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Jax

The Cat and the Dragon Is Now on Crunchyroll — A Cosy Summer Fantasy With a Star Cast

Episode 1 of The Cat and the Dragon (Neko to Ryuu) landed on Crunchyroll this morning — and it is already one of the more charming premiers of the Summer 2026 season. If your anime diet leans toward warm-and-cosy rather than shonen-tournament-brutal, this one is worth an immediate watch in Singapore.

Mama-nyan, a magic-wielding cat from The Cat and the Dragon anime, sitting in a moonlit forest
Image courtesy of Amara / Takarajimasha / 猫と竜 Production Committee

What Is The Cat and the Dragon?

Based on the fantasy light novel series by Amara, published by Takarajimasha, the story begins with a dragon egg that hatches in the wrong forest — deep in the territory of a family of magic-wielding cats. With no mother and nowhere to go, the dragon is adopted by the cat clan and raised as one of their own. The dragon eventually learns to shapeshift into a cat-like form to better protect its adopted family, which has the somewhat unintended side-effect of making it the most powerful creature in the world that also grooming itself.

The tone sits squarely between a slice-of-life family drama and a low-key adventure — think found-family with claws. Underneath the coziness, though, there is real tension around how the human world relates to the cats and, by extension, to their dragon protector.

The Cat and the Dragon — 2nd Promotional Video (Japanese) — via 宝島社公式 on YouTube

Studio OLM and a Stacked Voice Cast

The anime is produced by OLM (the studio behind the Pokémon animated series), directed by Jin-Koo Oh, with series composition by Mitsutaka Hirota and character designs by Rie Nishino and Chiaki Kurakazu. The premise might sound simple, but the production is anything but — OLM has brought in one of the strongest voice casts of the season.

The dragon-raised-as-cat, known as Neko-ryū, is voiced by Takehito Koyasu — best known in Singapore as the voice of Dio Brando from JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure and Whitebeard from One Piece. The Mama-nyan cat matriarch is voiced by Kikuko Inoue, while the supporting cast includes Show Hayami as Kurobane, Noriaki Sugiyama (Sasuke in Naruto) as Haibuchi, Tanezaki Atsumi (Anya Forger from SPY x FAMILY) as Gally, and Hanae Natsuki — the voice of Tanjiro Kamado in Demon Slayer — as the mysterious Monarch Black.

The Cat and the Dragon official title logo and the dragon character sitting with a cat companion
Image courtesy of Amara / Takarajimasha / 猫と竜 Production Committee

Watching in Singapore

Episode 1 is streaming now on Crunchyroll, which carries the series for Singapore and across Southeast Asia. New episodes drop on Saturdays. The series is expected to run for 12 episodes across the Summer 2026 season.

For more new anime arriving this season, check out our Manga & Anime roundups — Summer 2026 has been unusually stacked and we have been covering it all.

Hunter x Hunter Volume 39 Is Out — First New Tankōbon in Nearly Two Years

The long wait is finally over. Hunter x Hunter Volume 39 — titled Negotiation — hit shelves in Japan today, 3 July 2026, marking the series’ first new tankōbon in nearly 22 months. Volume 38 shipped in September 2024, and in the time since, many fans wondered whether another release was coming at all. It is — and the manga is showing no signs of stopping there.

Yoshihiro Togashi, creator of Hunter x Hunter, with series protagonist Gon Freecss
Image courtesy of Shueisha

What’s Inside Volume 39

Negotiation collects chapters 401 to 410, continuing the Succession Contest Arc deep inside the Dark Continent storyline. The volume’s cover puts Hisoka front and centre — a striking close-up in Togashi’s more realistic cover style, hand obscuring half his face with the number ’39’ inscribed on it, directly mirroring Chrollo Lucilfer’s Volume 11 cover in a visual call-and-response that fans have been quick to dissect online. The ten chapters inside push several of the arc’s political and psychological threads forward — hence the title, which fits both the literal card-game negotiations depicted in the pages and the broader chess match playing out between the Succession Contest contestants.

Hunter x Hunter manga panel from Volume 39 — negotiation card game scene
Image courtesy of Shueisha

Togashi’s Health and What Comes Next

Yoshihiro Togashi’s relationship with Hunter x Hunter has always been inseparable from his ongoing health battles — a spine condition and related complications have forced repeated hiatuses since 2006, turning every new chapter into a minor news event in itself. Volume 38 took almost two years to follow Volume 37, and Volume 39 has taken the same amount of time to follow Volume 38. But the signals for the future are more encouraging than they’ve been in a long time. On his social media, Togashi confirmed completing the manuscript for Chapter 421 in late May 2026, and had already penned character layouts for Chapter 430 back in April. That means chapters 411–420 are already complete and waiting for publication, and work on the following batch is well underway — an unusual cushion for a series that once went years without a single chapter.

Gon Freecss from Hunter x Hunter 2011 anime
Image courtesy of Shueisha

Where Singapore Fans Can Read It

Volume 39 is a Japanese physical release for now. Singapore manga readers can pick up the Japanese edition at Kinokuniya (Ngee Ann City and Bugis+ branches both stock Japanese manga) — stock tends to arrive within a week or two of Japan’s release date for popular Shueisha titles, so check the shelves or call ahead. Digital readers should check MANGA Plus by Shueisha (manga.plus), the publisher’s free global simulpub platform, for digital availability. An English edition from VIZ Media has not been announced yet — Volume 38 appeared in English in January 2026, roughly 16 months after its Japanese release, so a localised Volume 39 is realistically a late-2026 or early-2027 arrival at the earliest. For more manga and anime coverage, head to our Manga Anime section.

Oblivion Remastered Hits Nintendo Switch 2 on August 11 — With a Real Cartridge

Singapore’s Switch 2 owners have a big open-world RPG to look forward to this August. Bethesda has confirmed that The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered arrives on Nintendo Switch 2 on August 11, 2026 — and in a welcome move that bucks the industry trend, the physical edition ships with a genuine game cartridge, not a box containing a download code.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered – Official Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date Reveal Trailer — via IGN on YouTube

A Real Cartridge — Why It Matters

Oblivion Remastered Nintendo Switch 2 key art featuring armoured knight and Oblivion gate
Image courtesy of Bethesda Game Studios

The physical release confirmation is getting attention for the right reasons. Bethesda has explicitly stated the cartridge contains the full base game, playable from the card without an additional download. That puts Oblivion Remastered comfortably apart from the frustrating “game key in a box” releases that have become increasingly common. The full download size comes in at 61.4 GB, so digital buyers will need to plan their storage accordingly.

Two editions are available for pre-order now:

  • Standard Edition (Digital, US$49.99) — base game, Shivering Isles, Knights of the Nine, and all eight legacy DLC packs
  • Deluxe Edition (Physical & Digital, US$59.99) — everything above plus unique Akatosh and Mehrunes Dagon armour, weapon, and horse armour sets, each with associated quests

Singapore Nintendo eShop pricing will vary — check the local eShop listing for the SGD price at time of purchase.

Cyrodiil on the Go — Switch 2 Performance

Oblivion Remastered gameplay screenshot showing Argonian character overlooking the Imperial City
Image courtesy of Bethesda Game Studios

Virtuos handled the port, rebuilding the visuals in Unreal Engine 5 while keeping the original engine running the gameplay and level design underneath. On Switch 2, that translates to:

  • Handheld: 900p / 30fps, upscaled via DLSS
  • Docked: 1080p / 30fps, with DLSS support

Switch 2 motion controls are also in the mix. Bethesda hasn’t gone into specifics yet, but given the Switch 2’s hardware capabilities, expect the option to supplement combat and exploration with motion input — a natural fit for first-person RPG play.

The Complete Oblivion Package

Oblivion Remastered dungeon combat scene showing archer in Orcish armour facing a Minotaur
Image courtesy of Bethesda Game Studios

Every edition includes the two major expansions and the full set of legacy DLC — a complete package for players new to Tamriel’s Cyrodiil province. The Shivering Isles expansion in particular is considered one of the best pieces of single-player RPG DLC ever made, so newcomers are in for a treat. This is also the first time any Elder Scrolls IV title has appeared on Nintendo hardware, giving the Switch 2 a stone-cold classic that PC and console players have been returning to for nearly two decades.

Oblivion Remastered first-person exploration showing a river, village bridge and golden sword
Image courtesy of Bethesda Game Studios

Bethesda’s Switch 2 Push Keeps Growing

Oblivion is Bethesda’s fourth major RPG title on Switch 2 within a single year — Fallout 4 arrived in February, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle in May, and now Oblivion lands in August. For Singapore players who picked up a Switch 2 and are hungry for big single-player experiences, the platform is shaping into a genuinely strong destination for Western RPGs alongside its first-party Nintendo lineup.

Pre-orders are live on the Nintendo eShop and at major game retailers. The August 11 date gives Switch 2 owners a meaty summer holiday game to sink into — and for those who want the box on their shelf, the cartridge version means it’ll actually play on day one. Learn more about Switch 2 game releases as they land.

Pokemon Center Singapore Reopens at Jewel Changi Airport

Pokémon Center Singapore has reopened at Jewel Changi Airport with its most dramatic transformation yet. Closed since April 1 for a full revamp, the store reopened on 1 July 2026 with a heritage-rooted interior, a new symbol Pokémon, and an exclusive merchandise line you can only get here in Singapore — making it the first full-scale redesign of a Pokémon Center outside Japan.

First look at revamped Pokemon Center Singapore in Jewel Changi Airport — via CNA on YouTube

Solgaleo Steps Up as the New Symbol Pokémon

The biggest visual change is who greets you at the entrance. Solgaleo — the radiant Legendary from Pokémon Sun — is now the store’s symbol Pokémon, standing proudly at the façade alongside Pikachu and appearing on the official logo. Inside, the redesigned space draws on Singapore’s traditional architecture: look out for Peranakan tile-inspired patterns worked into the display fixtures, archway shelving units, and a sweeping interior that feels unmistakably local without losing the warmth of a proper Pokémon Center.

Wide interior view of the revamped Pokemon Center Singapore at Jewel Changi Airport
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company / Pokémon Center Singapore
Pokemon Center Singapore merchandise shelves with Flareon display and hundreds of plush figures
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company / Pokémon Center Singapore

First Wave: 12 Singapore-Exclusive Items, Including That Kopi Set

Twelve lifestyle items launched with the reopening on 1 July, all designed specifically for this store. The first wave features original artwork of Pokémon set against a Singapore-inspired cityscape — an illustration that feels like a love letter to local fans. Also in wave one: a Kopi Cup & Saucer Set that is exactly what it sounds like and is already generating a lot of buzz. None of this merch is available at any other Pokémon Center globally.

First wave merchandise for Pokemon Center Singapore reopening, including Solgaleo plush, cityscape artwork frame, kopi cup and saucer, sticker sheets and more
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company / Pokémon Center Singapore

Second Wave on 7 August: Pikachu Holding Durian, Kopi, and Pandan Cake

The second merch wave lands on 7 August 2026 and leans even harder into Singaporean identity. Coming then: pouches with a Peranakan-inspired Pokémon pattern on the inner lining; Pokémon graphic T-shirts; and a tote bag embroidered with Pikachu and Solgaleo together. The absolute standout is a set of three Pikachu bag charms — each tiny Pikachu clutches a different iconic local treat: a cup of kopi, a slice of pandan cake, and a durian. These are the kind of Singapore-only collectibles that disappear fast.

Three Pikachu bag charms holding kopi cup, pandan toast/kaya toast, and durian, exclusive to Pokemon Center Singapore
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company / Pokémon Center Singapore

How to Visit: Queue Tickets and Opening Hours

The store is at Jewel Changi Airport, #04-201 & 202 (78 Airport Boulevard, Singapore 819666), open daily from 10am to 10pm. During opening week (1 to 5 July 2026), same-day queue-entry tickets are needed — these are distributed on-site from 8:30am on a first-come, first-served basis, with admission from 1pm. Follow the official Pokémon Center Singapore Instagram for the latest on queue updates and the August merchandise wave. For more Pokemon and pop-culture events in Singapore, check our events archive.

Mushoku Tensei Season 3 Premieres This Weekend — Eris Takes Centre Stage

After two acclaimed seasons that set a high bar for isekai anime, Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation is back with Season 3 this weekend. The new cour launches with a back-to-back two-episode special premiere on 4 July 2026 via ABEMA and d Anime Store — one day ahead of the terrestrial broadcast — with regular weekly episodes beginning on Sunday 5 July on Tokyo MX and other channels.

Eris Boreas Greyrat in Mushoku Tensei Season 3 official PV
Image courtesy of TOHO animation / Mushoku Tensei III Production Committee

The Eris Training Arc — Season 3 shifts its focus

Season 3 places Eris Boreas Greyrat firmly in the spotlight. The second promotional video, subtitled “Eris Training Arc” (エリス修行編), and the official Season 3 key visual both centre on the fiery red-haired swordswoman — a narrative move that fans of the light novel and manga have long been waiting to see fully realised on screen. Rudeus Greyrat remains the series’ anchor, but Eris’s journey toward the rank of Sword King is the beating heart of this new chapter.

The season’s ending theme, “祈り、終われば” (“When the Prayer Ends”), is performed by Mika Nakashima — a veteran Japanese pop singer known internationally for Nana and numerous J-pop releases. The choice suggests an emotional tone to match Eris’s arc.

Eris Boreas Greyrat Season 3 character visual
Image courtesy of TOHO animation / Mushoku Tensei III Production Committee

Studio Bind returns with the same core team

Studio Bind returns as the animation studio, with Ryosuke Shibuya directing — the same pairing that has maintained the series’ visual identity across Seasons 1 and 2. The original light novel by Rifujin na Magonote spanned 24 volumes and became one of the defining works of the post-2010 isekai generation. Bind’s adaptation has been methodical and consistently high quality; Season 3 is expected to continue that standard.

Watch the official Season 3 trailer

『無職転生Ⅲ ~異世界行ったら本気だす~』本PV — via TOHO animation チャンネル on YouTube

When and where to watch from Singapore

Eris action scene from Mushoku Tensei Season 3 PV
Image courtesy of TOHO animation / Mushoku Tensei III Production Committee

The advanced two-episode premiere airs on 4 July (Saturday) via ABEMA and d Anime Store at 8:00pm JST, which is 7:00pm SGT. Episode 2 follows at 8:30pm JST (7:30pm SGT). The regular weekly terrestrial broadcast begins 5 July (Sunday) on Tokyo MX and satellite channels including BS11.

Streaming rights outside Japan had not been formally confirmed at time of writing. Seasons 1 and 2 of Mushoku Tensei were available on Crunchyroll in Singapore and the rest of Southeast Asia, and Season 3 is widely expected to follow the same path — but keep an eye on a Crunchyroll announcement for confirmation. International ABEMA subscribers can access the two-episode premiere on Saturday regardless.

This is one of the most-anticipated anime returns of the Summer 2026 season. If you have been working through the back catalogue, the weekend premiere gives you a clear deadline. Follow our Manga & Anime section for more Summer 2026 season coverage as it lands.

Digimon Story: Time Stranger Arrives on Switch and Switch 2 on 10 July

After racking up over one million copies sold on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC since its October 2025 launch, Bandai Namco’s monster-taming JRPG Digimon Story: Time Stranger is arriving on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 on 10 July 2026 — just eight days away. If you missed it on consoles last year, this is your chance to jump in on portable hardware.

What Is Digimon Story: Time Stranger?

Digimon Story: Time Stranger key art
Image courtesy of Bandai Namco Entertainment

Developed by Media.Vision and ported to Nintendo platforms by h.a.n.d., Digimon Story: Time Stranger is a turn-based RPG built around the bond between humans and their digital partners. You play a protagonist mysteriously sent eight years into the past, tasked with preventing the collapse of both worlds. The adventure spans the human world and Digital World: Iliad, where you collect, raise, and evolve more than 450 Digimon across strategic battles and a sprawling interconnected story.

The game earned strong reviews at launch for its depth of creature collection and a genuinely gripping narrative — qualities that translate well to handheld play. Owners of the original Switch 1 disc or digital copy will receive the Switch 2 version upgrade free via an automatic update.

Switch 2 Gets 4K Quality Mode and 60fps Performance Mode

Digimon Story: Time Stranger gameplay on Nintendo Switch 2
Image courtesy of Bandai Namco Entertainment

The Nintendo Switch 2 version ships with two technical modes not available on original Switch hardware:

  • Quality Mode: 4K HDR at up to 30fps when docked; Full HD at up to 30fps in handheld. HDR is exclusive to this mode.
  • Performance Mode: Full HD at up to 60fps in both docked and handheld configurations.

Original Switch players get a solid experience at 1080p, but the Switch 2 improvements are meaningful — especially in docked 4K mode for the detailed Digimon designs.

Digimon Story Time Stranger – Announcement Trailer — via Bandai Namco Entertainment America on YouTube

Editions and Pre-Order Bonuses

Three editions are available for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 via the eShop:

  • Standard Edition (USD 59.99): base game plus pre-order bonus — Black Agumon, Black Gabumon, uniform costumes, and an Adventure Item set.
  • Digital Deluxe Edition: adds the Cyber Sleuth Costume Set and the Season Pass.
  • Digital Ultimate Edition: everything above plus an additional Costume Pack, exclusive early Digimon unlocks, Public Safety Suit Costumes, a Special Supplies Set, and the Cyber Sleuth BGM Pack.

Pre-orders for all editions are live now on the Nintendo eShop. The pre-order bonus Digimon — the monochrome Black Agumon and Gabumon — are exclusive to early buyers.

Getting Digimon Story: Time Stranger in Singapore

Digimon Story: Time Stranger turn-based battle system
Image courtesy of Bandai Namco Entertainment

Singapore fans can grab Digimon Story: Time Stranger digitally via the Nintendo eShop or PlayStation Store ahead of the 10 July launch. Physical copies will be available at major game retailers and electronics chains locally. SGD pricing has not been officially announced — check with your preferred retailer or the local eShop listing nearer to launch.

The game carries a content advisory for Fantasy Violence, Suggestive Themes, Mild Language, and Alcohol Use. For more upcoming Switch 2 titles and JRPG news, head to our Game News section.

Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster Arrives on Switch 2 on 23 July — 25 Years of Spira

Twenty-five years after Tidus and Yuna first stepped into Spira, Square Enix is bringing Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster to Nintendo Switch 2 on 23 July 2026. The digital release lands just four days after FFX’s official 25th birthday — the original launched in Japan on 19 July 2001 — making this one of the tidiest anniversary releases in recent memory.

FINAL FANTASY X/X-2 HD Remaster | Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date Announcement Trailer — via FINAL FANTASY on YouTube

What the Switch 2 Package Contains

Final Fantasy X party exploring ruins — HD Remaster
Image courtesy of Square Enix

The bundle packs both games into a single download: the epic 100-hour-plus RPG Final Fantasy X and its popstar-and-treasure-hunting sequel Final Fantasy X-2. Both are the HD Remaster versions with remade character, monster, and background art, a fully remastered and rearranged soundtrack, and content from the International Versions that were unavailable in some regional releases of the originals.

The package has shipped over 14 million units worldwide across PlayStation, Xbox, PC, and the original Nintendo Switch. The Switch 2 version slots in as the definitive console edition.

New Quality-of-Life Features, Now on a Console for the First Time

The headline upgrade for Switch 2 is a suite of booster toggles that were previously exclusive to the Windows PC port — and are arriving on console for the very first time:

  • High-speed mode — speed up movement, combat, and cutscenes when you just want to push through
  • Toggle random encounters off — explore Spira at your own pace without surprise battles
  • Max out characters — instant stat boosts if you want to experience the story without grinding

These features make the game far more accessible to players returning after a decade away, or newcomers picking it up for the first time on Switch 2. You can, of course, ignore them entirely and play as it was intended in 2001.

25 Years of Spira — Why This One Still Hits

Tidus overlooking a devastated Zanarkand at sunset — Final Fantasy X HD Remaster
Image courtesy of Square Enix

A quarter-century on, Final Fantasy X remains the series high-water mark for many players who grew up with their PS2s in Singapore. It was the first mainline entry with full voice acting, a largely linear structure that let the story breathe, and Nobuo Uematsu and Masashi Hamauzu’s soundtrack — one of the all-time great game scores. Yuna’s Sending scene, the Macalania lake scene, the final stretch — they still land.

The HD Remaster sharpens the visuals to hold up on a modern display while keeping the original’s aesthetic intact. With Switch 2’s improved screen, the game should look better in handheld mode than it ever has on a Nintendo device.

Yuna and Tidus in the moonlit Macalania underwater scene — Final Fantasy X HD Remaster
Image courtesy of Square Enix

For fans who played the original but skipped Final Fantasy X-2, it’s worth giving it a proper chance here. The gameplay is arguably the tightest turn-based system in the mainline series, and the tone — while jarring at first — is a deliberate creative choice that eventually earns its emotional payoff.

Blitzball, the Sphere Grid, and 100-Plus Hours of Content

Blitzball tournament arena in Final Fantasy X HD Remaster
Image courtesy of Square Enix

Beyond the main story, the package is packed with side content. Blitzball — FFX’s underwater sport — remains one of the most polarising minigames in the franchise, but completionists will spend hours in the tournament circuit. The Sphere Grid progression system and the Dark Aeons of the International Version add endgame bite that can push total playtime well past 100 hours if you go deep.

Pricing, Pre-orders, and What Singapore Switch 2 Owners Should Know

The digital version is priced at US$49.99 (¥6,688 on the Japan eShop). Singapore eShop pricing was not confirmed at the time of writing — check the Nintendo eShop Singapore listing directly. Pre-orders are live now on the Nintendo eShop ahead of the 23 July digital release.

For collectors: a physical edition releases on 27 August 2026 and comes with a limited 25th Anniversary sleeve case. Note that physical availability outside Japan may vary by region, and the western physical release uses a Game Key Card format rather than a traditional game cartridge. Confirm availability with local game retailers before pre-ordering a physical copy.

One important note for players who already own Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster on the original Nintendo Switch: save data is not transferable between the two versions, and the Switch 2 version is not compatible with the original Switch hardware.

If you’re building your Switch 2 JRPG library, this is a landmark addition — and at 25 years old, Spira hasn’t aged a day. Browse other upcoming Switch 2 game releases we’ve been covering this week.

Rhythm Heaven Groove Drops July 2 on Nintendo Switch

The wait is finally over. Rhythm Heaven Groove — the first brand-new mainline entry in Nintendo’s beloved rhythm series in over a decade — launches on Nintendo Switch tomorrow, 2 July 2026. If you’ve never played a Rhythm Heaven game before, it is also the best possible time to start.

Rhythm Heaven Groove – Overview Trailer – Nintendo Switch — via Nintendo of America on YouTube

A Decade in the Making

The last mainline Rhythm Heaven title — known as Rhythm Paradise Megamix in Europe — came out in 2015 in Japan and 2016 in the West. Nearly ten years of silence from one of Nintendo’s quirkiest and most charming franchises, broken at last by Groove.

This is not a remake or a compilation. Rhythm Heaven Groove is a completely original game built on the same formula that made the series famous: deceptively simple button-press gameplay, relentlessly catchy original music, and art styles that shift wildly from one stage to the next. One moment you are rolling a hoop down a street; the next you are a stick figure wrestling milk cartons off a conveyor belt. The joy is how quickly each new minigame’s rhythm clicks.

Rhythm Heaven Groove hoop-rolling minigame featuring round characters
Image courtesy of Nintendo

80+ Minigames, One Brand-New Mode

Groove packs more than 80 single-player rhythm minigames and 30 multiplayer games (supporting up to four players), making it the deepest entry in the series by count alone. The breadth of art styles is wider than ever too — ranging from hand-drawn cartoon characters to quasi-realistic cooking scenes.

The headline addition exclusive to this entry is Beatspell, an RPG-inspired mode that is a first for the franchise. Rather than simply clearing stages in sequence, Beatspell sends players into monster-battling scenarios where rhythm is the weapon. It is an ambitious layer on top of an already rich package, and early previews have praised it warmly — TechRadar called Groove “on track to become my favourite Nintendo Switch release of 2026.”

Rhythm Heaven Groove conveyor belt minigame with stick-figure character
Image courtesy of Nintendo

A Beat With Soul: The Tsunku♂ Story

Rhythm Heaven has always been defined by its music, and Groove is no different. Legendary Japanese music producer Tsunku♂ — the creative force behind the series’ entire soundtrack — returns for this new entry. What makes his involvement remarkable is the context: Tsunku♂ was diagnosed with laryngeal cancer around 2014 and subsequently lost his vocal cords. He can no longer sing, yet he has composed the entire soundtrack for Groove without them. The music is as infectious as ever.

Rhythm Heaven Groove kitchen cooking minigame with character chopping vegetables
Image courtesy of Nintendo

Try It Free Right Now

Nintendo released a free demo for Groove on the Nintendo eShop on 22 June, and the best part is that any save progress from the demo carries over to the full game when you buy it. The demo includes five single-player stages and one multiplayer game (Rhythm Tweezers). If you have not tried it yet, it is sitting on the Singapore eShop right now waiting for you — and there is no better way to judge whether you want to pick up the full release tomorrow.

Rhythm Heaven Groove bird formation flying minigame
Image courtesy of Nintendo

How to Get Rhythm Heaven Groove in Singapore

Rhythm Heaven Groove is available on the Nintendo eShop Singapore from 2 July. The US eShop price is USD 39.99 for the digital version and USD 49.99 physical; check the Singapore eShop directly for local SGD pricing. The game is also compatible with Nintendo Switch 2 via backward compatibility, so there is no need to wait for a dedicated Switch 2 version.

For a rhythm game fan, or anyone who remembers losing hours to Rhythm Tengoku on a Game Boy Advance SP, tomorrow is a good day. Keep an eye on our game news for more on what is landing on Switch and Switch 2 this month.

Ghost in the Shell Returns on Prime Video This July 7

For the first time since the franchise became an anime in 1995, a studio other than Production I.G. is animating Ghost in the Shell. That studio is Science Saru — the house behind Dandadan, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, and Tatami Time Machine Blues — and THE GHOST IN THE SHELL premieres on Amazon Prime Video in over 240 countries this Tuesday, 7 July 2026, Singapore included.

THE GHOST IN THE SHELL 2026 key visual poster featuring Major Motoko Kusanagi
Image courtesy of THE GHOST IN THE SHELL COMMITTEE

Science Saru Takes Over — and Why That Is a Big Deal

Production I.G. has been synonymous with Ghost in the Shell animation since Mamoru Oshii’s landmark 1995 film. The studio went on to direct Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence, both seasons of Stand Alone Complex, and the theatrical Arise series. Production I.G. remains in the production committee for this 2026 series — alongside Bandai Namco Filmworks and Kodansha — but the animation itself now belongs to Science Saru.

Science Saru was co-founded by Masaaki Yuasa and has built its reputation on visually expressive, high-fluidity work that stands apart from conventional TV-anime house styles. Directing the new series is Mokochan, making his feature directorial debut after working as assistant director on Dandadan. Character design and chief animation direction is handled by Shuhei Handa, whose credits include Dandadan, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, and Spriggan. Series composition comes from sci-fi novelist EnJoe Toh, known for the metafictional Self-Reference ENGINE — a choice that hints at a grittier, more literary approach.

Official Japanese trailer for THE GHOST IN THE SHELL — via Ghost in the Shell Official Channel on YouTube

A Straight Line Back to Masamune Shirow’s Manga

Rather than continuing any existing anime continuity, the 2026 series returns to Masamune Shirow’s original Ghost in the Shell manga, first serialised in Young Magazine from 1989 to 1991. The story follows Major Motoko Kusanagi leading Public Security Section 9 through cybercrimes and a conspiracy surrounding a spectral hacker known as the Puppet Master — the same premise as Oshii’s 1995 film, but adapted from the source material rather than from the film’s more abstract interpretation.

The creative team describe the aim as being closer to the manga’s own tonal blend of hard sci-fi, dry humour, and political thriller, rather than the heavy philosophical weight of Oshii’s take. Given EnJoe Toh’s background in literary science fiction, that ambition seems credible.

THE GHOST IN THE SHELL 2026 promotional image from Science Saru
Image courtesy of THE GHOST IN THE SHELL COMMITTEE

English Dub Cast and Global Availability

Amazon Prime Video is rolling out the series with a full English dub across its global release. Suzie Yeung (Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, Overtake!) voices Major Kusanagi; Bill Butts plays Batou; SungWon Cho voices Chief Aramaki; and Nick Apostolides takes on Togusa. The English dub cast was confirmed by Anime News Network. In total the series launches in eight dubbed languages alongside the Japanese original.

THE GHOST IN THE SHELL 2026 key visual showing Section 9
Image courtesy of THE GHOST IN THE SHELL COMMITTEE

When and Where to Watch in Singapore

THE GHOST IN THE SHELL is available on Amazon Prime Video in Singapore from 7 July 2026. An active Prime or Prime Video subscription is all you need. New episodes drop weekly — in Japan they broadcast on Fuji TV and Kansai TV every Tuesday at 23:00 JST (midnight SGT on Wednesday), with the Prime Video stream expected around the same time. The July 7 premiere date was confirmed via Anime News Network in June.

If you want to revisit the original mythology ahead of Tuesday, Oshii’s 1995 film and Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex are available across multiple platforms. Find more anime season previews and news on GameTrader as the summer 2026 lineup gets into gear.

The Ending Theme: MILLENNIUM PARADE, Saya Gray and Daniel Caesar

The ending theme, titled “Blue”, is performed by MILLENNIUM PARADE featuring Saya Gray and Daniel Caesar. MILLENNIUM PARADE is the avant-pop project led by Daiki Tsuneta, the frontman of King Gnu — whose music has previously appeared across anime soundtracks. Saya Gray is a Japanese-American indie singer-songwriter; Daniel Caesar is a Grammy-winning Canadian R&B artist. The pairing feels deliberately trans-Pacific, which suits a franchise that has always occupied the intersection of Japanese cyberpunk and Western science-fiction imagination.