Lightspeed Japan launches a second studio in Osaka

Lightspeed Japan Studio has extended its presence by inaugurating a second location in Osaka and has onboarded three notable figures from Capcom, marking "a series of strategic milestones."

Lightspeed Studios Osaka — Image credit: Lightspeed Studios

According to a report by VGC, former Capcom director and current head of Lightspeed Japan Studio, Hideaki Itsuno, revealed on August 26, 2025, the expansion plans under Tencent's ownership.

This new branch has resulted in the recruitment of three distinguished Capcom veterans:

Toshihiro Nakagawa, also known as Bingo Morihashi, who has collaborated extensively with Itsuno, joins as a narrative designer. He is recognized for his writing contributions to several Devil May Cry titles and the Dragon’s Dogma series.

Daigo Ikeno, an artist who has worked on character design and illustration for multiple Street Fighter and Devil May Cry entries and served as art director for both Dragon’s Dogma games, joins the team as well.

Additionally, Gouda Cheese, more widely known as Bengus—renowned for his contributions to the Street Fighter franchise—has been appointed as an art designer.

Itsuno commented to VGC that about a third of their team of 40 includes former Capcom employees, emphasizing that this expansion and recruitment are "a substantial advancement" for the company.

Lightspeed Japan Studio was established in November 2024, subsequent to Itsuno's departure from Capcom in September, concluding over three decades of association.

The studio is committed to creating original AAA action games as part of its broader global growth strategies and is currently engaged in developing an unannounced AAA game.

"It's rare for studios in Japan to undertake the task of developing original AAA intellectual property from the ground up," Itsuno explained to VGC. "That’s precisely our mission."

He added, "Even though we’re a newly formed studio working on a new project, it's beneficial to collaborate with trustworthy colleagues like Mr. Nakagawa. We go way back to Devil May Cry 2, and he’s among the core team members with a deep understanding of my vision."

Itsuno continued, "Ikeno-san is contributing as an art director this time, and Bengus-san, known for his exceptional understanding, is a uniquely talented individual—once a legendary designer at Capcom."