Metal Gear Solid's Japanese Snake Actor Now Wants Konami to Continue the Series Without Kojima

Remember when Metal Gear Solid's Japanese Snake actor said he wouldn't return without Hideo Kojima? Well, he's had a change of heart.

Akio Otsuka, the voice behind pretty much every Snake in the Metal Gear Solid series, has now said Konami should release a new game in the series, even if Kojima isn't involved. That's a big shift from his previous stance.

For those who don't know, Otsuka has perhaps the most prolific run as Snake in the series' history. Like David Hayter, he played both Solid and Naked Snake. But he also voiced Metal Gear Solid 2's Solidus Snake (played by John Cygan in English) and Metal Gear Solid 5's Venom Snake (played by Kiefer Sutherland). In fact, the only time Otsuka didn't play Snake was Big Boss in Metal Gear Solid 4, where he was fittingly played by Chikao Otsuka – his own father.

Speaking to Bunshun (translated via TheGamer), Otsuka admitted he made his earlier comment due to a "sense of pride" for having worked with Kojima. But now he thinks Konami should make a new Metal Gear game. "There are Metal Gear fans all over the world, and they have been waiting patiently for it. So, for their sake, let's make one more Metal Gear," Otsuka says. He also noted that since Kojima is "making his own games with Death Stranding, I think, 'Why not? It's okay to do it.' That's how I feel."

Otsuka would still collaborate with Kojima – he provided the Japanese-dubbed voice for Die-Hardman – but when asked if he'd spoken to the director about working together again, he reportedly laughed and said, "I'll leave that to your imagination."

Now that Kojima is working on Physint, his own Metal Gear spiritual successor, perhaps it could be a full-circle moment for the duo. Although, as the article notes, it's hard to imagine the 66-year-old's voice coming out of 36-year-old Bill Skarsgård's character's mouth. Also, Hideo Kojima's Physint isn't costing Xbox $400 million after all – new reports suggest the Metal Gear successor's actual budget is "significantly less."

So, what do you think? Should Konami make a new Metal Gear without Kojima? And would you want Otsuka back as Snake? Let us know in the comments!