Despite Tekken director Katsuhiro Harada's long-held dream, a Colonel Sanders appearance in the Tekken franchise remains unlikely. Harada's persistent efforts have been thwarted, not only by KFC, but also by his own superiors.
Harada's Colonel Sanders x Tekken Request Shot Down By KFC
Even Harada's Bosses Said No
For years, Harada has publicly championed the idea of Colonel Sanders as a Tekken fighter. He even personally contacted KFC Japan, only to be met with resistance. "A long time ago, I wanted Colonel Sanders from Kentucky Fried Chicken to fight," Harada revealed to The Gamer. "I contacted their Japanese headquarters, but..." The attempt, he admits, resulted in a less-than-enthusiastic response. This isn't new; he previously expressed his desire on his YouTube channel, only to be met with disapproval from his superiors. So, don't expect a KFC crossover in Tekken 8 anytime soon.
Game designer Michael Murray elaborated on the situation, confirming Harada's outreach to KFC and their less-than-positive reaction. Murray suggests the potential conflict might stem from the Colonel fighting other characters, but ultimately highlights the challenges involved in such collaborations.
Harada previously admitted to "dreaming" of a Colonel Sanders inclusion, even detailing a collaborative concept with Director Ikeda. He believed it would be "brilliant," but KFC's marketing department apparently disagreed, fearing negative player reception. Harada even issued a public plea: "If anyone from KFC reads this, please contact me!"
Tekken's history boasts surprising guest characters like Akuma (Street Fighter), Noctis (Final Fantasy), and Negan (The Walking Dead). However, Harada's ambition extends beyond Colonel Sanders; he also considered a Waffle House crossover, though that also seems improbable. He acknowledges the limitations, stating, "It's not something we can accomplish alone." Despite the Colonel Sanders setback, fans can anticipate the return of Heihachi Mishima as the game's third DLC character.
