‘Naruto’ soundtracks to get first digital release outside Japan this week

Monster Hunter Rise took the highest honour at the Japan Game Awards, taking home the Grand Award at the 2021 awards on October 3.The annually held awards, organised by Japan’s Computer Entertainment Supplier’s Association and partially voted for by the public, took place during Tokyo Game Show 2021.In a statement, CESA said of Monster Hunter Rise: “The game has successfully met the expectations of series fans who had been waiting for its release with a new and exciting hunting experience.

The Pokémon Company, with a “uniquely Pokémon experience” set to arrive at the theme park in 2022.Today (October 6), a press release has revealed that Universal Studios Japan will “immerse guests into the world of Pokémon with innovative technology” from 2022.Speaking on the partnership, Tsunekazu Ishihara – president and CEO at The Pokémon Company – described an upcoming “uniquely Pokémon experience” and stated the following:“This strategic alliance with Universal Studios Japan reflects our

Square Enix has announced that Dragon Quest X: Rise Of The Five Tribes will get an offline version which will release next year, though only in Japan.Dragon Quest X: Rise Of The Five Tribes Offline will release on February 26 2022, and will be available on PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam, but only for players in Japan.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefAmazon’s Prime Video platform leads the large and competitive Japanese market for premium video streaming, according to a new study from research firm Media Partners Asia.The company’s “Japan Online Video Consumer Insights & Analytics” report shows that premium video platforms captured 13% of total video streaming minutes in Japan between January and August 2021.Led by Amazon Prime Video, eight platforms had an aggregate 87% share of premium video streaming

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefIn its efforts to broaden the range of activities and programming, the Busan International Film Festival has opened its doors to domination by Korean TV and streaming content.The third edition of its Asia Contents Awards see Korean shows “Move To Heaven,” “Sweet Home,” and “Vincenzo” head the nominations list.Netflix, which has become a major force in Korean content, also picks up multiple nomination for Japanese series “Alice in Borderland.” Chinese content

Sega Mega Drive games launching on the Nintendo Switch Online service will come with the option of using new wireless Switch-compatible Mega Drive controllers.The controllers will be released at the same time as the games launch, however, it appears that the type of controller available will vary between regions.As shown in the Japanese stream of the Nintendo Direct last night (September 23, albeit on September 24 in Japan’s time), the six-button variant of the Mega Drive controller is shown,

Nintendo Switch OLED unboxing video has appeared online, complete with a brief glimpse of some gameplay footage.Japanese YouTuber HikakinTV, who has over 10.2 million subscribers, has been lucky enough to get his hands on the new Nintendo Switch OLED console despite not being available until October 8.Obviously, it’s worthy of its very own unboxing video, with the YouTuber showing off everything the console has to offer – including a look at how some classic Switch games perform on the new OLED

TOKYO -- A library devoted to Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami's writings, scrapbooks and record collection opens next week in Tokyo as a spot for literary research, cultural exchange and a gathering spot for his fans.The Haruki Murakami library, which opens Oct.

While the Delta variant’s dominance in the United States is nearly universal, news of another spreading strain of Covid-19 has recently surfaced.

NICOSIA, Cyprus -- Cyprus' Orthodox Church formally took charge Thursday of two ornately decorated 18th century doors stolen from a church in the ethnically divided island's breakaway north and reclaimed from a Japanese art college after a long legal battle.Communications and Works Minister Yiannis Karousos said the wooden doors — painted with religious scenes, carved and gilded — were discovered at the Kanazawa Art College more than 20 years ago and their return followed “long and intensive

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefKakao Entertainment, part of South Korean internet giant Kakao Corp., is poised to buy leading Korean film production company Zip Cinema from its Singaporean owner Spackman Entertainment. The deal is valued at S$19.8 million ($14.8 million).Zip Cinema is producer of “Broker,” the Korean-language debut of Japanese Palme d’or winner Kore-eda Hirokazu (“Shoplifters”), which is now in post-production and being sold by CJ Entertainment.

SEVENTEEN member Jeonghan has surprised fans with the surprise release of a brand-new solo song titled ‘Dream’.The digital single was written and composed by the K-pop idol, and is also his first-ever solo release since he made his debut with SEVENTEEN in 2015.

MONSTA X have returned with a music video for their brand-new English-language single titled ‘One Day’, and the K-pop boyband recently sat down with NME over video call to tell us more about it.The six-member group – comprising Shownu, Minhyuk, Kihyun, Hyungwon, Joohoney and I.M – have been hard at work putting out new releases over the past few months.