A new, in-depth documentary dedicated to the origins of Capcom’s iconic survival horror series, Resident Evil (known as Biohazard in Japan), is set to premiere on Japanese broadcaster NHK later this year.
Titled 'Legendary Games Chronicle: Biohazard,' the documentary will air on NHK BS4K on November 29, 2025, with a scheduled rebroadcast on NHK BS on December 6, 2025.
This special presentation promises exclusive content for fans and industry professionals alike by featuring newly recorded interviews with key figures behind the creation of Resident Evil. The documentary will delve deep into the game’s storied development, exploring challenges such as the looming threat of project cancellation, technical limitations inherent in 1990s hardware, and pivotal shifts in the game's direction.
Early design materials, never before seen by the public, will also be showcased, offering rare insight into the iterative process that ultimately led to the release of the original Resident Evil on PlayStation in 1996. Among the notable interviewees are director Shinji Mikami, whose leadership and vision were instrumental in defining the survival horror genre; producer Tokuro Fujiwara, who spearheaded the project at Capcom; system planners Hideki Kamiya and Kazunori Kadoi, who both contributed to the game’s unique design; and composer Makoto Tomozawa, who shaped its haunting atmosphere.
Other featured creators include Jun Takeuchi (character modeller), Yasuhiro Ampo (software system engineer), and Ken Kutaragi, notable for his role as former Executive Vice President of R&D at Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. In a statement for the documentary, Shinji Mikami reflected on the project's challenges, emphasizing the dedication and problem-solving required to bring Resident Evil to fruition despite technical and creative obstacles.
Producer Tokuro Fujiwara added that the game's distinct blend of suspense and gameplay innovation became possible due to a dynamic and collaborative development process at Capcom. 'Legendary Games Chronicle: Biohazard' is the second installment in NHK’s gaming documentary series, following last year's coverage of the Final Fantasy franchise.
The earlier documentary was made available in English via the NHK World app, though NHK has not yet confirmed if the Biohazard special will receive a similar international release. Resident Evil remains one of Capcom's flagship franchises, with over 146 million units sold worldwide as of June 2023 across various platforms including Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
The continued cultural and commercial relevance of Resident Evil is a testament to its pioneering design and enduring fanbase, making this NHK documentary a must-watch for those interested in video game history and development. For further details regarding broadcast availability outside Japan or future English-language releases, industry watchers and fans are advised to monitor official NHK updates and Capcom channels.
Titled 'Legendary Games Chronicle: Biohazard,' the documentary will air on NHK BS4K on November 29, 2025, with a scheduled rebroadcast on NHK BS on December 6, 2025.
This special presentation promises exclusive content for fans and industry professionals alike by featuring newly recorded interviews with key figures behind the creation of Resident Evil. The documentary will delve deep into the game’s storied development, exploring challenges such as the looming threat of project cancellation, technical limitations inherent in 1990s hardware, and pivotal shifts in the game's direction.
Early design materials, never before seen by the public, will also be showcased, offering rare insight into the iterative process that ultimately led to the release of the original Resident Evil on PlayStation in 1996. Among the notable interviewees are director Shinji Mikami, whose leadership and vision were instrumental in defining the survival horror genre; producer Tokuro Fujiwara, who spearheaded the project at Capcom; system planners Hideki Kamiya and Kazunori Kadoi, who both contributed to the game’s unique design; and composer Makoto Tomozawa, who shaped its haunting atmosphere.
Other featured creators include Jun Takeuchi (character modeller), Yasuhiro Ampo (software system engineer), and Ken Kutaragi, notable for his role as former Executive Vice President of R&D at Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. In a statement for the documentary, Shinji Mikami reflected on the project's challenges, emphasizing the dedication and problem-solving required to bring Resident Evil to fruition despite technical and creative obstacles.
Producer Tokuro Fujiwara added that the game's distinct blend of suspense and gameplay innovation became possible due to a dynamic and collaborative development process at Capcom. 'Legendary Games Chronicle: Biohazard' is the second installment in NHK’s gaming documentary series, following last year's coverage of the Final Fantasy franchise.
The earlier documentary was made available in English via the NHK World app, though NHK has not yet confirmed if the Biohazard special will receive a similar international release. Resident Evil remains one of Capcom's flagship franchises, with over 146 million units sold worldwide as of June 2023 across various platforms including Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
The continued cultural and commercial relevance of Resident Evil is a testament to its pioneering design and enduring fanbase, making this NHK documentary a must-watch for those interested in video game history and development. For further details regarding broadcast availability outside Japan or future English-language releases, industry watchers and fans are advised to monitor official NHK updates and Capcom channels.
