The video game world is mourning the loss of Tomonobu Itagaki, the outspoken yet visionary creator behind Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive. He was 58 years old and leaves behind a daughter and a wife. In his final message, Itagaki expressed a heartfelt apology to his fans and left a touching note for his longtime rival-turned-comrade, Tekken producer Katsuhiro Harada.
A fellow alumnus of Waseda University, Harada shared his shock on X and revealed how close their relationship had become despite their rivalry.
“The last message I ever received from him was, ‘Let’s go drinking. Let’s make some noise soon!'” he wrote. “Didn’t you say you were going to defeat me someday? Didn’t you come to my wedding wearing your usual black leather jacket and sunglasses, and call me your comrade-in-arms?”
The cause of death is unknown, but Itagaki’s close friend James Mielke, Bitsummit cofounder and a former Edge editor, hinted that he had been sick for some time.
“I knew his time was going to be short after I saw him a little over a week ago,” Mielke wrote on Instagram. “All I can say is he suffered from a serious illness that escalated rather severely in his final days. I spent all afternoon with him, wishing I could do more. But at least I was with him near the very end.”
Both Harada and Mielke were entrusted with Itagaki’s final words, which were also posted by his family on Facebook.
Words I Leave Behind
The flame of my life is finally about to go out. If this message has been posted, it means that the time has come. I am no longer in this world. (This final post has been entrusted to someone dear to me.)
My life was a series of battles. And I kept on winning. I know I caused trouble for many along the way. But I followed my convictions and fought to the very end.
I have no regrets. Only one thing weighs on me — I’m deeply sorry to all my fans that I couldn’t bring you a new work. I truly am. That’s just how it is. So it goes.
The fighting game developer’s personal history dates back decades. Early in January, Harada reminisces about how he and Itagaki met after a fan posted a gaming magazine scan where Itagaki dissed Tekken.
Back in the arcade heyday of the 90s, Dead or Alive often clashed with Tekken. Not just in 3D fighting gameplay philosophy but in public jabs — as Itagaki used media provocations to position his game against Namco‘s. One time, Itagaki even called out Harada straight from his office just to show off Dead or Alive 2.
“It reminded me of getting summoned by a delinquent upperclassman behind the school building back in middle school,” said Harada. For nearly a decade, Harada was ordered by his superiors to stay silent and take the punches, as Itagaki called him out by name in interviews.
Yet years later, Itagaki revealed to Harada that his ‘attacks’ were simply part of a calculated media strategy, not malice. Their rivalry turned into camaraderie, with the two often drinking together and sharing reflections on the fighting game industry.
“I never had any grudge against you, Namco, or Tekken. On the contrary, I respected you all,” recalled Harada, quoting Itakagi.
Team Ninja also offered its condolences, saying it’ll carry on the ‘philosophy and creativity’ Itagaki began to create games that many will enjoy.
Itagaki left Team Ninja and resigned from Tecmo in 2008 over an unpaid bonus dispute. Later, he and several former Team Ninja members released Devil’s Third through Valhalla Game Studios, which dissolved in 2021. Shortly afterward, he formed Itagaki Games, although no game was announced since.
Itagaki departed just ahead of the release of Ninja Gaiden 4, scheduled this October 21, 2025, without his involvement. His absence will be felt by fans anticipating what might’ve been, but his influence in action and fighting game designs will echo across the industry.
