Katsuhiro Harada, renowned for his leadership as the chief director of the Tekken series, has officially announced his exit from Bandai Namco, marking the end of an era for both the company and the fighting game community.
Harada revealed that he will depart Bandai Namco at the conclusion of 2025, capping a career that spans more than three decades and has left an indelible mark on gaming history. Reflecting on his journey, Harada shared that the timing of his departure was influenced by Tekken's recent 30th anniversary, a milestone for the franchise that debuted in 1994.
Over the years, Harada has been instrumental in shaping Tekken into one of the most enduring and successful fighting game franchises worldwide, with the series consistently performing strongly on both arcade machines and home consoles, including recent releases on the Nintendo Switch and other platforms.
Tekken's influence extends beyond gameplay, serving as a cultural touchstone within the competitive fighting game scene. In a heartfelt statement, Harada emphasized the significance of personal reflection during this period, noting how the loss of close friends and the retirement or passing of respected colleagues led him to consider the remaining time he has as a creator.
His decision was further supported by mentorship from industry legend Ken Kutaragi, who offered key insights and encouragement as Harada contemplated the next chapter of his career. Harada explained that, over the last several years, he has steadily transitioned his responsibilities to the talented team at Bandai Namco, ensuring the continued development and integrity of the Tekken series.
His remarks highlighted the importance of face-to-face community engagement—reminiscing about days spent promoting Tekken at local arcade tournaments and community events in Japan and abroad.
These grassroots efforts, Harada said, played a critical role in forming his identity as a developer and in fostering the series' devoted fanbase. Beyond Tekken, Harada's multifaceted career includes major contributions to projects such as Pokkén Tournament, a unique fighting game collaboration featuring Pokémon characters, which launched on both arcades and the Nintendo Switch, as well as involvement with the SoulCalibur series and VR initiatives like Summer Lesson.
Each project, he noted, was an opportunity for growth, innovation, and global outreach. In closing his statement, Harada expressed profound gratitude to the gaming community and his colleagues, reaffirming that details about his future plans will be announced in due course.
As the industry reflects on Harada's legacy, both Bandai Namco and the worldwide fighting game community prepare to continue his vision. Katsuhiro Harada leaves behind a legacy defined by creative passion, community engagement, and a remarkable portfolio of genre-defining titles.
His influence will undoubtedly continue to shape the future of fighting games and the ongoing evolution of the Tekken franchise.
Harada revealed that he will depart Bandai Namco at the conclusion of 2025, capping a career that spans more than three decades and has left an indelible mark on gaming history. Reflecting on his journey, Harada shared that the timing of his departure was influenced by Tekken's recent 30th anniversary, a milestone for the franchise that debuted in 1994.
Over the years, Harada has been instrumental in shaping Tekken into one of the most enduring and successful fighting game franchises worldwide, with the series consistently performing strongly on both arcade machines and home consoles, including recent releases on the Nintendo Switch and other platforms.
Tekken's influence extends beyond gameplay, serving as a cultural touchstone within the competitive fighting game scene. In a heartfelt statement, Harada emphasized the significance of personal reflection during this period, noting how the loss of close friends and the retirement or passing of respected colleagues led him to consider the remaining time he has as a creator.
His decision was further supported by mentorship from industry legend Ken Kutaragi, who offered key insights and encouragement as Harada contemplated the next chapter of his career. Harada explained that, over the last several years, he has steadily transitioned his responsibilities to the talented team at Bandai Namco, ensuring the continued development and integrity of the Tekken series.
His remarks highlighted the importance of face-to-face community engagement—reminiscing about days spent promoting Tekken at local arcade tournaments and community events in Japan and abroad.
These grassroots efforts, Harada said, played a critical role in forming his identity as a developer and in fostering the series' devoted fanbase. Beyond Tekken, Harada's multifaceted career includes major contributions to projects such as Pokkén Tournament, a unique fighting game collaboration featuring Pokémon characters, which launched on both arcades and the Nintendo Switch, as well as involvement with the SoulCalibur series and VR initiatives like Summer Lesson.
Each project, he noted, was an opportunity for growth, innovation, and global outreach. In closing his statement, Harada expressed profound gratitude to the gaming community and his colleagues, reaffirming that details about his future plans will be announced in due course.
As the industry reflects on Harada's legacy, both Bandai Namco and the worldwide fighting game community prepare to continue his vision. Katsuhiro Harada leaves behind a legacy defined by creative passion, community engagement, and a remarkable portfolio of genre-defining titles.
His influence will undoubtedly continue to shape the future of fighting games and the ongoing evolution of the Tekken franchise.
