Dragon Quest series creator Yuji Horii has confirmed that new announcements related to the franchise are planned for 2026, as the long-running role-playing series officially enters its 40th anniversary year. Horii shared the update in a New Year message posted on X, thanking fans and staff for their continued support and hinting at developments to be revealed in the months ahead.
In his message, Horii reflected on the significance of the milestone, writing, “Dragon Quest has officially entered its 40th anniversary year. This milestone is thanks to everyone who has supported us for so long, as well as the staff who have sustained us. I am truly grateful.” He went on to state, “I believe we will have various announcements to share this year, so please look forward to them.” Horii also noted that he began the year with a visit to Zojoji Temple, adding that his fortune was a “Great Blessing,” ending the message on an optimistic note.
The comments arrive at a time when the Dragon Quest franchise is in a transitional period. The most recent mainline entry, Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age, originally released in 2017, has since become one of the series’ most successful titles. Its Definitive Edition, Dragon Quest XI S, has been made available across multiple platforms, including PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC, with native compatibility on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S. As of January 1, 2026, the game has surpassed 7.5 million units sold worldwide.
Dragon Quest XI follows the journey of the Luminary, supported by a cast of companions, and has often been cited as a modern representation of traditional JRPG design. Its continued commercial performance has helped maintain momentum for the franchise while newer projects remain in development.
Looking ahead, Dragon Quest XII has been in development for several years and remains one of the most anticipated titles in the series. Officially titled Dragon Quest XII: The Flames of Fate, the game was first announced in 2021 and is being developed using Unreal Engine 5. Horii has previously stated that the game will feature a darker tone and a stronger emphasis on player choice, though concrete details and a release date have not yet been announced.
The 40th anniversary of Dragon Quest will be marked in May 2026, making the coming year particularly important for the franchise. Horii’s statement suggests that multiple updates, rather than a single announcement, may be planned. For now, fans will need to wait for Square Enix and the Dragon Quest team to share more specifics, but the promise of announcements has set expectations for an active year ahead.
