Capcom's Heritage Gets Rekindled

Capcom's Revival of Classic IPs: Okami, Onimusha, and Beyond

Capcom has announced its continued focus on reviving classic intellectual properties (IPs), beginning with the highly anticipated returns of Okami and Onimusha. This strategy aims to deliver high-quality content leveraging Capcom's extensive game library.

Okami and Onimusha Lead the Charge

A December 13th press release confirmed Capcom's commitment to reviving dormant IPs. The upcoming Onimusha title, set in Edo-period Kyoto, is slated for a 2026 release. A new Okami sequel is also in development, helmed by the original game's director and development team, though a release date remains unannounced.

Capcom explicitly stated its intention to "re-activate dormant IPs," emphasizing the creation of "highly efficient, high-quality titles" to boost corporate value. This strategy complements ongoing projects like Monster Hunter Wilds and Capcom Fighting Collection 2, both scheduled for 2025. The company also recently released Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess and Exoprimal, demonstrating a continued commitment to new game development.

Fan Input Shapes the Future

Capcom's February 2024 "Super Election" provided valuable insight into player preferences. This fan vote highlighted strong demand for sequels and remakes of several dormant franchises, including Dino Crisis, Darkstalkers, Onimusha, and Breath of Fire. While Capcom remains discreet about its future plans, the "Super Election" results offer a compelling indication of potential future releases, especially considering the high demand for Onimusha and Okami that was reflected in the voting.

The long dormancy of franchises like Dino Crisis (last installment: 1997) and Darkstalkers (last installment: 2003), along with the short lifespan of Breath of Fire 6 (2016-2017), suggests that these well-established IPs are ripe for a comeback. The success of the Okami and Onimusha revivals will likely heavily influence Capcom's decision-making regarding which dormant IPs to prioritize next.