Tomonobu Itagaki, Creator of ‘Dead or Alive’ and Visionary Behind ‘Ninja Gaiden’, Dies at 58
The gaming world is mourning the loss of Tomonobu Itagaki, the sharp – tongued, leather- jacket- wearing force behind Dead or Alive and Ninja Gaiden.
The iconic Japanese game developer has failed at the age of 58, according to reports verified by associates and foreign media.
The news surfaced through a post on his sanctioned Facebook runner, later vindicated by numbers within the global game development community. Details surrounding the cause of his death remain undisclosed.
Tomonobu Itagaki, the Creator of Dead or Alive and known for his work on the Ninja Gaiden series, has sadly passed away at age 58. pic.twitter.com/NEn9pundAR
— Genki✨ (@Genki_JPN) October 16, 2025
Itagaki wasn’t just another inventor; he was a character. Always seen in dark sunglasses, whether indoors or out, he came incontinently recognizable within Japan’s vibrant gaming industry.
His creative trip began at Tecmo in 1992, where his sharp design instincts snappily propelled him to the top. He ultimately came to he head of Team Ninja, a plant synonymous with invention and faculty.
Under his leadership, the Dead or Alive ballot surfaced, known for its fluid combat mechanics and daring aesthetics.
Itagaki’s managerial and product credits gauged the first seven entries in the series, and his influence touched several other Tecmo titles during his term.
In 2008, shortly after completing Ninja Gaiden 2, Itagaki parted ways with Tecmo and founded Valhalla Game Studios.
The plant’s most notable release, Devil’s Third( 2015), was an ambitious blend of ruckus combat and third-person firing, a true reflection of his unorthodox creativity.
Still, Valhalla later closed its doors in 2021, leading Itagaki to launch a new adventure, Itagaki Games. The company had yet to unveil any sanctioned systems before his end.
Paeans have poured in from across the gaming geography, with inventors and suckers likewise participating in recollections of his influence.
James Mielke, co-founder of BitSummit, expressed his deep sorrow in a heartfelt post: “Today I lost someone who was truly like a brother to me. I am gutted to the core…
He even listed himself as my actual brother on Facebook. Anyone who knows me knows how close we were. RIP, senpai. You will always be a ninja.”
Itagaki’s impact stretched far beyond Japan. His bold personality, exacting vision, and love for presto-paced, skill-heavy gameplay helped shape ultramodern action gaming.
For the most part, he wasn’t just an inventor; he was a recusant spirit in an assiduity frequently bound by convention.
The news of his end has left the gaming community reflecting on a career defined by passion, contestation, and inarguable gift.
Tomonobu Itagaki will be flashed back as a colonist, a man who lived, breathed, and fought for his art.
