The end of an era: Tekken boss Katsuhiro Harada is out at Bandai Namco, after 30 years of working on the esteemed fighting series

Eurogamer
Mon, 08 Dec 2025 09:45:48 +0000

Katsuhiro Harada, the long-time head of the Tekken series, announced his departure from Bandai Namco, effective at the end of 2025, coinciding with Tekken's 30th anniversary. He reflected on his journey, the impact of personal losses, and his gradual transition of responsibilities to his team. Speculation about his future arose from his LinkedIn activity and comments on the franchise's direction. Despite his exit, the success of titles like Street Fighter 6 suggests the franchise can thrive without its iconic leaders.

2025-12-08 | VGC: Tekken boss Katsuhiro Harada says he’s leaving Bandai Namco this month

Katsuhiro Harada, the long-time producer of the Tekken series, announced he will leave Bandai Namco at the end of 2025, coinciding with Tekken's 30th anniversary. Harada reflected on his three-decade journey with the franchise and expressed gratitude to fans and colleagues. Bandai Namco assured players that Tekken 8 will continue to receive content and that the series' legacy will be upheld after his departure. Harada's final commitment will be at the Tekken World Tour 2025 finals in early 2026.

2025-12-08 | Push Square: Tekken Director Katsuhiro Harada Announces Departure After 30 Years at Bandai Namco

Katsuhiro Harada, director and producer of the Tekken series, has announced his departure from Bandai Namco at the end of 2025, coinciding with the franchise's 30th anniversary. Harada has been integral to the series since its inception and has gradually handed over his responsibilities to the Tekken team. He expressed gratitude to supporters and colleagues, while the official Tekken account confirmed that development on Tekken 8 and the franchise's future will continue.

2025-12-08 | PCGamesN: Tekken legend Harada leaving Bandai Namco after 30 years of service, peaces out with a sick, hour-long Soundcloud mix

Katsuhiro Harada, the iconic figure behind the Tekken series, is leaving Bandai Namco after 30 years, with his departure set for the end of 2025. He has contributed significantly to various titles, including Tekken 8 and SoulCalibur. Reflecting on personal losses and career milestones, he has gradually transferred his responsibilities to the team. As a farewell, he released a 60-minute DJ mix titled "Tekken: A 30-Year Journey - Harada's Final Mix" and plans to appear at the Tekken World Tour Finals in January 2026.

2025-12-08 | Nintendo Life: Katsuhiro Harada Announces Departure From Bandai Namco

Katsuhiro Harada, the executive producer and director of the Tekken franchise, announced his departure from Bandai Namco at the end of 2025, coinciding with Tekken's 30th anniversary. He expressed gratitude for his experiences and the community's support over the years. Harada will attend the Tekken World Tour 2025 finals and release a special DJ mix titled "TEKKEN: A 30-Year Journey – Harada’s Final Mix" as part of his farewell.

2025-12-08 | Rock Paper Shotgun: Tekken lead Katsuhiro Harada is leaving Bandai Namco at the end of this year, bows out with hour-long DJ mix

Katsuhiro Harada, the long-time director and producer of the Tekken series, announced he will leave Bandai Namco at the end of 2025, coinciding with Tekken's 30th anniversary. He has been gradually transferring his responsibilities to the Tekken team. Harada shared an hour-long DJ mix on Soundcloud to commemorate his departure, stating it was a long-held wish to perform at a tournament. Bandai Namco assured players of their commitment to Tekken 8's future development.

2025-12-08 | GamesRadar+: Tekken boss Katsuhiro Harada is leaving Bandai Namco after 31 years: "I felt this was the most fitting moment to bring one chapter to a close"

Katsuhiro Harada, the longtime producer of the Tekken series, will leave Bandai Namco at the end of 2025 after 31 years. He announced his departure on Twitter, citing the 30th anniversary of Tekken as a fitting moment to conclude his chapter. Harada reflected on personal losses and the passing of colleagues, influencing his decision. The Tekken team reassured fans of their commitment to Tekken 8's future. Harada plans to release a DJ mix as part of his farewell.

2025-12-08 | Insider Gaming: Tekken Director Katsuhiro Harada Leaves Bandai Namco After 30 Years

Katsuhiro Harada has announced his departure from Bandai Namco after 30 years, marking the end of an era for the Tekken franchise. His decision was influenced by personal losses and reflections on his career. Harada will leave at the end of 2025, coinciding with Tekken's 30th anniversary. The Tekken 8 development team reassured fans that his departure will not affect the game's ongoing development or future plans, emphasizing their commitment to the series' legacy.

2025-12-08 | PC Gamer: Tekken boss announces retirement after 30 years in the most Harada way imaginable: a lengthy social media post and hour-long mixtape

Katsuhiro Harada, the long-time head of the Tekken series, announced his retirement from Bandai Namco at the end of 2025, coinciding with Tekken's 30th anniversary. In a heartfelt social media post, he reflected on his three-decade journey and interactions with the community. Harada has been gradually handing off responsibilities and plans to share more about his future later. He also released a mixtape titled "TEKKEN: A 30-Year Journey – Harada's Final Mix." The Tekken team reassured fans of ongoing development for Tekken 8.

2025-12-08 | Game Developer: Tekken boss Katsuhiro Harada is leaving Bandai Namco

Katsuhiro Harada, the long-time head of the Tekken franchise at Bandai Namco, will leave the company at the end of 2025 after nearly 30 years. He reflected on his journey and the impact of the Tekken series on his identity as a developer. As the franchise nears its 30th anniversary, Harada has begun transitioning his responsibilities. He plans to appear at the Tekken World Tour Finals in January 2026 to say goodbye to the community.

2025-12-08 | TechRaptor: Tekken Legend Katsuhiro Harada to Leave Bandai Namco

Katsuhiro Harada, the iconic director of the Tekken series, has announced his departure from Bandai Namco later this year. Reflecting on his career and personal losses, Harada has been transitioning responsibilities for Tekken to the development team over the past few years. He plans to attend the Tekken World Tour finals in January as a guest and has created a farewell music mix from the franchise. The Tekken team has expressed gratitude for his contributions and commitment to future developments.

2025-12-08 | Metro: Tekken boss announces exit after 31 years with DJ megamix

Katsuhiro Harada, a key figure in the Tekken franchise, announced his departure from Bandai Namco at the end of 2025 after 31 years. He reflected on his journey and the impact of personal losses on his decision. To commemorate his exit, he released an hour-long DJ megamix of classic Tekken tracks. Harada confirmed he will still participate in the Tekken World Tour Finals in January 2026 and emphasized the team's commitment to future Tekken content.

2025-12-08 | Game Informer: Longtime Tekken Director And Producer Katsuhiro Harada Is Leaving Bandai Namco

Katsuhiro Harada, the longtime director and producer of the Tekken series, announced he will leave Bandai Namco at the end of 2025. He aimed to reach the series' 30th anniversary milestone before departing. Harada will attend the Tekken World Tour Finals in January 2026 and released a DJ mix titled "TEKKEN: A 30-Year Journey" on SoundCloud. Bandai Namco reassured fans about the future of Tekken 8, emphasizing their commitment to the franchise's legacy.

2025-12-08 | Push Square: Tekken Mega Music Mix Dropped by Series Boss Harada, and It's 30 Years of Pure Nostalgia

Katsuhiro Harada, the legendary director of Tekken, has released a 60-minute music mix celebrating 30 years of the series, available on SoundCloud. This DJ-style mix features a blend of iconic tracks, sound effects, and voice samples from Tekken's history. Harada, who is leaving Bandai Namco, edited the mix himself and expressed nostalgia for the series. He notes this is a unique gift for fans, reflecting on his long-standing desire to create it.