Hello Kitty Island Adventure Update 2.16.5: Paper Parade is Out Now

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Soul Kiwami
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Hello Kitty Island Adventure Update 2.16.5: Paper Parade

Sanrio and Sunblink have released the Hello Kitty Island Adventure Update 2.16.5: Paper Parade on all platforms. Hello Kitty Island Adventure Update 2.16.5: Paper Parade introduces Tuxedosam’s favorite holiday. Through July 1, players can help Tuxedosam celebrate individuality by gathering materials for his Paper Parade Float in exchange for new outfits for their avatar and friends. 

What’s more, the Under the Sea Celebration is running through June 18, allowing players to collect Barnacles and exchange them for new mermaid-themed outfits. The update also introduces the Undersea Treasure Hunt, which includes new furniture and outfits, and players can participate in new Weekly Parties on Friendship Island. 

Hello Kitty Island Adventure is now available for Apple Arcade, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam. Nintendo Switch users can upgrade to the Nintendo Switch 2 version with an “Upgrade Pack” for $9.99. Hello Kitty Island Adventure Nintendo Switch 2 Edition features higher frame rates, smoother and cleaner visuals with a higher resolution, CameraPlay with GameChat, and Joy-Con 2 mouse controls. Final Weapon previously reviewed Hello Kitty Island Adventure and gave it a 4/5 score.

The City Town DLC for Hello Kitty Island Adventure launched on April 16. The update marked the in-game debut of U*SA*HA*NA, who shows players around City Town, makes new friends, and lends a hand in renovating the player’s Imagination Cafe. There are 35 unlockable friendship levels with U*SA*HA*NA with a boatload of rewards. City Town itself is a new region with more than 30 hours of adventure and more than 90 quests.

Otome Visual Novel OVER REQUIEMZ Gets an Official Trailer in English

By
Soul Kiwami
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OVER REQUIEMZ screenshot 1

Aksys Games has released an official trailer for Idea Factory and Kogado Studio’s The Wizard of Oz-inspired otome visual novel OVER REQUIEMZ in English. As previously announced, OVER REQUIEMZ is coming to the west on August 20 for Nintendo Switch. 

Physical pre-orders for OVER REQUIEMZ are available now in the Aksys Games Store for $49.99. An OVER REQUIEMZ Online Exclusive Edition will also be available for $59.99 featuring the game’s original soundtrack on CD.

OVER REQUIEMZ Online Exclusive Edition

Here’s an overview of the otome visual novel, courtesy of Aksys Games:

In OVER REQUIEMZ, high school student Yuhiru is swept up in a mysterious tornado and transported to the faraway kingdom of Oz — ruled by four witches and a king. Unjustly sentenced to death upon arrival, she is forced to travel alongside four convicted murderers on death row and their secretive supervisor. Their destination: mysterious ruins that resemble home, now overrun with monsters. At the mercy of her fellow travelers, Yuhiru must navigate treacherous decisions — but one truth guides her forward: no one is lost forever, no matter how far they’ve strayed.

Key features:

      • Choose Vastly Different Routes for Each Character – Pursue the redemptive ‘Fact’ routes or somber ‘Dark’ paths.
      • No Locked Routes – Following the prologue, you can freely select from any story route you desire.
      • Explore Freely – Jump to any conversation or to any character’s story with the flowchart.
      • Hidden Voices Await — Make the right choices to unlock unique character voice lines

Berserk Manga Returns from Hiatus with Chapter 399

By
Soul Kiwami
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The latest issue of Young Animal magazine has published chapter 399 of the ongoing Berserk manga by Kouji Mori, effectively ending the manga’s near 9-month hiatus. Mori also shared a brief message to Berserk fans on X (formerly Twitter), noting that chapter 399 has been on the mind of the late manga creator Kentarō Muira’s mind for 20 years. 

Here’s the full translation of Mori’s message, courtesy of Final Weapon translator and staff writer Ryuji:

“In the latest Young Animal Magazine issue, we have published a brand-new Berserk chapter. This one has been in Miura’s mind for 20 years, and even when I heard about it from him many times, I always thought how difficult it would be to do that chapter. We managed to finish it after consulting several times with Akira Shimada (then-editor for Miura), and Yoshimitsu Kurosaki and the other folks at Studio Gaga did a really good job on this! I hope you’ll enjoy this new chapter.”

Kentarō Muira passed away on May 6, 2021 due to acute aortic dissection. His passing was mourned by millions of fans around the world, including the Final Fantasy XIV community. In June 2022, Miura’s group of assistants and apprentices at Studio Gaga continued the manga series in Young Animal, and a new Berserk arc began with the release of chapter 374 in September 2023.

The current Berserk series is led by Kouji Mori, a lifelong friend of Miura for nearly 30 years. He’s supervising the manga with decades of experience, vowing to adapt the vision of Miura’s Berserk. Shortly after Muira’s passing, Mori drew a one-shot manga that tells the story of his friendship and creative partnership with the Berserk creator. 

Dark Horse Comics releases the Berserk manga in English, and volume 43 will release in English on October 27. 

The Caligula Effect Celebrates 10th Anniversary with New Illustration and Special Broadcast

By
Soul Kiwami
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The Caligula Effect 10th anniversary

FuRyu is celebrating the 10th anniversary of The Caligula Effect with a new illustration that depicts “where it all began” (shown above). A 10th anniversary “special broadcast” for The Caligula Effect will be held on June 23 at 19:00 JST / 6:00 a.m. EDT with producer Takuya Yamanaka, FuRyu’s Hiromichi Watanabe, and historia’s Shun Sasaki taking a look back at the series. 

According to translations provided by Final Weapon staff writer Ryuji, there will also be several other projects to celebrate the 10th anniversary of The Caligula Effect. More details will be given at a later date, but for now, it’s worth noting that there was no confirmation of a new game in the series.

The Caligula Effect 2 is available now for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store. The PC version of The Caligula Effect 2 will be 70% off from June 23 to July 10. 

Here’s an overview of the turn-based RPG, courtesy of publisher NIS America:

Following the events of The Caligula Effect: Overdose, the virtuadoll Regret creates Redo, a false reality in which people are unknowingly trapped. Within this new simulation, the Go-Home Club must once again band together to fight against Regret’s reign and escape to the real world. Experience this story of regret and reality on PS5!

Key Features:

      • Welcome to Tatefushi Academy: Meet the fresh faces of the Go-Home Club, whose memories are awakened by the virtuadoll, χ. Recruit other students to aid you, challenge the virtuadoll, Regret, and her Obbligato Musicians, and escape the false world of Redo!
      • Breakout Battles: Utilize the Imaginary Chain to predict your enemies’ moves and form the perfect strategy, and employ calculated techniques to gain a tactical advantage in combat.
      • An Unforgettable Paradise: Masterfully crafted story scenarios from Persona writer Tadashi Satomi and Director Takuya Yamanaka along with a pulse-pounding, vocaloid-inspired soundtrack makes the world of Redo a memorable visual and audio experience.

Final Fantasy VII Revelation Official Steam Page is Now Live

By
Soul Kiwami
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Final Fantasy VII Revelation Steam page

Square Enix has opened its official Steam page for Final Fantasy VII Revelation, with store pages on Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S likely to follow suit. There’s nothing particularly new on the Steam page, but it does reiterate that players with save data from Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth will get bonuses in the game, including Summoning Materia: Chocobo & Moogle and Summoning Materia: Phoenix.

Final Fantasy VII Revelation will launch in spring 2027 on Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store. Here’s an overview of the game, via the Steam page:

As the world teeters on the brink of annihilation, the final battle against Sephiroth begins.
A meteor mars the sky, monstrous planetary guardians wreak havoc across the globe, and the fires of war rage. Now, Cloud and his companions must stand against this chaos to not only decide the planet’s fate, but bring a legendary conflict to its conclusion.

In the final chapter of the FINAL FANTASY VII remake project, the scale has never been larger and the stakes have never been higher. Take to the skies and explore a boundless world, fight alongside a fully assembled party, master strategic and dynamic combat, and prepare yourself for the climactic finale.

A vast planet awaits. Everything leads here.

Explore the World on a Planetary Scale

Soar the skies with your airship—the Highwind—and explore a vast, interconnected world. Choose where to drop and skydive down to areas of interest across a wide variety of biomes, cities, and remote frontiers.

An Iconic Ensemble, Fully United

Fight alongside a roster of unique companions, including newly playable party members Cid Highwind and Vincent Valentine. Each character brings distinct combat roles and abilities to the fray, greatly expanding your strategic options.

Refined Action and Strategy

Experience the series’ iconic hybrid of real‑time action and command‑based combat in its most polished form yet. Seamlessly switch between party members, issue commands in Tactical Mode, and unleash powerful abilities and synergies to overcome colossal threats.

Deep Customization and Builds

Prepare your team for the battles ahead with extensive customization options. Adjust your characters’ weapons, armor, skills, materia, and FITS—a new system which adds class-based abilities and special outfits. Refine your builds to suit your playstyle and adapt to each unique encounter.

Before Final Fantasy VII Revelation arrives, fans can catch up with Final Fantasy VII Rebirth on Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox Series X|S. Final Weapon reviewed the Nintendo Switch 2 version of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and gave it a 4.5/5 score, noting that this version is “a very impressive port that brings one of the generation’s best RPGs to Nintendo’s new console in great form.” A free demo is also available in the Nintendo eShop and Microsoft Store. The Final Fantasy VII Rebirth demo contains Chapters 1 and 2, the Streamlined Progression system, and save data transfers to the full game.

Ninja Scroll Anime Film Gets 4K Limited Theatrical Release in October

By
Soul Kiwami
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Ninja Scroll 4K

HIDIVE and Iconic Events Releasing have announced that the 4K restoration of Ninja Scroll, the 1993 anime film written and directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri, will receive a limited theatrical release on October 4, 5, and 7 across the U.S. and Canada. Ticket sales for the Ninja Scroll 4K theatrical release will open soon with more details about advance tickets, and an official website will also launch soon. 

The digital 4K restoration of the Ninja Scroll anime film is spearheaded, remastered and produced by Sentai with supervision by Kawajiri himself. According to Sentai, the process involved a 4K scan (3840 × 2160 pixels) of the original 35mm negative, then repairing any damage and lastly performing color correction to create an archival quality digital master of the film.

Here’s a breakdown of the film and the staff:

  • Original Language: Japanese
  • Runtime: 94 min
  • Original Story & Screenplay: Yoshiaki Kawajiri
  • Director: Yoshiaki Kawajiri
  • Original Character: Yoshiaki Kawajiri
  • Character Design / Animation Director: Yutaka Minowa
  • Art Director: Hiromasa OguraDirector of Photography: Hitoshi Yamaguchi
  • Editor: Harutoshi Ogata, Yukiko Itō
  • Sound Director: Yasunori Honda
  • Music: Kaoru Wada
  • Color Designer: Osamu Mikasa
  • Executive Producers: Makoto Hasegawa, Masamichi Fujiwara, Yutaka Takahashi
  • Producer: Shigeru Kitayama, Masako Fukuyo, Kazuhiko Ikeguchi
  • Line Producer: Masao Maruyama
  • Animation Cooperation: MADHOUSE
  • Production Company: Toho, JVC, Movic
  • Animation Studio: Animate Film
Ninja Scroll
© 1993 Yoshiaki Kawajiri / Madhouse / FlyingDog / TOHO CO., LTD. / MOVIC INC. All Right Reserved.

Fans will have the chance to own the 4K version of Ninja Scroll when Sentai releases the limited edition Blu-ray SteelBook in 4K UHD in early 2027.

Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You Anime Reveals Opening Theme Song by ZUTOMAYO

By
Soul Kiwami
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Smoking Behind the Supermarket With You anime trailer

A new promotional video for the anime adaptation of Jinushi’s Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You (Super no Ura de Yani Sū Futari) manga confirmed that ZUTOMAYO performs the opening theme song “Ichijiku Kemuri (Fig Smoke).” The anime will be making its TV debut on July 9 at 11:56 p.m. JST on TBS and 27 affiliate channels, along with ABEMA and Netflix for streaming. 

Crunchyroll is streaming 12 mini episodes for Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You as well. Smoking Behind the Supermarket With You is streaming with multiple subtitle options on Crunchyroll, including English and Spanish.

The anime’s cast includes:

  • Takuya Satō as Sasaki
  • Seena Hoshiki as Yamada/Tayama
  • Shinya Takahashi as Suzuki
  • Toa Yukinari as Gotō
  • Megumi Toyoguchi as Ōno
  • Rikuya Yasuda as Obata
  • Yōko Hikasa as Maezawa

Asahi Production is producing the anime series with directors Masato Suzuki and Aori Mori at the helm. Mio Inoue handles series composition, Sayaka Aoki and Shin Kono are the music composers, and Yasuka Otaki is the character designer.

Imase performs the ending theme song “Fiction.”

©地主／SQUARE ENIX・「ヤニすう」製作委員会 ©Jinushi/SQUARE ENIX

Jinushi released the Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You manga on X (formerly Twitter) in March 2022, before serialization in Square Enix’s Big Gangan magazine in August 2022. The manga is available to read in English via BOOK WALKER.

Lastly, here’s a synopsis of the Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You manga, via Square Enix:

An overworked salaryman and a mischievous cashier with a dual personality form an unexpected bond in this sweet-and-sour comedy!

At age forty-five, office worker Sasaki has had enough of the corporate grind. His only solace is smoking-and the friendly smile of supermarket cashier Yamada. When Sasaki can’t find Yamada after a particularly trying day, a striking woman invites him to smoke with her. The despondent man thinks he’s made a new smoking buddy in the cool, teasing Tayama, but Sasaki doesn’t realize he already knows her!

Apidya’ Special Releases on August 25

By
Saras Rajpal
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Apidya’ Special Releases on August 25

ININ Games has announced a revival of “beloved shoot-em-up” Apidya, titled Apidya’ Special, which will release on August 25. It will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo Switch. 

Additionally, a physical edition for both PS5 and Switch will release on the same date. A Limited Edition will offer a premium boxed version of Apidya’ Special for players who want to add this iconic title to their collection, while the Special Edition includes the game, a history artbook, and soundtrack collection. Said collection includes the complete original soundtrack, newly produced studio versions of the classic compositions, and the original Amiga recordings from the game’s historic release. 

Check out the release date trailer for Apidya’ Special below:

The Steam page describes Apidya’ Special as follows:

APIDYA – A very special retro shoot ’em up buzzes into view!

Take flight in Apidya’ Special, brought back through sheer Pixel Passion!

1992’s home computer legend Apidya is making a comeback in this authentic 24-bit pixel remake, built from the ground up, but utterly faithful to the original.

Developed by the original team, together with a devoted Apidya super-fan-turned-developer, Apidya’ Special is based on a previously abandoned 1990s console port, combining original assets with all-new pixel art, additional authentic sound effects, and remixed music. Legendary composer Chris Hülsbeck contributes exclusive new studio versions of the iconic soundtrack that has never been released before.

The warmth and charm of a CRT on modern screens!

Players can experience Apidya’ Special in true widescreen with new parallax effects or switch to the original home computer 4:3 mode that looks, plays, and sounds exactly like 1992. Optional CRT effects with simulated shadow mask, scan lines, and phosphor bloom recreate the classic display feel.

The Features:

    • Authentic Remake – Completely rebuilt from scratch; no emulation.

    • Two Visual Modes – Seamlessly switch between HD widescreen or original home computer 4:3 presentation.

    • Exclusive Chris Hülsbeck OST – New studio versions of the iconic soundtrack

    • Retro Visual Effects – Optional CRT shaders, bloom, and authentic scanline simulation.

    • Expanded Worlds – 5 diverse themed worlds (Meadow, Pond, Sewers, Cyber, Lair), up to 5 levels each, 20 unique bosses, and hidden special stages.

    • Fresh Surprises – Randomized in-game events like “Night Mode” with new enemy sprites.

    • Co-op Mode – Second player controls one of the helper drones.

    • Accessibility Options – Modernized difficulty settings to make the game enjoyable for all generations (including the original devs’).

Grand Blue Dreaming Season 3 Anime Premieres July 6

By
Soul Kiwami
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Grand Blue Dreaming Season 3

The staff of Grand Blue Dreaming Season 3 confirmed the anime’s July 6 premiere for Tokyo MX and BS11’s 24:00 JST timeslot, which is effectively July 7 at 12:00 a.m. JST. A new promotional video was also released, previewing the opening theme song “Natsuko” by FUNKY MONKEY BΛBY’S and the new ending theme song “Hadaka no Mermaid” (Naked Mermaid) by girl group MAMESHiBA NO TAiGUN.

The story of Grand Blue Dreaming Season 3 takes place in Palau, the anime’s first setting outside Japan.

New cast members of Grand Blue Dreaming Season 3 include:

  • Sayaka Ōhara as Sayaka Kotegawa
  • Asami Seto as Chief
  • Aya Suzaki as Maki
  • M.A.O as Karina
© Kenji Inoue, Kimitake Yoshioka, Grand Blue Dreaming 3’s Production Committee

Grand Blue Dreaming Season 2 premiered on July 7, 2025 on Tokyo MX and BS11 channels, and Crunchyroll is streaming the series.

Zero-G animated Grand Blue Dreaming Season 2, and Liber aided in production. Further, Shinji Takamatsu returned as director/scriptwriter/sound director, Yōichi Ueda served as animation director alongside character designer Hideoki Kusama, Aiko Matsuyama was the color key artist, and Saber Links was the second season’s sound production studio.

As previously revealed, Shōnan no Kaze and Atarashii Gakkō! perform the Grand Blue Dreaming Season 2 opening theme song “Seishun Towa.” SEAMO performs the ending theme song “Hadaka de Dotsukiai feat. May’n.”

The cast includes:

  • Yōma Uchida as Iori Kitahara
  • Ryōhei Kimura as Kohei Imamura
  • Hiroki Yasumoto as Shinji Tokita
  • Katsuyuki Konishi as Ryūjiro Kotobuki
  • Chika Anzai as Chisa Kotegawa
  • Maaya Uchida as Nanaka Kotegawa
  • Toa Yukinari as Azusa Hamaoka
  • Kana Asumi as Aina Yoshiwara
  • Takuya Eguchi as Hajime Nojima
  • Junya Enoki as Shinichirō Yamamoto
  • Natsuki Hanae as Yū Mitarai
  • Robert Waterman as Kenta Fujiwara
  • Jun Fukuyama as Captain Kudō
  • Shinji Kawada as Toshio Kotegawa
  • Nana Mizuki as Kaya Mizuki
  • Aya Yamane as Sakurako Busujima
  • Sumire Morohoshi as Shiori Kitahara
  • Yoshino Aoyama as Naomi Otoya

Finally, here’s an overview of the manga, via Kodansha USA :

After moving out on his own to a seaside town, Iori Kitahara makes a college debut he never anticipated. A new chapter of his life unfolds, full of diving with beautiful girls and shenanigans with a gaggle of lovable bastards! Idiot-expert Kenji Inoue and au naturel authority Kimitake Yoshioka bring you a glorious college tale filled with booze-fueled antics!

K-pop Idol Stories: Road to Debut Releases on July 16

By
Saras Rajpal
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K-pop Idol Stories: Road to Debut Releases on July 16

PQube has announced that K-pop Idol Stories: Road to Debut will release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC on July 16. The demo for the game is available now. 

Additionally, physical versions will be available for both the PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch. The Steam demo initially released in December 2024, and the game was dated to release in 2025. Now, after over a year, the simulator game will finally release. Check out the release date trailer for K-pop Idol Stories: Road to Debut below:

Lastly, here’s an overview of K-pop Idol Stories: Road to Debut via Steam:

K-pop Idol Stories: Road to Debut is a love letter to the thrilling world of K-pop! In this life simulator, you’re the manager responsible for scouting talent, managing schedules, creating budgets, planning social media, choosing music, and styling your idols. Your goal? To debut the next big K-pop idol group!

Choose Your Trainees: Each trainee has unique characteristics and a backstory. One girl might have fierce confidence that drives fans wild but could also disrupt the group dynamic. Another might be a shy songbird who needs a little encouragement to shine—how will she handle the spotlight when she’s ready for the stage? As their manager, it’s up to you to understand their stories, personalities, and strengths. Assemble a diverse and dynamic group of idols to create the perfect team!

Original K-pop Soundtrack: What’s your K-pop group’s concept? Choose the soundtrack for their debut single, produced by a K-pop composer exclusively for this game.

Your Choices Matter: What kind of manager are you? Disciplined and straightforward, or caring and compassionate? Will you prioritise pleasing the label’s board members? Will you always be honest with your trainees, or keep certain things secret until debut day? The choice is yours.

Unlock and Plan Schedules: Should you send your idols to rigorous dance practice, or let them unwind with a relaxing yoga class? Your choices impact the team’s growth and the story’s direction.

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