Ep.96 – He's So Viewtiful: The Cel-Shaded Legacy of Viewtiful Joe
Viewtiful Joe (2003)
A Trip Down Memory Card Lane · David Kassin and Robert Kassin
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Show Notes
In 2003, Viewtiful Joe brought spandex, cel-shading, and superhero flair to the Nintendo GameCube as part of Capcom’s ambitious “Capcom Five” initiative. We revisit Hideki Kamiya’s early gaming inspirations, his path through Resident Evil 2 and Devil May Cry, and his collaboration with producer Atsushi Inaba, whose lifelong love of superheroes shaped the project. The episode highlights the game’s unique VFX Powers—Slow, Mach Speed, and Zoom—and how they turned a side-scrolling beat ’em up into a cinematic spectacle. Our conversation digs into critic praise for its art style and gameplay depth, as well as mixed user reviews on its repetition and story. We also cover sequels, spinoffs, an anime series, and Kamiya’s later work at Clover Studio and PlatinumGames.