The Computer Entertainment Supplier’s Association (CESA) has announced full details of the 2026 Japan Game Awards. The announcement includes the schedule for the two award ceremonies, the eleven judges for the Game Designers Award, and the guest stars who will appear on the main stage.
Sakurai's Game Designers Award Makes Its Final Appearance
The Game Designers Award, founded by Masahiro Sakurai in 2010, will hold its 16th and final ceremony this year. The awards are judged by leading game creators from a professional perspective, with a focus on creativity and originality. CESA states that this year’s ceremony will feature a special stage to mark the conclusion of the awards’ journey.
For 16 years, the Game Designers Award has recognized works deemed creative and innovative, rather than simply those with strong sales or that are currently popular. Sakurai has served as chair of the judging committee throughout the award’s history.
Schedule for Two Award Ceremonies
The 2026 Japan Game Awards marks the 30th edition of the event since it was first held. The Games of the Year ceremony will take place at Hulic Hall Tokyo on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, starting at 6:00 p.m. local time, two days before the Tokyo Game Show 2026 opens.
The Future Division ceremony will be held separately at the TGS2026 Event Stage, Hall 1, Makuhari Messe, on Sunday, September 20, 2026, starting at 1:00 p.m. Both ceremonies will be streamed live online for free, with no registration required. The stream links can be accessed via the official website of the Japan Game Awards or Tokyo Game Show official website.
Eleven Judges Will Evaluate the 2026 Game Designers Award
CESA has appointed eleven judges to evaluate the 2026 Game Designers Award. Here is the complete list:
- Masahiro Sakurai (chairman of the judging committee) — Sora Ltd., known for the Kirby and Super Smash Bros. series.
- Kazutoshi Iida — a professor at Ritsumeikan University, known for *Aquanaut’s Holiday*.
- Jiro Ishii — a representative of Storytelling Inc., known for *428: Shibuya Scramble*.
- Fumito Ueda — a representative of genDESIGN Inc., known for ICO and Shadow of the Colossus.
- Hideki Kamiya — studio head at CLOVERS Inc., known for Bayonetta and Devil May Cry.
- Kazutaka Kodaka — a representative of Too Kyo Games, known for the Danganronpa series.
- Goichi Suda — CEO of Grasshopper Manufacture Inc., best known for NO MORE HEROES.
- Toby Fox — an indie game developer, best known for *UNDERTALE* and *DELTARUNE*.
- Keiichiro Toyama — CEO of Bokeh Game Studio Inc., known for Silent Hill and Slitterhead.
- Shinji Mikami — a representative of UNBOUND Inc., known for Resident Evil and The Evil Within.
- Yoko Taro — director of Bukkoro Co., Ltd., known for the NieR and Drakengard series.
Sakurai will serve as a host at the Games of the Year ceremony. He will announce the winners of the Game Designers Award and highlight the appeal of the selected titles.
Toshiya Miyata and Harami-chan Liven Up the Stage
Toshiya Miyata of Kis-My-Ft2, who serves as the official supporter of TGS2026, will attend the Games of the Year ceremony. He will present the Grand Award and share his thoughts and hopes for the gaming industry.
Pianist Harami-chan is also scheduled to perform when the Grand Award is announced. Harami-chan is known for having a large fan base on social media thanks to her piano performances.
Online Voting for the Future Division Opens on September 17
The public can vote for Future Division starting at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 17, 2026, which coincides with the opening day of the Tokyo Game Show 2026. The voting period ends at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 19, 2026, via Future Division's official website.
Eligible entries are unreleased titles showcased at the Tokyo Game Show 2026, including content presented solely through video or hardware. Titles announced after voting closes will not be included in the judging category. CESA will randomly select 200 voters to receive the game or official merchandise related to the Future Division winning title, with shipments to be made after the game’s official release.
Don't miss our exclusive report on TGS 2026
TOKYO GAME SHOW is one of the world's largest game shows organized by the Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association (CESA) and co-organizers Nikkei Business Publications, Inc. and DENTSU INC. TGS has become the premier platform for game industry players to showcase their latest innovations and technologies.
Asia’s largest gaming festival is about to celebrate its 30th anniversary and promises an exhibition on a scale unlike any in previous years. With the theme “The Longest Five Days of Nonstop Play,” this year’s event will make history. For the first time, the exhibition will run for a full five days.
The offline exhibition will be held at Makuhari Messe, Chiba, from September 17 to September 21, 2026. The format of the event remains a hybrid system, combining on-site exhibitions with online initiatives to reach a global audience.
Stay tuned for the latest and exclusive coverage of TGS 2026, only at PlayEatSleep.Fun.
