All posts by Nova Solaris
Nova Solaris

Game News

hololive Dreams Is Live — Free on iOS, Android and Steam

Leave a comment

The wait is over — hololive Dreams is live right now worldwide, and Singapore fans can start playing for free this very moment on iOS, Android, or PC via Steam. We covered the announcement back in early July when pre-registrations crossed 1.3 million, but now the game is actually in our hands. Here’s what you’re getting into.

hololive Dreams – Full GAME TRAILER — via hololive Dreams ホロライブドリームス on YouTube

Six Lanes, 150+ Songs: How the hololive Dreams Rhythm Game Works

At its core, hololive Dreams is a six-lane rhythm game where notes scroll downward in time with official hololive music. Three note types keep things varied: taps, held long notes, and directional flicks. What separates it from a straight music game is that your team composition actively affects your score — each hololive member you bring to a live carries skills that can boost score multipliers, protect your combo, or recover health when you miss. It’s closer to Gakuen Idolm@ster (which QualiArts also developed) than a simple tap-along.

hololive Dreams rhythm gameplay six-lane note chart
Image courtesy of Cover Corp

The song library at launch includes more than 150 tracks — originals, unit songs, and covers — with official MV and live-concert footage playing in the background as you chart. Every featured member has at least two tracks attached to their name, and the roster covers hololive Japan, hololive EN, and hololive ID. (Note: hololive English -Justice-, DEV_IS FLOW GLOW, and HOLOSTARS are not in at launch.)

Build Your hololive Dream Park

hololive Dreams theme park island base building
Image courtesy of Cover Corp

Beyond the rhythm battles, hololive Dreams gives you an island — a literal dream park — to develop over time. The hololive Park hub connects everything: NPC interactions, story events, and member-themed facility zones. As you progress, you unlock the Megasphere, a 3D space with platforming and casino-style mini-games. Each section of the park ties back to a specific set of holomem, so completionists will have plenty of reasons to keep pulling the gacha.

The Gacha: Teams of Six, Skill Trees, No Dupes Wasted

hololive Dreams gacha character collection screen
Image courtesy of Cover Corp

Teams in hololive Dreams consist of a Leader plus five members, each card carrying a distinct skill set. The game is built around progression through individual skill trees, so duplicate pulls aren’t dead weight — they feed upgrade materials. Over 50 holomem are collectible at launch, each with multiple costume variants that carry different stat spreads and skill effects.

The in-game currency is Diamonds, earned through story content, event missions, and the login calendar. The game is free to play with optional in-app purchases for Diamond top-ups.

Launch Rewards — Claim Your Free Gacha Pulls Now

hololive Dreams launch event rewards screen
Image courtesy of Cover Corp

Pre-registration milestones mean there’s a stack of freebies waiting in your in-game mailbox when you first log in. Because the 1.3 million pre-registration mark was cleared before launch, you’re entitled to the cumulative rewards from every milestone up to that point — including 2,500 Diamonds (enough for roughly 10 gacha pulls), a guaranteed ★4+ gacha ticket, Live Stage Day/Night Memory cosmetics, 3 Music Discs, and Dot Sunglasses cosmetics for all 54 talents in the game. Claim them from the mailbox on first login before they expire.

A special hololive 9th anniversary event is also planned for around October 2026, with details set to be revealed through official broadcasts after launch — something to look forward to later in the year.

How to Download hololive Dreams in Singapore

hololive Dreams park exploration and mini-games
Image courtesy of Cover Corp

hololive Dreams is available globally right now with no regional restriction for Singapore players. Your three options:

  • iOS — Search “hololive Dreams” on the App Store or follow the link from the official hololive site.
  • Android — Available on Google Play under the same name.
  • Steam (PC) — Find it at store.steampowered.com; free to install with cross-save supported across all three platforms via a linked Nintendo or Google account.

Cross-save works across all three platforms, so you can start on mobile and switch to Steam (or vice versa) without losing progress. There’s no Nintendo Switch Online subscription or equivalent barrier — just download, log in, and collect your launch freebies. For more game launch coverage, check our game news archive.

Manga Anime, News

Dragon Ball Super: Beerus — Fall 2026 Anime Confirmed

Leave a comment

Dragon Ball Super is getting a second chance to be everything creator Akira Toriyama intended — and if the trailers are any indication, the Battle of Gods arc is about to look and sound like never before.

What Is Dragon Ball Super: Beerus?

Dragon Ball Super: Beerus official key visual showing Goku and Beerus against Earth backdrop
Image courtesy of Bandai Namco Filmworks / Toei Animation

Dragon Ball Super: Beerus is the enhanced edition of the original Dragon Ball Super TV anime, produced by Toei Animation. Rather than a standard upscale or remaster, it is a ground-up reimagining of the Beerus arc — the saga that opened Dragon Ball Super in 2015 — featuring extensive new animation cuts, revised and redrawn sequences, complete re-rendering of all footage, and freshly recorded dialogue throughout. New music and sound effects have been layered in to reconstruct the storytelling in a way that reflects what Toriyama originally had in mind.

The project was announced at Dragon Ball Genkidamatsuri in January 2026, celebrating the franchise’s 40th anniversary. Toei Animation followed up in April 2026 with the action-packed SUPER GEKITOU battle trailer at Dragon Ball Games Battle Hour in Los Angeles. Both trailers were published on Toei Animation’s official YouTube channel.

Dragon Ball Super: Beerus — Super Launch Trailer / Fall 2026 — via 東映アニメーション公式YouTubeチャンネル (Toei Animation) on YouTube

The Story — and Why Beerus Still Matters

The Beerus arc is where Dragon Ball Super began and where the concept of divine power levels was first introduced. After a long slumber, Beerus, the God of Destruction, awakens to find the warrior foretold in prophecy — a Super Saiyan God strong enough to give him a real fight. That search leads him to Earth and, inevitably, to Goku. The enhanced edition promises a more faithful adaptation of Toriyama’s original vision for that showdown, with newly written and recorded scenes meant to deepen the conflict and the cosmic stakes.

Dragon Ball Super Beerus characters — Goku, Beerus, Vegeta, Whis, Super Saiyan God Goku battle stills
Image courtesy of Bandai Namco Filmworks / Toei Animation

Masako Nozawa reprises her iconic role as Goku, with Koichi Yamadera returning as Beerus. The trailers also show Vegeta and Whis, and hint that threads involving Frieza will weave through the reconstructed narrative.

The project carries additional weight given that Toriyama passed away in March 2024. Dragon Ball Super: Beerus is among the final works to bear his name as Original Work, Story, and Character Design — making it as much a tribute to his creative vision as a technical upgrade of the original broadcast.

The SUPER GEKITOU Battle Trailer Explained

Dragon Ball Super: Beerus — SUPER GEKITOU Battle Trailer / Fall 2026 — via 東映アニメーション公式YouTubeチャンネル (Toei Animation) on YouTube
Dragon Ball Super Beerus SUPER GEKITOU trailer action stills showing Goku and Beerus battles
Still from Toei Animation’s official SUPER GEKITOU trailer

The SUPER GEKITOU trailer is the most revealing look at the enhanced animation yet. The clash between Goku and Beerus has been visibly upgraded — sharper lighting, richer detail in the power-up sequences, and what appears to be newly animated impact frames during the climactic punches. Scenes with Super Saiyan God Goku (red hair, calmer power signature) stand out in particular, suggesting significant new footage has been added to flesh out the transformation’s emotional impact.

When and Where Can Singapore Fans Watch?

Dragon Ball Super: Beerus official series logo
Image courtesy of Bandai Namco Filmworks / Toei Animation

Dragon Ball Super: Beerus premieres Fall 2026 on Fuji TV in Japan. A specific broadcast date has not yet been announced. International streaming has not been confirmed as of writing — past Dragon Ball properties have typically come to Crunchyroll for Singapore and Southeast Asia, and that remains the most likely home for the series here, though a Disney+ window is also possible given how Toei and Bandai Namco have handled international distribution of recent titles.

Keep an eye on the official Dragon Ball website and the Toei Animation YouTube channel for premiere date announcements. For more anime news relevant to Singapore fans, browse our anime and manga coverage.

Game News

Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave Reveals Sirocco the Bard — September 17 Switch 2 Launch Counts Down

Leave a comment

Nintendo Japan’s official Fire Emblem account has dropped the latest character spotlight for Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave, and this week’s reveal is Sirocco — a mysterious, smooth-talking bard who joins the roster of companions as the game’s September 17 Nintendo Switch 2 launch edges closer.

Fire Emblem Fortune's Weave - Theodora cinematic scene
Image courtesy of Nintendo

Sirocco, the Whimsical Wind

Revealed via Serenes Forest’s translation of Nintendo Japan’s Part 4 character spotlight, Sirocco is described as a wandering bard who appears during the story path of Leda, one of Fortune’s Weave’s four protagonists. He introduces himself as “The Whimsical Wind” — a name that suits his personality perfectly. He is known for flirting with every woman he considers beautiful, yet behind that carefree exterior lies someone well-educated and possessed of unusually keen insight.

His voice actor is Katsuyuki Miura, a rising name in the Japanese voice industry. Sirocco’s likes are listed as the goddess Karla, all women, and poetry — a running joke that writes itself into the game’s tavern dialogue, where he first crosses paths with Leda, a performer the locals have taken to calling a “Goddess of Fortune.”

Sirocco on the Battlefield — The Diviner Class

Where it counts, Sirocco is no slouch. He is classed as a Diviner, one of Fortune’s Weave’s hybrid combat roles that lets him wield both swords and magic. His confirmed starting kit includes an Iron Sword, a Zanbato (anti-cavalry axe-sword), and a Venin Edge (poison-inflicting blade), giving him unusual versatility in the early game. His Combat Arts — Sunder, Grounder, and the newly revealed Mist Ripper — round out a toolkit that leans into disruption and positioning. His passive skill “Leave it to the Wind” grants a +5 effect (stat details to be confirmed), reinforcing his evasive, wind-themed identity.

Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave – Nintendo Direct 6.9.2026 — via Nintendo of America on YouTube

Four Paths, One Grand Tournament

If you haven’t been following Fortune’s Weave since its announcement at the June 9 Nintendo Direct, here’s a quick catch-up. The game is set in the Dagosian Empire, an Ancient Rome-inspired nation in the same universe as Fire Emblem: Three Houses — and there are hints that the goddess Sothis appears here aged-up, suggesting events take place in the distant future of that world. The central conceit is the Dagosian Games, a grand gladiatorial-style tournament that draws four competing protagonists:

  • Cai — a kindhearted spear-wielder from Ribeira Village fighting to free his imprisoned father
  • Dietrich — a warrior from Fódlan wielding a Hero’s Relic-style sword called “Answerer”
  • Theodora — Queen of Salamis, armed with the legendary Spear of Mahadou
  • Leda — a revenge-driven performer who uses swords and bows, and whose path includes Sirocco as a companion
Fire Emblem Fortune's Weave - Dagsion hub city exploration
Image courtesy of Nintendo

Dagsion: A Hub Between Battles

Between tournament bouts, players explore Dagsion, the empire’s gleaming hub city. It draws clear comparisons to Garreg Mach Monastery from Three Houses, functioning as the social and logistical heart of the game. Shops, characters to recruit, arena side events, and treasure-hunting opportunities fill the downtime — and character-specific tavern scenes like Sirocco’s introductory encounter happen here. The city’s Greco-Roman aesthetic (colonnaded buildings, tiered marble steps, open plazas) is a deliberate departure from the European-medieval look of earlier entries.

Fire Emblem Fortune's Weave - Kai and companions dialogue
Image courtesy of Nintendo

What Singapore Switch 2 Fans Should Know

Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave launches worldwide on September 17, 2026 on Nintendo Switch 2 — that’s less than two months away. Nintendo has been running weekly character spotlight posts on its Japanese social channels since the June Direct, with English-region coverage following close behind, so expect more companion reveals before launch. The Sirocco reveal is Part 4 of that campaign, meaning at least three other characters (across the various protagonist paths) have already had their moments in the spotlight.

For Singapore fans, the Switch 2 eShop remains the most convenient route to pre-purchase, and the game is included in Nintendo’s global September line-up. Physical copies will be available at major game retailers. The Three Houses fanbase in Singapore is vocal and active — if you are one of them, Fortune’s Weave has been shaping up as one of the most anticipated Switch 2 exclusives of the year, and Sirocco looks like the kind of charming wildcard character fans love to rally around.

Fire Emblem Fortune's Weave - divine character cinematic
Image courtesy of Nintendo

Keep an eye on our Game News section for more Fortune’s Weave character reveals and coverage as the September 17 launch approaches.

Game News

The Duskbloods Network Test Sign-Up Opens Tonight — Switch 2 Guide for Singapore

Leave a comment

Registration for FromSoftware’s Switch 2 exclusive The Duskbloods closed network test opens tonight — 22 July at 10pm SGT — and you only have until 28 July at 9:59pm SGT to get your application in. If you own a Nintendo Switch 2 and want to go hands-on with one of this year’s most anticipated titles ahead of its 2026 launch, now is the time.

As we covered when the test dates were announced last week, five play sessions are scheduled across 21–24 August 2026. Tonight the sign-up page goes live, so here is everything Singapore Switch 2 owners need to know.

The Duskbloods key art — multiple Bloodsworn under a blood-red moon
Image courtesy of FromSoftware / Nintendo

What Is The Duskbloods?

The Duskbloods is a brand-new multiplayer action game from FromSoftware — the studio behind Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Elden Ring — built exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2. Rather than a traditional single-player RPG, it puts up to eight players into a PvPvE arena as Bloodsworn: warriors who have undergone forbidden blood rites to gain superhuman powers and unique weapons. Every match tasks players with hunting down rivals and surviving AI threats simultaneously to claim the mysterious First Blood.

The game was first revealed at the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct in June 2026 and is one of the console’s headline exclusives for the year.

The Duskbloods – Nintendo Direct 6.9.2026 — via Nintendo of America on YouTube

How to Sign Up for The Duskbloods Closed Network Test

A Bloodsworn warrior in white garb holds a rusted weapon in a dark castle hall
Image courtesy of FromSoftware / Nintendo

The process is straightforward and takes about two minutes:

  1. Visit the official registration page at campaign.theduskbloods.jp — the page goes live tonight at 10pm SGT.
  2. Sign in with your Nintendo Account — make sure it is the same account linked to your Switch 2 console.
  3. Submit your application before the deadline: 28 July 2026 at 9:59pm SGT.
  4. Wait for the selection email — FromSoftware will notify chosen participants on 7 August at 9pm SGT, with a download code for the test build included.

Requirements:

Spots are limited — FromSoftware has not disclosed the cap, but closed network tests for high-profile games fill up fast. Applying on day one gives you the best odds.

Network Test Schedule in Singapore Time (SGT)

A winged Bloodsworn faces a massive eldritch creature in The Duskbloods
Image courtesy of FromSoftware / Nintendo

There are five play windows across three days. Here they are in SGT so you can plan ahead:

Session Day (SGT) Time (SGT)
1 Friday, 21 August 6:00pm – 10:00pm
2 Saturday, 22 August 10:00am – 2:00pm
3 Sunday, 23 August 2:00am – 6:00am
4 Sunday, 23 August 6:00pm – 10:00pm
5 Monday, 24 August 10:00am – 2:00pm

Sessions 1, 2, 4, and 5 are at civilised hours. Session 3 (the Sunday overnight window) mirrors the original Pacific Time schedule and will be a late-night one for Singapore players — mark your calendar if you want to maximise your playtime.

What to Expect During the Test

This is a closed network test, not a demo — FromSoftware has flagged that bugs and rough edges may be present, and the studio is collecting data to improve the final release. Each match supports up to eight players in a PvPvE format: you are fighting AI enemies and rival Bloodsworn simultaneously, racing to claim the First Blood. The range of Bloodsworn types — each with distinct weapons and blood-based powers — means no two matches play out the same way.

The full game does not yet have a confirmed release date beyond 2026. This network test is the first time players outside Nintendo or FromSoftware will get their hands on it, making a spot all the more worth fighting for.

Head to the official registration page tonight from 10pm SGT, and good luck with the selection. For more Switch 2 news, see our Game News section.

Game News

Disgaea Mayhem Launches Tomorrow on Switch 2, PS5 and PC — The Series Goes Action RPG

Leave a comment

Nippon Ichi Software is doing something it has never done in 23 years of Disgaea: putting down the grid. Disgaea Mayhem, the franchise’s first action RPG spin-off, launches on 23 July 2026 on Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam — and Singapore players can grab it tonight when the eShop and Steam unlock.

What Is Disgaea Mayhem?

Developed by Nippon Ichi Software and published internationally by NIS America, Disgaea Mayhem trades the series’ beloved grid-based tactical battles for fast-paced, third-person action combat. You play as N.A., a veteran mercenary with a serious sweet tooth, summoned by Overlord Princess Tichelle to help her recover stolen flan from across the Superlative Netherworld.

Seven weapon classes are available — swords, spears, axes, fists, guns, bows, and staffs — each with its own distinct combo strings. The star mechanic is Magichange, which lets you transform Battle Buddy demons into powered-up weapons mid-fight, layering a distinctly Disgaea flavour onto what might otherwise be a straightforward Musou brawler.

Disgaea Mayhem – Release Date Announcement Trailer — via NIS America on YouTube

The Magichange System and Weapon Variety

For long-time fans, the Magichange system makes a satisfying return in a new form — transforming your Battle Buddy demons into powered-up weapons on the fly effectively triples your combat options and keeps fights from feeling repetitive even across an eight-hour story. Each of the seven weapon classes plays differently enough that there is genuine reason to experiment.

The game also retains two of Disgaea’s most beloved progression systems: the Item World, a procedurally generated dungeon inside every piece of gear you want to upgrade, and the Assembly (here the Dark Chocolate Assembly), which lets you pass bills to unlock passive bonuses. If you have ever lost a weekend inside Disgaea’s grinding loop, Mayhem will pull you right back in.

Disgaea Mayhem action combat with multiple enemies
Image courtesy of Nippon Ichi Software

What Critics Are Saying Before Launch

Reviews broke ahead of the Western launch and have been broadly positive. Final Weapon awarded it 3.5 out of 5, writing that “the weapon variety between all seven classes feels good enough to make you want to try them all” and calling it “a fun new Disgaea action RPG spin-off with Musou-like gameplay qualities.” Nintendo Life similarly found it a solid spin-off that successfully adapts Disgaea’s core systems to action gameplay.

Common caveats across reviews: the main story wraps up in roughly eight hours, the lock-on system only targets boss enemies rather than regular foes (which can affect accuracy in busy fights), and the Switch 2 Performance Mode shows some visual softening versus the PS5 version. At US$59.99 on consoles, it is a premium price for a focused spin-off — though the Item World grind will easily double or triple that story runtime for anyone who leans into it.

Disgaea Mayhem Item World dungeon
Image courtesy of Nippon Ichi Software
Disgaea Mayhem – Demo Trailer — via NIS America on YouTube

How to Get Disgaea Mayhem in Singapore

Disgaea Mayhem is available digitally from 23 July on the Nintendo eShop, PlayStation Store, and Steam. The game originally launched in Japan in January 2026; this Western release includes the full English localisation from NIS America.

Singapore players on Switch 2 can grab it from the Singapore eShop; PS5 owners will find it on the local PlayStation Store. Steam pricing in SGD will appear at checkout. A free demo was available ahead of launch — check your storefront if you missed it, as it may still be live at launch time.

If you have never tried Disgaea before, Mayhem is a surprisingly accessible entry point — the action format removes the learning curve of the grid-based system while still delivering the character writing and progression loops that have kept the series alive for over two decades. Check out more game news for what else is landing on Switch 2 and PS5 this month.

Disgaea Mayhem character art and Netherworld
Image courtesy of Nippon Ichi Software
Disgaea Mayhem battle scene
Image courtesy of Nippon Ichi Software

Manga Anime, News

Kaiji: Life Revenge Game — First Trailer and Full Cast Revealed for January 2027

Leave a comment

He swore he was done gambling. He lied. Seven years after the franchise was supposedly wrapped up with Kaiji: Final Game, Tatsuya Fujiwara is back as down-and-out everyman Kaiji Itō — and TOHO just confirmed it with the first official teaser for Kaiji: Life Revenge Game (映画『カイジ 人生リベンジゲーム』), the fourth live-action film in Nobuyuki Fukumoto’s series, hitting Japanese theatres on 29 January 2027.

Tatsuya Fujiwara as Kaiji in the 2027 live-action film Kaiji: Life Revenge Game
Image courtesy of TOHO

Watch the Official Teaser — Kaiji vs. Teiai, Round Four

映画『カイジ 人生リベンジゲーム』超特報 — via 東宝MOVIEチャンネル on YouTube

The teaser, released on the official 東宝MOVIEチャンネル (TOHO Movie Channel) YouTube page, re-establishes the premise immediately: Kaiji, once again buried in debt and living a dissolute existence, is pulled back into the lethal game world of the Teiai Corporation. This time the threat comes from Kazuya Hyōdō, son of the original antagonist Kazutaka Hyōdō, who promises the biggest confrontation in franchise history. The trailer also shows a glimpse of the iconic steel beam crossing sequence — now rebuilt with modern CGI and VFX for 2027.

Full Cast and Crew for Kaiji: Life Revenge Game

Official key visual for Kaiji: Life Revenge Game 2027, showing Tatsuya Fujiwara standing over a neon-lit cityscape dominated by the Teiai Corporation
Image courtesy of TOHO

Director Tōya Satō returns for his fourth outing with the franchise. The screenplay is by Masatoshi Yamaguchi with creative input from original manga creator Nobuyuki Fukumoto, and Yūgo Kanno is back composing the score. The confirmed cast:

  • Tatsuya Fujiwara as Kaiji Itō
  • Kazuya Kamenashi (known in Singapore from The Drops of God live-action series and the Kindaichi Case Files live-action films) as Kazuya Hyōdō
  • Mahiro Takasugi (I Want to Eat Your Pancreas, Tokyo Revengers live-action Part 2) as Keita Mashimo, a Teiai Corporation employee
  • Sara Minami (Kimi ni Todoke live-action) as Taeko Yūki, Keita’s girlfriend
  • Susumu Terajima as Kōzō Nonomura

Fukumoto himself co-signed the script, and as reported by Scrmbl, the creator acknowledged that even though the third film was billed as the finale, making a fourth was always the plan: “we already discussed the idea of doing another film once the third one came out.”

Thirty Years of Kaiji — and Why the Franchise Still Hits

Nobuyuki Fukumoto’s Kaiji manga first ran in Weekly Young Magazine in 1996, making this its 30th anniversary year. Long before Squid Game turned “desperate people in lethal games” into a global television genre, Kaiji was doing the same thing in ink — and doing it with a ruthless focus on debt, humiliation, and the self-destructive hope that one more bet can fix everything. Tatsuya Fujiwara, well known to Singapore audiences as Light Yagami in the Death Note live-action films (2006), brings exactly the right mix of pathetic and defiant to the role.

The third film, 2020’s Kaiji: Final Game, grossed approximately 2.06 billion yen at the Japanese box office — substantial enough that “final” was never really going to stick. With a new director-of-photography deal, new antagonist, and a production team that has refined its approach over four films, Life Revenge Game arrives with arguably its strongest toolkit yet.

When Can Singapore Fans Watch It?

No Singapore or Southeast Asia theatrical or streaming release dates have been confirmed at this stage. The Japan theatrical date is 29 January 2027. For updates on regional distribution, keep an eye on the official @kaiji_movie X account and check back here on GameTrader’s manga and anime coverage as the release approaches.

Manga Anime

LEGO One Piece Hits Netflix on 29 September — Live-Action Cast Returns as Voice Stars

Leave a comment

The Straw Hats are getting bricked up — and the entire Netflix live-action cast is coming along for the adventure. Netflix has dropped the official teaser trailer for LEGO One Piece, a two-part animated special arriving exclusively on Netflix on 29 September 2026. If you’ve been missing Iñaki Godoy, Mackenyu, and the rest of the crew, this is your next Straw Hat fix — only now everybody’s made of plastic.

LEGO ONE PIECE | Official Teaser Trailer — via Netflix Anime on YouTube

What Is LEGO One Piece?

LEGO One Piece is a two-part original net animation (ONA) produced through a partnership between The LEGO Group, Japanese publisher Shueisha, and Vancouver-based animation studio Atomic Cartoons, with series creator Eiichiro Oda serving as Executive Producer. The special is directed by Chelsea Ker and written by Tom Hyndman, who also serves as Executive Producer.

The premise is built around Usopp — the crew’s most reliably unreliable narrator — recounting the Straw Hats’ early voyages across the East Blue and into the Grand Line to a wide-eyed Tony Tony Chopper. Naturally, Usopp’s retelling takes some creative liberties, and the other crewmates are quick to call him out on it. As Hyndman explained in an interview with CBR, the team wanted something that would “ease new viewers into the massive world of One Piece while also giving longtime fans a new, fun perspective.”

LEGO Usopp and Chopper in the animated special
Image courtesy of Netflix / The LEGO Group

The Full Live-Action Cast Is Back

One of the biggest draws here is the voice cast: every actor from the Netflix live-action adaptation reprises their role for the special. That means:

  • Iñaki Godoy as Monkey D. Luffy
  • Mackenyu as Roronoa Zoro
  • Emily Rudd as Nami
  • Jacob Romero as Usopp
  • Taz Skylar as Sanji
  • Mikaela Hoover as Tony Tony Chopper
  • Charithra Chandran as Miss Wednesday / Nefertari Vivi
  • Katey Sagal as Dr. Kureha
  • Jeff Ward as Buggy the Clown
  • Callum Kerr as Captain Smoker

Hyndman noted that having the original cast on board led to “some extremely fun and funny improvised moments” during recording — a good sign for a production built around LEGO-style absurdist comedy.

LEGO One Piece physical sets: the Baratie and a Marine vessel
Image courtesy of The LEGO Group

Brick-Built Sets for the Superfans

Alongside the Netflix special, the announcement showcased physical LEGO One Piece building sets covering key arcs from the East Blue saga. Spotted in official imagery: a detailed Baratie set complete with the restaurant ship and accompanying pirate dinghy, a Marine vessel flying the 海軍 HQ3 flag, Dr. Kureha’s Drum Rock laboratory with Chopper and Kureha minifigs, and Buggy the Clown’s Big Top complete with the fearsome Clown Pirate leader himself.

Pricing and release timelines for the physical sets have not been confirmed at the time of writing. Singapore fans should keep an eye on major game and toy retailers for local availability — import options will be worth tracking if a local launch is not announced soon.

LEGO One Piece physical sets: Drum Rock and Buggy's Big Top
Image courtesy of The LEGO Group

When and Where to Watch in Singapore

LEGO One Piece streams exclusively on Netflix globally, which means Singapore subscribers can catch both parts from 29 September 2026 — the same day as the rest of the world. There’s no region-lock or staggered release to worry about here.

If you want to revisit the live-action source material before September, Seasons 1 and 2 of Netflix’s One Piece are streaming now. The LEGO special covers both those seasons, so binge or rewatch is fair game.

Game News

Velkhana Makes Its Monster Hunter Now Debut — Summer Hunt 2026 Guide

Leave a comment

Velkhana — the ice-wreathed Elder Dragon that headlined Monster Hunter World: Iceborne — has finally arrived in Monster Hunter Now. The mobile AR game’s Summer Hunt 2026 event runs until Sunday, 26 July 2026, and it marks the franchise favourite’s very first appearance in an augmented-reality setting. If you’ve been waiting to hunt Velkhana on your morning commute around Singapore, your wait is over.

Starting July 18th: Major summer update Dancing in the Tempest Part II — via Monster Hunter Now on YouTube

What Is the Monster Hunter Now Summer Hunt 2026?

The Monster Hunter Now Summer Hunt 2026 event is live from Monday, 20 July 2026 at 9:00 a.m. through Sunday, 26 July 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (local time). It lands as part of Season 10‘s second wave, which also introduces Riftborne variants of Bishaten and Lagombi, plus the long-awaited style selection mechanic for Hunting Horn players.

During the event, Velkhana is the only Elder Dragon appearing at Elder Dragon Interception points — no ticket required. Anyone who opens the app this week can join the fight, and Friend Link lets you invite hunters regardless of physical distance for extra Friend Link Tokens.

Know Your Target — Velkhana in MH Now

The Ice Queen fights differently from most Elder Dragons in the game. A few things to keep in mind before you step up to an Interception point:

  • Weaknesses: Fire, Dragon, Blast — load up Fire or Dragon weapons for maximum break damage.
  • Frozen body parts: Head, torso, forelegs, wings, hind legs, and tail are all encased in ice and cannot be broken while frozen. Landing consistent hits is the key to thawing them out.
  • Phase shift at 50% HP: Below half health, Velkhana reinforces its entire ice armour — brace for a tougher second half.
  • Cold breath cannot be guarded: There is no blocking that signature forward-spray — dodge sideways when you see it wind up.
Velkhana Elder Dragon battle in Monster Hunter Now
Image courtesy of Niantic / Capcom

Act Fast — the Midsummer Diamond Dust Quest Expires 23 July

This is the one that matters most for Singapore hunters on a tight schedule. The Summer Hunt 2026: Midsummer Diamond Dust limited-time quest is available from 20 July to 23 July only. Clear it and you’ll earn:

  • Exclusive MH Now Summer Hunt 2026 Hunter Medal
  • Exclusive Summer Hunt 2026 Guild Card Background

Both are event-exclusive cosmetics that will not return once the quest window closes. You have until 23 July to lock them in — so don’t sleep on this one.

Daily quests for the broader Summer Hunt event (Monday through Thursday variants) continue through 26 July and reward Velkhana materials, weapon refining parts, and limited Ultra Hunting Tickets valid through 27 July.

New Gear: Rimeguard Armour and 14 Ice Weapons

Defeating Velkhana nets you the materials to forge the Rimeguard armour set, which carries two skills:

  • Velkhana Aegis — Boosts ice element attack power and generates an ice armour layer equal to a percentage of your max HP when you trigger a Special Skill.
  • Meditation

Every single weapon type in MH Now gets an ice variant from Velkhana materials — all 14 are available to forge. Mark your calendar for the Base Defense event (10–16 August), when all Velkhana ice weapons receive a 60% Defense Points bonus, making them even more valuable for high-level Interceptions.

For hunters who want more drops, the Special Carving Knife system is active during the event — you can use up to two per hunt, and using both triples the materials you receive. Premium Event Pass holders also have a chance to score the rare Velkhana Horn (rarity 6).

Monster Hunter Now Summer Hunt 2026 event overview
Image courtesy of Niantic / Capcom

Season 10 Wave 2: What Else Is New

Beyond Velkhana, the Season 10 Wave 2 update brings a couple more additions worth noting. Riftborne Bishaten and Riftborne Lagombi make their MH Now debuts as part of the wider seasonal roster — look for them in the field. Hunting Horn players finally get their style selection feature this update, which has been one of the most requested mechanics in the community.

For fire, dragon, and blast weapons (Velkhana’s elemental weaknesses), the following monsters are also showing up more frequently during the event: Stygian Zinogre, Rathalos, Glavenus, Bazelgeuse, Bishaten, and Lagombi — all useful for building out your elemental arsenal before the event closes.

The Monster Hunter Now Summer Hunt 2026 is live now. Full event details and pass information are on the official Monster Hunter Now site. And for more gaming news hitting Singapore this week, keep an eye on GameTrader.SG.

Game News, Shop and Merchandise, Singapore Gaming Scene

Pokémon Center Singapore Wave 2 Drops 7 August — Pikachu Durian, Kopi and Pandan Charms Confirmed

Leave a comment

Three weeks on from the grand reopening of Pokémon Center Singapore at Jewel Changi Airport, the store’s second wave of commemorative merchandise has confirmed its launch date and full SGD price list — and it’s a genuinely local lineup worth planning a trip for. Wave 2 hits the shelves on 7 August 2026.

Everything in Wave 2 — and How Much It’ll Cost

The complete confirmed product list for the 7 August launch, with SGD prices direct from the official listing via NintendoSoup:

  • Pikachu Bag Charms (3 designs: Durian, Kopi, Pandan Cake) — S$23 each
  • Peranakan-Pattern Pouches (Light Blue or Green) — S$55 each
  • Embroidered Tote Bag (Pikachu & Solgaleo motif) — S$48
  • Graphic T-Shirts (Adults S/M/L) — S$35 each
  • Graphic T-Shirts (Kids 110 cm / 130 cm) — S$29 each

All items are Singapore-exclusive and will only be available at the Jewel Changi Airport store — there is no confirmed online shop listing for these Wave 2 items.

Pokémon Center Singapore 2026 FULL Tour + New Eevee Collection [4K] — via Attractions Asia on YouTube

Pikachu Goes Local: Durian, Kopi and Pandan

The headline items are three Pikachu bag charms, each holding a different Singapore food icon. The durian charm leans hard into the love-it-or-hate-it king of fruits, the kopi charm gives you Pikachu cradling a cup of local black coffee, and the pandan cake charm rounds out the trio with one of Singapore’s most-loved green-hued treats. At S$23 each these sit in comfortable impulse-buy territory — expect all three to sell fast.

Pikachu Durian bag charm — Pokémon Center Singapore Wave 2
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company
Pikachu Kopi bag charm — Pokémon Center Singapore Wave 2
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company
Pikachu Pandan Cake bag charm — Pokémon Center Singapore Wave 2
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

Pouches, T-Shirts and a Tote

The wearables and carry-goods skew toward the Peranakan-inspired design language the store adopted with its renovation. The pouches (S$55 each, available in light blue and green) feature an intricate Pokémon pattern on the inner lining that draws on traditional Peranakan tile motifs. The tote bag at S$48 is embroidered with Pikachu and Solgaleo — the store’s new symbol Pokémon — and the graphic tees carry the same Singapore-cityscape Pokémon artwork from the first wave.

Pokémon Center Singapore Peranakan-pattern pouch in green — Wave 2
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company
Pokémon Center Singapore Wave 2 graphic T-shirt
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

Getting There on 7 August

Pokémon Center Singapore is at Jewel Changi Airport, #04-201 & 202, open daily from 10am to 10pm. The store had queue restrictions during the July 1 reopening rush, but demand for Wave 2 could be brisk — follow the store’s official Instagram (@pokemoncentersingapore) for any early-queue updates nearer the date. Wave 2 is a genuine Singapore exclusive, so if you’re visiting friends or family in late August these make solid gifts that you simply cannot order online. Find the full Wave 1 and Wave 2 rundown on other Singapore gaming merch news on GameTrader.