At the venue of EVO France 2025, the gameplay trailer for Miary Zo, the fourth additional character of Season 2, was revealed.

We asked the director about the highlights and key points of the trailer.

It also introduces Miary Zo’s fighting style and elements that may connect to past titles, so be sure to read through to the end.

・Miary Zo Gameplay Trailer

 

▼Trailer Highlights

・Please tell us about Miary Zo’s fighting style and signature moves.

Miary Zo was created with the keyword “Fighting God Reborn,” and characterized as curious and cheerful. Her fighting style doesn’t fit into a single mold; instead, she battles with boundless energy. In addition to incorporating Morengy—a traditional martial art of Madagascar—along with authentic strikes unique to African fighting techniques, she also uses charming attacks that mimic the movements of ring-tailed lemurs

 

In addition, she can attack using a spear summoned through the “Power of the Fighting God,” as well as moves reminiscent of Ogre from past titles—such as strikes with snakes, a tail, and horns. With such a wide variety of offensive options, she excels at keeping opponents from focusing on her tactics, skillfully switching between them and then launching a decisive assault when the moment is right.

 

She also boasts exceptional physical ability and agile movements, with the capability to perform actions using the stage walls. This allows players to fully experience the unique excitement of a 3D fighting game—taking advantage of terrain and positioning in battle.

 

・In what kinds of movements is her identity as a character from Madagascar expressed?

Some of Miary Zo’s actions pay homage to African martial arts. For example, her main stance action, “Morengy Miroso,” features a sweeping motion across the ground, representing the ritual performed before a Morengy match. Another move, “Antsy Afo,” has her summon a snake, wrap it around her right arm, and throw a punch—an homage to Dambe, a Nigerian martial art in which fighters wrap cloth or rope around their fist before a match.

▲The ground-sweeping motion of “Morengy Miroso.

 

・From the footage, we can also sense a connection to Ogre (the Fighting God) from past titles.

Miary Zo can use attacks similar to those once employed by Ogre, such as extending multiple snakes from her right hand, striking with a tail, and swinging upward with a horn. However, the “Power of the Fighting God” dwelling within her originates from a different deity than that Ogre. This Fighting God is characterized by a tail resembling that of a ring-tailed lemur and a single horn.

 

The “Power of the Fighting God” is unleashed to its fullest in her Rage Art. Beginning with a stance that combines the Ouroboros ring and the number 8 of TEKKEN 8, she summons a giant serpent. Miary Zo then dashes up the serpent’s body, launches a massive spinning uppercut with her spear, and follows with acrobatic sequences such as grabbing the opponent with the serpent and hurling them away. The finishing explosion is inspired by the traveler’s palm, a plant native to Madagascar that resembles a banana tree.

▲An explosion inspired by the traveler’s palm.

 

・What aspects of Miary Zo are enhanced during Heat?

During Heat, she can unleash the “Power of the Fighting God” within her even more strongly. Visually, her normally crimson eyes turn blue, and divine patterns from the Fighting God appear across her body.

 

Her actions also undergo transformations unique to the Fighting God. These include enhanced snake-extension attacks, new horn-based follow-ups, and even techniques that incorporate wings and flames. She also wields moves reminiscent of Ogre from past titles, such as unleashing flames onto her opponent from midair. What stands out is her ability to overwhelm foes with even flashier and more powerful techniques.

 

・Could you tell us about the design of her default Costume 1?

The design was developed to clearly and attractively convey Miary Zo’s concept of being cheerful and full of vitality through her costume. Another key point is that the design incorporates many elements of her background, particularly her connection with the Ogre of Madagascar.

To embody the keyword “Fighting God Reborn,” the large ring-shaped accessories on her arms and legs incorporate elements from Ogre of past titles. Her earrings and top are adorned with jacaranda flowers, an iconic plant of Madagascar, while her spear is designed to resemble entwining baobab trees.

▲Designed by the TEKKEN Project

 

・The glossy and striking design of her default Costume 3 is impressive—what was the process behind its creation?

Costume 3 was designed by Mari Shimazaki. In addition to Miary Zo’s keywords and backstory, we also shared with her insights gathered by the development team during their visit to Madagascar, which helped expand and enrich the design concept.

The result is a design very characteristic of Ms. Shimazaki—stylish as modern clothing while still distinctive as a costume. Subtle details such as the outfit’s ornaments, earrings, and the shaved section at the back of her head also showcase her refined sense of style, making it a truly captivating design.

The combination of a green base with red accents was inspired by the flag of Madagascar. As for the color scheme, a white inner layer was incorporated early in the design process to make Miary Zo’s brown skin stand out beautifully.

▲Designed by Mari Shimazaki

 

・Alongside Miary Zo, the stage “BAOBAB HORIZON” will also be implemented. What are its defining features?

In creating the stage, we researched Madagascar’s natural environment, daily life, and culture. Based on these findings, the stage was designed around a central baobab tree, with a grand and open atmosphere as its foundation. Elements unique to Madagascar—such as brick houses, rice field landscapes, and ox carts—were also incorporated into the scenery.

This stage features both daytime and evening settings. The daytime gives off a bright and heartwarming impression, while the evening offers the beauty of a sunset combined with the mystery of ancient ruins. We hope players will enjoy experiencing the contrast between the two.

 

Another charm of this stage is its lively atmosphere, brought to life in part by the BGM. In Madagascar, there is a popular music genre called Salegy, characterized by its unique brightness and the hypnotic effect of repetition. The BGM for this stage draws inspiration from the rhythm and mood of Salegy, while being arranged into an upbeat, exhilarating “TEKKEN-style” battle track.

In the climax version of the BGM, there’s a special touch that highlights her connection to Ogre—the phrase from Ogre’s theme in TEKKEN 3 comes prominently to the forefront.

Incidentally, music is also an important element in local Morengy fighting events. It is played during a fighter’s entrance to pump them up and to symbolize the channeling of a powerful spirit.

 

 

Articles featuring “Behind-the-Scenes Comments from the Director” on previously added characters are also available now!
▼Season 2 Additional Playable Character
ANNA
FAHKUMRAM
ARMOR KING

▼Season 1 Additional Playable Character
EDDY
LIDIA
HEIHACHI
CLIVE