By Although it has been nearly two decades since the release of Okami, Capcom seems to have remained dedicated to a new installment in the franchise. This is because the company views the series as a “very, very unique IP” with a joyful player experience, according to Capcom producer Yoshiaki Hirabayashi. The crucial factor was finding the right individuals and partnerships.
In a conversation with IGN, Hirabayashi discussed the inception of Okami 2 alongside game director Hideki Kamiya, who founded the new studio Clovers. The unexpected sequel was revealed at The Game Awards in December. “However, for Capcom, we have always been on the lookout for the chance to create a new Okami,” Hirabayashi stated. “Naturally, for such a venture, we required various preparations to ensure that everything comes to fruition. We needed to have certain key individuals on board.”
Kamiya—who departed from Platinum Games in 2023—added that he “has always wanted to make an Okami sequel.” The director emphasized “that the story itself isn’t really complete” in the original, so he feels a desire to continue it.
Interestingly, Okami has always been a beloved favorite yet seen by Capcom as a commercial disappointment. In fact, the original internal developer Clover was closed shortly after the game launched. Nonetheless, Capcom did release Okamiden for Nintendo DS in 2010, demonstrating that the company still believed in the franchise.
“I’m aware that individuals continue to enjoy this game, evident from the sales figures. Typically when we analyze games, the sales tend to decline over time,” Hirabayashi explained. “Sometimes they spike and dip, but generally, they trend downward. However, for Okami, we observe that there has been a consistent stream of players who continue to enjoy the game. So in that respect, Okami stands out as a very, very unique IP.”
Capcom is “focused” on reviving other dormant franchises like Okami as well. In fact, the company also announced Onimusha: Way of the Sword at The Game Awards, another series that hasn’t seen a new installment in nearly two decades. Furthermore, earlier this week, the action title received a new trailer at PlayStation’s State of Play event. This was accompanied by the announcement that Onimusha