SEGA Corporation and animate Co., Ltd. have announced a new cross-regional collaboration project that will run across animate stores in Japan and overseas throughout 2026 and into early 2027. This is the first time both companies have worked together on a project of this scale. The collaboration covers eight IPs from across the SEGA group, including titles from ATLUS and Rovio Entertainment. The featured franchises are Sonic the Hedgehog, PUYOPUYO, HATSUNE MIKU: COLORFUL STAGE!, the Persona series, Metaphor: ReFantazio, Yakuza / Like a Dragon, Angry Birds, and Sakura Wars.

Fans can expect a mix of exhibitions, hands-on gameplay sessions, exclusive merchandise, and cafe collaboration events through animate’s Cafe Gratte service. The events will take place across more than 140 animate store locations worldwide.

Here is a breakdown of when each IP takes the spotlight:

Sonic the Hedgehog kicks things off from June 6 to June 28, 2026, with locations spread across Japan, China, Taiwan, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, the UK, and the US. PUYOPUYO follows with international Gratte events running from July into August 2026, covering Hong Kong, Taipei, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, and Shanghai-area stores. A wider fair for domestic and overseas stores is scheduled for around February 2027.

HATSUNE MIKU: COLORFUL STAGE! runs primarily in August and September 2026, with all animate stores in Japan participating in the fair from August 8 to September 6. International locations across Taiwan, South Korea, China, Southeast Asia, and the US are also included, with Los Angeles hosting its event in October 2026. Persona series (ATLUS) takes over in September and October 2026. Japan’s animate Ikebukuro Flagship Store will host an ONLY SHOP and Fair event from September 19 to October 25. International events span Taiwan, China, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, and Los Angeles during the same general period.

Metaphor: ReFantazio (ATLUS) runs October 10 to November 1, 2026, across a wide range of Japanese and international stores including locations in China, Taiwan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, and Los Angeles. Gratte events at Japan locations are listed with dates to be confirmed. Yakuza / Like a Dragon is set for November 21 to December 13, 2026, with events at animate Los Angeles as an ONLY SHOP and Fair, while stores across China, Taiwan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, and Hong Kong will host Fairs and Gratte events.

Angry Birds (Rovio) is scheduled for around December 2026 at select international locations including Shanghai, Hong Kong, Taipei, Seoul, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Los Angeles. Japan store events are expected around February 2027. Sakura Wars closes out the lineup with events scheduled for around January 2027 across both Japanese and international stores, including locations in China, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, and Los Angeles.

SEGA noted that the project is part of its broader Transmedia Strategy, which focuses on expanding its IP presence beyond games into areas like video content and live music events. All dates and details are subject to change, postponement, or cancellation.