After more than thirty years in the industry, Katsuhiro Harada, an iconic figure in the Tekken series, has officially announced his departure from Bandai Namco. Having been with the company for 31 years, the longtime producer and director will leave his position toward the end of 2025, a highly symbolic timing as the franchise celebrates its 30th anniversary. For him, this is a turning point, marking the conclusion of a cycle deeply connected to both his professional and personal life.

In a nostalgic message, Harada looks back on his humble beginnings, from local tournaments in Japanese arcades to community events overseas. These experiences, involving direct contact with players and tangible efforts to introduce people to Tekken, shaped his vision of video games. Even with the global rise of esports, he retains a strong attachment to this human connection, which has become increasingly rare over time.

In recent years, several personal and professional losses have led him to reflect on his creative future. Gradually, he handed his responsibilities over to his teams while looking back on all of his notable projects, from Tekken to SoulCalibur, as well as his VR experiences. Although he is leaving Bandai Namco, Harada nevertheless plans to appear at the 2026 TWT Finals and to conclude his journey with one final musical nod, a symbol of a sincere farewell to the global community that has accompanied him for three decades.