Ikoku Nikki Anime Premieres on January 4

By
Soul Kiwami
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Ikoku Nikki anime premiere

A new trailer for the anime adaptation of Tomoko Yamashita’s Ikoku Nikki (Diary of a Strange Land) manga series confirms the anime’s January 4 premiere. The Ikoku Nikki anime will air on BS Asahi on January 4 at 11:00 p.m. JST (9:00 a.m. EST), and Amazon Prime Video and other streaming services will stream the anime in Japan.

Ikoku Nikki second key visual
©ヤマシタトモコ・祥伝社／アニメ「違国日記」製作委員会

The Ikoku Nikki cast members include:

  • Miyuki Sawashiro as Makio Kōdai
  • Fuko Mori as Asa Takumi
  • Junichi Suwabe as Shingo Kasamachi
  • Sumire Morohoshi as Emiri Nara
  • Eriko Matsui as Nana Daigo
  • Takashi Kondō as Kazunari Tōno
  • Sayaka Ōhara as Minori Takumi

Singer-songwriter TOMOO performs the opening theme song “Sonare,” and Bialystocks performs the ending theme song “Kotozute (Hearsay).”

Ikoku Nikki premieres in January 2026 on the ABC TV, Tokyo MX, and BS Asahi channels in Japan. 

Miyuki Oshiro is directing the anime at studio Shuka. Kohei Kiyasu is handling the series composition and writing the scripts, and Kenji Hayama is the character designer. kensuke ushio is the anime’s music composer.

Additional staff members include:

  • Sub-Character Designer: Toshie Kawamura
  • Prop Setting: Miyako Kanō
  • Costume Setting: Kaede Aizawa
  • Art: Eriko Takahashi
  • Color Design: Miho Tanaka
  • Director of Photography: Tomo Namiki
  • Editing: Kazuhiko Seki
  • Sound Director: Takahiro Ōmori

Yamashita launched the manga in June 2017 in Shodensha’s Feel Young magazine and ended it in June 2023. The manga series is about a 35-year-old novelist named Makio Kōdai and her 15-year-old niece Asa, who live together. Makio took Asa in after Asa’s parents passed away. The following day, Makio remembers that she doesn’t do well in the company of other people. As a result, Makio attempts to acclimate to living with a roommate, while Asa attempts to get used to an adult who never acts like one.

Yoroi Shin Den Samurai Troopers Anime Premieres on January 6

By
Soul Kiwami
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Yoroi Shin Den Samurai Troopers trailer

The staff of Yoroi Shin Den Samurai Troopers, the sequel to the Yoroiden Samurai Troopers anime series, has announced the anime’s January 6 premiere date, two-cour broadcast, and additional cast and staff members with the latest trailer. The trailer confirms that rock band blank paper performs the opening theme song “YOAKE (Dawn),” and ONE OR EIGHT performs the ending theme song “POWER.”

Yoroi Shin Den Samurai Troopers key visual
©SUNRISE

The new cast members include: 

  • Lynn as Mirei Aragaki
  • Katsuyuki Konishi as Ramaga
  • Takuya Satō as Sasuke
  • Kōsuke Toriumi as Saizō
  • Takuma Terashima as Kamanosuke
  • Tomokazu Sugita as Seikai Nyūdō
  • Kōhei Amasaki as Isa Nyūdō

The Yoroi Shin Den Samurai Troopers anime will begin airing on January 6 at 11:30 p.m. JST (9:30 a.m. EST) on Tokyo MX, followed by streaming services like U-NEXT, Anime Hōdai, and d Anime Store at 24:00 JST. 

The main cast includes:

  • Hiiro Ishibashi as Gai
  • Kentarō Kumagai as Shion Ishida/Senkō no Shion
  • Shunsuke Takeuchi as Yamato Hōjō/Kōya no Yamato
  • Junya Enoki as Kaito Uesugi/Sōkyū no Kaito
  • Ayumu Murase as Musashi Hōjō/Suiren no Musashi

Yōichi Fujita, known for his work on Gintama, is directing the new anime at Sunrise. Shōgo Mutō is handling the series scripts. The character designers include Yūhei Murota, Hideo Okamoto, and Takuya Suzuki. Shūji Katayama is composing the music. Sunrise’s creative team, under the pen name Hajime Yatate, is credited with the original story.

Additional staff members include:

  • Chief Animation Directors: Junko Yamanaka, Tomoko Tanaka
  • Main Animator: Hiroyuki Nishimura
  • Screen Design Director: Akira Saitoh
  • Art Director: Osamu Tayama
  • Color Key Artist: Miho Tanaka
  • CG Directors: Masaomi Suzuki, Keisuke Takahashi
  • Compositing Director of Photography: Rumi Ishiguro
  • Editing: Kumiko Sakamoto
  • Sound Director: Ryō Tanaka

Sunrise created the Yoroiden Samurai Troopers series in 1988-1989. Cartoon Network released it as Ronin Warriors in the United States, and Crunchyroll is streaming it on its streaming service. Bandai Namco Entertainment released the series on DVD initially. Later, Diskotek Media released the full series on DVD once again in 2015.

Lastly, Crunchyroll describes the full original Yoroiden Samurai Troopers series as follows:

Long ago, there existed an evil spirit that waged a war to conquer the human world. Defeat drove him back to the realm of darkness, but not before vowing to return and exact his revenge. A thousand years later, the world has all but forgotten the name of Arago, Emperor of Doom. When black clouds smother the bright city lights of Shinjuku, and a sinister laugh drowns out the dying hum of electricity, the people of the world plunge into terror, unprepared for the evil spirit’s return!

Tomba 2: The Evil Swine Return Special Edition is Coming to Switch 2

By
Soul Kiwami
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Tomba 2 The Evil Swine Return

Limited Run Games has announced Tomba 2: The Evil Swine Return Special Edition is coming to Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam for $19.99 on December 15. The PlayStation 4 version is no longer planned for release. 

Previously, Limited Run Games opened pre-orders for the standard edition, which costs $34.99 and features a booklet exclusive to the console versions. The “Classic Edition” costs $69.99, and includes a retro box, a steelbook, a soundtrack CD, and a double-sided poster. Lastly, there’s the “Whoopee Edition,” priced at $149.99, which has a retro box, steelbook, soundtrack CD, double-sided poster, a deluxe hardcover art book and strategy guide by Stuart Gipp and Max Burnette with Jeremy Parish, a Charles figure, a “Tomba with Flying Squirrel Suit” figure, and art prints.

Lastly, Limited Run Games describes Tomba 2: The Evil Swine Return Special Edition as follows:

Tomba is back for more in Tomba! 2: The Evil Swine Return Special Edition, a celebration of the often overlooked sequel to the legendary platformer, Tomba!

Evil Pigs have invaded a nearby land and Tomba’s friend Tabby has disappeared without a trace! Without hesitation, Tomba leaps into the sea to find his friend and save the day!

Tomba! 2 was first published back in 1999, and is triumphantly returning in this jam-packed Special Edition release, containing the following features: 

      • Save Anywhere! There’s no longer any need to make frequent trips to save points.
      • Rewind! If you miss a jump or get hit, no problem, you can try again!
      • A museum chock full of classic original packaging and manuals, advertisements, merchandise photos, previously unseen game design documents, and high resolution original artwork

Elden Ring Nightreign The Forsaken Hollows Trailer Introduces Undertaker Nightfarer

By
Soul Kiwami
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Elden Ring Nightreign The Forsaken Hollows Undertaker

Bandai Namco Entertainment and FromSoftware have released a new trailer for Elden Ring Nightreign DLC expansion The Forsaken Hollows, highlighting the new Undertaker Nightfarer. The Undertaker lets her faith be the force that purges the darkness festering in Limveld in Elden Ring Nightreign.

Elden Ring Nightreign The Forsaken Hollows costs $15 includes two additional Nightfarers, a new Shifting Earth, and much more. A Deluxe Upgrade Pack will be available featuring the DLC and a digital artbook and mini soundtrack, which was included with the Elden Ring Nightreign Deluxe Edition. According to the Steam page, this upgrade and bonus will only be available to purchase until the release of The Forsaken Hollows.

Currently, Elden Ring Nightreign is available now for PlayStation, Xbox, and PC via Steam. Final Weapon reviewed Elden Ring Nightreign and gave it a 4.5 out 5 score, noting that the game “understands its own identity and hones in on that. The returning bosses are a treat for older FromSoftware players, and the new mechanics are fun yet challenging to wrap your head around.”

Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition will release in 2026 for Nintendo Switch 2, featuring the base game and the Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree expansion in one package. Moreover, the game will feature new armor and customization features for Torrent’s appearance. Further details about the Nintendo Switch 2 version were not revealed yet. 

Lastly, the Elden Ring Symphonic Adventure orchestra concert will be held on February 15, 2026 at the Pacifico Yokohama National Convention Hall in Japan. The concert will be handled by the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, with conductor Hirofumi Kurita at the helm. In addition, the concert will give fans the opportunity to purchase specially themed merchandise to commemorate the event.

Perennial Dusk: Kinsenka is Coming to Switch

By
Soul Kiwami
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Perennial Dusk: Kinsenka for Switch

Bushiroad Games and Frontwing have announced a Nintendo Switch version of visual novel Perennial Dusk: Kinsenka will be released on April 30, 2026 in Japan. In addition to the Switch release, Bushiroad Games will release a physical edition of Perennial Dusk: Kinsenka for PC in Japan.

The physical standard edition of Perennial Dusk: Kinsenka costs 5,478 yen, and the limited edition costs 32,780 yen. Limited edition contents include a blanket, folding fan, three replica mini autographed cards, a soundtrack CD, and a voice drama CD.

Perennial Dusk: Kinsenka is available now for PC via Steam.

According to the official website, the staff of Perennial Dusk: Kinsenka includes:

Staff
  • Planning / Story – Yukito Urushibara
  • Art / Character Design – Saine
  • BGM – Fuminori Matsumoto, Hitoshi Fujima（Elements Garden）
  • Developer – Frontwing
  • Theme Song – “Inside Your Memories”
    • Vocals: Mao Uesugi
    • Composition & Arrangement: Hitoshi Fujima (Elements Garden)
    • Lyrics: Yoshikazu Kuwashima

Lastly, here’s a story synopsis for the game, via Gematsu:

Story

The human heart is but a vessel for pain.

That’s what someone once whispered-a voice laced with loneliness, whispering directly into the soul. It’s an indescribable sadness, a love just beginning to bloom. It becomes an invisible pain that pierces the heart. And that’s what makes up life: a cyclical series of highs and lows.

Tachibana Sai was born without the ability to feel pain in his heart. He spends his days eliminating any seeds of malice that sneak up on his sister, the one person he treasures, without drawing attention to himself.

Sick of the never ending monotony he lives through, he chances upon a meeting with Benio Matsuri, a young girl whose aloof demeanor resembles that of a beautifully crafted doll.

For the first time in his life, he encounters a heart piercing sensation that of falling in love.

On the edge between day and night, in a twilight world where the dead and living mingle, stands an apartment building called Maison sans Nom, which is home to a group of boys and girls.

A ruthless boy who knows no pain in his heart. A lonely girl without any friends. A friendly girl who struggles to make connections. A prickly, ambitious girl who is keen to be of help. A boy who loves his own cute self above anything else. A mess of a woman who tries to solve everything through brute force. And a boy with a tender heart who knows no pain in his body.

This ill-assorted group of residents, hands stained with blood from battling the supernatural Maledicts, shall encounter the hearts they never knew and begin nurturing their souls.

The human heart is hut a vessel for pain.

To protect this pain akin to love… To gently break the world apart, piece by piece… Even if it means abandoning humanity. That’s why the heart is but a vessel for pain.

For life blazes brilliantly, while the heart goes around in an endless cycle.

Drag x Drive Update 1.2.0 Now Available, Adds Survival Tag

By
Soul Kiwami
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Drag x Drive update 1.2.0

Nintendo has released the version 1.2.0 update for 3v3 basketball game Drag x Drive on Nintendo Switch 2. Drag x Drive update 1.2.0 adds the new Survival Tag chasing game to friend parks, local wireless parks, and LAN parks, and there were several adjustments and bug fixes applied. The Drag x Drive demo, formerly Global Jam, was also updated for offline play.

Patch notes can be read below, via Nintendo’s official support website:

Drag x Drive Update 1.2.0 Patch Notes

General Updates

  • Added the chasing game Survival Tag to friend parks, local wireless parks, and LAN parks.
    • Note: To play Survival Tag when in the parks listed above, the player who created the park opens the X Menu, then selects Start Survival Tag on the Players tab.
    • Depending on the wireless environment, there may be times where player positioning does not perfectly match between users. For that reason, there may be cases where, even if it appears to one player as if contact was made, from the other player’s perspective no contact occurred. In order to limit unpleasant experiences in situations like these as much as possible, in basketball games this may be determined as no contact.
    • On the other hand, in Survival Tag, the question of contact is the whole crux of the game and is particularly important to game progression. Therefore, it has been designed such that a tag is considered successful if there was contact from either perspective (the tagging player, or the one who was tagged).
  • Corrected the calculation of Iso Wins on the Game Stats tab under Stats. Previously, it counted the total number of Isos, not just wins.
  • Added Rope Jumps to Other Stats tab under Stats.
  • Changed the target of the Focus Cam when near the sumo ring to the sumo ring itself.
  • Made some adjustments to bots in friend parks, local wireless parks, and LAN parks.
    • Note: We slightly lowered the strength level of the Easy and Standard bots that the player who created the park can add under the Players tab of the X Menu.
  • Added a feature to enable players to delete their own records.
    • On the screen that displays players’ records before starting time trials or shooting contests, simultaneously press and hold the ZL Button, left directional button, and right directional button on the Joy-Con 2 (L) for 10 seconds to delete the record.
    • Once deleted, records cannot be restored.
    • Obtained trophies will remain, even if records are deleted.

Fixed Issues

  • Fixed a very rare issue where, due to unintended behavior, the displays for level or total distance would reach the upper limit.
  • Fixed a rare issue in Circuit Sprint where players sometimes passed through terrain.
  • Fixed an issue where bunny hops made it possible to accelerate to and maintain speed that exceeded top speed.
    • The intended design is that it is only possible to accelerate beyond the normal top speed when driving down a slope or successfully pulling off a halfpipe or ramp trick. However, unintended behavior occurred, such as players accelerating beyond top speed when landing after rotating, or not decelerating while in midair even if they had exceeded top speed. We fixed this because this issue required players to control their character in unintuitive ways in order to achieve good results.
  • Fixed various issues to create a smoother gaming experience.

Note: Version 1.1.1 for the Drag x Drive Demo (formerly Drag x Drive: Global Jam) was also released.

General Updates

  • Changed software title from Drag x Drive: Global Jam to Drag x Drive Demo.
  • Changed the software icon that displays in locations such as the HOME Menu.
  • Made it possible to play the tutorial and certain bot games any time.
  • Fixed various issues to create a smoother gaming experience.

BALL x PIT Surpasses 1 Million Copies Sold, New Updates Coming in 2026

By
Soul Kiwami
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BALL x PIT updates

Devolver Digital and Kenny Sun have announced that fast-paced roguelite game BALL x PIT has surpassed 1 million copies sold. In addition, an update roadmap for BALL x PIT confirms that three new updates in 2026:

  • BALL x PIT updates
    • January 2026 – “Regal” update
    • April 2026 – “Shadow” update
    • July 2026 – “Naturalist” update

These updates will introduce new characters, balls, evolutions, and so much more.

BALL x PIT is available now for Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam, and it’s also available with Xbox Game Pass.

Lastly, here’s an overview of the game, via Steam:

BALL x PIT is a fast-paced fantasy roguelite where heroes must find the balls to plunge deeper into a seemingly bottomless pit of monsters. Develop arcane ammunition and resources in pursuit of treasure, recruiting additional heroes to aid you in your perilous quest.

Ballbylon has fallen. After a meteoric and completely unexpected event annihilated the great city, all that remains is an ominous, yawning pit. Treasure hunters from far and wide flock to the city’s tomb to seek their fortune, plumbing the depths in search of Ballbylon’s scattered riches. Few return.

The pit plays host to armies of barbaric creatures, hellbent on ending your quest before it even begins. Armed with a growing arsenal of magic-infused projectiles, batter your way through multiple levels of increasingly challenging obstacles to claim the ultimate prizes and rebuild New Ballbylon.

Fuse Your Balls

The Ball Fusion system encourages explosive experimentation with over 60 randomized balls to equip and combine during your journey. Discover overpowered combinations and unexpected synergies from hundreds of possible outcomes.

Build New Ballbylon

Expand New Ballbylon with over 70 unique buildings that provide gameplay bonuses and unlock further power-ups, new characters, and more! As your community grows, task homebound heroes with automated tasks to keep the resources coming while you dive deeper into the pit.

Discover New Realms

Face legions of diverse enemies within the pit, battling through barren deserts, frozen caverns, savage forests and more. Each region offers its own unique set of hazards on top of hordes of increasingly challenging foes and mighty, screen-filling bosses.

Recruit Fellow Hunters

As you explore the pit you’ll encounter fellow treasure hunters eager to add their skills to your expedition. Each character has unique, upgradable mechanics that totally change the way you play the game. Experimentation and adaptation are crucial to the success of New Ballbylon!

Pokémon Legends Z-A Reveals Mega Lucario Z for Mega Dimension DLC

By
Soul Kiwami
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Mega Lucario Z is making its debut in the new Mega Dimension DLC for Pokémon Legends: Z-A. This newly discovered form of Lucario has a different design and can perform moves faster, with the drawback a shorter duration for the Mega Evolution. 

Alongside Mega Lucario Z, The Pokémon Company announced that players can now receive a Mewtwonite X stone and a Mewtwonite Y stone through the Mystery Gift feature in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. After receiving the Mega Stone, Mewtwo’s extra side mission will be available. Completing the side mission lets players add Mewtwo to their teams.

Get the latest details below:

Mega Lucario Z

A newly discovered form of Lucario, Mega Lucario Z was determined to be a Mega Evolution based on how its form changes through exposure to a Mega Stone and its increase in power far outshining that of an average Lucario.

The long fur around Mega Lucario Z’s head and waist, as well as its fan-shaped tail, make it difficult to get a full view of Mega Lucario Z’s powerful movements. In close combat, this can work to visually disorient opponents. Areas of its body, such as the backs of its hands and its shins, have been hardened with steel energy – allowing it to deliver powerful blows by concentrating its strength precisely into these hardened parts.

Category: Aura Pokémon
Type: Fighting/Steel
Height: 4’3″ (1.3 m)
Weight: 108.9 lbs. (49.4 kg)

Z Mega Evolutions, such as Mega Lucario Z, need less time to fire off moves but burn through Mega Power very quickly, making them less suited for long battles but a good option when trying to settle matches as fast as possible.

While Mega Lucario, the Mega Evolution of Lucario, appears in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the newly discovered Mega Lucario Z will appear in Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Mega Dimension.

Extra Side Mission Now Available

Starting today, Trainers can receive a Mewtwonite X stone and a Mewtwonite Y stone through the Mystery Gift feature in Pokémon Legends: Z-A and Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. Once the player receives the Mewtwonite X and Mewtwonite Y stones, Mewtwo’s extra side mission will become available. It appears heading to Lysandre Café and venturing into the deepest areas of Lysandre Labs may cause some systems to reactivate in response to the Mega Stones, and beating this side mission will allow you to add the Legendary Pokémon Mewtwo your team.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A launched on October 16 for Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. The Nintendo Switch version of Pokémon Legends: Z-A costs $59.99, the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition costs $69.99, and the upgrade pack costs $9.99. Fans can look forward to the Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Mega Dimension DLC, which launches December 10 in the Nintendo eShop. 

God Of War Adds New Director, Casting Underway

By
Saras Rajpal
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God Of War Adds New Director, Casting Underway

A new article from Deadline has reported that Frederick E.O. Toye will join the upcoming God of War Prime Video series as a director. While Ronald D. Moore will serve as the series’ showrunner, Toye will direct the first two episodes. 

Pre-production is officially underway in Vancouver, and two seasons of the series are in development. Furthermore, casting for the adaptation is underway. As it will focus more on the Norse saga of the God of War franchise, expect to hear news about the casting for Atreus and Kratos at a later date. Sony Pictures Television and Amazon MGM Studios, in association with PlayStation Productions and Moore’s Tall Ship Productions, will produce the series. 

Lastly, the most recent God of War game, God of War: Ragnarok, is available now on PC and PlayStation 5. The Steam page describes the game as follows:

The sequel to the critically acclaimed God of War (2018), God of War Ragnarök picks up with Fimbulwinter well underway. Kratos and Atreus must journey to each of the Nine Realms in search of answers as Odin’s forces in Asgard prepare for a prophesied battle that will end the world.

Along the way, they will explore stunning, mythical landscapes, and face fearsome enemies in the form of Norse gods and monsters. As the threat of Ragnarök grows ever closer, Kratos and Atreus must choose between the safety of their family and the safety of the realms.

Atreus seeks knowledge to help him understand the prophecy of “Loki” and establish his role in Ragnarök. Kratos must decide whether he will be chained by the fear of repeating his mistakes or break free of his past to be the father Atreus needs.

Helldivers Film Adaptation Adds Justin Lin As Director

By
Saras Rajpal
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Helldivers Film Adaptation Adds Justin Lin As Director

A new report from The Hollywood Reporter has revealed that Justin Lin will direct the upcoming film adaptation of Helldivers. Additionally, Gary Dauberman, who has previously worked on It, has written the script. 

Justin Lin is known for several action films, such as multiple entries in the Fast and Furious series and Star Trek: Beyond. According to the article, however, “Lin is not a gamer and leaned into that as a strength when pitching his take on the material…He aims to find the humanity in the characters and weave timely themes into the story, while building out a world and mythology.” 

Helldivers 2 initially came out on February 8, 2024. It released to rave reviews from critics and fans alike, selling 12 million copies within just three months. In such a short period, it has already outpaced God of War: Ragnarok. The cooperative shooter is available now on both PlayStation 5 and PC. One of the most recent updates this year added cosmetics based on Halo 3: ODST. The game is nominated for Best Ongoing Game and Best Community Support at The Game Awards 2025. 

The PlayStation Store describes Helldivers 2 as follows:

Enlist in the Helldivers and join the fight for freedom across a hostile galaxy in a fast, frantic, and ferocious third-person shooter.

URGENT BROADCAST – SUPER EARTH ARMED FORCES
Freedom. Peace. Democracy. Your Super Earth-born rights. The key pillars of our civilization. Of our very existence. But the war rages on. And everything is once again under threat. Join the greatest military force the galaxy has ever seen and make this a safe and free place to live.

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