The Japanese government has officially honored Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, in recognition of his distinguished service to the nation’s cultural and creative industries. This accolade, one of Japan’s highest honors for civilians, marks a historic moment as Horii becomes the first video game creator ever to receive the award.
The announcement came as part of Japan’s Autumn 2025 Decorations, where a total of 3,963 individuals were recognized for their achievements across various fields. Horii’s distinction highlights his pivotal role in shaping Japan’s video game heritage, most notably through his leadership in developing the Dragon Quest franchise, a series that has profoundly influenced not only Japanese gaming culture but also the global RPG landscape.
Reflecting on the recognition, Horii expressed deep gratitude to his collaborators and fans. “I’ve been making games for a long time—about 40 years now—but this is not just due to my own efforts; it’s all thanks to the staff who helped me create them and the users who have always supported me,” he said. “I feel like I’ve leveled up in many ways and done many things, and I’m glad to see all my hard work has paid off.” His remarks capture both humility and pride in the collective journey that built one of Japan’s most beloved gaming franchises.
Since the launch of the first Dragon Quest in 1986, Horii’s influence has extended far beyond entertainment, helping define the role-playing game genre and contributing to Japan’s global cultural footprint. His visionary storytelling, combined with the iconic designs of Akira Toriyama and the memorable music of Koichi Sugiyama, transformed Dragon Quest into a national institution, often credited with inspiring generations of game developers.
Alongside Horii, manga artist Go Nagai, renowned for his pioneering works Mazinger Z and Devilman, was also awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette. Nagai thanked his long-time supporters, stating, “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the readers and editors who have supported me in creating my own style of work, allowing me to continue as a manga artist for nearly 60 years.”
