Tomonobu Itagaki, The Creator Of Dead or Alive And The Ninja Gaiden Reboot, Has Died

Sad news for action gaming fans and 3D fighting game fans: renowned and controversial creator and game director Tomonobu Itagaki has passed away. He was 58.

This is according to a Facebook post on his profile and verified by Wario64. The cause of his death is unknown at this point in writing.

Tomonobu Itagaki got his start at Tecmo in 1992 (before the Koei merger) and has headed the company’s development team, Team Ninja, for a very long while; 16 years to be precise. He got his start by creating the Super Famicom version of Tecmo Super Bowl, a really popular football game at the time. In 1996, he got his claim to fame by creating the Dead or Alive 3D fighting game series. The pioneer fighting game series is known for its fluid animation and controls, its universal counter system, its destructible environments, and its portrayal of female fighters that defy physics. If you know, you know.

He also was known for the 2004 reboot of Ninja Gaiden for the original Xbox console, which was praised for its action, violence, and brutal difficulty. Apart from that, he is also known for his “rock star” frank attitude, taking criticisms from the industry and media as challenges to overcome. He also has been harsh on other 3D fighting games like Tekken, though that was more of a PR stunt than anything back in Dead or Alive’s heyday.

Rest in peace, Itagaki. The games industry is less bright without you around. Thank you for the games and memories, particular your interviews and candid behaviour during press tours of your titles.

Here are all the eulogies and final messages to Itagaki from the games industry.

The Game Awards mourns the passing of Tomonobu Itagaki, age 58, the legendary founder of Team Ninja, known for his work on Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive. pic.twitter.com/THYfiJ2Iu0

— The Game Awards (@thegameawards) October 16, 2025

Life is precious, a sad day to hear about the passing of Tomonobu Itagaki. I have fond memories of getting to work with him in the earlier days of Xbox. It was always a special moment when he arrived at our events in his signature leather jacket like a true rockstar. Like others… pic.twitter.com/sGirxcb8Jl

— Aaron Greenberg (@aarongreenberg) October 16, 2025

Saddened to learn of the death of a fellow game developer Tomonobu Itagaki. I had a wonderful time with him in Rome back in 2016. We both had the privilege of shipping a launch title for the XBox. pic.twitter.com/lV4TtPFcdr

— Marty O'Donnell (@MartyTheElder) October 16, 2025

Dead or Alive 4 (2005)
Game Director: Tomonobu Itagaki pic.twitter.com/w2IvMlvhlZ

— Hi! Buff Gigas Please? (@BuffGigas) October 16, 2025

?????????????????????????????????????????Itagaki-san???????????
????????(??????)????????????????????????????… pic.twitter.com/bxULmu6L2a

— Katsuhiro Harada (@Harada_TEKKEN) October 16, 2025

Rest in peace, Tomonobu Itagaki. Dead or Alive and Ninja Gaiden made an undeniable impact on gaming. I only crossed paths with him a few times, but he could not have been nicer. pic.twitter.com/noQFQCe2rk

— Ed Boon (@noobde) October 16, 2025

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…

— Team NINJA (@TeamNINJAStudio) October 16, 2025

We are saddened to hear that Tomonobu Itagaki, creator of Ninja Gaiden 2004 and former @TeamNINJAStudio director, has passed away.

We extend our condolences to his loved ones. His legacy will forever live in the hearts of both players and developers.

— Dotemu | ABSOLUM IS OUT! (@Dotemu) October 16, 2025