Katsuhiro Harada Steps Away After Three Decades
In a surprising announcement, Tekken 8 director and longtime franchise leader Katsuhiro Harada has revealed that he will be leaving Bandai Namco at the end of 2025.
Harada has been synonymous with the Tekken series for more than 30 years and is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in fighting games. He has also served as the public face of the franchise, regularly appearing at events to announce new content alongside producer Michael Murray.
The timing of Harada’s departure has shocked fans. Tekken is currently celebrating its 30th anniversary, and Tekken 8 has been a commercial success despite some difficulties during Season 2.
Many players were expecting announcements about future content, and Harada had previously stated that Tekken 9 would likely be the final game he worked on before retiring. Those plans now appear to have changed, leaving the franchise to move forward without him for the first time.
Harada Confirms His Departure
In a lengthy social media post, Harada explained that the 30th anniversary felt like the right moment to close an important chapter in his life. Reflecting on his early career, he spoke about interacting directly with fans at arcades and local tournaments, and how those experiences shaped his philosophy as a creator. He also shared that recent personal events have made him more aware of the limited time he has left to create.
The passing of fellow game creator Tomonobu Itagaki had a particularly strong impact on Harada. He previously released a heartfelt statement and delivered the eulogy at Itagaki’s memorial service, and these experiences appear to have influenced his decision. To mark his farewell, Harada released a 60 minute DJ mix of Tekken music, edited by himself, which he described as a nostalgic and personal way to celebrate the series.
Bandai Namco Addresses the Future of Tekken
While the announcement was unexpected for fans, Harada confirmed that internally he has been gradually handing off responsibilities over the past five years. Bandai Namco and the Tekken 8 development team followed up his post with their own statement, thanking him for his contributions and leadership.
The company also confirmed that Harada will still appear at the Tekken World Tour 2025 Global Finals, taking place on January 30 and February 1, 2026 in Malmo, Sweden. After that appearance, he will officially step away once the 30th anniversary celebrations conclude.
Bandai Namco reassured fans that it remains fully committed to the Tekken franchise. The studio emphasized that future development and content plans for Tekken 8 will continue, guided by player feedback and with respect for the vision and spirit Harada established.
A Legacy Beyond Tekken
Harada is widely remembered for his strong and often outspoken presence on social media, where he frequently engaged with fans on topics ranging from lore and balance updates to DLC requests, and occasionally calling out unreasonable behavior. Earlier in 2025, Harada denied rumors that he was planning to leave Bandai Namco, though in hindsight those reports now seem to have held some truth.
Beyond Tekken, Harada contributed to numerous other Bandai Namco projects. His farewell message highlighted his involvement with Pokken Tournament, SoulCalibur, Tales of Arise, Dark Souls 3, Code Vein, and the Pac Man spinoff Shadow Labyrinth. He described each project as a valuable learning experience and an irreplaceable part of his career.
As one of the most recognizable figures in fighting games, Harada’s departure marks the end of an era. His influence on Tekken and the broader genre will continue to be felt for many years to come.
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