Inside the improbable journey of Sora’s Smash Ultimate inclusion and what’s next for Masahiro Sakurai
The Miracle Meeting That Changed Everything
The remarkable story behind Kingdom Hearts protagonist Sora joining Super Smash Bros Ultimate represents one of gaming’s most unlikely crossover successes. Director Masahiro Sakurai recently disclosed the series of fortunate events that transformed what seemed impossible into reality.
Super Smash Bros Ultimate’s visionary director Masahiro Sakurai has detailed the extraordinary circumstances that enabled Kingdom Hearts’ Sora to join the roster, describing the process as nothing short of miraculous.
Sora consistently ranked as the most requested fighter throughout Smash Ultimate’s development cycle, yet Sakurai initially believed licensing complications made his inclusion practically unattainable. Fighters Pass Volume 2 was nearly finalized without the Keyblade wielder until an unprecedented agreement materialized between Disney and Nintendo.
In his translated Famitsu column contributions from gaming translators PushDustIn and KodyNOKOLO, Sakurai elaborated on the development team’s collective skepticism regarding Sora’s feasibility. The intricate web of intellectual property rights and corporate approvals appeared insurmountable.
However, destiny intervened unexpectedly. During an industry awards ceremony, Sakurai encountered a Disney executive who expressed enthusiasm about Sora’s potential Smash inclusion! pic.twitter.com/xMyEzJj07W
— Will (PushDustIn) (@PushDustIn) October 20, 2021
The chance encounter at this awards gala provided Sakurai the opening he needed to personally advocate for Sora’s inclusion. While the Disney representative immediately recognized the character’s appeal, numerous corporate hurdles remained before approval could be secured.
“Corporate leadership perspectives could differ dramatically, potentially derailing negotiations. Following extensive deliberations between Square Enix, Nintendo, and Disney stakeholders, final authorization was granted,” Sakurai explained.
Last-Minute Roster Expansion Drama
Initial plans for Fighters Pass Volume 2 mirrored the first pass with only five combatants scheduled. All roster spots had been allocated when Sora’s potential emerged, prompting the unprecedented decision to expand the pass! pic.twitter.com/hS73pc8Xdc
— Will (PushDustIn) (@PushDustIn) October 20, 2021
The development timeline intensified significantly when Sakurai disclosed that Fighters Pass Volume 2 originally contained just five fighters, with Sora becoming a dramatic eleventh-hour addition that required restructuring the entire DLC roadmap.
Both Disney and Square Enix maintained active oversight throughout development, implementing extensive creative guidelines to ensure Sora’s representation remained faithful to his established character mythology and visual identity.
The Corporate Collaboration Challenge
Navigating the requirements from both Disney and Square Enix represented one of the most complex partnership arrangements in Smash history. Development teams had to balance creative vision with corporate brand protection policies, requiring constant communication and compromise.
For aspiring game developers studying cross-company collaborations, this scenario demonstrates the importance of establishing clear approval workflows and maintaining diplomatic relationships with all stakeholders throughout the development lifecycle.
Sakurai’s Career Crossroads and Gaming Legacy
The development resources required for DLC production essentially matched creating a complete new game. Sakurai anticipates working on only a limited number of future projects, expressing concern about the industry’s trajectory. pic.twitter.com/o6RJLa3EWX
— Kody NOKOLO (@KodyNOKOLO) October 20, 2021
Sakurai characterized the Smash Ultimate DLC development process as equivalent to producing an entirely new game, acknowledging he likely possesses capacity for only a handful of additional major projects before considering retirement.
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Despite the immense effort, Sakurai regards Smash Ultimate not merely as another fighting game but as an interactive celebration of gaming culture. He expresses profound gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate with numerous development studios and celebrate their iconic characters.
Additionally, Sakurai’s long-running bi-weekly column will conclude publication. The final installment (issue 640) marks the end of this era!
That concludes this column! Please follow @PushDustIn and myself for translations of Sakurai’s final column in two weeks!! pic.twitter.com/84GOBjyBuK
— Kody NOKOLO (@KodyNOKOLO) October 20, 2021
While Sakurai’s next project remains undisclosed, given Smash Ultimate’s unprecedented roster scale and production values, surpassing this achievement appears increasingly challenging. The gaming community awaits his next move with anticipation.
Additional insights regarding his future direction may emerge when his final Famitsu column publishes in the coming fortnight.
Career Longevity in Game Development
Sakurai’s reflections highlight the physical and creative toll of decades in game development. Industry professionals can learn from his approach to project selection and work-life balance, particularly when managing franchises with immense community expectations.
Strategic Insights for Fighting Game Collaborations
Cross-Company Partnership Framework
The Sora collaboration demonstrates several critical success factors for complex gaming partnerships. Establishing clear communication channels between all corporate entities, defining approval processes early, and maintaining flexibility throughout development proved essential to overcoming the numerous obstacles.
Community Influence Maximization
Sora’s inclusion exemplifies how sustained fan demand can influence corporate decision-making. For gaming communities advocating for specific characters, consistent organized campaigning across multiple platforms, coupled with demonstrating commercial viability, increases the likelihood of developer consideration.
Avoiding Common Collaboration Pitfalls
Many cross-over attempts fail due to inadequate legal preparation, unclear creative boundaries, or mismatched development timelines. The Smash team’s success stemmed from thorough contractual preparation, established brand guidelines, and realistic scheduling that accommodated all stakeholders’ requirements.
For indie developers considering character collaborations, starting with smaller-scale partnerships and building toward more complex arrangements provides valuable experience while minimizing risk.
No reproduction without permission：SeeYouSoon Game Club » Sakurai reveals the lucky miracle that got Kingdom Hearts’ Sora into Smash Ultimate Inside the improbable journey of Sora's Smash Ultimate inclusion and what's next for Masahiro Sakurai