Cygames Co-Founder Yuito Kimura Steps Down as Executive Director

Cygames has announced that Executive Director Yuito Kimura has stepped down from his position. Kimura stated that he is no longer able to fulfil his responsibilities given his current circumstances, but confirmed that his condition is not life threatening. He added that he intends to return to game development at some point in the future.

Kimura co-founded Cygames alongside President Koichi Watanabe in 2011 and took on the Executive Director role in April 2019. During his time at the company, he served as producer on several of its most well-known titles, including Granblue Fantasy, Shadowverse, Princess Connect! Re:Dive, Idoly Pride, and Rage of Bahamut Genesis.

Cygames was established by media advertising company CyberAgent in 2011. Over the years it grew into one of Japan’s major game developers, with hits like Rage of Bahamut and Granblue Fantasy to its name. The company expanded into anime through a dedicated division in 2015 and later the production subsidiary Cygames Pictures in 2016, producing anime adaptations tied to its game franchises. Globally, Cygames has been building out its international presence with offices in South Korea, Taiwan, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Singapore.

No announcement has been made regarding Kimura’s replacement or how his duties will be covered going forward.

My take: Hearing that someone has stepped down for health reasons is always a reminder of how much personal cost can go into building something large and ambitious. Kimura was central to some genuinely beloved games, and his expressed wish to return to development someday sounds like someone who loves the work, not just the role.