Yasushi Yamaguchi Reflects on Grueling Sega Saturn Development of Magic Knight Rayearth

Yasushi Yamaguchi, famed for creating Sonic the Hedgehog’s companion Miles "Tails" Prower, has recently shared revealing insights into the challenging development environment of 1990s Japanese video games—specifically during his tenure at Sega working on the JRPG Magic Knight Rayearth for the Sega Saturn.

Drawing from interviews highlighted in John Szczepaniak's authoritative 'Untold History' book series, Yamaguchi’s firsthand account illuminates the realities faced by developers of that era: long hours, insufficient compensation, and, at times, deeply unhealthy workplaces. Magic Knight Rayearth, based on the popular manga and anime series by CLAMP, was a major undertaking for Sega’s RPG Production Department on the Sega Saturn.

Yamaguchi describes the final phase of development as exceptionally demanding, stating that the rush to finish in time for release was "truly hellish." According to his recollection, he spent more than half a year essentially living under his desk at the company.

Yamaguchi summarized the toll this took on his well-being by stating that remaining at Sega any longer felt life-threatening, ultimately leading him to resign shortly after the project wrapped up. Industry records show that Magic Knight Rayearth’s Saturn edition was released in Japan on September 29, 1995, and later in North America, marking the final official RPG for the Sega Saturn in the West.

Despite its acclaimed artistic direction and story, the game’s rocky development reflected larger industry pressures prevalent in Japan at the time. Another former Sega team member, reflecting on the era, detailed internal challenges within the company’s RPG Production Room—which was formed at the direction of then-president Hayao Nakayama to bolster Sega’s RPG lineup.

However, the leadership often pressured teams to rapidly develop licensed titles, sometimes demanding near-impossible timelines.

In one notable account, management would demand updates every six months, yet show visible frustration when projects were not completed even faster.

A lack of resources, poor managerial decisions, and the hiring of underqualified personnel further complicated internal operations, sometimes resulting in organizational chaos and even the uncovering of contractual and financial misconduct. Such candid recollections are rare in the traditionally private Japanese video game industry, where former staff members seldom speak openly about negative workplace experiences.

Yamaguchi’s testimony, along with that of his colleagues, casts a stark light on the human cost behind numerous classic titles developed for the Sega Saturn and other hardware.

This episode offers valuable historical context and underlines an urgent need for healthier industry standards, echoing ongoing calls for change in video game development globally.

JRPG Japan Sega Sega Saturn Saturn Yasushi Yamaguchi Magic Knight Rayearth RPG Production Department Hayao Nakayama Mamoru Shigeta