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/

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.

A BATHING APE, one of Japan’s leading streetwear brands, has announced a new collection inspired by the new film Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero!

This isn’t the first time that BAPE and Dragon Ball have come together for a stylish collaboration. The two have set the standard for what a crossover between streetwear and manga culture should look like, starting with the first collaboration in 2016. From pieces showing the protagonist Son Goku as a young boy to the most recent items inspired by the Majin Buu arc, fans of the series can’t get enough.

The latest collection features characters from the highly-anticipated new film Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero set to premiere on June 11, 2022.

Son Gohan, Pan, Piccolo BABY MILO® T-Shirt (Colors: Black, White): ¥9,900 (Tax Included)

Red Ribbon Army BABY MILO® T-Shirt (Colors: Black, White): ¥9,900 (Tax Included)

Popular characters Gohan and Piccolo have been given the BABY MILO treatment along with the new androids Gamma 1 and Gamma 2 and their creator Dr. Hedo from the newly-revived Red Ribbon Army. 

BAPE® X Dragon Ball Super Ape Head Pullover Hoodie (Colors: Black, Orange): ¥28,600 (Tax Included)

BAPE® X Dragon Ball Super Ape Head Totebag (Colors: Black, Orange): ¥8,800 (Tax Included)

Fans of Goku, Vegeta, and Gohan’s daughter Pan won’t want to miss these stylish hoodies and tote bags complete with BAPE’s signature Ape Head!

The collaboration items will be available at select stores throughout Japan and online starting on June 5, 2022, just before the movie’s release. 

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. 

Japan’s top streetwear brand A BATHING APE is releasing a new collection inspired by Dragon Ball Z! The two first collaborated in 2016 starting with imagery inspired by Son Goku’s childhood. In June 2020, the company released a collection themed around the Cell arc.

Lineup

The newest collection was inspired by the final arc of the series, the Buu Saga, expressed in the style of BABY MILO.

The main characters from the series–Goku, Vegeta, Majin Buu, and Piccolo–are all depicted in BABY MILO style. In addition, characters such as Mr. Satan and Uub appear, perfect for more hardcore fans wanting to see lesser-known characters represented.

The lineup includes a coach jacket and hoodie featuring newly-drawn illustrations inspired by the final episode. Don’t miss this special collaboration!

Fashion brand XLARGE has announced a new collaboration to commemorate the upcoming release of Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero in theaters. The film will see the return of the Red Ribbon Army, which Gohan, Piccolo, and other popular characters will have to defeat. Check out the collection below–is your favorite fighter in the lineup?

Collection

XLARGE×DRAGON BALL GOHAN S/S TEE

XLARGE×DRAGON BALL PICCOLO S/S TEE

XLARGE×DRAGON BALL CAPSULE CORP JUMPSUIT

XLARGE×DRAGON BALL ANDROID18 S/S TEE

XLARGE×DRAGON BALL BULMA S/S TEE

XLARGE×DRAGON BALL TRUNKS S/S TEE

The collection includes T-shirts featuring Gohan, Piccolo, Bulma, Android 18, and Trunks. Items will be available online and in select stores nationwide!

The Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero film is scheduled to release in theaters on June 11, and the original soundtrack will hit shelves a few days prior, on June 8, 2022.

The film has been a hot topic in recent months. The original story, screenplay, and character design have all been handled by Akira Toriyama, with Tetsuro Kodama directing and Chikashi Kubota serving as animation director. 

The music will be composed by Naoki Sato, a composer who won the Best Music Award at the 29th Japan Academy Awards for the film Always: Sunset on Third Street. The musician has composed music for movies, dramas, and animated films such as Masquerade Night, Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning, and the historical drama Reach Beyond the Blue Sky. The soundtrack will contain 23 background tracks.

Japanese apparel brand Graniph has revealed two collaborative t-shirts inspired by the upcoming Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero film! The items are available at the Graniph online store and in select Graniph locations in Japan.

Lineup

‘Superhero’ T-shirt

‘Fusion’ T-shirt

The Dragon Ball Super film series has been a huge hit worldwide. The first film, Dragon Ball Super: Broly, was released in 2018. The upcoming film features a completely new story, in which the Red Ribbon Army is reformed and threatening the world yet again. Can our favorite fighters stop the bad guys before they unveil the ultimate evil weapon? Be sure to check out the film when it releases in June, and grab one of these t-shirts to wear to the theater!

ⓒバード・スタジオ／集英社
ⓒ「２０２２ ドラゴンボール超」製作委員会

A special pop-up store celebrating the upcoming Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero film is coming to four locations in Tokyo and Kanagawa! The film is scheduled to be released on June 11, 2022, and fans can pick up some exclusive merchandise at Shinjuku Station, Kawasaki Station, Ikebukuro Station, and Akihabara Station. The dates are listed below!

Exclusive Products

Special Bonus

Product Lineup

Shop Displays

The pop-up shop will feature exclusive items decorated with popular imagery from the Dragon Ball series. Fans will also be able to grab some home goods themed around the Capsule House where Bulma lives!

As a purchase bonus, customers spending ¥2,500 or more will receive a special holographic sticker!

Each venue will be decorated, so enjoy taking some photos with your family and friends.

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?