"Okami 2: Kamiya's 18-Year Dream Sequel Realized"

Okami Sequel Helmed By Kamiya Himself

Fulfilling A Long-Standing Ambition

Legendary former Capcom game director Hideki Kamiya has announced his return to the gaming industry with an exciting sequel to the beloved game, Okami. This new project is being produced by his recently founded studio, Clovers Inc. In an interview with VGC, Kamiya provided insights into the new studio, the revival of the 18-year-old Okami IP, and the reasons behind his departure from PlatinumGames.

Kamiya, renowned for directing iconic titles like the original Okami, Devil May Cry, Resident Evil 2, Bayonetta, and Viewtiful Joe, has always expressed a strong desire to create sequels for Okami and Viewtiful Joe. He believes that the narratives of these games were left incomplete, and he feels a personal responsibility to tie up those loose ends. In a YouTube video with fellow game director Ikumi Nakamura, who also worked on Okami, Kamiya humorously remarked about his unsuccessful attempts to convince Capcom for a sequel, saying, "The director himself is asking to make the game again, but they won’t even talk about it!"

Now, his long-held ambition to continue the Okami series is finally coming to fruition with the new studio, Clovers Inc., and a partnership with Capcom as the publisher.

New Sequel With New Studio, Clovers Inc.

Image from Clovers Inc. official website

Kamiya's new studio, Clovers Inc., draws its name from the original Clover Studio, which developed Okami and Viewtiful Joe, as well as from his first team at Capcom that directed Resident Evil 2 and Devil May Cry. Clover Studio holds a special place in Kamiya's career, and he fondly remembers it as a company founded by former members of Capcom’s Division 4, built on the creative philosophy valued by Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami. "I’m still proud to have been part of that team. Though many years have passed since Clover Studio ceased to exist, the creative principles we held at the time remain just as important to me today," Kamiya shared with VGC.

Clovers Inc. is a joint venture between Kamiya and his former PlatinumGames colleague, Kento Koyama. After leaving PlatinumGames in October 2023, Kamiya was uncertain about his next move until Koyama proposed starting a new company together. Currently, Koyama serves as the president of Clovers, managing the business aspects, while Kamiya focuses on game development. "I’m a game developer, and my skill is making games. I can’t run a company," Kamiya admitted, acknowledging Koyama's adeptness at managing finances and people.

Image from Clovers Inc. official website

Clovers Inc. currently employs 25 staff members across offices in Tokyo and Osaka, with plans to expand as they ramp up production for the Okami sequel. However, Kamiya emphasizes that it's not just about the numbers but about the team's shared mindset. "For me, the most important thing isn’t building a huge company with lots of people—it’s ensuring that everyone shares the same mindset. I want to work with those who are truly passionate about creating something great, true creatives who can develop games with a strong core," he explained. Many of the team members are former PlatinumGames employees who have worked with either Kamiya or Koyama and share the same creative vision.

On His Exit From PlatinumGames

Kamiya's departure from PlatinumGames, a company he co-founded and spent two decades with, came as a surprise to many. As the company's creative leader, vice president, and public face, his exit hinted at underlying dissatisfaction with internal changes that conflicted with his game development philosophy. "If I was satisfied at Platinum, then I wouldn’t have left. There’s a way I believe games should be made: a philosophy, a mindset of how games should be made. Koyama approached me, and we shared the same mindset and philosophy about game development," he explained.

Despite the internal tensions, Kamiya remains enthusiastic about the new Okami project. He and Koyama started from scratch to build their new company, and seeing their efforts come to life is a thrilling experience for him. "Of course, the end goal of that is to make games, but just bringing people together and starting this company from nothing is also what’s really exciting for me."

Kamiya Apologizes For Snappy Remark To Fan

Besides being the mastermind behind several critically acclaimed titles, Kamiya is known for his sharp and often humorous responses to fans on social media. However, his sometimes abrasive demeanor has earned him both fans and critics. Recently, Kamiya showed a softer side by apologizing to a fan he had previously insulted.

On December 16th at 2 AM EST, Kamiya posted on X (formerly Twitter) about watching fans' reactions to the Okami sequel announcement. He was touched by a fan's emotional response but then realized he had previously been rude to her. "She asked me a question. But in response, I was rudely shouting insults at her, and now I want to snap my own neck off…" he wrote. He shared a video of the fan and added, "I like this person…and I’m sorry about what happened before…"

Kamiya has also been responding to fans' requests to unblock them, reposting touching reaction videos to the sequel announcements, and giving compliments to fan-made art and cosplays. However, he remains true to his nature, still calling out those who persistently annoy him.