Nintendo Appoints Kazuhiko Hachiya as Outside Director: A Promising Step for Artistic Innovation

Nintendo's recent decision to appoint Kazuhiko Hachiya—director of Japanese doll company PetWORKS and renowned media artist—as an outside director marks a new chapter in the company's storied history.

The announcement, made official at the 85th Annual General Meeting of Shareholders in June 2024, reflects a strategic move by Nintendo to diversify its creative leadership and strengthen its foundation for future innovation on platforms like the Nintendo Switch and within the Nintendo Direct spotlight. Shigeru Miyamoto, Nintendo's legendary game designer and representative director, addressed shareholder inquiries regarding the expansion of the board to include individuals from varied professional backgrounds.

Recent additions include not only Chris Meledandri, CEO of Illumination and co-producer of The Super Mario Bros.

Movie, but also Hachiya, whose accomplishment as a multidisciplinary artist extends well beyond the realm of gaming. "Mr.

Hachiya stands out as a media artist who has consistently worked across different mediums, going beyond traditional gaming frameworks," Miyamoto explained.

He highlighted a personal acquaintance with Hachiya and stressed that both he and Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa have been carefully evaluating the fresh perspectives brought by external directors.

Miyamoto further noted that Hachiya actively pursues unconventional projects, such as designing custom equipment and conducting research related to video games, suggesting that his creative insights may play a pivotal role in shaping Nintendo's future direction. The official Convocation Notice for the Annual General Meeting described Hachiya as having a broad spectrum of accomplishments, ranging from digital art innovations to the development of an email client.

Beyond his work at PetWORKS, Hachiya is also a professor and director at the Tokyo University of the Arts, where he leads the Department of Intermedia Art and the Art Media Center.

With extensive experience as a software developer, artist, and business executive, Nintendo believes that Hachiya's unique combination of technical and creative expertise will enhance the company’s ability to supervise and implement projects from new artistic, digital, and technical perspectives. Hachiya’s appointment underscores Nintendo's ongoing commitment to creative experimentation and broadening its reach beyond classic gaming.

With a portfolio that includes major hardware platforms like the Nintendo Switch and major digital channels such as the eShop, the addition of Hachiya signals a willingness to push boundaries and explore the intersection of interactive art and commercial entertainment.

This move echoes Nintendo's established tradition of valuing innovation and cross-industry collaboration, as evidenced in its recent film partnerships and expanded multimedia endeavors. While details on specific projects involving Hachiya remain undisclosed, industry watchers anticipate that his involvement could foster new collaborations and innovations in both the artistic and technological realms for Nintendo.

As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, all eyes are on Nintendo to see how this strategic addition to its leadership will influence the creative future of iconic franchises, new IPs, and hardware innovations.

Nintendo Xbox Series X|S Kazuhiko Hachiya PetWORKS Shigeru Miyamoto Shuntaro Furukawa Illumination Chris Meledandri The Super Mario Bros. Movie Tokyo University of the Arts