Capcom's Revival of Classic IPs Continues: Okami and Onimusha Lead the Charge

Capcom has confirmed its ongoing commitment to resurrecting beloved classic game franchises, beginning with the highly anticipated returns of Okami and Onimusha. This strategy, detailed in a December 13th press release, signals a renewed focus on leveraging Capcom's extensive library of intellectual property to deliver high-quality content to its fans.

The next Onimusha installment, set in Edo-period Kyoto, is slated for a 2026 release. A new Okami sequel is also in development, helmed by key members of the original game's creative team, though a release date remains undisclosed. Capcom explicitly stated its intention to "re-activate dormant IPs," emphasizing a commitment to efficient, high-quality game production.

This strategy complements Capcom's current projects, including Monster Hunter Wilds and Capcom Fighting Collection 2, both expected in 2025, and recent releases like Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess and Exoprimal.

Further clues about Capcom's future plans may lie in the results of their February 2024 "Super Elections," a fan vote that highlighted strong demand for sequels and remakes of several dormant franchises, including Dino Crisis, Darkstalkers, Onimusha, and Breath of Fire. The considerable time elapsed since the last installments of Dino Crisis (1997) and Darkstalkers (2003), coupled with the relatively short lifespan of Breath of Fire 6 (2016-2017), suggests these franchises are ripe for a comeback. While Capcom remains discreet about specific future projects, the "Super Elections" provide a valuable indication of fan preferences and potential future releases.