Square Enix has signaled a forthcoming surprise for fans of Nier and Dragon Quest in 2026, tying into milestone anniversaries for both series. In a conversation with 4Gamer that was later translated by Gematsu, Nier: Automata producer Yosuke Saito hinted that fans can expect 'just a little something' to mark the ninth anniversary of Nier: Automata and the fortieth anniversary of Dragon Quest in the same year.
"Next year marks the 40th anniversary of Dragon Quest! I’d be extremely happy if everyone could join in on a grand celebration," Saito said. "And for Nier: Automata's ninth anniversary, we're also preparing 'just a little something…' so please don't get too excited with anticipation!"
While the tease has been framed as a light nod to upcoming events, it aligns with a broader cadence of Square Enix highlighting anniversaries rather than formal announcements at this stage. Earlier this year, Saito and Nier director Yoko Taro pushed back on reports that any of the character designs were restricted for Western audiences, with Taro stating, 'I've never heard of such a thing happening' in response to subtitling mistranslations that had circulated earlier.
Eurogamer’s coverage reiterates that the comments stem from Saito’s conversations with press and should be read as a cautious signal of future plans rather than concrete reveals. Fans will be awaiting any official confirmation as 2026’s anniversary celebrations approach.