Ace Combat Director flies a real jet after 30 years
For decades, one man held a persistent dream: to experience the thrill of flying in a fighter jet. Kazutoki Kono, the brand director behind the celebrated Ace Combat series, had long appealed to the manufacturers, asking for the chance to strap into an F-16 and feel the exhilarating rush of a barrel roll at thirty thousand feet.
Despite his decades of work on the franchise, Kono admitted that after thirty years, neither he nor his team had ever been granted that opportunity.
Then, the wait finally ended. In a recent promotional video released alongside Ace Combat 8, Bandai Namco delivered the dream. Kono finally got to climb into the cockpit of a jet and experience the real-life feeling of flight, albeit without the combat elements.
Kono described the experience as transformative. While he admitted to initial nervousness, once airborne, the fear dissolved into wonder. “It turned into one of the most beautiful experiences,” he shared. He noted the noticeable G-force during turns, but the most striking sensation was the feeling of being pushed downward into the seat. Being inside such a compact cockpit provided an incredible sense of space, making him deeply appreciate the appeal of fighter jets.
The move felt less like a surprise and more like a perfectly executed marketing strategy. The public outcry following Kono’s groundbreaking interview seemed to build a fever pitch, making the demand for this experience undeniable. It turns out, the public’s fervor reached a level that the industry simply could not ignore.
The result was clear: the money men had no choice but to deliver on the public’s wish. Whatever the cost, the experience provided was clearly worth it. Post-flight, Kono was beaming, radiating pure joy about the fulfillment of a lifelong aspiration.
Even after experiencing the wonder of flight at such an intimate level, Kono remained steadfast in his role as brand director. Looking out at the clouds, he reflected on the beauty of the scene and the quality of the Ace Combat world he helped create.
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