Tekken 8 Director Broke an Unstated Rule at Bandai Namco

Tekken 8 director Katsuhiro Harada's unwavering dedication to the series sometimes clashed with Bandai Namco's internal structure. Harada, known for his rebellious spirit and unwavering commitment to Tekken, admits his approach wasn't always understood by the company, potentially causing friction with colleagues.

This independent streak has been a hallmark of Harada's career. Even facing fan backlash, he remained steadfast. An interview with the late Satoru Iwata revealed his childhood passion for gaming, defying his parents' wishes to pursue a career in the industry, initially met with their tears.

Harada's rebellious nature persisted even after his promotion within Bandai Namco. He defied unspoken company norms by continuing to actively shape the Tekken series' future, despite being reassigned to a publishing role focused on global business development – a role that traditionally sees developers transition to management. He essentially disregarded departmental boundaries to remain involved with Tekken's development.

This rebellious spirit extended to his entire team, whom Harada jokingly referred to as "outlaws" by other company executives. Their strong-willed nature, however, may have been instrumental in the Tekken franchise's enduring success.

Harada's reign as Tekken's rebellious leader may be nearing its end, with Tekken 9 potentially marking his retirement. The future of the franchise and whether his successor can maintain his legacy remains to be seen.