Tekken 8 Director Slams Fan Over Anna Williams' New Look: 'Unconstructive and Pointless'

Veteran Tekken 8 character Anna Williams is making a comeback, and while her new design has been well-received by the majority of fans, it has sparked some controversy, with a few even likening her appearance to Santa Claus.

When a fan requested that Tekken game director and chief producer Katsuhiro Harada revert to Anna's previous design, Harada responded firmly. He stated, "If you prefer the old design, I am not taking those away from you." He emphasized that while 98% of fans are embracing the new look, there will always be dissenters. Harada expressed understanding for those who might not appreciate the new design but pointed out that past games featuring the old design are still available. He criticized the fan for claiming to speak for all Anna fans and for making unconstructive and disrespectful comments, especially given the extensive redesign of Anna's model and framework.

In response to another comment criticizing the lack of rereleases of older Tekken games with modern netcode, Harada dismissed the comment as "pointless" and muted the user, calling them a "joke."

Despite some negative feedback, the general reception to Anna's new design has been positive, with most criticism focusing on her outfit. Redditor AngryBreadRevolution expressed satisfaction with the new design, appreciating the edgier look and hoping for an Anna seeking revenge for her fiance's death. They noted that while the new hairstyle suits the outfit and personality, the coat's resemblance to Christmas attire was a downside, though they praised other elements like the leotard, tights, boots, and gloves.

Other fans had mixed feelings. Troonpins liked everything except the white feathers, which they felt gave off a Santa Claus vibe. Cheap_Ad4756 remarked that Anna now looks younger and less like a mature woman, missing the dominatrix vibe from previous iterations. Spiralqq was highly critical, describing the design as overdone and lacking focus, particularly disliking the coat that made Anna resemble Santa Claus.

A Reddit thread initiated by PrimaSoul invited further discussion on Anna's new outfit compared to her look in Tekken 7.

Tekken 8 has achieved significant commercial success, selling 3 million copies within a year of its release, outpacing Tekken 7, which took a decade to reach 12 million copies worldwide.

In IGN's Tekken 8 review, the game was praised for its innovative tweaks to the classic fighting system, engaging offline modes, new characters, robust training tools, and enhanced online experience, earning a 9/10 rating. The review highlighted how Tekken 8 honors its legacy while pushing forward, making it a standout title in the series.