The World Is Dancing Anime Gets Early Premiere on HIDIVE

By
Soul Kiwami
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The World is Dancing HIDIVE

HIDIVE has announced that the anime adaptation of Kazuto Mihara’s The World Is Dancing manga will get an early premiere on June 29 for HIDIVE subscribers in the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and other key overseas markets. HIDIVE will also host world premiere event for episode 2 of The World Is Dancing will be held at Anime Expo 2026 on July 2 from 6:45 p.m. to 7:35 p.m. PDT in Room 403AB of the Los Angeles Convention Center.

“We’re excited to present the highly-anticipated historical drama The World Is Dancing as part of HIDIVE’s Summer 2026 line-up of exclusive simulcasts series,” said HIDIVE president John Ledford in a press release. “Told through the 12-year-old eyes of real-life Noh co-founder Zeami, The World Is Dancing presents a fictionalized dramatization of the birth of Noh that combines stunning animation together with mesmerizing elements from this classical theatrical art. Audiences will be captivated from the very first frame as they are transported back 600 years and immersed into the medieval world of 14th century Japan. The World Is Dancing is not to be missed!”

The World Is Dancing premieres on July 2 at 10:00 p.m. JST on Tokyo MX and KBS Kyoto.

Macaroni Empitsu performs the opening theme song “shusho.” Oniyasha (VA: Yumiri Hanamori) and Zojiro (VA: Romi Park) will perform insert songs for the series.

The cast of the anime includes:

  • Yumiri Hanamori as Oniyasha
  • Simba Tsuchiya as Ishiya
  • Maaya Uchida as Kogane
  • Romi Park as Zojiro
  • Katsuyuki Konishi as Kan’ami
  • Haruki Ishiya as Junigoro
  • Takahiro Sakurai as Ashikaga Yoshimitsu
  • Nobuo Tobita as Nijo Yoshimoto
  • Mamiko Noto as Nariko
  • Inori Minase as Chiharu
  • Hazuki Seto as Satsuki
  • Youji Matsuda as Inuo
  • Miyuki Sawashiro as Shirabyosh
The World is Dancing key visual
©Kazuto Mihara, KODANSHA/”The World Is Dancing” Production Committee

Toshimasa Kuroyanagi directs the anime at Cygames Pictures. Keigo Sasaki is the character designer, and Satoshi Nemoto handles calligraphy and title lettering.

Additional staff members include:

  • Series Script Supervisor/Scripts: Sawako Kawamitsu
  • Assistant Director: Shūhei Fuchimoto
  • Sub-Character Designer: Iori Hisatake
  • Prop Design: Odashi
  • Art Setting: Mamio Ogawa
  • Art Directors: Hiromasa Ogura, Kazuhiro Inoue
  • Color Key Artist: Naoko Satō, Kumiko Naruke
  • 3D Supervisor: Yoshinori Nakano
  • Compositing Director of Photography: Yūtarō Kikuchi
  • Editing: Daisuke Hiraki
  • Sound Director: Yukio Nagasaki
  • Music: Daisuke Shinoda
  • Noh Choreography: Tsumura Reijiro
  • Choreography: Kaiji Moriyama, Mikiko Kawamura
  • Noh Supervision: Kohei Kawaguchi
  • History Supervision: Katsuyuki Shimizu
  • Animation Producer: Mizoguchi Kan (Tadashi Mizoguchi)

Lastly, Shochiku describes the anime series as follows, via the official website:

One does not need dance to live.

In 1374, during the turbulent age when the Northern and Southern Courts were locked in conflict, the Northern Court’s shogun, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, was becoming an increasingly dominant force.

Born the son of Kan’ami, head of the Kanze troupe of sarugaku performers, Oniyasha drifts through his days with a hazy question lodged in his heart: Why do people dance? His spirit remains clouded, until the day he encounters a dance that is truly “good.”

Curious, sensitive, and strikingly beautiful, the boy meets people, laughs, cries, confronts his own weaknesses, and slowly begins to shape a new form of dance for a world steeped in impermanence.

Arknights: Endfield Releases ‘Back to the North’ Trailer

By
Soul Kiwami
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Arknights Endfield Back to the North trailer

GRYPHLINE has released the new “Back to the North” trailer for Arknights: Endfield to give fans a preview of the game’s next update and the return of Arcane, captain of the Yinglung Special Task Force.

Before the new update launches, fans can check out the Arknights: Endfield “Sketches of Lost Heirlooms” update, which launched on June 5 with a new region, new story content, new characters, quality of life improvements, and much more. Mi Fu and Camille are the update’s two main characters, with Camille following up at a later date. Fans can learn more about Mi Fu in the “A Fistful of Reflections” narrative event. 

The Contingency Contract challenge mode from Arknights also makes its in-game debut in Arknights: Endfield. Difficulty scaling is put directly in the player’s hands in what can be considered the game’s definitive endgame test. Sketches of Lost Heirlooms also brings a number of quality of life improvements, including “Backup Power” to mitigate factory blackouts, an automated feature that handles blockages for multiple recipes, Bulk Artificing for gear, Weapon Batch Dismantling and Lock Management, the “Perfect Match” label for essence farming, UI improvements, and a revamped Daily Task system.

Arknights: Endfield is available now for Android, iOS, PlayStation 5, and PC via Epic Games Store. 

Persona 4 Revival Collector’s Edition Pre-Orders Now Open

By
Soul Kiwami
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Persona 4 Revival screenshot

SEGA and ATLUS have opened pre-orders for the Persona 4 Revival Collector’s Edition at multiple retailers, including VGP, GameStop, and Amazon. The Persona 4 Revival Collector’s Edition costs $249.99 (console only), and pre-orders on Amazon in North America include an exclusive set of cards 

Persona 4 Revival Collector’s Edition contents include:

  • Base Game
  • Artbook
  • Steelbook
  • Keycaps & Keychain
  • Protagonist & Izanagi Statue
  • DLC – Costume Set, Persona Set, BGM Set
  • Persona 3 Reload & Persona 5 Royal Extra BGM Set

Persona 4 Revival will launch on February 18, 2027 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Microsoft Store and Steam. Persona 4 Revival will be available on Xbox Game Pass on day one.

The Persona 4 Revival Broadcast Livestream will be held on June 18 at 4:00 p.m. PT / 7:00 p.m. ET with new details to be revealed by P-STUDIO director Kazuhisa Wada. The broadcast will be streamed on the official ATLUS West YouTube channel and Steam.

Persona 6 was announced for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Microsoft Store and Steam. ATLUS describes Persona 6 as “The highly anticipated next chapter of the iconic RPG series delivers a bold, new standalone story blending heartfelt daily life and new characters with pulse-pounding, supernatural adventure. Whether it’s your first Persona game or you’ve been here since the beginning, this one’s for you.”

“We are delighted to officially announce our work on the next installment of the Persona series and look forward to sharing the incredible efforts that the entire team is putting into Persona 6 for its release after Persona 4 Revival,” said P-STUDIO director Kazuhisa Wada. “As we take this next step, we are thrilled the launch date is set for Persona 4 Revival and fans get to encounter a fresh and modernized experience as they discover the mysteries hidden in Inaba.”

Solo Leveling: KARMA Panel Announced for Anime Expo 2026

By
Soul Kiwami
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Netmarble and Netmarble Neo have announced that a panel for new roguelite action RPG Solo Leveling: KARMA will be held at Anime Expo 2026. Titled “Solo Leveling: KARMA – Expanding Universe,” the panel will take place on July 4 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:20 a.m. PDT at the JW Marriott Diamond Ballroom at 900 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015.

The Solo Leveling: KARMA panel will feature Aleks Le, the English voice actor for Sung Jinwoo, alongside executive producer June Sung Kim and surprise guests. The panel will include new gameplay footage, character reveals, behind-the-scenes insights, live script readings by Aleks Le, giveaways, and more. To celebrate the announcement, fans can enter a giveaway on the game’s official X (formerly Twitter) account to win one of five Anime Expo 2026 4-Day General Attendee badges.

Solo Leveling: KARMA will launch in 2026 for Android, iOS, and PC.

Here’s an official description of the game, via Netmarble:

The game introduces an original storyline set in the Dimensional Gap — an unexplored narrative window within the source material — where protagonist Sung Jinwoo endures a 27-year-long war among Monarchs. At the heart of this epic is the “Broken Cup of Reincarnation,” an artifact that can only be restored through Jinwoo’s fragmented memories.

Previously, Netmarble released the opening of Solo Leveling: KARMA, which was animated by staff at A-1 Pictures. The staff members who animated the opening include character designer Tomoko Sudo, animation director Shibito, and action director Yoshihiro Kanno.

Fans can also look forward to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S versions of Solo Leveling: ARISE OVERDRIVE, which is already available now for PC via Microsoft Store and Steam. The Solo Leveling: ARISE OVERDRIVE Deluxe Edition is available on PC featuring the base game, and the Deluxe Upgrade Bundle, which includes a Sung Jinwoo-exclusive costume, profile card, facial accessory and hairstyle, and a new pet.

In the meantime, fans can stream both seasons of Solo Leveling with English dubs and subs on Crunchyroll. The free-to-play action game Solo Leveling: ARISE is also available for Android, iOS and PC worldwide.

BLUE LOCK Season 3 Reveals NEO EGOIST LEAGUE Subtitle, Teaser Visual and Character Profiles

By
Soul Kiwami
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To celebrate BLUE LOCK Day on June 9 (JST) and the upcoming FIFA World Cup, new details about BLUE LOCK Season 3 were revealed, including the anime’s NEO EGOIST LEAGUE subtitle. Character profiles for Yoichi Isagi and Michael Kaiser were also released alongside a new promotional video and teaser visual for BLUE LOCK Season 3 NEO EGOIST LEAGUE.

Get the latest details below:

©Muneyuki Kaneshiro, Yusuke Nomura, Kodansha / “Blue Lock” Production Committee

Yoichi Isagi VA: Kazuki Ura

Character Profile: Once an unknown high school forward, he joined the “Blue Lock” project to chase his dream of leading Japan to a World Cup victory as the world’s number one striker. Through grueling selections inside the “Blue Lock” facility and battles against formidable rivals — including the match against Japan’s U-20 national team — he has gradually unlocked his talent and his “ego.” After scoring the decisive goal against the U-20 squad, he became an overnight sensation.

Yoichi Isagi
©Muneyuki Kaneshiro, Yusuke Nomura, Kodansha / “Blue Lock” Production Committee

“Around the same time recording began for Episode 1 of the BLUE LOCK TV anime, the Neo Egoist League arc also began serialization in Weekly Shonen Magazine,” Ura said. “Every time I turned a page, I vividly remember feeling both the excitement of wanting to someday portray this version of Isagi, and the pressure of wondering whether I would truly be able to do him justice. Those emotions clashed intensely within me, and it still feels like yesterday. Since that day, the Neo Egoist League has been both a goal and a dream for me. And now, that dream is finally becoming reality. I genuinely cannot contain my excitement. I’ll give it everything I have.”

Michael Kaiser VA: Mamoru Miyano

Character Profile: Ace forward of the U-20 squad at Bastard München — Germany’s strongest club, which also boasts the world’s current number one striker, Noel Noa — and one of the New Generation World XI (World Best Eleven). He carries absolute confidence in his talent
and ability, and possesses a fierce “ego” that mercilessly looks down on lesser opponents. He boasts outstanding sense across
the full range of play, from elite physical ability to ball control and handwork.

Michael Kaiser
©Muneyuki Kaneshiro, Yusuke Nomura, Kodansha / “Blue Lock” Production Committee

The BLUE LOCK -Episode Nagi-spinoff manga released in June 2022 and will finally be ending after three years, in August 2025. The BLUE LOCK –Episode Nagi- spinoff anime film opened in April 2024, and the anime’s second adaptation, BLUE LOCK vs. U-20 JAPAN, premiered in October 2024. The anime adaptation of both the original series and the spinoff are streaming on Crunchyroll.

The live-action BLUELOCK film adaptation will open on August 7 in Japan. TOHO is distributing the film, and renowned Japanese singer-songwriter Ado performs the film’s theme song  “Monstro,” with lyrics by ryo (supercell) and composition/arrangement by Giga and Teddyloid.

Kodansha began serializing Muneyuki Kaneshiro and Yūsuke Nomura’s BLUE LOCK in August 2018. The manga is available to read on Kodansha’s website.

Lastly, here’s an overview of BLUE LOCK via Crunchyroll:

Japan’s desire for World Cup glory leads the Japanese Football Association to launch a new rigorous training program to find the national team’s next striker. Three hundred high school players are pitted against each other for the position, but only one will come out on top. Who among them will be the striker to usher in a new era of Japanese soccer?

2XKO Reveals PvE Mode ‘The Climb’

By
Saras Rajpal
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2XKO Reveals PvE Mode 'The Climb'

Riot Games has announced that it will add a new PvE mode to 2XKO, titled “The Climb,” alongside the release of two new characters: Senna and Thresh. All three additions will release tomorrow on June 9. 

You can play the mode in either solo or co-op and pick from various difficulty levels, as you advance through a bracket of CPU enemies. After each win, you can choose an augment to enhance your abilities. Further, while health, Break, and Super meter transfer from match to match, you can replenish these at Campfires. Upon defeating a final boss at the summit, you can get rewards such as base chromas, avatar items, and stickers. Check out the trailer for “The Climb” PvE mode in 2XKO below:

2XKO initially entered early access on October 7, 2025 for PC (client download), followed by the full launch on January 20 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Lastly, the PlayStation Store page describes the game as follows:

TEAM UP. TAG IN.

Welcome to 2XKO, the free-to-play fighting game from the makers of League of Legends and VALORANT.

2V2 COMBAT

In 2XKO, good teamwork makes the difference between victory and defeat. Fight solo to control both champions on your team, or grab a friend to duo with. Switch up your game every match with Fuses, powerful playstyle modifiers that change the rules your team plays by.

LEGENDARY FIGHTERS

League of Legends’ iconic champions take the stage with fresh movesets inspired by the MOBA and reimagined for fighting games. Immerse yourself in the world of Runeterra with beautifully crafted stages, cutting-edge 2D graphics, and original music tracks that bring your battles to life.

LOBBIES & MATCHMAKING

Step into a virtual arcade where your next duo partner—or rival—awaits. Ranked, Casual, and Private lobbies let you play your way whether you wanna compete, spectate, or just mash. Plus, with best-in-class rollback netcode and anti-cheat systems, 2XKO delivers fair, lag-free gameplay every time you queue up.

Sea of Stars: Sunset Edition is Now Available for Switch 2 and GOG

By
Soul Kiwami
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Sea of Stars Sunset Edition

Sabotage Studio has announced that Sea of Stars is now available for Nintendo Switch 2 and PC via GOG with the Sunset Edition update. Sea of Stars: Sunset Edition brings a new cinematic intro, new key art, and several other tweaks and improvements in one final content update. 

Get the full details below, via Sabotage Studio:

  • New Cinematic Intro – Our biggest budget cinematic yet, and the secret stretch goal we never mentioned. Won’t spoil it here, but it plays when starting a new game.
  • Minor Tweaks – Notable mentions here are an updated balancing for Adventure (normal) difficulty, along with clear feedback prompts to convey enemies taking reduced damage while casting. Any new faces from the intro cinematic may also be spotted briefly later in the game!
  • Switch 2 Port – Looking to the future, we wanted to have a proper full-on standalone Switch 2 version. While not technically an “upgrade path,” it’s set with a permanent 100 percent discount for Switch 1 owners of the game, and the ability to import Switch save files. Everything’s been programmed, but exact roll-out and propagation times are outside of our control.
  • New Key Art – An official new Key Art for the game by Bryce Kho, featuring the whole party in sunset colors.

Sea of Stars was inspired by classic Japanese RPGs from the 90s, including Xenogears, Chrono Trigger, and Final Fantasy. Xenoblade Chronicles series composer Yasunori Mitsuda contributed to the stellar soundtrack of Sea of Stars. The game sold 100,000 copies on launch day, and went on to sell millions of copies in the months that followed.

Lastly, Sea of Stars is also available now for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Steam.

Draw This, Then Die! Reveals ED in New Promo

By
Theodore Millard
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The upcoming anime adaptation of Minoru Toyoda’s Draw This, Then Die! (Kore Kaite Shine) has received a new trailer which showed off the ending song, “Conifer” by Regal Lily. The anime will air on July 3.

The new trailer can be viewed here:

“Conifer” was written specifically for the anime, and will be digitally released on July 11. The anime’s cast includes:

  • Akira Sekine as Ai Yasumi
  • Saori Hayami as Rei Teshima
  • Saya Hitomi as Kokoro Fujimori
  • Kanon Fujimura as Sachi Akafuku
  • Inori Minase as Hikaru Sekiryū
  • Noriko Hidaka as Pokota
  • Atsumi Tanezaki as Nana Teramura
  • Yukana as Hana Kongōji

Hiroaki Akagi, known for his work on The Dangers in My Heart, directs the anime series at Shin-Ei Animation. Hiroko Fukuda oversees the series scripts and writes the scripts along with Aki Itami and Kanichi Katō. Takekazu Segawa is the character designer. Additional staff includes:

  • Color Key Artist: Kumiko Yanagisawa
  • Art Director: Reiji Kasuga
  • Compositing Director of Photography: Shigemitsu Hamao
  • Editing: Aya Hida
  • Music: Hiroaki Tsutsumi (MIRACLE BUS)
  • Sound Director: Tatsuhiro Amano
  • Sound Production: Bit Grooove Promotion

Toyoda (Love Roma) launched the manga in Shogakukan’s Monthly Shonen Sunday magazine in November 2021. The series is also available on Sunday Webry. Lastly, here’s an overview of Draw This, Then Die!, via MyAnimeList:

Ai Yasumi, a first-year high school student living on Izu-Oshima, loves manga more than anything. When she learns that her long-admired, yet long-inactive, favorite manga artist Hoshi no Rei will be exhibiting at COMITIA, she sets off on a journey to Tokyo.

What she doesn’t expect, however, is that a fateful encounter at the event will change her life forever.

“How does one become a manga artist?” Ai steps into the world of manga creation—a path she thought she understood, yet knows so little about. This is the story of a girl taking her first steps down the road to becoming a mangaka.

Monster Hunter Orchestra Concert Reveals Japan Tour Dates

By
Theodore Millard
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Monster Hunter Orchestra Concerts have been announced for four cities in Japan, taking place monthly from August to November to share the music of the Monster Hunter series. Capcom has been running the concerts since 2014, and 2026 will see them visit Tokyo, Hyogo, Fukuoka, and Sapporo.

The concerts will be performed by local orchestras, with Hirofumi Kurita traveling to serve as composer for each. The scheduled performances are (courtesy of RPG Site):

  • Tokyo International Forum Hall A – August 23 at 14:00 and 18:30
    Performance by Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Hyogo Performing Arts Center Kobelco Hall – September 22 at 17:00 and September 23 at 13:00
    Performance by Hyogo Performing Arts Center Orchestra
  • Fukuoka Symphony Hall at Across Fukuoka – October 31 at 17:00
    Performance by Kyushu Orchestra
  • Sapporo Cultural Arts Theater hitaru – November 9 at 18:00
    Performance by Sapporo Orchestra

Last year, the Monster Hunter Orchestra Concert visited the same cities, save for Osaka in place of Hyogo. The 2025/6 Orchestra Concert went on to perform abroad for the first time, in the USA, Singapore, Thailand, and Taiwan. These concerts were all held earlier this year.

At Summer Game Fest 2026, Monster Hunter revealed that its latest installment Monster Hunter Wilds would be receiving a new expansion, titled Ascension. Monster Hunter Wilds will also come to Nintendo Switch 2 in 2027, with it currently being available on. Monster Hunter Wilds is available now for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. Before launch, Final Weapon reviewed Monster Hunter Wilds and gave it a 4 out of 5 score.

We noted that the game is “a worthy follow-up to Capcom’s most successful game ever. The revamped gameplay is the best Monster Hunter has ever been, especially with additions like the Focus Mode. Beyond performance issues, Capcom went above and beyond in creating a game I find myself unable to stop playing. With a legitimate story mode and numerous tweaks, there has never been a better time to jump into Monster Hunter for the very first time.”

Stage Tour ‘Developer Spotlight’ Trailer Released

By
Saras Rajpal
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Stage Tour 'Developer Insight' Trailer Released

RedOctane has released a new developer spotlight trailer for its upcoming rhythm game, Stage Tour, launching later this year. It will be available on PC via Steam and “major consoles.”

The video features interviews with developers and community members alike. This includes Alec Castillo, also known as YouTuber Acai28, game lead Alex Jeffreys, studio head Simon Ebejer, and more. It also reveals some of the songs that will be included in the set list. So far, the revealed tracks are:

  • “RATATATA” by Babymetal and Electric Callboy
  • “Get the Funk Out” by Extreme
  • “Square Hammer” by Ghost
  • “Mimi’s Delivery Service” by Good Kid
  • “Dani California” by Red Hot Chili Peppers
  • “Terminator Oscillator” by Static-X
  • “Island in the Sun” by Weezer

Check out the developer spotlight trailer for Stage Tour below:

Here’s an overview of the game, via the official Steam page:

Stage Tour is a rhythm-action game designed to blend familiar and accessible note-highway gameplay with new and exciting modern twists. Stage Tour is poised to rekindle the flame of plastic-instrument rhythm gaming with numerous new features and game modes, dozens of bandmates and instruments to fit your unique style, a deep competitive spine, and an extensive roadmap of seasonal content and live events.

BUILD YOUR BAND

Chase the top score by unlocking unique bandmates, each with their own look, attitude, and stage presence. Choose from multiple variants to match your band’s personality, assign members to Lead, Groove, Drums, or Vocals.

PICK YOUR STYLE

Customize your lineup with official Gibson guitar and bass designs. As you play, your band evolves with you. Mix and match characters to create a lineup that feels uniquely yours, whether rocking solo or jamming with up to four players.

OWN THE STAGE

Push your skills, master every note, and conquer every challenge. Rise through the ranks to unlock legendary rewards, exclusive content, and permanent bragging rights.

Stage Tour is built with the community at its core, helping shape its future. Expect detailed feature reveals and deeper breakdowns in the months ahead.

A new era starts here.

RedOctane Games was founded by veteran developers from rhythm game franchises like Guitar Hero and DJ Hero. Among the studio’s leadership is Simon Ebejer, the production director of Guitar Hero at Neversoft, former studio head at Vicarious Visions, and former VP of Operations at Blizzard Entertainment for the launch of Diablo IV.

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