After 30 Years They Finally Let Ace Combat’s Director Fly in a Real Jet

Kazutoki Kono has spent nearly three decades with Ace Combat, joining the franchise back in 1997, when Ace Combat 2 first came out, and remaining its guiding force ever since. For 30 years, he repeatedly requested a chance to pilot an actual aircraft. Now, Bandai Namco has granted his wish.

The Director’s Long Request

Kono revealed back in June that he had been chasing a jet for years before finally getting his hands on one. He admitted then that it was something he had wanted to do for quite some time. “Unfortunately over the last 30 years of my career I’ve been appealing, saying ‘hey, we want to ride in one of these jets!’ but we have not yet had the chance,” was his own admission of how long the pursuit had lasted. “Neither myself, or anyone on the team.”

A desire for a genuine thrill ride in an F-16 was expressed, with the ask being permission to strap in and do barrel rolls at 30,000 feet. The response was always negative.

The Outcry That Changed Everything

The piece appeared on PC Gamer, and the site’s own readers were quick to respond. One comment was drawn from pcgamer.com, though the wider reaction suggests the story reached far beyond that single exchange.

The people insisted that Kazutoki Kono should get his shot at the big blue sky. The money men had no choice but to fund our man’s trip in a MiG-21. Whatever the price, it proved to be worth it.

Look at Kono in his post-flight interview. He’s glowing!

What Happened in the Jet

Today, Bandai Namco released a promotional video for Ace Combat 8 that showed Kono getting into the cockpit of a jet at long last. It was the real-life equivalent of the series he has been managing for years. The combat, however, remained missing from his experience.

“I was scared before getting in. But once we were airborne, it turned into one of the most beautiful experiences,” he said in the video. “The G-force during turns was noticeable, but what stood out the most was the force pushing me downward into the seat. Being up in the sky inside such a compact cockpit felt incredible. It was a surprisingly comfortable and enjoyable space to be in. Compared to a large aircraft, it really made me appreciate the appeal of fighter jets.”

He also reflected on the game itself. “Looking out at the clouds and the sky while flying, I couldn’t help but think how Ace Combat is incredibly well-made,” he said. No argument here.

The Marketing Explanation

This sequence of events can be viewed in two distinct lights. One perspective sees it as a natural and unavoidable marketing move for a series that Bandai Namco has clearly invested more resources into than ever before, complete with a live-action YouTube miniseries.

Another perspective is that the public reaction to the interview’s publication was so intense that it could not be dismissed. The author prefers to regard the trip as evidence that reader outrage ultimately made a difference.

Kono’s Stewardship Continues

Brand director Kono stayed true to his duty even after experiencing the wonder of flight at a speed and intimacy that few on this earth will ever know for themselves.

He remains on camera during his post-flight interview, still performing the role he has occupied for decades. His skin bears a glow, yet his work continues.

The MiG-21 and the F-16

A promotional video features Kono inside the cockpit of a MiG-21. He had spent years asking to pilot an F-16 instead. Both aircraft belong to the same category of warplanes.

Kono originally asked for an F-16, yet the footage captures him in a MiG-21 instead. In either case, he experienced the G-force and the downward push of acceleration.

His wish was granted, and the video shows it.

Source material: “After 30 years they finally let Ace Combat's director fly in a real jet, and I'm taking credit,” PC Gamer.

Ace Combat · Bandai Namco · F-16 · game industry · MiG-21 · viral story