Black Ops 7 brings Call of Duty to a near-future Japan setting – and yes, there’s going to be a cat cafe

• Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 will feature a handful of multiplayer maps set in Japan
• This includes Toshin, an urban map set in the middle of a near-future Tokyo
• The setting reflects the core themes of the game according to the developers

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 will feature 18 multiplayer maps at launch, with a number of those set in a near-future Japan.

It’s the first time that the country has featured so prominently in a Black Ops title, with it appearing “not just as a backdrop, but a major region woven across the entire experience” according to Miles Leslie, associate creative director at developer Treyarch, in a deep dive trailer at Tokyo Game Show 2025.

He explained that the country offered “the right tone, scale, and contrast” to help “ground” the narrative and mechanics of the game.

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“The region’s blend of tradition and innovation mirrors the themes at the heart of Black Ops 7,” added Treyarch design director Matt Scronce.

(Image credit: Activision)

These ideas were evident in last month’s multiplayer beta, which let players explore the all-new map Toshin.

Set in the centre of Tokyo, Toshin is a dense urban environment that’s brimming with authentic details. Traditional Japanese architecture is placed alongside futuristic buildings, decorated with bright neon lighting and eye-catching anime-style billboard advertisements.

The map is even home to a cat cafe and an atmospheric karaoke bar, reflecting the playful culture of the real life city.

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(Image credit: Activision)

Toshin pairs nicely with Den, a map set in an ancient Japanese castle not too far from the streets of Tokyo. This environment wasn’t available in the beta, but what we’ve seen so far shows a strong contrast between old and new.

The castle, now occupied by the high-tech The Guild faction, has been outfitted with modern elements like server rooms. These sit right alongside traditional features like a peaceful indoor zen garden.

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(Image credit: Activision)(Image credit: Activision)

Returning classics like Express and Raid have also been overhauled to match the new aesthetic, transporting the action to the setting in order to help even familiar layouts feel fresh.

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All of these maps will be available in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 when it launches on November 14 for PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X and Series S, and Xbox One.

If you’re eager to get one last taste of the game ahead of its release, publisher Activision recently announced a matcha pop-up in London, England that you can attend for free.

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