Nobuo Uematsu Reflects on Hironobu Sakaguchi's Enduring Legacy at Square Enix and Final Fantasy
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Published on: June 27, 2025
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Square Enix has long stood as a prominent force in the gaming industry, celebrated for creating and maintaining blockbuster series like Final Fantasy.
Much of the company’s global success is closely tied to visionary leaders and creative talents, notably Hironobu Sakaguchi, the creator behind the beloved Final Fantasy franchise.
Since its debut on the Nintendo hardware in 1987, Final Fantasy has become synonymous with the JRPG genre, influencing subsequent generations of developers and amassing millions of sales worldwide.
In a recent episode of the "NOBIYO To Isshoni (Together with NOBIYO)" podcast, legendary composer Nobuo Uematsu—whose sweeping scores have defined the emotional landscape of many Final Fantasy titles—shared candid reflections on Sakaguchi’s unique role at Square Enix.
As Uematsu described it, Sakaguchi wasn’t just a creative lead but the undisputed head figure who steered the company: "He’s essentially the chief leader," Uematsu affirmed.
"He always has been, and he always will be." Uematsu went on to recall the early days of Square, likening the studio culture to a "student club," and crediting Sakaguchi’s natural ability to channel that freewheeling energy into cohesive, groundbreaking projects.
"Even without a formal corporate structure, everyone followed Sakaguchi,” Uematsu said, emphasizing the innate leadership Sakaguchi brought to the team.
Sakaguchi’s influence on Final Fantasy was pivotal, guiding the series through innovative entries on both traditional platforms and recent systems like the Nintendo Switch.
Despite the franchise's monumental success, the company faced turmoil in the early 2000s following the box office failure of Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within.
Sakaguchi’s departure in 2003 marked a turbulent period for Square.
Uematsu recalled, "After he left, the company was in disarray.
The organization fell apart, and I seriously considered leaving as well."
Shortly thereafter, Sakaguchi established Mistwalker in 2004, pursuing new RPG ventures, while Uematsu transitioned into freelance composition.
The following year saw Square merge with Enix, becoming the entity now known as Square Enix, which set the company on a renewed path of innovation and global expansion.
Uematsu has spoken positively about how the company has adapted and grown since the merger, acknowledging its resilience and the enduring appeal of franchises like Final Fantasy.
The longstanding bond between Uematsu and Sakaguchi has remained strong, leading to recent collaborations such as the acclaimed Fantasian Neo Dimension.
Their continued partnership serves as a testament to the creative legacy and far-reaching impact of Square Enix’s earliest visionaries, whose work has defined role-playing games on Nintendo platforms and beyond.
With Final Fantasy titles now accessible on modern platforms like the Nintendo Switch and available via the Nintendo eShop, the influence of Sakaguchi and Uematsu continues to be felt by new generations of fans and developers.
Square Enix stands as both a tribute to its past and a beacon for JRPG innovation.
