Bandai Namco confirms ongoing Tekken updates as Katsuhiro Harada departs franchise

Bandai Namco has confirmed that Tekken will continue to receive new content throughout 2026 following the departure of long-time series director Katsuhiro Harada. The announcement comes as Harada formally steps away from the franchise after more than 30 years of involvement.

Harada, who played a central role in shaping the Tekken series into one of the most recognisable fighting game franchises, shared a message with fans confirming his exit.

“I'm no longer a developer / creator of the TEKKEN series. Harada_TEKKEN is completely dead,” he wrote. Under his leadership, the franchise surpassed 61 million copies sold across multiple platforms.

Despite his departure, Bandai Namco has indicated that Tekken will remain a priority. The company stated that players can expect “more fights and more updates” throughout 2026, signalling ongoing development for Tekken 8. The title has increasingly adopted a live service-style approach, supported by downloadable content and in-game updates.

Harada’s responsibilities will now be handled by a new leadership structure. Tekken 8 director Kohei Ikeda will take on a key creative role, while Michael Murray will oversee production.

The company has not confirmed whether a new mainline Tekken title is in development, but further content for Tekken 8 is expected to arrive through future seasons.

At present, Bandai Namco has not announced plans for another entry or spin-off such as a Tekken Tag title. Given current development costs, continued expansion of Tekken 8 appears to be the focus for the foreseeable future.

Harada may still make public appearances related to the franchise. Fans have noted that he could attend the upcoming Tekken World Tour Championships, scheduled to take place from January 29 to February 1, 2026.

Tekken 8 remains active across platforms, with Bandai Namco reaffirming its commitment to supporting the series as it enters a new phase without its long-time creative lead.