PlatinumGames boss Atsushi Inaba has hinted he wants to expand the world of Bayonetta, telling Famitsu that he still has a desire to grow the franchise. The report comes from a meeting between Inaba and Shift Up CEO Kim Hyung-tae at Tokyo Game Show, where the two studios marked a crossover bringing four Bayonetta-themed costumes to Stellar Blade Complete Edition on Switch 2 this November.
Inaba’s Hint
Inaba did not confirm a new game, but he admitted that he still wants to expand Bayonetta’s world. The president stopped short of giving specifics, instead telling Famitsu only to wait and see. Kim used the opportunity to speak warmly about the series, calling Bayonetta “an indispensable work in my life” via machine translation and naming it one of his three favourite games.
Kim’s Gush
Kim also admitted that he had to control himself while designing his own Bayonetta-inspired “Black Dress” costume, telling Famitsu he feared it might go too far. He even asked, half-joking, to design characters for the next entry himself.
The Departures
The hint arrives in the shadow of real loss. Hideki Kamiya, the creator of Bayonetta, left Platinum in October 2023. At the time, Kamiya said he had envisioned Bayonetta as a nine-part saga that he might now take “to the grave” with him. Since then, Bayonetta 3 director Yusuke Miyata has also departed.
Tanaka’s Death
The franchise also lost its iconic Japanese voice actress in August 2024. Atsuko Tanaka, the voice of Bayonetta herself, died aged 61.
The Crossover
The meeting at Tokyo Game Show was held to mark the four Bayonetta-themed costumes coming to Stellar Blade Complete Edition on Switch 2 this November.
A Fragmented Future
The franchise’s future is unclear. Kamiya’s departure and Miyata’s exit mean the Bayonetta team has lost both its creator and its director. Inaba’s hint suggests he wants to carry the series forward, but he has not confirmed a new game.
What We Know
- Bayonetta-themed costumes are coming to Stellar Blade Complete Edition on Switch 2 this November
- The costumes are part of a crossover between PlatinumGames and Shift Up
- Kim Hyung-tae, Shift Up CEO and Stellar Blade director, called Bayonetta “an indispensable work in my life”
- Inaba declined to give specifics about a next entry, telling Famitsu only to wait and see
- Hideki Kamiya left Platinum in October 2023
- Bayonetta 3 director Yusuke Miyata has also departed
- Atsuko Tanaka, Bayonetta’s Japanese voice actress, died in August 2024 aged 61
“An indispensable work in my life”
The Verdict
This is a story of hope hiding inside loss. Inaba has lost two key figures and his franchise’s voice, and yet he still talks about expanding the world of Bayonetta. Kim, the director of the crossover, named Bayonetta one of his three favourite games. The two studios met at Tokyo Game Show to mark the November release, and Inaba’s words suggest he wants the franchise to keep going.
Whether that means a new game remains to be seen. Inaba told Famitsu only to wait and see.
Source material: “PlatinumGames boss hints he wants to expand Bayonetta as Stellar Blade director calls the series "indispensable",” Eurogamer.
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