Key Highlights:
- Tomonobu Itagaki has unfortunately passed away at 58.
- He was mostly known for his work in the Ninja Gaiden series.
- He also worked to create the very successful Dead or Alive series as well.
Tomonobu Itagaki has unfortunately passed away at 58. This devastating news was only recently received, and the veteran game designer’s death will leave a void in the video game industry, more so in light of the upcoming release of the much anticipated Ninja Gaiden 4.
Tomonobu Itagaki leaves behind a lasting legacy, and one that stood the test of time, in an industry where mediocrity was creeping up to be the norm.
Tomonobu Itagaki Has Passed Away at 58
This devastating news was shared on his official Facebook page today, which mentioned the same. The post also mentions the fact that Itagaki was ‘filled with regret’ on being unable to deliver his new work, to all of his fans.
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Team NINJA's first leader, Tomonobu Itagaki.
— Team NINJA (@TeamNINJAStudio) October 16, 2025
We will carry on the philosophy and creativity that Itagaki-san began and continue to create games that many gamers will enjoy.
Our deepest condolences for his loss.
From everyone at Team…
This was also mentioned by his friend James Mieklke in Bluesky.
After all, it’s been a while since Devil’s Third, the last game from Valhall Game Studios, was released. Itagaki has since been working on a new project, one that hopefully was striving to correct the mistakes of Devil’s Third.
For those who don’t know, Tomonobu Itagaki was a part of Tecmo prior, spearheading the development team known as Team Ninja. Under his guidance, the team put out a series of amazing titles that were both critically and commercially successful.
He went on to leave Tecmo in 2008 (after approximately 16 years at the office), founding his own company known as Valhalla Game Studios with many ex Team Ninja staff. Unfortunately, this venture didn’t pan out so well, and Valhall Game Studios was dissolved in 2021.
Unperturbed, Itagaki went on to rename his production company as Itagaki Games Co., Ltd. back in September 2024, intent on creating more games. Despite many controversies, Itagaki was a celebrated game designer, considered to be among the greatest out there.
His absence will leave a void in the industry, and he will be dearly missed.
Tomonobu Itagaki’s Legacy Lies in Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive
Tomonobu Itagaki’s legacy lies in the Dead or Alive video game series, one that he directly created. Also known as DoA, this series of fighting games was very popular at the time, even if the series has faded into obscurity at present. The Dead or Alive franchise began its roots in the Arcade, before being ultimately ported over to the then current gen consoles, such as the PlayStation and Sega Saturn.
The series has always been praised for its solid fighting system and cutting edge visuals, something each entry has consistently maintained.
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It has since seen numerous revisions, remakes and reimaginings, with the final entry being Dead or Alive 6, released back in July 2019 for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PCs and Arcades.
His other major work can be seen reflected in the reimagining of the Ninja Gaiden franchise, which used to be a 2D side scroller. Itagaki brought Ninja Giaden to the modern age, implementing modern controls, camera movement and slick combat – all of which has stood the test of time.
The first Ninja Gaiden was released back in 2004 for the Xbox, and has since since a major cult following. The game has seen numerous releases and re-releases, mostly following the exploits of its protagonist, Ryu Hayabusa.
Ninja Gaiden officially returns to the scene in the form of Ninja Gaiden 4, but Itagaki’s legacy remains untouched in the franchise, despite his demise.
