Magical girls, laundry, and tomorrow's forecast somehow all belong in the same wonderfully odd mobile game.
There's a new game in the works at Game Freak, the studio behind popular Pokémon video game series, and this one starts with something most people already do every day: check the weather.
Ame nochi Hare Onna, officially titled Rain followed by Sunny Girl in English, was announced on Monday (14 September) for iOS and Android to be first released in Japan. The free-to-play game is due to launch this winter, although Game Freak hasn't shown much of the actual gameplay yet. Its first teaser gives a look at the game's colourful magical-girl world, alongside the tagline, "Tomorrow's weather will turn into magic."
Shigeru Ohmori is directing and producing the project, with Game Freak developing it alongside Chronogate. On the character side, the teaser introduces main character Harewatari Himawari, voiced by Hiyori Kono and designed by Gakuen Idolmaster character designer Aki Minamino. Her partner, Arai Pon, is voiced by Yuki Nagano and designed by Game Freak's Kyoko Abe.
Ame nochi Hare Onna (Rain followed by Sunny Girl)
Release date: Winter 2026
Platform: Android, iOS
Developer: Game Freak
What is Ame nochi Hare Onna?
Ame nochi Hare Onna is a free-to-play mobile game that uses real-world weather information, with Game Freak officially describing it as a "laundry game". Beyond that unusual label, much of its actual gameplay is still under wraps.
The game is set in modern-day Japan, where magical girls known as "Hare-onna", or Sunny Girls, can change the weather and lift people's spirits. They work alongside partners called "Kumorin", with Himawari and Arai Pon serving as the first pair introduced so far. The story follows the Hare-onna and Kumorin as they use their powers to help people around Japan. How that premise feeds into missions, progression, or the game's day-to-day loop has yet to be shown.
How will Ame nochi Hare Onna use real-world weather?
The weather connection came from somewhere much more ordinary: Ohmori checking the forecast before doing the laundry. In a message shared with Japanese outlet Famitsu, Ohmori said that habit eventually sparked the idea behind Ame nochi Hare Onna. "If you're going to check the weather forecast every day to do laundry, why not make a game that uses the weather forecast?" Ohmori said.
That eventually became the starting point for a game that pulls real-world forecasts into play, with Ohmori saying he hopes it will make everyday life "more fun and cheerful".
Weathernews, a Japanese company specialising in weather information and forecasting, also appears to be involved. Ame nochi Hare Onna's reveal stream will be broadcast from a Weathernews studio, while promotional material for the show carries both Weathernews and Game Freak branding. Famitsu notes that this suggests some form of collaboration between the two companies, although its role in the game has not yet been detailed.
When will Ame nochi Hare Onna be released?
Ame nochi Hare Onna is scheduled to launch on iOS and Android this winter as a free-to-play game with in-app purchases. An exact release date has not been announced yet.
More details are coming during the official "Hare Girls Meeting" livestream later on 14 September at 7:00 PM JST / 6:00 PM GMT+8 via Game Freak's official channels. The first half of the show will cover the game's development history and concept, while the second half will introduce its characters alongside voice actors Hiyori Kono and Yuki Nagano.
Game Freak will also share more about Ame nochi Hare Onna's presence at Tokyo Game Show 2026 during the broadcast.
