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, as he announced on LinkedIn that he is seeking new job opportunities. The news was initially spotted 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 stated that he is #OpenToWork and is interested in roles such as Executive Producer, Game Director, Business Development, Vice President, or a Marketing position, all of which must be based in Tokyo.
This announcement has caused concern among fans about Harada's future and the direction of the Tekken series, with many reaching out to him directly on social media for clarification.
Harada Responds: No Need to Worry
Known for his active engagement on social platforms, 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 explained, "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 simply a way to connect with more industry professionals.
This reassurance from Harada should ease fans' concerns. With his continued involvement, the Tekken series is poised for further growth and exciting collaborations. A recent example is the collaboration between Tekken 8 and Final Fantasy 16, which introduced protagonist Clive Rosfield as a new fighter, along with skins and accessories featuring other FF16 characters like Jill, Joshua, and even Nektar the Moogle. Harada's efforts to broaden his network are likely to bring fresh ideas and collaborations to the beloved franchise.
