The gaming world received electrifying news this week as legendary character designer Kazuma Kaneko’s TSUKUYOMI is making its way to the Nintendo Switch. According to Anime News Network, developer Colopl announced on Thursday that this deck-building RPG will launch as an offline experience on April 23, 2026, marking a significant milestone for the iconic artist’s first major console release since departing from Atlus. This announcement represents not just a platform expansion, but a complete reimagining of the mobile/PC game that launched in May 2025.
The Return of a Legend: Kazuma Kaneko’s Journey from Atlus to Colopl
For fans of the Shin Megami Tensei and Persona franchises, Kazuma Kaneko needs no introduction. Often referred to as the “Demon Artist,” Kaneko spent 35 years at Atlus, joining the company in 1988 and leaving an indelible mark on Japanese RPG history. His distinctive art style—characterized by dark, mythological aesthetics and intricate demon designs—helped define the visual identity of some of gaming’s most beloved franchises.
In 2023, Kaneko made the surprising decision to leave Atlus and join Colopl, a mobile game developer best known for titles like Shironeko Project. In interviews following his departure, Kaneko expressed his desire to create something entirely his own, stating that he wanted to develop an original IP that would express his unique worldview. This creative freedom led to the birth of what was initially known as “Project Mask”—a mysterious endeavor that Colopl described as “a new game experience themed on creating ‘god.'”
From Mobile to Console: TSUKUYOMI’s Evolution
The Nintendo Switch version of KAZUMA KANEKO’S TSUKUYOMI represents a significant departure from its free-to-play mobile and PC predecessor, TSUKUYOMI – The Divine Hunters. While the mobile version launched in May 2025 with a free-to-play model and cross-platform save functionality between Steam, iOS, and Android, the Switch iteration will be a premium, standalone experience priced at $24.99.
This “reborn” version isn’t simply a port—it’s a comprehensive overhaul. According to the announcement, the Switch release will include a brand-new playable character, expanded story elements, a completely updated user interface, rebalanced gameplay mechanics, and fresh card art personally created by Kaneko himself. Most notably, the game will feature 3,600 cards selected in collaboration with the community from the original mobile game, demonstrating Colopl’s commitment to incorporating player feedback into this new iteration.
Addressing the AI Controversy
One of the most discussed aspects of the original mobile release was its use of “AI KANEKO,” a generative AI system that created new card art based on player actions and decisions. This AI was trained exclusively on Kazuma Kaneko’s own artwork, generating cards dynamically as players progressed through the game. However, the Switch version takes a different approach—it will not utilize generative AI to create new cards, instead featuring hand-crafted artwork from Kaneko and the curated selection of existing cards from the mobile version.
This decision appears to address concerns from some players who were uncomfortable with AI-generated content, even when trained on a single artist’s work. By focusing on Kaneko’s original creations and community-selected favorites, the Switch version emphasizes the human artistry that made Kaneko a legend in the first place.
Gameplay: Deck-Building Meets Roguelike Tower Climbing
At its core, KAZUMA KANEKO’S TSUKUYOMI combines strategic deck-building mechanics with roguelike dungeon exploration. The game is set within “The Hashira,” a state-of-the-art skyscraper towering over the Tokyo Bay area that has been sealed off by a mysterious barrier and infested with monstrous beings known as “Jinma” (divine beasts or god-demons).
Players take on the role of one of four Jinma Hunters, each with distinct gameplay styles and deck archetypes. The barrier sealing The Hashira was placed by Noriko Tomi, the facility’s owner, and players must ascend the demon-infested floors to reach and eliminate a powerful target at the tower’s summit. The story unfolds differently depending on which hunter you choose, adding significant replay value to the experience.
Strategic Card Combat
The battle system employs turn-based card combat where players must adapt to randomly drawn cards from their deck. Each turn allows for a single action—using a card to either attack or defend. This seemingly simple mechanic creates deep strategic depth, as players must carefully manage their resources and make split-second decisions about offense versus defense. The fast-paced nature of these card duels keeps the action engaging while maintaining the tactical complexity that deck-building enthusiasts crave.
As a true roguelike, TSUKUYOMI features procedurally generated dungeon layouts that change with every playthrough. Players collect cards throughout their run to strengthen their deck, but defeat means losing all progress and starting from scratch. This high-stakes gameplay loop, combined with branching paths and narrative choices that affect the story, ensures that no two runs feel exactly the same.
Kaneko’s Distinctive Artistic Vision
What truly sets TSUKUYOMI apart from other deck-building roguelikes is Kaneko’s unmistakable artistic direction. His character designs blend contemporary fashion with mythological symbolism, creating a visual language that feels both modern and timeless. The demons and divine beasts featured in the game draw from various cultural mythologies—a hallmark of Kaneko’s work dating back to his Shin Megami Tensei days.
Kaneko has always been known for his meticulous research into religious texts, mythology, and occult symbolism. He’s spoken in past interviews about his fascination with the Book of Revelations, UFO theories, and conspiracy narratives—interests that have consistently informed his artistic output. This deep well of knowledge allows him to create demon designs that feel authentic to their mythological origins while adding his own distinctive twist.
The Significance of a Switch Release
The decision to bring TSUKUYOMI to Nintendo Switch as a premium, offline experience is strategically significant. While mobile gaming offers massive reach, the Switch platform provides several advantages: a dedicated gaming audience, the ability to play without internet connectivity, freedom from free-to-play monetization concerns, and the prestige associated with console releases.
For Kaneko personally, this represents his first major console game as the primary creative force behind an original IP. While he contributed to countless Atlus titles over three and a half decades, TSUKUYOMI is truly his vision from conception to execution. The Switch release validates his decision to leave the security of Atlus and pursue independent creative endeavors.
What This Means for Fans
For longtime admirers of Kaneko’s work, KAZUMA KANEKO’S TSUKUYOMI offers something they’ve been craving: a pure, undiluted expression of the artist’s creative vision. Without the constraints of established franchises or corporate mandates, Kaneko has crafted a world entirely his own. The game’s focus on gods, demons, and the act of “creating god” as a gameplay theme feels like a natural evolution of the concepts he explored throughout his Atlus career.
The deck-building roguelike genre also proves to be an excellent fit for Kaneko’s strengths. The format allows for hundreds of unique card designs—each an opportunity for Kaneko to showcase his artistic talents. The roguelike structure, with its emphasis on repeated playthroughs and gradual mastery, mirrors the mythological themes of death and rebirth that have always fascinated the artist.
Looking Ahead to April 2026
As we approach the April 23, 2026 release date, anticipation continues to build for what promises to be one of the most unique titles in the Switch library. The combination of Kaneko’s legendary artistic pedigree, the proven appeal of deck-building roguelikes, and the extensive improvements over the mobile version positions KAZUMA KANEKO’S TSUKUYOMI as a must-play for fans of strategic card games and Japanese RPGs alike.
The game will be available digitally on the Nintendo Switch eShop for $24.99, making it an accessible entry point for those curious about Kaneko’s first post-Atlus project. Whether you’re a die-hard Shin Megami Tensei fan eager to see what the legendary designer creates when given complete creative freedom, or simply a deck-building enthusiast looking for a fresh take on the genre, TSUKUYOMI deserves a spot on your radar.
This release marks not just the arrival of a new game, but the beginning of a new chapter in Kazuma Kaneko’s storied career. After 35 years of shaping the visual identity of Atlus’s most iconic franchises, the Demon Artist is finally unleashing his own mythology upon the world—and the Nintendo Switch is the perfect stage for this long-awaited debut.