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.

 

I’m so shocked about this… this man really paved the way for many fighting games and really left a legacy behind, that connected people world wide with games like DOA and Ninja Gaiden, hell. This whole forum wouldn't even exist without him.

I’m grateful that he shared his creativity with the world and that he indirectly played a huge part with my love for gaming. I hope heaven gives him a second chance and that he may find peace

 

I remembered one of our member's post here about his interview with him.

News - Emperor Cow Meets Tomonobu Itagaki!

http://www.orochinagi.com/2015/01/emperor-cow-meets-tomonobu-itagaki Last November, I had the chance to meet Mr. Tomonobu Itagaki at Valhallah Game Studios. We talked about many different things DOA and non-DOA related. Here is a little snippet of the interview: Itagaki: There are four main...

www.freestepdodge.com

 

This man made me appreciate fighting games more than ever.
DOA3 was my first Itagaki game and I was blown away.
4 was super cool with Spartan, crossovers were rare in 3D fighters back then.
DOA2U had many unlockables and online play, all on disc!
I loaded it last week and was still breathtaking as ever.
Even when I played NG2 on the 360, I got whipped bad and still had an urge to keep trying.
I'm honored I got to experience this in my teenage years, thank you!
Rest in peace, legend Itagaki-san!

 

Not good new at all, he will be missed. I hope he isn’t burning in Hell regretting he’s life decisions… and indecisions. Of course I also have a bit of selfish thought here too. I hope this doesn’t hurt us getting DOA7.

 

We will always remember when you first found Team Ninja since 1995, and have created the most memorable Dead or Alive and Ninja Gaiden games that we all still enjoy playing to this day. God bless you, Tomonobu Itagaki. We shall pray for you.

 

The treatment of Max right now is honestly one of the most fucking disgusting things I’ve seen this year.

He gave his honest opinion, he grieved over Itagaki like all of us and he was sacked for it.

Sick people and a disgusting algorithm. Stay at the forum where it’s safe and misinformation is not spread for sheer entertainment.

 

RIP to Itakagi. One of my favorite fighting games was DOA 3 where I played that with fam a good number of times & one of the hardest games I'll ever play as a kid was Ninja Gaiden 1 on the original xbox. Was part of why I still consider the Dreamcast/PS2/Gamecube/XBOX era to be among the best in gaming and he made 2 big time series that still hold up today. May he rest in peace.

 

Itagaki's Memorial Service recently happened:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1993965396198601200

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1993985633719865608

https://twiiter.com/miharasan/status/1994030853446320177

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1993981639538692178

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1994030076556652751

https://twitter.com/Harada_TEKKEN/status/1993986075782717449

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1993977331636113477

 

Itagaki's Memorial Service recently happened:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1993965396198601200

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1993985633719865608

https://twiiter.com/miharasan/status/1994030853446320177

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1993981639538692178

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1994030076556652751

https://twitter.com/Harada_TEKKEN/status/1993986075782717449

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1993977331636113477

And there’s Harada whom which he’s known Itagaki for a long time, I know it’s heartbreaking to lose someone who we admired so kindly.

 

Looks like he got the send-off befitting of a ninja rockstar.

This reminds me, I was gonna post about this earlier but it slipped my mind: this was something I saw posted about in other places and I think it should be pointed out here too in case anyone didn't catch or or know about it, but in Itagaki's final statement in Japanese he said one thing only in English...

"So it goes."

It seems quite simple but it was obviously a direct reference to the same line in the classic novel Slaughterhouse-Five, because it's repeated there over 100 times by the protagonist, like a catchphrase (especially after a death). It's a statement about life and death in all its weight, simplicity, and absurdity. Like the human condition summed up in 3 words.

 

I shall pray for Lord Tomonobu Itagaki with my blessed kindness of the Dead or Alive and Ninja Gaiden games that I own!

 

Yosuke Hayashi's eulogy about Tomonobu Itagaki:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1994197774628270189

Translation by Royta15:

It's been a while, Itagaki-san. This is Hayashi. I never thought we'd meet like this. My encounter with Itagaki-san dates back to 2001, when I joined the company as a new graduate. I was assigned to your department as a game planner. You told me you had no work for me. That's what you told me. Two weeks after I was assigned, I really had no work, haha. At the time, I lamented my bad luck, thinking it was the worst possible encounter.

My most memorable memory with Itagaki-san was the development of XBOX Ninja Gaiden from 2003 to 2004. The development team was in complete chaos, and it seemed like the game would never be completed, haha. But you were the only one who didn't give up. The two of us spent 12 hours every night checking every adjustment to the game. Those six months are a treasured part of my game-development career.

As you all know, the title was successfully completed and then made a big leap forward afterwards. In 2008, we worked together on several titles. That was the time our paths parted ways (Itagaki leaving the company-Roy)

You spoke to me before you left: "Don't change the logo," was all he said. No other unnecessary words were exchanged. You were so pure and cool.

From there, our paths diverged. I could never imitate your brilliance and recklessness. While carrying on your will, I've continued fighting in my own way. Within Itagaki's world, direct communication was almost nonexistent. The change in our relationship began about a year ago. Opportunities to receive direct messages from you increased. But honestly, messages from you were now written in a polite language, while you always used to speak in commands. This was incredibly awkward for me haha. I still have that last message you sent me from that time.

Please allow me to publish it here:

"Thank you for remembering our promise from back then (to not change the logo I think - roy). Times have changed lately, and selling a million copies doesn't earn you much recognition from the world anymore. That's the era we've entered. Please keep making great products from now on".

I fought relentlessly because I wanted your approval. Did I earn even a little of it? Since this has become your final words to me, I will always treasure the words you gave me. Your business card is dated October 16th. This day is also my wife and my marriage registration anniversary. My wife said to me, "You really do have a connection with Mr. Itagaki, don't you? I'll never forget it." The word "connection" is so very you. That my first boss was Mr. Itagaki. That we were able to build a home together is still a happy memory. It wasn't the worst encounter; it was the best encounter.

Please continue watching over us from the window Itagaki. Thank you.

November 27, 2025. Yosuke Hayashi.