Category Archives: News

Warframe Tau and Soulframe Warsongs Revealed at TennoCon 2026

After more than a decade roaming the Origin System, Warframe is finally going somewhere new. At TennoCon 2026 — Digital Extremes’ annual fan celebration — the studio pulled the curtain on Warframe: Tau, the game’s next major Narrative Chapter, alongside a raft of Soulframe news that gave Digital Extremes’ other free-to-play RPG its biggest reveal yet. Both games are free and fully accessible from Singapore across PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC and Nintendo Switch 2.

TennoCon 2026 | Warframe: Tau | Official Trailer — via PlayWarframe on YouTube

Warframe: Tau — A Second Star Chart Beyond the Origin System

Tau is not a replacement for the Origin System — it is a second, fully separate Star Chart opening up a new region of space orbiting a binary star. The launch content centres on Fornax, a colossal Sentient ring city that doubles as one of the most distinct environments in Warframe’s history: a lawless metropolis drenched in constant black rain, where an addictive substance called Bloom keeps the population docile and a criminal underworld rules the docks, casinos and slums. Think cyberpunk noir, but built from alien biomechanical architecture.

The faction controlling Fornax is headed by the Hunra, voiced by Jonathan Bullock, a crime boss who becomes the central antagonist of the Tau chapter’s opening arc. Digital Extremes has confirmed a second, as-yet-undisclosed location will launch alongside Fornax. The entire Tau chapter arrives as a free update for all platforms later in 2026 — community director Megan Everett described it as “one of the biggest updates we’ve ever done,” while being careful to note it is not a sequel.

Warframe players in the atmospheric corridors of Fornax, the Sentient ring city in Tau
Image courtesy of Digital Extremes

Meet Brysko: The Noir Warframe Voiced by Matthew Mercer

Headlining the Tau chapter is Brysko, a new “Chimera frame” — a Sentient-hybrid Warframe rebuilt by the series veteran Albrecht Entrati. Brysko is voiced by Matthew Mercer (Critical Role, Resident Evil Village, Overwatch), making him a rare non-Protoframe Warframe to receive a named voice actor. His role is equal parts detective and enforcer: his inner monologue narrates his cynical world-view as he infiltrates Fornax’s criminal underworld on Entrati’s behalf.

His arsenal leans into the noir aesthetic. His Exalted Pistol, the Corecracker, is a heavy revolver magnum, while his Exalted Melee — Rain & Shine — are a pair of brutal brass-knuckle fist weapons. He can also deal damage with explosive playing cards, which ties into Tau’s new mini-game, Portau — Warframe’s first card-based game, playable inside Fornax’s casinos.

Brysko holds playing cards across from an alien enemy at a casino table in the Portau card mini-game
Image courtesy of Digital Extremes

Fall 2026 First: Iceblade of Narin Before Tau Arrives

Tau will not be the first major update to land before the year is out. Digital Extremes confirmed Iceblade of Narin — the studio’s traditional autumn release — is also in the pipeline for 2026. It introduces the game’s 66th Warframe, an ice-themed frame, alongside the long-awaited Banshee Deluxe Collection and rework (Banshee’s first Deluxe since 2016) and Citrine Prime Access. Full details will be presented at a live devstream from Seoul, South Korea, on 4 September 2026.

Iceblade of Narin title card for the Fall 2026 Warframe update
Image courtesy of Digital Extremes

Soulframe: Warsongs — Wolf Mounts, Ben Starr and a Darkening Fable

TennoCon 2026 did not neglect Soulframe, Digital Extremes’ slower-paced, fantasy-RPG counterpart to Warframe. The studio revealed Warsongs, the next major Fable quest for Soulframe Preludes, described by the dev team as the darkest content yet. The new Fable introduces Tempest Bayor, a rare red-armed Envoy aligned with the invading Ode forces, voiced by Ben Starr — familiar to Singapore fans from his recent breakout performance in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Alongside Bayor is his faithful raven companion and the soaring Citadel as a new hub location.

Four Soulframe players riding giant wolf mounts through a forest stream in the Warsongs reveal
Image courtesy of Digital Extremes

The headline feature for many existing Preludes players is the confirmation that wolf mounts are finally coming to Soulframe this fall. The gameplay demo showed a full four-player squad riding large wolves across Alca, and players who have completed the Orangol quest already have a wolf pup that will grow through new bonding mechanics into a full rideable companion. The update also adds a fishing mini-game woven into the narrative, and a new corrupted progression path called the Vadagar Pact, which unlocks dark Virtues — Wrath, Doom and Death — for Envoys willing to embrace corruption.

Soulframe | TennoCon 2026 Official Warsongs Trailer — via Soulframe on YouTube

Singapore Players: How to Get In Right Now

Warframe is free-to-play with no region restrictions — download it now on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC via Steam, or Nintendo Switch 2. The Tau chapter and Iceblade of Narin update will roll out as free downloads when they launch later in 2026. Soulframe is in Preludes (early access) and is free on PC. There is one time-sensitive action for Singapore fans: sign up at soulframe.com before 11:59 PM ET on 12 July (that is around 11:59 AM SGT on 13 July) to secure permanent access to Soulframe Preludes. Miss the window and you will need to wait for a wider public launch date, which has not been announced.

For more free-to-play and live-service gaming news, head to our Game News archive.

MURCIÉLAGO Anime 2027: Dark Crime Manga Finally Gets a TV Series

Thirteen years after its debut in Square Enix’s Young Gangan magazine, Kana Yoshimura’s MURCIÉLAGO is finally becoming a TV anime — and the teaser that premiered at Anime Expo 2026 this July confirms the adaptation looks as stylishly unhinged as the manga deserves.

MURCIÉLAGO anime 2027 official key visual showing Kuroko Koumori and Hinako Tozakura
Image courtesy of MURCIÉLAGO Project / Square Enix

A 13-Year Wait for MURCIÉLAGO Fans

MURCIÉLAGO follows Kuroko Koumori, a former death-row inmate who struck a deal with the Japanese government: spare her life, and she’ll eliminate the serial killers, cult leaders and organised criminals that conventional law enforcement can’t touch. Partnered with Hinako Tozakura — an innocent-looking girl with an extraordinary gift for high-speed driving — Kuroko tears through a gruelling case-file of society’s most dangerous criminals in a series that blends violent crime-action, dark humour, horror and a sharp yuri undertone through every volume.

Since its August 2013 debut, the manga has run to 28 volumes in Japan and crossed 2.3 million copies in circulation worldwide. It has long been one of the most-requested adaptations in the seinen/yuri fandom, and the Anime Expo 2026 announcement — complete with a super teaser PV and key visual — is the news readers have been waiting for. Original creator Kana Yoshimura described having a work adapted into an anime as “one of my greatest dreams,” as reported in Anime Corner’s coverage of the announcement.

MURCIÉLAGO teaser PV still showing Kuroko and Hinako in the series' distinctive manga-infused art style
Image courtesy of MURCIÉLAGO Project / Square Enix

What to Expect from the MURCIÉLAGO Anime

The adaptation is a joint production from Satelight (known for Macross Delta) and Staple Entertainment. Takashi Naoya serves as chief director and handles series composition — he previously directed Am I Actually the Strongest? and Tales of Wedding Rings. Matsuo Asami directs episode-to-episode, with Sei Tateishi handling character design, and music composed by Masanori Akita and Yuichi Tsuchiya.

The team has stated it is aiming to capture the stylish crime-action spirit of the original work while pushing its more extreme elements right up to the limits of broadcast standards. Satelight’s CG department is specifically handling the car action sequences — a major element of the manga’s most memorable set pieces — targeting truly cool 3D action scenes.

Watch the Official MURCIÉLAGO Teaser Trailer

MURCIÉLAGO – Official Teaser Trailer — via IGN on YouTube
Hinako Tozakura character close-up from the MURCIÉLAGO anime teaser
Image courtesy of MURCIÉLAGO Project / Square Enix

Streaming Rights and What Singapore Fans Should Know

HIDIVE has confirmed exclusive simulcast rights for the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. There is no confirmed streaming deal for Singapore or Southeast Asia yet — HIDIVE does not currently operate in the region. SG fans will need to watch for additional regional licensing announcements as the 2027 premiere approaches.

In the meantime, the manga’s English-language edition (published by Square Enix Manga) is widely available, making now an ideal time to catch up on all 26 international volumes before the anime airs. Keep an eye on the official MURCIÉLAGO announcement on Anime News Network for further cast, air date and regional streaming updates.

Commemorative illustration by MURCIÉLAGO creator Kana Yoshimura celebrating the anime announcement with the text Anime Adaptation Confirmed
Image courtesy of MURCIÉLAGO Project / Square Enix

For more anime and manga news including other 2027 titles to watch, check out our ongoing coverage.

Azur Lane × NieR: Automata — 2B and A2 Are Free Units

Commanders, this one is big. Yostar has officially confirmed the Azur Lane × NieR: Automata collaboration, and in a move that has the global player community genuinely excited: both crossover units — 2B and A2 — will be free. The event is set to go live in mid-July 2026, following a full reveal at Anime Expo 2026 in Los Angeles earlier this month.

2B Joins as a Free Light Cruiser

2B — 6-star Super Rare Light Cruiser in Azur Lane × NieR: Automata
Image courtesy of Yostar / SQUARE ENIX

YoRHa No.2 Type B — better known simply as 2B — arrives in Azur Lane as a 6-star Super Rare Light Cruiser, voiced by Yui Ishikawa reprising her iconic role. She brings her twin blades and the iconic blindfold into the Azur Lane world in an art style that blends the game’s signature ship-girl aesthetic with the mechanical, overgrown ruins of NieR’s post-apocalyptic setting.

The character art leans heavily into the NieR: Automata visual language — ruined cityscapes, trailing cables, oversized combat rigs — which Azur Lane fans in Singapore have pointed out looks stunning in the game’s gallery mode. 2B can be obtained for free through the event, meaning no premium currency is required to add her to your fleet.

A2 Joins as a Free Heavy Cruiser

A2 — 6-star Super Rare Heavy Cruiser in Azur Lane × NieR: Automata
Image courtesy of Yostar / SQUARE ENIX

Joining her counterpart is A2 (YoRHa Type A No.2), slotting in as a 6-star Super Rare Heavy Cruiser, voiced by Ayaka Suwa. Where 2B leans into the sleek, blade-forward combat look, A2’s card art is more imposing — heavier gear, a battle-worn posture, and an air of barely contained danger that matches the character perfectly. Both ships are tuned for the frontline.

What makes this especially valuable for Singapore players is that free 6-star SR units in Azur Lane are rare. Most crossover collaborations lock at least one major character behind limited-time gacha banners or premium event currency. Getting both 2B and A2 as earnable rewards is an unusually generous setup.

When Does the Azur Lane × NieR Collab Start?

The collaboration is set to begin in mid-July 2026; the exact in-game launch date is to be confirmed via the official @AzurLane_EN account on X. Yostar first teased the crossover in May 2026 before formally revealing both characters during Anime Expo 2026 (July 2–5). Event duration and any additional collaboration rewards — support ships, furniture sets, or limited-time story stages — have not yet been officially detailed.

For more mobile game and gacha news, head to our game news section. And if you missed the announcement, the official Azur Lane × NieR: Automata characters were confirmed by Yostar on the Azur Lane EN account on X.

AC Black Flag Resynced Hits 2 Million Sales in One Day

Ubisoft’s Singapore-led remake of the beloved pirate adventure has made a stunning commercial debut: Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced sold 2 million copies within its first 24 hours of release, making it the fastest-selling entry in the AC franchise in over a decade. The official milestone was confirmed by Ubisoft on 10 July — one day after the game launched on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

As we covered at launch, Black Flag Resynced is a ground-up remake developed primarily by Ubisoft Singapore — the studio with deeper roots in the Caribbean than anyone, having contributed to the original 2013 Black Flag’s ocean simulation and then spent a decade on the ill-fated Skull and Bones. Their full-circle moment has now also become a commercial one.

Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced — Edward Kenway overlooking a Caribbean harbour
Image courtesy of Ubisoft

Record Steam Numbers for Assassin’s Creed

On Steam alone, Resynced peaked at 99,451 concurrent players on launch day — the highest ever recorded for any Assassin’s Creed title on the platform, surpassing even Assassin’s Creed Shadows. It also topped Twitch on July 9 by viewer count.

Critics backed up the player enthusiasm. Resynced sits at 85% on OpenCritic and 84% on Metacritic, making it the best-reviewed AC game since the original Black Flag — the very game it remakes. Ubisoft Singapore rebuilt the entire experience from scratch in the Anvil engine, with zero code carried over from the 2013 version.

Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced: Official Game Overview Trailer — via Assassin’s Creed on YouTube

A Rare Moment of Transparency from Ubisoft

Ubisoft disclosing concrete sales numbers is itself notable. The company stopped publishing unit-sales figures years ago, making this the first time it has shared a specific number for an AC game since the original Black Flag sold over 11 million copies back in 2013. Whether intentional PR or a sign of renewed confidence, the disclosure reflects just how strong a launch this has been.

Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced — Edward Kenway at the Jackdaw's helm
Image courtesy of Ubisoft

The Microtransaction Caveat

The launch has not been entirely smooth. Steam user reviews have landed at Mixed, with a significant number of players unhappy about optional microtransactions bolted onto what is a premium-priced title. Ubisoft has defended the base game as “the full, complete experience” with the paid add-ons sitting outside the core campaign — but the pushback is real, and Singapore players who have already bought into the game report that the optional DLC does not affect the story.

Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced — Edward diving through a coral reef wreck
Image courtesy of Ubisoft

Still Worth It for Singapore Players?

The critical consensus and commercial result suggest yes — and the Ubisoft Singapore angle makes it meaningful locally. Few games this generation carry a “Made in Singapore” stamp as prominently as this one, and the studio’s work has clearly resonated globally. If you have been on the fence, AC Black Flag Resynced is available now on Steam and at local game retailers and electronics chains.

For more game news, check out the latest on our game news page.

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

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

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

Six Decks, Six Icons — Pick Your Colour

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

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

What’s Inside Each Deck

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

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

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

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

Simple Enough for Day One, Ready for the Locals Table

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

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

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

Beginners Deck Party 2026 — Your First Tournament Starts 31 July

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

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

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

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

Where Singapore Players Can Get These Decks

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Story: A Demon Lord Who Just Wants to Game

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

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

Production and Voice Cast

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

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

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

Where to Watch in Singapore

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Director: Destin Daniel Cretton

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

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

“A String of Miracles” — Kishimoto’s Reaction

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

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

What Singapore Fans Should Know

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

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

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

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

Switch 2 + Pokémon Pokopia Bundle: Where to Pre-Order in Singapore

Pre-orders for Nintendo’s Switch 2 + Pokémon Pokopia bundle are now live across Singapore retailers ahead of its 23 July 2026 launch, and at S$769.95 it is shaping up as the school-holiday pick for anyone still on the fence about jumping into Switch 2. When we covered the bundle’s announcement at the start of the month, the open questions were where you would actually buy it and whether pairing the console with the game saves you anything. Now that listings are up, here is where pre-orders stand, how the price really stacks up, and why demand for Pokopia is running this hot.

Where to Pre-Order the Switch 2 Pokopia Bundle in Singapore

The player character celebrates with Scyther, Squirtle, Bulbasaur, Charmander and other Pokémon in front of a Pokémon Centre in Pokémon Pokopia
Image courtesy of Nintendo / The Pokémon Company

The bundle is listed at major game retailers and electronics chains, with pre-orders open now ahead of the 23 July arrival — squarely in the school-holiday window. The listings we have seen so far:

  • Challenger — carrying the bundle at the S$769.95 official RRP.
  • NTUC FairPrice — a marketplace listing bundles a tempered-glass screen protector on top of the console and game for S$799.

Prices and stock will vary by retailer as launch approaches, so it is worth comparing what each throws in (screen protector, carry case, extra warranty) rather than the headline number alone. The official Nintendo Singapore announcement has the full list of participating retailers and the confirmed contents.

Is the Bundle Actually a Saving?

A player character in a bubble floats through a stone canyon with Piplup, Psyduck and Marill in Pokémon Pokopia
Image courtesy of Nintendo / The Pokémon Company

Here is how the S$769.95 bundle lines up against buying the two pieces on their own:

  • Standalone Nintendo Switch 2 console: S$719 (its original Singapore launch price)
  • Pokémon Pokopia standalone physical: around S$89.90 at local retailers

Bought separately at those prices you would be paying roughly S$808.90, which puts the bundle saving at about S$39. It is not a blockbuster discount — Nintendo rarely cuts deep at launch — but you get the console plus a premium-priced exclusive in one order for less than full rack price, and you skip hunting for a physical copy during the busy July retail rush. Do note the bundle includes a full download code for Pokopia rather than a boxed cartridge, so it will not resell like a physical copy later.

One caveat on the maths: Nintendo announced a worldwide Switch 2 hardware price adjustment in May 2026, and the revised standalone console price for Singapore had not been officially confirmed at the time of writing. Check nintendo.com/sg for the current figure, as the real saving shifts if the standalone price has moved since launch.

Why Pokopia Is in Such Demand

The player character uses a grass-type ability alongside Bulbasaur on a terraced landscape in Pokémon Pokopia
Image courtesy of Nintendo / The Pokémon Company

Part of why this bundle is worth a look is the game inside it. Pokémon Pokopia — the Switch 2-exclusive life sim where you build a settlement and let each species’ natural traits shape the world — sold more than 2.2 million copies worldwide in its first four days, including over a million in Japan alone, per Nintendo’s own figures. For a brand-new, non-mainline Pokémon title, that is a standout start, and it is a big reason physical copies have been in tight supply — making the download-code bundle a tidier way in. If you want the full rundown of what the game is and everything the box includes, our original bundle announcement goes deeper.

Pokémon Pokopia – Launch Trailer — via Pokémon Asia ENG on YouTube

What You Get in the Box

For quick reference, the bundle ships with everything a new player needs to start immediately:

  • Nintendo Switch 2 console and dock
  • Joy-Con 2 (L) and (R) controllers with straps
  • Joy-Con 2 Grip
  • AC adapter and USB-C charging cable
  • Ultra High Speed HDMI cable
  • Full download code for Pokémon Pokopia

The one thing that is not included is the Pokémon Pokopia Expansion Pass — it is sold separately, so factor that in if you plan to commit to the game long-term. For more on Switch 2 titles heading to Singapore, browse our full game news coverage.

Red River Anime Hits Crunchyroll — Classic Shoujo Arrives After 25 Years

If you spent your early teens sneaking chapters of a time-travel shoujo epic when you were supposed to be studying, your wait is finally over. Red River — the beloved manga that gripped Shojo Comic readers from 1995 to 2002 — has its first-ever anime adaptation, and it landed on Crunchyroll this week. Twenty-five years after the final chapter ran, Yuri and Prince Kail are animated at last.

Red River anime 2026 wide key visual — Tatsunoko Production
Image courtesy of Tatsunoko Production

What Is Red River (Anatolia Story)?

For anyone who missed the manga: Red River (天は赤い河のほとり, Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori — also published in English as Anatolia Story) follows 15-year-old Japanese schoolgirl Yuri Suzuki, who is summoned against her will to the Hittite Empire in 1500 BC Anatolia. Queen Nakia plans to use Yuri as a human sacrifice to curse the royal princes and clear the path for her own son’s succession. The one who intervenes is Nakia’s stepson, the charming and politically savvy Prince Kail Mursili, who mistakenly — and then very deliberately — passes Yuri off as the reincarnation of the war goddess Ishtar.

What follows across 28 volumes is a dense mix of Bronze Age political intrigue, large-scale battles, and a romance that earns its slow burn. Creator Chie Shinohara packed an enormous amount of historical detail into the series — it remains one of the most meticulously researched shoujo manga ever written — and the story’s reach showed: over 20 million copies sold in Japan, an English-language licence from VIZ Media, a Takarazuka Revue stage production in 2018, and the 46th Shogakukan Manga Award in the shoujo category. The one thing it never had was an anime. Until now.

Red River | Official Trailer — via Crunchyroll on YouTube

The Studio, Staff, and Commitment to Historical Accuracy

The adaptation is being produced by Tatsunoko Production — the studio behind classics like Gatchaman, Yatterman, and Casshern Sins — a choice that fits a story this rooted in craft and ambition. Kōsuke Kobayashi directs, with Yoriko Tomita handling series composition and Kenji Fujisaki designing the characters.

Particularly notable is the production’s approach to historical authenticity: the team brought in historians from the Japanese Institute of Anatolian Archaeology to advise on ancient Hittite architecture, clothing, weapons, and court politics. For a story built on the real bones of a Bronze Age civilisation, that kind of scholarly input matters — and it suggests the team understands what made the source material special.

The Voice Cast — Including a 30-Year Reunion

Mirai Tachibana voices Yuri, with Wataru Kato as Prince Kail. Hiroki Nanami — who also performs the opening theme, “Akatsuki no Sora” (暁の空; Dawn Sky) — takes the role of Yuri’s present-day boyfriend Satoshi Himuro and serves as the series narrator. Aya Uchida plays the villain Queen Nakia; the wider ancient court features Shoya Chiba (Zannanza), Tomoaki Maenon (Ilbani), Koji Yusa (Urhi), and Kohsuke Toriumi (Mattiwaza), among others. Miisha Shimizu performs the ending theme, “Reunion.”

Red River anime 2026 voice cast visual — Tatsunoko Production
Image courtesy of Tatsunoko Production

The casting announcement that generated the biggest reaction came on July 8, one day after the series premiere: veteran voice actors Minami Takayama and Kazuhiko Inoue have been cast as Yuri’s parents. The two originally voiced the series lead couple in the original Red River drama CD — released some thirty years ago. Their return to the franchise, now a generation older in-universe, is exactly the kind of easter egg that rewards long-time fans. It is a small creative decision that communicates something important: the people behind this adaptation know the fandom they are making it for.

Red River anime 2026 — Tatsunoko Production
Image courtesy of Tatsunoko Production

Where Singapore Fans Can Watch Red River

Red River is streaming on Crunchyroll for international audiences. In Japan the series airs on NTV’s AnichU block on Monday nights (technically 1:35 AM Tuesday JST), with Crunchyroll carrying the simulcast. The show premiered on July 7, meaning there are episodes already waiting if you’re jumping in right now.

If you haven’t read the manga, VIZ Media’s English edition — all 28 volumes — is the ideal companion. The anime has a lot of ground to cover, and the source material rewards time with it. For longtime fans who read it in serialisation or in collected volumes as kids, this adaptation is something that didn’t seem certain to ever happen. Check out our manga and anime coverage for more on this summer’s anime season.