Authentic Japanese swords recreating weapons used by the two protagonists of "NINJA Gaiden 4" unveiled at tape-cutting event [TGS2025]
Note: the original Japanese article can be found at:
https://www.4gamer.net/games/875/G087562/20250925085/
Writer: New Continental Order | 2025/09/25 11:54 (UTC)
On September 25, 2025, at the Makuhari Messe in Chiba Prefecture, the Tokyo Game Show 2025 opened. The Koei Tecmo booth hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony titled “Opening of the ‘NINJA GAIDEN 4’ Zone.”
Located behind the main Koei Tecmo Games booth, the “NINJA GAIDEN 4” zone was revealed to the public for the first time during this event. Thumbnail image No.001 / A Japanese sword recreating weapons used by the two protagonists of ‘NINJA GAIDEN 4,’ unveiled at the ribbon-cutting event ［TGS2025］
The ceremony featured three key guests: Hisashi Koizumi, Representative Director, CEO & COO of Koei Tecmo Games; Atsushi Inaba, President of PlatinumGames; and Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming. Together, they cut the ribbon to officially open the “NINJA GAIDEN 4” zone.
Prior to the ribbon-cutting, Koizumi shared the background behind the development of “NINJA GAIDEN 4.” He explained that during casual conversations with Inaba—someone he has long maintained a close relationship with—he reached an agreement to collaborate between PlatinumGames (known for action games) and Koei Tecmo Games’ Team NINJA on a new title. Additionally, when discussing the project with Spencer, who was aware that the original “NINJA GAIDEN” launched exclusively for Xbox, he received support from Xbox Game Studios.
Koizumi reiterated that, thanks to these developments, “NINJA GAIDEN 4” will be released on October 21. He emphasized that this is the first time the game has been playable at TGS 2025 and urged fans of the “NINJA GAIDEN” series as well as action game enthusiasts worldwide to visit the booth and experience it firsthand.
In turn, Inaba revealed that PlatinumGames deeply contemplated how to position “NINJA GAIDEN 4” as a fresh yet compelling numbered entry in the franchise. He shared that the team pushed themselves to the brink—literally to the point of “falling apart mid-air”—to achieve an exciting final product. The driving force behind this, he said, was their passion and respect for the “NINJA GAIDEN” series as a legendary action game franchise. This dedication is evident in how the new protagonist Yakumo and the returning fan-favorite Ryu Hayabusa are portrayed.
Spencer, who had previewed “NINJA GAIDEN 4” before the event began, said he thoroughly enjoyed playing it and could clearly sense Team NINJA’s and PlatinumGames’ passion for the series. He expressed deep respect for both companies’ development capabilities and skills by unveiling two authentic swords crafted specifically for the game: “Oniha Kenkōhata,” used by Yakumo, and “Ryūken,” wielded by Ryu Hayabusa—both made by Japanese swordsmiths. Inaba admitted he never expected real blades to be created, calling it a “wonderful surprise.” Koizumi added that they were displayed precisely because they wanted everyone to see them.
The actual swords, “Oniha Kenkōhata” and “Ryūken,” were officially unveiled. Thumbnail image No.006 / A Japanese sword recreating weapons used by the two protagonists of ‘NINJA GAIDEN 4,’ unveiled at the ribbon-cutting event ［TGS2025］ Thumbnail image No.007 / A Japanese sword recreating weapons used by the two protagonists of ‘NINJA GAIDEN 4,’ unveiled at the ribbon-cutting event ［TGS2025］
The ribbon-cutting ceremony concluded successfully. Thumbnail image No.008 / A Japanese sword recreating weapons used by the two protagonists of ‘NINJA GAIDEN 4,’ unveiled at the ribbon-cutting event ［TGS2025］