Arc System Works took the stage at EVO 2026 to announce Zohar the 'Doppelganger,' the latest DLC character coming to Under Night In-Birth II Sys:Celes. The new fighter will release in summer 2026 and joins a growing roster that already includes Uzuki, Kuon, Ogre, and Izumi.

Beyond the new character, Arc System Works is rolling out a substantial update that addresses both gameplay and quality-of-life improvements. The patch brings game balance adjustments alongside revisions to core mechanics like "Steer Ender" and "Throw Escape." Players will also benefit from a new dedicated rating system and rankings for higher-tier competitors. On the technical side, frame data display gets an upgrade, and Mission Mode gains a replay feature so players can review previous matches.

Under Night In-Birth II Sys:Celes launched in January 2024 across PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam. The game concludes the "Hollow Night" storyline that spans the entire series, and features 21 returning characters alongside three new additions: Kaguya, Tsurugi, and Kuon. Izumi joined the roster in August, performed by seiyuu Reina Kondo.

The fighting game series has a deep history. French Bread developed the original Under Night In-Birth, which debuted as an arcade game in Japan in 2012. It received an updated arcade version in 2013 before eventually reaching North American audiences. The franchise has since become known for its unique GRD mechanic, which adds a third layer to the traditional fighting game resource management of life and super move gauges.

With Zohar's announcement, the game continues its steady stream of post-launch content. The season pass already delivered multiple characters throughout 2024 and 2025, keeping the competitive community engaged. Combined with the mechanical updates, Arc System Works is making clear that Under Night In-Birth II remains an active priority for support and balance refinement.