Siliconera

Following the May 2023 PlayStation Showcase reveal of Metal Gear Solid Delta, the Metal Gear Solid 3 remake, Konami announced the voice actors will be back for the game. However, the announcement only noted "the remake will star the original voice characters." It didn't specify if this means remastered past recordings or new recordings from the original cast.

As a reminder, here are some of the more notable voice actors from Metal Gear Solid 3 ahead of the remake. As Keiji Fujiwara, the original Japanese voice actor for Sigint, died, it would mean some recasting would be in order if the remake will involve new performances.

HoYoVerse teased the playable version of Luka, who is a member of Wildfire in Honkai: Star Rail. This is the first upcoming character who has not made an actual appearance in the existing story yet. He will be a four-star unit. He will also be a Fire Nihility character.

It’s highly likely that he, along with Kafka and Blade, will appear on a Version 1.2 banner. HoYoVerse usually teases playable characters a version in advance, and we already know the characters who will be in Version 1.1. For reference, new characters in the next major update will be Silver Wolf, Yukong, and Luocha.

Luka is the star of the Resolution Shines As Pearls of Sweat Light Cone, which is for Nihility characters. The description of the Light Cone didn’t offer much information on him as a character. However, HoYoVerse’s teaser Tweet reveals that Luka is part of Wildfire, and has a mechanical arm. He is very optimistic and carefree, and wants to protect the people of the Underworld. He seems to have a dark past as well. It’s unknown where Luka was during the events of the Jarilo-VI storyline if he’s a member of Wildfire.

NIS America announced the worldwide Disgaea 7 release date for every region. We already knew it would appear this year. Now the date's pinned down. People in North America will get it first, as it will appear in places like the US and Canada on October 3, 2023. A few days later, it will appear in Europe on October 6, 2023. Finally, it will show up in places like Australia and New Zealand on October 13, 2023. To go along with the release date, there's also a new story trailer explaining what's going on in this installment.

In Disgaea 7, the Netherworld we’re visiting is Hinomoto. It’s actually a collection of multiple Netherworlds Demmodore Opener got ride of the bushido code, replacing it with a Code of Destruction. Fuji is a broke samurai who ends up agreeing to a contract with the visitor Pirilika, who adores bushido and Hinomoto culture. As a result, the two end up working together.

Here's the full Disgaea 7 story and release date trailer.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCWjdX2GRwM[/embed]

The Disgaea 7 release date is October 3, 2023 in North America, October 6, 2023 in Europe, and October 13, 2023 in Australia. We will be able to play the game on the PS4, PS5, Switch, and PC.

The post Disgaea 7 Release Date Falls Just Ahead of Halloween appeared first on Siliconera.

In October 2023, we're going to head into a whole new Netherworld, meet a new Overlord, and deal with all sorts of tactical challenges again in Disgaea 7. It looks to be a much bigger game, in terms of options, than its predecessor. Siliconera got an opportunity to talk to Director Shunsuke Minowa about what we can expect from the latest entry and how past games like Disgaea 6 and fan feedback influenced what we'll see in Disgaea 7.

Jenni Lada: When did development on Disgaea 7 begin?

Shunsuke Minowa: Development for Disgaea 7 began around June of 2021. We were taking into account the mixed reception to Disgaea 6, as well as player feedback from Disgaea 6, and decided that we wanted to quickly get a game into players’ hands that they would enjoy. Additionally, the series’ 20th anniversary felt like an appropriate time for Disgaea 7 to come out.

In the past, you worked on Disagea 4 and Disgaea 5. How did those experiences assist with the shaping of Disgaea 7

Another action-RPG that started on mobile devices and PCs is heading to Sony consoles. Tower of Fantasy PS4 and PS5 versions are on the way. There’s no exact release date yet. However, it is expected to appear on consoles in Summer 2023. A first trailer appeared for these versions of the free-to-play game as well.

Here's the Tower of Fantasy PS4 and PS5 trailer. While it doesn't show any original content for the console releases, the description for the video mentions some "exclusive items for PlayStation users." Also, while there's no pre-order page on the PlayStation Store yet, the description mentioned "48-hour early access" if someone were to pay for a "premium" version.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juA0Wi5yMJc&ab_channel=PlayStation

Like games like Genshin Impact, Tower of Fantasy regularly gets new updates. For example, the Special Orders gacha system allows people to get new weapons, which in turn unlocks Simulacra (characters). Equipping one changes your avatar's appearance and abilities. We also see new locations in the game after new patches. The latest SSR Simulacrum added in May 2024 is Rubilia, tied to the Lost Melody weapon. In-game events appear as well, providing opportunities to return to the game to earn special rewards or take part in different sorts of quests or minigames.

More Asticassia School of Technology students will be available to look up to you. MegaHouse shared new prototype photoes of characters from the Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury Look Up figures line. Unpainted versions of Nika Nanaura and Chutaury "ChuChu" Panluch appeared. Additional images showed painted prototypes for Guel Jeturk, Elan Ceres, and Shaddiq Zenelli.

As part of the MegaHobbyPlus 2023 Early Summer announcements, MegaHouse first presented the prototypes for Look Up figures based on Nika and ChuChu. Both members of the Earth House in the Asticassia School of Technology appear in their school uniforms and will measure 110 mm each. More details on the release date will appear later.

https://twitter.com/Megahousejp/status/1661288426577035267?s=20

In addition, MegaHouse also shared new images of the painted prototypes for the houses’ representatives. Guel and Shaddiq appear with their legs crossed with a serious and a grinning face respectively. As for Elan (Enhanced Person Number 5), he is depicted smiling with his mouth open.

https://twitter.com/Megahousejp/status/1661287165861724161?s=20

During the MegaHobby Plus May 2023 event, MegaHouse shared news about Bleach figures. It showed for the first time the painted prototypes for the Look Up series figures based on Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War's Ichigo Kurosaki and Byakuya Kuchiki. In addition, the company announced the G.E.M. series figure of Gin Ichimaru will be returning in November 2023 in Japan.

These Look Up series figures show Ichigo and Byakuya both wearing their Shinigami uniforms and sitting with their hands on top of their knees. MegaHouse previously only showed unpainted versions of both. More details on each one's price and release date will be confirmed at a later date. However, Look Up figures tend to cost ¥4,180/$30 each.

https://twitter.com/Megahousejp/status/1661289682649378817?s=20

As for the return of the Bleach Gin G.E.M. series figure, it will be back about two years after its December 2021 debut. This figure is 300mm/~12in tall and shows Gin on top of some rubble while holding his sword in an attacking stance. It is planned for release on late November 2023 and will cost ¥24,200 (about $173).

https://twitter.com/Megahousejp/status/1661285404262146048?s=20

Ubisoft revealed the release date for Assassin's Creed Mirage. In a new trailer shown at the PlayStation Showcase, Ubisoft revealed that the game will release on October 12, 2023. They also showed off a bunch of the new game's mechanics.

Assassin's Creed Mirage is a return to the franchise's roots, moving away from the open world RPG feel of recent Assassin's Creed games. Much of the trailer shows a similar feeling to the original game,  featuring a lot of the free running gameplay the series was originally known for. The setting is also a return to the series roots, as it is set in another Middle Eastern city: Baghdad. The trailer also suggests multiple options available to players in order to achieve their objectives.

Here's the latest trailer for the game:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNdpbE-JiKY&ab_channel=IGN

Assassin's Creed Mirage has a release date of October 12, 2023. It will release on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One and PC.

The post Assassin’s Creed Mirage Release Date Set for October appeared first on Siliconera.

At the PlayStation Showcase on May 24, 2023, a new trailer for Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 appeared. In it, we get to see the iconic Kraven the Hunter as he sets on to start a new hunt in the streets of New York. The trailer also presents new gameplay. It showed Spider-Man's new symbiotic black suit with a series of new abilities and Miles' new hovering skill. It ended with a peek at The Lizard.

The story will apparently start with Kraven going to New York in order to hunt Connors as his next prey. After showing him, it looked at Peter Parker's more violent and serious personality likely due to the black suit. As for Miles Morales, he is joined by his friend Ganke through a drone-like machine that can join the battle with some accessories.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPEU53aLc6c&ab_channel=IGN
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 will feature a single-player campaign following the story of Peter and Miles. In it, the two will face the new menace brought by Kraven and The Lizard's battle while Peter suffers the changes brought by the black symbiote, which created Venom in the comics. About the gameplay, players will apparently alternate between both spider-men by story-triggered segments.

During the May 2023 PlayStation Showcase upcoming action-RPG Dragon’s Dogma 2 received its first public trailer. While Capcom announced the game back in June 2022, this is the first public look at it. The new Dragon’s Dogma 2 trailer showcased its world, combat, story, and monsters.

The trailer for the sequel of the upcoming action-RPG cult classic showed the scope of the new world of the game, which included a new race of lion and cat people, a new magic weapon similar to an incense burner, snippets of a griffin, and ogre boss fights, as well as the titular Dragon. Additionally, the trailer teased two new boss fights, including a monster that looked similar to a medusa and another one reminiscent of a sphynx.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbZPF5Nfmzs&ab_channel=IGN

Dragon’s Dogma 2 is being developed by Capcom. While we still don’t know all confirmed platforms, the game will appear on the PlayStation 5.

The post Dragon’s Dogma 2 Trailer Revealed at PlayStation Showcase 2023 appeared first on Siliconera.

Phantom Blade 0, a brand new samurai action game, appeared at the PlayStation Showcase. Developed by S-Game and Cruelman Studio, it features a samurai character who has 66 days to live, according to the opening narration. The trailer's YouTube description describes a story all about vengeance and a mysterious "Order" that has exiled our protagonist.

Phantom Blade 0 is an action game featuring fast-paced combat. Its first trailer showcased a variety of supernatural enemies in dilapidated Chinese setting. The video showed off a ton of over-the-top action sequences, including a fight on a horse and cart. It also featured a lot of wall running and other movement mechanics.

The full trailer can be seen below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pueXBkFMK7Q

Phantom Blade 0 is currently set for release for the PS5. A release date has not yet been confirmed.

The post Samurai Action Game Phantom Blade 0 Revealed appeared first on Siliconera.

Sony announced a PlayStation 5 Project Q handheld streaming device during the May 2023 PlayStation Showcase. Only a prototype of one alongside a console appeared ahead of its 2023 debut. It will allow people to stream their games, with the controls on the device resembling a PS5 DualSense controller. There will also be official PlayStation earbuds, which will work the PS5, PC, and smartphones.

Very few details appeared, as this device is in development. It will feature an eight inch HD screen. It will also be able to stream PS5 games. However, it can’t stream PSVR2 ones. It will use WiFi to stream titles with Remote Play.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03DEcB2ny4E&ab_channel=IGN
There were also not many details about the earbuds. They will feature loss-less audio with no latency. These will simultaneously connect via Bluetooth to phones.
[caption id="attachment_964930" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via Sony[/caption]

The PlayStation 5 Project Q handheld streaming device will show up from Sony later in 2023. A release date wasn't noted for the earbuds.

The post PlayStation 5 Streaming Handheld Project Q Teased appeared first on Siliconera.

After development for it was announced on February 2023, Capcom revealed the first trailer for the upcoming VR Mode of Resident Evil 4 remake. The new VR Mode will appear as a free downloadable update exclusively for the PSVR 2. This new trailer was revealed during the May 2023 PlayStation Showcase.

For the new VR Mode, the Resident Evil 4 remake will shift its perspective from its classic third person to a first person one to accommodate for the VR headset. The footages shown at the event is very similar to the VR Mode for the original RE4, with the difference of the update visuals, and mechanics, such as knife parrying.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMobTUDJZ-Y&ab_channel=IGN
This isn’t the first free DLC update the game will receive, since The Mercenaries DLC mode appeared on Resident Evil 4 remake for free on April 7, 2023.

As a reminder, the original Resident Evil 4 is already playable on VR via Meta Quest 2 (previously known as Oculus Quest 2.)

Giant Squid revealed a new game called Sword of the Sea. It will be coming to PS5. The first trailer, revealed during PlayStation Showcase on May 24, 2023, shows a character exploring many ruins in different environments. More details about it will be revealed at a later date.

In the video, you can see a character with a design like the player's avatar from Journey. They appear to be traversing through deserts while sandsurfing. From what can be seen in these first segments, it appears that restoring the various temple-like structures will be a main part of the gameplay.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbDo4N_RgJ0&ab_channel=IGN
As for the style, it follows something very similar to the artist's previous games like Abzu, The Pathless, and Journey. Most notably it will also feature surrealist scenery, like sea creatures swimming through the air.

Sword of the Sea will come to PlayStation 5, no release date has been confirmed yet.

The post Sword of the Sea Announced at PlayStation Showcase appeared first on Siliconera.

Even more puzzles are coming from Croteam and Devolver Digital, as The Talos Principle II showed up during the PlayStation Showcase May 2023 presentation. A first trailer teased what will come. The official website and Steam page are also live.

The Steam page for the game teased a bit of what to expect. Once again, it involves robots solving various puzzles and using special abilities. Among them will also be Gold difficulty puzzles.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgVQDrfUbq0&feature=youtu.be

The Talos Principle II will come to the PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC in 2023.

The post The Talos Principle II Arrives in 2023 appeared first on Siliconera.

Alan Wake 2 got a release date at the PlayStation Showcase. In a story-focused trailer, we got to see Alan Wake still trapped in Cauldron Lake, along with a cast of new characters. It is set to release on October 17, 2023.

Two FBI agents are investigating Alan Wake on the trail of the events from the first game. One of these agents, Agent Anderson, appears to be a playable character, as she walks through a house before being attacked by one of the game's new enemies. These new enemies appear to be taking Alan Wake 2 in a new folk horror direction, as theyre all wearing deer masks. Also, Remedy writer Sam Lake makes an appearance as Anderson's partner.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6TmhvIpIoI&ab_channel=IGN

This is the first time we've gotten to see Alan Wake 2 since its reveal teaser at the Game Awards in 2021.

The Alan Wake 2 release date is October 17, 2023. It will be released for PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC.

The post Alan Wake 2 Release Date Revealed at PlayStation Showcase appeared first on Siliconera.

A teaser for a remake of Metal Gear Solid 3 called Metal Gear Solid Delta was shared during the May 2023 PlayStation Showcase. It showed the iconic game's main character, Snake, in a whole new look using the new graphical engine.

The trailer starts following diverse creatures in a jungle, mainly showing a snake fighting back against an alligator before finally revealing Snake hidden in the environment. This teaser follows the principle of the first game's focus on camouflage and the whole mission across the jungle. This remake will drop the number 3 for a delta (Δ) sign instead.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MovVSQLTihk&ab_channel=TITOSUBSCRIBER

Konami hasn't shared much news about the franchise since series Director Hideo Kojima’s departure from the company in 2015. The last game in the franchise released without Kojima’s participation was Metal Gear Survive, which debuted to mixed reviews. Rather than a mainline entry, it was a spin-off.

Originally released in 2004, Metal Gear Solid 3 followed a young “Big Boss” still using the nickname of “Naked Snake.” In it, you had to fight against a series of professional mercenaries in order to stop Snake’s former mentor, The Boss. The game was praised due to its engaging story and groundbreaking mechanics.

The Metal Gear Solid series will reappear with a new set of ports of the original three games under the title of Metal Gear Solid Master Collection. Announced at the May 2023 PlayStation Showcase, volume 1 of the new collection will include the original Metal Gear Solid, Sons of Liberty, and Snake Eater.

This is not the first time that the MGS series has received a compilation. The Metal Gear Solid HD Collection originally released for the PS3 and Xbox 360, and it included the first three MGS games, alongside Peace Walker and the two original Metal Gear games.

Meanwhile, the Legacy Collection released on PS3, and it included every MGS released up until MGS4 Guns of the Patriots.

The first volume of the Metal Gear Solid Master Collection will appear for the PS5 on Autumn 2023. More details will appear in the future.

The post Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol. 1 Includes MGS 1, 2, and 3 appeared first on Siliconera.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink got a worldwide release window during the PlayStation Showcase May 2023 presentation. A trailer appeared showing what people can expect from the action-RPG. In addition to showing familiar characters from Granblue Fantasy, it also confirmed it will appear on the PS4 and PS5. We'll see it in Winter 2023.

Here's the new trailer from the presentation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzlwPtoW9Ys&ab_channel=%E3%82%B0%E3%83%A9%E3%83%B3%E3%83%96%E3%83%AB%E3%83%BC%E3%83%95%E3%82%A1%E3%83%B3%E3%82%BF%E3%82%B8%E3%83%BC%E5%85%AC%E5%BC%8F%E3%83%81%E3%83%A3%E3%83%B3%E3%83%8D%E3%83%AB

This isn't too surprising, as the game did appear in a playable form not long ago. It showed up at Granblue Fantasy FES 2022-2023. We also saw new footage of its playable characters this year.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink will come to the PS4 and PS5 in Winter 2023 worldwide.

The post Granblue Fantasy: Relink Arrives Winter 2023 appeared first on Siliconera.

There's more to see regarding Final Fantasy XVI, as a "Salvation" story trailer debuted at the May 2023 PlayStation Showcase. This comes just ahead of the game's June 2023 launch.

This "Salvation" trailer focuses more on the Dominant characters in Final Fantasy XVI and what they mean to the story. It hints that the crystals harm people more than they help them. It also shows different characters' viewpoints on their abilities and using them.

“We don’t need your salvation. We’ll save ourselves. And we’ll do it on our own terms.”

Clive Rosfield and his allies fight to take back control of their fate. What salvation can they bring to Valisthea, a land blessed by the light of the Mothercrystals? #FF16 pic.twitter.com/TaUmnmECst

— FINAL FANTASY XVI (@finalfantasyxvi) May 24, 2023

As for things to come, Final Fantasy XVI Producer Naoki Yoshida teased us saying that a Final Fantasy XVI demo would appear "about two weeks" before the game launches.

During the May 2023 PlayStation Showcase, Helldivers 2, a sequel to the original co-op shooter was announced. The sequel will opt for a new third-person over the shoulder perspective, leaving behind the top-down perspective used in the first entry. The trailer showed the new combat style, alongside some of the new weapons available.

In this sequel to the original tongue in cheek shoot ‘em up, the player will be joining a squad of elite military forces to stave off the invading alien forces that are threatening to conquer Super-Earth.

The first Helldivers game was originally released for the PS4 and PS Vita in 2015.

Helldivers 2 is currently being developed by Arrowhead Game Studios for the PS5 and PC. The game is scheduled for a 2023 release date.

The post Helldivers 2 Announced at May 2023 PlayStation Showcase appeared first on Siliconera.

At the May 2023 PlayStation Showcase, Square Enix revealed a Splatoon-like shooter. In Foamstars, players fire off guns with colored bubbles to coat the field. It will come to the PS4 and PS5. There’s no release date for it yet, though. However, an initial trailer with gameplay footage appeared.

The trailer began by showing different characters heading to the map, showing off their designs. After that, it shifts to what looks like in-progress gameplay footage. Characters' guns shoot off different colored foam, which coats the field. It looks to be a team shooter, with characters appearing on different sides to work toward a win.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OF7dy-5BKQ&ab_channel=%E3%82%B9%E3%82%AF%E3%82%A6%E3%82%A7%E3%82%A2%E3%83%BB%E3%82%A8%E3%83%8B%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B9

Foamstars is in development for the PS4 and PS5.

The post Square Enix Shooter Foamstars Heading to PS4 and PS5 appeared first on Siliconera.

505 Games and One More Level announced Ghostrunner 2 will come to the PS5 in 2023. This follows the original game, which debuted in 2020. As before, it will be a cyberpunk, first-person action game. However, additional details didn't come up during the May 2023 PlayStation Showcase beyond the announcement teaser. We knew a sequel was in development, but this offered us our first look.

Here's the official trailer shown during the PlayStation Showcase:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyXzFedson4&ab_channel=GamersPrey

There’s no word yet if this is a multiplatform game. The original Ghostrunner showed up on the PS4, Xbox One, and PC. It’s also possible to play it on Amazon Luna. While it has been a while since the original appeared, its Project Hel expansion launched in 2022.

Ghostrunner 2 will come to the PS5 in 2023.

The post Ghostrunner 2 Announced for 2023 appeared first on Siliconera.

As part of its May 2023 MegaHobby Plus announcements, MegaHouse offered looks at new figures it’s working on. One of them is a more unconventional kind of statue. MegaHouse teamed up with the Japanese doll maker Kyugetsu for a new item based on Komurasaki from One Piece. It is in development, but is now expected to appear in February 2024 in Japan. When it does, it will cost 217,800円 (~$1,564).

Kyugetsu is known for more traditional Japanese dolls, typically. For this Komurasaki One Piece Japanese doll, it involves the character wearing an elaborate kimono and carrying a fan. Luffy and the Straw Hats meet her during the Wano Country Arc of the series. The preliminary images show her both in and out of a display case, and it also allows people to see what she looks like from behind. She stands at 550mm/21.6 inches tall.

【#megahobbyplus announcement🔊】
Introducing new item release info for…
Kyugetsu x MegaHouse Japanese doll Komurasaki

It's under development!

Please look at beautiful details!

Follow us for updates!🪄✨https://t.co/liP7rudU0s #onepiece #Kyugetsu pic.twitter.com/IvN69f90QU

Japanese Indie video game developer atelier mimina, the developers of the rhythm adventure Giraffe and Annika, announced a new sci-fi action-RPG adventure called HARUKA: Beyond the Stars. In this new juvenile sci-fi adventure, main character Yuuki and a mysterious girl named Miiya will visit space and explore unique planets aboard a spaceship. The game is set to release sometime in 2025 for the PS5, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam. The Steam page confirmed an English localization. However, voices will only be available in Japanese. [Thanks, Famitsu!]

Alongside this information, atelier minima also released a short gameplay trailer showcasing the combat, space exploration, and TV anime-style visuals and cutscenes. In the trailer, some of the worlds seen in the game appear to be inhabited by cat people

You can take a better look at the Japanese reveal trailer for HARUKA: Beyond the Stars here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ff8GmU7pHU

The story of the game is set in the far future twilight of humankind. After Miiya crash-lands on Yuuki’s village, the two set on an adventure to look for Yuuki’s father.

Now that Kirara joined the Genshin Impact cast, HoYoVerse shared a Collected Miscellany video for her. These are videos dedicated to showing off new characters’ moveset and abilities. As usual, Yuri “Dainsleif” Lowenthal acts as narrator going over what people can expect from the four-star Dendro swordswoman.

After introducing Kirara, Dainsleif starts by mentioning how her Exploration Talent keeps animals from running from the party. This makes it easier to get chilled meat, fowl, or raw meat. From there, the video looks more closely at the attacks in her moveset. It shows her Boxcutter Normal Attack, a Meow-teor Kick Elemental Skill that can also be held for faster movement and travel, and her Secret Art: Surprise Dispatch Elemental Burst AOE attack. It also brings up her Passive abilities, which can add extra Shield of Safe Transport or attack buffs

Here’s the full “Collected Miscellany - Kirara: Meow-mentous Speed” trailer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kgZ7ZGG5-Q&ab_channel=GenshinImpact

As a four-star, people will be able to get Kirara in Genshin Impact all the time. However, she is a focus unit on the Yae Miko and Yoimiya banners, which means it will be easier to get her until those end on June 13, 2023.

Genshin Impact is available for the PS4, PS5, PC, and mobile devices, and Kirara is now a permanent part of the gacha.

Japanese fashion brand MAYLA will release high-heel shoes inspired by Sailor Moon Cosmos as part of a collaboration event to celebrate the release of the movie. Each pair costs 28,600 JPY (roughly $206). The lineup includes five different models, with each one based on a different Sailor Guardian. The pumps will go on sale on May 26, 2023, and they will be available from the MAYLA online store until July 11, 2023. It does ship outside Japan via WorldShipping. [Thanks, Famitsu!]

The five available models in the collaboration are designed after the Eternal versions of Sailor Moon, Sailor Mercury, Sailor Mars, Sailor Jupiter, and Sailor Venus. The pumps has a glossy finish due to the enamel material used on them. Each pair also comes with a ribbon and a charm representing each Sailor Guardian. The charm can be removed. The shoes also incorporate in them the V-shaped designed of the sailor uniforms. The outsoles have an elaborate design that includes motifs from each character, as well as a moon and star motif.

You can take a better look at the Sailor Moon Cosmos MAYLA shows here:

[gallery ids="964679,964678,964677,964676,964675,964674" link="file"]

Bandai Namco Holdings announced that the Gundam franchise made 131 billion JPY in its 2023 fiscal year. This is a a record-breaking amount of profits for the series. Masaru Kawaguchi, the president of Bandai Namco Holdings, specifically cited The Witch From Mercury for revitalizing interest in the series. [Thanks, ANN!]

For reference, 131 billion JPY would equate to around $944 million. Much of these profits came from Gunpla sales, which fits the trend that started in FY2020. Of these Gunpla, the Aerial is one of the most popular models. This fits with the high interest in The Witch From Mercury. In the previous fiscal year, Bandai Namco Holdings made 101.7 billion JPY. So there is a difference of about 30 billion JPY.

Crunchyroll announced the start date for the Demon Slayer Swordsmith Village arc English dub, which some might also know as season 3 of the anime adaptation. The first episode will appear on May 28, 2023. People can start seeing it at 1:30pm PT/4:30pm ET/10:30pm CET. There's also a new trailer to show what we can expect from it, and the company announced the English voice actors for this season. This comes over a month after the new season began airing back in April 2023.

First, here are the English dub voice actors for the Demon Slayer Swordsmith Village arc. People like Zach Aguilar, Abby Trott, and Aleks Le are reprising their roles.

• Genya: Zeno Robinson
• Gyokko: Brent Mukai
• Hantengu: Christopher Corey Smith
• Inosuke Hashibira: Bryce Papenbrook
• Mitsuru Kanroji: Kira Buckland
• Muichiro Tokito: Griffin Burns
• Nezuko Kamado: Abby Trott
• Tanjiro Kamado: Zach Aguilar
• Zenitsu Agatsuma: Aleks Le

And you can hear many of them in the Demon Slayer season 3 English dub trailer below. It also features the Man with a Mission and Millet theme song “Kizuna no Kiseki.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjBlh7dXPl8&ab_channel=CrunchyrollDubs

Sega announced that Power, the fearsome Blood Fiend in Chainsaw Man, will inspire a new 1/7 scale figure of accompanied by her pet cat Meowy. The statue will be a part of the Sega S-Fire line of figures. The figure will cost 27,500 JPY (or roughly $200). The new Power and Meowy figure is scheduled to release sometime on June 2024. The S-Fire online store will accept pre-orders for the new statue until July 31, 2023. [Thanks, Hobby Watch!]

The new S-Fire figure depicts the Blood Fiend Power smiling as she summons her signature blood hammer, as well as other blood weapons such as spears and swords. Accompanying the fiend is her pet cat Meowy, as it stands on her shoulders meowing while she wraps her arm around it.

You can take a better look at the new Chainsaw Man 1/7 scale figure of Power and Meowy in the gallery below.

[gallery columns="4" ids="964667,964666,964665,964664" link="file"]

As a reminder, a new Chainsaw Man Figma figure of Public Safety devil hunter Aki Hayakawa is on the way from Good Smile Company.

The new Chainsaw Man 1/7 scale figure of Power and her cat will be available for pre-order until July 31, 2023 from the S-Fire online store. It costs 27,500 JPY (~$200) and is expected to release sometime in June 2024.

It's been a few days since Capcom's Street Fighter 6 "How to Play" series looked at a new character, but that changes today as Manon takes the stage. The latest brief video focuses on her moveset and abilities. It also calls attention to one attack in particular, her Renverse.

The video begins by pointing out how heavily Manon relies on kicks and throws, but also points out she’s “well-rounded.” It then shows how kicks can be used for poke attacks or combos. Renverse is specifically noted as working well for both situations.

Watch in awe.

Manon is a well-rounded character with quick, balletic kicks that let her dictate the flow of a match, and powerful judo throws that she can use to break through someone's guard once she's closed in. pic.twitter.com/ptdIHsDOMb

— Street Fighter (@StreetFighter) May 24, 2023

Prior to Manon, we saw a video featuring Dee Jay.

VTuber agency Hololive Production is holding auditions for its English speaking branch. Though the company hosts a permanent audition page, Hololive and its parent company Cover sent out the call again ahead of the first English concert, Connect the World. The English branch currently consists of Myth and Council, as well as the Vsinger unit Project: Hope. The male branch, Holostars English Tempus, consists of the Vanguard and HQ groups.

You can find the announcement tweet with links to the application form below.

[embed]https://twitter.com/hololivepro_EN/status/1661205381908164610?s=20[/embed]

The audition site lists the following general requirements:

• Age 18 or over at the time of auditioning
• Ability to fully commit to content creation and streaming/submitting content at least 3 times per week for an extended period of time
• English fluency
• Has clear goals and objectives as an entertainer
• Not currently affiliated with an entertainment agency/label or has the ability to terminate any affiliation if given the opportunity to debut
• Ability to comply with rules and regulations regarding the audition process

Additionally, extra consideration will be given to applicants with the following skills or traits:

Nintendo revealed more details about new weapons and a returning stage coming to Splatoon 3. These details mark the latest round of content updates about the upcoming Sizzle Season, which begins on June 1, 2023. The new stage is Humpback Pump Track and the weapons are the Annaki Splattershot Nova and Splatana Wiper Deco.

Humpback Pump Track first appeared in Splatoon 2 and is now returning for Splatoon 3. It’s based on a BMX track, with a prominent hump in the middle of the stage. It’s also full of uneven terrain, adding a greater challenge.

https://twitter.com/SplatoonNA/status/1661375890599686153

Two more new weapons for Splatoon 3 have been revealed. The Annaki Splattershot Nova is a variant on the Splattershot Nova giving it a sleek blue look. It comes equipped with an Ink Mine sub weapon and the Inkjet special. The Splatana Wiper Deco is a variant on the Splatana Wiper weapon. This version comes with a Squid Beakon sub weapon and a Tenta Missile special.

https://twitter.com/SplatoonNA/status/1661356625431609345

Ahead of the Genshin Impact Duel: The Summoners’ Summit event beginning on May 25, 2023, HoYoVerse explained how to take part and what it entails. The requirements to begin aren’t too taxing, and there is a quick start option if people didn’t complete every Archon Quest. People will be able to go through A Tour of Wonders, Zero Hour Invokation, Evermotion Mechanical Painting Invoker, and Heart of the Dice activities, then earn rewards like Primogems and the Ibis Piercer bow.

How to start the Genshin Impact Duel: The Summoners’ Summit event.

As usual, things start with an Adventure Rank requirement. You need to hit 32. You also need to have finished the Inazuma Archon Quest “Ritou Escape Plan” and the “Battlefield of Dice, Cats, and Cards” Mondstadt World Quest that unlocks Genius Invokation TCG. The latter is because the minigame features prominently in this storyline.

Other required quests include the Sumeru Archon Quest “Akasha Pulses, the Kalpa Flame Rises,” the first act of Mona’s Story Quest, and the second act of Raiden Shogun’s story quest. However, the quick start option allows people to skip these requirements so long as they already met the prior ones.

HoYoVerse often releases official wallpapers for its games via its free N0va Desktop PC and mobile application. Now, the first official Honkai: Star Rail live wallpaper is there. It is available for anyone with an applicable PC or Android device to use. Also, unlike some live wallpaper options in this application, it works on phones, PCs, and tablets. (Some only can be used on PCs.)

Here's how the Honkai: Star Rail live wallpaper, known as Interstellar Journey, looks in landscape and portrait formats. Each one pulls from the official art and shows Astral Express members Dan Heng, Himeko, March 7th, and Welt. Both the Caelus and Stelle versions of the Trailblazer avatar are also present.
[gallery columns="2" size="full" ids="964790,964787" link="file"]

While there wasn’t an official announcement about it, there are also two static Honkai: Star Rail wallpaper options that appeared alongside the Live one. If you switch to that section in the N0va Desktop app, you can choose between ones of Dan Heng and March 7th.

Here’s how those two look:
[gallery columns="1" size="full" ids="964789" link="file"]

Honkai: Star Rail is available on PCs and mobile devices. It will also come to the PS4 and PS5. N0va Desktop is available on PCs and mobile devices, but not all wallpapers are available for every platform.

The latest event in Fate/Grand Order, Fuun Karakuri Illya’s Castle, will add a new playable Servant, Kashin Koji. She is an SSR Assassin, and will remain available in the story gacha even after the event ends. Prizes for playing through Fuun Karakuri Illya's Castle include the usual enhancement materials and QP.

Fuun Karakuri Illya’s Castle starts with Sitonai hijacking the combat simulator to create a castle full of traps. Chaldea’s Master and Servants must clear the floors in order to escape. The Kashin Koji banner also features Danzo and Kotaro, who will be major supporting characters of the story. Other characters in the event story include the Prisma Illya trio, Merlin, and Jiang Ziya,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j848bD3AYS8

The latest Final Fantasy XI May 2023 update released. It is the second update for May, after producer Yoji Fujito stated the volume of content was larger than anticipated for a single update.

Final Fantasy XI's newest update brings The Voracious Resurgence story to an end after its three-year run. Completing this story chapter will enable players to reforge their Prime Weapon to stage three, but they will need a stage two Prime Weapon to continue the story. In addition, the update adds new items, new titles, and new enemy behavior when taking part in a Sortie.

The previous May update mostly focused on Ambuscade, switching the enemy encounters to Orcs. No other adjustments were made to this month’s Ambuscade, and Fujito encouraged players to dust off their old strategies. The update also contained new recipes and items, along with general maintenance updates and client environment adjustments.

Previously, Yoji Fujito had updated players on Final Fantasy XI’s upcoming roadmap. He stated they would be aiming for a “more realistic” roadmap that focuses on maintaining the game’s existing content. The 21st Vana’Versary Celebration Campaign is currently taking place as part of these plans, and will end on May 31, 2023.

Final Fantasy XI is available for Windows PCs, and the latest update released on May 24, 2023.

After about eleven years of radio silence, Shakugan no Shana will return. Kadokawa announced via its Dengeki Bunko Twitter account that a new volume for the series, with the working title of Shakugan no Shana SIV, will come out some time in 2023. [Thanks ANN!]

Miki Kazuma, an editor for Dengeki Bunko, teased the news in the early hours of May 23, 2023 by stating that there will be news that’ll move veteran Dengeki Bunko fans to tears. The news in  question, of course, is the announcement of Shakugan no Shana SIV. This will be the fourth short story collection following SIII. For reference, SIII came out in Japan on November 10, 2012. There’s not much concrete information beyond this, though.

In a Q&A segment on the official Square Enix Twitter account, Live A Live Producer Takashi Tokita remarked on the possibility of a Live A Live 2. He also answered questions about the influence of collaborating artists and if the Near Future chapter was inspired by mecha anime. He discussed what time periods the team would like to explore if a sequel happened too.

Here is Tokita's response to being asked about a potential Live a Live sequel:

If the Steam and Playstation Editions of the game can sell a million copies, then I would be very confident in proposing a Live A Live 2 to the company! So I need all of you guys help with that!

He also commented that he would like to collaborate with different kinds of creators from around the globe, rather than restricting collaborations to just manga artists.

You can view the segment below:
[embed]https://twitter.com/SquareEnix/status/1661356773733982210?s=20[/embed]

Tokita mentioned he feels that he would like to see a section set in the modern day of 2023. He remarked that since it has been 30 years since the development of the game, utilizing concepts like the internet or AI could lead to a fun sci-fi or near future feel in a potential Live A Live 2.

Live A Live is readily available on Steam, Nintendo Switch, PS4 and PS5. A demo is also available.

As part of the celebration of the release of the the upcoming Sailor Moon Cosmos movie, a popcorn bucket in the shape of Luna’s head and a drink cup holder inspired by the Eternal form costume of Sailor Moon will be available at select theaters in Japan. The items will be available from June 9, 2023, to coincide with the release of the first part of the Sailor Moon Cosmos movie. [Thanks, Comic Natalie!]

The Sailor Moon Cosmos Luna popcorn bucket also comes with a removable special strap. It includes the symbol of each Sailor Guardian on it. Meanwhile, the drink cup holder includes a motif based on the Sailor Moon Crystal design of the Eternal Moon Article. As these will be at theaters, people interested in one may need to turn to a proxy service and Yahoo! Japan Auctions or look to eBay.

As a reminder, there are several official short and long trailers for the upcoming Sailor Moon Cosmos movie duology, and one of the trailers includes the song “Tsuki no Hana,” performed by artist Daoko. A recent short trailer focuses on Sailor Mercury and Sailor Jupiter.