Ōkami

Ōkami
Developer(s)	Clover Studio
Publisher(s)	Capcom
Designer(s)	Hideki Kamiya
Platform(s)	Sony PlayStation 2
Release	JPN April 20, 2006 NA September 19, 2006 EU February 7, 2007 AU February 14, 2007
Genre(s)	Action/Adventure
Mode(s)	Single player

For the subspecies of gray wolf, see Japanese Wolf.

Template:Nihongo title is a video game developed by Clover Studio for the PlayStation 2 video game console and released in 2006. Set in an unspecified period of classical Japanese history, Ōkami combines several Japanese myths and legends to tell the story of how the land was saved from darkness by the Shinto sun goddess named Amaterasu, who has taken the form of a white wolf. It features a distinct sumi-e-inspired cel-shaded visual style and the Celestial Brush, a gesture-system to perform miracles.

Ōkami was one of the last few select PlayStation 2 games prior to release of the PlayStation 3 and the subsequent closure of Clover Studio by Capcom a few months after its release. Although it suffered from poor sales, Ōkami earned high acclaim from reviewers and earned, among other awards, the title of IGN's 2006 Game of the Year.

Story

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Battered andwwf rbgreeaten, Shirrthanui releatyjkseed a powerfgfful howl the heavens. Strengthened by the howl, Nagi struggled to his feet and took uprwy his sword once more, leaping onto Orochi and defeating the creature. Shiranui, filled wiewyth "poison" and fur dyed crimson with her own blood, was carried back to the village by Nagi where she was praised as Kamiki's savior - and then died. A shrine was built in the image and honor of Shiranui, and the sword that had saved the village was interred in the "Moon Cave" where the battle had taken place, and used to seal Orochi away. One hundred years of peace passed, and a man disturbs the sword at the "Moon Cave", unleashing Orochi, who is not quite as fictional as the intruder had believed. Orochi immediately begins covering the entire world in darkness and evil. In response, Sakuya the wood sprite, guardian of the village, goes to the shrine dedicated to Shiranui and brings the statue to life as Amaterasu, the Ōkami, reincarnation of Shiranui and sun goddess incarnated in the form of a white wolf.

File:Okami7.jpg

Amaterasu, the game's protagonist

Amaterasu must search Nippon for the 13 brush spirits to gain the power to defeat Orochi and heal the land. Throughout the journey, Amaterasu is hounded by Waka, a strange but powerful individual that seems to have the gift of foresight, and further teases Amaterasu and Issun to his own mysterious ends.

The 100th anniversary of the original defeat of Orochi, celebrated now by a festival held at Kamiki village, is quickly approaching while Amaterasu is in the process of removing the curse from other parts of the land. Returning just in time for the night of the festival, events begin to unfold exactly as they did 100 years ago: Orochi summons an arrow to indicate the chosen sacrifice: Kushi, the sake maker in Kamiki and romantic interest of Susano, a descendant of the great warrior Nagi. It is discovered that Susano himself was the one who disturbed the sword to begin with, as he despised the pressure of being Nagi's descendant and did not believe that his ancestor really defeated an evil spirit. To stop the constant pressure to be a hero, he wanted to prove to the village that the story of Nagi was nothing but a myth and there was no evil serpent sealed by Nagi's sword. Susano pulled the legendary sword out, releasing Orochi into the world. As it was 100 years ago, both Amaterasu and Susano return to the Moon Cave to defeat Orochi again and rescue Kamiki; as Orochi finally dies, a black evil spirit is seen to rise from the body and drift northward, but not unnoticed by Amaterasu.

After leaving Kamiki again, Amaterasu continues to search for more brush techniques and to investigate the mysterious spirit that left Orochi's body. Along the way, she encounters two more similar spirit foes - Blight, which had taken residence inside the Emperor and caused him to breath out a strange mist that was slowly killing the people and lands nearby, and Ninetails (a kitsune), who has the same god powers as the gods, and was sending evil spirits out from a mysterious island in order to try to take over the land. After both are defeated by Amaterasu, the same type of black spirit leaves the bodies and drifts northward. Following these spirits, Amaterasu is led to the snow-covered parts of the land. There, a village of humans that can assume animal forms is found and one gifted young girl has gone missing; without her prayer, an evil force would be unleashed upon the lands and the people implore Amaterasu to find her. Amaterasu discovers that the girl has fallen back through a doorway in time to 100 years prior in Kamiki Village, and to rescue her, Amaterasu must work with Shiranui and Nagi to defeat Orochi (as had originally been explained at the start of the story). Upon returning to the present, Amaterasu then proceeds to encounter two final evil beings, known as Lechku and Nechku, giant mechanical owls, which are the source of the evil threatening the village.

There, a legend of a mysterious "Ark of Yamato" is discovered. The Ark seems to have fallen from the heavens 200 years ago and crashed into a frozen lake (Laochi Lake), and opened up to reveal hordes of evil demons that immediately began to spread across the land. Some of these demons would go on to become Orochi, Blight, Lechku, Nechku and Ninetails, and thus the black forms seen heading northward after their defeat would be these demons returning to their point of origin. Further discovery indicates that before the Ark crashed, a race called Celestial Beings had found the Ark and thought it would usable for transporting around the Celestial Plains, but it was found out too late that the Ark already had residents, and was effectively a prison ship for the evil demons. All but one of the Celestial Beings were killed before the Ark crashed, the last one fleeing the destruction. Amaterasu, with the spiritual and physical help of many others guided by the encouragement of Issun, is able to defeat all the remaining demon foes, including those she previously fought before but have returned here. It is finally revealed that Waka was the last member of the Moon Tribe and had known Amaterasu's spirit prior to the crash of the Ark, And the Ruler of Darkness, Yami, pictured as a fish in a giant, mechanical ball lies waiting for them in the Ark. And by guiding Amaterasu to the Ark and destruction of the evil spirits, Waka is finally able to return to the Celestial Plains alongside Amaterasu, using the freed Ark as their means of return.

Gameplay

Ōkami has the player controlling the main character, Amaterasu, in a woodcut, water-color style, cel-shaded environment, which looks like an animated Japanese ink-illustration. The gameplay style is a mix of action, platform, and puzzle gaming genres, and has been noted by many reviewers to have numerous similarities in overall gameplay style to The Legend of Zelda series, an inspiration that director Hideki Kamiya, a self-acclaimed Zelda-fan, has admitted. The main story is primarily linear, directed through by Amaterasu's guide Issun, though numerous side quests and optional activities allow for the player to explore the game world and take the story at their own pace.

Combat is staged in a ghostly virtual arena, and Amaterasu can fight enemies using a combination of weapons, fighting techniques, and brush methods, to dispatch the foes. At the end of combat, money (as yen) is rewarded to Amaterasu, with bonuses for completing a battle quickly and without taking damage. The money can be spent on numerous items from merchants across the land, including healing goods, better weapons, tools, and key items for completing quests. The money can also be used to buy new combat techniques at dojos through the land. Additionally, rare Demon Fangs can be earned through combat which can be traded for additional, unique items that are beneficial in gameplay but not required to complete the game.

By completing quests, side quests, and small additional activitives (such as making trees bloom into life, or feeding wild animals), Amaterasu earns Praise, which can then be spent to increase various statistics of the character, such as the amount of health and number of ink wells for Celestial brush techniques.

The art in Ōkami is highly inspired by Japanese watercolor and wood carving art of the Ukiyo-e style, such as the work of Hokusai.

Celestial Brush

Unique to Ōkami is the Celestial Brush. Players can bring the game to a pause and call up a canvas, where the player can draw onto the screen using the left analog stick to control the Celestial Brush. This feature is used in combat, puzzles, and as general gameplay. For example, the player can create strong wind by drawing a loop, cut enemies by drawing a line through them, or create bridges by painting one amongst many other abilities. These techniques are learned through the course of the game by completing constellations to release the Celestial Brush gods from their hiding spots. The Celestial Brush bears similarities to the use of mouse gestures to perform miracles in the desktop computer game Black & White, in which the player, just like in Ōkami, takes on the role of a god.

Weapons

The Imperial Regalia of Japan are used as weapons in the game:

• The Reflector (or mirror) serves as a melee weapon with a mid attack rate and reach. Equipped as a sub-weapon, it also functions as a shield to block and counterattack enemies.

Reflectors include: Divine Retribution, Snarling Beast, Infinity Judge, Trinity Mirror and Solar Flare.

• The Rosaries (or beads) can be strung together as a whip-like melee weapon capable of inflicting rapid hits; when equipped as a sub-weapon, the individual beads can be shot out as individual or shotgun-like projectiles that automatically aim. Has the longest reach of all the weapons.

Rosaries include: Devout Beads, Life Beads, Exorcism Beads, Resurrection Beads and Tundra Beads.

• The Glaive (or sword) is also a melee weapon, slow to attack but each hit can be separately charged up to inflict heavy damage; used for a slam-down slash when used in air. Equipped as a sub-weapon, it can be used for a stabbing/thrust attack while on the ground, or lunging/diving attacks when used in air.

Glaives include: Tsumugari, Seven Strike, Blade of Kusanagi, Eighth Wonder, and Thunder Edge.

There are five weapons of each type in the game, each type differing in its basic attack power, its use as a sub-weapon, and how it interacts with Amaterasu's Celestial Brush; for example, the most powerful of each weapon carries an elemental power which Amaterasu can extract to inflict damage upon enemies. These include fire (Solar Flare, which is obtained from Itegami), ice (Tundra Beads, which can be bought from the Celestial Being named Marco on the Ark of Yamato, and from the weapons merchant in Sei-an City after the events at Wawku Shrine), and lightning (Thunder Edge, which you obtain after defeating the True Orochi).

Characters

Major characters

Amaterasu

The titular character is the goddess of the sun in the form of a white wolf. Amaterasu's quest is to retrieve the 13 celestial brush techniques that were lost during the battle with Orochi 100 years ago and use these techniques to defeat the powers of darkness. Issun consistently refers to Amaterasu as either "Ammy" or "furball". Amaterasu is based on the Shinto goddess of the same name. While Amaterasu, when endowed with ink power, is seen by the player with red markings, pointed brush-like shoulders, and weapons on Amaterasu's back, most of the human characters in the game only see Amaterasu as a plain white wolf (this is seen by the player upon depletion of their ink) and do not recognize the spiritual nature of Amaterasu. Upon closer inspection, the player can see that the Celestial Brush is actually Amaterasu's tail.

The manual states that Amaterasu was designed to be genderless in the context of the game, but is usually referred to as 'she', as she is the incarnation of a goddess. During the game, Amaterasu is referred to as 'mother' by the other gods and 'maiden' by a spirit. Oddly though, when using a taunting technique in battle, she cocks her leg as a male dog would, and is referred to as 'brother-in-arms' by Susano.

Issun

Often mistaken for a bug, Issun is an inch-tall "wandering artist" who accompanies Amaterasu in order to learn the 13 celestial brush techniques, usually serving as a guide and as comic relief. Issun is based on the one-inch boy from Japanese folklore and is of a race known as the Poncles. Normally, he appears as nothing more than a glowing green and black object no bigger than Amaterasu's nose; but when Amaterasu is shrunk by the Lucky Mallet, he is shown as wearing a beetle-shaped hat with antennas, a green shawl, and has a small black ponytail. He is perverted and brash, but a dutiful and reliable person nonetheless. He has a blade called Denkomaru (which doubles as his brush), which he waves when angry but is no use unless using it when shrunk down, and even then it is only for cutting open chained boxes or when Amaterasu chucks him at an opponent. Issun is the grandchild of the Ishaku, the Poncle Village elder and the Celestial Envoy of Shiranui. For many years, Issun's grandfather taught him to paint, a nigh-religious pursuit for the Poncles, but Issun grew bored and fled Ponc'tan (the Poncle village) along with one of his grandfather's prized paintings. For some time, Issun was a mere wandering artist until he found his way into Sakuya's robe, where he hung out until he met Amaterasu.

Supporting characters

Queen Himiko

The Queen of Sei-An city whom shut herself within her chambers when the mysterious mist was covering the city. Issun assumes the Queen is being a coward or is responsible for the mist; as it turns out, the Queen was praying to a magic crystal ball in hopes of locating Oni Island: the island of demons which moves to a new location in the ocean at every sundown and so is impossible to invade and defeat. She is later killed by Ninetails but not in vain, as her spirit merged with that of the crystal ball, revealing the location of Oni Island to Amaterasu.

Ishaku

The Ponc'tan village elder, and grandfather to Issun. 100 years ago, he was the Celestial Envoy to Shiranui and aided her and Nagi against Orochi (he was surrounded in an orange light). He taught his grandson how to paint and was greatly angered to discover that his pupil left with his prized painting. Ishaku has bad eyesight but can sense things. Ishaku is the only one able to open the Spirit Gate, with his own sword (aside from Issun).

Kaguya

"Another babe" (according to Issun) who wears a transparent dome helmet with antenas. She was found in a metal bamboo stalk by Mr. Bamboo (a bamboo seller), who adopts her as his own daughter. She remembers nothing of her past. She is based upon Princess Kaguya of "The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter". She is a tall and thin long-haired blonde who dresses in a pink, white, and green kimono. She is soft spoken and shy, but determined and brave when it concerns her mysterious past and loved ones. She, although innocent, was arrested by the Emperor while he was still under the influence of the sickness Blight. When Kaguya escaped, however, she remembered a slight history on her past and runs away, to be discovered in Sasa Sanctuary. She later flies off in a bamboo-carved space shuttle, promising to return.

Kokari

A fisherman's son from Agata Forest who Amaterasu and Issun help in finding his lost dog, Ume, in the Tsutamaki Ruins. After being reunited with his beloved friend, Kokari leaves Agata Forest for adventures and ends up in Kamui where he fishes ocean fish by the shore. Kokari wears a white rabbit hat and an orange short sleeved shirt and shorts.

Kushi (Kushinada)

A girl of Kamiki Village who makes a living by brewing sake. The first human that the player befriends and love interest of Susano. She refers to Amaterasu as "Snowy" and will respond by petting her when Amaterasu barks. Kushi displays her bravery when she is chosen as Orochi's sacrifice. willingly going to the Moon Cave wielding no weapon but her Sake, she goes to Orochi because she believed in Susano and that he would save her. Due to her faith in Susano her Thunder Sake eventually becomes the Eight Purification sake that the player uses to defeat Orochi.

Lika

A young girl Oina girl who possesses strong powers that can enable her to recite the Volcanic Incantation to erupt the Ezofuji volcano to save Kamui from freezing over. She was tempted into the Spirit Gate by the Twin Demons, Lechku and Nechku, and was transported into the past where she was to be a sacrifice for Orochi. She was saved by Amaterasu in time to start the volcanic incantation.

Mr. & Mrs. Orange

The eldest residents of Kamiki Village. Mrs. Orange creates cherry cakes fit for divinity using a technique similar to Akuma's signature move the Shun Goku Satsu move from the Street Fighter series which you can get from her at night in her home ; and Mr. Orange has a dance that can revive trees. Mr. Orange pretends to have sworn off sake, yet will partake of it enthusiastically at every opportunity. He drinks sake to perform an ancient dance to make the cherry blossoms of the village bloom.

Onigiri-sensei

An elderly man who owns a dojo outside of Kamiki Village who can teach you several new techniques. When he gets into his fighting spirit, his fire lights up and he begins posing, Viewtiful Joe-style. His head will also turn 180 degrees and his cane will become a shinai (wooden sword used for Kendo).

Oki (Okikurmi)

A warrior from Kamui, the northernmost area of Nippon, who sets off on a misguided quest to save Kamui from freezing over during the day of darkness, a day long solar eclipse that occurs once every 100 years. He carries a sword called Kutone, which will, according to him, glow silver when he slays enough monsters. Oki is loyal and brave, though a bit too determined. At times, his determination to save Kamui is so fierce that it blinds him to everything else, making him almost dangerous and antagonistic to others. When he traverses Wep'keer, he faces the Twin Demons and attempts to take them on himself. He faces certain death when his plan goes wrong, and later saves Shiranui and Amaterasu. Kutone glows silver, and he realizes that it would not glow when his heart was so clouded.

Princess Fuse

Head of the Satomi house and master of the eight Canine Warriors. She is kind though a bit helpless. These characters draw heavily on the Japanese tale The Hakkenshi and the Satomi House. Her husband was the head priest, and he was killed by the Crimson Helm.

The Eight Canine Warriors

Chu/Hayabusa

A Kai Inu's whose name stands for "Loyalty". Hayabusa and his master were attacked by monsters and were fatally wounded. At the same time another Kai dog, Chu, came into the village. Chu saw the two laying on the ground and he approached the dying Hayabusa. As his last words, Hayabusa made Chu promise to protect Mushi, as he saw a white arrow, like Orochi's arrow, that would kill the boy in the future. The Kai took Hayabusa's bandana and became assumed Hayabusa's identity. Chu still guards and protects Mushi in Kamiki Village. He has a 9/10 record for digging up Mushi's Mother's radishes.

Jin/Ume

A Shiba Inu's whose name stands for "Justice". In his other life as Ume, he stays beside a young boy by the name of Kokari in the forest of Agata. Ume was "lost" in Tsuta Ruins but was discovered to have actually run away inside to show Kokari to be brave and pursue adventures.

Gi/Take

A Husky whose name stands for "Duty". In his other life as Take, he protects the area of Sasa Sanctuary and stays with his master there.

Tei

A Tosa Inu whose name stands for "Brotherhood". He's covered in scars and seems to be the unofficial leader of the Canine Warriors.

Rei

A Pointer whose name stands for "Honor".

Chi

A Japanese Spitz whose name stand for "Knowledge".

Ko

A Collie's whose stands for "Wisdom".

Shin

A Boxer whose name stands for "Faith".

Otohime (Princess Oto)

The princess of the Dragon Palace. She is silent, strong and kind. She has grave concerns regarding the Water Dragon (who is in truth her husband King Wada upon transforming into the Water Dragon to protect the Dragon Palace). Otohime becomes a Water Dragon to help Amaterasu and Issun reach Oni Island. She reveals that she is pregnant with the King's baby, who would inherit the throne in time.

Rao (Tsuzurao)

A buxom priestess from Sei-an City and assistant of Queen Himiko. Issun refers to Rao as "busty babe," and makes several jokes of this nature, which Rao either ignores or responds to obliviously. Many come to seek her advice. She dresses in a lavender dress which has a very low neckline, a white hood over her black hair, a beauty mark under her one visible eye (the other hidden behind her bangs), an orange obi, and brown sandals. Rao is faithful although her actions draw suspicion. It is later revealed that Ninetails killed and impersonated her to both obtain the Fox Rods and murder Queen Himiko.

Shiranui

A white wolf sent down by Amaterasu who supposedly fought and defeated Orochi 100 years before the events of the game, dying shortly there after and splitting into 13 brush gods. Shiranui plays a major part not only in the game's backstory (the "Legend of Orochi") but also near the end of the game itself. Shiranui is white with red markings like Amaterasu, only larger and more powerful being at the peak of his power.

Sakuya

A tree sprite who revives Amaterasu 100 years after the battle with Orochi. Issun is originally found hiding in her kimono. Sakuya's cherry blossoms have the power to eliminate cursed zones if Amaterasu uses the "bloom" brush technique on them. After resurrecting Shiranui and bringing on Amaterasu, Sakuya was greatly weakened.

Susano

A bumbling, sake-loving resident of Kamiki Village who claims to be "the greatest warrior ever" since he is the descendant of Nagi, the warrior who accompanied Shiranui in the battle with Orochi. Susano is truthfully revealed to be plagued by cowardice and doubt. He, doubtful of the legend surrounding his own heritage, pulled out Tsukuyomi; the sword that sealed Orochi in the Moon Cave. This action released the weakened Orochi. On the hundred year anniversary of the defeat of Orochi, Susano blockaded himself in his house and drank all the Eight Purification sake for the ceremony because he was guilt-ridden at the release of Orochi. He initially refused to come out even if Kushi was revealed to be the sacrificial maiden, but he shows true bravery when he comes to save her at the last minute. Initially seeing Amaterasu and Issun as nuisances, after the battle with Orochi he refers to Amaterasu as a brother. Susano is also one of the few persons, which can see Amaterasus true look.

Waka (Ushiwaka)

A mysterious character that taunts Amaterasu and Issun at several points throughout the game, often giving cryptic clues in the form of "prophecies" to guide the player. Later on in the game it's revealed that he is part of the Lunar Tribe that imprisoned the demons in the Ark of Yamato. Upon discovering that the Celestials were seeking refuge from the demons in the Ark, Waka rushed to the Ark, arriving too late. He crashed the Ark in the last attempt to stop the demons, nearly losing his life in the process. He did so only to realize that he crashed the Ark in Laochi Lake, thereby releasing the demons on earth. He felt directly responsible for the deaths of the Celestials and humans due to his role in the Yamato Ark incident, so he decided that he would dedicate his life to destroying the demons. He knew Amaterasu from the beginning because he fought alongside her in the first battle to defeat Orochi in the Celestial Plain, and often refers to her as "ma cherié." He also nearly sacrificed his life to protect Amaterasu during the final battle against Yami. Waka and Issun often quarrel, referring to each other as a "half-baked prophet" and "my little bouncing friend" respectively. Waka, however, was the one to inspire Issun to once again continue his pursuit of becoming a Celestial Envoy through the artistry, inspiring Issun to become a missionary. He has a habit of using French terms in his speech and uses lines reminiscent of Viewtiful Joe. Waka plays a flute which is also his primary weapon: A blue energy blade which he calls "Pillowtalk".

Tobi (Hayatobimaru)

A scroll found on Oni Island with a die-hard competitive spirit. Issun refers to him as "scrap".

Celestial Brush Gods

The 15 Celestial Brush Gods are based on the animals in the Chinese Zodiac that match up to some degree with the granted powers, either by animal traits or personality traits. The names of the Celestial gods are based on the Japanese word gami (神) (kami with a dakuten, meaning "god"), and a word describing the effects of the brush stroke.

In the order they appear:

• Amaterasu: The Sun Goddess. She is the origin of all of the other Celestial Brush Gods and said to be the "origin of all that is good and mother to [all the other gods]." She represents the dog in the Chinese Zodiac.
• Yomigami: God of Rejuvenation. Represents the dragon.
• Tachigami: God of Power Slash. Represents the rat.
• Hanagami: Gods of Greensprout, the Flora Triumvirate, each representing the monkey.

• Sakigami: God of Bloom.
• Hasugami: God of Water Lily.
• Tsutagami: God of Vine.

• Bakugami: God of the Cherry Bomb. Represents the pig.
• Nuregami: God of Waterspout. Represents the snake.
• Yumigami: God of Crescent. Represents the rabbit.
• Kazegami: God of Galestorm. Represents the horse.
• Moegami: God of Inferno. Represents the rooster, but in this case is represented as a phoenix.
• Kasugami: God of Veil of Mist. Represents the sheep.
• Kabegami: God of Catwalk. Represents the cat.
• Gekigami: God of Thunderstorm. Represents the tiger.
• Itegami: God of Blizzard. Represents the ox.

Bosses

Spider Queen (Japanese - Yellow Spider)

A giant spider that inhabits the Tsutamaki Ruins. She is ruthless, large, and very loyal to Orochi. She delights in eating anything. After Orochi created her, she poisoned Tsuta Ruins and killed many of its inhabitants, and even ate Ume, Kokari's dog (he was later rescued unharmed).

Crimson Helm (Japanese - Red Helmet)

A demon who has stopped the "divine wind"; he inhabits the Gale Shrine. According to legend, it rose from a pool of Orochi's blood 100 years ago to plague the land. This is why its helmet looks exactly like Orochi's fire head. It uses fire-based powers in battle, but when its armor is removed it is nothing but flaming bones. It resembles a six-legged boar, with two humanlike hands holding swords and a hoglike face.

Orochi (Japanese - Yamata no Orochi)

Revived form of the legendary eight headed dragon defeated 100 years ago by Nagi and Shiranui. Each head has a different attack and represents a different element: fire, water, earth, wind, lightning, poison, darkness, and light. Every year he would devour his sacrifice, his chosen maiden. After his defeat, he was trapped and encased in Nagi's sword. When Susano released him, he released all of his evil into the world-- and that meant the rite of sacrifice was still in order, and he chose Kushi. He was slain again.

Blight (Japanese - The Plague)

A demon in the form of ancient floating samurai armour wielding the sentient sword Goldnail, and who inhabits the stomach of the Emperor of Sei-An. Blight is the cause of the poisonous mist coming from the Emperor and is the one that ordered Kaguya to be imprisoned for no known purpose.

Bandit Spider

A demon very much like the Spider Queen in an appearance and fighting technique. Found in Ryoshima Coast, Northern Ryoshima Coast and Kamui. This is an optional boss in game.

Ninetails (Japanese - Kyūbi)

A nine-tailed fox (or kitsune) also known as the Dark Lord, who is found on Oni Island, with the powers of a brush god, amazingly using Amaterasu's canvas against her when she brings the screen up, since it stole the power of the brush. It is the one that impersonates Rao and uses Amaterasu and Issun to obtain the Fox Rods and the one to kill Queen Himiko.

True Orochi

Orochi as he was 100 years before the game's time, plated in golden armor. He was much harder to defeat, and stronger.

Lechku & Nechku (Japanese - Moshirechik and Kotanechik)

Twin demons who appear as mechanical owls. They are the cause for the blizzard in Kamui. For every attack they make, a brush technique must be used to counter it. They have amazing powers, including the power to stop time, throw bombs in the air, etc.

Yami

The source of all darkness. Yami appears as a huge mechanical ball that changes shape several times. Yami also takes Amaterasu's brush techniques away and she must win them back during the battle. Although it states Yami is too inorganic to determine what it is, it would appear to be a seal fetus in a ball. It posses many mechanical abilities, and Brush techniques had to be used against them respectivelly. Every time a certain amount of damage was inflicted, another brush technique was retrieved.

Mythology and folklore

The game draws much of its imagery and characterizations from established Japanese legends and stories. According to the instruction manual, these are some of the legends referenced within the game:

• Urashima Tarō
• Kaguya
• The Hakkenshi and the Satomi House
• Shita-kiri Suzume
• Issun Boushi

Music

All of the music in Ōkami is original and inspired by classical Japanese works. The final song over the credit sequence, "'Reset'", is sung by Ayaka Hirahara.

Capcom has released an official 5-CD soundtrack for Ōkami, which is available exclusively in the Japanese market. In the US release, the player can unlock a jukebox to hear the in-game music upon completion of the game.

Reception

Reviews

Ōkami received very positive feedback from critics with an average score of 93%, as of 9 February, 2007 making it the eighth highest overall game of 2006 and third for the PS2. GameSpot gave it a 9 out of 10 and selected it as an Editor's Choice, citing that its "visual design instantly stands out, but it turns out to be just one of many inspired aspects of this impressive action adventure game.". IGN gave the game a 9.1 out 10, as being "beautiful, charismatic, engaging and one of the most original games you'll play anytime soon.". Electronic Gaming Monthly's three reviewers gave it a 9, 9.5, and 9 out of ten, one saying: "I'll be surprised if you can find a better game on any system this fall." Newtype USA named Ōkami its Game of the Month for October 2006, heralded the pacing as "nearly flawless" and proclaimed "Okami is that rarest of beasts: a game without any obvious flaws. Clover’s creativity and attention to detail are on full display here. Shame on any gamer who passes up this divine adventure." UK website Mansized awarded the game a full 5 out of 5 stars, declaring it a "fitting end to the PS2 era.", while Eurogamer.net scored the game 10/10 saying "Right from the start it conjures an atmosphere of being something special, but to keep that level of quality up consistently over 60 hours ensures that this will be a game that will be talked about for years to come". In 2007, Okami was named 18^th best PlayStation 2 game of all time in IGN's feature reflecting on the PlayStation 2's long lifespan.

Awards

Ōkami was on several major media outlet's top games for 2006 winning many awards.

• Game Informer: October 2006 Game of the Month
• PSM: 2006 Game of the Year
• IGN
  • 2006 Overall Game of the Year
  • 2006 Adventure Game of the Year (Overall and PS2)
  • 2006 Best Artistic Design (Overall and PS2)
  • 2006 Best Story (Overall and PS2)
  • 2006 Most Innovative Design (Overall and PS2)
  • October 2006 Game of the Month
• Game Revolution: Best game of 2006
• Electronic Gaming Monthly: September 2006 Game of the Month
• GameSpot: Best Graphics (Artistic) of 2006 [3]
• Gametrailers Best PS2 game of 2006
• Japan Media Arts Festival: Grand Prize of 2006 (10th, Entertainment Division) [4]
• Game Developers Choice Awards 2007
  • Innovation Award (one of three)
  • Best Character Design

E3 2005 Awards

Ōkami was revealed to the world at E3 2005, and received several awards from its presentation:

• 1UP.com: Best PS2 Game, 2nd Best Game of Show, 3rd Best Action Game
• GameInformer: 1st Billy's Top 10 Favorite Games of E3
• GameSpy: 5th place overall
• G4TV's X-play: Most Original Game
• IGN: Best PS2 Game of Show, runner-up for Best of Show and Most Innovative Design

Sales

Ōkami sold 200,000 copies in North America in 2006, grossing approximately USD$8 million and ranking as the 100th best selling game of the year in the region.

By comparison, Ōkami sold 66,000 copies in Japan for 2006.

Industry rumors claim that the US branch of Capcom is looking to bring Ōkami to the Nintendo Wii platform, though Capcom UK has officially stated that they "have no plans for Okami on Wii at this time" and that "given Clover is now closed for business, I think it highly unlikely a Wii version would be possible".

Trivia

• The title of the game is a pun; the word ōkami (狼) in Japanese means "wolf", however the kanji characters used as the title of this game (大神), also pronounced as Ōkami, meaning "great deity", so the main character is a great wolf deity. The same characters (大神) are also used to write the full name of the goddess Amaterasu-ō-mi-kami. Ōkami can also be read to mean "big paper", hinting at the game's sumi-e-inspired visual style.

• Mrs. Orange from Kamiki Village cherry cake making technique is a parody of Street Fighter's Akuma's Shun Goku Satsu, or also known as Instant Hell Murder or Raging Demon, from start to end, complete with a kanji word displayed on screen with her back facing the screen. This is probably a nod to the fact that Akuma is also another famous character from Capcom.

• Throughout the game, Ōkami includes several references (in visual effects, animation, or dialogue) to other Capcom titles such as Viewtiful Joe, which Clover Studios also developed.

• The game was originally planned to be rendered in a more photorealistic 3D style. However, Clover Studios determined that the more colorful sumi-e style allowed them to better convey Amaterasu's association with nature and the task of restoring it. This change did not increase the game's performance.

• An NPC aptly named "Animal Lover" lost his rabbit named "Inaba". In addition to being the name of the legendary rabbit, Inaba is the last name of Ōkami's head producer, Atsushi Inaba. Also, to further convey the joke, Inaba the rabbit can be seen falling out of a tree directly underneath Atsushi Inaba's name during the closing credits.

External links

• Official website
• Template:Ja icon Official Japanese website
• Okami 9/10 on TrustedReviews
• NTSC-uk reviews Ōkami
• GameSpot Import Hands-On
• IGN: Preview
• IGN: Atsushi Inaba Interview
• 1up: Clover Studio and Atsushi Inaba Interview
• Metacritic Entry - Includes a list of reviews
• Ōkami at MobyGames