Tekken 8 Director Slams Fan Over Anna Williams' New Look: 'Unconstructive and Pointless'

Veteran Tekken 8 character Anna Williams is making a comeback, and while her new design has generally been well-received by fans, it has sparked some controversy, with some even likening her new look to that of Santa Claus.

When a fan requested that the game director and chief producer Katsuhiro Harada revert to Anna's older design, Harada responded firmly, defending the new design. He pointed out that 98% of fans were supportive and emphasized that past designs are still available for those who prefer them. Harada criticized the fan's approach, stating, "While 98% of the fans are welcoming this, there will always be people like you. I understand and sympathize that it may not suit your personal taste, but if you prefer the old design, past works already exist. I am not taking those away from you."

Harada further noted that the fan's claim to represent all Anna fans was misguided and that their demands and threats to quit were unconstructive and disrespectful to other fans who were excited about the new design. He added, "You threaten to quit if she isn’t brought back. You complain the moment she is brought back. You demand that she be reverted after she has been completely redesigned from scratch, including her model and framework. And if she actually were reverted, you’d just say, 'That’s recycling!' Either way, your method of expressing your opinion and the content of your argument are entirely unconstructive, utterly pointless, and, above all, disrespectful to the other Anna fans who are genuinely looking forward to her."

In response to another comment criticizing the lack of re-released older games with modern netcode, Harada dismissed the feedback as "pointless" and muted the commenter, calling them a "joke."

Despite some negative feedback, the general reception to Anna's new design has been positive, with many fans appreciating the new look. Redditor AngryBreadRevolution expressed satisfaction with the design, saying, "Before she was announced I was hoping for an edgier, angry, violent Anna out for revenge for her fiance's death and so I'm quite happy with this design!" They also noted that while the coat reminded them of Christmas, other elements like the leotard, tights, boots, and gloves were well-received.

Other fans had mixed feelings. Troonpins liked everything except the white feathers, commenting, "It’s giving Santa Clause." Cheap_Ad4756 felt that Anna appeared younger and less like a mature woman, stating, "Aside from looking like Santa Claus, she looks a lot younger than she did in Tekken 7 and before. She looks like less of a 'woman' now and more like a girl. I don't get the dominatrix vibe from her at all anymore." Spiralqq was more critical, describing the design as "horrible" and "overdesigned," suggesting it lacked a focal point and resembled Santa cosplay.

Tekken 8 has achieved significant commercial success, selling 3 million copies within a year of its release, outpacing Tekken 7, which took a decade to reach 12 million copies. In IGN's Tekken 8 review, the game received a 9/10 rating, praised for its innovative fighting systems, engaging offline modes, new characters, excellent training tools, and improved online experience. The review concluded, "By honoring its legacy, but continuing to move forward, Tekken 8 manages to stand out as something special."