Tomonobu Itagaki of Ninja Gaiden Fame Has Handed Away

Whereas the Ninja Gaiden collection has been kicking round for the reason that ’80s, the collection’ fashionable incarntion owes every thing to designer Tomonobu Itagaki. His edgy, violent, 3D reimagining of Ryu Hyabusa was an on the spot traditional and served to reassert the collection because the vanguard of motion video games. Together with work on the preventing recreation collection Lifeless or Alive, Itagaki and his sun shades shortly rose to prominence within the minds of many players within the 2000s. Now, the creator has handed away on the age of 58.

Though it isn’t clear how Itagaki handed, he did appear conscious that his time was fading, as he ready remarks to be printed posthumously on his Fb web page. Here’s what he stated:

Final Phrases

The sunshine of my life is lastly about to exit.

The truth that this message is posted implies that the time has lastly come.

I’m now not on this world.

(This last publish is entrusted to somebody pricey to me.)

My life was a collection of battles.

I continued to win.

I triggered a whole lot of hassle as properly.

I take delight in having fought by way of, following my beliefs.

I’ve no regrets.

Nevertheless, I’m stuffed with remorse for not having the ability to ship new works to all my followers.

‘m sorry.

That’s how it’s.

So it goes.

Itagaki Tomonobu

Tecmo Koei, which Itagaki was so carefully related to for thus lengthy, particularly Group Ninja, commented on his passing by way of the Group Ninja X account:

We’re deeply saddened by the passing of Group NINJA’s first chief, Tomonobu Itagaki.We are going to stick with it the philosophy and creativity that Itagaki-san started and proceed to create video games that many players will get pleasure from.Our deepest condolences for his loss.

From everybody at Group…

— Group NINJA (@TeamNINJAStudio) October 16, 2025

Trendy motion recreation’s owe a lot to Itagaki and what he helped to pioneer with Ninja Gaiden on Xbox. Outspoken, Itagaki was unapologetically himself all the best way to the tip. Nintendojo presents condolences to Itagaki’s household and associates right now.

Supply: Tomonobu Itagaki Fb Web page