Anna Williams, a veteran character from the Tekken series, is making her return in Tekken 8 with a new design that has sparked a variety of reactions among fans. While the majority seem to embrace her refreshed look, a segment of the community has expressed dissatisfaction, with some even drawing comparisons to Santa Claus due to her outfit's resemblance to festive attire.
In response to a fan requesting the return of Anna's old design, Tekken's game director and chief producer, Katsuhiro Harada, defended the new design. He emphasized that past games with the old design are still available for those who prefer it, and he criticized the fan's approach as unconstructive and disrespectful to other fans who are excited about the new Anna. Harada's frustration was further evident when he sharply rebuffed another comment criticizing the lack of rereleases with modern netcode, calling the commenter's reply "pointless" and muting them.
Despite the mixed reactions, many fans have expressed positive sentiments about Anna's new look. Redditor AngryBreadRevolution, for example, praised the design, appreciating the edgier and more vengeful persona it conveys. They noted that while the coat's resemblance to Christmas attire was a downside, other elements like the leotard, tights, boots, and gloves were well-received. Other fans, such as troonpins and Cheap_Ad4756, also commented on specific aspects of the design, with some feeling it made Anna appear younger and less like the dominatrix character she was known for in previous games. Spiralqq criticized the overall design as overdone and lacking focus, particularly disliking the coat's Santa-like appearance.
Tekken 8 has seen significant commercial success, selling 3 million copies within a year of its release, outpacing Tekken 7's sales trajectory. In IGN's Tekken 8 review, the game was praised for its engaging new features and improvements, earning a 9/10 score. The review highlighted the game's balance of honoring its legacy while pushing forward with new innovations, making it a standout entry in the beloved fighting game series.
