The EVO 2024 event brought many huge announcements for major fighting game franchises. One series that was no exception was Tekken 8, in which Bandai Namco gave a steady stream of iconic characters to fight with. One of the latest and most significant examples is a classic villain, the bombastic Heihachi Mishima.
Heihachi is one of the most iconic characters in the franchise, and his history across his various appearances is equally impressive. However, many newcomers probably wonder why he is such a big deal. Here is a rundown of why Heihachi’s return will turn the series on its head. Of course, there will be spoilers for previous games.
Who is This Villain?
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For those unaware, Heihachi is one of the most iconic characters of the Tekken franchise. He was the CEO of the Mishima Zaibatsu, a powerful mercenary company in-universe. For fans of Super Smash Bros., he also happens to be the father of the series’ protagonist, Kazuya. By extension, he was also grandfather to Kazuya’s son Jin Kazama, another main character.
Furthermore, according to writers, his character also has a layer of symbolism, representing the history of warfare in Japan. Regarding his gameplay, he combined power and speed through his various iterations of the games, befitting his role as the main villain.
Heihachi’s status within the Tekken series also extends to the big screen, where legendary Japanese-American actor Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa played him in both live-action films. As for his voice, his most prominent English VA was veteran Jamieson Price. He has made guest appearances in the Soulcalibur series and PlayStation All-Stars crossover. The tyrant still stands alongside M. Bison and Yuuki Terumi as one of the most iconic villains in fighting games.
What is his History Before Tekken 8?
A huge reason why Heihachi’s return is such a big deal is that the character is arguably the most important villain in the series. His first appearance was in the first game in 1994 for the PS1, where he was the final boss. Even after his original defeat, he would remain a recurring major antagonist throughout the series. He would concoct many other diabolical schemes throughout the series, such as the various tournaments his organization hosted throughout.
One of his most prominent roles within the franchise was the main character in 2015’s Tekken 7, alongside his son. The game itself was touted as the end of their “family feud” throughout the franchise. The game’s final boss concluded with Kazuya defeating him and kicking him into a volcano at the end of their decades-long rivalry. For the next decade, at least, that would be the last gamers would see of him. However, Namco would have other plans.
Somehow Heihashi Returned
According to a YouTube trailer from Bandai Namco, Heihachi will return to the classic fighting game franchise. Within the viral trailer, Heihashi was given a compilation of his previous appearances before showcasing him literally rising from the ashes and unleashing a triumphant laugh. As grand as the moment was, no details were given yet on why or how he returned. Additionally, he will be a DLC character separate from the main game.
To many fans, this was a shock. One of the lead developers even said a year prior that he was “shocked” by how dead the character was. However, given that the villain survived being thrown off a cliff in the first game, it’s hardly surprising that he would return. While his return may seem like a cop-out to some fans, to most others, he was simply continuing the series’ tradition. Overall, Tekken 8 continues to build its reputation as a major fighting game for the modern era.
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