CyberAgent announced on Tuesday that its CA Soa studio will produce a television anime adaptation of the manga The Bugle Call: Song of War, slated to premiere in 2027. The studio released a teaser trailer and visual. Shinya Watada, director of Gundam Build Fighters Try, will direct the series, while Michiro Tsuchiya will serve as series composition head. Michinori Chiba will design characters, and Hitomi Kotō will compose the music. Additional staff includes Hiroshi Arisawa as action animator, Kanetake Ebikawa for concept design, Takayuki Yanase for prop design, and Shirogumi for CG animation. The manga, created by Mozuku Sora and Higoro Tōmori, began serialization in Shueisha’s Jump SQ. magazine in June 2022 and moved to Jump SQ. RISE in April 2024. The 13th compiled volume was released on February 4, and the sixth English volume was published by Viz Media on April 7. The story follows Luca, a bugler in a mercenary company, who can see the sound of his instrument and becomes involved in a war among nine tower‑dominated nations. Viz Media describes the narrative as a fantasy war set in a world where the Spires are remnants of an advanced civilization. The announcement marks a new entry in the expanding anime schedule for 2027.
Art, books, film, gaming, and the conversations defining the week.
Game Studio announced on Monday that noprops' Ao Oni horror game will be released for the PlayStation 5 on July 3. The original Ao Oni debuted online for free in 2004 and is available in Japanese and English. It was launched on Steam in July 2024. The title challenges players to solve puzzles and escape a demon in a confined space.
The game inspired the television anime series Aooni The Blue Monster, which began airing in October 2016, and an anime film that presents a new story. Both were streamed by Crunchyroll in Japan. Two live‑action films were released in July 2014 and July 2015.
A sequel smartphone game, Ao Oni 2, launched for iOS and Android in December 2016, followed by Ao Oni 3 in December 2017. Ao Oni Online launched for mobile devices in September 2018, and Ao Oni X followed in December 2020 with linking capability to Ao Oni Online.
The most recent entry, Ao Oni: The Horror of Blueberry Onsen, launched for the Nintendo Switch in April 2025 and for PC via Steam in May 2025.
J‑Novel Club is publishing a novel series based on the franchise, with story by Kenji Kuroda and art by Karin Suzuragi. The series, which began in 2013, includes seven main volumes and one side‑story volume.
The first three episodes of Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War were shown in U.S. theaters from June 25 to June 29, generating an estimated $3 million in box office revenue and ranking eighth among all releases, according to Box Office Mojo.
The screening took place in 943 theaters and featured the anime in Japanese with English subtitles, an English dub, and a behind‑the‑scenes conversation with creator Tite Kubo, chief series director Tomohisa Taguchi, and series director Hikaru Murata.
Box Office Mojo reported Friday earnings of $680,000, Saturday earnings of $724,000, and Sunday earnings of $550,000. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, the sequel to The Super Mario Bros. Movie, placed 24th in its 13th week and earned a cumulative $429,743,520.
Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Part 3 premiered in October 2024 and concluded with a one‑hour finale in December of the same year. The series, which adapts manga volumes 55 through 74, will air its fourth and final cours beginning July 25 on TV Tokyo at 11:00 p.m. JST, followed by broadcast on BS TV Tokyo on July 27, AT‑X on August 2, and additional regional stations later in August. Streaming begins on July 26 on Japanese services and is available on Hulu in the United States, Disney+ internationally, and Ani-One Asia in many Asian countries.
The opening theme song "I-BULL" is performed by jo0ji, and the ending theme "Rasen" is performed by 9Lana.
Activision announced that Modern Warfare 4 will not be included in Xbox Game Pass at its October 23 launch and will require a separate purchase.
Microsoft said earlier in the year that new Call of Duty titles would no longer debut in Game Pass, a shift it linked to revenue concerns after Black Ops 6's inclusion in the subscription service reportedly reduced potential sales.
Modern Warfare 4 launches on October 23 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2, the first Call of Duty entry on a Nintendo platform since 2013; a multiplayer beta will be released before launch.
The title will become available on Game Pass during the holiday season of the following year, meaning players seeking immediate access must buy the game outright.
Canadian accessories maker Dbrand announced that its $100 Companion Cube–themed skin for the Steam Machine has been canceled and that preorders will be refunded. The company said it never sought a license from Valve before creating the design, which it described as a passion project that required more than 1,000 hours of engineering and custom injection‑mold tooling. Valve’s legal team contacted Dbrand shortly after the product listing went live, stating that the Companion Cube is Valve intellectual property and that Dbrand must remove the product and promotional material. Dbrand complied, removed the listing, and said it asked Valve if a licensed version could be produced; Valve declined. The company noted that demand for the skin remained high, with more than 15,000 sign‑ups for notifications after a concept render was posted on the day the Steam Machine was announced on November 12, 2025. Steam Machine preorders are currently open, with the base model priced at $1,050. Dbrand previously faced other disputes, including a cease‑and‑desist from Sony over PlayStation 5 skins and a controversial comment that led to a $10,000 settlement.
Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls announced its final roster of multiversal fighters at Evo 2026, revealing the Samurai Outriders team that includes Blade, Loki, Ghost Rider and Deadpool, with a launch date of August 6 for PC and PlayStation 5 and an open beta scheduled for July 24. The fighting game, developed by Marvel Tokon, features characters from the Marvel universe and is positioned as a crossover title that incorporates references to other video game franchises. Deadpool’s moveset includes a Naruto-style run, a Jack‑O pose recognized by Guilty Gear Strive players, a Johnny Cage‑style attack from Mortal Kombat, a Scorpion‑inspired strike, a Yoshimitsu‑style Hara‑Kiri, a Dragon Ball FighterZ energy blast, a Mr. Polygon Man reference, a Sol Badguy uppercut, a Mr. Dolphin charge, a Persona team attack, and a Sailor Moon pose, and Nolan North provides the voice for the character. The open beta will run from July 24 and the full game will be released on August 6, with a complete character list available on the official website.
Paramount Pictures released the first trailer for The Angry Birds Movie 3, which is scheduled for a December 23 release. The film follows Red (voiced by Jason Sudeikis) as he navigates fatherhood while attempting to save the world. The cast also includes Josh Gad, Danny McBride, Tim Robinson, Sam Richardson, Keke Palmer, Nikki Glaser, Lily James, and Mr. Beast. The trailer features a scene in which the baby bird repeatedly urinates through a colander, and Bomb (voiced by Danny McBride) said, “It’s like the Bellagio fountain.” The original Angry Birds Movie premiered in 2016 and earned $352 million worldwide, while its sequel released in 2019 earned $148 million. Sega acquired the Rovio franchise in 2023 for $776 million, and Sega CEO Haruki Satomi said, “We have not achieved the level of results that had been expected prior to the acquisition,” according to GI.biz. Paramount is also developing a Call of Duty movie directed by Taylor Sheridan and Peter Berg, and a Sonic the Hedgehog film, and is preparing for a $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. The film’s commercial performance and the impact of the acquisition on the franchise remain to be seen.
Ubisoft co-founder Claude Guillemot died on June 19 in a plane crash in La Baule, western France, along with a flight instructor.
Ubisoft co-founder Claude Guillemot died on June 19 in a plane crash in La Baule, western France, along with a flight instructor. He was 69. Guillemot co-founded Ubisoft with his four brothers in 1986 and served on the company's board of directors. He also chaired Guillemot Corporation, which manufactures gaming accessories and owns the Thrustmaster brand, and held a master's degree in economic science from Rennes 1 University. The crash occurred just before 6 p.m. local time in a twin-engine Cessna 421 propeller aircraft. Both occupants were licensed pilots with extensive flight experience, according to the Associated Press. Mayor Franck Louvrier said witnesses reported that the plane banked before it crashed. Ubisoft issued a statement expressing its condolences and offering support to his family. CEO Yves Guillemot said the company had received many messages from employees, players, partners and industry figures, and thanked them for their support during this time. He noted that Claude Guillemot helped establish Ubisoft as a major video game publisher and contributed to its development through entrepreneurial leadership. The cause of the crash is under investigation, and no further details have been released. The company said it will continue its operations while honoring his legacy.
The college football video game College Football 27 will begin early access this week, with a worldwide release set for July 9. MVP+ subscribers can play starting July 2, while owners of the deluxe edition and MVP bundle gain access on July 6. All other players will have full access on the global launch date.
The game is part of EA Sports' annual college football series, and the new $150 MVP+ subscription provides early access to this title and upcoming deluxe editions of Madden NFL 27, along with additional perks such as Ultimate Team packs. The release schedule lists early‑access times at 11 AM PT, 2 PM ET, and 7 PM GMT on the specified dates.
The launch follows EA's broader strategy of using subscription services to extend revenue streams across its sports portfolio. The company has not disclosed further post‑launch content plans beyond the initial release.
Players interested in early participation should verify their subscription status or purchase the appropriate edition to secure access on the indicated dates.
Microsoft's Xbox division may conduct significant layoffs that could put Undead Labs, the developer of State of Decay, at risk of closure. Reports from GamesBeat and Windows Central indicate that Undead Labs is among the first‑party studios targeted after the fiscal year ending June 30. The company's upcoming State of Decay 3 has received a promotional push, including a trailer released earlier this month, and is expected to launch on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and PC in 2027. Bloomberg's Jason Schreier said it is possible that some studios slated for closure could be spun out and become independent, but layoffs are likely to occur. Developers from other Xbox first‑party studios have asked Microsoft to provide layoff protections before any summer cuts. Rumors also suggest that the entire Xbox division might be spun out as a separate company. Microsoft has raised Xbox console prices and indicated that the division must improve its financial performance, which could lead to further restructuring. The fate of Undead Labs and State of Decay 3 remains uncertain as Microsoft evaluates financial pressures.
Xbox developers have formed a coalition to request enhanced layoff protections for employees amid rumors of possible staff reductions at Microsoft's gaming division this summer.
The United Video Game Workers, together with the Communications Workers of America, held a press conference with representatives from Microsoft’s first‑party studios, including Zenimax (the parent of Bethesda) and Activision Blizzard. The group called for advance notice of layoffs, temporary hiring freezes to allow internal transfers, and two‑year recall rights for affected workers.
Union officials said Microsoft has been slow to address layoff protections in current negotiations. Developers from Zenimax and Activision reported that the company has not responded to their proposals, while Blizzard’s World of Warcraft team said it has seen positive movement on the issue. Compulsion Games has already experienced layoffs, and other studios such as Double Fine and Ninja Theory are negotiating with Microsoft to avoid broader cuts. Craig Duncan, who led Xbox Game Studios for 15 years, departed from Microsoft. CEO Satya Nadella has expressed a desire for Xbox to improve its financial performance, and reports indicate speculation that the division might be spun out as an independent company. Additional price increases for Xbox consoles are expected in 2027.
The timeline for any layoff decisions or restructuring of the Xbox division has not been disclosed.
Zach Cregger, director of the upcoming Resident Evil film, said the movie follows Bryan, a medical courier who lacks combat skills, and likened the story’s structure to that of The Lord of the Rings. He described Bryan as an everyman thrust into a deadly adventure, noting that the narrative begins with high‑energy action about five minutes into the film and maintains that intensity until the conclusion.
The film is scheduled for release on September 18 and does not adapt any existing Resident Evil game or character. It differs from the six previous Resident Evil movies directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, which have earned more than $1 billion worldwide. Cregger, a longtime fan of the games, said he aims to capture the games’ tone while applying his own vision.
He said the film’s pacing mirrors the set‑piece progression of the games, with each location presenting a unique challenge, and that the story’s focus on a non‑combatant character reflects the franchise’s emphasis on survival horror. The movie is the first of several video‑game adaptations slated for release this year, including a Street Fighter film arriving on October 16.
A Reddit post from August 2025 that alleged Blizzard Entertainment’s release schedule for the Warcraft franchise through 2030 has resurfaced after a recent datamine appeared to support part of the document. The image posted by user 5thyatch and highlighted by creator Bellular listed timelines for upcoming World of Warcraft expansions, two unnamed games, two television series, and a product called Camelot tied to WoW Classic. The original post was later deleted. Fans retrieved the document via the Wayback Machine and noted that a datamine discovered by Wowhead referenced internal files naming World of Warcraft Camelot with Heroic and Epic editions. The leak’s timeline matched the announced release window for the Midnight expansion and listed The Last Titan as an expansion scheduled for late 2027. It also projected a real‑time strategy title called Warcraft Chronicles for a 2028 release and an untitled Arthas‑themed action role‑playing game for 2029. The document suggested television adaptations, including an animated series and a live‑action series, linked to the untitled game and the strategy title. In February, vice president and executive producer Holly Longdale said the Warcraft IP is underutilized and that Blizzard has a larger vision than an MMORPG. The same month, president Johanna Faries said the company is having exciting conversations about Hollywood adaptations of Blizzard properties. The authenticity of the leak has not been confirmed, and the document’s date is unclear. Blizzard has a history of canceling about half of its projects before release, and recent reports indicate that Xbox, its parent company, may undergo layoffs, casting doubt on the future of the unannounced titles. The matter remains unresolved, with Blizzard yet to confirm any of the schedule details.
Variety reported on Monday that Netflix is developing a live-action series based on the Persona video game franchise from Atlus, which is owned by Sega. The report said the adaptation would not be tied to a specific game entry. Christopher Monfette, who has served as executive producer, showrunner and writer on the last two seasons of Star Trek: Picard, as well as on 12 Monkeys, 9-1-1 and Vision Quest, is attached to the project. Executive producers include Shawn Levy of 21 Laps Entertainment, Robert Atwood, Dmitri M. Johnson, Michael Lawrence Goldberg and Timothy I. Stevenson. Sega’s Toru Nakahara will also serve as executive producer. Persona debuted in 1996 on the Sony PlayStation and has spawned multiple titles, including Persona 3 Reload, which launched in February 2024 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox consoles, Xbox Game Pass, Xbox One, and PC via Windows and Steam, and later for Nintendo Switch 2 in October. Persona 4 Revival is scheduled for release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC via Xbox Game Pass and PC via Steam on February 18, 2027. Additional titles in the series include Persona 5, Persona 5 Royal and earlier entries released between 2016 and 2020. Atlus announced in June that it is developing Persona 6 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox Cloud, and PC via Steam.
Sony says it will not absorb significant hardware losses for the upcoming PS6, a console expected to cost $1,000 or more at launch. During a Q&A at Sony's Game & Network Services division, SIE president Hideaki Nishino said the company cannot absorb all component cost increases and has already raised prices outside Japan. PlayStation sales fell 58% year‑on‑year in May, the largest decline in 26 years, while Xbox recorded its lowest performance since 2001. Nishino added that sales are proceeding as planned and that demand has not declined. He said Sony does not intend to sell hardware at significant losses and is carefully monitoring market conditions. Analysts note that memory chip shortages and rising component costs have complicated PS6 development, leading some to expect a launch toward the end of the decade. Sony previously increased PS5 pricing and has not yet set a launch date or price for PS6. Microsoft also faces higher console costs and has not ruled out another Xbox price increase in 2027. Sony maintains its projections for PS6 remain unchanged despite the current pricing environment.
Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is considering a subsidy program of about 11.5 billion yen (US$71 million) for up to 15 media companies. The program would encourage the use of generative AI to translate manga, anime and other content and to increase overseas sales. METI has not yet announced the list of companies, but expects participation from firms such as Shueisha, Kodansha, Square Enix, NTT Solmare, Crunchyroll and Bandai Namco. The subsidy aims to raise overseas subscriptions from 100 million to 300 million and to lift projected overseas sales to 20 trillion yen by 2033. Piracy-related losses in the content industry reached 5.7 trillion yen in 2025, up from 2 trillion yen in 2022, according to The Japan News. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s administration has placed the content industry among 17 priority sectors for investment. The details of the subsidy criteria remain to be finalized.
Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) announced that Koei Tecmo is developing an action game tentatively titled "Fuji" with oriental visuals under its IP360 program. The IP360 –Toward 20 Trillion Yen– initiative funds selected media projects to raise overseas sales of Japanese content to 20 Trillion Yen by 2033. Other grant recipients include projects from Arc System Works, Konami Digital Entertainment, Square Enix, Sega, Aniplex, Trigger, MAPPA, and several others. Koei Tecmo is known for titles such as the Warriors series, Atelier series, Nobunaga's Ambition, Dead or Alive, Ninja Gaiden, Wild Hearts, Nioh, and Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Koei Tecmo announced a new Atelier entry, Atelier Karia: The Night Kingdom & the Guide of Memories, scheduled for early 2027 on Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. The "Fuji" project aims to support METI's goal of expanding Japanese game exports.
Sega announced that Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles 2 will launch for Nintendo Switch 2 in Japan and the West on October 29. Owners of the original Switch version can upgrade to the Switch 2 edition at no cost, but the upgrade does not include the separately sold Infinity Castle Character Pass, which provides seven DLC characters. The Switch 2 edition includes all released DLC characters, runs at 60 fps, features higher‑resolution visuals, and supports cross‑play between Switch and Switch 2 users. A paid Character Pass grants access to characters from the film Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle – Part 1 – Akaza Returns, such as Doma and Kaigaku, and to Infinity Castle variants of Tanjiro, Zenitsu, Giyu, Shinobu and Akaza. Additional DLC characters were added on October 30, December 2, December 19, February 13, March 11, April 17 and May 28. A free update in September introduced Muzan Kibutsuji in versus mode. The game originally launched in August for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch and PC via Steam. Pre‑order bonuses include Muichirō Tokitō and Mitsuri Kanroji, and the base roster contains more than 40 characters, including all figures from the first game and new Hashira playable characters. Cyber Connect 2 developed the title and Aniplex published it.
GKIDS will host the EVANGELION 30th Movie Fest, presenting Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death & Rebirth (Death (True)² & Rebirth) on July 21 and The End of Evangelion on July 22, with tickets now available on the GKIDS website.
The films are adaptations of the original NEON GENESIS EVANGELION television series, which aired from 1995 to 1996 and was first compiled into a theatrical feature released on March 15, 1997. That feature combined episodes 1 through 24 with an alternative ending taken from episode 25, “Air,” and was later rebranded as EVANGELION:DEATH (TRUE)² & REBIRTH for international screenings marking the series’ 30th anniversary.
GKIDS licensed the original series and the two films in 2020, enabling the first U.S. theatrical presentations of the titles. Director Hideaki Anno founded Studio Khara in 2006 and later produced the Rebuild of Evangelion tetralogy, which began with Evangelion 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone in 2007 and concluded with Evangelion: 3.0+1.01 Thrice Upon a Time in 2021, a film that opened at the top of the Japanese box office and earned more than $74 million. The Rebuild series offers a reinterpretation of the original story and has been shown with English subtitles in select U.S. theaters, including a December 2022 engagement by GKIDS and Fathom Events.
The July 21‑22 festival provides fans a chance to view the films theatrically in the United States.
CD Projekt announced on June 23 that it has changed its legal name to CD Projekt Red Spółka Akcyjna, a Polish term for a joint‑stock company, to consolidate its various business units.
The parent of Cyberpunk 2077 and the CD Projekt Red studio said the name change aims to unify operations under a single entity that handles game publishing, brand management and related activities.
The statement said the new name will ensure consistent brand communication, help identify the company with its products on the global market and aid recruitment. The rebranding may blur distinctions between the publisher and developer, making it harder to determine which entity is issuing announcements about games such as Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher.
CD Projekt is developing a sequel to Cyberpunk 2077, though details remain limited. The studio noted that its reputation has not fully recovered from the game’s launch, which encountered technical issues. A trailer for Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2, scheduled for release this fall, was recently posted.
Regarding The Witcher, no substantive updates have been announced for The Witcher 4, but an expansion for The Witcher 3 titled Songs of the Past will be unveiled at Gamescom in Cologne, Germany, from August 26 to August 30.