Tomonobu Itagaki, the visionary creator behind the beloved Dead or Alive series and the revitalizer of Ninja Gaiden, has tragically passed away at the age of 58.

Itagaki’s remarkable career at Team Ninja spanned from 1992 to 2008, where he pioneered iconic titles like Dead or Alive 3 and Ninja Gaiden II. Despite leaving Tecmo under tumultuous circumstances, his legacy continues to inspire the gaming community.

Following his passing, Team Ninja expressed profound sorrow, vowing to uphold Itagaki’s creative spirit in future projects. Katsuhiro Harada, his long-time rival and creator of the Tekken series, echoed this sentiment, reflecting on their complex relationship and his deep admiration for Itagaki’s impact on gaming.

In a poignant farewell message, Itagaki shared his life philosophy and expressed regret for not delivering more to his fans. His legacy as a fierce innovator and dedicated creator will continue to resonate in the fighting game genre for years to come.