Resident Evil Requiem Producer Confirms Series Could Be Set in Japan: “It Might Make an Appearance”

Resident Evil Requiem producer Masato Kumazawa has publicly stated the development team has given serious thought to setting a future Resident Evil game in Japan, adding, “It might make an appearance at some point in the future.”

In a significant comment for both fans and industry watchers, Resident Evil Requiem producer Masato Kumazawa has addressed speculation around the series’ future settings. Speaking in a June 2026 interview with Futaman, Kumazawa acknowledged that not only has he personally considered the idea of a Japanese setting for the survival horror franchise, but so has the entire development team at Capcom. The statement follows years of community discussion about the potential for a Resident Evil title set in Japan and stands as the most definitive acknowledgment from a key team member to date.

Resident Evil’s Timeline: No Fixed Chronology

Kumazawa clarified the series’ approach to its timeline, noting Capcom’s flexibility:

• “We only started portraying characters aging with Resident Evil 4.”
• “In fact, we’ve even done things like moving the timeline backward between Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3, so we don’t follow any set rules.”
• “That said, we do adjust the timeline based on the assessment that present-day stories help players feel more immersed. The timeline also changes depending on the characters and story we want to portray in each title.”
• “Even in Requiem, we have scenes set eight years prior, as well as even earlier periods. So, where the timeline goes from here will depend on the specific title.”

This information confirms Capcom does not enforce a strict chronological order for Resident Evil games, instead allowing each entry to move freely within the broader universe timeline. The emphasis remains on immersion and narrative flexibility rather than adherence to a rigid sequence, a fact that opens doors to varied story opportunities, including major shifts in setting and cast.

Japanese Setting: Consideration and Potential

Kumazawa addressed direct questions about the series’ potential for a Japan-based title:

• “I think a Japanese setting is something every Japanese Resident Evil fan has thought about, and I’ve also considered it myself.”
• “Since the development team is primarily based in Japan, I think every member has given it some thought. While Japan hasn’t appeared as a game setting so far, it might make an appearance at some point in the future.”

These remarks directly acknowledge longstanding fan interest and confirm that the possibility of a Japanese setting has been a recurring topic internally at Capcom. Notably, no Resident Evil game to date has featured Japan as a main location, despite the franchise being developed primarily by a Japanese team. Kumazawa’s statement that “it might make an appearance” marks the strongest suggestion yet that this could soon change.

Innovation Versus Tradition: Capcom’s Ongoing Strategy

Kumazawa reinforced Capcom’s commitment to evolving Resident Evil while retaining its core identity:

• “We won’t compromise the core elements of the series, such as the characters and the events that unfold, and we’ll continue to preserve what the series holds dear.”
• “However, if we keep releasing the same kind of game over and over, players will eventually get bored, so we’d like to keep taking on new challenges moving forward.”

With these comments, Kumazawa outlined Capcom’s two-pronged approach: respect the values and signature aspects of Resident Evil but ensure the franchise does not stagnate. This philosophy has direct implications for new settings, character development, and gameplay innovations. The willingness to “take on new challenges” reinforces the likelihood of future departures from tradition, including the distinct possibility of a Japanese-set Resident Evil game.

For further industry context, the Silent Hill series set a precedent last year with the release of Silent Hill F, a game set in a Japanese village in the 1960s. The critical response noted its blend of familiar series elements with bold new direction, as VGC stated: “It’s a game that somehow manages to feel just like a Silent Hill game and nothing like a Silent Hill game in equal measure… I’ll happily take more games like this which take the formula in different, sometimes very surprising directions.”

Key Quotes:

• “We only started portraying characters aging with Resident Evil 4.”
• “We don’t follow any set rules [on timeline].”
• “I think a Japanese setting is something every Japanese Resident Evil fan has thought about, and I’ve also considered it myself.”
• “While Japan hasn’t appeared as a game setting so far, it might make an appearance at some point in the future.”
• “We won’t compromise the core elements of the series… however, if we keep releasing the same kind of game over and over, players will eventually get bored.”

Key Facts:

• Masato Kumazawa is the producer of Resident Evil Requiem.
• The Resident Evil development team is based in Japan.
• No Resident Evil title has yet used Japan as its main setting.
• The Silent Hill series (by Konami) moved to a Japanese setting in 2025 with Silent Hill F.
• Capcom intentionally keeps the Resident Evil timeline flexible to allow creative freedom.