FFXIV Same-Region Player Matching Arrives in 7.5X
Square Enix announced at the Final Fantasy XIV Fan Festival that the 7.5X patch will introduce same‑region player matching, allowing characters from any world within a region to group together via Party Finder. The feature will be tested first in the Japanese version of the game before rolling out to the US, Europe and China ahead of the Evercold 8.0 expansion slated for January 2027. Yoshida highlighted that the change aims to reduce the strain caused by the existing Data Center travel system, especially for raid‑focused players.
Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc Streaming on Crunchyroll Next Week
Crunchyroll announced that *Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc* will debut on its platform on April 30, 2026. The release is timed with the service's Ani‑May 2026 event, which includes special subscription discounts. The film picks up immediately after...
See Rikku From FFX in Her Dissidia Duellum Final Fantasy Trailer
Square Enix released a new trailer confirming that Rikku from Final Fantasy X will join the mobile fighting game Dissociation Duellum Final Fantasy on April 28, 2026. The preview showcases her classic costume, a modern Earth outfit, and four signature...
Bleach X LAM Soul Art Showcase Announced
Japanese retailer Kotowari announced the Bleach x LAM – Soul Art Showcase, a limited‑edition merchandise line featuring LAM’s artwork of five Bleach characters. The collection, priced between ¥330 ($2) and ¥7,700 ($48), will be sold online starting April 24, 2026 and through pop‑up stores...
Final Fantasy XIV Manga Chapters Free During 2026 US Fan Fest
Square Enix is offering free access to select chapters of two Final Fantasy XIV manga series on Manga Up during the 2026 US Fan Festival. The alternate‑universe slice‑of‑life title *Eorzea Academy* (chapters 1.1‑4.1) and the realistic mahjong‑club story *Saki &...
8.8 Honkai Impact 3rd Update Adds Bailu Youyun AstralOp
HoYoVerse announced the 8.8 Honkai Impact 3rd update arriving on April 30, 2026, which introduces Bailu Youyun as the sixth AstralOp character. The new unit is presented as a Data Research Institute director and professor, with teasers highlighting her custom uniform, antler accessory, and...
Next New FuRyu Game Dubbed Project Alice
FuRyu has launched a new X account for an upcoming title dubbed “Project Alice” and posted a cryptic teaser video. The company announced a full reveal on April 25, 2026 at 8:30 pm JST (4:30 am PT/7:30 am ET). The teaser shows a...
Monster Hunter Stories 3 and NieR Replicant Soundtracks Streaming
Capcom and Square Enix have made the soundtracks for Monster Hunter Stories 3 and NieR Replicant available for streaming worldwide. Capcom’s album is limited to Deezer, Spotify and Tidal, while Square Enix distributes its OST across five services, including Amazon, Apple Music...
Shonen Jump One-Shot Manga Hitoner Becomes a Series
Shueisha announced that the one‑shot manga Hitoner, which logged 1.95 million views on Shonen Jump+, will continue as a full series. The new title is being released simultaneously in English, Spanish and Thai through Manga Plus, with the first two chapters already...
Dead by Daylight Attack on Titan Crossover and 2v8 Mode Return
Behaviour Interactive announced that the popular Attack on Titan crossover is returning to Dead by Daylight on April 28, 2026, bringing new survivor and killer skins. The update also revives the 2v8 custom mode, now supporting two fresh maps—Ironworks of Misery and...
Zenless Zone Zero Season 3 Update and Additions Teased
HoYoVerse released a 17‑minute dev video outlining Zenless Zone Zero Season 3, slated for the 2.8 patch on May 6 2026. The update will expand the narrative with Helios Academy legacy powers, new factions, and the Roscaelifer airspace zone featuring Bangboo network and...
NTE: Neverness to Everness Will Get Persona 5 Music
Hotta Studio and Perfect World revealed that the upcoming gacha title NTE: Neverness to Everness will feature two iconic tracks from Atlus' Persona 5—“Beneath the Mask” and “Wake Up Your Hero.” The music will be accessible through an avatar’s walkman or...
Goddess of Victory: NIKKE Gets Pop Star Anis and 3.5 Anniversary Event This Week
Shift Up’s 3.5 Goddess of Victory: NIKKE anniversary drops on April 23, 2026, introducing three new SSR units—Anis: Star, Neon: Vision Eye, and limited‑time Avistar—plus fresh costumes for several characters. The update adds Chapters 45‑46 to the main story and launches the Star Anis event, featuring a "Tracing the...
Okami 20th Anniversary Merchandise and Concert Announced
Capcom launched a dedicated 20th‑anniversary site for *Okami* on April 20, 2026, unveiling a Tokyo concert on April 29 and a second show on December 27, 2026. Two merchandise collections were announced, including a ¥18,700 (~$118) framed art print and a ¥495,000 (~$3,115) large foldable...
New Honkai: Nexus Anima Aspect Exploration Project Beta Test Recruitment Opens
HoYoVerse has opened recruitment for the confidential "Aspect Exploration Project" beta of its upcoming title Honkai: Nexus Anima. The small‑scale test will require participants to be 18 or older, sign an NDA, and play on PC plus Android or iOS,...
Granblue Fantasy Relink: Endless Ragnarok Open Beta Starts Next Week
Cygames will launch a four‑day open beta for Granblue Fantasy Relink: Endless Ragnarok from April 24‑27, 2026 on Switch 2, PS4, PS5 and PC, featuring four quests, cross‑play and new combat mechanics. The beta serves as a network‑load test, while the...
Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter Remake Arrives in September
Gungho and Falcom announced that the remake of The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter will launch worldwide on September 17, 2026 for Switch, Switch 2, PlayStation 5 and PC. The reveal includes a fresh English voice‑actor roster for characters appearing for...
Beastmaster PvP Content Might Come to FFXIV
Square Enix’s Final Fantasy XIV director Naoki Yoshida hinted that PvP for the upcoming Beastmaster limited job may be added after player feedback on patch 7.5, slated for April 28, 2026. The proposed mode could let players field up to three summoned monsters...
Hololive Vtuber Akai Haato Returns With Original Song
Hololive’s veteran VTuber Akai Haato is ending a six‑month mental‑health hiatus, debuting an official music video for her 2025 song “Doll” as the first step toward a gradual return. Simultaneously, parent company Cover announced it will scale back support for its...
Petit Planet Character Trailers Introduce Medowlyn, Msafiri, and Yunguo
HoYoverse has rolled out three new character trailers for its upcoming social‑simulation title Petit Planet, building anticipation ahead of the Stardrift closed beta. The videos introduce Yunguo, a red‑panda cultivator who tends gardens; Medowlyn, a sheep‑type plushie designer; and Msafiri,...
Lohen of the Favonius Knights Joins Genshin Impact
HoYoVerse announced Lohen of the Favonius Knights as the latest playable character in Genshin Impact's Luna VII update. Lohen is a Cryo‑type who wields a polearm, reflecting his role as vice captain of the Knights' ranged company, though he rarely uses...
New Tetris Board Game and Rubik’s Cube Revealed
Japanese toy maker MegaHouse unveiled two new Tetris-themed physical games, a board game and a Rubik’s Cube, slated for release in late April 2026. The Tetris Board Game retails for ¥4,620 (about $29) and accommodates up to four players, featuring...
Utawarerumono: Lost Frag Offline Archive Version Confirmed
Aquaplus announced an offline story archive for the mobile title Utawarerumono: Lost Frag, slated to launch before the game’s service ends on April 23, 2026. The archive could feature fully voiced main and event narratives, though details remain tentative. Meanwhile, Capcom and...
Kirby Air Ride City Trial Map Considered for Kirby Air Riders’ Skyah
Director Masahiro Sakurai revealed that Nintendo considered reusing the GameCube’s Kirby Air Ride City Trial map for the new Skyah mode in Kirby Air Riders, but technical hurdles and high development costs made it unfeasible. The team had to redesign...
3.6 Persona 5: The Phantom X Update Adds Goro ‘Crow’ Akechi
Atlassian’s 3.6 patch for Persona 5: The Phantom X drops on April 16, 2026, introducing Goro “Crow” Akechi as a five‑star Sweeper unit with Almighty damage. The addition extends the Crossroads of Fate: Laboratory Arc storyline, continuing the quest that links Phantom X with...
Hexenzirkel Character Nicole Heading to Genshin Impact
HoYoVerse has teased Nicole Reeyn, a Hexenzirkel member also known as N, as the next playable character in Genshin Impact. The voiceless angel‑mage is expected to launch as a five‑star Pyro unit, likely wielding a Catalyst, in the upcoming Luna...
New Sonic and Friends X Sanrio Merchandise Arrives in May
Sega announced a new line of Sonic and Friends × Sanrio merchandise launching in Japanese arcades on May 22, 2026. The collection includes six chibi Sonic characters dressed in iconic Sanrio mascot hats, offered as sub‑three‑inch acrylic standees and slightly larger button‑badge pins. The...
FFII Firion and FFXII Balthier Join Dissidia Duellum Final Fantasy Tomorrow
Square Enix announced that Firion from Final Fantasy II and Balthier from Final Fantasy XII will join the mobile fighter *Dissidia Duellum Final Fantasy* on April 14, 2026. Players must obtain Character Tickets through events or gacha pulls to unlock...
Wit Studio Will Remove Ascendance of a Bookworm Anime AI Scenes
Wit Studio confirmed that generative AI was used in the opening sequence of season 4 of the anime Ascendance of a Bookworm, but the studio will replace the AI‑generated scenes with hand‑drawn artwork starting with episode 2. The original AI‑enhanced opening was...
Inazuma Eleven RE Remake Coming to Switch 2, Not PS4
Level‑5 confirmed that the Inazuma Eleven RE remake will launch on Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5 and PC, while the PlayStation 4 version has been dropped without explanation. The announcement came during the Vision 2026 Craftmanship livestream, which also revealed that Decapolice will follow the same...
Snack World Reloaded Remake Heading to Switch 2, PS5, and PC
Japanese developer Level‑5 announced that its former 3DS title Snack World will return as Snack World Reloaded, a remake for Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5 and PC. The remake builds on the Japan‑only Trejarers update and adds a new mode where the...
McDonald’s Gundam Crossover Returns With White Base Crew
McDonald’s Japan has launched a limited‑time Gundam crossover, introducing three new Chicken Tatsuta burger variants, McFizz and McFloat citrus‑yogurt drinks, and Shaka Shaka fries. A 15‑second ad features White Base crew members showcasing the items, with the menu available from April 15, 2026. The...
Umamusume Smart Falcon Top Umadol Project Goals Reduced
Cygames announced that the Community Fan Total goals for the global "Umamusume" Smart Falcon All Together: Top Umadol Project have been reduced, allowing every player to receive the exclusive Support Card and two ticket rewards on April 9, 2026. The...
New Mortenax Blade Alt Debuts in Honkai: Star Rail 4.3
HoYoVerse announced that the Mortenax Blade alternate will debut in Honkai: Star Rail’s 4.3 update as a five‑star Nihility fire unit, headlining a new banner after the patch drops. The character shifts from the original Destruction‑type wind damage to a...
Lego One Piece Special Heading to Netflix
Netflix announced a two‑part Lego One Piece special slated for September 29, 2026, debuting with an original OVA‑style story centered on Usopp. The trailer reveals Usopp as "Captain Usopp the Brave" and includes Jacob Romero reprising his live‑action role. The special aligns with the...
See the Guilty Gear Strive Jam Kuradoberi Moveset in Her Starter Guide
Jam Kuradoberi, a longtime Guilty Gear staple, returns to Strive as the first Season Pass 5 character on April 9, 2026. Arc System Works released a Starter Guide that details how her new Asanagi no Kokyuu mechanic fuels specials like Gekirin, Ryuujin, and...
Evangelion Sapporo Beer Features Eva 01 and 13 on the Cans
Sapporo Breweries has launched a limited‑edition Kuro Label beer line featuring Evangelion Units 01 and 13, with the 350 ml cans showcasing Unit 01 and the 500 ml cans displaying Unit 13. The partnership also includes a range of merchandise—coasters, tote bags, T‑shirts, and a bar glass—priced...
More Steel Ball Run JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Anime Episodes Air in Fall
Netflix released the first 48‑minute episode of the Steel Ball Run adaptation of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure on March 19, 2026 and announced that the second stage will follow a weekly release schedule beginning in Fall 2026. The debut covers the...
New Huzzle Legend of Zelda Puzzle Features Addison and Hudson’s Sign
Hanayama announced two new *The Legend of Zelda* Huzzle metal puzzles—a Hylian Shield and an Addison holding the Hudson Construction sign—set to launch in Japan on April 25, 2026. Each puzzle retails for ¥3,630, roughly $25, matching the price of...
Dragon Quest Metal Slime Computer Mouse Returns With Bubble Slime
Square Enix and Taito are re‑issuing the Dragon Quest Metal Slime computer mouse in Japan, adding a new Bubble Slime variant. Both four‑inch wired mice will be offered as arcade prizes starting early April 2026, but no worldwide storefront release...
US FFXIV Fan Festival 2026 Schedule Shared
Square Enix released the full two‑day schedule for the US Final Fantasy XIV Fan Festival 2026, set for April 24‑25 at the Anaheim Convention Center. Day 1 opens with a bilingual keynote by Director Naoki Yoshida, followed by a community game...
Ingrid Erases a World in a Street Fighter 6 Trailer
Capcom announced that Ingrid, the enigmatic Code Holder from Street Fighter Alpha 3 Max, will join Street Fighter 6 as the final Year 3 DLC character in spring 2026, with a new trailer showcasing her world‑erasing powers but no moveset details. The trailer also...
Cover Will Pull Back and End Some Holostars Male Vtubers Support
Cover Corp announced it will scale back support for its Holostars male Vtuber division in Japan, citing an executive decision to optimize overall business. While the company says it will continue to back individual activities on a case‑by‑case basis, projects...
Medabots S Frame Arms Girl Crossover Launched
Imagineer has launched a limited‑time crossover event in the mobile title Medabots S featuring Kotobukiya’s Frame Arms Girl model‑kit line. The collaboration introduces four new Medabots—Goutenraizer, Sticoletto, Baselarbunny and Hresvelgr—based on the Frame Arms Girl characters Gourai Kai, Stiletto, Baselard and Hresvelg....
More Petit Planet Characters Introduced in April Fools’ Day Video
HoYoVerse used an April Fools’ Day video to unveil several new characters for its upcoming Animal Crossing‑style title Petit Planet, including NPC Trixie, rabbit‑like Mr. Aleo, wolf‑like Rebella, and the Café Untamed manager. The teaser also hinted at a possible event called...
Sakura Wars 30th Anniversary Celebration and Merchandise Confirmed
Sega announced a 30th‑anniversary celebration for the Sakura Wars franchise, slated for September 27, 2026. The company will roll out a series of events and merchandise throughout the year, confirming the announcement is genuine despite the April 1 timing. The original 1996 Sega...
Persona Funko Pop Figures Include Protagonists and Igor
Atlus and Funko unveiled six new Persona Funko Pop figures, adding protagonists from Persona 3, 4, 5, the Phantom X spin‑off, and the iconic Velvet Room attendant Igor. The figures, priced at $14.99 each, stand roughly four inches tall and...
Final Fantasy XI Tutorial Quest Updates Arrive in the MMORPG in April
Square Enix announced that the April 6, 2026 version update for Final Fantasy XI will overhaul the game’s tutorial, adding a dedicated quest that introduces the Records of Eminence system. The update also lets every player reset and replay the...
Zenless Zone Zero S-Rank Billy Kid Alt Launches in 2.8
HoYoVerse announced two new S‑Rank agents for Zenless Zone Zero’s 2.8 update, debuting on May 6, 2026. The lineup includes a revamped "Starlight" Billy Kid alt that switches from Attack to Rupture, and a fresh ice‑type Anomaly named Promeia from...
Blue Reflection Quartet Game Compilation Announced
Koei Tecmo unveiled a full remake of Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly, slated for a March 12, 2026 launch on Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC. Early preview footage highlights a new hand‑holding mechanic that lets the twin protagonists calm each other...