The world of 2D action-platformers has lost one of its most influential figures. On 10 February 2026, Shutaro Iida—known to fans as SHUTARO, the Curry Hermit, Curry Sage & Curry the Kid—passed away at the age of 52 following an 18-month battle with pancreatic cancer. The announcement, first shared by his family & then amplified in a moving tribute from his longtime collaborator Koji Igarashi, has prompted an outpouring of respect across the gaming community.
Iida was far more than a name in the credits. For those who grew up with the handheld Castlevania titles of the 2000s like me, he was the quiet force whose programming, design & meticulous balance turned ambitious concepts into enduring masterpieces. His partnership with Igarashi began on Castlevania: Symphony of the Night & endured for more than two decades, producing some of the most celebrated entries in the series.
The Architect of the Handheld Castlevania Era
Iida’s contributions to Castlevania are impossible to overstate. He served as chief programmer on several landmark titles, shaping everything from player movement to enemy behaviour & intricate level design. His credits include:
- Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow (2003) — Chief Programmer (and System & Player Programmer, credited as “Curry the Kid”)
- Castlevania: Lament of Innocence (2003) — Enemy Programmer
- Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow (2005) — Chief Programmer
- Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin (2006) — Chief Programmer
- Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia (2008) — Chief Programmer
- Castlevania: Harmony of Despair (2010) — Director & Stage Designer
These were not mere technical roles. Igarashi has repeatedly credited Iida with the very essence of what made these games special. In a 2024 post reflecting on their collaboration, Igarashi wrote:
“In the works that I produced, especially the highly acclaimed ones, the programming, of course, as well as the game design & adjustments, were all done by SHUTARO’s hand. Without a doubt, it is thanks to him that I am here now.”
When the Castlevania Dominus Collection launched later that year, Igarashi urged fans to play the three titles directed by Iida—Dawn of Sorrow, Portrait of Ruin & Order of Ecclesia—as a gesture of support during his illness. “I’m playing through them now… they’re quite difficult, but so much fun,” he noted. “Let’s clear all three as a prayer for him to overcome his illness.”
Igarashi later described the entire DS-era Castlevania lineage & the original Bloodstained as “essentially produced with SHUTARO as director at the centre. They can truly be called his works.”
From Konami to ArtPlay: A Partnership That Lasted a Lifetime
When Igarashi left Konami to pursue a true spiritual successor to Castlevania, he turned to the one collaborator he trusted above all others. Iida joined ArtPlay without hesitation & became the creative director of Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night. The 2019 release was a critical & commercial triumph, praised for its faithful recreation of the Igavania formula—fluid combat, sprawling maps & that unmistakable sense of discovery.
Even as his health declined, Iida remained deeply involved with the sequel, Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement, serving as its creative director. Igarashi has confirmed the project is in its final stages, carrying Iida’s vision & passion forward.
Igarashi’s Tribute: A Testament to Two Decades of Shared Passion
In his official statement, Igarashi captured the depth of their bond with characteristic restraint & sincerity:
“I have worked with him since Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. It is no exaggeration to say that many of the titles praised as masterpieces would not have been possible without his contributions. His talent was truly exceptional… Before I knew it, he had been supporting me for over 20 years.
He was someone who always thought about games & threw his whole life into development.”
He added a note of quiet relief amid the sorrow:
“The year-and-a-half battle that followed must have been unimaginably grueling. While his passing is deeply regrettable, there is also a sense of relief knowing he is now free from suffering. Having run at full speed until the very end, I hope he can now rest peacefully.”
A Legacy Etched in Pixels & Memory
Shutaro Iida was the embodiment of dedication. He approached every project with the same intensity, whether crafting the perfect jump arc in Aria of Sorrow or fine-tuning the soul system in Dawn of Sorrow. His work helped keep the spirit of classic Castlevania alive at a time when the genre risked fading into nostalgia.
To his family, his colleagues at ArtPlay & the countless players whose evenings were spent exploring his meticulously designed castles: our thoughts are with you.
And to Shutaro—thank you. For the hidden rooms, the perfectly timed dodges, the bosses that tested our resolve & the worlds that felt alive. Your castles stand eternal.
Rest in peace.
Unless otherwise noted, image assets above are NOT original content & are shared under fair use doctrine with NO claims to authorship or ownership.
Contact necrolicious@necrolicious.com for credit or removal.
This post was sponsored by…ME! If you’d like to support, please buy my original meme merchandise or check out my affiliate links to get yourself some other cool things. Additional affiliate links may be contained in the above article. If you click on an affiliate link & sign up/make a purchase, I may earn a commission. This does not increase the price you pay for the product or service, so it helps support this website at no cost to you.
Unless otherwise noted, image assets above are NOT original content & are shared under fair use doctrine with NO claims to authorship or ownership.
Contact necrolicious@necrolicious.com for credit or removal.
This post was sponsored by…ME! If you’d like to support, please buy my original meme merchandise or check out my affiliate links to get yourself some other cool things. Additional affiliate links may be contained in the above article. If you click on an affiliate link & sign up/make a purchase, I may earn a commission. This does not increase the price you pay for the product or service, so it helps support this website at no cost to you.