Spiritale opened pre-orders for a new figure of Bridget from Guilty Gear Strive based on her purple alternate color scheme. The new 1/7 scale figure costs 24,970 yen (or about $158.15) and it is scheduled to release on January 2025. [Thanks, Hobby Watch!]

Pre-orders for the new GGSV Bridget purple version figure close on September 2, 2024. The figure depicts Bridget in her default pose from her Guilty Gear Strive key art, but the colors are drastically changed. For example, her hair is a paler shade of platinum blonde and her eyes are red. In addition, her top is black sporting a white collar, inverted from her original base color scheme.

You can take a better look at the new Guilty Gear Strive figure of Bridget here:

Back in April 2023 Spiritale opened pre-orders for a similar figure of Bridget based on her original color scheme, and it released  on March 2024 in Japan.

The new Guilty Gear Strive Bridget Purple version 1/7 scale figure is now available for pre-order from the Spiritale online store, and they will close on September 2, 2024. The figure costs 24,970 yen (~$158.15) and will release in Japan on January 2025.

Guilty Gear Strive is readily available for the PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, and PC.

The post New Guilty Gear Strive Bridget Figure Is Purple appeared first on Siliconera.

Pocketpair announced that a new line of Palworld plush toys is now available for pre-orders from the Aniplex Online storefront. The three plushes featured are Cattiva, Depresso, and Chillet. [Thanks, 4Gamer!]

Pre-orders for the new Palworld plushes will close on July 31, 2024. Each plush costs $26.99, and they have no release window yet. However, the plushes are also available from the Japanese Aniplex Online store, where they cost 2,980 yen (or approximately $18.88) and are expected to release in November 2024. The overseas Aniplex store marks the available territories for the plushes as the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. The plushes are also available in the US from the Animate store.

You can take a look at the plushes here:

These plushes will be the first available product from Palworld Entertainment, the joint venture between developer Pocketpair, Sony Music, and Aniplex. The companies announced the creation of Palworld Entertainment on July 10, 2024.

The new Palworld plushes cost $26.99/¥2,980 and pre-orders close on July 31, 2024. Palworld is readily available on the Xbox Series X, Xbox One, and Windows PC. The game is still in early access and a macOS version will come out some time in 2024.

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The latest episode of the NieR: Automata anime adaptation showed the fight against the Square Enix CEO as part of its alternate ending skit. The skit "starred" former Square Enix president Yosuke Matsuda and current president Takashi Kiryu.

The skit started with Pod 042 introducing one of the multiple endings present in the NieR Automata video game. It continued with the puppets of 2B and 9S watching various machine lifeforms competing in the arena. 2B and 9S eventually joined the fight, until former Square Enix president Yosuke Matsuda and current president Takashi Kiryu appeared to confront them. The skit ended with a Japanese textbox that described the end of the YoRHa forces and the end of humanity after being overwhelmed by the power of the super CEO boss.

You can check out the alternate ending skit for the NieR: Automata anime featuring the Square Enix CEO boss fight here:

The Square Enix CEO boss fights appeared as a secret bonus fight in the NieR Automata 3C3C1D119440927 DLC. When it released, the fight featured Yosuke Matsuda and the PlatinumGames CEO at the time, which was Kenichi Sato. Additionally, NieR series producer Yosuke Saito confirmed that the voices of the former and current Square Enix CEOs were recorded specifically for the skit.

The second cour of episode for the NieR Automata Ver1.1a anime adaptation is currently airing and is available streaming on Crunchyroll. The game is available on the PS4, Switch, Xbox One, and Windows PC. 

The post Square Enix CEO Boss Fight Appeared in NieR Automata Anime appeared first on Siliconera.

Nippon Ichi Software announced that four old games from the company's back catalog will soon be available on PC via Steam. There is currently no release date for the titles, and they will only be available in Japanese. [Thanks, Game*Spark!]

The Nippon Ichi Software titles hail from the original PlayStation console, and the first of the four games to be announced is The Oni Taiji!! Mezase! Nidaime Momotaro (The Ogre Slayer!! Aim for it! Momotaro The Second in English). This is a board game for up to four players inspired by classic Japanese folktales.

Jigsaw Island is the next title. It is a classic matching game with over 150 illustrations and photos available. The puzzle title also includes a story mode and a vs battle mode.

Bishoujo Hanafuda Kikou Michinoku Hitou Koi Monogatari, which roughly translates to Beautiful Girl Hanafuda Travelogue Michinoku Secret Hot Spring Love Story, is a hanafuda Nippon Ichi Software game. (That is a type of Japanese card game.) Aspiring photographer protagonist Yuya Amakusa plays cards with the heroines of the game in order to be able to take pictures of them to advance the story.

SatelliTV is the last of the batch, and it is a management simulation game in which players are in charge of running a TV broadcasting station. The gameplay involves deciding the programming that will be shown on the TV station and keeping an eye on the viewer count so as to not lose audience members.

These four old Nippon Ichi Software games are being re-released on Steam as part of the Nippon Ichi Software 30th Anniversary celebration, which also included a Disgaea Orchestra Concert that took place on June 23, 2024 in Ginza, Tokyo.

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A new Rebuild of Evangelion figure of long-haired Rei Ayanami will appear in Japan on July 2025. The figure will cost 19,800 yen (or approximately $124.66,) and is now available for pre-order from the S-FIRE online storefront until October 7, 2024.

The figure depicts Rei Ayanami’s long-haired design as she appeared in the Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time anime movie. The character appears wearing her plugsuit and laying in a relaxed pose while resting on top of a flat base. The figure is approximately 135mm (or 5.3 inches) wide and 118mm (4.65 inches) tall.

You can check out the new Rebuild of Evangelion figure of long-haired Rei Ayanami in more detail here:

Back in late April 2023, a similar figure of Rei Ayanami with long hair went on pre-order. The figure had a planned release date of February 2024 in Japan. In addition, a figure of Asuka Langley Shikinami from the Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time movie also appeared on January 2024 as an arcade prize re-release throughout Japan.

The new Evangelion figure of Rei Ayanami with long hair is now available for pre-order until October 7, 2024. The figure costs 19,800 yen (~$124.66) and will release in July 2025.

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Sony Interactive Entertainment announced that the Japanese FFVII Rebirth discs with printing errors will be replaced. Players affected by the printing error will be able to receive the correct discs after filling a form and sending back the original discs with the printing mistakes.

The application deadline to fill the form for the exchange the FFVII Rebirth Japanese discs with the printing error is August 16, 2024. Afterwards, the acceptance period for the discs will be open from July 12, 2024 to September 30, 2024. Those applying for the disc replacement will have to wrap the disc in a paper bag or other simple wrapping and send it to the corresponding SIE PlayStation Customer Support Disc Replacement Head address that appears in the Japanese information website. After receiving the package, the correct discs will be sent after August 26, 2024.

As a reminder, FFVII Rebirth comes with a Play Disc and a Data Disc. The original Japanese printings of the game, alongside the discs in various East and South East Asian countries came with a printing error in which the contents of each disc didn’t correspond with the label assigned to them. After the replacement takes place, the disc labels will correctly match.

FFVII Rebirth is readily available for the PlayStation 5, and the exclusivity arrangement ended on May 29, 2024.

The post FFVII Rebirth Japanese Discs Will Be Replaced appeared first on Siliconera.

A collaborative animation video to celebrate the release of the July 2024 555th issue of the CoroCoro Comic monthly magazine will reportedly appear on July 31, 2024, and studio BONES will be in charge of the animation. The 555th issue of CoroCoro released in Japan back in June 14, 2024. [Thanks, ryokutya2089!]

Aside form BONES’ involvement in the upcoming CoroCoro commemorative video, Story Inc. will be in charge of production. The company was responsible for producing the Suzume anime movie. Meanwhile, Japanese artist and Vocaloid producer Eve will take care of the music. Eve is well known for his work as the artist behind the Chainsaw Man opening song "Fight Song," the My Hero Academia opening theme "Bokurano," and Jujutsu Kaisen's "Kaikai Kitan" opening theme, to name a few.

Nobutaka Yoda will direct the video. Yoda has a long-running career in the anime industry as director, with predominant credits as opening and ending animation director for a multitude of anime series including Dr. Stone, Golden Kamuy, Doraemon, and Bungo Stray Dogs.

Some of the most well known manga series featured in the CoroCoro magazine include Doraemon, Pokemon, Beyblade, Duel Masters, Yokai Watch, and Inazuma Eleven. A manga adaptation based of the most recent Pokemon anime series started serialization on the magazine from the May 2023 issue.

The post BONES Will Create an Anime Video for CoroCoro 555th Issue appeared first on Siliconera.

According to the latest issue of weekly magazine Famitsu, Double Dragon Revive will be the next title in the long running beat ‘em up franchise. The game will feature 3D graphics and is expected to release in 2025 for PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, and PC. [Thanks, ryokutya2089!]

The new Double Dragon game was first reported by leaker ryokutya2089. The game is reportedly being developed by Arc System Works. Protagonist brother duo Billy and Jimmy Lee and recurring series enemies Roper and Abobo will receive revamped designs in a new “stylish 3D” art style. In addition, the game’s classic control scheme and difficulty level have been adjusted for modern gaming standards.

As a reminder, the latest title in the series to release is Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons, which appeared for current and last gen platforms and PC back in July 27, 2023, and featured roguelite elements. The game received the Sacred Reunion free downloadable expansion on April 2024, and it included new playable characters, various game modes, upgrades, and online co-op functionality.

Double Dragon Revive is currently in development for the PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, and PC and will appear sometime in 2025.

The post Double Dragon Revive Will Be a New 3D Title appeared first on Siliconera.

Capcom detailed the merchandise items that will be available at the Monster Hunter 20th Anniversary: The Great Hunting Exhibition. As a reminder, the exhibition will be held July 19, 2024 through September 8, 2024 at the Mori Arts Center Gallery in Roppongi Hills, Tokyo.

First, here is the full lineup of merchandise items available at the Monster Hunter 20th Anniversary exhibition:

• MH Rise: Sunbreak Character Acrylic Stand (20 available) – 1,700 yen (~$10.54)
• Monster Acrylic Stand Collection Mini (20 available) – 900 yen (~$5.58)
• Monster Pin Collection (10 available) – 900 yen (~$5.58)
• Yama Tsukami Cushion – 4,400 yen (~$27.28)
• 20th Anniversary Monster Choice Hand Towel – 1,800 yen (~$11.16)
• Felyne Data T-shirt – 3,900 yen (~$24.18)
• Hunter's Choice Top 3 Monster T-shirt – 4,400 yen (~$27.28)
• Khezu Zipper T-shirt – 6,600 yen (~$40.92)
• Great Hunting Exhibition Cookies – 1,300 yen (~$8.06)
• Item Chest-style Poach – 1,800 yen (~$11.16)
• Potion/Cool Drink Ice Pack – 750 yen (~$4.65)
• Exhibition Official Illustration Book – 3,850 yen (~$23.87)

And here you can check out the items in more detail:

In early June 2024, Capcom teased that a replica of the Mizutsune monster long sword will be on display as part of one of the attractions available during the anniversary exhibition. Other attractions include the Black Dragon Attack, a sculpture recreating the emblematic Fatalis Elder Dragon, and a collaboration cafe featuring foods and drinks inspired by various monsters from the series.

The Monster Hunter 20th Anniversary exhibition will be held between July 19 and September 8, 2024 at the Mori Arts Center Gallery in Roppongi Hills, Tokyo. Monster Hunter Wilds is the next title in the series and it will appear in 2025 for the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC.

The post Monster Hunter 20th Anniversary Exhibition Merchandise Appears appeared first on Siliconera.

In a recent video interview with Unseen’s Ikumi Nakamura, game developer Hideki Kamiya talked about his reasons for blocking people on X (formerly Twitter). An active social media user, Kamiya has garnered the reputation of being trigger happy when it comes to blocking people online.

When addressing his social media presence, Nakamura didn’t take long to ask about why Kamiya deems users that pester him as “insects.” Kamiya said that he prefers to use that word instead of outright insulting people. The developers also discussed that people online can often be unsavory to Kamiya, tossing offensive or tasteless comments at him as well as repeating themselves and asking the same questions. Kamiya and Nakamura speculated that what people online want is a reaction from him, and are not as interested in knowing the answer to the question they are posing.

In addition, Kamiya also insisted that when he is interacting with people online his intention is not to be xenophobic. Since the developer tweets in Japanese, he expects his audience to be native Japanese speakers. There are also non-Japanese people who are interested in his tweets and interact with him, which he reiterated is totally fine.

When tackling the topic of Hideki Kamiya's use of the blocking function on X (Twitter,) the developer said that he does it “light-heartedly,” and said that he will often unblock people if they ask through alternate accounts. He then went on to say in English "I like blocking, but I also like unblocking." Kamiya explained that since the beginning he has treated Twitter (now X) to an izakaya, or a Japanese bar, where he can have light-hearted and casual conversations with people.

The new video interview with Hideki Kamiya appeared on game studio Unseen’s YouTube channel, where head of studio Ikumi Nakamura asked a variety of questions to Kamiya and talked about their friendship and past work relationship. The video is over 42 minutes long, and is available in Japanese with English subtitles and closed captions.

You can check out the video interview here:

Unseen is currently developing Kemuri, which was revealed during TGA 2023 ceremony.

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Part 3 of the Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War anime series will premiere in October 2024. A new trailer showed the new release window alongside a glimpse at the opening and ending theme songs for the series.

The opening theme song for the new part 3 of Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War will be performed by Six Lounge and is titled “Kotoba ni Sezu Tomo” (or “Without any words,”) while the ending song is called “Monochrome” and is performed by suisoh. The new trailer depicts various of the key characters in the upcoming season unleashing their Bankai abilities, and you can check it out here:

In addition, a new key visual art for Part 3 The Conflict was revealed and it features Ichigo Kurosaki standing with his zanpakuto unsheathed next to Orihime Inoue, Yasutora “Chad” Sado, and Ganju Shiba.

Here is the key visual:

An estimate 2024 release date for the new Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War anime season was previously confirmed in October 2023 with the release of a short teaser trailer.

Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Part 3 “The Conflict” will premiere in October 2024. The exact release date will appear at a later date. Parts 1 and 2 of the anime series are now available on Hulu in the United States and Disney+ worldwide. The manga was localized by Viz Media.

The post Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Part 3 Begins in October appeared first on Siliconera.

Ubisoft Japan issued an apology regarding the unauthorized use of a flag in concept art for the upcoming Assassin's Creed Shadows game. The company used the flag of a real world Sekigahara reenactment group in concept art for the latest title in the Assassin’s Creed series.

The flag in question belongs to the Sekigahara Teppo-tai (or Sekigahara gun group) infantryman reenactment group. The apology post originally appeared on July 8, 2024 on the Ubisoft Japan X (formerly Twitter) official account. In it, the company confirmed that the flag was used in two instances of concept art. Additionally, with the exception of the flag being featured in the physical art book of the collector's edition of Assassin's Creed Shadows, Ubisoft revealed that it won’t be used moving forward.

Ubisoft also said that it directly contacted the reenactment group and apologized to its members. The own Sekigahara Teppo-tai confirmed via X (Twitter) that they had been approached by the company with an apology on July 3, 2024, and it reiterated that the already printed data showing the flag would be difficult to eliminate.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows was originally revealed on May 16, 2024, and a new trailer featuring the protagonists, Naoe the shinobi and the samurai Yasuke, appeared on June 10, 2024.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows will come out on November 15, 2024 for the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC.

The post Ubisoft Apologies for Assassin’s Creed Shadows Flag Art Infringement appeared first on Siliconera.

A new Junji Ito x Sanrio Characters Pop Up Store collaboration of merchandise will appear in Tokyo and Osaka, and the newly unveiled key visual art pairs Tomie with Hello Kitty. Tomie will appear in gyaru fashion, while the Beautiful Boy at the Crossroads from Junji Ito’s Lovesickness collection will appear on a swing floating thanks to the aid of various Sanrio character balloons.

Aside from Hello Kitty, other pieces of merchandise will pair Tomie and the Beautiful Boy with various Sanrio characters. The pop up store will be available at the Shibuya Parco store between August 23, 2024 and September 9, 2024, and the Shinsaibashi Parco store in Osaka between September 27, 2024 and October 14, 2024.

Here’s the full lineup of merchandise items in the upcoming Junji Ito x Sanrio Characters Pop Up Store alongside their prices:

• Tomie Acrylic Stand – 2,200 yen (~$13.67)
• Tomie Clear File Set – 440 yen (~$2.73)
• Tomie Holographic Heart-shaped Badge – 550 yen (~$3.42)
• Tomie Aurora Sticker – 605 yen (~$3.76)
• Tomie Compact Double Mirror – 1,100 yen (~$6.84)
• Tomie Acrylic Heart Hair Clip – 990 yen (~$6.15)
• Tomie Black T-shirt – 4,950 yen (~$30.76)
• Tomie White T-shirt – 5,500 yen (~$34.18)
• Tomie Large Towel – 4,400 yen (~$27.34)
• Tomie Key Art Print – 22,000 yen (~$136.71)
• Boy at the Crossroads Floating Acrylic Stand – 2,200 yen (~$13.67)
• Boy at the Crossroads Clear File 2 Set – 880 yen (~$5.47)
• Boy at the Crossroads Stickers – 550 yen (~$3.42)
• Boy at the Crossroads Canvas Panel – 4,400 yen (~$27.34)
• Boy at the Crossroads Black T-shirt – 4,950 yen (~$30.76)
• Boy at the Crossroads White T-shirt – 4,950 yen (~$30.76)
• Boy at the Crossroads Tote Bag – 3,850 yen (~$23.92)
• Junji Ito Collaboration Trading Square Pin Badges (6 available) – 495 yen (~$3.08)
• Junji Ito Collaboration Trading Acrylic Keychains (6 available) – 770 yen (~$4.78)
• Junji Ito Collaboration Clear File Set – 440 yen (~$2.73)
• Junji Ito Collaboration Cork Coasters (6 available) – 880 yen (~$5.47)
• Junji Ito Collaboration Trading Holographic Stickers (9 available) – 550 yen (~$3.42)

And here’s how the items will look:

As a reminder, a figure of Tomie by sculptor Yoshiki Fujimoto that costs over $200 was announced back in April 2024, and it will come out in May 2025.

The Junji Ito x Sanrio Characters Pop Up Store will appear in Tokyo between August 23 and September 9, 2024 and Osaka throughout September 27 and October 14.

The post Junji Ito Sanrio Merchandise Pairs Tomie With Hello Kitty appeared first on Siliconera.

Square Enix announced the release of three new Final Fantasy VII Bring Arts figures of Cloud on his Hardy-Daytona bike, Sephiroth, and Zack. Pre-orders for the figures are now available from the Japanese Square Enix online store.

The new Cloud Bring Arts figure costs 29,700 yen (or about $184.69,) while the Sephiroth and Zack figures costs 13,200 yen (~$82.09) each. The reason for the increase in price for the Cloud figure is due to the inclusion of his iconic Hardy-Daytona bike. The Sephiroth figure will be the first one to release in Japan, with its release date set for March 29, 2025. The Cloud figure is next in line, appearing in May 31, 2025, while the Zack figure will come out on July 26, 2025.

Each figure is articulated and includes a variety of hand parts, as well as the signature Buster Sword for both Cloud and Zack, and the Masamune katana for Sephiroth. You can check out the new Bring Arts figures of Cloud, Sephiroth, and Zack here:

The Bring Arts line of Final Fantasy VII figures is designed to make the characters look closer to their original stylized designs featured in the 1997 PlayStation release of the game, although it doesn’t feature the characters in their blocky polygon looks. Instead, it steers closer to their original concept art designs. In early April 2024, Square Enix announced the re-release of the FFVII Tifa and Cloud original Bring Arts figures without NFT certificates. Other FFVII characters to receive Bring Arts figures include Yuffie, Vincent, Cid, and Cait Sith.

The Final Fantasy VII Bring Arts figures of Cloud, Sephiroth, and Zack are now available for pre-order from the Japanese Square Enix online storefront. FFVII Rebirth is the latest title in the remake trilogy and it is readily available on the PlayStation 5.

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Square Enix opened pre-orders for the new Play Arts Kai action figures of Aerith and Elena from FFVII Rebirth. Each figure costs $179.99, with Aerith’s figure set to release in May 2025 and Elena’s figure scheduled for a September 2025 release.

Both figures are fully articulated and include a variety of interchangeable pieces. For example, Aerith’s Play Arts Kai figure comes with her Guard Stick starting weapon, a basket full of yellow flowers, various hand parts including a praying set of hands and a hand holding a flower, and an alternate grinning head part. Meanwhile, Elena’s Play Arts Kai figure Includes her iconic pink gun, a half-eaten ice cream, various hand parts including two grenade hands, and a smiling alternate head.

You can take a better look at both Play Arts Kai figures of Elena and Aerith in the gallery below.

Square Enix recently updated its Japanese Amazon storefront to include the new FFVII Rebirth Play Arts Kai figures of Cloud and Yuffie. In addition, Square Enix just started a new lottery for a variety of FFVII Rebirth merchandise, including figures of Cloud and Tifa performing their Limit Break attacks.

The new FFVII Rebirth Play Arts Kai figures of Aerith and Elena are now available for pre-order form the North American Square Enix online store. FFVII Rebirth is readily available for the PlayStation 5.

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