Gintama Smartphone Battle Chronicle Launches February 4 in Japan

By
Soul Kiwami
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SEGA and NextNinja announced that new Gintama mobile game Gintama Smartphone Battle Chronicle will launch on February 4 for Android and iOS in Japan. Gintama Smartphone Battle Chronicle is a new “chibi character battle” where players can form a party of their favorite characters from the popular anime series. Some of the game’s SSR illustrations were revealed ahead of the launch as well.

A pre-registration campaign for Gintama Smartphone Battle Chronicle is live. Players can earn up to 50 free gacha spins worth of Silver Crystals (in-game currency) and SSR character Gintoki Sakata if total pre-registrations exceed 300,000 in Japan. A worldwide release was not confirmed, however.

What’s more, the Gintama New Film Version: Yoshiwara in Flames compilation movie will open in theaters on February 13 in Japan. The film adapts the Gintama anime’s Yoshiwara in Flames arc, including episodes 139 through 146, there will be newly animated scenes and characters who didn’t originally appear in the arc. 

The main cast includes:

  • Tomokazu Sugita as Ginpachi Sakata
  • Daisuke Sakaguchi as Shinpachi Shimura
  • Rie Kugimiya as Kagura
  • Susumu Chiba as Isao Kondo
  • Kazuya Nakai as Toshiro Hijikata
  • Kenichi Suzumura as Sogo Okita
  • Tetsuharu Ohta as Sagaru Yamazaki
  • Akira Ishida as Kotaro Katsura
  • Satoshi Hino as Kamui

Naoya Ando directs the film at BN Pictures with a script by Taku Kishimoto. What’s more, Yōichi Fujita is supervising the film, and Shinji Takeuchi is the character designer and chief animation director. SUPER BEAVER performs the main theme song “Sanzen (Sparkling).”

Hideki Sorachi’s popular Gintama series began with the manga in 2004 and ran all the way until June 2021. The original Gintama anime series and the GINTAMA – Mr. Ginpachi’s Zany Class spinoff are streaming with English subs on Crunchyroll. Hulu is also streaming Gintama Seasons 2 and 3 with an English dub.

Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: The Sorcery of Nymph Circe Reveals Guns N’ Roses PV and Key Visual

By
Soul Kiwami
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Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway The Sorcery of Nymph Circe ending theme song trailer

Bandai Namco Filmworks released a new special promotional video for the Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway The Sorcery of Nymph Circe anime film featuring the ending theme song “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by legendary rock band Guns N’ Roses. In addition to the Guns N’ Roses PV, the second key visual for Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway The Sorcery of Nymph Circe was also revealed.

Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway The Sorcery of Nymph Circe second key visual
©SOTSU・SUNRISE

Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway The Sorcery of Nymph Circe opened on January 30 across 365 theaters in Japan, with North American screenings to follow at a later date. The first Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway film was re-cut into four episodes, which began broadcasting weekly on Nippon TV’s AnichU programming block on January 6.

R&B and hip-hop singer-songwriter SZA performs the opening theme song “Snooze.” SennaRin performs the insert song “ENDROLL” with Yōhei Kawakami of Alexandros. SennaRin and Hiroyuki Sawano will release the new album LOSTandFOUND on February 4 with new songs that will be featured in the new movie.

The cast members of the sequel include:

  • Hiroshi Shirokuma as Brinks Wedge
  • Anna Nagase as Julia Suga
  • Mahana Yamasaki as Hala Morley
  • Hinata Satō as Betchy
  • Kazuki Kyan as Rod Hein
  • Taiki Yamashita as Lowaist Heinrich
  • Shinya Takahashi as Chartchai Coleman
  • Noriaki Kanze as Josef Cedi
  • Shūichi Uchida as Ridorick
  • Hayato Inomata as Vilantes Suecken
  • Taihi Kimura as Drab Liddo

The main cast and a majority of the first film’s staff returns. Yuichi Kuboki joins Takako Suzuki as color key artists. Yoshinori Sayama is credited for display designs, Yoshihisa Ōyama is the new compositing director of photography, and Manabu Kamitōno directs the visual effects.

What’s more, the Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway “THE SOUND OF U.C.0105” event will be held at the Tokyo International Forum from March 7 to March 8, 2026, with live performances from Hiroyuki Sawano. Ticket applications are available now at the event’s official website.

Falcom to Reveal New Game in February 2026

By
Soul Kiwami
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Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter screenshot

Nihon Falcom plans to announce a new game this February that will be subsequently releasing in 2026, according to a Gamer.com.tw interview with Falcom president Toshihiro Kondo. Kondo notes that it will be “a big reveal.”

“As for the other project besides Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter, we’re planning a major announcement in February; We intend to make a big reveal.” said Kondo in the interview. “This year marks Nihon Falcom’s 45th anniversary, and we hope to build excitement for this milestone by releasing major news in stages.”

There are multiple possibilities for the new game from Falcom, including the next Trails game, the next Ys game, and a new unannounced game. Tokyo Xanadu New Project, an unannounced ported title, and an unannounced Switch 2 ported title are also in the works, according to the investors presentation published by Nikkei.

Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter is coming to Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam in fall 2026. Players can transfer their save data from Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter to receive bonuses in Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter. More details about pricing, editions, and a release date will be announced at a later date, and fans can stay tuned for updates on Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter’s official website. 

In the meantime, the original soundtrack of Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is now available in the Falcom Shop and streaming services, including Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and more.

Chainsmoker Cat Manga Gets New Anime Series in July 2026

By
Soul Kiwami
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Chainsmoker Cat anime

A newly opened website has revealed that a TV anime series of Nyan Nyan Factory’s Chainsmoker Cat (Yanineko) manga will premiere in July 2026. In Japan, the anime will air on Tokyo MX and other channels.

Chainsmoker Cat anime key visual
© にゃんにゃんファクトリー・講談社／ヤニねこ製作委員会

Yūko Natsuyoshi voices the main character of the Chainsmoker Cat anime series. 

Taku Kimura (Studio Lemon) directs the anime at Bibury Animation Studio, and Takashi Aoshima writes the scripts.. Riki Matsuura is designing the characters, and Keiichi Suzuki (Saint Young Men, Tokyo Godfathers) is composing the music.

Nyan Nyan Factory is serializing the Chainsmoker Cat manga series in Kodansha’s Young Magazine. Kodansha will publish the manga’s 11th volume on February 6. Seven Seas Entertainment is publishing the manga series in English.  published the first volume b

Lastly, Seven Seas Entertainment describes the series as follows:

Yani is a catgirl with a seriously bad smoking habit. She smokes so much that her apartment smells like ash and is littered with cigarette butts—and plenty of other trash! Every time she tries to quit, she becomes weak to the cravings and gives in almost instantly. Will she ever get her life together, or is she doomed to live as a chainsmoking slob forever?

Sakuna: Of Rice And Ruin Anime Gets New Promotional Video for Two-Part Special

By
Soul Kiwami
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Sakuna Of Rice and Ruin anime special

A new promotional video for the new two-part TV special for the anime adaptation of Edelweiss’ Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin game, titled Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin – Kokorowa’s Rice Farming Journal, revealed a new cast member and the main staff members. Renowned voice actress Asami Imai will voice Uketa Hime, Kokorowa’s rival, in the new Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin two-part special.

The new Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin anime special will premiere on February 15 and February 22 on TV Tokyo and five other channels. 

Masayuki Yoshihara directs the special at P.A. Works. Naomi Ōzora and Rika Kinugawa reprise their roles as Sakuna and Kokorowa, respectively. Keigo Koyanagi wrote the scripts, Ayako Kurome is the color key artist, and Mayumi Miyaoka handles art setting.

Additional staff members include:

  • Original Character Design: Ryōta Murayama
  • Character Design: Mio Fujishima
  • Chief Animation Director: Sayo Mizuno
  • Art Director: Tamako Kamiyama
  • 3D Director: Motonari Ichikawa
  • Compositing Director of Photography: Tomo Namiki
  • Editing: Ayumu Takahashi
  • Sound Director: Jin Aketagawa
  • Music: Yoshiaki Fujisawa
Sakuna Of Rice and Ruin tv anime special key visual
©えーでるわいす／「天穂のサクナヒメ」製作委員会

Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin – Kokorowa’s Rice Farming Journal is based on Keiji Andō’s spinoff novel for the game, and the anime special focuses on Sakuna’s best friend and genius inventor Princess Kokorowa. She joins Sakuna on Hinoe Island and takes up rice farming following an incident.

Edelweiss is also currently developing Sakuna Chronicles: Kokorowa and the Gears of Creation and free-to-play “rice cultivation simulation x exploration battle RPG” Sakuna Hinuka Junreitan, with the latter launching in February 2026 for Android and iOS in Japan. A Steam version (region-locked to Japan) will launch at a later date. The new mobile game will feature characters from the original Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin game and the anime adaptation, along with original characters like protagonist Hinuka. 

Heaven Burns Red Announces Persona 5 Royal Collaboration Event

By
Soul Kiwami
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Wright Flyer Studios and Key have announced that mobile RPG Heaven Burns Red will be collaborating with SEGA and ATLUS’ Persona 5 Royal. The announcement was made near the end of the Heaven Burns Red 4th Anniversary Party! livestream on YouTube.

The Heaven Burns Red and Persona 5 Royal event will begin in May 2026. Fans can expect an original story that was written under full supervision of ATLUS. More details will be revealed at a later date, so stay tuned. 

Heaven Burns Red tells the story of humanity’s struggle against a mysterious life forms known as “the Phage”. Humanity’s weapons are ineffective against the Phage, and the enemies eventually drive them to the brink of extinction. Their last hope is placed in Seraph, newly developed weapons that a group of girls may use to defeat the Phage in battle. Players control protagonist Ruka Kayamori as she leads a Seraph Corps squad into battle against the Phage.

In September 2023, Kadokawa published the Heaven Burns Red Comic Anthology, which features a cover illustration by P Goto and stories from Juri Misaki, Sakaki Yoshioka, and six other manga creators. A four-panel Heaven Burns Red manga was released as well. 

Yostar released the English version on November 15, 2024 on Android, iOS and PC.

Goddess of Victory: NIKKE Reveals Lycoris Recoil Collaboration

By
Soul Kiwami
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Goddess of Victory x Lycoris Collab KV

Level Infinite and SHIFT UP have announced that a collaboration event between mobile RPG Goddess of Victory: NIKKE and the Lycoris Recoil anime will begin on February 12. 

Lycoris Recoil agents Chisato Nishikigi and Takina Inoue will join the evolving roster of Goddess of Victory: NIKKE with their signature fighting styles. Players can expect a new story that sees characters from both worlds join together to face a common threat. Fans can expect new crossover visuals, and more details about character stats, skills, and mission rewards will be revealed in the days leading up to the event’s launch. To celebrate the collaboration, fans can win original merchandise and Amazon Gift Cards by following the official Goddess of Victory: NIKKE X (formerly Twitter) account and reposting the designated campaign post.

The latest anime in the series is Lycoris Recoil: Friends are thieves of time, which follows up after the first Lycoris Recoil anime. The anime covers six original short stories that focus on the daily lives of Lycoris Recoil’s characters at Café LycoReco. Fans can watch the anime on Crunchyroll and Aniplex’s English and Japanese YouTube channels. On Crunchyroll, the anime is streaming on North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East and CIS. Fans can also catch up on the original Lycoris Recoil anime on Crunchyroll as well.

Goddess of Victory: NIKKE is available on iOS, Android, and PC via Windows and Google Play Games.

Farming Life in Another World Season 2 Premieres in April 2026

By
Soul Kiwami
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Pony Canyon announced that Farming Life in Another World Season 2 will premiere in April 2026, and a new trailer and key visual were revealed. The full cast and staff of Farming Life in Another World Season 2 was also revealed.

Farming Life in Another World Season 2
©Kinosuke Naito/Farming Life in Another World2 Production Committee

The cast and staff of Farming Life in Another World Season 2 includes:

Cast

  • Hiraku Machio (VA: Atsushi Abe)
  • Luu (VA: Shino Shimoji)
  • Tier (VA: Aya Suzaki)
  • Ria (VA: Lynn)
  • Flora (VA: Miyu Tomita)
  • Ann (VA: Yukiyo Fujii)
  • Senna (VA: Machico)
  • Rasutisumoon (VA: Natsumi Hioka)
  • Creator God (VA:Show Hayami)
  • God of Farming (VA: M・A・O)
  • Kuro (VA: Hidenobu Kiuchi)
  • Lise / Rita (VA: Natsuko Abe)
  • Ricot / Ries (VA:Yuka Hiiragi)
  • Leaf / Lili (VA: Hana Shimano)
  • Granmaria (VA: Mayu Yoshioka)
  • Lumrious (VA: Yuuka Aisaka)
  • Daga (VA: Haruki Ishiya)
  • Doraimu (VA: Tetsu Inada)
  • Gucci (VA: Wataru Urata)
  • Glatts (VA: Akira Sasanuma)
  • Besel (VA: Yoji Ueda)
  • Landan (VA: Shinya Takahashi)
  • Gulf (VA: Ryosuke Takahashi)
  • Graffaloon (VA: Yoko Hikasa)
  • Donoban (VA: Kohsei Hirota)
  • Flaurem (VA: Miho Okasaki)
  • Hakuren (VA: Kanae Ito)
  • Gullguld (VA: Hozumi Goda)
  • Yuri (VA: Reina Kondo)
  • Clacasse (VA: Kotori Koiwai)
  • Loage (VA: Reo Osanai)
  • Rosalind (VA: Riho Tsuda)
  • Michael (VA: Naoki Tatsuta)
  • Ya (VA: Riho Sugiyama)
  • Valgreit (VA: Daisuke Ono)
  • Rashashi (VA: Natsu Yorita)
  • Igu (VA: Misaki Watada)
  • Mamu (VA: Hiyori Kono)
  • Gruwald (VA: Mariko Higashiuchi)
  • Gordon (VA: Toru Sakurai)
  • Narf (VA: Genta Nakamura)
  • Ronana (VA: Kana Yuuki)
  • Junea (VA: Marie Hatanaka)

Staff

  • Original Work: Kinosuke Naito, Farming Life in Another World
  • Character Designs: Yasumo
  • Director / Series Composition / Script: Ryoichi Kuraya
  • Character Design & Chief Animation Director: Yoshiko Saito
  • Sub Character Design & Total Drawing Supervisor: Kiyotaka Nakahara / Yusuke Isouchi
  • Sub Character Design: You Natsuki
  • Prop design: Atsushi Shibata / jimao
  • Art Director: Hirofumi Sakagami (TOTONYAN) / Yumi Okayama (TOTONYAN)
  • Color Design: Yuko Tsumori / Kaori Nakahira
  • Composite Director: Yuu Okimoto
  • 2D & Visual Effect: Tomoki Murakami
  • 3DCG Director: Yoshinori Ban
  • Editing: Masaki Utsunomiya
  • Music: Yasuharu Takanashi (Team-MAX), Johannes Nilsson (Team-MAX)

What’s more, a new Farming Life in Another World: Dreamy Life game is coming soon as a free-to-play with in-game purchases in English, Japanese, Traditional Chinese, and Korean on G123.

The first season premiered on AT-X channel on January 6, 2023. Lastly, the anime also ran on TV Tokyo and BS TV Tokyo, and HIDIVE streamed the series outside Japan.

Tekken 8 Season 3 Roadmap Released, Will Add Kunimitsu, Bob, and Roger Jr.

By
Saras Rajpal
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Tekken 8 Season 3 Roadmap Released, Will Add Kunimitsu, Bob, and Roger Jr.

Bandai Namco has revealed the roadmap for Season 3 of Tekken 8 via a new trailer. The season will add new balance changes and Kunimitsu, Bob, and Roger Jr. as new playable characters, alongside an unnannounced fourth character and stage. 

The schedule of Season 3 (in Pacific Daylight Time) is as follows:

  • February 9 
    • Season 3 Pass 
      • Includes 120 hours early access to every upcoming character, Aurora costumes, and all of the new characters and stages at no additional cost. 
    • 2nd Anniversary Campaign
  • March 16
    • Refined Balance
    • Rank Reset
  • Late Spring
    • Kunimitsu
  • Summer
    • Bob
  • Autumn
    • Roger Jr. 
  • Winter 
    • Mysterious Character and Stage

The balance changes for Season 3 promise to be “more conventional, more focused, more deliberate.” They’re further described as a “fresh start” that takes the game “back to basics.” Check out the first trailer for Season 3 of Tekken 8, which showcases a first look at the new characters and shows off the roadmap, below:

Lastly, Tekken 8 is available now for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. The Steam page describes the game as follows:

TEKKEN 8 is the latest addition to the TEKKEN series, which celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2025, and has now sold over 59 million units worldwide.

The game features a rich roster of over 32 characters with meticulously detailed high-resolution models that push modern hardware to its limits. Experience exciting battles with new battle features like Heat, or get yourself out of tough situations with powerful ultimate moves known as Rage Arts. With the new control system, Special Style, you can perform powerful combos with just a simple button, making the game even more accessible to newcomers.

Magilumiere Magical Girls Inc. Cast Member Yumiri Hanamori Steps Down

By
Saras Rajpal
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Magilumiere Magical Girls Inc. Cast Member Yumiri Hanamori Steps Down

The official website for the Magilumiere Magical Girls Inc. anime has confirmed that cast member Yumiri Hanamori will step down from her role. She previously played Hitomi Koshigaya. 

The website states that the decision is due to multiple discussions with Hanamori’s agency “tomorrow jam,” who asked for the change. The reason for the request is currently unknown. Magilumiere Magical Girls is the TV anime adaptation of Sekka Iwata and Yu Aoki’s Magilumiere Co. Ltd. manga series. Season 2 will release in July 2026 and will air on NTV. 

Riki Fukushima directs the second season at J.C.STAFF. Michiko Yokote is the new script supervisor, Masahiro Fujii returns as chief animation director, and Makoto Miyazaki is the anime’s composer once more.

Iwata and Aoki initially began the Magilumiere Co. Ltd. manga series in 2021. Shueisha publishes the series, with digital distribution on Manga Plus and Shonen Jump+. Lastly, the series is available to read in North America via VIZ Media, who describes it as follows:

Kana Sakuragi is an excellent candidate for the job. Any job! She’s motivated and organized, and has a fantastic memory. So why has she interviewed at over 15 companies without receiving a single offer? She’s trying to keep a positive attitude, but it seems like her bad luck is only getting worse when a monster crashes her latest interview.

As havoc ensues, she finds herself helping the magical girl who comes to their rescue and ends up with more than just her life in return. Meet the newest magical girl at Magilumiere Magical Girls Inc.!

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