During the 2023 Tokyo Game Show, Bandai Namco revealed one more addition to the Tekken 8 roster, Panda. The counterpart to Heihachi Mishima’s Kuma, Panda, is also a friend and bodyguard to Xiaoyu. Sadly, unlike the rest of the Tekken 8 roster, there wasn’t any reveal trailer, and Panda’s reveal was handled on stage during TGS 2023.
With the reveal of Panda, she’ll be the second animal-based character, as Kuma was already revealed. However, this still leaves six more slots open for upcoming Tekken 8 characters. I’m really hoping Roger, the boxing Kangaroo, makes a return after being left off the Tekken 7 roster due to fear of upsetting animal activists.
With the reveal of Panda being added to Tekken 8, this confirms 26 official characters.
- Asuka Kazama
- Azucena
- Bryan Fury
- Claudio Serafino
- Sergei Dragunov
- Feng Wei
- Hwoarang
- Jack-8
- Jin Kazama
- Jun Kazama
- Kazuya Mishima
- King
- Kuma
- Lars Alexandersson
- Leroy Smith
- Leo
- Lili
- Ling Xiaoyu
- Marshall Law
- Nina Williams
- Panda
- Paul Phoenix
- Raven
- Shaheen
- Steve Fox
- Yoshimitsu
Speaking of Tekken 8, Bandai Namco is hosting a Tekken 8 Closed Beta test from October 20-23, 2023, and sign-ups are currently live until October 11, 2023. If you want to try your hand at some early Tekken 8 gameplay, go sign up and cross your fingers that you get selected. This closed beta will be available for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC and will feature crossplay support.
Tekken 8 will be released for the PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam) on January 26, 2024.
