Storytelling in fighting games tend to vary even in regard to the biggest titles in the genre, and teased at EVO 2022 with a weird trailer featuring Kazuya and the announcer of Tekken telling fans to get ready. The latest entry of the franchise, Tekken 7, ended with Heihachi being defeated at the hands of Kazuya, which perfectly finished off the rivalry between father and son. Tekken 7 revolves around the of a reporter who investigates Heihachi and the Mishima Zaibatsu as war continues to ravage the world. The reporter’s storytelling was a completely new approach to the Tekken series as it wasn’t told from the perspective of Tekken 7’s fighters.
The reporter’s story focused on Heihachi and Kazuya’s relationship, and the events that brought them to the present. The game gives insight on characters like ninja Yoshimitsu, who also appears in Soul Calibur, and telling the origin of the Devil Gene. This Devil Gene originated from Kazuya’s mother Kazumi, which is a genetic mutation a few characters can wield, such as Jin Kazama. Heihachi and Kazumi were originally childhood friends who fell in love and brought Kazuya into the world, but they clashed as Heihachi was becoming a threat to the world in Kazumi’s eyes. Her death by Heihachi may not be the only tragic fate within the Mishima family, as Tekken 8 looks to add one more casualty to the list.
As a tease to the end of the Mishima saga, Tekken 8 recently had a trailer during PlayStation's latest State of Play, showing off Jin and Kazuya fighting. The saga within Tekken has been ongoing since the first Tekken game released, with an end to it all seemingly about to be reached in Tekken 8. During the ending for Tekken 7, Jin itted to needing to take out Kazuya once and for all, making it even more likely that Tekken 8 will finish up the entire Mishima story. This possibly final confrontation will potentially settle whose Devil Gene powers between father and son is the strongest.
Tekken 8 Might Have A Duel To End The Mishima Bloodline
The result of this confrontation will shake the balance of fighters in the Tekken universe, more than the guest appearance of Street Fighter's Akuma. Until Kazuya disappears or is permanently defeated by Jin Kazama, the Mishima bloodline will continue to wreak havoc upon the world. With several characters dedicated to Kazuya's defeat, like Lars Alexandersson and Lee Chaolan, it is more likely to happen should Jin fail. The outcome of their fight is currently unknown, but Tekken 8 looks to finish the franchise's longest running storyline with possibly some teases to the next villain.
Questions about G Corporation and the Mishima Zaibatsu's worldwide war will begin to resurface as more details of the game are revealed. Considering war is currently ongoing within the Tekken universe, it's possible the story of 8 will focus on the devastation that Kazuya and Jin are capable of. While there is only two short trailers out, Tekken 8 will have to compete with Street Fighter for fighting game players' attention over the next few months. Tekken's influence is evident with Kazuya's inclusion to Smash Bros. Ultimate, making fans hopeful the next title gives the villain a proper send off.
