We’re sad to share that legendary game developer Tomonobu Itagaki, the creative force behind Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive, has passed away at the age of 58.
Before his passing, Itagaki left a heartfelt message for his fans:
Last Words
The light of my life is finally fading.
The fact that this message has been posted means that the time has finally come. I am no longer in this world.
(I am entrusting this final post to someone important to me.)
My life has been a series of battles. I kept winning.
I have caused a lot of trouble, too.
I am proud to say that I followed my beliefs and fought to the end.
I have no regrets.
However, I am filled with regret that I was unable to deliver a new work to all my fans. I am sorry.
That’s how it is.
So it goes.
Itagaki Tomonobu
Known for his eccentric personality and trademark sunglasses—worn to hide his tells when playing games of chance—Itagaki embodied the same bold energy in real life that his games delivered on-screen.
His design philosophy was clear: keep it simple, make it beautiful. And he delivered—Dead or Alive that pushed visual fidelity and fast-paced combat to the forefront, while Ninja Gaiden redefined action gameplay with fluid movement, brutal difficulty, and stunning presentation.
Here at Glazed Watermelon, we’ve always been fans of his work. Itagaki was a developer’s developer—unapologetically confident, always pushing boundaries, and never afraid to stand by his vision. His legacy lives on in every game he ever made. May he rest in peace.
