Uploaded April 2021 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Ask Iwata: Words of Wisdom is the ultimate tribute to Nintendo's fourth president and CEO Satoru Iwata. Originally published by Hobonichi (Shigesato Itoi's company, the MOTHER/EarthBound series creator and Iwata's best friend), this collection of interviews and stories about Iwata's life has been translated into English for the first time by Sam Bett of Viz Media.
The book begins by revealing Iwata's life and guiding principals through his own words, then interestingly shifting perspective to both Itoi and Nintendo legend Shigeru Miyamoto, for an insightful look back at the memories and lessons learned from their mutual friend.
This video is an overview detailing why every Nintendo fan should give this book a read--especially if you've never heard of the man--as many of us have Iwata to thank for our favorite games and the systems we play them on. Even if you've studied Iwata's life in the past like me, there's plenty of new information here to learn from, too!
⍟ Subscribe: youtube.com/channel/UCEZxL9rNR5rspAtxtCFUL7w?sub_confirmation=1
⍟ If you like my content, please consider supporting me on Patreon. You'll receive a special shout-out in the credits, and access to exclusive behind-the-scenes stuff! patreon.com/ThaneGaming
⍟ Link to buy the book: viz.com/ask-iwata
Sources & further reading:
⍟ Iwata Asks main site: iwataasks.nintendo.com
⍟ Iwata Asks Interview List: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Iwata_Asks_interviews
⍟ Official Iwata video playlist from Nintendo: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2JiZAV5BmDXQV7nA-TgqWwEuO9Bn-EXX
⍟ Iwata-San product page on Hobonichi (Japanese): 1101.com/books/iwatasan/index.html
⍟ Hobonichi website (English): 1101.com/store/techo/en
⍟ GDC animated Iwata tribute: youtu.be/9YG9INjO91Y
⍟ Iwata's "Heart of a Gamer" GDC speech: youtu.be/RMrj8gdUfCU
⍟ Iwata's "Disrupting Development" GDC speech: youtu.be/yl5hoN7r44g
⍟ Iwata's "Video Games Turn 25" GDC speech: youtu.be/khq5D0AxGNg
⍟ Itoi x Arino Kacho interview mentioning Iwata: 1101.com/gccxmother/en
⍟ Itoi x Iwata discuss MOTHER 2: yomuka.wordpress.com/2013/03/27/shigesato-itoi-satoru-iwata-discuss-earthbound-wiiu-virtual-console-release
⍟ Itoi x Miyamoto discuss the N64DD: yomuka.wordpress.com/2013/03/29/itoi-miyamoto-interview-64dd
⍟ Iwata Asks video interview with Miyamoto (3DS, reuploaded by
NintenDaanNC): youtu.be/ELyiGGiaIAc
⍟ Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga Prince Peasley clip by YouTube channel AuroraKnux: youtu.be/Y6FWT9BaNEI
Follow me for channel updates on social media:
► Twitter - twitter.com/ThaneGaming
► Instagram - instagram.com/thanegaming
0:00 - Thane Gaming "Fine Literature Club" Opening
0:11 - Who is Satoru Iwata?
1:11 - Iwata tributes in Nintendo games
2:04 - The interviews this book is compiled from
3:33 - What is Ask Iwata?
4:12 - Who this book is for & why you should care
5:11 - Iwata's humble beginnings (content preview)
5:51 - Remembering Iwata: Miyamoto's story
6:52 - How Iwata saved MOTHER 2/EarthBound
8:35 - Remembering Iwata: Itoi's story
9:24 - Iwata and Miyamoto's Monday lunches
9:44 - Conclusion/hopes for the future (support this book)!
11:02 - Thank you patrons
#AskIwata #SatoruIwata #IwataTribute
Ask Iwata: Words of Wisdom is the ultimate tribute to Nintendo's fourth president and CEO Satoru Iwata. Originally published by Hobonichi (Shigesato Itoi's company, the MOTHER/EarthBound series creator and Iwata's best friend), this collection of interviews and stories about Iwata's life has been translated into English for the first time by Sam Bett of Viz Media.
The book begins by revealing Iwata's life and guiding principals through his own words, then interestingly shifting perspective to both Itoi and Nintendo legend Shigeru Miyamoto, for an insightful look back at the memories and lessons learned from their mutual friend.
This video is an overview detailing why every Nintendo fan should give this book a read--especially if you've never heard of the man--as many of us have Iwata to thank for our favorite games and the systems we play them on. Even if you've studied Iwata's life in the past like me, there's plenty of new information here to learn from, too!
⍟ Subscribe: youtube.com/channel/UCEZxL9rNR5rspAtxtCFUL7w?sub_confirmation=1
⍟ If you like my content, please consider supporting me on Patreon. You'll receive a special shout-out in the credits, and access to exclusive behind-the-scenes stuff! patreon.com/ThaneGaming
⍟ Link to buy the book: viz.com/ask-iwata
Sources & further reading:
⍟ Iwata Asks main site: iwataasks.nintendo.com
⍟ Iwata Asks Interview List: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Iwata_Asks_interviews
⍟ Official Iwata video playlist from Nintendo: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2JiZAV5BmDXQV7nA-TgqWwEuO9Bn-EXX
⍟ Iwata-San product page on Hobonichi (Japanese): 1101.com/books/iwatasan/index.html
⍟ Hobonichi website (English): 1101.com/store/techo/en
⍟ GDC animated Iwata tribute: youtu.be/9YG9INjO91Y
⍟ Iwata's "Heart of a Gamer" GDC speech: youtu.be/RMrj8gdUfCU
⍟ Iwata's "Disrupting Development" GDC speech: youtu.be/yl5hoN7r44g
⍟ Iwata's "Video Games Turn 25" GDC speech: youtu.be/khq5D0AxGNg
⍟ Itoi x Arino Kacho interview mentioning Iwata: 1101.com/gccxmother/en
⍟ Itoi x Iwata discuss MOTHER 2: yomuka.wordpress.com/2013/03/27/shigesato-itoi-satoru-iwata-discuss-earthbound-wiiu-virtual-console-release
⍟ Itoi x Miyamoto discuss the N64DD: yomuka.wordpress.com/2013/03/29/itoi-miyamoto-interview-64dd
⍟ Iwata Asks video interview with Miyamoto (3DS, reuploaded by
NintenDaanNC): youtu.be/ELyiGGiaIAc
⍟ Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga Prince Peasley clip by YouTube channel AuroraKnux: youtu.be/Y6FWT9BaNEI
Follow me for channel updates on social media:
► Twitter - twitter.com/ThaneGaming
► Instagram - instagram.com/thanegaming
0:00 - Thane Gaming "Fine Literature Club" Opening
0:11 - Who is Satoru Iwata?
1:11 - Iwata tributes in Nintendo games
2:04 - The interviews this book is compiled from
3:33 - What is Ask Iwata?
4:12 - Who this book is for & why you should care
5:11 - Iwata's humble beginnings (content preview)
5:51 - Remembering Iwata: Miyamoto's story
6:52 - How Iwata saved MOTHER 2/EarthBound
8:35 - Remembering Iwata: Itoi's story
9:24 - Iwata and Miyamoto's Monday lunches
9:44 - Conclusion/hopes for the future (support this book)!
11:02 - Thank you patrons
#AskIwata #SatoruIwata #IwataTribute
