Liputan6.com, Jakarta The gaming industry mourns the passing of one of its most influential figures, Tomonobu Itagaki.
The legendary game designer, known as the creator of the Dead or Alive series and the mastermind behind the 2004 revival of Ninja Gaiden, passed away on October 16, 2025, at the age of 58.
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The sad news was first shared on his personal Facebook account and later confirmed by his closest associates.
Tomonobu Itagaki's passing has left fans and colleagues worldwide deeply saddened.
He passed away after battling a serious illness that worsened in his final days, although the exact cause of death was not publicly disclosed.
His pre-prepared final message, titled "Words to Leave," expressed his regret at not being able to release new work for his loyal fans.
The heartfelt message read, "The flame of my life will eventually die out. If this message has been posted, it means the time has come—I am no longer in this world."
This phrase captures Itagaki's unwavering fighting spirit throughout his life. He was known as a brave figure who always followed his beliefs, leaving an invaluable legacy in the world of video games.
Sad News of Tomonobu Itagaki's Passing
The news of Tomonobu Itagaki's passing on October 16, 2025, came as a shock to many.
The official announcement was made via a pre-prepared message on his personal Facebook account, which was later confirmed by close friends and the game development community.
Before his death, Itagaki asked a friend to publish a “final words'” message on his Facebook page in the event of his death
“The light of my life is finally fading. The fact that this message has been posted means that the time has finally come. I am no longer in this world.” He went on to say that he followed his beliefs and fought to the end.
The studio wrote on its X page that it “will carry on the philosophy and creativity that Itagaki-san began and continue to create games that many gamers will enjoy.”
Itagaki was most well known for creating the Dead or Alive series and for reviving the Ninja Gaiden franchise. In 2009, IGN selected him as one of the top 100 game creators of all time.
Complete Profile of the Gaming Legend
Tomonobu Itagaki was born in Tokyo, Japan, on April 1, 1967.
He attended Waseda University, graduating from the Faculty of Law in 1992.
Itagaki is known for his unique trademark: always wearing sunglasses in public.
This trait has become iconic in the video game community, making him an instantly recognizable and charismatic figure.
His work has been not only commercially successful but also critically acclaimed, setting new directions and standards in the fighting and action game genres.
A Brilliant Career in the Gaming Industry
Tomonobu Itagaki's career in the gaming industry began in 1992 when he joined Tecmo as a graphics programmer.
He quickly demonstrated his talent, and in the mid-90s, he founded Team Ninja (originally Tecmo Creative #3), a development team that would produce some of the most iconic games.
Itagaki's big breakthrough came in 1996 with the release of Dead or Alive, a fighting game that redefined the genre with its fast-paced mechanics and innovative counter-attack system.
He directed the first four mainline entries and the spin-off Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball, all of which were immensely popular with gamers.
Furthermore, Itagaki successfully revived the Ninja Gaiden franchise in 2004 for the Xbox console.
The game received universal acclaim and is considered one of the best action games of its time.
He produced and directed Ninja Gaiden (2004) and its sequel, Ninja Gaiden II (2008), further cementing his reputation as a gaming visionary.