SEGA and Higround Reveal Dreamcast and Sonic Keyboard and PC Accessories

By
Soul Kiwami
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Peripheral brand Higround is teaming up with SEGA for a second collaboration to celebrate the legacy of Sonic the Hedgehog and the SEGA Dreamcast console. Launching on December 12 at 12:00 p.m. PST / 3:00 p.m. EST at higround.co, the new Higround collaboration brings an expanded lineup of keyboards, keycap sets, and mousepads that exude nostalgia for 90s SEGA. Select designs will also be available for purchase at retail partners Best Buy and Micro Center.

Each new Higround keyboard stands out with its unique theme. The Summit 65+ (Dreamcast Design) keyboard will be available $299.95 with a premium CNC Aluminum finish, stainless steel back plate, and a new Dampening Plus five-layer system for a silent and stable typing experience, all of which comes complete with an iconic Dreamcast aesthetic.

The Basecamp 65HE (Radical Highway Design) offers Hall Effect technology for extreme precision and responsiveness. This keyboard’s design is inspired by the adrenaline-fueled level, and its meant to be a high-performance option for competitive gamers. 

The new Basecamp 96+ (Classic Sonic Design) will be available for $189.95 with a compact but fully functional 96% layout with a signature Blue Blur design. With Dampening Plus technology and TTC Neptune switches, gamers get a great sound profile with performance that excels for gaming and productivity.

The Basecamp 75+ keyboard will be available for $169.95 with Escape from the City and Sonic CD designs and RGB lighting. This compact 75% keyboard also includes Dampening Plus technology and TTC Neptune switches with aesthetics appealing to classic Sonic fans. 

The Higround and SEGA collection is complete with a Basecamp 75+ keycap set in the Sonic CD design ($69.95, sold separately) and four matching XL Control Mousepads ($49.95). Head to higround.co to get text reminders and stay in the loop.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 Remake: Destiny and Strategy Expansion Pack Bundle Pre-Orders Now Open

By
Soul Kiwami
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Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 Remake: Destiny and Strategy Expansion Pack Bundle

Koei Tecmo and Kou Shibusawa have opened pre-orders for Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 Remake: Destiny and Strategy Expansion Pack Bundle on PC via Steam for $69.99, and the DLC is available separately for $29.99. Pre-orders for Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 Remake: Destiny and Strategy Expansion Pack Bundle include the Guan Yu Advances bonus scenario. In addition, a new gameplay trailer was released.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 Remake: Destiny and Strategy Expansion Pack Bundle will be available day-and-date with the Japanese release on January 29, 2026 for PC via Steam. In Japan, the bundle is titled Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 Remake with Power-Up Kit. The “Power-Up Kit” can be purchased as a standalone upgrade for 4,730 yen. The “Loyal Han Retainer Ma Teng” scenario will be included as an early purchase bonus. Koei Tecmo did not comment on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 versions of the game, however.

Destiny and Strategy Expansion Pack includes several new content additions and features. These features include Gems to further enhance abilities, the dramatic Turning Points system in combat, five additional fictional scenarios, and additional traits. What’s more, there were various improvements, including significantly improved combat and tempo, algorithm revisions, UI enhancements, and more.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 Remake launched on October 24, 2024 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam. Final Weapon reviewed Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 Remake and gave it a 4 out of 5 score, noting that the game is “a great modernization of the classic title, with a solid platformer for both new and returning players. History fans are in for a treat with rich historical lore to discover. Additionally, the soundtrack was a real highlight.”

Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack Adds Wario World

By
Soul Kiwami
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Nintendo Switch Online Wario World

Nintendo has announced that Wario World is now available in the Nintendo GameCube – Nintendo Classics app for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members, Nintendo Switch Online members simply need to start up the GameCube – Nintendo Classics app to play Wario World.

On Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members can access various Nintendo GameCube games right now, including Luigi’s Mansion, Super Mario Strikers, SoulCalibur 2, The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker, and F-ZERO GX. A Nintendo Switch Online-exclusive GameCube controller is also available now. Nintendo will add Super Mario Sunshine, Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance, Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, Pokémon Colosseum, and other GameCube games at a later date.

In addition, Virtual Boy – Nintendo Classics is being added to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack library on February 17, 2026. The Virtual Boy accessory for Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 will cost $99.99 at the My Nintendo Store. A cardboard version of the Virtual Boy accessory will be sold for $24.99 at the My Nintendo Store as well.

What’s more, Ubisoft’s Rayman 2: The Great Escape and Tonic Trouble are heading to the Nintendo 64 – Nintendo Classics app for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members on December 17. 

Street Fighter 6 December 16 Update Adds Battle HUD Design Setting Feature

By
Soul Kiwami
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Street Fighter 6 Battle HUD

Capcom has announced that the new Battle HUD Design Setting Feature will be introduced to Street Fighter 6 on December 16 with a new update. The Sim Sim Design will be free to all Street Fighter 6 players with the December 16 update, and Battle HUD designs from Super Street Fighter II Turbo, Street Fighter Alpha 3, Street Fighter III 3rd Strike, Ultra Street Fighter IV, and Street Fighter V Champion Edition will be available in the shop.

What’s more, eSports organization REJECT member and popular VTuber Amaki Pururu will appear as a color commentator with the December 16 update. The Japanese commentary track for Amaki Pururu will be available in the Color Commentators section of Commentary Settings in Street Fighter 6. In addition, players who log in between December 16 and March 3 will receive a special title.

Street Fighter 6 is also collaborating with the Banshee’s Last Cry adventure novel. The Banshee’s Last Cry collaboration includes a new scenario in World Tour in the “One Fateful Day” menu. All players who log-in during the event will receive new collaboration items, and the collaboration will last until April 30, 2026. 

Street Fighter 6 is available now on Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. On Nintendo Switch 2, Street Fighter 6 features a new Local Wireless mode. Local Wireless also includes Avatar Matches, allowing players to use their custom avatar from World Tour. What’s more, the Nintendo Switch 2 version supports tabletop mode with single Joy-Con play, Gyro Battle using dynamic motion controls. There’s also Calorie Contest Mode, which allows players to test their strength and endurance with exercises.  

3rd Mononoke Film Premieres on May 29, 2026

By
Soul Kiwami
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Twin Engine has announced that the 3rd Mononoke anime film, titled Gekijōban Mononoke Dai-San-Shō: Hebigami, will open on May 29, 2026 in theaters in Japan. What’s more, new cast members for the 3rd Mononoke film were revealed alongside new cast members. 

3rd Mononoke anime film key visual
©Twin Engine

New cast members include:

  • Miyuki Sawashiro as the wife of the Third Emperor:
  • Fumi Hirano as Tokiwai
  • Mariko Honda as Kawa

Previously announced cast members include:

  • Hiroshi Kamiya as the Medicine Seller.
  • Atsumi Tanezaki as Sachiko
  • Miyu Irino as Tenshi
  • Kenjirō Tsuda as Hokuto Mizorogi
  • Yoshiko Sakakibara as Suikōin
  • Tomoyo Kurosawa as Asa
  • Yōko Hikasa as Fuki Tokita
  • Haruka Tomatsu as Botan Ōtomo

Kenji Nakamura returns from the second film as the general director, and Tomoaki Koshida is directing the third film at Studio Kafka and EOTA.

Additional staff members include:

  • Screenplay: Yasumi Atarashi
  • Character Design: Kitsuneko Nagata
  • Animation Character Design/Chief Animation Director: Yūichi Takahashi
  • Art Setting: Yōichi Katōno
  • Art Directors: Akira Kuramoto, Yōko Saitō
  • Art Supervision: Takashi Kurahashi
  • Color Design: Kunio Tsujita
  • Visual Director: Yoichi Senzui
  • 3D Director: Kenichi Shirai
  • Editing: Shigeru Nishiyama
  • Sound Director: Yukio Nagasaki
  • Producers: Kimiaki Sato, Kōichi Naruse, Haruka Kato, Minami Agematsu
  • Planning Production: Kōji YAMAMOTO

Lastly, Crunchyroll describes the series as follows:

In feudal Japan, evil spirits known as mononoke plague both households and the countryside. Only one person has the power to kill them where they stand: the Medicine Seller. But in order to draw his spirit-slaying sword he must first understand the Form, Truth, and Reason of the mononoke. Armed with sharp wit, he wanders from place to place striking down the evil spirits in his wake.

Official Hige Dandism to Perform The Darwin Incident Opening Theme Song

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Soul Kiwami
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The Darwin Incident anime series

The official website for the TV anime adaptation of Shun Umezawa’s The Darwin Incident manga series announced Official Hige Dandism will perform the opening theme song “Make Me Wonder.” The opening theme song of The Darwin Incident will be released digitally on December 29.

The Darwin Incident will premiere in January 2026, and the anime will air on TV Tokyo and affiliate channels.

The anime’s cast includes:

  • Atsumi Tanezaki as Charlie
  • Mitsuho Kambe as Lucy Eldred
  • Akio Ōtsuka as Rivera Feyerabend

Naokatsu Tsuda directs the anime at BELLNOX FILMS, and Katsuichi Nakayama is the series director. Shinichi Inotsume handles the series scripts, Shinpei Tomooka designs the characters, and Yoshikazu Iwanami is the sound director. Arisa Okehazama and Mariko Horikawa are the anime’s music composers.

The Darwin Incident key visual
©うめざわしゅん・講談社／「ダーウィン事変」製作委員会

Umezawa launched the manga in Afternoon magazine in 2020, and Kodansha publishes the manga in Japan and abroad.

Lastly, Kodansha USA Publishing licenses the manga and describes the story as follows:

Created in a biological science lab, Charlie is a half human, half chimpanzee hybrid known as “Humanzee.”

Raised by his adoptive human parents, Charlie is now 15 and starting high school. There he meets Lucy, a clever loner who becomes his first-ever friend.

But his “normal” life is shattered when the animal rights extremists who freed his mother from the lab fifteen years ago reemerge as terrorists bent on kidnapping Charlie at all costs.

Shabake Anime Streams New ‘Climax’ Video

By
Soul Kiwami
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Shabake anime series

The staff of the TV anime adaptation for Megumi Hatakenaka’s Shabake historical fantasy novel series released a new “climax” promotional video. The video previews the final three episodes of the anime ahead of the inevitable Blu-ray Disc release of Shabake.

Kujira performs the opening theme song “Inochi no Parade (Parade of Life).” KAFUNÉ performs “Myaku-Myaku (Continuous).”

The anime’s cast members include:

  • Daiki Yamashita as Ichitarō
  • Kōji Okino as Nikichi
  • Taku Yashiro as Sasuke
  • Daisuke Namikawa as Nozoki Byōbu
  • Seiichirō Yamashita as Matsunosuke
  • Shimba Tsuchiya as Eikichi
  • Shion Wakayama as Oharu
  • Akira Sekine as Suzuhiko-hime
  • Shinya Takahashi as Noderabō
  • Misako Tomioka as Kawauso
  • Akane Matsunaga as Yanari
  • Aika Wakuno as Yanari
  • Takako Tanaka as Yanari

Takahiro Ōkawa directs the new anime series at BN Pictures. Tōko Machida oversees the series scripts. Akari Minagawa is the character designer and the chief animation director alongside Yuka Shiga. Rei Ishizuka is the music composer for the anime. 

Other staff members include:

  • Yōkai Design: Tetsurō Nireki
  • Prop Design: Yurika Konuma, Nana Koinuma, Nanami Hakoda, Chie Saito, Starroid
  • Art Director/Art Setting: Masahiro Satō
  • Color Key Artist: Fumi Matsuotake
  • Compositing Director of Photography: Yōichi Ōgami
  • Editing: Kazuhiro Nii
  • Sound Director: Hiromi Kikuta

Shabake is streaming on Crunchyroll in North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East, CIS and Indian subcontinent. In Japan, Shabake is airing on Fuji TV’s Noitamina programming block and AT-X, and various streaming services will air the anime, including Prime Video.

Megumi Hatakenaka’s first novel for the Shabake series released in 2001, and various sequel novels released in the many years that followed. The series would inspire two live-action TV series, manga, radio plays, stage plays, stage musicals, picture books, and a net anime adaptation.

Doki Doki Literature Club Plus is Now Available for Android and iOS

By
Soul Kiwami
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Doki Doki Literature Club Plus

Serenity Forge and Team Salvato have released Doki Doki Literature Club Plus for Android via Google Play and iOS via App Store. The Android and iOS versions of Doki Doki Literature Club Plus have feature parity with the existing versions on Nintendo Switch, Mac, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S. 

Here’s an overview of the game, via its store pages:

Hi, Monika here!

Welcome to the Literature Club! It’s always been a dream of mine to make something special out of the things I love. Now that you’re a club member, you can help me make that dream come true in this cute game!

Every day is full of chit-chat and fun activities with all of my adorable and unique club members:

Sayori, the youthful bundle of sunshine who values happiness the most;
Natsuki, the deceivingly cute girl who packs an assertive punch;
Yuri, the timid and mysterious one who finds comfort in the world of books;
…And, of course, Monika, the leader of the club! That’s me!

I’m super excited for you to make friends with everyone and help the Literature Club become a more intimate place for all my members. But I can tell already that you’re a sweetheart—will you promise to spend the most time with me? ♥

Unlock these exclusive features with your purchase of Plus content:

      • 6 new Side Stories about friendship and literature, totaling hours of new content
      • 100+ unlockable images including new game art, wallpapers, never-before-seen concept sketches, and more
      • 26 total music tracks, including 13 all-new unlockable songs by Nikki Kaelar, plus special guests Jason Hayes and Azuria Sky
      • A built-in DDLC music player to unwind with your favorite songs in a custom playlist, or loop a single track forever

Scenes From Awajima Anime Reveals Two New Cast Members and Key Visual

By
Soul Kiwami
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Kadokawa has updated its official website for the TV anime adaptation of Takako Shimura’s Scenes From Awajima manga series, confirming two new cast members and revealing a new key visual. Natsumi Fujiwara joins the cast of Scenes From Awajima as Emi Okabe, alongside Ayumi Tsunematsu as Katsurako Ibuki. Ibuki is envious of Okabe due to her talent and enrollment with a scholarship.

Scenes From Awajima anime visual
©志村貴子・太田出版／淡島百景製作委員会

Scenes From Awajima premieres in April 2026.

The cast of the anime includes:

  • Niina Nakabayashi as Wakana Tabata
  • Yō Taichi as Kinue Takehara
  • Ai Kayano as Ryōko Ueda

Morio Asaka directs the anime at Madhouse. Kunihiko Hamada is the character designer, and Yasuhiro Nakanishi is in charge of series scripts. Hideki Nakamura is the art director, Junko Sakai is the compositing director of photography, and Takahiro Obata is the music composer.

Shimura launched the manga in Ohta Publishing’s PocoPoco website in July 2011, before moving to Ohta Web Comic in July 2016. The manga went into a hiatus in 2019 and resumed with a monthly serialization in in January 2022. After another hiatus from August 2022 to November 2023, the manga resumed and later ended in March 2024. Ohta Publishing released the manga’s fifth and final compiled book volume in May 2024.

Yen Press will release the first volume on January 20, 2026. Here’s an overview of the series, via Yen Press:

Awajima Opera School—where countless girls from across the country flock in hopes of one day standing on the big stage. As they work toward achieving their dreams of stardom, their time at Awajima is filled with as much friendship and admiration as competition and jealousy. The precious feelings of girls who are at once both classmates and rivals, tenderly captured in the portraits of an ensemble cast!

Kaya-chan Isn’t Scary Anime Reveals Three New Cast Members

By
Soul Kiwami
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Kaya-chan Isn’t Scary new cast members

The staff of the TV anime adaptation of Yuritaro’s Kaya-chan Isn’t Scary horror action manga series revealed three new cast members. 

The new cast members include (left to right):

  • Misaki Kuno as Saku-chan
  • Mutsumi Tamura as Kenken
  • Chiemi Tanaka as Yuzu-chan

The Kaya-chan Isn’t Scary anime will be airing on TV Tokyo and its affiliate channels, AT-X, and WOWOW when it premieres on January 11.

Isekaijoucho performs the opening theme song “Maboroshi no Yukue (The Phantom’s Destination)” and SAKED and TAO perform the ending theme song “Playmour feat. Kaya-chan (Azusa Tachibana).”

Cast members for Kaya-chan Isn’t Scary include:

  • Azusa Tachibana as Kaya-chan
  • Maaya Uchida as Chie-sensei
  • Yūki Kaji as Namu
  • Fukushi Ochiai as Mobuo
  • Azusa Tadokoro as Akira-sensei
  • Shiori Izawa as Chihiro-sensei
  • Toshiyuki Morikawa as Kaya-Papa (Shizuo Satō)
  • Mamiko Noto as Kaya-Mama (Mirai Satō)
  • Haruka Tomatsu as Nana Ebisumori
  • Yoshiko Sakakibara as Mutsu Ebisumori

Hiroshi Ikehata directs the Kaya-chan Isn’t Scary anime at East Fish Studio. Tarō Yamada and Hiroyuki Moriguchi are the character designers, and Shigeru Murakoshi handles the series scripts. Yukio Nagasaki is the sound director, and Kohta Yamamoto and Shun Narita are composing the music. 

Additional staff members include:

  • Art Setting/Art Director: Ayumi Satō
  • Color Design: Ritsuko Utagawa
  • Compositing Director of Photography: Natsuki Yoshizawa
  • Editing: Gō Sadamatsu
  • Sound Effects: Hiromune Kurahashi
  • Music Production: Pony Canyon
Kaya-chan Isn’t Scary key visual
© 百合太郎・新潮社/カヤコワ製作委員会

Yuritaro first launched the Kaya-chan Isn’t Scary manga Shinchosha’s Kurage Bunch website in April 2022.

Seven Seas Entertainment describes the manga as follows:

Are you braver than a kindergartner? Find out with this horror manga that takes place in the most unlikely of places–and don’t miss the upcoming anime!

Kaya-chan is a notorious problem child in her kindergarten, but none of the adults know her secret–till Chie-sensei is put in charge and learns of Kaya-chan’s hidden ability to see evil spirits and vanquish them with a punch! What will happen to this five-year-old who gets in trouble when she’s only trying to help?

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