Takanori Toge, a manga artist who once had a series running in a magazine, became a solo game developer after that magazine ceased publication and spent about two years creating the 3D rail shooter SIKI.

Game*Spark published an interview with Toge on August 30, 2026. SIKI is set in a near future where the Imperial Japanese Navy still exists, and it combines beautiful girl characters with a military setting. Players control the aerial combat humanoid drone “Shiki,” advancing through fast-paced battles with simple movement, evasion, and shooting controls. Free movement in eight directions gives it the feel of a 1990s arcade game.

Toge originally set out to become a manga artist and went on to win a rookie award. He had a series running in a monthly magazine, as well as in magazines from IKAROS PUBLICATIONS, LTD. He recalls that his work had been serialized in that monthly magazine for a long time, but it ceased publication for several reasons, including the COVID-19 pandemic. He says that when his series ended, it hit him that he no longer had to draw, and he felt a deep sense of joy. He continues to work at a convenience store while making games.

The world of SIKI has been built up over the past 20 years. Since 2004, Toge has been publishing a fictional war chronicle project on his own website that blends military themes with beautiful girl characters. SIKI is positioned as a parallel world within that setting. Development of the game began in February 2024, and early access launched on Steam on March 20, 2026. That date is said to coincide with the birthday of that project’s protagonist. The early access period is planned to last two years.

A gameplay screenshot from SIKI

Development was handled entirely by one person, and no paid assets were used, according to Toge. Everything, including the characters, was created from scratch. In March 2026, when the Steam page went live, Takanori Toge (@TogTaka) posted a message expressing his joy at being able to release SIKI, asked players to report any bugs or submit any requests right away, and said he wanted to continue developing the game with everyone. The game’s Steam user reviews currently have a “Mostly Positive” rating.

PlatformsRelease dateDemo
Steam (PC)March 19, 2026No

Language: English
As of August 30, 2026