Celebrating the Women of Capcom for Crafting Resident Evil Requiem’s Charismatic Leon Kennedy

When it was revealed that Leon Kennedy would be a playable character in the upcoming Resident Evil Requiem, fans had two main reactions: excitement over his return and admiration for his striking new in-game model. Japanese fans, in particular, dubbed him “ikeoji,” or “hot uncle,” highlighting his appeal.

This wasn’t just a coincidence. Resident Evil Requiem showcases a more mature Leon, now 48 years old, and Capcom aimed to ensure he aged gracefully. To achieve this, an unofficial committee of female Capcom employees was formed to ensure Leon’s design would resonate well with fans.

Director Koshi Nakanishi mentioned that the team dedicated significant time to perfecting Leon’s appearance. “Leon has many fans among Capcom employees, and the women were particularly meticulous in reviewing his design,” Nakanishi shared. “They scrutinized every detail, even the wrinkles on his neck. A female fan once told me, ‘The women developers at Capcom did a really good job.'”

Given the “hot uncle” trend on social media, it seems that fan was spot on.

“Throughout development, we refined Leon extensively, and I believe we created a design that would make anyone’s heart race,” Nakanishi added.

However, feedback wasn’t limited to just the female staff. Nakanishi emphasized that all team members contributed, especially regarding Leon’s personality. Unlike co-protagonist Grace Ashcroft, Leon is a battle-hardened Resident Evil veteran who remains unfazed in tense situations.

“Every staff member had their own take on Leon’s 30-year journey, often saying things like, ‘Leon wouldn’t act that way in this scenario,'” Nakanishi recalled. “There were more discussions about his character than his appearance, and after many conversations, we found a version of him that resonated with us. We hope players will also find their own interpretation of Leon in the game.”

So far, it appears that players worldwide are responding to Leon’s new look with overwhelming enthusiasm. From the sounds of it, that’s precisely what Nakanishi intended.

Resident Evil Requiem is set to launch on PlayStation, Xbox, and Windows PC on February 27.