Shigeru Miyamoto has been selected to receive Japan’s Order of Culture, becoming the first person from the video game industry chosen for the prestigious honor.
The Nintendo veteran behind Mario, Donkey Kong, and The Legend of Zelda will receive the decoration at a November 3 ceremony. Miyamoto has emphasized that the achievements earning him recognition reflect the contributions of many colleagues throughout his career.
Universal Experiences CEO Mark Woodbury and Mario/Donkey Kong Creator Shigeru Miyamoto in Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe – Photo Credit: NBC Universal
READ: Selena Gomez Says Vaping Nicotine Changed Her Voice, and She’s Quit
The distinction marks a milestone for a developer whose characters have entertained generations, while bringing national recognition to the industry he helped shape.
Miyamoto Receives Historic Recognition
According to Jiji Press, via Nippon.com, Japan’s government announced on October 23 that Miyamoto is among eight recipients of the fiscal 2026 Order of Culture.
The Emperor will present the decoration to the 73-year-old Nintendo executive fellow at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on November 3, Japan’s Culture Day.
The Order of Culture recognizes outstanding contributions to Japanese culture and science. Automaton reports that Miyamoto was selected in the field of Media Arts (Gaming), placing video game development among the disciplines recognized this year.
Nintendo Creator Shares Credit With His Colleagues
Speaking at Nintendo’s Kyoto headquarters, Miyamoto credited the collaborators who helped bring his ideas to life.
In remarks translated by Automaton from Japanese reporting, he explained:
“As I have often said, these achievements were not the work of one person, but the result of collaboration with many others.”
Miyamoto said he would accept the distinction on behalf of those colleagues, framing the individual award as recognition of their shared accomplishments.
That acknowledgment reflects a career built alongside Nintendo’s creative teams. Although Miyamoto’s name is inseparable from several of the company’s biggest franchises, generations of designers, programmers, artists, and composers have contributed to their continued success.
His remarks also addressed Nintendo’s growing presence beyond video games, including Super Nintendo World and the company’s film business.
Bringing Nintendo’s Characters Beyond Games
In a translated interview with GameWatch, Miyamoto explained that he initially resisted the move into filmmaking. He eventually recognized that audiences could grow to love Nintendo’s characters without ever playing their games.
“So, we decided that if we were going to make something, we should make it ourselves, and that’s how we started making movies,” he explained.
Yoshi, Toad, and Mario and Luigi in the Super Mario Galaxy Movie Trailer – YouTube, Nintendo of America
READ: PS6 Memory Costs Alone Could Top $680 Per Console, Insider Claims
That approach has delivered substantial box office success. The Super Mario Bros. Movie and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie have earned more than $2 billion combined worldwide. Nintendo’s cinematic expansion will continue with the upcoming live-action The Legend of Zelda adaptation.
Miyamoto announced last May that the film’s release had moved forward from May 7 to April 30, 2027. He expressed the company’s desire to deliver it to fans “even one day sooner.”
Together with Super Nintendo World, those films demonstrate how characters introduced through video games have become established attractions in theaters and theme parks worldwide.
A Career That Helped Shape Gaming
Miyamoto joined Nintendo in 1977, beginning a career that would help transform the company’s identity. His breakthrough came with the 1981 arcade game Donkey Kong, which also introduced the character who became Mario.
Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda followed, establishing enduring series built around platforming, exploration, and discovery. Their success and influence helped make Miyamoto one of gaming’s most recognizable creative figures.
This latest distinction follows his selection as a Person of Cultural Merit in 2019. The Order of Culture is a separate honor, adding another major recognition to his career.
A screenshot of Shigeru Miyamoto entering Donkey Kong Land – YouTube, Nintendo
READ: Former Disney Imagineer Trashes Tony Baxter’s Legendary Splash Mountain as a ‘Horrible Idea’
Nearly five decades after joining Nintendo, Miyamoto remains focused on creating entertainment that brings people together.
“Going forward, I want to continue creating things that can be used even by people who aren’t interested in new media, things that are always at the heart of the living room,” he said.
For players, Miyamoto’s legacy lives in familiar characters, memorable worlds, and games shared across generations. His forthcoming decoration formally recognizes that influence and establishes a first for the video game industry. By sharing the credit, he also honors the colleagues who helped turn his ideas into some of entertainment’s most enduring creations.
How do you feel about Shigeru Miyamoto being selected for Japan’s Order of Culture? Sound off and let us know!
UP NEXT: Former BioWare Employees Leak Mass Effect 5 Trailer
