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Xian Skyrider

Manga Anime, News

Fool Night Anime Revealed — Sunrise × SHAFT’s First Collab Streams on Netflix in 2026

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The wait is over. At the Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2026, the Sunrise × SHAFT anime project that has had the fandom buzzing for a week finally has a name: Fool Night. The dark sci-fi thriller will stream exclusively worldwide on Netflix later this year — yes, including Singapore.

「Fool Night」 Teaser PV — via Bandai Namco Film Works on YouTube

What Is Fool Night?

Based on the award-winning manga by Kasumi Yasuda, Fool Night is set in a bleak future where thick clouds permanently block the sun, plunging Earth into endless darkness. With plant life wiped out and oxygen depleting, humanity devised a drastic solution: transfloration, a process that converts dying humans into plant-like organisms to restore the oxygen supply.

At the centre of the story is Toshiro Kamiya, a young man who undergoes transfloration and discovers an unexpected side effect — he can hear plants. That ability sets him on a path to bridge the silence between humans and those who have transformed, a drama of identity, grief, and survival sitting somewhere between hard science fiction and quiet horror.

Fool Night anime key visual — Sunrise × SHAFT
Image courtesy of Fool Night Anime Production Committee / Bandai Namco Film Works

Two Studios. One Historic First.

This announcement caps a genuine historic milestone: Sunrise and SHAFT have never collaborated on an anime before. Sunrise’s legacy spans Cowboy Bebop, Code Geass, and the entire Gundam franchise; SHAFT built its reputation on the kinetic, visually daring style of Puella Magi Madoka Magica and the Monogatari series. Pairing them on a single dark, atmospheric sci-fi property is a bold creative bet — and the kind that tends to pay off.

Meet the Team Behind It

The production staff is full of names anime fans will recognise:

  • Director: Atsuyuki Yukawa — previously an episode director on Suzume no Tojimari; Fool Night marks his debut as a chief series director
  • Series Composition: Jin Tanaka — the writer behind Oshi no Ko
  • Character Design: Robert Sato
  • Sound Director: Yota Tsuruoka — credits include A Silent Voice (Koe no Katachi)
  • Music: Tatsuya Kato — the composer behind the acclaimed Dr. STONE score
Fool Night anime — Toshiro Kamiya and Yomiko Horai character visual
Image courtesy of Fool Night Anime Production Committee / Bandai Namco Film Works

The lead voice cast is equally well-matched. Koki Uchiyama — known to many as Tomura Shigaraki in My Hero Academia — voices protagonist Toshiro Kamiya. Minako Kotobuki (Tsumugi in K-On!) plays Yomiko Horai, Toshiro’s childhood friend.

An Award-Winning Manga with a Global Following

Yasuda’s manga is no newcomer to acclaim. Serialised in Shogakukan’s Big Comic Superior since November 2020, it currently runs to 12 volumes. It ranked in Kono Manga ga Sugoi! 2023 — Japan’s reader-voted best manga guide — and took home the Japan Expo DARUMA Award 2023 for Best Suspense in France, signalling international appetite long before any anime was confirmed. Singapore and SEA readers can pick up the English-language volumes through Shogakukan Asia.

Netflix Streams Worldwide — Singapore Included

Netflix confirmed a worldwide exclusive for Fool Night in 2026. No specific episode count or premiere date beyond “2026” was given at Annecy, so keep an eye on the Netflix Singapore page for updates. Given how quickly Netflix rolls out its anime titles globally, expect close-to-simultaneous access for Singapore fans when the series premieres.

Last Words

Midnight in Singapore, and the anime news cycle just woke up. Fool Night checks every box for a prestige Netflix anime: an acclaimed manga source, a career-defining staff roster, and two studios whose visual signatures are so distinct that their collision alone is worth watching. Singapore fans who want to get ahead of the curve can dive into the English manga through Shogakukan Asia now. We will be covering this one closely as a premiere date firms up. For more anime news, check out our Manga Anime coverage.

Game News

Jirachi Is Now in Pokémon Pokopia — Catch the Tanabata Event Before 8 July

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The Wish Pokémon has finally made its Pokémon Pokopia debut — and it arrives bearing a classic piece of Japanese culture that Singapore fans will recognise immediately.

The Wish Upon a Jirachi event is now live in Pokémon Pokopia on Nintendo Switch 2, starting today, 23 June 2026, and running until 8 July at 4:59 a.m. local time. During the event, Jirachi appears at a rebuilt Pokémon Center in your town, kicking off a limited-time quest tied to Japan’s beloved Tanabata (七夕) star festival tradition — the same one where people write wishes on colourful tanzaku papers and hang them from bamboo every 7 July.

What Is the Wish Upon a Jirachi Event in Pokémon Pokopia?

Jirachi arrives at a Pokémon Center in Pokémon Pokopia for the Tanabata event
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company / Nintendo

The event’s full Japanese name is ジラーチのキラキラたんざくあつめ — roughly, “Jirachi’s Sparkling Tanzaku Collection.” Tanzaku are the small paper strips people write wishes on during Tanabata, and the event leans into that theme throughout its quest structure and rewards. It wraps up just before 7 July, giving it a natural Tanabata cadence.

Mechanically, Jirachi hands you a recipe for Wish Notes (the Pokopia take on tanzaku). Craft them at a workbench, then fulfil requests from the Pokémon living in your town. Each completed request transforms a Wish Note into a Sparkling Wish Note, which you exchange with Jirachi for exclusive star-themed furniture. According to Nintendo’s official event page and Famitsu (Japanese), the event is available in standard towns and shared multiplayer “fresh towns,” but not on Cloud Islands.

How to Unlock Jirachi in Your Town

A few things need to be in order before Jirachi will show up:

  • Update Pokémon Pokopia to version 1.1.0
  • Complete the main “important wish” story quest
  • Rebuild at least one Pokémon Center in your town
  • Launch the game while connected to the internet (the event uses real-world date authentication)
  • Make sure your Nintendo Switch 2 clock is set to the actual current time

The good news: once you befriend Jirachi before the event closes, it stays in your town permanently even after 8 July.

All the Star-Themed Furniture Up for Grabs

Each Sparkling Wish Note unlocks one furniture piece. The full event reward set is:

  • Star closet
  • Starry-sky bed
  • Cloud table
  • Jirachi Lamp
  • Moon clock
  • Star mat
  • Star wall decoration
  • Telescope
  • Cloud cannon

Placing the star closet, starry-sky bed, cloud table, and Jirachi Lamp together unlocks the “Surrounded by Stars” habitat bonus — note that the Jirachi Lamp needs an electricity connection to complete it.

Also: A Nintendo Switch 2 + Pokopia Bundle Drops on 2 July

Separately, Nintendo has a Nintendo Switch 2 bundle that includes a digital copy of Pokémon Pokopia launching on 2 July 2026. If you have been waiting to pick up the console, that is well-timed — though you will need to move quickly to rebuild your Pokémon Center and catch Jirachi before the 8 July deadline. Check local retailers for SGD pricing.

Last Words

Tanabata is one of Japan’s most loved seasonal traditions, and it is a familiar one for Singapore fans of Japanese culture — from department store decorations to Japanese school events. Seeing it woven into Pokémon Pokopia’s first post-launch limited event adds a lovely layer of meaning for SG players who grew up with both Pokémon and Japanese seasonal customs. The event is live now and runs until 8 July — make your wishes count. Check out more game news on GameTrader.

Manga Anime, News

We Are Aliens Anime Film Lands Singapore Distributor — Shaw Organisation to Bring Cannes Premiere Here

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An independent anime film that turned heads at Cannes and Annecy this year is heading to Singapore: We Are Aliens, directed by first-time feature filmmaker Kohei Kadowaki, has been picked up by Shaw Organisation for a local theatrical release.

We Are Aliens anime film key visual
Image courtesy of Nothing New
We Are Aliens — Official Teaser — via NOTHING NEW on YouTube

A 30-Year Friendship, Told Through Rotoscoped Animation

We Are Aliens (Japanese title: Ware Ware wa Uchūjin) follows two boys — Tsubasa and Kyotaro — who become inseparable friends in elementary school, only for a moment of jealousy and misunderstanding to drive them apart. The story spans more than thirty years, slowly revisiting the distance that grew between them and the long shadow it cast into adulthood.

The film runs 102 minutes and uses a distinctive hybrid approach: hand-drawn 2D animation blended with rotoscoping — a technique that traces over live-action footage to capture the tiny, spontaneous gestures of children that are notoriously hard to animate purely by hand. Director Kadowaki, known in Japan for his work on animated music videos (including Yoasobi’s “Comet”), makes his feature directorial debut here, also handling writing, storyboarding, and editing himself.

The film is a Japan–France co-production between Nothing New (Japan) and Miyu Productions (France), with Paris-based Charades managing international sales.

A Rare Double: Cannes Directors’ Fortnight and Annecy Competition

Very few anime films land at Cannes. We Are Aliens had its world premiere in the Directors’ Fortnight (Quinzaine des Cinéastes) sidebar at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival — one of the most prestigious slots in world cinema for independent work. It was also selected for the Feature Film Competition at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2026, the world’s leading animation festival. That is a rare double-header, and it put the film on every serious animation buyer’s radar.

A scene from We Are Aliens anime film showing the two main characters
Image courtesy of Nothing New

On the film’s approach, director Kadowaki has said: “Designing an experience that would allow audiences to genuinely empathize with the characters after watching the film was absolutely essential,” as relayed in Variety.

Singapore: Shaw Organisation Confirmed as Local Distributor

The distribution news broke today: Shaw Organisation has acquired Singapore rights for We Are Aliens, confirmed via Variety along with a wider regional sweep. The full Asian slate is: Green Narae Media in South Korea, Hooray Films in Taiwan, Intercontinental Film Distributors in Hong Kong, and Sahamongkol Film in Thailand.

Japan theatrical release is slated for fall 2026, with international screenings — including Singapore — planned from 2027. Shaw has not yet confirmed a specific Singapore date.

We Are Aliens anime film scene
Image courtesy of Nothing New

Last Words

Singapore does not see many films of this festival pedigree hit local cinema screens through a proper theatrical release — a Cannes Directors’ Fortnight premiere and Annecy Competition slot from an independent Japanese animation studio is genuinely unusual. Shaw’s acquisition signals more than a quiet streaming deal. Keep an eye out: a Singapore release date will most likely surface in late 2026 or early 2027. We’ll update when it’s confirmed. Until then, the teaser above is well worth a watch.

Check out more anime news and coverage on GameTrader.

Manga Anime, News

Dr. Stone Ends After 7 Years — Final Episode Airs 25 June on Crunchyroll

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After seven years and nearly four full seasons, Dr. Stone: Science Future is almost done. The final episode of Senku Ishigami’s science-powered odyssey drops this Thursday, 25 June, on Crunchyroll — and Singapore fans can catch it at 10pm SGT. Two episodes remain as of this week, and the clock is ticking on one of the most unique shonen anime of the past decade.

Dr. STONE SCIENCE FUTURE Part 3 | Official Trailer | Crunchyroll — via Crunchyroll on YouTube

Seven Years of Science and Grit

The Dr. Stone manga launched in Weekly Shonen Jump in March 2017, written by Riichiro Inagaki (of Eyeshield 21 fame) and illustrated by Boichi. Over 27 volumes across five years — the series concluded its manga run in March 2022 — it built a reputation for something genuinely unusual: a shonen built on real science, where protagonist Senku Ishigami solves problems not with power-ups but with chemistry, physics, and engineering. The anime adaptation by TMS Entertainment debuted in 2019 and has since run across four seasons, spanning Stone Wars, the Ryusui arc, and now the final Science Future arc.

For seven years, the show has been a reliable fixture for anime fans who wanted something different — part survival story, part science textbook, and entirely Senku. The series closes with the same spirit: big ambitions, improbable solutions, and 10 billion percent confidence.

The Final Arc — Senku’s One-Way Ticket to the Moon

Science Future Part 3 (Cour 3) launched on 2 April 2026 and spans 13 episodes, bringing the overall series total to 37. The arc tackles the Moon Mission — Senku and the Kingdom of Science, now allied with former antagonist Dr. Xeno, are building a rocket to reach the Moon and confront the mysterious Why-Man, the entity responsible for the global stone petrification that kicked off the entire story.

Why-Man has loomed over Dr. Stone since the beginning, and its voice casting for the finale is itself a statement: the character is voiced by both Koichi Yamadera (best known internationally as Spike Spiegel in Cowboy Bebop) and Kotono Mitsuishi (Usagi Tsukino in Sailor Moon). Bringing in two icons of anime voice acting for the series’ central mystery is the kind of move that tells you the production was not coasting to the finish line.

Dr. Stone Science Future final arc key visual
Image courtesy of TMS Entertainment

How to Watch the Finale in Singapore

Singapore fans have easy access: Dr. Stone: Science Future streams on Crunchyroll in Southeast Asia, and the final episode arrives Thursday, 25 June at 10pm SGT. That’s the same evening as the Japanese broadcast (which airs at 10pm JST), with Crunchyroll making it available to Southeast Asian subscribers shortly after Japan. A standard Crunchyroll subscription covers it — no extras needed. Check out more anime news for what’s coming to the platform next.

Dr. Stone Science Future Cour 3 episode schedule
Image courtesy of TMS Entertainment

STONE FES. 2026 — The Grand Farewell in Yokohama

For those who want a proper send-off, the series’ official finale event — STONE FES. 2026 — takes place on 10 October 2026 at Yokohama BUNTAI in two sessions (daytime and evening). The full voice cast is expected to attend, alongside live musical performances by BURNOUT SYNDROMES (who did the Season 1 opening) and KANA-BOON (who handled the Season 4 themes). It’s a Japan-only event, but there’s a route in for dedicated fans: the Blu-ray and DVD box set for Science Future Cour 3 releases on 15 July 2026, and the first limited edition includes a priority lottery application for STONE FES. event tickets. For the most committed Dr. Stone fans in Singapore, that’s worth noting.

Last words

Seven years is a long time for any anime to run, and Dr. Stone spent that time doing something genuinely different with the shonen formula. The finale is two days out. Whether you’ve been following since Season 1 in 2019 or you caught up during the Science Future run, this is one to watch live — Thursday, 25 June, 10pm SGT on Crunchyroll. Senku would not approve of you waiting until the weekend.

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.