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Xian Skyrider

Event

Tokyo Is Building a Brand-New Anime Festival — TOKYO ANIME NEXT Lands in Ikebukuro This October

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Tokyo just announced a brand-new anime festival, and it could become one of the most important events on the calendar for anime fans everywhere. The Japan Animation Association, co-hosted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, has unveiled TOKYO ANIME NEXT — a four-day showcase running 30 October to 2 November 2026 across Ikebukuro’s Toshima Ward. The announcement landed today directly from Tokyo’s official government press release, with no English coverage yet.

TOKYO ANIME NEXT — official announcement visual
Image courtesy of Tokyo Metropolitan Government / Japan Animation Association

What Is TOKYO ANIME NEXT?

TOKYO ANIME NEXT is the Japan Animation Association’s first major Tokyo-based event at this scale. The headline venue is Tokyo Tatemono Brillia HALL in Ikebukuro, with additional programming spread across multiple locations in the Toshima Ward district — the same neighbourhood that houses Sunshine City, Animate Ikebukuro, and some of the densest concentration of anime goods stores in the world.

The event’s stated mission is to showcase both the present and future of Japanese animation: connecting anime with international audiences and providing a platform for emerging animation talent.

What to Expect Across Four Days

The programme spans a genuinely broad range of formats. According to the official announcement, TOKYO ANIME NEXT will feature:

  • Screenings — acclaimed works and latest notable titles
  • Exhibitions — deep dives into animation production and craft
  • Workshops — children’s and educational programmes
  • Symposiums and talk events — panels on the state of the industry
  • Stage events — live performances and presentations

The finale on 2 November at Brillia HALL is the headline moment: a special orchestral performance synchronised with footage from anime titles popular overseas, framing both the art form’s history and its global future. Think less Comiket floor-scramble, more curated cultural showcase — with a live orchestra as the close.

The Bigger Picture: A Major 2027 Event Is Coming

Here is the part that has us paying close attention. The October 2026 event is explicitly described as a launch project — a test run, in effect, for a full-scale international anime festival planned to open in earnest in 2027. Organisers will use the finale on 2 November to formally announce those 2027 plans. In other words, what we are seeing now is the prologue to something bigger.

With Sony Music Solutions handling operations and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government as co-host, the backing is serious. This is a government-supported push to establish Tokyo as a permanent, globally recognised anime events destination — similar to what AnimeJapan does for the spring season but with a stronger international and creative focus. The official website is already live at tokyoanimenext.jp, and the secretariat can be reached at info2026@tokyoanimenext.jp — programme details are listed as “coming soon.”

Last words

Late October into early November is arguably the best time of year to be in Japan — autumn leaves, cooler temperatures, and now TOKYO ANIME NEXT to anchor the anime side of any trip. Ikebukuro already draws Singapore otaku in big numbers given its Animate flagship and the Sunshine City figure shops; adding a four-day curated anime festival to the mix makes the case for a late October 2026 Japan trip even stronger.

Programme details and ticketing are still to come from the official site. We will update this page when announcements drop. Keep an eye on our events page for the latest Japan and SG anime event news.

Game News

Uma Musume Gets SPYAIR for 5.5th Anniversary — New Horse Girl Title Holder Revealed

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SPYAIR — the rock band behind unforgettable anime anthems from Haikyuu!!, Gintama, and Bleach — is heading to the Uma Musume stable. Cygames announced at the game’s packed 7th EVENT WORLD TOUR “THE STAGE” in Tokyo on June 21 that SPYAIR will compose and write the Uma Musume Pretty Derby 5.5th anniversary song, with lyrics by MOMIKEN and composition by UZ.

Uma Musume 7th EVENT WORLD TOUR THE STAGE — venue reveal — via the official ぱかチューブっ!【ウマ公式】 channel on YouTube

SPYAIR Takes the Stage for Uma Musume’s Anniversary

The announcement dropped live at Ariake Arena during DAY 2 of the Uma Musume 7th EVENT WORLD TOUR “THE STAGE” in TOKYO — one of the biggest gatherings in the game’s history. SPYAIR will provide the 5.5th anniversary song, with MOMIKEN (bass) handling lyrics and UZ (guitar) composing the music. Full details — song title, release date, and in-game rollout — are still to be confirmed by Cygames at a later date.

The collaboration carries serious weight for anime music fans. SPYAIR are veterans of the genre, having delivered “Imagination” for Haikyuu!!, “Samurai Heart” for Gintama, and “I Wanna Be” for Bleach. The band is hitting the ground running in summer 2026 — their track “Awake” just launched as the opening theme for new isekai anime The Exiled Heavy Knight Knows How To Game The System, which premieres on TBS and MBS on July 2.

Title Holder Gallops Into the Stable

The SPYAIR reveal was not the night’s only surprise. A new horse girl character — Title Holder (タイトルホルダー) — was unveiled as a secret guest appearance, voiced by 華成結. Title Holder is based on the real racehorse of the same name, a formidable front-runner who claimed the 2022 Takarazuka Kinen and became celebrated for durability and grit. Expect her in-game persona to carry that same charge-ahead energy.

More From the 7th EVENT — What’s Next

Cygames packed the event with additional updates rolling out over the coming weeks:

  • Limited gacha with SSR / ★3 guaranteed draws went live on June 21 at 21:00 JST.
  • Uma Uta Jukebox receives setlist and song additions on June 29.
  • A retrospective broadcast special airs June 28 at 19:00 JST.
  • The June 21 concert is available to replay on ABEMA, Stagecrowd, and ZAIKO until July 5.

The World Tour is also going global, with the next confirmed stops being Los Angeles (Peacock Theatre), London, Seoul, and Yokohama. No South-East Asia date has been announced yet.

Last words

For Singapore Uma Musume players, anniversary songs typically roll out simultaneously to all regions of the global app. If SPYAIR’s track lands anywhere near the energy of “Imagination” or “I Wanna Be”, it will be one to watch out for. Check the official Uma Musume site for when Cygames drops full details, and stay tuned to our Game News coverage for the update when the song is officially revealed.

Manga Anime, News

Studio Ghibli Has a New President: Kenichi Yoda Takes Over

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One of anime’s most legendary studios just turned a new page. As of today, June 22, 2026, Kenichi Yoda has officially stepped in as the new President and Representative Director of Studio Ghibli, with the studio’s shareholders’ meeting confirming the transition from outgoing president Hiroyuki Fukuda.

Studio Ghibli films including Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro
Image courtesy of Studio Ghibli

Who Is Kenichi Yoda, Studio Ghibli’s New Head?

Yoda’s name is familiar to those watching Nippon Television’s growing role in Ghibli. A General Specialist at NTV’s Content Strategy Headquarters, he has served as the network’s primary liaison to the studio since the 2023 acquisition. His most prominent production credit is the acclaimed stage adaptation of My Neighbor Totoro, which broke box office records at London’s Barbican Centre — a reminder that his experience lies in expanding Ghibli’s world well beyond the cinema screen. He brings a clear events-and-exhibition eye to the studio, which fits the direction NTV has been steering Ghibli: more live experiences, more global brand-building.

Hiroyuki Fukuda Steps Back — But Doesn’t Leave

The outgoing president Hiroyuki Fukuda (64) took the helm in 2023, the same year Nippon Television acquired Studio Ghibli as a subsidiary. He concurrently held the role of President and Representative Director at NTV Holdings, making his appointment a natural bridge between the two companies during the acquisition period. Fukuda will continue serving as a board director at Studio Ghibli, keeping the NTV–Ghibli connection intact even as he passes the executive baton.

Studio Ghibli classic film poster collage
Image courtesy of Studio Ghibli

The Creative Pillars That Aren’t Moving

For the fans most likely to panic at any Studio Ghibli headline — breathe. The studio clarified that no other changes to its upper leadership structure are planned:

  • Hayao Miyazaki continues as Honorary Chairman of the Board.
  • Toshio Suzuki, the legendary producer behind decades of Ghibli films, remains Representative Director and Chairman of the Board.
  • Goro Miyazaki stays on as Managing Director.

The studio’s creative backbone — Miyazaki and Suzuki at the top — remains exactly as it was. Yoda’s appointment is a strategic and executive move, not a creative one.

NTV, Ghibli, and What Comes Next

When NTV acquired Studio Ghibli in 2023, it sparked plenty of debate about what corporate ownership could mean for such a fiercely independent studio. Three years in, the answer has been a gradual, carefully managed integration — with stage productions, international exhibitions, and global licensing expanding alongside the films. As Studio Ghibli stated at the time of the announcement, as reported by Anime News Network: “By combining the resources of both companies, we aim to create new innovations.” Yoda, coming from exactly that events-and-content side of NTV, looks built for this mandate.

Last Words

For Singapore Ghibli fans, the studio’s beloved films remain as accessible as ever — streaming across major platforms, with merchandise at specialty retailers islandwide. What Yoda’s presidency means for future productions is still an open question, but the continued presence of Hayao Miyazaki and Toshio Suzuki at the top suggests that the studio’s creative soul is in safe hands. This feels less like the end of an era and more like a carefully managed handoff — Studio Ghibli remains Studio Ghibli, just with a fresh name steering the ship. Stay tuned to our anime and Japan culture coverage for any updates from the studio.

Manga Anime, News

BanG Dream! YUME∞MITA Drops 2nd PV and Opening Theme — Premieres 2 July

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BanG Dream!’s next anime chapter is taking shape fast — the staff behind YUME∞MITA dropped the second promotional video, a clean opening animation, and the series’ main key visual on 21 June, all ahead of a three-episode premiere night on 2 July 2026.

BanG Dream! YUME∞MITA main key visual featuring Mugendai Mewtype
Image courtesy of Bushiroad / NICHICALINE

What Is BanG Dream! YUME∞MITA?

YUME∞MITA is the latest entry in the long-running BanG Dream! franchise — but it comes with a twist that makes it feel genuinely new. The anime centres on Mugendai Mewtype, a five-member virtual girl band made up entirely of VTubers. Each member has a real online presence and a dedicated fan base, and the series threads their digital personas into a full TV anime narrative.

The five members: Arale Nakamachi (vocals), Nonoka Miyanaga (lead guitar), Ritsu Minetsuki (rhythm guitar), Miyako Fuji (keyboard), and Yuno Sengoku (DJ and manipulator). If you already follow any of them on stream, you’ll be watching familiar faces in a completely new form.

Opening Theme: Our Survival, Written by Unison Square Garden

The PV2 and clean opening sequence reveal the series’ opening theme: “Kore wa Boku-tachi no Seizon no Arasuji” (Our Survival) performed by Mugendai Mewtype. The song was written by Tomoya Tabuchi, guitarist and vocalist of Unison Square Garden — a band whose anime credits include the Kekkai Sensen openings and the Boku dake ga Inai Machi ending theme. His involvement gives the track a sharp, indie-rock edge that sets YUME∞MITA apart from earlier BanG Dream! idol-pop entries.

BanG Dream! YUME∞MITA — Official PV2, via バンドリちゃんねる☆ on YouTube

Production — NICHICALINE and Director Tomomi Umetsu

The series is animated by NICHICALINE, a studio building its identity in music-forward anime. Tomomi Umetsu directs with Hiroshi Morita as assistant director, and Midori Gotō handles series composition alongside writers Akiko Waba, Yotsuji Haibuchi, and Hitomi Ogawa. Character designs are by Osamu Nobusawa and Mochipuyo.

The broadcast plan is ambitious: the first three episodes air simultaneously on 2 July at 23:00 JST on Tokyo MX, with additional broadcasts on BS NTV and Sun TV. Dropping three episodes on night one is an increasingly popular strategy for summer anime that wants to make an immediate impression — you get a complete story arc before the weekly wait begins.

Where to Watch in Singapore

Crunchyroll confirmed in January 2026 that BanG Dream! YUME∞MITA would be part of its 2026 anime lineup. Crunchyroll is available in Singapore, so the expectation is that Singapore fans will be able to stream from 2 July — though exact territory availability for SG had not been confirmed at the time of writing. Check Crunchyroll’s official announcements closer to 2 July for the final word.

Last words

Between the VTuber concept, the Unison Square Garden writing credit, and a three-episode opening night, YUME∞MITA is shaping up as one of Summer 2026’s more interesting sleeper picks. Singapore fans who already live in the VTuber world will have a head start on the lore — check out more Summer 2026 anime we’ve been tracking ahead of the July season kick-off.

Game News, Manga Anime

Sekiro: No Defeat — FromSoftware’s Anime Hits Crunchyroll

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FromSoftware’s acclaimed 2019 action game finally gets the anime treatment it deserves — and Singapore fans can catch Sekiro: No Defeat on Crunchyroll after its Japan theatrical premiere this September.

Sekiro: No Defeat official key visual showing Wolf the one-armed shinobi
Image courtesy of Crunchyroll

What Is Sekiro: No Defeat?

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice — the FromSoftware action title that won Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2019 — is getting an official anime adaptation. The series follows Wolf, a disgraced shinobi sworn to protect a young lord named Kuro. When Kuro is captured by the Ashina clan, Wolf embarks on a perilous journey through Sengoku-era Japan, facing relentless enemies and death at every turn — staying true to the punishing spirit that made the game a modern classic.

Revealed at Gamescom 2025, Sekiro: No Defeat was confirmed as a Crunchyroll worldwide exclusive. The September 4 Japan theatrical premiere date was officially confirmed in May 2026 alongside a new main visual, with a second trailer following in March.

Who’s Making the Sekiro Anime?

Production is handled by Studio Qzil.la together with ARCH and KADOKAWA. The creative team has strong credentials: director Kenichi Kutsuna leads the project, with screenplay by Takuya Sato — whose credits include the Steins;Gate anime adaptation, a reassuring sign for fans who know how much careful pacing matters in a story like Sekiro. Takahiro Kishida takes on character design, with Shuta Hasunuma composing the score.

The production team confirmed via Crunchyroll: “This work is being produced entirely as hand-drawn 2D animation, without the use of any AI-generated animation” — a statement that will matter to many in an industry where that conversation is getting louder.

The Original Game’s Voice Cast Returns

Perhaps the most reassuring news for Sekiro devotees: the full Japanese voice cast from the game is returning for the anime adaptation.

  • Daisuke Namikawa — Wolf / Sekiro
  • Miyuki Sato — Kuro, the Divine Heir
  • Kenjiro Tsuda — Genichiro Ashina
  • Shizuka Ito — Emma
  • Jin Urayama — Busshi (The Sculptor)
  • Akimitsu Takase — Hanbei the Undying
  • Takaya Hashi — Owl (Fukuro)
  • Tetsuo Kaneo — Isshin Ashina

For players who spent dozens of hours grinding through those performances, having them carry over into animation is a welcome continuity that gives the production a head start on emotional grounding.

Watch the Official Trailer

Sekiro: No Defeat | Official Trailer 2 — via Crunchyroll on YouTube

When Can Singapore Fans Watch Sekiro: No Defeat?

Sekiro: No Defeat opens in Japanese cinemas on 4 September 2026 for a limited three-week theatrical run. Following that, the series streams exclusively on Crunchyroll worldwide — Singapore included. The only excluded regions are Japan, China, South Korea, Russia, and Belarus.

No exact Crunchyroll streaming premiere date has been confirmed at time of writing, but expect it to follow shortly after the Japan theatrical window closes. Stay tuned to our anime coverage for updates as they come.

Sekiro: No Defeat Trailer 2 screenshot showing Wolf in Sengoku-era Japan
Image courtesy of Crunchyroll

Last Words

Singapore gamers who have lived and died — repeatedly — through Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice know exactly what this world is capable of. With a returning voice cast, a director and writer with track records in grounded anime storytelling, and a team committed to traditional hand-drawn craft, Sekiro: No Defeat has every ingredient to be a game-to-anime adaptation that actually honours its source material. September can’t come soon enough.

Manga Anime, News

Goodbye, Lara Reveals Ending Theme “Hearts Glow” by Hana Hope and Two New Cast Members

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Kinema Citrus — the studio behind Made in Abyss — has dropped the third promotional video for its upcoming original anime Goodbye, Lara, and it delivers two notable reveals: the ending theme song “Hearts Glow” performed by singer-songwriter Hana Hope, and a pair of new cast additions joining the show when it premieres on Crunchyroll this July.

Goodbye, Lara | Official Trailer — via Crunchyroll on YouTube

What the Goodbye, Lara PV3 Shows

The new promotional video previews the ending theme in context, giving audiences their first feel for how Hana Hope’s music fits the show’s bittersweet, fairy-tale-meets-modern-Japan atmosphere. Alongside the musical reveal, the Crunchyroll announcement accompanying the PV also unveiled a fresh key visual and expanded the cast with two more named characters.

Two New Cast Members Join the Ensemble

Minami Tsuda voices Risa, Lara’s fourth oldest sister, while Kazutomi Yamamoto takes on Kōta, a new human character. They join a lineup that already includes Hana Hishikawa in the lead role of Lara, alongside Nana Kawaishi, Rica Fukami, Ayumu Murase, and Masaki Terasoma.

The Story: A Mermaid Reborn at Lake Biwa

Loosely inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid, Goodbye, Lara follows a mermaid princess who wished to be loved by a human — a wish that cost her everything. Two centuries later, she awakens at Lake Biwa in modern-day Shiga Prefecture, Japan, with one last chance at life and love before she vanishes for good.

Director Takushi Koide leads the production at Kinema Citrus, with Anna Kawahara overseeing series scripts, Shiori Tani handling character design, and Yuma Yamaguchi composing the score. The project is published by Kadokawa.

Goodbye Lara key visual — Crunchyroll anime Summer 2026
Image courtesy of Crunchyroll / Kadokawa

When and Where to Watch in Singapore

Goodbye, Lara premieres in Japan on 5 July 2026, with Crunchyroll simulcasting for international audiences — including Singapore and Southeast Asia. It is part of Crunchyroll’s Summer 2026 anime season lineup, which includes a strong mix of returning titles and originals this year.

Last words

With a studio pedigree like Kinema Citrus behind it and Hana Hope lending emotional weight to the ending theme, Goodbye, Lara looks set to be one of the more quietly affecting picks of Summer 2026. Singapore fans catching the new season on Crunchyroll would do well to give this one a slot on their watchlist — 5 July is closer than it feels.

Manga Anime, News

Ave Mujica Drops Best Album Ave Música and New MV

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Ave Mujica, the gothic rock unit from the BanG Dream! universe, dropped the official music video for “The Whole Blue World” today — the brand-new track from their best album Ave Música, which hit stores on 17 June 2026. If you have been sleeping on the group since their anime wrapped earlier this year, this is a good week to catch up.

Ave Música — Best Album Out Now on Bushiroad Music

Ave Música is a 15-track best album that condenses Ave Mujica’s discography into one collection, with one original new composition: “The Whole Blue World.” The album is available in three editions from Bushiroad Music:

  • Standard Edition — ¥3,850
  • Blu-ray Limited Edition — ¥9,900 (includes live footage from the 6th live concert Ulterius Procedere filmed in Tokyo)
  • Limited Edition Special Box — ¥15,400 (adds five acrylic character charms, a fabric poster, and a special collectors’ box)

Standout tracks in the collection include fan favourites “KiLLKiSS,” “Symbol I : △,” “DIVINE,” “Black Birthday,” and “Octagram Dance” — a setlist that spans Ave Mujica’s darker, more theatrical range in the BanG Dream! catalogue.

Ave Mujica Ave Música best album promotional art
Image courtesy of Bushiroad Music / Ave Mujica

Watch: The Whole Blue World (Official Music Video)

Ave Mujica – The Whole Blue World (Official Music Video) — via Ave Mujica on YouTube

Who Is Ave Mujica?

Ave Mujica is a five-member unit within the BanG Dream! franchise, each member performing under a masked alter-ego persona. The unit — Sakiko Togawa (Obivionis), Uika Misumi (Doloris), Mutsumi Wakaba (Mortis), Nyamu Yutenji (Amoris), and Umiri Yahata (Timoris) — built their fanbase through the Ave Mujica anime that aired earlier this year, and won fans over with their gothic-inflected rock sound that sets them apart from BanG Dream!’s brighter acts.

What’s Ahead for Ave Mujica and BanG Dream!

The second half of 2026 is stacked for the franchise:

  • BanG Dream! Ave Mujica: prima aurora — the theatrical film continuing where the anime left off — premieres in Japan in Fall 2026. An international release via Crunchyroll has not been confirmed yet but is widely anticipated.
  • Live Tour “Virtus” — October 24–25, 2026 at Keio Arena Tokyo.
  • International Tour — Taipei dates confirmed for August 8–9, 2026.
  • MyGO!!!!! sequel anime — the sister band’s follow-up season is slated for January 2027.
  • BanG Dream! Our Notes — a new mobile game with global availability planned for 2026; no confirmed Singapore release date yet.

Last words

There is no Singapore date on the Virtus tour just yet — but Taipei in August is close enough that fans in Singapore may want to keep tabs on the official BanG Dream! site and Ave Mujica’s social channels for any additional international stops. The prima aurora film is the bigger watch: with Crunchyroll holding SEA streaming rights for the franchise, an English-subtitled release for Singapore viewers looks likely. For now, Ave Música is available to import, and “The Whole Blue World” is streaming on the official Ave Mujica YouTube channel. Keep an eye on our anime coverage for updates as the Summer 2026 season heats up.

Manga Anime

Rilakkuma Anime Season 2 Reveals “Tekuteku World Travel” — Stream It Now on Crunchyroll

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Rilakkuma fans, your bears are going somewhere new. Aniplex today unveiled a fresh promotional video for the short TV anime, confirming that it is moving into a second season with an all-new subtitle: Tekuteku World Travel (てくてく世界旅行 — “Steadily Traveling the World”). The new key visual, released alongside the PV, shows Rilakkuma, Korilakkuma, and Kiiroitori dressed in travel gear and ready to hit the road.

From Dreamy Getaway to Full World Tour

The Rilakkuma short anime premiered on 4 April 2026 on TBS, with its first season carrying the subtitle Goyurori Yume no Tabi (Leisure Trip of Dreams). If Season 1 felt like a slow, cosy holiday, Season 2 turns the dial up to a proper globe-trot: the iconic San-X trio will be exploring different corners of the world, sampling regional food and soaking in local culture along the way. The vibe stays firmly in Rilakkuma territory — gentle, warm, and easy to watch — but now with a travel-diary frame to hang each episode on.

Rilakkuma anime Season 2 Tekuteku World Travel key visual showing Rilakkuma, Korilakkuma and Kiiroitori in travel attire
Image courtesy of Aniplex
アニメ「リラックマ」第2弾PV (Season 2 PV) — via アニプレックス チャンネル on YouTube

The Production Team Behind It

Production I.G — the studio behind Ghost in the Shell, Haikyuu!!, and Vinland Saga — is handling animation, giving the show a noticeably polished look even in short-form. Yoshimi Itazu and Yumi Kamakura share directing duties, with character design by Chiyo Morita. Narration is provided by Lilas Ikuta, the vocalist behind YOASOBI, who also performs the series theme song “stay with me.” If you are already a YOASOBI fan, her voice lends the show an immediately familiar warmth.

How Singapore Fans Can Watch

Crunchyroll is streaming the series internationally, so Singapore viewers can dive straight into Season 1 right now — no waiting for a local release. In Japan, new episodes air every Saturday at 9:25 AM on TBS, and a library of past episodes is also available on platforms including Prime Video and ABEMA Premium for Japanese subscribers. With Season 2 episodes starting to roll out, now is a good time to catch up before the travel adventure gets into full swing.

Rilakkuma, Korilakkuma, and Kiiroitori in travel attire from the Season 2 PV
Image courtesy of Aniplex

Last words

Rilakkuma has had a long, quiet presence in Singapore’s pop culture — from the plushie claw machines at Bugis+ and Orchard to the Rilakkuma Cafe pop-up at Kumoya that drew long queues. A full TV anime backed by Production I.G and narrated by a YOASOBI vocalist feels like a serious step up for the franchise. Whether you are in it for the chill vibes, the travel scenery, or just to hear Lilas Ikuta’s voice over gentle bear adventures, Crunchyroll has you covered. Check out more anime news on GameTrader.SG.

Game News

Pokémon Pokopia: Wish Upon a Jirachi Starts 23 June

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Pokémon Pokopia has its first proper limited-time event: Wish Upon a Jirachi begins on 23 June 2026 and runs until 8 July 2026 — giving Nintendo Switch 2 players a tight two-week window to earn exclusive star-themed items that won’t be available again after the event closes.

Pokémon Pokopia | Extended Trailer — via The Official Pokémon YouTube channel

What Is Pokémon Pokopia?

If this is your first time hearing about it, Pokémon Pokopia is a life-simulation and creature-building game exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2, released in March 2026. You play as a Ditto that has transformed into a human, teaming up with Pokémon to construct towns, craft furniture, and build out a full settlement — think Minecraft and Animal Crossing merged into one Pokémon world.

Pokémon Pokopia — Nintendo Switch 2 life simulation game
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

Wish Upon a Jirachi — How the Event Works

The event window is 23 June 2026 at 5:00 AM to 8 July 2026 at 4:59 AM (local time). Before you log in on Tuesday, make sure you have:

  • Pokémon Pokopia updated to at least Version 1.1.0
  • An active internet connection
  • At least one fully rebuilt Pokémon Center in your town — Jirachi will not appear in a town without one

Once inside, talk to Jirachi at your Pokémon Center to receive a wish note recipe. You then fulfil requests from the other Pokémon in your town, which converts those wish notes into sparkling wish notes. Bring them back to Jirachi to exchange for furniture and décor inspired by the starry sky — limited items available only during this event.

Worth noting: this is the first event in Pokopia that requires a genuine software update. Earlier events were embedded in the game’s base data, which meant some players used a system-clock workaround to access them early. That won’t work here — you need the actual update installed.

What’s Coming Next for Pokémon Pokopia

The Jirachi event is part of a broader content push for the game. In August 2026, a free update will introduce underwater exploration via the Dive move, letting players head beneath the waves for the first time. Alongside that, a paid Expansion Pass is planned: the first part — Bubbly Basin, a new underwater town with new outfits, furniture, and Pokémon — arrives later in 2026. A second paid expansion follows in late 2026, with a third and final chapter set for 2027.

Switch 2 Bundle Coming 2 July

Not on a Switch 2 yet? A Pokémon Pokopia Nintendo Switch 2 bundle launches on 2 July 2026, packaging the console with a digital copy of the game. International pricing is US$499.99 / £429.99 (Europe: €539.98). A local SGD price for Singapore has not been announced as of writing — watch Nintendo Singapore for confirmation closer to launch.

Pokémon Pokopia Wish Upon a Jirachi event — star-themed town decorations
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

Last words

The Jirachi event window is genuinely short — two weeks, starting this Tuesday. If you already have Pokémon Pokopia on Switch 2, update the game and rebuild your Pokémon Center before 23 June. Singapore fans who held off on the Switch 2 have the July bundle as a timely entry point, and with a free underwater update and the Bubbly Basin expansion on the horizon, the game’s content calendar is only getting busier. Follow our game news for the latest Nintendo Switch 2 updates as they land.