Kazuma Hashimoto
@kazuma.bsky.social
critic / consultant / ??? @ ??? x2 ・ award nominated ・ ハーフ ・ queer, he/him, FTM 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ ・ bylines: IGN, Polygon, GamesRadar+, MMORPG, Them, Inverse, Rolling Stone ・ CONTACT: kazuma.h.de@gmail.com ・ posts don't reflect employer, etc. etc.
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Kazuma Hashimoto
@kazuma.bsky.social
· Oct 21
hello! my name is kazuma hashimoto and i'm a critic and features writer. my work can be found on polygon, ign, and siliconera, usually entailing some kind of deep dive into japanese media. i also work as a narrative design consultant and a narrative designer on cool stuff i can't talk about yet.
oh yeah, my intro post. so a lot has changed in the past year. i still work as a critic and features writer. i'm now a part-time editor too. still do narrative design and consultation, but do market analysis to help identify trends and create marketing strategies. 👍 i'm also always open for work
Reposted by Kazuma Hashimoto
never trust gamers example #38403482
January 23, 2026 at 6:44 PM
never trust gamers example #38403482
ok a knight of the seven kingdoms is honestly really good. if there wasn't toilet humor injected into the show at random moments, i think it'd be better than game of thrones in a lot of ways. (apples to oranges some would say, but it's really quite good.)
February 7, 2026 at 9:03 PM
ok a knight of the seven kingdoms is honestly really good. if there wasn't toilet humor injected into the show at random moments, i think it'd be better than game of thrones in a lot of ways. (apples to oranges some would say, but it's really quite good.)
Reposted by Kazuma Hashimoto
This sonnet was so much fun to write. It’s in This Elegance and thank you to @newenglandreview.bsky.social for originally publishing it 💜
February 7, 2026 at 7:35 PM
This sonnet was so much fun to write. It’s in This Elegance and thank you to @newenglandreview.bsky.social for originally publishing it 💜
Reposted by Kazuma Hashimoto
I didn’t have access to WiFi on the plane and got more work done in three hours than I ever have in my entire life. I will learn nothing from this.
February 7, 2026 at 6:42 PM
I didn’t have access to WiFi on the plane and got more work done in three hours than I ever have in my entire life. I will learn nothing from this.
Reposted by Kazuma Hashimoto
As a Filipino, I can confirm that much outsourced digital labor in the Philippines consists of "remotely faking processes described as automated." Since these workers are contractually forbidden from disclosing this work, people remain continuously surprised by this in the year of our lord 2026.
Once again, it turns out “fully autonomous” means “a guy in the Philippines.”
It Turns Out Waymos Are Being Controlled by Workers in the Philippines
During a Congressional hearing, Waymo's chief safety officer, Mauricio Peña, was grilled over the company's reliance on overseas workers.
futurism.com
February 7, 2026 at 2:43 AM
As a Filipino, I can confirm that much outsourced digital labor in the Philippines consists of "remotely faking processes described as automated." Since these workers are contractually forbidden from disclosing this work, people remain continuously surprised by this in the year of our lord 2026.
Reposted by Kazuma Hashimoto
people don’t want to see gloss, they want to see your uniqueness shine through a creative work
February 6, 2026 at 6:46 PM
people don’t want to see gloss, they want to see your uniqueness shine through a creative work
Reposted by Kazuma Hashimoto
On a similar note, as Mamdani continues to notch W after W you’re going to start seeing opinion pieces about how this could never work in any city other than New York, etc., etc. Do not engage! It’s just entrenched power bullshit and that’s all! Don’t let them make that a conversation!
February 6, 2026 at 7:04 PM
On a similar note, as Mamdani continues to notch W after W you’re going to start seeing opinion pieces about how this could never work in any city other than New York, etc., etc. Do not engage! It’s just entrenched power bullshit and that’s all! Don’t let them make that a conversation!
Reposted by Kazuma Hashimoto
Once again, it turns out “fully autonomous” means “a guy in the Philippines.”
It Turns Out Waymos Are Being Controlled by Workers in the Philippines
During a Congressional hearing, Waymo's chief safety officer, Mauricio Peña, was grilled over the company's reliance on overseas workers.
futurism.com
February 6, 2026 at 3:37 PM
Once again, it turns out “fully autonomous” means “a guy in the Philippines.”
if you liked BG3 I'd actually suggest giving some of these a read. there are a few stinkers here, but it's effectively a definitive collection of 2.x-4.x TFR novels that serve as a backbone for most games set in TFR.
If you’re a Dungeons and Dragons fan, you owe it to yourself to jump into Forgotten Realms with this bundle of 40 books from Wizards of the Coast!
- Dissolution
- Elminster: Making of a Mage
- Brimstone Angels: Lesser Evils
- and more! Supports First Book | https://bit.ly/4rtmE3R
- Dissolution
- Elminster: Making of a Mage
- Brimstone Angels: Lesser Evils
- and more! Supports First Book | https://bit.ly/4rtmE3R
February 6, 2026 at 6:04 AM
if you liked BG3 I'd actually suggest giving some of these a read. there are a few stinkers here, but it's effectively a definitive collection of 2.x-4.x TFR novels that serve as a backbone for most games set in TFR.
i'm so excited to get on this plane, suffer lax, and then collapse into bed
February 6, 2026 at 5:40 AM
i'm so excited to get on this plane, suffer lax, and then collapse into bed
Reposted by Kazuma Hashimoto
the industry needs to pay translators more.
🚀 Aniplex of America Inc. is hiring a Localization Specialist.
Full time, hybrid in Santa Monica, CA, $70k-80k. Japanese & English fluency & JLPT N1 certification required.
#jobalert #translationjobs
sonyglobal.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/SonyGl...
Full time, hybrid in Santa Monica, CA, $70k-80k. Japanese & English fluency & JLPT N1 certification required.
#jobalert #translationjobs
sonyglobal.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/SonyGl...
Localization Specialist
Aniplex of America Inc. (Santa Monica, California) is a subsidiary of Aniplex Inc. (headquartered in Tokyo, Japan), a group of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. and a leading provider of anime con...
sonyglobal.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com
February 6, 2026 at 4:23 AM
the industry needs to pay translators more.
Reposted by Kazuma Hashimoto
jc denton at the supermarket:
jc: 'the hottest hot sauce ever'.
jc: incredible.
jc, turning his head to another bottle of hot sauce:
jc: 'there's never been a sauce as hot as this one'.
jc:
jc, stern: well one of you is lying.
jc: 'the hottest hot sauce ever'.
jc: incredible.
jc, turning his head to another bottle of hot sauce:
jc: 'there's never been a sauce as hot as this one'.
jc:
jc, stern: well one of you is lying.
February 5, 2026 at 10:54 PM
jc denton at the supermarket:
jc: 'the hottest hot sauce ever'.
jc: incredible.
jc, turning his head to another bottle of hot sauce:
jc: 'there's never been a sauce as hot as this one'.
jc:
jc, stern: well one of you is lying.
jc: 'the hottest hot sauce ever'.
jc: incredible.
jc, turning his head to another bottle of hot sauce:
jc: 'there's never been a sauce as hot as this one'.
jc:
jc, stern: well one of you is lying.
Reposted by Kazuma Hashimoto
Capcom is hiring a Communications Intern! We're looking for someone to join our PR & Social Media team for Summer 2026 in San Francisco. Please apply or share with students pursuing a career in games! jobs.jobvite.com/capcomusa/jo...
February 5, 2026 at 10:11 PM
Capcom is hiring a Communications Intern! We're looking for someone to join our PR & Social Media team for Summer 2026 in San Francisco. Please apply or share with students pursuing a career in games! jobs.jobvite.com/capcomusa/jo...
Reposted by Kazuma Hashimoto
GOG did an AMA and they all but confirmed that they will continue using Gen AI.
"AI tools are one of many technologies we test and try out, and in some contexts it genuinely helps us push the company (and the mission) forward".
I mean, no way they could pay an artist like before, right?
"AI tools are one of many technologies we test and try out, and in some contexts it genuinely helps us push the company (and the mission) forward".
I mean, no way they could pay an artist like before, right?
February 5, 2026 at 7:09 PM
GOG did an AMA and they all but confirmed that they will continue using Gen AI.
"AI tools are one of many technologies we test and try out, and in some contexts it genuinely helps us push the company (and the mission) forward".
I mean, no way they could pay an artist like before, right?
"AI tools are one of many technologies we test and try out, and in some contexts it genuinely helps us push the company (and the mission) forward".
I mean, no way they could pay an artist like before, right?
Reposted by Kazuma Hashimoto
it's always crazy when you realize someone has been quietly fuming and building you up in their head as their sworn, eternal nemesis for months when you have no idea who they are
February 5, 2026 at 5:46 PM
it's always crazy when you realize someone has been quietly fuming and building you up in their head as their sworn, eternal nemesis for months when you have no idea who they are
Reposted by Kazuma Hashimoto
“You’re playing with people who assume safety. But safety is not universal.” - from Ebenezer Mowete's first byline for Mothership
www.mothership.blog/queer-nigeri...
www.mothership.blog/queer-nigeri...
We spoke to queer Nigerian gamers about the identities they hide online
Voice chat can mean teamwork, coordination, and banter, but for many of the queer Nigerian gamers we spoke to, the mic is a risk assessment tool.
www.mothership.blog
February 5, 2026 at 7:04 PM
“You’re playing with people who assume safety. But safety is not universal.” - from Ebenezer Mowete's first byline for Mothership
www.mothership.blog/queer-nigeri...
www.mothership.blog/queer-nigeri...
i think a salaryman would be inspired tbh the people love a despondent office worker i'm just spitballing here
overwatch isn't my rodeo but I can't believe another new hero from Japan is some flavor of ninja.
February 5, 2026 at 6:58 PM
i think a salaryman would be inspired tbh the people love a despondent office worker i'm just spitballing here
Reposted by Kazuma Hashimoto
i forgive you bro. i know that arthas' menethil's journey is similar to your own
February 5, 2026 at 6:18 PM
i forgive you bro. i know that arthas' menethil's journey is similar to your own
Reposted by Kazuma Hashimoto
This week in The Bathysphere I have a piece on "Moogles as a Designable Surface," in which I consider the Moogle Paint feature in Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles as an example of a cosy ritual and mechanic:
buttondown.com/Bathysphere/...
buttondown.com/Bathysphere/...
February 5, 2026 at 1:19 PM
This week in The Bathysphere I have a piece on "Moogles as a Designable Surface," in which I consider the Moogle Paint feature in Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles as an example of a cosy ritual and mechanic:
buttondown.com/Bathysphere/...
buttondown.com/Bathysphere/...
it's kind of astounding how much better people treat you or the amount of free things people will give you if you dress well or look rich. brought to you by this outfit.
February 5, 2026 at 5:31 PM
it's kind of astounding how much better people treat you or the amount of free things people will give you if you dress well or look rich. brought to you by this outfit.
Reposted by Kazuma Hashimoto
It was bad enough when they were staying utterly silent about the audience reaction, but joking about it like this is a new low.
RGG Studio not only cast Kagawa despite his actions, they are specifically taking advantage of his image as a creep to sell the role.
Guess that’s that. #REMOVEKAGAWA
Guess that’s that. #REMOVEKAGAWA
![A shot of Teruyuki Kagawa as Goh Hamazaki in Yakuza Kiwami 3 with his face mosaic blurred out, accompanied by an excerpt from a GAME Watch interview with Ryosuke Horii on 2026-02-05:
Horii: “Rikiya and Hamazaki are both key characters to the story, so it would certainly be safer not to recast them and avoid online criticism (laughs). But we felt there was no use being afraid. We based our decision on what excited us and made us think, ‘This is who we want to perform,’ or ‘What if we cast this person?’ […] Hamazaki is a sleazy, persistent, and militant yakuza, right? Since he isn’t an explosive character like Kanda, when we tried to think of someone who makes you go, ‘This guy’s a creep,’ naturally it was Kagawa-san. The biggest thing was just had to see that. Kagawa-san’s acting is fun to watch. Even when he’s chopping a pig’s feet off with a chef’s knife, it has a slimy feel.”](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:miwrulrgrudgnchcqgcpxgth/bafkreianho4oe2hx4rmjbrd65x22prtp53ol6fm5ljlqdnjmxkjx2bnpme@jpeg)
February 5, 2026 at 4:44 PM
It was bad enough when they were staying utterly silent about the audience reaction, but joking about it like this is a new low.
Reposted by Kazuma Hashimoto
Apologies for the FB link, but critical context. Got so mad when I read this... www.facebook.com/takuji.yamad...
Basically: who besides tourists and short stayers doesn't have residential status? Asylum seekers in immigration hell, children of these people (some even born in Japan)... T_T
Basically: who besides tourists and short stayers doesn't have residential status? Asylum seekers in immigration hell, children of these people (some even born in Japan)... T_T
February 5, 2026 at 4:01 PM
Apologies for the FB link, but critical context. Got so mad when I read this... www.facebook.com/takuji.yamad...
Basically: who besides tourists and short stayers doesn't have residential status? Asylum seekers in immigration hell, children of these people (some even born in Japan)... T_T
Basically: who besides tourists and short stayers doesn't have residential status? Asylum seekers in immigration hell, children of these people (some even born in Japan)... T_T
overwatch isn't my rodeo but I can't believe another new hero from Japan is some flavor of ninja.
February 5, 2026 at 3:56 PM
overwatch isn't my rodeo but I can't believe another new hero from Japan is some flavor of ninja.
Reposted by Kazuma Hashimoto
currently looking for a concert photographer for an event in March in LA. must have experience. please link your portfolio below if you're interested in the opportunity or feel free to rec.
February 4, 2026 at 8:40 PM
currently looking for a concert photographer for an event in March in LA. must have experience. please link your portfolio below if you're interested in the opportunity or feel free to rec.