Here’s a roundup of the articles I published for the month alongside associated reading I recommend.
First up, a translation of Dengeki PlayStation’s review of Elemental Gearbolt, the game which serves as the prequel to Gunparade March and the start of the Seven World Saga: https://www.patreon.com/OgreRun/posts/dengeki-gearbolt-159972140
Further reading: I have enough articles now that I’ve created an “Alfa System” collection that’s split between the work of Shoji Masuda and Yuri Shibamura: https://www.patreon.com/collection/2248272?view=expanded
Second, a translation of Super Beautiful Girls-Games Chronicle’s review of YU-NO which helps us contextualize the game’s Japanese reputation. This is a book I’ll certainly be returning to: https://www.patreon.com/OgreRun/posts/super-beautiful-160386173
Further reading: Articles specifically focusing on the work of YU-NO’s director and writer, Hiroyuki Kanno: https://www.patreon.com/collection/2145091?view=expanded
Third, June’s first scheduled post, a translation of an interview between Faust’s editorial team, Hiroki Azuma, and Hiroyuki Kanno, going over the development of YU-NO, Kanno’s influences, and his current games. I believe this may be the most extensive interview of Kanno available in English: https://www.patreon.com/OgreRun/posts/super-talk-faust-159678246
Further reading: Articles on Hiroki Azuma, covering Azuma’s landmark Otaku, collaboration with Katsushi Ota on Faust, and Azuma’s further work on bishojo games: https://www.patreon.com/collection/2207828?view=expanded
Fourth, I visited the LOMEX Gallery in downtown Manhattan to catch the Yoshitaka Amano exhibit, Time and Light, and briefly wrote about how we understand Amano’s career and style: https://www.patreon.com/OgreRun/posts/yoshitaka-amano-161433137
Fifth, with the year halfway over, here are some of my favorite games of the past six months: https://ogrerun.com/2026/06/21/favorite-games-of-2026-so-far/
Finally, a review of Kowloon’s Gate in which I detail the game’s development, how we understand it as an RPG in relation to Sony’s broader production strategies, and the politics of its depiction of Kowloon: https://www.patreon.com/OgreRun/posts/kowloons-gate-162012514
Further reading: Two articles on the notion of “RPG-like” games. The first, a letter from a reader to the magazine Nice Games: https://www.patreon.com/OgreRun/posts/nice-games-top-5-159542366
Second, my own brief reflection on r/JRPG’s top games of 1997: https://ogrerun.com/2026/05/30/nice-games-the-top-5-rpg-like-games/
Here’s a roundup of research threads I posted over on Bluesky.
Ruminating on early otaku culture and what it means for dating and relationships as seen in Japanese computer and video game magazines : https://bsky.app/profile/ogre-run.bsky.social/post/3mnbli7diw22i
Quite a long thread going over Wizardry’s sales and reputation in Japan as tracked through LOGiN and Beep: https://bsky.app/profile/ogre-run.bsky.social/post/3mnpuyevqkc2p
Another thread, this time briefly focusing on Ultima in Japan: https://bsky.app/profile/ogre-run.bsky.social/post/3mnrzamalp22c
Investigating the connection between Transparent Girl Air and the ADV game Machi. I may have an answer for this soon: https://bsky.app/profile/ogre-run.bsky.social/post/3mo4a2iqors23
Some research into Kowloon’s Gate: https://bsky.app/profile/ogre-run.bsky.social/post/3modexgkuyk2q
A very long thread with my thoughts on reading EGM’s September 2008 issue on the topic of the Japanese games industry: https://bsky.app/profile/ogre-run.bsky.social/post/3moohcjxm2c2s
The Investigation of Early Advertisements on the Initial Wave of JRPGs as Inspired by Bowl of Lentils: https://bsky.app/profile/ogre-run.bsky.social/post/3movarsvo2s2e
Part II – finding an advertisement for Spy Daisakusen: https://bsky.app/profile/ogre-run.bsky.social/post/3movgqwmtzc2i
Part III – Koei’s Dragon and Princess: https://bsky.app/profile/ogre-run.bsky.social/post/3mp572le2gs2b
Reflecting on umeboshi and the “Japanese” in “Japanese Role-Playing Game”: https://bsky.app/profile/ogre-run.bsky.social/post/3mpkdu6bbqk2i
Finally, here’s nearly 50 games currently on sale, each one $5 or less: https://bsky.app/profile/ogre-run.bsky.social/post/3mpkjrjwqbs2l