Katsuhiro Harada, the renowned director behind the iconic 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 to indicate he is #OpenToWork, seeking new opportunities in roles such as Executive Producer, Game Director, Business Development, Vice President, or Marketing, all based in Tokyo. This news was first highlighted by the Japanese video game news account Genki_JPN on X (formerly Twitter), which shared a screenshot of Harada's LinkedIn post.
The announcement has caused concern among Tekken fans, many of whom expressed their worries and sought confirmation from Harada directly on social media. However, Harada, known for his active engagement on X, quickly addressed the rumors. He clarified that he is not leaving Bandai Namco but is instead looking to expand his professional network and collaborate with more individuals in 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," Harada explained, noting that enabling the #OpenToWork feature on LinkedIn allows him to connect with a broader audience.
This clarification should reassure fans about the future of the Tekken series. Harada's desire to broaden his network could lead to exciting new collaborations and innovations for the franchise. A recent example of such collaboration is the integration of Final Fantasy 16's protagonist, Clive Rosfield, into Tekken 8 as a playable fighter, along with other characters like Jill and Joshua, and even Nektar the Moogle, available through skins and accessories. As Harada continues to expand his professional connections, fans can look forward to more dynamic developments and enhancements to the beloved Tekken series.
