Highlights

  • Yoshimitsu's design in Tekken 8 combines vibrant colors and glowing accents, showcasing his sci-fi elements alongside his samurai roots.
  • From his creepy ghost-like appearance in Tekken 4 to his squid-themed suit in Tekken 7, Yoshimitsu's designs always capture his weird and wacky personality.
  • Yoshimitsu's design in Tekken 6 is the most detailed yet, with intricate ornaments and a fearsome-looking armor that highlights his dangerous nature as a fighter.

Yoshimitsu might just be the most mysterious character in all of Tekken, despite being a recurring fighter since the very first game in the series. While the prestigious Yoshimitsu title is passed down between generations, the one that has appeared throughout the Tekken games is the same person, or at least, that's what most fans assume, since he's never revealed his face or identity and seemingly remembers some of the people he's encountered in the past.

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With that being said, while his wacky personality stays intact for each of the games, his design always receives a complete makeover, often making him look like a different character entirely. He always retains his signature katana and some sort of mask to protect his identity, but everything else about his outfit can completely change, as has been seen with his newest iteration in Tekken 8. While not every one of his designs has stood out to fans, the majority of them have made quite an impression because of their creativity and how well they manage to capture the unorthodox personality of the character.

6 Tekken Tag Tournament 2

Tag Tournament 2 Combines A Traditional Outfit With A Modernized Aesthetic

Yoshimitsu
Tekken Tag Tournament 2

Platform(s)
Arcade , PS3 , Nintendo Wii U , Xbox 360
Released
September 11, 2012
Developer(s)
Namco Bandai

In Tekken Tag Tournament 2, Yoshimitsu sports a sturdy suit of red samurai armor which has been topped off with luxurious golden trims that outline the entire outfit. A very notable part of this design is the giant wheel that is strapped to Yoshimitsu's back which ties into the character's exaggerated sense of style while also being slightly reminiscent of a Dharma Wheel, which feeds into his more mystical side.

The mask unfortunately doesn't contain the bright eyes or menacing face that it includes in some of the other games, but it's still extremely well-designed and does a great job at mixing a traditional helmet with a more modern and even sci-fi aesthetic. Bandai Namco wasn't afraid to completely switch up Yoshimitsu's outfit for Tekken Tag Tournament 2, and it resulted in a memorable and pretty eye-catching costume for the beloved character.

5 Tekken 4

The Tekken 4 Design Leans Into The Creepier Aspects Of Yoshimitsu

Yoshimitsu with a green sword
Tekken 4

Platform(s)
Arcade , PS2
Released
September 23, 2002
Developer(s)
Namco

For Yoshimitsu's design in Tekken 4, the developers leaned heavily into the slightly more creepy and unnerving aspects of the character, making him seem like a terrifying ghost who has managed to possess a set of armor. What stands out about this look is the beady bright green eyes that peak out through the skull mask, which looks eerily real because of its color and design.

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This time around, Yoshimitsu is donning a dark brown set of armor with a spiky kabuto helmet that takes inspiration from the real-life rhinoceros beetle. However, the armor still looks as though it could be mechanical due to the multiple screws scattered around and the glossy sheen on parts of the outfit, and while it's without a doubt his spookiest look to date, it's still a marvel to look at in-action.

4 Tekken 7

Showcases Just How Weird And Wacky Yoshimitsu Is As A Character

Yoshimitsu sitting down
Tekken 7

Platform(s)
PS4 , Xbox One , PC
Released
March 18, 2015
Developer(s)
Bandai Namco Studios

Yoshimitsu has always been known for having a wild sense of fashion, but nowhere is this more evident than in Tekken 7 where he can be seen wearing a squid-themed suit that features several tentacles waving around his head and shoulders. This is combined with a skeletal set of armor which is nowhere near as bulky as it has been previously, giving him a very slim and slender appearance that's much more vibrant than what players are used to seeing from him.

There are also a few futuristic additions that have been thrown into this design too, such as the glowing blue decorations on his legs, and his high-tech sword, which looks like something ripped straight out of Xenoblade. While it's a very out-there design, Tekken 7's Yoshimitsu is extremely unique with the appearance feeling very appropriate for a character as strange as he is.

3 Tekken 6

The Sheer Level Of Detail Implemented Into This Design Makes It Incredibly Eye-Catching

Yoshimitsu crossing his blades
Tekken 6

Platform(s)
Arcade , PS3 , PSP , Xbox 360
Released
October 27, 2009
Developer(s)
Namco Bandai

Yoshimitsu's design in Tekken 6 is undoubtedly the most detailed he's ever looked in the series, with every inch of his armor being decorated with small ornaments and symbols that make him look truly intimidating as a fighter. While the bulky red shoulder pads and sharp yellow spikes almost make him look like an anime villain of some kind, what helps the design stand out is the skeletal mask and chest piece, which provide a nice contrast to the rest of the outfit.

This simple addition reminds people that, even though Yoshimitsu is often portrayed as quite silly and humorous, he's still a fearsome warrior who can strike fear into the eyes of anyone he faces due to how dangerous he is as a combatant. This is the most "anime" that Yoshimitsu has ever looked, but considering how dashing he appears when wearing this set of armor, that certainly isn't a bad thing.

2 Tekken 3

Iconic Devil-Like Design Added So Much Mystery To Him As A Fighter

Yoshimitsu
  • Release Date: April 30, 1998
  • Platforms: PlayStation
  • Developer: Namco

The main reason Tekken 3's Yoshimitsu is so recognizable to a lot of fans is because of just how striking his overall design is. While it was clear that Namco was still figuring out what kind of mask they wanted the character to wear in previous games, for Tekken 3, they gave him an unsettling and mysterious demon mask that granted the character a real aura of mystery. His suit of armor also seems to be a mix of the traditional bulky armor that he's known for, and the skeletal suits that gradually started becoming more incorporated into his appearance over time.

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While he still prefers to wield his trusty katana in battle, the green glow that emanates from it in Tekken 3 makes it incredibly eye-catching, and it's a small touch that goes a long way in incorporating some of the more mystical elements into his overall look. It's unclear whether the underlying red color that shines through parts of his armor is either actual skin tissue or an extra body of armor, but this is most probably intended to be a mystery when considering who's wearing it. Namco knocked it out of the park with Yoshimitsu's design in Tekken 3, and many longtime fans look back on it very fondly due to how simple, yet stylish it is.

1 Tekken 8

Features Some Small Callbacks To Previous Designs While Still Feeling Completely Fresh

Yoshimitsu in Tekken 8
Tekken 8

Platform(s)
PC , PS5 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S
Released
January 26, 2024
Developer(s)
Bandai Namco Entertainment , Arika

Yoshimitsu returns as a playable fighter in Tekken 8, and while he seems to be a little more subdued and serious in his personality, his actual design is as vibrant and bright as it's ever been. He still retains his signature bulky armor that has become synonymous with his character by this point, but now, it also features a glossy blue color palette which is elegantly paired with a few glowing red accents that cover most of his body.

His mask, while very reminiscent of the one he wore in Tekken 3, also contains a large golden ornament and a mysterious glowing jewel right in the middle, and it's these small additions that play up the more sci-fi elements of the character, which a lot of fans love. That isn't to say his samurai roots have been completely lost though, as Yoshimitsu in Tekken 8 can also be seen wearing silver shin guards and a large sheath for his blade which hangs on one side. This design feels like a heartfelt homage to Yoshimitu's previous appearances while also adding several new decorations to emphasize his strange and otherworldy dress sense.

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