HELL MODE Season 2 Anime Trailer Reveals July 3 Release Date

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June 5, 2026

The official website for the upcoming anime adaptation of writer Hamuo and illustrator Mo’s Hell Mode – The Hardcore Gamer Dominates in Another World with Garbage Balancing light novel series revealed a brand-new trailer, additional cast members, the opening theme song, and the anime’s July 3 premiere date. The trailer also previews the opening theme song, “○✕△□,” performed by Romanha Marshmallow.

Newly announced cast members include:

Dverg voiced by Taketora
Theodojiil voiced by Shinichiro Miki

Previously announced cast members include:

Reiji Kawashima as Keel
Kiyono Yasuno as Sophialohne
Hikaru Midorikawa as Volmaar
Miyu Tomita as Meruru
Takahiro Sakurai as Helmios

Masato Tamagawa directs the anime at Yokohama Animation Lab. Daishiro Tanimura is in charge of the series scripts, and Kei Tsushima is the character designer. Misaki Tsuchida, Moyu Kanazaki, Junko Nakajima, Kanada Sakuma, Reiko Abe, Kaho Sawada, BeauDamian, and Tsugumi Tanaka are the music composers.

Hamuo released the novel on the Shōsetsuka ni Narō website in November 2019, and it’s still ongoing. Earth Star Entertainment began publishing the series in print in July 2020. In October 2020, Tetta launched the manga on Comic Earth Star. The anime’s first season debuted on television on January 9

J-Novel Club releases the novel and manga digitally in English, and Yen Press publishes the English print edition. J-Novel Club describes the story as follows:

“‘Level up even while offline’?! That’s not a game on ‘easy mode’—that’s just an AFK game!” The online game Yamada Kenichi had been playing religiously is shutting down its servers, leaving him with a void in his heart.

He looks for a new game to fill it, but everything he finds is way too easy. The kind of game he likes—the kind punishing enough to make players want to spend thousands of hours on it—just isn’t around anymore.

“What’s this? ‘You are invited to a game that will never end.’” Kenichi stumbles upon an untitled game, one promising incomparable challenge with unprecedented potential. Without hesitation, he selects the “Hell Mode” difficulty.

Lo and behold, he finds himself reincarnated in another world as a serf! Now called Allen, he sets out to unlock the secrets of his mystery-laden Summoner class; without the convenience of walkthroughs, game guides, or online forums, he must grope his way to the top of his new world!

Obey Me! Sinner’s Choice: Lucifer Launches in Fall 2026 for Steam

By

Soul Kiwami

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June 5, 2026

Good Smile Company, NTT Solmare, and Frontwing have announced that otome visual novel Obey Me! Sinner’s Choice: Lucifer will launch in fall 2026 for PC via Steam. Obey Me! Sinner’s Choice: Lucifer will feature English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Japanese language options with Japanese voice-overs.

Here’s an overview of the game, via Steam:

Obey Me! Sinner’s Choice: Lucifer is a fantasy romance visual novel set in Hell.

You are tasked with judging a mysterious man you meet in the underworld. But will your seven days together change the life-altering choice you are forced to make?

Experience a forbidden love in this dark romance story.

Gameplay

A story-driven visual novel, you will progress by reading the narrative and interacting with characters.

Over the course of your seven days in Hell, you will:

- - Meet Lucifer and his brothers.
  - Observe their behavior and relationships.
  - Uncover the truth behind the secrets of the underworld and the brothers’ past.

However, at the end of the seven days, you will be presented with a single, final choice.

Your decision here will decide the outcome of the story.

Key Features

- - A new, darker tale of sin and love from NTT Solmare and the team that brought you the popular mobile otome game, Obey Me!
  - A massive story with 15 chapters
    - A deep and complex seven-day story where love meets sin.
  - Immersive, fully voiced stories
    - Emotional, emotive performances that capture even the subtlest breath.
  - One single choice that will decide the fate of the demon you love
    - Step into the role of a human magistrate, selected to judge Lucifer for his sins.
  - Beautifully rendered, high-definition visuals
    - Experience a dark romance that is as cruel as it is beautiful.

Story

Cast into the prison of Cocytus, the fallen Seraph and eldest of seven brothers, Lucifer, faces his reckoning.

Within his soul, a war rages: Is he an angel of light, or a demon of the dark?

The verdict is yours to give.

At the end of all things, you will be faced with a single, irreversible choice.

Will you be his savior? Or his executioner?

Pride, Greed, Envy, Wrath, Lust, Gluttony, and Sloth.

The seven cardinal sins stir within the fallen.

The sacred bond of family begins its slow, agonizing descent into ruin as each brother awakens to his darkest desires.

Love is no sanctuary here.

It is a blade that strips the soul bare.

You stand at the tip of his blade.

He looks to you for salvation.

At first, he merely sought to use you to his own ends.

However, slowly, his intent has begun to warp.

Is it true love?

Or is it a mere fixation?

There shall be no absolution.

COCORO Visual Novel Gets Summer 2026 Launch and New Opening Movie

By

Soul Kiwami

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June 5, 2026

Good Smile Company and Frontwing have announced that its new visual novel COCORO will launch in summer 2026 for PC via Steam, DLsite, and DMM Games. COCORO will support English, Japanese, Traditional Chinese, and Simplified Chinese language options, and the game’s opening movie features the theme song “Signal” by Runa Mizutani. A new COCORO and ATRI -My Dear Moments- collaboration visual by Akio Watanabe and Yusano was also released.

Here’s an overview of the game, via Steam:

COCORO is a visual novel planned and penned by Asta Konno, with characters designed by Akio Watanabe.

In a world already torn apart by rampaging AI, an unforgettable summer is about to begin for a boy who has lost his home and a humanoid girl who dreams of marriage…

Key Features

- - A story by Asta Konno, the writer responsible for masterpieces such as ATRI -My Dear Moments-.
  - A plot centered around one heroine, focusing on how the protagonist’s relationship with her develops.
  - Illustrations by Akio Watanabe of Monogatari and Grisaia fame.
  - An ending theme sung by Cocoro’s voice actor Hina Youmiya, with Yoshikazu Kuwashima from the Grisaia series writing its lyrics.
  - BGM tracks by industry veteran Fuminori Matsumoto (Wonderful Everyday -Diskontinuierliches Dasein-)
  - 1920×1080 resolution support.

Staff

- - Planning / Story: Asta Konno
  - Character Design: Akio Watanabe
  - SD Artwork: nanaca mai
  - Backgrounds: y.ish
  - Music: Fuminori Matsumoto

Cast

- - Cocoro (VA: Hina Youmiya)
  - Ryuzaki Kazane (VA: Hikaru Tono)
  - Amai Daichi: (VA: Yasuaki Takumi)
  - Amai Kosame (VA: Riona Imaizumi)
  - Kizuki Kirika (VA: Maaya Uchida)
  - Murakumo Kotaro (VA: Shuta Morishima)

Story

“Please make me human.”

A sudden and unexplained global insurgence of AI has left the former utopian city of Tsukumo in ruins.

Having lived there during his childhood, Hinata often hid at a botanical garden as his safe haven. There, he met a girl who helped him overcome his trauma, and he fell in love with her. On the day he left, he proposed to her.

Upon returning to Tsukumo over summer break, Hinata hears rumors of a ghost in the now-abandoned botanical garden who is looking after the flowers. He goes to investigate and meets a humanoid girl who hopes to one day become human.

“I may not look like much, but I actually have a fiancé. He promised to come here when those flowers bloom.”

Even as Hinata stands before her, she does not realize who he is.

Thus, an unforgettable summer unfolds between a boy who has nowhere to call home and a humanoid girl who dreams of marriage…

Meiji Tokyo Renka: Twilight Kiss is Coming to Switch and PC on October 29

By

Soul Kiwami

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June 5, 2026

The official website for dramatic create and MAGES.’s otome visual novel Meiji Tokyo Renka: Twilight Kiss confirmed the game’s October 29 release date for Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam. The opening movie of Meiji Tokyo Renka: Twilight Kiss was also released.

Meiji Tokyo Renka: Twilight Kiss will include English, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese language options with Japanese voice-overs.

The main voice cast includes:

Daisuke Namikawa
KENN
Kosuke Toriumi
Nobuhiko Okamoto
Jun Fukuyama
Shinnosuke Tachibana
Toshiyuki Morikawa

Meiji Tokyo Renka: Full Moon, the previous game, is available for Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam worldwide. The updated PS Vita game features a new route and other new pieces of content.

Lastly, here’s an overview of Meiji Tokyo Renka: Full Moon’s story, via the official website:

The main character, Mei Ayatsuki, an ordinary high-school girl, is transported back in time to the Meiji era by the self-proclaimed magician Charlie, whom she meets on the night of a red full moon.
It was a slightly mysterious Meiji period “Tokyo” where the existence of Mononoke was recognized.

With Charlie’s guidance, she arrived at the Rokumeikan.
The protagonist sneaks into the party and is met by historical figures such as Ougai Mori, Syunso Hishida, Otojiro Kawakami, Kyoka Izumi, Gori Fujita, Yakumo Koizumi, and Tosuke Iwasaki.

Through her interaction with them, the protagonist realizes that she is a “Tamayori” and has a highly prized ability in the Meiji period that allows her to see Mononoke.
Having ability changes her relationship with them….

In this unfamiliar time, love affairs grow as she comes into contact with good-looking men during her daily life.
Will the protagonist be able to return to her original time or…?
Does love transcend time and space: …… How does it end?

AKIBA LOST Demo is Now Available on Steam

By

Soul Kiwami

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June 5, 2026

IzanagiGames and Nippon TV have released a free demo for AKIBA LOST on PC via Steam. The AKIBA LOST demo covers all of the characters’ stories up to the morning of Day 1 in the seven-day narrative, and save data from the demo carries over to the full game.

AKIBA LOST launches on September 17 for Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam. Pre-orders for the standard physical and digital editions of AKIBA LOST are now open in Japan. The Special Collection Box (¥19,580 JPY, tax included) includes a 200-page special photo art book, a bonus making-of DVD, an in-game digital item download code, digital soundtrack, and Shirosawa Games Sticker.

The cast of the new game includes:

Hiromitsu Kitayama as Game Creator / Daiki Shinjo
Sayuri Matsumura as Maid / Aoi Shinjo
Momoko Tanabe as Game Streamer / Yukimi Kurahashi
Misato Ugaki as Gourmet Writer / Moe Kurosu
Yui Oguri (AKB48) as Underground Idol / Kokone Nagato
Azusa Ohara as Shrine Maiden / Chihiro Jimbo
MINA (East Of Eden) as Cosplayer / Wakana Yusa

You can keep up with the following social media channels for more information on AKIBA LOST:

Official website – https://akibalost.com/en/
Official X (formerly Twitter) – https://x.com/akibalost
Official Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/akibalost
Official TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@akibalost

The live-action drama series for AKIBA LOST premiered on January 13. Hulu and TVer are streaming the series in Japan. There will be three songs featured in the AKIBA LOST TV series and game: “Answer Me” and “Shōtai Fumei no Lady (Unidentified Lady)”by Galali and “The weight of choice” by East of Eden.

CARTAGRA: The Sickness of Possessory and Crazy is Coming to Steam

By

Soul Kiwami

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June 5, 2026

CARTAGRA The Sickness of Possessory and Crazy Steam

Publisher MangaGamer has announced that Innocent Grey’s psycho-mystery visual novel remake CARTAGRA: The Sickness of Possessory and Crazy is coming to PC via Steam on June 25. The Steam version of CARTAGRA: The Sickness of Possessory and Crazy supports English and Simplified Chinese language options with Japanese voice-overs.

Here’s an overview of the game, via Steam:

The visual novel masterpiece by Innocent Grey, the renowned creators of Kara no Shojo, Cartagra, is now available in remastered HD, including the epilogue “Sacrament”!

Story

Several years after the end of the war in Showa era Japan, a man travels alone on a train bound for Zushi—Takashiro Shugo, a retired police officer. Despite his retirement, Shugo is on a mission to investigate the disappearance of a well-to-do family’s daughter as a favor to his former boss, Arishima Kazuma, who is currently heading the Ueno Serial Murder Case.

Upon arriving at the Kozuki residence, the site of the disappearance, Shugo is surprised to encounter Kozuki Kazuna, as she has the same face as his former lover and her twin sister, Kozuki Yura. Kazuna begs Shugo to find her sister, but their father, Kozuki Keiichiro, declares bluntly, “My daughter is already dead.”

And so the curtain rises on a tragedy set in the town of Ueno, as both fiction and reality intertwine…

Branching choices

This is a multi-enidng visual novel where the choices you make alter the path of the story. As the protagonist Shugo delves deeper into both the Ueno Serial Murder Case and the Kouzuki Disappearance Case, unexpected connections between the two incidents begin to reveal themselves. The choices you make will determine the fate of the characters.

Multi-language support

Cartagra is presented in both English and Simplified Chinese translations with the original Japanese voice acting.

Compatible with Steam Deck and touch screen devices!

Please note that while this release is based on the all ages Switch version of the game, some minor adjustments to content were made for Steam.

CARTAGRA: The Sickness of Possessory and Crazy released on February 5 for Nintendo Switch with English, Japanese, and Chinese language options. In Japan, the Nintendo Switch version is being sold for 6,800 yen in the Nintendo eShop and 7,920 physically. A 13,200 yen limited edition is also available featuring an A5-size acrylic panel, a set of eight clear cards, and a B5-size original after-story and art book.

The remake first launched on April 28, 2023 for PC as CARTAGRA: The Sickness of Possessory and Crazy – REBIRTH FHD SIZE EDITION. Like the PC version, the Nintendo Switch version is fully voiced with the main story and “Sacrament” after story. The game also supports touchscreen controls and single Joy-Con play with the right Joy-Con.

Black Torch Anime Trailer Previews Opening and Ending Theme Songs

By

Douglas

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June 5, 2026

The staff for the upcoming anime adaptation of Tsuyoshi Takaki’s Black Torch manga revealed the second promotional video along with the show’s theme song information. SiM will perform the opening theme song, “Freeze Me Up,” while I Don’t Like Mondays. will perform the ending theme song, “Groooovy.” The trailer previews both theme songs.

Black Torch Key Art — ©タカキツヨシ／集英社・BLACK TORCH製作委員会

The cast includes:

Ryota Suzuki as Jiro Azuma
Yoji Ueda as Rago
Sayaka Sembongi as Ichika Kishimojin
Junya Enoki as Reiji Kirihara
Reina Ueda as Hana Usami
Junichi Suwabe as Ryosuke Shiba
Shinpachi Tsuji as Toshimasa Azama
Yūko Kaida as Toko Kusumi
Hōchū Ōtsuka as Banjuro Tokieda

The anime will debut on July 4 and will be streamed worldwide, excluding Asia, on Crunchyroll.Black Torch will also receive an English dub with AJ Beckles starring as protagonist Jiro Azuma. Kei Umabiki will direct the anime at 100Studio. Gō Suzuki is designing the characters, Gigaemon Ichikawa is supervising and writing the series scripts, and Yutaka Yamada is composing the music. Additional staff members include:

Sub-Character Design: Yumi Nakamura, Masahiko Suzuki, Mariko Kinoshita
Design Works: Shunya Kikuchi
Art Director: Sachi Takahashi, Shōko Imaizumi
Color Design: Haruko Nobori
CG Director: Hirotaka Naitō
Director of Photography: Satoshi Yamamoto
Editing: Masato Yoshitake
Sound Director: Takeshi Takadera
Sound Effects: Naoto Yamatani

The Black Torch manga series was first serialized in Shueisha’s Jump Square and Shonen Jump+ between 2017 and 2018. VIZ Media publishes the manga in English. Lastly, here’s a synopsis of the story, via the anime’s official website:

Jiro Azuma is not your average high schooler. Hailing from a long line of ninja, Jiro has been brought up by his grandfather in the ancient warrior art of the shinobi. Jiro also happens to be a particularly skilled communicator able to converse with the animal world. But life takes an abrupt turn thanks to a mysterious encounter in the forest with an injured black cat named Rago.

Only, Rago’s feline appearance is deceiving…
It turns out the “ordinary” cat is the stuff of mononoke legend–the Black Star of Doom!

Swarming in the shadows are more mononoke, eager to exploit Rago’s uniquely immense powers. To fight back against the tide of dark spirits, the undercover Bureau of Espionage is poised to seek and destroy.

Of course, everyone has their motives when it comes to Rago’s powers. But Jiro and Rago are ready.

A shinobi clash between boy and mononoke is about to ignite!

Rich Girl Caretaker Anime Reveals Ending Theme Song

By

Douglas

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June 5, 2026

The official website for the upcoming anime adaptation of Yusaku Sakaishi and illustrator Sakura Miwabe’s Rich Girl Caretaker (Saijo no Osewa) light novel series revealed that Ami Maeshima will star as Karen Asahi. The staff also announced that Maeshima will perform the ending theme song, “Kanpeki Janai Watashi.”

The cast members include:

Saori Ōnishi as Mirei Tennōji
Rio Tsuchiya as Narika Miyakojima
Yūto Uemura as Itsuki Tomonari
Konomi Kohara as Hinako Konohana
Ami Koshimizu as Shizune Tsurumi
Takehito Koyasu as Kagen Konohana

Shūsei Morishita directs the anime at studio Brain’s Base. Aya Yoshinaga oversees the series scripts, and Nao Kawashima designs the characters. Takeshi Takadera is the sound director, and Natsumi Tabuchi, Hanae Nakamura, and Mayo Kurihara are the music composers. Angela will perform the opening theme song “Sai Sai Saikōkyū no Osewa Shite (Top Top Top Grade Caretaking).”

HJ Bunko published the first volume of Rich Girl Caretaker in May 2021, and the 11th volume released on October 31, 2025 in Japan. A manga adaptation was launched by Sorahiko Mizushima in Hobby Japan’s Fire Cross website in September 2021, and the fifth volume released on December 1, 2025.

Lastly, here’s a synopsis, via the novel’s Amazon listing:

A high school boy, Itsuki Tomonari, gets involved in a kidnapping and ends up taking care of Hinako Konohana, a young lady from one of Japan’s largest conglomerates.

On the surface, Hinako seems to be a brilliant and charming girl, but in reality, she is a lazy girl with no life skills. However, due to family reasons, Hinako has to play the role of the “perfect young lady” at school. Wanting to protect her, Itsuki takes care of her in a very caring manner. Eventually, Hinako begins to fawn on Itsuki with all her might… “Now…if Itsuki isn’t around, I would hate it.”

This is a love story that begins with a cute young lady with a gap that transcends the master-servant relationship.

A Livid Lady’s Guide to Getting Even Anime Premieres on July 6

By

Douglas

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June 5, 2026

The staff for the upcoming anime adaptation of Metabo Hagure’s A Livid Lady’s Guide to Getting Even: How I Crushed My Homeland with My Mighty Grimoires (Buchigire Reijō wa Hōfuku wo Chikaimashita. Madōsho no Chikara de Sokoku wo Tataki Tsubushimasu) light novel series has revealed a brand-new trailer, additional cast members, and the anime’s July 6 premiere date.

Newly announced cast members include:

Yū Serizawa as Tida
Shizuka Ishigami as Elsa Archfield

The cast of the anime includes:

Saori Onishi as Elizabeth Leiston / Ellie Leis
Ikumi Hasegawa as Mireille Katarina
Yui Ogura as Lunoa Carlton
Ayumi Uehara as Misha Tail
Yōhei Azakami as Lucas Lebrick
Masaaki Mizunaka as Friede Haldoria
Marika Kōno as Sylvia Lockit

The staff of the A Livid Lady’s Guide to Getting Even anime includes:

Director: Naoyuki Kuzuya
Series Composition: Mitsutaka Hirota
Character Design: Sayaka Anezaki
Music: Satoshi Hono, Karin Nakano
Animation Production: studio COMET

The web novel launched in October 2020 on the Shōsetsuka ni Narō website, followed by the light novel series in May 2022. Oonoimo launched the manga adaptation on Comic Fire in May 2022. Here’s an description of the series, via J-Novel Club:

Elizabeth Leiston, daughter of the influential prime minister, is a picture-perfect lady on the path to becoming the future queen of the Kingdom of Haldoria. But her life takes a sudden turn for the worst when her fiancé makes a show of publicly calling off their engagement. Soon after, he throws her in jail and starts spreading nasty rumors about her.

The encouragement Elizabeth receives from her loyal waiting maid, Mireille, and her inner fury are all she needs to reconsider her goals. Why should she continue devoting herself to a country that doesn’t respect her when she can trample over it instead? She will get even with those who wronged her and bring down the damned kingdom, even if it’s the last thing she does! Luckily, Elizabeth is no damsel in distress and has seven powerful magic grimoires she won’t hesitate to use. Get ready because this ruthless lady is out for blood!

Victoria of Many Faces TV Anime Premieres on July 7

By

Douglas

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June 5, 2026

The staff for the upcoming anime adaptation of Syuu and illustrator Nanna Fujimi’s Victoria of Many Faces (Tefuda ga Ōme no Victoria) light novel series revealed a brand new promotional video and the anime’s July 7 release date.

The cast of the Victoria of Many Faces anime includes:

Chika Anzai as Victoria
Shion Wakayama as Nonna
Yōhei Azakami as Jeffrey
Kenji Nojima as Lancome
Daisuke Ono as Edward Asher
Saeko Akiho as Yolana Haynes
Hiroshi Yanaka as Bernard Fitcher
Makoto Furukawa as Zaharo
Kenshō Ono as Cedric Ashbury
Ryōta Ōsaka as Conrad Ashbury
Megumi Han as Clark Anderson

Nobukage Kimura is directing the anime at Studio DEEN. Naohiro Fukushima is overseeing the series scripts, and Mina Ōsawa is designing the characters for animation. Frontier Works is credited for the original work planning. Three-piece band KI_EN will perform the ending theme song “En no Tsuki.”

Newly announced staff members include:

Sub-Character Designers: Keika Ōtsuka, Sayuri Sakimoto, Yuri Naminoue, Mana Matsumura
Prop Design: Yabomi
Color Key Artist: Mizuki Nakagawa
Art Director: Si Man Wei
Compositing Director of Photography: Ren Zhou Li
Editing: Megumi Uchida
Sound Director: Satoshi Yano
Sound Effects: Hidemi Tanaka
Sound Production: Bit Grooove Promotion
Music: Moe Hyūga
Music Production: Kadokawa
Animation Producers: Takayuki Saitō, Naoki Sakai

Syuu released the Victoria of Many Faces novel on the Shōsetsuka ni Narō website in December 2021, with the latest update released in February 2022. Kadokawa published the third novel volume in print in January 2024.

Komo Ushino is drawing a manga adaptation, which launched on Kadokawa’s Flos Comic website in December 2022. Yen Press is also publishing the manga adaptation in English.

Yen Press publishes the manga in English and describes it as follows:

Victoria’s peaceful, everyday existence has begun! Ever since she retired from the espionage world, Victoria’s been living as a civilian, just like she’s always dreamed of. But her past as a spy is hard to run from—even though she turned her back on danger, it can’t stop danger from finding her! So when she meets Nonna, a young girl totally on her own in the world, Victoria has to decide what’s truly important to her…peace, or her new friend?