On Sunday, Yoshinori Ono revealed that he will be leaving Capcom after nearly 30 years, marking what many consider to be the end of an era for both the company and fighting games at large.
The longtime producer has been the public face of the Street Fighter games for well over a decade, playing a major role in shaping the direction of the series while regularly interacting with the fighting game community through events, tournaments, and conventions.
“I’ve been with the Street Fighter brand for a long time, experiencing good times, bad times, and even non-existent times,” Ono wrote in statement posted on Twitter. “My heart is filled with appreciation to those players who’ve been giving warm and kind support on the brand especially little over the past decade or so as all the activities on the Street Fighter brand regained sunshine and grew liveliness.
“And now, after serving almost 30 years at Capcom, I am leaving the company in this summer. This means that I will resign my position as the brand manager for Capcom’s various titles including Street Fighter.”
As Ono mentioned, his run has seen plenty of good (Street Fighter IV revitalized the fighting game genre when it released in 2008 and Street Fighter V continues to be a well-supported staple of the FGC) and plenty of bad (Street Fighter V has its list of issues and games like Street Fighter X Tekken and Marvel Vs. Capcom: Infinite completely missed the mark).
But he left a remarkable impact on Capcom, the FGC, and video games as a whole. And that’s undeniable.
Ono’s announcement was met with tributes, thanks, and well wishes from fans, developers, and media members alike. Here’s just a small collection of them:
Thank you @Yoshi_OnoChin for helping build up the CPT. Your vision will be missed. We’ll try and do you proud in the years to come. https://t.co/WbRU4RH0VV pic.twitter.com/xqbILsUazh
— Capcom Fighters (@CapcomFighters) August 9, 2020
Thank you for everything Ono-san.
See you soon.
See you soon Ono-san.お疲れ様でした。ありがとうございました。https://t.co/orG820Qpuo
— Katsuhiro Harada (@Harada_TEKKEN) August 9, 2020
This man helped change the world of fighting games. He also helped change my life. Thanks for believing in us. Thank you Ono-san! https://t.co/MWg6EUeyy2
— Mark Julio (マークマン) (@MarkMan23) August 9, 2020
So honored to have shared some laughs with you over the years. I heard you got a “kick” outta having me around too! お疲れ様でした pic.twitter.com/waDoSZJ7Sm
— Kenny Omega (@KennyOmegamanX) August 9, 2020
— Kaiji Von Tang (@KaijiTang) August 9, 2020
Ono-san, thank you for weathering the good times and bad times! I got to work on Street Fighter IV when the series was first coming back, designing marketing materials and packaging stuff for it. That era is one of the most fondest times of my life in the video game industry.
pic.twitter.com/u2uAQpK9jK
— Brady Hartel (@BradyHartel) August 9, 2020
God bless you, Ono-san! I appreciate everything you have done for the Street Fighter community and the FGC! I wish nothing but the best for you and I hope to see you at tournaments/conventions when it’s safe to do so. You will definitely be missed!
Until next time!
SHORYUKEN! pic.twitter.com/gevUshGpyk
— Taji (@tajh256) August 9, 2020
Thanks Ono, you changed my life with Street Fighter IV. I will forever be grateful. I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for the way you made Street Fighter become esports.
Thank you
— Olivier Hay (@Louffy086) August 9, 2020
Thank you for your leadership, passion, and support of the #FGC @Yoshi_OnoChin Keep adding your light to the world. Wishing you much success in al that you do…
pic.twitter.com/Z8dOAAISNh
— Sandy Ho, Ph.D. (@DrSandyHo) August 9, 2020
Thank you for all your hard work, Ono-san. Street Fighter changed my life!
— Robert Paul (@tempusrob) August 9, 2020
Thanks for all of the joy you’ve given me with street fighter. Through all the rough times you gave it your all. I will always respect and appreciate your hard work & contagious optimism.
Love you and wish for your success wherever your next chapter begins.
Thank you, Ono pic.twitter.com/nodph676E9
— SonicSol
2021 (@sonic_sol) August 9, 2020
Thank you for everything Yoshinori Ono!
E3 2015
pic.twitter.com/kd4nUTnvs8
— 『jasmin』
(@jasminjoestar) August 9, 2020
Thanks for this picture and all that you’ve done for Street Fighter and the FGC.
“We await your return, warrior…” pic.twitter.com/2Gtyc0VUqo— WhitneyAsante (@WhitneyAsante) August 9, 2020
It was amazing getting to know you and witness your passion for the game! Thank you for everything, Ono-San! pic.twitter.com/DDUGOwWqrB
— Marcelo Ferrantini (@MHFerrantini) August 9, 2020
Thank you @Yoshi_OnoChin I’ve always enjoyed you at events and how you were working on your English just for us western fans each year. I’ll definitely miss you hopefully this isn’t the end of your FGC journey but if it is i wish nothing but the best for you
#GigasGang pic.twitter.com/xMyEBcV3e1
— FS | Infernal Spyro
#BlackLivesMatter (@Spyro9824) August 9, 2020
I’ll always be grateful of that game and Ono.
— zatsuza (@zatsuza_) August 9, 2020
@Yoshi_OnoChin I’ve had the pleasure of meeting you on a couple of occasions and the beautiful energy you share everywhere you go is something that will be missed. Thank you for the work you did bridging communities and cultures.
pic.twitter.com/Zsn8OwWtk1
— Kahlief Adams (@Kahjahkins) August 9, 2020
Thank you for all the hard work Yoshinori Ono! Still play your games as recently as last night.
I’m excited to see what new directions the street fighter series may now take. But your impact will never be taken away. Hope you go forward in life knowing you accomplished so much. https://t.co/XASdVP0jMF
— Shesez (@BoundaryBreak) August 9, 2020
This is from 2009 pic.twitter.com/Sv5Qq0n7hk
— Kyle Bosman (@KyleBosman) August 9, 2020
Huge news. Might not get as much credit as other big names in game dev do but Ono-san is definitely worthy of it. Street Fighter very much defined my gaming tastes and he was a big part in bringing the franchise back and making it a big deal again for new generations to love. https://t.co/dHJVsSkCKh
— Tamoor Hussain (@tamoorh) August 9, 2020
All the best in the future!
— Geoff Keighley (@geoffkeighley) August 9, 2020
Thank you for everything, Ono-san! Always fun bumping into you at events! pic.twitter.com/73ZSbp3qgS
— KeikoQvQ (@KeikoQvQ) August 9, 2020
First met at Capcom Cup 2013 and one of the most kind and dedicated people! Nothing but the best for your health and future endeavors!
Thank you Ono-san!! SHORYUKEN! pic.twitter.com/FxdtVMeRiq
— Chris L – CON DAD
Shadowbringers/Keep (@GaMeReVX) August 9, 2020
Yoshinori Ono may not have always hit it out of the park in his time with Capcom (lot of times he arguably didn’t hit it at all tbh), but if there’s one constant it’s that he always gave a shit about fighting games and the fgc, which counts for a lot
— sleepmode! (@SleepmodeAU) August 9, 2020
Thank you, Ono-san.
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