http://kotaku.com/5031803/tomonobu-itagaki-mehs-okami-respects-kutaragi#viewcomments

Yesterday, Devil May Cry creator Hideki Kamiya didn't exactly have kind words for Ninja Gaiden. They weren't mean per se, they just weren't kind. Kamiya said he's "not interested" in NG so perhaps you could say he is indifferent. In the same issue of EGM, former Team Ninja lead ninja Tomonobu Itagaki has this to say about Kamiya and his game Okami:

My daughter tried playing Okami, and she got sick of it pretty quickly-and I got pretty sick of it, too. And I'm not out to make this an Okami bashing session or anything — I'm just saying that it didn't feel like it had much of a spirit. It's unique, but it's not a powerful fighter plane... So I heard Kamiya said something about the action genre not moving forward in eight years. Can you tell me more about that?

Apparently, Kamiya said the action genre hasn't moved forward since the release of the first Devil May Cry. To which Itagaki replied:

Was he asleep for eight years? ...There are two types of people out there who like to make controversial, splashy comments. There are those who are truly outspoken, and there are those who are just trying to cover up for there weaknesses. We have a saying here in Japan — "the weaker dog barks more" — and I sincerely also like to remind him to make sure to stay awake for the next years.

Knives out! Oh, and as a special bonus, Itagaki also offered sound-bytes on why he makes Xbox 360 games:

First of al, I think that the PS3 was an attempt by [former Sony chairman and CEO Ken] Kutaragi to create a uniquely Japanese computer to take on the intel standard; in that sense, I have a lot of respect for him. But to me, having a fighter that's powerful and easy to pilot makes it easy to win. That's my main goal, and thats why I choose to pilot 360.

...and on what he's been up to lately:

I've been taking pictures, working on my model trains, drinking, of course, and gambling. And that's what things have been lately. But you know me — I'm not just going to sit back. No, I'm definitely going to make something very soon. The great, wide expanse of the skies awaits.

Wow, Itagaki is into model trains. Did not know that. I guess you really do learn something new everyday.

Thanks dmitsuki for the tip!

itagaki ?  the NG producer?

honestly this is just childish to down play your competition like that

ZOMG Itagaki turned alcoholic lol JK, And he "pilots" 360 because of M$ pockets.

Wow. I never knew the creator of DMC really hated his genre that much. Go Itagaki. Guy actually has the guts to tell the truth.

This is the same Itagaki that bashes the Tekken series

Cry baby, I swear. He has two mediocre franchises and then acts like he is a god.

Miyamoto could talk shit.
Inafune could too.
Kamiya has real style.
Suda 51 has style and is truly outspoken where he should be, in his art, in his games.

Itagaki thinks he's so great, he should save it for his games...

We have a saying in the U.S., the dog who barks the loudest has the weakest bite.

I wonder where Montana is?
Ontopic: I'm slowly losing more and more respect for Itagaki now...

i like itagaki's games but okami>>>>>anything he's done

Meh.
DOA and NG and DMC are amazing series so thank you Itagaki/Kamiya.

OF COURSE he's gonna downplay Okami. It's made by the same guy that made Devil May Cry and since DMC and NG are always compared to one another, he is going to downplay one of Kamiya's other games to bring down his name in general. I can't wait to see what he says about Bayonnetta (Kamiya's next DMC like game), I'm not saying that it'll be good or not, but chances are, even if it is great and redefines the genre, he'll find something to hate on it. Haters always find something to hate on.