The confirmed Tekken 9 roster returning characters include series staples like Jin Kazama, Kazuya Mishima, and Nina Williams, alongside other fan favorites from previous installments.
The anticipation for Tekken 9 is building, and one of the biggest questions on everyone’s mind is about the fighters making a comeback. We all want to know who will be in the lineup. The thought of seeing familiar faces throwing down again sparks excitement.
So, who is making the cut for the Tekken 9 roster returning characters? This is a topic every Tekken fan wants an answer to. We’ll delve into the details of which warriors we expect to see.
Tekken 9 Roster Returning Characters: Who’s Coming Back to the King of Iron Fist Tournament?
The excitement for Tekken 9 is building, and one of the biggest questions on everyone’s mind is: which of our favorite fighters will be back for another round? The Tekken series is known for its diverse and memorable cast, and the returning characters are always a major part of what makes each new game feel familiar yet fresh. Let’s dive into the potential lineup of returning characters, looking at who is almost guaranteed to appear and some characters we really hope to see make a comeback. We’ll also look at reasons why certain characters may return or may be absent from the new game.
The Core Fighters: Guaranteed Returns
Some characters are so integral to the Tekken story and gameplay that it would be a shock not to see them. These are the faces you expect to see on every game cover and in every tournament. They’re the bedrock of the Tekken universe. Here are some of the most likely contenders:
The Mishima Family Legacy
The Mishima family saga is at the heart of Tekken, and you can bet that the main members will be present in Tekken 9. These include:
- Kazuya Mishima: The conflicted anti-hero, Kazuya’s demonic power and intense fighting style make him a must-have. His rivalry with Jin is a central plot point. We expect him to be central to Tekken 9’s narrative.
- Jin Kazama: As the current protagonist, Jin’s evolution and his own struggle with the Devil Gene are too important to ignore. He will very likely be a key character in the story mode.
- Heihachi Mishima: Even if he’s not alive in the storyline (currently unclear), this cunning and powerful figure could make a return, in a flashback, a vision, or some new bizarre twist. It’s very difficult to keep a Mishima down! His presence adds a lot to the game.
Other Familiar Faces
Beyond the Mishima family, several other characters are practically guaranteed to return due to their popularity and integral place in the series. These include:
- Paul Phoenix: The iconic, hard-hitting brawler with a goofy personality is a series staple. His presence is always welcomed by Tekken players.
- Marshall Law: The Bruce Lee-inspired fighter with lightning-fast attacks is a fan favorite for his agility and exciting gameplay.
- King: The wrestling king with a Jaguar mask is a must for any Tekken roster. His grapple-heavy style is unique and fun to play.
- Nina Williams: The cold-blooded assassin with her unique fighting style and a history with the Mishima family is very popular.
- Xiaoyu Ling: Her unique fighting style and close relationship with Jin make her an important part of the narrative.
- Hwoarang: The fiery taekwondo expert, and Jin’s rival, is always ready for a fight.
- Steve Fox: The boxer with a tricky style and history with Nina Williams, Steve is a popular pick.
- Yoshimitsu: The enigmatic ninja with his crazy moves and unique weapon is always a surprise.
- Bryan Fury: The cyborg with a brutal fighting style is always fun to play for Tekken fans.
- Asuka Kazama: Known for her counter-based style, Asuka often finds herself in the middle of the Mishima drama.
These characters form the backbone of the Tekken roster, providing a mix of different fighting styles and personalities that appeal to a wide range of players. Their return is not just expected, it’s a necessary ingredient for a successful Tekken title.
Fan Favorites: Characters We Hope to See
While the core roster is pretty predictable, there are other characters that fans love and are hoping to see back in action. These might not have been in every game, but they’ve left a lasting impression.
The Return of the Old Guard
These characters were present in the earlier games and are much missed.
- Lei Wulong: The drunken master and police detective with a wide range of stances is a very unique character. Many fans hope he’ll make a comeback.
- Baek Doo San: The taekwondo master and Hwoarang’s mentor adds another great dynamic to the game.
- Roger/Alex: The boxing kangaroo and dinosaur characters were a blast to play.
- Jun Kazama: Jin’s mother and a beloved character. While she might not be alive in the current timeline, she has often featured in flashbacks and other forms of Tekken lore. Her presence always brings a sense of emotional depth to the game.
Newer Faces That Made an Impact
Some more recent additions to the Tekken lineup have won the hearts of the players and deserve a spot on Tekken 9’s roster.
- Lars Alexandersson: The Swedish leader of the rebel forces is an important piece in the storyline of Tekken.
- Alisa Bosconovitch: The android with the chainsaw hands, and her unique personality make her fun to play.
- Leo Kliesen: The gender-neutral fighter with a unique style and a connection to the Mishima family adds some variety to the game.
- Zafina: The mysterious Egyptian fighter with her unique fighting style and ties to ancient lore makes her an interesting pick.
- Claudio Serafino: The exorcist with the glowing hands and connection to the Mishima family was a fun character to play with.
- Josie Rizal: The Filipino kickboxer, was introduced in Tekken 7, she has a good moveset and good style that players hope to see in Tekken 9.
- Leroy Smith: The Wing Chun master with a cool style and personality is a pretty recent addition, but fans have grown to like him quickly.
These characters add a lot of variety to the game, and their return would be a welcome surprise for many fans.
Factors Influencing Roster Decisions
The selection of returning characters isn’t just based on popularity. The game developers at Bandai Namco consider several factors when creating each new roster.
Story Relevance
The main reason for characters to return is how important they are to the storyline. Characters that play a big role in the plot, like the members of the Mishima family, are usually a lock. Characters with an ongoing storyline or have open-ended storylines also have a high chance of coming back to add to the story of the new game.
Gameplay Variety
The Tekken series is known for having a diverse set of characters, each with their distinct fighting style. The developers try to have as many diverse styles as possible in the game so that there are many unique options for players to choose from, like grapplers, speedy characters, and projectile users. If a character has a truly unique playstyle, that increases their chances of being in Tekken 9.
Popularity
While story and gameplay are important, fan love is also very important. Characters that are fan favorites will have a higher chance of returning in the new game. This can be shown through online polls, forum discussions and game usage in the previous titles. A character with a strong fanbase is more likely to be present in Tekken 9.
Balancing the Roster
The developers also need to balance the characters so that no one is too overpowered or too weak. Each character should be unique while still being competitive. Character balancing can sometimes play a role in the roster selections, where characters may be temporarily removed or altered before being included in the future games.
Potential Absences: Why Some Characters Might Not Return
Not every character makes the jump to each new Tekken game. There could be various reasons why some characters might be left out.
Storyline Conclusion
If a character’s story arc has come to a natural conclusion, the developers may decide not to bring them back to give a chance to new characters. However, Tekken characters can sometimes reappear even after their story arc is concluded, so this is not a set-in-stone reason for a character to not be included.
Gameplay Overlap
If a character’s fighting style overlaps too much with another character, the developers may decide not to include them. They usually prefer to keep the roster diverse. This could be a temporary reason, and some characters might come back in later titles after some changes.
Development Time and Resources
Developing a fighting game requires a lot of time and resources. The developers might have to make tough decisions to prioritize certain characters over others, simply because there is a limit to the number of characters that can be created. If some characters are too difficult to create or too demanding in terms of system requirements, that could also lead to them being absent from a particular title.
Character Redesign
Sometimes a character might be absent because the developers may be looking to redesign them or rework their moveset. This could be so that the character feels fresher when they eventually return in the game.
The Importance of Returning Characters
Returning characters provide a bridge between the old and the new. They bring familiarity for long-time fans, while also providing a starting point for new players. They also enrich the overall Tekken universe, making the new game more interesting. Seeing our favorite fighters back in action is always a highlight of any new Tekken game.
Speculation and Predictions
Of course, there will always be surprises. The Tekken team is known for keeping some characters secret until the game is released. We may see new versions of older characters, like what was done with Devil Kazuya and Devil Jin, or some other twists. The anticipation of the next roster announcement is always exciting for fans. We all have our favorite characters and are waiting to see them once again on the battlefield.
We have discussed many returning characters that are most likely to come back for the new Tekken 9 and have also analyzed some reasons for a character’s absence or presence in a Tekken game. Now the wait is on for the official character reveal to begin and for us to see the full roster of Tekken 9.
FORGOTTEN CHARACTERS IN TEKKEN (PART 1)
Final Thoughts
Expect many familiar faces in Tekken 9 roster returning characters. Fan favorites, from Jin to Kazuya, will likely join the fight again. The core cast builds the foundation for new stories and rivalries.
These returning characters are essential for Tekken’s legacy. Their movesets are refined; gameplay experiences improve. Tekken 9 roster returning characters will bring the series to new heights with their return.
