iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Essential Japan @essential-japan.com · 22/06/2025

High-end collectible manufacturer Prime 1 Studio revealed new information about its upcoming Priscilla S. Asagiri & Moto Slave statue from the classic TV anime series Bubblegum Crisis.

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Essential Japan @essential-japan.com · 22/06/2025

High-end collectible manufacturer Prime 1 Studio has revealed the best look yet at its upcoming 1/4 scale “Motoko Kusanagi VS Arachnida” statue from the enduring science fiction anime series, Ghost in the Shell.

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Essential Japan @essential-japan.com · 22/06/2025

Premium collectible manufacturer Prime 1 Studio has revealed a new 1/3 scale statue of Higgs from the game Death Stranding 2: On The Beach.

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Essential Japan @essential-japan.com · 22/06/2025

High-end collectible manufacturer Prime 1 Studio has unveiled a new 1/3 scale statue of Sam Porter Bridges from the game Death Stranding 2: On the Beach.

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Essential Japan @essential-japan.com · 20/06/2025

SEGA has confirmed that they will open their first official dedicated retail store in Japan in the very near future. A new teaser trailer has all but confirmed that the new store will be located in the busy Shibuya area of the city, with the store set to open this summer.

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Essential Japan @essential-japan.com · 20/06/2025

The final wave of life-size Eeveelutions plushies have officially gone on sale. Pokémon fans and collectors can now pre-order the life-size “lying down” plush versions of Leafeon, Glaceon, and Sylveon.

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Essential Japan @essential-japan.com · 17/06/2025

Anime fans will have a new stylish item to help with their daily routine this July, when a mirror based on the villains from the second arc of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure launches.

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Essential Japan @essential-japan.com · 17/06/2025

A new ayakashi themed Attack on Titan cafe will open in Tokyo and Osaka from July 1st. A themed menu and original goods will be on sale, based on a new original illustration featuring Eren as a nekomata, Levi as an oni, Hange as a kitsune, and Erwin as a tengu.

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Essential Japan @essential-japan.com · 17/06/2025

During its recent “NENDOROID FUNS” event, Good Smile Company revealed two new Nendoroid figures from the popular anime series KILL la KILL. The upcoming releases are Nendoroid Ryuko Matoi: Kamui Senketsu Ver. and Nendoroid Satsuki Kiryuin: Kamui Junketsu Ver.

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Essential Japan @essential-japan.com · 17/06/2025

Good Smile Company has confirmed the release of a Nendoroid figure for Kokichi Oma from the popular game Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony. The announcement was made during the company’s recent “NENDOROID FUNS” event, a dedicated platform for new Nendoroid product reveals.

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Essential Japan @essential-japan.com · 17/06/2025

Sanrio has announced that “My Melody & Kuromi” will begin streaming globally on Netflix next month.

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Essential Japan @essential-japan.com · 17/06/2025

Converse has revealed the designs and the release date for their second collaboration shoe collection with Chiikawa. The second collaboration introduces two new models, both designed to integrate the charm of Chiikawa and its friends into everyday footwear.

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Essential Japan @essential-japan.com · 17/06/2025

A new official Harry Potter flagship store in Harajuku is set to open this August. Situated directly connected to Meiji-jingumae Station along Omotesando, this will be Japan’s first flagship location for the Wizarding World retail experience.

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Essential Japan @essential-japan.com · 17/06/2025

To mark the 34th birthday of Sonic the Hedgehog, a special pop-up store is set to open at Tokyo Skytree's 'Tree Village Tokyo'. The store will have a wide array of new merchandise available featuring brand new illustrations created specifically to commemorate Sonic’s birthday.

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Essential Japan @essential-japan.com · 17/06/2025

Sanrio has announced a new collaboration between My Melody and Kuromi and prominent Japanese fashion retailer SPINNS. This new collection, based on the theme ‘Kawaii of the past is back!’, promises a fresh take on classic Y2K and nostalgic Gyaru fashion influences.

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Essential Japan @essential-japan.com · 17/06/2025

The Pokémon Company is set to release a new merchandise line, which is based on a unique Western style theme. The “Run Run! Desert” collection will feature Pikachu and Mudbray, depicting the duo’s desert adventures.

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Essential Japan @essential-japan.com · 17/06/2025

The English electronic edition of “GUNPLA WEATHERING TEXTBOOK,” a comprehensive guide to Gunpla painting techniques, is now available for purchase internationally.

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Essential Japan @essential-japan.com · 17/06/2025

Good Smile Company has announced a unique addition to its Nendoroid More line. “Nendoroid More Stone Statue Himmel”, based on the anime series Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, has been released, marking the first time a Nendoroid product has partially utilized polystone material.

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Essential Japan @essential-japan.com · 17/06/2025

A new crossover event between popular mobile game Monster Strike and the hit TV anime series The Apothecary Diaries has started. The collaboration will run for a limited time, bringing characters like Maomao and Jinshi into the game.

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Essential Japan @essential-japan.com · 17/06/2025

Kotobukiya has revealed new images and the release date of their model kit of the “Ghost Mech Coffins” from Kojima Productions’ upcoming game Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. The price of the kit, which was announced at Shizuoka Hobby Show back in May, has also been confirmed.

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Essential Japan @essential-japan.com · 17/06/2025

Pokémon Cafe has announced an exclusive new figure set that can only be obtained by making a booking at the cafe. The “PUTITTO Pokémon Collection Pokémon Cafe” mini figure set will only be available to order when placing a reservation at either the Tokyo or Osaka Pokémon Cafe.

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Essential Japan @essential-japan.com · 17/06/2025

JR Central has announced an upcoming collaboration with the latest Gundam anime series, Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX. This partnership is part of JR Central’s series of Gundam collaborations, celebrating both the Gundam franchise’s 45th anniversary and the Tokaido Shinkansen’s 60th anniversary.

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Essential Japan @essential-japan.com · 17/06/2025

A new collaboration has seen the creation of a premium craft gin based on the popular anime series Attack on Titan. “Attack on Titan Gin”, or Shingeki no KyoGIN, is a new premium craft gin that aims to embody the profound world of the popular anime and manga series.

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Essential Japan @essential-japan.com · 17/06/2025

Universal Studios Japan (USJ) is set to introduce a new and exciting collectible for Nintendo fans. Visitors will soon be able to purchase a “Bob-omb Popcorn Bucket”, a unique popcorn holder inspired by the iconic Bob-omb enemies from Nintendo’s Mario series.

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Essential Japan @essential-japan.com · 17/06/2025

The major sushi restaurant chain Kura Sushi has announced a collaboration campaign with Chiikawa. The “Chiikawa x Kura Sushi” collaboration promises a fun experience for fans, with prizes and gifts, special menu items, and original in-store animations.

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Essential Japan @essential-japan.com · 17/06/2025

Jewelry artisans KARATZ have announced a collaboration with Tokyo Ghoul to launch a special line of jewelry and merchandise. The collection, commemorating the anime’s 10th anniversary, features designs inspired by the Kagune Kaneki and Touka, alongside new original artwork.

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Essential Japan @essential-japan.com · 17/06/2025

Demon Slayer coffee is returning to convenience store shelves and vending machines across Japan after a 5 year absence. 32 different Demon Slayer designs will be available across canned coffee and water produced by Japanese drinks manufacturer DyDo.

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Essential Japan @essential-japan.com · 17/06/2025

Good Smile Company has unveiled the fully painted prototype for its upcoming Snow Miku figure, which features a collaboration with the Sanrio character Kuromi.

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Essential Japan @essential-japan.com · 17/06/2025

The broadcast date and platforms for the new season of cult classic anime Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt has been confirmed alongside the release of another trailer. It has also been confirmed that the anime will be available in both "censored" and "original" versions.

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Essential Japan @essential-japan.com · 05/06/2025

A new tag-team fighting game, MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls, has been announced as a collaborative effort between PlayStation Studios, Arc System Works (Arc), and Marvel Games. The anime style title promises a reimagined Marvel Universe experience.

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Essential Japan @essential-japan.com · 05/06/2025

Team Ninja has officially announced Nioh 3, the latest installment in its soulslike series set in Japan’s Sengoku period. The reveal took place during tonight’s PlayStation State of Play event, accompanied by the immediate release of a playable demo.

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Essential Japan @essential-japan.com · 05/06/2025

The long-standing rumors surrounding a remaster of Final Fantasy Tactics have been confirmed. Square Enix officially unveiled “Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles” during tonight’s State of Play event, with a release date set for September on both PS4 and PS5.

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Essential Japan @essential-japan.com · 02/06/2025

Protein brand “be LEGEND” is launching a special collaboration with the “Hidden Inventory / Premature Death” arc of Jujutsu Kaisen. Two new flavors of protein powder, each featuring Jujutsu Kaisen’s Satoru Gojo on the packaging, will be released as part of the collab.

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Essential Japan @essential-japan.com · 01/06/2025

An unconventional new creation will reimagine one of the most iconic transformations in anime as a functional item. Banpresto, a prize figure brand of BANDAI SPIRITS, has revealed the “HUNTER×HUNTER Fig Life! Gon – All Out Pen – Figure.”

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Essential Japan @essential-japan.com · 22/05/2025

Uniqlo appears to be preparing for a collaboration with the immensely popular Pokémon Trading Card Game, based on recently released teaser images. Fans are speculating that a direct collab with the Pokémon TCG will see new promo cards accompany the apparel range.

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Essential Japan @essential-japan.com · 21/05/2025

Popular eyewear brand Zoff has announced its first-ever collaboration with “The Quintessential Quintuplets”. The full lineup of the “Zoff x The Quintessential Quintuplets*” collection has been revealed, with the eyewear drawing inspiration from the Nakano sisters.

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Essential Japan @essential-japan.com · 19/05/2025

Popular retro-modern kimono brand Furifu has announced an exciting collaboration with the smash-hit anime series “Jujutsu Kaisen”. The initial lineup features yukata, a type of summer kimono, and obi (waist sash) sets inspired by four key characters.

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Essential Japan @essential-japan.com · 14/05/2025

A recent survey by the Japan Tourism Agency revealed that foreign tourists see the lack of public trash cans as the main inconvenience faced when visiting the country. In the survey, tourists also cited issues such as communication barriers and overcrowding at sightseeing spots.

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Essential Japan @essential-japan.com · 14/05/2025

Wendy’s Japan has announced the launch of a new line of four new burgers inspired by Wendy’s signature chili. The new burger series reimagines Wendy’s Chili, a long-standing and well loved menu item, as a flavorful burger sauce.

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Essential Japan @essential-japan.com · 14/05/2025

Kotobukiya has unveiled a new model kit based on the highly anticipated PlayStation 5 game “DEATH STRANDING 2: ON THE BEACH”. The model kit offers a detailed look at the game's 'Ghost Mech Coffins' ahead of its release on June 26th 2025.

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Essential Japan @essential-japan.com · 10/05/2025

Japanese fashion brand MAYLA has announced a collaboration with the iconic anime series DEATH NOTE. The first items to be released in the new collab will be a set of 6 gothic style rings that each incorporate a different element of the series into their design.

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Essential Japan @essential-japan.com · 08/05/2025

FamilyMart, one of Japan’s leading convenience store chains, has announced the exclusive pre-order launch of three new “Original Tamagotchi” designs. The three exclusive designs incorporate elements of daily life in Japan and convenience store staples.

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Essential Japan @essential-japan.com · 08/05/2025

The first prizes for a new “Ichiban Kuji” prize lottery based on the Reze arc of Chainsaw Man have been revealed. This “no-lose” lottery promises fans the chance to win both figures, as well as a range of other prizes.

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Essential Japan @essential-japan.com · 07/05/2025

A man has been arrested after a stabbing on a Tokyo Metro train on Wednesday evening. Two people were injured in the attack, which occurred whilst the train was stationary at Todaimae Station on the Namboku Line.

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Essential Japan @essential-japan.com · 07/05/2025

Hit anime series 'Bocchi the Rock!' will team up with CONVERSE TOKYO to release a huge new apparel and accessory collection. T-shirts, jackets, bracelets and even vinyl figures will all be part of the drop this June.

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Essential Japan @essential-japan.com · 07/05/2025

Uniqlo is bringing back fan-favorite designs from two previous collections based on legendary anime series' "Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex” and “Evangelion.” A total of 4 designs will be available, with each shirt being updated with new materials and silhouettes.

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Essential Japan @essential-japan.com · 07/05/2025

A 30 year old Brazilian woman has been found dead close to Narita Airport, days after expressing her desire to move to Japan to family members due to how safe she felt in the country. Police have arrested a 31 year unemployed Sri Lankan man in connection with the murder.

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Essential Japan @essential-japan.com · 04/05/2025

BANDAI SPIRITS has revealed which Gundam will be the debut figure in a brand new super-sized prize figure range dedicated to robots. The new Banpresto “Genkai Toppa” series' first entry will be the gMS-Ω GQuuuuuuX, from Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX.

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Essential Japan @essential-japan.com · 04/05/2025

Good Smile Company has opened pre-orders for a new Nendoroid of Houshou Marine that features the VTuber wearing office style attire. The figure comes with three interchangeable face plates and will release in September 2025.

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Essential Japan @essential-japan.com · 04/05/2025

COSPA, a Japanese brand specializing in character goods, will be releasing a new Naruto themed shirt this summer. Anime fans will be able to keep cool with the new ‘Naruto Shippuden: Akatsuki Aloha Shirt’, based on the iconic villain group from the series.

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