Tekken director katsuhiro harada announces departure from bandai namco after 30 years

Katsuhiro Harada confirms exit from Bandai Namco, reflecting on three decades with Tekken

Katsuhiro Harada, the longtime producer and creative leader behind the Tekken franchise, has announced that he will leave Bandai Namco at the end of 2025, marking the close of a three-decade run with the company. Harada shared the news in a personal statement on X, saying the series’ 30th anniversary felt like the right moment to conclude a major chapter of his career.

Harada, 55, has been a defining figure within the fighting game community for years—known for his transparent communication, humor, and unwavering commitment to Tekken. In his message, he reflected on the early days of promoting the game, recalling memories of transporting arcade machines alone and convincing players to try the title. He described those experiences as foundational to his identity as a developer.

He also opened up about the emotional weight behind the decision, noting that the passing of close friends and the retirement of several longtime industry peers influenced his thinking. Harada specifically mentioned the guidance he received from Ken Kutaragi, crediting him for significant encouragement throughout his career.

Looking ahead, Harada confirmed that the transition has been in progress for years, explaining that he has gradually handed off Tekken’s story development, worldbuilding, and other creative duties to Bandai Namco’s internal teams over the past four to five years.

Despite stepping down, Harada assured fans he will remain connected to the community. He is set to appear as a guest at the Tekken World Tour 2025 finals in January 2026, and to mark the milestone, he also released a personally edited, hour-long Tekken DJ-style mix on SoundCloud—something he described as a first and final gesture for fans.