Thousands of NSFW ‘Dead or Alive’ Content Removed by Koei Tecmo Yearly

At the recent Tokyo eSports Festa 2025, Koei Tecmo’s legal affairs general manager, Tomotoshi Nishimura, shared insights into the company’s approach to fan-created content.

While Koei Tecmo appreciates and supports fanart derived from their intellectual properties, they have established clear boundaries to maintain the integrity of their characters.

Nishimura revealed that annually, the company takes down approximately 200 to 300 doujinshi—self-published works like manga or novels—based on the ‘Dead or Alive’ series from various online platforms.

Additionally, they remove between 2,000 to 3,000 pieces of fanart each year that are considered inappropriate. These artworks often surface on social media or art-sharing sites.

The primary reasons for these actions include the premature release of derivative works based on unreleased game art and the modification of characters for explicit adult content.

Such portrayals can potentially harm the brand’s reputation and the characters’ images. Nishimura emphasized that the creators view these characters as ‘like daughters,’ which underscores their commitment to protecting their portrayal.

Interestingly, while Koei Tecmo has produced titles like ‘Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball,’ showcasing female characters in swimsuits, they draw the line at fan-made projects that take the characters’ depiction further into explicit territories. This distinction highlights the company’s intent to balance character appeal with respectful representation.

The latest main installment in the franchise, ‘Dead or Alive 6,’ was released in 2019 across multiple platforms, including PS4, Xbox One, PC, and arcades. Although no new fighting game has been announced since then, Koei Tecmo is currently developing Venus Vacation Prism: Dead or Alive Xtreme. This 3D adventure-style dating simulation is slated for release in March this year for PS4, PS5, and PC.

While the ‘Dead or Alive’ series may not be as renowned as other 3D fighters like ‘Tekken’ or ‘Virtua Fighter’ in terms of depth and technique, it has carved out its own niche. ‘Dead or Alive 6,’ for instance, received favorable reviews, with critiques highlighting its accessibility and strides on current-gen consoles, despite some shortcomings in story presentation and online features at launch.

In essence, Koei Tecmo’s proactive stance in moderating fan-created content underscores their dedication to preserving the integrity and image of their beloved characters, ensuring that while fan creativity is encouraged, it aligns with the company’s values and vision.

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