The Japanese government has honored Masahiro Sakurai, the mastermind behind the iconic Super Smash Bros. and Kirby franchises. This recognition comes not from his decades of game development but his recent venture into educational content through his YouTube series, Masahiro Sakurai, on Creating Games.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs has awarded him the Art Encouragement Prize for New Artists, acknowledging individuals who have made notable contributions to cultural development in a given year. While some might raise an eyebrow at labeling Sakurai as a ‘new’ artist, considering his impressive 35-year career, the award highlights his dedication to sharing knowledge with aspiring developers. His tutorials have become a beacon of inspiration, presented in an accessible format that resonates with audiences both in Japan and internationally.
The agency praised Sakurai’s work: “Masahiro Sakurai has made a significant contribution to the development of the game industry by sharing his knowledge of game production widely through YouTube in an easy-to-understand format with a coherent storyline.” The English version of his series has expanded its reach, making it a valuable resource for budding creators across the globe.
第30回AMDアワードにて、功労賞をいただきました！
ゲーム業界では過去、宮本さん、堀井さん、久夛良木さん、シブサワ・コウさんなどが受賞された賞とのこと。
恐縮 & 光栄です！https://t.co/junsKlaFOj— 桜井 政博 / Masahiro Sakurai (@Sora_Sakurai) February 27, 2025
Sakurai took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his gratitude for this latest accolade, which follows closely behind another honor—a lifetime achievement award from Japan’s Association of Media in Digital awards. He humorously pondered whether he could now consider himself a cultural figure. “Does this mean that I can call myself a cultural person? Thank you!” he quipped.
His YouTube journey began in 2022, and he wrapped up the series with a heartfelt tribute to fellow game designer Satoru Iwata in October 2024. Sakurai’s passion for game creation is far from extinguished; last year, he affirmed that he was still actively creating games while balancing his YouTube endeavors.
During one episode, Sakurai mentioned, “I’d never done anything like this before starting, so you could say I haven’t exactly stayed put either.” He hinted at working on a new project since 2022 but kept details under wraps. “I’m sorry I can’t share more about this project,” he said, “but assuming we’re able to get it made, it should be announced sooner or later.”
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, released in December 2018, remains a testament to his legacy with its extensive DLC roster featuring 89 fighters over three years. As fans eagerly await news about what’s next from this legendary creator, one thing is sure: Masahiro Sakurai continues to shape the gaming world behind and in front of the camera.
If you’re curious about Sakurai’s future or want to catch up on his insightful tutorials, check out his YouTube channel and join in celebrating this remarkable figure’s contributions to gaming culture.
