Hot on the Heels of Katsuhiro Harada's Exit From Bandai Namco, the Director of Tekken 7 and 8 Has Left Too

Kohei 'Nakatsu' Ikeda, game director for Tekken 7 and 8, has left Bandai Namco after 20 years at the company. His departure follows closely after Tekken legend Katsuhiro Harada left to form a new video game company. In a farewell message on social media, Ikeda said, 'There were joyful moments, and many difficult ones as well. There were times when we celebrated together, and times when I received passionate criticism and encouragement. Yet every one of those moments helped push both myself and the Tekken Project forward.' Ikeda didn't reveal his next move, but many fans speculate he will rejoin Harada at his new venture, VS Studio, which has partnered with SNK Corporation. The Tekken community now wonders about the franchise's future. Just last week, Bandai Namco delighted fans by announcing Yujiro Hanma from the Baki manga and anime as a guest character in the Tekken 8 Season 3 Pass, which ends in early 2027. But with both Harada and Ikeda gone, will fans get a Tekken 9? If so, what might it look like? Tekken fans have had a rocky relationship with Bandai Namco in recent years, criticizing various game aspects and balance changes. Harada has spoken publicly about his difficult relationship with both the franchise and Bandai Namco, often responding to fan concerns on social media, including addressing a controversy over premium stage DLC. 'Makes me worried about the fate of Tekken 9,' said one concerned fan. 'The franchise might have to take a bit of a break after this game,' another suggested. 'This game has definitely been a nightmare for developers AND players.' Bandai Namco has yet to announce plans for Tekken beyond Season 3.