Okami Sequel Hinges on Capcom's Decision

Hideki Kamiya's Passion Project: Okami 2 and the Power of Collaboration

Hideki Kamiya, the visionary behind iconic titles like Okami and Viewtiful Joe, recently reignited fan hopes for sequels in an interview with Ikumi Nakamura, founder of Unseen. The conversation, captured in a YouTube video, revealed Kamiya's deep-seated desire to complete the narratives he feels were prematurely concluded.

Kamiya expressed a strong sense of responsibility regarding Okami's unfinished story, referencing a previous social media interaction with Nakamura hinting at a potential sequel. He emphasized the story's abrupt ending and its impact on his creative conscience. The recent Capcom player survey, where Okami ranked among the top seven most-wanted sequels, further fueled his ambition. Similarly, while acknowledging a smaller fanbase, Kamiya highlighted the incomplete narrative of Viewtiful Joe and his humorous attempt to push for a sequel through the same Capcom survey.

This isn't a new aspiration for Kamiya. In a 2021 interview, he discussed leaving Capcom and the lingering impact of Okami's unfinished elements, emphasizing his desire to revisit and expand upon the game's concepts in a future installment. The subsequent growth in the Okami player base, largely due to the HD re-release, only intensified this feeling.

The Unseen interview also highlighted the strong creative synergy between Kamiya and Nakamura, collaborators on Okami and Bayonetta. Nakamura's contributions to Bayonetta's art and world-building demonstrate their complementary skills and shared creative vision.

Despite leaving PlatinumGames, Kamiya remains dedicated to game development. Nakamura emphasized the rarity of seeing Kamiya in an independent role, highlighting his unwavering passion. The interview concluded with both expressing their hopes for future projects and their continued dedication to the gaming industry. While the future of Okami 2 and Viewtiful Joe 3 rests largely with Capcom's decision, the interview has generated significant excitement and renewed hope among fans.