PLAYISM Game Show Announced for September 16

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Soul Kiwami
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PLAYISM Game Show September 16

PLAYISM is hosting a new PLAYISM Game Show live stream on September 16 at 4:00 a.m. PDT / 7:00 a.m. EDT on YouTube. The September 16 PLAYISM Game Show live stream will feature updates and new details regarding 12 new games, including titles that will be exhibited at Tokyo Game Show 2025, which runs from September 25 to 28 at the Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan.

One of the new titles that could be highlighted is WSS Playground and illuCalab’s new sci-fi mystery adventure game EDEN.schemata();, which was previously planned to launch in spring 2025 for PC via Steam. The game was originally planned to launch in 2024, but more time is needed for quality improvements.

PLAYISM is the publisher of atelier mimina-developed sci-fi action RPG Haruka: Beyond the Stars for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam. Currently, Haruka: Beyond the Stars is targeting a 2026 launch with English and Japanese language options, according to the game’s latest Steam blog post.

PLAYISM will also publish Cyber Space Biotope’s side-scrolling action roguelite game Million Depth. The game will launch on September 12 for PC via Steam with English, Japanese, Traditional Chinese, and Simplified Chinese language options.

PLAYISM and developers Jamsanpoid and VampireK.K. released the Nintendo Switch version of From Madness With Love on May 29, 2025 with new scenario content. The game is already available for PC via Steam.

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Part 7 – Steel Ball Run to Stream on Netflix

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Soul Kiwami
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JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Part 7 – Steel Ball Run

Netflix announced that the JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Part 7 – Steel Ball Run anime will be streaming on the platform worldwide. More details about the JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Part 7 – Steel Ball Run anime will be revealed during Warner Bros. Japan’s global livestream on September 23 (JST).

The staff of the JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Part 7 – Steel Ball Run anime includes:

  • Directors: Yasuhiro Kimura & Hideya Takahashi
  • Series Director: Toshiyuki Kato
  • Series Structure: Yasuko Kobayashi
  • Character Designer: Daisuke Tsumagari
  • Music Composer: Yugo Kanno
  • Sound Director: Yoshikazu Iwanami
  • Animation: david production Inc.

For eager fans, Shueisha Manga-Art Heritage’s JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure exhibit serves as another exciting preview before the JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Part 7 – Steel Ball Run anime premieres in the near future. Hirohiko Araki’s JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure lithographic and lenticular works will come to The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco’s de Young Museum on September 27 and Kyoto’s Higashi Honganji on November 14. 

Hirohiko Araki is currently penning and writing part nine of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, titled The JOJOLands. Further, the latest JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure anime, titled Stone Ocean, is streaming on Netflix.

In addition, Bleach Brave Souls developer KLab and Final Fantasy Brave Exvius developer gumi are working together on a new JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure mobile game. Lastly, the new title will release in Japan first in 2025, followed by a worldwide release in 2026.

Utawarerumono: Shiro e no Michishirube Has Been Delayed to 2026

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Soul Kiwami
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Aquaplus announced Utawarerumono: Shiro e no Michishirube has been delayed to 2026 in Japan.

Aquaplus announced Utawarerumono: Shiro e no Michishirube has been delayed to 2026 in Japan to make way for more quality improvements. Before being delayed, Utawarerumono: Shiro e no Michishirube was planned to release in fall 2025 for unspecified platforms. 

Before then, DMM Games, Shiravune and Aquaplus will release action RPG Utawarerumono: Zan on October 23 for PC via Steam. The PC version of Utawarerumono: Zan will be available worldwide with English, Japanese, and Traditional Chinese language options. Utawarerumono: Zan is already available now for PlayStation 4.

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

Turn up the music, grab your warfan, and get ready to mow down some mooks in this action-packed take on the Utawarerumono series!

Hack and Slash

Land big damage, juggle foes, and build up a combo counter into the hundreds! Carve your mark onto the battlefield while grooving out to over 80 tracks, including upbeat remixes of Utawarerumono’s legendary soundtrack!

Four’s a Party

Build a team of four characters and switch anytime! Every fighter in your squad brings unique stats and abilities. Equip and improve gear to customize your loadout, choose powerful formations that complement your strengths, and power up your party after every battle!

Flashy Final Strikes

Dodge attacks and land hits to charge up Zeal, then spend it on unique and deadly Chain Attacks—or save up, enter Overzeal, and unleash a devastating Final Strike!

For the Mikado

Utawarerumono: ZAN follows the story of Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception, featuring slimmed-down exposition interspersed with button-pounding battles. When a man named Haku wakes up in an unfamiliar world, he quickly finds himself surrounded by a beautiful but strict caretaker and a motley crew of warriors, scholars, princesses, and heroic bandits. Under the direction of the dashing rogue Ukon, they’ll rescue damsels, stamp out conspiracies, stymie invasions, and build bonds as they fight to defend the land of Yamato from every threat… even the ones that wear masks.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Open Network Test Exceeded 1 Million Downloads, 10 Million Races

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Soul Kiwami
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Sonic Racing CrossWorlds open network test downloads

SEGA shared some results from the Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Open Network Test, revealing that the test exceeded 1 million downloads. In addition to the downloads milestone, a total of 10 million races were held during the course of the Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Open Network Test, which ran from August 29 to September 1.

A free Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds single-player demo releases on September 16 at 9:00 p.m. PDT / September 17 at 12:00 a.m. EDT for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store. The single-player demo serves a final preview before Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds launches.

In addition, SEGA announced the Project ONSUKU collaboration for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, featuring five new songs celebrating Sonic the Hedgehog and Hatsune Miku, including “SAI LOVE JINSEI RUNNER” by Kairiki bear. All five Hatsune Miku songs will also be available in the game and on streaming services.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds launches on September 25 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam. The digital Nintendo Switch 2 version launches in holiday 2025, while the physical copy will release in early 2026. Nintendo Switch users will have the ability to upgrade to the Switch 2 version for $10.

Players can expect a slew of free and paid DLC characters, including Hatsune Miku and Ichiban Kasuga from Like a Dragon. Recently, SEGA and Bandai Namco announced a collaboration between Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds and PAC-MAN WORLD 2 Re-PAC. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds will receive a PAC-MAN DLC Pack in early 2026, while PAC-MAN WORLD 2 Re-PAC will receive a Sonic the Hedgehog DLC Pack in late 2025.

Solo Leveling: ARISE Launches 500th Day Celebration Events

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Soul Kiwami
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Solo Leveling Arise 500th Day Anniversary

Netmarble has launched various event celebrating the 500th day since the launch of Solo Leveling: ARISE. The “Happy 500th Day! Check-In Gift” event runs until September 23 with login rewards such as [Legendary] Skill Rune Selection Chest, a 500th Day Celebration! Skill Rune Transcendent Stone Selection Chest, Gold, and more.

Moreover, the “500th Day Celebration! Artifact Modification Event” is available in Solo Leveling: ARISE until September 25. The event lets players select a Legendary or higher Artifact (with enhancement tier 5 or higher) and reset the enhancement to tier 0, allowing players to enhance it once more. The “500th Day Celebration! Artifact Crafting Event” is also available, allowing players to choose their desired main and sub options to craft a customized Artifact.

Solo Leveling: ARISE OVERDRIVE will launch on November 17 for PC via Microsoft Store and Steam. Pre-orders for the Deluxe Edition on PC will receive three days of advanced access, starting November 14. Solo Leveling: ARISE OVERDRIVE is coming to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S in 2026.

What’s more, pre-orders for Solo Leveling: ARISE OVERDRIVE Deluxe Edition will be discounted for a limited time. Deluxe Edition contents include the game, the aforementioned Advanced Access, the Deluxe Upgrade Bundle, which includes a Sung Jinwoo-exclusive costume, profile card, facial accessory and hairstyle, and a new pet.

In the meantime, fans can stream both seasons of Solo Leveling with English dubs and subs on Crunchyroll. Solo Leveling: ARISE is available now for Android, iOS, and PC via Windows. 

The Summer Hikaru Died Exhibition Opens on November 14

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Soul Kiwami
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CyberAgent announced a special exhibition for the TV anime of Mokumokuren’s The Summer Hikaru Died manga will be held inside Sunshine 60’s Tenbou-Park Observatory in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, Japan from November 14. A new key visual for “The Summer Hikaru Died Exhibition” was released.

©Mokumokuren/KADOKAWA/The Summer Hikaru Died Partners

The Summer Hikaru Died Exhibition will feature displays with memorable scenes from the anime, along with photo spots. Attendees can also view exclusive production materials and reproductions of key animations. At the exhibition’s store, a range of original goods featuring newly drawn illustrations will be available for purchase. Tickets will go on sale near the end of September 2025, and a special giveaway is being held on the exhibition’s official X (formerly Twitter) account featuring prizes like posters signed by the cast.

The Summer Hikaru Died premiered on July 5 on Netflix. Vaundy performs the opening theme song “Saikai (Reunion),” and TOOBOE performs the ending theme song “you are my monster.”

The anime’s cast includes: 

  • Chiaki Kobayashi as Yoshiki Tsujinaka
  • Shuichiro Umeda as Hikaru Indou
  • Yumiri Hanamori as Asako Yamagishi
  • Wakana Kowaka as Rie Kurebayashi
  • Chikahiro Kobayashi as Tanaka
  • Yoshiki Nakajima as Yūta Maki
  • Shion Wakayama as Yūki Tadokoro

Ryohei Takeshita directs the anime. Yuichi Takahashi is the character designer and chief animation director, and Masanobu Hiraoka is the DORODORO animator. In addition, the anime will be produced by Cygames Pictures and published by Kadokawa.

Lastly, here’s a story synopsis for the anime:

In a certain village
Since their childhood, they have grown up together.
Yoshiki and Hikaru, childhood friends.
the sun shining down on them
the chirping sound of a crypto tympana facialis
Ice cream on the way home

Laughing over trivial things
One day in summer, no different from any other day

…… You’re not Hikaru after all, are you?

Half a year ago, Hikaru went missing in the mountains.
A week later, he came back on a whim.
The voice, the figure, the thing that looked like Hikaru
What was stirring inside…

“Hikaru is no longer with us. …… if that’s the case.”

Starting the days with “something” in the form of a friend,
The “same as usual” everyday life.
But at the same time…
Strange incidents begin to plague the village.

Falling into the unknown “something”

Crunchyroll Releases Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- Infinity Castle English Dub Behind-the-Scenes Video

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Soul Kiwami
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Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- Infinity Castle

Crunchyroll has released a behind-the-scenes video for the English dub voice cast of the first Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- Infinity Castle film. Fans can experience the English dub of Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- Infinity Castle when the film heads to theaters, including IMAX and premium large formats, in US and Canada on September 12.

Early screenings of Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- Infinity Castle opened on September 9 at 7:00 p.m. local time in the US for Crunchyroll Mega and Ultimate Fan subscribers. Crunchyroll also streamed the movie’s red carpet premiere from Los Angeles on YouTube and Twitch.

The English dub cast includes:

  • Zach Aguilar as Tanjiro Kamado
  • Abby Trott as Nezuko Kamado
  • Aleks Le as Zenitsu Agatsuma
  • Bryce Papenbrook as Inosuke Hashibira
  • Brianna Knickerbocker as Kanao Tsuyuri
  • Zeno Robinson as Genya Shinazugawa
  • Johnny Yong Bosch as Giyu Tomioka
  • Ray Chase as Tengen Uzui 
  • Griffin Burns as Muichiro Tokito
  • Erika Harlacher as Shinobu Kocho
  • Kira Buckland as Mitsuri Kanroji
  • Erik Scott Kimerer as Obanai Iguro
  • Kaiji Tang as Sanemi Shinazugawa
  • Crispin Freeman as Gyomei Himejima
  • Lucien Dodge as Akaza (Upper Three)
  • Channing Tatum as Keizo 
  • Rebecca Wang as Koyuki

Haruo Sotozaki directed the film at studio ufotable. In addition, Akira Matsushima is the character designer and chief animation director. Further, Aimer performs the theme song “Taiyō ga Noboranai Sekai (A World Where the Sun Never Rises),” while LiSA performs the song “Zankoku no Yoru ni Kagayake (Shine in the Cruel Night).”

Copyright: ©Koyoharu Gotoge / SHUEISHA, Aniplex, ufotable
Copyright: ©Koyoharu Gotoge / SHUEISHA, Aniplex, ufotable

Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- Infinity Castle – Akaza Returns is the fastest film in Japan to reach 30 billion yen at the box office, outpacing Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train and Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away.

New Super Mario Galaxy Movie Domain Has Been Registered by NBCUniversal

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Soul Kiwami
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Super Mario Galaxy movie

The new Super Mario Galaxy movie domain has been registered by NBCUniversal on September 3 and was last updated on September 11. News of the Super Mario Galaxy movie comes just a day before the September 12 Nintendo Direct, which is expected to be one of Nintendo’s biggest presentations yet.

Previously, the next Super Mario Bros. animated movie from Nintendo and Illumination was reportedly titled Super Mario World, according to NBCUniversal’s news release regarding its upcoming slate of films. Mention of the Super Mario World movie was removed from NBCUniversal’s news release shortly after it was publicized.

The next Super Mario Bros. movie is expected to premiere on April 3, 2026 in theaters in the US. The movie will premiere on April 24, 2026 in Japan, three weeks after the US premiere. 

This past March, Miyamoto shared his thoughts about the US premiere, ensuring fans that Illumination and Nintendo are working hard to bring a “bright and fun story.” 

“This is Miyamoto. We are now creating a new animated film based on the world of Super Mario Bros,” Miyamoto said in March. “This film is planned for release in theaters on April 3rd, 2026 in the US and many other markets, and throughout the month of April in other territories. We’ll let you know the details once we’re ready to share more. This time too, the staff at Illumination and Nintendo are working together. We’re thinking about broadening Mario’s world further, and it’ll have a bright and fun story. We hope you’ll look forward to it!”

The Super Mario Bros Movie was a major success for Nintendo and Illumination, with millions of fans having watched the film in theaters. Over $1 billion in ticket sales were generated before the movie’s debut on Netflix.

SHY Manga Reaches ‘Last Battle’ with New Chapter on September 18

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Soul Kiwami
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SHY manga

2025’s 41st issue of Akita Publishing’s Weekly Shōnen Champion magazine announced that Bukimi Miki’s SHY manga will enter its “last battle” with the next chapter. The next chapter of the SHY manga releases on September 18.

SHY is a story about the titular character being the superhero representative for Japan. In an age where superheroes have brought worldwide peace, the timid young girl is a beacon of peace with a heart of gold. Miki began the story as a one-shot in January 2017, and Weekly Shōnen Champion would serialize the manga series with its first chapter in August 2019.

The manga went on to receive an anime adaptation with two seasons, which are streaming now on Crunchyroll. Crunchyroll released an English dub for the series with the following cast members: 

  • Veronica Laux as Shy
  • Natalie Rose as Spirit
  • Bryn Apprill as Iko
  • Molly Zhang as Ai
  • Hannah Alyea as Asuka
  • TJ Anthony as Century
  • Emi Lo as Mianlong
  • Derick Snow as Doki
  • Kristian Eros as Natsukawa
  • Jill Harris as Lady Black
  • Aaron Campbell as Stardust
  • Nazeeh Tarsha as Shrimpy
  • Marisa Duran as Stigma 
  • Molly Searcy as Unilord

Crunchyroll describes the series as follows:

On the brink of a third World War, superheroes appeared on Earth. Gifted with powers, their appearance brings peace to the world. The heroes each selected a country in which they would reside, serve, and protect its citizens. Shy is Japan’s hero, endowed with super strength. Her most daunting enemy yet? Crippling shyness. Join Shy and her super friends as she defends Earth and gains confidence!

Duel Masters LOST: Oblivion Sun Anime Premieres in Early 2026

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Soul Kiwami
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Duel Masters LOST Oblivion Sun manga

Shigenobu Matsumoto and Yō Kanebayashi’s Duel Masters LOST manga returns with the beginning of Duel Masters LOST ~Bōkyaku no Taiyō~ / Duel Masters LOST: Oblivion Sun, which confirmed that the anime will premiere in early 2026. The Duel Masters LOST: Oblivion Sun manga is being serialized by Shogakukan’s Weekly CoroCoro Comic magazine.

Duel Masters is a multimedia project that initially started in 1999. The first anime series aired in 2002. Over the years, several new manga, anime, and merchandise have been released as part of the massive project. The first chapter of Duel Masters LOST, the latest subseries in the twenty-five-year-old franchise, released on February 1, 2024. The manga’s first part ended in the manga’s seventh chapter on March 21, 2024.

The manga series continued with Duel Masters LOST: Reaper of the Moon, and its sequel, Duel Masters LOST: Oblivion Sun, is coming soon in the form of a new manga and anime. The last episode of Duel Masters LOST: Reaper of the Moon aired on February 28, and the entire anime series is available on the YouTube channel. The Duel Masters LOST: Oblivion Sun manga is being serialized as a continuation of the story in Weekly CoroCoro Comic.

Weekly CoroCoro Comic magazine previously launched the launched the Duel Masters GT -Gear of the Twin heart-. The manga is written and illustrated by Hiroki Kikuzuma and Daisuke Kawasaki. Duel Masters GT -Gear of the Twin heart- follows the in-game Dragon Saga card lore of Grassa and Turret. These two characters are the twin children of Dragon Ruler Glenmalt. They’re also depicted in the new key visual shown below.

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