Clovers Studio Reunites with Capcom for an Exciting New Chapter in Okami Series
Image by design of Clovers Studio/Capcom.
Last night’s Game Awards showcased numerous announcements, one of which was a sequel to Okami. The original cult classic was developed by Clover Studio, and its sequel will also be produced by…Clovers Studio.
The studio was established in 2023 and is led by director Hideki Kamiya, who also directed the original Okami. Unlike its forerunner, Clovers is no longer a subsidiary of Capcom and is collaborating with teams from Capcom’s M2 and Machine Head on the sequel.
In his announcement post, Kamiya expressed that he “never thought the day would truly come when I would return to Okami and continue the story with my own hands. […] All of this has come together to create this miracle, for which I am incredibly thankful.”
“This project is finally underway,” Kamiya concluded. “We are excited to fill this new Okami with many vibrant flowers and to strive to fulfill the promise of ‘next time’ in the best possible way. Everyone, please await it eagerly.”
The once and future Okami
Okami was released in 2006 for the PlayStation 2, and was Clover’s second-to-last game before the studio closed the following year. Prior to its shutdown, Kamiya was among several notable exits alongside Shinji Mikami and Atsushi Inaba. Mikami later founded the once dormant, now revitalized Tango Gameworks, while Kamiya started PlatinumGames before departing in 2023.
In August 2023, Capcom announced that Okami and the 2010 Nintendo DS title Okamiden have together sold over 4 million copies. In the 18 years since its initial release, Okami has been remastered for new consoles like the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4.
The unnamed Okami project wasn’t the only surprise from the past last night. Capcom also unveiled another project at the Game Awards: Onimusha: System of the Sword, the first new main entry in its samurai hack-and-slash series since 2006’s Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams. Unlike Okami, this game has a release target of 2026.
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Contributing Editor, GameDeveloper.com
A native of Kansas City, MO, Justin Carter has contributed to a variety of websites including IGN, Polygon, and SyFy Wire. Alongside Game Developer, his writings can also be found at io9 over on Gizmodo. Do not inquire him about how much gum he has consumed, as the answer may exceed what he is willing to admit.