Katsuhiro Harada, the longtime face of the Tekken franchise, has revealed that he’ll depart Bandai Namco on the finish of 2025. The announcement coincides with the top of Tekken’s thirtieth anniversary yr, marking the shut of a monumental chapter for each the sequence and one of many combating recreation business’s most iconic figures.
From Arcades to Arenas: Harada’s Early Foundations
In his message, Harada mirrored on the common-or-garden beginnings that formed his method to recreation improvement. He remembered hauling arcade cupboards on his personal, encouraging gamers to “please strive Tekken,” and interesting immediately with followers in small Japanese arcades, neighborhood facilities, and makeshift abroad venues. These early interactions fashioned the emotional core of his identification as a developer. At the same time as Tekken expanded into a world esports phenomenon, he famous that gamers continued treating him like an outdated buddy—difficult him at occasions, sharing drinks, and constructing recollections that might stick with him for all times.
Private Losses and the Determination to Transfer On
Harada additionally spoke candidly in regards to the private circumstances behind his departure. In recent times, he skilled the lack of shut buddies, whereas lots of his revered seniors retired or handed away. These moments, he stated, prompted deep reflection on the time he has left as a creator. Throughout this era of uncertainty, he sought recommendation from Ken Kutaragi, a mentor he regards as a second father. Kutaragi’s steerage, he defined, quietly strengthened his resolve to make this troublesome determination.
Passing the Torch and Trying Again at a Various Profession
The transition has been years within the making. Harada revealed that over the previous 4 to 5 years, he progressively handed on his obligations—story route, worldbuilding, and artistic oversight—to the present improvement group. Whereas Tekken outlined a lot of his skilled identification, Harada highlighted the breadth of tasks he labored on, from VR titles like Summer time Lesson to Pokkén Event, SoulCalibur, and quite a few collaborations inside and out of doors Bandai Namco. Every mission, he stated, provided invaluable classes and fashioned an irreplaceable a part of his journey.
A Remaining Look and One Final Reward for Followers
Though he’ll depart Bandai Namco in 2025, Harada confirmed that he has been invited to attend the Tekken World Tour Finals in January 2026 as a visitor. Alongside this announcement, he unveiled a particular farewell reward: his first and final Tekken DJ-style nonstop combine. After three a long time of claiming he would “do it sometime,” Harada lastly created a 60-minute compilation titled “TEKKEN: A 30-Yr Journey – Harada’s Remaining Combine,” personally edited by himself. Now accessible on SoundCloud, the combo serves as an emotional retrospective on the franchise’s historical past and his time with it.
Closing Ideas and the Street Forward
Katsuhiro Harada ended his announcement by expressing heartfelt gratitude to the worldwide neighborhood, his colleagues, and everybody who supported his work all through the a long time. Whereas he has not but revealed his subsequent steps, he promised to share extra about his future at a later time. For now, December 8, 2025—coinciding with the ultimate day of Tekken’s thirtieth anniversary—marks the start of a brand new chapter for considered one of gaming’s most influential creators.
