In one of the longest Tweets ever produced by Katsuhiro Harada of Bandai Namco, Harada explained his history with Dead or Alive series creator Tomonobu Itagaki. According to Harada, he first met Itagaki shortly after the announcement of the first Dead or Alive game.
The developers of Tekken, Virtua Fighter, and Dead or Alive (the main 3D fighting games) all got together for a round of drinks. During this first encounter, Itagaki and Harada both addressed one another with polite language. Harada described Itagaki as being “very professional and gentlemanly” at the time.
However, Itagaki’s language towards Harada would change in their next encounters. Evidently, Itagaki had done some research on Harada since they last met.
“Harada, you’re from Waseda University, aren’t you?” asked Itagaki of Harada upon their next meeting. “I also went to Waseda, and our time there overlapped. That makes you my junior.”
“I might be your junior, but I don’t think we were there at the same time,” responded Harada. Of course, Itagaki insisted that they attended this university within the same time period.
Following this, Itagaki would insist on speaking to Harada in the same way a senior would address a junior. The polite and gentlemanly language from Itagaki had been dropped entirely.
Some time after this, Itagaki began a media strategy with the intention of having Dead or Alive toppling Tekken as the most renowned 3D fighting game. Since Itagaki was able to recognize that he couldn’t compete directly with Bandai Namco and Sega’s arcade gaming market, he instead explored using print magazines and internet media to take stabs directly at Tekken.
“In fact, during those ten years, I spent much of my time wondering, ‘Why is Mr. Itagaki so fixated on targeting and attacking me?'” — Katsuhiro Harada
“Despite his outwardly emotional demeanor, Mr. Itagaki had a very cool and calculated eye for analyzing resources and strategy,” said Harada. “Among his various strategies, one was to deliberately ‘bite’ at Tekken to draw media attention. In doing so, he even called me out by name and criticized Tekken’s game design and other aspects. Let me emphasize: this was just one of the many strategies he employed, not his only approach.”
Overall, Harada describe Itagaki’s approach as being extremely aggressive. As for Harada, he was strictly forbidden by his superiors at Bandai Namco to respond in any way.
This combination of Itagaki attacking Tekken while Harada remained silent went on for about 10 years. Looking back, Harada believes that there was no chance of developing a friendship with Itagaki under these circumstances.
“In fact, during those ten years, I spent much of my time wondering, ‘Why is Mr. Itagaki so fixated on targeting and attacking me?'” said Harada about that situation.
During this era, Itagaki curiously called up Bandai Namco headquarters to summon Harada to Tecmo in 1998. By this point, Harada’s relationship with Itagaki had already been strained, which left him confused about the invite.
Ultimately though, curiosity got the better of Harada. After meeting with Itagaki, Harada was taken to a small room that housed the development build arcade cabinet for Dead or Alive 2.
Apparently, Itagaki had two goals with this demonstration. Firstly, since Sega and Bandai Namco were the two largest buyers of arcade boards, he had hoped to secure an endorsement that could lead to Bandai Namco purchasing more Dead or Alive 2 arcade boards.
Secondly, Itagaki wanted to gauge Harada’s reactions to Dead or Alive 2. If Harada showed signs of being impressed or unsettled, Itagaki would perceive this as a sign that Dead or Alive’s implemented technologies had toppled that of Tekken’s.
“Later, I learned from a former Team Ninja member that after my visit, Itagaki returned to the development floor and declared, ‘Today, we beat Tekken.'” — Katsuhiro Harada
Just a few seconds in, Harada was quickly pressed for his reactions. Harada was ultimately overwhelmed by Itagaki being so overbearing, but Itagaki apparently perceived this as being Harada’s overall reaction to the technology utilized by Dead or Alive 2.
“Later, I learned from a former Team Ninja member that after my visit, Itagaki returned to the development floor and declared, ‘Today, we beat Tekken,'” continued Harada. “While I was merely startled by his approach, he took it as proof that I was overwhelmed by DOA2’s performance.”
Everything changed in 2008 when Itagaki left Tecmo. Despite still having a perceived adversarial relationship with Itagaki, Harada was invited to a dinner meetup. Itagaki had some surprising words for Harada during the interaction.
“Harada, you were my comrade-in-arms,” said Itagaki at the dinner. Apparently, this was how Itagaki saw their relationship.
“I never had any grudge against you, Namco, or Tekken. On the contrary, I respected you all,” continued Itagaki. “When I compared the power dynamics in development, sales, and publishing, it was clear that a straightforward approach wouldn’t work. I had to employ every strategy I could. I’m sorry for everything.”
From then on, the longstanding feud between Harada and Itagaki had been put to rest. Funnily enough, Harada claims that he would receive a drunken phone call from Itagaki at the end of every year as a sort of tradition, though this hasn’t happened in the last few years.
Regardless, it would seem that Itagaki approves of this version of events as he mentioned on Facebook that he had read Harada’s comment. This really seems to cement that the two now stand on good terms.
“I read Harada’s tweet from Bandai Namco,” said Itagaki. “As some of you know, he’s fighting on the front lines of the fighting game. I support you with all my heart.”
Hmm, I’m not sure how you perceive my relationship with Mr. Itagaki, but I can tell you it’s likely different from what you imagine.
Let me provide a general overview and some key topics regarding my history with Mr. Itagaki.
However, consider this a warning.
What follows is… https://t.co/zoq7T460nG
— Katsuhiro Harada (@Harada_TEKKEN) January 28, 2025
Source: Event Hubs
