Aonuma receives France's Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in Paris
The Zelda producer was made a Chevalier at the French Ministry of Culture, becoming the second Nintendo developer honoured after Shigeru Miyamoto.
Eiji Aonuma, producer of The Legend of Zelda series, was awarded the Chevalier grade of France's Ordre des Arts et des Lettres at a ceremony held at the French Ministry of Culture in Paris on October 23, 2026.
According to the Japanese outlet news.denfaminicogamer.jp, Aonuma closed his speech in French with a message to his wife, who was in the room, thanking her for following him this far and saying the two should continue the adventure together.
The ceremony was reported by Chloé Woitier, deputy editor in charge of media and tech at Le Figaro, who posted about it on X along with a 34-second video.
Aonuma is the second Nintendo developer to receive the honour. Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto was awarded it in 2006. The Ordre des Arts et des Lettres was established in 1957 and carries three grades: Chevalier, Officier and Commandeur.
In November 2023, Nikkei and other outlets reported that the award to Aonuma had been decided; Nintendo said at the time that the Zelda series was not built on one person's achievements alone but that it was pleased an employee had been nominated. Aonuma joined Nintendo in 1988 and has worked on the Zelda series since The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, released in 1998.
A remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is scheduled for release on Nintendo Switch 2 on November 5, 2026.
Quick answers
What award did Eiji Aonuma receive?
He was awarded the Chevalier grade of France's Ordre des Arts et des Lettres at a ceremony at the French Ministry of Culture in Paris on October 23, 2026.
Who else at Nintendo has received the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres?
Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto, who received the honour in 2006.
When does the Ocarina of Time remake come out?
The remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is scheduled for release on Nintendo Switch 2 on November 5, 2026.