Known worldwide for juggernaut franchises like Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest, Square Enix also holds a wealth of lesser-known but still beloved IPs with untapped potential. While the chances of many of these series making a comeback may seem slim, they’re never entirely out of the question. Case in point: the surprise revival of The World Ends with You in 2021 through the sequel NEO: The World Ends with You, which was warmly received by longtime fans. However, the future of the franchise appears bleak.
Tatsuya Kando, the longtime director behind The World Ends with You franchise, has officially announced his departure from Square Enix. The announcement was made via his personal Twitter/X account, where he expressed his gratitude to fans and colleagues alike.
Kando’s career at Square Enix spanned more than 29 years. Throughout that time, he played a pivotal role in shaping the The World Ends with You series, directing the original 2007 title, as well as The World Ends with You: Solo Remix, Final Fantasy: All the Bravest, The World Ends with You: Final Remix, and most recently, NEO: The World Ends with You. His contributions were integral in defining the franchise’s unique visual style, gameplay, and storytelling.
In his farewell message, Kando did not provide a specific reason for his departure but reflected warmly on his time at the company. He thanked everyone for the supportive messages he received throughout his development journey, stating that those words gave him the energy to keep going day after day.
As of now, it remains unclear where Tatsuya Kando will head next. Whether he plans to join another major studio, launch his own independent project, or step away from the gaming industry altogether remains to be seen.
Square Enix, for its part, has not yet commented on the future of The World Ends with You series, which last saw a release in 2021. With Kando’s departure, the fate of the cult-favorite franchise remains uncertain, leaving fans wondering what comes next for Shibuya’s most stylish RPG.
