The beloved JRPG series Suikoden is making a long-awaited return. After years of silence, Konami is not only releasing HD remasters of Suikoden I and II but also launching a new mobile game and a range of adaptations. Fans have eagerly anticipated the remasters since their announcement in 2022 despite a two-year delay. As their early March release nears, Konami rewards their patience with even more exciting news.
Suikoden Star Leap: A new mobile experience
The upcoming mobile game, Suikoden Star Leap, marks the franchiseโs debut on iOS and Android. While Suikoden has previously appeared on portable consoles, this is its first dedicated mobile entry. The game, set before Suikoden I but after Suikoden V, will feature 2D sprite characters in 3D environments, blending nostalgia with modern visuals.
Producer Shinya Fujimatsu explained that the goal of Star Leap is to introduce the series to a wider audience, tapping into the massive mobile gaming market. However, he reassured fans that the console game would receive the same quality treatment. The game will boast a fully voiced main story, a soundtrack of 150 tracks, and a deep connection to the existing Suikoden lore. While the exact details remain scarce, Fujimatsu hinted that Star Leap will explore multiple periods, possibly linked to the Rune of Change, one of Suikoden’s powerful 27 True Runes.
Players can recruit 108 new characters, build a home base similar to previous games, and even interact with past Suikoden characters. Although the game will include events and a gacha system, the developers stress that these elements are optional and not the core focus.
While no official release date has been confirmed, fans can already glimpse the game in its trailer, which showcases its blend of 2D and 3D visuals and turn-based combat system.
Expanding the Suikoden universe
In addition to Suikoden Star Leap, the franchise is expanding with new adaptations. The biggest announcement is an anime adaptation of Suikoden II, produced by Konamiโs in-house animation studio in collaboration with NBC Universal Entertainment Japan. The goal is to make the series accessible to new fans while staying true to its original storyline. Rui Naito, producer of the Suikoden I & II remasters, explained that anime was the perfect medium to capture the game’s epic fantasy war setting. The game development team has worked closely with the animation studio to ensure a faithful adaptation.
Alongside the anime, a manga adaptation of Suikoden Star Leap has also been confirmed. Aki Shimuzu, known for the Suikoden III: Unmei no Keishousha manga, will lead the project.
For theatre fans, Suikoden the Stage, a live-action play based on Suikoden I, will be performed in Tokyo and Kyoto this December.
Although the anime and manga release dates remain undisclosed, Konami has promised future Suikoden Live broadcasts to share further updates.
With multiple projects in the works, itโs clear that Suikoden is making a triumphant return. Whether youโre a longtime fan or a newcomer, now is the perfect time to jump into the world of Suikoden.
