Masahiro Sakurai, born August 3, 1970, in Musashimurayama, Tokyo, Japan, is a renowned Japanese video game developer, director, writer, and voice actor.[1][2] He joined HAL Laboratory in 1989 at age 18 after winning a game design award, quickly creating the character **Kirby** and directing his debut title, *Kirby's Dream Land* (1992), followed by *Kirby's Adventure* (1993) and *Kirby Super Star* (1996).[2][3][6] Sakurai's breakthrough came with **Super Smash Bros.** (1999), a Nintendo 64 hit he developed as a side project, blending Nintendo characters in a unique platform fighter.[2][3] He directed its sequel, *Super Smash Bros. Melee* (2001), under tight deadlines.[1][2] Disillusioned by HAL's sequel-heavy focus, he resigned in 2003, founding Sora Ltd. in 2005 for greater creative freedom.[1][2][3] Through Sora, Sakurai helmed *Super Smash Bros. Brawl* (2008), *Kid Icarus: Uprising* (2012), *Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U* (2014), and *Super Smash Bros. Ultimate* (2018), the latter featuring an expansive roster and World of Light story mode.[1][2] Other works include *Meteos* (2005).[3] He has collaborated closely with Nintendo, notably persuaded by the late Satoru Iwata to continue the Smash series.[3] Known as a workaholic, Sakurai often burned midnight oil, prioritizing player "wow" moments like cutscenes while critiquing online spoilers.[1] Married to Michiko Sakurai since 2008, he named Sora after Kingdom Hearts' Sora.[1] As of recent years, he remains a pivotal Nintendo figure, with his Smash legacy enduring across platforms.[2][4] (298 words)