Double Dragon And River Metropolis Creator Yoshihisa Kishimoto Has Handed Away

Yoshihisa Kishimoto, the creator of legendary beat ‘em up arcade collection similar to River Metropolis and Double Dragon, has handed away at 64 years previous. The information was introduced by his son and confirmed by retailers similar to Famitsu.

Yoshihisa Kishimoto

Kishimoto’s son, Ryūbō, posted the information on X in response to a submit celebrating the fortieth anniversary of Kunio-kun, recognized higher to the West as River Metropolis. His message (translated by X) reads,

“I’m the son of Yoshihisa Kishimoto, director of the passionate, hardcore Kunio-kun collection. I’m writing to tell you that my father handed away on April 2, 2026. Please be at liberty to contact me anytime if it’s good to affirm particulars or the rest. Thanks a lot for sharing a lot info over time for the Kunio-kun followers. We admire your continued assist transferring ahead.”

Japanese outlet Famitsu and gaming historian Florent Gorges confirmed the information, as shared by Kotaku.

Yoshihisa Kishimoto started his online game profession at Information East within the Eighties, engaged on titles similar to Cobra Command and Street Blaster. He was later employed by Technos Japan Corp, the place he created Nekketsu Kōha Kunio-kun, recognized exterior of Japan as Renegade, a semi-autobiographical brawler partially based mostly on the fights he regularly engaged in as an adolescent. Renegade would spawn the Kunio-kun collection that features River Metropolis Ransom and subsequent River Metropolis video games, Tremendous Dodge Ball, and Crash ‘n’ the Boys: Road Problem.

Kishimoto created Double Dragon, launched in 1987, which turned an enormous hit and spawned quite a few sequels (the most recent of which is 2025’s Double Dragon Revive), spin-offs, a 1993 animated collection, and a 1994 live-action movie. Kishimoto served as director or producer on Double Dragon, Double Dragon II: The Revenge, Double Dragon III: The Sacred Stones, Tremendous Double Dragon, and Double Dragon IV, which is the ultimate sport he directed.

“I am sorry for not having the ability to reply, however thanks very a lot for the various heartfelt reminiscence messages,” Kishimoto’s son wrote in a follow-up message translated on X. “I am actually delighted to be taught that there are individuals world wide who’ve performed the Kunio-kun collection extensively and perceive my father much more deeply than I do. Please proceed to take pleasure in my father’s works with a smile sooner or later.”

Sport Informer extends its condolences to Yoshihisa Kishimoto’s household and family members.