Tekken's Harada Seeking Jobs on LinkedIn

Rumors of Exit from Bandai

Tekken director Katsuhiro Harada has sparked speculation about his future with Bandai Namco, his employer of 30 years and the birthplace of the iconic Tekken series. The rumors began when Japanese video game news account Genki_JPN on X (formerly Twitter) shared a screenshot from Harada's LinkedIn profile. In a recent post, Harada indicated he is #OpenToWork and is seeking new opportunities in roles such as Executive Producer, Game Director, Business Development, Vice President, or Marketing, all based in Tokyo. This announcement has left fans concerned about his potential departure and the future of the Tekken franchise, prompting numerous responses on social media seeking clarification.

Harada Responds: No Cause for Concern

Katsuhiro Harada, well-known for his active engagement on social platforms, swiftly addressed the swirling rumors about his supposed exit from Bandai Namco. He clarified that he has no intention of leaving the company. Instead, Harada expressed a desire to expand his professional network and collaborate more widely within the industry. In response to a fan's query on the original 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." By activating the #OpenToWork feature on LinkedIn, he aims to facilitate more conversations and connections.

With Harada's commitment to staying at Bandai Namco, Tekken enthusiasts can look forward to further development and exciting collaborations for the series. A recent example is the collaboration between Tekken 8 and Final Fantasy 16, which introduced Clive Rosfield as a playable character and offered skins and accessories featuring other FF16 characters like Jill, Joshua, and even Nektar the Moogle. Harada's expanded network is likely to bring fresh ideas and new dimensions to the beloved franchise.