Solid Snake's Japanese Voice Actor Wants New Metal Gear, But Won't Do It Without Kojima

Ever wondered what Solid Snake's Japanese voice actor really thinks about a new Metal Gear game? Akio Otsuka, the legendary voice behind Snake in Japan, has some thoughts—and they're complicated.

In a recent interview with Bunshun (translated by IGN), Otsuka opened up about his deep attachment to the Metal Gear series and his desire for Konami to make another entry. But there's a catch: he previously said he wouldn't do a new Metal Gear without Hideo Kojima, the series' creator. "My job as a voice actor is to do what I'm told," Otsuka explained. "But when it comes to the Metal Gear series, it was created by Kojima, and I take pride in having helped bring it to life. So I [previously] said, 'I don't want to do a Metal Gear that doesn't involve Kojima.' Now I've said that, I can't take it back."

Given the messy split between Konami and Kojima, it seems unlikely that Kojima will ever return to direct a Metal Gear game. When asked if he'd told Kojima he wants him to make a new Metal Gear, Otsuka teased: "I'll leave that to your imagination."

Otsuka also shared some fun behind-the-scenes stories. Did you know Solid Snake's iconic line "Kept you waiting, huh?" was actually an adlib? Otsuka revealed it was improvised during the Japanese recording and later used in ads. He also recalled the surreal experience of his real-life father, voice actor Chikao Otsuka, voicing Big Boss in MGS4's finale while he himself did the motion capture. "When I arrived on set, my father's eyes widened at the sight of me in the motion capture suit, and he asked with surprise, 'Am I actually going to be voicing you?' It was rather amusing."

Throughout the interview, Otsuka expressed fondness and empathy for Kojima. "He went through so many difficulties after leaving Konami yet managed to finish making this major game," Otsuka said, referring to Death Stranding. "After all, if Death Stranding had failed he could have easily ended up with debts that he wouldn't have been able to pay off even if he continued working for the rest of his life… So when the game was finished and they announced its release, I burst into tears."

Otsuka also showed support for the former Kojima team members still at Konami. On his Nameless Mouse podcast in June 2023, he said, "I want the fans to understand this. I don't want them [the remaining MGS staff at Konami] to be made out to be villains. The people who stayed at Konami were part of the crew on Kojima's ship. These people, who inherited the director's legacy, want to protect Metal Gear."

Just as David Hayter is the definitive English voice of Snake for many fans, Otsuka holds that same status for Japanese fans. "I certainly have a deep attachment to Snake," Otsuka concluded. "After all, to the [Japanese] fans, Snake will always be Akio Otsuka, regardless of what happened between Kojima and Konami. When I think of the fans… well I'm really caught in the middle."

Konami still has interest in Metal Gear—last year's Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater reused Otsuka's original performance from 2006's MGS3. Could Otsuka return for a brand-new Metal Gear Solid? Only time will tell. What do you think—should Konami make a new Metal Gear without Kojima? Let us know in the comments!