Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for this ARC

This book! Magic, brilliant just amazing! For gaming fans everywhere

Over his career, Satoru Iwata became an iconic figure in the video game industry. Ask Iwata gives readers a deeper insight into his background and his lasting impact at Nintendo. Each chapter focuses on a different aspect of Iwata, including his core ideology and approach to game development. The interviews with Shigeru Miyamoto and Shigesato Itoi are particularly compelling, as they convey their admiration for Iwata as both a peer and a friend. This book reminds us that Iwata's legacy will not be forgotten, and I highly recommend it for gamers young and old.

More of a bound collection of interviews that have been previously published. Sound advice no matter your road. I loved the perspectives on bringing humanity to a business. Nothing earth shattering but lovely insights.

I lived in Japan for almost 3 years, sometimes it is difficult to put in context the differences in cultures to American counterparts. "Ask Iwata" is an incredible book that marries both the concepts of the Japanese culture and a fan of Nintendo. The editor Hobonichi created a narrative that best described Iwata's life as far as his childhood and the perseverance necessary to achieve the level of success that Iwata earned in Nintendo. A gentle reminder to all that success does not happen overnight and that one must stay humble and kind to all they encounter to ultimately get the greater success. This would be a great inspirational book for the gamer in your life.

***Thank you NetGalley for providing me with access to this e-preview. This review is based on an ARC.***

As a member of Gen X gamer, Nintendo had an immense impact on my chidhood. I appreciated that this was not a standard biography, and the journal-like feel in some places kept me interested. I thought it would be the "behind the secret curtain" look at Nintendo that would be most alluring. Instead, it was the content related to his life and how he approached business and work that kept me reading. You finish the book knowing that he was passionate about his work and cared about his people.

Words of Wisdom – Ask Iwata

Author: Satoru Iwata, Edited by Hobonichi
Publisher: VIZ Media
Genres:
Published: April 13, 2021

Since the rise of video games, Nintendo has been a household name for many. From the days of huge arcade machines to the dawn of handheld consoles, Nintendo has been a big player in the field. It is, of course, not the work of a single person, but by the collective efforts of employees. However, the company needs a good leader in order to function effectively. The late Nintendo president, Satoru Iwata, is the prime example of that. Known for his humility and great leadership, we get to see a glimpse of his thought processes in Ask Iwata.

Contains Spoilers

Discussion Time

Just as the title suggests, the entire book consists of Iwata’s thought processes. He answers specific questions in detail, often adding anecdotes and lessons he learned throughout the process. The book starts with him as a typical student who starts messing with his dream calculator. From that calculator, he manages to create games for his close friend and very first fan. He talks about that lowly beginning and his rise towards being the president of one of the biggest gaming companies in the world.

Why You Should Read Ask Iwata

1. Wisdom, Wisdom, Wisdom

As a man who has experienced both the highs and lows of life, Iwata has a lot of wisdom to share. That’s exactly what he did in this book. He shares the knowledge he learned through working in different set-ups, as well as the wisdom he gained by working with countless individuals. He shares his views as someone who initially fancied computers, to a president who inherited millions in debt, and finally, to a multi-billion president. Despite his achievements, Iwata continues to be humble. He talks about company management, company visions, and what he thinks works best to build a healthy work setting both for yourself and your employees.

2. Light and Fluent

Since the book is about company management, and one in the gaming industry at that, we’ve expected Ask Iwata to be a heavy read. In fact, we wouldn’t be surprised if it's filled with jargons and whatnot. However, we’re pleasantly surprised that the book is easy to understand from start to finish. Even though we may not be able to handle a group of people as big as the Nintendo company during Iwata’s time, we still gained insights that we believe changed us for the better.

Why You Should Skip Ask Iwata

1. Obviously, Not for Everyone

Even though there are autobiographies in manga form like A Drifting Life by Yoshihiro Tatsumi and Hiroshima: The Autobiography of Barefoot Gen by Keiji Nakazawa, Ask Iwata isn’t like that. Even though there are plenty of anecdotes, Ask Iwata is not an autobiography. It’s more a self-help guide or an inspirational non-fiction. That being said, this kind of book is not everybody’s cup of tea. We understand that, thus, here we are giving you a disclaimer.

Final Thoughts

Ask Iwata has been a good, insightful read. It may not be action packed or filled with wonders in the fantastical terms, but that’s the point of the book. The book is lighter than we’ve expected, and we’ve gained a handful of insights. Is the book worth checking out? If you’re not into non-fiction, then this book may not be for you. Is it worth your while? Probably, but it’s definitely worth it for us.

By: Christian Markle

Ask Iwata is an interesting collection of essays by the Nintendo CEO. If you are a fan of Nintendo and/or have an interest in business and what makes a company successful where others fail, then this is one you need to add to your to-read list.

Ask Iwata was written by the titular Satoru Iwata, one of Nintendo’s most dynamic presidents. Originally, Iwata’s book—rather, this collection of articles—was published on the Japanese website Hobo Nikkan Itoi Shinbun, which fans of globally beloved planner company Hobonichi will recognize whether or not they read Japanese. Some were also published on the Nintendo website in the form of the “Iwata Asks” series. Additionally, the book collects a multitude of thoughts and insights from those articles. The book itself was compiled in 2019, and now, English-speaking readers have a chance to sit down with Iwata and learn more about this very thoughtful man.

Ask Iwata was translated by Sam Bett, with illustrations by 100% Orange. Sam Bett is known for his work with authors Yoko Ogawa, Nisio Isin (often stylized as NISIOISIN), and BananaYoshimoto. Francesca Truman handled the design and layout for this edition, with Hobonichi serving as editor. While no specific individual is mentioned I would like to recognize them for their work on this title as well. And excitingly, this edition is a nice hardcover from Viz Media, who once again, brings their A-game on this very special book.

Ask Iwata is broken up into parts which are further divided into chapters. Each part, or section, is packed with a range of topics from Iwata’s youth -when he learned how to create and program on a programmable calculator- to articles from a multitude of creators. Some notable creators include Shigeru Miyamoto, the creator of The Legend of Zelda, and Mario.

Initially, I wasn’t sure what to expect in this book. I knew it would be a book of thoughts: really, a book “suffused with Iwata’s thinking and philosophy,” which is a quote from the preface. However, I think Ask Iwata is quite humanizing, especially for someone who made such a big impact on the gaming world. What’s clear in the book is Iwata’s immense kindness. It’s also clear that he wasn’t afraid to remain human while in his role as president. Whether meeting with every employee one-on-one during his time at HAL to making space for others who were more fitting for roles, Iwata maintains a deep sense of community in this book of thoughts.



Honestly, I think that’s why so many fans remember him fondly. At the core of Iwata’s work was a deep sense of community and communal sharing. He clearly took care not to step on any toes, or to dishearten or put down anyone in his care. As a creator myself, I deeply respect community-building. Seeing someone so key to Nintendo’s modern history hold that in his heart feels wonderful.

Out of all of the pieces compiled in Ask Iwata, I found Shigeru Miyamoto’s piece on remembering Iwata to be the most touching. It’s clear that both men regard one another not only as colleagues but trusted friends. Miyamoto even remarks that they never butted heads while working together. Part of that might be due to Iwata’s rather modest manner and general desire to uplift, rather than put down.

Many fans will recognize Iwata as one of many creatives on loads of titles that are beloved globally, including cult classic EarthBound, Pokemon Snap, and Super Smash Bros. In fact, I think that’s how a lot of fans in English-speaking countries remember him. And though Satoru Iwata left us on July 11, 2015, his legacy in gaming resonates powerfully through this entire book. I found myself aching to sit down at a lecture and just listen to his thoughts. It’s clear that Iwata was someone who really treasured creating. At the end of Iwata Asks is the quote “No part of my experience has turned out to be a waste of time.” I truly think that Iwata meant what he said and never wasted time: instead, he put all of his creative energies into putting excitement and good into the world.

All in all, Ask Iwata is certainly a keeper, especially for readers who are passionate about video games and the good they can put into the world. I know that I’ll keep Ask Iwata on my shelf for a very, very long time.

This book gathers a series of articles & essays by Satoru Iwata who was SAtoru Iwata who was the CEO of Nintendo. He took the company through tough times.
The book will mainly interest Nintendo fans with an interest in business.

For those who grew up playing the games of Nintendo, this book may be of interest since it was Iwata who became the company’s 4th President and led Nintendo to a great deal of its success in the gaming world. This is a book of Iwata’s insights, personal views of management, and words of wisdom gained through experience. Like so many other men whose lives were cut short, we wonder what other great games, systems, and inspiring ideas he could have come up for us. Simply written but deep in the thoughts he left behind.

A compilation of motivational addresses on diverse subjects such as leadership, development, designer and work philosophies from Satoru Iwata, one of the most beloved figures in the gaming industry. The late Satoru Iwata was a former Global President and CEO of Nintendo and an accomplished programmer who prioritized humility and people-first approach. This book isn't an in-depth biography on Satoru Iwata's life but a compilation on his reflection and observation throughout his career from "Iwata Asks" column on the Nintendo website in featuring interviews with key contributors to Nintendo Games such as Shigeru Miyamoto and Shigesato Itoi, the creator of "Earthbound".

Growing up, Nintendo was a huge part of my life and re-visiting these iconic games gave me such a nostalgic feel. I really enjoyed the in-depth development and designing process in creating some of these beloved games. What makes Satoru Iwata such an innovative leader was his fearless approach in risk-taking. He embraced the challenge to always create something new rather than compete in an existing market. The purpose of taking radical new directions moved boundaries in welcoming new players and continuing connecting with current players. He is the exemplary figure in what a respected leader is and should be aiming for. His words of wisdom were inspirational and lessons that are universal for all of us to gain. Satoru Iwata is the kind of boss and colleague I would dream of working for and with. He is a rare gem and it was unfortunate to have lost him way too soon. "Ask Iwata" is a celebration for the late Nintendo's legendary CEO Satoru Iwata's life and his wisdoms. This is a tribute to the man of patience, courage and determination who was universally respected and admired that positively impacted the gaming industry forever.

Thank you to NetGalley and VIZ Media for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Part biography, part business book, this is such an insightful look into the life of a man who changed the gaming space for the better. One of the legends of the space, someone who seemed so lucky for how things happened in his life, you can tell just by reading this book that nothing that happened to him was luck. He got to where he was through sheer determination, quick wits, and creativity, and that's what the story should be about. His business tactics outline throughout the book just make sense, showing that people were his priority, not product. A book full of inspiration, and one I would recommend to anyone in the gaming space. Or, honestly, even just someone curious about Japanese business.

The late Satoru Iwata was the global president and CEO of Nintendo and heavily involved in the development of some of their most iconic games.

Gamers feel about Satoru Iwata the way that virgins must feel about Richard Branson. Thank you, I'll be here all week. That was a bad joke. I'll see myself out.

A prominent quote from Iwata on the book blurb conveys why he was held in such high regard:

“On my business card, I am a corporate president. In my mind, I am a game developer. But in my heart, I am a gamer."

Iwata was the head of a company but gamers took him to heart as one of their own.

The book is comprised of his reflections previously published by Hobo Nikkan Itoi Shinbun or as part of the "Iwata Asks" column on the Nintendo website.

Although Iwata was never interested in a book being written about him in his lifetime it's easy to understand why one was made after his death.

It's a tribute to one of the most beloved and influential figures in the gaming industry.

To steal a line from Playstation, one of Nintendo's competitors, "This is for the players."

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I've played many of Iwata's games, so it was fun to read the ideas behind the finished product.

I really enjoyed this book! It's a mix between a business/life advice book, an autobiography, and a homage to Iwata, both as an influential figure in the video games world and as an individual.

I went into this book not really knowing who Satoru Iwata was, only knowing that he was one of the notable figures at Nintendo. I didn't grow up playing a lot of Nintendo series classics like Mario, Zelda, or Kirby either, but I figured this would be an interesting read for me, as a person who enjoys video games and is interested in game development.

Fortunately, I was right! Many parts of this book touch on the contributions that Iwata made to the video games world, including consoles like the Nintendo DS and the Wii, both of which I grew up playing with. Even for games I'm not really familiar with, such as Earthbound, it was still incredibly interesting to hear about the behind-the-scenes stories, how these games/consoles came to be, and what philosophies Iwata used to guide them through the development process. Having said that, I definitely think die-hard Nintendo fans with a more in-depth knowledge of the company's history and its games would gain more from these sections than I did.

Even more pleasantly surprising to me were the sections where Iwata discusses his business philosophy and how he drew upon the lessons he learned as a programmer to become a more effective business leader and communicator. I'm not sure how clearly some of those parallels will come across to the average person, but as a computer science major I found the comparisons he made to be extremely insightful and a stark reminder of how experience in seemingly unrelated backgrounds can repurposed to offer fresh perspectives in other fields.

Finally, it's impossible to come away from this book without the deep sense that Iwata was a truly remarkable person to have as a leader, a co-worker, and a friend. His guiding ideology and the way he writes about his accomplishments reveal him to be a humble individual who genuinely believed in the value of teamwork, open and honest communication, and making space for other peoples' strengths. I feel like I've come away from this book with a new, more positive approach to professional relationships with others.

My main criticism would be the "Words of Wisdom" sections at the end of every chapter. I assumed that they would be nice little bullet-point summations of the main ideas in each chapter, but they felt more like short snippets that the translator/editor couldn't manage to fit into the main text. Most of them are related to the contents of the chapter, but some of them seemed a little random and made me think "Huh? Where did this come from?" or "What advice am I supposed to gain from this?". Nevertheless, they were fun to read.

Favourite quote: "Talent basically involves the ability to find rewards. In my view, talent isn't about achieving results so much as deriving pleasure from the results that you've achieved. When somebody has tapped into their stores of talent, the cycle of discovery and reward is up and running."

I would definitely recommend this book as a quick enjoyable read for video game fans, especially Nintendo fans and those interested in game development.

**Thank you Viz Media and NetGalley for the free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was received as an ARC from VIZ Media LLC in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

I have been waiting for this book for over three decades. Nintendo was huge in my family and my brother played almost all of the games including Super Mario, Tetris, Madden, and the Racing Games and we will never forget the release of Nintendo 64 and the parties we would throw to celebrate the release. I love how Iwata broke down this book and the stories he told that provided descriptive content in not only how to succeed in the video game business but in any business especially do not let the demons in your head take over. How he started the book was brilliant. It says CEO on his business card, holds the job as a developer but he is a gamer at heart. This book I know will do very well in our business and in our biography collection and will be a hit with our community.

We will consider adding this title to our Business collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

A short business book filled with observations and philosophies of former Nintendo president Satoru Iwata. This is definitely a book for those who love Nintendo, know a lot about it's history and products, and want to get a high level look at how the sausage is made. While I thought some of Iwata's work philosophies were interesting (especially being driven by a goal to help people have fun and his policy of 1 on 1 meetings with all staff over time) ultimately I didn't have enough depth pf knowledge of Nintendo's products or history to understand why some decisions or ideas were momentous.