Marvel is entering new territory with Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls, a 4v4 tag-team fighter developed by Arc System Works in partnership with PlayStation Studios and Marvel Games. Revealed during Sony’s State of Play, the game gives Marvel’s well-known heroes and villains an anime-style makeover and adds a new spin on team-based fighting. Set to release in 2026 for PlayStation 5 and PC, it features stylized action and character designs that stand out from past Marvel games.

The teaser trailer featured a lineup of familiar faces, including Iron Man, Captain America, Spider-Man, Doctor Doom, Ms. Marvel, Storm, Ghost Rider (Robbie Reyes), and Star-Lord. True to Arc System Works’ signature style, each hero and villain sports a cel-shaded look with distinct Japanese flair. Iron Man even features anime-inspired mech elements, according to Marvel Games’ Michael Francisco.

Best known for Dragon Ball FighterZ and Guilty Gear, Arc System Works is stepping away from the traditional 2v2 or 3v3 setups. Instead, Fighting Souls introduces a 4v4 team format. According to producer Takeshi Yamanaka, this system was designed to capture the chaotic energy of team-based combat while allowing creative team-ups inspired by Marvel comics.

“It’s designed so that anyone can pick up and play,” says Francisco, “but there’s enough complexity to reward mastery.”

To ease the learning curve, director Kazuto “Pachi” Sekine says players only need to master a single character. The control scheme supports both traditional and simplified inputs, and a player’s teammates can jump in with just a few button presses, creating dynamic combos and cooperative attacks.

Stages are more than just backdrops. Each one features multiple areas with visually stunning transitions. Set in familiar Marvel locations like New York City, these environments are packed with visual detail and nods to the wider Marvel universe.

Marvel’s history with fighting games has long been tied to Capcom, beginning with The Punisher in 1993 and leading to the Marvel vs. Capcom series. While fans recently revisited those classics in the Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics, Fighting Souls goes in a new direction.

Yamanaka hints at a larger roster to come, including characters never before seen in a fighting game. New content beyond character reveals is also in the works. “We’re still deep in development,” he says, “but we’ll keep sharing more.”

With high-stakes 4v4 battles, striking anime visuals, and a lineup of beloved Marvel characters, Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls promises to be one of the most exciting tag fighters to watch in 2026.