“Okami 2”: Creator’s Dream, Capcom’s Decision

Hideki Illustrious Kamiya has once again shared his aspiration to make a sequel for Okami and Viewtiful Joe in an interview with Ikumi Nakamura. Read on to find out more about his sentiments and the work dynamic he shared with Unseen founder, Nakamura.

Hideki Kamiya Shares Hope For Okami 2 and Viewtiful Joe 3Kamiya Feels Responsible For Okami’s Unfinished Narrative

In a YouTube video posted by Unseen last Friday, Ikumi Nakamura and Hideki Kamiya delved into the Kamiya's strong desire to develop sequels for Okami and Viewtiful Joe. These iconic titles have long been on the wishlist of fans, and Kamiya’s remarks reignited hopes for their sequels. Kamiya emphasized his unfinished business with Okami, recalling a viral Twitter (X) video where he and Nakamura teased a potential sequel.

He expressed a sense of responsibility to complete the story, which he believes ended prematurely. "The story ended midway, so leaving it as it is, I feel bad," Kamiya mentioned, urging Capcom to collaborate on continuing the beloved franchise. Nakamura echoed his sentiments, highlighting their shared history with the game and their mutual enthusiasm for its potential continuation. Kamiya even mentioned the recent Capcom survey where Okami ranked in the top seven games that players would like to see have a sequel.

For Viewtiful Joe 3, Kamiya humorously noted that despite its smaller fanbase, the game's narrative also remains incomplete. He recounted how he submitted feedback to the Capcom Survey, advocating for a sequel, but his comments did not make it into the survey results. "The director himself is asking to make the game again but they won't even talk about it," Kamiya jokingly remarked.

Kamiya's Long-standing Ambition For An Okami Sequel

This isn't the first time Kamiya has voiced his desire to create a sequel to Okami. In a video interview with Cutscenes back in November 2021, Kamiya shared his thoughts on leaving Capcom and the unfinished elements of Okami. "When I was making Okami, I would have never thought that I would leave Capcom and work somewhere else. Okami had been built on various ideas, and I figured that regarding things that didn't make it in, since I would probably have a chance to work on it again, I could foreshadow and expand on some things, addressing them in a sequel and answering players' questions while hinting at how the story ends."

With the release of Okami HD on various platforms, the player base grew, and more people started asking about the unresolved plot points, further fueling Kamiya's sense of unfinished business. "There's always this part of me that thinks that I need to take care of this at some point. I want to do it someday," he reiterated.

Kamiya and Nakamura’s Creative Synergy and Professional History

The Unseen interview illuminated the collaborative interplay between Nakamura and Kamiya. They initially collaborated on Okami, and subsequently on Bayonetta, where Nakamura made substantial contributions to the game's design and world-building. Their partnership has been marked by mutual respect and creative synergy, with Nakamura frequently encouraging Kamiya to expand his perspective and enhance the gameplay experience.

Nakamura shared anecdotes from their time working on Bayonetta, reminiscing about how her concept art and ideas shaped the game's distinctive aesthetic. Kamiya commended her ability to grasp and elevate his vision, emphasizing the significance of having a team that shares a common goal.

Despite leaving Platinum Games in September of last year, Hideki Kamiya remains committed to game development and has no plans to retire. Atsushi Inaba noted the rarity of seeing Kamiya in an independent role, underscoring his passion and dedication to creating unforgettable games. The interview concluded with both developers expressing their hopes for future projects and their ongoing desire to leave a lasting impact on the gaming industry.

The interview has generated considerable excitement among fans, who are eager to see sequels to Ōkami and Viewtiful Joe. The potential for these projects largely depends on Capcom's willingness to collaborate. As Inaba and Kamiya continue to inspire and captivate their audience, the gaming community remains hopeful for official announcements and new installments in these beloved franchises.