The development team behind the upcoming Okami sequel has shared a new update as the new year begins, offering reassurance that work on the long-awaited project is continuing steadily into 2026. The message was posted on the official website by Kento Koyama, President and CEO of CLOVERS, the studio leading development on the sequel.
In his New Year message, Koyama reflected on the studio’s growth since its founding, noting that two years have passed since CLOVERS was established and one year since the Okami sequel project was formally revealed. He highlighted the expansion of the team over the past year, stating that the studio has welcomed many new colleagues and remains fully committed to creativity, craftsmanship, and technological experimentation in pursuit of delivering what he described as the coolest experiences possible.
Koyama directly addressed the status of the Okami sequel, confirming that active development is ongoing. He stated, “We are hard at work on the Okami sequel. Although the release is still a ways off, we cannot wait to get the finished game into your hands.” He added that the team will continue working tirelessly throughout the year with the goal of delivering an experience that exceeds player expectations worldwide. The message concluded with a note of gratitude to fans for their continued support of the new studio.
The Okami sequel was first revealed during The Game Awards 2024, marking the first direct continuation of the original title in nearly two decades. The project is being developed at CLOVERS, a studio founded by original Okami director Hideki Kamiya, and is positioned as a full sequel rather than a remake or reimagining. Since its announcement, updates on the game have been limited, making this New Year message one of the clearer confirmations of its current status.
As of early 2026, the project remains in an early stage of development. While no release window has been announced, the language used by the studio suggests that the game is not expected to launch in the near term. The update also did not include new gameplay details, platform confirmations, or visual assets, keeping the focus squarely on development progress rather than marketing beats.
The original Okami is widely regarded as a classic, celebrated for its distinctive art style, mythological themes, and unique brush-based gameplay mechanics. Expectations for a sequel are therefore high, and the developers’ emphasis on careful craftsmanship may explain the extended timeline.
