In a major moment for the fighting game community, Katsuhiro Harada, longtime producer and creative lead of the Tekken franchise, has announced his departure from Bandai Namco after more than three decades with the company. The announcement was made through an emotional statement posted to X (formerly Twitter), where Harada reflected on his career and the legacy of Tekken.
Harada confirmed that he will step down as Tekken’s Director and Producer at the end of 2025, marking the end of an era for the globally beloved fighting game series. His exit also aligns with the 30th anniversary of Tekken — a milestone Harada said felt like the most meaningful point to close his chapter.
In his statement, Harada shared heartfelt memories of the early days of Tekken’s development, recalling moments when he personally traveled with arcade cabinets to promote the game and encourage players to try it.
He described these grassroots experiences as defining influences on his identity as a developer, saying the community interactions he had in arcades shaped his passion and perspective.
Harada also acknowledged the emotional impact of losing close friends and seeing respected peers retire, noting that these personal events played a role in his decision to step aside. He referenced former Sony executive Ken Kutaragi, whose support and mentorship shaped his career.
Harada reassured fans that Tekken is in capable hands. He revealed that he has steadily passed on responsibilities — including narrative development and worldbuilding — to the internal Bandai Namco team over the last four to five years. This indicates that the franchise’s direction will remain stable despite his departure.
He emphasized confidence in the next generation of developers, stating his hope that Tekken will continue to evolve with new creative talent at the helm.
Although stepping away from his production role, Harada is not fully saying goodbye. He confirmed that he will attend the Tekken World Tour 2025 finals, scheduled for January 2026, as a special guest. The event is expected to be an emotional celebration of his contributions to the franchise and esports culture.
In a personal gift to fans, Harada also released a one-hour, self-edited Tekken nonstop DJ-style mix, calling it “the first and last time” he will produce something of that nature. Fans can listen to the mix on SoundCloud.
Harada is widely regarded as a central figure in competitive fighting games and a beloved personality within the FGC. Known for his humor, transparency, and willingness to address community concerns directly, he has shaped Tekken not only as a franchise but as a global cultural force.
His departure marks the end of a foundational chapter in gaming history — one that profoundly influenced esports and the fighting game genre.
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