Visions of Mana Director Kenji Ozawa Unveils New Studio Sasanqua
Kenji Ozawa, the celebrated director behind Visions of Mana, has officially announced the founding of his new games studio, Studio Sasanqua. Initially established in January and formally unveiled on March 3, the new venture was revealed with a teaser trailer—a visually striking, entirely Japanese production that hints at an artistic and innovative future.
Ozawa's departure from his previous role at Ouka Studios in December came on the heels of the studio’s closure—an event that coincided with the highly successful release of Visions of Mana. This closure, driven in part by NetEase’s ongoing restructuring and layoffs across its subsidiaries, has underscored a troubling trend in the industry: management’s reluctance to assume responsibility for project failures. In his recent interview, Ozawa emphasized that “Management needs to protect creators,” reflecting the sentiment of many developers who feel burdened by the weight of accountability without having a meaningful voice in decision-making processes.
With Studio Sasanqua, Ozawa is set on a mission to integrate management with development—a synergy rarely seen in today’s gaming industry. He has pledged to shoulder responsibility for any shortcomings resulting from managerial decisions, thereby fostering an environment where creative talent is both protected and empowered. Initially, the studio will focus on developing small-scale projects using Unreal Engine, with ambitious plans to eventually expand into larger titles for both PC and console platforms.
This strategic move represents not just a personal new beginning for Ozawa but also a potential paradigm shift in how game development studios balance creative freedom with managerial oversight.
What are your thoughts on Kenji Ozawa’s new venture with Studio Sasanqua? Will his approach to integrating management and development set a new standard in the industry? Share your insights in the comments and join the conversation!
