Cygames Executive Director Yuito Kimura Resigns Due to Ill Health

Cygames, a prominent game development and operation company, announced on the 30th that Executive Director Yuito Kimura resigned as of the same date. The reason for his resignation is cited as ongoing poor health, which has made it difficult for him to fully carry out his previous responsibilities.

Kimura explained on his SNS (formerly X) that while "it's not a serious condition that endangers my life," he confirmed his persistent poor health. He also stated that systems are already in place to ensure business operations are not affected for the titles and duties he was responsible for. Furthermore, he expressed a strong desire to return to game development once his health fully recovers.

Kimura was deeply involved as a producer in numerous hit titles representing Cygames, such as "Granblue Fantasy," "Shadowverse," and "Princess Connect! Re:Dive." His accomplishments are widely recognized, and he was affectionately known as "KMR" by fans.

Following this sudden announcement, many fans and game industry professionals took to social media (SNS) to express surprise, concern, gratitude, and well wishes for Kimura. Warm messages like "Thank you for your hard work, Yuito-san," "Thank you so much for everything," and "Please rest well" flooded the platforms. "Yuito Kimura" even briefly trended high on Yahoo! News, indicating his significant influence. On the other hand, some have voiced concerns about Cygames' future operations.

Kimura's departure, after leading Japan's mobile game industry for many years, can be seen as the end of an era. Many fans hope for his speedy recovery and his eventual return to game development.

The Context

Cygames is a highly influential Japanese game developer, particularly renowned for its successful mobile games. Titles like "Granblue Fantasy," "Shadowverse," and "Princess Connect! Re:Dive" are not just popular in Japan but have also garnered significant fanbases globally, known for their high production values, engaging storylines, and gacha monetization models. Yuito Kimura, affectionately known as "KMR" by fans, was a pivotal figure in Cygames' success, serving as a producer for many of these flagship titles. His involvement meant he was often a public face interacting with fans, shaping game direction, and overseeing development. His departure due to health reasons is thus a significant event, marking the exit of a key creative and leadership figure from one of Japan's most prominent game companies.