Millennium Kitchen, a name that at first might conjure images of a futuristic culinary space, actually has far deeper and more personal roots for its founder, Kaz Ayabe. This insight came to light during an extensive career-spanning interview with Ayabe, known for his creative role in developing video games that inject the essence of summer into their gameplay. These titles include popular games like Attack of the Friday Monsters, Shin-chan: Me and the Professor on Summer Vacation, and Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid.
While many might assume that the 'Millennium' part of the studio’s name points to the new millennium era around the year 2000, the truth is much more intertwined with Japanese culture and Ayabe’s family history. This revelation was discussed in an interview aimed at celebrating Ayabe’s illustrious career as a videogame developer, providing joyful summer experiences to players for over twenty-five years.
The origin of the name 'Millennium Kitchen' is deeply linked to an old Japanese phrase, “kamado wo tsubusu”. This phrase translates to “crush or break the kitchen”, used metaphorically to describe a once wealthy household or business facing sudden bankruptcy. Ayabe shared a poignant family anecdote, explaining that his grandfather was once a prosperous supplier of fishing nets in Otaru, Hokkaido, during the 1920s. His business thrived by manufacturing nets designed for the abundant herring catches of that era. However, by the 1950s, the herring stocks dwindled dramatically, leading to the collapse of his grandfather’s business—a direct embodiment of “crushing the kitchen.”
Choosing the name 'Millennium Kitchen' was Ayabe’s way of embedding a narrative of hope and endurance into his studio. By invoking the word 'millennium', Ayabe expressed a hope that unlike his grandfather’s business, his 'kitchen', or studio, would withstand the test of time, ideally lasting for a thousand years. This choice of name highlights a blend of acknowledgment for the past and a resilient vision for the future, setting a philosophical foundation for the studio itself.
Interestingly, Ayabe also tied this revelation back to a lighthearted moment when he first partnered with Sony Computer Entertainment Japan. The officials there remarked on the unusual nature of his company's name, a sentiment echoed across various creative studios within the industry known for their unique names, like NanaOn-Sha and MuuMuu. These anecdotes underscore the vibrant and diverse culture within game development, where creativity is reflected not just in games but also in the identities of the companies that create them.
Currently, Ayabe is engaged in new projects, such as "Shin chan: Shiro and the Coal Town", and continues to contribute to the gaming industry with his distinctive flair for storytelling and gameplay design, ensuring that the spirit of summer adventures thrives regardless of the season. His studio, Millennium Kitchen, stands as a testament to the enduring power of creativity and the personal histories that shape professional landscapes. Through these ventures, Ayabe not only preserves the legacy of his family’s past challenges but also transforms them into ongoing narratives of joy and engagement for his audience, promising that his 'kitchen' will indeed aspire to last a millennium.
You must be logged in to post a comment!
