Tekken Director Harada Not Seeking New Employment

Katsuhiro Harada, the renowned director of the Tekken series, has sparked rumors of a potential departure from Bandai Namco after 30 years with the company. The speculation began when Harada updated his LinkedIn profile, indicating he is #OpenToWork and seeking new opportunities in roles such as Executive Producer, Game Director, Business Development, Vice President, or Marketing, all based in Tokyo. This move was first noticed by the Japanese video game news account Genki_JPN on X (formerly Twitter), who shared a screenshot of Harada's LinkedIn post.

The gaming community, particularly Tekken fans, expressed concern over Harada's job search and what it might mean for the future of the iconic fighting game series. Many fans tagged Harada on social media, seeking clarification and confirmation about his status with Bandai Namco.

Harada Clarifies His Intentions

Addressing the rumors swiftly, Harada used his active presence on X (Twitter) to clarify that he is not leaving Bandai Namco. Instead, he explained that he is looking to expand his network within the industry. "I meet a lot of people on a regular basis (but I don't actually have that many friends in my private world LOL), I just want to meet more people and expand my horizons in the future," he stated. Harada emphasized that enabling the #OpenToWork feature on LinkedIn is simply a way for him to connect with more industry professionals.

This clarification should reassure Tekken fans, who can look forward to the continued development and potential growth of the franchise. Recent collaborations, such as the one with Final Fantasy 16 in Tekken 8, featuring protagonist Clive Rosfield and other characters like Jill, Joshua, and even Nektar the Moogle through skins and accessories, showcase the exciting direction the series is heading. With Harada's intention to broaden his network, fans can anticipate even more innovative collaborations and fresh ideas in future Tekken releases.