KNOWN as the gold standard of survival horror games with over 110 million units shipped worldwide, ‘Resident Evil’ is continuing its 25th-anniversary celebration with the upcoming premiere of the original CG anime series, ‘Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness’, launching exclusively on Netflix on July 8.
Ahead of the launch of ‘Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness’ we take a closer look at three of the main characters, Leon S. Kennedy, one of the most popular characters in the Resident Evil series, as well as two strong female characters who have been fighting against far-reaching evil organisations and vicious creatures – fan-favourite Claire Redfield and mysterious US federal agent Shen May, a brand-new character for the series.
Leon S. Kennedy
Of the many characters that have appeared in the Resident Evil franchise through the years, Leon has been one of the most beloved – and for many reasons. His cool, calm-headed personality and strong sense of justice have made him one of the most popular characters in the series.
Across the timeline of the series, he has survived numerous close calls, giving him much depth. For fans of the series who have followed him across each title, it feels like Leon has grown with them.
In the newly-released stills, the focus is the adult pathos of Leon, who has weaved his way through countless battles, with him appearing in a suit for the first time instead of the familiar leather jacket he wears when he’s working a case.
Director Eiichiro Hasumi comments that “In this series, Leon is in a slightly bitter position that lacks clarity.” However his unique sense of justice and strong desire to “not to repeat the same tragedies” is kept alive in this new series.
Leon is known to hold a careful distance from the various characters in the past titles, while also exuding a certain degree of confidence. In this series, fans will be sure to be glued to the screen as Leon reunites with Claire after a long time and interacts with a new character, the mysterious Shen May.
Claire Redfield
In Resident Evil 2, Claire was just a college student when she encountered the zombies in Raccoon City. In this series, she appears as a member of Terra Save, a non-governmental organisation that aids victims of bioterrorism and chemical attacks.
Deeply influenced by her older brother, who was a member of special forces, she is also a strong and skilled fighter who possesses various combat skills. She has escaped many dangerous situations through her bold decisions despite being a civilian.
In the newly-released stills, Claire wears a familiar red jacket while facing another dire situation as she appears to have been captured by someone. Another new look for Claire features her wearing a red tank top and red glasses in a room while she investigates the Penamstan incident, staring at a computer screen with a grave expression. She will play a large role in uncovering the truth in this series.
Shen May
Shen May is a US federal agent debuting in this series. A skilled computer scientist who demonstrates courage and high-level physical capabilities, she is dispatched with Leon to uncover the cause of a hacking incident at the White House.
Her true nature, however, remains shrouded in mystery. What is the goal of this federal agent who works alongside Leon and Jason?
The newly-released stills clearly show off her skills as an agent. In the darkness, she has a composed expression on her face and holds a gun with a practised hand. This image is proof of her reliability and places her firmly among the characters of the Resident Evil series who have achieved incredible feats.
What fate awaits our characters? All eyes are on them as excitement builds ahead of the release of ‘Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness’! – The Vibes, June 24, 2021
