Tekken 8 is set to bring the gameplay and story of the Tekken franchise into the next console generation, potentially bringing an end to the family blood feud between Kazuya Mashima and Jin Kazama while giving fans the first true new Tekken game since Tekken 7 first hit arcades in March 2015. And a new fighting game means fans will be asking what characters are showing up in Tekken 8.
We’ve now seen plenty of gameplay with Bandai Namco confirming T8’s new systems will focus on “aggressive tactics” and a new “Heat System” mechanic with modifiers for attacks with special moves and enhancements for each character’s abilities in a new way compared to previous titles.
The game will be here in January 2024, and we even know what the complete launch roster will look like—so here is a running tally of which fighters are confirmed for the next King of Iron Fist Tournament.
Full character list for Tekken 8
You never really know who will make an appearance in a Tekken game, both because characters come and go regardless of whether they are alive or not and the guest characters that typically show up at launch. Story be damned, there will be a mix of new, returning, and surprise guests filling out the roster.
Just like with most fighting game hype cycles, Bamco has slowly uncovered its launch roster of fighters over the last year. Here is a look at everyone you can take into battle on launch day.
Hwoarang
As an integral part of the Tekken franchise, Hwoarang has been Jin’s rival in the King of Iron Fist Tournament since 1997, with the release of Tekken 3 on the PlayStation 2. Since then, they have kept up a healthy rivalry that is more about testing their skills against each other rather than any deep-seated animosity.
Hwoarang’s moveset is a dynamic and visually impressive representation of Taekwondo, featuring a wide range of kicks, spin kicks, and fast striking combinations. He is a fun and easy-to-learn fighter for those players who are just now getting into the franchise.
Jin Kazama
Fighting his inner demons, both literally and figuratively speaking, Jin Kazama is the protagonist in Tekken 8. He has been the protagonist of the series for some time now. For over two decades, Jin has been attempting to defeat both his evil father, Kazuya, and grandfather, Heihachi, all the while trying not to be consumed by the devil blood inside of him, inherited from the Mishima side of the family.
Initially, in Tekken 3 and Tekken 4, Jin’s fighting style was more closely aligned with the Mishima-ryu Karate, reflecting the influence of his family lineage. However, from Tekken 5 on, Jin adopted Traditional Karate, specifically a form that closely resembles Kyokushin Kai. Thus, he distanced himself from the Mishima fighting style to develop his unique form of combat. This change in fighting style was part of Jin’s character development and his effort to reject his Mishima heritage.
King
An absolute fan-favorite and one of the most fun-to-play characters, King is unchallenged in all things aerial assault and spectacular take-downs. King, or rather King II, is a Mexican luchador who raises funds for the orphanage where King I mentored him. Trained by Armor King, King II takes up his mentor’s mantle after his death at the hands of Ogre in Tekken 2.
King’s dramatic and powerful form of wrestling features a wide array of grapples, throws, and aerial attacks. He has a wide variety of punishments at his disposal, including suplexes, powerbombs, piledrivers, and various submission holds. His wrestling skills are complemented by agile strikes and flying maneuvers, giving him a diverse and entertaining fighting repertoire.
Reina
Possibly the most important of all new characters in the game, Reina is a character wrapped up in mystery. Her story is intrinsically linked to the Mishima family and, as such, has a key role in the plot of Tekken 8. Without spoiling the story for anyone, let’s just say it is not a coincidence her name translates to Queen in Spanish.
Reina specializes in Taido, a form of Karate that emphasizes varying movement techniques. But with a unique Mishima twist by including powerful Heihachi signature moves in her offensive repertoire. Her arsenal includes several of Heihachi’s famed moves, such as Electric Wind God Fist, Demon Uppercut, Headbutt, and Hell Sweep.
Kazuya Mishima
The Man. The Myth. The Legend. Kazuya Mishima has been at the center of Tekken’s lore since its beginning in 1994. This near-impossible-to-kill demon-blooded arrogant son of a gun made his triumphant comeback in Tekken 4 after being presumed dead in Tekken 3. He has been a real pain in everyone’s behind ever since. Kazuya Mishima, now in control of the Mishima Zaibatsu, has the world trembling in fear as he transforms into a powerful devil at will.
His fighting style is primarily based on Mishima-ryu Karate, a fictional martial arts style unique to the Tekken universe. This style is characterized by powerful, precise strikes and a strong emphasis on heavy punches and devastating kicks. It incorporates elements of traditional Japanese Karate but is enhanced by the devil blood running through his veins.
Paul Phoenix
Don’t call it a Tekken game if Paul Phoenix is not in it with his iconic flat-top haircut. Paul experienced a bit of an existential crisis after finding out he is not the strongest man on earth. On top of that, he also went through some tough financial times. Thankfully, his strong friendship with Marshall Law throughout the years has helped him overcome it all.
Paul’s style of fighting is based on traditional American Karate. His fighting technique is characterized by powerful, straightforward strikes and a mix of punches and kicks that often incorporate dynamic and explosive movements. Paul is particularly famous for his devastating move called the Phoenix Smasher, a powerful, single-hit punch that can inflict significant damage on opponents.
Asuka Kazama
Asuka is related to Jin through his mother’s family, the Kazama bloodline. Despite being a relative to Jin, she has had little to no impact on the main plot. Asuka swore vengeance on Feng Wei after he had destroyed her father’s dojo in Tekken 5. In Tekken 6 and 7, she had an ongoing rivalry with Lili Rochefort.
Overall, Asuka’s fighting style in Tekken is portrayed as both graceful and effective, emphasizing skill and technique over brute strength. Her fighting style is based on a traditional Japanese Martial Art known as Jujutsu, which focuses on joint locks, throws, and efficient strikes. She is also characterized for her impressive defensive capabilities.
Raven
First introduced in Tekken 5, Raven is a mysterious and highly skilled ninja with Naruto-like powers. He is an intelligence officer always working in the shadows for an unspecified third party. His missions often involve investigating the Mishima Zaibatsu and the events surrounding the King of Iron Fist Tournament.
Raven is known for his sensational form of ninjutsu, blending traditional ninja techniques with contemporary martial arts. His moveset includes quick, agile strikes, acrobatic flips, creating shadows of himself, and teleportation moves, which are reminiscent of classic ninja abilities.
Ling Xiaoyu
First introduced in Tekken 3, Ling Xiaoyu has had an ongoing siutationship with Jin for some time. In Tekken 4, she enters the tournament to save Jin, who has been transformed by the Devil Gene. More recently, her role involves trying to protect Jin and resolve the conflicts surrounding the Mishima family, often bringing a more lighthearted and optimistic perspective.
Ling Xiaoyu’s fighting styles are Hakkesho and Hikaken forms of Chinese martial arts. Xiaoyu’s moves are quick and agile, allowing her to move around opponents and execute multiple fast strikes fluidly. She utilizes a variety of flips, spins, and cartwheels, making her movements unpredictable and difficult to counter.
Yoshimitsu
One of the franchise’s most iconic characters, Yoshimitsu, changes his appearance from game to game. As the leader of the Manji Clan, he enters the King of Iron Fist Tournament to pursue a vendetta against the Mishima Zaibatsu.
Yoshimitsu’s fighting style is one of the most unique as he blends traditional Japanese Kenjutsu (the art of the sword) and ninjutsu (the ninja martial arts) with supernatural elements like flying, healing, and disappearing. He wields his Katana, employing both traditional and unconventional attacks. Besides his swordsmanship, his movements can be erratic and unpredictable, making him a tricky opponent to read. He uses spins, teleports, and sudden strikes to confuse his adversaries.
Jun Kazama
Jun Kazama is the mother of Jin Kazama, who could be considered the protagonist of Tekken since Tekken 3. Although she made her first appearance in Tekken 2, she has not been a playable character for many years. Presumably dead at the hands of Ogre, most of her life is shrouded in mystery, and many of her appearances in recent games were manifestations of Jin’s dreams.
Jun utilizes a graceful and flowing fighting style passed down through her family. This style incorporates elements of various traditional martial arts, focusing on throws, joint locks, and evasive maneuvers. Each of Jun’s three-stance fighting styles offers distinct moves and strategic options.
Steve Fox
Born as the result of a genetic experiment conducted by the Mishima Zaibatsu, Steve’s story is deeply rooted in the Mishima organization. His biological mother is Nina Williams, who had no idea of his existence before the events of Tekken 4 because she had been cryogenically frozen. Did we mention yet how convoluted all of the Tekken lore can get?
Steve’s fighting style sets him apart from his peers in Tekken, as he is a traditional Western-style boxer. His boxing skills are showcased through rapid jabs, hooks, and uppercuts with a complete lack of kicks. Instead, he uses skilled footwork to maneuver around his opponent, dodging attacks and positioning himself strategically.
Devil Jin
First introduced during the events of Tekken 3, Devil Jin did not become a playable character until Tekken 5. As the name suggests, he is the dark and demonic representation of Jin. The Devil Gene that takes over Jin is a central plot element throughout all of the Tekken Saga, with many shadowy figures trying to control it.
Devil Jin’s fighting style is a more powerful version of Jin Kazama’s traditional martial arts, mixed with supernatural abilities granted by the Devil Gene. He utilizes the traditional Mishima fighting techniques, including powerful strikes, uppercuts, and the signature move known as Electric Wind God Fist. He also uses his unearthly abilities such as flying and shooting a giant red laser from this thrid eye.
Claudio Serafino
Claudio first appeared in Tekken 7, investigating the devil gene and the Mishima family. He initially allied with the Mishima Zaibatsu (at the time led by Heihachi Mishima) to help him deal with Kazuya Mishima and his devil gene. Claudio’s true intentions and loyalties, however, remain ambiguous.
Claudios’ fighting style is a fictional martial art that combines traditional techniques with supernatural elements. Claudio utilizes a combination of powerful strikes and elegant, fluid movements, reflecting his aristocratic demeanor. A standout feature of Claudio’s fighting style is the use of blue energy, a representation of his exorcist powers.
Lars Alexandersson
One of many illegitimate children of Heihachi, Lars Alexandersson, is of Swedish descent. He adds to the complex and somewhat convoluted Mishima saga, Tekken’s central storyline. First introduced during the events of Tekken 6, his closest allies now are Jin and Lee.
Lars combines traditional combat techniques with acrobatic movements, making him a fast and agile fighter who can be hard to deal with. His uncanny ability to quickly close distances between himself and opponents makes him effective at both ranged and close combat.
Eddy Gordo
Eddy Gordo is officially the first DLC character that has been confirmed by Bandai Namco that will be downloadable during season one of Tekken 8. Eddy’s quest initially revolves around avenging his father, who was murdered by a drug cartel. He enters the King of Iron Fist Tournament to find the man responsible for his father’s death and to clear his name.
Eddy’s fighting style is called Capoeira, a dance-like martial art from Brazil, known for its fluid, acrobatic movements and rhythmic elements. This style allows Eddy to perform a range of spinning kicks, flips, and complex maneuvers, making him one of the most visually spectacular fighters in the game. Capoeira’s emphasis on fluid motion and rhythm translates into a fighting style that is both unpredictable and extremely challenging for opponents.
Feng Wei
Feng Wei was first introduced to the franchise during the events of Tekken 5. His unquenchable thirst for martial arts supremacy and his ruthless pursuit of the God Fist scroll have motivated him since day one. His quest for power leads him down a path of death, ruin, and devastation, including killing several masters from different martial arts schools. One of the Masters he kills is Asuka Kazama’s father.
Feng Wei’s fighting style is based on Chinese martial arts, particularly Shaolin Kung Fu. Feng does not hold back and employs powerful hand and arm strikes, reflective of traditional Shaolin techniques. Additionally, he also has solid defensive capabilities, able to absorb and deflect enemy attacks effectively. Feng’s movements are smooth and flowing, yet they can be explosively quick when executing attacks, making him a well-rounded fighter.
Kuma
Initially introduced as Heihachi Mishima’s loyal pet and bodyguard during Tekken 1 and Tekken 2, Kuma demonstrates surprising intelligence and martial arts skills for a bear. His offspring, Kuma II, takes up his role from Tekken 3 onwards. Both incarnations of Kuma maintain a humorous and ongoing rivalry with Paul Phoenix and show a deep loyalty to Heihachi. Kuma II, in particular, takes on more responsibilities, even briefly leading the Mishima Zaibatsu in Heihachi’s absence.
Kuma may serve as a comical relief for the franchise, but don’t let that fool you. Putting his great size and strength to good use, he can grab opponents in bear hugs, maul them, sling them in the air, and deliver powerful swipes. While Kuma’s movements can appear somewhat clumsy or graceless, they are surprisingly effective and can dish out a massive amount of damage.
Lee Chaolan
Lee is the adopted son of Heihachi Mishima and was raised as a rival to Kazuya Mishima, Heihachi’s natural son. Despite his adoption, Lee was often mistreated by Heihachi and developed a deep rivalry with Kazuya. This rivalry never grew to be part of the main plot, and Lee got sidelined as a comical relief character.
His fighting style is primarily based on a blend of various striking techniques influenced by Jeet Kune Do. This style, attributed to the legendary Bruce Lee, focuses on fluidity, speed, and a mix of kicks and punches. Lee Chaolan’s implementation of this style is marked by quick, agile movements, flashy kicks, and stylish, flowing combos.
Marshall Law
Marshall Law is a long-standing and fan-favorite character of the franchise. Fans will remember him from previous installments for his mastery of Bruce Lee’s iconic fighting style, Jeet Kune Do, and for having several financial woes. Despite being a complete powerhouse inside the ring, outside of it, Marshall often finds himself entering the King of Iron Fist Tournament solely to pay off debts, pay off his son’s motorcycle, or keep his dojo afloat.
Law uses rapid punches and kicks, reminiscent of Bruce Lee’s famous one-inch punch and lightning-fast kicks. Law’s style is generally considered beginner-friendly due to his straightforward moves and fast attacks. However, mastering Jeet Kune Do and its unpredictable but powerful combos will take time and practice.
Azucena Ortiz
Azucena is one of the most vibrant new characters of the Tekken 8 roster. She is a Peruvian coffee farmer who dreams of becoming a professional MMA fighter. Azucena combines her Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) attacks with her unique style and flare to dodge and parry moves to avoid incoming punches.
Nina Williams
Nina is a complex character who has been part of the roster of Tekken fighters since its first installment. She starts her story as an assassin working for the Mishima Zaibatsu, which often puts her in a collision course with her sister, Anna. Her alliances and loyalties change over the years as she now works against the very same Mishima Zaibatsu she used to work for. At one point in time, she was frozen, which caused her amnesia. She is also the mom of Steve Fox, somehow.
Nina Williams’ fighting style is mostly based on Aikido and Koppojutsu, which are complemented by her assassination techniques. She transitions smoothly between techniques, often employing various throws, holds, and joint locks.
Leroy Smith
Originally from New York City, Leroy Smith was a victim of gang violence, which led to the loss of his family and his home. Over the years, he mastered martial arts and returned to New York as an older, wiser man, seeking to take down the criminal underworld that had destroyed his life.
Leroy uses Wing Chun, a traditional Chinese martial art known for its close-range combat techniques. Utilizing the Wing Chun principle of economy of movement, Leroy delivers rapid punches and palm strikes as well as solid guard positions to help him deflect and counterattack efficiently.
Bryan Fury
The technologically augmented psychopathic soldier Bryan Fury is one of many senior characters to be back after a seven-year Tekken hiatus. As part of the Tekken saga as early as Tekken 3, Bryan is by all means considered a classic of the franchise.
Unpredictability, brutality, and an unquenchable thirst to maul his enemies to the ground are what make this psycho one of Tekken’s most fearsome fighters.
Jack-8
Continuing with technology-based characters, Jack-8 is the latest update to the long line of Jack robots manufactured by the mysterious high-tech company G Corporation. Like its predecessors, Jack-8 is characterized by his immense strength and combat capabilities.
As one of the slowest, if not the slowest, of all Tekken characters, Jack-8 severely punishes opponents who don’t dodge, duck, or block on time. His lagging but very powerful attacks can literally blow enemies away.
Alisa Bosconovitch
Unlike Jack-8, Alisa is a robot with the capabilities to show empathy, self-awareness, and loyalty. Playing a pivotal role in Tekken 6 and 7, she has now been sidelined to more of a side character role.
Alisa’s impressive fighting style combines traditional martial arts with high-tech weaponry and flight capabilities. She utilizes her robotic attributes, like chainsaw arms, rocket launchers, and jet-propelled flight, to deliver swift and unpredictable attacks.
Victor Chevalier
Victor Chevalier stands out as a fresh and different addition to Tekken 8’s roster, bringing a distinctive flair that sets him apart in the world of Tekken. Victor’s storyline seems to intersect with Raven, as was hinted at in his introductory trailer.
This seasoned and fashionable French combatant wields an array of unconventional weapons, including a teleportation device, a firearm, and a sword that seems lifted straight from a cyberpunk narrative.
Sergei Dragunov
A man of few words and even fewer friends, Sergei Dragunov is known for his gruesome grapples and merciless fighting style. To create Sergei Dragunov, the Tekken developers must have played with the idea of what if Vladimir Putin and Count Dracula had a baby.
His fighting style reflects his stoic demeanor. His movements are precise, methodical, and often brutal, emphasizing throws, joint locks, and submission holds, along with powerful strikes. He can quickly close distances to grapple his opponent and take them down with unnerving ease.
Lili Rochefort
As the only daughter of a wealthy Monaco businessman, Lili Rochefort yearns for action and adventure in her luxurious aristocratic life. Despite her wealthy upbringing, Lili is not content with a passive, pampered life and seeks excitement and challenge in the fighting arena, often bumping heads with Asuka Kazama.
Lili’s unique fighting style is a fusion of acrobatic street fighting and ballet-styled gymnastics. Her movements in combat are graceful and elegant, utilizing a variety of visually striking high kicks, flips, and spins. Despite her seemingly delicate appearance, Lili can deliver powerful blows, combining strength and finesse.
Shaheen
First introduced in Tekken 7, Shaheen marks a significant addition to the game’s roster, bringing a new cultural and fighting style representation to the series. Shaheen is a private operative from Saudi Arabia involved in a personal investigation into the mysterious death of a close friend, which leads him into the conflicts surrounding the Mishima Zaibatsu and G Corporation.
Shaheen’s moves reflect practical, military-style fighting techniques, focusing on efficiency and effectiveness. Shaheen employs a combination of strikes, kicks, and grappling moves, indicative of a well-rounded combatant trained in various martial arts disciplines.
Zafina
Zafina has dedicated her life to protecting a secret temple somewhere in the Middle East, which houses an ancient demon called Azazel. She enters the King of Iron Fist Tournament to prevent a catastrophic prophecy from coming true, which foretells the clash of two evil stars that will bring calamity to the world. This prophecy is closely linked to the ongoing saga of the Mishima family, particularly the battles involving Kazuya and Jin.
Zafina moves with a fluid, almost dance-like grace, making her attacks incredibly difficult to predict. Her fighting style includes various stances that seem to be influenced by astrological signs, each with its own set of moves. Her exceptional flexibility helps her execute wide-reaching kicks and contorted hand strikes.
Leo Kliesen
Leo’s mother was a world-famous spelunker who was mysteriously murdered. Believing the Mishima Zaibatsu to be connected to her death, Leo enters the King of Iron Fist Tournament to investigate and seek revenge.
Leo’s fighting style is based on Bajiquan, a Chinese martial art known for its short-range but powerful and quick elbow and shoulder strikes. Bajiquan emphasizes a stable stance and strong defensive techniques, allowing Leo to absorb and counterattack effectively. Making use of the entire body as a weapon, Leo employs not just his fists and feet but also his elbows and shoulders for striking.
