Scenario writer and illustrator Soraya Saga has announced that she is stepping away from writing video games. The announcement was made on her blog, where she explained that the decision is due to family circumstances that currently require her support.
Soraya Saga is a former Square developer who began as an illustrator under the name Kaori Tanaka. She worked on Final Fantasy VI, Xenogears, Xenosaga Episode I, Soma Bringer, and more.
She has also remained active as an illustrator, contributing rare Blade character designs to Xenoblade Chronicles 2. Plus, Saga is the wife of Tetsuya Takahashi, director of the Xenoblade series and a board member at Monolith Soft.
Saga explained that she spent five years caring for her grandmother, who passed away toward the end of 2024. She also shared that another family member has been going through a difficult period for the past decade and currently needs her support.
She also addressed the current state of the Xenoblade series, noting that with Takashi’s writing, the fandom widely acclaims it, and she doesn’t think she should “ruin it.” Lastly, she clarified that her own health is not an issue and that she is doing well physically.
The whole message is as follows:
Retirement
Soraya Saga has retired from writing video games due to family circumstances.
The key reasons are the following:
I had been taking care of my grandmother (passed away at the end of 2024) for five years.
A member of my family who has been going through a difficult time for the past 10 years needs my support for now. Given my tendency to immerse myself in writing too much, I ought not to write yet.
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.
As for my health, I’m doing well. Thank you.
Thanks to Automaton Media for sharing this news.