PlatinumGames president Atsushi Inaba has signaled a renewed appetite for expanding the Bayonetta franchise, revealing during Tokyo Game Show that he still harbors ambitions to grow the character and her world—even though he stopped short of confirming a new installment. Speaking alongside Shift Up CEO and Stellar Blade director Kim Hyung-tae at an event celebrating a crossover bringing four Bayonetta-themed costumes to Stellar Blade Complete Edition for Switch 2 this November, Inaba openly admitted his ongoing desire to push the series further, even as questions linger about whether PlatinumGames will ever return to its signature witch.
A Director’s Admiration
Kim Hyung-tae seized the opportunity to gush about the series himself, describing Bayonetta as “an indispensable work in my life” through machine translation and naming it among his three favorite games. The Stellar Blade director revealed that he had to exercise considerable restraint while crafting his own Bayonetta-inspired “Black Dress” costume for the crossover, ensuring it wouldn’t go too far. In a moment of half-joking enthusiasm, Kim even offered to design characters for the next entry himself.
“Bayonetta is an indispensable work in my life,” and I named it one of my three favorite games. I had to control myself while designing the Black Dress costume so it wouldn’t go too far.
Kim Hyung-tae, Shift Up CEO and Stellar Blade director
The exchange highlights an unusual cross-studio appreciation, as Kim’s studio behind Stellar Blade has drawn visible inspiration from PlatinumGames’ signature style. The crossover costumes themselves serve as a tangible bridge between the two franchises, bringing Bayonetta’s aesthetic to a broader audience ahead of Switch 2’s November release.
A Franchise at a Crossroads
Inaba’s optimism stands in stark contrast to recent conversations surrounding the series. Series creator Hideki Kamiya left PlatinumGames in October 2023, revealing he had envisioned Bayonetta as a nine-part saga that he may now take “to the grave” with him. Yusuke Miyata, who directed Bayonetta 3, has also since departed from the studio, leaving uncertainty about who might steer any future entry.
If Bayonetta does return to action, she won’t do so with her iconic Japanese voice work intact. The series recently lost Atsuko Tanaka, who voiced the character in Japanese, after she died in August 2024 at age 61. Her passing left a void for longtime fans who associate her performance with the witch’s signature wit and charm.
Looking Ahead
Fans will be watching closely to see if these hints materialize into concrete plans, especially as the franchise navigates life after Kamiya and Tanaka. Until then, the witch may rest—but Inaba’s words suggest she is far from gone for good.
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