Ridge Racer's Reiko Nagase: The Truth Behind the Character Design Controversy

Ridge Racer's Reiko Nagase: The Truth Behind the Character Design Controversy Ridge Racer, a flagship racing series by Bandai Namco, has introduced countless fans to high-speed thrills since its arcade debut in 1993.

Among its legacy is Reiko Nagase, the series’ virtual mascot who first appeared as an unnamed character in the 1995 arcade release Rave Racer before being officially introduced and named in Ridge Racer Type 4 for the PlayStation 1 in 1998.

Over the years, Reiko’s iconic look and recurring role as the face of Ridge Racer have made her a recognizable figure in the racing genre and a topic of ongoing fascination within gaming circles. However, Reiko Nagase’s origins became embroiled in controversy in the late 1990s.

The North American magazine Incite Video Gaming published a sensational story claiming that Kei Yoshimizu—the designer responsible for Reiko Nagase—used his own face as the visual basis for the character.

The publication went so far as to say the designer shaved and plucked his eyebrows before scanning his own head for the 3D model, a claim that fueled rumors and was cited by other outlets, including the respected British magazine EDGE. This bizarre bit of trivia has persisted in gaming folklore, with references appearing over the years, including on Reiko Nagase’s Wikipedia page.

The idea that Reiko was based directly on a male designer’s face became a quirky piece of video game history.

But does this story, so often repeated, have any basis in fact? To set the record straight, Kei Yoshimizu provided clarification in a recent interview.

He explained: "This story came from an interview I conducted with a magazine at the time.

The reporter asked if there was a specific model, such as an actress or idol, used as a reference.

I answered that there wasn’t a specific model involved.

When asked if I created the character without any references, I replied that I used my own face as a reference.

In other words, I did not use my own face as the direct model for the character, but rather consulted my own anatomy for design purposes." Yoshimizu’s statement confirms that while his own face informed the anatomical details during the creative process, Reiko Nagase’s design was entirely original and not a literal copy.

This clarification highlights a classic case of miscommunication and media embellishment, common in the pre-internet era, which allowed such myths to flourish without immediate correction. Since her formal introduction in Ridge Racer Type 4—a title still celebrated among PlayStation 1 classics—Reiko Nagase has become one of Bandai Namco’s most enduring virtual icons.

Ridge Racer Type 4 was released in Japan and North America in 1998, receiving critical acclaim for its graphics, handling, and memorable presentation, including its innovative use of character models in racing games.

The series later appeared on multiple platforms, including the Nintendo DS, PlayStation Portable, and PlayStation 3, but Reiko’s association with the original titles remains strongest. In conclusion, Reiko Nagase’s enduring appeal is a testament to Bandai Namco’s creative legacy and to the unique place character mascots hold in gaming culture.

With Yoshimizu’s clarification, fans can finally put this piece of Ridge Racer trivia to rest, appreciating Reiko for what she truly is: a wholly original icon crafted with artistic expertise, not a secret self-portrait.

Ridge Racer developer Bandai Namco Reiko Nagase Kei Yoshimizu Incite Video Gaming EDGE Magazine PlayStation 1 Ridge Racer Type 4