Former Pokémon Director Allegedly Banned From Directing Future Projects

Former Pokémon director Junichi Masuda was allegedly banned from leading future games after a major internal dispute, according to explosive leaks from Game Freak that have rocked the gaming world. These revelations, stemming from hacked internal documents, shed light on behind-the-scenes power struggles at the studio responsible for one of the biggest franchises in history. As fans dissect the implications for upcoming titles like Pokémon Legends: Z-A, questions arise about how these shifts influenced the series’ evolution from classics like Black and White to modern entries.

Here’s the TL;DR…

• Leaked Game Freak documents claim Junichi Masuda held “absolute dominance” over Pokémon development from Ruby and Sapphire through X and Y, handling everything from planning to personnel.

• Issues like favoritism, overemphasis on PR, and organizational chaos reportedly built up, culminating in a heated argument with artist Ken Sugimori during X and Y’s production.

• As a result, Masuda was barred from directing any more games, paving the way for successors like Shigeru Ohmori, though similar problems allegedly persisted.

• The leaks highlight calls for better role separation at Game Freak to avoid power concentration and improve collaboration with The Pokémon Company.

The Massive Game Freak Leak Exposing Internal Drama

Recent hacks targeting Game Freak, dubbed the “Teraleak” by online communities, have unleashed a trove of internal files, including personnel details and development histories. Among the most talked-about is a document outlining leadership changes, translated and shared widely after being posted by reliable leak account CentroLeaks. This isn’t just routine office gossip—it’s a deep dive into how one man’s vision shaped Pokémon for over a decade, only to end in controversy.

CentroLeaks, a go-to source for Pokémon rumors and news, dropped the bombshell on X (formerly Twitter), summarizing key excerpts from the Japanese document. The post quickly went viral, amassing millions of views as fans reacted with shock and debate. “This explains why it went downhill… lmao,” one user commented, echoing sentiments that the series peaked under Masuda’s watch. Fact-checking these claims relies on the document’s authenticity, which multiple outlets have corroborated through cross-references with known Game Freak timelines, though the company hasn’t officially responded as of October 14, 2025.

Junichi Masuda’s Reign: From Composer to Absolute Powerhouse

Junichi Masuda’s journey with Pokémon started humbly as a composer on early titles like Red and Green, but he rose to prominence as director beginning with Crystal. By the time Ruby and Sapphire rolled around, Masuda wasn’t just directing—he was the development head, board member, and de facto kingpin. The leaked document refers to this period as “the era of Masuda’s absolute dominance,” where he single-handedly oversaw “development plans, personnel decisions, public relations, and game design.”

Up through Black and White, “no one could oppose him,” the file states, painting a picture of unchallenged authority that fueled innovative highs like expansive regions and memorable soundtracks. However, this concentration of power allegedly bred problems. “The organization began to run out of control,” with “unnecessary people and favorites” emerging in hiring, and game content shifting “from being focused on fun to being driven by PR.” Fans often praise Gens 3 through 5 as the franchise’s golden age, but the leaks suggest internal cracks were already forming, making proper game design “impossible.”

The Pivotal Clash with Ken Sugimori and Masuda’s Ousting

The turning point came during X and Y’s development in 2013. According to the document, “various problems arose, and midway through XY, Masuda got into an argument with Sugimori, resulting in a decision that he would no longer be allowed to direct from then on.” Ken Sugimori, the iconic artist behind many Pokémon designs, clashed with Masuda over unspecified issues tied to the growing dysfunction.

This wasn’t a quiet exit—Masuda transitioned to a producer role at The Pokémon Company in 2018, publicly framing it as passing the torch to the “younger generation.” But the leaks reveal a more dramatic backstory, with Masuda effectively banned from directing. Shigeru Ohmori stepped in as director for titles like Sun and Moon, inheriting a similar setup that risked repeating the same pitfalls. The document warns that without separating roles, “concentrated authority could lead to the organization running wild again.” Interestingly, later leaks indicate Ohmori faced similar complaints and was also replaced, signaling ongoing turmoil at Game Freak.

How This Shift Changed Pokémon Forever

Post-Masuda, the series saw mixed results. X and Y introduced Mega Evolutions and 3D graphics, but critics noted a dip in post-game content and polish compared to earlier gens. The document critiques excessive ties with The Pokémon Company, where PR demands delayed progress and forced “lies” in public explanations, exacerbating issues in X and Y and subsequent games. Today, with Tetsuo Watanabe as development head, the focus is on decentralization to make roles “replaceable and sustainable.”

As Pokémon approaches its 30th anniversary, these leaks raise eyebrows about future quality. Will better oversight lead to a renaissance, or are deeper structural fixes needed? Fans are split, with some lamenting Masuda’s exit as the start of a “downhill” slide.

In the end, these revelations humanize the machine behind Pokémon, reminding us that even billion-dollar franchises face office politics. As Game Freak navigates this fallout, the community watches closely for what’s next.

Hat Tips

• X.com: Game Freak Internal Leak: Masuda Banned from Directing After Sugimori Clash

• Bulbapedia: Junichi Masuda

• Serebii.net: Pokémon X and Y Development Insights from Leaks

• Nintendo Life: Game Freak Teraleak: What We Know About the Hacks

• IGN: The History of Pokémon Directors and Leadership Changes