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

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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 observe. 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.

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.

 

Curious if it's possible to contact TN/Platinum to update NG4 credits to add him for a special thanks on at least for bringing the NG action series to life. A note of "Thank you for everything". I know they added Master, Big E, Matt, Sly, Rikuto, and my name etc. on the DOA5U credits years ago during the tournament scene though that was different obviously.

Still... very unfortunate news. Think he wanted to work on one more game as an advisor too. I know there were some things I didn't always agreed on what he did for DOA in terms of mechanics and system, however I did like what he did for OG Ninja Gaiden+NG2, and he's still a human being outside of the games.

If it's true he passed away... may he rest in peace.

 

Rip to the creator of DOA and NG.
Rip Tomonobu Itagaki-san.

Team Ninja response.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ja" dir="ltr">Team NINJAを立ち上げられた板垣伴信さんの<br>ご逝去の報に接し、心よりお悔やみ申し上げます。<br><br>板垣さんのクリエイティブの意志を引き継ぎ<br>これからも多くのゲーマーの皆様にタイトルをお届けします。<br>心よりご冥福をお祈りいたします。<br><br>Team NINJA　一同</p>&mdash; Team NINJA (@TeamNINJAStudio) <a href="

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1978756833134133384

">October 16, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

Oh man, what the hell? It's too hard to believe. This should not have been his time...

His best games have been among my most favourite of my life for the past 20-25 years, never going a year without their presence, and they'll continue to always be a part of my life... and I'm sure I can say the same for so many fans...

So many fans continued to bring up his name with hopes, both for him and for the future of his creations...

He has undoubtably been and will always be a gaming legend.

https://x.com/Harada_TEKKEN/status/1978728626838294647?

I was wating for these two to finally sit down together too... I always felt like it was something the world needed to see.

 

Im legit so upset.... I dont think older DOA games will be the same for me anymore since Itagaki is gone. If you would have told me in 2015 that Itagaki would have been gone by 2025 i wouldn't have believed you :'-( He was one of my favorite game creators, even if he wasn't on the best terms with TN after leaving them

I hope one thing TN could do is at least honor him in some way with a DOA remaster or remake collection in his honor

 

Early 2000's for me best part for console gaming never be beaten on. Sad news of course most off all his timeless games he delivered on each every time he saved Tecmo from the blink. Tomonobu Itagaki promoting throughout that era never be forgotten & making NG ten times more harder on purpose.

 

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1978753604375736680

(In case anyone doesn't have Twitter where they may not be able to see the full post):

Harada: It’s hard to believe, but Itagaki-san…my senior from university and my rival as a creator has passed away. The last message I ever received from him was, “Let’s go drinking. Let’s make some noise soon!” To think that he’s gone at just 58 years old… Yes, everyone dies eventually …that’s inevitable. But you… isn’t it a bit too soon? 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? Didn’t you tell me to come to you whenever I was in trouble? I never even got the chance to consult you about anything. Honestly… I’m really depressed. —Itagaki’s final message (English translation)— 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. Tomonobu Itagaki ——-

 

My heart is just broken.

 

I am in disbelief and sadness that he has passed away. What a horrible thing to wake up to. While I may not have agreed with everything he said; this man was an absolute legend. If not for him we would not have DOA and Ninja Gaiden wouldn’t be where it is today. I am also in agreement that Team Ninja should include him in the credits of NG4. Rest in peace, Itagaki-san. Thank you for everything.

 

This is hard to believe and I'm speechless...I may not agree with everything he said but he's a real deal and talented man.

 

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1978793477766070436

Shimbori: I still can't believe it with this sudden news... I became a member of Team NINJA under circumstances where Iwas picked up by Itagaki-san, and especially during the development of DOA4, I was taught many things. Every day was like a battlefield, and there was so much to learn in order to win, and thanks to that, I have become who I am today. Thank you for the irreplaceable valuable experiences and memories. I pray for your eternal rest.

 

Gonna miss Japanese John Romero! Without his idea, I wouldn't be here today.

 

Damn. RIP

 

Wow. The man behind it all. I don't even know what to say. Much too soon, but I hope he left this world knowing that he made his mark.

 

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1978830801916633389

 

58 years is much too young. RIP

 

WTH NOOOO this is Absurd!!
I hated this Man and his controversial "Sex sells" DOA decisions but I also Had HUGE Respect for him and what He had All Done!
A true Troubled Genius is Gone, Forever!

 

I owe half of my online life to this man. Thank you.

 

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1978769650046693880

Ryutaro Ichimura: I’m truly shocked. You might not imagine that Itagaki-san and I had any connection, but we’ve actually been in touch for a while. He highly appreciated my work, reached out to me, and we had the chance to share meals together a few times. The last time we met was just before I went independent. “Ichimura-kun, are you quitting your company?” he asked, even though I hadn’t told him yet. I was overwhelmed by his sharp observation, noticing the subtle changes in me. That time, we ate sushi together, just the two of us, drinking a ton of sake and talking late into the night about the future of the gaming industry. Even though we were completely drunk, I was surprised when, as we were parting, he shyly pulled out a shikishi and said, “I have a relative who’s a fan of yours—could you sign this?” That moment of kindness from Itagaki-san made me an even bigger fan of his. He gave me so many warm words, expressing his expectations for my future endeavors. Just now, I received news of his passing from that relative I signed the shikishi for. It didn’t feel real at first, but when it sank in that it was true, I couldn’t stop crying. Carrying Itagaki-san’s feelings with me, I want to keep pushing forward and create works without any regrets. Itagaki-san, please keep watching over me.

 

Not the News I wanted to hear / read. Life can take you away in the blink of an eye. Profound sadness . May he rest in grace