{"rewrite":{"id":"r_f3c740af05792bf23bd716aa","clusterId":"c_3a5f4154b7e8ec700eb55f59","slug":"monster-collection-rpg-animo-showcases-link-system-at-bilibili-world-2026","model":"deepseek-v4-flash","headline":"Monster Collection RPG Animo Showcases Link System at Bilibili World 2026","summary":"Singapore-based Pawprint Studio brought a playable demo of its monster-collection RPG Animo to Bilibili World 2026, held July 10-12 in Shanghai. The game, which began a closed beta test in Japan on July 9, is set for release within 2026 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, iOS, and Android. Animo is an open-world RPG where players capture creatures called Animo and fight alongside them, carrying up to four at a time. Its defining feature is the Link system, which lets players merge with an Animo and control it directly. In this linked state, combat becomes real-time rather than turn-based, as players manually use the Animo's skills and dodge attacks. The system also aids exploration: linking with an Animo allows swimming and climbing across treacherous terrains that are difficult for a human character. Developers plan to expand Ecology Areas tied to the Link system, where each Animo has unique background details and rivalries that players can only discover by inhabiting the creature. Animo is free-to-play with item-based monetization. The demo at BW2026 was reportedly close to the final version, with six demo units consistently occupied.","whyItMatters":"Animo's Link system offers a perspective shift that distinguishes it from other monster-collection games by letting players directly inhabit the creatures they collect, affecting both combat and exploration.","webCardHtml":"\u003cp\u003eThe booth at Bilibili World 2026 featured giant character balloons of the Animo Papipi and Popota, a mascot costume, and a camper van modeled after the protagonist\u0026#39;s vehicle. Six demo units were available, and all were occupied during the event. The demo allowed players to extensively explore the game\u0026#39;s action, including character creation with a green-haired protagonist. Several Animo types were showcased: Papipi, a cute creature; Popota, appearing in initial PVs; Hoshimomon, who appeared on stage with cosplayers; and Stella Mage, a humanoid mage that can create clones and swap positions. The Link system works by having the player character transform into a selected Animo, changing abilities and enabling maneuvers like gliding. The developers have also planned Ecology Areas as post-launch content, where each Animo\u0026#39;s ecology and rivalries are only visible in linked form. The game is being developed by Singapore-based Pawprint Studio and is free-to-play with item monetization, targeting a 2026 release on PC (Steam), Xbox Series X|S, iOS, and Android.\u003c/p\u003e","blueskyPost":"At Bilibili World 2026, Pawprint Studio showed off Animo, a monster-collection RPG where you can literally see the world through a monster's eyes via its Link system. Closed beta in Japan started July 9.","twitterPost":"Animo's closed beta test just kicked off in Japan, and the game's Link system turns combat real-time. Coming to PS5, Xbox, iOS, Android later this year.","threadsPost":null,"newsletterBlurb":"Singapore-based Pawprint Studio debuted a playable demo of its monster-collection RPG Animo at Bilibili World 2026. The game's standout feature is the Link system, which lets players merge with Animo to see the world from their perspective and engage in real-time combat. A closed beta test began in Japan on July 9.","attributionJson":"[{\"source\":\"4Gamer.net\",\"url\":\"https://www.4gamer.net/games/918/G091819/20260712003/\",\"title\":\"Monster Collection RPG 'Animo' Lets You See the World from a Monster's Perspective [BW2026]\"},{\"source\":\"Inside\",\"url\":\"https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2026/07/15/184583.html\",\"title\":\"あちこちにアニモが...！「BW2026」に出展の新作アクションRPG『アニモ（Aniimo）』ブースは、可愛いがいたるところに溢れていた【ブース\\u0026試遊プレイレポ】\"},{\"source\":\"Game Spark\",\"url\":\"http://www.gamespark.jp/article/2026/07/15/169299.html\",\"title\":\"Aniimo Everywhere...! The New Action RPG 'Aniimo' Booth at BW2026 Was Overflowing with Cuteness [Booth \\u0026 Hands-on Report]\"}]","lintFlagsJson":null,"lintHits":0,"costUsd":0,"inputTokens":9273,"outputTokens":2025,"status":"published","repairAttempts":0,"nextRepairAt":null,"factsAttemptedAt":1784122785,"createdAt":"2026-07-15T13:36:33.000Z","publishedAt":"2026-07-15T13:37:28.000Z","updatedAt":"2026-07-15T13:36:33.000Z"},"cluster":{"id":"c_3a5f4154b7e8ec700eb55f59","canonicalTitle":"モンスター収集RPG「アニモ」は，不思議な生物を捕まえるだけでなく，”モンスターの視点で世界を見られる”ことが最大の特徴［BW2026］","representativeArticleId":"a_1ad939785ea7030c2dbf0015","sourceCount":3,"writtenSourceCount":3,"writeAttempts":0,"isSolo":false,"entitiesJson":"{\"anime_titles\":[],\"manga_titles\":[],\"work_titles\":[\"Aniimo\"],\"studios\":[\"Pawprint Studio\"],\"people\":[],\"type\":\"news\",\"domain\":\"games\",\"is_roundup\":false}","contentType":"news","status":"published","firstSeenAt":"2026-07-15T09:36:32.000Z","lastSeenAt":"2026-07-15T11:00:03.000Z","updatedAt":"2026-07-15T13:37:29.000Z"},"attribution":[{"source":"4Gamer.net","url":"https://www.4gamer.net/games/918/G091819/20260712003/","title":"モンスター収集RPG「アニモ」は，不思議な生物を捕まえるだけでなく，”モンスターの視点で世界を見られる”ことが最大の特徴［BW2026］"},{"source":"Game Spark","url":"http://www.gamespark.jp/article/2026/07/15/169299.html","title":"あちこちにアニモが…！「BW2026」に出展の新作アクションRPG『アニモ（Aniimo）』ブースは、可愛いがいたるところに溢れていた【ブース\u0026試遊プレイレポ】"},{"source":"Inside","url":"https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2026/07/15/184583.html","title":"あちこちにアニモが…！「BW2026」に出展の新作アクションRPG『アニモ（Aniimo）』ブースは、可愛いがいたるところに溢れていた【ブース\u0026試遊プレイレポ】"}],"entities":{"anime_titles":[],"manga_titles":[],"work_titles":["Aniimo"],"studios":["Pawprint Studio"],"people":[],"type":"news","domain":"games","is_roundup":false},"keyFacts":["A closed beta test for Animo began in Japan on July 9, 2026.","Animo is scheduled for release within 2026 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, iOS, and Android.","The game is free-to-play with item-based monetization.","The Link system allows players to merge with Animo for real-time combat and enhanced exploration.","Animo is developed by Singapore-based Pawprint Studio."]}