Visual Novel News:
Shiravune have announced the upcoming international release of Utawarerumono: Past and Present Rediscovered, the sequel to Monochrome Mobius: Rights and Wrongs Forgotten. It will be released on Steam on May 27th, 2026.
While a JRPG rather than a visual novel, it takes place in the same universe and stars some of the same characters at the Utawarerumono visual novels.
Long, long ago, in the distant past… or was it in the far-off future? The mighty empire of Yamato exists at peace under the rule of its god incarnate the Mikado. Oshtor, Mikazuchi, Munechika, and Shunya have been hailed as heroes ever since they repelled an invasion out of long-lost Arva Shulan. Yet once more, a shadow falls over the nation. Monster rise in every corner of the land, and disconnected incidents spiral towards one conclusion while old comrades triangulate a response. As their journey begins anew, they have no way of knowing—what awaits them is sung about only in legends. Somewhere, white mists still cloud a cradle—but a long, light slumber is about to end.
Laplacian have announced further information on their upcoming visual novel, Kugayama Shiori’s Death Diary. The store page is now available, which notes that it includes multiple endings, unexpected conclusions based on the player’s choices, and a blood filter.
As noted in our Interview with Ono Wasabi (CEO of Laplacian), they are using generative AI to assist with background assets.
Even in death, Kugayama Shiori takes her own life. Maybe her next will finally be her last. But no matter how many times she dies, her soul refuses to leave this world. Maybe the answer lies in her lost memories. Maybe there’s a lingering attachment she’s forgotten. Other than her name, she remembers nothing. Who was she? Why did she die? Together with you—the only living person who can still speak to her— Shiori begins her search for her memories, and for the truth behind her death.
Sekai Project has announced that they will be updating the existing Chinese version of WAGAMAMA HIGH SPEC OC by madosoft to include English-language support. Players will need to change the language in Properties, as shown in this tutorial.
WAGAMAMA HIGH SPEC OC is a series of side stories that take place after the conclusion of WAGAMAMA HIGH SPEC. New to this release are side stories featuring class rep Watanuki Karen, Narumi’s editor, Takatsuka Chitose, and the iron-fisted teacher, Iwakuma Yukari.
More Visual Novel News
- A Kickstarter for Dating & Dragons launches on February 3rd 2026
- Haramimura: When a Wife Becomes a Villager by Soft Circle Courreges launches on February 7th, 2026
- Shop Crush a Hybrid Visual Novel was Announced
Gaming News:
Nintendo recently hosted a Nintendo Direct all about their first big game of 2026: Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream. As a sequel to 2014’s Tomodachi Life on the 3DS, this new title naturally adds more to the whacky Mii sandbox, such as being able to create unique face paints for your Miis or giving them special quirks that change how they behave. You’ll also be able to landscape your island with decorative items and changing the structure of the land to make it truly unique to you. There’s even the ability to customise items, outfits, and even the exterior of houses with the new Palette House feature.
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream launches exclusively for Nintendo Switch on April 16th.
Watch the Nintendo Direct for Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream
The co-creator of Shin Megami Tensei and Persona franchises is working with Compile Heart to make an all-new school-based RPG titled Villion: Code. This world is one near extinction and after a strange phenomenon occurs in Adhvan Resilience Research Academy City, monsters called GEMs start to emerge and cause chaos across the city. Then, the city is sealed in a giant bubble, isolating the threat from the rest of the world. It’s up to a young man at the school and a team of his friends named Adhvan Rebs to try and uncover the truth of this mysterious event. The game uses a real-time combat system as you and your allies explore newly created dimensions called a Sankhara Spacetime using weapons known as Genome Arms.
Villion: Code releases in Japan on May 25th. No international release has been confirmed at this time.
Watch the announcement trailer for Villion: Code
Tekken 8 is celebrating its second anniversary by announcing the game’s third season of content. This new season pass will include four new characters and a new stage. Three of the four new characters were announced: Kunimitsu, Bob, and Roger Jr. are all returning to the franchise.
Watch the season three trailer for Tekken 8
Two new playable characters were announced for Tribute Game’s upcoming return of Scott Pilgrim. Matthew Patel and ROBOT-01 are joining the roster, bringing the total characters announced up to six. That wasn’t all though, as we finally have been given the game’s full release date.
Scott Pilgrim EX is coming to PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, and PC on March 3rd.
Watch the release date trailer for Scott Pilgrim EX
While we’re still waiting for the third title in the Final Fantasy VII Remake series, we’ve got word that a new version of the original PlayStation title is coming soon. Square-Enix announced that a new version of Final Fantasy VII is coming to PC and aims to offer an improved gameplay experience. The current version of the game that was released in 2013 will be delisted on Steam, but if you already own it, you’ll get this updated version for free and will still be able to access the original release.
Anime News:
We’ve finally been given our first look at Science SARU’s next big animation project based on Masamune Shirow’s original manga, Ghost in the Shell. Alongside a new key visual, we finally see the animation in motion in a short teaser trailer, which also revealed the series’ premiere window.
Science SARU’s Ghost in the Shell adaptation is set to premiere this July.
Watch the teaser trailer for The Ghost in the Shell
Upcoming Releases:
A brand new version of a classic RPG in the Dragon Quest series arrives this week. Dragon Quest VII Reimagined is a full remake of the PlayStation classic that tells the story of a group of youths in Estard discovering a strange shrine called the Shrine of Mysteries that sends them all back in time. This new release includes a new mechanic that allows you to level up two vocation perks at once, an auto battle option, streamlined menus, and enhanced visuals and audio. If you’d like to try the game ahead of release, a demo is now available to download.
Dragon Quest VII Reimagined launches for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, and PC on February 5th.
My Hero Academia returns to consoles with the third entry in their fighting game franchise. My Hero Academia: All’s Justice retells the story of the final season of the anime, with this new entry boasting over 60 playable characters and a new three-versus-three combat system. Alongside the game’s story mode, there’ll also be other single player modes such as a city exploration mode and a mode that lets you relive memorable battles across the entire series.
My Hero Academia: All’s Justice releases for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC on February 6th.
Koei Tecmo and Team Ninja’s Nioh franchise is back with the third mainline entry this week. Nioh 3 has you travelling back in time across Japanese history to seal dangerous zones called Crucibles. You’ll be able to swap between two gameplay styles based on a samurai and a ninja, with a free demo now being available ahead of release.
Nioh 3 will be available for PlayStation 5 and PC on February 6th.
An anime/gaming aficionado, experienced content creator and lovable goofball. Name a game genre and Seamus has likely played it… yes, even that one. Follow him @TrueStorySeamus
