Tomonobu Itagaki Cause of Death: Legendary Ninja Gaiden Creator Dies at 58

Tomonobu Itagaki, the visionary Japanese game developer behind the iconic Dead or Alive series and 2004’s Ninja Gaiden, has died at the age of 58. The news was announced on his official Facebook page on October 16, 2025, and later confirmed by members of the development community. The cause of death has not been disclosed.

The announcement came in the form of a farewell post that Itagaki had written to be published after his death. In it, he reflected on a life spent “fighting battles” and expressed regret to fans for not being able to deliver his next project. “No regrets,” he wrote, ending with a final “So it goes.”

Tomonobu Itagaki’s Legacy and Career Highlights

Born in Tokyo, Itagaki joined Tecmo in 1992 and quickly rose through the ranks to become head of its internal development team, Team Ninja. Known for his trademark sunglasses and outspoken personality, he became one of the most recognizable figures in the Japanese games industry. He directed and produced the first seven Dead or Alive games, turning the franchise into one of the most successful fighting series of its era.

Itagaki’s most celebrated work came in 2004 with the Xbox-exclusive Ninja Gaiden, a critically acclaimed reboot that set new standards for fast-paced, challenging action games. He followed this with Ninja Gaiden 2 in 2008 before departing Tecmo later that year under contentious circumstances. He later sued the company and its president for unpaid bonuses, and publicly shared his frustration with how the PlayStation 2 version of Dead or Alive 2 was handled.

In 2010, Itagaki founded Valhalla Game Studios, where he led development on the Wii U and PC title Devil’s Third (2015) and the Nintendo 3DS release Momotaro Dentetsu 2017: Tachiagare Nippon. Valhalla closed in 2021, and he later launched Itagaki Games, though no titles were released before his passing.

Despite controversies — including a sexual harassment allegation in 2006 that Tecmo dismissed after an internal investigation — Itagaki remained a bold, polarizing figure who championed creative risk-taking and fiercely defended his artistic vision.

Tributes and Industry Reactions

News of Itagaki’s death has prompted an outpouring of grief from fans and developers around the world. James Mielke, co-founder of BitSummit and a longtime friend, wrote, “Today I lost someone who was truly like a brother to me. I am gutted to the core… RIP, senpai. You will always be a ninja.”

Others in the industry have praised his uncompromising dedication to his craft and the influence of his work on action game design. Ninja Gaiden remains widely cited as one of the most challenging and rewarding action games ever made, while Dead or Alive continues to enjoy a passionate fanbase decades after its debut.

Though his final project will never be completed, Tomonobu Itagaki’s legacy lives on through the games that defined a generation and inspired countless developers. His death marks the end of an era in Japanese game development, but his impact will be felt for decades to come.

Tomonobu Itagaki cause of death has not yet been revealed. His passing leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of innovation, controversy, and creativity that reshaped the action genre.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What is Tomonobu Itagaki’s cause of death?

The cause of death has not been publicly disclosed as of October 16, 2025.

Q2: How old was Tomonobu Itagaki when he died?

He was 58 years old at the time of his passing.

Q3: What games is Tomonobu Itagaki best known for?

He is best known for creating the Dead or Alive fighting series and directing the 2004 Ninja Gaiden reboot.

Q4: Did Tomonobu Itagaki release any games after leaving Tecmo?

Yes, he founded Valhalla Game Studios and released Devil’s Third in 2015 and Momotaro Dentetsu 2017 in 2016.

Q5: What was his final message to fans?

In a scheduled farewell post, Itagaki expressed regret for not finishing his new work and said, “No regrets. So it goes.”