Kento Jobana, Scenario Writer at Nippon Ichi Software, Inc.
ーCould you please start by introducing yourself?
My name is Kento Jobana. I work in development at Nippon Ichi Software, Inc., and am currently a game scenario writer and planner.
ーPlease share your career history in brief.
It’s been 10 years since I joined Nippon Ichi Software, Inc. When I first started, I worked in many different areas, including sales, licensing, and customer support.
After that, I participated in several of our periodic company-wide Internal Indies Competitions, and in 2016 I won for Boku Hime Project and again in 2018 for Process of Elimination. I then continued to work in the sales department while doing the writing and planning for those two games.
Fortunately, both games received high praise internally and externally. I also received positive evaluations for my accomplishments in the licensing department, so I was moved to development during Process of Elimination.
I then worked on our company’s flagship Disgaea series, writing the scenario for Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless.
Kento Jobana
Nippon Ichi Software, Inc. Development Department. Projects include Boku Hime Project, Process of Elimination, Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless, and the upcoming Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero.
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Joining Nippon Ichi Software, Inc. on the second try
ーDid you join Nippon Ichi Software, Inc. immediately after finishing university?
Yes, but I actually failed the first interview!
I was a really poor communicator… Well, I still am (laughs). I seriously had problems communicating at the time, and the interview didn’t go well.
Still, I didn’t give up, and I applied again the following year. Though the interview itself didn't go well that time, either, the company president saw my motivation and gave his assent to allow me to enter the company.
ーDid you want to write game scenarios when you first joined the company?
At the time, Nippon Ichi Software, Inc. did not have a scenario department, so I joined with the hopes of being in charge of planning.
However, I’d actually been writing light novels, and I made my publishing debut when I was in college. So, during the interview, I did say, “I would love to be allowed to write game scenarios.” And then, I joined the company.
ーThere are many different game companies out there. Did you join Nippon Ichi Software, Inc. because you liked the company’s games?
Yes, one reason was that I’d played Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure as a child and really loved the story and characters.
Also, another big reason I applied was that one of my college friends was working at Nippon Ichi Software, Inc., and they recommended the company to me.
When I had the job interview, I was really smitten with the company’s interesting worlds and stories. By that point, I really wanted to join.
ーWhat specific aspects of Nippon Ichi Software, Inc.’s game worlds and stories attracted you?
Personally, I really like happy endings, especially when the heroes are given tough challenges and they face those challenges head-on with a positive mindset. Games like Rhapsody and Disgaea all depict those types of characters and situations, which I found very charming.
Also, Disgaea and other titles that depict demihumans’ or non-humans’ behavior and values were really appealing to me.
ーDo you personally mainly play the kinds of tactical games that Nippon Ichi Software, Inc. is known for?
Actually, I’m horrible at strategy RPGs and other tactical games! While I do like them, I'm not good at them.
ーSo you're not good at the combat?
Exactly. The tactical aspects of battle are what I’m bad at. (laughs)
ーDoes that mean you like games that are more about the vibes?
That’s right. Our company doesn’t just make tactical games but has also been making adventure games for many years now. I mainly play adventure games in the text-based or 2D adventure style.
Stay tuned for Vol. 2 of this exclusive interview with Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero Scenario Writer Kento Jobana!
