Earlier today, we reported that well-known leaker AestheticGamer, aka Dusk Golem, posted a lengthy statement insisting that Leon will appear in Resident Evil 9 and will even be a playable character.

Despite the widespread scepticism online, he was adamant, saying he couldn’t understand why Capcom would hide a central character (Leon) from a big title and use him merely as a gimmick.

However, everything was suddenly settled. Dusk Golem shared a leaked pre-order/pre-load cover image from the PlayStation Store, and Leon is prominently featured on the cover.

“This time, PlayStation really accidentally leaked Leon’s appearance in Resident Evil: Requiem. I’ve checked with several people, and I can confirm that this is indeed real. If you own the PS5 standard edition (not the deluxe edition) of Resident Evil 9, you can see this cover when you try to pre-order the pre-load.”

Foreign media outlet IGN has verified the authenticity of the image, confirming that Leon’s appearance is absolutely genuine. On the cover, a weathered Leon stands behind another protagonist, Grace Ashcroft, his design strongly resembling his iconic look in Resident Evil 4.

Afterwards, multiple netizens also confirmed that the image is indeed real:

Rumours about Leon’s appearance have persisted for months. As early as Gamescom in August, Capcom deliberately avoided IGN’s questions about the character. Developers even hinted that Leon is now a battle-hardened veteran, making it difficult for him to display fear in quieter, horror-focused chapters convincingly—but they always left room for him to show up, likely in more action-heavy segments.

The above content is compiled by ModeZone, a fashion and entertainment magazine.