Japanese Games, Anime, Hololive VTubers Celebrate April Fools 2022

It’s already April Fools 2022 in Japan, and VTubers from hololive and Nijisanji, alongside game and anime franchises have already all shared their pranks via Twitter and social media, here are some of the best jokes and (fake?) announcements shared this year.

The most important thing to remember about April Fools in the anime and Japanese games industry is the fact that April 1 is also the beginning of the new fiscal year in Japan. Among all the jokes and pranks, some very real announcements and games are often mixed in. There are even jokes who end up becoming reality, such as what happened with Sega turning Yakuza 7 into a turn-based JRPG.

Fate/Grand Order Becomes Fate/Pixel Wars

FGO developers Type-Moon and Lasengle launched Fate/Pixel Wars, a parody of the American presidential election where you need to absorb your rivals’ supporters into your own campaign. This is an actual game available on iOS and Android until April 3 midnight JST.

Sword Art Online Reveals Heroine Eugeo

Mobile game SAO Integral Factor introduced several new versions of Eugeo in a new event.

Jujutsu Kaisen Anime Reveals Crossover with Pui Pui Molcar

While fairly unknown outside Japan,Pui Pui Molcar was one of the biggest social phenomenon in Japan in 2021. It’s a stop motion anime that feature guinea pig cars made of wool. It was a huge sensation in Japan and Asia with its depiction of driving-related problems like the typical traffic jams found in cities with high population density, or drivers who keep littering. There’s a Pui Pui Molcar game on Nintendo Switch, and another one is in development. The Pui Pui Molcar anime is available worldwide on Netflix.

Cygames Releases Princess Connect Re:Dive MOBA Spinoff Priconne! Grandmasters

Cygames announced and released Priconne! Grandmasters, a MOBA-like with the main characters of Princess Connect Re:Dive. Priconne! Grandmasters is playable on iOS and Android until April 8 at 16:59 JST according to its official site.

Personally speaking, I wouldn’t be surprised if this is an actual MOBA game Cygames is developing, with characters from Uma Musume, Granblue Fantasy, Rage of Bahamut, and other Cygames titles, forming a crossover. And Priconne! Grandmasters would be the disguised beta test for this untitled game.

Hololive Reveals Its First Ever Dating Sim Game in Japan for April Fools 2022

Cover announced Love With Holo, a dating sim game with Takane Lui, Houjou Marine, Ouro Kronii, Usada Pekora, Oozora Subaru, Kureiji Ollie, and all the popular female VTubers affiliated with Hololive. The game would have 55 VTuber bachelorettes in total.

Personally speaking, in a sense I feel it’s a shame that “We’re making a dating sim” is such a popular April Fools joke, as if these games aren’t supposed to be taken seriously. Even though Tokimeki Memorial is one of the most important games in history. It led to Metroidvania being reinvented, and popularized certain game systems found in games from Final Fantasy VII to Persona 5 and Fire Emblem.

Hatsune Miku Colorful Stage Reveals 5 New Songs for April Fools 2022 in Japan

Project Sekai Colorful Stage Featuring Hatsune Miku released five different songs for April Fools 2022. You can find them all on the game’s YouTube channel.

Yu Yu Hakusho Becomes an Idol Series

The Yu Yu Hakusho mobile game rebranded as an idol rhythm game with Botan and Keiko.

Masamune-kun’s Revenge Anime Series Announces a Third Season

The thing is, there’s not even a second season of Masamune-kun yet. This is typically the kind of announcement that could actually turn out to be real, with a second season getting officially confirmed. We’ll know for sure in a few days. Keep your eyes on the Masamune-kun’s Revenge Twitter account for an announcement. I definitely recommend reading the manga if you never did. It’s one of the best romantic comedies of these last ten years.

Ensemble Stars becomes Ensembkub Stars

Bkub, the artist behind legendary kuso anime Pop Team Epic has taken over the Ensemble Stars male idols franchise.

Azur Lane Reveals Its Own Super Robot Wars RPG

This is obviously not stated anywhere in the trailer, bu this is a clear parody of the Super Robot Wars series by Bandai Namco. The way the battles are presented, and the shot at the end with characters in SD/chibi mimics the key visuals of Super Robot Wars. The game will be supposedly released on April 1, 2200. Parodying an iconic franchise like this has always been one of the staples of April Fools in Japan, even now in 2022.

Arc System Works Japan Reveals Guilty Bear for April Fools 2022

A brand new fighting game with the Guilty Gear characters transformed into teddy bears.

This is only a fraction of the April Fools jokes shared this year by Japanese companies and artists. Which ones are your favorites? Let me know in the comments below!