OKAMI is a game that primarily invokes the true spirit of Japan. In it, the message that it is largely trying to convey is one that begs the masses to return to their ideologies and traditional values that made Japan strong.
Through the game, several figures from Japanese Shinto mythology make their appearance, including Izanagi and Izanami (in the forms of Nagi and Nami), Amaterasu (in her form as Shiranui from Japanese myth) and Susano-O (in the form of Susano). Their tale as presented in the game is far and away from the telling in traditional myth (at least in the case of Nagi and Nami), but is still prominent enough to be considered plausible enough for inclusion. Issunboshi (One-Inch Priest) also makes an appearance in the tale in the form of Issun, though he does not have his wish of becoming a full-sized person granted at the end of the tale.
Several other references to prominent Japanese myth make their way into the game, including the use of the famous archer Yoichi, the eight Satomi Warriors (although they were transformed into dogs for the purposes of the game) and even Otohime and Urashima, famous for their encounter with the Dragon King under the oceans.
As stated prior, however, the prominent theme of OKAMI is one that encourages returns to previous beliefs. Throughout the game, there are constant references to Japanese history, though represented through fairly creative means. The most notable of these would be the fight against Yami, which is a large spherical creature with several different forms that are all somewhat technological. However, its dark, destructive force only presents itself after much strife and hardship, much like when America breached the borders of Japan first in 1868 at the start of the Meiji Revolution and in 1945 when the atomic bombs were dropped on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
After these events, some Japanese felt a loss of their identity and a loss of faith in the gods (as symbolized by Yami stripping Amaterasu of her powers during the second stage of the fight). Afterward, by spreading the word of Amaterasu and the things that she accomplished for all the people she met, it was through their renewed belief and faith in her that restored her power. It can be argued that this is similar to Japan trying to rebuild its faith in its people after World War II. It was largely believed that since the Kamikaze (or Divine Wind) was what was guiding Japan in its battles against the Allied Nations, the bombings in Nagasaki and Hiroshima were the gods' vengeance on the people, but in the end, they were able to rebuild their sense of national pride by putting their faith back in the gods and their government, allowing to become the world leader that it has today.
That is not to say that moralistic and philosophical principals are not in play here. The concept of helping others and familial ties are still somewhat shown throughout the game. Amaterasu constantly helps those in need, often times going out of her way and putting herself in constant danger for the cause. However, the ideas of religious belief and ties to one's national heritage and pride are the most prominent throughout, providing for a very charged game under the guise of a beautifully rendered adaptation of Japanese myth.
