ufotable and Production I.G Team Up for Huge ‘Tales of’ 30th Anniversary Art Project
Two powerhouse animation studios are uniting to create 188 new illustrations for every mainline game in the legendary RPG franchise.
The legendary “Tales of” RPG franchise is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a massive artistic collaboration. Animation heavyweights ufotable and Production I.G are teaming up to produce 188 brand-new illustrations covering every mainline game in the series.
Announced via ufotable’s official YouTube channel, the ambitious art project will be spearheaded by veteran character designers Akira Matsushima and Tokuyuki Matsutake. The first batch of artwork, featuring the games Tales of Phantasia and Tales of Xillia, will debut at the Machi★Asobi vol.30 entertainment expo in Tokushima, Japan, running from May 16 to May 17, 2026.
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If you are a fan of Japanese role-playing games (JRPGs), this collaboration bridges two distinct eras of gaming history. That being said, let’s get into everything you need to know about the upcoming anniversary project, the artists involved, and the planned live concert events.
What We Know About the 188 New Tales of Illustrations
The Tales of series, published by Bandai Namco, has always stood out in the video game industry for its high-quality anime cutscenes.
For the 30th anniversary, the publisher is leaning into that legacy.
The 188 new illustrations will focus exclusively on the franchise’s “Mothership titles.”
In the Tales community, “Mothership” refers to the core, mainline entries in the series, starting from the original 1995 release all the way to 2021’s Tales of Arise.
Spin-off games, typically known as “Escort titles,” will not be included in this specific art project.
The Artistic Powerhouses (Matsushima and Matsutake)
To handle a project of this scale, the studios have tapped two of the most respected key animators in the Japanese animation industry.
Both men have deep historical ties to the video game franchise.
- Akira Matsushima (ufotable): Best known to modern audiences as the Chief Animation Director and Character Designer for the blockbuster Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba anime. Matsushima has been instrumental in designing the sleek, modern look of the recent Tales games.
- Tokuyuki Matsutake (Production I.G): A veteran animator who defined the classic era of the franchise. Matsutake was heavily involved in character design and animation direction for fan-favorite entries released during the PlayStation 1 and PlayStation 2 eras.
Note: Bringing Matsushima and Matsutake together is not just a promotional stunt; it is a visual passing of the torch. Production I.G handled the anime cutscenes for the franchise’s golden age (titles like Tales of Destiny, Symphonia, and Vesperia). Starting with Tales of Xillia in 2011, ufotable took over as the exclusive animation studio for the games. Having both studios collaborate unites the classic and modern fanbases.
First Look at Machi★Asobi Vol. 30
Fans will not have to wait long to see the first results of this collaboration. The first illustrations will be unveiled at Machi★Asobi vol.30.
- Dates: May 16 – 17, 2026.
- Location: Tokushima City, Japan.
- Initial Reveal: Artwork for Tales of Phantasia (the very first game in the franchise) and Tales of Xillia (the 15th-anniversary title).
Choosing Phantasia and Xillia for the initial reveal is highly deliberate. Phantasia launched the series in 1995, while Xillia marked ufotable’s first time handling the in-game animation.
Tales of Zestiria the X 10th Anniversary Concert Details
The art announcement is only half of the celebration. On May 17, 2026, the Machi★Asobi Aibahama Park stage will host a major live music event: the “Tales of Zestiria the X” Soundtrack Concert & 10th Anniversary Live.
Tales of Zestiria the X was an anime television adaptation produced by ufotable, based on the 2015 video game. The anime aired its first season in 2016, making this year its 10th anniversary. The series is widely praised for its breathtaking visual effects and its sweeping, orchestral soundtrack.
The Musical Lineup
The live concert will feature a mix of instrumental performances and live vocals from some of the anime industry’s top musical acts.
The confirmed lineup includes:
- Go Shiina: The legendary composer behind the Tales of Zestiria soundtrack. Shiina is famous for his dramatic, choir-heavy orchestral tracks. He also co-composed the soundtrack for Demon Slayer.
- FLOW: The globally recognized rock band responsible for numerous anime theme songs. They provided the high-energy opening theme “Kaze no Uta” (Song of the Wind) for Zestiria the X.
- fhána: A popular pop band known for their melodic and emotionally resonant anime theme songs. They performed the ending theme “Calling” for the anime.
- Minami Kuribayashi: A veteran singer-songwriter who has been a staple in the anime music scene for over two decades.
Tip for US Fans: While the concert is an in-person event in Japan, Bandai Namco frequently livestreams major Tales anniversary concerts globally or offers paid video-on-demand tickets shortly after the event. Keep an eye on the official Bandai Namco US social media channels for potential streaming announcements in early May.
The Evolution of Tales of Animation Studios
To understand the weight of this 30th-anniversary collaboration, you have to look at the animation history of the series.
While Production I.G defined the visual style of the classic era, ufotable took the reins for the modern HD generation.
Here is a breakdown of how the animation torch was passed across the franchise’s biggest “Mothership” titles:
| Era | Key Mothership Title | Original Release | Lead Animation Studio |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Classic Era | Tales of Phantasia | 1995 | Production I.G (PS1 release) |
| Tales of Destiny | 1997 | Production I.G | |
| Tales of Symphonia | 2003 | Production I.G | |
| Tales of the Abyss | 2005 | Production I.G | |
| Tales of Vesperia | 2008 | Production I.G | |
| The Turning Point | Tales of Xillia | 2011 | ufotable |
| The Modern Era | Tales of Zestiria | 2015 | ufotable |
| Tales of Berseria | 2016 | ufotable | |
| Tales of Arise | 2021 | ufotable |
(Note: While 188 illustrations will cover all mainline games, this table highlights the major milestones that defined each studio’s era.)
The ‘Video Game Industry’ Factor
For the everyday gamer, understanding the weight of this announcement requires a quick look at how the Tales of series operates.
Unlike Western RPGs, which often strive for hyper-realistic graphics, the Tales series has always aimed to feel like a “playable anime.”
To achieve this, Bandai Namco invests heavily in licensing top-tier animation studios to create cinematic cutscenes for pivotal story moments.
The Legacy of Production I.G
In the late 1990s and 2000s, Production I.G was the gold standard for mature, high-budget animation in Japan.
They are the studio behind the legendary sci-fi film Ghost in the Shell.
When Bandai Namco hired them to animate the opening for Tales of Destiny on the original PlayStation, it was a massive leap forward for video game presentation.
Production I.G continued to animate the series for over a decade, creating the visual identity that defined games like Tales of the Abyss and the critically acclaimed Tales of Vesperia.
The ufotable Era
In 2011, the franchise shifted gears. Seeking a more modern, digitally integrated aesthetic, Bandai Namco partnered with ufotable for Tales of Xillia.
At the time, ufotable was best known for their work on the Fate/stay night franchise.
ufotable brought a completely different visual flavor to the games.
They utilized heavy digital compositing, dynamic 3D camera movements, and hyper-detailed particle effects, a style that has since made them globally famous through Demon Slayer.
ufotable has handled every major Tales release since, including 2021’s commercial hit, Tales of Arise.
By bringing Production I.G and ufotable together for this 30th-anniversary project, Bandai Namco is effectively honoring the entire 30-year visual history of the franchise in a way that rarely happens in the highly competitive animation industry.
The Cultural Impact of Machi★Asobi
If you are wondering why such a massive gaming announcement is happening at a park in Tokushima rather than a massive venue in Tokyo, the answer lies in the event’s organizers.
Machi★Asobi is a biannual anime and gaming entertainment event organized directly by ufotable.
Because the animation studio was founded by Tokushima native Hikaru Kondo, the studio launched the event to drive tourism to the regional city.
Over the years Machi★Asobi has grown from a local gathering into a major destination event for Japanese pop culture fans.
Because ufotable runs the event, they traditionally reserve their biggest announcements, like new Demon Slayer seasons or major video game collaborations, for the Machi★Asobi stage.
Hosting the 10th-anniversary concert for Tales of Zestiria the X at Aibahama Park is a nod to the studio’s hometown roots and their long-standing partnership with Bandai Namco.
What Fans Can Expect Next
While the 188 illustrations and the live concert are the centerpieces of the May 2026 announcements, fans are actively speculating about what else the 30th anniversary might bring.
Normally Bandai Namco uses milestone anniversaries to announce new game remasters or entirely new mainline titles.
With Tales of Arise having launched over four years ago, the timing aligns perfectly for the publisher to tease the next major “Mothership” entry in the franchise.
But hey… whether a new game is announced or not, the commitment of ufotable and Production I.G to produce 188 unique pieces of art ensures that the 30th anniversary will be a visually stunning celebration of one of gaming’s longest-running RPG franchises.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Tales of Series?
The Tales of series is a franchise of Japanese role-playing video games published by Bandai Namco. It is known for its action-based linear motion battle system, strong character interactions (called “skits”), and high-quality anime cutscenes. The first game, Tales of Phantasia, was released in 1995.
What is a “Mothership” title in the Tales franchise?
“Mothership” is the official term Bandai Namco uses to describe the mainline, core entries in the Tales video game series (e.g., Tales of Symphonia, Tales of Arise). This is to distinguish them from “Escort” titles, which are mobile games, spin-offs, or crossover games.
Who is Akira Matsushima?
Akira Matsushima is a highly acclaimed Japanese animator and character designer working for the studio ufotable. He is best known globally as the Chief Animation Director for Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, and he has been the primary animation designer for modern Tales games.
Where is Machi Asobi held?
Machi★Asobi is a biannual anime and entertainment event held in Tokushima City, Japan. It is organized by the animation studio ufotable and features stage shows, concerts, and major industry announcements.
Will the Tales of Zestiria the X concert be streamed online?
Currently, Bandai Namco has only announced the concert as an in-person event for Machi★Asobi in Japan on May 17, 2026. However, the publisher frequently offers paid online streaming tickets for their major anniversary concerts. Fans should check official Bandai Namco channels closer to the event date.
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