Shigeru Miyamoto has become the first game creator to receive the prestigious Order of Culture award from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

The creator of Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda was named alongside composer Shunichi Tokura (Devilman, His and Her Circumstances) in the 2026 list. Since 1937, the Order of Culture has celebrated figures who have made outstanding contributions to Japanese culture in the fields of art, science, literature, and technology.

Anime director Rintaro (Galaxy Express 999, Captain Harlock Space Pirate) was also chosen as a Person of Cultural Merit this year. He joins Hayao Miyazaki and Yoshiyuki Tomino as one of the few anime creators to receive this designation.