Iwata Asks Being Compiled Into Book

[Nester the Lark]

According to USGamer, the Iwata Asks features are being compiled into a book by Hobonichi, a company founded by Shigesato Itoi.

So far, the book seems only confirmed for Japan, but I don't see why there couldn't be an English version since most of the interviews are already translated. I would just assume they'd only need NoA's permission.

Nonetheless, I'm happy that those interviews are being preserved.

[Evie ❤✿]

Very nice ^^. I would love one of these if it is translated into English. ✿ ~

[Leon]

I don't think that's actually a compilation of Iwata Ask's. I think it's mostly Itoi and Miyamoto reminiscing about Iwata, with some quotes from IA included for context.

[Nester the Lark]

Yeah, maybe that was a misunderstanding. Here's a video by Kevin Cassidy of GoNintendo describing the contents of the book, and it sounds more like a reflection on Iwata's life. Still sounds pretty good, tho.

[Evie ❤✿]

It seems the book is out! It looks like you can also get a cute keyring of the president with it if you purchase it from Hobonichi Store or TOBICHI stores in Tokyo, Japan. However, there are a limited stock; and they will become discontinued once they run out.

Regarding overseas releases: "The oveaseas publication of this book is under consideration,
in consultation with our agent.
We will announce our decision once it is made."

So it's called 岩田さん 岩田聡はこんなことを話していた (Iwata san (Satoru Iwata) wa konna koto o hanashite ita) maybe something like "Satoru Iwata [always? or just generally how he communicated] spoke in this way" ??

Awww

1101.com (associated with Hobonichi) have a segment about it.

www.1101.com/books/iwatasan/index.html

Shigesato said:

The subject of this book:
A book that summarises the words of Satoru Iwata, the former president of Nintendo.

[This includes] lots of interviews and dialogues, formally published in Hobonichi Itoi newspaper; as well as those published on Nintendo's official website.

There are extracts of important quotes from Shachōgakiku (Japanese version of Iwata Asks?). These are restructured in a first person narrative.

As a prodigic programmer, he created many masterpiece video games. As the president of Nintendo, he would also produce innovative gaming machines; the Nintendo DS and Wii. His creative ideas and approaches to management are collated in this book; including policies, values and philosophy.

I [Shigesato Itoi] know Satoru Iwata a lot deeper than most. In Hobonichi no Shigesato Itoi, we also recorded a special interview with Shigeru Miyamoto from Nintendo.

I cover this; his relationship between his sworn [two?] friends in my book a lot. [So maybe Satoru Iwata, Shigeru Miyamoto and Shigesato Itoi are best friends]

The cute "Iwata-San" illustration is from 100% Orange-san. Naoko Nakui worked on the book design.

(In particular) I hope that Iwata's theme of the "expansion of the gaming population" [maybe this links in with policies like Touch! Generations], loved by many video game fans and creators worldwide, will reach out to many people in the form of this book.

Some samples of pages in the book that Hobonichi shared with permission:

[Nester the Lark]

Iwata-san is being officially translated and released in the West by VIZ Media. The title will be Ask Iwata, and it will be available next spring. (Source)

[Nester the Lark]

The book Ask Iwata will be available in English on April 13. (Source)

Here's the description from the Viz Media product page (which also has links to pre-order it from various retailers):

Satoru Iwata was the former Global President and CEO of Nintendo and a gifted programmer who played a key role in the creation of many of the world’s best-known games. He led the production of innovative platforms such as the Nintendo DS and the Wii, and laid the groundwork for the development of the wildly successful Pokémon Go game and the Nintendo Switch. Known for his analytical and imaginative mind, but even more for his humility and people-first approach to leadership, Satoru Iwata was beloved by game fans and developers worldwide.

In this motivational collection, Satoru Iwata addresses diverse subjects such as locating bottlenecks, how success breeds resistance to change, and why programmers should never say no. Drawn from the “Iwata Asks” series of interviews with key contributors to Nintendo games and hardware, and featuring conversations with renowned Mario franchise creator Shigeru Miyamoto and creator of EarthBound Shigesato Itoi, Ask Iwata offers game fans and business leaders an insight into the leadership, development and design philosophies of one of the most beloved figures in gaming history.