Katsuhiro Harada has unveiled the latest characters joining the cast of Tekken 7 in a recent live event. He confirmed the return of Jin Kazama, and a new character, the bubbly Filipina Josie Rizal.
Josie definitely stole the show for some of the loyal Tekken fanbase. It is the fulfillment of a promise Harada made eight years ago to add a Filipino character to the Tekken roster. With plans to upend the game’s conventions, and broaden its appeal, there was no better time to add Josie.
Josie is a kickboxer, who also uses some escrima. Her fighting style is certainly flashier than it is realistic, deviating wildly from how another kickboxer, Bruce, fights. She is named after Gat Jose Rizal, one of the revolutionary heroes of the Philippines. Her costume incorporates the traditional Luzon costume, the baro’t saya, as well as elements from the national flag. She was designed by Bayonetta artist Mari Shimazaki. Josie was also co-created by MarkMan23, AKA Mark Julio of MadCatz, who is of Filipino descent.
Based on a prior leak, Jin Kazama was already revealed as a sub-boss. It is likely that Jin takes the role his mother, Jun Kazama, took in Tekken Tag Tournament 2. His human form will be a sub boss, giving way to his Devil Jin form, who will also be a sub-boss, or possibly, be the main boss.
I understand this may not necessarily fit in with what we know so far of the game’s storyline, resolving the conflict between Jin’s father and grandfather, Kazuya and Heihachi Mishima, but then again, we don’t know what role he plays in the story yet either.
Are you excited for Josie? What role do you think Jin plays in the game? Share your thoughts with us in the comments. Preview videos for Josie are above, and for Jin and Devil Jin are below.
