Japanese Bunraku Play Delves into Kunitsu-Gami's Origin

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's Japanese-inspired aesthetic and the rich cultural heritage of Japan to a global audience.

Capcom Showcases Kunitsu-Gami with a Traditional Bunraku Performance

A Fusion of Tradition and Technology

The National Bunraku Theater of Osaka, celebrating its 40th anniversary, created a special Bunraku performance for the game's launch. This ancient art form, featuring large puppets manipulated to a samisen soundtrack, was adapted to tell a prequel story to Kunitsu-Gami. Master Puppeteer Kanjuro Kiritake brought the game's protagonists, Soh and the Maiden, to life in a new play titled "Ceremony of the Deity: The Maiden's Destiny." The production cleverly blends traditional Bunraku techniques with cutting-edge CG backdrops from the game itself, creating a visually stunning and innovative experience.

Kiritake commented on the collaboration, highlighting the shared Osaka roots of both Capcom and Bunraku, and expressing a desire to share this art form with a wider international audience.

Bunraku: Inspiration and Collaboration

The connection between Kunitsu-Gami and Bunraku runs deep. Producer Tairoku Nozoe revealed that director Shuichi Kawata's passion for Bunraku heavily influenced the game's development, even before the collaboration with the National Bunraku Theater was conceived. The game's design, particularly the character movements and direction, draws significant inspiration from Ningyo Joruri Bunraku puppet theater. Nozoe emphasized the profound impact a shared Bunraku viewing experience had on the development team, solidifying their desire to integrate this art form into the game's presentation.

Exploring the World of Kunitsu-Gami

Set on the once-sacred Mt. Kafuku, now corrupted by a mysterious "defilement," Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess tasks players with purifying villages by day and protecting the Maiden by night. Players utilize sacred masks to restore balance to the land.

The game is available now on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles, and is included with Xbox Game Pass. A free demo is also available on all platforms.