A new report from CentroLeaks claims that Pokemon Winds & Waves, the upcoming exclusive for the Nintendo Switch 2, will be directed by Hiroyuki Tani and Katsuhiko Ichiraku. This reported staffing change marks a notable shift, as previous entries in the mainline series have been directed by Shigeru Ohmori.
Source Reliability
This information is currently unconfirmed and stems from a single source, CentroLeaks. Given that the information has not been verified by The Pokemon Company or Nintendo, we rate the confidence of this report at 58/100.
What This Means for Players
While developer roles are often internal, the reported appointment of Tani and Ichiraku provides insight into the creative leadership behind Pokemon Winds & Waves. Both directors have significant experience with recent franchise entries, specifically through their work on expansion content. Tani led the Pokemon Sword and Shield DLC, and Ichiraku directed the Pokemon Scarlet and Violet DLC.
Because these directors were responsible for post-launch content in previous generations, some community members speculate this could signal a development focus on post-release expansions or structured DLC models for the new title. However, such claims remain speculative until official announcements are made.
Quick Facts
- Game: Pokemon Winds & Waves
- Platform: Nintendo Switch 2
- Reported Directors: Hiroyuki Tani and Katsuhiko Ichiraku
- Report Source: CentroLeaks (August 12, 2026)