Harada’s next steps are currently unknown, as is the fate of the Tekken franchise.
Katsuhiro Harada, the face of the fighting game franchise Tekken, is officially departing its publisher Bandai Namco Entertainment. Harada was promoted to lead Bandai Namco’s fighting game esports division in 2019, and was credited as a producer on many of its recent projects like Shadow Labyrinth and Code Vein.
On top of that, he was heavily involved in the making of the Tekken franchise. Tekken 8 will now be the final game in the franchise co-directed by Harada, who announced his departure from the company on Twitter/X.
Katushiro Harada is officially leaving Bandai Namco and Tekken by the end of 2025
Game developer Katsuhiro Harada announced that he was leaving Bandai Namco Entertainment today (8 December) via a social media post. He began the post by writing:
“I’d like to share that I’ll be leaving Bandai Namco at the end of 2025. With the TEKKEN series reaching its 30th anniversary–an important milestone for a project I’ve devoted much of my life to–I felt this was the most fitting moment to bring one chapter to a close.”
Harada continued his statement by reminiscing on fond memories of carrying Tekken arcade cabinets around, and directly encouraging others to play the game. He then touched on his reason for leaving, saying:
“In recent years, I experienced the loss of several close friends in my personal life, and in my professional life I witnessed the retirement or passing of many senior colleagues whom I deeply respect. Those accumulated events made me reflect on the “time I have left as a creator.” During that period, I sought advice from Ken Kutaragi—whom I respect as though he were another father—and received invaluable encouragement and guidance. His words quietly supported me in making this decision.”
While he didn’t name specific the “senior colleagues” who had passed away in his statement, Harada had expressed his grief and shock at the sudden passing of Dead or Alive and Ninja Gaiden reboot creator Tomonobu Itagaki earlier this year. At the time, he wrote in a social media post: “Yes, everyone dies eventually… that’s inevitable. But you… isn’t it a bit too soon?”
Harada confirmed that his duties at Bandai Namco had been passed on, to varying degrees of responsibility, to other developers.
“Over the past four to five years, I’ve gradually handed over all of my responsibilities, as well as the stories and worldbuilding I oversaw, to the team, bringing me to the present day.”
In his time at Bandai Namco, Harada worked on games like Pokkén Tournament and Summer Lesson. He was also directly involved in the SoulCalibur franchise, and famously led development on the Tekken franchise for decades.
“Each project was full of new discoveries and learning, and every one of them became an irreplaceable experience for me,” Harada wrote. “To everyone who has supported me, to communities around the world, and to all the colleagues who have walked alongside me for so many years, I offer my deepest gratitude.”
Harada ended his statement by thanking his followers, and noted that he would “share more about my next steps at a later date.” The developer will be leaving Bandai Namco by the end of 2025, though he will still appear as a guest at the Tekken World Tour Finals towards the end of January 2026.
