Japanese game designer Tomonobu Itagaki, best known for creating Dead or Alive and reviving Ninja Gaiden (2004), has died at 58.
Itagaki had a long and storied career, working on several major titles that helped shape the gaming landscape of the early 2000s. Earlier today, news of his death was shared through a message posted to his official Facebook page. The post, written by Itagaki before his death and posted by someone close to him, announced his passing.
Itagaki’s passing marks the end of a long and often flamboyant career that helped shape modern Japanese action games. Rising from a graphics programmer at Tecmo in the early 1990s, he went on to lead the company’s renowned development division, Team Ninja, now one of the most recognizable studios in Japan. There, he created Dead or Alive, a series known for its fast-paced combat and technical flair, before steering Ninja Gaiden into a successful 3D reboot that defined the genre in the 2000s on the original Xbox console.
Known for his trademark sunglasses, Itagaki earned a reputation as an uncompromising creator who valued difficulty, precision and style, with a healthy dose of fan service. Under his leadership, Team Ninja became synonymous with tough-but-fair design, producing games that demanded skill but rewarded mastery. After leaving Tecmo in 2008, he founded Valhalla Game Studios, later establishing Itagaki Games in 2021 to pursue new projects.
In his final post, Itagaki reflected on his life as one “filled with battles” and expressed regret at not finishing another game for his fans. The post ended with a quiet farewell: “So it goes.” His words resonated across the industry, with figures such as Tekken producer Katsuhiro Harada and former colleague James Mielke sharing tributes on social media.
Itagaki’s influence extended far beyond his own creations. His design philosophy, which championed speed, emotion and player control, helped define the look and feel of action games for decades. Though his style was distinct and sometimes controversial, his impact was undeniable. The outpouring of grief could be seen across social media, with even Katsuhiro Harada, producer on the Tekken series, expressing disbelief at his passing, writing: “I don’t believe it. I don’t.”
Tomonobu Itagaki leaves behind a legacy of innovation, perseverance, and passion that continues to inspire a new generation of game creators. No details about the cause of death have been revealed at the time of writing.
