Creators, artists and fans gather to say farewell
©Itagaki Tomanobu
October 16, video game industry learned We lost Tomonobu Itagaki. Most famous for creating dead or alive Fighting game series, revived Ninja Gaiden The series is Ninja Gaidenand title New TekmoreTeam Itagaki’s Team Ninja has brought joy to thousands of gaming enthusiasts around the world. People from the gaming industry gathered together to express their last words:
Itagaki Tomanobu
Itagaki in his message Facebook A page was sent to all his fans immediately after his death.
My final words:
The light of my life finally dimmed.
If this news is sent out, it means that the moment has finally arrived. I am no longer in this world. (I am asking my loved ones to post this final post.)
My life is one battle after another. I keep winning. I also got into a lot of trouble.
I am proud to say that I stayed true to my beliefs and fought to the end. I don’t regret it.
However, I am very sorry that I cannot deliver new works to all my fans. sorry.
That’s it.
[In English] that’s all.
Itagaki Tomanobu
Co-Founder Ed Boon Mortal Kombat)
Rest in peace, Itagaki Tomanobu. Dead or Alive and Ninja Gaiden had an undeniable impact on gaming. I only met him a few times, but he was so nice. pic.twitter.com/noQFQCe2rk
— Ed Boone (@noobde) October 16, 2025
Fuminobu Hata (Editor-in-Chief of Enter Jam)
One day, I want to ask Tomonobu Itagaki if Hitomi, who first appeared in Dead or Alive 3, is from Hilary Swank in The Best Kids 4. pic.twitter.com/DlK92HL6hu
— Fuminobu Hata@Star Wars Game Expert (@hata_fuminobu) October 16, 2025
One day I want to ask Tomonobu Itagaki if Hitomi, who debuted in Dead or Alive 3, is actually based on Hilary Swank from The Next Karate Kid.
Hideki Kamiya (Lead Game Designer Resident Evil 2)
it’s a shame… https://t.co/hDmetCHSHf
— Hideki Kamiya🍀 Hideki Kamiya🍀 (@HidekiKamiya_X) October 16, 2025
what a shame…
Hidekuni Sasaki (Pixel CEO)
team In 2022, when our company entered the publishing industry, Yoshiko Okamoto, who I worked with at NINJA and was my benefactor, said to me “Welcome to the game industry.”
When I met Mr. Itagaki many times in public and private, I always listened to his stories. … https://t.co/gtCJ4ErUGV— Hidekuni Sasaki (@hide_pixel) October 16, 2025
I am very grateful to Mr. Yoshiko Okamoto who worked with me on TEAM NINJA to create the game. In 2022, when our company became a game publisher, he said to me “Welcome to the game industry.”
I met him many times at work and in person, and I always asked him for stories about Mr. Itagaki.
I think Yoshiko-san said that my character was “direct and to the point,” but he also said that Itagaki-san was “the first of its kind,” which made me happy and that I felt a kinship with him.
Later, I had the opportunity to meet Mr. Itagaki in person, and he made a friend request to me online. Facebook.
When I texted him to say thank you, he replied, “Let’s go out to eat when you’re in Tokyo,” which made my relationship grow even deeper and I thought we would definitely meet again one day.
I am saddened by his passing.
Katsuhiro Harada (Game Director/Chief Producer: iron fist series
It’s hard to believe that Mr. Itagaki… my senior in college and my rival as a creator has passed away.
The last message I received from him was:“Let’s go drink, let’s make some noise!”
To think that he died at the age of 58…
Yes, everyone dies… https://t.co/38uTQO6CRw pic.twitter.com/rd5YpWZ5Qi
— Katsuhiro Harada (@Harada_TEKKEN) October 16, 2025
Keisuke Urai (animation, games, IP, planning, producers)
I’m sure he’ll get scolded, but even though he’s a big name, I’m confident I’ll make my point. I left the training alone and was alone with Mr. Itagaki in a private room in the company. He listened to the story of a cheeky recent graduate, acknowledged his point of view, and then reprimanded him and told him to “dream bigger,” which remains a cherished memory today.
I wish you all the best in life.— Keisuke Ui[UKAKIK](@ucasek) October 16, 2025
News of the death of Mr. Itagaki Tomanobu. It brought back memories of when I first graduated. During the three-month new employee training in Ichikawa, Chiba Prefecture, Mr. Itagaki assigned us the task of a special lecturer. I shamelessly wrote some articles criticizing the company and turned them in (the shamelessness of young people 😅). A few days later, I was summoned to Ichigaya [to Koei Tecmo‘s headquarters] myself.
I was definitely going to scold him, but I decided to express my opinion no matter how important he was, so I skipped training and found myself alone in a closed room in the company with Itagaki-san. He listened to the story of this insufferably arrogant recent grad, acknowledged my point of view, and then chided me by saying, “Dream bigger.” Even now, it’s a memory I cherish.
May he rest in peace.
Marty O’Donnell (composer: Halo 1-3, paragraph, arrival)
I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my game development colleague Tomobu Itagaki. I had a great time with him in Rome in 2016. We’re all lucky enough to release launch games for Xbox. pic.twitter.com/lV4TtPFcdr
— Marty O’Donnell (@MartyTheElder) October 16, 2025
Terada Takanobu (Game producer: super robot war franchise)
>RP I would like to express my deep condolences on the passing of Tomonobu Itagaki. We have no contact at work, but Mr. Itagaki asked me to meet him a long time ago and we had dinner together. …
— Takanobu Terada/Takanobu_Terada (@TakanobuTerada) October 16, 2025
>RP I express my deepest condolences on the passing of Mr. Itagaki Tomanobu. We didn’t keep in touch because of work, but not long ago, Itagaki-sensei said to me, “Let’s meet,” and we went out to eat.
He asked me about my thoughts on game development, introduced himself to me… and he said to me, “Please continue creating with the same dedication that has gotten you here so far.”
Team Ninja
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Team NINJA’s first captain Tomonobu Itagaki.
We will inherit the ideas and creativity pioneered by Mr. Itagaki and continue to create games that many players will love.
We express our deepest condolences on his passing.Everyone from the team…
— Team NINJA (@TeamNINJAStudio) October 16, 2025
Yasumi Matsuno (Game Design: Final Fantasy Tactics)
We express our deep condolences for the passing of Mr. Itagaki Tomonobu and pray that his soul rests in peace.
While I didn’t have the opportunity to meet him in person, I had several conversations with him online.
As a contemporary of game development and as a fan of his work, I have the deepest respect for him.— Yasumi Matsuno🐈⬛ (@YasumiMatsuno) October 16, 2025
I express my condolences and my deepest condolences on the passing of Mr. Tomonobu Itagaki.
I didn’t have a chance to meet him in person, but we did communicate a lot online.
As a contemporary of game development, and as a fan of his work, I have the highest respect.
Did we miss the eulogy for Itagaki Tomanobu? Please feel free to comment in our forum or via e-mail.
