Visual Novel

A 2D fighting game by Arc System Works featuring a sci-fi dark fantasy setting. Its narrative centers on time manipulation across alternate timelines with multiple branching endings. Praised for seamlessly combining mechanical depth typical of competitive fighting games with sophisticated storytelling, attracting both casual and tournament players worldwide.

A high-difficulty action RPG genre inspired by FromSoftware's Dark Souls and Elden Ring franchises. Characterized by challenging combat and learning-through-failure mechanics, players repeatedly die and adapt strategies. Originating from Japan, this genre became a worldwide trend, inspiring countless indie developers to create soulslike titles, fundamentally reshaping how modern games approach difficulty and player engagement.

A JRPG series developed by Monolith Software. Set in vast open worlds with complex narratives and flexible battle systems. Since its 2010 debut, it has gained critical acclaim domestically and internationally. Its resurgence on Nintendo Switch attracted new audiences, making it a symbol of innovative JRPG development in Japan.

A long-form JRPG series by Falcom spanning multiple interconnected games. Each subseries—Trails in the Sky, Zero no Kiseki, Ao no Kiseki, and Trails of Cold Steel—builds upon previous narratives while exploring new perspectives within a shared world. The franchise is celebrated for its meticulous world-building, character development across hundreds of hours, and exemplary narrative planning in Japanese RPG development.

A media mix franchise conceived by Satoshi Tajiri and developed by Game Freak. Through expansion across games, anime, trading cards, and films, it became one of the world's most successful entertainment franchises. 'Pokemon GO' sparked a global social phenomenon.

An RPG series with its first installment released by Square (now Square Enix) in 1987. Each title features a unique world and story, captivating fans worldwide with cinematic presentation and grand musical scores. It is the definitive series that popularized Japanese RPGs globally.