Yoshihisa Kishimoto, the Father of the Beat 'em Up Genre, Passes Away at 64
The gaming world bids farewell to a true legend today. Yoshihisa Kishimoto, the creator of the Double Dragon and Kunio-kun (known in the West as Renegade) series and a pioneer of the beat 'em up genre, passed away on April 2, 2026, at the age of 64. Known for his revolutionary work at Technōs Japan, Kishimoto was one of the key figures who laid the foundation for modern action games.
The biggest turning point in Kishimoto's career was the 1986 release of Kunio-kun, which he created by drawing inspiration from his own youth and the "banchou" (tough guy/gang leader) culture in Japan. This game was not just a fighting game, but a production that blended character development and storytelling with action. This work, which entered the Western market under the name Renegade, is considered the first serious example of the street fighting genre. In an interview, Kishimoto stated that he was inspired by his own rebelliousness during his high school years when choosing the theme for this game.
However, the work that turned Kishimoto into a worldwide phenomenon was Double Dragon, released in 1987. Telling the story of brothers Billy Lee and Jimmy Lee, the game revolutionized the gaming industry by popularizing the "co-op" mechanic and the ability to use objects in the environment as weapons. If we enjoy playing Final Fight, Streets of Rage, and even modern action games today, we owe it to the vision Kishimoto established under the Technōs Japan umbrella.
Kishimoto's legacy was not limited to games; the characters he created and his aesthetic sense left deep marks on "yankee" (delinquent) themed works in the anime and manga world. The passing of the master, who was one of the most influential figures in gaming history with dozens of projects packed into his 64-year life, was met with great sadness in both Japan and the global gaming community. The fighting mechanics and unforgettable characters he created will continue to inspire new generations of developers.
