Team Ninja has just announced that their first leader, Tomonobu Itagaki, has unfortunately passed away.
All eyes are on Team Ninja right now, as their highly anticipated installment to the Ninja Gaiden franchise arrives on October 21, 2025. We have already seen a lot of the game through several trailers and teasers, and it seems that it’s going to be a difficult one. However, less than a week before release, one of the most integral people behind the franchise’s revival has passed away.
Team Ninja’s First Leader Passed Away a Few Days Before Ninja Gaiden 4’s Release
Tomonobu Itagaki’s passing was announced through Team Ninja’s X account (formerly Twitter). The post stated:
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Team NINJA’s first leader, Tomonobu Itagaki.
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 NINJA
For those unaware, Tomonobu Itagaki is a renowned Japanese video game designer who started his journey at Tecmo in 1992. Itagaki’s claim to success came with 1996’s Dead or Alive. In 2001, Itagaki was named Team Ninja’s first leader, where he revived the 1988 arcade franchise Ninja Gaiden and released it for Xbox in 2004. The title received widespread critical acclaim and an international online tournament.
Following that, the Team Ninja leader helped release Ninja Gaiden Black, Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword, and Ninja Gaiden II. He then left Tecmo in 2008 due to a fallout and founded Vallhalla Game Studios, where he helped develop Devil’s Third with some former Team Ninja members. Then, in 2021, Itagaki created another studio, called Itagaki Games.
In other news, check out Ninja Gaiden 4’s preload guide and file size. Additionally, here’s more about the game editions and pre-order bonuses for the upcoming title. What are your thoughts on Tomonobu Itagaki’s career in the gaming industry and the games he helped release? Let us know through the official Insider Gaming forums discussion.
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RIP. The franchise was never the same without him.
RIP lost a Legend. Wanted him to come back to Dead Or Alive and save the series. Defend this man I know the disgusting liars alike Maximilian Dood and Matt McMuscles alongside their friends will spew there disgusting rhetoric they lied on him and slandered him and his works big FU to them making videos spreading lies! Call them out!
RIP this man is a legend only one who comes close is Toshihiro Nagoshi.
Call out the haters and slanderers on his name like Matt McMuscles who spread lies on this man same with Maximilian Dood and MrWizsrd.
Do yourselves a favor get DOAU, DOA3, and DOA4 legendary games. Honestly I want a Devil’s Third rerelease the game is no where near as bad as people say let’s get it on Switch.