The Dark Heart of Katamari Damacy

Support the show on Patreon - / writingongames
Podcast (iTunes) - itunes.apple.c...
Second Channel - / @writingongamesextra9177
---
Katamari Damacy, with its joyful explosion of colour and immensely satisfying mechanics, is seen as the non-violent, friendly face of video game power fantasies. But when analysing the themes of the game as well as the trajectory of its creator Keita Takahashi, I began to think that perhaps it isn't the wholly feel-good experience it appears to be-that the realisation of its power fantasy deliberately plays on some of our less desirable traits as human beings, to great effect.
---
SOURCES:
The joy of Katamari Damacy (Eurogamer) - www.eurogamer....
Video games aren't about power - they're about agency (The Guardian) - www.theguardia...
The negativity of Keita Takahashi (gamesindustry.biz) - www.gamesindus...
Interview: The Melancholy of Keita Takahashi (Gamasutra) - www.gamasutra....
Katamari was comment on consumerism (Eurogamer) - www.eurogamer....
Katamari Creator Denies Drug Use & Other Choice Quotes (Kotaku) - kotaku.com/kat...
Japanese industry "in decline", says Takahashi (MCV) - www.mcvuk.com/...
Keita Takahashi (Exclusive Interview) (GamerHubTV) - • Keita Takahashi - Excl...
Keita Takahashi's 2011 Global Game Jam Keynote (Mark J. Paterson) - • Video
Noby Noby Boy Keita Takahashi Interview (sceablog) - • Noby Noby Boy Keita Ta...
noby noby boy Takahashi interview 2 (Playstation Korea) - • noby noby boy Takahash...
GameSpot @ GDC 09: Noby Noby Boy Interview (Gamespot) - • GameSpot @ GDC 09: Nob...
DOOM footage from NVIDIA - • Exclusive DOOM 1080p 6... ---
Intro text animation by Draz: / drazgames
/ @drazgames
Production work by Nico Bleackley

[@WritingOnGames]

Well that went some places I didn't expect when I started writing this. I hope you enjoyed it! If you feel like supporting my work directly, you can head to patreon.com/writingongames or hit "Join" next to the subscribe button (although I know way less about how the latter works). Patreon gives you access to exclusive written pieces and the like. Your unbelievably generous support has been crucial in allowing me to keep doing the work I do, so thanks!

[@daniellebalouise9596]

Considering the title of your channel, do you view making youtube videos as something like, "Writing, animated"? (words can be tweaked to be more accurate - such as "Writing, with video graphics") I guess in more relatable words, do you conceptualize making a youtube video as basically multiple, layered steps of craft, built upon the function of writing an essay exploring a topic + some specific theme(s)?

[@MrGreaterGargadon]

People ask when games will have their Citizen Kane, and yet never ask when movies will have their Katamari Damacy.

[@inframeout]

We're through the looking glass here...this comment has me shook

[@HxH2011DRA]

@@inframeout LOL

[@magentasound_]

One of those comments that actually make you say sksjshdjsjss out loud 😂😂

[@-snek.]

@@pygmalion0451 Speed Racer is an impossibility movie. A live action anime adaptation that's arguably better than the original material.

[@EverDownward]

Gaming got its Citizen Kane almost thirty years ago, though. It's called DOOM.

[@robertgamble410]

"This absolute mad lad, coming to merge them with the cosmos" This might just be the greatest quote of 2019

[@Margar02]

I rewound and listened to that part again!

[@dannykazari]

There's even more to be said about this interpretation when you play the second game and see the King's backstory. Neglected and berated by his own father, the King is now repeating the same mistakes with his own son the Prince.

[@jomaq9233]

Man this game predicted the “generational trauma trend”

[@kaneshiro2280]

I also want to comment on the soundtrack! (Specifically Lonely Rolling Star because I've looked into the lyrics of that song more than anything else) and it's not as happy as it sounds! It's such a beautifully bittersweet song about a person waiting for their lover to come back from accomplishing their life goal, but they miss them dearly and hope they'll be back. They acknowledge the pain of being away from a loved one. I believe in the sequel to that song, they actually separate because they know it's better for both of them, which adds to the bittersweet feeling of the first one. Katamari Damacy has some incredible messages tucked away in it's little package of rainbows.

[@guacbird]

yes and in the third song (lonely rolling no more) they actually get back together

[@Jnmicter]

To me, Katamari has always been a cutesy version of the old 50's horror movie, The Blob. You're rolling an all-consuming sphere around while animals run away, people scream and panic, and cops shoot at you (to no avail) until they inevitably get rolled up. Definitely got that monster movie flair

[@shanewaslost4283]

Not to mention, did you know that living things in KD only fling if they are moving? This means that the policemen in KD can not be flung, as when they shoot at the katamari, they are at a stand still. Probably has to do with nothing, but an odd thing to recognize.

[@GameDevYal]

This reminds me of the conclusion that Return of the Obra Dinn is the best detective game in a very long time, because rather than trying to emulate real detective work and failing because it can't be replicated, it finds a way to make you think like a detective using an absurd setup. The idea that Katamari expresses how being stuck with a job you hate and never get appreciated for just feels so RIGHT, somehow. I've underestimated absurdity's power.

[@MatthewPherigo]

GameDevYal this is an interesting comment. Can you explain what you mean that real detective work can't be replicated?

[@MatthewPherigo]

Are you saying that absurdity may be more effective to create an experience, than the "direct" path that tries to literally recreate the original scenario?

[@lostuser1094]

GameDevYal absurdity is one of the most powerful literary forms imho. A

[@glowerworm]

@@MatthewPherigo Because in order to replicate real detective work, you'd need to make the work hard enough that only detectives could solve it

[@monstergonads11]

Always seen that game and thought of checking it out for the mystery theme and interesting art style but never picked it up maybe I will soon

[@Zezinizzle]

A game about wanting more for the sake of wanting more. It's weird that a game like this says so much without sacrificing it's very basic mechanics. One of my favourite osts ever too.

[@inframeout]

I am both joyously fascinated and deeply disturbed by this "Mad Lad" of a game. It's essentially "The Blob" - you're an all-consuming homunculus of trash that slowly expands with each absorbed dayglow denizen until everything goes quiet. It's satisfying, but it also makes me very, very sad. Still, there's nothing more satisfying than watching a tumbleweed of garbage eat a cat.

[@Dhakadice]

The cosmic royal family are seemingly indestructible, can change size at will and treat everything from humans to entire planets as raw building materials. You're basically playing from the point-of-view of Lovecraftian horrors. It would be hilarious if someone made a mod with more "realistic" graphics, a horror soundtrack and the prince portrayed as this tentacled collection of eyes and teeth. ;D

[@violatorut2003]

Katamari is not non violent. I don’t think all those people were asked if they wanted to be stuck to a giant ball. They are clearly running away in terror.

[@WritingOnGames]

That's the whole point of the video!

[@armandostockvideos8386]

They only fear the uuknown, at the end the katamari bring humanity together.

[@violatorut2003]

@@armandostockvideos8386 reminds me a lot of the necromorphs. “We’ll all be made whole.” Is that the quote? At least Katamari has fun colors I guess lol

[@subprogram32]

This certainly was a way more interesting topic than *just* talking about Katamari's Joy for sure! Well done! :D

[@tapirman111]

Katamari is probably the most openly anti-capitalistic Japanese game I can think of. Hell I really can't even think of any others that spit in the face of late stage capitalist mass consumption the way this does.

[@phantomspaceman]

Little Inferno is worth a mention.

[@cyanidenightshade]

its pretty fucking ironic and sad how namco pretty much turned it into a mess of a franchise by continuously releasing less and less quality games over the years

[@Kydino]

I don't know if this is supposed to be satire or a genuine comment, either way, nice job.

[@SkelNeldory]

@@Kydino Did you even watch the video?

[@Kydino]

@@SkelNeldory yes I did, it's just that the way he worded his statement seemed weird.

[@kingofallcosmos860]

We feel like some of this information may be wrong

[@SerafiniAGaunt]

To me, the Katamari isn't about destroying Earth. It's about making humanity come together to create something beautiful, as evidenced by the last song in the game & the family on the moon

[@ghhn4505]

Was waiting for someone to say this

[@jamestheredd]

I have always felt a curtain darkness accompanying the over the top cheerful overtone of Katamari. Because of that, this title definitely grabbed me. Great video as always!

[@zmdumpbox2340]

It seems that, as a creator, whatever lurks deep in your psyche will manifest itself in your creation, one way or the other. I didn't think too much into how the King is essentially a lazy-ass tit, until you pointed out these creator's interviews. The connection gives Katamari Damacy a delicious extra layer to its meta.

[@music79075]

So the King is Middle Management or the Regional Manager who, by sheer virture of the position of their power and own personal character faults, unintentionally make things harder for you while fucking up their own Business and then have you clean up the mess and adjust to the ever increasing mountain of obtuse requirements.

[@marble2725]

I love your takes on video games - they are so insightful and smart and respectful to the source material. Truly a delight to watch. Thank you!

[@HeavyEyed]

I said this already but I wanna give you dat engagement- god damn you’re a machine.

[@roadsidepeekneek7259]

By god you actually did it, the mad man

[@DrPeacemakerX]

Oh! I feel it! I feel the cosmos!

[@rui6994]

Wow, you really opened my eyes to this game! I used to play Katamari Forever and We Love Katamari on my grandma's PlayStation, and I have Katamari Damacy now! I never realized just how much deeper and darker the game was besides being deathly afraid of the king! Thank you for the video, I don't see a lot on what I can say is one of my most favorite games :)

[@KlausWulfenbach]

The Katamari clone The Wonderful End Of The World by Dejobaan has a similar premise, but with a more positive feeling. Your boss is still an absent-minded all powerful being, but instead of accidentally destroying the heavens, it's time to destroy the world. However, although the world itself is scheduled for destruction, your job is to gather everything in the world up before it's destroyed, so you're actually saving everyone and everything you grab out of the levels.

[@speedstriker]

3:27 if you listen closely, you can hear the exact moment when a barely perceptible chuckled betrayed his attempt to keep a straight face for the faux serious tone of this video.

[@HxH2011DRA]

LOLOLOLOLOL

[@imlxh7126]

I think I needed to hear this right now, as a creator. Subscribed.

[@katanalevygames]

I find it fitting that Katamari's art style heavily resembles the Superflat art movement led by Takashi Murakami, another anti-consumer culture statement to come out of Japan. Excellent video!

[@brmbkl]

not challenging you, wondering how is Superflat an anti-consumerist movement?

[@katanalevygames]

@@brmbkl It's a distorted mockery of the pop-culture icons and the cute mascots that can be found on many japanese products and advertising. I don't think I'm alone in this interpretation of the movement, but I may be wrong.

[@bazzjedimaster]

To be fair we learn in later games that the King is tough on the Prince because his own father was pretty harsh at him too. Which could let you assume/retcon the dismissiveness and sterness as a form of tough love.

[@e.clipperton4052]

I love Katamari and share much of your take on this - Very similarly I would love to see someone write about the unbearable melancholy of losing Pikmin at the end of the day...

[@Liddell2675]

This is such an interesting analysis of a game I’ve always played and viewed as a comfort game (because of the monotony and satisfaction of rolling a ball with anything and everything under the sun) and it’s definitely gotten me curious to see what other takes you have on other games.😊 Thank you for putting this out in the wild for viewers like me to discover, even 5 years after the original uploading date❤

[@Ameliacats42]

I was just looking for videos on Katamari and I got called out on my existential dread instead

[@LZaraz]

One of my favourite game series ever. This was a great video, you managed to put into words what I felt about the game without realising it.

[@RejectAllCookies13]

Without knowing anything about the developer I wrote a review on Steam and I think this weird masterpiece tackles many themes human kind in general sweap under the carpet.

[@bluecat3338]

Weird, but interesting. Much like Katamari itself.

[@husepher]

Damn, I never thought about it like that, real af I can relate

[@JustinY.]

At least we can all agree it's one weird anime.

[@tenbeat]

How many people are you subscribed to?

[@OriginalName-xy5eb]

Good on this guy.

[@wx7fm]

Hey Justin Y., do you ever want to say something serious in the youtube comments but then remember what account you're logged into?

[@freddiekruger3339]

@Dac Dac ... You don't think there's a point to making an absurdist comment on a video about how this game's absurdism affected the video creator? Hmmmmmmmm. In all seriousness Justin is like the @dril or wint of KZbin and I'm personally always happy to see him.

[@maximilianoo86]

Didn't expect this AT ALL. Wonderful analysis on one of my favorite games ever. On a more "literal" note of the dark side of the game, I kind of feel for the humans and animals in the game, screaming and running as they are about to be "sticked". I always see that part as a kind of horror and violence.

[@spore4ever91]

Katamari isn’t about violence! It’s about togetherness!! About love!!!!

[@Reoooooooooooooo]

A prime example of 'trying to read too much into something', IMO. The video feels like that one assignment you had in high school where you had a one page story and had to write a 20 page essay about the authors intention, when it was clear he just wanted to tell a simple story.

[@TheSultan1470]

Hahaha

[@GameBrainOfficial]

I had a ball watching that Hamish.

[@SelectScreen]

"now cower in fear at the size of this absolute mad lad" is a top 3 Writing on Games line. I want it on a shirt.

[@Ironbattlemace]

"Non-violent power fantasy" *NAA NANANA NANANAAA IS GETTING SKIN BREAKING LOUD*

[@Jacksongirard]

Imagine how much harder the time limits were with their publisher, than the time limits built into the game.

[@ty_sylicus]

Fantastic perspective.

[@CuttingEdgeSeaPunk]

The funny thing is that last night I had a dream where I rolled up my place of work. Then I woke up and this was the first video in my feed 😂😂😂😂

[@liamrichardson4619]

Bloody hell this video is incredible

[@nathanbutcher7720]

That katamari is Sisyphus' boulder

[@qwertyuiopaaaaaaa7]

I love when the childhood memories I love are ruined by a very well argued critique. Great video!

[@dangox3370]

if you pay attention to what he says, you soon realize the king of all cosmos is actually a terrifying entity.

[@spenceduggs]

I always ready the relationship between the King & the Prince as one of the older & newer generations, in the sense that older generations were the ones who ruined massive aspects of the world, yet still berate the younger generations for the way they attempted to fix things. They expect us to, but they’re not grateful.

[@RegicidalQueens]

I wish people would stop making out like Katamari Damacy is dark...oooh, The King literally makes a rainbow and even when you make him mad which isn't his fault he still shows you his flashing brilliance. If The King found out people weren't having fun with Katamari Damacy I'm sure he'd show the greatest diplomacy and send the Prince to show them the glory of the Katamari and they would all be most pleased.

[@LAUGHINGMAN91]

Yes mate got it bang on, loved the finishing note which summs up exactly what i feel the creative essence of katamari really is. And you did it without stretching into nonsense conjecture and guesswork. love it.

[@INSOMNIACification]

Best gaming content on KZbin, geet on lad

[@slamarchy1194]

Another excellent video essay, as always.

[@ganon_t99]

*I CAN ROLL WITH THIS!!*

[@chucktownattack]

Da-ma-shee is the correct pronunciation if anyone's curious.

[@helloofthebeach]

It's fun to pretend it's a system of government though

[@thrillhouse_vanhouten]

Yeah, it's very clearly pronounced correctly in many parts of the game's soundtrack, and yet, a baffling number of people still pronounce it incorrectly.

[@Skylar-un8nk]

i never thought about it that way! i always felt like katamari was sort of about the repetitive tasks of living and working under a system that wasn't built for you, but i sort of read it more as about how yeah it sucks and it's repetitive, but it's still worth it to be alive for its own sake. i never considered the consumerist angle; very interesting!

[@marxtheenigma873]

1:33 King's head tube has big fake eyes and teeth. First time I've noticed that.

[@Me-ue9dy]

Good job

[@justcoffeeman]

After playing the Virgo constellation I can no longer see this game with the same eyes.

[@Gandesh_Bahaji]

Pretty cool. I found Katamari Damacy in Galaga Wars. Cool video. ⭐

[@kamakozy13]

Added to favourites. Great video essay

[@almarc]

That sounded strange and wasn't stacking up at start. But as I got closer to the end on the video.. I think, You have a point on this one :)

[@ruzinus_]

"I can see the phenomenon on the horizon now. It's coming closer and growing ever bigger. If ever this nation -- no, the world, needed heroes... that time is now. That time is now." (queue katamari themesong)

[@Lyoko1309]

da, da, da... da, da-da da-da doo doo doo-doo doo doo doo-doo-doo NA NAAAAAAAA LA-LA-LA LA-LA LA-LA LA KATAMARI DAMACY Man I want that movie

[@Suoly_]

You really are the best guy talking about games right now. Thanks so much.

[@kylebarvel]

the king is just a nitpicky critic oftentimes. This is analogous to real life, working for working just to survive

[@shindig9000]

This video is ridiculous... It's just freaking silly.

[@WhatInTheActual]

I can't wait until the next new Katamari damashi game! Aside from its innate greatness I hope we are spoiled on this next release, which will hopefully happen sooner rather than later. The remaining rerolls would be so nice in the meantime!!

[@Stephen-Fox]

Well this video didn't go in the direction I expected, even with that title.

[@mattheholic2]

Bluffing Damacy is a song about a man who swears off alcohol... but as the title suggests, they're reslly just trying to fool themselves.

[@ROACH123_]

Incredible video. As a child i always knew that katamari damacy was way ahead of its time artistically and mechanically. The part that i didnt realize, was how ahead of its time it was spiritually and pollitically. Only now decades later with a plethora of knowledge at my disposal, do i realize that this game quite literally exposed me to an experienced that would prepare me for life and define my future in a way that no other experience ever has. I always knew it was special, which is why i emulated it 6 months ago on my computer; only to uninstall because i found the undertones to be quite confronting and different to what i remember which unsettled me. This however was because as a naive child i had the mental agility to able to shrug off the stupid mentality of the "king" aka "corporate" and immerse myself in my own little mini game of rolling the ball effortlessly and on demand. As i grew older i started to be able to identify certain themes in the game and understand the true emotional and educational impact this game actually had on me. I thought: over all these years my opinions and morals have changed so much, but remembering back to my childhood, they havent changed at all. The only difference now is i have an education which allows me to put my feelings into words, feelings such as hatred for corporate greed etc etc. these feelings i would have never been able to describe as a child, but always felt them, and learned to identify them and their manifestations through this genius learning tool cleverly disguised as a game, and despite takahashis contradiction to this; i believe this to be his magnum opus. The reason takahashi does not believe katamari damacy is his magnum opus, is because it didnt CHANGE THE WORLD, but its only been 15 years and his genius is unfolding before our very eyes RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW IN THIS VIDEO. People can only appreciate art and intellect when its 200 years dead like davinci and einstein. I am an avid believer of supporting GOOD ideas, and this game despite its confronting themes (much like real life) is a GOOD idea. In a way, this game is almost like a key to the universe, an understanding of the meaning of life, like you mention in the video. I am very glad someone took the time to review this game. My dream is to be a video-game developer, and this game is one of the games that sparked my dream as a child, some honorable mentions include supreme commander 2, SPORE, runescape and ratchet and clank.

[@TreyGamr58]

I've always known about this weird series and been meaning to pick up the remake. Now I have this depressing subtext to think about while rolling and assimilating everything.

[@carprincess]

Great video, I’m glad you did a deep dive into katamari since it’s one of my favorite PlayStation games (that now is on the switch!)

[@SarahWeisters]

I love the detail with which you see things.

[@HxH2011DRA]

*ganbatte* INTENSIFIES

[@armandostockvideos8386]

6:15 "something other than violent machismo" What?

[@dfox6222]

Katamari Demacy is a Comedy Horror video game franchise made for kids. Change my mind.

[@SuperSweetBoy]

I’ve just discovered your work, having gone through a few of your earlier videos as well as this one and I’m blown away by the professionalism of your writing and editing. I wish you all the best, keep up the great work. Do you have a Twitter account I can follow? It’s fine if not.

[@khakisohn9710]

I always got really off put by the king's attitude whenever he interacted with the mc.. thanks for the video!

[@mrwafflesplays]

I love these videos but I just want to see analysing all the Hitman 2 episodes :D

[@WhoIsSirChasm]

Out of curiosity, have you played Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes? The themes in that game seem pretty similar to those you discussed here, and it'd be interesting to compare and contrast them given their fifteen-or-so-year separation.

[@dr.raydeangeloharris8887]

I'm still waiting for Wattam.

[@lazycouchman]

Holy fuck I never thought this about the game and I had heard about the consumer reason but wow. This is awesome. You're literally making me cry at how awesome this game is and how awesome you are.

[@twilightprincelink]

This is the best way to desribe violence!

[@prowlingmonkey]

It teaches you the perils of blindly living your life to make up for your father's failings

[@WaddleDee105]

Never thought I'd see this sort of analysis on Katamari of all things!

[@Allen2142]

Do you think that an analysis of guild wars 2's story would be worthwhile? People are very disputed on the subject, with some people (like myself) left mouth agape and others being sequentially disappointed. Just thought I'd throw it out there!

[@Weighty68]

What an empowering piece, thank you again Hamish for showing what this medium has already accomplished for those who think we need to "cinematically" depict every single mature game to come out from now on. Really shows how far ahead we were in the PS2 era!

[@cacheclear]

You should do a piece on Night in the Woods

[@percher4824]

And some people say that games aren't art.

[@nintendoenthusiast2122]

Katamari damacy reroll is the best video game of all time

[@flexcrazyfun5109]

I typed in "how to get good at katamari" but I guess the point is that there is no "good" and we're all stuck in the mediocrity that is life itself. Thanks.

[@kilgoreplumbus1360]

I don't think KD has a point and that's okay, good even,

[@malukogamer1154]

Is this like Katamari SLA?

[@ninolium8223]

kathamari damacy...

[@nevercanyoucant]

played the demo, hated the controls, but you just sold it to me anyway

[@alexisgutierrez7634]

This channel will never stop amazing me

[@roadfleam]

is it just me or is it not that deep

[@FatherTime89]

You talk about darkness lurking beneath the surface in Katamari. Well I realized something about that game that fits in that theme. That has the highest body count of any game I’ve ever seen ever. Everything you roll up gets turned into a star and therefore is killed and at the game you’re rolling up countries. So you’re wiping out every land animal on Earth including all the humans that aren’t in space.

[@jonn_mace_80_95_]

Somewhat disagree. Not sure if it technically counts as a body count when sentient beings that get rolled up literally stay alive.

[@onionheadguy7094]

Have you ever played Katamari Damacy.... ON WEEEEEEED?

[@SethTraplifeGLO999]

1. I wouldn't say "without violence" more like without graphic violence cus your grabbing and crushing the world up. 2. More people need to see this awesome video

[@nicholasloud7772]

Can we get another Red Dead 2 video. So much material about the intersection of gameplay, choice, inevitability, and narrative. Definitely deserves another video lol