The 'Aretha' Series Returns After 35 Years of Silence. Crowdfunding Campaign 'Aretha Reunion Project ~I Want to Meet You Again~' Launches on CAMPFIRE Starting July 15

Yanoman Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Taito-ku, Tokyo; President: Soji Yano; hereinafter 'Yanoman') and Japan Art Media Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Adachi-ku, Tokyo; hereinafter 'JAM') will launch a crowdfunding campaign on the platform 'CAMPFIRE' starting at 21:00 on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, as part of their joint initiative 'Aretha Reunion Project ~I Want to Meet You Again~' to revive the role-playing game series 'Aretha'—originally released by Yanoman between 1990 and 1995 (3 titles for Game Boy, 3 for Super Famicom). The campaign will run until 23:59 on Monday, August 31, 2026, and will follow the 'All-in' model, meaning all rewards will be delivered regardless of whether the funding goal is met.

What is the 'Aretha Reunion Project ~I Want to Meet You Again~'?

Launched on March 13, 2026, this project aims to reconnect fans with the world, characters, and memories of the long-silent RPG 'Aretha.' Since its announcement, several meaningful 'reunions' have already taken place. This crowdfunding campaign represents the next step in making those reunions tangible.

Background of the Project Launch

It all began with a single phone call in 2024. While planning a project to commemorate Yanoman's 70th anniversary, a hobby division staff member reached out to former associates, quietly initiating preparations for the revival of 'Aretha.'

In August 2025, the event 'Shin Yanoman Densetsu ~Aretha Special~' reunited the team with longtime fans. In November 2025, a social media campaign to locate the illustrator of the 'Aretha II' manual led to the rediscovery of several original contributors. On March 13, 2026, the official launch of the 'Aretha Reunion Project ~I Want to Meet You Again~' was announced.

The enduring love and word-of-mouth legacy of 'Aretha' over 35 years, combined with a series of serendipitous encounters, convinced us that the wish to 'meet again' must be realized together with our fans.

What We Aim to Achieve with This Project

Preserving a Fading Legend

We aim to preserve the 'Aretha' series—originally released over 35 years ago for Game Boy and Super Famicom—in its original form and make it playable on modern platforms such as Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Steam. The 'Aretha COLLECTION 1993–1995,' compiling the three Super Famicom titles, is already scheduled for release on July 30, 2026. With this crowdfunding campaign, we aim to realize the revival of the Game Boy trilogy as 'Aretha COLLECTION 1990–1992 (tentative).'

The Long-Awaited Official Aretha Jigsaw Puzzle

Despite being a legendary jigsaw puzzle manufacturer, Yanoman has never released an 'Aretha'-themed puzzle. We will now bring its beautiful visuals back to life as a premium-quality jigsaw puzzle for the Reiwa era.

Answering Your Passion with Tangible Gifts

We will produce a newly drawn comic booklet by manga artist Yoshito Asari, along with the 'Aretha Official Art Book,' a comprehensive collection capturing the series' beautiful world.

Compilation of the Official Aretha World Guide: 'ARETHA World Core'

Rather than completing it ourselves, we will leave intentional 'gaps' in the official lore for fans to interpret and co-create. The 'ARETHA World Core' will be a collaborative world-building effort. Supporters can register as citizens of the Aretha Kingdom by having their names (real or pseudonyms) displayed on the official website (aretha-online.com).

And Beyond: The Future Vision

Our roadmap includes: first, producing a new anime (OVA) and drama CD; second, launching a YouTube anime series; and ultimately, releasing a fully original new game across all platforms.

Support Tiers (Reward Options)

The following support tiers are available (all tiers share the same estimated delivery: around August 2026):

[Title Support Tier ①–⑥] ¥30,000–¥70,000

Support based on the six titles: the three Game Boy 'Aretha' games and two main Super Famicom titles plus a side story. This tier includes support for key in-game characters and a set of title-specific rewards.

This is the only tier that grants access to the official game title logo.

[Character Support Tier ①–⑫] ¥10,000 each

Support individual characters such as Rebus, Famis, Zoppy, Jeff, Fang, Trasa, Kyle, Mard, Daraha, Todd, Zoppy, Yuno, Minel, Arke, Toreno, Que, Maiki, Base, Toto, Milro, Gitch, and others.

Stretch Goals

Achievement-based milestones that unlock new 'reunion' content for all supporters:

Funding Level

Achieved Content

¥10,000

Thank-you email to all supporters / Aretha Kingdom Citizen Registration (supporters’ names displayed with character icons on the upcoming official website)

¥1,000,000

New comic booklet by Yoshito Asari (mailed to all) / Unreleased scenario 'Howard Senki Danshou: The Remnant of the Magic Doll' (PDF sent to all)

¥5,000,000

Exclusive reunion T-shirt (free size, mailed to all) / 'Rejoice' strategy guide (mailed to all) / Yanoman’s rare archival video collection (DVD, mailed to all) / Passport (issued by the Aretha Kingdom, mailed to all) / Unreleased scenario 'Magic Doll Zuioku Danshou: The Glass Promise' (PDF sent to all)

¥10,000,000

Production and sale of the official Aretha jigsaw puzzle / Production and sale of the official Aretha art book / Release of a new casual Aretha mobile game on App Store and Google Play (all supporters credited in the staff roll)

¥30,000,000

Remaster and release of the official Game Boy trilogy (Aretha / Aretha II / Aretha III) for Nintendo Switch (other platforms under consideration) / Character enamel pin badges (mailed to all supporters)

¥50,000,000

Production of a new Aretha anime / Production of a new Aretha drama CD

¥80,000,000

Establishment of the ARETHA Production Committee (not just an operational body, but a co-creation organization with fans) / Launch of a new YouTube anime series (via the official ARETHA Channel, tentative)

¥100,000,000

Release of a new Aretha game title for Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox, Steam, iOS, and Android (all supporters credited in the staff roll)

Implementation Schedule (Planned)

Time

Content

August 2026

Thank-you message

August 2026

Aretha Kingdom Citizen Registration

October 2026

Unreleased scenario 'Howard Senki Danshou: The Remnant of the Magic Doll'

January 2027