Tag Archives: Japan culture

News

Pokémon’s New Team Rocket Card Game Drops November 2026

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Pikachu isn’t the hero this time. The Pokémon Company and YOKA Games quietly dropped the announcement of 「お前、もしかしてロケット圧？」 — “Are You Perhaps Team Rocket?” in English — on the official @poke_times Pokémon X account (Japanese) today, 14 July 2026. The card-based board game is slated to launch in Japan in November 2026.

A Villain-Themed Pokémon Card Game With a Twist

The key visual says it all: a hooded Rocket Grunt grins in the centre, flanked by a snarling, red-eyed Pikachu and a Koffing sporting a jolly-roger-style logo against a vivid yellow background. Two in-progress card samples appear in the lower corner — the images are explicitly marked “development versions” and subject to change.

Team Rocket Grunt, villainous Pikachu and Koffing from the Pokemon Are You Perhaps Team Rocket key art
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

Gameplay details — player count, card mechanics, win conditions — have not been revealed yet. The Pokémon official account simply teased: “續報をお楽しみに” (more information to come). What the key visual does confirm is that this is a card-driven game developed through the “ポケモンボドゲくらぶ” (Pokémon Boardgame Club) label, the same initiative that brought us Pokémon Goita in December 2025 and Pokémon Plakoro, which we covered last week. The Pokémon Company is clearly on a serious analogue-gaming run, with the Boardgame Club label becoming a proper sub-brand.

Who Is YOKA Games?

YOKA Games is a Chinese board game designer and publisher with a global catalogue. Their best-known title in Western tabletop circles is Sanguosha (三国油 / Three Kingdoms Kill), a popular elimination card game that has sold millions of copies across Asia and beyond. More recently, they co-produced the widely praised Slay the Spire: The Board Game. Their involvement signals that “Are You Perhaps Team Rocket?” is aiming for a polished, strategically meaty experience rather than a casual party game — though we’ll have to wait for the full reveal to be sure.

What Singapore Pokémon Fans Need to Know

As of this announcement, the November 2026 release is confirmed for Japan only. No English localisation, no Singapore or Southeast Asia release date, and no price have been disclosed. Given YOKA Games’ international distribution track record, a wider release is plausible — but for now, plan for this to be an import if you want it at launch.

If you’re into importing Japanese analogue games, your usual go-to stops — import retailers that ship from Japan, Japanese online platforms like BOOTH, and local tabletop shops that stock Japanese imports — should be on your watchlist. Pokémon Goita and Plakoro both found their way to local collectors through those channels, and “Are You Perhaps Team Rocket?” should follow the same path. Watch for pre-order windows opening closer to November.

Singapore’s tabletop scene has been in excellent shape — WSBG Asia 2026 just wrapped at Suntec City last weekend — and a Pokémon card game built around playing the bad guys sounds exactly like the sort of title that’ll generate buzz at local game nights. Check out more upcoming gaming events in Singapore while you wait for the full reveal.

News, Shop and Merchandise

GARRACK Ghost in the Shell Fuchikoma Watch — Pre-Orders Open 17 July

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Just as the Ghost in the Shell 2026 anime is settling in on Prime Video Singapore, Japanese watchmaker GARRACK has dropped something that will stop hardcore fans mid-scroll: a fully mechanical watch with the Fuchikoma rendered in traditional mother-of-pearl raden on the dial. Pre-orders open 17 July 2026.

GARRACK Ghost in the Shell Fuchikoma Model watch frontal view with red leather strap
Image courtesy of GARRACK / Ueni Trading

What Is the GARRACK × Ghost in the Shell Fuchikoma Model?

GARRACK, the brand behind a line of anime-themed Japan-made mechanical watches — they previously collaborated on Evangelion raden pieces and Haikyu!! smartwatches — is releasing the Fuchikoma Model (SMS-KK-42-FK) under its S-MEISTER line. S-MEISTER pairs traditional Japanese craftsmanship with officially licensed anime IP, and all pieces are assembled in Japan by licensed watchmakers.

The specific collaboration is with Ghost in the Shell THE GHOST IN THE SHELL — Shirow Masamune’s original 1989 manga — rather than any single anime adaptation. The Fuchikoma, the AI-equipped spider-legged think tank that became one of the manga’s most iconic designs, takes centre stage on the dial, rendered entirely in raden inlay. The watch carries the official copyright credit: ©2026 Shirow Masamune/KODANSHA/THE GHOST IN THE SHELL COMMITTEE.

Pricing is set at ¥79,200 tax-included (roughly S$700–900 at prevailing exchange rates — check the product page for the exact amount at checkout). That is not an impulse buy — but for a handcrafted piece that combines a traditional Japanese art form with one of manga’s most celebrated sci-fi properties, the positioning is closer to artisan jewellery than mass merch.

Raden: The Craft That Makes Each Dial One-of-a-Kind

Close-up of the GARRACK Fuchikoma raden dial showing iridescent mother-of-pearl inlay and open-heart movement
Image courtesy of GARRACK / Ueni Trading

Raden (螺鈿) is a Japanese lacquerware technique that dates back centuries: abalone shell is ground down to 0.1 mm thin, coloured from the reverse side, then hand-cut into pieces and affixed one by one onto a lacquered base. The result catches light at every angle differently, giving raden dials that shifting, almost holographic quality visible in the press images here.

The craftsman behind each dial is Musashigawa Takeshi, fourth-generation head of the Musashigawa Workshop (武蔵川工房) in Takaoka, Toyama Prefecture — a workshop founded in 1910 that has carried on the regional aobinuri blue-shell lacquerware tradition for over a century. Because nacre is a natural material applied entirely by hand, no two dials come out identical. Even two watches from the same production run will differ subtly in colour tone and pattern.

The design itself is layered with Ghost in the Shell references. The Fuchikoma is shown face-on, its body filling most of the dial. An open-heart aperture sits at roughly the 7 o’clock position — representing the manipulator arm in motion, and letting you see the MIYOTA movement ticking underneath. The hour indices are modelled on the Fuchikoma’s wheels; the hands reference its arms.

GARRACK Ghost in the Shell watch caseback showing JAPAN MADE and the series logo engraved through a transparent crystal
Image courtesy of GARRACK / Ueni Trading

Specs at a Glance

  • Model: SMS-KK-42-FK (Fuchikoma Model)
  • Movement: Automatic (MIYOTA, Japan)
  • Case: All stainless steel, 42 × 42 mm
  • Lens: Mineral glass
  • Water resistance: 5 ATM
  • Strap: Deep red leather, S-MEISTER pin buckle
  • Caseback: See-through, series logo engraved
  • Price: ¥79,200 (tax included)
Deep red leather strap with S-MEISTER pin buckle on the GARRACK Ghost in the Shell Fuchikoma watch
Image courtesy of GARRACK / Ueni Trading

How Singapore Fans Can Order

There are no confirmed Singapore retail stockists at this stage — the physical stockist list on the official GARRACK × Ghost in the Shell product page covers Japan stores only, including Yodobashi Camera, BicCamera, TiCTAC outlets, and Loft stores nationwide. However, the WORLDWIDEWATCH online store — one of GARRACK’s authorised e-commerce partners — accepts international orders and worldwide shipping, which means Singapore buyers can place orders directly without a forwarding service.

Pre-orders open: 17 July 2026
Release date: 31 July 2026

Given the hand-finished, one-of-a-kind nature of raden dials, production runs for these watches tend to be limited. If you are on the fence, it is worth visiting the product page on 17 July rather than waiting. Check out more anime and gaming merch we have covered for other finds worth adding to the list.

Game News, News

Pokémon Summer Mac: McDonald’s Japan’s Biggest-Ever Pokémon Collab Turns Every Branch Into a PokéStop

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If you’re planning a Japan trip this summer, your Pokémon GO map is about to look very different. McDonald’s Japan has launched Pokémon Summer Mac (ポケモン夏マック), what it calls its biggest-ever collaboration with a single partner — a sprawling, four-wave campaign celebrating McDonald’s Japan’s 55th anniversary alongside Pokémon’s 30th. The results range from limited-edition McNuggets to a lottery-only kitchen gadget that’s already going viral, and every single McDonald’s Japan branch becomes a Pokémon GO PokéStop for six weeks this summer.

McDonald’s × Pokémon ‘Summer Chance Bag 2026’ New TV Commercial — via Oricon on YouTube

What Is Pokémon Summer Mac?

Pokémon Summer Mac official campaign art featuring original and Gen 9 starters
Image courtesy of McDonald’s Japan × The Pokémon Company

Running across four themed waves from mid-July through August, Pokémon Summer Mac is structured so there’s always something new to look forward to at McDonald’s Japan:

  • Tokuniraldo (July 15 – August 11): Limited-edition 15-piece Chicken McNuggets in a special Pokémon box featuring Pikachu and the original Kanto starters, priced at 490 yen — a 250-yen saving on the regular price. Two exclusive dipping sauces also debut alongside it: Cheese Curry Sauce and Umashio Garlic Sauce at 50 yen each.
  • Summer Chance Bag: The campaign’s anchor item — a lottery-only grab bag priced at 3,900 yen, with applications open July 10–20 and redemption from July 27 to August 2.
  • Collaboration Burger: Details drop on July 16 — still a silhouette at time of writing.
  • Pokémon Happy Meal: Full reveal on July 31.

The Summer Chance Bag: Japan’s Most Viral Pokémon Merch This Season

Jumping Pikachu Potato Timer — McDonald's Japan Summer Chance Bag 2026 exclusive
Image courtesy of McDonald’s Japan × The Pokémon Company

The star of the entire campaign is the Jumping Pikachu Potato Timer — a kitchen countdown timer shaped exactly like a McDonald’s fries box, with a Pikachu figure that pops up from the “fries” when time runs out. It’s the kind of thing that sells out within hours at any Japanese Pokémon Center, except this one is only obtainable through the McDonald’s Summer Chance Bag lottery.

Each bag (3,900 yen via the McDonald’s Japan app) contains the timer, a randomly selected colour-changing cup in a Bulbasaur, Charmander or Squirtle design, a matching zip pouch, and 3,910 yen worth of McDonald’s food vouchers — meaning the vouchers alone more than cover the cost. One in every ten bags also includes a Golden McDonald’s Card carrying an extra 500-yen voucher. Lottery applications run until July 20, so if you have a Japan trip planned (or a friend willing to enter on your behalf), now’s the time to act.

Pokémon GO x McDonald’s Japan: Every Branch Becomes a PokéStop

For Pokémon GO players, the campaign has a separate hook: from July 20 to September 1, all McDonald’s Japan locations will temporarily appear as PokéStops in the game — the franchise’s first Pokémon GO partnership in around six years, timed to Pokémon GO’s own 10th anniversary. With over 2,900 McDonald’s branches across Japan, that’s a significant expansion of the in-game map for anyone playing while travelling.

Trainers visiting Japan between late July and early September will find PokéStops clustered along major shopping streets, in train stations and inside malls — many of which already have a McDonald’s — making the overlap between “grab a quick meal” and “spin a stop” more convenient than ever.

Japan Goes Even Further: Coca-Cola Machines Are Already Pokéstops

McDonald’s isn’t alone. Coca-Cola Japan announced on July 10 that approximately 30,000 Coca-Cola vending machines across Japan are now being progressively added as PokéStops — with select machines eventually upgrading to Gyms for battles. Both Coke ON (Coca-Cola Japan’s vending app, with 75 million downloads) and Pokémon GO share their 10th anniversaries in 2026, and a stamp campaign through the Coke ON app is also planned for September: purchase any Coca-Cola product at a participating machine and collect exclusive Pokémon GO stamps. The announcement was made via Coca-Cola Japan’s official newsroom (Japanese).

Between McDonald’s branches and Coca-Cola vending machines, large parts of urban Japan are effectively becoming a continuous Pokémon GO course this summer. For Singapore trainers doing a summer or year-end Japan trip, the window to catch both the McDonald’s PokéStop campaign (July 20 – September 1) and the Coca-Cola rollout in the same visit makes July–August 2026 one of the best times to be a Pokémon GO player in Japan. The campaign is Japan-only, but the merch — if you can win the lottery — ships a world away from anything available locally.

Full details on the collaboration burger and the Pokémon Happy Meal are still coming (July 16 and July 31 respectively). We’ll be watching. For more Japan culture and Pokémon news, check out our news archive.

Manga Anime

Golden Kamuy: The Abashiri Prison Raid Is on Netflix Today — Sugimoto Storms Japan’s Toughest Prison

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The battle for Ainu gold just got a whole lot bigger. Golden Kamuy -The Abashiri Prison Raid-, the second live-action film adaptation of Satoru Noda’s celebrated manga, is now streaming on Netflix Singapore from today, 13 July 2026. If you have a Netflix subscription, you can watch it right now.

Golden Kamuy Abashiri Prison Raid - Sugimoto in action with rifle in burning prison corridor
Image courtesy of TOHO / CREDEUS

What Is Golden Kamuy: The Abashiri Prison Raid?

Set in early 20th-century Hokkaido, Golden Kamuy follows Saichi Sugimoto — a war hero so hard to kill his enemies nicknamed him the Immortal — and young Ainu girl Asirpa, who join forces to recover a legendary cache of gold stolen from the Ainu people. The clues to its location were tattooed across 24 escaped convicts, setting off a deadly three-way race between Sugimoto’s team, the Imperial Japanese Army, and a rogue faction of Shinsengumi survivors.

This second film — subtitled The Abashiri Prison Raid — picks up as Sugimoto and Asirpa press into Hokkaido’s Abashiri Prison, Japan’s most feared correctional facility, where Noppera-Bo (the man who hid the gold in the first place) is held. It is also where Asirpa may finally learn the truth about her father.

For fans of the manga and anime, this arc is one of the most anticipated sequences in the entire series — an all-out battle inside one of the harshest environments in Meiji-era Japan, with every faction converging on the same goal.

Golden Kamuy -The Abashiri Prison Raid- | Official Trailer — via Netflix Philippines on YouTube

Kento Yamazaki Returns as the Immortal Sugimoto

Golden Kamuy Abashiri Prison Raid live-action film character close-up
Image courtesy of TOHO / CREDEUS

Kento Yamazaki — whose breakout role in Alice in Borderland on Netflix made him a household name across Asia — reprises his role as Sugimoto. Anna Yamada returns as Asirpa, and Gordon Maeda is back in the ensemble cast alongside Asuka Kudo, Shuntaro Yanagi, and Akihisa Shiono. The sequel also brings in Yū Inaba as Tokishige Usami and Sōkō Wada as Toshiyuki Kadokura, widening the faction dynamics considerably.

Director Kenji Katagiri and screenwriter Tsutomu Kuroiwa return from the first film, ensuring visual and narrative continuity. Japanese rock band 10-FEET provide the theme song, “Kowarete Kieru made” (Until It Breaks and Disappears) — a fist-pump track that fits the film’s escalating stakes perfectly.

The Abashiri Prison Arc — Why It Matters

Golden Kamuy Abashiri Prison Raid Japanese theatrical poster showing the full cast
Image courtesy of TOHO / CREDEUS

The Abashiri arc is where Golden Kamuy’s sprawling cast truly collides. Every faction — Sugimoto, Lieutenant Tsurumi’s 7th Division, and the Hijikata Toshizo-led outlaws — has been working toward this convergence. For manga readers, seeing this on screen with a big production budget and IMAX photography is a genuine treat.

The film opened in Japanese cinemas on 13 March 2026 with IMAX screenings and sold 246,900 tickets in its first three days, earning ¥368.6 million at the domestic box office. The franchise’s blend of brutal action, dry humour, and meticulous Ainu cultural detail has won it a devoted following in Japan — and the Netflix deal puts both films squarely in front of Singapore viewers who may have missed the theatrical window.

Watch It on Netflix Singapore Now

Both films in the live-action Golden Kamuy Netflix series are now available in Singapore: the first film (-The Hunt of Prisoners in Hokkaido-) and this new sequel. If you haven’t watched the first film yet, it makes a great double-bill. The series is available with Japanese audio and English subtitles.

The manga by Satoru Noda ran in Weekly Young Jump from 2014 to 2022 and is published in English by VIZ Media, so if the films hook you, the full source material is easy to track down at local manga shops and major bookstores in Singapore.

Game News, Shop and Merchandise

Pokémon 30th Anniversary Gold Necklaces Open for Pre-Order

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U-TREASURE — the Japan-based luxury gaming jeweller behind Pokémon engagement rings and collectible pendants — opened pre-orders today (10 July 2026) for its brand-new Pokémon 30th Anniversary Necklace collection. Five designs commemorating Pokémon: Since 1996 are available to order through 14 August, with the Silver 925 / yellow-gold-coating versions all priced at a flat ¥33,000 (roughly S$300) — and a solid 18K gold Snorlax at a jaw-dropping ¥990,000 (roughly S$8,900) that is almost certainly the most expensive Snorlax any Singapore fan will ever consider wearing.

Pikachu Pokémon 30th anniversary gold necklace pendant with diamond, by U-TREASURE
Image courtesy of U-TREASURE

Five Pokémon 30th Anniversary Necklace Designs, Two Price Tiers

Each pendant is sculpted in three dimensions and finished to fine-jewellery grade. Two metal options — Silver 925 with yellow-gold plating, or solid K18 yellow gold — apply to every design:

  • Pikachu — sitting pose with a tiny diamond accent; ¥33,000 / ¥429,000
  • Pikachu & Poké Ball — Pikachu perched atop a Poké Ball, both in gold; ¥33,000 / ¥286,000
  • Magikarp (Koiking) — the beloved underdog fish caught mid-leap; ¥33,000 / ¥390,500
  • Ditto (Metamon) — the shape-shifter rendered in its natural blobby form; ¥33,000 / ¥495,000
  • Snorlax (Kabigon) — the sleepy fan favourite; ¥33,000 (silver) or ¥990,000 in solid 18K gold

Every necklace includes a hidden back charm engraved with the 30th anniversary logo, a commemorative 30th-anniversary jewellery cloth, and an exclusive gift box stamped with the Pokémon: Since 1996 motif — making them giftable out of the box.

Magikarp gold necklace from U-TREASURE's Pokémon 30th anniversary collection
Image courtesy of U-TREASURE

Why the Character Selection Makes Sense

The choice of Pikachu, Magikarp, Ditto and Snorlax is no accident. All four are among the most recognisable and beloved Pokémon in Asia — Ditto and Snorlax especially have huge cult followings in Singapore and Japan alike. U-TREASURE has previously released Magikarp and Snorlax jewellery as standalone pieces, but this is the first time both appear together in a dedicated 30th-anniversary line with the official anniversary logo stamped on every piece.

The Pokémon 30th anniversary year runs across games, trading cards, events and merchandise throughout 2026. U-TREASURE’s collection is among the most premium expressions of it — with the solid K18 gold versions positioned as genuine collector’s heirlooms rather than novelty merch.

Ditto Metamon gold necklace from U-TREASURE's Pokémon 30th anniversary line
Image courtesy of U-TREASURE

How Singapore Fans Can Order

Pre-orders are open from 10 July to 14 August 2026 through U-TREASURE’s official online shop (Japanese). In Japan, the two U-TREASURE Concept Stores — in Ikebukuro (Tokyo) and Shinsaibashi (Osaka), open 11:00–19:00, closed Wednesdays and Thursdays — will also take orders.

U-TREASURE does not currently offer confirmed direct international shipping. For Singapore fans, the usual routes for Japan-exclusive merchandise apply: proxy or parcel-forwarding services that can order from Japanese e-commerce sites and ship to SG. Alternatively, if you have a Japan trip on the horizon before the pre-order window closes on 14 August, the Concept Store in Tokyo or Osaka is worth a visit. Delivery timing has not been specified beyond the pre-order close date.

Pokémon 30th anniversary necklace in its exclusive U-TREASURE gift box
Image courtesy of U-TREASURE

Full product listings and the order form are at u-treasure.jp (Japanese). Prices listed are in yen; SGD equivalents are approximate at current rates. For more Pokémon 30th anniversary news, check our Game News section. News first reported in Japanese by Famitsu.com (Japanese).

News, Travel

The World’s First Pokémon Airport Is Now Open in Japan

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There is now a Pokémon airport in Japan — and that is not a figure of speech. The Noto Satoyama Pokémon With You Airport officially opened on 7 July 2026, making it the world’s first airport to carry the word “Pokémon” in its official name. It sits in Ishikawa Prefecture on the Noto Peninsula, and it will operate as a Pokémon experience destination through 30 September 2029.

Noto Satoyama Pokémon With You Airport interior render showing all flying-type Pokémon murals and Pikachu on a plane
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company / Ishikawa Prefecture

Recovery Through Pokémon

The project’s roots go back to the devastating Noto Earthquake that struck Ishikawa Prefecture on 1 January 2024. The quake caused severe damage across the Noto Peninsula, and The Pokémon Company responded by donating 50 million yen to aid victims. The Pokémon With You Foundation — which has run charity initiatives in Japan since the 2011 Tōhoku disaster — partnered with the Ishikawa Prefectural Government to make this airport transformation happen, using Pokémon’s reach to draw tourists back to a region still rebuilding.

The result is a full airport rebrand. The official nickname has changed, Pokémon illustrations cover the exterior pillars, and the interior has been transformed from floor to ceiling.

Official teaser PV: Noto Satoyama Pokémon With You Airport, opens 7 July 2026 — via Ishikawa Prefecture Official Channel on YouTube (Japanese)

What Is Inside

Real photo of Noto Satoyama Pokémon airport lobby showing murals and With You signage
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company / Ishikawa Prefecture

The second floor features murals of all 111 Flying-type Pokémon (excluding regional forms and Mega Evolutions). It is the kind of thing a Pokémon fan could spend an entire layover cataloguing. The first-floor lobby has life-size monuments of Pikachu, Plusle, and Minun — the trio associated with the Pokémon With You Foundation — which have already become the prime photo spot for arriving visitors.

Pull up the airport’s smartphone feature and you can trigger original short AR animations about Noto and the airport, bringing the illustrated Pokémon around you briefly to life.

Exterior of Noto Satoyama Pokémon airport with Pokémon-illustrated columns
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company / Ishikawa Prefecture

Exclusive Merchandise and Food

The airport sells exclusives that you can only get on site. Merchandise includes Pikachu and Charizard keychains bearing the airport’s NTQ IATA code, luggage belts, tote bags, and a T-shirt featuring the official key art. Items branded with an airport code are perennially popular with collector-travellers, and NTQ is going to be a standout pick.

Noto Satoyama Pokémon airport exclusive merchandise including keychains, luggage belt, tote bag and T-shirt
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company / Ishikawa Prefecture

Pokémon-themed food is available on site, and from mid-July 2026 the experience extends beyond the airport itself: Pokémon-wrapped buses will run between Wajima and Kanazawa on an existing route, plus a new route hitting Pokémon-related tourist sites across the Noto Peninsula.

Planning a Visit from Singapore

Noto Satoyama Airport (NTQ) is a regional airport that serves domestic routes within Japan, with ANA operating flights from Tokyo Haneda. Singapore fans would typically fly into Tokyo or Osaka and connect domestically, or fly into Komatsu Airport near Kanazawa and travel overland to the Noto Peninsula (roughly one to two hours). Kanazawa is already a popular stop on Japan itineraries for its Kenroku-en garden and seafood — the Noto Peninsula’s Pokémon airport is an easy extension of that trip.

The airport’s Pokémon makeover runs through 30 September 2029, giving Singapore fans a generous window to plan. For more Pokémon news and Japan travel reads, check out our travel section and latest Pokémon updates.

Manga Anime, Shop and Merchandise

GARRACK Demon Slayer Watches Add Upper Moon Villains at Narita

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Japanese watchmaker GARRACK arrived at Narita International Airport last week carrying three anime franchises on their dials — and the Demon Slayer collection just grew with three new Upper Moon villain watches that fans have been waiting for.

Kanazawa Gold Leaf and the Full Demon Slayer Lineup

GARRACK’s Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba collection is the most expansive of the three. Each watch features an automatic mechanical movement with a dial hand-finished in Kanazawa gold leaf (金沢箔) — a traditional craft from Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, where artisans beat gold into sheets thinner than a micron before applying them by hand. No two dials come out identically, which is part of the appeal.

The full lineup spans 16 characters including every Hashira: Tanjiro, Nezuko, Zenitsu, Inosuke, Rengoku, Giyu, Shinobu, Uzui, Muichiro, Kanroji, Sanemi, Iguro and Himejima. Three new models — Douma, Akaza and Kaigaku — have just been added to the collection, bringing the Upper Moon villain trio into the fold for the first time. Two advance-sale models — Kanao Tsuyuri and Genya Shinazugawa — round out the lineup.

Prices run ¥74,800–¥77,000 (tax included) per piece, placing these firmly in collector and gifting territory.

GARRACK Demon Slayer Douma watch — Kanazawa gold leaf mechanical watch
Image courtesy of GARRACK / Ueni Trading
GARRACK Demon Slayer Akaza watch — Kanazawa gold leaf mechanical watch
Image courtesy of GARRACK / Ueni Trading
GARRACK Demon Slayer Kaigaku watch — Kanazawa gold leaf mechanical watch
Image courtesy of GARRACK / Ueni Trading
Demon Slayer × Kanazawa Gold Leaf Mechanical Watches — Douma, Akaza & Kaigaku New Models — via TIMEPIECE CO.,LTD UENI on YouTube

Ultraman Heroes in Raden Mother-of-Pearl

GARRACK’s Ultraman series takes a different craft route: raden (螺鈿), the art of cutting and inlaying mother-of-pearl from shells to create iridescent patterns on watch dials. Artisans in Takaoka, Toyama — a region with over 400 years of metalwork tradition — hand-finish each piece. The effect is a shifting, luminescent surface that reads very differently from the gold leaf Demon Slayer variants.

Three Ultraman heroes are represented: Ultraman Tiga, Ultraman Zero and Ultraman Z (Zett). Prices are ¥77,000–¥79,200 (tax included).

GARRACK Ultraman raden mother-of-pearl mechanical watches lineup
Image courtesy of GARRACK / Ueni Trading
Ultraman × Japanese Traditional Craft — GARRACK Raden Dial Mechanical Watches — via TIMEPIECE CO.,LTD UENI on YouTube

Evangelion Raden Watches: Three Eva Units

The Evangelion collection, which GameTrader.SG covered when pre-orders opened in June, is also part of the Narita debut. Unit-01 (Shinji) is priced at ¥77,000; Unit-00 (Rei) and Unit-02 (Asuka) at ¥79,200 each. Like Ultraman, these use raden mother-of-pearl craftsmanship.

GARRACK Evangelion raden mother-of-pearl watches — Unit-01, Unit-00, Unit-02
Image courtesy of GARRACK / Ueni Trading

Narita Airport Terminal 3 — and Online for Singapore Fans

From 30 June 2026, all three collections are on display at Fa-So-La SOUVENIR AKIHABARA ANNEX inside Terminal 3 at Narita International Airport, where they join the store’s existing lineup of Japanese pop-culture goods. Ueni Trading describes the Narita placement as a limited-time offering, so availability may change — if you’re heading to Japan and transiting through Narita, it is worth a detour into the Terminal 3 shops to see them in person.

Narita is a primary hub for Singapore Airlines and Scoot flights to Tokyo, making this a realistic pick-up point for Singapore fans on Japan trips. For those not travelling any time soon, the watches are also stocked online at world-wide-watch.jp and select Japanese retailers including TiCTAC, Joshin, Sofmap and Yodobashi Camera’s online store — check each platform’s international shipping terms before ordering.

More information on all three collections is at world-wide-watch.jp (Japanese). Check more anime and Japan culture coverage on GameTrader.SG.

Game News

Pokémon Plakoro Is Back: Classic Dice Battle Game Launches 18 July

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Remember rolling dice-shaped Pokémon at your friends? Plakoro — Bandai’s legendary 1997 Pokémon dice battle hobby — is making its full comeback on 18 July 2026, 29 years after the original, and it looks better than ever.

Pokémon Plakoro starter sets Bulbasaur Charmander Squirtle Pikachu Eevee Mew
Image courtesy of BANDAI SPIRITS

What Is Pokémon Plakoro?

Plakoro is a tabletop dice battle system built around two component types. Each Charakoro is a six-sided die cast in the likeness of a Pokémon — when you roll it, the face that lands up determines which move fires. Enekoro are energy dice: six-sided cubes printed with elemental symbols (Fire, Water, Grass, Lightning and more) that you assemble yourself using the 18 included element-symbol parts. Combine a roll of your Enekoro with the move cards in your hand and the resulting type matchup plays out instantly — reduce your opponent’s HP dial to zero and you win.

The name fuses Plastic (the Hobby model-kit tradition of BANDAI SPIRITS, which designed this using their modern figure-making technology) with Koro — the Japanese onomatopoeia for a die tumbling across a table. The original game was designed by Tsunekazu Ishihara and Creatures Inc. in 1997; the same development team was reassembled for this 30th Anniversary revival.

【公式】「プラコロ」初公開映像 — via ポケモン公式YouTubeチャンネル on YouTube

Six Starter Sets for Six Iconic Pokémon

The first wave launches with six Starter Sets, each built around one beloved Generation I Pokémon:

  • Bulbasaur
  • Charmander
  • Squirtle
  • Pikachu
  • Eevee
  • Mew

Each set includes one Charakoro Pokémon die, three Enekoro energy dice, 18 elemental symbol parts, a character card, seven move cards, and an HP counter dial. The launch price is ¥500 each (limited initial price; regular ¥990) — roughly S$4.60 at the introductory rate, or S$9.10 at regular retail pricing.

A separate Explorer Box (¥385) lets you add a random Pokémon die to your collection, though it requires a Starter Set to play. A storage case arrives in September 2026 at ¥1,320.

Pokémon Plakoro gameplay dice battle energy dice Enekoro Charakoro
Image courtesy of BANDAI SPIRITS

How a Plakoro Battle Works

Each turn you roll your Charakoro first — the face it lands on shows a move icon and the energy type it requires. Then roll your Enekoro dice; if you land enough energy symbols matching the move’s requirement, the move fires and deals its listed damage to your opponent’s HP dial. Type matchups mirror the main series — Fire beats Grass, Water beats Fire — so the dice-and-cards system carries genuine strategic depth beneath its breezy luck-based surface.

Pokémon Plakoro full board game setup with dice cards and HP dial
Image courtesy of BANDAI SPIRITS

Community play is central to the design. According to the official Famitsu announcement (Japanese), roughly 200 certified stores across Japan will host teaching sessions, casual tournaments, and Battle Challenge competitive events — with promo card packs on offer for participants.

Where to Get It — Japan Exclusive for Now

Pokémon Plakoro Explorer Box random Pokémon die Bandai Spirits
Image courtesy of BANDAI SPIRITS

Plakoro is confirmed for Japan only — there is no international release date and no word yet on whether BANDAI SPIRITS plans to expand distribution to other regions. The official shop opens at Bandai Namco Cross Store Yokohama on 18 July, with a pre-opening experience event running July 10–12. The game will also be sold through the approximately 200 certified community stores nationwide.

For Singapore fans, that means import is the route for now. Starter Sets at ¥500–¥990 are affordable as individual purchases, and forwarder services like Buyee or White Rabbit Express make them very accessible — though you will be paying JP domestic shipping on top. Keep an eye on hobbyist retailers locally who may stock small quantities; no local distributor has been announced as of writing.

Given how strongly the 30th Anniversary angle is being played — and the proven global appetite for Pokémon collectibles — a wider rollout would make commercial sense. Until then, this is a Japan-exclusive pick-up. Follow the official @plakoro_pokepla on X for the latest and check out the latest Pokémon news here for any international release updates.

Gadget, Shop and Merchandise

Kuromi and Cinnamoroll Get HORI Switch 2 Controllers

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Sanrio’s two most-iconic rivals are about to invade your Nintendo Switch 2 setup. Peripheral brand HORI has announced the “Kuromi to Cinnamoroll Series for Nintendo Switch 2” — four officially licensed accessories, split evenly between the goth-pop Kuromi and the cloud-soft Cinnamoroll, on sale in Japan from August 2026.

Everything in the HORI Sanrio Switch 2 Lineup

HORI Horipad TURBO Mini Kuromi edition for Nintendo Switch 2
Image courtesy of HORI

Two product types, two characters each:

Horipad TURBO Mini for Nintendo Switch 2 — a compact wired controller (13 cm × 7 cm, 170 g) built around a clear glitter shell, a rapid-fire function (5, 10, or 20 shots per second), a C button for in-game voice chat, and a 3-metre USB-A cable. The Kuromi edition launches in August 2026 at ¥3,980 (around SGD 35); the Cinnamoroll version follows in September 2026 at the same price. Crucially, both controllers are compatible with Nintendo Switch 2, the original Switch, and Switch OLED — so Singapore gamers who haven’t upgraded yet can still join in.

Pukkuri Hybrid Pouch for Nintendo Switch 2 — a semi-hard carry case with a dual-layer lid, EVA reinforcement, a ruched-fabric carry handle, and a character charm on the zip. It holds the Switch 2 console plus up to ten game cards. Pricing is approximately ¥4,480 per pouch (around SGD 39), with Kuromi shipping in August and Cinnamoroll following shortly after.

Glitter, Sweets, and Pure Character Energy

HORI Kuromi TURBO Mini controller lifestyle shot
Image courtesy of HORI

The design language is exactly what fans of either character would expect. Kuromi’s controller is deep translucent purple, packed with glitter, dessert stickers, and a scene of Kuromi sipping a milk tea — her signature skull logo even peers through the see-through faceplate. Cinnamoroll’s take is sky-blue and icy-clear, with lemon-yellow analogue sticks, floating star decals, and a lemon-tart motif that suits his dreamy, fluffy personality down to a tee.

HORI Horipad TURBO Mini Cinnamoroll edition for Nintendo Switch 2
Image courtesy of HORI

Both controllers carry the Official Nintendo Licensed Product seal and the © 2026 SANRIO CO., LTD. approval mark. The full lineup made its public debut at Sanrio Fes 2026 in Minato Mirai, Yokohama, where all four products were on display on 27–28 June 2026 — making this one of the freshest product announcements to emerge from Japan this weekend.

Can Singapore Fans Get These HORI Sanrio Controllers?

HORI Pukkuri Hybrid Pouch Kuromi edition for Nintendo Switch 2
Image courtesy of HORI

No international release has been announced — both controllers and pouches are currently Japan-only and listed for sale on Amazon Japan and Rakuten. Singapore fans who want them will need to import, either directly or through a parcel-forwarding service. At roughly SGD 35 per controller before shipping, they sit at the more affordable end of officially licensed Switch 2 accessories available from Japan, and the backward compatibility with original Switch and Switch OLED makes them worthwhile even for those who haven’t upgraded.

HORI has been releasing a steady stream of character-themed Switch 2 peripherals in Japan — recent drops have covered Kirby, Animal Crossing, and a range of Pokémon themes. Whether this Sanrio line gets a SEA or global roll-out is unconfirmed; keep an eye on HORI’s official website for any updates. For more import-worthy hardware and merchandise finds, head to our shop and merchandise section.