VIZ Media has partnered with The Gotham Group to develop new film and television projects based on VIZ-owned properties, with the RWBY franchise and VIZ Originals graphic novel line at the center of the agreement. Gotham will identify and package potential projects from VIZ’s library, although no specific adaptations, formats, casts, studios, or release dates have been announced.


The partnership gives VIZ another path to expand RWBY after acquiring the franchise in 2024 following the closure of Rooster Teeth. RWBY Volume 10 is already in production, while the property has previously expanded beyond its original animated series through manga, novels, games, RWBY: Ice Queendom, and two Justice League x RWBY animated films.


The Gotham Group brings experience adapting young-adult and genre properties, with credits including Percy Jackson and the Olympians, The Maze Runner films, and The Search for WondLa. VIZ Originals titles are also eligible for development under the deal, potentially bringing some of the publisher’s creator-driven graphic novels to film or television for the first time.

Teki Yatsuda has completed and submitted the final chapter of the sci-fi manga Myther, bringing the series close to its conclusion. Yatsuda reported submitting the manuscript on August 4, although a publication date for the final chapter has not yet been announced.


Myther is set in a near-future Japan shaped by an AI-powered neural device that promises to help users create ideal versions of themselves. The story follows Kyo, an agent investigating a series of violent deaths connected to the technology. Yatsuda is also known for The Yakuza’s Bias.


English-language readers will soon have their first official release of the series. Kodansha announced Myther as part of its Spring 2027 licensing slate, and distributor listings currently place the first English paperback volume on January 19, 2027. The conclusion in Japan means Kodansha will be localizing a series whose complete story is now nearing publication.

Learn more about Myther here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VVZNZiym0o

Industrial and mechanical designer Katsushi Murakami died on July 20 at the age of 83. Murakami joined Bandai in 1961 and later became a key figure at Popy, where his work helped bridge television character design and mass-produced toys during the rise of Japan’s robot and tokusatsu merchandising industry.


Among his most influential achievements was the original Chogokin Mazinger Z toy, released in 1974. Murakami helped develop the die-cast concept around a combination of detailed styling, substantial weight and play features, establishing an approach that became closely associated with Japanese robot toys. He later contributed mechanical and merchandising designs to numerous productions, including Tetsujin 28-go, God Mars, Golion, Battle Fever J and Kamen Rider Black.


Murakami’s work extended beyond adapting existing designs for merchandise; he also participated directly in planning productions such as Brave Raideen, helping coordinate how on-screen machines could translate into functional toys. His career helped shape the relationship between anime, tokusatsu and character merchandising that remains central to Japan’s entertainment industry.

Romelia War Chronicle will premiere in Japan this October and run for two cours. Crunchyroll will stream the fantasy series in North America, Central and South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East and CIS, giving the adaptation a broad international release alongside its Japanese broadcast.


A new trailer also introduces four additional cast members: Shoya Chiba as Gran, Gakuto Kajiwara as Ragn, Shun Horie as Kyle and Ryunosuke Watanuki as Otto. They join Yuna Nemoto as Romelia von Graham, Jin Ogasawara as Al and Tomohiro Ono as Ray.


The anime adapts Ryo Ariyama’s light novel series about a noblewoman cast aside after helping defeat the Demon King, only to begin organizing an army of her own as threats remain across the kingdom. Hiroshi Shirai directs at studio Atra, with Aya Satsuki handling series composition. An exact October premiere date has not yet been announced.

Watch the trailer here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8G3_ZYNC-I

Crayon Shin-chan the Movie: Super Strange! My Yōkai Monster Vacation debuted at No. 3 at the Japanese box office after opening on July 31. The film is the 33rd theatrical entry in the long-running franchise and follows the Nohara family on a trip to Akita that leads them into a supernatural adventure involving a world of yōkai.


Its opening placed the film among several major summer releases. Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of Mermaid Island slipped to No. 2 in its second weekend after topping the chart on debut, while the fifth live-action Kingdom film fell to No. 5. The ranking gives Crayon Shin-chan another strong theatrical showing in a crowded period for family-oriented and franchise films.


The new Crayon Shin-chan film is directed by Masaki Watanabe from a screenplay by Yoshiko Nakamura, with Toho distributing the film in Japan. No international theatrical or streaming release plans have been announced.