Castlevania and Bloodstained veteran Shutaro Iida has died at 52

February 17, 2026 - 02:45

The video game community is mourning the passing of Shutaro Iida, a revered producer and designer best known for his influential work on the Castlevania series and the acclaimed spiritual successor Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night. He was 52 years old.

News of his death was shared by long-time colleague and collaborator Koji Igarashi, who expressed profound sorrow. “His talent was exceptional,” Igarashi stated, highlighting Iida's significant contributions to their shared projects. Iida's career was deeply intertwined with some of gaming's most beloved gothic action titles.

While specific details surrounding his passing have not been publicly disclosed, the impact of his work is undeniable. Iida served as a producer on several pivotal Castlevania games for the Nintendo DS, including Portrait of Ruin and Order of Ecclesia, which are frequently cited by fans as high points in the franchise. His collaboration with Igarashi continued with Bloodstained, where he played a key role in bringing the successful Kickstarter project to life as a producer.

Colleagues and fans remember him not only for his professional skill but for his dedication to creating immersive and challenging experiences that defined a genre. His legacy remains cemented in the dark, intricate worlds he helped build, which continue to captivate players around the globe.