Tomonobu Itagaki, Creator of Dead or Alive and Director of Ninja Gaiden’s Reboot, Passes Away at 58
The gaming industry is mourning the loss of one of its most influential and outspoken creators. Tomonobu Itagaki, the legendary designer behind the Dead or Alive franchise and the man responsible for rebooting Ninja Gaiden, has passed away at the age of 58. The news was confirmed through a post on Itagaki’s official Facebook page, which contained a message written by Itagaki himself and published by a close friend according to his wishes.
“The flame of my life is finally about to be extinguished.
The fact that this message has been posted means that time has finally come. I am no longer in this world.
My life was a continuous battle. I kept winning. I also caused a lot of trouble.
I take pride in having fought to the end, following my convictions. I have no regrets.
But I am filled with regret that I could not deliver new work to all my fans. I’m sorry.
That’s how it is. So it goes.”
His final message reflected his characteristic confidence and fierce individuality, traits that defined his career and his contributions to gaming.
Born in 1967, Tomonobu Itagaki became one of the defining creative figures at Tecmo (now Koei Tecmo). He founded and led Team Ninja, where he created Dead or Alive, a franchise that gained worldwide recognition for its fast-paced combat, technical depth, and distinctive visual style.
He later led the ambitious reboot of Ninja Gaiden, transforming the classic action series into one of the most challenging and respected titles of its generation. The 2004 release of Ninja Gaiden was hailed for its refined combat mechanics, punishing difficulty, and exceptional design, earning Itagaki a reputation as one of the few developers willing to push players to their limits.
After sixteen years at Koei Tecmo, Itagaki left the company in 2008 following a dispute over unpaid bonuses. Soon after, he founded Valhalla Game Studios with former Team Ninja members. The studio developed Devil’s Third, an action-adventure game released for the Nintendo Wii U. Despite its poor critical and commercial reception, Itagaki remained proud of his team’s effort and continued to express his dedication to creating unique gaming experiences.
In 2021, Tencent acquired Valhalla’s parent company, Wake Up Interactive, for $44 million. The following year, Valhalla’s staff and operations were merged into Soleil Ltd., effectively marking the end of the studio.
Refusing to give up on his creative ambitions, Itagaki established Itagaki Games, Inc. as his next venture. The studio had not released any games before his passing, although Itagaki had expressed excitement about returning to game development in recent years.
His passing comes only days before the release of the fourth installment of the Ninja Gaiden series, a franchise that remains closely tied to his enduring legacy.
Tomonobu Itagaki was known not only for his sharp design instincts but also for his bold personality. He was outspoken, fearless in his opinions, and unapologetically confident in his craft. Whether praised or criticized, he never shied away from expressing his thoughts on the industry and remained a symbol of artistic conviction.
Developers and fans alike have paid tribute to Itagaki on social media, recognizing his lasting impact on modern action games and his role in shaping a generation of players and creators.
Our thoughts and condolences go out to Tomonobu Itagaki’s family, friends, and colleagues. His influence on gaming will continue to inspire for generations to come.
