Atlus announced on March 3 that Metaphor: ReFantazio’s creative producer and director Katsura Hashino has been selected for an award from the Japanese government’s Agency for Cultural Affairs.
In recognition of his work on Metaphor: Refantazio, Hashino has been awarded “The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology’s Newcomer Award.” It’s a mouthful, but the award is presented each year to a maximum of two emerging domestic creators who are considered to have made tremendous contributions in the fields of art and media.
This year, the Newcomer Award was presented to Katsura Hashino and Kiyotaka Oshiyama, director of the hit animated film Look Back. Meanwhile, the even more prestigious Art Encouragement Prize was awarded to Super Smash Bros. creator Masahiro Sakurai and Detective Conan author Gosho Aoyama.
Hashino came up with the original concept for Metaphor: ReFantazio’s much praised story and took on the role of both director and producer, managing the precarious balance between creativity and practical issues like budget and marketability. The JRPG has seen massive financial success and earned various acknowledgements, including a GOTY nomination, and the latest seal of approval comes straight from Japan’s government.
For more insights into Metaphor: ReFantazio’s development, check out composer Shoji Meguro on how he created the game’s unusual soundtrack, and art director/character designer Shigenori Soejima on the unique appeal of the game’s characters.
