Kirby and Super Smash Bros series creator Masahiro Sakurai doesn’t find himself to be a huge hit or a hit maker.
During a recent interview with 47news.jp, Kirby and Super Smash Bros creator Masahiro Sakurai reflected on his career, his philosophy toward game development, and why even the massive popularity of Kirby failed to alter the course of his life. Despite creating two accomplished franchises, he insisted that success has never fundamentally changed who he is or how he approaches his work.
The conversation was prompted by the release of a new educational manga that traces Sakurai’s life and career. Initially hesitant to participate, he admitted he never set out to sell his personality or place himself at the center of attention. He views such self-exposure as embarrassing, and originally intended to decline the project. However, the editor’s careful accumulation of material eventually resulted in a finished book. Looking back, Sakurai said he is grateful, not only because it allowed him to view his work from an external perspective, but because it may also benefit the game industry by presenting creative careers in a more approachable, less rigid format.
When asked to reflect on his life as a whole, Sakurai described it as one almost entirely devoted to games and game development, and, by his own assessment, a happy one. He mentioned that being able to turn something he loves into a profession, achieve tangible results, and earn recognition from others has made the hardships worthwhile. While acknowledging the physical and mental toll the industry can take, he still considers his life “extremely good” overall.
Sakurai rejected the idea that Kirby’s success changed his outlook or lifestyle. Whether his games sold well or not, he believes he would have continued pouring himself into game creation. He also dismissed the notion of being a “hit maker,” saying that when he looks at other games, he is more likely to feel admiration than pride. To him, the industry is defined by constant technological evolution, and there is little room to pause and reflect on past achievements when games from 20 or 30 years ago look entirely different from those made today.
This mindset also explains why the Kirby and Smash Bros creator openly shares development knowledge through his YouTube channel. His goal, he said, is not competition but raising the overall quality of entertainment media by helping specialists do better work. Even if he personally considers his insights modest, the positive feedback he receives convinces him that sharing them can meaningfully support others.
Sakurai’s humility extends to how he views his own role as inspiration. While he hopes the educational manga might become a “trigger” for someone’s future interests, he said that he does not need to be the star of that story.
