It's been a decade since the legendary Satoru Iwata passed away at the age of 55, but in some ways it seems like only yesterday. Iwata-san was an absolute icon of the industry, and his 2002-2015 tenure as Nintendo's president is something many of us will remember forever. He brought warmth to the role, and he clearly loved his job. This was reflected repeatedly in his 'Ask Iwata' interview series.
Four years ago, many of those timeless interviews were reproduced in a hardcover compilation book from VIZ Media. Described as an “inspirational collection”, the book covers a wide range of topics, and includes Iwata's one-on-ones with fellow icons such as Shigeru Miyamoto. If you missed your chance to snag this snazzy tome, or you really don't want to take the digital release route, the upcoming paperback edition will suit you well.
Words of wisdom
Having picked up a hardcover copy, I can attest to its quality. Iwata's voice and spirit were unlike any other CEO whose words I have read. In print, his friendly yet thoughtful demeanor shines through as brightly as when the cameras are rolling and he sports that trademark smile while holding a Nintendo DS.
'Ask Iwata' also clearly details Iwata's weaknesses, so you can get an in-depth look at what went well for him, as well as the more challenging moments of his career. So, yes. This is good stuff. The paperback reprint has a currently-nebulous 'Summer 2026' launch window, but I'm sure VIZ will let us know as we get closer to that timeframe.
