While the official release date is nice, it’s not the only tease in the tweet, which seems to feature a mask appearing from one of the rifts that keep popping up in-game. While fan speculation around the mask is already heating up online, it seems most likely that this is a reference to the Japanese kitsune or fox. According to Japanese yokai folklore, the kitsune can shapeshift — mostly into human form — and possesses various supernatural attributes.
While it’s difficult to say what this might mean for Fortnite Season 5, it does seem to be the first reference to Japan we’ve seen so far. While other eras of history have appeared — such as wooden carriages, pirate anchors or references to ancient Egypt — this is the first time we’ve seen something that points to Ancient Japan as a possible influence to this season’s heavily speculated, but still unconfirmed, time-travel theme.
More importantly, at least for most players, is the possibility that this could tease a kitsune skin unlocked through the Season 5 Battle Pass. The first teases for Season 4 revealed skins that were available through its Battle Pass so it doesn’t seem like much of a stretch.
While we probably won’t know anything for sure until the season actually launches at 4 a.m. EDT on July 12, we will probably get a few more teasers in the coming days.
