Tokyo International News Agency

The smartphone game app "Game Dev Story" (known in Japan as "Game Hattenkoku++") has announced a one-day-only free distribution for its iOS and Android versions, creating a significant buzz on social media today. This popular title, developed by Kairosoft Co., Ltd., is a masterpiece that has captivated many players over the years. "Game Dev Story" is a simulation game where players manage a game company, train staff, and create numerous hit titles. Within a world depicted with charming pixel art, players can experience the dynamism of the game industry, including developing new games, entering popular hardware platforms, and even launching their own game hardware. News of this free distribution quickly spread on X (formerly Twitter). Comments like "Free distribution! This game is so much fun. It's a time sink!" led a wave of praise, including "Game Dev Story is a god-tier game" and "You can play it forever." Many users who...

The sword-training simulation game 'Touken Ranbu ONLINE,' co-produced by DMM GAMES and Nitroplus, has re-implemented its popular event 'Special Investigation: Bunkyū Tosa Domain' starting November 18, generating significant excitement among its players, known as Saniwa. This event is a re-implementation of a popular past event, where players investigate the Bunkyū Tosa Domain with the goal of acquiring the sword boys Hizen Tadahiro and Nankai Tarō Chōson. This re-implementation introduces a new 'Hard' difficulty level and includes adjustments to some specifications. The official operations account (@TOUKEN_STAFF) posted a tweet encouraging players to aim for Hizen Tadahiro and Nankai Tarō Chōson, indicating that many Saniwa had eagerly awaited the event's return. On X (formerly Twitter), numerous posts expressed joy over the re-implementation. Enthusiastic comments like 'Yes! I'm going to enjoy the adjusted Bunkyū Tosa Domain to the fullest!!!!' ...

The popular swordsman 'Kurikara Go' has made a highly anticipated return to 'Touken Ranbu ONLINE,' the sword-raising simulation game presented by DMM GAMES and Nitroplus, becoming a significant topic of discussion among Saniwa (the game's players). According to information released by the game's management, players can obtain 'Kurikara Go' and other 'Go' family swordsmen by collecting 'Gyoku' (gems) in the currently running event, 'Secret Garden ~Flower Gathering~.' The event period is from the end of maintenance on November 4th until 12:59 PM on November 18th, offering a limited-time opportunity. On social media, many joyful comments have been posted, such as 'Kurikara Go is sooooo cute!!!!' and 'I'll do my best to welcome him!' On the other hand, the quick re-run after his previous appearance has also sparked surprise, with comments like 'Kurikara Go again????', 'Such a fast re-run lol,' and ...

In "Touken Ranbu ONLINE," the popular sword-training simulation game developed by DMM GAMES and Nitroplus, a new training system called "Kiwa Kaika" has been implemented, generating significant buzz among Saniwa (master) players. This new feature substantially raises the level cap for "Kiwa" (extreme) Touken Danshi (sword boys) from the previous 99 to 199, allowing for further strengthening. The official operating account announced the implementation of "Kiwa Kaika" in an update on October 28th. When a Kiwa Touken Danshi reaches level 100, a special animation will play, and their level cap will be unlocked to 199. Detailed information regarding this update is available within the game's "Kawara-ban" (newsletter) and "Shin-nan" (guide) sections. Following this announcement, Saniwa players reacted en masse on social media, with many expressing joy and surprise, saying things like, "After the update, Tarō-san immediate...

On August 12, 2025, the limited-time event "Counter-Hundred Demons Night Parade Operation" currently underway in the sword-raising simulation game Touken Ranbu Online is generating significant excitement among Saniwa (players). In particular, the handling of suddenly appearing "Powerful Enemies" is drawing attention as the key to strategic success. As announced by the official operation account, enemy groups, including large and powerful foes, have arrived at the high-difficulty intercept lines of the event's "Simulated Heian-kyo Field." The objective is to defeat these "Powerful Enemies" to turn the tide of battle to a "balanced situation." These "Powerful Enemies" yield 130-140 points, exceeding the 120 points gained from regular combat, making them a highly anticipated opportunity for efficient point accumulation. Many Saniwa are eagerly awaiting their appearance. On social media, many players are seen concentratin...

A new event, the 'Counter-Hyakki Yagyō Interception Operation,' began today, August 12 (Tuesday), in the sword-raising simulation game 'Touken Ranbu ONLINE.' The event has generated significant excitement, with related terms trending on social media. This event tasks Saniwa (sages) with leading their Touken Danshi (sword warriors) to repel advancing enemy groups, and it's considered a major summer event that many players have eagerly awaited. The game's developers have also released an event introduction video, giving a glimpse into its large scale. While players express their enthusiasm with comments like "Alright! I'm joining the 'Counter-Hyakki Yagyō Interception Operation' now!!!" and "It's like being a night watchman at a pizza place...", others are already reporting progress, such as "Finally reached 73% on the high difficulty level!" As an event reward, the acquisition of the new Touken Danshi 'Dōjikiri Ya...

A new event, the "Hyakki Yakō Counter-Training Program," began on Tuesday, July 29th, in "Touken Ranbu ONLINE," the popular sword-raising simulation game co-developed by DMM GAMES and Nitroplus. This event serves as combat training to prepare for the upcoming main "Hyakki Yakō" (Night Parade of One Hundred Demons) event. Soon after its launch, related terms quickly climbed to the top of X (formerly Twitter) trends, generating significant buzz among Saniwa (the game's players, also known as masters). The "Hyakki Yakō Counter-Training Program" will run until 9:59 AM on Tuesday, August 12th. Its purpose is to raise the proficiency of Touken Danshi (sword boys) through battles against encroaching enemies. By completing this training, players can obtain new Touken Danshi like "Kuki Masamune," as well as popular existing ones such as "Shizukagata Naginata" and "Hakusan Yoshimitsu" as rewards, motivating many Saniwa to ...