Tekken 8 Director Broke an Unstated Rule at Bandai Namco

Tekken 8 director Katsuhiro Harada's unwavering dedication to the franchise has sometimes clashed with Bandai Namco's internal structure. Known for his rebellious spirit and refusal to compromise, even when facing fan backlash, Harada's approach hasn't always been fully embraced by the company. His strong-willed nature, honed from a childhood spent secretly playing games against his parents' wishes, has carried over into his career. Even their initial tears at his Bandai Namco employment couldn't dampen his passion.

Despite his seniority, Harada defied unspoken company norms. Previously assigned to Bandai Namco's publishing division, he actively steered the future of Tekken, defying the typical transition of lead developers into management roles. He essentially disregarded departmental boundaries to remain involved, even though Tekken wasn't officially under his purview.

This rebellious spirit extended to his Tekken team, who Harada jokingly refers to as "outlaws" within Bandai Namco. Their unwavering commitment to the Tekken series, however, has undoubtedly contributed to the franchise's enduring success.

Harada's tenure as the fiercely independent leader of the Tekken project may soon conclude, with Tekken 9 potentially marking his retirement from the gaming industry. The question remains: can his successor maintain the legacy he's forged?