Capcom's new action strategy game, Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess, launched July 19th, and to celebrate, they commissioned a unique Bunraku puppet theater performance. This collaboration showcases both the game and Japan's rich cultural heritage to a global audience.
Capcom Showcases Kunitsu-Gami with a Traditional Japanese Theater Production
Bridging Tradition and Innovation: A Bunraku Premiere
The Osaka-based National Bunraku Theater, celebrating its 40th anniversary, created a special Bunraku show for the game's launch. This ancient art form, featuring large puppets manipulated to a samisen soundtrack, provided a captivating prequel to the game's story. Master Puppeteer Kanjuro Kiritake brought Soh and the Maiden, the game's protagonists, to life in a piece titled "Ceremony of the Deity: The Maiden's Destiny.""Bunraku, like Capcom, has deep Osaka roots," Kiritake commented. "This collaboration extends our shared heritage beyond Osaka to the world."
A Prequel Unveiled: Bunraku Meets Modern Technology
Capcom describes this production as a "new form of Bunraku," blending traditional puppetry with cutting-edge CG backdrops from the game itself. The performance serves as a prequel, setting the stage for the events within Kunitsu-Gami. Capcom aimed to use its global reach to introduce the beauty of Bunraku to a wider audience, highlighting the game's deep cultural connections.
Bunraku's Influence: From Inspiration to Collaboration
Producer Tairoku Nozoe explained that director Shuichi Kawata's passion for Bunraku heavily influenced the game's development. Even before the collaboration, Kunitsu-Gami drew inspiration from the movement and storytelling of Ningyo Joruri Bunraku. A shared experience of a Bunraku performance solidified their decision to partner with the National Bunraku Theater.
"Kawata's enthusiasm was infectious," Nozoe shared. "Witnessing the performance together, we were deeply moved by this timeless art form. It inspired us to reach out."
In Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess, players purify villages by day and protect the Maiden by night on the defiled Mt. Kafuku, utilizing sacred masks to restore balance. The game is available now on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles, including Xbox Game Pass. A free demo is also available across all platforms.
