Veteran Director Tatsuya Kando Leaves Square Enix After 29 Years
- Sagar Mankar
- Jun 2
- 2 min read
Tatsuya Kando, the veteran director behind The World Ends With You and key creative on the Kingdom Hearts series, has officially left Square Enix after nearly three decades of service.
The announcement was made via Kando’s personal X (formerly Twitter) account and confirmed by Japanese gaming outlets Gematsu.
A Storied Career with Square Enix
Tatsuya Kando began his career with Square Enix (then Square) in 1997, where he worked as a character animator on Final Fantasy VII, one of the most iconic RPGs of all time. From there, he quickly became a central figure in the development of several major Square Enix titles.
Final Fantasy Series – Animator and supervisor across multiple entries
Kingdom Hearts Series – Animation director/supervisor for nearly every title, including Kingdom Hearts 3 and spin-offs like Melody of Memory
The World Ends With You (2007) – Game director
NEO: The World Ends With You (2021) – Series director
His work helped shape Square Enix’s unique identity, blending stylized JRPG aesthetics with innovative gameplay mechanics and emotionally resonant storytelling.
In his farewell post on X, Kando shared:
“On a personal note, I left Square Enix Co., Ltd. on May 31st.""During my 29 years there, I was involved in many projects, including "Final Fantasy," "Kingdom Hearts," "The World Ends with You," and many more... I was able to gain invaluable experience."
"The feedback we received from everyone who played the game was very encouraging and became the driving force behind our daily development. I'm really grateful! Thank you so much! We will continue to work hard to create interesting content that will make everyone smile!"
Though he did not reveal his next move, the tone suggests he intends to remain active in game development.
Fans and Industry Say Goodbye
The announcement has sparked an emotional response from fans, especially those who hold The World Ends With You close to heart. Many took to social media to express thanks and admiration, calling Kando’s contributions “timeless” and “foundational” to their love for JRPGs.
As one user wrote: "TWEWY is the most important game I’ve ever played. Your works shaped me, my tastes, and I bonded close to the people I care about most, through TWEWY. And being able to play Neo, after all these years- It was the happiest I’ve ever been playing a video game. Thank you."
His role in Kingdom Hearts, a franchise co-developed with Disney, also garnered praise, with fans citing his influence on the series’ unforgettable animation and emotional storytelling.
What’s Next for Square Enix?
Kando’s departure comes as Square Enix gears up for several major releases:
Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake – Launching in October 2025
Dragon Quest XII – Currently in development
Kingdom Hearts IV – New screenshots recently teased more of the upcoming sequel
While Square Enix continues evolving, Kando’s absence will surely be felt among longtime fans and developers alike.
Comments