PlatinumGames President Signals Intent to Expand Bayonetta Franchise Amid Stellar Blade Collaboration

Key points

• Atsushi Inaba stated he wants to 'expand her as a character and broaden her world' regarding Bayonetta, but refused to give specifics on a next entry.
• The comments were made during a Famitsu interview alongside Shift Up CEO Kim Hyung-tae, coinciding with a crossover bringing Bayonetta costumes to Stellar Blade Complete Edition on Switch 2 in November 2026.
• Inaba acknowledged the challenges of developing for Nintendo Switch 2 but praised its potential, noting PlatinumGames has not yet released a title on the console.
• Kim Hyung-tae described Bayonetta as 'indispensable' and one of his three favorite games, joking about designing characters for a future entry.
• The franchise has seen significant departures, including creator Hideki Kamiya in 2023 and director Yusuke Miyata, as well as the death of Japanese voice actress Atsuko Tanaka in 2024.

Background

The Bayonetta series has been a long-running partnership between PlatinumGames and Nintendo, with recent titles like Bayonetta 3 and Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon being Nintendo exclusives. Since Hideki Kamiya left PlatinumGames in late 2023, the future of the mainline series had been uncertain, with Kamiya suggesting he might take his vision 'to the grave.' This news follows a period of silence regarding new Bayonetta announcements, with the last major release being Bayonetta Origins in 2023.

How outlets are covering it

Eurogamer emphasizes Inaba’s vague but optimistic stance, contrasting it with the loss of key creators and voice actors. Nintendo Everything highlights the technical discussion regarding Switch 2 optimization and Inaba’s praise for the hardware's potential. My Nintendo News focuses on the direct quotes regarding expanding the character's world. Insider Gaming frames the news as a hopeful sign for fans, noting the lack of a new release since 2023. All sources agree that no concrete announcement was made, but Inaba’s willingness to discuss the character's future marks a shift from previous silence.

Why it matters

This is the first public indication from PlatinumGames leadership since Hideki Kamiya's departure that the Bayonetta franchise will continue. It signals that the studio is actively considering new projects, potentially leveraging the Nintendo Switch 2 platform, despite the loss of key creative figures. The collaboration with Stellar Blade also demonstrates PlatinumGames' willingness to engage in cross-promotional activities, which may help maintain the franchise's visibility while new projects are in development.

What to watch

Fans should watch for official announcements regarding a new Bayonetta title, potentially on Nintendo Switch 2. The Stellar Blade Complete Edition with Bayonetta costumes is set to launch in November 2026. Further details on the 'shape' of the next Bayonetta entry will likely emerge as development progresses, though Inaba has requested patience.