The designer was 58.
Whereas the Ninja Gaiden sequence has been kicking round because the ’80s, the sequence’ fashionable incarntion owes the whole lot to designer Tomonobu Itagaki. His edgy, violent, 3D reimagining of Ryu Hyabusa was an on the spot basic and served to reassert the sequence because the vanguard of motion video games. Together with work on the combating sport sequence Lifeless or Alive, Itagaki and his sun shades shortly rose to prominence within the minds of many avid gamers 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 mentioned:
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 ultimate submit is entrusted to somebody pricey to me.)
My life was a sequence of battles.
I continued to win.
I brought about plenty of bother as properly.
I take satisfaction in having fought by, following my beliefs.
I’ve no regrets.
Nonetheless, 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 Staff Ninja, commented on his passing through the Staff Ninja X account:
We’re deeply saddened by the passing of Staff NINJA’s first chief, Tomonobu Itagaki.We’ll keep on the philosophy and creativity that Itagaki-san started and proceed to create video games that many avid gamers will get pleasure from.Our deepest condolences for his loss.
From everybody at Staff…
— Staff NINJA (@TeamNINJAStudio) October 16, 2025
Fashionable motion sport’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 gives condolences to Itagaki’s household and pals right now.
Supply: Tomonobu Itagaki Fb Web page
