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Jax

Event

Riftbound Regional Qualifier Comes to Singapore EXPO — US$25,000 at Stake This September

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Singapore just became the most important date on Riftbound’s 2026 competitive calendar. Riot Games’ League of Legends Trading Card Game is heading to Singapore EXPO for its penultimate Regional Qualifier of the year — a US$25,000 prize pool event running 4–6 September 2026 that brings the top Riftbound players from across Southeast Asia under one roof. If you have a deck built and a Riot Account linked, this one’s for you.

Riftbound Regional Qualifier Singapore 2026 banner featuring Marina Bay Sands
Image courtesy of Riot Games

What Is Riftbound?

Launched in October 2025 by Riot Games, Riftbound is a physical trading card game built around the League of Legends universe — the same Champions, factions, and lore that tens of millions of players already know from the MOBA. Rather than a purely digital experience like its predecessor Legends of Runeterra, Riftbound is a full tabletop TCG sold in booster packs and preconstructed decks at game stores.

The game officially arrived in Southeast Asia in July 2026 alongside the launch of Vendetta, its fourth set. Vendetta centres on legendary rivalries from Runeterra — Zed vs. Shen, Nasus vs. Renekton, Jayce vs. Viktor — and introduced three new mechanics: Flow (playing cards from your discard), Burn (milling your deck for value), and Empower (paying resources to unlock upgraded abilities). If you have been picking up the Vendetta Booster Displays or Showdown Decks from local game stores, this is the set driving the Singapore RQ meta.

Riftbound Regional Qualifier coverage — Singapore will be broadcast in the same format — via Riftbound on YouTube

Dates, Venue, and Schedule

The event runs at Singapore EXPO, 1 Expo Dr, Singapore 486150 across three days. Badge collection opens Thursday 4 September from 2–6 PM SGT, making that afternoon purely for check-in. Competition begins in earnest on Friday 5 September with the hall opening at 12 PM (11:30 AM for Premium badge holders), and continues through Sunday 6 September with hall doors at 9 AM (8:30 AM Premium). Badge collection is open from 8 AM on both competitive days.

Competitors need a valid Riot Account and must connect it with their Riftbound Gaming Network account before arriving. Badges — Competitor and Premium Competitor tiers — are available through Eventbrite; check the listing for current availability and pricing.

What’s Up for Grabs

Riftbound Singapore Regional Qualifier prize breakdown showing Jayce cards and cash prizes
Image courtesy of Riot Games

The prize pool totals US$25,000, with cash rewards tied to exclusive Riftbound cards and playmats at every placing:

  • Champion: US$6,000 + exclusive Jayce, Brilliant Inventor art card & Champion Promo Playmat
  • 2nd place: US$3,000
  • 3rd–4th: US$2,000 each
  • 5th–8th: US$1,000 each
  • 9th–16th: US$500 each
  • 17th–32nd: US$250 each

Everyone who places in the Top 128 receives a Jayce, Brilliant Inventor alt-art promo card and a Lux Crownguard Crystal Rose Playmat. Even participation earns you a Jayce, Brilliant Inventor Promo. On top of that, all competitors who place receive Regional Championship invitations and Future Regional Qualifier Competitor Passes, keeping your competitive journey alive after Singapore.

OfflineTV, DSG, and Live Coverage

Riftbound player at a Regional Qualifier event holding a Riftbound card
Image courtesy of Riot Games

This is not purely a competitive event. Members of OfflineTV — including Toast, Sydeon, Yvonnie, Brodin, and Frodan — plus DSG friends will be on the floor on Friday and Sunday recording content, so expect the event floor to have that distinct creator energy on top of the tournament drama.

The main event broadcast runs live on both YouTube and Twitch starting at 10 AM SGT each day, cast by Casanova, Courtney Smith, Carix, and Logan Potter. Even if you are not competing, the Singapore RQ is worth watching live — bracket play and feature matches will be streaming throughout the weekend.

Feature match at a Riftbound Regional Qualifier with judges overseeing the game
Image courtesy of Riot Games

First Major Riftbound Event in SEA

Singapore is hosting the penultimate Regional Qualifier of the 2026 Vendetta season, making it the biggest organised Riftbound event Southeast Asia has seen. For Singapore and Philippine players especially, this is the most accessible RQ on the calendar — a real shot at earning a Regional Championship invitation without flying to Europe or North America.

Flagship Games SG has been stocking Riftbound singles and sealed product locally since the SEA launch, so if you still need cards to complete your deck before the event, local game stores are your first stop. Check out more gaming events in Singapore while you’re building your sideboard.

Manga Anime

JJK Season 4: Sukuna’s New Visual Drops at Juju Fes 2026

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The King of Curses has something to say. At Juju Fes 2026 — the five-day fifth-anniversary celebration held 29–30 August at K-Arena Yokohama — MAPPA dropped a striking new teaser visual for Jujutsu Kaisen Season 4: The Culling Game Part 2, and Sukuna is front and centre, looking more ominous than ever.

What Juju Fes 2026 Revealed

The new super teaser visual was unveiled on 29 August as part of the anime’s 5th anniversary celebrations at K-Arena Yokohama. It is the first major visual update for Season 4 since the June 2026 teaser trailer that MAPPA released at their 15th anniversary lineup event.

Juju Fes 2026 fifth anniversary event visual featuring the Jujutsu Kaisen cast
Image courtesy of MAPPA

The visual puts Ryomen Sukuna at the centre, depicted beneath dark, murky water, looking straight at the viewer while reaching one hand forward. The mood is far more sinister than a typical anniversary promo — he is almost entirely surrounded by darkness, with the title text for The Culling Game Part 2 framing the image.

Sukuna’s Quote and What It Teases

Accompanying the visual is a line from the King of Curses himself: “Do you remember? I told you that you’d get to see something interesting.”

For fans who have been watching since Season 1, this lands. After Sukuna’s extended silence following the Culling Game Part 1 — now available to Crunchyroll subscribers — the image strongly hints that the King of Curses is about to stop sitting out and start making things very bad for everyone. Part 2 of the Culling Game arc is where the fights reach their most brutal scale, and this visual sets the tone perfectly.

Production Team for Season 4

Jujutsu Kaisen Season 4 The Culling Game Part 2 teaser visual from MAPPA June 2026
Image courtesy of MAPPA

MAPPA confirmed the Season 4 team alongside the June 2026 teaser announcement. Takeru Sato — who served as assistant director on Season 3 — steps up as director, with Shota Goshozono continuing as chief director. Hiroshi Seko handles series composition, Yoshimasa Terui is on music, and the character design team includes Yosuke Yajima, Hiromi Niwa, and Sota Yamazaki.

No premiere date has been announced. Production is confirmed to be underway, and given the scale of what the Culling Game Part 2 adapts, it is safe to expect Season 4 to be a big one whenever it arrives.

In the meantime, you can catch up on all three seasons, including The Culling Game Part 1, on Crunchyroll and Netflix. Keep an eye on our anime coverage for any premiere date announcement as it comes.

Game News

Final Fantasy X 25th Anniversary Cafe Opens in Japan This September

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Twenty-five years after Tidus first splashed into Spira, Square Enix is marking the milestone the only way a Final Fantasy anniversary can be marked — with an elaborate, character-themed café. Starting September 11, 2026, the Final Fantasy X 25TH ANNIVERSARY CAFE opens its doors across four Japanese cities, running all the way to December 2.

Final Fantasy X 25th Anniversary promotional art
Image courtesy of Square Enix
FINAL FANTASY X 25th Anniversary Special Movie — via Square Enix on YouTube

Four Cities, Nearly Three Months of Spira-Themed Dining

The cafe runs at four Square Enix locations simultaneously — the Officially Licensed SQUARE ENIX Cafe & Shop Shinjuku in Tokyo, plus Square Enix Pop Up Cafes in Yokohama, Osaka, and Nagoya (Yokohama is a new addition to the Pop Up Cafe lineup this year). The event is split into two themed periods:

  • Early Period: September 11 to October 22, 2026
  • Late Period: October 23 to December 2, 2026

Each period brings different menu items, so the most dedicated fans could justify two visits and a different set of random coaster designs each time.

What’s on the Menu

Final Fantasy X 25th Anniversary Cafe -- 25th Anniversary Cake with mango and pineapple
Image courtesy of Square Enix

The full menu details come from Square Enix’s official Final Fantasy portal (Japanese) and Famitsu (Japanese). Highlights include:

  • 25th Anniversary Cake (1,870 yen) — mango and pineapple, with blue ocean-tinted jelly and strawberries echoing Spira’s waters
  • Zanarkand Oyakodon (1,650 yen) — a Tidus-and-Jecht-inspired parent-child rice bowl, topped with a nori stamp of the Zanarkand Abes symbol
  • Dream Zanarkand Tiramisu — dark chocolate and Lulu-sigil decoration; Early Period only
  • Tidus Fish Burger (1,210 yen) and Jecht’s Meat Platter (2,530 yen) — Early Period mains
  • Yuna’s Prayer Anmitsu (1,210 yen) and Wakka’s Salmon Carpaccio (1,320 yen) — Late Period mains

Each city also has a regional exclusive: Yokohama gets a dim sum set, Osaka a blitzball takoyaki, and Nagoya the now-iconic “maybe this is the last time” Ankake Spaghetti (1,870 yen) — a riff on one of FFX’s most-memed localisations.

Final Fantasy X 25th Anniversary Cafe -- Zanarkand Oyakodon
Image courtesy of Square Enix

Reservations, Cover Charges, and Novelty Merch

Final Fantasy X 25th Anniversary Cafe -- Dream Zanarkand Tiramisu
Image courtesy of Square Enix

Walk-ins are permitted if tables are free, but advance reservations are strongly recommended — slots are released one month ahead at noon daily via the Square Enix Cafe booking system. Each session is 90 minutes with a 1,200 yen cover charge that includes one complimentary drink and a random coaster. There are 9 coaster designs per period (18 in total), plus character placemats with different designs each phase.

Minimum one food or drink item per person is required beyond the cover. Mobile QR-code ordering is in use at all venues.

For Singapore Fans Planning a Japan Trip

There is no Singapore or SEA location for the anniversary cafe — this one is Japan-only. That said, with Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster now out on Nintendo Switch 2 in Southeast Asia, the 25th anniversary hype is very much alive here. If you’re already planning an autumn Japan trip or heading over for Tokyo Game Show (September 25 to 28), Shinjuku and Yokohama are easy additions to an itinerary. The Nagoya Ankake Spaghetti is arguably the single best reason to make the detour — you’ll know why if you’ve finished the game.

Reservation links and the full menu are on the official FFX 25th anniversary news page (Japanese). Keep an eye on our gaming news coverage as the celebrations continue.

Manga Anime

My Crush’s Crush Gets TV Anime — From the Creator of Gamers!

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If you survived the romantic chaos of Gamers!, congratulations — you are now in danger of getting pulled into another delightful spiral. My Crush’s Crush (Boku no Suki na Hito ga Suki na Hito), the manga by the same creator, has just been confirmed for a TV anime adaptation, as reported by Comic Natalie on 27 August 2026.

A Chain of Crushes Nobody Wins

My Crush's Crush anime adaptation announcement illustration by Ryo Tsuzura showing the three main characters celebrating
Image courtesy of Hakusensha

The premise is deceptively simple and wonderfully messy. High schooler Sora Akizuki confesses to his classmate Miya Fuwa — and gets rejected flat out, because she already has feelings for someone else: Asahi Suzukaze, the president of a mysterious group called the Clinical Trials Club. Determined not to give up, Sora joins the club to get closer to Asahi — only to discover that Asahi herself has a crush on someone else. And that someone? Also in love with another person entirely.

It is a loop of unrequited affection that feeds into itself, the kind of romantic domino chain that sounds like it should resolve itself within two chapters but somehow just keeps getting more tangled. The seventh volume of the manga hit shelves in Japan on 28 August 2026 — one day after the anime announcement — which probably did very good things for sales.

Production details are not yet public: no animation studio, no air date, and no voice cast have been announced. The news at this stage is simply that the adaptation is greenlit and in motion.

Why Gamers! Fans Will Feel Right at Home

Miya Fuwa character art from My Crush's Crush manga by Ryo Tsuzura
Image courtesy of Hakusensha

Writer Sekina Aoi built a reputation on romantic comedy that rewards careful attention. His light novel Gamers! — later adapted into an anime that ran in 2017 — became a cult favourite for its commitment to keeping all its characters in a state of magnificent, self-inflicted confusion. Everyone misread every signal. Everyone jumped to the wrong conclusion at exactly the wrong moment. It was infuriating and funny in equal measure, and Singapore fans who watched it weekly will recognise the energy immediately in My Crush’s Crush.

The manga is illustrated by Ryo Tsuzura (つづら涼), serialised in Hakusensha’s Young Animal ZERO. If the anime follows the manga’s tone, expect a story that is light on drama and heavy on the specific anguish of watching the person you like enthusiastically talk about the person they like.

Read It in English Before the Anime Arrives

Yen Press announced on 21 August 2026 that it had licensed My Crush’s Crush for English publication. An English release date has not been confirmed yet, but the licence is in place, which means SG readers will eventually be able to pick it up through the usual Yen Press channels — both physical volumes and digital through manga platforms. The Japanese volumes (seven so far) are available now if you would rather not wait.

With no air date on the anime, there is a real window to read ahead and be insufferably smug about the plot before your friends catch up via the screen version. We recommend it.

Game News

Vampire Survivors: Legacy of the Bloodmoon Is Out Now — $0.99 on All Platforms

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Drop what you are doing — poncle’s Legacy of the Bloodmoon expansion for Vampire Survivors is live right now on all platforms. At just $0.99 USD (or your regional storefront equivalent), it is one of gaming’s best-value DLC launches of the year, and it is available from this moment on PC (Steam), Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and mobile.

Vampire Survivors: Legacy of the Bloodmoon | Date? — via poncle – Vampire Survivors on YouTube

Clan Bloodmoon Arrives in Red Moon Manor

As we covered when Legacy of the Bloodmoon was announced, this expansion brings a self-contained story arc with an all-new cast. The headline additions:

  • 12 new playable characters — including Malice Bloodmoon, Calogero Bloodmoon, the ancient Saint Baal’Thasar, Ashtart, and Sargon
  • 16+ new weapons and evolved forms — Scarlet Needle, Incineration, Blacken Firmament, and more with a full web of new evolutions
  • Red Moon Manor XL — a sprawling new stage described as the ancient lair of the Order of the Red Moon
  • 8 new music tracks composed exclusively for the DLC
Vampire Survivors Legacy of the Bloodmoon — character key art featuring Malice Bloodmoon and the new cast
Image courtesy of poncle

The DLC centres on the Bloodmoon clan and their clash with the Order of the Red Moon — expect lore that ties back into the broader Vampire Survivors storyline without requiring you to have played previous expansions first.

Free Bonus for Legacy of the Moonspell Owners

Vampire Survivors Legacy of the Bloodmoon — Red Moon Manor gameplay screenshot
Image courtesy of poncle

If you already own the earlier Legacy of the Moonspell DLC, poncle is adding free bonus unlocks to that pack alongside today’s launch — no additional purchase required. It is a nice nod to long-time players and a gentle push to revisit Moonspell if you dropped it a while back.

Where to Get It — All Platforms, One Low Price

Vampire Survivors Legacy of the Bloodmoon — new characters in combat
Image courtesy of poncle

Legacy of the Bloodmoon is priced at $0.99 USD globally and is available right now on every current platform. Singapore players on the Nintendo eShop or PlayStation Store will pay the SGD regional equivalent — which, at $0.99 USD, converts to under S$1.50 at current rates. Pick it up on whatever platform you already play Vampire Survivors on — it is a simultaneous day-one release everywhere:

  • PC: Steam
  • Nintendo Switch: Nintendo eShop
  • PS4 / PS5: PlayStation Store
  • Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S: Microsoft Store
  • Mobile: iOS App Store / Google Play

For more on everything inside the DLC, including the full character roster and weapon evolution tree, check our full Legacy of the Bloodmoon preview. Otherwise — the game is live, the price is $0.99, and there is genuinely no reason to wait. See you in Red Moon Manor. Browse more game news while you install.

Manga Anime

One Piece Card Game OP-18: Final Fantasy Artist Yoshitaka Amano Draws Loki and Shamrock

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Two of Japan’s biggest pop-culture giants have just collided in the most unexpected way. Yoshitaka Amano — the legendary artist who defined the visual identity of the Final Fantasy franchise — has created two exclusive cards for the ONE PIECE CARD GAME. They are arriving in Booster Pack Vol. 18, THE DOMINANCE OF GOD [OP-18], this November, and the news comes with a major bonus for Singapore collectors: OP-18 launches simultaneously worldwide, meaning no Japan import wait.

Yoshitaka Amano One Piece Card Game collaboration – OP-18 The Dominance of God
Image courtesy of Bandai
ONE PIECE CARD GAME BOOSTER: -THE DOMINANCE OF GOD- [OP-18] Trailer — via Official Bandai Card Games Channel on YouTube

The Two Amano Cards in OP-18: Loki and Saint Figarland Shamrock

At ONE PIECE DAY ’26, held at Makuhari Messe on August 22–23, Bandai unveiled the two cards Amano illustrated for OP-18. Both are Secret Rare cards, with foil-stamped parallel versions also confirmed.

  • Loki — The Cursed Prince of Elbaf, the towering figure at the heart of the manga’s current Elbaph arc, rendered as an 8,000-power character card. Amano’s flowing, ethereal style gives Loki’s immense frame an almost otherworldly, mythological weight — fitting for a character whose curse has been shrouded in mystery for over 25 years of the manga.
  • Saint Figarland Shamrock — Commander of the Knights of God, depicted alongside his sword Cerberus in a 9,000-power character card. Amano’s signature watercolour-like lines bring a dark grandeur to one of the Elbaph saga’s central antagonists.
Yoshitaka Amano's Saint Figarland Shamrock card for One Piece Card Game OP-18
Image courtesy of Bandai

The official ONE PIECE CARD GAME English account on X confirmed: “OP-18 features 2 colossal characters illustrated by the legendary artist Yoshitaka Amano! OPCG BOOSTER PACK -THE DOMINANCE OF GOD- [OP-18] releases November 2026!”

Yoshitaka Amano: A Living Legend of Japanese Pop Culture

If you have ever seen the fantastical, watercolour-drenched box art and character designs of Final Fantasy I through Final Fantasy XVI, you know Amano’s work even if you didn’t know his name. He defined the look of Cloud, Terra, Cecil, Kefka and dozens of other icons across the franchise — and his concept art for Final Fantasy XIV remains some of the most recognised in the MMORPG’s history.

Yoshitaka Amano distinctive artwork style
Image courtesy of Bandai

Beyond Square Enix, Amano has brought his unmistakable brushwork to collaborations spanning Batman, Fortnite, and Resident Evil — but this One Piece Card Game partnership is arguably his most headline-grabbing crossover yet, placing his art alongside one of the world’s best-selling manga series. The juxtaposition of Oda’s bold, expressive character designs with Amano’s luminous, calligraphic style makes these two cards genuinely unlike anything else in the OPCG catalogue.

What Else Is in OP-18 The Dominance of God?

The Amano cards are the headliner, but OP-18 is packed with reveals for card-game players ahead of November’s release:

  • Franky’s first-ever Leader card — the Straw Hat shipwright has never led a deck before; that changes with OP-18.
  • Nico Robin featured as a new Super Parallel and Manga Parallel card.
  • Gunko debuts as a Leader card, illustrated by One Piece staff animator Takeshi Maenami.
  • Knights of God characters receive special rarity treatment, tying into the Elbaph–God Valley storyline currently driving the manga.
  • Water Seven arc callbacks — OP-18 mixes the current Elbaph chapters with one of the franchise’s most beloved early arcs, giving nostalgic hooks for long-time fans.
Yoshitaka Amano's Loki card for One Piece Card Game OP-18
Image courtesy of Bandai

When Do Singapore Players Get OP-18?

OP-18 ships in November 2026 as a simultaneous worldwide release — Singapore collectors pick it up from local game and hobby retailers at the same time as Japan. In a card game where imported Japanese sets have historically hit Singapore weeks ahead of the English version (or vice versa), day-one global parity is a genuine win for the community here.

Also worth noting: Heroines Edition Vol. 2 arrives on October 31, 2026 in Japan (MSRP US$4.99 for the English edition), featuring seven female One Piece characters across multiple story arcs — a compact, collector-friendly product ahead of OP-18’s full booster release the following month.

For more One Piece and trading card game coverage, browse our manga and anime news section.

Game News, News

Pokémon GO Twilight Trails Season Starts 8 September — Mega Staraptor, Maschiff and More

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Niantic has officially revealed Twilight Trails, the next Pokémon GO season — and it is stacked. Running from 8 September to 1 December 2026, the new season brings two of the most-requested Mega Evolutions to the game, the debut of Paldean newcomers Maschiff and Mabosstiff, fresh Dynamax arrivals, and a revamped GO Pass progression system. Here is everything Singapore trainers need to know before the season flips over.

Twilight Trails | Official Season Trailer | Pokémon GO — via Pokémon GO on YouTube
Pokémon GO Twilight Trails official season promotional art
Image courtesy of Pokémon GO

What Is Pokémon GO Twilight Trails?

Twilight Trails is the name Niantic has given to the upcoming three-month Pokémon GO season, covering autumn globally. Each season brings a themed batch of new spawns, Raid rotations, and League cups — but Twilight Trails is notable for the sheer number of first-time arrivals packed into a single season. The full season announcement was made on the official Pokémon GO site, with details confirmed across several Pokémon GO media outlets.

Maschiff and Mabosstiff Make Their Pokémon GO Debut

Official artwork of Maschiff, the Dark-type Pokémon from Scarlet and Violet
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

Maschiff and its evolution Mabosstiff — the Dark-type dog duo introduced in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet — will make their Pokémon GO debut during Twilight Trails. The pair is among the last batch of Paldean Pokémon yet to land in the mobile game, so this is a milestone catch for any Pokédex-completionist. Precise event windows for their spawning are still to be confirmed, but both will be available across the season.

Mega Staraptor and Mega Chandelure: Long-Awaited Arrivals

Mega Staraptor official artwork — debuting in Pokémon GO Twilight Trails
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

The headline item for the battling crowd is the simultaneous debut of Mega Staraptor and Mega Chandelure — two Mega Evolutions the community has been asking about for years. Both will appear in Mega Raid Days across the season, though specific dates remain to be announced. Crucially, Staraptor and Chandelure both had Community Day spotlights in previous seasons, meaning most active players already have the Candy and the base forms to Mega Evolve quickly once the raids are live. Singapore trainers with strong Flying- and Fire-type raid lobbies will want to clear their Raid Passes ahead of each debut.

Dynamax Pokémon, Max Battle Days, and the Lake Guardians

New Dynamax Pokémon joining Power Spots this season include Rhyhorn, Sneasel, and Sizzlipede. A dedicated Max Battle Day will feature the Sinnoh Lake Guardians in their Dynamax forms — Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf — which is a rare chance to add the region-exclusive trio to your Max Pokémon roster. The Lake Guardians are region-locked in standard Raids (Uxie is Asia-Pacific, Mesprit is Europe/Middle East/Africa/India, Azelf is Americas), but Max Battle Days typically ignore that restriction, making it a key event for Singapore-based players.

Community Days, Battle League Cups, and GO Pass Deluxe

Pokémon GO Twilight Trails season branding and logo
Image courtesy of Pokémon GO

Three Community Days are locked in for the season:

  • 12 September — Community Day Classic (Pokémon TBA)
  • 10 October — October Community Day
  • 21 November — November Community Day

The Battle League schedule includes the Halloween Cup, Catch Cup, and the 2026 Championships Series Cup for competitive players.

On the progression side, the season introduces a reworked GO Pass system with a free tier and a paid GO Pass Deluxe. Milestone rewards unlock at Ranks 1, 25, 50, and 75, including 2× Daily Adventure Incense duration, increased gift-sending limits, and enhanced egg-hatching bonuses. Full reward lists are not yet detailed, but the structure mirrors the GO Battle League season pass from earlier this year.

What to Do Before 8 September

Before Twilight Trails opens, Pokémon GO Fest: Mega Finale (5–6 September) wraps up this year’s GO Fest with the debuts of Mega Greninja, Mega Chesnaught, and Mega Delphox in raids. It is a smart window to burn through any remaining Raid Passes and stock up on Mega Energy before the seasonal reset on 8 September.

Check the official Twilight Trails page for the full event calendar as dates are confirmed. For more Pokémon GO coverage, see our Game News archive.

Manga Anime, News

Toaru Anbu no Item Anime Premieres October 9 — ITEM’s Dark Side Story Gets Its Own Series

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J.C.STAFF’s long-awaited return to the Toaru universe is almost here. Toaru Anbu no Item (A Certain Dark Side Item) — the anime adaptation that Toaru fans have been clamouring for — finally has a premiere date: October 9, 2026. The teaser PV dropped via the official Toaru Project YouTube channel, and it looks like exactly the gritty, high-octane spinoff the franchise deserves.

Toaru Anbu no Item key visual featuring ITEM members
Key visual for Toaru Anbu no Item — ITEM’s deadly quartet takes centre stage (© Kazuma Kamachi / ASCII Media Works / Toaru Project)

What Is Toaru Anbu no Item?

Toaru Anbu no Item is a spinoff set within the same Academy City as A Certain Magical Index and A Certain Scientific Railgun, focusing on ITEM — a clandestine unit of espers who operate in the city’s dark underside. Unlike the heroic framing of Misaka Mikoto’s story in Railgun, ITEM works in morally grey territory: assassinations, covert ops, and the brutal realities of Academy City’s shadow organisations. The group was memorably featured during the Sisters Arc and Battle Royale Arc in Railgun S, making this a direct spotlight for four fan-favourite characters.

The series is based on Kazuma Kamachi’s light novel of the same name, published under ASCII Media Works’ Dengeki Bunko imprint.

Teaser PV — Official

TVアニメ『とある暗部の少女共謀』ティザーPV — via Toaru Project Official YouTube

Staff

  • Original Work: Kazuma Kamachi (A Certain Magical Index)
  • Director: Tatsuyuki Nagai (Railgun, Toradora!, AnoHana)
  • Animation Studio: J.C.STAFF
  • Character Design: Shigeki Kimoto
  • Music: Maiko Iuchi
  • Opening Theme: “Ghost Sequence” by East Of Eden
  • Ending Theme: “Genshi Kuzushi (Meltdown)” by Kishida Kyōdan & The Akeboshi Rockets

Tatsuyuki Nagai returning to direct — after helming Railgun and Railgun S — is a huge deal. This is genuinely the dream team for a Toaru spinoff.

Toaru Anbu no Item teaser visual from animate times
Teaser visual — Mugino Shizuri leads the ITEM squad (via Animate Times)

Cast

  • Mugino Shizuri (Meltdowner): Ami Koshimizu — the ruthless Level 5 esper ranked #4 in Academy City
  • Takitsubo Rikou: Aya Suzaki — AIM Stalker, ITEM’s quiet but crucial tracker
  • Frenda Seivelun: Maaya Uchida — the explosive (literally) fan-favourite who won’t be forgotten
  • Kinuhata Saiai: Chinatsu Akasaki — Offense Armor user with a fondness for the word “super”
  • Hanano Chobi: Hana Hishikawa — newcomer to ITEM
Toaru Anbu no Item character art from ABEMA Times
ITEM member character art — (from left) Kinuhata, Frenda, Mugino, Takitsubo (via ABEMA Times)

Premiere Details

The series premieres on October 9, 2026 on Tokyo MX and other broadcast channels in Japan. International streaming rights haven’t been announced yet — though given J.C.STAFF’s existing relationship with Crunchyroll for the Toaru franchise, it’s the most likely home outside Japan. We’ll update this post when a streaming partner is confirmed.

Bonus: A Certain Scientific Railgun Season 4 Is Also in Production

In February 2025, it was confirmed that A Certain Scientific Railgun Season 4 is also in development — also at J.C.STAFF, also under Tatsuyuki Nagai’s direction. No premiere window has been announced yet for Railgun S4, but with Anbu no Item now locked in for October 2026, the Toaru universe is clearly entering a major new phase of anime content.

A Certain Scientific Railgun Season 4 announcement
A Certain Scientific Railgun Season 4 confirmed in production (image: Game Rant)

For Toaru franchise fans in Singapore, this is shaping up to be a landmark season. Keep an eye on GameTrader.SG for streaming announcements and merch drops — J.C.STAFF properties tend to get solid Aniplex and Kadokawa merchandise lines.

Sources: Animate Times, ABEMA Times, Final Weapon, Game Rant

Game News

LEGO Skylines Announced — Build Your Dream Brick City on PS5 and Switch 2

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The team behind Cities: Skylines is going full LEGO. Iceflake Studios and Paradox Interactive have officially unveiled LEGO Skylines at gamescom 2026 Opening Night Live — a city-building game that swaps grey concrete for colourful bricks, coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam.

LEGO Skylines city overview with colourful brick buildings
Image courtesy of LEGO

A City Builder That Needs No Instructions

LEGO Skylines blends the deep city-management systems that made Cities: Skylines a long-running favourite among simulation fans with the creative freedom of LEGO bricks. Players will manage all the essentials — electricity, water, food supply, hospitals, garbage collection, sewage — alongside zoning housing, creating jobs, planting parks, and making sure there are enough donut shops to keep residents happy.

The official pitch leans firmly into accessibility: “A cosy, customisable city builder where your choices help bring a thriving metropolis to life. Go big or focus on the details, no instructions needed.” That deliberately casual tone signals this is not just for hardened Cities veterans. The LEGO aesthetic does a lot of heavy lifting here — a sprawling brick metropolis looks as satisfying when you have 30 minutes as when you have three hours.

LEGO Skylines Announcement Trailer — via LEGO on YouTube

The Cities: Skylines Team Behind the Bricks

Development is led by Iceflake Studios — the Finnish team that built Cities: Skylines II — with both Paradox Interactive and the LEGO Group listed as co-publishers. That co-publishing arrangement is notable: this is not a quick licensed spin-off, but a full collaboration between the simulation game experts and one of the world’s most recognisable toy brands.

Post-launch DLC is already confirmed, suggesting Paradox is planning the same long-tail content strategy that turned the original Cities: Skylines into a decade-long seller.

LEGO Skylines skateboard park and leisure district
Image courtesy of LEGO

Switch 2, PS5, and Singapore’s Brick-Building Community

The confirmed platform list — PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and Steam — covers the full range of hardware that Singapore gamers are using right now. Switch 2 support in particular makes sense given the game’s family-friendly design, and it is the kind of title that could sell well at retail alongside a Switch 2 bundle.

LEGO has a strong foothold in Singapore, with stores across the island drawing both families and the dedicated adult-fan-of-LEGO (AFOL) crowd. A city builder that bridges the gap between creative LEGO play and simulation management has natural appeal here. No Singapore or SEA release date has been confirmed — no date has been confirmed anywhere, actually — but with Paradox and LEGO co-publishing, local availability when the game launches should not be a concern.

LEGO Skylines windmill and scenic district in LEGO brick style
Image courtesy of LEGO

No Release Date, But It Is Wishlistable Now

Paradox has not announced a launch window for LEGO Skylines. The game is currently available to wishlist on Steam, which is typically the first step before a release date reveal. Given gamescom announcements from this week are skewing toward 2027 launches, that window seems plausible — though nothing is confirmed.

Check out all the latest Game News from gamescom 2026 as more announcements continue through the week.