Tekken 8 director Katsuhiro Harada's unwavering dedication to the series sometimes clashed with Bandai Namco's corporate structure. Known for his rebellious spirit among fans, Harada admits his staunch commitment to Tekken wasn't always understood, and may have even unintentionally caused friction with colleagues.
Harada's independent streak is well-documented. He recounts, in an interview with the late Satoru Iwata, how his parents initially disapproved of his gaming passion and his subsequent career in the industry, even shedding tears when he joined Bandai Namco as an arcade game promoter.
His strong-willed nature continued even after gaining seniority. In a Twitter post, Harada revealed a reassignment to Bandai Namco's publishing division as head of global business development. However, he defied unspoken company norms by continuing to actively shape the future of Tekken, bucking the trend of developers transitioning solely to management. This involved working outside his official responsibilities and even across different departments.
The Tekken Team: Bandai Namco's "Outlaws"
Harada's rebellious attitude seemingly influenced his team, leading to the Tekken Project being labeled "outlaws" by upper management. While acknowledging their independent nature, Harada believes their unwavering dedication to each Tekken game significantly contributed to the franchise's enduring success.
However, Harada's era as the rebellious Tekken leader may be ending. He's stated that Tekken 9 will be his final project before retirement. Whether his successor can maintain his legacy remains to be seen.
