http://uk.ign.com/articles/2014/03/17/castlevania-producer-koji-igarashi-leaves-konami

Koji Igarashi, best known for his work on Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, has left Konami. His last day at the Japanese developer was Saturday, March 15. The producer departed the studio with intent to open a new development studio. "I've decided to break out on my own to have the freedom to make the kind of games I really want to make -- the same kind I think fans of my past games want as well," Igarashi told IGN. "Leaving Konami was a big decision, and not one I took lightly – I’ve spent my entire career there, made many friends, and had a lot of great opportunities – but I hope all the gamers and fans who have supported me in the past will join me in being excited about what comes next. Wish me luck!"

I had a feeling something was up with him. Really a shame, guy's brilliant but they never seem to let him make his games.

For all you who didn't, PLAY CASTLEVANIA ORDER OF ECCLESIA. It rarely gets mentioned but its the final IGA Castlevania game and it's brilliant. I know Jeff and Brad on the podcast seemed to think that all the IGA Castlevania games were like Dawn of Sorrow but Order of Ecclesia is a quite a bit different and a fantastic game in its own right.

Maybe I should play a Castlevania game...

Was his first Castlevania game Symphony of the Night?

He finally escaped huh... ;)

I'm up for a kickstarted Not-Castlevania game.

@nightriff said:

The first one he had anything to do with was Rondo of Blood, but he probably wasn't very heavily involved as he's just under "Special Thanks" in the credits.

Finally, Igarashi is free. It just sucks that Konami had to let MercurySteam take a steaming dump on Castlevania before doing everything they could to murder it in the process.

I just wish him well. Not easy at all leaving a more stable job at Konami. Hoping to hear from him soon. This might be for the best.

sigh, really wish to hear his story on what it's like to work on some of those PS2 Castlevania games and why he's better on portable.

the man made the best games in the world, and Order of Ecclesia was phenomenal.