Toshiyuki Itahana Leaves Square Enix After Completing Final Fantasy IX 25th Anniversary Work
- ⚡Xe⚡
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Toshiyuki Itahana has announced that he left Square Enix at the end of last year. His departure comes after completing illustration and supervisory work for Final Fantasy IX’s 25th anniversary. The statement was published on January 5, 2026, and was shared directly by Itahana.
Itahana has been closely involved with the Final Fantasy series for many years, contributing to multiple mainline games and spin-offs in various roles. He worked as a character designer on Final Fantasy IX alongside Hideo Minaba and Shuko Murase, and later contributed to titles such as Final Fantasy XI, Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII, Mobius Final Fantasy, and Final Fantasy Explorers. For Final Fantasy XIV, his work includes UI and community design, guest creator contributions for the Omega raid series, and character concept art for Dawntrail.
Itahana is also the main character designer and art director for the Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles series, including Ring of Fates, My Life as a King, My Life as a Darklord, and The Crystal Bearers, which he also directed. He has also played a major creative role in several Chocobo titles as character designer and illustrator.
The full announcement from Toshiyuki Itahana is below:
As I began thinking seriously about preparing myself to continue drawing for many years to come, I decided to leave Square Enix at the end of last year.
Last year marked a major milestone with the 25th anniversary of FINAL FANTASY IX, a truly significant event, and I was deeply grateful to see so many people celebrating FFIX.
To everyone who celebrated with us, and to those who visited the exhibitions, shops, and cafés—thank you so very much! (The Osaka collaboration café is still ongoing!)
With the illustration work and supervision related to the 25th anniversary now complete, I feel a strong sense of accomplishment in having fulfilled the role entrusted to me. At the same time, I felt this was the right moment to draw a line under this chapter and take on new challenges.
From here on, I will be working as a freelance illustrator and character designer.
While remaining deeply grateful for all the connections I’ve been fortunate to receive through my work so far, I hope to draw upon my experience and continue creating a wide variety of new artwork.
At the moment, I’m still finding my way—listening to advice and learning from senior freelance illustrators—but if you happen to come across my work somewhere, I would be truly happy if you could support me.
To everyone who played the games I worked on at Square Enix, and to all those I had the pleasure of working with over the years, thank you very much. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude, and I sincerely hope for your continued support in the future.
May this new year be an exceptionally happy one for all of you.
Toshiyuki Itahana
Jan 05, 2026
Source:
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-⚡Xe⚡
About FINAL FANTASY IX
FINAL FANTASY IX tells a grand story of love, war and betrayal in a world of incredible magic and larger-than-life characters. Zidane and the Tantalus Theater Troupe have kidnapped Princess Garnet, the heir of Alexandria, but to their surprise, the princess herself yearned to escape the castle and see the world for herself. Together, they explore the world and encounter new friends and enemies to embark on an adventure unlike any other.
FINAL FANTASY IX is available on App Store, Google Play, STEAM, Playstation, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, and Windows.