry 5, is available now on the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. 

Hiro Mashima’s DEAD ROCK Manga Goes on Hiatus Ahead of New Arc

By
Soul Kiwami
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DEAD ROCK manga

Kodansha’s Monthly Shonen Magazine confirmed that Hiro Mashima’s DEAD ROCK manga is going on hiatus until winter. The final chapter of the DEAD ROCK “Academy Arc” was published this week, and Mashima is preparing to introduce the “Godfall” arc when the manga returns from its hiatus.

Mashima first launched the manga in July 2023 in Monthly Shonen Magazine. Kodansha publishes the series in Japan and overseas in English.

Kodansha USA Publishing describes the story:

Welcome to Dead Rock, the underworld’s top educational institution! A spot at this training facility for demonic mischief is all the young demon Yakuto has ever wanted, but in Hell, there’s no such thing as an easy A. Plenty of Yakuto’s fellow prospects won’t survive the entrance exam, and even fewer will make it to graduation. So why bother? The prize, for those who survive this death game through perdition, is the world, in the palm of their hand!

Mashima will also launch a short-term serialization for the Fairy Tail manga in the 36/37 combined Weekly Shonen Jump issue on August 5. Further, Mashima confirmed that he will be conducting an autograph tour for fans in Hokkaido, Tokyo, Aichi, Osaka, and Fukuoka. More details will be announced at a later date. 

The latest anime in the series is Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest, which aired from July 2024 to January 2025 across two cours. All 25 episodes of the anime, along with the entire original Fairy Tail anime series, are streaming on Crunchyroll. The Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest manga is still ongoing, and Kodansha is publishing the series in English.

Genshin Impact Version Luna VII Update Launches on May 20

By
Soul Kiwami
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Genshin Impact Version Luna VII

HoYoverse has announced that Genshin Impact Version Luna VII “Song of the Welkin Moon: Andante – Truth Amongst the Pages of Purana” will launch on May 20. The new update calls players back to Sumeru for a new Archon Quest, which brings a new crisis to the region. Nicole, Lohen, and Prune will also make their playable debut as well. 

In Genshin Impact Version Luna VII, Nahida falls into an deep slumber, and Sumeru is on the verge of chaos. A new adversary with similarities to Il Dottore appears, drawing Collei, Ibis King Thoth, Nicole, and other familiar allies into a conflict. Players who complete this chapter during the limited-time period can earn up to 560 Primogems and Nicole’s Ascension Material. Players can also unlock a new Weekly Boss, use the “Guiding Notes” feature to catch up on the story, and take advantage of improved quest autosave prompts.

Nicole Reeyn is the first playable mage from the Hexenzirkel. As a 5-star Pyro Catalyst wielder, Nicole can support her teammates through her abilities, including an Elemental Skill that grants a party-wide ATK bonus and generates a shield. Nicole’s Elemental Burst summons an Arcane Projection that follows the active character and unleashes Coordinated Attacks based on that character’s Elemental Type while granting further enhancements under the Hexerei: Secret Rite effect. Nicole can also use her Charged Attack to call upon a Seelie that guides her to nearby treasure, proving useful in the new Nicole’s Meeting Point: The Witch’s Garden content.

Serving as the Vice Captain of the Knights of Favonius’ Fifth Company, Lohen arrives as a new 5-star Cryo Polearm wielder with an aggressive combat style that deals Cryo DMG through “Joy” and “Will to Win.” Lohen’s Elemental Skill activates the Masterstroke state, allowing him to build up and consume Joy to unleash enhanced skills. Will to Win accumulates as her teammates engage in battle, improving his combat potential—especially when paired with Hexerei characters. Fans can also play his Story Quest to witness an untold chapter from the history of the Knights of Favonius.

Prune is a new 4-star Anemo Catalyst wielder and a self-proclaimed “Witch Hunter.” She uses a bell and giant hammer to deal multi-Elemental DMG and trigger Swirl reactions. Fans can summon Nicole and Prune from the first half of the Version Luna VII Event Wishes alongside Durin’s rerun. The second half introduces Lohen and brings back Mavuika.

A new limited-time event based on Klee’s Little Hexenzirkel will invite players to enjoy new mini-games alongside Qiqi, Yaoyao, Sayu, and Prune. Players can obtain various rewards, including the exclusive weapon appearance “Super Awesome Magic Key.” Miliastra Wonderland will also host a special sports festival for players to enjoy. What’s more, Manekins can now perform actions across Teyvat, allowing players to capture even more memorable moments with the Kamera. 

Lastly, Genshin Impact is available now for Android, iOS, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Windows and Epic Games Store. Genshin Impact will finally introduce the Snezhnaya region with a new update on August 12. 

Vertex Force Anime Premieres in October 2026

By
Soul Kiwami
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Vertex Force anime

Vertex Force, the new original TB anime from Strike Witches and Vividred Operation director Kazuhiro Takamura, is set to premiere in October 2026, according to the anime’s newly updated website. The Vertex Force anime’s main staff was revealed alongside a new teaser visual and teaser promotional video. The cast was not revealed yet, but the trailer introduced the character Haruka Tōdō, a 16-year-old female high school student from Okinawa who’s both innocent and physically strong.

Vertex Force anime key visual
©VERTEX Project

Kazuhiro Takamura is directing the anime at SMDE, and is also designing the characters. Gorō Kuji is the assistant director, Kanetake Ebikawa is the “engine designer,” and JNTHED is in charge of “ENIA design.” Takamura also oversees the series scripts alongside Masashi Suzuki. Masahito Onoda is the chief animation director, and Nobuaki Nobusawa is composing the music.

Additional staff members include:

  • CG Director: Hiroyuki Tadokoro
  • Modeling Director: Zhang Peng Jian
  • Color Design: Mineyo Ōnishi
  • Art Director: Ryōka Kinoshita
  • Art Setting: Toshiki Amata
  • Director of Photography: Masahiko Yagi
  • Editing: Akinori Mishima
  • Sound Director: Tomohiro Yoshida
  • Sound Production: dugout

According to director Takamura, the Vertex Force anime has everything he likes, including cute girls and cool mecha.

Tokyo 7th Sisters is Ending Service After 12-Year Run

By
Soul Kiwami
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Tokyo 7th Sisters

The official website for Donuts’ idol-raising mobile game Tokyo 7th Sisters confirmed that the game will be ending service on August 12, putting an end to the game’s 12-year run. The main story will end with the “Stella MiNE” group’s story in the game’s current “Episode 2053” story arc. 

An offline version of Tokyo 7th Sisters will be released featuring the game’s entire story, the music player, stage events, and acquired cards. Donuts plans to make the offline version maintain as much features and functionality from the main game as possible. In addition, the franchise will still receive new merchandise and further concerts. 

Tokyo 7th Sisters is set in the year 2034 in a world where idols are thought of as products of a bygone age. Players take on the role of one of the managers of the idol agency Nanastar and aim to bring back the age of idols by recruiting promising talent.

Tokyo 7th Sisters is available now for Android and iOS in Japan.

Here’s an overview of the game’s features, via the Google Play Store:

A full-fledged rhythm game anyone can enjoy!

Play rhythm games with over 150 original songs, including “Star Glitter” written and composed by kz (livetune)!

The “rating” system lets you find the right difficulty level for your skill level, so anyone from beginner to advanced can enjoy this game!

Includes numerous episodes!

Produce idols through a variety of stories, including main episodes depicting two eras and event episodes depicting the idols’ daily lives!

Charming and unique idols!

More than 60 idols appear! Interact with them and you’re sure to find your favorite!

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