Visual Novel News:
JAST USA have revealed that Tokyo Necro by Nitroplus will be releasing on March 13th, 2023, shortly after this news round up article is posted. It will be released on the JAST Store, GOG, and Steam.
Appearing to be a sci-fi action visual novel, it describes itself as such: Our story begins when So’un discovers an amnesiac girl in a car trunk after what was seemingly a routine, if not harrowing, encounter with a hostile Necromancer. The girl is being pursued by a mysterious group of Necromancers known only as The Laboratory. Things escalate from there, with both So’un and Ethica discovering that their pasts and heritage must be confronted should they wish to move forward.
While no release date has been announced, a Steam page has been listed for 『LACKGIRL I – “Astra inclinant, sed non obligant.”』. Notably, the scenario writer is listed as Ryoichi Watanabe, who worked on multiple visual novels including Aokana, and the artist as Benio, who has worked on several light novels, including I’ve Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level.
It describes itself as a visual novel about a magic battle between girls. Iris” is a boarding school where students learn about magic. The girls gathered there all have mental defects. This is a story of magical girls with a flawed mind, a story of battle and growth.
Myosuki have announced a 19th April 2023 release for Girls! Girls! Girls!?, which was successfully funded by KickStarter. This otokonoko visual novel has had multiple issues with it’s writers according to an update, which is why it was delayed significantly.
Akihabara, the electric town–hub for state-of-the-art technology, fashion, otaku goods, and the cutest boys in skirts you will ever see. Pop into the Girls! Girls! Girls!? Cafe and fall in love with one of four charming “ladies…” or maybe even all of them? Jump into a story full of fluff, romance, friendship, and crossdressing that will keep you coming back for more!
GOOD LUCK BABY!, a yuri visual novel by Noodletub Games has released on Steam and Itch.io, following a successful Kickstarter. It met it’s initial goal in less than 24 hours, then met most of it’s KickStarter goals.
Japan, 2002. Bad luck is something we all experience – but for high schooler Hifumi Tanaka, it’s become an unwanted way of life. Broken alarm clocks, lost wallets and bumped elbows; she starts wondering what she did to deserve this unrelenting misfortune. Her luck finally changes for the better upon meeting Kasumi Itou – a sunny delinquent with a heart of gold. But just as their mutual crush begins to bloom, the girls find a surprising sight awaiting them on Kasumi’s doorstep…a baby with wings and a halo!
Studio Elan is launching a KickStarter for PC physical copies, artbooks, and soundtracks of three of their yuri visual novels, Highway Blossoms, Heart of the Woods or Please Be Happy. It met its initial goal within three hours, and is now aiming for stretch goals including short stories, a light novel and DLC for Please Be Happy.
Console physical copies will be available through Limited Run Games at a later date, though it is worth noting that there have been multiple customers complaining publicly about Limited Run Games products, citing issues around extremely long delays and product damage on social media and Trustpilot.
Gaming News:
Despite all the many successes of the Dragon Ball franchise, one question has lingered in fans’ minds for the past 16 years: “Will we ever see a new entry in the Budokai Tenkaichi series?” During the Dragon Ball Games Battle Hour 2023 event, that question was finally answered through a short teaser for the next entry in this fan-favorite video game adaptation! No news on who’s working on the project, which systems it will be released for, or when it will launch, but we’ll be sure to report on any updates.
Watch the teaser for the next Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi title
We are now officially less than one month away from the highly anticipated Super Mario Bros. Movie! To celebrate Mario Day on March 10th, Nintendo hosted a Nintendo Direct to premiere the final trailer and announced that a replica of the shoes Mario wears in the movie will be displayed in New York’s Nintendo Store.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie premieres on April 5th.
Watch the Super Mario Bros. Movie trailer
The next season of content for Fortnite is now underway, and they’ve announced another exciting anime collaboration! After the success of the Naruto, Dragon Ball, and My Hero Academia collaboration, Eren Jaeger from Attack on Titan will be joining the battle royale madness! He will be included with the Battle Pass and will be available to unlock in April.
After the reveal that we’re getting a brand new Professor Layton game, Level 5 revealed an extended trailer that revealed the name of the location Layton is traveling to: Steam Bison, which just so happens to be in America. The trailer also showed some new designs and a teaser for a new character at the end of the trailer.
Professor Layton and the New World of Steam will be releasing exclusively for Nintendo Switch sometime in the future.
Watch the trailer for Professor Layton and the New World of Steam
On the topic of Level 5, one of their games that was initially exclusive to Japan is now getting a Western release! Megaton Musashi: Wired is an enhanced version of the original Megaton Musashi; a 3D action game that lets you create your very own anime mech. The game will support cross-play, allowing you to play with friends no matter which system you choose to play on. On top of that, this new release will also be including famous mechs from anime history such as Mazinger Z and Getter Robot.
Megaton Musashi: Wired will be coming to PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC in 2023.
Watch the announcement trailer for Megaton Musashi: Wired
Anime News:
The first part of the Boruto anime is coming to an end on March 26th. While it’s unknown when the series will return, we got some news that fans of the original series will be happy to hear! We’re getting four new episodes of the Naruto anime that will be released in September.
Finally, on a sad note, we lost the character designer for one of the most celebrated anime series of all time: Code Geass. Working as a character designer for other series like GaoGaiGar and Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway, Takahiro Kimura sadly passed away on March 5th after battling amyloidosis at the age of 58. Rest in peace, Takahiro Kimura.
Upcoming Releases:
The next entry in the Bayonetta franchise is releasing this week, but it’s not the kind of game you might be expecting. Bayonetta Origins:Cereza and the Lost Demon sees you playing as Cereza and her demon companion, Cheshire as they explore a mysterious forest, with a big focus on combat and puzzle solving.
Bayonetta Origins:Cereza and the Lost Demon releases exclusively for Nintendo Switch on March 17th.
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