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Capcom surprised fans at The Game Awards 2025 by officially confirming that Leon Kennedy will return as a playable character in Resident Evil Requiem, the ninth mainline entry in the survival horror series. While the company had been promoting Grace Ashcroft as the game’s main protagonist, Leon will now join her as a parallel protagonist.
The reveal of Leon’s aged-up appearance has generated strong reactions, particularly in Japan. Now approaching 50 years old, the character’s new design has earned him the nickname “ikeoji” (イケおじ) among Japanese players—a term that translates to “attractive middle-aged man.” The response on social media platform X shows many fans reconsidering their interest in the game after seeing Leon’s return.
【朗報】バイオ9のレオンがイケメンすぎる・・・
これで49歳？(2026年時点)
渋すぎるだろ。#バイオハザードレクイエム #ResidentEvilRequiem pic.twitter.com/tY3oAL6hed
— うめだJAPAN (@umesooooo) December 12, 2025
“I was about to just ignore [RE9] completely, but this actually made me want to play it,” one fan posted. Another user commented, “I’ve decided to buy RE9 just for this.”
Despite the enthusiasm, some fans have expressed concern about Leon’s age and the physical demands of fighting zombies. “While I’m happy for Leon, I also feel like it’s soon time to let him rest,” one fan said.
Beyond fan excitement, the inclusion of Leon Kennedy serves a gameplay purpose. According to Capcom, Grace’s sections will emphasize horror and exploration, while Leon’s portions will lean more toward action gameplay, taking advantage of his experience and combat skills. This dual-protagonist approach aims to offer players varied gameplay experiences throughout Resident Evil Requiem. Many fans hope this installment will provide a proper conclusion to Leon’s story and give the veteran character the happy ending they feel he deserves.
