The Villager of Level 999 Anime Premieres in July 2026

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February 20, 2026

Kadokawa has announced that the TV anime adaptation of Koneko Hoshitsuki’s The Villager of Level 999 (Level 999 no Murabito) light novel series will premiere in July 2026. A new key visual for the anime was revealed alongside new cast member and a new trailer.

The Villager of Level 999 key visual full — ©星月子猫・ふーみ/KADOKAWA/「LV999の村人」製作委員会

The new cast members for the anime include:

Hiroya Egashira as Takako
Nobunaga Shimazaki as Rex
Manaka Iwami as Krull
Aoi Koga as Tina
Lynn as Paruna

Satoshi Inomata will star as Koji Kagami, and Nao Tōyama will voice Alice. Yoshinobu Kasai is directing the anime at Brains Base. Shinzō Fujita is in charge of series composition. Kentarō Matsumoto is handling the character design, and Hiroshi Nakamura is composing the music of The Villager of Level 999.

Hoshitsuki released the novel on the Shōsetsuka ni Narō website from July to December 2018. In 2017, Kenichi Iwamoto released a manga adaptation of the novels in Kadokawa’s Comp Ace magazine. Kadokawa published the first print volume with illustrations by Fumi in May 2016. The eighth and final novel volume shipped in January 2019. The novel series also released a side story in 2019.

Lastly, here’s an overview, via MyAnimeList:

In this world, the concept of levels exist. Other than those who live off defeating monsters, most people are only around level 1 to 5. What’s more, not just anyone can go out to hunt monsters; it’s heavily influenced by one’s role anointed by God.

There are eight such eligible roles. Warrior. Fighter. Cleric. Magician. Rogue. Merchant. Hunter. Sorcerer. Those blessed with extraordinary power are divided into three types. Royalty. Heroes. Sages. But for the majority of the population, they have no such powers and live by farming or running shops.

Towns are developed by those with the weakest role…villagers. For the powerless villagers going out to hunt monsters is equivalent to committing suicide. But one day, a certain two-year-old child given the role of villager notices something.

Once you defeat a monster… you can earn great wealth.

Dragon Ball Sparking! ZERO DLC 1 Available Now on Switch and Switch 2

By

Saras Rajpal

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February 20, 2026

Dragon Ball Sparking! ZERO DLC 1 Available Now on Switch and Switch 2

Bandai Namco has announced that Dragon Ball Sparking! ZERO DLC 1, titled ‘Hero of Justice‘, is available now on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. The DLC initially released on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam in January 2025.

The DLC costs $17.99 on both Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. It includes a bonus superhero costume for Piccolo, alongside three bonus battles. It also features the following additional characters:

Gohan, Superhero
Gohan, Superhero Super Saiyan
Ultimate Gohan, Superhero
Gohan Beast
Piccolo, Superhero
Piccolo, Potential Unleashed
Orange Piccolo
Orange Piccolo, Giant Form
Gamma 1
Gamma 2
Cell Max

Yesterday, Bandai Namco released a new update for Dragon Ball Sparking! ZERO for Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 with the limited-time Extreme Warrior Time Attack mode. The new Dragon Ball Sparking ZERO update for Switch and Switch 2 also added new selectable scenarios, cutscenes, and text options.

Fans can also look forward to new DLC for Dragon Ball Sparking! ZERO featuring new playable characters, costumes, stages, modes, and much more. Dragon Ball Sparking! ZERO will also receive a new theme song “ZERO” by Hironobu Kageyama, the voice of Dragon Ball’s most iconic theme songs. The Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 versions will receive further DLC and update content at a later date. A new update with Survival Mode is also planned for spring 2026.

Dragon Ball Sparking! ZERO is available now for Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. Final Weapon previously reviewed Dragon Ball Sparking! ZERO and went over the Switch 2 version’s features and crisp visuals.

NieR: Automata Sales Surpass 10 Million Units Worldwide, Future of NieR Teased

By

Saras Rajpal

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February 20, 2026

NieR: Automata Sales Surpass 10 Million Units

Square Enix has announced that sales of NieR: Automata has surpassed 10 million units, which include both digital and physical copies. Additionally, it has confirmed that NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139 has sold over 2 million copies.

To commemorate the news, Square Enix released a new video and key art. The video highlights the iconography of the game and its fame, even 9 years after it released in 2017. The video ends with the statement “NieR: Automata to be continued…” hinting that the story of 2B, 9S, and A2 may not be over yet. Recently, Dragon Quest and NieR series producer Yosuke Saito has teased that Square is preparing “a little something” for the 9th anniversary of NieR: Automata in 2026, according to 4Gamer’s annual end-of-year interviews with Japanese developers.

Check out the video revealing that NieR: Automata has passed 10 million copies sold worldwide below:

Additionally, check out the new key art for NieR: Automata below:

NieR:Automata has shipped and digitally sold over 10M copies worldwide!

Glory to mankind. pic.twitter.com/wDTwVFdGDz

— NieR Series (@NieRGame) February 20, 2026

Earlier today, Square Enix held a 9th anniversary celebration livestream for NieR: Automata. The stream featured no new game announcements, taking place on YouTube and Niconico on February 20 at 7:30 PM JST, or on February 21 at 2:30 AM PDT/5:30 AM EDT/10:30 AM GMT. NieR series producer Yosuke Saito, creative director Yoko Taro, composer Keiichi Okabe, and NieR: Automata senior game designer Takahisa Taura took part in the celebratory stream.

NieR: Automata is available now for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC via Steam. Additionally, NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139, which initially released in 2021, is available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC via Steam.

Shaoh’s Dark Summoner to Dekiteiru Manga Gets Short Anime

By

Douglas

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February 20, 2026

WWWave Corporation just announced that Shaoh’s Dark Summoner to Dekiteiru (I’m Dating a Dark Summoner!) manga will be getting a short anime adaptatation. The anime will be produced by WWWave Corporation’s own anime label, Deregula.

To celebrate the announcement Shaoh released a commemorative illustration.

Shaoh first launched the Dark Summoner to Dekiteiru manga in Kadokawa’s Dra Dra Sharp# online manga magazine in 2021. Kadokawa just published the manga’s sixth compiled book volume in September 2025.

Lastly here’s a synopsis of the story, via MyAnimeList:

Amona, a dark summoner and demi-human who uses demonic powers, is the newest addition to the party of the uptight priest Roni. Everyone expected the two to dislike each other and to have nothing to do with each other. But to their surprise, on their first day together as an adventuring party, they had a one-night stand…!

My Stepmother and Stepsisters Aren’t Wicked Anime Reveals Additional Cast Members

By

Douglas

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February 20, 2026

The official website for the upcoming anime adaptation of Otsuji’s My Stepmother and Stepsisters Aren’t Wicked (Ibitte Konai Gibo to Gishi) manga revealed three new cast members.

The cast of the anime includes:

Yū Serizawa as Marika Kōnokura (new)
Hina Suzuki as Miya Nakamura (new)
Yuka Nukui as Arisa Kōnokura (new)
Kujira as Teru Kōnokura

Keisuke Inoue, known for his work on My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!, is directing the anime at NEWON. Nanami Hoshino is handling the series scripts, and Mutsumi Sasaki is in charge of character design.

Otsuji’s My Stepmother and Stepsisters Aren’t Wicked manga launched on Ichijinsha’s Comic POOL digital manga magazine in November 2020. Ichijinsha will publish the eighth compiled book volume of the manga on Friday. Seven Seas published the sixth volume in English on June 17.

Lastly, here’s an overview of the manga via Seven Seas Entertainment:

Fairy tale tropes are turned on their heads in this award-winning and comedic reimagining of the classic Cinderella story!

Miya is the illegitimate child of a certain prominent family. When her mother dies, she’s convinced she knows what awaits her in her new home: a life of servitude and misery at the hands of her wicked stepmother and stepsisters! Yet when she finally meets the women she expects to treat her like dirt, they actually end up being…sweet?!

A hilarious and heartfelt comedy that’s sure to put a smile on your face!

Silent Planet – Elegy of a Dying World Releases for PC in Q2 2027

By

Saras Rajpal

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February 20, 2026

Silent Planet - Elegy of a Dying World Releases for PC and Consoles in Q2 2027

Vertex Zero has announced that it will release Silent Planet – Elegy of a Dying World in Q2 2027. It will launch first on PC via Steam and will release for consoles at a later date.

Vertex Zero is a new studio that features former devs from Eidos Montreal, Rogue Factor, and The Game Kitchen. Silent Planet is inspired by games such as Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and Super Metroid, among others. Check out the trailer for Silent Planet – Elegy of a Dying World below:

The Steam page describes the game as follows:

The story takes place in the year 2997. You play as Apranik. Your mission is to travel to the planet Thulcandra in search of a crucial item: the Angel’s Egg, a very ancient artifact believed to be the source of all life in the Universe. You journey through the claustrophobic corridors of a massive underground complex filled with the remnants of technological and biological horrors created by a now dead civilization.

“Flesh and bones writhing and weaving into a turmoil of organic anarchy. And appendages propelling the aberration towards me, as it crawled on an onyx mucus-like substance which itself seemed to possess life on its own.”

- Deploy an arsenal of melee and ranged psychokinetic weapons to vanquish even the most merciless foe.
- Deep and evocative narrative and lore.
- Explore a massive underground complex, evoking feelings of solitude and loneliness one would expect while infiltrating a hostile alien planet alone.
- Engaging gameplay systems fine-tuned to intensify exploration, immersion, and replay value.
- Dynamic environments which can be influenced directly by the player’s actions.
- Unearth artifacts containing the recorded chronicles of an ancient alien civilization.

Annihilated Demo Available Now on Steam

By

Saras Rajpal

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February 20, 2026

Death Kumiai and Flashlight Games have announced that a demo for its upcoming RPG, Annihilated, is available now on PC via Steam. The demo will be available for a limited-time.

In the demo, you’ll be able to play through the “First Layer,” which is the game’s prologue that features 4 distinct character routes. Save data from the demo can be transferred to the full version, when it releases in early summer 2026. It is currently unknown whether or not Annihilated will release on other platforms aside from PC. Check out the trailer for Annihilated below:

Lastly, Annihilated will release on Steam in early summer 2026. Death Kumiai and Flashlight Games will reveal the exact release date at a later date. The Steam page describes Annihilated as follows:

The Hero’s party has been annihilated.

You can only save ONE, but they are all BROKEN:

The Hero lost their words.

The Mage lost their magic.

The Warrior lost their body.

And the Priest lost ****.

Lovable & Broken Characters

A narrative-driven, story-rich RPG with 4 distinct character routes. Find your favorite “broken” one to save…and leave the others behind.

Dark & Cute Art

Adorable art fuses with dark horror effects. The cuter the graphics, the deeper the madness.

Timing-Based Card Battles

Timing is key. Manage limited resources and push the button at the perfect moment to survive.

Features

- 4 different routes
- Choices matter
- Multiple endings
- Script Volume: 200,000+ words
- Roguelite-flavored dungeon crawling
- High lethality, instant retries
- Unforgiving random events
- Turn-based card battle
- Test your reflexes to beat the enemy
- Shatter your weapon to deal more damage
- Use the “Curse” to rewrite your destiny

Pokémon Presents Announced for February 27, 2026

By

Saras Rajpal

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February 20, 2026

Pokémon Presents Announced for February 27

The Pokémon Company has announced that it will hold a Pokémon Presents on February 27, 2026. The upcoming event, dedicated to the series’ 30th anniversary and celebrating Pokémon Day, will feature new announcements pertaining to the franchise’s future.

While The Pokémon Company has not yet confirmed what it will reveal during the event, you can expect to see the first announcement pertaining to the next generation of the main Pokémon series. There will also likely be news about Pokémon Champions, which will release this year. After the event, Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen will release on Nintendo Switch for $19.99 each. The stream will take place on the company’s official Twitch and YouTube channels.

Check out the announcement post for the upcoming Pokémon Presents on February 27, 2026 below:

How about some Pokémon news, Trainers? 🤩

Tune in to #PokemonPresents at 6:00 a.m. PST on February 27, and join us in celebrating 30 years of Pokémon! 🎊

See you there!

📺 https://t.co/y7EhAHj8AR pic.twitter.com/C5VwbGFhST

— Pokémon (@Pokemon) February 20, 2026

Here’s an overview of both Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen via its respective Nintendo eShop pages:

Pokémon FireRed Version

Set off on a grand adventure to become the Pokémon League Champion-now on Nintendo Switch!

Celebrate 30 years of Pokémon with this Nintendo Switch version of the Pokémon FireRed Version game originally released on the Game Boy Advance system! Explore the Kanto region, discover wild Pokemon around every corner, and aim to complete your Pokédex as you battle your way to success. Earn badges as you develop winning strategies to use against each experienced Gym Leader, and uncover amazing secrets in your quest to be the best Trainer.

This digital exclusive contains the Sevii islands, where even more Pokémon await. You can also visit the Pokémon Wireless Club to trade, battle, and chat with other players via local wireless!

Support for Pokémon HOME is coming soon.

You’ll be able to bring the Pokémon you catch and train to the place where all Pokemon gather-support for Pokémon HOME is coming to Pokémon FireRed Version!

- Because this version replicates the way the game was originally released, each language version is separate and there are no in-game options to change the language. Please verify the language of the game before completing your purchase.
- Additional games and systems required for multiplayer mode. Sold separately.

Pokémon LeafGreen Version

Set off on a grand adventure to become the Pokémon League Champion-now on Nintendo Switch!

Celebrate 30 years of Pokemon with this Nintendo Switch version of the Pokémon LeafGreen Version game originally released on the Game Boy Advance system! Explore the Kanto region, discover wild Pokémon around every corner, and aim to complete your Pokedex as you battle your way to success. Earn badges as you develop winning strategies to use against each experienced Gym Leader, and uncover amazing secrets in your quest to be the best Trainer.

This digital exclusive contains the Sevii islands, where even more Pokemon await. You can also visit the Pokémon Wireless Club to trade, battle, and chat with other players via local wireless!

Support for Pokémon HOME is coming soon.

You’ll be able to bring the Pokémon you catch and train to the place where all Pokemon gather-support for Pokémon HOME is coming to Pokémon LeafGreen Version!

- Because this version replicates the way the game was originally released, each language version is separate and there are no in-game options to change the language. Please verify the language of the game before completing your purchase.
- Additional games and systems required for multiplayer mode. Sold separately.

Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen are Coming to Switch

By

Soul Kiwami

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February 20, 2026

The Pokémon Company will release Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen on Nintendo Switch on February 27 for $19.99 each, according to new listings that surfaced in the Nintendo eShop. The Nintendo eShop listings for Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen reveal that these versions of the games will support the Pokémon HOME application.

UPDATE (February 20 at 3:00 p.m. ET): The Nintendo eShop pages for Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen have revealed all mention of Pokémon HOME support. In addition, there will be no online multiplayer support for trades—only local wireless.

Check out the trailer for both Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen on Nintendo Switch below:

Here’s an overview of each game via its respective Nintendo eShop pages: