Stranger Than Heaven director says Makoto Daito's life story is 'not just entertainment' and hopes it will break the barriers of racism — 'I hope that Makoto’s life journey really speaks to people around the globe who have had similar experiences'

Director Mikinobu Abe of Stranger Than Heaven has shared his hopes that the game's narrative about Makoto Daito's life resonates with players of mixed heritage and those who have experienced discrimination. In an interview with TechRadar Gaming, Abe explained that the game's 50-year, five-era story across multiple Japanese cities is not just entertainment. He said, "Experiencing one man's life as a narrative and as a gameplay experience is something that I have personally never played before as a video game medium."

Abe emphasized the importance of Makoto's mixed heritage and the racism he faces when he first arrives in Japan. He hopes that players will engage with these aspects of the story. "Music was the only thing for him that would break those barriers and help him communicate with people," Abe noted, describing how music became a significant part of Makoto's narrative.

The director also mentioned that the concept of music in the game was inspired by Makoto's experiences, as well as the personal experiences of Makoto's actor, Yu Shirota, who has faced discrimination. Abe expressed his hope that the game's story will connect with people globally who have had similar experiences. "Because of the way Makoto Daito’s story is written, where he starts from a mixed-heritage background, comes to Japan, and gets discriminated against, I hope that Makoto’s life journey really speaks to people around the globe who have had similar experiences," he said.