Capcom recently offered a deeper look into the next major installment in the legendary survival horror series, resident Evil 9, officially titled Resident Evil: Requiem. During a dedicated event, developers unveiled crucial details about the upcoming game, confirming its direction and, perhaps most notably for long-time fans, the absence of iconic hero Leon S. Kennedy in the starring role. This decision isn’t random; it’s a deliberate move designed to intensify the player’s experience of fear.
The upcoming game shifts focus entirely to a brand-new protagonist, Grace Ashcroft. She is introduced as an FBI analyst, and players will navigate the terrors of Resident Evil: Requiem directly through her perspective. The development team aims to deliver what they describe as “addictive fear,” a compelling sense of dread rooted in the catharsis of confronting and conquering terror. They emphasize that Grace’s journey will involve her visibly overcoming her own fears as the narrative unfolds. This approach positions Grace as fundamentally different from established, highly capable series veterans.
Why Leon Isn’t Returning as the Main Character
Capcom’s reasoning behind sidelining fan-favorite Leon Kennedy is directly tied to the game’s intended horror focus. Leon, celebrated for his starring roles in Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 4, is known for his incredible resilience, combat prowess, and often cool, almost nonchalant demeanor in the face of danger. Developers openly stated that while they initially considered Leon for the lead, building a truly terrifying horror experience around such a capable, action-hero figure proved challenging.
According to Game Director Koshi Nakanishi, characters like Leon, Jill Valentine, or Chris Redfield are inherently difficult to place in a traditional horror setting because they aren’t easily rattled by commonplace scares. As Nakanishi reportedly put it, “He wouldn’t jump at something like a bucket falling. No one wants to see Leon scared by everything. So he’s actually quite a bad match for horror.” The studio believes that seeing a suave action hero visibly terrified wouldn’t resonate with players and would undermine the game’s goal of creating palpable fear. This perspective suggests that Leon is simply “too cool” to be the protagonist of the specific type of horror Capcom wants to achieve in Resident Evil 9.
Introducing Grace Ashcroft: The New Face of Fear
The decision to feature Grace Ashcroft as the sole confirmed playable character stems directly from this desire for a protagonist who can authentically convey vulnerability and fear. Grace is specifically designed to be the antithesis of a superhero. Producer Masachika Kawata noted she embodies the qualities of a typical horror game protagonist who relies on “wit and ingenuity” rather than brute force to survive.
While Grace’s FBI background means she has training in action and firearms, her movements are described as potentially “timid or hesitant.” Director Nakanishi added that Grace is “introverted and easily scared,” which allows players to experience the game’s horrors from a perspective rooted in realistic reactions to terrifying events. However, she is not presented as helpless; she also possesses “calm deductive reasoning skills” crucial for her analyst role. Her character arc, focused on overcoming fear, is central to delivering the “addictive fear” experience. Grace’s backstory, reportedly connected to her deceased mother, Alyssa Ashcroft (a name mentioned in Resident Evil 7 and tied to the Resident Evil Outbreak series), further links her deeply to the series’ lore.
Returning to the Heart of Horror: Raccoon City
Significantly, Resident Evil: Requiem marks a return to one of the most infamous locations in the series: Raccoon City. The game’s events take place a full 30 years after the devastating missile strike that occurred at the climax of Resident Evil 2. This setting is potent, strongly associated with the origins of the Umbrella Corporation and the foundational outbreaks that shaped the Resident Evil universe.
Developers emphasized the importance of returning to this location, with Director Nakanishi and Art Director Tomonori Takano stating the title “Requiem” serves as a “eulogy to those who came before,” signifying a major milestone for the franchise. Returning to Raccoon City after three decades strongly implies that something sinister has lingered in the ashes, providing a fertile ground for new horrors rooted in the past. The Raccoon City Police Department (RPD) is confirmed to reappear, though developers hint it will be explored in a “new and unexpected way,” focusing on its state 30 years post-disaster.
Game Details and Development Buzz
Beyond the protagonist and setting, a few key details about Resident Evil: Requiem were confirmed. The game will be a single-player, offline experience, aligning with the series’ survival horror roots. It is scheduled for release on February 27, 2026, and will launch on major platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series consoles.
Capcom mentioned during their livestream event that more in-depth interviews with the development team would be available on the official Resident Evil Portal site. However, the sheer volume of fans eager to learn more about RE9 immediately after the announcement caused the website to crash, highlighting the immense anticipation surrounding the game.
Connecting to Recent Resident Evil Successes
The decision to introduce a new, less capable protagonist and double down on horror mirrors the successful formula employed in Resident Evil 7: Biohazard. That game introduced Ethan Winters, a seemingly ordinary person searching for his wife, providing a stark contrast to the hardened heroes of previous entries. Ethan’s initial vulnerability allowed players to experience the horror from a grounded, relatable perspective, significantly elevating the fear factor for the franchise.
Resident Evil 7 demonstrated that the series could thrive with a fresh lead while still incorporating established characters; Chris Redfield made a brief appearance at the end of RE7 and played a larger role in the subsequent game, Resident Evil Village. This precedent set by Director Koshi Nakanishi’s previous work on RE7 lends weight to the idea that Resident Evil 9 might also blend new and old elements, even with a completely new central figure.
The Lingering Question: Will Classic Characters Appear?
Despite the explicit confirmation that Leon Kennedy is not the main protagonist, many fans and commentators remain skeptical that he, or other classic characters like Jill Valentine or Chris Redfield, will be entirely absent from Resident Evil 9. Capcom has a history of surprising players and “swerving expectations,” which fuels this speculation.
The decision to set the game in Raccoon City, a location intrinsically linked to the origins of Leon, Jill, and the Redfields, makes the possibility of cameos or significant references feel plausible. An older, potentially wiser Leon, who would be in his 50s by the game’s timeline, could appear in a non-playable capacity, perhaps in a supporting or advisory role similar to Chris’s appearance in Resident Evil 7. The director and art director’s emphasis on the “Requiem” title paying tribute to the series’ past further opens the door for figures from the original outbreak to make an appearance. While nothing is confirmed beyond Grace Ashcroft as the protagonist, the return to Raccoon City keeps the hope alive for many fans that familiar faces might still emerge from the shadows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why isn’t Leon Kennedy the main character in Resident Evil 9?
Capcom developers explained that the decision stems from their goal to create a deep, immersive horror experience in Resident Evil 9: Requiem. Leon Kennedy, known for his competence and action-hero persona, is considered too capable and not easily frightened, making him a poor fit for a protagonist through whom players are meant to feel intense fear and vulnerability. The studio prioritized a character better suited to conveying realistic reactions to horror.
Who is the new protagonist in Resident Evil 9: Requiem?
The confirmed main protagonist for Resident Evil 9: Requiem is a new character named Grace Ashcroft. She is an FBI analyst designed to be the opposite of a typical action hero. While trained and possessing deductive skills, Grace is described as introverted and easily scared, allowing players to experience the game’s “addictive fear” from a more vulnerable perspective. Her journey will involve overcoming her fears.
Will any classic Resident Evil characters appear in RE9?
While Leon Kennedy and other established characters are confirmed not to be the main protagonists, Capcom has not explicitly ruled out their appearance in other capacities. Given that Resident Evil 9 is set in Raccoon City 30 years later, a location central to the lore of many classic figures, there is speculation that characters could make cameo appearances or be referenced, potentially in non-playable roles, though this remains unconfirmed speculation based on context and developer history.
Conclusion
Resident Evil 9: Requiem is poised to take the series in a compelling direction, doubling down on the horror elements that revitalized the franchise with Resident Evil 7. By introducing Grace Ashcroft as the new, more vulnerable protagonist and returning to the haunting landscape of Raccoon City decades after its destruction, Capcom is clearly signaling a renewed focus on survival horror rooted in dread and vulnerability. While the absence of a leading role for fan-favorite Leon Kennedy might disappoint some, it is a deliberate choice aimed at maximizing the game’s potential for “addictive fear.” As the February 27, 2026, release date approaches for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series, players can anticipate a terrifying new chapter that leverages a fresh perspective to revisit the chilling legacy of one of gaming’s most iconic locales, potentially with a few nods to the heroes who survived its initial nightmare.
