Bandai Namco announces Ace Combat 8 live-action prequel

Bandai Namco has announced ‘Hour Zero’, a live-action miniseries that serves as a prequel to the upcoming video game Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve. The series will be released in four parts, starting September 15, 2026, and concluding before the game's launch on October 2, 2026. The episodes will be available via IGN’s website and YouTube channel.

The miniseries features Hollywood actors Josh Holloway, Brandon Routh, and Tamlyn Tomita. The narrative follows three strangers during the initial military invasion of the Central Usean Federation by the Republic of Sotoa. The story is set to be told in reverse chronological order, focusing on how the war destroyed the normal lives of a pilot, a doctor, and a news anchor.

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is scheduled for a general release on October 2, 2026, with Deluxe Edition holders gaining early access on September 29, 2026.