All posts by Xian Skyrider
Xian Skyrider

Hunter x Hunter Volume 39: July 3, and 20 Chapters Already Waiting

The first new Hunter x Hunter volume in nearly two years is almost here: Volume 39 lands in Japan on 3 July 2026. But the bigger story is not the volume itself — it is how much further Yoshihiro Togashi has already pushed the story beyond it.

Volume 39: The Essentials

Shueisha has officially listed HUNTER×HUNTER Volume 39 for 3 July 2026, priced at ¥572 (approximately S$5.90 at current rates), with 208 pages. The volume collects chapters 401–410 — the stretch that briefly ran in Weekly Shonen Jump between October and December 2024, before Togashi once again stepped back from the weekly schedule due to his ongoing chronic back pain.

The previous volume, Volume 38, came out in Japan on 4 September 2024. That makes the gap between tankobon releases roughly 22 months — an uncomfortable but not unusual wait for one of manga’s most notoriously interrupted series. The English edition of Volume 38 (via Viz Media) landed in January 2026; Volume 39’s English date has not been announced.

Gon Freecss in Hunter x Hunter anime
Image courtesy of Yoshihiro Togashi / Shueisha

Succession Contest Arc — Where We Left Off

Volume 39 continues the Succession Contest arc, the sweeping multi-faction storyline centred on the thirteen princes of the Kakin Empire vying for the throne while Gon and Killua remain apart and the cast expands at a pace only Togashi would attempt. Chapters 401–410 advance the Nen-beast plotlines and the political maneuvering that has been building since Volume 34. If you left off after Volume 38, this picks up exactly where you stopped.

The Bigger News: Togashi Has 20 Chapters Waiting

Here is what makes this moment feel different from previous hiatuses. According to Shonen Jump News, the verified English-language tracker for Weekly Shonen Jump, Togashi has been posting chapter-progress updates on his social media — and the numbers are encouraging.

  • Chapters 411–420: Fully completed.
  • Chapter 421: Manuscript confirmed finished as of late May 2026.
  • Chapters 422–429: In the “latest stages of production” — effectively near-complete.
  • Chapter 430: Inking confirmed completed as of April 2026.

That is roughly twenty chapters — a full two volumes’ worth of story — that are either done or essentially done, sitting in reserve. Shueisha has not confirmed when regular serialisation will resume, but a buffer that large signals real momentum. Previous hiatuses often began with Togashi having little or no runway. Right now, he appears to be ahead of the curve.

English Edition: A Long Wait, but Import Options Exist

Viz Media typically releases English volumes 12–16 months after the Japanese edition. If that pattern holds, Volume 39 in English is a 2027 arrival at best. Singapore readers who want it sooner can order from Amazon Japan or Rakuten — both ship internationally, with standard delivery to Singapore taking around one to two weeks. Kinokuniya’s branches at Ngee Ann City and Bugis+ also regularly stock Japanese-language Jump manga, so it is worth checking their shelves in early-to-mid July.

Last Words

For Singapore’s manga community, Volume 39 is proof that Hunter x Hunter is alive and, by the looks of Togashi’s chapter buffer, in better shape than at any point since the series resumed in 2022. The July 3 release date is a milestone — but the chapter-progress updates are the real signal to watch. Keep an eye on our manga and anime coverage for any English-edition date announcement from Viz Media, and for the inevitable buzz when Shueisha finally sets a return-to-serialisation date.

Dorohedoro Season 3: MAPPA Drops the First Teaser

Season 2 of Dorohedoro premiered on 1 April 2026 and ran through to its wild, chaotic conclusion — and MAPPA wasted no time. At their 15th Anniversary Lineup Reveal event on 19 June, the studio confirmed that Dorohedoro Season 3 is in active production and dropped a first teaser to prove it.

Dorohedoro Season 3 teaser still from MAPPA 15th anniversary event
Image courtesy of MAPPA

What the Dorohedoro Season 3 Teaser Shows

True to the manga’s energy, the brief teaser wastes no time leaning into the strange and unsettling. Footage highlights include Nikaido awakening, the deeply disturbing moment of the Cross-Eyes Boss’s face peeling off, and the spectacularly grim sight of Saji becoming a pie — which will mean absolutely nothing to new viewers and everything to those who have read Q Hayashida’s source manga.

No release date is attached to the teaser, but the footage confirms the season is well past the concept stage and into production.

The Full Creative Team Is Back

The announcement confirmed that the same core creative team from Seasons 1 and 2 is returning for Season 3:

  • Director: Yuichiro Hayashi (also known for Attack on Titan: The Final Season)
  • Series Composition: Hiroshi Seko
  • Character Designer: Tomohiro Kishi
  • Sound Director: Akiko Fujita
  • Music: (K)NoW_NAME

The returning cast includes Wataru Takagi as Caiman, Reina Kondo as Nikaido, Kenyu Horiuchi as En, Yoshimasa Hosoya as Shin, and Yu Kobayashi as Noi. Full continuity across both cast and crew has kept the adaptation faithful to Hayashida’s distinctive, one-of-a-kind work.

Where Singapore Fans Can Watch

Dorohedoro’s first two seasons are available in Singapore across multiple platforms: Netflix, Crunchyroll, and Ani-One Asia ULTRA. Season 3 will almost certainly follow the same arrangement, giving local fans several options when it arrives. If you have not started the series yet, now is a great time to catch up on both existing seasons before Season 3 lands.

Check out our full anime coverage for more on what is coming to Singapore screens this season.

Last words

Dorohedoro has always been the kind of anime that rewards patience — the world is dense, the tone is unlike anything else out there, and it gets richer the deeper you go. The fact that MAPPA is treating it as a priority title at their 15th anniversary showcase, alongside Jujutsu Kaisen and Chainsaw Man, says a lot about where the franchise stands right now. No release date yet, but given Season 2’s announcement-to-air pace, Singapore fans should be keeping an eye on their streaming apps in the second half of 2026 or early 2027.

Rhythm Heaven Groove Arrives on Nintendo Switch, 2 July

After more than a decade without a new mainline entry, Rhythm Heaven Groove is tapping its way onto Nintendo Switch on 2 July 2026. In Singapore and across Asia, the game launches under the title Rhythm Heaven: Miracle Stars — and pre-orders are live right now on the Nintendo eShop.

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

Over 80 Brand-New Rhythm Games to Master

Every one of the 80-plus minigames in Rhythm Heaven Groove is completely original — no recycled stages from earlier entries. Each game comes with its own distinct art style, giving the whole package a colourful, unpredictable energy that keeps things fresh from the first tap to the last. The core mechanic stays true to the series: hit the beat, keep your timing perfect, and ride the groove.

Rhythm Heaven Groove rhythm minigame in action
Image courtesy of Nintendo

Beatspell — A Series-First RPG Mode

The most intriguing addition is Beatspell, a brand-new mode where you play as a wizard battling monsters by casting rhythm-powered spells. It’s unlocked as you progress through the single-player stages, and it’s the first time the franchise has ventured into RPG territory. Early previews describe it as a genuinely fun wrinkle on the formula — one that rewards players who have already sharpened their timing on the main game.

Multiplayer for Up to Four Players

More than 30 stages are designed for co-op or competitive play with up to four friends using Joy-Con controllers. Whether you’re gathered on a sofa or playing in tabletop mode, the multiplayer suite is one of the broadest in any Rhythm Heaven game to date. Critics who have previewed the game have flagged it as one of the Switch’s standout party titles this year.

Rhythm Heaven Groove multiplayer party mode
Image courtesy of Nintendo

Tsunku♂ Returns — and It Means a Lot

Series composer Tsunku♂ is back on the soundtrack, a return that carries real emotional weight for longtime fans. Tsunku♂ — the legendary musician behind every previous entry — has faced serious health challenges in recent years, making his involvement here all the more meaningful. The music is, as ever, central to the whole experience.

The game was co-developed by Nintendo EPD and TNX. It supports English, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, and Korean, making it a well-localised release for the Singapore and broader Asian market. It’s also backward-compatible with Nintendo Switch 2.

Last Words

Ten years is a long time to wait for a rhythm game, and Rhythm Heaven Groove looks like it was worth every minute of the wait — 80-plus original games, a fresh RPG mode, strong multiplayer, and Tsunku♂ back on the keys. Singapore Switch owners: pre-orders are open at the Nintendo Singapore eShop right now. Check our game news for more Nintendo updates.

SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance Slashes onto Switch 2 on 24 September

Joe Musashi is coming to Switch 2 — SEGA and developer Lizardcube have confirmed that SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance will launch on Nintendo Switch 2 on 24 September 2026, with pre-orders now live on the Nintendo eShop and a free demo available to download today.

SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance ❘ Game Introduction Trailer — via SEGA Asia(EN) on YouTube

What Is SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance?

If you missed the August 2025 launch on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC, here is the quick rundown. SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance is a hand-drawn 2D action platformer developed by Lizardcube — the same studio that revived Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap and co-developed Streets of Rage 4. It brings back series protagonist Joe Musashi, who returns home to find his village burned and his clan turned to stone, setting off a vengeance quest across over a dozen visually distinct stages.

Combat gives you Joe’s katana, shuriken, Ninjutsu arts, and Ninpo abilities, with Amulets to upgrade your build as you progress. The game was very well received on its original platforms, praised for its tight controls and gorgeous hand-drawn visuals.

SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance stage environments
Image courtesy of SEGA

Switch 2 Version: What’s Different?

The Nintendo Switch 2 version arrives with an updated resolution, making the hand-drawn art look even sharper on the new hardware. Otherwise the core experience is the same acclaimed game — which is exactly what Switch 2 owners who held off will want to hear.

A free demo is already live on the Nintendo eShop, so you can try it before committing. Save data from the demo carries over to the full game.

SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance coming to Nintendo Switch 2
Image courtesy of SEGA

The SEGA Villains Stage: Majima, Eggman, and Death Adder

The standout extra is the SEGA Villains Stage DLC, which pits Joe Musashi against three of SEGA’s most iconic antagonists across five additional stages with six new music tracks and extra Ninpo abilities:

  • Goro Majima (Like a Dragon / Yakuza series)
  • Dr. Eggman (Sonic the Hedgehog)
  • Death Adder (Golden Axe)

It is a genuinely fun concept — a ninja master taking on SEGA’s villain roster — and adds meaningful replay value beyond the main campaign.

Editions and Pre-Order Details

Two editions are available for Switch 2:

  • Standard Edition — USD $29.99, digital on the Nintendo eShop
  • Deluxe Edition (physical game-key card) — includes the base game, SEGA Villains Stage DLC, translucent character cards, a physical art book, the Ghost Outfit and Medic Lite Amulet in-game items, a digital art book and soundtrack, and 2,000 in-game gold

Singapore eShop pricing will follow regional rates. Pre-orders are open now via the Nintendo eShop — search SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance on your Switch 2. Physical Deluxe Edition orders are available through select retailers.

SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance combat and ninpo abilities
Image courtesy of SEGA

Last Words

Singapore Switch 2 owners now have another must-check title pencilled in for September. SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance sat quietly at the top of many 2D-action best-of lists in 2025, and the Switch 2 port brings it to SEGA fans who were waiting for the right platform. Download the free demo from the eShop today and see for yourself — 24 September is not far off. Check out our other game news for more Switch 2 updates.

Persona 4 Revival key art

Persona 4 Revival Gets a Release Date — SGD Prices Now Live

Atlus has locked in the date: Persona 4 Revival launches on 18 February 2027 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC — and Singapore pricing is already live on SEGA Asia’s official store.

Persona 4 Revival Release Date and Platforms

Persona 4 Revival cover art
Image courtesy of ATLUS / SEGA

The remake lands simultaneously on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam) on 18 February 2027. A Nintendo Switch 2 version has not been announced for launch. The game is based on the expanded Persona 4 Golden — fan favourite character Marie and the Hollow Forest dungeon are both confirmed to appear in Revival.

Watch the Pre-Order Trailer

Persona 4 Revival — Pre-Order Trailer — via Official ATLUS West on YouTube

What’s New in Persona 4 Revival?

This is not just a visual upgrade — Atlus is rebuilding the combat and interface from the ground up. Here are the biggest changes from Persona 4 Golden:

  • Baton Pass: The fan-favourite system from Persona 5 Royal makes the jump to Inaba, letting you transfer your turn to another party member after scoring a critical hit or targeting an enemy weakness.
  • Prime Time: A new charge gauge fills as you land consecutive hits. When it maxes out, SP costs disappear and the sequence ends in a high-damage finishing strike.
  • Series Finales: Each party member gets a unique, powerful personal finisher — similar in concept to P3 Reload’s Theurgy attacks, but built around Inaba’s cast.
  • Enemy Collision: Status-afflicted enemies can be knocked into each other, spreading the ailment and dealing bonus damage — a satisfying new tactical layer.
  • Dungeon Defence: A guard option in the TV World dungeons can block enemy ambushes, adding a new way to manage exploration risk.
  • Simplified UI: One button per ability replaces the original’s scrolling menus. Fully animated cutscenes replace the static visual-novel-style cinematics throughout.

On the audio side: the entire English voice cast has been replaced for the remake. New vocalist Shiori Sasaki and composer Ryota Kozuka are handling the soundtrack.

P-STUDIO director Kazuhisa Wada said of the launch: “As we take this next step, we are thrilled the launch date is set for Persona 4 Revival and fans get to encounter a fresh and modernized experience as they discover the mysteries hidden in Inaba,” as quoted by RPGSite.

Persona 4 Revival Singapore Pricing and Editions

Persona 4 Revival standard edition
Image courtesy of ATLUS / SEGA

SEGA Asia’s official product page has Singapore pricing confirmed:

Edition SGD Price
Digital Standard SGD 84.90
Physical Standard SGD 84.90
Digital Deluxe SGD 99.90
Digital Premium SGD 114.90
Limited Box SGD 154.90
Izanagi Edition SGD 259.90

The Izanagi Edition is the top-tier physical collector’s set, which includes a protagonist and Izanagi statue, steelbook, artbook, keycaps, and keychain. The Digital Deluxe and higher editions bundle in costume sets (Velvet Room outfits, Phantom Thieves costumes) and Persona sets from Persona 3 Reload and Persona 5 Royal. The game is also available across Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand via the same SEGA Asia storefront.

Pre-Order Bonus

Pre-order any edition before 10:59 PM SGT on 17 February 2027 to receive BGM packs from Persona 3 Reload (Heartful Cry, Will Power) and Persona 5 Royal (The Whims of Fate, Triumph) as free downloads.

Is Persona 4 Revival on Xbox Game Pass?

Yes — Revival is available on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass from day one. The title also supports Xbox Play Anywhere, so a single Xbox purchase covers both console and Windows PC.

Last words

Persona 4 has always resonated with Singapore players — the small-town mystery, the big questions about identity, the bonds built through one unforgettable in-game year. With SGD pricing confirmed and February 2027 on the calendar, there is time now to decide which edition fits your budget. PS5 and Xbox players can pre-order directly through SEGA Asia; Game Pass subscribers get it on day one at no extra cost. In the meantime, browse our other game news to stay up to speed.

NARUTO Card Game Is Coming in 2027 — Bandai’s Newest TCG Revealed

Bandai Card Games has officially announced the NARUTO CARD GAME, a brand-new strategy-focused trading card game set in Masashi Kishimoto’s beloved ninja world — and it is coming to players worldwide in 2027.

NARUTO CARD GAME – Official Teaser Trailer — via IGN on YouTube

What Is the NARUTO CARD GAME?

Built by BANDAI CARD GAMES — the same brand behind the Dragon Ball Super Card Game and Digimon Card Game — the NARUTO CARD GAME is designed as a strategy-first competitive TCG. Full details on card mechanics, deck construction, and rarity tiers are held until 29 July 2026, the day before its first public playable event. What is confirmed is that this is a proper standalone TCG, not a collectible set, targeting the competitive card game audience.

NARUTO, the manga by Masashi Kishimoto, ran for 700 chapters and now sits at over 250 million copies in circulation worldwide. The franchise is one of the defining properties of Singapore’s ACG scene, and a dedicated competitive TCG has been a long time coming for fans here.

World Debut at Gen Con 2026

The game makes its global playable debut at Gen Con 2026 (30 July – 2 August, Indianapolis). Bandai is running free beginner Tutorial Sessions at the event, complete with demo decks. Attendees can also score the limited CP-001 Chakra Card promotional version, an exclusive backpack, a sticker, and a purchase ticket for the official playmat. Registration for tutorial slots opens on 21 June via the Gen Con website.

Kishimoto Sends a Message

Kishimoto commemorative illustration for the NARUTO CARD GAME announcement
Image courtesy of Bandai Card Games

Series creator Masashi Kishimoto offered a personal message alongside the reveal, as quoted in the official press release: “I’m glad to see the world of NARUTO grow larger once again. I truly hope these cards find their way to both your hands and your hearts.” A commemorative illustration accompanies the announcement.

What Singapore Players Should Watch For

Bandai Card Games products have a solid retail footprint in Singapore. The Digimon Card Game and Dragon Ball Super Card Game both support active local communities, with singles available at hobby stores across the island. It is reasonable to expect the NARUTO CARD GAME to follow a similar Southeast Asian distribution path — but no local retail or tournament roadmap has been announced yet.

Stay tuned via the official X account (@narutotcg_en) and the official website. The next major info drop is 29 July, when card designs, gameplay systems, and the full product roadmap will be revealed.

Last words

For Singapore’s ACG community, this is exactly the kind of announcement that gets card players talking. Naruto shaped a generation of anime fans here, and a properly competitive TCG treatment from Bandai — the house that made Digimon and Dragon Ball viable in local hobby stores — is worth getting genuinely excited about. Mark 29 July in your calendar for the full card reveal, and check out our other game news while you wait.

The Fake Alchemist Gets TV Anime — Passione Animates

Kadokawa has confirmed that The Fake Alchemist (Nisemono no Renkinjutsushi) is getting a full TV anime adaptation — and the announcement came with a teaser visual and a commemorative PV. The studio handling the project is Passione, and with over a million copies of the manga sold in Japan, this one has been a long time coming.

From Pixiv Gem to Million-Copy Sensation

The Fake Alchemist began as a self-published webcomic on Pixiv by storywriter Jirō Sugiura and illustrator Umemaru before being picked up for official serialisation on Kadokawa’s KadoComi and Nico Nico Seiga platforms in June 2023. In just three years the manga quietly crossed one million copies in Japan — a remarkable milestone for a series that started as a passion project.

The Fake Alchemist manga announcement artwork
Image courtesy of Kadokawa / Umemaru

The series is available in English via Yen Press, with five compiled volumes out now — so Singapore fans who want to read ahead of the anime already have a solid head start.

What Is The Fake Alchemist About?

The story is set in the city-state of Orichalconia, a world where alchemy and magic permeate everyday life. A reincarnated Paracelsus ekes out a quiet existence as an alchemist, carefully concealing abilities that far exceed those of everyone around him. His low-key arrangement unravels when he enters into a contract with a shaman slave-girl named Nora — the character at the centre of today’s teaser visual — and later encounters Coco, an elf who has lost all four limbs and five senses.

The premise leans into classic isekai conventions — a hidden overpowered protagonist, unlikely bonds, a richly imagined fantasy world — but the manga’s devoted following suggests Sugiura and Umemaru execute them with enough craft to stand apart from a crowded field.

The Studio: Passione

Production duties go to Passione, the studio known for its work on the Higurashi: When They Cry – GOU and SOTSU reimaginings. Cast, staff, and broadcast schedule details have not yet been announced — Kadokawa says further information will be shared at a later date.

When Can Singapore Fans Watch It?

No streaming partners have been confirmed yet, but given that Crunchyroll covered the announcement today, it remains a natural fit — though nothing is locked in. In the meantime, check out our Manga Anime section for more picks while you wait for a broadcast date.

Last words

A million-copy indie manga earning its anime adaptation with a proven studio attached — The Fake Alchemist is exactly the kind of grassroots-to-mainstream story we love to see. Singapore fans who have been sleeping on the manga now have a very good reason to start reading. We’ll bring you cast and air-date news the moment Kadokawa drops them.

R-Type Tactics I • II Cosmos Is Out Now — The 16-Year Wait Is Over

R-Type fans, the wait is finally, genuinely over. R-Type Tactics I • II Cosmos, the Unreal Engine 5 remake of both PSP strategy entries, launched today, 18 June 2026, in the West on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. Published by NIS America, this is the first time either Tactics game has appeared on current-generation hardware — and critically, the first time R-Type Tactics II has ever been released in English.

R-Type Tactics I • II Cosmos – Release Date Announcement Trailer — via NIS America on YouTube

Sixteen Years in the Making

R-Type Tactics II: Operation Bitter Chocolate originally launched on the PSP in Japan in 2009 but never made it West. Developer Irem shut down its consumer games division not long after, and the sequel quietly became one of strategy gaming’s most notable localisation gaps. Granzella — the studio formed by former Irem staff — brought the franchise back with this full remake collection, and NIS America stepped in as Western publisher to finally close the English gap seventeen years on.

Both games have been rebuilt from scratch in Unreal Engine 5, far removed from the original PSP releases. The collection adds a brand-new post-game storyline on top of the original campaigns, meaning there is fresh content even for players who imported the Japanese version earlier this year.

What Is in the Collection?

The two games in the set share the R-Type universe’s distinctive aesthetic — humanity’s Space Corps versus the biomechanical Bydo empire — but play out as turn-based tactical strategy rather than the shoot-’em-up series it spun off from. Each campaign offers hundreds of ship units to deploy, branching mission structures, and the ability to play as both the Space Corps and the Bydo across separate playthrough perspectives.

  • R-Type Tactics I — remake of the 2007 PSP original, now in English with UE5 visuals
  • R-Type Tactics II: Operation Bitter Chocolate — the 2009 sequel, in English for the first time anywhere
  • New post-game campaign — an entirely original storyline added for this Cosmos release

Platforms and Where to Get It in Singapore

The game is out today on all major platforms available in Singapore: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, and PC (Steam and Epic Games Store). A Limited Edition physical bundle — including a 2-disc soundtrack, conceptual art cards, and two acrylic stands (Rwf-9A Arrow Head and Bwf-1Dα Bydo System Alpha) — is priced at USD 79.99 via the NIS America Online Store. Standard digital pricing is available directly on each platform’s store. Note the Limited Edition for Xbox Series X|S is no longer offered; that version is digital-only.

Japan, Asia, and Korea players have been able to play since 12 March 2026 — so today’s Western launch fills in the last major release territory gap.

Last Words

R-Type Tactics I • II Cosmos is a genuine occasion for strategy fans: a beautifully remastered pair of games that most Western players never got to experience properly, now on every current platform. For Singapore players with a PS5, Switch 2, or a capable PC, there is no excuse not to check it out — especially if you have ever bounced off the original shoot-’em-up series and wondered what the franchise looks like as a tactics game. It looks like this. Check out our Game News section for more launch coverage this week.

GTA V PS5 Upgrade Is Now Free — and The Kortz Center Heist Drops in July

If you own Grand Theft Auto V on PS4 or Xbox One, today is the day you’ve been waiting for. Rockstar has officially made the upgrade to the PS5 and Xbox Series version of GTA V free, effective June 18 — and to sweeten the deal, the studio has revealed its next major GTA Online update: The Kortz Center Heist, arriving in July.

The GTA V Next-Gen Upgrade Is Finally Free

Starting today, any player who owns a digital copy of Grand Theft Auto V on PlayStation 4 can upgrade to the PS5 version at no cost. The same goes for anyone on the digital Xbox One version — the Xbox Series X|S upgrade is yours for free. And if you’re on the PC Legacy version, you can move to the Enhanced edition without paying a cent either.

The next-gen versions aren’t just a resolution bump. They include Hao’s Special Works (HSW) vehicle upgrades and performance tuning, Career Progress rewards, ray-tracing options on PC, and full migration of your Story Mode and GTA Online progress from your old platform. Your characters, your money, your garage — all carry over.

GTA V next-gen edition — free upgrade available from June 18 2026
Image courtesy of Rockstar Games

The Kortz Center Heist: GTA Online’s Next Big Score

Alongside the upgrade news, Rockstar dropped the reveal of GTA Online’s next major update. As the studio announced on the Rockstar Newswire: “Prepare to raid the halls of Los Santos’ most prestigious art gallery in The Kortz Center Heist.”

The target is the Kortz Center — a landmark perched on the hills of Pacific Bluffs, famous across Los Santos for its internationally renowned collection of fine art. This is a multi-stage operation: before you can pull off the heist itself, you’ll need to add the Art Studio extension to your Mansion property, then scope out the complex, gather intelligence, and select your approach.

Crucially, The Kortz Center Heist is designed for solo players and full crews alike — so whether you’re running it with three friends or going in alone, the option is there.

The Kortz Center in GTA Online — the target of the new heist
Image courtesy of Rockstar Games

The Fine Art Collector Programme

In the weeks running up to the update’s arrival, Rockstar is hosting a series of GTA Online events that offer bonus GTA$ rewards, major discounts on in-game properties and vehicles, and access to the new Fine Art Collector Programme — a way to earn rare and exclusive collectibles before the Kortz Center’s doors are even cracked open. It’s worth logging in now to bank those prep bonuses ahead of the July launch.

The update is expected to drop on July 14, 2026, as part of Title Update 1.73. It may also be one of the last major storyline-focused updates for GTA Online before the long-awaited GTA VI arrives.

Last Words

For Singapore GTA fans, the timing couldn’t be better. The free upgrade removes the last reason to stay on PS4 — if you haven’t made the jump to PS5 yet, now’s the time, and you bring your entire GTA Online account with you. And for those already on current-gen, The Kortz Center Heist gives the game a fresh reason to stay installed. Check out more game news on GameTrader.SG as the July update approaches.