Snake's Japanese Voice Actor Wants Another Metal Gear - Even Without Kojima

Remember when Snake's Japanese voice actor said he'd never touch Metal Gear without Hideo Kojima? Well, it sounds like he's had a change of heart.

Akio Otsuka, the man behind Solid Snake (and Big Boss) in Japan, has reportedly said that with Kojima now focused on other projects, Konami should give fans what they want: another Metal Gear game. That's a pretty big shift from his earlier vow to never work on the series without its legendary creator.

For longtime fans, this one hits right in the feels. Kojima and Konami parted ways back in 2015, and the split wasn't exactly pretty. Since then, the series has mostly lived on through Metal Gear Survive and the Master Collection re-releases, while Kojima went off to build Death Stranding and, more recently, OD and Physint. Snake, meanwhile, has stayed quiet.

Otsuka's comments don't confirm that anything is actually in development, so let's be clear about that. There's no release date, no teaser, no official Konami announcement. What we have is one very iconic voice actor saying out loud what a lot of fans have been thinking for years: the demand is still there, and Konami is sitting on one of gaming's most beloved franchises.

It's also worth noting how much weight Otsuka's opinion carries. He's been the Japanese voice of Snake since the original Metal Gear Solid in 1998, so when he talks about the character, people listen. His willingness to return - even without Kojima at the helm - is a meaningful signal about how the series could move forward.

That said, a Metal Gear without Kojima is a touchy subject. Some fans will argue the series ended exactly where it should have, and that no one else can capture that magic. Others just want to sneak around, hide in a cardboard box, and hear that iconic codec call one more time. Both feelings are completely valid.

So where does that leave us? Basically in wait-and-see mode. Otsuka has opened the door, and Konami holds the keys. Whether the company walks through it is anyone's guess.

Would you play a new Metal Gear without Kojima involved? Or should the series stay retired? Let us know in the comments.