Sunday, 12 July 2026
Anime, manga, and games, with a take · A Yukimedia publication

← all stories

Bandai Namco Entertainment

Bandai Namco Entertainment is actively releasing multiple titles across its major franchises in mid-2026, including Sword Art Online: Echoes of Aincrad, Tekken 8, Ace Combat 8, and Captain Tsubasa 2, while also launching a retro-focused NAMCO LEGENDARY 2026 project and facing creative leadership turnover with the departure of Tekken director Kohei Ikeda.

Synthesized from 13 Yomimono stories · updated 4d ago

Bandai Namco Entertainment entered mid-2026 with a dense release calendar spanning its core franchises. The company launched the NAMCO LEGENDARY 2026 project on June 1, bundling five anniversary titles from the classic Namco catalog into a single brand initiative. The project includes games for Galaga, The Adventure of Valkyrie, Genpei Tōma Den, Family Stadium, and Time Crisis, alongside merchandise and a pop-up shop. This signals a strategy to treat retro content as a sustained product line rather than one-off re-releases.

New entries in major series are arriving through the summer and fall. Sword Art Online: Echoes of Aincrad launches July 9 in Japan and July 10 worldwide on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, with a demo released June 16 that covers the game's beta test chapter. Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve launches October 2 on the same platforms, developed by Bandai Namco Aces Inc. on Unreal Engine 5, and includes a port of Ace Combat Zero as a pre-order bonus. Captain Tsubasa 2: World Fighters launches August 28 on Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Tekken 8 continues its third season pass with Bob entering early access on August 19. The company also revealed first screenshots for Gundam Rogue Orbit, a new original action game set for 2027.

Creative leadership saw significant change. Kohei Ikeda, director of Tekken 7 and Tekken 8, left Bandai Namco in early June after 20 years, following former Tekken producer Katsuhiro Harada's departure at the end of 2025. On the publishing side, Bandai Namco is handling the debut title from Rebel Wolves, The Blood of Dawnwalker, an open-world dark fantasy RPG launching September 3. The company also continues to support live-service titles like My Hero Ultra Rumble, which added Mirko as a playable character in Season 17.

Key facts

Sword Art Online: Echoes of Aincrad launch dates
Japan on July 9, worldwide on July 10, 2026, for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. ↗
Death Game Mode details
Permadeath option that deletes the save file upon character death, available after completing the game once, with early access in Deluxe and Ultimate Editions. ↗
The Blood of Dawnwalker launch date
September 3, 2026, for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. ↗
Bleach Mirrors High closed beta test
Scheduled from July 22 to 29 or July 23 to 30, 2026, with approximately 20,000 participants. ↗
Tekken 8 Season 3 character Bob early access
August 19, 2026, with full release on August 24. ↗
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve launch date
October 2, 2026, for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. ↗
Kohei Ikeda departure
Left Bandai Namco Entertainment after 20 years, following former Tekken producer Katsuhiro Harada's departure at the end of 2025. ↗
NAMCO LEGENDARY 2026 project
Announced June 1, 2026, covering five anniversary titles: Galaga (45th), The Adventure of Valkyrie, Genpei Tōma Den, Family Stadium (all 40th), and Time Crisis (30th). ↗
Captain Tsubasa 2: World Fighters launch date
August 28, 2026, for Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. ↗
Gundam Rogue Orbit release window
2027, for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. ↗

Timeline

Synthesized by Yomimono from the cited Yomimono stories below, each itself sourced, then editorially reviewed. Every fact links the story it came from.

Facts

Announced
launch of the NAMCO LEGENDARY 2026 project · 2026-06-01
Release
game · May 27, 2026 · 2026-05-25

Connections

Produces
sword art online echoes of aincrad, bleach mirrors high, echoes of aincrad, tekken 8, gundam rogue orbit, ace combat 8 wings of theve, galaga, captain tsubasa
Staff change
kohei ikeda

Structured graph also available as JSON at /public/entities/bandai-namco-entertainment. CC BY 4.0.

Claim activity

When a claim about Bandai Namco Entertainment was confirmed, debunked, or disputed against open-web sources. The record stays even after a claim drops off the facts list.

  • Confirmed Bandai Namco Entertainment staff change Kohei Ikeda Jun 22 · source
  • Confirmed Bandai Namco Entertainment produces Galaga Jun 14 · source
  • Confirmed Bandai Namco Entertainment produces Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve Jun 3 · source
  • Confirmed game May 27, 2026 May 28 · source
  • Confirmed bandai namco entertainment produces captain tsubasa May 27 · source

All coverage

4d ago

Sword Art Online: Echoes of Aincrad Trailer Shows Death Game Mode

Bandai Namco Entertainment released a new trailer for Sword Art Online: Echoes of Aincrad on Tuesday, previewing the game's Death Game Mode. The mode is a permadeath option that deletes the player's save file upon character death, with no respawns. It is normally available only after completing the game once, but early access is included with the Deluxe and Ultimate Editions. The game launches in Japan on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on July 9, and on PC via Steam on July 10. The Western release is July 10 across all platforms. Players create their own customizable avatar and explore Aincrad alongside characters like Kirito and Asuna. Aimer performs the theme song "Live to Survive." The game has four editions: Standard, Deluxe, Ultimate, and Aincrad (Bandai Namco Store exclusive). The Ultimate Edition adds a digital soundtrack, digital artbook, an in-game armor pack, and the bonus anime "Unanswered//butterfly," which follows other characters during the original Sword Art Online story. The Deluxe Edition includes expansion DLC and a starter item pack.

4d ago

The Blood of Dawnwalker Lets Players Build Special Relationships or Bite NPCs to Death

Rebel Wolves, the studio founded by former CD Projekt RED developers, and Bandai Namco Entertainment held a media preview for their debut title "The Blood of Dawnwalker" on July 7, 2026. The open-world dark fantasy action RPG launches on September 3 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Narrative director Jakub Szamałek gave an interview alongside hands-on play sessions of the first four hours. The game stars Coen, a young man who becomes a Dawnwalker-human by day and vampire by night-after his village is attacked by the vampire lord Brencis. Coen has 30 days and 30 nights to rescue his family before Brencis's coronation. Time advances only when the player makes significant choices, not during exploration or combat. The "narrative sandbox" design allows players to approach the main goal freely, including the possibility of storming the castle on day one. Combat uses a directional system where blocking and attacking in the right direction conserves stamina. The vampire form offers powerful abilities like teleportation and bloodsucking, but bloodlust can trigger uncontrollable urges to bite and kill NPCs, even those with whom Coen has built close relationships. The game is the first entry in a planned multi-title saga spanning centuries.

6d ago

Bleach Mirrors High Trailer Reveals Two Original Protagonists by Tite Kubo

Bandai Namco Entertainment unveiled a new trailer for the smartphone game Bleach Mirrors High at Anime Expo 2026 on July 4. The trailer introduces two original player characters, Shirin Migishima and Shirane Sanari, both designed by Bleach creator Tite Kubo. Players will choose one of the two and experience a story set after the Thousand-Year Blood War arc. The trailer also shows the characters in action and includes their voices, though the voice cast has not yet been announced. Alongside the trailer, Bandai Namco opened recruitment for a closed beta test. Applications run until July 13, with approximately 20,000 participants selected. The closed beta test is scheduled from July 22 to 29 according to one source, or July 23 to 30 according to another; data will not carry over to the full release. The game is an action title for iOS and Android, described as a Gotei 13 Experience Action game. Kubo is credited with production cooperation, character concept, and character design. Cast information for the two protagonists is expected at a later date.

Jun 30

Sword Art Online: Echoes of Aincrad Opening Movie Previews Aimer Theme Song

Bandai Namco Entertainment America released the opening movie for the action RPG Echoes of Aincrad, featuring the theme song "Live to Survive" by Aimer. The song launches digitally Wednesday in English and Japanese. The game launches July 9 in Japan and July 10 worldwide on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.

Jun 16

Sword Art Online: Echoes of Aincrad Demo Launches With Beta Test Chapter

Bandai Namco Entertainment released the demo for Echoes of Aincrad, the new action RPG set in the Sword Art Online universe, on June 16. The demo covers the entire beta test chapter that opens the full game, letting players experience the period before the official service of the in-game MMO Sword Art Online becomes a death game. Playtime is roughly three to four hours, and save data carries over to the full release. Players control a fixed young swordsman avatar during the beta test, then customize their real appearance when the main story begins. The demo includes five missions, all weapon types, and a tutorial for the combat system, which features light and heavy attacks, sword skills, guarding, dodging, parrying, and a severance mechanic that lets players destroy enemy limbs. Partner character Iori, a hardcore beta tester, accompanies the player and can be ordered into Switch Mode or Free Mode. The full game launches July 9 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, and July 10 on PC via Steam. Aimer performs the theme song "Live to Survive." Streaming guidelines restrict full-game streaming to Very Hard difficulty with Death Game Mode enabled until July 17.

Jun 8

Bandai Namco Releases First Screenshots for Gundam Rogue Orbit

Bandai Namco Entertainment has released official screenshots for the new action game Gundam Rogue Orbit, set for release in 2027 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The game's official website and X account are now live. Players pilot the Gundam Helix as protagonist Rex alongside partner Haro Vee.

Jun 2

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve Launches October 2, Includes Zero as Pre-Order Bonus

Bandai Namco Entertainment announced during Sony's State of Play livestream on June 3 that Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve will launch on October 2 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. The game is the latest entry in the Ace Combat series, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Players take the role of a fighter pilot rescued at sea by the aging aircraft carrier Endurance, belonging to the Federation of Central Usea. The player is entrusted with the legendary ace known as the Wings of Seave, a symbol of hope, and must reclaim lost territory alongside three new companions. The game is developed by Bandai Namco Aces Inc., a studio formed in July 2022 by Bandai Namco Entertainment and ILCA, and is built on Unreal Engine 5. A port of Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War will be included as a pre-order bonus for the digital version and as an early purchase bonus for the physical version. Early access for the Deluxe Edition begins on September 29.

Jun 2

Tekken 7 and Tekken 8 Director Kohei Ikeda Leaves Bandai Namco

Kohei Ikeda, game director for Tekken 7 and Tekken 8, announced on Monday that he has left Bandai Namco Entertainment after 20 years at the company. His departure follows that of former Tekken project producer Katsuhiro Harada, who left at the end of 2025 and now leads SNK's new studio.

Jun 1

Bandai Namco Launches NAMCO LEGENDARY 2026 Project With Five Anniversary Titles

Bandai Namco Entertainment announced on June 1 the launch of the NAMCO LEGENDARY 2026 project, an initiative to develop content from classic Namco games. The project centers on five titles marking anniversaries this year: Galaga (45th), The Adventure of Valkyrie, Genpei Tōma Den, and Family Stadium (all 40th), and Time Crisis (30th). Alongside game releases, the project includes a pop-up shop called Namco Game Selection Summer Market at Hakuhinkan TOY PARK in Ginza, Tokyo, running from July 11 to August 6, featuring goods from Pac-Man, Dig Dug, Mappy, and others. A demo version of the 3D puzzle game Namco Legendary Mountains, developed by B-Side, is available on Steam for PC, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, and Mac. A plug-and-play gun controller from Tassei Denki, which includes Time Crisis, Gun Bullet, Steel Gunner, and Steel Gunner 2, is also on sale. Additional merchandise includes the second wave of Classic Game Blankets from KADOKAWA Game Linkage, featuring designs from The Adventure of Valkyrie and Mappy, releasing September 16 at 3,300 yen each, as well as Galaga pins and family cassette cases. The project aims to make Namco titles more accessible to both longtime fans and new generations.

May 25

My Hero Ultra Rumble Season 17 Adds Mirko as a Playable Character

Bandai Namco Entertainment released a trailer for My Hero Ultra Rumble Season 17, which launches May 27. The season adds Mirko as a new playable character, several new costumes, and a new battle style for Present Mic arriving after June. The game is available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

May 19

Captain Tsubasa 2: World Fighters Soccer Game Launches August 28

Bandai Namco Entertainment announced that Captain Tsubasa 2: World Fighters will launch on August 28 for Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. The game features 22 national teams and over 110 playable characters. Pre-orders include a 2026 Japan National Team Jersey cosmetic and other bonuses.