Square Enix will celebrate the 40th anniversary of Dragon Quest with a brief commemorative broadcast and a special anniversary site on May 27, 2026.
The event marks four decades since the first Dragon Quest launched in Japan on May 27, 1986 for the Famicom under Enix, a milestone that has established the franchise as one of Japan’s most influential role-playing series.
Confirmed event details
Square Enix confirmed the Dragon Quest 40th Anniversary Broadcast will air on May 27 at 6:00 a.m.
PT / 9:00 a.m.
ET / 22:00 JST and is scheduled to run for about 10 minutes.
Ahead of the broadcast, the publisher will open a special anniversary website and host a celebratory livestream that features Japanese entertainer Eiko Kano’s program “Critikano Hit,” according to a May 26 announcement from the official Dragon Quest PR account.
Creator Yuji Horii previously teased that the short broadcast would include announcements related to the next game in the series.
In clear, journalistic terms: Horii indicated the May 27 presentation is expected to feature news about the franchise’s next title alongside other anniversary updates.
Historical context and platform presence
Dragon Quest debuted on the Famicom in 1986 and has since appeared across many platforms, including multiple Nintendo systems.
Notably, Dragon Quest XI was later released in a Definitive Edition for Nintendo Switch, underscoring the series’ long-running presence on Nintendo hardware.
Over the years, Dragon Quest has been developed and published under Enix and, following the 2003 merger, Square Enix.
What to expect and where to watch
Square Enix has not published a full breakdown of items to be covered in the 10-minute broadcast beyond the promise of announcements and the anniversary livestream.
The company’s May 26 post confirmed the timing, the special site launch, and the celebratory stream featuring Eiko Kano’s Critikano Hit.
Fans and industry watchers should check Square Enix’s official channels and the dedicated anniversary page for the live stream and any posted recordings after the event.
The Dragon Quest 40th anniversary broadcast is a concise celebration timed to the franchise’s original release date.
With Yuji Horii signaling news about the next game, the May 27 presentation is likely to be a focal point for fans tracking the series’ future developments.
The event marks four decades since the first Dragon Quest launched in Japan on May 27, 1986 for the Famicom under Enix, a milestone that has established the franchise as one of Japan’s most influential role-playing series.
Confirmed event details
Square Enix confirmed the Dragon Quest 40th Anniversary Broadcast will air on May 27 at 6:00 a.m.
PT / 9:00 a.m.
ET / 22:00 JST and is scheduled to run for about 10 minutes.
Ahead of the broadcast, the publisher will open a special anniversary website and host a celebratory livestream that features Japanese entertainer Eiko Kano’s program “Critikano Hit,” according to a May 26 announcement from the official Dragon Quest PR account.
Creator Yuji Horii previously teased that the short broadcast would include announcements related to the next game in the series.
In clear, journalistic terms: Horii indicated the May 27 presentation is expected to feature news about the franchise’s next title alongside other anniversary updates.
Historical context and platform presence
Dragon Quest debuted on the Famicom in 1986 and has since appeared across many platforms, including multiple Nintendo systems.
Notably, Dragon Quest XI was later released in a Definitive Edition for Nintendo Switch, underscoring the series’ long-running presence on Nintendo hardware.
Over the years, Dragon Quest has been developed and published under Enix and, following the 2003 merger, Square Enix.
What to expect and where to watch
Square Enix has not published a full breakdown of items to be covered in the 10-minute broadcast beyond the promise of announcements and the anniversary livestream.
The company’s May 26 post confirmed the timing, the special site launch, and the celebratory stream featuring Eiko Kano’s Critikano Hit.
Fans and industry watchers should check Square Enix’s official channels and the dedicated anniversary page for the live stream and any posted recordings after the event.
The Dragon Quest 40th anniversary broadcast is a concise celebration timed to the franchise’s original release date.
With Yuji Horii signaling news about the next game, the May 27 presentation is likely to be a focal point for fans tracking the series’ future developments.
