Toshiyuki Itahana, the celebrated character designer recognized for his influential work on Final Fantasy IX, has announced his departure from Square Enix after more than two decades with the iconic Japanese developer and publisher.
Best known to fans of the Final Fantasy series, Itahana's distinctive art style helped define some of the franchise's most memorable visual identities, particularly in titles that found new life on Nintendo platforms like the Nintendo Switch. Itahana’s announcement came via a personal statement issued at the close of 2023, marking the end of his tenure at Square Enix.
Reflecting on his decision, Itahana expressed that concluding his role following the prestigious 25th anniversary of Final Fantasy IX represented a natural point of transition.
"After reaching such a significant milestone last year and witnessing the heartfelt celebrations of Final Fantasy IX, I felt fulfilled in my contributions and ready to pursue new challenges," Itahana shared in his message to fans and industry colleagues. During his career at Square Enix, Itahana worked on a range of prominent projects across the Final Fantasy universe.
While he held the directorial role for only two games, one notable highlight includes his work on Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers—a Wii-exclusive release praised for its imaginative characters and environments.
His artistic influence extended across character design, illustration, and supervisory roles, bolstering the enduring appeal of Square Enix's role-playing games. The Final Fantasy IX 25th anniversary celebrations, which featured worldwide commemorations and dedicated events—including exhibitions and themed cafés—were a highlight for Itahana, who expressed gratitude to fans for their continued enthusiasm.
With the commemorative projects complete, he stated that this was the appropriate moment to transition to a freelance career, where he plans to continue illustrating and designing characters while embracing new creative opportunities. For fans eager to revisit Itahana's work, Final Fantasy IX remains available on Nintendo Switch via the Nintendo eShop, providing both longstanding and new audiences a chance to experience the classic RPG that helped cement his legacy.
As he embarks on his freelance journey, Itahana conveyed appreciation for his collaborators and supporters, reaffirming his commitment to producing compelling art that resonates with gamers worldwide. Toshiyuki Itahana’s artistic legacy at Square Enix, particularly through character-driven experiences on Nintendo hardware such as the Switch and Wii, stands as a testament to his impact on the modern era of Japanese role-playing games.
His departure marks the end of an important chapter, both for the developer and the broader Final Fantasy community.
Best known to fans of the Final Fantasy series, Itahana's distinctive art style helped define some of the franchise's most memorable visual identities, particularly in titles that found new life on Nintendo platforms like the Nintendo Switch. Itahana’s announcement came via a personal statement issued at the close of 2023, marking the end of his tenure at Square Enix.
Reflecting on his decision, Itahana expressed that concluding his role following the prestigious 25th anniversary of Final Fantasy IX represented a natural point of transition.
"After reaching such a significant milestone last year and witnessing the heartfelt celebrations of Final Fantasy IX, I felt fulfilled in my contributions and ready to pursue new challenges," Itahana shared in his message to fans and industry colleagues. During his career at Square Enix, Itahana worked on a range of prominent projects across the Final Fantasy universe.
While he held the directorial role for only two games, one notable highlight includes his work on Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers—a Wii-exclusive release praised for its imaginative characters and environments.
His artistic influence extended across character design, illustration, and supervisory roles, bolstering the enduring appeal of Square Enix's role-playing games. The Final Fantasy IX 25th anniversary celebrations, which featured worldwide commemorations and dedicated events—including exhibitions and themed cafés—were a highlight for Itahana, who expressed gratitude to fans for their continued enthusiasm.
With the commemorative projects complete, he stated that this was the appropriate moment to transition to a freelance career, where he plans to continue illustrating and designing characters while embracing new creative opportunities. For fans eager to revisit Itahana's work, Final Fantasy IX remains available on Nintendo Switch via the Nintendo eShop, providing both longstanding and new audiences a chance to experience the classic RPG that helped cement his legacy.
As he embarks on his freelance journey, Itahana conveyed appreciation for his collaborators and supporters, reaffirming his commitment to producing compelling art that resonates with gamers worldwide. Toshiyuki Itahana’s artistic legacy at Square Enix, particularly through character-driven experiences on Nintendo hardware such as the Switch and Wii, stands as a testament to his impact on the modern era of Japanese role-playing games.
His departure marks the end of an important chapter, both for the developer and the broader Final Fantasy community.
