Toshiyuki Itahana Departs Square Enix: A 30-Year Legacy and a New Freelance Journey

After 30 years defining the look of beloved Final Fantasy worlds, veteran artist Toshiyuki Itahana has announced his departure from Square Enix. The news, arriving in early January 2026 on the heels of the 25th-anniversary celebrations for Final Fantasy IX—a title he helped define—carries profound emotional weight for the community. Yet, Itahana’s message framed this not as a finale, but as a deliberate and optimistic new beginning, marking an immediate transition into freelance work. For an artist whose characters have become iconic, this move signifies both the closing of a legendary chapter and the thrilling, uncertain start of the next.

The End of an Era: Itahana's Departure and Reasons

On January 5, 2026, Toshiyuki Itahana took to his social media and a note.com post to make a significant personal announcement: his time as a Square Enix employee had concluded. His departure was formally effective at the end of 2025, a timing he directly linked to the completion of his duties for the Final Fantasy IX 25th-anniversary project.

In his statement, Itahana provided clear, heartfelt reasoning for this career shift. He expressed feeling a "strong sense of accomplishment" after the anniversary celebrations, a natural peak following decades of work on the franchise. He viewed this milestone as the "right moment" to seek new challenges, explicitly stating his desire to prepare for continuing his creative career for many more years to come. This forward-looking rationale has resonated deeply. The community reaction has been overwhelmingly positive and supportive, with fans and peers flooding social media with gratitude and well-wishes for the veteran seeking renewal after such a definitive achievement.

A Legacy in Design: Itahana's Key Contributions at Square Enix

To understand the significance of Itahana's departure, one must appreciate the indelible mark he left across three decades. He is, perhaps most famously, one of the main character designers for Final Fantasy IX. His work on Zidane, Garnet, Vivi, and the entire cast established the game's timeless, whimsical, and deeply expressive aesthetic that continues to be celebrated a quarter-century later.

His influence extended far beyond a single numbered title. Itahana served as the lead character designer for the entire Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles series, giving the multiplayer-focused adventures their distinct, charming look. He similarly defined the visual style of the Chocobo spin-off series, including titles like Chocobo's Dungeon, ensuring the beloved mascot’s solo outings had a cohesive and endearing identity.

His contributions also shaped one of Square Enix's most successful modern live-service games. Itahana's design work was instrumental in creating the Lalafell race in Final Fantasy XIV, a player choice renowned for its adorable and iconic silhouette that has become a staple of Eorzea. Furthermore, his talents reached the critically acclaimed NieR series, where he contributed as a character designer and concept artist to both NieR: Automata and the NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139... remake, showcasing his versatility beyond the traditional Final Fantasy fantasy style.

The Future is Freelance: Itahana's Next Chapter

Itahana has not stepped back from creation; he has simply changed his studio. He confirmed that his new career path is as a freelance illustrator and character designer. In a humble and pragmatic detail, he noted he is currently in a phase of learning from senior freelance illustrators, adapting to the operational and professional nuances of an independent career.

This move unlocks a world of potential. Freelance status could grant Itahana greater creative freedom to explore personal projects or collaborate with a wider array of developers outside the Square Enix ecosystem. For the franchises he helped shape, his departure prompts questions about future artistic direction. While Square Enix undoubtedly has deep benches of talent, the specific charm and warmth of an Itahana design are unique. His exit marks the end of a direct line of continuity for series like Crystal Chronicles and the Chocobo games, leaving fans to wonder how his legacy will be stewarded.

Community and Industry Reaction

The response to Itahana's announcement has been a unified wave of gratitude and well-wishing. The community’s reaction underscores how personal his art has felt to players; characters like Vivi are not just digital models but emotional touchstones. This was visibly demonstrated as artists and fans quickly began sharing tribute illustrations of his characters across platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Pixiv, celebrating his iconic style. Outlets like Nintendo Life swiftly covered the news, highlighting the career milestone and his iconic contributions.

The departure of a 30-year veteran from a pillar of the industry like Square Enix is always notable. It reflects broader industry trends where veteran creators, after defining eras, seek new autonomy. For the dedicated Final Fantasy IX fan community, the news is particularly resonant. Itahana’s departure, following the catharsis of the 25th-anniversary, feels like the closing of a perfect circle—a bittersweet but fitting moment to celebrate his legacy before he moves on.

Toshiyuki Itahana’s legacy at Square Enix is securely etched into gaming history, from the cobblestone streets of Alexandria to the sprawling fields of Eorzea. His decision to embark on a freelance journey is less a loss and more a celebration of an artist confident enough to seek new horizons after a career-defining achievement. The industry thanks him for three decades of iconic characters and cherished worlds, and now watches with eager anticipation for the new stories and faces he will bring to life as an independent creator. The next chapter for Itahana’s art is just beginning.