Renowned game developer Tomonobu Itagaki, known for his work on Dead or Alive and Ninja Gaiden 2004, has passed away

At the age of 58, Tomonobu Itagaki, renowned for creating the Dead or Alive series and revitalizing Ninja Gaiden in 2004, has passed away.

The tragic news was announced on his Facebook page and corroborated by game industry colleagues. Details regarding the cause are not disclosed.

An emotional message Itagaki had prepared for this occasion was publicly shared, translated into English by his peer, Katsuhiro Harada:

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. Banobu Itagaki

With his iconic sunglasses never far away, Itagaki left a substantial mark in Japan's gaming industry. Joining Tecmo in 1992, he quickly advanced to lead Team Ninja, directing and producing the initial entries of the Dead or Alive franchise and offering guidance on other Tecmo projects.

Itagaki departed Tecmo in 2008 post-Ninja Gaiden 2, establishing Valhalla Game Studios, which launched Devil’s Third in 2015 and Momotaro Dentetsu 2017: Tachiagare Nippon a year later. Valhalla shuttered in 2021 when he set up Itagaki Games, which has yet to debut any titles.

His exit from Tecmo was mired in controversy, as detailed by Brendan Sinclair in 2018. Itagaki sued Tecmo for withheld bonuses and accused them of deceptive practices involving Dead or Alive 2, affecting his health. In 2006, he was also accused of sexual harassment, though Tecmo dismissed the allegations.

His flamboyant style also defined his tenure at Valhalla Games, remaining a vocal presence during Devil's Third’s development.

Peers shared their sorrow and memories of Itagaki across social platforms. James Mielke, co-creator of BitSummit, expressed, "Today I lost someone who was truly like a brother to me...RIP, senpai. You will always be a ninja."

Katsuhiro Harada, a notable figure in the Tekken series and a longtime rival of Itagaki, posted a heartfelt note on Twitter, lamenting: "To think that he’s gone at just 58 years old...I never even got the chance to consult you about anything."