All posts by Nova Solaris
Nova Solaris

Persona 4 Revival: Yosuke Trailer Out, Character Changes Confirmed

Atlus released a new Persona 4 Revival character trailer this week spotlighting Yosuke Hanamura — and alongside it, Persona Team General Producer Kazuhisa Wada confirmed that some of the character’s original dialogue is being updated for the 2027 remake.

Watch the Yosuke Hanamura Character Trailer

Persona 4 Revival – Yosuke Hanamura VA: Paul Castro Jr. — via SEGA Asia(EN) on YouTube

Who Is Yosuke Hanamura?

Yosuke is the protagonist’s first real friend in Inaba — a Junes employee’s son who rides his bike to school and has a habit of crashing into things. His Persona is Jiraiya, the legendary ninja toad, and he fills the wind-element support role in the Investigation Team.

The new trailer covers his story beats in full: the iconic garbage-can crash on the first day of school, hanging out at Junes, singing karaoke with the group, and his awakening to Jiraiya in the TV World. In the English dub, Yosuke is voiced by Paul Castro Jr. — this trailer is the most extended look yet at his performance across both dialogue and battle lines.

Chie and Yosuke discuss the Midnight Channel in Persona 4 Revival
Image courtesy of ATLUS

What Atlus Is Changing About Yosuke — and Why

Atlus is not leaving Yosuke entirely as he appeared in 2008. Speaking at Anime Expo 2026, General Producer Kazuhisa Wada addressed the issue directly: “He’s a little bit insensitive in terms of how he treats outsiders sometimes. So we wanted to lighten that up and make it a little bit more fitting for the world we live in now,” as relayed by My Nintendo News. He added that the adjustments are “mostly with Yosuke, really,” and that the core story stays intact.

One concrete example: a suggestive line about the protagonist’s manual dexterity was replaced with the more neutral “Actually, you do strike me as someone who’d be good at that.” The original 2008 release featured dialogue around Kanji and some of the female cast that leaned into a teenage-bro archetype that Atlus has now softened.

The reaction has been divided. Some fans welcome the changes, arguing certain lines would feel out of place in a 2027 release; others are concerned that smoothing Yosuke’s edges risks altering a dynamic that made the original memorable. Wada’s framing of “fitting for the world we live in now” suggests a deliberate middle path rather than a wholesale character rewrite.

A massive boss creature inside the TV World dungeon in Persona 4 Revival
Image courtesy of ATLUS

Persona 4 Revival Release Date and Singapore Availability

Persona 4 Revival launches on 18 February 2027 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam and the Microsoft Store. It will be available through Xbox Game Pass on day one — meaning Xbox subscribers in Singapore get it at no extra cost at launch. No Nintendo Switch 2 version has been confirmed. Final SGD pricing has not been officially announced and is to be confirmed closer to launch; expect it at major game retailers and digital storefronts.

This Yosuke trailer follows earlier character spotlights for protagonist Yu Narukami and Rise Kujikawa, so the remaining Investigation Team members are likely to get their own trailers over the coming months. If you missed it, Atlus also confirmed that MAPPA is handling the anime-style cinematic cutscenes for the remake. For more on upcoming JRPGs and game releases, check our Game News section.

Dynamic combat in Persona 4 Revival -- the protagonist strikes a Shadow enemy
Image courtesy of ATLUS

One Piece Card Game Launches 6 New Starter Decks — The Friendliest Way Into OPTCG Yet

The One Piece Card Game just got its most beginner-friendly entry point yet. Six brand-new starter decks — ST-31 through ST-36 — dropped in Japan on 11 July 2026, each built around a fan-favourite character and colour, with the English version set to hit shelves on 31 July 2026. If you have been on the fence about jumping into OPTCG, this is the most straightforward on-ramp Bandai has ever made.

One Piece Card Game ST-31 Red Monkey D. Luffy starter deck box
Image courtesy of Bandai Namco

Six Decks, Six Icons — Pick Your Colour

Bandai has lined up six decks that together cover every major colour in the game’s current meta palette. Each deck is named after a single leader character and leans into that character’s signature combat style:

  • ST-31 (Red) — Monkey D. Luffy: A fast mono-red aggro deck built around Gear 5 Luffy’s effect of attaching rested DON!! cards to characters and overwhelming opponents with Straw Hat Crew power.
  • ST-32 (Green) — Roronoa Zoro: A control-flavoured green deck leaning on Zoro’s endurance and precise timing to outmanoeuvre opponents over a longer game.
  • ST-33 (Blue) — Kuzan: A blue deck revolving around Kuzan (Aokiji), the former Marine Admiral, focused on manipulation and freezing the board state.
  • ST-34 (Purple) — Charlotte Katakuri: A purple deck inspired by Katakuri’s foresight, rewarding players who can read the game and set up multi-turn chains.
  • ST-35 (Red/Black) — Sabo: The only dual-colour deck in the set. Sabo bridges the aggressive power of red with black’s resource disruption, giving new players a taste of multi-colour play without overwhelming complexity.
  • ST-36 (Yellow) — Eustass Kid: A yellow control deck for players who prefer grinding the opponent down and punishing overextension.
One Piece Card Game ST-32 Green Zoro starter deck contents with cards
Image courtesy of Bandai Namco

What’s Inside Each Deck

Every box in the ST-31 to ST-36 range contains the same core set of components:

  • 1 pre-constructed deck of 51 cards (15 unique types)
  • 1 Leader Card and 10 DON!! cards
  • 1 Playsheet (the printed play mat insert for teaching the game)
  • 1 bonus booster pack from OP-16, giving you a taste of the wider card pool

Each deck also includes 5 brand-new cards not previously released, meaning even established players have a reason to pick these up for the fresh additions to the card pool. The remaining slots are reprints of key cards from earlier sets, chosen to teach each colour’s core mechanics.

Sample cards from the One Piece Card Game ST-31 Red Luffy starter deck
Image courtesy of Bandai Namco

Simple Enough for Day One, Ready for the Locals Table

Bandai has specifically designed the ST-31 to ST-36 leader effects to be straightforward — no multi-step triggers, no conditional on-attack effects that require a rulebook check every turn. The intent is that a completely new player can open a box and understand what their leader does within minutes of reading the card.

That said, these are not throwaway products. Each deck’s 5 new cards are being integrated into the current competitive meta, and the ST-35 Sabo dual-colour build in particular has drawn early attention from the OPTCG community as potentially having genuine tournament legs once players figure out the optimal builds around it.

The decks are rated for ages 9 and up on the Japanese packaging, but the actual game has always attracted a broad adult player base here in Singapore — these starter decks are simply a smarter entry point, not a step down in quality.

Beginners Deck Party 2026 — Your First Tournament Starts 31 July

Bandai is pairing the English launch with a dedicated tournament format. The Beginners Deck Party 2026 runs from 31 July to 30 August 2026 at participating local game stores, and the rules are simple: all players must use one of the six ST-31 to ST-36 starter decks, unmodified. No custom builds, no expensive singles — just the box you buy at the counter.

That levels the playing field completely and means your skill at reading the deck — not your collection depth — decides who wins. Both participation prizes and winner prizes come in the form of exclusive card packs, each featuring one card across six different designs tied to the deck series.

One Piece Card Game Beginners Deck Party 2026 Participation Pack sample card
Image courtesy of Bandai Namco

To find a participating store near you, register through the Bandai TCG+ app, which lists local venues once store applications open on 17 July 2026.

Where Singapore Players Can Get These Decks

The Japanese versions are available right now. At least one local retailer — SC Collection at Orchard Towers — has been stocking the Japanese edition at SGD $12 per deck. Stock on the Japanese run tends to move quickly, so if you want a specific colour before the English release, it is worth checking with major game retailers and card gaming shops now.

For those who prefer the English version, the ST-31 to ST-36 decks land internationally on 31 July 2026. SGD retail pricing for the English edition has not been formally announced, but based on historical OPTCG starter deck pricing in Singapore, expect them to land in the SGD $12–16 range at local game retailers and online hobby stores — pricing to be confirmed closer to launch.

Whether you are a longtime One Piece fan who has been curious about the card game, or a lapsed TCG player looking for a low-stakes way back into competitive play, the ST-31 to ST-36 wave is the clearest answer Bandai has given yet. Check out our manga and anime coverage for more One Piece and OPTCG news as it drops.

Hanaori-san Still Wants to Fight in the Next Life Premieres Today on Aniplus Asia

Demon lords, reincarnation and a hero who refuses to leave you alone — Liden Films’ summer 2026 romantic comedy Hanaori-san Still Wants to Fight in the Next Life makes its streaming debut today (11 July 2026). Singapore and Southeast Asia fans can catch it on Aniplus Asia, while most other regions get it on Crunchyroll with a same-day English dub.

Hanaori-san Still Wants to Fight in the Next Life promotional art
Image courtesy of Liden Films / Pony Canyon
Hanaori-san Still Wants to Fight in the Next Life | Main PV — via ANIPLUS Asia on YouTube

The Story: A Demon Lord Who Just Wants to Game

Ryusei Narukami is a self-described NEET who keeps to himself and spends his days playing video games. What nobody knows is that he is the reincarnation of a fearsome demon lord from another world. He is perfectly content in his new, quiet existence — until a high school girl named Meteor Hanaori shows up uninvited at his apartment. She is the reincarnation of the very hero who defeated him in his past life, and she is absolutely not willing to let the grudge go.

What follows is a sharp, energetic romantic comedy that plays with the classic isekai power fantasy from an unexpected angle: the protagonist actively wants less adventure and just wants to be left alone. Based on the manga by Hekiru Hikawa, serialised in Kodansha’s Morning Two seinen magazine since 2021, the series mixes fish-out-of-water comedy with a genuinely warm dynamic between its leads.

Production and Voice Cast

The anime is produced by Liden Films, with direction by Hideyo Yamamoto, series composition by Yukie Sugawara and character design by Yousuke Okuda.

Meteor Hanaori as an armored knight in Hanaori-san Still Wants to Fight in the Next Life
Still from ANIPLUS Asia’s official trailer

The cast is headlined by Jun Fukuyama (Lelouch in Code Geass, Felix in Re:Zero) as Ryusei Narukami and Akira Sekine as Meteor Hanaori. Maaya Uchida, who also performs the ending theme “Very Good Encounter,” voices Meru Tsumugina. The opening theme, “High Maintenance Girl,” is by Masayoshi Oishi.

Where to Watch in Singapore

Aniplus Asia is the streaming home for Singapore and Southeast Asia. Crunchyroll does not serve Southeast Asia for this title; the Crunchyroll stream (which includes the same-day English dub) covers North America, Europe, the Middle East, India, Oceania and other regions. Singapore viewers should head to the Aniplus Asia app or website — the dub situation on Aniplus is to be confirmed, but expect the Japanese audio with subtitles as the default.

New episodes follow the Japanese broadcast schedule, with the first airing on ABC TV and TV Asahi on 11–12 July. For more anime news, keep checking back.

Live-Action Naruto Movie Launches Global Casting Search for Team 7

The search for the next Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura is officially on. Lionsgate launched a worldwide casting call for the three leads of its long-gestating live-action Naruto film on 9 July 2026 — and the net has been cast so wide that actors from anywhere in the world, including Singapore, are potentially eligible to audition.

Official Naruto character designs for Team 7 and friends in Saimenka style
Image courtesy of Viz Media / Pierrot

A Global Audition — Who’s Being Cast and What We Know

Lionsgate is searching for actors to fill the three central roles that define the franchise: Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno — collectively known as Team 7. Additional character casting is expected to follow in a later phase. The studio is specifically not looking for established child stars; reports indicate the search favours fresh, unknown young talent with the right energy for the roles.

Application details have not yet been published. The official guidance from the Naruto official site is to follow naruto-official.com and Lionsgate’s verified social media accounts (Instagram, X, Facebook) where legitimate submission instructions for international applicants will appear first. If you see audition forms on third-party accounts, treat them with extreme caution — the real call will come through official channels only.

Naruto 20th Anniversary Revival Anime key art
Image courtesy of Viz Media

The Director: Destin Daniel Cretton

The film will be directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, best known for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021). He also wrote the script. The director is currently finishing Spider-Man: Brand New Day (releasing 31 July 2026) before turning his full attention to the Naruto production, which is tracking towards a 2027 shoot with a potential theatrical release around 2028, though no dates have been formally announced.

Cretton’s experience bringing a beloved Asian franchise to a mass Western audience — and doing it with respect for the source material — is exactly why this hire generated such excitement when it was announced. His ability to balance spectacle with character-driven storytelling is a good fit for a story as emotionally dense as Naruto’s.

“A String of Miracles” — Kishimoto’s Reaction

Masashi Kishimoto, who created the Naruto manga in Weekly Shōnen Jump back in 1999, has not held back his excitement. Writing on the official Naruto site, he said: “Right now, miracles are happening to me, one after another. My work, Naruto, is truly, truly becoming a Hollywood movie! And an even greater miracle is that the film will be directed by the one and only Destin Daniel Cretton. I am eagerly looking forward to the miraculous encounters that will bring us extraordinary and passionate actors!”

Cretton echoed the feeling: “Kishimoto-sensei’s stories have inspired generations of fans around the world, and it’s an honour to bring his world and characters to the big screen in live action for the very first time. I’m thrilled to kick off this casting search for Team 7.”

What Singapore Fans Should Know

Naruto is one of the formative anime of an entire generation here. The casting call being genuinely global is significant: this isn’t a Japan-or-US-only search — it is open to talent worldwide. For Singaporean and Southeast Asian actors with the right skills and the right look, this is a real shot.

The movie is still years away from screens — no SG or SEA release timeline has been announced, and regional distribution plans are not yet confirmed. But for anime fans who grew up with the franchise, the knowledge that a director of Cretton’s calibre is at the helm, and that the casting is genuinely inclusive of Asian talent, is a promising sign that Lionsgate is approaching this adaptation with care.

Naruto live-action movie global casting call press art
Image courtesy of Viz Media / Lionsgate

Keep an eye on naruto-official.com and Lionsgate’s official social channels for audition details when they land.

The Alters: Last Variable Drops 13 July — 20 New Hours on an Alien World

Two days from now, the BAFTA-nominated sci-fi survival game The Alters gets a 20-hour expansion that takes the game’s strangest premise even further — and then leaves you alone with it on a dying world with only yourself for company.

Jan exploring the terraformed alien landscape in The Alters: Last Variable
Image courtesy of 11 bit studios

What Is The Alters: Last Variable?

The Alters was one of 2025’s quiet breakout hits — a survival base-builder where the sole crash-landing survivor on an alien world, scientist Jan Dolski, clones alternate versions of himself (his “Alters”) to keep the ship running. Each clone lived a different life, made different choices, and turned out radically different from the others. The base game won the DICE Award for Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year and earned a BAFTA nomination for Best Narrative.

Last Variable, developed by 11 bit studios, is a paid expansion launching simultaneously worldwide on 13 July 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG). It requires the base game and is priced at USD$19.99 on Steam — approximately SGD$27, to be confirmed at checkout.

Watch the Gameplay Trailer

The Alters: Last Variable | Gameplay Trailer — via 11 bit studios on YouTube

Four New Jans, One Dying Planet

In Last Variable, the story picks up years after the base game ends. Jan Scientist — a version of Jan who chose to stay behind on the hostile planet rather than leave — wakes from cryosleep with a singular obsession: solve the mystery of the Oasis, a pocket of inexplicable life on a world that should be dead.

He quickly realises he cannot do it alone. So he does what Jan does — he makes more of himself. Four new Alter variants join this expansion: a Geologist, a Biologist, a Chemist, and a Physicist, each bringing specialised expertise to the research mission.

Two versions of Jan working together in the Research Lab in The Alters: Last Variable
Image courtesy of 11 bit studios

But as with the base game, the Alters are not tools — they are people. Their outlooks, attitudes, and loyalties shift over in-game years. Some may fracture under pressure. Some may abandon the mission entirely. The team you start with may not be the team you finish with.

Terraforming, Underground Bases and Escalating Threats

Last Variable introduces three new gameplay systems that push the loop in meaningful directions:

  • Terraforming — Jan can reshape barren, hostile sectors of the planet into viable research zones, converting dead land into oases at a tangible cost.
  • Underground base building — new rooms include Research Bays, Cryosleep Chambers, and Field Labs for extended surface expeditions, adding real depth to colony management.
  • Scientific research tiers — unlock new modules, technology, and resources as the team’s collective knowledge compounds.

The planet responds to what Jan does. Terraform an area and you may trigger earthquakes. Push the research too hard and radiation spikes follow. Every discovery comes with a price, and the expansion builds systemic risk into each call — entirely in keeping with a game that has always been about science and its costs.

Jan approaching a field research base module in The Alters: Last Variable
Image courtesy of 11 bit studios

How to Get It in Singapore

The Alters is available digitally on PS5 via the PlayStation Store and on PC via Steam in Singapore with no regional restriction. The Last Variable DLC follows the same availability. If you have the base game — including via any subscription service — this expansion is the direct continuation of Jan’s story, and at 20 hours it is closer to a sequel than a side chapter. For more game news, stay tuned to GameTrader.SG.

Solo Leveling: KARMA — Combat System Finally Revealed

Netmarble’s upcoming roguelite action RPG just got a lot more real. The official combat PV for Solo Leveling: KARMA has landed, and between the weapon-switching combos, randomised Blessings builds, and Sung Jinwoo tearing through enemy waves with his Shadow Army, this is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious Solo Leveling games yet.

What Is Solo Leveling: KARMA?

Solo Leveling: KARMA is a new action RPG developed by Netmarble Neo and published by Netmarble, set in an original timeline separate from the main manhwa. Rather than retelling arcs Singapore fans know from the Crunchyroll anime, KARMA drops players into the Dimensional Gap — the 27-year war against the Monarchs that Sung Jinwoo endured before the events of the main story. It is entirely original content, which gives the developers room to build lore without being constrained by the source material.

The game is heading to PC, iOS and Android, with a release window of 2026 — a specific launch date has not yet been confirmed. The official site already offers regional language support including Thai and Indonesian, a clear signal that Southeast Asian players, Singapore included, are firmly in scope.

Watch the Official Combat PV

Solo Leveling: KARMA, Official Combat PV revealed! — via Solo Leveling: KARMA | OFFICIAL on YouTube

Weapon-Switching, Blessings, and the Shadow Army

The PV’s standout mechanic is the seamless weapon-switching system. Jinwoo cycles between daggers, scythes and bows mid-combo in real time, keeping fights fluid and letting players adapt to whatever the dungeon throws at them. Layered on top is the Blessings system — randomised passive upgrades that change every run and push players to experiment with different builds rather than locking into a fixed loadout. It gives KARMA its roguelite backbone and adds real replayability beyond the story missions.

Solo Leveling: KARMA Battle PV Reveal — Jinwoo wielding a dark sword with blue energy
Image courtesy of Netmarble

The Shadow Army returns alongside all that — Igris, Iron and Jinwoo’s undead legion fight with you in procedurally generated dungeons. The combat on show has an isometric, arcade-style feel, tilting more action-focused than the existing Solo Leveling: ARISE mobile title. Monetisation details remain unconfirmed; early reporting has suggested a model built around story expansions or a battle pass rather than traditional gacha pulls, but nothing is official until Netmarble announces it.

Sung Jinwoo leaping above a massive glowing boss creature in Solo Leveling: KARMA combat
Image courtesy of Netmarble

A New Story Set During the War of the Monarchs

A powerful armoured enemy boss in dark and red armour from Solo Leveling: KARMA
Image courtesy of Netmarble

The narrative centres on Jinwoo restoring the Broken Cup of Reincarnation through his fragmented memories of the 27-year conflict — a grander, more mythic scope than a game that simply retells the manhwa chapter by chapter. For fans who have consumed the original story and want more lore, that is a strong pitch. Netmarble first showed KARMA at Anime Expo 2025 and has since taken it to G-STAR 2025 and AnimeJapan 2026; the Anime Expo 2026 combat PV is the clearest look yet at how the finished game actually plays.

When Can Singapore Players Expect It?

A specific launch date remains to be confirmed — the current window is 2026. The fact that the official site supports Southeast Asian languages suggests the game will not be a one-region soft-launch situation, though Netmarble has not given specific rollout details for Singapore or SEA yet. Keep an eye on the Solo Leveling: KARMA official site for the next update, and check our Game News section for more coverage as it drops.

Pokémon 30th Anniversary Gold Necklaces Open for Pre-Order

U-TREASURE — the Japan-based luxury gaming jeweller behind Pokémon engagement rings and collectible pendants — opened pre-orders today (10 July 2026) for its brand-new Pokémon 30th Anniversary Necklace collection. Five designs commemorating Pokémon: Since 1996 are available to order through 14 August, with the Silver 925 / yellow-gold-coating versions all priced at a flat ¥33,000 (roughly S$300) — and a solid 18K gold Snorlax at a jaw-dropping ¥990,000 (roughly S$8,900) that is almost certainly the most expensive Snorlax any Singapore fan will ever consider wearing.

Pikachu Pokémon 30th anniversary gold necklace pendant with diamond, by U-TREASURE
Image courtesy of U-TREASURE

Five Pokémon 30th Anniversary Necklace Designs, Two Price Tiers

Each pendant is sculpted in three dimensions and finished to fine-jewellery grade. Two metal options — Silver 925 with yellow-gold plating, or solid K18 yellow gold — apply to every design:

  • Pikachu — sitting pose with a tiny diamond accent; ¥33,000 / ¥429,000
  • Pikachu & Poké Ball — Pikachu perched atop a Poké Ball, both in gold; ¥33,000 / ¥286,000
  • Magikarp (Koiking) — the beloved underdog fish caught mid-leap; ¥33,000 / ¥390,500
  • Ditto (Metamon) — the shape-shifter rendered in its natural blobby form; ¥33,000 / ¥495,000
  • Snorlax (Kabigon) — the sleepy fan favourite; ¥33,000 (silver) or ¥990,000 in solid 18K gold

Every necklace includes a hidden back charm engraved with the 30th anniversary logo, a commemorative 30th-anniversary jewellery cloth, and an exclusive gift box stamped with the Pokémon: Since 1996 motif — making them giftable out of the box.

Magikarp gold necklace from U-TREASURE's Pokémon 30th anniversary collection
Image courtesy of U-TREASURE

Why the Character Selection Makes Sense

The choice of Pikachu, Magikarp, Ditto and Snorlax is no accident. All four are among the most recognisable and beloved Pokémon in Asia — Ditto and Snorlax especially have huge cult followings in Singapore and Japan alike. U-TREASURE has previously released Magikarp and Snorlax jewellery as standalone pieces, but this is the first time both appear together in a dedicated 30th-anniversary line with the official anniversary logo stamped on every piece.

The Pokémon 30th anniversary year runs across games, trading cards, events and merchandise throughout 2026. U-TREASURE’s collection is among the most premium expressions of it — with the solid K18 gold versions positioned as genuine collector’s heirlooms rather than novelty merch.

Ditto Metamon gold necklace from U-TREASURE's Pokémon 30th anniversary line
Image courtesy of U-TREASURE

How Singapore Fans Can Order

Pre-orders are open from 10 July to 14 August 2026 through U-TREASURE’s official online shop (Japanese). In Japan, the two U-TREASURE Concept Stores — in Ikebukuro (Tokyo) and Shinsaibashi (Osaka), open 11:00–19:00, closed Wednesdays and Thursdays — will also take orders.

U-TREASURE does not currently offer confirmed direct international shipping. For Singapore fans, the usual routes for Japan-exclusive merchandise apply: proxy or parcel-forwarding services that can order from Japanese e-commerce sites and ship to SG. Alternatively, if you have a Japan trip on the horizon before the pre-order window closes on 14 August, the Concept Store in Tokyo or Osaka is worth a visit. Delivery timing has not been specified beyond the pre-order close date.

Pokémon 30th anniversary necklace in its exclusive U-TREASURE gift box
Image courtesy of U-TREASURE

Full product listings and the order form are at u-treasure.jp (Japanese). Prices listed are in yen; SGD equivalents are approximate at current rates. For more Pokémon 30th anniversary news, check our Game News section. News first reported in Japanese by Famitsu.com (Japanese).

MELTY BLOOD: TWI-LUMINA — New Info Drops Tonight at 7PM SGT

One of Japan’s most beloved anime fighting game series is making a dramatic comeback — and Singapore fans can catch the next major reveal tonight. MELTY BLOOD: TWI-LUMINA, the full renewal of MELTY BLOOD: TYPE LUMINA, is heading to PS5, Switch 2, PC and more in Early 2027, with TYPE-MOON dropping fresh details in a live broadcast at 7PM SGT this evening (10 July).

Len returns in MELTY BLOOD: TWI-LUMINA — official teaser visual
Image courtesy of TYPE-MOON / Aniplex
「MELTY BLOOD: TWI-LUMINA」Teaser PV — via 【公式】TYPE-MOON GAMES on YouTube

What Is MELTY BLOOD: TWI-LUMINA?

If you follow the fighting game community or TYPE-MOON’s catalogue, MELTY BLOOD needs no introduction: it’s the anime 2D fighter born from the Tsukihime visual novel universe, following Shiki Tohno — a young man whose mysterious ability to perceive the “lines of death” in all things makes him both protector and target in a city haunted by vampires and nightmares. TWI-LUMINA is not a sequel, but a complete renewal of 2021’s MELTY BLOOD: TYPE LUMINA, featuring a brand-new story written by Kinoko Nasu, redesigned characters by artist Takashi Takeuchi, and an overhauled battle system that developers FRENCH-BREAD say pushes the competitive depth of the series further than TYPE LUMINA did.

The game was first announced at EVO Japan 2026 in May, where publisher Aniplex unveiled a teaser alongside sweeping key art of returning fan-favourite Len — accompanied by the tagline, “A tale of conflict stirs once again within a dream.” FRENCH-BREAD, who has handled every Melty Blood entry since the original PC game, remains the developer.

Characters Confirmed: Shiki Tohno and Len Make Their Return

New character visuals for Shiki Tohno and Len revealed at Anime Expo 2026 for MELTY BLOOD: TWI-LUMINA
Image courtesy of TYPE-MOON / Aniplex

At Anime Expo 2026 earlier this month, TYPE-MOON and Aniplex unveiled character visuals for two confirmed roster members. Shiki Tohno, voiced by Ryosuke Kanemoto, returns as the lead — his redesign here puts him in a casual school jacket, a contrast to the more combat-ready looks of past entries. Len, voiced by Kaori Ishihara, also makes her return — her absence from TYPE LUMINA was one of the community’s loudest complaints, so seeing her back (and featured front-and-centre in the key art) signals that TWI-LUMINA is leaning hard into its Tsukihime roots.

Also confirmed is Black Len, a darker counterpart character who did not appear in TYPE LUMINA, suggesting the story is venturing further into the dreamworld lore that defines the Tsukihime: A Piece of Blue Glass Moon universe. Full roster details have not been announced.

Platforms, Languages and Release Window

MELTY BLOOD: TWI-LUMINA is confirmed for PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and PC via Steam, with a launch window of Early 2027. No pricing has been announced yet; as a reference point, TYPE LUMINA launched at around SGD 59–69 on PS4 and Switch at local game retailers. Text language support covers English, Japanese, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Korean, Traditional Chinese and Simplified Chinese — voice acting will be Japanese-only, which is the series standard.

The multi-region simultaneous release on PS5 and Switch 2 means Singapore players will not be waiting behind other markets. Whether a physical edition ships to SEA has not yet been confirmed.

Watch Tonight: TYPE-MOON Times Mini at 7PM SGT

TYPE-MOON Times Mini — July 10 2026 broadcast featuring MELTY BLOOD: TWI-LUMINA news
Image courtesy of TYPE-MOON

Tonight, July 10, at 8PM Japan time (7PM SGT / 11AM UTC), TYPE-MOON airs a new TYPE-MOON Times Mini broadcast on the official 【公式】TYPE-MOON GAMES YouTube channel. Voice actors Ryosuke Kanemoto and Kaori Ishihara will appear, and the studio has confirmed the stream will reveal the latest information on MELTY BLOOD: TWI-LUMINA. New character reveals, a gameplay look, or a narrower launch window are all plausible — the stream archive will be available to watch after broadcast for those who cannot tune in live.

Singapore’s fighting game community has been growing steadily — with EVO Singapore confirmed for 2027 at Marina Bay Sands — and TYPE-MOON titles always draw strong interest locally given the huge Fate and Tsukihime fanbases here. TWI-LUMINA is shaping up to be a day-one pick-up for many. Keep an eye on GameTrader for a follow-up once tonight’s stream reveals its hand.

Mortal Shell II Locks In August 20 Release Date

Cold Symmetry’s dark open-world follow-up Mortal Shell II finally has a confirmed date: it launches on 20 August 2026 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. Publisher Playstack confirmed the date on 9 July alongside a new release date trailer, and a free open beta is already live on Steam right now.

Mortal Shell II – Official Release Date Trailer — via XBOX on YouTube
Mortal Shell II gameplay screenshot showing combat in a dark fantasy setting
Image courtesy of Cold Symmetry

Eight Shells, One Interconnected Open World

The sequel expands well beyond the original’s haunted corridors. Mortal Shell II takes place across a compact but deeply interconnected open world built around more than 60 dungeons — sunken temples, forbidden forests, and stranger locales — all accessible without loading screens between areas. Your main tool is the Shell system: eight distinct dormant warrior forms you can possess, each with its own moveset, abilities, and upgrade paths.

One of the biggest mechanical departures from the first game is the removal of the stamina bar. Cold Symmetry has rebuilt the combat to feel faster and more fluid, centred on breaking enemy posture and landing critical hits by exploiting the right openings rather than watching a draining gauge. Weapons have been redesigned from the ground up with deeper upgrade trees to match.

Mortal Shell II open world showing dark temples and atmospheric ruins
Image courtesy of Cold Symmetry

Hunting the Undermether

You play as the Harbinger, sent into this hostile world to reclaim stolen eggs from a dangerous faction called the Undermether. The story remains deliberately cryptic in the Mortal Shell tradition, but the shift to an open world with 60-plus dungeons gives the environmental storytelling far more room to breathe than the original’s more linear layout allowed. Strange companions and hidden lore are scattered throughout.

Editions, Pricing, and Pre-Order Bonuses

Mortal Shell II launches in three editions:

  • Standard Edition — US$49.99
  • Devout Edition — US$59.99, adds up to 72 hours of early access ahead of the 20 August launch date, plus the full Obsidian skin set for all eight playable Shells
  • Revered Edition (physical PS5 only) — base game, SteelBook case, hardcover art book, fine art prints, and collector’s box packaging

Pre-ordering on any platform also unlocks the Skeletal Harbinger and Obsidian Harbinger cosmetic skins at no extra cost.

Mortal Shell II posture-breaking combat with a Shell warrior
Image courtesy of Cold Symmetry

The Free Open Beta Is Live on Steam Right Now

You can jump into Mortal Shell II on PC today — no purchase or pre-order required. A free open beta is live on Steam, and everyone who downloads and plays during the beta period earns the Flayed Harbinger cosmetic skin that carries into the full release. It is a no-cost way to check whether the revamped stamina-free combat clicks for you before putting money down.

Mortal Shell II dark fantasy world with sprawling ruins and hostile landscape
Image courtesy of Cold Symmetry

Getting It in Singapore

Singapore players can pre-order Mortal Shell II now via the PlayStation Store, the Microsoft Store, or Steam. Local SGD pricing on the PS Store and Xbox is to be confirmed — check each storefront directly for the regional price. The physical Revered Edition for PS5 is available through international retailers for those who prefer a boxed copy.

Soulslike gaming has a dedicated following in Singapore, and Mortal Shell II’s combination of a full open world, eight build paths, and no stamina-gating makes it one of the more accessible entries in the genre for players who found the first game’s rhythm punishing. 20 August is one to mark on the calendar. Browse more upcoming game releases and news on GameTrader.SG.