*Illusion and Reality: Myriad Phenomena* has topped the charts again! Who is waiting for it behind those 519 votes?

What first struck me was actually not the number 519 votes, but the fact that Pragmata appeared in the top ten on two platforms at the same time. It feels like a character we haven’t properly met yet, but one that has already captured many people with just its outline. To me, when players are willing to place their expectations on a new title in advance, it often means the game already carries the kind of aura that says, “I want to keep getting to know you.”

According to the latest issue of Famitsu’s most anticipated games ranking, Capcom’s new title Pragmata received 519 votes for the PS5 version, continuing to hold first place. Even more interestingly, the Switch 2 version also entered tenth place with 182 votes, showing that this is not just a small wave of hype on a single platform, but something people across platforms are genuinely waiting for. Since these results come from Famitsu reader voting, they better reflect the anticipation of Japan’s core gaming audience for upcoming releases.

Looking at the full ranking, the competition for the top ten was actually very tight this time. Persona 4: Remake came in second with 392 votes, while Pokémon: Wind/Wave surged to third with 376 votes. Behind them were Tomodachi Life with 345 votes, Ganbare Goemon: Daishūgō with 329, and Splatoon Raiders with 297. Fire Emblem: Threads of Time had 228 votes, Yoshi and the Mysterious Picture Book had 196, and Rhythm Heaven: Miracle Star had 191, with the Switch 2 version of Pragmata rounding out the list in tenth with 182 votes. To occupy both the very top and the very bottom of such a list at the same time makes its presence impossible to miss.

When it comes to characters, what I especially care about in a game’s momentum is whether anticipation is being driven by gameplay systems and features, or by the feeling of “I want to see how the people in this world live.” Although this ranking only provides vote counts and doesn’t go into more detailed setting information, the fact that Pragmata, as a new Capcom title, can continue to hold on to first place at least shows that it has already built stable trust among core players. That kind of trust is like being willing to wait for a reply from an old friend—not because they’re always the most exciting person in the room, but because you know they probably won’t brush you off.

What also left a strong impression on me, though, was how sharply Pokémon: Wind/Wave rose this week, charging straight into the top three with 376 votes. It’s actually a reminder of one thing: an anticipation ranking is never set in stone, and player sentiment can shift quickly with new information. Pragmata sitting firmly in first today is certainly a strong signal, but the titles chasing behind it are far from weak, especially those from series that already have deeply rooted fanbases.

If you usually pay attention to market trends, this ranking points to one very clear takeaway: Japan’s core players are still willing to support both “new titles” and “familiar faces” at the same time. On one side, a new project like Pragmata is out in front; on the other, emotionally resonant titles like Persona 4: Remake and Pokémon: Wind/Wave are close behind. Put simply, people want novelty, but they’re also reluctant to say goodbye to old characters. That mindset feels a lot like trying to find a balance between security and surprise in life.

If you ask me how to understand the current popularity of Pragmata, I’d say to see it first as a game that is being watched closely, rather than one that has already secured an unquestionable win. First place with 519 votes looks impressive, and making the top ten on two platforms is rare as well, but whether it can truly turn anticipation into acclaim will ultimately depend on whether it can deliver relatable characters, believable storytelling, and an expression that doesn’t feel awkward. At the very least, as of today, this ranking already makes one thing clear: many players have already set their sights on Pragmata well in advance.