Harada Bids Farewell to Bandai Namco With Two Final Tekken Projects
Katsuhiro Harada confirms end of an era as he prepares to leave the company after decades of shaping one of gaming’s most iconic fighting franchises.
Katsuhiro Harada, the longtime director, producer, and public face of the Tekken franchise, has officially announced that he will step away from Bandai Namco at the end of 2025. The announcement arrived suddenly through his personal social media channels, gathering millions of views within hours and sending shockwaves through the global fighting game community. Harada explained that this decision came at what he believes is the most meaningful moment in his career, as Tekken celebrates its 30th anniversary and as he reflects on the contributions and passing of many veteran developers who helped build the series alongside him.
Harada shared heartfelt reflections on his decades at the helm of Tekken, recalling his early days traveling to arcades, persuading players to try the game during its infancy, and witnessing it grow into a massive worldwide community. He expressed deep gratitude for the support and loyalty players have shown since the very beginning, describing them as a family that has stood by the franchise for generations. After four years of carefully handing over responsibilities to the next wave of developers, he believes it is finally time to step back and allow the new team to guide Tekken’s future.
Although Harada will officially conclude his role at Bandai Namco at the end of the year, he confirmed that two major commitments remain. His first obligation is attending the Tekken World Tournament Grand Finals in January, an event he has supported passionately for years. His second commitment is a personal dream project: continuing his pursuit of music as a DJ. Harada has already released a 60 minute remix track for fans to enjoy, marking a creative shift that he plans to embrace more deeply after stepping away from game development.
Harada’s final contributions to gaming extend beyond Tekken 8. He also worked on Shadow Labyrinth, a new Metroidvania style action adventure set in the world of Pac-Man, reinterpreting the classic franchise with an atmospheric narrative twist. His influence can also be seen in other titles like Pokkén Tournament, a crossover fighter that reimagined Pokémon combat, and Summer Lesson, a well-received VR character experience on PlayStation 4. These projects highlight the wide creative range he brought to the studio throughout his career.
As the industry reflects on Harada’s legacy, his departure marks the end of one of gaming’s most influential eras. His leadership helped shape competitive fighting games into a global entertainment force, and the franchise he championed continues to inspire new creators across the world.
