A new biographical manga, “Manga de Shiru Hito to Shigoto: Masahiro Sakurai – Making the World More Fun with Games” (roughly translated as “Learn About People and Work Through Manga: Masahiro Sakurai – Making the World More Fun with Games”), will chronicle the life and career of legendary video game creator Masahiro Sakurai, known for his work on the Kirby and Super Smash Bros. franchises. The 160-page book is set to launch in Japan on November 18 and was supervised by Sakurai himself, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of his iconic games.
Delving into the Mind of a Creator: The Manga’s Release and Content
Published by EastPress, the manga is part of the “Manga de Shiru Hito to Shigoto” (“Learn About People and Jobs Through Manga”) series and will offer readers insights into Sakurai’s journey from a childhood passion for gaming to becoming a world-renowned game developer. The book will also feature additional written sections about Sakurai and the gaming industry, including a timeline of his life and an article on working as a video game developer. It will be available for ¥1,430 (approximately $9.45 USD), with a digital version also planned. As of now, an international release has not been announced.
A Journey Through Gaming Milestones
The biographical manga is structured into six chapters, each highlighting significant periods and achievements in Sakurai’s illustrious career:
Young Sakurai and Games
This initial chapter will explore Sakurai’s early life and his formative experiences with video games, which sparked his lifelong passion and eventually led him into game development. Born on August 3, 1970, in Musashimurayama, Tokyo, Japan, Sakurai’s journey in the industry began at HAL Laboratory.
The Birth of Kirby
Readers will be taken back to the origins of the beloved pink puffball, Kirby. Sakurai created the character at the young age of 19 and directed his first title, Kirby’s Dream Land, marking the beginning of a highly successful franchise. The manga promises to reveal “unknown episodes” from behind the scenes of its creation.
The Beginning of Super Smash Bros.
This chapter focuses on the inception of the groundbreaking crossover fighting series, Super Smash Bros., which brought together characters from various Nintendo franchises and became a global phenomenon. Sakurai is widely recognized as the creator and director of this influential series.
The Founding of Sora, Inc.
After leaving HAL Laboratory in 2003, Sakurai, along with his wife Michiko Sakurai, founded Sora Ltd. in 2005. This section will detail the establishment of his own company and the challenges and triumphs associated with it. Under Project Sora, he later directed Kid Icarus: Uprising for the Nintendo 3DS.
The Legacy
This chapter will reflect on the lasting impact of Sakurai’s contributions to the video game industry, acknowledging his role in shaping modern gaming and influencing countless developers. His work is known for its streamlined yet deep gameplay.
A Light for the Future
The concluding chapter will look towards Sakurai’s ongoing influence and potential future endeavors, offering a forward-looking perspective on his career and the industry. Beyond game development, Sakurai has also maintained a popular YouTube channel, “Masahiro Sakurai on Creating Games,” where he shares insights into game design.
Masahiro Sakurai’s Enduring Influence
Masahiro Sakurai is an immensely respected figure in the video game world, celebrated for his innovative design principles and dedication to creating engaging player experiences. His work on Kirby and Super Smash Bros. has cemented his place as one of the most famous and influential creators in the industry. His commitment to game development extends to his popular YouTube channel, which he launched in 2022 to reach a broader audience with his lessons on game design.
While Sakurai has previously stated that manga characters are not eligible to join the Super Smash Bros. roster, emphasizing that the series is strictly for video game characters, it is fitting that his own life story is now being told through the manga medium. This biographical work offers fans a unique opportunity to understand the creative mind behind some of gaming’s most beloved franchises and the journey that led to their inception.
