One of the most anticipated 3D fighting games of the year Tekken 8 is coming up soon, with even more content getting shown off pretty regularly. It has some steep competition from titles like Street Fighter 6 though, so we’re expecting a show-stopping roster of Tekken 8 characters to be launching alongside it.

Every character announcement has been accompanied by a special gameplay trailer, giving fans a great look at their new appearance, recoverable gauge, and new mechanics. Find out the breakdown of all the 32 characters ready for the next Iron Fist Tournament.

TEKKEN 8 CHARACTER ROSTER

• Jin Kazama
• Kazuya Mishima
• Jun Kazama
• Paul Phoenix
• Jack-8
• Marshall Law
• King
• Nina Williams
• Lars Alexandersson
• Ling Xiaoyu
• Leroy Smith
• Asuka Kazama
• Emilie De Rochefort/Lili
• Hwoarang
• Bryan Fury
• Claudio Serafino
• Azucena Ortiz
• Raven
• Feng Wei
• Leo
• Yoshimitsu
• Steve Fox
• Kuma
• Shaheen
• Sergei Dragunov
• Panda
• Lee Chaolan
• Alisa Bosconovitch
• Zafina
• Devil Jin
• Victor Chevalier
• Reina

TEKKEN 8 CHARACTER DETAILS

JIN KAZAMA

Jin’s first appearance was made during the PlayStation State of Play 2022, Jin Kazama goes out with a bang against Kazuya Mishima. Based on the recently released gameplay trailer, we can see that Jin’s fighting style appears to be a mix of karate and martial arts, with each move giving an explosive impact on the opponent. In addition, his darker personal – Devil Jin has merged with Jin Kazama and somehow is able to control his devilish side.

KAZUYA MISHIMA

Also known as “Cold-Blooded Oppressor” Mishima is a relentless antagonist character who will show no mercy to his adversaries. His fighting style has evolved throughout the years and has now made his own signature called “Mishima-Style Fighting Karate”. Unlike Jin who used his devil power to bring good to the world, Mishima is the opposite of him despite being Jin’s father. With a goal to rule the world, his mindset is the same when it comes to conquering the stage in Tekken 8.

JUN KAZAMA

Jun Kazama is Jin Kazama’s mother (As expected according to their last name), Jun is a practitioner of the Kazama-Style Traditional Martial Arts. She then took a career as a wildlife surveillance officer for a conservation group. Her new career took her fate in meeting Kazuya Mishima, who was suspected of smuggling protected animals. The two met and became close as life partners at Tekken 2.

However, Jun failed to save Mishima from the devil’s influence and was presumed dead after being attacked by an Ogre during Jin’s fifteenth birthday. Jun’s official status appeared to be “missing”. Since then, she has had multiple cameos and references in every mainline game following Tekken 2 despite not returning as a playable character. Now, we can finally see Jun in action on stage in Tekken 8 and hopefully, her story has a happy ending in this latest instalment.

PAUL PHOENIX

Paul is ambitious and only has one goal in mind when it comes to fighting – to be the greatest fighter in the universe. He made his first debut in the first Tekken game and has been appearing ever since. Paul has always been hotheaded, aggressive, and determined to conquer the title of The King of Iron Fist Tournament with his fighting style “Integrated Martial Arts based on Judo”. Despite his tempered personality, Paul Phoenix has always been a good friend of the Law Family. Will Paul be the next King of the Iron Fist tournament? We’ll have to wait for the game’s release to find out.

JACK-8

Imagine the Hulk had a baby with a deathly war machine, Jack-8 will be the ideal prototype in this scene (heh). Jack’s latest form will be Jack-8, seeing the hulking robot return to the game. There’s been a Jack in every Tekken series, and special versions like Prototype Jack also appear. Jack’s Sheer Force fighting style will intimidate any opponents and based on his Tekken 8 gameplay trailer, the High Tech Annihilator will give his might 110% and knock his enemy with a new humungous tech gun. Jack might be a war machine, but his eyes show the spirit of a true warrior.

MARSHALL LAW

One of the most OG characters in the Tekken franchise, Marshall Law returns with his signature fighting style – Martial arts. Known as the “The Legendary Dragons” Marshall Law pays the perfect homage to the legendary Bruce Lee. As seen in the gameplay trailer, he now uses dual-weapon nunchucks to knock down enemies relentlessly. The trailer also shows off Law’s Rage Arts super in the upcoming game.

KING

King, the jaguar-headed professional wrestler, is set to feature in Tekken 8. King is active on the pro wrestling circuit, and he also manages an orphanage on the side. As his fighting style is Professional Wrestling, King’s gameplay trailer showcases his enhanced grappling and showmanship performance. Originally from Mexico, King’s determination is bigger than ever to be crowned the champion of the upcoming Iron Fist Tournament in order to help the orphanage. Will King be able to achieve his goal of helping the children in need?

NINA WILLIAMS

Nina Williams is a master of the lethal arts and a professional killer known by the alias of “Silent Assassin”. Her gun-wielding-style fighting seemed to herald a more weapon-orientated style for Tekken 8. Nina sure knows how to knock out enemies with precision and style. Did you know, she once starred in her own game, called Death by Degrees? An action-adventure title was released in 2005 for the PlayStation 2.

LARS ALEXANDERSSON

Lars made his red-caped debut in Tekken 6 and has been a mainstay ever since. Aside from his rad hairdo, his Tekken Forces Martial Arts fighting style seems to cater well to novice players, with its dash commands and crazy follow-up moves, leaving enemies no room to breathe. His gameplay trailer showcases many familiar attacks, some of which are augmented by lightning because of his Mishima lineage. Several other moves utilize the new Heat system, giving players more options during fights.

LING XIAOYU

Don’t let her cuteness fool you, Ling is a Chinese martial arts master expert in the Baguazhang, Piguazhang-based Chinese Martial Arts. Her fighting style may seem like dancing but whatever she touches, will be knocked or thrown into the air, barely giving her opponents the time to react. Her story focuses on Jin Kazama, whom she has feelings for. Her goal is to find Jin and ask her something, that might just change her fate.

LEROY SMITH

A master of Wing Chun martial arts and a hero praised for freeing New York from gangsters return in Tekken 8. Upon discovering that the Mishima Zaibatsu sparked the war that tore the city apart half a century ago, he decides to participate in The King of Iron Fist Tournament to shut them down. In response to the sudden disappearance of Heihachi Mishima, the head of the Mishima Zaibatsu, the G Corp uses this opportunity to overthrow the organization.

Leroy discovers that Kazuya Mishima, Heihachi’s son, is the leader of G Corp. Leroy and his trusty companion dog, Sugar, know exactly what must be done to restore peace to the world. Although he still retains many moves from Tekken 7, Leroy now fights with his stick for maximum poking and footsie effectiveness. Sugar, on the other hand, is just too adorable to ignore his swag style.

ASUKA KAZAMA

A well-known mediator and the reported cousin of Jin Kazama, Asuka teaches Kazama-style traditional martial arts. She once defeated the young heiress Lili at The King of Iron Fist Tournament and was being followed soon after the fight. Asuka came home one day to discover Lili had bought and decorated her dojo with roses. Her slapstick life will soon come to an end with G Corp’s global invasion. Asuka packs a punch and triple-kicking threat in facing her adversaries.

EMILIE DE ROCHEFORT/LILI

With Asuka’s arrival, there is no doubt her rival, Emilie De Rochefort a.k.a Lili made her grand appearance in the latest Tekken 8 gameplay trailer. Lili made her debut during the Tekken World Tour local finals at the MIX UP 2023 in Lyon, France. She is the only daughter of a rich tycoon company owner, Mr Rochefort, residing with their butler called Sebastian. Lili almost had the “perfect life” until she got kidnapped and learnt that she has what it takes to fight the kidnappers. She then honed her skills by participating in gymnastics and ballet classes (Any form of violence is unacceptable to her father).

Based on her gameplay, Lili has excellent counter and combo attacks. She can counter the enemy down low and even make a huge knock out of them with her legs. She might look childlike but don’t underestimate her goal to win the next King of the Iron Fist tournament.

HWOARANG

Jin’s rival is back, though he seems more laid-back than in his last few appearances. He still has his bike. The popular debuted “Oppa” also known as the Blood Talon, his recent backstory was that he met Jin 6 months ago in the Middle East. Hwoarang fought against Jin and triumphed in his battle. However, the Union of Nations Forces intervened in the fight and Jin disappeared once again. When he failed to gain the victory he wanted, he returned home and trained more frequently than ever before in preparation for another fight with Jin Kazama.

Fighting-wise, Hwoarang is known for chaining his kicks with different follow-ups. His Heat Moves and activations will most likely revolve around giving him more follow-ups for his unsafe/regular moves. He’s a character not meant for beginners to mash with (a far cry from his Tekken 3 debut), but experts who love to mess around with opponents with rush downs and mixups galore will love his moveset.

BRYAN FURY

Bryan Fury is brutish, unfeeling, and overall psychotic. He made his first debut in Tekken 3 and has been appearing ever since. He was once a corrupt military police officer who got shot during a shootout in Hong Kong. Surprisingly, a mad scientist named Dr Abel took an interest in him and decided to turn him into a cyborg. The only purpose Dr Abel resurrected Bryan was an attempt to steal secrets from a rival scientist, Doctor Bosconovitch.

Having suffered a series of tragedies, Bryan turned himself into a destructive zombie cyborg who only desires chaos throughout the world, fitting with the name “Harbinger of Chaos”. As compared to Kazuya Mishima, Bryan’s evil intentions are limitless, making him one of the major antagonists in the franchise.

An expert in kickboxing, Bryan’s gameplay trailer shows him flinging a devastating flying punch at a target using his cybernetic eye, then firing a minigun before throwing it at the camera. His combat is relentless, each punch and kick being more ferocious, leaving his opponent no room to retaliate.

CLAUDIO SERAFINO

Claudio Serafino was once a master exorcist of the Archers of Sirius, an organization dedicated to eradicating supernatural forces. In order to continue his mission to banish evil forces in the world, Claudio set forth on the hunt for Devil Gene users, Jin Kazama and Kazuya Mishima. Claudio gathered intel and discovered that Ling Xiaoyu was also on the lookout for Jin, so he decided to make friends with her as an act to find and defeat Jin.

Claudio is somewhat sarcastic and cocky, as is evident from his introduction quotes, where he calls his opponent an amateur. Several of his poses and entrances have a dramatic flair to them, suggesting a sense of pride and vanity. His fighting style is called “Sirius Exorcist Arts”, which enables him to conjure up the holy power of Sirius to overwhelm opponents. This style involves punches, kicks, elbows and knee strikes, as well as shoulder tackles, all done in a showy and flamboyant way.

AZUCENA MILAGROS ORTIZ CASTILLO

Better known as Azucena Ortiz or Coffee Queen, she’s the whole package when it comes to brains and brawns. Why? She studied business administration at the most prestigious university in Peru, is a successful model and dancer and even earned the championship title in her first year in the American MMA. Her dream is to become the world’s best coffee farmer and she’s getting closer to her ultimate goal with her finest coffee beans called “Azucena Blend.”

Being the face of the brand of her own coffee bean, she’s taking the next level by entering the King of Iron Fist Tournament. With her unique fighting style, known as “Mixed Martial Arts (Striker)”, Azucena’s swift movements make her a formidable opponent in close combat, enabling her to dodge and strike with exceptional speed. Beneath her charming and friendly demeanour lies an unwavering determination to emerge victorious in the tournament and promote her coffee brand on a global scale.

RAVEN

Doesn’t Raven look similar to the Blade actor but instead of being a vampire hunter, he’s a Ninjitsu expert with the skills of Naruto-ish clones? Raven made his debut in 2004’s Tekken 5 and has been a subsequent fighter in the franchise except in Tekken 7. His backstory to this day is still an enigma, just like all secret agents of the United Nations. His task has always been to stop conflict before it ever began but with the power struggle between the Mishima Zaibatsu and G Corp, he’s prepared to amp up his skills before facing the challenges that lie ahead.

After six months of training with his Ninjitsu Master, Raven is proficient with a new move called “Shadow Clone”. As shown in the gameplay trailer, his new skills utilize multiple shadow clones, similar to his Alter Ego move from Tekken 6 and Tekken Tag Tournament 2.

FENG WEI

Master of Taijiquan, Feng Wei aspires to become the perfect warrior, the Dragon God, through the teachings of the God Fist scrolls. He has a strong desire for power and fight, which is both a strength and a weakness, as even though he was talented enough to be the best in his class, it was his addiction and an impulsive urge to fight that ultimately led him to kill his master after he scolded him for fighting outside the dojo.

In pursuit of his goals, he destroyed many dojos and hurt many innocent people. Despite this, Feng lost to Wing Chun master Leroy Smith at the recent King of Iron Fist Tournament. Six months pass and Feng is visited by Nina Williams with a proposal: she promises him that if he supports G Corp, they will provide him with an opportunity to avenge himself against Leroy. Even though Feng knows such an offer will mean he will become an accomplice of G Corp, he agrees. As he continues on the path to becoming a Dragon God, Feng scoffs at the absurd concept of “heart” that Leroy and his dead master value so highly.

Feng Wei engages in combat by employing the God Fist Style of Chinese Martial Arts, a remarkably formidable and forceful approach that showcases both athleticism and power. This style places great emphasis on utilizing palm strikes, versatile kicks, and unpredictable spinning strikes. While it is a fictional style, it draws its inspiration primarily from the Cantonese martial art known as Hung Gar.

LEO KLIESEN

Leo, also known as the “Seeker of Truth”, is a Bajiquan user born to world-renowned archaeologist Niklas Kliesen and geneticist Emma Kliesen who previously served for Mishima Zaibatsu, and then for G Corp as a researcher and an executive. With a father versed in martial arts and an inquisitively minded mother, Leo uses these inherited skills to hunt for the truth behind Emma Kliesen’s mysterious death one year earlier.

Leo takes great risks to acquire sensitive information from G Corp, revealing that Emma Kliesen had been investigating the devil gene within the organization. Additionally, Leo discovers that Kazuya Mishima had issued instructions to eliminate key researchers who were deemed expendable. During a similar period, Mishima Zaibatsu reveals that Kazuya Mishima, who runs G Corp, is actually a devil. It becomes evident that Kazuya initiated the research with the intention of harnessing the power of the devil, and then proceeded to kill Leo’s mother when she no longer served a purpose.

With rage in his heart and close to a breakdown, he remembered his father’s words, who had gone missing many years ago. With that memory in mind, Leo calmed himself and searched for more concrete answers.

Tekken 8 trailers show little of Leo’s fighting abilities. Following the Bajiquan style, the skill uses powerful elbow strikes, arm/fist strikes, hip checks, and shoulder strikes that reach short ranges but are devastating.

YOSHIMITSU

This mechanized space ninja backstory is an interesting one. Yoshimitsu is the leader of the Manji Clan, a band of honourable thieves that has been operating since the Sengoku period. Approximately six months ago, he took on a special assignment from an investor involved in the refugee relief project. His mission was to locate historical records that contained valuable information about the Mishimas’ past activities.

After examining the data collected by his fellow clan members, Yoshimitsu is guided to an ancient subterranean cave. According to legend, the Mishimas used this cave for exorcisms. Yoshimitsu surveys the surroundings and proceeds along a deteriorating pathway. Deep within the cave recesses, Yoshimitsu finally uncovers the long-sought-after archives. Yoshimitsu’s cursed blade resonates with the demonic aura surrounding the archives, unleashing evil. The Cursed Blade passed down through the Manji Clan, is corrupted by an unquenchable bloodlust that drives its wielder insane. The blade infiltrates Yoshimitsu’s mind, amplifying his desire for destruction.

Yoshimitsu stabs himself with the blade to satisfy its thirst, but it becomes even more unpredictable. The clan elders teach him how to suppress the sword’s malevolent will. However, it still beckons him. Yoshimitsu decides to cut off the root of the voice that causes its violent behaviour. Sending off to a journey wherever the blade may lead him.

The fighting style of Yoshimitsu is a blend of Ninjutsu, samurai sword attacks derived from Kenjutsu and Battoujutsu, special stances, and supernatural powers, all seamlessly blending into what’s called the Manji Ninja Arts.

STEVE FOX

Steve Fox, a charismatic middleweight boxing champ from the UK, embarks on a quest to uncover his true parentage after learning that he is a test subject raised by the Mishima Zaibatsu. During this journey, he encounters Nina Williams, with whom he shares a surprising blood connection. While Steve yearns for a deeper connection to his roots, Nina finds this connection inconvenient. However, the aftermath of their reunion leaves Steve feeling lost and without purpose.

Fortunately, two of his close friends, Paul Phoenix and Marshall Law, intervened and lent their support. They propose a tournament to change Steve’s circumstances and share the prize money. Initially, Steve doubts his ability to succeed but realizes that his fists hold the power to forge a new path for himself.

Despite his initial decline, he remains independent and seeks to expand his fighting style. His determination to evolve and find his own unique style of combat propels him forward.

KUMA

Kuma, a loyal member of the Tekken Force and the beloved pet of Heihachi Mishima, demonstrates a remarkable level of dedication in his work. This is evident through his active involvement in numerous disaster relief operations across Southeast Asia, where he has become a cherished figure in the local community. However, tragedy struck when Heihachi, Kuma’s master, embarked on a fateful journey to confront his long-standing rival, Kazuya Mishima. Sadly, Heihachi never returned, leaving Kuma to wonder about his fate. Despite the uncertainty, Kuma firmly believes that his master is still out there somewhere, and he patiently awaits his return.

The G Corp gained the upper hand against the Mishima Zaibatsu, leading to the Mishimas surrendering. As Heihachi’s pet, that is the one thing he can’t do. “I will continue fighting until Master Heihachi returns…even if it means I’m the last one standing!” Kuma, inspired by Heihachi, dedicates himself to honing his Mishima-style techniques. Wearing the same outfit and belt as his master, he embarks on a solitary battle. After months of training, Kuma successfully rescues the elite engineers of Mishima Heavy Industries from G Corp. As a result, he initiates the development of a groundbreaking secret weapon that is bound to revolutionize the game.

Having mastered Heihachi-style Advanced Kuma Shin Ken, he gained some unique moves, including powerful claw swipes and a devastating “Bear Bite” throw. As long as he is played with solid defence along with a well-timed offence, Kuma can be a force to be reckoned with.

SHAHEEN

Also known as the Desert Falcon, Shaheen’s origin story revolves around a deep bond of friendship. Thirteen years ago, Shaheen displayed immense valour when he thwarted an assassination attempt on a boy of his age. This young boy, named Salim, would become Shaheen’s closest companion throughout their lives. Shaheen was given a new role as Salim’s personal bodyguard. Embracing his new role, Shaheen was warmly embraced by Salim’s influential family.

As they grew older, Salim and Shaheen eventually went their separate ways. Shaheen pursued a career as a private military specialist. On the other hand, Salim took over his family’s oil company. However, a twist of fate happens when Shaheen receives news of Salim’s sudden and mysterious death. Although the postmortem report classified the death as accidental, Shaheen suspected foul play. This suspicion arose when Salim’s company was unexpectedly purchased by G Corporation, and all family members who were involved in the management resigned.

Driven by his determination to uncover the truth, Shaheen initiated an investigation into the matter. He managed to extract information from a high-ranking G Corp Executive based in the Middle East. This revelation confirmed Shaheen’s suspicions – G Corp was indeed responsible for Salim’s untimely demise. Before departing, Salim’s younger brother, Zarif gave him his brother’s precious sword, “I want you to finish what my brother could not”. He vows to never forgive G Corp’s tyranny.

Shaheen’s fighting style, known as “Close Quarters Combat,” is characterized by an extensive range of oppressive pokes and counter-hit moves. Additionally, he excels in delivering high combo damage, whether it be on walled or infinite stages. His arsenal includes reliable tracking moves, effective oki, wall-carry capabilities, and the ability to punish opponents for their misses. Notably, Shaheen’s proficiency in these areas is coupled with a low skill requirement, making him an accessible and formidable choice for players, even in high-pressure situations.

SERGEI DRAGUNOV

Dragunov’s dark and mysterious persona fits right in with Tekken. Plus, you don’t have to be crazy to be a badass, right? Since his debut on Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection, and has returned to every subsequent series. Being called “The White Angel of Death”, Dragunov has been feared due to his exceptional fighting skills in Combat Sambo – a modified offensive style of Sambo used and trained by members of the Russian army to defend one’s self in a hand-to-hand combat situation. He is a member of the Spetsnaz, also known as the Russian Special Operatives.

During the Mishima Zaibatsu-G Corp conflict, Dragunov entered the King of Iron Fist Tournament with a specific purpose in mind. However, as the tournament progressed, the organizer, Heihachi Mishima, vanished, abruptly halting the competition. Known for his relentless work ethic, he is granted an extended leave for the first time in his life. Upon returning home, he opens a safe and retrieves an ancient notebook with an eerie cover. Dragunov, usually cold and detached, displays high spirits as he takes a closer look at the notebook. Clearly, this can only mean one thing: the notorious “Angel of Death’s List” has caught his attention.

In reality, it is just a bucket list of things that Dragunov has been wanting to do when he finally gets some extended free time. As he sips a cup of homemade sbiten, Dragunov reads over the notebook, humming a tune and nodding in apparent satisfaction. Reflecting upon his younger self, Dragunov decides on a difficult task that will challenge him. Armed with this new aim, he sets his sights on achieving his goal.

PANDA

Panda has a big heart for Ling Xiaoyu as she is both Ling’s pet and bodyguard. She made her debut in Tekken 3 and has been a mainstay ever since. The Pretty Protector was trained by Heihachi Mishima thus her fighting style, “Heichachi-style Advanced Kuma Shin Ken”. Panda possesses similar strengths as Kuma. She has longer arms compared to most of her cast, enabling her to punish whiffs from range effectively. Moreover, she has a nonstandard hitbox, which makes landing hits harder for other characters. This forces the opponent to adapt and change their strategy.

From her Hunting Bear Stance, Panda has the ability to create mix-ups that can result in high damage. This stance also provides her with some evasive abilities, making it difficult for opponents to predict her movements.

In her Tekken 8’s storyline, Panda tracks down Ling after she went missing trying to find Jin Kazama (Ling has feelings for him). After finding her in the Mishima Zaibatsu building, Ling told Panda that she had collected Jin’s data and wished to embark on searching for him across the globe. Panda stayed by Ling’s side and made sure she wore her best in case they were able to find Jin. Although hope seems lost, Panda never wavers in staying beside Ling until the very end.

LEE CHAOLAN

Lee is one of the most popular characters in the series for his manipulative style of play, smug personality and trademark thumbs up and catchphrase “excellent”, as seen in one of the latest Tekken 8 gameplay trailer. Lee is the adopted son of Heihachi Mishima, who raised him as a rival to a young Kazuya Mishima in Heihachi’s dojo.

Lee’s fighting style is described simply as “Martial Arts,” suggesting the use of hybridized techniques derived from various fighting styles combined into one. Consequently, many of his attack movements and motions are rooted in JKD, taekwondo, boxing, and savate techniques.

Now the CEO of Violet Systems, a very successful robotics company. Lee teams up with Lars to form a rebel army called “Yggdrasil” and works as a staff officer. With Kazuya leading G-Corp, Lee knows best what comes to mind for Kazuya, so he starts to develop a variety of weapons to defeat G-Corp. With the help of the brilliant scientist Dr. Bosconovitch, he constructs the incredible flying boat, “Víðópnir,” while also developing mobile warfare units utilizing motorbikes. These advancements enabled the rebel army to begin effectively countering G Corp’s dominance in different regions.

Furthermore, Lee invests in a cutting-edge battle suit specifically designed for close-range combat. This suit, known as the Violet Suit, exemplifies Lee’s unique aesthetic and incorporates cutting-edge technologies. Equipped with a multitude of features, the Violet Suit serves as a formidable trump card against the enemy’s impenetrable armour. Lee confidently enters the battlefield wearing this remarkable armour, fully prepared to face any challenges that come his way.

ALISA BOSCONOVITCH

Alisa Bosconovitch is the robotic clone of Doctor Bosconovitch’s deceased daughter, named Alisa. She was built to protect Jin Kazama, no matter the cost. Even much so that she had to battle Lars, whom she has feelings for which eventually made her system shut down. Alisa was then rebooted and joined the rebel army alongside Lars and the rest.

She then developed an unidentified process where her temperature rises every time she thinks of Lars. Worried about this sudden change, she reached out to Doctor Bosconovitch for help. after a few weeks under his care, she receives a major update and learns that she was never malfunctioning and Jin has no power to control her anymore. With this revelation, Alisa made a vow to use her free will and fight for Lar’s side.

The Russian robot possesses a unique combat technique known as the Thruster-Based High-Mobility Fighting Style. Additionally, Alisa has the ability to sprout butterfly wing-like jets from her back, enabling her to engage in brief aerial manoeuvres at remarkable speeds during combat. Furthermore, she has the ability to sprout chainsaws from her arms, which form part of her combat stance known as “Destroy Form.”

ZAFINA

Known as the Mystic Stargazer, Zafina is an astrologist who is tasked with protecting the tomb of Azazel. Master in the Ancient Assassination Arts, her sole purpose is to delay Azazel’s return as long as possible. Despite that, Azazel was able to take control of Zafina’s body and soul repeatedly.

Once arrived at the Sirius Sanctuary, the headquarters of the Sirius Marksmen she began to lose consciousness. Upon awakening, she found herself under the care of Ling Xiaoyu and Claudio Serafino. She entrusted them with all her secrets, and they assured her of their assistance whenever she required it. The future seemed nothing but a never-ending path of doom, yet there was one way out, albeit at a tremendous price.

Apart from the name itself, little has been known about her fighting ability. As shown in the recent Tekken 8 gameplay trailer, Zafina’s claw shape-shifting ability can stand up to Kazuya.

DEVIL JIN

When the Devil Gene takes control of Jin’s mind, it’s the same case as Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, except with more evil overtones. Devil Jin is simply a brooding devil that wants nothing but total annihilation and ultimate power. At times, Jin seemed more in control of his Devil Gene, as in the Tekken 4 ending and both Tekken 6 and Tekken 7. This is when Devil Jin appears to be more in touch with his own personality, and more sane.

The Black Wings of Ruin stands up with his name, although little info is given on his backstory for Tekken 8. Perhaps we’ll get to see Devil Jin’s true potential in the upcoming instalment? We’ll have to wait to find out.

VICTOR CHEVALIER

In the world of Tekken, Victor Chevalier holds a prominent position with his nickname “Refined Violence.” He is not only the first French character in the series but also a living legend who founded the Raven Force. This organization of secret agent ninjas comprises two renowned operatives: Raven and Master Raven. While the trailer showcased gameplay, it also unveiled the exciting news that Victor will be voiced by French actor Vincent Cassel, known for his roles in Black Swan, Ocean’s Twelve, and Westworld.

Victor employs a diverse arsenal of weaponry, including a pistol enabling him to fire long-range projectiles and a dagger for swift and lethal strikes. In contrast, Chevalier utilizes a laser sword for long-range assaults and is equipped with a teleportation device reminiscent of Final Fantasy 14’s Noctis in Tekken 7. The setting chosen by Victor could hardly be more fitting, as the battles unfold aboard a luxury yacht, with the backdrop of Paris and the Eiffel Tower.

REINA

Officially, Reina’s background and connection to other Tekken characters remains shrouded in mystery. The only piece of information known about her is that she is a member of Mishima Polytechnical School, a secretive institution founded by Heihachi Mishima. The school, unbeknownst to the general public, serves as a training ground for the Tekken Force, a private corporate army led by Heihachi himself.

However, Reina’s character introduction trailer reveals an intriguing aspect of her personality. It showcases her strong fascination with Jin Kazama and Kazuya Mishima. While the exact nature of Reina’s connection to these iconic characters remains undisclosed, her fascination with them suggests a possible connection or shared history.

Reina’s fighting style exhibits a unique blend of two martial arts disciplines, namely Taido and the Mishima Karate style. The footage showcased in the trailer suggests that she possesses a highly offensive approach. Several distinctive stances can be observed in her combat repertoire, including “Electric Wind God Fist,” “Spinning Demon,” and “Heaven’s Wrath.” When utilizing her Rage Art, Reina delivers a powerful punch infused with lightning energy. Intriguingly, this attack features a silhouette resembling Heihachi, hinting at a deep connection between the two characters.

Tekken 8 is slated to launch for the PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC via Steam on 26 January 2024. Stay tuned for more updates on Tekken 8!