Tekken's Harada Seeking Jobs on LinkedIn
Rumors of Exit from Bandai
Tekken director Katsuhiro Harada has sparked speculation about his future after posting on LinkedIn that he is looking for new job opportunities. This move has fueled rumors of his potential departure from Bandai Namco, where he has spent the last 30 years and helped build the iconic Tekken series.
The news was first reported by the Japanese video game news account Genki_JPN on X (formerly Twitter), who shared a screenshot of Harada's LinkedIn profile. In a recent post, Harada indicated that he is #OpenToWork and is seeking roles such as Executive Producer, Game Director, Business Development, Vice President, or a Marketing position, with a preference for positions based in Tokyo.
This announcement has caused concern among fans, who have flooded the comments section of the post, seeking confirmation from the Tekken director about his future with the series.
Harada Responds: Nothing to Worry About
Known for his active engagement on social media, Harada quickly addressed the swirling rumors about his departure from Bandai Namco. He clarified that he has no intention of leaving the company and is simply looking to expand his professional network. Responding to a fan's query on X, 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 emphasized that enabling the #OpenToWork option on LinkedIn is a way for him to connect with more individuals in the industry.
With these assurances, Tekken fans can breathe a sigh of relief and look forward to further developments in the beloved franchise. Recent collaborations, such as the integration of Final Fantasy 16's protagonist Clive Rosfield as a fighter in Tekken 8, along with skins and accessories featuring characters like Jill, Joshua, and even Nektar the Moogle, highlight the potential benefits of Harada's expanded network. Such collaborations are likely to bring fresh ideas and exciting new content to the Tekken series.