SQUARE ENIX unveiled a new monster for DRAGON QUEST MONSTERS: The Withered World, and ANANTA announced an appearance in a gamescom 2026 broadcast. Here’s a roundup of Japan’s game news for August 19, 2026.

DRAGON QUEST MONSTERS: The Withered World reveals new monster on “Rice Day”

In Japan, August 18 is known as “Rice Day.” To mark the occasion, SQUARE ENIX revealed a new rice-ball-shaped Slime-type monster on its official X account (@DQ_PR). It is a Rank-E Slime-type monster with three varieties — pickled-plum rice ball, five-ingredient rice ball, and tenmusu (a shrimp tempura rice ball) — each resting on a bamboo leaf. According to the official page description, when cornered it may flee, leaving behind only the tail of its shrimp tempura. It appears in DRAGON QUEST MONSTERS: The Withered World, set for release on December 3, 2026, Japan time (December 2 in North America), with the Steam version releasing December 4.

Source: GAME Watch (August 18, 2026) / DRAGON QUEST MONSTERS: The Withered World official website (accessed August 19, 2026) / Official X (@DQ_PR) (August 17, 2026)

ANANTA to appear at gamescom 2026’s “Opening Night Live”

ANANTA announcement image

ANANTA, an urban open-world RPG developed by Naked Rain, a Chinese studio under NetEase Games, will be featured during gamescom 2026’s “Opening Night Live” broadcast. The broadcast airs at 3:00 a.m. on August 26, 2026, Japan time (August 25 in North America), and the official Japanese-language X account (@Ananta_JP) posted asking fans not to overdo it, since the broadcast falls in the middle of the night. According to Famitsu, the game made its worldwide playable debut at TOKYO GAME SHOW 2025, where the announcement that it would have no character gacha drew attention.

Source: Famitsu (August 18, 2026) / ANANTA official Japanese-language X (@Ananta_JP) (August 18, 2026)

Atelier Ryza AI chat RPG RyzaChat:AI delays launch

Official RyzaChat:AI image

RyzaChat:AI, a free-form AI chat RPG set in the world of Atelier Ryza, has been delayed from its planned launch on August 18, 2026, Japan time (August 17 in North America). Yuichi Sasaki, representative of developer SpiralAI, explained that the team will upgrade its server infrastructure to ensure a smooth experience for more players before releasing the game. The delay was reportedly prompted mainly by pre-registration numbers exceeding expectations after the title was announced. No new release date has been given. The game supports iOS and Android.

Source: Famitsu (August 18, 2026) / RyzaChat:AI official website (accessed August 19, 2026)

Cat-controlled horror adventure Meowmories launches August 20

Meowmories store image

Meowmories, made by the two-person indie team Team Memolink, launches on Steam on August 20, 2026, Japan time (August 19 in North America). Players control a cat searching for its lost owner. Meowing “nya” into a microphone temporarily stops enemies. The estimated playtime is 2-3 hours, and multiple endings are available. The game supports nine languages, including Japanese, with voice acting only in English.

Source: Famitsu (August 18, 2026) / Steam store page (accessed August 19, 2026)

Psychological horror novel Spring at Dawn, I Am a Monster. comes to Steam August 20

Spring at Dawn, I Am a Monster.

Spring at Dawn, I Am a Monster., a psychological horror visual novel by CHARON, comes to Steam on August 20, 2026, Japan time (August 19 in North America). The protagonist is a teacher who works with students who have stopped attending school, and there are 16 endings in total. The developer is Kaoru Nekofuji. A physical edition will be available exclusively via preorder on BOOTH, a marketplace for self-published and indie works.

Source: Famitsu (August 18, 2026) / Steam store page (accessed August 19, 2026)