Harada Not Seeking New Job, Stays with Tekken

Tekken's Harada Seeking New Opportunities on LinkedIn

Rumors of Departure from Bandai Namco

Tekken series director Katsuhiro Harada has sparked speculation about his future by updating his LinkedIn profile to indicate he is #OpenToWork. This move has led to rumors that he might be leaving Bandai Namco, where he has spent the last three decades and developed the iconic Tekken franchise.

The news broke when the Japanese gaming news account Genki_JPN shared a screenshot of Harada's LinkedIn post on X (formerly Twitter). In his recent update, Harada expressed interest in new positions such as Executive Producer, Game Director, Business Development, Vice President, or Marketing roles, all based in Tokyo. This announcement has caused concern among fans, prompting numerous comments seeking clarification from the Tekken director.

Harada Clarifies His Intentions

Quick to address the swirling rumors, Harada, known for his active presence on social media, took to X to reassure fans. He clarified that he has no intention of leaving Bandai Namco. Instead, Harada is looking to expand his professional network and explore new collaborations within the industry. He 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 using the #OpenToWork feature on LinkedIn is simply a way to connect with more industry professionals.

This clarification should ease fans' concerns and fuel excitement for the future of the Tekken series. Recent collaborations, such as the integration of Final Fantasy 16's protagonist Clive Rosfield into Tekken 8, along with other characters like Jill, Joshua, and even Nektar the Moogle through skins and accessories, highlight the potential for further innovative partnerships. Harada's efforts to broaden his network are likely to bring fresh ideas and collaborations to the beloved franchise.