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An Industry Legend Shares What Inspired Him

Naoki Yoshida is a legend in the video game industry, with a rich and fulfilling career. He began his journey in 1993 and steadily rose to become both a director and producer. Today, he is best known for directing Final Fantasy XIV and its expansions, as well as producing Final Fantasy XVI. Reaching this point required not only hard work but also inspiration drawn from a wide range of anime, manga, and films.

That was the point of his otaku centric panel at Anime Expo 2025.

Leveling Up: How Anime, Manga, & RPGs Inspired Naoki Yoshida and FINAL FANTASY! took place at Petree Hall starting at 12:30 pm on Day 2 of Anime Expo 2025. This was a panel where Yoshida shared the many works that inspired him in the development of  Final Fantasy XIV and Final Fantasy XVI.

Leveling Up with Naoki Yoshida

The panel began with Yoshida informing the audience that he would not be discussing Final Fantasy XVI. Instead, he explained that since this was Anime Expo, he wanted to focus on the anime and manga that had inspired him throughout his life. In his words, the panel would be “otaku centric.” He also expressed gratitude to the IP holders for granting permission to use the images featured in his presentation.

Contents of the panel would be as follows:

1. About me
2. Early Childhood: “I’m Going to Be a Mech Pilot!”
3. Childhood 1: A Life Lesson from Gundam
4. Childhood 2: Overinfluenced by Manga
5. Early Adulthood: Indulging in Manga, Anime, Movies, and Games
6. 30s: Still A Teenager Inside
7. 40s and Onward: Still Making Games!

About me

The panel began with Yoshida presenting a brief overview of his life and the creative influences that helped shape his career. He reflected on his early days at Hudson Soft, where he got his start in the industry and worked on various projects, including the canceled Tengai Makyou III. He also touched on his involvement in the development of Bomberman 64. Eventually, Yoshida joined Square Enix, where he rose through the ranks and played a key role in the development of several major titles. Along the way, he became a fan of Diablo and Ultima Online.

He also reflected on how playing sports influenced his upbringing—a detail that may have surprised the audience. “Do I not look like a sports person?” he joked, prompting laughter from the crowd. Yoshida shared that he enjoyed playing baseball growing up and mentioned his hope to catch a Dodgers game while in Los Angelous.

Early Childhood: “I’m Going to Be a Mech Pilot!”

As a child, Yoshida dreamed of becoming a mech pilot—a fantasy sparked by his first viewing of the anime Combattler V. That dream was further fueled by other classics like Battleship Yamato, where, as he put it, “My young heart was blown away by Starsha,” and Galaxy Express 999, because “My young heart was blown away by Maetel.” He also encouraged those unfamiliar with either series to seek out and watch the original versions. But like many childhood dreams, his aspirations shifted to wanting to be a hero after watching Kamen Rider and Ultraman.

Childhood 1: A Life Lesson from Gundam

Yoshida once again vowed to become a mech pilot after watching the original Mobile Suit Gundam. Since then, he has followed the entire mainline series, along with many of its spin-offs. The franchise would go on to have a profound influence on his work. So much so that he incorporated the iconic Gundam dachi pose into the concept art of Final Fantasy XIV. He even had to explain its significance to the concept team, saying, “The pose does all the talking.”

Going back to his childhood, Yoshida developed a strong interest in Gunpla and asked his father to buy him the Gouf model. Why that one? Because, in his eyes, it was number one. Unfortunately, his father mistakenly brought home the Zock model instead. Although Yoshida was initially upset over the mix-up, the experience taught him a valuable lesson. He realized the importance of clearly explaining things to those who may not be familiar with his interests.

He also had a message for those in the audience who haven’t watched Gundam: he recommends starting with the original movie trilogy, then moving on to GQuuuuuuX.

Childhood 2: Overinfluenced by Manga

This part of the panel began with a simple question: “Who hasn’t watched Dragon Ball Z?” Only a few audience members raised their hands, though most were still familiar with it. From there, the discussion shifted to the various anime and manga that have inspired Yoshida throughout his life. In addition to Dragon Ball Z, titles like Space Runaway Ideon, Saint Seiya, Space Cobra, and Captain Tsubasa also had a significant influence on his work. As for manga, the inspiration that Vampire Hunter D and Berserk have had can be seen in his work.

Early Adulthood: Indulging in Manga, Anime, Movies, and Games

With time running short, Yoshida goes through some of the movies that he has enjoyed. Among them listed are:

• ET
• The Goonies
• Rocky II
• First Blood
• Terminator
• Beverly Hills Cops II
• Lethal Weapon 2
• Back to the Future

Yoshida also discovered some anime later in life, including Neon Genesis Evangelion, which he came across long after it had become a cultural phenomenon. His introduction to the series came with a story he felt compelled to share. One night, after working late, his boss offered him a ride home. It was a snowy night in Sapporo, and “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis” was playing on the radio. His boss, a fan of the series, started talking about it and even asked Yoshida who his favorite Eva was. Despite being exhausted and just wanting to sleep, Yoshida eventually decided to give the series a proper watch.

Another series Yoshida became a fan of later in adulthood was One Piece. He described himself as a “hardcore fan” who won’t rest until he reads the final volume. He also shared a personal message for creator Eiichiro Oda, urging him to take care of his health.

Over the years, Yoshida has also become a fan of director Christopher Nolan. He has seen all of Nolan’s films and makes it a habit to rewatch them at least two to three times a year. For those looking for a story about a hero, he recommends The Dark Knight, while he suggests Inception for its original concept.

30s Still a teenager + 40s and Onward

The panel concluded with a look at the games from Yoshida’s childhood that inspired him, as well as the titles he’s excited about today. While many of the games were easily recognizable, some may have only reached a niche audience. Regardless, he was happy to recommend them and share what made each one special to him.

Leveling Up: How Anime, Manga, & RPGs Inspired Naoki Yoshida and FINAL FANTASY! was one of the many panels organized during the Anime Expo 2025 weekend.

This special report is part of 8Bit/Digi‘s coverage of Anime Expo 2025. If you attended the event, please share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Disclaimer: Anime Expo provided me with a pass for the weekend

8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that provides insight into the gamer community of the San Francisco Bay Area.