Longtime Tekken producer Katsuhiro Harada has announced he will depart Bandai Namco at the end of 2025, concluding a 31-year tenure with the company.
Harada — who has been involved with the franchise since its inception and directed key entries such as Tekken 3, Tag Tournament, Tekken 4, 5, and 7 while producing several other Bandai Namco projects — shared the news on Twitter. He wrote, “With the Tekken series reaching its 30th anniversary — an important milestone for a project I’ve devoted much of my life to — I felt this was the most fitting moment to bring one chapter to a close.”
I’d like to share that I’ll be leaving Bandai Namco at the end of 2025.With the TEKKEN series reaching its 30th anniversary—an important milestone for a project I’ve devoted much of my life to—I felt this was the most fitting moment to bring one chapter to a close.My roots lie…December 8, 2025
Reflecting on recent losses, Harada said, “In recent years, I experienced the loss of several close friends in my personal life, and in my professional life I witnessed the retirement or passing of many senior colleagues whom I deeply respect. Those accumulated events made me reflect on the ‘time I have left as a creator.'” He added that he consulted with original PlayStation lead Ken Kutaragi, whose advice “quietly supported me in making this decision.”
The Tekken team also posted a statement on Twitter, assuring fans: “Rest assured that we are fully committed to the future development and content plans for Tekken 8. We will continue to take community feedback on the game and its content to heart to ensure that we uphold the vision and spirit built by Harada-san, dedicating our utmost efforts to ensure the legacy of the Tekken series continues as a fighting game franchise beloved worldwide.”
Harada did not outline his next steps but revealed a personal project: “For 30 years I kept saying, ‘I’ll do it someday,’ and never once performed as a DJ at a tournament event. So instead, I will be releasing – for the first and last time – a 60-minute Tekken DJ-style nonstop mix, personally edited by myself, together with this announcement.” Perhaps a short-lived DJ venture awaits him.
Major transitions can breathe new life into long-running franchises. Harada notes that over the past four to five years he has gradually delegated his responsibilities — including the story and worldbuilding duties he once oversaw — to the team, preparing them to carry the series forward.
Takayuki Nakayama’s debut as director on Street Fighter 6 earned widespread praise, and with Tekken 8 facing its own challenges similar to those early in Street Fighter 5’s lifecycle, fresh leadership could spark a comparable resurgence. It does mean, however, that fans and competitors alike may no longer be able to turn to Harada as a go-to figure for quick answers or behind-the-scenes intervention.
