Entertainment

PLAVE is back with an even more powerful comeback this 2025

The virtual K-Pop group you need to stream right now

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PLAVE is ready to take on the center stage again this 2025 with an even stronger comeback!

Who on Earth?

As the GadgetMatch team’s decade-old K-Pop stan, PLAVE isn’t a “누구” (nugu) as I already knew them from the get-go — especially when they made their surprising debut way back in 2023.

But to those who missed it, PLAVE (플레이브) is one of the industry’s so-called “virtual groups” where members aren’t real human beings (at least superficially). Rather, anime-like characters or avatars.

VLAST (which is both an entertainment agency and a VFX company), formed and introduced this K-Pop super group that pushes the boundaries in both music and entertainment.

Furthermore, PLAVE is pioneering the K-Pop industry when it comes to showing the advancements in graphics and technology, immersive story-telling, as well as self-produced artistry.

Reyal or Fakeh?!

What makes PLAVE different from other virtual idol groups is that, they are actually NOT AI. Real people are still behind the avatars you’re seeing that happened to be behind their respective MoCap (Motion Capture) suits.

Cutting to the chase, the members are talented artists who happen to make real music but also, promote in the form of virtual characters inspired from Korean webtoon series or popularly known as “Manhwa” (만화).

Members Yejun (예준), Noah (노아), and Eunho (은호) are responsible for the music — lyrics, composition, and production.

On the flip side is where Bamby (밤비) and Hamin (하민) focus on anything and everything related to choreography and performance.

Bop to the Top

PLAVE has actually made milestones ever since the beginning of their career. They became the first ever virtual K-Pop group to top major music charts — even securing first place on several music shows in South Korea.

After a year of not having any official music release (excluding OSTs), Caligo PT.1 was finally revealed to the public this February 2025.

Their latest EP (Extended Play) has attained remarkable success. Within 24 hours, it became the highest streamed album during its first day on Melon — South Korea’s top music chart.

And with their steadfast popularity, PLAVE has also entered the “Billions Club” with over a billion of cumulative streams on the said streaming platform. Six days later, their cumulative streaming total surpassed two billion.

Believe it or not, despite being a virtual K-Pop group, their latest album has sold over a million of physical copies.

Furthermore, the group’s latest title track ‘Dash’ has also made its debut on the Billboard Global 200. Meanwhile, four tracks from the album entered the Billboard Global Excluding US chart.

As of this writing, their latest music video has already garnered 10 Million Views — which is also a testament that the quintet is going stronger than ever regardless of being “just” a virtual K-Pop group.

Their live performance in Mnet’s M Countdown (South Korea’s top streaming platform on TV) even exceeded 1 Million Views.

And with almost 1 Million subscribers on YouTube, it shows how effective PLAVE is when it comes to serenading the ears and capturing the hearts of all viewers and listeners.

You can now stream PLAVE’s full Caligo Pt.1 EP in all music platforms.

And for the greatest music experience possible, stream it in Hi-Res Lossless Audio. 😉

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Entertainment

Crunchyroll Anime Expo announcements: Solo Leveling, Ghost of Tsushima, more

Roundup of major reveals, surprise announcements, more

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July 6, 2026

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Crunchyroll took the stage at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles for Anime Expo 2026, dropping a massive slate of theatrical films, new series adaptations, and world premiere trailers.

Headlining the blockbuster showcase were the surprise announcements of a brand-new Solo Leveling theatrical feature and an early glimpse into the animated world of Ghost of Tsushima.

Solo Leveling: Beyond the System

In one of the biggest reactions of the night, English voice actor Aleks Le took the stage to announce that the story of Sung Jinwoo is far from over.

Fans at the event were the first to learn that an all-new anime theatrical feature film, titled Solo Leveling: Beyond the System, is officially in production.

The movie will serve as a direct continuation of the series. It picks up immediately following the events of Season 2.

Animated by the acclaimed studio A-1 Pictures, the film is a joint production involving Aniplex, Netmarble, D&C MEDIA, Kakao Piccoma, and Crunchyroll.

Attendees were also treated to an exclusive teaser key visual and a promotional concept video:

‘Ghost of Tsushima Legends’ character designs

Following last year’s announcement of an anime adaptation of PlayStation’s beloved action-adventure game, Crunchyroll debuted an exclusive first look at the character designs for Ghost of Tsushima Legends.

The upcoming series, which follows one of the last remaining samurai defending his homeland against the Mongol Empire, is being produced by KAMIKAZE DOUGA under the direction of Takanobu Mizuno.

Legendary creators Gen Urobuchi and Satoshi Maejima of NITRO PLUS are handling the script, with Urobuchi overseeing story composition.

Finally, Takashi Okazaki providing the character designs to translate the game’s iconic samurai aesthetic into animation.

Other major reveals, more announcements

  • The Guy She Was Interested in Wasn’t a Guy At All: In a shocking surprise video message, rock icon Dave Grohl revealed that Nirvana’s track “Breed” will serve as the official opening theme song for the anime.

  • Kagurabachi: Following news that the highly anticipated adaptation is coming to Crunchyroll next year, the panel showcased an exclusive Q&A with Japanese voice actor Taihi Kimura alongside a first look at the provisional character design sheet for protagonist Chihiro Rokuhira.

Crunchyroll rounded out the Anime Expo showcase by locking down release windows and trailers for several highly anticipated fantasy and sci-fi adaptations:

  • The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 5: Naofumi’s perilous journey against the waves of danger will officially return to the platform next year.

  • Dengeki Daisy: A world premiere trailer was unveiled for this romance-espionage comedy, which is officially heading to Crunchyroll in 2027.

  • Magical Buffs – The Support Caster is Stronger Than He Realized!: This new guild-focused fantasy series is locked in for a January 2027 premiere.

  • The Vermilion Mask: Fans got another look at the dark, mask-destroying journey of Peru, which is set to premiere in October 2026.

  • Overgeared: The virtual reality gaming anime following the S-Rank blacksmith quest of “Grid” will officially debut on the platform later this year.

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Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle I coming to Crunchyroll

Record-breaking anime film available to stream on July 28

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July 6, 2026

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Copyright: Koyoharu Gotoge / SHUEISHA, Aniplex, ufotable

Anime sensation Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle I is coming to Crunchyroll later this month.

The record-breaking blockbuster will be available on the streaming platform on July 28, excluding Japan and mainland China.

And for fans looking to permanently add the film to their digital collections, it will simultaneously drop for purchase on major storefronts on the same day. Digital pre-orders are already live across select platforms.

Infinity Castle I marks the first entry in an ambitious, anticipated feature-film trilogy that chronicles the final battle of the critically acclaimed dark fantasy franchise.

The narrative picks up with protagonist Tanjiro Kamado, who dedicated his life to the Demon Slayer Corps after a tragic attack that left his younger sister Nezuko transformed into a demon.

The announcement follows an extraordinary theatrical run that solidified the film’s status as a global entertainment juggernaut.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle I became the highest grossing anime film of all time last year.

Meanwhile, all episodes of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba and Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train are available to stream on Crunchyroll.

Moreover, these special performances are likewise available on the platform:

  • Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba -Orchestra Concert-
  • Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba ON STAGE
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Entertainment

Project Hail Mary now on Prime Video

One of this year’s highest rated and top grossing movies

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July 3, 2026

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Courtesy: Amazon MGM Studios

Project Hail Mary, one of this year’s highest-rated and highest-grossing films so far, is now available on Prime Video.

It has been just three months since the sci-fi hit was shown on cinemas, and now, viewers have the opportunity to either rewind the movie or witness it for the first time.

Based on Andy Weir’s bestselling novel, the film stars Ryan Gosling, Sandra Hüller, James Ortiz, Lionel Boyce, Ken Leung, Milana Vayntrub, and Priya Kansara.

It is directed by Academy Award winning filmmakers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, with screenplay by Drew Goddard.

Prime Video subscribers across more than 240 countries and territories have the chance to stream the movie.

Project Hail Mary features science teacher Ryland Grace (Gosling), who wakes up on a spaceship light years from home with no recollection of who he is or how he got there.

As his memory returns, he begins to uncover his mission: solve the riddle of the mysterious substance causing the sun to die out.

He must call on his scientific knowledge and unorthodox ideas to save everything on Earth from extinction. But an unexpected friendship means he may not have to do it alone.

Now Playing: Project Hail Mary

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