Nintendo and The Lego Group announced that Super Mario minifigures will be released in 2027, according to a March teaser. The lineup will include a standard Mario figure, a Luigi figure, a larger Bowser figure, and a Yoshi figure with a removable shell that can carry another minifigure. Lego and Nintendo have previously collaborated on larger builds such as a Mario Kart vehicle set, a pixel‑art Mario and Yoshi set, and smaller releases featuring Wario, Captain Toad, Bowser Jr., Boo, and various Super Mario enemies. The companies have also released minifigures based on Animal Crossing and The Legend of Zelda characters. In 2026, the partnership includes a Lego Donkey Kong arcade machine set, a The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Final Battle set, a Mario Kart Luigi and Mach 8 set, and more than 20 Lego Pokémon sets.
Art, books, film, gaming, and the conversations defining the week.
Good Smile Company announced on Monday that a trailer for Patlabor the Case Files, a 3D action game based on the Patlabor franchise, is available, with a September 17 release date. The game will be released on PlayStation 5 and PC through Steam and the Epic Games Store, supporting Japanese, English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Korean. International pre‑orders are available. The game includes more than 20 Labors and offers multiple missions and side missions that present scenes from the anime from both protagonist and antagonist perspectives. Developers credit Yutaka Izubuchi for mechanics, Kazunori Itō for script, and Akemi Takada for character animation, under the supervision of three members of the creative unit Headgear. The Patlabor franchise, created by Headgear members including director Mamoru Oshii, script writer Kazunori Itō, mecha designer Yutaka Izubuchi, character designer Akemi Takada, and manga creator Masami Yuuki, has spawned two original video anime series, a television series, and three anime films, the most recent of which premiered in 2002. Maiden Japan holds licensing rights for several Patlabor OVA series and films. A related Patlabor EZY anime project will debut as three theatrical films, with the first two covering the series’ initial six episodes each and a final installment scheduled for March 2027. The release represents the first Patlabor title on modern consoles.
Kingdom Hearts 4 co‑director Tai Yasue and series creator Tetsuya Nomura told attendees at D23 2026 that the game will launch in late 2027 and will not be delayed. Nomura said online rumors suggesting a postponement were inaccurate and emphasized that the current schedule would hold. Nana Gadd, director of product development at Disney and Pixar Games, also affirmed the timeline during the panel. Square Enix has not announced a final release date, but the developers said the project is on track. The series has long intervals between entries, with a 13‑year gap between Kingdom Hearts 2 and 3 and the most recent title launching in 2019. Some fans have expressed concern that a delay past January 2028 could mean the game would be released without a physical disc on PlayStation 5, as Sony plans to end physical media support for new titles after that date. The game will be released on PC, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Nomura added that marketing for the title has just begun and more news will be shared in the coming months. Yasue said the development is proceeding smoothly and described the launch as a 100% commitment. The panel also referenced the series' 25th anniversary and considered plans for a potential 30th anniversary. The company will continue to provide updates as the release window approaches.
Nicolas Cage's Ghost Rider movies are now streaming for free on Tubi.
The first Ghost Rider film premiered in 2007 and its sequel, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance, followed in 2011. Both were financially successful and feature supporting casts that include Eva Mendes, Peter Fonda, Sam Elliott, Idris Elba, Christopher Lambert and the late Anthony Head.
The movies adapt the Marvel Comics character Johnny Blaze, a stunt motorcyclist who makes a pact with the demon Mephisto and becomes the Ghost Rider with a flaming skull. Critics have described the 2007 film's visual effects as dated and its antagonists as resembling a metal band, while the 2011 sequel introduced the character Danny Ketch and was produced on a lower budget. Cage's performance has been highlighted as a consistent element, with reviewers noting his intense effort; some have rated his facial intensity a solid 7 out of 10, referencing his role in Face/Off.
Marvel has announced that Ryan Gosling will portray Johnny Blaze in a new Ghost Rider project slated for future release.
The free streaming availability on Tubi allows viewers to watch the earlier entries ahead of the new adaptation.
At the D23 convention on August 15, a Kingdom Hearts panel announced that Kingdom Hearts 4 is slated for release in late 2027 and that a new animated series will stream on Disney+. The panel, titled 'DEEP DIVE into KINGDOM HEARTS,' began streaming at 4:30 PM PT and was broadcast on IGN's YouTube channel. Kingdom Hearts, a role‑playing series developed by Square Enix and published by Disney, has been released across multiple consoles since 2002. Prior gameplay footage was shown at the Friday night showcase at the Honda Center the day before the panel.
Guests included Nana Gadd, director of games at Disney's Japan division; Tai Yasue, co‑director of Kingdom Hearts IV; voice actors Haley Joel Osment (Sora) and David Gallagher (Riku); Renée Johnson, a Disney character voice performer; and Miyu Irino, the Japanese voice of Sora. Gadd displayed a scrapbook of early production images, and Osment explained that he adjusts his voice to match Sora's younger tone. Gallagher noted that his earlier role as a protagonist differed from his current portrayal of Riku. Tetsuya Nomura, the series' creator, said development is on track and not expected to be delayed, emphasizing that each game should include at least one unexpected world, particularly those based on live‑action films. He cited The Nightmare Before Christmas and The Little Mermaid as early selections for future worlds, a point confirmed by Gadd.
Yasue described new traversal mechanics for the game's Quadratum setting, including a keychain launch that propels characters over long distances, building jumps, powerline slides, and pole twirls. He said the team spent considerable effort recreating the city's lighting and atmosphere by referencing real locations in Tokyo. Nomura added that Maleficent will play a significant role in the story, and that an original world called DisneyTown, inspired by Disney Parks, will feature a dessert‑themed Dream Festival event with an ice‑cream mini‑game. He also said the gameplay ideas had been planned since Kingdom Hearts III.
An extended trailer shown at the panel expanded on a shorter version previously released at the Honda Center showcase. The full trailer featured Quadratum's futuristic vehicles, Sora using a smartphone before battling Heartless, and a segment where Mickey navigates a paper‑based world creating origami copies that can become paper airplanes. Additional footage showed Riku, Kairi urging Sora to wake up, and combat sequences where Hector uses bones as weapons and Miguel uses a guitar. Nomura said the trailer was longer than the earlier version, and Yasue said the gameplay concepts were realized after years of development.
The panel also announced a Kingdom Hearts animated series for Disney+, though no release date has been set. The discussion highlighted the series' focus on gameplay experience when selecting worlds, and the timeline for Kingdom Hearts 4 remains tentative for late 2027.
Fast Five, the 2011 action thriller starring Vin Diesel, became available on Netflix on August 1, 2026, completing its run of the franchise’s 11 previous films on the platform. The 130‑minute movie follows Dom Toretto and Brian O’Conner as they plan a $100 million vault heist in Rio de Janeiro, shifting the series from street racing to a heist narrative and relying on largely practical effects. The film, which was directed by Justin Lin, was praised for its stunt work and for reuniting the franchise’s core cast after the death of Paul Walker in 2013. Vin Diesel has outlined three conditions for the upcoming final installment, calling for a return to Los Angeles, a revival of street racing, and the reunion of Dom and Brian, though he has expressed reservations about using CGI to recreate Walker. The movie’s availability on Netflix follows a pattern of the franchise’s streaming releases, and it remains a reference point for the series’ evolution from street‑level racing to larger‑scale heist and spy‑like missions. The final film is expected to address these concerns while concluding the 12‑film saga.
Handheld gaming PC prices have climbed, with models such as the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ listed at $1,799 and the Lenovo Legion Go 2 at $1,999, raising concerns that increasing RAM costs may limit market growth. The segment, which includes devices like the Steam Deck and Xbox Ally, has expanded rapidly since the introduction of the Steam Deck in 2022, offering portable alternatives to traditional gaming laptops. MSI's Claw 8 EX AI+ uses Intel's Panther Lake-based Arc G3 Extreme chip and saw its price rise from about $899 for the previous model. Lenovo's Legion Go 2, equipped with an OLED display, saw its price increase to $1,999 on Best Buy, while a non‑extreme version remains available for $1,334. Valve raised the Steam Deck's minimum price to $789 in 2025, up from $599 for the base Xbox Ally. Asus's Xbox handhelds, priced around $600 and $1,000, have also seen regional price adjustments. Industry analysts attribute the price increases to higher costs of 32 GB RAM modules, which have risen from roughly $150 to more than $400, outpacing the cost growth of the underlying processors. Memory manufacturers have indicated that production capacity will be fully allocated through 2027, suggesting sustained price pressure. Consumer response has been mixed; some users consider the performance gains justified while others question the value relative to desktop alternatives, especially as handhelds approach $1,000 price points. If RAM prices remain elevated, manufacturers may reassess the viability of new handheld releases, potentially shifting focus to lower‑cost models or alternative form factors.
Three major isekai anime—That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation, and Re:Zero—are streaming simultaneously as of August 12, 2026. Re:Zero's fourth season second cour began on Crunchyroll that day.
The surge marks a return to a densely scheduled period reminiscent of the early 2000s when multiple popular series aired concurrently.
Re:Zero's second cour follows Subaru, who has lost his memories and is searching for a cure for the curse affecting Rem and Julius while exploring the Pleiades Watchtower. Episode 11 resolved a traumatic arc, and episode 12 shows Subaru awakening after his Return by Death ability triggers; Meili, seeking vengeance for her mentor Elsa, had pushed him from a staircase before being forgiven by the group.
Season 4 of Re:Zero returns to a formula that emphasizes trial-based storytelling and repeated cycles of death and rebirth, a method the series used in earlier seasons.
Mushoku Tensei season 3, which aired two strong opening episodes, has slowed since episode 3. Episodes 3 through 7 focus on Rudeus's domestic life, including his family, his sister, and his mother's recovery, with minimal action.
The series has hinted at upcoming danger in the Chaos Breaker arc, as shown in a released trailer.
Reincarnated as a Slime, which split its fourth season into five cours covering roughly 15 months, has maintained a steady pace. The first 11 episodes adapted the tenth light novel, and six additional episodes covered most of the eleventh novel without pacing issues.
Fans have noted that Slime balances slice-of-life moments with political intrigue and fantasy action, while Re:Zero and Mushoku Tensei have been criticized for slower setup.
While Re:Zero and Mushoku Tensei may accelerate their storylines, Slime continues to dominate the current anime schedule.
Plott announced on Saturday that its short anime Rakuraku Hanten will launch on YouTube in late September.
The series follows Tenma, voiced by Yukihiro Yoshikawa, as he joins a Mafia family to locate his benefactor Mugoku, played by Tomokazu Seki. The cast also includes Masaru Yoshimura as Sia, Tsubasa Sasa as Paoran, Takuya Masamoto as Gao, Chikahiro Kobayashi as Lay, Ran Koba as Chaomi, and Tsubasa Sasa as Paoran.
Mikiyasu Kamata, writer of Nine Dragons’ Ball Parade, is the main scenario writer. Nigata Amon designs the characters and creates the key visual art, while design agency TO2KYO2 produces the key visual graphic and logo. Sōno provides the original character designs.
Plott previously released the first episode of Tengu Tōsen, a short anime produced with Bandai Namco Entertainment, on July 24. The company also created the Anti‑Hero Generations short anime adaptation of Keita Uehara’s manga, which won the New Generation YouTube Manga Award in 2021. Digital animator Ryo‑timo became creative adviser for Plott in April 2020.
The anime is scheduled to premiere on YouTube in late September, and further details about the release schedule have not been announced.
Retailers offered discounts on several media titles and consumer electronics on August 15, 2026, including Target, Amazon, Walmart, and Crunchyroll.
Resident Evil Requiem is the latest installment in the Resident Evil franchise, originally released in 2023. Project Hail Mary, a 2023 film, was reviewed by IGN, which assigned an 8/10 rating and described it as a rollicking sci‑fi blockbuster. Civilization VII, released in 2019, received a 7/10 rating from IGN, noting improved warfare mechanics and interface concerns. The Super Mario 40th Anniversary promotion included a limited‑edition Rosalina storybook. Crunchyroll restocked the Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Blu‑ray after a temporary out‑of‑stock period.
Target listed Resident Evil Requiem for $53.99. Amazon offered the Project Hail Mary 4K Blu‑ray for $24.95, down from its regular price of $37.99. Amazon discounted Civilization VII to $19.99, a reduction of $20 from the standard price. Walmart listed the Back to the Future LEGO Icons Time Machine set for $159.99, a $40 discount from its usual price. Amazon sold Rosalina’s Storybook for $12.49, a 50% discount as part of the Super Mario 40th Anniversary promotion. Walmart offered the LEGO Batman Forever Batmobile set for $74.99, a 25% discount. Walmart listed the LEGO Marvel Iron Spider‑Man Bust for $47.99, a 20% discount.
Crunchyroll announced the return of the Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Blu‑ray to its store after a temporary stockout and indicated that the retailer plans to make its store members‑only. Walmart opened pre‑orders for Spider‑Man: Brand New Day on 4K Blu‑ray, including Steelbook editions. Amazon listed the Fate Return to Avalon: Takashi Takeuchi Art Works hardcover at $40.42, which includes nearly 300 pages of artwork.
Availability of limited‑edition items may be limited, and retailers have not announced additional promotions beyond the weekend.
At the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, Disney held its 2026 Experiences Showcase.
At the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, Disney held its 2026 Experiences Showcase. The company announced that Avengers Infinity Defense will open at Disneyland's Disney California Adventure in 2028, featuring Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Anthony Mackie as Captain America, Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye, and Iman Vellani as Ms. Marvel. The attraction will have guests help reassemble the Avengers to battle King Thanos. Disney also revealed Antonio's Fiesta de Encanto, an Encanto‑themed attraction at Animal Kingdom's Tropical Americas area, with Stephanie Beatriz, Jessica Darrow, and Diane Guerrero reprising their roles. A new Coco attraction at Disney California Adventure will be set a year after the film and will include a boat ride through Miguel's memories of the Land of the Dead; it has no height requirement. Disneyland Paris will receive its first Parks attraction based on The Lion King, featuring a 120‑foot Pride Rock and a flume system with a 52‑foot drop that depicts Simba's final confrontation with Scar. The Carousel of Progress will add Disney Legend Jamie Lee Curtis as the new Mom and Emmy‑winning actor Bryan Cranston as the new Dad, with scenes updated to the 1980s. Disney Experiences Chairman Thomas Mazloum announced the Yeti Audio‑Animatronic will return to life on Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom. Disney+ will premiere the second season of The Imagineering Story in early 2028. Disney Cruise Line also unveiled plans for Disney Believe!, a new themed cruise experience.
Jake Schreier, director of the upcoming X‑Men film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, said he is drawing on comic book storylines and aims to bring a new perspective after the recent D23 2026 cast reveal, which announced actors for Rogue, Storm, Professor X and Mister Sinister. The announcement came at D23 2026, where Marvel revealed the first post‑Avengers: Secret Wars X‑Men movie slated for release on May 5, 2028. Schreier previously directed Thunderbolts and has been in discussion with Kevin Feige about using under‑explored comic arcs. He said the comics have a broad history and that the team will look at works by writers Chris Claremont and Jonathan Hickman to find stories not recently told. The cast includes Inde Navarrette as Rogue, Maya Boyd as Storm, Christopher Abbott as Professor X, Adam Driver as Mister Sinister, Kit Connor as Cyclops, Samara Weaving as Emma Frost and Sadie Sink as Jean Grey. Schreier noted the film will honor the source material while taking a new approach. He added that the movie is part of a broader MCU schedule that includes VisionQuest in October and Avengers: Doomsday in December, both shown at D23, and that Ghost Rider is also planned for 2028 without a set date. Black Panther 3 is set for December 15, 2028. The article was written by freelance writer Michael Cripe for Ign.
An article published August 15, 2026 by Polygon listed five classic anime series that have been cited as candidates for potential remakes. The piece noted that while series such as Naruto, Dragon Ball and Pokémon introduced many viewers to anime, other titles like Neon Genesis Evangelion and Cowboy Bebop remain culturally resonant despite perceived flaws. The article identified Tokyo Ghoul, Soul Eater, Claymore, Deadman Wonderland and Berserk as series under discussion for new adaptations. Tokyo Ghoul, a dark fantasy manga by Sui Ishida, was adapted by Studio Pierrot; the series' three seasons were criticized for pacing and deviation from the source material. The article suggested a remake could align more closely with Ishida's artwork and incorporate the manga's literary references. Soul Eater, created by Atsushi Okubo and produced by Studio Bones, diverged from the manga and concluded with a rushed ending; the article proposed a remake could correct narrative structure and provide a definitive conclusion similar to Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. Claymore, written by Norihiro Yagi, follows Yoma threats and Claymores ranked by ability; the Madhouse anime covered only part of the manga and ended with a non‑canonical storyline, a gap the article said a remake could fill by adapting later arcs. Deadman Wonderland, by Atsushi Kanazawa and animated by Manglobe, presents a prison‑theme setting where inmates wield blood weapons; its 12‑episode adaptation omitted substantial plot, and the article indicated a remake could address the incomplete story and emotional themes. Berserk, authored by Kentaro Miura, has been adapted in 1997, through the Golden Age Arc films, and in a 2016 series, each receiving criticism for animation quality and incomplete storytelling; the article noted the manga remains ongoing and a remake could explore unresolved narrative elements. The article also mentioned that series such as Steins;Gate and Mob Psycho 100 were described as timeless and thus less likely to require remakes. The piece concluded by observing that ongoing manga releases and evolving animation techniques may influence future decisions regarding these classic titles.
At the D23 event on Saturday, the 'Deep Dive into Kingdom Hearts' panel presented a four‑minute trailer for Kingdom Hearts IV. The trailer expanded on a 90‑second preview shown the prior evening and highlighted a new world based on the Disney film Coco, where a paper‑styled Mickey Mouse appears. Franchise creator Tetsuya Nomura and co‑director Tai Yasue said the team is '100%' certain the game will meet the announced 2027 release window. Kingdom Hearts, a series developed by Square Enix and Tetsuya Nomura, has sold more than 5 million copies worldwide since the 2019 launch of Kingdom Hearts III. The franchise includes multiple games, an anime series, and related manga. The trailer introduced a paper‑styled world in which Mickey Mouse is playable. Actor Benjamin Bratt confirmed on Friday that he will reprise his role as Ernesto de la Cruz. The game will launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC through Microsoft Store, Steam and Epic Games Store. Square Enix announced that Kingdom Hearts Collection [I~III] will be released on the same platforms. Development on Kingdom Hearts Missing‑Link was cancelled in May 2025. The Kingdom Hearts III game shipped over 5 million copies worldwide as of February 2019, making it the fastest‑selling title in the series. The 2027 release window remains the only timeline disclosed for Kingdom Hearts IV.
Star Wars: Smuggler's Gambit, a Fortnite experience that connects to Disney's Smuggler's Run attraction, will be released on August 16. The project links a MyDisney account to Fortnite, allowing players to continue the ride experience in a multiplayer online setting. Players can also scan a QR code to link their Epic Games and Disney accounts, unlocking a special feature on the Smuggler's Run ride at Disney theme parks. The ride, located in Galaxy's Edge at Disneyland and Walt Disney World, is a motion‑simulator where up to six players assume roles as pilot, gunner, or engineer while collectively piloting the Millennium Falcon. In Fortnite, the game expands this concept with missions such as The Imperial Patrol, The Pirate Raid, The Pirate Hunt, The Heist, and The Reverse Robbery. Three player classes—pilot, gunner, and engineer—offer distinct abilities, including scanner detection, droid support, and shield deployment. Cooperation is recommended for higher difficulty levels, and stormtrooper enemies and planetary beasts appear during missions. The game will be available on Fortnite starting August 16. Disney has indicated interest in extending theme park experiences beyond the parks, and future cross‑promotional content is possible.
Polygon reported on August 15, 2026 that a guide outlines twelve ways to replay The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. The article notes that the game’s open world encourages repeated playthroughs and that players often seek new challenges to explore mechanics and story elements. The guide’s first suggestion is to disable fast travel and avoid any warping, requiring movement on foot, horseback or basic vehicle for the entire run. The second suggestion advises keeping the map screen closed and relying on visual landmarks for navigation, optionally turning off Skyview Towers to remove map data entirely. The third recommendation is to adopt the Hero of Time challenge, using only sword, shield, bow, bombs and a horse while prohibiting fusion, Ultrahand and Zonai devices. The fourth suggestion is to maintain the initial health count of three to four hearts and skip all stamina upgrades throughout the game. The fifth recommendation limits the use of healing items during combat or bans hearty meals that restore health, encouraging strategic resource management. The sixth suggestion proposes that a single death resets the save, requiring the player to restart from the beginning, with optional later checkpoints to reduce repetition. The seventh recommendation advises prioritizing the unlocking of Mineru early, bypassing other quests to obtain her abilities as soon as possible. The eighth suggestion recommends using only Zonai machines to engage enemies, prohibiting swords, bows or other direct weapons. The ninth suggestion proposes resetting inventory and equipment each time a new region is entered, playing with a bare‑bones inventory and improvised tools. The tenth suggestion advises locating all Dragon’s Tear memories before advancing the main quest, potentially in the order found in the Forgotten Temple. The article concludes by noting that the guide offers varied challenges without prescribing a single approach, leaving players to select the style that best fits their preferences.
Peacock has announced a live‑action television series based on Matt Dinniman’s Dungeon Crawler Carl book series. The series will be produced by Fuzzy Door and is expected to debut on the Peacock streaming platform.
The Dungeon Crawler Carl books, a LitRPG series, have seen increased popularity following the release of an audiobook narrated by Jeff Hays, which has outperformed print and digital sales. Hays is confirmed to voice the character Princess Donut, and the production has indicated that the show will rely on CGI to depict the series’ dungeon environments.
Dinniman commented during a convention interview that casting Hays would be beneficial, noting the strong association between the narrator’s voice and the characters. No additional casting details have been released.
Author Pirateaba, creator of The Wandering Inn, expressed concerns that adapting LitRPG content for live‑action or CGI presents significant challenges, citing examples of fantasy adaptations that struggled with production demands.
The success of Critical Role’s animated adaptations of tabletop role‑playing series suggests that there is audience interest in LitRPG‑style content, though the impact of the Dungeon Crawler Carl adaptation on the broader genre remains to be seen.
Jacob Kienlen, senior audience development strategist and writer for IGN, has a background in communication and ten years of professional writing experience.
The staff of The Apothecary Diaries anime announced that the third season will premiere on October 2, with a new trailer, key visual, a new cast member, character visuals, and the opening song “Kumo o Nukekazashimo e Watashidake” performed by yorushika. The announcement was made during a special event held on Saturday, where staff also revealed that voice actress Reina Ueda will portray Bai Niangniang, a pale and mysterious nymph. The same event displayed character visuals for the upcoming film “Kusiriya no Hitorigoto: Bōhi no Hihō,” which will open in theaters on December 11 and feature a new story by series author Hyuganatsu. The franchise, which has sold more than 57 million copies worldwide and been translated into 16 languages, will see the third season air at 11:00 p.m. on NTV and 29 affiliated channels for its first cours, with a second cours scheduled for April 2027. Earlier seasons debuted in October 2023 and January 2025, both streamed by Crunchyroll with English dubs, while J‑Novel Club continues to publish the novels digitally.
Leaked key art posted online on August 14 indicates that Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 may feature a roster of gaming icons, a development tied to the recent Unstable event that replaced the map’s Zero Point with a giant cartridge.
The Unstable event, which lasted roughly four minutes and concluded on August 15, removed the Zero Point and introduced a large cartridge at the map’s center, with glitchy water surrounding it and retro game titles displayed on the cartridge’s surface.
The image includes characters such as Crash Bandicoot, Spyro the Dragon, Lara Croft, Ryu and Blanka, and a cartridge showing Sonic the Hedgehog, Pac‑Man, Tetris and Mega Man. Community reaction has been mixed, with some noting the image’s detail and consistency with earlier leaks while others cite unfinished elements like Pac‑Man’s missing eyes. A Sonic the Hedgehog comic unveiled at the Chaos Hunt fan event in New York City depicted Sonic and Shadow wearing armor identical to that shown in the leak, and an in‑game reference to Sonic has also been observed.
Epic Games has not confirmed the artwork, and a season trailer is slated to premiere on August 16, which may provide final verification of the leak.
The official X account for the Boruto manga announced that the series will be absent from the October issue of Shueisha's V Jump magazine, which ships on August 21, and will return in the November issue scheduled for September 18.
The Boruto: Two Blue Vortex manga, a sequel to the original Naruto series, began its monthly run in Weekly Shonen Jump in May 2016 before moving to V Jump in July 2019. Story writers Ukyō Kodachi and Mikio Ikemoto launched the series, and Masashi Kishimoto assumed the role of lead writer in November 2020, starting with chapter 52.
The manga entered a hiatus in April 2023 and resumed with the Two Blue Vortex arc in August 2023. Shueisha released the eighth compiled volume on June 4. Digital versions are available through MANGA Plus and Viz Media, while Viz Media also handles print publication. The television anime, which premiered in April 2017, concluded its Part I with episode 293 in March 2023, and Part II has been green‑lit.
The schedule shift leaves the series' publication rhythm uncertain as the November issue approaches.
IGN announced that from August 15 to September 15, 2026, it will provide free access to Spider-Man guides and checklists for all Marvel’s Spider-Man games, including Spider-Man 2, Miles Morales, and related titles. The promotion supports players seeking to complete 100% of the games by offering walkthroughs, suit lists, trophy guides, and interactive maps that track locations such as Photo Ops and Black Cat Stakeouts. Users can mark completed items on the map, and the progress will sync automatically with IGN’s checklist system. Specific guides available include the Spider-Man Walkthrough, Suits Guide, Trophies Guide, Interactive Map, Miles Morales Walkthrough, Suit List, and the Spider-Man 2 Checklists and Map. The free access applies only during the stated period and covers all checklists related to Suits, Postcards, and other collectibles mentioned in the guides. IGN’s Guides Checklists Editor Shailyn Cotten oversees the checklist database for these titles.
Series creator Toryumon Takeda announced on July 24 that the DOGA manga will conclude with a seventh volume, scheduled for release in winter 2026. The manga, which began serialization on Futabasha's Web Action website in October 2023, follows a high‑ranked noble named Yote who is killed by street robbers and revived by a female inventor who transfers his consciousness into a cyborg body. The story then follows Yote's limited mobility and his quest to become human again, aided by a street orphan named Doga. Futabasha released the sixth compiled volume on July 24. Alias Books will publish Takeda's Badducks manga in English this fall, and Kadokawa previously released his One More Step, Come Stand by My Side collection in April 2022.
At the D23 Expo on August 15, 2026, Square Enix released an extended trailer for Kingdom Hearts 4, providing the most detailed look yet at the upcoming game.
Nomura and co‑director Tai Yasue addressed questions about the franchise’s history and how Disney properties are selected during the panel.
The extended four‑minute trailer showed additional cutscenes from the Coco world, Sora’s battle against a new Heartless variant in Quadratum, and gameplay in which Donald and Goofy fight independently, as well as Mickey Mouse navigating a puzzle‑based area that can be transformed into large, small, and paper‑thin forms.
The trailer also featured Sora fighting alongside characters from Coco, new traversal abilities, and a reference to a still‑unreleased concept the team has pursued since Kingdom Hearts 3.
Square Enix previously teased Kingdom Hearts 4 in 2022 and later confirmed a 2027 release window.
The game is planned for Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X, with the panel reiterating the late‑2027 launch.
An anime series based on Kingdom Hearts is also in development for Disney Plus, though no release date has been set.
The announcement marks the most extensive preview of Kingdom Hearts 4 to date, leaving the final details of gameplay and story open until the 2027 release.
Disney and Square Enix presented an extended Kingdom Hearts 4 gameplay trailer at the D23 2026 Deep Dive into Kingdom Hearts panel, revealing that Mickey, Donald, and Goofy will be playable characters.
The four‑minute trailer, shown during the Disney Entertainment Showcase, included gameplay of Goofy and Donald that followed series conventions, a sledding segment in the Underworld, and a depiction of King Mickey navigating environments that shifted to origami‑style visuals. The presentation also featured a brief appearance of Riku near the end.
Series creator Tetsuya Nomura stated that the game remains on schedule for its 2027 release window and denied reports of a delay. Disney announced plans for a future Kingdom Hearts anime series. The game is planned for PC, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, with a late‑2027 launch.
The trailer ended after Riku's brief cameo, and further information about Kingdom Hearts 4 will be released as it becomes available.
At the D23 2026 Disney Entertainment Showcase, Tetsuya Nomura, creator of Kingdom Hearts, announced that a Kingdom Hearts anime series will be produced for Disney+. In a post on X, he wrote, “Please let your imagination run wild.” The announcement came alongside a teaser for the next mainline Kingdom Hearts game and a preview of a world based on Disney Pixar’s Coco.
Kingdom Hearts games have been released at irregular intervals; the most recent mainline title, Kingdom Hearts 3, launched in 2019, 13 years after Kingdom Hearts 2. The next installment, Kingdom Hearts 4, is scheduled for 2027. The anime series has no announced release date.
Nomura said that production of the series has been confirmed and that he has consulted with the scenario and art teams, resulting in new character designs for the project. He noted that the single piece of key art released hints at a new Keyblade‑wielding character but provided no further specifics. Ayo Davis, president of Disney Kids & Family, said the series will bring the Kingdom Hearts world to life in a new format and will be “unmistakably Kingdom Hearts.” The series will be available on Disney+ when it launches.
Disney plans to hold a Deep Dive into Kingdom Hearts panel later this year, and further updates are expected.
At the Disney Entertainment Showcase during D23 2026, Lucasfilm president Dave Filoni said that Disney is not currently developing the Star Wars film “The Hunt for Ben Solo,” despite ongoing fan interest. The film, originally envisioned by Steven Soderbergh and starring Adam Driver as Kylo Ren, was shelved in 2023 after two years of development. Filoni made the statement in response to questions from Variety after the showcase. He said, “We’re not making that picture right now,” adding that the project remains on hold. He also told Deadline that the film’s status has not changed. Fans have campaigned for the movie’s revival, citing the unresolved Kylo Ren storyline from “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.” Earlier, Soderbergh said the decision to cancel the project was “insane” and that Disney had received “two and a half years of free work” from him, Driver, and screenwriter Rebecca Blunt. He said he does not expect the film to be revived. Lucasfilm’s current leadership under Filoni suggests the project is unlikely to resume in the near term, though he noted the company is aware of fan demand. Meanwhile, Star Wars continues with the second season of “Ahsoka” scheduled for a January 2027 release and a trailer for the 2027 film “Starfighter” was shown at D23. The studio’s focus remains on upcoming Disney+ series and films, leaving the fate of “The Hunt for Ben Solo” unresolved.
Season two of Most Heretical Last Boss Queen: From Villainess to Savior continues the story of Pride, a reincarnated villainess, who becomes engaged to Prince Leon and allies with Prince Cedric to protect her kingdom. The season emphasizes dialogue-driven political and romantic subplots, with limited combat sequences. Critics note that the lack of substantial conflict reduces dramatic impact, describing the narrative as relying on exposition and filler to set up a battle that does not occur. While the orchestral soundtrack is praised for enhancing emotional scenes, reviewers express disappointment that character arcs, especially those of supporting figures Stale and Arthur, remain underdeveloped. The series maintains its focus on melodrama over action, and its overall reception reflects mixed opinions regarding pacing and storytelling.
The staff of the Ace of Diamond Act II Second Season presented a teaser video on Saturday and announced that the second part will premiere in October.
The sequel continues the story of the baseball manga created by Yūji Terajima, which ran from 2006 to 2022 and was adapted into anime series beginning in 2013.
Hideaki Ōba takes over as director, replacing Mitsuyuki Masuhara, while Kenji Konuta returns to oversee scripts. Yasukazu Shōji assumes character design duties, succeeding Minoru Ueda and Satoshi Tasaki. Hajime Hyakkoku continues to compose the music, as he did in previous seasons.
The season will air on TV Tokyo Network and AT‑X beginning in October, and will be available on Netflix in Japan.
Mad Cave Studios' Nakama Press imprint has licensed the manga for English release in 3‑in‑1 omnibus volumes, starting March 23, 2027. The original series and its sequel have been streamed by Crunchyroll in various regions.
The series is expected to continue its run through the winter quarter, with no further release details announced at this time.
Kaiju No. 8: Narumi's Week at Work, a four‑episode short series, premieres on September 5 on TOHO’s YouTube channel. Crunchyroll will stream the episodes the same day, with U.S. viewers receiving new episodes at 7 a.m. EDT.
The main Kaiju No. 8 anime, which follows Kafka Hibino, a 32‑year‑old sanitation worker who can transform into a kaiju, has not announced a release date for its next season. Production I.G., the studio that created Ghost in the Shell and Psycho‑Pass, oversees the short series, with Shigeyuki Miya directing and Tetsuya Nishio handling character designs.
The series focuses on Gen Narumi, captain of the Defense Force’s First Division, and depicts his daily responsibilities instead of large‑scale battles. Each episode examines a different facet of his work life, emphasizing the show’s workplace comedy element.
While the primary Kaiju No. 8 series awaits its concluding chapter, the short series offers a brief, four‑episode look at Narumi’s routine before the final season is expected to begin.
Pokemon Go will hold a Nickit Community Day event on Sunday, August 16, from 2 to 5 p.m. local time, highlighting the dark-type fox Pokémon and offering increased shiny encounter odds. Community Days are weekly events in which a specific Pokémon appears more frequently and special bonuses are applied for the duration of the three‑hour window. During the Nickit Community Day, Niantic states that shiny Pokémon appear at a rate of roughly one in 24, based on research from The Silph Road. Players who activate an Incense can tap each Nickit to check for a shiny appearance. Evolving Nickit into Thievul between 2 and 9 p.m. grants the charged move Icy Wind; evolution outside this period may be possible during a later Community Day weekend in December or by using an Elite TM. Bonuses active during the event include tripled Stardust for catching Pokémon, doubled candy for catches, doubled XL candy chances for level‑31+ trainers, three‑hour Incense duration, one‑hour Lure Module duration, Nickit‑themed photobombs in Snapshots, an extra special trade, halved Stardust cost for trading, and a bonus Nickit candy per catch for trainers who Mega Evolve certain Pokémon. Scopely Explore continues its Lure Module Bonus, causing Nickit to spawn more often from placed Lure Modules, and shiny or special‑background Nickit may still be found after the event via those lures. The event is intended to give players a concentrated opportunity to catch and evolve Nickit, but the odds of obtaining a shiny remain probabilistic.