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Manga Anime, News

Mahoyo Comes to Smartphones on 20 November — Two New Key Visuals Revealed

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Singapore TYPE-MOON fans who have been waiting for the easiest possible way into Mahōtsukai no Yoru just got their answer. Alongside two newly revealed key visuals, TYPE-MOON and Aniplex confirmed at FGO Fes. 2026 (August 1–2, Makuhari Messe) that a smartphone version of the Witch on the Holy Night visual novel is heading to iOS and Android in Japan on 20 November 2026 — the same day the ufotable anime film opens in Japanese theatres. English language is confirmed as a supported language in the app, meaning Singapore fans can access it via the Japanese App Store or Google Play.

As we covered when the premiere date was confirmed, the film is produced by ufotable and brings Kinoko Nasu’s beloved TYPE-MOON visual novel to the big screen for the first time. The smartphone release adds a second layer to November 20 that nobody saw coming.

Witch on the Holy Night — Release Date Announcement 『魔法使いの夜』公開日解禁映像 — via アニプレックス チャンネル (Aniplex) on YouTube (Japanese)

Two New Key Visuals: TYPE-MOON and ufotable Each Draw Their Version

The FGO Fes. stage reveal came with a pair of freshly drawn key visuals for the film — one from each of the two creative pillars behind the project. The first is drawn by Hirokazu Koyama, the artist responsible for the original visual novel’s character graphics at TYPE-MOON. The second comes from ufotable, reflecting the anime film’s signature lighting and cinematic style.

Seeing both visuals side by side is a quiet demonstration of how far Mahoyo‘s world has come: Koyama’s artwork anchors the story in the soft, intimate lines fans remember from the 2012 VN, while ufotable’s rendering carries the weight of the studio’s decade of Nasuverse work — the same hand that delivered the Heaven’s Feel trilogy and Kara no Kyoukai.

Witch on the Holy Night anime film key visual by ufotable — revealed at FGO Fes. 2026
Image courtesy of ufotable / Aniplex

Smartphone Version: What Singapore Players Need to Know

The Witch on the Holy Night VN originally launched on PC in Japan in April 2012 — a release that remained Japan-only for over a decade. It finally came to Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 via an HD Remaster in December 2022, then to Steam in December 2023, where English-speaking fans finally had a straightforward path to it. The smartphone version is the next step, and for anyone without a PC or a Switch, it may be the most accessible the game has ever been.

  • Platforms: iOS and Android
  • Release date: 20 November 2026 (Japan)
  • Price: 2,900 JPY including tax (approximately S$27 at current rates)
  • Languages: Japanese, English, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese
  • Monetisation: Paid app, no in-app purchases
  • Features: Touchscreen controls, full voice acting matching the HD remaster

The English language support is the headline detail for Singapore fans. A Japan App Store or Japanese Google Play account is needed at launch — the release is currently only announced for Japan — but with English fully supported in-app, there is no language barrier. Import-only for now, with no confirmed Singapore or SEA regional release date.

Witch on the Holy Night mobile version announcement art for iOS and Android
Image courtesy of TYPE-MOON / Aniplex

About Mahoyo — The Nasuverse Prequel That Started It All

Mahōtsukai no Yoru (魔法使いの夜, also known as Mahoyo) is a visual novel written by Kinoko Nasu and developed by TYPE-MOON — the creators of Fate/stay night, Tsukihime, and Kara no Kyoukai. The story is set in late-1980s Japan and follows Aoko Aozaki, a mage apprentice who has just inherited her family’s magic, and Alice Kuonji, the English witch who mentors her in a grand hilltop manor. Their world changes when a rural transfer student, Soujyurou Sizuki, wanders into their lives.

For longtime Nasuverse fans, Aoko is a significant figure — she is the younger sister of Touko Aozaki from Kara no Kyoukai, and events in Mahoyo lay foundations that echo across other TYPE-MOON works. The film’s voice cast brings Haruka Tomatsu (Aoko), Kana Hanazawa (Alice), and Yūsuke Kobayashi (Soujyurou) to the roles.

Witch on the Holy Night visual novel smartphone version and anime film announcement
Image courtesy of TYPE-MOON / Aniplex

Whether you are coming to Mahoyo through the anime film in November or through the smartphone app, this November 20 window is shaping up to be one of the most notable TYPE-MOON moments in years. Singapore’s theatrical release is not yet confirmed — we will update when Aniplex or a local distributor announces anything. For more on the film, see our anime coverage.

Manga Anime, News

ELECEED Anime Confirmed for Crunchyroll — Full Cast Revealed, Early 2027 Premiere

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Webtoon readers, this one is for you. ELECEED — one of the biggest action manhwa on the planet with over a billion global reads — is officially getting its anime adaptation, and Crunchyroll has just confirmed it will stream it worldwide (outside Japan and China). That means Singapore fans are fully in the coverage window, no workarounds needed.

ELECEED anime teaser key visual showing Jiwoo, Kayden the cat, and another Awakened fighter
Image courtesy of DandeLion Animation Studio / ELECEED Animation Partners

What Is ELECEED?

Created by Jeho Son and illustrated by ZHENA, ELECEED has been serialised on Naver Webtoon since October 2018 and has racked up more than one billion global views — making it one of the most-read manhwa series on the platform. The premise is deceptively breezy: Jiwoo Seo (Kazahaya Yuu in the Japanese anime) is a warm-hearted teenager with cat-like reflexes who quietly uses his abilities to help people around him. One day he rescues an injured stray cat, which turns out to be Kayden Break — the world’s most powerful Awakened, currently stuck in the body of a decidedly rotund orange tabby while recovering from injuries. What begins as an odd-couple household gradually escalates into full-scale Awakened-vs-Awakened action, with Jiwoo growing from a good-natured bystander into a force in his own right.

ELECEED | Official Teaser Trailer (English ver.) — via the official ELECEED anime channel on YouTube

The ELECEED Anime Voice Cast

The first full trailer, released in July 2026, revealed the main Japanese cast. Note that the anime localises the webtoon’s Korean character names into Japanese, so fans of the manhwa will hear different names on screen:

  • Junya Enoki as Jiwoo Seo / Kazahaya Yuu — Enoki is best known as Yuji Itadori in Jujutsu Kaisen, which makes him an inspired pick for another physically gifted, morally wholesome lead
  • Tasuku Hatanaka as Wooin / Jin Tatsuoka
  • Setsuji Sato as Dr. Delein
  • Hayato Dojima as Jisuk Yoo / Sota Yanagi
  • Shizuka Ito as Jiyoung Yoo / Amane Yanagi

One conspicuous gap: the voice actor for Kayden — easily the casting fans are most curious about — has not yet been announced.

ELECEED anime combat scene showing two Awakened fighters surrounded by electric lightning
Image courtesy of DandeLion Animation Studio / ELECEED Animation Partners

The Studio and Creative Team

The adaptation is being produced by DandeLion Animation Studio — the South Korean studio behind the acclaimed THE FIRST SLAM DUNK film, which was a big theatrical hit here and across Asia. The key staff:

  • Director: Hiroshi Nishikiori (Toaru Majutsu no Index III, Honey Lemon Soda)
  • Series Composition: Yosuke Kuroda (My Hero Academia)
  • Character Design: Minami Sakura (GRIDMAN UNIVERSE)

Yosuke Kuroda on scripts is a particularly reassuring sign — his fingerprints are all over My Hero Academia‘s best story arcs, and ELECEED‘s blend of underdog growth and escalating power battles sits squarely in his wheelhouse.

The series was originally slated for a 2026 broadcast. In June 2026, the production team announced a delay to early 2027 alongside a new key visual; given the calibre of the studio and staff, the extra time is probably the right call.

When and Where to Watch — Singapore

Crunchyroll confirmed the streaming deal at AnimagiC 2026 on 1 August, with rights covering worldwide territories outside Japan and China. Singapore sits firmly within that window. No exact premiere date within the early 2027 window has been set yet — keep an eye on Crunchyroll’s upcoming anime announcements for the full schedule. Given WEBTOON’s enormous existing readership in Singapore — and the pedigree of DandeLion plus the My Hero Academia script team — this is shaping up to be one of the more anticipated Crunchyroll debuts of early next year.

Manga Anime, News

Free Fire Daybreak: First Trailer Reveals Kelly’s Story and the World of New Dawn

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The first official story trailer for Free Fire: Daybreak is out, and it finally pulls back the curtain on what Garena and KADOKAWA’s anime adaptation is actually about. When the project was announced last week, all we had was a key visual and a Spring 2027 window. Now we have characters, a plot, and a director whose name will mean something to fans of CANDY BOX’s previous work.

Watch the Official Anime Trailer

Free Fire: Daybreak | Official Anime Trailer 1 | Spring 2027 ON AIR — via Free Fire Daybreak on YouTube

Kelly, Project Bloom, and the Horizon Corporation

Kelly from Free Fire Daybreak anime, a close-up profile shot from the official trailer
Image courtesy of Garena / KADOKAWA HOLDINGS ASIA

The story is set in New Dawn, a gleaming near-future metropolis run by the all-powerful Horizon Corporation. At the centre of it is 16-year-old Kelly, who gets pulled into an experimental programme called Project Bloom and wakes up with a power called Limit Break — described as the ability to unlock what has been sealed away.

As fragments of Kelly’s past resurface, she teams up with two allies Free Fire fans will recognise instantly: Hayato, the sword-wielding fighter in the red hoodie, and Moco, the green-haired hacker who brings a tactical edge to the group. The trailer frames the story as a conspiracy thriller — Kelly and company digging into what Horizon Corporation is actually doing, and what it means for the city’s future.

Production: CANDY BOX, Ken Takahashi and Spring 2027

Character close-up from the Free Fire Daybreak anime trailer
Image courtesy of Garena / KADOKAWA HOLDINGS ASIA

The anime is produced by studio CANDY BOX, known for Blue Archive The Animation and Azur Lane: Slow Ahead! — the studio has built a track record turning mobile-game IP into watchable anime. Ken Takahashi is directing (he served as assistant director on Fate/kaleid liner PRISMA ILLYA Licht Nameless Girl and has credits on Ragna Crimson), with series composition by Hotaru Asafuji and music from Koji Fujimoto of Sus4 Inc. — who also scored Ragna Crimson. KADOKAWA QINGYU handles production management.

Garena and KADOKAWA HOLDINGS ASIA confirmed that the series will air and stream worldwide, including Japan, when it launches in Spring 2027. No streaming platform has been named yet, but a global simulcast would put it in front of Singapore audiences on day one.

Why Singapore Fans Should Pay Attention

Free Fire has dominated Southeast Asia’s battle royale scene for years, and Garena — the Singapore-based platform behind it — has now committed fully to taking the franchise into anime. This is the first animated series built around the Free Fire universe, and with a legitimate studio, a known director, and a worldwide streaming plan, it is not a low-effort tie-in. Whether you are a Free Fire veteran curious how Kelly’s story plays out, or an anime fan who knows CANDY BOX’s work, Spring 2027 is worth a bookmark. For more anime news, keep an eye on GameTrader.

News, Shop and Merchandise

BEAMS x The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Collection Is Out Now in Japan

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If you caught The Super Mario Galaxy Movie in Singapore cinemas earlier this year and came out wishing you could take a piece of it home, Japanese fashion label BEAMS just answered that call. The long-teased collaboration between BEAMS and Nintendo’s blockbuster sequel officially went on sale in Japan today, 1 August 2026, and the nine-piece collection is exactly the kind of loud, character-forward streetwear that BEAMS does best.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie – Official Trailer — via Nintendo of America on YouTube

What BEAMS Brought to the Galaxy

The collection takes the vibrant visual language of the Nintendo/Illumination film and runs it through BEAMS’ distinctly Tokyo-casual design sensibility. The standout piece is the all-over print open-collar short-sleeve shirt (¥13,200), which covers every inch of fabric with Coins, Fire Flowers, Super Mushrooms and Question Blocks in a pattern that somehow manages to feel wearable rather than overwhelming. It comes in white and navy, and there is a matching all-over print tote bag (¥7,700) in the same two colour options if you want to commit fully to the look.

BEAMS x The Super Mario Galaxy Movie — open-collar shirts, character tees and Bowser pieces
Image courtesy of BEAMS / Nintendo

The Bowser items deserve their own spotlight. The Bowser T-Shirt (¥7,920) and matching Bowser Sweatshirt (¥13,200) go full rock-poster with a massive KOOPA graphic across the chest — the kind of design that works for a casual weekend but also reads clearly enough that fellow fans will clock it immediately. Both come in white and black (fade black for the sweatshirt).

The Full Line-Up

BEAMS x The Super Mario Galaxy Movie — sweatshirts, long sleeve tees, tote bags and logo cap
Image courtesy of BEAMS / Nintendo

Here is everything in the collection with pricing in Japanese yen:

  • All-Over Print Open Collar Shirt — ¥13,200 (White, Navy, sizes S–XL)
  • Character T-Shirt — ¥7,920 (White, Grey, S–XL) — full cast graphic across the back
  • Bowser T-Shirt — ¥7,920 (White, Black, S–XL)
  • Logo T-Shirt — ¥7,920 (White, Black, S–XL) — clean movie logo treatment on the back
  • Character Sweatshirt — ¥12,100 (Grey, Black, S–XL) — character print with Yoshi detail on the sleeve
  • Bowser Sweatshirt — ¥13,200 (Fade Black, S–XL)
  • Long Sleeve T-Shirt — ¥12,100 (Navy, Black, S–XL) — cast storyboard strip running the full length of the sleeve
  • Logo Cap — ¥8,250 (Black, One Size)
  • All-Over Print Tote Bag — ¥7,700 (White, Navy)
BEAMS x The Super Mario Galaxy Movie long sleeve tee detail — BEAMS logo and character strip on sleeve
Image courtesy of BEAMS / Nintendo

Getting It to Singapore

The collection is Japan-exclusive for now and available through the BEAMS Online Store and BEAMS retail locations across Japan. There is no confirmation of a wider international release or a Singapore-specific retail drop at this stage.

Singapore fans who want to order will need to use a Japanese proxy shopping or forwarding service — these typically charge a service fee on top of the item price and shipping, so factor that in before hitting checkout on the pricier sweatshirts. Items are priced between ¥7,700 and ¥13,200, putting most pieces in the same ballpark as a mid-range streetwear purchase once shipping is added.

The movie itself crossed USD $1 billion at the global box office and had a strong run in Singapore cinemas this April, with Nintendo’s local site carrying full movie information. If you missed the Uniqlo UT collaboration from earlier in the year (which did land in Singapore stores), the BEAMS pieces occupy a slightly more premium, Japan-fashion-brand position — fewer pieces, more distinctive designs, and import-only for most of us.

For other Japan culture drops and Singapore pop-culture news, check our merchandise and shop coverage.

News

LEGO Pokémon SMART Play Sets Out Now — 12 Interactive Sets With Pikachu, Mewtwo and More

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LEGO and The Pokémon Company’s most ambitious collaboration yet is now live. Twelve brand-new LEGO Pokémon SMART Play sets went on sale today, 1 August 2026, bringing interactive screen-free play technology to some of the franchise’s most iconic Pokémon for the very first time. It’s the biggest shake-up to the LEGO Pokémon range since the line launched — and if you’ve got a Pokémon-obsessed kid (or, let’s be honest, you are one), this is worth paying attention to.

LEGO® Pokémon™ SMART Play™ sets are coming! — via The Official Pokémon YouTube channel on YouTube

What Is LEGO SMART Play Technology?

The headline innovation here is the LEGO SMART Brick — a small electronic component that slots into compatible builds and packs more than twenty patented technologies into one unit. Once embedded, it makes your Pokémon set respond to real-world interactions through light, sound, motion, and sensing — all without a screen or a paired app.

The idea is to let kids feel like actual Pokémon Trainers: feed your Pikachu, battle a rival’s Charizard, or coax a wild Mewtwo into submission — and the set physically responds to what you do. LEGO says the system is designed to grow with a collection: the SMART Brick from one All-in-One set can be moved into any compatible set in the range.

The Full Lineup — From Jigglypuff to Mewtwo

The twelve sets split into two tiers. All-in-One Sets come bundled with a SMART Brick and charger, so you’re ready to play straight out of the box. Compatible Sets include only the SMART Tags — they work with a SMART Brick you already own, or on their own as standard brick builds.

LEGO 72164 Training House with Pikachu set box
Image courtesy of The LEGO Group / The Pokémon Company

All-in-One Sets (include SMART Brick):

  • 72164 Training House with Pikachu — 400 pieces, ages 6+, US$69.99
  • 72167 Charizard vs. Jolteon Ultimate Battle — 751 pieces, ages 8+, US$119.99
LEGO 72167 Charizard vs Jolteon Ultimate Battle set box
Image courtesy of The LEGO Group / The Pokémon Company

Compatible Sets (work with existing SMART Brick or standalone):

  • 72155 Berry Bash with Bulbasaur and Bidoof — 240 pieces, US$19.99
  • 72156 Trainer’s Buggy Adventure with Squirtle — 320 pieces, US$29.99
  • 72157 Charmander and Geodude’s Cavern Clash — 198 pieces, US$19.99
  • 72158 Sprigatito, Fuecoco and Quaxly Battle — 313 pieces, US$34.99
  • 72159 Jigglypuff Concert — 88 pieces, US$14.99
  • 72161 Drone Search for Mythical Mew — 429 pieces, US$49.99
  • 72162 Eevee and Lapras’s Treasure Hunt — 623 pieces, US$59.99
  • 72163 Mewtwo’s Lab Break — 605 pieces, US$69.99
  • 72165 Umbreon vs. Garchomp Championship Battle — 831 pieces, US$79.99
  • 72166 Cubone and Gengar’s Spooky Showdown — 782 pieces, US$89.99
LEGO 72159 Jigglypuff Concert set box
Image courtesy of The LEGO Group / The Pokémon Company

There’s also a limited Gift With Purchase set — 40887 Ditto as Squirtle Movie Night — available with qualifying purchases while stocks last.

Where to Buy — And the Singapore Situation

The official day-one launch markets are the US, UK, Australia, Germany, France, and Poland — sets are live now on LEGO.com and in LEGO Brand Stores in those territories.

LEGO 72163 Mewtwo's Lab Break set box
Image courtesy of The LEGO Group / The Pokémon Company

Singapore isn’t listed among the formal launch markets, but LEGO.com offers international shipping and local LEGO Brand Stores (ION Orchard, VivoCity, Bugis+, and Jewel Changi Airport) often receive new ranges — SGD pricing and local availability are to be confirmed, so keep an eye on your nearest store. At US pricing, the entry point is around US$14.99 for the Jigglypuff Concert set, making it one of the more accessible LEGO Pokémon sets yet.

The Pokémon and LEGO lines have both built strong followings here, and with the Kanto starter trio (Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle) all getting dedicated sets alongside fan favourites like Gengar, Mewtwo, and Eevee, there’s a strong pull for collectors and younger fans alike. Check the latest gaming and pop-culture news here for any Singapore retail updates as they come.

Manga Anime, News, Shop and Merchandise

Digimon’s DIGIVICE ver.REVIVAL Launches Today in Japan

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Today — 1 August 2026 — is Odaiba Memorial Day, the anniversary of when the DigiDestined first arrived in the Digital World. Bandai Namco is marking it in the best way possible: the DIGIVICE ver.REVIVAL is out today in Japan, reviving the iconic LCD handheld toy from the original Digimon Adventure series for the first time since 1999.

What Is the DIGIVICE ver.REVIVAL?

If you grew up in Singapore watching Digimon Adventure and pestering your parents for a Digivice at the toy shop, this one is for you. Released in Japan in July 1999, the original Digivice was a pendulum-style LCD game — you raised a Digimon partner, kept it healthy by swinging the device, and linked up with other Digivice owners to swap HELP requests. It was part virtual pet, part adventure companion, and for a generation of Singapore kids it was the coolest thing on the toy shelf.

The DIGIVICE ver.REVIVAL brings that loop back, pulling content from the full original Digimon Adventure TV run all the way through the 2020 film Digimon Adventure: Last Evolution Kizuna. There are more than 80 Digimon to raise and encounter — partners and rivals alike — and the core pendulum mechanic is intact. The retail price in Japan is ¥4,378 (tax included), roughly US$30.

DIGIVICE ver.REVIVAL Taichi Yagami Colour — orange and blue transparent body with Agumon on the LCD screen
Image courtesy of Bandai Namco

Two Variants: Taichi or Yamato?

There are two colour variants at launch, each styled after one of the original DigiDestined:

  • Taichi Yagami Colour — the classic orange-and-blue transparent shell with Agumon on boot. If you only owned one Digivice as a kid, it was probably this one.
  • Yamato Ishida Colour — a deep translucent blue with white buttons, Gabumon on the LCD. Yamato’s device always had the colder, sharper look, and this version nails it.

Both variants have identical gameplay and Digimon rosters — the choice is cosmetic. A single CR2032 battery (included) powers the unit and the rated age is 8 and above.

DIGIVICE ver.REVIVAL Yamato Ishida Colour — deep blue and white body with Gabumon on the LCD screen
Image courtesy of Bandai Namco

How Singapore Fans Can Pick One Up

The DIGIVICE ver.REVIVAL is going out through general Japanese retail today — it is not a Premium Bandai exclusive — so stock should be broadly available at toy shops and electronics chains across Japan. For Singapore fans, the usual import routes apply: Play-Asia and AmiAmi both stock Bandai toys and frequently ship to Singapore, and proxy/forwarding services (Tenso, Buyee, Remambo) are straightforward options for this size of item.

Closer to home, Singapore’s Zenint — a local Digimon card and collectibles specialist — has both variants listed for pre-order ahead of the international release. Bandai has confirmed an international version is in development, described as a re-work of the existing Ver.Complete build made more accessible for fans outside Japan (likely including English text). Zenint’s listings point to a September–November 2026 window for that release; international pricing has not been confirmed.

If you want the Japanese version now, ¥4,378 per unit is very reasonable for a piece of Digimon history. Both colours are worth considering — the 1999 originals came out at similar price points and dried up fast. For more on upcoming Digimon products and other gaming news, see our latest news.

Manga Anime, News

Crayon Shin-chan 2026 Movie Opens in Japan Today

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The 33rd 2D animated Crayon Shin-chan film — Spooky! My Yokai Vacation (奇々怪々！オラの妖怪バケ～ション) — opened in Japanese theatres today, 31 July 2026, kicking off another summer tradition for one of anime’s most enduring family franchises. Directed by a fresh face and set somewhere the Nohara family has never gone before, this entry looks like a genuine standout in the 34-film run.

What Happens When Shin-chan Meets the Yokai

It starts with fireworks. The Nohara family travels to Akita Prefecture — Hiroshi’s paternal hometown and a first for the Shin-chan film series — to attend the famous Omagari Fireworks Festival, one of the most spectacular summer events in Japan. Being entirely Shin-chan, he immediately spots flyers advertising “Obake Village” (Ghost Village) with promises of unlimited snacks, and convinces the family to investigate deep in the mountains. They accidentally wander into the forbidden Land of Yokai, and what begins as a food-motivated detour becomes the Noharas’ most surreal crisis yet.

Shin-chan gazes up at the Akita fireworks festival that sets the film in motion
Image courtesy of Shin-Ei Animation / Toho

New Director, Familiar Heart

Official trailer — via アニメ クレヨンしんちゃん公式チャンネル on YouTube

Taking the director’s chair is Masaki Watanabe, who SG anime fans may recognise from the Sakamoto Days anime. He’s working from a script by Yoshiko Nakamura, with the full regular voice cast returning: Yumiko Kobayashi as Shin-chan, Miki Narahashi as Misae, Toshiyuki Morikawa as Hiroshi, Satomi Korogi as Himawari, and Cho as grandfather Ginnosuke. Sairi Ito joins as the mysterious yokai character Yako. The theme song, “Otona ni Nattara” (When I Grow Up), is performed by TOMOO.

The Akita setting adds something new to the formula: this is the first Shin-chan film to centre on Hiroshi’s family roots, giving the dad a rare moment of emotional grounding alongside the supernatural chaos. Produced by Shin-Ei Animation and distributed by Toho, the film occupies the summer blockbuster slot the series has claimed for over three decades.

Shin-chan stands alone in a mysterious glowing yokai forest — alternate key visual for the 2026 film
Image courtesy of Shin-Ei Animation / Toho

When Is It Coming to Singapore?

The Shin-chan summer film tradition has historically made its way to Singapore. The 2023 3D CG entry opened in Singapore and Malaysia in September of that year. No local release date has been announced for the 2026 film as of writing, and no Singapore distributor has confirmed it yet.

If the pattern holds, SG fans may see it in cinemas in the coming months. For those visiting Japan this summer, Spooky! My Yokai Vacation is in theatres nationwide from today. Keep an eye on our anime coverage for any Singapore release updates.

Manga Anime, News

Gachiakuta Season 2: First Look PV Out — No Date Yet

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The wait for more Gachiakuta just got a little shorter — and a little longer at the same time. The official anime website has released a First Look PV for Season 2, dropping the first proper footage from the upcoming run, while confirming there is still no premiere date on the horizon.

What the Gachiakuta Season 2 First Look PV Shows

Published on the official Gachiakuta anime website on 29 July 2026 and reported the same day by Crunchyroll News, the PV collects multiple advance cuts from Season 2’s main story — described by the production team as the first public showing of actual footage from the new season. The clip was first screened at the “Return to the Pit” panel at Anime Expo 2026 in Los Angeles on 3 July, where director Fumihiko Suganuma, voice actor Aoi Ichikawa (Rudo), and producer Naoki Amano presented it to a live audience for the first time.

Alongside the PV, the team released new character illustrations for Enjin and Zanka, two figures who will play significant roles in Season 2. The Zanka artwork was distributed as a limited-edition postcard at Anime Expo, while the Enjin piece was given out at the 25th Taipei Comics & Animation Festival on 26 July — both now going public for the first time.

Gachiakuta official anime key visual featuring the main cast
Image courtesy of BONES Film

No Release Date — And Production Is Still Early

Studio BONES Film, which produced all 24 episodes of Season 1 across two back-to-back cours (July to December 2025), is confirmed to return for Season 2. What is not confirmed is when it will arrive. No premiere window has been announced, and reporting following the Anime Expo panel indicated that production is still in early stages — placing a 2026 release firmly off the table and a 2027 window at the optimistic end of the range.

Enjin character artwork for Gachiakuta Season 2
Image courtesy of BONES Film

In the meantime, the franchise has been expanding across other media. A stage adaptation ran in Tokyo (May 2026) and Kyoto (June 2026) with a live cast. A survival action RPG, Gachiakuta: The Game (working title), was also revealed earlier this year, with no developer or release window announced for it yet.

Where to Watch and Catch Up in Singapore

The full 24-episode Season 1 is streaming now on Crunchyroll, which is available in Singapore. Gachiakuta was Crunchyroll’s most-viewed anime in July 2025 — the month it launched — and the platform is confirmed to carry Season 2 as well. If you haven’t started the series yet, now is the time: 24 episodes of sharp post-apocalyptic action from the studio behind My Hero Academia and SK8 the Infinity makes for a solid catch-up before the next chapter eventually drops.

Zanka character artwork for Gachiakuta Season 2
Image courtesy of BONES Film

Check the Manga Anime section at GameTrader.SG for updates as more Season 2 news comes in.

News

Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo Reopens 24 August 2026

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Japan’s largest Pokémon store has a confirmed comeback date: Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo, the iconic flagship location inside Sunshine City in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, will reopen on Monday, 24 August 2026 — five months after a tragic incident forced its indefinite closure. For Singapore fans who put this Ikebukuro landmark at the top of every Japan itinerary, the wait is nearly over.

A Tragic Closure: What Happened on 26 March

On 26 March 2026, a fatal stabbing occurred at Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo. A stalker entered the Sunshine City store and killed a female employee before taking his own life. The Pokémon Company immediately closed both Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo and the adjacent Pikachu Sweets by Pokémon Café out of respect and concern for staff and customers. Other Pokémon Centers across Japan and the official online store remained in operation throughout the closure.

Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo entrance featuring the iconic Poké Ball logo and Pokémon Legends: Z-A promotional display
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

This wasn’t just any store going dark. Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo is the largest Pokémon Center in the world, occupying the second floor of Sunshine City Alpa in Higashi-Ikebukuro and stocking more than 2,500 items — from limited-edition plush and stationery to exclusive regional products and trading card supplies. Its closure for five months has been keenly felt by Pokémon fans visiting Japan.

Confirmed: Reopening Monday, 24 August 2026

In an official announcement published on 27 July 2026, The Pokémon Company confirmed that both Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo and Pikachu Sweets by Pokémon Café will resume operations on Monday, 24 August 2026.

“We sincerely apologize for the concern and inconvenience caused during the temporary closure,” the company stated, with the goal of creating “an environment where customers can visit and shop with peace of mind.”

Key details for the reopening:

  • Partial renovations have been carried out during the closure period
  • Employee safety measures have been significantly strengthened
  • Temporary entry restrictions will be in effect after reopening — the specific admission method will be announced separately
  • No campaigns or events will be held at this location during August; expect the usual event schedule to resume from September onwards
  • The Pokémon Company noted the date “could still change depending on circumstances”

What’s Inside Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo

Pikachu Sweets by Pokémon Café official logo
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

For those visiting for the first time, Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo is far more than a souvenir shop. Alongside thousands of Pokémon products spanning plush toys, clothing, accessories, games, cards, and collectibles, the complex houses several dedicated zones:

  • Pikachu Sweets by Pokémon Café — Pokémon-themed desserts, drinks, and sweets
  • Pokémon Card Station — a dedicated area for Pokémon Trading Card Game products, booster packs, and singles
  • Pokémon GO Lab — a zone for Pokémon GO players with themed activities and exclusive merchandise
Pokémon Card Station logo
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

The store operates daily from 10:00 to 20:00, and is a three-minute walk from Higashi-Ikebukuro Station.

Inside Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo | Tokyo Store Tour 2026 — via Rokka Biyori | Explore Japan with Rokka on YouTube

Planning Your Visit from Singapore

The 24 August reopening lands squarely in Singapore’s August school holiday period, when Japan trips are among the most popular destinations for families and groups. If you are heading to Tokyo this August, Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo is finally back in play — but plan ahead for the entry restrictions that will be in effect. The admission process will be detailed by The Pokémon Company before opening day, so check the official store page and the Pokémon Center’s social channels before your visit.

For more Pokémon news and Japan gaming updates, stay tuned to GameTrader.SG.