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Capcom's new action strategy game, Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess, launched July 19th, and the company celebrated with a unique twist: a traditional Japanese Bunraku puppet theater performance. This event aimed to introduce the game's deeply Japanese cultural influences to a global audience.
Capcom Showcases Kunitsu-Gami with a Bunraku Theater Production
Showcasing Cultural Resonance Through Traditional Arts
The National Bunraku Theater of Osaka, celebrating its 40th anniversary, created a special Bunraku performance showcasing the game. Bunraku, a form of Japanese puppet theater using large puppets and a three-stringed samisen, provided a captivating backdrop for a story centered around Soh and the Maiden, Kunitsu-Gami's protagonists. Master Puppeteer Kanjuro Kiritake brought these characters to life in a new play, "Ceremony of the Deity: The Maiden's Destiny."
Kiritake highlighted the connection between Osaka's Bunraku heritage and Capcom's roots in the region, expressing a desire to share this art form with the world.
A Bunraku Prequel to Kunitsu-Gami
The Bunraku performance serves as a prequel to the game's narrative. Capcom describes this as a "new form of Bunraku," blending tradition with modern CG backdrops from the game itself. The company aimed to use its global reach to share the beauty of Bunraku with a wider audience, emphasizing the game's strong Japanese cultural identity.
Bunraku's Influence on Kunitsu-Gami's Development
Producer Tairoku Nozoe revealed that director Shuichi Kawata's passion for Bunraku significantly influenced the game's development. Nozoe stated that Kunitsu-Gami was already infused with Bunraku elements before the collaboration even began, drawing inspiration from the puppet theater's movements and direction. Their shared experience of a Bunraku performance solidified their decision to partner with the National Bunraku Theater.
Set on the defiled Mount Kafuku, Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess tasks players with purifying villages and protecting the Maiden using sacred masks. The game is now available on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles, including Xbox Game Pass. A free demo is also available across all platforms.
