In December last year, a revelation stirred the gaming community: after two decades, Capcom announced a sequel to the beloved classic, Ōkami, at The Game Awards. This announcement caught many by surprise, not just due to the game’s vintage but also because of the mixed perceptions surrounding its commercial success. Despite its initial struggles—with only 270,000 copies sold on PlayStation 2—Ōkami’s eventual triumph is a testament to the power of an enduring fan base and strategic port releases, now totaling 4.6 million sales across various platforms. Our recent interview with project leads offers insight into Capcom’s evolving appreciation for Ōkami. According to Yoshiaki Hirabayashi, Ōkami’s consistent sales defy industry norms, with newcomers continuously discovering its unique charm. This steady popularity has kept the idea of a sequel simmering within Capcom for years. Yet, as Hirabayashi emphasizes, bringing Ōkami back to life required assembling “certain key people.” The alignment of these stars—Machine Head Works, with Ōkami veterans including Kiyohiko Sakata, and Hideki Kamiya—was crucial. Kamiya, now steering Clovers after his departure from PlatinumGames, has long envisioned a sequel fueled by both fan passion and Capcom’s renewed interest in the IP. “I’ve always felt the urge to create Ōkami’s next chapter,” Kamiya shared. “The unyielding support and cheers from our fans have been instrumental. It’s this enduring love that transformed our aspirations into reality.” As the great god Amaterasu in Ōkami thrives on praise, so too does the sequel owe its existence to the fervent devotion of its community. Fans’ unwavering support for the IP played a pivotal role in reviving this cherished series, now poised to capture new hearts. For an in-depth conversation with the minds behind the Ōkami sequel, delve into our exclusive interview [here](https://www.ign.com/articles/okami-2-capcom-hideki-kamiya-and-machine-head-discuss-hotly-anticipated-sequel-in-exclusive-interview). *Rebekah Valentine, Senior Reporter for IGN, can be found sharing insights on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Story tips? Reach her at rvalentine@ign.com.*