Capcom's Revival of Classic IPs: Okami, Onimusha, and Beyond
Capcom has announced a renewed focus on reviving its classic intellectual properties (IPs), beginning with the highly anticipated returns of Okami and Onimusha. This strategy, detailed in a December 13th press release, signals a commitment to delivering high-quality content based on its extensive game library.
The new Onimusha title, set in Edo-period Kyoto, is slated for a 2026 release. A new Okami sequel is also in development, helmed by members of the original game's team, though its release date remains undisclosed.
Capcom explicitly stated its intention to "re-activate dormant IPs," aiming to boost its corporate value through the strategic revitalization of its existing franchises. This strategy complements ongoing projects such as Monster Hunter Wilds and Capcom Fighting Collection 2, both scheduled for 2025. The company also continues to develop and release new titles, as evidenced by recent launches like Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess and Exoprimal.
Clues to Future Revivals: The "Super Elections"
Capcom's February 2024 "Super Elections" offered valuable insight into player preferences, with fans voting for their most desired sequels and remakes. The results highlighted strong interest in several dormant IPs, including Dino Crisis, Darkstalkers, Onimusha, and Breath of Fire. While Capcom hasn't explicitly confirmed which IPs will be revived next, the "Super Elections" data strongly suggests that these fan favorites are prime candidates for future projects. The high demand for Onimusha and Okami further reinforces this trend.
The long dormancy of franchises like Dino Crisis (last installment: 1997) and Darkstalkers (last installment: 2003), coupled with the relatively short lifespan of Breath of Fire 6 (2016-2017), makes a remaster or sequel for these titles highly plausible. Capcom's strategic shift towards IP revitalization strongly indicates that we can expect more announcements regarding these and other beloved franchises in the near future.
