Shigesato Itoi

Shigesato Itoi ( Itoi Shigesato, born November 10, 1948) is a Japanese copywriter and essayist, best known (particularly outside Japan) as the creator of the series, which is where characters such as Ness and Lucas originate. He was also part of the original development team for Super Smash Bros. and Super Smash Bros. Melee under HAL Laboratory.

Itoi co-owns the rights to EarthBound characters, and as such he is the only individual credited by name on the title screen of every Smash game.