The iconic role-playing game series Dragon Quest celebrated its 40th anniversary on May 27, 2026, and companies across Japan have been flooding social media with congratulations and collaboration announcements. Among the most eye-catching is a new partnership with Baskin-Robbins (サーティワン アイスクリーム), which has revealed a brand-new flavor inspired by the series’ satisfying “critical hit” mechanic.
Dragon Quest first launched on May 27, 1986, and Square Enix has opened a special 40th anniversary website. Wishes have poured in from fans, celebrities, and numerous corporations.
Baskin-Robbins × Dragon Quest Collaboration
The ice cream chain’s collaboration lineup includes a shocking new flavor, a limited-edition sundae, an ice cream cake, and a takeout set featuring a keychain of the original monster “Popping Shower Slime.” The collaboration also extends into the game Dragon Quest X Online, where Baskin-Robbins items will appear in-game.
June’s new collaboration flavor is called “かいしんのいちげき！-ゴールデンパインレモネード-” (Critical Hit! – Golden Pine Lemonade). Inspired by the exhilarating moment when a character lands a much larger than normal damage blow in battle, the flavor combines a refreshing, sweet-and-tart light blue lemonade sorbet with a sweet, juicy yellow golden pine sorbet. It also includes Baskin-Robbins’ first-ever popping and fizzing candy for two kinds of texture, plus a surprisingly sour and tangy lemon ribbon.
The “Slimes Appear! Battle Sundae” features the beloved slime monster as a cute sundae. Choose one scoop of your favorite ice cream, topped with whipped cream and colorful sprinkles, a slime chocolate piece, and a randomly selected monster pick from 10 different designs.
The custom cup is decorated with a Dragon Quest world map, complete with ice cream and hidden 31 logos. The random monster pick adds a battle-like thrill, as you never know which monster will appear.
The “Dragon Quest 40th Set” is a special 40th anniversary takeout box containing eight scoops of your chosen ice creams. The box features a monster design and, when opened, transforms into a “Mimic Box” (ひとくいばこ) that reveals the treats inside—perfect for gifts or office treats.
The set also includes an exclusive keychain of the original monster “Popping Shower Slime”, a collaboration between the popular Popping Shower flavor and the slime. This cute design is only available through this collaboration.
The “Slimes Appear! Ice Cream Cake” is themed around Slime Island, a paradise for slime monsters. The cake features a printed base depicting sea and cliffs, with a film and cake forming the island. On top sit sugar-candy slime and slimebes monsters that look as if they want to join your party. Whipped cream slimes decorate the sides. The set includes monster picks, a command-style chocolate plate, and a white chocolate pen so you can write your own message and decorate freely.
After eating, a Metal King appears on the base sheet, letting you enjoy the adventure until the very end. The cake has two tiers: the top layer is Popping Shower, the bottom layer is a three-layer combination of caramel ribbon, strawberry, and chocolate.
Reactions on social media have been ecstatic: “This is the best!”, “I’m definitely going on day one!”, “Y-y-you’re too good!!!”, “I want the box and the cake too! So good!!”
Many other companies also joined the anniversary celebrations. Nissin Chicken Ramen Hiyoko-chan posted an image of their mascot transformed into a slime. Kameda no Kaki no Tane arranged rice crackers into a slime shape, drawing comments like “Wow! Artistic!” and “What a masterpiece!”. Yogibo Japan showed a hero lounging on their cushion sofa with the caption, “Unfortunately the hero was immobilized by Yogibo,” alongside a slime and a momonja creature.
Further tributes came from Tirol Choco, Otafuku Sauce, Earth Corporation, Airap, and Seven-Eleven Japan, all posting special congratulatory messages.
《佐藤えりか》
