Tekken’s Katsuhiro Harada Departs Bandai Namco After 31 Years

Katsuhiro Harada, the iconic director behind the _Tekken_ series, has announced his departure from Bandai Namco after an impressive 31-year tenure. In a heartfelt message shared on social media, Harada revealed that he will be leaving the company at the end of 2025. With _Tekken_ celebrating its 30th anniversary last year, he felt this was the perfect time to close this significant chapter of his career.

Reflecting on his journey, Harada reminisced about his early days promoting _Tekken_ in Japanese arcades, stating that those experiences shaped him as a developer and creator. He also mentioned that recent personal losses and changes in his professional life influenced his decision to step away. “In recent years, I experienced the loss of several close friends, and I witnessed the retirement or passing of many respected colleagues,” he shared. These events prompted him to consider the time he has left as a creator, leading him to seek advice from industry veteran Ken Kutaragi, whose support helped him finalize his decision.

Over the past few years, Harada has gradually transitioned his responsibilities and the creative direction of the _Tekken_ series to his team, paving the way for the future of the franchise. He plans to attend the upcoming Tekken World Tour finals in January as a guest and will release a special hour-long mix titled “Tekken: A 30-Year Journey – Harada’s Final Mix” on a music platform.

Harada’s journey with _Tekken_ began as a voice actor in the first two games, and he took on the director role starting with _Tekken 3_ in 1997. His contributions extend beyond _Tekken_, having worked on other fighting game franchises like _Soulcalibur_ and _Pokken Tournament_, as well as various projects within Bandai Namco. In 2019, he became the head of the company’s fighting game esports division and was later promoted to general manager. With the release of _Tekken 8_ last year, which received widespread acclaim, this marks Harada’s final chapter with the series and the company. While he hasn’t disclosed his future plans, his candid interactions with the gaming community, both in humor and in addressing feedback, will leave a lasting legacy in the _Tekken_ community.