Pawprint Studio has announced that its free to play creature catching open world RPG Aniimo has passed 15 million players worldwide since its global launch on September 16. The milestone arrives alongside the start of the first major content update, Departure with the Wind Part 2, which runs from October 29 through December 9 2026 and adds a new map region, 51 new Aniimo and a slate of seasonal events.
Quick facts: Game: Aniimo, a free to play creature catching open world RPG by Pawprint Studio. Milestone: more than 15 million players since the global launch on September 16. Update: Season 1 Part 2, Departure with the Wind Part 2, live October 29 through December 9 2026. Headline additions: the Whisperwake Isles map with four new areas, 51 new Aniimo and the Friendly Sparring player versus player mode. Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, Steam, Epic Games Store, aniimo.com, iOS and Android.
Whisperwake Isles opens four new areas to explore
The centerpiece of Part 2 is the Whisperwake Isles, a new map region built around distinct environments and uncharted lands for Pathfinders to explore. Four new areas open their shores in this update, named as Crescent Bay, Rosy Mirelands, Wildwater Gorge and Cloudreach Falls. Each area brings its own look and its own secrets, and the expansion gives the exploration loop its first major injection of new territory since launch. Players looking for a refresher on where this creature collecting adventure sits in the genre can read our coverage of the Fae and Fauna open world pet RPG, another recent entry in the pet collecting space.
The new region also ties directly into the update storylines, so progression through the Isles feeds back into the broader Season 1 arc. Pawprint Studio is positioning the Whisperwake Isles as the hub for most of the Part 2 activities, which means new and returning players share the same destination for the next six weeks. That shared focus should keep the new zones populated while the seasonal events run.
51 new Aniimo join the collection
The collection grows by 51 new Aniimo in Part 2. Of those, 32 are brand new species, joined by 13 new special forms, 19 evolutions, 9 variations and 10 new Prismana Aniimo. Four of the newcomers are named outright as Bubbeep, Saws, Prawnch and Sugarfish, giving tamers fresh targets from day one of the update.
The Whisperwake Isles ecosystem carries its own exclusive Prismana lineup. Prismana Gachapus, Prismana Whirlbite, Prismana Sugartini, Prismana Jabster, Prismana Royalby and Prismana Glameep all debut in the new region, which rewards players who explore every corner of the four areas. Prismana forms have been among the most chased variants since launch, so a batch of six tied to one region is likely to shape where dedicated collectors spend their time. Fans of the wider monster taming genre can also see how a fellow indie entry handled the formula in our report on Adore and its real time monster taming combat.
Two additions stand out for what they represent. Jaguaraun is the very first community created Aniimo, designed through the first Aniimo Co-Dev Contest, which makes it a milestone for player involvement in the roster itself. Season exclusive Prismana Aniimo include Hypnyto, described as the first cat like Aniimo and available through the Companion Handbook, plus Ekrim, which players earn through Seasonal Achievements. Both are gated behind seasonal systems, so collectors have a reason to engage with the handbook and the achievement track before December 9.
Halloween events, home seasons and Friendly Sparring
A Halloween celebration runs inside the update window under the banner of a spooktacular adventure. The Night Parade and Magical Night events bring new activities, fresh challenges and plenty of rewards for Pathfinders who take part. The timing lines up well with the season, and the event rewards give even story focused players a reason to log in during the holiday.
The Home system gets its own seasonal treatment with a Halloween themed season that adds seasonal layouts and recipes for player housing. Customization extends beyond the house as well, with fresh themed outfits and weekly fashion releases planned across the update so Pathfinders can refresh their look on a regular cadence. These live service staples matter for a game built around self expression, and the weekly rhythm keeps the cosmetic chase moving.
Competitive players get the new player versus player feature Friendly Sparring, which lets Pathfinders challenge each other to 1v1 Duels and test their battle skills head to head. It is framed as a sparring system rather than a ranked ladder, which fits a game whose core loop is collection and exploration first. How the duel meta develops around the new Prismana forms will be worth watching as the community theorycrafts through November.
Where to play and how to stay current
Aniimo is available now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, Steam, the Epic Games Store, the official Aniimo site, iOS and Android. Xbox Game Pass subscribers can also unlock an exclusive monthly Aniimo reward pack, which adds extra value for members on Xbox and PC. The wide platform spread has clearly helped the game reach its 15 million player milestone in a matter of weeks.
Players who want to follow future announcements can track the game on social channels and check the Season 1 Part 2 trailer for a first look at the Whisperwake Isles in motion. With Part 2 running through December 9, the next beat to watch is what Pawprint Studio lines up for the holiday season and whether the player count keeps climbing into the new year.
Aniimo player count and the 15 million milestone
Pawprint Studio has announced that Aniimo has passed 15 million players worldwide since its global launch on September 16. The figure covers the free to play creature catching RPG across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, Steam, Epic Games Store, aniimo.com, iOS and Android.
Departure with the Wind Part 2 dates and headline content
Departure with the Wind Part 2 runs from October 29 through December 9 2026. It adds the Whisperwake Isles map with four new areas, 51 new Aniimo, Halloween events, a Halloween Home season, fresh outfits and the Friendly Sparring 1v1 Duel mode.
How to get Hypnyto, Ekrim and Jaguaraun
Hypnyto, the first cat like Aniimo, is available through the Companion Handbook, while Ekrim is earned via Seasonal Achievements. Jaguaraun is the first community created Aniimo from the Aniimo Co-Dev Contest. All three arrive as part of the Season 1 Part 2 update.
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