Tomonobu Itagaki Has Passed Away

We're all going to need a little time to process this one. I’m personally in great shock at the moment. Tomonobu Itagaki (through the help of someone he trusts dearly) has posted his last post on Facebook stating that if we are reading this he is gone. This is real. This is not a prank or a misprint. Tomonobu Itagaki has passed away.

Tomonobu Itagaki's Final Words to Fans

The flame of my life is about to go out. The fact that this message has been posted means that my time has finally come. I am no longer in this world. (I have entrusted someone important to me with this final message).

My life was a continuous battle which I kept winning. I caused a lot of trouble for others too. I take pride in having fought to the end and having followed my convictions. I have no regrets, but I am deeply sorry that I could not deliver new works to my fans.

I'm sorry. So, it goes,

Tomonobu Itagaki

Community Tributes

Over the years, a lot of us have gotten to know Tomonobu Itagaki, but before it was ever possible to talk to him through social media translations there was his renown and controversial interviews that all of his fans were always excited to read. There is actually a (now) final interview released through a tribute book, and you may not like everything that is said, but it’s an exclusive 25-page interview that is featured in Mathieu Lallart’s tribute, Itagaki’s Dolls.

Amazon.com: Dead or Alive : Tomonobu Itagaki's Dolls eBook : Lallart, Mathieu: Kindle Store

Amazon.com: Dead or Alive : Tomonobu Itagaki's Dolls eBook : Lallart, Mathieu: Kindle Store

www.amazon.com

Not a lot of people know about the book yet as it has received little press and just came out not long ago, but I was just working on an interview with this gentleman about his book that pays tribute to not just Tomonobu Itagaki but also the glory days of the older Dead or Alive games. If you have Kindle unlimited you can read it now for free or you can purchase the paperback. This book was written in another language, but it has been largely and successfully translated to English. For those wanting to cling onto Itagaki's words, it might be a nice way to cope with his passing.

For anyone else that wants to write a tribute; please do so in the comments below. I will include them here in this post as well, but I need a moment to figure out how I'm going to present the tributes. You can speak of your memories pertaining to Tomonobu Itagaki, favorite moments, favorite games; anything you want and anything that you feel you would like to get off your chest and share. All tributes will be recognized to the best of my ability. You're also free to PM me your tribute here at FSD through the messaging system or you can message me on Twitter if you would prefer that method.

I find it to be absolutely imperative that Tomonobu Itagaki is included in the credits of NINJA Gaiden 4 and Microsoft, Koei Tecmo, Team NINJA & Platinum really should consider putting his name in the opening of the game. His legacy should be remembered. Tecmo and Tomonobu Itagaki have a checkered past, but I think we can all collectively agree that Tecmo would not be here right now if it wasn't for the creation of Dead or Alive.

 

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1978834569919975504

Official twitter of LORDS OF THE FALLEN. That's pretty cool for them to do that.

 

Wow this is rough to learn about. I am happy we all got to enjoy his work. He is the reason we are all here on this site. What a legend!

 

Just realized that, not sure if it was the exact same day or not, but if he passed the same day as it was made public (October 16 in Japan), then it was on the 26th anniversary of DOA2....

I also want to express how much I love Harada's stories about Itagaki. His "rival", of all people, is providing so much love for him and wonderful memories. I guess there could be no one better to remember you than a rival, after all. Not just due to stories from him but stories from other people too like what DW posted from Ryutaro Ichimura. The stories show that Itagaki's public persona really was keyfabe, which totally made sense due to his love of of puroresu (pro wrestling), and he was awesome at it. For the world he was a tough/crazy ninja rockstar samurai party guy who worse sunglasses indoors, but one-on-one in real life with people he knew he was the nicest guy, extremely thoughtful and with a deep sense of awareness and intelligence about people...

I don't drink but I'd raise a glass of... something... (ramune? XD) to him in his memory... and I'd still have loved to see Harada interview him, it would have definitely been the best episode of Harada's Bar.

 

Yasumi Matsuno (Final Fantasy Tactics)

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1978824225499599232

We mourn the passing of Mr. Banban Itagaki and sincerely pray for his eternal repose. Although I never had the opportunity to meet him in person, we exchanged words several times online. As a fellow game developer from the same era, and as a devoted fan who has cherished his works, I offer my deepest respect from the heart.

 

This is legitimately tragic. He changed the course of all of our lives in one way or another. RIP.

 

This hurts so much. He is the reason I even wanted to become a game developer. The inspiration DOA had on me as a kid and still has as an adult is insane. DOA literally was my childhood. I was drawing costumes for Kasumi and Tina as I found out the news… drawing costumes for the beautiful characters he created. Reast in Peace Itagaki. We love and appreciate you and your work so much buddy.

 

I heard the news today and I couldn't believe it.

I'm genuinely sad for Itagaki's passing away. Dead or Alive and Ninja Gaiden series were some of my most played games during my adolescence, they entertained me so much and still are able to do it until this day. I believe that Itagaki and his team weren't perfect and that didn't always pick the best choice for their games, but still they were able to create a few little gems through a great balance between style, entertainment, depth in the gameplay and graphical innovation. Works that were able to bear the weight of the years and that people still remember and play.

After his departing from Tecmo I would have loved to see again that through new works from him, maybe even able to give life to new franchises. This never happened and it's a shame, but it can't delete the things that the man accomplished with his previous titles.

Thanks for everything Tomonobu Itagaki.

 

I'm reminded of how back in the days of DOA World we had a superfan, regular and artist named, Ben, who also not only dreamed about entering the video game industry thanks to inspiration by Itagaki in particular as well as games like DOA and NG, but he actually did go on to make two or three games, including Sense: A Cyberpunk Ghost Story and Sense: Midnight.

And correct me if I'm wrong, but I think Itagaki pioneered the whole style of a video game dev being a public character, known for his public attitude/style/persona and not just his games, before the likes of Koji Igarashi (with his whip and hat), Yoko Taro (Emil mask), and even Harada and Kamiya were known for doing the same kind of thing publicly to various extents. I remember how Itagaki was only the 2nd game dev I came to know by both name and face after Miyamoto, back in the early 2000s.

Sorry if I keep posting so many paragraphs of posts here, but I guess it's no surprise that Itagaki is living rent free (and welcome) in my mind today.... lol. The thoughts and memories just keep coming, and the Aerosmith is making me tear up more than it has in a while...

I'm also seeing some old names I see rarely or I havent seen in a while. It's a sad occasion but it's no doubt bringing fans from all corners together....

 

I'm reminded of how back in the days of DOA World we had a superfan, regular and artist named, Ben, who also not only dreamed about entering the video game industry thanks to inspiration by Itagaki in particular as well as games like DOA and NG, but he actually did go on to make two or three games, including Sense: A Cyberpunk Ghost Story and Sense: Midnight.

And correct me if I'm wrong, but I think Itagaki pioneered the whole style of a video game dev being a public character, known for his public attitude/style/persona and not just his games, before the likes of Koji Igarashi (with his whip and hat), Yoko Taro (Emil mask), and even Harada and Kamiya were known for doing the same kind of thing publicly to various extents. I remember how Itagaki was only the 2nd game dev I came to know by both name and face after Miyamoto, back in the early 2000s.

Sorry if I keep posting so many paragraphs of posts here, but I guess it's no surprise that Itagaki is living rent free (and welcome) in my mind today.... lol. The thoughts and memories just keep coming, and the Aerosmith is making me tear up more than it has in a while...

I'm also seeing some old names I see rarely or I havent seen in a while. It's a sad occasion but it's no doubt bringing fans from all corners together....

Im noticing that too, alot of DOA accounts I remember from pre doa6 are now more vocal which definitely shows Itagaki was valued and loved more than what he probably even realized. I have a feeling that hes up above and is finally at peace that he knows his projects touched so much and changed many lives with how different his style and gameplay was compared to the competition

 

Will keep this simple. Still in shock about this news I discovered earlier today. 58 is way too young to pass away.

I want to thank Itagaki for creating two of my favourite gaming franchises DOA & NG, which have influenced my life over the past 20+ years now. Didn't always agree with his thoughts, but he's the original DOA God.