When Jin Kazama and Kazuya Mishima finally face off in Tekken 8 to finish their business with their family's demonic heritage, all bets are off in the standoff between a global resistance and the G-Corporation. As fans look in horror as Kazuya becomes a seemingly unstoppable threat with Jin Kazama barely able to hold his own, it may take Jin to accept his past to overcome this deadly future.

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As various Tekken characters brave a new world at the end of Tekken 8, fans might see this conclusion to the Devil Gene Saga as a precursor to begin things anew with the exploration of the stories of other characters. However, among Tekken's large cast, who deserves the next highlight?

1 Kuma

The Adventures Of Heihachi's Personal Bodyguard

Existing in Tekken simply because the sight of a fighting bear is fun, Kuma has been integrated into the series to become Heihachi Mishima's loyal bear. After the original Kuma's death after Tekken 2, his son Kuma underwent training after being inspired by Paul Phoenix on television. As a result, Kuma carried over to Tekken 8 his unique Kuma Shinken style consisting of whiff punishes and heavy hits. Much of his personal goals in Tekken involve pursuing Xiaoyu's friend Panda, while the rest involves serving the Mishima Zaibatsu.

Should the Tekken series want to pursue a more laid-back approach to its fighting games after the Devil Gene Saga, Kuma may be the perfect protagonist for such a game. Kuma-centric titles may explore his missions as Heihachi's bodyguard, where he may witness relationships between characters unfold while he observes and fights with them. He may even try to become independent of the Mishima Clan, making a name for himself as a bear fighter in new tournaments.

2 Josie Rizal

A Premise For The Tekken World Tour

While Josie Rizal only had a short stint so far in the franchise with her brief appearance in Tekken 7, her presence as a Filipino in the fighting game can help her fulfill the franchise's trend of featuring fighters of different nationalities. Given the conclusion of the Devil Gene Saga, it may be time for combatants like Josie Rizal to explore their futures in Tekken's world where combat sports are a popular form of entertainment.

A game starring Josie or even a newcomer like Peru's Azucena Ortiz Castillo could help Tekken follow its original roots and have them compete in another worldwide tournament. While the premise might seem similar to the World Fighting Championship of Street Fighter, Tekken's own global tournament sharing its franchise's comedic roots could make for a unique take on the series.

3 Lili De Rochefort

Maintain The Series' Spirit For Shenanigans

Introduced as the daughter of an extremely wealthy oil magnate, Lili de Rochefort graces Tekken with her adaptable fighting style and flair for all things stylish. Lili has attained global popularity with her accessible kit, with her friendship with Asuka Kazama resulting in hilarious hijinks. In Tekken 8, Lili and Asuka serve as onlookers in the main King of Iron Fist Tournament, with Lili herself being a contestant after winning the European Block preliminaries. Unfortunately, her continuation in the tournament is stopped when Kazuya and Jin fight each other.

However, the ending of the Devil Gene Saga opens up Lili to a Tekken series that allows her to tap into the franchise's comedic aspects. Lili's history of having a disapproving father when it comes to martial arts could foster a story all about acceptance, where a Tekken game could have Lili, Asuka, and other younger-generation fighters save the world from a comedic-aligning conspiracy culminating in a tournament.

4 Yoshimitsu

A Bridge To The Soul Series, Weapon Fighting

Currently the leader of the Manji Clan, Yoshimitsu has gained popularity throughout the franchise for his skill with the blade and rather evolving sets of armor. However, behind his teleportation moves and spinning slashes is a sword rife with bloodthirst, sending Yoshimitsu on a mission to find the warrior whose blood his blade desires. While Yoshimitsu is already popular among fans for his unique skillset, he's made waves in fighting game fandom because he's also a main character in Namco's Soul franchise.

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As such, a future Tekken installment starring Yoshimitsu could also be the franchise's way of introducing more weapon wielders in the series. With Raven and Victor Chevalier joining Yoshimitsu as fellow weapon users, future Tekken games may use them and Yoshimitsu to enter tournaments to fight characters that integrate slight weapon mechanics or even outright crossovers with other Soul characters.

5 Lei Wulong

A Super Cop Story Taking Down Criminals In Street Fights

Despite his absence in Tekken 8, Lei Wulong being a tribute to Jackie Chan and his characters often becoming law enforcers became a perfect addition to the comedic dimension of the Tekken franchise. While his last appearance in Tekken 7 had him pursue Kazuya Mishima during his work leave, Tekken 8 ending the Devil Gene Saga may finally give the likes of Lei a reprieve from constantly pursuing members of the Kazama and Mishima bloodlines.

Interestingly enough, Lei's reputation as a "Super Cop" may make for the perfect premise for a grounded Tekken sequel. Having already pursued other criminals such as Bruce Irvin and Nina Williams, Lei could star in a Tekken game where he joins an illegal underground tournament. This can tie into Tekken's King of Iron Fist as a cutthroat competition while at the same time introducing both enigmatic and stylish foes.

6 Paul Phoenix

The Return Of His Flat Top, Mentor A New Generation

Fans of fighting games can recognize Paul Phoenix for his iconic tall flat top - a feature missing in the popular Tekken character in his appearance in Tekken 8. While players may remain hopeful for the return of his flat top, this can become a focal point in a Paul-centric story after the conclusion of the Devil Gene Saga. With his and Marshall Law's pursuit of a sustainable income through their fighting prowess, the fighting duo may become partners as they enter a tournament that showcases a future Tekken title's newest fighters.

Such a focus on Paul could allow the series to finally give him a much-deserved spotlight after the franchise left his rivalry with Kazuya Mishima hanging. Moreover, Paul becoming the center of his own storyline or at least a mentor to a new Tekken protagonist could help him ensure the series maintains its footing in a light-hearted story.

7 Hwoarang

A Focus On His Youth As A Taekwondo Days, Jin's Rival

A recipient of one of the game's best victory animations, Tekken's resident Taekwondo jin Hwoarang became the only person worthy enough of being Jin Kazama's rival. Since their first appearance in Tekken 3, Hwoarang's more outgoing attitude complemented his fast and loose kicks, opposing Jin's more brooding and direct Mishima Style. Unfortunately for Hwoarang, Jin would outclass him rather quickly as the series allows the latter to take flight as the enigmatic and destructive Devil Jin.

With Tekken 8 finally ending the Devil Gene's influence over Jin, it may finally be the time to return to his rivalry with Hwoarang as a regular fighter. However, a more interesting way of exploring this would be a Tekken game in the past, back in the days of Hwoarang, Jin, and even Xiaoyu as high school students much like in Tekken Bloodline. A Hwoarang-centric story about his days as a street fighter may help ground Tekken back as a more realistic fighting game, with something like a Junior Iron Fist Tournament pinning the best fighters across different schools.

8 King

The Mainstay Wrestler Deserves A Formal Tournament

Among the mainstays of the Tekken series is the wrestler King, notable not just for his signature jaguar mask but also his reputation as one of Tekken's best punish characters. As King returns to Tekken 8 in his iconic luchador attire, his rise in the recent King of Iron Fist Tournament is cut abruptly by the attack of Devil Kazuya. While his character ending sees him victorious and inviting his rival Steve Fox for a rematch, King's presence in the series is tied to quite a deep past.

As it turns out, King in Tekken 3 was the second King raised in the first's orphanage. He was then trained by King's rival and friend, Armor King, who died at the hands of Craig Marduk. When King and Marduk's match earned them respect for each other, Marduk was attacked by a new Armor King, who turned out to be the brother of the first incarnation.

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This five-way story alone may merit a sequel Tekken series focusing more on the tournament aspect of the franchise, something that the Devil Gene Saga had forced the games to move away from. The second King and Armor King's eventual rivalry could pave the way for other animal mask-wearing luchadors.

9 Anna Williams

Ending The Sibling Rivalry Once And For All

Debuting as an unlockable character in Tekken 1, Nina's younger sister Anna Williams initially wanted revenge on her sibling as her prodigious martial talents led to her desire for a normal life being the brunt of their father's fury. Even after master assassin Nina lost her memories after they entered their cryogenic Cold Sleep, the sisters resumed their sibling rivalry - with the amnesiac Nina often taking it to lethal levels. In Tekken 7, Anna resolves to exact revenge on Nina after suspecting her as the killer of her husband on the former's wedding day.

Given how Nina already had her standalone game in Dead by Degrees, the series may as well explore the depths of their sibling rivalry as it does involve other Tekken characters like Steve Fox, who is Nina's son. Anna's more humorous nature can make her potential story arc also follow in the franchise's signature comedic takes on its storylines. Moreover, an Anna-centric tale can fully establish her separation from her sister, as both of them initially shared very similar movesets.

10 Reina

Explore The Mishima Half-Siblings

While newcomer Reina in Tekken 8 debuts as a rather over-eager youngster, the new Tekken character demonstrates incredible fighting prowess as she fights using Mishima-style karate. Throughout the story, she is eventually revealed as Heihachi's daughter, assuming a Devil Form of her own after being struck by Devil Kazuya's attack. While the reveal of Reina's existence means the Devil Gene may not necessarily have died yet, a Tekken sequel may finally explore an often-ignored part of the story: Heihachi is quite a stud.

Reina's predictable Mishima heritage reveal adds her to a growing list of Heihachi's children, which already includes Kazuya Mishima, the adoptive son Lee Chaolan, and Reina's fellow illegitimate child Lars Alexandersson. A sequel game could put a close to the chapter of Heihachi's children by exploring not just Reina's possession of the Devil Gene but her relationship with her family at large.

Tekken 8

Platform(s)

PC , PS5 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S

Released

January 26, 2024

Developer(s)

Bandai Namco Entertainment , Arika

Genre(s)

Fighting