Tekken 8’s Missing Crossover: Why Kiryu is the Perfect Pick

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In spite of some initial hiccups upon release, Tekken 8 has matured into a widely appreciated addition to Bandai Namco’s long-standing fighting series. It remains a contender in the ring against other heavyweights like Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter. As a live service game, Tekken 8 has undergone many updates since its debut in January 2024, introducing new mechanics, modes, balance adjustments, and new characters to keep things fresh.

One intriguing aspect about the content following the launch of Tekken 8 is the introduction of new playable characters. Historically, characters from other series who cross over have generated the most anticipation and overall interest within the Tekken franchise. As we look to the future, there are many crossover characters that could potentially join Tekken 8. Including Yakuza’s Kazuma Kiryu as a crossover fighter would be an astute decision for both franchises.

Kazuma Kiryu in Tekken 8 Could Deliver Something That Many Fans Have Wanted For Some Time

In its initial release, Tekken 8 featured 32 playable characters representing the series’ legendary figures. Over the past year, additional characters have been introduced post-launch, increasing the total to 37. However, only one of these newcomers is a guest character from another franchise – Final Fantasy 16‘s Clive Rosfield, who joined the roster in early 2025.

One frequent complaint about Tekken 8 is its sluggish pace in incorporating crossover guest characters, particularly when compared to earlier installments of the series. It’s evident that Bandai Namco should accelerate the addition of crossovers in the coming days to maintain fan interest. There are several franchises and characters, such as the established Yakuza series (formerly known as Ryu Ga Gotoku) from Like a Dragon, that would make excellent fits for the Tekken 8 roster.

In the Like a Dragon series, newer installments have leaned towards turn-based JRPG combat, but the foundation of the franchise lies in traditional beat-em-up gameplay. Given this history, it’s no surprise that key characters from the series could be ideal additions to Japanese fighting games like Tekken 8. Characters such as Ichiban Kasuga, who is a newer face, and Goro Majima, who has been around for a while, could potentially make great guest characters. However, it would be challenging to eclipse the fame and recognition of Kazuma Kiryu.

Like a Dragon’s New Creative Direction Could Finally Make a Fighting Game Crossover Possible

In most primary editions and spin-offs of the Like a Dragon series, Kiryu is the leading character, earning him widespread recognition among fans for his exceptional combat abilities and resilience. Fans have longed to see Kiryu in popular games like Fortnite and various fighting titles, but the original producer of Like a Dragon, Toshihiro Nagoshi, has expressed reservations about incorporating Kiryu into games where he might engage in combat with female characters.

Kiryu Kazuma has been a key character in almost every main series Like a Dragon game, except for one. Additionally, he’s featured in several spin-off games such as “The Man Without a Past,” “Ghost Squad,” “Ishin,” and “Kenka Bancho Otome.

Since Masayoshi Yokoyama took over the leadership of the Like a Dragon series following Nagoshi’s departure from RGG in 2021, there’s been some uncertainty about where iconic character Kiryu might fit into future gameplay scenarios. However, it seems increasingly possible that Kiryu could make an appearance in a fighting game, given his extensive backstory and the fact that his main storyline is largely complete. Now nearing 60 years old, Kiryu’s focus has shifted to Ichiban Kasuga within the franchise. A potential crossover with Tekken could serve as a tribute to Kiryu rather than an attempt to depict his personality. Given the esteemed position Kiryu holds in the gaming industry, it would be fitting for him to make a guest appearance in future installments of Tekken, such as Tekken 8, should the creators decide to include high-profile characters from other franchises.

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2025-04-11 17:34