Dead or Alive Creator Tomonobu Itagaki Reportedly Passes Away at 58

Industry legend and creator of the Dead or Alive franchise and Ninja Gaiden (2004), Tomonobu Itagaki, has reportedly passed away at the age of 58.

The news came from a post on his official Facebook page that began with the line, “The light of my life is about to run out.” The post explained that if readers were seeing the message, it meant Itagaki had passed away. The full translated message reads:

“The light of my life is about to run out.
The fact that this article has been posted means that the time has finally come. I am no longer in this world.
(I am entrusting this last post to someone important to me.)
My life has been a series of battles. I kept winning.
I caused a lot of trouble.
I am proud that I fought hard and followed my beliefs.
I have no regrets.
However, I feel very sorry for not being able to deliver the new work to all the fans.
That's what it is.
So it goes.
— Tomonobu Itagaki”

Itagaki was one of those rare developers who had personality. Brash, confident, and fiercely proud of his work, he helped shape an entire era of Japanese action and fighting games. His work on Dead or Alive pushed the boundaries of what 3D fighters could be, and his Ninja Gaiden reboot became a gold standard for stylish action games.

He was also famous for his outspoken nature and his rivalry with Tekken director Katsuhiro Harada, often taking playful (and sometimes not-so-playful) shots at Tekken in interviews. Over time, though, it became clear that the rivalry was one built on mutual respect.

After the news broke, Harada shared a heartfelt message on social media:

“No way, Itagaki-san. You said, ‘Let’s grab a drink sometime,’ didn’t you? I don’t believe it. I don’t.”

Itagaki was many things to many people; a provocateur, a visionary, and a man who lived by his own rules. It is clear that his impact on the industry is undeniable, and his games will continue to inspire developers and fans for years to come.