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| Key art from the Xenoblade Chronicles series |
By Juli Scarr
Soraya Saga has announced that she is stepping away from video game writing, sharing that ongoing family responsibilities have led her to put creative work on hold.
In a personal message published on her blog, Saga explained that the decision was not made lightly. She described spending the last five years caring for her grandmother, who passed away near the end of 2024, as well as supporting another close family member who has been dealing with long-term challenges.
Because of how deeply she immerses herself in writing, Saga said stepping back was the right choice for now so she can fully focus on her family. She also reassured readers that her health is not a factor in the decision and that she is doing well physically.
“As for my health, I’m doing well. Thank you.”
Reflecting on the Xenoblade Series
Saga also addressed the current direction of the Xenoblade Chronicles franchise. With the series now largely written by her husband, Tetsuya Takahashi, she expressed confidence in how the games are being received and did not feel a need to return to a writing role.
“With the success of Xenoblade Chronicles, Takahashi’s solo writing seems to be widely acclaimed by the fandom. I don’t think I should ruin it.”
Takahashi is the director of the Xenoblade series and a board member at Monolith Soft, where the franchise continues to grow in popularity.
A Career That Shaped JRPG Storytelling
Saga began her career at Square under the name Kaori Tanaka, contributing illustration work on Final Fantasy VI before moving into scenario writing. She later became closely associated with the ambitious storytelling of Xenogears and the Xenosaga Episode I trilogy, projects that remain widely discussed for their scope and themes.
Even in recent years, Saga has continued to contribute creatively, including select character design work for Xenoblade Chronicles 2.
While she is stepping away from game writing for the foreseeable future, Saga’s influence on some of the most memorable JRPG narratives of the last few decades is firmly established. Her message frames the decision not as an ending, but as a necessary pause shaped by care, responsibility, and perspective.
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