Square Enix Launches Luminous Productions Studio With Final Fantasy Xv Director Hajime Tabata

Tabata, Square Enix listed as producing new CG for upcoming NHK documentary series
Square Enix announced on Tuesday that it has established a new studio titled Luminous Productions, headed by Final Fantasy XV director Hajime Tabata.

In addition to Tabata, many of the other staff members who worked on Final Fantasy XV have joined the new studio. The studio's official website also currently lists a variety of staff openings in Japanese and English. The studio's aim is “developing new AAA titles, and bringing innovative games and other entertainment content to a global audience.” The studio plans to “utilize innovative technology and creativity to change the future of gaming and entertainment.”

NHK is listing that Tabata and Square Enix are producing the CG for an upcoming Jinrui Tanjō (The Birth of Mankind) documentary for NHK, although the site doesn't specify if it is the new Luminous Studios that is working on the series. The three episodes of the series will premiere on April 8, May 13, and June 10, respectively.



Issei Takahashi (Whisper of the Heart's Seiji Amasawa, live-action Ikebukuro West Gate Park's Kazunori Morinaga) is the "program navigator" for the series. The documentary will explain the evolution of humanity with the most recent science. The series will create a drama through highly detailed CG and follow humanity's "great journey."