Tekken 8 Kunimitsu Interview Reveals Ninja Secrets
Tekken 8 Kunimitsu Interview Reveals Ninja Secrets
TEKKEN 8 is preparing to welcome Kunimitsu as the first new character of Season 3, and her comeback looks sharper, faster, and more stylish than ever.
Following her strong popularity in TEKKEN 7, the second-generation Kunimitsu returns with a refreshed design, deeper ninja identity, and gameplay changes built for the aggressive direction of TEKKEN 8.
This Is Game Thailand had the opportunity to speak with Michael Murray, producer of TEKKEN 8, through Bandai Namco Entertainment Asia. The discussion revealed new details about Kunimitsu’s design, story, combat style, and role in the latest season.
Q: What was the main design concept behind Kunimitsu in TEKKEN 8?
Michael Murray: This version of Kunimitsu was designed around her identity as a student at Mishima Polytechnical School.
Because she is the second-generation Kunimitsu, the team wanted her to feel younger than the original version. Her main color palette uses white and red, giving her a brighter look while still reflecting Japanese style.
Her outfit has also been updated with modern elements, including sneakers, to make her feel like a young woman of the current era. The team also added a nine-tailed fox theme across different parts of her costume, so fans may want to pay close attention to those details in-game.
Q: Does Kunimitsu still have a connection with Yoshimitsu?
Michael Murray: Yes. Kunimitsu still seeks to steal Yoshimitsu’s cursed sword.
Players can expect special interactions between the two characters, including intro dialogue and victory dialogue. These details help keep their long-running rivalry alive in TEKKEN 8.
Q: How is Kunimitsu connected to Raven and Victor?
Michael Murray: Kunimitsu’s father is not Victor.
Instead, Kunimitsu’s father and Victor are friends. Raven is also a student of Kunimitsu’s father, which gives Kunimitsu a stronger connection to the wider ninja side of the TEKKEN universe.
Q: How has Kunimitsu’s fighting style changed from TEKKEN 7?
Michael Murray: In TEKKEN 8, Kunimitsu’s ninja identity has been pushed further.
The team wanted her to appeal to both ninja fans and general players, so they added more fire effects and more ninja-style moves. One example shows her bringing her hands together before releasing flames.
She also has moves that pay respect to the original Kunimitsu, while her Heat Mode gives her a ring of fire around her neck that resembles a scarf. She can also use special dual-blade techniques, making her combat feel more intense and aggressive.
Q: Is Kunimitsu still strong at controlling space?
Michael Murray: Kunimitsu can still control the flow of battle with fast attacks, special stances, and unpredictable movement.
However, players must use both offense and defense carefully. If Kunimitsu players make poor decisions, opponents can counter her easily.
The team balanced her strengths and weaknesses to fit the more aggressive style of TEKKEN 8. She can still pressure opponents in dangerous ways, but she requires precision and strategy to use well.
Q: Why did the second-generation Kunimitsu return instead of the original?
Michael Murray: The first Kunimitsu is seriously ill.
Her daughter wants to find a way to cure her, which becomes one of the reasons this younger Kunimitsu appears again. This gives her return more emotional weight because she is not only fighting as a stylish ninja. She also carries a personal mission connected to her mother.
Q: What is Kunimitsu’s relationship with Reina?
Michael Murray: Kunimitsu and Reina have a suspicious connection.
Since Kunimitsu studies at Mishima Polytechnical School, she has the chance to meet Reina. Kunimitsu pretends to be Reina’s friend so she can investigate what is happening behind the scenes.
However, both characters do not trust each other. Each one secretly tries to learn more about the other. Players will see part of this relationship through their intro animations in the game.
Q: If you had to describe Kunimitsu in three words, what would they be?
Michael Murray: Fast, tricky, and ninja.
That description captures her new fighting style well. Kunimitsu uses speed, special stances, unpredictable movement, and tricky pressure to disturb opponents and control the stage.
She should suit players who want to feel like a ninja fighter while also enjoying precise, strategic gameplay. Players can also keep discovering new gimmicks the more they use her.
About TEKKEN 8
TEKKEN 8 is available now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
The game continues the story of Jin Kazama as he pursues Kazuya Mishima, his war-hungry father. Built with Unreal Engine, the game features fast 3D combat, strategic battles, and the aggressive Heat System that defines its new gameplay direction.
TEKKEN 8 Kunimitsu sounds like a smart return because she keeps the stylish ninja identity fans loved while gaining stronger ties to the new game’s aggressive combat system. Her fire effects, dual-blade Heat Mode tools, and story connections with Yoshimitsu, Raven, and Reina make her feel more important than a simple returning character. If Bandai Namco balances her speed and trickery well, she could become one of Season 3’s most exciting fighters.
SOURCE: This Is Game Thailand
