Shenmue Dojo Show - End of Year Review + 2026 Expectations

Shenmue Dojo Show - Bonus Show - End of Year Review 2025

James and Matt embark on a full review of the key news topics from 2025 in this now traditional yearly round-up.

2025 was a busy year with S3E announced, THAT trailer and more!

Will 2026 be the year of Shenmue 4?

Topics in order Shenmue Community & Media Highlights (2025)

Jan 6 – Hobby Consolas expresses hope for a Shenmue 4 announcement https://shenmuedojo.com/hobby-consolas-hoping-for-shenmue-4-announcement-in-2025/

Jan 21 – Shenmue Dojo Podcast enters Season 5

Jan 25 – Unseen Hideki Kawabata character & area renders released https://shenmuedojo.com/new-and-unseen-shenmue-character-area-renders-released/

Mar 1–3 – BAFTA “Most Influential Game” poll opens; Shenmue Figgyz announced https://shenmuedojo.com/vote-shenmue-in-baftas-search-for-the-most-influential-video-game-of-all-time/ https://shenmuedojo.com/figgyz-shenmue-pop-magnets-announced/

Mar 24 – Steel Paws released (Dojo review) https://shenmuedojo.com/steel-paws-the-dojo-review/

Apr 3–5 – Shenmue wins BAFTA poll (ITV News coverage); rare artwork & design docs released https://shenmuedojo.com/shenmue-wins-a-bafta/ https://shenmuedojo.com/huge-shenmue-artwork-vfrpg-designs-release/

Apr 29 – Shenmue: Back in Yokosuka (Saturn homebrew) places 2nd in competition https://shenmuedojo.com/shenmue-back-in-yokosuka-for-the-sega-saturn-release/

May 23–27 – ININ Games tease Shenmue 3 on Xbox/Switch; Dojo interviews Dreamcast PR lead https://shenmuedojo.com/shenmue-3-inin-games-teases/ https://shenmuedojo.com/shenmue-dojo-interviews-chase-media-relations-director-during-sega-dreamcast-american-launch/

Jun 17 – Ryo Hazuki cameo spotted in new Shinobi title https://shenmuedojo.com/ryo-spotted-in-upcoming-shinobi-game/

Aug 11–23 – Shenmue featured in heartfelt Metro article; Shenmue III Enhanced announced & ININ interviewed https://shenmuedojo.com/shenmue-featured-in-heartfelt-metro-article/ https://shenmuedojo.com/shenmue-3-enhanced-edition-announced/ https://shenmuedojo.com/shenmue-dojo-qa-with-inin-games

Oct 5–27 – Fan mods, Disc Image remix album, Figgyz Wave 2 poll, Dreams of Saturn 3.0 announced https://shenmuedojo.com/ryo-in-crossworlds-fan-mod-by-cifesk/ https://shenmuedojo.com/brand-new-shenmue-inspired-concept-album-releases/ https://shenmuedojo.com/shenmue-figgyz-wave-2-could-happen-vote-now/ https://shenmuedojo.com/dreams-of-saturn-3-0-release-date-confirmed/

Nov 9–29 – Shenmue turns 25 in NA & PAL regions; SEGA acknowledges anniversary after community pressure https://shenmuedojo.com/sega-notes-shenmue-turning-25-in-north-america/ https://x.com/SEGA/status/1986955500206842212

Dec 4–10 – Fake Shenmue 4 trailer sparks mass global coverage & renewed belief; later confirmed fake https://shenmuedojo.com/it-made-me-believe-again-game-rant-shares-incredible-story/

Dec 12–18 – Shenmue referenced at TGA (Muppets); Hazuki Dojo recreated in UE5; Dreams of Saturn 3.0 launches https://shenmuedojo.com/shenmue-gets-a-namecheck-from-the-muppets/ https://shenmuedojo.com/hazuki-dojo-reimagined-in-unreal-5-by-ahmad-z/ https://shenmuedojo.com/dreams-of-saturn-3-0-avaliable-now/

Dec 27–29 – Guardian recommends Shenmue; Famitsu notes Japan’s 26th anniversary; Shenmue 4 Fan Survey launches https://shenmuedojo.com/guardian-recommends-shenmue-for-cosy-gaming/ https://www.famitsu.com/article/202512/61484 https://shenmuedojo.com/shenmue-4-fan-interest-purchase-intent-survey-2025/

Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjvnGvNdVyOcXkYanOfmRoQ/join