Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection ‘Additional Side Story: Rudy’ DLC Releases on June 26

By
Saras Rajpal
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Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection First Paid DLC Releases on June 26

Capcom has announced that the first major paid DLC for Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection will release on June 26. The DLC is titled Additional Side Story: Rudy.

The DLC focuses on the supposed return of Navirou, the Felyne hero from the first two entries in the Monster Hunter Stories series, alongside his descendant, Rudy. It also features Ena, another character that returns from Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin.  Check out the trailer showcasing the first paid DLC for Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection, Additional Side Story: Rudy, below:

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is available now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC via Steam, and Nintendo Switch 2. Final Weapon reviewed the game and gave it a 4/5. The Standard Edition of Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection costs $69.99, and Deluxe Edition and Premium Deluxe Edition copies are available for $89.99 and $99.99, respectively. The Deluxe Edition includes the full game and the Deluxe Kit, and the upcoming DLC at no additional cost.

The Steam page describes Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection as follows:

The Story

Azuria and Vermeil: two countries, on a path to destruction. When all hope seems lost, an egg is found. Inside is a Rathalos, a species thought to be extinct.

But this quavering light of hope is quickly extinguished, giving way to the darkness of despair. Born from the egg is not a single Rathalos, but twins, bearing the Skyscale marking that hearkens back to the disastrous civil war of 200 years prior.

The natural world teeters on the verge of destruction, with countless monster species facing extinction. In the shadow of these dark times, the flames of war rekindle. Two countries, and two Rathalos. A Rider and their trusted Rathalos, buffeted by the winds of fate, set out on a journey for the truth.

ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN Releases ‘Romeo’s Updated, Man’ Update

By
Soul Kiwami
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Romeo is a Dead Man update

Grasshopper Manufacture has released the version 1.5.000 update for “ultra-violent” sci-fi action game ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN, comically dubbed the “Romeo’s Updated, Man” update. The new ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN update adds two Hotline Miami collaboration costumes, a “Costume Change” feature, and a Photo Mode. 

Read up on the patch notes below, via Grasshopper Manufacture:

ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN Update 1.5.000 Patch Notes

Ver.1.5.000 update includes a special Hotline Miami collaboration. The newly added features are as follows:

– Costume Change feature added

Upon clearing the game and saving game data, Romei becomes able to change costumes in his room on the Space-Time Ship. Romeo’s new costumes can be seen in playable parts of the game as well as some cutscenes.

-New costumes added

By using the above-mentioned Costume Change feature, Romeo can change into costumes based on the “Jacket” and “Biker” characters from Hotline Miami.

There is a total of ten selectable costumes, including the two Hotline Miami outfits.

Additionally, Romeo can also toggle between his three different masks (his initial mask, later mask, and inner mask).

Photo Mode feature added

A new “Photo Mode” – accessible from the pause menu – has also been added. This feature allows players to take screenshots during the 3D parts of the game.

Players can utilize adjustments to camera angle, color correction, depth of field, and frame art.

ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN is available now for $49.99 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC via Steam. Final Weapon reviewed ROMEO IS A DEAD MAN and awarded it a 4/5 score, noting that the game has a “wacky and confident vision” that will have fans raving for years to come.

Machibura JOKER Manga Announced, Releases on July 2

By
Theodore Millard
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Kodansha have announced that it will begin serializing the Machibura JOKER (Joker Walking Around Town) manga in the next issue of Morning, releasing on July 2. The series will be drawn by Masa Ichikawa and feature The Joker from DC.

The news was announced in Morning issue 30 (2026) and credited DC for supervision and the creation of the Joker, and Fortuna for cooperation with international rights. The manga will focus on Joker looking for a new base of operations within Japan. This will be the fourth collaboration between Kodansha and DC. Batman: Justice Buster by Eiichi Shimizu and Tomohiro Shimoguchi released in January 2020. Later, Wanope Joker (Joker: The One-Man Operation) by Satoshi Miyakawa and Keisuke Goto released in January 2021.

Meanwhile, Superman vs. Meshi: Superman no Hitori Meshi (Superman vs. Food: Superman Dining Alone) by Miyakawa and Kai Kitagō released in June 2021 in Kodansha’s Evening magazine. All three were published in English by DC Comics. Ichikawa previously created the manga A-bout!, first releasing in November 2009, and Boku wa Doko kara (Where do I come from?), first releasing in January 2018. A-bout! was followed by the sequel series A-bout!!: Asagiri Daikatsuyaku-hen, which released in June 2013, and A-Bout! Surf, released in July 2013.

Last year, DC created an anime film with Kamikaze Douga and YamatoWorks, titled Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League. A two-film digital collection that includes both the original and new film is also available, alongside the physical UHD and Blu-ray versions of Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League. It is also available to stream on HBO Max. 

UNBEATABLE Releases for Nintendo Switch 2 on July 27

By
Saras Rajpal
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UNBEATABLE Releases for Nintendo Switch 2 on July 27

Playstack and D-CELL have announced that UNBEATABLE will release for Nintendo Switch 2 on July 27, alongside the new Jamie Paige Content Companion DLC. A new free update is also available today. 

The free update adds the game’s credits theme, “WAY BACK WHEN,” as a playable song, alongside new playable characters for both base edition and BREAKOUT EDITION owners. The latter will also get 6+ exclusive characters. A physical edition of UNBEATABLE for Nintendo Switch 2 is in development with iam8bit, and will include a digital soundtrack download code and reversible poster. Check out the trailer showcasing the Jamie Paige Content Companion DLC for UNBEATABLE below:

UNBEATABLE is available now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. The store page describes the game as follows:

UNBEATABLE is an anime-juiced rhythm adventure where you (figuratively) destroy on stage while you (literally) destroy on stage. During rhythm gameplay, you only need two buttons: a button for up and a button for down. Simple to understand! The complicated part is doing it. Try not to get destroyed yourself.

Half the game is walking around and taking things at your own pace. The other half is trying to keep up with ours.

The pink-haired girl is Beat, and she is you, and you have a lot of things to worry about. The cops are everywhere, and they are mad at you for what feels like no good reason. Though it doesn’t help your case that you keep making friends with people that the cops are mad at for slightly better reasons. But what do I know?

Talk to people, help them out (or don’t, I’m not your mom!), play huge concerts, and punch cops. And then run away from the cops you punched. Also there are monsters or something. Not sure what’s going on there?!?!

All of this culminates in massive setpieces where everything is at stake. The music got you here. It’ll get you through it.

Xbox Series X|S Price Increase Takes Effect on August 1

By
Soul Kiwami
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XBOX price increase

XBOX has announced that the price of Xbox Series X|S consoles will increase by $100 for 512 GB models and $150 for 1 TB models on August 1. According to XBOX, the price increase for Xbox Series X|S is attributed to console storage and memory prices being increased by 2.5, with another doubling projected for fall of 2027.

Here’s the full statement released by XBOX via XBOX Wire:

Effective August 1, 2026, we will be updating prices worldwide. The price of XBOX consoles will increase by US$100 for 512 GB models and US$150 for 1 TB models. We will also be sunsetting our 2 TB model.

Last October, we increased XBOX console price by $20-$70 in the U.S. We hoped another price increase would not be necessary, and we have spent the last several months working with suppliers on options. Unfortunately, console storage and memory prices have increased by more than 2.5x and we expect another doubling by the fall of 2027. The entire consumer electronics industry is struggling with the current components crisis, but the effects are particularly hard on consoles. Unlike phones, computers, speakers, and other consumer devices, consoles are typically not sold at a profit, but instead for less than they cost to make.

Today we are also sharing programs to make XBOX consoles more accessible:

      • Buy Now, Pay Later: We’ve made it easier for players to use Buy Now, Pay Later options on eligible XBOX hardware purchases through Microsoft Stores, making it possible to break up your payment into predictable short-term, interest-free installments.
      • Interest Free Financing: Players purchasing eligible XBOX hardware through Amazon can take advantage of 0% APR financing for up to 12 months, giving players more flexibility with lower monthly payments and more budgeting control.
      • Previously Played Consoles: We are working with retail partners on new programs to provide previously played consoles at lower prices. Players who are ready to upgrade or no longer use their console will be able to trade it in with participating retail partners for cash or store credit. Those consoles will then be made available at lower prices for players.
      • Certified Refurbished Consoles: XBOX Certified Refurbished Consoles are available at Microsoft Stores for up to US$100 off MSRP.

XBOX Series S remains the lowest-cost way for console players to enjoy the biggest hits this year, including Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, Gears of War: E-Day, Grand Theft Auto VI, Halo: Campaign Evolved, and Madden NFL 27.

A Hundred Scenes of AWAJIMA Release Dates, Schedule and Episodes

By
Soul Kiwami
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Takako Shimura’s opera-themed Scenes From Awajima manga series is coming to fans around the world in the form of an anime—A Hundred Scenes of AWAJIMA! Final Weapon has everything you need to know about A Hundred Scenes of AWAJIMA, including the weekly schedule, release dates and timing for new episodes, and much more about the new anime.

The story of A Hundred Scenes of AWAJIMA focuses on Awajima Revue School, where girls from across Japan attend in hopes of performing on the big stage. While working toward stardom, the students at Awajima spend their time being jealous and competitive just as much as being friends. These feelings conflict and rise up to the surface, for better or worse.

A Hundred Scenes of AWAJIMA Release Dates, Exact Premiere Time and Schedule

A Hundred Scenes of Awajima episodes
©志村貴子・太田出版／淡島百景製作委員会

New episodes of A Hundred Scenes of AWAJIMA will release on Thursdays at 9:45 a.m. PT / 12:45 p.m. ET on Crunchyroll. A Hundred Scenes of AWAJIMA will be streaming with English subs, and there will be 12 episodes in total.

Here are the release dates and schedule for A Hundred Scenes of AWAJIMA (subject to change):

  • Episode 1 – April 9 – OUT NOW
  • Episode 2 – April 16 – OUT NOW
  • Episode 3 – April 23 – OUT NOW
  • Episode 4 – April 30 – OUT NOW
  • Episode 5 – May 7 – OUT NOW
  • Episode 6 – May 14 – OUT NOW
  • Episode 7 – May 21 – OUT NOW
  • Episode 8 – May 28 – OUT NOW
  • Episode 9 – June 4 – OUT NOW
  • Episode 10 – June 11 – OUT NOW
  • Episode 11 – June 18 – OUT NOW
  • Episode 12 – June 25 – OUT NOW

New episodes of A Hundred Scenes of AWAJIMA will premiere at the following times (subject to change):

  • Pacific Daylight Time: 9:45 a.m. PDT
  • Mountain Daylight Time: 10:45 a.m. MDT
  • Central Daylight Time: 11:45 a.m. CDT
  • Eastern Daylight Time: 12:45 p.m. EDT
  • Greenwich Mean Time: 4:45 p.m. GMT

OP/ED, Cast and Staff

Hana Hope
Mika Nakashima

Hana Hope performs the opening theme song “Blue Hour.” Mika Nakashima performs the ending theme song “Hikari (Light).”

The cast includes:

  • Niina Nakabayashi as Wakana Tabata
  • Yō Taichi as Kinue Takehara
  • Ai Kayano as Ryōko Ueda
  • Natsumi Fujiwara as Emi Okabe
  • Ayumi Tsunematsu as Katsurako Ibuki
  • Kana Ichinose as Sara Takanashi
  • Risa Shimizu as Eri Fujisawa
  • Asuna Tomari as Shizuka Gagakugawa

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.

Where Can I Watch A Hundred Scenes of AWAJIMA?

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

Crunchyroll is streaming the A Hundred Scenes of AWAJIMA anime in North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East, CIS, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. In Japan, the anime will air on Fuji TV and other channels.

What is A Hundred Scenes of AWAJIMA About?

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 licenses the manga and describes the story:

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!

Bungie Confirms Layoffs After Destiny 2 Final Content Update

By
Soul Kiwami
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Destiny 2 team experiences layoffs

Bungie has confirmed layoffs as the studio “reorganizes” for its present and future following the release of the final content update for Destiny 2, titled “Monument of Triumph.” In addition to a message released by Bungie, Sony Interactive Entertainment Studio Business Group CEO Hermen Hulst also shared a memo sent to employees, which confirms layoffs across multiple teams supporting Bungie and its operations. Hulst described these layoffs as “necessary,” as most of the Destiny 2 team has been let go in this round of layoffs at Bungie.

Here’s Bungie’s statement from the official X (formerly Twitter) account: 

With great sadness, we are announcing a reduction in force as we reorganize Bungie.

As the leaders of Bungie, past and present, we recognize Destiny 2 fell short of expectations these past several years. Following our final content update to Destiny 2, and with our future projects still in early incubation, we unfortunately could not continue operating at our previous size.

We know this decision has a profound impact on the people affected, their families, friends, and teammates. While these changes are necessary to best position the studio now and for the future, that does not lessen the difficulty of this moment or the impact it has on those affected.

Later, we will share more about that future with you all but today is not that day.

Today, we wish to extend our gratitude and compassion to every member of the Bungie team who has been impacted and to those who remain.

We hope you will do the same.

– Bungie

Here’s the memo shared by Hermen Hulst:

Dear Team, 

Today I want to share a difficult update regarding Bungie. 

We have made the decision to reduce Bungie’s workforce, affecting a significant number of employees, including most of the Destiny team and some Marathon team members. There are also reductions across SIE teams that support Bungie’s operations. Those impacted at Bungie and within SIE are being informed today. 

This is painful news, especially for talented colleagues whose roles have been eliminated. This decision was made only after extensive discussion and careful consideration, and I want to provide some context on how we arrived here. Over the past several months, together with Bungie leadership, we reviewed the studio’s long-term direction, development priorities, resource needs, and role within our broader portfolio strategy. We explored multiple alternatives before concluding that a reduction was necessary to align the studio’s resources with its current priorities and long-term goals. 

As Bungie recently shared in its Destiny 2 update, the studio has begun a new journey following the release of the game’s final live-service content update. What Bungie has accomplished with Destiny over the past decade has been truly remarkable. The franchise has left a lasting mark on players and the industry, and everyone who contributed to its success should be proud of what they helped create. 

Marathon remains an important part of our portfolio, and we will continue to support the team as they build on the strong foundation established in Season 1 and 2, and as they work on incubation efforts for future projects. While it’s too early to discuss, we are encouraged by the creativity and opportunities that lie ahead. 

Our immediate priority is supporting affected employees through this transition. We are providing transition support and, where possible, working to identify opportunities across SIE and our global network of studios. 

I want to sincerely thank every affected employee for their hard work, creativity, and contributions to Bungie, SIE, and the broader gaming community. 

I know today’s news is deeply difficult not only for those leaving, but for those colleagues and friends that remain. Please take the time you need to process this news and support one another.  

Thank you for your resilience and continued support during this difficult time. 

Hermen Hulst 
CEO, Studio Business Group 

Destiny 2 will remain playable just like the original Destiny, but there will be no content updates after this update, and communications from Bungie will enter a “hibernation” until the studio has more information to share about the franchise. Fans are encouraged to read up on the extensive patch notes and changelog on Bungie’s official website.

Petals of Reincarnation Anime Release Dates, Schedule and Episodes

By
Soul Kiwami
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Petals of Reincarnation episodes

Touya Senji’s life changes forever when he learns about his long lost past and powers in the Petals of Reincarnation anime. Final Weapon has everything you need to know about the Petals of Reincarnation anime, including the weekly schedule, release dates and timing for new episodes, and the cast and staff.

In Petals of Reincarnation, Touya encounters a strange student named Haito Le Buffet. Haito is a returner who can use the “Branch of Reincarnation” to channel the powers and abilities of her past life as Musashi Miyamoto. Touya becomes entangled with the secret society known as “Forest of the Greats,” and with the help of Haito, he begins to uncover his own past life’s talents and powers alongside other reincarnations of famous figures throughout history.

Petals of Reincarnation Release Dates, Exact Premiere Time and Schedule

©Mikihisa Konishi/MAG Garden Corporation·Petals of Reincarnation Production Committee

New Petals of Reincarnation episodes will release on Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. PT / 12:30 p.m. ET on HIDIVE. Episodes will be released with English subs and an English dub. Petals of Reincarnation will feature 13 episodes in total.

Here are the release dates and schedule for Petals of Reincarnation (subject to change):

  • Episode 1 – April 2 – OUT NOW
  • Episode 2 – April 9 – OUT NOW
  • Episode 3 – April 16 – OUT NOW
  • Episode 4 – April 23 – OUT NOW
  • Episode 5 – April 30 – OUT NOW
  • Episode 6 – May 7 – OUT NOW
  • Episode 7 – May 14 – OUT NOW
  • Episode 8 – May 21 – OUT NOW
  • Episode 9 – May 28 – OUT NOW
  • Episode 10 – June 4 – OUT NOW
  • Episode 11 – June 11 – OUT NOW
  • Episode 12 – June 18 – OUT NOW
  • Episode 13 – June 25 – OUT NOW

New episodes of Petals of Reincarnation will premiere at the following times (subject to change):

  • Pacific Daylight Time: 9:00 a.m. PDT
  • Mountain Daylight Time: 10:00 a.m. MDT
  • Central Daylight Time: 11:00 a.m. CDT
  • Eastern Daylight Time: 12:00 p.m. EDT
  • Greenwich Mean Time: 4:00 p.m. GMT

OP/ED, Cast and Staff

eill
Sizuk

eill performs the opening theme song “Glitch*,” and Sizuk performs the ending theme song “ZERO.”

The cast includes:

  • Shoya Chiba as Toya Senji
  • Wakana Maruoka as Haito Luo Buffett
  • Ayane Sakura as John V. Neumann
  • Haruka Shiraishi as A. Einstein
  • Kaito Ishikawa as I. Newton
  • Reina Ueda as F. Nightingale
  • Shugo Nakamura as Hiroshi Funasaka
  • Marina Inoue as Jubei Mitsuyoshi Yagyu
  • Katsuyuki Konishi as Xiang Yu
  • Miyu Tomita as M d’Armont
  • Ayumu Murase as A. Hitler
  • Masaaki Mizunaka as Pol T.
  • Daisuke Namikawa as Hans U. Rudel
  • Takahiro Sakurai as Carlos N. Hathcock
  • Shūhei Sakaguchi as M. Nostradamus
  • Yoshimasa Hosoya as Itsuki Kitazuka
  • Natsuki Hanae as YOSHIKI Minami
  • Nobuo Tobita as Alan Smithee

Shun Kudō is directing the anime at Benten Film. Atsuo Ishino handles series composition, and Haruna Katō designs the characters, with supervision by Sayaka Ono. Kohta Yamamoto is the music composer, and Pony Canyon is producing the music. In addition, Kōsuke Murayama is the assistant director, and Kentarō Azuma is the action director. Yukio Nagasaki is the sound director.

Where Can I Watch Petals of Reincarnation?

©Mikihisa Konishi/MAG Garden Corporation·Petals of Reincarnation Production Committee

HIDIVE is streaming the Petals of Reincarnation anime in various regions outside Japan, including the U.S. In Japan, the anime will air during the Super Animeism TURBO programming block on MBS, TBS, and 26 affiliate channels. 

What is Petals of Reincarnation About?

Konishi launched the Petals of Reincarnation manga in May 2014, and the series is still ongoing. The manga is currently serialized in MAGCOMI and Monthly Comic Garden published by MAG Garden, and it is available in English in the Mangamo mobile app. What’s more, the series has 21 volumes-to-date and more than 3,000,000 copies in circulation. The anime adaptation was first announced on August 1, 2024 in Japan as part of the manga’s 10th anniversary celebration.

Petals of Reincarnation is a supernatural action manga that centers around Toya Senji, a talentless high school student who comes to discovers that talent is gained not from learning but rather a previous life—and only by self-inflicted death and the supernatural aid of the “Stem of Reincarnation.”

Black Lily’s Tale is Coming to Switch in Japan

By
Soul Kiwami
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Black Lily's Tale

Kadokawa Game Linkage has announced that 1000-REKA-developed yuri visual novel Black Lily’s Tale is coming to Nintendo Switch on October 29 in Japan. The Nintendo Switch version of Black Lily’s Tale will only support Japanese, unlike the PC version.

Black Lily’s Tale is now available for PC via Steam and Crunchyroll Game Vault for Android and iOS. A Black Lily’s Tale demo is also available on Steam, featuring prologue, some side events, and unique gameplay features.

Here’s an overview, via Crunchyroll:

From the stunning artistry of Fukahire comes Black Lily’s Tale—a yuri visual novel where every word you choose can change destiny.

Experience a touching, bittersweet romance brought to life with beautiful illustrations, fully voiced characters, and a unique system where you interrupt choices and type the words that can break tragedy’s loop.

A story pure yet intense, tender yet haunting. This is a love that refuses to fade—even under the shadow of a curse.

Perhaps it was the curse of a black lily that bloomed too early in the winter… Before graduation, Hana falls in love with another girl. But her pure feelings are torn apart by a “loop of tragedy.”

Key Features

      • Yuri Coming-of-Age Story – Explore the struggles of a girl falling in love with another girl
      • Innovative Choice-Making – Interrupt decisions and type your own words to shape fate
      • Beautiful Artwork – Fukahire’s nostalgic illustrations with animated character sprites
      • Fully Voiced Characters – Bringing emotion and depth to every scene
      • Bilingual Support – Play in Japanese or English

Can you guide Hana toward happiness—or will love become her undoing?

Getting Shots on a Frying Pan Anime Adaptation Announced

By
Soul Kiwami
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The official X (formerly Twitter) account for writer Juntarō Aoki and artist Shin Moriyama’s Nabe ni Dangan wo Ukenagara (Getting Shots on a Frying Pan, also known as Nabetama) manga announced a TV anime adaptation will premiere in 2027. The anime is being produced by J.C. Staff, and the teaser visual and character artwork for protagonist Juntarō were revealed.

Nabetama key visual
©青木潤太朗・森山慎/KADOKAWA/「なべたま」製作委員会
Nabetama Juntarō
©青木潤太朗・森山慎/KADOKAWA/「なべたま」製作委員会

Aoki launched the Getting Shots on a Frying Pan manga in 2021 on Kadokawa’s Comic Newtype web manga magazine. Kadokawa published the manga’s first compiled book volume in January 2022. The manga is among the top 20 list for male readers in the 2023 edition of Takarajimasha’s Kono Manga ga Sugoi! (This Manga Is Amazing!) guidebook.

Nabe ni Dangan wo Ukenagara is described as a non-fiction, chaotic and hardcore gourmet report manga. The story centers on Juntarō, a beautiful girl who travels in dangerous places around the world to taste a variety of local dishes. Juntarō wants to achieve “50,000 points of deliciousness.”

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