The psychological/paranormal thriller game series makes a significant return. The Silent Hill f developers and producer presented previously unseen footage and addressed fan inquiries from social media during the Konami panel at Anime Expo 2025 this weekend. Attendees of Anime Expo were treated to insights regarding the upcoming Silent Hill entry from notable guests: series producer Motoi Okamoto, Silent Hill f script writer Ryukishi07, and renowned series musical composer Akira Yamaoka. The panel occurred at the JW Marriott Platinum Ballroom in downtown Los Angeles.

Silent Hill f follows Hinako Shimizu, a teenage girl grappling with societal expectations, as she maneuvers through her hometown of Ebisugaoka, now enveloped in fog and experiencing a chilling transformation. Players will need to uncover secrets, confront otherworldly dangers, and face choices that will influence Hinako’s destiny.

The creative team behind the new entry in the Silent Hill franchise discussed behind-the-scenes details about the creation of this eerie new world and responded to selected fan questions from social media. Okamoto-san, Ryukishi07-san, and Yamaoka-san began expressing their enthusiasm with Anime Expo participants. “This isn’t a live concert, but we’re excited to show you what we’ve prepared,” Yamaoka-san remarked.

One of the main initial inquiries fans raised about Silent Hill f was regarding its setting in Japan. Okamoto-san clarified, “Silent Hill has always blended both Western and Japanese influences. We believe we lost some Japanese elements along the journey. Therefore, we aimed for a fully Japanese theme for this one.” This was a valid viewpoint as the creators sought a fresh backdrop, opting for a familiar environment. Kanayama, Gero in Gifu Prefecture, inspired the game’s location. Ryukishi07 selected it for its architecture and “labyrinthine” streets, as referenced in the Silent Hill Transmission video from March 13, 2025.

Okamoto-san addressed a fan inquiry about whether Silent Hill f would incorporate more psychological or paranormal aspects. He made an amusing analogy, stating that Silent Hill f is akin to “a tossed and mixed salad.” Numerous ingredients are combined into a salad, resulting in a chaotic mix initially. However, if one allows the salad to sit for a while, specific components start to separate, revealing layers. Okamoto-san suggested there may be more lurking behind the fog in the game than meets the eye.

Then, Ryukishi07-san elaborated on his character development process for Silent Hill f’s cast. “For character creation, I aimed to divide and compartmentalize them this time—each character has unique characteristics.” He further mentioned how this was “a complex, thoughtful inspiration for the game.” A video showcased Hinako interacting with a classmate while walking through a rice paddy, illustrating some of the richer character exchanges with the protagonist and other residents of the town.

Next, Yamaoka-san discussed his vision for the game’s audio, focusing on music. He remarked, “I wanted to adopt a truest Japanese methodology, not just by incorporating some Japanese instruments. Instead, my emphasis was on Japanese styles and nuances.” Subsequently, Yamaoka-san responded to a fan question regarding whether he drew from older influences for Silent Hill f’s music or if he found new inspirations. “Silent Hill has existed for 25 years. When I began, my aim was to constantly break boundaries, and I was commended for