Marvelous USA president Ken Berry shared an update for the physical Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma Earth Dancer Edition, revealing that the uncertainties regarding tariffs and production in China may mean that this limited edition will not be ready for launch on June 5. However, it’s worth noting that physical Standard Editions of Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma, and all digital editions, are unaffected and will launch on on June 5.
Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma launches on June 5 for Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam. A Digital Deluxe DLC set will be available with the Seasons of Love Bundle and the Festive Attire and Dark Woolby Bundle for $9.99. In addition, a Super Digital Deluxe DLC set will be available for $19.99 featuring Digital Deluxe DLC, a digital soundtrack, and a digital art book.
A Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma Earth Dancer Edition will be sold for $99.99 in the Marvelous USA store. This physical edition includes a custom box, original soundtrack CD, an artbook, a special folding fan, the Seasons of Love, additional DLC costumes, and a Woolby plush keychain.
The full message from the Marvelous USA president can be read below, via X (formerly Twitter):
Message on Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma
I’d like to share an update with our fans in the Americas. Like other companies that deal with an international supply chain, the uncertainty of the tariffs situation is creating havoc on our production schedules and there is a chance that the premium “Earth Dancer Edition” of our upcoming Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma release may not be ready in time for the game’s worldwide June 5th release.
Specifically, the ‘sensu’ folding fan is done but has been stuck at our supplier’s factory in China for a couple weeks. Trying to bring it over now with the effective tariff rate will cost unanticipated fees totaling over 20% of the suggested selling price, largely due to this item being the most expensive component we have ever produced (with the exception of a figure going into a collector’s edition). We cannot pay those fees, and trying to pass the cost on to fans who already pre-ordered at a set price is also unacceptable to us.
In case anyone is wondering why a fan steeped in Japanese tradition is being made in China: That is because that was the only option available to us when we started this process almost a year ago, when we were told there was not a sensu manufacturer in Japan that could create our custom fan at the quantities that we needed. Instead, we imported authentic Japanese ‘washi’ paper to a facility in China where they would be assembled using a labor-intensive process.
There is still a chance that the goods could make it in time for launch and this message worries everyone for no reason, but I prefer to be open and transparent with our community. Even if the tariffs are reduced or eliminated tomorrow, there could be a huge backlog of product in a similar situation as ours. What that means is that what would usually have taken only a day to clear US customs could take weeks that is how uncertain things are right now with our already delayed schedule.
We will continue to closely monitor the situation and be prepared to provide the product as quickly as possible (such as bringing the sensu fans by air rather than the much more economical ocean freight). We thank you for your support and understanding if even our best efforts still result in a delay.
Ken Berry
President, Marvelous USA
