Award-winning comic writer Kieron Gillen is penning the Episode Mode stories in the upcoming Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls.
Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls has unveiled Episode Mode–a single-player story mode featuring five unique narratives centred around the five teams available at launch. The stories are written by Kieron Gillen, the acclaimed comic book writer and former journalist best known for the award-winning Die and Once & Future, as well as numerous Marvel titles, including Star Wars and Young Avengers.
"Written by legendary comic writer Kieron Gillen, Episode Mode in Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls features five unique stories, each brought to life by a different artist and following a different team as they face the looming threat of the Champion," the official Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls social media account posted.
Ahead of the game's launch early next month, the developers will also reveal the distinctive art style for each episode over the coming days.
MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls
Release Date: 6 August, 2026
Platforms: PlayStation 5, PC
Developers: Arc System Works
What is Episode Mode in Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls?
Episode Mode is a primarily single-player mode, delivering five stories that follow the journeys of the five teams in the game as they battle their way towards a climactic showdown against the Promoter and the Champion. Each team consists of four iconic Marvel heroes and villains.
The five teams available at launch are:
- Fighting Avengers: Captain America (leader), Iron Man, Hulk, and Black Panther
- Knights of Doom: Doctor Doom (leader), Magneto, Green Goblin, and Carnage
- Unbreakable X-Men: Storm (leader), Magik, Wolverine, and Danger
- Amazing Guardians: Spider-Man (leader), Ms. Marvel, Star-Lord, and Peni Parker
- Samurai Outriders: Ghost Rider (leader), Blade, Deadpool, and Loki
Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls was announced during PlayStation's State of Play in June 2025. Developed by Arc System Works, the studio behind Guilty Gear, and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, it is an upcoming 2D four-vs-four tag-team fighting game that reimagines Marvel's expansive cast of heroes and villains through its unique art-style.
The game has, however, hit a stumbling block at the moment, with it currently blocked on Steam in more than 130 countries. Both Arc System Works and Sony have yet to explain the restrictions and whether or not the blocked countries will gain access after its scheduled launch on 6 August. Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls is set for release on PlayStation 5 and Windows PC via Steam with the Standard Edition priced at US$60.
