In a heartfelt announcement, Shutaro Ida, the renowned director behind Bloodstained and a major contributor to the Castlevania franchise, has revealed his departure from the Bloodstained 2 development team following a cancer diagnosis. Ida, who played a pivotal role in shaping both the Bloodstained series and the beloved Castlevania DS trilogy, is stepping away from his duties to focus on his health.
Ida’s influence on the gaming industry spans decades. He served as the lead programmer for Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain, where he worked closely with legendary creator Hideo Kojima. Among his other achievements are the Castlevania DS games—Dawn of Sorrow, Portrait of Ruin, and Order of Ecclesia—which have seen a resurgence in popularity with their inclusion in the Castlevania Dominus Collection, available on modern platforms.
In a message shared on his Twitter account, Ida, affectionately known in the gaming community as Curry Boy and Curry Sage, expressed his gratitude to fans and assured them that his ideas for Bloodstained 2 have already been passed on to the team. Despite stepping back from active development, Ida’s influence will continue to shape the project. He emphasized that his primary focus is now on his health, and he thanked the community for their overwhelming support during this difficult time.
Castlevania series creator Koji Igarashi, who worked closely with Ida on both the Castlevania DS games and Bloodstained, responded to the news by honoring Ida’s immense contributions to the franchises. Igarashi acknowledged that Ida’s departure is a significant loss for the Bloodstained 2 team but expressed hope that Ida would make a full recovery and that they might collaborate again in the future.
Fans of Bloodstained and Castlevania have taken to social media to send messages of support to Ida, praising his contributions to some of the most beloved titles in gaming history. While his absence from Bloodstained 2 is a significant blow to the project, many are reassured by the fact that Ida’s vision will still be reflected in the game through the ideas he has shared with the team.
As Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night continues to receive updates five years after its launch, the development team remains committed to delivering innovative and high-quality content. Ida’s health and recovery are now the focus, and fans across the world are hopeful for his swift recovery while eagerly awaiting the next chapter of the Bloodstained saga.
