Saito teases that we’ll be hearing news about Yoko’s new game soon!

Game kaiwai idobata kaigi: Gaming Neighborhood Idle Gossip

In the latest edition of the V Jump / Famitsu “idobata kaigi, Saito Yosuke, Yoko Taro, and Taura Takahisa all joined others to discuss various topics about the gaming industry. They talked a little bit about Dragon Quest XI, Taura tried to plug his new game Astral Chains, which will be coming out next Friday, August 30th, and two girls from Saito’s idol group GEMSCOMPANY also appeared off camera.

Not too much of any concern was discussed as usual, but during the last couple minutes of the Premium portion of the broadcast (they always have two segments, one that regular free and Premium members can view, and another for Premium members only), Saito suddenly brought up the topic of Yoko’s new game (paraphrased):

Saito:
“So, what’s your new game all about?”

Yoko:
“Uh, it’s not really for me to say…”

Saito:
“Well, I think you can talk a little about it the next time we do this.”

Just to be clear, we’ve known that Yoko’s been working on a new game besides FFXIV for roughly two years, so this isn’t any shocking news. What’s exciting about this is that it seems like they’re getting ready to announce it soon.

If this was you’re first time hearing of a new Yoko Taro game, be sure to read here:


Whether Saito meant the next V Jump / Famitsu idobata kaigi or perhaps we should expect something to be announced at this year’s TGS, which is just a couple weeks away, is currently unknown. He could have been merely teasing when he suggested it be announced on the next idobata kaigi. I find it highly unlikely that this will be the case, but it’s not unrealistic to think that Yoko won’t discuss the new title on the program; just that it won’t be the where the initial announcement is made.

Whatever he meant, it’s clear that we should be hearing word about Yoko’s new game soon!


And it seems as though Hanana Mio (No21 from the YoRHa Ver.1.2 Musical) was also present during the livestream… which is very curious. There was a segment of the broadcast where they were mentioning her name but for whatever reason couldn’t actually say her name. The whole chat, however, was flooded with people writing her name, so it was pretty obvious who they were talking about.

I’m not exactly sure why she would be present for this event… As far as I’m aware, she has nothing to do with Platinum Games or Taura’s Astral Chain directorial debut for the Nintendo Switch, so it makes me think that there’s something going on behind the scenes that they haven’t let drop yet.

YoRHa Ver.1.3a on NicoNico Douga – Ending Today!

The two recordings of the YoRHa Ver.1.3a stage play on NicoNico Douga will be ending later today at 11:59pm! If you haven’t seen the play yet, this is your last chance until a later date when it will [more than likely] be released on Blu-ray!

To view this livestream, you can purchase “net tickets” through NicoNico here. Tickets will be available until July 31 at 11:59pm (JST). So, even though the broadcast has finished, you can still purchase tickets and watch the show!

  • Both Shows: 4,000 points
  • One Select Show: 2,500 points

If you’ve never used NicoNico Douga before but still want to try and see these live broadcasts, please refer to this tutorial that I made several years ago just for you!

How to Purchase Tickets on NicoNico Douga

YoRHa Ver.1.3a Merch – Dates & Times

Here’s a look at all the merch that will be available at the up-coming plays in both Tokyo and Osaka. The YoRHa Ver.1.2 Musical & YoRHa Boys Stage Play Blu-ray combination set ought to be available here as well!

Assorted items available at the shows in Tokyo & Osaka. [ Source ]
  • Pamphlet: 3,500 yen
  • Script: 1,500 yen
  • 3 Bromide (KG) Set: 1,000 yen
  • Random Bromide (2L): 500 yen
  • A3 Clear Poster, 2-piece Set: 4,000 yen
  • Postcard, 3-piece Set: 500 yen
  • Clear File, 2-piece Set: 1,000 yen
  • Replica Goggles: 3,000 yen
  • Tag Keychain: 2,000 yen
  • Eco Bag: 2,000 yen
  • Short-sleeved Parka: 4,500 yen
  • Photobook (160 pages): 5,000 yen

The official YoRHa Stage twitter account has let us know the dates and times when merch will be available! Please note that merch will be available the day before the play opens to the general public on Thursday, July 4th.

TOKYO

  • Wednesday, July 3 – 12:00pm-9:00pm
  • Thursday, July 4 – 12:00pm-9:00pm
  • Friday, July 5 – 12:00pm-9:00pm
  • Saturday, July 6 – 12:00pm-9:00pm
  • Sunday, July 7 – 12:00pm-5:00pm

OSAKA

  • Thursday, July 11 – 12:00pm-9:00pm
  • Friday, July 12 – 12:00pm-9:00pm
  • Saturday, July 13 – 12:00pm-9:00pm
  • Sunday, July 14 – 12:00pm-5:00pm

YoRHa Ver.1.3a Character Key Visuals

The official YoRHa Stage twitter account has been adding several character based key visuals recently and will likely post more in the coming days until the opening of the show next week, so should any additional images be posted, I will edit this post to add them to this singular post.

Some of the cast members have posted the full body photographs that were used in these key visuals. Check them out below!


The YoRHa Ver.1.3a stage play will have their dress rehearsal on Wednesday, July 3rd, followed by opening day on Thursday, July 4th in Tokyo. Please stay tuned for my report from the dress rehearsal!


Related Links:

Square Enix to Announce More of Their Manga Coming to the West!

On the official Anime Expo website, Square Enix (SQEX) will be announcing their plans to release more of their manga outside of Japan!

There’s a new manga publisher in town! You may know SQUARE ENIX as one of the world’s top game companies, but in Japan, we’re also one of the top comic and book publishers. At AX this year, we’re announcing our brand-new English-language imprint, with an exciting Final Fantasy XV novel, a new edition of Soul Eater, Hi Score Girl—the manga that became an anime on Netflix, and more SECRET titles. Get ready: The manga world is about to change forever!

SQUARE ENIX Announcements Panel
Friday, July 05, 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Live Programming 4 – LACC 411

Perhaps you remember that it was at Anime Expo 2017 that YenPress announced that they were picking up Yoko Taro’s manga “Kimi Shi ni Tamou Koto Nakare / Thou Shalt Not Die”, but they have failed to follow up on any news regarding this since then.

See Also: Localization Status of Yoko Taro’s manga “Thou Shalt Not Die”

Could it be that SQEX has since rescinded the localization rights for Thou Shalt Not Die from YenPress in order to release it themselves? Especially given the poor treatment they’ve received by other publishers?

It may also be important to note that SQEX’s “Manga UP!” smartphone application makes it easy to find, purchase, and read digital copies of their manga, often presenting the first chapter free to read. This could be a cheap and relatively easy way for SQEX to release more of their manga in the West on this platform.

There are currently three series of Yoko Taro’s manga available on the application:

  • Thou Shalt Not Die
  • SINoALICE
  • Drag-on Dragoon 3 – Shi ni Itaru Aka