It’s been a decade since the legendary Satoru Iwata passed away at the far-too-young age of 55, but in some ways, it feels like just yesterday. Iwata-san was an absolute icon of this industry, and his 2002-2015 tenure as President of Nintendo is something that many of us will remember forever. He brought a warmth to the role, and he clearly loved his work. This was frequently reflected in his ‘Ask Iwata’ interview series.
Four years ago, many of those timeless interviews were repurposed into a hardcover compilation book from VIZ Media. Described as a “motivational collection”, the book covers a wide array of subjects, and includes Iwata’s one-on-ones with fellow icons like Shigeru Miyamoto. If you missed the chance to snag this snazzy tome, or you’d just really prefer not to take the digital release route, an upcoming paperback version should suit you nicely.
Words Of Wisdom
Having picked up the hardcover copy, I can attest to its quality. Iwata had a voice and spirit unlike any other CEO whose words I have ever read. In printed format, his friendly yet thoughtful demeanor shines just as brightly as it ever did when the cameras were rolling and he sported that trademark smile while holding up a Nintendo DS.
‘Ask Iwata’ sharply details Iwata’s pitfalls, too, so you get a pretty keen look into what went well for him, as well as the more challenging moments in his storied career. So, yes. It’s good stuff. The paperback reprint has a presently-nebulous ‘Summer 2026’ launch window, but I’m sure VIZ will keep us apprised as we inch closer to that timeframe.
