Koji Igarashi began his professional journey at Konami in 1990, joining the firm as a programmer shortly after his college graduation. Known by the moniker IGA, he transitioned from early simulation projects to a significant role in defining the mechanics of the Castlevania series, eventually becoming a prominent producer and writer within the Japanese gaming industry.
Formative Years
Born in 1968 within the Fukushima Prefecture, Igarashi developed an interest in game design during his youth. His initial exposure to the medium involved playing Atari's Pong at age 10, followed by the arcade title Crazy Climber. He pursued technical self-education, mastering assembly language and BASIC while creating amateur software projects before officially entering the industry.
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After a year developing a cancelled business simulation, Igarashi moved to the consumer division to contribute to Detana!! Twinbee. He subsequently wrote the story for the dating simulation Tokimeki Memorial. Following this, he successfully transferred to the Castlevania development team. He gained prominence through his work on Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, where he served as programmer, writer, and assistant director. During his tenure, he also produced titles including Castlevania Chronicles, Harmony of Dissonance, and Nano Breaker.
Technological Transition
Igarashi navigated significant shifts in the gaming market, including the transition toward social and mobile platforms. After moving to Konami's social division in 2011, he produced Xbox 360 titles such as Otomedius Excellent and the Kinect game Leedmees. Finding the shift toward mobile development incompatible with his console-focused background, he departed the company in March 2014.
Independent Development
Seeking to maintain a focus on console experiences after leaving his long-term employer, Igarashi co-founded the studio Artplay. The company shifted focus toward funding independent projects, eventually releasing Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night in June 2019. This title was positioned as a spiritual successor to the gameplay style established during his years managing the Castlevania franchise.
Fast facts
- Born: 1968, Fukushima Prefecture
- Citizenship: Japan
- Employers: Konami, Artplay
- First Konami role: Programmer
- Notable series: Castlevania
- Independent studio: Artplay
- Major 2019 release: Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
Questions readers ask
What is Igarashi's favorite Castlevania game?
He cites Castlevania: Symphony of the Night as his personal favorite from his own work, and Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse as his favorite in the broader series.
Did Igarashi work on the Netflix Castlevania adaptation?
Yes, he collaborated with writer Warren Ellis starting in 2007 on a project that eventually became the 2017 Netflix animated series.
Achievements
- Affiliated with Konami
- Worked as computer scientist, video game producer and screenwriter
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