Season 1 Landed With Critics

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms premiered on HBO on January 18, 2026, and became the third television series set in Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire universe, following Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon. The show stars Peter Claffey as Ser Duncan "Dunk" the Tall and Dexter Sol Ansell as his squire, Aegon "Egg" Targaryen, adapting The Hedge Knight, the first of Martin's Dunk and Egg novellas. The series was created by Ira Parker alongside Martin himself, and it earned positive reviews for leaning into a smaller, more grounded story than the political sprawl of its predecessors.

What Season 2 Will Cover

Season 2 moves on to The Sworn Sword, continuing Dunk and Egg's travels through Westeros roughly ninety years before the War of the Five Kings depicted in the original Game of Thrones. The Dunk and Egg novellas are known for a lighter, more episodic tone compared to the rest of the franchise, following the pair from one local conflict to the next rather than tracking a kingdom-spanning war. That structure gives HBO a built-in season-by-season format, with each novella mapping roughly to a season of television. Season 2 is expected to release in 2027, continuing the two-year-plus gap that has become standard for Martin's prequel shows.

Where This Fits in the Wider Thrones Universe

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' renewal comes as HBO continues to expand its Game of Thrones universe on multiple fronts. House of the Dragon is airing its third season and has already been renewed for a fourth and final season. HBO also has an animated series about Corlys Velaryon and a live-action series centered on Princess Nymeria of the Rhoynar in development, while Warner Bros is developing a live-action Aegon's Conquest film. A stage play, Game of Thrones: The Mad King, is set to open in London on July 20, 2026, covering the Tourney at Harrenhal that set the original series' backstory in motion.

Conclusion

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms carved out its own identity in a crowded Thrones universe by keeping its story small and character-focused, and that approach earned it a season 2 pickup covering The Sworn Sword. With House of the Dragon heading toward its final season and other spinoffs in development, Dunk and Egg's slower, more personal corner of Westeros looks set to stick around for a while.

FAQ

Has A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms been renewed for season 2?

Yes, HBO renewed the series for a second season following its first season's premiere.

What novella will season 2 adapt?

The Sworn Sword, the second entry in George R.R. Martin's Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas.

When did A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms premiere?

Season 1 premiered on HBO on January 18, 2026.

Who stars in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms?

Peter Claffey as Ser Duncan the Tall and Dexter Sol Ansell as Aegon "Egg" Targaryen.

When will season 2 release?

A specific date hasn't been announced, but it's expected in 2027.

How does this show relate to Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon?

It's set roughly ninety years before Game of Thrones, making it the earliest chronological entry in the franchise so far.

How the Announcement Happened

Shueisha disclosed the decision on July 1 through the official Shonen Jump+ account on X, formerly known as Twitter. The announcement was notably brief. Shueisha has not offered a public explanation for why the deal is ending, leaving the decision open to speculation even though licensing agreements between publishers lapse or get renegotiated on a fairly routine basis.

Which Titles Are Affected

The termination hits several titles built specifically around the Shueisha-Disney partnership, including MARVEL x Shonen Jump+ SUPER COLLABORATION, SECRET REVERSE, Spider-Man: Octopus Girl, Spider-Man: Kizuna, and Deadpool: Samurai. These series represented a notable experiment in adapting Marvel's characters into Japanese manga formats and art styles rather than simply translating existing American comics, giving Japanese manga creators a chance to put their own spin on heroes like Spider-Man and Deadpool.

What Happens to the Manga After September 30

Print editions of the affected titles will remain available only while existing retailer stock lasts, meaning physical copies could dry up well before the official cutoff date depending on demand. Digital versions will stay purchasable through the end of September 30 in Japan Standard Time, after which they'll be pulled from Shueisha's ebook storefronts entirely. The removal process actually begins a couple of days earlier, with digital titles starting to disappear from sale on September 28 ahead of the final cutoff.

That means readers who want to preserve access to titles like Deadpool: Samurai or Spider-Man: Kizuna have a hard deadline to buy digital copies before they vanish from storefronts for good.

The Bigger Picture

The Shueisha-Disney partnership launched in March 2019 with the crossover title Secret Reverse, marking one of the more unusual crossovers in Marvel's licensing history: a direct collaboration with one of Japan's largest manga publishers rather than a Western comics imprint. Its end doesn't affect Marvel's core American comics output, but it does close a specific chapter in how Marvel characters have been reimagined for Japanese audiences, and it raises questions about whether a similar manga collaboration could return under different terms down the line.

Conclusion

Shueisha's exit from its Marvel manga deal with Disney brings a quiet end to a five-plus-year partnership that gave Spider-Man, Deadpool, and other Marvel characters a distinctly manga makeover. With no explanation given and a hard September 30 cutoff for digital purchases, fans of titles like Deadpool: Samurai have a limited window to grab copies before they disappear.

FAQ

When does the Shueisha-Disney Marvel manga deal end?

The agreement officially terminates on September 30, 2026.

Why is Shueisha ending the partnership?

Shueisha has not publicly explained the reason for ending the deal.

Which manga titles are affected?

MARVEL x Shonen Jump+ SUPER COLLABORATION, SECRET REVERSE, Spider-Man: Octopus Girl, Spider-Man: Kizuna, and Deadpool: Samurai.

Can I still buy these titles digitally?

Digital versions remain available through September 30, with removal from storefronts beginning around September 28.

What about print copies?

Print editions will only be available while existing retailer stock lasts.

When did the Shueisha-Disney partnership start?

The deal began in March 2019 with the launch of the crossover title Secret Reverse.

How the Series Got Here

Absolute Martian Manhunter launched in March 2025 as part of DC's Absolute Universe imprint, which reimagines core DC characters in darker, alternate-continuity versions. What started as a planned six-issue story expanded to twelve issues after Camp and Rodriguez's take on the character found strong critical and commercial reception. The series became known for blending surrealist psychological horror with psychedelic noir visuals, using its central character to explore free will, identity, mental health, and fatherhood over the course of its run.

That expansion from six issues to twelve is notable in itself. Publishers don't often let a "done in six" pitch grow to double its original length unless the numbers and the reviews both support it, and DC clearly let Camp and Rodriguez finish the story on their own terms rather than cutting it short or padding it out for the sake of a schedule.

What Happens in Issue 12

The finale brings together Absolute Batman, Absolute Superman, and Absolute Wonder Woman in a single issue for the first time in the series, a payoff that ties Martian Manhunter's story back into the wider Absolute Universe. According to Camp, this convergence was built toward specifically for the ending, rather than functioning as a random cameo-driven send-off.

Reviewers have described the issue as a satisfying and thematically consistent close to a story about identity, control, and the way isolated "bad ideas" can ripple outward. It's a heavier, more meditative finale than a typical superhero team-up, in keeping with the tone the series held throughout its run.

What's Next for Camp and Rodriguez

Popverse reported that the Absolute Martian Manhunter finale is already setting up another collaboration between Camp and Rodriguez, though full details on that follow-up project had not been disclosed at time of the finale's release. Given the acclaim the series built up, DC has strong incentive to keep the creative team working together in some form.

Conclusion

Absolute Martian Manhunter wrapped its story with issue 12, closing out a twelve-issue run that grew well beyond its original pitch on the strength of Deniz Camp and Javier Rodriguez's work. The finale's crossover with Absolute Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman gives the series a fitting send-off within DC's Absolute Universe.

Nintendo has locked in a release date for Splatoon Raiders, a single-player-focused spin-off that trades the series' signature turf wars for a treasure-hunting adventure. The game launches exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2 on July 23, 2026, alongside a new amiibo wave and a fresh gameplay trailer that lays out how different this entry really is.

A New Kind of Splatoon Game

Splatoon Raiders puts players in the role of a mechanic working alongside Deep Cut, the trio of swashbuckling musicians introduced in Splatoon 3. Instead of ranked battles or turf wars, the game sends players out into the Spirhalite Islands to hunt for treasure and take down waves of Salmonids. Players customize their character, build out a loadout of mechanical gadgets, and gear up with ink-flinging weapons designed for exploration and combat rather than competitive multiplayer.

The shift in structure is deliberate. Nintendo has described Raiders as the series' answer to fans who love the world and characters of Splatoon but have less interest in its competitive shooter roots. It's a survival-and-loot loop built around cooperative play rather than PvP rankings.

Release Date, Price, and Difficulty Options

Splatoon Raiders releases July 23, 2026, priced at $50 for the digital version and $60 at retail for a physical copy. The game includes three selectable difficulty levels - Tourist, Raider, and Survivalist - which can be changed at any point during a playthrough. Nintendo confirmed that difficulty only affects combat intensity, not the loot players can earn, so switching down for a tough stretch won't lock anyone out of rarer rewards.

Multiplayer and Amiibo Support

While the core campaign is built around a single player, Splatoon Raiders supports co-op with up to three additional players, either online or through local wireless play, letting friends drop in to help clear a stage. A new Deep Cut amiibo triple-pack launches alongside the game on July 23, featuring redesigned looks for Shiver, Frye, and Big Man that tie into the Raiders aesthetic.

Conclusion

Splatoon Raiders is Nintendo's biggest swing yet at reshaping the Splatoon formula for players who want a slower, loot-driven adventure instead of competitive ink battles. With a firm July 23 release date, flexible difficulty, and co-op support, it's shaping up to be one of the more interesting Switch 2 exclusives of the summer.

The Evil Dead franchise is back with another standalone nightmare. Evil Dead Burn opens in theaters on July 10, 2026, promising what its marketing calls the series' "most savage and terrifying ride to date." Directed by Sebastien Vanicek, the film follows a woman whose family gathering turns into a bloody fight for survival after her in-laws are transformed into Deadites.

Plot and Premise

Evil Dead Burn follows a woman who, after the loss of her husband, seeks comfort with his family at their secluded home. What starts as a family reunion quickly spirals into horror as her in-laws are turned into Deadites one by one, turning the gathering into what the studio is billing as "a family reunion from hell." The setup keeps the franchise's core formula intact - isolated location, a cursed evil, and a small group of people who have to fight or die - while putting a family drama spin on the possession horror that's defined Evil Dead since 1981.

Cast and Crew

Souheila Yacoub leads the cast in the central role, joined by Hunter Doohan of Your Honor, Luciane Buchanan of The Night Agent, and Tandi Wright, who appeared in Pearl. Sebastien Vanicek directs from a screenplay built around the franchise's established mythology of the Necronomicon and Deadite possession, continuing the trend of directors bringing a distinct visual style to each new Evil Dead entry.

Release Date and Rating

Evil Dead Burn opens in US theaters on July 10, 2026, after being moved up from an originally planned July 24 release. The film is rated R for strong bloody horror violence and gore, along with language, keeping it in line with the uncompromising tone longtime fans expect from the franchise.

Conclusion

Evil Dead Burn is positioning itself as one of the goriest entries yet in a franchise that has never been shy about violence. With a strong horror cast and a family-centric twist on the Deadite formula, it's shaping up to be a must-see for horror fans this July.

A new anime from the creator of Fullmetal Alchemist has arrived, and it's landing somewhere fans didn't expect. Daemons of the Shadow Realm, based on Hiromu Arakawa's manga Yomi no Tsugai, begins its weekly Netflix release on July 4, 2026, marking a notable shift as a major licensed anime skips the usual Crunchyroll-first rollout in favor of Netflix.

Plot and Premise

Daemons of the Shadow Realm follows Yuru, a young hunter living a quiet life in an isolated mountain village with his twin sister Asa, until a mysterious "dragon's roar" shatters their peace. The twins were separated by day and night roles within their community - Yuru works as an animal hunter, while Asa has been kept confined and assigned a secretive duty. When an attack aimed at capturing Yuru leaves the village's adults dead, the siblings attempt to flee, only for Yuru to be confronted mid-escape by a woman claiming to be his true twin sister, throwing his entire understanding of his family into question.

Studio and Production

The series is directed by Masahiro Ando and produced by Bones Film, the studio behind Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Soul Eater, and My Hero Academia. That pedigree has fueled a lot of the buzz around the series, since it pairs Arakawa's storytelling with a studio well known for adapting dense, mythology-heavy source material without losing narrative clarity.

Release Format and Where to Watch

Daemons of the Shadow Realm rolls out as a weekly release on Netflix starting July 4, with multiple dub options available at launch. The series is planned across two cours, meaning the story will unfold in two distinct blocks throughout 2026, with the back half arriving later in the year. Its Netflix-first release is being read by some outlets as part of a broader shift in how major licensed anime titles are being distributed, moving away from the near-default Crunchyroll pipeline that's dominated simulcasts for years.

Conclusion

Daemons of the Shadow Realm gives Hiromu Arakawa's post-Fullmetal Alchemist work its biggest platform yet, backed by a proven studio in Bones Film and a straight-to-Netflix release strategy. With its twin-siblings mystery hook and weekly rollout starting July 4, it's one of the more closely watched anime debuts of the summer.

What's In the Revelations Expansion

Revelations is being billed as an all new campaign expansion rather than a small cosmetic add-on. Early previews point to 10 to 12 hours of additional content, putting it closer in scope to a standalone chapter than a quick side quest. The expansion introduces new levels built around deeper environmental puzzles, a departure from the more straightforward corridor-and-arena structure of the base campaign, while still keeping the brutal close-quarters combat the series is known for.

New demon types are also part of the package, forcing players to adjust the combat loops they mastered in the main campaign. id Software has leaned into escalating enemy variety with each DOOM release, and Revelations continues that trend with threats designed around the puzzle-heavy level layouts.

The Chain Spear Changes the Combat Loop

The headline addition is the Chain Spear, a new melee and utility weapon that gives players another option for closing distance or yanking enemies into range. DOOM: The Dark Ages already reworked the series' traditional run-and-gun formula with a heavier emphasis on melee parries and shield mechanics, and the Chain Spear looks to build on that foundation rather than replace it. Combined with the existing arsenal, it gives players another tool for chaining together the kind of aggressive, momentum-based combat the 2026 release built its identity around.

Where to Get It

Revelations is available as a standalone purchase or bundled into the Premium Upgrade and Premium Edition versions of DOOM: The Dark Ages. It supports Xbox Play Anywhere, meaning a single purchase covers both Xbox consoles and Windows PC. As of launch, the expansion is confirmed for Xbox platforms, with PlayStation and other release details tied to the base game's existing platform lineup.

Conclusion

Revelations gives DOOM: The Dark Ages its first real test of post-launch support, and early impressions suggest id Software is treating it as a genuine campaign extension rather than filler content. With a new weapon, new demons, and puzzle-focused level design, it's a meaningful reason for players to return to Hell's newest chapter.

FAQ

When does DOOM: The Dark Ages - Revelations release?

Revelations launches July 7, 2026.

What platforms is Revelations available on?

It launches on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox on PC, with Xbox Play Anywhere support.

How long is the Revelations campaign?

Previews suggest roughly 10 to 12 hours of additional content.

What new weapon does Revelations add?

The Chain Spear, a new melee and utility weapon for closing distance and pulling enemies into range.

Do I need to buy Revelations separately?

It can be purchased standalone or accessed through the Premium Upgrade and Premium Edition versions of DOOM: The Dark Ages.

Does Revelations add new enemies?

Yes, the expansion introduces new demon types alongside its new levels and puzzles.

What Minions and Monsters Is About

The film drops the Minions into 1920s Hollywood, where they accidentally stumble into movie stardom. After failing, once again, to find a suitably evil boss, the Minions end up starring in a black-and-white feature that turns them into overnight celebrities. Two new Minions, James and Henry, seize the opportunity and decide to make their own monster movie, hoping to cement their place as filmmakers in an industry that barely knows what to make of them.

It's a premise that leans into the franchise's love of era-specific pastiche, following Despicable Me and previous Minions films in dropping the characters into a distinct historical backdrop, this time using the silent and early sound era of Hollywood filmmaking as its playground.

Cast and Crew

The voice cast is stacked with awards pedigree: Allison Janney, Christoph Waltz, Jeff Bridges, Jesse Eisenberg, Zoey Deutch, and Trey Parker, the South Park co-creator, all lend their voices to the film, alongside Bobby Moynihan and Phil LaMarr. Pierre Coffin, who directed the first three Despicable Me films and the original Minions movie, returns to direct. The screenplay comes from Brian Lynch, a longtime franchise writer, working alongside Coffin. Illumination founder and CEO Chris Meledandri produces alongside Bill Ryan, who previously produced The Super Mario Bros. Movie.

How It's Performing at the Box Office

Minions and Monsters is opening into one of the busiest stretches of the summer movie season. Toy Story 5 posted the best opening weekend of any film in the franchise's history with $159.7 million domestically the weekend prior, and the July 4th holiday frame brought a wave of new competition. Illumination films have a track record of strong holds through the summer thanks to family audiences returning for repeat viewings, and early tracking suggests Minions and Monsters is following that same pattern rather than front-loading its opening weekend.

Conclusion

Minions and Monsters delivers exactly what the franchise's audience shows up for: a silly, era-hopping premise, a loaded voice cast, and low-stakes chaos from the yellow henchmen. With Toy Story 5 also dominating screens this summer, family audiences have no shortage of options, but Illumination's newest entry looks built to hold steady through the rest of July.

FAQ

When did Minions and Monsters release?

It opened exclusively in theaters on July 1, 2026.

What is Minions and Monsters about?

The Minions accidentally become movie stars in 1920s Hollywood and attempt to make their own monster film.

Who directed Minions and Monsters?

Pierre Coffin, director of the original Minions film and the first three Despicable Me movies.

Who stars in Minions and Monsters?

Allison Janney, Christoph Waltz, Jeff Bridges, Jesse Eisenberg, Zoey Deutch, and Trey Parker.

Is Minions and Monsters connected to Despicable Me?

Yes, it's part of the wider Despicable Me and Minions franchise from Illumination.

How is Minions and Monsters doing at the box office?

It's holding steady through a crowded July 4th weekend, competing against Toy Story 5 and other new wide releases.

What We Know About the Film

Solo Leveling: Beyond the System picks up the story after season 2, though plot specifics remain under wraps beyond the concept video shown at the panel. The project is being co-produced by Crunchyroll, Aniplex, Netmarble, D&C Media, and Kakao Piccoma, bringing together the same web of companies that have shepherded the franchise from Korean web novel to global anime hit. Tao Tajima is directing, while also serving as director of photography, editor, and colorist, and Tomoko Sudo returns as character designer and key animator, keeping the visual style consistent with the TV series.

Release Window Still Unconfirmed

Neither Aniplex nor Crunchyroll has announced a theatrical release window for Beyond the System as of the Anime Expo reveal. Social media chatter and early reporting following the announcement have pointed toward a possible 2027 release, but that remains speculation until an official date arrives. What is confirmed is the format: this is being built as a theatrical anime feature first, with Crunchyroll expected to handle streaming distribution once the theatrical run concludes, following the same pattern used by other franchise films that eventually land on the platform.

Why This Matters for the Franchise

Solo Leveling has become one of the biggest anime success stories of the past few years, expanding from its origins as a Korean web novel and manhwa into a full anime adaptation that quickly built a massive global audience. A theatrical film continuing directly from season 2 signals that the studios see enough momentum in the property to justify a big-screen event rather than folding new story content straight into a season 3 order. It also mirrors a broader trend of anime franchises using films to bridge or expand on TV continuity rather than treating movies as standalone side stories.

Conclusion

Solo Leveling: Beyond the System is still early in its rollout, with no release date and only a concept video to go on, but the returning creative team and the franchise's continued momentum make it one of the more significant anime film announcements to come out of Anime Expo 2026. Expect more details, including a release window, as production moves forward.

FAQ

What is Solo Leveling: Beyond the System?

It's a new anime film continuing the Solo Leveling story after the events of season 2.

When was Solo Leveling: Beyond the System announced?

It was announced at Anime Expo on July 3, 2026, during a Crunchyroll panel.

Who is animating the film?

A-1 Pictures, the same studio behind the Solo Leveling TV series.

Who is directing Solo Leveling: Beyond the System?

Tao Tajima, who is also serving as director of photography, editor, and colorist.

When will Solo Leveling: Beyond the System release?

No official date has been announced, though some reports point to a possible 2027 window.

Will Solo Leveling: Beyond the System stream on Crunchyroll?

Crunchyroll is a co-producer and is expected to handle streaming distribution after the film's theatrical run.

What Is Last Variable?

Last Variable is a story-driven expansion for The Alters, the 2026 survival game that had players managing a rolling base and a crew of clones, each one an alternate version of protagonist Jan Dolski shaped by different life choices. The base game asked what happens when a person has to work alongside, argue with, and depend on versions of himself that took different paths. The DLC keeps that premise intact while pushing into new narrative territory.

11 bit studios has been releasing gameplay previews in the lead-up to launch, showing off new environments, new alternate versions of Jan to recruit, and additional threats tied to the planet's shifting day-night cycle. The developer has pitched the expansion as a natural continuation of the base story rather than a side detour, meaning players who finished the main campaign should expect answers to some of the questions it left open.

How Long Is It, and What Does It Cost?

Early estimates put Last Variable at around 20 hours of additional content, which is a significant addition relative to the base game's runtime. That scope suggests 11 bit studios is treating this less like a cosmetic add-on and more like a genuine second chapter. Pricing and whether it will be bundled with a Game of the Year-style edition of the base game had not been fully detailed in the run-up to release, though the DLC is confirmed to launch day-and-date across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

Why This Matters for The Alters

The Alters found a niche audience on release by combining base-building mechanics with a genuinely strange, introspective story. A meaty expansion this soon after launch is a sign the game performed well enough to justify further investment, and it gives 11 bit studios a chance to address feedback from the base campaign while keeping the momentum going into the back half of 2026's crowded release calendar.

Conclusion

Last Variable arrives July 13 with roughly 20 hours of new story content for The Alters, expanding one of 2026's more original survival games. Players who have already met every version of Jan Dolski will soon have new ones to deal with.