September is kicking off with a stacked week of new games in Japan. Headlining the slate is Borderlands 4, Gearbox’s next entry in its loot-heavy shooter series, which lands on consoles and PC with both local and global attention. Alongside it comes Dragon Ball Gekishin Squadra, a new team-based brawler that leans on the franchise’s long tradition of over-the-top fighting systems.
But the schedule isn’t just about tentpole names. As usual, the Japanese market is seeing a mix of mid-tier projects and smaller curiosities that will land alongside the giants. These often fly under the radar internationally, but they add variety to the calendar and reflect the breadth of what publishers still put into retail week by week.
Borderlands 4 expands the formula
Borderlands 4 arrives with the expected mix of co-op shooting, loot-driven progression, and loud comic-book style visuals. Early footage shows an emphasis on expanded traversal, including larger maps and more verticality, suggesting Gearbox wants to push the series beyond corridor-style skirmishes.
The franchise has always walked the line between chaotic fun and repetitive grind. What stands out here is how much weight is being placed on campaign structure. Side missions seem more interconnected, which could help the game avoid the sense of isolated fetch quests that bogged down earlier entries.
In terms of release timing, Borderlands 4 is positioned as one of the bigger Western-made launches to hit Japan this fall, showing that AAA shooters still command attention even in a market that often favors RPGs and mobile-driven experiences.
Dragon Ball Gekishin Squadra brings squad battles
Dragon Ball Gekishin Squadra marks a different spin on the license. Instead of traditional arena-style duels, it focuses on team-based action where players assemble squads of characters for fast-paced battles. This setup feels closer to tactical action hybrids than straight fighting games, giving it a distinct flavor within the long list of Dragon Ball adaptations.
The choice makes sense. Recent Dragon Ball games have explored card mechanics, open-world exploration, and legacy retellings, but few have really emphasized group combat mechanics. Squadra could tap into the larger cast without falling back on 1v1 fighting that has already been refined in the Xenoverse and FighterZ series.
For Japanese players, the release also continues a trend of anime IP titles experimenting with multiplayer-first designs, a move clearly aimed at both console audiences and the increasingly competitive mobile crossover space.
Other notable releases this week
Beyond the headline names, the Japanese market is seeing a string of smaller but noteworthy drops. Visual novels, strategy hybrids, and quirky simulators continue to fill out retail shelves. These often have limited recognition outside Japan, but they maintain a steady audience that values genre experimentation.
This kind of lineup illustrates the ongoing duality in Japan’s release calendar. Big global IPs land side by side with hyper-specific titles, a contrast that has defined the market for years. While Borderlands 4 and Dragon Ball Gekishin Squadra will grab headlines, the diversity of this week’s launches shows the industry’s range remains intact.
Gaming Strategist & Trend Analyst
With a background in game economics and digital culture, METAREPORT connects the dots. He dissects trends, deciphers strategies, and delivers data-backed insights for gamers, creators, and investors alike.
