The anticipation for Tekken 8 is building up as we approach its release date on January 26. It’s poised to be one of the standout games of January 2024, and excitement is running high for its arrival. As the launch date draws near, there’s a flurry of new information leaking about the game. One particularly intriguing topic is the potential appearance of Baki in Tekken 8.
Before we delve into the details, make sure to check out the game’s cross-platform support. However, PS4 and Xbox One owners might have some reservations since the game was developed using Unreal Engine 5.
Is Baki in Tekken 8?
The short answer is that Baki Hanma is not part of the roster in Tekken 8. The full 32-character roster for the game’s launch on January 26 has been unveiled, and it doesn’t include him. While the idea of Baki in Tekken 8 might seem fitting, given the similarities in their stories, it’s not happening for now.
In recent months, a Reddit user speculated about this possibility in a fan-made video. However, it swiftly became evident that the video was unofficial. As a result, you’ll have to content yourself with the classic Tekken 8 characters like Kazuya, King, Lili, and Kuma.
Tekken 8 will feature three new characters: Azucena, Reina, and Victor. Even though Baki is not on this list, we are especially curious about Reina’s gameplay. She seems like a very mysterious character. The player community has already started trying out these new characters in the beta.
Who Is Baki Hanma?
Baki Hanma is a character in a famous manga series called Baki the Grappler. Keisuke Itagaki, a legend himself, created this manga — the series ran from 1991 to 1999.
It gained such popularity that it spawned several anime adaptations, with the latest sagas hitting screens in 2020 and 2021 and now streaming on Netflix.
So, why do people want to see Baki in Tekken 8? Well, it’s all about his story. At the heart of this series is Baki, a martial artist on a quest to surpass all fighters, aspiring to be the strongest in history. His journey is marked by a pivotal battle against his father, a fight that ends in Baki’s defeat. Undeterred, Baki’s path leads him to an elusive underground arena, where his quest for strength continues in the shadows.
The narrative of Baki bears striking parallels to that of Jin Kazama from the Tekken video game series. Like Baki, Jin faces constant challenges from his father. In an exciting development mirroring the Tekken 8 storyline, fans are buzzing about the upcoming epic showdown between Jin and his father, a confrontation long awaited in the Tekken universe.
We will see Jin’s story when January 26 comes. But unless there is a surprise, “Baki in Tekken 8”, wishes will not come true.
Final Thoughts
The Tekken universe has always been deeply connected with anime and manga culture. It’s also a common trend for fighting games to welcome collaborations across different brands. A prime example is the inclusion of Homelander in Mortal Kombat 1.
As for the much-anticipated crossover of Baki in Tekken 8, it remains in the realm of possibility, though not yet confirmed. However, we’re keeping our fingers crossed, as the developers are known for surprising their fans.
For the moment, that’s all the news we have on Baki’s potential entry into Tekken 8. Rest assured, we’ll keep you updated with any new announcements from the developers. In the meantime, why not explore whether Tekken 8 will be landing on Xbox or catch up on who clinched the top honours at The Games Awards 2023?
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