Okami 2 Fulfills Director Hideki Kamiya's 18 Year Dream for a Sequel

Hideki Kamiya, the legendary game director, has returned to the gaming industry with a new Okami sequel and the establishment of a new studio after his 20-year tenure at PlatinumGames. This article delves into the exciting details of the upcoming title and introduces his new venture, Clovers Inc.

Okami Sequel Helmed By Kamiya Himself

Fulfilling A Long-Standing Ambition

Hideki Kamiya, renowned for directing iconic games such as the original Okami, Devil May Cry, Resident Evil 2, Bayonetta, and Viewtiful Joe, has announced his return to the gaming world with a sequel to Okami. This project is being developed at Clovers Inc., the new studio he founded. In an interview with VGC, Kamiya provided insights into his new studio, the revival of the 18-year-old Okami IP, and the reasons behind his departure from PlatinumGames.

Kamiya has long expressed a desire to create sequels for Okami and Viewtiful Joe, believing their narratives were incomplete. He shared in a YouTube video with fellow game director Ikumi Nakamura, who also worked on Okami, that he had been requesting Capcom for a sequel, but to no avail. "The director himself is asking to make the game again, but they won’t even talk about it!" he humorously remarked. Now, with Clovers Inc. and a partnership with Capcom as the publisher, his long-standing ambition to continue the Okami story is finally being realized.

New Sequel With New Studio, Clovers Inc.

Clovers Inc., Kamiya's new studio, draws its name from the original Clover Studio, which developed Okami and Viewtiful Joe, and his first team at Capcom that directed Resident Evil 2 and Devil May Cry. Clover Studio holds a special place in Kamiya's heart, as it was founded by former members of Capcom’s Division 4 and built on the creative philosophy valued by co-founder and Resident Evil creator, Shinji Mikami. "It was a company founded by former members of Capcom’s Division 4, built on the creative philosophy that [co-founder, Resident Evil creator] Mr. Mikami valued deeply. 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 approached him with the idea of starting a new company. Koyama now serves as the president of Clovers, managing the business side, 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 skills in managing finances and people.

Currently, Clovers Inc. employs 25 people, split between offices in Tokyo and Osaka, with plans to expand as they ramp up production for the Okami sequel. Kamiya emphasized that the focus is not on the size of the company but on the shared mindset of its employees. "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 stated. 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 where he served as creative leader and vice president for two decades, surprised many. He hinted at internal changes that did not align with his philosophy on game development. "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 tensions, Kamiya is enthusiastic about the new Okami project. He and Koyama started from scratch to establish their new company, and seeing their hard work come to fruition excites 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

Kamiya is also known for his sharp and often comedic responses to fans on social media, sometimes calling them "insects" and blocking those who ask "stupid questions." However, he recently showed a softer side by apologizing to a fan he had previously insulted. On an X (Twitter) post dated December 16th at 2 AM EST, Kamiya shared that he was touched by a fan's emotional reaction to the Okami sequel announcement. Upon recognizing the fan, he reviewed their past interactions and realized he had been rude. "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 confessed. He then shared a video of the fan, adding, "I like this person…and I’m sorry about what happened before…"

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