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Jax

Game News, News, Retro Gaming

Onimusha: Way of the Sword — The Series Returns After 20 Years, Out 25 September

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Twenty years is a long time to wait. The last major Onimusha entry — Dawn of Dreams — released on PlayStation 2 in 2006, and the series went dark. Now Capcom is finally bringing it back: Onimusha: Way of the Sword releases on PS5 and Nintendo Switch 2 on 25 September 2026, and a free demo is live right now so you can feel the steel before you commit.

Onimusha Way of the Sword combat screenshot
Image courtesy of Capcom

Why This Is Such a Big Deal

For a certain generation of Singapore gamers, Onimusha is a PS2 bedrock title. The original 2001 game was a moody, atmospheric hack-and-slash set in a supernatural feudal Japan, and it became one of the system’s early standout hits in the region. Onimusha 2 and the Samurai’s Destiny sequel deepened the lore, and Onimusha 3 brought in Jean Reno. But after Dawn of Dreams in 2006, Capcom shifted its focus elsewhere, and the franchise fell dormant.

Way of the Sword is the first brand-new entry in nearly two decades. The stakes — and the hype — are real.

Onimusha: Way of the Sword – Official Release Date Reveal Gameplay Trailer — via GameSpot on YouTube

Setting and Story: Musashi vs the Genma

Way of the Sword is set in Kyoto during the early Edo period, in a dark fantasy version of the city where malevolent clouds of Malice have twisted the landscape and opened the gates to the Genma — supernatural creatures from the underworld. You play as Miyamoto Musashi, Japan’s legendary swordsman, who picks up the mystical Oni Gauntlet and gains the power to slay Genma. As he fights through the haunted streets and temples of Kyoto — including a memorable stage set at Kiyomizu-dera Temple — Musashi searches for his reason to fight and unravels the mysteries of the voice that speaks to him through the gauntlet.

Capcom modelled the protagonist’s face on the late, iconic Japanese cinema legend Toshiro Mifune, which gives Musashi an immediately striking, cinematic presence.

Combat: Every Strike Counts

Onimusha’s signature swordplay is back and rebuilt for modern hardware. Core mechanics include parrying and deflecting incoming attacks, the Issen critical strike (a perfectly timed slash that deals massive damage), and the Reflex Combo system that rewards consecutive successful dodges. The Oni Gauntlet unlocks two supernatural modes: Oni Strength lets Musashi break through enemy defences, while Oni Agility enables wall-running and faster traversal through Kyoto’s environments. Absorbing defeated Genma’s souls powers up your Oni abilities and fills your stats — a mechanic series veterans will recognise immediately.

Producer Akihito Kadowaki described the goal as delivering “a wide variety of action sequences, including the ultimate sword-fighting mechanics that realistically capture the impact of every strike,” as detailed in the PlayStation Blog.

Onimusha Way of the Sword Kyoto environment
Image courtesy of Capcom

Free Demo Out Now — Try It Before 25 September

A free demo is available on PS5 right now, offering around 30 minutes of early story content. Completing and saving the demo also unlocks the Charm: Kubi Akari item when you play the full game. There’s no better time to see whether the 20-year wait was worth it — especially if you never played the originals and want to know what the fuss is about. Keep an eye on the Nintendo Singapore page for Switch 2 demo details.

Editions and Pre-Order Bonuses

Three editions are available at launch:

  • Standard Edition — base game (SGD pricing to be confirmed)
  • Deluxe Edition — includes the Deluxe Kit with cosmetic charms, outfits, and weapon skins
  • Premium Deluxe Edition — adds the Premium Kit featuring companion outfits, additional skins, and a digital soundtrack

Pre-ordering any edition unlocks the Charm: Lion Dog and the Sword Appearance: Sealed Curse skin — a clean bonus for day-one buyers.

Last Words

Whether you were there for the PS2 originals or you’re coming to Onimusha fresh, Way of the Sword looks like a serious revival rather than a cash-in nostalgia trip. Capcom has rebuilt the combat from the ground up, set it in a gorgeously moody Edo-period Kyoto, and put 20 years’ worth of franchise ambition behind it. Singapore gamers on PS5 can try the demo right now; Switch 2 owners should expect more info soon. The full game lands on 25 September 2026 — and it’s been worth the wait just to say that sentence. Check out our round-up of other gaming news for more from the Nintendo Direct.

Game News, News

Final Fantasy Resonance: The First HD-2D FF Game Launches 22 October

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Square Enix just answered a question fans have been asking for years: what would Final Fantasy look like with HD-2D visuals and old-school turn-based combat? The answer is Final Fantasy Resonance, officially announced at the Nintendo Direct in June 2026 — and it looks every bit as nostalgic and fresh at the same time.

FINAL FANTASY RESONANCE – Announce Trailer — via FINAL FANTASY on YouTube

What Is Final Fantasy Resonance?

Final Fantasy Resonance is the first mainline Final Fantasy title to use Square Enix’s beloved HD-2D engine — the same gorgeous pixel-art-meets-3D-depth style that powered Octopath Traveler and Triangle Strategy. The story follows Rain, a knight commander who sets out to protect the world’s crystals after a mysterious armoured figure begins destroying them one by one. He’s joined by his deputy Lasswell and the amnesiac Fina in a tale that wears its classic FF influences proudly on its sleeve.

It’s based on the first story arc of the mobile hit Final Fantasy Brave Exvius — but Square Enix stresses this is no straight port. The game has been extensively rebuilt as a full-fledged console RPG, with a brand-new battle system, voiced cutscenes, orchestral score, and all the production polish you’d expect from a mainline release.

Final Fantasy Resonance logo
Image courtesy of Square Enix

Turn-Based Combat Is Back — and It’s About Time

Here’s the big one for old-school fans: Final Fantasy Resonance brings back a true turn-based battle system, the first time the mainline series has done so since Final Fantasy X back in 2001. You see an action timeline, exploit elemental weaknesses to trigger a stagger gauge, and then unleash devastating Bonus Phase attacks when enemies break. Espers — including Siren and Ramuh — fight alongside your party for three turns and close out with a powerful finale ability.

The party is fully customisable, and the whole thing looks genuinely strategic rather than button-mashy. Singapore gamers who grew up on classic turn-based JRPGs from the PS1 and PS2 era will feel right at home.

The Visions System: Summon Cloud, Terra, and More

Beyond the main cast, Final Fantasy Resonance introduces a Visions system that lets you equip crystallised essences of legendary Final Fantasy heroes. The confirmed roster of Visions reads like a franchise hall of fame: Cloud Strife, Terra Branford, the Warrior of Light, Tidus, Y’shtola, and Shantotto. Each Vision grants stat bonuses, unique abilities, and a signature Resonance technique — a spectacular finishing move tied to that character’s lore. It’s a love letter to the franchise, and it genuinely looks like it has gameplay depth rather than just fan-service.

Chocobos, airships, and summonable Espers round out a feature list that checks every box for fans of the series’ golden era. For more on what’s coming to Nintendo Switch 2, check out our latest news.

Platforms, Release Date, and Editions

Final Fantasy Resonance launches simultaneously worldwide on 22 October 2026 across Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam and Microsoft Store). That global day-one launch means Singapore players won’t be waiting — whatever platform you’re on, you’re in from day one.

Three editions are available:

  • Standard Edition — US$49.99 (SGD pricing to be confirmed)
  • Digital Deluxe Edition — US$59.99, adds the Magitek & Grimoire Deluxe Pack with exclusive in-game items
  • Collector’s Edition — US$209.99, includes a pixel art book, 120-track soundtrack CD, acrylic block set, and a Final Fantasy Trading Card Game promotional card

Pre-ordering nets you the Magitek Airship Passkey and a starter equipment package. Early purchasers also get the Blessed Cuirass armour and Mist Ether consumable after launch.

Last Words

Final Fantasy Resonance checks an extraordinary number of boxes at once: it’s the first HD-2D Final Fantasy, the first turn-based mainline entry since FFX, and it comes packed with iconic franchise characters in a playable Visions system. For Singapore fans of classic RPGs — and there are a lot of us — this could be one of the most exciting releases of the year. Mark 22 October in your calendars, and watch the announce trailer above to see those pixel-perfect visuals in action.

Game News, News

Xenoblade Genesis: New World, New Hero — Switch 2 Exclusive in 2027

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Monolith Soft and Nintendo landed one of the Nintendo Direct’s most memorable moments: the reveal of Xenoblade Genesis, an all-new entry in the beloved RPG series built exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2 and launching in 2027. From the look of the reveal trailer, this is a deliberate reinvention — same legendary team, completely fresh world.

Xenoblade Genesis – Nintendo Direct 6.9.2026 — via Nintendo of America on YouTube

A Brand-New World: Anshar and the Power of Anima

Xenoblade Genesis is set in Anshar, an annular world bathed in the light of six suns — a setting that immediately signals a break from both the colossal Titans of Xenoblade Chronicles and the Blades and Titans of Chronicles 2. The land is governed by a primordial force called Anima, described as the source of all things, flowing through the world and its creatures.

Warriors who can channel Anima in combat are known as Vesselai. They wield special weapons enhanced by crystalline artefacts called crystones, which amplify their abilities and — notably — record their thoughts and actions, adding an intriguing lore dimension to even the gear system. The trailer hints at sweeping vistas, enormous flying creatures, and a conflict with high stakes: the shadow of “a fallen god’s vengeance” looms over the narrative.

Xenoblade Genesis protagonist Eleanor
Image courtesy of Nintendo / Monolith Soft

Meet Eleanor — and the Academy of Leukos

The protagonist is Eleanor, who enrolls at Leukos, an academy that trains Vesselai. The academy framing immediately evokes Fire Emblem: Three Houses more than the open-world sprawl of Xenoblade Chronicles 3, and that’s clearly intentional — Genesis appears to root its early story in student politics and coming-of-age bonds before expanding into something larger.

Visually, Eleanor and her companions sport elf-like features, and the game’s rideable mounts — creatures that look like a wolf-horse hybrid — are already turning heads. Character designs come from Mai Yoneyama and PALOW, a pairing that brings distinct anime-art sensibilities to the Xenoblade aesthetic.

Leukos Academy in Xenoblade Genesis
Image courtesy of Nintendo / Monolith Soft

The Team Behind It

Tetsuya Takahashi directs, as he has on every major Xeno title from Xenogears (1998) onwards. The musical team is equally formidable: Yasunori Mitsuda — the composer behind Chrono Trigger, Xenogears, and Xenoblade Chronicles 2‘s sweeping original score — returns alongside Mariam Abounnasr and Minami Kiyota, both contributors to Xenoblade Chronicles 3. For JRPG fans, that lineup alone is reason to pay attention.

Switch 2 Editions for the Existing Trilogy

Nintendo also announced Switch 2 Edition upgrades for Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition, Xenoblade Chronicles 2, and Xenoblade Chronicles 3, making the full modern trilogy accessible natively on Switch 2 ahead of Genesis‘s 2027 window. Pricing for those upgrades is to be confirmed.

Last Words

Singapore JRPG fans who have followed Monolith Soft’s work know the studio consistently punches above its weight — each Xenoblade entry has pushed the limits of Nintendo hardware to deliver genuinely massive, emotionally resonant worlds. Xenoblade Genesis looks set to continue that tradition with a fresh cast, a fresh setting, and the legendary Mitsuda back on the score. No price or local eShop listing yet, but 2027 is the window. Follow our News section for updates as they come.

Game News, News

Kingdom Hearts IV Confirmed for Switch 2 — Plus Native Collection This October

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After years of cloud-only workarounds on Nintendo hardware, Kingdom Hearts is finally coming to Switch 2 the right way — natively. Square Enix used the Nintendo Direct on 9 June 2026 to drop a surprise gameplay trailer for Kingdom Hearts IV and confirm proper, non-cloud releases of the entire series on Nintendo Switch 2.

KINGDOM HEARTS IV Teaser Trailer | June 2026 — via KINGDOM HEARTS on YouTube

Kingdom Hearts IV on Switch 2: What We Know So Far

The new trailer brings our first extended look at Kingdom Hearts IV in years. Sora is back, fighting a colossal Heartless through the streets of Quadratum — the hyper-realistic modern city first glimpsed in the 2022 reveal — with a noticeably sharper, more cinematic art direction and fluid action combat. Square Enix confirmed that the game launches simultaneously on Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. No official release date has been announced yet.

This is bigger news than it might look on the surface. Previous Kingdom Hearts games on Nintendo Switch were cloud-streamed — playable only with a live internet connection — which made the experience frustrating for many players. Kingdom Hearts IV confirmed as a native, day-one Switch 2 title is a genuine shift in how Square Enix is treating Nintendo hardware.

Kingdom Hearts IV — Sora battles a Heartless in Quadratum
Image courtesy of Square Enix

Kingdom Hearts Collection [I–III]: Native, October 8, With a Switch 2 Exclusive Keyblade

Confirmed alongside KH IV, KINGDOM HEARTS Collection [I–III] arrives on Nintendo Switch 2 on 8 October 2026. This is the native collection Singapore fans who skipped the cloud versions have been waiting for.

The bundle includes everything:

  • KINGDOM HEARTS -HD 1.5+2.5 ReMIX- — covering KH1, Re:Chain of Memories, KH2, 358/2 Days, Birth by Sleep, and Re:coded
  • KINGDOM HEARTS HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue — Dream Drop Distance HD, 0.2 Birth by Sleep – A Fragmentary Passage, and χ Back Cover
  • KINGDOM HEARTS III + Re Mind (DLC)

All three run natively on Switch 2 — no internet required. Switch 2 owners also receive a platform-exclusive bonus: the “Long Night” Keyblade, unique to Nintendo’s platform.

Confirmed pricing so far: £64.99 (UK) and ¥11,000 including tax (Japan). SGD pricing on the Nintendo Singapore eShop is to be confirmed — check the eShop listing when it appears.

Kingdom Hearts Collection I-III and Kingdom Hearts IV banner
Image courtesy of Square Enix

Cloud Versions Delisted — But Existing Owners Get 50% Off

The original Kingdom Hearts cloud versions for Nintendo Switch were delisted from the eShop on 9 June 2026, the same day as the Direct announcement. If you purchased them before that date, they remain playable until 9 June 2027.

Square Enix is softening the transition: anyone who owned a Kingdom Hearts cloud version on Switch is eligible for a 50% discount on the corresponding native Switch 2 digital versions — including the Collection bundle. Details on how to claim the discount will be available through the Nintendo eShop.

Last Words

For Singapore Kingdom Hearts fans, this is genuinely exciting news. The series has a devoted following across Southeast Asia — many of us grew up with KH1 and KH2 on PS2 — and the prospect of playing through the complete saga plus a brand-new chapter on Switch 2, without streaming lag, is a proper treat. Mark 8 October on the calendar for the Collection. Keep an eye on our News section for a release date on Kingdom Hearts IV as Square Enix reveals more.

Manga Anime, News

Jujutsu Kaisen Rumble: Survivaton — The Vampire Survivors Dev’s Culling Game

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The studio behind Vampire Survivors has partnered with Shueisha Games to bring Jujutsu Kaisen into the survivors genre — and thrown a battle royale twist on top. Jujutsu Kaisen Rumble: Survivaton was announced at the Nintendo Direct on 9 June 2026, and it looks unlike any JJK game before it.

JUJUTSU KAISEN RUMBLE: SURVIVATON – Nintendo Direct 6.9.2026 — via Nintendo of America on YouTube

What Is Jujutsu Kaisen Rumble: Survivaton?

Developed by poncle — the UK studio whose auto-attack game Vampire Survivors kept a generation of players up past midnight — and published by Shueisha Games, Survivaton takes the survivors formula and adds a competitive edge. Up to eight players compete simultaneously on a shared map, mowing down cursed spirits to rack up points. When you hit 100 points, you earn the right to add a new rule to the match. Rules can disable rival players’ attacks, reverse their controls, or steal their accumulated points outright.

It is a direct nod to the Culling Game arc in Gege Akutami’s manga: participants there could rewrite the rules of the game itself to gain the upper hand. The twist is that reaching 100 points is not a win condition — it is a power move. The actual fight for survival continues, now shaped by whatever chaos the leading player has introduced.

Jujutsu Kaisen Rumble: Survivaton gameplay screenshot
Image courtesy of Shueisha Games

Characters and Techniques

The game launches with over 20 playable characters from across the Jujutsu Kaisen roster. Names confirmed from the announcement trailer include Yuji Itadori, Megumi Fushiguro, Nobara Kugisaki, and Satoru Gojo — whose voice rings out in the opening cutscene. Each character brings their own skill set, and additional fighters can be unlocked through in-game conditions as you play.

Controls are deliberately stripped back: you move, your character attacks automatically. The depth comes from levelling up mid-match and choosing from randomised skill options, plus filling a gauge to unleash signature techniques — Domain Expansion and Black Flash among them. Boss encounters spawn on the map to keep things unpredictable, and when the dust settles, the top two survivors face off in a direct duel for the win.

Jujutsu Kaisen Rumble: Survivaton characters and domain expansion
Image courtesy of Shueisha Games

Platforms, Modes, and Release Window

Jujutsu Kaisen Rumble: Survivaton is coming to Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam in 2026 — no specific release date has been confirmed yet. The game supports up to 8-player online multiplayer alongside a solo mode, and the confirmed language list includes English, Japanese, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Korean, French, Italian, German, Portuguese, and Spanish. Southeast Asian players, Singapore included, are covered on all fronts.

As reported by Anime News Network at the time of the announcement, this is poncle’s first collaboration with a major anime IP. The studio’s previous title — Vampire Survivors — shipped to enormous commercial and critical success across platforms, which makes this crossover a serious proposition rather than a branded cash-in. Pricing has not been announced.

Last words

For Singapore JJK fans who felt the Culling Game arc hit differently — a game where you can literally change the rules mid-fight to crush your rivals is built for you. Keep an eye on the official Survivaton site for the release date and pricing as we get closer to launch. For more anime game news, visit our news section.

Pokemon GO Frigibax Community Day June 2026 event banner
Event, News

Pokémon GO Frigibax Community Day: Date, Moves and Bonuses

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The next Pokémon GO Community Day is less than a week away — and this month’s star is Frigibax, the Paldean Ice Fin Pokémon. If you’re hunting for a powerful Ice-type attacker or chasing the shiny, here’s everything Singapore trainers need to know before Saturday.

👀❄️ #PokemonGO — via Pokémon GO on YouTube

Frigibax Community Day — Key Details

Date: Saturday, 20 June 2026
Event hours: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM local time
Extended evolution window: Evolve Arctibax until 9:00 PM to get the exclusive move
Featured Pokémon: Frigibax (Dragon / Ice, Paldea Region)
Shiny available: Yes — boosted shiny odds during the 3-hour window

Frigibax is the 102nd Community Day Pokémon in the game’s history. It evolves into Arctibax and then into Baxcalibur, a dual Dragon/Ice powerhouse that has seen solid use in raids and PvP since its Paldean debut.

Exclusive Move: Glaive Rush on Baxcalibur

The headline reward is Glaive Rush, a Charged Attack that Baxcalibur learns only if you evolve Arctibax during the event window or within four hours after it ends (up to 9:00 PM). According to the official Pokémon GO announcement, Glaive Rush carries 105 power in Gyms and Raids and 90 power in Trainer Battles, making this one of the stronger Dragon/Ice moves available in the current meta. If you already have a high-IV Baxcalibur from a previous evolution, this is a good time to invest Candy and unlock it on a second one with the event move.

All Community Day Bonuses

  • 3× Stardust from catches
  • 2× Candy from catches
  • Increased chance of Candy XL (for Level 31+ trainers)
  • Incense duration extended to 3 hours
  • Lure Modules last 3 hours (place one at 2:00 PM and it covers the full event window); Frigibax also appears near PokeStops with active Lures through 9:00 PM
  • 1 additional Special Trade per day (max 3 during Community Day hours)
  • 50% reduced Stardust cost on trades (2:00 PM to 9:00 PM)

The 3× Stardust bonus is the one to maximise — use a Star Piece to triple it further, and you’re looking at a very efficient afternoon of farming one of the game’s most universally needed resources.

Special Research Ticket

A paid Special Research ticket is available for US$1.99 (or the equivalent pricing tier in your local currency — check the in-app store for the exact SGD amount). This unlocks Community Day-exclusive research tasks and additional encounter rewards beyond what’s available for free during the event.

Voting Returns for August Community Day

Niantic has also confirmed that Community Day voting returns for August 2026. Fans will be able to pick the next featured Pokémon via the official Pokémon GO YouTube channel. Details on how to vote will be announced closer to August — stay tuned.

Last words

With Glaive Rush making Baxcalibur a proper raid pick and the 3× Stardust bonus sweetening the pot, this is a Community Day worth blocking out your Saturday afternoon for. Singapore’s weather in June can be unpredictable, so have your portable charger and a rain plan ready. Happy hunting, trainers — check out our other events for more of what’s coming up in Singapore’s gaming calendar.

Event, Singapore Gaming Scene

Fandom Art Fiesta 2026 at Kallang Leisure Park — Last Day Today

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If you have nothing planned for this Sunday, here is a good reason to head to Kallang — Fandom Art Fiesta 2026 is on until 7pm tonight, and it is completely free.

Fandom Art Fiesta 2026 banner at Leisure Park Kallang Singapore
Image courtesy of Fandom Art Fiesta

What Is Fandom Art Fiesta?

Fandom Art Fiesta (FAF) is one of Singapore’s most beloved community ACG (Anime, Comics, and Games) art markets. Each edition brings together a curated selection of local and regional independent creators who set up booths selling original fan art, limited prints, stickers, keychains, acrylic charms, doujin goods, and handmade merchandise tied to the anime, gaming, and pop-culture fandoms Singapore fans love. If you have been to a Doujin Market or browsed AFA’s artist alley, FAF sits in that same creative space — with a community-first, neighbourhood energy that keeps it genuinely welcoming for newcomers and regulars alike.

The event has built a loyal following among Singapore’s ACG community precisely because it lowers the barrier on both sides: for independent creators who want a local platform to share and sell their work, and for fans who want to discover and support SG artists without paying event admission.

Key Details for Today

  • Date: Sunday, 14 June 2026 — today is the second and final day
  • Hours: 11:00am – 7:00pm
  • Venue: Leisure Park Kallang, 5 Stadium Walk, Singapore 397693
  • Nearest MRT: Stadium MRT (Circle Line, CC6) — approximately 2 minutes on foot
  • Entry: Free admission

What to Expect at FAF

Creator booths are the heart of FAF. Expect fan art prints and original goods spanning a wide mix of fandoms — current-season anime, classic JRPGs, Pokémon, Genshin Impact, and original character art all tend to be well represented. Cosplayers show up in force, and the indoor venue at Leisure Park Kallang has a relaxed, photo-friendly atmosphere that makes it a natural social hangout even if you are not specifically there to buy.

A few practical tips if you are heading down today:

  • Bring cash or PayNow — smaller creator booths may not accept card payments
  • Arrive earlier rather than later if you have specific creators in mind; limited-run prints and exclusive doujin items tend to sell out by early afternoon
  • Follow @fandom_art_fiesta on Instagram to see participating creators, booth numbers, and catalogue previews before you arrive

How to Find FAF at Leisure Park Kallang

Leisure Park Kallang is a short walk from Stadium MRT (CC6 on the Circle Line) — exit and follow the covered walkway, and it is about two minutes on foot. Parking is available at the mall for those driving. The event is held indoors, so air-conditioned comfort is guaranteed even on a warm June afternoon.

Last words

Singapore has one of the most creative ACG fan-art communities in Southeast Asia, and events like FAF are where you get to experience that creativity in person rather than through a screen. Free entry, easy MRT access, and several hours left today — if you are a Singapore anime or gaming fan with a free Sunday afternoon, Kallang is worth the trip. You can check out more local ACG events in our events section.

Manga Anime, News

Ghost in the Shell Anime Premieres 7 July on Prime Video — Ending Theme Revealed

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Science SARU’s highly anticipated Ghost in the Shell anime just dropped its fourth promotional video — and with it, the reveal of an ending theme nobody saw coming: “Blue” by MILLENNIUM PARADE, featuring Canadian-Japanese artist Saya Gray and Grammy-winner Daniel Caesar. With the premiere locked in for 7 July 2026 on Amazon Prime Video worldwide, Singapore fans have less than four weeks to wait.

Ghost in the Shell — 4th Promotional Video｜via バンダイナムコフィルムワークス チャンネル on YouTube

What the New Ghost in the Shell 2026 Anime PV Reveals

The fourth PV centres on the emotional and psychological core of the story. Set in 2029, the series follows Motoko Kusanagi — a full-body cyborg officer — as she and her newly formed Public Security Section 9 come up against the Puppet Master, a mysterious hacker capable of overwriting human memories. The promo hints at the identity drama that made the original manga and 1995 film so enduring: just how much humanity remains in a mind that can be copied, hacked, or replaced?

Director Mokochan and Science SARU are leaning hard into a retro, manga-faithful aesthetic — rugged linework, dense urban cityscapes, and action sequences that feel closer to Masamune Shirow’s original 1989–1991 manga than to the painterly melancholy of the Mamoru Oshii film. The Fuchikoma AI tanks (called Tachikoma in later entries) are back in their original four-legged form.

Ghost in the Shell 2026 — Section 9 crew key visual by Science SARU
Image courtesy of Science SARU / Bandai Namco Filmworks

“Blue” — An Ending Theme That Spans Three Continents

The ending theme is a genuine surprise. MILLENNIUM PARADE is the creative collective of Daiki Tsuneta, frontman of King Gnu and a musician with existing ties to the Ghost in the Shell universe — MILLENNIUM PARADE previously contributed music to Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045. The track “Blue” features Saya Gray, a Canadian-Japanese multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter who formerly toured as bassist for Daniel Caesar, and Daniel Caesar himself, the Grammy Award-winning Canadian R&B artist.

According to the official Ghost in the Shell global site, production on “Blue” began around three years ago with Tsuneta and Saya Gray, with Daniel Caesar joining the collaboration later. The result is an ending theme that crosses Japanese pop, R&B, and indie-soul — fitting for a series asking big questions about identity and borders.

Ghost in the Shell 2026 — Motoko Kusanagi key art by Science SARU
Image courtesy of Science SARU / Bandai Namco Filmworks

When and Where to Watch — Singapore Included

Ghost in the Shell premieres on 7 July 2026 in Japan (Fuji TV / Kansai TV broadcast, with an early Prime Video window in Japan ahead of the TV airing). Amazon Prime Video holds worldwide streaming rights — excluding Russia and China — meaning Singapore subscribers should be able to watch from day one. Prime Video Singapore has not issued a separate local announcement at time of writing; if that changes, we’ll update this post.

Before the streaming launch, the first two episodes make an early world premiere at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival (21–27 June, France). A second early screening is set for Anime Expo in Los Angeles on 4 July 2026, with director Mokochan and character designer Shuhei Handa present for a Q&A — for those of you making the trip.

The Team Behind It

The series is produced by Science SARU alongside a production committee that includes Bandai Namco Filmworks, Kodansha, and Production I.G — the studio that co-produced the original 1995 film. Series composition and scripts are by EnJoe Toh. Check out our other anime coverage if you’re building your summer 2026 watchlist.

Last Words

Ghost in the Shell has a long history with Singapore fans — the 1995 film is one of those titles that quietly changed how a generation here thought about anime as a serious medium. Science SARU’s track record (Dandadan, Devilman Crybaby) and the ambition of the ending theme point to a production that wants to earn that legacy, not just trade on it. Pop it into your Prime Video watchlist and set a reminder for 7 July.

News

Live-Action Moana Final Trailer, Sails Into SG 9 July

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  1. The wayfinder is back, and this time she’s flesh and blood. Disney has dropped the final trailer for its live-action Moana, and it lands in Singapore cinemas on 9 July 2026 — right after the mid-year school holidays.
Disney’s Moana | Final Trailer | In Cinemas 9 July — via Walt Disney Studios Singapore on YouTube

Released on 10 June, this final look leans hard into the mythology and fantasy that made the 2016 animated film a household favourite. Where the earlier teaser was busy introducing the world of Motunui, this cut goes big on spectacle — towering waves, the realm of monsters, and the first proper glimpse of the demigod Maui in live-action form.

What the live-action Moana trailer shows

The headline moment is Dwayne Johnson, reprising Maui from the animated films and clearly relishing every second of it. The trailer serves up the first extended listen to his new rendition of “You’re Welcome,” alongside full glimpses of Maui’s shapeshifting and his animated tattoos — yes, Mini Maui survives the jump to live-action. Eagle-eyed fans also get a first tease of Tamatoa, the giant treasure-hoarding crab, with Jemaine Clement returning to voice the character he originated.

Moana sails beyond the reef in Disney's live-action remake

Image courtesy of Walt Disney Studios

At its heart, the story stays faithful to the original. Per Disney’s official synopsis, Moana “answers the Ocean’s call and voyages beyond the reef of her island of Motunui with demigod Maui on a journey to restore prosperity to her people.” The trailer doesn’t shy away from the scale of that quest — one line warns that the pair have to “go through a whole ocean of bad” to set things right.

Who’s in it — and who’s behind it

Newcomer Catherine Laga’aia makes her feature film debut as Moana, leading a cast that includes John Tui as Chief Tui, Frankie Adams as Sina, and Rena Owen as Gramma Tala. As Variety reported, Clement’s return as Tamatoa reunites another familiar voice from the animated original.

Behind the camera, Thomas Kail — the Tony-winning director best known for staging Hamilton — makes his feature directorial debut, working from a screenplay by Jared Bush and Dana Ledoux Miller. The producing team is stacked: Dwayne Johnson, Hiram and Dany Garcia, Beau Flynn, and songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda, with original Moana voice star Auli’i Cravalho on board as executive producer.

The demigod Maui in Disney's live-action Moana

Image courtesy of Walt Disney Studios

On the music side, Miranda is back as songwriter and Mark Mancina returns to score, the same pairing that gave the 2016 film its soundtrack. That continuity matters: the songs are a huge part of why Moana endured, and keeping the original creative voices on board is Disney hedging against the lukewarm reception some of its other live-action remakes have drawn.

A safe bet for Disney’s remake machine

The stakes here are real. The animated Moana has only grown in stature since 2016 — it became a streaming juggernaut, spun off a 2024 sequel, and the original earned well north of US$680 million at the global box office. A live-action take is, on paper, one of the safer bets in Disney’s remake pipeline. The question the trailers keep circling is whether photoreal oceans and a real-world Maui can recapture the warmth of hand-drawn animation, or whether they sand off the charm that made it special.

What this means for Singapore movie-goers

Singapore gets Moana from 9 July 2026, a day ahead of the US release on 10 July, with Australia and New Zealand on the same early date.

For local fans, it’s also a chance to see Pasifika and Māori talent front and centre in a global tentpole — a story rooted in Pacific voyaging culture, told largely by performers of Pacific and New Zealand heritage. Tickets are expected to open at the major chains closer to release; Disney Singapore’s official page is the place to watch for showtimes and bookings.

Counting down to the voyage? Keep an eye on our latest news for more trailer drops and release dates as they land.