 | This article does not cite any sources. (March 2022) |
Continuities are the individual or series' of Resident Evil media and the unique or branched-off universe they make up.
"Universe" in this case being used from a real-world perspective meaning entirely non-connected or having non-shared instances of lore from one another. Not to be confused with an in-universe concept of "universe" where some popular fiction includes the concept of alternate/other realities or timelines recognized within the lore itself, nor the concept of "canon vs non-canon" which would be applied to aspects of lore within a specific continuity.
Unlike other companies such as Marvel or DC Comics, Capcom does not have an official listing of separate continuities.
History[]
In the early years of Resident Evil, Capcom had no real plan or intention for a canonical expanded universe and only saw the games themselves as part of the series canon. As consequence, third-party licensed material such as the S.D. Perry novels or WildStorm comics were intended from the start to be in a separate continuity. This concept was also applied to internal projects that were not video games, such as the radio plays, even if written by the game writers using the same story notes.
By the time of Resident Evil 4's release, Capcom changed their stance on continuity, and began plans for a canonical expanded universe. New licenses would require a Capcom producer, typically Hiroyuki Kobayashi, to veto any ideas conflicting with game plots or writing the developers into a corner. Starting with internal stories like biohazard4 Incubate and then Sony's Resident Evil: Degeneration, this method of directly overseen continuity has become the default in the franchise, with older licenses not being renewed. As of 2020, the only major projects set in an alternate universe are Constantin's reboot film and the Netflix series, both derived from their 1996 agreement.
List[]
Prime[]
- Main article: Prime universe
The Prime continuity (tentative) is Capcom's official canon. It encompasses all home console games (with the exclusion of Operation Raccoon City and games that lack a story-based campaign).
Besides video games, this continuity also includes two manga published in collaboration with Weekly Shonen Champion: The Marhawa Desire and Heavenly Island, a stage production: BIOHAZARD THE STAGE, organized in collaboration with Avex Live Creative and Ace Crew Entertainment, as well as five animated CG film and television projects developed in collaboration with Sony Pictures Entertainment: Degeneration, Damnation, Vendetta, Infinite Darkness, and Death Island.
There are some fifty entries in the canon franchise, including tie-in promotional materials and in-depth guidebooks penned by Benny Matsuyama that contain in-universe documents written just for those books.
Remake[]
The Remake universe (tentative) comprises of trilogy of remakes of the original games released by Capcom. This universe serves as an alternate timeline for the prime universe, sharing similar canon among each other.
Unlike the Resident Evil remake released in 2001, the remake trilogy are more of a re-imagining, polishing the same script while redesigning story design, locations, characters, and so on.
- Resident Evil 2 (2019)
- Resident Evil 3 (2020)
- Resident Evil 4 (2023)
Flagship[]
Following production of Resident Evil 2, Noboru Sugimura collaborated with various tokusatsu writers to develop what eventually became the Prime Universe's story bible. These expanded universe stories (consisting mostly of audio dramas) were created with oversight from Flagship Co., Ltd. to insightfully explore and develop the expanded universe for fans, however the stories themselves were treated as non-canon by the creators, with later game scripts free to openly contradict them.
- BIO HAZARD The Wicked North Sea (1998)
- The Doomed Raccoon City VOL.1 (1998)
- The Doomed Raccoon City VOL.2 (1998)
- The Doomed Raccoon City VOL.3 (1998)
- The Little Runaway Sherry (1999)
- Ada the female spy lives (1999)
- BIOHAZARD 4D-EXECUTER (2000)
Makino[]
The Makino continuity consists of a two-part Umbrella Chronicles novelization and a novelization for the CG film Resident Evil: Damnation penned by Osamu Makino. Much like the earlier Flagship material, Makino's works were written with the oversight of the staff of both products. Thus, these novelizations are viewed as "soft canon" to the franchise, largely due to their expansion on the backstory of several characters and the overall world lore, whilst still free to be contradicted in later Prime universe material.
- Biohazard The Umbrella Chronicles SIDE A (2007)
- Biohazard The Umbrella Chronicles SIDE B (2008)
- Biohazard DAMNATION (2012)
Makoto[]
The Makoto continuity consists of a single entry, the novelization of the film Resident Evil: Vendetta. As the novelization was penned by the sole writer of the film, Fukami Makoto (likely with oversight from Hiroyuki Kobayashi), it too is viewed as "soft canon" to the Prime universe.
- BIOHAZARD VENDETTA (2017)
The Beginning[]
BIO HAZARD The Beginning was a licensed novel released in 1997 as a prequel to Resident Evil (1996). It's heavily altered English translation was included in several promotional materials for the game in Western markets and used as a basis for S.D. Perry's novel series and Marvel's one-shot comic, including the characters of Billy Rabbitson and the McGee sisters (Priscilla & Becky). Although several elements from the Japanese edition were carried over into future canon projects, the book overall is now largely seen as being out of continuity.
- BIO HAZARD The Beginning (1997)
Makoba[]
The Makoba continuity consists of the eight-episode Tragedy of Makoba Village radio play. As it pre-dates Noboru Sugimura's story bible and the establishment of Flagship Co., Ltd., Makoba Village is viewed in a similar light to BIO HAZARD The Beginning and the later Flagship audio dramas.
Gaia[]
The Gaia continuity consists of the stage production, Voice of Gaia which was written out of continuity with the Prime universe to give itself artistic freedom.
Gaiden[]
The Gaiden continuity consists of the singular handheld game developed by the now defunct British company M4 Limited. The game's narrative was written by Hiroki Katō, the director of Resident Evil CODE:Veronica and overseen by Shinji Mikami, despite this, the game is considered overwhelmingly non-canon, thus the name: "Gaiden" (外伝) meaning "side story" or "tale".
- Resident Evil Gaiden (2001)
Operation Raccoon City[]
The Operation Raccoon City continuity is compromised of the online multiplayer shooter title of the same name which was developed by Slant Six Games before their shutdown and certain elements of the now defunct Inserted Evil ARG campaign (2011). It is an alternate take on the stories of Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3: Nemesis, following the opposing Wolfpack and Echo Six teams, in which players can influence the outcome at the end of each scenario, with two choices per each. The game features numerous original expansions to the world and lore of this alternate reality.
Perry[]
The Perry continuity encompasses a series of seven novels written by S.D. Perry that take place in their own continuity albeit one that borrows heavily from the lore established by the BradyGames translations published for earlier titles in the franchise:
- Resident Evil: The Umbrella Conspiracy (1998)
- Resident Evil: Caliban Cove (1998)
- Resident Evil: City of the Dead (1999)
- Resident Evil: Underworld (1999)
- Resident Evil: Nemesis (2000)
- Resident Evil CODE:Veronica (2001)
- Resident Evil: Zero Hour (2004)
Anderson[]
The Anderson continuity encompasses a series of six films largely both written and directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, produced by Jeremy Bolt and starring Milla Jovovich. There have been discrepancies over the years regarding the lore, timeline and status of characters: particularly in regard to information exclusive to promotional material and/or props.
- Resident Evil (2002)
- Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004)
- Resident Evil: Extinction (2007)
- Resident Evil: Afterlife (2010)
- Resident Evil: Retribution (2012)
- Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2017)
DeCandido[]
The DeCandido continuity consists of three novelizations of the Anderson films, with a significant inclusion of original characters and an emphasis on fleshing out character backgrounds and plot elements in an attempt to smoothly bridge the gap between the films.
- Resident Evil: Genesis (2003)
- Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004)
- Resident Evil: Extinction (2007)
Shirley[]
The Shirley continuity consists of a single entry, the novelization of the film Resident Evil: Retribution. This universe is a rough amalgamation of the established Anderson and DeCandido universes.
Waggoner[]
The Waggoner continuity consists of a single entry, the novelization of the film Resident Evil: The Final Chapter.
Roberts[]
The Roberts continuity encompasses the Welcome to Raccoon City film, directed by Johannes Roberts and produced by Constantin Film.
Netflix[]
The Netflix continuity consists of a single entry, the eight-episode television series Resident Evil.
- Resident Evil (2022)
WildStorm[]
The WildStorm continuity consists of four comic book series, encompassing nineteen issues in total. Wildstorm also published an English translation of the Tinhangse BIOHAZARD CODE: Veronica manhua in 2001.
- Resident Evil: The Official Comic Magazine (1998-1999)
- Resident Evil: Fire and Ice (2000-2001)
- Resident Evil Vol 2 (2009-2011)
Marvel[]
The Marvel Comics continuity consists of a single one-shot. The comic serves as a prequel to promote Resident Evil and exists separately of any main Marvel Comics continuity, it was based on notes provided by Capcom USA and was not overseen by the Japanese developers.
- Resident Evil (1997)
King's Fountain[]
The King's Fountain continuity consists of 60 manhua issues. The first fifteen are loose adaptations of Resident Evil 2, with the plot continuing on to tackle material from Resident Evil and add in fantasy elements such as deities and talking dragons.
- BIO HAZARD 2 (1998)
Tinhangse[]
The Tinhangse Publishing (aka SkyWalker Comics) continuity consists of a number of manhua series that very loosely adapts the events of Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil 3: Nemesis and Resident Evil CODE:Veronica, with several notable changes to the overall story, character arcs and sub-plots.
- BIOHAZARD 3 LAST ESCAPE (1999)
- BIOHAZARD 3 SUPPLEMENTAL EDITION (1999)
- BIOHAZARD CODE:Veronica (2000)
Yulang[]
The Yulang Group continuity consists of the following manhua series, it is most known for it's very controversial changes to the story, explicit hyper-stylized art and notable adult content, unlike the previous manhua series, biohazard 0 was never finished and was dropped mid-run.
- biohazard 0 (2003)
Marvel vs Capcom (Earth-30847)[]
The Marvel vs. Capcom continuity (officially known as Earth-30847 in accordance to Marvel's reality number system) is a universe where Marvel characters and superheroes co-exist with characters from various Capcom properties and universes (such as Street Fighter, Mega Man, Darkstalkers, Ghosts N' Goblins, Devil May Cry, Strider, Okami, Viewtiful Joe, Dead Rising, Monster Hunter, Bionic Commando and Ace Attorney).
Unlike many of the other timelines established on this list, the MvC universe lacks much true "continuity", with most games acting independently of one another in terms of story, lore, character history, the nature of the amalgam universe and the reasons for the franchises existing congruently changing between titles.
So far, the series has introduced the following elements: Jill Valentine, the Special Tactics and Rescue Service, Green herbs, Zombies, Crows, Cerberus, the Tyrant (T-002), the Bioterrorism Security Assessment Alliance, Chris Redfield, Albert Wesker, the P30 device, the Silver Ghost pistol, Beretta 92F Custom 'Samurai Edge', MercWorx Goliath knife, Smith & Wesson Model 29 magnum, Ithaca M37 shotgun, Škorpion vz. 61 submachine gun, RPG-7, Milkor MGL Mk.1, Stun Rod, Incendiary Grenade, Proximity Bomb, and the Shango Satellite Laser, TRICELL, Licker β, Executioner Majini, Claire Redfield, Leon S. Kennedy, HUNK, the Mansion Incident, the Spencer Estate, Raccoon City, the Uroboros Virus, Barry Burton, Excella Gionne, Ricardo Irving, Lisa Trevor, Sheva, Alexia, the Umbrella Corporation and the Nemesis T-Type.
The Marvel vs. Capcom continuity consists of several cross-over games featuring Marvel Comics and Capcom characters.
- The Punisher (1993)
- X-Men: Children of the Atom (1994)
- X-Men: Mutant Apocalypse (1995)
- Marvel Super Heroes (1995)
- Marvel Super Heroes: War of the Gems (1996)
- X-Men vs. Street Fighter (1996)
- Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter (1997)
- Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes(1998)
- Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes (2002)
- Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds (2011)
- Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds (2011, tie-in comic)
- Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 (2011)
- Spider-Verse, Volume #1, Issue #5: "It's Showtime" (2015)
- Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite (2017)
- Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite: Infinite Horizons (2017, tie-in comic)
- Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics (2024, tie-in comic)
Monolith Soft (Namco ✕ Capcom ✕ Sega)[]
The Monolith Soft continuity consists of characters from numerous Capcom, Sega and Bandai Namco series (such as Dino Crisis, Tekken, Rival Schools, Soul Calibur, God Eater, .hack//, Xenosaga, The House of the Dead, and Shenmue) living in several interconnected dimensions.
So far, the series has introduced the following elements: Bruce McGivern, Fong Ling, Zombies, the Spencer Rain, Umbrella, Chris Redfield, Jill Valentine, Ooze, Nemesis-T Type, Tyrant T-002, Super Tyrant, Hunter α, the Queen Zenobia, Bioterrorism Security Assessment Alliance, Raccoon City Police Department, Special Tactics and Rescue Service, Veltro, the Mansion Incident, Raccoon City, the Genesis, First Aid Spray, Hydra shotgun, Pale Rider magnum, the Nemesis parasite, Leon S. Kennedy, Ada Wong, Pincer, Ustanak, Tricorne, Tall Oaks Cathedral, Hunnigan, Ashley, Claire, Neo Umbrella, Division of Security Operations, Raccoon City Zombie Outbreak, the "Original Eleven", Bear Keychain, t-Abyss, and the Muramasa.
The Monolith Soft continuity consists of several cross-over games featuring Namco and Capcom characters:
- Namco ✕ Capcom (2005)
- Project X Zone (2012)
- Project X Zone 2: Brave New World (2015)
TEPPEN[]
The TEPPEN continuity consists of characters from numerous Capcom franchises (such as Street Fighter, Darkstalkers, Monster Hunter, Devil May Cry, Sengoku BASARA, Mega Man X, Onimusha, Breath of Fire, Okami, Ace Attorney, Strider, Dino Crisis, Bionic Commando, Ghosts N Goblins, Red Earth, Cannon Spike and Dead Rising) existing together in a fantastical post-apocalyptic world.
So far, the series has introduced the following elements: Jill Valentine, Ada Wong, Albert Wesker, Claire Redfield, Leon S. Kennedy, Rebecca Chambers, Chris Redfield, Tyrant (T-002), Zombies, Hunters, Oswell E. Spencer, HUNK, Reynard Fisher, the Executioner Majini, William Birkin, Carlos Olivera, Mikhail Viktor, Tyrant (T-103), Nemesis-T Type, Enrico Marini, Forest Speyer, Crows, Billy Coen, Barry Burton, Joseph Frost, Yawn, Majini, Richard Aiken, Sherry Birkin, Jack Krauser, Proto Tyrant, Cerberus, Brian Irons, G-Adult, Alexia Ashford, Alexander Ashford, Dee-Ay, Willow, Harley, Shona, Party Girl, Tweed, Lupo, Vector, Beltway, Four Eyes, Spectre, Bertha, Licker, Sliding Worm, Nicholai Ginovaef, Tyrell Patrick, James Marcus, Leeches, Neptune, Super Tyrant (T-103), G-Young, Giant Infected Worm, Brad Vickers, Lisa Trevor, Stinger, Ivy, Eliminator, Infected Bat, Piers Nivans, HAOS, Rodrigo Juan Raval, Alfred Ashford, Nosferatu, Bandersnatch, Excella Gionne, Uroboros Aheri, Marvin Branagh, Ashley Graham, Ganado, Manuela Hidalgo, Jake Muller, Luis Sera, Ogroman, Hilda Hidalgo, Bitores Méndez, Sheva Alomar, Josh Stone, Wasp, Plant 42, Giant Moth, Verdugo, Popokarimu, Ndesu, Indigenous Majini, Kipepeo, Ricardo Irving, Zealot, Adjule, Instigator Majini, Robert Kendo, Emma Kendo, Nathaniel Bard, Annette Birkin, Sergei Vladimir, Ivan, Hunter γ, Drain Deimos, Regenerator, Moira Burton, Natalia Korda, Afflicted, Evgeny Rebic, Lottie, Alex Wesker, Ustanak, Chainsaw Ganado, Vulcanblubber, Garrador, Revenant, Alligator, Gina Foley, Glasp, Neil Fisher, Pedro Fernandez, Rasklapanje, Scagdead, Del Lago, Orthrus, Ironhead, Licker β, Osmund Saddler, El Gigante, Malacoda, Keith Lumley, Quint Cetcham, Parker Luciani, Rachel Foley, Jessica Sherawat, Clive R. O'Brian, Raymond Vester, Farfarello, Ooze, Alcina Dimitrescu, Bela Dimitrescu, Daniela Dimitrescu, Cassandra Dimitrescu, Moroaicǎ, Samcă, Grigori Stan, Elena Lupa, The Duke, Soldat Eins, Lycan, Vârcolac, Uriaș, Salvatore Moreau, Hauler, Soldat Jet, Luiza, T-A.L.O.S., Karl Heisenberg, Miranda, The Hag, Armadura, Angie, Donna Beneviento, Baby, NIGHTHAWK, Ark Thompson, Ingrid Hunnigan, Daniel Fabron, Adam Benford, Andre Stickland, Peter Walken, Derek C. Simmons, J'avo, Fong Ling, Bruce McGivern, Green Herb, First Aid Spray, Vaccine Sample, EMF Visualizer, Umbrella, Raccoon City, Creepy Old Castle, Vile Reservoir, Abyssal Factory, House of Nightmares.
The TEPPEN continuity consists of several cross-over games featuring Capcom characters:
- TEPPEN (2019)
Dead By Daylight[]
The Dead By Daylight continuity consists of characters and locales from numerous horror franchises (such as Silent Hill, Left 4 Dead, Halloween, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Stranger Things, Hellraiser, Evil Dead, Saw, The Ring, Scream, and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre) being pulled into a singular dimension by an eldritch being known only as "The Entity".
So far, the series has introduced the following elements: Jill Valentine, Leon S. Kennedy, The Nemesis, Zombies, Chris Redfield, Claire Redfield, the Raccoon Police Station, Flash Grenades, the S.T.A.R.S. Field Combat Manual, Admin Wristband, Visitor Wristband, Recovery Coin, Ink Ribbon, S.T.A.R.S. Badge, T-Virus, the Umbrella Corporation, Marvin Branagh, Robert Kendo, Dr. Matt Gorkis, Brian Irons, Mikhail, Licker, Plant 43, T-002 Tyrant, T-103 Tyrant, Raccoon City, Arklay Mountains, S.T.A.R.S., NE-α Parasite, Ada Wong, Rebecca Chambers, The Mastermind (Albert Wesker), Carlos Oliveira, Sheva Alomar, HUNK, Arklay Research Facility, Kijuju Autonomous Zone, the Uroboros virus, Jewel Beetle, Chalice (Gold), Unicorn Medallion, Lion Medallion, Maiden Medallion, Portable Safe, Green Herb, Red Herb, Egg (Gold), Bioterrorism Security Assessment Alliance, Los Illuminados, Las Plagas, and Ricardo Irving.
- Dead By Daylight: CHAPTER 20: Resident Evil™ (2021)
- Dead By Daylight: CHAPTER 25: Resident Evil™: PROJECT W (2022)
Fortnite[]
The Fortnite continuity consists of characters from various franchise such as Street Fighter and Resident Evil, existing together in a fantastical universe.
So far, the series has introduced the following elements: Chris Redfield, Jill Valentine, Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield.
- Fortnite (2017)
BIOHAZARD 1.5[]
The 1.5 continuity covers Capcom's original idea for the "prime" universe prior to Noboru Sugimura and Flagship's involvement. It consists of:
- Inside of BIO-HAZARD notes (1997)
- BIOHAZARD 2 (1997)
Confidential Report[]
The Confidential Report continuity consists of a mobile phone game released for the.
BAKAHAZA[]
BAKAHAZA is a parody game based on the original game, but with the roles instead being played by the cast of Bakabon.
- BAKAHAZA (2000)
Bioroid[]
Bioroid was a 2000 musical parody of Resident Evil.
- Bioroid: Year Zero (2000)
BIOHAZARD Rose Blank[]
Rose Blank was a novel by Tadashi Aizawa which was a "Gold"-winning entry in the BIOHAZARD Grand Novel Prize awards, a competition for fan fiction to be officially published.
- BIOHAZARD Rose Blank (2002)
BIOHAZARD to the Liberty[]
To The Liberty was a light novel by Suiren Kimura which was a "Gold"-winning entry in the BIOHAZARD Grand Novel Prize awards, a competition for fan fiction to be officially published. It was initially submitted under the working title "BIOHAZARD Statue of Liberty".
- BIOHAZARD to the Liberty (2002)
Sources[]
| |||||||||||