Bandai Namco's Gaming Icon Katsuhiro Harada Leaves After Three Decades Behind the Wheel
A legendary figure in the world of gaming, renowned director and producer Katsuhiro Harada is hanging up his hat at Bandai Namco after a staggering 30-year tenure. The news was met with a dual announcement: a heartfelt farewell message shared on X platform, where Harada expressed his gratitude to fans, colleagues, and communities worldwide, who have supported him throughout his illustrious career.
Harada's affinity for the fighting game genre has been particularly defining, having spent most of his 30-year journey at the helm of Tekken. His connection to the franchise began as a voice actor in its original iteration, a role he continued to nurture even as he took on directorial duties. This progression showcased Harada's adaptability and growth within the company, with various titles under his belt across different genres.
Harada revealed that every project served as a new journey of discovery, fostering invaluable experiences that left indelible marks on him. His parting words to fans and colleagues were nothing short of heartfelt: "Each project was full of new discoveries and learning, and every one of them became an irreplaceable experience for me... To everyone who has supported me, to communities around the world, and to all the colleagues who have walked alongside me for so many years, I offer my deepest gratitude."
In a move that perfectly encapsulates Harada's swashbuckling spirit, he chose to bid farewell with an hour-long DJ mix, dubbed 'TEKKEN: A 30-Year Journey – Harada’s Final Mix.' This masterfully curated set was released on SoundCloud and will undoubtedly resonate deeply with the Tekken community. It serves as a testament to Harada's creativity and flair, marking an unforgettable chapter in his legacy.
As Harada transitions into this new chapter, fans of the franchise can look back on his remarkable journey with gratitude and admiration. His influence on the world of gaming will be felt for years to come, leaving behind an indelible mark that will forever be linked to Tekken and Bandai Namco.
A legendary figure in the world of gaming, renowned director and producer Katsuhiro Harada is hanging up his hat at Bandai Namco after a staggering 30-year tenure. The news was met with a dual announcement: a heartfelt farewell message shared on X platform, where Harada expressed his gratitude to fans, colleagues, and communities worldwide, who have supported him throughout his illustrious career.
Harada's affinity for the fighting game genre has been particularly defining, having spent most of his 30-year journey at the helm of Tekken. His connection to the franchise began as a voice actor in its original iteration, a role he continued to nurture even as he took on directorial duties. This progression showcased Harada's adaptability and growth within the company, with various titles under his belt across different genres.
Harada revealed that every project served as a new journey of discovery, fostering invaluable experiences that left indelible marks on him. His parting words to fans and colleagues were nothing short of heartfelt: "Each project was full of new discoveries and learning, and every one of them became an irreplaceable experience for me... To everyone who has supported me, to communities around the world, and to all the colleagues who have walked alongside me for so many years, I offer my deepest gratitude."
In a move that perfectly encapsulates Harada's swashbuckling spirit, he chose to bid farewell with an hour-long DJ mix, dubbed 'TEKKEN: A 30-Year Journey – Harada’s Final Mix.' This masterfully curated set was released on SoundCloud and will undoubtedly resonate deeply with the Tekken community. It serves as a testament to Harada's creativity and flair, marking an unforgettable chapter in his legacy.
As Harada transitions into this new chapter, fans of the franchise can look back on his remarkable journey with gratitude and admiration. His influence on the world of gaming will be felt for years to come, leaving behind an indelible mark that will forever be linked to Tekken and Bandai Namco.
harada-san was like a legend in my eyes, his dedication to tekken was insane 30 years is a long time even for someone as passionate as him 
he did so much for the community and the game itself, i mean have you seen his dj mix? that's some next level stuff 
i feel like im gonna miss seeing what hes gonna come up with next
man what's next? 30 yrs is a big deal but I'm sure he's just trying to get away from all the drama and stress of his job 
anyway, i feel bad for bandai namco they're gonna be lost without him, hopefully they can find someone who can fill his shoes but let's be real it's not easy to replace someone with that much experience and influence 
anyway, that dj mix of his is straight fire 
30 years is no joke, dude. he's one of those game devs who's actually lived and breathed gaming 
I need to listen to it on repeat 
Can we get a fanbook or something please Bandai Namco pls show some love 
just thought about all the memories i've made playing tekken games back in the day... harada-san was always so passionate about his work, it's no wonder he inspired a whole generation of gamers like me 
his farewell mix is insane btw, i'm still listening to it for hours and still finding new tracks to discover 
anyway feel bad for the fans who are losin their gaming icon but at least his legacy lives on 
his farewell DJ mix is literally fire 
. But I guess it's cool that he's still got his music out there, like that sick DJ mix 
all good vibes for him, tho... the final mix sounds 
. Can't wait to see what the future holds for him! 
. wish him all the best, hope he gets to do more amazing stuff in the future 
.