The smartphone game Dark Tales ~Mirror and Mad Princess~ was officially released on April 11, and the popular singer and talent Kyary Pamyu Pamyu performed the theme song for the title.

The dark RPG tells a tale of the loss of childlike innocence and was pre-downloaded over 1 million times. The theme song, Magical Mirror, was written and composed by Yasutaka Nakata.

Fans of the genre won’t want to miss out on this mysterious mobile title!

Japanese indie game label Yokaze will exhibit many anticipated upcoming titles at the 2023 Taipei Game Show. The event will be held in Taiwan from February 2 until February 5, 2023.

ghostpia

ghostpia’s visuals mix warm, delicate art that would be fit for an illustrated children’s book with glitch and noise effects, for a strangely nostalgic visual novel vibe. The story takes place in a snowy town where immortal “ghosts” live. When Sayoko, a girl who doesn’t belong, meets Yoru, a newcomer to town, her world begins to change. Her thoughts begin to drift outside of the town, and certain events bring her back to a lost friendship. Filled with mystery and a bit of violence, this title is being touted as a movie you can read on PC.

Developer: Chosuido
Release Date: 2023
Platform: Nintendo Switch™/Steam, etc.
Website: https://ghostpia.xyz/

Recolit

Recolit is a pixel art mystery adventure game where players explore a strange town by following trails of light. After your spaceship crash lands in a mysterious place, you’ll have to help the residents of the town as you explore and progress through the story.

Developer: Image Labo
Release Date: 2023
Platform: Steam/itch.io (Others planned)
Website: https://image-labo.com/recolit/

Kitsune: The Journey of Adashino

Kitsune: The Journey of Adashino is a 3D adventure game set in a mysterious version of Japan. One day, a fox girl and her frog friend find themselves on a mysterious island shrouded by darkness but for a few floating lights. Torii gates, food stall lanterns, and neon signs give light and color to the island. Something is lurking in the shadows, inching ever closer. Kitsune can use light to temporarily blind these demons, giving her enough time to find safe routes and hiding places. Be sure to enjoy this curious tale when it releases in the future!

Developer: Rias
Release Date: TBD
Platform: Nintendo Switch™/Steam (Others planned)
Website: https://www.foxandfrog.net/

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the globally popular Naruto anime series, NARUTO THE GALLERY will be held at AKIBA_SQUARE inside Akihabara UDX from December 10, 2022 until January 31, 2023. The gallery will feature collaborations with five animators. 

This will be the first Naruto exhibition held since 2015. The event will focus on the growth of the characters, the bonds they share with their friends, and the many fights that have taken place over the past two decades. 

Iconic scenes from the Naruto anime series will be on display in collaboration with five up-and-coming animators: Ai Niina, Kohei Kadowaki, que, Kosuke Sugimoto, and Kohta Morie. This will give fans the chance to see an unprecedented and unique view of the world of Naruto which can only be seen at the event. 

Admission Bonus: Gemaki-style Card

Goods

An original Gemaki-style Card featuring a newly-drawn visual will be handed out to those visiting the exhibition. 

The first lineup of exclusive event-only merchandise has been revealed and longtime fans of the series won’t want to miss adding some of these goods to their collection. 

Participating Artists / Episode

Ai Niina / Sasuke’s Ninja Way

Kohei Kadowaki / Naruto’s Path

que / The Land of Waves

Kosuke Sugimoto / Sasuke’s Vessel

Kohta Morie / Naruto and Kurama

©NARUTO THE GALLERY実行委員会

A pop-up collaboration cafe for the popular anime series NARUTO and BORUTO: NARUTO NEXT GENERATIONS, has been announced! The event will be held from October 29 until November 25 on the fourth floor of Tokyo Solamachi.

Original Merchandise & Cafe Menu

There will also be a large collection of new merchandise featuring brand new illustrations for fans so snag. Along with acrylic keychains and pins, printed cookies, T-shirts, and towels will also be available!

At the collaboration cafe, fans can enjoy a lineup of dishes inspired by popular characters from both series, including Boruto’s Spiral Burger, Sasuke’s Stew, and Sasori’s Puppet Pancakes. A full dessert and drink menu will also be available for fans wanting to try dishes like Sakura’s Life-Long Love Parfait and Itachi’s Tsukiyomi Chocolate. A total of eight original coasters will be available, and one will be handed out with each dish ordered.

Sasori’s Birthday Project

The event will also celebrate Sasori’s birthday from November 8 until November 13. Guests can enjoy a special pancake set featuring the popular character along with a festive birthday decoration! 

More information will be posted on the official Twitter page, so be sure to check that and the official website!

Today, luxury brand Montblanc launched a new collaboration collection with the popular anime and manga series Naruto. Items from the collection are available to purchase worldwide.

Since its release 20 years ago, Naruto has captured the hearts of fans around the world with its inspiring story and beloved characters. The designs featured in the new collection feature illustrations of the character printed in dynamic poses. The collection features everything from leather goods to writing instruments. 

The new items highlight Naruto’s relationship with his mentor Jiraiya, stressing the importance of mentors and knowledge. The brushstroke-like curves on each piece emphasize the anime style, and all bags come in a refined black color with orange accents.

To celebrate the launch of this collaboration, a special short anime was created to highlight the power of writing and communication. The brief animation shows Jiraiya reflecting on Naruto’s journey and the ample advice he passed down while focusing on what’s important in life. Meanwhile, Naruto uses a fountain pen to write down what it really means to be a ninja.

The collection also features a new edition of Montblanc’s iconic Meisterstück. The special-edition fountain pen features a Hidden Leaf Village motif in gold with a matching nib and a ruthenium-coated embellishment.

A special pop-up store is open on the first floor of Hankyu Men’s Osaka until October 18. By snapping a photo of the collaboration products and posting it on social media with the hashtag #MontblancXNaruto, fans can snag an original Montblanc x Naruto memory card game. Additionally, those making a purchase will get an original furoshiki!

Whether you’re a fan of Naruto or a fan of Montblanc’s goods, this collaboration might be impossible to pass up.

To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Naruto anime series, Usaburo Kokeshi has created two traditional dolls modeled after Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha. The original manga series by Masashi Kishimoto has become a global phenomenon, and fans won’t want to miss out on these unique pieces! Preorders are now open.

Usaburo Kokeshi makes each of these pieces by hand, transforming them from children’s playthings into traditional works of art. The wood used to create these pieces is from trees in Gunma Prefecture.

Usaburo Kokeshi Doll – Naruto Uzumaki

Usaburo Kokeshi Doll – Sasuke Uchiha

These adorable dolls completely recreate both character’s outfits and hairstyles, and the designers clearly focused on the small details. Enjoy these palm-sized versions of your favorite Naruto characters!

©岸本斉史 スコット／集英社・テレビ東京・ぴえろ

The card game SCOUT, designed by Kei Kajino and developed overseas by Oink Games, was nominated for the Spiel des Jahres Award in Germany on May 23, 2022. The yearly award is given to a card or board game and is known as the highest honor in the world of tabletop games. This is the second time in seven years that a Japanese-designed game has been nominated.

The Spiel des Jahres Award has been given out each year since 1979. There are three categories: Game of the Year, Kids’ Game of the Year, and Complex Game of the Year. Three board or card games are nominated from among those released in Germany in the previous year, and one is awarded the grand prize. The last Japanese game to be nominated was Machi Koro, a board game that has become extremely popular among Western audiences. The grand prize winner will be announced on July 16.

What is SCOUT?

You have suddenly been appointed as the leader of a circus. Using the members of your circus you must put together a show that will beat out your rivals. Everyone on your team has a specific role. To fill in the gaps on your team, try to scout members away from other circus groups! With the addition of just one extra person you may set off an incredible chain reaction that helps you create a show that no other circus will be able to surpass. Will you battle with your current members? Or will you wait it out and try to recruit different ones?

You will feel amazing when you make the right choices in this speedy card game!

A new version has just been released for players purchasing the game from outside of Japan. In Japan, the original version was released by One More Game.

The Naruto and Boruto Ninja Village located at the Nijigen no Mori anime theme park in Hyogo is celebrating its third anniversary! A new event has begun celebrating Sakura’s birthday, and fans of the characters will be able to grab some neat merch.

Those who purchase tickets to this special event will receive a Mission Accomplished Sticker featuring an original, newly-drawn design. The celebration is running until June 30!

The escape game will have park guests running around the park looking for panels with hints on how to progress. For this event, the panels contain keywords and illustrations related to Sakura. Visitors will really have to use their brains to figure out the solution!

Guests will also be able to write congratulatory messages on cherry blossom petal stickers associated with Sakura and stick them to life-size character panels. Original goods featuring characters in original event costumes will be on sale.

© 岸本斉史 スコット／集英社・テレビ東京・ぴえろ

Initial D The Arcade is the tenth game in the Initial D series. Released in February 2021, one particular song from the title has struck a chord with fans. After a long wait, SCRAMBLE EYES by MOTSU vs A-One, has finally been released on streaming services starting May 25!

SCRAMBLE EYES is a fast-paced track blended with sharp vocals and engaging rap. The speedy song is perfect for Initial D, bringing to mind being behind the wheel and driving at top speed. Fans have called the song addictive, and even those who aren’t a fan of the game have been applauding the track across social media. 

MOTSU and A-One have both provided comments following the song’s release.

MOTSU

The name SCRAMBLE EYES was inspired by the bright headlights plowing through the darkness during a particular stage in Initial D The Arcade.

I’d be so happy if the listeners could get the same tingling sensation I felt when I met A-One for the first time.

A-One

I’m so thankful to be able to create music for Initial D, a series that brought me so much joy as a child.

And collaborating with MOTSU? I absolutely adore him, so I put all of my energy into this track.

If you work hard and don’t back down, your dreams will come true.

But one of my dreams hasn’t come true yet–playing this song live!

MOTSU, let’s do it someday!

Please enjoy this track and really feel the speed and excitement as you race towards your goals!

In 2023, an anime adaptation of MF Ghost, the sequel to Initial D, is scheduled to premiere. The series takes place in the 2020s, when self-driving cars are normal Japan, and focuses on Kanata Livington, a Japanese driver who goes back to Japan after graduating at the top of his class at a racing school in England.

ARMA BIANCA, an online store specializing in original goods, is now taking orders for limited-time collaboration items between Touhou Project and One Night Werewolf!

Lineup

One Night Werewolf Collaboration – Pixel Art Ver.

Acrylic Stand

Preorder Purchase Bonus

Acrylic Keychain

Preorder Purchase Bonus

Pin

Preorder Purchase Bonus

T-Shirt

Hoodie

Clear Folder

Mug

Pen

One Night Werewolf is a card game where players take on the role of a Villager, a Werewolf, or a number of special characters with unique abilities. The goal is to figure out who the Werewolves are and to kill at least one in order to win!

The Touhou characters featured in the collaboration include Reimu Hakurei, Marisa Kirisame, Cirno, Youmu Konpaku, Sakuya Izayoi, Satori Komeiji, Koishi Komeiji, Remilia Scarlet, Flandre Scarlet, and Kagerou Imaizumi. 

POLARIS, the story game label started by NOMEETS, will get a second installment titled ‘Inside Blue’ this summer. Preorders will open at Spring Game Market 2022 on April 23 and April 24, 2022.

POLARIS is a story game label launched in the winter of 2021. Players become characters in the story, sometimes cooperating and sometimes betraying each other to arrive at their own unique endings. An incredibly immersive experience, the first work ‘RED LINE’ sold 400 units at Winter Game Market 2021, gaining tons of positive reviews. The title has over 300 different endings and a unique design like no other title before.

The second title ‘Inside Blue’ follows a group of high school students trying to solve a summer murder mystery in a small town. This is a massive change from ‘RED LINE,’ which was set in a world filled with humans and vampires in conflict. By interacting with townspeople, attending summer festivals, and enjoying vacation, how will you solve this bizarre and terrifying mystery? 

To commemorate the 4th anniversary of the popular smartphone game Azur Lane, the fashion shopping site ZOZOTOWN has launched a limited apparel collaboration exclusive on their website. The Azur Lane Black Collection will be available until March 18, 2022.

Azur Lane is a side-scrolling shoot ‘em up RPG set in an alternate timeline of World War II. Using cute female characters based on warships to battle, the game is popular with players of all ages. 

Items at a Glance

ZOZOTOWN × Azur Lane Hoodie

ZOZOTOWN × Azur Lane T-shirt

ZOZOTOWN × Azur Lane Acrylic Stand

ZOZOTOWN × Azur Lane Character Blanket

ZOZOTOWN × Azur Lane Tapestry

Bonus – Original Pin

Lottery Prize: Super Large 50cm Acrylic Stand (Not for Sale)

The Azur Lane Black Collection features seven popular characters from the game–Friedrich der Große, Vittorio Veneto, Belfast, Bremerton, Atago, Ajax, and Unicorn. The illustrations were provided by Modare, Yatsuha, and Rag Miwano and were created exclusively for the collection. In addition to apparel, fans can also pick up acrylic stands, blankets, tapestries, and more.

For every item purchased, customers will receive one original pin. A large acrylic stand will be given away to seven lucky winners, so good luck!