Tetsuya Nomura is born in Kochi Prefecture, Japan. His early life and artistic development during this period laid the foundation for his future career in game development, though specific details remain largely private. This initial period shaped his sensibilities and creative influences.

Nomura joins Square (later Square Enix). Initially, he worked as a debugger, then began contributing to character designs for various projects. This entry point allowed him to learn the ropes of game development and gradually showcase his artistic talent, setting the stage for larger responsibilities.