Shinji Mikami
Shinji Mikami stated that the game's graphics were partially inspired by "Casshern", a 1970s anime series by Tatsunoko Production. Mikami also stated that the game design itself was inspired by "Casshern". Mikami originally wanted to create a game just like "Casshern", but with the addition of guns, since Mikami had already previously created a brawler with "God Hand". However, while making "Vanquish" a shooter, Mikami still wanted to maintain "Casshern"s "feeling of speed", which is the reason he introduced the sliding-boost mechanic. "Vanquish" uses the Havok physics engine.