Developer Arc System Works has confirmed that Hulk and Black Panther have joined the roster of playable fighters in Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls.
The studio confirmed the news at Evo Japan 2026, revealing a first look at the two new legendary comic book characters set to throw down when its Marvel fighting game launches this August. Appearing as Savage Hulk and Shuri's Black Panther, the two will fight as part of the group known as the Fighting Avengers, but they won't be coming alone.
As described in a follow-up PlayStation.Blog post, the Marvel Tokon trailer also highlighted Wakanda as a new stage, as well as the inclusion of the mysterious character known as The Champion. Described as a "cosmic conqueror," The Champion looms over Earth on his quest to search for worthy opponents.
Marvel Tokon is primed to give players a healthy selection of heroes and villains later this summer, but it seems like Arc System Works isn't done announcing new playable fighters. The last moments of the new trailer feature what sounds like the familiar snarl of one of the many Symbiotes Spider-Man has encountered in the past. The audio itself gives fans little to cling to, but some fans are already starting to piece together additional clues that suggest the bloodthirsty Carnage will join the roster next.
As the Symbiote-like snarl plays, a few frames of footage distort the screen. Pausing at just the right moment reveals that Spider-Man's face has been scratched out and, perhaps more interestingly, there are a series of numbers tucked away in the bottom left corner. The easiest number to make out is "361," which, as some fans online have pointed out, is potentially a reference to the first full appearance of Carnage in The Amazing Spider-Man #361.
So, while some were quick to assume the always-popular Venom may show up for Marvel Tokon, the evidence suggests that, if any Symbiote will be playable, it will be Carnage. Although it's hard to deny that Arc System Works is teasing something at the end of the Fighting Avengers trailer, it's probably best not to get your hopes up for a playable Carnage until official confirmation arrives.
Marvel Tokon will let players take control of Savage Hulk, Shuri's Black Panther, and a roster of other classic comic book characters when its August 6, 2026, release date for PC and PlayStation 5 arrives. Demos for the superhero fighting game will be available starting May 22 at Combo Breaker 2026 and May 29 at Hong Kong Comic Con 2026.
For more, you can check out the X-Men reveals – including a closer look at characters like Wolverine and Storm – that players got earlier this year. You can also read up on the leak that may have revealed the final roster count before Arc System Works increases it with DLC in the future.
Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).
