Level-5 CEO Reflects on Inazuma Eleven's Enduring Popularity
Following the successful release of Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time and Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road, Level-5 president and CEO Akihiro Hino sat down with journalist Naohiko Ueno to discuss the company's recent wins. Hino specifically addressed the origins of the Inazuma Eleven franchise and the philosophy that has kept it relevant for nearly two decades.
Overcoming Development Hurdles
Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road experienced a notoriously long development cycle, spanning nine years and enduring over ten delay announcements. Hino acknowledged the criticism the team faced during this period but interpreted the frustration as a sign of the fanbase's high expectations. This faith was validated when the title debuted at the top of Steam's global sellers list for eleven consecutive days and surpassed 800,000 copies sold worldwide.
The 'Santa Claus' Philosophy
When asked about the series' lasting appeal, Hino offered a unique perspective using a Santa Claus analogy. He noted that children possess the ability to accept magical concepts, like Santa Claus delivering presents, without questioning the logic behind them. Inazuma Eleven applies this same principle to its gameplay; players perform physics-defying aerial tricks and superpowered moves that children accept unconditionally. Hino explained that while adults might find these elements unrealistic, they perfectly align with the sensibilities of the target audience.
A Shonen Manga Approach to Sports
Hino clarified that the franchise was never conceived strictly as a soccer simulation. Instead, the goal was to recreate the thrill of shonen manga within a video game medium. "It wasn't so much about sports as it was about boys clashing with their respective convictions," Hino stated. He cited Dragon Ball as a major inspiration, emphasizing that the sport was merely a backdrop for stories involving friendship, rivalry, and passionate conflict.
Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road is currently available on PC (Steam), Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
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