At EVO JAPAN 2026, the gameplay trailer for Kunimitsu, the first additional character of Season 3, was revealed.

We asked the development team about the highlights and key points of the trailer.

This article introduces Kunimitsu’s revamped battle style and her relationship with Reina.
Be sure to read through to the end!

・Kunimitsu Gameplay Trailer

 

▼Trailer Highlights

・Please tell us about Kunimitsu’s preferred battle style.

Kunimitsu fights using swift movements and acrobatic martial arts. Furthermore, she employs special stances to surprise opponents and take the initiative in matches. While she excels at agile attacks and tricky maneuvers, precise situational awareness is crucial for effectively utilizing her stances. She offers a deeply rewarding gameplay experience, recommended for players who enjoy unique, ninja-like actions and those who prioritize precise control and mind games in their playstyle.

 

・In the trailer, high-speed dashes like Setsunagake and stances such as Facing Backward were quite impressive. How does Kunimitsu develop her offense?

Kunimitsu is a character who builds her offense by repeatedly transitioning between her special stances, Katon and Facing Backward, centered around Setsunagake, a high-speed dash that quickly closes the distance to her opponent, forcing them to make difficult decisions.

 

In TEKKEN 8, by utilizing new moves and Heat Engagers accessible from each stance, she can unleash offense unique to Kunimitsu, focusing on her stances. Leveraging these techniques to vary the tempo of her attacks and shake opponents with unconventional movements allows her to more easily dictate the pace of the match.

 

However, if her actions are read by the opponent, her offense tends to be interrupted easily. Therefore, to maintain an advantageous situation, it is crucial to consider the timing of Setsunagake and her stances while discerning the opponent’s actions.

 

・The “ninja showdown” scene with Raven in the trailer was a truly spectacular exchange. Could you tell us about the specific elements you focused on to make her shine as a ninja, starting with this presentation?

 

In TEKKEN 8, Kunimitsu’s ninja-like presentation was enhanced, aiming to make her appealing not only to ninja fans but also to those unfamiliar with the theme, inspiring them to think, “I want to try playing her!” Special emphasis was placed on fire-related expressions, with new techniques added that visually evoke a ninja image, such as a move where flames swirl up when she forms a hand seal, and a technique reminiscent of the original Kunimitsu, where she spews fire.

 

During Heat, she dons flames around her neck like a scarf and gains access to special techniques with her two linked swords. This allows for easier pressure on opponents by utilizing their long reach for offense, enabling a more aggressive playstyle. Through these visual enhancements and added techniques, she has become a character where players can experience the essence of a ninja not only in appearance but also in terms of playfeel.

 

In the trailer, we depicted a high-speed and tense battle that only two ninja characters, Kunimitsu and Raven, could showcase. While focusing on making it enjoyable as a pure visual spectacle, we also aimed to convey the intricacy and dynamism of TEKKEN 8 to fighting game fans who may not have played the “TEKKEN” series through this fast-paced action.

 

・Regarding her design, what image was pursued for Costume 1?

As this Kunimitsu II is a student at Mishima Polytechnical School, the design aimed to emphasize a more youthful image compared to the original Kunimitsu. The key colors are based on red and white, chosen to be particularly vibrant within a Japanese aesthetic, making her refreshed costume immediately noticeable. Youthful, modern elements like her sneaker-style shoes are also characteristic. Additionally, the motif of the Nine-tailed Fox is incorporated into various parts of her outfit, so please pay close attention to every detail.

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・Could you also tell us about Costume 3, which features a distinctive combination of a school uniform and mechanical elements?

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Costume 3’s concept is based on Kunimitsu’s background as a Mishima Polytechnical School student. By equipping gear that Kunimitsu likely developed herself, it features a daringly arranged design of the Mishima Polytechnic school uniform from previous titles. Players are encouraged to freely interpret and enjoy elements such as whether this represents Kunimitsu’s unique uniform commuting style.

 

 

・There were also scenes hinting at a rivalry between Kunimitsu and Reina. What kind of relationship do these two share?

Kunimitsu accepts heist requests from clients worldwide. Through a particular assignment, she enrolls in Mishima Polytechnical School to investigate the internal affairs of Mishima Zaibatsu. At school, by feigning excellence and good conduct, she is elected Vice President of the Student Council. Utilizing this title, she steals administrative access to the school’s servers and uncovers that a certain student is using an alias. That student was Reina, who had been using the surname Yaotome.

 

Kunimitsu knows Reina’s true name is Mishima, and Reina knows Kunimitsu is a phantom thief. With their own secrets and equally matched abilities, the two acknowledge each other as “exploitable assets.” While outwardly pretending to be close friends, they build a dangerous relationship where they secretly investigate each other’s movements. Despite their hidden agendas, Kunimitsu and Reina generally appear to be good friends. Players may find it intriguing to imagine the conversations they have.

 

▼Kunimitsu in TEKKEN 8: Story

The kunoichi Kunimitsu went undercover as a student at Mishima Polytechnical School to dig for information on the Mishima Zaibatsu, having accepted a certain mission. Playing the part of an honor student, she earned the position of student council vice president. With her new privileges, she stealthily obtained administrator access to the school’s server. Kunimitsu began scouring data for the whole student body, person by person, and discovered a student named “Reina” was using a pseudonym. Reina, on the other hand, already knew that Kunimitsu was a thief. The two ultimately concluded that they could use one another. They decided to act as best friends on the surface, while secretly trying to uncover each other’s next moves behind the scenes. Eventually, Kunimitsu accepted a deal from Reina: in exchange for leaking G Corp’s invasion plans, Kunimitsu obtained the Kuatatou—nine cursed blades. Several months later, when Kazuya Mishima declared that The King of Iron Fist Tournament would be held, Kunimitsu spotted the name of Yoshimitsu, her mother’s sworn enemy, among the participants. Wishing for her bedridden mother’s recovery, she quietly left the hidden village, carrying both the Kuatatou and the new technique she had acquired.

 

 

Articles featuring “Behind-the-Scenes Comments from the Director” on previously added characters are also available now!
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