Veteran fighting-game director and producer Katsuhiro Harada has announced he will depart Bandai Namco at the close of 2025. Celebrated for his work on Tekken—as well as credits on SoulCalibur and Pokkén Tournament—Harada said he wanted to remain through Tekken’s 30th anniversary, which was observed last December, before stepping away to pursue the next chapter of his career.
Although his official exit is slated for the end of the year, Bandai Namco has invited Harada to attend the Tekken World Tour Finals as a guest. He is scheduled to appear at the Last Chance Qualifier and Top 20 finals in Malmö, Sweden, on January 31 and February 1, 2026.
To mark his departure, Harada released a personal 60‑minute DJ mix titled “TEKKEN: A 30‑Year Journey – Harada’s Final Mix” on SoundCloud — a passion project fulfilling his long-standing wish to perform at a tournament. Listen on SoundCloud (opens in a new tab): TEKKEN: A 30‑Year Journey — Harada’s Final Mix.
In his message on X, Harada reflected on a lifelong passion for arcade fighters and detailed how his path with Tekken unfolded. He also credited Ken Kutaragi, the former head of Sony Computer Entertainment, for offering counsel and encouragement that helped shape his decision to move on.
Bandai Namco’s statement
Bandai Namco confirmed Harada’s departure, noting his instrumental role in shepherding the Tekken franchise through its 30th anniversary. The company reiterated its commitment to ongoing development and content for Tekken 8, saying it will continue to incorporate community feedback and preserve the creative vision cultivated under Harada’s leadership.
Harada added that over the last several years he has gradually transferred responsibilities, stories, and worldbuilding to his colleagues, leaving the series in capable hands as he departs.
His involvement with Tekken stretches back to the franchise’s earliest days: he voiced characters such as Marshall Law, Yoshimitsu, and Kunimitsu in the first Tekken, returned as a voice actor in Tekken 2, and took on directorial duties beginning with Tekken 3 in 1997. Since then he has remained a central creative force through Tekken 8 (2024).
For further reading, see Game Informer’s Tekken 8 review: Game Informer — Tekken 8 review.
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