Ikumi Nakamura shot to fame when she announced Bethesda and Tango Gameworks’ upcoming GhostWire: Tokyo at E3 2019, a project she was attached to as creative director. And though she left Tango not long afterward, Nakamura still has her eye on some interesting projects.
Apparently, she particularly wants to help make Okami 2 happen. Speaking in an interview with IGN Japan (which you can view below), Nakamura said (as relayed by her translator) that she feels there’s “still a lot to tell in that universe” and would be happy to be attached to the project in any capacity.
Interestingly enough, as per her translator, Nakamura plans on pitching an Okami sequel to Capcom one the COVID-19 crisis has died down, and she says she wants Hideki Kamiya – director of the first Okami, who is, of course, now at PlatinumGames – to direct the game.
“Regarding Okami, that’s actually the project she wants to make a reality the most,” Nakamura’s translator said (via Nintendo Everything). “As long as she goes after it, she has a feeling the chances are pretty high that it might become a reality. After quarantine is over and the world becomes normal again, she is planning to make a visit to Capcom and propose the idea, but for her the most important thing is that if it would happen, she wants Kamiya-san to direct it again.”
If reports are to be believed, an Okami 2 was actually in development a few years ago thanks to a partnership between Capcom and PlatinumGames. Reportedly, however, the project’s development was was mired by “drama and burned bridges”, and the consequently strained relationship between Capcom and Platinum led to the project being scrapped. You can read the full report through here.
Whether or not Nakamura actually ends up pitching an Okami sequel to Capcom and whether or not they actually go for it if she does (with Kamiya involved, no less) remains to be seen, but there’s no doubt that that’s a dream scenario for many people. Keep your fingers crossed, I guess.
