Tag Archives: Singapore

Manga Anime, News

Summer 2026 Anime: Your Singapore Streaming Guide

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The summer 2026 anime season is looking unreasonably stacked. Ghost in the Shell gets a manga-faithful reboot by Science SARU, Bleach finally closes the book on the Thousand-Year Blood War, and — yes — there is now an official Sekiro anime dropping on Crunchyroll in September. With shows spread across Crunchyroll, Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+, Singapore fans have no excuse for an empty watchlist this July.

Sekiro: No Defeat | Official Trailer 2 | Crunchyroll — via Crunchyroll on YouTube

Sekiro Gets the Anime Treatment — Exclusively on Crunchyroll

FromSoftware’s 2019 action masterpiece Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is making its first leap into animation. Titled Sekiro: No Defeat, the series is fully hand-drawn 2D by Studio Qzil.la, directed by Kenichi Kutsuna with a screenplay by Takuya Sato and character designs by Takahiro Kishida. The production was developed in close collaboration with FromSoftware, adapting one of the game’s branching narrative paths into a single definitive storyline — so expect Wolf’s story to feel personal and complete rather than a loose game recap.

The anime premieres on 4 September 2026 exclusively on Crunchyroll worldwide (excluding Japan, China, Korea, Russia and Belarus), the same day Japan gets a limited theatrical run. Crunchyroll is fully available in Singapore. This is the first FromSoftware IP ever adapted to another on-screen medium, so it is kind of a big deal.

Ghost in the Shell Goes Back to the Manga — Prime Video, 7 July

The Ghost in the Shell 2026 anime by Science SARU — key visual showing Major Motoko Kusanagi
Image courtesy of Science SARU / Amazon Prime Video

Science SARU — the studio behind Dandadan, Devilman Crybaby and Scott Pilgrim Takes Off — is taking on Masamune Shirow’s original Ghost in the Shell manga. Directed by Mokochan (assistant director on Dan Da Dan) with scripts by EnJoe Toh, it is being billed as the most faithful adaptation of the source material the franchise has ever had, leaning into the manga’s goofier, more eccentric Kusanagi rather than the stoic icon of the 1995 film.

Before the global debut, the first two episodes will world-premiere at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in June. The full series launches on Prime Video on 7 July 2026. Amazon Prime Video is available in Singapore.

Bleach Ends — For Real This Time — Disney+, July

Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War – The Calamity key visual for the final season
Image courtesy of Pierrot / VIZ Media

Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War – The Calamity is the fourth and final cour, completing one of the “Big Three” shonen’s long-awaited animated finale. North American fans get a theatrical preview window — the first three episodes screen in select US cinemas from 25–29 June — before the full season hits streaming in July. For Singapore fans, Disney+ carries the TYBW series; check the Disney+ SG library for local availability and episode schedule.

The Rest of the Summer Watchlist

If three landmark shows were not enough, the rest of the summer 2026 slate is equally strong. Highlights:

  • Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Season 3 (Studio Bind) — Crunchyroll, 6 July. The acclaimed isekai continues Rudeus Greyrat’s emotional arc.
  • Sparks of Tomorrow (Kyoto Animation) — Netflix, 5 July. KyoAni’s brand-new steampunk original set in an alternate Japan where electricity was never discovered. KyoAni originals are always an event.
  • Goodbye, Lara (Kinema Citrus) — Crunchyroll, 5 July. A fantasy reimagining of The Little Mermaid with a Ghibli-esque visual style from the Made in Abyss studio.
  • Young Ladies Don’t Play Fighting Games (Diomedéa / Capcom) — Crunchyroll, 7 July. A Capcom collaboration that features actual Street Fighter 6 gameplay footage woven into the anime — tailor-made for GameTrader readers who just watched SF6’s Tifa DLC reveal last week.
  • Baki-Dou: The Invincible Samurai — Netflix, 18 June. Already here — the JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure of fighting anime returns with Musashi Miyamoto as the new challenger.
  • One Piece: Heroines (Toei Animation) — TBA, July. A spinoff focusing on Robin and Nami.

Your Summer 2026 SG Streaming Cheatsheet

Anime Platform (SG) Date
Baki-Dou: The Invincible Samurai Netflix 18 Jun
Goodbye, Lara Crunchyroll 5 Jul
Sparks of Tomorrow (KyoAni) Netflix 5 Jul
Mushoku Tensei Season 3 Crunchyroll 6 Jul
Ghost in the Shell (Science SARU) Prime Video 7 Jul
Young Ladies Don’t Play Fighting Games Crunchyroll 7 Jul
One Piece: Heroines TBA Jul
Bleach: TYBW – The Calamity Disney+ Jul
Sekiro: No Defeat Crunchyroll 4 Sep

All four platforms — Crunchyroll, Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+ — are available in Singapore. Streaming rights can vary by region; verify local libraries before subscribing.

Last words

Between a manga-accurate Ghost in the Shell cyberpunk noir, a hand-drawn Sengoku-era Sekiro odyssey and the long-awaited final swing of Ichigo’s Zanpakuto, Singapore anime fans are going to need to clear some calendar space from July onward. Keep it locked on GameTrader’s anime coverage for first-episode impressions and anything else worth talking about this summer.

News, Singapore Gaming Scene

Wuthering Waves 3.4 Is Live: Cyberpunk Collab and Free Rebecca

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Kuro Games has dropped Wuthering Waves Version 3.4 “The Dream Not Dreamed” today, and the long-awaited Cyberpunk: Edgerunners crossover is officially live for Singapore players. The headline grab: Rebecca is free for everyone — no gacha pull required.

Wuthering Waves Version 3.4 Official Trailer | The Dream Not Dreamed — via Wuthering Waves on YouTube

The Dream Not Dreamed: Night City Arrives in Solaris-3

Version 3.4 introduces Somnoire: Night City, a limited-time collaboration zone built from Lucy Kushinada’s memories. It captures the Cyberpunk aesthetic faithfully — neon-drenched streets, the Cherry Blossom Market, and Arasaka Headquarters are all explorable. As Kuro Games describes it, it is a place where “dreams overlap with reality, where violence and conflict keep fortunes flowing.”

The crossover, developed in partnership with CD PROJEKT RED, weaves the Cyberpunk: Edgerunners story into Solaris-3 through an episodic quest chain called “At Dream’s Edge”. Startorch Academy joins forces with the Edgerunners to battle Nightmare Tacet Discords — and yes, that includes a boss fight against a Nightmare version of Adam Smasher.

Wuthering Waves x Cyberpunk Edgerunners collaboration — Lucy and Rebecca in Somnoire Night City
Image courtesy of Kuro Games

Meet Lucy and Rebecca: Two New 5-Star Resonators

Two Cyberpunk: Edgerunners characters debut as 5-star Resonators with this update:

  • Lucy — Spectro element, Pistol type. Her signature weapon is the Spectral Trigger. Lucy is available on a limited Convene banner running until 9 July 2026.
  • Rebecca — Electro element, Pistol type. Armed with the Skull Thrasher, Rebecca is the value pick of the patch: she is completely free for all players at Union Level 10 or above, claimable through the Instant Flashlight event.

David Martinez briefly appears in the version trailer. Kuro Games has not confirmed his exact in-game role as of launch.

How to Claim Your Free Rebecca

If you haven’t played Wuthering Waves in a while — or have been meaning to start — this patch is one of the best reasons to log in. Here’s how to get Rebecca at no cost:

  1. Update to Version 3.4 and reach Union Level 10 (if you aren’t there already).
  2. Open the Events menu and look for the Instant Flashlight limited-time event.
  3. Complete the event objectives to unlock and claim your free Rebecca.

The Convene banners — and with them, the free claim window — run from 8 June to 9 July 2026. Don’t leave this one on the table.

Events and What Else Is in 3.4

Somnoire: Night City packs in several event modes alongside the main story:

  • Night City Roaming — the main event hub, including Resonator Trials and Nightmare Challenges against the new collab enemies.
  • Matrix Reform — puzzle-focused content themed around Breach Protocol terminals and Quickhack mechanics, a neat nod to the Cyberpunk RPG DNA.
  • Sweetdream Tuning — milestone rewards earned by pulling on the collaboration banners.
  • Daily sign-in bonuses running throughout the event period.

One detail fans of the anime will love: “I Really Want to Stay At Your House” — the beloved track from the Cyberpunk: Edgerunners soundtrack — plays while you ride a motorbike through Night City. It’s a small touch that will hit differently if you remember what happens by the end of the show.

New weapon Freeze Frame also enters the gacha pool this version, alongside the character-specific Spectral Trigger and Skull Thrasher. Wuthering Waves is additionally confirmed for an Xbox release in July 2026 with exclusive Game Pass rewards at launch.

Wuthering Waves Version 3.4 The Dream Not Dreamed update key art featuring the Cyberpunk Edgerunners crossover
Image courtesy of Kuro Games

Last Words

Wuthering Waves has quietly grown one of the strongest gacha player communities in Singapore and Southeast Asia. A crossover with Cyberpunk: Edgerunners — one of anime’s most acclaimed productions of recent years — is a genuine event, not just a marketing exercise. The free Rebecca offer sweetens the deal for lapsed or new players. Singapore Rovers have until 9 July 2026 to explore Somnoire: Night City and collect their free Electro Resonator before the collaboration wraps. For more gaming and anime news with a local angle, check out our latest news posts on GameTrader.SG.

Manga Anime, News

Gintama: Yoshiwara in Flames Opens in Singapore Cinemas on 6 June

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One of the most beloved anime series in Shonen Jump history is back on the big screen — and Singapore fans can catch it starting 6 June 2026. Gintama: Yoshiwara in Flames is now showing at Golden Village (GV) cinemas across Singapore, brought to us by local anime distributor Odex.

Gintama: Yoshiwara in Flames 2026 theatrical film key visual
Image courtesy of BN Pictures / Shueisha
Gintama: Yoshiwara in Flames — Final Battle Official Trailer — via Gintama Official Channel on YouTube

What Is Gintama: Yoshiwara in Flames?

This is not a simple re-release. Yoshiwara in Flames is a fully reanimated compilation film produced by studio BN Pictures, under director Naoya Ando with a script by Taku Kishimoto. It revisits one of Gintama’s most iconic story arcs — covering events from episodes 139–146 of the original anime — in a brand-new cinematic presentation with a widescreen cinemascope format (2.35:1).

The Yoshiwara in Flames arc follows Gintoki and his unlikely band of allies as they storm the red-light district of Yoshiwara to rescue Seita and confront the fearsome Housen, ruler of the underground city. It is widely regarded as one of the series’ greatest action arcs, blending intense combat with emotionally charged storytelling.

What’s New This Time Around

The film is not just a HD upscale — it is a ground-up reanimate with added story material. New characters and original storylines have been woven into the narrative, including Enkaku, a brand-new character voiced by Kappei Yamaguchi. Familiar faces like the Shinsengumi and Katsura Kotarou also make appearances in the arc for the first time, expanding the scope of what was originally shown.

Gintama creator Hideaki Sorachi commented on the production: “Thanks to everyone’s support, Gintama has once again been adapted into anime, and now another movie is being produced.”

Gintama: Yoshiwara in Flames 2026 announcement visual
Image courtesy of BN Pictures / Shueisha

How It Performed in Japan

The film premiered in Japan on 13 February 2026, debuting at #2 at the box office and selling 262,700 tickets in its opening weekend alone — earning over ¥405 million (approximately US$2.64 million) in just three days. It currently holds an impressive 8.7 on IMDb, making it one of the better-reviewed anime theatrical releases of the year.

Where and When to Watch in Singapore

Odex is bringing the film to Golden Village (GV) multiplex cinemas in Singapore starting 6 June 2026. Check the GV website or the Odex official site for the latest showtime listings and to book your seats. The same Odex release is also screening in Thailand and the Philippines on June 6, with Indonesia following on June 10.

For fans who missed Gintama when it first aired, this is a great opportunity to experience the Yoshiwara arc with fresh eyes on a cinema screen. And for longtime fans? You already know what you are in for.

Last Words

It is genuinely great to see Gintama getting this kind of theatrical treatment in Singapore. Odex has been a consistent bridge between Japanese anime and Southeast Asian audiences, and bringing a beloved arc like Yoshiwara in Flames to local cinemas is exactly the kind of event Singapore fans deserve. If you are a fan of the series — or even just a fan of well-crafted anime action — this one is worth a cinema seat. Head over to our News section for more anime and gaming updates.

Event

Pokémon RUN 30 Is Heading to Singapore This November

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Singapore’s Pokémon fans, mark your calendars. The Pokémon Company is bringing one of its biggest live celebrations yet to our shores — Pokémon RUN 30, a massive two-day event marking 30 years of the franchise, is confirmed for 7–8 November 2026 at The Kallang. Whether you lace up for the themed fun run or just rock up for the free festival, this one is going to be huge.

Pokémon 30th Anniversary Special Movie — via Pokémon Asia ENG on YouTube

What Is Pokémon RUN 30?

Pokémon RUN 30 is The Pokémon Company’s flagship anniversary live event, rolling out across seven cities in Asia to celebrate 30 years of the franchise. Launched alongside the broader PokéXciting! Asia tour, the event pairs an immersive themed fun run with a fully free-to-enter festival ground — meaning even non-runners can show up and get in on the action.

Singapore is stop three on the Asia leg, with Kuala Lumpur (12–13 September) and Taipei (10–11 October) going first. So by the time The Kallang opens its gates on 7 November, the event will already be battle-tested and fully dialled in.

Pokémon RUN 30 Singapore 2026 event at The Kallang
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

The Run: Pick Your Partner, Hit the Course

The fun run covers a 4km interactive course designed to feel like a real Pokémon adventure. At the start, you’ll select a starter Pokémon as your running partner — and that partner evolves the further you go. Along the route, expect:

  • Obstacle sections styled as Pokémon Gyms
  • Pokédex sticker stations to collect along the way
  • Hydration points themed as Pokémon Centers

It is designed to be family-friendly, so no need to be a seasoned runner — just bring your trainer spirit.

The Festival Zone — Free Entry, No Ticket Needed

Even if you skip the run, the Festival Zone is completely free to enter for all visitors. This is the heart of the event and includes:

  • Pikachu Parade and meet-and-greet — Singapore’s favourite yellow mascot, up close
  • Pokémon Time Tunnel — a walk-through exhibit celebrating 30 years of Pokémon history
  • Pokémon Experience Zone — playable Nintendo Switch 2 Pokémon games and Trading Card Game instruction sessions
  • Pokémon Center Pop-Up Store — exclusive merchandise you won’t find in stores

The free-entry festival is the move if you want to bring the whole family without worrying about ticket costs.

Pokémon RUN 30 festival zone and activities
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

What’s in the Runner’s Kit?

Registered runners receive a kit that includes:

  • Pokémon RUN 30 T-shirt and drawstring bag
  • Poké Ball armband and race bib
  • Pokémon TCG booster pack and a lenticular card

Premium ticket tiers also include a Pikachu plushie. Ticket pricing and tier breakdowns have not been announced yet — The Pokémon Company says details will be revealed shortly. Keep an eye on the official Singapore portal at sg.portal-pokemon.com/30th/ for updates.

Pokémon GO Trainers Get In-Game Bonuses Too

If you play Pokémon GO, the event has something for you as well. The Pokémon Company has confirmed exclusive in-game bonuses and special quests tied to the real-world event at The Kallang. Specific bonuses are to be confirmed closer to November, but GO players will want to plan a trip down regardless.

PokéXciting! — The 30th Anniversary Asia Tour

Singapore’s Pokémon RUN 30 is part of the wider PokéXciting! Asia-wide celebration — described by The Pokémon Company as its largest-ever regional anniversary event. The five-city PokéXciting! tour runs:

  • Kuala Lumpur — 12–13 September 2026
  • Taipei — 10–11 October 2026
  • Singapore — 7–8 November 2026 (The Kallang)
  • Manila — 2027 (dates to be confirmed)
  • Bangkok — 2027 (dates to be confirmed)

Each city hosts its own version of the event with local flavour, complemented by shopping mall campaigns, Pokémon TCG tournaments, and Pokémon GO tie-ins throughout the region.

Last Words

November 7–8 is still a few months out, which gives Singapore trainers plenty of time to prep. The Festival Zone’s free admission removes any barrier to entry — so even if you’re not a runner, there’s no reason to miss the Pikachu Parade, the Time Tunnel, or the chance to get hands-on with Switch 2 Pokémon games.

We’ll be watching the official Singapore portal closely for ticket launch dates and full tier pricing. In the meantime, check out our roundup of other events coming to Singapore this year — there’s a lot on the calendar.

Game News, Retro Gaming

Donkey Kong 64 Is on Nintendo Switch Online — Play It Now

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After 27 years — and only one previous digital re-release — Donkey Kong 64 is finally on Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, live from toda

With the Nintendo Switch 2 having launched in Singapore on 26 June last year at SGD $719, it remains a great time to assess whether the Expansion Pack subscription is worth it for you. Priced at SGD $69.90/year for an individual plan, the subscription grants you access to 40 N64 titles (now including Donkey Kong 64), along with GBA, Game Boy, NES, SNES, and SEGA Genesis libraries—plus added GameCube access on your Switch 2. The arrival of Donkey Kong 64 today only adds more value to the service. For the full library list, visit Nintendo Singapore’s Expansion Pack page.

y, 4 June 2026. Singapore players with the Expansion Pack tier can download and play the full 1999 N64 platformer right now, with no extra charge beyond the subscription.

Donkey Kong 64 – Nintendo 64 – Nintendo Classics – Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack — via Nintendo of America on YouTube

What You Get with Donkey Kong 64 on Nintendo Switch Online

Rare’s legendary 1999 collect-a-thon platformer lets you take control of five members of the Kong family — Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, Tiny Kong, Lanky Kong, and Chunky Kong — each with their own special abilities and upgrades. Together they climb, swim, and puzzle-solve their way through treacherous worlds to reclaim DK Island’s Golden Bananas from the villainous King K. Rool and his Kremling army.

The Nintendo Switch Online version comes with quality-of-life improvements: higher-resolution output, smoother ~30fps performance (fixing some of the N64’s notorious frame wobble), fully rebindable controls, widescreen display support, and save states — so you’re not forced to marathon every Golden Banana run in one session.

Donkey Kong 64 gameplay on Nintendo Switch Online showing Diddy Kong in a jungle level
Image courtesy of Nintendo

Four-player split-screen battle arenas return too, so you can settle Kong supremacy debates with friends locally.

How Singapore Players Can Access It

You need a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership. In Singapore, the plan is priced at SGD $69.90 per year for an individual account, or SGD $119.90 per year for a family plan covering up to eight Nintendo Accounts. Once subscribed, DK64 is available inside the Nintendo 64 – Nintendo Classics library app directly on your console.

This addition brings the N64 catalogue on Switch Online to 40 titles, sitting alongside Super Mario 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, GoldenEye 007, and other classics. Switch 2 owners on the Expansion Pack also get access to the GameCube library — and the Switch 2 launches in Singapore on 26 June.

Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack June 2026 new additions including Donkey Kong 64
Image courtesy of Nintendo

Note: DK64 is not available on the base Nintendo Switch Online tier — the Expansion Pack upgrade is required.

Why This Matters for Nintendo Fans

Donkey Kong 64 is one of Nintendo’s most beloved — and most elusive — retro titles. After its Wii U eShop availability ended when that storefront closed in 2024, the game vanished from all legal digital outlets. This Switch Online addition is only its second official digital re-release, making it genuinely hard to come by for anyone who hasn’t kept the original N64 cartridge around.

For veteran Singapore gamers who grew up with the N64 in the late 1990s, this is a proper nostalgia hit. For younger players, it’s the first accessible chance to experience the DK Rap in its natural habitat — and to discover why this collect-a-thon’s scope still impresses nearly three decades later.

Last Words

With the Nintendo Switch 2 having launched in Singapore on 26 June last year at SGD $719, it remains a great time to assess whether the Expansion Pack subscription is worth it for you. Priced at SGD $69.90/year for an individual plan, the subscription grants you access to 40 N64 titles (now including Donkey Kong 64), along with GBA, Game Boy, NES, SNES, and SEGA Genesis libraries—plus added GameCube access on your Switch 2. The arrival of Donkey Kong 64 today only adds more value to the service. For the full library list, visit Nintendo Singapore’s Expansion Pack page.

Lord of Mysteries Specials official key art on Crunchyroll 2026
Manga Anime, News

Lord of Mysteries Specials Hit Crunchyroll on 20 June — City of Silver, The Marked Hunt, and What Was Cut

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If you tore through Lord of Mysteries Season 1 in 2025 and felt the story skipped something important — you were right. Three special episodes are coming to Crunchyroll from 20 June 2026, filling in the arcs the original run was too rushed to adapt properly.

Lord of Mysteries Specials | Official Trailer — via Crunchyroll on YouTube

What Are the Lord of Mysteries Specials on Crunchyroll?

Produced by B.CMAY PICTURES and directed by Xiong Ke — the same team behind Season 1 — the specials adapt two storylines cut during the original 13-episode run that aired mid-2025. The season earned praise for its dense, occult world-building but drew criticism from fans of the original novel for pacing so compressed that entire character arcs were omitted between episodes.

The first special, Lord of Mysteries Special: City of Silver, premieres on 20 June 2026. The remaining two episodes — grouped under the title Lord of Mysteries Special: The Marked Hunt — follow in weekly drops after that, putting all three specials in your watch queue by early July.

The City of Silver Arc — Derrick Berg Joins the Tarot Club

The first special centres on Derrick Berg, a young man trapped in a cursed bastion deep within the Forsaken Land of God — a location Season 1 only glimpsed. Through the mysterious Tarot Club presided over by Klein Moretti (The Fool), Derrick is offered salvation and claims the seat of The Sun within the Major Arcana.

It is one of the more emotionally grounded introductions in the original novel, and dedicated fans have been asking for it since the Season 1 finale. Seeing it get its own full episode — rather than a rushed montage — should go some way to soothing the frustrations of 2025.

The Marked Hunt — The Tarot Club Takes on a Pirate Admiral

The second and third specials shift to the open sea. Alger Wilson (The Hanged Man) proposes hunting down Qilangos, one of the seven Pirate Admirals, while Audrey Hall (Justice) leverages her aristocratic connections to set the trap. The arc puts the Tarot Club in genuine danger and gives Alger — a fan favourite who was significantly underserved in Season 1 — a proper moment in the spotlight.

Both episodes are part of the same story thread, so expect the pacing to feel more measured than anything Season 1 attempted.

Where Singapore Fans Can Watch

Crunchyroll distributes Lord of Mysteries across Southeast Asia, including Singapore, under its worldwide-outside-Japan-and-China arrangement with Tencent Video. The specials follow the same deal: same-day global streaming. Episode 1 drops 20 June 2026; episodes 2 and 3 follow weekly from there.

If you are not yet subscribed to Crunchyroll, the specials are worth signing up for ahead of Season 2. Check the Crunchyroll app or website for current local subscription pricing.

Season 2 Confirmed for 2027 — and the Studio Has Plans Through 2035

Crunchyroll has confirmed Season 2 for 2027, with a higher episode count, a proper opening sequence, and extended episode lengths compared to Season 1. That is not the end of it — B.CMAY PICTURES has reportedly mapped the adaptation through Season 7, targeting 2035, which would cover the full scope of Cuttlefish That Loves Diving’s 1,400-plus-chapter novel across five volumes. If you are worried about another rushed season, the long runway suggests the studio has learned its lesson.

There is also a Lord of Mysteries video game beta launching on 26 June 2026 — six days after the first special drops — for those who want to explore the Beyonder world interactively before Season 2 arrives.

Last Words

Lord of Mysteries has one of the largest SEA fanbases of any Chinese animation, and Singapore fans of the donghua genre have a packed second half of June to look forward to: three specials from 20 June, a game beta on 26 June, and Season 2 on the horizon for 2027. If you have not rewatched Season 1 yet, now is the time to start. For more anime news and streaming updates, keep an eye on GameTrader.SG.

Crunchyroll Chainsaw Man booth at Anime Festival Asia Thailand 2026
Event, News

Chainsaw Man Reze Arc Is on Crunchyroll: A Singapore Guide

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Crunchyroll just wrapped a Chainsaw Man-fuelled weekend at Anime Festival Asia (AFA) Thailand 2026 in Bangkok — and while the booth action played out up north, the bigger news for Singapore anime fans is that the same titles driving all that hype are already a tap away. Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc is streaming on Crunchyroll, and the road to AFA’s Singapore dates is already taking shape.

Chainsaw Man takes over AFA Thailand 2026

Held on 30–31 May 2026 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Crunchyroll’s AFA Thailand booth leaned hard into Chainsaw Man. The centrepiece was a live appearance by Kikunosuke Toya, the Japanese voice actor behind Denji, who performed a live dubbing of the character on stage before a fan meet-and-greet. For Toya, who spent part of his childhood in Bangkok, the panel doubled as a homecoming.

Fans could also step into a The Crossroads Café-inspired photospace and meet a Pochita mascot making its Thailand debut — the kind of in-person activation that tends to land in Singapore not long after.

Kikunosuke Toya, Japanese voice of Denji in Chainsaw Man
Image courtesy of Crunchyroll

What Singapore fans can stream on Crunchyroll now

Here’s the part that matters most locally: Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc isn’t a Thailand-only treat. The film began its global Crunchyroll streaming run on 30 April 2026 — available worldwide except Japan and France, which includes Singapore — in both subtitled and dubbed versions (Crunchyroll, HardwareZone). After a 2025 theatrical run, the move to streaming means SG fans who missed it on the big screen can finally catch the Reze arc at home.

Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc key visual
Image courtesy of Crunchyroll

Ani-May, Blue Lock and Solo Leveling: the wider catalogue

The Thailand booth ran an Ani-May stamp rally built around three of Crunchyroll’s biggest current titles — an Attack on Titan Doodle Wall, a BLUE LOCK Football Challenge, and a Solo Leveling Fitness Challenge. The activation was regional, but the shows behind it all stream on Crunchyroll for Singapore audiences too, which is really the throughline here: the events travel, but the library is the same one SG fans already pay for.

For context on Crunchyroll’s localisation push across the region, the platform now carries more than 550 titles in Thailand alone, including over 120 Thai-dubbed and 300-plus Thai-subtitled — a scale of investment that hints at where Southeast Asian markets, Singapore included, sit on the priority list.

Pochita mascot at the Crunchyroll AFA Thailand 2026 booth
Image courtesy of Crunchyroll

When does Singapore get its turn?

AFA’s Singapore calendar is already moving. The organiser has confirmed AFA Creators Super Fest 2026 for 11–12 July at Suntec Singapore (Halls 403–405), with the flagship Anime Festival Asia Singapore reported to return to Suntec in late November (dates to be confirmed). If the Thailand showing is any guide, expect Crunchyroll’s Chainsaw Man energy — photospaces, guest seiyuu, stamp rallies — to factor into the local line-up. Keep an eye on our other anime events coverage as those plans firm up.

Last words

The Bangkok booth was a Thailand event, but the takeaway for Singapore is simple: the headline title — Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc — is already streamable here on Crunchyroll, and the AFA roadshow lands on home turf from July. For SG anime fans, it’s less “you missed it” and more “press play.” We’ll be tracking the AFA Singapore announcements as they drop.

Game News

Phantom Blade Zero Pushed to 29 October — What Singapore Gamers Need to Know

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Singapore’s PS5 and PC gaming calendar just reshuffled. Phantom Blade Zero, the kung fu action RPG from Chinese studio S-GAME, has been pushed from its original 9 September 2026 date to 29 October 2026 — a 50-day delay confirmed alongside a brand-new Special Teaser trailer that dropped alongside the announcement.

Why S-GAME Delayed Phantom Blade Zero

The studio was direct about the reason: this is a polish delay, not a sign of development trouble. S-GAME identified a final window to raise the game’s visual quality — upgrading character models and reworking environmental textures — without sacrificing the performance targets already locked in. Importantly, the improvements do not lean on ray tracing, keeping the game accessible to a wider range of hardware.

“We do not want to release Phantom Blade Zero knowing there is still an opportunity to take it one step further,” the studio said. “While 50 days cannot change everything, it is enough time to finalize the critical improvements that players will notice the moment they start the game.”

For Singapore gamers, the move also clears a brutal late-September window that already has Marvel’s Wolverine (15 September), Control Resonant (24 September), and Onimusha: Way of the Sword (25 September) competing for attention and wallet space. Landing on 29 October gives Phantom Blade Zero breathing room to be its own event.

What Is Phantom Blade Zero?

Phantom Blade Zero protagonist Soul in high-speed kung fu combat
Image courtesy of S-GAME / PlayStation

If this is your first time hearing about it, here is the quick brief. Phantom Blade Zero is an action RPG built in Unreal Engine 5, set in a “Kung Fu Punk” world that fuses classic wuxia storytelling with kinetic combat that has drawn comparisons to Ninja Gaiden, Sekiro, and Devil May Cry. You play as Soul, a warrior with 66 days to live who must uncover the truth behind his master’s murder.

Combat is stamina-free and built around two primary bladed weapons — each with a “power surge” ultimate ability — plus two secondary Phantom Edges ranging from cannons and lances to axes and hammers. The world is semi-open with interconnected regions and paths that unlock as you gain new weapons and abilities. The pitch: relentless, precise, and spectacularly stylish.

Phantom Blade Zero semi-open world environment
Image courtesy of S-GAME / PlayStation

New Teaser Trailer and What’s Still to Come

S-GAME released a new Special Teaser alongside the delay announcement — roughly one minute of footage that shows Soul in full combat flow while, in a striking visual choice, protecting a baby mid-fight. It is the kind of image that crystallises the game’s tone: wildly cinematic but grounded in precise martial arts logic.

Phantom Blade Zero action sequence showcasing multi-weapon combat
Image courtesy of S-GAME / PlayStation

There is more to look forward to before launch. S-GAME has confirmed that pre-orders open this summer with a full trailer attached, and a dedicated State of Play deep dive is scheduled for late summer 2026 — covering the world, combat system, exploration, and character progression in detail. If the brief State of Play segment in June already had the community excited, the full showcase should give Singapore gamers everything they need to make a call on day-one.

Phantom Blade Zero launches 29 October 2026 on PlayStation 5 (with a console-exclusive window) and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store. SGD pricing has not been announced yet — that is expected alongside the pre-order opening this summer.

Last Words

A 50-day slip is never great news on paper, but S-GAME’s track record of transparency makes this one easy to accept. The September PS5 schedule was always going to force Singapore gamers into some painful pick-one choices; October 29 clears that crunch and lets Phantom Blade Zero land with the attention it deserves as one of the most visually ambitious Asian-developed action games in years. Mark the date, watch for the summer pre-order trailer, and keep an eye on our gaming news for more updates as they drop.

Game News, Singapore Gaming Scene

Star Fox Is Coming to Nintendo Switch 2 on 25 June — What Singapore Players Need to Know

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Fox McCloud is back, and this time he’s bringing the whole Lylat system with him. Star Fox, a sweeping remake of the beloved Nintendo 64 classic Star Fox 64, launches exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2 on 25 June 2026 — and Singapore is on the launch roster. Whether you grew up screaming “Do a barrel roll!” or you’re discovering the mercenary crew for the first time, here’s everything you need to know before take-off.

Star Fox Nintendo Switch 2 key art featuring Fox McCloud
Image courtesy of Nintendo

What Is Star Fox for Nintendo Switch 2?

This is not a remaster or a port. Nintendo has rebuilt Star Fox 64 from scratch — same stage layouts you know by heart, but everything else is brand new. The visuals have been completely overhauled, the characters redesigned with a more animalistic look, and the entire game voiced from scratch with a full orchestral soundtrack replacing the original MIDI compositions. New cutscenes have been added between every campaign stage to flesh out the story of the Star Fox mercenary team and their mission to save the Lylat system from the mad scientist Andross.

Most notably, the game kicks off with a brand-new prologue: you play as James McCloud, Fox’s father, in a mission that sets up the events of the main campaign. It’s the kind of lore expansion long-time fans have been asking for since 1997.

Star Fox Nintendo Switch 2 gameplay screenshot
Image courtesy of Nintendo

Star Fox Nintendo Switch 2 Game Modes Breakdown

There’s more here than a straightforward story replay. Nintendo has added three distinct game modes:

Campaign Mode

The classic rail-shooter campaign with branching paths — complete or miss optional objectives to unlock different routes through the Lylat system. Three difficulty levels are available, from a more forgiving entry point right up to the punishing Expert run that series veterans will remember.

Challenge Mode

Replay individual stages with fresh objectives not found in the main campaign. Think time attacks, score challenges, and new mission parameters. Normal and Expert difficulties are both available here, giving you a reason to keep coming back long after the credits roll.

Battle Mode — 4v4 Online Dogfights

This is the big new addition. Up to eight players split into Team Star Fox and Team Star Wolf for competitive online dogfights across three dedicated stages: Corneria, Fichina, and Sector Y. Objectives rotate between zone control and cargo retrieval, adding some tactical variety to the classic space battles.

Star Fox Nintendo Switch 2 multiplayer Battle Mode
Image courtesy of Nintendo

Switch 2 Features: Mouse Controls, Co-op and GameChat

Nintendo has built in several Switch 2-specific features that set this apart from simply playing the N64 original:

  • Joy-Con 2 mouse mode — Place a Joy-Con flat on a surface and use it like a mouse for aiming. It’s an optional targeting style that some players may find far more precise than analogue stick aim.
  • Co-op Pilot and Gunner mode — Two players can tackle the campaign together sharing one console: one pilots the Arwing, the other handles weapons. Great for playing with a sibling or friend who prefers not to worry about navigation.
  • GameChat AR filters — Chat with friends mid-session using Star Fox character filters overlaid on your face, similar to AR avatar features on other platforms.
  • GameShare — Compatible with the original Nintendo Switch, so you can share the game wirelessly with a friend nearby.

One thing for Singapore players to note: the Nintendo 64 Wireless Controller is not available for purchase in Southeast Asia, as confirmed by Nintendo’s Singapore page. You can still use Joy-Con 2 and Pro Controller 2 without any issues — it’s just the optional nostalgia controller that won’t be on local shelves.

Star Fox Nintendo Switch 2 Arwing in flight
Image courtesy of Nintendo

How to Pre-Order Star Fox in Singapore

Pre-orders are open now on the Nintendo eShop Singapore. The global digital price is US$49.99 and the physical edition is US$59.99 — check the Nintendo eShop Singapore for local SGD pricing, as regional prices may vary. Physical copies should be available through local game retailers; keep an eye on GameTrader news for Singapore retail listings as they go live closer to 25 June.

The game requires a Nintendo Switch 2 to play — it is a Switch 2 exclusive and will not run on the original Nintendo Switch.

What This Means for Singapore Gamers

Star Fox has been on ice for nearly a decade. The last mainline game — Star Fox Zero for Wii U — landed back in 2016, and the series has been largely dormant since. This remake is Nintendo signalling that it believes in the franchise again, and the Switch 2 exclusive status means it doubles as a system-seller for anyone on the fence about upgrading.

For Singapore Switch 2 owners, 25 June is shaping up to be a genuinely exciting date. The Battle Mode online component also means Singapore players can jump into competitive dogfights with the global community from day one. If the online servers hold up in the SEA region — and Nintendo’s recent Switch 2 network performance has been solid — this could be a game people are grinding well into the second half of the year.

Mark 25 June in your calendar. Do a barrel roll.