Akio Otsuka, the renowned Japanese voice and motion capture actor for Solid Snake, has stated his eagerness to participate in a new Metal Gear game. However, he also expressed significant reservations about such a project proceeding without the direct involvement of the series' creator, Hideo Kojima.
In an interview translated by IGN, Otsuka reflected on his deep connection to the Metal Gear franchise and his desire for Konami to develop another entry. This sentiment may surprise some fans, particularly given Otsuka's previous public statements about not wanting to work on a new Metal Gear title if Kojima was not involved. He previously stated, "I don’t want to do a Metal Gear that doesn’t involve Kojima," a comment that resonated within the series' Japanese fanbase following the widely publicized split between Konami and Kojima.
Otsuka acknowledged his past declaration, explaining that his role as a voice actor is to follow direction, but his pride in bringing Metal Gear to life, a series created by Kojima, makes the situation complex. He indicated that his previous stance is difficult to retract.
Given the strained relationship between Konami and Hideo Kojima, a reunion on a Metal Gear project appears unlikely. When asked if he had communicated his desire for Kojima to direct a new Metal Gear game to the acclaimed director, Otsuka offered a cryptic response: "I'll leave that to your imagination."
Otsuka also shared a personal anecdote about the iconic "Kept you waiting, huh?" line, revealing it was an ad-lib during the Japanese recording sessions for Solid Snake, a line that later became famously associated with the character in both Japanese and David Hayter's English rendition.
He recounted a surreal experience during the recording of Metal Gear Solid 4, where his father, the late voice actor Chikao Otsuka, voiced Big Boss while Akio Otsuka performed motion capture. He recalled his father's surprise upon seeing him in the motion capture suit, questioning if he would indeed be voicing his son.
Otsuka spoke with empathy about Kojima's challenges after leaving Konami, particularly referencing the development of Death Stranding. He expressed relief and emotion upon the game's successful completion, noting the immense pressure Kojima faced.
Otsuka has also publicly supported former members of Kojima's team who remained at Konami. In a 2023 podcast episode, he emphasized that these individuals were integral to Kojima's original vision and aimed to preserve the Metal Gear legacy within the company.
For many Japanese fans, Otsuka's performance is as definitive for Snake as David Hayter's is for English-speaking audiences. Otsuka acknowledged his strong attachment to the character and his understanding of the fans' perspective, stating, "When I think of the fans… well I'm really caught in the middle."
While Kojima is currently occupied with new projects, Konami has shown continued interest in the Metal Gear franchise, evidenced by the recent Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater remake, which utilizes Otsuka's original performance from MGS3. Otsuka's willingness to contribute to a new Metal Gear Solid title, should Konami pursue original entries rather than remakes or remasters, remains a possibility.