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Dragon Quest’s Yuji Horii Makes History as First Game Designer Awarded Japan’s Order of the Rising Sun
November 4, 2025Yuji Horii, the visionary behind the Dragon Quest series, just broke a barrier no other game creator in Japan has crossed. The Japanese government has awarded the 71-year-old designer the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette. This honor isn’t just rare for the industry, it’s a first for any game designer in the country.
The government cited Horii’s “distinguished service to the state” for his groundbreaking work on one of gaming’s most iconic role-playing franchises. That’s high company; previous recipients include academics, artists, and leaders in other major industries, but never someone from video games.
A Lifetime at the Helm of Dragon Quest
Horii’s career stretches back to 1986, when the original Dragon Quest landed in Japanese living rooms and helped define the RPG genre. Since then, he’s had his hands in every mainline title, steering the franchise for nearly four decades. Through his company Armor Project, he also co-owns the Dragon Quest intellectual property alongside Square Enix. That partnership has kept Horii firmly at the series’ creative core.
He’s not shy about giving credit to those he’s worked with along the way. Accepting his award, Horii said (per FNN): “I’ve been making games for a long time, about 40 years now, but it’s not just my own efforts, it’s all thanks to the staff who helped me make it, and the users who have always supported me. I’ve levelled up in many ways, done many things, and all my hard work has paid off.” It’s a classic Horii move: humble, gracious, and laser-focused on the community that built the phenomenon.
The Order of the Rising Sun is the third-highest national award Japan bestows, just beneath the Order of the Chrysanthemum and the Order of the Paulownia Flowers, honors typically saved for heads of state and top politicians.
Dragon Quest Still Dominates Decades Later
The timing of Horii’s recognition isn’t lost on longtime fans. The latest game in the series, Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake, launched just last week across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, both Nintendo Switch models, and PC. Interest is as strong as ever; recently, the Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake shattered expectations, becoming Japan’s best-selling title of the year with more than 820,000 copies sold in its first week.
More than just a nod to past achievements, Horii’s award signals how far video games have come in Japanese society. The honor moves gaming from cultural entertainment to recognized pillars of national achievement, right alongside literature, film, and the arts. For fans and industry veterans, it’s a long time coming, and the impact will be felt well beyond the franchise’s borders.
This win isn’t just for Horii. It’s a milestone for everyone who sees games as more than just toys, proof that decades of creativity, collaboration, and fan support can reshape an entire country’s cultural standing, one legendary quest at a time.
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