Veteran Tekken 8 fighter Anna Williams is making a comeback, and while her updated look has been well-received by the majority of fans, it's sparked some controversy, with a few critics even likening her new style to that of Santa Claus.
In response to a fan's request to revert to Anna's former design, Tekken's game director and chief producer, Katsuhiro Harada, firmly addressed the criticism. "If you prefer the old design, I am not taking those away from you," Harada stated, emphasizing that past games featuring the original design are still accessible. He pointed out that while 98% of fans have embraced the new look, there will always be dissenters. Harada expressed sympathy for those whose personal tastes differ but criticized the approach of some fans who claim to represent all Anna enthusiasts yet offer unconstructive feedback. He highlighted the inconsistency in their demands, suggesting that any reversion to the old design would be dismissed as mere recycling.
Harada's retort extended to another comment criticizing the lack of older Tekken games being re-released with updated netcode, to which he responded sharply, "Thank you for POINTLESS reply. You yourself are the joke. MUTED."
Despite the mixed reactions, the general sentiment towards Anna's new design remains positive, with some fans appreciating the edgier, vengeful persona it conveys. "Before she was announced I was hoping for an edgier, angry, violent Anna out for revenge for her fiance's death and so I'm quite happy with this design!" shared redditor AngryBreadRevolution. While the new hairstyle and accessories like the leotard, tights, boots, and gloves received praise, the coat drew comparisons to Christmas attire, with some fans like troonpins commenting, "Love everything but the white feathers. It’s giving Santa Clause."
Others, such as Cheap_Ad4756, noted a shift in Anna's appearance, feeling she looked younger and less like the mature, dominatrix-style character from previous games. Similarly, spiralqq criticized the design for being overdone, suggesting a simpler look without the coat or the Santa-like elements would be more appealing.
Amidst the design debate, Tekken 8 has achieved significant commercial success, selling 3 million copies within a year of its release—a faster pace than Tekken 7, which took a decade to reach 12 million copies worldwide. In IGN's Tekken 8 review, the game was lauded for its innovative tweaks to the classic fighting system, robust offline modes, engaging new characters, comprehensive training tools, and enhanced online experience, earning a commendable 9/10 score. The review praised Tekken 8 for honoring its legacy while pushing forward, making it a standout title in the series.
