Pokemon: Let's Go could be the last Pokemon title for director Junichi Masuda

Director Junichi Masuda has been with the Pokemon series since the beginning when Pokemon Red and Green launched over 20 years ago. After the launch of Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee!, however, Masuda will likely be moving on to other adventures away from the beloved Pokemon universe.

In an interview published on Pokemon’s official website, Masuda commented on the Pokemon series’ future, as well as his own. Masuda, it seems, is hoping to open up space for younger creatives to influence the series. He says:

“It's important to have the younger generation at Game Freak take over the development of Pokémon as a series. I do believe this will probably be, in terms of the main Pokémon RPGs, the last time that I work as the director.”

Lead Designer Kensaku Nabana (left) and Director Junichi Masuda (right) Masuda started off as the series’ composer before moving into wider-reaching director positions for Pokemon titles beyond Red and Green. Masuda served as director for the development of Pokemon X and Y, which are often credited with bringing the Pokemon series into the current generation with its 3D models and significant gameplay changes.

With Pokemon: Let’s Go!, Masuda is also hoping to pave the way for future changes to the series. The goal is to maintain the spirit of Pokemon Yellow while adapting the experience for the modern day.

“This time around, we're defining what the modern living-room Pokémon RPG experience might be when you play on a home console on a big-screen TV,” Masuda explains. “We're starting from very different places, and as a result, I think you'll see the direction is quite different.

Check out our thoughts on how Pokemon: Let’s Go! Is shaping up in our preview of the game. Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokemon: Let’s Go, Eevee! launch on November 16 on Nintendo Switch.