The Overwatch Spotlight has come to an end, revealing a groundbreaking overhaul with five new launch heroes, a year full of story content, a Hello Kitty collaboration, and yes, a title change.
Overwatch is officially dropping the “2” as it moves forward with a yearlong storyline called The Reign of Talon, and it all starts in just one week. Instead of the Season 21 drop many had expected, February 10 will start over with Season 1, a revamped UI, and five heroes: Domina, Emre, Mizuki, Anran, and Jetpack Cat. One new hero will launch each subsequent Season as Blizzard ditches its previous pace, resulting in a total of five additional playable characters by the time Season 6 rounds out the year.
The Reign of Talon marks a return to what Overwatch players believed long-forgotten story content, as the developers promise new in-game events, cinematics and hero trailers, live map and visual updates, a treasure trove of loot boxes, and much, much more. Whereas Overwatch 2 promised to deliver content but was unable to follow through, the next chapter is just days away from launch. You can read about every last detail shown during the Overwatch Spotlight 2026 presentation below.
Yes, Overwatch Is Dropping the 2
Old name, new era. Welcome back “Overwatch” ✨ #OWSpotlight2026 pic.twitter.com/Chte98RxhR
— Overwatch (@PlayOverwatch) February 4, 2026
The Overwatch team caught a lot of flak when Overwatch 2 launched a few years ago and failed to deliver on some of the promises it made at launch. That all changes next week, as Blizzard has decided to turn back the clock and remove the 2 in its name, leaving only the name is started with back in 2016: Overwatch. It means a complete UI refresh, a ton of new playable characters, and so much more as the once-troubled hero shooter takes on a new chapter.
Blizzard Starts the Show With the First Proper Overwatch Cinematic in Years
Season 20 character Vendetta was the focus for the beginning of today's show in what is the first proper Overwatch cinematic in years. The video sees her take down Doomfist in front of Reaper, Sombra, Moira, and more as she ushers in a new era for Overwatch – and Talon.
The Reign of Talon Is Here
As teased by a surprise update last week, Overwatch is launching into a new annual story event called The Reign of Talon. The narrative arc will unfold throughout 2026, beginning with Season 1 on February 10. Director Aaron Keller says the narrative will feature comics, animated Hero trailers, and more, with everything fully integrated in-game. Then, as the story reaches its end later this year, a new Season 1 will begin a new chapter in 2027.
A whopping 10 Heroes will launch between now and the end of the year, promising to make Overwatch in 2026 the hero shooter's biggest year yet. Part of these evil-themed festivities will see players earning new Talon and Overwatch cosmetics, with Season 1 introducing a meta event that rewards players as they join either (or both) of the factions.
Meet Your New Overwatch Launch Heroes
As Blizzard kicks off a new chapter for Overwatch, it's giving players an unprecendented five new playable character to control – and they launch next week. Starting with Season 1 on February 10, players will have access to the following three Talon members and two Overwatch Heroes:
- Domina (Talon/Tank)
- Emre (Talon/Damage)
- Mizuki (Talon/Support)
- Anran (Overwatch/Damage)
- Jetpack Cat (Overwatch/Support)
Domina is the first new character we get to meet, and she's also the first Poke Tank since Sigma. Using medium-range beams and abilities that recharge shields, she'll be a massive benefit to any team and one of the more powerful members of Talon.
Emre, the long-rumored former Overwatch member, is officially with Talon. Blizzard describes him as a fast-paced hero-turned-villain with an Ultimate that transforms him into a living weapon.
Talon is taking over each major role in Season 1, with Mizuki arriving as the villainous group's Support rep. This member of the Hashimoto clan is described as a "detached and hardened" character with a healing aura passive, a chain ability called the Healing Kasa, and an Ultimate ability, Kekkai Sanctuary, that protects and aids allies.
Anran joins Overwatch to team up with her water-bending brother, Wuyang, but instead of swift currents, she brings fire technology to act as each team's assassin. Her ranged attacks will pair with her quick movement abilities as players learn to utilize an Ultimate ability that can either take down groups of enemies or offer a second chance in a pinch. She joins via Hero Trial starting February 5.
Finally, after years of teasing, Blizzard is adding one of the most highly requested Heroes in Overwatch history: Jetpack Cat. Nearly a decade of waiting has finally brought the always-flying feline to the game as a Support character with tether abilities for crowd control and an adorable aura. The team stopped short of spilling just how she ties into the lore, but it sounds like Jetpack Cat has already curled up next to everyone's favorite shield-wielding Support, Brigitte.
Five of 2026's 10 new Heroes are out in just one week. The other five will launch throughout the rest of the year, with Blizzard continuing to shake things up by promising to launch one new playable character every Season.
Overwatch Season 1 Features Valentine's Day and Rainy Day Skins
The Overwatch Spotlight featured a brief look at some of the new Valentine's Day skins and Rainy Day outfits coming in Season 1. Along with faction skins for Talon and Overwatch faithfuls, the loot box pool is getting a refresh to include the last six seasons of non-collab and non-Mythic cosmetics, and players can soon seek out new eSports loot boxes to collect.
Some of Your Favorite Overwatch Heroes are Getting Mythic Skins and Mythic Weapons in 2026
Get your first look at Season 1’s suite of new Mythics!
🪽 Mythic Celestial Guardian Mercy Hero Skin
👽 Mythic Star Shooter Juno Weapon Skin
💖 Mythic Mei Hero Skin#OWSpotlight2026 pic.twitter.com/FCNXUpJboM— Overwatch (@PlayOverwatch) February 4, 2026
Blizzard has kept from releasing new Mythic skins for Heroes who may have already received them in the past, but that all changes next week. Overwatch Season 1 introduces a second Mythic Skin for Mercy called Celestial Guardian, with Juno getting her Mythic weapon in the form of Star Shooter.
Icy DPS Hero Mei will then get her first Mythic skin with a mid-season patch, with the developers showing off a sneak peek thanks to some newly revealed concept art. Other Mythic plans for the future include skins for Soldier: 76, Illari, and Mauga, with weapons planned for Genji, Hanzo, and Sojourn.
Hello Kitty Comes to Overwatch
Overwatch 2 took a break from collabs for the last few seasons, but crossover skins are finally coming back with a cute new set with a Hello Kitty theme. Some of the cosmetics featured in today's trailer showed off new looks for Lucio, Juno, Mercy, Kiriko, Widowmaker, and D.Va.
Overwatch Is Getting a Proper Nintendo Switch 2 Update
Overwatch came to Nintendo Switch in 2019 but technical issues have kept it from being a solid platform choice for fans. That may change in Season 2 when Overwatch gets its Nintendo Switch 2 upgrade when Season 2 eventually launches.
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Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).
