Akio Otsuka, the longtime Japanese voice actor for Solid Snake, has expressed a strong desire to see another installment in the Metal Gear series. However, his loyalty to Hideo Kojima, the franchise's creator, means he would only participate if Kojima himself is involved.
Otsuka, who has lent his voice to Snake since the original Metal Gear Solid and collaborated with Kojima on Death Stranding, views the character as deeply personal. "No matter what happens between Director Kojima and Konami, to the fans, Snake will always be Akio Otsuka," he stated in a recent interview with Weekly Bunshun. This close connection, he explained, leaves him feeling "a little trapped in the middle" concerning the future of the series, especially given the public falling out between Kojima and Konami that led to Kojima founding his own studio.
Since Kojima's departure, the Metal Gear franchise has seen limited new content, primarily a remake utilizing existing voice lines for Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater and the spin-off Metal Gear Survive. Otsuka has not recorded new lines for Snake in years, even for his appearances in Super Smash Bros. He acknowledged that voicing Snake in Super Smash Bros. would have been different from a new Metal Gear game without Kojima, as it would not have involved creating new lines for a game made without the director's consent.
Recalling Kojima's independent journey with Kojima Productions and the development of Death Stranding, Otsuka expressed profound admiration for the director's resilience. "He went through a lot of hardships leaving that company, and managed to finish such a big project," Otsuka said, moved to tears by the memory. "When I think about it, it brings tears to my eyes. We’ve been working together for so long, after all."
Otsuka emphasized his professional ethos as a voice actor, which is to follow direction. Yet, he distinguishes the Metal Gear series as a creation he helped build alongside Kojima, a role he takes pride in. "It’s why I’ve said I don’t want to do a Metal Gear game that Kojima isn’t involved in. Now I’ve said it, I can’t change my mind!" he declared.
Despite his firm stance, Otsuka hopes for one more Metal Gear game for the fans, provided Kojima is at the helm. He kept whether he had discussed this possibility with Kojima to himself, preferring to "leave that to the imagination." In Japan, voice actors traditionally maintain a role for their entire careers unless they leave the profession, a practice that may also contribute to the franchise's current state post-Kojima. Notably, Kojima's upcoming project, Physint, is said to evoke themes similar to Metal Gear, hinting at a potential, albeit indirect, reunion of their creative energies.