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Ghost Wire: Tokyo game director’s adorable stage presence at E3 inspires memes, fan art

Evie Nyan Jun 10, 2019
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Director of new horror action-adventure game Ghost Wire: Tokyo steals hearts and wins fans

Ghost Wire: Tokyo, the newest horror-themed action-adventure game by Japanese studio Tango Gameworks, was announced today at E3, the video game industry’s leading event in Los Angeles. Taking the stage to present the game were studio head Shinji Mikami, aka the “Father of Survival Horror”, who is one of the original creators of Capcom’s Resident Evil franchise, and the creative director of the new game, Ikumi Nakamura.

The title is a new intellectual property by the studio which also brought us the third-person survival horror title The Evil Within (a game so scary it actually changes the chemicals in your spit), and its sequel The Evil Within 2 under US publisher Bethesda, and the game reveal was accompanied by a stylish, mysterious trailer which introduces the concept. Set in modern-day Tokyo itself, Ghost Wire: Tokyo is an action adventure game which blends its contemporary Japan setting with supernatural horror elements, heavy on traditional Japanese themes.

▼ The trailer is dripping with atmosphere, showcasing a stunningly-realised Tokyo where unsettling and seemingly inexplicable events occur.

Don't fear the unknown. Attack it.

Introducing GhostWire: Tokyo, the new action-adventure game from @tango_gw_en. #BE3

Stay up to date on #GhostWireTokyo news by following @playGhostWire and signing up for updates here: https://t.co/Q30IolxCOm pic.twitter.com/xJeOp1zEJI

— Bethesda (@bethesda) June 10, 2019

However, the video game industry audience’s attention seems to have been somewhat sidetracked by the unexpected cuteness of the game’s creative director, Ikumi Nakamura’s appearance onstage. Her upbeat and enthusiastic presentation of the game instantly endeared her to audiences and won her legions of fans, with memes and fan art springing up within the first few hours following the reveal.

For anyone who missed Bethesda's Press Conference, allow me to save you an hour and twenty minutes by sharing the most wholesome, sincere and adorable portion of the entire show: creative director Ikumi Nakamura introducing her new game, GhostWire: Tokyo. pic.twitter.com/VA7BRm3fXh

— Tylor (@theSirToasty) June 10, 2019

OK so yeah I don't even care about whatever Ghostwire is I'm buying it just for Ikumi Nakamura pic.twitter.com/kdAQzoJ6Vs

— mayonegg (@SAMputated) June 10, 2019

Ikumi Nakamura if you see this, we love you pic.twitter.com/SUeTTuTkMw

— Big Boss 🇵🇸 (@LordBalvin) June 10, 2019

This is my contribution to this year's E3. Let's make Ikumi Nakamura proud pic.twitter.com/6C3xw6rR1l

— Eamonn (@eamonn_casey_) June 10, 2019

▼ Fan art has mostly centered around the funky poses Nakamura made onstage, with the same pose being utilised many times over.

I’m upset I’m only now learning of #IkumiNakamura but being a big fan of both bayonetta and okami, I really look up to her and I’m so excited for #GhostWireTokyo! pic.twitter.com/MoUwdaddoy

— ana (@mirakuru_miruku) June 10, 2019

https://twitter.com/FangQnQ/status/1137915693305868290

Ikumi Nakamura will lead us to the promised land. #E3 #IkumiNakamura pic.twitter.com/CPDNemAJPf

— NICE (@studionice2011) June 10, 2019

#GhostWireTokyo looking spooky and gritty, but #IkumiNakamura out here being cute on stage and reaping hearts. pic.twitter.com/BguadRM2fM

— Silver (@SirSilverStudio) June 10, 2019

Ok look listen...she’s adorable ok#e32019 #BethesdaE3 #GhostwireTokyo pic.twitter.com/htKfmQhS0y

— F o x x (@FoXxarius) June 10, 2019

Despite the fact that Nakamura is something of an industry veteran, having worked as an artist and art director on huge hit titles like Okami, Bayonetta, and The Evil Within, her turn on the stage had newly smitten audiences immediately running to Google to find out more about her. Hardcore fans of The Evil Within, however, already knew that Nakamura was one of three Tango Gameworks employees whom studio head Shinji Mikami had singled out to potentially direct a game for the studio in the future.

Ikumi Nakamura, everybody's new crush, is Shinji Mikami's disciple. She's worked as artist for Okami, Bayonetta and as lead artist on TEW. Now she's directing Ghostwire.

We've just watched a torch get passed down live on #E3 with Shinji introducing her and it warms my heart. pic.twitter.com/OsdU6sEqwm

— Dan Ximenes @danximenes.bsky.social (@the_ximenes) June 10, 2019

After her stellar work as lead artist on The Evil Within, which saw her create many of the series’ most iconic creatures, hype is high for the new Nakamura-directed action-adventure game.

https://twitter.com/JellyTBeagle/status/1137988488740184064

While the memes and fan art are all in good fun (Nakamura herself has been retweeting some of her new fan art, showing that she appreciates the response) and while Bethesda’s stage shows tend to draw a lot of focus for their presenters’ personalities (fan favorites, Todd Howard and Pete Hines always garner a lot of online discussion and meme creation) we hope that fans will remember to appreciate Nakamura’s hard work and her artistic and creative talent. Ghost Wire: Tokyo looks fantastic and we’re eager to find out more about the game and Nakamura’s unique vision over the coming months.

Featured image: Twitter/@mirakuru_miruku
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