Multiple Ecco the Dolphin Games are Now in Development

By
Soul Kiwami
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Ecco the Dolphin

Ecco the Dolphin series creator Ed Annunziata confirmed that “several new products and games” for the franchise are currently in development at A&R Atelier. A&R Atelier is based in Half Moon Bay, California and was founded by veteran game developers, including Annunziata. 

“It has been years in the making and we’re honored to bring Ecco back,” said Annunziata in a press release. “Ecco has always been more than a game about a dolphin—he’s a bridge between worlds.”

Annunziata previously confirmed that remasters of Ecco the Dolphin and Ecco the Dolphin: The Tides of Time were being planned. In addition, a third Ecco the Dolphin game is planned to enter development once the remastered games are complete, according to Annunziata’s interview at Xbox Wire. The official website for Ecco the Dolphin is live with a countdown timer that will end on April 25 at 9:00 a.m. PT / 12:00 p.m. ET.

SEGA filed two new trademarks for Ecco the Dolphin back on December 27, 2023 in Japan, which were made public on January 14, 2025. The first of the two trademarks from SEGA is for the Ecco the Dolphin title. The second trademark is simply “Ecco,” the series protagonist.

Back in December 2023, SEGA filed numerous trademarks for Alex Kidd, After Burner, Crazy Taxi, House of the Dead, Outrun, Shinobi, Streets of Rage, and Super Monkey Ball. Currently, SEGA is developing remakes, remasters, and new entries for Crazy Taxi, Shinobi, Streets of Rage, Jet Set Radio, and Golden Axe. SEGA and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio are also working on the next Virtua Fighter game and the new action game Project Century.

Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot DAIMA: Adventure Through The Demon Realm Part 2 Gets a New Trailer

By
Soul Kiwami
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Dragon Ball Z Kakarot Daima Part 2 trailer

Bandai Namco and CyberConnect2 have released a new trailer for the Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot DAIMA: Adventure Through The Demon Realm Part 2 DLC, which launches on January 15. Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot DAIMA: Adventure Through The Demon Realm Part 2 includes playable character Vegeta (Mini), a boss fight against Tamagami Number Two, new enemies from the Demon Realm, and more.

Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot DAIMA: Adventure Through The Demon Realm Part 1 previously released on July 17, 2025. In the DLC, players may explore the Demon Realm as Goku (Mini), Glorio, Panzy and other friends from the anime, and several features from the base Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot game make a return.

Both parts of Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot DAIMA: Adventure Through The Demon Realm are available for $34.99 in the DAIMA: Adventure Through The Demon Realm Pack. Purchase bonuses include Ultimate Meat Feast, Mega Sacred Water, Purple Dino Horn, and Awakening Water bonus items.

The physical Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot Daima Edition is available at Amazon, GameStop, Best Buy, and other participating retailers, starting at $49.99 for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5. It includes specially themed box art, the physical game copy (Nintendo Switch or PlayStation 5), and a voucher code for DAIMA: Adventure Through The Demon Realm Pack. 

The Dragon Ball Daima anime series are streaming on Crunchyroll and Netflix with English subs and dubs. The anime is streaming in North America, Central America, South America, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.

Lastly, Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is available now for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.

Draw this, then die! Anime Reveals Main Cast, Staff and Visual

By
Soul Kiwami
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Draw this, then die!

The official website for the TV anime adaptation of Minoru Toyoda’s Draw this, then die! (Kore Kaite Shine) manga has revealed the anime’s main staff and cast. The Draw this, then die! anime is currently set to premiere in July 2026 on NTV and affiliate channels.

A new key visual was also revealed:

Draw this, then die! key visual
© とよ田みのる／小学館／王島南高校漫研

Hiroaki Akagi (The Dangers in My Heart, Teasing Master Takagi-san) 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

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

Toyoda (Love Roma) launched the manga in Shogakukan’s Monthly Shonen Sunday magazine in November 2021. The series is also available on Sunday Webry. What’s more, the eighth volume shipped on October 10, 2025.

Lastly, here’s an overview of Kore Kaite Shine, 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.

Umamusume Pretty Derby: Beginning of a New Era is Coming to Theaters in North America

By
Soul Kiwami
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Umamusume Pretty Derby Beginning of a New Era

GAGA Corporation has announced that the Umamusume Pretty Derby: Beginning of a New Era anime film is coming to theaters in North America on February 27. An English subtitled teaser trailer for Umamusume Pretty Derby: Beginning of a New Era was released.

Umamusume Pretty Derby: Beginning of a New Era premiered on May 24, 2024 in Japan. Ken Yamamoto directed the anime film at Cygames, and Kiyoko Yoshimura wrote the script. Tetsuya Kobari is the scenario director, and Jun Yamazaki is the character designer and chief animation director. TOHO distributed the film in Japan. 

The main cast includes: 

  • Yuri Fujimoto as Jungle Pocket
  • Sumire Uesaka as Agnes Tachyon
  • Yui Ogura as Manhattan Cafe 

Lastly, here’s an overview of the film, via the film’s official website:

Jungle Pocket, known to her close friends as “Pokke,” is a free-spirited Umamusume who has proven her dominance in the freestyle racing scene. Overwhelmed by Fuji Kiseki’s majestic performance at a graded Twinkle Series race, she resolves to take on the Twinkle Series herself.

Shortly after joining the Umamusume training school Tracen Academy, Pokke comes under the wing of Tanabe, a veteran trainer who fostered Fuji Kiseki’s talent. Together, they aspire to dominate the Triple Crown series, a set of three races that can only be attempted once in a lifetime. Awaiting them are formidable rivals of Pokke’s generation, whose talents surpass even her own.

There’s Dantsu Flame, whose diligence and determination to win are second to none; Manhattan Cafe, who chases the shadowy silhouette of a “friend” that only she can see; and Agnes Tachyon, a veritable mad scientist seeking to push the very boundaries of what is possible for Umamusume.

These four runners take to the track with their very pride, spirit, and souls on the line. Past the finish of their epic clash is a door waiting to be opened—one that leads to the beginning of a new era.

“It doesn’t matter who stands in my way! I’m gonna be the greatest!”

PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium Game Catalog for January 2026 Revealed

By
Soul Kiwami
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PlayStation Plus Game Catalog January 2026

Sony Interactive Entertainment has announced its PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium Game Catalog for January 2026 featuring Resident Evil Village, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Ridge Racer, and much more. PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium members have access to this updated game catalog starting January 20, 2026.

Every month, PlayStation Plus Game Catalog brings several PlayStation 5 games to subscribers. Alongside a number of PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 games, PlayStation Plus members gain access to PlayStation VR2 titles and classics from the original PlayStation, PlayStation 2, and PlayStation Portable. PlayStation 4 games will no longer be a benefit after January 2026.

PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium Game Catalog for January 2026

The full list of January 2026 Game Catalog titles for PlayStation Plus may be found below, via PlayStation Blog: 

Resident Evil Village | PS5, PS4

Experience survival horror like never before in the eighth major instalment in the storied Resident Evil franchise. Set a few years after the horrifying events in the critically acclaimed Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, the all-new storyline begins with Ethan Winters and his wife Mia living peacefully in a new location, free from their past nightmares. Just as they are building their new life together, tragedy befalls them once again. More than just a mysterious backdrop for the horrifying events that unfold in the game, the village is a character in its own right with mysteries for Ethan to uncover and terrors to escape from.

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth | PS5, PS4

Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth, from the Yakuza series, brings together two heroic ‘dragons’ in an expansive new RPG that takes the franchise to a brand new location in the heart of the Pacific Ocean. Lured to Honolulu City with the promise of finding his birth mother, Ichiban Kasuga only discovers betrayal until the reclusive Kazuma Kiryu lends a helping hand. Explore the tropical Hawaiian capital and the familiar streets of Tokyo’s Kamurocho district, battle rivals from local gangs in enhanced hybrid RPG-style battles and enjoy Like A Dragon’s trademark abundance of side activities. The fate of two dragons is in your hands.

Expeditions: A MudRunner Game | PS5, PS4

Embark on ever-rewarding scientific expeditions as you adapt to nature’s challenges and unravel the mysteries of uncharted lands alone or with other players. Venture into the vast wilderness of arid deserts and rugged forests to the steepest mountains, brimming with hidden treasures and forgotten ruins. Lead research missions as you drive a variety of all-terrain vehicles through treacherous paths, using advanced technologies and high-tech tools to overcome obstacles. Build and manage your base and equip your vehicles with essential gadgets like drones or scanners to ensure your success in the wild. Hire a team of top-notch experts to improve your skills in the field, unlocking new possibilities for exploration.

A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead | PS5

A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead is a single-player horror adventure game inspired by the critically acclaimed blockbuster movie franchise that highlights a unique survivor story after an invasion of deadly creatures. In this exclusive spin-off, experience the journey of a young woman who must endure a treacherous apocalypse in the midst of interpersonal family conflicts, all while coming to terms with her own inner fears.

Darkest Dungeon II | PS5, PS4

Embark on a roguelike road trip of the damned in this sequel to the critically acclaimed Darkest Dungeon. Form a party, equip your stagecoach, and set off across the decaying landscape on a last-gasp quest to avert the apocalypse. Discover the failings of your flawed heroes in playable backstories and help them find redemption on the road. Explore various tactics as you battle unspeakable horrors who stand between you and salvation. With careful leadership you can create the party bonds required to withstand the nightmarish onslaught, reach the Mountain and prevail against the monstrous manifestations of your failures.

The Exit 8 | PS5, PS4

The Exit 8 is a short walking simulator inspired by Japanese underground passageways, liminal spaces and backrooms. You are trapped in an endless underground passageway. Observe your surroundings carefully to reach “The Exit 8”. Don’t overlook any anomalies. If you find anomalies, turn back immediately. If you don’t find anomalies, do not turn back.

Art of Rally | PS5, PS4

Art of Rally is a stylized experience inspired by the golden era of rally from the creator of Absolute Drift. Race across the world through colourful and stylized environments in top-down view. Compete for first place in the leaderboards with daily and weekly challenges. Experience the golden era of rally in Career mode, travelling across 91 stages from Finland to Sardinia, Norway, Japan, Germany, Kenya and Indonesia. Get behind the wheel of your favourite vintage cars, ranging from the 60’s to the 80’s, Group B, Group S and Group A. From beginner-friendly options to driving modes that’ll challenge the most expert drivers, all players can tackle the races using their favourite rally driving tricks: Scandinavian flick, counter-steering, left foot braking, handbrake turns.

A Little to the Left | PS5, PS4

Sort, stack, and organize household objects into just the right spot in A Little to the Left, a tidy puzzle game with a mischievous cat who likes to shake things up! Which way should the clock hands point? How to arrange the eggs? Who put so many stickers on this fruit? Come enjoy a calming world in an observational puzzle game with surprises around every corner. Featuring charming illustrations and surprising scenarios, A Little to the Left is satisfying and curious with over 100 delightful puzzles to discover. And keep your eye out for that mischievous cat with an inclination for chaos!

Classics Catalog for PS Plus Premium

Ridge Racer | PS5, PS4

Experience Ridge Racer originally released on the PlayStation console, enhanced with up-rendering, rewind, quick save, and custom video filters. The thrill of intense racing comes alive once more. Unique vehicles, roaring engines, lush scenery, and the screech of tires as they dazzle and drift. Experience the legendary racing game which once ushered in a new era. Take victory in one of two modes. Aim for top podium in Battle Mode across three difficulty levels, or race against rival cars one-one-one in Time Trial Mode. Turn up the volume by freely selecting BGM tracks during gameplay with the music player. Take high-speed control with the thrill of the wildest ride!

Oshi no Ko Season 3 Reveals Insert Song by o.j.o

By
Soul Kiwami
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Oshi no Ko Season 3 insert song

The staff of Oshi no Ko Season 3 revealed that singer-songwriter o.j.o performed the insert song “On your side” in English for the first episode, which is the 25th episode overall. A new promotional video for Oshi no Ko Season 3 was also released featuring B-Komachi’s “B no Revenge” performance from the new episode.

Oshi no Ko Season 3 is streaming Crunchyroll, and HIDIVE is streaming the anime in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and other overseas markets.

CHANMINA performs the Oshi no Ko Season 3 opening theme song “Test Me” and natori performs the ending theme song “Serenade.”

Chief animation directors for the third season include Kanna Hirayama, Ayaka Muroga, Kimiaki Mizuno, Shuri, Rina Morita, Haruka Inade, and Hirono Nishiki. Kenji Sawada is the main animator.

The cast of the first two seasons, including Takeo Otsuka as Aqua, returns in Oshi no Ko Season 3. New cast members include Mamoru Miyano as Hikaru Kamiki, Hina Kino as Tsukuyomi, Yuto Takenaka as Shun Yoshizumi and Yōji Ueda as Tetsu Urushibara. 

Oshi no Ko Season 3 HIDIVE key visual
©Aka Akasaka x Mengo Yokoyari/Shueisha, “OSHI NO KO” Partners

What’s more, the virtual live Oshi no Ko event “B Komachi Live Tourー2026 -Beyond the Brilliance VirtualLive-” will be held on April 25 and 26, 2026. There will be a total of 12 performances in Aichi, Osaka, Tokyo.

The final volume of the Oshi no Ko manga series by Aka Akasaka and Mengo Yokoyari released on December 18, 2024 in Japan. All chapters are available to read right now on Manga Plus in English.

Lastly, here’s an overview of the series, via Manga Plus:

“In the world of showbiz, lies are weapons.” Goro works as an OB-GYN in the countryside, a life far removed from the entertainment industry. Meanwhile, his favorite idol, Ai Hoshino, has begun her climb to stardom. The two meet in the “worst possible way,” setting the gears of fate in motion! The amazing Aka Akasaka and Mengo Yokoyari team up to depict the world of showbiz from a completely new perspective in this shocking series!

Mistress Kanan is Devilishly Easy Anime Premieres April 4, Theme Songs Revealed

By
Soul Kiwami
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Mistress Kanan is Devilishly Easy anime

The official website for the TV anime adaptation of nonco’s Mistress Kanan is Devilishly Easy (Kanan-sama wa Akumade Choroi) manga confirmed the anime’s April 4 premiere date Tokyo MX and BS11 at 25:00 JST / April 3 at 11:00 a.m. EST. Faulieu. performs the opening theme song “Hatsukoi Moment (First Love Moment),” and VTuber group Asagiri Kōkō performs the ending theme song “Pop, Snack, Junk na HUNNY.” 

A new key visual was also revealed:

Mistress Kanan is Devilishly Easy anime key visual
©nonco・講談社／カナン様はあくまでチョロい製作委員会

The cast of the anime includes: 

  • Aoi Koga as Kanan
  • Seiichirō Yamashita as Yōji
  • Sayumi Suzushiro as Jeanne
  • Maki Kawase as Ami
  • Ayaka Nanase as Nadeko Masurao
  • Fūka Izumi as Milch Zebul
  • Hikaru Tōno as Miel Zebul
  • Yoshino Nanjō as Lilim Zebul

Yasushi Muroya directs the anime at Studio KAI, and Hisashi Isogawa is the assistant director. Rintarō Ikeda handles the series scripts, and Akari Minagawa is the character designer.

Additional staff members include:

  • Sub-Character Design: Chisa Shibata
  • Prop Design: Nana Koinuma
  • Art Director: Nobuaki Mihara
  • Art Setting: Studio Uni, Quun Plant
  • Color Key Artist: Mineyo Ōnishi
  • 3D CG Director: Masanari Kira
  • Compositing Director of Photography: Shigeki Asakawa
  • Editing: Masato Yoshitake
  • Sound Director: Yasushi Nagura
  • Sound Effects: Rio Satō
  • Music: Shūhei Mutsuki
  • Music Production: King Records
  • Animation Producer: Hirokazu Shiba

nonco’s Mistress Kanan is Devilishly Easy manga was released in June 2022 on Weekly Shōnen Magazine. The story of the manga series focuses on Kanan, a demoness who infiltrates human society as a high school student to devour souls. A particular high school boy catches Kanan’s interest, but she quickly becomes her boyfriend and leaves her primary objective up in the air. With the prospect of her first love, Kanan’s relationship is filled with new experiences for her.

LEVEL-5 CEO Akihiro Hino Begins Work on Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road Sequel

By
Soul Kiwami
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During the latest INA-DAI livestream, LEVEL-5 CEO Akihiro Hino revealed that he’s begun work on the sequel to Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road. Specifically, Hino has begun writing the script for the Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road sequel and hopes to deliver “surprise and excitement” to players once more.

LEVEL-5 also revealed Inazuma Eleven: Cross, a new mobile game developed for Android and iOS in collaboration with Aiming. Inazuma Eleven: Cross includes simulation gameplay with command-based controls and an original story with a new protagonist, who becomes a coach and builds their own team. Players don’t control each player individually but instead act as a coach who determines the outcome based on team customization and in-game decisions.

Matches can be played automatically, and player data from Inazuma Eleven: Cross will be compatible with the upcoming Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road sequel. A closed beta test for Inazuma Eleven: Cross will begin on January 29 (JST), and recruitment for the beta test is now open in Japan on the game’s official website. Only 20,000 users will be accepted, and the beta test is only available to users in Japan.

LEVEL-5 also revealed new details about the second major update for Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road, titled Ares & Fabled Seed. This new update is scheduled to launch on January 28. The Ares & Fabled Seed update will introduce new features and the opening of the Ares Route in Chronicle Mode. Players can expect “a blazing football drama about boys and girls striving for the very top.” LEVEL-5 will also distribute the “Fabled Seed,” a special item that lets players upgrade one character of choice to the Fabled rarity. 

Monster Eater Webtoon is Getting a Light Anime

By
Soul Kiwami
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Monster Eater

Animation ID has announced that the webtoon adaptation of Renkinō’s Monster Eater (Mamonogurai no Bōkensha) light novel series is getting a light anime adaptation this April on the Tokyo MX channel. A new teaser trailer and key visual for the Monster Eater light anime were revealed alongside the anime’s main staff members. 

Monster Eater anime adaptation key visual
©錬金王・かわく・フーモア/LINE Digital Frontier/「魔物喰らいの冒険者～俺だけ魔物を 喰らって強くなる～」製作委員会

Hikaru Satō directs the Monster Eater light anime adaptation at IMAGICA Infos and Imageworks Studio. Kazuya Takahashi oversees the production, and nanogram.inc is collaborating on the production.

Renkinō launched the story on the Shōsetsuka ni Narō website in March 2023, and Earth Star Entertainment began publishing the series with illustrations by Kawaku in August 2023. LINE Manga launched the webtoon adaptation by Kei Ichimatsu, Tanako Tanao, and whomor, in June 2024. TATE’s manga adaptation launched one month later in August 2024 on Square Enix’s Manga UP! service. 

Here’s an overview of the series, via the Manga UP! Global service: 

Nobody wants “Grubby Forager” Rudd on their adventuring team. His nickname—and his stench—come from his constant treks into the Noxious Labyrinth to gather medicinal herbs, a job he survives only thanks to his status immunity skill. When he’s finally recruited as a party porter, things seem to be looking up… Until a deadly dungeon monster appears and his fake allies use him as bait before abandoning him! Wounded, destitute, and barely surviving the attack, Rudd breaks a forbidden taboo to stay alive: eating monsters. But the more he devours, the more power he gains, kicking off a thrilling, adventurous gourmet fantasy!

Nintendo Switch 2025 Year in Review Feature Released

By
Saras Rajpal
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Nintendo Switch 2025 Year in Review Released

Nintendo has released the Nintendo Switch 2025 Year in Review feature via MyNintendo. It provides an overview of the games you’ve played on both Switch and Switch 2. 

Some of the games released this year by Nintendo include Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza, Kirby Air Riders, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, and Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Additionally, multiple third-party games have also launched for the Nintendo Switch 2, such as Cyberpunk 2077, Deltarune, and Hades II, alongside Nintendo Switch 2 editions of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. The feature also allows players to explore their entire history with both the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, going back to the very first day they picked up both consoles for the first time. 

2026 will feature multiple major releases from Nintendo, both from its first-party developers and third-party partners. Some examples include Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, Rhythm Heaven Groove, Mario Tennis Fever, Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, Pokémon Pokopia, Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave, Resident Evil Requiem, and Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade. 

The Nintendo Switch 2 version of Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade will release on January 22, 2026, followed by Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Remake Part 3 at a later date. Featuring the base game and the Episode INTERmission DLC featuring Yuffie Kisaragi, the Nintendo Switch 2 version includes a “Streamlined Progression” feature, giving players access to unlimited MP and HP, unlimited limit and ATB gauge during battles, 9,999 damage, easier weapon ability acquisition, and more. A demo for the game is available now to download. 

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