Visual Novel News:
Visual Arts has announced that Summer Pockets Reflection Blue releases on June 27th, 2025 on Steam. It will include Japanese, English, and Simplified Chinese. No comment has been made on whether the Switch, PlayStation, or mobile versions will update to include these languages at this time. Summer Pockets is currently available on Steam, but Summer Pockets Reflection Blue adds routes for Umi, Miki, and Shizuku as well as a completely new heroine, along with other changes.
To help manage his recently deceased grandmother’s effects, the protagonist Takahara Hairi travels to Torishirojima during his summer vacation. As he gets off the ferry boat, he spots a lone girl standing on the pier. A girl who simply gazes into the distance as her long hair flutters in the wind. He looks at the girl in utter bewilderment, but before he realizes it, she can no longer be found anywhere. Hairi finds himself starting to adjust to life on this island, surrounded by nature far lusher than anything he has ever come across back in the city. Time seems to flow by casually on this island, and as it does, memories of something nostalgic keep coming back to him… Memories of something he had long forgotten.
Shiravune have announced Girls’ Dorm -Managing an all-girls’ dormitory- (Garudoma -Joshiryou no Kanrinin-) and it’s fandisc Girls’ Dorm -Managing an all-girls’ dormitory- After (Garudoma -Joshiryou no Kanrinin- After) by Azarashi Software Plus One.
The protagonist Haruto Kitagami finds himself in a difficult predicament. The live-in job that his friend had introduced him to turned out to be a manager for a prestigious girls’ dormitory. He quickly grows close to three of the dorm’s inhabitants. Rin Natsumi, a cynical girl with a prickly attitude. The cat-like Hiyori Akishima, who enjoys toying with Haruto. Aiko Fuyusaki, a young woman with a passionate gaze. Living in their boxed garden, the story of these three princesses begins to take an unexpected turn.
Find the Store Page Here and Here
Shiravune have also announced that Marshmallow All the Way Home will be released on July 9th 2025 on Steam. This is already available on other platforms including JAST and Johren.
We played this some time back and recommended it. You can find our review here.
Kanon: “…Are you okay?” She peers down at me collapsed from hunger on the ground, then holds out her hand. As our fingers touch, her sweet, gentle aura feels almost palpable—so soft and fluffy, like a marshmallow… Kanon: “Welcome to our humble pâtisserie!” The next thing I know, we’re standing outside a cute cake shop called Marshmallow Tree where, as luck would have it, she’s the new owner… and is hiring me as a full-time, live-in employee! Ushio: “Great to have you on board. Let’s make this shop the best it can be.” And so begins my second lease on life—as a worker at a cake shop. Sure, business isn’t exactly booming here, but we’re dead set on fixing that, whatever it takes. Sasa: “Eeep… The cakes and teas you serve here are always such a treat…” Raiha: “I’m not so convinced this is the place for me yet, actually. Or something.” Slowly but surely, and with a whole lot of love and support from new neighbors and friends, more and more customers finally start flocking in. And yet… why does our growing success only lead to more awkwardness and averted gazes from my coworkers…?
Ebi-hime has also released two visual novels in the past week. Beneath the Bleeding Moon is a boys’ love / yaoi visual novel set in 19th century Japan and Maid For My Master describes itself as cute romance story between a young man and a maid who just so happens to be a robot set in the holiday season.
Find the Store Page here (Maid for My Master) and Find the Store Page Here (Beneath the Bleeding Moon)
More Visual Novel News
- Book One and Book Two of Uberich: Advent Sinners is releasing on July 17th, 2025
- Bad End Theater is releasing on multiple consoles on July 10th, 2025
- Sounds of Her Love 2 has been released for free on Steam
Gaming News:
With Nintendo being Nintendo, they announced a new Direct presentation a day before it went live. This time, it was solely focused on one Nintendo Switch 2 game that’ll be releasing next month: Donkey Kong Bananza! You take on the role of Donkey Kong on a quest to get to the planet’s core in the hopes to have a wish granted. But he isn’t alone, as this Direct revealed he’ll be assisted by a young singer that Mario fans are sure to recognize: Pauline. Each location beneath the planet’s core all vary widely as you bash, smash, and crash your way through them, as they’re destructible. You’ll also be able to take on new forms with Bananza transformations that turn you into a hulking ape, a quick zebra, or a flying ostrich.
Donkey Kong Bananza launches exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2 on July 17th.
Watch the Donkey Kong Bananza Direct presentation
The 3.4 update for Honkai Star Rail got a ton of new details announced, including a massive crossover collaboration event with a popular franchise! A full event based on Fate/Stay Night is coming to the game, with it bringing a playable version of Saber that players can pull for. The collab goes live on July 11th and players who log in before the end of the 3.6 update will get Archer for free.
Watch the 3.4 update trailer for Honkai Star Rail
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds isn’t done with new collaborations, as a pretty big franchise is coming to the game! SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick Star are joining as playable characters, with them also coming with a race track inspired by Bikini Bottom. We also got confirmation that Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem and Avatar Legends will also be coming to the game in the future.
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds releases for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC on September 25th.
Watch the SpongeBob SquarePants trailer for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds
Bandai Namco surprised fans of Dragon Ball with a new character being added to Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero! Shallot from the mobile game Dragon Ball Legends is joining the game’s roster as DLC in celebration of the mobile game’s seventh anniversary, with us getting a brief look at his moveset in a brief trailer.
The Shallot DLC for Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero releases on June 26th.
Watch the Shallot trailer for Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero
If you still haven’t played the remakes of the Neptunia franchise, you’ll get another chance with them coming to another platform this year! Neptunia Re;Birth 1+, Re;Birth2: Sisters Generation, and Re;Birth3: V Generation are getting PlayStation 4 ports for both North America and Europe. If you were burned by the sudden cancellation of the Nintendo Switch ports, this will be your chance to own the whole collection on a different platform.
The Neptunia Re;Brith PlayStation 4 ports are set to release this Fall.
Anime News:
We’re less than one month away for the long-awaited return of two fallen angels! Now in the hands of Studio TRIGGER, New Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt got a brand-new trailer ahead of its premiere. If you’re attending Anime Expo this year, the series will be getting its world premiere at the event on July 4th.
New Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt premieres on July 9th.
Watch the trailer for New Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt
The eight and final season of My Hero Academia is fast approaching! Ahead of its release, we got a new look at the anime adaptation and what fans are in for for the finale.
My Hero Academia‘s final season premieres this October.
Watch the trailer for My Hero Academia‘s final season
Upcoming Releases:
The next big game from Kojima Productions is finally releasing this week! Death Stranding 2: On the Beach sees you once again playing as Sam Porter Bridges almost a year after the events of the first game. You’ll now be travelling to Australia to travel across the country to re-connect communications while also delivering packages.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach launches exclusively for PlayStation 5 on June 26th.
Persona fans; this next one’s for you! Over a year after its launch in Asia, Persona 5: The Phantom X is finally releasing worldwide this week! Set in Tokyo, you take on the role of a new protagonist with the codename, Wonder. In his shoes, you once again travel through the Metaverse to purify hearts and explore the labyrinthine depths of Mementos. The twist is that this new title is a gacha game, allowing you to build fully unique teams with the franchise’s iconic take on turn-based combat, including some familiar faces.
Persona 5: The Phantom X launches for PC, iOS, and Android on June 26th.
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
