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Carmen Sandiego Marks 40th Anniversary with Crime-Solving at Japan's Cherry Blossom Festival

by Owen Jan 10,2026

Carmen Sandiego Marks 40th Anniversary with Crime-Solving at Japan

Netflix and Gameloft have released an exciting update for the Carmen Sandiego game, sending the iconic sleuth to Japan during the vibrant Cherry Blossom Festival. Far from a leisurely trip, she’s on a critical mission.

As Japan celebrates the beauty of Sakura season, Carmen dives into a thrilling new case. The limited-time event, dubbed Free FestiVILE, runs from April 7 to May 4.

Carmen Sandiego Hunts VILE at Cherry Blossom Festival

The objective: track down the culprits who stole the sacred Shinboku tree. Players will follow leads, unravel clues, and race against time to uncover the masterminds behind the theft.

While solving the mystery, players can immerse themselves in stunning Japanese landscapes, from Tokyo’s historic shrines to blooming cherry blossoms. Unlock a traditional happi coat for Carmen, a stylish alternative to her signature red trenchcoat.

Curious about Carmen’s adventure in Japan’s Cherry Blossom Festival? Check out the video below!

Celebrating 40 Years of Carmen Sandiego

Fans of the series will be thrilled to hear the iconic theme song from the Rockapella era return. This nostalgic tune is featured in the Standard Edition and included in the Deluxe Edition soundtrack.

Drawing heavily from the Netflix animated reboot, the game delivers high-stakes missions and clever heists, with Carmen outsmarting villains to safeguard cultural treasures.

Haven’t played yet? If you have a Netflix subscription, download the game from the Google Play Store. The cherry blossoms—and this thrilling mission—won’t last forever!

Also, check out our coverage of the 7th Anniversary Special Mystery in Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery!