FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL 2026 has announced its second wave of artists, adding 13 acts including Sakanaction frontman Ichiro Yamaguchi, Denki Groove's Takkyu Ishino, Thurston Moore, and Geordie Greep. Full day-by-day lineup, ticket guide, and everything international fans need to know about attending Japan's biggest outdoor music festival at Naeba Ski Resort.
Toei announced THE KAMENRIDER ANIMATED, a new anime film label, at Kamen Rider's 55th anniversary event. The first project is a fully original CG anime co-produced by Aniplex and Shirogumi, aimed at worldwide audiences including people who have never watched the franchise. Here is what the numbers behind the move look like.
Ado has been announced as the final headliner for SUMMER SONIC 2026, joining The Strokes and L'Arc-en-Ciel. This marks the first time in the festival's 25-year history that two Japanese acts have been selected as headliners. The organizer revealed behind-the-scenes details about a rapper originally planned for the slot whose deal fell through. BE:FIRST, MAZZEL, and Aina The End are also confirmed for the three-day event in Tokyo and Osaka this August.
Nintendo and The Pokémon Company's US patent for a 'sub-character summoning and battle system' has been rejected by the USPTO after a rare director-ordered reexamination. All 26 claims were denied based on prior art from Konami and Bandai Namco. Analysis of implications for the Palworld lawsuit and the gaming industry.
Ampere Analysis reports third-party game revenue on Nintendo platforms hit $2.3 billion, a 76%% year-over-year jump, despite a 2.5%% drop in unit sales. The driver is an 81%% increase in average selling prices as AAA titles arrive on Switch 2. Here's what it means for the gaming industry.
The Persona series turned 30 in 2026 with over 30 million copies sold. From niche cult RPG to global phenomenon, we trace Atlus's survival strategy, the Persona 3 turning point, Persona 5's worldwide breakout and Metaphor: ReFantazio's success, then look at the 30th anniversary campaign and the Persona 6 reveal at the Xbox Games Showcase.
Japanese guitarist Masayoshi Takanaka, 73, is having an extraordinary global breakthrough: over 90%% of his streaming audience is overseas, mostly listeners in their teens and twenties. From sold-out LA shows to a 2026 world tour with $697 resale tickets, here's how a city pop and J-fusion pioneer became one of America's hottest concert tickets.
Japanese esports powerhouse REJECT has signed an MOU with RTS Management, operator of the world's largest fighting game tournament EVO. The partnership targets event co-creation, player development, and content collaboration. Plus: CAG OSAKA's SFL withdrawal, EVO Japan 2026, and more.
Japan's Anime!Anime! reader poll crowns the best of Winter 2026: Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 and Frieren Season 2 share #1, with Tamon's B-Side at #3, Medalist Season 2 at #4, and Oshi no Ko Season 3 at #5. We compare Japanese and international rankings and break down where to stream each title.
Stellar Blade and NIKKE developer SHIFT UP has fully acquired UNBOUND, the new studio led by Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami. With both studios developing original AAA games for global audiences, we explore Mikami's career journey, the strategic partnership with Hyung-Tae Kim, and what this mega-deal means for the future of gaming.
The Japanese government's JAPAN SUI COLLECTION project made its European debut in Paris in March 2026, showcasing Living National Treasure lacquerwork, Sendai Tansu cabinets, and a Junko Koshino fashion show at Le Royal Monceau. Here's how 'Sui', Japan's philosophy of refined elegance, captivated 200 European leaders.
