While working at the previous studio I was employed at, I felt many things were about to change – and that was when Toyama-san approached me. Looking back on it now, it was a massive decision to make…but at the time, strangely enough, I didn’t hesitate to say yes. Sato-san(Producer) was involved, and we talked about many things – and took things step by step from then on.

What can we do with just ourselves? What can we offer from our experiences? This was a big challenge for me.

Today, that is still a challenge for all of us.

In the future, I would like to create a place where people can take on serious challenges, and a place where we can support those who take on those challenges. I would also like to continue creating games, which is my passion.

○ Selected Works

  • SIREN (2004)
  • SIREN 2 (2006)
  • SIREN: BLOOD CURSE (2008)
  • GRAVITY RUSH (2012)
  • GRAVITY RUSH (2017)

○ Favorite Games

  • Xanadu (PC9801)
  • FINAL FANTASY III
  • SEKIRO: SHADOWS DIE TWICE

○ A Game-Related Memory

When I was in elementary school, my father bought a PC-9801 game called Xanadu. While I was playing it, he casually said, “Why don’t you try making something like this yourself?” I remember thinking, “I see… maybe that could be a future for me.” Looking back, that moment may have been the beginning of my path into game development.

Strangely enough, my parents never bought me a dedicated game console. Perhaps they were worried about how much time I was already spending playing games on the PC.

Instead, I spent my days going from place to place where I could play games for free—toy stores, electronics shops, and even the amusement corners on department store rooftops.

When I was in junior high school, a friend gave me a broken Twin Famicom. I repaired it and started playing, but before long my parents hid the power adapter because I was playing too much. Not wanting to give up, I modified other adapters—like the one from a handheld vacuum cleaner—and used them as substitutes. Looking back, I realize I went to great lengths to secretly keep playing games.

In short, I was completely immersed in games throughout my childhood. And honestly, when I think about it, that didn’t really change much even after I grew up and started working

○ Things I Like

Cars, motorcycles, camping, my Shiba dog, tinkering with machines, skiing, racing karts—basically anything that involves having fun.