Capcom's Past IP Revivals Will Continue

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

Capcom has confirmed its commitment to reviving classic intellectual properties (IPs), with the Okami and Onimusha franchises spearheading this initiative. This article delves into Capcom's plans and explores potential candidates for future revivals.

Capcom's Strategy: Unearthing Dormant Gems

In a December 13th press release announcing new entries in the Onimusha and Okami series, Capcom declared its intention to continue leveraging its extensive library of dormant IPs. The upcoming Onimusha title, set in Edo-era Kyoto, is slated for a 2026 release. A new Okami sequel is also in development, helmed by the original game's creators, though a release date remains unannounced.

Capcom's statement emphasized its focus on "re-activating dormant IPs," aiming to generate high-quality content and increase corporate value. This strategy complements ongoing projects like Monster Hunter Wilds and Capcom Fighting Collection 2, both scheduled for 2025. This doesn't signal a halt to new IP development, as evidenced by recent releases such as Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess and Exoprimal.

Fan Input Shapes the Future: The "Super Elections"

Capcom's February 2024 "Super Elections" provided valuable insight into fan preferences. Players voted for their most desired sequels and remakes, with Dino Crisis, Darkstalkers, Onimusha, and Breath of Fire emerging as top contenders. The long dormancy of these franchises—Dino Crisis and Darkstalkers' last installments dating back to 1997 and 2003 respectively—makes them prime candidates for a comeback. While Breath of Fire 6 existed, its short lifespan (July 2016 - September 2017) suggests a potential for revival.

Although Capcom remains discreet about specific future projects, the "Super Elections" results offer a strong indication of which dormant IPs might be next in line for a reboot or sequel, especially given the player's votes for Onimusha and Okami.