Keita Takahashi

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Keita Takahashi is a game director, his most notable titles being Katamari Damacy and its sequel, We ♥ Katamari. The original Katamari game was a surprise hit and was praised for its quirkiness, simplicity and charm.

Takahashi has stated in numerous interviews that he had no desire for Katamari to be touted as innovative or creative - he simply set out to bring the concept of simple, silly fun back into video gaming.

Takahashi has named the following sources as inspiration for his Katamari games:

Taro Okamoto (painter, sculptor)
Tadao Ando (architect)
Ito Jakuchu (Japanese painter)
Yoshitatsu Yanagihara (sculptor)
Picasso (painter)
Joan Miro (painter)
Hundertwasser (architect, painter)
Zdeněk Miler (picture book author)
Virginia Lee Burton (picture book author)
Savignac (graphic designer)
Mitsumasa Yasuno (picture book author)
John Irving (author)
Tomoo Itsukida (illustrator)
Quruli (a Japanese band)
Playmobil (toys)
Little Shop of Horrors (movie)
Japanese cityscape atmosphere
Japanese culture

In an interview [1] Takahashi announced that he hopes to eventually move on from video games, with an ambition of designing a playground for children.