Veteran Square Enix Artist Toshiyuki Itahana Departs After 25 Years

Acclaimed character designer and Square Enix veteran, Toshiyuki Itahana, has announced his departure from the company after dedicating over 25 years of his career. Itahana revealed in a statement, available in both Japanese and English, that he made the decision to leave Square Enix by the end of the previous year, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of Final Fantasy 9. He expressed that as he reflected on his future and the desire to continue creating art for years to come, he decided it was the right moment to move on from Square Enix. The milestone anniversary of Final Fantasy 9 and the completion of related illustration work and supervision contributed to his sense of fulfillment and prompted him to seek new challenges. Itahana, known for his contributions to the Chocobo and Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles series, as well as Nier Automata, will continue his career as a freelance illustrator and character designer. He expressed his gratitude for the connections and experiences gained during his tenure at Square Enix and hopes to leverage this experience to produce a diverse range of new artwork. Currently, Itahana is navigating his new path, seeking advice from seasoned freelance illustrators, and looks forward to potential support from fans who may encounter his work. In closing, he thanked his fans and colleagues for their support over the years.