Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road delayed to November 13.

(sighs) I was really hoping I was done with this. Just coming off house-sitting ahead of seeing my father and the next round of dentistry. City the Animation and New Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt just started; as did the next course of Sakamoto Days. I even had myself all hyped for the next Pokémon Presents (hoping for more Legends Z-A footage and dates for Colosseum/Gale of Darkness on Gamecube Classics); but leave it to Level-5 to pull out one more yellow card.

That's right- with just under a month left to release, Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road has been pushed from August 21 to November 13. Here is a statement from Level-5 on the matter.

“Due to the content volume exceeding our initial expectations, additional time is required for voice recording, multi-language localization, and other related processes. As we work toward the final stages of development, we have decided to adjust the release date to ensure the best possible quality. The release date of Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road has been changed from August 21, 2025, to November 13, 2025 (GMT)]. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused to all the fans who have been eagerly waiting for a long time, and truly appreciate your understanding and continued support.”

As you can imagine, this news once again fills me with mixed feelings. On one hand, this last delay can help the game avoid an uncharacteristically crowded launch month (including Gears Reloaded, Snake Eater Delta, Mafia the Old Country, Kirby and the Forgotten Land on Switch 2, and my primary target, Shinobi Art of Vengeance). On the other, this sends the game directly into an even more crowded fall window (including Ghost of Yotei, Ninja Gaiden 4, Digimon Story: Time Stranger, Outer Worlds 2, the HD2D remakes of the first two Dragon Quest games and especially Pokémon Legends Z-A). 

I'm not the only person who's invoked comparisons to Duke Nukem Forever or Beyond Good and Evil 2; and it's admittedly not hard to be concerned. Here's hoping that this last quarter of a year can put the last coat of polish on this game, so don't unlace your cleats just yet. Might not be a huge fan; but even I want this game to succeed amid all the setbacks and delays, just like Fantasy Life did. That's all for now, take care.

PS: Go see the new Superman, it really is that good.

Pokémon Legends Z-A Countdown- 90 Days Remaining

Hey everyone- with 90 days remaining to the release of Pokémon Legends Z-A; I thought I would expand upon points I have mentioned ahead of next week's Pokémon Presents livestream; and correct a few misconceptions I keep seeing.

Courtesy: Nintendo/The Pokémon Company/Game Freak

First off, this game isn't a spinoff- it is canon to the main games; as shown with the presence of characters and mechanics from previous titles. This is also the case with Legends Arceus. I also don't think the size of the map will be a problem, as I've played titles with similarly-sized ones before. Lastly, I do not see the similarities to Xenoblade as someone who isn't a fan of that franchise. Honestly reminded way more of SMT/Persona, which is a very good thing.

Now, let's expand on ideas that I've been wanting to for a while. I am curious to see what role Quasartico plays, especially if there are ulterior motives in their "urban redevelopment plan." Having said motives for urban development and profiting off it is certainly not a stretch these days. The presence of characters and ideas from X and Y does tell me those games are still canon.

Gameplay-wise, I am still eager to see how the real-time combat system fares. Given how this is a first-party Nintendo title with all that comes with it; it will indeed be the ideal game to send off this era of the franchise. Some are claiming this is a "make or break" moment, and I would respond "is it though?" Even with the launch kerfuffle, the Switch 2 will be cementing the redemption arc for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. I keep hearing this game was going to be out a year ago, before the SV launch and all its fixes. So, it was likely an internal delay.

That will be all for now, and I will see you after the Pokémon Presents next week. Take care, and seek out all Pokémon.

James Carter Carthcart Dies at age 71.

This is not the update I originally intended, but it must be addressed. It is with great sadness I report the death of James Carter Carthcart; who has succumbed to throat cancer at age 71. The news was broken by his family on his social feeds. His illness was the key factor in his retirement, but the news nonetheless comes as a shock.

James had a long career, which included voice director, script adaptor and pianist. His best known voice acting role was Gary Oak in the Pokémon franchise; with him being the only actor to keep the role throughout the show's original 25-year run. He also took over voicing for Professor Samuel Oak, James and Meowth from Battle Frontier onward; alongside a host of supporting characters.

As a longtime fan of the man and his work, I wish the best for James' family; friends and colleagues at this difficult time. May he rest in peace.

Cyberpunk Edgerunners to Receive Sequel Anime and Prequel Manga.

Hey fellas- going to be mainly working on writing bigger projects I've been working on a while this month; so here's a quick update on something I'm looking forward to.

As revealed at this year's Anime Expo, the highly-acclaimed hit anime Cyberpunk Edgerunners will receive more content due out next year- both a sequel anime that directly links its events to the source material of the games and a prequel manga centered around fan-favorite character Rebecca. As a big fan of Edgerunners and its source material,  I am looking forward to them both; and I will bring you any further information as it becomes available. That's all for now, and I will see you again later.