After 20 years, the manga version of “Skies of Arcadia” will be published electronically in 2022 only in Japan

Today, October 5th 2021, marks the 21st anniversary of Skies of Arcadia (aka Eternal Arcadia) in Japan and former Map Designer of the game, Kenji Hiruta, made an announcement that the Skies of Arcadia manga will be published electronically in 2022 only in Japan.

The short-lived serialization was a tie-in to the video game of the same name released in 2000. Illustrated by the game’s concept artist, HOSHI Itsuki, and written by the game’s official story consultant, FUJIMOTO Junya, it was briefly published in Gekkan Magazine Z, and was never collected in tankoubon format.

With the support from fans and Kenji Hiruta long journey in negotiating with SEGA and the publisher along with finding the mysterious person who was involved with the serialization, a tremendous miracle was achieved.

You can read his entire blog post on the process on how Kenji Hiruta was able to get the manga version of Skies of Arcadia published here. Fingers crossed if he can get the English version published for the western audience.

 

Shin Sakura Taisen the Comic Vol. 1 and the Novel to be released in Japan this Winter

The official Sakura Taisen website announced that the first volume of Shin Sakura Taisen the Comic, authored by Kouri Noguchi, will be released by Shueisha in Japan on December 19, 2019 on Thursday for 600 yen along with the Novel set for release on the same day for 1,000 yen.

Shin Sakura Taisen the Novel will be written by Ayumi Muyoshi and will set as a prequel to the game where Sumire Kanzaki, retired member of the old Flower Division now commander, is reconstructing the new Flower Division by recruiting new members and Sakura Amamiya first encounter with the team.

If you are a fan of the Sakura Taisen series since the beginning, these books would be great collector items to import as soon as they hit online stores. Fingers crossed for the comic and novel to be licensed over here in the west as soon as Project Sakura Wars releases next year in Spring 2020 for Playstation 4.

Initial D Arcade Stage Zero shows off Toyota AE86 gameplay

SEGA has posted a new Initial D Arcade Stage Zero trailer showing off gameplay using the iconic Toyota AE86 car. The cool thing about the Initial D Arcade Stage Zero gameplay trailer is that they also show the player shifting, pumping the gas, slamming the breaks, and turning the steering wheel as you see how it effects the game. The trailer is also pretty long, showing a full race including a in-game track that features some very Japanese ‘Engrish’ vocals. Outside of that, Initial D Arcade Stage Zero is sporting some non-spectacular graphics, but I don’t think that’s the selling point with this game. Did I mention that the drifting looks fun? Because it does.

This isn’t the only trailer Initial D Arcade Stage Zero got, SEGA Japan released two at the same time. The second trailer is rather shorter clocking in at just under a minute and a half. This Initial D Arcade Stage Zero trailer highlights its versus mode, car customization, arcade cabinet, gear shift, and much more. For fans of the series, this game is exclusive to arcades with no plans of it coming to consoles. Yeah, its a bit sad. If you wanna see the second trailer hit the jump.

SEGA announces A Certain Magical Index / Virtual-On crossover game

SEGA has announced A Certain Magical Index / Virtual-On crossover game, which is coming in 2018 on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita. The game is being based on the 2016 light novel ‘Toaru Majutsu no Virtual-On’  which was a novel having both franchises crossing over and was created to celebrate Virtual-On‘s 20th Anniversary.  It seems that SEGA loved the idea so much, that they needed to create a full blown game based on the light novel. We don’t know if the actual game will use the light novel’s story, which seems to be highly possible.

Here is the summary for the ‘Toaru Majutsu no Virtual-On, which seems to be pretty basic in terms of story.  As for what the game will be and how it will play, SEGA has been conservative on those details. If this is just a Virtual-On game with A Certain Magical Index characters playing as the Virtuaroids, I’ll be OK with that. The last Virtual-On game released was ‘Cyber Troopers Virtual-On Force‘ back in 2010 on Xbox 360. You can watch the A Certain Magical Index / Virtual-On crossover game trailer above.

What are your thoughts on A Certain Magical Index / Virtual-On crossover game? Do you like the idea of SEGA using in-house properties to relaunch franchises?

Dengeki Bunko: Fighting Climax Ignition location test gameplay hits online

While we are getting closer to the American release of Dengeki Bunko: Fighting Climax, there is already a ‘expanded’ version of the game being tested for release in Japan. While some people are calling it a ‘sequel’, to me it seems like a update to the game, sort of how Street Fighter II was updated to Street Fighter II Turbo: Hyper Fighting a year after release.

The video clip above shows off new characters Quenser Barbotage (from Heavy Object) and Emi Yusa (from The Devil is a Part-Timer). Fighting Climax Ignition is set for arcades this summer in Japan, while the first game is coming to Playstation 3 and Vita in America on August 25th.

What do you guys think of this game? Will this updated release effect your purchase in August?

First chapter of the Persona Q manga up on Crunchyroll

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So for those who don’t want to play an 80-hour RPG to see the story of Persona Q, or if you just like manga based on video games, there’s a pretty decent way to get through the story now. If you happen to have a Crunchyroll premium subscription, you can now read the first chapter of the official manga on there.

This manga follows the story from the perspective of the Persona 4 characters. There’s not much different from the game aside from the conversations obviously being a lot shorter and cut down. Following chapters will be released whenever they come out in Japan. Also, I wouldn’t recommend reading it if you haven’t played Persona 4 yet, as it takes place midway through that game’s events.

Phantasy Star Online 2 collaborating with slice of life anime YuruYuri

YuriPSO2Phantasy Star Online 2 in Japan is going collaboration crazy, this time announcing a collaboration with the slice of life comedy anime/manga YuruYuri.

The collaboration will feature four of the main characters: Akari, Kyoko, Yui and Chinastu. Also announced to be featured in the game is the series’ heroine, Majokko Miakurun. The collaboration will also have a bunch of exclusive costumes to collect.  You can check some of the items in the image below.

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The update is set to go live the second half of November. As for the West, SEGA has been silent about Phantasy Star Online 2 release date. Here is hoping they stop pretending a 2 year plus wait since it was announced at PAX is reasonable.

Atlus to localize Attack on Titan 3DS game

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Atlus USA is looking into localizing Attack on Titan: The Last Wings of Mankind for the Nintendo 3DS, based on the popular manga/anime. All we know is that Atlus is bringing it to Australia thanks to the Australian Classification Board.

The Japanese publisher Spike Chunsoft has said that they will be re-releasing an enhanced version in Japan this December, this version would include online multiplayer. Since the listings for the Australian version does mention ‘online interactivity’, its safe to say that they are going to be releasing the enhanced version.

Seeing as how Atlus will need to translate the game to release it in Australia, don’t be shocked if a American and European release date are announced as well.

Dynamite Deka gets light novel treatment titled “Dynamite Deka: Burning 2020”


You all may remember Die Hard Arcade released in the arcade in 1996, which was originally titled Dynamite Deka in Japan and it’s sequel Dynamite Cop, developed by Golden Axe and Altered Beast creator, Makoto Uchida.

Announced a couple of weeks ago, Dynamite Deka will be returning in light novel form starring the main character Bruno Dillenger aka “Mr. Dynamite” retired from taking numerous cases and is on vacation in Tokyo, Japan as tourist in the year 2020 to later face a new threat. Tatsuro Iwamoto, a freelance illustrator who has worked on Capcom’s Ace Attorney series as art director, will be in charge of the illustration of the novel.

He has aged quite a bit since his last appearance but he still carries his signature items such as the broom and pepper to take down his enemies with. The book is now available in Japan for 760 yen plus tax and to purchase on Sakuranomori Books website here.

For more information on the story summary and pictures. Be sure to hit the jump without making an explosion!

SEGA to start location testing for Initial D7 next month

SEGA is getting set to start testing their long time racing series Initial D, this one titled Initial D Arcade Stage 7 AA X. Some people think this is a SEGA franchise but it is actually a licensed game based on the manga by Shuichi Shigeno.
Even though some of the titles in the franchise have made it over to America, I wouldn’t hold my breath for this one only because of all the cut backs at SEGA. But if you live in Japan you will be able to test the game next month in select locations. The Japanese game page for the title does give details on new things including a new tag mode, revival courses from Initial D Arcade Stage Ver. 3, a new boost and more.

Yakuza PSP getting a TV Show and Manga

SEGA will be airing a 11 part TV show adaptation of its Yakuza PSP game and will have the same name as the game, “Black Panther: New Yakuza Chapter.” The show will air after K-On, a anime that SEGA is turning into a PSP game.

The show will begin airing on October 5th and after its run it will be available on the Playstation Network to rent. Most likely Japan only.

If that was not enough there will also be a Manga adaptation drawn by Yukai Asada. SEGA calls the Manga “Kurohyou,” on their press release. The series will start being serialized on September 18th via Weekly Young Magazine (Issue 42).

[Source: AndriaSang]

Valkyria Chronicles 2 manga coming this Friday


Seems that SEGA’s Valkyria Chronicles 2 will get a ‘side story’ manga in Japan. The first issue hits store shelves this Friday, the 28th. Seems that SEGA Japan is not done promoting Valkyia Chronicles 2 over there, after it released this last Fall. This is how you support a game.

Seems that the manga will be called “Valkyria Chronicles 2: Our Only Days”, sounds catchy to me. Wonder if SEGA West will be releasing it here? Doubt it.

[Source: Game’s Official website]