Redbeanime was in the room for Arc System Works’ Anime Expo 2026 panel, where the studio delivered updates on Guilty Gear Strive, Demons Night Fever, and a brand-new title.
Guilty Gear Strive: 5th Anniversary & New Guest Character
Guilty Gear Strive celebrated its 5th anniversary with a major milestone: 4 million users achieved this year. The team also confirmed a second guest character will arrive in Winter 2026, following the first guest’s introduction last year. No further details were shared—but our on-site journalist Ollie Kaplan notes it does not seem to be Goku. (You’re welcome.)
Demons Night Fever: Kill Everyone, Even Your Allies
The panel offered new insights into Demons Night Fever‘s story and gameplay. The main character works at a “third-rate development company”—the producer joked that the story “has no relation to anywhere he’s worked.”
Combat is where things get chaotic. You have no allies. Instead, you have “servants” who don’t listen to you. To gain an advantage, you can kill your own servants—and doing so causes them to “reincarnate stronger.” However, if an enemy kills them, “they never return.”
The producer summed it up: “The most beautiful way to play the game is to kill both your enemies and allies.” He also revealed that players fight across different stages and worlds, culminating in a battle against God. His words: “Let’s kill God!”
Qliphah in Providence’s Shadow: Uncanny Valley Combat
Producer, director, and designer Satoshi Hirayae introduced Qliphah in Providence’s Shadow, a new game that plays with the concept of uncanny valley. The combat system is deceptively simple: enemies telegraph attacks with colored signals—blue or yellow—and players counter by matching the color with precise timing.
Hirayae noted: “The game is quite simple. You see the enemies’ attacks, and they have colors, like blue or yellow, and you can perform a counter by matching and perform timing and attack with the same color.” The audience was excited to learn about the unique system, which also got a preview of the game’s first boss—which our managing editor, Redbeanjelly, describes as a hellish kaiju.
The game is currently available for preorder.
Arc System Works delivered one of the more unhinged panels of Anime Expo—in the best way. A Guilty Gear guest character mystery, a game where you’re encouraged to kill your own allies, and an uncanny valley combat title from a passionate developer. The studio continues to push boundaries.
Preorders for Qliphah in Providence’s Shadow are open now. As for that Guilty Gear guest character? We’ll keep you posted.
Source: Bsky, Ollie Kaplan
