Former SEGA Senior Managing Director Hidekazu Yukawa passed away
Fans, colleagues and friends honor his legacy and pay respects to Mr. SEGA.
Former Senior Managing Director of SEGA Hidekazu Yukawa, otherwise known as ‘Mr. SEGA’ passed away.
Famitsu reported the news that Yukawa died last June at age 78 as a result of complications from pneumonia. However, his family kept the news private until this week. Now, fans and colleagues take to social media to send their condolences and honor the legacy Yukawa left behind.
Among those who took to Twitter to pay respects to Yukawa include prominent game developer Yuji Naka. In his post, Naka reveals his shock to hear the news and offers condolences and respect. In addition, Naka thanks Yukawa for the help he offered to him in life.
Alongside Naka, Sonic voice actor Junichi Kanemaru also shared his condolences. Like Naka, Kanemaru also expressed shock to hear the news. Kanemaru also fondly remembers his time working with Yukawa on the Dreamcast Sonic Adventures games.
Remembering the life and legacy of Hidekazu Yukawa
Hidekazu Yukawa is most fondly remembered for his marketing efforts for the SEGA Dreamcast in Japan. After the console’s launch, Yukawa starred in a humorous commercial that depicted a group of children berating SEGA’s latest efforts in favor of PlayStation. Bothered by overhearing the kids call SEGA lame, Yukawa fumes and obsesses over their sentiment. By the end of the commercial, he accidentally bumps into some Yakuza before promptly getting beat up.
People across Japan loved the commercials so much that the Dreamcast sold out the day it released. As a pop-culture figure, Yukawa earned the nickname Mr. SEGA among fans and even appeared on the box art for the Dreamcast console. In addition, Yukawa also cameoed in SEGA games Shenmue and a Japanese exclusive DLC for Sonic Adventures.
Outside of work, those who personally knew Yukawa will remember him for his kind-hearted nature. And as fans, friends and colleagues alike mourn his loss, we will also remember Yukawa for the legacy he left on SEGA and the gaming community in general.
Via Siliconera
