Tekken's Harada Seeking Jobs on LinkedIn
Rumors of Exit from Bandai
Tekken director Katsuhiro Harada has sparked rumors of his departure from Bandai Namco after 30 years with the company by posting on LinkedIn that he is seeking new job opportunities. The news was initially reported by the Japanese video game news account Genki_JPN on X (formerly Twitter), which shared a screenshot of Harada's LinkedIn profile. In his recent post, Harada indicated he is #OpenToWork and is interested in roles such as Executive Producer, Game Director, Business Development, Vice President, or Marketing positions, all based in Tokyo.
This announcement has caused concern among fans about Harada's future and the direction of the Tekken series, with many directly engaging with him 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 and explore new collaborations within the industry. In response to a fan's inquiry, 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." He explained that enabling the #OpenToWork feature on LinkedIn is a way for him to connect with more industry professionals.
This reassurance from Harada should ease fans' worries, and it may even signal exciting new developments for the Tekken franchise. 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 Nektar the Moogle through skins and accessories, highlight the potential for further innovative crossovers and enhancements to the series as Harada broadens his network.
