Virtua Fighter characters playable in DBFC PS3/Vita

It's announced today that the PS3 and PS Vita version of Dengeki Bunko Fighting Climax will have Akira Yuki and Pai Chan from Virtua Fighter playable as player character and support character respectively.

The game will be released on November 13.

Umehara on Mirai Theater tonight

Daigo Umehara was featured in Mirai Theater tonight in Japan.

Summary of the content

• There's something called "pro gamer," a job where one earns money by playing games.
• This's a story of game "God" Daigo Umehara (age 33) who is Japanese pro gaming pioneer.
• The former two consecutive world champion is viewed as superstar.
• Umehara specializes in fighting games, he's hailed as God.
• He's showed to do Metsu Hadoken in 0.3 seconds.
• Although he earns a lot of money, Umehara lives an ordinary life, traveling by foot, eating a 630 yen bowl of noodle for dinner.
• He spends less time eating noodle, which allows him to spend more time on gaming.
• He moved from Aomori to Tokyo since 8 years old. At first, friends made fun of his accent and he's alone at the school. He then turn to game center but was praised for gaming skills.
• It's tough to gain recognition in the past for gaming, even after winning international championship in America at age of 17. People might praise his achievement, but not what he actually did.
• Despite the result at Evo 2014, there's still long line for his autograph session.

Mirai Theater is a weekly (Friday night) variety TV show on Nippon TV station. Since it's broadcasted to all regions, the impact is big, Umehara and related keywords were trending in Japan.

2. Umehara
4. Pro gamer
9. Umehara-san
10. Corner of the screen (Gamen Hashi)

Isshuu Sengeki Hai Tokyo qualifier summary

Info
- Taito announced first USF4 tournaments
- Isshuu Sengeki Hai revealed
- Umehara confirmed for Isshuu Sengeki Hai Tokyo qualifier
- Nico and Ustream to stream this tournament
- Single bracket 1
- Single bracket 2 
- Umehara currently has the most BP in Japan and No.1 in Tokyo
- Event report from Famitsu

(Left to right - Mago, Tokido, Umehara, Kuramochi, Mihashi, Maribo)

3 on 3
Tokido (Aku) 2-0 Yuka Kuramochi (Bla) *model
Mago (Yan) (P2R) 2-0 Reiko Mihashi (Ryu) *Taito's USF4 Girl Club leader
Umehara (ERy) 1-2 Maribo (Chu) *active player

(Dud) 0-2 Umehara (ERy)
M no Bi (Ros) 0-2 Tokido (Aku)
Spanky (Ado) 1-2 Mago (Yan)

Group A Final
Umehara (ERy) 2-0 Kai (Sak) *No.1 in Aichi prefecture
Tokido (Aku) 2-0 Katakana de Aoki (Dec) *No.3 in Aichi prefecture
Mago (Yan) 0-2 Jeppa (Ruf) *No.2 in Aichi prefecture

Finalists (will compete on October 11)

• MadCatz (Tokido, Mago, Umehara)
• Chima (Nekojita, Itabashi Zangief, Eita)
• Double Dragon (Kyoku, Cabbage, Ojisan)
• Karu no Konchuusaishuu Monogatari (Ninomae, Karu, Kita Senju DJ)

Single
1st fight
Umehara (ERy) 2-0 Tsuna (Jur) *No.1 of Kagoshima prefecture
2-0
2-0

2nd fight
Umehara (ERy) 2-0 (Hon)
2-0
2-0

3rd fight
Umehara (ERy) 2-X (Haw)

4th fight
Umehara (ERy) 2-0 Nashi (Jur)
2-0
2-0

Finalists (will compete on October 11)

• Ninomae (Ros)
• Nekojita (Abe)
• Santarou (Sag)
• Umehara (ERy)
• Cabbage (Vip)
• Momochi (Ken)
• Mago (Yan)
• Nishikin (Bla)

Pictures
Taito's USF4 Girl Club feat. Yuka Kuramochi, ChocoBlanka, Maribo, Karipaku
Kayane appears
Karipaku playing at USF4 Girl Club booth
Karipaku and Sugiyama producer doing Cody pose
Karipaku with Ayano
Umehara playing

HSF2, 3rd Strike, Vampire Savior, SFZ3 announced for NESiCAxLive

It's announced today during Isshuu Sengeki Hai Tokyo qualifier that Hyper Street Fighter II, Street Fighter III 3rd Strike, Vampire Savior, Street Fighter Zero 3 will be on NESiCAxLive. Player name and data (logs and points) can be saved, and viewed on cellphones.

NESiCAxLive is Taito's arcade game distribution network that allows a cabinet to download and switch between games to save cost and space for a separated cabinet.


Four games announced today will be open to play-test in Isshuu Sengeki Hai Osaka qualifier on August 30.

Hori | MCZ | Razer | Kana-sama

The popular voice actress Kana Ueda posted this picture last night. It seems like it was for some magazine (taken on August 4). (There're several voice actor magazines in Japan which normally have voice actors/actresses as models.)

Headphones from Razer
T-shirt from MadCatz
Stick from Hori

 In 2012, Ueda attended a game event wearing Mad Catz t-shirt.

Isshuu Sengeki Hai qualifiers will be on Ustream

Good news for foreigners, it's announced today that Isshuu Sengeki Hai qualifiers, both in Tokyo (August 23) and Osaka (August 30), will be streamed on Ustream. (At the time of writing, foreign IP address cannot access the stream pages on Niconico)

Isshuu Sengeki Hai is Japan's USF4 national tournament organized by Taito. Daigo Umehara is confirmed to compete in the qualifier in Tokyo.

Blade Arcus PV (2nd locatest ver.) posted

Today is the first day of the second location test of Blade Arcus, and Sega also has its promotional video.

New things we discovered (beside what we already told you)

• It now shows damage number, just like in Shining RPG series. (Does that mean damage output also isn't fixed to an exact number?)
• There's "quick rise" (called Flash Standing) from a knockdown. 
• The "K.O." indicator now looks pretty.
• Xiaomei has Speed Up buff which costs her some Force.
• Sakuya has a taunt-like move. (Maybe everyone has one.)
• Melty's minion follows her around during the fight.
• Roselinde's "shoryuken" has armor property.
• Roselinde has an attacking move that also gives Attack Up buff.
• Link Force Attack can give back more than 1 bar of Force when connected.
• Link Force Attack finish now has flashy background.

[PS3 P4U2] Margaret promo posted

PS3 version of P4U2 will be released on August 28. If you preorder the digital version, you will be able to download the game on August 26.

Nico to stream USF4 national Tokyo qualifier, JP ONLY

It's announced today that Niconico will be streaming Tokyo qualifier of Taito's Isshuu Sengeki Hai, which is Japan's USF4 national tournament, on August 23.

Daigo Umehara was already confirmed to compete.

However, at the time of writing, foreign IP address cannot access the stream page.

[Video] Umehara vs. Momochi from last TOPANGA Banzuke

TOPANGA TV this week has Daigo Umehara vs. Momochi match video from the last round of TOPANGA Banzuke that was held on August 10.

(Skip to 00:42:35 for the match)

New Umineko manga released on July 22

It's one month late, but nevertheless.

Umineko WHEN THEY CRY Episode 4: Alliance of the Golden Witch, Vol. 1 was released on July 22.

This's the official English release of the manga, and the 7th volume.

Umineko no Naku Koro ni is a popular novel game that inspired anime (26 episodes), manga (45+ volumes), and Beast Note's best fighting game of all time Ougon Musou Kyoku.

For those who missed the previous releases, here are the links. Each volume has around 500 pages or more. They are available in both paperback and Kindle format.

1. Umineko When They Cry, Episode 1: Legend of the Golden Witch, Vol. 1
2. Umineko When They Cry, Episode 1: Legend of the Golden Witch, Vol. 2
3. Umineko When They Cry, Episode 2: Turn of the Golden Witch, Vol. 1
4. Umineko WHEN THEY CRY Episode 2: Turn of the Golden Witch, Vol. 2
5. Umineko WHEN THEY CRY Episode 3: Banquet of the Golden Witch, Vol. 1
6. Umineko WHEN THEY CRY Episode 3: Banquet of the Golden Witch, Vol. 2 

Umehara confirmed for TGS2014 tournament

It's announced that Daigo Umehara, Tokido, Mago will participate Mad Catz's 64-man USF4 tournament at Tokyo Game Show 2014 on September 21. The game will be played on Xbox 360.

The winner will receive MadCatz's USF4 Arcade Fight Stick Tournament Edition 2 and exclusive in-game title.

PS Plus members get 20 minute free trial of P4U2

It's announced today that Japan's PS Plus members will get 20 minute free full game trial of P4U2. This trial will only be available between August 28 to September 3.

Blade Arcus 2nd location test announced, 4 new characters revealed

It's announced today that Beast Note's most anticipated fighting game Blade Arcus will have its second location test between August 22-24 at Tokyo Club Sega Akihabara.

At the same time, 4 new characters are revealed: Roselinde, Fenrir, Melty, and Isaac. (Roselinde, Fenrir, Melty were unofficially revealed in the teaser in February.)

• Roselinde is powerful and has big reach. She also has armored move.
• Melty has short reach but can use ice cream magic for spacing control. She also has powerful command throw.
• Isaac, who is a cyborg, uses weapons from within his body. His motive now is using Ryuga as test subject.
• Fenrir, a melee fighter, has speed and rush attacks. He's also revealed to be the instructor of both Ryuga and Pairon.

Changes according to the new manual of the second location test: (Read How to Play Blade Arcus based on first location test manual)

• Force Gauge has been altered. You can now stock up to 3 bars.
• Super Force Action now requires 1 bar instead of 100%.
• 3 types of Support Link Attack now have names: Weak Support, Medium Support, Strong Support.
• Calling support while taking damage now costs 3 bars instead of 4.
• Link Attack inputs have been altered.
• Offensive Force input has been changed. It now requires 1 bar instead of 50%.
• Defensive Force has been added.
• EX Force Action (EX special move) has been added. (Perform by pressing B+C instead of single button.)
• Link Force Attack now requires exactly 4 bars of Support Link Gauge.
• New moves have been added to certain characters.
• Move inputs have been changed for certain characters.
• Some moves have been altered.

Blade Arcus was scheduled for this Summer in the arcades when announced, but the release date is now "in 2014." From today's poster, it's possible that it will launch with 10 characters and new characters will be added over time.

New Shining Resonance info

The official site of Shining Resonance is updated today.

Combat system

• A monster you see on the field can represent a group of monsters when engaged.
• Attack command is performed by pressing Circle.
• Input Attack multiple times to make a combo.
• Each Attack consumes AP (Action Point).
• AP is displayed in form of green circle at the legs of the character.
• AP refills over time.
• Press Triangle to do Break Attack.
• Break Attack or Force moves can cause Break status to an enemy if used multiple times.
• Break will temporarily reduce the enemy's defense.
• Force moves are performed by pressing L+Circle/Triangle/Square/Cross.
• Force moves require MP instead of AP.
• Performing an Attack will refill MP.
• Performing a Force move will refill AP.

B.A.N.D. system

• Party Gauge (long bar on the left of screen) is used for performing Rune Songs.
• Party Gauge has 3 levels. (Presumably higher level for better song)
• Party Gauge is filled by performing Attack or Break Attack.
• You can set a party member to be the Center of the B.A.N.D.
• Center will affect Rune Song performance.

Marion

Joachim

• He's voice by Kazuya Nakai (Roronoa from One Piece)
• He's "mad scientist" of Beowulf.

Shining Resonance will be released on December 11. Sonia will be playable in Beast Note's most anticipated fighting game Blade Arcus.

Tenka Musou Cup Summer 2014: Koihime Enbu

Tenka Musou Cup Summer 2014: Koihime Enbu was held on August 16 at Tokyo Leisure Land Akihabara game center. This's the tournament where top Koihime fighting game players from around the country compete.

Tenka Musou Cup is the name of the team tournament that was first held at the same place in 2012, for the first game–Shin Koihime Musou: Otome Taisen Sangokushi Engi. The game was later ported to PC and PS3. The sequel, Koihime Enbu, was released on July 17 in the arcades.

Koihime Enbu was used for the first time in this 5th Tenka Musou Cup 3 on 3.

These match videos are from the official stream here. (Audio sync problem is from source) Brackets are here and here.

3rd place

Final

As you can see, this game is footsie-based, Samurai Shodown style. You can do long combos only after a counterhit by the move called Hougeki (It's SF4's Focus Attack minus Armor and Dash Cancel). There's no comeback mechanics.

[Video] KSK & Nekojita spend 4 hours trying to beat P.T.

KSK and Nekojita have spent a little bit more than 4 hours trying to beat P.T. on Saturday night. It was 6 AM already and they didn't give up even they had to compete in USF4 3 on 3 tournament on Sunday (and they won the tournament!).

PS3 P4U2 up for preorder on PSN

The PS3 version of P4U2 is now up for preorder on Japan's PSN.

By preordering the game, you will receieve preorder bonuses:

• Custom theme
• Avatar set (Adachi, Marie, Margaret, Fuuka, Kuma B, Nanako)
• First episode of Persona 4 the Golden anime (standard definition in September)
• A chance to win the second and third episode of Persona 4 the Golden anime. (500 lottery winners)

The game, 12.6 GB, will be automatically downloaded on August 26 and will be playable on August 28.

First week sales: Ultra Street Fighter IV

Media Create, the well-known Japanese console game market researcher, revealed today that the PS3 version of Ultra Street Fighter IV has sold 42,327 copies in its first week.

Famitsu reported that the Xbox 360 version sold just 2,813 copies.

Note that overall sales should be higher more or less because of digital upgrade from SSF4.

As always, we have chart so you can compare.

First week sales of fighting games between 2008-2014 in Japan by Media Create

1. [PSP] Dissidia Final Fantasy (Square Enix) {2009.12.18} - 489,100 | NEW
2. [PS3] JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle (Bandai Namco Games) {2013.08.29} - 425,718 / NEW
3. [PSP] Dissidia: 012 (Duodecim) Final Fantasy (Square Enix) {2011.03.03} - 286,117 / NEW
4. [PS3] Persona 4: Arena (Atlus) {2012.07.26} - 128,485 / NEW  
5. [PS3] J-Stars Victory Vs (Bandai Namco Games) {2014.03.19} - 118,240 / NEW
6. [PS3] Tekken 6 (Namco Bandai) {2009.10.29} - 103,105 / NEW
7. [PSV] J-Stars Victory Vs (Bandai Namco Games) {2014.03.19} - 97,821 / NEW 
8. [PS3] Naruto Shippuden: Narutimate Storm 3 (Bandai Namco Games) {2013.04.18} - 87,661 / NEW 
9. [PS3] Street Fighter IV (Capcom) {2009.02.12} - 86,000 / NEW
10. [PS2] Fate/Unlimited Codes (Capcom) {2008.12.18} - 82,900 | NEW
11. [PS3] Super Street Fighter IV (Capcom) {2010.04.28} - 80,882 / NEW 
12. [PSP] Naruto: Shippuden Narutimate Accel 3 (Namco Bandai) {2009.12.10} - 76,596 / NEW
13. [PSP] Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha A's Portable: The Battle of Aces (Namco Bandai) {2010.01.21} - 76,088 / NEW
14. [PS3] Soul Calibur IV (Namco Bandai Games) {2008.07.31} - 74,607 / NEW
15. [PS3] BlazBlue: Chronophantasma (Arc System Works) {2013.10.24} - 72,464 / NEW
16. [PS3] Marvel Vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds (Capcom) {2011.02.17} - 67,187 / NEW
17. [PS3] Dead or Alive 5 (Koei Tecmo) {2012.09.27} - 66,586 / NEW
18. [PS3] Naruto Shippuden: Narutimate Storm Generation (Bandai Namco Games) {2012.02.23} - 65,758 / NEW
19. [PS3] Naruto Shippuden: Narutimate Storm 2 (Bandai Namco) {2010.10.21} - 63,675 / NEW
20. [PS3] Tekken Tag Tournament 2 (Bandai Namco Games) {2012.09.13} - 62,630 / NEW
21. [PS3] Street Fighter X Tekken (Capcom) {2012.03.08} - 58,471 / NEW
22. [PS3] Dragon Ball: Raging Blast (Namco Bandai) {2009.11.09} - 57,972 / NEW
23. [PSP] Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha A's Portable: The Gears of Destiny (Bandai Namco) {2011.12.22} - 57,320 / NEW
24. [PS3] Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition (Capcom) {2011.06.30} - 54,924 / NEW
25. [PSP] Naruto Shippuden: Narutimate Impact (Bandai Namco Games) {2011.10.20} - 53,148 / NEW 
26. [PS3] BlazBlue: Continuum Shift (Arc System Works) {2010.07.01} - 49,871 / NEW
27. [PS3] Dragon Ball: Raging Blast 2 (Bandai Namco) {2010.11.11} - 47.610 / NEW
28. [3DS] Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition (Capcom) {2011.02.26} - 44,649 / NEW
29. [PS3] Dragon Ball Z: Ultimate Tenkaichi (Bandai Namco Games) {2011.12.08} - 44,593 / NEW
30. [PS2] Melty Blood: Actress Again (Ecole Software) {2009.08.20} - 44,292 / NEW 
31. [PS3] Naruto: Narutimate Storm (Namco Bandai) {2009.01.15} - 44,065 / NEW 
32. [PS3] Ultra Street Fighter IV (Capcom) {2014.08.07} - 42,327 / NEW
33. [360] Street Fighter IV (Capcom) {2009.02.12} - 38,000 / NEW
34. [360] Soul Calibur IV (Namco Bandai Games) {2008.07.31} - 34,786 / NEW
35. [PS3] Soul Calibur V (Bandai Namco Games) {2012.02.02} - 34,328 / NEW 
36. [PSP] Fate/Unlimited Codes Portable (Capcom) {2009.06.18} - 34,205 / NEW
37. [PS3] BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger (Arc System Works) {2009.06.25} - 33,768 / NEW
38. [PS3] BlazBlue: Continuum Shift Extend (Arc System Works) {2011.12.17} - 32,992 / NEW
39. [PS3] Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Z (Bandai Namco Games) {2014.01.23} - 30,192 / NEW
40. [PS3] Saint Seiya: Brave Soldiers (Bandai Namco Games) {2013.10.17} - 29,314 / NEW 
41. [360] Super Street Fighter IV (Capcom) {2010.04.28} - 28,454 / NEW
42. [PSP] Tekken 6 (Namco Bandai) {2010.01.14} - 25,131 / NEW
43. [360] BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger (Arc System Works) {2009.06.25} - 24,812 / NEW
44. [WII] Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Cross Generation of Heroes (Capcom) {2008.12.11} - 24,100 / NEW
45. [PSP] BlazBlue: Continuum Shift II (Arc System Works) {2011.03.31} - 23,808 / NEW
46. [3DS] Dead or Alive: Dimensions (Koei Tecmo) {2011.05.19} - 23,078 / NEW
47. [PSV] Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Z (Bandai Namco Games) {2014.01.23} - 22,901 / NEW
48. [PS3] Ultimate Marvel Vs. Capcom 3 (Capcom) {2011.11.17} - 22,436 / NEW
49. [PS3] The King of Fighters XIII (SNK Playmore) {2011.12.01} - 21,525 / NEW
50. [PS3] AQUAPAZZA (Aquaplus) {2012.08.30} - 20,935 / NEW
51. [PSP] Dragon Ball Z: Tenkaichi Tag Team (Bandai Namco) {2010.09.30} - 19,080 / NEW
52. [PS3] Dead or Alive 5: Ultimate (Koei Tecmo) {2013.09.05} - 18,608 / NEW 
53. [PS3] Arcana Heart 3 (Arc System Works) {2011.01.13} - 17,219 / NEW
54. [360] Dead or Alive 5 (Koei Tecmo) {2012.09.27} - 14,811 / NEW
55. [360] Marvel Vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds (Capcom) {2011.02.17} - 13,779 / NEW
56. [PSV] Dead or Alive 5+ (Koei Tecmo) {2013.03.20} - 13,291 / NEW 
57. [360] Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition (Capcom) {2011.06.30} - 12,326 / NEW
58. [PS3] Darkstalkers Resurrection (Capcom) {2013.03.14} - 11,591 / NEW
59. [PSV] BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma (Arc System Works) {2014.04.24} - 10,709 / NEW
60. [360] Phantom Breaker (5pb.) {2011.06.02} - 9,960 / NEW
61. [360] Persona 4: Arena (Atlus) {2012.07.26} - 9,801 / NEW
62. [3DS] Tekken 3D: Prime Edition (Bandai Namco Games) {2012.02.16} - 9,421 / NEW
63. [PS3] Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late (Arc System Works) {2014.07.24} - 9,171 / NEW
64. [360] Street Fighter X Tekken (Capcom) {2012.03.08} - 8,527 / NEW
65. [360] Soul Calibur V (Bandai Namco Games) {2012.02.02} - 7,679 / NEW 
66. [PSP] Saint Seiya Ω: Ultimate Cosmo (Bandai Namco Games) {2012.11.29} - 6,448 / NEW
67. [PS3] Arcana Heart 3: Love Max!!!!! (Arc System Works) {2014.05.29} - 6,273 / NEW
68. [PSV] Street Fighter X Tekken (Capcom) {2012.10.25} - 5,420 / NEW
69. [360] Dead or Alive 5: Ultimate (Koei Tecmo) {2013.09.05} - 4,862 / NEW
70. [PS3] Shin Koihime Musou: Otome Taisen Sangokushi Engi {2014.02.20} - 4,794 / NEW
71. [PS3] Phantom Breaker: Extra (5pb.) {2013.09.19} - 3,102 / NEW

[PS3 P4U2] Lobby promo posted

PS3 version of P4U2 will be released on August 28.

5 hour USF4 launch streaming planned

It's announced today that Capcom and TOPANGA will be doing USF4 launch streaming on Niconico on August 15, starting from 23:00 JST. The show will be 5 hour long.

Tokido, Mago, Momochi, Bon-chan are confirmed for online kumite. If they lose 10 times total, Capcom will give away special ingame title.

Akiba's Trip: Undead & Undressed released

If you're a Daigo Umehara fan or just a Japanese fighting game fan in general, you should have heard about Akiba or Akihabara district already. This's where Umehara's childhood legends began. It's also the place where a fighting game location test usually takes place.

Akiba's Trip: Undead & Undressed for PS3 and PS Vita is released today (August 12) in North America. The adventure game is set in virtual Akihabara district so this's one of the best opportunities to get to know and navigate the place without having to actually go there. (It also features dual language of both Japanese and English voices and text.)

Umehara announced as guest on Makoto Otake's Golden Radio

It's announced that Daigo Umehara will appear as a guest on Makoto Otake's Golden Radio on Tuesday in Otake's Main Dish corner, starting from 14:20 JST.

The radio show, which broadcasts to Kanto area, is hosted by comedian and actor Makoto Otake. TV personality and model Kawori Manabe (picture above) acts as his assistant on Tuesday.

Umehara participates TOPANGA Banzuke today

It's reported that Daigo Umehara has participated the last round of TOPANGA Banzuke that was held today in Akihabara (Akihabara Hey game center). Again, he had to fight Momochi (picture below).

Mago, Kazunoko, Nemo, Fuudo, Nishikin were also there. Expect videos of these players in TOPANGA TV next week or later.

"Umehara's Room" talk show planned

A special episode of R's Room pay-per-view talk show called "Umehara's Room" is planned on August 16, starting from 21:00 JST (right after Umehara vs. Tokido special talk show).

The show will be hosted by Umehara himself and Tokido.

Nico to stream Umehara vs. Tokido talk show

It's revealed today that Niconico will be streaming Daigo Umehara vs. Tokido talk show on August 16, starting 20:00 JST.

Umehara will come to talk about his manga serialization on Weekly Georgia while Tokido will talk about his book that was released last month.

Blade Arcus Twitter icons: Pairon & Ryuga

Sega is giving away 100 Twitter icons in commemoration of 100,000 followers. Blade Arcus icons are among them.

Blade Arcus is Beast Note's most anticipated fighting game that features character from Sega's Shining RPG series plus 2 original characters above (Won Pairon and Ryuga).

[PS3 P4U2] Mitsuru promo posted

PS3 version of P4U2 will be released on August 28.

SNK has police raid Square Enix office

From AnimeNewsNetwork

The Osaka Police's Consumer and Economic Crime Division searched the Tokyo headquarters of manga and game publisher Square Enix, as well as other locations linked to the publisher, on Tuesday. The police is investigating alleged copyright violations — specifically, the use of another company's popular game characters without permission in a manga series. 

The company emphasized that it repeatedly requested Square Enix to immediately halt the sales of Hi Score Girl's digital release, print volumes, monthly magazine serialization, and other releases. However, SNK asserted that it did not receive any kind of sincere response.

It looks like Phoenix Wright will be top tier in this SNK vs. Square Enix.

New Shining Resonance info

From Famitsu

Marion

• New character revealed: Marion
• The article calls Marion a bishounen (pretty boy) but refers to the character as her, instead of him. (So we can't really tell gender. But let's call her her for now.)
• She's voiced by Miyuki Sawashiro (who voices a boy several times). 
• Her left eye was implanted with demon eye of dragon.
• She possesses double personality.
• She is a member of Beowulf, special task force of The Church of The Empire for capturing Shining Dragon Ilban.
• Her title is The Matador of the Church.
• She's seen fighting along side Joachim who seems to be another Beowuf member but higher rank.
• She's seen holding a gun-like weapon that resembles Armonix gun of the yet-to-be-revealed character. It's highly possible that she'll become a playable character later.

Shining Resonance will be released on December 11. One of the characters will be playable in Beast Note's most anticipated fighting game Blade Arcus.

Margaret playable in P4U2

It's announced by Famitsu that Margaret will be playable in P4U2 as a "paid DLC in the future."

P4U2 will be released on PS3 on August 28.

Shining Blade characters turn into chips in PSO2es

It was announced that Phantasy Star Online 2 es will have Shining Blade themed chips collaboration campaign between August 6-20.

PSO2es is a mobile phone game that is a spinoff of online action RPG Phantasy Star Online 2. Chips in PSO2es are equipments used for enhancing player character's status and ability.

Altina, Sakuya, Rage/Yukihime will be playable in Beast Note's most anticipated fighting game Blade Arcus.

PS3/Vita Dengeki Bunko Fighting Climax release date announced

Dengeki announced just minutes ago that the PS3 and PS Vita version of Dengeki Bunko Fighting Climax will be released on November 13.

The console version will have unlockables such as color palettes, illustrations, and voices. It'll also have new theme song "belief" from Mami Kawada.

Ume-countdown: USF4 Japanese console launch

The Japanese Ultra Street Fighter IV official site has been using top players as countdown clock to the launch and today is Daigo Umehara's turn (they purposely use him for the last day).

The game will be released on the consoles for Japan in about half an hour.

The sign reads "1 day left until USF4 launch"

Until now, the Japanese have to go to the arcades or make an English account to buy it online. Many went to Evo2014 without having touched the training mode. TOPANGA TV also refuses to play USF4 on the stream because it's not officially released.

Umehara confirmed for national qualifiers

The schedules of Taito's UFS4 national tournament qualifiers are revealed today. Daigo Umehara is confirmed to participate in the Tokyo qualifiers that will be held on August 23. He will compete in both singles and 3 on 3 tournament.

For singles, there're 8 groups of 16 players. Umehara is in group F, same as Akimo (Hon/Ele) and Tsuna (Jur).

Other notable players

• ChocoBlanka
• TKD
• Juta
• Misse
• Santarou
• KOK
• Cabbage
• Mago
• Reiketsu
• Itabashi Zangief
• Acqua
• Momochi
• Banbaban
• Nishikin

For 3 on 3, there're 4 groups of 8 teams. Umehara is in the same team with Mago and Tokido in group A.

Notable teams

Group A

• MadCatz (Tokido, Mago, Umehara)
• USF4 Girl Club Team A (Reiko Mihashi, Yuka Kuramochi, Maribo)

Group B

• Nemomomon (Nemo, Momochi, Banbaban)

Group C

• Takahashi Ke (Hanamaruki, Shungoku Neurosis, Akimo)
• Double Dragon (Kyoku, Cabbage, Ojisan)
• USF4 Girl Club Team B (Ami0120, ChocoBlanka, Karipaku)

Group D

• Chima (Nekojita, Itabashi Zangief, Eita)
• Neko Punch (Nyanshi, Misse, Tsukiji)
• Kakutei (Shiro, Inco, Keshikaran)

The winner of each group (8 players and 4 teams) from these qualifiers will advance to the finals on October 11.

New Shining Resonance info

From Famitsu

Lesty
- His title is the Eleven Knight of Ice Fang.
- His class is Knight
- (To Yuma) "If you can't control the dragon power and go rampage, I'll kill you myself. That's my mission anyway."
- He's the leader of the knights of elf land Welrant Kingdom
- The elf land is protecting an ancient power.
- He's veteran the Dragonar team (our party).
- He always watches over Kirika.
- He's old friend Agnum but doesn't get along well.

Rune Songs
- Rune Songs are the ancient art passed down through generations of the elf tribe.
- The art can awaken the true power sleeping within dragon's soul.
- In the battle, Rune Songs can calm rampaging Shining Dragon Ilban.

Weathers
- Monsters and items obtainable on the fields change accordingly to the weather.
- A town NPC named Stellar, a weather researcher, can tell player the weather in real time.

Explorable Points
- These points can be found on the fields.
- They respawn over time.
- Plants, minerals, loots can be obtained when checked.
- Treasure chests don't count as explorable points. They don't respawn and aren't affected by weathers.

Shining Resonance will be released on December 11. One of the characters will be playable in Beast Note's most anticipated fighting game Blade Arcus.

Cute girl reading Umehara book

A cute picture of Reiko Mihashi reading Daigo Umehara's book Shoubu Ron.