Former Tekken Director Harada's Amusing Misunderstanding with Fans
Katsuhiro Harada, former director of the Tekken series, shared a funny anecdote about a misunderstanding with his international fans after introducing Leroy Smith in Tekken 7.
Katsuhiro Harada, former director of the Tekken series, shared a funny anecdote about a misunderstanding with his international fans after introducing Leroy Smith in Tekken 7.
Katsuhiro Harada, the former director of the Tekken series, recently recounted a humorous incident involving a misinterpretation he had with his global fan base following the introduction of Leroy Smith in Tekken 7. Leroy Smith, a Wing Chun expert, quickly became a fan favorite character in the Tekken universe, even inspiring cosplays from celebrities like T-Pain. The character's popularity led to Black American fans playfully inviting Harada to the 'cookout,' a gesture that left the Japanese game director perplexed.
Harada shared the amusing exchange in response to a fan who suggested that Tekken might have drawn inspiration from the 1985 cult film The Last Dragon and Black culture. Following the announcement of Leroy in 2019, Harada received a message from the American fan community inviting him to the cookout as a token of appreciation for creating such a remarkable character. This invitation, however, initially confused Harada, who misinterpreted the gesture due to cultural differences and language nuances.
Despite his proficiency in English, Harada admitted that he was completely baffled by the invitation, initially fearing that it implied a negative connotation. It was only after receiving an explanation that he understood the significance of being invited to the cookout, which symbolizes a high level of acceptance and respect within the Black community. Reflecting on the incident, Harada expressed regret for not immediately accepting the invitation and embracing the opportunity to partake in the cultural exchange.
Harada concluded his anecdote by acknowledging the profound influence of prominent Black figures on his work, highlighting individuals such as Michael Jackson, Wesley Snipes, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Jim Kelly. Following his departure from Bandai Namco earlier this year, Harada established his own development studio, VS Studio, with a vision to create a new fighting game and revisit his passion for game development.
