Kunitsu-Gami's Prequel Shown Through Traditional Japanese Bunraku Theater

Capcom's new action strategy game, Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess, launched July 19th, and the company celebrated with a unique twist: a traditional Japanese Bunraku puppet theater performance. This event aimed to introduce the game's deeply Japanese cultural influences to a global audience.

Capcom Showcases Kunitsu-Gami with a Bunraku Theater Production

Bridging Tradition and Gameplay: A Bunraku Prequel

The Osaka-based National Bunraku Theater, celebrating its 40th anniversary, created a special Bunraku show for the game's launch. This ancient art form, featuring large puppets manipulated to a samisen soundtrack, provided a captivating prequel to the game's storyline. Master Puppeteer Kanjuro Kiritake brought the game's protagonists, Soh and the Maiden, to life in a new play, "Ceremony of the Deity: The Maiden's Destiny."

Kiritake commented on the collaboration, highlighting the shared Osaka roots of Capcom and Bunraku, and expressing a desire to share this art form globally.

A Fusion of Ancient Art and Modern Technology

Capcom described the performance as a "new form of Bunraku," blending traditional puppetry with cutting-edge CG backdrops from the game itself. This innovative approach aimed to showcase Bunraku to a wider international audience, emphasizing the game's cultural depth.

Capcom's statement emphasized their goal of using their platform to highlight the cultural richness woven into Kunitsu-Gami.

Bunraku's Influence on Kunitsu-Gami's Design

Producer Tairoku Nozoe revealed that game director Shuichi Kawata's passion for Bunraku significantly influenced the game's development. Nozoe stated that Kunitsu-Gami was already heavily infused with Bunraku elements before the collaboration even began, inspired by the puppet theater's distinctive movements and staging. The shared experience of attending a Bunraku performance solidified their decision to partner with the National Bunraku Theater.

Set on the defiled Mount Kafuku, Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess tasks players with purifying villages by day and protecting the Maiden at night, utilizing sacred masks to restore balance. The game is available on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles, including Xbox Game Pass. A free demo is also available across all platforms.