Thursday, 13 August 2026
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Animo Free-to-Play Open-World RPG Sets September 16 Launch

The simultaneous multi-platform launch across consoles, PC, and mobile positions Animo as a direct competitor in the creature-collecting genre, with the linking mechanic as its distinguishing feature from established franchises.

Key Facts

  • Animo launches on September 16 at 11:00 as a free-to-play game with in-game purchases.
  • The game releases on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Android, and iOS.
  • The Advance Edition Pre-order Limited Pack costs 1,500 yen and the Collection Edition Pre-order Limited Pack costs 3,000 yen on the PlayStation Store.
  • Both PlayStation pre-order packs include the Mofunezumi Buddy accessory and Companion Note pass.
  • The Xbox pre-order includes the Doggo Dude in-game accessory reward.

Reporting from 3 sources: GAME Watch (Impress), Denfaminicogamer, Game Spark.

Animo Free-to-Play Open-World RPG Sets September 16 Launch

Pawprint Interactive Entertainment will launch the free-to-play open-world creature-collecting RPG Animo on September 16 at 11:00. The game will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Android, and iOS. The announcement came through the PlayStation Blog and the official PlayStation Japan account on August 13, 2026, alongside the opening of pre-orders for the PS5 version. The core mechanic involves linking with creatures called Animo to borrow their forms and abilities, enabling actions like crossing water and flying during exploration and combat. Animo can branch-evolve into different forms depending on habitat, weather, and how players raise them. The game also includes base-building elements and multiplayer interaction. Pre-order exclusive packs are available on the PlayStation Store: the Advance Edition Pre-order Limited Pack at 1,500 yen and the Collection Edition Pre-order Limited Pack at 3,000 yen. Both include the in-game accessory Mofunezumi Buddy and the Companion Note pass. The Xbox version offers a pre-order exclusive Doggo Dude accessory reward. The game itself is free after launch, so the packs cover bonus content only.

  • Pawprint Studio is the developer behind the game, per the PlayStation Blog announcement and Game Spark's report.
  • The game's first closed beta for Japan ran in July 2026, and Game Spark published an early play report from that test.
  • Game Spark also covered the game's booth at the BW2026 event in July, describing it as "overflowing with cuteness."
  • Pre-orders for the PS5 version opened on August 13, the same day as the announcement, and the pre-order packs are available until 10:59 on September 16, just before launch.
  • Game Spark notes the packs' bonus content is "obtainable only through pre-ordering the PlayStation version."
  • The Xbox pre-order exclusive Doggo Dude accessory was promoted through the game's official English account, @Aniimo_EN, on August 13.
  • The PC version is planned for both Steam and Epic Games Store, and pre-registration is open on the official website.
  • Game Spark's early play report highlights linking to fly through the sky, cross the sea, and blend into herds of creatures.
  • The game's copyright line reads "(C) 2026 Pawprint Studio," and screenshots in the announcement are noted as from development in progress.

Synthesized by Yomimono from the 3 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.

Animo Pawprint Interactive Entertainment

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