[Sunday 日 Culture] Reason for Annual Leave "Zelda Release"... Both Boss and Employees Take 'Fan Vacation'

The Legend of Zelda Latest Release Sparks Wave of Vacation Requests
"Hobby Guaranteed, Productivity Boosted" Fandom Vacation Institutionalized

"Since today is the release date of The Legend of Zelda, the company will be closed."

On the 3rd, Nintendo simultaneously released the latest installment of the popular game series The Legend of Zelda, titled Tears of the Kingdom, worldwide for the first time in six years. Not only in Japan but also foreign media such as AFP reported that this series surpassed 10 million copies sold within just three days of release, gaining immense popularity.

[Image source=Nintendo Korea]

The Legend of Zelda has been around since 1986 and has a strong fan base, so many people took time off work for this new release after six years. The so-called "Zelda holiday" gained popularity on social networking services (SNS). A Japanese idol active in Korea also made headlines by joining the Zelda holiday, saying, "Alone is wandering, but together is an adventure. I will go on an adventure with Zelda."

In fact, in Japan, it is quite common for employees to take annual leave whenever a new installment of a famous game series is released. Recently, some companies have started recognizing such "otaku holidays" (推し休暇). Today, we will look into Japan’s "otaku holidays" sparked by The Legend of Zelda.

The term "Zelda holiday" (ゼルダ休み) actually refers to the phenomenon of office workers taking annual leave to coincide with the release of The Legend of Zelda. It is used to support the craze by saying, "The game is so popular that people take time off for it." Variations of this term appear whenever a famous game is released. For example, when a Pok?mon game was released, the similar "Pok?mon holiday" also became a hot topic.

In Korea, companies are also trying to change work styles by redesigning office interiors and adjusting working hours. Similarly, in Japan, some companies have recently institutionalized such holidays. They provide paid leave for hobbies such as attending concerts, movies, or theater performances of one’s favorite artists. Although the Zelda holiday has recently gained attention, the trend of introducing these "otaku holidays" has been growing for several years.

NHK also reported last year that a daycare center in Sapporo provided such holidays to teachers, which became a hot topic. In addition to legally mandated paid leave, they offer up to three extra days off. For example, a 30-year-old childcare worker, known as a "pro gamer hopeful," used this leave to participate in a gaming tournament and is freely using it. Employee satisfaction is high; this pro gamer hopeful said, "If I don’t spend enough time on my hobby, it can affect my work. Rather, I want to enjoy this leave and convey the joy I gained in other ways."

'The Legend of Zelda' game screen. (Photo by Nintendo Japan website)

Especially in Japan, where there are many game fans, there are voices saying companies should consider this as part of employee welfare. Before The Legend of Zelda, when Pok?mon Violet was released, a company CEO’s approval of a leave request became a hot topic. An employee wrote, "I am going on a trip to the Paldea region to find my own treasure in line with the Pok?mon release." The Paldea region is the setting of the game. The CEO readily approved it, saying, "Have a good trip," drawing attention to the company’s horizontal organizational culture.

Since Japanese work culture is often classified as relatively conservative, Japanese media are paying attention to these changes. NHK quoted Yokohama Hiraku, head of the research department at the Hokkaido 21st Century Comprehensive Research Institute think tank, saying, "Recently, reforms in work styles have shifted from legal issues like improving long working hours to increasing options that allow people to value the fulfillment of their work."

He added, "Companies seem to be adopting these changes because they believe that when work is fulfilling, it leads to productivity." Yokohama also pointed out, "If a company is not chosen, it will eventually fail to secure talent. Creating an attractive workplace that draws people in has become important."

In the past, there was a strong tendency to prioritize work over personal life, but recently, workplaces that guarantee individual lives while working are gaining more attention. I am also thinking of taking some time this weekend to visit Summoner’s Rift. Wishing you a weekend where you gain strength by doing what you love.