LIONA Inc. is bringing DARK MACHINE, its cross-media project spanning games and anime, to TOKYO GAME SHOW 2026 (TGS2026), running from Thursday, September 17 through Monday, September 21 (a public holiday), 2026, at Makuhari Messe.
At its booth, the company will hold a TGS-exclusive hands-on demo of DARK MACHINE THE GAME, a mecha action shooter with battles of up to 7-on-7. Across the show's three public days, a special stage called "Exhibition Match" will also bring together a pro esports team, the voice cast, and the development team. Visitor giveaways and an X follow campaign round out a booth built to be experienced, not just watched.
Booth Overview
Event: TOKYO GAME SHOW 2026
Dates: September 17 (Thu) and 18 (Fri), 2026 — business days / September 19 (Sat), 20 (Sun), and 21 (Mon, public holiday) — public days
Venue: Makuhari Messe
Booth: Hall 5, Booth No. 05-C09
Exhibiting title: DARK MACHINE THE GAME
Official site: https://playdarkmachine.com/
Official X: https://x.com/PlayDarkMachine
Talk Event: "DARK MACHINE — Giant Mechs Come to Life: Behind the Scenes of the Pneumatic Robot"
The talk introduces the process of turning the game's mecha designs into a real, moving pneumatic robot (PNEUMATIC BOT). Using behind-the-scenes footage and materials, the panel will share production stories and discuss new possibilities for entertainment from the perspectives of design, sculpting, and control.
Date: September 17 (Thu), 2026, 12:30 PM
Speakers:
- Hidetaka Tenjin, Representative of HELIOSLIVE / Mechanical Designer
- Yuya Hosoe, President and CEO, 株式会社ピアニジュウイチ
- Wataru Yoshizaki, Chief Robot Creator / V-Sido Developer, Asratec Corporation
- Akihito Ikeda, Producer, LIONA Inc.
Actual setup on-site may differ from what is shown.
Talk Event: "From IP Creation to Delivering Figures Around the World"
A talk event brings together the planning, sculpting, and production teams behind an action figure currently in development, led by mechanical designer Hidetaka Tenjin and sculptor Akira Tani.
Date: September 18 (Fri), 2026, 2:00 PM
Host:
- Neki Matsuzawa
Speakers:
- Hidetaka Tenjin, Mechanical Designer
- Tadashi Ozawa, President, OZ Inc. (figure planning)
- Akira Tani, OZ Inc. (sculpting)
- Tomohiko Sato, Freelance Sculptor (sculpting / articulation design)
- Naoki Nakagomi, President and CEO, Wing Fat International Creative Limited (production)
- Akihito Ikeda, Producer, LIONA Inc.
Jundi Hajimu, one of the small-class machines, will be on display along with two other figures — three in total.
Special Stage Across All Three Public Days
A TGS-exclusive special stage brings anime, games, creators, and popular streamers together on one stage. Through exhibition matches featuring a pro esports team and the voice cast, the booth will showcase the appeal of DARK MACHINE THE GAME.
Caster:
- Shinichiro (appearing all three days)
DAY 1: September 19 (Sat), 1:00 PM — Exhibition Match x ZETA DIVISION
Members of ZETA DIVISION, led by Noriaki Suzuki, take the stage for a look at popular streamers playing for real.
DAY 2: September 20 (Sun), 3:00 PM — Exhibition Match x ZETA DIVISION
Following Day 1, Noriaki Suzuki and the members of ZETA DIVISION return to the stage.
Cast:
Noriaki Suzuki
Clutch_Fi
MeLton (September 19 only)
Killin9Hit (September 20 only)
JapaneseKoreanUG
Sudetaki
aco
takera
DAY 3: September 21 (Mon, public holiday), 11:30 AM — Anime x Game Cross Talk Match
Voice actors from the TV anime DARK MACHINE THE ANIMATION and the anime's production team take the stage together, bridging anime and game in a special match.
Cast:
From the TV anime DARK MACHINE THE ANIMATION:
Riho Sugiyama (as Bran)
Nonoka Obuchi (as Denebola)
Rei Nakajima (as Spica)
- Kazuo Terada, Anime Director / Production +h. TEAM (anime production team)
From the game DARK MACHINE THE GAME:
Anna Kitamoto (as ビダヤ)
Emika Iida (as Noema)
Yuya Kobatake (as Zip)
TGS-Exclusive Hands-On Demo Every Day of the Show
A hands-on demo corner for DARK MACHINE THE GAME will be open every day of the show. Visitors can experience battles between machines of three different sizes and large-scale destruction that transforms the battlefield itself, in a TGS-exclusive environment.
Dates: September 17 (Thu) through 21 (Mon, public holiday), 2026 — every day of the show
Content: Play a mecha action shooter with battles of up to 7-on-7 on actual hardware
Sign-up: Numbered tickets will be distributed at the booth.
Visitor Giveaways at the Booth
For All Visitors (While Supplies Last)
Staff will hand out either a custom rubber mouse pad or an oversized logo shopper bag to everyone who visits the booth.
Custom Rubber Mouse Pad
Oversized Logo Shopper Bag
For Participants
Anyone who takes part in the hands-on demo, a talk event, or an exhibition match will receive a logo LED wristband.
Logo LED Wristband
X Follow Campaign
Get It at the Venue: DARK MACHINE Logo Charm
Show the official X follow screen to booth staff to receive a DARK MACHINE logo charm.
DARK MACHINE Logo Charm
Quote-Repost Campaign for a Chance to Win Prizes
Quote-repost the campaign announcement pinned to the official X account to enter. Attaching a photo or video of the pneumatic robot (balloon) at the TGS booth, or a screenshot of the game's Steam wishlist with the title registered, increases the chances of winning.
- Steam ¥5,000 gift card — 10 winners
- Custom sports towel — 30 winners
Entry period: September 15, 2026, 6:00 PM to September 23, 2026, 11:59 PM (Updated September 14, 2026, 5:00 PM)
Winners: Winners only will be contacted individually by direct message.
DARK MACHINE THE GAME official X: https://x.com/PlayDarkMachine
Entry terms: https://playdarkmachine.com/X-campaign.htm
Custom Sports Towel
Novelty Set for Influencers
Visitors entering with an influencer pass will receive a set including the DARK MACHINE custom sports towel, oversized logo shopper bag, custom rubber mouse pad, logo LED wristband, and DARK MACHINE logo charm. Priority hands-on play will also be available, so be sure to stop by the booth.
About the DARK MACHINE Project
DARK MACHINE is a cross-media content franchise spanning games and anime. Leading creators from Japan have come together for a project that aims to take on the global market.
DARK MACHINE THE GAME
A mecha action shooter with battles of up to 7-on-7. Set in an alternate dimension called The DARK, machines built by companies from around the world clash amid an energy war over the unknown power source Parma Energy. Asymmetric battles between machines of three different sizes, combined with large-scale destruction that reshapes the battlefield, create an unprecedented, dynamic strategic experience.
Product Information
Title: DARK MACHINE THE GAME
Genre: Mecha action shooter
Platform: PC (Steam)
Supported languages: Japanese (subtitles / audio), English (subtitles / audio)
Business model: Free-to-play, with in-game item purchases available
Release: Planned for 2027
Official site: https://playdarkmachine.com/
Official X: https://x.com/PlayDarkMachine
Steam store page: https://store.steampowered.com/app/4406410
Show Information
Title: Original TV anime DARK MACHINE THE ANIMATION
Broadcast: Airing from October 2026 on Fuji TV and other stations
Fuji TV: From October 14, every Wednesday at 1:45 AM
Kansai TV: From October 16, every Friday at 2:45 AM
BS Fuji: From October 21, every Wednesday at 12:30 AM
Broadcast times are subject to change without notice.
Anime official site: https://www.fujitv.co.jp/darkmachine_anime
Anime official X: https://x.com/dark__machine
Anime official TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dark__machine
©Project Carbuncle / ©DARK MACHINE Committee
