Nook News – 7/5/21

Visual Novel News:

Sekai Project announced several new titles at Anime EXPO Lite 2021, including the following:

• Slobbish Dragon Princess 2 – Slobbish Dragon Princess 2 is the next entry in the Slobbish Dragon Princess series which brings back the original cast while introducing Iris and Coral, dragons of the Sea and Water factions. The game is currently in translation and is slated for a 2021 release.
• QUALIA ~The Path of Promise~ – QUALIA ~The Path of Promise~ is the first title developed by PURESIS and the first to be published in the West. Translation and edited has been completed on this game. It is currently slated for a 2021 release.
• Amairo Chocolate 2 – Amairo Chocolate 2 is the sequel to Amairo Chocolate 1 which brings back the entire cast while shifting the story’s focus to Ichika and Nana. The game also introduces the rabbit-eared Kaguya and her older sister, Mitsuki. The game is currently in translation. More details coming soon.
• Re;Lord 3 ~The demon lord of Groessen and the final witch~ – The third chapter in the fantasy strip RPG series, Re;Lord 3 ~The demon lord of Groessen and the final witch~ is currently in editing. More details coming soon. Re;Lord 1 ~The witch of Herfort and stuffed animals~ is currently available on Steam with Re;Lord 2 ~The witch of Cologne and black cat~ currently slated for a 2021 release.
• 2236 A.D. Secretary Stories – 2236 A.D. Secretary Stories is a prequel of 2236 A.D., which is currently available on Steam. The game is currently slated for a summer 2021 release.
• Tobari 2: Nightmare – 2236 A.D. Secretary Stories is a prequel of 2236 A.D., which is currently available on Steam. The game is currently slated for a summer 2021 release.

Another announcement is Suhoshin, a visual novel set in Korea. This is due to release in 2022 and features character design by Kageyoshi (Raging Loop – KEMCO).

The player controls Yuri, a young man that recently became a guard and back in his hometown: Yangdong. But suddenly, mysterious murders disturb the tranquility of the village and bring fear to the people. Yuri is asked to investigate and will try to do his best to stop the threat.

More imminent is Black Hair Girl is Best Girl, which is due to release on the 8th of July with a localisation by Kikai Digital. This visual novel seems to be summed up by the title.

Gaming News:

Spike Chunsoft has quite the lineup of story-driven titles, from the Zero Escape series and the wacky Danganronpa series. Though a brand new franchise, AI: The Somnium Files, made waves in 2019. From the team behind the Zero Escape games, reception of the title was extremely positive, so fans will be ecstatic to hear that we’re getting a sequel, and it’s called AI: The Somnium Files – nirvanA Initiative. Not only did we get an announcement trailer, we even got a release window and a collector’s edition that will contain a statue of fan-favorite character, Aiba.

AI: The Somnium Files – nirvanA Initiative arrives on Playstation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC in Spring 2022.

Watch the announcement trailer for AI: The Somnium Files – nirvanA Initiative

Gust have certainly been making a name for themselves in the JRPG community over the last few years. With titles like Fairy Tail‘s console debut and a sequel to Atelier Ryza, all eyes are on the studio for their next project. Those gazes aren’t in vain, as Gust is planning to make an announcement on July 6th, with them sharing an image of clouds. What could it mean? We won’t have to wait long to find out!

Get ready for the next battle: Kazuya Mishima from Tekken has joined the roster as the tenth DLC character for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate! Originally announced at Nintendo’s E3 2021 Direct presentation, game director Masahiro Sakurai went over all of Kazuya’s moves, stage, music, and the new Mii costumes coming to the game.

The Kazuya Mishima Pack for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is now available exclusively on Nintendo Switch.

Watch the Kazuya Mishima Super Smash Bros. Ultimate presentation

Wanting more from the NieR series after NieR Replicant earlier this year? Then make space on your phone, because the latest game in the series is a mobile title called NieR Re[in]carnation. This mobile RPG is aiming to not only please fans but those not familiar with the series too. Square-Enix recently released the opening cinematic for the game to promote the title.

NieR Re[in]carnation releases for iOS and Android on July 28th.

Watch the NieR Re[in]carnation opening cinematic trailer

Anime News:

Can’t wait for the next chapter in the Joestar family legacy? Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean was announced back in April, and fans have been hungry for more information regarding the sixth part of the critically acclaimed series. We won’t have to wait long, as it has been confirmed that we’ll be getting more information on August 8th on the Warner Bros. Japan Anime YouTube channel.

On the topic of Shonen Jump properties, another popular series, Gintama, is getting a new movie! Originally premiering in Japan on January 8th, Eleven Arts announced they will be releasing Gintama THE VERY FINAL in US theaters. No further details, such as screening locations or dates have been announced at this time.

Renowned anime studio Mad House have announced their next project: an anime film called Goodbye, DonGlees! It tells the story of the “DonGlees” boys and their trip to Iceland. We got a key visual, along with the announcement that Atsuko Ishizuka will be in the director’s chair for the film.

Goodbye, DonGlees! will premiere in 2022.

Does anyone remember Ikki Tousen? If so, you’ll be happy to hear that the follow-up to the original series, Shin Ikki Tousen, is getting an anime adaptation. Not much is known about the adaptation, though it will be premiering in 2022.

Upcoming Releases:

While you may know them for Killer 7 and the No More Heroes series, Grasshopper Manufacture is re-releasing their first title on the Nintendo Switch. The Silver Case 2425 is an adventure visual novel, one which SUDA 51 had a hand in creating.

The Silver Case 2425 arrives on Nintendo Switch on July 6th.

In case you missed it, the ninth entry in the long-running Ys series is coming to the Nintendo Switch and PC. This third-person action RPG comes to us from NIS America and builds upon the mechanics from the previous entry, Ys VIII.

Ys IX releases on Nintendo Switch and PC on July 6th.

Those of you who want more Monster Hunter are in for some good news! A sequel to Monster Hunter Stories is releasing very soon and this spin-off turns the franchise into an RPG with a cel-shaded art style.

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin releases on Nintendo Switch and PC on July 9th.