Japanese publication GameMakers recently conducted an extensive interview with TomozoP, the creative mind behind several quirky video game titles including the butt-controlled Nintendo Switch fighting game Ketsu Battler and the unique “one and only tofu action game” The Strongest TOFU.
Working both as an indie developer and at game studio KAYAC, TomozouP has crafted over 100 different projects in the last decade. However, sustaining a constant flow of fresh concepts isn’t always straightforward, and in the interview, the developer admits struggling with a significant creative block while developing The Strongest TOFU. To break through this stalemate, TomozoP made an unconventional decision to become a certified Tofu Meister.
The Strongest TOFU initially began as an entry for the First GYAAR Studio Indie Game Contest organized by Bandai Namco Entertainment and Bandai Namco Studios, where it earned an award. Inspired by Nintendo’s action games such as Super Mario Galaxy, TomozoP was able to develop the core concept and about 80% of the game elements in roughly a month. However, expanding The Strongest TOFU into a full-priced title presented unexpected challenges.
“During development, I hit a wall with level design and had only created fewer than 10 stages in six months,” TomozoP explained. He identified three key factors that helped him overcome this creative rut: first, bringing publisher Phoenixx onboard to manage development; second, hiring composer Nagamatsu Ryo (known for Nintendo titles like Mario Kart and Splatoon) to create the background music.
The third breakthrough came when TomozoP realized, “Despite making a game about tofu, I knew virtually nothing about it.” This prompted him to obtain a genuine Tofu Meister Certificate. “This helped me connect all the stages to the actual tofu-making process, including incorporating tofu trivia. At that moment, everything clicked into place. This was something I hadn’t planned for the game, and as Yanase (Yohei, Senior Advocate at Unity Technologies Japan) noted, I’m certain that such an idea could never originate from a typical game company.”
According to a post on X from last year, TomozoP was inspired to pursue the Tofu Meister certification after playing the agriculture-themed action RPG Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin. “I was deeply moved by the game, and it made me realize I needed to fully immerse myself in the concept to truly do it justice,” he said.
The Strongest TOFU is available on Nintendo Switch and PC through Steam, where it currently maintains a Very Positive review rating.