Splatoon Raiders Switch 2 Accessories from HORI Revealed

By
Theodore Millard
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HORI, a gaming accessory manufacturer, has announced a new line of officially licensed Splatoon Raiders products for the Nintendo Switch 2. It will launch in Japan on July 31, about a week after Splatoon Raiders releases, though no worldwide release has been confirmed.

HORI announced the products through its website. They are:

  • A Wireless HoriPad TURBO (8980 yen)
  • A Hori Gaming Headset Standard (4980 yen)
  • A Hori Gaming Headset In-Ear (3980 yen)
  • A Portable USB Hub Stand 2-Port for Tabletop Mode (4980 yen)
  • An All-in-One Storage Bag (5480 yen)
  • A Shoulder Pouch (4980 yen)

Other than the Portable USB Hub Stand, the products are compatible with Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch Lite.

Splatoon Raiders will release on July 23 as the first entry in the series with a single-player focus. Splatoon Raiders is available to pre-order on the Nintendo eShop. The listing confirms that it will cost $49.99 digitally and $59.99 physically. The game will include multiplayer with up to three other players online or via local wireless.

The Nintendo eShop page for the game gives it this description:

Hunt for treasure and splat scores of enemies!

In this single-player-focused adventure, play as a mechanic working with Deep Cut—a trio of swashbuckling musicians—and venture out into the mysterious Spirhalite Islands!

Customize your character, kit yourself out with mechanical gadgets and ink-splattering weapons, and take on waves of enemy Salmonids as you raid the islands for treasure.

It’s not just you out there, though. One member of Deep Cut will raid alongside you in a powerful bot. You can also join with up to three other players online or via local wireless.

Sonic the Hedgehog Reveals ‘Forever Fast’ Album

By
Saras Rajpal
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Sonic the Hedgehog Reveals 'Forever Fast' Album

SEGA has announced the “Forever Fast: 35th Anniversary of Sonic the Hedgehog” album, which will be available on June 24 in both digital and physical formats. The album compiles some of the most beloved theme songs from the franchise’s history as part of its 35th anniversary. 

The album will feature 22 songs in total. While the full track list hasn’t yet been revealed, a teaser video hints at some of the songs that will be present in the album:

  • “Endless Possibility” by Jaret Reddick from Sonic Unleashed
  • “Escape from the City” by Nathan Sharp from Sonic Adventure 2
  • “Fist Bump” by Douglas Robb from Sonic Forces
  • “His World” by Ali Tabatabaee and Matty Lewis from Sonic the Hedgehog (2006)
  • “I’m Here” by Merry Kirk-Holmes from Sonic Frontiers
  • “Live & Learn” by Crush 40 from Sonic Adventure 2
  • “One Way Dream” by Nathan Sharp from Sonic Frontiers
  • “Open Your Heart” by Crush 40 from Sonic Adventure
  • “Sonic Heroes” by Crush 40 from Sonic Heroes
  • “Sonic Racing – Cross the Worlds” by James Bourne from Sonic Racing: Crossworlds

Check out the trailer teasing the upcoming “Forever Fast” Sonic the Hedgehog album below:

Recently, director Jeff Fowler announced that Sonic the Hedgehog 4 has officially wrapped filming ahead of its release on March 19, 2027. Additionally, the announcement post reveals a new look at the practical model of Metal Sonic. Previously, Paramount revealed the full cast for the film. A majority of the cast from the previous films will reprise their roles. This includes Ben Schwartz as Sonic, Jim Carrey as Dr. Robotnik, Idris Elba as Knuckles, Colleen O’Shaughnessey as Tails, James Marsden as Tom, Tika Sumpter as Maddie, Keanu Reeves as Shadow, and Lee Majdoub as Agent Stone. As previously announced, Kristen Bell will play the role of Amy Rose. The following actors have been cast in currently unannounced roles:

  • Ben Kingsley (Iron Man 3, Gandhi)
  • Matt Berry (What We Do In the Shadows, Fallout)
  • Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation, The Last of Us Season 1)
  • Richard Ayoade (Soul, The IT Crowd)

Onaji Semi no Someya-san ga Sexy Joyū datta Hanashi Anime Premieres July 5

By
Soul Kiwami
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Onaji Semi no Someya-san ga Sexy Joyū datta Hanashi

AnimeFesta has announced that My Classmate’s a Sexy Actress, and Now We Live Together?! (Onaji Semi no Someya-san ga Sexy Joyū datta Hanashi), the anime adaptation of Nigō Shōji’s Onaji Semi no Someya-san ga AV Joyū datta Hanashi manga, will premiere on July 5. The anime’s latest trailer also confirms that Momo Sakura performs the theme song “Mirai Contrail (Future Contrail).”

©庄司二号/KATTS/Suiseisha Inc.

The main cast of the anime includes Riku Miyazora as Ryōsuke Kamiya and Hitomi Yanagi as Rūka Someya. 

Narue Kurotsuguchi directs the anime at Studio Hōkiboshi. Eeyo Kurosaki is in charge of series scripts, Hapirai☆Chocobi is the character designer, TA-KU is in charge of color design, Do Kim Hoan Tran is the art director, and Iris Jiang is the compositing director of photography. Kōki Shinkai is the editor, and Akinori Shiba is the sound director at Studio Mausu.

The AnimeFesta programming block hosts censored anime on air, and premium uncensored versions stream online on the AnimeFesta service. WWWave Corporation, the company that owns both ComicFesta and AnimeFesta, releases and streams anime in English on its Coolmic website and OceanVeil streaming service. It’s possible that an English subtitled version of Onaji Semi no Someya-san ga Sexy Joyū datta Hanashi could release on OceanVeil, but there’s no confirmation at the time of this writing.

Shōji launched the Onaji Semi no Someya-san ga AV Joyū datta Hanashi manga in KATTS’ Ananga Langa magazine in 2023. The story of the manga focuses on Ryōsuke Kamiya, who notices that his classmate in college Rūka Someya is starring in an adult video that he’s about to watch. When Ryōsuke privately asks her about this, she tells him that she’s have sex with him if he doesn’t tell anyone. 

The World Is Dancing Anime Music Trailer Reveals More Cast Members

By
Soul Kiwami
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The staff for the anime adaptation of Kazuto Mihara’s The World Is Dancing manga has revealed a new music trailer featuring insert songs by Oniyasha (VA: Yumiri Hanamori) and Zojiro (Romi Park). The cast of The World Is Dancing also grows with the additions of Youji Matsuda (Ashitaka in Princess Mononoke) as Inuo and Miyuki Sawashiro (Daki in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba) as Shirabyoshi, and new character visuals were also revealed.

Inuo
Shirabyoshi

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.”

The previously announced cast members of The World Is Dancing 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
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.

Valkyrie Tune: Synthesis of Souls Visual Novel Launches July 23

By
Soul Kiwami
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Valkyrie Tune: Synthesis of Souls

Good Smile Company and Frontwing have announced that Valkyrie Tune: Synthesis of Souls, the new sci-fi visual novel based on the Valkyrie Tune plastic model series, will launch on July 23 for PC via Steam worldwide. A free demo for Valkyrie Tune: Synthesis of Souls is also available now.

The staff and cast of Valkyrie Tune: Synthesis of Souls includes: 

Staff

  • Executive Producer: Kantaro Iwasa (Good Smile Company)
  • Producer/Original Concept/Scenario: Akihiro Ishihara (Good Smile Company)
  • Planning: Hiro Tanaka & Akihiro Ishihara (Good Smile Company)
  • Main Director/Effects Direction: molion (Frontwing)
  • Character Design: Shota Imai (Hellarts)
  • Music: Shota Horie (PHYZ)
  • Development: Frontwing
  • Production: Good Smile Company

Cast

  • Lisa Caster: Karin Isobe
  • Erika Stradivari: Hitomi Owada
  • Iris Bruckner: Shiori Izawa
  • Matilda Patricola: Misato Matsuoka
  • Laura Clavier: Sumire Uesaka
  • Meis Altus: Hikaru Tono
  • Irene Selmer: Rina Sato 

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

Introduction

A visual novel expanding on the universe of Good Smile Company’s “Valkyrie Tune” plastic model series.

Meet the cast of unique and charming characters, spend time with them, and laugh with them, until a shocking plot twist turns the world upside down!

Key Features

      • An all-new visual novel story written by Akihiro Ishihara (Good Smile Company) and music by Shota Horie (PHYZ)!
      • An immersive experience by visual novel developer Frontwing, the creators of the “Grisaia” series and “GINKA“!
      • A cast of amazing voice actors that brings the story to life!
      • A wide range of convenient features such as auto mode, skip mode, and text backlog to enhance your reading experience!
      • Full HD (1920×1080) resolution support!

Story

An intertwining, resonant serenade of love, sorrow, and fateful encounters calls forth a reboot for the future.

Step into the shoes of Rei, who wakes up in the Domed City of Initium surrounded by women calling him the Messiah. Determined to regain the memories he lost during years of cryosleep, he begins living with the six beautiful members of the TUNED (Tactical Unit for Neutralization and Enhanced Defense)—young women who wield so-called harmonic weapons.

Though lonely and confused in a world governed by enigmatic rules, Rei gradually finds comfort in his new companions.

Even so, he knows that something is amiss…

And it will only be a matter of time before the secrets of the world come to light.

New Magic Knight Rayearth Anime Reveals Additional Cast Members

By
Douglas
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New Magic Knight Rayearth

The official website for the new Magic Knight Rayearth anime revealed three new cast members. The newly announced cast members include (above from left to right):

  • Saori Hayami as Emeraude
  • Yūki Ono as Zagato
  • Mika Kikuchi as Mokona
©CLAMP・ST/講談社・TMS・テレビ朝日

The anime will make its world premiere at Anime Expo 2026 on July 4, where voice actresses Rie Takahashi and Saori Hayami will be in attendance.

The cast and staff includes:

Cast

  • Ayane Sakura as Hikaru Shidō
  • Rumi Ōkubo as Umi Ryūzaki
  • Rie Takahashi as Fū Hōōji

Staff

  • Director: Yui Miura
  • Producer: E&H production and UNLIMITED PRODUCE by TMS
  • Series’ Scripts: Shigeru Murakoshi
  • Character Designer: Satomi Watabe
  • Composer: Yuki Kajiura, Takumi Ozawa, and Shiho Terada

CLAMP initially wrote the Magic Knight Rayearth manga in 1993 in Kodansha’s Nakayoshi magazine. The series would continue until 1996, and six volumes were released. An anime adaptation would premiere in October 1994 and run until November 1995. A three-episode OVA was released in 1997.

Lastly, here’s an overview of the original anime series, via MyAnimeList:

Hikaru Shidou, Umi Ryuuzaki, and Fuu Hououji are strangers brought together by fate when they meet during a seemingly normal field trip to Tokyo Tower. Accompanied by a great flash of light, they hear a mysterious woman’s plea to save “Cephiro,” and the junior high heroines are suddenly swept away by a giant flying fish. Afterwards, they arrive in an unknown land, where they encounter a man called Master Mage Clef.

Clef informs the girls that they were summoned by Princess Emeraude to fulfill their destinies as Magic Knights, restoring peace and balance in Cephiro. The formerly lively and peaceful land has been in disarray ever since High Priest Zagato imprisoned the princess, who acted as Cephiro’s pillar of stability. The Magic Knights reluctantly accept Clef’s words as truth and embark on a journey to save Cephiro from the clutches of evil.

SEGA to Release 4 Major Games by March 2027

By
Soul Kiwami
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Stranger Than Heaven from SEGA, releasing by March 2027

SEGA has released its Q&A from the investors briefing for fiscal year ended March 2026, confirming that the company plans to 4 major games of “mainstay IP in the second half of the fiscal year [ending March 2027]” and expects to sell them near or at full price. According to SEGA, these major games are releasing in the second half of fiscal year ending March 2027 due to the current development progress, attributed to longer development periods and increasing scale. 

“While we do not disclose average selling prices, we plan to release four major titles of mainstay IP in the second half of the fiscal year and expect them to be sold at or near full-price.”
One factor is the longer development periods associated with increasing scale of titles. Under the current medium-term plan, we expect to release a large number of new titles from FY2027/3, and we plan to release four major titles this fiscal year. However, some titles have been pushed back to the following fiscal year due to development progress.”

SEGA also commented on its recently canceled SEGA “Super Game” project, reiterating that it doesn’t expect any additional losses associated with backing away from the Games as a Service (GaaS) initiative. Resources are being reallocated toward full game development, which includes revival titles like Crazy Taxi, Golden Axe, Jet Set Radio and Streets of Rage.

“The full amount has already been recorded, and we do not expect any additional losses associated with
the strategy review. Regarding the strategy for GaaS titles, we are proceeding with partial revisions, including
reallocating resources to Full Game field.”

Flagship titles for SEGA in the current fiscal year include Stranger Than Heaven, the new multi-platform action game from Like a Dragon series developer Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, or RGG Studio for short. According to the presentation, SEGA also plans to release four or more games that leverage mainstay IPs in the current fiscal year and continue a similar cadence of game releases in 2028 and 2029. 

SEGA’s “Super Game” was initially expected to release by March 2026 as part of a 5-year plan with a budget of over $800 million. The project itself involved a number of online “AAA” games that would leverage SEGA’s wide range of technologies. Over the years, the Super Game project would be a point of contention for fans as the company put an enormous budget and long-term plan into “AAA” projects.

Persona 30th Anniversary Nendoroid More Figure Revealed

By
Theodore Millard
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Good Smile Company have announced that it will release new Persona figures in its Nendoroid More line. It features the protagonists of Persona 3, Persona 4, and Persona 5.

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Nendoroid and the 30th anniversary of the Persona series, a new figure was revealed in Nendoroid’s showcase for Good Smile Fest 2026. The figure will ship between April 1, 2027 to June 30, 2027. Pre-orders opened today (June 5) through Good Smile’s website. Pre-orders cost $46.99. The figure is 5.9 inches/150mm tall and sculpted by NEQ. Pre-orders will close on July 15. The protagonists from each of the three most recent mainline Persona games are included, each with their own color themes. Images can be seen below:

On the product site, it is described as follows:

Presenting a PERSONA 30th ANNIVERSARY x Nendoroid 20th Anniversary collaboration!

Illustrations of the Persona3, Persona4 and Persona5 protagonists made to commemorate the series 30th anniversary have been turned into a vignette figure in Nendoroid form. The base features the series’ iconic motif and the PERSONA 30th ANNIVERSARY logo. You won’t want to miss out on this exclusive item commemorating a special milestone!

Other Persona 30th Anniversary collaborations include Felissimo and Bkub Okawa, along with products such as vinyls and special streams to celebrate the event.

Persona 3 Reload, Persona 3 Portable, Persona 4 Golden, and Persona 5 Royal are available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC through Steam. Persona 4 Revival will be the next game in the series, with more information expected to come on Sunday, June 7, during the Xbox Games Showcase.

Heavily Armed High School Girls Anime Announced for 2027

By
Theodore Millard
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Good Smile Company has announced that Heavily Armed High School Girls (Jūheisōgata Joshikōsei) will get a television anime in 2027. The series will be based on neco’s illustrations.

Good Smile Company and Good Smile Film will be producing the show together, and have created a website to advertise ahead of the premiere. More information will be made available at the 2026 Good Smile Festival in Tokyo, taking place on June 6-7. A trailer has also been released, giving fans an initial look at the anime:

Much of the marketing material so far has focused on the character Ichi. Announced production crew are Masaki Tachibana as Director and Natsuko Takahashi as Scriptwriter. Tachibana has directed shows such as Princess Principle and Tokyo Magnitude 8.0, while Takahashi has written for shows including Bleach, Tokyo Magnitude 8.0, and Full Metal Alchemist.

Neco, Tachibana, and Takahashi released statements on the series. All of them highlight their excitement about working with the crew and the enthusiasm that is already building during production. Neco described their pride in receiving the anime based off what started as a single illustration. Takahashi also showed interest in the juxtaposition between the heavy weaponry and the high schooler wielding it.

Heavily Armed High School Girls started with neco’s first illustration in February 2014, with figures being released based on the designs. Characters have been adapted into both Figma and Nendoroids. neco wrote and drew the manga Crazy Over His Fingers (Ore no Yubi de Midarero. Heiten-go no Salon, Ijiwaru ni Jirasarete) which has received an anime adaptation of its own in 2020.

Yusuke Kozaki is the Character Designer of Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve

By
Soul Kiwami
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Ace Combat 8 Wings of Theve Tasha

On his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Yusuke Kozaki (AI: The Somnium Files, No More Heroes, Fire Emblem) confirmed that he’s the main character designer for Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve, the latest entry in the long-running Ace Combat series from Bandai Namco and Bandai Namco Aces. A new illustration of Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve “Joker Flight” pilot Tasha Seversky was also released by Yusuke Kozaki.

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve launches on October 2 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. Pre-orders are available now for $69.99, and players will receive a digital port of Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War as a pre-order bonus alongside an unlocked playable in-game F-14A aircraft. 

Pre-orders for the Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve Joker Flight Pack are also available now in the Bandai Namco Store for $149.99. The exclusive pack includes everything in the Deluxe Edition alongside The Vinyl Collection, a premium set that includes two LP vinyl records of the soundtrack, the official 200-page “ACES at WAR HISTORY 2029” artbook, a collectible slipcase, and a slipmat.

Bandai Namco recently revealed its first Premium Ace Pass for Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve, which can be purchased separately and is also included with the Deluxe Edition’s Premium Ace Pass Plus Voucher. The Premium Ace Pass grants an instant unlock of 30 Ace Pass levels with bonus rewards like aircraft skins, avatar costumes, and the playable ADFX-02 MORGAN –PIXY additional aircraft.

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