Tekken's Harada Seeking Jobs on LinkedIn
Rumors of Exit from Bandai
Tekken director Katsuhiro Harada has sparked rumors of leaving Bandai Namco after 30 years with the company by posting on LinkedIn that he is looking for new job opportunities. The 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 profile. In his recent post, Harada stated he is open to new positions and is #OpenToWork. His profile picture also features the #OpenToWork frame. He is seeking roles such as Executive Producer, Game Director, Business Development, Vice President, or Marketing positions, all based in Tokyo.
This announcement has caused concern among fans about Harada's future and the direction of the Tekken series, leading to numerous comments and tags on his LinkedIn post seeking clarification.
Harada Responds: No Need to Worry
Known for his active engagement on social media, Harada quickly addressed the rumors on X (Twitter). He clarified that he is not leaving Bandai Namco but is instead looking to expand his professional network. In response to a fan's query, Harada stated, "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 explained that enabling the #OpenToWork feature on LinkedIn is a way to connect with more industry professionals.
This clarification should reassure Tekken fans, who can look forward to the continued growth and evolution of the series. The recent collaboration between Tekken 8 and Final Fantasy 16, featuring protagonist Clive Rosfield as a new fighter and other FF16 characters like Jill, Joshua, and even Nektar the Moogle through skins and accessories, is a testament to Harada's vision for the franchise. Expanding his network is likely to bring fresh ideas and collaborations to the beloved series.
