I went through two interview rounds with Rakuten Kobo. The first was an HR screening. The second was a remote portfolio review with the hiring manager and two designers. I was told by HR that I didn’t need to prepare a presentation. They asked very specific, detailed questions about my work, leaving me scrambling to find the right examples on the spot. I also sensed that the designers were not well-prepared to conduct interviews, and there was some noticeable tension—especially from the more junior designer. The manager attempted to keep the conversation on track, but the overall dynamic felt uncomfortable. Moreover, the designers did not seem particularly receptive or open to answering my questions. The interview experience was unpleasant, and based on what I observed, I would not recommend this company.