SONZAI: Top Hat Studios Showcase Trailer

During the Top Hat Showcase yesterday, Top Hat Studios made several announcements: new games, releases dates, new trailers, and more. One of them is about SONZAI (developed by 2 Odd Diodes), which is coming to Nintendo Switch in the future.

Here’s the latest trailer for the game:

SONZAI is a story-rich, social link based RPG with combo character action & JRPG elements. Welcome to Kumotoshi: the only town in the world where magic exists. Draw strength from your friends and interact with the denizens of an always-moving, dynamic town by daylight, and juggle & rip through evil spirits with a vast array of combo-based weapons & skills at night. Thrust into new circumstances, and with an unlikely crew of companions, embark on a journey to uncover the secrets & scars of a place like no other.

And here’s some more details about the game:

A story-rich, social link based RPG with combo-based character action & JRPG elements

Welcome to Kumotoshi: the only town in the world where magic exists. Thrust into new circumstances, and with an unlikely crew of companions, embark on a journey to uncover the secrets & scars of a place like no other.

Kumotoshi is a magical town; a hub for young mages. Explore the town by daylight, and become stronger by connecting with those around you. Deepen your relationships and pursue social links to unlock new abilities, upgrades, and weapons.

Engage in visceral character-action combat

At night-time, the boundaries between worlds blur. Head to the edges of the town to fight vengeful spirits, discover hidden civilizations and lost legends. With spectacular, combo-based character action, juggle enemies in the air, dash through them, and prove how stylish you can be. Wield swords, chains, muskets and more to vanquish your foes. Mix things up by experimenting with a wide selection of passive/active abilities, customizable modules, and skills.

A dynamic, living world

Wrapped in a beautiful, inky minimalist art style with precisely choreographed animation (every single frame hand-drawn), SONZAI features a thought-provoking narrative about existence, individuality, and what it means to be “special”. A vast world filled with hidden lore to discover, how you get tangled up in the lives of SONZAI’s colorful, diverse cast may just change everything.

• Explore a vast world – whether it’s a burning town right beside Kumotoshi, or a lost civilization underground – each new area has its own aesthetic and beings who reside in them.
• Drop into the Milk Drink bar for boba and some gossip, or be a good Samaritan and volunteer some time at the orphanage. Be mindful of who you are and aren’t on good terms with: each character has their own life and story.
• Get closer to those around you by increasing your aptitude at their favored activity. New abilities, upgrades and more unlock as your relationships progress!
• Stylish combo-based, spectacle fighter & character action combat – wield a varied arsenal of weapons, mix things up with a combination of passive or active rune abilities and perks, and see how stylishly you can vanquish your foes.
• Take your combat prowess to the next level by visiting Anya’s shop, and combining the drops & runes you possess to create multi-perk modules.

SONZAI (Switch – eShop) does not have a release date yet.

Source: Top Hat Studios PR (22/04/2025) / Top Hat Studios (Steam)