Naoki ‘Yoshi-P’ Yoshida Is Keen To Make A Game Like Laputa Castle In The Sky From Studio Ghibli

Square Enix’s Naoki Yoshida, aka Yoshi-P, has revealed during an interview with Famitsu magazine that he’d like to try his hand at making a game similar to Studio Ghibli’s 1986 animated fantasy movie, Laputa Castle in the Sky,

A rough translation of Yoshida-san’s discussing with the publication has him quote as saying, “It’s full of dreams, adventure, good adults, bad adults, everything. I still think that it’s the ultimate adventure, so I’d like to make a game like that someday.”

Yoshida touched on Studio Ghibli after discussing his influences for video game design, where he recalled that he was heavily inspired by Mario Bros. And Dragon Quest III. Fans will have probably heard this story below, as Yoshi-P has spoke previously about these two NES games being a pivotal influence in his decision to become a game designer.

Notably, Studio Ghibli produced the animated sequences for the action-RPG Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch, and its art style was inspired by the company’s other works. While the sequel did not involve Studio Ghibli, Yoshiyuki Momose, a former character designer with the studio who worked on the original Ni no Kuni, reprised his role for the follow-up.

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Yoshida has been involved in a number of major projects at Square Enix over the years, including Dragon Quest: Monster Battle Road, Dragon Quest X, Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin, and of course Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn. For the latter, Yoshi-P became the public face of the title and has engaged with fans at numerous events, as well serving as director and producer on its various expansions including Shadowbringers, Endwalker, and Dawntrail.

[Source – Famitsu Interview with Yoshi P via Genki_JPN on X]