Kohei Ikeda, director of Tekken 8, has left Bandai Namco after more than 20 years with the company.
In a statement posted to X Ikeda said:
“Ever since I first discovered fighting games as a student, I spent countless days in arcades, completely immersed in competition and battling against others. For someone like me, becoming part of the company I had always admired-namcowas truly a dream come true.Looking back now, I realize that the opportunity that led me there was made possible by the many friendships and connections I built through fighting games and the people I met along the way.”
He reminisced on first entering game development through Soulcalibur 4 before moving to the Tekken series.
“As I reflect on the past 20 years at the company, I remember first stepping into game development through Soulcalibur 4. Later, I was given the opportunity to work on the Tekken series – a franchise that had a tremendous impact on my life and one that I had always hoped to someday give back to.”
Announcement:
After 20 incredible years, I have left Bandai Namco Studios.
Thank you all for your support.【ご報告】
バンダイナムコスタジオを退職いたしました。20年間、本当にありがとうございました。#TEKKEN #TEKKEN8 #鉄拳8 pic.twitter.com/3Xip9DOy5z— Kohei Ikeda（Nakatsu） (@nkt_dreamer) June 1, 2026
He did not announce his next role but said he will “continue taking on new challenges as a game developer.”
Ikeda’s departure follows that of Tekken director and executive producer Katsuhiro Harada, who left Bandai Namco at the end of 2025.
