Japanese workers and retailers are abuzz with The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, a new Nintendo Switch adventure that has sparked conversations about time off and gaming culture in Japan. Reports from the Japan Times describe how some companies encouraged staff to take paid leave so employees could dive into the game during the early days of its launch. The release landed on a Friday, a regular business day in Japan, yet many fans felt compelled to start exploring the title immediately rather than waiting for the weekend.
The article notes a trend that has taken hold among staffers who embraced Zeruda Yasumi, a term used for paid Zelda-themed holidays, to dedicate time to play Tears of the Kingdom. In at least one account, a company president reportedly approved vacation for every employee who wished to participate in the title’s early access, signaling broad corporate support for this gaming moment. The Japan Times added that large numbers of workers would choose to play rather than let work or illness interfere with their gaming plans, and some organizations opted to leverage statutory holidays to accommodate playtime.
On the consumer side, many fans lined up at electronics retailers to pick up physical copies of Tears of the Kingdom, a game that is widely abbreviated as Tiakin in Japan. The strong demand for the cartridge edition underscored the cultural impact of the release and the public’s eagerness to experience the new open-world adventure on day one.
Opinion from the global game development community has been mixed. David Jaffe, a notable American developer known for the God of War series, publicly criticized Tears of the Kingdom for what he felt were shortcomings in its graphics compared with earlier projects. While some voices focus on visual aspects, others highlight the game’s expansive world, clever design choices, and the sense of discovery it offers players.
Tears of the Kingdom was officially released by Nintendo on May 12, marking a significant addition to the series. The game invites players to explore a sprawling, open world, test new mechanics, and uncover story elements across a landscape enriched with verticality and exploration.
In Japan, fans and industry observers continue to watch how the title influences workplace culture and consumer behavior. The combination of fan enthusiasm, corporate accommodation, and ongoing discussion about the game’s technical and artistic direction makes Tears of the Kingdom a notable event in the 2020s gaming landscape, with impacts that extend beyond entertainment into everyday life and business practices.