Harada Stays: Tekken Director Not Seeking New Job

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 by posting on LinkedIn that he is looking for new job opportunities. The news was first noticed by the Japanese video game news account Genki_JPN on X (formerly Twitter), who shared a screenshot of Harada's LinkedIn profile. In his recent post, Harada indicated he is #OpenToWork and is seeking roles such as Executive Producer, Game Director, Business Development, Vice President, or a Marketing position, all based in Tokyo.

This announcement has caused concern among fans about Harada's future and the direction of the Tekken series. Many fans have reached out on social media, tagging Harada for confirmation and expressing their worries.

Harada Responds: No Need to Worry

Known for his active engagement on social media, Harada quickly addressed the speculation about his departure from Bandai Namco. He clarified that he is not leaving the company but is instead looking to expand his network and collaborate with more industry professionals. In response to a fan's inquiry on the news post, 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 option on LinkedIn allows him to connect with more people on the platform.

With Harada's clarification, Tekken fans can breathe a sigh of relief and look forward to potential growth and new collaborations for the series. Recently, Tekken 8 showcased a collaboration with Final Fantasy 16, introducing protagonist Clive Rosfield as a playable character. Other characters from FF16, including Jill, Joshua, and even Nektar the Moogle, are available through skins and accessories. Harada's efforts to broaden his network are likely to bring fresh ideas and exciting developments to the beloved franchise.