Tekken Director Stays True to Bandai Namco

Tekken Director Katsuhiro Harada's LinkedIn Activity Sparks Speculation

Katsuhiro Harada, the director of the renowned Tekken fighting game series, recently updated his LinkedIn profile, indicating he's "open to work" and seeking new opportunities. This sparked immediate speculation online, with many fans fearing his departure from Bandai Namco, his employer of 30 years.

A screenshot of Harada's LinkedIn profile, shared on X (formerly Twitter) by the Japanese gaming news account Genki_JPN, showed he's actively seeking roles such as Executive Producer, Game Director, Business Development, Vice President, or Marketing positions, all based in Tokyo. The profile prominently displayed the #OpenToWork tag.

This news understandably caused concern among Tekken fans, leading to a flurry of comments and tags on social media seeking clarification from Harada himself.

Harada Responds: No Cause for Alarm

Ever active on social media, Harada quickly addressed the swirling rumors. He clarified that he's not leaving Bandai Namco but rather aims to expand his professional network and collaborate with more individuals within the gaming industry. He stated his intention to meet more people and broaden his horizons, explaining that activating the "open to work" feature on LinkedIn was simply a means to achieve this goal.

Positive Implications for Tekken's Future

This move could potentially benefit the Tekken franchise. Harada's increased networking could lead to exciting collaborations and fresh creative input. The recent successful crossover with Final Fantasy XVI, featuring Clive Rosfield as a playable character and other FFXVI characters as cosmetic options, demonstrates the potential for such collaborations to enrich the Tekken experience. A wider professional network could only enhance future installments of the series.