The Resident Evil franchise has terrified gamers for 30 years. Throughout this time, the series mostly relied on American locations. However, Capcom also explored rural Spain in RE4, Louisiana in RE7, and Eastern Europe in RE Village. Now, the iconic series might finally visit Capcom’s home country.
Resident Evil Requiem producer Masato Kumazawa recently discussed the future of the franchise. He stated that a Japanese setting remains a strong possibility. The next game is likely a few years away. Still, Kumazawa’s comments give fans an exciting glimpse into what comes next.
Capcom’s Home Turf Awaits
Kumazawa noted that a Japanese setting crosses the mind of every Japanese fan. Furthermore, the development team primarily operates out of Japan. Therefore, the team regularly thinks about bringing the horror home. Kumazawa claimed:
While Japan hasn’t appeared as a game setting so far, it might make an appearance at some point in the future.
This shift makes perfect sense. Recently, the development team took bold risks with Resident Evil Requiem. Consequently, the game became a massive success. Moving the franchise to Japan offers another worthwhile experiment for Capcom to tackle.
Fresh Faces or Returning Resident Evil Legends?
A new setting naturally raises questions about the cast. Therefore, a Japanese storyline offers multiple interesting directions. Longtime favorites like Leon Kennedy, Jill Valentine, Claire Redfield, Ada Wong, and Chris Redfield could easily lead a new mission.
Conversely, Capcom might introduce brand-new characters. The franchise recently found great success with fresh faces. For instance, Ethan Winters and his daughter Rosemary completely revitalized the series. More recently, Resident Evil Requiem paired returning hero Leon Kennedy with newcomer Grace Ashcroft for a dual-protagonist twist. Ultimately, a Japan-based entry presents plenty of exciting roads for the roster.
Catching Up to the Competition
Additionally, Resident Evil is not the only horror giant changing locations. Konami recently moved its popular Silent Hill franchise out of America. Silent Hill f takes place in Japan, proving just how creepy the setting can be. Meanwhile, Silent Hill: Townfall pushes the series into Scotland.
Although Resident Evil explores more countries overall, it has yet to tackle Japan. Right now, official confirmation from Capcom does not exist. However, based on Kumazawa’s tease, a Japanese outbreak feels like only a matter of time.
